SUV

TDI

In alphabetical order, the nine preselected handles are Abrera, Alboran, Aran, Aranda, Avila, Donosti, Tarifa, Tarraco, and Teide. Even though some of these sound weird the English-speaking world, SEAT has already started working with its customers to narrow the list. Bearing in mind we already have the Arona and Ateca, chances are the future crossover will also start with an A.A quick search of each of the nine names with the European Union Intellectual Property Office reveals SEAT has trademarked every single one of them. This gets us back to square one, and truth be told, it doesnt matter how the seven-seatwill be called. What is almost certain is that the mid-sized model will be influenced by the Skoda Kodiaq , itself based on the VW Tiguan.The time is fast approaching when we will all know the name of SEATs new SUV, declared the Spanish automakers Luca de Meo, with the head honcho thanking everyone for their input. Moving on to the innards of the MQB -based SUV, the yet-unnamed family hauler will be offered with a choice of four-cylinder TSI andengines. Select powertrains will be available with all-wheel-drive and the Volkswagen Groups seven-speed double-clutch box.In terms of size, look forward to dimensions similar to the Skoda Kodiaq: 4,697 millimeters in length, 1,882 millimeters in width, and a wheelbase stretching over approximately 2,791 millimeters. Just like the recently introduced Karoq compact crossover, the newcomer from SEAT is highly likely to get the Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster as an optional extra.Look forward to October 15 for the reveal of the winning name.
Enter Mitsubishi Motors, which became a part of Renault-Nissan following an acquisition completed toward the end of 2016. The period from January to June 2017 made it clear that the alliance was right to welcome Mitsubishi to its ranks. The three managed to sell 5,268,078 vehicles in the first half of 2017, thus dethroning Volkswagen (5,155,600) and Toyota (5,129,000). On fourth place, General Motors sold roughly 4.7 million vehicles in the period.Our enlarged Alliance is well placed to realize its full potential, not only in terms of unit volumes, but also by providing next-generation mobility services to customers around the world, declared Carlos Ghosn, chairman and chief executive of the alliance. As a brief refresher, the 63-year-old businessman is the new head of Mitsubishi in a bid to turn around the Japanese automaker.Taken into bits, the alliances results for January-July 2017 are as follows: Groupe Renault sold 1,879,288 vehicles, Nissan Motor 2,894,488, and Mitsubishi is trailing behind with 494,303. By market, Renault sold the most automobiles in France, Russia, and Italy, Nissan in the USA, China, and Japan, whereas Mitsubishi Motors proved most popular in the U.S., China, and Japan.Renault-Nissan may be enjoying its time in the sun, but bear in mind there are still plenty of months to go until the closure of 2017. Till then, the inevitable could happen. It will be interesting to wait and observe the post- Dieselgate Volkswagen Group trying to take back its place on the top step of the podium.With Mitsubishi now a full-time member of the alliance, word has it the next generation of the Pajero will share many of its bits and bobs with the upcoming Nissan Patrol (a.k.a. Armada in the U.S.). And that, frankly, could be just the beginning of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi juggernaut's exploits.
ATP Flight School, in Florida, has ordered 15 Skyhawks to add to its training fleet, which already includes 115 of the airplanes, Textron Aviation announced this week at EAA AirVenture. Deliveries of the new Skyhawks, each equipped with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics and an angle-of-attack display, will begin in the third quarter. With demand for airline pilots reaching unprecedented levels, increasing training capacity is vital to ensure a stable pipeline of pilots to the nations regional airlines, said Justin Dennis, vice president at ATP. These new aircraft will provide airline career pilot program students with the platform they need for successful, efficient airline career training.

ATPs career program prepares pilots for airline careers from zero time to 1,500 hours, building time with CFI jobs and airline employment. Airlines will help out with a portion of pilots loan repayment for the flight training, ATP says. ATP said it operates 300 aircraft that fly more than 185,000 hours annually, and students earn nearly 5,200 FAA pilot certificates every year. ATPs order supplements its 2016 purchase of 15 similarly equipped Skyhawks.
The House Republicans' border adjustment tax (BAT) is, finally, as good as dead. The Republican leaders in charge of tax reform have, for the first time, admitted in a joint statement that a centerpiece of the House GOP tax plan  the idea to raise some $1 trillion over 10 years by hiking taxes of imports and cutting them on exports  is politically unfeasible.

Here's the key sentence, from a statement released today by the "Big Six" lawmakers leading the tax reform process: "While we have debated the pro-growth benefits of border adjustability, we appreciate that there are many unknowns associated with it and have decided to set this policy aside in order to advance tax reform."

Why this matters: Conservative lawmakers and outside groups like the Koch network needed to hear that BAT was dead before they agree to put their full political and financial weight behind tax reform over the summer.

But, as for the rest of the joint statement, it's a total letdown and reveals the scope of disagreements still remaining between House Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady.

The tax "statement" is a series of platitudes, extremely light on specifics. It commits to lower taxes, but, unlike the plan Trump released in April, it doesn't offer specific tax rates. The statement is also silent on how to pay for the tax cuts, though it does suggest that the group wants the tax reform not to add to the deficit, by saying it places a "priority on permanence." (Many conservatives argue the President should just cut taxes without worrying about blowing out the budget deficit in the short term.)

The most substantive paragraph: "The goal is a plan that reduces tax rates as much as possible, allows unprecedented capital expensing, places a priority on permanence, and creates a system that encourages American companies to bring back jobs and profits trapped overseas. And we are now confident that, without transitioning to a new domestic consumption-based tax system, there is a viable approach for ensuring a level playing field between American and foreign companies and workers, while protecting American jobs and the U.S. tax base."

A source close to leadership texts his reaction to the joint statement (summing up the sentiment I've heard from several prominent tax lobbyists in Washington): "That tax statement is amazing. Other than BAT funeral, it has less substance than the April document...This town spent literally 24 hours get[ting] lathered up over this s---."
The Senate passed new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea by a 98-2 margin on Thursday. The bill had already passed the House 419-3, and is now headed to President Trump's desk.

White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci has said Trump might veto the sanctions, which limit his ability to dial back sanctions on Moscow in the future. The administration has said Trump wants flexibility to deal with Russia as he sees fit.

But the wide margins by which the bill passed both houses of Congress mean Trump would be risking an override of his veto should he decline to sign the sanctions into law.
Friday's front page from Trump's hometown paper following Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci's attacks on Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Chief Strategist Steve Bannon...
Armenias military and political alliance with Russia does not prevent it from forging closer security ties with the United States, Richard Mills, the U.S. ambassador in Yerevan, insisted on Friday.

No, there is no such obstacle, he said. The cooperation between the United States and Armenia in this area has moved forward and deepened in recent years. This shows Armenias ability to work with all of its neighbors and contribute to international security.

Mills argued that Armenias defense ties with Russia and the West should not be seen as a zero-sum game. The question is just that we ensure that Armenia makes its own decisions about who it wants to have military and security relations with, he said.

Armenia has stepped up defense cooperation with the U.S. and other NATO member states since the early 2000s. It currently contributes troops to NATO-led missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan and regularly participates in multinational exercises organized by the Western alliance. U.S. military assistance to Armenia has totaled about $50 million since 2002.

Mills spoke to reporters after watching a joint exercise held by Armenian fire-rescue teams, officers of the Kansas National Guard and a British army unit at a training center in Lusakert, central Armenia. Armenian Minister of Emergency Situations Minister Davit Tonoyan, the Kansas adjutant general, Major General Lee Tafanelli, and British Ambassador Judith Farnworth were also in attendance.

The exercise followed a ten-day training course held by the U.S. and British military personnel for Armenian firefighters and rescue workers. It focused on techniques of providing first aid and neutralizing hazardous materials.

Tonoyan stressed that his ministry is cooperating with both Russia and Western nations. Responses to emergency situations are an apolitical sphere all over the world and we will keep going down that path, he said after the drill. Natural disasters and emergencies do not recognize borders and geopolitics.
A trial prosecutor claimed on Friday that an Armenia Catholic priest financed members of a militant group that allegedly plotted to seize power in Armenia before being arrested in November 2015.

The cleric, Father Anton Totonjian, was taken into custody shortly after Armenian security forces raided the groups hideout in Yerevan. They found large quantities of weapons and explosives stashed there and arrested more than a dozen persons led by Artur Vartanian.

Vartanian lived in Spain before returning to Armenia in April 2015 and setting up his group called Hayots Vahan Gund (Armenian Shield Regiment). The National Security Service (NSS) claims that Vartanian and his associates drew up detailed plans for the seizure of the presidential administration, government, parliament, Constitutional Court and state television buildings in Yerevan.

Totonjian, who ran a Catholic radio station in Gyumri, was released from custody in January 2016 but still went on trial together with Vartanian and 18 other men in December. Everything is fabricated, the 71-year-old priest told journalists at the start of the trial.

Addressing a district court in Yerevan, one of the prosecutors at the trial claimed that Totonjian and Vartanian repeatedly met in April and May 2015 to discuss the situation in Armenia. He said they agreed that Armenias current leadership should be forcibly overthrown because of failing to address socioeconomic problems and being ready to make concessions to Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Having an experience of armed actions and military skills, Artur Vartanian undertook to create, with the aim of seizing power, a criminal association the full financing of which Anton Dikran Totonjian pledged to ensure, charged the prosecutor. He said the priest paid Vartanian $60,000 in several installments.

The alleged ringleader also denies the coup charges levelled against him. Artur Vartanian is not only rejecting the deeds attributed to him but also considers the accusations fabricated, his lawyer, Levon Baghdasarian, told RFE/RLs Armenian service (Azatutyun.am) on Friday.

Baghdasarian earlier did not deny that Vartanian set up the shadowy group and acquired firearms and explosives for it. But he insisted that his client never intended to seize government buildings.

A senior NSS official said last year that Vartanian secretly filmed President Serzh Sarkisian when the latter attended the consecration in September 2015 of a newly built Armenian Catholic church in Gyumri. He said the alleged coup plotter wore a church choir robe during the ceremony to avoid attracting presidential bodyguards attention.

Among the defendants in the ongoing high-profile trial is Vahan Shirkhanian, a former deputy defense minister. According to the NSS, Shirkhanian agreed to participate in the alleged plot and suggested that the armed group assassinate Sarkisian, instead of focusing on the seizure of the key state buildings. The 70-year-old denies the accusations as politically motivated.
28 July 2017 17:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

A shocking small number of entrants have enrolled at universities in Armenia this year.

The official data shows that this year, the universities of Armenia received 8,266 entrants, while this figure was 17,649 last year. Thus, the number of entrants to the countrys universities reduced by more than twice compared to last year. Armenian media report that now 11,375 places remain vacant in the state universities.

One of the main reasons of such a steep decline in the number of entrants is the socio-economic situation in Armenia. The countrys population suffers from the incompetence of the Armenian authorities, therefore many children are forced to work to help their family, rather than study in school or university.

Another problem is the declining population. Armenias official statistics show that over 50,000 children were born in 1999-2000. Today they should have been the graduates of Armenian schools, but their number reduced to only 19,618. This means that tens of thousands of these children left Armenia, moving to live in another country.

Therefore, dozens of Armenian universities are in search for students to vacant places. For example, the Yerevan State University has 903 vacant places for 38 specialties out of 58. It is noteworthy that majority of these places require the tuition fee. However, many Armenians dont have enough money to send their sons and daughters to study at university.

Moreover, the Armenian government adopted a decision to reduce the funds allocated for the education. Thus, the funding will be reduced from 3.2 percent of the countrys GDP in 2016 to 1.85 percent in 2020.

Armenian expert in the field of education, Serob Khachatryan notes that such saving of the Armenian government shows its attitude towards this sphere.

We must consider the education not as costs but as investments. If you don't allocate money to the education, you in fact dont make investments  therefore, you cannot expect anything in a few years, said Khachatryan.

The expert is sure that this decision of the Armenian government is "a disaster." He noted that as a result, Armenian schools and universities will get less money, and there will be no skilled professionals and educated generation in Armenia in the near future.

Thus, the number of Armenian students continues to decrease, children leave abroad forever, universities remain empty, and the Armenian government reduces the funding of education. These give ground to say that the collapse of Armenia as a state is not far off.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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28 July 2017 17:35 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

This spring, the Armenian side has announced about launch of excavations on the territory of the Azerbaijani mosque Govhar Agha, located in Shusha city in the Armenia-occupied Nagorno-Karabakh.

Twenty five years ago, the Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha, killing and disabling hundreds of innocent Azerbaijani civilians, expelling the entire population of the town, and destroying, burning down, and looting numerous monuments belonging to the Azerbaijani culture and history. After the occupation of Azerbaijani lands, the invaders started a policy of falsifying the real history of Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh, trying to present the remaining monuments as Armenian.

Armenians, from time to time, conduct illegal investigations for scientific justification of groundless claims to Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region. An interesting point is that Armenians name the Govhar Agha mosque as Persian in order to conceal that it is part of the rich Azerbaijani heritage in the countrys occupied lands.

Predictably, Armenian archeologists have recently revealed the first findings. Armenian media state that these are some early Christian burial sites allegedly discovered inside the mosque.

Head of the Caucasus History Center, Rizvan Huseynov is sure that this alleged finding is nothing more than another Armenian lie.

The Govhar Agha mosque is almost four-century old, and no source ever mentioned that it was built on any Christian tombs. There were held numerous restoration works during the Soviet period, but no graves were found, he said.

Huseynov reminded that Shusha was founded and built by Azerbaijanis, but now the Armenian side in order to justify its claims to the Azerbaijani lands comes up with facts and as always falsifies the history.

As always, there are only talks  no evidence was provided about the burial, there are no photos which could confirm this, said Huseynov,stressing that this suggests that the Armenian side, as usual, invents its own history.

Construction of the Azerbaijani mosque of Govhar Agha began on order of Ibrahim Khan in 1768 and was completed in 1885. The architecture of the mosque corresponds to the Karabakh style, which is also evidenced from Azerbaijans Agdam mosque, a mosque in Barda city, Ashaghi Govhar Agha mosque in Fuzuli, as well as the Juma and Horadiz mosques.

As a result of hostilities in early 1990s during the Nagorno-Karabakh war and vandalism of Armenian occupiers, the mosque was damaged. A few years ago, the occupation regime announced the start of its restoration, pre-declaring this Azerbaijani mosque as Persian.

The Govhar Agha mosque isn't the only historical monument of Azerbaijan that became the victim of Armenian vandalism. The occupiers constantly come up with new fake stories regarding Azerbaijani monuments in the occupied lands in an attempt to misappropriate the history of Azerbaijan.

Today, Armenians continue their efforts to deceive the international community with fabricated history and illegal excavation.



The only way to stop this injustice is the withdrawal of Armenian troops from Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions and the return of these occupied territories to Azerbaijan, as it is required in four UN Security Council resolutions of 1993.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
28 July 2017 12:50 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijan and Japan may open regular flights, as delegations of the two countries sat down at the negotiating table.

Baku hosted the negotiations between the delegations of the aviation authorities of Azerbaijan and Japan on July 28.

During the negotiations, which were held for the first time between the two countries civil aviation administrations, the sides discussed the issues of opening regular flights.

The parties agreed to grant the designated airlines the right to carry out direct passenger and cargo flights, as well as to conclude agreements on the joint use of codes.

Representatives of the Azerbaijani and Japanese airlines also took part at the meeting held in a friendly atmosphere, according to Azerbaijans State Civil Aviation Administration.

Azerbaijan, which works hard to develop its tourism sector, now targets on attracting Japanese tourists.

Earlier, Azerbaijan Tourism Association Chairman Nahid Bagirov said that Japanese is interested in visiting the Caucasus region. In this regard representatives of the major Japan tourism association with more than 10,000 members visited Baku last year.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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28 July 2017 15:10 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, a regional rail link project to directly connect Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, will be put into operation in October 2017, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Railway Company reported.

Kazakhstan Railways Head Kanat Alpysbaev was informed about this at negotiations during his working visits to Azerbaijan and Georgia.

During his trip to Azerbaijan, KTZ head Kanat Alpysbayev held negotiations with Turkeys Minister of Transport, Shipping and Communications Ahmet Arslan, Georgias Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Georgy Gakharia on further development of cooperation in the field of railway transport.



Kazakhstan railway workers and our Chinese colleagues are waiting for the opening of a new railway, which will expand the geography of cargo transportation along the corridor with access to Turkey, he said.

Taking into account the implementation of projects for the development of transport infrastructure, the potential of corridors passing through the territory of the regional countries increases many times.

This makes it possible to achieve up to two million containers per year in transit through the territory of Kazakhstan by 2020.

The BTK railway, construction of which began in 2008, is a corridor that will connect Azerbaijan, Georgian and Turkish railways. The railway, which is an important part of the Modern Silk Road, is aimed to improve economic relations between the three countries and gain foreign direct investment by connecting Europe and Asia.

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.

Meanwhile, the first test train on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) route left Turkey for Georgia on July 20.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
28 July 2017 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

Over the last years, Azerbaijani conductor Eyyub Guliyev`s name is seemingly everywhere.

The 32-years-old conductor is the winner of several competitions, including the International Conducting Competition after B. Lyutoslavckiy in Belostok in 2006 and the International Conducting Competition after D. Mitropoulos in Athens in 2008.

In 1998 upon the decree of the President of Azerbaijan Republic the name of Eyyub Guliyev was included into the Presidential Golden Book of Young Talents and he also has become the Presidents scholarship holder.

This year has also brought many positive changes in the life of conductor.

Upon the decree of the President of Azerbaijan Republic, Eyyub Guliyev has been awarded the title of Honored Artist of Azerbaijan. Moreover, conductor took the second place at first "Debut Hamburg 2017" music contest in Germany.

" All rewards that I get abroad are very important, but for me because they are addressed not only to me but to our country. It's the achievement Azerbaijani musical culture". However, awarded the title of Honored Artist that has been given by the President Ilham Aliyev is of particular importance," said Guliyev in his interview with Day.Az.

He also stressed the government's role in development of Azerbaijani culture.

"I am very fortunate that our state always supports musicians. In 1999, I received the first scholarship and by order of the National leader Heydar Aliyev was included into "Golden book of young talents". In those difficult years this scholarship was a big motivation. Heydar Aliyev has attended all of our concerts. Today, President Ilham Aliyev, the newly appointed First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, who also heads the Heydar Aliyev Foundation pay great attention to young artists", he said.

In his interview, conductor stressed that large-scale musical projects are being held in country.

" A number of theatres and festivals are canceled in other countries due to lack of funds. However, grandiose festivals are being held in Azerbaijan. Large-scale musical projects for young musicians is a priority. They have a chance to perform together with their famous counterparts", he said.

Eyyub Guliyev also spoke about his successful performance "Debut Hamburg 2017" music contest held in Germany.

" I was primarily attracted to the jury of the contest. I wanted to know their opinion about Azerbaijani conductor, wanted to test their strength", said conductor.

" First, it was necessary to pass the qualifying round, which was very difficult. This competition gives you an opportunity to perform with German's famous orchestra-Klassik Philharmonie Hamburg. We performed works by Edward Elgar and Sergei Prokofiev, who I had never conducted before. It's very prestigious competition which allows to promote Azerbaijani music in Europe", he added.

Eyyub Guliyev also spoke about his first competition. The conductor received his first award at Lutosawski competition held in Poland in 2006. After that he was often invited to Poland where he actively promoted Azerbaijani music.

But the most prestigious for conductor was the International Conducting Competition named after Arturo Toscanini in Parma, Italy. During 19 years nobody had won first prize of the contest. It was so honorable that the Azerbaijani conductor was the first who took the first place. After that, Guliyev I was invited on a concert tour with the orchestra named after A. Toscanini.

"Azerbaijani music is perceived with great enthusiasm.We are always asked play some works by national composers. Through these competitions we have the opportunity to promote Azerbaijani music in the world. And by winning these contests, you have the right to make changes in the repertoire of orchestras. Now, after winning the recent competition in Germany, I have already received an invitation to perform with different orchestras. I will try more often to choose for a concert of Azerbaijani classical music", he added.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
28 July 2017 11:52 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

The Turkish World Documentary Film Festival is set to take place from September 27 to November 7.

This year,the project aims to expand its target audience.

The festival will take place in several countries, including Turkey, Turkish Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Macedonia, as well as eight cities and 16 movie theaters, including in Baku, Daily Sabah reported.

Over 40 documentaries chosen by the selection committee will be shown in two different theaters - one public and one university - in eight cities across seven countries.

Besides, the festival will feature workshops and conversations at Istanbul University Congress and Cultural Center for three days.

The gala evening will be held in Cemal Bilsel Conference Hall at Istanbul University on September 30. One day before the event, seven jury members comprised of prominent documentary filmmakers will gather and choose documentaries in the competition category under the presidency of Hocakulu Narliyev.

In addition, students of the Turkic World Communication Community will come together in Istanbul to hold the first Turkic world communication community meeting.

An exhibition of the Turkish world film posters, comprised of images from the archives of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Baltic States Confederation of Filmmakers' Union and Turkey's Cinema and Television Works Owners Society, will be held at Istanbul University's Congress and Cultural Center as part of the event.

Presented in honor of Azerbaijani director Tofiq Ismayilov, the award will be personally handed to the winner by Ismayilov's wife. Moreover, the biography "The World is a Window," written by Ismayilov but never released, will be screened and distributed to a wider Turkic audience as part of the festival activities.

The Turkish World Documentary Film Festival is co-organized by the Journalists Association of the Turkish World with the support of the Promotion Fund of the Turkish Prime Ministry, Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), Anadolu Agency (AA) and the Union of Turkish World Municipalities.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
28 July 2017 13:30 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The Armenian armed forces daily carry out provocations on the frontline with Azerbaijan, thus proving that the Armenian leadership continues its aggressive policy against the neighboring country.

Some days ago, the Armenian armed forces once again used a combat drone on the line of contact of the troops, in the territory of Azerbaijan's Tartar region. Today, the aggressors continue to violate the ceasefire by carrying out provocations through the use of heavy weapons along the contact line and the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border. The Armenian armed forces deliberately shell not only the Azerbaijani armed forces, but also the civilians and civilian facilities in frontline areas.

Lev Spivak, the director general of the Israel-Azerbaijan International Association, told Day.az that the provocative actions of the Armenian armed forces show that the leadership of this country is not interested in a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the resumption of the negotiating process.

The Israeli political scientist believes that in the face of the Armenian authorities' unpreparedness for peace, an end to the Armenian aggression can be put through only one way  by force.

I am deeply convinced that there is only one way of ending this long-standing conflict  by military intervention. The occupied lands should be returned by force, Spivak said. Roughly speaking, we will get nothing while we expect that they will return them [lands].

The expert also added that even if some authorities, international bodies or organizations will again adopt decisions and resolutions calling on Armenia to return the Azerbaijani territories, there is no guarantee that the Armenians will fulfill them. Four such resolutions of the UN Security Council, as well as of other international organizations still remain unfulfilled by Armenia.

To my deepest regret, I do not believe that there is a peaceful way to resolve the Karabakh conflict in conditions when Armenia shows the opposite, trying to maintain the status quo, said Spivak.

The expert also assumed that the existing status quo is in the interests of not only Armenians, but also Russia and the U.S.  the countries responsible for the peace progress in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

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.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
28 July 2017 14:52 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

Pakistan has signed an agreement with Azerbaijan for sale of 10 Super Mushshak training aircraft to Azerbaijan Air Force, Trend reported with reference to Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

The contract was signed in Azerbaijan, where Air Marshal Arshad Malik, Chairman of the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex at the town of Kamra represented Pakistan, whereas Azerbaijan was represented by Air Force Commander Azerbaijan Lieutenant General Ramiz Tahirov at the occasion.

This contract would also include operational training and technical support and assistance to Azerbaijan Air Force.

"This landmark agreement will further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two brotherly countries," the PAF said.

Approximately 300 Super Mushshak aircraft are being used by PAF and Pakistan Army for military training of pilots and other defense related activities.

Pakistan has recently signed agreements to export Super Mushshak aircraft to Turkey, Nigeria and Qatar.

This contract would not only open new avenues for export of aviation equipment to foreign countries but also help in generating revenue for the country.

The aircraft is already in service with Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran and South Africa.

Back in November 2016, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry and Pakistans Joint Staff Headquarters signed a plan of bilateral military cooperation in Islamabad. The sides agreed to continue cooperation in carrying out joint military exercises and discussed detailed cooperation in defense sector and joint military production.

Azerbaijan, which is in war with neighboring Armenia over the latter's territorial claims, keeps in focus the armament. The country, which enjoys the most modern army in the Caucasus, leaves behind many CIS countries to take its place among the first 70 strongest militaries of the world, according to the U.S.-based Global Firepower survey center.

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28 July 2017 09:50 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Peru Pedro Pablo Kuczynski.

On behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Peru  Independence Day, Ilham Aliyev said in his letter.

I am hopeful that the relations of friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Peru will develop and expand in the best interests of our countries and peoples.

On this remarkable day, I wish you robust health, success in your endeavors, and the friendly people of Peru peace and prosperity, the president added.

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28 July 2017 10:51 (UTC+04:00)

A new print edition of the AZERNEWS online newspaper was released on July 28.



The new edition includes articles about Baku may become best example of smart city in region, New complex significantly increase metallurgical produce in country, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria strive for cooperation in agriculture, Etihad Airways plans to open Abu Dhabi-Baku flight etc.



AZERNEWS is an associate member of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA).



The online newspaper is available at www.azernews.az.
28 July 2017 11:33 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Israfilbayova

Revenues of the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) from the project of development of the countrys Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) block of oil and gas fields amounted to $125.2 billion from early 2001 to Jul 1, 2017.

SOFAZ reported that its revenues from the project totaled $3.10 billion in January-June 2017.

A contract for development of ACG block of oil and gas fields was signed in 1994 for 30 years.

Thirteen companies from 8 countries (Azerbaijan, U.S., Great Britain, Russia, Turkey, Norway, Japan, Saudi Arabia) have participated in signing of the "Contract of the Century".

Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR and BP-operated Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC) signed an agreement on future development of the ACG field in December 2016.

The agreement will cover the development of the field until 2050 and will add significant resource development potential. The document agrees the key commercial terms for the future development of the ACG field and enables the parties to conclude negotiations and finalize fully-termed agreements in the next few months.

The ACG field, which lies 120km off the coast of Azerbaijan, is considered to be the largest oilfield in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea.

The proven oil reserves of the block amounts to approximately 1 billion tons.

Shareholders of the ACG development include BP with 35.8 percent, Chevron - 11.3 percent, Inpex - 11 percent, AzACG - 11.6 percent, Statoil - 8.55 percent, Exxon - 8 percent, TRAO- 6.75 percent, Itochu - 4.3 percent and ONGC - 2.7 percent.

SOFAZ was established under the Presidential Decree, dated December 29, 1999, "On Establishment of the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan".

The main purpose of the establishment of the Fund was to preserve and multiply the income derived from oil, create an excellent economic base, taking into account social needs, the requirements of economic progress and development of the country. Besides, the challenge ahead is to protect the country's economy from possible negative influences caused by the growth of foreign exchange earnings and avoidance of damage to financial discipline.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
28 July 2017 12:07 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during his visit to the countrys Avaza resort on the Caspian seashore drew special attention to the importance of carefully treating the environment and maintaining a favorable ecological situation, the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper reported July 27.

The main focus of the Avaza resort is health improvement, which is conditioned upon the unique climate of the seaside region and presence of healing hydromineral resources, according to the Neutral Turkmenistan.

In March, the International Ocean Institute (IOI) organized a regional seminar in Avaza, titled The Caspian Sea  Sustainable Development and Management. Experts from Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan were invited to take part in the seminar.

The event participants studied marine ecosystems, the impact of climate change on the marine environment, marine biodiversity, current methods for assessing the impact of human activities on the environment and marine spatial planning.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
28 July 2017 13:02 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Gulnara Karimova, a daughter of former Uzbek President Islam Karimov, was sentenced to five years in prison in Uzbekistan, the countrys Prosecutor General's Office said July 28.

The Tashkent Regional Court convicted Gulnara Karimova of committing the charged crimes and she was sentenced to five years in prison, said the message.

According to the Prosecutor General's Office, the total damage caused to the interests of the state and its citizens on two criminal cases amounts to over 1.27 trillion soums, $1.65 billion and 26.1 million euros.

Under control and with the assistance of Karimova, in 2001-2013, members of an organized crime group committed a number of crimes, including misappropriation of cash, shares and assets of citizens and entrepreneurs, embezzlement through misappropriation of state assets, tax evasion.

Karimovas guilt in committing these crimes is confirmed by the testimony of members of the organized crime group and other persons, witnesses, victims, expert findings and other evidence collected on the case.

Moreover, the criminal investigation is ongoing regarding other crimes by Karimova.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Bajaj is going to set up shop in Thailand over the next couple of months. This step is a part of the companys plan of widening footprint in south-east Asia.

Speaking to PTI, S Ravikumar, president (business development and assurance), Bajaj Auto said, "South east Asia is a big market for two-wheelers. We are getting good response from Malaysia and now in a couple of months, we will also start exporting to Thailand." Earlier this year, Bajaj made its foray in to Malaysia by joining hands with a local player, Modenas. The company has so far launched the Pulsar and the V range in the country. For Thailand however, Bajaj will be exporting both motorcycles as well as commercial vehicles.

Bajaj shipped off 4.09 lakhs motorcycles to its global markets in the last quarter. While a few markets like Sri Lanka have seen a drop in sales, others like Nigeria, Colombia and Philippines have witnessed a good demand. Apart from Thailand, Bajaj is looking at expanding to three more markets over the next few months.




First up, Joe Biden is thinking about dropping tariffs against China. But theres a spy in prison this morning that helps us understand why he shouldnt. Ill explain.





Your second brief, If youre looking for a good paying job, you might consider being a CEO for a health insurance company. One executive made $142M dollars last year. Let's talk about that.





And as always, Im keeping an eye out for developing stories. Put this one on your radar. Mexican cartels are grooming American kids online and paying them cash to traffic illegals or run drugs across the border. Ill share details.





If you enjoyed this episode of the President's Daily Brief, remember to subscribe and listen daily at podfollow.com/pdb.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rapists Are Injected With Female Hormones Here Pulse oi-Syeda Farah

Though there have been severe cases of people fighting to get justice for the rape victims, we think there is little or just nothing that is usually done by the government.

In India, there is very little action that is being taken to address a serious issue such as Rape. The punishment is also prolonged for long and people still feel that proper justice is not served.

You May Also Like To Read: Raped? The Actual Pain Begins After That...

India needs to follow rules like Indonesia, where the rules for rapists have been reformed. These rules are much needed in certain countries where rape is considered to be a regular thing!

Check out on how the nation has decided to fight back against the rapists who are making the place a hell to live on for the victims!

How It All Started? When a similar case such as the infamous Delhi rape case of 2012 happened in Indonesia, the government was quick and wise enough to punish the culprits by giving them the stringiest of punishments. Do we see any such luck here yet? The Incident Took Place 2 Months Before The New Law Was Revealed The 14-year-old girl was raped by 12 people in Indonesia who later murdered her. The residents of the country appealed to the President of the nation to punish the culprits and the President has promised a new law against the rapists. According To The New Indonesian Rule... According to the new Indonesian law, the rapists are made impotent by injecting them with female hormones and then they are given death penalty, depending upon the extent of crime. That Is Not The Only Law The rapist's name would be made public and his activities will be monitored by the electronic chip that would be inserted in the body of the rapist, if he is not sentenced to death. According to the law, the electronic chip will get activated after the rapist finishes his sentence. We Guess India Needs Such Rules! With so many strict rules that are followed around in the world, we guess the government in India also needs to revise the laws and rules for rapists. What is your take on the same? Do share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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Story first published: Friday, July 28, 2017, 17:05 [IST]
Nag Panchami 2021: Interesting Legends Associated with Nag Panchami Festivals oi-Lekhaka

Nag Panchami is observed on the Shukla Paksha Panchami in the Shravan month according to the Hindi calendar. This year, the day is falling on 11 August (Friday). The muhurta (timing) for the puja will be between 05:39 AM to 08:22 AM.

Nag Panchami, or the festival of snakes, is celebrated on the fifth day of the Shravana month, during the bright fortnight. There are a lot of stories and legends that are cited as the reason behind the celebration of the Nag Panchami festival. Let us look at some of the interesting legends of Nag Panchami.

Farmer And The Snakes

Once upon a time, there lived a farmer with his wife, two sons and a daughter. One day, the farmer was ploughing his farm and he accidentally ran over and killed three baby snakes of a Naagin (a female snake of immense power). The Nagin was overcome with anger and vowed to make the farmer suffer in the same way.

In the night, the Naagin went stealthily and bit the farmer's wife and his two sons. But the sun rose before she could kill the daughter.

The next night, the Naagin came again to finish the daughter off. But the daughter was already expecting her. She placed a bowl of milk before the Naagin (female snake) and worshipped her. It was coincidently the day of Naga Panchami.

The girl's offering pleased the Naagin and returned the girl's mother and brother's lives.

Since that day, Naga Panchami is celebrated by men to escape the wrath of snakes.

The Youngest Prince, His Wife And The Nagas

Once upon a time, there lived a king with his queen and their six sons. All six sons were married. They all had children too, except for the youngest son. The wife of the youngest son was made fun of and was called barren and with other names due to her misfortune. This hurt her very much. She wept and told her husband about all her woes. He consoled her and said "having children is a matter of fate. Let the people talk like they wish but I don't think the same way about you. Be happy instead of worrying about what others say."

Time passed and the fourth day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravana arrived. That night, as the bride of the youngest son slept, five Nagas (snakes) appeared to her in her dream. They told her that the next day was Naga Panchami. If she worships the Nagas on that day, she will be blessed with a precious little boy. She woke up immediately and narrated her dream to her husband.

The young prince told her to make five images of the snakes that she saw in her dream. It is said that the snakes dislike warm food. So, raw milk should be offered to them in worship.

The bride of the sixth son did accordingly and was rewarded with a lovely son.

The Brahmin And Naga Panchami

Once in a city known as Manikapura, there lived a Gavada Brahmin. Though he was a Brahmin, he did not know anything about Naga Panchami. He was ignorant of the fact that digging, ploughing, burning, picking and roasting are deeds that are not to be done on the Naga Panchami day.

He went to his fields on the Naga Panchami day and started ploughing the fields. He accidentally ran over a family of snakes. All the young snakes were killed but the mother snake escaped.

As revenge, she bit all the members of the Brahmin's family and they all died, except for a daughter who was a great devotee of the Snake Goddess. She had celebrated the festival of Naga Panchami every year religiously. Because of this, the mother snake had let her escape her wrath.

But the Brahmin's daughter prayed to the mother snake to help her. The mother Snake then gave her magical nectar that the girl sprinkled on the corpses of her family. With this, all of the family members woke up from death as if they had been in a deep sleep.

The daughter then advised the family to worship the snake Gods on Nag Panchami. The Brahmin also promised to keep away from all the burning, digging and ploughing on that day.

Naga Panchami And The Bond Of Brothers And Sisters

Once upon a time, there lived a boy with his little sister. The sister was a great devotee of Snake God (Nag Devta). On Naga Panchami, she asked her elder brother to bring her the flowers of Ketaki. The ketaki flower is considered to be the favourite of the snakes.

The brother went deep into the jungle to bring the Ketaki flower but a snake bit him and he passed away. The little sister was stricken with grief. She prayed to the snake Gods and asked them to bring her brother back. The Snake Gods appeared and gave her an ointment to rub on the back of the dead brother. She did as per advised. On rubbing the ointment, the brother came back to life.

Since that day, Nag Panchami is also observed as a day on which the bond of a brother and sister is celebrated.

In the South Indian states, the girls and married women rub a little ghee or raw milk on the backs, belly button and the spine of their brothers. This also depicts the bond of the womb they share. Doing this ritual is said to strengthen the bond between the brother and sister.
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Kerala Criminal Judicial Test results have been released by the Kerala Public Service Commission (Kerala PSC). Candidates who had written the exam can now check the results online.

The mark list of candidates those who had attended the Kerala Criminal Judicial test November 2015 is also published on the official website of Kerala PSC, keralapsc.gov.in.

When was KPSC held?

Kerala criminal judicial recruitment 2015 part 1 examination was held on 2016 September 28 and September 29, while Part 2 was held on September 30 and October 3. Part 3 exam was held on September 4 and September 5, 2016.

Kerala Criminal Judicial recruitment 2015's results and mark lists are available to check for those candidates who attended Kerala Criminal Judicial test November 2015 for the exams held on 2016 September and November.

Also Read: RBI Recruitment: Apply for Director and Officer Posts Now!

How to check the KPSC recruitment results?

In order to check the KPSC recruitment results, follow the steps given here:
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The Travelers Companies, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United states and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. The Business Insurance segment offers workers' compensation, commercial automobile and property, general liability, commercial multi-peril, employers' liability, public and product liability, professional indemnity, marine, aviation, onshore and offshore energy, construction, terrorism, personal accident, and kidnap and ransom insurance products. This segment operates through select accounts, which serve small businesses; commercial accounts that serve mid-sized businesses; national accounts, which serve large companies; and national property and other that serve large and mid-sized customers, commercial trucking industry, and agricultural businesses, as well as markets and distributes its products through brokers, wholesale agents, and program managers. The Bond & Specialty Insurance segment provides surety, fidelity, management and professional liability, and other property and casualty coverages and related risk management services through independent agencies and brokers. The Personal Insurance segment offers property and casualty insurance covering personal risks, primarily automobile and homeowners insurance to individuals through independent agencies and brokers. The Travelers Companies, Inc. was founded in 1853 and is based in New York, New York.
Morgan Stanley is the 6th largest financial institution in the US. The company is ranked 61st on the Forbes Fortune 500 list and is the 39th largest bank in the world. A financial holding company, Morgan Stanley provides a full range of financial services to clients around the world.

Morgan Stanley was formed in 1935 as a result of the Glass-Steagall Act. Glass-Steagall separated commercial and investment banking in a way that forced the then-largest bank J.P. Morgan & Co to split into two groups. J.P. Morgan & Co. chose to retain the commercial side of the business while partners Henry S. Morga, grandson of J.P., and Harold Stanley took the investment end. In its first year, Morgan Stanley did 24% of the IPO business and maintains a lions share of the market to this day.

The original company existed and grew through acquisitions until 1987 when it merged with Dean Witter Discover & Co. The new Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Discover & Co existed for 14 years until 2001 when the name was shortened back to Morgan Stanley.

The bank is credited in part with both beginning and ending the financial crisis of 2007/2008. The Process Driven Trading unit lost $300 million in one day due to a short-squeeze that popped the bubble in the housing market. After teetering on the brink of failure Morgan Stanley agreed to become a bank holding company regulated by the Federal Reserve, a key factor in the original decision to split from parent J.P. Morgan & Co. Ironically when given the chance, present-day J.P. Morgan refused to buy Morgan Stanley but that was for the better.

Today, Morgan Stanley operates through three segments via offices in 41 countries and employs more than 75,000 people. Revenue in 2021 topped $49 billion and total assets topped $1.15 trillion.

The operating segments are Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments. The Institutional Securities segment is by far the largest and most profitable. It offers a range of services and products for businesses, institutions, and entities that include capital raising, strategic advisory, underwriting, advice on M&A, restructuring, and real estate. The Wealth Management segment provides brokerage and investment advisory services for individuals and employers. The services include brokerage, financial planning, company stock-plan administration, insurance, mortgage loans, lines of credit, and retirement planning. The Investment Management segment provides investment products to a range of institutions, organizations, corporations, and governments.
KETCHUM  Want to know more about total solar eclipses? The city of Ketchum is hosting a free presentation by a Boise State University physics professor.

Physicist Brian Jackson, who teaches astronomy at BSU, previously worked at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. At 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jackson will present on the history of eclipses and the role they play in explaining the universe.

The event will take place at the town square. Ketchum and Sun Valley are in the path of totality for the Aug. 21 event.

Jackson will also talk about how to safely watch next months total solar eclipse safely.

For information about the total solar eclipse in Ketchum and Sun Valley and other educational events, visit: ketchumsunvalleyeclipse2017.com.
Headed to the beach? Youre not alone. Whether youre going luxe with a visit to one of the best-rated, most beautiful beaches of Hawaii or youre just taking a quick drive to the local swim hole, some beaches are worth the aggravating sand in your shorts (and your hair, and the car, and everywhere) while others are poorly reviewed by frequent visitors. Pollution or overall dirtiness are common complaints, along with other lesser known obstacles, such as rocky terrain or difficult access.

So is it worth the drive and lugging all the beach stuff if the end result is so disappointing? Read on to see the worst beaches in the U.S.

1. Manhattan Beach, New York

This Brooklyn beach destination is leagues away from an idyllic seaside retreat. According to Yelp reviewer Tommy K, Trashy beach, meaning lots of trash on the beach  broken glass, plastic bags, chicken bones and wrappers of all sorts  and it makes its way into the water, everyone! Do you want to swim in trash? Some people dont mind, but I do.

Other complaints included dirty bathrooms, dark and possibly contaminated ocean water, loud music, unnecessary police interference, rowdiness, and, oddly enough, huge crowds. Sounds like you should just stick to other Big Apple activities if youre in the area.

2. Stonesteps Beach, California

California is known for its amazing beaches, but this seaside locale isnt one of them. Reviewers cant get over how difficult it is to access this seaside spot, which is located at the bottom of giant bluffs in Encinitas. Apparently, it requires 100,000 steps of pure hell to get to the actual beach. One Yelp reviewer even reported that a sunbather died after part of a bluff fell.

If youre lucky enough to be in California near the coast, there are lots of better beaches to choose from.

3. Avalon Beach, California

According to the Los Angeles Times, For most of the last decade, Avalon Harbor Beach has ranked among the most polluted in the state, tainted with human sewage that puts swimmers at risk. One report listed Avalon as one of the 10 most chronically polluted beaches in the nation for failing state health tests as much as 73% of the time.

4. Bryan Beach, Texas

The Gulf is gorgeous. But Bryan Beach? Not so much.

One Houston native Yelp reviewer warns, Avoid at all costs if you do not like brown water and walls of decaying algae. And even though its one of the few beach spots you can still drive and camp on without paying a fee, its also a spot where alligator sightings can happen  so keep watch.

5. Hobie Beach, Florida

The Sunshine State boasts the Keys, where beachgoers flock in search of a tropical feel without the hassle of international travel. But when youre in Florida, its better to stay far away from Hobie Beach.

Yelp reviewers had plenty of criticism, saying, There was a minimum of one piece of trash for every square foot we walked. They didnt have any better reviews of the crowd, saying, Absolutely some of the worst people you will meet in Miami are at this beach. Plus, its one of the few beaches in the area that permits dogs, meaning youre likely to find leashless pups and messes that inconsiderate owners failed to clean up.

Our advice? Skip this one.

6. Beachwood Beach West, New Jersey

When it comes to water contamination, it doesnt get much worse than this small Jersey shore point. One article calls this spot one of the dirtiest in the country, thanks to repeated failed water quality tests. Its best to stay away or you could risk getting sick.

7. Atlantic City, New Jersey

Dirty and dangerous seems to be a common review when it comes to Atlantic City. With defunct casinos, crime-riddled streets, sketchy stores on the boardwalk, and dirty sand, this place is a far cry from tropical paradise. Gamble here if you must, but if youre seeking seaside rest and relaxation, youd better head a bit farther north.

8. Dempster Beach, Illinois

Dempster. Dumpster. Coincidence?

Top complaints about this Evanston destination include overly strict, whistle-happy lifeguards and unnecessarily steep admission prices. Its clean enough, but because its technically on a lake, some might argue its barely a beach. Save your money, and put it toward a real trip to the ocean instead.

9. Ontario Beach, New York

Storm runoff is part of what contributed to multiple failed water quality tests at this Rochester beach. According to City Newspaper, 40% of the 248 samples from the Ontario Beach didnt meet the federal beach water safety guidelines in 2014.

10. Wildwood, New Jersey

The locals know better than to spend too much time in Wildwood. Dirty beaches, crime, and a boardwalk where its not necessarily safe to take the family after dark are all problems here. Another major issue is the unsafe bacteria level, which led to closures in summer 2017.

11. Bastendorff Beach, Oregon

One Yelp reviewer had some strong words for the Parks and Rec department in charge of keeping this Pacific Coast destination looking good: This place was FILTHY! Rusty nails, broken glass, beer cans, bottle caps, cardboard carriers for 6-packs of beer, the remains of fireworks, baby binkies, condom wrappers, and cigarette butts everywhere.

Other reviewers also complained about the campground area, which also had its fair share of pollution, plus dirty showers.

12. Doheny State Beach, California

A crowded beach and a crowded parking lot  and for what? This beach isnt even that great, according to reviewers.

Seaweed, cigarette butts, and trash litter the area, and the overzealous parking attendants wont hesitate to slap your vehicle with a hefty ticket if they catch you going over time. And because more than one reviewer reported feeling sick after swimming in the water, its better to stay far, far away from this dump.

13. Long Beach Beaches, California

Reviewers on Yelp have tons of critiques, and because there are so many better beaches close by, most wonder why anyone would waste their time here. One beachgoer said, Polluted water, filthy sand, and rank air sums up our whole beach experience. Surfing enthusiasts also hate this beach, which has zero waves thanks to its geographical location.

14. Carson Beach, Massachusetts

When is a beach not a beach? When its Carson Beach. One reviewer said its the worst beach I have ever been to. Its a nasty sandbox next to some murky water. Another took it one step further, saying, This is NOT, I repeat, NOT a beach.

Need a relaxing beach day? Make the drive to the Cape instead.

15. Malibu Pier, California

Water testing for bacteria, such as E. coli, is standard practice, and with reported unsafe samples more than 20% of the time, the dirtiest one in California was Malibu Pier. With so many other gorgeous beach destinations close by, its best to stay away from this one.
Eritrean Patriarch detained for 10 years has attended church  but it's a fig leaf for continued repression, campaigners say

The Eritrean Orthodox Patriarch, detained at home since 2007, has been allowed to attend a church service for the first time since his arrest  but supporters say in spite of this there has been no reconciliation with the regime.

Patriarch Abune Antonios was arrested and deposed by the repressive Eritrean regime after he criticised its human rights record and refused to allow it to interfere in Church affairs. The government installed another patriarch who was not recognised by the wider Orthodox Church, but he died in 2015.

Antonios, now aged 90, was allowed to take part in the mass at St Mary's Cathedral in the capital, Asmara, but local sources told Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) that he was surrounded by guards and that plain-clothes policeman dissuaded the congregation from taking pictures.

According to CSW, the patriarch's appearanced followed the publication on the website of the Eritrean Orthodox Church of a letter from its Holy Synod saying the rift caused by his removal from office was over. It published a picture of a 'reconciliation committee' comprising the 'Union of the Monasteries and Church Scholars', who had participated in a process that had allegedly ended in 'full reconciliation'.

At the service on Sunday a statement from the reconciliation committee was read. However, Antonios himself has yet to speak out and has previously categorically denied the charges against him.

CSW's chief executive Mervyn Thomas said: 'Sadly, as information filters through from Eritrea, it is becoming apparent that Abune Antonios may not have been released, let alone reinstated. Instead, his reappearance increasingly seems to be part of an official attempt to seize control of the narrative following a wave of international pressure for his release, and to provide a fig leaf for individuals, nations, businesses and organisations that seek to engage with the regime in spite of its appalling human rights record.

'Patriarch Antonios, who suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure, has been detained incommunicado for a lengthy period and for no legitimate reason. CSW calls once again for his unconditional release and reinstatement, and echoes the request from the EOC Diocese of North America for the presence of representatives from sisterly Oriental Orthodox churches to observe and confirm the reconciliation process.

'We also urge the international community not only to make urgent representations with the Eritrean authorities regarding the patriarch's current situation, but to also hold them accountable for his continued wellbeing, reminding them his removal from office constitutes unlawful interference in church affairs and calling for his immediate release and restoration.'
Franklin Graham among evangelicals who applaud Trump's transgender ban

President Trump's controversial ban on transgender individuals serving in the US Military, announced this week, was reportedly discussed at a meeting with evangelical Christian leaders two weeks prior, and has won the approval of other high-profile evangelicals.

David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network reported the news via Twitter on Wednesday, tweeting: 'NEW ON @TheBrodyFile: Faith advisors to @realDonaldTrump discussed strategy to reverse transgenders in military policy at WH two weeks ago'.

He added that evangelical leaders had also sent a signed letter to Trump this week advising him to reverse the current transgender policy. He summarised: 'The transgender announcement by @POTUS is more proof that @realDonaldTrump has become a dream come true for conservative evangelicals'.

The President tweeted on Wednesday: 'Please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military'.

It hasn't been confirmed, but the meeting Brody referred to may have been the July 10 gathering of Christian leaders at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House, as RNS reported. It was after that meeting that a viral image of evangelical leaders laying hands on Trump in prayer was taken and shared online.

I'm asking you all to please say a prayer for God to keep President Trump and his family safe from harm.#ThursdayThoughts pic.twitter.com/CpmJOMc4Ru  #ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) July 27, 2017

Adding to evangelical Christian support for Trump's decision, the evangelist and Trump-ally Franklin Graham also backed the decision in a post on Facebook yesterday. He shared an article from 'former transgender' Walt Heyer which made the case for Trump's decision, saying: 'the US military is a fighting force, not a gender clinic.'

Graham commented: 'Why should our military veterans suffer without the medical care they need while we pay extravagant medical costs for people who think they want to change their gender!'

Trump's decision drew a range of reactions from religious leaders, including intense criticism, as RNS reported. But established Trump-allies were clear in their endorsement of the move. These included Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church Dallas, and founder of Focus on the Family James Dobson who called the President's decision 'heartening'.

However, The Episcopal Church's presiding bishop Michael Curry was among those who criticised Trump.

He said: 'I am compelled to oppose these actions and to affirm the moral principle of equal rights for all persons, including the LGBTQ communities. I do so as a follower of Jesus Christ, as Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, and as a citizen who loves this country.'
God can sometimes be silent, but he is never absent: Brian Houston talks to Christian Today

God can sometimes be silent  but he is never absent.

This is the experience of Brian Houston, who with his wife Bobbie is founder of Hillsong, the phenomenal international evangelical church community which counts pop star Justin Bieber among its members.

Houston was speaking to Christian Today to mark the publication of the paperback edition of his bestseller book of daily readings, Live, Love, Lead.

In an era when people have so many options and the pressure to compromise is very real, walking with Jesus is purely by 'his grace and not our good works', he says. 'When we focus on Jesus, other things grow dim and temptation meets its match. When we focus on our own ability to live good lives we tend to struggle and fail.'

Hillsong has always been known  and hugely admired  throughout Christian communities. But recently it has aroused new interest beyond the church because pop star Justin Bieber attends Hillsong, even flying recently to Australia to worship there.

So what is it like for Houston to have this global superstar turn up in his congregation?

'Our church around the globe has people from every spectrum of society from the poor and needy through to globally recognisable names from the various spheres of life. Our focus is not on "celebrity" in our services. It is on Jesus.

'Our church is built on effective ministry to youth and children, pastoring and caring for people, a sense of community, as well as worship and preaching. That's why people come. Justin, like many others, is in church to strengthen his faith and to worship Jesus. A young man under huge pressure desiring to build a better foundation into his life.'

Bieber has been a public example of a young man trying his best to sustain his faith through extreme pressures from a secular world where fame, celebrity and money are for many the new deities, and all played out in the public eye since he was a young boy.

So what are Houston's tips for helping all of us sustain our faith against the pressures of modern life?

'As I say, keep the focus on Jesus. When Moses was desperate to see God's glory, He encountered God's grace and God's goodness (Exodus 33:18-20.) And his goodness is seen in his countenance  his smile  so don't look at the temptations, look to him. Surround yourself with good influences and keep making wise choices,' he says.

Houston was born in 1954, the son of Salvation Army officers.

'I have been involved in church life my entire life and it is in that environment that I first walked to the altar in a tent revival and committed my life to Jesus as a five-year-old boy.

'As a 17-year-old I was feeling the pull of temptation to "fit in" and party etc, but one night in my hometown, Wellington NZ, I walked into a cafe run by Youth for Christ, with a mural along the entire wall quoting the Ecclesiastes scripture, "remember now your creator while you are young". It was then and there I decided to live my life following Jesus Christ.'

Hillsong has grown to what it is today from 1983, when Houston and Bobbie founded a single church in Sydney in Australia.

Since then, he has launched churches located in some of the world's most greatest cities, three record labels, a film and television platform, multiple worldwide conferences and an international college. Each week, Hillsong's music is sung by an estimated 50 million people in 60 languages, and Houston's sermons are broadcast around the globe. In June 2016, Hillsong launched a global, 24-hour channel in partnership with Trinity Broadcasting Network, providing access to the worship and ministry to millions of viewers around the world.

Through Hillsong's college, conferences, podcasts, broadcasting and publishing, Houston trains and equips tens of thousands of Christian leaders and encourages countless others in their daily faith.

So what is the secret of this incredible success?

'Ha. There's only one answer to that. It's the grace of God. Bobbie and I started a church with a small group of people on the rural fringe of Sydney with plans to reach the suburbs of the Hills District. I was always a determined visionary but we could never have imagined all that was ahead.

'Today we have global congregations which my wife aptly describes as "one house with many rooms". Our music and worship has penetrated every continent, we have a 24-hour television channel (on Sky in the UK)  almost 2,000 students per year in Hillsong College, along with many outreaches to the needy. I can only smile at God's grace and the fruit of longevity and consistency.'

Still, Hillsong might be everywhere but sometimes, to many, God can seem so absent.

To those who struggle to find God, Houston says: 'Sometimes God is silent but He is never absent. He can't be. He is omnipresent. Evidence of his existence is everywhere. It's in creation itself. The best place to find him is in his Word.'

For 'new' Christians, Houston advises: 'Find good friends who will support you in your faith, devour the Bible, especially the New Testament, and plant yourself in a faith-filled, Jesus centred local church.'

And for older Christians  like the writer of this article!  he adds: 'Keep dreaming new dreams and be intentional about empowering and mentoring younger people who desperately need spiritual mums and dads.

'Avoid cynicism at all costs and be an example of radiating Jesus in your older age.'

Hillsong factsheet

Church: Headquartered in Sydney, Hillsong has churches in city centrrs in 19 countries and on five continents. The church has an average global attendance approaching 100,000 weekly. With their flagship campus in Sydney, Hillsong has churches in 19 countries on five continents, including seven in the UK. In Australia alone, there are 78 services per weekend across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, Northern Territory and also in Bali, Indonesia.

Hillsong Worship: Since 1992, Hillsong Worship has created 24 albums with more than 275 songs. Each week, Hillsong Worship songs are sung by an estimated 50 million people in 60 languages. Hillsong Worship has toured in countries all over the world. Hillsong Worship releases an annual album. Their latest album, Let There be Light, released October 2016. Today, Hillsong Worship is a collaboration of Hillsong worship music coming out of the global expression of Hillsong Church.

Hillsong United: Formed in 1998, Hillsong United is led by Brian and Bobbie's son, Joel Houston. Hillsong United has created 16 albums. Their song 'Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)' from their album Zion reached platinum status in the US The group has toured for many years, packing out large venues like the Staples Centre in Los Angeles. In 2016, Hillsong United was named Top Christian Artist at the Billboard Music Awards. Their latest album, of Dirt and Grace, released July 2016.

Young & Free (Y&F): More than a label, Hillsong's youth music ministry, Young & Free, is the sound of the next generation of Hillsong music. Hillsong Young & Free has created two albums. Their latest album, Youth Revival Acoustic, released in February 2017.

Hillsong Conferences:

Hillsong Conference: Since 1986, Hillsong in Australia has hosted its annual conferences where thousands of people gather to hear about church leadership, worship, and community engagement from Hillsong's key team members and other renowned Christian leaders.

Colour Conference: The Colour Conference was started by Bobbie Houston many years ago out of a deep desire to place value on women and encourage them to be all that God's called them to be. Hillsong hosts this annual conference across five countries internationally each year.

Worship & Creative Conference: A brand new conference for worship leaders, songwriters, artists and designers, production teams, editors, filmmakers, dancers, vocalists, musicians, pastors, writers and creatives across all disciplines to steal away from the ordinary and create space to encounter Jesus.

College: Located in Sydney, Hillsong International Leadership College offers leadership and ministry courses to help shape future leaders around the world. Since its creation in 1995, more than 10,000 students, representing more than 65 countries have graduated from the college.

Ministry Initiatives:

Hillsong embraces opportunities to practically shape the lives of people in communities around the world. In addition to its own community care initiatives, it partners with other ministries to bring hope to many:

The A21 Campaign, a nonprofit founded by Nick and Christine Caine, dedicated to abolishing injustice in the 21st century by combatting human trafficking

Vision Rescue, a non-profit, registered charity involved in feeding, providing non formal education, medical help, skill training and other kinds of help to addicted and abused street children

Hillsong Africa Foundation, a nonprofit organization involving many community programs, including: feeding programs, orphan care, women's shelters, disaster relief, wheelchair distribution, substance abuse programs, job skills training centers, prison programs and Tembaletu School

The Colour Sisterhood, a modern day movement of everyday women placing value on womanhood, who desire to make a difference and make the world a better place for those in need and are dedicated to helping women find an important and critical level of partnership

Greenlight (London), a social justice initiative that sees a team of skilled volunteers go onto the streets of London in the evenings in a medical van to offer minimal invasive medical care, and provide advice and signposting service to the homeless

iCareRevolution (London), a community youth arm of Hillsong Church London and a movement working to encourage London's youth

The Platt Centre (London), works to eradicate isolation and loneliness amongst the elderly people across the UK, in partnership with RISE

CityCare (Australia), a church-based, not-for-profit organization that exists to serve communities by offering pathways to empower and equip those who want to take their next steps in life.
Hundreds of Muslims converting to Christianity in Finland, churches say

Finland has reportedly seen a flood of conversions from Islam to Christianity, with hundreds of asylum seekers from the Middle East turning to the Christian faith, officials in the Evangelical Lutheran community said.

Evangelical Lutheran parishes have begun establishing confirmation classes for Muslim immigrants who want to become Christians. Exact figures on the number of recent Muslim converts aren't available since such records aren't kept  but conservative estimates on the number suggest several hundred in recent years within the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church, according to the Finnish news source Yle Uutiset.

Converts hail from Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. As many as 20 Afghani men are enrolled in 'pre-confirmation' teaching on the Christian faith at the Tainionkoski parish centre in Imatra, Eastern Finland. Students are assisted by a New Testament in the Dari language, the variety of Persian spoken in Afghanistan. A Dari interpreter is also on hand via Skype to support the teaching given in English.

'I haven't been baptised yet, but I'm looking forward to it and I'm sure I will be a good Christian,' said one convert, Aliraza Hussaini.

Conversion from Islam is a divisive move however, one not readily accepted by many traditional Muslim families; some say that after conversion they are seen as 'infidels' in 'exile' by family in their home countries.

'I haven't been in contact with my family in Afghanistan for a very long time. If they find out I've converted, it would mean trouble for me,' said another convert, Golamir Hossaini.

Many of the Imatra confirmation students reportedly cited a disillusionment with the Islamic faith, and say they will probably never return to Afghanistan.
Monuments to courage: England's Great War memorials listed on eve of Passchendaele commemorations

This weekend's centenary commemorations of one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War have also seen a new focus on the war memorials created at home to honour those who died.

The Battle of Passchendaele, or Third Ypres, saw British troops make repeated attacks on heavily-defended German positions across a battlefield rendered virtually impassable because of deep mud. Around half a million men became casualties on both sides and it has become an enduring emblem of the war.

The ferocity and horror of the battle is encapsulated in Siegfried Sassoon's famous line 'I died in hell  They called it Passchendaele'.

As part of the centenary commemorations of the war, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has listed or upgraded 13 war memorials across England on the advice of Historic England, the public body that champions and protects England's historic places.

Among the five newly listed and eight upgraded memorials is the cross in Hamsterley village, County Durham (listed today at Grade II) which marks especially the death of Major Arthur T Watson whose family ran the nearby colliery. Watson had always wanted to be a soldier, but was initially thwarted because of the loss of his right eye in a shooting accident in Britain. He was badly wounded at the Battle of the Somme but recovered and returned to France in June 1917 and fought at the Battle of Messines. Eight weeks later, Watson died during the Battle of Passchendaele.

Watson had been given a transfer back home, but decided to say goodbye to his friends before he left. As he picked up a bundle of the soldiers' letters to take back with him, an enemy shell exploded nearby and he was mortally injured. He was buried at La Clytte Military Cemetery, Belgium, but remembered at home with an inscription on the memorial reading: 'The workmen of this Village wish to place on record their sorrow at the loss of their friend and Employer whose memory they will hold in affection for all time.'

Another new listing is the memorial to Edgar Roberts Mobbs (listed today at Grade II*) in Northampton  a rare example of a public war memorial dedicated to an individual.

Mobbs was a celebrated English rugby international who captained the Northampton Rugby union side in 1907-1913. When war broke out, the 32 year old Mobbs was refused a commission on age grounds. Undeterred and using his huge popularity and charisma, he raised his own 'Sportsman's Battalion' of 264 sportsmen (Mobbs' Own) in the Northamptonshire Regiment.

He fought at the Battles of Loos, Somme, Arras and Messines and was killed in action on July 31, the first day of the Battle of Passchendaele. His body was never found.

'The Finest Monument which can be erected to the brave dead is one which will benefit the living.' Taking this to heart, Lancastrians decided on a novel way to pay testament to the sacrifice made by members of the local community; they built a memorial village to provide accommodation and employment for disabled veterans, primarily those who had served with the city's local regiment (the King's Own Royal Lancasters). Westfield Memorial Village in Lancaster was formally opened by General Haig on November 24, 1924, and still operates as a charity and home for ex-servicemen to this day.

Roger Bowdler, Director of Listing at Historic England, said: 'Passchendaele was a truly grim affair, waged over three muddy, bloody months. It succeeded in wearing down the Germans and taking pressure off the French, but at a high cost in lives. These newly listed and upgraded memorials are just some of the tributes to the losses of so many.'
Republican hopes shattered as Obamacare repeal fails

US Senate Republicans ha ve failed to dismantle Obamacare, falling short on a major campaign promise and perhaps ending a seven-year quest by their party to gut the healthcare law.

The failure was a stinging blow to President Trump, who campaigned on a promise to repeal the legislation that has seen millions of previously uninsured Americans get coverage. Recent polls show Obama is now favoured by a majority of the population.

The decisive blow was delivered by Senator John McCain, the former presidential candidate mocked by Trumped for being captured and spending years in a Vietnamese POW camp. He suffered lasting disabilities as a result of his experience.

Voting in the early hours of this morning, McCain was one of three Republican senators, with Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, to cross party lines and join Democrats in a dramatic 49-to-51 vote to reject a 'skinny repeal' bill that would have killed some parts of Obamacare.

The bill would have removed the individual mandate requiring all Americans to have health insurance or pay a fine. The non-partisan congressional budget committee estimated that 15 million people would lose coverage if it passed and premiums would rise by 20 per cent.

Trump tweeted his disappointment at the outcome, promising to 'let Obamacare implode'.

3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017

'This is clearly a disappointing moment,' Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on an eerily quiet Senate floor right after the vote. 'The American people are going to regret that we couldn't find a better way forward.'

The setback leaves Trump without a major legislative win after more than six months in power, despite Republicans controlling the White House, Senate and House. It will also be a let-down for financial markets, which expected Trump to make rapid changes to healthcare, taxes and infrastructure spending.

'3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let Obamacare implode, then deal. Watch!' Trump tweeted after the vote.

Trump has repeatedly berated congressional Republicans for being unable to overcome internal divisions to repeal Obamacare, but has offered no legislation himself, nor any clear guidance on what he would like to do about replacing the law.

The president has demanded at various times that Obamacare should be allowed to collapse on its own, that it should be repealed without replacement, and that it should be repealed and replaced.

The Affordable Care Act, approved by Democrats in 2010, is former Democratic President Barack Obama's signature domestic achievement. It provided health insurance to millions of previously uninsured Americans.

Republicans hold 52 seats in the 100-seat Senate. McConnell, whose reputation as a master legislative tactician was on the line, could only afford to lose support from two Republican senators, with the tie-breaking vote to be cast by Vice President Mike Pence, who was on the Senate floor.

After the vote, the Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer, spoke to reporters about McCain's vote.

He said he and McCain had spoken frequently since the Arizona senator, recently diagnosed with brain cancer, returned to Washington.

'Given his stature, his remarks at the beginning when he came in, moved everybody and I think that helped,' Schumer said. 'He's a hero. He's a hero of mine.'

Additional reporting by Reuters.
Southwark diocese signals opposition to rebel Bishop Andy Lines by withdrawing permission to officiate

The 'missionary bishop' consecrated by the conservative Anglican Church of North America has had his 'permission to officiate' withdrawn by the Diocese of Southwark.

Bishop Andy Lines will offer 'alternative oversight' to conservative Anglican parishes in Scotland, England and across Europe who feel they cannot accept the oversight of their official local bishop. His appointment angered many in the Church of England, who object to what they see as the promotion of a divisive splinter movement.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby warned before the missionary bishop was announced that any such appointment would 'carry no weight in the Church of England' and cited canons from Christianity's formative Council of Nicea in AD 325 to warn of the 'great disturbances and discords' it would cause.

Lines had permission to officiate in the Diocese of Southwark which was due to be renewed on June 30. A spokesperson for the Diocese told the Church of England Newspaper: 'Andy Lines wrote to explain that he had moved his canonical residence to the Anglical Church in North America and in view of this change in circumstance his PTO has not been renewed.'

The director of the conservative Reform group, Susie Leafe, said: 'It is extraordinary that the Bishop of Southwark would wish to prevent a godly, mission-minded man like Andy Lines from ministering in the diocese.'

This article has been updated to reflect confirmation from the Canterbury diocese that Lines does not have permission to officiate there.
Trump and transgender military: The real problem for conservative Christians

Donald Trump's apparently unilateral decision to bar transgender people from serving in the US military has been much criticised for the shakiness of its reasoning. Critics have pointed out that the military spends five times as much on Viagra than it does on treatments for transgender people, for instance. It's also emerged that despite Trump's tweeted claim to have consulted with 'my Generals and military experts', he probably didn't and that the military has no intention of implementing the ban on the basis of a tweet.

More damagingly for Christians, though, it's also been revealed that evangelicals who famously met Trump in the White House recently brought up the issue with him.

That raises the question whether in making the announcement, Trump was simply reinforcing his credentials with his significant evangelical constituency, and the answer seems pretty obvious: yes, he was. Transgender, after all, is a bit icky, and he must have thought it was a cheap win  not many people would want to come out and defend them.

This appears to have been a political miscalculation, though given the scale of his defeat over Obamacare last night, it's probably not top of his list of worries. However, for evangelical Christians the long-term consequences may be more serious. The visceral opposition to transgender  and, indeed, Obamacare  demonstrated by influential figures like Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church, Dallas, and Franklin Graham, lock evangelicalism even more tightly to a socially conservative agenda. Praising Trump's decision, Jeffress, for instance, said: 'The militant liberal agenda has not only savaged the moral values of our country but has imperiled the defense of our nation by adding needless confusion, complication, and expense' and that 'People suffering from gender identity confusion should be treated with compassion and counseling, not exploited by the left to further a liberal ideology.'

Why should our veterans suffer w/out the medical care they need while we pay medical costs for people who want to change their gender?  Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) July 27, 2017

There will, inevitably, be a backlash  possibly, though not necessarily, at the ballot box, but certainly in wider society  and evangelicals will be the targets. They are already routinely lampooned as hateful obscurantists, Christian Taliban intent on imposing a religio-fascist regime on the US. Their gleeful support for Trump's extraordinary decision  if decision it turns out to be  won't help.

For many, that doesn't matter; if you stand up for the truth, you'll get persecuted. In fact, you should welcome that because it proves you're doing the right thing.

For thoughtful conservatives, though, there's an issue. We should pick our ditches to die in carefully, and transgender is not an obvious candidate.

The trouble is that it doesn't present one problem, but two. One is around the radical gender philosophy that says it's all an artificial construct and you can choose how you identify yourself. Christians might want to argue that this is a psychologically harmful ideology that leaves people confused and generally unhappy  and if it leads to surgical intervention, with life-changing and potentially regrettable consequences. They might also argue that it's against nature and that Genesis teaches a fundamentally binary view of humanity, though this is a different discourse and, when it's used to argue against transgender in the public square, does rather lend itself to that Taliban charge.

But the other problem is a purely human one. It's about real people who have serious psychological issues regarding their gender identity. There is, for whatever reason and at whatever level, a disconnect between what their bodies seem to say about who they are and what their minds are telling them. It's these individuals, with their unique and terribly painful stories, who offer the hardest critique of conservatives and who by their mere existence succeed in portraying them in a negative light. Graham, Jeffress et al are talking about principles, and Trump has gone along with them. But along comes a transgender soldier and says, 'Hang on  you're talking about me.' And suddenly things don't seem so convincing any more.

Whichever side of the Atlantic we're on  and British education secretary Justine Greening has just announced plans to make gender transitions easier in a move that's horrified conservatives  it's vitally important to get this right. There are serious and credible objections to the idea that gender just isn't a thing. But there's no excuse for showing hatred or disrespect to people who don't fit the standard categories and who believe their lives can be lived better in a gender different from the one they were born into. They are not symbols of anything, they are people. Conservative Christians seem to find it difficult to grasp this. They had better learn, because they are looking hostile and hateful  and that will never recommend the gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone.

Follow Mark Woods on Twitter: @RevMarkWoods
Employers will be Required to Invite Applicants Under new Job Match Service Hugo O'Doherty Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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As of August 28, there will be an additional step for Canadian employers wishing to hire through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). A new rating system will match workers registered in the Canada Job Bank with advertised positions, and employers will be required to invite candidates who have a certain number of stars in relation to the position.

The government of Canada calls this new feature its Job Match service, and the change affects both high-wage and low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications. Employers hiring through the TFWP must first obtain a positive LMIA before a foreign worker may be hired for the position. The issuance of a LMIA serves as proof that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident was ready, willing and able to perform the job.

The Job Match services will allow employers to see anonymous profiles of registered job seekers. These profiles correspond to the skills and job requirements stated in an employers job posting. Each match will be rated under a system of one to five stars. The more stars received by the job seeker for the position, the greater his or her compatibility with the position.

Not all foreign workers require a LMIA. LMIA-exempt hiring situations are managed under the International Mobility Program (IMP), a broad category that includes initiatives such as the Intra-Company transfer program and recruitment through NAFTA, among others.

LMIA advertising requirements

Unless there is a way for an employer to hire a foreign worker under the IMP, and unless otherwise exempt from advertising in the preliminary process of obtaining a LMIA, employers are required to adhere to certain advertising requirements before applying for a LMIA.

As of August 28, employers, irrespective of province or territory, will be required to advertise on Job Bank and conduct at least two additional methods of recruitment that are consistent with the occupation. Employers from a province or territory with a provincial or territorial job board must use Job Bank, but may also use the provincial or territorial job board as one of the additional recruitment methods.

High-wage and low-wage positions

The LMIA process is different depending on whether the position is classified as high-wage or low-wage. Jobs in which the employee is to be paid less than the provincial/territorial median wage for the occupation are considered low-wage, while those to be paid at or above the median are considered high-wage.

Effective August 28, employers hiring in a high-wage scenario will be required to invite all job seekers matched within the first 30 days of the job advertisement on Job Bank to apply for the position if they are rated four stars or more.

Employers hiring in a low-wage scenario will be required to invite all job seekers matched within the first 30 days of the job advertisement on Job Bank to apply for the position if they are rated two stars or more.

What next?

At this time, Service Canada (the government department overseeing the LMIA process) has not stated whether employers will be required to interview job candidates who apply for the position having been invited to do so by the employer under the new system.

It should be noted that employers in certain sectors and in certain parts of the country may be exempt from the LMIA advertising requirements entirely. For example, the recently-launched Global Talent Stream allows employers in the IT/tech sector to bypass the advertising requirements and bring in workers within a matter of weeks. In addition, the province of Quebec has a facilitated list of occupations that do not require employers to advertise.

Further, some workers may obtain a work permit if their employment in Canada is deemed to bring significant social or cultural benefit to the country.

Other positions may not necessarily be exempt, but may have variations to the LMIA advertising requirements.

Some of these options, in addition to options under the IMP, may be reviewed by employers before they embark on the process of securing a LMIA.

Canadian employers: If you wish to hire through the TFWP, please contact wp@canadavisa.com. A legal expert will provide a free consultation.

Foreign workers: If you have received a job offer from a Canadian employer and wish to submit an inquiry about getting a work permit and working legally in Canada, please complete the form on this page.

 2017 CICnews All Rights Reserved
TWIN FALLS  Southern Idaho Tourism wants to help businesses prepare for the eclipse.

More than 1 million people may pour into Idaho next month for the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse. Businesses can expect additional demand on their services.

Southern Idaho Tourism is partnering with area chambers of commerce and the College of Southern Idaho Herrett Center to host an Eclipse Forum at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Business representatives are welcome to attend and ask questions.

Based on early predictions, eastern Idaho alone is expected to see more than a half-million visitors. This could strain roadways, food production, emergency services and possibly cellphone and Wi-Fi signals.

Some officials have been planning for a year or more.

There will be some headache associated with the additional traffic, but the economic impact and tourism publicity will be exponentially beneficial for our area Shawn Barigar, CEO of the Twin Falls Area Chamber, said in a statement.

Businesses should also be prepared for the return traffic, as many visitors may be looking for alternate routes out of town.

Chris Anderson, astronomer at the Faulkner Planetarium, along with the Idaho Transportation Department, South Central Public Health District and others will be on site for presentations and questions. The forum will take place at the CSI Herrett Center. An RSVP is requested due to limited seating.

Contact Melissa Barry at mbarry@visitsouthidaho.com or 208-732-5569 to reserve your seat.
Following President Trumps declaration on Twitter Wednesday that transgender people would not be permitted to serve in the armed forces, protesters converged on Times Square. Assembling in front of the Armed Services Recruiting Station, several hundred people cheered as local elected officials and LGBT activists denounced both the decision and President Trump generally.

Most of the crowd held small printed signs reading, Resist; others waved the familiar NO! signs from the Revolutionary Communist Party-backed Refuse Fascism movement. A few handmade signs stood out in the relatively compact crowd, in particular one that read, in black against a red background,

Lincoln



Garfield



McKinley



Kennedy



Trump

The first four names on this list, of course, are the presidents murdered in office, in chronological order; the last embodies the seeming wish of many on the American Left that someone put him on it for real. As seen in the picture accompanying this article, Trumps name is embellished with horns and a tail, and flames indicate that the president is roasting in hell: the protester left little room for interpretation.

The sign was held aloft for the duration of the event, in full view of the crowd, the media, the NYPD, and at least a dozen elected officials, but garnered no comment or acknowledgement. Perhaps historical literacy is so low that the signs meaning eluded most people, but its more likely that the pitch of outrage is keyed so high in leftist political rhetoric that the message on the sign was basically unremarkableuncontroversial, even.

Consider what now passes as respectable dissenting opinion. New York City comptroller Scott Stringer issued a press release this week announcing that Republicans just made the U.S. Senate a death panel, because they voted to permit debate on changing Obamacare, which is in a state of critical failure. The evening before the presidents announcement, Melissa Mark-Viverito, speaker of the city council, tweeted, in response to nothing in particular, Just sickened by this maniacal, self-absorbed, narcissistic, sadist, misogynistic, so-called President. Your days are numbered, FOOL. Given Mark-Viveritos open support and affection for convicted political terrorists like Oscar Lopez Rivera and Isabel Rosado Morales, it is hard to read your days are numbered as only figurative.

Public advocate Tish James spoke at the rally, and, in view of the sign calling for his death, led chants in favor of resistance to Trump. James first ascended to office in 2003, after her predecessor, Council Member James E. Davis, was shot to death by a rival at City Hall. One would have hoped that James would thus be attuned to ugly, violent political discourse, but she chose to ignore its presence.

Council Member Corey Johnson, speaking at Wednesdays protest, said that Trumps announcement is not just an attack on trans service members; this is an attack on the entire United State military by this president.Another city legislator, Jumaane Williams, tweeted a picture of the rally, including the sign calling for Trumps assassination, with the inscrutable comment, At 42nd street rally against @realDonaldTrump #transmilitaryban. You cannot hate nearly. #istandforhumandignitypresumably meaning that there is no limit to the amount of hate that one should feel toward the president.

When asked about the hateful message of the protesters poster, Williams responded, I dont approve of that sign. Corey Johnson also expressed concern when asked about it, saying, I do not support any political violence, against anyone. Such disavowals are welcome, of course, despite their perfunctory, after-the-fact nature. But the question remains why hundreds of protesters, and at least a few dozen politicians, political aides, and advocates, did not take a moment to disavow it to the person in Times Square openly calling for President Trumps violent death.
Sometimes, it does happen like in the movies. With the fate of Republican efforts, seven years in the making, to repeal Barack Obamas signature piece of legislation hanging in the balance, John McCain strolled through a side door and into the well of the Senate, held out his hand, and gestured downwards, signaling a no vote that drew gasps in the chamber.

McCain comes to the front, loudly says "NO" then walks off: pic.twitter.com/vsQ1EolKiM  Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) July 28, 2017

The Arizona senator, who returned to Washington on Tuesday just days after receiving a brain cancer diagnosis, joined with Maines Susan Collins and Alaskas Lisa Murkowski to sink a bill that would have rewritten one-sixth of the American economy. That bill, called the Health Care Freedom Act, was put forth just hours before voting began, leaving media organizations scrambling to describe what it contained. Throughout Thursday evening, reports varied over whether Majority Leader Mitch McConnell would be able to wrangle the votes necessary to get the bill through. That uncertainty continued into the early hours of Friday morning, as all eyes focused on McCain, who huddled with Vice President Mike Pence on the floor and then left the chamber to take a call from President Trump.

McCain, though, could not be swayed, and cheers briefly erupted from Senate Democrats as he signaled his deciding vote. Health-care reform appears dead for now, but rumors of its demise have been greatly exaggerated in the past. Below, more on last nights dramatics.

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More news: What a communications director sounds like

While the Senates decision on health care is the most important story, the White House didnt lack for its own drama last night. Anthony Scaramucci, the newly installed communications chief, provided what has to be the most shocking, bizarre, profane statement a comms professional has ever put on the record. If you havent, go read Ryan Lizzas piece for The New Yorker right now.

Scaramucci, who was brought in to help get the presidents agenda on track, unloaded on Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, calling him a fucking paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac. Later in the conversation, while claiming that, unlike other advisers, he was not interested in building his profile, Scaramucci told Lizza, Im not Steve Bannon, Im not trying to suck my own cock. (Side note: Reporters go entire careers hoping to get one quote this good; Lizza got a dozen of them in a single phone call.)

Journalists have been writing stories about administration infighting since before Trump was even inaugurated, but never have internal tensions been pushed into public view this forcefully, or profanely. As reporters press the White House over factions battling for the presidents ear, Scaramuccis words will make it impossible for anyone to claim with a straight face that the staff is united.

Beyond the vulgarities, Scaramucci also pressed Lizza to give up a source, telling the journalist, Youre an American citizen, this is a major catastrophe for the American country. So Im asking you as an American patriot to give me a sense of who leaked it. When Lizza refused, Scaramucci threatened to fire every one of them.

The spectacular nature of the interview makes for easy joking, but Scaramucci is in a position of great power, and apparently has the presidents trust and support. Lizza provided a window into the way the new comms chief thinks, and the view was not reassuring. With the collapse of the health-care push, President Trump once again has to reset his agenda. Scaramucci will be by his side.

Below, reactions to Scaramuccis tirade.

Other notable stories

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Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley appeared to send a warning to the White House on Wednesday evening: If you fire Jeff Sessions, we won't confirm you a new attorney general anytime soon.

In a message on Twitter, the Republican senator from Iowa said that "everybody in D.C." should be "warned" that the Judiciary Committee schedule was already set for the remainder of 2017, and therefore there was "no way" discussions about a new attorney general could be held.

Chuck Grassley Tweet: Everybody in D.C. Shld b warned that the agenda for the judiciary Comm is set for rest of 2017. Judges first subcabinet 2nd / AG no way

President Donald Trump has ratcheted up the pressure on his own attorney general in recent days, publicly criticizing Sessions in multiple interviews, messages and forums.

In March, Sessions said he would recuse himself from any current or future investigations related to Trump's election campaign amid backlash over his testimony about contacts with Russia. In congressional testimony, he appeared to mislead senators about his contact with Sergey Kislyak, Russian ambassador to the United States.

Critics questioned whether Sessions could be impartial in investigations related not only to Trump's campaign, but also the president's conduct more broadly, due to his former role as an advisor to Trump's campaign.

Sessions insisted that he stepped back from the Russia investigation only because of Justice Department rules related to his role in the Trump campaign, not because of his contacts with Kislyak.

Either way, Trump has been critical of that decision.

"He should not have recused himself almost immediately after he took office, and if he was going to recuse himself he should have told me to prior to taking office, and I would've quite simply picked somebody else," Trump said earlier this week.

Trump has also publicly called out his attorney general for not doing certain things:

Donald J. Trump Tweet: Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes (where are E-mails & DNC server) & Intel leakers!

CNBC's Jacob Pramuk contributed to this report.
The European Commission said on Wednesday it would start legal action against Poland over a law reforming the judiciary that undermines the independence of judges and therefore breaks EU treaty rules.

The Commission also sent Poland a new recommendation under a separate rule-of-law monitoring procedure asking it to address its concerns about several issues questioned by the EU executive since the start of 2016 and gave Warsaw one month to respond.

"An independent judiciary is an essential precondition for membership in our Union," Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker said in a statement. "The EU can therefore not accept a system which allows dismissing judges at will."

"If the Polish government goes ahead with undermining the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law in Poland, we will have no other choice than to trigger Article 7," Juncker said referring to a legal process of suspending Poland's voting rights in the 28-nation EU.
President Donald Trump's abrupt decision to block transgender people from serving in the U.S. military came after a GOP fight over gender reassignment surgery threatened funding for the president's border wall, Politico reported Wednesday.

House Republicans are pushing to pass a defense spending bill that includes funding for Trump's proposed barrier on the U.S. border with Mexico. Some GOP members of Congress were worried that bill could get hung up on demands from some members to ban government funding of gender reassignment surgery, according to Politico.

After some House Republicans appealed to Trump, he took the request a step further, tweeting that his administration will not "accept or allow" transgender people to serve in the military "in any capacity."

Trump's tweets appeared to catch congressional leaders off guard. Following Trump's announcement, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., criticized it as "yet another example of why major policy announcements should not be made via Twitter."

The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC's request to comment on the Politico report.

Read the full Politico report here.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that his administration will block transgender people from serving in the American military.

Trump's pronouncement reverses an Obama administration policy announced last year.

In Wednesday morning tweets, Trump said that the U.S. military "will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military." He contended that the military "cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail."

Trump: After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow......

Trump: ....Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming.....

Trump: ....victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you

In a statement responding to Trump, the American Civil Liberties Union said that "thousands of transgender service members serving on the front lines for this country deserve better than a commander-in-chief who rejects their basic humanity. "

LGBTQ advocacy organization GLAAD called the move "a direct attack on transgender Americans" and contended that "Trump has never been a friend to LGBTQ Americans, and this action couldn't make that any more clear."

Obama administration Defense Secretary Ash Carter ended the ban on transgender people serving in the military last year, allowing them to serve openly. His Defense Department set out guidelines for transgender individuals enlisting, but the Trump administration had delayed implementing them.

In a statement, the Pentagon directed questions to the White House and said it will "work closely with the White House to address the new guidance" given by Trump.



It is unclear how Trump's policy will affect current transgender service members. Rand Corp., one of the outside groups that Obama's Defense Department consulted on the policy, estimates that 1,320 to 6,630 transgender people are in active military service.

Following Trump's announcement, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., criticized it as "yet another example of why major policy announcements should not be made via Twitter."

"The statement was unclear," McCain said. " The Department of Defense has already decided to allow currently-serving transgender individuals to stay in the military, and many are serving honorably today. Any American who meets current medical and readiness standards should be allowed to continue serving. There is no reason to force service members who are able to fight, train, and deploy to leave the militaryregardless of their gender identity."

McCain added that he believes no "new policy decision is appropriate" until the Pentagon completes a study on the effects of the Obama policy on medical costs and relevant officials have the opportunity to review it.

Trump partly cited costs in his tweets explaining his decision Wednesday. That same Rand report estimated that health-care costs for transgender personnel would increase by between $2.4 million to $8.4 million annually, "representing a 0.04- to 0.13 percent increase in active-component" health-care costs.

Trump requested a $639.1 billion Defense budget for fiscal 2018.
Amazon's acquisition of Whole Foods does not violate antitrust laws, two congressmen suggested on CNBC's "Power Lunch" Wednesday.

Rep. Jared Polis, a Democrat from Colorado, dismissed the idea that Democrats want to hold hearings on the deal, because as the minority party they don't control that decision.

"Of course I think both Democrats and Republicans believe in antitrust, and they also believe with the development of new technologies we should update what antitrust means in a digital era," Polis said.

Rep. Darrell Issa, a Republican from California, echoed Polis. He said antitrust laws are in place to ensure there aren't barriers to entry, and that Amazon is "still a relatively small player" in the grocery market. Plus, other companies still have an opportunity to launch home-delivery efforts, he said.

Polis and Issa are helping lead this year's Start-Up Day Across America.

"By really nurturing and helping capital formation and issues around startup companies, we're encouraging the creation of tomorrow's great success stories," Polis said.
Liam Fox, U.K. international trade secretary, speaks at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, July 24, 2017. Eric Thayer | Bloomberg | Getty Images

The U.K.'s International Trade Secretary Liam Fox is to visit Mexico Wednesday to launch discussions for a post-Brexit deal as part of the Britain's ongoing efforts to secure its trading future outside of the EU. Fox is to meet with Mexico's Minister of the Economy Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal to discuss continuing trade cooperation between the two countries once Britain leaves the EU, and discuss the potential for a future trade deal. Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is also in Sydney Wednesday to discuss tightening ties with Australia and neighboring commonwealth countries. The meetings follow largely positive two-day talks in Washington between U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, in which representatives set about laying the "ground work" for a post-Brexit deal. EU rules stipulate that member states cannot negotiate independent trade deals while part of the union. However, the U.K. is allowed to hold preliminary discussions ahead of its departure in March 2019.

Why does Mexico matter?

Mexico is an emerging economy but also the 15th largest in the world. It shares 3.6 billion ($4.6 billion) worth of trade with the U.K. every year, most notably in the food, chemicals, financial services and construction industries. "Some of the UK's main exports to Mexico include industrial products, including engine parts. And whisky accounts for almost 8 percent of the U.K.'s exports to Mexico," Paul Hollingsworth, U.K. Economist at Capital Economics, told CNBC via email Wednesday. "I imagine it's going to be more on the services side of things where the U.K. sees bigger opportunities for trade though, for example in insurance activities."

Minister of Economy of Federal Government Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal attends the inauguration of the second stage of the Center for Advanced Engineering on July 11, 2014 in Queretaro, Mexico. Carlos Tischler | Getty Images

Mexico is also currently investing heavily in its infrastructure, including building a new airport in Mexico City to boost international traffic to the capital. The development is the biggest infrastructure project to emerge from Latin America and will initially accommodate 68 million passengers per year, later rising to 125 million. Several British businesses already hold construction contracts in the project worth a total of 40 million ($52 million), and their number can be expected to rise as "further significant opportunities" arise, a spokesperson for Britain's Department for International Trade told CNBC. However, a deal with Mexico could also threaten to undercut U.K. businesses, including the agriculture industry. This was an issue of huge contention during President Donald Trump's 2016 election campaign, in which he accused U.S. businesses of outsourcing manufacturing jobs to Mexico to reduce costs, thereby damaging U.S. industry.

What does this mean for international relations?

The clashes between the U.S. and Mexico rumble on following Trump's continued talk last week of a building a wall to divide the two nations. But the president also tweeted Tuesday, ahead of Fox's visit to Mexico, of his excitement over a "very big and exciting" deal with the U.K. Meanwhile, the EU is currently pursuing a new free trade deal with Mexico to update its existing agreement, signed two decades ago. The EU Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom said in May that the union hopes to secure a deal "by the end of the year".

Donald Trump Olivier Douliery | AFP | Getty Images
Ron Myers, 51, of Martinsville, Ill., was headed north, possibly trying to enter or exit the driveway of a residence, said Idaho State Police. He was rear-ended by a truck driven by Kenneth Koch, 32, of Twin Falls. Myers car went off the road and flipped onto the drivers side, and Kochs truck came to a rest on the shoulder of the road.
Foxconn will make screens used for automobiles, health-care and other electronic devices, Walker said. The investment will be in southeast Wisconsin, while a larger facility is constructed over the coming years, Trump said. Foxconn has reportedly eyed a U.S. facility for several years .

"American jobs  that's what we want," President Donald Trump said.

Foxconn said the deal will create 3,000 jobs. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said the agreement could eventually grow to 13,000 jobs, with 22,000 indirect and induced jobs and 10,000 construction jobs. Walker said it could also help the state attract and retain talent.

Chinese technology company Foxconn will invest $10 billion to create a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Wisconsin, chairman Terry Gou said at the White House on Wednesday.

The larger facility, which will be "about the biggest there is anywhere," is still under negotiation, Trump said. Foxconn said in a statement that the investment "signifies the start of a series of investments by Foxconn in American manufacturing in the coming years."

Gou, accompanied by Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and other officials, said that since television was invented in America, it was fitting to open an liquid crystal display (LCD) plant in the U.S. Gou touched on reducing the costs of services such as health care through artificial intelligence, alongside fellow electronics company Sharp.

Ryan said he could not have been more excited to hear of Foxconn's interest in Wisconsin.

"This is a great day for American manufacturing," said Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican. "It is another example of how our region is really a manufacturing powerhouse. ... This is the topper of all toppers."

CNBC earlier reported some details of the announcement.

A senior White House official, who could not be named because the information was not yet public, shared some of the news prior to the announcement.

No new tax programs were made to accommodate Foxconn at the federal level, although existing tax programs were used, the official said.

When asked if the fact that Wisconsin, a swing state, voted for Trump during the election factored into the deal, the official said there were "a lot of factors" such as workforce and relationship with state leadership that factored into the decision. Trump said Wisconsin is a major job creator and close to his heart.

"We were very clear that Foxconn had to select a state in which they could be successful," the official said.

The deal also comes amid tenuous relations between the United States and China, as the administration works to create jobs while driving a hard line on trade policy. Foxconn is not a choice free of controversy: Otherwise known as Hon Hai Precision, the company has come under scrutiny in the past over labor practices in China.

Still, the White House official said the deal represents Trump's "buy American" agenda.

"Since the very first day of this administration," Pence said, "President Trump has been busy rolling back federal red tape, unleashing American energy, working to lower taxes, rebuild our infrastructure and give the American people the world-class health care they deserve. And job creators have responded to the president's agenda."

 With reporting by CNBC's Justin Solomon.
Incoming White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci on Wednesday evening called the "leak" of his financial disclosure form a "felony," saying that he would be contacting the FBI and Justice Department about the matter.

The disclosure, however, is a public document, multiple commentators pointed out.

Late on Wednesday, Politico reported findings from the former hedge fund star's disclosure, noting that the 53 year-old had earned $4.9 million from his ownership stake in SkyBridge Capital and more than $5 million in salary between January 2016 and the end of June this year.

The disclosure form, which was filed with the Office of Government Ethics, hadn't been previously reported, Politico said. It's not clear how Politico obtained the document.

"In light of the leak of my financial disclosure info which is a felony. I will be contacting @FBI and the @TheJusticeDept #swamp @Reince45," he said in the message.

Scaramucci's post was removed shortly after it began to garner attention online.

Many immediately responded to the post by saying that financial disclosure forms were not classified information, suggesting the "felony" label was unnecessary.

@Scaramucci @FBI @TheJusticeDept @Reince45 Your financial disclosure report is a public document http://archive.is/F35zX#selection-65.0-309.19

Individuals wanting to access financial disclosures for White House officials must fill out an online form. The White House stipulates that any use of a disclosure for any commercial purposes, "other than by news and communications media for dissemination to the general public," is unlawful.
AstraZeneca 's combination of two injectable immunotherapy drugs failed to help patients as hoped in a closely watched advanced lung cancer trial, sending its shares plunging on Thursday.

The so-called MYSTIC study was the most anticipated clinical experiment in the pharmaceutical industry this year and the news saw the shares tumble more than 16 percent, wiping $14 billion off the company's value in their biggest ever daily fall.

The study was seen as key to proving the value of the group's new drug pipeline and its future as an independent company, after it spurned a $118 billion takeover attempt by Pfizer in 2014.

Uncertainty about the MYSTIC outcome had been heightened recently by speculation that Chief Executive Pascal Soriot might be considering a highly paid new job as head of Israel-based Teva Pharmaceutical Industries .

Soriot declined to comment directly on what he described as "rumors" on Thursday, while company insiders said he would have had to make a statement if he had firm plans to leave.

"I'm not a quitter," Soriot said, adding he was proud to lead AstraZeneca and was committed to delivering on the strategy of returning the company to growth. "The only thing I can tell you is I am here today."

Initial results from MYSTIC found the combination of durvalumab and tremelimumab was no more effective at stopping disease progression than chemotherapy in patients expressing a protein called PD-L1 on 25 percent or more of their cancer cells.

Immunotherapy drugs are designed to help the body's immune cells kill cancer and PD-L1 levels are widely used as a benchmark to determine if they are likely to work for individual patients.
A Union Jack flag flies near the Elizabeth Tower, commonly referred to as Big Ben, at the Houses of Parliament in central London, U.K., on March 29, 2017. Justin Tallis | AFP | Getty Images

The free movement of people between the U.K. and the European Union will come to an end in March 2019 after the completion of Brexit, a U.K. minister said on Thursday. Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis said that the government would introduce a "new system of immigration" by the time the U.K. left the EU, which is estimated to be in two years' time. "Free movement of labor ends when we leave the European Union in the spring of 2019. I'll be very clear about that," he told BBC Radio 4's Today program on Thursday. "Obviously there's a period of negotiation we're undergoing with the European Union at the moment, but we're very clear that free movement ends  it's part of the four key principles of the European Union  when we leave."

Lewis appeared to contradict U.K. Home Secretary Amber Rudd, who announced an "implementation period" for when the country leaves the monetary union, to ensure there is no "cliff edge" for businesses and employers. Rudd commissioned a study of the costs and benefits of European immigrants to the U.K. economy to come from the country's independent Migration Advisory Committee. "We must keep attracting the brightest and best migrants from around the world," she wrote in an article for the Financial Times newspaper. "We must implement a new immigration system after we leave the EU which gives us control and works in all of our interests."

British Prime Minister Theresa May signs the official letter to European Council President Donald Tusk invoking Article 50 and the United Kingdom's intention to leave the EU on March 28, 2017 in London, England. Prime Ministry of the United Kingdom | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

Position differentiates government from opposition

The immigration minister noted that this position differentiated the ruling Conservative Party from others, saying that the opposition Labor Party wanted the country to remain a member of the single market and maintain freedom of movement. "We're very clear that the British people, when they voted in that referendum, wanted  part of the key issue as many people saw it  having control of our borders, but at the same time I do believe it's right," Lewis said. "The people do understand, we want our businesses to be able to have a proper process, and to have an ability to bring in the bright and the best, we have a good track record of doing that in this country and we want to continue that." The minister's remark followed comments made in The Times of London newspaper, in which he said the new immigration system "must and will allow the government to take back control of who is coming here from Europe and help us bring down net migration to sustainable levels".

What do U.K. businesses want?

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said that it wants European workers' rights to be protected as part of Rudd's examination into the benefits of EU migrants to the British economy. "Workers from across Europe strengthen our businesses and help our public services run more smoothly  any new migration system should protect these benefits while restoring public confidence," Josh Hardie, deputy director general at CBI, said in a statement on Thursday.

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U.S. oil and gas drillers have cleaned up their balance sheets over the last year, but some analysts worry they are growing production at the expense of financial discipline.

Drillers look healthier today after slashing capital spending, putting dollars behind their most productive land and securing discounts from the companies that help them extract oil from their wells. But many are still spending beyond their means to hike output at a time when analysts are cutting their oil price forecasts.

Some analysts worry that some drillers could find themselves in a familiar and unwelcome situation: searching for funding to keep oil flowing.

That was the scenario one year into the oil price downturn, when CNBC analyzed two key measures of financial health in the oil patch  free cash flow and debt compared with earnings  for 44 drillers and found a sector outspending cash on hand and loaded to the hilt with debt.

Today, a recovery in earnings has helped drillers reduce relative debt levels that soared at the bottom of the oil market. And while many drillers are still spending more than they make, their cash flow has generally improved.
The first half of 2017 saw 6.1 gigawatts (GW) of extra wind energy capacity installed in Europe, according to figures released on Thursday by industry body WindEurope.

WindEurope said that the figures meant that Europe was on course for a "bumper year for installations", although it cautioned that they hid some worrying trends.

Breaking the figures down, 4.8 GW of onshore wind capacity was installed in the first six months of 2017, with the majority "heavily concentrated" in Germany, the U.K. and France. In the offshore sector, 1.3 GW was installed.

The first half of the year saw 8.3 billion euros ($9.72 billion) spent on new asset financing, with 5.4 billion euros in onshore and 2.9 billion euros in offshore. WindEurope said that the latter figure was down from a record high of 14 billion euros in the first half of 2016.

The "trend for market concentration" was again noted, with 53 percent of total investments made in Germany.

"We are on track for a good year in wind capacity installations but growth is driven by a handful of markets," Pierre Tardieu, chief policy officer at WindEurope, said in a statement. "At least ten EU countries have yet to install a single MW so far this year," Tardieu added.



"On onshore wind, the end of U.K. Renewable Obligation scheme will lead to even greater market concentration in Germany, Spain and France."

With regards to offshore, Tardieu described the level of finance activity as a concern. "Although this won't translate into lower installations for another few years, the industry needs clarity on volumes for the post-2020 period to maintain the current cost reduction trend," he said.
From computers to coffee cups and bottles of water, plastic is an integral part of modern life. Despite its ubiquity, the issue of plastic waste is a big, pressing one.

Recent research has highlighted just how big the problem is. The study  by scientists from the University of Georgia, the University of California, Santa Barbara and the Sea Education Association  found that as of 2015, humans had produced an estimated 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic, with 6.3 billion tons of that seen as waste.

At the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry (SIOC) in China, scientists are looking to turn plastic into fuel.

"If we have the plastic waste in the environment or in the ocean or bury it underground, it's going to stay there for hundreds or thousands of years," SIOC's Zheng Huang told CNBC's Sustainable Energy.

"So we needed to find a solution to plastic waste, and we think converting them into fuel is an excellent way to reuse it," he added.

The work Huang and his team are doing focuses on polyethylene, used in everything from bags to toys and food packaging.

"What we are doing differently is to use so called 'cross alkane metathesis' strategies," Huang said.
Sen. Lindsey Graham warned President Donald Trump on Thursday against firing his attorney general  the latest Republican to try to deter Trump from a move that would carry huge consequences for the U.S. government.

"If Jeff Sessions is fired, there will be holy hell to pay," the Republican from South Carolina told reporters, according to video taken by NBC News.

A push to fire Sessions  who enraged Trump by recusing himself from the investigation into Russian efforts to influence the 2016 election and whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Kremlin  is seen as a possible precursor to removing the special counsel overseeing that probe. Graham also warned of consequences if the Trump administration tries to remove special counsel Robert Mueller, the former FBI director.

"Any effort to go after Mueller could be the beginning of the end of the Trump presidency, unless Mueller did something wrong. Right now, I have no reason to believe that Mueller is compromised," Graham said.

NBC News: WATCH: Sen. Lindsey Graham says there will be "holy hell to pay" if AG Jeff Sessions is fired. Video via @VaughnHillyard

Trump has publicly lambasted Sessions several times recently, and his anger stems from the attorney general's March recusal. Reports have said Trump has talked privately about replacing Sessions, potentially circumventing Congress by making an appointment while the Senate is in recess.

It is unclear how serious Trump is about appointing a new attorney general.

On Wednesday night, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said "no way" would he fit in confirmation of a new attorney general this year.

Graham said Thursday that he is working on bipartisan legislation to protect Mueller.
Lloyds Banking Group 's biggest half-year profit in eight years and an increase in interim dividends was clouded by ongoing misconduct charges, as the lender reported its first set of results since the bank exited government ownership.

Britain's largest retail bank reported Thursday a statutory pretax profit of 2.5 billion pounds ($3.28 billion) on Thursday, about 4 percent higher than last year.

The modest increase in profit, which was below analyst expectations, was driven by higher revenues. But it was tempered by a higher-than-expected bill for compensating customers mis-sold loan payment insurance in what is Britain's costliest consumer scandal.

The bank set aside a further 700 million pounds to compensate people mis-sold the insurance policies, nine months after saying it had hopefully drawn a line under the issue.

Lloyds, seen as a bellwether for the British economy, said although the economy remains resilient it is starting to tighten lending standards in consumer finance.

Earlier this week, the International Monetary Fund downgraded its 2017 economic outlook for Britain by more than any other rich nation.

Lloyds said the new charge to compensate customers mis-sold loan insurance should be the last major provision until the end of the claims deadline in 2019.

This was another blow to Lloyds whose earnings for years have been drained by costs related to conduct issues and takes the bank's total cost to cover the mis-selling of payment protection insurance to about 18 billion pounds.

Lloyds also agreed to pay 283 million pounds in compensation to mortgage customers who incurred fees after they fell behind with their mortgage payments.

Total income rose 4 percent to 9.3 billion pounds.

Lloyds said it would pay an interim dividend of 1 pence per share, up 18 percent on last year.

The bank said its net interest margin - the difference between the interest it gets from borrowers and what it pays savers, a key revenue driver had widened to 2.82 percent from the last quarter.
An oil worker stands by a rig near Williston, North Dakota. Brad Quick | CNBC

Oil prices edged higher on Friday, reaching new two-month highs and posting the strongest weekly percentage gains this year as investors digested signs of an easing oversupply. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures ended Friday's session up 67 cents, or 1.4 percent, to $49.71. It surged 8.6 percent on the week. related investing news Goldman Sachs says buy these stocks ahead of a $2.6 trillion China reopening boom Brent crude futures were up $1.01, or 2 percent, at $52.50 a barrel a barrel by 2:34 p.m. (1834 GMT), rising more than 9 percent this week. The front of the crude oil curve jumped into backwardation, with the month-ahead trading above the subsequent month, showing investors are not expecting recent gains to last. Brent also broke above its 200-day moving average, a key technical level, for the first time since May 30.

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U.S. crude and gasoline inventories fell much more steeply than expected this week and the world's biggest oil exporter Saudi Arabia said it would further reduce oil output in August. "Positive signs came from the draw in gasoline stocks this week, as the U.S. moves into the peak driving season," said Ashley Kelty, oil analyst at Cenkos Securities. Oilfield services firm Baker Hughes reported the number of oil rigs operating in the United States rose by 2 to a total of 766 last week. The rig count has risen fairly steadily for more than a year, but the growth has recently moderated. U.S. crude stocks fell sharply by 7.2 million barrels in the week to July 21 due to strong refining activity and an increase in exports, according to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Brimming U.S. crude supplies have been a challenge to production cuts to prop up prices led by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, meaning weekly U.S. inventory data is closely watched. U.S. crude oil production has been on the rise since mid-2016,but it dropped to 9.41 barrels per day (bpd) in the week to July 21, from 9.43 million bpd the week before. The decline was mainly due to a fall in Alaskan output, ANZ bank said.

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SHOSHONE  As fire again raced toward Shoshone and residents were told to evacuate, Dave Zortman refused.

Hed seen the Lagoon Fire jump Grape Street around 7 p.m. as it headed toward Sticks and Stones logging yard, a business hes operated in Shoshone for three-and-a-half years. And he felt the need to do whatever he could to save it and his personal property nearby.

Within 5 minutes, the entire mill was in flames, Zortman recalled.

He and his employees drove around loaders to fend off the fire, and managed to save a barn. But on Thursday morning, the damage was apparent: the remains of several sheds, saws, electrical equipment and a small goat herd were strewn about the property. Behind a newly replaced power pole, white smoke billowed from a lumber pile that would likely continue burning for weeks.

Only about 10 percent of his lumber remained relatively unscathed. All of the firewood was gone, and he estimated his losses were close to $1 million.

We would thank the firemen, Zortman said. But they werent there.

It all happened faster than anyone could react, Bureau of Land Management Twin Falls District spokeswoman Kelsey Brizendine explained. Fire crews were working nearby, but they were unable to keep up with the fires speed to protect the lumber yard.

That terrain is insanely difficult, she said of the lava rock-encrusted area. A lot of our crews were on foot.  It took them four hours to go a quarter of a mile.

As a passing storm with 50-mile-per-hour winds thrust the Lagoon Fire toward Shoshone, crews were on point protection  stationed along the flanks of the fire to clear debris and move flammable materials away from nearby homes.

For their own safety, fire crews couldnt be placed directly in front of the fire, she said.

That looks like a wall coming at you, Brizendine said. A wall of flame.

Treated lumber can burn a lot hotter than non-treated lumber, she said.

Working the flanks was slow-going, with firefighters using hand tools and doubling or tripling back to secure a fire line through Thursday morning.

Sticks and Stones employees who saw some firefighters pulled over at 1:30 a.m. Thursday begged them to protect the corner of the lot, Zortman said. The crews, he said, told them they didnt want to waste the water on the wood.

This fire structure is upside-down and backwards, the frustrated business owner said. If their primary goal was to extinguish that at the first opportunity, they should have been able to do it.

Brizendine said the BLM is sincerely sorry for what happened. All available resources were called in, including 10 engines, four hand crews, four dozers, one air attack, one camp crew and several air resources. By 9 a.m., the fire had grown to an estimated 1,000 acres.

We are all really sad for him  really really disappointed that this happened, she said. This is never our intention. We did everything we could.

The Lagoon Fire was initially reported about 12:10 a.m. Wednesday after a lightning storm ignited brush two miles west of Shoshone.

This is the second fire the city has experienced this month. The lightning-caused Antelope Fire, which ignited July 9, burned close to 30,000 acres outside of Shoshone. No structures were damaged from that fire, but fire retardant lines are still visible across U.S. 93 and the parking lot at Family Dollar.

One retardant line stripes Zortmans property, dropped to protect what remained of his lumber. A large smoking pile toward the back of the property will have to burn itself out of fuel, Brizendine said, because it is too dangerous to stir up with equipment to extinguish the coals.

Its a big bonfire at this point, she said.

The pile will continue to be watched by landowners and rural fire districts over the next few weeks.
Shale oil drillers have seen the writing on the wall, and it says: "Slow down."

As the energy sector begins reporting earnings, independent oil companies are announcing plans to throttle back spending this year after a price rally stalled in the second quarter, leaving U.S. crude languishing below $50 a barrel for much of the period.

"What I've said in the past is $50 is kind of the line of demarcation," said Rob Thummel, portfolio manager at Tortoise Capital Advisors. "That's exactly what we're seeing. We're seeing a decline in capex."

The pullback started with Anadarko Petroleum , a global driller with shale oil assets in Colorado and Texas. The mini-major announced it would reduce its 2017 exploration and production budget by about $250 million. Going forward, the company will determine its spending depending on how much cash it generates and the returns on investments it realizes, Anadarko CEO Robert Walker said on Tuesday.

"We sincerely believe the volatility of the current operating environment requires financial discipline. And as I have said many times, pursuing growth without adequate returns is something we will avoid," he told analysts.
Spain's economy is heading in a "very good direction" and is set to grow more than the European Union, the CFO of the Spanish lender Bankia told CNBC on Thursday.

The retail bank beat analysts' expectations when reporting second quarter profits Wednesday of 210 million euros ($244 million). Analysts had forecast a net profit of 188 million euros. The recent economic recovery in Spain contributed to the bank's performance.

"GDP (gross domestic product) is going to grow this year probably above 3 percent, as much as 3.3 percent, and what's more important it's going to be 3 percent next year, so it's well-above the European Union level," Leopoldo Alvear, chief financial officer of Bankia, told CNBC Thursday.

"The micro in Spain is also working very well. We've seen this in consumption, we've seen this in the number of cars being sold, and we've seen of course in tourism," he noted.

The International Monetary Fund noted last week that Spain's economic recovery remains strong. The Fund estimated a 3.1 percent GDP rate for this year, benefiting from the economic reforms undertaken in the years after the 2008 crisis.
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke called Alaska's senators Wednesday warning them about potential changes to policy after the state's Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski broke from the GOP on Obamacare repeal this week, the Alaska Dispatch News reported.

Zinke, who heads the agency that oversees federal land and natural resources, spoke to Murkowski and GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan, who represent a state that relies heavily on energy. Sullivan told the Dispatch News that he feared "the strong economic growth, pro-energy, pro-mining, pro-jobs and personnel from Alaska who are part of those policies are going to stop."

The calls came after Trump tweeted Wednesday morning that Murkowski "let the Republicans, and our country, down" by casting one of two GOP votes against a motion to start debate on some form of Obamacare repeal. Senate Republicans are pushing to pass an Obamacare repeal plan this week despite party divisions and concerns from Murkowski and others that current repeal or replacement options will not adequately fix Obamacare's flaws.

Murkowski could prove decisive this week as the GOP seeks to approve a so-called skinny Obamacare repeal in what will likely be a tight vote. Murkowski has shrugged off Trump's criticism and told reporters Thursday that she would characterize the call from Zinke more as a difficult conversation than a threat.

"I'm a pretty strong and independent individual," she said. "I listen to the input from all sides, whether it is the president, whether it is certainly the secretary of Interior where we have much, much in common, and always absolutely, the people of Alaska."

Murkowski said that she and Zinke talked about energy issues as well as health care.

A spokesperson for Sullivan, as well as the White House and Interior Department, did not immediately respond to CNBC's requests for comment.

Read the full Alaska Dispatch News report here.
The Food and Drug Administration on Friday announced a plan for tobacco and nicotine regulation, which seeks to lower nicotine in cigarettes to non-addictive levels.

This would be just the first step in a sweeping review of the tobacco industry's regulations by the agency, with the goal of encouraging the development of new products that are less dangerous than cigarettes. The FDA has also said it will consider the role of menthol and other flavors in tobacco products.

The statement by the FDA largely came as a surprise and will likely face much resistance from tobacco companies, which are already facing a declining consumer base for their products.

Shares of Altria Group , maker of Marlboro and Parliament brands through its Philip Morris USA unit, plunged more than 10 percent after the FDA's announcement. British American Tobacco , which owns brands such as Camel, Lucky Strike and Newport, fell nearly 9 percent. Vector Group , which sells Liggett Select, Eve and other cigarette brands, saw its stock decline more than 4 percent.

Shares of Philip Morris International , which sells Marlboro and other brands outside the U.S., also dropped nearly 3 percent on the news. Imperial Brands , formerly known as Imperial Tobacco Group, fell 6 percent.

FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb called the amount of death and disease attributable to tobacco "overwhelming." Cigarettes are "the only legal consumer product that, when used as intended, will kill half of all long-term users," he said in a statement.



"Envisioning a world where cigarettes would no longer create or sustain addiction, and where adults who still need or want nicotine could get it from alternative and less harmful sources, needs to be the cornerstone of our efforts  and we believe it's vital that we pursue this common ground."

The FDA said Friday that it plans to begin a "public dialogue" surrounding lowering nicotine levels by way of "achievable product standards." The agency added that it's prepared to issue guidance that will describe a new enforcement policy "shortly."

Altria said, in a statement, that it plans to be "fully engaged throughout the process.

"We think today's announcement is an important evolution in the [FDA's] approach to regulating tobacco products and a meaningful step forward in developing a comprehensive regulatory policy that acknowledges the continuum of risk," Altria said.





"The process outlined by the Commissioner today will allow all stakeholders the opportunity to participate in a science and evidence based regulatory framework which is transparent, predictable, and sustainable," the company added.

In an email, a British American Tobacco spokesperson told CNBC that the company's Reynolds American unit was "encouraged" by Gottlieb's comments.

"Dr. Gottlieb's comments regarding nicotine and menthol do not come as a surprise to us," the spokesperson said. "We are well prepared and look forward to participating in a thorough process to develop a comprehensive plan for tobacco and nicotine regulation."

"We believe future success will require transformative, innovative products and changing the conversation about tobacco harm reduction," the company added.

Gottlieb said the agency is planning to look at regulation to "render cigarettes minimally addictive."

The FDA said it also will consider an exemption for what it calls premium cigars, and will consider a delay in implementing new rules for reduced-risk offerings like e-cigarettes.
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U.K. lender Barclays reported a net loss of 1.21 billion ($1.58 billion) for the first half of 2017, hit by the fall in sterling, a charge from the mis-selling of payment protection insurance and a loss from the sale of its Africa unit.



Here are the key metrics: H1 profit before tax: 2.3 billion ($3.01 billion) before the impact of the Africa sale vs. expected 2.7 billion, according to an average of projections compiled by the bank.

CET1 ratio rises to 13.1 percent.

2.5 billion loss recorded from the sale of its Africa unit. Barclays sold 33 percent of its Africa unit with a loss of 1.4 billion, and a further 1.1 billion loss over the charge of that sale, it said in the earnings report. Shares edged slightly higher as markets opened on Friday morning.



"We feel good about how the bank is positioned, our strategy of being a transatlantic, consumer, corporate and investment bank is now free of all the legacy issues," Jes Staley, chief executive of Barclays, told CNBC on Friday. related investing news Inflation cools and markets soar, led by tech stocks: How we're making sense of this big week Three massive market overhangs have started moving in a positive direction for investors in 24 hours

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Last month, the bank slashed its stake in Barclays Africa Group to 15 percent. The lender had spent almost a century as a major presence in the continent before switching its focus back to the U.K. and the United States.



The sale of Barclays' Africa unit supported the bank's core capital ratio - a measure of a bank's capital strength - to 13.1 percent. Barclays predicted this would rise to 13.4 percent once the full impact of the sale was included.



"We are now a clean bank, restructuring is over," he added.

'More litigation problems waiting in the wings'

Staley also explained the bank had set aside an additional 700 million in order to meet compensation claims for mis-selling payment protection insurance (PPI) in the U.K.



"The sale of Barclays Africa and more PPI costs are the main culprits for the bank's woes so far in 2017. More litigation problems are waiting in the wings, with the bank in trouble with the FCA (the U.K. regulator the Financial Conduct Authority), the SFO and the U.S. Department of Justice, a formidable triumvirate of adversaries," Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at Hargreaves Landsown, said in an email.

Since taking over in 2015, Staley has sought to scale back the bank's geographical presence and prioritized investment banking. However, his efforts appear to have been hampered by investigations from both sides of the Atlantic. The former JPMorgan banker faced investor criticism in April after he had attempted to unmask the identity of a whistleblower. Staley later apologized and admitted he had "made a mistake".

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Exxon Mobil workers walk near an entrance to a company location.

Exxon Mobil on Friday reported quarterly earnings that fell slightly short of analysts expectations but nevertheless doubled from the same period last year.

Shares of Exxon were down 2 percent at midmorning. The stock also fell 2 percent in premarket trading. See the latest market action here .

The oil major earned $3.4 billion, or 78 cents a share in the second quarter, compared with $1.7 billion, or 41 cents a share, in the year-ago period.

Exxon posted $62.9 billion in revenue, up 9 percent from $57.7 billion.

Analysts had expected Exxon to report earnings of 84 cents a share on $61.9 billion in revenue.

"These solid results across our businesses were driven by higher commodity prices and a continued focus on operations and business fundamentals," Darren Woods, Exxon's chairman and CEO, said in a statement. "Our job is to grow long-term value by investing in our integrated portfolio of opportunities that succeed regardless of market conditions."
North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile Friday, which defense experts say could reach as far as New York or other U.S. East Coast cities.

The most recent test lofted the North Korean missile on a very high trajectory, bringing it down in the Sea of Japan. Preliminary data from the launch reveals that half, if not most, of the continental U.S. would be in range of the missile tested Friday.

"Looks like it pretty much can get to New York, Boston and probably falls just short of Washington," David Wright, co-director and senior scientist for the Global Security Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, told CNBC.

The missile flew for 47 minutes, traveled a distance of 1,000 kilometers (about 620 miles) and reached an altitude as high as 3,700 kilometers (nearly 2,300 miles), South Korean military told Reuters.

Wright, a physicist and technical arms control specialist, said the launch appears to show North Korea can "go considerably farther" than previous efforts. He believes this missile on a standard trajectory would have a range of 10,400 kilometers (close to 6,500 miles) before accounting for the rotation of the Earth, which extends the range of missiles fired from west to east.

However, Wright said it's still unclear if North Korea reduced the payload on this new test to get a longer range than the test on July 4.
President Donald Trump on Friday tweeted that John F. Kelly would take over as White House chief of staff, replacing the beleaguered Reince Priebus.

Kelly, a retired four-star Marine general, has been serving as Homeland Security secretary.

Priebus, 45, became a target of Trump's ire shortly into his term as White House chief of staff.

Trump has consistently applied pressure on Priebus and reportedly given him various deadlines to get a tumultuous White House in order.

Trump tweet 1

Trump tweet 2

Trump tweet 3

Reuters, citing a senior White House official, reported Friday that Trump told Priebus two weeks ago that he would replace him as chief of staff. Priebus told CNN in an interview Friday evening that he "formally resigned" Thursday, and that he would help Kelly and the White House staff with a transition over the period of a few weeks starting Monday.

After the announcement Friday, the president offered kind words about Priebus while delivering praise for Kelly.

"Reince is a good man. John Kelly will do a fantastic job. General Kelly has been a star, done an incredible job thus far, respected by everybody," Trump told reporters who had traveled with him Friday on Air Force One. "He's a great great American. Reince is a good man."
"So yes, this is a disappointment, a disappointment indeed ... I regret that our efforts were simply not enough this time," McConnell said.

It marks another blow to the sprawling agenda that Republicans hoped to accomplish when President Donald Trump won the White House and the GOP held both chambers of Congress in November.

The measure came after separate pushes to immediately replace the Affordable Care Act or repeal it with a two-year transition period failed amid GOP divisions. McCain was among four senators who held a news conference to denounce the plan on Thursday, saying they wanted assurances that a better plan would come out of a conference committee with the House. McCain was the only one of those senators to oppose the proposal after speaking to House Speaker Paul Ryan.

Senate Republicans released the plan late Thursday just hours before voting on an amendment to take up the bill. The GOP could only afford to lose two votes on the proposal, which many senators suggested they would not even want to see become law .

Three GOP defections  Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and John McCain of Arizona  sank the measure in a 49-51 vote. McCain, who recently returned to the Senate after getting diagnosed with brain cancer, cast his "no" vote to audible gasps on the chamber's floor, according to reporters there.

The Senate blocked the latest Republican attempt to repeal Obamacare in a dramatic floor vote early Friday morning, yet again stalling  for now  the key campaign goal that eludes the GOP six months into the Trump administration.

Trump, for his part, contended that the senators who opposed the plan "let the American people down." He added: "as I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal."

While Trump has previously suggested letting Obamacare "implode," as a candidate and as president he has usually promoted repealing and replacing Obamacare.

The so-called skinny repeal bill, which the GOP titled the Health Care Freedom Act, .

The bill would have led to an estimated 16 million more Americans uninsured by 2026, according to a late Thursday report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Premiums in the nongroup market would increase "by roughly 20 percent relative to current law in all years between 2018 and 2026," the CBO estimated.

Following the vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats "are not celebrating" but are "relieved" for Americans. He urged the Senate to return to regular order and the committee process on legislation, highlighting the speech McCain made with a similar sentiment when he returned to the Senate Tuesday.

"All of us were so inspired by the speech and the life of the senator from Arizona," Schumer said, tearing up. "And he asked us to go back to regular order ... maybe this can be a moment when we start doing that."

When the Senate voted to start debate on Obamacare repeal Tuesday, two Republicans  Collins and Murkowski  opposed the measure. Following a cross-country trip, the 80-year-old McCain, with a scar above his left eye, cast the deciding vote to move forward with debate.

Going into Thursday's votes, Collins and Murkowski were widely considered the most likely Republicans to oppose the plan. Murkowski cast her "no" vote following reported warnings from the Trump administration after her break from the Republicans earlier this week.

McCain's vote early Friday came as more of a surprise.

"I thought it was the right vote," McCain said as he left the Capitol, according to NBC News.

McCain expanded on that in a later statement, saying that skinny repeal would not offer a real replacement that would increase competition and lower health-care costs.

"We must now return to the correct way of legislating and send the bill back to the committee, hold hearings, receive input from both sides of aisle, heed the recommendations of nation's governors, and produce a bill that finally delivers affordable health care for the American people," he said in a statement.

Just before the vote that blocked the skinny repeal, all votes had been cast on a separate Democratic amendment that ended up failing. The vote remained open as several senators moved to talk to both McCain and Murkowski.

Vice President Mike Pence, who was at the Capitol to cast a potential tie-breaking vote, spent considerable time speaking to McCain, according to reporters in the area. The Arizona senator could eventually be seen laughing with Schumer and hugging Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

Trump, who has been frustrated by the pace of Obamacare repeal despite inconsistent engagement on policy, had cheered McCain as a deciding health-care vote earlier this week.

Donald Trump tweet: .@SenJohnMcCain-Thank you for coming to D.C. for such a vital vote. Congrats to all Rep. We can now deliver grt healthcare to all Americans!

It is not clear what actions Congress could take on health care from this point. In his remarks Friday, McConnell said it will be "interesting to see what [Democrats] suggest is the way forward."

Added McConnell: "It's time to move on."
UBS, Switzerland's biggest bank, posted an unexpected rise in net profit on Friday despite CEO Sergio Ermotti giving a cautious outlook and highlighting that low volatility had hurt certain sectors of the bank.

Here are some of the key metrics:

Q2 net profit: 1.174 billion Swiss francs ($1.21 billion), up 14 percent on a year earlier. 879 million Swiss francs was the estimate, according to Reuters.

Q2 revenues: 7.27 billion Swiss francs vs. estimate of 7.23 Swiss f r ancs, according to Reuters.

"We are highly concentrated of course in the FX (foreign exchange), we are one of the leaders in the FX business and volatility levels on all major currencies has been extremely low so we are suffering on that side," UBS Chief Executive, Sergio Ermotti, told CNBC on Friday.
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. provides automotive replacement parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items for domestic and imported cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, and light and heavy duty trucks. The company offers battery accessories; belts and hoses; brakes and brake pads; chassis and climate control parts; clutches and drive shafts; engines and engine parts; exhaust systems and parts; hub assemblies; ignition components and wires; radiators and cooling parts; starters and alternators; and steering and alignment parts. It also offers air conditioning chemicals and accessories; air fresheners; antifreeze and washer fluids; electrical wires and fuses; electronics; floor mats, seat covers, and interior accessories; hand and specialty tools; lighting products; performance parts; sealants, adhesives and compounds; tire repair accessories; vent shades, mirrors and exterior accessories; washes, waxes and cleaning supplies; and wiper blades. In addition, the company offers air filters; fuel and oil additives; fuel filters; grease and lubricants; motor oils; oil filters, part cleaners and treatments; and transmission fluids for engine maintenance. Further, it offers battery and wiper installation; engine light scanning and checking; electrical system testing; video clinic; oil and battery recycling; and loaner tool program services. Additionally, the company sells its products through its website. It serves professional installers and do-it-yourself customers. The company operates stores under the Advance Auto Parts, Autopart International, and Carquest brands, as well as branches under the Worldpac name. As of April 23, 2022, it operated 4,687 stores and 311 branches in the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada; and served 1,318 independently owned Carquest branded stores in Mexico, Grand Cayman, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and the British Virgin Islands. The company was founded in 1929 and is based in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The following companies are subsidiares of Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen France SAS, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Suzhou Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel Ireland Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Brooks Instrument LLC, Brooks Instrument Shanghai Co. Ltd, Buell Industries Inc., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS Australia Pty Limited, CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures Australasia S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Coeur, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Coeur Shanghai Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Denison Mayes Group Limited, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., E2M Production B.V.., E2M Technologies B.V.., E2M Technologies Inc.., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO Holding AG, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, Exhibit 21, FEG Investments L.L.C., Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., Filtertek SAS, GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech Taicang Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Belgium B.V., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart International Singapore Pte. Ltd., Hobart Japan K.K., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components Chongqing Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components Langfang Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium B.V., ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS UK Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW China Investment Company Limited, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Construction Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Services Manila Inc., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Contamination Control Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Deutschland GmbH, ITW Diagraph GmbH, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EAE B.V., ITW EAE Mexico S de RL de CV, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW EU Holdings Ltd., ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.L., ITW European Finance Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance III Co. Ltd., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Thailand Ltd., ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France Luxembourg S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Holdings X Limited, ITW Holdings XI Limited, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW Materials Technology Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd., ITW Metal Fasteners S.L., ITW Mexico Holding Company S. De R.L. de C.V., ITW Mexico Holdings LLC, ITW Morlock GmbH, ITW Mortgage Investments II Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments III Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments IV Inc., ITW Netherlands Administration BV, ITW Netherlands Beta B.V., ITW Netherlands Finance Alpha BV, ITW New Universal LLC, ITW New Zealand, ITW Ningbo Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Novadan Sp. Z.o.o., ITW PPF Brasil Adesivos Ltda., ITW Packaging Technology China Co. Ltd., ITW Participations S.a r.l., ITW Pension Funds Trustee Company, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Japan Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Korea Limited, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids OOO, ITW Performance Polymers ApS, ITW Performance Polymers Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers and Fluids Group FZE, ITW Peru S.A.C., ITW Poly Mex S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Polymers Sealants North America Inc., ITW Pronovia s.r.o., ITW Pte. Ltd., ITW Qufu Automotive Cooling Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Real Estate Germany GmbH, ITW Residuals III L.L.C., ITW Residuals IV L.L.C., ITW Rivex, ITW SMPI, ITW SPG Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Simco-Ion Shenzhen Co. Ltd., ITW Slovakia s.r.o., ITW Spain Holdings S.L., ITW Specialty Film LLC, ITW Specialty Films France, ITW Specialty Materials Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Sverige AB, ITW Sweden Holding AB, ITW Test & Measurement Equipment Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, ITW Test and Measurement Italia Srl, ITW Test and Measurement Services Industry and Trade Ltd., ITW Texwipe Philippines Inc., ITW Thermal Films Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW UK, ITW UK Finance Beta Limited, ITW UK Finance Delta Limited, ITW UK Finance Gamma Limited, ITW UK Finance Limited, ITW UK Finance Zeta Ltd., ITW UK II Limited, ITW Universal II LLC, ITW Welding, ITW Welding AB, ITW Welding GmbH, ITW Welding Products B.V., ITW Welding Products Group FZE, ITW Welding Products Group S. DE R.L. De C.V., ITW Welding Products Italy Srl, ITW Welding Products Limited Liability Company, ITW Welding Produtos Para Solgdagem Ltda., ITW Welding Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW de France, ITW do Brasil Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Illinois Tool Works Chile Limitada, Illinois Tool Works ITW Nederland B.V., Illinois Tool Works Inc., Impar Comercio E Representacoes Ltda., Industrie Plastic Elsasser GmbH, Inmobiliaria Cit. S.A. de C.F., Innova Temperlite Servicios S.A. de C.V., Innovacion y Transformacion Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Instron Brasil Equipamentos Cientificos Ltda., Instron Foreign Sales Corp. Limited, Instron France S.A.S., Instron GmbH, Instron Japan Company Ltd., Instron Korea LLC, Instron Shanghai Ltd., Instron Thailand Limited, International Leasing Company LLC, Isolenge - ITW Sistemas de Isolamento Termico Ltda., Itw Spraytec, KCPL Mauritius Holdings, Kester, Kleinmann GmbH, Krafft S.L., Loma Systems, Loma Systems BV, Loma Systems Canada Inc., Loma Systems sro, Lombard Pressings Limited, Lumex Inc., Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z.o.o., M&C Specialties Co., MAGNAFLUX GmbH, MEHB Holdings Limited, MGHG Property LLC, MTS 2 LLC., MTS 3 LLC., MTS China Holdings LLC, MTS Europe Holdings LLC, MTS Holdings France S.a.r.l., MTS Japan Ltd.., MTS Korea Inc.., MTS Systems China Co. Ltd., MTS Systems Corporation, MTS Systems Danmark ApS., MTS Systems Europe B.V., MTS Systems Finance C.V.., MTS Systems Germany GmbH, MTS Systems Holding B.V.., MTS Systems Hong Kong Incorporated, MTS Systems Limited, MTS Systems Norden Aktiebolag, MTS Systems S.r.l, MTS Systems., MTS Systems.., MTS Sytems Do Brazil, MTS Testing Solutions India Private Limited., MTS Testing Systems Canada Ltd., Manufacturing Avancee S.A., Meritex Technology Suzhou Co. Ltd., Meurer Verpackungssysteme GmbH, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Miller Insurance Ltd., NDT Holding LLC, NOVADAN APS, North Star Imaging Inc., Nova Chimica S.r.l., Orbitalum Tools GmbH, PENTA-91 OOO, PR. A. I. Srl, PT ITW Construction Products Indonesia, Pacific Concept Industries Limited Enping, Panreac Quimica S.L., Paslode Fasteners Shanghai Co. Ltd., Peerless Machinery Corp., Polyrey, Premark FEG L.L.C., Premark HII Holdings LLC, Premark International, Premark International LLC, Prolex Sociedad Anonima, QSA Global Inc., Quimica Industrial Mediterranea S.L., R&D Engineering A/S., R&D Prague s.r.o., R&D Steel ApS., R&D Test Systems A/S., R&D Tools and Structures A/S., RDGDK Engineering Private Limited, Ramset Fasteners Hong Kong Ltd., Rapid Cook LLC, Refrigeration France, S.E.E. Sistemas Industria E Comercio Ltda., ST Mexico Holdings LLC, Sealant Systems International Inc., Sentinel Asia Yuhan Hoesa, Shanghai ITW Plastic & Metal Co. Ltd, Simco Japan Inc., Simco Nederland B.V., Societe de Prospection et dInventions Techniques  SPIT, Speedline Holdings I Inc., Speedline Holdings I LLC, Speedline Technologies GmbH, Speedline Technologies Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Speedline Technologies Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Stokvis Celix Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Stokvis Danmark ApS, Stokvis Holdings S.A.R.L., Stokvis Promi s.r.o, Stokvis Prostick Tapes Private Limited, Stokvis Tapes B.V., Stokvis Tapes Benelux B.V., Stokvis Tapes Deutschland GmbH, Stokvis Tapes France, Stokvis Tapes Hong Kong Co. Limited, Stokvis Tapes Italia s.r.l., Stokvis Tapes Limited, Stokvis Tapes Limited Liability Company, Stokvis Tapes Norge AS, Stokvis Tapes Oy, Stokvis Tapes Polska Sp Z.O.O., Stokvis Tapes Shanghai Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Sverige AB, Stokvis Tapes Taiwan Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Tianjin Co. Ltd., Stolvis Holdings II S.A.R.L., Subsidiaries, Technopack Industria Comercio Consultoria e Representacoes Ltda., Teknek China Limited, Teknek Japan Limited, Teksaleco Ltd., The Miller Group Ltd, Thirode Grandes Cuisines Poligny, Tien Tai Electrode Co. Ltd., Tien Tai Electrode Kunshan Co. Ltd., Unichemicals Industria e Comercio Ltda., VR-Leasing Sarita GmbH & Co. Immobilien KG, VS European Holdco BV, Valeron Strength Films B.V., Veneta Decalcogomme S.r.l., Versachem Chile S.A., Vesta, Vesta Global Limited, Vesta Guangzhou Catering Equipment Co. Ltd, Viltronics Soltec, Vitronics Soltec B.V., Wachs Canada Ltd., Wachs Subsea LLC, Weigh-Tronix Canada ULC, Weigh-Tronix UK Limited, Wilsonart International Holdings LLC, Wynn Oil South Africa Pty Ltd., Wynn's Automotive France, Wynn's Belgium BVBA, Wynn's Italia Srl, Wynn's Mekuba India Pvt Ltd, and Zip-Pak International B.V..

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John Bald is a former Ofsted inspector and has written two books on the history of writing and spelling.

Justine Greenings remodelling of the DfEs budget to tackle the crisis in school funding is one of the most important consequences of the election. The issue crept up on us, but its extent is now understood. The Survation poll, published in The Times Educational Supplement suggested that as many as 750,000 votes may have been swayed by the issue, which had come to be seen as a real one rather than Labour whining. These votes came overwhelmingly from childrens families rather than our traditional opponents.

The problem stemmed from the national introduction of academies and free schools within a contracting budget, which was achieved by wholesale reorientation of the resources of the DfE towards this goal, often to the detriment of other areas.

For example, most people working on curriculum and examination reform did so voluntarily, while academisation consultants were paid exceptionally high fees. Inspection, the systems only quality control, was cut by 45m, on top of Labours earlier cut of 55m, with further cuts to come. Ofsteds budget for the current year is 145m, which is little more than one-tenth of one percent of the spending it is charged with monitoring.

The effect of this policy, and particularly of Labours cuts, has been to replace inspection with micro-management, excessive paperwork, and dodgy data, leading to the state of affairs described by Amanda Spielman in her talk to the Wellington Festival last month.

Cutting teachers excessive workload was the focus of a Conservative Education Society meeting two weeks ago, addressed by Hywel Jones, headteacher of West London Free School, and followed by a confidential report to the Secretary of State. Meetings run on Chatham House rules, but it can be said that this one was pretty frank and hard-hitting, with clear agreement on the need to stop wasting teachers time. Alongside poor enforcement of discipline, pointless paperwork, excessively detailed planning, and over-marking are driving teachers to distraction and burnout, and need to be addressed. Justine Greening might consider making teachers workload an issue for inspection.

Teresa Tinsleys report to a packed meeting of the All-party parliamentary group for languages read like a damage report from the Titanic. The key problem is at A-level, where the free-fall in numbers taking the main European languages has become a threat to the supply of teachers and professional linguists. The introduction of Ebacc has steadied GCSE entries at just under half of the intake, but time for languages in the early years of secondary school continues to be cut, and an increasing number of schools are offering only two years of language teaching before allowing pupils to drop the subject. This does not allow them to make an informed choice, particularly as too many schools impose mixed ability on language teachers, whether they want it or not. Roughly half of state schools now offer no German, but the worst situation is in Wales, where the much-resented compulsory study of Welsh has come close to eliminating language study at A level.

Does it matter?

There are plenty of people who think it doesnt, including most headteachers, who have generally had a bad experience of learning French at school, and see languages as a nuisance. A Cambridge university lecturer at the meeting took a different view  I dont want only to be teaching students from private schools. After several years without a languages leader, Ofsted has appointed John Daniell, HMI, to the post. He did not demur from my suggestion that far more inspection of languages is needed, and I agree with his point that the national survey of provision for languages, which has not taken place since 2011, should be revived.
This mornings Times () reports that the Republic of Ireland, to the shock of British officials, has demanded that the Irish Sea be made its post-Brexit border with the United Kingdom.

The future of the Northern Irish border has been one of the major issues raised by the vote to leave the EU. London has been exploring ways by which it can use new technology to make post-Brexit border monitoring as unobtrusive as possible.

Instead the Irish Government of Leo Varadkar, the newly-installed Taoiseach who replaced Enda Kenny, is calling for both customs and immigration checks to be conducted at ports and airports. As the Times notes, this amount to effectively drawing a new border in the Irish sea.

Unionists are naturally aghast. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, a senior Democratic Unionist MP, has pledged his party to blocking Dublins proposal in the Daily Telegraph. He points out that:

Pragmatically that is just not going to happen. If you look at Northern Ireland, for example, out of the port of Belfast 73 per cent of the goods that come in and out of the port of Belfast which is by far our busiest port go to Great Britain. Why on earth would we want to create a customs arrangement between this part of the United Kingdom and the rest of the United Kingdom?

This statistic illustrates a broader point which is too often overlooked or ignored by those hyping up the challenge posed by the border: Ulster is overwhelmingly more reliant on cross-border trade with the mainland than it is with the Republic.

As I reported in May, Great Britain accounts for 13.8 billion of Northern Irish exports, against just 3.4 billion for the Republic of Ireland. Even treating Dublin as a gateway to the rest of the EU adds just a further 1.9 billion to that side of the scales, against the 3.8 billion from the rest of the non-EU world.

But Unionists have grounds for complaint about Varadkars bid to partially annex their Province beyond the much-overlooked economic logic of their place in the UK.

Although it is often mis-remembered as such, the Peace Process was not simply a one-sided series of concessions by the UK. It also involved the Irish and nationalist side accepting the legitimacy of Northern Ireland and the Republic renouncing its long-asserted claim on the six counties.

Since the eclipse of the SDLP as the major nationalist party in Northern Ireland this side of the equation has suffered  just try getting a Sinn Fein politician to talk about Northern Ireland rather than the North  but that partys increasing prominence in the Republic seems to be pressuring Dublin politicians to echo its attitude.

Its worth restating: Northern Ireland is part of our country, the United Kingdom, and is set to remain so until and unless a majority of its residents wish otherwise. So long as it wishes to remain British, the border is in the right place.

Varadkar cant have the border moved into the Irish Sea until nationalists win a border poll  and forcing Ulster into a weird and highly anomalous situation where it faces passport and customs checks on its internal trade and movement in order to secure frictionless access to a neighbouring state is not compatible with the respect for Northern Irelands current situation to which Dublin is pledged.

Not that criticism of the Irish Governments new position is confined to the much-demonised DUP. Varadkar and Simon Coveney, his foreign minister, are taken to task in the Republics press too. Heres one from the Irish Independent:

So far, Coveney has made a dogs dinner of Northern Ireland. Last week, Newton Emerson, the most moderate of commentators, asked why Coveney was keeping the pot boiling, referring to a series of cack-handed stances. But Coveney is not solely to blame. The buck stops with Leo Varadkar who weakly and wilfully gave him the job that Charlie Flanagan was doing well. The Taoiseach should clean up the mess he created by telling Coveney that Sunningdale taught Garret FitzGerald the dangers of pan-nationalist posturing. FitzGerald was finally forced to face the truth of OBriens belief that what was good for Northern nationalist extremists was never good for Dublin.

Sinn Fein, like separatists across our United Kingdom, have been deeply disappointed by Brexits failure to push many (if any) unionist voters towards the nationalist camp. This has only been exacerbated by the DUPs dramatic electoral recovery at the general election, closing the window which seemed to open when Unionists lost their Stormont majority in the spring.

It makes sense for hard-line nationalists in these circumstances to engagement in brinkmanship and inject tension into the situation, in hope that uninterested and chronically under-informed mainland opinion can be shepherded towards concessions.

But the Irish Government should not fall into that bracket. Dublins steadfast refusal to reassess its own relationship with the EU in light of its dramatically changed circumstances makes this the very embodiment of have-your-cake-and-eat-it policy making.

Our own Governments reliance on DUP votes, the Prime Ministers clear view that we will leave as one United Kingdom, and Londons duty to uphold Ulsters constitutional preferences all mean that we should expect a firm rejection of this proposal.
07/28/2017

Photo (c) Takata A 34-year-old Florida woman may be the 13th U.S. victim of shrapnel-shooting Takata airbags.

Federal safety regulators and Honda are looking into the July 19 accident in Holiday, Fla., which police say occurred when a 19-year-old driving a Pontiac Firebird turned in front of Nichol Lynn Barker, who was driving a 2002 Honda Accord, according to WFLA-TV.

The incident follows one reported earlier this month, which also occurred in Florida. Ramon V. Kuffo, 81, of Miami, was using a hammer to work on his 2001 Honda Accord when the driver's side airbag exploded.

Kuffo's car had been included in one of the many Takata recalls, but a Honda spokesperson said the recall was never completed on his car.

The 2001 Accord has one of the most dangerous airbags, with as much as a 50 percent chance of exploding in a crash, the Associated Press reported. Florida, where the latest victims lived, is seen as Ground Zero for Takata airbags because of its high heat and humidity, which makes the defective Takata inflators more volatile.

In the latest accident, WFLA reported that the owner of the Accord was sent 10 notices about the recall, but the airbag was never replaced.

More than 65 percent of the recalled airbags are still in service, meaning that millions of consumers are driving around with a potentially explosive device just inches from their face.

Honda said it has adequate replacement parts and urged owners "to seek repair as soon as possible," Reuters reported, adding that older vehicles, especially 2001-2003 Honda vehicles, pose the greatest safety risk.

The Takata airbag recall is the largest in U.S. history, affecting more than 42 million vehicles, not counting another 2.7 million that were identified earlier this month. Takata recently declared bankruptcy, leaving carmakers potentially stuck for billions of dollars in recall-related expenses.

What to do

Is your car included in the recall? You can find out by jotting down your VIN number and going to the U.S. government's website SaferCar.gov.

If your dealer is not able to replace the defective airbag immediately, you can ask for a loaner, but dealers are not legally obligated to provide one.
07/28/2017

Photo (c) Extreme Expeditions For outdoor enthusiasts, the western states offer famous whitewater rafting opportunities. But travelers seeking waterborne thrills should not overlook the East Coast's New River, which winds through North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.

Rapids are generally found where a river flows from a higher elevation to a lower one. Rapids are sort of like mini waterfalls -- the falls are just not as dramatic as a sheer, 90 degree drop. They also make for a thrilling ride in a large rubber raft.

The New River flows from south to northeast through West Virginia, until it joins the Gauley River and forms the Kanawha River. As it snakes its way through tree-covered mountains, it offers some of the best whitewater rafting on the East Coast.

River Expeditions

River Expeditions is an outfitter and resort offering rafting trips from April through October. Because the rapids range from white-knuckle harrowing to only mildly challenging, there are different trips to match different skill levels.

For example, River Expeditions offers three different trips, starting with "Family Class trips." These trips cover a stretch of the New River that offers "easy to moderate rapids, tranquil pools, and amazing scenery," the company says on its website. Children as young as six are allowed on these trips.

The next step up is the "Adventure Class," featuring rougher water and "roller coaster" waves and rapids. The trip is recommended for beginner to experienced rafters and children as young as 12 are allowed.

"World Class" trips are only recommended for experienced rafters, since this run includes steep drops and wild, churning water. The minimum age is 16 and the company says rafters should have gone on an "Adventure Class" trip first.

The River Expeditions Adventure Resort is in the middle of the New River Gorge, in Oak Hill, WVa. The resort itself offers cabins, from rustic to luxury, as well as a bunkhouse and RV park.

Ace Adventure Resort

Ace Adventure Resort is another outfitter serving the New River in West Virginia. It also offers different rafting packages, geared to different experience and skill levels.

There are full-day and overnight trips on the more tranquil Upper New River, which Ace describes as family and kid-friendly Class I to Class III rapids, separated by plenty of still water for swimming or relaxing.

The Lower New River offers more challenging water, but is said to be suitable for beginners. The minimum age is 12 and Ace calls it its most popular trip. Half-day and full-day trips are available.

The Gauley River float is the most challenging outing, with the age limit at 15. The outfitter says you need to be mentally prepared and in good physical condition. This stretch of the river has Class V rapids and boulders the size of a house.

The resort offers lodging in the form of cabins, cottages, and camping. It also features a water park.

The resort is located east of Oak Hill, WVa., on Route 17.

Getting there

To get to either of the New River whitewater resorts, it is best to drive. Take I-64 or I-77 to Beckley, WVa., and make your way east.

Air travelers can arrive at Raleigh County Memorial Airport in Beckley, which is served by ViaAir, a commuter airline serving smaller airports.

There are better connection at Yeager Airport in Charleston, WVa., about 75 miles away. That airport is served by American, United, Spirit, and Delta.
A former president/CEO of a Washington credit union who allegedly stole more than $350,000 and burned bank documents during an NCUA examination will be arraigned in a county court on July 31 for theft and arson, according to police and prosecutors.

Krista Stephanie Putnam, former president/CEO of the $3.3 million Grays Harbor Woodworkers Federal Credit Union in Aberdeen, was charged with two counts of first-degree theft and one count of second-degree arson, Katherine L. Svoboda, prosecuting attorney for Grays Harbor County, said. Putnam, 38, was arrested by Aberdeen Police on Monday.

An audit conducted by Washington certified public accountants, Aiken & Sanders, found Putnam allegedly stole more than $350,000, according to an Aberdeen police investigators report obtained by the CU Times.

At 8:30 a.m. on March 29, 2016, NCUA examiner Michael Fetter and Michael J. Dyer, an NCUA associate regional director for programs, arrived at the GHWFCU. After they knocked on the credit unions front door, which was locked, Putnam came from the back of the building and told Fetter and Dyer there was a fire in the credit union.
Dril-Quip, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, sells, and services engineered drilling and production equipment for use in deepwater, harsh environment, and severe service applications worldwide. The company's principal products include subsea and surface wellheads, subsea and surface production trees, mudline hanger systems, specialty connectors and associated pipes, drilling and production riser systems, liner hangers, wellhead connectors, diverters, and safety valves, as well as downhole tools. It also provides technical advisory services, and rework and reconditioning services, as well as rental and purchase of running tools for use in the installation and retrieval of its products; and downhole tools comprise of liner hangers, production packers, safety valves, and specialty downhole tools that are used to hang-off and seal casing into a previously installed casing string in the well bore. The company's products are used to explore for oil and gas from offshore drilling rigs, such as floating rigs and jack-up rigs; and for drilling and production of oil and gas wells on offshore platforms, tension leg platforms, and Spars, as well as moored vessels, such as floating production, storage, and offloading monohull moored vessels. It sells its products directly through its sales personnel, independent sales agents, and representatives to integrated, independent, and foreign national oil and gas companies, as well as drilling contractors, and engineering and construction companies. The company was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
Houlihan Lokey, Inc., an investment banking company, provides merger and acquisition (M&A), capital market, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory services worldwide. It operates in three segments: Corporate Finance, Financial Restructuring, and Financial and Valuation Advisory. The Corporate Finance segment offers general financial advisory services; and advises public and private institutions on buy-side and sell-side transactions, leveraged loans, private mezzanine debt, high-yield debt, initial public offerings, follow-ons, convertibles, equity private placements, private equity, and liability management transactions, as well as advise financial sponsors on various transactions. The Financial Restructuring segment advises debtors, creditors, and other parties-in-interest related to recapitalization/deleveraging transactions. It also provides a range of advisory services, including structuring, negotiation, and confirmation of plans of reorganization; structuring and analysis of exchange offers; corporate viability assessment; dispute resolution and expert testimony; and procuring debtor-in-possession financing. The Financial and Valuation Advisory segment offers valuations of various assets, such as companies, illiquid debt and equity securities, and intellectual property. It also provides fairness opinions in connection with M&A and other transactions, and solvency opinions in connection with corporate spin-offs and dividend recapitalizations; and other types of financial opinions. In addition, this segment offers dispute resolution services. It serves corporations, institutions, and governments. The company was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California with offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region.
The following companies are subsidiares of Mohawk Industries: A&S Energie NV, A&U Energie NV, Aladdin Manufacturing Corporation, Aladdin Manufacturing Of New York LLC, Aladdin Manufacturing of Alabama LLC, Alsace Logistique S.A., Avelgem Green Power CVBA, Avon Pacific Holdings Ltd, B&M NV, BGE Mexico S. de R. L. de C.V., Berghoef GmbH, Berghoef-Hout B.V., Bienes Raices y Materiales del Centro S. de R.L. de C.V., C.F. Marazzi S.A., Canterbury Spinners Ltd, Carpet Foundation Ltd, Cevotrans BV, Ceramus Bahia S/A  Produtos Ceramicos, DT Mex Holdings LLC, DTM/CM Holdings LLC, Dal Italia LLC, Dal-Elit LLC, Dal-Tile Chile Comercial Limitada, Dal-Tile Colombia S.A.S., Dal-Tile Distribution Inc., Dal-Tile Group Inc., Dal-Tile I LLC, Dal-Tile Industrias S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile International Inc., Dal-Tile Mexico Comercial S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Operaciones Mexico S. De R.L. De C.V., Dal-Tile Peru SRL, Dal-Tile Puerto Rico Inc., Dal-Tile Services Inc., Dal-Tile Shared Services Inc., Dal-Tile Tennessee LLC, Dal-Tile of Canada ULC, Daltile, Daltile, Dekaply NV, Durkan, Dynea NV, Eliane Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Eliane S/A - Revestimentos Ceramicos, Emilceramica India Pvt Ltd., Emilceramica S.r.l, Emilgermany GmbH, Emilgroup Asia Ltd, Explorer S.r.l., F.I.L.S. Investments Unlimited Company, Feltex Carpets Ltd, Feltex Carpets Pty Ltd, Feltex New Zealand Ltd, Fibremakers Australia Pty Ltd, Flooring Foundation Ltd, Flooring Industries Limited S.a r.l., Flooring XL B.V., Floorscape Limited, Godfrey Hirst & Co Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Australia Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Group, Godfrey Hirst NZ Ltd, Hytherm (Ireland) Limited, IVC BVBA, IVC Far-East Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., IVC France S.a r.l., IVC GROUP LIMITED, IVC Green Power NV, IVC Group, IVC Group GmbH, IVC Luxembourg S.a r.l., IVC Rus OOO, IVC US Inc., International Flooring Systems S.a r.l., International Vinyl Company - Vostok OOO, KAI Group, KAI Keramica Ltd, KAI Mining EOOD, KERAMA CENTER OOO, Kerama Baltics OOO, Kerama Export OOO, Kerama Marazzi OOO, Kerampromservis (LLC), Khan Asparuh - Transport EOOD, Khan Asparuh AD, Khan Omurtag AD, Koninklijke Peitsman B.V., Kraj Kerama OOO, MG China Trading Ltd., MI Finance SRL, MUD (Holding) Brazil Ltda., Management Co EAD, Marazzi Acquisition S.r.l., Marazzi Deutschland G.m.b.H., Marazzi France Trading S.A.S., Marazzi Group, Marazzi Group F.Z.E., Marazzi Group S.r.l., Marazzi Group Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Marazzi Iberia S.L.U., Marazzi Japan Co. Ltd., Marazzi Middle East FZ LLC, Marazzi Schweiz S.A.G.L., Marazzi UK Ltd., Mohawk Assurance Services Inc., Mohawk Australia Pty Ltd, Mohawk Canada Corporation, Mohawk Capital Finance S.A., Mohawk Capital Luxembourg SA, Mohawk Carpet Distribution Inc., Mohawk Carpet Foundation Inc., Mohawk Carpet LLC, Mohawk Carpet Transportation Of Georgia LLC, Mohawk Commercial Inc., Mohawk ESV Inc., Mohawk Europe BVBA, Mohawk Factoring II Inc., Mohawk Factoring LLC, Mohawk Finance S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Acquisitions S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Funding S.a.r.l, Mohawk Foreign Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Investments Inc., Mohawk Global Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Holdings International B.V., Mohawk Industries Inc., Mohawk International (Europe) S.a r.l., Mohawk International (Hong Kong) Limited, Mohawk International Capital N.V., Mohawk International Financing S.a.r.l, Mohawk International Holdings (DE) LLC, Mohawk International Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk International Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk International Netherlands B.V., Mohawk International Services BVBA, Mohawk KAI Luxembourg Holding S.a r.l., Mohawk KAI Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Capital S.A., Mohawk Luxembourg Financing S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Pacific S.a r.l., Mohawk Marazzi International BV, Mohawk Marazzi Russia BV, Mohawk New Zealand Limited, Mohawk Operaciones Mexicali S. de R.L. de C.V., Mohawk Operations Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Pacific Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Resources LLC, Mohawk Servicing LLC, Mohawk Singapore Private Limited, Mohawk Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Mohawk Unilin Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk United Finance B.V., Mohawk United International B.V., Mohawk Vinyl Financing S.a r.l., Molber Beheer B.V., Monarch Ceramic Tile Inc., P.F. Onroerend Goed B.V., PF Beheer B.V., Pergo, Pergo (Europe) AB, Pergo Holding BV, Pergo India Pvt Ltd, Polcolorit S.A., Premium Floors Australia Pty Limited, RR Apex LLC, Rata International Pty Ltd, Recubrimientos Interceramica S. de R.L. de C.V., Riverside Textiles Pty Ltd, S.C. KAI Ceramics SRL, Sibir Kerama OOO, SimpleSolutions USA LLC, Soft Step (Australia) Pty Ltd, Spano Group, Spano Invest BVBA, Spano NV, Stroyagromekhzapchast ChaO, Stroytrans OAO Orelstroy, Summit Wool Spinners Ltd, The Flooring Federation Ltd, Tiles Co OOD, Unilin (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Unilin ApS, Unilin Arauco Pisos Ltda., Unilin BVBA, Unilin Beheer BV, Unilin Distribution Ltd., Unilin Distribution Ukraine LLC, Unilin Finland OY, Unilin Flooring India Private Limited, Unilin Flooring SAS, Unilin GmbH, Unilin Holding BVBA, Unilin Insulation BV, Unilin Insulation SAS, Unilin Insulation Sury SAS, Unilin Italia S.R.L., Unilin North America LLC, Unilin Norway AS, Unilin OOO, Unilin Panels SAS, Unilin Poland Sp.Z.o.o., Unilin SAS, Unilin Spain SL, Unilin Swiss GmbH, Unilin s.r.o., World International Inc., Xtratherm, Xtratherm Limited, Xtratherm S.A., and Xtratherm UK Limited.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Reliance Steel & Aluminum: AMI Metals Aero Services Ankara Havaclk Anonim Sirketi, AMI Metals Europe SPRL, AMI Metals Inc. , AMI Metals UK Limited, Acero Prime S. de R.L. de C.V., Admiral Metals Servicenter Company, Admiral Metals Servicenter Company Inc., Airport Metals, Alaska Steel Company, Alaska Steel Company, Aleaciones Especiales de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., All Metal Services (Malaysia) Sdn., All Metal Services India Private Limited, All Metal Services Limited, All Metal Services Ltd. (Xian), All Metals Holding, All Metals Processing & Logistics Inc., Allegheny Steel Distributors Inc., American Metals Corporation, Best Manufacturing Inc., CCC Steel Inc., Chapel Steel Canada Ltd., Chapel Steel Corp., Chatham Steel Corporation, Clayton Metals Inc., Continental Alloys & Services (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Continental Alloys & Services Limited, Continental Alloys & Services Pte. Ltd., Continental Alloys Middle East FZE, Crest Steel Corporation, Delta Steel Inc., Diamond Manufacturing Company, DuBose National Energy Fasteners & Machined Parts, DuBose National Energy Fasteners & Machined Parts Inc., DuBose National Energy Services, DuBose National Energy Services Inc., Durrett Sheppard Steel Co. Inc., Earle M. Jorgensen Company, FastMetals Inc., Feralloy Corporation, Ferguson Perforating Company, Ferguson Perforating Company, Fox Metals And Alloys, Fox Metals and Alloys Inc., Fry Steel, Fry Steel Company, GH Metal Solutions, GH Metal Solutions Inc., Haskins Steel, Infra-Metals Co., KMS FAB LLC, KMS Fab, KMS South, KMS South Inc., Liebovich Bros. Inc., McKey Perforating, Merfish United, Merfish United Inc., Metals USA, Metals USA Inc., Metalweb Limited, National Specialty Alloys, National Specialty Alloys Inc., Northern Illinois Steel Supply Co, Northern Illinois Steel Supply Co., Nu-Tech Precision Metals Inc., Nu-Tech Precision Metals Inc., PDM Steel Service Centers Inc., Pacific Metal Company, Phoenix Corporation, Precision Flamecutting and Steel Inc., Precision Strip Inc., Reliance Metalcenter Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Reliance Metals Canada Limited, Rotax Metals Inc, Rotax Metals Inc., Service Steel Aerospace Corp., Siskin Steel & Supply Company Inc., Sugar Steel Corporation, Sunbelt Steel Texas, Tubular Steel, Tubular Steel Inc., Valex Corp., Valex Korea Co. Ltd., Valex Semiconductor Materials (Zhejiang) Co. Ltd., Viking Materials Inc., and Yarde Metals Inc..

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Juniper Networks, Inc. designs, develops, and sells network products and services worldwide. The company offers routing products, such as ACX series universal access routers to deploy high-bandwidth services; MX series Ethernet routers that function as a universal edge platform; PTX series packet transport routers; wide-area network SDN controllers; and session smart routers. It also provides switching products, including EX series Ethernet switches to address the access, aggregation, and core layer switching requirements of micro branch, branch office, and campus environments; QFX series of core, spine, and top-of-rack data center switches; and juniper access points, which provide Wi-Fi access and performance. In addition, the company offers security products comprising SRX series services gateways for the data center; Branch SRX family provides an integrated and next-generation firewall; virtual firewall that delivers various features of physical firewalls; and advanced malware protection, a cloud-based service and Juniper ATP. Further, it offers Junos OS, a network operating system; Contrail networking, which provides an open-source and standards-based platform for SDN; Mist AI-driven Wired, Wireless, and WAN assurance solutions to set and measure key metrics; Mist AI-driven Marvis Virtual Network Assistant, which identifies the root cause of issues; Juniper Paragon Automation, a modular portfolio of cloud-native software applications; and Juniper Apstra to automate the network lifecycle in a single system. Additionally, the company provides software-as-a-service, technical support, maintenance, and professional services, as well as education and training programs. It sells its products through direct sales, distributors, value-added resellers, and original equipment manufacturers to end-users in the cloud, service provider, and enterprise markets. The company was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.
The following companies are subsidiares of Novo Nordisk A/S: Aldaph SpA, Beijing Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Science & Technology Co. Ltd., CS Solar Fund XIV LLC, Calibrium, Corvidia, Corvidia Therapeutics Inc., Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Dicerna Pharmaceuticals Inc., Emisphere Technologies, Emisphere Technologies Inc., MB2 LLC, NNE A/S, Neotope Neuroscience Limited, Novo Nordisk, Novo Nordisk (China) Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Novo Nordisk (Pty) Limited, Novo Nordisk (Shanghai) Pharma Trading Co. Ltd., Novo Nordisk B.V., Novo Nordisk Canada Inc., Novo Nordisk Colombia SAS, Novo Nordisk Comercio Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Novo Nordisk Denmark A/S, Novo Nordisk Egypt LLC, Novo Nordisk Farma OY, Novo Nordisk Farma S.R.L., Novo Nordisk Farma dooel, Novo Nordisk Farmaceutica Limitada, Novo Nordisk Farmaceutica do Brasil Ltda., Novo Nordisk Finance (Netherlands) B.V., Novo Nordisk Health Care AG, Novo Nordisk Hellas Epe., Novo Nordisk Holding Limited, Novo Nordisk Hong Kong Limited, Novo Nordisk Hrvatska d.o.o., Novo Nordisk Hungaria Kft., Novo Nordisk Inc., Novo Nordisk India Holding Pte Ltd., Novo Nordisk India Private Limited, Novo Nordisk Kazakhstan LLP, Novo Nordisk Kenya Ltd., Novo Nordisk Lanka (PVT) Ltd, Novo Nordisk Limited, Novo Nordisk Limited Liability Company, Novo Nordisk Ltd, Novo Nordisk Mexico S.A. de C.V., Novo Nordisk North America Operations A/S, Novo Nordisk Norway AS, Novo Nordisk Panama S.A., Novo Nordisk Pars, Novo Nordisk Peru S.A.C., Novo Nordisk Pharma (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Novo Nordisk Pharma (Private) Limited, Novo Nordisk Pharma (Singapore) Pte Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharma (Taiwan) Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharma (Thailand) Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharma AG, Novo Nordisk Pharma Argentina S.A., Novo Nordisk Pharma EAD, Novo Nordisk Pharma GmbH, Novo Nordisk Pharma Gulf FZE, Novo Nordisk Pharma Inc., Novo Nordisk Pharma Korea Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharma Limited, Novo Nordisk Pharma Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharma Operations (Business Area) Sdn Bhd, Novo Nordisk Pharma Operations A/S, Novo Nordisk Pharma S.A., Novo Nordisk Pharma SARL, Novo Nordisk Pharma SAS, Novo Nordisk Pharma Sp.z.o.o., Novo Nordisk Pharma d.o.o., Novo Nordisk Pharma d.o.o. Belgrade (Serbia), Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical Industries LP, Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical Services Sp. z o.o., Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals (Philippines) Inc., Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals A/S, Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty. Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharmatech A/S, Novo Nordisk Pharmatech US Inc., Novo Nordisk Production SAS, Novo Nordisk Production Support LLC, Novo Nordisk Producao Farmaceutica do Brasil Ltda., Novo Nordisk Region AAMEO and LATAM A/S, Novo Nordisk Region China A/S, Novo Nordisk Region Europe A/S, Novo Nordisk Region Japan & Korea A/S, Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis Inc., Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle Inc., Novo Nordisk S.P.A., Novo Nordisk Saglik Urunleri Tic. Ltd. Sti., Novo Nordisk Saudi for Trading, Novo Nordisk Scandinavia AB, Novo Nordisk Service Centre (India) Pvt. Ltd., Novo Nordisk Slovakia s.r.o., Novo Nordisk Tunisie SARL, Novo Nordisk US Bio Production Inc., Novo Nordisk US Commercial Holdings Inc., Novo Nordisk US Holdings Inc., Novo Nordisk Ukraine LLC, Novo Nordisk Venezuela Casa de Representacion C.A., Novo Nordisk d.o.o., Novo Nordisk s.r.o., PT. Novo Nordisk Indonesia, S.A. Novo Nordisk Pharma N.V., UAB Novo Nordisk Pharma, Xellia Pharmaceuticals, Ziylo, and Ziylo Limited.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Quest Diagnostics: AmeriPath, AmeriPath Cincinnati Inc. (OH), AmeriPath Cleveland Inc. (OH), AmeriPath Consolidated Labs Inc. (FL), AmeriPath Florida LLC (DE), AmeriPath Hospital Services Florida LLC (DE), AmeriPath Inc. (DE), AmeriPath Indianapolis PC (IN), AmeriPath Kentucky Inc. (KY), AmeriPath Lubbock 5.01(A) Corporation (TX), AmeriPath New York LLC (DE), AmeriPath Texas Inc. (DE), AmeriPath Tucson Inc. (AZ), American Medical Laboratories, American Medical Laboratories Incorporated (DE), Associated Clinical Laboratories L.P. (PA), Associated Clinical Laboratories of Pennsylvania L.L.C. (PA), Athena Diagnostics, Athena Diagnostics Inc. (DE), Blueprint Genetics, Blueprint Genetics FZ-LLC (UAE), Blueprint Genetics Inc. (DE), Blueprint Genetics Oy (Finland), California Laboratory Associates, Cape Cod Healthcare - Business, Celera, ClearPoint Diagnostic, Clearpoint Diagnostic Laboratories LLC (TX), Cleveland HeartLab, Cleveland HeartLab Inc. (DE), Clinical Laboratory Partners, Colorado Pathology Consultants P.C. (CO), ConVerge Diagnostic Services, Consolidated DermPath Inc. (DE), DFW 5.01(a) Corporation (TX), DGXWMT JV LLC (DE), Dermatopathology of Wisconsin S.C. (WI), Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma LLC (OK), Diagnostic Pathology Services Inc. (OK), Diagnostic Reference Services Inc. (MD), ExamOne Canada Inc. (New Brunswick), ExamOne LLC (DE), ExamOne World Wide Inc. (PA), ExamOne World Wide of NJ Inc. (NJ), Focus Diagnostics, HemoCue, Hoffman M.D. Associated Pathologists Chartered (NV), Institute for Dermatopathology Inc. (PA), Isabella Street Urban Renewal LLC (NJ), Kailash B. Sharma M.D. Inc. (GA), Kilpatrick Pathology P.A. (NC), LabOne, LabOne LLC (MO), LabOne of Ohio Inc. (DE), Laboratorio de Analisis Biomedicos S.A. (Mexico), Lancet Labs, MACL, Med Fusion LLC (TX), Med fusion, MedPlus, Mid America Clinical Laboratories LLC (IN), Nomad Massachusetts Inc. (MA), Nuclear Medicine and Pathology Associates (GA), Ocmulgee Medical Pathology Association Inc. (GA), Pathology Building Partnership (MD) (gen. ptnrshp.), PeaceHealth Laboratories, PhenoPath Laboratories, PhenoPath Laboratories PLLC (WA), Q Squared Solutions Holdings LLC (DE), Q Squared Solutions Holdings Limited (UK), Quest Diagnostics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. (China), Quest Diagnostics Brasil Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics Clinical Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics Clinical Laboratories Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics Domestic Holder LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics HTAS India Private Limited (India), Quest Diagnostics Health & Wellness LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Holdings Incorporated (DE), Quest Diagnostics Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (MD), Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NV), Quest Diagnostics India Private Limited (India), Quest Diagnostics Infectious Disease Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics International Holdings Limited (UK), Quest Diagnostics International LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Ireland Limited (Ireland), Quest Diagnostics LLC (CT), Quest Diagnostics LLC (IL), Quest Diagnostics LLC (MA), Quest Diagnostics Massachusetts LLC (MA), Quest Diagnostics Mexico Holding Company Trust (Mexico), Quest Diagnostics Mexico S de RL de CV (Mexico), Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute (CA), Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute Inc. (VA), Quest Diagnostics Receivables Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics Subsidiary Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics TB LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Terracotta LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Venture LLC (PA), Quest Diagnostics Ventures LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics do Brasil Ltda. (Brazil), Quest Diagnostics of Pennsylvania Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics of Puerto Rico Inc. (PR), Quest HealthConnect LLC (CA), ReproSource, Reprosource Fertility Diagnostics Inc. (MA), Solstas Lab Partners, Sonora Quest Laboratories LLC (AZ), Specialty Laboratories Inc. (CA), Summit Health, UMass Memorial Medical Center - Anatomic Pathology Outreach Laboratory Business, Unilab Corporation, and Unilab Corporation (DE).

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The size of Apple Pay's share in the mobile payments market in China will depend on how well Apple Pay fits the needs of the local market and how substantial an investment Apple and its partners are prepared to make.

Apple launched its first large-scale marketing campaign targeting Apple Pay consumers in mainland China between 18 and 24 July 2017. The offer included discounts of up to 50% for Apple Pay payments made at selected retailers using UnionPay's QuickPass facility, as well as 50 times the usual number of reward points when the payment was charged to a credit card issued by one of 17 Chinese banks.

The US-based firm will be hoping that this promotion will encourage the adoption and usage of Apple Pay in China and help it to compete with local mobile payment incumbents, Alipay and WeChat. Apple Pay had good take-up following its launch 17 months ago, but its usage has been unsatisfactory ever since.

Apple is a late entrant to China's mobile payments market: it launched Apple Pay in China on 18 February 2016 in a market already dominated by Alipay and WeChat Pay. The delay of its Chinese launch was primarily due to the need to meet local regulation requirements, which included locating data centres locally in China.

It managed to gain market attention immediately: on the first day of its launch, more than 30 million bank cards were reported to have been added to Apple Pay accounts. However, despite these promising indicators, Apple Pay usage remains low. The current mobile payment ecosystem, based on QR code and bar code scanning, is mature in China, while NFC-based mobile payments  the systems that Apple Pay relies on  are still developing.

China is an important market for Apple, but its business in this country has continued to decline in recent quarters which has put pressure on Apple to innovate in China. Apple Pay's first marketing campaign and the recent appointment of a new managing director for the Greater China region may serve to regenerate its presence in this market, and we expect more initiatives to be announced in the near future.

Apple faces strong competition from Alipay and WeChat Pay. Successful mobile payment solutions in China are typically built on certain foundations: WeChat Pay is built on its substantial social network, WeChat, and Alipay is built on Alibaba's large ecommerce platform. Apple Pay is built on Apple devices and the Apple Store ecosystem, which has a smaller presence in China, but its users are typically high-value consumers.

Apple made it clear when it launched Apple Pay that it wants to work with, rather than compete against, the existing players in China's financial services ecosystem (such as banks, Mastercard, Visa and UnionPay, which originates in China). Apple's business model is predicated upon device sales, not mobile money fees.

Therefore, existing players may consider Apple to be a partner more than a competitor, which will help Apple to build strong finance partnerships. In contrast, Alibaba and WeChat have bigger ambitions: both have secured finance licences and both own banks (MYBank and WeBank, respectively), which may lead to concerns for incumbent financial institutions.

Apple's strong international coverage has helped it to win support from international brands. However, Alipay and WeChat are also expanding to international markets. For example, Alibaba has invested in Ascend Money (Thailand) and Paytm (India).

Both services have reached agreements with players in the USA, such as payments provider Stripe. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that either Alipay or WeChat Pay will be able to soon reach a similar level of international coverage to that which Apple has already achieved.

Apple Pay's success in China will depend on its understanding of local consumer needs, as well as investment. The success of a product is not just about the product itself or the technologies; indeed, success mostly depends on the product's ability to serve the local demand and fit user behaviour better than the competition.

For example, the red packet feature, which reflects Chinese traditions, contributed to the take-up of WeChat Pay. It will be difficult for Apple to replicate similar localised features, and its local partners will need to help.

This most-recent marketing campaign has provided Apple with market attention and has encouraged Apple Pay usage. However, it is not clear whether Apple's campaign will contribute to repeated, sustained usage following this campaign and the cost of the campaign may be substantial (it is reported to be paid for by Apple, together with its key partner for this campaign, UnionPay).

Furthermore, leading players in this space  including Apple, Alipay and WeChat Pay  may launch more promotions in the near future, which will be costly for all players involved. As the latecomer to this market space, these costs may be higher for Apple and its partners.

Apple may end up with a share of the mobile payment market in China, especially with large chain brands, international businesses and high-end consumers that use Apple devices. However, questions remain about how large its share will be; much will depend on how well Apple Pay fits the needs of the local market and how significant an investment Apple and its partners are prepared to make.

Sherrie Huang is the Head of Asia-Pacific Research at Analysys Mason.
Fresh from completing the massive acquisition of US rival Reynolds earlier in the week, British American Tobacco announced a solid set of first-half numbers, made to look even nicer thanks to strong currency tailwinds.

The cigarette maker, which snapped up the remaining 57.8% of Reynolds American it did not already own for $49bn in cash and shares, generated 7.7bn of revenue in the six months to 30 June, up 15.7% thanks to the weakness of sterling, or up 3.5% at constant exchange rates.

Adjusted revenue, adjusted for excise on goods bought in from third parties, was up 2.5% at constant rates of exchange to 7.65bn.

Volumes of cigarettes sold were down 5.6% to 314bn, which was not as bad as some analysts had predicted, with volume at BAT's 'global drive brands' -- Lucky Strike, Kent, Dunhill and Pall Mall -- down 1.3%.

Excluding Pakistan, which was hit by stock movements ahead of rise in excise duties and subsequently saw a market contraction, group volumes declined 2.6%, with the GDBs up 2.6%.

Market share in key markets grew 30bps, driven by the GDBs, which gained 50 bps.

With smokes on the wane, BAT has high hopes for its 'next generation products', including a tobacco-heating product called Glo, which reached an estimated 8% market share in Sendai, Japan, its first launch market, with early progress in other launch markets "above expectations".

In vaping, the group is the largest company in the world, via its Vuse brand in the US, and Vype and Ten Motives in the UK and Poland.

The successful completion of the Reynolds acquisition bolsters the group's leading position in combustibles and NGP, although the European vapour business is still fairly immaterial in size in the context of the group.

With a strong price mix that helped widen adjusted operating margins 30 basis points to 37.1%, adjusted profit from operations grew 15.8% to 2.8bn or up 3.2% at CER.

Basic earnings per share fell 15.3% to 121.8p due to the impact last year of asset sales by Reynolds American, which was then 42%-owned by the FTSE 100 group.

An interim dividend of 56.5p was declared, up 10% on last year, with the group moving to quarterly dividends from 1 January 2018.

Chief executive Nicandro Durante continues to expect profit growth to be weighted to the second half of the year, though it will be moderated by the continued roll out of NGP and is against a strong prior year numbers from Ukraine.

"Although the challenging environment in a number of markets continues, including in Russia, I am confident that we remain on course to deliver another year of good earnings growth at constant rates of exchange."

BATS shares were up 1.4% to 5,436p in early trade on Thursday.

Charlie Huggins, a fund manager at Hargreaves Lansdown with a BATS stake in two of his funds, said the interim dividend increased cemented the groups status as one of the most reliable income payers in the market.

"The integration of Reynolds is progressing to plan and work has already begun to realise the projected cost synergies. The deal gives BATS a deeper presence in the highly profitable US market, while the anticipated cost savings from the deal should be very helpful for margins.

On NGRs, he said: "Persuading smokers to switch from cigarettes to these newer generation, supposedly lower harm products, could see big increases in the profits the tobacco company makes, compared to a smoker who sticks to the traditional evil weed."
Equity view

British Airways and Iberia parent International Consolidated Airlines Group reported a 14% jump in first-half operating profit on Friday and said it expects profit for the year to rise by a double-digit percentage.

Property website Rightmove reported a rise in first-half profit and revenue on Friday.

Earnings at BT fell in the first quarter, the telecommunications group reported on Friday, with adjusted EBITDA down 2% to 1.79bn, while reported revenue was 1% higher at 5.84bn.

Morgan Advanced Materials saw revenue rise 9.2% to 518.9m in its first half, it reported on Friday, although the improvement was only 0.2% on an organic constant currency basis.

Wealth manager Schroders reported a rise in first-half pre-tax profit on Thursday as assets under management grew.

St. James's Place continued to see strong demand for its services during the first half of the year, despite which its cash result missed analysts' forecasts.

Disposals and the weak pound helped pest control group Rentokil report a 637% increase in first half pre-tax profits to 592.9m.

Sky reported on a strong year in its results on Thursday, reported a 10% increase in revenue on a comparable 52-week basis to 12.9bn, or 5% growth at constant currency.

Professional information and analytics company Relx reported a rise in first-half profit on Thursday as revenue grew.

Essentra announced a proposal to end the production of folding cartons for the consumer goods industry at its site in Newport on Thursday, and as a result close the site.

It was a busy start to the year for 3i Group, it reported on Wednesday, with a net asset value per share of 628p and total return of 4.1% as at 30 June.

Commercial laundry company Berendsen, which has agreed to be taken over by French rival Elis, posted a 5.6% drop in half-year profit on Tuesday amid a deteriorating UK performance.

Chilean copper miner Antofagasta said first half production rose 7.1% year on year.

The Serious Fraud Office has launched a corruption probe into Rio Tintos activities in Guinea.

Half year pre-tax profits at speciality chemical company Croda rose 15.8% to 168m boosted by currency tailwinds as sales increased 16.2% to 707.3m.

Segro posted a 5.4% rise in first-half net asset value per share and a 23% jump in adjusted pre-tax profit on Tuesday.

Randgold Resources was continuing to ramp up production at its Tongon gold mine in Cote d'Ivoire, tracking towards its 2017 target of 285,000 ounces, the company reported on Monday morning.

Reckitt Benckiser boosted its interim dividend 14% as it reported a solid first-half performance in the face of "tough" market conditions and slightly weaker profit margins from newly acquired baby food business Mead Johnson Nutrition.

Meat products producer Cranswick churned out impressive revenue growth in the first quarter of the year and stated its confidence of hitting full year targets.

NewRiver exchanged conditional contracts for the pre-sale of the entire residential part of its mixed-use development at the Burgess Hill town centre, it confirmed on Monday.

Economic news

Economic confidence among British people has deteriorated to its lowest print since the Brexit referendum, according to a widely followed survey released on Friday.

Further survey data emerged to support reports that UK retailers are enjoying the summer, the CBI's Distributive Trades Survey said on Thursday.

The UK government has confirmed the appointment of David Ramsden as a deputy governor of the Bank of England for Markets and Banking, meaning he will become a member of the rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee.

Almost two-thirds of British consumers are optimistic about their personal finance, despite fears about the countrys economic prospects, a new survey has found.

UK economic growth remained tepid in the second quarter, according to the Office for National Statistics, though the initial estimate for gross domestic product was in line with economists' forecasts.

The UK said it would ban all new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2040 in an effort to tackle pollution and the risks to public health.

Supermarket prices continue to rise but are no longer accelerating, found researchers at Kantar Worldpanel, with Tesco enjoying the best of the summer but all of the 'big four' still losing market share to discounters.

UK industrial production in recent months increased at the fastest pace since the mid 1990s, the CBI has found, although its headline balance of total orders was lower than forecast.

Onshore windfarms could be built in the UK for the same cost as new gas power stations and nearly half as much as that of the Hinkley Point C nuclear plant, new analysis of the sector has shown.

The International Monetary Fund has cut its growth forecast for the UK and US economies after soft performances in the first quarter of the year.

International events

Donald Trump and Senate Republicans latest attempt to push through a 'skinny' version of an Obamacare repeal fell through once again on Thursday night, as three GOP senators rebelled against the bill.

Economic activity in the euro area's second largest economy benefitted from a boost to exports in the three months to June, leading some economists to raise their full-year forecasts for growth.

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, according to data from the Labor Department.

US tech giant Apple will build three major manufacturing plants in the country , according to President Donald Trump.

Sales of new US single-family homes rose a little less than expected in June, according to official data released on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump has announced that transgender people will no longer be allowed to serve in the countrys military as the medical costs are too high.

German business confidence unexpectedly improved in July, according to a widely-followed survey.

US consumer confidence unexpectedly rose to a four-month high in July, according to the latest data from the Conference Board.

Eurozone services and manufacturing sector growth remained strong in early July, though surveys on sectors were both slightly less than expected on Monday.

Donald Trumps son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner has released details of four Russian contacts he had during and after the 2016 US presidential election during testimony given to the Senate intelligence committee.
Heavier rainfall linked to rising temperatures could substantially increase the volume of agricultural runoff flowing into waterways, triggering toxic algal blooms, according to new research.

A study published Thursday in the journal Science finds that heavier rainfall could increase nitrogen runoff in U.S. lakes, rivers and streams by 19 percent by the end of this century.

Last year, heavy rain caused an algal bloom in southern Florida that led the governor to declare a state of emergency, while a 2014 algal bloom contaminated the water supply in Toledo, Ohio.

When we think about climate change, we are used to thinking about water quantitydrought, flooding, extreme rainfall and things along those lines, Anna Michalak, professor of global ecology at the Carnegie Institution for Science in Stanford, California, and an author of the study, told the New York Times.

Climate change is just as tightly linked to issues related to water quality, and its not enough for the water to just be there, it has to be sustainable.

For a deeper dive:

New York Times, Washington Post, AP, Climate Central, InsideClimate News, Wired, The Verge

For more climate change and clean energy news, you can follow Climate Nexus on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for daily Hot News.
Bottom Line: Two de-identification methods, k-anonymization and adding a "fuzzy factor," significantly reduced the risk of re-identification of patients in a dataset of 5 million patient records from a large cervical cancer screening program in Norway.

Journal in Which the Study was Published: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

Author: Giske Ursin, MD, PhD, director of Cancer Registry of Norway, Institute of Population-based Research.

Background: "Researchers typically get access to de-identified data, that is, data without any personal identifying information, such as names, addresses, and Social Security numbers. However, this may not be sufficient to protect the privacy of individuals participating in a research study," said Ursin.

Patient datasets often have sensitive data, such as information about a person's health and disease diagnosis that an individual may not want to share publicly, and data custodians are responsible for safeguarding such information, Ursin added. "People who have the permission to access such datasets have to abide by the laws and ethical guidelines, but there is always this concern that the data might fall into the wrong hands and be misused," she added. "As a data custodian, that's my worst mightmare."

How the Study Was Conducted: To test the strength of their de-identification technique, Ursin and colleagues used screening data containing 5,693,582 records from 911,510 women in the Norwegian Cervical Cancer Screening Program. The data included patients' dates of birth, and cervical screening dates, results, names of the labs that ran the tests, subsequent cancer diagnoses, if any, and date of death, if deceased.

The researchers used a tool called ARX to evaluate the risk of re-identification by approaching the dataset using a "prosecutor scenario," in which the tool assumes the attacker knows that some data about an individual are in the dataset. An attack is considered successful if a large portion of individuals in the dataset could be re-identified by someone who had access to some of the information about these individuals.

The team assessed the re-identification risk in three different ways: First they used the original data to create a realistic dataset that contained all the abovementioned patient information (D1). Next, they "k-anonymized" the data by changing all the dates in the records to the 15th of the month (D2). Third, they fuzzied the data by adding a random factor between -4 to +4 months (except zero) to each month in the dataset (D3).

By adding a fuzzy factor to each patient's records, the months of birth, screening, and other events are changed; however, the intervals between the procedures and the sequence of the procedures are retained, which ensures that the dataset is still usable for research purposes.

Results: "We found that changing the dates using the standard procedure of k-anonymization drastically reduced the chances of re-identifiying most individuals in the dataset," Ursin noted.

In D1, the average risk of a prosecutor identifying a person was 97.1 percent. More than 94 percent of the patient records were unique, and therefore those patients ran the risk of being re-identified. In D2, the average risk of a prosecutor identifying a person dropped to 9.7 percent; however, 6 percent of the records were still unique and ran the risk of being re-identified. Adding a fuzzy factor, in D3, did not lower the risk of re-identification further: The average risk of a prosecutor identifying a person was 9.8 percent, and 6 percent of the records ran the risk of being re-identified.

This meant that there were as many unique records in D3 as in D2. However, scrambling the months of all records in a dataset by adding a fuzzy factor makes it more difficult for a prosecutor to link a record from this dataset to the records in other datasets and re-identify an individual, Ursin explained.

Author Comment: "Every time a research group requests permission to access a dataset, data custodians should ask the question, 'What information do they really need and what are the details that are not required to answer their research question,' and make every effort to collapse and fuzzy the data to ensure protection of patients' privacy," Ursin said.

Patient data are in general very well safeguarded and re-identification is not yet a major threat, Ursin added. "However, given the recent trend in sharing data and combining datasets for big-data analyses--which is a good development--there is always a chance of information falling into the hands of someone with malicious intent. Data custodians are, therefore, rightly concerned about potential future challenges and continue to test preventive measures."

Limitations: According to Ursin, the main limitation of the study is that the approaches to anonymize data in this study are specific to the dataset used; such approaches are unique for each dataset and should be designed based on the nature of the data.

Disclosures: Ursin declares no conflicts of interest.

###

To interview Giske Ursin, contact Julia Gunther at julia.gunther@aacr.org or 215-446-6896.

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About the American Association for Cancer Research

Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the world's first and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure cancer. AACR membership includes more than 37,000 laboratory, translational, and clinical researchers; population scientists; other health care professionals; and patient advocates residing in 108 countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise of the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, biology, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer by annually convening more than 30 conferences and educational workshops, the largest of which is the AACR Annual Meeting with more than 21,900 attendees. In addition, the AACR publishes eight prestigious, peer-reviewed scientific journals and a magazine for cancer survivors, patients, and their caregivers. The AACR funds meritorious research directly as well as in cooperation with numerous cancer organizations. As the Scientific Partner of Stand Up To Cancer, the AACR provides expert peer review, grants administration, and scientific oversight of team science and individual investigator grants in cancer research that have the potential for near-term patient benefit. The AACR actively communicates with legislators and other policymakers about the value of cancer research and related biomedical science in saving lives from cancer. For more information about the AACR, visit http://www.AACR.org.
German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) could be predisposed to health conditions such as arthritis because of the way they have been bred in recent decades, according to a new study published in the open access journal Canine Genetics and Epidemiology.

Data from nearly half a million dogs collected across 430 veterinary clinics in the UK, via the VetCompass Programme at the Royal Veterinary College, reveals that GSDs are most likely to die from complications arising from musculoskeletal disorders (13.6% of cases) or the inability to stand (14.9% of cases). A total of 263 specific disorder types were recorded in German Shepherds, the most common of which were inflammation of the ear canal (7.89% of dogs), osteoarthritis (5.54%), diarrhoea (5.24%), overweight and obesity (5.18%), and aggression (4.76%).

Dr Dan O'Neill, lead author from the Royal Veterinary College, said: "German Shepherd Dogs have previously been reported to have the second highest number of health disorders exacerbated by breeding traits, with Great Danes occupying first place. It has been reported that German Shepherds are predisposed to conditions such as abnormal formation of the hip joint, cancer and degenerative spinal disorders, but the extent to which these conditions are prevalent in the population are unclear. However, by looking at primary care data from veterinary clinics, we are able to get a much better picture of the real priority conditions affecting this breed and this will help inform clinical practice in the future."

The GSD is one of the most popular breeds worldwide with historical working roles that include herding, guarding, police, military and guide-dog work. German Shepherds were originally bred as a medium-sized dog for herding work until their popularity as a guard dog led to them being bred for a larger size and more confident demeanour.

Breeding of GSDs over recent years has focused on cosmetic traits which may be linked to the breed's current predisposition to certain health conditions. The Kennel Club Breed Watch system lists the German Shepherd as 'requiring particular monitoring and additional support'. Points of concern raised by the Breed Watch system include health complications that may arise from excessive angulation of the back knee and leg joints, a nervous temperament and weak hindquarters.

Dr O'Neill said: "Our results highlight the power of primary-care veterinary clinical records to help understand breed health in dogs and to support evidence-based approaches towards improved health and welfare in dogs. Interestingly, we found osteoarthritis to be one of the most common conditions reported, which may be caused, in part, by breeding for cosmetic traits such as lower hindquarters or a sloping back."

The current study presents the largest analysis of demography, mortality and disorder prevalence in GSDs based exclusively on primary-care veterinary clinical records reported to date.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: "The Kennel Club welcomes research which provides valuable information about the health of dogs of any breed. The German Shepherd Dog is one of the seventeen breeds in the first round of the Kennel Club's Breed Health and Conservation Plan project and therefore this new piece of research will form a valuable part of the evidence-base for this breed."

"Research projects such as these will allow evidence-based recommendations to be made as to how to advance the health and welfare of the breed."

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1. Research article:

Demography and disorders of German Shepherd Dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK

O'Neill et al.

Canine Genetics and Epidiemology July 2017

DOI: 10.1186/s40575-017-0046-4

During embargo period, please contact Matthew Lam for a copy of the article.

After the embargo lifts, the article will be available at the journal website here: https://cgejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40575-017-0046-4

Please name the journal in any story you write. If you are writing for the web, please link to the article. All articles are available free of charge, according to BioMed Central's open access policy.

2. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology is a peer-reviewed, open access journal addressing genetic, genomic and epidemiological research in both domestic and wild canids, relating to breed and species diversity, and canine evolution.

3. A pioneer of open access publishing, BMC has an evolving portfolio of high quality peer-reviewed journals including broad interest titles such as BMC Biology and BMC Medicine, specialist journals such as Malaria Journal and Microbiome, and the BMC series.

At BMC, research is always in progress. We are committed to continual innovation to better support the needs of our communities, ensuring the integrity of the research we publish, and championing the benefits of open research. BMC is part of Springer Nature, giving us greater opportunities to help authors connect and advance discoveries across the world.

4. VetCompassTM collects anonymised clinical records on over 7 million companion animals across the UK. This latest paper is the 27th peer reviewed VetCompassTM publication. The VetCompassTM Programme at the Royal Veterinary College is revolutionising how we understand the health of companion animals and is making the UK a world leader in research methods applied to veterinary clinical records.
Methylation and nitric oxide (NO)-based S-nitrosylation are highly conserved protein posttranslational modifications that regulate diverse biological processes, including abiotic stress responses. However, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Dr. ZUO Jianru's group at the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (IGDB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences identified PRMT5, a protein arginine methyltransferase, as an S-nitrosylated protein in a nitroproteomics study in Arabidopsis. PRMT5 is a highly conserved enzyme that catalyzes arginine symmetric dimethylation of various proteins, including key components of the spliceosome.

Subsequently, in collaboration with the groups of CAO Xiaofeng (IGDB), BAO Shilai (IGDB), and KONG Zhaosheng (Institute of Microbiology), they discovered that NO positively regulates the methyltransferase activity of PRMT5 through S-nitrosylation at Cys-125 in response to abiotic stresses.

Consequently, S-nitrosylation at Cys-125 of PRMT5 enhances arginine symmetric dimethylation, leading to proper splicing-specific pre-mRNA of stress-related genes and eventually boosting the tolerance to stress. Importantly, S-nitrosylation at Cys-125 is essential for PRMT5-regulated stress responses mediated by NO.

These findings define a molecular link through which plants transduce stress-triggered NO signals to protein methylation machinery in response to environmental alterations.

The results of this research, entitled "Nitric oxide regulates protein methylation during stress responses in plants", were recently published online in Molecular Cell.

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This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, and a postdoctoral fellowship from the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Thousands of years ago, the Canaanite people lived in a part of the world we now recognize as Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, establishing a culture that became influential in the Middle East and beyond. The Canaanites created the first alphabet, established colonies throughout the Mediterranean, and were mentioned many times in the Bible. But who were they and what ultimately happened to them? Were they annihilated like the Bible says?

Now, researchers who've sequenced the first ancient Canaanite genomes along with genomes representing people from modern-day Lebanon have new information to help answer those questions. DNA evidence reported in the American Journal of Human Genetics on July 27 shows that the Canaanites did not just disappear. Instead, they survived and are the ancestors of the people now living in modern-day Lebanon.

"We found that the Canaanites were a mixture of local people who settled in farming villages during the Neolithic period and eastern migrants who arrived in the region about 5,000 years ago," said Marc Haber (@MarcHaber) of The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in the United Kingdom. "The present-day Lebanese are likely to be direct descendants of the Canaanites, but they have in addition a small proportion of Eurasian ancestry that may have arrived via conquests by distant populations such as the Assyrians, Persians, or Macedonians."

Marc Haber, Chris Tyler-Smith, and colleagues came to that conclusion after sequencing the complete genomes of five Canaanite individuals who lived almost 4,000 years ago in what's now the modern-day Lebanese city of Sidon. They also sequenced the genomes of 99 present-day Lebanese. Those sequences enabled the researchers to analyze the Canaanites' ancestry and assess their relationship to the people living in Lebanon today.

The researchers estimate that new Eurasian people mixed with the Canaanite population about 3,800 to 2,200 years ago at a time when there were many conquests of the region from outside. Despite all that moving around, the Lebanese derive most of their ancestry from a Canaanite-related population, they report, suggesting that there's been substantial genetic continuity in the region since at least the Bronze Age--a conclusion that agrees with the archaeological record.

"In light of the enormously complex history of this region in the last few millennia, it was quite surprising that over 90 percent of the genetic ancestry of present-day Lebanese was derived from the Canaanites," Tyler-Smith said.

The findings highlight the utility of genetic studies for elucidating the history of people like the Canaanites, who left few written records themselves. The researchers say they would now like to understand the earlier and later genetic history of Lebanon and how it relates to the surrounding regions.

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The researchers were supported by The Wellcome Trust.

American Journal of Human Genetics, Haber et al.: "Continuity and Admixture in the Last Five Millennia of Levantine History from Ancient Canaanite and Present-Day Lebanese Genome Sequences" http://www.cell.com/ajhg/fulltext/S0002-9297(17)30276-8

The American Journal of Human Genetics (@AJHGNews), published by Cell Press for the American Society of Human Genetics, is a monthly journal that provides a record of research and review relating to heredity in humans and to the application of genetic principles in medicine and public policy, as well as in related areas of molecular and cell biology. Visit: http://www.cell.com/ajhg. To receive Cell Press media alerts, contact press@cell.com.

The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute is one of the world's leading genome centres. Through its ability to conduct research at scale, it is able to engage in bold and long-term exploratory projects that are designed to influence and empower medical science globally. Institute research findings, generated through its own research programmes and through its leading role in international consortia, are being used to develop new diagnostics and treatments for human disease. http://www.sanger.ac.uk
Scientists have developed a light-activated material that can chemically convert carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide without generating unwanted byproducts. The achievement marks a significant step forward in developing technology that could help generate fuel and other energy-rich products using a solar-powered catalyst while mitigating levels of a potent greenhouse gas.

When exposed to visible light, the material, a "spongy" nickel organic crystalline structure, converted the carbon dioxide (CO2) in a reaction chamber exclusively into carbon monoxide (CO) gas, which can be further turned into liquid fuels, solvents, and other useful products.

An international research team led by scientists at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore published the work July 28 in the journal Science Advances.

"We show a near 100 percent selectivity of CO production, with no detection of competing gas products like hydrogen or methane," said Haimei Zheng, staff scientist in Berkeley Lab's Materials Sciences Division and co-corresponding author of the study. "That's a big deal. In carbon dioxide reduction, you want to come away with one product, not a mix of different things."

Getting rid of the competition

In chemistry, reduction refers to the gain of electrons in a reaction, while oxidation is when an atom loses electrons. Among the well-known examples of carbon dioxide reduction is in photosynthesis, when plants transfer electrons from water to carbon dioxide while creating carbohydrates and oxygen.

Carbon dioxide reduction needs catalysts to help break the molecule's stable bonds. Interest in developing catalysts for solar-powered reduction of carbon dioxide to generate fuels has increased with the rapid consumption of fossil fuels over the past century, and with the desire for renewable sources of energy.

Researchers have been particularly keen on eliminating competing chemical reactions in the reduction of carbon dioxide.

"Complete suppression of the competing hydrogen evolution during a photocatalytic CO2-to-CO conversion had not been achieved before our work," said Zheng.

At Berkeley Lab, Zheng and her colleagues developed an innovative laser chemical method of creating a metal-organic composite material. They dissolved nickel precursors in a solution of triethylene glycol and exposed the solution to an unfocused infrared laser, which set off a chain reaction in the solution as the metal absorbed the light. The resulting reaction formed metal-organic composites that were then separated from the solution.

"When we changed the wavelength of the laser, we would get different composites," said study co-lead author Kaiyang Niu, a materials scientist in Zheng's lab. "That's how we determined that the reactions were light-activated rather than heat-activated."

The researchers characterized the structure of the material at the Molecular Foundry, a DOE Office of Science User Facility at Berkeley Lab. The nickel-organic photocatalyst had notable similarities to metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs. While MOFs have a regular crystalline structure with rigid linkers between the organic and inorganic components, this new photocatalyst incorporates a mix of soft linkers of varying lengths connected with nickel, creating defects in the architecture.

"The resulting defects are intentional, creating more pores and sites where catalytic reactions can occur," said Niu. "This new material is more active and highly selective compared with MOFs made by traditional heating."

Reducing CO2 to CO

Scientists at NTU tested the new material in a gas chamber filled with carbon dioxide, measuring the reaction products using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques at regular time intervals. They determined that in an hour at room temperature, 1 gram of the nickel-organic catalyst was able to produce 16,000 micromoles, or 400 milliliters, of carbon monoxide. Moreover, they determined that the catalyst had a promising level of stability that allowed it to be used for an extended time.

The reduction of carbon dioxide by catalysts is not new, but other materials typically generate multiple chemicals in the process. The near-total production of carbon monoxide with this material represented a new level of selectivity and control, the researchers emphasized.

The researchers have some thoughts about how this selectivity occurs. They suggest that the architecture of their photocatalyst makes it easier for carbon dioxide anions to bind to reaction sites, leaving little space for hydrogen radicals to land. This would limit the proton transfers necessary to form hydrogen gas, the researchers said.

The researchers pushed the nickel-organic photocatalyst further by enriching it with rhodium or silver nanocrystals to create formic and acetic acids, respectively. Formic acid, found in ant venom and stinging nettles, and acetic acid, the main component of vinegar, are both used widely in industry. More importantly, the researchers noted, the molecules of these products are characterized by two-carbon links, a step toward the generation of higher-energy liquid fuels with more carbon bonds

"The world right now is in need of innovative ways to create alternatives to fossil fuels, and to stem the levels of excessive CO2 in the atmosphere," said Zheng. "Converting CO2 to fuels using solar energy is a global research endeavor. The spongy nickel-organic photocatalyst we demonstrated here is a critical step toward practical production of high-value multi-carbon fuels using solar energy."

###

Other authors on this paper include co-corresponding author Rong Xu, NTU associate professor of chemical and biomedical engineering; You Xu, NTU research fellow in Xu's lab; visiting scholar Haicheng Wang and scientist Joel Ager at Berkeley Lab's Materials Sciences Division; and Karen Bustillo, a scientific engineer at the Molecular Foundry.

The DOE Office of Science supported this work. Additional characterization work was done at the Center for Functional Nanomaterials at Brookhaven National Laboratory, also a DOE Office of Science User Facility.

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.
DURHAM, N.C. -- The push to develop treatments for Alzheimer's disease has been a promising and disappointing endeavor over the past two decades, yielding a greater understanding of the disease yet still failing to generate successful new drugs.

To blame are the many undefined subtypes of mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to Alzheimer's disease.

"Everyone thinks Alzheimer's is one disease, but it's not," said P. Murali Doraiswamy, M.D., professor of psychiatry and director of the neurocognitive disorders program at Duke Health. "There are many subgroups. If you enroll all different types of people in a trial, but your drug is targeting only one biological pathway, of course the people who don't have that abnormality are not going to respond to the drug, and the trial is going to fail."

But if scientists grouped people with similar types of cognitive impairment, they could more precisely test the impact of investigational drugs, according to findings in a July 28 article in the journal Scientific Reports, a publication of Nature Research.

The research was jointly led by Dragan Gamberger, Ph.D., an artificial intelligence expert at the Rudjer Boskovic Institute in Croatia and Doraiswamy.

To identify similar disease types, the team used a multilayer clustering algorithm to sort through dozens of data points from two large studies of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Study data included cognition tests, brain scans and spinal fluid biomarkers from 562 people with mild cognitive impairment who were followed for up to five years.

Two groups of interest emerged -- those whose cognition declined significantly and those who saw little or no decline in their symptoms. The brain scans of the 240 so-called 'rapid decliners' showed twice the rate of atrophy as the 184 people with a slow-moving disease. Rapid decliners also progressed from mild cognitive impairment to dementia at five times the rate of those with slow-moving disease, the analysis showed.

The team went further to devise a simpler way scientists could identify these two distinct groups in future research using existing paper-and-pencil cognitive tests.

Researchers could use these findings to create more homogeneous trial groups, which would allow scientists to design shorter trials and gain better insights on the effectiveness of experimental therapies, Gamberger said.

The team will continue to delve more deeply into the rapid decliners to evaluate the impact of factors like sex, lifestyle and genetics to learn what could cause their cognition to spiral so quickly.

"The findings have direct implications for the design of future trials," Doraiswamy said. "We have known bits and pieces of this information -- that there are dozens of genes that put people at risk, or that certain brain changes put people at risk -- but using unbiased tools, such as data mining with this novel algorithm, we can put all of these pieces of information together to identify those who are truly at the greatest risk."

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In addition to Gamberger and Doraiswamy, study authors include Nada Lavrac, Ph.D., Shantanu Srivatsa and Rudolph E. Tanzi, Ph.D.

Doraiswamy was supported by the Cure Alzheimer's Fund and the Karen L. Wrenn Trust. Gamberger received support from the European Commission, the Croatian Science Foundation and the Rudjer Boskovic Institute. Data collection and sharing for this project was funded by the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative and U.S. Department of Defense ADNI. Additional funding details and disclosures are detailed in the manuscript.
New study gives unique insight into the occurrence of paediatric cancer in the region

Collated Childhood cancer statistics in sub Saharan Africa have been published for the first time as a monograph in the peer reviewed journal ecancermedicalscience, allowing researchers and policymakers a critical new insight into the impact of paediatric cancer across this region.

On the African continent, only South Africa operates a childhood cancer registry on the national level. This new study brings together data from 16 of the smaller localised registers, collecting this scattered knowledge for the first time and presenting it in an accessible format.

Examining the data in context allows researchers to notice important trends, such as in Blantyre, Malawi's second-largest city. In Blantyre, the cumulative risk of a child developing Burkitt's Lymphoma -- a rare blood cancer -- is a startling two in every thousand. The study's authors call this incidence "remarkable." And the global research community is largely unaware of this. "Everything starts with awareness," says lead author Prof Cristina Stefan, Global Clinical Leader of Oncology for Roche Diagnostics International Ltd of Switzerland, and Director of the African Medical Research and Innovation Institute (AMRII). "It is highly necessary to publicise these data, which at the moment represent the best image of the malignant disease in children in the respective regions." Other factors, such as the prevalence of malaria and the Epstein-Barr virus, contribute to the unique epidemiology of childhood cancer in Africa.

Prof Stefan says: "Our colleagues can learn that the patterns and distribution of cancers in Africa are totally different from Europe and there is a need for further research into the roles of factors such as genetic predispositions, and the influence of infections and other comorbidities in the evolution of cancer.

"We have learned many universal lessons about data collection as we prepared this work. Our hope is that the publication of this monograph will open the forums for future discussions and that the work will be referenced for the better understanding of cancer in children in Africa and used to improve outcomes for children affected there."

In the meantime, the study has been published in an open access journal so that the data is freely available to help public health policy makers and health agencies better plan allocation of existing medical resources to help prevent deaths which would be avoidable in higher income countries.

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Editor's Notes

The paper has been authored by: Cristina Stefan, Freddie Bray, Jacques Ferlay, D Maxwell Parkin and Biying Liu.

Citation information and links

Monograph: Stefan C, Bray F, Ferlay J, Parkin DM and Liu B (2017) Cancer of Childhood in sub-Saharan Africa ecancer

http://ecancer.org/journal/11/755-cancer-of-childhood-in-sub-saharan-africa.php

https://doi.org/10.3332/ecancer.2017.751

Editorial: Parkin DM and Stefan C (2017) Editorial: Childhood Cancer in sub-Saharan Africa ecancer

http://ecancer.org/journal/editorial/69-editorial-childhood-cancer-in-sub-saharan-africa.php

https://doi.org/10.3332/ecancer.2017.ed69

About ecancermedicalscience (ecancer.org)

ecancermedicalscience (ecancer) is the official open access journal of the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) and the European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Milan.

The journal was established in 2007 by Professor Umberto Veronesi and Professor Gordon McVie with the mission to break down the financial barriers to accessing cancer research and education.

The journal is not for profit and only charges authors an article publication fee if they have specific funding for publishing. So far over 2000 authors have published for free. The journal is funded by the Swiss based ECMS foundation, educational grants, sponsorship and charitable donations.
Olga Boukrina, PhD, research scientist in Stroke Rehabilitation Research at Kessler Foundation, has received a three-year award from the American Heart Association (AHA) valued at $231,000. The grant funds a study exploring a potential neural mechanism that could explain the high incidence of delirium and spatial neglect after right-hemisphere stroke. Stroke survivors, representing 17% of the US population aged 65 and over, are at a major risk for developing delirium and/or spatial neglect, with up to 50% incidence for one or both disorders after right-brain stroke.

"We know that individuals with right-brain stroke and spatial neglect are particularly susceptible to developing delirium," said Olga Boukrina, PhD. "This suggests that the neural mechanisms linked to spatial neglect -- arousal, attention, and spatial orientation -- may also play a crucial part in post-stroke delirium. This AHA award enables me to further cultivate and test the efficacy of novel attentional-behavioral therapies and potential diagnostic tools and treatments."

This study will relate behavioral data and functional magnetic resonance imaging in individuals with right-brain stroke to look for associations between the impaired activity and the structural integrity of the brain systems for arousal, attention, and spatial orientation. The findings of this study may help reduce hospital morbidity and loss of independence by providing a critical biomarker and behavioral profile for delirium and spatial neglect after right-hemisphere stroke.

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About Stroke Rehabilitation Research at Kessler Foundation:

Research studies span all domains of post-stroke dysfunction, including cognitive deficits and mobility impairment. Under the direction of A.M. Barrett, MD, stroke scientists also mentor students, resident physicians, and post-doctoral trainees in translational neuroscience of rehabilitation. Cognitive research emphasizes hidden disabilities after stroke, including disabilities of functional vision (spatial bias and spatial neglect) and reading deficits. Mobility research, in partnership with Human Performance & Engineering Research, centers on the application of robotic exoskeletons for stroke rehabilitation. Stroke research receives funding from the National Institute on Disability Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research, Department of Defense; the National Institutes of Health/NICHD/NCMRR; New Jersey Commission on Brain Injury Research, Kessler Foundation; the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey; and the Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Improvement. Scientists have faculty appointments at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

About Kessler Foundation:

Kessler Foundation, a major nonprofit organization in the field of disability, is a global leader in rehabilitation research that seeks to improve cognition, mobility, and long-term outcomes--including employment--for people with neurological disabilities caused by diseases and injuries of the brain and spinal cord. Kessler Foundation leads the nation in funding innovative programs that expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

For more information on Kessler Foundation's research, visit KesslerFoundation.org.

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Researchers at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and the department of neurosurgery at the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, announced today that they have published a paper with research findings that could have implications for the treatment of many neurological conditions, including severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The team of researchers found that in an animal model with TBI, trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) resulted in increased cerebral blood flow (CBF) and oxygen to the brain. These latest findings were published in Scientific Reports.

The research paper titled, "Neuroprotective Effects of Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury," was co-authored by Northwell Health's Amrit Chiluwal, MD, Raj K. Narayan, MD, Wayne Chaung, PhD, Neal Mehan, MD, Ping Wang, MD, Chad E. Bouton, and Chunyan Li, PhD. The paper was also co-authored by Eugene V. Golanov, MD, PhD, from the department of neurosurgery at the Houston Methodist Research Institute in Houston, TX.

"Following TBI, ischemia and hypoxia play a major role in further worsening of the damage, a process known as secondary injury," said Dr. Li, assistant professor of the Center for Bioelectronic Medicine at the Feinstein Institute. "Preventing secondary injury is vitally important in the overall management of TBI. In the animal model, we investigated the use of electrical TNS for improving CBF and delivering more oxygen to the brain, with the goal of decreasing secondary injury. We found that TBI rat models with TNS treatment demonstrated significantly increased systemic blood pressure, CBF, oxygen, as well as significantly reduced brain edema, blood-brain barrier disruption and lesion volume."

Dr. Narayan, Northwell Health's senior vice president and executive director, neurosurgery services added, "No pharmacological agents have currently been shown to improve clinical outcomes for TBI. Therefore, there is an urgent need for developing novel therapeutic strategies to maximize recovery. The data from this research study provides strong evidence that TNS offers neuroprotection following brain damage. TNS could also offer some benefit in other pathological states such as stroke or vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage where the brain is at risk for ischemic and/or inflammatory damage."

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For a copy of the paper, please email Michelle Stiles at mpstiles@msn.com.

About the Feinstein Institute

The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research is the research arm of Northwell Health, the largest healthcare provider in New York. Home to 50 research laboratories and to clinical research throughout dozens of hospitals and outpatient facilities, the Feinstein includes 4,000 researchers and staff who are making breakthroughs in molecular medicine, genetics, oncology, brain research, mental health, autoimmunity, and bioelectronic medicine - a new field of science that has the potential to revolutionize medicine. For more information about how we empower imagination and pioneer discovery, visit FeinsteinInstitute.org

About the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine

Established in 2008, the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine was founded by two equal partners: Hofstra University and Northwell Health. The School of Medicine is built upon the strong clinical and graduate medical education programs of Northwell, as well as the robust research and academic programs of both Hofstra University and Northwell's Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. Hofstra Northwell currently ranks among top medical schools nationwide for primary care (2018 U.S. News & World Report's Best Graduate Schools). The institution comprises more than 2,400 faculty members across 25 academic departments, and enrolls a diverse community of approximately 400 students.
The structure of a protein key to the survival and spread of a virus that affects salmon could inform strategies to treat the flu in humans, according to scientists at Rice University.

The Rice lab of structural biologist Yizhi Jane Tao produced the first full-length structure of the matrix protein found in an orthomyxovirus that causes anemia in Atlantic salmon. Because the protein's structure and function are so similar to what has been found so far in influenza viruses, Tao expects they will be useful in determining the mechanisms of human viruses as well.

"This virus and all the influenza viruses belong to the same family, so they assemble in a very similar way," she said. "Although this protein is from a fish-infecting virus, it will give us insight as to how the matrix proteins support the assembly of other viruses."

The discovery is detailed this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Tao's lab specializes in X-ray crystallography and other techniques to reveal the basic structures of molecules like the fragile matrix protein dubbed M1. Many attempts to define the complete structure have failed because the protein has two major sections: the N and C domains.

Because the thin strand of residues that holds the domains together falls apart so easily, researchers until now have only been able to capture N domain structures through crystallization.

M1 may be fragile on its own, but it becomes a tough shell when it binds with other M1 proteins to form a spherical or tubular matrix that encapsulates and protects the viral RNA. This matrix sits just inside a lipid bilayer, the outer envelope of the virus that incorporates long glycoproteins. These glycoproteins seek out and attach to target cells with their ectodomains, while their cytoplasmic tails serve as a bridge to the N domain of the matrix protein. The C domain points inward from the matrix and is a bridge to the viral load inside.

"M1 helps to support the shape," Tao said. "That is a major function for any matrix protein. The matrix also helps to incorporate the viral RNA. Presumably, if there's no matrix protein, you end up with an empty vesicle."

The elbow-shaped structure of the M1 found in the infectious salmon anemia virus has six tightly packed alpha helices that make up the N domain and closely resemble those found in strains of influenza A. On the other side of the flexible hinge, the "elbow," lies the C domain with four alpha helices. Both domains have hydrophobic cores to stabilize them around the hinge that can vary by as much as 40 degrees.

Tao said having the complete structure of the protein will help researchers determine how it and others like it polymerize into a protective shell and associate with the membrane. "Knowing the structure of only one domain, we could not understand how matrix proteins interacted with each other to form the shell," she said. "The interaction involves both domains."

She said the full structure could also provide clues for future flu antivirals. A treatment that addresses M1 would have to find and invade the virus-infected cells.

"But if there's a chemical that can interrupt the self-association of M1 proteins, it's going to be very useful," Tao said. "I don't think it matters which domain it binds, as long as it prevents the shell from forming. This could be a valid target."

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Rice alumna Wenting Zhang, now a student at the Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China, is lead author of the paper. Co-authors from Rice are alumna Wenjie Zheng, postdoctoral fellow Yukimatsu Toh, graduate students Miguel Betancourt-Solis and Yanlin Fan, and James McNew, a professor of biochemistry and cell biology. Other co-authors are postdoctoral fellow Jiagang Tu and Jun Liu, an associate professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston; Vikram Vakharia, a professor at the University of Maryland Baltimore County; and Meilin Jin, a professor of preventative veterinary medicine at Huazhong Agricultural University. Tao is an associate professor of biochemistry and cell biology.

The research was supported by the Welch Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the National Key Research and Development Program of China, the Hamill Foundation and the Kresge Science Initiative Endowment Fund at Rice University.

Read the abstract at http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2017/07/19/1701747114.abstract

This news release can be found online at http://news.rice.edu/2017/07/28/rice-u-scientists-reel-in-structure-of-salmon-virus/

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews

Related materials:

Tao Laboratory: http://www.bioc.rice.edu/~ytao/

Wiess School of Natural Sciences: http://natsci.rice.edu

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,879 undergraduates and 2,861 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for happiest students and for lots of race/class interaction by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. To read "What they're saying about Rice," go to http://tinyurl.com/RiceUniversityoverview.
The protein amyloid beta is believed to be the major cause of Alzheimer's disease. Substances that reduce the production of amyloid beta, such as BACE inhibitors, are therefore promising candidates for new drug treatments. A team at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has recently demonstrated that one such BACE inhibitor reduces the amount of amyloid beta in the brain. By doing so, it can restore the normal function of nerve cells and significantly improve memory performance.

Around 50 million people worldwide suffer from dementia. To date, no effective drug is available that is able to halt or cure the disease. Moreover, the exact causes of the disease have yet to be definitively explained. However, there is a greater accumulation of the protein amyloid beta in Alzheimer's patients than in healthy people. As a result, the protein clumps together and damages nerve cells.

Affected cells can become hyperactive. They then constantly send false signals to neighboring cells. In addition, certain brain waves such as slow oscillations spin out of control. These waves play a key role in the formation of memories by transferring learned information into long-term memory.

Brain functions restored in mice

"A successful treatment must take effect as early in the course of the disease as possible. In our experiments, we have therefore blocked the enzyme beta secretase BACE, which produces amyloid beta," explains Dr Marc Aurel Busche, young investigator group leader at the Institute for Neuroscience of the TUM and psychiatrist in the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the TUM university hospital rechts der Isar.

The researchers tested a substance that inhibits beta secretase in a mouse model of Alzheimer's. The mice produce large amounts of amyloid beta, which, as in humans, leads to the formation of amyloid beta plaques in the brain and causes memory loss. During the study, the mice were given the inhibitor in their food for up to eight weeks, after which they were examined. For this purpose, the researchers used a special imaging technique known as two-photon microscopy, which allowed them to observe individual nerve cells in the brain.

As expected, the mice had less amyloid beta in their brain after this period, since its production was inhibited. However, the effect of the substance was much more far-reaching: the animals' brain functions actually normalized. There were fewer hyperactive nerve cells, and the slow-wave brain patterns once again resembled those in healthy mice. A key finding for the scientists was the observation that the animals' memory also improved. The mice were able to locate a hidden platform in a water-filled maze as quickly as their healthy counterparts.

Clinical trial planned

"What really impressed and amazed us was the reversibility of the symptoms. Before the treatment, the mice had a marked clinical picture with amyloid beta plaques in their brain. Nevertheless, the substance was able to restore important brain functions and abilities," explains Aylin Keskin, lead author of the publication. Moreover, the researchers' study showed yet another benefit: "We were also able to demonstrate which neural deficits really are caused by amyloid beta. That was not fully understood with regard to hyperactive nerve cells, for example," Keskin says.

The scientists' findings will soon find its way into clinical practice: A large-scale clinical trial is planned with around 1000 participants to test a slightly modified form of the BACE inhibitor. "Needless to say, we very much hope that the promising discoveries in the animal model will translate to humans", Busche says.

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The study was conceived as part of the SyNergy Cluster. It was sponsored by the Alzheimer Research Initiative, the German Research Foundation (DFG), the European Research Council (ERC) and the European Union FP7 programme. The experiments were carried out in cooperation with Novartis.

Publication

A. D. Keskin, M. Kekus, H. Adelsberger, U. Neumann, D. R. Shimshek, B. Song, B. Zott, T. Peng, H. Forstl, M. Staufenbiel, I. Nelken, B. Sakmann, A. Konnerth, and M. A. Busche, BACE inhibition-dependent repair of Alzheimer's pathophysiology, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, July 2017, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1708106114

Contact

Dr. Marc Aurel Busche Technical University of Munich Institute for Neurosciences of the TUM & Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the TUM university hospital rechts der Isar Tel: +49 (0)89 289 23325 (press office Technical University of Munich) aurel.busche@tum.de http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2017/07/19/1708106114.abstract

Further information

Institute for Neuroscience of the TUM

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the TUM university hospital rechts der Isar (in German only)
NEW YORK, July 27, 2017 -- Columbia scientists have identified the brain's 'aha!' moment -- that flash in time when you suddenly become aware of information, such as knowing the answer to a difficult question. Today's findings in humans, combined with previous research, provide compelling evidence that this moment -- this feeling of having decided -- pierces consciousness when information being collected by the brain reaches a critical level. The results of this study further suggest that this piercing of consciousness shares the same underlying brain mechanisms known to be involved in making far simpler decisions. Importantly, this study offers new hope that the biological foundations of consciousness may well be within our grasp.

This research was reported today in Current Biology.

"The vast majority of thoughts circling in our brains happen below the radar of conscious awareness, meaning that even though our brain is processing them, we are not aware," said Michael Shadlen, MD, PhD, a Principal Investigator at Columbia's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute and the paper's senior author. "How some of that information bubbles to the level of consciousness, however, remains an unsolved mystery. But now, we've found a way to observe that moment in real time, and then apply those findings to our understanding of consciousness itself."

For Dr. Shadlen, the most complex thoughts that the human brain can experience -- such as love, grief, guilt or morality -- can be ultimately be boiled down to a series of decisions, made by the brain, to engage with the outside world. He has spent his career working to understand how signals sent by the brain's billions of cells result in such decisions. In so doing, he hopes to unravel the mechanisms that underlie the brain's most complex abilities.

In 2008, Dr. Shadlen and colleagues found that when asked to make a challenging decision, the brain does not use all the available information before deciding. This is not because the brain is unable to do so, but rather because at a certain point, the brain thinks it has all the information it needs. There is a mechanism in the brain that says "enough is enough."

"For us, this then begged a question," recalled Dr. Shadlen, who is also a professor of neuroscience at Columbia University Medical Center and an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. "Could the moment when the brain believes it has accumulated enough evidence be tied to the person's awareness of having decided -- that important 'aha!' moment?"

To find out, the researchers asked five human participants to watch dots on a computer screen that moved like grains of sand blowing in the wind. The participants were then asked whether the dots seemed to be blowing to the right or to the left.

Placed in the center of the screen was a clock. Once the dots' motion ended and after a brief delay, participants chose which direction the dots had traveled. Using a controversial technique known as mental chronometry, the participants were asked to move the clock handle backwards to the time they felt they had become aware that they knew the answer. The participants repeated this action over many trials and levels of difficulty.

"The moment in time indicated by the participants -- this mental chronometry -- was entirely subjective; it relied solely on their own estimation of how long it took them to make that decision," said Dr. Shadlen. "And because it was purely subjective, in principle it ought to be unverifiable."

But by incorporating this new data with decades of previous research on the brain mechanisms of decision making, the team devised a clever way to verify whether the time reported by the participants was an accurate reflection of having actually decided.

"If the time reported to us by the participants was valid, we reasoned that it might be possible to predict the accuracy of the decision," Dr. Shadlen explained. "We incorporated a kind of mathematical trick, based on earlier studies, which showed that the speed and accuracy of decisions was tied together by the same brain function."

Previous research by Dr. Shadlen and others had uncovered how the process of making a decision plays out at the level of individual cells in the brain. By combining this knowledge with the mathematical trick, the team could scientifically validate that the participants' subjective reporting -- their feeling of having decided -- was indeed an accurate reflection of the brain's decision-making process.

"Essentially, the act of becoming consciously aware of a decision conforms to the same process that the brain goes through to complete a decision, even a simple one -- such as whether to turn left or right," said Dr. Shadlen.

While preliminary, this study raises the possibility that a deep understanding the human brain's most complex thoughts and feelings, once solely under the purview of philosophy, may soon be understood in terms of biology as well.

"Some people think that the nitty gritty of neuroscience is far from the highfalutin stuff that a philosopher would consider," said Dr. Shadlen. "But rest assured, explaining these concepts -- whether it's ethics, consciousness anything else -- in terms of neuroscience isn't explaining them away. Instead, I would argue that it is helping to bring the biological study of the brain closer to the philosophical study of the mind."

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This paper is titled: "Piercing of consciousness as a threshold crossing operation." Additional contributors include first author Yul HR Kang, Frederike Petzchner, PhD, and Daniel Wolpert, PhD.

This research was supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the National Eye Institute (R01 EY11378, T32 EY013933), the Human Frontier Science Program, the Wellcome Trust, the Royal Society, the Rene and Susanne Braginsky Foundation and the University of Zurich.

The authors report no financial or other conflicts of interest.

Columbia University's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute brings together an extraordinary group of world-class scientists and scholars to pursue the most urgent and exciting challenge of our time: understanding the brain and mind. A deeper understanding of the brain promises to transform human health and society. From effective treatments for disorders like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, depression and autism to advances in fields as fundamental as computer science, economics, law, the arts and social policy, the potential for humanity is staggering. To learn more, visit: zuckermaninstitute.columbia.edu.
The College of Engineering is building 2 additional wind tunnels to explore instability and materials failure in vehicles traveling at extremely high speeds

Engineers are installing three 20-foot-long tubes for a new high-speed wind tunnel in the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Building, ushering in an era of hypersonic discovery at the University of Arizona.

"There have been peaks and valleys in U.S. hypersonic research since World War II," said assistant professor Stuart "Alex" Craig, who joined the UA Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering in 2016. "With China and Russia flight-testing hypersonic drone aircraft whose missile payloads can strike targets thousands of miles away in less than an hour, we're definitely seeing an uptick."

Craig and two other faculty in the department, both pioneering researchers in fluid dynamics, won awards in spring 2017 totaling nearly $2 million from the Office of Naval Research, or ONR, to study problems of instability and materials failure for aircraft and missiles flying at highly supersonic, or hypersonic, speeds of Mach 5 and above.

"The Navy is looking to develop hypersonic missiles for ship-to-ship warfare that would be harder for enemies to shoot down," Craig said. The research also has potential applications beyond the military, he said, perhaps even for commercial flight -- as aerospace giants like Boeing and space tourism visionaries like Elon Musk move hypersonic commercial jets and civilian spacecraft closer to reality.

High-Level Testing

The wind tunnel under construction, expected to be ready for testing in spring 2018, is a low-disturbance, or quiet, Mach 4 tunnel. A second quiet tunnel, slated for completion in 2020, will shoot bursts of air at Mach 5, five times the speed of sound -- about 3,800 mph. These new facilities will supplement the UA's existing wind tunnels, where researchers conduct experiments at subsonic and supersonic speeds.

"Relatively few U.S. universities have wind tunnels capable of airflows at Mach 4 or 5," said Craig, who has a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a doctorate in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University, and did postdoctoral work at Los Alamos National Laboratory. "Quiet flow tunnels are especially important for approximating the calm conditions encountered by aircraft in the atmosphere."

With an ONR award of $560,000, Craig is collaborating with UA professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering Hermann Fasel, an expert in computer simulations and modeling, who received an additional $485,000 from the ONR. In the new wind tunnels, Craig will put Fasel's computations to the test.

Professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering and applied mathematics Anatoli Tumin, a physicist who worked on the former Soviet Union's space program and conducted research in Israel before joining the UA in 2000, received the third Navy award this spring, of $934,000. He is advancing theory on how gases and sound waves behave at hypersonic speeds.

Hypersonics on the Edge

At speeds of Mach 5 and higher, the air begins to change chemically and becomes an electrically charged field. Craig, Fasel and Tumin are studying the complex and still poorly understood phenomena that occur at the boundary layer between laminar and turbulent airflows at such high speeds.

"Whenever you've got anything flying through the air, a thin layer of air forms over its surface," Craig explained. "That layer may flow in a smooth, or laminar fashion -- like honey pouring from a jar -- or in a chaotic, turbulent way -- like turning on a faucet at full blast."

When vehicles traveling at hypersonic speeds encounter airflows at the laminar-turbulent boundary, they experience significantly increased drag and become dangerously hot. Such aerothermodynamic heating is why rockets require deep layers of thermal insulation to keep them from burning up upon re-entering Earth's atmosphere.

The UA engineers' investigations could help overcome some of the challenges of high-speed flight, Craig said, and help manufacturers design more efficient vehicles with greater controllability and larger payloads.

Craig said he joined the UA for the chance to collaborate with renowned fluid dynamics researchers who are taking different approaches to understanding laminar-turbulent transition.

"Professors Fasel and Tumin are pillars in the stability and transition field," Craig said. "Even as computers get faster and better at simulation, there are still a lot of unknowns in terms of what initial conditions we need for testing our models and theories.

"If you want to address problems robustly, you need cooperation among researchers with computational, theoretical and experimental expertise."

He added, "Having these researchers under the same roof gives our Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering an edge in being able to bridge gaps in knowledge and best prepare our faculty and students to solve problems of hypersonic flight."

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Antibiotics are lifesaving drugs, but overuse is leading to one of the world's most pressing health threats: antibiotic resistance. Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center are developing a tool to help physicians prescribe antibiotics to patients who really need them, and avoid giving them to individuals who don't.

Scientists from the University's National Institutes of Health-funded Respiratory Pathogens Research Center identified 11 genetic markers in blood that accurately distinguished between viral and bacterial infections (antibiotics help us fight bacterial infections, but aren't effective and shouldn't be used to treat viruses). The finding, published today in the journal Scientific Reports, is important because physicians don't have a good way to confirm bacterial infections like pneumonia and more-often-than-not default to an antibiotic.

"It's extremely difficult to interpret what's causing a respiratory tract infection, especially in very ill patients who come to the hospital with a high fever, cough, shortness of breath and other concerning symptoms," said Ann R. Falsey, M.D., lead study author, professor and interim chief of the Infectious Diseases Division at UR Medicine's Strong Memorial Hospital. "My goal is to develop a tool that physicians can use to rule out a bacterial infection with enough certainty that they are comfortable, and their patients are comfortable, foregoing an antibiotic."

Falsey's project caught the attention of the federal government; she's one of 10 semifinalists in the Antimicrobial Resistance Diagnostic Challenge, a competition sponsored by NIH and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to help combat the development and spread of drug resistant bacteria. Selected from among 74 submissions, Falsey received $50,000 to continue her research and develop a prototype diagnostic test, such as a blood test, using the genetic markers her team identified.

A group of 94 adults hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections were recruited to participate in Falsey's study. The team gathered clinical data, took blood from each patient, and conducted a battery of microbiologic tests to determine which individuals had a bacterial infection (41 patients) and which had a non-bacterial or viral infection (53 patients). Thomas J. Mariani, Ph.D., professor of Pediatrics and Biomedical Genetics at URMC, used complex genetic and statistical analysis to pinpoint markers in the blood that correctly classified the patients with bacterial infections 80 to 90 percent of the time.

"Our genes react differently to a virus than they do to bacteria," said Mariani, a member of the Respiratory Pathogens Research Center (RPRC). "Rather than trying to detect the specific organism that's making an individual sick, we're using genetic data to help us determine what's affecting the patient and when an antibiotic is appropriate or not."

Falsey, co-director of the RPRC, and Mariani say that the main limitation of their study is the small sample size and that the genetic classifiers selected from the study population may not prove to be universal to all patients.

A patent application has been filed for their method of diagnosing bacterial infection. Edward Walsh, M.D., professor of Infectious Diseases, and Derick Peterson, Ph.D., professor of Biostatics and Computational Biology at URMC, also contributed to the research.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, antibiotic resistant bacteria cause at least 2 million infections and 23,000 deaths each year in the United States. The use of antibiotics is the single most important factor leading to antibiotic resistance around the world.

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In the last third of the 16th century, the Spanish crown set in motion a project to obtain a complete map of the New World. The method thought up for this was to use surveys, known as Relaciones Geograficas. A questionnaire with more than 50 questions was sent to each settlement. These also had to be completed with a map of the local region. These maps, known as pinturas (paintings), mainly lacked ground measurements and therefore scale, as well as geographical coordinates. Only a few were done following the norms of European mapmaking. Among these, some of the most important are the maps created by the Sevillian Francisco Gali, navigator, explorer, cosmographer and cartographer.

In this context, Manuel Morato, researcher from the Higher Technical School of Engineering (ETSI) of the University of Seville, has published a scientific article on the map of Tlacotalpa, one of the first examples of local nautical cartography in Hispanic America, which Francisco Gali did on behalf of some mayors who had to complete the Relaciones questionnaire, as ordered by Philip II. Tlacotalpa, today Tlacotalpan, is a small river village in the southeast of the state of Veracruz, within the limits of the Papaloapan region, in Mexico.

"These local civil servants, instead of getting a local artist to draw the maps, made the most of the fact that Gali, a sailor with knowledge of cartography, was travelling through the area towards the Pacific coast in an attempt, on the orders of the King, to find a route to the Philippines from the west coast of Mexico", explains Morato.

It is a hand-drawn nautical chart from February 1580, done with great exactness for the standards of the time. It shows in great detail the coast, the estuaries, bays, capes, lagoons and rivers, and in some areas indicates the depth of the water. Both the chart and the text of the Relacion are kept in the Royal Academy of History in Madrid. According to the text of the Relacion, in the local tongue nahuatl-Tlacotalpa means divided land, which refers to the fact that the village was founded in the Pre-Hispanic era on an island in the river Papaloapan, as is represented on the map.

"The Gali map has been compared with current satellite photographs and the images are practically the same, apart from the distances of the time and the growth of the populated areas, like the city port of Veracruz and its surroundings", adds the researcher. So, the planimetric deformation of the map, compared with a current one, could be due to the fact that, the article postulates, that Gali did not take sufficient measurements or that he did so but too quickly, as he was only passing through the area. North American experts like Barbara Mundy suggest that these deformations could be due to Gali having used an existing padron (a master map that was updated as new lands were discovered), which already included these deformations, leaving the author of the map only having to complete the information by adding places and detailing geographical features. Manuel Morato maintains that this hypothesis is quite unlikely due to the secret nature of the Padron Real, which was jealously guarded in the Casa de la Contratacion in Seville and of which obsolete copies were destroyed so that they did not fall into the hands of foreign powers. Other causes could have been motivated by the lack of in situ measurements and by the impossibility to determine geographical length in the 16th century.

Francisco Gali is known worldwide for his Trans-Pacific voyages, but little or nothing is known about him before his appearance in America. He discovered the Acapulco route to Manila in 1583 and, according to the data kept in the Archivo General de Indias in Seville. He explored the islands of the archipelago of Hawaii, the coast of California and San Francisco Bay, which he was the first explorer to see, though he did not cross it, for which reason its discovery has historically been attributed to Gaspar de Portola in 1769 and to Juan de Ayala, who was the first to cross the bay in his schooner on the 5th of August 1775.

In 1585, this Sevillian navigator wrote the book, 'Voyage, discoveries and observations from Acapulco to the Philippines, from the Philippines to Macao and from Macao to Acapulco'. The manuscript was sent to the Viceroy of Mexico, but for unknown reasons, ended up in the hands of the Dutchman Jan Huygen van Linschoten (1563-1611), who published it in Dutch as 'Defeat of the Indies' (Amsterdam, 1596, 1614, 1626). It was also translated into English (London, 1598), to German in the same year, into Latin (The Hague, 1599) and into French (Amsterdam, 1610, 1619 y 1638). It was, however, never published in Spanish. In addition, the whereabouts of Gali's original remain unknown, another of the mysteries that surround the life of this man.

Gali worked as a cartographer on three Relaciones Geograficas: Tlacotalpa (February 1580), Coatzacoalcos (April 1580) and Tehuantepec (September-October 1580). The first two maps are signed by their author, while the Tehuantepec map is anonymous, "although it has an unmistakable similarity to the other two maps by Gali. However, this map is not given much credit as it is incomplete, it is clear that it wasn't made using the same measuring techniques as Gali used on his other two Gulf maps", explains Manuel Morato.

Morato, together with experts from the School of Hispanic American Studies (EEHA) at CSIC (Council of Scientific Research), has been working on the study of the representation of the territory from a historical perspective since 2010, using 16th-century maps, especially those related to the discovery and colonisation of the Americas. To help with this project, he has had the help of Carmen Maso, head of cartography and graphic arts at the Library of the Royal Academy of History in Madrid, and of Michael Hironymous, head of rare books and manuscripts at the library of the University of Texas in Austin.

"Much of our work has also been carried out in the Archivo de Indias in Seville, which is an endless source of freely accessible knowledge, which is there for all but sometimes seems undervalued", says the University of Seville researcher.

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New supercomputer at the University of Texas at Austin's Texas Advanced Computing Center, largest at any US university, will support nation's scientists and engineers

Today, the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) dedicated Stampede2, the largest supercomputer at any U.S. university, and one of the most powerful systems in the world in a ceremony at The University of Texas at Austin's J.J. Pickle Research Campus.

"Stampede2 represents a new horizon for academic researchers in the U.S.," said Dan Stanzione, TACC's executive director. "It will serve many thousands of our nation's scientists and engineers, allowing them to improve our competitiveness and ensure that UT Austin remains a leader in computational research for the national open science community."

Representatives from TACC were joined by leaders from The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas System, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and industry partners Dell EMC, Intel and Seagate at the event.

"For 16 years, the Texas Advanced Computing Center has earned its reputation for innovation and technological leadership," said Gregory L. Fenves, president of UT Austin. "It is only fitting that TACC has designed and now operates the most powerful supercomputer at any university in the U.S., Stampede2, enabling scientists and engineers to take on the greatest challenges facing society."

Made possible by a $30 million award from NSF, Stampede2 is the newest strategic resource for the nation's academic community and will enable thousands of researchers nationwide, from all disciplines, to answer questions that cannot be addressed through theory or experimentation alone and that require high-performance computing power.

"Building on the success of the initial Stampede system, the Stampede team has partnered with other institutions as well as industry to bring the latest in forward-looking computing technologies combined with deep computational and data science expertise to take on some of the most challenging science and engineering frontiers," said Irene Qualters, director of NSF's Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure.

In addition to its massive scale, Stampede2 will be among the first systems to employ cutting-edge computer processor, memory, networking and storage technology from its industry partners.

Phase 1 of the system, which is currently complete, ranked as the 12th most powerful supercomputer in the world on the June Top500 list and contains 4,200 Intel Xeon Phi processor-based nodes and Intel Omni-Path Architecture. These 68-core massively-parallel processors include a new form of memory that improves the speed at which the processors can compute.

Later this summer, Phase 2 will add 1,736 Intel Xeon Scalable processor-based nodes, Intel's biggest data center platform advancement in a decade, giving it a peak performance of 18 petaflops, or 18 quadrillion mathematical operations per second. In addition, Stampede 2 will later add Intel persistent memory, based on 3D XPoint media. This entirely new class of nonvolatile memory can help turn immense amounts of data into valuable information in real time.

"Intel and TACC have been collaborating for years to provide the high-performance computing (HPC) community the tools they need to make the scientific discoveries and create solutions to address some of society's toughest challenges," said Trish Damkroger, Vice President of Technical Computing at Intel. "Intel's leading solution portfolio for HPC provides the efficient performance, flexible interconnect, and ease of programing to be the foundation of choice for leading supercomputing centers."

Dell EMC supplied Stampede2's PowerEdge server racks and acted as the technological integrator for the project.

"Dell EMC is committed to partnering with leading researchers across the globe to advance high performance computing initiatives. We are proud to have partnered with TACC to deliver Stampede2, an updated system that drives technological research in areas critical to scientific progress," said Armughan Ahmad, senior vice president and general manager, Ready Solutions and Alliances for Dell EMC.

Seagate Technologies provided the storage technology for the system, encompassing 30 petabytes of raw performance and enough capacity for billions of files.

Stampede2's powerful and diverse architecture is well-tuned to support computational scientists and engineers who use a wide range of applications, from researchers who conduct large-scale simulations and data analyses using thousands of processors simultaneously to those who perform smaller computations or who interact with Stampede2 through web-based community platforms like CyVerse, which serves the life sciences community and DesignSafe, which serves the natural hazard engineering community.

The integration of Singularity containers, which can be used to package entire scientific workflows, software and libraries, and even data, will make a large catalogue of applications available to researchers.

TACC staff have worked since January to construct Stampede2 in TACC's state-of-the-art data center, and deployed the system ahead of schedule. Since April, researchers have used the system to conduct large scale scientific studies of gravitational waves, earthquakes, nanoparticles, cancer proteins and severe storms.

Stampede2 will serve the science community through 2021. An additional proposed NSF award for $24 million will support upcoming operations and maintenance costs for the system.

A number of leading universities will collaborate with TACC to provide cyberinfrastructure expertise and services for the project. The partner institutions are: Clemson University, Cornell University, Indiana University, Ohio State University and the University of Colorado.

Stampede2 will be the largest supercomputing resource available to researchers through the NSF-supported Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment (XSEDE), which will allocate time on the supercomputer to researchers based on a competitive peer-review process.

The system continues the important service to the scientific community provided by Stampede1 -- also supported by NSF -- which operated from 2013 to 2017 and over the course of its existence ran 8 million compute jobs in support of tens of thousands of researchers and more than 3,000 science and engineering projects.

Stampede2 will double the peak performance, memory, storage capacity, and bandwidth of its predecessor, while occupying half the physical size and consuming half the power. It will be integrated into TACC's ecosystem of more than 15 advanced computing systems, providing access to long-term storage, scientific visualization, machine learning, and cloud computing capabilities.

Stampede2 comes online at a time when the use of NSF-supported research cyberinfrastructure resources is at an all-time high across all science and engineering disciplines. Since 2005, the number of active institutions using research cyberinfrastructure has doubled, the number of principal investigators has tripled, and the number of active users has quintupled.

Said Stanzione: "Stampede2 will help a growing number of scientists access computation at scale, powering discoveries that change the world."

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The pig industry has produced some new materials urging the general public and farmers to do everything to keep African Swine Fever (ASF) out of the UK.

ASF was recently discovered in the Czech Republic, with more than 60 cases now confirmed, all in wild boar and all in the Zlin region in the east of the country, according to Pig Progress.

The Czech minister of agriculture has called for hunters to actively shoot wild boars in an attempt to stop a further spreading of the virus, according to Radio Prague, while pig breeders are being required to meet strict hygiene guidelines.

The disease is also circulating in other eastern European countries, including Russia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Poland in wild boar, backyard pigs and commercial farms.

AHDB has launched some new materials to reinforce the risks to the UK industry and to ensure the virus is not brought into the country via meat.

The National Pig Association (NPA), the country's leading pig industry voice, has also warned of the dangers of wild boar in the UK.

Wild boar

Survey figures last year estimated there were 1,562 feral wild boar roaming the forest of Dean, which is near Gloucester, with populations spreading to new areas.

NPA chief executive Zoe Davies said: Wild boar have played a major part in spreading African Swine Fever in Eastern Europe and this highlights once again the need to ensure we have robust control measures in place to prevent our wild boar populations spreading out of control.

If an exotic disease like ASF got into the UKs wild boar population, it would become almost impossible to prove that the disease had been stamped out. This would wreck our burgeoning export market, now worth 350 million a year, with devastating consequences for the industry.

In addition, local businesses and tourism would suffer greatly as the whole area would be under restriction indefinitely. We only need to look back to the last foot-and-mouth disease outbreak to know exactly what impact this can have on local communities.
Forward-thinking farmers and agronomists will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of novel science and innovative technology when the CropTec show returns.

CropTec, returning to Peterborough at the end of November, is now recognised as one of the key diary dates in the arable calendar.

It has gained a reputation as the UKs leading knowledge exchange event in the sector.

Farmers and their advisers are attracted by CropTecs unique informal atmosphere that creates the ideal forum to exchange ideas and experiences, according to Elisabeth Mork-Eidem, group head of events at Briefing Media, which organises the CropTec show.

Content and knowledge exchange will remain the focus of CropTec. We want to build on being the show where visitors come armed with questions and leave with useful practical advice on how to become better at what they do, she said.

We would urge all those farmers and agronomists who are looking to the future to come to Peterborough in November to discuss adaptation of new technology, cutting edge agronomy and best business practices.

They can get that advice from networking with like-minded industry peers, from the well researched, topical seminars and from visiting the exhibition hall and having the right conversations with relevant companies who have brought their best technical staff.

Innovative thinking

CropTecs key features include the trade stand exhibition which features a wide range of innovative products and thinking.

The popular seminar programme returns, featuring over a dozen leading speakers covering the four key technical areas of crop breeding, crop establishment, crop nutrition and crop protection.

Seminar content is based on feedback and extensive research with farmers and agronomists to ensure it is both relevant and timely.

Four knowledge hubs, which consist of short, sharp presentations delivering key-take away messages, will also feature at CropTec 2017.

The popular black-grass hub returns, and three new hubs covering oilseed rape quality and weed management, biostimulants, and data & analytics also feature.

CropTec also includes a sprayer demo area where visitors can drive some of the most advanced sprayers in the market.

New for 2017 alongside the hubs is a Farm Innovation Zone, where visitors can speak to a range of leading agritech innovators.

'Perfect opportunity'

Adama Agricultural Solutions returns as CropTec headline sponsor. We are once again extremely pleased to be the headline sponsor for what we are sure will be another exceptionally successful CropTec show, said Ali Bosher, marketing director for Adama.

With a wide selection of industry-leading speakers covering a range of technical, practical and business issues, CropTec provides the perfect opportunity for farmers, agronomists and professional spray operators to learn more about the very latest developments in crop establishment, protection, nutrition, and yield enhancement.

We look forward to the 2017 event and are proud to be able to support such a focused, professional and well-targeted event.

The CropTec show is free for visitors to attend, provided tickets are booked in advance. The event will take place at the East of England Showground, Peterborough, on Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th November.
Farming unions across the UK have called for a cross government agricultural summit to address the perceived slow progress in developing plans for a post-Brexit farm policy.

As powers will be given back to London from Brussels, devolved administrations have urged that they must be considered equal partners in the negotiations.

Senior barristers have already published a series of reports titled The Brexit Papers, amid warnings that navigating Government red-lines will not be plain sailing.

The Brexit Papers warn of a potential clash between central government and the devolved regions over who will have overall policy control.

Chair of the Bar Council Brexit Working Group, Hugh Mercer QC said: The devolved regions may well be in control of their own agriculture policy when we leave the EU, but if regional subsidies diverge from each other there would be considerable distortion in competition that could frustrate international trade deals.

Speaking at the Royal Welsh Show, the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) President Glyn Roberts said that planning for Brexit has been going on in a 'relatively disjointed fashion'.

He said: For many months... there has been slow progress on critical issues due to a lack of engagement between the UK and Welsh governments.

Three major phases

The FUW sees 3 major phases in the UKs exit from the European Union: the Article 50 process, which has already started and the constitutional issues that need to be resolved.

The union said the second phase of leaving the EU will be when trade relations come to the fore and the third being the long term changes that can then be made only once trade relationships are understood.

We appear to be focusing all our energy on the latter phases, whilst ignoring the critical constitutional arrangements that need to be established by the UK government and all devolved administrations.

They need to be working collaboratively to develop a solution, stressed Mr Roberts.

'Absolutely essential'

This week, the FUW met with the First Minister of Wales and two Secretaries of State from the UK government as well as Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths.

Mr Roberts continued: A cross Government agricultural summit is absolutely essential in order to progress the vital constitutional issues that need to be addressed before powers are repatriated from Brussels to London.

Whilst there are arguments for powers to be repatriated and held in London, there are also clear options to return them immediately to the devolved nations, within an agricultural trade framework that will not disrupt trade negotiations in any way, said Mr Roberts.

He added saying that: We are genuinely encouraged by all we are hearing in our bilateral discussions with government ministers. There is an awful lot of common ground between our aspirations and government statements. We now ask that they come together to address the big domestic political issues as soon as possible.

'Equal partners'

Defra Secretary Michael Gove has recently been criticised over his appearance at farming shows after apparently snubbing other farm business events to do with Scottish agriculture.

The Scottish government has said the Defra secretary should be taking the concerns of Scotland's agriculture sector seriously.

Scotland's Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: We have been very clear throughout this process that the devolved administrations must be considered equal partners in the negotiations and we expect genuine engagement in the process.

It is simply unacceptable to have UK Ministers unilaterally cancelling meetings, which involve four partners at short notice and without consultation.

Brexit affects us all, with Scottish agriculture and rural communities particularly reliant on the EU for investment, labour and financial support. I also want to be clear that the UK Government must not give away permanent access to Scottish waters as part of any trade deals.
Here's What The Superstar Said

Ranbir Kapoor had once said that he likes to pee in public. When Akshay Kumar was asked to comment on the same, he said, "Toh Bhaiya main kya kar sakta hu, usko maza aa raha hai main kya karu?"

Akshay Will Send The DVD Of Toilet....To Ranbir

He further added that all he can do is send him the DVD of the film!

Akshay Also Talked About Sexual Abuse That He Faced

In a promotional interview of his film with Mumbai Mirror, Akshay also talked about sexual abuse, "When I was a child, my parents always encouraged me to speak to them frankly about everything. Whether it was discussing a sexual issue or inappropriate behaviour, I was asked to come home and talk frankly.''

A Lift Man Touched My Butt

''When I was six, I was on my way to a neighbour's house when the lift man touched my butt.''

I Told My Father About It

''I was really agitated and told my father (Hari Om Bhatia) about it.''

The Man Was Arrested

''He filed a police complaint. Investigations revealed that the lift-man was a history-sheeter. The cops took action and the man was arrested."

Even Today I Find It Difficult To Say The Word 'Bum'

"I was a shy kid but I was relieved that I could speak about this to my parents. But even today, I find it difficult to say the word bum'.''

We Must Encourage Our Children

''We must encourage women and children to speak up and tell their families if they encounter anything strange so that they can be protected and empowered."
Shruti-Michael Get Cosy

Shruti Haasan is currently shuffling between Mumbai and Chennai for her next film with daddy Kamal Haasan.

Recommended Video Shruti Haasan SPOTTED doing PDA with Boyfriend Michael Corsale; Watch | FilmiBeat

Heres Why Michael Is In India..

According to a report on Mumbai Mirror, Michael has dropped into the city to spend some quality time with Shruti as their hectic schedules do not leave much room for romance.

Is Wedding On The Cards?

From past few months, buzz of an impending wedding has also been doing the rounds, however, Shruti's spokesperson rubbished the claims.

Their Latest Outing

Shruti and Michael were snapped at Mumbai's Olive Bar and Kitchen walking hand-in-hand out of the popular eatery

How Shruti Shunned All The Reports Of Her Affair

Initially, when Shruti was quizzed about her affair with Michael Corsale, she had shunned all the reports by saying, "I'm not concerned about such speculations, nor do I want to comment on them."

Shruti On Her Love Life

"And trust me, it doesn't irritate me, I just choose to ignore such talks because I don't like to talk about my personal life."

How Shruti & Michael Met

According to a source, "Shruti and Michael met for the first time in London through a common friend, when she was there to record a track with the British alternative rock band, Dinosaur Pile-Up. They are very happy together."
The iron-ore market has been a fickle mistress as of late, and it has caused shares of Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF 8.24%) to bounce all over the place during the past year. This past quarter, the company saw some relief on one side of the business, only to see another part get crushed by low commodity prices. The one thing that has been steady throughout, though, is management's strategic plan to get the most value from the U.S. iron-ore market.

Here's a look at the company's most recent earnings results; we'll examine why two seemingly interconnected businesses are headed in opposite directions, and see what the company has in store in the coming years.

By the numbers

Metric Q2 2017 Q1 2017 Q2 2016 Revenue $569.3 million $461.6 million $496.2 million Operating income $114.6 million $131.7 million $74.7 million Net income $31.8 million ($28.1 million) $12.8 million Earnings per share $0.11 ($0.11) $0.07

Cliffs second-quarter earnings told a tale of two iron-ore markets. On one side, you have a U.S. iron-ore market that is doing surprisingly well. The per-ton selling price for U.S. iron ore increased from $78 this time last year to $97 per ton in the most recent quarter. Even though cash costs per ton sold did increase by $3.00 a ton, Cliffs still pulled in a $33-per-ton sales margin on all iron ore sold stateside.

Its Asia Pacific operations are an entirely different story. Per-ton prices declined to just $38 per ton compared to $42 a ton this time last year. This meant that Cliffs was only netting $0.38 per ton from its Australian mine. Granted, its Asia Pacific operation mostly sells lump ore and fines, versus pellet in the U.S., so lower prices can be expected. However, it goes to show that the iron-ore market has a lot of regional disparity that can drastically impact earnings.

After the company made several financial moves in the prior quarter to shore up the balance sheet, the second quarter was a relatively quiet one. Cliffs ended the second quarter with $321 million in cash and $1.29 billion in net debt. Management said it wants to get this number below $1 billion by the end of the year.

This quarter was more about operations, and the next steps forward for Cliffs. Back in April, it announced that it had completed construction of its Mustang pellet plant at its United Taconite mine. These high-grade pellets are the kind of material that steel plants in the U.S. need, and they will earn a higher sales price.

Cliffs also announced it will break ground on a new hot briquetted iron (HBI) plant in Toledo, Ohio. Like the pellets it manufactures, HBI is a more refined product used in electric arc furnaces. This type of steelmaking furnace is now used more than traditional blast furnaces in the U.S. So if Cliffs wants to remain a major player in the American steel market, it has to start producing a product these furnaces can handle. According to the press release, this new facility will cost $700 million and will be complete by mid-2020.

What management had to say

CEO Lourenco Goncalves' press statement emphasized the company's impressive results in the U.S. and Cliffs' new HBI plant:

Our second quarter results clearly demonstrate the true power of our U.S. Iron Ore business, in which we have unrivaled operational, commercial, logistical, and quality advantages. Even as iron ore prices in Asia dropped substantially during the second quarter, these unique advantages enabled us to achieve EBITDA margins that are at the peak of the industry in the United States. Going forward, we will further expand on our unquestionable strength as a supplier of customized iron units in the Great Lakes, with the development of our HBI production plant in Toledo, Ohio. The new plant will enable Cliffs to supply high-quality, customized HBI as feedstock to select Electric Arc Furnace steelmakers. As EAF's become Cliffs' clients, we expect the earnings power of U.S. Iron Ore will carry over to this new business.

What a Fool believes

Even though Cliffs did produce impressive results in the American market, its Asia Pacific results dragged it down. The company also revised its EBITDA guidance down again, from $700 million to $650 million. It should be noted that management says these EBITDA expectations are based on where iron-ore prices are today. If iron-ore prices decline, then guidance will likely be revised down again. Commodity prices are out of management's control, though, so investors shouldn't spend too much time fretting about them.

The long-term message is that the company's financial foundation is in much better condition than it has been in a long time, and it's getting back to generating free cash flow to reinvest in the business. Who knows when the international iron-ore market will ever get to a point where Cliffs makes a decent profit on it? Thanks to its exposure to the American market, though, it has time to wait.
Red Bull Red Bull were extremely happy with the performance of Adrian Neweys latest aerodynamic upgrade  on Ricciardos car, at least. The Australian was happy with his RB13s balance and rear-end grip and felt like he was driving a B-spec upgrade. Verstappen was less happy, struggling to get his set-up honed. But there is a lot of cheerfulness here this evening, and Ricciardo is convinced that if he can replicate todays performance, he can be in the fight for pole. Their race pace also looks pretty impressive Daniel Ricciardo  FP1: 1:18.486, P1; FP2: 1:18.455, P1 I cant complain with that day after topping both sessions, its nice. We obviously brought some updates here and they seem to be working, I definitely feel like we have found some grip in various areas and taken a step in the right direction. We know this track usually suits us so it was important to come here and extract everything we could out of the car and make sure the updates did their job which in turn can allow us to fight with the guys up front. Being top of the timesheets is always nice but we were able to replicate that pace in the long runs which gives me confidence looking ahead to the rest of the weekend and achieving a solid result in Qualifying tomorrow. Ferrari seemed to find a bit more pace in the afternoon but I still managed to stay ahead so all signs are good. Im sure the other teams will bring a bit more tomorrow, but I also think we have a bit more to find. If we can put it all together it could be a really positive Qualifying. I have a car I am comfortable with and Im at a track I enjoy so it will be an exciting weekend, drive fast and put it all together in Q3, thats the plan. Max Verstappen - FP1: 1:19.162, P4; FP2: 1:18.951, P6 From my side in the beginning it was a bit difficult today and I was struggling with the balance. We changed quite a lot of things on the car and by the end of the second practice it was actually feeling quite ok. On the Supersoft tyre it was all coming together but I struggled to get a clean lap because of the red and yellow flags. I went out again when everyone was doing long runs and the sector times were fine so we are up there and its looking good. Im finally feeling good in the car at the end of a practice session so I think we can work from here. In qualifying Mercedes will of course turn up the power so I think we still need to find a bit of pace to really fight them, but its all looking a lot better than previous races.

Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 2 Max Verstappen (NED) Red Bull Racing RB13 at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull Racing RB13 at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Info Close

Ferrari Ferrari struggled a little in the morning, but found pace in the afternoon. Once all the usual caveats about Friday fuel loads and engine maps are taken into account, things look a lot better here than they did at Silverstone. Sebastian Vettel - FP1: 1:19.563, P6; FP2: 1:18.638, P2 This morning I wasnt that happy, but in the afternoon I started getting the rhythm. So, I think we were not that bad, but its difficult to read the session. Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull are very close to each other. It should be good fun tomorrow. We need to find the best settings for tomorrow and work a little bit more on the tires and on the driving. Then it should be better. I had a bit of damage on the car, after running over a kerb, so that we had to go back to the garage, but in the end it was fine. We saw some cars going off track today, especially at the exits to Turns 4 and 11, which are quite tough. I was a bit too aggressive this morning. But everything seems to work, so we should be in a better place tomorrow. Two years ago here the race was not bad  we won  and we had some other good races here. However, you always hope that the best race is yet to come. We have another chance on Sunday and we are looking forward to it. Kimi Raikkonen - FP1: 1:18.720, P2; FP2: 1:18.755, P4 It was a normal days work. We started pretty well in the morning, while the afternoon was a bit more tricky and less straightforward. When I stopped on the track it was because I had lost the throttle control for a minute, but then it recovered and I could continue. It was not a major thing, sometimes such issues can happen. The conditions were not the easiest and for sure, due to the red flags, we did not get as much running as we would have liked. Nevertheless it was not too bad. Today the lap times were very close, but you can expect that on this kind of track and many things can change from tomorrow on. We have to do our best and hopefully thats enough to push us to the front; then it will be up to us to drive as fast as we can.

Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 2 Sebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari SF70-H at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari SF70-H at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Info Close

Mercedes A whole load of midnight oil will be burning in the Mercedes camp this evening. They came down to earth with a bit of a bump as Red Bull and Ferrari closed in again in both sessions, though part of that was because Hamilton couldnt unlock a traffic-free supersoft lap in FP2. James Allison says they have to do the hard number crunching to get themselves fully on track, and they are battening down the hatches ready for a real fight tomorrow and Sunday. Lewis Hamilton - FP1: 1:18.858, P3; FP2: 1:18.779, P5 It wasn't the easiest start to the weekend, with the conditions very gusty. We end the day in fifth but there's clearly good pace in the car. It's super tight between Ferrari, Red Bull and ourselves at the top of the leaderboard, so it's looking like it will be an exciting weekend. That should be good for the fans! There's some more work to do overnight to fine-tune the balance to get the car just where we want it and I believe the pace is in there. We just need to unlock it ahead of qualifying because every tenth is going to be crucial with three teams in the mix. Valtteri Bottas - FP1: 1:19.248, P5; FP2: 1:18.656, P3 We have some work to do. The three teams at the front seemed very close. I was not quite happy with the balance of the car today and I was especially struggling with the rear end. The temperatures are expected to rise tomorrow, which means that we really need to get the rear end of the car more stable. I think that will be the main area for us to focus on. It should be interesting tomorrow. James Allison, Technical Director



I guess after all the fun of Silverstone, it's back down to hard work here in Hungary. The leading cars are all very close and it's going to be a proper fight this weekend. The car has been reliable, and we improved the balance of the car from this morning. But we clearly still got more work to do before we achieve the right balance between having a quick car in qualifying and one that will have good tyre usage in the race.

Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 2 Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes-Benz F1 W08 Hybrid at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes-Benz F1 W08 Hybrid at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Info Close

Renault Once again, Hulkenberg looked good in a Renault with the new floor from Silverstone and a new front wing - but he does have a looming gearbox penalty. But yet again Palmer struggled. His new wing collapsed over a kerb in FP1 when he was close to his team-mate, and after losing two-thirds of FP2 while repairs were completed, he went off quite heavily in Turn 11, bringing out the red flag. Nico Hulkenberg - FP1: 1:20.150, P9; FP2: 1:19.714, P7 We had to fight to find grip at times today, but this was just an aspect of a pretty usual Friday for us. The car feels pretty decent so its just the standard Friday working through the data to find the best balance and set-up for of tomorrow. Jolyon Palmer - FP1: 1:20.461, P10; FP2: 1:21.175, P16 It wasnt the end to the day that anyone wanted, however FP1 looked good. Starting the weekend in the top ten was positive, even if I suffered from a damaged front wing and floor after running wide and feeling the consequences of the new kerbs. My car didnt feel right from the start of FP2, and this contributed to me putting it in the wall. Looking to tomorrow, were going to go over the set-up with a fine tooth comb as we know theres definitely good potential. My side of the garage has a bit of work to do so therell be some cold drinks waiting for them at the end of the weekend to say thanks. Nick Chester, Technical Director, Chassis We saw good potential from the car today with competitive times from both drivers in the morning and Nico ending the day P7 in the afternoon. Nico was pretty happy with the balance and tyre wear was reasonable so we have a decent base to work with. Jolyon had a more difficult day; the track was certainly slippery as we saw from a number of offs, but his pace was good in FP1. We will work on balance with Jolyon overnight and look forward to FP3.

Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 2 Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Renault Sport F1 Team RS17 at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Marshal and the crashed car of Jolyon Palmer (GBR) Renault Sport F1 Team RS17 in FP2 at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Info Close

McLaren McLaren had a good day. Even though Vandoorne ended it with an MGU-H problem, the unit concerned was one at the end of its mileage which can be replaced without penalty, so after he and Alonso were in the top 10 in both sessions theres a cautious air of optimism that a decent result can be won here. Fernando Alonso - FP1: 1:19.987, P7; FP2: 1:19.815, P8 It was a good day; even though its always difficult on a Friday to get a clear picture, were more or less where we thought we would be. We did some good testing and now we need to analyse the data and see where weve made progress. Were a little bit more competitive here than we were in the last couple of races, and it feels better to be able to potentially fight for Q3 and for a top-10 finish. We are taking care of every single detail  the smallest things matter." Stoffel Vandoorne - FP1: 1:20.005, P8; FP2: 1:19.909, P10 With both cars in the top 10, todays been a fairly positive day for us  everything went as we expected. As usual, the times in the midfield are very tight, so itll be very important to find those tiny steps for tomorrow to enable us to improve a little bit. At the end of the session, we had a problem with the MGU-H but it didnt really matter because the PU I was using was already at the end of its mileage and we were going to fit another engine anyway, so luckily well have no penalties. I feel comfortable in the car, even though its still not 100% there yet, and Im confident we can take a step forward tomorrow." Eric Boullier, Racing director Its pleasing to end the day with both cars having finished inside the top 10 in both sessions. Fernando and Stoffel showed excellent consistency to match each other lap after lap during two sessions where progress was difficult due to a frustrating number of red flags. Nonetheless, Stoffel was particularly impressive today, and his performances underline the steady progress he has been quietly making over the past few races. It was just a pity that his afternoon session was cut short by an MGU-H problem  it was an older unit, nearing its mileage limit, and wasnt due to be used for the remainder of the weekend anyway. It wont have any impact on the remainder of his weekend. Weve made a positive start to this grand prix, but were mindful that theres still a lot of work left to do if were to extract the maximum out of our cars package this weekend. Yusuke Hasegawa, Honda R&D Co. Ltd Head of F1 Project & Executive Chief Engineer We came to the Hungaroring with expectations of acquiring some points here, and it has been a positive start for us today. Fernando was running with some new aero parts trying various settings in order to find the best balance of the car. Stoffel ran well, with lap-times close to his team-mate. We had to stop his car towards the end of FP2 due to an MGU-H issue, however the PU was nearing its life-span and the plan was to change it after FP2 so it will not affect the remainder of his weekend. In addition, we are not expecting to receive any penalties with this PU replacement which will take place tonight. We are expecting another tough session in hot conditions tomorrow; however, we think we have enough potential for both drivers to go through into Q3 here in Hungary.

Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 2 Fernando Alonso (ESP) McLaren MCL32 at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL) McLaren MCL32 at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Info Close

Toro Rosso Toro Rosso had a lot of work to do working through permutations with a new aero package compromising new wings, floor and bargeboards, and after a difficult start Sainz started to find the path by the afternoon, so theres optimism for further improvement tomorrow. Kvyat is yet to get in the groove. Carlos Sainz - FP1: 1:20.917, P14; FP2: 1:19.834, P9 Overall, today has been a positive day. We had a bit of a slow start in this mornings FP1, trying to understand the new parts that were on the car, but in this afternoons FP2 we managed to understand them a lot better and we put together a much better car than the one we had in FP1. I felt a lot more comfortable and the car was also a bit faster. So, all in all, its been a day where weve managed to make good progress and I look forward to tomorrow. Daniil Kvyat - FP1: 1:20.780, P13; FP2: 1:20.577, P13 We were not really able to put a fast lap together today. Theres certainly room for improvement and we need to try and progress in order to get ready for tomorrow. James Key, Technical Director We brought quite a few developments here this weekend and we spent most of FP1 getting the cars set up around them. We hadnt got quite the balance we were looking for this morning, but we gathered a lot of data that we used for FP2 to try and optimise the car a little bit more. I think we made some steps in the right direction and Carlos was certainly happier with the balance of his car this afternoon. He gave good feedback on the directions that wed pursued so thats given us some good indications of next steps to take. With Daniil, we just didnt quite get to the point where he was 100% happy, but we know what we need to look at for tomorrow. He had tricky conditions with traffic and so on while doing his laps on the supersoft tyres, so we know the lap time will come with a cleaner run. The conditions in general were quite tricky today  its a difficult and technical track and the grip levels were quite difficult to manage, so it was quite a stop-start day in that respect without the normal flow of car setup work and tyre management. Overall, weve learned quite a lot and we know theres more to be found for tomorrow, so well work hard overnight and hope that we continue to make progress.

Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 2 Daniil Kvyat (RUS) Scuderia Toro Rosso STR12 at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Carlos Sainz jr (ESP) Scuderia Toro Rosso STR12 at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Info Close

Force India Ocon said he quickly made up the time he lost when Celis ran his car in FP1, but Perez admitted that he wasnt happy with the balance of his VJM10. The race pace looked good, however, so the focus overnight will be in maintaining that while improving single-lap pace for qualifying, which is always crucial here. Sergio Perez - FP1: 1:20.574, P12; FP2: 1:20.266, P12 Our long run pace looks promising, but I think theres still a lot we can find in terms of performance. The track improved a lot between the morning and the afternoon sessions, but it was still very windy and it made things quite difficult. Its very hard to overtake here so theres a big emphasis on qualifying tomorrow. I havent been totally comfortable with the balance of the car so far but I am confident we can get it together and be in a position to fight for the top ten. Esteban Ocon - FP2: 1:20.126, P11 I was in the car this afternoon and I think I caught up with things pretty quickly. I found a nice rhythm straight away and Ive ended the day feeling comfortable in the car. Its clear we have some work to do tonight to find a bit more performance, but weve done a lot of the hard work and we know where we need to improve. They have made some changes to the kerbs this year, which impact on the character of this circuit a little bit. I preferred the old style kerbs, but its still an awesome track and I really enjoy driving here. Alfonso Celis - FP1: 1:21.602, P17 Its not been an easy session with the red flags coming at the worst possible times. When I finally got a chance to do a flying lap, I struggled to get the tyres in the right temperature window. At the beginning of the session, I found the car to be a bit unbalanced and difficult to drive. The changes we made in the second part helped and gave me more confidence. Its great to get back in the car after a couple of races because it allows me to really feel the way the car is improving. Even since Austria, the performance keeps getting better. Robert Fernley, Deputy team principal Its been quite a disrupted Friday, with lots of yellow and red flags interfering with our work. We had a pretty comprehensive test programme, split between our two cars, and although we did manage to get through it, we didnt collect as much data as we had hoped. Esteban and Sergio are reasonably happy with the car, but of course there is still plenty of work to do to improve our performance during both the low and high-fuel runs. The battle in the midfield will be very tight tomorrow: margins will be small and any gain or mistake can mean a big swing in positions.

Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 3 Sergio Perez (MEX) Force India VJM10 at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Esteban Ocon (FRA) Force India VJM10 at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Alfonso Celis jr (MEX) Force India VJM10 at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Info Close

Williams Williams didnt have a great day but put a positive spin on it by admitting that while the red flags (two in each session) were disruptive, they have a lot of information to process this evening. Felipe Massa - FP1: 1:20.540, P11; FP2: 1:20.869, P15 It was a typical Friday, we were just trying to understand the tyres and the car on this circuit. For sure we did not have a great position at the end of the day, but we just need to understand everything around the car so that we can improve during the weekend. But this is normal for a Friday. Lance Stroll - FP1: 1:20.974, P15; FP2: 1:20.791, P14 The day wasnt too bad, as we had a clean one without too many issues, so that is positive. We are not where we were hoping to be, but, as expected, we knew this track would be tricky for us and we need to keep pushing and work for tomorrow. The grip is quite hard to predict and, especially Turn 11, is quite bad. I saw a lot of drivers going off there. Like always, we will push as hard as we can to get the best possible result. Paddy Lowe, Chief Technical Officer It was quite a messy day for everybody, with a highly-disrupted FP2 session. In FP1 we managed to run a good programme with both Felipe and Lance, however the car was not as well balanced as wed like, the pace was not spectacular and we didnt manage to improve from the first new tyre to the second new tyre. In FP2, we didnt manage to set times on the supersoft tyres, so from a highly-disrupted session weve come away looking quite poor on the timesheet. But its given us lots of information to work with and well be working hard this evening to further improve the car for tomorrow.

Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 2 Felipe Massa (BRA) Williams FW40 looks up at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Lance Stroll (CDN) Williams FW40 at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Preparations, Hungaroring, Hungary, Thursday 27 July 2017.  Sutton Images Info Close

Haas It was a tough day all round for the American team. Grosjean complained all day about lack of front-end grip and had so many offs in FP2 that he was convinced his car had a suspension problem. Giovinazzi blotted his homework by crashing Magnussens car in FP1, so the Dane barely got any running on the afternoon. Kevin Magnussen FP2: 1:21.345, P17 Its been a tough day not getting much out of the Friday sessions. I only got a couple of laps at the end of FP2 on low fuel. So, we dont have a great feeling for things at the moment but, hopefully, Ill catch up a bit tomorrow. For sure, its going to make things a little bit difficult. Romain Grosjean FP1: 1:21.313, P16; FP2: 1:21.504, P18 A pretty tough day for the whole team. Weve been struggling with the balance all day. I think we can quote it as one of our worst Fridays since we started Haas F1 Team. We just need to put everything together and try to understand what the problems are. Obviously, weve had some issues today. We have to try to get better for tomorrow. Its not over yet, but weve certainly not made our lives easy. Antonio Giovinazzi FP1: 1:22.251, P19 The car had been looking quite good even in the short track time I had in the session. I lost the rear quite aggressively. It snapped on entry into turn 11. There was nothing I could do, to be honest. Were checking to see what happened. The track time is important for me. I lost out on 50 minutes of FP1, so Im disappointed for myself, and also for Kevin. Guenther Steiner, Team principal A miserable day today. It must be our worst day since we started here a year-and-a-half ago. I dont know where to start with all that happened. We crashed two cars in FP1. One was pretty heavily damaged, but thanks to the hard work of the guys we at least got Kevin out so he could do a few laps. Romains car was less damaged and he could get out, but we just struggled to find a balance. Its going from oversteer to understeer and we havent found out why yet, so we keep on working. Hopefully, tomorrow we know more and do better and get back to our normal selves.

Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 3 Kevin Magnussen (DEN) Haas VF-17 at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Romain Grosjean (FRA) Haas VF-17 at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA) Haas VF-17 at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Info Close

Sauber Sauber also had a tough day, with Wehrlein lucky to escape injury after a heavy shunt into the tyre wall in Turn 11 after the back end got away from him in FP2. The Swiss team will be hoping for a much smoother time on Saturday. Marcus Ericsson FP1: 1:21.785, P18; FP2: 1:21.559, P19 The day started off quite well for me. We were able to make some improvements on the car side with the new aero update, although it is not visible on the timesheets yet. The car felt good in terms of driving from the beginning of FP1 onwards. FP2 was a bit less smooth than the morning session, so we are now working on understanding how to optimize the cars setup for tomorrow and Sunday. Pascal Wehlein FP1: 1:22.490, P20; FP2: 1:21.722, P20 Of course, I am disappointed about having crashed into the barrier during FP2  fortunately, I am feeling ok. We did have some positive moments before that in testing the new aero update. We are now working on looking into the data to understand the causes of the incident in more detail. I hope that we will be able to perform well for the rest of the weekend.

Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 2 Marcus Ericsson (SWE) Sauber C36 at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images The crashed car of Pascal Wehrlein (GER) Sauber C36 is recovered in FP2 at Formula One World Championship, Rd11, Hungarian Grand Prix, Practice, Hungaroring, Hungary, Friday 28 July 2017.  Sutton Images Info Close
Farmers will be at a competitive disadvantage against their European counterparts if the government cuts subsidies after the UK leaves the EU, billionaire Brexit backer James Dyson warns.

In an interview with The Spectator, Sir James raised concerns about Defra secretary Michael Goves vision for a green Brexit, which would see direct payments slashed and farmers having to earn their subsidies only if they deliver benefits for the environment.

Youll be putting British farmers at a disadvantage against European farmers, he said.

See also: Subsidies must be earned after Brexit, Gove tells farmers

The UK government has committed to funding farming at the current levels until 2022.

But after this date, the future is unclear.

Speaking at the Royal Welsh Show this week, Mr Gove would only say the UK government would ensure the most generous support possible for agriculture after Brexit.

But commentators suggested the government will seek to phase out farming subsidies under a transitional period after Brexit and redirect the money elsewhere to fund other priorities, such as the NHS, education and national security.

Sir James total farming estate  Beeswax Dyson Farming  is the biggest in the UK, spanning 13,355ha of farmland in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Lincolnshire.

Environmental campaigners Greenpeace recently singled out the vacuum cleaner manufacturer for criticism for receiving 1.6m last year from the Basic Payment Scheme.

Stewardship focus

Although Sir James acknowledges it is a big cheque, he says that the criticism is misguided.

Under environmental stewardship, he has set aside 890ha for flowers, seeds, nesting birds, buffer strips and so on. It generates about 640,000/year. But Sir James argued subsidies are not just free money to line the pockets of the wealthy.

He employs some of the best farm managers and landowners in the industry and his business provides sustainable food, green energy and biodiversity.

Sir James, who grew up working on farms producing potatoes and harvesting sprouts in Norfolk, poured 75m of his own money into his own farm businesses to improve them agriculturally and benefit wildlife. This figure excludes the cost of buying land.

He recently invested in a state-of-the-art grain store at his Carrington Estate in Lincolnshire.

However, his profits from farming have nosedived of late. His farming enterprise lost 4m last year and is expected to lose 2m this year.

Thankfully, the losses can easily be mitigated by the millions generated from making vacuum cleaners. According to the Sunday Times rich list, Sir James is worth 7.8bn.

I dont want people to feel sorry for me, he said. Because I am making money in my other areas.

Mr Dyson doesnt share Mr Goves confidence the UK will thrash out a comprehensive free-trade deal with the EU after Brexit.

My view is we almost certainly wont get a deal. Well have to walk away, he said.

World Trade Organization rules inevitable

He thinks its inevitable the UK will have to resort to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules  and that means tariffs being applied to products both imported and exported.

For someone who believes in free trade, he said this would be a bitter pill to swallow.

In such a scenario, if the UK accepts chlorine-washed chicken, acid-washed pork and hormone-injected beef, tariff-free and cheap from the US, then UK livestock farmers could be in big trouble.

Cattle farmers would just have to give up, he said unless the UK government offers adequate support.

Despite all this, he remains optimistic UK government will be able to negotiate good trade deals with non-EU countries

I am very confident in our ability to negotiate trade deals outside Europe  with Japan, Australia, China, America and so on  because its very easy, he said.

Its just us negotiating with them. Its very, very straightforward and you dont have to satisfy 27 other people.
Child safety on farms is a high priority for all key stakeholders involved in Farm Safety Week.

Four children have died on farms over the past five years and in Northern Ireland the Farm Safety Partnership is promoting the Farm Secure app, which aims to teach children how to become safer around the farmyard.

Farm Secure was developed by students at the University of Ulsters School of Nursing and is aimed at key stage one pupils (aged between five and seven).

It features videos and an interactive quiz and identifies the dangers that lurk on farmyards, such as slurry, machinery, farm animals and bugs and germs, advising youngsters on what they should and should not do.

Keith Morrison, chairman of the Farm Safety Partnership, said: Educating children and their families about farm safety remains vitally important, particularly at this busy time of the year.

See also: Boy, four, killed in farm accident in Northern Ireland

Technology plays an increasingly important role in education and the Farm Secure app provides a really interesting and engaging way for parents and children to learn about the many dangers on farms and how to stay safe all the year round, he said.

Designated areas

The Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) will be promoting the app at the start of the new school year to all rural primary schools as part of its Child Safety on Farms campaign.

Last year HSENI visited 104 schools and reached more than 13,000 pupils with the farm safety message.

NFU Scotland vice-president Martin Kennedy said the union was pleading with the industry to take measures to make their farms and crofts a safer place for children.

They can create designated spaces, educate children about off limit areas and make workers aware that children could be on farm and to check their mirrors even more regularly. Simple measures could prevent heartbreak.

Jade Lanham a technician at Easton and Otley College, Suffolk, said a recent experience made her question whether she needs to examine her attitude to farm safety.

Establish rules

Jades three-year-old daughter Evie recently wanted to come and help with the feeding and lambing as Mrs Lanham had recently had a ewe lamb twins.

She warned Evie to stay sitting on a bale of straw while she watered the other sheep, but despite glancing at her regularly, the little girl hopped off the bale and approached the lambs.

Lambing often involves using rubber gloves, syringes etc so Evie thought this was great and brought her toy doctors kit to help play vet.

Evie took the plastic syringe and needle from the kit to give her new patients an injection.

I remember saying, No, dont get closer but she ignored me and approached the lamb.

Within seconds the ewe charged her, striking her in the solar plexus. It wasnt the ewes fault  she was just protecting her lamb and I think Evie got off lightly as we all know others who have been less fortunate in this situation.

Since the incident, I have been much more protective of Evie and I do take a lot of extra care.

Guy Smith, NFU vice-president, said it must be remembered that farms are places of work.

It is worthwhile zoning farmyards in terms of whether children of a certain age should ever be present or whether they should be supervised or unsupervised. Its clear that by taking good advice and drawing up plans risks to children can be minimised.




Haiti - Politic : Denial and clarification of MAHVE on a new tax on the diaspora





In a note, Stephanie Auguste, the Minister of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE) "strongly wishes to clarify the false information circulating on certain online media suggesting that the MAHVE would have requested from the National Office of Identification the issuance of an identification card that would amount to the addition of a new tax for Haitian citizens living abroad.



The Ministry informs the population in general and Haitians of the Diaspora in particular, that it has no responsibility whatsoever for taxation and tax levies and that, therefore, any information suggesting the opposite is totally inaccurate and erroneous. The Ministry does not have the means or the right to determine the costs of producing an identification card produced or issued outside the country, nor to fix the amount of any taxes required for the granting of this card."



The Minister recalls that the mandate of her Ministry is "[...] to ensure respect for the interests of the fellow citizens of the Diaspora and in order to work for the full enjoyment of their civil and political rights, this Ministry proposes to extend the granting of the national identification card to the Haitians from outside as well as the Haitians of the terroir" stressing that the passport, although an important document, is not sufficient to carry out certain specific transactions and enjoy certain civil and political rights, citing as an example "[...] he national identification card is required : for Passport applications, bank transactions, customs clearance of goods, voting in the polls, being candidates for elective posts" concluding that "These important rights and privileges can not be vested solely in citizens living in Haiti, in defiance of those who live and who are also Haitian citizens in their own right."



HL/ HaitiLibre


















When we think of depression we often imagine someone sad and lethargic, hunched over, with no energy to
Mills River brewery creates this year's Oktoberfest seasonal

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. will introduce this year's special Oktoberfest beer  created at Sierra Nevada's Mills River plant  during its two big Oktoberfest in September.

For the past three years, Sierra Nevada has partnered with a different German craft brewery to create an authentic fest beer fit for celebrating the worlds largest beer festival right here at home. This year, Brauhaus Miltenberger, one of Germanys most highly regarded craft brewers, was tapped for the collaboration.

Cornelius and his team from Brauhaus Miltenberger embody the spirit and tradition of Oktoberfest, says Brian Grossman, second-generation brewer for Sierra Nevada and manager of the Mills River plant. It was great to host them at our brewery in Mills River for the creation of this years fest beer. They brought literally centuries of family brewing experience to the mix and helped us create the ultimate festival beer.

We tried to re-create a classic Oktoberfest beer in the true German tradition, says Cornelius Faust, fourth-generation brewmaster for Brauhaus Miltenberger. We used traditional techniques to create layers of rich malt notes that remain light and crisp to the taste. Thats the secret of an authentic fest beercomplex malt flavor in a lager that remains easy to drink while you are celebrating the Oktoberfest season.

Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest is a deep golden lager weighing in at 6.1% ABV with an authentic, rich, and layered malt flavor balanced by traditional German-grown hops. New for 2017 is Oktoberfest in 12-ounce cans, in addition to 12-ounce bottles and draught offerings.

Named one of Americas best Oktoberfest festivals, the event is a big celebration of German culture and tradition, with live music, dancing, costumes, contests and, of course, beer. Mills River welcomes guests Saturday, Sept. 30.
When I think back to reviewing books as a 22-year-old pup and slagging off some writer who was in their sixties and whod been writing for years, I have to laugh at my own arrogance, Nick Laird reminisces.

A book critic himself in his younger and more vulnerable years, Nick Laird has learnt from experience never to read reviews. After a career of being humbled by teaching the written word, the Northern Irish novelist and poet stands by the dictum first given by Ezra Pound, then later repeated by fellow Mid-Ulster poet Seamus Heaney  Pay no attention to the opinions of those who have themselves produced no notable work.

Giving himself the widest possible berth from the opinions of critics, Nick Laird has upped and left his home in New York City  where he teaches a course in Creative Writing at NYU  to holiday in the quiet repose of the Irish countryside (NB: for the teeming hordes of literary paparazzi out there whove ever wondered where successful novelist-couple Nick Laird and Zadie Smith spend their summers, its in a cottage in West Cork).
MC360" Launches Powerful Tool to Build and Maintain Resumes Virtually

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A quick and easy method to keep up-to-date and remain on-top of job applicationsNEW JERSEY, NEW JERSEY (PRWEB) JULY 27, 2017Building and maintaining a resume can be a stressful task, especially for first-time job seekers and individuals who have been out of the workforce for a period of time. MC360", a cloud based start-up in New Jersey, recognized the problem, and created a solution that provides a cost-effective way for individuals currently seeking work.Our origin started from our own personal experience of keeping our resumes current and relevant, said Mitchell Brown, COO of MC360". Our goal was to create an affordable solution for college students, as well as other members of the workforce, to have virtual access to update their resume anytime, anywhere.Affordable is an understatement. MC360" offers free memberships to anyone who has a college-based email address. The company also offers free memberships to the unemployed. For Brown and the team behind MC360&quo...

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Tags : health cost benefit

A step-by-step breakdown of the real monetary value that comes from benefits One of the central questions in reforming U.S. health care asks whether businesses should be required to provide health insurance to their employees. Right now, only companies with 50 or more employees are subject to the employer mandate. If plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act are successful, however, no business would have to provide health insurance. Removing the employer mandate is an attractive prospect to some business owners because of the skyrocketing costs of group health insurance. Last year, it cost more than $18,000 to insure a family of four under a group policya 350 percent increase since 1999. By 2025, that figure is expected to reach nearly $25,000. These unsustainable costs have already caused many small businesses not constrained by a mandate to cancel coverage. If the employer mandate is dropped for larger businesses, the Congressional Budget Office expects 3 million fewer Americans to be covered by group health insurance by 2026. However, regardless of what the law or the insurance market says, employee benefits are an irreplaceable part of any companys business plan. Not offering a benefits packageparticularly one that includes a health benefitis a costly mistake. Just how costly? In this article, well examine all financial repercussions that come with failing to offer benefits, from increased turnove...
What you need to know about Act 102 In a recent opinion, the Pennsylvania Superior Court upheld a judgment in favor of a healthcare employee that alleged wrongful termination of employment following her repeated refusal to work mandatory overtime. The judgment included damages of $121,869.93 and an order reinstating the employee to her former position. The Courts opinion focused on the question of whether an employers violation of Act 102 can form the basis of a wrongful termination action. The court answered that question affirmatively in the case of Roman v. McGuire Memorial. Pennsylvanias Act 102, the Prohibition of Excessive Overtime in Healthcare Act, generally provides that a covered health care facility may not require an employee to work in excess of a predetermined and regularly scheduled work shift. This prohibition is aimed at limiting situations where employees of covered health care facilities are mandated to work overtime with little or no advance notice. Health care facilities covered by Act 102 include most hospitals and long-term care facilities. In this case, the employee alleged that she was terminated after her fourth refusal to work overtime mandated by her employer, a covered healthcare facility. The employer had a policy in place requiring direct care workers to work mandatory overtime. The employee claimed that she informed her employer that she could not accept mandatory overtime due to ...
Tags : organization healthcare employees

Keeping pace with new legislation around healthcare and retirement benefits has become a complex undertaking for small, mid-size and large employers. Senate Republicans released a draft of the new healthcare bill, which signifies the potential for a large shift for employers in this area. HR plays a critical role in managing any healthcare changes that arise, and it is essential that HR practitioners are prepared for new legislation. In managing the developing healthcare landscape, HR should keep the following tips in mind: Identify the Right People to Help you Manage the Change. Getting prepared for healthcare changes presents a great opportunity to assess your organizations compliance resources. Identifying the appropriate staff and designating roles with defined responsibilities will be paramount to making sure your organization complies with new legislative standards. In larger organizations, this may even take the form of a compliance committee with various stakeholders from across the organization (management, accounting, payroll and IT). Whether an organization is small, large or somewhere in between, delegating key roles (e.g., benefit plan administrator) will place emphasis on compliance. Most small to mid-size companies have limited human resource staff. These companies should seek to partner with an experienced benefits consultant or broker. The right insurance consultant can help guide you through the change process, advising y...
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
Patna, July 28 (IBNS): Politics in Bihar is all set to witness a crucial day as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will face a trust vote in the Assembly on Friday.

Under the leadership of Kumar, Janata Dal (United) and Bharatiya Janata Party will go for the floor test in the Legislative Assembly to prove the needed majority.

The session of the Assembly will commence from 11 am.

The floor test is expected to be a formality as the JD(U)-BJP alliance has the simple majority to form government.

While JD(U) has 71 seats, BJP is in possession of 53.

The minimum number of seats required to form the government is 122.

In 2015, the grand alliance led by JD(U), RJD and Congress shattered BJP's dream of capturing the political power in Bihar.

Lalu-led RJD, however, emerged as the largest party in the Assembly election 2015 with 80 seats under their belt.

The political crisis in Bihar occurred after JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar stepped down as the CM of the state on Wednesday. Kumar, who severed his ties with RJD over corruption issue, formed the new government with the support of the BJP on Thursday.

Along with Nitish, BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of the state.

Meanwhile, after a meeting with Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi last night, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said RJD being the largest political party in the Assembly, the former must give them the opportunity to form the government first.

The rift between Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad of RJD had reached a flashpoint over corruption issue when deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav and his father Lalu Yadav had ruled out resignation of Tejashwi over a CBI probe arguing that a fake case was filed against him.

Kumar became the CM of the state for sixth time.

Image: Official Facebook page of Nitish Kumar and Sushil Kumar Modi


Thiruvananthapuram, July 28 (IBNS): The BJP unit in Kerala on Friday alleged that Communist Party of India (CPM) workers attacked their state office here.

The party alleged that CPM workers damaged their vehicles.

"Breaking now: BJP State Committee office is now under CPM attack. All vehicles including State president's vehicle vandalised!! @BJP4India," BJP Kerala tweeted.

"CPM attack on BJP Kerala State Committee office. 6 vehicles including that of the State president's vandalised. #RedTerror," it said.

The party further said: "CCTV visuals show that half a dozen criminals led by CPM Councillor IP Binu attacked BJP State office. CPM unleashing widespread violence!"

Image: BJP Kerala Twitter page
Beijing, July 28 (IBNS): National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday met Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Doval also attended the BRICS Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues.

"NSA Shri Ajit Doval attends the 7th #BRICS Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues in Beijing today," Embassy of India in Beijing tweeted.

"NSA Shri Ajit Doval met with President Xi Jinping along with other #BRICS High Representatives for Security Issues," it said.

Doval met the Chinese leader amid rising tension between the two nations over the border standoff at Sikkim.

China asked India on Monday not to nurture "illusory thinking" about the Chinese army's ability and immediately withdraw its troops from the Doka La border, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The 90-year history of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) demonstrated that the army's ability to safeguard the national sovereignty and territorial integrity has continued to strengthen. It is easier to shake the mountains than to shake the PLA," defense ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said at a press conference in Beijing.

"China's border forces have put in place emergency response measures and will further enhance targeted deployment and training. China will safeguard its territorial sovereignty and security interests at all costs," W said.

The warning he issued comes amid a heightened tension in the relationship between the two countries following a standoff at the disputed Doka La plateau at the next to Sikkim at the India-China-Bhutan border tri-junction.

According to China, Indian troops have crossed into its territory to obstruct work on a road.

Bhutan also lays claim on the region and India considers the Chinese activities in the region a threat to its own security.

Bu Wu said : "The Doklam region is part of China's territory. China has every right to build road in its own territory."

"India should immediately withdraw its troops to the Indian side of the boundary with China, which is a precondition and basis for resolving the conflict. India should take practical measures to correct its wrongdoing, stop provocation and jointly safeguard peace in the border regions," he said. .

"The Chinese border troops have taken initial counter measures at the site and will step up targeted deployment and training."

"India should not leave things to luck and not harbor any unrealistic illusions," he said, adding that the military had taken emergency measures in the region and would continue to increase focused deployments and drills.

India has said it warned China that construction of the road near their common border would have serious security implications.

Image: Embassy of India in Beijing Twitter page


Kolkata, July 29 (IBNS) The West Bengal government on Friday celebrated the international recognition and appreciation received by the Kanyashree Prakalpa here.



She announced new 'K3 programme' for university students will be launched by her government.

Kanyashree Prakalpa was awarded the First Prize at United Nations Public Service Award Ceremony recently with Chief Minister herself receiving the honour during a ceremony at the World Forum, The Hague.

Speaking at Friday's event, Banerjee said: "Today is a day of pride for girls. This is the first time a scheme of a State from India won the first prize at United Nations Public Service Day. We dedicate this award to all the Kanyashree girls."

She said: "More and more girls are pursuing higher education now. Now we have K1 (for school girls) and K2 (for college students). We will now launch K3 programme for university students. We will give monthly stipend of Rs 2500 to girl students who score 45% marks."

She said: "We provide a sapling to families of newborn babies under Sabuj Shree scheme. We provide scholarships, mid-day meals, school uniforms, bags, shoes. We provide Sabuj Sathi cycles, Siksha Shree, Kanyashree. We have initiated Swami Vivekananda scholarship for meritorious students. We have also set up a fund for research scholars whose stipends have been stopped by UGC."
Kolkata, July 28 (IBNS): An Mi-75V5 helicopter of the Indian Air Force has joined the rescue operation at flood-hit Pratappur village in Ghatal in West Bengal's West Medinipur district.

After the Bengal government requested the IAF to rescue at least 20 people, trapped on the terrace of a damaged multi-storey building in flood-affected Ghatal, the Indian Air Force chopper has been requisitioned.

According to the latest update, at least three IAF rescue-men have been dropped on the rooftop and the recovery operation is currently underway.

As no heavy rainfall was reported, the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) has reduced the amount of water release from its several dams in West Bengal and neighbouring Jharkhand district.

According to officials, at least 207 relief camps have been opened at the affected areas and nearly 4,45,420 people have taken shelter there. Over 22 lakh people have been affected in Bengal flood.

Officials further stated that at least 28 deaths have been reported so far from several districts.

Disaster Management Group (DMG) personnel and several medical teams as well as National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams from the Centre are currently continuing rescue operations at the affected zones.

Over 2 lakh hectare crop areas are reeling under water, resulting a price-hike of vegetables in the market.

Several villages in 104 blocks in at least 19 district of the state have been hit by the flood.

Flood situation in five districts of West Bengal, including West Medinipur, Bankura, Howrah, Hooghly and North 24 Parganas, are the worst state, an official told IBNS.
Kolkata, Jul 28 (IBNS): Acting on a tip off, the Kolkata Police unearthed an illegal firearms manufacturing unit at Tiljala area in south-eastern part of the city on Friday early morning, officials said.

According to reports, police carried out raid at a multi-storey residential building at Chandranath Roy Road area under Tiljala Police Station limits and busted the arms factory.

A senior police official said that four firearms makers were arrested from the busted factory.

"Earlier on July 24, police from West Port Police Station arrested two residents of Bihar, Afroz Ahmed and Imtiaz Ahmed, and seized 2 semi automatic improvised pistols, 10 rounds ammunition and 4 magazines from their possessions," Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police (Port Division), Syed Waquar Raza, told IBNS.

"Based on the duo's statement, we raided a facility at Tiljala and busted the firearms manufacturing unit. We have also arrested four persons from the busted factory, who hail from Munger district of Bihar. they have been identified as Sourav Kumar (19), Md. Sonu (22), Md. Raju (22) and Md. Sarfaraz Alam alias Md. Raj (24)- ," Syed Waquar Raza said.

The police official said that several finished and unfinished firearms and gun making machines were recovered from the factory.

"We have seized eight pieces of 7.65 mm semi automatic improvised pistols (of which 2 are unfinished), 16 magazines, 50 rounds of 7.65 mm ammunition, 2 big lathe machines, one barrel drilling machine, a furnished lathe machine, 5 clamp machines, 2 metal polishing machines and a large quantity of tools including files, lack saws, hammers, vernier calliper, screw gauge and drilling machines," Raza added.

A senior official of city police told IBNS that the six arrested are being quizzed to get more information about the Kolkata-based gun manufacturing and selling racket.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)
Ahmedabad, July 28 (IBNS): In a last minute damage control, the Congress party is flying out 44 of its Gujarat legislators to Bangalore on Friday late evening after six of them reigned in two days and out of which three joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The measure is seen as a last minute damage control by the party.

According to NDTV report, about 11 Congress MLAs had been sequestered in Rajkot till late evening on Friday.

Fifteen of them were kept at a resort in Borsad about 240 km away, where party chief Bharat Solanki held a meeting with them.

The Congress has blamed the BJP for influencing their MLAs with "money and muscle power."

The party now has 51 MLAs in the 182-member Gujarat Assembly.

In a major blow to the Congress after the resignation of Shankersinh Vaghela, three of its senior legislators in the Gujarat Assembly resigned on Thursday.

On Friday, two more resigned from the party.

One of the legislators who has quit is Balwantsinh Rajput, the Congress' chief whip in the assembly.

Within hours of resignation, three MLAs who left Congress on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The shift to the BJP camp by the Congress MLAs can be considered as benefit for the saffron party in the upcoming Rajya Sabha poll in the state.

The BJP has already announced the names of party President Amit Shah and Union textile minister Smriti Irani for the RS poll to be held on August 8.
New York, July 28(Just Earth News): After days of mounting tensions over the situation around Jerusalem's holy sites, United Nations Secretary-General AntAnio Guterres on Thursday welcomed news that the crisis in the Old City has been defused.

In a statement issued by a UN spokesman, the Secretary-General welcomed the news that the crisis has been defused in line with the status quo at the holy sites before 14 July.

The statement comes in the wake of a series of clashes and rising tensions in and around Jerusalem's Old City since mid-June, particularly near the holy site known as the Temple Mount and as Haram al-Sharif, where a deadly stabbing of two Israeli police officers occurred on 14 July.

News reports on Thursday suggest that metal detectors and other security measures around the holy sites have been removed or eased. According to media reports, the 1967 status quo is an accord between Israel and Jordan, which allows the Islamic Trust or Waqf to manage the holy site.

[The Secretary-General] hopes that the dialogue will continue and contribute to creating an atmosphere of trust amongst the communities, said the statement, adding, that the UN chief will remain engaged with all stakeholders to this effect.

Photo: UN Photo/ Rick Bajornas

Source: www.justearthnews.com
New York, July 28(Just Earth News): A week after the High-Level Political Forum (HPLF) assessed the progress on implementing the 2030 Agenda, the newly elected President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOSC) has stressed her priority to push forward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

I wish to announce that the key priority of my Presidency will be to develop initiatives towards fostering sustainable, resilient and inclusive societies through participation of all, said Marie Chatardova, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the UN, after her election by acclamation earlier on Thursday.

Delivering her first remarks as President, Chatardova welcomed the enormous interest among Member States to participate in the Voluntary National Reviews. It proves that we take our shared vision of a better world seriously, she said.

Noting several positive developments towards reaching the 2030 targets, such as unprecedented technological advancement and innovation, she said that nevertheless, the world continued to experience rising inequalities in most countries.

If multilateralism is to stay relevant in this evolving context, we need to take these challenges seriously, and work on devising solutions to address them. I believe that the ECOSOC system has a key role to play, she asserted.

To explore further collective action on the issue, the new President annoucnjed her intention to convene an ECOSOC Special Meeting at UN Headquarters in May 2018.

We must work together and make all efforts to achieve what we have set out: 'to leave no-one behind.' Truly no one! she underscored.

ECOSOC now seen as multi-stakeholder forum for tackling complex issues

Outgoing ECOSOC President Frederick Musiiwa Makamure Shava took stock of activities under his tenure.

On the priority of eradicating poverty, he said we explored various means for promoting sustainable development; expanding opportunities; and addressing related challenges to leave no one behind, he recalled.

It was a tall order, but we made good progress, he affirmed.

Inspired by what the delegation of Norway said during the HLPF: No one can do everything, but we can all do something, Shava urged the respective Ministries, organizations and communities to use this as their mantra in implementing the SDGs.

Asserting that the moment is ripe to further strengthen ECOSOC to support the 2030 Agenda, the outgoing president emphasized the importance of aligning the agendas of the General Assembly, ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies.

According to Shava, one of the biggest take-aways from the Council's 2017 substantive session was the importance of ECOSOC as a multi-stakeholder platform for forging solutions to complex and emerging issues, observing that it is uniquely positioned at the global level to support efforts to leave no one behind

The success of ECOSOC should be measured not by the number of resolutions that it adopts, but by the impact that is has on the lives of real people. ECOSOC is where Member States coordinate and guide the UN development system, and can therefore make a real impact on citizens around the world, concluded the outgoing President.

Wu Hongbo, the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, said inequalities among and within countries are deep and addressing them is important for achieving sustainable development and peace. International support for sustainable and resilient societies is based on the recognition that we cannot overcome global challenges in isolation.

Solidarity, shared responsibility and open dialogue are more important than ever, he continued. The 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction together had formed an action plan for global prosperity and partnership.

The Council and its various forums had a key role in nurturing that vital opportunity by supporting implementation through the sharing of integrated and holistic approaches, he stated.

UN Photo/Kim Haughton

Source: www.justearthnews.com
New York, July 28(Just Earth News): Visiting a newly established United Nations human rights office in Honduras, a senior official on Fridaystressed the need to protect human rights defenders in the country.

They are doing a tremendous service for the long-term future of Honduras and should never be attacked, punished or stigmatized, said UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Andrew Gilmour, at the end of a three-day visit with Government officials, civil society representatives and members of the UN and diplomatic communities.

According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Gilmour brought up widespread impunity, horrific levels of violence, increased militarization of public security, restrictive access to family planning, as well as a disturbing increase in femicide and violence against women in his discussions.

Gilmour added that he was particularly troubled by the violence courageous defenders face.

Among the groups with whom he met was the Organization of American States' Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH), as well as the National Commissioner for Human Rights. Gilmour underlined the essential work they are both doing and their key partnerships with the UN Human Rights Office. a

We are glad that the direct link between corruption and human rights abuses is increasingly recognized  for example, when concessions for land or natural resources are wrongfully granted and without consulting indigenous communities, he said.a

In his official visits, Gilmour highlighted the essential work that officials and the UN Human Rights Office are both doing.

Gilmour reiterated that opening space for dialogue, access to information and meaningful participation in policy-making are key elements of a democratic society. He encouraged State officials to see human rights defenders as allies and useful agents of change.a

He also warned against a reliance on harsh penal policies for juveniles and security-only approaches.a

Social investment and rehabilitation options would be far more likely to address the root causes of violence in Honduras, Gilmour said.a

In 2016, an independent human rights expert spoke out about violence targeting rights defenders in Honduras.

At that time, the special rapporteur cited reports which said Honduras had become one of the most dangerous countries in the world for human rights defenders, particularly those promoting rights related to environment and land issues.

UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Source: www.justearthnews.com
Kabul, July 26 (IBNS): A Taliban attack on a military base in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province left 26 Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers killed, media reports said on Wednesday.

The incident left 13 soldiers injured.

A statement from the Ministry of Defense received by Afghanistan's Pajhwok Afghan News, said the ANA base was came under attack in Karzani area of Khakriz district of Kandahar on Tuesday night.

MoD spokesman, Maj. Gen. Dawlat Waziri told the agency that 26 soldiers were killed in the attack.

The spokesman said 80 Taliban militants also suffered casualties when soldiers retaliated.


Dhaka, July 28 (IBNS): Bangladesh police have claimed to arrest a aNeo JMBa leader who was involved in the Holey Artisan Bakery attack last year, media reports said.

Abu Jara alias Rash reportedly carried arms and grenades used in the July 1, 2016 attack in the bakery.

He has been arrested from Singra upazila of Natore in the country, reports said.

Arrestee Abu Jara alias Rash, one of the key planners of the militant attack, had carried arms and grenades from Chapainawabganj to Dhaka for the attack, Asaduzzaman, superintendent of police in Bogra, reported The Daily Star.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of detective branch (DB) of police from Bogra arrested the JMB leader in Singra bus stand area around 5:30am, Bogra Additional Superintendent of Police Sanatan Chakrabarty was quoted as saying by the news paper

At least 20 people, including foreigners, were killed in the terrorist attack in the Holey Artisan Bakery here last year.
New Delhi, July 21 (IBNS): Hours after Nawaz Sharif had to step down as the Prime Minister of Pakistan following his disqualification by the Supreme Court, his daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharifa will return to power as a much greater force.

"Another elected Prime Minister sent home, but only to see him return with greater force & support & soonest Insha'Allah. Stay strong PMLN," she tweeted.

The general election in Pakistan is scheduled to be held in 2018.

Maryam said she expects her dad to be an unstoppable force in the next election.

"Today will pave the way for Nawaz Sharif's resounding victory in 2018. He will be unstoppable. Insha'Allah. Rok sakte ho to rok lo," she said.

Nawaz Sharif on Friday stepped down from the post after the Supreme Court disqualified him from holding public office,media reports said.

The court was announcing its verdict in connection with the Panama Papers case.

"Shortly after, the PM House issued a notification saying that Nawaz Sharif, despite having 'strong reservations' on the SCs verdict, has stepped down from his post as the premier," Dawn News reported.

Image: Maryam Nawaz Sharif Twitter page

His stepping down brought Nawaz Sharif's third term in power to an unceremonious end.

He stepped down nearly an year before Pakistan would have participated in the scheduled general elections.

It is not clear so far that who will be appointed to the post till the elections next year.

In a landmark verdict, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Captain Safdar were also declared unfit for the post.

The Election Commission of Pakistan was also directed to issue notification to declare the disqualification of the PM>

The verdict was given today by original five-member bench that heard the case since January 2017.

The issue of Panama Leaks came to light on April 4, 2016, as part of a massive leak of secret files from a Panamanian law firm that specialises in setting up offshore companies. A trove of 11.5 million digital records from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca last year revealed how worlds wealthy used offshore companies to stash assets.

According to the Panama Papers, three of Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharifs four children  Maryam, Hasan and Hussain  were owners of offshore companies and were owners or had the right to authorise transactions for several companies. but the Sharif family has dismissed the allegations of money laundering and denied any wrongdoing.
Ottawa, July 29 (IBNS): With a jump in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 4.6% in the last fiscal year till May 2017, Canada gets a big boost in the economic sector, media reports said on Friday.

Reports suggested that GDP growth of 4.6% is the highest in last 17 years for Canada.

The GDP growth in May is the seventh consecutive monthly gain.

According to Statistics Canada, January and May were the months where the Canadian economy saw the maximum growth, while February witnessed the lowest.

In January and May, GDP expanded by 0.6%. However, the lowest growth of 0.1% was registered in the month of February.

According to the statistics report, growth was seen in goods producing industries, service sectors, oil and gas extraction and manufacturing.

Goods producing industries outshined the service sectors in terms of growth. While the former registered a jump of 1.6%, the latter increased only 0.2%.

Growth was huge in oil and gas extraction with 7.1% countering the increase of 1.1% in manufacturing sectors.

However, outputs in construction, real estate, leasing has gone down.

Construction faced a slump of 0.6%. Despite the downgrade, the sector is reported to recover well particularly after the strike in Quebec.

Real estate, rental and leasing shrank by 0.2%.

Bank of Montreal economist Doug Porter was quoted by CBC News: "The big surprise was a massive 13 per cent snapback in ... oilsands, which alone accounted for half of the rise in GDP."

(Reporting by Souvik Ghosh)

Image: Creative Commons.
Toronto, July 29 (IBNS): The Liberal government in Canada has decided to construct, upgrade and renovate the water plant in Neskantaga First Nation (aboriginal) community of Northern Ontario, bringing a huge relief to its people who are using unsafe tap water for last 22 years.

The government has announced an investment of $8.8 million approximately to provide safe water to the people of the community. The First Nations are the predominant Aboriginal peoples of Canada south of the Arctic.

Though the planning was done a year ago, the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) announced the financial details of the whole initiative on Thursday.

In a statement, the INAC said: "The Government of Canada will invest approximately $8.8 million to help upgrade the communitys water treatment system, including an addition to the existing water plant with new treatment technology and additional reservoir storage capacity to meet the communitys long-term needs, enabling more than 340 residents to access clean water for the first time in more than 22 years."

The government said the project is expected to conclude by spring 2018.

Neskantaga First Nation chief Wayne Moonias said the movement was first started by the members of the community who forced the visit of Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, Carolyn Bennett, which actually made the things happen.

Moonias said how the First Nation members used to suffer due to unsafe water as they could neither drink it nor could bathe without getting rashes.

"This has been a long and difficult process and has demonstrated the resolve of our members. We also appreciate the efforts of everyone who brought attention to this issue over the years. We are one step closer to ending the water advisory, but there is much more work to be done. We hope that work gets underway immediately" the chief added.

Minister Bennett congratulated the people of the community who actually forced the government to take up the plan. "Congratulations to Neskantaga First Nation and Matawa Tribal Council for your leadership on this project that will end the 22 year drinking water advisory in this First Nation community."

Highlighting the commitment of the government, the minister added: "This accomplishment is worth celebrating and is also an example of what can be accomplished when we work in true partnership. Investing in water systems like the one at Neskantaga First Nation represents one more step in renewing our relationship with First Nations and reaffirms our commitment to end all long-term drinking water advisories affecting on-reserve public systems financially supported by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)."

Neskantaga First Nation is a community of 300 odd people in the North of Canadian province of Ontario.

(Reporting by Souvik Ghosh)

Image: Official Facebook page of Carolyn Bennett.
Books Blood and Silk: Power and Conflict in Modern Southeast Asia

Blood and Silk: Power and Conflict in Modern Southeast Asia by Michael Vatikiotis. Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 2016. 336 pages.

Southeast Asia is undoubtedly one of the worlds economically fastest growing regions and the home of sophisticated cultures  but its also where decades-long ethnic and political rebels are still active. And despite the economic progress, most of the Southeast Asian countries are moving towards authoritarianism rather than democracy or, at least, a more pluralistic rule. Michael Vatikiotis examines these contradictions and conundrums in his most recent book, which is appropriately named Blood and Silk: Power and Conflict in Modern Southeast Asia. Vatikiotis has lived the region for three decades; he knows the area well and speaks Thai and Indonesian. He is also a former editor of the now defunct Hong Kong weekly Far Eastern Economic Review and now works as a conflict mediator for the Geneva-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.

He mentions Singapore as a typical example of development models that defy Western concepts of the-rise-of-the-middle-class-leads-automatically-to-a-more-democratic-form-of-government: Singapore is indisputably the regions most advanced economy; it has the highest income per capita, the best health indicators, and the biggest concentration of smartphones on the planet. Yet, there is little popular participation in government, no vibrant press and dissidents are dealt with harshly.

In much poorer Cambodia, the UN spent billions of dollars to introduce democracy in 1993. But as soon as elections were held, a new authoritarian regime headed by yet another strongman, Hun Sen, emerged and many of those opposed to his rule either went quiet or fled the country.

Thailand, a promising democracy in the 1990s, has experienced what many believed belonged to the past: two military coups, the first in 2006 and then again in 2014. In Myanmar, pro-democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyis party, the National League for Democracy, won a spectacular election victory in November 2015, leading to the countrys first civilian government since 1962. But when Vatikiotis met government officials six months later, they answered his questions with all matters will be decided by the State Counselor (Vatikiotis refers incorrectly to Daw Aung San Suu Kyis new title as de facto head of state as State Councilor, but that is a minor mistake.)

With Laos and Vietnam under strict one-party rule and Brunei an absolute monarchy, that leaves only Indonesia and the Philippines as actual democracies in Southeast Asia  but the new president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, has told the world to mind its own business when he masterminded a violent campaign against alleged drug dealers, resulting in extrajudicial executions of thousands. And the countrys economy remains dominated by the rule of a traditional oligarchy while millions are living in slums and abject poverty.

In Vatikiotis view, the main problem is that rather than address deteriorating social conditions and income inequalities that have come with economic expansion, Southeast Asian governments have become prone to conservative impulses serving the ends of power. And with China as the rising and the United States as the declining world power, it is hard to argue that democracy is the way forward. In civil society, religious extremism  manifested by militant Islam in Indonesia and Malaysia, and radical Buddhist movements in Myanmar  and intolerance in general are on the rise in the region.

Blood and Silk is not a dry academic study of social conflicts or the political and economic impact of China in Southeast Asia. It is well written and explains the origins of conflicts in the region as well as how those have impacted todays politics. But his analysis of the reason for the tragic fate of Myanmar is questionable. Like many other Western analysts before him, he seems to believe that the abolition of the old monarchy by the British in the late 19th century forebode the disaster that came after independence in 1962: Myanmar without the monarchy was pretty much a ship at sea without a captain or cultural anchor. The result is a country still dominated by a 400,000-strong army.

The French kept the traditional royal rulers of Indochina in nominal power throughout colonial rule, but, once independent, that did not prevent those countries from being plunged into bloody civil wars. On the other hand, Japan deposed Emperor Sunjong when Korea was turned into a colony in 1910  and South Korea today is an economic powerhouse as well as a thriving democracy. A more plausible explanation for Myanmars inability to become a functioning national entity is the fact that the country, with its present borders, is a colonial creation bringing together peoples and ethnic groups with little in common, and even centuries of conflicts with the Burman kings that predate British rule.

Vatikiotis also makes the unfortunate mistake of saying that 100,000 ethnic Kachin had by the end of 2016 fled into neighboring China. While some refugees did take refuge on the Chinese side of the border when the conflict escalated in 2011, they were soon pushed back into Myanmar by the Chinese and remain in makeshift camps in rebel-held territory or near government-controlled towns in Kachin State. China, evidently, feels that it can do whatever it wants in the region, or as Vatikiotis aptly quotes Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi as saying: China is a big country and other countries are small countries and thats just a fact.

Despite some minor flaws, this is a book worth reading for anyone interested in the politics of modern Southeast Asia. Leaders such as Suharto in Indonesia, Mahathir Mohamad in Malaysia and Thaksin Shinawatra in Thailand promised their people happiness and prosperity but in the end left them divided and deprivedthey enriched their families and brooked no dissent. They left anger and conflict in their wake. Sounds like a grim conclusion of the situation in Southeast Asia. But there is also hope, according to Vatikiotis, and it rests with Southeast Asias historically resilient civil societies: The slow response of government to grievances and use of divide-and-rule tactics to undermine opposition will force communities and groups to look after themselves and defy the powerful center.
Burma Girl, 14, Escapes From Kidnap, Rape Ordeal

The 14-year-old former housemaid was abducted in Yangon. / May Sitt Paing / The Irrawaddy

YANGON  A 14-year-old former housemaid visiting Yangon to testify against the family who allegedly tortured her has escaped a 20-day ordeal of kidnap and rape to return to her home in Mandalay.

The girl from Myittha Township worked at the house of a retired lieutenant colonel of the Myanmar Army in Yangons Mayangon Township for more than one year.

She is suing the lieutenant colonel and his family for allegedly abusing and torturing her. The court heard how she was sent back to her home in Mandalay after the wife of the lieutenant colonel forced another housemaid to knock six of her teeth out with a pestle.

I have had my four upper teeth and two lower teeth knocked out by another housemaid. The wife of the house owner asked her to hit me with a pestle. Her husband also kicked me in the face. I was also hit with pans in my back, and slapped as well, the girl told The Irrawaddy.

On discovering her injuries, the girls parents worked with human rights activists to file a complaint at Bayintnaung police station in Yangon in January.

On July 4, the girl returned to Yangon to testify against her former employers. Accompanied by her grandmother, she arrived at the Aung Mingalar Express Bus Terminal, and the pair spent the night at a nearby monastery.

When the grandmother woke up, the girl was missing. A man in his 20s had abducted her at knifepoint, said the girl, and held her for 20 days.

He threatened to kill me. He took me to a room in a house in Pale Township. I was raped. I can identify him, she told The Irrawaddy.

She managed to leave the house, she explained, and worked at a local eatery until she had enough money to return to Mandalay on July 25.

Lawyer U Robert San Aung of the Myanmar Lawyers Network said lieutenant colonel U Myint Htwe of Yangon Region Police Force would investigate the abduction and rape, adding that the network would cooperate with the police to find the rapist.

Bayintnaung police station has opened a case against the retired lieutenant colonel and his family for the torture of their former housemaid.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko
Burma Govt Organizes Update for Peace Stakeholders

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi pictured at the National Reconciliation and Peace Center in Yangon in 2016. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

YANGON  The government has invited 20 stakeholders for an informal meeting at the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NPRC) in Yangon on Saturday, July 29, with the aim of updating and consulting them on the peace process.

Among the list of invitees are civil society group members, former lawmakers, prominent writers, Myanmar Press Council representatives, and independent analysts.

It will be the first NRPC stakeholder consultation since the National League for Democracy (NLD) took office. State Counselors Office spokeperson U Zaw Htay said it would be an informal gathering without publicity.

Several invitees told The Irrawaddy they are considering whether to attend the meeting, as they said there was no agenda available and no indicator of any particular issue that would be discussed.

Calling such a meeting with the members of the public who have been following the peace process is a good thing to do, said one of the invitees, independent analyst U Maung Maung Soe. But the key decisions are taken by the NRPC and peace commission.

Under the previous incarnation of the NRPCthe Myanmar Peace Center (MPC) led by then minister U Aung Min, the former government held two kinds of regular stakeholder meetings.

One was a briefing session comprising more than 80 attendees, including diplomats, INGOs, and UN agencies. The other, called a Community Forum, would give a specific topic for representatives from the government, ethnic armed organizations, civil society groups, and media, as well as experts, to consider and discuss.
Burma Lower House Approves Urgent Proposal on H1N1 Outbreak

Volunteers distribute masks to schoolchildren in Yangon in order to reduce the spread of H1N1 influenza. / Thet Htun Naing / The Irrawaddy

NAYPYITAW  The Lower House approved an urgent proposal on Friday to control an outbreak of H1N1 influenza that has killed six out of 30 confirmed cases in Myanmar.

Lower House MP U Thein Htun of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) submitted the proposal to boost awareness of H1N1often referred to as swine fluin schools, markets, factories, workshops, trains, buses, jetties, and airports in order to reduce the death rate and spread of the disease.

The lawmaker said there was not enough education about the disease, adding that some people died from H1N1 because they were admitted to the hospital too late.

On Thursday, a 24-year-old pregnant woman suspected of having H1N1 flu was admitted to a hospital in Naypyitaw, Dr. Aung Lin Aye, deputy superintendent of the hospital, told The Irrawaddy. Medical tests for the woman have been submitted to the National Health Laboratory in Yangon.

USDP lawmaker U Thein Htun said the government must stand by its slogan Together with the People, noting that ministries, lawmakers, civil society, Red Cross, fire service and ward administrations need to collaborate.

Dr. Saw Naing, Lower House lawmaker of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD), welcomed U Thein Htuns proposal.

Raising awareness is good. Only if the public knows clearly how to protect themselves can they prevent [the disease spreading] in advance, including which mask they should use and how they should use it. And if there is a shortage of masks, the government has the duty to arrange for more, Dr. Saw Naing said.

U Thein Htun urged for checks of the disease at docks and airports, as has been done in neighboring India, he said, where 12,460 cases have been confirmed and 600 have killed so far in 2017.

The health ministry on Wednesday requested the World Health Organization (WHO) to help control the virus.
Burma People Have Right to Criticize Govt: State Counselor

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at an event to mark the first anniversary of the State Counselors Office in Naypyitaw. / Htet Naing Zaw / The Irrawaddy

NAYPYITAW  People have the right to criticize a democratically elected government, Myanmars State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said on Thursday amid criticism of her governments lack of progress and failure to protect press freedom.

The elected government must face criticism bravely and righteously. People have the right to criticize the government which they have elected, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said at an event to mark the first anniversary of her State Counselors Office in Naypyitaw on Thursday.

Not all of the people will offer constructive criticism, this is not unusual in a democracy, she said.

Civil servants should amend their work if criticisms are valid and, even if criticisms are not fair, they have to respect public opinion, she advised.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi admitted that members of her cabinet would not be perfect and that they have their own strengths and weaknesses. She urged civil servants to develop all of their capabilities to serve national interests.

Dont only think about self-interest, she advised. If the public can take pride in our civil servants, we will be able to take pride in our country.

The National League for Democracy-led government has come under fire as its political and economic reforms fall short of peoples expectations, one and half year after it took the office. Its handling of the peace process, the Rakhine issue and racial divides also attracted criticism.

The main objective of the State Counselors Office is to achieve peace, and the office also assumes the responsibility to provide guidance in efforts for national reconciliation, rule of law, improving the economy and living standards of people, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said.

Minister of the State Counselors Office U Kyaw Tint Swe told the press: We handle various issues such as government administration, international relations, national reconciliation, internal peace, the Rakhine issue, the Myitsone Dam, and the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone,

It is natural for civil servants and military personnel to be criticized in a democratic age, said journalist U Thiha Thway.

In an age of democracy, every politician will be criticized. But, the problem is they dont respect criticism. There is no culture of tolerance for criticism here, he added.

A number of journalists have been charged for publishing articles critical of the government including U Kyaw Min Swe, chief editor of The Voice Daily, who was charged under Article 66 (d) of Telecommunications Law for publishing a satirical article questioning the countrys ongoing peace process.
News Court Considers Bail for Detained Journalists

Three journalists charged under the Unlawful Associations Act arrive at Hsipaw Township Court. / The Irrawaddy

Hsipaw, Shan State  Hsipaw Township Court will consider the bail request of three detained journalists and rule next week, the judge presiding over the case announced on Friday.

The judge accepted the submission of a bail appeal, said Daw Khin Mi Mi, lawyer of one of the accused men, Irrawaddy reporter Lawi Weng.

Persons facing the charge can be released on bail and we believe the judge will do his best, reported the lawyer, adding that the judge said he would rule at the next court hearing on Aug. 4.

Six menincluding Lawi Weng and the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) reporters U Aye Naing and Ko Pyae Phyo Naingappeared in Hsipaw Township Court on Friday for the third time on Friday after two earlier surprise court dates.

All of the journalists appeared in good physical and mental health.

The court, on Friday, heard testimony from a local army official as a witness for the prosecution.

Capt. Thet Naing Oo, who arrested the journalists in June, presented photos and video files as proof of the accuseds connection with ethnic armed group the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA).

He told the court that the journalists failed to request permission from local security forces at a police station, Myanmar Army base, or local administration office before travelling to cover a drug-burning ceremony held by the TNLA to mark the UNs International Day Against Drug Abuse.

They [the army] said we need permission to go to that area, but we are journalists and citizens of this country and we have the right to travel freely inside our own country, Lawi Weng told reporters after the court hearing, before being sent back to Hsipaw Prison.

The six menthree journalists, two drivers and a local manwere travelling in two vehicles near Phayagyi Village between Namhsan and Lashio townships on June 26 and were arrested on suspicion of connection with the TNLA, which operates in the area.

The journalists and a local man were charged under Article 17(1) of the colonial-era Unlawful Associations Act for contacting the TNLA, while the drivers received additional charges for the two unlicensed vehicles. They were placed in detention in Hsipaw Prison.

Amnesty International issued a statement on Thursday calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the journalists.
News Myanmar Army is Indirectly Pressuring Media

U Sein Win, training director of the Myanmar Journalism Institute (MJI). / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

YANGON  The Office of the Commander-in-Chief, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, released a statement on Wednesday prohibiting the usage of military ranks employed by the Myanmar Army for non-state armed organizations.

We hereby declare that military ranks, which are entitled only for military personnel of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air), are not to be used in reference to persons of other unconcerned organizations; and that military ranks are to be used correctly in line with existing laws, reads the statement.

The Irrawaddy has interviewed legal experts and journalists about the potential impact of the prohibition on news reporting and beyond.

U Sein Win, training director of the Myanmar Journalism Institute (MJI)

Yes, it is true that the previous military government had enacted a law about how the organizational structures and terms should be used in reference to members of peoples militias. I can accept it because peoples militias had agreed to follow those instructions in order to be formed as peoples militias. But the Tatmadaw cant impose such a ban on other organizations. Such restriction is a negative sign.

We are still trying to achieve peace. How can we continue to engage in the peace process if [the Tatmadaw] doesnt recognize the organizational structures of other armed groups such as the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), and Karen National Union (KNU)? For example, if Gen Gun Maw attends the peace process, will he be referred to as Gun Maw? We cant do that. Doing so is disregarding other organizations. The [Tatmadaw] cant act like they are the only one. This contradicts the peace process.

It will also have an impact on the media. I view it as the [Tatmadaws] second step to deter the media to make reports about ethnic armed organizations. As the first step, it applied Article 17 (1) [of the Unlawful Associations Act]. They are making it difficult for the media to report on the peace process.

U Aung Thein, lawyer

There have never been cases of prosecuting and imprisoning for using military ranks [in reference to people not belonging to the Myanmar Army]. The government of the Socialist Program Party imposed a ban on using ranks like lieutenant and captain in reference to robbers.

Armed organizations formed according to the structures of an army would use military ranks. Persons such as Gen Gun Maw [of the KIA] have attended the peace talks [with the government] in his capacity as a general. And peoples militias also use the military ranks such as major.

How can we complain about them using their own military ranks while peace is still in the negotiation process? The government has invited and talked with those people and those organizations at peace negotiations. Though there is the [Unlawful Associations Act] which was enacted in the past, the government was meeting with rebels in the peace negotiations. I dont want to argue about if they are right or not. But [the rebels] have their own forces, armies and organizations for their own causes. So, there are armies and clashes. And they would hate to be addressed themselves as ordinary persons.

The media did not invent the military ranks for them. When you interview someone who identifies himself as Gen Gun Maw, you cant refer to him as U Gun Maw in the report. He wont accept it. As long as a [single] Union Armed Forces cant be formed in the country, the separate armed groups will use their own ranks. If this is prohibited, they wont even come to the peace negotiation table.

It is nothing to do with journalists. Those organizations have used such ranks and risen up against the government for around 60 years. And they wont just remove these ranks when they come to the peace negotiation table to talk with the current government. The media will refer to them according to the term they describe themselves. Journalists should not be prosecuted for this.

U Myint Kyaw, Myanmar Press Council

It is not that the media have given them those ranks. The media has to refer to them according to the way they describe themselves. And the media dont have the right to change that.

The [military] statement [issued on Wednesday], I think, is not yet an order. But it is still too early to say. Maybe they will issue an order. But it is absurd if the media will be given such an order. It is censorship and restriction on media.

Regarding the ethnic armed groups, the [military] sent letters to journalists in Irrawaddy Region last year [restricting the use of military ranks for non-state armed groups.] But no journalist has agreed to do so.

U Zeyar Hlaing, editor of Mawkun Magazine

The Tatmadaw applied the law based on the 2008 Constitution. So, the question is whether the Constitution has an effect on the entire territory of Myanmar, because, according to the Constitution, there must only be one armed forces, and the head of all the armed forces is the commander-in-chief.

As journalists, we are ethically responsible to present all information from all sources in different perspectives. It is journalistic ethics to make balanced reporting without bias.

While we are working for national unity, it is important that people get all the information about what is happening in ethnic areas. By doing so will help us understand each other. And it is the duty of the media to do so. So, it is not sensible that the Tatmadaw refers to a law that does not even have effect across the country.

My view is that they are attempting to impose censorship by threatening the media. Censorship was abolished in 2012. But if you think there is no censorship now, you are wrong. There have been many challenges. For example, some media agencies practise self-censorship because of the concerns of the owners of media agencies. The current government has even sued the media. The senior leaders of the ruling party have made derogatory remarks about the media. And the Tatmadaw has started to oppress the media as an example. This is not a good sign for a democratic society.

U Arr Man, chief editor of 7 Day News Journal

In the statement, the military gave the example in reference to a militia major who was killed in a bomb attack recently. It is not clear whether the ban is only for peoples militias or both signatories and non-signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) too. Were trying to get it clear. But we still cant reach the military spokespersons.

If the ban is meant for all [armed groups], we have to question it because local media have widely published reports about the peace process and referred to them according to the ranks that they use to describe themselves since 2011-12.

The peace process has received greater attention since 2011-12. With more and more instructions, we feel like we are being restricted. This is indirectly pressuring the media.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.
Commentary A Judicious Opportunity

Lawi Weng (standing, right) smiles and points to his handcuffs as he exits a prison transportation vehicle outside the Hsipaw Township courthouse on Friday. / Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy

HSIPAW, Shan State  The first thing that Irrawaddy journalist Lawi Weng said as he emerged from a prison van for the first session of his trial in the Hsipaw Township court was an enthusiastic Hi, all.

Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) reporters Ko Aye Nai and Ko Pyay Phone Naingalso detained in northern Shan State under the same charges of allegedly violating Article 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Actgave a thumbs-up to their awaiting family members, colleagues, and fellow reporters outside the courthouse.

Before the three men stepped out of the van in shackles, Lawi Weng pointed to his handcuffs and sarcastically declared with a laugh, This is what we get for being journalists. This is democracyour country is a democracy.

Thursdays court session marked the official start to the journalists trial, 32 days since their arrest by the Myanmar Army for making contact with the ethnic armed group the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) for a story. Since then, they have been in detention, marked by two arbitrary court appearances, held without the prior knowledge of family members or colleagues, and in which they were remanded to police custody.

As this session was open to the public, the courtroom was packed with members of the detainees families and legal teams. I was among the journalists that had to stand next to the windows outside in order to witness the trial, as there was no space for us inside.

The judge agreed to consider the defense lawyers request for bail, stating that he would rule on it during the next hearing, scheduled for Aug. 4.

At The Irrawaddy, fingers are crossed that it will be granted.

In the past, particularly under the former military regime, Myanmar courts rarely granted bail in cases where the defendants were accused of liaising with unlawful associations. The statute was largely used to prosecute pro-democracy activists, since the government had outlawed nearly any organization that worked on this cause. As a result, many detainees were handed the maximum three-year prison sentence.

The charges against Lawi Weng, Ko Aye Nai and Ko Pyay Phone Naing stem from a decision by the Shan State regional parliament in 2016 to label the TNLA a terrorist group; the three reporters were returning from covering a drug-burning ceremony in TNLA territory when they were arrested. However, since the Shan State parliamentary announcement was not followed by an executive order signed by President U Htin Kyaw confirming the organizations status, it is questionable whether the journalists can in fact be sentenced for liaising with the TNLA, as they were accused of doing.

Furthermore, the Myanmar Army affirmed that it would not put pressure on the judges handling the case and that the judiciary would be given space to decide upon a response that they rule is justifiable, according to the Myanmar Press Council, the body tasked with negotiating with the authorities.

State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi recently said, It is not for us to comment on how the various cases should be tried in court. Thats for the justice sector to take care of, when asked about the recent arrest of the three reporters.

Absent external intervention, the decision as to whether the journalists are guilty now falls solely on the judges, as they need not fear an outside party handing down verdicts already decided upon upstairs.

Perhaps most importantly, it is an opportunity for the judiciary to signal to Myanmars citizens that equality before the law may, as of yet, prevail, marking the dawning of an era that sees the rule of law resurrected.
Guest Column Myanmar Army Unnerves Ethnic Kachin

People displaced in the conflict between Kachin Independence Army and Myanmars military over the control of an amber mine are seen at a Christian church in Tanai Township on June 14, 2017. / Soe Zayar Tun / Reuters

The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) recently hosted a public meeting at its headquarters in Laiza from July 15-17, attended by an estimated 500 members of the Kachin public and 200 KIO representatives.

At the meeting, the KIOs Vice Chairman Gen NBan La revealed the organizations reasons for pulling away from the United Nationalities Federal Council and allying with the Wa-led Northern Alliance. He emphasized the future plans of the Federal Political Negotiation Coordination Committee (FPNCC) of the Northern Alliance in dealing with the Myanmar government and its military. Lt-Gen Gam Shawng, the Kachin Independence Armys chief of staff, and Col Zau Raw, the secretary of the Kachin Independence Council, followed by stressing the KIOs political goals.

According to these generals, the KIOs political goal is to form a federal Union based on the 1947 Panglong Agreement, which promised equal political rights to Myanmars ethnic nationality groups. Much of the Kachin public share the KIOs vision that a genuine federal political system could end the civil war and pave the way toward Myanmar being a more peaceful country.

Many Kachin peoplewho have bore the brunt of military violencefirmly believe that the Myanmar Armys perpetual offensives against the KIO are not a solution to achieving peace.

After the war between the KIA and the Myanmar Army resumed in 2011, following the breakdown of a longstanding ceasefire, there were an unprecedented number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) uprooted from Kachin communities, forced to abandon villages and properties. Many lost their lives.

In this crisis grew a more vocal desire for sustainable peace in the region, as opposed to a temporary ceasefire. The Kachin public and the KIO have been seeking a way to cease escalation of the conflict and pursue fruitful negotiations with the government and its military.

Members of the Kachin public voluntarily formed the Peace-talk Creation Group (PCG) and a Technical Advisory Team (TAT) to assist in discussions between the government and the KIO. Both the PCG and the TAT have put concerted efforts into mediating between the Burmese Army and the KIO, and assisted in several meetings for both sides. Unfortunately, their perseverance has not yet paid off.

Instead, armed conflict is intensifying in several areas, particularly in Kachin States Hpakant and Tanai, creating further displacement.

As a result of the conflict, a number of Kachin civilians have also been targeted by outdated laws, such as charges under Article 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act. After the war resumed in 2011, a number of such cases drew the attention of the media. One man, Lahtaw Brang Shawng was arrested in June 2012 from an IDP camp and, the following year, sentenced to two years in prison. Another, Lahpai Gam, was arrested the same month and was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. In November 2016, 49 young men and women from Putao were arrested after returning from a 25-day training program in Laiza on the cultivation of crops to substitute for opium; the course included sessions on fighting drug abuse, on furthering Kachin language and culture, and understanding democracy and federalism. After several months in detention, 48 people were released, but one remains imprisoned with a sentence of several years.

Due to battles in Mong Ko, northern Shan State, in late 2016, civilian property including warehouses, a school, a Catholic Church and more than 100 homes were bombed or destroyed. In the aftermath of the operation, two pastors from the Kachin Baptist Convention Dumdaw Nawng Latt and Lajaw Gam Sengwere arrested on December 24, 2016, allegedly for helping journalists report on the destruction of the church in the conflict.

During bouts of conflict, IDP camps in the border areas have reportedly been hit by artillery some, multiple timesforcing displaced people to flee yet again. For example, in April 2014, the IDP camp at Lagat Yangon the border between Shan and Kachin stateswas allegedly struck, and emptied of its 800 residents.

Many observers believe that these military strategies are intended to push the KIO/A toward signing the nationwide ceasefire agreement, or to disarm.

The arrest of civilians, the targeting of IDPs the pressure on the KIO by the Burmese Army does not help build a relationship between the government, its army, and the ethnic Kachin public. Instead, it caters to anti-Bamar resentment. In turn, the KIO boasts more widespread support from the Kachin public.

This is a prime moment in which trust could be built between the government, its military, and all of Myanmars ethnic minorities. The government should abolish Article 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act, which charges civilians under the suspicion of affiliating with ethnic armed groups. Inevitably, many ethnic nationality civilians must communicate with their areas respective armed groups, because the public drives these groups forward in the peace process and in shifting their political goals.

They also assist them in taking part in peace talks with the government and have, in the past, served as intermediaries. For example, Vice Snr-Gen Soe Win, the Tatmadaws deputy commander-in-chief, and other Generalsthe Commanders of the Bureau of Special Operations (1) and of the Northern Commandused to meet Kachin religious leaders and political parties and relay messages to the KIO. Even the State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi invited and met religious leaders from the Kachin Baptist Convention to Naypyitaw on July 24, 2017. If the government and its military charge such individuals under Article 17(1), it can hinder the countrys peace process and negate potential peace talks.

The government and the Myanmar Army should, therefore, shun strategies that undermine the peoples trust in them and their peace initiatives. Instead, they should accelerate the momentum of the peace process so as to build the federal Union which groups like the Kachin have long hoped for. Absent such changes, the Kachin public is likely to lose confidence in the government and its military, making it all the more difficult for any peace process to succeed under these flawed circumstances.

Joe Kumbun is the pseudonym of a Kachin State-based contributor.
Specials Our Fight For Press Freedom

Illustration entitled Rebellious Reporters by Harn Lay for The Irrawaddy.

As we believe in a free press, it has been our mission since the beginning to protect and preserve press freedom and develop an independent media free from bias and influence.

Over the course of 25 years, The Irrawaddy has been at the forefront of lobbying for freedomoutside and inside the countryfor the Fourth Estate in Myanmar.

We have persistently challenged successive governments from the former military regime to U Thein Seins quasi-civilian government to the current Daw Aung San Suu Kyi-led National League for Democracy administrationas an independent monitor of power and are continuing to do so.

But do not be mistaken in thinking Myanmar today enjoys a free press. Anybody who says so will be seriously insulting the four journalists, including our reporter Lawi Weng, who have been detained by the countrys military for their commitment to the truth.

With the media under attack in Myanmar, here is a collection of our stories on press freedom.

OPINION

A Day of Disgrace for Myanmars Already Tarnished Police Force

Neither the Home Affairs Minister nor the President can afford to ignore allegations that police hatched a plot to frame two journalists

Reporters in Handcuffs: An Emblem for Our Times

Myanmars democracy has entered a dark new period with the prosecution of journalists for doing their job.

Press Freedom and the Invisible Line

Do we have press freedom in Myanmar? Yes, we do, but with an invisible line. When you touch or cross it, youre finished.

The Crackdown on the Media Must Stop

The recent arrest of two Reuters journalists under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act clearly demonstrates an attack on press freedom.

A Matter of Conscience

The fate of three detained journalists depends upon the ruling of a judge who maintains he is under no pressure from the military.

Fitting a Round Peg into a Square Hole

Defendants attest that charging journalists for unlawful association for doing their jobs is simply wrong.

A Judicious Opportunity

The decision as to whether the three detained journalists, including The Irrawaddys Lawi Weng, are guilty now falls solely on the judges.

Journalists Case to Test Judiciary

The upcoming court appearance will be a trial in which we see whether the court will act independently without being influenced or intimidated by anyone.

The Militarys Offensive Against the Media

Journalists are under attack and press freedom is in jeopardy, writes Kyaw Zwa Moe.

Defending Lawi Weng

The arrest of Lawi Weng and the DVB reporters demonstrates that Myanmar remains an unsafe place for journalists to work, writes Aung Zaw.

Open Letter to the State Counselor

Building peace and a federal democratic system are understandable priorities, but another matter too requires urgent attention, writes Kyaw Zwa Moe.

NLD Govt Must Live up to Its Manifesto on Press Freedom

Until Burma is free from state-owned media and laws like Article 66(d), neither journalists nor citizens can freely honor World Press Freedom Day.

Analysis: Burmas Military Remains Intolerant of Press Freedom

Recent incidents highlight the militarys wariness of press freedom, fearing a negative portrayal of its institution.

A Note From the Newsroom on World Press Freedom Day

On World Press Freedom Day, we laud great progress but note that true freedom of the press has yet to be achieved in Burma.

Back to Square One for Press Freedom in Burma

A harsh sentence handed down to journalists for reporting on an alleged chemical weapons factory serves as a reminder that Burma is still an enemy of the press.

Press Freedom Is Not a Gift

Burmas government has created more space for journalists to do their work, but its mindset remains as narrow as ever.

Burmas Media Landscape: Better, but Still Far from Free

Despite recent reforms, Burma remains one of the most restricted countries in the world in terms of press freedoms.

Time for Media to Seize Freedom

The notorious censorship board is still chopping subjects which it judges are inappropriate and even banning journals from printing.

BurmaMedia versus Minitrue

Burmas media continues to be governed by authoritarian censorship regulations despite the looming creation of a new Press Council.

How Much Freedom Does Burmese Media Enjoy?

Since coming into power, President Thein Sein has mentioned the importance of the fourth pillar in society and revealed that both he and his office follow media reports in and outside of Burma.

IN PERSON

Satirist Feels Restraint After Recent Arrest

The Irrawaddy speaks with the columnist chargedand then releasedunder Article 66(d) about his arrest, self-censorship, and current writing.

Dateline Irrawaddy: Telecoms Law Must be Amended to Serve Its Intent

The Irrawaddy discusses the new proposed draft of the Telecommunications Law, the controversial Article 66(d) and recent arrests of journalists.

Legal Expert: Press Council Must Defend Detained Journalists

Myanmar Press Council must stand with reporters if they are to escape unlawful association charges, says Media Law consultant U Khin Maung Myint.

Ma Thida: Fear Makes People Fierce

Writer Ma Thida discusses collective fears in present day Burma: how they manifest, how they cause harm, and how they must be faced.

Incoming Info Minister Pe Myint: I Will Ensure Press Freedom

The Irrawaddy tracks down the incoming cabinet member in Naypyitaw to discuss press freedom and prospects for Myanmars state-owned and private media.

Press Freedom, With Limits

Myanmars journalism scene is opening up, but after speaking with reporters in Yangon, media watchdog Shawn Crispin sees cause for concern.

Will Aung Kyi Defend Press Freedom?

Myanmars new information minister is known to be moderate and most of the countrys journalists are cautiously optimistic about his appointment.

SPECIALS

Reuters Case Timeline

The Irrawaddy looks back at the major developments in the case of Reuters reporters Ko Wa Lone and Ko Kyaw Soe Oo since their arrest on Dec. 12.

Timeline: Journalists Under Attack

A total of 11 journalists have now been arrested in Myanmar this year for defamation and other alleged crimes under the countrys repressive laws.

In Sketches: Myanmars Challenging Media Landscape

A series of cartoons by The Irrawaddy from 2014 to 2017 reflect media milestones and hardships.

Interactive Timeline: Press Freedom Under Attack

Explore the publications currently being threatened in Myanmars courts.

WOMEN

Women Journalists Say Access to Information More Challenging Under NLD

Women in News summit also calls attention to lack of safeguards against harassment of female reporters in the field and in the newsroom

NEWS

Journalists Say Press Freedom Declining in Myanmar

Lawsuits by government, military having chilling effect on reporters, survey results find

Advocates: NLD Govt Has Failed to Advance Press Freedom

Advocates from 14 local organizations issue an assessment report on freedom of expression in Myanmar, one year into the NLDs leadership.
A small South African company is trying to expand the use of its low-code platform, which is used to create Web services, to Europe and the US.

Linx is registered in Mauritius for IP reasons, the company's marketing director Anthony Morris told iTWire. The company's product, known by the same name, is written in C# and hence works only on Windows.

Morris said there were no direct competitors to Linx. "There are other low-code platforms in the market but many are enterprise (Mendix, Outsystems) or no-code or limited integration products like Zapier," he said.

"Linx is different in that it mixes both EAI (enterprise application integration), ETL (extract, transform, load) and BPM (business process management) features in one. If I had to choose a similar type of product, Automation Anywhere is a good fit, but it lacks the integration capabilities and visual environment provided by Linx."

Morris said low-code development platforms were designed to help businesses integrate and automate processes without writing reams of code. "The goal is to eliminate the time-consuming drudgery of rewriting code each time you wish to do something relatively simple like publish a web service, extract data, schedule an automated task, parse CSV files etc."

Compared to the average integrated development environment, he said Linx offered visually oriented drag-and-drop development rather than classical programming and prebuilt/precoded plugins. "These provide the user with speed and accuracy, reliability and ease of (code) maintenance."

The company has 12 staff and hires freelancers as need to work in its offices both in Mauritius and in South Africa.

Morris said Linx already had a good presence in Southern Africa (especially in the financial markets) but wanted to expand to Europe and the US.

"We have already seen some great application of the product in the US  everything from financial players to 911 dispatch centers are using it," he added.

Linx is available for free download and support is available at a fee.
The failure of Windows Phone was avoidable, but Microsoft's culture made it inevitable, according to a former Apple chief executive, Jean-Louis Gassee.

Gassee, who was the head of Apple France in the 1990s and became the chief of Apple USA after the late Steve Jobs was forced out in the same decade, said while many analysts were inclined to point to Android as the cause for the Windows Phone failure  Microsoft's latest results had one line about its phone division: Phone revenue was immaterial and declined $361M.  it was the culture at Redmond that cause the phone project to fail.

"This (the failure) doesnt come as a surprise," he said. "Despite Microsofts strenuous efforts to breathe life into its smartphone platform and devices, Windows Phone had been on an inexorable downward slope for several years."

He pointed out that in September 2010, Microsoft employees had held what was described as a tacky funeral for the iPhone and the Blackberry handset. "One wonders how they'll memorialise Windows Phone," he added.

Those who blamed Android for the demise of Windows Phone argued that Windows money-making software licensing business could not compete against a free and open source platform.

Former Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer reacts to news of the iPhone launch.

But Gassee said that those who advanced this argument were off the mark.

"Microsofts smartphone troubles started well before the birth of Android," he said. "In a reversal of the famous dictum Victory Has Many Fathers But Defeat Is An Orphan, Windows Phones collapse seems to have had many progenitors deeply embedded in the companys decades-old culture."

Gassee advanced a hypothetical scenario in which Microsoft made its phone platform free; given that it had much better connections to hardware OEMs and software developers at the time, use would have spread among both business and other consumers.

"By offering the Windows Phone platform free, the company sacrifices licensing revenue, but this unnatural act is more than compensated for by the expansion of the Windows ecosystem," he said, continuing with his hypothetical situation. "Windows PCs become more attractive, more compatible with the outpouring of mobile devices and applications created by enthusiastic hardware makers and eager app developers."

Microsoft's reach and might would have made the free Windows Phone an unbeatable proposition and when Android was unveiled in 2007 and the first G1 from HTC in 2008, both would have been unable to compete with Microsoft's ecosystem, he said.

Jean-Louis Gassee: "Windows Phones collapse seems to have had many progenitors deeply embedded in the companys decades-old culture."

But in the real world, Microsoft made a series of bad decisions due to the culture that was entrenched within its ranks.

Gassee said Microsoft was hampered by its success. "When smartphone trouble started, Microsoft was at the height of its power. ... it knew it owned the magic formula. Look at our numbers!", he said, noting that Nokia and RIM/Blackberry were similarly blinded by their success.

The orthodoxy at Redmond placed the PC at the centre of the universe and when smartphones took centrestage, the company blocked out talk of a post-PC world, treating smartphones and tablets as "companion devices".

While Microsoft treated these devices as a sideshow, both Google and Apple made strides ahead with mobile operating systems that were superior to Windows Mobile, which was a descendant of Windows CE, Gassee said.

Windows Mobile became the modern Windows Phone only in 2011 or 2012 and it was far too late: licensees were not lining up and the platform was on life support.

Gassee said Microsoft had then tried a couple of desperate moves - first, a licensing deal with Nokia which led to the successful Finnish phone maker effectively killing its own line and announcing a new line of Windows Phone devices.

The licensing deal sent a number of wrong messages, he said. "First, it admits defeat, Microsoft had to 'buy' the Nokia licensing deal. Second, its woefully late in the smartphone war, four years after the birth of the iPhone, three years after the first Android phone.

"And, third, instead of enticing handset makers to sign a licence because mighty Nokia proves the platforms strength, would-be partners feel they cant compete while paying for a Windows Phone licence that is effectively free to a big competitor."

Once Nokia announced it would be making Windows Phone devices, the company line of Symbian devices collapsed, something Gassee said was described as the Osborne effect.

In 2013, Microsoft bought Nokia because the situation of the latter had become really bad. But all this resulted in was a writeoff of US$7.6 billion in 2015 and the laying off of 7800 employees mostly in Microsoft's phone business.

"We know who/what killed Windows Phone, and its not Android," Gassee said. "We could point fingers at one or more Microsoft executives as the culprits, but that misses the point: Microsoft culture did it.

"Culture is dangerous; under our field of consciousness, it sneakily filters and shapes perceptions, its a system of permissions to emote, think, speak, and do."
A 37-year-old man from Seattle has been arrested in connection with distributed denial of service attacks on businesses in Australia, the US and Canada.

The arrest follows a joint 2-year investigation by the Australian Federal Police, the FBI and the Toronto Police Department, the AFP said in a statement on Friday.

The DDoS attacks took place in 2015 and many of the businesses were contacted by an individual who made unspecified demands from them.

The man was arrested on Wednesday US time. He is now in custody after appearing in the US District Court for the State of Washington in Seattle.

AFP manager Cyber Crime Operations, Commander David McLean, said the arrest was an indication of the close working relationships Australia had with other countries.

This is a timely reminder to cyber criminals that international law enforcement is a team sport. Our ability and willingness to work together at a distance and across borders has never been greater, he said.

I would like to thank our international partners for their co-operation as well as for their patience and persistence in bringing about this result.

"I would also like to acknowledge the companies who were victims of the attacks for their ongoing co-operation.
NBN Co chief executive Bill Morrow has put the onus for slow speeds on consumers, telling ABC interviewers this morning that people needed to find out what speed tier they were on before complaining that they were getting slower speeds than their former ADSL connections.

Morrow appeared on both News 24 and the AM programmes ahead of an advertising campaign by the NBN Co to educate Australians about the way the network functions.

Asked by AM presenter Sabra Lane what he was doing about the fact that about 15% of those who were hooked up to the NBN were unhappy with the service and this meant there would be thousands of potential angry voters at the next election, Morrow responded: "Well, politics is not necessarily my responsibility, nor for my interest.

"What I am interested in is making sure that everybody has a good experience when they're using their fast broadband services. We work with the telephone and the internet companies to be sure that it's an end-to-end seamless solution but it doesn't always go that way.

"And so we know some people aren't getting the service that they need and that they deserve and we're working on the improvements for that."

Morrow said he had no fear that the technology being used to build the network would be obsolete before the rollout was complete.

He said he had seen the way technology changed many times in the past and had no fear about any changes that would have to be made in future. "I'm not concerned at all. I've been around technology for 40 years. It continues to evolve. It moves fast. It's a wonderful thing," he said.

Morrow was asked why he did not name and shame the slow service providers. He responded that it would be bad business as the telephone and Internet companies were the NBN Co's customers.

"The other thing that I would say is that part of the model that was designed back in 2009 was that each individual telephone and Internet company can come up with a different plan," he said.

"So it may be that I have the lowest possible plan. I've seen $29 plans out there, for an example, that just for the budget-conscious or somebody that doesn't need a whole lot of internet speed capability. And therefore you may slow down and therefore that value to the service offering is appropriate.

"And again, this is why I come back to: what is it that you need in your home? And then have a discussion with the various different service providers about how they can meet that need."

When Lane asked him whether he expected to be around when the rollout was completed in 2020, Morrow replied in the affirmative. The NBN chief, who is on a 457 visa, has, in the past, expressed nervousness that he could be forced to leave the country before the rollout is complete.

"I hope so. I mean, I quite frankly think that's up to other people," Morrow said. "We work hard. I believe in what this is. We're doing an employee roadshow. I was just with 2000 of our Sydney employees yesterday explaining that what this really means to a nation when we get to the end of this.

"We will fall on the right side of history. This will be monumental: that will fall along the lines of the Snowy Mountain Scheme, of building even Parliament in Canberra or the Opera House or the Sydney Harbour Bridge: so many of these things that stand out as icons for the country.

"I really believe that the NBN is going to be a part of that and I'm just so excited to have a little bit of a role within it."

On News 24, Morrow said the number of complaints as a percentage of the numbers connected had fallen. He made this statement when host Virginia Trioli pointed out that even as the rollout had covered half the residences that needed to be connected, the number of complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman had gone up by a bigger margin.

Trioli and fellow host Michael Rowland read out a number of user comments which had been sent in, some positive, but most negative.

To this Morrow said one of the big problems with consumer complaints about speed  many people who have taken up connections have complained that they are now experiencing slower speeds than they did on their old ADSL connections  was that people did not know what speed tier they were on.

He suggested that consumers should have a chat with service providers about the speeds available and their needs  what they were planning to use the Internet for  and shop around in order to take a plan that provided speeds that met their needs.
Lehr Team Discovers 3 New Species of Tiny Frogs in Peru

July 27, 2017

BLOOMINGTON, Ill.An Illinois Wesleyan biologist and his colleagues have discovered three more frog species in the Peruvian Andes, raising the total to 95 species that Edgar Lehr and co-authors have described from Peru, Ecuador and Vietnam.

Their discovery was featured in National Geographic .

The three latest species are among five that the group has found in a remote protected forest since 2012. Described in a paper published online July 27 in the journal Zootaxa, with Lehr as the first author, the frogs live in the mountain forests and Andean grasslands of the Pui Pui Protected Forest in central Peru.

Our findings suggest that the Pui Pui Protected Forest houses unique biological communities containing species found nowhere else, Lehr said. One reason for this is that the area has a steep topographic gradient including a broad array of habitats and local microclimates that contribute to high amphibian species diversity.

All three species measure an inch or less in length. They belong to the genus Pristimantis, the most diverse genus of frogs in the tropical Andes, and are part of the family Craugastoridae, commonly known as land-breeding or terrestrial-breeding frogs.

The Hill Dweller Rubber Frog, Pristimantis bounides

While most frogs lay eggs in water, terrestrial-breeding frogs use a specialized reproductive mode called direct development: A clutch of embryos hatches directly into froglets; there are no free-living tadpoles. This allows the group to exploit a wide variety of habitats, as long as those locations contain sufficient moisture.

Terrestrial-breeding frogs appear to have undergone an evolutionary radiation at high elevations in Peru, as many species resemble one another and have similar life histories. A so-called adaptive radiation occurs when a single ancestral group produces many descendant species adapted to different habitats and ways of life.

The frog species bear the name of the Pui Pui park, the mountain-forest habitat in the park, and a renowned naturalist-explorer. They are:

The Pui Pui Rubber Frog, Pristimantis puipui, known from a single site near Laguna Sinchon, which marks the approximate center of the Pui Pui Protected Forest, at an elevation of 12,762 feet above sea level. The species name is derived from the Quechua words pui pui meaning eyes of water, a reference to the many lakes of the Pui Pui Protected Forest.

The Hill Dweller Rubber Frog, Pristimantis bounides, known from two sites at elevations of 10,991 feet and 11,362 feet. The species name bounides is derived from the Greek noun bounos, which means dweller of the hills and refers to the habitat of the mountain forests where this frog was found.

The Humboldts Rubber Frog, Pristimantis humboldti, known from a single site at 10,886 feet. The species name is the patronym of the German naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt, who traveled the New World between 1799 and 1804 and whose ideas changed our understanding of the world.

Earlier this year, the researchers described two other new species of Peruvian frogs, Pristimantis ashaninka and Pristimantis attenboroughi. The first was named after the Ashaninka, a group of indigenous people from the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon, some of whom live near Pui Pui. The second species was named after BBC naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough.

Humboldts Rubber Frog, Pristimantis humboldti

Future papers by the group will describe five more newly discovered species from Pui Pui: three frogs and two lizards.

The Pui Pui Protected Forest covers 150,000 acres and includes dozens of lakes and streams that feed several rivers in the upper Amazon River watershed. About 70 percent of the protected forest is covered by Andean grasslands, and about 30 percent is cloud forest.

Lehr first discussed the possibility of exploring the Pui Pui in 2003 with Rudolf von May, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Michigan. In early 2012, Lehr received funding from the National Geographic Society to survey the area, and they carried out the first expeditions that year.

Two other herpetologists joined subsequent trips: Jiri Moravec of the National History Museum in Prague, Czech Republic, and Juan Carlos Cusi of the Museum of Natural History of Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Lima, Peru.

Altogether, the team spent nearly three months in the field between 2012 and 2014, in a region where mountains taller than 13,000 feet are common.

The Pui Pui Rubber Frog, Pristimantis puipui

Most of the frogs were discovered by searching through moss and grass and under rocks, small bushes and other vegetation. In some cases, the researchers found frogs after hearing the males calling during light afternoon or evening rains.

Given that the newly discovered frog species live in the Pui Pui Protected Forest, much of their habitat is formally protected. However, amphibians worldwide face multiple threatsincluding habitat loss, the deadly chytrid skin fungus and climate changeand Andean amphibians are no exception.

In the Peruvian Andes, habitat loss is currently the main threat. Of special concern are forest clearcuttings and manmade fires used to expand agricultural crops and grazing areas for livestock.

Worldwide, the number of known amphibian species continues to rise due to new discoveries and now stands at nearly 7,700.

The Pui Pui Protected Forest study received financial support from the National Geographic Society and the National Science Foundation. Research permits and logistical support were provided by Perus national park service, the Servicio Nacional de Areas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado.
VANCOUVER, July 27, 2017 /CNW/ - Eldorado Gold Corporation, ("Eldorado" or "the Company") today reported the Company's financial and operational results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017.

Second Quarter Financial and Operational Highlights

Profit of $11.2 million ( $0.02 per share) , compared to a loss of $329.9 million ( $0.46 per share) in the second quarter of 2016 (which included $339.0 million loss on re-measurement of Chinese assets). Adjusted net earnings of $6.3 million ( $0.01 per share) compared to an adjusted net earnings of $11.7 million ( $0.01 per share) in the second quarter of 2016.

, compared to a loss of ( per share) in the second quarter of 2016 (which included loss on re-measurement of Chinese assets). compared to an adjusted net earnings of ( per share) in the second quarter of 2016. Gold production of 63,692 ounces, (including pre-commercial production).

(including pre-commercial production). Gold revenues of $72.2 million on sales of 57,206 ounces of gold at an average realized gold price of $1,262 per ounce.

on sales of 57,206 ounces of gold at an All-in sustaining cash costs averaged $846 per ounce.

averaged Cash operating costs averaged $484 per ounce; compared to 2017 guidance of $485-535 per ounce.

compared to 2017 guidance of per ounce. Total liquidity of approximately $1.0 billion , including $752.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and term deposits, and $250 million in undrawn lines of credit at quarter end. Cash, cash equivalents and term deposits after payment for the acquisition of Integra was $609.3 million .

, including in cash, cash equivalents and term deposits, and in undrawn lines of credit at quarter end. Cash, cash equivalents and term deposits after payment for the acquisition of Integra was . Olympias Phase II commissioning continued and commercial production is now expected by the end of 2017.

and commercial production is now expected by the end of 2017. Announced the definitive agreement with Integra Gold Corp. to acquire all of issued and outstanding common shares, not already owned by the Company, by way of a plan of arrangement; transaction closed post-quarter end .

to acquire all of issued and outstanding common shares, not already owned by the Company, by way of a plan of arrangement; . Construction at Skouries continued , with production now targeted for 2020.

, with production now targeted for 2020. George Burns assumed the role of President & Chief Executive Officer on April 28, 2017 .

"It was an eventful second quarter with site tours to Greece to demonstrate our continued progression of development and news of the Integra acquisition," said George Burns, Eldorado's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Commissioning at Olympias continues, although we now expect to declare commercial production by the end of 2017. Skouries development is progressing as we continue to endeavour to work with the Greek government to advance this key project. News of ounce recovery deferral at Kisladag was unexpected, however the operations and engineering groups have implemented corrections to solution chemistry that are expected to achieve normal recovery rates."

"I am pleased that the Integra acquisition has closed. We proudly welcomed our new employees in Quebec to our team earlier this month and we look forward to expanding our production base within this highly prospective region going forward."

Summarized Financial Results

Continuing Operations ($ millions except as noted) 3 months ended June 30, 6 months ended June 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Revenues 82.7 107.1 194.6 201.8 Gold revenues 72.2 98.3 162.7 188.8 Gold sold (ounces) 57,206 77,623 131,274 152,606 Average realized gold price ($/ounce) 1,262 1,267 1,240 1,237 Cash operating costs  gold mines ($/ounce) 484 490 474 504 Total cash costs  gold mines ($/ounce) 502 505 492 521 Gross profit from gold mining operations 28.1 41.4 65.1 73.5 Cash flow from operating activities 1 16.9 29.6 45.1 38.0 Including Discontinued Operations 3 months ended June 30, 6 months ended June 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Revenues 82.7 171.5 194.6 335.7 Gold revenues 72.2 162.7 162.7 322.6 Gold sold (ounces) 57,206 128,090 131,274 261,557 Average realized gold price ($/ounce) 1,262 1,270 1,240 1,233 Cash operating costs  gold mines ($/ounce) 484 607 474 605 Total cash costs  gold mines ($/ounce) 502 650 492 654 All-in sustaining cash cost  gold mines ($/ounce) 846 933 826 908 Gross profit from gold mining operations 28.1 55.5 65.1 96.6 Adjusted net earnings 6.3 11.7 16.7 11.0 Net profit (loss) 2 11.2 (329.9) 15.0 (332.3) Earnings (loss) per share  basic ($/share) 2 0.02 (0.46) 0.02 (0.46) Earnings (loss) per share  diluted ($/share) 2 0.02 (0.46) 0.02 (0.46)

(1) Before changes in non-cash working capital. (2) Attributable to shareholders of the Company.

Review of Quarterly Financial Results

Profit attributable to shareholders of the Company for the second quarter of 2017 was $11.2 million, ($0.02 per share), compared to a loss of $329.9 million, ($0.46 per share) in the second quarter of 2016 (which included $339.0 million loss on re-measurement of Chinese assets). Adjusted net earnings for the quarter were $6.3 million ($0.01 per share) as compared to an adjusted net earnings of $11.7 million ($0.01 per share) for the second quarter of 2016. The main difference between profit and adjusted net earnings in the second quarter of 2017 was the fluctuation on foreign exchange translation of deferred income tax balances in Turkey, Greece and Brazil.

Gold sales of 57,206 ounces and gross profit from continuing operations were lower year over year due to lower production and sales at Kisladag and shipping delays at Efemcukuru. General and administrative expenses increased $0.8 million year over year due to reorganization costs in Vancouver and Greece. Exploration expense increased $3.8 million including $1.6 million related to exploration activities at Stratoni. Mine standby costs of $1.3 million were recorded in the second quarter of 2017 related to Vila Nova, Perama Hill and Skouries underground development.

Second Quarter Review and 2017 Outlook

TURKEY

Kisladag

Kisladag reported gold production of 38,456 ounces for the quarter, down 23% year over year. Reduced solution grades resulted from continued slow leaching of higher pad stack heights and increased cyanide requirements.

During the quarter, the placement of estimated recoverable gold on the leach pad proceeded as planned, however, gold solution grade and consequently gold recovery from the leach pad lagged internal expectations throughout the quarter. Recent laboratory results, where solution chemistry was adjusted, have indicated normal recovery rates can still be expected. More time is now required to adjust the overall pad solution chemistry and allow solution to flow through the leach pad. With the current stack height being approximately 80 metres at the highest point, vertical flow rates are approximately one metre per day.

Sustaining capital expenditures of $4.9 million included a $1.5 million reimbursement for the handing over of the completed 154kV power transmission line to local authorities as part of the original development agreement.

Efemcukuru

Gold production of 23,184 ounces for the quarter was in-line year over year. Total gold ounces sold of 18,754 were lower due to a religious holiday in Turkey. Cash operating costs of $525 per ounce were higher year over year due to lower mined grades. Capital expenditures of $5.6 million included underground development, mine equipment overhauls and process and waste rock/tailings facilities construction projects.

GREECE

Stratoni

Concentrate production of 10,157 tonnes for the second quarter was lower year over year due to a reduction in ore tonnes processed and slightly lower mined grades (6.1% Pb, 9.4% Zn, 159 g/t Ag). The expected reduced grade and tonnage performance reflects the continuing depletion of the current mineable ore reserves remaining at the Mavres Petres mine.

Olympias

Olympias Phase II was substantially completed during the quarter. Wet commissioning of the plant began in early May. The plant operated under commissioning control through the remainder of the month and under operations control for trial production in June. Gold production of 2,052 ounces for the quarter is considered pre-commercial. Commissioning is progressing well, with lead/silver, zinc and gold concentrates being moved into market, however a bottleneck in the tailings filtration stage is limiting capacity to approximately 60% of design throughput. An engineering solution is being advanced and is expected to be implemented during the third quarter. Commercial production is now expected by the end of the year.

Capital spending for the quarter at Olympias was $27.1 million, with the majority deployed for continued underground development and rehabilitation in the Olympias underground, construction of the Phase II plant and construction works in the Kokkinolakkas tailings management facility.

Due to this slower than expected start-up, 2017 guidance at Olympias has been reduced from 40,000 to 50,000 ounces to 20,000 to 30,000 ounces.

Skouries

Work continued in the second quarter with the onset of better weather conditions. Building erection work commenced with key covered storage in place by quarter end. Tree clearing in the tailings dam area began along with continued construction of the access road through the base of the dam, as well as enabling works that are key for the start of the tailings embankment construction. Earthworks also continued on the tailings thickener foundations and the stockpile dome embankments, with both close to final grade by quarter end.

Total capital expenditure for the quarter was $18.6 million. Capital expenditure continues to lag behind expectations and it is now estimated that $80-$90 million will be spent in 2017 compared to the originally estimated $170-$200 million. Delays in capital expenditure are attributable to the slower start to the year in combination with ongoing delays in the granting of required permits by the Greek government to enable ramp-up in construction activities. Production is now targeted for 2020.

Perama Hill

The project remains on care and maintenance pending receipt of the Environmental Impact Study permit.

BRAZIL

Tocantinzinho

The installation licence for the site was issued by the Para State Government during the quarter, however the road and power line licence applications are still under review. Basic engineering is largely complete for the process plant and detailed infrastructure engineering was completed during the second quarter. Work continued on the detailed design required for tailings and solution pond permit applications and all permit approvals are expected during the first quarter of 2018.

A total of $2.5 million was spent during the quarter.

ROMANIA

Certej

Engineering and design work continued in order to support the permitting of the oxidative process, tailings and waste management facilities. Optimization studies were completed on the metallurgical process. Tailings and waste management studies continued with a selection of an optimum tailings pond and waste dump location from a short list of suitable locations. Permitting level designs will be completed based on the selected option. Engineering and permitting for offsite infrastructure continued with work progressing on the main power line, mine access road, water tanks and water supply pipeline.

A total of $4.2 million was spent during the quarter.

Integra Acquisition

During the quarter, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement with Integra Gold Corp. to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares that the Company did not already own by way of a plan of arrangement. ("Arrangement"). Pursuant to the Arrangement, Integra shareholders collectively received, for all the issued common shares of Integra that Eldorado did not already own, approximately CAD$129 million cash and 77 million common shares of Eldorado (representing approximately 10% of the total issued common shares of Eldorado, post-completion of the Arrangement). Total consideration was approximately $360 million, inclusive of Integra shares held by Eldorado. The Arrangement was successfully completed on July 10, 2017.

Project Overview

The principal asset is the Lamaque project near Val-d'Or, Quebec. A Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) was completed in February 2017 that envisioned a high-grade underground operation producing 123,000 ounces of gold per year for over 10 years at all-in sustaining costs of US$634 per ounce. Lamaque hosts a NI 43-101 Indicated Resource of 5.1 million tonnes at a grade of 9.13 grams per tonne gold and an Inferred Resource of 3.5 million tonnes at a grade of 7.94 grams per tonne gold (at a 5.0 gram per tonne gold cut-off). The Company is currently in the process of advancing underground ramp development to facilitate underground exploration and collection of a bulk sample by year end. To date, the underground ramp has progressed over 1,135 metres and the bulk sample has been initiated with over 5,107 tonnes collected to date.

Exploration

The Company will continue to expand exploration of the Lamaque project area, building on the experience and knowledge of the Quebec team gained from the discovery and exploration of the Triangle deposit. Drilling planned for the second half of 2017 includes testing of new exploration targets in the project area, step-out drilling on recent high-grade drill intercepts not yet correlated with known mineralized structures, and additional drilling at the Triangle deposit on extensions of the C5 and C7 mineralized zones. Additional project upside is being outlined through ongoing property-scale targeting studies that integrates the extensive historical exploration and mining data for the project area with new geophysical survey data and our enhanced understanding of controls on gold mineralization.

Updated Technical Study & Resource

The current PEA, based on the Triangle Resource from November 2016, does not incorporate the latest Triangle Resource (March 2017) or the 110,000 plus metres of additional drilling that supported the March 2017 resource model. This and ongoing drilling has shown increased overall confidence in the Triangle Resource and a positive trend of better grades and thicknesses, particularly in the shallower portions of the deposit. A technical study is currently underway which will include not only the data supporting the March 2017 model but also information from a further 60,000 metres of drilling. The study will optimize the PEA for capital and operating costs to a pre-feasibility level of confidence and is expected to confirm maiden reserves for Triangle deposit in the first quarter of 2018.

Exploration Review

During the second quarter the Company completed 21,650 metres of exploration drilling at the Company's exploration projects and mines. Exploration expenditures for the quarter totaled $8.6 million.

Turkey

At Efemcukuru, the 2017 program includes delineation drilling on the Kestane Beleni vein, drill-testing exploration targets within the central parts of the Kokarpinar vein system and identifying and testing new targets outside of these two main vein systems. Delineation drilling of 5,564 metres was completed during the second quarter at Kestane Beleni on Inferred Resource zones in the south and middle ore shoots and Kestane Beleni northwest areas, for a 2017 drilling total of 8,173 metres. The results are positive, with numerous intercepts yielding higher gold grades than previously modelled.

At Kokarpinar, the first three drillholes of the 2017 program were completed. All intersected thick vein intervals at shallow levels with textural and mineralogical characteristics similar to high-grade veins at Kestane Beleni and from other parts of the Kokarpinar vein. Assay results are pending.

Exploration elsewhere in Turkey included reconnaissance programs in the western part of the country, evaluating the potential for epithermal and porphyry systems associated with Tertiary volcanic centers.

Romania

In the Certej district, exploration during the quarter focused on the Bolcana and Sacaramb projects. At Bolcana, 9,295 metres were drilled in six drillholes, bringing the 2017 drilling total to 13,394 metres. Many of these holes were collared on the margins of the porphyry system and oriented such that they tested the porphyry system at depth. Initial results confirm that strong mineralization in the system continues to depth and that the deposit footprint extends further to the west than was previously assumed.

Six drill rigs are currently active at the project, testing the continuity of these zones at shallower levels of the system. A total of 22,000 metres of drilling is planned for the Bolcana project in 2017.

Serbia

Exploration during the quarter focused on the KMC project, where 7,393 metres of diamond drilling were completed at the Shanac, Copper Canyon, and Gradina prospects. At Shanac, seven drillholes tested the extent of the gold-rich magnetite skarn defined in the 2016 drilling program, intersecting similar grades and thicknesses to those previously encountered. Drilling is now testing extensions to high-grade zones at Copper Canyon and Gradina, as well as new targets on the property.

Greece

At the Stratoni mine, nine underground drillholes were completed during the second quarter testing the lower portion of the Mavres Petres orebody. These drillholes include both delineation holes designed to convert existing Inferred Resources and down-dip stepouts designed to identify new resources. Most delineation drillholes have intersected ore thicknesses greater than those predicted by the resource model, while the stepout holes have demonstrated downdip continuity of the orebody.

The first two drillholes of the 2017 program at the early-stage Tsikara porphyry prospect were completed, testing soil geochemical and geophysical anomalies associated with breccia and intrusive contact zones. Only weakly mineralized zones have been intersected and an additional four drillholes on other nearby targets remain in the planned program.

2017 Outlook

In 2017 Eldorado expects to produce 290,000  340,000 ounces of gold, including pre-commercial ounces from Olympias Phase II. Cash costs are forecasted at $500 per ounce, with all-in sustaining cash costs expected to be approximately $900 per ounce.

In early June, the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy ("the Ministry") issued a press release indicating it had requested the Greek Council of State to take preparatory steps to initiate arbitration proceedings with the Company, however provided no specific or additional details. The Company has not yet received arbitration notice, but if initiated the arbitration process could take a minimum of four months. Meanwhile, permits applied for remain unissued and the 2017 guidance on Skouries capital spending and start-up has been revised accordingly. The Company continues to evaluate all capital spending and development timelines at its projects in Greece.

As at June 30, 2017, the Company's balance sheet remains strong, with $752 million in cash, cash equivalents and term deposits and $250 million in undrawn credit lines. Cash, cash equivalents and term deposits after payment for the acquisition of Integra was $609.3 million. Sustaining capital for gold mining operations in 2017 is estimated to be approximately $70 million. Based on current plans, expenditures for project development are being revised downwards to $225 million. Exploration expenditure guidance for 2017 remains at $35 million, with a balanced focus on resource delineation and brownfield drilling at existing operations, advancing early-stage projects and project generation.

Corporate

After the Annual General Meeting on April 27, 2017. Mr. George Burns succeeded Mr. Paul Wright as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Burns also joined Eldorado's Board of Directors.

Dividend

In line with terms and Conditions of the Company's Dividend Policy, where no dividend is paid on a realized gold price under $1,250 for gold sold in the prior six months, the Company will suspend the cash payment of its semi-annual dividend effective the third quarter of 2017. The realized price by the Company on gold sold during the first half of 2017 was $1,240.

Conference Call

A conference call to discuss the details of the Company's 2017 Second Quarter Results will be held by senior management on July 28, 2017 at 8:30 AM PT (11:30 AM ET). The call will be webcast and can be accessed at Eldorado Gold's website: www.eldoradogold.com

Conference Call Details Replay (available until August 14, 2017) Date: Friday, July 28, 2017 Toronto: 416 849 0833 Time: 8:30 am PT (11:30 am ET) Toll Free: 855 859 2056 Dial in: 647 427 7450 Pass code: 4708 3663 Toll free: 888 231 8191

About Eldorado Gold

Eldorado is a leading intermediate gold producer with mining, development and exploration operations in Turkey, Greece, Romania, Serbia, Canada and Brazil. The Company's success to date is based on a highly skilled and dedicated workforce, safe and responsible operations, a portfolio of high-quality assets, and long-term partnerships with the communities where it operates. Eldorado's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: ELD) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: EGO).
TORONTO, July 27, 2017 /CNW/ - LSC Lithium Corporation (the "Company" or "LSC") (TSXV: LSC) today reported its third quarter ended May 31, 2017 results.

THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

The following tables summarize the financial results for the quarter ended May 31, 2017:

Statement of Financial Position May 31, 2017 August 31, 2016 (in thousands of United States dollars) $ $ Cash and cash equivalents 21,821 1,720 Exploration and evaluation assets 33,614 510 Total assets 59,430 2,583 Total liabilities (4,935) (370) Working capital 20,881 1,703 Statement of Loss and Comprehensive Loss Three months ended May 31 Nine months ended May 31 2017 2016 2017 2016 (in thousands of United States dollars,

except per share amounts) $ $ $ $ Operating loss (642) - (4,800) - Total comprehensive income (loss) 215 - (4,160) - Basic income (loss) per share 0.00 - (0.07) - Diluted income (loss) per share 0.00 - (0.07) - Statement of Cash Flows Three months ended May 31 Nine months ended May 31 2017 2016 2017 2016 (in thousands of United States dollars) $ $ $ $ Cash flows used in operating activities (3,014) - (6,481) - Cash flows used in investing activities (785) - (8,394) - Cash flows (used in) from financing activities (375) - 35,114 - Net effect of movement in foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents (394) - (138) - Net change in cash and cash equivalents (4,568) - 20,101 -

Financial

Net loss of $0.642 million for the quarter.

for the quarter. Cash used in operations of $3.0 million .

. As LSC is an exploration stage company, there was no revenue in either the current or comparative periods.

The significant components of the expenses incurred during the quarter ended May 31, 2017 were as follows:

Significant components of expenses (income) Three months ended May 31 Nine months ended May 31 2017 2016 2017 2016 (in thousands of United States dollars) $ $ $ $ Management fees (58) - 350 - Employee benefits, including salaries and wages 306 - 799 - Travel and related costs 25 - 447 - Professional and consultant fees 531 - 2,998 - Regulatory and related fees 1 - 110 - Changes in fair value of warrant liability (1,397) - (1,205) - Foreign exchange 376 - 430 -

Operational

LSC continued to fund LitheA Inc. ("LitheA") predominantly for exploration work on the Salar de Pozuelos ("Pozuelos"), in expectation of acquiring 100% of the shares of LitheA pursuant to the LitheA Option Agreement and LitheA Put/Call agreement. The acquisition of LitheA was completed on June 29, 2017 , after the third quarter, following completion of due diligence and receipt of regulatory approvals. For further information on the LitheA Acquisition, LitheA Option Agreement and LitheA Put/Call agreement, please refer to the corresponding management's discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017 (the "MD&A").

OUTLOOK

LSC continues to focus on exploration and development of our major development properties located in the provinces of Salta and Jujuy, Argentina. Specifically, LSC is currently focused on its exploration program on the salar de Pozuelos in Salta province, Argentina.

During the third quarter, exploration work consisted of exploration holes between 35 and 330 m, pumping wells and tests, and a seismic survey. In the coming months, we anticipate additional exploration holes, pumping wells and tests, and a hydrogeologic study that considers measurements of the fresh water  brine interphase and other studies. We expect to complete the work within the second half of 2017.

LSC and Enirgi Group Corporation ("Enirgi Group") are strategically cooperating on lithium development in Argentina pursuant to a Relationship Agreement whereby, among other things, the parties will examine the most economic solution to process LSC's brines, which may include supplying LSC's brines for processing at Enirgi Group's planned future regional processing facility at the Salar del Rincon in Salta, Argentina. LSC expects to be able to begin shipping brine from the property for testing at Enirgi Group's demonstration plant on the Salar del Rincon, following its anticipated commissioning, in the second half of this year. LSC's major development properties are located in close proximity to Enirgi Group's Salar del Rincon Project. The Pozuelos property is located approximately 80km from the Salar del Rincon.

DISCUSSION OF OPERATIONS

The following is a discussion of operations for the quarter ended May 31, 2017.

Update on LitheA

On March 15, 2017, the Company announced that it had delivered notice of exercise of the LitheA Option to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding share capital of LitheA from BMC Holdings Limited ("BMC Holdings"). On June 29, 2017, the Company closed the LitheA Acquisition. For further information on the LitheA Acquisition and LitheA Option Agreement, please refer to subsequent events section of this news release (below) and the MD&A.

Grid Loan to LitheA

On March 14, 2017, the grid loan agreement (the "Grid Loan"), pursuant to which Lithium S advanced funds to LitheA, was amended to increase the maximum principal from $500 to $2,000 under which LitheA has drawn down a total of approximately $2,000 as at May 31, 2017. The Grid Loan, originally entered into on December 22, 2016, is repayable on demand, bears interest at 10% per annum, is secured by a second ranking fixed and floating charge over the assets of LitheA, and became an inter-company loan post-closing of the LitheA Acquisition.

Other activity

On May 19, 2017, the Company granted 750,000 options to certain independent directors at an exercise price of C$1.30 for a term of five years.

In the third quarter, the Company paid a total of $348 in connection with tenement acquisition commitments assigned to the Company from ADY under the ADY Tenement Purchase Agreement and a reimbursement of $196 in associated costs incurred by ADY arising on the sale of tenements under the ADY Tenement Purchase Agreement.

Enirgi Group has charged a total of $297 and $675 under the two management support agreements for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017, respectively, and is due and payable at the balance sheet date. Some of the charges recorded in the third quarter have been reallocated to exploration costs and capitalized, resulting in a net three-month credit in management fees expensed in the period.

Warrants are classified as liabilities as a result of the exercise price being in a different currency than the functional and reporting currency of the Company and are remeasured at each reporting date. The gain arising on the revaluation of the warrant liabilities of $1,397 and $1,205 for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017 (2016 - $NIL) was recorded in Other income and expense. The accounting gain is non-cash and is primarily driven by the passage of time in regards to the remaining life of the warrants and that impact in the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

Mina Negrita I Acquisition

On May 17, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with MSR to acquire the Mina Negrita I tenament for a total of $360. The purchase price is to be paid in installments consisting of $40 before June 17, 2017, $100 before July 17, 2017, $110 before November 30, 2017 and $110 before May 30, 2018. On June 15, 2017, the Company paid the first installment of $40. For further information on the Mina Negrita I Acquisition, please refer to the MD&A.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The following is a discussion of significant transactions entered into subsequent to the quarter ended May 31, 2017.

LitheA Acquisition

On June 29, 2017, pursuant to the option agreement dated November 23, 2016, as amended, between, LitheA, BMC Global Limited ("BMC"), its parent company BMC Holdings, its beneficial shareholder Ho Sok Lim ("Lim") and LSC Lithium Inc. ("LSC Lithium"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the "Option Agreement"), the Company (through its subsidiary) acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of LitheA for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $44 million.

The aggregate purchase price was paid by the issuance of 31,203,355 LSC common shares and the payment of $12,860 in cash. In accordance with the terms of the Option Agreement and Put/Call Agreement, the purchase price was satisfied by:

$9,948 cash payment to BMC;

cash payment to BMC; $1,467 offset of principal and accrued interest on indebtedness owed to the Company by BMC Holdings;

offset of principal and accrued interest on indebtedness owed to the Company by BMC Holdings; 5,181,347 common shares of the Company issued to Enirgi Group at a price of $0.965 per share

per share 22,909,975 common shares of the Company issued to BMC at a price of $0.964 per share;

per share; $2,912 cash payment to Lim; and

cash payment to Lim; and 3,112,033 common shares of the Company issued to Lim at a price of $0.964 per share.

For further information on the LitheA Acquisition, please refer to the MD&A.

Orocobre Agreement

On June 5, 2017, pursuant to the agreement made on March 28, 2017, as amended on June 2, 2017 (the "LSC-Orocobre Agreement") among LSC, Lithium Argentina, and Orocobre Limited ("Orocobre") and certain affiliates (the "Orocobre Group"), LSC (through Lithium Argentina) acquired: (a) all tenements, as well as rights to tenements, held by the Orocobre Group located in the Salinas Grandes Salar, in Salta and Jujuy provinces, Argentina, (the "Salinas Grandes Tenements"); (b) interests in the portion of a mining exploration application (cateo) that is in proximity to the Salinas Grandes Tenements in Jujuy province; (c) a royalty held by Orocobre in certain tenements located on the Salar de Pozuelos in Salta province owned by LitheA; and (d) certain usufruct rights to extract borates located in the Salinas Grandes Salar. For further information on the LSC-Orocobre Agreement, please refer to the MD&A.

Advantage Agreement

On June 5, 2017, pursuant to the agreement made on March 28, 2017 (the "LSC-Advantage Agreement") between LSC and Advantage, LSC acquired from Advantage its option over the 1,471 hectare Stella Marys Project located in the Salinas Grandes salar in Salta province, Argentina (the "MSR Option"). For further information on the LSC-Advantage Agreement, please refer to the MD&A.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company is in the process of assessing viable mineral properties, assets or businesses and therefore has irregular cash flow. To date, the Company has not earned significant revenues, as it is in the acquisition and exploration stage. The Financial Statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes that the Company will be able to raise the capital required and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the Financial Statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. The continuing operations of the Company are dependent upon its ability to raise adequate financing to sustain such operations in the future.

As at May 31, 2017, the Company had a working capital position of $20.9 million and during the third quarter, the Company maintained sufficient working capital to meet its commitments to acquire LitheA and purchase the mining tenements from Orcobre and Advantage Lithium Corporation ("Advantage Lithium") (subsequent to quarter-end), as well as to meet its obligations under its exploration programs on its properties. While the Company had sufficient capital resources to meet current financial obligations as at quarter-end, as discussed above, the Company incurred significant cash expenditures in connection with closing the Orocobre, Advantage Lithium and LitheA transactions subsequent to quarter-end. The acquisition of LitheA has had the most significant impact on LSC's working capital, in part, due to the syndicate of lenders under the BMC Loan (other than Enirgi Group) electing to be repaid in cash rather than LSC shares. Accordingly, the Company is examining its financial commitments and planned exploration program across its various properties in light of its current working capital position. In particular, the Company is examining potential financing options to maintain the planned accelerated exploration and development program across its properties (which, among other things, may require increased staffing and contractors). In the event that financing is not available on acceptable terms or in amounts required to support such programs, the Company may need to reduce expenditures, limit exploration and/or defer parts of the program until such time as sufficient funding is obtained. See Risk Factors.

The Company's unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business as they become due.

The Company is an exploration stage mining company and does not generate revenue. The Company's ability to fund planned exploration activities and investments and meet related obligations is contingent upon successful completion of additional financing arrangements. On July 27, 2017, the Company engaged GMP Securities L.P to act as a broker with respect to a proposed "commercially reasonable best efforts" private placement of up to CAD $20 million to fund the Company's accelerated and expanded exploration program. There can be no assurance that this private placement will be completed or that additional financing will be available in the future, or available under terms acceptable to the Company, to fund planned exploration activities and investments and meet related obligations. These factors represent material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt as to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.

These unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements do not reflect any adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the reported expenses and balance sheet classifications that would be necessary should the going concern assumption be inappropriate. Such adjustments could be material.

SHARES ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING

As of the date hereof, the Company's shares, stock options and warrants to purchase the Company's issued and outstanding shares are as follows:

Equity Instrument Number Common shares 116,155,716 Options exercisable for common shares 6,750,000 Warrants exercisable for common shares 18,011,342

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

LSC's unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and MD&A for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017 will be filed today and will be available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.lsclithium.com.

Qualified Person/Data Verification

The scientific and technical information included in this press release is based upon information prepared and approved by Donald H. Hains, P.Geo. Donald H. Hains is a qualified person, as defined in NI 43-101 and is independent of LSC and LitheA.

ABOUT LSC LITHIUM CORPORATION:

LSC Lithium has amassed a large portfolio of prospective lithium rich salars and is focused on the exploration and development of its tenements on its Pozuelos, Pastos Grandes, Rio Grande, Salinas Grandes and Jama properties. All LSC tenements are located in the "Lithium Triangle," an area at the intersection of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile where the world's most abundant lithium brine deposits are found. LSC Lithium has a land package portfolio totaling approximately 300,000 hectares across 15 salars, which represents extensive lithium prospective salar holdings in Argentina.
By Lee Min-hyung



Samsung Electronics' operating profit this year is expected to be around 50 trillion won ($44.6 billion).



The world's largest maker of smartphones this week announced second-quarter operating income of 14.06 trillion, making the first-half total 24 trillion won.



As its second-half performance is likely to be better thanks to rising demand for memory chips and mobile phones, the consensus is that Samsung's second-half profit will be more than 26 trillion won.



Some analysts even suggested that the figure will top 30 trillion won, approaching North Korea's gross domestic product (GDP).



According to the Bank of Korea, North Korea's GDP last year was 32 trillion won in real terms.



North Korea does not release economic data. But the South's central bank publishes GDP data on North Korea yearly, based on information from agencies such as the Ministry of Unification.



North Korea's GDP is a small fraction of South Korea's, whose national output stood at 1,508 trillion won last year.



"Samsung chalked up 29.24 trillion won in operating profit last year, which fell short of North Korea's GDP," a Seoul analyst said.



"But this year, its annual profit would surely surpass North Korea's GDP for the first time ever. In fact, its second-half profit alone might be higher than the North's GDP."



Kiwoom Securities analyst Pak Yu-ak also presented a rosy outlook for Samsung's businesses this year.



"The operating income from the semiconductor division is likely to be about 20 trillion won in the second half," Pak said. "Adding profits from other segments like smartphones, home appliances and flat-panel displays, Samsung's overall profit would be much bigger."




The evil eye is a human look believed to cause harm to someone or something. The supernatural harm may come in the form of a minor misfortune, or more serious disease, injury  even death. Folklorist Alan Dundes, in his edited volume " The Evil Eye: A Casebook (opens in new tab)" (University of Wisconsin Press, 1992) notes that "the victim's good fortune, good health, or good looks  or unguarded comments about them  invite or provoke an attack by someone with the evil eye ... Symptoms of illness caused by the evil eye include loss of appetite, excessive yawning, hiccups, vomiting and fever. If the object attacked is a cow, its milk may dry up; if a plant or fruit tree, it may suddenly wither and die."

The evil eye is also said to cause a number of other maladies including insomnia, fatigue, depression and diarrhea, according to Armando R Favazza (" Bodies under Siege (opens in new tab)", John Hopkins University 1996). In many places, disease is considered a magical as well as a medical issue, and the reason a given person succumbs to a malady may be attributed to a curse instead of random chance or exposure to a virus. It can even affect objects and buildings, according to Robert Elsie (" A Dictionary of Albanian Culture (opens in new tab)", Hurst & Co Ltd, 2001) The evil eye cast upon a vehicle may break down irreparably, while a house so cursed may soon develop a leaky roof or an insect infestation. Just about anything that goes wrong may be blamed on the power of the evil eye.

History of the evil eye

These Maltese boat eyes are fixed onto the front of fishing boats in order to protect the vessels from the evil eye (Image credit: Getty/ Universal Images Group Editorial)

The evil eye is well known throughout history. It is mentioned in ancient Greek and Roman texts, as well as in many famous literary works, including the Bible (such as Proverbs 23:6 (opens in new tab): "Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats") the Koran and Shakespeare's plays. Though belief in the evil eye is widespread, it is not universal. A 1976 cross-cultural survey by folklorist John Roberts found that 36 percent of cultures believed in the evil eye, according to Anthony H Galt in his paper " The Evil Eye as Synthetic and its Meanings on the Island of Pantelleria, Italy (opens in new tab)" (The American Ethnological Society, 1982).

The evil eye is essentially a specific type of magical curse, and has its roots in magical thinking and superstition. Let's say that a person experiences bad luck, ill health, accident, or some unexplained calamity  perhaps a drought or an infectious disease. Before science could explain weather patterns and germ theory, any bad event for which there was not an obvious cause might be blamed on a curse, according to the BBC (opens in new tab). Curses, including the evil eye, are an answer to the age-old question of why bad things happen to good people.

Eyes are said to have special powers; they are said to be the gateway to a person's soul. Shifting eyes are said to subtly betray liars, while a steady gaze may be endearing or menacing depending on the circumstances. Eye contact can create an intensely personal connection, whether between lovers or superiors and subordinates. Glaring or intense staring can convey power and authority over another. Of course, actors use their eyes to convey a wide range of emotions, including love, hate, disgust, boredom, scorn, surprise and envy. In fact it is jealousy that underlies the evil eye's cultural association with magic.

Belief in the power of the eyes is so powerful that any eye affliction has come to suggest evil and bad luck. People who are cross-eyed, have uncontrollable eye twitches or spasms (a condition called blepharospasm), or who merely have a prominent squint have been shunned and feared as provoking bad luck, especially among those who work in dangerous occupations such as fishing and mining. Indeed, the " Oxford Handbook of Disability History (opens in new tab)" (Oxford University Press, 2017) quotes an ancient Greek text on Physiognomy which states: "The blind if obstinate, the one-eyed is frequently unjust and the squint eyed is regularly arrogant". Similarly, those with unusually close-set eyes or eyes of different colors were often suspected of having the evil eye.

Babies and children are said to be especially susceptible to harm from the evil eye, and in many countries, including Greece, Romania, and India, praising a child publicly is sometimes considered taboo, for the compliment will draw the attention of the evil eye. In order to ward off the evil eye, parents of a thoughtlessly praised child may ask the person who gave the compliment to immediately spit in the child's face.

Because the momentarily exalted youngster has been brought down a peg, any harm by the evil eye is unnecessary; this spittle salve is harmless yet insulting enough to negate the compliment, according to GreekCityTimes (opens in new tab). According to, Anthony H Galt; "Babies and children are also protected with abitini pinned inside their clothing, which on Pantelleria consist of small bags of red cloth (sometimes heart-shaped) that look like pincushions and contain a figurinu (saint card), a small gold horn, or a crab claw, and a bit of red cloth or a piece of iron".

Who has the evil eye? Maybe you do. Many believe that bad intention is not necessary, and that some people can cast an evil eye without even knowing it. If one person is believed to have the evil eye, other members of their family are often treated with suspicion  and any children are assumed to have the curse as well.

Evil eye protections, cures and amulets

An evil eye amulet hung inside a ship during 2019's Blue Homeland, Turkey's largest naval drill (Image credit: Getty/ Anadolu Agency)

The best way to deal with the evil eye is to avoid it in the first place. The method varies by culture, geographic region, and personal preference. In Latin America the evil eye is known as "mal de ojo," and belief in it is especially widespread in rural areas. In Cuba , for example, newborns are often given a good luck charm called an azabache to protect them from the evil eye, according to Lucky-Charms.org (opens in new tab) .

Amulets can be worn to deter the evil eye, often using the color blue (symbolizing heaven or godliness) and an eye symbol. According to Town and Country Magazine (opens in new tab), Meghan Markle can often be seen wearing one and are often featured in contemporary jewelry designs. Charms, potions and spells can also be prepared; garlic can be used to deter the evil eye, and some believe that just saying the word "garlic" offers protection, according to Robert A Georges in his paper " Matiasma: Living Folk Belief (opens in new tab)" in Midwest Folklore.

Often those who believe they have been harmed by the evil eye will seek out shamans, witch doctors, psychics or other spiritual healers to remove the curse. There are several ways to cure mal de ojo; one traditional method from Mexico involves the use of a raw egg. The egg, a universal symbol of purity and birth, is said to absorb evil energies as it passes over the forehead and prone body of the victim, in the form of the cross, according to Mary Caroline Montano (" Tradiciones Nuevomexicanas: Hispano Arts and Culture of New Mexico (opens in new tab)", University of New Mexico Press, 2001). The egg is then broken over a bowl of water and the resulting forms closely examined for any unusual shapes. An oval or eye shape seen in the yolk or whites is said to indicate that the evil eye's power has been successfully removed from the victim.

It is tempting to view the evil eye as an ancient, discredited belief that plays no role in our 21st-century world. Instead, as folklorist Dundes notes, we "should keep in mind that the evil eye is not some old-fashioned superstitious belief of interest solely to antiquarians. The evil eye continues to be a powerful factor affecting the behavior of countless millions of people throughout the world."

Though belief in the evil eye can be a harmless superstition, it can also be dangerous in some circumstances. Any time one person believes that another has harmed them  whether naturally or supernaturally, intentionally or accidentally  there is the potential for deadly retribution. Like other accused witches and sorcerers over the centuries, many people have been attacked, beaten, and killed for casting an evil eye.

Additional resources

The New York Times (opens in new tab) traces the origins of the symbol and its connection to the curse, before discussing in depth its proliferation in jewelry. Evil - Eye store (opens in new tab) meanwhile, provides a range of amulets which can be purchased, should you wish to protect yourself from any potential curse, as well as containing the history of the symbol.
Scientists discovered charred honeycombs, preserved honeybees (shown here) and honeybee products on the floor of a workshop at an Etruscan trade center in Milan, Italy.

The charred remains of 2,500-year-old honeycombs, as well as other beekeeping artifacts, have been discovered in an Etruscan workshop in northern Italy.

The findings included the remains of a unique grapevine honey produced by traveling beekeepers along rivers, according to a new study.

"The importance of beekeeping in the ancient world is well known through an abundance of iconographic, literary, archaeometric and ethnographic [or cultural] sources," Lorenzo Castellano, a graduate student at the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World at New York University and first author of the new study, told Live Science. (In archaeometry, scientists use physical, chemical and mathematical analyses to study archaeological sites.)

Even so, since honeycombs are perishable, direct fossil evidence of them is "extremely rare," he added. [24 Amazing Archaeological Discoveries]

Castellano and his colleagues at the University of Milan and the Laboratory of Palynology and Paleoecology of the Institute for the Dynamics of Environmental Processes at Italy's National Research Council (CNR-IDPA) in Milan found several charred honeycombs, preserved honeybees and honeybee products scattered on the floor of a workshop at the Etruscan trade center of the ancient site of Forcello, near Bagnolo San Vito in the Mantua province.

The remains of an adult honeybee (Apis mellifera) embedded in a clot of a charred, vitrified honeycomb piece from an Etruscan workshop. (Image credit: Lorenzo Castellano)

"The findings are therefore preserved in situ, albeit heavily fragmented and often warped by the heat of fire," Castellano and his team wrote in July in the Journal of Archaeological Science.

The researchers examined bee-breads (a mixture of pollen and honey), fragments of charred honeycombs, remains of Apis mellifera (honeybees) and a large amount of material resulting from honeycombs that had melted and clumped together.

Chemical analysis and an examination of pollen and spores collected at the site confirmed the presence of beeswax and honey on a large portion of the room. Moreover, they found that pollen from a grapevine (Vitis vinifera) abounded in samples from the melted honey and in the honeycomb fragments, indicating the presence of a unique grapevine honey produced from predomesticated or early-domesticated varieties of grapevine.

One of the honeycomb fragments found at the Etruscan workshop showed clearly the structure's hexagonal, thin-walled cells. (Image credit: Lorenzo Castellano)

Today, grapevine honey really has nothing to do with bee-produced honey; it is a kind of syrup produced by boiling grape juice.

The analyses revealed other unique aspects about the Etruscan beekeeping.

Pollen composition showed that honeybees were feeding on plants, including grapevines and fringed water lily, from an aquatic landscape, some of which weren't known to grow in the area.

Such a scenario would have been possible beekeepers who collected bees along a river while aboard a boat, bringing the bees and their hives to workshops to extract the honey and beeswax.

Indeed, the finding confirms what Roman scholar Pliny the Elder wrote more than four centuries later about the town of Ostiglia, some 20 miles (32 kilometers) from the site. According to Pliny, the Ostiglia villagers simply placed the hives on boats and carried them 5 miles (8 km) upstream at night.

"At dawn, the bees come out and feed, returning every day to the boats, which change their position until, when they have sunk low in the water under the mere weight, it is understood that the hives are full, and then they are taken back and the honey is extracted," Pliny wrote.

The finding also shows the Etruscans' high level of specialization in beekeeping.

"It also provides unique information on the ancient Po Plain environment [a geographical feature in northern Italy] and on honeybees' behavior in a pre-modern landscape," Castellano and colleagues concluded.

Original article on Live Science.
In a 2016 interview with CNN, Anthony Scaramucci  President Donald Trump's former White House communications director  said that Earth, as well as human history, is just 5,500 years old. But ample evidence exists to prove that the world has been around for much, much longer.

Scaramucci brought up Earth's age to note that scientists had been incorrect in the past, and thus might be wrong that human activity is primarily to blame for modern-day climate change.

"You're saying the scientific community knows, and I'm saying people have gotten things wrong throughout the 5,500-year history of our planet," Scaramucci said, according to an article in Forbes by geologist Trevor Nace. Scaramucci later said that human history is 5,500 years old, Nace wrote. [7 Theories on the Origin of Life]

But exactly how old are humankind and the planet, and what evidence do scientists have for these dates?

In short order, modern humans are between 200,000 and 300,000 years old, anthropologists told Live Science, and the Earth is about 4.5 billion years old.

To calculate the age of Homo sapiens, researchers can rely on fossil evidence as well as genetic data. For instance, scientists recently discovered 300,000-year-old fossils of five human-like individuals in a Moroccan cave, according to two studies published in the journal Nature in June.

"The fossils in question, from the site of Jebel Irhoud, were not attributed to Homo sapiens, but were said to be very close to our origins," Rolf Quam, an associate professor of biological anthropology at Binghamton University in New York, told Live Science in an email.

Moreover, there are other fossils from two sites in Ethiopia: 195,000-year-old fossils from Omo, and 160,000-year-old fossils from Herto, and "the fossils from both of these sites are considered by anthropologists to represent Homo sapiens," Quam said.

The dates of these fossils line up with evidence from genetic data. For example, researchers compared human DNA with the DNA of Neanderthals the closest extinct relative of modern humans. The results showed that modern humans diverged from the Neanderthal line about 500,000 years ago, said Brian Villmoare, an assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

It's possible there are older fossils of Homo sapiens dating to between 500,000 and 300,000 years ago, but anthropologists haven't found them yet, Villmoare said. Until those are discovered, fossil evidence indicates that modern humans arose between 200,000 and 300,000 years ago, Quam said.

It is possible Scaramucci was referring to human civilization when he made his remarks. For much of human history, Homo sapiens were hunters and gatherers. But about 10,000 years ago, after the last ice age ended, people began establishing permanent settlements, a milestone otherwise known as the dawn of civilization.

Scientists have found pottery dating to about 10,000 years ago in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), and "if you have pottery, you have settlements," Villmoare said. Another ancient settlement, known as Catalhoyuk, in what is now modern-day Turkey, dates to 7500 B.C., meaning it is roughly 9,500 years old, he said.

Still, both of these dates  the age of Homo sapiens and the dawn of civilization  are much older than the 5,500-year figure that Scaramucci quoted on CNN.

Earth's age

As for the age of the world, scientists calculate that Earth and the other planets in the solar system began to solidify between 4.567 billion and 4.568 billion years ago, Richard Carlson, a geochemist at the Carnegie Institution, previously told Live Science.

Scientists determined this age range by examining isotopes, or elements that have a different number of neutrons in their nuclei, meaning they have the same chemical properties as their fellow elements, but a different atomic mass.

When dating the solar system, researchers typically study lead and uranium isotopes. By measuring the ratios of different isotopes of these elements on Earth and from meteorites, they can determine how long ago these materials diverged from the common pool as the solar system was forming, Live Science previously reported.

These numbers are similar to the ages of the oldest recorded rocks on Earth, which formed after the planet cooled. The world's oldest fragment is a 4.4-billion-year-old zircon crystal from Australia, Live Science reported in 2014.

For the record, the oldest life on Earth may be 3.48-billion-year-old fossilized stromatolites (mats of cyanobacteria) found in Australia, Live Science reportedin May. However, Earth is young compared to the universe, which is thought to be about 13.7 billion years old, Live Science previously reported.

Editor's Note: This article was updated on July 31, 2017, to update Scaramucci's position as just-fired.

Original article on Live Science.
Divers have recovered the main telegraph machine from the Lusitania, the wreck at the center of one of the most infamous maritime disasters of the 20th century.

Irish heritage officials confirmed that the telegraph was recovered and brought to the surface Tuesday (July 25) and is now undergoing conservation on land. [Sunken Treasures: The Curious Science of 7 Famous Shipwrecks]

The bronze artifact was "undamaged and in excellent condition," Heather Humphreys, Ireland's minister for culture, heritage and the Gaeltacht (areas where Irish is still spoken), said in a statement.

The Lusitania was the largest ship in the world when it made its maiden voyage in 1907. The British ship was bound forLiverpool after a transatlantic crossing in 1915, when it was struck by a torpedo from a German submarine off the southeast coast of Ireland during World War I. It sank in just 18 minutes.

Of the 1,962 passengers and crew aboard at the time, 1,198 died, most of them from drowning and hypothermia. The attack on civilians prompted diplomatic outrage. Munitions have been found at the wreck site, but it's still up for debate whether the ship was a legitimate military target. As 128 Americans were killed in the disaster, the event helped push the United States into World War I.

The 787-foot-long (240 meters) shipwreck now lies on its starboard side, at a depth of about 300 feet (91 m) off the coast of County Cork. Retired American venture capitalist Gregg Bemis has been the sole owner of the wreck since 1982 and has occasionally clashed with the Irish government over his plans to explore the wreck and recover artifacts, according to a profile in Fortune. Bemis is particularly interested in investigating the cause of the second explosion that rocked the Lusitania after the initial torpedo strike, which could help to explain what made the ship sink so quickly.

The telegraph was recovered and brought to the surface on July 25, 2017. (Image credit: DAHRRGA)

The successful recovery of the telegraph comes after a failed attempt to raise the artifact along with its pedestal in July 2016. Details of that botched mission came to light in March, when an Irish parliamentary committee heard that a diver working on behalf of Bemis lost the telegraph when the lift bag bringing the artifact to the surface burst. Ireland's National Monuments Service was criticized for allowing the private operation to go ahead without an archaeologist present.

Recreational divers spotted the lost telegraph this month and marked its position on the seabed. Bemis and government officials gave approval for the artifact to be brought to the surfacethis time, under the supervision of an archaeologist, according to the announcement from Humphreys.

Bemis plans to put the telegraph and the pedestal on display in a local museum, along with other artifacts that have been recovered during earlier dives, "which is great news for the local community," Humphreys said.

Editor's Note: This article was updated to clarify that munitions were found at the site, though there is debate over whether the ship was a military target.

Original article on Live Science.
by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, July 28, 2017

LOreal Paris is asking fans to do more than pucker up for National Lipstick Dayits asking them to mouth off in a #ReadMyLips social-media campaign.

LOreals effort, which also marks the launch of its Colour Riche Matte Lipstick, invites consumers to post pictures of themselves showing off a bold hue and sharing bold words.

The company says the idea for this years campaign came about because it wanted to get away from the lipstick facts (the average American woman spends $1,780 on lipstick over the course of a lifetime, for instance) and elevate the conversation by celebrating people's powerful words.

With luck, it will elevate sales, too. LOreal just released its first-half results, and while the Paris-based company is reporting 4.3% sales growth overall, business in the U.S. has slowed very substantially, it says in its announcement.

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Other brands are also lining up for the big day, with MAC Cosmetics promising a free lipstick  in any color, no less  at its counters. Avon, which sells a lipstick every 15 seconds and says its best-seller is Cherry Jubilee, is running a sweepstakes to let people win all 40 colors in its True Color Collection. Revlon, which says the average American woman buys five new lip products a year, that 80 percent of women wear it regularly and that it sold more than 170,000 Cherries in the Snow (its classic red) in 2016, is sponsoring a Snapchat Lens for the big day.

YouCam Makeup, meanwhile, which catches something like 24 million augmented-reality lipstick try-ons each day, says the biggest trend isn't red, but Millennial pink. It says more than 20% of lipstick try-ons in the U.S. the U.K. are Millennial pink shades, and 50% are in the pink family. And while 15% of lip experiments in China are also Millennial pink, China shows the most diverse color trials, including purples, oranges and sheer shades taking the top spots.

Two-toned lips, with different colors on top and bottom, are the hottest trend.
by Sara Guaglione , July 28, 2017

The Atlantic is getting a new owner.

Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple founder Steve Jobs, will acquire majority ownership of The Atlantic magazine, digital properties, live events business and consulting services through her organization Emerson Collective.

Emerson Collective will partner with Atlantic Media chairman David G. Bradley. He holds a minority stake in Atlantic Media and will continue to run The Atlantic for at least the next three to five years.

The company described Bradleys decision as personal." He explains in a memo to The Atlantic staff today that he and his wife, Katherine, realized their three sons were not interested in media ownership and would have to look farther afield for the next generation of Atlantic leadership.

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Bradley researched over 600 possible investors.

Laurene and I have settled on a plan that, as I approach 70, Emerson Collective will take full ownership of The Atlantic and she will serve in my stead as leader of the enterprise, Bradley wrote. He is 64.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Powell Jobs noted The Atlantic was cofounded 160 years ago by a group of abolitionists, including Ralph Waldo Emerson, who is the primary inspiration for the work at Emerson Collective.

Powell Jobs founded the organization in 2004. Based in Palo Alto, California, it invests in nonprofit and entrepreneurial efforts to encourage reform in immigration, education, the environment and other social-justice initiatives. Emerson Collective has invested in a range of nonprofit journalism organizations, as well.

Powell Jobs is not the first digital exec to get involved in journalism. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos bought The Washington Post in 2013.

The Atlantics executive team of president Bob Cohn, publisher Hayley Romer and editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg will continue to run the company's operations.

Michael Finnegan will remain president of Atlantic Media, while Bradley will continue to privately own the other Atlantic Media properties, National Journal, Government Executive and Quartz.

Peter Lattman, managing director of media at Emerson Collective, will add vice chairman of The Atlantic to his responsibilities.

Bradley acquired The Atlantic 18 years ago from Mortimer B. Zuckerman. Once recording losses of more than $10 million a year, the company now generates yearly profits above $10 million.

A decade ago, 85% of the company's revenues came from print advertising and print circulation. Now, 20% of revenue comes from print, with 80% from digital advertising, the AtlanticLive events business and the Atlantic Media Strategies consulting services.
by Jess Nelson , July 28, 2017

A bipartisan effort to improve digital privacy laws in the United States was introduced to the Senate on Thursday, in a move likely shadowed by the Senate showdown on healthcare early Friday morning.

Senators Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Patrick Leahy (D- Vt.) introduced the ECPA Modernization Act of 2017 -- legislation that would require law enforcement and government authorities to obtain a warrant before accessing Americans digital communication.

Only a subpoena is currently needed for the government to have full access to Americans emails that are more than 180 days old. A warrant would require a judges signature, and probable cause.

The ECPA Modernization Act would also require a warrant for obtaining geolocation data and would set new limits on metadata collection and allow companies to notify users when searches occur. It would also provide a remedy if the government did access cloud content without a warrant, making that data inadmissible in court.

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The Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), the law that currently dictates the parameters for digital privacy in the United States, is severely outdated. Originally signed into law in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan, the ECPA was created before the advent of the modern internet. The legislation defines any email older than 180 days as abandoned and accessible to government officials, a surprising fact for a country where residents often keep their email addresses longer than their home address.

"This is the privacy bill all Americans need and deserve to protect their everyday digital communications, states Chris Calabrese, vice president of policy at the Center for Democracy & Technology. Senators Lee and Leahy have introduced a comprehensive piece of legislation that is workable for law enforcement, but most importantly, ensures that citizens can fully realize their Fourth Amendment rights in our digitally-powered world. In a time when common ground can be hard to find, members of Congress should support this bipartisan approach, and their constituents should tell them they want to enjoy the benefits of smartphones and the internet without government snooping."



The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) also urges Congress to quickly act on digital privacy reform.

The law has not kept pace with advances in technology and the habits of users, writes Sophia Cope, a staff attorney on the EFFs civil liberties team, in a blog post. With the rise of cloud computing, individuals have come to rely on technology companies to store private emails, text messages, social media posts, photos and other documents, often indefinitely. While such content might contain the most personal of thoughts and details about an individual, many users do not realize that an email stored on a Google or Microsoft server has less protection than a letter sitting in a desk drawer at home. And users often cant control how and when their whereabouts are being tracked by technology.

The bill also has widespread support from technology companies. Google, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter and Spotify all signed a coalition letter in support of the Email Privacy Act (H.R. 387) when it passed through the House earlier this year.

This is not Lee and Leahys first time to the ECPA reform arena, nor is it the first bipartisan effort to improve digital privacy. The Email Privacy Act has been introduced to every Congress in some form since 2013 and the privacy legislation introduced by Representatives Kevin Yoder (R-Kansas) and Jared Polis (D-Colorado) had more co-sponsors than any other the bill in the 114th Congress (2015-2016).

The bill has had little luck in the Senate, even with such widespread bipartisan support. The bill never made it out of subcommittee the first time it was introduced to the Senate, and then faced a set of weakening amendments from Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas, the Senate Majority Whip, and Jeff Sessions of Alabama, the current Attorney General. Leahy and Lee withdrew that bill from consideration last year due to concerns that the proposed amendments -- such as allowing law enforcement officials to obtain digital communication without a warrant if a crisis situation was deemed to exist by the government -- would actually hamper digital privacy.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, July 28, 2017

Google will face "irreparable harm" unless a judge blocks the enforcement of a Canadian takedown order, the company argues in new court papers.

"Google has been forbidden by a Canadian court from exercising its First Amendment rights," the company says in papers filed Thursday. The company adds that in the U.S., a deprivation of free speech rights amounts to "irreparable injury."

Google makes the argument in a motion asking U.S. District Court Judge Edward Davila in San Jose, California to issue an injunction against enforcing a ruling issued last month by Canada's Supreme Court.

The move marks the latest twist in a legal battle dating to 2012, when technology company Equustek asked a judge in British Columbia to order Google to remove search results for Datalink Technologies -- which allegedly stole trade secrets from Equustek and engaged in counterfeiting.

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The Canadian court issued a worldwide injunction prohibiting Google from displaying search results for Datalink. That order was upheld last month by Canada's Supreme Court.

Earlier in the week, Google sought a declaratory judgment invalidating the order, arguing that it goes against free speech principles.

In its newest court papers, Google says it is entitled to a preliminary injunction because the order subjects the company to irreparable harm, and because an injunction is in the public interest. "Given the fundamental constitutional issues at stake, Google is irreparably harmed by the Canadian orders prior restraint on protected speech, which prohibits Google from truthfully displaying information in the United States about publicly available websites," Google argues.

Google adds that the order unfairly burdens internet companies that were not parties to the initial dispute, and also "threatens what information U.S. internet users can access."

The order "compels Google to suppress truthful speech," the company writes. "Even where Datalink websites are otherwise relevant and responsive to a users query, Google cannot report in its U.S. search results the existence of sites that are readily available to the public."
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, July 28, 2017

Online classifieds site Backpage.com is asking a federal judge to block Missouri Attorney General General Joshua Hawley from pursuing action against the company as part of a crackdown on sex trafficking.

Hawley "has made no secret of his intention to censor Backpage.com, despite bedrock federal law preempting his actions and many court decisions declaring his goals and tactics unconstitutional," Backpage writes in court papers filed Thursday.

Backpage is asking U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia Cohen in St. Louis to issue an injunction blocking Hawley from enforcing a "civil investigative demand" that would require Backpage to turn over seven years' worth of records relating to operations and editorial practices.

The company's fight in Missouri is the latest in a long string of battles with state law enforcement officials over ads related to sex trafficking. Backpage -- which previously successfully sued state officials in Washington, Tennessee and Illinois -- argues that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act protects web sites from prosecution for ads posted by users.

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"The Attorney Generals CID and his public statements make clear that here he has no interest in pursuing individuals who may have actually been involved in illegal activities using the Internet," Backpage writes in a request for an injunction. "Instead, he wants to shut down Backpage.com -- the intermediary that provided the forum where online information appeared. This is exactly the opposite of Congress policy choice in Section 230 -- that holding intermediaries liable would chill speech by causing them to over-censor third-party content."

Hawley's office has said it is investigating whether Backpage violated a state consumer protection law that bans unfair and deceptive practices. But Backpage counters that the federal Communications Decency Act trumps state laws, including Missouri's consumer protection measure.

In January, Backpage said it would shutter its "adult" ads section, which observers said mainly contained prostitution ads. But since then, many of those ads since appear to have migrated to other sections of the site.

In addition to its courtroom battles with state attorneys general, Backpage has faced numerous civil lawsuits brought by sex-trafficking victims. The company has prevailed in many of those cases. Most recently, in January, the Supreme Court refused to reinstate a lawsuit claiming that Backpage facilitated sex trafficking. But Backpage continues to face new actions: Since January, at least six new lawsuits were brought against the company on behalf of victims of sex trafficking.
The Nationals have agreed to terms on a minor-league deal with righty Neil Ramirez, according to multiple reports. Eric Garment of NumbersMLB appears to have first tweeted the news.

Ramirez, 28, seems destined to provided some depth to the organizations top affiliate as it continues to work out its MLB relief unit. He had just been released by the Mets after failing to hold down a job in New York.

Though he continues to show an ability to miss bats, Ramirez has struggled through his 31 1/3 major league innings this year. He owns a 7.18 ERA with 12.6 K/9 and 6.0 BB/9; in addition to the free passes, Ramirez has been hurt by permitting six home runs.
28.07.2017 LISTEN

Afrobeats act Yine-Win known in personal life as Godwin Anonyine Akanyele revealed to TheAfricanDream.net that he is set to release his new song titled Love In The Air at the end of July 2017 with his band  The Groove Music Band.

Yine-Win said the song is meant to inspire people and make them feel loved, encouraged and cared about. He explained: my song is designed to make someone who wants to give up on life have a second thought and build hope for their future.

A significant thing about the new single is that it will be the first time that Yine-Win is going to be doing an Afrobeats track and performing with an indigenous African musical instrument known as Kolko. His band said it will be blended with the authentic indigenous music and some traditional hi-life.

The young musicians style is geared towards showcasing African music originating from Ghana with a touch of jazz to it. He sees the likes of Ghanaian music legends Osibisa and Atongo Zimba as great influencers of his music. I think my style is also a little like greats of the African music world like Fela Kuti, and Salif Keita, but I have put in a lot of effort to stand out in a unique way I must say Yine-Win tells TheAfricanDream.net.

Meet Yine-Win and The Groove Music Band

The Groove Music Band according to Yine -Win was formed under the Groove Music International Ltd in 2013. They started out performing mostly covers on Ghanaian hi-life, Afrobeats, and international jazz songs.

Originally from Bolgatanga in the Northern region of Ghana, the musician believes the new single would have the bands trademark stylish improvisations that form the undertones of their covers, Love In The Air promises to deliver on our African feel our fans are already familiar with.

Members of The Groove Music Band include George Makae and Moses Laryeah on bass, Yine-Win himself accompanied by Nana Barima on drums and Alex Dade and Frank at the keyboard. The rest are Gotleib Dogbey (guitar), Daniel Adu (percussion), and Talata who does vocals.

What is the indigenous Kolko instrument of Ghana

Think of traditional Ghanaian musicians like King Ayisoba to get a clearer picture of what the Kolko instrument is. According to Yine-Win, this instrument originated from the Upper Eastern Region of Ghana. It has been in existence for centuries and recognized for both its rhythmic and melodic sounds.

Other great players of the Kolko that have helped project its popularity are Atongo Zimba and Stevoo from Ghana. The Kolko is uniquely molded in the form of a guitar but has only two strings according to Yine-Win who revealed he was born into a family of musicians, something which has helped his early journey to pursue music as a career and master the Kolko.

Yine-Win discovered his love for music at age 9 from playing drums at church and listening to jazz. As he grew up he began to establish a link between music and culture, which led to my affection for the Kolko and desire to fuse it with Afrobeats to project my culture as an African through my music.

Start watching out for Love In The Air come July 31, 2017, and find the performer online as @YineWinGH on Instagram and Twitter respectively.
The question that many people ask themselves is where do their money go. Truthfully, you are the only one who can answer that question. But, we know that a reason why you are losing your money is because you are not tracking it. Well, it is time to stop losing your money and start tracking your cash. As such, we highlight some of the ways you can do this.

Use online management software

You do not need to go to the bank because you want to check your account. There are now online management tools and applications that allow you track your spending from your computer or smartphone real-time. In addition to this, you can also see your recent transactions.

Use online budgeting software

There are certain websites, apps, and software that you can directly link to your financial accounts. They automatically organise and categorise your spending by letting you compare your projected spending against your actual spending. It will even alert you when you are overspending.

Use ATMs

ATMs are connected with banks and it lets you check your balance, deposit and even transfer funds between accounts. Ultimately, ATMs are available anytime you need them. Hence, it is easily accessible to help you track your finance.

Activate account alerts

If you want to know about all your bank account transactions or activities as well as track how you spend your money, you should activate alerts. It will allow you get new alerts and let you know when your account is low. You will just be charged a token for this service.

Pay a visit to your local bank

Banks in Nigeria can offer you financial advice if you have challenges keeping track of your spending. They can help you with a solution.
A car is just like our body. We do not really care about it until we have a headache or something happens. That is when we remember the doctor or hospital. This is not supposed to be the case but many of us do it. Perhaps we are scared of hospitals. It is the same with our cars.

Some people just jump in their cars without checking or doing anything and zoom off. This is very risky. It is better to take precautions before you start your car so as to avoid stories that touch. Accordingly, we share the things you must check in your car before you turn on the ignition.

Check the brakes

Before you set out on your journey, make sure to check the brakes and see if they have the needed stopping power. If you feel the brakes are not effective enough, head immediately to your mechanic or add more brake oil.

Check your tyres

Tyres are a very important car accessory. Never joke with it because you do not want it bursting while driving. Hence, check if you have a flat tyre and also make sure that it contains the required pressure. Importantly, always carry a spare.

Your fluids level

You dont need to check the fluid levels on a daily basis but do so once every 15 days or at least on a monthly basis. Some of the fluids include engine oil, brake oil, power steering oil. Do not forget the water level.

Adjust the rear view mirrors

Adjust the rear view mirrors to the point you would be able to see a small portion of the rear end of your car along with the lane next to it on your outside rear view mirrors (ORVM).

Adjust your seat

You should do this frequently if you are not the only driver. As a rule, do not commence your journey unless you are comfortable in the drivers seat. You should be able to reach up to the pedals without having to stretch your legs.

Fasten your seatbelt

If your car has a reminder to fasten your seatbelt, it is good. But if it does not, make a habit. In fact, today you may be risking arrest in Lagos if you fail to fasten or use your seatbelt.

Check the gears

Do a check to see if the gears are working properly to know if they are getting stuck or jamming up. This could mean it needs servicing. Dont forget to put the gear back in neutral before starting the car.
Elijah Ansah, a graphic designer, who posed as a travel agent and allegedly defrauded a victim to the tune of GH30,000 under the pretext of securing him a visa to travel to Germany, has been arrested.

The suspect, according to police, went into hiding after collecting the money from the suspect.

Police have provisionally charged him with fraud.

ASP Efia Tenge, the Accra Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), said the victim initially made a down payment of GH4,000 to suspect, but few weeks afterwards, Elijah showed the victim a photograph of the visa on his mobile phone, thus compelling the victim to pay the rest of the money.

According to the victim, in December 2016, he discussed his plans to travel to Germany with the suspect, who also lives in the same area.

The suspect promised the victim he could secure him a visa to travel at a cost of GH30,000.

A report was lodged with the police which led to the arrest of suspect on Tuesday, July 25, 2017.

In his caution statement, Elijah Ansah admitted the offence and made a refund of GH7,100 to the police.

He is still in custody assisting the police in their investigations.

By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey


Bamako (AFP) - A group of former separatist rebels in Mali killed "dozens" of members of a pro-government armed group before a UN helicopter monitoring the fighting crashed in the country's north, sources told AFP Thursday.

The UN has confirmed two German crew members belonging to its MINUSMA peacekeeping mission were killed while observing the area near the city of Gao following the clashes.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said Thursday the helicopter "was conducting surveillance over Tabankort in the aftermath of violent clashes between the signatory armed groups," when it came down in an apparent accident.

German army Vice Admiral Joachim Georg Ruehle said on Wednesday night the helicopter crew did not issue any distress calls and there were no firm indications as to the cause of the crash.

The clashes pitted former rebels of the Coordination of Movements of Azawad (CMA) against the Gatia pro-government group.

Both sides signed a 2015 peace deal aimed at curbing violence in Mali's north and limiting the reach of jihadists, but the United Nations says deadly fighting between the groups has nevertheless increased in recent weeks.

"It was a very painful failure for the Gatia," said a foreign security source. "Several dozen fighters were killed and dozens more taken prisoner," the source added, noting that two CMA members were also killed.

German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen announced late on Wednesday that the two German crew members of the helicopter had been killed in the crash

Oumar Ag Acherif of the CMA told AFP that 50 Gatia fighters were killed and 39 more taken prisoner, adding the Red Cross had been asked to monitor the conditions in which the Gatia fighters were being held.

A Gatia base was dismantled afterwards, Ag Acherif added.

The Gatia admitted "losses" when a source who requested anonymity was contacted by AFP, but maintained the CMA had also lost men, and refused to confirm their base had been taken.

A source with the High Islamic Council of Mali, a religious authority, said late Thursday that its president was in the northern city of Kidal, a stronghold of the former rebels, to mediate between the groups.

Northern Mali is the site of frequent clashes between rival armed groups, as well as a haven for jihadist activity.

In 2012, key cities in Mali's north fell under the control of jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda, who exploited an ethnic Tuareg-led rebel uprising.

While the Islamists were largely ousted by a French-led military operation, attacks have continued on UN and French forces, civilians and the Malian army.
OrlAans (France) (AFP) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday unveiled plans to set up migrant registration centres in Libya to help stem an influx that has sparked a crisis in Europe, although his aides said the scheme could not be implemented there immediately for security reasons.

A presidency official said the plan -- for which Macron set the goal of becoming operational "this summer" -- "was not possible at the moment" because of security in Libya.

Instead, France would study the feasibility of setting up migrant "hotspot" centres in Libya, Niger and Chad, and aim to open similar sites in Libya "in the short term".

Macron had said earlier Thursday that he wanted to set up processing centres in Libya "to avoid people taking crazy risks when they are not all eligible for asylum".

Speaking during a visit to a refugee shelter in Orleans in central France, Macron said the plan would be put in place "this summer", with or without other EU countries.

Libya is the main launchpad for African migrants trying to reach Europe across the Mediterranean in rickety boats operated by smugglers that frequently sink.

"We have between 800,000 and a million people in Libya -- in camps, hangars, there's not even a minimum of humanity," Macron said.

He said other European countries were "very reticent" to set up registration centres, adding: "We'll try to do it with Europe but we in France will do it."

But his announcement seemed to take the European Commission by surprise and Human Rights Watch expressed serious concerns about the plan.

Judith Sunderland, HRW's Associate Director for Europe, said: "It carries the risk of human rights abuses and loss of dignity for the people involved."

Hours later, a French presidency official explained that "Libya is not possible at the moment, but it could be possible in the short term. Does that remove the ambition to create this sort of centre in Libya? No.

"The important thing is to ensure the security of people who will work there and of the migrants," the official added.

Libya is rife with lawlessness since the 2011 uprising ousted longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi and created a power vacuum.

Macron's announcement came two days after he brokered talks in Paris between the leaders of the two rival authorities in Libya.

He said then that he hoped the ceasefire deal between the UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and Khalifa Haftar, the military commander based in the remote east, would stem the outflow of migrants from Libya.

Since January, more than 100,000 people have made the perilous voyage across the Mediterranean, according to the International Organization for Migration. Over 2,300 have drowned in the attempt.

The vast majority land in Italy, which has complained of a lack of solidarity from its neighbours in dealing with the influx.

In a statement to AFP, European Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulous said France and the EU "follow a joint approach to migrants in Libya in order to avoid often-deadly flows across the Mediterranean".

More shelters in France

France's new leader has taken an ambivalent line on migration.

More than 100,000 people have made the perilous voyage across the Mediterranean this year

During his campaign he was fulsome in his praise of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's open-door policy but his government has taken a hard line with young migrants sleeping rough on the streets of the northern French port of Calais.

Rights groups have complained that riot police routinely use tear gas and pepper spray to break up the migrants' camps.

But in a speech on Thursday at a citizenship ceremony for families in the central city of Orleans, Macron adopted a more compassionate tone.

"I want no one in the streets or in the forests by the end of the year," he said, promising "dignified" accommodation for all those who made it to France while their cases were being reviewed.

He also reiterated a pledge to slash the average processing time for an asylum claim from 18 months to six.

But he also warned that those who were fleeing poverty, rather than war or persecution, faced disappointment.

"No country can take all the economic migrants," he said.
Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Sagre Bambangi, on Thursday, paid a visit to the farm run by the National Service Scheme (NSS) personnel, located at Dahwenya in the Greater Accra Region.

The visit to the maize farm was to enable the Deputy Minister appraise the extent of infestation by Fall Armyworms at the farm and efforts to control its spread.

Fall Armyworms have destroyed farms at certain parts of the country, particularly in the Ashanti, Greater Accra, Brong Ahafo and the Eastern regions, causing destructions to crops especially maize and cocoa.

After the tour of the NSS farm, the Deputy Minster commended farmers for their progress and called on farmers across the country strictly adhere to the directions of his Ministry in combating the Armyworms infestation -- just like the NSS farmers have done.

He said the government was very concerned about the outbreak of the pests since the destruction they bring to crops has the tendency to derail efforts to revamp the Agric sector.

He said it was for that reason that the government has made available chemicals, personnel and other relevant logistics to combat the destructive insects.

Acting Director of Crops at the Ministry, Mr. Seth Osei-Akoto, who was also part of the familiarization tour, rebutted claims that a concoction of detergent and pepper has been successful in fighting the armyworms invasion on farms.

Acting Executive Director of NSS, Mustapha Ussif, thanked the Minister for the support the Ministry has provided to the Scheme.

He said the provision of seedlings, technical support, and chemicals by the Ministry will ensure a bumper harvest.

He reemphasised the Scheme's effort to support the President's Planting for Food and Jobs policy.

He said the NSS is ready to deploy over 2,100 service personnel to support the Agric initiative.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, has asked Parliaments Foreign Affairs Committee to deliberate on the agreement between Ghana and the United States to host two former Gitmo detainees in Ghana.

Professor Oquaye took the decision on Thursday, July 27 after the Gitmo Bill was tabled in the house.

The Supreme Court asked the John Mahama administration to send an agreement between Ghana and the United States on the two former terror suspects to Parliament for ratification.

The agreement between the two countries allowed the transfer of the two ex-detainees to Ghana in January 2016.

The Supreme Court had ruled that it was unconstitutional for the transfer to have taken place without Parliaments approval.

The apex court, therefore, ordered that the anomaly be rectified within three months or the ex-detainees be returned to the US.

A seven-member panel chaired by Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo reached the ruling by a 6 - 1 majority, with only Justice William Atuguba dissenting.

Background

Margaret Bamful and Henry Nana Boakye sued the Attorney General and Minister of Justice as well as the Minister of the Interior in 2016, accusing government of illegally bringing in the two ex-detainees without recourse to the laws of the land.

The two plaintiffs, therefore, sought a true and proper interpretation of Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana arguing that Mr Mahama as President acted unconstitutionally by agreeing to the transfer of Mahmud Umar Muhammad Bin Atef and Khalid Muhammad Salih Al-Dhuby without recourse to Parliament.

The two ex-detainees are expected to be in the country for two years.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
Profesor Avea Nsoh, the Principal of the College of Languages Education, University of Education has appealed to the Chief Justice to investigate a court ruling at the Winneba High Court.

The High Court in Winneba on July 14, ordered Professor Mawutor Avokeh, the Vice Chancellor, and the Chief Finance Officer to hand over to the Pro-Vice Chancellor until a case brought against him was determined.

The two were asked to step aside as per a suit filed by Supi Kofi Kwayera which obtained a declaration dissolving the Universitys Governing Council and, as such, rendering the positions of Vice Chancellor and Chief Finance Officer vacant.

As a result of the ruling, the University of Education Winneba branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) threatened to embark on a strike.

At a press conference organised by members of UTAG, Pof Nsoh said the courts order must be applied in relation to Act 672 and the Universitys statutes.

Prof Nsoh said all attempts to implement the courts order of July 14, 2017, must be done in a manner that would keep the universitys brand as well as its unity.

He said the University Act stipulated that every member of the Council except the Vice-Chancellor and principals shall hold office for a period of two years and is eligible for re-appointment.

He also stated that the Principal Officers of the University shall consist of the Vice-Chancellor, the Pro Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar, the Finance Officer and the Librarian.

Prof Nsoh said the Act, Statute 6 said where the post of Vice-Chancellor becomes vacant through resignation or death, or any cause which incapacitated him/her in the performance of his/her functions and duties for nine consecutive months, Council shall set in motion the process for identification and appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor.

He added that in any such event, the Pro Vice-Chancellor shall, as determined by Council, act as Vice-Chancellor until a new Vice-Chancellor is appointed.

Prof Nsoh said as a result of the impasse in the University, academic and administrative activities have been disrupted, creating a division of sympathies and empathy between Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice Chancellor.

He said the 1992 Constitution had consciously taken public universities out of the Presidents control and that the power to appoint had also been vested in the Councils of universities or tertiary institutions.

He called for unity and urged all to defend the image and history of the university and urged the leadership of the University to undertake to educate the public on issues to avoid distortions.
Dakar (AFP) - Senegal, known for its stability and strong civil society, is one of the few African nations not to have suffered a coup since independence in 1960.

The former French colony has been headed since 2012 by President Macky Sall, and holds legislative elections on Sunday.

Here are five things to know about the west African, Muslim-majority nation of 15.4 million people.

Political stability

Senegal gained independence on April 4, 1960, when Leopold Sedar Senghor became president.

Senghor resigned voluntarily in 1980 to be replaced by his Prime Minister Abdou Diouf, who was confirmed president in 1983, and re-elected in 1988 and 1993.

In 2000, Diouf was defeated by Abdoulaye Wade of the liberal Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS. The first time in 40 years the socialists had lost power, the transition was hailed as a model of democracy in Africa.

Wade was re-elected in February 2007, but beaten five years later by his former prime minister Sall following an electoral campaign tainted by violence.

Sall opened a probe into the previous administration and several leading figures, including Wade's son Karim, were put on trial.

Karim, sentenced to six years in prison in 2015 for corruption but pardoned in 2016, accused Sall of trying to eliminate him from the 2019 presidential race.

Another opposition leader, Dakar's popular mayor Khalifa Sall, was arrested more than four months ago on corruption charges and is campaigning for the legislative elections from jail.

Wade has returned from France to campaign for the elections, in which he is also standing on a different opposition list.

Mainly agricultural

Fishing is Senegal's largest source of income, followed by tourism. Agriculture includes peanut production -- in decline over the past few years -- millet, sorghum and cotton.

Major oil and gas finds off the coast are yet to be extracted but could in the future offer a new revenue stream to the state.

Most of the population lives below the poverty threshold and there is a high unemployment rate among young people.

Remittances from the large diaspora in Europe, notably France, Italy and Spain, contribute to purchasing power.

Income per capita came to $980 in 2015 according to the World Bank.

Religious tolerance

Senegal is 95 percent Muslim and dominated by moderate Sufi brotherhoods. It is known for its religious tolerance.

Spared by the jihadist attacks that have hit neighbours such as Mali, the authorities have stepped up security at hotels and administrative buildings since January 2016.

Senegal, on the west coast of Africa, is bordered by Mauritania, Mali, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. Gambia forms a narrow enclave extending inland along the river of the same name.

Goree: slave memorial

Goree Island, four kilometres off Dakar, was one of the earliest European settlements in western Africa. For two and a half centuries it served as an outpost for slave and other trading serving the American continent.

Severa buildings from this period, including the House of Slaves, have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978.

The island is visited every year by thousands of tourists, especially African-Americans.

Conflict in Casamance

In Casamance, a southern region dependent on agriculture and tourism, the Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces (MFDC) has been fighting for independence since 1982.

The region, separated from the rest of Senegal by The Gambia, is the site of west Africa's longest-running conflict, though violence is rare today despite the absence of a definitive peace deal.
Kigali (AFP) - "Who can tell us what the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi was all about?" teacher Josephat Arinetwe asks his pupils as he chalks the question on the blackboard.

The class of Rwandan teenagers stare back at him until, upon further prompting, one mumbles: "the massive killing of people."

Slowly Arinetwe draws out more details, scrawling on the board the official definition, that the genocide was "the careful and systematic extinction of innocent Tutsis and moderate Hutus who did not concur with the prevailing extremist politics."

At the leafy highschool in Kigali, a generation born after the genocide is learning both how ethnic divisions led to the slaughter, and how to forget them -- a crucial pillar of government efforts to foster unity and reconciliation.

"Hutu, Tutsi, Twa ... in my class I don't even know who is who," said soft-spoken Clarisse Uwineza, 18. "I am just Rwandan."

It is a sentiment repeated by many of her classmates, who from a young age have had "Rwandanness" drummed into them.

However, some researchers say these students merely parrot what they have been taught to say in history classes that offer a narrow version of the country's painful past, preventing debates about ethnicity and the genocide.

"There is one official history in the country from which no deviation is permitted," said Elisabeth King, a researcher who in 2014 authored the book "From Classrooms to Conflict in Rwanda".

"While students are being taught that they need to say they are ethnically blind, their lived reality is that ethnicity still structures access to power and sometimes still structures their daily life," King told AFP.

An impossible country?

In the wake of the genocide in which some 800,000 mainly minority Tutsi were killed in 100 days, author Philip Gourevitch described Rwanda -- blood-soaked and traumatised to the core -- as an "impossible country".

The pragmatic response to this by President Paul Kagame, who is seeking a third term in office on August 4, was: "People are not inherently bad. But they can be made bad, and they can be taught to be good."

History classes were suspended as the country set about rewriting its past.

"Before the genocide, education highlighted the differences between Rwandans," said Jean-Damascene Gasanabo, head of the Research and Documentation Center on Genocide.

He said textbooks described Tutsis as "foreign invaders" from Ethiopia while highlighting how to physically distinguish between Hutus and Tutsis.

Teachers would ask Tutsi students to stand up to be identified and counted.

Since the end of the genocide mentioning ethnicity has become taboo.

School textbooks now describe what King calls a factually incorrect "pre-colonial golden age" in which there were no conflicts between Hutu and Tutsi, blaming the very creation of these tribes on missionaries and Belgian colonisers.

Jailed for saying the wrong thing

The latest overhaul of Rwanda's curriculum, introduced in 2016, makes genocide studies a cross-disciplinary subject, meaning it is not only taught in history classes but can be introduced as a topic of discussion in other subjects.

It also highlights the use of critical thinking.

However, King says this is not possible in a country where "genocide ideology" laws have instilled a climate of fear in which few oppose the official narrative.

"We can't divorce the education system from a very authoritarian government in a context in which people feel that they can get thrown in jail for saying the wrong thing," said King.

Under Kagame, Rwanda has been praised for its economic turnaround and stability in the 23 years after the genocide. However, rights groups regularly criticise a lack of freedom of expression and muzzling of the opposition.

King accuses the government of selectively highlighting some communities' memories of the violence, while repressing those of others.

Any mention of killings of Hutus before, during and after the genocide at the hands of the now ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front whose military campaign brought an end to the killing, is enough to land one in jail.

Opposition leader Victoire Ingabire, seen ahead of her appeal against a 15-year prison term, was jailed among other things for calling for perpetrators of crimes against the Hutu majority also to be pursued

Opposition figure Victoire Ingabire is currently serving a 15-year jail term for, among other alleged crimes, calling in 2010 for perpetrators of crimes against the Hutu majority also to be pursued.

"This means Hutus feel left out of history and people told me they thought this was hindering reconciliation, if they too weren't allowed to share," said King.

Comparing the incomparable

Fidele Ndayisaba of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) denied that Hutu memories were being ignored and that this was hindering reconciliation.

"You cannot compare the incomparable," he said, referring to the deaths of Hutus at the hands of the RPF after the genocide.

"No one is stopping families from remembering their own who were killed in one way or the other, but putting them on the same level is to deny the genocide."

The NURC estimates that reconciliation stands at 92.5 percent.

This year, just before the period of genocide commemorations, several cows belonging to Tutsis were butchered with machetes.

Opposition Democratic Green Party candidate Frank Habineza, is of mixed ethnicity and is taking legal action against a Twitter user who called him a "mountain gorilla" -- which he says refers to what are seen as Hutu physical characteristics.

And in the run up to the election, opposition candidate Frank Habineza, who is of mixed ethnicity, pressed charges against a Twitter user who called him a "mountain gorilla" -- which with great discomfort he admits refers to what are seen as Hutu physical characteristics.
Vice President of think tank, IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, Kofi Bentil, says although concerns over the sustainability of the free SHS policy are legitimate, government's resolve is rubbing off on critics.

Mr. Bentil said Thursday on current affair programme PM Express that fears over the economys inability to sustain the project notwithstanding, Nana Akufo-Addo and his appointees in the education sector have come across as determined and committed to making the Free SHS policy work.

The political will has not waned. If anything it has strengthened, he said on the talk show that airs on the Joy News channel on Multi TV.

During a press briefing Thursday, the Education Minister, Mathew Opoku-Prempeh, said the state of Ghanas economy will not delay the implementation of the programme.

He said bad economy or not, the policy will be rolled out in September this year since Ghana has never really had a good economy.

The education policy is designed to make tuition for senior high school education free.

Critics, including IMANI, have red flagged funding and quality education issues.

Funding for the policy, for instance, is estimated to take a chunk of the national budget expenditure.

Speaking on the issue on PM Express, Mr Bentil said despite a slight alteration in the specifics of the policy by the current administration, the cost remains a legitimate concern.

He, however, said President Nana Akufo-Addo's actions with regards the policy seems too convincing to nurture the concerns.

Free SHS was not designed to be supported by our economy. That was one of the things we were saying and we that if we were going to do this, we have sacrifice other things...

I remember the president saying that if he was going to use all the oil money for the project he will do that  so the political which has not waned exudes a lot of confidence that this government will do whatever it needs to do to make this programme a success and that is a plus, he said.

He warned also that although the determination is good, government must still do a thorough job at planning and implementation.

He has admonished champions of the policy to publish at least one paper on the policy.

"The project roll out paper" he said, "will put to bed all the questions that will arise,"

Watch the full discussion on the Free SHS policy in the video link below.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | George Nyavor | [email protected]
A change in the special 30 percent quota of admissions into public senior high schools will see spots reserved for qualified junior high school graduates from public basic schools nationwide.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, during a press conference on Thursday, indicated that this was an improvement on the previous incarnation of the 30 percent quota policy.

Under the previous policy, 30 percent of the total number of vacancies was to be allocated to students who attended junior high schools within a 10-kilometer radius of the second cycle institution they selected to attend.

But the minister explained that this percentage was highly abused saying, most of our elite schools happened to be between Accra and Takoradi along the sea shore. That is where most of these schools are. So those from typical villages, how do we get into those schools if our results are not extremely good or we are not coming from the public background?

Thus, that policy now will be reserved for any Ghanaian student in a public school, who chose that[elite school] whose results were as bad as 36, and can go in, he said.

The elite schools will be allowed to take only 70 percent of their requirements and an active programme to recruit and allow people from the public schools to get into those schools [will be in place].

According to the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) most of the students who took advantage of the previous policy in 2016 came from the Central Region.

The benefiting students were noted to be specifically from Cape Coast, which boasts some of Ghanas highly rated schools like Mfantsipim, Wesley Girls' High School, St. Augustine's College, Holy Child SHS and the Adisadel College.



By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana
28.07.2017 LISTEN

Dorimon (UWR), July 27, GNA - Mr Emmanuel Wullingdool, the Policy Officer of the Ghana Trade and Livelihood Coalition (GTLC), has called on farmers to ensure proper post-harvest practices to help reduce the high incidence of post-harvest losses.

He said post-harvest losses are a significant challenge to improving the agricultural sector of the economy adding that it was a major factor that led to food insecurity in the country.

Mr Wullingdool made the call at a durbar in Dorimon in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region.

He said there is the need for farmers to ensure good farming practices to help improve food production and to reduce post-harvest losses as part of the implantation of the five year Voice for Change (V4C) Partnership project.

He said the project, which is being implemented in some selected districts in the country including the Wa West and Talensi Districts, was aimed at building the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and engaging in evidence based advocacy to help avert the high incidence of post-harvest losses and poor nutrition among smallholder farmers.

He said the lack of commitment on the part of government 'to implement national policies and investment benchmarks on the agricultural sector, limited access to improved post-harvest management technology, low extension service delivery and poor access to ready markets' as some of the factors that led to post-harvest losses.

Mr Wullingdool said about 28 per cent of all children under five years were stunted due to the loss of nutrients in food which resulted from poor storage practices.

Mr Ababaasa Olinaa, the Assembly Member for the Dorimon Electoral Area, said the inadequate number of Agriculture Extension Officers in the district, poor agronomic practices and poor road network accounted for the excessive post-harvest loses among farmers.

He said lack of storage facilities for farmers in the area has resulted in the loss of nutrients in food crops as well as vegetables and urged the government and benevolent organsations to come to their aid to help mitigate the menace.

He commended GTLC and its sponsors for taking the laudable initiative to enlighten the farmers on good farming practices and to help reduce post-harvest losses.

Traditional leaders, heads of departments Civil Society Organisations and community farmer groups attended the durbar which was organised by GTLC under the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs' funded 'Voice for Change Partnership (V4C)' project through the Netherland Development Organisation (SNV) in partnership with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

GNA

By Philip Tengzu, GNA
28.07.2017 LISTEN

Accra, July 27, GNA - Professor Robert Darko Osei, the Vice Dean for the School of Graduate Studies, University of Ghana, has urged the Government to check efficiency of public spending.

'We need to check the efficiency of government spending, to help strengthen the public financial management system in the country,' Professor Darko Osei stated at the second public lecture for the Pentvars Business Journal (PBJ), the official journal of the Pentecost University College (PUC).

He said the 2017 Budget Statement had the potential to address the development challenges, however, whether or not it achieved the broad level goals would depend on a number of factors including 'leakages' in spending and whether incentives would engender private sector investment.

The public lecture was on the theme: 'Ghana's Development Agenda - Is the 2017 Budget a Formula for Success?'

The academic referred journal aims at contributing to the ongoing dialogue that would hopefully lead to fruitful and effective action to ensure the successful execution of Ghana's developmental agenda.

Professor Osei said both investments and savings had picked up since the mid-1980's, whereas public investments remained quite important and it had in large part been financed from foreign aid.

He noted that gross savings in the country remained low, at below 20 per cent, and that this explained the 'borrowing'.

'The extent to which this has contributed to long term debt depends on the returns to the general use of the borrowing,' he said.

He said the macroeconomic targets set in the budget were pointing the right way, as it was bold to relook the statutory funds and use that to create a bit more fiscal space.

The Vice Dean noted that the budget talks about shifting 'focus of economic management from taxation to production,' but this, in a short term, could result in a decline in tax revenue.

He said it was important to note that the elasticity of revenue change in the effective tax rate depended on how long it took growth to respond, and shift incentives from 'cheating' to 'compliance'.

Dr Esther Ofei-Aboagye, the Deputy Chairperson of the National Development Planning Commission, said the provisions in the budget had some prospects for promoting the development agenda; however, some of the incentives like the abolishing of Value Added Tax (VAT) on domestic flight were not initiatives that the poor would benefit from.

She said there were good initiatives, for instance the creation of regional development authorities as the bill was now going through Parliament, four months after the budget had been read; and this implied that there would not be enough time for implementation.

Dr Ofei-Aboagye said the issue of institutions, structures and systems to mop up the gaps was also a matter of concern.

'We need to be involved as citizens in the entire budget process, not only in the formulation but the implementation and review,' she added.

Apostle Daniel Walker, the PUC Rector, said often times some governments were not faithful to their own budget, stating that; 'This is where as a nation we should have the will power to implement the provisions in the budget'.

He said the expectations of the people after the budget had been read had nothing to do with financial jargons and, as such, all and sundry were hopeful that the 'Asempa Budget' would actually bring development.

Apostle Walker commended the PBJ Editorial Board, under the chairmanship of Professor J.B.K Aheto, for having the vision of ensuring that PUC becomes a centre of academic and professional excellence.

GNA

By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, July 27, GNA - The Minority Chief Whip, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, on Thursday protested a directive by the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Michael Oquaye, to allow the Leadership of the House to ask only one question.

This came up after members had asked questions, eliciting answers from Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the Food and Agriculture Minister.

Dr Akoto answered a major question that stood in the name of Mr Eric Opoku, MP for Asunafo South, which sought to know what the expenditure, participation and status for the Planting for Foods and Jobs Programme was.

Members of the House asked supplementary questions and when it was the turn of the Leadership to ask questions, the Speaker reminded the House that he would allow them only one question, as Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader and MP for Tamale South, was on his feet to ask questions.

The Minority Leader registered an unsuccessful objection and declined to ask the question.

The Speaker then gave the Majority Leader the opportunity to ask his question, but the Majority Leader indicated that he would not ask any question.

Alhaji Muntaka, who had been on his feet for some time without catching the eye of the Speaker, vehemently protested the directive of the Speaker.

Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensa- Bonsu said it was wrong for the Minority Chief Whip to have banged his hands on the table to protest the directive from the Speaker.

The Speaker had ruled that: 'I have consistently made it clear to both sides of the House - Majority and Minority - that no one will be allowed a double bite as I said on many occasions. In all honesty you all know that.

'Let me make it clear that this argument was most unnecessary and in future what is going to happen is no leader shall have double bite at the Chamber,'

he said.

Mr Kyei-Mensa-Bonsu continued that: 'Our Orders, Order 93(5) provide that the conduct of Mr Speaker, Members, Chief Justice, Judges of the Superior Courts of Judicature shall not be raised except upon on a substantive motion.

'So the Orders provide sufficient avenue to redress any grievance of a member. This is a House of rules and procedure so if my colleague, the Chief Whip for the Minority, is unhappy about a directive or a ruling by the Speaker, the avenues are opened to the person.

'I think it will be wrongful for the member to rise and be referring to the conduct of the Speaker not on a substantive motion [and] at the same time be banging the table, that is unacceptable.'

The Minority side stayed on in the House, but refused to participate in proceedings after the development.

Speaking to journalists afterwards, Alhaji Muntaka accused the Speaker of treating the Minority with disrespect.

He said both sides of the House were happy to have a former colleague MP as Speaker, thinking that they would have enough space, at least, for the 'Minority to have their say, and the Majority, their way.'

However, the Minority Chief Whip said: 'Since this Speaker came, we have been treated with a lot of disrespect. We are not given the space to raise concerns so what are we going to be sitting there doing if we can't have the space to be heard.

'We have lost all the opportunities to show our frustration so we had to burst in anger, unfortunately, which was unnecessary.

'He is making the space so narrow for the Minority to even have their say which is the common thing that every Minority member can have. Now we can't have our say and we can't have our way, this is unbearable for us.'

The Minority threatened to 'advice itself,' including walk out, boycott or impeachment of the Speaker.

GNA

By Benjamin Mensah, GNA
Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the son and of the holy ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you to do and lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world. (Mat. 28:19-20 KJV)

The above was the last statement of Jesus Christ to the disciples. With this as a reference quote, can we now envisage what our modern churches are turning into? If you are still not getting the imagery let me help with the trends.

In the colonial days, the early preachers conditioned our minds through the gospel to be obedient to our masters (Colonial) and endure earthly suffering in other to enjoy a promised heaven which comes without suffering. At the end of the day, those who suffer here on earth are entitled merry in heaven . This I must say facilitated their (Colonial masters) long rule and the unfortunate slave raiding in Africa.

After the colonial days, the Gospel then turned into "JESUS IS COMING, SINNERS WILL GO TO HELL", and HELL became popular than the promised HEAVEN. Everyday, you would get a series of stories, from Christians about their visit to hell and chucks of report on people that were already in the lake of fire. Very interesting series of Hell stories were told daily. Then from the early 2000s, the Church changed from gospel preachings into prophesying and miracles and in Ghana, it was like witch hunt, no day passed by without a witch or wizard story.

We were then exposed to technology and internet from 2005 and people were for a better word sinning more. People were exposed to pornographic websites, hiphop music videos and sensitive movies and this made them guilty to attend Churches and people were not going to church and few going were shaky in their faith. The next trend was that, we live by GRACE and so God was not looking at our way of life but by his grace and mercies, we are saved. One should just professed that Jesus Christ is Lord and he or she has attained salvation. A lot of people were saved and then the Gospel then turned into Prosperity tips. A typical Sunday sermon would be themed, 10 ways to become successful and a whole lot of economics themes. You could hardly differentiate between a church and a business consulting organization.

So after Church members were initiated to prosperity thinking and becoming prosperous, the gospel was then on how to give and sow seeds in the Church of God. Seeds sowing, offerings were tagged with salvation, prophecies, miracles and even the prosperity lectures preached were all tagged with paying money at Church for a full realisation of it.

And now we are here pricing miracles ($5000 - $70) and selling anointing oils, handkerchiefs, calendars, water, fruits, soaps, and a whole lot in churches. This is the current trend and if we referenced the Bible quote above, the actual work of God has been innovatively changed selfishly by some Men of God. We are now in "Churchpreneurship". An entrepreneur is a person who thrives for success and takes on risk by starting his own venture or service. Some modern churches have started their own ventures and services and what will the end be. We must note that every entrepreneur is after the income and profits. If churches are now turning into Churchpreneurship, where do you think we are heading towards?

Jesus Christ said, He will be with the Church till the end of the world meaning he is watching. Christianity has a reconciling mandate assigned by Jesus Christ to us, are we on course? Or we are being divided my riches and financial gains.

The Church needs money to grow, that is very true but should we manipulate and conditioned members to give? That is a big NO.

Church members pay tithe, pay regular offerings and contribute towards church projects and activities. Have we forgotten about harvests and gifts we give to our men of God and Pastors. Are all these not enough to usher us into that miracle or blessings God has prepared for us? Then I ask, what's the need for a SPECIAL OFFERING? The worst part is that these offerings have been commodify into miracles ranging from high to low based on amount and we see nothing wrong with that? Church of God, no matter how we defend seed sowing and offerings in Churches, let's not forget that the actual work has been shadowed. We should preach, teach and baptize with the holy ghost.

Churches are changing and it's time we wake up as followers of Christ and fight. We are not saying sowing seeds or paying offerings are bad, or the church doesn't need money to grow, but the means in which we are getting them is problematic. You may argued that, those prices are not compulsory but should paying offerings in the church of God reach that stage? A stage where miracles are priced for sale? Don't quote me Malachi because it has been misconstrued. Anybody who gave in the bible gave out of what they have and could sacrifice.

I want to state it clear that I am not against any Church but I am against the narratives Churches are using to get monies from members. If such concept is encouraged and supported by church members then it is time we view churches as any organization and tax it. Churchpreneurship generates a lot of income and profit and taxing it should not be difficult for any government.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all.

Arise true worshippers for change!!!

Arise overcomers of Christ!!!

Arise Church, let's have conginitive transformation!!!

Ebenezer Owusu Acheampong

(Mr. Powerful)

( [email protected] )
Hebrews 11:6 "And without Faith it is impossible to please God" and thats what Christians believe.

Religion is a choice and the constitution allows freedom of worship so one finds it dificult to understand when a group of faithless people decide to condemn another group for choosing who to worship and is this hypocrisy or damness since those same people go to the Churches when they have problems.

Recently the Church have come under attack by some people who dont believe in their faith which is quite strange but in a society where anything goes and democracy means saying anything that comes into mind without thinking, trust me its normal but then as the saying goes it takes a few bad nuts to destroy the lot.

As an OldTom I attended a Catholic School and I saw the modest lifestyle of Father Batsa, Father Tsaketey and one white Sister which I have forgotten her name please pardon my memory. They used very old cars and the Sister didnt even have a car in fact they wore only one cloth which were the white and blue gowns. I dont recollect seeing them in colourful suites and jeans.

I was also brought up in the Baptist church and I never saw our Pastors living like Kings but rather like servants of the Most high.

Anytime I visited the village I attended Methodist since thats where my grandparents worship.

I was able to attend Mass, Baptist and Methodist because they all believe in one God.

Now to the subject at hand ie TITHE.

I was taught to pay tithe by my Dad straight from sunday school because he believed that it was not just a commandment but it also taught you how to give and also how to save in life. I also sometimes questioned the final destination of my tithe but with time understood how needful it was to the needy especially when we went round on visitations to the orphanages, hospitals and prisons.

Most of these Churches I have spoken about are all under mother Churches and under associassions that regulate their activities.

Recently there have been calls for churches to pay taxes and royalties and all this I can emphatically say its because of the opulent and lavish lifestlye of Pastors of one man churches who sell prayers to its members. Truth is Churches are registered under NGOs and therefore have no business doing buying and selling but what do we see today?

I wont emphasize on it since we are all withnesses to the cars and bodyguards.

In conclusion I would say that tithes and offerings are not compulsory but are choices so its left to those who give it out to decide as to who they give it to.

Psalm 68:1 - Let God Arise, let his Enemies be scattered.
Georgina Opoku-Amankwah, one of the deputy commissioners of the Electoral Commission (EC), has broken her silence in the ongoing corruption allegations that have beset the commission.

According to her, the Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, has peddled falsehood in the alleged corruption scandal and abuse of office that have hit the top hierarchy of the election organizing body.

Mrs. Opoku-Amankwah, who is the Deputy Ccommissioner in-charge of Corporate Service, said Mrs Charlotte Osei told a pack of lies in her response to the petition that has been filed by some EC staff calling for her (Madam Osei's) impeachment.

The petition for the impeachment has since been sent to the Chief Justice for action by President Akufo-Addo in line with constitutional requirements.

Explosive Issues

The EC boss, apart from claiming that her deputies deliberately worked to frustrate her stay in office as the chairperson, also openly accused Mrs. Opoku-Amankwah of signing contracts worth over $40m without her knowledge and authorization between July and September 2015.

However, in a 25-point response to the EC Chairperson's claims sent to the Economic and Organised Crime Office in what appears to be a never-ending scandal that has engulfed the commission, Mrs. Opoku-Amankwah said, The Chairperson's claim that there was a deliberate strategy to frustrate her work and tenure is palpably false and a figment of her own imagination.

Divisive Figure

The Deputy Commissioner appeared to suggest that it was rather Mrs. Osei who was the problem at the commission and not her or Amadu Sulley  Deputy Commissioner in-charge of Operations  whom Mrs. Osei has also accused of engaging in fraudulent deals and other illegalities.

False Claim

The claim by the Chairperson that she was never given an office is false. An allegation like this gives the impression that the commission was created after the Chairperson was appointed, Ms Opoku-Amankwah averred.

She said the EC boss was given a befitting office used by her predecessor, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, in the commission's headquarters in Accra adding, Strangely, she refused to take up the office, claiming that she had a security audit conducted by a security detail from the office of the president and indicated that the office was not fit and safe for her occupation. Rather, she disorganized the whole Human Resource Directorate by choosing the director's office as a place of her preference.

She accordingly instructed the then Director of Human Resources, who was occupying that office, to vacate the office for her use. She thereafter contracted her own artisans to do a complete makeover fitting with a shower cubicle and other facilities, thereby rendering our artisans redundant. She also changed the fittings and furniture in the office, the deputy commissioner said.

Country Tour

Ms Opoku-Amankwah said that every effort to get the Chairperson to embark on a familiarization tour of EC offices in the country failed because Mrs. Osei expressed security concerns and insisted that since her (EC boss') assumption of office, she had never visited any of the regional or district offices of the commission.

She said when they proposed to renovate the Charlotte's official residence for her after Dr. Afari-Gyan had packed out, she rejected the proposal and Ms Opoku-Amankwah noted, This suggestion estranged her relationship with the former Human Resource Director.

NCCE Accommodation & V8

For reasons best known to herself, she continued to live in the accommodation provided by the NCCE, claiming that the official residence is not fit for her status. Mrs. Osei had also declared that the official V8 Land Cruiser vehicle bought in 2014  just a year before she assumed office  and had been used by Dr. Afari-Gyan, was not fit for her status and arranged for a 2015 model from the presidency and kept Dr. Afari-Gyan's vehicle for her household use.

Spurious Allegation

Ms. Opoku-Amankwa described as spurious, allegation by Charlotte Osei that she had met a bloated budget of GH1.7 billion, saying it exposes her lack of understanding by the budget drivers of an election year budget.

She continued, I wish to state that there was no occasion that the Chairperson called the deputies to a meeting in connection with the budget that they refused. This strenuous attempt to accuse the deputies in the budget iteration exercise is not only unfortunate but also undeserving of an institution.

She said on the two contracts worth $41 million to an IT firm, the commission had unanimously approved the deal before Mrs. Osei assumed office but was rather unilaterally abrogated by the Chairperson. As at the time of writing, neither deputies knew the outcome of the abrogation as she dealt directly with the vendor, Madam Opoku-Amankwah disclosed.

She said she never unilaterally promoted directors but that had been done in collaboration with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the Ministry of Finance before Mrs. Osei took over.

Mrs. Opoku-Amankwah said all contract documents were in case files at the commission and could not have refused to hand them over as claimed by Mrs. Osei.

Managerial Deficiencies

Her managerial deficiencies, coupled with her poor human relations and lack of appreciation for team work, is too manifest to escape public judgement, according to the Deputy Director in-charge of Corporate Services.

She claimed that the allegation of staff fuel coupon rate having been increased is bogus because Mrs. Osei had been the greatest beneficiary and added that there had not been any financial year that the Chairperson was precluded from budget discussion.

She said before Mrs. Osei took over, management meetings were called every Monday, Wednesday and Friday but she stopped the practice and decided to allow meetings at her 'whims,' adding, She resorted to using some members of the commission in performing the duties of the deputies.

Mrs. Opoku-Amankwah described as frivolous, useless.the allegations leveled against her and asked that they be treated with contempt.

By William Yaw Owusu


The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has set plans to regularize the private lotto operators that will increase its revenue generation from 35million to 250million cedis annually to government.

The Director-General of NLA, Kofi Osei-Ameyaw said this in an interview at the stakeholder forum attended by lotto operators, Writers and LMCs in Accra to discuss challenges facing the industry.

He indicated that the Authority is undertaking steps to regularize the industry through a Public Private Partnership within the framework of the Lotto Act 2006 (Act 722) to generate a certain fee for the banker-to-banker operators who applies for a license in order to operate a lotto business.

Mr. Osei-Ameyaw noted that the formalization of the banker-to-banker operators will begin in phases starting from the Greater Accra Region, Ashanti, Eastern and Western region.

We are going to license a certain number of them within regions. We have 10 regions, in Greater Accra region we will be looking for 30-50 operators on the top. If each one pays a million cedis a year that gives us about 30-50million cedis from the 50 operators. If we dont get the total number and some want to operate and pay we will give them the license and they will then employ the writers underneath them and they will be the ones writing. Once we are able to do that they can go ahead as licensed banker-to-banker operators who are not using the Point of Sale (POS) machines.

So if Greater Accra we can do 30 to 50 million cedis, we will do similar in Ashanti region, Eastern Region, Western region. For Volta region, we will step it down a bit as well as Upper East, Upper West and Northern Region, he stated.

The Director-General added that they are looking in the region of about 150 to 250 million cedis a year through regulation and licensing.

He noted that the Authority is partnering them to develop the modalities for an agreement to be signed on how much fees should be charged for licensing a banker-to-banker operator.

Banker-to-banker collapsing their business

Mr. Kofi Osei-Ameyaw indicated that the banker-to-banker operators are killing their business with payment of commissions which is a little above what they pay LMCs.

According to him, government is losing revenue as a result of the two groups operating differently which allow the banker-to-banker to operate without any taxes and other with a tax burden which actually belongs to government.

They pay their people 35percent and we pay our people 20percent commission and again take tax off the 20percent on their commission. So people are shifting to the banker-to-banker and revenue that would have gone to government is being moved away. So once you stop the taxes it will attract more people to come in.

Further to that, if you get a win through Lotto Marketing Company (LMC) which belongs to government and you are going to claim your money, you will pay tax on that win. So it is not allowing people to rather shift to the illegal banker-to-banker where you just get your full money without any tax, he intimated.

Mr. Osei-Ameyaw posited that the removal of taxes will give the industry players a level playing field to generate the needed revenue to government for national development.

He added that the removal of taxes on the commission on wins will also encourage more people to patronize the lotto business to grow and become more viable in the country.

According to him, failure to register within three months of operation will lead to arrest and prosecution by their lotto police and courts.

Removal of Taxes on Commission

The Director General emphasized that government has promised to provide a tax relief for a period of 2years to monitor and study progress of lotto businesses in the industry.

We have had discussions with the Ministry of Finance. I cannot scrap taxes. They have to take it to Parliament because what we are arguing is that once we have a sunset clause, moratorium for two years is needed to see whether when we take those taxes out we can expand the revenue base and put more money into the consolidated fund.

They have agreed they will look into that and push it to Parliament and once Parliament agrees that we should scrap taxes on commissions of the agents which the banker-to-banker are not paying anything, he stressed.

Increment of Commission

Mr. Kofi Osei-Ameyaw announced the Authoritys plan to increase the commission paid to operators from 20 to 25percent to allow competition.

We are interested in increasing your commission and then also we have made representation to the Ministry of Finance to take away the taxes on your commission, he stated.
Robert Jackson (4th from left) and Robert Ahomka-Lindsay (5th left) in a group photograph with participants at the AGOA validation workshop

The United States Ambassador to Ghana, Robert P. Jackson, has asked local businesses to do more to take advantage of the Africa Growth & Opportunities Act (AGOA) to make Ghana more competitive in the global market.

Speaking at a day's national AGOA utilization strategy validation event yesterday in Accra, Mr Jackson stated: AGOA is an opportunity for Ghana to access the US marketplace, increase exposure for 'made in Ghana' goods and create more jobs.

However, Ghana has not taken as much advantage of AGOA as I had hoped. In 2015, Ghana exported $9 million worth of goods under AGOA. In 2016, Ghana exported $29 million worth of goods, of which only $12 million was for non-oil goods. While this upward trend is encouraging, this number should increase substantially if Ghana is to be fully integrated into the global economy.

He also indicated that Ghana has tremendous potential to be the trade gateway of Africa.

But the choice is ultimately up to the government and the people of Ghana: What do you want the future of Ghana to be? The United States is ready to work together with you to create an enabling business environment  one that will build upon Ghana's stable economic and political foundation, and create jobs for citizens of both of our countries.

The ambassador, who also called on government to put additional policies in place that will enable the private sector flourish, commended Salma Salifu, Managing Director of Dignity-Do the Right Thing, the largest Ghanaian exporter of apparel to the US.

It manufactures 25,000 garments a day and exports approximately $1 million worth of products every month to the US.

Robert Ahomka-Lindsay, Deputy Minister of Trade & Industry, in a speech, said the AGOA strategy built on Ghana's National Export Strategy seeks to double the country's non-traditional export earnings to $5 billion per year.

He added that his outfit has set itself a target of $500 million over the next three and a half years to make use of the AGOA project to project Ghanaian companies.

We have to remove obstacles and make ourselves more competitive. If we are to help Ghanaians achieve their objectives, then a key component will be through exports.

Over 6,000 products, under the AGOA programme, are accessible to Ghanaian companies.

And industries in the apparel, fisheries, horticulture, tropical fruits, specialty vegetables, root crops, vegetable fats (palm oil and shea-butter), cocoa, handicrafts and jewelry are encouraged to learn the ABC guidelines to make full use of the opportunity.

[email protected]

By Samuel Boadi


28.07.2017 LISTEN

Since some of us were old and fortunate enough to have witnessed the despot Rawlingss PNDC regime (which later metamorphosed into NDC Party),we cannot somehow speak ill about Ghanas democratic dispensation in spite of the accompaniedtribulations.

Back then, we witnessed the eccentric and frumpish laws such as the Criminal Libel and Seditious Laws which were used excessively by the founder of the NDC Party, and former president, Jerry John Rawlings to silence his political opponents.

Truth be told, the founder of the NDC Party, Rawlings, took delight in the neanderthaloid laws such as the Criminal Libel and Seditious Laws and used them effervescently to silence his opponents and political analysts.

In fact, Rawlings hid behind the barbarous Criminal Libel and Seditious Laws and gleefully sent a large number of his opponents to prison.

Take, for example, seasoned journalists like Kwaku Baako Jnr and Haruna Atta were imprisoned by the despotic revolutionary Jerry John Rawlings for voicing out their opinions.

Interestingly, however, it was through the efforts of the then Attorney General in President Kufuors NPP government, Nana Akufo-Addo, who worked collaboratively with the forward thinking President Kufuor and repealed the truculent and inhumane Criminal Libel and Seditious Laws in 2001.

A memorandum on the bill presented to the House by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, stated, "the purpose of the bill is to fulfil the promise of repeal, and thereby demonstrate the Kufuor government's determination to make good its promise to the nation.

The memorandum said these laws have come to symbolize authoritarian, anti-democratic impulses within Ghana's body politics which the media have been virtually and vociferously unanimous in demanding their repeal.

According to the memorandum, such laws are unworthy of a society seeking to develop on democratic principles on the basis of transparency and accountability in public life ( https://www.modernghana.com/news/.../criminal-libel-law-repealed.html , 30/06/2001).

The repealing of the strikingly outlandish seditious laws, was, as a matter of fact, an unprecedented feat.

Obviously, it paved way for the press freedom we are enjoying at present. Indeed, upon the removal of the dowdy laws , ordinary citizens could express their views without looking behind them.

More importantly, political actors and activists have the illimitable freedom to organise press conferences and demonstrations, sometimes with minimal police resistance.

In the period between 1993 and 2001, despite the advent of democracy, the opposition political parties were toothless and could not organise frequent demonstrations and press conferences, as it is happening today.

Let us face it, due to former President Kufuor and his governments foresightedness, today, the minority NDC operatives can boundlessly organise press conferences to unfairly attack the same person whose invaluable contributions helped to expunge the libel and seditious laws.

In so far as I do not want to accept the widely held assertion that politics is a dirty game, it would not be farfetched to suggest that the political terrain is full of grumbling geezers.

Of course, political manipulators are not limited to Africa, it is a global phenomenon, as a matter of fact.

However, in my view, it is our part of the world (Africa), where political inebriations and insobrieties are so prevalent.

Perhaps, this is so because we have greater number of unlettered folks, many of whom cannot choose between tricksters and morally upstanding politicians.

Make no mistake, the opposition is obliged to put the incumbent government on its toes. But does the opposition NDC have to whine and criticise for criticising sake?

Perhaps, the NDC Party apparatchiks are trying their level best to convince their aggrieved supporters of their consuming desire to recapture power in 2020.

All the same, it is somewhat ironic that the opposition NDC operatives have soon found their voices and squalling and scolding at the roof top about coarse governance and alleged sleazes and corruptions.

To me, it is an illustrative case of let us give a dog a bad name and hang it. Obviously they are trying their level best to bring to the fore the non-existent incompetence, sleazes and corruptions.

Indeed, it beggars belief that despite the unbridled corruptions, the arrogance of power and the irrevocable incompetence by the erstwhile NDC administration which resulted in massive economic collapse, the minority NDC operatives would still have the moral authority to organise press conferences.

Nevertheless, that is the beauty of democracy. The minority NDC operatives are within their democratic right to whine and speak their piece and criticise the infant NPP administration as they see fit.

But then again, they ought to exercise a great deal of circumspection , limit the extraneous press conferences , consider criticising constructively and put forward alternative policies and programmes.

K. Badu, UK
Mr. Appiah, CHAG Board Chairperson

28.07.2017 LISTEN

The Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) has called on government not to take for granted the services member facilities of the Association were rendering a large segment of Ghanaians in the rural area.

As provider of over 40 percent of health care in the country, the new Chairperson of the CHAG Board has entreated government as a matter of urgency expedite repayment of the debts owed CHAG Facilities by the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Dame Dr. Agatha Ekua Bonney, the CHAG Board Chairperson made the appeal to government interview, highlighting the serious threat the indebtedness was posing to health care provision in rural areas and in the entire country.

She narrated the huge pressure on facilities to pay their suppliers and the shortage of critical medical consumables to help sustain the delivery of health care to Ghanaian.

She described the huge debts of over 13 months as severely hampering the delivery of quality healthcare and demoralizing genuine efforts of many CHAG Facilities dotted around remote areas to provide quality health care.

Dame Dr. Akua Bonney strongly appealed to the Government to as a matter of urgency consider settling the indebtedness of NHIA and ensure the immediate reimbursement to the health facilities for services they were rendering.

She expressed the desire of the Association to continue dialoguing with the government to ensure the settlement of the debts owed its member facilities, while pledging CHAGs commitment to work with other stakeholders to find lasting solution and sustainable means of funding health care in Ghana.

As a Christian association we are unable to lay down our tools due to our principles of compassion to the patient, even though our facilities are really suffering she echoed, appealing to the Government to consider their plight and ensure that payment were made to save the health facilities from collapsing.

Funding NHIS

To ensure NHIS is not starved of cash, the CHAG Board Chairperson suggested that NHIS Fund be decoupled from the consolidated fund and used solely for what it was established for.

Given the challenge of the huge indebtedness to health facilities, she observed that ensuring sustainable health funding was paramount, to the delivery of quality health care, which is critical to Ghanas development.

Dame Dr. Ekua Bonney, stated that CHAG which started the pilot of project of the health insurance at Nkoranza in the 90s is very much interested in its sustenance, but said if the NHIS were properly managed it would not be facing the challenges it was facing.

Make NHIS fund work solely as it was set up, she stressed.

Vision

The Chairperson said the New Board would work in line with the vision of the founding fathers and ensure that CHAG and its member facilities become the best quality health care delivery centres throughout the country.

Under their three-year mandate, the Chairperson noted that the Board would prioritize patient care and satisfaction in the delivery of quality health care at throughout CHAG member facilities in the country.

She explained further that appropriate patient care and customer satisfaction were a prerequisite in the process of giving holistic healthcare delivery.

As CHAG marks its Golden Jubilee this year, Dame Dr. Ekua Bonney said the association would introduce strategies to improve and uphold high standards of holistic health care to the patient, which includes strengthening staff orientation on the new trends in patient care and customer satisfaction at all levels.

Faced with the hurdle of dwindling donor funds, huge debt of NHIS to facilities and a commitment to continue the provision of quality healthcare delivery; Mr. Sam Sarpong Appiah, Vice Chairperson, shared the vision of the Board to pursue mobilization of fund locally to augment other sources of funds.

He therefore called for a change in mentality and attitude in order to mobilize funds locally to aid the continuous operation of the health facilities in the country.

The Vice Chairperson said the Board vigorously promote prudent financial management regimes of funds and encourage close working relations between facilities and communities in which they operate in to rally support for their growth.

Poor and sick fund

In spite of the financial constraints, the Chairperson and the Vice reiterated the fact that most CHAG facilities were doing their best to assist patient meet the cost of treatment through the Poor and Sick Fund they established.

The Board Chairperson pledged CHAGs committed to continue providing holistic health care delivering, which will offer spiritual, mental and emotional health care that hinges on the tenets of respect for patients dignity, and concern for the health needs of clients in a Christ like manner.

New Board members

Among the 16-member Board of CHAG chaired by Dame Dr. Agatha Akua Bonney, assisted by Mr. Sam Sarpong Appiah; as well as Dr. Yao Yeboah; Alex Kofi Osei Owusu, ESQ.; Mr Osei Yaw Asamoa; Mr. Mauurice Adu-Amankwah; and Mr Julius Wellens-Mensah.

Others are Mr. Peter K. Yeboah, Executive Director of CHAG; Dr. Elias K. Sory; Joseph A. Aryitey, ESQ.; GEAORGE A. Adjei, ESQ.; Ms. Margaret Mary Alacoque Dapilah, and Dr. Frederick E.M. Kustsienyo, as well as Mr. Lawrence Ofosu Adjare; Mr Enoch Osafo, and Presbyter Jonas Gershon Dzodzodzi.
Okyeame Kwame will today host this year's edition of the free hepatitis B screening at the La Bawaleshie Presbyterian School at East Legon in Accra from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

The screening, he said, has the supports of benevolent organisations and individuals such as the Ghana Health Services, MDS-Lancet Laboratory, among other allied bodies.

In all, Okyeame Kwame is targeting to screen free-of-charge an estimated 3,000 people within the Greater Accra Region.

I want Ghanaians to come to the Bawaleshie Presbyterian School at East Legon in Accra today to get screened free-of-charge. This is how we are going to mark the World Hepatitis B Day which falls today, he told BEATWAVES in an interview.

This year's event which is under the theme 'Let's Kick Hepatitis Out' is being organised by the Okyeame Kwame Foundation (OKF), in partnership with the MDS-Lancet Laboratories.

The annual event which aims at helping kick hepatitis B out of the country is sponsored by Citi FM, Peace FM, Ahead Media, Skyfalls Mineral Water and powered by Firm Bridges Communications.

The award-winning hiplife artiste expressed his profound appreciation to MDS-Lancet Laboratory and other sponsors for their indispensable roles in the successes of the foundation so far.

So far, about 38,000 Ghanaians have benefitted from a free medical attention and screening held at the British Council Hall and Kwame Nkrumah Circle (Accra), Prempeh Assembly Hall, KNUST Campus and Ayigya Taxi Rank (Kumasi), the Methodist Church at Nkawkaw (Eastern Region), Market Circle (Takoradi), among others.

By George Clifford Owusu
The 2016 Ghana Malaria Indicator Survey (GMIS) has revealed that malaria rates are declining among Children.

The results of the survey showed that the number of children affected with malaria has decreased from 27 percent in 2014 to 21 percent in 2016, representing one in five children aged six to 59 months is infected with malaria.

The report was produced by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), in collaboration with the Ghana National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) and the National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) of the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

Speaking at the official launch of the 2016 GMIS, Gloria Quansah-Asare, the Deputy Director of the GHS, disclosed that the GMIS 2016 was relevant and timely, especially for the GHS, because of the need to have accurate and current data for the Global Fund malaria grant application.

According to her, the findings of the survey would be helpful in appreciating the progress or otherwise in the fight against malaria.

She added that it would also be a starting point for further research, not only to GHS, but also to all the research institution in Ghana and beyond.

The Acting Government Statistician, Baah Wadieh, stated that the GMIS data collection commenced in October 2016 and ended in December 2016.

He added that 12 teams of interviewers and supervisors travelled throughout the country, visiting about 6,000 households, interviewing over 5,000 women and testing about 3,080 children for anaemia and malaria.

Mr Wadieh explained that malaria prevalence among children varies widely throughout the administrative regions of Ghana, ranging from five percent in Greater Accra to as high as 30 percent in Central and 31 percent in the Eastern Region.

Rural children, according to the government statistician, are twice as likely to be infected with malaria as urban children.

The survey shows that prevention practices are on the rise, as ownership of long-lasting insecticide treated mosquitoes nets (LLINs) has more than doubled in the last eight years, with more than seven in 10 households now owning an LLIN.

Among the high risk groups, half of pregnant women and 52 percent of children under five reported using an LLIN the night before the survey; this represents an increase from 39 percent of pregnant women and 43 percent of children under five in 2014.

The 2016 GMIS results highlight the need for improvement, as just three in 10 children have blood test to check for malaria infection before treatment, as recommended by NMCP of the GHS and the World Health Organisation, whilst less than half of women had heard or seen a malaria message in the six months before the survey.

In addition, among women who sought advice or treatment for malaria and took an anti-malarial, 36 percent had not provided a blood sample for malaria testing to confirm the diagnosis.

By Lawson Kwame Lugu
Mathew Opoku, the deceased

28.07.2017 LISTEN

A Junior High School (JHS) boy has allegedly been stabbed to death by his friend following a misunderstanding between them.

Mathew Opoku, the deceased, collapsed and died shortly after Elijah Namong stabbed him in the stomach on Wednesday afternoon.

The two teenagers, both aged 14, are classmates at WESCO Demonstration JHS in Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital.

The duo, who are in Form Two, were said to be on their way home from school when an intense debate started between them.

In the course of the verbal exchanges, Namong reportedly got extremely angry and stabbed Opoku with a short knife.

Some people at the scene reported the disturbing news to the police, who conveyed the body to the morgue, pending autopsy.

The Assemblyman for Krofrom East, Patrick Kwame Frimpong, confirmed the unfortunate incident to DAILY GUIDE on Thursday.

He said Namong, after committing the heinous crime, quickly rushed home perhaps to escape arrest.

Mr Frimpong noted that Namongs mother later learnt about her sons action and personally escorted him to the police station.

According to the assemblyman, who was very disturbed, the deceased and the suspect lived at Krofrom.

He said so far three young people had been stabbed to death in 2017.

Mr Frimpong noted that four days ago, two suspected young armed robbers in the area escaped in handcuffs.

He stated that the rate at which young people have been committing violent crimes in the area was alarming.

The Assemblyman appealed to the relevant authorities to quickly intervene to help stop the violence.

From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi


The Aflao Circuit Court has sentenced five persons, who robbed two mobile money operators at Dzelukope-Alata in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region, to a total of 75 years' imprisonment in hard labour.

The five accused persons pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit crime and robbery.

The court, presided over by His Honour, Ali Baba Abature, also fined the five convicts 500 penalty points each, amounting to about GH6,000 or in default serve additional five years' imprisonment in hard labour.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

The five convicts were arrested on July 5, 2017 and remanded into police custody by the Aflao Circuit Court on July 7, 2017.

They are 32-year-old fisherman, Agbey Ali, 22-year-old student, Dorkenu Wisdom, 18-year-old tailor's apprentice, Seth Gidiglo, 17-year-old unemployed, Eli Dorkenu and 22-year-old student, Bismark Ashiagbor.

A sixth suspect, whose name was given as John, is still at large.

The Police said one Mercy Sekle, a 36-year-old business woman, who reported the case to the Police, said the robbery incident happened on July 4, 2017 at about 9pm when the two mobile money operators had closed from work.

The two victims, Kumordzi David Setsofia, 24, and Benjamin Kumordzi, 28, were robbed of a green bag containing an XTG mobile phone valued at GH120.00, MTN Mobile Money Merchant Transaction Book, Invoice Book and cash of GH17,000.

Mercy told the Police that on that fateful day, the victims, after close of their usual mobile money operations, were heading towards their house at Alata when the incident occurred.

Benjamin Kumordzi was holding a bag containing an amount of GH17,000 and his transaction books while Kumordzi David Setsofia was holding a green bag containing cash of GH1,800, XTG phone valued at GH120 with unspecified amount of electronic money on it, MTN Mobil Money Transaction book and an invoice book.

On their way, the convicts emerged from a corner of a building along the road and asked them to hand over their bags to them, but the victims refused.

They pulled out offensive weapons such as knives and scissors to attack the victims.

The victims shouted out for help but the armed robbers collected their bags containing various sums of money and other items and inflicted several wounds on them.

The noise attracted some community members who arrested two of the convicts Agbey Ali and Dorkenoo Wisdom and handed them over to the Police.

Upon interrogation, the two admitted the offence and mentioned Seth Gidiglo and Bismark Ashiagbor as their accomplices.

They also revealed that two other guys, whose names they did not know, were involved.

On July 5, 2017, the police, acting upon a tip-off, arrested Eli Dorkenoo and Seth Gidiglo at Havedzi Beach.

They also admitted the offence in their caution statements.

On that same day, some residents found a green bag containing MTN invoice and MTN merchant transaction book and gave them to the Police.

Apart from the bag which belonged to David Kumordzi, they also found a Samsung Grand mobile phone belonging to Wisdom Dorkenoo.

From Fred Duodu and Gibril Abdul Razak, Keta ( [email protected] )
Johnny, Host TV3, morning show newday, 6:07 am, 27.07.2017 is hopeful that Ghana will survive and that the three day prayer and fasting of his colleague will help to achieve that goal. The three Hosts hope that if not during their life-time, at least their children should live in a better Ghana. This is Ghanawe move on! said Bright with resignation and smile in his voice due to lack of an effective alternative.

Electoral Commission Boss Charlotte Osei in Parliament on 26.07.2017 testified about accounts of her EC organization and in camera about the Petition filed by 17 concerned members of the EC including her counter allegations against her Vice Commissioners. Whatever the outcome of the Chief Justices investigation will bring to light, the rift between the top management of this vital organization for the county is too deep to the extend, all Commissioners need to step down and give way for new people taking charge as they cannot cooperate anymore for the benefit of the country. While Democracies in the developed world took shape, such an occurrences was nowhere to be observed.

During this years election campaign for the General Elections in Kenya in August, it is estimated that the ruling party of Uhuru Kenyatta would have spent USD 50 Mio. for their election efforts, a country that pays to Member of Parliament each months in compensation each USD 10.000 (Kenya is a developing country!), more than an MP in the German Bundestag is entitled to receive. Everyone with sound mind has to raise the question how Uhuru Kenyatta and his party will be able to finance such a vast amount of money once possible back in office.

Still, Europes richest country and fourth in the world has no problem to send AID support to Kenya in which the former Prime Minister and opponent for the Presidency this year once had arrested Homosexuals and put them into prison for what they are even having studied for 8 good years himself at an East-German University to become an Engineer.

Togo is a country in the tied grip of a family with a sitting President that had violated the Constitution of the country by staying in office for a third time instead of only two periods. Speaking out once mind in Togo is attached to an arrest and hidden away in Lomes prisons. Calling from Accra to Lome costs three times more than Accra to Berlin as only one Telecom provider (from France) is allowed to offer its service based on a contract the former President had signed and taken his share of each years profit.

Madam Zille, former Major of Cape Town and granddaughter of a famous German (Berlin) painter had criticized the ANC by saying under the Colonial Masters the water supply and road situation in South Africa were much better than today only to be called to order for not promoting Colonialism. The underlining facts after all were not questioned by her critics. Voices inside the ANC for President Jacob Zuma to step down are silenced by massive protest of top ANC members.

On 26.07.2017 the third Minister of the newly formed Cabinet of Australia stepped down as he had found out, like the other two Ministers one week before, that he is holding dual citizenship not knowing that his mother on his behalf, but without him knowing, had applied for an Italian citizenship; while even he was born in Australia and had never been himself in Italy.

In South Sudan the President and Vice President have put the country on fire and earn good money from the civil war in their country with countless death and displaced people. Both own houses in Nairobi/Kenya in the same estate side by side. The Vice President is fighting the war in his own country from the comfort of his house in South Africa right now.

Central African Republic is in turmoil, Congo is in disarray, Somalia is not coming to rest, Mali is crying under the desert hardship and fights of tribes for independence (Tuareks), former The Gambia President, supported by Paris, is alleged to have stolen USD 50 Mio. from the public purse, President Buhari of Nigeria being out of his country this year for month with no end while the biggest country in Africa needs a strong President to manage the countries affairs, Zimbabwes population faces 90% unemployment with 2,5 Mio. people in danger to starve to death due to foreseeable and preventable draught effects.

The building of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was financed by the Chinese Government, even the statue of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah standing in front, the Presidency in Ghana (Flagstaff House) was a gift from the Indian Government. Africans: are you normal?

As long as Whites allow Africa to survive and not to live, the question must be raised whether Whites seriously have an interest to see Africa with no trouble and poverty as helpless onlookersfor the continent not to take over world politics but make it just survive. In 60 years to come Ghana and Nigeria will have a population of around 1 Billion citizen, while EU countries under 500 Mio. people. Based on the massive population coming alone the continent should take overis that why Whites are in a cycle of making the same mistakes on the African continent ignoring the fact, that this Ostrich strategy will subsequently lead to the destruction of their own societies?

Author: Dipl.-Pol. Karl-Heinz Heerde, Sakumono, Tema West, Ghana, phone +233(0)265078287, [email protected] , 27.07.2017
28.07.2017 LISTEN

By Belinda Ayamgha/Victoria Enyonam Adonu

Accra, July 27, GNA - The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) has organised its 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) to brief stakeholders of the Chamber's reports and audited financial statements.

The meeting, which took place at the Shippers' House, was organised in line with the Chamber's Constitution which enjoins it to take stock of its activities.

The 41st AGM was on the Chamber's financial reports for the 2015 and 2016 financial years.

Nana Dr. Appiagyei Dankawoso I, the President of the GNCCI, said the Chamber had demonstrated its commitment to the growth of the private sector since the colonial era.

He expressed worry that though the Chamber had worked with successive governments in promoting and protecting the commercial and industrial interest of the private sector, the sector was gripped with some challenges due to the worsening nature of Ghana's economy.

'The Ghanaian economy has been worsening owing to a number of economic and structural challenges,' he said.

Nana Dankawoso said the high cost of borrowing was affecting the competitiveness of businesses in the country.

He said the high volatility of the cedi in the foreign exchange market was an acute problem for the growth of businesses, adding; 'this has made it extremely difficult for businesses to undertake medium to long term planning'.

'It is instructive for Government to collaborate with the private sector to address Ghana's structural problem of over-reliance on the export of low value added to primary products and the excessive importation of goods due to low domestic production' he stated.

Nana Dankawoso, however, said the Chamber had taken up a number of advocacies and programmes to enable the businesses to be competitive and innovative, including actions taken in 2016 to improve efficiency and reduce challenges of doing business at the ports.

In line with this, he said, the Chamber would hold a conference scheduled for August 2017 in Accra to device strategies to curb the problems.

Nana Dankawoso said the Chamber had facilitated business-to-business meeting and investments for delegations around the world to create needful opportunities for members.

He said: 'The Chamber fully supports government's initiative of establishing at least one factory in each district through the 'One District, One Factory' initiative.

Nana Osei Bonsu, the Chief Executive Officer of the Private Enterprises Federation (PEF), commended the Chamber for its contributions to private sector growth, including its pioneering role in the establishment of PEF.

He pledged PEF's commitment to building the capacities of GNCCI members as well as others under the Ghana Institutional Support Project supported by the AfDB.

Mr Nicolas J. Gebera, the Fund Manager of the BUSAC Fund, said the fund recognised the GNCCI as a key in promoting private sector growth and encouraged it to continue working through advocacy to create a more conducive business climate for the private sector.

The Ghana Chamber of Mines, Association of Ghana Industries and Ghana Employers Association also delivered solidarity messages, commending the Chamber for its enormous contribution to the growth of the private sector.

They highlighted the need for synergies between business associations and the need to re-evaluate Ghana's trade policies to favour production by local industries.

The AGM was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Trade and industry, members of the GNCCI, the diplomatic corps, representatives from various business organisations and the media.

GNA
28.07.2017 LISTEN

Kumasi (Ash), July 28, GNA - The President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, has pledged to up her government's assistance to Ghana in the area of healthcare.

She indicated that it would give strong support to the effort at improving the quality of care to people, particularly in deprived communities.

She was speaking during a visit to the Hope Xchange Medical Centre in Kumasi, built with funding by the European nation.

Accompanied by the husband, Edgar, President Preca was in the country to deepen economic cooperation and bilateral ties.

She said her government would going strengthen its partnership with the Catholic Archdiocese of Kumasi to bring quality and affordable healthcare to the population.

President Preca said she was encouraged by the transparent and judicious use of the funds made available towards the hospital project.

She added that they would stand with the church every step of the way to make the facility become one of the best in the West African sub-Region.

The Most Reverend Justice Gabriel Yaw Anokye, Catholic Archbishop of Kumasi, applauded the Maltese government for the immense support in the areas of health and education.

The church, he said was grateful to Malta for helping it to fulfil its evangelization mission.

Mr. Simon Osei-Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister, promised to ensure that the road leading to the Medical Centre was ungraded to bring comfortable to patients and the health workers.

GNA

By Boakye-Baafi, GNA
Member of Parliament for Sagnarigu ABA Fuseini has accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government of lawlessness following the raiding of the homes of former Deputy Power Minister John Jinapor and former Deputy Attorney General Dr Dominic Ayine by personnel of the Criminal Investigations Department in search of documents relating to the controversial $510million AMERI deal.

Five police officers, some wielding AK-47s raided the homes of the former appointees on Friday, 28 July 2017.

The raid comes three days after men from the CID confiscated laptops, phones and other electronic devices of the former Co-ordinator of the Emergency Power Programme at the Ministry of Energy, Francis Gyata following a similar raid at his home in Accra.

Reacting to the development on 12Live on Class91.3FM, Mr Fuseini accused the government of trying to intimidate its political opponents.

Clearly this is lawlessness, the penchant of this government to perpetrate lawless acts is no longer in dispute and you can see the extent to which they are going, he stated.

He continued: After visiting it on innocent citizens, they are now extending it to higher people in politics. Going after their political opponents and that is the vindictive agenda they have set across this country.  Today, they have gone to raid the houses of honorable Jinapor and Dr Ayine and these are sitting Members of Parliament.

They are aware the laws of this country indicate clearly and unmistakably that to investigate a member, you must seek the permission of the Speaker. They are conversant with the rules and yet they resort to this level of impunity. This is a lawless government and the good people of this country have recognised the people who are at the helm of affairs in this country and appropriately taken judicious notice of their action.

We in the Minority, we want to serve notice that you dont frighten a chief warrior with a moustache...
The Finance Ministry has stated it will not seek a supplementary budget even as it presents a midyear budget review to Parliament on Monday [July 31, 2017].

Per the constitution, the Finance Minister is expected to give an account of the performance of the economy before the commencement of the second half of the year.

The motion for Parliament to approve the midyear review of the budget has been scheduled for Monday, July 31.

Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta is expected to among others give an assessment of how the economy fared in terms of revenue and expenditure projections for the first half of the year.

He may also if necessary, announce reviews to some targets set in the 2017 budget in February this year.

Even though this review has in some instances been associated with request for budget surpluses, sources at the Ministry tell Citi Business News there will not be a request for such this time round.

IFS cautions of missing target over non expenditure

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has cautioned that government will miss its 2017 budget target should it fail to spend in critical sectors of the economy.

The IFS argues that government's refusal to pay valid arrears and invest in infrastructure development for the first half of this year has impacted heavily on economic growth.

The warning comes on the back of an assessment of the economy for the first half of 2017.

The Executive Director of the IFS, Professor Newman Kusi explains that the cut in some critical expenditure has affected economic performance so far.

The cuts in expenditure have been affected; those that we actually need such as the capital spending, earmarked funds, payment for goods and services among others. But then again the government has its hands tied at its back because it cannot cut back on wages and salaries, interest payments, etc and these together take a disproportionate share of the revenue that is collected, he stated.

In general, the IFS described as encouraging, the government's efforts to achieve economic stability.



By: Pius Amihere Eduku/Duke Mensah Opoku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
28.07.2017 LISTEN

The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has dismissed claims that challenges with its pump systems have contributed to the shortage of premix fuel in the country.

According to TOR, its systems are all in good condition hence have the capacity to produce to meet demand.

Fisheries Minister, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye has attributed the shortage of the premix fuel to some faulty pumps at TOR.

But a statement on the delivery of the product by TOR and copied to Citi Business News dismissed the claims.

According to the oil refinery, a meeting with the NPA, TOR and the Premix Committee suggested that supplies be capped at 150 which will be increased to 200 trucks in peak periods.

Fishermen bemoan impact of shortages

Meanwhile some fishermen at Shama in the Western Region tell Citi Business News they are yet to receive adequate supplies to meet their needs.

They explain that the development has compelled them to stay out of businesses for the past three weeks.

The shortage has really affected us very much; it was just yesterday that we had reports of some deliveries. If you ask me, I'll say the premix committee hasn't been properly constituted to ensure the constant supply of premix, one of them stated.

Another remarked, Yes, we at Shama have also been affected by the shortage and it is very worryingthe last time I got some was three days ago, WednesdayIf there is enough supply, it could last for about three days but this time round, the supply didn't last for even a day.

The third fisherman who also warned of possible price hikes should they be forced to use Super fuel other than the prescribed premix fuel.

The shortage has led to the emergence of many middlemen which has also led to rise in price due to the price accumulationthere should be interventions for us to get enough else we will have to resort to super which is also expensive compared to the premix. And this will definitely result in price hikes.



By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, has indicated, the Akufo-Addo administration has not altered the formal agreement between Ghana and the US over the two Guantanamo Bay detainees being hosted in the country.

She was responding to a query from the ranking Member on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

Mr. Speaker, we have not changed anything. In the note verbales that were exchanged between the two countries. Indeed there was no agreement. The whole transaction was done through what we call a note verbale from both sides. What we have done is to attach all those documents.

The two detainees, Mahmud Umar Muhammad Bin Atef and Khalid Muhammad Salih Al-Dhuby, who were in detention for 14 years after being linked with terrorist group Al-Qaeda, were brought to Ghana in 2016, for a period, after which they were expected to be reintegrated in their home countries.

The move was however condemned by many including the now-governing New Patriotic Party, who described them as a security threat.

The Supreme Court, in June, however, ordered that the agreement covering the resettlement be submitted to Parliament for ratification or otherwise, failing which the two ex-detainees would be repatriated.



By: Duke Mensah Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Accra, July 24, 2017  GCNet has won the coveted ICT Company of the Year award at the 7th Edition of the Ghana Information Technology and Telecom Awards 2017 (GITTA) held in Accra.

GCNet also emerged as Public Sector e-solutions Provider of the Year for the second successive time, capping years of pioneering leadership as an Innovator and Leader in the Provision of e-Solutions to Government and its agencies through the deployment of a Single Window platform which connects over 10,000 actors in the trade space.

GCNets recognition as ICT Company of the Year and e-Solutions Provider of the Year for the Public Sector stemmed from its continued investments in building I.T infrastructure and capacity consistent with its mission to provide ICT based solutions that foster Trade Development and Facilitation, promote business competitiveness and ensure effective mobilization of revenue for Government.

GCNet provides e-Solutions to Government, by offering electronic platforms for Revenue Mobilization and Trade Facilitation, easing trade processes with system availability nationwide and has successfully deployed an EDI system namely Ghana TradeNet, a Customs system, the Ghana Customs Management System (GCMS), the i-Transit Systems for the processing of goods in transit, an Electronic Business Registration System and an Electronic Tax Administration System.

These awards come on the back of the recent milestones chalked at the maiden Ghana Shippers Awards where GCNet took home the two top most awards: Trade Facilitation Company of the Year and CEO of the Year.

The GCNet deployed systems are extensively identified as central to Government revenue mobilization with 98% of GRA revenue collected through the GCNet platforms. Its Trade Facilitation infrastructure support structure is anchored on five data recovery centres across the country including a Tier III facility which operates on international models of guaranteeing 99.982% availability for Tier III facilities.

As a repository of government data, GCNet also continues to leverage on many international certification regimes including ISO 27001 for information security management and ISO 9000 for quality management to further ensure security standards and compliance catering for the over 97 Customs sites and more than 50 Tax offices of the Ghana Revenue Authority across the length and breadth of the country.

Commenting on the awards, Mrs. Aba Lokko, Corporate Communications Manager, observed GCNet will continually strive to be and remain the leader in the provision of e-solutions in Africa with tailored service offerings to ease the burden of doing business and add value to the trade chain while maximizing revenue collection.

We will build on our 15 year track record of excellence and innovation while working with Government and the people of Ghana to contribute to national development for the benefit of all Ghanaians Mrs. Lokko assured.

In all, more than 20 companies competed for over 20 award categories including the flagship recognition for the night, CEO of the Year award, which was won by the Chief Executive Officer of MTN, Mr. Ebenezer Asante.
The General Legal Council (GLC) has suspended lawyer Kwasi Afrifa for 4 years.

The lawyer is accused of playing a double agent by acting as a Counsel for two separate individuals in a litigation over a property.

A statement issued by the GLC on Friday said lawyer Kwasi Afrifa was charged with two counts under Rule 5 (10) of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 1969 L.I. 613.

It said during the period of suspension, he must not hold himself out as a lawyer or attend Chambers during the period of the suspension.

The statement signed by Secretary to the Council, Justice Alex Poku-Acheampong said, the lawyer, having previously acted as Counsel for one Dr. Emelia Timpo in a probate action involving her mother's estate and assisted her in obtaining Letters of Administration in respect of the same estate, subsequently acted against her interest by representing her brother called Nana Kwamina Apreh Ackah in an action with Suit No.C12/230/14 over property which forms part of the said estate.



He was also changed on a second count of having previously acted as counsel for one Kodwo Ackah, the legal owner of property No, 19A in a Civil Proceedings to evict his tenant at the Ashanti New Town Court, Kumasi, [subsequently brought an action on behalf of his brother, Nana Kwamina Apreh Ackah in an action with suit No.C12/230/14 over property which forms part of the said estate against the said Kodwo Ackah and Dr. Emelia Timpo.

The statement added that Lawyer Afrifa was also formally charged with a third count under Rule 9 (4) of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 1969 L.I. 613 that he; having previously acted as Counsel for one Kodwo Ackah of property No. 19A in civil proceedings to evict his tenant at the Ashanti New Town Court, Kumasi subsequently represented his siblings in a probate action involving their mother's estate and included the said Kodwo Ackah's property (aforesaid) in the inventory of the estate.

The Council has effectively withdrawn his practicing licence until the expiration of the 4-year period.

Barely two months ago, the General Legal Council imposed a four-year ban on a human rights lawyer, Francis Xavier Sosu for advertising his services on Facebook and overcharging a client.

The claimed by the lawyer had pleaded guilty to the charges but Mr. Sosu in an interview with Citi News denied the claims and initiated a court action to challenge the decision by the council.



By: citifmonline.com/Ghana
Former President of Ghana, Jeremiah John Rawlings, has been reminded of his calling as an apostle in the Lords vineyard.

"Having been endowed with exceptional oratory skills and charisma Mr. Rawlings should not hesitate to start his new role now".

Apostle Kofi Nkansah-Sarkodie, founder and leader of Open Arms Ministries/Jesus Chapel in Kumasi has therefore advised the former Ghanaian leader to be bold and accept the challenge because the calling is divine and would be guided by the Holy Spirit to deliver.

Apostle Kofi Nkansah-Sarkodie, who had in August 2008 prophesied that former President Jerry John Rawlings has been chosen by God as an Apostle to propagate His Word across the world said the former President will start his ministerial work in Nigeria very soon.

He disclosed that God revealed to him during a long spell of meditation then that a Nigerian unbeliever billionaire, had been prepared by God to support Mr. Rawlings ministry to grow fast and wide to the levels of the Oral Roberts and Reinnhard Bonnke Ministerial organisations.

According to Saint Sark, the Nigerian billionaire on hearing of the transformation of ex-President Rawlings to an Apostle, would bankroll his apostolic ministry and mobilise people for the ministry.

Earlier, in August 2007, Rev Charles D. K. Asare, the General Overseer of the Charity Kingdom Ministries in Accra, had also predicted that former President of Ghana, Flt. Lt Jerry John Rawlings would be

preaching the Word of God because he had 120 pages of prophecies on the former flight officer.

Rev. Asare prophesied that Mr. Rawlings will preach the gospel around the world, especially on college campuses across the globe and perform many signs and wonders and miracles to save many souls and serve as an inspiration to many college students.

Mr. Rawlings is quoted as saying," I have been in the Ministry of God and humanity since my childhood.

Two years ago, the Kumasi-based Minister of the Gospel, Apostle Kofi Nkansah-Sarkodie reminded Mr. Rawlings of the prophecy that he was destined to minister the word of God.

Saint Sark noted that time was running out for the ex-flying Officer and advised him to humbly surrender and answer the divine call.

He said the former President will have to heed to the divine bidding now to propagate the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ or he would do it in a painful way.

The servant of the lord Jesus Christ observed that any delays on the part of Mr. Rawlings to respond positively to the call will affect his crown and reward.

Saint Sark has procured a bible for the former flying officer and intends to present it to him anytime soon to spur Mr. Rawlings on.
Abidjan, Cote dIvoire, 28 July 2017  The African Development Bank (AfDB) will invest US $24 billion dollars in agriculture as part of its Feed Africa programme- a strategy for agricultural development in Africa.

President of the Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, said this in a speech he delivered at the 50th anniversary celebration of the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Nigeria, Adesina emphasized that the goal of the Bank is to ensure that Africa feeds itself within ten years, and unlocks the full potential of its agriculture.

The IITA hosted a series of events to celebrate 50 years of excellence in research. Dignitaries attended the event from across the continent.

The Institute recognized Adesinas immense contributions to improving agriculture and named a newly constructed building after him. The US $700,000 Akinwumi Adesina Youth Agripreneurs Building is a new Training Facility for Capacity Development for Youth Agripreneurs funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and IITA. The training facility comprises two major training rooms that can conveniently accommodate 50 trainees each, two big offices for 30 interns each, and 20 standard sized offices.

I am humbled, and deeply appreciative of the opportunity to lend my name to this well-equipped building which will be used by young Agripreneurs to learn, set up and launch their own businesses, and create a prosperous living for themselves, their families and those they will employ, Adesina said

Adesina re-affirmed his conviction that the future millionaires and billionaires of Africa will emerge from the agriculture sector. Africa is today spending $35 billion a year importing food. That is US$35 billion that should be kept on the continent. This is a US$35 billion market that young people can tap into to create new wealth each year. To do that requires totally changing the lenses with which we look at agriculture. Agriculture should no longer be seen as a way of life or a development sector, but rather as a business for wealth creation, he emphasized.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Shirley Ayorkor Botchway has disclosed the there was no signed agreement between Ghana and the US over the transfer of the two ex-GITMO detainees to the West African nation.

According to her, what existed was a verbal agreement known in diplomatic as circles note verbale

Mr. Speaker, we have not changed anything. In the note verbals that were exchanged between the two countries. Indeed there was no agreement. The whole transaction was done through what we call a note verbale from both sides. What we have done is to attach all those documents, she told the House.

She made this known Friday, July 28, 2017, on the floor of parliament while answering a questions on the matter from the Member of Parliament for North Tongu Samuell Okudjeto Ablakwa.

The two, Mahmud Umar Muhammad Bin Atef and Khalid Muhammad Salih Al-Dhuby of Yemeni origin are among 17 detainees transferred from the prison camp in Cuba by the United States.

The decision to host the detainees in Ghana provoked a firestorm of controversy and outrage among Ghanaians, with many expressing fear that the move would undermine Ghana's internal security and expose the country to attacks from religious extremists.

A seven-member Supreme Court panel presided over by Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo by six to one (6 -1) majority decision Thursday June 22, 2017 said the two are illegally in the country since the then government allowed them into the country without prior approval by Parliament.

The consequential order of the court is that government should within three months subject the agreement to parliamentary consideration and approval and in default return the two Gitmo detainees.

The order by the Apex court was necessitated by a suit brought against the Attorney General and Minister of Justice as well as the Minister of Interior by two Ghanaian citizensMargaret Bamful and Henry Nana Boakye last year.

Government said in the wake of the order that it has taken steps to get parliamentary approval to ratify the illegal stay of the two.

-Starrfmonline
Some hoteliers in Ghana have already signed up on to the Handy Smartphone which offers innovative services that enriches visitor experience with free connectivity, features and curated guides in and around the hotel.

These hotels include Accra City Hotel, Tang Palace Hotel, Oak Plaza Hotels, Swiss Spirit Hotel and M Plaza Hotel among others.

Speaking at a media launch in Accra, the Handy Managing Director for Africa, Steven To said the device is the first of its kind in Africa and it provides enormous benefits to both the traveller and partner hotels.

Our belief is that its not about where you travel, it is how you travel and the experiences you have at the end. We have a vision to make travel in Africa as easy as going to London or Hong Kong, he stated.

Mr. To indicated that handy is not only focused on helping hotel guests, it is also focused on how to make all hotels which partner with it to increase revenue and stay ahead of competition by providing services that enrich visitor experience.

The West Africa Regional Manager of Handy, Kell Bakorkor added that since the deployment of the handy smart device with the partner hotels weeks ago, the company has seen considerable interest from other hotels in Accra and Takoradi.

These hotels are all willing to partner with us in this innovation to revolutionize the services and experiences they provide their guests, Mr. Bakorkor noted.

In addition, he said this is a revolution sweeping across the hospitality sector in Ghana and Africa as a whole and many hotels are signing on.

Some of these in Ghana include Accra City Hotel, Tang Palace Hotel, Oak Plaza Hotels, Swiss Spirit Hotel and M Plaza Hotel among others, he intimated.

One of the first partners of Handy in Ghana, Mr. Sajid Khan, General Manager of Tang Palace Hotel, emphasised that they are delighted to partner with handy to provide this complementary service to their valued guests to ease the troubles they face during their trips, especially with connectivity and the ease of enjoying Accra during their stay here.

As a traveller and user of the handy smart device, Jemila Abdulai, creator of Circumspecte said long story short, handy is bound to make your Africa travel experience a whole lot easier and fun especially when visiting a place for the first time  for business, pleasure, or both.

According to her, this complementary service enables visitors to travel like locals through the provision of updated information on places of interest in their destinations and seamless connectivity.

She added that travelers can explore customized city guides on handy, curated by an experienced content provider to discover new Ghanaian experiences anytime, anywhere.

Visitors can also stay connected with free unlimited local and international calls, free internet access, speed dial to hotel services, and local emergency and essential travel information, Jemila stated.

Tink Labs Limited, one of Hong Kongs most successful startups that revolutionizes travel and tourism, today has announced it is partnering with Ghanaian hotels to offer its mobile travel solution called, handy, to visitors.

The device, first launched in September 2012, helps travelers meet their unlimited demand for Internet connection services in and outside the hotel room and at the same time serving as a tailored travel guide for tourists and integrating with hotel services.

Currently, handy is available in Accra, covering over 1,000 hotel rooms and over 200,000 hotels rooms worldwide and is promised to help millions of global travelers to stay connected.
Accra- JULY 28, 2017- AngloGold Ashanti (Ghana) Limited (the Company) wishes to inform the general public that it has come to its notice that some parties and/or individuals, unrelated to the Company, have been using the name of the Managing Director of AGA Obuasi Mine, Mr. Eric Asubonteng to extort huge sums of money from the unsuspecting public under the pretext of securing jobs for them at the company.

This year alone, AGA has put out three announcements regarding the activities of fraudsters who have been posting online job vacancies in the name of the Company and its subsidiary, AngloGold Ashanti (Iduapriem) Limited.

These individuals and/or companies write to unsuspecting job seekers either on a fraudulently designed AngloGold Ashanti letterhead or the letterhead of an alleged South African mining and Construction company known as Belko-SA Mining & Construction Company, which claims to have branches in Tarkwa, Obuasi and South Africa.

These job vacancies are false and those involved have not been contracted to recruit on behalf of the Company or its subsidiary, AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Limited. All job opportunities in the Company and its subsidiaries are published on the Careers Page of the Companys official website www.anglogoldashanti.com or our official email address through which the public can channel their recruitment enquiries [email protected]

The general public is strongly advised not to respond to such vacancy advertisements. Members of the public who wish to work with the company are encouraged to contact telephone numbers +233302743400-1 to verify the genuineness of any job vacancy advertisement.

Please take further note that AngloGold Ashanti will never request payment of any fees as part of its recruitment process. If any member of the public has fallen victim to this scam, please report to the Police. The Company has reported this to the appropriate authorities and is working with them to bring the perpetrators to book.

About AngloGold Ashanti

AngloGold Ashanti is a global gold mining company and the worlds third largest gold producer. Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, AngloGold Ashanti has 20 operations on four continents and one of the gold industrys most successful exploration teams which work across both the established and new gold producing regions of the world. This includes land positions in Colombia, Guinea and Australia, among others.

The primary listing of the companys ordinary shares is on the JSE Limited (JSE). Its ordinary shares are also listed on stock exchanges in London and Ghana, as well as being quoted in New York in the form of American Depositary Shares (ADSs), in Australia, in the form of CHESS Depositary Interests (CDIs) and in Ghana, in the form of Ghanaian Depositary Shares (GhDSs).
The Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye has summoned an emergency meeting with some national security officers over the recent raids on the homes of some former government officials.

This comes after complaints from members of the Minority, some of whom served in the erstwhile John Mahama government.

They said the raids were a violation of their immunities as Members of Parliament.

There was an early morning raid of the homes of former Deputy Power Minister, John Jinapor and former deputy Attorney General, Dominic Ayine by some security officers who said they had secured a court warrant to conduct the search for some evidence related to the AMERI power agreement signed under the former government.

Last week, some personnel raided the home of former Power Minister, Kwabena Donkor, subjecting it to a thorough search over the same evidence.

They took away his laptop and some flash drives.

A private legal practitioner and Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini described the practice as illegal and must be stopped.

According to him, Members of Parliament must be treated with more respect with regards to the way the raid was being carried out.

There is no rational basis for going for a search warrant to search people's premises; those who are residents and clearly have a determined places of residence in Ghana and who are working in Ghana and are part of the political elite of Ghana and detain them, search them and keep them as ordinary criminals, he said.

If any of us, the appointees of the previous administration is involved in the Commission of any crime, they should face the rigors of the law but in facing the rigors of the law, the constitutional protection that still inures to a suspect must be respected. You cannot treat members of parliament and members of the previous administration as if they are plain criminals, he added.



By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Accra, July 28, GNA - President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday called on the Spanish Government to lend support to his government's doable transformation agenda for Ghana.

Promoting Ghana's favourable economic and business climate, the President said there were many areas of investment interest that both countries could work at for the mutual benefit of its peoples and strengthen existing ties.

President Akufo-Addo made the call when the outgoing Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, Maria Jesus Alonso, called at the Flag Staff House in Accra to bid him farewell after a three-year duty tour of the country.

He said with Ghana aiming to make its econony one dependent on partnerships and equity investments, flagship policies like the "One District, One Factory", "One Village, One Dam," and the "Planting for food and Jobs" project were areas of possible investment for Spain's business community.

President Akufo-Addo expressed appreciation to Spain for the numerous support it had extended to Ghana, particularly in the area of potable water delivery.

He thanked Spain for providing support in the fight against piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, saying that Spain had a role to play in the security of the sub-region.

The President said Ghana and Spain had had good economic relations spanning 50 years, adding that both countries had a lot to contribute to each other to further boost ties.

He wished the outgoing Envoy well in her future endeavours and urged her to continue her good work to promote the interest of Ghana.

Madam Alonso said though she was sad to leave Ghana, she would continue to ensure that the relations and cooperation between both nations was taken notches higher.

She was happy that Ghana's government sought to engage more of the private sector in the quest to bring vibrancy into the economy, and said she looked forward to a better economic future between her country and Ghana.

The outgoing envoy pledged to convey the President's request to her government and private sector leaders to increase the volume of investment in Ghana.

Since 2009, the number of Spanish companies in Ghana has swelled from 14 to 46, an indication that more are looking to invest in the country.

Earlier, the outgoing Nigerien Ambassador to Ghana, Madam Dan Nana Icha, also called on the President to bid him farewell after a three-year duty tour.

She called for the revival of the Joint Commission between both countries for their mutual economic benefit.

GNA

By Ken Sackey, GNA
Nigerian music director and producer, Michael Collins, better known as Don Jazzy, has reacted to the alleged theft by former Minister of Petroleum, Alison Madueke Diezani.

Don Jazzy while pondering at the rate at which political office holders steal money especially in the last administration wondered if some sins like that of Diezani will be forgiven.

He wrote, Sin suppose get level o, So if Diezani should say GOD forgive me will her soul be saved last last? Ahh this life.

Since leaving office in 2015, Diezani Alison-Madueke has been implicated in bribery, fraud, misuse of public funds, and money laundering cases in Nigeria, Britain, Italy and the United States.
On Thursday, Glencore plc [LON:GLEN] announced it had agreed to buy a 49% stake in coal mines in Australias Hunter Value. Glencore paid just over $1.38 billion for Rio Tinto Ltds [ASX:RIO] coal operations.

Its a blow for Yancoal Australia Ltd [ASX:YAL], which also bid for the mines. Last month, Yancoal had been confirmed as the preferred bidder for the coal assets. Instead, they will now have Glencore as a joint-venture partner and retain their 51% holding of the operations.

As reported by The Australian Financial Review:

Glencore wants the assets that adjoin operations it owns in the Hunter Valley. It first tried to acquire Coal & Allied in 2015, when Rio Tinto made it clear that coal was no longer part of its growth strategy.

Analysts said Glencore planned to blend the HVO coal with coal from its existing operations to customise shipments to power-generating customers.

What now for Yancaols Share Price?

Yancoal will issue shares to raise their capital commitment to the Rio deal. As part of the agreement, Glencore will commit to around US$300 million worth of Yancoal shares.

In the past month, Yancoal shareholders have seen a bump in their holdings. From 29 June to now, Yancoal is up 44.4%  not bad for a months time.

Yet right now might not be the best time to get in. With more shares to be issued and a lack of profitability, you risk being diluted with the prospect of earnings in the future. Id suggest you watch this one from the sidelines or take a look at some other opportunities within the resource sector.

Regards,

Harje Ronngard,

Junior Analyst, Money Morning

PS: If you want the inside scoop on which commodities might have the best potential to rocket up, resource analyst Jason Stevenson can help.

A number of Jasons active investments in his advisory service, Resource Speculator, are up 52.4%, 57.6% and even 100%.

If youre looking to potentially match these returns, check out Jasons free report, The Top 10 Australian Mining Stocks for 2017, which covers 10 cheap, top-quality Aussie mining stocks for this year.

To get your free copy of Jasons report, click here.
- The personal assistant to the president on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, says President Buhari has been lean from birth

- The presidential aide states the president is being treated abroad because he does not want to change the doctors he has been using for the past 30 years

The personal assistant to the president on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, has dismissed suggestions that President Muhammdu Buhari's medical condition is critical.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Governors speak after meeting with President Buhari

Onochie in a tweet on Thursday July 27 linked Buharis current health travails to old age.

The presidential aide made the statement in response to enquiries from twitter users about the presidents health.

She also said President Buhari has been thin from birth.

When asked why Buhari could seek medical attention in Nigeria, Onochie stated that the president could not change the doctors he had been using for the past 30 years.

See tweets on the issue below:

Meanwhile, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state has described President Muhammadu Buharis recovery as a miracle saying he was in cheerful spirit.

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Umahi was one of the seven governors who paid a visit to President Buhari in London on Wednesday, July 26 and The Punch reports that he expressed delight over his recovery.

He said: We met a cheerful President whose level of recovery is a miracle. We know he will soon return home as soon as his doctors certify him to do so. What hes treating is not mere malaria that we can say he will return today or tomorrow.

However, we are happy and we thank God for what we saw. It is contrary to the pictures people are painting on the social media. The President we saw is recuperating well and we are happy for that.

It is even better that, we as members of the opposition party, are among the entourage. Nigerians should continue to pray for the President.

On whether the president should be expected back in the country soon, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor said the acting president was doing a good job and the president should return when his doctors certify him well enough.

Watch a Legit.ng TV video below of Nigerians speaking about Buhari's imminent return:

Source: Legit.ng
- Acting President Yemi Osinbajo reportedly gave the order after a meeting with security chiefs in Nigeria

- Osinbajo said there was need for Tukur Buratai, chief of Army staff, and Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Air staff to relocate to Maiduguri

Angered by the recent spate of attacks by Boko Haram insurgents, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has ordered two service chiefs to immediately relocate to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state.

Osinbajo ordered Tukur Buratai, chief of Army staff, and Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Air staff, to relocate to Maiduguri, Borno state capital, with immediate effect, according to a report by Vanguard.

Legit.ng learnt that Osinbajo gave the directive after an emergency meeting with some service chiefs on Thursday, July 27.

According to Osinbajo, there is need for the two service chiefs to be at the military command control centre in Maiduguri which had witnessed an upsurge in Boko Haram attacks.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Kidnapped oil workers, 3 lecturers dead after Boko Haram ambush

Mansur Dan-Ali, minister of defence, who spoke about the meeting, said: We just finished a meeting with the acting president and the three service chiefs.

We agreed that they should move back to the command centre again and see what are the things happening there.

We have also agreed that we should get more surveillance devices, cameras that will be able to see distant attackers coming to the position of our troops.

Also, the period of the raining season is a difficult moment for us.

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We cannot dominate the environment like what we do during the dry season but efforts are geared towards regaining our areas. All these ambushes that are happening would be stopped.

Legit.ng earlier reported that the Nigerian government had halted oil exploration activities in the Lake Chad Basin, north-eastern part of the country after an attack on explorers by the Boko Haram terrorists.

The attack, according to reports, lead to the death of at least 27 people and the abduction of some others.

Watch how the Nigerian Air Force has been taking on Boko Haram members:

Source: Legit.ng
- President Mugabe has been nominated by his Zanu-PF party to stand for re-election next year

- Wife of the president, Grace Mugabe, has been rumoured as a potential successor to her husband

- President Mugabe has embarked on three medical trips to Singapore this year

Grace Mugabe has urged her husband to name his successor in order to end divisions over who will be the next president of Zimbabwe.

President Mugabe who is the world's oldest ruler, has been nominated by his the Zanu-PF party to stand for re-election next year, the BBC reports.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Governors speak after meeting with President Buhari

"President, don't be afraid. Tell us who is your choice, which horse we should back," Mrs Mugabe told a meeting of Zanu-PF's women's wing.

"If you tell us the horse to back, we will rise in our numbers and openly support that horse. Why should our horse be concealed?" she added.

Mrs Mugabe made the statement in the presence of her husband who was in attendance at the event.

The presidents wife has also been rumoured as a potential successor to her husband as has Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app

Mr Mugabe has embarked on three medical trips to Singapore this year, fueling concerns about his health.

As concerns about his health mounts, rival factions in his party have been vying to strengthen their position.

Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980. He is 93 years old.

Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the personal assistant to the president on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, has dismissed suggestions that President Muhammdu Buhari's medical condition is critical.

Onochie in a tweet on Thursday July 27 linked Buharis current health travails to old age.

The presidential aide made the statement in response to enquiries from tweeter users about the presidents health. She also said President Buhari has been thin from birth

She also said President Buhari has been thin from birth.

Watch a Legit.ng TV video below of Nigerians speaking about Buhari's imminent return:

Source: Legit.ng
- The property had been occupied by a faction loyal to Sheriff before the Supreme Court delivered judgement in favor of Makarfi

- Following the apex courts ruling however, the state executive led by Hon. Mashood Salvador has been making moves to return back to the property

- In order to prevent clashes between both camps, the Lagos state police command took over the secretariat

A new twist emerged in the crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the partys Lagos secretariat was sealed off by policemen on Thursday July 27.

According to reports, the secretariat, located on Adekunle Fajuyi Way in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, had been taken over by heavily armed policemen earlier in the day.

READ ALSO: Obi of Onitsha cannot set our agenda - IPOB

The police-takeover comes amidst the tussle between factions of the party loyal to Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff.

Legit.ng notes that the premises had been occupied by a faction loyal to the ousted former chairman Sheriff, before the Supreme Court passed its judgement affirming the leadership of the National Caretaker Committee led by Makarfi.

However, the state executive led by Hon. Mashood Salvador has been making moves to return back to the property, after the apex court ruled in favor of Makarfi.

The state executive had vacated the premise following an earlier ruling by the Appeals Court which affirmed Sheriffs leadership.

The Lagos state police command, hence, took over the secretariat in order to prevent clashes between both camps.

According to the command, in a statement signed by its spokesman ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, it had sealed up the secretariat as a result of the little crisis between the two (2) leadership factions.

It added further, the command is using this opportunity to warn both factions to maintain peace and order in the state.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, the ousted former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made a complete turn-around, after initially congratulating Ahmed Makarfi over his victory at the Supreme Court.

Sheriff stated that he was in shock over the ruling, and was waiting to be briefed by his lawyers about the situation.

His new reaction was contained in a statement signed by Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh, his erstwhile deputy; and Bernard Mikko, his factions former spokesperson.

Watch this Legit.ng TV video of PDP women lamenting over the state of the nation:

Source: Legit.ng
- Northern governors has listed the agitation for restructuring, creation of a Biafran state and the Fulani herdsmens attacks on communities as vices threatening the unity of Nigeria

- The governors say the hate speeches being propagated by groups such as IPOB and MASSOB are inimical to the unity of Nigeria

- The northern leaders urge southern leaders to condemn the Biafra agitation

Governors from the northern region of Nigeria have cautioned pro-Biafra activists and those calling for restructuring to refrain from conducts that could risk the unity of Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Buhari is not suffering from anything alien - Onochie

The governors gave the caution on Thursday, July 27, at a joint meeting of the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) and traditional rulers at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna state, Guardian reports.

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state, who doubles as the chairman of the NGF, described agitation for restructuring, creation of a Biafran state and the Fulani herdsmens attacks on communities as vices threatening the unity of Nigeria.

Shettima, who was represented by the governor of Katsina state, Aminu Masari, at the two-day meeting which began on Thursday, July 27, said the hate speeches being propagated by groups such as IPOB and MASSOB are inimical to the unity of Nigeria.

He said: Agreed that being citizens of a democratic country, Nigerians are entitled to exercising their constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech and association, and the clamour for the restructuring of the country falls within the purview of these freedoms. But the exercise of such rights outside the confines of responsibility is not acceptable.

The resort to shenanigans, hate speech, and sometimes incitement to violence by organisations such as IPOB and MASSOB must be unconditionally condemned as they are inimical to national unity, stability, peaceful coexistence and national security.

These elements must be encouraged to pursue their agitations within processes enshrined in our constitution and with the full and willing participation of all parts of our nation.

Legit.ng learnt that the governor called on the southern leaders to condemn the Biafra agitation the way northern leaders condemned the quit notice issued by some northern youths to Igbos residing in the north to leave by October 1.

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The northern governors also warned that the dangers posed by the agitating for restructuring and a Biafran state could escalate into tendencies that led to destabilization of other countries.

We must constantly be aware of the terrain and times. We have a country that has gone through a civil war, military coups and counter-coups, some of them bloody, prolonged military dictatorships, several false starts as a democracy, insurgency and banditry and a huge youth population whose huge expectations are far from being met. Our peculiar circumstances have made it difficult to deliver and what we need is trust and hope to see us through the difficult times. We shall overcome, but we need all the survival techniques our collective talent can muster," the forum stated.

Meanwhile, Pro-Biafra group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has responded to a statement credited to the Obi of Onitsha Igwe Alfred Achebe, that IPOB has no right to stop elections in Anambra state.

According to reports, IPOB declared that traditional title holders cannot set the agenda for the group, even though they are entitled to their own opinions.

Legit.ng notes that IPOBs response was contained in a statement signed by the groups media and publicity secretary Emma Powerful.

In the video below, Legit.ng asked some Nigerians if the Biafra Republic can be achieved in the nearest future. Check out what they had to say.

Source: Legit.ng
It is obvious that Nigerians are tired of the change they voted for few years back, as youths are now indicating interest to run in the 2019 presidential election in Nigeria.

A 32-year-old Nigerian doctor identified as Thomas-Wilson Ikubese has officially taken to his Facebook profile to declare his intentions to run for presidency come 2019.

Ikubese who is happily married and father to four beautiful girls in his campaign letter disclosed that, Nigerians ought to be proud of their black race but they have become a global embarrassment.

Presidential aspirants Thomas-Wilson Ikubese. Source: Facebook, Thomas Wilson

READ ALSO: Woman publicly pleads with her Edo ex-boyfriend to 'untie' her destiny (video)

The young man said: Fellow Nigerians, I make this declaration with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes. I weep for Nigeria, my beloved country! Nations which were in the same league with us at independence have since joined the developed world, while we are daily retrogressing rather than make advancement. Nigeria ought to be the pride of the black race. But today, we have become a global embarrassment! This nation is blessed with vast natural and human resources. Yet, we live as though we are sub-humans. Our albatross over the years, is largely hinged on the fact that those who manage our resources are ill-prepared for office, selfish and lack the vision for posterity. In 2011, I wrote a book titled MY PRESCRIPTION FOR NIGERIA (available at www.mpfng.blogspot.com). In that publication, I stated the 23 areas that must be addressed for Nigeria to become the nation of our dreams. Ever since, Ive passed the content therein to our national leadership with very little willingness to so implement on their part, as this will make the occupation of political office strictly a seat for rendering SERVICE and not a ticket for self-enrichment, taking the political and economic power away from them, placing it in the hands of the masses!

Thomas-Wilson Ikubese and his family. Source: Facebook, Thomas Wilson

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Seeing that our present crop of political leadership might never implement these recommendations, I have decided to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, so that I can put machineries in place for the actualization of these recommendations, which will birth the New Nigeria of our dreams. I hereby call on our youths, which form 70% of the Nigerian population, to rise up and join me in this civil revolution through the ballot box come 2019, rather than recycle the current political brigades. You the youths are the ones to determine the political platform under which this project shall be actualized. I am but a Medical Practitioner, not a money-bag. So you shall all contribute your windows mite to the success of this project; our project! Tell your friends, colleagues, siblings, parents, neighbours, that a new Nigeria is possible and together we can! We shall not bribe electorates to get their votes come 2019. These politicians bribed them for votes not long ago, but now we are all suffering the consequences thereof. SHARE and Spread this message far and wide. Consider yourself the Campaign Manager of this project called REVOLUTION-NIGERIA-2019 in your locality. In the days to come, I shall be making further submissions in the light of this all-important project. A New Nigeria is possible!

Yes We Can!

Yes We Fit!

God bless Nigeria.

Dr Thomas-Wilson Ikubese

Presidential Aspirant.

See other Facebook posts below:

Watch Legit.ng video below:

Source: Legit.ng
- A returnees has narrated her ordeal in Libya

- The returnee Chiamaka Onuoha said she was trying to relocate to Europe through Libya

- She said she passed through hell while trying to survive as a house help in Libya

One of the Nigerian returnees from Libya has narrated her ordeal while trying to find greener pasture in Europe through the North African country.

Chiamaka Onuoha said life was hell for her in Libya as she worked as a house girl for some Arabs to make ends meet.

She said she survived on left over foods and slept in a car garage everyday, all through her stay in Libya.

READ ALSO: Panic in Rivers community as soldiers allegedly invade, burn 15 houses

Onuoha, a native of Isuochi in Abia state said she was already planning her return when she finally managed to get in contact with an Arab man Saheed Ameen who promised her marriage.

"During my courtship with this man, I encountered the worst challenge of my life. I suffered mental illness. It all started one night like a headache after I took some food," Onuoha said.

"Later a part of my face was deformed and got dried up. As if that was not enough, I became a destitute, picking things around the city.

"Everything I saw on the streets looked like money or valuables to me and I always had the urge to pick them. In short, I suffered madness. All through this time, I was deserted by people around," she said.

READ ALSO: PDP tussle between Sheriff and Makarfi camps escalates as police seals off Lagos partys secretariat

The returnee said the man later abandoned her to her ailing self.

"At this point, I started thinking I would die in that country because one side of my body had already become deformed; one leg, an arm and one of my eyes were no more functioning," she said.

She said a medical team that came to her aid was unable to diagnose her ailment.

She was later healed after receiving treatment through the sponsorship of a christian organization in Libya.

The organization after her treatment advised her to approach the International Organization for Migration to facilitate her return to Nigeria.

READ ALSO: I am a pilgrim to Abuja House - GEJ's former aide declares, as he storms UK residence where Buhari is staying (See Photos)

She said it was at this point she made up her mind to come back to Nigeria.

When life in Libya became a hell for me in Libya, I decided to return to Nigeria and start life anew. Libya is not a good place to live in. As you will agree with me, our people travelled there to make money, but when we got there, what we saw was beyond our imagination. It was a life in hell!

Our people are employed to do all sorts of dirty jobs by people who are in some dirty connections, which they call Connection work, which is another term for prostitution. Some of them also work with the Arab people as house maids to earn a living.

Our people in Libya suffer a lot. They cannot move freely like in Nigeria. Our women usually stay indoors. It is only our men that go out to work. They are using the laws laid down by Gaddafi to make life difficult for foreigners," she said.

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Onuoha further called on the Nigerian government to make policies that will discourage or prevent Nigerians from traveling to the North African country.

"Government should stop our people from going to Libya because that place is hell. I came back by joining those prisoners scheduled to be deported to Nigeria," she added.

Legit.ng earlier reported that 262 Nigerians voluntarily returned from Libya.

These Nigerian returned aboard a chartered Libyan Airline aircraft at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos at 10 pm on Wednesday, July 26.

They returned through the help of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Nigerian Embassy in Libya.

You can watch this video of ex-prisoner becoming an advocate for former inmates in China Prison:

Source: Legit.ng
- Boko Haram has continued its campaign of terror in the Cameroon-Nigeria border area

- This is despite efforts by the Nigerian and Cameroonian military to completely wipe out the insurgents

- Another attack occurred in the area today, July 28

One civilian and four Boko Haram terrorists have been killed in a bomb attack in Meme, Mayo-Sava, Far North Cameroon.

The incident which happened a short while ago indicates that the insurgents still have a stronghold in the Cameroon-Nigeria border area.

This is despite the heavy military presence comprising both the Nigerian and Cameroonian forces.

The latest bomb attack was revealed by international investigative journalist and traditional ruler, Chief Bisong Etahoben, via his Twitter page.

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The incident is coming a barely day after three lecturers from the University of Maiduguri and three others on an oil exploration team in the Lake Chad Basin kidnapped by Boko Haram were found dead.

Legit.ng gathered that no less than 12 soldiers were also killed in the attack by the insurgents.

Watch the Legit.ng TV video report of the newly reopened Nyanya bus station in Abuja after it was bombed by Boko Haram:

Source: Legit.ng
- The Benue state governor has said President Buhari is eager to return to Nigeria

- Samuel Ortom said the president asked him questions pertaining security in Benue state

- He also said the president will come back once he completes his treatment in London

The Benue state governor Samuel Ortom on Thursday, July 27, said President Muhammadu Buhari is eager to return to Nigeria.

Ortom said Buhari is eager to return once he completes his medical treatment in London.

He also said that the president is showing 'great' improvement in his health which he says is an indication that God is answering the prayers of millions of Nigerians over Buhari's condition.

READ ALSO: Panic in Rivers community as soldiers allegedly invade, burn 15 houses

In a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Terver Akase, said President Buhari was in high spirits during the Nigerian Governor's Forum visit to him at the Abuja House in London.

He further added that the president cracked jokes with the governors who visited.

God has answered our prayers. It is one thing to pray and it is another for God to answer; so let us continue to pray. Our God is God of the beginning and the end. As He is healing Mr President, it is our duty to pray so that God will consummate the healing so that our President can come back.

He is eager to return and is very grateful to Nigerians for praying for him and he wishes us well," Ortom said.

READ ALSO: PDP tussle between Sheriff and Makarfi camps escalates as police seals off Lagos partys secretariat

Ortom added that the president showed concern over the current security situation in Benue state and how he (the governor) was addressing them.

Legit.ng earlier reported that seven governor met with President Buhari in London on Wednesday, July 26.

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The governors who met Buhari as part of the Nigerian Governors' Forum were led by Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara state.

Also, the Imo state governor Rochas Okorocha who met with the president, said in an interview that, Buhari was doing great and may likely return to Nigerian within two weeks of their visit.

You can watch this Legit.ng TV video of Nigerians reacting to President Buharis absence for so long:

Source: Legit.ng
- Boko Haram attacks Azur village in Damboa local government area of Borno state

- The insurgents reportedly looted foodstuffs and set houses ablaze in the attack

- Meanwhile, three lecturers from the University of Maiduguri, and three others on an oil exploration team in the Lake Chad Basin have been confirmed dead following another attack

An attack by Boko Haram terrorists on a village in southern part of Borno state has left five villagers dead and many wounded.

READ ALSO: Buhari is not suffering from anything alien - Onochie

Sahara Reporters, citing vigilante sources reports that the insurgents attacked the village of Azur in Damboa local government area at about 8:30 am, on Thursday, July 27, shooting sporadically and burning down houses after carting away foodstuffs and livestock.

Narrating how the attack occurred, a member of the vigilante group in Damboa town, Abubakar Jojo said they were overpowered by the insurgents.

"They came and opened fire on our men on guard, we lost three member and two others. They overpowered our members and wounded 9 persons.

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"They looted our foodstuffs and made away with livestock including goats and rams thereafter they set ablaze our houses," said Abubakar.

Meanwhile, Sahara Reporters has reported that 3 lecturers from the University of Maiduguri and three others on an oil exploration team in the Lake Chad Basin are dead.

Legit.ng gathered that no less than 12 soldiers in an earlier report were killed while at least four out of 12 staff of the University of Maiduguri equally lost their lives.

The names of the deceased are: Dr Milicus Joseph from Geology Dept, Idris Abubakar Njodi and Dr Daniel Birma of Dept of Soil Science.

Daniel Millitus, a relative of the deceased (Dr. Joseph Millitus), said that the family was still in grief over the loss of one of its rising stars, and has started making arrangements for the burial, The Punch reports.

In the video below, Nigerian Air Force gives an update on operations against Boko Haram in 2017.

Source: Legit.ng
- Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state said the latest move is part of a plan to ensure food security in Nigeria

- The agreement was signed after Governor Ambode met with the leadership of the Switzerland company

While many states of the federation continue to battle with poor revenue and inability to pay workers, the Lagos government has concluded plans for an ultra-modern rice mill.

Legit.ng learnt that the agreement for the construction of the mill was reached at a meeting between Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Buhler Group in Switzerland, a global market leader in rice processing.

Though it is yet to be revealed when this would take effect, there is excitement among officials of the state who believe that this would further boost the states economy and help with the employment of residents.

READ ALSO: Panic in Rivers state as soldiers allegedly burn 15 houses, wound several

Ambode said the move is also to ensure food security in the state and in Nigeria.

Legit.ng had reported earlier that Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state recently called Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos the governor-general of Nigeria.

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The report said Ambode was in Osun where he paid a courtesy visit on Aregbesola, who said the position of Lagos as the economic nerve-centre of the country and the brilliant performance of the former could not be downplayed.

Aregbesola noted that the economy of Lagos was about the summation of economies of thirty states in Nigeria.

Watch this clip of woman saying Governor Ambode's second term is shaking.

Source: Legit.ng
- Rivers state Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned Governor Nyesom Wikes statement about President Muhammadu Buhri's government

- APC accused Wike for saying that President Buhari has not done much for the state and the Niger Delta region

- Ibiamu Ikanya, the state party chairman, reminded Wike that Jonathan failed the region by not embarking on any meaningful project in the region

Rivers state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Nyesom Wike for saying that President Muhammadu Buharis government has not done much for Rivers state and the Niger Delta Region.

Reports state that it was made known through a statement signed by Ibiamu Ikanya, the state party chairman saying that Former President Goodluck Jonathan who is a son did not even thought about the region during his six years as the President of Nigeria.

Ikanya said: ''Jonathan failed the region by not embarking on any meaningful project in the region apart from imposing Chief Nyesom Wike as the Governor of Rivers state to promote insecurity in the State and the region.''

READ ALSO: Buhari eager to return to Nigeria  Governor Ortom speaks after London trip

Legit.ng gathered that he however said that President Buhari has really done well for the state within two years that he came to power.

The party chairman also said: In this regard, the party commends President Muhammadu Buhari Administration for the recent release of a whopping sum of N900 billion owed the Niger Delta Development Corporation (NDDC) by previous federal administrations including the administration of Dr. Jonathan.

The party equally hails the APC-led Federal Government for sustaining the Amnesty programme, the successful kick-off of the Ogoni Clean-up exercise, the CalabarLagos Rail Line that cuts across the region, the renovation and reconstruction of both EnuguPort Harcourt, UyoCalabar Highways.

The West-East Road, the renovation of the Afam Power plant in Rivers State, resumption of work on the Port Harcourt International Airport, renovation and reconstruction of the EnuguPort Harcourt Rail Line, among other projects.

With these bold interventions by the Federal Government, we have no reason to blame anybody or region for the underdevelopment of our region if we fail to make judicious use of the released sums.''

The state APC also commended the government for releasing of N2.7 trillion to the states to balance both the salary and pension arrears.

The party also hailed Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo on his visit and also commended Minister of Transportation Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, for his work,

The party commends Prof. Yemi Osibanjo for not minding his busy schedules to accept to inaugurate the world-class fertilizer plant built by Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited, in Port Harcourt.

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It is the worlds largest single-train Urea plant, and one of the ambitious green field projects of Indorama in Nigeria which has a production capacity of 4000 metric tons (MT) of nitrogenous fertilizers per day or 1.5 MT per annum.

Besides making the fertilizer products to be available at affordable cost, the plant will boost employment, crop yield to farmers and greatly help in minimizing the food grain deficit in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo was on Thursday, July 27, received at the Port Harcourt International Airport by the Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike.

The development was disclosed on the governors Facebook page, in a statement signed by Simeon Nwakaudu, the special assistant to the Rivers state governor on electronic media.

Watch this Legit.ng TV Video of APC is the worst party in Nigeria:

Source: Legit.ng
- IPOB says its leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been vindicated by the Senates rejection of restructuring of Nigeria

- The spokesperson for the group, Emma Powerful, states that IPOB remains the only legitimate voice that understands the plight of the masses

- The group says only a referendum can resolve the issue of Biafra and restructuring

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has said the total rejection of restructuring of the country by the members of the Senate is an indication that Nigeria can never be united.

The group in the statement obtained by Legit.ng on Thursday, July 27, stated that the rejection of restructuring by the Senate had vindicated its leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB.

READ ALSO: Buhari is not suffering from anything alien - Onochie

Spokesperson for the group, Emma Powerful, stated that IPOB remains the only legitimate voice that understands the plight of the masses.

The group said that only a referendum can resolve the issue of Biafra not restructure. It remains the only way the masses can decide their future in Nigeria.

Read the full statement by IPOB below:

IPOB congratulates Nigerian legislators for rejecting restructuring

"We members of the indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) and its leadership worldwide under the command and leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu the prophet of our time wish to congratulate the honourable members of the Nigerian Senators for summoning the courage to vindicate our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB on the floor of Senate chamber through their rejection of restructuring saga in Nigeria.

"We are equally thanking them for voting down the controversial call for restructuring that cannot benefit anyone in Nigeria. We Biafrans and other sensible Nigerians can now believe that Northern Senators have demonstrated, through their rejection of restructuring, that IPOB remains the only legitimate voice that understands the plight of the masses and prepared to do something about it. Only a referendum can resolve the issue of Biafra not restructure. It remains the only way the masses can decide their future in Nigeria.

"As a result of the rejection of this restructuring issue on the floor of the Senate chamber, we IPOB now hope that all socio-cultural groups like PANDEF and Ohaneze Ndigbo to come to the inescapable recognition that only a referendum can determine our fate once and for all time and resolve the perennial issue of resource control.

"Nigeria is politically, socially and economically structured by Hausa Fulani oligarchs and cabals in the corridors of power supported by their collaborators British Government to cater for the interest of the very few political criminals and poorly educated few at the top who answer to the title of 'elite' with absolutely nothing to offer or show for it. They represent the worst form of mediocrity and arrested development.

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"This total rejection of restructuring in Nigeria by honourable Nigeria Senators is a clear indication to all and sundry, mostly the PANDEF, Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo and so called leaders of thoughts and elders in Biafraland that Nigeria can never be one and cannot recognize them as part of Nigeria because most of our people called for Nigeria restructuring before now but Hausa Fulani and their collaborators rejected it.

"It is on record that our leaders, heroes, and elders have been calling for this particular restructuring before and after Nigeria independence of which Mrs. Margaret Ekpo was the first person who called for it, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1945, Isaac Adaka Boro in 1963, Chukwemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in 1967 that is known today as (Aburi accord) which later led to the massacre and starvation of Biafran children, women in churches, hospitals, schools and market places in cold blood between 1966 and 1970 and lastly Ken Saro Wiwa in 1993 who campaigned vigorously, without a single gun shot, for the survival of his people. All these people are Biafrans or better put Eastern Nigerians who saw the decay in the Nigeria system and called for a peaceful settlement that will benefit everybody. But the born to rule mentality of the core North rejected it with impunity. Today they demonstrated it again on the floor of the Senate."

Meanwhile, amid agitation for Biafra Republic in the southeast, a southwest group, the Yoruba Liberation Command (YOLICOM) has declared secession from Nigeria.

The group which made the declaration in Lagos on Thursday, July 27, sought the creation of Oduduwa Republic, Guardian reports.

The spokesperson for the group, Opeoluwa Akinola, at a press conference held at Ogba said it was time for the Yoruba nation to exit Nigeria which he said was being dominated by the Fulani north.

The group rejected the calls for restructuring, noting that Nigeria will never be genuinely restructured by the present crop of political leaders.

In the video below, Legit.ng TV takes a critical look at Nnamdi Kanu and the struggle for the actualisation of the Republic of Biafra.

Source: Legit.ng
- The Bring Back Our Girls movement is staging a march to ensure that the federal government never forgets or becomes complacent in its task of rescuing the missing school girls

- The group reminded President Buhari that it has been 785 days of the girls still being missing under his watch

- Hence, the group has resolved to go back on the streets of Abuja on the scheduled date, and begin its march from 9am prompt

The Bring Back Our Girls movement has resolved to march on to the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock on August 1, 2017, Punch reports.

The group reached this resolution on Thursday, July 27, as it marked the 1,200th day in which the Chibok Girls have been in Boko Haram captivity.

READ ALSO: Benue governor, Ortom debunks rumour of snakes, frog importation

Members of the group registered their anger in a statement signed by Oby Ezekwesili and Aisha Yesufu in Abuja.

While expressing annoyance over the fact that the Buhari government had failed to rescue the remaining 113 girls still in captivity, the group also took the government to task over the fact that 6 months after their abduction, students of the Lagos Model College Epe had still not been rescued.

The statement read: Today (Thursday) is Day 1200 since the abduction of our 276 #ChibokGirls in their school.

A total of 106 are back but 113 remain with terrorists for 1200 today.

It is also Day 785 that our 113 #ChibokGirls are missing under President Muhammadu Buharis watch.

As part of our duty as a citizens movement to ensure that the federal government never forgets, never becomes complacent, never relapses into inertia as they are always wont to, our movement shall be back on the street on Tuesday August 1 on a march to the State House, from 9 am.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that advocacy group Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG), stated that out of the 82 Chibok girls recently rescued, nine names were not on their list.

The disclosure was made by Hosea Tsamido, a member of the group and member of the Abuja Chibok community.

According to Tsamido, the names of six out of the nine girls were found on the West African Examination Council results sheet, while the remaining three were missing.

Watch this Legit.ng TV video of the Bring Back Our Girls movement protesting in Lagos:

Source: Legit.ng
- The All Progressives Congress (APC) said it has not sacked Muiz Banire as its national legal adviser

- The party said Banire was not suspended by the party as widely reported

- The APC said Banire can only be suspended by the national executive committee of the party

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday, July 28, announced that Muiz Banire is still the party national legal adviser.

The APC also reassured that it has not suspended Banire over any form of anti-party activities.

In a statement signed by the spokesperson for the APC Bolaji Abdullahi said Banire can only be suspended by the national executive committee of the party.

The attention of the national working committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to the purported suspension of the partys national legal adviser, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) by the partys executive committee in Mushin local government area of Lagos state, Abdullahi said.

READ ALSO: One major question Buhari asked me in London - Governor Ortom

The APC spokesperson said the 'purported suspension of Banire is a nullity as the local chapter of the party does not have the powers to suspend him.

He also said the party's constitution has made provision that such powers only reside with NEC.

The party advises that whatever issues there might be, our party structure and constitution provide ample avenues for redress and dispute resolution.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Millions of pro-Biafra supporters troop out to welcome Nnamdi Kanu in Owerri (video)

If the local chapter is unable to achieve a resolution, the NWC can and will wade in the matter to achieve amicable settlement," he said.

Legit.ng earlier reported that APC had sacked Banire following allegations of anti-party activities.

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Banire's sack was announced after Ward C, Ilasamaja, Mushin, Lagos were he belonged recommended that he should be suspended.

He was also accused by the working against the party in the just concluded Lagos local government election.

Watch this Legit.ng TV Video as it relates to the APC and 2019:

Source: Legit.ng
- Members of the House of Representatives have blocked Senate's plan to cut Nigerian president's powers

- The two Houses had concluded voting on the alteration of the 1999 Constitution

- Both chambers have the powers under section 9 of the Constitution to amend the document

The House of Representatives on Thursday July 27 voted against a clause that would have weakened the powers of the president in the process of the alteration of the Constitution, the foundation of the nations legal system.

Premium Times reports that both chambers, Senate and House of Representatives, concluded voting on the alteration of the 1999 Constitution via Bills to Further alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) Bill, 1999.

Legit.ng gathered that the two Houses considered the amendment to 33 sections of the Constitution based on the reports of their ad-hoc committees on constitution review with the Senate approving 29 and the House approving 24.

READ ALSO: Buhari eager to return to Nigeria  Governor Ortom speaks after London trip

While the upper house began and concluded the amendment on Wednesday July 26, the lower legislative chamber concluded the exercise on Thursday July 27.

Both chambers have the powers under section 9 of the Constitution to amend the document.

While the Senate requires 72 votes, representing two-thirds, to approve the amendment to any section of the document, 240 votes are required in the House of Representatives for that purpose.

It states: National Assembly can pass an Act to amend the Constitution when its proposal to amend the constitution has been supported by two-thirds majority of all the members of each chamber and is approved by the resolution of at least 24 House of Assembly of the states.

However, the procedure to strip the president of powers to assent to the amendment to the provisions of the constitution requires four fifth votes of the members of both chambers.

Section 9 (1) of the Constitution says, The National Assembly may, subject to the provisions of this section alter any of the provisions of this Constitution;

(2) Any act of the National Assembly for the alteration of this constitution, not being an Act to which section 8 of this constitution applies, shall not be passed in either House of the National Assembly unless the proposal is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of all the members of that House and approved by resolution of the Houses of Assembly of not less than two-thirds of all the States;

(3) An Act of the National Assembly for the purpose of altering the provisions of this section, section 8 and Chapter IV of this constitution shall not be passed by either House of the National Assembly unless the proposal is approved by the votes of not less than four fifths majority of all the members of each House and also approved by resolution of the House of Assembly of not less than two-thirds of all the states

In exercising its power in Section 9 (3), 92 Senators voted to strip the president of powers to assent amendments made to the Constitution.

However, the House could not muster the four-fifth votes, which is about 288 votes required to effect the amendment as it was backed by only 271 members, while 20 voted against and none abstained.

The Bill numbered 24 is titled, Procedure for overriding Presidential Veto in Constitutional Alteration.

If the amendment had been carried with the concurrence of the House of Representatives and further approved by two-thirds (24) of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, the legislature would have had sweeping powers to alter the nations constitution without any role for the president.

The leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Friday July 27 said that he had drawn the attention of his colleagues to Section 9 (3) of the constitution in order to avoid a procedural error during the voting on Thursday.

He explained that with the defeat of the amendment in the lower legislative chamber, the proposal was dead because it meant that it would not be part of the aspects that would be transmitted to the state legislature for concurrence.

Under the Constitution, the president plays a crucial role in making any bill passed by the federal legislature become law.

Section 58 (3) states, Where a bill has been passed by the House in which it originated, it shall be sent to the other House, and it shall be presented to the President for assent when it has been passed by the other House and agreement has been reached between the two Houses on any amendment made to it.

Where a bill is presented to the President for assent, he shall within thirty days thereof signify that he assents or that he withholds assent.

If the President refuses to sign the bill into law within thirty-days of its referral to his desk, the bill dies unless the National Assembly overrides the presidential veto by passing the bill again with the support of at least a two-thirds majority in each chamber.

Where the President withholds his assent and the bill is again passed by each House by a two-thirds majority, the bill shall become law and the assent of the President shall not be required.

During the last amendment between 2011 and 2015, the federal legislators had similarly attempted to strip the president of powers to assent to amendments made to the Constitution.

The then president, Goodluck Jonathan, had rejected multiple proposals laid out by the National Assembly as part of a new Nigerian Constitution, including clauses stipulating free education and healthcare for every Nigerian child.

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Mr. Jonathan, in a seven-page letter to the Legislature, said he could not sign the new proposals into law due to irregularities and an attempt by the lawmakers to violate the doctrine of Separation of Powers.

The former president said he could not sign a proposal seeking to dispense with the presidents consent in future constitutional amendments until the Senate and the House of Representatives provided credible evidence showing the plan was approved by the required number of federal and state lawmakers.

He also said a proposed clause to give free education and health to Nigerians, could not stand as proposed as the lawmakers as it failed to state clearly that such privileges could only be accessed from a government school or hospital, respectively.

Following the disagreement, the federal government instituted a suit at the Supreme Court to nullify the amendments to the Constitution.

The government requested the Supreme Court to give an order nullifying and setting aside Sections 3, 4, 12, 14, 21, 23, 36, 39, 40, 43 and 44 of the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015 purportedly passed by the legislature.

In May 2015, a few days before Mr. Jonathan left office following his defeat in that years presidential poll, the Supreme Court ordered the federal government and the legislature to maintain status quo on the amendment exercise.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola on Friday July 28 tendered an unreserved apology to members of the House of Representatives over his unsavoury comments on the 2017 budget.

In the video below, Legit.ng TV asked some Nigerians if they support calls for the scrapping of the Senate:

Source: Legit.ng
- Ibrahim Magu has blamed banks for allowing corruption to thrive

- He said there was plan to make a former banker the head of the NFIU

- The acting EFCC chairman said there was strong effort to separate the NFIU from the EFCC

The acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has expressed his opinion over plans to separate the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) from the parent body.

Magu made this observation when he received a delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday, July 27.

READ ALSO: Buhari eager to return to Nigeria - Governor Ortom speaks after London trip

Magu accused banks in the country of creating an enabling atmosphere for looters.

International Monetary Fund delegates visit EFCC Credit: Facebook

He said they are doing everything possible to make sure that the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit is severed from the agency.

Ibrahim Magu says banks are allowing looters operate freely Credit: Facebook

I dont trust the financial institutions. They create enabling environment for thieves to loot our money that is why they are fighting to remove the NFIU from us. They want to use a former managing Director of a bank to head the NFIU.

The Senate is preparing to separate the NFIU from the EFCC Credit: Facebook

Legit.ng had reported that the Nigerian Senate on Thursday, July 27, passed a bill to strip the EFCC the power to control the NFIU.

The bill sponsored by Chukwuka Utazi, the Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District, was passed by the Senate after the committee on anti-corruption and financial crimes in its report recommended that the bill be considered.

After the consideration of the bill, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency (Est, etc.) Bill, 2017 (SB. 535), the Senate further dissolved into the committee of the whole for clause by clause consideration of the report.

Watch a Legit.ng TV video below of Nigerians staging a walk in support of the EFCC:

Source: Legit.ng
- The six students of Igbonla Model College in Epe who were abducted have been released

- The students have been in the custody of their abductors for two months

- They were released in far away Ondo state

The six students of Igbonla Model College in Epe who were abducted have been released, Vanguard reports.

The students have been in the custody of their abductors for two months.

The released boys earlier today, July 28. Photo credit: Sahara Reporters

They were abducted on Sunday, May 28 in their school premises who invaded the school.

Efforts have been made to rescue the students for the past three months, prompting their parents to make several media appearances.

Parents of the kids of have been in despair. Photo credit: The Punch

Saharareporters learned that due to the personal intervention of Governor Akeredolu, the six have been rescued alive and are now in Ondo state territory.

READ ALSO: Buhari eager to return to Nigeria  Governor Ortom speaks after London trip

The students were released exactly two months after their abduction. Photo credit: The Punch Nigeria

The six students are:

1. Agbaosi Judah

2.Jonah Peter

3.Philips Pelumi

4. Adebanjo George

5. Yusuf Faruq

6. Ramon Isiaka

Their release comes days after Acting President Yemi Osinbajo promised Nigerians that they will be released in no time.

They were rescued with the help of Ondo state governor. Photo credit: The Punch

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Meanwhile, Lagos state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode appealed to Lagosians to give his administration more time to gather enough intelligence in order to deal effectively deal with the kidnapping problem within the state.

He stated that he was just being very tactical about the issue and did not want to run the states security issues on the pages of newspapers.

Governor Ambode made the comment when he received on courtesy visit, members of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs led by the Oba of Lagos Oba Rilwan Akiolu at the Lagos House in Ikeja.

Legit.ng TV in this video asks Nigerians if they believe President Buhari has taken Nigeria out of recession. Here are their responses:

Source: Legit.ng
- Mr Babatunde Fashola, the works, power and housing minister, faced a panel of lawmakers over allegation he incited the public recently against them

- Fashola also received a letter from construction giant Julius Berger announcing it is suspending work on the Lagos-Ibadan highway

Minutes after Mr Babatunde Fashola, Nigerias works, housing and power minister visited the House of Representative to state why he responded publicly to allegations by some of the lawmakers, construction giant, Julius Berger, announced it was stopping work on the Lagos-Ibadan highway.

Julius Berger made its intention known in a letter to the works ministry saying its decision is hinged on the cut in the budget allocated for the fixing of the road by the National Assembly.

Speaking before a panel of the House of Representatives investigating the minister for reportedly talking back at the lawmakers on Friday, July 28, 2017, Fashola denied inciting the public.

READ ALSO: Comments by opposition governors about Buhari's health devilish - Kpodoh

He explained that all he said was in good faith and in response to the matter that had become public knowledge.

That general statement is to the effect that, like many Nigerians, I have been concerned about the state and pace of development of our country's infrastructure and the consequences they have on our quality of life and expectations.

My views have been expressed in speeches at public fora, and also in presentations made to the oversight committees that relate to the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in both Houses of Parliament.

As far as roads are concerned, I have argued that we should build roads which connect our states, which drive our economy, which move our fuel, which moves our food and which help us to import and export goods.

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Any road that does not connect to the last point necessary to drive our economy is a road to nowhere, Fashola said among others.

Legit.ng reported earlier that Mr Babatunde Fashola expressed concern over the reaction of the National Assembly to his observations on the 2017 Budget as passed the legislature.

Fashola had in a recent interview, complained that the legislators had in approving the budget, reduced funds for some key projects of his ministry and allocated the money to some frivolous ones.

Watch this video as Nigerians speak on whether the Senate should be scrapped:

Source: Legit.ng
- Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi survives an early morning accident

- The PDP chairman was involved in an auto-crash along Abuja-Kaduna highway

The national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Ahmed Markafi was involved in an auto crash on Friday, July 28.

Legit.ng gathered that the vehicle conveying the chairman was involved in a multiple collision with other vehicles along Abuja-Kaduna Highway.

READ ALSO: Buhari eager to return to Nigeria  Governor Ortom speaks after London trip

Fortunately the chairman and other passengers in the vehicle were unhurt.

Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the national publicity secretary of the party, confirmed the accident, in a series of Tweets from the party's official account.

He assured party members and supporters that partys caretaker committee chairman is well.

In a previous report by Legit.ng, a fresh crisis on Thursday, July 27, hit Nigeria's largest opposition party Peoples Democratic Party following the decision of the Ahmed Makarfi caretaker committee to dissolve Anambra party officials.

The caretaker committee successfully dissolved the Ken Emekayi-led officials in Anambra state which has started brewing fresh crisis within the party.

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It was also gathered that the House of Representatives caucus, prior to the crisis, warned the Makarfi-led caretaker committee against its decision to dissolve the functional executives in the state.

You can watch this Legit.ng TV video of Nigerians reacting to President Buharis absence for so long:

Source: Legit.ng
- IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was on Imo state on Friday, July 28

- Kanu, during his visit said election will not hold in South- East until a referendum is granted

- Youths of Imo state under different groups disagreed with Kanu and pledged their allegiance to the government

Following Nnamdi Kanu's visit to Imo state on Friday, July 28, some youths of the state have thrown their support behind the state and federal government.

The youths said they are in support of the state governor, Rochas Okorocha and President Muhammadu Buhari and would not support the agitation for secession.

Coordinators of the various youth bodies, Azunnaya Andrew, Emeka Igwe, GTC Samuel and Jeff Nwoha, who spoke at a press conference, said they condemned the pro-Biafra rally in the state.

READ ALSO: Buhari eager to return to Nigeria  Governor Ortom speaks after London trip

Andrew said: One Nigeria Group stands for oneness of Nigeria. We totally condemn the pro-Biafra rally, which is going on in Owerri now, and which is being conducted by one Nnamdi Kanu.

Even in the midst of marginalisation, we are supporting the governments of Muhammadu Buhari and Rochas Okorocha. We will not allow them to hold such rally in Imo State again.

Emeka Igwe who is the leader of the Nigeria Youth Unity Group said: We are for the unity of Nigeria despite the injustices. We are not ready for war. The event of the Nigeria civil war is still fresh in our minds. These pro-Biafra youths are very inexperienced.

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Samuel, who spoke on behalf of Youth Assembly of Nigeria, said: These pro-Biafra youths need orientation. What we support is restructuring, not secession. IPOB lacks orientation. Nigerias unity is non-negotiable. No war, no separation.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng recently report that IPOB said the total rejection of restructuring of the country by the members of the Senate is an indication that Nigeria can never be united.

The group in the statement obtained by Legit.ng on Thursday, July 27, stated that the rejection of restructuring by the Senate had vindicated its leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB.

Spokesperson for the group, Emma Powerful, stated that IPOB remains the only legitimate voice that understands the plight of the masses.

Watch video of Nnamdi Kanu addressing followers in Isiama Afara, Abia state:

Source: Legit.ng
- 10 people have been burnt to death in Lokoja while many sustained serious injuries

- The accident occurred at Felele area of Lokoja on Friday July 28

- Most of the victims were passengers travelling in an 18-seater commercial bus

Ten people were burnt beyond recognition while six others sustained serious injuries when a petrol tanker went up in flames in Felele area of Lokoja on Friday July 28.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kogi State, Mr Segun Martins, who confirmed this in Lokoja, said most of the victims were passengers travelling in an 18-seater commercial bus.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Owerri stands still as millions of pro-Biafra supporters reportedly troop out to welcome Nnamdi Kanu (video)

Also affected were one commercial tricycle operator, the driver and motor boy of the fuel tanker.

He said the death toll might rise as some of those who sustained injuries were in critical situation.

Martins said the dead and injured victims were moved to various hospitals in Lokoja.

Eye witnesses said that the accident was due to a head-on collision between the bus, coming from Abuja and the tanker coming from the opposite direction.

They said that the impact of the collision ignited the fire which spread to other vehicles while the entire area was covered by smoke for many hours.

Men of the state Fire Service Department, who arrived the scene at about 2:20 pm, could not to really help due to lack of water in their vehicles.

The accident led to disruption in vehicular movement on the ever busy Okene -Lokoja -Abuja Road but FRSC officials, police and sympathizers were seen trying to open the road.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received 188,588 signatures out of the 360,098 registered voters for the recall of Dino Melaye from the Senate.

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Melaye is a senator representing Kogi West senatorial district.

The commission in Abuja on Wednesday, June 21, received six bags, which contained the signatures of 52.3% of the electorates from the zone and other petitions.

Watch this Legit.ng TV video about the recall process for Dino Melaye.

Source: Legit.ng
- Governor Ayo Fayose has commended the National Assembly for its passage of the Not Too Young To Run bill

- The Ekiti state governor however calls for the total removal of the age restriction for elective offices in the country

- The Nigerian Senate had on Wednesday, July 26, passed the bill which reduces age barrier for elective offices in Nigeria

Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose on Friday commended the National Assembly for its passage of the bill to reduce the age limits for elective positions in the country.

Fayose, in a statement by Lere Olayinka, his Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communication, however, called for total removal of any age barrier to electoral contests.

READ ALSO: Ogun traditional ruler assassinated

If a Nigerian, who is 18 years can vote, such a person should also be qualified to be voted for. The electorate, not the law, should determine his fate.

Age is not a barrier to intellectual capability. Many countries have been successfully led by young people. General Yakubu Gowon became Head of State at 32, he said.

The governor, who assured Nigerians that the Ekiti State House of Assembly would endorse the bill when presented to it, called on other States Houses of Assembly to endorse it.

There is no nation that can develop without giving its youths opportunity to serve. There is nothing wrong in a 30-year-old contesting for the Presidency. We must give the youths the opportunities early enough because the future belongs to them.

He said that the Ekiti government was already putting the provisions of the bill into practise by insisting that candidates seeking to be local government councilors must be between the ages of 18 and 40.

Fayose reiterated his resolve to enforce the age limit for local government positions, saying that the National Assembly had reinforced his position on that.

The future belongs to the youths; they should be given prominent roles in structuring that future, he said.

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that on Tuesday, July 25, the Senate on Wednesday, July 26, passed a bill which proposes 35-years as the minimum age for the office of the president.

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After an electronic vote, 86 Senators showed their support, while 10 were against it. One lawmaker abstained.

Now Nigerian youths can contest for the post of governor or senators at the age of 30, away from the initial 40 and 35 years limit mandated by the 1999 constitution.

Watch this Legit.ng video as PDP women speak on the state of the nation:

Source: Legit.ng
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Captain America and the Winter Soldier Special #1 takes Marvel's secret history to a whole new level with a real world historical figure

If you know who Gavrilo Princip is, prepare to be shocked
University of Arizona engineers are installing three 20-foot-long tubes for a new high-speed wind tunnel in the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Building. The Office of Navy Research (ONR) funded them with $2 million to study problems of instability and materials failure for aircraft and missiles flying at highly supersonic, or hypersonic, speeds of Mach 5 and above.

High-Level Testing

The wind tunnel under construction, expected to be ready for testing in spring 2018, is a low-disturbance, or quiet, Mach 4 tunnel. A second quiet tunnel, slated for completion in 2020, will shoot bursts of air at Mach 5, five times the speed of sound  about 3,800 mph. These new facilities will supplement the UAs existing wind tunnels, where researchers conduct experiments at subsonic and supersonic speeds.



Tubes for the new high speed wind tunnel are in front of one of the Arizona researchers

Hypersonics on the Edge

At speeds of Mach 5 and higher, the air begins to change chemically and becomes an electrically charged field. Craig, Fasel and Tumin are studying the complex (and still poorly understood) phenomena that occur at the boundary layer between laminar and turbulent airflows at such high speeds.

Whenever youve got anything flying through the air, a thin layer of air forms over its surface, Craig explained. That layer may flow in a smooth or laminar fashion, like honey pouring from a jar, or in a chaotic, turbulent way, like turning on a faucet at full blast.

When vehicles traveling at hypersonic speeds encounter airflows at the laminar-turbulent boundary, they experience significantly increased drag and become dangerously hot. Such aerothermodynamic heating is why rockets require deep layers of thermal insulation to keep them from burning up upon re-entering Earths atmosphere.

The UA engineers investigations could help overcome some of the challenges of high-speed flight, Craig said, and help manufacturers design more efficient vehicles with greater controllability and larger payloads.

Craig said he joined the UA for the chance to collaborate with renowned fluid dynamics researchers who are taking different approaches to understanding laminar-turbulent transition.
Cambridge researchers have shown that energy-efficient superconductors can power super energy efficient spintronics devices. What once seemed an impossible marriage of superconductivity and spin may be about to transform high performance computing.

In 2016, IBM found that humans now create 2.5 quintillion bytes of data daily. From the start of this decade to its end, the worlds data will increase 50 times over.

The basic building blocks of electronic devices, such as the transistor, work by moving packets of charge around a circuit. A single unit of charge is an electron, and its movement is governed by semiconductors, commonly made from silicon. But technology based on these principles is now reaching a point where it cannot get much smaller or faster. A paradigm shift is due.

There have been many failed attempts to oust silicon from its predominance, reflects Professor Mark Blamire, Head of Materials Science at Cambridge. Something has to be done because the technology cant be scaled to smaller sizes for very much longer. Its already a major source of power consumption. Theres no obvious competitor, so in a sense the opportunity is there.

Blamire and his colleague Dr Jason Robinson are leading several major programmes investigating one such competitor, known as superconducting spintronics.

The launch of a UK-based program last year provoked excitement within the scientific community. Cambridge University spins up green and beefy supercomputer project, announced British tech site The Register, for example. One reason in particular is because superconducting spintronics might address the eye-watering energy consumption of the huge server farms that handle internet traffic. Data centres account for 3% of the worlds electricity supply and about 2% of greenhouse gas emissions.

The project combines two phenomena: superconductivity and spin. Superconductivity refers to the fact that at low temperatures some materials carry a charge with zero resistance. Unlike, for example, copper wires, which lose energy as heat, superconductors are therefore extremely energy efficient.

Spin is the expression for electrons intrinsic source of magnetism. Originally it was thought that this existed because electrons were indeed spinning, which turned out to be wrong, but the name stuck, and it is still used to describe the property in particles that makes them behave a bit like tiny bar magnets. Like a magnet, this property makes the electrons point a certain way; the spin state is therefore referred to as up or down.

Researchers have been using the magnetic moments of electrons to store and read data since the 1980s. At their most basic, spintronic devices use the up/down states instead of the 0 and 1 in conventional computer logic.

Spintronics could also transform the way in which computers process information. The researchers envisage that instead of the devices moving packets of charge around, they will transmit information using the relative spin of a series of electrons, known as a pure spin current, and sense these using magnetic elements within a circuit.

By eliminating the movement of charge, any such device would need less power and be less prone to overheating  removing some of the most significant obstacles to further improving computer efficiency. Spintronics could therefore give us faster, energy-efficient computers, capable of performing more complex operations than at present.

To generate large enough spin currents for memory and logic devices, significant charge is required as an input, and the power requirements of this currently outweigh many of the benefits. Using a superconductor to provide that charge, given its energy efficiency, would present a solution. But the magnetic materials used to control spin within spintronic devices also interfere with superconductivity.

This problem was thought insurmountable until, in 2010, Robinson discovered how to combine superconductors and spintronics so that they can work together in complete synergy. His team added an intervening magnetic layer (a material called holmium). By using this interface, they were able to preserve the delicate balance of electron pairing thats needed to achieve superconductivity, but still managed to create a bias within the overall spin of the electrons.

This, explains Robinson, created a marriage that opens up the emerging field of superconducting spintronics. Over the next five years, he and Blamire developed the field, and last year were awarded a major grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council: To lead the world in understanding the coupling of magnetism and superconductivity to enable future low energy computing technologies. Robinson has since been awarded a second grant with Professor Yoshi Maeno, from the University of Kyoto, to broaden materials research on superconducting spintronics.

Although still at an experimental stage, the project  which includes collaborators from Imperial College London, University College London and Royal Holloway London  is tackling questions such as how to generate and control the flow of spin in a superconducting system. And its scope is already expanding. We have found more ways of achieving what we are trying to do than we originally dreamed up, Robinson says.

One example involves making potentially innovative use of superconductivity itself. In conventional spintronics, spin is manipulated through the interactions between magnetic materials within the device. But Blamire has found that when a superconductor is placed between two ferromagnets, its intrinsic energy depends on the orientation of those magnetic layers. Turning that on its head, if you can manipulate the superconducting state, you can control the orientation of the magnetic layers, and therefore the spin, he says.

Meanwhile, Robinson has led a study that for the first time enabled graphene, a material already recognised for its potential to revolutionise the electronics industry, to superconduct. This raises the possibility of using this extraordinary material, and other two-dimensional materials like it, in superconducting spintronics.

Although approaches like this are still being tested, Blamire says that by 2021 the team will have developed sample logic and memory devices that fuse superconductivity and spin. These proof-of-concept models could, perhaps, be incorporated into a new type of computer processor. It would be a huge step to get from there to a device that could be competitive, he admits. Its not necessarily difficult, but it would require considerable investment.

The project is set up to enable industrial collaboration in the years to come. A key partner is the Hitachi Lab in Cambridge, while the projects advisory board also features representatives from the Cambridge-based semiconductor firm ARM, and HYPRES, a digital superconductor company in the USA.

Robinson points out that the UK  and Cambridge in particular  has historical strengths in research into superconductivity and spintronics, but adds that a grand challenge has long been needed to focus academic investigation on a meaningful partnership with industry.

Leading low-energy computing into a post-semiconductor age is certainly grand. Silicons domination, after all, stretches from its eponymous valley in California, to a fen in Cambridge, a gulf in the Philippines and an island in Japan.

Can the unlikely  not to say still primitive  marriage of spintronics and superconductivity really replace an electronic empire on which the sun never sets? I suspect people had similar questions at the dawn of the semiconductor, Robinson observes. One shouldnt lose sight of what we are doing here. We arent just trying to do something better; we are offering something entirely different and new.

SOURCE- University of Cambridge
Severe tropical storm "Gorio" maintains its strength as it moves toward Taiwan.

In a press conference before noon on Friday, PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio reported that Gorio was located at 10 am on Friday to be at 360 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes.

It is packing maximum sustained winds of up to 360 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of 130 kph.

Gorio is moving northwest at 15 kph.

On Saturday morning, Gorio will be approaching Taiwan.

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It will be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Sunday.

Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal Number 1 remains up over Batanes.

Metro Manila and the Western portion of Luzon will still experience some monsoon rains.

The same weather will prevail in Ilocos, Central Luzon, Mimaropa and Calabarzon.

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Bahraini Justice authorities have charged 60 individuals, all of them Shia, for forming a terror group and planning to carry out terrorist attacks as the small gulf country, led by a Sunni minority, continues crackdown on angered Shia majority.

Forty-seven of the men are set to appear in court next month, in mass trial, reports say. They are accused of forming a terrorist group, undergoing training in the use of weapons and explosives with the aim of carrying out terrorist attacks and the deliberate killing of policemen, Ahmad al-Hamadi, public prosecutor told the media.

The 13 others who will be tried in absentia have reportedly fled to Iran, Iraq and Germany.

Bahrain has been embroiled since 2011 in protests and riots by majority Shia which authorities claim have been receiving support from regional Shia nation, Iran.

In June, the Supreme Court found 26 defendants guilty of forming a terrorist group between 2011 and 2013, possession of weapons and Molotov cocktails, and attempting to kill policemen in the Shiite-dominated village of Diraz, west of capital Manama.

Five people were killed in May after police opened fire to break a month-long sit-in in front of the house of a top Bahraini Shia Cleric sentenced to one year in prison for corruption.
The Algerian police announced the arrest of the leader of the local branch of the Islamic State group (IS) and former commander of al Qaeda in the country, which was responsible for several attacks against tourists and security forces.

A security source who asked not to be named told Reuters that Mohamed Yacine Aknouche, 43, who leads a local IS cell was arrested this week near Tipaza, a coastal city, 50 Km west of capital Algiers. Authorities said Yacine and his cell were preparing attacks against security forces.

Yacine was once a Europe-based affiliate of Algerias Islamic Armed Group (GIA), and was sentenced in absentia by a French court in 2004 to eight years in prison, the source told Reuters.

Local media Ennahar quoted unnamed security sources as saying the cell was based in the village of Ain Taggourait and had plotted attacks in Algiers. Aknouches cell underwent training in a nearby forest using homemade weapons, Reuters reports.

Algeria has been shaken by sporadic Islamic attacks, mostly targeting security forces.

The North African country, in its darkest years, in the 1990s, fought with several Islamist groups. Up to 35,000 were reportedly active in the height of the civils war, which killed thousands of Algerians.
The Jordanian justice has charged with murder the Israeli guard who killed two Jordanians at a residence in the Israeli diplomatic mission in Amman, as Jordan asked Israel to honor justice by trying the killer.

Ziv, only known by his first name has been charged in absentia in Jordan following his killing of 17-year old Mohammad Jawawdeh, a carpenter, and Bashar Hamarneh Sunday at the Israeli embassy.

Jawawdeh was in the premises to set a bedroom. He was accompanied by Hamarneh, the landlord.

Ziv shot Jawawdeh dead and wounded Hamarneh who later on died in hospital. Ziv and the Israeli staff at the embassy left Jordan Monday. Amman attempted to prevent Ziv from leaving but he was allowed to fly to Israel following US intervention and because he enjoys diplomatic immunity.

Jordanian Attorney General Akram Masaadeh indicated that Ziv was charged with two counts of murder and the bearing of an unlicensed firearm, reports say.

Masaadeh noted that the diplomatic immunity does not protect him from justice in his country.

Yet, Ziv received a heros welcome by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who further angered Amman after his office posted pictures showing him embracing Zi upon his return to Israel.

The Jordanian government is reportedly working on legal action at all levels, including internationally, to ensure that justice is done.

King Abdullah Thursday lambasted Netanyahus photo called on Israel to try the killer. The monarch pledged to obtain justice for the two slain Jordanians.

Israeli reports say Ziv was interrogated Thursday over the incident as per the Vienna Accord.
Train has killed in Cameroon again, months after another passenger train crashed in the Central African nation killing 80 people and injuring over 600 others.

On Wednesday, nine cars of a cargo train left the tracks near the town of Makondo, about 140 km of the capital Yaounde, killing one person, Jeune Afrique Magazine reports.

The train was carrying hydrocarbon products. Five cars completely overturned, an official with Rail Company Camrail told Reuters news agency.

One guard on the train died from injuries, he said. The number of people on board has not been disclosed.

A lawsuit was filed in the town of Eseka later last year against Camrail, a unit of French industrial group Bollore, for the derailment of a passenger train that was going more than twice the speed limit.

According to the government, Camrail failed to examine the locomotive and wagons before departure. And most importantly, complaints from the conductors were ignored, it said.

Government recommends better involvement of the State in Camrail in a bit to curb further complications.

Another train operated by Camrail derailed in 2009 near Yaounde, killing five people and injuring more than 200.
Editor's note: This article was originally published in 2017.

Extraordinarily hot summers  the kind that were virtually unheard-of in the 1950s  have become commonplace.

This years scorching summer events, like heat waves rolling through southern Europe and temperatures nearing 130 degrees Fahrenheit in Pakistan, are part of this broader trend.

The chart above, based on data from James Hansen, a retired NASA climate scientist and professor at Columbia University, shows how summer temperatures have shifted toward more extreme heat over the past several decades.

To create the bell curves, Dr. Hansen and two colleagues compared actual summer temperatures for each decade since the 1980s to a fixed baseline average. During the base period, 1951 to 1980, about a third of local summer temperatures across the Northern Hemisphere were in what they called a near average or normal range. A third were considered cold; a third were hot.

Since then, summer temperatures have shifted drastically, the researchers found. Between 2005 and 2015, two-thirds of values were in the hot category, and nearly 15 percent were in a new category: extremely hot.

Practically, that means most summers are now either hot or extremely hot compared with the mid-20th century.

1951 to 1980 2005 to 2015 1951-1980 Base period More frequent Hot Normal Extremely cold Cold Normal Extremely hot Extremely cold Cold Hot Extremely hot 1951 to 1980 2005 to 2015 More frequent 1951-1980 Base period Extremely cold Extremely hot Normal Extremely hot Extremely cold Normal 1951 to 1980 More frequent Hot Extremely cold Cold Normal Extremely hot 2005 to 2015 More frequent 1951-1980 Base period Hot Extremely hot Extremely cold Cold Normal 1951 to 1980 More frequent Extremely cold Normal Extremely hot 2005 to 2015 More frequent 1951-1980 Base period Extremely hot Extremely cold Normal

The big increase in summer temperatures under the dark red category of extreme heat is right in line with what scientists expect to see as the climate warms over all, said Todd Sanford, director of research at Climate Central, a nonprofit science and news organization.

For each time period above, the distribution of summer temperatures forms what is known as a bell curve because most measurements fall near the average, forming the bump  or bell  in the middle. More extreme temperatures, which happen less frequently, fall in the wings, with heat waves on the right and cold-snaps on the left.

As the curves average  the top of the peak  shifts rightward over time, more temperatures in more places end up in the hot and extremely hot categories and fewer end up in the cold category.

Dr. Hansens curves also flatten out, which some have suggested is an indication of greater temperature variability. But other climate scientists, including Zeke Hausfather, an energy systems analyst at the University of California, Berkeley, have pointed out that this effect is mainly a reflection that some parts of the world are warming faster than others. There is no evidence that temperatures are becoming more variable in most parts of the world after warming has been accounted for.
The Italian government has sent a mission plan to the parliament to deploy several ships in Libyan waters by the end of August, Reuters reported on Thursday.

If endorsed by the lawmakers next week, the mission will fight human trafficking and stem a flood of immigrants in the North African chaotic nations waters.

The exact number of ships and sailors is still being worked out, a source quoted by Reuters said.

According to a statement, Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni met with military chiefs and ministers on Thursday to discuss security, immigration and the Libyan situation. The mission is a possible turning point, Gentiloni was quoted as saying.

Earlier this month, the Italian government, which is under intense political pressure over the surge in refugee numbers, convened an emergency meeting with France and Germany in Paris.

The three countries are considering extra funding, as well as efforts to reduce what they describe as the pull factor created by the presence of NGOs in the Mediterranean.

According to German TV, Deutsche Welle, Nearly 600,000 boat migrants have arrived in Italy since 2014 after making the dangerous cross-Mediterranean journey in boats.

Expert says 2017 could be a record year for migrants reaching Italy, outstripping even last year record, when 181,000 were rescued and brought to Italian shores.
RedRoo Slot Bounces into Lightning Box Games Casinos

Published July 28, 2017 by Mike P

Lightning Box Games has drawn the best of Australian inspiration to create the new RedRoo slot featuring kangaroos.

Red kangaroos are the best-known of the species. Compared to other kangaroos, they grow to be larger and stronger. And this status has earned them a starring role into a specially themed slot game developed by Lightning Box Games. RedRoo is the second in an animal-themed series that was initially launched by the White Lion slot.

Players can currently find RedRoo at Lightning Box Games-powered casinos, where they will embark on a trek into the Australian outback. Along the way, RedRoo will encounter buff surfer dudes and glamorous bikini gals  all while listening to pulsating Aussie rock music.

1,024 Ways to Win

Lightning Box Games has designed RedRoo to feature five reels and an expanded slot interface of four symbols. This is one larger than normal and enables the RedRoo slot to show 20 symbols rather than 15. With this expanded design, RedRoo has been made with 1,024 different ways of winning.

In terms of control, RedRoo has been made with up and down arrows and a green button that will be used to complete spins. The simple design is complemented by a box that is used to display the value of the current total bet.

Special Australian Features

RedRoo has wild symbols that depict the world-famous Ayers Rock, which is a natural attraction that people flock to visit every year in the Australian outback. The wild symbols can appear on the second, third, and fourth reels, while having the offer to substitute for all symbols except for the Australian scatters.

If players can land thee scatter symbols, then they can have at least eight free spins to win from, with 20 being the maximum. During this feature, five more spins can be retriggered whenever players manage to land two or more Australian scatters. When 20 free spins are triggered, this will initiate Wild Rock Wins and players can win up to 27x in multiplier winnings.
Gambian president Adama Barrow on Thursday met with journalists in the tiny West African nation to better engage the media after decades of crackdown by the former autocratic regime of Yahya Jammeh.

In his address to journalists and media owners, the 52-year-old president hinted that the press was free under his watch adding that laws stifling the work of journalists were being reversed.

The press is already free. And at the moment all radios, newspapers are all free. Its at the top of our priority list. We will reverse those media laws and in practice we are already doing it. Thats the most important thing, Barrow was quoted as saying.

As The Gambia enters a new era of democracy, President Adama Barrow has reiterated his commitment to ending human rights and Freedom of Expression abuses in the country.

The former real-estate businessman earlier this year, pledged to reverse Jammehs repressive policies and promised to keep The Gambia in the International Criminal Court, rejoin the Commonwealth, and free political prisoners.

Under Jammeh, Journalists and activist deserted the country in droves to seek brighter futures elsewhere. Remittances from overseas form around 20% of the countrys GDP.
From To The Point Analyses

Part I -- BDS at Twelve

As of July 2017, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israeli racism and apartheid is 12 years old. This means that over the last dozen years, a worldwide grassroots movement has grown up -- a movement of civil society -- that has organized active opposition to Zionist racism and Israeli oppression. While the vast majority of governments have either ignored or assisted Israel's violations of international law and the basic principles of human rights, millions of "civilians" have refused to follow their leaders on this issue.

The BDS movement is now far ranging. It presses for divestment from companies that support or do business with Israel, particularly those that operate in the Occupied Territories. It urges the boycott of all Israeli products, from foodstuffs to cosmetics. It protests the appearance of Israeli cultural organizations outside of Israel. It urges the boycott of Israeli academic institutions that lend support to the state (an effort that, in 2015, Israeli president Reuven Rivlin called a "strategic threat of the first order"). And, it discourages tourist and artist visits to Israel, particularly by well-known celebrities. For more information about specific BDS achievements over the last 12 years, go to website of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights.

In all these efforts the movement has proved increasingly successful. Some surveys have suggested that as many as one-third of Americans and 80 percent of Canadians support BDS. The movement is also strong in Western Europe and growing in Australia and Latin America. Thus, no one should sell this ongoing campaign short. Certainly, the Israeli government does not. Israel's Ministry of Strategic Affairs and Public Diplomacy devotes a lot of time and money to "push back" against the BDS movement. Israel's attempt to counter this growing popularity is grounded on a simplistic, libelous campaign that seeks to identify the BDS movement as a new form of anti-Semitism.

At least among the general population, there are two things that make this a very hard sell:

(1) a lot of BDS supporters are Jewish, underlining the fact that the Zionist state and Judaism are not the same thing, and...

(2) the State of Israel continues to reinforce the BDS characterization of it as a racist state by public acts of discrimination against Palestinians.

As more people come to support BDS, fewer people support Israel. A survey released in mid June 2017 by an organization known as The Brand Israel Group, "a coalition of volunteer advertising and marketing specialists" who consult for pro-Israel organizations, indicated that "approval of Israel among American college students dropped 27% between the group's 2010 and 2016 surveys" while "Israel's approval among all Americans dropped 14 points." Brand Israel's conclusion: "the future of America no longer believe that Israel shares their values." This is the case not because of any big increase in anti-Semitism, but due to ever-growing evidence of Israeli racism.

Part II -- Political Roadblocks

Unfortunately, Israel's inability to keep a favorable public image does not necessarily mean its near-term defeat. Here in the U.S. there are two reasons for this:

(1) as obnoxious as Israeli behavior is, and also as obscenely massive the U.S. aid package that helps to sustain that behavior, neither the behavior nor the aid package is yet a prime voting issue for most American citizens, and...

(2) due to the resulting lack of political pressure from the voters, American Zionists still have a clear field to use money and other forms of patronage to pressure both the U.S. Congress and the political parties to ignore the blatant racism and continue to strongly support the Zionist state.

That support can extend to becoming Israel's ally in the effort to defame and then try to destroy BDS. The argument that BDS is a modern form of anti-Semitism has become the backbone of an effort to make it illegal. As noted above, the BDS movement is not anti-Semitic. It is anti-Zionist, which in fact makes it anti-racist. There is plenty of evidence that the Zionists do indeed practice racism in Israel and its Occupied Territories, and therefore, in truth, the Zionist charge against BDS creates a paradox. It requires you to accept that a supporter of BDS can simultaneously be anti-Semitic and anti-racist. Alas, in the absence of voter pressure, this absurdity does not matter to most U.S. politicians. Nor does the fact that outlawing BDS constitutes an obvious violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Part III -- BDS, Human Rights and Jewish Morality

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From Alternet

Gingrich smears the DOJ's mission as a leftist vendetta.

The Trump administration, which has been caught lying hundreds of times and continues to ceaselessly attack the media, sunk to new lows Tuesday as former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich launched an attack worthy of Nazi propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels.

Gingrich, who has never shied away from verbal jousting, held forth on NPR's Morning Edition in an outrageous, eight-minute attack on the federal Department of Justice, smearing the DOJ as a "left-wing" institution bending laws and abusing its authority to destroy lives. He said the lawyers who are overseeing the special counsel investigating the 2016 Trump campaign's ties to Russia are all Democrats, as evidenced by donations to institutions supporting that party.

Gingrich glossed over the fact that special counsel Robert Mueller is a Republican -- as NPR host Rachel Martin interjected -- and countered that the DOJ is filled with Trump-hating career staffers. He said Mueller's first hires included lawyers who were "killers," predicting they would stop at nothing to convict Trump associates of fake crimes.

Gingrich's assault did not merely seek to delegitimize the ongoing investigation of the Trump campaign's ties to Russia -- which may bleed over into Trump's business deals with Kremlin-connected Russians. It was also an attack on the DOJ's mission, writ large, which includes enforcing anti-corruption laws -- which Gingrich fully knows, being the first Speaker of the House ever fined while in office for ethical breaches ($300,000 in 1997).

While Gingrich plays the part of the loyal foot soldier to Trump, his attack fits the administration's pattern of seeking to delegitimize critics in the press and the government who do not embrace Trump's far-right agenda. Gingrich's attacks intentionally distort the DOJ's mission, the basis of Mueller's role and the legitimacy of the Trump-Russia probe. The purportedly anti-Trump lawyers he names all have Jewish surnames. Gingrich is vying to be Trump's attack-dog minister of propaganda. Goebbels would be proud.

Gingrich opened his attack by attacking the DOJ as a bastion of leftists, offering proof via guilt by association, which could be seen, he said, by the vast majority of their presidential campaign contributions going to Clinton.

"The Justice Department is an extraordinarily left-wing institution," Gingrich began. "Ninety-seven percent of its donations went to Hillary Clinton. It has an embedded bureaucracy, which was captured very, very well by Sidney Powell in her [2014] book, Licensed to Lie. And I think that he's [Trump] deeply troubled by the entire way that both Comey and Mueller have operated, and the degree to which the attorney general has not exercised any authority over that."

It's important to put Gingrich's remarks in context. He makes it sound like the DOJ's employees are uniquely anti-Trump. But as The Hill reported last October, employees at virtually every federal agency overwhelmingly gave to Clinton's campaign: from 84 percent of those making a presidential campaign donation at Defense; to 94 percent at the IRS; to 95 percent and above at Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, Justice, State and Treasury. Why the pattern? Because federal employees want a pro-government president, academics told The Hill.

Nonetheless, Gingrich attacked the DOJ as uniquely anti-Trump, accusing Sessions of not "enforcing the law" by reeling in Mueller. When Martin countered that it's not the attorney general's job to protect the president, Gingrich launched his next distortion.

"What you just said has a misleading implication," he replied. "It is the attorney general's job to enforce the law... Andy McCarthy, who's a former Department of Justice prosecutor, who prosecuted the 1992 World Trade Center bombings, has said over and over again that there is no evidence of a crime. So what is Mueller investigating? This is a fishing expedition."

Gingrich is name-dropping rabid right-wingers as authorities. Powell's 2014 book is an unabashed attack on the DOJ. McCarthy is an early critic of President Obama who in 2008 wrote for the National Review, "Obama's personal radicalism, including his collaboration with radical, America-hating Leftists, should have been disqualifying." But beyond citing blowhards whose views are championed on far-right websites like Breitbart.com, Gingrich is fundamentally twisting what a DOJ investigation does.

Martin rejected his "fishing expedition" frame, saying that police investigations pursue unanswered questions.

"That's not true," Gingrich replied. "You have no reason for appointing somebody with the power of the government if you have no evidence of a crime having been committed. It's very clear in the statute that governs this kind of appointment."

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It's turning into a long hot summer for the emerging global counter-economy.

In June and July, an international group of law enforcement agencies took down two of the largest "Dark Web" marketplaces, Hansa and Alphabay.

Then on July 25, the US Securities and Exchange Commission issued a weird, barely coherent, press release seemingly kinda sorta but not exactly declaring its own plenary authority over all things cryptocurrency.

On the heels of the SEC's fit of apparent glossolalia, the US Department of Justice announced its indictment of cryptocurrency exchange BTC-e for "money laundering" even as one of the site's admins, Alexander Vinnik, was arrested in Greece.

What we're seeing is the latest bit of backlash from a political establishment scared witless by technologies which threaten to make it superfluous.

A friend of mine who writes under the pseudonym dL notes that "[t]he trajectory of technology follows a repeated path. When first introduced, it gives an asymmetric advantage to the individual. Over time, the state catches up and the asymmetric advantage shifts to the state." Maybe he's right. Maybe the political class will be able to nip a bright future in the bud and maintain its grip on power.

On the other hand, Victor Hugo seemed quite sure that "one withstands the invasion of armies; one does not withstand the invasion of ideas."

We stand at the doorway of a future featuring money without borders, work and trade without permission. That future represents existential crisis for the political class: The end of the state as we know it. Absent the ability to tax and regulate its host, the parasite known as government starves and dies.

The situation is equally dire for the rest of us.

High-profile takedowns like the Silk Road, Alphabay, Hansa and BTC-e, large as they loom in the moment, are mere speed bumps. The road to the future remains open, and the only way to plausibly close that road off entirely is to essentially pull the plug on every technological development since the introduction of the personal computer. What would that look like? Think the Dark Ages, the Great Depression, and North Korea all rolled into one.

There's no doubt that the American and global political classes are willing to go there. Any number of regimes have done so on a temporary and semi-effectual basis in times of unrest, and American politicians have seriously proposed ideas like an "Internet Kill Switch." The excuse for such proposals is to protect us from terrorists and drug dealers, but make no mistake: Their real purpose is to protect our rulers from us.

That's what's at stake, folks. We can free ourselves or we can return to the caves. There is no third alternative.
Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"We are in the midst of a profound change of paradigms: from seeing the world as a machine to understanding it as a network. Rob Kall has interviewed many of the leaders, both thinkers and activists, of this global cultural transformation. In this eminently readable book, he weaves their statements, values, and ideas into a coherent and inspiring whole. Bottom-Up is a joy to read!"



Fritjof Capra, author of The Web of Life and The Hidden Connections, coauthor of The Systems View of Life
Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

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"Rob Kall's must-read book offers a VIP look at todays many "connection revolutions," plus key suggestions for bottom-up leadership in each one."



Susan Strong, author of Move Our Message: How to Get America's Ear
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Take Me our of here
By David Swanson, American Herald Tribune



Capitol

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Both houses of Congress have now passed big new sanctions bills by veto-proof majorities, in fact with near unanimity. The vote this week in the House of Misrepresentatives was 419--3 on a bill to sanction Russia, Iran, and North Korea as punishment for primarily imaginary crimes, despite the sum total of the global legal bodies having asked the United States to judge these crimes, skip over a trial, and move right ahead with punishment being exactly equal to the number of principled opponents of war employed on Capitol Hill.

The most recent vote in the Senate on a version of the bill that did not yet include North Korea was 97-2. The Senate will now take up the new bill for another vote.

Why do I call the crimes being punished imaginary? The latest House bill calls itself a bill "To provide congressional review and to counter aggression by the Governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes." Where is the aggression?

The bill requires the U.S. government to produce something the bill does not include or refer to, namely a report on Iran's crimes, which are to include "destabilizing activities," possession of a military (Congress wants to know exactly what a war on Iran would be up against), possession of chemical and biological weapons (there exists no evidence that Iran has either, though it does have a fatwa against them and refused to retaliate in kind when attacked with them by Iraq with U.S. help in the Iran-Iraq war), possession of ballistic missiles. There is no mention of violating the nuclear agreement or any other actual law. There is mention of "terrorism" and "human rights violations," things few if any governments on earth are innocent of, least of all the United States, which of course is also openly guilty of destabilizing activities, possessing chemical and biological weapons, etc.

The bill seeks to punish Russia for interference in U.S. and other elections -- crimes for which we would almost certainly have seen evidence by now if any existed -- and for the "illegal annexation of Crimea" -- illegal because opposed by a coup government in Kiev despite being supported by almost everyone in Crimea at the time and to this day. The 2014 vote by the people of Crimea to re-join Russia involved zero casualties and has never been repeated because poll after poll shows the people happy with their vote. I have seen no written or oral statement from Russia threatening war or violence. If the threat was implicit, there remains the problem of being unable to find Crimeans who say they felt threatened. If the vote was influenced by the implicit threat, there remains the problem that polls consistently get the same result. The United States had supported the secession of Kosovo from Serbia in the 1990s despite Serbian opposition. When Slovakia seceded from Czechoslovakia, the U.S. did not urge any opposition. The U.S. supports the right of South Sudan to have seceded from Sudan, although violence and chaos reigned. U.S. politicians like Joe Biden and Jane Harman even proposed breaking Iraq up into pieces, as others have proposed for Syria. How is a vote by the people of Crimea an act of aggression and all the rest of this acceptable?

Much of the "punishment" of Russia for these supposed crimes is clearly driven by economic competition. Other elements involve communications competition. The bill demands a new report on Russian media, Congress apparently having found the third-grade book-report-style report by the CIA some months back unsatisfactory.

Meanwhile, this legislation requires the production of reports on North Korea cooperating with Iran (a supreme international crime, as everyone knows), and abusing human rights (something never ever done in Guantanamo, Chicago, or Riyadh.

What actually drives these sanctions? As I discussed earlier on this site, and this week on Russian television, sanctions are acts of aggression aimed at selling weapons, preparing the ground for war, responding to successful propaganda, advancing economic interests, and distracting the public from government abuses it might object to. Of course U.S. sanctions against North Korea for 67 years, Cuba for 57 years, and Iran for 38 years have only strengthened the control of those in power in those countries -- and the same effect is documented now in Russia. But sanctions led the way to all-out war on Iraq and may now serve that purpose in Iran. Intentional total war with North Korea or especially Russia is less likely because of their nuclear weapons. But these designated enemies are very useful to the weapons industry nonetheless.

There are serious reasons to oppose new sanctions. They create hostility with nuclear governments. They lead toward further militarization and a possible catastrophic attack on Iran. They turn much of the world against the United States. They create major economic conflicts with Europeans who oppose further sanctions on Russia. They tear down the rule of law, replacing it with the practice of might-makes-right. They divide a world that simply must unite if it is to mitigate the climate apocalypse.

So, it ought to be encouraging that a few members of Congress opposed a bill driven by intense anti-Russian propaganda. What gave them the nerve to do something so decent and risky? In short: they're as nuts as the bill's opponents and have their own unrelated reasons for opposition.

Congressman Tom Massie of Kentucky was one of the three Congress members, all Republicans, to vote No. "I voted against vague, expensive, and reckless sanctions," he says. "H.R 3364 would vastly expand unilateral executive authority. This bill cites the United Nations and United Nations Security Council resolutions as controlling legal authority instead of U.S. law and the Constitution. As a co-sponsor of legislation to get the United States out of the UN, I oppose citing international law as authority for congressional action."

The fact that sanctions are used as tools of war in violation of the U.N. Charter isn't enough. The fact that the United States is making itself global judge, jury, and executioner doesn't measure up. That the bill mentions the United Nations as a fig leaf for its piracy is beyond the pale.

"This bill authorizes $250 million for a vague Countering Russian Influence Fund," Massie says, "with no accountability on who these funds will go to or how they will be used. It also contains language that expands the Treasury's ability to issue blanket warrants without probable cause, a clear violation of the 4th Amendment. In addition, this legislation threatens businesses and jobs across the country, including some in Kentucky."

Opposing a slush fund for anti-Russian activities is critical. It's always nice when people not trying to end mass surveillance or impeach anyone overseeing it take notice of the Fourth Amendment. And I've got nothing against jobs. But putting these concerns behind U.N.-bashing and never even considering the serious harm to peace and security, or the many hundreds of thousands killed by past sanctions in Iraq, is just crazy.

Congressman Justin Amash of Michigan tweeted: "Russia part of sanctions bill is too broad & undefined. Bill also includes $ for Ukraine energy & #4thAmendment-violating #HR5602 from 2016." All quite true, but all extremely minor concerns.

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Reprinted from www.wsws.org By Andre Damon and Niles Niemuth



Google - DOnt't be evil

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In the three months since Internet monopoly Google announced plans to keep users from accessing "fake news," the global traffic rankings of a broad range of left-wing, progressive, anti-war and democratic rights organizations have fallen significantly.

On April 25, 2017, Google announced that it had implemented changes to its search service to make it harder for users to access what it called "low-quality" information such as "conspiracy theories" and "fake news."

The company said in a blog post that the central purpose of the change to its search algorithm was to give the search giant greater control in identifying content deemed objectionable by its guidelines. It declared that it had "improved our evaluation methods and made algorithmic updates" in order "to surface more authoritative content."

Google continued, "Last month, we updated our Search Quality Rater Guidelines to provide more detailed examples of low-quality webpages for raters to appropriately flag." These moderators are instructed to flag "upsetting user experiences," including pages that present "conspiracy theories," unless "the query clearly indicates the user is seeking an alternative viewpoint."

Google does not explain precisely what it means by the term "conspiracy theory." Using the broad and amorphous category of fake news, the aim of the change to Google's search system is to restrict access to alternative web sites, whose coverage and interpretation of events conflict with those of such establishment media outlets as the New York Times and the Washington Post.

By flagging content in such a way that it does not appear in the first one or two pages of a search result, Google is able to effectively block users' access to it. Given the fact that vast amounts of web traffic are influenced by search results, Google is able to effectively conceal or bury content to which it objects through the manipulation of search rankings.

Just last month, the European Commission fined the company $2.7 billion for manipulating search results to inappropriately direct users to its own comparison shopping service, Google Shopping. Now, it appears that Google is using these criminal methods to block users from accessing political viewpoints the company deems objectionable.

The World Socialist Web Site has been targeted by Google's new "evaluation methods." While in April 2017, 422,460 visits to the WSWS originated from Google searches, the figure has dropped to an estimated 120,000 this month, a fall of more than 70 percent.

Even when using search terms such as "socialist" and "socialism," readers have informed us that they find it increasingly difficult to locate the World Socialist Web Site in Google searches.



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According to Google's webmaster tools service, the number of searches resulting in users seeing content from the World Socialist Web Site (that is, a WSWS article appeared in a Google search) fell from 467,890 a day to 138,275 over the past three months. The average position of articles in searches, meanwhile, fell from 15.9 to 37.2 over the same period.

David North, chairperson of the International Editorial Board of the WSWS, stated that Google is engaged in political censorship.

"The World Socialist Web Site has been in existence for nearly 20 years," he said, "and it has developed a large international audience. During this past spring, the number of individual visits to the WSWS each month exceeded 900,000.

"While a significant percentage of our readers enter the WSWS directly, many web users access the site through search engines, of which Google is the most widely used. There is no innocent explanation for the extraordinarily sharp fall in readers, virtually overnight, coming from Google searches.

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From Paul Craig Roberts Website

The Congress of the United States by almost unanimous votes in both House and Senate has made it clear that Congress had rather destroy the President of the United States and to increase the risk of nuclear war than to avoid conflict with Russia by normalizing relations. The vote on the new sanctions makes it pointless for President Trump to veto the bill, because it passed both houses by far more than the two-thirds vote required to override the president's veto. The only thing Trump can achieve with a veto is to prove the false charge that he is in league with Vladimir Putin

The new sanctions bill forecloses the possibility of reducing the rising tensions between the two major nuclear powers. It also shows that whatever interest Congress has, if any, in reducing the threat of war and in avoiding a break with Europe over the sanctions, Congress has a much greater interest in continuing to collect campaign contributions from the powerful and rich military/security complex and in playing to the growing hatred of Russia that is encouraged by the US media.

This reckless and irresponsible action by the US Congress makes completely clear that Washington has intentionally chosen conflict with Russia as the main element of US foreign policy. Perhaps now the Russian government will abandon its cherished illusion that an accommodation with Washington can be reached. As I have written on many occasions, the only way Russia can achieve accommodation with Washington is to surrender and accept American hegemony. Any further resistance of the Russian government to this obvious fact would indicate dangerous delusion on the part of the Russian leadership.

The fig leaf Congress chose for its violation of diplomatic protocols and international law is the disproven allegation of Russian interference in behalf of Trump in the US presidential election. An organization of former US intelligence officers recently announced that forensic investigation has been made of the alleged Russian computer hacking, and the conclusion is that there was no hack; there was an internal leak, and the leak was copied onto a device and Russian "fingerprints" were added. There is no forensic evidence whatsoever that shows any indication of Russian hacking.

It is all made up, and everyone alleging Russian hacking knows it. There is no difference between the allegation of Russian hacking and Hitler's allegation in 1939 that "last night Polish forces crossed our frontier," Hitler's fig leaf for his invasion of Poland.

That Congress uses a blatantly transparent lie to justify its violation of international law and intentionally worsens US relations with both Russia and the EU proves how determined Washington is to intensify conflict with Russia. Expect more false allegations, more demonization, more threats.
From Smirking Chimp

Days ago, a Saudi jet fired on a convoy of cars in Mawzaa district, Yemen. The strike is reported to have killed at least 20 civilians, many from the same family. These cars carried families who were fleeing renewed fighting near the city of Taiz in southwest Yemen. "Nowhere in Yemen is safe for civilians," said Shabia Mantoo of the UN's Refugee Agency (UNHCR). This incident, like others before it, says the UNHCR, "demonstrates the extreme dangers facing civilians in Yemen, particularly those attempting to flee violence, as they disproportionately bear the brunt of conflict."

Saudi Arabia has made no official statement about the incident. It is likely that the Kingdom's Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) will study the evidence available. Earlier atrocities have been looked at by JIAT, and -- in an April 2017 report -- they have admitted culpability for many of them. But in each case, the Saudi government says that it was either "unaware of the presence of the hospital" that it struck or that civilian areas were being used by the anti-Saudi Yemeni coalition as military bases. It is impossible to deny the weight of evidence that shows Saudi bombardment of civilian areas -- schools, hospitals, markets and residential areas. But they hesitate to take full responsibility.

The Arab world's richest country, Saudi Arabia, went to war against the Arab world's poorest country in 2015. In this period, Yemen -- with a population of 25 million -- has been substantially destroyed. The United Nations has been tracking the scale of the atrocity. The numbers are bewildering. Close to 20,000 people have died in this war, at least half of them civilians. The numbers of those injured could not be tabulated as half of Yemen's hospitals and medical centers do not work. This means there is no accurate measure of those who come in to be treated.

Life for the survivors, thus far, has been perilous. For them, time drags on. The war continues endlessly. Suffering intensifies. Ancient maladies reappear. Amongst them is famine. Last week, the UN's Special Envoy for the Secretary General for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh was in New York. He addressed the Security Council about the situation in Yemen. Mr. Cheikh said that 20 million of Yemen's 25 million people are affected by the war. Most of them have little access to water, sanitation, hygiene and food. Seven million of them -- including 2.3 million children under the age of five -- are on the "cusp of famine." There are now 320,000 suspected cases of cholera in the country, with 1,700 confirmed deaths because of that disease.

Reports have come out of Yemen thanks to a combination of UN personnel, a few intrepid journalists, and Yemenis who have been trying to make their case -- unsuccessfully -- to the international community. When the UN tried to take three BBC journalists on an aid flight from Djibouti to Sana'a, the Saudi-backed forces prevented its arrival. Ben Lassoued, who works at the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Yemen, said, "It's unfortunate and partially explains why Yemen, which is one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, is not getting much attention in international media."

Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and Nigeria are each in the throes of a man-made famine, with 20 million people starving to death. No humanitarian intervention has been possible. There has been little concern from the powers that be. Pictures on social media of rail-thin children evoke pity, but no action. The UN has only been able to raise 43 percent of the $6.27 billion it urgently needs to prevent the famine in these four countries. The United States has contributed $1.9 billion to this effort. But this is a fraction of what the US arms industry has been making by selling arms to Saudi Arabia, resupplying it as it bombs Yemen into famine. Most recently, when US President Trump visited Saudi Arabia, the US sealed a $110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia. This deal is in addition to a $350 billion arms sales agreement over 10 years.

In other words, the United States is fueling a conflict that has resulted in war crimes and famine. It is responsible -- by proxy -- for this devastation.

In 2016, a UN panel of experts concluded that the Saudi war on Yemen documented grave violations of human rights that were "widespread and systematic." What is most chilling in that report is the documentation of Saudi strikes on transportation routes (both sea and air), storage facilities for holding food (including an Oxfam warehouse for food aid) and a water project funded by the European Union. The panel noted that it "documented three coalition attacks on local food and agricultural production sites." In 2015, Saudi aircraft destroyed the cranes and warehouses in the Yemeni port city of Hudaydah. With 90 percent of Yemen's food imported, the destruction of this infrastructure has been catastrophic. These strikes by the Saudis on food transportation and storage as well as on water purification plants have produced famine conditions in Yemen.

Mr. Cheikh's report to the UN Security Council did not lift the rhetoric of its members. They sat silently. China's ambassador -- Liu Jieyi -- is the President of the Security Council for July. He said that the mute members "do see eye to eye with each other on the gravity of the situation" and that they support a "political solution as the only way to end the conflict in Yemen." Three UN-brokered peace talks have failed, with both sides rejecting the latest round in August of last year. Talks set to start in May of this year faltered. Discussions began in Oman, with confidence building measures on the table. The UN offered to give the port city of Hudaydah to a neutral country for oversight. Neither side could agree on who should take charge of this crucial city.

UNICEF's Justin Forsyth went before a subcommittee of the US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee yesterday. He noted that the crises in places such as Yemen deserve immediate attention. Funds for relief must be provided and a political solution to the crisis must be found. Neither the funds nor the political solution seems possible in these times. These wars seem endless. Their tragedies increase geometrically. But nonetheless Mr. Forsyth suggested that more is needed. "Conflict, extreme climate events like drought, environmental degradation, climate change, loss of livelihoods and poverty," Mr. Forsyth said, "all underpin these looming famines and crises. Unless we address these causes we will continue to get recurrent crises."

Mr. Forsyth was bold to raise these deeper challenges. He left out some: an economic model that favors income inequality and that displaces human labor for machines and a callous disregard for the suffering of vast areas of the world that have not been able to move out of the shackles of colonial-era poverty. Still, the Senators nodded their heads. They are sagacious.

But then they move along. There are arms deals to cut. There are donors to talk to. So much to do in a day. So difficult to concentrate on every problem in the world. So hard to digest these stories of suffering. Perhaps an extra oxycodone with the next cup of coffee?
In March of 2016, presidential candidate Donald Trump was asked: "Your slogan is 'Make America Great Again,' When was America actually great?" Trump responded that America was last great in the late forties and the fifties. Sorry Donald; I remember that period and it wasn't great.

Trump explained that after World War II: "We were not pushed around, we were respected by everybody... we were pretty much doing what we had to do." (http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/26/politics/donald-trump-when-america-was-great/index.html) Most Trump voters agree with this sentiment (https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/05/make-the-sixties-great-again/481167/), but their response is influenced by when they were born -- for example, Trump supporters born in the sixties think the eighties were great.

As to be expected, Trump's recollection of the fifties is way off. He recalls, "We were not pushed around, we were respected by everybody..." But this was the era of the Cold War with Russia (U.S.S.R.). Trump conveniently forgets the "Iron Curtain" and the threat of nuclear war. (Many of us, who lived through that period, remember "duck and cover" exercises where students prepared for a Russian nuclear attack.) The fifties era was dominated by anti-communist rhetoric. There was a "Red scare" led by anti-communist zealots such as Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Now Trump wants to normalize relations with Russia and replace the Cold War, in the public consciousness, with the threat of a global war with terrorists. Trump has combined this dangerous image with his vision of an invasion by undocumented immigrants; Trump's obsession with building a wall along the southern border stems in large part from his obsession with these immigrants. Thus Trump would replace the "Red scare" of the fifties with a new "brown scare."

Trump recalls the fifties as a period where, "we were pretty much doing what we had to do." He's ignoring the fact that a huge portion of the world -- the USSR and mainland China -- was "off limits" to Americans. Nonetheless, during the fifties US corporations dominated trade in "the free world." (We came out of World War II with a robust economy whereas the economies of most of our allies had been decimated by the war.) It's understandable that Trump, and his supporters, long for a simpler time when the US economy ran the world and and American companies dominated trade. Realistically, that time is long gone. We now live in a much different, global economy.

One way to interpret Trump's comments, "We were not pushed around, we were respected by everybody," is that he is referring to the United States. Another way to interpret this remark is that he is referring to white folks, white men in particular. Indeed, the fifties represents the zenith of what UC professor George Lakoff has described as the "strict father" morality: "In the strict father family, father knows best. He knows right from wrong and has the ultimate authority to make sure his children and his spouse do what he says... This reasoning shows up in conservative politics in which the poor are seen as lazy and undeserving, and the rich as deserving their wealth." In many regards, from a cultural standpoint, the fifties was the last decade where white men reigned supreme.

Obviously, Trump ignores the fact that the late forties and early fifties witnessed a resurgence of white supremacy -- which had been somewhat muted during the war years. After the end of World War II, "Jim Crow" laws were strictly enforced in most parts of the country and many people of color were forced to use segregated facilities. (The initial battle against segregation began in 1955 with the Montgomery bus boycott and culminated in the 1964 Civil Rights Act.) In general, the late forties and early fifties was a period of unfettered racism and sexism. (Until the Trump era, this was the last period where hate and bigotry were considered politically correct.)

So, when Trump says he want to "Make America Great Again," he's calling for a return to the mentality of the fifties. In terms of foreign policy, he wants America to be the top dog, to once again be the world's policeman. And in terms of domestic policy, he's calling for a return to the era of white supremacy, to the period where straight protestant white males ruled American cultural life. Trump is calling for an end to "political correctness" and, indeed, for an end to everyday decency.

Trump doesn't actually want to "Make America Great Again," his intention is to "Make America Hate Again."


Charlie Gard: a death sentence?

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Under Sentence of Death: Charlie Gard and the GOSH

by Mark John Maguire



A child of 11 months is currently in the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), London, which determined in January of this year that his prospects for life were so limited that, in spite of his parents' wishes to save him, he should die. The case of Charlie Gard has attracted considerable attention worldwide in recent months and a great deal of misinformation has been peddled by media, by social media and by GOSH itself. The parents have tried everything to save their son, but armed with a Court Order, GOSH has prevailed: Charlie must die within the next few days. Effectively the appeals process to save Charlie ran out in June - in spite of last ditch attempts to save him by, inter alia, the Pope and the US President, such efforts have failed and Charlie's life has been ordered to be terminated by High Court Judge Francis. These are the barest possible facts of a complex and depressing case of a child born with a debilitating disease which he was unlikely to survive. The cutting-edge treatment proposed in the US was not proven and may or may not have saved Charlie - we and his parents will never now know. But as so often on such occasions, the case has long ceased to be about Charlie or about his medical condition: it has moved into the province of public polity and to the reputation of GOSH as a leading hospital.



The public face-off between the feisty and devoted parents, who refused to bow down to the State in its medical/political and judicial manifestations, has been compelling. The State won, of course, but the question should the State have power to end a child's life even when the parents wish to preserve it has become of great interest. In the UK at least, it has been ruled that a parent has no rights in this matter and the State has a direct responsibility to the child which may include the decision to take the child's life if it is deemed appropriate. This narrative has been played out very publicly and has become a flexing of muscles by Great Ormond Street Hospital and the UK Medical Establishment, which, since January 2017 has repeatedly blocked attempts by medical authorities across the world to try to preserve Charlie's life and this has led to accusations that it is seeking only to preserve its own reputation on the basis that successful treatment elsewhere would seriously damage the GOSH brand. Put in the bluntest possible terms, "Charlie must die". But this is certainly not simply a matter of ego: GOSH exists in the main on the basis of charitable donations which are given on the basis of its reputation for clinical excellence: to have that image tarnished by a baby they have declared incurable being healed by a medical facility elsewhere would seriously undermine that claim. The politics have become extremely ferocious as GOSH PR has gone into overdrive, wheeling out its celebrity doctors to espouse its cause: attacks have been made on US doctors, on their motives and the constant reassertion has been made throughout, as a mantra, that "we are the best in the world", "we have the best doctors", "we know what is best for Charlie". But this self-centred approach has rendered them open to widespread criticisms that GOSH has become blinded by an institutional arrogance - to the point where it seems Charlie has been forgotten and has become a pawn in their game. Indeed, the purpose of a hospital as an institution, which is to serve the community, to heal, seems to have been given scant regard in the sorry saga of Charlie Gard. Donations and funds have been squandered to preserve this position - reputation is at stake - and as a result of the delays, the unseemly bickering, the time spent on PR and Board meetings, the anger at the parents and at others questioning their competence, Charlie can no longer be saved. He will die by the hand of an unknown doctor who will turn off his life support systems in the next few days. "Nature will take its course" says the hospital; "Charlie will be executed" say the opponents. Between these 2 extremes there is only one certainty: that Charlie's life will be ended by the flick of a switch as surely as if it was a hangman's trap: Charlie will die within minutes. This minor tragedy which has captured the world and the plight of this 11 month old child has made the GOSH infamous across the world with good reason - not for its medical prowess, but for its arrogance; for its casual disregard for the parents and for the community it serves; for the sick children who deserve their care and attention; for the religious and political leaders who have sought to save him - and ultimately for its dismissal of Charlie himself as if he were a sick puppy.




From Paul Craig Roberts Website



Jeff Bezos

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Here are today's top stories on Bloomberg...



"Jeff Bezos briefly overtook Bill Gates as the world's richest person. A surge in Amazon shares Thursday morning in advance of its earnings report gave Bezos a net worth of $92.3 billion, surpassing the Microsoft founder's $90.8 billion fortune. In afternoon trading, Bezos remains ranked second on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Gates has held the top spot since May 2013."

Amazon's stock closed yesterday at $1,046 per share. Amazon's profits do not support this extraordinary price. Apple, a very profitable company, has a share price of $150.56, an overprice itself.

What or who is making Bezos so rich from an online sales company? Note, amazon.com is just sales. It is not some new manufacturing technology that produces valuable output at low cost. Amazon.com is what Walmart, Sears, and Macy's do, the difference being that amazon.com is online and Walmart, Sears, and Macy's are in physical locations where real merchandise can be experienced hands on and tried on for fit.

In other words, online purchases are convenient, but you don't know what you are getting. Does it fit? What is the quality? And so forth. How many times do you send it back before you get what you want?

There are two answers to the question about who is making Bezos rich.

One is that Wall Street is betting that the collapse of US anti-trust law and regulatory authority -- it is still on the books but not enforced, just look at the Big Banks -- and the ability of Bezos to use his ownership of the Washington Post, the newspaper of the country's capital, to support those who support him, ensure that amazon.com will be an online monopoly. Once this is put in place, amazon's prices and profits will rise, and the extraordinary amazon.com P/E ratio will come into line with reality.

Another is that Bezos' cooperation with Washington's spy network over all Americans is paid for by the CIA's many front companies driving up the price of amazon.com's stock. As the price of amazon.com rises, so does Bezos' wealth.

I don't know that either of these answers is correct. What I notice is that Bill Gates who heads the largest digital technology company is on occasion second fiddle to Bezos who heads an online Sears or Macy's.

Apple with a share price of $150 earned $52.9 billion during the second quarter of 2017. Earnings per share were $2.10.

Amazon.com earned $38 billion. Earnings per share were 40 cents.

Why is amazon.com's price $1,046 per share and Apple's price is $150.56 per share?

Apple's earnings per share are 5.25 times higher than Amazon's, but Amazon's stock price is 6.9 times higher than Apple's. What explains this?

The free market answer is that amazon.com, a company that sells other companies' products, is more promising than a high-tech leading manufacturing company of our time.

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After the final four players chopped up the remaining prize money, the 2017 Seneca Niagara Falls Summer Slam $125 No-Limit Hold'em Reentry title and trophy went to 55-year-old retired Niagara Falls Medical Center employee Arthur Gates in his hometown of Niagara Falls, NY Thursday night.

The chip leader at the time the deal was made, consistent local rounder David Battaglia ($7,294) earned his second five-figure score of the series, and the most money. However, Gates still collected $4,679 for the win. Tom Babiarz ($6,756) and Steve Roberts ($4,703) were also part of the chop.

The event's six starting flights drew 456 entries this week and 58 survivors returned to play down to a champion Thursday. The top 45 finishers were paid and they reached the money rather quickly to start the day.

The lion's share of the massive $43,320 prizepool sat at the final table, and when they reached the final ten, Babiarz had built a big lead. Patience paid off for Battaglia, however, and as the first six players to bust from the final table took their leave, he built a slight lead over Babiarz.

Both Roberts and Gates led at one point or another, but by the time a decision to chop was made, they were the shorter stacks of the four.

In the end, they all chose not to gamble in the face of escalating blinds and these four players enjoyed a huge return on investment for their $125 buy in.

That ends the $125 Reentry event, however, PokerNews' coverage of the 2017 Seneca Niagara Falls Summer Slam continues with the first of two starting flights for the $600 Main Event beginning at 11 a.m. local time Friday. Tune in then.
Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Calcium Gluconate Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2016-2026" report to their offering.

Calcium Gluconate Market

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Calcium gluconate is a mineral supplement which is prepared by the neutralization of gluconic acid with lime or calcium carbonate. It is listed as one of the essential medicines on WHOs list of essential medicine. Calcium gluconate is used to treat conditions arising from calcium deficiencies such as hypocalcaemia tetany, hypocalcemia related to hyperparathyroidism and hypocalcaemia due to rapid growth or pregnancy. Apart from being an active ingredient in medicines, calcium gluconate finds its application in various food products as a nutrient supplement. It is a used as a source of calcium, in a variety of food & beverage products, such as; milk, soft drinks, juices, bottled waters, dairy products, soy products, baked goods, and confectionery.Calcium Gluconate Market: Drivers & RestraintsGlobal calcium gluconate market is expected to grow owing to increasing demand from end-use industries such as pharmaceuticaland food & beverages. Sunrise industries like the nutraceutical industry has also largely impacted the global calcium gluconate market, as it finds itself as major ingredient in multiple calcium based health supplements. Increase in the demand for health supplements from the health conscious consumers has largely driven this market globally. More than 75% of Americans are calcium deficient, and more than one in 10 Americans either has, or is at risk of developing, osteoporosis or other bone diseases. This fact is also acting as a driver for the global calcium gluconate market in that region. The segment is anticipated to witness above average growth on account of increasing use of health supplements in developed countries for over the last few years and trend is likely to continue over the forecast period.Request Report Sample@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1275 Excessive intake of calcium gluconate may lead to various side effects such as nausea, constipationand stomachupset. Rapid intravenous injections of calcium gluconate may cause hypercalcaemia, which can result in vasodilation, cardiac arrhythmias, decreased blood pressure, and bradycardia. This has proven to be a major restraint for this market.Calcium Gluconate Market:SegmentationThe global calcium gluconate market can be broadly segmented on the basis of end use, application, and form available. On the basis of end use, the market can be further segmented into; bulking agent, emulsifier, and thickening agent. On the basis of application, the global calcium gluconate market can be bifurcated into pharmaceuticals, food & beverages, and nutraceuticals. Commercially, calcium gluconate is available in three major form, i.e. gum, liquid, and powder.Calcium Gluconate Market:Region Wise OutlookGeographically, the calcium gluconatemarket is segmented into seven regions which are ; North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Japan.Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness high growth on account of increasing demand from end-use industries. In addition, increased government spending on infrastructure development is likely fuel market growth over the next six years.Visit For TOC@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1275 Calcium Gluconate Market: Key PlayersSome of the major global key players in this segments are; Aaron Industries, Inc. American Biorganics, Inc, AKZO Nobel Chemicals Inc, Alfa Aesar, Coyne Chemical , Glucona America, Inc, PMP Fermentation Products, Inc, Noah Technologies Corporation, Westco Chemicals Inc, Mallinckrodt Inc., Spectrum Bulk Chemicals. These companies are developing market strategies such as mergers and acquisitions, Joint Venture, New product development and Expansion to increase their market share in Global Functional Beverages Market. Apart from these big firms, there are multiple new entrants in the market.
Anne B. Curtis, MD, receives a plaque in honor of giving the opening plenary lecture at the 22nd World Congress of Heart Disease in Vancouver. Michael E. Cain, MD, vice president for health sciences and dean of the medical school, is at right, and Asher Kimchi, MD, founder and chairman of the International Academy of Cardiology, is at left.



Curtis Speaks on Atrial Fibrillation at World Congress on Heart Disease

story by bill bruton

Anne B. Curtis, MD, SUNY Distinguished Professor and the Charles and Mary Bauer Professor and chair of the Department of Medicine, gave the opening plenary lecture at the International Academy of Cardiologys 22nd World Congress on Heart Disease.

Michael E. Cain, MD, vice president for health sciences and dean of the medical school, introduced Curtis and served as chair for the lecture.

Talk Emphasizes Improving Care for Atrial Fibrillation

The presentation by Curtis, Improvement in Quality of Care for Atrial Fibrillation in Get With the Guidelines  Atrial Fibrillation, was the 11th H.J.C. Swan Memorial Lecture. One of the most devastating consequences of atrial fibrillation (AF) is stroke, the risk of which can be greatly reduced if patients take anticoagulants (blood thinners), Curtis says. While practice guidelines recommend anticoagulation in patients with risk factors for stroke, too many patients are not treated appropriately. Get With the Guidelines Atrial Fibrillation (GWTG-AFIB) is an initiative of the American Heart Association. It began in 2013 to improve the quality of care for patients with AF.

Anticoagulation Therapy Decreases Possibility of Stroke

The goal of GWTG-AFIB is to collect data on patients admitted to the hospital with AF, collect information on their history and current treatment, and then document whether they are being treated with all guideline-recommended therapies, including anticoagulation. In analyzing data on 22,514 AF admissions from 2013-2016 for patients with risk factors for stroke, oral anticoagulation at discharge in eligible patients improved significantly over time from 85.7 percent to 96.8 percent. This data confirms that high-level adherence to stroke prevention and AF quality measures is achievable and sustainable, Curtis says. A total of 79 hospitals in the United States are currently enrolled in the program.

Research Helps in Treatment of Arrhythmias

Curtis is among the worlds leading clinical cardiac electrophysiologists. Her research has helped transform the evaluation and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and has advanced knowledge of human cardiac electrophysiology and heart-rhythm abnormalities. She has been a key contributor to guidelines on atrial fibrillation issued by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines.

Cain, Curtis Serve on Scientific Committees

In addition to the opening lecture, Cain and Curtis had other roles in the three-day scientific sessions. Cain served as co-chair of a session on cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death and gave a speech titled New Electrocardiographic Predictors of Sudden Cardiac Death. Curtis served as co-chair of a session on improving understanding, treatment and outcome in atrial fibrillation. They were both members of the Scientific Executive Committee and the Scientific Abstract Review Committee and served as section chairs for arrhythmias and electrophysiology.



Cardiologists From Around the World Present Research
Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Mining Equipments Market: Latin America Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2014 - 2020" report to their offering.

Mining Equipments Market

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The mining industry is expected to witness growth with a single digit CAGR over the next six years on account of the further expanding demand for metal and mineral commodities. Latin America accounted for about 8% of the global mining equipment demand in 2013 and its contribution towards global mining equipment sales was registered at 15% for the same year. The region serves as the prime destination for mining exploration and investment at a global level.The key reason which has accelerated the growth of the Latin American mining equipment market is the enhanced demand for the consumption of natural resources. Presently, the region produces about 45% of the global copper, 21% of the global zinc, 50% of the global silver and 26% of the global molybdenumproduction. In addition, foreign investment, especially from China, US, Canada and Australia, plays a significant role in the growth of the Latin American mining equipment market. Further, other operations such as the Panama Stock Operation (PSO), CSR activities, and introduction of next generation mining equipment such as Autonomous Haulage System (AHS) also serve as driving factors for the growth of the mining equipment market in Latin America. Among these, CSR activities primarily focus on rehabilitation and support programmes, promotion of healthy lifestyle and awareness programmes for the adoption of green technology. However, in the past few years, the mining industry and hence the mining equipment industry has been facing an economic crisis on account of the requirement for budget allocation in the maintenance of the mining industry and equipment, etc. Illegal mining operations at some locations and the risk associated with the mining industry serve as further constraints for the Latin American mining equipment industry.Surging demand and abundant availability of natural resources(including the worlds top three metal and mineral reserves of copper, zinc and silver rapid technological advancement, modernization of mining plants, stable legislations with a motivating legal environment, and the efficient budget allocation with aftermarket revenue generation will serve as opportunities for the development of the Latin America mining equipment market.Request Report Sample@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-la-68 Market segmentation of Latin American mining equipment can be done on the basis of equipment, application and countries. On the basis of equipment, the Latin American mining equipment market includes mineral processing equipment, surface mining equipment, underground mining equipment, mining drills and breakers, crushing and screening equipment, etc. On the basis of applications, the Latin American mining equipment market segmentation includes metal ore mining, coal mining and mineral mining. Chile, being the largest producer of copper, serves as a lucrative market for copper-based mining equipment. Colombia is an active exporter,and is the first Latin American coal-producing country alongwith the production of metals such as gold, silver and platinum and hence is the opportunistic market for the associated mining equipment market. On the basis of countries, the Latin American mining equipment market includes Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Panama, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and Venezuela. Chile is known for the adoption and introduction of advanced technologies such as autonomous haulage system. Peru is the reserve of key minerals and has been witnessing a surging demand for copper and hence the expansion of the associated mining equipment market. Brazil has an integrated approach for the production and sale of mining equipment. Panama has an active stock operation (PSO) for the support of the mining industry. In line with the positive future of the Latin American mining equipment industry, Peru and Chile are expected to receive double digit foreign investment in $ Bn in the next six years.Visit For TOC@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-la-68 Some of the prominent players of the global mining equipment market include Sandvik AB, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Komatsu Limited, Atlas Copco Ab Joy Global Inc. Breaker Technology, Astec Industries, Bucyrus International, Caterpillar Incorporated, China Coal Energy Company Limited, Tecpalsa, Tecmap, Tiesa and Igaretta. Among these, Komatsu Limited in the whole of Latin America, Tecpalsa in Colombia, Tecmap and Tiesa in Panama and Igaretta in Argentina are active players in the Latin American mining equipment market.
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.




President: Lack of fish market in Baku is shortcoming

Now well lay the foundation of a fish breeding enterprise, a real fish market has been built. Look, there has never been a fish market in Baku so far. This is a shortcoming, because most coastal cities have a fish market, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in a meeting with representatives of the public in the Pirallahi district, APA reports.The head of state noted that these fish markets will serve citizens and turn the area into a tourism zone: A beautiful boulevard was created here, a fish market exists and a fish breeding enterprise is being created. Tourism will develop quickly. There is a big tourism project in the Gurgan settlement. Now, Pirallahi has also turned into a beautiful place. A beautiful condition has been created here for Pirallahi, Baku residents, other Azerbaijani citizens and foreigners.
Exhibit will Feature Rare Basquiat Photos by Friend Alexis Adler

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347.268.1613 Shelley V. Worrell347.268.1613

End

-- Cultural venture Caribbeing, an organization that illuminates the global Caribbean experience through arts and culture, announced today that they are entering a one-month residency at Brooklyn Museum. Through the residency, the organization's mobile shipping container, the Caribbeing House, will feature an exhibition of rare Jean-Michael Basquiat photos from the collection of his friend and ex-lover, Alexis Adler.The exhibition, titled "Life With Basquiat" depicts an experimental period before his meteoric rise in the art world, when Adler lived with Basquiat on East 12th Street in 1979 and 1980. The residency will run from August 5 through 28 at Caribbeing House/Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Pkwy).Adler's photographs offer a rare glimpse into the private life of the storied New York painter and street artist, as told through photographs, including images of his high school drawings and graffiti art.Adler met Basquiat in 1979, after she graduated from Barnard with a degree in biology. He was 19; she was 23. During their brief time together, Basquiat used whatever materials he could find to create mixed-media art. He made ends meet by selling sweatshirts on the street. Adler's collection is a testament to Basquiat's artistic genius in its formative years."Throughout his short life, Jean Michael was a prolific artist, working with whatever he could get his hands on to create," Adler said. "I'm happy to share my collection with the community via Caribbeing and Brooklyn Museum as a way to pay tribute to the brilliance of my dear friend."Basquiat rose to fame as an artist in his 20s before dying in 1988 at the age of 27. He was a Brooklyn native of Caribbean heritage; his family hails from Haiti and Puerto Rico.Today, Adler is an embryologist in a fertility lab."We are thrilled to partner with the Brooklyn Museum to offer this special glimpse into the formative years of an artistic genius," said Shelley Worrell, Founder of Caribbeing. "We are looking forward to connecting with the community to share this chapter of Basquiat's life story while also drawing attention to a great Caribbean-American artist."Lauren Argentina Zelaya, Assistant Curator of Public Programs at the Brooklyn Museum, was a key architect of this residency."Jean-Michel Basquiat is obviously a beloved artist and cultural figure in Brooklyn and we're excited to honor his Caribbean heritage as a part of our month long celebration of 50 years of the West Indian American Labor Day Parade," Zelaya said. "He was a junior member of the museum as a young person, so this glimpse into his younger years is a perfect fit. We hope his legacy continues to inspire young artists and creatives who visit us at the museum."During the month of Caribbeing's exhibit, visitors are invited to Brooklyn Museum's Biergarten to share J'ouvert stories, contribute to a collective Caribbean Newsstand with artist Lizania Cruz in addition to viewing Adler's collection.More information about the exhibit is available at https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/ calendar/event/ caribbeing_... Caribbeing is a thriving cultural organization that stands at the crossroads of the film, art, and culture. Based in Brooklyn, AKA the "Little Caribbean," Caribbeing spans contemporary culture and is a hub for creativity and collaborations with some of the Caribbean's most visionary talent and innovative brands. Now in its fifth year, Caribbeing has grown into a global movement. Learn more about Caribbeing at http://www.caribbeing.com . Follow Caribbeing on Facebook at Facebook.com/caribbeing.
New Publisher of the Oregon Teacher Inservice Bulletin Seeks Listings from Professional Development Event Sponsors

By: Youth Change Workshops

Contact

Ruth Herman Wells

***@youthchg.com

503-982-4220 Ruth Herman Wells503-982-4220

End

-- For approximately 30 years, the Oregon Inservice Bulletin has been Oregon K-12 education's statewide connection. For all of that time, the Bulletin has linked teachers and other educators to the professional development resources that they need to build their skills to best reach and teach their students. This year, October 13 is Oregon Statewide Teacher Inservice Day. Students in most Oregon districts will not have school that day so that their teachers, counselors, principals and other school staff members can attend professional development inservice events. As it has for approximately the past three decades, the Oregon Inservice Bulletin will list the professional development courses, workshops and conferences being offered on Inservice Day.This year, the Oregon Inservice Bulletin has a new publisher for the first time in many decades. Originally first published by the Oregon Department of Education, and later by the Oregon International Council, the Bulletin receives no tax dollars and relies on professional development event sponsors and its publisher to defray all costs. This year, as a community service project, Youth Change Workshops, has agreed to organize, publish and disseminate the Bulletin for 2017. Youth Change Workshops is a national professional development provider based in Woodburn, Oregon who has had programs listed in the Bulletin since the publication began.Oregon universities, agencies, conferences, and organizations who wish to have their event listed on the 2017 Oregon Inservice Bulletin, can contact the new publisher. Youth Change Workshops' Director, Ruth Herman Wells is the contact. She can be reached by phone at 503.982.4220 or by emailing dwells@youthchg.com . Inservice event sponsors can also sign up to be listed on the Bulletin online by visiting https://www.youthchg.com/ oregon-inservice- bulletin/ Beginning in August, teachers, school counselors, principals, paraprofessionals and other educators can access the Oregon Inservice Bulletin from all the usual sources including the Oregon Department of Education website. As has been the custom, every school, district and Education Service District (ESD) will receive an emailed copy of the 2017 Inservice Bulletin to circulate or post for their faculty and staff. The master copy of the Bulletin with last minute listings will be available on Youth Change's website at https://www.youthchg.com/oregon-teacher-inservice-bulletin/At the request of the Oregon Department of Education, Youth Change has revamped the appearance of the Oregon Inservice Bulletin to be ADA accessible. The Bulletin has also been given a more contemporary look, along with color and an easy-to-read format.Contact: Ruth Herman Wells, Youth Change Workshops, 275 N. Third Street, Woodburn, OR 97071, 503.982.4220, dwells@youthchg.com, www.youthchg.com
Premier Manco is one of the leading iGaming consultants in Malta offering a wide range of iGaming consulting services, iGaming ERP solutions, iGaming restructuring services and iGaming payment solutions.

By: Premiermanco.com

250 Logo

Contact

Premier Manco Ltd

***@premiermanco.com Premier Manco Ltd

End

-- Premier Manco is one of the leading iGaming consultants in Malta offering a wide range of iGaming consulting services, iGaming ERP solutions, iGaming restructuring services and iGaming payment solutions.Malta is considered as a major hub of iGaming business. From past few years, many old iGaming businesses have closed and wind up their business operations. One of the biggest reasons for this is the rapid transformation of the iGaming industry and with the advancement in the technology. Also at the same time, many new business entrepreneurs are trying to get into the iGaming industry with their startups.Premier Manco provides many iGaming startups deep consultation about their iGaming business. Premier Manco also provides solutions to the new iGaming Startups that are struggling to get major funding and organize their structure. Premier Manco has a team of some of the most professional industry experts that provide consultation based on the real time industry scenario and industry environment.Premier Manco is a boutique service provider founded to provide iGaming consulting to a variety of clients in the iGaming industry. They offer some reliable solutions to the clients who are new to the iGaming business. In last few years, there is seen a huge shift in the impetus of the iGaming business around the world. Not only there are huge number of new iGaming players were getting into the iGaming , but there are many who has taken iGaming as an entrepreneurship role. iGaming Mergers & Acquisitions iGaming Consulting International iGaming Restructuring Payment Solutions iGaming ERP SoftwareFor more information, please visit http://premiermanco.com/ Premier Manco is a boutique service provider offering traditional services such as corporate consulting, mergers & acquisitions, restructuring and payment solutions. What separates Premier Manco from typical consulting companies is our clearly defined niche in iGaming related consulting. Our clients include iGaming businesses, entrepreneurs and investors. With a wealth of experience and a sizeable network of contacts in the iGaming industry, Premier Manco is the preeminent presence in the iGaming industry.
Using the assigned promo code, coffee lovers can now buy Aroma Bravo light roast coffee at 10% off on Amazon.com.

Contact

Charles C Harmon Co LLC

***@gmail.com

888-582-6650 Charles C Harmon Co LLC888-582-6650

End

-- Following the successful launching of its French roast coffee promo this week, Aroma Bravo Coffee and Tea has finally kicked off the much-anticipated sale for its light roast coffee on Amazon.com. The beverage company has also unveiled the official coupon code for the promo, which customers need in order to get a 10% discount on light roasted Honduras whole bean coffee."At the final checkout on Amazon, simply enter the promo code 10OFFABL so you can purchase our organic light roast coffee beans at 10% off," an Aroma Bravo official advised coffee lovers on how to claim their special discount.Aroma Bravo's light roast coffee beans are directly imported from the Marcala region of Honduras in Central America. Renowned for its impressive coffee production, this area is considered one of the world's top Arabica bean exporters. Pursuing the highest possible quality for its Honduras coffee products, it was only natural for the company to source organic Arabica coffee beans from this region."Small batch roasted and packed in the USA, our Aroma Bravo Light Roast Coffee is produced for the complete enjoyment of gourmet coffee lovers. Each bean has been carefully selected and roasted to achieve the perfect light brown color. With a light body, mellow flavor and pronounced acidity, coffee lovers can truly indulge in the delightful origins of our Honduras whole bean coffee which we've made especially for all light roast coffee fans," said the company official.Weighing 12 oz per bag, the light roast coffee is regularly priced at $13.99. But with the application of the 10% off promo code, Amazon customers can get a good deal on the coffee."This promo is only available for a limited period, so hurry and order your light roasted Honduras whole bean coffee now while there's still time! You definitely don't want to miss out on a deal like this," the company official further remarked.Customers are reminded to use the promo code 10OFFABL at checkout so they can avail of the 10% coffee discount at https://www.amazon.com/ dp/B01N6LFV0R Aroma Bravo is USDA certified organic retailer of Honduras whole bean coffee. Grown in organic farms and roasted in small batches, Aroma Bravo Honduras Coffee is highly recommended for coffee lovers.
By: Inarchi Studio

Contact

Lili Lenkei

***@inarchi.com Lili Lenkei

End

-- Shaping Hungary: Design in the 21st Century traveling exhibition presents outstanding figures and diverse works of contemporary industrial designers, inventors, and engineers to visitors. The one-year tour, attempting to represent Hungarian creativity, started on its journey last year from Geneva. The opening ceremony took place in October 2016 in the Hall of the World Intellectual Property Organization at the annual meeting of the international organization. The main supporters and partners of the tour are the Hungarian Design Council, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Moholy-Nagy University of Art.The sophisticated, architectural style Rutil lamp was selected amongst other Hungarian artworks to travel around the world with Shaping Hungary exhibition. Rutil is a unique model of Inarchi Studio, brainchild of Janos Heder designer. It is a hexagonal aluminum suspended lamp with ultra-compact, high intensity LED light. In 2015, Rutil has already gained recognition, it was awarded the prestigious Special-Award of the Hungarian Intellectual Property Agency at the Hungarian Design Awards. At Shaping Hungary exhibition an attractive compositional application of Rutil lights is displayed to catch the eye of the visitors.The exhibition has visited many stages so far, like Prague, Krakow, Warsaw, Poznan, Vilnius, Bucharest and Bratislava. At the stage of the Moscow Design Biennale, the Hungarian traveling exhibition awarded the first prize. The Biennale aimed at representing the influence of design on the quality of human life and its growing importance, so Shaping Hungary exhibition perfectly fit in its concept.In July, in Barcelona and Madrid, the exhibition met with great success, too. Until the end of 2017, two further locations are waiting for the Hungarian artworks and inventions. The exhibition is going to fly to the distant Ottawa and will be presented at an event organized on the occasion of Canada's 150th anniversary. And last but not least, Shaping Hungary finishes the successful year behind in Skopje, Macedonia.Don't miss the opportunity to visit this special collection at one of the last two stages of the exhibition!For more information about Inarchi  Rutil model visit: http://www.inarchi.com/ index.php/product/ index/rutil Photo by: Hunor Magyarosi
President's Veto influence on Lawmaking Process

By Vladimer Napetvaridze

On July 20, the President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili, vetoed the decision of Parliament to abolish the status of seven self-governing cities, thus temporarily suspending the process. However, the Presidents veto shall not have a real impact on the governments decision, because the ruling party, which has a constitutional majority, has the power to override the president's veto. In Georgian political life,there have been quite a few cases of overriding President's veto by Parliament.The bill on self-governance was initiated by Prime Minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, on June 1, 2017. After two weeks, on June 15, the Parliament adopted a resolution to unite seven cities, (Gori, Ambrolauri, Mtskheta, Ozurgeti, Telavi, Akhaltsikhe, and Zugdidi) with its municipalities. The resolution was supported by 85 MPs and only 10 were against it. The representatives of ruling party have explained the decision by necessity to reduce financial costs. "There shouldn't be three different governmental branches in one little city," said Vice Premier Alexander Jejelava and stressing the need for cost and management efficiency.The decision caused resistance of the civil sector. In order to stop the process, ten influential non-governmental organizations wrote a joint letter to the President. "We urge you, not to sign the bill of amendments on local government code and send it back to Parliament with remarks," reads the statement.The President announced his opinion that the amendments to be adopted by Parliament would weaken the countrys democracy. Because of this, he vetoed proposed changes to the Local Self-Government Code. It is important to mention, that the process of decentralization started after a new political party, Georgian Dream, came to power. "Turning back this process is absolutely unimaginable and unacceptable. Reducing the number of self-governing cities weakens the importance of municipal elections, said Margvelashvili in his statement on July 20. The Presidents action was responded by the ruling party: "The President knows Parliament can override his veto, but perhaps he expects us to learn about his opinion and to take a decision only after this. Using vetos is not the best way for communication, but we will carefully discuss his remarks in Parliament," says a leader of Parliamentary Majority, MP Archil Talakvadze.Using veto became one of the most frequent ways of communication between Parliament and President of Georgia. Giorgi Margvelashvili has used vetoes eight times, in total. The Georgian Parliament accepted the Presidentsremarks only twice, the Presidents vetoes were overridden four times and two more vetoes are in the process of discussion.In order to override the President's veto, the Parliament needs support of 76 MPs. The ruling party- Georgian Dream, has 115 members in Parliament. The question emerges: What is the role of the President's veto if the ruling party can easily override it?!"Despite the consequences that the President's veto shallhave, it is important to explain to people and members of Parliament that the decision, they are going to make, shall hurt democracy and therefore, it is unacceptable," says President's Parliamentary Secretary Ana Dolidze.Nowadays in Georgia, a main function of Presidents veto is to focus the societys attention on specific issues, which according to Presidents opinion shall be harmful to democratic processes. It also underlines the fact that there is a disagreement among different branches of power. After constitutional reforms, Georgia adopted a political system where the President is only able to delay a law-making process for a short time and provide his opinions and recommendations.This time, in a few days, the Parliament will make its decision about the Presidents remarks regarding the amendments to self-government code and it should not be surprising that, similar to previous cases, the President's veto shall be overridden.
UK operator Travel The Unknown has created a unique itinerary that includes visits to five of Central Asia's 'Stans'.

By: Travel The Unknown

Jeti Oguz & the Valleys of the Flowers (Kyrgyzstan)

Contact

Mick Thompson, Travel Dog PR

***@traveldogpr.co.uk Mick Thompson, Travel Dog PR

End

-- Travel The Unknown has created a new 30-day itinerary that provides a chance to discover the five 'Stans'  as they have come to be known  in Central Asia.Comments David McGuinness, Director of Travel The Unknown, who has just returned from a reccee trip of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan:"The Silk Road 'Stans' make for a fascinating and varied trip, where you can find ancient craftsmen, sublime architecture, spectacular mountain ranges, vast deserts and some interesting post-Soviet politics."They may be neighbours, but each country is fascinating and a world of its own, each with distinct, nomadic customs, traditions, cuisine and way of life."The trip will provide a chance to discover the ancient fortresses and strange politics of Turkmenistan, absorb the history and admire the stunning Islamic architecture of Uzbekistan's numerous UNESCO-listed cities  including Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand  and learn about the Silk Road merchants that plied these routes.Experience the dramatic mountains and pastoral landscapes of Kyrgyzstan, with its vast dramatic lakes, and learn its nomadic customs, traverse Tajikistan's sublime landscapes, meet its shepherds and learn about its history and Persian influences, and discover the land of the Steppes, Kazakhstan.The itinerary also includes a chance to meet the famous eagle breeders in remote villages, ogle the futuristic architecture as cityscapes of Astana and to learn about the country's diverse history in the state museum.The sparkling white marble eeriness of Ashgabat The old fortress of Nisa The ruins of the ancient city of Merv Historic monuments in Kunya-Urgench The great 'Tower of Death' minaret and mosque of Poi Kalan The bustling capital of Dushanbe Impressive rock formations at Sharyn Canyon Intricate wooden carvings on Karakol's Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral Sublime beauty of Issy Kul LakeThe holiday costs from 6045 per person (two sharing). This includes international flights, all ground transportation, 29 nights' B&B (plus one lunch and two dinners), entrance fees and guides.Call 020 7183 6371 ( www.traveltheunknown.com/ fve ).
Data from the global trip planner Sygic Travel show that during this summer, people have used their smartphones to create a holiday itinerary five times more often than their desktop computers.

Media Contact

Sygic Travel

simona.peckova@ sygictravel.com Sygic Travel

End

-- Data from the global trip planner Sygic Travel (https://travel.sygic.com/)show that during this summer, people have used their smartphones to create a holiday itinerary five times more often than their desktop computers. There is also a continuous growth in the numbers of purchases made via smartphones. Since the beginning of this year, the number of people booking a hotel room or a tour via Sygic Travel has been growing by 10% every month. Most purchases are made by people planning a trip to Paris, New York City and London. The most popular sights in Sygic Travel are currently the Charles Bridge in Prague and London's Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.Since June 1st the number of people planning holidays using the mobile app was five times higher than the number of those using a computer. In case the Sygic Travel iPad app was counted in as a mobile app as well, the number is actually six times higher. This is even more remarkable if we take into consideration that not so long ago, in 2014, the proportion was the opposite. Despite the mobile apps being out there, people preferred the desktop planner. Mobile apps took the lead no earlier than in 2015 when the number of mobile-planned trips surpassed for the first time the number of the desktop-planned ones.By using smartphones more often when planning a holiday, people are also more likely to make purchases via their phones.Since the beginning of the year, the demand for paid services has been steadily growing by 10% each month, which is a higher increase than on the desktop website. People buy the most when they travel to Paris, New York City, London, Rome and Barcelona."It's also interesting to take a look into country-specific statistics of offline maps, which can be downloaded in the Sygic Travel apps. While for example the French download the map of France the most  the Poles show nearly no interest in offline maps of their country. They are the most interested in Croatia and other Southern European countries and cities," says Lukas Nevosad, Sygic Travel's CEO.The top 10 sights of the 2017 season according to Sygic Travel are (in descending order) the Charles Bridge in Prague, Big Ben, the Buckingham Palace, the Fontana di Trevi, the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, Trafalgar Square, the Pantheon in Rome, the Tower Bridge and Times Square.Sygic Travel (formerly Tripomatic) provides the most relevant information and services to help travelers research, plan and book their trips. More than half a million travelers use their web planner and apps every month. Sygic Travel is dedicated to enhancing the travel experience for people at every stage in the journey, from the initial vacation inspiration, planning, through to exploring new lands after arrival.
Texas Children's Heart Center to use PATS for clinical data management and registry participation.

By: Axis Clinical Software

Media Contact

Scott Page, CEO

***@axisclinical.com

503.292.3022 Scott Page, CEO503.292.3022

End

-- Axis Clinical Software, an industry pioneer of clinical outcomes data management software, announced that it has been chosen by Texas Children's Hospital to provide a clinical and quality data tracking and registry participation solution. The solution will enhance outcomes analysis and improvement efforts for the nation's #1-rated pediatric cardiology and heart surgery facility."We're proud to help meet Texas Children's Hospital's outcomes analysis and improvement needs," said Axis CEO, Scott Page. "Our software will provide them with a clinical and quality data system to further bolster their continued commitment to achieving outcomes that are among the best, nationwide."U.S. News & World Report has ranked Texas Children's Hospital #4 amongst 200 pediatric hospitals in the nation for nine consecutive years. For 2017-18, the hospital earned the #1 ranking in Pediatric Cardiology and Heart Surgery. The facility annually performs more than 1,000 surgeries and has more than 26,000 out-patient episodes of care.For Texas Children's Hospital, the Patient Analysis and Tracking System (PATS) solution will: Support participation in the NCDR's ICD and IMPACT registry programs Facilitate follow-up entry and tracking with longitudinal analysis and reporting Eliminate potential duplicate data collection and entry, using interfaces to communicate with Epic and other lab systems Provide a comprehensive structured reporting solution, including ACC Quality Metrics analytics Support compliance with federal, state and professional oversight bodiesAbout Axis Clinical Software, Inc.: Axis has provided full service software solutions for clinical outcomes and registry participation for more than 35 years. They are solely dedicated to clinical software products to address quality initiatives, registry participation, performance improvement, benchmarking, and research. Axis offers extendable and saleable solutions that can serve multiple departments, hospitals, and healthcare networks with one dynamic system.Axis Clinical Software, Inc. 6443 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy #400 Portland, OR 97221
By: Civil Air Patrol Nevada Wing

Media Contact

Civil Air Patrol Nevada Wing

***@gmail.com

303-919-5690 Civil Air Patrol Nevada Wing303-919-5690

End

-- The Nevada Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the volunteer Auxiliary of the United States Air Force, will be hosting a Cadet Encampment at the Camp Stead Training Center beginning July 31st, 2017 culminating with graduation ceremonies on Sunday August 6th 10:00 a.m.The weeklong encampment covers Aerospace Education, Leadership, Character Development, Fitness, weapons simulators, and Drill and Ceremonies. We will also be working with the Air National Guard's "High Rollers" C-130 fleet, and the Army National Guard for Chinook and Apache helicopter units.Approximately 68 student cadets, 38 cadre cadets, and 40 senior members will attend. Sixty-six percent of the cadets are from the Nevada Wing and the rest is made up of cadets hailing from California and Oregon Wings. The cadets are tasked with running the encampment from initial planning to the graduation ceremony. Senior members are present for support, safety, and hold advisory rolls.Highlights for the week include orientation flights provided by the Nevada Air National Guard tentatively scheduled for the mornings of August 2nd (helicopters)and August 4th (C-130's). Graduation ceremonies will be held on August 6th on the tarmac in front of the main grandstand area at Reno Stead airport. The media and public are invited to attend.In 2016 Civil Air Patrol celebrated the 75th anniversary of service, founded 1 December, 1941. Months later, the Cadet Program was created, 1 December, 1942. Throughout 2017 we are celebrating 75 years of young people serving their communities, states and nation. Today's cadets are tomorrow's aerospace leaders. Through its Cadet Program, Civil Air Patrol transforms youth aged 12 to 20 into responsible citizens.Encampment POC is 1st Lt Lincoln Brown, Reno Composite Squadron Public Affairs Officer, 303-919-5690, lbrown292@gmail.com. http://www.nevadacadets.org/ encampment.html Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force's Total Force, which consists of regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, along with Air Force retired military and civilian employees. CAP, in its Total Force role, operates a fleet of 550 aircraft and performs about 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 78 lives annually. Civil Air Patrol's 56,000 members nationwide also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Its members additionally play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 24,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet program. Performing missions for America for the past 75 years, CAP received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014 in honor of the heroic efforts of its World War II veterans. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.
Aroma Bravo advocates the sustainable cultivation of coffee, proper compensation of workers and the overall ethical sourcing of coffee.

Contact

Charles C Harmon Co LLC

***@gmail.com

888-582-6650 Charles C Harmon Co LLC888-582-6650

End

-- One of the things that Aroma Bravo Coffee and Tea is most proud of is its strong advocacy for ethically sourced coffee. As a non-gmo beverage company, Aroma Bravo only sources Honduras coffee beans grown by organic farmers who receive fair compensation for their laborious work."The responsible and sustainable sourcing of coffee is extremely essential for us. Being in the saturated coffee industry, we have seen firsthand how difficult it is for many farmers to make a decent livingthey work so hard to produce good coffee but they get paid so little in return. That did not sit well with us," said a company representative."Since Day 1, we were intent on obtaining Arabica whole coffee beans in the most ethical way possible. So before we launched our brand, we set up a special profit-sharing system for our Honduran coffee farmers. This way, they can get the income they rightfully deserve," he continued.To ensure proper sourcing, Aroma Bravo directly acquires coffee beans from various organic coffee farms in the Marcala region of Honduras. Known for its outstanding Arabica coffee production, Marcala has undoubtedly helped Honduras become one of the top coffee producers in the global market."Marcala is the definitely the best source when it comes to gourmet coffee beans. The farmers grow the coffee plants in an altitude, which eliminates the need for pest control. This produces sustainable coffee beans that are rich with the natural flavors and characteristics of Honduran coffee. It's exactly what we want for our organic coffee products, so it was natural for us to choose Marcala as our exclusive supplier," the representative remarked.Aroma Bravo takes great pride in the fair compensation of its workers and the sustainable production of the coffee beans themselves. From bean to cup, consumers are assured that they are drinking ethically sourced coffee that's made for their enjoyment.Coffee enthusiasts can find out more about Aroma Bravo Honduras Coffee at https://www.amazon.com/ Roast-Coffee- French-Press- Mornings... Aroma Bravo is a trusted retailer of ethically sourced coffee beans from Honduras. Certified organic by the USDA, the brand is highly recommended for gourmet coffee lovers.
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Brooks Wins in Missouri as LOORRS Delivers Off-Road Mega-Track!

When the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series announced that the wed be heading East to Wheatland, Missouri over a year ago for a pair of races in 2017, Im not sure any of the drivers and racing teams really new what they were in for. Of course, the first thing on most peoples minds was probably checking the distance on Google Maps roughly 1600 miles from Southern California to Lucas Oil Speedway. For Jerett Brooks, it was 1657 to be exact from his hometown of Alpine. But that didnt stop the defending Pro Lite Champ from storming into Wheatland and putting on a show.

Fans poured in from all over Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, and even as far as Florida to witness the best short-course off-road action take place on the biggest, most insane off-road race track the series has ever delivered, and the drivers couldnt wait to hit the track. With 1.3 miles of track length, the course would provide 9 turns, one of them even mimicking a Talladega NASCAR-style turn, a table-top jump that would deliver flight distances of nearly 250 feet, a five-pack rhythm section, and the first ever over/under bridge jump. By the end of rounds 7 & 8, the fans were the clear winners of the weekend!

Round 7

In round 7 of Pro Lite, Jerett would start on the pole after a the 4-truck qualifying inversion. The defending champ would make quick work as the green flag dropped and settled into 1st through turn 1. A couple turns later, championship rival and good friend Brock Heger would make a move from 3rd to 2nd where hed follow Jerett closely until the caution flag flew on Lap 5. With most of the action behind them, Brock would make a dive down low on Jerett on the restart but it wasnt enough to get by. Jerett would hold on and take the wire-to-wire victory, his second win of the season in the Rigid Industries #77 Pro Lite. The win would extend the points lead from 13 to 16 for Jerett over Heger in the standings after 7 rounds of racing.

I just got in my zone and hit my lines every lap, said Jerett. I knew Id have Brock right there waiting for me to make a mistake and I did make a couple bobbles. But I was able to keep it together and stay out front. The track was insane so any mistake could cost me big time. Im stoked to get another win and extend the points lead!

No more than an hour later, Jerett would jump into the General Tire, Bilstein Shocks #77 Pro 2, where hed start on the outside of row 3. At the start of the race, positions shuffled coming through turn 1. Jerett was forced off the track around the backside of turn 2 where hed re-enter the track at the back in last. Jerett would spend the next couple of laps moving from 10th up to 7th as the caution flag waved on Lap 4. On the restart on Lap 5, now in 6th place, Jerett would take advantage of some carnage ahead of him and jumped up to 3rd. Now with Brian Deegan and RJ Anderson in 1st and 2nd, Jerett would slowly reel them in. Unfortunately on lap 8, Jerett would suffer a mechanical failure while running in podium position and his day would end with an 8th place DNF.

Round 8

Round 8 would deliver a bit more action for Jerett in the #77 Pro Lite. Starting 5th, there would certainly be more traffic to navigate through and 2 turns into the race, Brock Heger would over-rotate slightly in front of him. Jerett would end up clipping the back of Heger while trying to avoid the traffic jam and ended up rolling over in turn 2. Although he was down, he was not out. After a 2-tire change in the hot-pit and restarting a half a lap back, Jerett would have no other option but to simply burn laps trying to reel the pack back in. With the help of a caution on lap 5, the field would tighten up and Jerett would have the opportunity to start picking positions off one at a time. After spending the next 3 laps working his way through the pack, Jerett would catch the lead pack on the last lap and make a pass attempt on Ryan Beat for 3rd position with only a couple of turns left. Unable to make the pass stick, hed finish in 4th place after moving up 10 spots after the roll-over. Jerett extended his points lead on Brock Heger by 2 more, now up 18 in the championship standings.

In Pro 2, the final race of the weekend at Lucas Oil Speedway, Jerett would leave it all on the track in an effort to bounce back from the unfortunate DNF in round 7. Starting again in the 3rd row, Jerett would settle into 5th position off the start. After some contact between RJ Anderson and Rob MacCachren, Jerett was able to move up to 4th position, where hed remain through the competition caution halfway through the race. After losing a position after another restart with 3 to go, Jerett would find an opportunity to get his spot back and then some as Bradley Morris made hard contact with RJ Anderson, taking Anderson out of the race. Jerett would sneak by on the outside taking the 3rd position. With 2 laps to go, Jerett would gain another position after Brian Deegan blew a motor and pulled off the track. Now in 2nd with 2 laps to go, hed chase Patrick Clark for the lead. But the action wouldnt stop there. On the last lap in turn 3, Patrick Clark would also lose a motor and Jerett would end up losing his momentum as Clark slowed in front of him. This would allow Jeremy McGrath to sneak by on the bottom of the Talladega turn. Jerett would regain his position and finish in 2nd for his third Pro 2 podium of his rookie season.

After the race, Jerett had this to say.. It feels so good to get another podium in this stacked Pro 2 class. Were getting more and more comfortable with the truck and were starting to run up front more consistently. I cant thank my crew enough for all the hard work and I really want to say thank you to General Tire and Bilstein Shocks for supporting this program and helping dial us in right here at the track. This thing is really coming together and we wouldnt be here without them and the rest of our sponsors!

Jerett Brooks Racing is sponsored by General Tire, Rigid Industries, Bilstein Shocks, KMC Wheels, Maxima Racing Oils, Optima Batteries, FK Rod Ends, K2 Coolers, Black Rhino Performance, Magnaflow Exhaust, Factory Canopies, Fortin Racing, Caspers Concrete Busters, Eibach Springs, Howe Performance, Kroyer Racing Engines, Jones Racing Performance, Camburg, NoGrady Racing Engines, Adidas Motorsport, and Impact Safety.

The Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series heads to Reno, NV August 26-27 for rounds 9 & 10. For more information, visit www.lucasoiloffroad.com.
The International Monetary Fund says it will terminate a loan deal with Kosovo before its scheduled expiration date because the Balkan country does not have a government in place.

Ruud Vermeulen, the IMF resident representative in Kosovo, said on July 28 that "the expiration of the program means that the final disbursement of about 15 million euros ($17.6 million) will not take place."

Kosovo in July 2015 agreed to a 184 million euro ($216 million), two-year funding deal with the IMF, with a final review to take place in June and an expiration date of August 4.

Kosovo has so far received 169 million euros ($198 million) in three tranches.

The June review was postponed because of snap elections that month that led to no party or coalition gaining enough support to rule.

President Hashim Thaci has not yet given a mandate to Ramush Haradinaj, an opposition leader whose coalition won the most votes in the election, to form a new government.

Negotiations between political parties to secure a coalition are ongoing.

Kosovo's new parliament will convene for the first time on August 3, but it remains uncertain when a new government will be appointed.

Vermeulen told Reuters that with the August 4 expiration date there would be no time for a final review of the loan.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade has not recognized it as a separate country. The United States and most of Europe are among the more than 110 countries that recognize its independence.

Based on reporting by Reuters, BalkanInsight, and RFE/RLs Balkan Service
The Macedonian Defense Ministry says 95 members of the country's army will join about 300 U.S. soldiers in joint military exercises dubbed Dragoon Guardian 17.

Officials on July 27 said the maneuvers will begin on July 28 and run through August 10.

Among the exercises, soldiers will prepare a landing site for drone aircraft and will train to clear roads of improvised explosive devices and to protect against nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons.

The Ministry of Defense said the exercises will be held at the Krivolak Army Range.

The Dragoon Guardian exercises follow the larger Saber Guardian 17 maneuvers involving more than 25,000 soldiers from 22 NATO member states and partner countries held in Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria.

"We are especially proud of our units which have been taking part in military exercises alongside our partners, the United States, and other NATO countries," Defense Minister Radmila Sekerinska said at a ceremony earlier this month.

U.S. Ambassador Jess Baily said the troops will travel from the Saber Guardian exercises in Romania to Macedonia for the two-week Dragoon Guardian event.


Pakistan's interior minister announced on July 27 that he will resign over differences with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's ruling party.

Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told a news conference in Islamabad that he will stay on in his post only until the Supreme Court announces its decision on corruption accusations against Sharif. A decision in due on July 28.

A tribunal-appointed probe earlier this month found the wealth possessed by the Sharifs exceeds their known sources of income.

Khan said he had clashed with other members of Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz over how to tackle the Panama Papers leak, which led to the investigation into how Sharif obtained his wealth.

"I'm done with politics," he said.

Khan's family members hold powerful positions in the Pakistani military and he has often acted as a bridge between the military and Sharif, who has had rocky relations with the army during his three stints in power.

The Supreme Court has the power to dismiss Sharif as prime minister, but his party holds a majority in parliament and would in that case appoint a new prime minister.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters


ISLAMABAD -- Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigned on July 28 shortly after the country's Supreme Court ordered his removal from office in connection with corruption charges stemming from the Panama Papers leak in 2016.

The five-judge panel's unanimous decision, issued amid tight security in the capital, Islamabad, and Sharif's immediate resignation plunged the nuclear-armed nation into a political crisis.

Crowds poured into the streets of Islamabad to celebrate the court decision, while opposition leader Imran Khan, the cricket star turned politician who led the campaign against Sharif, declared a "huge victory" and "good omen" for Pakistan.

But in Sharif's power base of Lahore in Punjab Province, sporadic protests broke out, with supporters of the prime minister burning tires, blocking streets, and chanting, "We won't accept this decision."

The court ruling came immediately after an investigative panel alleged that Sharif's family could not account for what it said was vast wealth in offshore companies.

"He is no longer eligible to be an honest member of the parliament, and he ceases to be holding the office of prime minister," Ejaz Afzal Khan, one of the judges, said in court.

In a brief statement, Sharif's office said Sharif "relinquished his charge" as prime minister after learning of the Supreme Court's decision.

The statement suggested that the decision was unjust and said Sharif had "serious reservations about the judicial process," but that he stepped down to show his respect for the judiciary and rule of law.

Crowds assembled outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad, where more than 3,000 security personnel were deployed ahead of the ruling.

Opponents of Sharif celebrated the decision.

"I want to tell the nation that it is a huge victory of yours," opposition leader Imran Khan told supporters in Islamabad. Khan last year had threatened mass street protests unless Sharif's wealth was investigated.

"I am seeing the destination of a new Pakistan in front of me," he said.

Khan asked supporters of his Tehrik-e Insaf party to make their way to Islamabad on July 30 to celebrate the opposition's victory in a "battle against corrupt elements."

He said he would announce his future course of action at the rally.

"Pakistan's courts have made a prime minister accountable," Tehrik-e Insaf party member Fawad Chaudhry said, adding: "Today is a day of victory for Pakistan."

Pakistani media reported that a criminal investigation would also be launched against Sharif, who was serving as prime minister for the third time, and his family.

He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the case while calling the inquiry into his familys finances a conspiracy.

"This is not accountability, it is revenge," Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq tweeted before the verdict. "In an effort dislodge us, the democratic system has been made a target."

The Supreme Court also ordered a criminal investigation into the assets of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, an ally of Sharif who has been credited with helping Pakistan's economy reach its fastest pace of growth in a decade.

Sharif's ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, which has a majority in parliament, is expected to name a new prime minister to hold office until elections due next year.

Pakistan's figurehead president, Mamnoon Hussain, is expected to convene the National Assembly once Sharif's party nominates a successor.

Sharif, 67, is among the major political casualties of the Panama Papers leaks that brought offshore finance under the spotlight.

Documents from the Panama-based Mossack Fonseca law firm that were made public in April 2016 revealed that three of Sharifs four children owned offshore companies and assets not shown on his family's wealth statement.

Sharif's son Hussain Nawaz at the time acknowledged owning offshore companies but insisted they used legal money to set up businesses abroad.

In 2016, Icelandic Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson stepped down amid public outrage that his family had sheltered money offshore.

One of Sharif's two previous stints as prime minister was cut short by a military coup in 1999.

He returned from exile to win a convincing victory in parliamentary elections in 2013.

No prime minister has completed a full term in power in Pakistan since the country gained independence from British colonial rule in 1947.

Sharif's brother, Shehbaz, who is chief minister of Punjab Province, is a possible contender for the prime minister's job.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the speaker of the national assembly; Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the minister of petroleum; Khurram Dastgir Khan, the commerce minister; and Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif have also been named as possible contenders.

Pakistan's Supreme Court had once previously disqualified a prime minister. In 2012, it ruled that Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani was guilty of contempt and ordered him removed from office.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP
This week, Russia's official name officially became a fiction.

This week, the Russian Federation ceased to be anything remotely resembling a federation.

This week, a decades-old agreement granting Tatarstan limited autonomy -- including control over its resources, budget, and special status for the Tatar language -- was allowed to expire.

And the Kremlin is showing no signs of reviving it.

One of Russia's most important regions and its largest ethnic minority just got downgraded.

On this week's Power Vertical Podcast, we look at what this means for Tatarstan and for Moscow's relations with Russia's regions.

Joining me are Mark Galeotti, a senior research fellow at the Institute of International Relations in Prague, head of its Center for European Security, and a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations; and Rim Gilfanov, director of RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service.

Enjoy!

Listen to or download the podcast above or subscribe to The Power Vertical Podcast on iTunes.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told his U.S. counterpart on July 28 that Moscow was forced to respond to Congress's tough new sanctions legislation but is still willing to try to improve ties with Washington.

In a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Lavrov said Moscow's announcement earlier in the day of a reduction in U.S. Embassy personnel and planned diplomatic property seizures were necessitated by "a series of Washington's hostile steps," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

But "Lavrov confirmed that our country is still ready to normalize bilateral relations with the United States and to cooperate on the most important international issues," it said. "However, this is possible only on the basis of equality, mutual respect, and a balancing of interests."

The ministry said the two top diplomats "agreed to maintain contact on a range of bilateral issues." The State Department did not provide a reading on the conversation.

Russia's new envoy at the United Nations also extended an offer of cooperation on July 28 even as he said the sanctions legislation has plunged U.S.-Russian relations to "rock bottom" levels lower than those reached during the Cold War.

"We will continue to cooperate," Russian UN ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said in New York. "The Americans cannot do without us and we cannot do without them. Such is reality. Certainly, we will be working to resolve those unprecedented problems that have emerged in the world before our very eyes."

Russia earlier in the day directed the United States to reduce the size of its diplomatic staff in the country and said it will seize a U.S. Embassy dacha and storage warehouses in Moscow, hitting back at the sanctions bill passed overwhelmingly by the U.S. Senate and sent to the White House on July 27.

The Russian response adds to severe strains in the relationship between Washington and Moscow, which has been badly damaged by Russia's aggression in Ukraine, its role in the war in Syria, and its alleged interference in the U.S. presidential election in 2016.

The passage of the new law on sanctions shows with all obviousness that relations with Russia have become hostage to the domestic political battle within the United States, the Foreign Ministry said, adding that "the latest events show that in well-known circles in the United States, Russophobia and a course toward open confrontation with our country have taken hold.

The statement said that the United States must reduce its diplomatic staff in Russia to 455 people by September 1, saying that is the number of diplomats and other personnel at embassies and consulates in the United States after former President Barack Obama's administration expelled 35 Russian diplomats in December -- a response to alleged Russian meddling in the U.S. vote and ill-treatment of U.S. diplomats in Russia.

The current number of U.S. personnel in Russia was not immediately clear. Russian news agency Interfax cited a source it did not identify as saying the United States would have to cut "hundreds of diplomatic and technical staff," while state-run RIA Novosti cited a source it did not identify as saying the number was 200 to 300.

The Russian statement also said that as of August 1, the United States would be barred from using warehouses that it has used in Moscow and from a modest property in the capital's leafy Serebryanny Bor district that is used by the U.S. Embassy mainly for events such as parties and barbecues.

It warned that Russia "reserves the right" to respond in kind if the United States expels any more Russian diplomats.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Maria Olson, told RFE/RL that the embassy had received the notification and that Ambassador John Tefft "expressed his strong disappointment and protest."

"We passed it to Washington to review," Olson said.

Russian media reported that Tefft was summoned to the Foreign Ministry.

If Trump signs the sanctions bill into law, he would be unable -- without approval from Congress -- to restore Russian access to two diplomatic compounds, one in Maryland and one in New York state, that the Obama administration seized when it expelled the 35 diplomats in December.

At the time, Russian President Vladimir Putin surprised many people in both countries by declining to retaliate -- a gesture to Trump, who was due to take office in weeks and repeatedly indicated during the presidential campaign he would seek to improve ties with Moscow.

But relations remained tense after Trump's January 20 inauguration, amid multiple investigations into what the U.S. intelligence community says was an "influence campaign" ordered by Putin in an attempt to undermine faith in U.S. democracy and denigrate Trump's Democratic rival on the November 8 ballot, Hillary Clinton. The Justice Department and lawmakers are also examining whether there was any collusion between Russia and associates of Trump.

Before the July 28 announcement, Russian officials had stepped up their calls for the unconditional restoration of access to the diplomatic compounds in recent weeks, saying Moscow's patience was running out.

The Foreign Ministry statement called the measures Obama took in December a "violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and generally accepted diplomatic practices."

It said that the sanctions legislation confirmed what it called the "extreme aggressiveness" of the United States in international affairs, asserting that the United States is "persistently taking coarse anti-Russia actions" on the basis of "absolutely contrived allegations of Russian meddling into its internal affairs."

The Foreign Ministry statement came a day after Putin, speaking before the U.S. Senate passed the sanctions bill but after the House of Representatives endorsed it, said that the sanctions would be "absolutely unlawful" and that Russia would eventually retaliate for what he called U.S. "insolence toward our country."

U.S. lawmakers said the legislation was necessary in light of Russia's actions, including evidence of meddling in the election.

"The United States of America needs to send a strong message to Vladimir Putin and any other aggressor that we will not tolerate attacks on our democracy," Senator John McCain, an influential Republican who chairs the Senate Armed Service Committee, said on July 27.

The White House said on July 28 that Trump would sign the bill, which would also impose new sanctions on Iran and North Korea. Strong bipartisan support in Congress meant a veto almost certainly would have been overridden.

In addition to hitting Russia with new sanctions, the bill prevents Trump from easing or lifting most of the sanctions on Moscow without approval from Congress.

With reporting by Christopher Miller in Moscow, AP, The New York Times, Reuters, Bloomberg, TASS, AFP, and Interfax
One-time Georgian president, former Ukrainian governor, and current U.S. denizen Mikheil Saakashvili is a man without a country.



But the firebrand Saakashvili, who lost his Georgian passport in late 2015 after he took a government position in Ukraine that required him to be a citizen of that country, has vowed to fight Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenkos July 26 move to revoke his new status.



The ex-Georgian leader called the move to annul his Ukrainian citizenship "entirely illegal" and cowardly and vowed in a video posted on Facebook on July 27 to "fight for my legal right to return to Ukraine.



Its not clear what his chances are of having his Ukrainian citizenship restored, however.



From a legal point of view, the decision by Poroshenko is justified, Oleksiy Haran, professor of comparative politics at the National University of Kyivs Mohyla Academy, told RFE/RL.



When Saakashvili submitted the documents for Ukrainian citizenship [in 2015], he didnt mention in his statement that there was a criminal case against him in Georgia, Haran said. According to Ukrainian legislation, he has to [declare it].



Saakashvili took the governor's job in Odesa in 2015 at the request of Poroshenko, who first met the former Georgian leader as a university student in Kyiv in the 1980s. Poroshenko was counting on Saakashvili's reputation as a reformer who tamped down corruption in Georgia and expected him to do the same in Odesa. But Saakashvili resigned 18 months later, complaining of engrained corruption within Ukraine's government, and now thinks Poroshenko views him as a political threat.

WATCH: Saakashvili Lashes Out At Poroshenko, Vows To Seek Return To Ukraine

Yarema Dukh, a spokesman for Ukraines presidential office, told the Kyiv Post that Poroshenko signed a decree revoking Saakashvilis citizenship after being told he gave insufficient information while applying for a Ukrainian passport in 2015.



Haran said that because Saakashvili didnt admit that he had criminal charges against him, he violated a basic rule and there was the possibility to deprive him of his Ukrainian citizenship.



Saakashvili has said the charges against him, which he has said were politically motivated by the new Georgian government, have not been recognized by other countries, including Ukraine.

He said on CNN on July 27 that Poroshenkos actions are in violation of the Ukrainian Constitution and in violation of international law.



There were also reports that taking away the only citizenship a person holds violates international law -- and since Saakashvili only had Ukrainian citizenship the actions by Poroshenko should be null and void.







Return To Ukraine



In an interview the same day with France24.com, Saakashvili said he would certainly go back to Ukraine.



But Serhiy Leshchenko, a pro-Poroshenko parliament deputy, warned Saakashvili that he would be arrested at the Kyiv airport if he tried to return, adding that he could also face extradition to Georgia, where he is wanted on corruption and abuse-of-power charges.



Saakashvili had pledged to return to Georgia for the October 2016 parliamentary elections but ended up not going after being threatened with arrest by Georgian officials.



Or U.S. Asylum?



Leshchenko said Poroshenkos stripping of his former allys citizenship was carried out to get Saakashvili to take asylum in America and forget about Ukrainian politics.



Saakashvili resided in the United States before taking the position of governor of Ukraine's Odesa region in May 2015. While president of Georgia, he was considered a close U.S. ally and is admired by many for his leading role in Georgia's pro-democracy Rose Revolution in 2003 and his achievements cutting corruption and bureaucracy.



He resigned as Odesa governor in November 2016 after a fallout with Poroshenko and was in New York when the Ukrainian president announced that his citizenship was being revoked.



When asked during the France24.com interview if he would apply for asylum in the United States, however, Saakashvili said "no." He later told CNN he was not looking for help from anybody right now.



A Saakashvili assistant, Zoe Reyners, said from New York that the former Georgian president and Ukrainian governor plans to fight the removal of his citizenship and go back to Ukraine to continue his political work.



Hes not seeking asylum in the U.S. right now, she said.



Saakashvili added that he would return to Ukraine with the support of civil society and opposition groups.



He did find backing for his plight from some quarters in Ukraine.



Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenkos Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) party said that Poroshenkos action against Saakashvili was another step toward dictatorship.



And Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Twitter on July 27 that he does not think the decision on Saakashvilis citizenship is a positive thing for the country.







Boomerang Effect?



Saakashvili was quick to accuse Poroshenko of using the citizenship issue to eliminate possible political opponents.



He is basically trying to get rid of one of his main opponents, Saakashvili told CNN.



Although brought by Poroshenko to be Odesa's governor, Saakashvili has been highly critical of the president and the rule of the oligarchs that he says is corrupting Ukrainian society and keeping it from progressing.



When he resigned his governorship in November, Saakashvili complained that his anticorruption efforts were being sabotaged, and openly accused Poroshenko of dishonesty. On July 27, Saakashvili said that he was trying to stop [the corrupt elite] from killing the Ukrainian state and vowed that we will bring a new political class to power in Ukraine.



He added: They are still scared of me. And the reason they are scared is I do have popular support.

But Haran, from Kyiv Universitys Mohyla Academy, said that Saakashvilis Movement of New Forces party, set up last year after he quit his governors post, is currently polling about 1.8 percent in a nationwide survey taken by the Ukrainian-based Democratic Initiative Foundation.



And a rally in central Kyiv on July 27 to protest the removal of Saakashvilis citizenship drew only a few hundred demonstrators.



Some think the dispute could rejuvenate Saakashvilis popularity in Ukraine.



The debate is also [going on now] whether this [action] actually will increase the popularity of Saakashvili or decrease [his] popularity. We dont know yet, said Haran.



There are people who are criticizing the necessity of this move because they think...it could increase the popularity of Saakashvili and create additional problems for the president, he added.
ON MY MIND

This week, Russia's official name officially became a fiction.

This week, the Russian Federation ceased to be anything remotely resembling a federation.

This week, a decades-old agreement granting Tatarstan limited autonomy -- including control over its resources, budget, and special status for the Tatar language -- was allowed to expire.

And the Kremlin is showing no signs of reviving it.

One of Russia's most important regions and its largest ethnic minority just got downgraded.

On this week's Power Vertical Podcast, we look at what this means for Tatarstan and for Moscow's relations with Russia's regions.

Joining me will be Mark Galeotti, a senior research fellow at the Institute of International Relations in Prague, head of its Center for European Security, and a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations; and Rim Gilfanov, director of RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service.

So be sure to tune in later today!

IN THE NEWS

The U.S. Senate nearly unanimously approved tough sanctions on Russia and sent the legislation to the White House, presenting President Donald Trump with a dilemma as he seeks to improve relations with Moscow.

The Russian Foreign Ministry says the United States must reduce the size of its diplomatic staff in Russia and will no longer be able to use a U.S. Embassy dacha and storage warehouses in Moscow.

Vladimir Putin has signed a law ratifying a deal with the Syrian government allowing Moscow to keep its air base in Syria for 49 years with "a possibility to automatically extend the agreement to 25-year periods."

Putin has also signed a bill into law on Russian-Armenian joint military units.

The Moscow-based Memorial Human Rights Center has handed materials regarding the fates of 13 Chechen men, who have been missing for months, to Russian Ombudswoman Tatyana Moskalkova and Russia's presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights.

Russias Federal Security Service says it has detained suspected members of an armed neo-Nazi group in Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed a new permanent representative to the United Nations.

Russia's Supreme Court has prolonged to 15 years the prison term for a jailed Crimean Tatar man, who was earlier sentenced to 12 years in April after a court found him guilty of creating a cell on behalf of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir Islamic group.

The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency says Russia has made progress in its drive to weed out drug cheats among its athletes, but he said the country has more to do before it can be declared fully compliant.

Mikheil Saakashvili, the former Georgian president and Odesa regional governor who has been stripped of his Ukrainian citizenship, is vowing to resist what he called the "cowardly" move and to "continue fighting for a real European Ukraine."

Moldova's Constitutional Court has ruled that a move by President Igor Dodon to hold a referendum that could broaden his powers is unconstitutional.

WHAT I'M READING

Cops, Cars, And Corruption

A new investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project looks into Russian Prosecutor-General Yury Chaika's ties to the Avilon Automotive Group, a top Russian dealer in luxury vehicles that does substantial business with law enforcement agencies.

Ancestor Worship

In Intersection magazine, Olga Irisova looks at how the Putin regime's "preservation of the cult of past leaders strengthens the cult of todays leader."

Why The Kremlin Fears New Sanctions

In his column for Republic.ru, Moscow-based foreign affairs analyst Vladimir Frolov explains why the Kremlin is panicking over the new U.S. sanctions legislation.

Why The Magnitsky Act Matters

In The Atlantic, Juila Ioffe explains why the Kremlin cares so much about the Magnitsky Act.

How Kleptocracy Works

In Esquire, Charles Pierce reviews financier and Kremlin-critic William Browder's testimony before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on how Russia uses corruption to ensnare foreign elites.

Russia And The Balkans

Balkan Insight reviews Dimitar Bechevs book Rival Power: Russia In Southeast Europe.

Scenarios For Russian-Ukrainian Relations

In Intersection magazine, Mykola Kapitonenko of the Institute of International Relations at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv looks at three scenarios for Russian-Ukrainian relations.

The Glass Half Full In Ukraine

John Herbst, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine and director of the Atlantic Council's Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center, has a piece arguing that reform in Ukraine has been more successful than expected.

More On Saakashvili

In his column for Bloomberg, political commentator Leonid Bershidsky weighs in on Mikhail Saakashvili losing his Ukrainian citizenship.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on July 29 claimed that the entire U.S. mainland is now within reach of his intercontinental ballistic missiles, while U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to "take all necessary steps" to protect the homeland.

Kim's statement, carried by North Korea's state news agency, came one day after Pyongyang launched its second test of an ICBM that officials said was more advanced and flew further than the first one, with experts saying it potentially could reach as far as Los Angeles or Chicago.

Kim claimed the test was "perfectly successful" and said it took a great stride toward accomplishing his goal of being able to hit the United States with nuclear warheads.

Trump had earlier called the launch "reckless and dangerous" and warned Pyongyang that its ambitions will backfire.

"By threatening the world, these weapons and tests further isolate North Korea, weaken its economy, and deprive its people," Trump said.

"The United States will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and protect our allies in the region."

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned that Washington "will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea" and called on Russia and China to do more to curb the growing threat.

Tillerson said Russia and China are "the principal economic enablers of North Korea's nuclear weapon and ballistic-missile development program" and bear "unique and special responsibility for this growing threat to regional and global stability."

Earlier, the U.S. and South Korean militaries responded to the ICBM launch by conducting live-fire exercises using surface-to-surface missiles.

Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the North Korean missile flew for about 45 minutes -- about five minutes longer than the ICBM North Korea test-fired on July 4.

South Korea's military said the missile reached an estimated height of 3,700 kilometers before landing at sea about 1,000 kilometers from its launch site.

It also said that the missile had been fired at a very high trajectory and that it could have traveled much further if fired at a lower trajectory.

David Wright, a physicist and co-director of the global security program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said in Washington on July 28 that if the Japanese and South Korean reports of the missile's maximum altitude and flight time are correct, the ICBM would have a theoretical range of at least 10,400 kilometers. That means it could have reached Los Angeles, Denver, or even Chicago.

The Pentagon said after the launch that the heads of the U.S. and South Korean militaries discussed possible military response options."

U.S. General Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Admiral Harry Harris, head of the U.S. militarys Pacific Command, spoke with the chairman of South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Lee Sun Jin.

Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said on July 28 that the United States remains prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said after convening an emergency meeting on the launch that it constituted a "serious and real threat" to the country's security.

Even before the latest launch, tensions were high on the Korean Peninsula, with the United States, Japan, and South Korea repeatedly expressing condemnation of previous test launches by Pyongyang.

North Koreas nuclear and ballistic-missile programs are banned by United Nations resolutions, but Pyongyang has continued the tests, saying they are necessary to prevent aggression by the United States.

On July 27, U.S. General Mark Miller, the Army chief of staff, warned that the ability of nuclear-capable North Korea to launch a missile that could reach the continental United States was advancing significantly and faster than expected.

Miller said "time is running out for a diplomatic solution to the crisis over Pyongyangs weapons program.

The U.S. Senate on July 27 nearly unanimously approved tough sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea and has sent the legislation to the White House pending President Donald Trump's signature.

Washington says the ICBM type launched on July 4 could likely carry a nuclear warhead and threaten the United States.

That launch came after Trump assailed North Koreas reckless and brutal regime and said there was a strong, solid plan to deal with Pyongyangs illicit nuclear and ballistic-missile programs.

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency said on July 11 that it conducted a successful test from Kodiak, Alaska, of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, part of the United States' ballistic-missile defense system.

The agency said a THAAD weapon system detected, tracked, and intercepted a test target, which was similar to missiles recently tested by North Korea.

With reporting by AP, AFP, and NHK
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on July 27 told news media that he won't quit his post despite President Donald Trump's sharp criticism of his handling of the investigation into Russia's alleged election meddling.

Trump has repeatedly complained recently about Sessions' decision shortly after he took office to recuse himself from the Justice Department's Russia investigation and his failure so far to prosecute people in the government who leaked details of the investigation to the news media.

Despite these criticisms, which prompted speculation that Sessions might soon be fired or resign, Sessions said in an interview with AP that he has no intention of quitting and will stay "as long as [Trump] sees that as appropriate."

"If he wants to make a change, he has every right," Sessions told AP as he visited El Salvador. "I serve at the pleasure of the president. I've understood that from the day I took the job."

"I believe we are running a great Department of Justice," he said. "I believe with great confidence that I understand what is needed in the Department of Justice and what President Trump wants. I share his agenda."

Sessions told Fox News on July 27 that the barrage of criticism from Trump was "hurtful" but would not prompt him to resign.

"It is kind of hurtful, but the president of the United States is a strong leader," said Sessions, adding that Trump's overwhelming desire was for "all of us to do our jobs. That's what I intend to do."

Trump's attacks on Sessions have galvanized support for the former Alabama senator in Congress, where many legislators this week spoke out in his defense.

On July 27, one of Trump's rivals for the Republican Party nomination to run for president in 2016, Senator Lindsey Graham, warned of "holy hell" if Trumps sacks Sessions.

"This effort to basically marginalize and humiliate the attorney general is not going over well in the Senate," Graham said in remarks broadcast on CNN. "If Jeff Sessions is fired, there will be holy hell to pay."

Graham added that it would be "the beginning of the end" of Trump's presidency if he tries to fire the special prosecutor, Robert Mueller, who was appointed by the Justice Department to carry out the Russia investigation.

Trump would cross a "red line" with members of Congress if he tries to fire Mueller, Graham said. Trump frequently rails against Mueller and has openly ruminated on whether he should dismiss him.

"Any effort to go after Mueller could be the beginning of the end of the Trump presidency, unless Mueller did something wrong," Graham said.

With reporting by AP and AFP


KUMANOVO, Macedonia -- U.S. and Macedonian troops were welcomed in the Macedonian town of Kumanovo, near the border with Kosovo and Serbia, as they traveled on their way to the Dragoon Guardian 17 joint military exercises.

The convoy of 120 combat and demining vehicles and other military hardware passed through Kumanovo on July 28 on the way to the Krivolak Army Range about 111 kilometers south for the maneuvers.

U.S. Ambassador Jess Baily, Macedonian Defense Minister Radmila Sekerinska, and General Zoran Mileski were on hand to greet the convoy in Kumanovo.

Over the next 10 days, soldiers from our two countries will work together to improve their readiness, Baily said during a welcoming ceremony. They will complete several complex engineering and medical tasks that will ensure their ability to meet any challenge that may arise.

It is fitting that we start this exercise here in Kumanovo -- a city that has served throughout history as a crossroads between Macedonia and its neighbors, connecting trade and transportation routes between East and West with North and South, he added.

Some 300 U.S. Army soldiers and about 95 Macedonian troops had crossed into Macedonia from Bulgaria after participating in the larger Saber Guardian 17 maneuvers involving more than 25,000 soldiers from 22 NATO member and partner states held in Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria.

Baily said the convoy will travel through a number of Macedonian cities, showcasing the two nations abilities to work together. He added that the effort will bring Macedonia closer to NATO.



Macedonia has expressed desires to join both NATO and the European Union.

The Dragoon Guardian 17 exercise are being held at the massive Krivolak site, one of the largest training grounds in the Balkans, through August 10.

Among the exercises, soldiers will practice preparing a runway for drone aircraft to be used in the future Macedonia's military.

In addition, the troops will train to clear roads of improvised explosive devices and to clean sites of biological and chemical weapons.
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
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Senate on July 27 nearly unanimously approved tough sanctions on Russia and sent the legislation to the White House, presenting President Donald Trump with a dilemma as he seeks to improve relations with Moscow.

The bill approved by 98-2 cements into law existing sanctions on Russia over its alleged interference in the U.S. presidential election and aggression in Ukraine and adds new measures penalizing Russia's military intervention in Syria while requiring Trump to secure Congress's approval to ease or waive those sanctions.

While the White House has said it welcomes the tough sanctions against Russia as well as Iran and North Korea included in the bill, it has objected to tying the president's hands as he seeks to make good on campaign promises to cooperate with Russia in areas like defeating the Islamic State extremist group.

The White House said late on July 27 that Trump still has made no decision whether to sign or veto the bill. The strong bipartisan support for the bill in Congress, where it passed the House of Representatives by 419-3, means any veto almost certainly would be overridden.

The bill's rebuff to Trump's priorities on Russia comes as investigations into Russian's alleged efforts to help him get elected heat up in Congress and at the Justice Department.

Most immediately, if signed into law the measure would prevent Trump from returning diplomatic property seized by his predecessor Barack Obama last December in retaliation for what U.S. intelligence agencies said was Russia's bid to undermine the U.S. democratic process.

Russia, which has repeatedly denied interfering in the campaign, has sought the return of the property in high-level talks with the U.S. State Department this year and has promised retaliation if it is not returned.

On July 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Congress's action increases already high tensions between Washington and Moscow and is "sad." He promised a response in kind.

It's impossible to endlessly tolerate this boorishness toward our country," Putin told reporters as he visited Finland.

"This goes beyond all reasonable bounds," Putin said. "And now these sanctions -- they are also absolutely unlawful from the point of view of international law."

"It's very sad that U.S.-Russian relations are being sacrificed to resolve internal policy issues in the U.S.," he said.

"It's a pity, because acting together we could be solving jointly the most acute problems that worry the peoples of Russia and the United States much more efficiently," he added.

But members of Congress said the legislation was necessary in light of evidence of Russian meddling that has come to light.

"The United States of America needs to send a strong message to Vladimir Putin and any other aggressor that we will not tolerate attacks on our democracy," said Senate Armed Service Committee Chairman John McCain (Republican-Arizona).

Leaders from Trump's own Republican party urged him to sign the bill.

"I cannot imagine anybody is seriously thinking about vetoing this bill," said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (Republican-Tennessee).

"It's not good for any president -- and most governors don't like to veto things that are going to be overridden. It shows a diminishment of their authority. I just don't think that's a good way to start off as president," Corker said.

The lengthy bill targets Putin and oligarchs close to him with sanctions over Russian corruption and human rights abuses. Also hit hard are critical sectors of the Russian economy, including weapons sales and energy exports.

The bill was revised to address concerns voiced by U.S. oil companies that sanctions on Russia's energy sector could backfire and hit them as well, to Moscow's benefit. The bill raised the threshold for when U.S. firms would be prohibited from being part of energy projects that also include Russian businesses.

Lawmakers said they also made adjustments so the sanctions on Russia's energy sector don't undercut the ability of U.S. allies in Europe to get access to oil and gas resources outside of Russia.

European leaders have indicated these changes may not be enough to allay their opposition to the bill.

The North Korea sanctions are intended to thwart Pyongyang's ambition for nuclear weapons by cutting off access to the cash it needs for development.

The bill prohibits ships owned by North Korea or by countries that refuse to comply with UN resolutions against it from operating in American waters or docking at U.S. ports. Goods produced by North Korea's forced labor would be prohibited from entering the United States under the bill.

The sanctions package imposes mandatory penalties 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 Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

With reporting by AP, New York Times, and Reuters
He was also convicted of four misdemeanors, including three counts of unlawful use of a badge and one count of sexual battery. Christoph Moore, 41, Anaheim man, stopped women in the Hollywood area in November 2015 while pretending to be a police officer.



Record from surveillance camera

He flashed a badge and pulled out a handgun. He was captured on a surveillance camera fondling a woman on November 24, 2015 when he fondled her breasts. In October of that year, Moore locked himself inside a store with the stores owner and after claiming to be a detective investigating counterfeit money forced her to take off her clothes before her ex-husband arrived and he fled. Moore was arrested in December 2015. Deputy District Attorney Lowrie Mendoza, with the Sex Crimes Division, prosecuted the case. A such sentenced term for imprisonment is not uncommon. A teenage boy from Brooklyn, Asa Robert, who was found guilty of raping and sodomizing an 82-year-old widow, in 2015, has been sentenced to 115 years in prison. A 23-year-old Connecticut man has been sentenced to 115 years for raping and fatally beating a Manchester woman before setting her body on fire in a January 2014 attack. As many others, Michael Anthony Johnson, a Prince Georges County man, 33 old, has been sentenced to 115 years in prison for threatening to rape and kill his ex-wife and her daughters.
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BUILDING THE LA RAZA 'The Race' WELFARE STATE ON MIDDLE AMERICAS' BACKS: Months ago, the Biden administration publicly defended their proposal to begin providing federal identification cards to border crossers and illegal aliens who they plan to release into American communities. The goal of the proposal is to make securing public benefits easier.
Saturn's huge moon Titan harbors yet another possible key ingredient for life, a new study reports.

Titan's thick atmosphere contains large quantities of vinyl cyanide molecules, which could conceivably form membranes around cells in the liquid-hydrocarbon seas that dot the frigid moon's surface, according to the study.

Many astrobiologists regard these seas of methane as possibly habitable environments, especially considering that a variety of complex, carbon-containing organic compounds are known to exist on Titan. However, any life the moon's seas may support would have to be very different from Earth's organisms, which depend heavily on liquid water. [Amazing Photos: Titan, Saturn's Largest Moon]

Cell membranes are a case in point. Here on Earth, membranes consist of fatty molecules called lipids. But lipids cannot survive in the otherworldly Titan environment, which features a hydrocarbon-based weather system and average surface temperatures of around minus 290 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 180 degrees Celsius), study team members said.

NASA's Cassini spacecraft used a special filter to peer through the hazy atmosphere of Saturn's moon Titan and see its methane seas. The images for this view were taken on Oct. 7, 2013. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute)

However, computer simulations show that vinyl cyanide (C 2 H 3 CN) likely could form membranes under Titan conditions. NASA's Saturn-orbiting Cassini spacecraft has found tantalizing hints of the molecule in the moon's nitrogen-dominated atmosphere, but vinyl cyanide had never been confirmed there  until now.

In the new study, which was published online today (July 28) in the journal Science Advances, researchers detected vinyl cyanide in Titan's air after scouring data collected in 2014 by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), a network of radio telescopes in northern Chile.

And there should be a lot of the stuff: The ALMA data and computer modeling work suggest that enough vinyl cyanide has made its way down into Titan's seas to form about 10 million membranes per cubic centimeter of liquid, the researchers said. (For comparison, coastal ocean waters here on Earth harbor about 1 million bacteria per cubic cm of water.)

That number shouldn't be taken as gospel, however.

"It's definitely a rough estimate, because there are just so many things we don't know about Titan," study lead author Maureen Palmer, of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, told Space.com.

While the new study helps fill in "a tiny sliver of the habitability puzzle" for Titan, it should also help scientists get a better overall handle on the chemical reactions occurring in the atmosphere of the 3,200-mile-wide (5,150 kilometers) moon, Palmer added.

"It can help lead us along to a better understanding of Titan's chemistry and what sort of increasingly complex molecules can be found there," she said.

This natural-color image by NASAs Cassini spacecraft shows the Saturn moon Titan's upper atmosphere  an active place where methane molecules are being broken apart by solar ultraviolet light, and the byproducts combine to form compounds like ethane and acetylene. (Image credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute)

The $3.2 billion Cassini-Huygens mission  a joint effort of NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency  has been delving into that chemistry during its 13-plus years in the Saturn system. The Cassini orbiter has detected negatively charged ions, known as anions  a discovery that came as a surprise to many researchers, because anions are extremely reactive and theoretically should combine with other molecules very quickly.

In a different study, which was published Wednesday (July 26) in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, scientists identified some of these negatively charged ions as "carbon chain anions." That's a big deal, because carbon chain anions are viewed as building blocks to more complex species, and may have been involved in the reactions that led to the rise of life on Earth, members of this study team said.

"These inspiring results from Cassini show the importance of tracing the journey from small to large chemical species in order to understand how complex organic molecules are produced in an early Earth-like atmosphere," Nicolas Altobelli, ESA's Cassini-Huygens project scientist, said in a statement, referring to The Astrophysical Journal Letters paper.

"While we haven't detected life itself, finding complex organics not just at Titan but also in comets and throughout the interstellar medium [means] we are certainly coming close to finding its precursors," Altobelli added.

Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
A Russian Soyuz rocket launched three veteran space travelers from the U.S., Russia and Italy into orbit Friday (July 28), kicking off a five-month mission to the International Space Station.

The trio successfully launched at 11:41 a.m. EDT (1541 GMT) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, which borders Russia in the north and west. It was 9:41 p.m. local time at the launch site.

The Soyuz MS-05 spacecraft was helmed by experienced Russian cosmonaut Sergey Ryazanskiy, alongside Randy Bresnik (NASA) from California and Paolo Nespoli (European Space Agency) from Milan, Italy. After a 6-hour orbital chase, the Soyuz docked at the space station's Rassvet module at 5:54 p.m. EDT (2154 GMT).

The Soyuz MS-05 rocket carrying Expedition 52 flight engineer Sergei Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos, flight engineer Randy Bresnik of NASA and flight engineer Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency launches into space from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan on Friday, July 28, 2017. (Image credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Throughout the NASA launch broadcast, Public Affairs spokesperson Dan Huot said ground control in Houston and Moscow were "continuing to get good reports," and confirmed "we had a successful launch."

All three space travelers have been to space before. Cosmonaut Sergey Ryazanskiy first trained for space flights as the commander of a crew during Russia's 105-day Mars500 isolation experiment in 2009. He ultimately served as flight engineer aboard the Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft in 2013, and spent 166 days in space  this will be his second launch and long-duration mission. Since last year, he has also served as the chairman for the youth organization Russian Movement of Schoolchildren.

Astronaut Randy Bresnik also experimented in simulation missions early in his career. He commanded the underwater NEEMO 19 mission (the name's short for NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations) in 2014. This will be his second spaceflight and his first long-duration mission: He flew to the space station aboard a NASA shuttle in 2009. In fact, Bresnik experienced some baby jitters when his daughter was scheduled to be born the day of his first spacewalk. In one bit of trivia, Bresnik's grandfather was the photographer for famed female pilot Amelia Earhart. For this flight, Bresnik told Space.com that he's looking forward to seeing the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse from the space station.

Astronaut Paolo Nespoli is heading to space for the third time: He flew for two weeks on the space shuttle in 2007 to help install a module of the space station, and he revisited the space station in 2010 for a 160-day mission. Nespoli is an Italian astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA). His science mission for ESA is called Vita (short for Vitality, Innovation, Technology and Ability) and was selected by Italy's ASI space agency. Vita is Italian for "life."

Expedition 52 flight engineer Randy Bresnik of NASA, top, flight engineer Paolo Nespoli of ESA (European Space Agency), middle, and flight engineer Sergei Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos wave farewell before boarding their Soyuz MS-05 spacecraft for a launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan on July 28, 2017. (Image credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky)

The trio will join the Expedition 52 crew, which includes Peggy Whitson (NASA) of Iowa, Fyodor Yurchikhin (Roscosmos) from the country of Georgia and Jack Fischer (NASA) of Colorado. The latter three have been studying how microgravity impacts cancer therapies since April, and have been measuring the composition of meteors orbiting Earth's atmosphere.

The three new arrivals will participate in many research projects, including a phenomenon that is perhaps of special interest to the astronauts already in orbit: the "puffy face" appearance that astronauts have in microgravity. According to NASA's space station blog, one of the effects of living in space is a tendency of bodily fluids to move up toward the head, which may lead to vision damage.

They will also undertake research projects that pertain to biology, biotechnology, physical science and Earth science. This new crew will remain at the space station until mid-December, according to NASA.

They will also undertake research projects that pertain to biology, biotechnology, physical science and Earth science. This new crew will remain at the space station until mid-December, according to NASA.The three new arrivals will participate in many research projects, including a phenomenon that is perhaps of special interest to the astronauts already in orbit: the "puffy face" appearance that astronauts have in microgravity. According to NASA's space station blog, one of the effects of living in space is a tendency of bodily fluids to move up toward the head, which may lead to vision damage.

This story was updated at 6:15 p.m. EDT.

Follow Doris Elin Salazar on Twitter @salazar_elin. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
The nonprofit Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute's Allen Telescope Array in California has been listening for signals from extraterrestrial civilizations. So far, no aliens have tried to get in touch.

Would it be easy to determine if the source of a mysterious radio signal was aliens? Probably not. A new paper argues that contact with extraterrestrials will likely be discovered through a prolonged, incremental process rather than an instantaneous eureka-like moment. Eureka  what the ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes allegedly said when he cracked a tough science problem about water displacement  tends to be the exception in science rather than the rule.

Attributing scientific progress to eureka moments is popular because it is easy to understand, argues Milan Cirkovic, a senior research associate at the Astronomical Observatory of Belgrade and an assistant physics professor at the University of Novi Sad in Serbia and Montenegro. But, he writes in the journal Space Policy, "It puts too big an emphasis on the 'origin myths' and the role of great personalities, key moments, events, and circumstances in any historical process.

Cirkovic said in an email that the community involved in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) should instead be prepared for a process that would take a very long time. It may take decades as the SETI community looks at all the reasons aliens might not be the source of a mysterious signal.

"I have only tried to point out that both history of science and logic and common sense suggest  on a descriptive level  that contact will be a protracted affair, probably not recognizable as such over timescales of years or decades," Cirkovic said. He was careful not to say how contact might proceed, but that it would take a long time and repeated observations.

RELATED: Kepler's 'Alien Megastructure' Star to Spill SETI Secrets?

Think about the protracted debate concerning "Tabby's star," which is showing strange brightening and dimming. Some say it's due to a possible "alien megastructure," while others are pointing to various natural processes, such as exocomets.

"More structure is obviously necessary, as far as signals are concerned," Cirkovic said. "The example often quoted (first due to Nikola Tesla, who was somewhat forgotten as a SETI pioneer) is the presence of prime numbers 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, ... etc. in the signal."

Prime numbers are a non-natural process that are considered by SETI scholars an indication of possible life.

"However," Cirkovic added, "this is the classic understanding of the first contact which I actually intend to undermine in the present paper. I argue  after some of the SETI founding fathers, notably Nikolai Kardashev  that we are more likely to detect an anomalous astrophysical phenomenon, which would be a signpost of massive engineering effort by extraterrestrial intelligence.

He added that in recent years the SETI community has said it expects contact to come through detecting one of these engineering signatures rather than through a radio signal. Cirkovic and some other experts call this "Dysonian SETI", after a 2011 paper that Cirkovic co-authored and was led by Robert Bradbury of the Astronomical Observatory of Belgrade.

Cirkovic  who has published more than 20 papers and a book on SETI since 2004  urges the community to recalibrate its detectors, equipment, and models to better look for Dysonian SETI, which "deserves much more attention."

Originally published on Seeker.
A Soyuz spacecraft carrying a crew of three linked up with the International Space Station on Friday (July 28), doubling the orbiting lab's population and kicking off a five-month mission for its space-traveling trio.

The Russian-built Soyuz MS-05 docked with the space station at 5:54 p.m. EDT (2154 GMT) as the two craft sailed 252 miles (406 kilometers) above Germany. The rendezvous in space delivered NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik, cosmonaut Sergey Ryazanskiy (of Roscosmos) and Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency to the station, where they joined three other members of the Expedition 52 crew already aboard.

Bresnik, Ryazanskiy and Nespoli  all of whom have flown in space before  launched into orbit just 6 hours earlier aboard a Soyuz rocket that lifted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan in Central Asia at 11:41 a.m. EDT (1541 GMT). They are joining NASA astronauts Peggy Whitson, Jack Fischer and cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin at the station.

Fischer had his camera ready when the Soyuz launched with the new crewmembers. He captured a stunning photo of the Soyuz launch as it appeared from the space station and posted it on Twitter.

See more

Bresnik, Ryazanskiy and Nespoli are scheduled to return to Earth in December. Whitson, Fischer and Yurchikhin will return home earlier, in September.

Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
B T chief executive Gavin Patterson on Friday unveiled a radical shake-up of the company structure, and promoted a potential successor in the process.

Marc Allera, chief executive of the EE mobiles business BT bought last year, will become head of a new consumer arm that runs all BTs digital, TV and mobile phones operations.

It will have three brands, BT, EE and Plusnet.

Patterson and previous chief executive Ian Livingston rose to power as heads of the BT consumer business.

In the first quarter, BT profits tumbled 42% to 418 million. There was another 225 million hit relating to the fraud uncovered at the Italian arm in January, which saw the shares plunge by a third.

BT is paying the money to Deutsche Telekom and Orange, who became shareholders after the EE deal. The Italian issue triggered warranty claims, but BT insists this a full and final settlement of the matter.

While the consumer business is 40% of revenues, City analysts expect it will grow to become the bigger part.

John Petter, boss of BT Consumer, is stepping down. Cathryn Ross, chief executive of Ofwat, comes in as director of regulatory affairs. Patterson said there would be efficiencies along the way as the shake-up takes effect, but didnt offer specific job cuts numbers.

EE is doing well, with revenue up 4%, its third consecutive quarter of growth.

Overall revenues slipped 1% to 5.83 billion. BT is fighting a slowdown in public-sector spending and the outlook in this area seems to be worsening. The shares, around 400p before the Italian scandal, today fell nearly 3% to 307p.

Patterson, in charge for four years, admitted after the Italian issue emerged that investors were angry with the company, but insisted he would keep his job.

He is also dealing with a pension fund deficit of 8 billion.
T ributes have poured in from around the world for baby Charlie Gard, who has died just days before his first birthday.

The 11-month-old, who had a rare genetic disorder and brain damage, was taken to a hospice to spend his final moments on Friday.

He has been at the centre of a four-month legal battle that attracted international attention over his parents' wish to take him to the US for treatment.

Connie Yates, Charlies mother, was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying: Our beautiful little boy has gone, we are so proud of you Charlie.

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Prime Minister Theresa May said in a statement: "I am deeply saddened by the death of Charlie Gard. My thoughts and prayers are with Charlie's parents Chris and Connie at this difficult time."

Meanwhile thousands of people have taken to social media to pay tribute.

They include Pope Francis, who tweeted: "I entrust little Charlie to the Father and pray for his parents and all those who loved him."

US Vice President Mike Pence said he was "saddened" to hear of the baby's death.

He wrote: Saddened to hear of the passing of Charlie Gard. Karen & I offer our prayers & condolences to his loving parents during this difficult time.

Piers Morgan also took to Twitter to pay tribute, saying: RIP Charlie Gard. A brave little boy who touched the world.

Meanwhile boxer Frank Bruno wrote: My thoughts are with the family of #CharlieGardthis has been a very difficult journey and no one will hurt more than his parents.

Newsreader Kay Burley tweeted: "God bless little man".

American celebrity blogger Perez Hilton wrote: Very sad news. Our thoughts are with his loved ones. #CharlieGard #RIP.

And Nigel Farage, referring to Charlie's parents, of Bedfont, south-west London, said he was "desperately sorry for Chris and Connie".

Great Ormond Street Hospital said in a short statement: Everyone at Great Ormond Street Hospital sends their heartfelt condolences to Charlies parents and loved-ones at this very sad time.

On Thursday, High Court judge Mr Justice Francis approved a plan for Charlie to be moved to a hospice and have life support treatment withdrawn.
T he former owner of a London brewery today accused HM Revenue and Customs and prosecutors of trying to crush him after being cleared by a jury on tax evasion charges.

Jules Whiteway-Wilkinson, who set up London Fields Brewery in Hackney, was accused of cheating the public revenue of nearly 730,000 of VAT, national insurance and student loan contributions.

He was found not guilty after a trial at Wood Green crown court after the jury heard he had always intended to pay. But jurors were told he had been unable to after prosecutors forced his brewery into financial trouble by pursuing him over a 2 million confiscation order.

The order was imposed for a previous drug trafficking conviction and based largely on supposedly hidden assets which did not exist. The court also heard he suffered conflicting action by tax officials, with some refusing to license his brewery  meaning he could not pay beer duty  while others took action against his business for non-payment.

Today, Whiteway-Wilkinson said his life and that of wife Rosie Spence, who earlier had the same tax charges against her dismissed, had been devastated, adding: HMRC and the Crown Prosecution Service have tried to crush me for reasons I do not understand. I have been treated differently to other traders who have experienced similar issues.Rosie and I have been victimised.

Whiteway-Wilkinson, 45, of Stoke Newington, was arrested in 2014 after a raid by tax investigators on his brewery, which was forced into administration. At the trial his barrister Andrew Campbell-Tiech QC said his client was the victim of an abuse of power.

Mr Campbell-Tiech said Whiteway-Wilkinson, a former boarding school pupil from a privileged background, came to London in the Nineties and ran warehouse parties attended by celebrities. He sold drugs at the parties but saw his world collapse in 2004 after he was jailed for 12 years for class-A drug trafficking.

He was also given a 2 million confiscation order. He set up the brewery to pay off his debts, the court heard, transforming from wastrel and drug dealer to entrepreneur and success, but fell victim to a ludicrous bureaucratic bungle caused by the taxman which stopped him from paying beer duty.

Earlier this year prosecutors accepted Whiteway-Wilkinson did not have the assets to pay the confiscation order. London Fields Brewery, whose ownership passed to Whiteway-Wilkinsons father, was sold this month to Carlsberg in an estimated 4 million deal.

HMRC said: We have a duty to take action against those we suspect of committing tax evasion. We will not hesitate to engage prosecuting authorities to bring suspected wrongdoing before the courts. The CPS said the case was charged in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
D anny ODonoghue has said that finally being able to speak again after having throat surgery was an emotional experience.

The Script frontman , 37, was unable to talk for two months after having nodules on his vocal cords removed, forcing the band to take a break.

It was huge to take away my main form of communication. At the start it was more difficult then it turned into more of a spiritual thing, he told the Standard.

It was more of a head mess because you dont know if youre able to sing, you the first thing to do is be able to talk because if you can talk then you can probably sing but youre not allowed to and even straight away I could [only] speak for five minutes every hour for the first two weeks.

Danny O'Donoghue's nerves

He added: The more emotional part was speaking for the first time after the surgery because 99.9 per cent of the time it all works out but there are those one or two high-profile cases.

The band have recently returned to the music scene, with a progressive sound change in their new single Rain, after taking time off for the first time.

The Irish pop-rock band told the Standard how the situation in politics and news was so prevalent that it influenced their upcoming fifth studio album.

Guitarist and vocalist Mark Sheehan added that being in America at the time that Donald Trump was elected inspired the theme of unity for the album as a result of the election dividing people leading to the creation of song Divided States of America.

The 40-year-old said: It was the first time the news penetrated the studio walls. One minute we realised we wanted to be very much more free with our sound, with our lyrics, with who we are as people and then you realise that a lot of peoples freedom is being threatened right now, freedom of expression, freedom to be gay or straight, freedom to [go against] peer pressure at schools.

All this stuff seems to be at a heightened sense at the moment. We wanted to have a flagship song called Freedom Child which ended up being the mantra for the album. It was purely to find that inner child and not be afraid at this moment in time and not be afraid to be who you want to be.

He added that politics is dividing humanity and how it should simply be a conversation instead of an argument rather than using it to make a determination of who someone is as a person.

He said: Now all of a sudden people are being judged because of their political stance of who they are as a person.

We were just trying to say that there is a great divide so lets just reach across and listen to each other. 

The band has just announced a new tour beginning 21 August on home soil in Dublin, playing London o2 Brixton Academy on album release day 1 September.


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The US wasn't the only country that saw Russia attempt to interfere with its election; France got a taste of it, too. But it appears that intelligence officers weren't very successful in their efforts, mostly thanks to Facebook.

According to a report from Reuters, a "US congressman and two other people briefed on the effort" said Russian agents created around two dozen Facebook accounts to spy on President Emmanuel Macron and those close to him during his election campaign.

The agents posed as "friends of friends of Macron associates" in an attempt to gather information from them. This was in conjunction with the thousands of fake Facebook accounts that were spreading false information about the French President, which was also said to be the work of Russian spies.

Back in April, Facebook revealed it had suspended about 30,000 accounts in France for spreading misinformation. The social network now says a total of 70,000 accounts were closed for promoting propaganda and spam, with the majority of them related to the election.

As for the agents who were trying to befriend Macron's associates, Facebook says its employees noticed these efforts during the first round of the election. They were traced to tools used by the Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate, or GRU - the same unit allegedly behind the US election interference.

The company said improved automation detection and the good work of its staff helped identify the fake accounts, which were quickly deleted before they had the chance to do any real damage.

Facebook believes the Russians' goal was to convince the targets to download malicious software or give away their login information, but the spies weren't successful.

Despite email accounts belonging to his campaign officials being leaked online during the final days of the election, Macron went on to achieve a landslide victory against Le Pen. As usual, Russia denies all accusations.
Seventeen Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, gang members were charged on July 19 with a dozen murders and other violent crimes committed on Long Island.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Timothy Sini said the arrests dealt a huge blow against MS-13, and that the community will prevail against acts of savagery.

The indictment comes three months after the brutal slayings of four young men Justin Llivicura, Michael Lopez, Jorge Tigre, and Jefferson Villalobosin the Long Island town of Central Islip in April.

On April 11, two female associates of MS-13 allegedly lured five young men to a wooded area in Central Islip, according to the Eastern District of New York in press release . Once there, the females texted their location to nearby MS-13 members.

Alexis Hernandez, 20, Santos Leonel Ortiz-Flores, 19, Omar Antonio Villalta, 22, and the other MS-13 members approached and surrounded the victims, and attacked and killed Llivicura, Lopez, Tigre and Villalobos using machetes, knives and wooden clubs, the release said. The fifth victim escaped.

The MS-13 members and associates dragged the victims bodies to a more secluded spot and fled the scene, the Eastern District of New York said. The victims bodies were discovered the following evening, on April 12.

William Sweeney, assistant director-in-charge of the FBIs New York field office, said MS-13 is the agencys number one priority on Long Island.

Because much of what they do and how they behave boils down to violence for violence sake, Sweeney said in a press release. The idea that human life means nothing to these gang members should shock the conscience, and we cannot allow this type of thinking to take hold in our youth.

MS-13 gang members have been charged with more than 40 murders in the Eastern District of New York since 2010.

MS-13, a transnational criminal organization, has flourished in places like Suffolk County in the last several years. Although the gang formed in Los Angeles in the 1980s, it has deep ties to El Salvadorand, with an influx of unaccompanied minors from Central America resettling in Suffolk County, its violence has been escalating.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions visited Long Island two weeks after the killings of the four men, specifically to bring federal attention and resources to the efforts on Long Island against MS-13.

I have a message for the gangs that target young people: We are targeting you. We are coming after you, Sessions said in April at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, less than three miles from the park where the four men were found murdered. The MS-13 motto is kill, rape, control. Our motto is going to be justice for victims and consequences for criminals.

We are committed to bringing violent criminals to justice, and this indictment is the next step in our mission of finding, prosecuting, and eradicating the MS-13 threat, Sessions said in a press release on July 19.

Bridget Rohde, acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said law enforcement is committed to rid communities, including Central Islip, of MS-13, using every law enforcement resource at our disposal.

The senseless murders charged in this superseding indictment further demonstrate MS-13s compulsion to commit horrific acts of violence in communities in our district, she said in a press release.

The charges also include the Jan. 30 murder of Esteban Alvarado-Bonilla, a suspected rival gang member of MS-13, and the assault of an innocent bystander at a deli in Central Islip.

A member of the MS-13 Sailors clique allegedly saw Alvarado-Bonilla inside the El Campesino Deli in Central Islip and reported the sighting to the clique leaders, according to the press release. The leaders then directed MS-13 members to kill Alvarado-Bonillawhich they did, allegedly shooting him multiple times, as well as assaulting a deli employee.
We still don't know precisely when the iPhone 8 will arrive, though you can expect Google's Pixel 2 and Samsung's Galaxy Note 8 to be two of its main rivals. But Chinese company Huawei believes its upcoming flagship, the Mate 10, will also challenge Apple's handset.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Huawei Consumer Business Group CEO Richard Yu confirmed the company was finishing development on its tenth-anniversary phone, which is expected to arrive around the same time as Apple's next device.

When talking about the iPhone 8, Yu said: "We will have an even more powerful product."

"The Mate 10, which has much longer battery life with a full-screen display, quicker changing speed, better photographing capability and many other features that will help us compete with Apple."

Seeing as we still don't know the iPhone 8's specs, it's presumed that Yu is comparing the Mate 10 to the Mate 9. And the "changing speed" comment probably means charging speed.

We gave the Mate 10's predecessor - the Mate 9, obviously - a respectable score of 80, praising its excellent HiSilicon Kirin 960 SoC, slim bezels, and aluminum unibody design.

The Mate 10 is set to feature improvements across the board, including the Kirin 970 SoC, which is built on the 10nm process and is said to focus on security and AI.

The Mate 10 is also rumored to sport a Leica-branded camera, facial recognition, AR support, and a 6-inch (1080 x 2160) screen with the same 18:9 aspect ratio as the G6 - though Huawei will doubtlessly hope its flagship does better than LG's device.
AUTO LAB RADIO LIVE FROM NYC THIS SATURDAY (July 27 2017) MORNING! 7-9 AM







Auto Lab Talk Radio

The Auto Lab Radio Show LIVE 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 27, 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 27, 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

Libby Demarco-Broadway Sunoco AAA NJ

David Goldsmith - Urban Classics Auto Repairs AAA NY

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 27, 2017

Robert Erskine, Senior European Correspondent, Suffolk England

DAS IST NICHT GUT-THIS ISN'T GOOD - UK GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING A TOTAL BAN OF GASOLINE AND DIESEL VEHICLES IN THE UK STARTING 2040

Russ Rader, Vice President Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

IMPROVED KIA FORTE EARNS TOP SAFETY PICK+ AWARD

John Russell Senior Correspondent

Impressions Of The 2018 KIA SOUL TURBO
Clear Auto Bra At 39th Annual Concours dElegance of America at the Inn at St. Johns

Please visit the Clear Auto Bra Michigan tent in vendor row during the 39th Annual Concours dElegance of America at the Inn at St. Johns. Owners Jennifer and Larry Millen will be available to brief attendees about the benefits of XPEL ULTIMATE paint protection film while conducting demonstrations of the installation process on a Hennessey Ford Raptor.

XPEL ULTIMATE is a virtually invisible urethane film made from a combination of advanced elastomeric polymers that can self-heal over time so fine scratches and swirl marks are eliminated naturally. The film can be contoured around the most complex surfaces without distortion and comes with a 10-year warranty against yellowing, discoloration, hazing, peeling or cracking. It helps vehicle owners keep their paint finish looking new in order to protect their valuable investment, whether a classic or a new exotic.

XPEL ULTIMATE press information is available via this link: mpr.fyi/XPEL

When: Sunday, July 30  10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Location: The Inn at St. Johns

44045 Five Mile Rd.

Plymouth, MI 48170
News from Mercedes-Benz Trucks - Daimler starts production of FUSO eCanter in Europe







Stuttgart / Tramagal a Today, Mitsubishi FUSO Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) celebrated the start of production of the worldas first allaelectric light-duty truck, the FUSO eCanter. FUSO is a brand of Daimler Trucks Asia. The event was held at the production plant in Tramagal, Portugal, where all eCanter for the European and U.S. markets will be produced in line with the conventional FUSO Canter truck.

The Portuguese government has been supporting the development of the eCanter since the early stages in 2010. The President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, joined members of the government, Mitsubishi FUSO Truck Europe and MFTBC executives at the event.

Marc Llistosella, President and CEO of Mitsubishi FUSO Truck and Bus Corporation and Head of Daimler Trucks Asia said at the occasion: aWith todayas start of production of the eCanter, we become the first global manufacturer to produce an all-electric truck in series. From now on we can address the growing demand for locally emission free delivery trucks in Mega-Cities. We already received the first customer orders and will mark the global launch of this truck in one of the most iconic Mega-Cities, in New York, this September. Our Portuguese plant does not only produce the trucks for Europe and the US, we also benefit from a close cooperation with the authorities in Portugal and Lisbon testing the trucks there since 2014.a???

Fully electric trucks in customer hands

In May, MFTBC already announced its first commercial customer in the Japanese market: Seven-Eleven Co., Ltd. will be operating 25 units of the new eCanter in their fleet within this year.

After unveiling the first charging station for trucks in May and starting production at the Kawasaki plant in Japan on July 7th, todayas event symbolizes the beginning of manufacturing of the eCanter outside of Japan. With these milestones MFTBC begins paving the way for the companyas first 100 percent electric commercial vehicle. After entering small scale series production, it will just be the natural next step to start with large scale series production in the future. The experiences from this small series in customer hands will also help FUSO for the large scale production in the coming year.

The FUSO eCanter is produced in line with the conventional Canter light-duty truck at the Tramagal plant. Only the electric-powertrain specific components will be installed in specific boxes along the production line. The vehicles coming from Tramagal, Portugal will be handed over to customers within Europe and the US within the next month.

The eCanter at a glance

The all-electric light-duty truck is FUSOas answer to the publicas need for a zero-emission and zero-noise truck for inner-city distribution. It helps to solve the increasing noise and pollution problems in urban environments across the globe. In addition to being an environmentally-friendly vehicle, it is also costaefficient and economical for users. The eCanter has a range of 100 kilometres and a load capacity of two to three tons a depending on body and usage. The vehicleas electric powertrain contains six high voltage lithium ion battery packs with 420 V and 13.8 kWh each.

The battery packs are being delivered from the 100 percent Daimler subsidiary Accumotive in Kamenz, Germany.

The FUSO eCanter benefits from extensive experience of customer trials conducted in Portugal and Germany with the pre-series between 2014 and 2017. In comparison to a conventional diesel truck, it offers savings of up to 1,000 Euro per 10,000 kilometres on operating costs.

FUSO has a long history in alternative drivetrains for trucks. Series production of the Canter Eco Hybrid began in 2006, while the second generation has been in production since 2012.

At the 2010 IAA FUSO already presented a first prototype of an electrically powered Canter E-Cell, leading into a pre-series production for testing purposes in 2014. An outlook on the FUSO eCanter small series celebrated its world premiere at the IAA in 2016 and the commercialized series-production eCanter will be globally launched in New York in September of this year.

Tramagal a a plant with a wealth of experience

The Tramagal plant in Portugal, around 150 kilometres north-east of Lisbon, has a long and varied history. It was founded in 1964 as a joint venture of the Portuguese family-run business Duarte Ferreira and the former French truck manufacturer Berliet. In 1980, the plant began with CKD (completely knocked down) assembly for Mitsubishi FUSO. In the following years the company assembled the FUSO Canter lightaduty truck and other Mitsubishi FUSO vehicles for the Portuguese market. Ten years later, the plant was purchased by Mitsubishi Motors Portugal. In 1996, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation took over the plant as the central production location for the FUSO Canter for Western Europe. The plant became part of Daimler AG in 2003 after the automaker acquired the majority share of Mitsubishi FUSO.

The plant covers a surface of 160,000 square metres. More than 400 employees produce FUSO Canter for around 30 European countries, Israel, Morocco and Turkey. Almost 95 percent of the vehicles are exported. Since 2012, the Tramagal employees also produce the FUSO Canter Eco Hybrid, the hybrid version of the Canter.

Start of production of the FUSO eCanter at the Tramagal plant, Portugal: From left to right: Marc Llistosella, President & CEO Mitsubishi FUSO Truck and Bus Corporation; Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic; Jorge Rosa, Head of the Tramagal plant

Start of production of the FUSO eCanter at the Tramagal plant, Portugal: From left to right: Sven GrAble, Head of Operations Mitsubishi FUSO Truck and Bus Corporation; Maria do CAu Oliveira Antunes Albuquerque, Mayor of Abrantes; Marc Llistosella, President & CEO Mitsubishi FUSO Truck and Bus Corporation; Hiroshi Azuma, Ambassador of Japan in Portugal; Manuel Caldeira Cabral, Minister of Economy of the Portuguese Republic; Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic; Jorge Rosa, Head of the Tramagal plant; Ana Teresa Lehmann, Secretary of State of Industry; Duarte Cordeiro, Deputy-Mayor of Lisbon; Oliver Klug, Head of Life Cycle Management Mitsubishi FUSO Truck and Bus Corporation
?Festival of the Unexceptional Names UKs Best and Blandest Cars

And the Awards for This years most extraordinarily ordinary Cars in the UK Went to 

Buckinghamshire, England (July 25, 2017)  A thoroughly pleasant 1983 Datsun Sunny 1.5 GL took home Best of Show honors last weekend at what is always the nations most eagerly anticipated car show, the Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional.

A record number of more than 2,000 enthusiastic visitors attended the fourth annual festival, which celebrates the cars that were the workhorses of their day: the base model saloons, hatchbacks and estates that were sold in their millions between roughly 1968 and 1989, and are now so rare, said Angus Forsyth, managing director of classic vehicle insurance specialists for Hagerty International. I just love overhearing enthusiasts commenting that they havent seen one of those in years, the cars that we all remember from our childhoods.

The light-hearted Concours dOrdinaire was held for the first time within the magnificent grounds of Stowe House, Buckingham.

With the bland leading the blind, the hard-fought judging of the 50 vehicles displayed on the immaculate Festival of the Unexceptional lawn saw the five-strong judging panel of mundane motoring masterminds admiring a selection of taupe, primrose yellow and lilac colored family saloons and estates, many equipped with rubber flooring, squidgy vinyl seats, no radio, manual wind-up windows and ?genuine faux Formica wood inserts.

Mark Ashbridge, owner of the top prizewinner, described his 1983 Datsun Sunny as a pleasant conveyance, perfectly summing-up what Hagertys Festival of the Unexceptional is all about. The judges pondered that this was possibly the very first time in history that a Datsun/Nissan Sunny has won anything!

Other winners included:

Second Place: 1972 DAF 33 (Richard Holness)

Peoples Choice: 1972 Austin Allegro 1750 SS (Colin Corke)

Best Dressed: Simon Martin (Volvo 740 GL)

Feast of the Unexceptional/Best Picnic: John Usher (Austin Maestro Special)

The second-place 1972 DAF 33, entered by Richard Holness, had originally been owned by an elderly gentleman who kept it for 40 years, with the Peoples Choice award winner  a 1973 Austin Allegro 1750 SS  being the oldest surviving production Allegro in existence, appropriately owned by Colin Corke, a vicar from Longbridge.

Honorable mentions were also given to a 1971 Fiat 128 Estate, a 1971 Volkswagen Beetle, owned by the same participant since new, a 1977 Lancia Beta 1600 Berlina, and a 1973 Simca 100 GLS Estate, believed to be the last road-worthy example in the UK.

A small selection of cars was plucked out of the Unexceptional car park, including a late ?souvenir edition of a Saab 96 L V4, plus a battered Alfa 75, hand-painted in pastel green, this Alfa Romeo being Jeremy Clarksons entry into the 2008 Auto Italia concours, part of a Top Gear TV challenge.

The fascinating Festival of the Unexceptional visitors car park was no less of a show. Over 200 gloriously ordinary and long-forgotten vehicles filled the rows, each telling a story of its own. These included examples of a rarely-seen Fiat 132 2-Litre, an immaculate Bedford CF van, a Talbot Avenger, Vauxhall Royale, Austin Ambassador, Honda Quintet, Lada Riva, plus a trio of Hyundai Stella saloons, making one section of the Festival parking area look like a 1980s-mini cab rank!

The date for the 2018 edition of the Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional will be announced early next year. For updates on the fifth edition of this unique event, keep an eye on the Hagerty website for details, and subscribe to the dedicated newsletter.

About Hagerty

Hagerty Insurance Agency, LLC is the leading insurance agency for collector vehicles in the world and host to the largest network of collector car owners. Hagerty offers insurance for collector cars, motorcycles and even automobilia (any historic or collectible item linked with motor vehicles). Hagerty also offers overseas shipping/touring insurance coverage, commercial coverage and club liability coverage. The UK-based subsidiary, Hagerty International, was established in 2006 to cater for the parallel market sector in the UK and Europe, and now offers a bespoke portfolio of insurance products, underwritten by Hiscox and Axa Assistance. For more information, call the UK office on 0333 323 0989 or visit www.hagertyinsurance.co.uk or call the USA office on (800) 922-4050 or visit www.hagerty.com.
Los Angelas Metro Award BYD Largest Electric Bus Order

Los Angeles CA July 27, 2017; In a unanimous vote, the Board of Los Angeles Metro, one of the largest transportation systems in the United States, voted to award a contract for 60 40-foot all-electric buses to local manufacturer BYD.

According to BYD, this is among the largest single contracts for electric buses in US history, and will directly lead to 59 new manufacturing jobs at the BYD factory in Lancaster, California.

LA Metro is expected to use the buses to electrify the Silver Line bus service, which runs throughout the county, from El Monte into Downtown Los Angeles and then south to San Pedro. This route covers a number of communities that have seen significant advocacy around environmental justice, with a severe need for this kind of investment in improved air quality.

The communities along the Silver Line deserve clean air, and were glad that LA Metro is committing to electric operations, said Stella Li, President of BYD America. In addition to a quieter, zero-emissions ride along the Silver Line, these buses mean more manufacturing jobs in LA County. Were thrilled to get to work producing these buses for LA Metro.

This award comes weeks after BYD signed a Community Benefits Agreement with the Jobs to Move America Coalition, which includes community, faith, labor, and environmental organizations working to advance good job and equity outcomes through transit investments, and as BYD moves forward on union negotiations with the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers Local 105. The factory in Lancaster currently employs over 600 Californians making buses and trucks.
Genesee & Wyoming Inc. owns and leases freight railroads. It operates through three segments: North American Operations, Australian Operations, and U.K./European Operations. The company transports various commodities, including agricultural products, autos and auto parts, chemicals and plastics, coal and coke, food and kindred products, lumber and forest products, metallic ores, metals, minerals and stone, petroleum products, pulp and paper, waste, and other commodities. It owns or leases 122 freight railroads, including 105 short line railroads and 2 regional freight railroads located in the United States, 8 short line railroads located in Canada, 3 railroads located in Australia, 1 railroad located in the United Kingdom, 1 railroad in Poland and Germany, and 2 railroads in the Netherlands with a total of approximately 16,200 miles of track. The company also operates 6,200 additional miles of track that is owned or leased by others. In addition, it operates deep sea maritime containers and provides bulk haulage, including coal, aggregates, cement, and infrastructure services. Further, the company provides rail service at approximately 40 ports; rail-ferry service in North America, Australia, and Europe; and contract coal loading and railcar switching for industrial customers. Genesee & Wyoming Inc. was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Darien, Connecticut.
The following companies are subsidiares of Marsh & McLennan Companies: 8WORKS INC., 8WORKS LTD, A. Constantinidi & CIA. S.C., A.C.N. 000 951 146 Pty Limited, A.C.N. 001 572 961 Pty Limited, A.C.N. 076 935 683 Pty Limited, A.C.N. 102 322 574 Pty Limited, ACE Insurance Agents Limited, ACE Insurance Consultants Limited, ACE Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Limited, AD Corretora de Seguros, AFCO Premium Acceptance Inc., AFCO Premium Credit LLC, Access Equity Enhanced Fund GP LLC, Admiral Holdings Limited, Agnew Higgins Pickering & Co. (Bermuda) Ltd, Aldgate Investments Limited, Aldgate Trustees Ltd, Alexander Forbes Group Holdings Limited, Alpha Consultants Limited, Alta SA, Altius Real Assets (GP) LLC, Amal Insurance Brokers Limited (in liquidation), Anda Insurance Agencies Pte Ltd, AssetVal Pty Ltd, Assur Conseils Marsh S.A., Assurance Capital Corporation, Assurance Services Corporation, Australian Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd, Australian World Underwriters Pty Ltd., BBPS Limited, Barney & Barney Orange County LLC, Beaumonts (Leeds) Limited (in liquidation), Beaumonts Insurance Brokers Limited (in liquidation), Beaumonts Insurance Services Limited, Beneficios Integrales Oportunos SA, Benefitfocus Inc., Blue Marble Micro Limited, Blue Marble Microinsurance Inc., Bluefin, Bluefin Insurance Group Limited, Bluefin Insurance Services Limited, Boulder Claims LLC, Bowring (Bermuda) Investments Ltd., Bowring Marine Limited, Bowring Marsh (Bermuda) Ltd., Bowring Marsh (Hong Kong) Limited, Bowring Marsh Asia Pte. Ltd., Bowring Marsh Corretora de Resseguros Ltda., Bowring Marsh Limited, Broderick Piller Pty Ltd, Broker 2 Broker Limited, BuildPay LLC, Burke Ford Trustees (Leicester) Limited, C.T. Bowring Limited, CMC-Belgibo NV, CPRM Limited, CPSG Partners LLC, Carpenter Marsh Fac Chile Corredores de Reaseguros Limitada, Carpenter Marsh Fac Colombia Corredores de Reaseguros S.A., Carpenter Marsh Fac Peru Corredores de Reaseguros S.A.C., Carpenter Marsh Fac Re LLC, Carpenter Turner Cyprus Ltd, Carpenter Turner S.A., Cascade International Holdings C.V., Cascade Regional Holdings Limited, Central Insurance Services Limited, Charter Risk Management Services LLC, Chartwell Healthcare Limited, Chronos Insurance Brokers Pty Limited, Claims and Recovery Management (Australia) Pty Limited, Clark Thomson Insurance Brokers Limited, Client Provide Limited, Colombian Insurance Broking Wholesale Limited, Consultores 2020 C.A., Cronin & Co Insurance Services Limited, DVA - Deutsche Verkehrs-Assekuranz-Vermittlungs GmbH, Dawson Insurance, DeLima Marsh S.A. - Los Corredores de Seguros S.A., Dovetail Insurance Corp., Dovetail Insurance Corp., Dovetail Managing General Agency Corporation, Dovetail Technology Service India Private Limited, Draw Connect Limited, Draw Create Limited, Draw Group London Limited, Eagle & Crown Limited, Echelon Australia Pty Limited, Echelon Claims Consultants Sdn Bhd, Echelon New Zealand Limited, EnBW Versicherungs Vermittlung GmbH, Encompass Insurance Agency Pty Ltd., English Pension Trustees Limited, Epsilon (US) Insurance Company, Epsilon Insurance Company Ltd., Eustis Insurance & Benefits, Evolution Management Ltd, Exchange Insurance Services Limited (in liquidation), Exmoor Management Company Limited, Faulkner & Flynn LLC, Freedom Trust Services Limited, GC Genesis LLC, GCube Insurance Services Inc, GCube Underwriting Limited, Gama Consultores Associados Ltda., Gem Insurance Company Limited, Global Premium Finance Company, GrECo International Holding AG, Gracechurch Trustees Limited, Gresham Pension Trustees Limited, Group Promoters Pty Limited, Guy Carpenter & Cia (Mexico) S.A. de C.V., Guy Carpenter & Cia. S.A., Guy Carpenter & Co. Labuan Ltd., Guy Carpenter & Company AB, Guy Carpenter & Company Corredores de Reaseguros Limitada, Guy Carpenter & Company Corretora de Resseguros Ltda., Guy Carpenter & Company GmbH, Guy Carpenter & Company LLC, Guy Carpenter & Company Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Ltd./Guy Carpenter & Compagnie Ltee, Guy Carpenter & Company Participacoes Ltda., Guy Carpenter & Company Peru Corredores de Reaseguros S.A., Guy Carpenter & Company Private Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Proprietary Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Pty. Ltd., Guy Carpenter & Company S.A., Guy Carpenter & Company S.A. (Uruguay), Guy Carpenter & Company S.A.S., Guy Carpenter & Company S.r.l., Guy Carpenter (Middle East) Limited, Guy Carpenter Bermuda Ltd., Guy Carpenter Broking Inc., Guy Carpenter Colombia Corredores de Reaseguros Ltda., Guy Carpenter Insurance Brokers (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Guy Carpenter Japan Inc., Guy Carpenter Mexico Intermediario de Reaseguro S.A. de C.V., Guy Carpenter Reasurans Brokerligi Anonim Sirketi, HAPIP GP 2009 LLC, HAPIP GP LLC, HSBC Insurance Brokers International (Abu Dhabi) LLC (in liquidation), Hamilton Bond Limited, Hansen International Limited, Hayward Aviation Limited, INSIA Europe SE, INSIA SK s.r.o., INSIA a.s., INSURANCE BROKERS OF NIGERIA LIMITED, IRC Asia Insurance Brokers Limited, InSolutions Limited, Industrial Risks Protection Consultants, Ingeseg S. A., Ingeseg S.A., Insbrokers Ltda., InsurTech Alliance LLC, Insure Direct (Brokers) LLC, Insure Direct (Brokers) LLC [BAHRAIN BRANCH], Insure Direct - Jardine Lloyd Thompson Limited, International Catastrophe Insurance Managers LLC, International Loss Control Services Limited, International Risk Consultants (Asia) Limited, Invercol Limited, Irish Pensions Trust Limited, Isosceles Insurance (Barbados) Limited, Isosceles Insurance Company Limited, Isosceles Insurance Ltd, Isosceles PCC Limited, J&H Marsh & McLennan Limited, J.W. Terrill Benefit Administrators Inc., JI Holdings Limited, JIB Group Holdings Limited, JIB Group Limited, JIB Holdings (Pacific) Limited, JIB Overseas Holdings Limited, JIB UK Holdings Limited, JL Marine Insurance-Brokers GmbH & Co. KG, JLM Verwaltungs GmbH, JLT (Insurance Brokers) Limited, JLT Actuaries and Consultants Limited, JLT Advisory Limited, JLT Affinity Colombia Solutions SAS, JLT Agencies Limited, JLT Asesorias Ltda, JLT Asia Holdings BV, JLT Asia Shared Services Sdn Bhd, JLT Belgibo, JLT Benefit Consultants Limited, JLT Benefit Solutions Limited, JLT Benefit Solutions SA (Pty) Ltd, JLT Bermuda Ltd, JLT Brasil Holdings Participacoes Ltd, JLT Chile Holdings SpA, JLT Colombia Retail Limited, JLT Colombia Wholesale Limited, JLT Consultants & Actuaries Limited, JLT EB Holdings Limited, JLT EB Services Limited, JLT Employee Benefits Holding Company (PTY) LTD, JLT Employee Benefits SA (Pty) Ltd, JLT Financial Planning Limited, JLT France Holdings, JLT Group Services Pty Limited, JLT Holdings (Barbados) Ltd, JLT Holdings (NZ) Limited, JLT Independent Insurance Brokers Private Limited, JLT Insurance Agencies Limited, JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited, JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited ( Shanghai Branch), JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited (Beijing Branch), JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited (Guangzhou Branch), JLT Insurance Brokers Ireland Limited, JLT Insurance Brokers SA, JLT Insurance Group Holdings Ltd, JLT Insurance Management Malta Limited, JLT Intellectual Property Limited, JLT Intellectual Property [UK Branch], JLT Interactive Pte. Ltd., JLT Investment Management Limited, JLT LATAM (Southern Cone) Wholesale Limited, JLT Latin American Holdings Limited, JLT Life Assurance Brokers Limited, JLT Management Services Limited, JLT Marine (Pty) Ltd, JLT Mexico Holdings Limited, JLT Mexico Intermediario de Reaseguro S.A. de C.V., JLT Netherlands BV, JLT Norway AS, JLT PLA, JLT Pension Trustees Limited, JLT Pensions Administration Holdings Limited, JLT Pensions Administration Limited, JLT Peru Reinsurance Solutions Limited, JLT Peru Retail Limited, JLT Peru Wholesale Limited, JLT QFM Services Limited, JLT RE Brasil Administracao e Corretagem de Resseguros Ltda, JLT Re (French Branch), JLT Re (Northern Europe) AB, JLT Re Argentina Corredores de Reaseguros S.A.U., JLT Re Labuan Limited, JLT Re Limited, JLT Re Pty Ltd, JLT Reinsurance Brokers GmbH, JLT Reinsurance Brokers Limited, JLT Reinsurance Brokers Limited [French Branch], JLT Risk Management Limited, JLT Risk Solutions AB, JLT Risk Solutions AB Branch - Germany, JLT SA IB Holdings Company (Pty) Limited, JLT SCK Affinity Administracao e Corretora de Seguros Ltda., JLT SCK Corretora e Administradora de Seguros, JLT Secretaries Limited, JLT Sigorta ve Reasurans Brokerlii A.., JLT Singapore Holdings Pte. Ltd., JLT Specialty France, JLT Specialty Insurance Broker A/S, JLT Specialty Limited, JLT Specialty Limited [DUBAI BRANCH], JLT Specialty Pte. Ltd., JLT Towner Insurance Management (Anguilla) Limited, JLT Trust Services (Barbados) Ltd, JLT Trustees (Southern) Limited, JLT Trustees Limited, JLT UK Investment Holdings Limited, JLT Vantage Risk and Benefit Consulting Private Limited, JLT Wealth Management Limited, JLT do Brasil Corretagem de Seguros Ltda, JLTPCS Holdings Pte. Ltd., JMIB Holdings BV, JSL Securities Inc., Japan Affinity Marketing Inc., Jardine IBR Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson (Proprietary) Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Asia Pte Ltd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Australia Pty Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Canada Inc, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group Ltd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc, Jardine Lloyd Thompson India Private Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson India Private Limited (UK Branch Office), Jardine Lloyd Thompson Insurance Consultants Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Inc., Jardine Lloyd Thompson Ireland Holdings Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Ireland Unlimited Company, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Korea Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Limited [Macao Branch], Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS (Dubai) Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS Pte Ltd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS SA, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Private Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Pty Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Sdn Bhd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Valencia y Iragorri Corredores de Seguros SA, Jardine Pension Trustees Ireland Limited, Jardine Risk Consulting Co. Limited, Jardine ShunTak Insurance Brokers Limited, Jardine ShunTak Insurance Brokers Limited [Macao Branch], Jardines PF- Consultoria Em Gestao De Risco Limitada, Jelf, Jelf Commercial Finance Limited, Jelf Financial Planning Limited, Jelf Insurance Brokers Limited, Jelf Limited, Jelf Risk Management Limited, Jelf Wellbeing Limited, John Lampier & Son Ltd, Johnson & Higgins (Bermuda) Limited, Johnson & Higgins Limited, KESSLER & CO AG, Kepler Associates Limited, Kessler & Co Inc., Kessler Consulting Inc., Kessler Prevoyance Inc., Key Underwriting Pty Limited, Kroll, Lambert Brothers Holdings Limited, Lambert Brothers Insurance Brokers (Employee Benefits) Limited, Lambert Brothers Insurance Brokers (Hong Kong) Ltd, Laterlife.com Limited (in liquidation), Lavaretus Underwriting AB, Lavaretus Underwriting AB (BRANCH - Denmark), Libra Insurance Services Limited (in liquidation), Lloyd & Partners Limited, Local Government Insurance Brokers Pty Limited, Lomond Macdonald Limited, Lynch Insurance Brokers Limited, M&M Vehicle L.P., M.P. Bolshaw and Company Limited, MAG JLT SpA, MERCER ALTERNATIVES LIMITED, MM Risk Services Pty Ltd (for dissolution), MMA Mid-Atlantic Employee LLC, MMA Securities LLC, MMB Consultores S.A., MMC (Singapore) Holdings Pte. Ltd., MMC 28 State Street Holdings Inc., MMC Borrower LLC, MMC Brazilian Holdings B.V., MMC Capital Inc., MMC Cascade Regional Holdings LLC, MMC FINANCE (EUROPE) LIMITED, MMC FINANCE HOLDINGS LTD, MMC Finance (Australia) Limited, MMC Finance (Singapore) Limited, MMC France Holdings (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., MMC GP III Inc., MMC Group Services sp. z o.o., MMC Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd, MMC Holdings (New Zealand) ULC, MMC Holdings (UK) Limited, MMC International Finance (Barbados) SRL, MMC International Holdings LLC, MMC International Limited, MMC International Treasury Centre Limited, MMC Middle East Holdings Limited, MMC Poland Holdings B.V., MMC Realty Inc., MMC Regional Asia Holdings B.V., MMC Regional Caribbean Holdings Ltd., MMC Regional Europe Holdings B.V., MMC Regional LATAM Holdings B.V., MMC Securities (Europe) Limited, MMC Securities LLC, MMC Treasury Holdings (UK) Limited, MMC UK Group Limited, MMC UK Pension Fund Trustee Limited, MMOW Limited, MMRC LLC, MOW Holding LLC, MPIP III GP LLC, MPIP IV GP LLC, MPIP V GP LLC, MPIP VI GP LLC, Mangrove Insurance Europe PCC Limited, Mangrove Insurance Solutions PCC, Mangrove Insurance Solutions PCC Limited, Manoel Management Services Ltd, Marchant McKechnie Insurance Brokers Limited, Marine Aviation & General (London) Limited, Marsh & McLennan (PNG) Limited, Marsh & McLennan Agencies AS, Marsh & McLennan Agencies Limited, Marsh & McLennan Agency A/S, Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC, Marsh & McLennan Agency Limited, Marsh & McLennan Agency Pty Ltd., Marsh & McLennan Argentina SA Corredores de Reaseguros, Marsh & McLennan Colombia S.A., Marsh & McLennan Companies Acquisition Funding Limited, Marsh & McLennan Companies Acquisition Limited, Marsh & McLennan Companies Asia Pacific Treasury Center Limited, Marsh & McLennan Companies BVBA/SPRL, Marsh & McLennan Companies Finance Center (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Companies France S.A.S., Marsh & McLennan Companies Holdings (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc., Marsh & McLennan Companies Regional Holdings S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Companies Services B.V., Marsh & McLennan Companies UK Limited, Marsh & McLennan Europe S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan GP I Inc., Marsh & McLennan Global Broking (Bermuda) Ltd., Marsh & McLennan Holding GmbH, Marsh & McLennan Holdings (Canada) ULC, Marsh & McLennan Holdings Inc., Marsh & McLennan Incorporated (for dissolution), Marsh & McLennan Innovation Centre Holdings II, Marsh & McLennan Innovation Centre Holdings S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Innovation Centre Limited, Marsh & McLennan Insurance Services Limited, Marsh & McLennan Ireland Limited, Marsh & McLennan Management Services (Bermuda) Limited, Marsh & McLennan Risk Capital Holdings Ltd., Marsh & McLennan Servicios S.A. De C.V., Marsh & McLennan Shared Services Canada Limited, Marsh & McLennan Shared Services Corporation, Marsh (Bahrain) Company SPC, Marsh (Beijing) Risk Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Marsh (China) Insurance Brokers Co. Ltd., Marsh (Hong Kong) Limited, Marsh (Insurance Brokers) LLP, Marsh (Insurance Services) Limited, Marsh (Malawi) Limited, Marsh (Middle East) Limited, Marsh (Namibia) (Proprietary) Limited, Marsh (Pty) Ltd, Marsh (Risk Consulting) LLP, Marsh (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Marsh A/S, Marsh AB, Marsh AG, Marsh AS, Marsh Advantage Insurance Holdings Pty Ltd, Marsh Advantage Insurance Pty Ltd., Marsh Africa (Pty) Ltd, Marsh Argentina S.R.L., Marsh Associates (Pty) Ltd, Marsh Austria G.m.b.H., Marsh Aviation Insurance Broking Pty Ltd (for dissolution), Marsh B.V., Marsh Botswana (Proprietary) Limited, Marsh Brockman y Schuh Agente de Seguros y de Fianzas S.A. de C.V., Marsh Broker Japan Inc., Marsh Broker de Asigurare-Reasigurare S.R.L., Marsh Brokers (Hong Kong) Limited, Marsh Brokers Limited, Marsh Canada Limited/Marsh Canada Limitee, Marsh Company Management Services Cayman Ltd., Marsh Compensation Technologies Administration (Pty) Ltd, Marsh Corporate Services (Barbados) Limited, Marsh Corporate Services Isle of Man Ltd, Marsh Corporate Services Limited, Marsh Corporate Services Malta Limited, Marsh Corretora de Seguros Ltda., Marsh EOOD, Marsh Egypt LLC, Marsh Emirates Consultancy LLC, Marsh Emirates Insurance Brokerage LLC, Marsh Employee Benefits Limited, Marsh Employee Benefits Zimbabwe (Private) Ltd, Marsh Eurofinance B.V., Marsh Europe S.A., Marsh FJC International Insurance Brokers Limited, Marsh For Insurance Services S.A.E., Marsh Franco Acra S.A., Marsh GSC Servicos e Administracao de Seguros Ltda., Marsh GmbH, Marsh Holding AB, Marsh Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Marsh India Insurance Brokers Private Limited, Marsh Insurance & Investments LLC, Marsh Insurance Brokers, Marsh Insurance Brokers (Macao) Limited, Marsh Insurance Brokers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Marsh Insurance Brokers (Private) Limited, Marsh Insurance Brokers AO, Marsh Insurance Brokers Limited, Marsh Insurance Consulting Saudi Arabia (in liquidation), Marsh Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers LLC, Marsh Intermediaries Inc., Marsh International Broking Holdings Limited, Marsh International Holdings II Inc., Marsh International Holdings Inc., Marsh Investment B.V., Marsh Ireland Brokers Limited, Marsh Ireland Brokers Limited (UK Branch), Marsh Ireland Holdings Limited, Marsh Israel (1999) Ltd., Marsh Israel (Holdings) Ltd., Marsh Israel Consultants Ltd., Marsh Israel Insurance Agency Ltd., Marsh Israel International Brokers Ltd. (in liquidation), Marsh JCS Inc., Marsh Japan Inc., Marsh Kft., Marsh Kindlustusmaakler AS, Marsh Korea Inc., Marsh LLC, Marsh LLC Insurance Brokers, Marsh LLC [Ukraine], Marsh Lda., Marsh Limited, Marsh Limited [Fiji], Marsh Limited [New Zealand], Marsh Limited [PNG], Marsh Ltd. [Wisconsin], Marsh Management Services (Bahamas) Ltd., Marsh Management Services (Barbados) Limited, Marsh Management Services (Bermuda) Ltd., Marsh Management Services (Dublin) Limited, Marsh Management Services (Labuan) Limited, Marsh Management Services (MENA) Limited, Marsh Management Services (USVI) Ltd., Marsh Management Services Cayman Ltd., Marsh Management Services Guernsey Limited, Marsh Management Services Inc., Marsh Management Services Isle of Man Limited, Marsh Management Services Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Marsh Management Services Malta Limited, Marsh Management Services Singapore Pte. Ltd., Marsh Management Services Sweden AB, Marsh Marine & Energy AB, Marsh Marine Nederland B.V., Marsh Medical Consulting GmbH, Marsh Mercer Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd, Marsh Nest Inc., Marsh Oman LLC, Marsh Oy, Marsh PB Co. Ltd., Marsh Philippines Inc., Marsh Privat A.I.E., Marsh Private Client Life Insurance Services, Marsh Pty. Ltd., Marsh Qatar LLC, Marsh RE S.A.C. Corredores de Reaseguros, Marsh Rehder Consultoria S.A. (MRC), Marsh Rehder S.A. Corredores de Seguros, Marsh Resolutions Pty Limited, Marsh Risk Consulting B.V., Marsh Risk Consulting Limitada, Marsh Risk Consulting Ltda., Marsh Risk Consulting S.L., Marsh Risk Consulting Services S.r.L., Marsh Risk and Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd, Marsh S.A. Corredores De Seguros, Marsh S.A. Mediadores de Seguros, Marsh S.A.S., Marsh S.p.A., Marsh SA [Argentina], Marsh SA [Belgium], Marsh SA [Luxembourg], Marsh SA [Uruguay], Marsh SIA, Marsh Saldana Inc., Marsh Saudi Arabia Insurance & Reinsurance Brokers, Marsh Secretarial Services Limited, Marsh Semusa S.A., Marsh Services Limited, Marsh Services Spolka z.o.o., Marsh Sigorta ve Reasurans Brokerligi Anonim Sirketi, Marsh Spolka z.o.o., Marsh Szolgaltato Kft., Marsh Takaful Brokers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Marsh Treasury Services (Dublin) Limited (in liquidation), Marsh Treasury Services Limited, Marsh Tunisia S.a.r.l., Marsh UK Limited, Marsh USA (India) Inc., Marsh USA Borrower LLC, Marsh USA Inc., Marsh Uganda Limited, Marsh Venezuela C.A. Sociedad de Corretaje de Seguros, Marsh Vietnam Insurance Broking Company Ltd, Marsh Zambia Limited, Marsh Zimbabwe Holdings (Private) Limited, Marsh d.o.o. Beograd, Marsh d.o.o. za posredovanje u osiguranju, Marsh for Insurance Services - Jordan, Marsh i-Connect (Pty) Ltd, Marsh s.r.o., Matthiessen Assurans AB, Mercer (Argentina) S.A., Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer (Austria) GmbH, Mercer (Belgium) SA-NV, Mercer (Canada) Limited/Mercer (Canada) Limitee, Mercer (China) Limited, Mercer (Colombia) Ltda., Mercer (Danmark) A/S, Mercer (Finland) OY, Mercer (France) SAS, Mercer (Hong Kong) Limited, Mercer (Ireland) Limited, Mercer (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Mercer (N.Z.) Limited, Mercer (Nederland) B.V., Mercer (Norge) AS, Mercer (Polska) Sp.z o.o., Mercer (Portugal) Lda, Mercer (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Mercer (Sweden) AB, Mercer (Taiwan) Ltd., Mercer (Thailand) Ltd., Mercer (US) Inc., Mercer Administration Services (Australia) Pty Limited, Mercer Africa Limited, Mercer Agente de Seguros S.A. de C.V., Mercer Asesores de Seguros S.A., Mercer Asesores es Inversion Independientes S.A. de C.V., Mercer Broking Ltd., Mercer Career Unipessoal Lda, Mercer Consultation (Quebec) Ltee., Mercer Consulting (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer Consulting (Chile) Limitada, Mercer Consulting (France) SAS, Mercer Consulting (India) Private Limited, Mercer Consulting B.V., Mercer Consulting Group Inc., Mercer Consulting Holdings Sdn. Bhd., Mercer Consulting Limited, Mercer Consulting Middle East Limited, Mercer Consulting S.L.U., Mercer Consulting Venezuela C.A., Mercer Corredores de Seguros Limitada, Mercer Corretora de Seguros Ltda, Mercer Danismanlik Anonim Sirketi, Mercer Deutschland GmbH, Mercer Employee Benefits - Medicacao de Seguros Unipessoal Lda., Mercer Employee Benefits Limited, Mercer Financial Advice (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer Financial Services Limited, Mercer Financial Services Limited liability company, Mercer Financial Services Middle East Limited, Mercer Global Investments Europe Limited, Mercer Global Investments Management Limited, Mercer HR Consulting Borrower LLC, Mercer HR Services LLC, Mercer Health & Benefits (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Mercer Health & Benefits Administration LLC, Mercer Health & Benefits LLC, Mercer Holdings Inc., Mercer Holdings Inc. [Philippines], Mercer Human Resource Consulting Ltda, Mercer Human Resource Consulting S.A. de C.V., Mercer ICC Limited, Mercer Investment Consulting Limited, Mercer Investment Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Mercer Investment Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Mercer Investments (Australia) Limited, Mercer Investments (Hong Kong) Limited, Mercer Investments (Japan) Ltd, Mercer Investments (New Zealand) Limited, Mercer Investments LLC, Mercer Ireland Holdings Limited, Mercer Italia Srl Socio Unico, Mercer Japan Ltd., Mercer Korea Co. Ltd., Mercer LLC, Mercer Limited, Mercer MC Consulting Borrower LLC, Mercer Master Trustees Limited, Mercer Mauritius Ltd., Mercer Oliver Wyman Holding B.V., Mercer Outsourcing (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer Outsourcing S.L.U., Mercer Pensionsfonds AG, Mercer Pensionsraadgivning A/S, Mercer Philippines Inc., Mercer Private Investment Partners IV General Partner S.a.r.l., Mercer Private Markets AG, Mercer Private Markets Advisers (US) AG, Mercer Services Poland Sp. z.o.o., Mercer Sigorta Brokerligi Anonim Sirketi, Mercer South Africa (Pty) Limited, Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited, Mercer Switzerland Inc., Mercer System Services LLC, Mercer Technology Acquisitions Limited, Mercer Treuhand GmbH, Mercer Trust Company LLC, Mercer Trustees Limited, Mercer WorkforcePro LLC, Mercury Insurance Services Pty Ltd, Moola Systems Limited, Mountlodge Limited, Muir Beddal (Zimbabwe) Limited, NERA Australia Pty. Ltd., NERA Economic Consulting GmbH, NERA Economic Consulting Limited, NERA S.R.L., NERA SAS, NERA UK Limited, NERA do Brasil Ltda. (for dissolution), National Economic Research Associates Inc., NetComp Insurance Corp., Neuburger Noble Lowndes GmbH, Normandy Reinsurance Company Limited, Northern Alliance Brokers Limited (in liquidation), OWL Marine Insurance-Brokers GmbH & Co.KG, OWL Marine Verwaltungs GmbH, Oliver Wyman (Bermuda) Limited, Oliver Wyman (Hong Kong) Limited, Oliver Wyman AB, Oliver Wyman AG, Oliver Wyman Actuarial Consulting Inc., Oliver Wyman B.V., Oliver Wyman Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd, Oliver Wyman Consultoria em Estrategia de Negocios Ltda., Oliver Wyman Energy Consulting Limited, Oliver Wyman FZ-LLC, Oliver Wyman Group KK, Oliver Wyman Inc., Oliver Wyman LLC, Oliver Wyman Limited, Oliver Wyman Limited Liability Company, Oliver Wyman Limited/Oliver Wyman limitee, Oliver Wyman Ltd., Oliver Wyman Pte. Ltd., Oliver Wyman Pty. Ltd., Oliver Wyman S. de R.L. de C.V., Oliver Wyman S.A.S., Oliver Wyman S.L., Oliver Wyman S.r.l., Oliver Wyman SNC, Oliver Wyman SPRL/BVBA, Oliver Wyman Sdn. Bhd., Oliver Wyman Services Limited, Oliver Wyman Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Oliver Wyman sp. z o.o., Omega Indemnity (Bermuda) Limited, Organizacion Brockman y Schuh S.A. de C.V., Osbornes Insurances Oxford Limited (in liquidation), PFT Limited, PI Indemnity Company Designated Activity Company, PT JLT Reinsurance Brokers, PT Jardine Lloyd Thompson, PT Marsh Indonesia, PT Marsh Reinsurance Brokers Indonesia, PT Mercer Indonesia, PT Nexus Asia Pacific, PT Oliver Wyman Indonesia, PT Quantum Computing Services, PT Quantum Investments, PT Quantum Support Services, Pallas Marsh Servicos Ltda., Pavilion Alternatives Group (Singapore) PTE. Ltd, Pavilion Financial Corporation Holdings UK Limited, Pavilion U.S. Investments Holdco LLC, Pension Trustees Limited, Pensionsservice Benefit Network Sverige AB, Perils AG, Personal Pension Trustees Limited, Pet Animal Welfare Scheme Limited, Portsoken Trustees (No. 2) Limited, Portsoken Trustees Limited, Potomac Insurance Managers Inc., Premier Pension Trustees Limited, Premium Services Australia Pty Limited, Professional Claims Handling Limited (in liquidation), Profund Solutions Limited, Promerit AG, Promerit Hungary Kft, Promerit Schweiz AG, Pymetrics Inc., R G Ford Brokers Limited, R R B Beratungsgesellschaft fuer Altersversorgung mbh, R. Mees & Zoonen Holdings B.V., Renewable Energy Loss Adjusters LLC, Renewable Energy Loss Adjusters Limited, Resource Benefit Associates, Rightpath Reinsurance SPC Ltd., Risk Management Australia Pty Limited, Rivers Group Limited, Rockefeller Risk Advisors Inc., Rutherfoord International Inc., SAFCAR-Marsh, SBJ Holdings Limited, SCIB (Bermuda) Limited, SCM Global Real Estate Select GP LLC, SCM Infrastructure General Partner S.a r.l., SCM International Private Equity Select III GP LLC, SCM LT General Partner S.a.r.l., SCM PE General Partner S.a.r.l., SCM PE II GP Ltd., SCM PE II Scotland GP Ltd, SCM Strategic Capital Management (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., SICAR Marsh S.a.r.l., SME Insurance Services Limited, Sail Insurance Company Limited, Scalene Re Ltd, Seabury & Smith Borrower LLC, Seabury & Smith LLC, Secure Limited, Sedgwick (Holdings) Pty. Limited, Sedgwick Consulting Group Limited, Sedgwick Dineen Group Limited, Sedgwick Financial Services Limited, Sedgwick Forbes Middle East Limited, Sedgwick Group, Sedgwick Group (Australia) Pty. Limited, Sedgwick Group (Bermuda) Limited, Sedgwick Group (Zimbabwe) Limited, Sedgwick Group Limited, Sedgwick Internationaal B.V., Sedgwick Limited, Sedgwick Management Services (Barbados) Limited, Sedgwick Management Services (Singapore) Pte Limited, Sedgwick Noble Lowndes (UK) Limited, Sedgwick Noble Lowndes Group Limited, Sedgwick Noble Lowndes Limited, Sedgwick Overseas Investments Limited, Sedgwick Private Limited, Sedgwick Re Asia Pacific (Consultants) Pte Ltd (for dissolution), Sedgwick Trustees Limited, Sedgwick UK Risk Services Limited, Sedgwick Ulster Pension Trustees Limited, Settlement Trustees Limited, Shanghai Mercer Insurance Brokers Company Ltd., Shorewest Insurance Associates LLC, Sirota Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Sirota Consulting UK Limited, Smith Long Term Disability Management Group Inc., Societe d'Assurances et de Participation Guian SA, Software Underwriting Systems Limited (in liquidation), Southern Marine & Aviation Inc., Southern Marine & Aviation Underwriters Inc., Sudzucker Versicherungs-Vermittlungs GmbH, Sumitomo Life Insurance Agency America Inc., Sylvite Financial Services, TBX Solutions Limited, Talent Tech Labs LLC, The Benefit Express Holdings Limited, The Benefit Express Limited, The Carpenter Management Corporation, The Insurance Partnership Holdings Limited, The Insurance Partnership Services Limited, The Positive Ageing Company Limited, The Purple Partnership Limited, The Recovre Group Pty Ltd, Thomsons Online Benefits (HK) Ltd., Thomsons Online Benefits Inc., Thomsons Online Benefits Limited, Thomsons Online Benefits Pte Ltd., Thomsons Online Benefits S.R.L, Torrent Government Contracting Services LLC, Torrent Insurance Services LLC, Torrent Technologies, Torrent Technologies Inc., Tower Hill Limited, Tower Place Developments (West) Limited, Tower Place Developments Limited, U.T.E. AMG, U.T.E. Marsh - Caja Castilla La Mancha Junta de Comunidades, U.T.E. Marsh - Salvado Reus (in liquidation), U.T.E. Marsh - Salvado Reus 2012, U.T.E. Marsh - Salvado Vila-Seca 2010, UAD BB Marsh Lietuva, Vezina & Associes Inc., Vezina Assurances Inc., Victor Insurance Europe B.V., Victor Insurance Holdings Inc., Victor Insurance Italia S.r.l., Victor Insurance Managers Inc., Victor Insurance Managers Inc./Gestionnaires d'assurance Victor inc., Victor O. Schinnerer & Co. (Bermuda) Ltd., Victor O. Schinnerer & Company Limited, Victoria Hall Company Limited, Wellnz Limited, William M. Mercer (Canada) Limited/William M. Mercer (Canada) Limitee, William M. Mercer AB, William M. Mercer Comercio Consultoria e Servicos Ltda., Wortham Insurance & Risk Management, everBe SAS, and realright GmbH.

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RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. provides reinsurance and insurance products around the world. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Bermuda with offices in Ireland, Australia, Switzerland, Singapore, and the US.

The company operates through two segments that include multiple underlying businesses and investment vehicles. The two main segments are Property and Casualty & Specialty. The company operates through intermediaries that include DaVinci Resinsurance Inc, Top Layer Reinsurance LTD, and RennaisanceRe Syndicate 1458 among others.

Top Layer Re is the first major venture and was started in 1999. It is a joint venture with State Farm targeting high layers of the US reinsurance business. DaVinci Re was formed in the wake of 9/11 to assist with capacity and it was given added capacity in the wake of hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. Medici was formed in 2009 and is an open-ended fund intended to spur investment in the catastrophe bond market.

The Property segment writes catastrophic insurance policies to insure insurance and reinsurance companies against natural and man-made catastrophes. These include but are not limited to hurricanes, floods, freezes, and terrorism.

The Casualty & Specialty segment provides a wide range of consumer products including business insurance, malpractice insurance, liability insurance, workers' compensation, mortgage insurance, and health insurance among others.

Among RenaissanceRes Specialty businesses is capital management. The firm offers 6 investment vehicles and has more than $11 billion under management making it the #1 ILS or insurance-linked asset manager in the US. In regards to its credit ratings, the firm and all of its vehicles carry an A or better rating from every credit rating agency.
Former Florida Comptroller Bob Milligan has been a marine lieutenant general, Florida's top fiscal watchdog, head of the Department of Veterans Affairs and now he wants to be on the panel that regulates utilities.

Milligan has applied to fill the unexpired seat on the Florida Public Service Commission, the position left vacant when Gov. Rick Scott appointed Jimmy Patronis to be chief financial officer.

With a background in finance and economics, an agile mind and a political career, Milligan said he would make a good candidate to fill the 15 months remaining in Patronis' four-year term.

"I thought: 'What the devil. I can jump in there and not miss a beat. I can do it,' he said in an interview Friday. "I've still got a brain that works and I like to use it."

Milligan, 84, has once before been appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to fill a vacancy. He was named interim director of the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2011, following the death of retired Navy Adm. Leroy Collins Jr., whose father was Florida's governor from 1955 through 1961.

In 1994, Milligan was approached by former head of the Florida state Republican Party Tom Slade and asked to run for state comptroller. He won and served in the role until 2002.

Milligan was instrumental in persuading the Constitution Revision Commission in 1998 of combining the elective treasurer and comptroller jobs into a single state chief financial officer. It worked.

In 2007, CFO Alex Sink, a Democrat, asked Milligan to return to government. She appointed him consumer advocate in the office, and he took the job.

"I've always been kind of intereast in the Public Service Commission,'' he said, as he was driving his wife shopping Friday. "I thought shoot let's see how that thing works!"

He said he has spent his time working with several volunteer organizations since his retirement from government but joked he is also "Driving Miss Daisy,'' he said with a laugh. His wife chuckled.

Milligan. who now lives in Tallahassee, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and holds an MBA from the University of Rochester. He served 39 years in the military, retiring from the Marines as a lieutenant general in 1991.

Milligans name is among 23 applicants to be among three names chosen by the Public Service Commission Nominating Council presented to the governor.

Other applicants for the position include a line up of former Republicans legislators: former state Rep. Rich Glorioso, of Plant City, state Rep. Tom Goodson, of Rockledge, former PSC member and former state Rep. Kenneth Littlefield, former state Rep. Ritch Workman, former Sen. Greg Evers, and former Rep. Dave Murzin.
@alextdaugherty

Less than 24 hours after Sen. John McCain scuttled the GOP's push to repeal Obamacare, Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson confirmed he is working with moderate Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine on a bipartisan health care plan.

"Sen. Collins and I have discussed this issue many times and we are now working together," Nelson said. "As former state insurance commissioners, we know how complicated this issue is and we are working with a small bipartisan group of senators equally dedicated to finding real solutions. This group of senators met for dinner the other night to start sharing our ideas and discussing a path forward."

But Nelson's Florida colleague, Sen. Marco Rubio, threw cold water over a bipartisan health care plan on Friday afternoon.

"I'd love to see a bipartisan effort to repeal and replace Obamacare," Rubio said. "Unfortunately, the growing consensus within the Democratic party, although they didn't have the courage to admit it yesterday, was to vote in favor of a single payer system."

Rubio was referring to an effort by Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines on Thursday to force red state Democrats like Nelson on the record as to whether or not they support a single payer health care system. Instead, the majority of Senate Democrats, including liberals who support single payer like Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, voted "present" instead of yes or no.

"I don't think they (Democrats) are really interested in repealing and I'm not sure we would like the replacement they have in mind because single payer is not a good replacement," Rubio said. "It would make things far worse than what we see now."

Nelson said Friday he and Collins met earlier in the week to begin laying out ideas.

"While the imminent disaster of 20 percent rate hikes and 16 million people losing coverage has been avoided by the defeat of the Republicans health care bill, now is the time to come together and start working in a bipartisan way to stabilize the market and make health care more affordable," Nelson said.

Rubio said Friday he's "proud" to be in a party that includes moderates like Collins and hard-line conservatives like Utah Sen. Mike Lee, even if it makes it harder to pass legislation.

"I'd rather have them both and be a majority than have a more ideologically concise group but be in the minority," Rubio said.

Rubio, who said he knew that McCain was going to vote against the Obamacare repeal measure dubbed "skinny repeal" about an hour before the dramatic vote early Friday morning, said the effort to repeal Obamacare isn't dead despite Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announcing "it's time to move on" after the failed vote.

"I imagine dictatorships are a lot more efficient, but I wouldn't want to live in one," Rubio said.
@PatriciaMazzei

A group of nine House Democrats cautioned Friday against banning Venezuelan oil imports, a drastic sanction the Trump administration has considered imposing if the South American nation carries out an election Sunday for a national constituent assembly.

In a letter, the lawmakers asked Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who has been largely absent from the Venezuela issue, to work with other countries in the region to pursue negotiations between Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his opponents. Otherwise, they wrote, the U.S. risks triggering an"armed internal conflict [that] would undoubtedly provoke an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and would also likely lead to major disruptions in oil production."

"We would point out that U.S. unilateral sanctions in effect since 2015 and have done nothing to improve the political situation in the country," the lawmakers wrote Tillerson. "Instead, they were successfully exploited by the government to stoke nationalist resentment against U.S. 'imperialism,' undermining U.S. credibility as an impartial arbiter among Venezuelans."

The letter was signed by Democratic Reps. John Conyers, Jr. of Michigan, Ro Khanna of California, Mark Pocan of Wisconsin, Rosa L. DeLauro of Connecticut, Ruben Gallego of Arizona, James P. McGovern of Massachusetts, Barbara Lee of California, Henry C. 'Hank' Johnson, Jr. of Georgia, and Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II of Missouri.

This week, the U.S. sanctioned 13 Venezuelans tied to Maduro's government. An oil-sector sanction would represent a far more serious punishment. Friday's letter was drafted, circulated and sent within one day, in response to Wednesday's sanctions.

In pushing for negotiations, the lawmakers mentioned the past role of Pope Francis in trying to broker a Venezuelan peace. But the Vatican has stayed out of recent developments, after its initial talks went nowhere.

The lawmakers nevertheless urged further talks.

"These negotiations should seek to address both the political crisis, with the objective of achieving a democratic, electoral solution within Venezuelas constitutional framework, as well as the countrys economic crisis, for which foreign governments and multilateral institutions can be invited to contribute expertise and resources," the lawmakers wrote. "Talks must take into account legitimate concerns of retribution against both supporters and opponents of the government, and guarantee fundamental legal protections of both sides in the event of any political transition."

Legislators had no kind words for Maduro, who has no apparent friends left in Washington. The letter noted that falling oil prices, corruption and "some of the worst economic mismanagement in the world" have led to widespread Venezuelan food and medicine shortages that have prompted the current political and social crisis. More than 100 people have died in nearly four months of street protests.

Still, they said, an oil-import ban is not the answer.

At least one high-ranking Republican, Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, has also warned against an oil-import ban. The White House has said it is considering all options on Venezuela; an oil ban has the support of Miami Republican Reps. Carlos Curbelo, Mario Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. But a range of sanctions are possible, including financial restrictions aimed at limiting Venezuela's access to credit.

The opposition controls the democratically elected National Assembly, whose power would be wiped out by the new national constituent assembly to be elected Sunday.

Read the letter here.


@PatriciaMazzei

President Donald Trump has replaced Reince Priebus and named Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly his new chief of staff, the president announced in a series of tweets Friday.

I am pleased to inform you that I have just named General/Secretary John F Kelly as White House Chief of Staff. He is a Great American....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017

...and a Great Leader. John has also done a spectacular job at Homeland Security. He has been a true star of my Administration  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017

I would like to thank Reince Priebus for his service and dedication to his country. We accomplished a lot together and I am proud of him!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017

Trump praised Priebus to reporters in Washington.

"Reince is a good man," he said. "John Kelly will do a fantastic job. General Kelly has been a star, done an incredible job thus far, respected by everybody. He's a great great American. Reince is a good man."

Because all big stories have Miami ties: Kelly is the former head of U.S. Southern Command in Miami. Priebus is a University of Miami law school graduate.

Photo credit: Susan Walsh, Associated Press
Intel Corp. posted an increase in its quarterly profit while raising its forecast for earnings that showed it has for now been successful in fighting off attacks from its rivals across its core businesses.

Revenue increased by 9% from the same period one year ago for the quarter ending July 1 to just over $14.8 billion. Revenue was drive in part by the strength shown in its divisions that sell chips for industrial strength servers and personal computers.

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Shares of Intel were up close to 1% in trading afterhours on Thursday, after surging initially even higher, as the chip maker increased its forecast for revenue as well as earnings per share for the full year.

Intel had 93% of the close to $31 billion worldwide market for PCs calculating chips and approached a share of nearly 100% of the global $16.5 billion market for server processors in 2016, showed data from an online research firm.

Intel has spent heavily trying to spur growth in other areas, and some of that investment is starting to pay off now.

Intel CEO Brian Krzanich during a conference call said the company was executing very well its strategy to transform from a company that is PC-centric to one that is data-centric that powers the cloud as well as billions of smart and connected devices.

Total profit for the most recent three month period was higher by over 110% from the same three months in 2016, when Intel posted a big restructuring charge.

Excluding its restructuring charge, profit was up 23%. Intel is expecting adjust earnings for the fully year to be $3.00 per share with revenue of $61.3 billion. Previously it expected revenue of $60 billion and earnings per share of $2.85.

The server chips from Intel face increased competition from the graphic processors of Nvidia Corp which have proven to be quite efficient in certain artificial tasks.

Intel said it would launch its own Nervana chips that are AI-focused later in 2017.

In June, Advance Micro Devices or AMD launched an assault on server chips at Intel. Its line of Epyc chips is aimed at Intels lower half of the data-center offerings, which represented 80% of its sales for server chips in 2016.

Epyc reached the market late for it to be reflected in the results of either Intel or AMD for the second quarter.

Intel in July hit back with its upgraded line of chips for servers known as Xeon Scalable Platform to one up the performance of AMD.
Success in business is all about people, people, people. Whatever industry a company is in, its employees are its biggest competitive advantage.

 Richard Branson

Extend a cheerier than usual greeting to the Loblaws grocery clerk Saturday morning. Do not show a hint of irritation when she has to call for a price check. Think of something complimentary to help pass the time. Suggestion: I like what youve done with your hair!

Loblaws workers need all the love they can get now that the companys CEO, Galen G. Weston, has framed the move to increase the minimum wage in Ontario and Alberta as not a people issue, not a fair wage issue, but an irritating $190-million hole that will have to be filled somehow.

As the chief executives comment was made on an analysts conference call, we cant know if Weston was scratching through the corporate ledger with a quill pen as he warned of aggressive increases in the minimum wage, which will force the company to accelerate its hunt for cost efficiencies.

This is not what we expect from a progressive leader. This is especially not what we expect from a third-generation leader who has aligned himself with the reimagining capitalism campaign, with its focus on the long term and its rejection of the pressures for short termism. As a family firm, the Weston-controlled Loblaw Cos. Ltd. is meant to be an exemplar of patient capital. Weston himself even wrote a chapter in a book entitled, fittingly, Reimagining Capitalism. Family firms, the thesis goes, have the luxury of thinking in decades, not quarters.

The opportunity is there for Weston to position himself as a corporate thought leader, of which there are plenty in the world, though few in Canada.

In this instance, the fight for $15 campaign demands a contemplative response on the issues of inequity and the yawning wage gap. At a minimum, Weston could acknowledge that the companys people are assets, not just a cost centre.

Here are some numbers. Loblaw appears to be the largest company in the country measured by number of employees: more than 198,000 in its last annual report. The companys revenues for 2016 came in at $46.4 billion, a 46 per cent increase in four years. The companys 2016 net earnings: $990 million.

Westons personal compensation for 2016 was $7.5 million, including share based awards.

A decade ago I was writing about chronically empty Loblaws store shelves displaying out of stock signs with alarming frequency. The companys distribution was a mess, and even when it was under repair corporate executives lamented the chains inability to efficiently get product onto shelves.

And the odds were against the company successfully passing to third-generation leadership.

But Loblaw ably rose from its money-losing nadir, both through operational fixes and later the acquisition of T&T  the largest Asian supermarket in the country  and, substantially, Shoppers Drug Mart Corp.

Weston talks now about leveraging data and driving analytics forward. Through the PC Plus card and the Shoppers Optimum card the company controls two of the countrys most successful loyalty programs. The CEO is pleased with the roll out of fresh food at Shoppers urban markets, where self check kiosks will become standard. The blending of health and nutrition between the Shoppers and Loblaws brands appears a natural fit.

Consumers appear to like the Click and Collect online shopping option, which will be extended to more than 200 stores by year end from 140 stores at present. That seems a natural evolution from the self serve, no waiting groceterias that Theodore Pringle Loblaw launched nearly a century ago.

Is the Loblaw grocery offering at the cutting edge? No. And the company knows it.

Competition in the sector is ruthless. Galen Weston has in the past referred to Lidl and Aldi, both German based and aggressively expansive, as the type of company that could prove a threat in Canada.

What gets missed is the battle those two have waged in the U.K. to see which can become the highest paying supermarket, with both companies far surpassing not just mandated minimum wages, but wages recommended by the Living Wage Foundation.

In January, Aldi overtook Lidl by this measure. Heres Matthew Barnes, chief executive officer for Aldi U.K.: We recognise the valuable contribution that our thousands of store employees make every day. Their dedication and commitment is a key reason why Aldi is the UKs fastest-growing supermarket.

Oh right. It all comes down to people after all.

jenwells@thestar.ca

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When journalist Christine Pelisek moved from Ottawa to Los Angeles in the 1990s, she was stunned to learn violent murders there were as common as palm trees. At one point LA had six serial killers  six!  operating simultaneously.

What especially struck Pelisek, crime reporter for the alternative newspaper LA Weekly, was the inequity in community response. When a beautiful young blond student disappeared, the media went crazy.

But when 38 Black women and teen girls  many struggling with drug addictions  turned up dead in the seedy South Central area, their bodies dumped like garbage in squalid alleys, the community barely took notice. (Note to families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls: sound familiar?) As one homicide cop told Pelisek, The obvious difficulty in working these cases is no one cares.

Pelisek did. As she recounts in her true-crime memoir The Grim Sleeper: The Lost Women of South Central, in 2006 she started to doggedly pursue links among victims, interview grieving family members and prod detectives to reopen cold cases. In 2008 she broke the story that a ruthless serial killer was still at large. She and her editor nicknamed him the Grim Sleeper, based on an apparent hiatus in his decades-long rampage.

Her work lit a fire under city council and police. In 2010, advanced DNA testing led to the arrest of a 58-year-old local husband and father. He was convicted in 2016 of 10 murders, although he may have committed dozens more.

With insights into race and crime, universal grief and ultimate justice, The Grim Sleeper succeeds in being both disturbing and satisfying. The books main focus is neither the murderer nor Peliseks involvement. Its the victims. Each gets a chapter to herself, a family context, a photo. This is their story, Pelisek insists.

Some readers may accuse Pelisek  white, Canadian, professional (now with People Magazine)  of appropriating stories that werent hers to tell. The victims families, however, fully supported her involvement and credit her with being their voice in a system that dismissed them.

Journalist Marcia Kaye (marciakaye.com) is a frequent contributor to the Stars Books pages.

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EDMONTONPolice say they have seized nearly $4 million worth of fentanyl pills in Edmonton as part of a massive bust they believe to be Canadas largest of the powerful opioid.

An investigation into a group believed to be trafficking a large amount of drugs began in March.

Officers seized $2 million in fentanyl pills at an Edmonton home more than three weeks ago and then searched three more homes in the city, plus another in nearby Sturgeon County. It was there that police and RCMP officers found a house that had been made into a fentanyl pill-processing lab.

We know that this drug bust is very significant and we believe that we have saved a number of lives by taking all this fentanyl off the streets, Staff Sgt. Karen Ockerman with the Edmonton Police Services drug and gang unit said Friday.

Ockerman said police arent naive enough to think there arent any other labs out there.

But we think this had made a difference.

Read more:

Fentanyl suspected after eight overdoses in Durham region this weekend

Spike in fentanyl-related deaths forces Ontario to overhaul investigation process

Fentanyl crisis echoes mistakes of HIV/AIDS response: Watt

The investigation led to a total of 130,000 fentanyl pills being seized with an estimated street value of $3.9 million.

The bust also turned up four ounces of carfentanil  an opioid 100 times more powerful than fentanyl  along with cocaine, methamphetamine, cannabis extract, $1 million in cash and a pickup truck with a hidden compartment.

Other items seized included four cement mixers small enough for a person to carry and two pill presses that together can make 10,000 pills an hour, said Const. Jason Wells, who works on an RCMP unit focused on clandestine laboratories.

Its believed the cement mixers were used to mix the fentanyl with other agents and chemicals before making them into pills.

We had never seen it before. Our colleagues around the country with other clandestine lab teams had never seen it before, Wells said.

It was very interesting to us, they way they were doing it, being able to adapt and manipulate things, to mix and press out the pills the way they did.

Charges are pending, and police are not releasing the names of the suspects involved.

Wells said random swabs taken around the Sturgeon County house found traces of fentanyl. Alberta Health Services has deemed it unfit for human habitation.

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Families of murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls are pushing the thorny issue of policing to the forefront of the national inquiry.

The inquiry issued a statement on Thursday saying they can and will consider the conduct of policing services and policies across Canada in 14 federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions.

The move came after an emotional Wednesday evening at the Assembly of First Nations meeting in Regina, where many families took to the microphone to speak directly with inquiry commissioners Michele Audette and Brian Eyolfson, demanding they make police issues more of a priority in the probe. And on Thursday, the last day of the AFN meeting, debate centred on whether the chiefs should call on the current inquiry commissioners to resign  a resolution that failed.

On the issue of policing, the AFN heard from grieving families, including Delores Stevenson, the aunt of Nadine Machiskinic, who died in 2015 after falling down a laundry chute at the same hotel where the assembly was meeting.

Stevenson said we want justice for Nadine and we still dont have answers. At an inquest into Machiskinics death earlier this year a coroners jury reversed the police conclusions that this was an accident and changed her cause of death to undetermined.

AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde threw his support behind the families, calling on the inquiry to make sure the terms of reference are broad enough to include policing.

As national chief, I would encourage the commissioners to use their powers and push the envelope . . . to ensure that all police services are reviewed, that they (be) questioned, and hopefully some recommendations brought forward to fix what obviously is not working, Bellegarde said.

However, the inquiry noted in its statement that it has different powers in different regions. In British Columbia, the commissioners cannot make findings of misconduct, but in Ontario the commissioners can.

In all jurisdictions the national inquiry can refer information on specific cases back to authorities for reinvestigation. Currently, there is a forensic team reviewing police files, the statement said.

Maggie Cywink, Ontarios special adviser on the inquiry and sister of Sonya Cywink, who was found slain near London in 1994, said many families are still searching for answers as to what happened to their loved ones and how the police investigations were handled.

Justice comes in many forms. Police accountability is number one, said Cywink, who did not attend the AFN meeting. Sonyas murder is still unsolved.

Cywink noted it has been almost 12 months since the inquiry under Chief Commissioner Marion Buller was first announced. She called the inquirys statement on policing a last-ditch effort on the part of the inquiry to push this forward. After 12 months they are figuring this needs to be a priority? That is disturbing.

On Thursday, motions were put forward to revamp and bolster the inquiry, including the Manitoba chiefs calling on the commissioners to resign and be replaced.

Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron implored the chiefs not to lose another two years by removing the commissioners for mistakes made.

Things are flawed but we can fix it, said Cameron. The FSIN represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan.

But Arlen Dumas, the newly elected Grand Chief of the Manitoba Chiefs, refused to back down on the resolution to replace the commissioners.

If I wasnt able to provide tangible results, I wouldnt be here today. I cannot back down on my position demanding a reset and the commissioners must be replaced.

With files from The Canadian Press

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Dramatic surveillance video reportedly taken shortly before Peel police shot and seriously wounded a 15-year-old boy in Mississauga shows a male pointing a gun at a Pizza Pizza employees face, before the cashier reaches across the counter and grabs at it, attempting to snatch it away.

The Special Investigations Unit, the provinces police watchdog, was called in after the teen was shot at the Credit Valley Town Plaza near Britannia and Creditview Rds. at 1:50 a.m. Thursday.

The shooting happened after Peel police were called to the plaza for reports of a gas station robbery, SIU spokesperson Jason Gennaro said Thursday.

Three males were involved in the robbery. Two of them fled in a gray Audi that had been previously been reported stolen, said Peel police. Police found the Audi abandoned near Hurontario and King Sts. in Mississauga early Friday.

Both men are described as Black, 19- or 20-year-olds, between 5-feet-6 and six feet tall. One was heavyset with a black top and the other had a medium build and light-coloured clothes, said Peel police.

The third male attempted to rob another business and unsuccessfully tried to get into three occupied cars parked in the plaza, Gennaro said.

When Peel police arrived, an officer shot the 15-year-old boy near a Bank of Montreal branch. Paramedics rushed the boy to hospital with a gunshot wound to his torso. The 15-year-old is in serious but stable condition.

The surveillance video, obtained by CBC News, shows a male in a gray hoodie walking up to the Pizza Pizza counter. The male and a cashier talk for a moment, before he pulls a gun out of the pocket of his sweatshirt and point it at the face of the employee.

In a flash, the employee reaches for the gun and grabs the barrel, trying to snatch it out of the males hands. The teen doesnt lose his grip on it, however, so the employee lets go and backs up, hands in the air.

The video, which appears to be surveillance footage from inside the Pizza Pizza, doesnt have sound. Its not clear what happens after the video is over.

Staff at the Pizza Pizza on Friday declined to answer questions from the Star, redirecting them to the companys head office. The head office didnt immediately answer questions about what sort of training employees receive to help them deal with robbery situations.

Janet Wade-Hunt told reporters at the scene Thursday that an armed male tried to get into her car after the botched robbery. Wade-Hunt said she scared the boy off, and then called 911.

Wade-Hunt also said officers at the scene told her the boy pointed a gun at them  an account SIU havent confirmed  and that she heard several gunshots.

Investigators are asking any potential witnesses or people who may have dash cam or other video of the incident to come forward.

The SIU investigates cases involving police that result in death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.

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A Toronto-based member of the Canadian military has been charged with seven counts of voyeurism.

Master Warrant Officer Mardie Reyes of the 7th Toronto Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery was charged Friday by his commanding officer after allegedly recording video of Canadian armed forces members between May 2012 and June 2016.

He faces criminal charges and will be tried under Canadas military justice system.

Any form of inappropriate sexual behaviour is a threat to the morale and operational readiness of the CAF and is inconsistent with the values of the profession of arms, Commanding Officer of 7th Toronto Regiment Ryan Smid said of the charges in a press release Friday.

Eliminating harmful and inappropriate sexual behaviour within our ranks remains a top priority.

At the time that Reyess video camera was discovered in June 2016 he was a full-time reservist with the 4th Canadian Division Headquarters.

Reyes was arrested in October 2016 following a military police investigation, and his full-time contract was terminated in February 2017.

Capt. Cameron Hillier, a spokesperson for 7th Toronto Regiment, said that Reyes is currently a Class A reservist who is only paid when he is ordered to report to Moss Park Armoury or Denison Armoury.

He has been barred from service since February 2017.

Hillier said that, while the charges against Reyes do not fall under Operation Honour, an ongoing military-wide initiative to eliminate sexual misconduct in the Canadian ranks, the divisions response to the incident stems from that operation.

Reyes has served in the military for 26 years. He deployed to Afghanistan twice, and once to the Philippines as part of the Canadian Disaster Assistance Response Team following super typhoon Haiyan.

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Cabbagetown man Andrew Kinsman has been missing for a month.

This case has been actively investigated since first being reported, wrote Detective Sgt. Michael Richmond from Toronto Police division 51 in a statement posted on the Find Andrew Kinsman Facebook page on Wednesday.

This statement is the latest update in Kinsmans case since he was last seen in the early afternoon on June 26 at 71 Winchester St. as he worked on the property.

Kinsman, 49, is the superintendant for his building, and his neighbours were alerted to his disappearance when the garbage was not taken out and his cat was left unfed.

The disappearance is out of character for Kinsman, and, though there is no indication of foul play, police are calling the circumstances suspicious.

A missing persons investigator is working on the case.

Those close to Kinsman have been interviewed and the community has provided what information they know to police, the statement said. Police have followed up with what theyve been told, but no information has been provided or received which would assist in locating Mr. Kinsman.

As part of the investigation, police searched Kinsmans apartment. They have also looked into dating apps, such as Grindr and Scruff, for anything suspicious.

Richmonds statement said a police investigation into cellphone and app communications hasnt yielded any information yet. He also said looking into social media and cellphone communication is restricted because there needs to be evidence that a criminal offence was or will be committed to get a search warrant.

The statement also addressed concerns that Kinsmans disappearance is linked to 11 other missing men.

Connecting the disappearances is not factually correct and is misleading, Richmond wrote.

Five of the men were found alive and a sixth has died.

The disappearances of three others were investigated and the police searched for them. They did not find the men.

Although there is no information to link Kinsman to these three cases, police have not excluded the possibility the disappearances are connected, Richmond said.

He described how 51 division works with the LGBTQ2 community, as the disappearances come from the Church and Wellesley area.

I am going to suggest that 51 Division is a model of diversity, and that this is reflected in the service we provide to all the citizens of 51 Division. This includes the investigative efforts made with respect to Andrew Kinsman, he said.

A news conference is planned for next week. There is a balancing act associated with this, because there is a great deal of information which cannot be released in relation to this investigation, Richmond said.

Kinsman is about 62, has a medium-to-stocky build, buzz-cut hair, a beard and glasses. He often wears cargo shorts and brown leather Birkenstock sandals. He has vertical scars on both knees from past surgeries.

He also has two tattoos: an armband-type tattoo with wording on his right bicep and a tattoo with an expletive word on the left side of his chest.

With files from Alanna Rizza and Jaren Kerr

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Not sure who is the bigger bozo in this column: Andy Petrowski or Donald Trump.

Of course Petrowski, as a mere St. Catharines regional councillor, can only be accused of boondocks bozo-ism. Other guy is president of the most powerful nation on Earth.

And to be perfectly honest, the Tweeter-in-Chief is simply a drive-by blot on Petrowskis Twitter compulsions.

The councillor is all the time tweeting to Trump, sometimes four, five times a day. For reasons, he explained to the Star, which should be obvious: Because everybody following Trump can read my tweets.

Yes, its a humongous yip canvas and irresistible to this yokel politician, despite being snapped with a Twitter-leash by the Regional administration  forbidden to use his regional email account, indeed, suspended from all government-issued communications devices, after an embedded pornographic image was sent from his email account on May 29.

Not his doing, Petrowski insisted, of what was but the most recent scandale arising from his social media twitching. Somebody else got their dirty fingers on his left-open government-issued iPad and did the deed. A person Petrowski indicates he can identify, but chooses not to. He did apologize for the mass-mailing of a woman sitting on a stool, legs wide open.

Last week, about half an hour before Petrowski showed up for a council meeting  his appearance was brief and calculated to stop the clock running on Day 50 of a personal leave  he popped up on his personal Twitter account, posting a fake Trump tweet. It was a meme, he emphasizes to the Star, as if such a distinction is relevant.

In the meme, fake-Trump says: Regional Council is VERY weak. We need to be STRONG against radical liberal elites. SAD! Petrowski will defend taxpayers.

To which the real Petrowski responds: Thank you, Mr. President. Its time for everyone to come together to Make Our Countries Great Again!

It can get brain-cramping, sifting out real news from FAKE NEWS, Trumps most notable contribution to the lexicon of neologism. Well, apart from covfefe, which was, at least, amusing.

I thought it would be funny, says Petrowski of his phony Trump thing.

Such a riot, Petrowski, especially when railing against FAKE NEWS media. Social media, he claims, is his only means for subverting all his enemies in legacy media, the way they twist his words and edit out pertinent quotes. Which is why hes not doing interviews anymore. Except he cant help himself and . . . does interviews, such as this one, ranging far afield in his screeds against Liberals, liberals, lefties, pathetic fellow councilors, and, most particularly, the Regions integrity commissioner  a complete lunatic  who, a couple of weeks before the notorious porn thing, recommended (it was accepted) that Petrowski apologize for previous code-of-conduct violations and agree not to use his Twitter account in a manner that contravenes that code.

There were at least three separate incidents investigated by the commissioner. In the past, a text message was sent from his phone to Police Chief Jeff McGuire that read, hello clown are you a tyrant? and he has tweeted bilge attacking gays, President Barack Obama, Muslims, refugees and (via website links on re-tweets) Jews.

So, this is what Petrowski has to say about the reprimand passed against him:

Im not apologizing.

Im not going to make any retractions on my Twitter account.

Im not taking any bogus sensitivity training.

The sensitivity training is a condition of his return to council.

Now, Im no fan of sensitivity bunkum; it is of dubious usefulness when imposed. But council did pass that motion on June 8, voting to suspend Petrowski from all council committees, etc., until he submitted and got his head screwed on right.

Petrowski counters that council has no jurisdictional right to pile on demands  the sensitivity training, the apology  and that the reprimand has already been duly accepted, done, finito.

Once youve been reprimanded, there are no other options. The integrity commissioner recommended a public reprimand and then he piled on with his own penalties. Hes a complete lunatic. He doesnt understand the law.

Theyre just piling on these ridiculous left-wing motions to a complaint where Ive never even been told who the complainants are. Sensitivity training according to who? Kathleen Wynne? Justin Trudeau? They want me to go somewhere to change the way I think and the way I express myself, my freedom of expression.

Why dont we just add lethal injection?

Its tempting.

Dropping into council last week, that was strategy. Under the Municipal Act, a councillor can be on leave for a maximum of three months, after which that individuals seat becomes vacant and council decides how to fill it.

Aha! Petrowski suspects a plot. Because council takes all of August off, the next meeting is not scheduled until mid-September, by which time Petrowski will be beyond the limit. The cameo appearance last Friday was intended to dodge that possibility.

Lord knows its safe to say council would like to be rid of this chronic embarrassment. Regional chair Alan Caslin had said  before the personal leave was announced  that he would ask Petrowski to resign.

Petrowski wont say why he took leave. Ive never called it a medical leave.

Next tweak of the Petrowski Plan: Showing up for one of the committee meetings on which he sits. Lets see what happens. Will the chair ignore me or not?

Keeping him away from boards and committees  all part of the plot to remove him from the rough and tumble of regional politics. They are denying my ability to fight for my constituents. Its a canard, a distraction, using stupid tools to take the public and the medias attention off of council business. Like taxes and profligate public works projects and left-wing agendas  the Gospel according to Rob Ford, or Donald Trump, come to that.

Returning to his FAKE NEWS mock Trump tease. I mean, really. Would anyone think the president of the United States would waste his time on Niagara?

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While Toronto police say theyre not linking the disappearance this year of two men near the Church and Wellesley area, they announced Friday a dedicated team to focus on solving both cases.

Andrew Kinsman, 49, was last seen June 26, and Selim Esen, 44, was last seen April 14.

Police are treating both cases as suspicious and say their disappearances are out of character.

Theres currently no evidence that the cases are connected or that foul play was involved, police said. However, officers will be running parallel investigations so that they can share information. Officers assigned to these investigations will be taken off their other caseloads.

It allows the investigators to dedicate their time and resources to solving these cases, said police spokesperson Meaghan Gray, who said they cant exclude the possibility the cases might be connected.

Gray said officers are also working with a homicide investigator to review information.

Three men linked to the Church and Wellesley community were also reported missing between 2010 and 2012, and never found. Police said they havent found a connection to these older cases, but are not ruling out that possibility.

A community town hall has been planned for Tuesday to discuss growing concerns over Torontos missing 2LGBTQA* individuals. Police from the team will be attending the meeting, taking place at The 519 community centre.

Organizer Greg Downer said the town hall will be a place for people to discuss their concerns and talk about ways to prevent future disappearances. Downer, whos been actively involved in the search efforts for Kinsman, said he wants to create infrastructure to support others with missing loved ones.

Andrew (Kinsman) was well connected to the community, so the response has been overwhelming, Downer said. But theres a lot of people who just dont have that.

A statement attributed to Det.-Sgt. Michael Richmond was posted this week on the Find Andrew Kinsman Facebook page,

addressingcommunity concerns that Kinsmans disappearance is linked to 11 other missing men.

Richmond said that connecting the disappearances is not factually correct and is misleading, as five of the men were found alive and a sixth has died. He noted that police have not ruled out a possible connection to the three men who went missing between 2010 and 2012.

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (Ward 27, Toronto Centre-Rosedale) said police needed to be clearer and more consistent in their communication, to avoid false information from spreading. Wong-Tam said that the investigative team and police statement is a welcome step.

In the absence of clear information from the police, obviously there was some social media chatter and people were starting to worry, she said.

Esen was last seen near Bloor and Yonge Sts. He was quite familiar with the Church and Wellesley area, police said, and frequents the Ted Rogers Way area. Police described Esen as being 510 and 150 lbs, with brown eyes, brown hair and a full beard. Police said he was often in possession of a silver suitcase with wheels.

Richard Harrop, whos been friends with Esen for roughly three years, describes him as a good and loving person, with a big heart. Harrop said Esen was originally from Turkey.

Kinsman was last seen at 71 Winchester St. where hes superintendant of the building near Wellesley and Parliament Sts.

Kinsman is described as 64 and 220 lbs, with brown hair and a full beard. Police say he has a tattoo on his right arm with the word Queer and another tattoo with an expletive on the right side of his chest.

Police say both men were active on dating apps.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

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The moral obligations of playwrights in tumultuous political times is the underlying theme of this year's Colony, a playwrights' gathering held in Missoula.

The question is bluntly stated in a public forum set for Tuesday: "What and why do we write now? What are the priorities?"

Greg Johnson, the artistic director of the Montana Repertory Theatre, said the question has come up repeatedly since the November election.

"How do we in the theater profession address this cultural, political and social phenomenon that is the era of (President Donald) Trump?" he said.

The most prominent incident in the theater world was a New York "Shakespeare in the Park" production of "Julius Caesar" in June, in which the tale of the Roman emperor was staged with contemporary costumes. The assassination of a Trump-like Caesar drew on-stage protests and online outrage.

In another example Johnson cited, Pulitzer Prize-winner Tony Kushner ("Angels in America") said he's working on a play about Trump.

"Every artistic director in the country is thinking about this right now," he said.

"All playwrights want to have the ability to speak to their times and have the universal appeal that their words will last," he said. "That's the real ambition for all playwrights that I know."

He cited the way that Shakespeare addressed Elizabethan politics, yet his works are still performed hundreds of years later.

The 22nd annual gathering, which is hosted by the Rep, a professional theater in residence at the University of Montana. At the weeklong event, playwriting students will attend intimate workshops with visiting writers.

The guests will share staged readings of brand-new plays for the public, and by week's end the students will have produced a 10-minute script.

This year's guests are John Biguenet, Deborah Zoe Laufer and Larissa FastHorse.

Biguenet, a New Orleans novelist and playwright, will deliver a Thursday keynote address titled, "Questions, Not Answers," in which he argues that the stage is "a forum in which a community contemplates its most pressing questions."

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Biguenet was recruited as a guest columnist for the New York Times. He wrote a trilogy of plays, "Rising Water," that addressed the hurricane from different perspectives.

Biguenet will present a staged reading of a new work, "The Trouble with White People."

Local theater-goers may have seen the Rep's 2014 production of his one-witch play, "Broomstick."

Deborah Zoe Laufer has visited the Colony multiple times, including the second-ever event, which helped her earn a scholarship to Juilliard School.

The Rep has presented her work in Missoula before, including a 2015 presentation of "Leveling Up," a play that tackled the prescient subject of post-traumatic stress disorder and drone warfare.

Laufer's new script, "Be Here Now," delves into "interpersonal relationships," Johnson said.

FastHorse, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and the Sicangu Lakota Nation, will present "Cow Pie Bingo." Johnson said it has serious and comedic content in the context of a mountainous plain state just like Montana.

The three will take part in that public forum Tuesday. Johnson said he's discussed the premise with all of them in advance, and promises a lively exchange as they all have strong and often opposing points of view.

This year, organizers limited the number of workshop participants, so each guest could mentor three writers, some of whom will be familiar to Missoula theater-goers. This year, they are Heather Cahoon, Cathy Capps, Jordan Chesnut, Martha Elizabeth, Leah Joki, Julie Kahl, Shannon Sivertsen, Evan Smith and Maria Yost.

On Saturday, Aug. 5, they'll present the 10-minute plays that they've produced during the week. Johnson hopes that after a week of incubation, they'll provide an "interesting evening of strong points of view about social-political issues," he said.
Operations at Pearson airport appeared to be running smoothly Friday despite a strike by about 700 ground crew workers.

The workers employed by Swissport handle baggage and cargo, tow planes, clean cabins and perform flight operations tasks for more than 30 airlines, including British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, Emirates, Sunwing and Air Transat.

So far, it is business as usual and we will be keeping a close watch to ensure that it remains this way, Swissport Canadas vice-president of operations Pierre Payette said in the morning.

Air Canada said it wont be affected by the strike as it operates its own baggage handling. WestJet isnt affected either because it uses a different company.

Major U.S. airlines, Delta, United and American, are not on the list of companies Swissport serves.

More than 30 striking members of Teamster Local Union 419 were marching up and down the departures area of Terminal 3, after walking off the job Thursday night. Wearing their green and white union shirts, the workers were holding up strike signs and chanting 419 as people come into the airport.

A few passengers said there has been no significant delays and services continue to run smoothly.

Justin Edwards, a Canadian pro basketball player who plays in the Hungarian league, said it was actually pretty quick.

More than 700 crew members employed by Swissport went on strike Friday after rejecting the companys offer. Their last collective agreement expired Sunday.

Weve been in negotiations with Swissport since March, both parties are very far apart on a lot of key issues, monetary and non-monetary, said Teamster Local Union 419 vice-president Harjinder Badial.

We want to get back to the table and hammer things out, but well be here as long as it takes.

Read more: 700 baggage handlers, ground crew at Pearson Airport on strike

Expect a longer wait at Pearson Airport as enhanced security begins today for U.S.-bound flights

Badial said passengers should expect to deal with lost luggage, significant delays and flight cancellations during the strike.

Payette said the company is shocked that the workers rejected their offer. He said the proposal presented was well above what their direct competitors at Pearson provide their employees.

It included compensation increases for all employees; equal pay for equal seniority; faster access to competitive group insurance benefits; and provisions to promote a better work life balance, Payette said in a statement.

According to the union, Swissport is trying to impose a three-year wage freeze on most of the workers. It said the company also wants staff to work a minimum of 30 hours a week to get full benefits, and the right to change schedules with 96 hours notice.

Jay Nariyan, a crew member for 16 years, said the Swissport workers are striking because theyre not respected.

Theyre cutting our benefits, they want full control of our scheduling, which means one day you could work mornings, next day you could work nights, next day youre working overnights, Nariyan said. They want to have the power to change our schedule with 96 hours notice.

Nariyan said the workers dont want to inconvenience the public but the strike is the only way to get their voices heard.

The union has also taken issue with the companys decision to hire 250 temporary workers last May.

Were shocked at how Swissport is willing to sacrifice airport safety and jeopardize travel plans to gain an upper hand at the barraging table, Badial said.

According to the union, crew members are required to train for three to four weeks. It said temporary workers only received three to four days of training that led to several accidents, cases of lost luggage and even damage to a plane.

Definitely not (up to par), even when we were working with them. We had no choice, we had to work with them, theyre causing damage to aircrafts, some of them are getting injured, Nariyan said.

Payette denies the allegations of temporary workers being undertrained, cases of luggage lost, and damages on a plane.

All of our workers  employees and agency workers  receive the training that is appropriate for their roles, he said. All workers go through the same process that is mandated by Transport Canada and managed by the GTAA.

Airport officials are asking for passengers to check with their airlines on the status of their flights before heading to Pearson.

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Think of it as Reefer Awareness, not Reefer Madness, an over-the-top 1936 film preaching the evils of marijuana.

With less than a year until the federal government legalizes recreational marijuana, Ontario is starting work on a public education campaign to highlight health and other dangers of pot  particularly to young adults.

Health Minister Eric Hoskins wants the effort to hit the airwaves, newspapers and social media well before the new pot law kicks in next July 1 with 19 the likely age of majority in this province.

Theres strong evidence that the brain continues to develop up until roughly the age of 25 and evidence that cannabis use can negatively impact that, he says.

That means possible memory problems, struggling with math and reading, general learning difficulties and a higher likelihood of becoming addicted to marijuana the younger someone starts, depending on usage levels, research suggests.

The key to all of this is very strong public education so that parents and kids understand what the risks are, like with alcohol, adds Hoskins, a physician himself.

Its about informed decision-making.

The Canadian Medical Association and other health-care groups have been ramping up warnings about the use of cannabis by people under 25 as policies are being developed in Ottawa and provincial capitals.

Children and youth are especially at risk for marijuana-related harms, given their brain is undergoing rapid, extensive development, the association wrote in its latest brief to the federal government.

Our understanding of the health effects of marijuana continues to evolve. Marijuana use is linked to several adverse health outcomes, including addiction, cardiovascular and pulmonary effects (e.g., chronic bronchitis), mental illness, and other problems, including cognitive impairment and reduced educational attainment. There seems to be an increased risk of chronic psychosis disorders, including schizophrenia, in persons with a predisposition to such disorders. The use of high potency products, higher frequency of use and early initiation are predictors of worse health outcomes.

Health Minister Jane Philpott says protecting kids is ?at the centre? of the Liberals? new legal-marijuana regime. The much-anticipated legislation unveiled Apr. 13 would make it against the law to sell cannabis to youth unde

Pot use in the 15 to 24 age group is double that of the general population, the CMA noted in an earlier submission to the House of Commons, warning awareness of Canadians to the harms of marijuana is generally low.

Hoskins promised a substantial public education campaign to point out the dangers of pot, and is taking a leaf from policy makers in Colorado, where marijuana is already legal.

One of the things that they have pointed out is that they wish, in retrospect, they had moved on the public education significantly before it became legal. They didnt and so Im taking that principle to heart. We cant wait until July 1, he adds.

It doesnt necessarily need to be hard-hitting. It needs to be memorable but, again, its what is the best way to get information across?

Colorados Department of Public Health & Environments campaign includes online tip sheets with advice for youth, parents, pregnant women and on health impacts in general.

In many cases, the warnings are blunt: Brain development is not complete until age 25. For the best chance to reach their full potential, youth should not use marijuana.

The tip sheet for parents says do not allow smoking in your home or around children. Marijuana smoke is not healthy. It has many of the same cancer-causing chemicals as tobacco smoke.

Pregnant women and new mothers are cautioned about pot use, given that marijuana can pass into the womb and make it harder for the child to pay attention and learn. The active ingredient in marijuana, THC, can also get into breast milk.

Colorado also debunks some myths in its campaign, such as arguments like since its legal, it must be safe and since its natural, it must be safe.

While Hoskins has heard the push from some quarters to make the age of majority for marijuana higher than 19 for health reasons, he says that risks leaving a larger black market the federal legislation is intended to quash.

If its too highthat age group is going to continue to find it in the illicit market.

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Premier Kathleen Wynne is hinting at something appetizing for restaurateurs anxious about looming changes to Ontarios labour laws.

With the government raising the $11.40-an-hour minimum wage to $14 on Jan. 1, and $15 in 2019, and improving employees rights on scheduling, Wynne has been trying to allay the fears of restaurant operators.

We want to be fair to businesses and, as well, to employees, the premier said Friday at St. Clair College in Windsor.

Restaurant owners, in particular, have talked to me about other fees that they pay . . . other things that come off their off their payroll cheques; some of the fees that they pay to some of the . . . , you know, to the LCBO, for example, said Wynne, referring to the provinces liquor monopoly.

We dont know exactly what those will be, but there are a number of suggestions that are coming forward. Were looking at everything, because, as I say, I want us to find this balance.

As part of the proposed wage changes, liquor servers, who make most of their money from tips, will see their minimum hourly wage jump from $9.90 now to $12.20 on Jan. 1, and $13.05, the year after that.

James Rilett, a vice-president of Restaurants Canada, which represents 30,000 businesses across the country, said the industry is watching Wynnes moves closely.

Rilett, who is meeting with Small Business Minister Jeff Leal next week and will be talking soon with Finance Minister Charles Sousa, said there is much the government can do to offset the impact of the reforms on business.

I think theyre realizing that the economics of this arent as straightforward as they one thought.

Asked if he is sensing flexibility on the part of the Liberal government, he said: I hope so. I still dont know.

Ill give them the benefit of the doubt. I hope they intended to give us some assistance, and well continue to work with them and see how it pans out, he said.

Last week, Restaurants Canada released a survey of its members that found 95 per cent of restaurateurs believe the wage hike will hurt them. The poll found 98 per cent will raise menu prices; 97 per cent will reduce labour hours; 81 per cent will lay off staff; 74 per cent will embrace more automation, and 26 per cent would close one or more locations.

The restaurant industry is a major part of Ontarios economy; it generates $32 billion a year and employs more than 470,000 people in the province.

Rilett noted some restaurateurs are already slowly raising prices to lessen the chance of sticker shock for consumers in next year.

Wynne said she appreciates the concerns of business, but stressed that people cant live on $11.40 an hour and they deserve a raise.

By increasing the minimum wage, were actually creating a situation where businesses, I suggest, will be able to retain their workers because the playing field will be more level, the premier said, conceding she is trying to strike a delicate balance.

We have to be careful that we dont come up with unintended consequences.

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NEW YORKA Chinese billionaire who wanted to build a United Nations centre in Macau was convicted on Thursday of paying more than $1.7 million (U.S.) in bribes to UN ambassadors to get it done.

The verdict was returned after a day of deliberations in Manhattan federal court against Ng Lap Seng, one of Chinas richest men. Ng was convicted of bribery, conspiracy and money laundering charges.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Ng from 2010 to 2015 bribed two UN ambassadors, including a UN General Assembly president, paying one $50,000 monthly at the schemes peak to create a centre to serve struggling Southern Hemisphere nations.

Defence lawyers contended the payments were ordinary. But the centre was never built.

Ng looked at jurors as the verdict was announced but otherwise did not display emotion.

Read more:Trial postponed for Chinese billionaire who allegedly bribed UN official

U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick tightened Ngs bail conditions, saying he was now literally under house arrest, confined under $50 million bail to a luxury Manhattan apartment where he has remained for most months under 24-hour guard since his September 2015 arrest.

He cannot leave that apartment. No ifs, ands or buts about that, the judge said.

No sentencing date was set. Ng, 69, could face up to 65 years in prison.

Ngs lawyer, Tai Park, did not immediately comment. After the verdict, he told the judge there were multiple avenues for appeal.

Nothing has changed other than the presumption of innocence is no longer there, Park said. Weve been preparing him for this eventuality.

In a statement, Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said Ng corrupted the highest levels of the United Nations.

Through bribes and no-show jobs, Ng turned leaders of the league of nations into his private band of profiteers, Kim said.

The verdict was a triumph for prosecutors who navigated thorny legal issues surrounding immunity given to UN diplomats before winning the co-operation of suspended Dominican Republic Ambassador Francis Lorenzo, who pleaded guilty to charges and testified against Ng.

Lorenzo said Ng initially paid him $20,000 a month as president of a media organization before boosting that by $30,000 a month with instructions to get Ngs construction company named on official UN documents as the company that would build the Macau centre.

In closing arguments, Assistant U.S. Attorney Janis Echenberg said Ng paid more than $1.7 million in bribes to build a UN facility as big as New Yorks, to create the Geneva of Asia. She said Ng corrupted the United Nations.

Brick by brick, bribe by bribe, the defendant built the path that he thought would build his legacy, she said.

In closing, Park derided the prosecution as frankly outrageous.

It falls by its own weight, he said. Its a big zero.

He blamed the ambassadors  former UN General Assembly President John Ashe and Lorenzo  for manipulating Ng.

Mr. Ng literally threw his money in every direction he was asked, Park said.

Ashe, who was arrested in the case but was not charged with bribery, died last year in an accident at his home.

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WASHINGTONSean Spicer endured all manner of humiliation as Donald Trumps press secretary. But when Trump hired Anthony Scaramucci on Friday, Spicer quit immediately.

We now know why.

Scaramucci, the fast-talking financier Trump appointed last week as communications director, insulted two of his top administration colleagues in a shockingly vulgar Wednesday interview that exposed deep internal divisions and raised questions about his judgment, temperament and basic competence.

Trump himself has made a sport of violating traditional standards of political speech. But Scaramuccis choice of words while speaking to a New Yorker journalist was next-level astonishing, the White House equivalent of new kid in school standing on a cafeteria table and shouting slurs at the senior class.

Trumps team of political novices is known for vicious infighting the president is said to enjoy and encourage. Its battles, however, are usually conducted behind the scenes and via anonymous quotes. There is no modern precedent for the presidents chief communicator lambasting his colleagues on the record, especially in such lewd terms.

Did you read that story? This guys f---ing out of his mind, said Rick Tyler, a former communications director for Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and now an MSNBC analyst.

Scaramucci is a well-dressed, well-coiffed Wall St. businessman with no experience in government but a Trump-impressing proficiency in combat on cable television. His good-natured public debut in the White House briefing room on Friday was appraised by U.S. journalists as smooth and slick.

Since then, however, he has done so many strange things in the course of his twin wars against leaks and embattled Trump chief of staff Reince Priebus that a media observer for the Washington Post described him as a walking, talking, leak-busting disaster.

With Trumps apparent blessing, Scaramucci has waged a public campaign to humiliate Priebus into resigning. In his jaw-dropping, unsolicited Wednesday phone call to Ryan Lizza, the New Yorkers Washington correspondent, Scaramucci said: Reince is a f---ing paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac.

Of Steve Bannon, Trumps chief strategist, Scaramucci said: Im not Steve Bannon, Im not trying to suck my own c--k.

He also accused Priebus of having c--k-blocked him from a White House job for months, said he wanted to f---ing kill all the leakers, claimed that he had called the Department of Justice to accuse Priebus of a felony, referred to himself as the Mooch, and said he had to end the call to try to inflame Priebus via Twitter.

Gotta start tweeting some s--- to make this guy crazy, he said.

Scaramucci promised Thursday to tone down his vocabulary, but he offered no apologies.

I sometimes use colorful language. I will refrain in this arena but not give up the passionate fight for @realDonaldTrumps agenda, he said on Twitter.

He had a bizarre 24 hours even before the New Yorker published the interview.

After he told Lizza he was going on Twitter to intentionally irk Priebus, he tweeted that he was planning to contact the FBI in light of the leak of my financial disclosure info, which is a felony.

In fact, no leak had occurred; the disclosure form was public information, available upon request. But Scaramucci told the New Yorker that he had indeed called the FBI and the Department of Justice, a remarkable breach of the traditional separation between the White House and justice officials.

He also tagged Priebus in the tweet, clearly suggesting he thought Priebus was the leaker. But when journalists correctly reported that this was the suggestion, he deleted the tweet and said their inference was wrong.

Then, on Thursday morning, he called in to a live CNN show to offer a third story. It went as follows: He was not suggesting Priebus was the leaker, but since journalists assumed he was suggesting this, Priebus probably was a leaker.

So if Reince wants to explain that hes not a leaker, let him do that, he said.

His call to Lizza was not even the first false leak accusation of Scaramuccis first week.

On Tuesday, he told Politico that he was firing assistant press secretary Michael Short, a Priebus ally he had not yet personally informed. Then he falsely complained to reporters that the news he broke himself had been nefariously leaked.

The fact that you guys know about it before he does really upsets me as a human being and as a Roman Catholic. I should have the opportunity if I have to let somebody go to let the person go in a very humane, dignified way, he said. Because he probably has a family, right?

Christina Reynolds, former director of media affairs for Barack Obamas White House and now senior vice-president at the Global Strategy Group, said administrations are most effective when the staff is driving the presidents message, not nursing petty grudges and attacking each other.

Scaramuccis rant seized headlines as Senate Republicans were struggling to pass something resembling a repeal of some part of Obamacare. Some Democrats worried that the circus in Trumps orbit would again distract from more important issues.

Hey Im as amazed/shocked/fascinated by the Mooch thing as the rest of us but health care bill is about to become law. Eyes on the ball, Hawaii Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz said on Twitter.

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SHARIYA CAMP, IRAQThe 16-year-old lies on her side on a mattress on the floor, unable to hold up her head. Her uncle props her up to drink water, but she can barely swallow. Her voice is so weak, he places his ear directly over her mouth to hear her.

The girl, Souhayla, walked out of the most destroyed section of Mosul this month, freed after three years of captivity and serial rape when her Daesh captor was killed in an airstrike. Her uncle described her condition as shock. He had invited reporters to Souhaylas bedside so they could document what the terror groups system of sexual abuse had done to his niece.

This is what they have done to our people, said Khalid Taalo, her uncle.

Read more:

Put Daesh on trial for atrocities against Yazidis: Fahmy

Yazidis who suffered genocide are fleeing once again  but this time not from Daesh

U.S.-backed Syrian fighters capture almost half of Daeshs de facto capital

Since the operation to take back Mosul began last year, approximately 180 women, girls and children from the Yazidi ethnic minority who were captured in 2014 by the Daesh, also known as ISIS or ISIL, have been liberated, according to Iraqs Bureau for the Rescue of Abductees.

Women rescued in the first two years after Daesh overran their ancestral homeland came home with infections, broken limbs and suicidal thoughts. But now, after three years of captivity, women like Souhayla, and two others seen last week by reporters, are far more damaged, displaying extraordinary signs of psychological injury.

Very tired, unconscious and in severe shock and psychological upset were the descriptions used by Dr. Nagham Nawzat Hasan, a Yazidi gynecologist who has treated more than 1,000 of the rape victims.

We thought the first cases were difficult, Hasan said. But those after the liberation of Mosul, they are very difficult.

The shock expresses itself in women and girls who sleep for days on end, seemingly unable to wake up, said Hussein Qaidi, the director of the abductee rescue bureau. Ninety per cent of the women coming out are like this, he said, for at least part of the time after their return.

Both Souhayla and her family asked that she be identified as well as photographed, in an effort to shed light on their communitys suffering. Her uncle posted her image on Facebook immediately after her release with a description of what Daesh had done to her.

For over a year, Taalo said, he had known his nieces location, as well as the name of the Daesh fighter holding her. He enlisted the help of a smuggler who at great risk photographed Souhayla through the window of the house where she was being held and sent the images to her family.

But it was too perilous to try a rescue.

Souhayla escaped on July 9, two days after an airstrike collapsed a wall in the building where she was being held, burying another Yazidi girl who had been held alongside her and killing the captor who had abused them, her uncle said.

At that point, she was strong enough to clamber through the rubble and make her way to the first Iraqi checkpoint.

When her family drove to pick her up, she ran to embrace them.

I ran to her and she ran to me and we started crying and then we started laughing as well, said Taalo, the brother of Souhaylas father, who remains missing after the Daesh took over their hometown. We stayed like that, holding each other, and we kept crying and laughing until we fell to the ground.

But within hours, she stopped speaking, he said.

By the time they reached the camp where her mother and extended family had found refuge after Daesh overran their village, Souhayla slipped into what appeared to be unconsciousness. The doctors who examined her have prescribed antibiotics for a urinary tract infection. She also shows signs of malnutrition.

Neither explain her extreme symptoms, said her family and one of the doctors who examined her.

Im happy to be home, she whispered with difficulty into her uncles ear, in response to a reporters question, but Im sick.

The Daesh had been ruling Mosul for two months in 2014 when the groups leaders set their sights on Sinjar, a 95-kilometre-long, yellow massif to the north. Its foothills and mountain villages have long been the bedrock of life for the Yazidi, a tiny minority who account for less than 2 per cent of Iraqs population of 38 million.

The centuries-old religion of the Yazidi revolves around worship of a single God, who in turn created seven sacred angels. These beliefs led Daesh to label the Yazidi as polytheists, a perilous category in the terrorist groups nomenclature.

Relying on a little-known and mostly defunct corpus of Islamic law, Daesh argued that the minoritys religious standing rendered them eligible for enslavement.

On Aug. 3, 2014, convoys of fighters sped up the escarpment, fanning out across the adjoining valleys. Among the first towns they passed on their way up the mountain was Til Qasab, with its low-slung concrete buildings surrounded by plains of blond grass.

Thats where Souhayla, then 13, lived.

A total of 6,470 Yazidis on the mountain were abducted, according to Iraqi officials, including Souhayla. Three years later, 3,410 remain in captivity or unaccounted for, Qaidi of the abductee rescue bureau said.

For the first two years of her captivity, Souhayla made her way through the Daeshs system of sexual slavery, raped by a total of seven men, she and her uncle said.

When the push for Mosul began, she was moved progressively deeper into the area hardest hit by the conflict, as security forces squeezed the terrorist group into a sliver of land near the Tigris River. The area was pummeled by artillery, airstrikes and car bombs, and strafed by helicopter-gunship fire.

As Daesh began losing its grip on the city, Souhaylas captor cut her hair short, like a boys. She understood he was planning to try to slip past Iraqi security forces, disguised as a refugee, and take her with him, her uncle said.

Taalo now spends his days nursing his niece back to health. To sit up, she grasped one of the metal ribs holding up her familys tent and pulled herself into a sitting position, as her uncle pushed from behind. But soon her strength was sapped, and she flopped back down.

He used a washcloth to dab her forehead as she lay in his lap. Her mouth fell open and her eyes rolled back.

After her escape, almost two weeks passed before she was able to stand for more than a few minutes, her legs unsteady.

Officials say recent escapees are also showing an unusual degree of indoctrination.

Two Yazidi sisters, ages 20 and 26, arrived at the Hamam Ali 1 refugee camp, where they drew the attention of camp officials because they wore face-covering niqabs and refused to take them off, despite the fact that Yazidi women do not cover their faces.

They described the Daesh fighters who raped them as their husbands and as martyrs, said Muntajab Ibraheem, a camp official and director of the Iraqi Salvation Humanitarian Organization.

In their arms were the three toddlers they had given birth to in captivity, the children of their rapists. But they refused to nurse them, said the smuggler sent by their family to fetch them. He and camp officials filled out paperwork so that the children could be given to the state, he said.

A video recorded on the smugglers phone shows what happened when the sisters saw their family for the first time after their return. Their relatives rushed to embrace the gaunt women. They cried.

Their mother, distraught, stepped behind the tent, trying to steady herself.

A day after the video was taken, reporters went to see the women, and they could no longer stand. They lay on mattresses inside the plastic walls of their tent.

Despite the loud voices around them and the flow of visitors, despite their mothers wail, they did not budge.

Cars pulled up outside, bringing relatives carrying pallets of orange soda. They left the tent, hands over their mouths, trying to hold back sobs.

Family members said that except for a few brief moments, the women have not awakened since then, over a week ago.

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WASHINGTONRepublican finger-pointing commenced after the Senates dark-of-night defeat of the GOPs flagship effort to repeal much of the Obama health care law in a startling vote that dealt a blistering blow to U.S. President Donald Trump.

"They should have approved health care last night," Trump said in Brentwood, N.Y., where he delivered remarks on gang violence. "But you can't have everything."

The skinny repeal bill  erasing several parts of President Barack Obamas law  was rejected just before 2 a.m. EST on a vote of 51-49. All Democrats were joined by GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and the ailing John McCain.

3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down, Trump tweeted early Friday after GOP leaders failed to patch party divisions and the Senate rejected a last-ditch bill to keep the effort alive. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!

All Democrats were joined by GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and the ailing John McCain. The 80-year-old Arizona senator made a dramatic return to the Capitol Tuesday after being diagnosed with brain cancer, when he cast a decisive procedural vote that for a time advanced the legislation.

Read more: What happened on the night John McCain killed Donald Trumps signature health-care plan, ending a 7-year GOP fight

Following rejection of two broader GOP repeal plans earlier in the week, the early Friday vote cast doubt on whether divided Senate Republicans can advance any health bill despite seven years of promises to repeal Obamacare.

In a statement, McCain called the Senates inability to craft wide-ranging legislation inexcusable. He said lawmakers should write a bill with input from all of our members, Republicans and Democrats and stop the political gamesmanship.

House leaders had no hesitation about blaming the Senate for the collapse of one of the GOPs paramount priorities. In a statement, Republican Speaker Paul Ryan pointedly said the House delivered a bill and said he was disappointed and frustrated. Nearly three months earlier, the House approved its health care package after several embarrassing setbacks.

He added, But we should not give up. I encourage the Senate to continue working toward a real solution that keeps our promise.

Underscoring the Houses view of where the fault lie, leaders opened a morning meeting of the chambers GOP lawmakers by playing audio of Gordon Lightfoots The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, which recounts the 1975 wreck of a freighter in Lake Superior. Several lawmakers said House deputy whip Patrick McHenry told them the song was meant as a reference to the Senate.

One moderate Republican said Trump shared responsibility for the bills breakdown. One of the failures was the president never laid out a plan or his core principles and never sold them to the American people, said Rep. Charlie Dent. Outsourced the whole issue to Congress.

The measure defeated Friday would have repealed an Obama mandate that most people get health insurance and would have suspended a requirement that larger companies offer coverage to their employees. It would have also suspended a tax on medical devices and denied federal payments to Planned Parenthood for a year.

This is clearly a disappointing moment, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. I regret that our efforts were not enough this time.

Its time to move on, he said. McConnell put the health bill on hold and announced that the Senate would move onto other legislation next week.

Conservative Republican Rep. Mo Brooks whos running for a vacant Senate seat, suggested it was time for McConnell to relinquish his post.

If theyre going to quit, well then by golly, maybe they ought to start at the top with Mitch McConnell leaving his position and letting somebody new, somebody bold, somebody conservative take the reins, Brooks said on CNN. He added, How is he going to get the job done on the rest of President Trumps agenda?

The amendment was a last resort for Senate Republicans to pass something  anything  to trigger negotiations with the House.

I hope this is a turning point, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of New York, said Friday.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price said in a statement that the Trump administration would pursue its health care goals through regulation. This effort will continue, Price said. But insurers, hospitals, doctors, and consumer groups are pressing the administration to guarantee billions of dollars in disputed subsidies to help stabilize insurance markets around the country.

Buoyed by a signal from Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan, McConnell had introduced a pared-down health care bill late Thursday that he hoped would keep alive Republican ambitions to repeal Obamacare.

The Congressional Budget Office said the measure would have increased the number of uninsured people by 16 million, the same problem that vexed all the repeal and replace measures Republicans have offered. Obamas law extended coverage to some 20 million people, reducing the nations uninsured rate to a historic low of around 9 per cent.

Still, Ryan had seemingly opened a path for McConnell earlier Thursday by signalling a willingness to negotiate a more comprehensive bill with the Senate. Some Republican senators had been concerned that the House would simply pass McConnells skinny bill and send it to Trump. That would have sent a shock wave through health insurance markets, spiking premiums.

Ryan sent senators a statement saying that if moving forward requires talks with the Senate, the House would be willing to do so. But shortly afterward, his words received varied responses from three GOP senators whod insisted on a clear commitment from Ryan.

Not sufficient, said McCain.

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LONDONCharlie Gard, the terminally ill British baby at the centre of a legal and ethical battle that attracted the attention of Pope Francis and U.S. President Donald Trump, died Friday. He was one week shy of his first birthday.

Charlies parents fought for the right to take him to the United States for an experimental medical treatment for his rare genetic disease, mitochondrial depletion syndrome, which left him brain damaged and unable to breathe unaided. His case ended up in the courts when doctors opposed the plan, saying the untested therapy wouldnt help Charlie and might cause him to suffer.

A family spokeswoman, Alison Smith-Squire, confirmed Charlies death on Friday, a day after a judge ordered that he be taken off a ventilator at the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and moved to an undisclosed hospice for his final hours.

Our beautiful little boy has gone, were so proud of him, his mother, Connie Yates, said in a statement.

Charlie was seemingly healthy at birth but soon began to weaken. He was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital, Britains premier childrens hospital, when he was two months old and remained there until almost the end of his life.

His legal case became a flashpoint for debates on the rights of children and parents, on health-care funding, medical interventions, the responsibilities of hospitals and medical workers and the role of the state. It gained international attention last month when Pope Francis and President Trump expressed their support for Charlie and his family.

Read more:

U.K. judge approves plan for Charlie Gard to be sent to a hospice

Charlie Gards parents drop legal action over their critically ill baby

U.K. hospital insufferable for insisting that baby Charlie Gard die on its terms: DiManno

The intervention of two of the worlds most powerful men made the case a worldwide talking point. Images of Charlie hooked to a tube while dozing peacefully in a star-flecked navy blue onesie graced websites, newspapers and television news programs.

The pope reacted quickly to the news of Charlies death, tweeting late Friday I entrust little Charlie to the Father and pray for his parents and all those who loved him.

U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence tweeted Saddened to hear of the passing of Charlie Gard. Karen & I offer our prayers & condolences to his loving parents during this difficult time.

Charlies parents raised more than 1.3 million pounds ($1.7 million) to pay for the experimental treatment they believed could prolong his life. But British courts consistently accepted the hospitals position, ruling that it was in Charlies best interests that he be allowed to die.

After months of legal battles, High Court judge Nicholas Francis ruled Thursday that Charlie should be transferred to a hospice and taken off life support after his parents and the hospital failed to agree on an end-of-life care plan.

Under British law, it is common for courts to intervene when parents and doctors disagree on the treatment of a child. In such cases, the rights of the child take primacy over the parents right to decide whats best for their offspring. The principle applies even in cases where parents have an alternative point of view, such as when religious beliefs prohibit blood transfusions.

The case made it all the way to Britains Supreme Court as Charlies parents refused to accept earlier rulings.

Offers of help for Charlie came from Dr. Michio Hirano, a neurology expert at New Yorks Columbia Medical Center, and from the Vaticans Bambino Gesu pediatric hospital. Both said an experimental treatment known as nucleoside therapy had a chance of helping Charlie.

Great Ormond Street Hospital disagreed. It said the proposed treatment had never been tried on someone with Charlies condition and no tests had even been done on mice to see whether it would work on a patient like Charlie.

The case caught the attention of Trump and the pope in late June after the European Court of Human Rights refused to intervene. Their intervention triggered a surge of grassroots action, including a number of U.S. right-to-life activists who flew to London to support Charlies parents.

Great Ormond Street soon reported that its doctors and nurses were receiving serious threats over the case. London police were called in to investigate.

On Friday night, the hospital offered its condolences to Charlies family.

Everyone at Great Ormond Street Hospital sends their heartfelt condolences to Charlies parents and loved ones at this very sad time, the hospital said.

Medical ethicist Arthur Caplan said the Charlie Gard case shows how the medical profession is struggling to adjust to the age of social media, which puts the general public in the middle of decisions that in the past would have been private issues for doctors and the family.

I do think that in an era of social media, it is possible to rally huge numbers of people to your cause, said Caplan, of New York Universitys Langone Medical Center. The medical ethics have not caught up.

The heated commentary over Charlie prompted Judge Francis to criticize the effects of social media and those who know almost nothing about this case but who feel entitled to express opinions.

In the end, the increased attention did little for Charlie.

His parents gave up their legal battle on Monday after scans showed that Charlies muscles had deteriorated so much that the damage was irreversible.

Mummy and Daddy love you so much Charlie, we always have and we always will and we are so sorry that we couldnt save you, his parents wrote when they announced their decision. We had the chance but we werent allowed to give you that chance.

Sweet dreams baby. Sleep tight, our beautiful little boy.

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NEW YORKA presidential aides explosion of profanity while talking to a reporter about his new White House colleagues tested newsroom leaders Thursday, forcing decisions about whether to use the graphic language or leave much of what he said to the imagination of readers and viewers.

Anthony Scaramucci, the incoming White House communications director, aimed his tirade at chief of staff Reince Priebus and chief strategist Steve Bannon. An account of his conversation late Wednesday with Ryan Lizza of the New Yorker was published in graphic detail Thursday afternoon on the magazines website, complete with expletives and anatomical references.

Scaramucci used the language in suggesting to Lizza that Priebus had leaked information about him, and that Bannon was more interested in advancing his own agenda than U.S. President Donald Trumps.

Following the New Yorkers lead, The New York Times printed all of Scaramuccis words. Times editors, including executive editor Dean Baquet, first discussed whether it was appropriate to do so, Clifford Levy, the newspapers deputy editor, said on Twitter.

Levy said the Times concluded that it was newsworthy that a top Trump aide would use such language, and its readers shouldnt have to search elsewhere to find out what Scaramucci said.

Notably, the first expletive quoted in the Times print edition of the story appeared in paragraph eight, which meant Fridays front page appeared free of vulgarities.

The Washington Post similarly published the expletives Scaramucci used in reference to Priebus, but avoided the very graphic descriptor of self-love he used in reference to Bannon. Post analyst Aaron Blake called Scaramuccis outburst vulgar, vindictive and volatile.

Generally we dont publish these words in full, but when they come from the highest-level government officials in the performance of their jobs, we believe an exception can be warranted, said Kris Coratti, spokeswoman for the Post. We felt it was warranted in this instance.

Editors at the Star decided there was compelling reason to include but censor Scaramuccis profanities  including that reference to Bannon  though the paper handled the phrase differently in its online and print versions, with the word suck also spelled out using dashes in print.

Star style rules tell editors, Dont use profanities unless they are in direct quotes or titles and there is a compelling reason to do so, adding: But in replacing letters with dashes, dont leave the reader in doubt about what word was actually spoken.

The Star has run profanity without dashes in the past, notably during Rob Fords term as mayor of Toronto. That decision took into account the fact that those statements were especially newsworthy for their local relevance.

Julie Bykowicz and Jonathan Lemire of The Associated Press wrote that Scaramucci was exposing West Wing backstabbing in language more suitable to a mobster movie than a seat of presidential stability. The service referred to Scaramuccis description of Priebus as a f------ paranoid schizophrenic. That was the APs only direct reference to a profanity.

The APs rules prohibit use of obscenities, racial epithets or other offensive slurs unless they are part of a direct quotations and there is a compelling reason for them. Scaramuccis words satisfied the first part of that restriction, but editors concluded there wasnt a compelling reason to use the profanity.

Television networks, knowing they would have to say the words out loud, generally stayed away from them. Anderson Cooper, in an interview with Lizza, let him describe the reference to Bannon.

Youre going to make me read this one? Lizza asked.

Use your judgment, Cooper replied.

Although CNN wouldnt use the words on the air, they were printed on the networks website, along with a stern warning that an article contained graphic language. In a column dissecting the remarks, CNNs Chris Cillizza, wrote that Scaramuccis phone call to Lizza was bananas.

TV anchors used variations of expletive and bleeping in reading the words.

MSNBCs Rachel Maddow said the reference to Bannon suggested that he performs an anatomically difficult but not impossible act of a kind that suggests he is more interested in serving his own self than the president.

Fox News Laura Ingraham called it a stunning attack that has gotten everybodys attention tonight.

On NBCs Nightly News, reporter Kristen Welker said Scaramucci attacks Bannon in such vulgar terms they cannot be repeated on television.

Major Garrett quoted the phrases used to describe both Priebus and Bannon on the CBS Evening News, substituting the word expletive. He said Scaramucci used language more fit for the outhouse than the White House.

With files from Star Staff

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During an 18-year career in medicine, Daniel Saltzman  the chief of pediatric surgery at University of Minnesota Masonic Childrens Hospital  has grown accustomed to looking at X-rays as if they were imperfect road maps of the human body.

He compares this exercise to looking at a one-dimensional traffic map on your smartphone and thinking about that image in three-dimensional terms in your mind.

Like any other road map, an X-ray image is an incomplete reduction of reality that can misrepresent challenges or include distortions, which explains why, even in 2017, high-stake surgeries can involve a shocking degree of guesswork and improvisation.

Read more: Toronto hospitals embrace virtual reality

Thats why medicine is still an art as much as a science, Saltzman told the Washington Post.

For decades, increasingly sophisticated imaging techniques have allowed doctors to peer into the human body before they cut it open, reducing uncertainty and helping them prepare for complicated procedures. Now, advances in virtual reality may flip that dynamic on its head, allowing doctors to confront the unknown before they even enter the body.

The latest evidence of this revolutionary shift in health care is the successful separation of two conjoined newborn sisters in Minnesota. Until their separation in May, Paisleigh and Paislyn Martinez were attached from their lower chest to their belly buttons  a condition known as thoraco-omphalopagus. Both babies survived the dangerous, nine-hour procedure, a development that Saltzman and other surgeons involved link directly to their use of virtual reality before surgery.

It felt like I was working in the future, Saltzman said. It was extraordinarily exhilarating.

Conjoined twins are extremely rare, occurring as infrequently as one of 200,000 live births to up to one in a million births, depending on how the babies are attached, according to University of Minnesota doctors.

Separating them is a risky procedure, though survival rates differ depending on how the siblings are connected and which organs they share, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The Medical Center notes that twins joined at the sacrum at the base of the spine have a 68 per cent chance of successful separation, whereas, in cases of twins with conjoined hearts at the ventricular (pumping chamber) level, there are no known survivors. In the latter case, the hearts are completely joined.

Experts said they were unaware of any other example of virtual reality being used to prepare for the separation of twins partially conjoined at the heart. Virtual reality has been used to assist in the separation of twins conjoined at the head on three occasions, two of which were carried out by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, experts said.

Anthony Azakie, chief of pediatric cardiac surgery and co-director of the Heart Center at the University of Minnesota Masonic Childrens Hospital, called the universitys procedure a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Using goggle-like virtual reality headsets a month before surgery, Saltzman, Azakie and their team were able to explore a 3-D model of the twins hearts, virtually embedding themselves inside the walnut-sized organs as if the infants anatomy had been blown up to the size of a living room.

Its completely surreal and the resolution is unbelievable, Azakie said. T he details are absolutely superb.

The experience was not only riveting but revelatory, doctors said, so much so that the stunned surgeons decided to alter their entire operative strategy. Within minutes after strapping on the headsets, Saltzman and Azakie discovered something unexpected: new connective tissue  a bridge  linking the girls intertwined hearts, one of which had become heavily reliant upon the other to filter impurities and remain beating because of a severe congenital heart defect.

That defect meant that the lives of both babies were in jeopardy and doctors would have to conduct the surgery several months early, before the twins were as robust and healthy as doctors had hoped theyd be.

Standing inside the 3-D rendering of the infants hearts, the challenge before the physicians was daunting. They realized that improperly severing that connection could lead to the twins bleeding to death. Placing pressure on the hearts could cause blood loss or arrhythmia so severe that the organs could stop beating entirely. They needed to find a way to navigate around the connection that didnt damage each delicate organ.

The team members interacted with the 3-D model using a track system that allowed them to turn their heads without distortion. Doctors said the ease of the virtual interaction helped the team arrive at a simple yet elegant solution, which they drew on a whiteboard moments later. The surgeons decided to flip the babies around on the operating table so that the procedure occurred from the opposite angle. In the end, doctors said, the straightforward solution to a complicated quandary may have saved the twins lives.

In our line of work, especially in pediatric cardiac surgery, its important that one is able to think on their feet and plan for the unexpected, Azakie said. The imaging helped us prepare by developing an approach in the event that we came across something we didnt expect.

It was like the Oculus Rift of pediatric heart surgery.

The planning effort to get to that point was methodical, with weekly meetings, endless tests and trialruns with a team of nearly 50 hospital staffers who practiced each stage of the surgery using baby dolls that had been sewn together.

To create the virtual model of the infants hearts, Saltzman and Azakie and other team members partnered with the University of Minnesotas Earl E. Bakken Medical Devices Center, where experts used software to turn MRIs and CT scans from both infants into a detailed virtual model. The universitys Visible Heart Lab also created a 3-D printed model of the hearts using a printer purchased online for $300.

Bethany Tourek, a PhD candidate in the University of Minnesotas department of mechanical engineering, said watching the medical team experience the virtual heart for the first time was a seminal moment.

My favourite part was actually watching these four medical doctors standing inside this screen and being in complete silence at first, Tourek said. You could just see them thinking and processing and taking it all in for the first time. It was a wonderful experience.

Two months after their separation, the twins are still recovering, but doctors say that theyll lead healthy, independent lives, with a scar on their chests the only evidence that they were ever conjoined.

Doctors said they expect the 3-D modelling and imaging used to see the twins anatomy to appear in medical journals, setting a precedent for surgeries that ripples beyond procedures involving conjoined twins.

Separating these infants was no small feat, he said. The fact that we got to do it using virtual reality for direct patient care makes that feat truly incredible.

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The Missoula Public Librarys third annual Youth Book Festival will be held Aug. 25-26. Interactive workshops and presentations are designed to engage and entertain two age levels: children 4- to 12-years-old and teens 13- to 19-years-old. Books by some of the featured authors include:

The Matchstick Castle

By Keir Graff

What could be worse than spending the summer in Boring, Illinois? That is where Brian is sent to spend the summer with his aunt, uncle and cousin Nora. One day Brian and his cousin Nora have a fight, get lost and discover a huge, wooden house in the forest. With balconies, turrets and windows seemingly stuck on at random, it looks ready to fall over in the next stiff breeze. But to the madcap, eccentric family that lives inside, its not just a home  its a castle.

Suddenly, summer gets a lot more exciting. With their new friends, Brian and Nora tangle with giant wasps, sharp-tusked wild boars and a crazed bureaucrat intent on bringing the dilapidated old house down with a wrecking ball.

Edgeland

By Jake Halpren

Thousands of miles south of the island of Bliss, day and night last for 72 hours. One of the natural wonders of this world is a whirlpool 30 miles wide and 100 miles around. This is the Drain. Anything sucked into its frothing, turbulent waters is never seen again.

On the nearby island of Edgeland, people bring their dead to be blessed and prepared for the afterlife. Then the dead are loaded into boats with treasure and sent off to enter the Drain. Wren dreams of escaping Edgeland, and her chance finally comes when traders from the Polar north arrive with their dead who will be laden with valuable sunstones. But all plans to escape change when she and her friend Alec get sucked into the whirlpool.

Catching Air

By Sneed B Collard III

Only a few dozen vertebrate animals have evolved true gliding abilities, but they include an astonishing variety of mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Catching Air takes us around the world to meet these animals, learn why so many gliders live in Southeast Asia, and find out why this gravity-defying ability has evolved in Draco lizards, snakes and frogs as well as mammals. Why do gliders stop short of flying and how did bats make that final leap?

Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle

By Janet Fox

Twelve-year-old Kat Bateson likes to have a logical explanation for everything. But even she cant make sense of the strange goings-on at Rookskill Castle, the drafty old Scottish castle-turned-school where she and her siblings have been sent to escape the London Blitz. Whats making those terrifying sounds at night? Why do the castles walls seem to have a mind of their own? And why do people keep mysteriously appearing and disappearing? Kat thinks she knows the answer: Lady Eleanor, who rules Rookskill Castle, is harboring a Nazi spy. But when her classmates begin to vanish, one by one, Kat must face the truth about what the castle actually harbors  and what Lady Eleanor is  before its too late.

Riddle in Ruby

By Kent Davis

Ruby Teach, daughter of a smuggler and pirate, has been learning how to swindle and steal and pick the most complex locks for as long as she can remember. But a collision with aristocratic young Lord Athen sends her spinning into chaos. Little has she known that her whole life has been spent in hiding from secret societies and the Royal Navy  who are both now on her tail.

Set in the alternate version of colonial America, this fantasy-adventure trilogy's final book will be previewed by author Kent Davis.

All events will be held in the Missoula Public Library, 301 E. Main. For more information, contact Dana or Pam at 406-258-3861.
PYONGYANGNorth Korea on Friday test-fired its second intercontinental ballistic missile, which flew longer and higher than the first according to its wary neighbours, leading analysts to conclude that a wide swath of North America, including Los Angeles, Toronto and all of Western Canada, is now within range of Pyongyangs weapons.

Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the missile, launched late Friday night, flew for about 45 minutes  about five minutes longer than the ICBM North Korea test-fired on July 4. The missile was launched on very high trajectory, which limited the distance it travelled, and landed west of Japans island of Hokkaido.

We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile, as had been expected, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said in Washington.

Analysts had estimated that the Norths first ICBM could have reached Alaska, and said Friday that the latest missile appeared to extend that range significantly.

Read more:

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David Wright, a physicist and co-director of the global security program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said in Washington that if reports of the missiles maximum altitude and flight time are correct, it would have a theoretical range of at least 10,400 kilometres. That means it could have reached Toronto, Montreal and all of Western Canada, as well as much of the U.S., including Los Angeles, Denver and Chicago, depending on variables such as the size and weight of the warhead that would be carried atop such a missile in an actual attack.

Bruce Klingner, a Korean and Japanese affairs specialist at the Heritage Foundation think-tank in Washington, said, It now appears that a significant portion of the continental United States is within range of North Korean missiles.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a statement condemning the missile test as a threat to the world, and rejecting North Koreas claim that nuclear weapons ensure its security. In reality, they have the opposite effect, he said.

Trump said the weapons and tests further isolate North Korea, weaken its economy, and deprive its people. He vowed to take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the U.S. and its allies.

The U.S. and South Korea responded Saturday by conducting joint live-fire exercises. The U.S. 8th Army said the training event utilizing the Army Tactical Missile System and South Koreas Hyunmoo Missile II was conducted to demonstrate their precision firing capability and exercise assets countering North Koreas missile launch.

Washington and its allies have watched with growing concern as Pyongyang has made significant progress toward its goal of having all of the U.S. within range of its missiles to counter what it labels as U.S. aggression. There are other hurdles, including building nuclear warheads to fit on those missiles and ensuring reliability. But many analysts have been surprised by how quickly leader Kim Jong Un has developed North Koreas nuclear and missile programs despite several rounds of UN Security Council sanctions that have squeezed the impoverished countrys economy.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will not allow North Korea to obtain an ICBM that can deliver a nuclear warhead.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the launch a serious and real threat to the countrys security.

Suga, the Japanese spokesman, said Japan has lodged a strong protest with North Korea.

North Koreas repeated provocative acts absolutely cannot be accepted, he said.

A spokesman for Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Friday that Dunford met at the Pentagon with the commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, Adm. Harry Harris, to discuss U.S. military options in light of North Koreas missile test.

The spokesman, Navy Capt. Greg Hicks, said Dunford and Harris placed a phone call to Dunfords South Korean counterpart, Gen. Lee Sun Jin. Dunford and Harris expressed the ironclad commitment to the U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance, Hicks said, referring to the U.S. defence treaty that obliges the U.S. to defend South Korea.

Prime Minister Abe said Japan would co-operate closely with the U.S., South Korea and other nations to step up pressure on North Korea to halt its missile programs.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile reached an estimated height of 3,700 kilometres before landing at sea about 1,000 kilometres away. It appeared to be more advanced than the ICBM North Korea previously launched, it said.

The Hwasong 14 ICBM test-fired earlier this month was also launched at a very steep angle, a technique called lofting, and reached a height of more than 2,500 kilometres before splashing down in the ocean 930 kilometres away. Analysts said that missile could be capable of reaching most of Alaska or possibly Hawaii if fired in an attacking trajectory.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile was launched from North Koreas northern Jagang province near the border with China. President Moon Jae-in presided over an emergency meeting of the National Security Council, which called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council and stronger sanctions on North Korea.

There was no immediate confirmation of the launch by North Korea. The days broadcast on state-run television had already ended when the news broke at around midnight Pyongyang time.

July 27 is a major national holiday in North Korea called Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War Day, marking the day when the armistice was signed ending the 1950-53 Korean War. That armistice is yet to be replaced with a peace treaty, leaving the Korean Peninsula technically in a state of war.

North Korea generally waits hours or sometimes a day or more before announcing launches, often with a raft of photos in the ruling party newspaper or on the television news. Kim Jong Un is usually shown at the site to observe and supervise major launches.

Late night launches are rare. North Korea usually conducts its missile and underground nuclear tests in the morning. Its likely the North launched the missile at night and from the remote province of Jagang to demonstrate its operational versatility. To have a real deterrent, its important for North Korea to prove it can launch whenever and wherever it chooses, making it harder for foreign military observers trying to detect their activities ahead of time.

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WASHINGTONU.S. President Donald Trump advised police officers Friday to stop protecting the heads of arrested suspects they are putting in their cars, drawing a rare rebuke from the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

When you see these towns, and you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon  you just see em thrown in, rough. I said, Please dont be too nice,  Trump told a group of federal, state and local officers in a Brentwood, N.Y., address focused on the MS-13 gang.

Like when you guys put somebody in the car, and youre protecting their head  the way you put the hand over  like, dont hit their head, and theyve just killed somebody, dont hit their head? I said, You can take the hand away, OK? 

His remarks were greeted with a brief moment of silence, then laughter and applause.

Read More: Trump forces out embattled adviser Reince Priebus, as White House chaos grows

The local police force, however, issued an official rejection of Trumps guidance, writing on Twitter: As a department, we do not and will not tolerate roughing up of prisoners.

And the police chiefs association released a statement saying law enforcement officers are trained to treat all individuals, whether they are a complainant, suspect, or defendant, with dignity and respect.

This is the bedrock principle behind the concepts of procedural justice and police legitimacy, the statement concluded.

Trump made law and order a centrepiece of his campaign, and he has long called for a merciless approach to crime that dispenses with political correctness.

But he had never before, as president, given his blessing to the casual injuring of criminal suspects.

Minutes after that remark, he declared, Under the Trump administration, America is once more a nation of laws.

Trump was immediately condemned by human rights groups and civil liberties advocates.

Police cannot treat every community like an invading army, and encouraging violence by police is irresponsible and reprehensible, said Zeke Johnson, senior director of programs at Amnesty International USA.

Causing intentional injury to a handcuffed suspect is not only against police procedure, but is a federal crime for which police officers have been sent to prison, said Jonathan Blanks, managing editor of the National Police Misconduct Reporting Project at the libertarian Cato Institute.

Blanks said, the president made a mockery of the rule of law.

Trump also praised the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Thomas Homan, for appearing rough. Just as he wanted a rich man as his commerce secretary, he said, he wanted a rough man as the head of the agency responsible for deporting illegal immigrants.

Trump has regularly criticized Chicagos leaders for the citys homicide problem, claiming it could be solved if officers there were allowed to be much tougher. On Friday, he told a story about an unnamed officer who supposedly declared the problem could be eradicated in a couple days.

Trump has followed his words with actions; his administration, led by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, has moved to reduce federal scrutiny of rights-abusing local police forces the Obama administration investigated and sought to reform.

Trump vowed to destroy MS-13, a multinational gang founded in Los Angeles, and to deport the members who are in the country illegally. He continued to describe MS-13 members as animals, discussing their murders in graphic terms: They like to knife em and cut em and let em die slowly, he said. He added: Burned to death. Beaten to death. Just the worst kind of death. Stuffed in barrels.

The speech was light on substance, and Trump repeatedly meandered into other subjects. Addressing Republicans failure early Friday morning to pass a Senate plan to replace Obamacare, he said, They shouldve approved health-care last night, but you cant have everything. Boy, oh boy.

In another remarkable declaration, Trump said he now wants to let Obamacare implode, a move that would hurt the health-care of tens of millions of people.

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WASHINGTONSenate Republicans suffered a dramatic failure early Friday in their bid to advance a scaled-back plan to overhaul the Affordable Care Act, throwing into question whether they can actually repeal the 2010 health law.

Their latest effort to redraw the ACA failed after Sen. John McCains decision to side with a couple other Republicans against U.S. President Donald Trump and GOP leaders. The Arizona Republican, diagnosed with brain cancer last week, returned to Washington Tuesday and delivered a stirring address calling for a bipartisan approach to overhauling the ACA, a process that may have compelled McCain to cast his rebellious vote.

Read more: John McCain's profile in courage: Sears

The vote was 49 to 51.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., had hoped to approve the new, narrower rewrite of the health law at some point Friday, after facing dozens of amendments from Democrats. But the GOP defections left McConnell without a clear bill to push.

McCain had been seeking an iron-clad guarantee from House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., that, if the Senate approved this latest proposal, the House would not move to quickly approve the bill in its current form and instead engage in a broad House-Senate negotiation for a broader rollback of the law. Ryan issued a statement intended to assuage the concerns of McCain and two others, Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Ron Johnson, Wis., but the 2008 presidential nominee deemed the speakers statement as insufficient.

The standoff between the two chambers highlighted the extent to which Republicans have still not reached a consensus on how to rewrite former president Barack Obamas 2010 health-care law, and the degree to which Republicans are repeating many of the same back-room manoeuvres that Democrats used seven years ago to approve the ACA.

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Donald Trump just had his most dishonest week as president: 7 days, 34 false claims

In profane rant, Trumps communications director calls White Hosue chief of staff a paranoid schizophrenic, tosses foul insults at top strategist

Jeff Sessions says he will stay on as U.S. Attorney General as long as Trump sees fit

McConnells draft rattled both moderates  Sens. Susan Collins, Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, Alaska, were the other Republican votes in opposition  and Republicans who wanted a more robust uprooting of the existing law.

Im not going to tell people back in South Carolina that this product actually replaces Obamacare, because it does not, it is a fraud, Graham said at a Thursday evening news conference with McCain and Johnson at his side.

And while GOP senators insisted the bill they were considering would not make it into law, if enacted it would make sweeping changes to health coverage as well as medical treatment in the United States.

It would eliminate enforcement of the ACAs requirement that Americans obtain insurance or pay a tax penalty, and suspend for eight years enforcing the mandate that companies employing 50 or more workers provide coverage.

The measure also would eliminate funding for preventive health care provided under the 2010 law and prohibit Medicaid beneficiaries from being reimbursed for Planned Parenthood services for one year. Instead, the federal funding that would have gone to Planned Parenthood would go to community health centers. It would end a 2.3 percent tax on medical device manufacturers for three years.

And it would empower federal officials under an existing waiver program to give states wide latitude in how they allocate their Medicaid funding, potentially pooling that money with other programs such as one that helps lower-income Americans buy private insurance. It also would increase the limit on contributions to tax-exempt health savings accounts for three years.

After weeks of secretive negotiations, McConnell unveiled this draft only a couple of hours before what was expected to be a cliffhanger vote early Friday. Even after that critical vote, the legislation was subject to dozens, if not hundreds, of Democratic amendments in the hours ahead, before a final vote later Friday.

Shortly after it was introduced, the Congressional Budget Office issued an estimate finding that 16 million people would lose coverage and that premiums would rise roughly 20 percent a year between 2018 to 2026 compared to current law if Republicans enacted the pared-down bill.

Sara Rosenbaum, a health law and policy professor at George Washington University, said the bill would make enormous changes to private and public insurance.

Translating their pledge to repeal what they derisively call Obamacare into a law has proved embarrassingly difficult for Republicans. First, the House took an extra six weeks to pass its version of the bill in early May. Most Republicans agreed that the measure was flawed  Trump later called it mean for how it would deny insurance to 23 million people  and hoped that the Senate would craft a better bill.

But McConnells closed-door negotiations ended in gridlock, leaving him to pull together this skinny repeal of the ACA, just to keep alive negotiations with the House to come up with a different plan later this summer.

Many conservatives in both chambers object to the measure because they say it wouldnt go far enough in repealing the ACA.

For instance, the expansion of federal funding to use Medicaid to provide insurance to about 14 million Americans is left intact, a major victory for half a dozen Senate Republicans from states that accepted the additional money. Governors, under the new Senate proposal, would have more leeway in how they can spend Medicaid funding overall.

Major insurers are warning that the proposal could destabilize the individual insurance market. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association criticized it on Wednesday, and on Thursday the industrys largest trade group suggested it was unacceptable.

We would oppose an approach that eliminates the individual coverage requirement, does not offer continuous coverage solutions, and does not include measures to immediately stabilize the individual market, Americas Health Insurance Plans wrote in a letter to Senate leaders.

Senate Republicans, however, framed the bill as just a vehicle to keep alive their ACA repeal efforts.

My sense is people arent so much focused on the substance as they are this being the lifeline to get to a conference and expanding the bill, said Sen. Bob Corker, Tenn.

Before Ryan issued his statement, the prospect of an immediate up-or-down vote in the House raised alarms in the Senate. House Republican leaders instructed their members not to leave town for their month-long summer recess just yet.

Key House conservatives said they would not back a skinny repeal in its current form. Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, said that he wouldnt vote for such a measure and that he didnt think other conservatives would, either.

Speaking on the Senate floor Thursday, McConnell emphasized that the votes this week would not reverse the ACA even if they culminate in the passage of a bill.

One phase of that process will end when the Senate concludes voting this week, but it will not signal the end of our work. Not yet, he said.

In an effort to muster enough votes for a narrow bill, GOP leaders suggested that even some proposals that have died in the Senate could resurface once senators enter negotiations with the House. And some members tried to add a few more provisions to the skinny bill, using their leverage to try to strengthen their negotiating positions in conference.

While McConnell has led the negotiations over health-care legislation for weeks, Trump has sought to drum up support by pressing wavering Republicans.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke called Sens. Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, both Alaska Republicans, separately Wednesday to warn them that the administration may change its position on several issues, according to people briefed on the conversations, given Murkowskis vote against proceeding with health-care legislation this week.

Since Trump took office, Interior has indicated that it is open to constructing a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge while expanding energy exploration elsewhere in Alaska. But now these policy shifts may be in jeopardy.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Sullivan said the Trump administration has been co-operative on Alaska issues with Murkowski, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

From my perspective, the sooner we can get back to that kind of co-operation between the administration and the chairman of the ENR Committee, the better for Alaska and the better for the country, he said. Sullivan said he is not telling Murkowski how to respond.

The Alaska Dispatch News first reported the calls; Interior officials did not respond to a request for comment.

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WASHINGTON U.S. President Donald Trump has ousted long-embattled chief of staff Reince Priebus, replacing him on Friday with homeland security secretary John Kelly, a retired four-star Marine Corps general.

Trump announced the decision on Twitter, calling Kelly a great American and a great leader and a true star of my Administration.

Priebuss departure is another indication of the turmoil roiling a struggling administration plagued by infighting between its competing centres of influence. It leaves the White House even more firmly in the hands of people without conventional experience in politics.

Priebus, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, is the second top Trump aide to depart in just a week. Press secretary Sean Spicer, who announced his resignation last Friday, had also been a senior official at the party committee.

Though the news broke on Friday afternoon, Priebus told U.S. news outlets that he resigned privately on Thursday, the lowest point of a tenure that was rocky from the start.

Read more:Please dont be too nice: Trump tells cops its fine if suspects hit their heads

Trumps press secretary pointedly refused to say whether the president still had confidence in Priebus. Then the New Yorker magazine released an interview in which Trumps new communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, insulted Priebus at length, calling him a paranoid schizophrenic.

Trump has a fondness for generals. Kelly, who quickly earned his trust by attempting to salvage the flawed execution of his January travel ban policy, will now seek to impose order on the disorganized operation of a leader accustomed to instinctual improvisation.

The military is an unusual but not unprecedented training ground for a chief of staff. During the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon appointed Army general Alexander Haig, who later served in the same role for Gerald Ford.

Kelly served 46 years in the military, including a stint as a top commander in the Iraq War. His new challenge is also formidable.

Trumps White House has been less formal than any in modern history, with senior aides walking in and out of the Oval Office as they please. The administration just failed to pass its flagship legislative initiative, a push to replace Obamacare. It is struggling with the growing reach of a special counsels probe into Trumps campaign.

It is notably short on legislative experience, though Kelly did spend time in the 1990s as a military liaison to Congress. And none of the presidents current aides have been able to rein in the impulsive behaviour that congressional Republicans say is impeding their agenda.

Kelly joked gently about Trump during an interview two weeks ago. When his phone rang, he said, It might be the president, so I do want to miss the call.

Priebuss ouster was long in the making: he had been rumoured to be hanging by a thread since the first month of Trumps presidency. Trump had appeared to authorize a public campaign by Scaramucci, a Wall St. financier hired just a week ago, to humiliate Priebus into quitting.

Priebus still flew on Air Force One with Trump and Scaramucci to Trumps Friday speech on Long Island. Trump tweeted the news of his ouster shortly after they landed back at a military base in Maryland. Priebuss car then separated from the presidential motorcade as journalists snapped photos.

I would like to thank Reince Priebus for his service and dedication to his country. We accomplished a lot together and I am proud of him! Trump said on Twitter.

I will continue to serve as a strong supporter of the Presidents agenda and policies. I cant think of a better person than General John Kelly to succeed me and I wish him Gods blessings and great success, Priebus said in a statement.

Priebus clashed at the beginning of Trumps term with chief strategist Steve Bannon and more recently with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, the presidents influential family members. The president himself had never seemed fond of Priebus, frequently scolding him and undermining him behind the scenes.

Im happy for Reince, Republican strategist Katie Packer Beeson said on Twitter. He is a decent man who got caught up in this mess and didnt deserve the treatment he received.

The New York Times and other outlets reported that Trump blamed Priebus for their initial failure to get their health bill passed and for the general dysfunction others believe has been caused by the president himself. At one point, according to Politico, Trump gave Priebus an implausible deadline of July 4 to clean up the administration.

The Times reported that Trump scornfully reminded Priebus that he had advised Trump to drop out of the election after the release of a tape in which Trump appeared to boast about groping women.

If youve lost the confidence of the president, people smell it, feel it, know it within seconds  and you become an overblown scheduler, Erskine Bowles, one of Bill Clintons chiefs of staff, told author Chris Whipple for The Gatekeepers, his book on the men who have held the job.

Chiefs of staff generally do not last long; the average tenure is less than two years. At just six months and a week, Priebuss term was especially brief.

Only the widely respected James Bakers second tenure in the job was shorter, at five months, and he was covering off the end of George H.W. Bushs administration. Priebus is the only the second chief to leave in less than a year as the presidents tenure continued.

Its the toughest job in government, Baker told NPR in April. Priebus, he said, was being undercut by Trumps decision to give various aides broad and rather undefined responsibilities that cut across both domestic and foreign policy.

Its very difficult under those circumstances to have a co-ordinated, single, focused message, and thats something thats very important to the success of an administration, Baker said.

Trumps allies outside the White House, such as political operative Roger Stone and Newsmax chief executive Chris Ruddy, had been calling for Priebuss ouster since February, when Stone said its time for the little man to go.

Priebuss power had waned further in the subsequent months. His hand-picked deputy, former RNC official Katie Walsh, was pressured out of the White House in March, and another ally, communications director Mike Dubke, quit in May after just three months. One of Scaramuccis first acts was forcing out yet another ally, assistant press secretary Michael Short.

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Watching Conservatives go into a sulk after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared in Rolling Stone magazine is kind of adorable.

Mean girls is how Id describe the Peter Kent and Andrew Scheer crowd lately, crankypants if Im feeling generous. Theres a fair amount of petulance in the Conservative emotion cloud these days.

No Conservative ever sees his prime minister on magazine covers unless, as commentator Stephen Lautens suggested, it was Stephen Harper in Taxidermy Today.  Get stuffed! says prime minister.

This came right after Conservative MPs came to grief for asking the worst outposts of U.S. journalism  including Fox News  to let them tell Americans that Canada is bad and Trudeau is deplorable for having settled the Omar Khadr case. (Khadr was the Canadian teenage boy tortured by the U.S.)

The MPs did this as Canada prepared to enter NAFTA negotiations with an emotionally fragile president with a temper like Semtex. Trade is precious to Canada. It means jobs.

But Conservative politicians apparently wouldnt mind a job catastrophe if it served their purposes. So they tried to blacken Canadas name on the Wall Street Journals op-ed page, Facebook and Fox, which they know Trump watches feverishly.

This didnt go over terribly well. Theres a time and a place, as most reasonable Canadians would say.

And then Trudeau appeared in Rolling Stone. Stung by criticism for the earlier venture, Conservatives said his very photo  white-shirted and unsmiling in his office  would endanger NAFTA talks.

This isnt just hypocritical, its surprisingly clueless about journalisms mechanics.

Why does (Trudeau) need to do this right now, when it does put in danger the direction and the commencement of these negotiations? Conservative MP Lisa Raitt said defensively.

Asked how Trudeau could have known that the article would be anti-Trump, Raitt said: They would have known that theres going to be comparisons drawn.

In other words, she just insulted Trump herself. Raitt thinks hes a numpty too.

Trudeau didnt know what the article would look like, when it would run, or that he would make the cover, which he wouldnt have wanted anyway. It may have been commissioned long before Canada began to look like a golden kingdom to increasingly desperate Democrats.

The Cover of the Rolling Stone is an older boomer joke from a 1970s novelty song by, seriously, Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show. How lame. Trudeau perhaps thought Rolling Stone would reassure older Americans of Canadian friendship, which is all to the good.

By the way, you dont ask journalists for coverage, they ask you. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer doesnt know this. He asked the Toronto Star op-ed page to run his leaden opinion piece on the Khadr settlement, and it kindly did so.

Scheer could not bring himself to refer to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, not once. Even accepting the fact of Trudeaus election seemed to pain him. As for his persuasiveness, I wont say what I call writing this dreary (OK, I will. The Damp Hand.)

Americans famously dont know much about other countries, never having felt the need. Rolling Stones Justin Trudeau: Why Cant He Be Our President? was a primer on a country they might wish to know better very soon. You know, courtesy, health care, functioning schools, all the cliches.

In the interview, Trudeau was polite in the extreme, and did not criticize Trump or Americans or their government. Why would he?

One thing did interest me: the story had typos, made jokes that Canadians didnt get (Trumps flaxen head of hair is not strange, said CTV earnestly), and got proper names wrong, like the Royal Canadian Mountain Police and the Liberty party rather than Liberal. Apparently Rolling Stone is as short of copy editors as everyone else.

Americans arent good at foreign facts. So used to being leader of the free world  an absurd phrase to begin with  and then stunned to lose the title so quickly, they are suddenly taking an interest in the big Out There. This includes Canada, which has health care and plausible leadership, apparently.

Non-America is vastly different, they find. As the Onion once put it, Perky Canada Has Own Government, Laws, noting that Canadians have access to new inventions like refrigerated food, zippers and printing.

On July 21, the New York Times improved on this, writing, In addition to a plethora of land, Canada has many libraries with extensive literary collections. Oooh. Canada resembles America in notable ways.

But, thankfully, not in all ways: Americans fight wars with non-America  Vietnam, Iraq  and withdraw knowing as little about the place as when they invaded.

Heres a sadder version of this. In a July 24 column, I had Vietnam War architect Robert McNamara quoting T.S. Eliot in the Errol Morris documentary The Fog of War  it can be seen on freedocumentaries.org  on the hideous killing that filled McNamaras career. It was the central quote of his working life.

I was astounded when a reader pointed out to me that McNamara had the quote wrong. It should have read, We shall not cease from exploration/And the end of all our exploring/Will be to arrive where we started/And know the place for the first time.

Imagine not getting the quote right, not to mention failing to absorb its lesson. Consider the misunderstandings: America and Vietnam; America and Iraq; Conservatives and Liberals; Conservatives and patriotism; Trump and all that surrounds him. Will we ever make our way out of this thicket?

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When I was a young man, I enjoyed campaigning for the Progressive Conservatives in Alberta, federal and provincial. The PCs stood for principles that mattered to me: telling the truth, no matter how much explanation is needed, and the rule of law. It takes gumption to stand up for such principles, because they often require taking a stand contrary to popular opinion.

I know of very few PC leaders in 2017 who still have that courage to stand up for such principles. Take federal Conservative leader Andrew Scheer, in his July 27 op-ed piece about Omar Khadr in the Toronto Star. Scheers article is full of misinformation, first advanced by the Harper government even after the Supreme Court  with a majority of Conservative appointees  unanimously ruled both in 2008 and 2010 that Khadrs rights had been egregiously violated both by the illegal (according to the U.S. Supreme Court) courts in Guantanamo Bay, and by Canadian officials who interviewed Khadr.

The Khadr situation is complex and hard to explain to those who simply want what appears to be a strong response to the worlds evils. The easier course is to go with the flow to get votes from those youve helped to misinform.

Scheer writes that the Supreme Court never ordered the government to pay for Khadrs illegal imprisonment and torture. But compensation was not the issue before the Supreme Court. It was whether Khadrs rights were violated (they were) and whether Khadr should be repatriated (he should). In spite of the Supreme Courts strong recommendation that Khadr be repatriated in 2010, the Harper government refused to repatriate him.

Scheers statement that the previous Conservative government accepted the finding [and] Omar Khadr was brought back to Canada is an outright lie. After the 2010 Supreme Court decision, the Harper government refused to repatriate Khadr.

As a result, Khadr was given the option of spending the rest of his life in a cage in Guantanamo, or accepting a plea deal in which he would lie about his culpability, but have the right to serve an eight-year sentence in Canada. Khadr took the plea deal.

The Harper government was forced to repatriate Khadr in 2012, and they did their best to keep him in prison. The feds continued to insist that Khadr was not a child soldier who deserved rehabilitation, but a terrorist. Canadian courts disagreed, and Khadr was released from prison in Canada in 2015, given the likely success of an appeal in the U.S.

Scheer never mentions that Canada, under Harper, neglected its international obligations to treat Khadr as a child soldier, nor that there is no credible evidence that Khadr was responsible for the death of U.S. Delta Force soldier Sgt. Christopher Speer. In fact, it is just as likely that Speer was killed by friendly fire. Because much of the evidence has been destroyed by the illegal regime in Guantanamo, we will never know. Nevertheless, Scheer refers to Christopher Speer as Khadrs victim.

Finally, Scheer claims the current government had a choice not to pay Khadr, and it would have been more sensible to fight the liability battle in court. I have not read of a single lawyer who claims that, under such a scenario, Khadr might have received less than the $10.5 million (half of which went to pay legal fees).

Most lawyers who have written on the subject estimate that a prolonged lawsuit would likely have resulted in a settlement significantly higher than $10.5 million, not counting the additional millions the government would have spent fighting such a case. Yes, the government had the choice to keep fighting a clear losing battle in court. Some choice.

In a vibrant democracy, we hold our politicians to account to tell the truth, no matter how inconvenient, and to act honourably to correct false narratives. It is clear that Andrew Scheer has neither the honour nor the integrity to do either. So much for a principled Conservative movement in 2017.

However challenging, we need to hold such unprincipled politicians to account lest we succumb to the fake news epidemic south of the border.

Ian Greene is co-editor of Honest Politics Now.

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The Supreme Court has confirmed that Indigenous nations do not have the right to veto resource development projects. This is the upshot of two separate rulings released Wednesday.

That is good news for proponents of oil and gas pipelines such as the controversial Kinder Morgan project in British Columbia.

It is bad news for those who had hoped that Indigenous resistance would be sufficient to derail such projects, including pipelines designed to move heavy oil from Alberta to tidewater.

The two decisions are particularly important in that they provide a road map for resource companies and their regulators on how to organize proposed projects in a way that passes legal muster.

At the heart of this is the fact treaties signed between Indigenous nations and the Crown are part of Canadas constitution. The courts have long held that this alone requires the government to consult with First Nations before authorizing projects that could affect treaty rights.

What hasnt been entirely clear is what consultation requires. Is it a weak requirement that means Indigenous views, like those of environmentalists, must be taken into account by government before a final decision is made?

Or is it a strong requirement that means affected Indigenous nations must give their consent before a resource project like a pipeline can go ahead?

This week, the top court, came down firmly against the latter interpretation.

The duty to consult does not provide Indigenous groups with a veto over final Crown decisions, the court ruled in a case that pitted pipeline giant Enbridge against the London-area Chippewas of the Thames First Nation.

And while Indigenous peoples may have a special public interest, the judgment reads, in the end that interest must be balanced against other competing societal needs.

Put simply: Indigenous interests dont automatically trump all others.

This weeks rulings focused on two radically different cases. In one, centred around the tiny Inuit community of Clyde River, Nunavut, the court said the Crown, in the form of the National Energy Board, did just about everything wrong.

In the other, featuring the Chippewas of the Thames, the court found that the NEB did just about everything right.

For Clyde River, the issue was seismic testing. Oil exploration companies wanted to set off sonic explosions in the Arctic Ocean near the hamlet in an attempt to locate undersea petroleum deposits.

The local Inuit argued that this would spook the whales, seals and polar bears the community hunted.

At one point, they reportedly asked for $10 million in compensation. The companies declined.

The entire issue went before an NEB panel, which essentially approved the seismic testing scheme.

But the court ruled that in doing so, the NEB failed to adequately consult the Inuit. It didnt hold oral hearings nor did it provide the local community with funding that would allow it to intervene effectively.

As well, it made no objection when the companies, in response to Inuit questions, replied with a 3,926-page online document written almost entirely in English.

This in a community where most spoke only Inuktitut and where internet access was rudimentary.

The court ruled that none of this constituted adequate consultation and overturned the NEB approval.

In the arguably more important Chippewa ruling, however, the court sided with Enbridge and the NEB against the local Indigenous community.

This case revolved around Enbridges plans to expand and adjust an existing pipeline to let it ship heavy oil from the west to the east  plans which had been okayed by the NEB.

Here, the court ruled, the government agency had met its obligation to consult. It held oral hearings; it provided the Chippewa with intervenor funding; it took Indigenous treaty concerns seriously.

That the Crown, in the form of the NEB, ultimately decided against the Chippewa, the court said, was beside the point. It had taken their Aboriginal rights into account. It had weighed them in its decision.

This, said the court unanimously, is all that the Crown is required to do.

Thomas Walkom appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

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Presbyterians of every type curl their lips at the power of political iconography. Not for them the inexplicable star power of a Reagan, Trump or Trudeau. Their collective moue at the somewhat staggering triumph of Justin Trudeau making the cover of Rolling Stone, is merely the latest proof. Tories jealous moans reflect merely their failure to find a leader with star power in 30 years.

Amateur political pundits may not understand the emotional and motivating power of the shot of Jack Laytons upthrust cane as he battled to victory in his final months, defeating his opponents but not his cancer. Or Hitlers ramrod salute to adoring thousands at Nuremburg. Or Donald Trumps bizarre flashing finger pointing, anointing a follower briefly with the leaders benediction. Seasoned politicians understand it deeply, and resent only their opponents greater hold on it.

Lisa Raitt, a wiser political head than the whiner she was asked to play by her party leader, in attacking Justin Trudeaus elevation to one of the Stations of the Cross of popular culture, knows that powerful political iconography works. She struggled, but survived, under the dour undertaker brand identity of her former leader. Andrew Scheer may be a good candidate for the grinning, somewhat gormless, boy-next-door sidekick role in Canadas next political cycle. Competing for the sexy starring lead? Awkward.

Daniel Kahneman, the genius of our era in revealing the difference between how we claim we make choices about breakfast cereal or political leaders and what really drives us, offers many amusing  and cringe inducing  proofs of our self-delusion. The only psychologist to ever win the Nobel Prize in economics says that our most primitive brain function is hard wired for survival, not surprisingly. We look for proofs of successful competition, and seek their protection. Star power is one such proof.

At the level of intellectual analysis, we should sneer at Justin Trudeaus serene gaze from the cover of Rolling Stone. But in the primal crouch of the amagdyla, we secretly smile. To friends, we sneer at his selfie collection obsession, but our more primitive self recognizes the power of a personality than can attract such compulsion from others.

It is an important lesson for political actors of every persuasion: dont denigrate the power of image and celebrity, dont disparage those who acknowledge its appeal, and never sneer at the fans of the powerful appeal of popular political figures who are clearly less than they appear to be.

Recognize and respect the power of a Bibi Netanayu, a Stalin, Trump or Hitler to mobilize our darkest urges for a political cause. Understand, as Tommy Douglas, Jack Layton and Pierre Trudeau did  and as Justin Trudeau does  how to use its power on the side of light.

The crisis of contemporary democracy across the Western world has many intermingled histories. Failure to deliver on promises to its peoples is high among them. But another important failure is the widening disconnect between its leaders understanding of their citizens angst and their immersion in popular culture.

Was Emmanuel Macron elected because he outlined his program, as a celebrated enarchiste  the French equivalent of a Harvard MBA  to reform the corrupt and sclerotic French state? Dont be silly.

Were Donald Trump voters unaware of his total lack of preparation or discipline as a candidate for the most powerful position on the planet? Please?!

Dont be so dismissive of the decision making of 46 per cent of the American people. No, they accepted that risk in favour of someone promising to punish privileged elites, who unabashedly offered himself as an icon of their shamelessly vulgar selves. [Presbyterians and Conservative partisans still with me, close your eye here, please.] Donald Trump was our lovable, fart joke, brother-in-law, as it were. He revolts us but we are secretly endeared by him.

Lisa Raitt, and prim Victorians on both sides of the political aisle, need to get woke, as young activists say. Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, were. They knew that the cover of the Rolling Stone was not to be sneezed at  then or now. As they cheerfully sang,

Wanna see my picture on the cover,

Wanna buy five copies for my mother,

Wanna see my smiling face on the cover of the Rolling Stone  Rolling Stone.

And soon, they did.

Correction  July 28, 2017: This article was edited from a previous version that misspelled French president Emmanuel Macrons given name.

Robin V. Sears, a principal at Earnscliffe Strategy Group, was an NDP strategist for 20 years.

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Who was the last U.S. politician who made common sense? Return with us to those thrilling days of yesteryear: Bernie Sanders twangs again: The American people are sick and tired of hearing about your [Hillarys] damn emails! Substitute Trump for Clinton and tweets for emails, and it goes: The American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn tweets. If only.

Let me nuance that. Everybody loves gossip. If there are exceptions, they require explanation because gossip is deeply human. If its lying in the street, you pick it up, the way the Bolsheviks picked power up in 1917. (Ive just returned from Russia, please excuse my metaphors.)

But you shouldnt mistake gossip about Trumps tweets, with real politics that affects actual life and impacts those you care about. I bet Bernie gossips too. You can have both: gossip and politics. But not under the spell of Trump Derangement Syndrome.

TDS is real and has acquired dictionary status. Heres this weeks example: If you wanted to design an effective Trump reelection strategy for 2020, youd tweet attacks on your own attorney general, Jeff Sessions, and top those up with a ban on trans members in the U.S. military.

Then while your entire political and media opposition react dyspeptically to those, youd fly to Wisconsin  one of four Midwest states that gave you victory in 2016  and announce a Chinese-owned factory there thatll bring 3,000 jobs  heres the key word  back to the U.S. They voted for Trump for merely promising it last time; imagine their gratitude when he actually does it.

The ongoing version of TDS, versus minute-by-minute variants, is the Trump-Putin conspiracy. Whats true, almost certainly, is the Russians tried to influence the U.S. election for their own purposes by tilting it toward Trump  because everyone tries to influence everyone elses elections. The U.S. did it in Russia in 1996 when it looked like Boris Yeltsin would lose to an ex-Communist. They co-ordinated a huge IMF loan and sent advisers to work with Yeltsin.

Whats totally unproven, despite a vaunted consensus among 17 U.S. intel agencies, is that they worked directly with Trump on it. Why would they? They knew he and his people were idiots and would probably screw up any decent schemes they schemed. Theyd be more effective alone.

In fact, though they mayve helped get him in, they arent benefitting due to his ineptitude. Even if he wants to help them, hes fouled the whole situation with suspicion. Putin, I was told there, is waiting for the next president to ask some favours.

Or take those lists of Trump lies. All leaders lie, though rarely in such plain sight and so compulsively. But the lists often contain what U.S. political thinker David Bromwich calls typical opportunistic half-truths, scattershot promises, changes of tack  hyperbolic exaggerations. Trump gets unique treatment.

The most poignant effect of TDS has been the decline of a generation of fine U.S. political comics. Stephen Colbert, who was an incisive yet empathic mocker of the right during the W years, didnt even try for witty when he said, The only thing [Trumps] mouth is good for is being Vladimir Putins c--- holster. Samantha Bee simply got tiresome this week listing Trump appointees devoured by the taint that never sleeps. Even she seemed bored.

The net TDS effect has been to distract Democrats and journalists from a critique connecting to peoples real lives. Not just on issues Bernie would (and does) bewail, like health care or inequality, but in the very areas theyve targeted, like Trumps Russia connections. He may or may not have property there but for his eternally iffy real estate deals in the U.S. and elsewhere he likely relied on Russian bankers with tight ties to the state, as is normal there. He fired the U.S. prosecutor who was investigating some of those same Russians.

Just this week we learned a small tech startup with money and family ties to Trump son-in-law/adviser Jared Kushner, attended a White House summit that Jared organized, alongside titans, such as Microsoft. It was their major breakthrough.

Thats the real nature of collusion in Trumpworld. Theyd never forego business opportunities just because theyre in public office. Its behaviour most Americans would both get and deplore. It avoids TDS distractions and raises Bernie-type questions about the role of the rich in politics. It even includes gossip.

Rick Salutins column appears Fridays.

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This year, politicians have scrambled to introduce and implement policies to contain many crises facing the city of Toronto. Soaring housing prices, public transit in desperate need of funding, and hundreds of social housing units too dangerous to be inhabited.

There is, however, another crisis that has garnered much less political attention. This crisis not only has the potential to threaten the livelihoods of Torontonians, but also their lives.

Gun violence.

The tragic shootings in Scarborough last weekend mark the citys 204th shooting of the year  a 5 per cent increase from the same time last year  with a total 308 shooting victims. Gun homicides increased 58 per cent from 26 in 2015 to 41 in 2016; there have been 20 gun fatalities so far this year.

Despite a 25-year decline in overall crime, shootings and gun homicides are rising.

Even with these frightening statistics, Torontos elected city council continues to ignore this urgent issue. Now is not the time for the mayor and city councillors to be relaxing on summer vacation.

Last year, Mayor John Tory sent letters to Ralph Goodale, the federal minister of public safety and emergency preparedness, and Yasir Naqvi, the then-provincial minister of community safety. Tory highlighted the problem of increasing gun violence in the city and requesting the ministers address the problem of gun smuggling across the border and other illicit sales of firearms within Canada.

This, however, is not enough.

In the seven months since the last letter was sent, there has been little update from Mayor Tory or city council about new initiatives to address these matters. Mayor Tory cannot simply blame shootings on gangsters and gang subculture. He  working in tandem with other city councillors and the provincial and federal ministers  must also develop a plan to pinpoint and tackle the underlying causes that push young people toward using guns to solve conflicts.

Its an absurdity when young men claim its easier to get a gun than a job and an indictment against this self-proclaimed world class city of Toronto  a world class city for some, but clearly not for all. Why do Torontonians continue to accept that people who live in Rexdale are twice as likely to be unemployed and three times more likely to be low income than people who live in Rosedale?

The acceptance of Toronto as a divided city, with zero gun violence for some but for not others, can no longer be tolerated.

The American Public Health Association has recognized gun violence as a public health crisis. Its time for the city of Toronto to also treat it as such. Wendy Cukier, president of the Coalition for Gun Control in Canada, has also suggested the same, noting that gun deaths and injuries pose a problem that can be reduced through effective public health strategies.

Local government officials seem to prefer to take delegation trips to Hollywood and India rather than organizing a delegation to Parliament Hill or Queens Park to address root causes of gun violence, such as illicit gun sales and lack of access to quality education.

In order to address this escalating threat, Toronto City Council should immediately convene an anti-gun violence forum that gathers all parties affected by this issue. This includes ex-offenders, gang members, the families of both shooting victims and shooters, youth service workers, crown prosecutors, judges, educators, doctors, government representatives, media and academics.

All stakeholders must come together with a single objective: to define the complexity of the problem and focus on finding solutions. The pressing nature of this situation necessitates a frank  yet essential  conversation.

Gun violence isnt only a problem to be solved by government. There must be a collaborative and collective effort to solve what affects every resident of Toronto, regardless of their social status or where they reside in the city.

Its time for all politicians to show political will and courage and finally work toward eradicating gun violence that has been plaguing the city for far too long while traumatizing and terrorizing so many.

Angela Wright is a writer and public affairs professional who has lost family members to gun violence. Louis March is founder of the Zero Gun Violence Movement.

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Summer 2017 brings needed changes to the seventh annual Flathead Lake Blues Festival.

"After every show I am involved in, I do a report card to rate what went right and what needs attention for next year," said Steve Pickel, event coordinator. "We have always had great shows from extremely talented musicians, but fell down on camping and parking.

"This year, I found the solution to be moving the show to the Polson Fairgrounds. ... Anderson Broadcasting is building a 40-by-60 foot stage on the Flathead River for the entire community to use and enjoy at the Polson Fairgrounds."

Pickel said the idea came from a whim.

"Dennis Anderson came up with the name of the site as the Regatta Shoreline Amphitheater, then he came to me and said, 'I got this wacky idea, let's build a permanent stage out of antenna tower pieces.' PFI and the county loved the idea, the city got involved and now we are having an old-fashioned barn raising with a community all pitching together to make something happen," he said.

The weekend opens Friday, Aug. 18, at 4 p.m. with 10 local bands from Whitefish to Missoula. The bands include Andre Floyd and the Mood Iguana, Mike Murray Band, Halladay Quist, Ticket Sauce, Off in the Woods, Kenny James Miller Band, Big Daddy and the Blue Notes, Jameson and the Sordid Seeds, Mudslide Charley and Grand Jam.

"It's time we show the world the talent that lives in our western Montana communities," Pickel said.

On Saturday gates open at 2 p.m. and Pickel said, "we do a 'Ladies of the Blues' bands," which will include Andrea Harsell and the Luna Rosa, the Michell Taylor Band, Estelle and the Atomic Jive and Polly OKeary and the Rythm Method.

Food and beverages will be available, and no food and beverage coolers will be allowed on the festival site (except small ones for baby formula and/or insulin and medicine); no outside alcohol will be permitted. Lawn chairs and umbrellas are permitted. Also, please leave your dogs at home, as they won't be allowed into the venue.

Tickets cost $40 for both days at the gate or $25 for one day only. Tickets are on sale at flatheadlakebluesfestival.com.

Camping is available for $10 for one night or $15 for two nights. You may choose from Friday and Saturday, or both nights. Camping will be dry camping and will not have facilities.

"My plan is to have volunteers from the Anderson Broadcasting Independence Weekend Show at Sacajawea Park gain experience for the Aber Day show, then take those parking and camping skills to the (Flathead Lake Blues Festival) the following weekend of Aug. 18-19," Pickel said.

Contact Heather Holms for sponsorship opportunity and go to Polson's Sandpiper Gallery on Main Street, or the UPS Store in Polson for tickets. Call 406-616-2096 with questions.

"It's going to be an exciting weekend of musical talent and with parking and camping; this is a recipe for success," Pickel said.
Re: Let the people paddleboard, Beach residents, Teitel, July 26

Let the people paddleboard, Beach residents, Teitel, July 26

Emma Teitel complains about Beach residents complaining about the van of a paddleboard business blocking their view of the lake. There are several remedies.

One would be to talk Ms. Teitel into moving to the area. Then the modestly sized kiosk, as she describes the van of about 10 metres, could be parked in front of her porch. No problem. Ms. Teitel would give us all a much-needed lesson in forbearance.

An even easier solution would be to move the van about half a block east, away from the residences.

Cec Jennings, Toronto

Dear Beach residents: Please consider how fortunate you are to own and live in one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in the world.

Your fellow Torontonians who are renting the paddleboards can only dream of being in your shoes. Consider being in theirs.

Donna Devlin, Toronto

This column by Emma Teitel appeared to be very one-sided.

First, look at the homeowners point of view (no pun intended): When they bought their homes on Hubbard Blvd., it was because they have a view of the lake. If they did not want a view, they could have paid a lot less money in another part of the city. So they have a valid point about the obstruction.

Now, lets look at Brian Quinn, owner of Paddle Adventures. He has a right to make a living and he was told by the city he could park his trailer in this spot.

But why not park the short end of the trailer at the boardwalk and the long part going north into the park? This would result in only one third of the trailer blocking the view of the lake. A compromise.

Eli Allaway, Oshawa

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Republican leaders are abandoning a border tax in their proposed tax plan, according to a statement released Thursday.

"While we have debated the pro-growth benefits of border adjustability, we appreciate that there are many unknowns associated with it and have decided to set this policy aside in order to advance tax reform," according to the statement from House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and others, announcing work on legislation that will leave out the import-taxing proposal.

Ryan and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX), who also signed the statement, proposed a tax plan with the border-adjustment tax back in 2016 as part of their A Better Way initiative.

In June, 60 small business owners and a representative from Big Lots (BIG) - Get Free Report lobbied lawmakers to let go of the proposal.

Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) proposed in June a 5-year phase-in of a border adjustment plan, the Wall Street Journal reported. The plan saw mixed reviews from businesses, with support from Eli Lilly (LLY) - Get Free Report and Oracle (ORCL) - Get Free Report and opposition from Macy's (M) - Get Free Report and Best Buy (BBY) - Get Free Report .

Lawmakers even saw a tax proposal from a business itself when FedEx Corp. (FDX) - Get Free Report CEO Fred Smith released a tax reform plan. Smith's plan also left out any form of import tax.

The announcement of a potentially more politically-feasible tax plan comes amid mounting pressure on Republican lawmakers to pass bills for any of President Donald Trump's campaign platform items or any of the GOP's talking points for the last eight years.

Mnuchin in June and Ryan earlier this month both promised a tax reform bill to pass this year.

The only indication of a timeframe the GOP leaders gave in the statement was a hope that the legislation would pass through committees this fall.
Wells Fargo & Co. (WFC) - Get Free Report , working to repair its brand after a fake accounts scandal, is returning $80 million to about half a million car-loan customers who were charged for vehicle insurance they didn't need.

A review prepared for CEO Tim Sloan's management team showed some 490,000 customers were charged for insurance to safeguard the San Francisco-based lender from damage to the vehicle used as loan collateral -- even though the borrowers already had the coverage the bank required, according to a statement on Thursday, July 27. The insurance issues, first reported by the New York Times, occurred from 2012 through 2017.

An additional 60,000 customers in states with specific disclosure requirements may not have been informed about the insurance by the third-party vendor that issued it, Wells Fargo said, and some 20,000 may have defaulted on loans and had their cars repossessed because of the charges.

The lender dropped 2.6% to $53.30 in New York trading on Friday. Following the fake-accounts scandal in September, the shares plunged, but they had recovered and were up 10% through Thursday, still trailing a 13% gain in the S&P 500 over that period.

"We take full responsibility for our failure to appropriately manage the collateral-protection insurance program and are extremely sorry for any harm this caused our customers, who expect and deserve better from us," Franklin Codel, head of the bank's consumer lending unit, said in a statement.

Wells Fargo has already started issuing insurance refunds and in August will send letters and checks to customers who are due additional payments.

While the bank is moving quickly to make customers whole, the discovery compounds damage to Wells Fargo's image from the creation of as many as 2 million unauthorized accounts over a five-year period by employees struggling to sell as many as eight products to each customer.

The disclosure of the accounts in a $185 million settlement with federal and local regulators last September sparked a public backlash that curbed growth in the consumer division, hammered the company's stock price and led to the abrupt retirement of then-chairman and CEO John Stumpf.

Sloan, his successor, has tried to rehabilitate the Wells brand by moving quickly to settle a class-action customer lawsuit for $142 million; overhauling leadership of the community banking division, the company's largest; and introducing a new marketing campaign, "Building Better Every Day."

Restoring customer trust is the bank's top priority, he said on earnings call this month, and Wells Fargo has more work ahead, including the completion of a third-party review of its sales practices.

Wells Fargo is a holding in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS charitable trust portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer and the AAP team buy or sell the stock? Learn more now.

"For the overarching brand, and consumer appetite to use Wells Fargo for deposits and bank loans and things like that," issues with the auto loans are "a concern," Ken Leon, an analyst with CFRA Research, said in a telephone interview. "This is a significant bank that's trying to revamp its culture internally and also the face that it shows to the market, especially customers."

The bank's reputation has also been a concern to investors, who rebuked the board sharply at the company's annual meeting in April -- 12 of the 15 members were elected with votes of 80% or less, well below the 90% norm. Board Chairman Stephen Sanger, who led the nearly-two-hour session, garnered just 56% of support.

Earlier this month, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat who's advocated for stricter regulation of banks, questioned Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen about why the central bank hadn't used its authority to remove directors who failed to put a halt to the fake accounts or the pay incentives that encouraged them.

"The behavior we saw was egregious and unacceptable," Yellen answered, without offering details on the Fed's oversight of the bank. "A number of actions have already been taken. We need to conduct a thorough investigation to look at the full record to understand the root causes of the problems. We are certainly prepared to take enforcement actions if they prove appropriate."

Discovering that the bank charged customers for a product for they didn't need prompted Warren to urge the central bank again on Friday to take action.

"There are surely deep risk-management problems at a bank when it opens millions of fake customer accounts" and charges thousands of customers "for a financial product they don't need," the senator wrote in a letter to Yellen.

"The Wells Fargo board is ultimately responsible for that failure, and the Federal Reserve should remove board members who served during that time period," she added. "Fines alone will never do the job."

Visit here for the latest business headlines.

Updated from 11:57 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2017.

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IAG (ICAGY) shares rose sharply Friday after the British Airways owner beat expectations for second-quarter revenue and operating profit, rounding off what was a solid first-half for the airline group.

Second-quarter revenue came in at 5.9 billion ($6.9 billion), up 4.3% on the same period one year ago and ahead of the FactSet consensus for a top line of 5.7 billion. Operating profit of 805 million was some 23% ahead of analyst forecasts for a result of 653 million.

Shares of IAG rose more than 3.5% during early trading to change hands at an intraday high of 614.0 pence before paring gains, extending their year to date gain to more than 36% amid broad weakness across the European airline sector.

Shares were 0.93% up at 9:19 BST, changing hands at 599.5 pence.

"We're reporting a very strong performance in quarter 2 with an operating profit of 805 million before exceptional items which is up from 555 million last year. The underlying trend in unit revenue improved, benefiting partially from Easter and a weak base last year," said CEO Willie Walsh.

The airline told investors that full year operating profit is expected to show a double digit improvement on 2016 and second half unit revenues are expected to show an increase on last year.

Friday's solid set of results came despite a power outage that grounded all British Airways flights into and out of U.K. airports Gatwick and Heathrow in June, which was expected to result in the airline taking around 150 million in one-off charges.

Thousands of flights were delayed over the course of one weekend however, British Airways operating profit rose 39% to 975 million during the first half. It reported additional charges of 68 million related to the power outage on Friday.

"Non-fuel unit costs before exceptional items are up, at constant currency. These costs include the financial impact of the power failure which affected British Airways' customers," said Walsh.

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Walmart Stores Inc (WMT) - Get Free Report workers in Chile voted to go on strike to petition for higher wages Friday, Reuters reported.

The workers are employees of Lider, Walmart's main supermarket chain in Chile. The union representing Lider employees said on its Facebook (FB) - Get Free Report site "we can say that our union approves the strike with 9.850 votes, or 63.4% of the total."

The union or the company could now request five-day government-mediated talks in an attempt to reach an agreement and avert the strike.

The union represents 16,500 workers, making it one of South America's largest. Workers from the union have demonstrated outside stores across Chile in a push for better wages. Walmart operates 380 stores in Chile.

Walmart stock traded slightly down mid-afternoon.

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As Congress is in crisis, some senators suggest fundamental changes that would forever alter that esteemed body. Montana Sen. Steve Daines has dramatically proposed getting rid of the historic Senate filibuster rule:

"These are archaic rules from the past that are creating, are going to create barriers for the Senate to act on behalf of the American people. It is time to blow up the filibuster. ... I was pleased to see the president tweet that out."

 U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, July 18, 2017

Under Daines proposal any legislation could pass the Senate by a simple majority vote. That would hurt Montana, harm America and doom efforts to build bipartisan consensus to solve major problems. So, we started drafting a column in opposition to Daines view.

But before we were done, Arizonas 30-year Sen. John McCain, genuine American hero recently diagnosed with deadly brain cancer, returned to the Senate to offer a stunning and passionate view that starkly contrasts with the views of our junior senator. So we slashed our draft to make room for excerpts from McCains remarks.

After reading McCains views, if you feel Montanas congressional delegation should be working for more bipartisan cooperation and thoughtful action, you might want to let Daines know that.

U.S. Sen. John McCain to the United States Senate, July 25, 2017:

Our responsibilities are important, vitally important  and our arcane rules and customs [which include the filibuster] are deliberately intended to require broad cooperation  The most revered members of this institution accepted the necessity of compromise in order to make incremental progress on solving Americas problems 

 the exercise of all our responsibilities  authorizing government policies, appropriating the funds to implement them, exercising our advice and consent role  are often lively and interesting. They can be sincere and principled. But they are more partisan, more tribal more of the time than any other time I remember

Incremental progress, compromises that each side criticizes but also accepts  isnt glamorous or exciting. It doesnt feel like a political triumph. But its usually the most we can expect from our system of government, operating in a country as diverse and quarrelsome and free as ours

I hope we can again rely on humility, on our need to cooperate, on our dependence on each other to  better serve the people who elected us

This place is important. The work we do is important. Our strange rules and seemingly eccentric practices that slow our proceedings and insist on our cooperation are important. Our founders envisioned the Senate as the more deliberative, careful body that operates at a greater distance than the other body from the public passions of the hour

Daines idea to get rid of the filibuster could fundamentally change the Senate from the worlds most deliberative legislative body to a vehicle of quick action on whatever radical agenda might emerge from the passionate political arena. By design of our Founding Fathers, that is the planned role of the House of Representatives, not the Senate.

Anyone with historical perspective understands the value of the Senate being slower and more dispassionate  that smaller states, by constitutional right of state sovereignty, have a stronger voice in the Senate than in the population-driven House. They understand the filibuster is part of ensuring the structure that not only empowers smaller states like Montana but also guarantees deliberativeness in the Senate.

Senator Daines needs to consider history before his 2012 election and drop this crazy idea of getting rid of the filibuster so we might have a Senate like Senator McCain so compellingly advocates.
LAS VEGAS  In 2038, the world will face a computer crisis greater than the "Y2K bug" of the year 2000, a prominent security researcher told the Black Hat security conference here yesterday (July 27).

(Image credit: Melkor3D/Shutterstock)

Mikko Hypponen, chief research officer of the Finnish antivirus firm F-Secure, reminded the audience of hackers and corporate executives that the "Unix epoch" ends on Jan. 19, 2038. At that point, many modern computer systems will stop telling time, with a potentially catastrophic effect upon every aspect of society.

"Try changing your phone's calendar to 2039," Hyponnen said. "You can't."

The Unix epoch bug  which Hypponen half-jokingly referred to as the "Epochalypse" will require massive rewriting of computer code and replacement of unfixable devices, and is only one of half-a-dozen digitally induced major societal changes that we will see in the next two decades.

"Banks may not be able to dispense money or make transactions. Cellphones may not be able to make calls. Your home alarm system may go nuts, or may not be able to tell if an intruder has broken in. GPS-based navigation systems, such as on aircraft, may not be able to tell GPS receivers where they are."

Others involve robots fighting wars, self-driving cars making life-or-death decisions and self-programming computers writing software that humans can't understand.

MORE: How to Protect Your Identity, Personal Data and Property

Like many modern-day computer problems, the Unix epoch problem stems from a decision made long ago by programmers who never imagined that their choices would have consequences many decades in the future.

In this case, the system of counting time by computers running Unix, an operating system developed at Bell Labs during the early 1970s, was set to simply count individual seconds beginning at midnight Greenwich time on Jan. 1, 1970.

The time counter is a simple 32-bit system, meaning it has a maximum value of 2,147,483,647  2 to the 32nd power minus 1. That number of seconds since midnight on Jan. 1, 1970 can take us up to 3:14:07 a.m. Greenwich time on Jan. 19, 2038. One second after that, all clocks running Unix time will flip over and start counting upward from -2,147,483,647, which computers will recognize as Dec. 13, 1901.

The consequences may be immense. Most modern operating systems, including Linux, Android, macOS and iOS, are based on Unix or related software. (Windows is not.) Most "smart" devices, embedded devices and Internet of Things devices run some form of Linux. In a single moment two decades from now, many of them will switch from the mid-21st century to the first year of the 20th century.

"If something is described as 'smart,' then it's vulnerable," Hypponen said.

MORE: Best Antivirus - Top Software for PC, Mac and Android

Banks may not be able to dispense money or make transactions. Cellphones may not be able to make calls. Your home alarm system may go nuts, or may not be able to tell if an intruder has broken in. GPS-based navigation systems, such as on aircraft, ships and road vehicles, may not be able to tell GPS receivers where they are.

"I remember spending the night of Dec. 31, 1999 on the phone with our partners, beginning with New Zealand, to make sure nothing happened," Hypponen said. "Yet [the Y2K bug] wasn't a dud. A tremendous amount of work went into fixing bugs in the months beforehand."

"And there were still problems, for example in healthcare computers in the UK," he added. "That led to 154 false positives sent to pregnant women about whether their fetuses had Down's syndrome. Some babies were aborted."

Work has already begun to update or replace systems vulnerable to the 2038 bug, but Hypponen said the task is immense, and we may never be able to get to all the systems before the date arrives.

"I guarantee we will run out of time to fix all the bugs regarding 2038," Hypponen said.

The 2038 bug is such a problem because computers have become pervasive in every aspect of modern society, Hypponen said. He pointed out that computers are now being used to write computer programs, and that at some point, they will become as good as humans at doing so.

MORE: 23 Awesome Tech Hacks That'll Make Your Life Easier

"And then they will bypass us and skyrocket," he said.

A pivotal moment in machine-human interaction, Hypponen reminded the audience, was when the IBM supercomputer Deep Blue beat the chess champion Garry Kasparov in a match in 1997.

Yet, he said, "the smartphone in your pocket is probably 70 times more powerful than Deep Blue."

Likewise, Hypponen said, military drones are perfectly capable of piloting themselves and making decisions about whom to attack on the ground. We maintain remote human control only for "philosophical reasons," he said.

Hypponen began his presentation with a video showing a self-driving car about to hit a little girl as her father rushed out into the street from the other side to save her.

"Should the self-driving car drive over the father, or the daughter?" he asked. "I don't know.

"But it's now our problem, because everything runs on computers," he added, addressing the crowd of information-security professionals. "Your work is no longer just to secure computers. Your work is to secure society."
Spotted hyenas  also known as laughing hyenas  don't have the best reputation. From myriad cultural myths to The Lion King, Crocuta crocuta is generally seen as a malevolent creature, often portending gloom and ill-fortune. And ok, maybe they do have a hauntingly human cackle and yes, they attack people once in a while. But nobody's perfect, and the spotted hyena's awesomeness should more than make up for what may seem as unsavory to some.

Coming from neither cat nor dog family, C. crocuta is one of the few members of the family Hyaenidae. With only four extant species in the group, it is one of the smallest families in the class Mammalia. Of the four species, it turns out that spotted hyenas are the most social and also have a significantly larger forebrain (where the complex decision-making magic happens) than their nearest relatives.

Their larger brain size appears to be associated with their complex social arrangements. As the multimedia magazine, bioGraphic, explains of hyena society:

"Native throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa, spotted hyenas live in large, interrelated, matriarchal clans of up to a hundred individuals. Able to recognize even distant kin, such as great aunts and cousins, spotted hyenas learn their social rank as cubs, and use that information throughout their lives to build social alliances, resolve conflicts, and gain access to resources."

While other species of hyena may be more prone to scavenging, spotted hyenas capture most of their prey, and do so by working together, enabling them to tackle even large animals like wildebeests and Cape buffalo. The clan's ruling she-hyena gets first pick of the kill, followed by the rest.

Curiously, the clans leader gets her rank not because of her size or ferocity but because of her popularity, notes bioGraphic. The hyena with the most extensive network of allies in the clan becomes queen of the savannah.

Given the fact that hyenas aren't the most docile of creatures, you might be wondering where photographer Will Burrard-Lucas, who took the shot above, got his nerves of steel. As it turns out, Burrard-Lucas has long worked on creating innovative technologies to encourage wildlife photography that is as least invasive as possible; especially intended for capturing images of shy, nocturnal, and potentially dangerous animals.

"Having followed this clan throughout the previous night in Zambia's Liuwa Plain National Park, he deployed his remote-controlled 'BeetleCam' at daybreak, and drove it straight into the group," writes bioGraphic. "As the strange interloper approached, the hyenas gathered around to investigate, allowing Burrard-Lucas to capture an intimate portrait of this powerful and curious species."

Visit Burrard-Lucas Wildlife Photography for more about his innovative methods and some extraordinary photos of creatures great and small.
- Tanzani has banned 20 companies from exporting goods and products into its territory

- Among those affected are President Uhuru Kenyatta's Brookside Dailies

- This comes despite a truce reached between the two countries a week ago

- Kenya and Tanzania imposed sanctions on products and goods, escalating tension between the two nations

Tension is building between Kenya and her neighbour Tanzania over exportation of products despite a truce being reached and signed Friday, July 21.

The two countries had banned exportation of products into each other's territory, a move that had thrown relations between them into limbo.

But after prolonged talks, Kenya's Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed and her Tanzanian counterpart Augustine Mahiga jointly released a statement to announce a truce had been reached.

Uhuru Kenyatta and John Pombe Magufuli Photo: PSCU

READ ALSO: Raila in panic mode after attempts to stop August 8 elections through the courts flopped- UhuRuto

The United Republic of Tanzania will lift restriction on milk and milk products and cigarettes manufactured in Kenya with immediate effect, the statement read in part.

Kenya had banned importation of cooking gas and wheat from Tanzania, with Magufuli's administration retaliating with a ban on exportation of milk products, unprocessed goods and cigarettes.

Despite the agreement, Tanzania has continued to ban exportation of goods by 20 companies from Kenya, among them President Uhuru Kenyatta's Brookside Daily products.

Uhuru Kenyatta and Magufuli Photo: Facebook/Uhuru Kenyatta

READ ALSO: Presidential ballot papers to arrive in the country on Monday

Others are New KCC, BAT, cement manufacturing industries, Bidco, Vivo lubricants and Carbacid.

Kenyan professionals seeking to do business in Tanzania are required to part with KSh 5,000, even for a single day, despite an agreement of free movement within the East African bloc.

The latest move has greatly threatened the co-existence and unity of the bloc as the two biggest economies in the region continue fighting.

I've slept with over 100 men, tried taking away myself 5 times

Have something to add to this article or suggestions? Send to news@tuko.co.ke

Source: TUKO.co.ke
- Education CS Fred Matiangi has ordered the closure of two Universities

- The two Universities are located in Tanzania and Rwanda

- Matiangi's directive comes after Tanzania moved to block the admission of Kenyan students in the universities

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi has directed two Kenya-based Universities to close down their regional campuses.

Matiangi has ordered the closure of Kenyatta University and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology campuses in Rwanda and Tanzania.

His move comes after JKUAT University Tanzania campus banned the admission of Kenyan students in their campuses for allegedly failing to comply with regulations.

Education CS Fred Matiangi:FILE

READ ALSO: Blow by blow account of how Jubilee and NASA will share Nairobi MP seats

As a result of the directive, upto 19 universities in Tanzania and Uganda will not be allowed to admit students.

This consequently means that there might be a shortage of Higher learning space in the campuses in the country at the moment for various courses during the 2017 2018 academic year.

JKUAT Nairobi main campus. PHOTO: Courtesy

READ ALSO: One clear winner in Nairobi Woman rep race according to latest polls

On Wednesday, July 26, Tanzania Commission for Universities executive secretary, Professor Eleuther Mwageni revealed details of an audit report which alleged several shortcomings in the Universities hence the need to block further admissions.

Despite the fact that students already enrolled will be unaffected, Matiangi is still keen on seeing the closure of all campuses in Tanzania and Rwanda.

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- A convoy consisting of KDF and US soldiers has been ambushed by al-Shabaab militants

- The convoy seem to have run on explosives which reaped vehicles apart in Kismayo, Somalia

- Several of them are feared to have died but official confirmation is not yet out

Several KDF and American soldiers are feared dead following an attack on their convoy by al-Shabaab militants.

Reports indicate there was a huge explosion which hit vehicles carrying Kenyan and US forces in Yantoy area of Somalia.

The convoy was ambushed about 25 kms North of Kismayo with photos showing one military vehicle split into two by the heavy explosion.

READ ALSO: Raila threatens to boycott August polls, cites grand rigging scheme

The aftermath of an explosion which hit KDF and American military vehicles in Kismayo.Photo;Courtesy.

READ ALSO: Blow by blow account of how Jubilee and NASA will share Nairobi MP seats

The vehicles seemed to have stepped on a powerful explosive device leading to damage of the military vehicles and possible casualties.

Both Kenya and US are yet to confirm any deaths during the Friday July 28 incidence.

The Kenyan and US soldiers were coming from a military operation when they were attacked.

READ ALSO: The constituency in NASA stronghold where MP election won't take place on August 8

KDF soldiers inspect the damaged military vehicle.Photo:Courtesy.

This comes just eight days after a senior al Shabaab who has been terrorising police posts in border towns on the Kenya-Somalia border was killed.

Was it right for Uhuru to skip presidential debate?

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Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke made a last-minute visit to southern Oregon the weekend of July 15, and I made a quick change in my plans to be there to see him. I know Zinke calls Montana home, but dont forget the secretary called Oregon home while he was a lineman for the Oregon Ducks. Although Zinke escapes Washington, D.C., to return to Montana regularly, this was his first trip to Oregon in his new role, so I didnt want to miss it.

Unfortunately, Zinke was in Oregon for all the wrong reasons. The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument outside of Ashland is on his list of public lands to scrutinize as part of a review launched by President Trump.

The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument has been drawing visitors like myself since it was protected under the Antiquities Act 17 years ago, but was recently expanded to protect sensitive watersheds and to provide additional recreational opportunities. It therefore caught the skeptical eye of President Trump, who calls using the Antiquities Act to designate national monuments a land grab  even though the lands protected under the Antiquities Act are already owned by the American people and will stay that way.

Im very worried about the direction Zinke has been going so far in regard to his review of 27 of our countrys national monuments. His first report to the president on Bears Ears National Monument in Utah recommended that portions of that monument lose their protections, and therefore be opened back up to possible future development such as oil and gas drilling.

For his Cascade-Siskiyou site visit, Zinke employed the tour guide services of Congressman Greg Walden, who opposed the expansion of the monument. Instead of first reaching out to local chambers of commerce and businesses who support the Cascade-Siskiyou, Zinkes priority meetings in Oregon were with those who oppose maintaining protections for the area.

As soon as I heard about the secretarys trip to Oregon, I reached out to his scheduling office. The secretary is an avid outdoorsman, and it would have been such an honor to be able to go fly-fishing with him in the Cascade-Siskiyou. I was not surprised, but nonetheless extremely disappointed, to hear from his scheduling team that Zinkes itinerary was already set.

As the founder of the Northwest Guides and Anglers Association, and a fishing guide for the last 21 years, I wanted to make sure the secretary heard about the unique wildlife and the outstanding recreation opportunities that are preserved as part of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The monument has been a draw for nearby residents and tourists for years, and economic studies show the local economy has improved because of it. As everyone knows, salmon, trout and wildlife are the social and economic lifeblood of our rural communities.

So even though I didnt get that fly-fishing trip set with Zinke, I still drove the nearly six hours after one of my guided fishing tours on the Oregon coast to Medford, just to see if I could catch him for a few minutes. This is an unnerving and historic moment in time: President Trump and Secretary Zinke are trying to undo national monuments  an action that legally only Congress can do. I therefore wanted the Interior secretary to hear from small Oregon businesses like mine that rely on healthy watersheds and protected public lands, not just from extractive interests.

Zinke has the power to decide to drop national monuments from his list of sites to review under Trumps executive order. Im thankful that the Hanford Reach National Monument on the Columbia River, where wild fall Chinook thrive, was recently spared. Now lets hope Zinke, like a good fisherman, releases the awe-inspiring Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument so that future generations may enjoy the benefits that these wild lands bring to our states.
The President General of the NUGFW and NATUC, James Lambert says, too many people in the cou
The trade turnover between Ukraine and Japan for four months of 2017 grew by 40% compared to the same period in 2016.

This was announced during the meeting of First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, Economic Development and Trade Minister of Ukraine Stepan Kubiv with Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Taido Tanose, the press service of the Economic Development and Trade Ministry reports.

"Ukraine-Japan trade turnover has increased significantly since the beginning of the year and increased by 40% during four months of 2017 in comparison with the same period in 2016," the statement reads.

As a reminder, according to the data of the Embassy of Ukraine in Japan, Ukrainian exports of goods to Japan amounted to USD 122.4 million in 2016. Imports of goods from Japan amounted to USD 387.6 million.

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In August of 2017, Ukraine will export 470 MW of electricity to the EU and Moldova.

This is said in the forecasted electricity balance of the United Energy Systems of Ukraine of the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry for August of 2017, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Ukraine will export 90 MW to Moldova, 80 MW to Poland. And 300 MW will be exported from Burshtyn Energy Island.

As reported, in January-June of 2017, Ukraine increased the export of electricity compared to the same period in 2016 by 44.6% - to 3.164 billion kW-h.

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The Administration of the President of Ukraine has confirmed that the Head of State has signed the decree on stripping Mikheil Saakashvili of Ukrainian citizenship.

Ukrinform learnt this from the Presidential Administration.

"Upon submission of the State Migration Service which provided convincing facts about filing false information when submitting the application, the Citizenship Commission under the President of Ukraine decided to support the motion for terminating Ukrainian citizenship of Mikheil Saakashvili and recommended the President to take an appropriate decision. The Head of State signed the decree on the grounds of these recommendations," an interlocutor of the agency noted.

The Administration added that in accordance with the legislation on the protection of personal data, the relevant normative act was not subject to publication since it contained confidential information, particularly personal data.

As reported, Saakashvili received Ukrainian citizenship pursuant to the decree of the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko in late May 2015. Saakashvili headed the Odesa Regional State Administration for a year and a half  from May 30, 2015 to November 9, 2016  and then announced his resignation.

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The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to approve tough sanctions on Russia, the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States reports.

In particular, the document supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and significantly strengthens and broadens sanctions against the Russian Federation. We highly appreciate the bipartisan and bicameral support in the US Congress for Ukraine! reads the report.

Consequently, the bill envisages the support for the government of Ukraine in restoring sovereignty and territorial integrity; condemnation of all the destabilizing efforts of the Russian government in Ukraine; non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea by the government of the Russian Federation or the rejection of any part of the territory of Ukraine by using military force; assistance in reforming Ukraine's energy sector and reducing dependence on Russian energy resources; continuation of the opposition to the implementation of the Nord Stream-2 project.

The legislative act also envisages the creation of the Countering Russian Influence Fund, and allocations of $250 million to its budget for fiscal years 2018 and 2019. A total of $30 million will be allocated for the implementation of initiatives to support Ukraine's energy security," reads the report.

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The militants continue to block access of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission observers to the temporarily occupied town of Novoazovsk in Donetsk region.

This is said in the OSCE report of July 24, published today.

The OSCE monitors are prevented access to the temporarily occupied town of Novoazovsk near the border with the Russian Federation, the report says.

As reported, last week the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine informed that the SMM patrols were prevented from entering the town of Novoazovsk in Donetsk region, which is now under the control of the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic.

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President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko says that a new package of US sanctions against the Russian Federation shows the united and unanimous support for Ukraine.

In a post on his Facebook page, President Poroshenko wrote: I appreciate the adoption of a new package of sanctions against Russia by the US Congress. It is a decisive signal of the united and unanimous support for Ukraine by the US parliament. I believe in the unchanged position of the United States on the issue of fair and imminent punishment of the aggressor!

As earlier reported, the US Senate overwhelmingly approved a new package of sanctions on Russia, Iran, and the North Korea.

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Welcome-home huckleberries to Guthrie McLean, the University of Montana student who was released last Sunday after almost a week in a Chinese detention facility, and to Montanas congressional delegation for working diligently on his behalf. U.S. Sen. Steve Daines in particular deserves acknowledgement for using his Chinese connections to negotiate McLeans swift release.

McLean was arrested in Zhengzhou on July 17 after confronting a taxi driver who had gotten into an argument with his mother. The driver claimed McLean shoved him, causing injury, and the police reportedly demanded money from his mother to settle the case. Daines, who lived in China for several years while working for Proctor and Gamble, and who has been working with Chinese authorities more recently to lift the 13-year-old ban on U.S. beef, and his staff worked around the clock to keep the lines of communication open between U.S. and Chinese officials and the McLeans  and helped speed along an agreement to secure Guthrie McLeans prompt release.

Chokecherries to the painful cuts felt across state agencies this week. State revenues have fallen $75 million short of projections, triggering a law passed by the Montana Legislature this year to reduce funding for various departments. The cuts are expected to cost at least 20 state employees their jobs, as well as severely reduce certain state services and end some programs altogether. School districts may have to tap local levies to make up for the loss in state support, and the Department of Corrections will reduce its contracts with pre-lease and treatment providers.

But perhaps worst of all, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, facing a $14 million cut, will end a program to create more openings in nursing homes, leaving more than 500 people on a waiting list. The department is also planning to cut funding for case management for those with severe health issues, and decrease reimbursements to already underpaid Medicaid providers by nearly 3.5 percent. These cuts are certain to cause immediate, far-reaching hardship for some of the states most vulnerable residents  and take Montana in the wrong direction.

Heart-shaped huckleberries to Missoula for being named Montanas first Purple Heart city. Purple Hearts are given to U.S. military members who are killed or wounded while serving their country, and Purple Heart cities earn that distinction by taking extra steps to recognize and support injured combat veterans. The Montana chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart awarded the University of Montana similar recognition in 2015, and has been working with the city of Missoula for the past couple of years to increase opportunities for wounded veterans in the community.

High-priced chokecherries to the steep fee increase for a senior pass used to access national parks and other federal recreational lands. The America the Beautiful-Senior Pass is a lifetime pass available to those age 62 and older. For more than two decades, it has cost just $10  and prior to 1994, it was free. But on Aug. 28, the price is increasing to $80 thanks to legislation passed by Congress last December. Thats still a bargain, but more low-income Americans may find it difficult to scrape together enough money to purchase a lifetime pass now. Fortunately, the National Park Service plans to allow those 62 and older to buy an annual pass for $20 each year for four years, and then exchange them for a lifetime pass if they wish.

Wheels of huckleberries going round and 'round to the new bus standards for Montana school districts approved well in time for the beginning of the 2017 school year. The Board of Public Education has already approved the new standards, which clarify policies regarding video monitoring and require more training hours for drivers, among other changes, and the Montana Office of Public Instruction released the new rules this past week. The updated standards take effect Oct. 13 and include provisions regarding transportation for students who are homeless or in foster care as specified in the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, as well as emergency evacuation equipment for students in wheelchairs. Overall, the new standards are a measurable improvement to the states public school transportation policies.
EAST DARFUR, Sudan, 27 July 2017  Fourteen-year-old Jonk Tonk Dack, and his brother Lowal, 9, are from Kair, Bahar Arab, South Sudan. The two boys recently fled their hometown alone, escaping both hunger and fighting. They were headed for Kario camp in East Darfur.

After walking for more than three days, they were frail and exhausted. It became clear that the children would not be able to reach the camp alone, as it was still a day and half drive away.

The boys finally caught a bit of luck when a lorry passed by, carrying other South Sudanese refugees. The passengers pleaded with the driver and to stop  and he did. Jonk and Lowal arrived at Kario camp on 1 March 2017, weak, but glad to have reached safety. The camp is better and safer than South Sudan and I dont want to go back, said Jonk.

Both children were immediately registered as unaccompanied or separated children by the State Council of Child Welfare. With support from UNICEF, they received care, support, immunization and other services at the Child Friendly Space recently constructed with support from Germany.

Today, Jonk and Lowal are living with a foster family at the camp, and have received clothes and blankets. Their new foster family receives cash support to help take care of the children, thanks to support from Germany.
US CONGRESS STEPS TO GET TOUGH ON RUSSIA New US sanctions punishing Russia for interference in last years US election clear a major hurdle in Congress but sets up new roadblocks on what the President can or cannot do. VOA National correspondent Jim Malone, and Congressional correspondent Kathryn Gypson discuss the legislation landing on President Trumps desk, and on a disappointing political week for the White House.
Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to carry out operations targeting Islamic State militants along their shared border, but there are signs that the two countries are not communicating, making the effort less effective.

This week, Pakistan said that it just completed the first phase of its Khyber 4 operation against IS militants in the country's Khyber Agency.

"Terrorist hideouts were dismantled, and caches of IEDs [improvised explosive devices], arms and ammunition were seized," Pakistan Army's media wing (ISPR) said a statement.

But Afghan defense officials told VOA that Afghanistan and Pakistan had agreed that they would inform one another of planned operations against IS on both sides of the Durand Line, and that Pakistan did not do so with its recent operation against IS.

"Based on the agreement, both sides would exchange information based on which operation will be conducted under U.S. and China watch. Pakistan has not done so," Major General Daulat Waziri, spokesperson of the Afghan ministry of defense, told VOA.

Waziri added that Pakistan should target terror groups in the right locations.

"Pakistan Army should conduct operations in big cities and destroy them, as most of the centers for terrorist groups are located in big cities, not in the areas close to Durand Line," Waziri said. "Military operations need to be launched on both sides of the Durand Line. Everyone understands the terrorist sanctuaries are located in Pakistan."

Pakistan's military rejected Afghanistan's claims as "unwarranted."

"The information about Operation Khyber 4 has been shared [twice verbally and in written form] with Afghan forces as well as Resolute Support Mission," ISPR said in a statement issued last week.

Remote IS strongholds

Launched in July, Khyber 4 is part of the ongoing military operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, which is aimed at diminishing the Islamic State's threat in Pakistan and destroying the terror group's hideouts in the relatively isolated Rajgal valley in the tribal belt.

Rajgal valley of the Khyber Agency is situated in the semi-autonomous Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), sharing a border with Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, where IS offshoot Khorasan branch has made inroads in recent years.

Earlier this year, the U.S. military and the Afghan government promised to eliminate IS in Afghanistan by the end of 2017. Hundreds of IS fighters, including several senior commanders, have been killed in recent months.

In May, the terror group lost Sheikh Abdul Hasib, its leader in Afghanistan. Hasib was killed in a joint U.S. Afghan forces raid in eastern Nangarhar.

Pakistan has long denied the existence of IS in its territory, but analysts believe the recent operation aimed at cracking down on the terror group suggests Pakistan no longer denies its existence in the area.

"Pakistani government has until recently denied the presence of the Islamic State in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa," Khadim Hussain, a political analyst from Peshawar, told VOA. "Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and several other banned terror outfits are able to work, recruit for the IS, and move freely on both sides of the border."

Hussain added that the long-running practice of both countries blaming the other for the militants "needs to be stopped. Pakistan and Afghanistan both are victims of terrorism and they'll have to join hands if they want to win this war."

In March, IS sympathizers distributed hundreds of pamphlets containing threats from IS in the semi-autonomous FATA, as well as some parts of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
While President Donald Trump's administration is seeking a reason to keep American troops in Afghanistan after 16 years of war, U.S. officials are also examining options to stabilize conflicts in the region, including a dialogue that would move forward a peace process.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is not advocating for military options, but looking to facilitate a dialogue between Kabul and the Taliban, according to the State Department.

"I think one of the things that the secretary feels very strongly about is trying to develop  get to a place where we can have some sort of a peace process. And that means actually sitting down and talking with members of the Taliban and starting to facilitate that kind of dialogue," State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said earlier this week.

"Ultimately, like in many situations in many other countries, military options or our military strategy is not necessarily going to win those countries and put peace back together," Nauert told VOA. "It's part of it. But in the long run, you have to bring both sides to the table or multiple sides to the table together to determine their future."

Watch: Seeking a Way Forward in Afghanistan, Tillerson Pushes for Diplomacy

Policy under review

The Trump administration has yet to complete its policy review to stabilize Afghanistan. Officials say it will likely be weeks before a plan is finalized and announced.

When Trump was asked by a reporter on July 20 whether he would deploy additional American troops to the war-torn country, the president responded: "We'll see."

Trump's team is said to split over how to stabilize Afghanistan.

The military contingency  National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford  all seem to agree with their commander on the ground that a troop increase in Afghanistan should be one part of a complex solution.

"But the secretary of state is not going to advocate or is not going to work on Mr. McMaster's behalf or on General Mattis' behalf," Nauert said. "Our piece of it to work on is more from the diplomacy standpoint and humanitarian assistance."

Dangers of security over diplomacy

Some analysts warn of the danger of prioritizing security over diplomacy. They argue Washington should find a comprehensive strategy, which addresses many of the challenges Kabul is facing.

"I really think that the Trump administration could really suffer politically if it were to commit to an open-ended troop commitment in Afghanistan, which seems to be one of the directions that it is considering going," Michael Kugelman, deputy director for South Asia at the Wilson Center, told VOA.

"It has to be a strategy, it cannot be limited to a security solution," Kugelman said. "We really need to be thinking about the diplomatic strategy, and specifically, how to engage with the Afghan government, which is in a lot of trouble."

In a recent interview with VOA's Afghan Service in Kabul, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai said he strongly opposed a policy that sends a message to intensify the war.

Instead, Karzai said he supported a U.S. strategy that is meant to pursue peace, promote unity and foster good relations with Afghanistan's neighbors.

"A surge of troops will lead to the intensification of war in the country. I wholeheartedly and strongly oppose it. We want peace, peace and peace," Karzai told VOA.

Meanwhile, responding to a New York Times report that Afghanistan's mineral wealth may be a reason for Trump to remain engaged in the country, Nauert told VOA on Thursday that she had seen the report, but with the Afghanistan policy review still under way, she would not get ahead of the final decisions made by the president.

"They will come to conclusion about that," she said.
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is already the worlds oldest living head of state. The 93-year-old says he is fit enough to run for re-election next year, and has batted away whispers about who he will choose to follow him when he inevitably succumbs.

But as the increasingly frail leader shuttles back and forth to Singapore for medical treatment, the call for him to name a replacement has grown louder. The most recent -- and loudest -- voice to call for a successor is also the most unexpected: his own wife.

Grace Mugabe, 52, raised the delicate issue at this weeks gathering of the womens league of the ruling ZANU-PF party, to applause and cheering from the crowd.

I know president says no no no, I dont want to impose any candidate, she said. But Ive always argued with him, that you have the role, you have the right to be part of that process. Because we respect you. His word will be final. Mark my words, his word will be final!

Madame Mrs. President?

Mrs. Mugabe is on the shortlist of Zimbabwean public figures rumored to be trying to succeed him, alongside Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Professor Shadrack Gutto of the University of South Africa says the presidents wife is clearly making a play to be his pick. But, he says, shes wrong about one thing: President Mugabes word is only final as long as he lives.

She wants the position, he said. But Im saying it will occur, as soon as he goes -- in other words, he passes away -- Grace doesnt have political power in Zimbabwe, at all. And therefore a lot of struggles will start to take place within.

Pro-opposition analyst Jacob Mafume said he thinks Mugabe has already handed the reins to his wife. Zimbabwes struggling economy has been blamed on President Mugabes decisions during his 36 years in power, and the couple have been repeatedly accused of corruption and mismanagement.

Mugabes plan? Only he knows

He actually believes that he is running the country when he is not, that is how bad it is, he told VOA. His wife is running the country. The other half of the country is being run by Vice President Mnangagwa. The other half is being run by Grace Mugabe grabbing farms, dams and whatever she wants to do at that particular time. So basically we are on auto-pilot as a country, and it is a shame that we are failing to retire an old man to an old people's home.

And what does the president think? When asked, his response far from clear.

Other countries have more than two, why cant we have three deputies, he said, his voice soft, slow and halting. Two, two choices: The one, to revert to our position of two vice presidents and one being a lady but another of adding another position of vice president, we have three vice presidents and one a woman.

Zimbabwe votes in 2018, with President Mugabe leading the ruling partys ticket.

Sebastian Mhofu contributed to this report from Harare.
Jabulani Zilawe lost all 11 of his children to AIDS. Now he is the only one left to care for their orphans.

"This has become my life  with my grandchildren. All their parents died. AIDS killed them. I had 11 children, six of them were girls who had moved to South Africa to seek better life, but they all came back dead  one after the other," Zilawe told the Thompson Reuters Foundation as he surveyed his small grandchildren scrambling around him.

Zilawe lives in a dilapidated homestead outside Norton, a town 40 kilometers from Harare, the Zimbabwean capital.

His bedroom is a thatched mud hut that sits near 12 mounds marking the remains of his wife and children.

"My sons, who became illegal gold miners, also suffered from AIDS before they died. You can see the graves here; the additional one belongs to my wife, who also died some two years ago, leaving me to look after our orphaned grandchildren," said Zilawe, 76.

Nearby, some of his grandchildren wrestled over a pot of leftover porridge. None is in school; instead, like their grandfather, each child passes the day at the homestead, idling and seeking a spot to bask in the sunshine.

Some of the little ones fall ill  regularly, said Zilawe, who didn't know whether any carried the virus that had killed their parents.

"I don't know anything about my grandchildren's HIV status; maybe they have the disease or maybe not," he said.

Ailing caregivers

His life is tough. Yet many other Zimbabweans in Zilawe's age bracket are not just caregivers but are also coping with AIDS diagnoses of their own.

"It's sad. It's worrying when you look at the rate of HIV/AIDS amongst aged persons here. The percentage of elderly persons aged 60 years and above living with HIV is around 15.3 percent," said Marck Chikanza, national coordinator of the National Age Network of Zimbabwe (NANZ), an organization that caters to older people's needs.

NANZ said more than 115,000 older people are living with HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe, one in 10 of the 1.2 million Zimbaweans who the United Nations says are living with HIV/AIDS.

"There has been a decline in the rate of people living with HIV across all age groups except in the 50+ age group, where there has been a rise from 13.8 percent to around 14.3 percent," said Tadiwa Pfupa-Nyatanga of the NAC organization, which coordinates the government's response to HIV/AIDS.

According to 2016 official statistics, about 185,000 AIDS-orphaned Zimbabwean children are living under the guardianship of their grandparents  people like Zilawe, who struggle to cope.

"Most aged persons here hardly have the capacity to produce or buy food on their own. And most of the orphaned kids they look after are far too young to be working to produce food for their families. And the burden, at the end of the day, rests with the grandparents  who, in a true sense, are also dependents," Anatalia Mabeza, who chairs an HIV/AIDS support group in Norton, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation..

Some orphaned children say their grandparents offer little or no medical help for the health problems they inherited.

"I was openly told by my mother before she died that I was born with the HIV/AIDS condition, but now as I live with my grandmother, who is in her 60s, she has never bothered to monitor my condition," said Lillian Muranda, 14, who lives in Caledonia informal settlement, 25 kilometers east of Harare.

'I was bewitched'

"She tells me I was bewitched, but I'm always ill and absent from school most of the time," Muranda told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

As Muranda delved deeper into the bewitching story, her grandmother, Agnes Muranda, stepped in sharply to intervene: "Why do you bother her? You newsmen are very bad. You want to rule out witchcraft from my granddaughter's illness. Leave us."

Superstitious beliefs like this hinder government efforts to combat AIDS, and even if a grandparent has good information and plenty of intent, it doesn't mean that help will follow.

"We have no means to support our AIDS-orphaned grandchildren besides the treatment drugs they receive from government health care centers. What we can only do is to make sure they take their medication. Remember, we are also victims of a failing economy and there are also many amongst aged persons who are living with HIV," said Jonathan Mandaza, who chairs the Zimbabwe Older Persons' Organization.

As Zilawe sees it, he is shunned as an aging irrelevance yet is left to pick up the pieces of his children's lost lives.

"As older persons, we are not consulted on HIV and AIDS issues, yet there is also a strong misconception that sex matters don't concern us. As such, access points for condoms and other HIV/AIDS services only favor younger people, leaving us out," said Zilawe.
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, please recognize you have taken an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution. To not only acquiesce, but to stand proudly next to Donald Trump as he attacks the very institutions upon which a democratic republic is based is not only shameful, but also a violation of your oath of office. And each day, as you and your colleagues support the manner in which he is demeaning the office of the presidency and this nation, you are fostering greater cynicism and divisions at a time that we need to be finding solutions.
Indian police say they are investigating a claim by al-Qaida that it has established a new group in Indian Kashmir.

It is the first time a global terror outfit has claimed a presence in Kashmir, where local Islamic militant groups have led a violent, separatist insurgency.

Al-Qaida announced the establishment of the Ansar Ghawzat-Ul-Hind, to be led by a local commander, Zakir Musa, on its online information network, the Global Islamic Media Front.

Musa represents a new generation of young militants who Indian experts say are radicalizing young Kashmiris to revitalize an insurgency that had become dormant, but has flared in the past year.

Militant is a militant

Kashmirs police chief, S.P. Vaid, said Friday that they would monitor the impact of the announcement, but that anyone who picks up the gun to fight the state is a terrorist.

A militant is a militant, to whichever tanzeem (outfit) he belongs, he said.

Questioning whether al-Qaida would make any impact in Kashmir, counterinsurgency experts pointed out that a previous announcement by the group in 2014 to set up an Indian wing made no mark among Indias Muslim population, the third largest in the world.

Insurgency dismissive

The decades-long separatist insurgency in Indian Kashmir is led by groups like the Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba, which say they are waging a freedom struggle, but whom New Delhi labels as terror groups and proxies of Pakistan. Kashmir, Indias only Muslim majority region, is divided between India and Pakistan and these groups have bases in Pakistani Kashmir.

Both groups have been quick to dismiss any role for the global terror outfit.

Following the al-Qaida announcement, the leader of Hizbul Mujahideen, Syed Salahuddin, said in a statement that, there is no scope or room for any international organizations like Daesh (Islamic State) and al-Qaida, we dont need them nor is there any necessity for their presence.

The Lashkar-e-Taiba called al-Qaidas bid for a presence in Kashmir an Indian ploy to label their legitimate freedom struggle as terrorism.

No threat escalation

Ajai Sahni, head of the Institute of Conflict Management in New Delhi, says the latest announcement does not represent a significant escalation in threat in Kashmir.

The operational capacities dont change, he said. What is happening both with the al-Qaida and earlier with the Islamic State, there has been an effort to rebrand local groupings operational in the area and project them as part of this local jihad.

Musa was close to Burhan Wani, a charismatic local militant whose killing by armed forces last year triggered a fresh spiral of violence in Kashmir and revived militancy.

Musa, who is believed to have turned to militancy sometime in 2013, initially joined the Hizbul Mujahideen. But he split with the group after voicing an ideology more aligned to that of global terror groups like al-Qaida. He said last year the fight in the region should not be for the sake of Kashmir, but should be exclusively for Islam so that sharia is established here. He has also spoken up against local separatist leaders.

Sahni said radicalization of young Kashmiris is the real threat that India needs to watch out for.

Radicalization has gone unchecked in the valley for 50 years now and it has become a very, very, very serious problem, Sahni said.
Simmering White House tensions broke into the open Thursday as President Donald Trumps new communications chief, Anthony Scaramucci, denounced those who leak damaging and embarrassing information about the administration, by beginning a searing, coarsely worded campaign aimed at his internal rivals.

Scaramucci denounced White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and the presidents chief strategist, Steve Bannon, in a profanity-filled interview with The New Yorker, which the weekly published online Thursday.

Scaramucci, a wealthy former Wall Street banker and a fervent defender of Trump, took aim first at Priebus, whom he has suspected of leaking confidential details about White House meetings. Priebus, a former Republican Party chairman who has many strong connections to prominent Republican lawmakers, is one of the most powerful administration officials.

Reince is a [expletive] paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac, Scaramucci said in a telephone conversation with the Washington correspondent for The New Yorker.

Im here to serve the country

Scaramucci then turned his attention to Bannon, whom he accused of using his senior position at the White House to advance his own reputation. Using unusually vulgar language to describe Bannon, the new communications director said he was not that sort of person: Im not trying to build my own brand off the [expletive] strength of the president. Im here to serve the country.

Priebus and Bannon are known to have strongly opposed Trumps decision to appoint Scaramucci last week, and his arrival at the White House prompted the immediate resignation of press secretary and Priebus ally Sean Spicer. Another communications team member has since resigned amid allegations that he was the source of press leaks.

The author of The New Yorker account, Ryan Lizza, wrote that Scaramucci demanded that he identify the source for a story he had posted a day before. The writer refused, but Scaramucci got more and more worked up, and he eventually convinced himself that Priebus was my source.

Leakers will all be fired

The communications director said of White House staffers who might be leaking confidential information: Theyll all be fired by me. I fired one guy the other day. I have three to four people Ill fire tomorrow. Ill get to the person who leaked that to you. Reince Priebus ... hell be asked to resign very shortly.



After the telephone conversation, Scaramucci posted an anti-Priebus tweet, then apparently thought better of it and deleted the remark. He later said that his denunciations of the chief of staff had been misinterpreted, and that all senior staff executives, including himself and Priebus, were equally determined to find out and remove whoever has been passing confidential information to reporters.

Priebus and Bannon both declined to respond late Thursday to Scaramuccis remarks about them. The communications director returned to Twitter when he became aware of the political firestorm his remarks had generated, and posted: I sometimes use colorful language. I will refrain in this arena but not give up the passionate fight for @realDonaldTrumps agenda. #MAGA  the hashtag denoting Trumps campaign slogan, make America great again.

Watch: Simmering White House Tensions Break Into the Open

Showdown likely

Scaramucci set the stage for a showdown with Priebus the day he was hired, telling a White House briefing that he and the chief of staff were like brothers in that they had strong disagreements.

He took the analogy a step further early Thursday during a television appearance (CNNs New Day program) where he compared himself and Priebus to Cain and Abel, the biblical brothers who fought until Cain killed Abel. Scaramucci said then that he and Priebus can fight with each other and [still] get along, but added that he did not know if their differences were repairable.

That will be up to the president, Scaramucci told the TV audience.

Scaramucci also has complained about disclosures of details of his personal finances and threatened to get the FBI to step into that case, at the same time broadly hinting this was another action against him engineered by Priebus. However, the Politico website, which first published details of the communications directors multimillion-dollar holdings, said all the information came from publicly available documents that Scaramucci himself had filed.

Priebus many supporters in the so-called establishment wing of the Republican Party were quick to come to his defense when the dispute with Scaramucci spun out of control.

House Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters he thinks Priebus is doing a great job.

Reince is a very close friend of mine, he told reporters. And I believe he has the presidents confidence. So, if those two gentlemen have differences, my advice would be to sit down and settle your differences.

In a press briefing Thursday afternoon, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders refused to directly address the comments made by Scaramucci, but said there is healthy competition in the White House, which Trump encourages.

With that competition, you usually get the best results, she said.

University of Akron political science professor David Cohen said jealousy and backstabbing have been a common occurrence in past administrations. However, Cohen told VOA there has never been anything like the open warfare currently on display among presidential aides.

Not long for his job

The reason hes in White House, why Trump chose him as chief of staff, was to make peace with the Republican establishment, Cohen said. The fact that Reince is being undercut not only by Anthony Scaramucci but by the president of the United States himself is an indication that Reince is not long for his job.

Cohen is one of a few American scholars who have specifically studied the office of White House chief of staff. Noting that Priebus and Speaker Ryan have long been close friends, the professor said any action by Trump to remove Priebus could trigger a mass exit of White House staff, or a large purge by whoever next assumes power.

Trumps obsession with leaks has also alienated moderate Republicans in the Senate.

Several GOP stalwarts have expressed concern about the presidents Twitter blast aimed at Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who served 20 years in the Senate before joining the administration.

In tweets this week, Trump pointedly faulted Sessions for the slow pace of several Justice Department investigations, including a probe into the source of intelligence leaks that have plagued his administration.

Many saw the Twitter blast as an attempt to force Sessions to step down, a move that would clear the way for Trump to appoint another attorney general who would have control over the Russia election meddling probe, which has expanded to include Trumps finances.
President Donald Trump's new communications director ignited the smoldering tensions at the White House into a full-fledged conflagration Thursday, angrily daring Trump's chief of staff to deny he's a "leaker" and exposing West Wing backstabbing in language more suitable to a mobster movie than a seat of presidential stability.

In a pull-no-punches, impromptu CNN interview that he said was authorized by the president, Anthony Scaramucci went after chief of staff Reince Priebus in graphic terms. "The fish stinks from the head down," he said. "I can tell you two fish that don't stink, and that's me and the president."

Not even a week into his new job, Scaramucci accused unidentified senior officials of trying to sabotage him and committing a felony by leaking information. But the personal financial information that he said someone had "leaked" about him had simply been obtained through a public records request.

Then in an expletive-laden interview published by The New Yorker late Thursday, an angry Scaramucci accused Priebus of being a "f------ paranoid schizophrenic." He also used a graphic sexual reference to make the point that he believes White House chief strategist Steve Bannon used Trump's election win to burnish his own reputation.

In addition, he threatened to fire White House staffers who leaked news about a dinner he had with the president.

"They'll all be fired by me," Scaramucci told the magazine. "I fired one guy the other day. I have three to four people I'll fire tomorrow. I'll get to the person who leaked that to you. Reince Priebus  if you want to leak something  he'll be asked to resign very shortly."

By day's end Scaramucci sounded calmer, though not regretful.

"I sometimes use colorful language. I will refrain in this arena but not give up the passionate fight for @realDonaldTrump's agenda. #MAGA," he tweeted. The tag at the end stands for Trump's "Make America Great Again."

He also blamed the reporter, Ryan Lizza, for reporting the conversation. "I made a mistake in trusting in a reporter," he added later. "It won't happen again."

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders referred reporters to the first tweet.

The president's senior counselor, Kellyanne Conway, had earlier speculated in a Fox News interview that unnamed forces were out to get Scaramucci, saying: "Somebody is trying to get in his way and scare him off."

"There are leaks and then there are people using the press to shiv each other in the ribs," she said.

Meanwhile, no one in the White House took up for Priebus  including Priebus himself. Sanders avoided giving a direct answer when asked whether Trump has confidence in Priebus.

The past 24 hours provided the clearest evidence yet that Scaramucci and Trump, both brash New Yorkers, are cut from the same cloth. One of their shared techniques: publicly shaming members of their own team.

Fuming about Sessions

Scaramucci's goading of Priebus came as Trump continued to fume publicly and privately about his attorney general. Trump has been critical of Attorney General Jeff Sessions for recusing himself from the Justice Department investigation into whether the president's campaign had anything to do with Russian interference in the election last fall.

"It hasn't been my best week ... for my relationship with the president," Sessions acknowledged in an interview with The Associated Press in El Salvador, where he was on a mission to increase international cooperation against gangs.

He said he would stay in his post and fight for Trump's agenda "as long as he sees that as appropriate."

Newt Gingrich, a former House speaker and frequent outside adviser to Trump, said in an interview that Scaramucci's attacks on Priebus are problematic. "They've got to get this sorted out between the two of them, and it would be nice if they didn't do it in public," he said.

Yet after Scaramucci's call-in CNN performance  a move lifted from his boss' playbook  it was difficult to see how the two could mend fences.

"I don't know if this is repairable or not  that will be up to the president," Scaramucci said on air. He compared their relationship to that of brothers who are "rough on each other," invoking the biblical story of Cain and Abel. Cain murdered Abel.

Fight's origins

The bad blood stems from Scaramucci's view that Priebus was insufficiently supportive of Trump at the end of the election campaign and his belief that Priebus persuaded the president to keep him out of the White House in January. Six months later, Scaramucci's close relationship with the president trumped opposition to his hiring from Priebus and Bannon.

Scaramucci's arrival in the West Wing last Friday marked the first in a series of falling dominoes that seemed to be leading toward Priebus. Press secretary Sean Spicer, a close ally of Priebus, resigned last week. Scaramucci then forced out another communications aide close to Priebus.

Scaramucci then tweeted that someone had illegally leaked financial information about him, conspicuously mentioning Priebus' Twitter handle. Scaramucci later deleted that tweet and said he had only mentioned Priebus to show that all senior leaders are taking leaks seriously.

"In light of the leak of my financial disclosure info which is a felony, I will be contacting @FBI and the @JusticeDept #swamp @Reince45," his since-deleted tweet read.

Scaramucci's financial disclosure form wasn't leaked at all. It was released after a public records request by a Politico reporter.

In the CNN interview, Scaramucci said he'd be reaching out to his "buddies" in the FBI about the matter.

If Scaramucci tries to direct the FBI to conduct a leak investigation, that could brush up against the Justice Department's obligation to function independently from the White House, said Mark Zaid, a national security lawyer in Washington.

"It starts to potentially smell and approach an inappropriate line," Zaid said.

Danger of 'too much publicity'

Brad Gerstman, a New York lobbyist and public relations executive, said it probably doesn't matter to Trump that Scaramucci and Priebus don't get along. Gerstman has done projects for the Trump Organization and is a neighbor and longtime friend of Scaramucci's.

"In my experience, he's of the belief that sometimes a little friction in the ranks is how you surface the best ideas," Gerstman said of Trump.

But another rule of thumb in Trump's inner circle is that it's never wise to outshine the president.

Trump has reacted angrily when certain aides  including Bannon and, briefly, son-in-law Jared Kushner  received outsized media attention.

Ari Fleischer, who served as press secretary under George W. Bush, said, "Ask Steve Bannon what happens if you get too much publicity and go too far."

"It reminds me of Icarus flying too close to the sun."
President Donald Trump inherited U.S. military operations to combat terrorism around the globe. Now a bipartisan group in Congress is pushing for debate on whether the legal justification for those operations needs to be updated. Lawmakers argue the war on terror has significantly changed since the current authorization for use of military force, or AUMF, was passed in 2001. VOA's Katherine Gypson has more from Capitol Hill.
China has gone back on the verbal offensive against Vietnam, its strongest adversary in the disputed South China Sea, after a year of peacemaking, but analysts believe Communist parties on both sides will meet to prevent any escalation.

The abrupt end last month of a visit to Vietnam by a Chinese military official and apparent pressure from Beijing this month to make Vietnam quit an offshore oil exploration tract have put the two sides at odds. The new tensions come after a year in which officials from the two countries met for talks on maritime cooperation and other economic ties.

Despite the specter of another conflict, such as the anti-China riots of 2014 in Vietnam or the deadly sea clashes of 1974 and 1988, observers expect ruling party leaders from the Communist neighbors will probably meet to put the current dispute on hold.

Disagreements disappear

That mechanism has worked for the past five to 10 years, said Oh Ei Sun, international studies instructor at Singapore Nanyang University.

Typically you see this seemingly quite serious disagreement, but then again there is a very special relationship, a special so-called party-to-party relationship between the Chinese Communist Party and their Vietnamese counterpart, so I would expect in the next few months or even weeks you will see a party delegation, Oh said.

And then they will talk things over, and then you will see this sort of dispute would go away at least temporarily, he said.

Back-channel talks

China may not take Vietnams oil exploration lightly, but Vietnam is also testing China, said Collin Koh, maritime security research fellow at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. He predicted the two sides would avoid physical conflict.

Youll still see these back-channel talks between the two countries, more accurately between the two parties, Koh said. Every now and then they will put out those statements, They agree (to) properly manage the dispute. Things are working well, dont worry, a squabble between Communist brothers here, so we dont have to worry too much that theres a war.

In April 2015, for example, heads of the two Communist parties pledged to use dialogue in easing the maritime dispute. Less than a year earlier, China touched off rioting in Vietnam by allowing an oil rig to be positioned in disputed waters 240 kilometers east of the Southeast Asian country.

Obviously as the country with the smaller navy, Vietnam would prefer talks to kinetic activity, said Murray Hiebert, deputy director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington. Its hard to guess how long the spat will continue, but both sides have interest in avoiding military confrontation at the moment.

Vietnam will host a 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November and China is readying for a major Communist Party congress around the same time, Hiebert noted.

But Koh cautions that the party-to-party statements dont carry much meaning and that Chinas vigilance will remain high.

Overlapping claims to South China Sea

Beijing and Hanoi have overlapping claims to the 3.5 million-square-kilometer South China Sea. Both have landfilled tiny islets under their respective control. Vietnam is widely regarded as the most aggressive country in resisting Chinas claim to more than 90 percent of the sea, which is valued for oil, gas, fish and shipping lanes.

Reports over the past week have said Vietnam told a foreign oil firm to suspend the search for fossil fuels around Vanguard Bank in the Spratly Islands, probably under strong Chinese pressure.

Le Hong Hiep, research fellow with ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, said Vietnam may have pulled back to soothe China or may have simply finished its work.

But Vietnam expects to continue looking for oil with protection from the July 2016 world arbitration court ruling that says China lacks a legal basis to claim much of the sea that it calls its own, Le said. China rejected the ruling.

Claimants to the South China Sea  including Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan as well  must periodically move to prove their claims are still active, political scientists note.

From the Vietnamese perspective, the ruling confirms that this area is not disputed and Vietnam has exclusive sovereign right over it, Le said. Vietnam is therefore emboldened and believes that their activities there are well justified.

Last month the vice chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission cut short a defense border meeting in Vietnam, Beijings official Xinhua News Agency reported. He left to warn Vietnam against exploring for oil at sea, experts said then.
Improvisation and abrupt policy announcements aren't exclusive traits of U.S. President Donald Trump  his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron, has surprised fellow European leaders all week with foreign policy statements, mostly concerning Libya, that have left some fuming and the Elysee Palace floundering.

On Friday, French officials had to walk back Macron's announcement about setting up "hotspots" in Libya to process asylum-seekers to stem the flow of migrants to Europe. And he told reporters he would do so with or without European Union approval, saying he intended to set up the centers this summer.

The announcement earned the rebuke of Italys foreign minister, who said France can't move forward with improvised lines.

The European Commission issued a muted statement, with spokeswoman Natasha Bertaud saying the Commission would need time to define exactly what is being proposed. Behind-the-scenes, EU officials were scathing, with one telling VOA that this was another one of Macrons Trump moments.

Within 24 hours, the Elysee Palace started to temper Macron's "hotspots" announcement, saying variously hed been misquoted or misunderstood, or that the announcement  made at a refugee facility in the French town of Orleans  was premature.

Risk of abuses

Rights organization expressed alarm about the plan. Human Rights Watch said it was dangerous to try to process asylum-seekers requests in Libya. [This] carries the risk of human rights abuses," warned Judith Sunderland, the groups associate director for Europe.

But Macrons ideas were not hedged with caveats. He said France will vet asylum-seekers in Libya  he estimated there are 800,000 migrants waiting in the north African country ready to cross  before they embark on the perilous Mediterranean crossing to Europe.

"The idea is to create hotspots to avoid people taking crazy risks when theyre not all eligible for asylum. We'll go to them, said Macron.

The French leader said that migrants were destabilizing Libya and Europe by fueling human trafficking, which in turn funded terrorism and the militias. According to the French news agency AFP, he noted other European countries are very reluctant and that France would do it even without the EU.

His officials indicated the plan was impractical, however, while Libya remains split between three competing governments, buffeted by dozens of militias and rival warlords.

Macron's office insisted he was being misunderstood and that the president only wanted asylum requests processed as close as possible to the migrants' countries of origin in sub-Sahara Africa, not necessarily in Libya.

That explanation was welcomed by the Italian foreign minister, who earlier this week complained publicly about a meeting Macron brokered in Paris between rival Libyan leaders, which had not been coordinated with either Rome or Brussels.

Popularity slump

Italian frustration with Paris grew on Thursday when Macron decided to nationalize, at least temporarily, a French shipyard in western France to block a takeover bid by the Italian state-owned company Fincantieri. The takeover was due to go into effect on Saturday.

The STX shipyard, currently majority-owned by a South Korean company, builds not only passenger vessels, but also warships. French opponents of the takeover have highlighted Fincantieri's links with China, warning that sensitive French know-how could end up in Chinese hands, something that did not trouble Macrons predecessor, Francois Hollande. The blocking move was described by Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni as serious and incomprehensible.

Macrons French critics argue his abrupt policy announcements are a response to his slumping popularity. In just two months since the 39-year-old former banker took power, he has seen his popularity rating fall by ten percentage points  the biggest decline for a new president since 1995.

The presidents defenders say at least hes trying to come up with fresh ideas  especially when it comes to the migration crisis roiling Europe and the linked problem of a lawless Libya. They point to a raft of policy proposals on the migration crisis from other European states, including Italy, that have gone nowhere. The latest from Rome is to send Italian warships to help Libya's coast guard combat people smugglers.

Gentiloni said Thursday that the move could be a turning point in the migrant crisis. This year 100,000 migrants mainly from Africa and South Asia have arrived in Italy. More than 2,000 others have died at sea.

But Italian lawmakers have to approve the mission  which has been coordinated with the EU Commission  and opposition is rising. Some express concern that sending back migrants from their launching point may breach international humanitarian law. Others worry that the Libyan coast guard cant be trusted, asserting that some in the coast guard are in league with traffickers and others are controlled by militias.

Right groups also are alarmed at European government thinking that favors blocking asylum-seekers in Libya, where they are vulnerable to abuse.

"Handing people over to militias that collude with the smugglers and traffickers" would violate humanitarian law, said Human Rights Watch's Sunderland.
Alphabet's Google aims to train 10 million people in Africa in online skills over the next five years in an effort to make them more employable, its chief executive said Thursday.

The U.S. technology giant also hopes to train 100,000 software developers in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, a company spokeswoman said.

Google's pledge marked an expansion of an initiative it launched in April 2016 to train young Africans in digital skills. It announced in March that it had reached its initial target of training 1 million people.

The company is "committing to prepare another 10 million people for jobs of the future in the next five years," Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai told a company conference in Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos.

Google said it would offer a combination of in-person and online training. Google has said on its blog that it carries out the training in languages including Swahili, Hausa and Zulu and tries to ensure that at least 40 percent of people trained are women. It did not say how much the program cost.

Africa, with its rapid population growth, falling data costs and heavy adoption of mobile phones, having largely leapfrogged personal computer use, is tempting for tech companies.

Executives such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.'s Chairman Jack Ma have also recently toured parts of the continent.

Basic phones, less surfing

But countries like Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, which Google said it would initially target for its mobile developer training, may not offer as much opportunity as the likes of China and India for tech firms.

Yawning wealth gaps mean that much of the population in places like Nigeria has little disposable income, while mobile adoption tends to favor more basic phone models. Combined with bad telecommunications infrastructure, that can mean slower and less internet surfing, which tech firms rely on to make money.

Google also announced plans to provide more than $3 million in equity-free funding, mentorship and working space access to more than 60 African startups over three years.

In addition, YouTube will roll out a new app, YouTube Go, aimed at improving video streaming over slow networks, said Johanna Wright, vice president of YouTube.

YouTube Go is being tested in Nigeria as of June, and the trial version of the app will be offered globally later this year, she said.
The joint checkpoint plan introduced by the city government of Hong Kong earlier this week that would allow mainland Chinese police at the terminus of a new high-speed rail line is expected to meet strong opposition when it next goes through a legislative review.

Many of the citys pan-democrats and legal experts said the administration of newly inaugurated chief executive Carrie Lam may have set off a political time bomb.

They accuse Lams administration of taking advantage of a loophole in the citys mini-constitution to draft the controversial co-location arrangement, which, if implemented, could set a harmful precedent and put Hong Kong residents rights and freedom at risk, even though business travelers using the rail may prefer convenience over autonomy.

No guts

Pan-democrat lawmaker Claudia Mo, formerly with the Civic Party, put the blame on Lam, who she said has failed in her first test to strike a balance between the interests of Beijing and Hong Kongs citizens.

She simply has not [got] the guts to stand up against Beijing.  She is a career bureaucrat. She will do what shes been told. Thats rather saddening for Hong Kong people, Mo said.

Lams administration this week announced a joint immigration checkpoint would be set up at the West Kowloon terminus of the cross-border rail link that connects Hong Kong to Guangzhou, with mainland officers enjoying full jurisdiction in the quarter of the complex leased to the mainland, as well as inside the train, even as it travels the citys 26-kilometer-long section.

In other words, mainland laws, which lag far behind Hong Kong when it comes to the protection of human rights and freedom of expression, will be fully enforced at the designated mainland checkpoint and inside the trains of the $11 billion project, which is scheduled to begin operation in the third quarter of next year.

City officials insisted that the co-location arrangements would not breach the Basic Law, because the leased zone would be seen as outside the citys boundary and the leasing could be carried out through the laws Article 20, which stipulates Beijing can grant Hong Kong powers that it doesnt have, including those to approve the leasing.

Rule of law intact

Lam pledged that the proposal will neither compromise the citys rule of law or its high degree of autonomy, nor erode its one country, two systems policy.

This is not a question of choice between convenience to passengers using the high-speed rail and the rule of law in Hong Kong, Lam said.

But legal experts disagreed.

A constitutional challenge

Kevin Yam of the Progressive Lawyers Group said the city government would potentially create an act of state, which Hong Kong courts are unable to scrutinize.

What they are doing is not to uphold the constitutionality of that [co-location] proposal, but really to try to shield it from the constitutional scrutiny, Yam said, adding that the enforcement of mainland laws even in a small part of Hong Kong is in direct contravention of explicit requirements under the Basic Law.

James To, a lawyer and a lawmaker with the Democratic Party, also argued the city government has abused the fundamental design of Article 20, which is intended to grant the city a higher degree of autonomy.

The current exercise is to authorize Hong Kong government or Hong Kong legislature to [willingly] surrender our autonomy back to Beijing. I think its a total disregard of the original spirit of the Article 20, To said.

In addition, Jeremy Tam, a pilot-turned-lawmaker, argued the city government has misled the general public by saying that similar checkpoints arrangements can be found overseas, including those between France and Britain with the Eurostar rail service.

When theyre giving the examples between the U.S. and Canada, and also UK and France, they used a wrong example because they [including the Eurostar rail] only have the agreement on the immigration part of it. And all these jurisdictions, particularly the criminal or the power of arrest, etc.  still belong to the relevant [home] countries, Tam said.
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has congratulated his counterpart in El Salvador, Attorney General Douglas Menendez, on charging more than 700 gang members in the past two days  including many members of MS-13, an international criminal gang active in North and Central America.

Sessions is in El Salvador for talks on ways to fight the spread of the gang, which is also known as Mara Salvatrucha and is active in El Salvador and major North American metropolitan areas, such as Los Angeles; Washington, D.C.; New York City; Boston, Massachusetts, and Toronto, Canada.

Watch: Trump to Address MS-13 Gang Violence in Crime-Plagued New York Community

The Justice Department said in a release Thursday that "Attorney General Sessions has made dismantling transnational gangs like MS-13 a priority."

It said today's announcement comes as a result of the meeting of attorneys general held in March of this year in Washington, D.C.

The Justice Department also said this investigation is being handled by Salvadoran gang prosecutors who were trained and mentored by FBI and State Department advisers. It added that FBI and Justice Department teams worked with Salvadoran prosecutors to fund and arrange for essential witnesses to be transported to El Salvador for the proceedings.

At the White House Thursday, principal associate deputy attorney general Robert Hur told reporters, "These are very significant blows to MS-13."

The Justice Department said Sessions was also expected to discuss immigration, drugs and human trafficking with Menendez in El Salvador.

Sessions' visit comes just ahead of a major speech by U.S. President Donald Trump on cross-border gang activity. Trump is scheduled to make that speech Friday in Long Island, New York, where MS-13 members are believed to have been involved in more than a dozen deaths since January 2016.

Sessions has been undergoing heavy criticism from Trump in the past few weeks over his decision to recuse himself from an investigation into possible ties between the Russian government and the Trump presidential campaign.
In India, the Supreme Court has turned down a request for a 10-year-old rape survivor to undergo an abortion after doctors advised that terminating the pregnancy would be too risky for her.

The girl comes from a poor family and once lived in a one-room house in the northern city of Chandigarh. The girl said she was raped several times by her uncle, who has since been arrested. Her parents were not aware of her pregnancy until two weeks ago when she complained of stomach pains. She is now 32 weeks pregnant.

Supreme Court judges said they are basing their decision on the assessment of doctors who concluded after a medical examination that an abortion would not be safe either for the girl or the fetus. The court ordered that proper medical care be provided to her.

Her parents' plea landed at the Supreme Court after the High Court in Chandigarh turned down their request for an abortion nearly two weeks ago, also on the grounds that it was not safe for the young girl.

Indian law forbids termination of pregnancy after 20 weeks, but in unusual cases, the courts have considered requests for an abortion even at later stages.

Case highlights widespread child sex abuse

The girls plight has turned the focus on the widespread problem of child sex abuse in the country. While the issue of sexual violence against women has come under the spotlight in recent years, the most vulnerable victims  young children  have received much less attention.

It is the second time this year that Indian courts are hearing a plea on behalf of a young girl who became pregnant after being raped by a family member and was not aware of her condition.

That girl, who was also 10 years old, was allowed to undergo an abortion  she was 21 weeks along when her mother learned of the pregnancy in May. The young girl said her stepfather had repeatedly raped her.

Announcing the decision about the latest victim, the Supreme Court suggested that the government set up a medical board in each state to take prompt decisions in such cases.

One in three rape victims in India is a minor, according to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. And in many cases, the abusers are known to the victim and include caregivers such as relatives and teachers.

Campaigners say that in a conservative society, families and communities most often prefer to turn a blind eye to the crime rather than report it. They say the problem cuts across economic groups.

The scale of the problem prompted World Vision India, along with civil society groups, to launch a campaign in May to raise awareness among five million children, parents and communities across 200 districts about the problem of child sex abuse and how to address it.
No single action by the president has shown his utter lack of human decency as has his latest pathetic pronouncement.

Based on lies as usual, his "policy" banning transgender soldiers, patriots to a one, from the military is nothing but a cowardly effort to quiet conservatives who are rightly appalled by his treatment of the attorney general. Donald Trump is a coward, pure and simple and utterly devoid of scruples.

It continues to amaze me how a significant portion of this country can support a man who has no leadership ability; he demonstrates this on an almost daily basis.

Wake up, America! And frankly, more importantly, wake up, Republicans! It is only a matter of time before he commits some abuse of power that even the Republican Congress cannot ignore. You have Mike Pence waiting in the wings; he would prove far more capable of enacting Republican initiatives than Trump ever will.

And think how nice it would be to wake up in the morning and not have to defend some idiotic tweet from the tweeter-in-chief.

Walter Max,

Alberton
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports the migrant route from Mexico to the United States has become deadlier since the Trump administration's tougher immigration policy came into force.



According to the IOM, 231 migrants have died this year trying to cross from Mexico into the United States. That, it said, is an 18-percent increase over the same period last year.



The agency said the past week has been particularly deadly. Besides the eight migrants who suffocated in the back of a boiling hot truck in San Antonio, Texas, it said three of the migrants who had been rescued were so severely dehydrated they succumbed while in the hospital.



In addition to those fatalities, the IOM reported six drownings along the Rio Bravo River separating Mexico from Texas. While the death toll continues to mount, IOM spokesman Joel Millman told VOA there are 40 percent fewer apprehensions of migrants on the border than at the same time last year.

"Our figures released today are 140,024  migrant apprehensions on the U.S.-Mexico border through the end of June," he said. "That number last year was 267,746,  almost twice the number this year. So, if deaths are up and apprehensions are down, by definition, the route is deadlier because people are crossing in fewer numbers, but dying in more numbers. So, per capita, yes, it appears to be deadlier.



The IOM, which tracks migrant deaths globally, said this has been a bad week in Mexico. It reported a recent worldwide total of 3,282 migrant deaths has increased by 83. It said at least 70 of the new fatalities were in Mexico.
Italy is planning to send warships to help Libya's coast guard combat smugglers who have transported thousands of migrants to Italian shores.

Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said Thursday that the move could be a "turning point'' in the migrant crisis that has gripped Europe for months.

This year alone, 100,000 migrants from Africa, South Asia and the Middle East have arrived in Italy, a 7 percent rise from the same period last year. More than 2,000 others have died attempting the treacherous voyage.

With the foundering of a European Union plan to redistribute thousands of migrants rescued at sea and brought to Italy, Gentiloni said his center-left government would brief lawmakers next week about Libya's request for Italian navy vessels to patrol its Mediterranean shores.

Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Serraj, who leads a U.N.-backed unity government based in Tripoli, met in Rome with the Italian leader on Wednesday and asked for the assistance. Gentiloni said his government was working out the details of a naval mission.

Military ships from European nations, vessels organized by aid organizations and commercial cargo ships frequently pick up men, women and children making the perilous Mediterranean Sea crossing. Lately, most of those rescued at sea have been economic migrants from African nations unlikely to win asylum.

The migrant crisis has stoked tensions between Italy and the rest of the European Union, which has been reluctant to share the burden of the migrants flowing into Italy, even though most of the migrants wish to resettle in other European nations.
Japan says tariffs on U.S. imports of frozen beef will rise to 50 percent next month, from the current 38.5 percent.

"The tariff will take effect automatically as the volume of the imported U.S. frozen beef exceeded the quota set by law," Finance Minister Taro Aso said Friday.

Under World Trade Organization rules, Japan can impose safeguard tariffs when imports rise more than 17 percent, year-on-year in any given quarter.

Japan, known for its world-famous Kobe beef, prized by chefs around the world for its tenderness, flavor and marbled fat, uses tariffs and other measures to protect its farmers from competition.

Peter Seng, chief executive of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, said in a statement the 50 percent tariff has implications for U.S. beef exports that are "significant."

Australia, however, which exports almost as much beef to Japan as the U.S., is not facing the emergency tariffs because it has a free trade agreement with Japan as part of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the TPP trade agreement shortly after taking office.
U.S. President Donald Trump's sustained campaign of criticism of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, both on Twitter and in interviews, has fueled widespread speculation that Trump is trying to get Sessions to resign, or plans to fire him.

While the White House has played down the prospect, powerful Republican allies of Sessions, as well as Democrats, are warning the president against replacing the former Alabama senator.

Senator Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has said his panel is not prepared to hold hearings on a replacement this year.

The Iowa Republican wrote on Twitter late Wednesday that his committee's agenda is full for the rest of this year, and there is "no way" it could consider another nominee for attorney general.

That would leave Trump with three options, should he choose to replace his attorney general on a temporary basis.

Option 1

If Sessions either resigns or is fired, the first option would be to follow the Justice Department's order of succession. In this case, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein would automatically become acting attorney general.

But Trump has expressed antipathy toward Rosenstein. The career prosecutor assumed the No. 2 spot in the Justice Department earlier this year, but drew the president's ire after Rosenstein appointed Special Counsel Robert Mueller to lead the investigation into Russian meddling in last year's election.

William Yeomans, a former Justice Department official, said Trump is unlikely to let Rosenstein take the department's helm.

"He has made it clear he has a low regard for Rosenstein," said Yeomans, who teaches at American University's Washington College of Law.

Option 2

A second option is to circumvent the department's normal succession plan altogether and make an interim appointment under the Vacancies Reform Act of 1998.

The little-known law allows the president to appoint acting heads of departments for up to 210 days when the incumbent resigns or is unable to perform his duties. In the case of the attorney general, there is a caveat: The candidate must be a Senate-confirmed official and cannot be asked to fill the position permanently.

In theory, Trump could look outside the Department of Justice for a successor to Sessions. However, his choices would be limited to the 50 or so of his appointees the Senate has so far confirmed.

Nevertheless, Yeomans said, the Vacancies Reform Act "would allow him to shop around for someone who is more sympathetic to his views."

There is another wrinkle: While Trump can make an interim appointment if Sessions resigns, it is less clear he can do so if Sessions is fired.

Steve Vladeck, a professor of law at the University of Texas at Austin, said: "It's not that common for a Cabinet official to stand up to his president on principle and force him to fire him. And it's especially problematic in the case of the attorney general, because the attorney general is alone among Cabinet officers in possessing a rather independent constitutional role as the nation's chief law-enforcement officer."

Courts have not weighed in on the question, but the Trump White House could explore the option, and it would have an argument to make.

"You can make the argument that someone who's been fired is unable to perform the duties of the office," Yeomans said. "The other argument, of course, is that there have to be some extraneous reasons why the person is unable to perform the duties of the office."

Under the circumstances, Vladeck said, "The only leverage that Attorney General Sessions has is to not resign, and to force President Trump to actually take the dramatic step of firing him."

Option 3

Finally, there is the option to make a recess appointment. Recess appointments, made while the Senate is in recess for at least 10 days, can last through the current session of Congress, which ends in January 2019.

In recent days, Trump has reportedly floated the idea among his advisers. However, Republicans and Democrats have agreed to have pro forma sessions during the August break, so the Senate technically will remain in session.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has said "Democrats will never go along with the recess appointment if that situation arises."

"We have some tools in our toolbox to stymie such action," Schumer said on the Senate floor. "We'll be ready to use every single one of them, any time, day or night."

Senator John Kennedy, a Republican member of the Judiciary panel, urged Trump not to replace Sessions, saying it "will be very, very difficult" to confirm a new attorney general.

Trump-Sessions split may be easing

"I hope he and the president can sit down and work out whatever differences they have," the senator from Lousiana told VOA.

In the midst of talk about these scenarios, Sessions and Trump appear to be headed for a tenuous rapprochement.

Trump refrained Thursday from another round of what had become a daily barrage of disparaging comments about his embattled attorney general, as he prepared to travel to the New York City area to talk about the deadly street gang MS-13.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters on Wednesday that the president does not want to remove Sessions.

"You can be disappointed in someone but still want them to continue to do their job," Sanders said. "And that's where they are."
Macedonian and United States troops have started two weeks of joint military manoeuvers in central Macedonia as part of the Balkan country's drive to join NATO.

About 300 U.S. soldiers with 120 military vehicles and tanks arrived on Friday from neighboring Bulgaria to participate in the "Dragoon Guardian 17" exercise that will run until August 10.

They will be joined by some 100 Macedonian soldiers.

Macedonia's defense ministry says the main goal of the exercise is to strengthen military cooperation with the U.S. and to show that the Macedonian army is compatible with NATO standards.

Macedonia wants to join NATO but was blocked in 2008 by neighboring Greece, a member of the alliance, due to a long-running dispute over Macedonia's official name.
Mexico must significantly improve police pay and conditions to end chronic drug gang violence plaguing the country, said a former foreign minister now running for the presidency.

Latin America's second-biggest economy is on course to register its highest murder tally this year since modern records began, with violence encroaching into areas relatively unaffected before, including the capital, Mexico City.

Presidential candidate Luis Ernesto Derbez, who was economy minister and then foreign minister in the 2000-2006 administration of Vicente Fox, said Mexico must crack down on rampant impunity and overhaul the police to turn the tide.

"My proposal is to pay them 25,000 pesos [$1,410] a month," he told Reuters in an interview late Wednesday, giving the figure as a minimum starting level for police. "A respectable police officer needs a respectable salary."

A government report from May 2016 showed average entry-level pay for a state police officer was 10,434 pesos ($588) a month, although some in poorer states earned as little as 5,350 pesos.

Derbez is a long shot to win the July 2018 contest, having stepped back from politics after holding office, and only recently announcing his intention to seek the candidacy of the opposition center-right National Action Party (PAN).

His proposal is likely to stir debate on how to end the bloodshed staining Mexico's reputation.

President Enrique Pena Nieto, a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), made pacifying the country his top priority when he took office in December 2012.

After making initial progress on cutting the death toll, Pena Nieto's government has been increasingly swamped by the violence. He is barred by law from seeking a second term.

Low confidence in police

Poor pay, alongside threats and bribes from criminal gangs, has aggravated corruption in the police force, undermining already weak confidence in law enforcement.

Arguably the biggest crisis of Pena Nieto's administration was sparked by the abduction and apparent massacre of 43 trainee teachers by police working with a drug gang in late 2014.

Derbez said that to provide more incentives for officers not to stray into criminality, their families should be granted access to better health care and education. Police should also be subject to regular, rigorous loyalty tests, he added.

Any police officers caught associating with criminals should face tougher penalties, going straight to prison and forfeiting all benefits for their families, he added.

Saying it would take about a decade, Derbez estimated his plan would cost an extra 300 billion pesos ($16.9 billion) annually and could be funded by cuts to welfare.

In dollar terms, the sum was equivalent to roughly 1.5 percent of Mexican gross domestic product in 2016.

The benefits would more than justify the expense, Derbez said, citing studies suggesting the total cost to Mexico of violence exceeds 10 percent of GDP.

He said the first priority was improving policing in the big cities, border towns and especially the main tourist areas.

The best place to start was the beach resort of Acapulco, where endemic violence has been "a stain on Mexico's image worldwide," he said.
In the rubble of Nepal's 2015 earthquake, a team of dedicated woodworkers is finding inspiration to re-create what was lost.

The centuries-old Char Narayan and Hari Shankara temples were destroyed by the massive April 2015 earthquake that shook the Himalayan nation, killing nearly 9,000 people. The temples were the jewel of Patan Durbar Square, which is thronged by thousands of tourists and local visitors every day. The structures were crumpled by the force of the tremor, and the carved doors, roof and brick structure lie in ruins.

A team of dedicated woodworkers is now trying to restore Nepal's heritage. They have been working six days a week, for nearly two years, repairing the beautifully hand-carved wooden doors and windows.

The broken wooden beams are being replaced by new ones, but the workers are trying to use the salvaged portions as much as possible.

The "Silpakars"  as woodworkers from the Newar ethnic community are known  have passed down their craft and skills for generations.

"I am proud to continue my ancestral trade and help restore a big part of Nepal's history that was destroyed by the earthquake,'' said Shyam Krishna, chiseling away the wood pieces.

He and his fellow workers are paid only about $15 a day each, which is much less than they would earn as building furnishers.

"It is not about the money. We might make less money, but this is a moment of pride for us to be able to restore the heritage of our country,'' he said.

Already two years at work, they will likely need another year to just get the windows, doors and beams ready.

Nepal faces criticism from the international community for slow progress in reconstruction work despite a $4.1 billion international pledge.
Days after the Pentagon announced it is withholding $50 million intended for Pakistan as part of its Coalition Support Fund, the South Asian countrys ambassador told an audience in Washington that Pakistan remains determined to fight terrorism.



All that Pakistan has done in the fight against terrorism has not been sufficiently factored into Pentagons decision, Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry lamented during a discussion at the Washington office of the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.



Chaudhry said Pakistan considers it is in its own interest to fight terrorism, and it stands ready to work with the United States.

Air rights up for negotiation?

Pakistan has facilitated air and ground logistical support for U.S. troops in Afghanistan like no one else, Chaudhry said, adding that since 2001, all air corridors from Pakistan have been available to the United States free of cost.



The reason Pakistan did so was because we believed this was a common war," the ambassador said, but there have been occasions when U.S. actions have left his country's leaders thinking "that perhaps we are not partners.



Chaudhry argued that the Coalition Support Funds money that was cut off should be seen as a reimbursement of services, not as aid. Asked during the IISS discussion whether Pakistan would insist on a full payment of the funding before providing U.S. troops with air and ground supply routes, he said, These and all other issues are always negotiated, because that is in the nature of the business.



Speaking to VOA after the forum, the ambassador said: Pakistan has cooperated with the United States in its mission in Afghanistan, we will continue to do so, but all these things are talked [about] by the concerned people at the table.



Pakistan may not be the only party to question the others sincerity. Questions concerning Islamabads commitment to the bilateral partnership have also been raised by the U.S. A prime example was the discovery in 2011 that al-Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden had been living undisturbed near a key Pakistani military facility.



U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis said he withheld $50 million in Coalition Support Funds because he couldnt certify to Congress that Pakistan had taken sufficient action against the Haqqani network, a Taliban-associated organization which the U.S. has deemed a Foreign Terrorist Organization, since September 2012. The group has been blamed for attacks in Afghanistan, which have contributed to the countrys destabilization, an issue of concern to the U.S.



For its part, Islamabads message is dont drop every security lapse in Afghanistan on Pakistans doorsteps, as the countrys ambassador to the U.S. put it.

The Pakistani envoys remarks came at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has been reviewing its overall strategy toward South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.

US-Pakistan vs. China-Pakistan

Chaudhry contrasted the U.S.-Pakistan friction with his countrys relations with China, which has been investing heavily in Pakistan as part of its One Belt-One Road initiative.



Pakistan and China have so much of meeting of minds and no policy differences at all, he told VOA. "We support each other's causes. Chinese people respect us, and we respect them."



In a subsequent statement to VOA, the Pakistani Embassy in Washington again stressed the need for respect.



Pakistan looks forward to working with the United States in achieving enduring peace and prosperity in the region as a shared interest and on the basis of mutual respect, it said.



The statement also highlighted Chaudhrys remarks at the IISS forum about Pakistans sacrifices in the war against terror.



It urged Washington to develop an accurate appreciation of Pakistans actions against terrorism and its cooperation with [the] international community which included Pakistans past and ongoing successful counter terrorism operations as well as a staggering human and financial cost that the people of Pakistan have paid.



In his interview with VOA, Chaudhry said he remained very optimistic about bilateral ties with the United States and sees points of convergence between the two countries increasing. There is every reason for us to continue to work together, he said.



In discussing Pakistan-China relations, Chaudhry told VOA the clearest example and manifestation of Sino-Pakistan ties has come in the form of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC, stretching 3,000 kilometers from Kashgar in western Chinas Xinjiang region to the Pakistani port city of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea.

Pakistan's strategic value to China

Due to the strategic importance China attaches to Gwadar and its financial resources, Beijing agreed to build the port for free. China has publicly justified its investment in Gwadar as an alternate route for oil and other commodities headed for the Chinese mainland, but the ports potential for military uses has even more significance for strategic thinkers.



Earlier this year, Pakistan announced it has leased operation rights for Gwadar to a Chinese company for 40 years.



Details of the lease are not fully public. Andrew Small, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF), said the formal terms are understood to be purely economic in nature. However, that doesnt preclude its being developed for military purposes further down the line, and both sides certainly have that in mind, he added.



Small is author of The China-Pakistan Axis: Asia's New Geopolitics.

Could China extend Pakistan partnership model?

What appears to be Chinas determination to make the Sino-Pakistan partnership a success story, analysts say, may have to do with Beijings global ambitions.



As its need grows for friends who can facilitate the extension of its reach as a global military power, China is now trying to turn its relationship with Pakistan into a model for other potential security partnerships, Small said.

The question before the United States as it debates its future approach toward Pakistan, in the context of its overall South Asian strategy review, Small said, is still whether a coherent long-term framework for the relationship can be established, rather than continuing to be dependent on cycles of near-term goals.



For various reasons, Pakistan still values a good relationship with Washington, the analyst said. Among reasons may be what Islamabad perceives as a measure of international prestige gained from its association with Washington.

Rising above the past

The challenge for Pakistan today, analysts said, is whether the country can seize its current opportunities and rise above a past laden with border disputes and domestic instability, so it potentially can be seen as an emerging market, even a future rising power, in Smalls words.



Over time, Pakistan would be better off charting its own course toward better relations with its neighbors, and lessening its dependence on both the United States and China, said Ambassador Robin Raphel, a former assistant secretary of state for South Asia.



For now, however, Pakistan's Ambassador Chaudhry told VOA: Both the United States and China have a global role to play, and Pakistan is a friend of both.



In his view, the ultimate consideration for Pakistan's cooperation with China on Gwadar and CPEC, their economic corridor, comes down to the question of economic empowerment of the people living in Balochistan and the rest of Pakistan. The southwestern province of Balochistan, which the economic corridor traverses, also is known as a center of Taliban activity in Pakistan.



Changes have been made to this story to correct inaccuracies introduced during editing and better reflect the tone of Ambassador Chaudhrys remarks.
Poland's ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party is sticking to its flagship plans for "radical" reform of the judiciary, despite seeing two bills vetoed by the president this week, PiS head Jaroslaw Kaczynski said on Thursday.

Kaczynski, who holds no government post but is widely seen as Poland's de facto leader, also promised legislation to reduce the concentration of ownership in private media, in the face of what was likely to be "strong resistance."

In his first public comments since President Andrzej Duda's veto of two bills designed to give the government direct influence over the make-up of the Supreme Court, he told TV Trwam in an interview that Duda had made a "very serious mistake," but the focus needed to be on how to proceed.

"This means there will be a reform, a radical reform. ... Partial reform won't change anything," Kaczynski said, without saying exactly what he planned to do.

PiS argues that the courts are too slow and unaccountable to the people, and tainted with communist-era thinking. Duda had said he will present his own versions of the bills within two months.

"The president has clearly said that he wants to take the initiative here and under no circumstances will we disturb him in this," Kaczynski said.

The European Commission on Wednesday announced fresh legal action against Poland because it said the reforms would undermine the independence of judges and break EU rules, accusations denied by Warsaw.

The Commission gave Poland a month to respond to its concerns for the rule of law, warning that it may start an Article 7 censure process. This could eventually lead to Poland's voting rights being suspended, if all the other 27 member states agree.

Kaczynski, whose eurosceptic, nationalist-minded party has alienated much of the liberal urban population since coming to power in 2015, but remains popular among its core small-town voters, dismissed the threat.

"We will wait this month out. In the second phase of this procedure, a unanimous position is needed. And I am convinced that it will not be achieved," Kaczynski said. "These are attempts to exert psychological pressure."

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has promised to block any such move, to defend Poland against an EU "inquisition."

Media the next target

Kaczynski also said PiS planned to reduce the concentration of ownership in Poland's private media sector.

"With respect to big reforms, then with all certainty we have the issue of reducing concentration in the media. There will also be very strong resistance here," Kaczynski said.

Foreign-owned firms such as German publisher Axel Springer, Swiss-based Ringier and the U.S. firm Scripps Network Interactive, which owns Poland's biggest private television network, TVN, have a large presence in Poland.

There are also private Polish-owned broadcasters such as Polsat, controlled by one of Poland's richest men, Zygmunt Solorz-Zak.

Since coming to power, the PiS has not only increased government influence over courts but also brought prosecutors and state media under direct government control and introduced some restrictions on public gatherings.
Brazilian President Michel Temer's approval rating has fallen to just 5 percent and 87 percent of those asked say they do not trust the corruption-plagued leader, according to a survey released on Thursday by pollster Ibope.

The result comes just days before Congress votes on whether a charge that Temer took bribes from the world's largest meatpacker, JBS SA, should proceed to the Supreme Court, where he could be put on trial.

The government's approval rating was 10 percent in the last Ibope poll taken in late March. But that was before Temer was hit by the corruption charge.

Temer's rating has fallen below the worst result former President Dilma Rousseff received in an Ibope poll, when 9 percent of respondents said in late 2015 they approved of her government.

Rousseff was impeached last year and her then-vice president, Temer, took over. Rousseff called that a "coup" orchestrated by Temer and allies so they could impede the corruption investigations.

Despite Temer's low approval rating, Brazilians remain split on whose government they disliked more, with 52 percent of respondents telling Ibope that Temer's is worse than Rousseff's.

Thursday's poll was commissioned by the National Confederation of Industry lobby, which surveyed 2,000 people between July 13-16 across Brazil. It has a margin of error of 2 percentage points.

Key Vote

Brazil's lower house of congress is expected to vote next Wednesday on Temer's corruption charge. Under Brazil's constitution, two-thirds of deputies must vote in favor of the charge for it to proceed to the top court.

Despite slipping support in Congress for the unpopular president, Temer is widely expected to survive the vote.

Brazil's top prosecutor, Rodrigo Janot, has said he will file at least two more graft-related charges against Temer in the coming weeks.

That would force congress to vote again to protect the unpopular leader, which several key lawmakers have told Reuters increases the political pressure on them to approve a charge.

If that occurs and the Supreme Court votes to accept the case, Temer would be suspended and the speaker of the lower chamber of Congress, Rodrigo Maia, would take over as head of state.

The top court would have 180 days to convict or acquit Temer.
Britain's Prince William is hanging up his flight suit for the last time.

The heir to the British throne worked the night shift Thursday at the East Anglian Air Ambulance, where he has been flying medical crews to emergencies for about two years.

The 35-year-old Duke of Cambridge is giving up his job to become a full-time royal.

"As I hang up my flight suit, I am proud to have served with such an incredible team of people, who save lives across the region every day,'' he wrote in an exclusive story in the Eastern Daily Press, a newspaper that serves the community near the ambulance service's base at southern England's Cambridge airport.

His team assisted people in life-threatening moments such as a heart attack or a car crash. William said he was glad he could contribute and be part of a team that changed people's lives.

"I have been invited into people's homes to share moments of extreme emotion, from relief that we have given someone a fighting chance, to profound grief,'' he said.

The job change also has to do with location. William and his wife, the former Kate Middleton, will be spending less time in their Norfolk residence and be carrying out more duties in London, where their 4-year-old son, Prince George, is due to start school.
The Roomba robotic vacuum has been whizzing across floors for years, but its future may lie more in collecting data than dirt.

That data is of the spatial variety: the dimensions of a room as well as distances between sofas, tables, lamps and other home furnishings. To a tech industry eager to push "smart" homes controlled by a variety of Internet-enabled devices, that space is the next frontier.

Smart home lighting, thermostats and security cameras are already on the market, but Colin Angle, chief executive of Roomba maker iRobot Corp., says they are still dumb when it comes to understanding their physical environment. He thinks the mapping technology currently guiding top-end Roomba models could change that and is basing the company's strategy on it.

"There's an entire ecosystem of things and services that the smart home can deliver once you have a rich map of the home that the user has allowed to be shared," said Angle.

That vision has its fans, from investors to the likes of Amazon.com, Apple and Alphabet, who are all pushing artificially intelligent voice assistants as smart home interfaces. According to financial research firm IHS Markit, the market for smart home devices was worth $9.8 billion in 2016 and is projected to grow 60 percent this year.

Map sharing

Angle told Reuters that iRobot, which made Roomba compatible with Amazon's Alexa voice assistant in March, could reach a deal to share its maps for free with customer consent to one or more of the Big Three in the next couple of years. Angle added the company could extract value from those agreements by connecting for free with as many companies as possible to make the device more useful in the home.

Amazon declined to comment, and Apple and Google did not respond to requests for comment.

So far investors have cheered Angle's plans, sending iRobot stock soaring to $102 in mid-June from $35 a year ago, giving it a market value of nearly $2.5 billion on 2016 revenue of $660 million.

But there are headwinds for iRobot's approach, ranging from privacy concerns to a rising group of mostly cheaper competitors  such as the $300 Bissell SmartClean and the $270 Hoover Quest 600  which are threatening to turn a once-futuristic product into a commoditized home appliance.

Low-cost Roomba rivals were the subject of a report by short-seller Ben Axler of Spruce Point Capital Management, which sent the stock down 20 percent to $84 at the end of June.

The company's smart home vision has helped bring around some former critics. Willem Mesdag, managing partner of hedge fund Red Mountain Capital  who led an unsuccessful proxy fight against Angle last year and wound up selling his iRobot shares  is now largely supportive of the company's direction.

"I think they have a tremendous first-mover advantage," said Mesdag, who thinks iRobot would be a great acquisition for one of the Big Three. "The competition is focused on making cleaning products, not a mapping robot."

Military beginnings

Founded in 1990, iRobot saw early success building bomb disposal robots for the U.S. Army before launching the world's first "robovac" in 2002. The company sold off its military unit last year to focus on the consumer sector, and says the Roomba  which ranges in price from $375 to $899  still has 88 percent of the U.S. robovac market.

All robovacs use short-range infrared or laser sensors to detect and avoid obstacles, but iRobot in 2015 added a camera, new sensors and software to its flagship 900-series Roomba that gave it the ability to build a map while keeping track of its own location within that map.

So-called simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) technology right now enables Roomba, and other higher-end robovacs made by Dyson and other rivals, to do things like stop vacuuming, head back to its dock to recharge and then return to the same spot to finish the job.

Guy Hoffman, a robotics professor at Cornell University, said detailed spatial mapping technology would be a "major breakthrough" for the smart home.

Right now, smart home devices operate "like a tourist in New York who never leaves the subway," said Hoffman. "There is some information about the city, but the tourist is missing a lot of context for what's happening outside of the stations."

With regularly updated maps, Hoffman said, sound systems could match home acoustics, air conditioners could schedule airflow by room, and smart lighting could adjust according to the position of windows and time of day.

Companies like Amazon, Google and Apple could also use the data to recommend home goods for customers to buy, said Hoffman.

Privacy concerns

One potential downside is that sharing data about users' homes raises clear privacy issues, said Ben Rose, an analyst who covers iRobot for Battle Road Research. Customers could find it "sort of a scary thing," he said.

Angle said iRobot would not be sharing data without its customers' permission, but he expressed confidence most would give their consent in order to access the smart home functions.

Another Roomba risk is that cheaper cleaning products are what consumers really want. In May, The New York Times' Sweethome blog dethroned the $375 Roomba 690 as its most-recommended robovac in favor of the $220 Eufy RoboVac 11, saying the connectivity and other advanced features of the former would not justify the greater cost for most users.

Short-seller Axler's June report caused a stir mostly with its prediction that value-priced appliance maker SharkNinja Operating LLC could launch a robovac by year's end. SharkNinja declined to comment.

One potential iRobot bulwark against these new competitors: a portfolio of 1,000 patents worldwide covering the very concept of a self-navigating household robot vacuum as well as basic technologies like object avoidance.

A handful of those patents are now being tested in a series of patent infringement lawsuits iRobot filed in April against Bissell, Stanley Black & Decker, Hoover Inc., Chinese outsourced manufacturers and other robovac makers. The litigation is the most significant in iRobot's history.

A lawyer for Hoover declined to comment. Lawyers for Bissell and Stanley Black & Decker did not respond to requests for comment.

The patents are a "huge part of our competitive moat," Angle said. "It is getting really hard not to step on our intellectual property."
Russia's foreign ministry said Friday it is imposing counter measures on the U.S. in response to new sanctions approved Thursday by Congress. The ministry said the sanctions confirm the extreme aggression of U.S. in international affairs.

We propose to the U.S. side, the ministry said in a statement posted to its website, to bring the number of diplomatic and technical staff working in the U.S. embassy in Moscow and the consulates general . . . in exact accordance with the number of Russian diplomats and technical staff in the U.S.

Russia said the reduction in force would bring the number of U.S. diplomats and staff to 455, and would need to be completed by the end of August.

In addition to the reduction in U.S. diplomatic personnel, Russia also said it would block the U.S. embassy in Russia from accessing its warehouses in Moscow and a vacation compound in Serebryany Bor.

We also reserve the right to take other measures according to the principle of reciprocity, which may affect the interests of the United States, the ministry said.

A State Department official said on background Friday, We have received the Russian government notification. Ambassador (John F.) Tefft expressed his strong disappointment and protest.

Russian diplomats expelled in 2016

The Russian response comes a day after President Vladimir Putin warned that a Russian response was imminent, but suggested he would wait until seeing the final language of the sanctions bill before taking retaliatory measures.

Yet Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, assured that the Russian leader had personally approved today's Foreign Ministry decision.



The form in which the sanctions bill emerged from the Senate had greater significance, said Peskov, in describing the Russian leader's thinking.

The Russian retaliation was celebrated in Moscow as a long overdue response to actions from the previous U.S. administration.

Back in December of 2016, former President Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian diplomats and seized Russian embassy compounds in Maryland and New York as punishment for alleged Russian meddling in the US presidential elections.

Putin waited to make move

At the time, Russian President Putin chose not to respond a move many saw as a gesture of goodwill to the incoming Trump White House, which had expressed a desire for improved relations with Moscow.

Yet today's move reflected growing Russian frustration that the Trump White House besieged by multiple investigations into its ties to Russia during the campaign had not delivered on its campaign promises.

We did everything in our power to save relations from disaster, but the Americans did just the opposite, wrote Russian politician Konstantin Kosachev in a post to Facebook. Kosachev went on to call today's retaliation long overdue.

Sergey Markov, a political analyst close to the Kremlin, also cheered the Kremlin's decision as inevitable, writing on Facebook that hope that the President of the United States could change relations with Russia for the better are over.

U.S. lawmakers approved a bill Thursday imposing new sanctions on not only Russia, but also Iran and North Korea.

Senators overwhelmingly approved the bill with a vote of 98-2, a day after the House and Senate agreed on the terms.

Deal announced late Wednesday

Republican Sen. Bob Corker announced the deal in a statement late Wednesday, saying it came after discussions with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

The House had already passed the bill with a vote of 419-3.

Corker had earlier objected to including the North Korean sanctions, initially favoring to address that issue in a separate bill. But he dropped those objections and said the House of Representatives would work on enhancing the North Korea language. Lawmakers pushed for more Russia sanctions in response to Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Putin denies the charges and objects to the passage of new sanctions against his country.

The bill is designed to affect a wide range of Russian industries, hitting the country squarely in the pocketbook.

Presidential objections

Trump objects to the sanctions, but the bill has enough support in both houses to override a presidential veto. He particularly objects to a passage barring presidential interference aimed at easing the sanctions. The White House has been lobbying for weeks for a bill with a lighter impact.

The European Union has also expressed concern about the new sanctions, saying they could have an impact on the European energy sector.

During weeks of negotiations, the Trump administration pushed back at what it saw as attempt to limit the executive branch's ability to unilaterally ease sanctions, making the case that it limits U.S. leverage in attempts to impact Russian behavior and build a better relationship with Putin. The White House has now expressed support.

The president very much supports sanctions on those countries and wants to make sure that those remain. But at the same time, (he) wants to make sure that we get good deals. Those two things are both very important for the president, White House deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters on Monday.

Daniel Fried, an Obama-era official who coordinated the administration's sanctions policy, told VOA he didn't think the move by Congress to block Trump from altering sanctions would affect a bilateral settlement, but rather was meant to stop Trump from lifting the sanctions "for no good reason."

"I think if there were a settlement and if this were generally acceptable to all the parties, including Ukraine, I think that Congress would not stand in the way of the administration lifting the Ukraine-related sanctions," he said.

According to state-run Russian media, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned Wednesday the new sanctions will scuttle any chance of improved relations between Moscow and Washington. He also stated that Russia had previously warned the Trump administration it would mount a response if U.S. lawmakers passed the bill.

Praise for team effort

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are already praising the group effort to pass the bill quickly. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce said in a statement: I am pleased the Senate has acted overwhelmingly to give the administration much-needed economic and political leverage to address threats from Iran, Russia, and North Korea. This bipartisan bill is about keeping America safe, and I urge the president to sign it into law.

Senator Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and a member of the Senate Banking Committee said, This bill passed with overwhelming majorities in both the Senate and the House, sending a strong message to Vladimir Putin that attacks on our democracy will not be tolerated. President Trump should sign this bill as soon as it hits his desk. Otherwise, he risks encouraging Russia's interference in future elections.

VOA's Michael Bowman and Katherine Gypson contributed to this report.
Five children and two women died after a boat carrying refugees to a Greek island sank off Turkeys coast Thursday evening.

Citing Coast Guard authorities, Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency said the boat sank off the resort of Cesme on the Aegean coast of Izmir Province.

Nine other people  four Iraqis, three Somalis and two Syrians  were rescued. One migrant was reported missing.

Anadolu reported that police were searching for a smuggler who abandoned the boat as it started to sink.

Although hundreds of people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and North Africa arrive in Greece each week, according to the U.N. Migration Agency, IOM, almost 85 percent of migrants and refugees who entered Europe by sea from January through July 23, 2017, arrived in Italy.

Meanwhile, Italy is planning to send warships to help Libya's coast guard combat smugglers who have transported thousands of migrants to Italian shores, via the longer and more dangerous, so-called Eastern Mediterranean Route.

Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said earlier Thursday that the move could be a "turning point'' in the migrant crisis that has gripped Europe for months.

This year alone, some 100,000 migrants from Africa, South Asia and the Middle East have arrived in Italy, a 7 percent rise from the same period last year. More than 2,000 others have died trying to undertake the treacherous voyage so far this year.

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With the foundering of a European Union plan to redistribute thousands of migrants rescued at sea and brought to Italy, Gentiloni said his center-left government will brief lawmakers next week about Libya's request for Italian navy vessels to patrol its Mediterranean shores.



Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Serraj, who leads a U.N.-backed unity government based in Tripoli, met in Rome with the Italian leader on Wednesday and asked for the assistance. Gentiloni said his government was working out the details of a naval mission.

Military ships from European nations, vessels organized by aid organizations and commercial cargo frequently pick up men, women and children making the perilous Mediterranean Sea crossing. Lately, most of those rescued at sea have been economic migrants from African nations unlikely to win asylum.

The migrant crisis has stoked tensions between Italy and the rest of the European Union, which has been reluctant to share the burden of the migrants flowing into Italy, even though most of the migrants wish to resettle in other European nations.


As the U.S. State Department marks its 228th birthday this month, the agency in charge of American diplomacy finds itself at a turning point, facing the threat of deep budget cuts and with many high-profile positions vacant.

The Department of State was the first government agency created under the new U.S. Constitution in July 1789. Today, however, turmoil at the White House and rumors of a possible Cabinet shake-up have spilled over to State, as it is popularly known, and prompted speculation that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson might be contemplating leaving his post. The department has repeatedly denied the reports about Tillerson.

The former ExxonMobil CEO spoke for himself in a joint appearance with his Qatari counterpart, telling a reporter Wednesday: Im not going anywhere.

Asked how long he would stay, Tillerson, who is 65, responded: As long as the president lets me.

Watch: Tillerson Says He Is Staying as State Department Faces Turbulence

A job of great prestige and authority

Some analysts say he faces unique challenges, but getting to be the top U.S. diplomat is the chance of a lifetime.

Aaron David Miller of the Wilson Center told VOA it would be a hard opportunity to pass up.

It is a job that carries tremendous prestige and authority. I mean, defending the United States abroad is an extraordinary sense of mission and excitement, Miller said. And I suppose and, clearly as you know, Tillerson was not Mr. Trumps first choice.

In the end, Miller said he believes Tillerson was Trumps best choice, because he has decades of experience running one of the worlds largest corporations. He worked continuously for ExxonMobil from the time he completed engineering studies until Trump tapped him for the Cabinet.

Some former diplomats and foreign policy experts have expressed concerns about the many problems  potentially painful budget cuts, open differences between Tillerson and President Donald Trump, and numerous unfilled high-level positions  and their effect on the State Departments 36,000 employees.

Employees as dedicated as ever

Spokesperson Heather Nauert told VOA Thursday those employees still see their work as a calling.

Two-hundred and twenty-eight years later, the department remains strong and relevant, and as dedicated to U.S. national security, economic prosperity and the safety and security of our citizens as it has ever been, Nauert said.

Talk about the possible closure of States Office of Global Criminal Justice has worried many analysts. The office advises the secretary of State on issues related to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Jonathan Katz, a fellow at The German Marshall Fund, said such a move would send the wrong message to the world.

It sends the wrong signal that the U.S. is withdrawing from key issues, whether its climate change or atrocity prevention. ... From the perspective of previous administrations and others, both Republican and Democrat, we both see that this is going to have an impact on U.S. interests globally in the wrong way, in the wrong direction, Katz said.

Key office will remain intact

But Nauert broke news on that point Thursday, telling VOA the functions of the Office of Global Criminal Justice will remain at the State Department and its work will continue, although the assignment of its current special coordinator, Todd Buchwald, will come to an end.

Katz told VOA the office has done critical work for decades, such as addressing human-rights violations in Sudan and in navigating sensitive issues at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

The office has been part of an effort to ramp up overall U.S. engagement ... [in] preventing atrocities from occurring, he said.

State describes the mission of the Office of Global Criminal Justice as coordinating the U.S. governments positions relating to international and hybrid courts currently prosecuting persons responsible for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Financier Bill Browder testified Thursday before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee that Russian President Vladimir Putin was the "richest man in the world," a result of "terrible crimes" Putin's government committed without the threat of retribution.

"I believe he is worth $200 billion," Browder said, testifying in the Senate panel's probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. "The purpose of the Putin regime has been to commit terrible crimes in order to get that money, and he doesn't want to lose that money by having it frozen. So he is personally at risk of the Magnitsky Act."

Browder said that to protect the vast amounts of money, some of which he said was in American banks, Putin launched a campaign to repeal the Magnitsky Act, a U.S. law that imposed sanctions on Russian officials whom the U.S. held responsible for the 2009 death of Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who died in a Russian jail after being retained by Browder to investigate corruption.

Browder is the CEO of Hermitage Capital Management, an investment firm that was once the largest portfolio investor in Russia.

Fraud, money-laundering case

Browder testified that Kremlin-linked Natalia Veselnitskaya was the "family lawyer" for the Russian family that owns Prevezon Holdings Ltd., the target of a $230 million fraud and money-laundering case that Magnitsky had exposed.

Veselnitskaya once represented a military unit run by the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB), the country's primary intelligence agency. She also met last June with Donald Trump Jr., presidential senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner and former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, promising incriminating information about 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

Although Trump Jr.'s publicly released emails show Clinton was to be the the primary topic of discussion at the Trump Tower meeting, Trump Jr. has maintained the topic was instead the adoption of Russian children.

Browder testified that when Congress passed the Magnitsky Act, Putin retaliated by imposing a ban on Russian orphans. The goal of the meeting, Browder said, "was to repeal the Magnitsky Act" and the sanctions that were associated with its imposition.

Under questioning by Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Browder affirmed that talk of adoption was effectively Russian code for lifting the sanctions.

"Nobody was talking about adoption," Browder said. "They were talking about the repeal of sanctions, so that Russian torturers and murderers could freely travel and keep their money in America."

No adoption talk, he says

When Sheldon asked whether Trump Jr., Kushner and Manafort would have known about the code language, Browder responded, "I don't want to put thoughts into anybody's head, but I can say with certainty that nobody was talking about adoption."

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said the Putin government was not committed to any particular U.S. political party. He told Fox News that the Washington-based intelligence company Fusion GPS, which commissioned a dossier of salacious allegations against Donald Trump, has also been supported by Russia. Graham reiterated the Russians hacked into Democratic National Committee emails and that Veselnitskaya was "actually working for the Russians."

"So they're trying to play both sides against the middle, and I hope the country wakes up to the threat Russia presents to us all," Graham said.

The Justice Department settled the $230 million case against Prevezon, which was represented by Velnitskaya, for $6 million in May, two days before the case was scheduled to go to trial.

The settlement prompted 17 Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee to send a letter to the Justice Department on July 12, demanding an explanation for why the agency had settled the case.

"Two days before this trial was set to begin, the department agreed to settle this $230 million case for less than $6 million and no admission of wrongdoing," the letter said.

Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas asked Browder whether "commercial entities that are really fronts for state-owned enterprises and people like Vladimir Putin" should be required to register under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires agents of foreign countries to disclose their financial and political activities.

Transparency 'essential'

Browder responded, "It's absolutely essential that they do, and it's absolutely essential that there's transparency about who people are talking to and about what their interests are."

He added, "We have a free society, free press, democracy, open ideas, amendments, et cetera, and they're taking advantage of that."

U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia meddled in last year's U.S. presidential election with the intent of helping Trump win, resulting in several congressional investigations and a Justice Department probe led by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Putin complained Thursday that the probes were a reflection of an escalation of anti-Russian sentiment.

"We are just seeing a rise in anti-Russia hysteria," Putin said at a news conference in Finland. "It's a great pity that Russian-U.S relations are being sacrificed to resolve questions of domestic politics."
Against the backdrop of the site where 15 members of the notorious MS-13 gang were arrested on homicide charges last week in Suffolk County, on New Yorks Long Island, President Donald Trump Friday promised to liberate our towns from gangs.

Speaking to a group of law enforcement officers, Trump called on Congress to approve funds for an additional 10,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in order to root out the criminal cartels.

We cannot accept this violence one day more. Cant do it, Trump said. Were not going to do it, because of you. Youre not going to allow it to happen and were backing you up 100 percent.

The president recounted a news story he read recently, in which an MS-13 member said the gang likes to kill its victims slowly because they enjoy inflicting pain on people.

These are animals, Trump said of the gang members.

Police brutality and mayors

The U.S. president also appeared to support police brutality in his remarks. Dont be too nice, he told the officers. He decried the practice officers have of shielding the heads of handcuffed detainees when placing them into a police vehicle. You can take your hand away, OK, Trump said.

The Suffolk Country Police Department said in a statement it has strict regulations about how prisoners are treated.

Violations of those rules and procedures are treated extremely seriously. As a department, we do not and will not tolerate roughing up of prisoners, the statement said.

The deputy legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union said Trumps remarks do not adhere to the American ideal that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

By encouraging police to dole out extra pain at will, the president is urging a kind of lawlessness that already imperils the health and lives of people of color at shameful rates, Jeffrey Robinson said in a statement.

Trump also used the occasion to attack the countrys mayors.

I met police, that are great police, that arent allowed to do their job because they have a pathetic mayor or a mayor that doesnt know whats going on, he said.

In response, the U.S. Conference of Mayors issued a statement, saying The presidents comments today prove how out of touch he is with the realities of life in American cities. Mayors number one priority is  and always will be  the safety and protection of their residents. There is no daylight between the mayors of our cities and the uniformed officers who work tirelessly to keep us safe every single day. Any other notion is not only entirely devoid of facts, it is dangerous and counterproductive. ... When the president is ready to stop grandstanding and discuss policy to keep Americans safe, were ready to work with him.

MS-13 started in Los Angeles

La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13 for short, is a vast organization that has cells in cities with Latino populations across the United States. It is also said to have a significant presence in Mexico and Canada. The group was formed in the 1980s in Los Angeles and also has roots in El Salvador.

Police in New York say the cartel has been responsible for a wave of criminal activity that includes 17 homicides on Long Island since January 2016. Trump spoke Friday at the place where police arrested 15 MS-13 members accused of the brutal ambush murder of four young Latino men in a park in April.

Immigration officers

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after Trump spoke Friday, senior White House policy adviser Stephen Miller urged Congress to approve the necessary funds for what would amount to a tripling in the size of the immigration enforcement force from 5,000 to 15,000 officers.

If Senate Democrats try to block the funding we need to protect our nation from criminals, drug dealers, cartels and terrorists, it will cause an uproar from the American people, Miller warned. And they will pay a steep political price.

In the wake of the homicides and the wave of gang violence in their community, Suffolk County residents are deeply divided about Trumps intentions and motivations in targeting MS-13. One county resident, Mark Bloom, told VOA federal intervention is overdue.

The MS-13 gang has been wreaking havoc in Suffolk County, and its about time somebody on a national level came in and did something about it, since the local government cant do anything, Bloom said.

Other ideas from the community

But others worry that targeting gang members could be a facade for a more extensive crackdown on the undocumented community.

Several who spoke to VOA said many of those arrested and deported since the Trump administration loosened enforcement guidelines this year had no previous criminal charges pending against them. Their only offense was being undocumented.

Angela Ramos, president of the Long Island Women of Vision Coalition, said the arrests and deportations are breaking families apart, depriving households of their primary breadwinners.

We dont need family division. We dont need him (Trump) to tell us that this is a problem of illegals. Its not that. The problem is, this is a poor community.

Ramos said cracking down on gangs will not solve the crime problem in immigrant communities.

There are various solutions that we need to combat this problem. First, we need a prevention program that starts in the school, afterschool programs for the kids, and of course to work with police, she said.

Adriana Beltran of the Washington Office on Latin America, in a written statement to VOA Friday, argued the administrations crackdown was having the opposite of the intended effect, leaving victims of crime afraid to notify authorities.

It targets vulnerable populations, especially undocumented immigrants, Beltran said. In ignoring the facts and nuances about street gangs, the administration risks implementing policies that hinder law enforcements ability to effectively address gang violence at home and in Central America.

Victims of crime

In a briefing for White House reporters Thursday, acting ICE Director Thomas Homan denied that victims of crime were being targeted.

If there is a victim of crime and they come forward, were not looking to arrest a victim of crime, he said. Were looking to arrest the bad guy.

Homan said most members of immigrant communities support stronger action against violent gangs.

I believe that these  especially MS-13  they victimize the very communities in which they live. So if the immigrant community is being victimized, they dont want them in the community either.

Homan told reporters ICE has arrested 3,311 gang members this year, a significant increase over past years. He said 100 of those arrests came in New York, most of them people with MS-13 connections.
Using the site of last week's mass arrests of notorious MS-13 gang members as a backdrop, President Donald Trump's visit to the city of Brentwood, New York, underscores the severity of transnational violence that has plagued a heavily Hispanic community. As federal authorities ramp up efforts to eradicate the gang, residents are wary and divided over its intended or unintended consequences.
Suffolk County on Long Island, New York, has seen safer days. With 17 reported murders of gang-related violence since January 2016, one afflicted community of mostly Hispanic residents has altered the way it goes about regular activities; among them, high school students like Natalia Osorio, who heeds her parents advice whenever she sees members of the royal-blue-clad gang known as La Mara Salvatrucha  MS-13.



I walk to school, so they just always tell me to be careful and not talk to anybody," she says, "Or maybe if somebody comes in a car, they will ask, Oh, you want a ride, and youll be like No, I dont want a ride. Im fine.

The threat of MS-13 is why President Donald Trump planned to visit here Friday with the message that lawmakers must do more to combat illegal immigration. While MS-13 originated in Los Angeles, most of its members are from Central America. Before the visit, a White House aide told reporters that the president would deliver a very forceful message about just how menacing this threat is.

The president has made MS-13 something of a cause during his campaign and young presidency by connecting it with one of his signature issues: immigration. The White House aide said Trump would highlight the systemic consequences of our failure to enforce immigration laws over many years.

But Paul Liquorie, director of Maryland's Montgomery County Special Investigations Division, told VOA that the areas most often targeted by MS-13 gang members are those with heavy concentrations of Central American immigrants  like Suffolk County.



Theyre going to concentrate their efforts, because they know that the immigrants here are going to be familiar with their tactics, that they may be more susceptible to their tactics as well," he says.

Divided over Trump Visit



Suffolk County residents were largely divided on President Trumps intentions and motivations in targeting local gang violence in their community. Supporters say federal intervention is overdue.



The MS-13 gang has been wreaking havoc in Suffolk County, and its about time somebody on a national level came in and did something about it, since the local government cant do anything," says Mark Bloom a county resident.

But others worry that targeting gang members could be a facade for a more extensive crackdown on the undocumented community.



I imagine he does intend to deport the bad guys, and thats good that he targets them, but this will also affect people who have nothing to do with that, because just as there is evil, there is goodness, too," Kevin tells VOA.



Sergio Argueta, who leads a youth empowerment program on Long Island, was involved in gangs in his youth. He says the death of two close friends and a community college education changed his life, in spite of opportunities and resources denied to him. He says Trump should consider alternative methods to ending violence.

If he really wants to eradicate or end gang violence as he says he wants to do, what he needs to do is provide good educational opportunities, good health care, good housing, making sure young people arent criminalized, but they feel safe and secure in their communities, which is everything that he is not currently doing," says Sergio Argueta, founder of S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth Inc.



Arqueta says ending the cycle of violence begins with both sides of the aisle putting partisan politics aside.
A Turkish court ruled on Friday that four prominent members of an opposition newspaper must remain in detention but freed seven others for the duration of the trial, in a case seen by critics of President Tayyip Erdogan as an attack on free speech.

Since the first hearing in the case on Monday, hundreds of people have protested outside the central Istanbul court against the prosecution of 17 writers, executives and lawyers of the secularist Cumhuriyet newspaper.

The court remanded in custody the chairman of Cumhuriyet's executive committee Akin Atalay, its chief editor Murat Sabuncu, and reporters Kadri Gursel and Ahmet Sik until the next hearing on Sept. 11, citing the gravity of the charges they face.

'Judicial probation'

Chief judge Abdurrahman Orkun Dag freed seven others until the next hearing on judicial probation  meaning they cannot leave the country and must report regularly to a police station.

Turkish prosecutors are seeking up to 43 years in jail for the newspaper staff, who stand accused of targeting Erdogan through asymmetric war methods.

The 324-page indictment alleges Cumhuriyet was effectively taken over by the network of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is blamed for a failed coup last July, and used to veil the actions of terrorist groups.

Cumhuriyet says the charges are imaginary accusations and slander.

'Theyre telling us to kneel'

Gursel, along with Sabuncu and other senior staff, has been in pre-trial detention for more than 260 days.

They're telling us to kneel. Members of this rotten entity, with its gunmen and tyrants who lack honour, should know very well that until today I've only kneeled before my mother and father, and will never ever kneel before anybody else, Sik told the crowded courtroom.

The court ordered an investigation into Sik, who once wrote a book critical of Gulen's movement, for comments he made during his defense.

Social media posts comprised the bulk of evidence in the indictment, along with allegations that staff had been in contact with users of Bylock, an encrypted messaging app the government says was used by Gulen's followers.

Following Friday's ruling, lawyers marched outside the courthouse, chanting right, law, justice, as armored police vehicles and officers stood with tear gas and automatic weapons.

Former chief editor Can Dundar, who is living in Germany, is being tried in absentia, and the court said an arrest warrant for him remained in force.

Rights groups and Turkey's Western allies have complained of deteriorating human rights under Erdogan. In the crackdown since last July's failed coup, 50,000 people have been jailed pending trial and some 150,000 detained or dismissed from their jobs.

Observers call for release of 17 defendants

In a joint statement, several international observers, including Reporters without Borders, called for the release of all 17 defendants, saying the case amounted to a politically motivated effort to criminalize journalism.

During Turkey's crackdown, some 150 media outlets have been shut and around 160 journalists jailed, the Turkish Journalists' Association says.

Authorities say the crackdown is justified by the gravity of the coup attempt, in which rogue soldiers tried to overthrow the government, killing 250 people, mostly civilians.
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The Turkish parliament has approved a series of changes to its bylaws, which critics say aim to further curtail opposition voices.

The amendments cover a range of issues from what the parliament speaker can wear to how long a bill can be debated.

The government insists the changes will render parliament more effective. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is accused of increasing authoritarianism, has long criticized the opposition for allegedly obstructing the work of parliament.

The changes come as Turkey is engaged in an unprecedented crackdown on the alleged perpetrators of last year's failed military coup, which human rights group say has been broadened to include all government opponents.

More than 50,000 people have been arrested and over 110,000 have been fired from their government jobs.

Two lawmakers stripped of power

Also Thursday, the parliament voted to strip two pro-Kurdish lawmakers of their status of Member of Parliament on the grounds of absenteeism.

The vote brings the number of Peoples' Democratic Party's (HDP) lawmakers who have lost their seats to four.

In the last general election in November 2015, the HDP won 59 seats, becoming the second largest opposition party.

Certain words banned

With the changes to the parliament's bylaws, legislators will now be punished for using certain words, including Kurdistan or Kurdish province  terms frequently used by HDP legislators.

Nationalists who backed the amendments regard the terms as an expression of separatist sentiment.
U.N. officials have voiced their dismay at Vietnam's intensifying campaign against those who question or criticize government policy. The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned the severity of sentences handed down to dissenters after so-called show trials.

In the most recent incident, the U.N. reports that on July 25, well-known activist Tran Thi Nga was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment and five years' house arrest for spreading so-called anti-state propaganda.

Rights Office spokeswoman Liz Throssell says Tran Thi Nga's sentence comes less than one month after another prominent blogger, Mother Mushroom, was jailed for 10 years. Throssell says both bloggers were sentenced after flawed judicial proceedings.

"Over the last six months, at least seven other human rights defenders have been arrested and faced prosecution, several dozen are currently detained, and two have been deported or sent into exile abroad," Throssell said. "Many others have been intimidated, harassed and brutally beaten. Human rights defenders should never be treated as criminals who are a threat to national security."

Throssell tells VOA the high commissioner and international human rights groups all denounce Article 88 of Vietnam's penal code, under which the human rights defenders were judged.

"They all consider these provisions as too vague and in breach of international human rights law and, therefore, amounting to criminalization of the exercise of fundamental rights, such as the freedom of expression," she said.

Throssell says the high commissioner has expressed his concerns to the Vietnamese authorities, but received no response.
Pakistan must address a catalog of human rights failings, including state-sponsored abductions and a death penalty that amounts to torture, but its national watchdog is muzzled, the U.N. Human Rights Committee said Thursday.

Human Rights Minister Kamran Michael defended Pakistan's record before the committee earlier this month, but members of the committee said his delegation had given few responses to their questions and very general answers.

They were also concerned at a no-show by the chairman of Pakistan's National Commission for Human Rights, who was allegedly barred from traveling to Geneva to meet them and was not able to probe wrongdoing, they said.

"The commission is prevented from fully cooperating with United Nations human rights mechanisms, cannot inquire into the practices of the intelligence agencies, and is not authorized to undertake full inquiries into reports of human rights violations by members of the armed forces," the U.N. committee report said.

Pakistani officials in Islamabad could not be reached for comment on the committee's findings.

At the top of a long list of human rights concerns were Pakistan's renewed use of the death penalty, its blasphemy laws, and "enforced disappearances" and extrajudicial killings.

Enforced disappearances, seen in tribal areas and Baluchistan for the past 15 years, have become widespread across Pakistan, committee member Olivier de Frouville told reporters.

"This is an admitted fact, even within the country, that this is carried out by agents of the state," he said, adding that the government's own investigations were insufficient.

Secret detentions

A high number of people were allegedly in secret detention in military internment centers, the committee's report said.

Killings were allegedly perpetrated by the police, military and security forces, but there was no law explicitly against such practices.

The committee also lambasted Pakistan's widespread use of hanging since it lifted a moratorium on the death penalty in 2014, following an attack on a school in which more than 150 people, mainly children, were killed.

Death sentences were passed on mentally disabled people and suspects who were minors at the time of their crimes, and the method of execution amounted to torture.

"There have been reports of botched executions, failed executions, with grave consequences on physical integrity," de Frouville said.

Pakistan has executed 468 prisoners since 2014 and has 1,500 people on death row, the report said.

Capital punishment was mandatory under blasphemy laws, which often led to false accusations and "mob vengeance," the committee said, calling for those laws to be repealed.
The U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State is cutting ties with a local Syrian partner force who "engaged in activities not focused on fighting ISIS," a coalition spokesman said Thursday.

Army Colonel Ryan Dillon told reporters that American forces were "in the process of ceasing our support and receiving the equipment" provided to the group Shohada al-Qartyan (ShQ) to fight Islamic State militants in southern Syria.

"We have made it very clear time and again that our goal in Syria and in Iraq is to fight ISIS and to fight ISIS only," Dillon said, using the common acronym for Islamic State. "Our partner forces, we've asked them to be committed to that same mission."

Two U.S. officials confirmed to VOA that the group targeted pro-Syrian regime forces located outside southern Syria's so-called deconfliction zone, which for months has been established as the area within a 55-kilometer radius of the al-Tanf garrison, where coalition forces are training counter-IS fighters.

One official confirmed that this was not the first time Shohada al-Qartyan had carried out these types of attacks.

"They wanted to go back on their oath to fight only Islamic State," another official told VOA.

Still talking

Other local allies remain at the garrison and continue to cooperate with coalition advisers, officials said, with Dillon adding that discussions with ShQ leaders were ongoing.

The Pentagon refers to its local allies in southern Syria as the "Vetted Syrian Opposition" (VSO), and many of these Arab fighters initially organized against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The VSO differs from the Syrian Democratic Forces, a large fighting force of both Kurdish and Arab fighters who are fighting Islamic State in northern Syria.

Some of the VSO forces are indigenous to areas along the middle Euphrates River Valley, a region overrun by IS. Dillon estimated Thursday that 5,000 to 10,000 IS fighters had gathered in that area.

However, Syrian government troops have recently positioned themselves between the al-Tanf garrison and the middle Euphrates River Valley.

"Can we leave on trucks and go straight across to Abu Kamal and Mayadin and Deir ez-Zor without running into the regime? Likely not," Dillon said. "But as far as any future plans on getting them into the fight, we will address that, and we believe that there will be an opportunity to use them in the fight against ISIS in the middle Euphrates River Valley when needed."

The story was first reported by CNN.
The first meeting of the U.S.-Mexico Border Mayors Association since Donald Trump became U.S. president began Thursday, as the stakes of debate in Washington could hardly be higher for the region of 12 million people stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.

Trump is moving ahead with plans to build a "big, beautiful wall" separating the two countries and add 5,000 Border Patrol agents, despite uncertainty about how much Congress will agree to pay. The U.S., Mexico and Canada are preparing to overhaul the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, one of Trump's favorite punching bags.

As with other border gatherings of mayors and governors, one challenge was getting enough elected officials to attend. This year's hosts, Mayor Kevin Faulconer of San Diego and Juan Manuel Gastelum of Tijuana, Mexico, ensured that two of the region's largest cities were represented. Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas, was represented, as was McAllen, Texas.

Absent mayors included those from El Paso and Laredo, Texas, and Mexicali, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros, Mexico.

Border mayors generally advocate for robust trade between the two countries and expanded international crossings to ease the flow of goods and people. They have given a cold shoulder to Trump's wall.

Panel topics

Panels at the two-day gathering  the group's fifth since 2011  were to cover NAFTA, infrastructure, U.S.-Mexico relations, public health and urban development. The mayors will work on a joint resolution on bilateral trade.

"Border mayors and governors have struggled over the years to create and sustain forums in which they can get to know each other and work together on a common agenda,'' said Christopher Wilson, deputy director of the Wilson Center's Mexico Institute in Washington.

The group's rotating venues may prove more challenging for small-city hosts who have more limited budgets and resources.

"Right now the border mayors association is a great idea with enough energy to get a meeting off the ground, but without a structure,'' Wilson said. "They need some glue to the organization.''

The Border Governors Conference, which dates to the 1980s, has been moribund for several years. In 2010, then-Arizona Governor Jan Brewer canceled a Phoenix event after Mexico's border governors boycotted because she signed a tough law against illegal immigration. The New Mexico governor at the time, Bill Richardson, convened a meeting in Santa Fe, but he was the only one of four U.S. border governors to show. New Mexico was also the only U.S. presence the following year.
U.S. General Mark Milley, chief of staff of the Army, says North Korean missile technology may be advancing faster than expected.

Milley spoke Thursday at the National Press Club in Washington, as North Koreans concluded a day of remembrance to mark the anniversary of the end of the Korean War.

Milley told his audience, North Korea is extremely dangerous, and more dangerous as the weeks go by.

'Never seen before'

Earlier this month Pyongyang announced it had completed its first successful test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, one expert said could travel far enough to reach the westernmost U.S. states of Alaska or Hawaii.

The launch took U.S. defense experts by surprise. Pentagon officials said it was something they had never seen before.

There was speculation that North Korea might use Thursday's anniversary to test-launch a new missile, but late in the day, those fears appeared to have been unfounded.

Earlier Thursday, North Koreans gathered at the mausoleum of North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il to commemorate the day in 1953 when China, North Korea, and the U.S.-backed United Nations signed an agreement to end the struggle over the Korean peninsula.

Peace treaty never signed

The conflict began in 1950 when the Soviet-ruled North invaded the democratically ruled South.

In the North Korean version of the story, the conflict is known as the Fatherland Liberation War. North Korea blames the United States for starting the war that devastated the Korean peninsula and saw the South Korean capital, Seoul, change hands four times.

Because a peace treaty was never signed, the two nations are technically still at war. Pyongyang uses that fact to justify its concentration on military readiness.

Hong Yong-Dok brought his granddaughters to the Kim mausoleum to pay their respects Thursday. He told a French news agency, "Our country is ever-victorious because we have the greatest leaders in the world."
The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a $68 billion increase in military spending next year with legislation that also provides money to start construction of President Donald Trump's Mexican border wall.

The bill increased spending on the U.S. capability to defend itself from foreign missile attacks amid growing concerns about North Korea's increasing capacity to hit the United States with a nuclear-tipped missile after it successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in July.

The money for the wall is dwarfed by the $658.1 billion the bill would provide for the Defense Department, an increase of $68.1 billion above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $18.4 billion above Trump's budget request.

The House voted 235-192 for the fiscal 2018 spending bill that would provide $1.6 billion for initial construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, which was a centerpiece of Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

Democrats repeatedly have referred to any money for the wall as a poison pill and are likely to try to kill it in the Senate.

Oct. 1 deadline looms

Congress is up against an Oct. 1 deadline  the start of a new fiscal year  for either passing spending bills or temporarily extending funding at current-year levels to give negotiators more time to come to agreements.

Funding for the wall was tucked into a wide-ranging national security appropriations bill at the last minute by Republican leadership, knowing that many House members who oppose the wall would not sink defense spending with a no vote.

Trump has argued that a big beautiful wall was needed along the entire southwestern U.S. border and that Mexico would ultimately pay for its construction.

Mexico has flatly refused to pay and in recent weeks Trump indicated that there could be portions of the border that are not conducive to a wall.

Democrats and many Republicans in Congress have questioned the feasibility and effectiveness of a border wall, with immigration advocacy groups arguing that it would not stem the flow of illegal border crossings and would hurt U.S.-Mexico relations.

Opposition to wall

In interviews in recent weeks with more than a half-dozen Republican senators from states that voted for Trump for president last November, only Ted Cruz of Texas embraced building the wall.

Similarly, House Republicans representing districts along the U.S.-Mexico border have expressed opposition to the barrier, which could end up costing well over $21 billion.

Representative Nita Lowey, the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, called the wall a waste ... that experts confirm is unneeded and ineffective and cuts against our values as Americans.

Furthermore, Lowey noted that Pentagon funding would run into a technical problem as it breaches a cap on defense spending by $72 billion. If the bill became law, she said, it actually would trigger across-the-board cuts of 13 percent to every defense account in order to stay within the cap.

The beefed up defense spending would allow the Pentagon to continue military activities in Iraq, Afghanistan and other trouble spots and hire more troops while providing soldiers with a 2.4 percent pay raise.

Big-ticket items

It also would allow the Pentagon to undertake a shopping spree with money to buy ships and submarines, aircraft, tanks and other big-ticket items.

The House-passed bill also includes an increase for America's nuclear weapons stockpile managed by the Department of Energy, as well as for U.S. Capitol Police following a June 14 shooting that gravely wounded Republican Representative Steve Scalise.

A $825 million increase for the Missile Defense Agency to more than $8.6 billion is more than Trump asked for and includes additional boosters and missile silos for the main system that would defend against an ICBM attack, a program run by Boeing.

Missile defense would also gain 14 more THAAD interceptors made by Lockheed Martin.
The U.S. House of Representatives closed its summer session with a key legislative accomplishment Friday that included a gift for President Donald Trump.



House Republicans included a $1.6 billion request to build part of Trumps promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border in a mini-bus package of bills.



We must be vigilant in protecting our homeland. Thats our priority. This legislation funds the most critical functions of government. It secures our borders by providing funding for a wall on our southern border, House Speaker Paul Ryan said in a statement Thursday hailing the passage of border wall funding.



Theres some frustration on the part of some Republicans that they havent been getting things done this year, Molly Reynolds, a fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution, told VOA. So they see this security mini-bus as a way to show they have gotten something done on things that are broadly popular  funding the military and veterans programs.

Uphill battle in Senate

But the border wall request faces a tough road ahead in the U.S. Senate as the political atmosphere in Washington grows even more charged following the last minute failure of Republican attempts to pass a health care bill.

The wall money, added to a spending measure for the U.S. Defense Department, faces opposition by all Democrats in the Senate and some Republicans.



Democratic Senators are expected to object to the border wall funding, possibly triggering a government shutdown by rejecting the spending bill in its current form

Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer called the vote a legislative gimmick Tuesday because the mini-bus packaging prevented separate debate on funding for the border wall.



Though the defense appropriations bill includes numerous security spending measures, Democrats said Republicans saw it as an opportunity to add Trumps demands to fund a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.



Representative Pete Aguilar, a California Democrat, said the $1.6 billion should be used to take care of our veterans and to honor our commitment for necessary defense programs.



Representative Luis Gutierrez, an Illinois Democrat, said the money was snuck into the appropriation bill so they can make people happy, but not make them any safer.



What you need is modern solutions to modern problems," he said. "We need a modern, functioning, immigration system. Not a wall.
A U.S. jury on Thursday found Macau billionaire Ng Lap Seng guilty on charges he bribed two United Nations ambassadors to help him build a multibillion-dollar conference center.

Ng, 69, was convicted on all six counts he faced, including bribery, money laundering and corruption, in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan. Jurors needed less than a day to reach a verdict, following a four-week trial.

"In his unbridled pursuit of even greater personal fortune, billionaire Ng Lap Seng corrupted the highest levels of the United Nations," Acting U.S. Attorney Joon Kim said after the verdict.

"Through bribes and no-show jobs, Ng turned leaders of the league of nations into his private band of profiteers."

Tai Park, a lawyer for Ng, said in court that his client had "substantial" legal issues to raise on appeal. Park later declined to comment to reporters. The United Nations also had no comment.

Prosecutors accused Ng of paying more than $1 million of bribes to bypass the normal hassles of dealing with the U.N., with a goal of winning "fame and more fortune" by developing in Macau what he thought of as the "Geneva of Asia."

Ng hoped that building the conference center, meant to serve developing countries, would pave the way for the construction of luxury housing, hotels, a shopping mall, marinas and a heliport, prosecutors said.

Defense lawyers countered that Ng's goals were consistent with the types of public-private partnerships that the U.N. favors, and that other diplomats abused Ng's trust.

The conference center was never built.

Ng has been free on $50 million bail, living under 24-hour guard in a luxury Manhattan apartment.

After Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Richenthal warned that Ng could now be a flight risk, U.S. District Judge Vernon Broderick modified bail by subjecting Ng to house arrest.

"He is not to leave the apartment: no ifs, ands or buts about it," the judge said.

Broderick scheduled an Aug. 7 hearing to decide whether to revoke bail.

Prosecutors said the recipients of Ng's bribes were Francis Lorenzo, a former deputy ambassador of the Dominican Republic, and John Ashe, a former U.N. General Assembly president and ambassador from Antigua and Barbuda.

Lorenzo pleaded guilty to bribery and money laundering, and testified against Ng for more than a week after agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors.

Ashe was also criminally charged, but died accidentally at home in June 2016 after dropping a barbell on his neck.
U.S. lawmakers have approved a bill imposing new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea, which will now be sent to President Donald Trump for approval.

Senators overwhelmingly approved the bill Thursday with a vote of 98-2, a day after the House and Senate agreed on the terms.

Republican Sen. Bob Corker announced the deal in a statement late Wednesday, saying it came after discussions with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

The House has already passed the bill with a vote of 419-3.

Corker had earlier objected to including the North Korean sanctions, initially favoring to address that issue in a separate bill. But he dropped those objections and said the House of Representatives would work on enhancing the North Korea language.

Lawmakers pushed for more Russia sanctions in response to Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Russian President Vladimir Putin denies the charges and objects to the passage of new sanctions against his country. He has threatened to retaliate, although he has not yet said how.

The bill is designed to affect a wide range of Russian industries, hitting the country squarely in the pocketbook.

Presidential objections

Trump objects to the sanctions, but the bill has enough support in both houses to override a presidential veto. He particularly objects to a passage barring presidential interference aimed at easing the sanctions.

The White House has been lobbying for weeks for a bill with a lighter impact.

The European Union has also expressed concern about the new sanctions, saying they could have an impact on the European energy sector.

During weeks of negotiations, the Trump administration pushed back at what it saw as attempt to limit the executive branch's ability to unilaterally ease sanctions, making the case that it limits U.S. leverage in attempts to impact Russian behavior and build a better relationship with Putin. The White House has now expressed support.

"The president very much supports sanctions on those countries and wants to make sure that those remain. But at the same time, [he] wants to make sure that we get good deals. Those two things are both very important for the president," White House deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters on Monday.

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Wednesday that Moscow would likely retaliate against the United States if the sanctions are imposed.

According to state-run Russian media, Ryabkov warned the new sanctions will scuttle any chance of improved relations between Moscow and Washington. He also stated that Russia had previously warned the Trump administration it would mount a response if U.S. lawmakers passed the bill.

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are already praising the group effort to pass the bill quickly. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce said in a statement: "I am pleased the Senate has acted overwhelmingly to give the administration much-needed economic and political leverage to address threats from Iran, Russia, and North Korea. This bipartisan bill is about keeping America safe, and I urge the president to sign it into law."

Senator Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and a member of the Senate Banking Committee said, "This bill passed with overwhelming majorities in both the Senate and the House, sending a strong message to Vladimir Putin that attacks on our democracy will not be tolerated. President Trump should sign this bill as soon as it hits his desk. Otherwise, he risks encouraging Russia's interference in future elections."
Panelists testifying at a Senate subcommittee hearing this week strongly suggested a major U.S. policy shift on South Sudan. One expert described expelling South Sudanese diplomats as the kind of bold action needed if Washington wants to send a clear message to Juba.

Only three of the 9 members of the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on Africa showed up for the hearing. A perturbed Senator Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, noted the lack of White House and State Department officials present at Wednesday's hearing.

"It's my perspective that every month we wait for this administration to craft a policy and a strategy to deal with this issue is an absence of American leadership," Booker said.

Booker added that the monthlong congressional recess starting soon will further exacerbate efforts to address the political, economic and humanitarian chaos in South Sudan.

Booker also noted that key U.S. diplomatic positions remain vacant, such as assistant secretary of state for African affairs, and a U.S. special envoy for Sudan and South Sudan.

Aly Verjee, a visiting expert at the United States Institute of Peace, agreed.

"The U.S. ambassador in Juba [Mary Catherine Phee] is the senior official. And everybody knows that whatever she says does not come with any support of this administration because of the absences. She can say the United States does not accept this cease-fire violation and she can say that you must implement the peace agreement, but everybody in South Sudan knows there is nothing that backs her up," Verjee said.

The Kiir factor

Joshua Meservey, a senior policy analyst for Africa and the Middle East at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, said aggressive symbolic gestures like expelling South Sudanese diplomats from the United States could send a strong message to Juba and challenge President Salva Kiir's leadership.

"The Kiir regime, every time it sits across the table from a diplomat from the United States or Europe, derives a certain amount of legitimacy. No matter the statements we put out to the contrary, the mere fact that we speak to him and treat him as if he is part of the solution suggests that he is part of the solution. He is not. He is a profound part of the problem," Meservey said.

Payton Knopf, coordinator for the South Sudan Senior Working Group at the United States Institute of Peace, said the Kiir administration in unquestionably an illegitimate regime.

"It is incumbent on the United States, given the magnitude of the crimes that the regime has committed and continues to commit, to not undertake a business-as-usual approach to its diplomatic engagement," Knopf said.

Knopf said the U.S. can send a very significant signal to neighboring governments and European partners by recognizing the Kiir government for what it is, "which is a brutal regime that continues to murder its people."

Gordon Buay, deputy head of mission at the South Sudan Embassy in Washington, who attended the hearing, dismissed all statements questioning Kiir's legitimacy.

"For somebody to say that President Salva Kiir, who was elected with 98 percent of vote of the people of South Sudan, is not legitimate, that person is from another planet," Buay said.

The ongoing conflict has had dramatic consequences on South Sudan's humanitarian situation. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs asked for $1.6 billion for its response plan in South Sudan. Fifty-four percent of that amount has been met to assist in what has been called the world's fastest-growing refugee crisis.
Few protesters defied a ban on demonstrations in Venezuela ahead of a controversial election called by President Nicolas Maduro.

Some demonstrators put up barricades along main roads in the countrys capital, Caracas, pelted by rain and tear gas canisters fired by police.

However, most streets were largely empty a day after Interior Minister Nestor Reverol announced that authorities were prohibiting any demonstrations from taking place through Tuesday.

The opposition had hoped to attract large numbers of people, as they had earlier in the week before the ban on demonstrations took effect.

Maduro warned Thursday that anyone defying the ban risks up to 10 years in prison.

The protesters are demonstrating against Sundays controversial vote for a constituent assembly whose 545 members will be charged with rewriting the countrys constitution. Critics charge that only Maduro supporters are candidates and that they could revise the charter to keep him in office indefinitely.

Prepare to deepen the conflict, a conflict that will be hard. But we will win because they cannot crush us all, legislator Freddy Guevara, first vice president of the opposition-led parliament, said Thursday night.

The lawmaker said opposition leaders soon would present a whole agenda of mobilization and pressure to delegitimize what he called a farce of an election.

On Friday, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence spoke by telephone to a detained prominent Venezuelan opposition leader, Leopoldo Lopez, who is under house arrest. A statement from Pences office said the vice president praised Lopezs courage. He also reiterated the White Houses pledge to impose strong and swift economic actions if Sundays vote goes ahead.

The United States this week imposed sanctions on 13 current and former Venezuelan officials, including police and army chiefs.

Earlier in the week, Venezuelas opposition held two days of mass strikes. They followed almost four months of often-violent demonstrations. At least 102 people have died in clashes among Maduros opponents, his backers and security forces.
AUTO SAFETY

Honda says air bag ruptured in fatal crash

Honda said Thursday that a Takata air bag inflater ruptured in a car crash last week in Florida, in what could be the 19th death worldwide linked to faulty air bags recalled in the largest auto safety campaign in history.

The Japanese automaker said the driver of a 2002 Honda Accord was killed near St. Petersburg after the inflater ruptured. An official cause of death has not been announced.

At least 18 deaths and 180 injuries worldwide are tied to the defect that led Takata to file for bankruptcy protection in June. Takata inflaters can explode with excessive force, spewing metal shrapnel inside cars and trucks.

In the July 19 crash, a 34-year-old woman died in a head-on collision after a 19-year-old driving a 1999 Pontiac Firebird turned into her path, local media reports said.

Honda said 10 recall notices had been sent to the current registered owner of the Honda, but the repairs were never made.

 Reuters

RETAIL

Starbucks to close Teavana stores

Starbucks plans to shutter its Teavana stores as it seeks to improve its financial performance.

The company said Thursday that it will close all 379 Teavana locations over the coming year. It acquired the mall-based chain in late 2012. Starbucks chief executive Kevin Johnson noted declining foot traffic at malls.

We felt it was an appropriate time to take the decision and begin shutting down those stores, he said.

Starbucks also reported global sales growth of 4 percent at established locations for the quarter ended July 2, fueled by higher average spending per visit. But the frequency of customer visits was flat from a year ago.

U.S. sales rose 5 percent at established locations. Sales at established locations in its Asia unit rose just 1 percent during the three-month period. Earlier in the day, Starbucks announced plans to acquire the remaining 50 percent stake of its East China joint venture, making it the operator of all Starbucks stores in mainland China.

For the quarter, Starbucks earned $691.6 million, or 47 cents per share. Excluding one-time items, it earned 55 cents per share, in line with Wall Street expectations. Total revenue was $5.66 billion, less than the $5.76 billion expected.

 Associated Press

Also in Business

Apple is discontinuing two of the cheapest iPod models: the nano and shuffle. Apple said Thursday that the two products have been removed from the Apple online store and will vanish from retail locations. The $149 nano and $49 shuffle were last updated with new colors in 2015, but the nano hasnt been revamped since 2012 while the shuffle hasnt been redesigned since 2010. Apple also updated the iPod touch storage capacities on Thursday, discontinuing the 16GB and 64GB models and lowering the price of the 32GB and 128GB options to $199 and $299, respectively.

Verizon on Thursday reported second-quarter earnings of $4.36 billion. On a per-share basis, the company said it had net income of $1.07. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were 96 cents per share. The results matched Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 19 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was also for earnings of 96 cents per share. The largest U.S. cellphone carrier posted revenue of $30.55 billion in the period, also beating Street forecasts.

Orders for long-lasting U.S. factory goods posted the biggest gain in nearly three years last month. The Commerce Department said Thursday that orders for durable goods  which are meant to last at least three years  climbed 6.5 percent in June, reversing two straight monthly drops. The June increase was the biggest since July 2014. The bulk of the increase came from a 131.2 percent surge in orders for civilian aircraft.

Richard Branson is selling his majority stake in Virgin Atlantic. The billionaire entrepreneurs Virgin group announced Thursday that Branson was selling a 31 percent stake to Air France-KLM for $287 million. Delta will retain its 49 percent stake. Meanwhile, Delta and China Eastern will take a 10 percent stake each in Air France-KLM. The airlines said the moves are part of a broader partnership between them and would reinforce the strategic, commercial and financial ties.

 From news reports

Coming today

Earnings: Merck, American Airlines, Exxon.
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TAMPA BAY, Fla.  Mark Luthers dream home has a window that looks out to a world of water. He can slip out the back door and watch dolphins swim by his private dock. Shore birds squawk from nearby nests in giant mangroves.

He said its hard to imagine ever leaving this slice of paradise on St. Petersburgs Bayou Grande, even though the water he adores is starting to get a little creepy.

Over the 24 years since he moved into the house, the bayou has inched up a protective sea wall and crept toward his front door. As sea level rises, a result of global warming, it contributes to flooding in his Venetian Isle neighborhood and Shore Acres, a neighboring community of homes worth up to $2.5 million, about 70 times per year.

Why stay? asked Luther, an oceanographer who knows perfectly well a hurricane could one day shove 15 feet of water into his living room. Its just so nice.

Tampa Bay is mesmerizing, with 700 miles of shoreline and some of the finest white sand beaches in the nation. But analysts say the metropolitan area is the most vulnerable in the United States to flooding and damage if a major hurricane ever scores a direct hit.

A Boston firm that analyzes potential catastrophic damage reported that the region would lose $175 billion in a storm the size of Hurricane Katrina. A World Bank study called Tampa Bay one of the 10 most at-risk areas on the globe.

Yet the bay area  greater Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater  has barely begun to assess the rate of sea-level rise and address its effects. Its slow response to a major threat is a case study in how American cities reluctantly prepare for the worst, even though signs of impacts from climate change abound all around.

State leaders could be part of the reason. Republican Gov. Rick Scotts administration has discouraged employees from using the words climate change in official communications. Last month, the Republican-controlled state legislature approved bills allowing any citizen to challenge textbooks and instructional materials, including those that teach the science of evolution and global warming.

The sea in Tampa Bay has risen naturally throughout time, about an inch per decade. But in the early 1990s, scientists say, it accelerated to several inches above normal, so much that recent projections have the bay rising between six inches and more than two feet by the middle of the century and up to nearly seven feet when it ends. On top of that, natural settling is causing land to slowly sink.

Sea-level rise worsens the severity of even small storms, adding to the water that can be pushed ashore. Hard rains now regularly flood neighborhoods in St. Petersburg, Tampa and Clearwater.

(Zoeann Murphy/The Washington Post)

By a stroke of gamblers luck, Tampa Bay hasnt suffered a direct hit from a hurricane as powerful as a category 3 or higher in nearly a century. Tampa has doubled down on a bet that another wont strike anytime soon, investing billions of dollars in high-rise condominiums along the waterfront and shipping port upgrades and expanding a hospital on an island in the middle of the bay to make it one of the largest in the state.

Once-sleepy St. Petersburg has gradually followed suit, adorning its downtown coast with high-rise condominiums, new shops and hotels. The city is in the final stages of a plan to build a $45 million pier as a major attraction that would extend out into the bay.

Worried that area leaders werent adequately focused on the downside of living in a tropic, the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council reminded them of the risks by simulating a worst-case scenario hurricane, a category 5 with winds exceeding 156 miles per hour, to demonstrate what would happen if it entered the Gulf of Mexico and turned their way.

The fictitious Phoenix hurricane scenario projects that wind damage would destroy nearly half a million homes and businesses. About 2 million residents would require medical treatment, and the estimated death toll, more than 2,000, would top the number of people who perished from Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Floridas most densely populated county, Pinellas, could be sliced in half by a wave of water. The low-lying county of about a million is growing so fast that theres no land left to develop, and main roads and an interstate connecting it to Tampa get clogged with traffic even on a clear day.

If a hurricane 4 or 5 hit us, St. Petersburg City Council Chairman Darden Rice said, referring to the two highest category storms, theres no doubt about it. The plan is youd better get out of Dodge.

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorns warning was even starker. Standing outside City Hall last year, he described what would happen if a hurricane as small as a category 3 with 110 to 130 mile per hour winds hit downtown.

Where youre standing now would be 15 feet under water, he said.

You live in a paradise and thats wonderful, but it has storms

Video simulations of hurricanes that strafed Florida but missed Tampa Bay look like an epic game of dodgeball.

Its like were in this sweet spot. Its like were blessed somehow, protected, said Allison Yeh, a planner for Hillsborough County in Tampa.

The last direct hit from a category 3 in 1921 left the area in ruins, but few people lived there then. A single death was recorded.

Now, with 4 million residents and gleaming new infrastructure, the stakes are higher, and Yeh and her fellow planners are wary. They know a major hurricane like one of several that barely missed the bay in recent years would have a devastating effect.

There are few hurricane-proof buildings in the bay area. One is a gallery, the Salvador Dali Museum in downtown St. Petersburg with 18-inch-thick concrete walls and pressured glass supported by steel frames that could withstand anything the aforementioned storms could dish out. The building supervisor could stand at the windows and watch a hurricane pass as though it were on the Weather Channel.

(Zoeann Murphy/The Washington Post)

The museum is better protected than one of the largest hospitals in the state, Tampa General, which sits on Davis Island, a spit of earth that was dredged from muck at the bottom of the bay a few years after the last hurricane hit. Buckhorn said a category 3 hurricane would level the islands houses, including his own.

Tampa General has a thorough evacuation plan, indoor generators that can supply energy for several days and safe floors with reinforced walls and windows.

But parts of two bridges that lead to and from the island would be cut off by floodwaters, a concern of officials in spite of assurances by the hospitals managers that theres a contingency for that too.

Floridians view hurricanes with the same bravado of Oklahomans who face tornadoes and Californians who brave earthquakes and wildfire: They come with the territory, a fact of life in a tropic, they say.

But other problems are less abstract than big hurricanes. Sea-level rise doesnt need a megastorm to make its presence felt.

Even when we dont take a direct hit, even when its a tropical storm or a category 1, the rain it delivers to our city puts enormous stress on our rainwater and sewer collection system, Rice said.

Water is bubbling up all over Florida. Within the next 12 years, according to an assessment by a group of researchers, Risky Business, the value of state property that will vanish under encroaching water could reach $15 billion. By 2050, it could reach $23 billion.

Along the barrier islands that lured more than 6 million tourists who spent nearly $10 billion last year, governments spend a mix of local and federal to renourish beaches lost to erosion that even a tropical storm can cause.

The bays getting higher and the bay needs to go somewhere else. But theres nowhere for the water to go, said Mark Hafen, a University of South Florida instructor who specializes in urban and regional planning.

A team of planners in Hillsborough County said they fight against the potential impact of rising water every day, creating alternative bus routes and detours for flooded roads and trying to get the message out to residents in low-lying areas that their homes could be ruined.

You live in a paradise and thats wonderful, but it has storms, said Eugene Henry, mitigation manager for Hillsborough County. He preaches about improved coastal inspection, color-coded warnings for residents depending on how low their homes are in a flood zone, making them more aware of the threat so they can take steps to protect themselves.

If the inevitable monster storm comes, its not going to keep you safe from 30 feet of storm surge, he said, but theyll know when the tide rises to put shutters up. New structures built on the Florida coast, along with homes seeking major renovations, are mandated to have three feet of clearance from floodwaters.



Storm clouds roll in over downtown Tampa on July 3. (Eve Edelheit/For The Washington Post)

Planners in Tampa Bay are noticing that floodwater is sticking around longer. As the water rises, its filling huge outfall pipes, pushing water that would flow down a storm drain back onto streets.

Tampa and Hillsborough County officials have considered levying a tax to help fix a growing problem, but in a state where Republicans opposed to taxes control the governors office and the legislature, thats a tough sell.

We do have a real challenge with our storm water drainage system, said Beth Alden, the executive director of Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization, which recently spent millions to clear huge pipes blocked by barnacles left by increasingly swollen tides. This isnt a glamorous expenditure, something youre going to go have a ribbon cutting for.

Its something that if we dont have the funding to keep up, its not going to be there. What weve been seeing is a very conservative state legislature that has been coming out and trying to reduce the ability of local governments to levy taxes.

In Hafens eyes, theres an additional problem, one that officials who work at the pleasure of politicians are reluctant to discuss.

Weve had a really hard time getting buy-in on sea-level rise on this side of the bay, Hafen said. Hillsborough County and Tampa are super conservative. Theyre burying their heads in the sand.

Pinellas County, on the other side of the bay, is more progressive about addressing climate change impacts, Hafen said. But that didnt happen until fairly recently. It took a nerdy University of Florida county extension agent to help open everyones eyes.

They werent doing a lot to address climate change and sea-level rise

Elizabeth Carnahan was plucked from academia by the countys director of sustainable living. Her new role was to focus on climate change and engage with others to make the county more resilient to its impacts, and Carnahan took it seriously.

But Carnahan didnt see a lot of area collaboration in planning.

They werent doing a lot to address climate change and sea-level rise, she said. They were willing, but no one was going to the head of the pack to take it on.

But they were elsewhere, in Gulf Coast states that were hit by Hurricane Katrina and the Southeast Florida area of Fort Lauderdale and Miami that was raked by hurricanes constantly in the first years of the new century.

Carnahan dropped in on their meetings, talked to planners and listened to their sea-level rise projections and vulnerability assessments. After three years of networking outside the bay, she gathered what she considered the best ideas she heard and imported them to Pinellas County.

The county sponsored a three-hour workshop at the Weedon Island Preserve that Mark Luther can see from his flood-risk home. After that gathering, Carnahan noticed a change in officials in the 30 cities in Pinellas County.

I could see them calling each other a lot more to share what each other were doing, she said. Watching this, Carnahans boss, Mary Campbell, floated an idea to get scientists together to make climate related recommendations to local governments.

That group became the Climate Science Advisory Panel. Within months, they helped establish the One Bay Resilient Community, looping Hillsborough and Pasco counties into a network that works on climate related problems.

Tampa Bay now produces a climate report that compares to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations National Climate Assessment, offering projections for sea-level rise specifically for their region. It is used to plan bridges and roads, to site government buildings that are supposed to last at least 75 years.

You hear when it starts to storm and you cant sleep

Living in near-poverty in Clearwater, Jessica Lopez said she has little time to worry about a threat that might arrive years down the road. For her, the future is now.

Last year around June, she fell asleep as rain pounded her mobile home and awoke to a terrifying sight. The rain hadnt stopped, and water from an overflowing creek had climbed the stairs to her front door.

Lopez, her husband, Matt, and their daughter, Aurora, were trapped. Water was four feet deep in places, up to her neck. She was six months pregnant with a second daughter.

At least two venomous water moccasins swam past a trailer. A community septic tank that sits directly behind Lopezs back window flooded. The feces, she said, was everywhere. She put her head in her hands. It was so gross.

The problem got worse. Wet dirt shifted under her trailer, causing it to tilt. Lopez worried they would not survive.

Jessica Lopez lives in the Mariners Cove Mobile Home Park. Last year during Tropical Storm Hermine the water, filled with sewage from a damaged septic tank, came up to her front door. (Zoeann Murphy/The Washington Post)

But Pinellas County rescuers quickly rushed to the scene. The county is so flood prone that the Mariners Cove Mobile Home Park is one of numerous hot spots that emergency management department officials watch closely when it storms.

We know at those locations if we get too much rain and get high tide, we know theyre vulnerable, said Kelli Hammer Levy, director of the countys environmental management division.

Three months later, Mariners Cove Mobile Home Park flooded again when Tropical Storm Hermine took a swipe at Tampa Bay.

Now Lopez is frightened whenever it rains. You hear when it starts to storm and you cant sleep, she said. Im constantly worried now when it floods and the dirt shifts, itll tilt us more and more sideways.

She and her husband had no idea that the mobile park home was a county hot spot when they moved there about a year ago. Like several residents there, she said managers didnt include that information when they signed leases for the land where their trailers sat.

The countys floodplain coordinator told Levy that notifying potential tenants of a flood risk is recommended but not required. Renters and lease holders are often left in the dark.

Leaving is not much of an option, Lopez said. If we were to move without paying off the trailer, they would undo everything weve done. Weve paid about $2,000. They would just void that.

Repetitive flooding is so dire that county officials considered buying out the mobile home leasers and relocating them but lacked the funds, Levy said. The county had already spent $300,000 to purchase nearly three dozen homes near McKay and Allen creeks in Largo and relocate the owners.

People who want to live on the waterfront will always live on the waterfront

In Shore Acres, the wealthy community next to Mark Luthers neighborhood, residents are much better informed about the areas flooding, and have far more options.

Like Lopez, theyre staying. Many Venetian Isle and Shore Acres residents have poured thousands of dollars into homes to accent their bayou views.

But it might be a trap.

Nearly all of Shore Acres is considered a repetitive loss area where homes have flooded more than once and required compensation from insurers. Street flooding happens after rains and high tides.

Eighty percent of homes in the area are what planners call slab-on-grade. It means their living rooms are one step from the ground or less. More than 1,500 are subject to flooding, according to an analysis of repetitive loss flooding by the city of St. Petersburg.

Since 1978, 29 homes have made 129 flood insurance claims totaling $2.9 million. A significant flood or a catastrophic storm could ruin a thousand more, triggering major insurance claims.

Mark Luther, a professor of marine science who studies climate change, lives near the water. He says if a major hurricane were to hit his home would likely be destroyed. (Zoeann Murphy/The Washington Post)

St. Petersburg, like Tampa, is spending millions in an attempt to clear storm drains that are supposed to collect water from streets and dump it back into Tampa Bay. The city is also imploring owners of slab-on-grade homes to consider building mounds to raise them three feet from the ground.

Its a tough sell for someone like Luther, whose home was built long before anyone started talking about accelerated sea-level rise.

Im not sure you can elevate this type of house, he said. Its U-shaped and fairly large, 3,700 square feet. Luthers house is brick with terrazzo floors that would crack to pieces.

But theres one option that Venetian Isle residents have that Lopez in her Clearwater trailer park does not, and Luther is considering it. The real estate market in paradise is hot, and he can sell.

People who want to live on the waterfront will always live on the waterfront, Luther said, a reference to the rich. Every house on my street that sold within the past 10 years, theyve knocked it down and built a 10,000 or 12,000 square foot mini-mansion on top of it.

Carnahan seconded that. On the edge of Tampa Bay, where the danger from a colossal storm is worse, homes Venetian Isle and flood prone Shore Acres are still being snatched up.

I cant believe what houses here are selling for, she said.
Once a bustling Colonial port city and home to George Washington and Robert E. Lee, Alexandria is steeped in history. But its charming Old Town neighborhood isnt just for Revolutionary War and Civil War buffs. With new restaurants, a vibrant arts scene and a beautiful waterfront, the area makes for an excellent (and Metro-accessible) day-trip destination.

MORNING

Snack and shop at the farmers market

Held each Saturday morning in Old Towns Market Square plaza for more than 260 years, the Old Town Farmers Market offers an abundant feast for the eyes and taste buds. George Washington once sent produce from Mount Vernon to the market; today, you can find more than 70 local vendors selling fruits, vegetables, baked goods and handmade crafts. Expect to find juicy tomatoes and peaches, as well as exotic vegetables (try King Mushrooms Farms maitake mushrooms) and such hearty baked breads as Bread & Water Companys onion rye. If you missed breakfast, try a delicious homemade smoothie or yogurt from Coulter Farms. Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon. 301 King St.

Tour the historical museums

Three museums, within a few blocks of the districts visitor center, where you can buy passes for all of them for $15, offer a sense of life in Old Town when it was still young. Carlyle House, an 18th-century mid-Georgian mansion, served as a headquarters during the French and Indian War. There, Major-General Edward Braddock suggested levying taxes on the colonies to help cover the cost of war  inspiring the slogan no taxation without representation and calls for revolution.

Nearby, Gadsbys Tavern was a favorite dinner spot for a number of Founding Fathers. Children may especially enjoy the Stabler-Leadbetter Apothecary Museum, where such old-time herbal remedies as powdered dragons blood and unicorn root seem straight out of Harry Potter. Carlyle House, Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m. 121 N. Fairfax St. 703-549-2997. novaparks.com. Gadsbys Tavern Museum, Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday and Monday 1 to 5 p.m. 134 N. Royal St. 703-746-4242. gadsbystavern.org. Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday and Monday 1 to 5 p.m. 105-107 S. Fairfax St. 703-746-3852. apothecarymuseum.org.

Fish and chips at Eamonns. (Maia Silber/The Washington Post)

NOON Take a lunch break at Eamonns, A Dublin Chipper

After a morning spent strolling Old Towns cobbled streets, youll crave something salty and satisfying. Dine on the fish and chips at Eamonns, an Irish-style pub and younger sister to chef Cathal Armstrongs Restaurant Eve. Served in a simple white paper bag, the cod is soft and juicy, with a decadent fried coating. Try it with the traditional seasoning, salt and vinegar, or taste one of Eamonns special sauces: The Marie Rose, with ketchup, mayo and Tabasco sauce, is deliciously spicy, and the Chesapeake (mayo and Old Bay seasoning) is a fresh take on a classic flavor. Fries here come thick-cut and greasy.

Small cod, $3. Small chips, $3. Open for lunch and dinner daily. 728 King St. 703-299-8384. eamonnsdublinchipper.com.

Meet local artists at the Torpedo Factory

Once a naval munitions factory, the Torpedo Factory Art Center now hosts more than 160 artists in 82 studios that are open to the public. Standouts include Lisa Schumaier, who uses mixed media to create surprising scenes and life-size animal sculptures, and James Steele, a digital photographer whose high-contrast landscapes present fantastical dream worlds. Any artist with an open door will discuss his or her process with patrons, who can also watch them at work during free demos on Saturdays. With a variety of jewelry designers and makers of craft goods, the Torpedo Factory is also a prime place to pick up a souvenir. Daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays until 9 p.m. Free artist demos Saturdays 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. 105 N. Union St. 703-746-4570. torpedofactory.org.

Enjoy the view from Waterfront Park

Stroll down to Old Towns Waterfront Park and enjoy an unbeatable view of the Potomac. Grab a cone from nearby Pops Old Fashioned Ice Cream or picnic on the parks green lawn as boats pull into the harbor.

NIGHT

Dine at Magnolias on King

Wrap up your day with a traditional Southern dinner at Magnolias, with food by chef Hans Fogleman. The shrimp and grits ($29) offer a contemporary take on a classic comfort food, with grilled prawns and a spicy Gouda-and-cornmeal mix. Other standouts include the flavorful rockfish ($34), served with asparagus and chorizo, and the bacon-wrapped dates (with dollops of that Southern favorite, Ranch dressing). Dine inside, in the 30-seat dining room, or outside on bustling King Street. Open for dinner daily, brunch Saturday and Sunday. 703 King St. 703-838-9090. magnoliasonking.com.

Have a nightcap at Bar PX

You might walk right past this speakeasy-style bar, which has no sign to mark its entrance. Look for a red door just off King: If the blue lights on, PX is open for business. Knock, and a server will guide you to an upstairs lounge with wood-paneled walls, floor-length mirrors and a gilded chandelier straight out of the Roaring Twenties. Order the Wet Money ($14) with Espolon Blanco Tequila, New Amsterdam Vodka, Blue Curacao, passion fruit, lime juice and salt water: Smooth and refreshing with a slightly sour tang, it provides the perfect end to a busy day in Alexandria. Wednesday through Saturday nights. 728 King St. barpx.com.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified the head chef of Magnolias on King. The restaurants head chef is Hans Fogleman, not Brian Rowe.
Pro-Trump media outlets and commentators dont seem to be falling out of love with the president. But after one of the more tumultuous weeks in Washington, the leading lights of the Trump-boosting right arent entirely misty-eyed about the state of their romance, either.

President Trump got cover Friday morning from the likes of the Drudge Report, Breitbart News and Fox News on the Senates failure hours earlier to repeal the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. All three suggested the blame for the bills demise belonged to a handful of Republican holdouts, rather than Trumps management and leadership on the issue.

But the president was on shakier ground earlier in the week as he publicly harassed Attorney General Jeff Sessions over Sessionss recusal from the Department of Justices investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

On another issue there seemed to be broad agreement: Newly named White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci is a loose cannon who threatens, possibly quite literally, the people who work in the White House.

The Drudge Report put the focus squarely on Sen. John McCain of Arizona and a handful of recalcitrant Republicans for the defeat early Friday of a Senate bill that would have partially repealed former president Barack Obamas signature health-care law. Its lead link on Friday morning was to a Washington Post story, which had the headline, The night John McCain killed the GOPs health-care fight.

Breitbart, the pro-Trump bible of the alt-right, also tacitly echoed the not-Trumps-fault line. Its top story on Friday noted Trumps disappointment over Republicans failure to keep their promise to the American people, without mentioning the Trump had made the same pledge during the campaign. Other headlines smoldered with anger at McCain and Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), who voted against the final repeal bill. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who led the Senates unsuccessful repeal effort, came in for his share of abuse, too.

Trumps feud with Sessions earlier in the week was a bit more complicated. Sessions is a beloved figure among the presidents supporters, so Trumps tweet-shaming of Sessions caused some cognitive dissonance within the conservative-media ecosystem.

Conservative commentators Anne Coulter and Rush Limbaugh stuck up for Sessions; on his radio program on Monday, Limbaugh said it was it was a little bit discomforting, unseemly for Trump to go after such a loyal supporter this way. Fox prime-time host Tucker Carlson  who has called Trumps attacks on Sessions a useless, self-destructive act  even traveled to El Salvador with the attorney general on Thursday for a sympathetic interview.

Breitbart, meanwhile, was restrained in criticizing Trump over Sessions, but it did note in one story that his attacks were likely to fuel concerns from his base who see Sessions at the best hope to fulfill Trumps immigration policies.

The site was positively rapturous about Trumps surprise decision on Wednesday to ban transgender people from military service. Columnist James Delingpole wrote that it was a step towards saving Western Civilization.

Breitbart was blunt in its disdain for Scaramuccis profanity-laced diatribe to the New Yorkers Ryan Lizza. The lead paragraph of its story Thursday night sarcastically noted that Scaramucci has tried to steal the spotlight from Trump before. Move over President Donald Trump, it read. You are yesterdays news. It noted that the rant raised questions about whether the new White House communications chief did not know how to smoothly go on and off the record . . . so that such inflammatory comments do not reflect badly on his boss.

Breitbart seemed especially irked by Scarmuccis vulgar comments about Stephen K. Bannon, the White Houses chief strategist and former chairman of Breitbart News, a fact not mentioned in its story.

Fox News even went so far as to suggest that Scaramucci might be speaking literally when he told the New Yorker that he wanted to kill leakers inside the West Wing. What are you guys saying to the other staffers who may now have a lot of fear based on these comments, host Martha MacCallum asked press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. She replied, In terms of peoples safety, I certainly hate that somebody feels that way, but Ive worked with an incredible team over the last six months.

By weeks end, with the news agenda finally slowing down, conservative outlets seemed to be turning back to their usual targets.

The top story on FoxNews.com, for example, was about a request by a group of Republicans in Congress to the Department of Justice to appoint a special counsel to investigate Hillary Clinton and the Obama Administration during the 2016 presidential campaign.
President Trump, accompanied by Vice President Pence and House Speaker Paul Ryan, announces that electronics giant Foxconn will open its first U.S. assembly plant. (Alex Brandon/AP)

The first rule of presidential news management is: Dont get in the way of your own good news.

President Trump has ignored the first rule over and over again.

On Wednesday, the America First president had some great news to share about jobs and the American economy. He announced that Foxconn, a Taiwanese electronics company, has agreed to invest up to $10 billion in a new factory in Wisconsin, an initiative that could create as many as 13,000 new jobs. The deal could spur other investment and even affect the 2018 elections.

Missed that story? If so, it probably was because Trump created a bigger story earlier in the day. His surprise announcement via Twitter that he was banning transgender people from military service caught almost everyone by surprise, and resulted in an uproar that dominated the news agenda on TV and everywhere else throughout the day.

It was more than enough to make everyone forget, or not know in the first place, that the White House had proclaimed this to be American Heroes Week, in honor of military personnel and first responders.

Trump has a practically unerring ability to get in the way of news that might be favorable to him and his agenda.

On the same day the House passed a bill targeting the federal funding of sanctuary cities and voted in favor of Kates Law to stiffen penalties for unauthorized immigrants, for example, Trump yanked media attention from those two initiatives by tweeting about cable-news personality Mika Brzezinskis face-lift.

A White House-sponsored infrastructure theme week and summit in June was quickly pushed aside by Trumps defiant tweet in response to congressional testimony by his fired FBI director, James B. Comey. Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindication . . . and WOW, Comey is a leaker! he wrote.

Trump also clouded his infrastructure message by tweeting criticism of London mayor Saiq Khan following a terrorist attack on the city.

Officially, the White House says this is all just part of the daily agenda. Asked at the daily press briefing on Thursday if such self-created controversies were a distraction from the presidents agenda, incoming press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders replied: I think the president is aware that he can walk and chew gum at the same time. This White House takes on a lot of different things, not one.

Nevertheless, this is different, to say the least.

Previous presidents and White Houses have stressed message discipline, the notion of sticking to a few daily themes and talking points about a policy or event. Message discipline supposedly reinforces a message through repetition, and by shutting out irrelevant, extraneous or competing messages.

I think that he is completely lacking in discipline, and so is his team, said Tommy Vietor, a former spokesman for President Obama. He his own worst enemy in stepping on the news cycle. . . . If want to drive a message, you need to be disciplined. You need to stay focused and not comment on the rest of the world.

But as long noted, Trump is adept creating his own weapons of mass distraction. Its been part of his communications strategy since he was a rising developer in New York City. The basic principle: When the news isnt going your way, change the subject.

As questions mounted about his post-election appointments, his business conflicts and his settling of the Trump University fraud case in late November, for example, Trump demanded that the cast of the Broadway show Hamilton apologize for reading a post-performance speech in the presence of Mike Pence, then the vice president-elect. The tweet generated a days worth of headlines and discussions, sweeping aside much of the hubbub about other, more unpleasant topics.

Trumps tweeting of his transgender-military policy was in the same vein, said Larry Parnell, a veteran public-relations practitioner and associate professor at George Washington University in Washington.

The transgender policy tweet is ill-timed, its not thought out, its impulsive, but it serves to create attention to something other than the things that Trump doesnt want talk about, namely the investigations into his campaigns ties to Russia and his conflict with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Parnell said. Its news management by distraction, in my view.

Trump probably calculated that the Foxconn announcement would be an important story  it made the front page of many newspapers, including The Washington Post  but not sufficiently important to obliterate another day of Russia and Sessions, he said. The tweets about the transgender policy took care of that.

Besides, the relatively diminished coverage of the Foxconn news gives Trump a marker for future media criticism. He can come back and say this company made a $10 billion investment in the U.S. and the press hardly covered it, said Parnell.

The White House has dubbed next week American Dream Week, although it hasnt specified what policies it will be promoting under that banner. But if history is any guide, you probably wont hear much about it; the president will be making other, bigger news.
(Amber Ferguson/The Washington Post)

Vice President Pence hurtled toward the Senate in his motorcade, the Republicans health-care legislation hung in the balance, and  well, where was John McCain?

Journalists had fanned out around the Capitol, searching for the Arizona senator, a man they believed controlled the fate of the so-called skinny repeal bill. The fact that Papa Johns pizza had been delivered to his Russell building office was a good sign that he was in there somewhere, but the cleaning crew that kept popping in and out was a sign that maybe he wasnt.

The clock struck midnight, and out he came. The hero or the villain, depending on which side you were on, and neither side knew which yet.

Its very hard to do the right thing, he said into a bright red phone pressed to his ear. Was he talking about health care to the person on the other end? (Assuming there was someone on the other end.)

The Republican senator, never one to shy away from the spotlight, wasnt about to reveal his big twist to the journalists trailing behind him. Not yet.

Wait for the show, he said.

[Senate rejects measure to partly repeal Affordable Care Act, dealing GOP leaders a major setback]

Before the theatrics began early Friday, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) sneaked off to his hideaway office off the floor of the Senate. With its vaulted ceilings, plush furniture and an unbeatable view of the Washington Monument, this was a place of respite for the longest-serving senator, a quiet escape he liked to share with his colleagues on late nights like these.



Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) gears up for a long night ahead. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

This late, I dont think well be serving cocktails, the Vermont Democrat said as he sat in a cream-colored armchair. Well, they can have them if theyd like.

He got up to head out the door. It was just after 9:00 p.m.

Im going to walk back to the floor and try and figure out what the hell is going on, he said.

What the hell was going on? Republicans finished writing something called a skinny repeal health-care bill over lunch Thursday and were trying to use it to repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act late at night. Would it pass? What would happen if it did? And what on earth is a vote-o-rama? (Answer courtesy of Sen. Claire McCaskill: A vote-o-rama is really weird, the Missouri Democrat said. And dumb. Thanks, senator.)

The only thing people wandering the halls of Congress seemed to agree on was that bedtime was nowhere in sight.

Its going to go late, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Tex.) told reporters as he went to eat Chipotle with his colleagues in a Senate conference room. Late, late, late, late.

I dont think that it will go several nights, said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who hopped off the Senates underground tram sporting a five oclock shadow that he dubbed a protest beard.

Time had taken on an elastic quality. It was going to be an endless night, and yet there wasnt nearly enough time to debate a bill of this magnitude. A day earlier, after the similarly nail-biting motion to proceed vote, a 20-hour clock had been set to count down the hours of debate required before a vote on repeal, and 30 hours later, due to various procedural stoppages, it was still running.

My days kind of blend together these days, Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) said on the Senate floor, with this health care that were working on.



A Capitol employee delivers cots to senators hideaway offices just off the Senate floor before votes concerning the Republican version of the health-care vote. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

Leahy might have been ambivalent about late-night cocktails, but a bottle of Jim Beam had mysteriously appeared atop the microwave in the press gallery.

Break in case of an emergency, a harried scribe said as he scurried by. Which emergency would that be? Would it be the emergency news conference that Sens. McCain and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) had called to express their distaste with their own partys bill (words used by Graham: half-assed, dumbest thing in history and disaster)? Or would it be the emergency meeting Democrats had called to discuss their options?

They just ordered Chinese food, a punch-drunk Democratic aide reported. Emergency Chinese food.

Cots went wheeling through Senate hallways. Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) headed off to smoke a cigar from his office balcony. McCaskill snacked on an ice cream Choco Taco.

At 10:08 p.m., the show kicked off with a boom.

This is nuclear-grade bonkers, Murphy shouted into a Senate chamber. Nearby, Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) used his pinkie to pick emergency Chinese food from his teeth. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) scowled as he read a pile of papers, and Enzi poked a stubby finger at his smartphone. For all of Murphys sense of drama, nobody was really listening in the chamber, but nobody ever does.



Sen. John McCain raises the suspense for journalists as he heads to the Senate floor. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell goes on and off the floor during the late-night session. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

The clock was sputtering toward midnight when Enzi took the floor, digressing like your uncle after a scotch. He talked about infant mortality rates, about Ted Kennedy, about health savings accounts, about Segways, about the inventiveness of the American people.

Democrat after Democrat tried to get Enzi to yield for a question about the bill. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) tried. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) tried.

I expect to have this hour, Enzi said, deflecting each entreaty, even if some of it is in silence.

Mr. President, will the speaker yield for a question about the very interesting points hes making? Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) ventured at 11:42 p.m., addressing the presiding officer, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.).

I will not, Enzi said. I will not.

As Enzi spoke, Pence hurried to the Capitol in his motorcade, prepared to cast a tie-breaking vote if need be. Shameshameshame trended on Twitter. And the occasionally unpredictable McCain made the move from his office, with the promise of a show.

It was the most boring exciting show on earth; high drama and low voices. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), moderates who would be crucial in sinking the bill, surrounded McCain at his Senate desk and spoke with him in hushed tones. McCain smiled, or twitched. He gave a thumbs down  Twitter convulsed: He gave a thumbs down!  but in response to what? It was like the senior class all-night lock-in dance at your high school, but with senior citizens.

[How key senators changed their positions to bring down Obamacare repeal]



Sen. Orrin Hatch, far left, follows the vote with his staff. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

Pence came over, and the two traded jokes that were either funny or awkward. McCain shook his head, shrugged his shoulders, put his hand atop the veeps. Time stood still, but all of a sudden it was 1 a.m.

[How John McCains no vote on health care played out on the Senate floor]

Dozens of journalists craned their necks and cupped their ears from the gallery, but McCain spoke just out of earshot. Having misread every tea leaf of the past year and bungled every prediction, no one in the press corps wanted to guess what it all meant. But then at 1:10 a.m., McCain walked over to talk with Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.). A gaggle of Democrats surrounded the pale Republican, the man who had just returned to the Capitol after a brain tumor diagnosis, and who had done so to cast that motion-to-proceed vote that got everyone to this point.

He had disappointed Democrats a day earlier, but it was clear that whatever he was telling them now  body language analysis!  was different. He leaned over and hugged Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and the Democrats, for the first time in a long time, looked happy.

And so, McCain cast the vote that killed the latest attempt to repeal Obamacare. The audience of tourists, staffers and journalists gasped. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) went pink in the face. What the hell happened?

The bill died at 1:29 a.m. Friday. It was a late night in America, but not that late.

Dan Zak contributed to this report.
Prince Georges County States Attorney Angela Alsobrooks speaking at the child sex abuse case news conference in 2016. Looking on were Prince GeorgeOs County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III and Prince GeorgeOs County Board of Education Chairman Segun Eubanks. (Mark Gail/For The Washington Post)

The top prosecutor in Prince George's County, Angela Alsobrooks, is running to become the next chief executive in a primary race that will pit her against another longtime Democratic leader.

Alsobrooks, 46, will compete in next years primary for the county executive nomination against state Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-Prince George's), who launched his campaign last month.

Alsobrooks is nearing the end of her second term as state's attorney, overseeing a period of declining violent crime and growth in her agency's personnel and budget. She started her career in county government as a prosecutor more than two decades ago and was appointed to run the Revenue Authority before running for her current office.

[State Sen. Anthony Muse to run for Prince Georges County Executive]

She announced her decision Friday on Facebook and is expected to make her formal announcement Monday at her parents' Camp Springs home.

Her declaration comes amid speculation that former congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (D-Md.) is also considering her own run for Prince George's County Executive.

The current county executive, Rushern L. Baker III, is running for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2018.

I feel I know Prince Georgians. I understand the people that I am fighting for, said Alsobrooks, who grew up in the county and attended high school in the District. I'm one of them and I believe that provides me a perch to fight in a different way.

Supporters say the state's attorney is a responsive public servant, who so readily gives out her personal cellphone number that her staff had to push her to get a separate work number to field calls. Alsobrooks regularly attends community events.

Her office worked closely with residents of a low-income cooperative housing community who suspected that their governing board was overcharging them for water and rigging the co-op elections. Alsobrooks sent members of her team to investigate the claims and she personally oversaw the election when residents ousted the ruling group.

Apart from prosecuting criminals and, in some cases, errant police officers, Alsobrooks has spent the past eight years trying to bolster crime prevention programs.

The state's attorney has championed truancy reduction initiatives targeting middle school students at risk of dropping out and worked closely with local churches to train clergy on the signs of domestic violence. In Annapolis and Upper Marlboro, Alsobrooks has advocated for bail reform, shuttered nightclubs with records of violenceand attached stiffer penalties for crimes committed in the presence of a child.

Alsobrooks's close working relationship with Baker and many of the county Democratic officials has made her a target for critics, including Muse, who say she is beholden to party leaders. The state's attorney said she is confounded by such portrayals, pointing to her 2012 campaign in which she had little support from Democratic Party leaders.

I am nobody's punk. I am not a pushover, she said. It is so offensive for anyone to suggest that I'm unable to think for myself.

Alsobrooks broke with most of her colleagues when she spoke out in support of bail reform changes that abolished Maryland's money-based system. Our system favored rich over poor and punished poverty, she said.

Muse brought forward legislation in Annapolis to roll back some of those changes and got support from the bail bond industry and some in the legal community. He argued that the system needed fixing but taking away a judge's option to set bail was not in the best interest of crime victims. The bill ultimately failed.

Alsobrooks was also a lead proponent of Sen. Victor Ramirez's (D-Prince George's) 2013 legislation creating second-class driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants.

If elected county executive, Alsobrooks said she wants to expand the commercial tax base and lessen the tax burden on property owners. And she said she wants to spread economic opportunities to some of the countys most depressed communities inside the Capital Beltway and adjacent to Metro stations. Alsobrooks said she is not considering any tax hikes.
The Fairfax County School Board has voted to rename J.E.B. Stuart High, moving to rebrand a Northern Virginia school that had been named for a Confederate general.

The board voted 7 to 2, with two abstentions, to change the name late Thursday during a raucous meeting that included an appearance by Civil War reenactors dressed in Rebel and Union army garb. The school board spent more than 2 1/2 hours discussing the measure before voting an hour shy of midnight.

The change will not take effect immediately, and a new name has not yet been decided. For now, the school remains J.E.B. Stuart High until options for a new name are submitted by the community during the next year.

The board also passed a motion calling for teachers in the next school year to offer brief lessons on the history of the names of all the campuses in Virginias largest system in order for FCPS students to have a factual and historical understanding behind the names of our schools.

The boards action marks the end of a two-year campaign to rethink the future of a school named in 1958  amid stalled integration efforts  in honor of the Confederate cavalry officer who died of wounds suffered in battle.

It was not appropriate for this board to name a school for J.E.B. Stuart in 1958, said school board member Ryan McElveen (At Large). It would not be appropriate for this board to name a school for J.E.B. Stuart today; and it is time for the Fairfax County School Board to do as we teach our students  learn from the mistakes of history, do our best to correct them, and move on.

In the time that it took the local government body to come to its decision, South Carolina lawmakers voted to remove the Confederate flag from the statehouse grounds in 2015, and the New Orleans mayor and city council ordered in 2017 that four statues commemorating the Confederacy be taken down.

Yet the Fairfax board on Thursday night nearly approved a motion to delay the name-change altogether. The proposal was defeated on a 6-to-5 vote.

In the end, the board passed a motion, brought by Sandy Evans (Mason), that proposes  in a spirit of compromise, Evans said  removing the initials J.E.B. and renaming the school simply Stuart High. But that suggestion is not binding.

In addition, the board did not take any action to rename a number of other schools in the county also named for prominent Confederates, including Robert E. Lee High, Lanier Middle and Sangster Elementary.

[A school named after a Confederate may be three letters away from compromise]

The effort to rename the high school began as part of a student-led campaign and received a boost from an online petition that received 35,000 signatures. The petition, started by Oscar winners Bruce Cohen and Julianne Moore  who met at J.E.B. Stuart in the 1970s  brought Hollywood flair to the simmering debate about the legacy of the high schools Rebel namesake.

The high school is one of the most diverse in Fairfax, with more than 78 percent of the schools 2,130 students being either Hispanic, black, Asian or multiracial, while whites comprise 22 percent.

Last summer, the board created an ad hoc committee to review the issue. But the committee members ultimately could not agree on a path forward and submitted competing recommendations to the board.

The divisive and protracted debate came to a head Thursday. County residents who live in the neighborhood surrounding the school offered impassioned calls for the school to be rebranded. Keepers argued that the efforts to change the name represented a whitewashing of history.

In passing the motion, the board sent the matter to the office of Superintendent Scott Brabrand, who must organize meetings with the community to settle on possible names for the school. The board will then reconvene before 2019 to vote on the new name.

Get updates on your area delivered via email
Even before Aminta H. Breaux arrived at Bowie State University, she started to get messages. Emails hit her in-box after the announcement that she would be the schools next president. Her phone rang, too.

I had a prospective students mother call me at my former institution while I was still there to tell me how excited she was that I was going to be the next president, and I was the first female president and that made her so  she felt so proud, Breaux said. And she was looking forward to seeing me. So, I look forward to seeing her in the fall.

This month, Breaux took office as Bowie States 10th president  and, yes, the first woman to hold the position. She comes to the school in Prince Georges County not only with an outsiders perspective, but also with a desire to forge deeper partnerships within the community and create a better student experience.

She brings a tremendous amount of energy, and I think thats incredibly important in a leader, said Jim Brady, chair of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. I think she has an ability to describe her vision for Bowie in ways that are very impressive.

Bowie State, founded in 1865, is the oldest historically black university in Maryland. It predates Coppin State and Morgan State universities, both in Baltimore, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Aminta Breaux chats with senior Daionna Young, 21. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

The school draws heavily from its surrounding region, and the vast majority of its students come from Maryland. Of about 5,660 students as of last fall, more than half came from Prince Georges and more than 87 percent from within the state. More than 80 percent of its enrollment is African American.

It serves a large number of economically disadvantaged students. More than half of its undergraduates have enough financial need to qualify for federal Pell grants.

Like many regional public universities across the country, Bowie State also faces the perennial challenge of ensuring that students complete their work and earn a degree. The most recent federal data show that 37 percent of first-time, full-time students graduate from Bowie State within six years. Other data show that a smaller, additional share transfer and get a degree elsewhere.

Breaux said Bowie State is well-positioned to do some amazing things, surrounded by a hub of businesses in the region and a great, supportive community. She wants Bowie State to capitalize on all of that.

Our place is at the forefront of the minds of business leaders that this is the place where we have a quality educational experience that links to businesses and communities, she said.

And that were not seen as on this separate track in preparing students for a future, but were working in concert with other educational institutions, other business leaders.

[How a vibrant new science building points to the future at Bowie State]

Breaux, 58, previously worked as vice president for advancement and vice president for student affairs at the public Millersville University in Pennsylvania. Before that, she was dean of students at the private University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

Her background could help Breaux as she looks to upgrade the student experience at Bowie State by bolstering online offerings and improving campus housing.

I come to the presidency with a different kind of a mind-set than your typical presidents do, she said.

I know firsthand that we can do so much more to bridge the classroom learning into the later hours of the day. Because when you look at the hours that students are up, through all hours of the night, many campuses are doing more in the residence halls.

The university recently unveiled a new building focused on science at the heart of its campus.

At the end of the spring term, the school was shaken when student Richard Collins III was fatally stabbed at the University of Maryland in College Park just days before he was to graduate. The 23-year-old had recently been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

Breaux described Bowie State as a supportive and caring place. Thats something she can see as she walks around campus and notices small courtesies, like people who make sure to hold the door open. She is aware of the schools history and legacy.

I think, as an HBCU, we still have huge value for the African American community, she said. And we, I hope, will always hold on to that. At the same time . . . demographics are changing. And so we are competing with the schools [in the area]. Were also competing with the schools that are in Pennsylvania and Delaware and across the region and across the country, in certain markets.

Breaux succeeds Mickey Burnim, who stepped down this year after more than a decade as president.

I think she is exactly the right person to carry on what he had done and really take it to the next level, Brady said.

Breaux is one of a handful of new presidents at Washington-area universities. Thomas J. LeBlanc is the incoming president of George Washington University, and Sylvia M. Burwell took over this year at American University. Burwell, like Breaux at Bowie State, is the first female president of AU.

It means quite a bit, Breaux said. To be the first of anything means a lot. But for this institution, for its history, since 1865, to be the first female president here is very, very special. First female African American president at Bowie State. With that comes expectations.

Her early days at Bowie State have been exhilarating, said Breaux, a mother and grandmother who is originally from Philadelphia.

She toured the new science building that Burnim helped bring to campus and spoke with a professor conducting research on genetic tracking of plants. (And they had to pull me away, she said, because there I was  Im saying, Well, how do you do this, and how do you do that? ) She gets stopped a lot by people who welcome her.

I want to take the time to get to know the staff, the faculty, the students  to say, You know, I see you. You mean something. Youre not a number,  Breaux said. What you do makes a difference and has an impact.
Planned Parenthood activists and supporters hold a demonstration July 26 on Capitol Hill. Groups in support of the Affordable Care Act will protest Saturday and march to the White House. (Astrid Riecken/For The Washington Post)

The bookend to a tumultuous week on Capitol Hill is scheduled to unfold Saturday evening on Freedom Plaza, where hundreds of people are expected to protest attempts to overturn the Affordable Care Act.

Several left-leaning groups organized the Our Lives on the Line protests in dozens of cities across the country, with the flagship protest in D.C. Actor Justin Long will host the rally, which will be followed by a march to the White House.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is scheduled to speak, along with others who say they would have been harmed by Republican-proposed health-care legislation.

[Senate rejects measure to partly repeal Affordable Care Act, dealing Trump and GOP leaders a major setback]

The message of this protest is that constituents are furious about Trumpcare everywhere, said Ben Wikler, Washington director of MoveOn.org, a progressive group that helped to plan the rally. There is nowhere to hide from a public that thinks this bill is a disgrace.

(Amber Ferguson/The Washington Post)

Planned Parenthood, Moms Rising, Womens March, NARAL Pro-Choice America and Indivisible are among the organizing groups.

The Saturday marches have been in the works for more than a month and were scheduled to coincide with the first day of Congresss August recess. When it was scheduled, the fate of health-care legislation was up in the air, and it was unclear what precisely protesters would be protesting.

But early Friday, liberal groups that had been flooding Capitol Hill in recent weeks scored a victory as the Senate narrowly defeated a bill that would have advanced a scaled-back plan to overhaul the Affordable Care Act.

Organizers say Saturdays protest will show politicians that if they try to dismantle the nations health-care system, the public will continue to fight.

Planned Parenthood has been organizing protests in hopes of stopping changes to the Affordable Care Act. All iterations of the proposed health-care overhaul have included slashing federal funding to Planned Parenthood.

[40 arrested as health-care bill protesters swarm Capitol Hill this week]

The momentum has been building, and after [Friday mornings] historic takedown of this bill, we know that it is extraordinarily important for us to stand in our power and demonstrate that when Congress tries to take care away from millions of people who rely on Planned Parenthood, we are not backing down, said Graeme Joeck, federal campaign director of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. This has been a long road of eight months of hard organizing.

According to protest permits from the National Park Service  the federal agency that oversees much of the Districts federal land  1,000 people are expected to attend the Washington protest. It will conclude with a candlelight vigil in front of the White House to uplift the voices of those directly impacted by health-care policy, according to a description of the event in the NPS permits.

The Our Lives on the Line protests are scheduled for other cities, including Pittsburgh, Denver, Omaha, Chicago and Boise, Idaho. The Washington protest is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Every region of the country, not only are people against it, but people will be in the street and sending the message that voting to take away health care is a vote that will haunt Republicans for the rest of their political lives, Wikler said.
THE DISTRICT

Man shot in head

has been identified

D.C. police say they have identified the man who was shot in the head and killed Wednesday morning on the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail in Northeast Washington.

Police identified the victim as Victor Williams, 37, of Southeast.

The shooting occurred about 8:35 a.m. near the River Terrace housing complex.

Man is fatally shot

in Southeast D.C.

A 38-year-old man was shot and killed late Wednesday night in Southeast Washington.

D.C. police said Daniel Shelton Parker of Southeast was shot about 11:20 p.m. Wednesday in the 2000 block of Fairlawn Avenue SE near Naylor Road SE in the Anacostia neighborhood. When police arrived, he was unconscious and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said some vehicles in the area were shot by gunfire, as well. No one else was seriously injured.

Police are trying to figure out a motive and are looking for a suspect or suspects.

This comes as the Washington region has seen more than 150 homicides this year, according to a tracking system by The Washington Post. Of those, 64 have been in the District.

 Dana Hedgpeth

MARYLAND

Man fatally shot in Riverdale Park

A man was fatally shot in Riverdale Park on Wednesday.

Riverdale Park police arrived at the 5500 block of 54th Avenue about 8:30 p.m. in response to a report of a shooting and found a 26-year-old man with a gunshot wound, Assistant Police Chief Patrick Timmons said.

The man, whom police identified as Cesar Bazan of Landover Hills, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Prince Georges County homicide detectives have taken over the investigation.

 Lynh Bui

VIRGINIA

Woman is stabbed

in Fairfax

Police in Fairfax County said Thursday that a woman was approached from behind by a man and stabbed in the neck as she walked along a path not far from the Vienna Metro stop.

She was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Fairfax County Police.

The incident happened about 7:30 a.m. near Vaden Drive and Sprague Avenue, police said.

Police said the victim had been walking alone on the path near Vaden Drive when she was attacked, police said. They said the man fled on the path toward Blake Lane.

 Dana Hedgpeth

Retired priest is

charged with abuse

A retired priest was arrested in Fairfax County on Wednesday and accused of inappropriately touching a teenage girl nearly 15 years ago.

Gervase Cain, 86, is alleged to have had the contact with the 15-year-old girl during a consultation at her home in Fairfax in 2003, police said Thursday.

The case was initially reported in 2004, although the complaint was later withdrawn, police said. They said the complaint was reopened in May and a warrant was issued July 17. Cain, who lives in Loretto, Pa., turned himself in Wednesday after learning of the warrant, police said.

Cain was charged with taking indecent liberties with a child by a person in a custodial or supervisory relationship.

According to a spokeswoman for the Fairfax County Police Department, Cain is no longer being held.

Cain taught philosophy at St. Francis University  a Catholic liberal arts college in Loretto  for 20 years, according to the universitys website. He served as executive vice president of the university from 1976 to 1983, according to the website.

A message left at St. Francis University was not returned Thursday afternoon.

 Rachel Siegel
Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.), a moderate who has represented Western Maryland for three terms on Capitol Hill, on Friday became the first Democrat to formally enter the 2020 presidential race  just six months after the election of President Trump.

Obviously, I believe he is a terrible president and taking the country backwards and really undermining some of our most important values, Delaney said a phone interview Friday afternoon, shortly after he announced his candidacy in an op-ed published by The Washington Post.

I think Trump, to some extent, is a punctuation of everything that has broken down with our politics, he said.

[Delaney: Why Im running for president]

Delaney, 54, a self-made financier, cast himself in the op-ed as a progressive businessman who respects the power of our free-market economy while also insisting that there is a role for government to set goals and rules of the road and take care of those who are left behind.

(Meena Ganesan/Washington Post Live)

The son of a New Jersey electrical worker, Delaney is one of the wealthiest members of Congress, with an estimated net worth of more than $90 million. He has demonstrated a willingness to use his fortune as a candidate, having spent $3.3 million in his first two House campaigns.

The announcement of his candidacy, more than 1,000 days before Election Day 2020, will subject him to a whole new level of scrutiny.

I know what Im getting into. Obviously, this is a very significant undertaking but I really do believe I have something to say, he said, adding: So just like [the] guy in Tiananmen Square when he stood in front of the tank didnt really quite know how he was going to beat the tank. . . . I understand running for president is a huge challenge but, you know, Im ready for it.

His decision was treated positively by senior Democrats.

John Delaney is an excellent member of Congress, and hes brought new ideas to the Maryland delegation, Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) said in a statement. I know hell bring an important perspective to the national debate as we head into 2020.

Other political professionals said that while Delaney has given himself an enormous time advantage by being first out of the gate, that edge will not last long.

While he is first in the presidential pool, soon that pool be crowded with senators, governors, CEOs and even a celebrity or two, said C.R. Wooters, former chief of staff to Sen. Chris Van Hollen. Hes going to have to work hard to raise his national profile.

The announcement, rumored in Maryland political circles for weeks, follows more than a year of speculation about Delaneys future.

Delaney had been widely considered a possible challenger to popular Republican Gov. Larry Hogan in 2018. He won a gubernatorial straw poll of activists at a Democratic summit in Western Marylands Rocky Gap Casino Resort in April.

In May, aides hosed down rumors of a presidential run, sparked by MSNBC Hardball host Chris Matthews  husband of Maryland Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Matthews  who said that Delaney had set up an office in Iowa.

I am not running for president, he told Montgomery Community Media that same month.

But recently, Delaney has been missing from major Maryland political events, such as the Tawes Crab and Clam Bake on the Eastern Shore this month.

Through less than three terms in the House, Delaney has labored to pass his signature initiative, which would allow corporations to repatriate a portion of their overseas earnings tax-free in exchange for buying bonds to fund infrastructure improvements.

Delaney was a first-time candidate in 2012, when he stunned the Democratic establishment by beating state Senate Majority Leader Robert J. Garagiola (D-Montgomery) in the primary. Helped by new district boundaries that added thousands more Democratic voters from the Washington suburbs, he then ousted longtime incumbent Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett (R).

Two years later, Delaney narrowly avoided a general election loss to conservative talk radio host Dan Bongino. He deflected a well-funded challenge from defense consultant Amie Hoeber last year, winning 55 percent of the vote. Hoeber is running again in 2018.

His decision to leave Congress will send ripples through Maryland politics, setting the stage for a vigorous 2018 Democratic primary campaign in the 6th congressional district. Potomac wine executive David Trone, who spent a record $13 million of his own money in a losing bid for the 8th congressional seat in 2016, is expected to announce his candidacy for Delaneys seat.

Today is a day to talk about John, and I will be announcing my plans in the coming days, Trone said in a statement Friday.

Maryland House Majority Leader C. William Frick (Montgomery) and Del. Aruna Miller (Montgomery) have filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission and begun raising money for the race. A third Democrat, state Sen. Roger Manno (Montgomery), has said he will run if Delaney doesnt.

Both Frick and Miller said Friday that Trones likely entry into the race doesnt change their plans.

Ive spent a lot of time around Maryland Democrats and I dont think Ive ever heard them say that we need more wealthy businesspeople running without experience whose initials are DJT, Frick said, a reference to the fact that David J. Trone shares the same initials as Trump.

Miller said Trones personal resources posed a challenge, but added: I believe public service is something you earn. You dont buy it.

Delaneys decision also affects the race for county executive in Montgomery. Trone had said that if Delaney chose to run for reelection, he was likely to enter that contest, where three County Council incumbents  Roger Berliner (D-Potomac-Bethesda) Marc Elrich (D-At Large) and George L. Leventhal (D-At Large)  are candidates.

With Trone and his millions of dollars out of the picture, the race for county executive may become more attractive to others, including Del. Benjamin F. Kramer (D-Montgomery), former council member Mike Knapp and state. Sen. Cheryl C. Kagan (D-Montgomery). Trones absence also creates a lane for a nontraditional candidate, possibly from the business community.

Ovetta Wiggins, Fenit Nirappil and Josh Hicks contributed to this report.
After he was shot in the leg three years ago, Dijuan Clark told friends and family not to retaliate. When the same simmering neighborhood feud led to his brothers death last summer, Clark still said police should handle it.

I wanted to show the younger brothers that gun violence is not the right option, he said in court Thursday.

Yet, a month later, Clark shot and killed Saquan Turk Hall, the man police believe killed his brother Pierre, tearing apart two families in Alexandria, Va.

Im not proud of what I did, Clark, 32, said before being sentenced Thursday in Alexandria Circuit Court to 31 years in prison. Theres nothing I can say that would bring Turk or Pierre back.

The twin shootings in June and July last year sparked fear and anger in the Old Town North neighborhood, with attendees at a large community meeting blaming police for not engaging more, the city for not lighting the alleys, and the young people involved for perpetuating the violence.

Former mayor William D. Euille (D) and other local leaders have since worked to defuse tensions and prevent another revenge killing.

It was after police executed a search warrant on Halls home last summer that he was murdered by Clark. Patrice Hall described learning in the early morning of July 2, 2016, that her 23-year-old son was dead and rushing to the scene, unable to reach him.

Ive had to relive that night over and over in my head as if it happened just yesterday, she testified in court Thursday. Im up reading, praying, for these nightmares to go away.

She said she does not believe that her son killed Pierre Clark, although police have closed the investigation into that slaying and said Saquan Hall was their only suspect. Detective William Oakley testified Thursday that there was not enough evidence to arrest Hall when the young man was killed.

Halls sister Kentrice said that even if her brother was involved in Pierre Clarks death, what Dijuan Clark did was inexcusable.

If Hall had been found guilty in that slaying, she testified, I would go to the jail every weekend to visit my brother, instead of going to the cemetery.

She said she no longer feels safe in the city where she was born and raised: Im ready to move out of Alexandria and never look back.

Hall left behind a 3-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old son. Their mother, Tykia Jackson, testified that he was a doting father who spoiled the children. They ask constantly for their daddy, she and other family members testified, especially when they see pictures of him. On her daughters recent birthday, the girl was crushed when she learned her father wouldnt be coming, Jackson said.

He took my kids father away, a father who was there for his kids every day, and it kills me, she said.

Clarks defense attorney, Gary Smith, said his client had not planned to kill Hall last year on July 2. Clark ran into Hall and his friends by accident, Smith said, and got into an argument that escalated into gun violence that night.

Clark pleaded guilty in March to second-degree murder.

Janice Bates, 67, testified that the night of the shooting she heard increasingly loud and angry voices outside her house. Looking out the window, she saw Hall hide behind a car while gunfire came from across the street. He ran down the block as police approached and then came back toward her, a gun in his hand.

Prosecutors said Clark shot Hall in the back as he ran and in the head as he lay wounded on the ground.

An individual can never take violence into his or her own hands, Judge Lisa Kemler said in sentencing Clark to 43 years in prison with 12 suspended. He also must pay $5,000 in restitution for the cost of Halls funeral.

Gloria Clark said her son had been brooding over his brothers death and spending his free time at a memorial tree near the alley where the 28-year-old died.

This just took a toll on him, she testified.

She too said she was haunted by her sons death and unable to sleep through the night.

Its still fresh, she said. Everybody has lost; two young men, two lives are lost. Over something thats really senseless.
Someone reported seeing him as he was hiding inside an office in Sterling, Va., and taking items.

But he fled on a bike toward the nearby W&OD trail. Eventually, sheriffs deputies caught him, and he was later identified as a suspect in a June upskirting incident at a store.

Earl D. Jennings, 31, of Sterling, Va., was arrested and faces several charges, according to the Loudoun County Sheriffs Office.

[Fairfax man charged in upskirting incident at Walmart]

Authorities said they believe Jennings was involved in a June 26 upskirting incident in which a woman said a man reportedly took pictures up her skirt while she shopped at a store in the 45100 block of Columbia Place. When she and a store employee confronted him, he fled.

Jennings was also served with outstanding warrants for a bond and pre-trial violation, authorities said. He also faces charges of unlawful filming and unlawful entry.

[Young girl and woman upskirted at Walmart]

He is being held at a local jail without bond.

Upskirting incidents are not uncommon. Often the suspects flee the scene before they can be apprended, authorities said.
A Prince Georges County police officer captured on video hitting a suspect with his cruiser during a pursuit was sentenced to two years of probation and 100 hours of community service in the case Friday morning.

A jury convicted Officer Juan Hernandez, 38, of second-degree assault in May.

Hernandez was chasing someone who was initially reported to be an armed suspect on June 13, 2016, prosecutors said. The suspect ran into a field, and Hernandez followed in his cruiser before striking the man during the incident, police video showed. The man turned out to be unarmed.

I still think that this was an accident, Hernandez said during his hearing. Im glad that hes okay and nothing major happened to him.

Judge Ingrid Turner specified Hernandezs community service must involve directly working with youths and be finished in two years.

This is a misuse of a position of trust in the community, Turner said.

Prosecutors had asked that Hernandez spend three weekends in jail for the assault. Hernandez could have gotten closer to the suspect and jumped out of the cruiser to take him down, Prince Georges County Assistant States Attorney Joeday Newsom said. Hernandez did not check on the suspects condition after striking him, Newsom said.

It was callous and lazy policing, Newsom said.

Gina Ford, a spokesman for the Prince Georges County States Attorneys Office, said cruiser camera video showed Hernandez turning into the man to run him over and it was lucky that the suspect wasnt gravely injured. The man was not badly hurt and declined medical treatment.

Hernandez, who has been with the department for at least 11 years, was suspended on the day of the incident. Prince Georges County police investigated the incident internally and brought the case to the States Attorneys Office for review.

Hernandezs attorney Shaun Owens said the officer has had a spotless record outside of this incident and was so well-respected in the department that he had been tapped to mentor young officers.

Owens said officers have to make split-second decisions that could put their lives and the lives of the public at risk. On that night, Hernandez was worried that the man he was chasing was armed and a threat to the community, Owens said.

This was not an intentional act on his part, Owens said of his clients actions.

Hernandez will face an internal review in the police department to determine whether he will be fired, Owens said. Hernandez had been acquitted of misconduct in office.

John Teletchea, president of the Fraternal Order of Police for Prince Georges County, said Hernandez had a stellar record within the police department before the jury found him guilty of assault.

One incident should not define the great work this man has done in his career and throughout his life, Teletchea said.
Two inmates died at a Virginia womens correctional facility in the past week, a Virginia Department of Corrections spokesman said.

Carolyn Liberto, 70, died on July 21 and Deanna Niece, 38, died on July 25 at Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women, said Greg Carter, the community relations coordinator for the states Department of Corrections. Liberto was incarcerated for murder, grand larceny and perjury, online records show.

The medical examiner will determine the cause of death, which was not immediately available for either inmate, Carter said.

Julie Tate contributed to this report.
The armored blue State Department vehicle driven by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila shown after the attack that killed Zapata. (MPetursson1/U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia)

A U.S. jury on Thursday convicted two accused Los Zetas drug cartel hit men of killing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent Jaime Zapata and wounding another ICE agent in a February 2011 roadside shooting in Mexico.

A jury of seven men and five women in Washington deliberated less than five hours before finding Jose Emanuel Garcia Sota, 35, known as Safado, and Jesus Ivan Quezada Pina, 29, known as Loco, guilty on four counts each including murder and attempted murder of a U.S. officer and firearms violations.

U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth scheduled an Aug. 29 hearing to set a sentencing date after prosecutors coordinate the attendance of the families of Zapata, 32, and Victor Avila Jr., 44, who live in Texas.

[We are shot! We are shot! An ICE agents final moments resound in U.S. court.]

In a statement, U.S. attorney Channing D. Phillips said the verdicts brought to seven the number of Los Zetas cartel members convicted of the botched afternoon carjacking attempt on Feb. 15, 2011, that resulted in the death of Zapata, the first U.S. law enforcement agent killed in the line of duty in Mexico since 1985.

U.S. ICE Special Agent Jaime Zapata was killed in a roadside shooting in Mexico on Feb. 15, 2011. He was the first U.S. law enforcement agent killed in Mexico since 1985. (U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia)

U.S. authorities in May 2013 announced guilty pleas by Zetas cartel commander Julian Zapata Espinoza, known as El Piolin, 35, for leading the attack, and other members of two alleged, four-man hit squads on related charges. Several face the possibility of mandatory life sentences, and three testified in this months trial.

The victims of this horrific assault were in Mexico on official business serving our country, Phillips said. The prosecution of these defendants is a testament to the enormous resources devoted to this investigation by law enforcement in the United States and Mexico.

Reached by telephone, Avila, said Im glad that justice has been served for Jaime Zapata. Avila retired from ICE in 2015 and made his first public comments on the shooting in his testimony during the 12-day trial in Washington.

[U.S. anti-drug agents shot in roadside attack in Mexico; one dead]

Its still not over, Avila said, saying he and Zapatas family would seek life sentences for their assailants and would continue seeking records and help from Congress about what the U.S. government knew about the attack. Despite the guilty verdict, there are still many questions that have not been answered, specifically from the Department of Homeland Security, ICEs parent department, Avila said.

Families have criticized ICE for sending the men with inadequate security, and questioned the role of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. In March, the Justice Departments inspector general found that two of the weapons used in Zapatas killing were trafficked by suspects whom ATF in Dallas had under surveillance but had not arrested.

[Armored SUV could not protect U.S. agents in Mexico]

Benigno Trey Martinez III, an attorney for Zapatas parents, Mary and Amador Zapata Jr., of Brownsville, Tex., said they were very emotional when he told them of the verdict. All that Mr. and Mrs. Zapata have ever wanted is justice for Jaime. I know they look forward to facing each of these defendants and having an opportunity to speak their mind before the judge at time of sentencing.

The jury foreman, who was interviewed separately and spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals by the cartel, said, This was a horrific crime, perpetrated by individuals who were brutal and hateful, and the decisions that they made in their lives that brought them to this point exemplify the worst in humanity.

Zapatas death highlighted American involvement in the U.S.-backed drug war in Mexico. The manhunt for those responsible for his death  and tougher sanctions  helped fragment what once was known as Mexicos most technologically sophisticated and violent paramilitary criminal organizations.

Drug violence-related homicides are surging again in Mexico after dipping since 2011, and extraditions continue, including those of two former Mexican state governors accused of corruption at the hands of the Zetas.

U.S. authorities have also sought the extradition of Miguel Angel Trevino Morales, the reported leader of Los Zetas known as Z-40, who has been suspected in the ambush of the ICE agents and other Americans, and is under indictment in the District, New York City and Texas.

Court-appointed attorneys for Garcia Sota and Quezada Pina had argued that no physical evidence tied the men to the crime, only the at times contradictory and shifting testimony of cooperating Zetas witnesses seeking to avoid mandatory life prison sentences.

The speed with which the verdict was returned suggest to me the jury was motivated by the raw emotion of this case, said Robert A. Feitel, the counsel for Garcia Sota. Thats understandable, but not how the criminal justice system is supposed to operate, but we respect the verdict.
A Butte woman pleaded guilty in Butte district court Thursday to a charge of embezzlement.

According to court documents, Amy Serich, 49, was discovered to be cashing checks intended for vendors at the Southwest Montana Community Health Center, where she was employed.

Serich turned herself in to police in December after an investigation revealed that she had stolen over $10,000 from her employer between April 2015 and February 2016.

Serich remains free on bail pending a pre-sentencing investigation.

In other court action Thursday:

 Brandon Bailey, 34, was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison with four suspended for burglary. Bailey was arrested in October and previously pleaded guilty. The sentence will run concurrently with another out of Deer Lodge County.

 James Phillips Jr. was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for two years for partner and family assault with credit for 37 days served. According to court documents, Phillips has been previously convicted for PFMA at least three times, so the current charge, for a third or subsequent offense, is a felony.
Noel Quinteros-Ramirez has been charged in a stabbing incident in Prince William County. (Courtesy of Prince William Police department)

A woman was stabbed Thursday at the scene of a house fire in Prince William County, authorities said.

At around 4:25 p.m., officers responded to a home in the 1300 block of East Longview Drive in Woodbridge for the report of a stabbing, Prince William County police said in a statement. They found the home on fire and an adult woman suffering from stab wounds, the statement said.

The woman was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to the statement, and two children who were involved in the incident were uninjured.

Three officers who entered the home to look for more victims were transported to a hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation, police said, and a suspect involved in the incident is in custody.

Detectives charged Noel Quinteros-Ramirez, 30, with malicious wounding. The investigation continues, police said.
So-called "baby boxes" for newborns to sleep in were first introduced in Finland in the 1930s. The Finnish tradition has recently caught on in the U.S. (Claritza Jimenez/The Washington Post)

So-called "baby boxes" for newborns to sleep in were first introduced in Finland in the 1930s. The Finnish tradition has recently caught on in the U.S. (Claritza Jimenez/The Washington Post)

To prevent infant deaths in the District, lawmakers are considering a tool that has become synonymous with the record-low infant mortality rate in Finland  a cardboard box.

Baby boxes come packed with new baby supplies and are outfitted with a firm, foam mattress so they can double as a bassinet during the babys first months, offering a safer alternative to co-sleeping.

First offered to Finnish mothers in the 1930s, the low-cost beds are now being embraced by politicians, philanthropists and hospital administrators across the United States as a way to prevent sleep-related deaths for infants.

This January, New Jersey became the first state to launch a universal program providing every new mother with a baby box, along with training about safe sleep habits. Since then, statewide programs have been launched in Alabama, Ohio, Texas and Colorado.

D.C. Council member Brianne K. Nadeau (D-Ward 1), herself an expectant mother, this month introduced a bill that would provide all new parents with online training about safe sleep and a baby box to take home. I believe every baby deserves a strong start, and that begins with a safe place to sleep, she said.

A baby box sits in the office of DC Council member, Brianne Nadeau of Ward 1 at the John A. Wilson Building in Washington. Nadeau wants to provide baby boxes with supplies in them to new mothers. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

Already, the newly adopted programs are on track to distribute nearly 20 times the number of baby boxes the Finnish government supplies annually. The rapid pace of adoption is causing some medical professionals to urge caution.

A statement issued recently by the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome cited research on the outcomes related to baby boxes, even in Finland, where its not clear whether the nations low infant mortality is due to its baby boxes or broader system of prenatal care.

There really is no evidence for these boxes, the statement says.

Other doctors are questioning whether its safe to put newborn babies in a box to sleep. In the highly regulated marketplace for baby products, the boxes being mass distributed are not regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and doctors are questioning how air circulates in the box and what appropriate weight limits should be.

Jennifer Clary, co-founder and chief executive of The Baby Box Co., the for-profit company that is supplying the new statewide programs, said the boxes have undergone extensive safety testing and are the same boxes that have been used for decades in Finland.

No parent is given a box without learning about safe sleep habits and how to use the box safely, she said.

Some people have an emotional problem with the concept of putting a child in a box, she said. The reality is that its every bit as safe.

D.C. Council member Brianne Nadeau of Ward 1 poses for a portrait at the John A. Wilson Building. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

In D.C., progress and peril

Infant mortality has declined significantly in the District but hovered 27 percent above the national rate in 2014, with 7.6 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared with 6 per 1,000. The death rate for African American babies was even higher, at 10.5, compared with 3.7 for non-Hispanic whites.

[Child death rate declines in the District]

The vast majority of deaths occur in the first weeks of life and are tied to chromosomal abnormalities, deformations or complications related to pregnancy. Most infants who die in the District are low-birth weight or preterm.

Anjali Talwalkar, senior deputy director for community health administration at the D.C. Department of Health, said its important to raise awareness about safe sleep, but she does not want to distract from the main drivers of infant mortality in the District. Significantly improving infant survival rates requires intervening earlier, she said, and improving the mothers health care and education before and during pregnancy.

Obesity, chronic illness and a history of trauma are all factors that could contribute to a high-risk pregnancy, Talwalkar said.

The city also has a disparity in who is accessing prenatal care. Despite one of the lowest uninsured rates in the nation, 57 percent of African American mothers in the District in 2014 accessed prenatal care during their first trimester compared with 83 percent of white mothers.

Still, unsafe sleep practices are considered a major risk factor among infant deaths that occur after the babys first month. For young infants, co-sleeping with parents and sleeping on their stomachs or on soft beds puts them at risk for sudden infant death syndrome or accidental death by suffocation or strangulation.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be put to sleep on their backs in the same room as their parents but on a separate bed that has a firm mattress and is free of any loosefitting sheets or soft cushions.

Nationally, about 3,500 infants die each yearfrom sleep-related causes. Sleep-related infant deaths declined in the 1990s amid a national campaign to put babies on their backs to sleep, but they have plateaued since.

In the District, between 2014 and 2016, 48 infants died due to causes associated with unsafe sleeping practices, according to a report by the citys Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

One 5-month-old infant died after sleeping on an adults chest. He was later found on the floor between an air mattress and a couch, according to a 2015 child fatality report by the medical examiner. The death was classified as undetermined. The child also had been born premature and had a history of heart murmur, the report said.

In another case that was classified accidental, a 2 -month-old infant died after she was placed on her stomach on a pillow in an adult bed with her parent. The report also noted that the mother was uninsured and did not have prenatal care.

The District has a long-standing safe sleep program that distributes about 1,000 portable cribs annually to new parents and caregivers who complete an in-person education session about safe sleep.

Nadeau said she hopes to expand on that program because the boxes would be offered universally. She wants to improve awareness about co-sleeping, which cuts across racial and socioeconomic demographics. Her bill also includes a provision that would study the outcomes of the program.

One small-scale study recently published at Temple University in Philadelphia found that sending mothers home from the hospital with baby boxes and face-to-face training about safe sleep reduced the rate of bed-sharing by 25 percent within the first eight days. For exclusively breast-fed infants, who are more likely to sleep with their mothers, the rate decreased by 50 percent.

That was exciting for us to see, said Megan Heere, medical director of Temple University Hospitals Well Baby Nursery. We know theres a lot more work to be done, but we know we changed something in eight days.

Finnish origins

The Finnish government began providing baby boxes, filled with newborn clothes and essential items, to new parents in the late 1930s, a time when nearly 1 in 10 babies died within their first year in the impoverished newly independent nation.

The box was conceived  and still serves  as a kind of welcome kit from the government that would incentivize women to access the public health care services, said Sanna Kangasharju, a press counselor at the Finnish Embassy in the District.

Expectant mothers can choose the box or a monetary award, currently the equivalent of about $180. To claim their prize, women first have to get a certificate from a health-care provider showing they have received prenatal care within the first four months of pregnancy, initiating a system of regular health care and counseling.

Kangasharju said 70 years later, many families never use the box as a bassinet, and focusing too much attention on the box misses the point.

The boxes would not help very much if it were not for the help of doctors and midwives who could explain things like good hygiene and proper nutrition, she said.

Clary traveled to Finland to study its baby box program after she started The Baby Box Co. She knew she could not replicate the countrys socialized health-care system, but she decided the company should focus its efforts on education.

So she launched Baby Box University. With every partner state, the company develops a syllabus and produces a series of short educational videos featuring local health-care providers and experts. The videos explain safe sleep principles, as well as information about immunizations, breast-feeding and such topics as finding safe child care. After passing a quiz, mothers can get a certificate to obtain their box.

The baby boxes are not inherently magical, she said. But the way they are being distributed is having an impact.
Older people who have delirium after surgery are at higher risk for cognitive decline. (iStock) (iStock/iStock)

Older patients who become disoriented or confused after surgery are more than three times more likely to develop dementia later, a new study has found.

The report, published Friday by the British Journal of Anaesthesia, assesses the effects of postoperative delirium (POD) on people 65 and older who were cognitively normal before their operations. Of 1,152 such patients, 9.5 percent met criteria for mild cognitive impairment or dementia a median of nine months after surgery.

The frequency of being diagnosed with MCI or dementia after surgery was much higher  33.3 percent  among those who had experienced postoperative delirium, compared with 9 percent among those who had not.

While earlier studies have shown a relationship between POD and dementia, this is the first to look entirely at subjects who showed no cognitive decline in pre-surgery assessments, said David Warner, an anesthesiologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and the studys senior author.

Delirium is defined by an acute state of confusion, inattention, disorganized thinking and a fluctuating mental state. Older patients are more likely than younger ones to develop it after surgery, as are people with lower education levels and those who undergo vascular procedures.

Further study is needed to determine whether delirium contributes to later cognitive decline or is an indicator of some underlying factor that made people more likely to develop dementia, Warner said.

Either its a marker, he said, or maybe theres something about developing delirium that increases your risk for dementia. If it is the latter, then you really ought to do something to reduce the incidence of delirium.

That could include using different techniques for anesthesia or postoperative pain management.

Most of the patients in the study underwent general anesthesia, and while there was no indication that this put them at higher risk, it could be worth studying whether using regional anesthesia techniques, such as spinal epidurals, reduced the incidence of delirium, Warner said.

Pain-control techniques could also be adjusted. Weve used opioids for pain control traditionally after surgery almost exclusively, he said. Now, partly because of the opioid epidemic, we are looking more at multimodal techniques.

Adjustments to the postoperative environment could also reduce delirium. Earlier studies have recommended the use of clocks, calendars and similar materials to help reorient a patient after surgery. The presence of family members and minimization of staff changes and nighttime disruptions, and providing access to glasses and hearing aids can also help.

Older people are not the only ones who may suffer deleterious cognitive effects after surgery  studies have shown that exposing babies to general anesthesia may negatively affect their future cognitive development, Warner said.

This is just another sign that we really need to pay attention to brain health at the time of surgery, he said.


Episcopal priest James Isaacs, 40, with his wife, Maggie Brewinski Isaacs, 40, and their children, Jimmy Isaacs, 4, center, and Joseph Isaacs, 2, at home in Potomac, Md. (Salwan Georges/The Washington Post)

The tranquil home of James Isaacs, an Episcopal priest, and wife Maggie Brewinski Isaacs, a pediatrician, sits on a hill above a creek on 5 wooded acres in suburban Maryland. Inside, an unoccupied bedroom awaits a refugee ready to join the family.

But the 16-year-old girl, blocked by the Trump administrations travel ban, is stuck in an Ethiopian refugee camp and might never see the room.

The children ask us when their big sister is going to arrive, James Isaacs said of his sons, ages 4 and 2, one of whom was adopted from South Africa. We are left in this time of uncertainty because of the administration and the Supreme Court decision.

The girl, from the East African nation of Eritrea and identified to The Washington Post only by her initials M.T. to protect her privacy, is an unaccompanied minor refugee  a young, displaced person without a parent or guardian who is seeking refuge in the United States.



Jimmy Isaacs, 4, left, and his brother, Joseph, 2, play on the bed inside the room that the family prepared to foster an unaccompanied minor refugee from Africa. (Salwan Georges/The Washington Post)

A painting is seen inside the room that Irene Stevenson prepared to foster an unaccompanied minor refugee from Africa. (Salwan Georges/The Washington Post)

On July 19, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administrations travel ban to stand, leaving about 100 unaccompanied minor refugees stranded overseas. The decision comes after months of judicial back-and-forth over the ban, casting doubt on the childrens plans to live in the United States.

They are youth that are on their own, said Autumn Orme, a director at Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, which works with unaccompanied minor refugees. I find it pretty extraordinary that they are managing this all on their own. These are children that dont have parents to care for them.

[Supreme Court allows Trump refugee ban but backs broader exemptions for relatives]

The result: M.T., an orphan who fled child labor in Eritrea two years ago and was approved by the State Department to live in the United States, remains in legal limbo.

Not only is she missing out now, were missing out, Isaacs said.

The Isaacs family is not the only one with an empty bedroom after the ban.

Irene Stevenson, 55, worked as a labor organizer in Russia and Central Asia before she was expelled by authorities, she said. She moved to Washington in 2007 and lives in a small townhouse near RFK Stadium with Kale and Lida, two Russian wolfhounds, and Nikulin, a longhair cat.



Irene Stevenson, 55, of Washington, plays with her cat, Nikulin. (Salwan Georges/The Washington Post)

She considered adopting a child for years but was stymied by the paperwork. Then, about 18 months ago, reports about the refugee crisis caused her to hit the wall, she said.

I was thinking about literally the millions of children who have no family, have no home, who are completely alone, she said. I thought, This is stupid. I have a home. I can do this. 

Stevenson signed on last year with Lutheran Social Services to become a certified foster parent for an unaccompanied minor refugee. She was approved after about six months of training and cleared out a bedroom for A.A., a 17-year-old Somali girl who fled to Kenya with her grandmother in 2004 after war broke out.

Now, A.A.s grandmother and father are dead, and her mother cant be found. Though she was approved to live with Stevenson, she remains in Kenya, where aid workers fear she will be targeted because she is an ethnic minority.

Stevenson  who, like A.A., is Muslim  said she can offer the girl stability. The Trump travel ban, she said, makes that impossible.

If youre a 17-year-old girl refugee in Kenya without any living relatives, you dont have any avenues to try to build something, Stevenson said. Building roadblocks seems crazy. Its wrong.

Kay Bellor, a vice president at Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service in Baltimore, said her agency is one of only two nonprofit organizations in the country that work with the State Department to bring these children into the country. Thirty-nine children it planned to bring to U.S. foster homes now cannot come.

About 200 unaccompanied refugee minors arrived in the United States last year, said Ashley Feasley, policy director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the other nonprofit that works with these refugees. Most come from the Congo, Eritrea, Afghanistan and Burma, and are between 15 and 17 years old when referred to the program.

(Claritza Jimenez,Dani Player/The Washington Post)

Trumps travel ban and subsequent court decisions, however, mean more than 60 children the organization was working with are stranded, Feasley said. The initial travel ban, which went into effect with little warning in January, was the first roadblock. After courts removed that, the Supreme Courts ruling on a modified version of the ban last month blocked the children again.

Then, recently, a federal judge in Hawaii ordered exemptions to the ban for refugees  but that ruling was quashed by the Supreme Court.

Bishop Joe S. Vasquez, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration, said the Supreme Court decision in June had human consequences.

We are deeply concerned about the welfare of the many other vulnerable populations who will now not be allowed to arrive and seek protection . . . most notably certain individuals fleeing religious persecution and unaccompanied refugee children, he said in a statement last month.

[U.S. surpasses Trump administrations cap on refugee admissions]

Citing the July 19 Supreme Court decision, a State Department spokesman said a refugees involvement with a resettlement agency does not qualify as a bona fide relationship. If a refugee has another claim to a bona fide relationship, it would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, the spokesman said.

The path to the United States for unaccompanied refugee children is already narrow.

They are identified overseas by the United Nations and must be cleared by doctors and the Department of Homeland Security. Depending on the rules of their home country, they may have to secure travel visas, which can expire if something such as a travel ban even temporarily halts their progress.

And if they turn 18 while waiting for paperwork, as A.A. will in less than a year, they cannot be part of the program. The Supreme Court, meanwhile, will not hear arguments on the travel ban until October.

If it was something academic  whether a zoning issue is proper  it could wait until October, Stevenson said. These are peoples lives. Every time they postpone it, it gets worse.



Irene Stevenson sits in the room that she prepared to foster an unaccompanied minor refugee from Africa. (Salwan Georges/The Washington Post)

Tesfay Rezene ran this gantlet after fleeing his native Eritrea in 2008 at 14, fearing he would be conscripted amid that nations tensions with neighboring Ethiopia. He left his family behind, telling his father about his plan at the last minute.

He told me that, Well, if you think thats better, you can go,  Rezene said. It was a very emotional moment. My younger sister, she followed me about a mile  I told her to go back.

Rezene ended up at Shimelba Refugee Camp in Ethiopia, where he lived for about three years. He called it one of the very worst places in the world.

It was hot. There wasnt enough food, and the need to collect water  available only for a few hours in the morning and afternoon  made it tough to go to school. He lived in two rooms in a small house with up to six people at a time.

After being identified as an unaccompanied minor refugee, he moved to Montgomery County in Maryland in 2011. Living with a foster family, he had his own room, his own computer and started learning English from scratch, he said. Hes since become a citizen and studies international politics at Pennsylvania State Universitys campus in Berks, Pa.

Ive never seen a refugee that is an enemy to the U.S., Rezene said. A refugee is a victim that is looking for someone who can save them. They are looking for someone who can listen to them or share their pain or understand what they are going through.

Carissa Ralbovsky, 30, and Joe Ralbovsky, 27, are ready to take on the challenge. Before they have children of their own, the Greenbelt, Md., couple wanted to help someone in need right now, Carissa Ralbovsky said.

They are Christian  but faith is not the only reason they want to help.

We think of it not just as a religious thing, Joe Ralbovsky said. Its an American thing.

Earlier this year, the couple became certified as foster parents and were ready to welcome B.S., a 17-year-old boy from Eritrea. Teenagers, especially males, are hard to place in foster care, Carissa Ralbovsky said, and they wanted to take in someone no one else wanted.

They prepared a room for the boy. They planned to pick him up at the airport on June 26, the day the Supreme Court allowed the travel ban to go into effect.

They are still waiting.

Im most afraid that we have already let him down before he even got here, she said.
Volunteers for Republican Ed Gillespie and Democrat Ralph Northam will descend on homes across Virginia this weekend as the rival gubernatorial campaigns make their first big push on the ground with backing from the national and state parties.

Both sides have been touting the strength of their field operations, which have been bolstered by outside money and staff.

The Republican National Committee recently dispatched a young operative who helped a candidate uneasy with President Trump navigate a win in June in Georgias 6th Congressional District. Elliott Echols, who led the RNCs efforts for now-Rep. Karen Handel, is doing the same for Gillespie.

[GOP candidate now embracing Trump in Georgias 6th District runoff]

Republicans said that they have 50 paid field organizers  the same number Trump had working for him in the state in 2016  with more to come, plus an unspecified number of volunteer door-knockers. They said the paid staff is part of the permanent ground game that Reince Priebus, now Trumps former chief of staff, launched over the past several years as he served as chairman of the Republican National Committee.

The RNC is fully committed to supporting Ed Gillespie and the entire Republican ticket, RNC Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel said in a written statement. Ed understands that Virginians need a leader who is a proven job creator and shares their vision for the future of the Commonwealth. When the Democrats packed up and left after the 2016 election, we kept our team in place, and because of our continued presence we now have more than 50 staffers in the field working hand-in-hand with the campaigns, state party, and RGA [the Republican Governors Association] to bring that message directly to voters all across Virginia.

Democrats said they have nearly 1,000 volunteers lined up for their weekend of action and will have more than 100 paid staffers by fall. They declined to say how many are on the payroll now but touted an online sign-up page for 60 canvassing and phone-banking events set for this weekend.

The director of the Democrats coordinated campaign  the combined efforts of the Northam campaign, state party, Democratic National Committee and Democratic Governors Association  has been on the ground since March. She is Lauren Brainerd, who worked last year on Hillary Clintons presidential campaign as state director in Kansas and Idaho, and as a regional field director in Iowa. She was a regional field director for Gov. Terry McAuliffes 2013 campaign. McAuliffe (D) is prohibited under the state constitution from seeking consecutive terms.

[National money pours into Virginia governors race]

During the primary, we saw record-breaking turnout for Virginia Democrats, with nearly more folks showing up to vote for Ralph Northam than Ed Gillespie and Corey Stewart combined, Northam spokeswoman Ofirah Yheskel said in an email, referring to the top two finishers in the GOP primary. Our party is offering an optimistic vision for taking Virginia to the next level and taking a stand against Donald Trumps extreme agenda to threaten our values. Thats why were seeing so much grassroots enthusiasm for Democrats up and down the ticket and our volunteers are fired up about doing the work to take us to victory in November.

The campaigns launch their ground games from strikingly different vantage points.

Northam, the states sitting lieutenant governor and a former Army doctor who treated wounded soldiers during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, raised more money through June  $9.4 million to Gillespies $6.7 million. But Northam blew through all but $1.75 million of that to fight off an aggressive primary challenge from former congressman Tom Perriello.

[In nod to conservative base, Gillespie urges eradicating gangs and sanctuary cities]

Believing that he faced no real threat from rivals Stewart and Frank Wagner, an underfunded state senator, Gillespie spent relatively little in his primary and still had $3.2 million heading into July.

Since then, national Republican and Democratic groups have poured millions of dollars into both campaigns. But Northam still appears to be in war chest-replenishment mode while Gillespie is already on the air with three TV ads.

Still, the political fallout from the primaries appeared to be just the opposite, with Northam seeming to emerge stronger and Gillespie widely seen as wounded.

[Democrats look unified, Republicans in disarray in wake of Va. gubernatorial primary]

Northam far exceeded expectations and polls with a 12-point win over Perriello. Perriello quickly endorsed Northam, pledging to unite the party behind him  even as environmentalists continue to protest Northams refusal to take a firm stance on two proposed natural-gas pipelines.

[As gas pipelines roil Virginia governors race, regulators backtrack on their role]

Gillespie vastly underperformed in his primary, barely squeaking out a 1.2-point victory over Stewart, Trumps one-time Virginia chairman, who had campaigned on the preservation of the states Confederate monuments. After that close call, some high-level Republicans urged Gillespie, a classic establishment figure, to bring on staffers who understand Trump voters.

[Gillespies primary scare has White House, others urging Trump world hires]

But since the primary, Gillespie has adopted a more aggressive tone and tactics, while Northams campaign has been relatively low key. A recent poll had the race at a dead heat.

Echols joins Gillespies effort fresh from a race that has been touted as a road map for Republicans running in the Trump era.

Handel, an establishment Republican, avoided any mention of Trump ahead of a crowded April 18 special election. But she embraced the president in a June 20 runoff with Democrat Jon Ossoff.

[Gillespie shifts from avoiding Trump to dropping the presidents name]

Gillespie, a former Republican National Committee chairman, lobbyist and adviser to President George W. Bush, tried to duck all things Trump in the GOP primary. But he began dropping the presidents name in the past two weeks and highlighting areas of agreement, such as tougher immigration enforcement.
Women help deflate a balloon with a painting of the United States Constitution during the first day of the QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, Friday, July 28, 2017, in Readington Township, N.J. (Julio Cortez/Associated Press)

ARKANSAS

Court removes block on abortion pill law

An appeals court panel cleared the way Friday for Arkansas to restrict how the abortion pill is administered in the state, saying a district judge didnt estimate how many women would be burdened by a 2015 laws requirement.

A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis vacated U.S. District Court Judge Kristine Bakers preliminary injunction against the law. The measure requires doctors providing the pill to maintain a contract with another physician with admitting privileges at a hospital who agrees to handle any complications.

The panel sent the case back to Baker and said the judge should look into the number of women who would be unduly burdened by the requirement and whether it amounts to a large fraction of women seeking the abortion pill in Arkansas. Arkansas wont be able to enforce the law until the appeals court decision takes effect in about 14 to 21 days, the attorney generals office said.

Planned Parenthood has said it would no longer be able to offer the abortion pill at its Little Rock and Fayetteville health centers if the law takes effect; it does not offer surgical abortions at those clinics. The other abortion provider in the state would be able to offer only surgical abortions.

Planned Parenthood Great Plains, which had sued over the restrictions, said all abortion services will continue at its Little Rock and Fayetteville facilities while the group evaluates its legal options.

 Associated Press

Priest at center of Boston sex abuse scandal leaves prison: A former priest at the center of Bostons Roman Catholic clergy sex abuse scandal was quietly released from prison Friday morning after completing a 12-year sentence for the rape of a boy in the 1980s. Paul Shanley, 86, was released from the Old Colony Correctional Center in Bridgewater. He plans to live in an apartment in Ware, a town of about 10,000 people about 65 miles west of Boston, according to the states sex offender registry, which designates him a Level 3 offender, considered the most likely to reoffend.

2 men convicted in terrorizing Jews: Two men convicted of terrorizing Jewish communities in New Jersey, including firebombing two synagogues and throwing a molotov cocktail into a rabbis home, were sentenced Friday to 35 years in prison. Anthony Graziano and Aakash Dalal were sentenced in Bergen County court after they were convicted of terrorism charges in 2016. Beside the firebombings, prosecutors say the men also spray painted anti-Semitic graffiti at two other synagogues. They faced up to life in prison in the case that was the first to use a state anti-terrorism statute that requires at least 30 years in prison. Graziano apologized for his actions, and his mother said he was brainwashed and taught to hate by Dalal. They were both 19 years old when the attacks happened.

 From news services
The Affordable Care Act has reshaped the nations health-care landscape in a way the country has not seen since the passage of Great Society programs in the 1960s. For more than seven years, it has been the foundation for a slew of new regulations and a massive redistribution of funds within the medical system. And it has changed what Americans expect of their government  which is why Republicans, despite having used the ACA as a political rallying cry for seven years, have encountered such difficulty in peeling it back.

For the moment, the ACA appears to have cemented its place in the American firmament, and its continued existence is likely to make some aspects of the law  such as the expansion of Medicaid coverage in 31 states and the District of Columbia  nearly untouchable. Its overall popularity reached 50 percent in a Kaiser Family Foundation poll this month, up from 43 percent in December.

But it still faces major challenges, including that more than three dozen U.S. counties on the federal exchanges may lack an insurer next year, premiums on the individual market are rising, and President Trump has suggested repeatedly that he hopes to see the ACA market collapse in the months to come.

[We had to order extra cookies. How hospitals helped save the ACA]

The law known as Obamacare has achieved some of its central aims, including driving the percentage of uninsured Americans down to historic lows, eliminating lifetime caps on insurance coverage and expanding the extent to which insurers had to cover services including preventive care and mental and substance-abuse treatments. But it has failed to contain rising health-care costs, while expanding both the amount of money the federal government spends on health care and its role in dictating the terms of the insurance market.

View Graphic How key senators changed their positions to bring down Obamacare repeal

Hoover Institution research fellow Lanhee J. Chen has spent years arguing that the country needs to tackle the ballooning costs of entitlement programs such as Medicaid and allow consumers more choice in the kind of health-care coverage they buy. In the wake of the collapse of health-care legislation in the Senate, Chen said Friday that he was struck by how the Affordable Care Act is so deeply ingrained, in many ways, in the fabric of American public policy.

He noted that even requirements such as staying on ones parents insurance until the age of 26, or getting coverage regardless of preexisting medical conditions, have reached almost entitlement-like status for many Americans. Thats sort of staggering for me.

Or as bioethicist and oncologist Ezekiel Emanuel, one of the ACAs architects, put it in an interview Friday, Its going to structure health care in this country for the next 30 or 40 or 50 years, just the way Medicare and Medicare did for 40 or 50 years.

Tennessee Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak, president-elect of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, spent Friday conferring with other insurance officials trying to get answers on whether lawmakers and the administration would be willing to commit to providing the billions of dollars in cost-sharing reduction payments that help offset low-income consumers out-of-pocket costs under the ACAs individual market.

While the answer to that is elusive  and McPeak warned that that window is rapidly closing, since insurers must submit final 2018 rates by Aug. 16  she had no doubt that the task before her was to make the current system work.

It is the law of the land, and we are going to enforce it as such, McPeak said.

[The night Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) killed the GOPs health-care fight]

(Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

Some insurers are losing money on the exchanges. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield chief executive Chet Burrell said his company is on track to lose $200 million on the individual market this year. But an increasing number of them are breaking even or seeing a track to becoming profitable.

This is year four, and were comfortable with how we are doing financially. We see the light at the end of the tunnel, and we continue to grow, said John Lovelace, president of government programs at UPMC Health Plan.

A bipartisan group of senators have begun discussing if they can deliver on the two major fronts that insurers and regulators have been clamoring for: the cost-sharing subsidies, which would cost about $7 billion this year and $10 billion in 2018, and additional funds for a national reinsurance program. Without those guarantees, many companies offering plans on the exchanges predict they will either hike insurance rates dramatically or withdraw from the markets altogether.

Medica, a Midwestern insurer that is the sole company signed up to offer plans statewide on Iowas and Nebraskas exchanges next year, is now revisiting the rates that it filed with regulators. To account for the possibility that cost-sharing reductions wont be made, the company is likely to request additional increases anywhere from 12 to 20 percent, said Geoff Bartsch, vice president and general manager of individual and family business at Medica.

In Iowa, one of the states where Medica will be the only insurer selling plans on the exchange, the company already requested a hefty increase of 43.5 percent.

There are 40 counties currently at risk of having no insurer selling plans on the exchanges, which could leave 27,660 people without coverage, according to a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services analysis last updated Wednesday. There are also 1,332 counties projected to have a single insurer.

Dan Holler, a vice president at Heritage Action, the advocacy arm of the conservative Heritage Foundation, said the battle to unwind the ACA is not over  in part because the law is failing. The idea of a bipartisan solution was unrealistic, he added, in part because Democrats proposals all involve spending more federal funds.

In some ways, a very public failure is certainly embarrassing for the Republican Party, and extraordinarily frustrating for conservatives, Holler said. The hope is that it is such a stunning setback that the holdouts in the Senate look at the new reality and say, Wow, this isnt what I thought was going to happen. I dont want to be stuck tweaking around the edges of Obamacare. Lets get back to the table. 

Like any major policy shift, there have been winners and losers under the ACA. A recent analysis by Mark Farrah Associates suggests that the number of consumers buying individual insurance off the exchanges dropped 29 percent over the past 12 months. None of those people get subsidies, unlike more than 80 percent of those on the exchanges.

Theyre completely unprotected from these big rate increases, said health-care consultant Robert Laszewski.

Alan Fischler runs a small law practice in Bethesda and buys health insurance for his family of four without the aid of federal premium subsidies. Fischler is a Democrat and a supporter of the ACA, but he says that the premium increases have, for the first time in his life, made him feel victimized. Last year, his familys premium was $15,000 for the year, but it nearly doubled to $28,000 in 2017. The family deductible also went up, meaning that his family is essentially on the hook for $41,000 in medical costs before the insurance really begins to cover medical costs.

This is for a family that probably uses under $10,000 of medical a year, Fischler said. Its for the first time caused me to think about it  wed never go without insurance, but the question is how do you not become a victim?

But for others, especially the working poor, the 2010 law has afforded them a new level of economic security. Of the roughly 20 million Americans who have gained coverage since its passage, more than half came from the expansion of Medicaid to childless adults and low-income parents earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.

For Americans who are living closest to the poverty line, what the ACA has done is assured them that they will be able to have affordable, real coverage, said Frederick Isasi, president of the advocacy group Families USA.

And that has created a new political constituency. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who cast the deciding vote that doomed the Senate health bill, did it in part because his state expanded Medicaid, and many including the governor and the state Chamber of Commerce opposed rolling that back.

More broadly, the percentage of uninsured non-elderly Americans averaged around 16 percent between 1995 and 2007, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, and then rose during the ensuing economic recession. In 2016, this rate dropped to 10 percent.

[How the American health career system veered off track, explained]

Many policy experts across the political spectrum, as well as elected officials, said the very expansion of health coverage makes it more urgent that policymakers take steps to curb the cost of medical care.

Once everyones in the system, one of the challenges is, how do you pay for it all? Emanuel said. And the focus becomes on cost.
GERMANY

1 dead, 6 wounded in Hamburg knife attack

A man with a kitchen knife fatally stabbed one person at a supermarket Friday in the German city of Hamburg, police said, adding that he wounded six others while trying to flee but was overpowered and arrested.

Police said that the suspect is a 26-year-old who was born in the United Arab Emirates and that they are still working to establish his nationality.

There was no word on a motive for the attack. Police said there was no indication that there was more than one attacker.

The news agency DPA quoted two witnesses as saying that they heard the assailant shout Allahu akbar!  which means God is great in Arabic  as he held up the knife, but police did not confirm the report.

 Associated Press

ITALY

Cabinet backs patrol

assistance for Libya

Italys cabinet on Friday approved sending naval ships to help Libyas coast guard combat migrant trafficking, after a request by the North African nation.

The measure is part of efforts to stanch the flow of hundreds of thousands of migrants who are smuggled out of Libya across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe each year by traffickers using unseaworthy boats.

Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni has been under increasing pressure to manage migrant arrivals in Italy after they are rescued at sea. Details about the operation were not disclosed, but Gentiloni said Italy would not be sending a huge fleet or air squadrons.

Italys parliamentary commissions will review the mission next week. Gentiloni said he hoped the initiative would receive broad approval.

 Associated Press

56 injured in train crash in Spain: A Spanish commuter train crashed into a buffer at a station in Barcelona, tossing passengers to the floor, officials said. The public works minister said 56 people received medical treatment, with 53 taken to hospitals. Health authorities said one man was seriously injured but was not in danger. The accident came as Renfe rail workers staged a one-day strike. The train was running as part of minimum services ordered by authorities.

2 teens suspected of arson in French wildfires: Two boys went before a judge on suspicion of deliberately starting one of the wildfires that devastated parts of southeastern France and Corsica this week, an official said. Authorities have tamed most of the blazes, which scorched more than 17,300 acres and forced the evacuation of thousands in the worst fires in France in over a decade. The boys, both 16, also face charges of theft and could be sentenced to 15 years in prison.

9 bodies found in a pile in Mexico: Nine bodies were found in a bloody pile in the border city of Nuevo Laredo, across from Laredo, Tex., Mexican authorities reported. A Tamaulipas state official said a handwritten sign was left atop the bodies. This is not a joke, nephew, read the sign, according to photos published in local media. Such messages are frequently left by drug cartels as warnings to rivals.

Chinese villager sentenced to death over massacre: A court in southwest China sentenced to death a man who killed 19 people, including his parents, with a pickax. The court in Yunnan province said Yang Qingpei, a 27-year-old laborer, pleaded guilty and would not appeal the sentence. The court found that Yang killed his parents with a pickax in September after they scolded him over his gambling debts. It said he knifed 17 others to death to cover his tracks.

 From news services
That one of the greatest victories of World War II was a mass evacuation  more than 300,000 British and French troops taken off a beach at Dunkirk  was a preview of the industrial nature of that conflict. Feats of organization  such as the return of Allied troops to other French beaches on D-Day  took precedence over military panache. It is the reason that Dwight Eisenhower was the indispensable irreplaceable man, not George Patton.

But Dunkirk also proved the comparative advantage that democracies have in modern war: the ability of free people to self-organize. It was nearly 900 private watercraft, including pleasure boats and paddle steamers, that braved the Luftwaffe to ferry the surrounded troops home. The future of a free Britain was delivered directly by its own citizens.

Christopher Nolans film Dunkirk is a spare telling of that story from the firsthand perspective of soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilians. Only briefly does the camera pull out to reveal the epic scale of events. Most of the time we are scrambling, flying, swimming and sinking along with the confused participants. There is little dialogue and almost no back story for the main characters. The soldiers are played by essentially interchangeable young actors. But they somehow work as stand-ins for the waiting, vulnerable mass. They are not humanized, just human. And their motivation doesnt require much artistic development: doing everything they can to get off the damn beach and get home.

The craft of the movie is taking the fragmented individual experiences of the characters and weaving them, inexorably, into a narrative that clarifies in a single scene. I will not sully this review with a spoiler. But the events of the film eventually come together with a pleasing click, dramatizing how the choices of individuals, both noble and base, gather into something larger than themselves. In this case, the deliverance of a nation.

The government leaders of the time have no direct voice in the movie, including the familiar voice of Winston Churchill. The lack of political context works as an artistic device. But the experience of the movie (or so I lectured my children) is enriched by knowing some of the history. The swift collapse of France. The utter isolation of Britain. An American president hamstrung by isolationists, doing what he could to help.

The recognition that World War II was a citizens war should not obscure the importance of leadership. Dunkirk, perhaps more than any other event of the war, was Churchills moment. As French resistance disintegrated, it was estimated that only 45,000 soldiers could be taken off the beaches before the perimeter collapsed  effectively leaving Britain undefended to German invasion. Churchill told Parliament to prepare for hard and heavy tidings. To his War Cabinet he raised the possibility of contaminating British beaches with poisonous gas when the Germans came.

At the same time in the United States, Charles Lindbergh, the original advocate of America First, gave a radio address dismissing President Franklin Roosevelts proposal for rearmament as hysterical chatter. Roosevelt himself told the British ambassador that the British government might need to continue the war from Canada.

In London, Churchill was receiving the same suggestion to move the government and royal family across the Atlantic. He replied that no such discussion should be permitted. When the director of the National Gallery proposed sending the most irreplaceable paintings to Canada, Churchill replied, No, bury them in caves and cellars. None must go. We are going to beat them.

The tired men of Churchills government raised the prospect of a negotiated peace. Churchill responded, Nations which went down fighting rose again, but those who surrendered tamely were finished. Speaking to his full cabinet, he said, If this long island story of ours is to end at last, let it end only when each one of us lies choking in his own blood upon the ground.

The success at Dunkirk made Churchills defiance a realistic option and solidified his hold on power. Guns, ammunition and artillery to rearm the evacuated army flooded in from the Commonwealth and (by clever ruse) from the United States. British planning for a return to the continent began the same month as the Dunkirk evacuation ended. D-Day was already in mind.

It is a brilliant artifice in Dunkirk to have Churchills most famous oration  We shall fight on the beaches  read aloud by one of the soldiers who finally reaches safety. It was ordinary people who gave Churchills roar reality and force. But the roar was indispensable.

Read more from Michael Gersons archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook .
IN DEFIANCE of the vast majority of its own people, the Venezuelan government is pressing ahead with a plan to dismantle what remains of the countrys democratic political institutions. This Sunday it intends to stage a rigged vote to create a constituent assembly that would have the power to overrule all other bodies, including the elected National Assembly, state governors and courts. Though President Nicolas Maduro and the corrupt clique around him have been vague about their ultimate intentions, its probable the constituent assembly will be used to abolish the opposition-controlled legislature, cancel future elections and establish a regime resembling that of Cubas.

Months of daily street demonstrations by hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, in which more than 100 people have died and more than 1,000 have been injured, have done nothing to stop the regimes drive toward dictatorship. Last week, more than 7 million people opposed the constituent assembly in an opposition-organized referendum  or 2 million more than supported the government in the last election. The regime shrugged. Nor has it heeded appeals from its Latin American neighbors and other Western democracies.

Attempts to broker a deal between the government and the opposition by friendly socialist statesmen and the Vatican have failed, because Mr. Maduro and his associates, deeply involved in drug trafficking and massive theft, have no interest in compromise. A general strike and plans for another mass demonstration in Caracas on Friday are the oppositions last-ditch attempts to stop what can only be called a coup.

As a once-prosperous oil-producing nation has descended into political chaos and humanitarian crisis over the past several years, the response of the United States and other democracies has been consistently inadequate  too little and too late, as Luis Almagro, the secretary general of the Organization of American States, put it. A turning point was passed last year when the Obama administration, rather than insist that the regime respect a constitutional process for a recall election, instead pressured the opposition to participate in fruitless negotiations.

To its credit, the Trump administration has toughened U.S. policy, decreeing three rounds of sanctions on senior Venezuelan officials involved in drug trafficking and the suppression of democracy; 13 more people were named on Wednesday. President Trump issued a statement last week promising strong and swift economic actions if the constituent assembly election goes forward.

The risk now is that U.S. policy will go too far. The White House is reportedly considering sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports, which provide 95 percent of the countrys export revenues, including a possible ban on the approximately 700,000 barrels a day that go to the United States. That action would be devastating to Venezuelas 30 million people, who already face dire shortages of food and medicine. It will also give the Maduro regime an excuse for the catastrophic economic conditions it has created  and for which it now bears exclusive blame.

If the constituent assembly is called, the United States should react decisively  but it should do so in ways that punish Venezuelas corrupt rulers, not its long-suffering population.
Regarding the July 24 editorial Mr. Trumps election commission and E.J. Dionne Jr.s July 24 op-ed, The voter suppression fanatics get to work:

One wonders why the Republican Partys grass-roots loyalists havent revolted to protest the revolting implications levied against them by the president and the phony Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. If the ludicrous claim that 3 million to 5 million people voted illegally in 2016 is true, why havent at least some of them been caught?

Are local Republican poll-watchers incapable of seeing even one instance of such massive fraud? Are Republican attorneys at the municipal, county and state levels not vigilant enough to seize a chance to indict such voting fraudsters and boost their own political prospects?

Why havent Republican secretaries of state responded to this epidemic of, well, fake voting?

These are the intensely loyal men and women who take their Election Day responsibilities very seriously, and yet if we are to believe President Trump and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach (R), the commissions vice chair, these party stalwarts stand accused of mis-, non- or mal-feasance, or all of the above. Ridiculous.

Lester Shapiro, Washington

We are missing the point. If there is to be a voting commission, the aim of the commission should be to address the typical very low turnout in just about every local, state and national election, rather than the issue of voter fraud. Voter turnout in this country is appalling. Instead of wasting time looking for voter fraud, we need to be finding ways to encourage voters to go to the polls and participate in our democracy. If we should be worried about anything, it is not only the current policies and practices that discourage and create barriers to voting but also voter apathy itself, which is the greatest inhibitor of voting.

Voter apathy and indifference have an impact on our democracy. In fact, nationwide, voter turnout by state varies from a low of about 20 percent (in municipal elections) to a high of approximately 60 percent  not something to be proud of. Lets do something about that instead of chasing the ghosts of phantom voters.

Andrea S. Ingram, Laurel
If a state land purchase deal goes through, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks will gain over 10,000 acres at Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area in Powell County next year.

FWP is proposing to purchase 10,101 acres of land from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Currently, both state agencies own land in the Spotted Dog, creating a checkerboard ownership between two state agencies that have different missions. If the purchase goes through, it will benefit hunters and wildlife, say officials from both agencies.

How much FWP will pay for the cost of the land is unclear at this early stage in the process, said Michael Thompson, FWP regional wildlife manager.

FWP will offer the appraised value for the land, Thompson said. But the appraisal wont take place until sometime after this public comment period, currently open until Aug. 14, ends. The public will have ample opportunity to comment again after the purchase price information becomes available. This is the first step, when the agencies are scoping out the project.

If FWP buys the land, it will own the entirety of the Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area, which amounts to a total of 37,877 acres.

That will be good news for hunters, said Thompson.

Hunters will no longer need to worry about which parcel of state land theyre on, Thompson said.

The two different state agencies operate with different rules and regulations, making the checkerboard ownership potentially confusing for the public. FWPs mission is wildlife management. DNRC spokesperson John Grassy told The Montana Standard the DNRCs primary use for land is to make money. The DNRC leases land it owns to ranchers for grazing. The DNRC also leases state land for mineral rights and oil and gas leases. The money earned goes into a state account that provides dollars for education and school improvement and helps a handful of state-run public institutions.

Thats not compatible with the management priorities FWP has, said Grassy.

One example of how the checkerboard ownership can be confusing for hunters and counterproductive for wildlife is elk management. FWP considers the Spotted Dog important winter range for elk and closes its land within the management area to the public from Dec. 1 to May 15 annually.

This allows elk to get through the winter without disturbance, Thompson said.

But the DNRC does not close the land it owns in the Spotted Dog during that time. This makes it potentially confusing for hunters.

The land owned by the DNRC is also not contiguous within the wildlife management area.

If the deal goes through, the money the DNRC will gain from the sale goes into a land banking account. The current balance on that account is $18,716,902.

Down the road, maybe in another year or three, when we see an opportunity to acquire a sizeable block of land that would give us as much acreage as well lose in the Spotted Dog, well purchase it through land banking, Grassy said.

The public will get good access to the land and equal or higher return on the new land purchase as the Spotted Dog parcel, and the eventual revenue from the new land purchase will go into the states trust fund account.

Personnel from both agencies say that after the public comment period ends in mid-August, the next step would be to consider the comments from the public and then start an environmental assessment. Once that is complete, the agencies will open the purchase project up to another comment period, giving the public a chance to consider the environmental assessment and voice opinions on that.

The approval process will also be vetted by both the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission and through the states land board. Thompson said that, if all goes smoothly, the purchasing process will likely take about a year.

The Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area is to the west of the Helena National Forest. The town of Deer Lodge is six miles from the southwest corner boundary. The towns of Avon, Elliston, and Garrison form the northern boundary.

Its a big deal. Its a lot of land, said Thompson.
After Freddie Grays death and the ensuing riots, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) spent long days and countless hours meeting with community, religious and government officials in West Baltimore. The governor promised it was the beginning of a dialogue and claimed his administration would address the underlying causes fueling the unrest. He even shot hoops with the residents of Sandtown-Winchester, just blocks from where Gray had been arrested.

More than two years have passed since Grays death. Unfortunately, armored vehicles and continued disinvestment are all the governor has offered the most distressed and segregated neighborhoods in his state.

First, Hogan canceled the Red Line, a proposed $2.9 billion light-rail investment project. The Red Line would have provided job, grocery and health-care access, incentivized regional developers to seek transit-oriented development projects and attracted millennials and others desiring a car-free lifestyle to West Baltimore. His careless decision not only tossed a decade of regional planning and dedicated federal funding into the dustbin of Baltimores fraught transit history but also redirected funding to unnecessary and unsustainable rural road projects. Adding insult to injury, the governor approved the Purple Line in Prince Georges and Montgomery counties and then opposed the Open Transportation Investment Decision Act, common-sense legislation designed to increase transparency regarding how transportation projects are funded and maximize returns on public investment.

Standing in Sandtown, the governor pretended to address West Baltimores vacancy issue by announcing his Creating Opportunities for Renewal and Enterprise program. Project Core was promoted as a $700 million plan to tear down thousands of vacant homes and spur urban development. However, this was largely political theater, not major state support for neighborhood reinvestment. Nearly 90 percent of the revitalization dollars that Hogan touted were previously planned state funding, anticipated tax credits or subsidized financing not appropriate for demolition. While a much smaller $28.4 million investment over four years, guaranteed by the Maryland Stadium Authority, is a welcome addition to Baltimore Citys overall and limited demolition budget, this level of funding is a far cry from what is needed to rebuild  not just knock down  neighborhoods in West Baltimore.

Finally, despite strong community support, a proven development team and a forward-thinking, mixed-use transit-oriented development plan, Hogan rejected the rental agreements for State Center, axing a $1.5 billion neighborhood-transformation project for West Baltimore. The project, more than a decade in the making, would have put a grocery store in a West Baltimore food desert, combated job sprawl, improved conditions for state employees, reduced deferred maintenance costs on obsolete buildings and reconnected Baltimore neighborhoods severed by the failures of urban renewal. Instead, Hogan opted for a lawsuit on taxpayers backs.

For Maryland to compete and succeed, state leadership must play a critical role in rebuilding and revitalizing its urban core and largest employment center. But Hogans love for Baltimore has been nothing more than lip service; since Freddie Grays death, his major decisions around transit, housing and economic development all suggest he wants West Baltimore to crumble.

The writer is president of the Citizens Planning and Housing Association Inc., a nonprofit focused on housing, transit and community leadership development in Baltimore City.
If President Trump ordered a senior government official to support the firing of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, how should that person respond?

Adm. Mike Rogers, head of the National Security Agency, answered my question about such a problem onstage last week at the Aspen Security Forum. He began with a caveat that he wouldnt answer a hypothetical, so it shouldnt be taken as a direct comment on Mueller, but he did offer a personal statement that brought spontaneous applause:

I will not violate the oath I have taken in my 36 years as a commissioned officer. He said that he regularly reminds NSA employees to recall their own oaths and ask themselves: Why are we here? What are we about? What is it that we are defending? . . . I wont sacrifice that for anyone.

In Trumps Washington, its a fact of life that officials must now weigh whether they would follow presidential orders that might be improper or illegal. Officials mull (and occasionally, discuss quietly) what to do if a presidential request for loyalty conflicts with their sense of right and wrong.

A possible order to fire Mueller is an imminent concern, but there are other tests of loyalty and conscience that could arise with this impulsive, policy-by-Twitter chief executive.

(Taylor Turner/The Washington Post)

Take Trumps proclamation Wednesday that transgender people shouldnt serve in the military. This apparently caught the Pentagon by surprise and contradicted a wait-and-see statement by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. How should he and his generals respond to the presidents edict?

Mattis and his commanders must also ponder how they would react to an impulsive order to conduct military action somewhere. Can they say no to the commander in chief?

Presidential orders cannot ordinarily be ignored or dismissed. Our system gives the commander in chief extraordinary power. Jack Goldsmith, a Harvard University law professor and former assistant attorney general, explained in an email: A subordinate in the executive branch has a presumptive duty to carry out the command of the president. If one doesnt want to for any reason, one can resign  or refuse the order and face a strong likelihood of being fired.

For a military officer, the standard is even tougher. Soldiers must obey orders unless theyre unlawful. Under our system of civilian control, if the president issues an order (as on transgender soldiers), the militarys default response is to carry it out. Courts may find the presidential order to have been unconstitutional, but the military cannot make its own policy or law.

How should Congress and Justice Department officials weigh their choices as Trump threatens openly to fire Attorney General Jeff Sessions, presumably to clear the way for firing Mueller? Its useful to think about the unthinkable  as a way of surfacing, and hopefully preventing, abuse of power.

Lets start with Justice. Because Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation, an order to fire Mueller, for now, would go to Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein  who has strongly indicated that he would refuse. In June, members of the Senate Appropriations Committee got this commitment: I am not going to follow any orders unless I believe those are lawful and appropriate orders. Special counsel Mueller may be fired only for good cause, and I am required to put that cause in writing.

Can Congress obtain similar pledges from other senior officials of the Justice Department who would be in the chain of command? During the Watergate scandal, Attorney General Elliot Richardson and his deputy, William Ruckelshaus, felt bound by the commitments they had given Congress not to fire special prosecutor Archibald Cox. A similar chain of obligation should be forged now, to circumscribe Trumps ability to sack Mueller.

1 of 58 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  A look at President Trumps first year in office, so far View Photos Scenes from the Republicans first six months in the White House. Caption Scenes from the Republicans beginning months in the White House. Jan. 25, 2017 Trump signs an executive order for border security and immigration enforcement improvements at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington. Chip Somodevilla/Pool photo via Bloomberg News Wait 1 second to continue.

Given the expectation that Rosenstein (and probably others) would quit rather than fire Mueller, the White House seems to be thinking about installing a new attorney general who wouldnt have the recusal problem and could be counted on to fire Trumps nemesis. Members of Congress are said to be gaming this option, thinking of ways to block a recess appointment or to extract a promise from any Sessions successor to leave Mueller alone. Thats another good firewall.

Protecting Mueller by statute may be impossible because of the constitutional separation of powers. If he is fired, though, Congress could enact a new independent counsel law, at least providing the authority needed for a continuing investigation that would get to the truth of what happened. In dealing with this administration, lawmakers and other officials cant wait until the bomb detonates; they should begin to take precautions now.

Read more from David Ignatiuss archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
EMPLOYING THE same sense of urgency with which the region has addressed Metros daunting financial and governance problems  which is to say, not much urgency at all  state and local officials are plodding their way toward establishing a new safety oversight commission for the transit system. It has been a long time coming.

For years, complacency was the watchword when it came to maintenance and safety on the subway system, the result being a drumbeat of lapses, mishaps and lethal accidents. Alarm bells kept sounding, and officials kept ignoring them. Its almost like we are talking with someone who is tone-deaf, the chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, Deborah A.P. Hersman, said in 2010, a year after a Red Line crash left nine people dead and 80 injured. They are not hearing it, they are not getting it, and they are not addressing the problems.

Finally, in October 2015, the Federal Transit Administration took the unprecedented step of seizing Metros safety oversight function, displacing what had been a toothless, virtually inert local body called the Tri-State Oversight Committee. And even then, a sense of urgency was missing.

Rather than moving quickly to reestablish credible, muscular local oversight, lawmakers in Virginia, Maryland and the District dithered. Exasperated, then-Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx warned that federal funds would be withheld from the two states and the District unless they jointly created a permanent local oversight commission by February 2017.

That was inconvenient timing, especially for Maryland and Virginia, whose legislatures convene in January, meaning theyd have just weeks to enact legislation and stand up the new oversight body, which would require naming commissioners and hiring a director and staff  a legislative, administrative and logistical impossibility.

State officials cried foul, as did virtually every member of the two states congressional delegations. (Withholding the funds is crude, punitive, and arbitrary, as 11 Democratic lawmakers put it in a letter to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.) But the feds had heard enough, and the changeover from the Obama to the Trump administration brought no relief.

To date, the result has been nearly $9 million in federal funds withheld from the three jurisdictions  not only from Metro, but also from transit projects and programs as distant as Roanoke and Baltimore. And because it will take several months more to get the commission staffed and running, to the point where it can reclaim safety oversight from the FTA, a further $6 million in federal funds is expected to be withheld in the coming two months.

The federal money is likely to be restored at that time. But the entire sorry saga is the latest episode illustrating the scope of the challenge of coordinating a collective response among Metros four distinct governing entities  the two states, the District and the feds. If it has been this difficult to establish a functioning local safety oversight body, how will Metros stakeholders agree on reforms to provide the system with adequate funding or efficient governance? Complacency wont get that job done.
In London last week, I met a Nigerian man who succinctly expressed the reaction of much of the world to the United States these days. Your country has gone crazy, he said, with a mixture of outrage and amusement. Im from Africa. I know crazy, but I didnt ever think I would see this in America.

A sadder sentiment came from a young Irish woman I met in Dublin who went to Columbia University, founded a social enterprise and has lived in New York for nine years. Ive come to recognize that, as a European, I have very different values than America these days, she said. I realized that I have to come back to Europe, somewhere in Europe, to live and raise a family.

The world has gone through bouts of anti-Americanism before. But this one feels very different. First, there is the sheer shock at what is going on, the bizarre candidacy of Donald Trump, which has been followed by an utterly chaotic presidency. The chaos is at such a fever pitch that one stalwart Republican, Karl Rove, described the president this week as vindictive, impulsive and shortsighted and his public shaming of Attorney General Jeff Sessions as unfair, unjustified, unseemly and stupid. Kenneth Starr, the onetime grand inquisitor of President Bill Clinton, went further, calling Trumps recent treatment of Sessions one of the most outrageous  and profoundly misguided  courses of presidential conduct I have witnessed in five decades in and around the nations capital.

But there is another aspect to the decline in Americas reputation. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey of 37 countries, people around the world increasingly believe that they can make do without America. Trumps presidency is making the United States something worse than just feared or derided. It is becoming irrelevant.

The most fascinating finding of the Pew survey was not that Trump is deeply unpopular (22 percent have confidence in him, compared with 64 percent who had confidence in Barack Obama at the end of his presidency). That was to be expected  but there are now alternatives. On the question of confidence in various leaders to do the right thing regarding world affairs, Chinas Xi Jinping and Russias Vladimir Putin got slightly higher marks than Trump. But German Chancellor Angela Merkel got almost twice as much support as Trump. (Even in the United States, more respondents expressed confidence in Merkel than in Trump.) This says a lot about Trump, but it says as much about Merkels reputation and how far Germany has come since 1945.

(Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)

Trump has managed to do something that Putin could not. He has unified Europe. As the continent faces the challenges of Trump, Brexit and populism, a funny thing has happened. Support for Europe among its residents has risen, and plans for deeper European integration are underway. If the Trump administration proceeds as it has promised and initiates protectionist measures against Europe, the continents resolve will only strengthen. Under the combined leadership of Merkel and new French President Emmanuel Macron, Europe will adopt a more activist global agenda. Its economy has rebounded and is now growing as fast as that of the United States.

To Americas north, Canadas foreign minister recently spoke out, in a friendly and measured way, noting that the United States has clearly signaled that it is no longer willing to bear the burdens of global leadership, leaving it to countries such as Canada to stand up for a rules-based international system, free trade and human rights. To Americas south, Mexico has abandoned any plans for cooperation with the Trump administration. Trumps approval rating in Mexico is 5 percent, his lowest of all the countries Pew surveyed.

Chinas leadership began taking advantage of Trumps rhetoric and foreign policy right from the start, announcing that it was happy to play the role of chief promoter of trade and investment around the world, cutting deals with countries from Latin America to Africa to Central Asia. According to the Pew survey, seven of 10 European countries now believe that China is the worlds leading economic power, not the United States.

The most dismaying of Pews findings is that the drop in regard for America goes well beyond Trump. Sixty-four percent of the people surveyed expressed a favorable view of the United States at the end of the Obama presidency. That has fallen to 49 percent now. Even when U.S. foreign policy was unpopular, people around the world still believed in America  the place, the idea. This is less true today.

In 2008, I wrote a book about the emerging Post-American World, which, I noted at the start, was not about the decline of America but rather the rise of the rest. Amid the parochialism, ineptitude and sheer disarray of the Trump presidency, the post-American world is coming to fruition much faster than I ever expected.

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Transparency, thy name is Trump, Donald Trump. No filter, no governor, no editor lies between his impulses and his public actions. He tweets, therefore he is.

Ronald Reagan was so self-contained and impenetrable that his official biographer was practically driven mad trying to figure him out. Donald Trump is penetrable, hourly.

Never more so than during his ongoing war on his own attorney general, Jeff Sessions. Trump has been privately blaming Sessions for the Russia cloud. But rather than calling him in to either work it out or demand his resignation, Trump has engaged in a series of deliberate public humiliations.

Day by day, he taunts Sessions, calling him beleaguered and very weak and attacking him for everything from not firing the acting FBI director (which Trump could do himself in an instant) to not pursuing criminal charges against Hillary Clinton.

What makes the spectacle so excruciating is that the wounded Sessions plods on, refusing the obvious invitation to resign his dream job, the capstone of his career. After all, he gave up his safe Senate seat to enter the service of Trump. Where does he go?

(Taylor Turner/The Washington Post)

Trump relishes such a cat-and-mouse game and, by playing it so openly, reveals a deeply repellent vindictiveness in the service of a pathological need to display dominance.

Dominance is his game. Doesnt matter if you backed him, as did Chris Christie, cast out months ago. Or if you opposed him, as did Mitt Romney, before whom Trump ostentatiously dangled the State Department, only to snatch it away, leaving Romney looking the foolish supplicant.

Yet the Sessions affair is more than just a study in character. It carries political implications. It has caused the first crack in Trumps base. Not yet a split, mind you. The base is simply too solid for that. But amid his 35 to 40 percent core support, some are peeling off, both in Congress and in the pro-Trump commentariat.

The issue is less characterological than philosophical. As Stephen Hayes of the Weekly Standard put it, Sessions was the original Trumpist  before Trump. Sessions championed hard-line trade, law enforcement and immigration policy long before Trump (who criticized Romney in 2012 for being far too tough on illegal immigrants, for example) rode these ideas to the White House.

For many conservatives, Sessions early endorsement of Trump served as an ideological touchstone. And Sessions has remained stalwart in carrying out Trumpist policies at Justice. That Trump could, out of personal pique, treat him so rudely now suggests to those conservatives how cynically expedient was Trumps adoption of Sessions ideas in the first place.

But beyond character and beyond ideology lies the most appalling aspect of the Sessions affair  reviving the idea of prosecuting Clinton.

In the 2016 campaign, there was nothing more disturbing than crowds chanting lock her up, often encouraged by Trump and his surrogates. After the election, however, Trump reconsidered, saying he would not pursue Clinton, who went through a lot and suffered greatly.

Now under siege, Trump has jettisoned magnanimity. Maybe she should be locked up after all.

This is pure misdirection. Even if every charge against Clinton were true and she got 20 years in the clink, it would change not one iota of the truth  or falsity  of the charges of collusion being made against the Trump campaign.

Moreover, in America we dont lock up political adversaries. They do that in Turkey. They do that (and worse) in Russia. Part of American greatness is that we dont criminalize our politics.

Last week, Trump spoke at the commissioning of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier. Ford was no giant. Nor did he leave a great policy legacy. But he is justly revered for his decency and honor. His great gesture was pardoning Richard Nixon, an act for which he was excoriated at the time and which cost him the 1976 election.

It was an act of political self-sacrifice, done for precisely the right reason. Nixon might indeed have committed crimes. But the spectacle of an ex-president on trial and perhaps even in jail was something Ford would not allow the country to go through.

In doing so, he vindicated the very purpose of the presidential pardon. On its face, its perverse. It allows one person to overturn equal justice. But the Founders understood that there are times, rare but vital, when social peace and national reconciliation require contravening ordinary justice. Ulysses S. Grant amnestied (technically: paroled) Confederate soldiers and officers at Appomattox, even allowing them to keep a horse for the planting.

In Trump World, the better angels are not in evidence.

To be sure, Trump is indeed examining the pardon power. For himself and his cronies.

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Robert M. Blue is president and chief executive of Dominion Energy Power Delivery Group.

Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey A. Stewart (R) recently dismissed the need for a new electric transmission line in western Prince William County. Ironically, a county news release touted Prince Williams rapid and continuing economic growth, based in part on continued access to even more reliable power.

However, Stewart, who announced this month that he is running for U.S. Senate, said he would accept building the line if it were partially buried, which would cost $167 million. Not for reliability reasons but to keep his constituents from seeing it. That could mean instead that a young family in Fairfax County or a widow in Portsmouth would see higher electric bills to make Stewart happy. Stewart said, Not our problem. The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) has emphatically said no.

We hope this political showmanship does not harm the countys growth prospects or, worse, jeopardize the reliable electric service of the people he was elected to serve.

At issue is the need for Dominion Energy to build an electric transmission line to serve increased energy demands in the Haymarket area, including for a data center. Stewart bragged in 2015 about rapid growth in the Route 15 corridor and that it is going to trigger the need for more power. So which is it, Stewart? Which direction are the political winds blowing today?

Electric transmission lines are a fact of life. Without them, there are no lights, air conditioning, smartphones, apps or jobs. How do we help maintain the quality of life that electricity affords while reasonably minimizing the impacts of necessary infrastructure improvements? Customers help pay for the collective benefits of preserving a healthy and robust energy grid, which is why we must be prudent and responsible. In this case, the SCC has determined underground transmission lines fall short.

In 2014, Dominion focused on a route that primarily parallels a railroad, limiting the number of homes that would be near the transmission line. But a homeowners association collaborated with Stewart to block that path by deeding a parcel of land to the county, even after we advised the county on at least two occasions that alternate overhead routes probably would have more negative impacts. As a result, we proposed to the SCC an overhead route that parallels Interstate 66 in an existing infrastructure corridor, which the SCC encourages.

Routing a new electric transmission facility is often a very difficult process for the company, for the communities along its route, for local government and for the regulators who must make the final decision on the project. To say finding a buildable path is a challenge, even when local government is committed to helping, is an understatement, but it is a responsibility we dont take lightly.

The circulation of misinformation creates even more needless confusion. Let us be clear on three points. First, we have already shown and the SCC has already determined the clear need for and broad public benefit of this project: 450 customers would be served directly from the new substation, and it would maintain reliability for more than 6,000 customers in the area. The need has not gone away. Second, we are not looking to take anyones homes or force people off their land. That is not our desire, nor is it needed. Third, the Carver Road route was developed as a direct result of the county chairmans side negotiations, not because of poor planning, race, ethnicity, income or anything of the sort.

Stewarts decision to block the railroad route caused the SCC to select the Carver Road route, which runs through a neighborhood with a strong legacy and on land held dear for generations. It wasnt our preference; it wasnt the SCCs first choice. We offered it to the SCC as an option only after the railroad route was blocked and because we have an obligation to provide alternatives. Yet we find ourselves again with Stewart seeking to thwart the SCCs impartial authority in siting transmission lines. That leads one to question how the county expects power to reach an area it was instrumental in developing.

Stewarts actions have created anxiety unnecessarily and havent moved us closer to a resolution. We are committed to finding a collaborative solution regarding the Haymarket transmission line  one that continues reliable service for all of our customers and enables future prosperity through economic development.

We ask Stewart to set aside his personal political goals and come to the table with a willingness to reach a real solution. County residents and all of those throughout the commonwealth who value reliable energy and reasonable electric rates are counting on us.

[Editors note: Public records show the data center would be owned by VAData, an Amazon.com subsidiary. Jeffrey P. Bezos, founder and chief executive of Amazon, owns The Washington Post.]
Ronald Rotunda is a professor at Chapman Universitys Fowler School of Law.

Nearly two decades ago, then-independent counsel Kenneth Starr asked me to evaluate whether a federal grand jury could indict a sitting president  in that case, Bill Clinton. My answer  that such an action would be permissible  was recently unearthed in response to a Freedom of Information Act request from the New York Times, and it may have relevance for a new special counsel and the current president.

(Adriana Usero/The Washington Post)

My fundamental conclusion remains intact: Nothing in the Constitution would bar a federal grand jury from returning charges against a sitting president for committing a serious felony. But  and this is a big but  differences between the Clinton situation then and the investigation of President Trump now mean that where Starr had the authority to indict Clinton if he chose, Mueller most likely does not possess the same power.

On the underlying question of whether the Constitution bars indictment of a sitting president, no previous case is directly on point. The Justice Department has taken a different view than the conclusion I reached  both beforehand, during the Watergate investigation, and afterward, at the end of the Clinton administration. But the history and language of the Constitution and Supreme Court precedents suggest that the president does not enjoy general immunity from prosecution.

First, the framers knew how to write a clause granting such immunity when they wanted to. Members of Congress enjoy privilege from arrest in civil cases when going to and from Congress (now irrelevant because we no longer use that procedure) and may not be criminally prosecuted for any speech or debate in Congress. If the framers wanted to protect the president from prosecution while in office and to make impeachment the sole mechanism for proceeding against a president, they could and would have said so.

Second, some argue that criminal prosecution would distract the president and make him unable to perform his duties. During Watergate, Richard Nixons lawyers argued that if the president were indictable while in office, any prosecutor and grand jury would have within their power the ability to cripple an entire branch of the national government and hence the whole system. The Supreme Court never reached that question, and Nixon left office without being indicted.

In my view, questions about crippling the government are not compelling, and the precedents in favor of the power to indict a sitting president were strengthened with the Supreme Courts ruling that a private sexual harassment lawsuit against Clinton involving alleged conduct before he took office could go forward even during his presidency.

As I wrote in the memo to Starr, If the president is indicted, the government will not shut down, any more than it shut down when the Court ruled that the president must answer a civil suit brought by Paula Jones. In addition, the 25th Amendment offers another answer to the government-could-not-proceed objection, by providing a mechanism to keep the executive branch running if the president is temporarily unable to discharge his powers. In this country, no one is above the law.

Nonetheless, there is a significant  in fact, likely dispositive  difference between the Clinton situation and that facing Trump. Starr served as independent counsel under a now-defunct statute. By contrast, special counsel Robert S. Mueller III serves under Justice Department regulations put in place after the independent counsel law expired.

This is not a technical distinction but one that I discussed in my memo, distinguishing between the independent counsel statute and the regulations such as those establishing Muellers office.

And this difference has enormous implications for Muellers power. Supreme Court cases going back 150 years emphasize that the president retains complete authority to control federal criminal prosecutions. Without a statutorily appointed special counsel given special tenure, Trump could fire anyone who tried to indict him.

Moreover, the regulations governing Mueller mandate that he comply with the rules, regulations, procedures, practices and policies of the Department of Justice. They permit removal of the special counsel for good cause, including violation of Departmental policies.

As Clinton was about to leave office, his Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel ruled that the president could not be indicted. Is this legal opinion a departmental policy that binds Mueller? It would seem so, given that OLCs stated function is to provide controlling advice to Executive Branch officials on questions of law (emphasis added). If that creates a Catch-22 situation in which a special counsel can never proceed against a president, my answer is: I dont write the rules, I just read them.

As interesting as this debate is, it also strikes me as entirely premature. In my assessment, the case against Trump right now amounts to a mountain of innuendo built on a foundation of loose sand. The facts so far do not come close to making an obstruction case against the president, and for now there is no evidence that he engaged in any underlying crime.

If and when Mueller comes up with something that might create an indictable case, though, he is apt to run into serious questions about the limitations of his office, questions that Starr did not face.
The Court of Mad King Donald is not a presidency. It is an affliction, one that saps the life out of our democratic institutions, and it must be fiercely resisted if the nation as we know it is to survive.

I wish that were hyperbole. The problem is not just that President Trump is selfish, insecure, egotistical, ignorant and unserious. It is that he neither fully grasps nor minimally respects the concept of honor, without which our governing system falls apart. He believes honorable means obsequious in the service of Trump. He believes everyone elses motives are as base as his.

The Trump administration is, indeed, like the court of some accidental monarch who is tragically unsuited for the duties of his throne. However long it persists, we must never allow ourselves to think of the Trump White House as anything but aberrant. We must fight for the norms of American governance lest we forget them in their absence.

It gets worse and worse. The past week has marked a succession of new lows.

Trump has started a sustained campaign to goad or humiliate Attorney General Jeff Sessions into resigning. Trump has blasted Sessions on Twitter, at a news conference, in newspaper interviews and at a campaign-style rally. He has called Sessions beleaguered and said repeatedly how disappointed he is in the attorney general.

(Gillian Brockell,Adriana Usero/The Washington Post)

Forget, for the moment, that Sessions was the first sitting U.S. senator to support Trumps campaign, giving him credibility among conservatives. Forget also that Sessions is arguably having more success than any other Cabinet member in getting Trumps agenda implemented. Those things aside, what kind of leader treats a lieutenant with such passive-aggressive obnoxiousness? Trump is too namby-pamby to look Sessions in the eye and say, Youre fired.

Thats what the president clearly is trying to summon the courage to do, however. The Post reported that Trump has been musing with his courtiers about the possibility of firing Sessions and naming a replacement during the August congressional recess.

Trump has no respect for the rule of law. He is enraged that Sessions recused himself from the investigation of Russias meddling in the election, and thus is not in a position to protect the House of Trump from special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. According to the New York Times, Sharing the presidents frustration have been people in his family, some of whom have come under scrutiny in the Russia investigation. Im guessing that means the presidents eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Who elected them , by the way?

Trump seeks to govern by whim and fiat. On Wednesday morning, he used Twitter to announce a ban on transgender people serving in the military, surprising his own top military leaders. A Pentagon spokesman told reporters to ask the White House for details; White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters to ask the Pentagon. Was Trump trying to reignite the culture wars? Would the thousands of transgender individuals now serving in the military be purged? Was this actual policy or just a fit of indigestion?

Inside the mad kings court, the internecine battles are becoming ever more brutal. Members of Trumps inner circle seek his favor by leaking negative information about their rivals. This administration is more hostile to the media than any in recent memory but is also more eager to whisper juicy dirt about the ambitious courtier down the hall.

Trumps new favorite, Anthony Scaramucci, struts around more like a chief of staff than a communications director, which is his nominal role. Late Wednesday night  after dining with Trump and his head cheerleader, Sean Hannity  Scaramucci took a metaphorical rapier to the actual chief of staff, Reince Priebus, by strongly hinting on Twitter that Priebus leaks to reporters. The next morning, Scaramucci told CNN that if Reince wants to explain that hes not a leaker, let him do that. And in a profanity-laden phone call to the New Yorkers Ryan Lizza, Scaramucci called Priebus a f---ing paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac.

Why bring in Scaramucci? Because, I fear, the mad king is girding for war. Trump is reckless enough to fire Mueller if he digs too deeply into the business dealings of the Trump Organization and the Kushner Companies.

1 of 58 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  A look at President Trumps first year in office, so far View Photos Scenes from the Republicans first six months in the White House. Caption Scenes from the Republicans beginning months in the White House. Jan. 25, 2017 Trump signs an executive order for border security and immigration enforcement improvements at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington. Chip Somodevilla/Pool photo via Bloomberg News Wait 1 second to continue.

What then? Will Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) draft and push through a new special-prosecutor statute so that Mueller can quickly be reappointed? Will House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) immediately open debate on articles of impeachment? Will we, the people, defend our democracy?

Do not become numb to the mad kings outrages. The worst is yet to come.

Read more from Eugene Robinsons archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. You can also join him Tuesdays at 1 p.m. for a live Q&A.
Jennifer Reese the author of Make the Bread, Buy the Butter, writes the food blog the Tipsy Baker.

That this reviewer, a food writer and lifelong cookbook collector, opened a book titled What She Ate: Six Remarkable Women and the Food That Tells Their Stories with a slightly weary sigh suggests that our appetite for food narratives might be close to sated. That after reading food historian Laura Shapiros bracing first essay I devoured the rest of her book in one sitting suggests that theres plenty of room left for work like Shapiros.

Food writing is often unrigorous, more emotional than cerebral. But Shapiro approaches her subject like a surgeon, analytical tools sharpened. The result is a collection of essays that are tough, elegant and fresh.

Shapiro starts from the premise that everyday meals constitute a guide to human character and composes her portraits by poring over grocery lists, diaries and third-person accounts of sometimes abysmal dinner parties. Of the figures she chose to profile, only two had completely healthy relationships with food. Rosa Lewis, the Edwardian-era caterer whose life inspired the BBC series The Duchess of Duke Street, rose from Cockney scullery maid to fixture of the British aristocracy on the strength of her turtle soup and truffles boiled in champagne. Shapiros sketch of this salty character doubles as a concise social-culinary history of early-20th-century London.

The British novelist Barbara Pym also used food to advance her career. Pym enjoyed teasing out the connections between table and character, as does Shapiro, who traces the jottings in Pyms diaries to the meals of roast duckling and blancmange that vivify her sly, undersung tales of vicars and spinsters.

What She Ate, by Laura Shapiro (Viking)

[Eat, Live, Love, Die: At 89, Betty Fussells hard-earned recipe for happiness]

But many of the possible uses and meanings of food are less wholesome. The other women in this book variously gorged on, weaponized, disdained and feared food. What did these dysfunctions say about their lives? Shapiros opening essay on the poet and diarist Dorothy Wordsworth is a dazzler, a work of inspired literary sleuthing. Shapiro reconstructs Wordsworths youth via the repeated, offhand references to food in her early diaries (I made bread & A wee Rhubarb Tart & batter pudding), which she likens to the gently recurring rhymes in a sonnet. Wordsworth began her adult life cooking simple, delicious meals for her brother, the Romantic poet William, with whom she was extremely (some have said incestuously) close. But after Williams marriage, Wordworth gradually settled into the often thankless role of the familys all-purpose spinster. The cheerful food allusions grew scanter and grimmer until they stopped altogether. Wordsworth found a way to rebel, though. Shapiros account of the final chapter of Wordworths eating life is too chilling to spoil here.

Shapiro has less success getting inside the pretty head of Eva Braun, Adolf Hitlers mistress, but we probably arent missing much: Brauns head appears to have been empty. Shapiro shows us a vapid, childlike woman who ate very little in order to stay slender. She appears as a decorative charmer, champagne flute in hand, fluttering around Hitler at his banquets, softening the face of the Third Reich straight to the end. Shortly before her death, holed up in the Berlin bunker with Hitler and his henchmen, she was still keeping up appearances, and brightly offered cake and Moet et Chandon to an astonished visitor.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Eleanor Roosevelt was ensuring that everyone who dined at the White House endured an epically dreadful meal. If all you ever read about the former first lady is this essay, the strongest in the book, youll understand her strengths and vulnerabilities, as well as the possibly subconscious ways she used food to channel her resentments. Upon arriving at the White House, Roosevelt installed the most reviled cook in presidential history and refused ever to fire her. For the next 12 years, the Roosevelts sat down daily to leathery roasts, watery vegetables and atrocities such as Eggs Mexican, a melange of fried eggs, bananas and rice. Shapiro builds a strong case that Roosevelt hired and kept this incompetent cook to spite and punish her husband for his inattention and affairs.

Indeed, the only dish in this book that sounds as revolting as Eggs Mexican is Helen Gurley Browns version of hot buttered rum. It called for Butter Buds, a packet of Equal, rum and hot water. Cheers?

For Brown, the editor of Cosmopolitan magazine from 1965 to 1997, fat was disgraceful and calories a diabolical force to be resisted at all costs. Shapiro didnt have to dig deep to uncover Browns pathology as Brown, a self-described grown-up anorectic, crowed about it constantly: I have dumped champagne (which I adore) into other peoples glasses when they werent looking or, in a real emergency, into a split-leaf philodendron, wrapped eclairs in a hanky and put them in my purse, once in an emergency, sequestered one behind the cushion of an upholstered chair  in a napkin of course.

[How Liz Taylor liked her pasta and other secrets from a food detective]

Napkin or no, that was a rotten thing to do to someones chair. But for Brown, thinness trumped etiquette. She emerges as both formidably accomplished and, literally, stunted. Shapiro doesnt delve into the ways that Brown, unlike the other women in the book, inflicted her food obsessions on the culture at large. This might have been worth a few pages. For decades, Cosmo was displayed at supermarket checkout stands to be studied by waiting children and adults alike. Browns nearly naked models and lurid coverlines juxtaposing sex and slenderness helped shape  or perhaps the right word is warp  a generations attitude toward food and the female body.

Indeed, Brown would be a sorry figure with which to end this splendid book if the very existence of this book were not evidence that the values she touted have shifted. While thinness is still prized, more forgiving standards of beauty have been embraced since Browns heyday. And a vibrant food culture has burgeoned, one that has spawned a rich body of literature to which What She Ate is just the latest addition.
Maybe Im doing this all wrong.

For five years, Ive been identifying Donald Trump, now president of the United States, as a nutter. Ive called him crazy, daft, a madman, barking mad and mad as a March hare, and Ive diagnosed him  Im not a mental-health professional and have never examined the president  with narcissistic personality disorder and more. To that list, I feel compelled to add a few more technical observations: He also seems off his rocker, round the bend and a few fries short of a Happy Meal.

The belief that the commander in chief is barmy has become commonplace. Just this week two prominent senators, Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), were caught on a hot mic discussing Trump.

I think hes crazy, Reed said. I mean, I dont say that lightly and as a kind of a goofy guy.

Im worried, Collins replied.

(Senate Appropriations Committee)

Now Im worried, too. If the president really is  gulp  insane in the clinical sense and not just in the goofy sense, then perhaps we shouldnt be ridiculing him. Maybe I, and other critics, should approach him calmly, speak in hushed tones and treat him with compassion.

For advice, I turned to the recognized authority on such matters, the Internet. It turns out that, when it comes to best practices for dealing with serious mental disorders, Im doing a lot of the donts with Trump but not the things I should be doing.

Dont use sarcasm. Avoid humor. Dont criticize, accuse or blame. Avoid sounding patronizing or condescending. Dont assume they are not smart. Be respectful. Be aware that the delusions they may experience are their reality. Stay calm. Minimize distractions. Turn off the TV. Simplify  one topic at a time. Stick to present issues. Acknowledge what the other person says and how they feel, even if you dont agree.

All good advice, no doubt. Certainly, our patient would benefit from turning off the TV and minimizing distractions. He does much better when issues are simplified. He reacts poorly to criticism and accusation. And, unnervingly, he seems to believe the many false things he says.

But what works with troubled friends or family members doesnt work quite so well when dealing with worlds most powerful man. You cant just smile reassuringly when he tells you millions of people voted illegally in the election but he has no evidence that Russia interfered.

Both Reed and Collins have, quite rationally, softened their hot-mic conversation about Trumps irrationality. A Collins spokeswoman said that the senators worry about Trump was a reference referring to his handling of the budget. Reed, in an interview, told me he thinks Trumps troubles are more the result of inexperience than any neuropathology.

Were seeing somebody who has operated basically his whole life without anybody to check him, with no concept of the highly structured governmental sphere with checks and balances and legal restraints in terms of who does what, Reed said.

Trump, he said, has a moment-to-moment way of thinking, without an orderly, long-term strategy. When it comes to strategic thinking, its difficult to discern whos doing that, said Reed, an Army veteran and top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, who  incredibly  Trump has not once consulted.

Reed said he was encouraged that Trump has delegated, somewhat more than previous presidents, to figures such as Jim Mattis at the Pentagon and the commanders. He also sees growing willingness in Congress to defy the president on matters ranging from Russia sanctions to the budget.

That is encouraging, but its insufficient. Consider the list of irrational actions coming from the White House over the past week alone:

Trumps new communications director alleged that the presidents top strategist attempts an anatomically improbable sex act to himself, called White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus a paranoid schizophrenic and accused him of a felony. Priebus, one of Trumps only tethers to mainstream Republicans, quits.

Trump attacked Republican senators such as Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) whose votes he needed but failed to get on the GOP health-care bill, dealing it yet another defeat.

Trump publicly attacked his own attorney general and threatened to fire his health and human services secretary.

The Boy Scouts had to apologize after Trump gave a hyper-partisan speech to children.

Trump caught the Pentagon by surprise when he announced hes kicking transgender people out of the military, after botching the facts on Hezbollah while meeting the Lebanese prime minister.

And he jokes about being chiseled into Mount Rushmore.

It all brings to mind one more piece of advice I found online for dealing with people with serious mental-health issues: It may be necessary to lower your expectations.

Twitter: @Milbank

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Fishing restrictions on Silver Bow Ck., Clark Fork

To help ease the strain on fish as water temperatures rise, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is implementing fishing restrictions on the Upper Clark Fork River and Silver Bow Creek beginning Saturday.

The restriction would not allow fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight on the Clark Fork River from its origins at Warms Springs Creek to Rock Creek near Missoula and on Silver Bow Creek from its confluence with Blacktail Creek in Butte to where it enters Warm Springs ponds.

FWP looks to restrict fishing when water temperatures rise above 73 degrees for three consecutive days. This criteria has been met on both Silver Bow Creek and the Upper Clark Fork River. Restrictions will be in place until the water temperatures fall below 70 degrees for three consecutive days or Sept. 15.

Additionally, other waters in western Montana are seeing increased temperatures due to hot and dry weather.

As water temperatures increase, the amount of oxygen available for fish decreases and recovering from being caught is more difficult. Anglers interested in fishing during these hot summer days should consider fishing early in the day whether restrictions are in place or not. Anglers releasing fish should land the fish quickly and keep it in the water while removing the hook.

Bible camp at Central Junior High

A Vacation Bible Camp, "Maker Fun Factory, Built by God for a Purpose," will be from 8 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, July 31 through Aug. 4, at Butte Central Junior High School, 1100 Delaware St.

The cost is $45 per child, $70 for two siblings, and $90 for three or more siblings and includes all projects, snack, and a T-shirt. Parents can register Monday morning.

NCAT selling fresh produce on Wednesday

The National Center for Appropriate Technology will sell fresh produce from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, at NCAT's headquarters, 3040 Continental Dr. The produce comes from NCAT's SIFT Demonstration Farm. Details: 406-494-8675.

Hunter education class Aug. 14-18

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will hold its summer Butte hunter education class beginning Monday, Aug. 14, at Highlands College, 25 Basin Creek Rd.

Online registration is required, and students under 18 years of age must have the consent of a parent or guardian. A student must be at least 10 years old to register for the course.

Classes will run each night Monday through Friday, Aug. 14 through 18, with a mandatory field exercise on Sunday, Aug. 27. Parents are asked to stay for the first thirty minutes of class.

Online registration is required by going to FWP's website at fwp.mt.gov, clicking on "Education", then "Hunter Education", then "Find a Class or Field Course."

Prior to the first class meeting, students are required to read the hunter education manual and complete all chapter quizzes. If not complete, students will not be admitted. Manuals can be picked up at FWP's Butte Area Office, Bob Wards, or Three Bears in Butte.

'Montana Raptors' program Aug. 4

WHITEHALL  Montana State Parks will host "Montana Raptors" at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, east of Whitehall.

Loy Maierhauser from the Montana Raptor Conservation Center will lead an interactive program about the big birds that rule the Montana skies. Bring your children out for learning about migration in a fun and hands-on way.

Maierhauser is passionate about raptors and began working with them at age 14, doing bird shows at her family's business. Details: 406-287-3541.

Library has eclipse viewing glasses

ANACONDA  The full eclipse of the sun is Monday, Aug. 21, and the Hearst Free Library at 401 Main St., Anaconda, has 100 free viewing glasses for residents. The library will open at 9 a.m., and the eclipse is at 11:30 a.m. Residents are invited to watch the eclipse on the library lawn or at the Kennedy Commons.

Fun float and poker runs Aug. 12

DILLON  The Dillon Public Library's Family Fun Float and Poker Run is Saturday, Aug. 12, from the High Bridge to Barretts. Following the float, a barbecue will be held at Barretts. The cost is $5 per plate. There will also be horseshoes, volleyball, and ladder ball.

Participants must bring their own float tubes or boats. Registration is from 9 to 11 a.m., and the cost is $5 per hand of poker. Details: 406-693-4544.
With a billionaire real estate tycoon occupying Americas highest office, the effects of riches upon the soul are a reasonable concern for all of us little guys. After all, one incredibly wealthy soul currently holds our country in his hands. According to an apocryphal exchange between F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, the only difference between the rich and the rest of us is that they have more money. But is that the only difference?

We didnt used to think so. We used to think that having vast sums of money was bad and in particular bad for you  that it harmed your character, warping your behavior and corrupting your soul. We thought the rich were different, and different for the worse.

Today, however, we seem less confident of this. We seem to view wealth as simply good or neutral, and chalk up the failures of individual wealthy people to their own personal flaws, not their riches. Those who are rich, we seem to think, are not in any more moral danger than the rest of us. Compare how old movies preached the folk wisdom of wealths morally calamitous effects to how contemporary movies portray wealth: For example, the villainous Mr. Potter from Its A Wonderful Life to the heroic Tony Stark (that is, Iron Man) in the Avengers films.

The idea that wealth is morally perilous has an impressive philosophical and religious pedigree. Ancient Stoic philosophers railed against greed and luxury, and Roman historians such as Tacitus lay many of the empires struggles at the feet of imperial avarice. Confucius lived an austere life. The Buddha famously left his opulent palace behind. And Jesus didnt exactly go easy on the rich, either  think camels and needles, for starters.

The point is not necessarily that wealth is intrinsically and everywhere evil, but that it is dangerous  that it should be eyed with caution and suspicion, and definitely not pursued as an end in itself; that great riches pose great risks to their owners; and that societies are right to stigmatize the storing up of untold wealth. Thats why Aristotle, for instance, argued that wealth should be sought only for the sake of living virtuously  to manage a household, say, or to participate in the life of the polis. Here wealth is useful but not inherently good; indeed, Aristotle specifically warned that the accumulation of wealth for its own sake corrupts virtue instead of enabling it. For Hindus, working hard to earn money is a duty (dharma), but only when done through honest means and used for good ends. The function of money is not to satiate greed but to support oneself and ones family. The Koran, too, warns against hoarding money and enjoins Muslims to disperse it to the needy.

Some contemporary voices join this ancient chorus, perhaps none more enthusiastically than Pope Francis. Hes proclaimed that unless wealth is used for the good of society, and above all for the good of the poor, it is an instrument of corruption and death. And Francis lives what he teaches: Despite access to some of the sweetest real estate imaginable  the palatial papal apartments are the sort of thing that President Trumps gold-plated extravagance is a parody of  the pope bunks in a small suite in what is effectively the Vaticans hostel. In his official state visit to Washington, he pulled up to the White House in a Fiat so sensible that a denizen of Northwest D.C. would be almost embarrassed to drive it. When Francis entered the Jesuit order 59 years ago, he took a vow of poverty, and hes kept it.

According to many philosophies and faiths, then, wealth should serve only as a steppingstone to some further good and is always fraught with moral danger. We all used to recognize this; it was a commonplace. And this intuition, shared by various cultures across history, stands on firm empirical ground.

Over the past few years, a pile of studies from the behavioral sciences has appeared, and they all say, more or less, Being rich is really bad for you. Wealth, it turns out, leads to behavioral and psychological maladies. The rich act and think in misdirected ways.

When it comes to a broad range of vices, the rich outperform everybody else. They are much more likely than the rest of humanity to shoplift and cheat , for example, and they are more apt to be adulterers and to drink a great deal. They are even more likely to take candy that is meant for children. So whatever you think about the moral nastiness of the rich, take that, multiply it by the number of Mercedes and Lexuses that cut you off, and youre still short of the mark. In fact, those Mercedes and Lexuses are more likely to cut you off than Hondas or Fords: Studies have shown that people who drive expensive cars are more prone to run stop signs and cut off other motorists.

The rich are the worst tax evaders, and, as The Washington Post has detailed, they are hiding vast sums from public scrutiny in secret overseas bank accounts.

They also give proportionally less to charity  not surprising, since they exhibit significantly less compassion and empathy toward suffering people. Studies also find that members of the upper class are worse than ordinary folks at reading people s emotions and are far more likely to be disengaged from the people with whom they are interacting  instead absorbed in doodling, checking their phones or what have you. Some studies go even further, suggesting that rich people, especially stockbrokers and their ilk (such as venture capitalists, whom we once called robber barons), are more competitive, impulsive and reckless than medically diagnosed psychopaths. And by the way, those vices do not make them better entrepreneurs; they just have Mommy and Daddys bank accounts (in New York or the Cayman Islands) to fall back on when they fail.

Indeed, luxuries may numb you to other people  that Louis Vuitton bag may be a minor league Ring of Sauron. Some studies go so far as to suggest that simply being around great material wealth makes people less willing to share. Thats right: Vast sums of money poison not only those who possess them but even those who are merely around them. This helps explain why the nasty ethos of Wall Street has percolated down, including to our politics (though we really didnt need much help there).

So the rich are more likely to be despicable characters. And, as is typically the case with the morally malformed, the first victims of the rich are the rich themselves. Because they often let money buy their happiness and value themselves for their wealth instead of anything meaningful, they are, by extension, more likely to allow other aspects of their lives to atrophy. They seem to have a hard time enjoying simple things, savoring the everyday experiences that make so much of life worthwhile. Because they have lower levels of empathy, they have fewer opportunities to practice acts of compassion  which studies suggest give people a great deal of pleasure. They tend to believe that people have different financial destinies because of who they essentially are, so they believe that they deserve their wealth , thus dampening their capacity for gratitude, a quality that has been shown to significantly enhance our sense of well-being. All of this seems to make the rich more susceptible to loneliness; they may be more prone to suicide, as well.

How did we lose sight of the ancient wisdom about wealth, especially given its ample evidencing in recent studies?

Some will say that we have not entirely forgotten it and that we do complain about wealth today, at least occasionally. Think, theyll say, about Occupy Wall Street; the blowback after Mitt Romneys comment about the 47 percent; how George W. Bush painted John Kerry as out of touch. But think again: By and large, those complaints were not about wealth per se but about corrupt wealth  about wealth gone wrong and about unfairness. The idea that there is no way for the vast accumulation of money to go right is hardly anywhere to be seen.

Getting here wasnt straightforward. Wealth has arguably been seen as less threatening to ones moral health since the Reformation, after which material success was sometimes taken as evidence of divine election. But extreme wealth remained morally suspect, with the rich bearing particular scrutiny and stigmatization during periods like the Gilded Age. This stigma persisted until relatively recently; only in the 1970s did political shifts cause executive salaries to skyrocket, and the current effectively unprecedented inequality in income (and wealth) begin to appear, without any significant public complaint or lament.

The story of how a stigma fades is always murky, but contributing factors are not hard to identify. For one, think tanks have become increasingly partisan over the past several decades, particularly on the right: Certain conservative institutions, enjoying the backing of billionaires such as the Koch brothers, have thrown a ton of money at pseudo-academics and thought leaders to normalize and legitimate obscene piles of lucre. They produced arguments that suggest that high salaries naturally flowed from extreme talent and merit, thus baptizing wealth as simply some excellent peoples wholly legitimate rewards. These arguments were happily regurgitated by conservative media figures and politicians, eventually seeping into the broader public and replacing the folk wisdom of yore. But it is hard to argue that a companys top earners are literally hundreds of times more talented than the lowest-paid employees.

As stratospheric salaries became increasingly common, and as the stigma of wildly disproportionate pay faded, the moral hazards of wealth were largely forgotten. But its time to put the apologists for plutocracy back on the defensive, where they belong  not least for their own sake. After all, the Buddha, Aristotle, Jesus, the Koran, Jimmy Stewart, Pope Francis and now even science all agree: If you are wealthy and are reading this, give away your money as fast as you can.

outlook@washpost.com

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I am brown and from India, and people regularly ask me if I see myself as an immigrant writer. Ive always said no, because I want people to see the experiences and emotions of my characters as universal, and because I dont want being brown to matter that much to me. I feel that if I allow it to, I will be letting white people decide who I am.

But this is a strange time to be an immigrant in America. In Midtown Manhattan recently, I was standing on a sidewalk waiting for a light to change. Near me was a group of white men in suits. A man who looked Middle Eastern drove by in a Rolls-Royce, and one of the men in suits turned to his friends and said, Ahmed is driving his daddys Rolls. Another day I was jogging around Central Park, and a woman with a short swinging ponytail who was also jogging started cursing me: Go back to Pakistan. This sort of hatred surely existed before Donald Trump became president, but it seems his example has made it more acceptable to say such things.

In some moments, I feel pushed toward an immigrant identity  and I feel a strong desire to resist. In other moments, Im more inclined to accept the shared identity of being brown, of being South Asian, of being an immigrant. Considering that these communities are under attack, it feels pusillanimous to reject my membership. And yet these communities are so diverse that it seems bizarre to see them as sharing anything but the most general identity.

For example, a friend of mine, a man who immigrated from South America when he was 14 and now works as a porter in a Manhattan apartment building near mine, was telling me he hated Trump for labeling immigrants as criminals. As I listened, I felt a tightness in my chest. I remembered being a child in New Jersey and going for evening walks with my mother, and people driving by and shouting Haji, sand n-----. I thought of how, when Im in a store where there are small, expensive things for sale, I keep my hands behind my back because I dont want to be accused of shoplifting. I thought of how, if I am walking down a street at night and there is a woman ahead of me who is alone, I whistle Brahms so she knows I am no hoodlum. Reacting so strongly to my friend, I could see how a group identity made sense.

Then my friend added that it made him angry that Trump could grab women by the genitals and he could not  that he would like to do so, too, but if he were to attempt it, he would end up in jail. Hearing this, I felt betrayed, as if I had extended sympathy to someone who was not only alien but was in some way despicable.

Ive also had trouble figuring out what to make of the fact that, according to exit polls, some 14 percent of Indian Americans and as many as 27 percent of Asian Americans appear to have voted for Trump. Some reports suggested that Indian Americans were drawn to him because they shared his hatred of Muslims. Indeed, when I spoke to Indian acquaintances who voted for Trump, they would mutter mysteriously, He understands Muslims. And they were suspicious of the Muslim background of Huma Abedin, a top Hillary Clinton aide.

But this antipathy does not fully explain what is going on. A better way to understand immigrants voting for Trump is to realize that being a minority can be so painful that one would rather identify with the majority and its hatred for minorities than live with the feeling of being out of place and viewed with contempt. The greater the contempt toward a minority, the stronger the need to disassociate from the attacked group.

In trying to understand dynamics like this, political scientists have looked at cooperation and competition between minorities. They have noticed that when minority groups see other minorities as affected by the same systemic discrimination, it often leads to sympathy between groups. But when people perceive themselves to be part of a hierarchy of racial and ethnic minorities, they may be more likely to associate themselves with the majority than with lower-status groups. Discrimination against blacks does not lead to sympathy with them but instead causes other minority groups to identify with whites. This is because the pressure placed on African Americans is so crushing that people reject the pain of empathy.

Voting for Trump offered immigrants a way of soothing themselves, a way of saying: I am not like those people who are hated; in fact, I am more like the whites who hate.

The idea that I might harbor the same tendencies fills me with horror. And yet I have no other explanation for why I have rejected the label of immigrant writer; I didnt want to be lumped with the marginal.

When people talk to me about books and writers, I often turn to the technical: how Hemingway used that as a substitute for commas because he was afraid punctuation signaled constructedness and inauthenticity; how in Faulkners sentences prepositions serve as pivots, and once one catches on to this, one realizes that it is Faulkners diction that is gnarled and not his sentence structure. I focus on the intricacies of language because I want to show that I have a right to be writing in English and cant be judged as an immigrant writer. Also, inside this focus on the granular is a threat. I am saying: I know your language and your writers better than you do. Do you really want to doubt my ability to command English?

One difference between being an immigrant writer who denies the label and one who is more willing to claim it is that now I am quicker to see others as white writers.

In a recent article in Esquire, Richard Ford, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, stood by his decision to spit on Colson Whitehead, the African American novelist who won this years Pulitzer for The Underground Railroad. The spitting episode occurred in 2004, in response to Whitehead giving Ford a bad review. I dont feel any different about Mr. Whitehead, or his review, or my response, Ford wrote in Esquires June/July issue.

Once I might have written that off as just a nasty guy behaving nastily  spitting on someone in public and knowing that the other persons manners will keep him from escalating the situation into a fistfight. But now I am less inclined to think of Ford as an ordinary cretin. In fact, I find myself looking for evidence of racist predilections.

Ford, who was born in Mississippi and grew up in the South, wrote in a 1999 New York Times magazine essay, I was certainly a little racist as a teen-ager, even if not a very committed one. Ford appears to be saying, I am going to tell a scandalous truth about myself because I am brave and honest  but then he leaves unsaid what it means to be an uncommitted racist. Did he drive by people walking down the street and curse at them? Did he smash an occasional car window? Man up, I thought when I read the line. In the same essay, he regretted using racial slurs in letters he wrote in his late 30s. Yet considering that he is the sort of narcissistic boor who spits on people, the way Southerners spat on civil rights protesters at lunch counters, has he really changed? Ive always been bothered by the self-pity and sentimentality in Fords writing  Mother of God, how many more dead children will he write about? Now that self-pity and sentimentality remind me of the sense of being treated unfairly and the yearning for an idealized past that Trump has provoked in many of his supporters.

I have become willing to see myself as an immigrant writer, but it has made me less tolerant.

In my heart of hearts, I dont think this is good for anyone.

outlook@washpost.com

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Military metaphors are commonplace when people talk about cancer  or should we say the fight against cancer. Since John McCain announced his brain cancer diagnosis, the senior senator from Arizona has received a barrage of supportive statements featuring martial language. Politicians and other well-wishers have explicitly connected his war hero reputation with a favorable outcome. Cancer doesnt know what its up against, former president Barack Obama tweeted. Vice President Pence wrote: John McCain is a fighter & hell win this fight too.

McCains daughter Meghan posted a tribute on Instagram, saying: Cancer may afflict him in many ways: But it will not make him surrender. Nothing ever has.

On television, newscasters discussing McCains diagnosis talked up his toughness, too. There is nobody who is the kind of fighter that John McCain is, said CNNs Dana Bash. . . . He has a fighter pilots mentality.

Theres no denying McCains fortitude. It was on full display this past week, when he bucked his party to block the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. But can personality traits alter the course of cancer, as his well-wishers seem to want to believe? Can a positive mental stance tame an aggressive malignancy such as glioblastoma ?

As a doctor and cancer survivor, I know there is no evidence to support the idea that personality can influence the growth of malignant cells. There is no cancer for which attitude can halt the progression of disease. And, despite medical progress against other tumors, glioblastoma remains lethal. Even with treatment, patients have a slim chance of living long with this condition; the five-year survival rate is just over 5 percent. Both Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and former vice president Joe Bidens son Beau died within two years of diagnosis.

Still, the words of support for McCain shouldnt be written off as empty platitudes  phrases that belong on Mylar balloons, as the Atlantics James Hamblin suggested. Language can be a powerful tool in medicine. As with physical remedies, there are potential harms and risks to consider, but potential upsides, too.

The questionable relationship between cancer and psychological traits has percolated through scientific and popular literature for decades.

In her landmark 1978 essay, Illness as Metaphor, Susan Sontag railed against the view, popularized by psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich, that cancer is a disease following emotional resignation  a bio-energetic shrinking, a giving up of hope. Sontag wrote: Widely believed psychological theories of disease assign to the luckless ill the ultimate responsibility both for falling ill and for getting well. And conventions of treating cancer as no mere disease but a demonic enemy make cancer not just a lethal disease but a shameful one. She rejected these notions.

Modern researchers have debunked the idea that negative emotions heighten an individuals susceptibility to developing cancer, or that maintaining a positive outlook can stave off cancers return or delay its progression. As Jimmie Holland, a psychiatrist at New Yorks Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, has said, The idea that we can control illness and death with our minds appeals to our deepest yearnings, but it just isnt so.

In 2007, the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group confronted the belief that psychology affects cancer patients survival. This well-established clinical-trials organization studied more than 1,000 patients with head and neck cancers. After controlling for tumor stage and demographic factors, such as income, the researchers found no relationship whatsoever between patients outcomes and their emotional well-being.

Another informative, large study drew on personality questionnaires completed by nearly 60,000 Swedish and Finnish people. Years later, investigators identified 4,631 cancer cases among the participants. In 2010, they reported that neither extraversion nor neuroticism increased the likelihood of a cancer diagnosis or survival after a cancer diagnosis.

Although a handful of studies have found that women who are anxious or depressed are more likely to suffer recurrences of breast cancer and die from the condition, its plainly true, and understandable, that dying women are more likely to be anxious and depressed. These analyses are confounded by the fact that attitudes influence patients treatment decisions: their willingness to participate in clinical trials, try new drugs, seek second opinions and travel for their care.

Whats more, social determinants of health  education and economic circumstances  can mask what might be construed as grit or a fighting spirit. Many people cannot afford to try new cancer medications or seek multiple opinions. In some disadvantaged communities, fatalism about cancer affects whether patients get screened, go for checkups upon noticing worrisome symptoms or, even after a diagnosis, accept care provided by oncologists.

Meanwhile, some doctors and advocacy groups worry about the potential harms of applying battle language to the experience of having cancer. Patients may feel they are to blame if they fail to beat the tumor. They may think that their recurrence, or impending death, is not due to the nature of their malignancy but a failure of will.

An added concern is that military language and tales of courage can discourage acceptance of palliative care. Patients may become trapped by a positive mentality  pressured by family and friends who encourage them to keep trying more treatments, or compelled by an internal drive to fight to the end  and they may push themselves beyond whats sensible or realistic.

Yet I recall some of my patients who liked to say they were fighting cancer. So did my father, who lived with lymphoma for three decades before dying at age 83 from a pancreatic tumor. When I received my own breast cancer diagnosis, in 2002, I didnt think of it in terms of battle language. Im not a military-oriented person; although I aspire to mental fortitude, fighting words dont suit me. However, I accept that just as some people derive strength and comfort in prayer and others dont, patients responses to words, images and stories about cancer do vary.

Recent research suggests that participating in support groups can reduce cancer patients anxiety, fatigue and depression. We cant dismiss the possibility that embracing an optimistic attitude toward cancer may help some individuals to feel happier and enjoy a better quality of life even while bad cells grow and spread.

McCain may be one of those people. He displayed a battling mind-set this past week, telling his Senate colleagues that, after treatment, I have every intention of returning here and giving many of you cause to regret all the nice things you said about me.

McCains diagnosis serves as a reminder that cancer does not discriminate; everyone is vulnerable. But he also has the potential to inspire and improve the lives of other cancer patients.

When I heard about his diagnosis, I thought of the portrait of McCain that David Foster Wallace wrote for Rolling Stone in 2000. The description of the senator as a young Navy pilot is especially memorable. As Wallace tells it, in October 1967, McCain was flying a bombing mission over Hanoi when his plane was hit by enemy fire. He ejected from the craft, breaking his arms and a leg before landing in a lake. The crowd pulled him out and then just about killed him, Wallace wrote. . . . McCain got bayoneted in the groin; a solider broke his shoulder apart with a rifle butt. When he arrived at the infamous Hoa Lo prison, they made him beg a week for a doctor and finally set a couple of the fractures without anesthetic.

Months later, McCain was offered the chance to leave. Evidently the North Vietnamese sought to appease his father, Adm. John S. McCain Jr., whod been promoted to lead Pacific naval forces. John S. McCain III, 100 pounds and barely able to stand, refused, Wallace wrote. He didnt want to violate the code that prisoners who had been detained longer should be released first. And so he spent much of the next four years alone in a small, dark punishment cell.

Just as his bravery 50 years ago can inspire people who have never fallen from a plane into a hostile crowd, been imprisoned or experienced torture, McCain might now set an example for others, including patients who are less strong, less fortunate and with fewer resources, as he moves forward and chooses his treatment.

Perhaps hell find a way to avoid entrapment by the tyranny of positive thinking. It takes a certain strength, and maybe even fierceness, to select a plan of care that doesnt necessarily match the expectations of family, doctors and the public. He might opt for aggressive glioblastoma treatment. He might be brave enough to choose a palliative care plan, with or without potentially curative therapy. For sure, McCain will find support among Americans, who admire him for his years of service and his courage.

Twitter: @ESchattner

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To a smattering of gasps and applause from his rapt colleagues, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) cast the clinching vote to kill his partys seven-year bid to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Directly behind the spot where he cast that vote, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) had watched McCain enter the chamber. Moments earlier, she, too, had cast a no vote, but to much less fanfare.

But the senior senator from Alaska endured more intense pressure from the Trump administration in getting to that vote than McCain, who, at 80, is likely serving his last term in Congress. And Murkowski has far more to lose for her stand in her resource-rich state.

Leading up to the series of health-care votes this week, Murkowski was the target of an aggressive persuasion campaign from members of the Trump administration  and the president himself.

Trump tweeted on Wednesday morning: Senator @lisamurkowski of the Great State of Alaska really let the Republicans, and our country, down yesterday. Too bad! The president had called the day before to try to persuade Murkowski to support starting debate on health care, said Murkowskis office. The senator told E & E News that it was not a very pleasant call but that she wasnt swayed.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) passes reporters as she leaves the Senate Chamber after voting no on a measure to repeal parts of former president Barack Obama's health care law Friday on Capitol Hill. (Cliff Owen/AP)

So on Wednesday, Trump dispatched Ryan Zinke, who as secretary of the Department of the Interior runs agencies that collectively control more than 55 percent of Alaskas land, to make separate phone calls to Murkowski and the states other Senate Republican, Dan Sullivan. Zinke, the Alaska Dispatch News reported, implied that the interests of their state were at risk because of Murkowskis health-care stance.

What the secretary shared with me was that the president was not pleased, Murkowski told reporters Thursday, according to The Hill. I think its very clear, based on my conversation with the secretary, that he was just sharing the concern that the president had expressed to him to pass on to me.

Despite the high-profile contacts, Murkowski not only opposed opening debate but also was one of three Republicans who voted against a bare-bones package Friday morning, dealing a final blow to the GOP health-care push.

I pledged early on that I would work with the President to help advance Alaskas interests, she said in a statement Friday. I will continue to do that.

But she seemed as if she had little patience for Trumps governing style, likening him to the kind of teacher at which her children chafed.

I tell my kids that you do not get to pick the boss of your choice, she said during stops between town halls earlier this month in Homer, Alaska. Ive got to figure out how I can work with President Trump and this new administration.

The choice of messenger relayed just as much the message itself.

For decades, the Murkowski family  Frank Murkowski represented Alaska for more than two decades in the Senate before his daughter took over his seat in 2002  has sought, often unsuccessfully, to free up more federal land in Alaska for hunting and energy development.

For that, she needs the cooperation of Trumps Interior Department.

When you talk about energy dominance, Sullivan told reporters, using a Trump administration buzzword for more oil, gas and coal development, Alaska has to be a key part of that.

He continued: So from my perspective, the sooner we can get back to that kind of cooperation between the administration and the chairman of the ENR Committee, the better for Alaska and the better for the country.

But Zinke may need Murkowski more than she needs him. As chair of both the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Interior Appropriations subcommittee, Murkowski has oversight over not only the departments activities but also its budget.

On Thursday, Murkowski postponed a vote on six Trump administration nominees, including three to Interior. Murkowski spokeswoman Nicole Daigle said the meeting was delayed due to uncertainty of the Senate schedule.

So far, the Trump administration, along with GOP lawmakers, has obliged in addressing the provincial concerns of the Alaska congressional delegation.

Congress has lifted a ban on aerial shooting and other hunting practices on Alaskas wildlife refuges. Zinke signed a secretarial order beginning an oil and gas leasing plan for the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, or NPR-A, and an assessment of reserves under both NPR-A and part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Last week, the House sent the Senate a bill to approve construction of a 20-mile road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, which would connect the small village of King Cove to the larger town of Cold Bay. King Cove has no road out, so it relies on air and marine transport. Murkowski has introduced the Senate version.

And Murkowski and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) want to pass a comprehensive bipartisan energy bill updating a host of oil and gas leasing, electric grid and other policies.

Before the recent confrontation, Murkowski had advocated on Zinkes behalf within the White House, arguing to the president and his aides that they needed to name more political appointees to Interior. Murkowski got to know Zinke when the two traveled to Alaskas North Slope over Memorial Day.

Legal experts say an administration can choose its priorities, though House Democrats have asked Interiors Office of Inspector General to investigate Zinkes calls.

I am unable to identify any ethical rule or legal obligation requiring a cabinet member to make a senators priorities the same as the administrations priorities, said Jan W. Baran, an ethics and lobbying expert at Wiley Rein.

But David J. Hayes, a former Interior Department deputy secretary under Presidents Obama and Clinton, said Zinkes words deserve careful scrutiny even if cabinet officials have some leeway to lobby Congress.

It appears that Zinke was lobbying for a health-care bill, not on an Alaska-related issue within Interiors area of responsibility, Hayes said. Even more troubling  he reportedly put the discharge of his statutory responsibilities in Alaska in play.

Elise Viebeck and Kyle Hopkins contributed to this report.
There are three branches of government, and two of them are in serious distress. What once passed for governing and leadership has become a spectacle of disservice by people who call themselves public servants.

The dramatic collapse of Republican efforts to change the Affordable Care Act provides Congress an opportunity to repair itself by returning to something approaching bipartisan lawmaking. It wont be easily accomplished.

The executive branch has been a cauldron of turbulence. Just ask Anthony Scaramucci, the swaggering, newly named White House communications director, who predicted fewer than 48 hours ago what unexpectedly transpired late Friday afternoon: Reince Priebus, the White House chief of staff, was ousted.

The White House today has been a feuding, conniving band of officials vying for the affection of President Trump, who seems to encourage, even revel in, the chaos around him. Trump named John F. Kelly, the Homeland Security secretary, as chief of staff. The president called the retired Marine Corps general a star. But can he truly change the culture?

(Victoria Walker,Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post)

Washington hasnt been working for some time; the breakdown began years ago. The dysfunction in Washington is one reason Trump was elected. But in the past six months, things have turned even worse, with the breakdown reaching new depths this week. For this, the Republicans and the president bear the responsibility.

[Senate rejects measure to partly repeal Affordable Care Act, dealing Trump and GOP leaders a major setback]

Until Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) cast the decisive vote on the bill for a skinny repeal of the ACA, the Senate was operating under procedures never seen before on a piece of major legislation. Legislating is never pretty  certainly passage of the Affordable Care Act was not  but there are norms usually respected by both sides. In recent weeks, those norms went out the window as Republicans struggled to fulfill a seven-year promise that is as internally divisive as it is elusive.

The effort was transparently cynical as Republicans grasped for something, anything, that might collect the 50 votes needed to keep alive what has proved to be their futile hope of getting rid of Obamacare. The measure from the House was dead on arrival in the Senate. Nothing cooked up behind closed doors under Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) worked, either.

In desperation, the Republican leaders turned to a vehicle that no serious member of Congress believed could work. Hours before the critical vote, Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) correctly branded the skinny repeal for what it was. The skinny bill as policy is a disaster, he said. The skinny bill as a replacement for Obamacare is a fraud. Nonetheless, Graham voted for it on the pretext that it would keep the effort alive.

[Wait for the show: High drama and low voices in a long, weird night at the Capitol]

McCain had joined Graham in lamenting the skinny bills deficiencies, and when the time came, he acted on his words. He had drawn criticism Tuesday when he returned to the Senate for the first time after being diagnosed with brain cancer and cast the deciding vote to begin debate on the bill.

(Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post)

Congressional leaders are now left to pick up the pieces of a shattered and demoralizing process. Whats next no one can say. There will be angry words about the maverick from Arizona from some of his colleagues and from conservatives who have never trusted him. The president, who had disparaged McCain in the early days of his candidacy in 2015, has now felt the sting of payback.

From the very beginning, it was clear that the fate of the Trump administration lay in the hands of the Senate Republicans, Ross Baker, a political science professor at Rutgers University, said in an email Friday. The Republican senators dutifully but often reluctantly did his bidding, but now they must come to the realization that he is not worthy of the loyalty he demanded.

He went on to say, With the debris of the Obamacare repeal effort still in view, the survivors need to regroup and rebuild armed with a set of bipartisan blueprints.

[Enough about McCain. It was Collins, Murkowski and red-state Democrats who killed Trumpcare.]

There will be much talk about the need to work toward bipartisanship. There are examples: Congress just sent Trump, with overwhelming support from both parties, a tough sanctions bill aimed at Russia that puts the president on the spot. On health care and perhaps other upcoming issues, Republicans may have to swallow their pride to achieve successes. Democrats, who have had the luxury of claiming they want to work with Republicans without actually having to do so, will have to make good their words.

For seven years, Republicans have lived what turned out to be a fiction. They have many complaints about Obamacare. They have words that work in political ads and in their innumerable appearances before the cameras. But they have no solution. They may keep trying, but if they return to the scheming that got them to the moment of spectacular collapse early Friday, they will expose themselves once again to searing criticism.

At the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, things are just as bad, though the departure of Priebus and the arrival of Kelly offers the possibility of a reset moment of the kind that now appears possible for Congress. Since Inauguration Day, the Trump administration has been rife with factionalism, built to be undisciplined by a president who lacks discipline. The boisterous arrival of Scaramucci, a New York financier and Trump loyalist, has managed in a single week to make things so much worse.

[White House tensions flare in the open as Scaramucci rips Priebus in vulgar tirade]

Scaramuccis expletive-filled rant to the New Yorkers Ryan Lizza took all the backroom maneuvering and senior-level backstabbing and put it on full public display. His attacks on Priebus and chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon left little room for reconciliation. His broader threats show a lack of true understanding of how government works.

Scaramucci tried to wash away his remarks by claiming that he sometimes uses colorful language and that he will try to do better. What he doesnt understand is that it was more than the words that shocked; it was the attitude and the posture he struck and has struck since being named to the White House staff.

Max Stier, president and chief executive of the Partnership for Public Service, said there are many inadequacies in the executive branch that predate Trump, including some caused by congressional inaction.

Its important not to put it all on his plate. These are things that predated him but are getting worse under his tenure, Stier said. Trump is trying to use the model he followed as a businessman and developer, a model not suited to running the federal government, Stier said. It appears as if everything is being run through one small pipe, he said. President Trump and set of decision-makers are trying to address everything of importance in the federal government themselves. . . . So far, it doesnt seem to me they are learning the right lessons.

The White House cant continue to operate this way, at least not in the true interests of the country or even those of Trumps core supporters. In just a week, the president has made it almost untenable for Attorney General Jeff Sessions to stay in the job, drawing concerns that Trumps ultimate target is Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel charged with investigating possible links between the Trump campaign and Russia.

This was not the fault of the chief of staff. It is illustrative of the problem that now falls into Kellys lap.

The problem of dysfunction extends to other parts of the executive branch. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke threatened Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan of Alaska by implying that Murkowskis vote not to proceed with debate on health care could jeopardize federal support for the state, according to the Alaska Dispatch News.

The State Department, by every account, is not functioning well under Secretary Rex Tillerson. The reaction to Trumps transgender military ban shows that the relationship between the White House and the Defense Department is tense. Politicos Susan Glasser reported that the national security apparatus under H.R. McMaster is not running smoothly and that Trump is not happy about it.

Congress will soon depart for its annual August recess. Trump and Republican lawmakers had hoped to arrive at the summer break with a record of accomplishment, at the least with a significant down payment on the promises of the 2016 campaign. Instead, they face the bleak prospect of knowing that they have failed on their signature pledge on health care, that other legislative business remains unfinished and that the White House faces uncertain days.

The president has kept one big promise, which was to disrupt the capital. But it has not worked out quite like he and the Republicans expected.
The cinematic infighting that has consumed the White House in recent days was pushed into public view on Thursday, exposing the West Wing as the political equivalent of a New York-accented reality television show that runs on a raucous mix of drama, machismo and suspicion.

The new communications director  Anthony Scaramucci, a flashy New York financier who brags that he and Trump started out as friends  has been trying to oust White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus in a foulmouthed campaign fueled by months of brewing animus. Scaramucci accused Priebus of leaking to the media about behind-the-scenes maneuverings and his own personal finances, but his broader intent is to purge senior advisers and low-level staffers who he suspects are not adequately loyal to President Trump.

In an interview with the New Yorker published Thursday, Scaramucci called Priebus a fucking paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac and claimed that the former Republican Party chairman will be asked to resign very shortly in a sweep that he warned could eventually involve much of the staff.

The New Yorker interview gave voice to the profane intensity of the warring West Wing factions that has defined much of Trumps early administration  but the level of candor and raging frustration Scaramucci expressed yet again stunned a Washington political class that has become increasingly inured to the unorthodoxy of this White House.

At one point in the interview, Scaramucci switched to speaking in the third person while trying to make his mission clear.

White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, left, and White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci. (Getty Images, Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

O.K., the Mooch showed up a week ago, he said. This is going to get cleaned up very shortly, O.K.?

Scaramuccis anger toward Priebus was burning long before he joined the White House this week.

After the election, he sold his company, investment fund SkyBridge Capital, in preparation for a job in the White House, only to be blocked by Priebus. Scaramucci was later shuffled into a position at the Export-Import Bank, where he plotted his next move. Last week, Trump surprised Priebus, chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon and others by announcing that Scaramucci would become the next White House communications director  news that prompted press secretary Sean Spicer, Priebuss closest ally, to resign.

Priebus is considered an establishment figure in a sea of nontraditional White House staffers, and he has long faced criticism from some of Trumps staunchest allies who view him as ill-prepared for the job and too concerned about his own reputation. But the attacks that had been quietly waged against him for months in behind-the-scenes trash talk are now being spoken aloud by Scaramucci, who claims he has the presidents blessing to do so.

In the expletive-filled interview with the New Yorker, Scaramucci presented himself as someone who is fully dedicated to the president. He accused Bannon of trying to build his own brand off the fucking strength of the president. And Scaramucci angrily lashed out at Priebus for blocking him from the White House for six months and accused him of leaking the details of a Wednesday night dinner with Fox News personality Sean Hannity at the White House to a reporter.

What I want to do is I want to fucking kill all the leakers, and I want to get the presidents agenda on track so we can succeed for the American people, Scaramucci said.

After the article was published, Scaramucci sought to shrug off the controversy with a tweet: I sometimes use colorful language. I will refrain in this arena but not give up the passionate fight for @realDonaldTrumps agenda. #MAGA.

1 of 37 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Members of President Trumps administration: Moments that made headlines View Photos White House and Cabinet officials left strong impressions in the early days of the administration. Caption White House and Cabinet officials left strong impressions in the early days of the administration. Sarah Huckabee Sanders comments on slavery Things got testy when April Ryan, a White House reporter for American Urban Radio Networks, asked White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders to comment on slavery at Wednesdays news briefing. READ THE STORY Al Drago/Bloomberg Wait 1 second to continue.

Later in the night he took to Twitter again, this time to lay blame at the feet of New Yorker reporter Ryan Lizza for disclosing their conversation.

I made a mistake in trusting in a reporter. It wont happen again, Scaramucci tweeted. Lizza said Scaramucci never set any rules for the conversation, such as his comments being off-the-record.

The White House at first seemed unfazed by the article or unsure of how to respond. Incoming press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders pointed reporters to Scaramuccis tweet and said, Were working on health care.

Spicer, who will soon leave the White House, walked by reporters staking out his office and passed on the opportunity to comment.

But by early Thursday evening, Sanders spoke to reporters outside the West Wing saying Scaramucci has made pretty clear hes a passionate guy. I think he might sometimes let that passion get the better of him. I think maybe that happened, and he used some colorful language that I dont anticipate hell do again.

Asked if Trump needs to step in to referee the infighting on his staff, she touted the presidents business career and said, I think he knows when he needs to play a role, and when he does, he will.

Scaramucci took over the communications job on Wednesday, even though he was not supposed to start until Aug. 15  a move that a White House official said was designed to thwart any attempt by Priebus to derail Scaramucci yet again.

Scaramucci and his allies are compiling a diagram of the news organizations that they suspect received leaked information from Priebus, and they plan to present it to the president on Friday, according to a White House official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the secret plan of attack.

If Reince wants to explain that hes not a leaker, let him do that, Scaramucci said in an interview with CNN early Thursday morning.

On Fox News that same morning, Kellyanne Conway, a counselor to the president, described the leaks that Scaramucci was ranting about as people using the press to shiv each other in the ribs.

As all of this was playing out, few came to Priebuss defense. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, a longtime friend and fellow Republican from Wisconsin, said at a news conference on Thursday that Reince is doing a fantastic job at the White House, and I believe he has the presidents confidence.

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich, who has informally advised Trump on his feud with Attorney General Jeff Sessions this week, was one of the few Trump allies to come to Preibuss defense on Thursday.

My advice to Reince is just do your job, Gingrich said. Ignore the noise. Assume its noise. Hes the chief of staff, and hes the chief of staff until he isnt.

At the White House press briefing on Thursday afternoon, reporters asked Sanders three times if the president still has confidence in his chief of staff. She would not directly answer.

We all serve at the pleasure of the president, and if he gets to a place where that isnt the case, hell let you know, Sanders said.

A Republican who is in close contact with those at the White House rated Priebuss job security in this way: On a scale of 1 to 10, its a 2.

Priebus attended a medal of valor ceremony on Thursday at the White House, where he was seen smiling broadly and applauding as Trump entered the East Room. When the president left the event, he appeared to briefly shake hands with his chief of staff, who clasped Trumps right shoulder with his left hand.

Since being named the communications director last week, Scaramucci has taken a very Trumpian approach to the job  blowing a kiss during a press briefing on Friday, sparring with a BBC reporter over whether the president is elitist, threatening to fire his entire staff, cursing and unexpectedly calling into a morning talk show. While this might appear out of control, it creates the sort of must-watch drama that delights the president.

On Wednesday night, Scaramucci had dinner at the White House with the president, first lady Melania Trump, Hannity and former Fox News executive Bill Shine to discuss how best to overhaul the West Wing staff. The New Yorkers Lizza tweeted about the dinner, prompting an angry call from Scaramucci, who wanted to know Lizzas source.

Youre an American citizen, this is a major catastrophe for the American country. So Im asking you, as an American patriot, to give me a sense of who leaked it, Scaramucci said to Lizza.

Scaramucci was also angry that Politico reported on the financial disclosure form he filed while at the Export-Import Bank, which showed that he stood to continue to receive profits from his former company. Politico reporter Lorraine Woellert, who wrote the article, said she obtained the document  which is considered a public record  by simply requesting it from the agency.

Scaramucci told Lizza that he thought Priebus had leaked it and that he had called the FBI and the Justice Department.

Are you serious? Lizza asked.

Soon after their conversation, Scaramucci made his suspicions public in a tweet and tagged Priebus: In light of the leak of my financial disclosure info which is a felony. I will be contacting @FBI and the @TheJusticeDept #swamp @Reince45.

In an unusual move, the spokeswoman for the Justice Department and Attorney General Jeff Sessions  whom Trump has repeatedly attacked this week for not investigating reports of leaks  released a late-night statement pledging that Sessions will aggressively pursue leak cases wherever they may lead.

Two hours after Scaramucci posted the tweet, he deleted it.

The next morning, Lizza appeared on CNNs New Day to share details from the night before  and he was suddenly cut short by a call from Scaramucci, who wanted to explain himself.

Yeah, so, when I was speaking to you last night, Ryan, I said it was unpatriotic that you werent telling me who the leakers were. . . . And so you may have caught it the wrong way, Scaramucci said, as if having a private conversation with Lizza. I was teasing you, and it was sarcastic. It was one Italian to another.

Chris Cuomo, one of the shows hosts, tried to reclaim the interview, and Scaramucci acknowledged that the financial disclosure was a public record  but he repeatedly railed against those in the White House he says are leaking information.

I told the president this morning, When the iceberg hits the boat, the rats are flying up from steerage. Right? Because the water comes in steerage, Scaramucci said, comparing the White House to a sinking ship. So when you mention the FBI and the Department of Justice, you watch how the rats lift in the boat.

Scaramucci claimed that he tagged Priebus in the late-night tweet so that he could investigate the leak, but he also said that journalists assumed he was blaming Priebus because they actually know who the leakers are.

Scaramucci also said that he does not know whether his relationship with Priebus, which last week he insisted was just fine, can ever be repaired.

We have had differences. When I said we were brothers . . . thats because were rough on each other. Some brothers are like Cain and Abel; other brothers can fight with each other and then get along, Scaramucci said, referencing the biblical brothers without mentioning that Cain killed Abel. I dont know if this is repairable or not  that will be up to the president.

Later in the morning, The Washington Post asked Scaramucci if Trump had authorized him to call in to CNN to discuss Priebus and the leaks, and Scaramucci responded: He did, yes.

Abby Phillip contributed to this report.
After getting out of prison in 2008 for raping a child in Billings, Ernest Evans Coleman wasn't supposed to have contact with kids.

His parole officer says Coleman, who lives in Missoula, has had repeated contact with at least two children over the past two years. That includes volunteering with kids at a food bank without disclosing his sex offender status.

Coleman, 70, appeared in Yellowstone County District Court on Thursday in light of the new allegations. District Judge Mary Jane Knisely allowed him to remain free on a $10,000 bond that he previously posted.

Coleman's history of sexual crimes against children goes back to 1985, when he was convicted for sexual abuse of a boy in North Dakota. He admitted to abusing nine other victims at that time, according to court documents. He served three years in prison.

A 9-year-old boy reported to police in 1995 that Coleman molested him twice. Coleman was sentenced in 1997 to 25 years in prison. He was released in 2008 after serving 11 years.

Coleman reported to a parole officer in Missoula. That officer reported that Coleman seemed to be doing well and "did a good job making things look rosy on the surface," court documents state.

But earlier this year, the mother of a 10-year-old boy reported that Coleman took the child into his home "for a haircut." The report says that he took the same child out of town another time, and the boy helped Coleman with lawn work for five hours.

The contact was unsupervised.

His parole officer then learned that Coleman had been volunteering at the Clark Fork City Church Food Bank in Missoula, where he'd been meeting multiple boys for years.

Conditions of his parole include no contact with children and that he can't frequent places where children are present. The food bank utilizes kids as volunteers.

Through the food bank, Coleman began contacting one boy when he was 14, and the relationship lasted two years. In her report, Coleman's parole officer characterized it as an "opportunity to groom yet another boy."

The mother of that teen said Coleman never disclosed that he was a sex offender, court documents state.

Coleman offered the boy money, even for college. When the boy's family moved out of state, Coleman offered to pay for him to come back to Missoula, where Coleman would give him a job. He told the family that he "really liked" the teen and "wanted to help him," court documents say.

None of the contact in the report was sexual in nature.

When the parole officer asked Coleman about this, he replied that he "knew in his heart that he would not touch any kids again," according to the report. The officer included a signed note from Coleman admitting to the contact.

The officer noted that this was "nearly identical" to what Coleman said about his victim in the 1995 case. She recommended that Coleman receive another suspended sentence with the Department of Corrections and that he re-enter treatment.

On Thursday, Judge Knisely set a hearing for Aug. 21.
They passed legislation to stop him from lifting sanctions on Russia. They recoiled at his snap decision to ban transgender Americans from the military. And they warned him in no uncertain terms not to fire the attorney general or the special counsel investigating the president and his aides.

Republican lawmakers have openly defied President Trump in meaningful ways this week amid growing frustration on Capitol Hill with his surprise tweets, erratic behavior and willingness to trample on governing norms. But at the same time, theyve worked to advance legislation they want him to sign.

In the latest signs of a backlash, Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Wednesday he would not hold hearings on a replacement if Trump dismissed Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) said Thursday he would pursue legislation that would prevent Trump from summarily firing special counsel Robert S. Mueller III.

Some of the suggestions that the president is making go way beyond whats acceptable in a rule-of-law nation, Graham said. This is not draining the swamp. What hes interjecting is turning democracy upside down.

Some of the defiance came from already outspoken Trump critics such as Graham and Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), who rebuked the president from the Senate floor Thursday.

(The Washington Post)

If youre thinking of making a recess appointment to push out the attorney general, forget about it, Sasse said. The presidency isnt a bull, and this country isnt a china shop.

But some generally pro-Trump lawmakers emerged Wednesday as critics of the unexpected transgender ban, which the president announced in a series of morning tweets with no notice to key figures on Capitol Hill who might normally be called upon to defend his actions.

Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) issued statements Wednesday saying Trump went too far in banning all transgender service members. On Thursday, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) refused to back the ban, saying he would await a Defense Department review of the issue despite Trumps clear wishes.

I look forward to seeing what they actually produce, Ryan said.

On the sanctions issue, the Senate, on a 98-to-2 vote on Thursday, cleared legislation targeting Russia, Iran and North Korea that the Trump administration had sought to water down  particularly a provision that would require Trump to seek congressional approval before lifting sanctions against Russia. The bill had passed the House earlier this week on a 419-to-3 vote.

Several lawmakers said that if Trump vetoes the measure, Congress was prepared to override it.

No president likes Congress to tie their hands, said Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). This is a very unique and particular case at a key moment. . . . If the president vetoes it, as is his right, there will be a debate, but I believe it will be overridden.

1 of 15 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  What lawmakers are saying about Trumps decision to ban transgender people from the military View Photos In a series of tweets, the president announced the reversal of an Obama administration decision to allow members of the transgender community to serve openly. Caption In a series of tweets, the president announced the reversal of an Obama administration decision to allow members of the transgender community to serve openly. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) Pelosi noted that Trump made his announcement on the 69th anniversary of President Harry Trumans executive order desegregating the military, adding that the president has chosen this day to unleash a vile and hateful agenda that will blindside thousands of patriotic Americans. Oliver Contreras/For The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

Despite the brush backs, Republican lawmakers are continuing to act on key parts of Trumps legislative agenda. Those items, however, face major hurdles.

The House on Thursday cleared a package of spending bills that boost defense spending and earmark $1.6 billion to build 74 miles of border fencing  making good on Trumps promise to build the wall to separate the United States and Mexico. The bill, however, breaks existing budget caps. Any final spending agreement will have to be negotiated later in the year with Democrats, who have so far refused to support any wall funding.

The Senate, meanwhile, continued working haltingly toward passage of a health-care bill that swallowed much of the attention and energy on Capitol Hill.

On Thursday evening, a group of senators that included Graham and John McCain (R-Ariz.) faced television cameras inside the Capitol to make an unusual declaration: They would vote for the health-care bill in the Senate only if they were assured by House Republican leaders that they would not in turn pass it into law.

The senators hope was to convene a conference committee, an open-ended negotiation that could keep the internal battle over replacing the Affordable Care Act alive for months. The effort would potentially distract from other contentious issues, such as a tax overhaul.

That tax initiative took a modest step forward Thursday when key White House officials and congressional leaders issued a joint statement of principles for the overhaul  one that discarded a controversial tax on corporate imports favored by Ryan.

The House, however, has yet to pass a 2018 budget, a key initial step Republicans are counting on to be able to pass the tax overhaul without involving Democrats. House GOP aides indicated Friday that the matter would be left until September, after a planned five-week recess. Lawmakers in September will have to confront a possible government shutdown and federal default.

The most palpable frustration on Capitol Hill, however, tends not to concern health care or tax reform or appropriations, but rather Trumps chaotic White House and his Twitter musings.

Recent weeks have seen lawmakers who have brushed aside Trumps antics by calling him refreshing and unconventional more willing to voice their concerns.

After the transgender tweetstorm Wednesday, Rep. Thomas J. Rooney (R-Fla.) expressed frustration that Trumps tweets come out of nowhere, leaving GOP lawmakers out of step with the president.

When we do stuff in here that were trying to message, and theres a tweet that comes out thats different than that, it throws us off, he said. Based on what were doing in here this week, I dont know what the connection is.

Especially alarming to congressional Republicans are Trumps recent tweets about Sessions and Mueller  such as a Saturday tweet asking why the two are not investigating alleged crimes by former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and by former FBI director James B. Comey. A subsequent tweet Tuesday accused Sessions of taking a VERY weak position on investigating Clinton and leakers of intelligence secrets.

Sessions has seen an outpouring of support this week from his former colleagues in the Senate, where he served for two decades.

I think the president has to keep in mind a couple of things, Sen. Richard C. Shelby (R-Ala.) said Thursday. Jeff Sessions, like all Cabinet members, works for the United States of America. They dont work for the president; they work for the people. . . . The presidents a smart man, and he ought to know that.

Meanwhile, key lawmakers have voiced confidence in Mueller. I think its in the presidents interest that he stays where he is and continues and does his job, Ryan said Thursday.

Graham said Thursday that a move against Mueller would represent the beginning of the end of the Trump presidency. His bill, which he said he is drafting in conjunction with Democratic colleagues, would require a federal judge to review any move to dismiss a special counsel.

Fellow Republicans offered support for the move. I hope that it doesnt become needed, said Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), who is pursuing his own investigation of Trump as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Dalton Bennett and Karoun Demirjian contributed to this report.

Read more at PowerPost
Sens. Mitch McConnell and John McCain have a fundamental difference in their approaches to politics.

The Kentucky Republican counts success almost entirely through political victories, wins and losses best measured by the elections every two years. The Arizona Republican measures success in the worthiness of the fight  a determination that is sometimes influenced by his predilection for playing the maverick and the attention that brings.

In their more than three decades together in the Senate, that disparity has never been on display quite like in the past few days. On Tuesday, McCain was a conservative hero, scorned by liberals as a hypocrite. By early Friday morning he was back in liberals good graces, the subject of some grumbling from Republicans and on the receiving end of a pointed tweet from President Trump, who earlier in the week called him a Brave  American hero!

McCains decisive vote, after 1 a.m. Friday, to oppose McConnell, Trump and the overwhelming majority of Senate Republicans on the effort to revamp the Affordable Care Act will help define his career. It was an encapsulation, in less than 60 hours, of how often he goes from friend to foe.

First, after being diagnosed last week with an aggressive form of brain cancer, McCain flew back to Washington on Tuesday to cast a crucial vote allowing Senate Republicans to begin considering their bill. McConnell grew emotional as McCain delivered a 15-minute oratory about returning the chamber to its glory  a world where, in his view, committees, not party leaders, crafted bills and bipartisanship was the norm.

(U.S. Senate)

By 1 a.m. Friday, that warmth toward McCain had turned into fury as he joined two other Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, to deny McConnell his last-ditch attempt to keep alive the effort to repeal Obamacare.

Its time to move on, the majority leader said after the bills stinging defeat.

It was the most humiliating legislative loss of McConnells more than 32 years in the Senate, all the more so because he had shrunk his ambition to a narrow bill that was meant only to serve as a vehicle to open a new round of negotiations with House Republicans.

McCain had issued a pretty clear warning, during his Tuesday speech, that he wasnt much interested in just chalking up a victory for Republicans.

Sometimes, I wanted to win more for the sake of winning than to achieve a contested policy, McCain told his colleagues, not even two weeks removed from the surgery above his left eye that revealed the brain tumor.

Were getting nothing done: McCain, in emotional return, laments what the Senate has become

A few minutes later, he urged them to join him in rejecting that approach, calling for more across-the-aisle give and take. It is our responsibility to preserve that, even when it requires us to do something less satisfying than winning,  he said. Even when we must give a little to get a little.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) speaks to reporters at the Capitol hours before casting the decisive no vote against the Republican health-care plan. (Cliff Owen/AP)

This is the single biggest divide between McConnell, 75, and McCain, 80.

McConnell is a proud political pugilist whose very essence is defined by how many wins Republicans chalk up. Every decision in the 10 years since he became his caucuss leader has been crafted toward trying to capture and then maintain the Senate majority.

His mantra in the past few weeks was that Republicans had to pass a rewrite of the 2010 health law because they had told their conservative base of voters that they would, ever since Democrats passed it on a party-line vote. Failure would be a political disaster and lead to deep Republican losses in elections ahead.

But McCains persona is linked to his expressions of dignity in defeat, willingness to break with his party and eagerness to be seen as above the raw politics of the moment.

As a Navy pilot, he was shot down over Vietnam, tortured and held captive for more than five years. The son of an admiral overseeing the Pacific fleet, he was offered  and turned down  early release ahead of his fellow POWs.

En route to a large defeat in the 2008 presidential campaign, McCain rejected the venom some supporters felt toward his opponent, Barack Obama, calling the future president a good man.

But as much as he receives praise for taking principled stands, McCain also draws the ire of critics who see inconsistency in when he invokes these principles and who question whether he at times allows personal animus or a craving for the spotlight to govern those decisions.

Before casting his vote early Friday, McCain seemed to be enjoying, at least a bit, that his vote would upend his partys plans.

Wait for the show, he told reporters asking how he would vote as he headed toward the floor, building up some drama for what was about to unfold.

The complicated relationship between McCain and McConnell stretches back long before the current health-care debate.

McCains biggest legislative success, aside from national security matters, came in 2002 on a campaign finance law that restricted big donations that national political parties could collect. His opponent throughout that fight was McConnell, who argued that Republicans needed those six- and seven-figure checks to defeat Democrats and their union allies.

McConnell then helped lead the legal battles that would gut that campaign law.

In recent years, McConnell has relied often on McCains counsel, not just on national security but also on key institutional rules disputes. They both pride themselves on being protectors of the Senates unique procedures that compel bipartisan work, and a few years back McCain served as one of McConnells emissaries in disputes with Democrats.

But their bond frayed again over the past several weeks, as the two elder statesmen clashed over the process that culminated Friday morning. After the House passed its unpopular health-care legislation, McConnell tried to find a better, broader version that could get 51 votes just from Republicans, because he knew that Democrats had no interest in working on a bill to repeal Obamas landmark domestic policy achievement as president.

McConnell is known as a deal-closer, but hes never done policy this big

None of his ideas came close to succeeding, so he came up with a final idea: Just pass a bill with a few of the more popular concepts, so a new round of negotiation with House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) could commence.

The idea was simple: winning.

To have a chance at winning, Republicans had to pass a bill that left intact much of Obamacare and did little to address the key concerns of McCain and many Republicans.

Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), McCains closest friend, called the proposal a disaster and a fraud and horrible politics.

I have nothing to add, McCain chimed in at a Thursday evening news conference.

Once Ryan gave assurances that a new negotiation would take place and that he would not have the House quickly pass the Senate bill, McConnell counted 49 Republican votes.

Murkowski and Collins were already publicly opposed. Only McCain remained undecided.

He will soon go back to Phoenix to begin treatment for his cancer  possibly chemotherapy that will be so debilitating, no one is sure when he might return to the Senate.

As the final votes started, shortly after midnight, McCain stood in the Senate talking to colleagues trying to win his vote. He talked to Vice President Pence, who was there to cast the tiebreaking vote if McCain came on board. He took phone calls, including one from Trump.

But McCain was done with winning for the sake of winning.

He said as much during his speech Tuesday, telling his 99 colleagues that it was time for compromise.

It doesnt feel like a political triumph, McCain said. But its usually the most we can expect from our system of government.

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Congressional Republicans on Friday glumly confronted the wreckage of their seven-year quest to abolish the Affordable Care Act, blaming each other and President Trump for the dramatic early-morning collapse of the effort but finding no consensus on a way forward.

Some GOP lawmakers clung to long-shot hopes that some version of the legislation might be revived and that a deal might yet be struck before the fall. But the Senates rejection early Friday of a last-ditch, bare-bones proposal to roll back just a few key planks of the law left GOP leaders with few options for uniting their sharply polarized ranks.

Hours later, House Republicans gathered in the Capitol to take stock of the situation. Some raised the prospect of abandoning their long-standing pledge to repeal and replace the ACA and instead working with Democrats to shore up weak spots in the law known as Obamacare. But Trump signaled little interest in that approach, leaving many lawmakers baffled about how to proceed.

Im not a prophet, said Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-N.J.), who helped push an earlier version of the repeal bill through the House. I dont know what comes next.

(U.S. Senate)

Politically, the collapse of the repeal effort is potentially devastating for Republicans. It leaves Trump without a significant policy achievement in the critical first six months of his presidency; it casts a pall over the partys coming drives to pass a budget and overhaul the tax code; and it exposes GOP lawmakers to rising anger from their conservative base.

Substantively, it leaves much work undone. While the ACA has made health insurance accessible to millions of Americans, it has failed to contain rising costs, especially in the individual insurance market, where people without access to employer-provided coverage buy policies. Without federal action  and additional cash  those marketplaces could become unstable.

Lawmakers in both parties have called for stabilizing the marketplaces. But many Republicans have little appetite for entering negotiations on the issue with Democrats.

I dont think the Democrats have any interest in doing anything productive, said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), a vehement critic of the ACA. He added: Republican senators are going to go home. Theyre going to hear from their constituents, and I dont expect the response to be muted.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), shown at the Capitol on July 27, was one of three Republicans to reject the skinny repeal plan. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

At the meeting of House Republicans, Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) summed up the mood by citing an old Gordon Lightfoot tune called The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, about sailors drowning on a sinking ship.

Entering and exiting the meeting, lawmakers offered a variety of ideas for addressing their predicament, and excuses for how they got here.

We just ran out of time. It was an artificial deadline, said Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), chairman of the hard-right Freedom Caucus. He predicted that Republicans would still get a bill to Trumps desk in September.

Other Republicans called on their colleague to start over and work with Democrats through the regular committee process to craft an ACA overhaul that could win bipartisan support.

A key leader of the GOP repeal effort, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), said he is willing to take that approach. And Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the man credited with driving a stake through the heart of the latest GOP health measure, issued a rousing call to bipartisanship.

The vote last night presents the Senate with an opportunity to start fresh, McCain said in a statement. It is now time to return to regular order with input from all of our members  Republicans and Democrats  and bring a bill to the floor of the Senate for amendment and debate.

Democrats, too, expressed interest in working across the aisle, especially on a plan to make federal cost-sharing subsidies permanent. The subsidies  which will total about $7 billion this year and $10 billion in 2018  reimburse insurers for reducing co-payments and deductibles for certain low-income customers, reducing their out-of-pocket costs.

Trump administration officials have yet to say whether they will continue financing the subsidies past the end of this month.

On Friday, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he spoke with Ryan about that and other potential areas of cooperation.

The insurance industry, hardly our allies, have said the number one thing to stabilize the system and bring premiums down is to make the cost-sharing permanent, Schumer said. That would have a lot of support.

Schumer expressed hope that Fridays health-care vote would prove to be a magic moment that sparked a wave of bipartisanship. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) sent early signals that he is skeptical of requests for more federal money to shore up the ACA. After Fridays vote failed, McConnell stood red-faced and dejected on the Senate floor.

Now I think its appropriate to ask, what are their ideas? McConnell challenged Democrats. Itll be interesting to see what they suggest as the way forward. For myself I can say  and I bet Im pretty safe in saying for most on this side of the aisle  that bailing out insurance companies with no thought of any kind of reform is not something I want to be part of.

Trump, meanwhile, continued to express mainly hostility toward the ACA. On Friday, he unleashed a series of tweets blaming 3 Republicans and 48 Democrats in the Senate who let the American people down by rejecting the latest overhaul proposal.

As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch! Trump wrote. He also called for Senate Republicans to abolish the filibuster  a venerable Senate procedure designed to protect the minority party that requires contentious matters to receive the votes of at least 60 senators.

As Republicans weighed working with Democrats, they were also struggling to resolve hard feelings toward one another.

Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), who is running for Senate, placed primary responsibility for the failureof Fridays vote on McConnell. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) blamed Trump, saying the president never really laid out core principles and didnt sell them to the American people.

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) issued a combative statement criticizing McCain and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who also voted no Friday.

King accused Murkowski of waging a successful write-in reelection campaign in 2010 that was essentially a revolt against GOP primary voters. And he said McCain recently told the Senate he would return and give all of you cause to regret the nice things you said about me. He kept his word.

Earlier this week, McCain, who was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer, flew to Washington and cast a vote that helped his colleagues begin debate on the latest GOP proposal to overhaul Obamacare. On Tuesday, he delivered a stirring address calling for a bipartisan approach to overhauling the 2010 health-care law and criticizing the highly secretive and partisan process that had produced the pending legislation.

The speech set the stage for what was to come.

In the wee hours after midnight Friday, McCain  scarred from recent surgery to remove a blood clot that unearthed his cancer  rebuffed a last-minute appeal from Vice President Pence on the Senate floor. He emerged from his talks with Pence at 1:29 a.m., approached the Senate clerk and gave a thumbs down  joining Murkowski and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine as the only Republicans to vote against the legislation.

The measure failed, 51 to 49, with all 48 members of the Democratic caucus voting no.

Stunned gasps and some applause echoed through the chamber. McConnell and his leadership aides stood nearby, grim-faced and despondent.

Maybe this had to happen to actually begin to have a conversation, said Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who had tried and failed to broker a bipartisan compromise. The president challenged us to replace, not just repeal. And so once you decide that you want to replace, not just repeal, it becomes more difficult.

On Friday, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) said he and Collins were working on a new bipartisan health plan. Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.), a centrist facing reelection, said he met Wednesday night with 10 other senators and were going to keep talking.

Meanwhile, McCains office announced Friday afternoon that he would fly back to Arizona for radiation and chemotherapy on Monday, but that he would be back in Washington in the fall.

But while talk of bipartisanship was ascendant in the Senate, many House members were angry with their Senate colleagues for letting the repeal effort fail.

Outside Fridays House GOP meeting, Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) told an old joke shared around the Capitol to illustrate the tensions.

Youre a brand-new member and the guys all pop down next to you and say, See across the hall, thats your opposition. The other side of the Capitol, thats the enemy,  Schweikert said. Turns out it could be true.

Juliet Eilperin, Paul Kane and David Weigel contributed to this report.
Hundreds of people stand outside the U.S. Capitol building to protest the Republican health-care bill as the Senate works through the night to consider the legislation on Thursday, July 27, 2017. The bill was defeated in the early hours of Friday. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

Ben Wikler learned the Affordable Care Acts fate from a text message. The Washington director of MoveOn.org, who had led nearly daily rallies outside the Capitol to stop repeal, was five hours into the final protest when a colleague passed him her phone, buzzing with texts.

Pence not in chair, read one text. Wikler read it to the 300 protesters gathered around him, in a circle, who had been taking turns giving speeches. Murkowski is a no. Let me confirm that. Murkowski is a no. Then: McCain is a no.

Wikler read the text out loud. It was like fireworks going off, he said in an interview. Everyone started chanting U-S-A. Strangers were hugging.

One day later, Wikler and a sizable army of activists were still dazed, and a little nervous. The anti-Trump resistance movement, which has repeatedly watched the repeal effort die and be miraculously reborn, looked at the Senate vote as a genuine victory, with lessons about how to keep blocking the Republican agenda.

This is a truly historic victory and a demonstration of constituent power, said Ezra Levin, a former congressional staffer who co-founded the Indivisible project of grass-roots activist groups. We should celebrate . . . [but] Trumpcare is not dead. Do not forget that in the House, [Speaker Paul D.] Ryan declared defeat, and then six weeks later they passed it.

Six months earlier, when new and old liberal groups first organized against the Trump administration, it was unclear whether they could cohere and avoid plunging into the infighting that typically follows electoral defeat. President Trump had full command of the news cycle; Republicans, who had passed multiple ACA repeal bills, insisted that they had a plan to scrub the act off the books.

Activists, who on Friday were still surprised by their victory, credited a number of factors for the turnaround. First, to their surprise, the conservative movement that had so effectively toxified the ACA for voters seemed to phone it in during the repeal fight. Pro-repeal organizations such as the Club for Growth ran TV ads to urge House members along, but faded during the Senate battle. The Club for Growths biggest contribution, a team-up with the Tea Party Patriots, was a little-seen website that attacked skeptical Republicans as traitors. In the end, no TV ads were run to support the Senates version of repeal, and no activism or rallies in favor of repeal was seen by any senator.

I never had any of that in my state, a state [Trump] won bigger than any other state in the nation, said Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.). Even the people who voted for Trump, they were benefiting from the law. They got a Medicaid expansion. They got subsidies. The people who were harmed by it because they made too much money to get subsidies: I want to help them. They have a right to be upset. But they were not an organized force like the ones who threw it out.

The Republican decision to craft a conservative bill that only needed intraparty support also put the activists on the same side as health insurance groups and AARP, which activated their own networks to oppose repeal.

But the critical mass of opposition came from liberal groups that had never been so threatened or so organized. MoveOn, battle-hardened by the effort to prevent (and then end) the war in Iraq, ran an aggressive protest and media campaign, including tens of thousands of calls to congressional offices and a series of rallies in swing states that featured Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

They were matched by tens of thousands of more calls from a constellation of groups and by protests organized by everything from ADAPT, a disability rights organization, to the Democratic Socialists of America. Planned Parenthood, which was threatened with zeroed-out federal funding if repeal succeeded, organized nationally and hyper-locally, with key states quickly growing their activist networks.

In Maine, whose Republican senator, Susan Collins, became a reliable vote against repeal, Planned Parenthood began working against repeal immediately after the 2016 election. According to Nicole Clegg, vice president for public policy at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, the local chapter signed up 300 new activists in the week after Trumps victory.

I dont think we ever took the foot off the pedal, she said.

A similar effort took place in Alaska, where another Republican senator, Lisa Murkowski, declared in February that she would oppose defunding of Planned Parenthood. She eventually voted to oppose repeal. Activists in Alaska perfected a model that became universal by July  protest after protest in the offices of Republicans who might vote for repeal, but steady phone calls and shows of support for Republicans who might vote no. (On Friday afternoon, Planned Parenthood sent superhero capes to the offices of no-voters.)

Starting Friday morning, all of the activist groups began organizing a next step  steady action to assure legislators that any revival of the repeal push would spark a backlash. A national day of health-care action was already planned for Saturday, so little had be changed.

In the meantime, MoveOn and its allies faced an unexpected problem: accusations of being sore winners. Some of the first coverage of the Capitol protest appeared on Fox and Friends, reportedly the presidents favorite show, in a segment shaming Democratic senators for taking selfies at Wiklers rally. (Congratulations, the healthy people are paying for the sick people, said co-host Brian Kilmeade.)

But Democrats, who repeatedly praised activists for making the repeal push untenable, were happy to celebrate the rally. On Friday morning, dozens of Democratic candidates at a training session sponsored by a progressive group watched a video that Sen. Elizabeth Warrens staff had recorded at the protest. It began with the senator speed-walking away from the vote, then marching, in the witching-hour darkness, toward Wikler and his microphone.

The nightmare is over, said Warren (D-Mass.). The 15 million people who were going to lose their health-care coverage can sleep a little better tonight.

On Facebook, Warrens video of the rally was watched nearly 1 million times.

Read more at PowerPost
1 of 15 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Where We Live | Hillcrest in Southeast Washington View Photos This hilly, scenic community is uneventful  and residents like it that way. Caption This hilly, scenic community is uneventful  and residents like it that way. Once considered the suburbs of Washington, Southeasts Hillcrest neighborhood, with an altitude about 300 feet above sea level, has a nice mix of houses with multigenerational families living next door to newcomers who appreciate discovering the history, said Karen McLaughlin, a broker with MCL Real Estate. Justin T. Gellerson/For The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

Rachel Alexander has lived in Washingtons Hillcrest neighborhood for two years, but she still pinches herself from time to time when she thinks about the perfect house she found tucked away on a tree-lined street there.

Alexander, who has two children, ages 3 and 5, said that she briefly considered looking at one of Washingtons more widely known neighborhoods, such as Capitol Hill, before stumbling on Hillcrest in Southeast.

The community, she discovered, fit her checklist perfectly. And its rolling hills and ample supply of 1950s-era Tudors, Colonials and ramblers that sport manicured lawns and wide sidewalks especially appealed to Alexander, who was looking for a place where her small children could run and play.

Hillcrest is a pretty nice community with a defined family-friendly feel to it. The neighborhood is so affordable, and you get more square footage for the price. A place like Capitol Hill is too expensive, said Alexander, as she stood in the doorway recently of her 3,200-square-foot three-bedroom, four-bathroom Georgian-style home.

[History meets change in Alexandrias Braddock Road neighborhood]





Peaceful ambiance: Once considered the suburbs of Washington, Hillcrest, with an altitude about 300 feet above sea level, has a nice mix of houses with multigenerational families living next door to newcomers who appreciate discovering the history, said Karen McLaughlin, a broker with MCL Real Estate.

Hillcrest has remained stable over the years, and I think thats what attracts people, said McLaughlin, whos sold real estate in the neighborhood for more than a decade. There are many residents whove lived here for decades, and theyre eager to welcome young families. That mixture really makes the community and gives it a uniqueness thats really attractive.

Hillcrest is a short distance to the Good Hope Marketplace shopping center, which features a grocery store with a Starbucks and other retail options, such as clothing and shoe stores, McLaughlin said. Residents also have access to the Penn Branch Shopping Center.

Hillcrest was home to former mayor Marion Barry and his family and counts D.C. Council member Vincent C. Gray (D-Ward 7) as a resident. It has long been one of the more sought-after communities east of the Anacostia River.

The neighborhood is receiving an increased amount of interest from potential buyers whove been priced out of other city neighborhoods, McLaughlin said. But with the increased demand has come a noted jump in real estate prices.

In May, a 4,000-square-foot English Tudor hit the market for nearly $1 million. The newly built house is under contract and raising expectations in Hillcrest, McLaughlin said.

Steven Nesbitt, whos lived in Hillcrest for five years, finds the community unexciting, which is high praise, he assures.

Its a good community and its conveniently located, but best of all is that its safe and not a lot happens around here, said Nesbitt, who lives in a 2,700-square-foot Colonial.

Nesbitt, whose family has lived in Hillcrest for several generations, said that longtime residents affectionately refer to the community as Washingtons Silver Coast, a nod to the 16th Street corridor, which is known as the citys Gold Coast and was long the home of Washingtons black elite.

Hillcrest has always been kind of a hidden gem, Nesbitt said.

[Near Rockville, a neighborhood grows without losing its friendliness]

The neighborhood is located about three miles from the Capitol, and Loretta Ruffin, whos lived in Hillcrest for more than 20 years, said that she was originally drawn to it because of its ease of access to points downtown and peaceful ambiance.

Living here gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling, Ruffin said. You can take a walk with your dog, and you have neighbors who speak and get to know you. Were all about getting to know one another.



Hillcrest was home to former mayor Marion Barry and his family and counts D.C. Council member Vincent C. Gray (D-Ward 7) as a resident. It has long been one of the more sought-after communities east of the Anacostia River. (Justin T. Gellerson/For The Washington Post)

Living there: The neighborhood is bordered roughly by Pennsylvania Avenue SE to the northeast, Southern Avenue to the southeast and Naylor Road to the west.

In the past 12 months, 86 properties have sold in Hillcrest, ranging from an 846-square-foot two-bedroom, one-bathroom condominium for $65,000 to an eight-bedroom, six-bathroom house for $665,000, said McLaughlin, the broker with MCL Real Estate.

There are 30 houses for sale in Hillcrest, ranging from a 648-square-foot two-bedroom, one-bathroom traditional house for $74,900 to a 1,680-square-foot seven-bedroom, three-bathroom Colonial for $699,000, McLaughlin said.

Schools: Beers Elementary, John Philip Sousa Middle and Anacostia High.

Transit: Hillcrest is about a seven-minute car ride to the Benning Road station on Metros Blue and Silver lines and a 13-minute car ride to the Branch Avenue station on Metros Green Line. Metrobuss 30N and 36 lines also serve the neighborhood.

Crime: In the past year, there were 25 reports of stolen vehicles, 20 robberies, 15 assaults and nine burglaries in the police service area that includes Hillcrest, according to D.C. police.
A Kashmiri man argues with an Indian paramilitary soldier at a temporary checkpoint during restrictions in Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Friday, July 28, 2017. (Mukhtar Khan/AP)

Police in Indian-administered Kashmir said Friday they were investigating a claim that al-Qaeda has launched a new terrorist branch in the troubled Himalayan valley.

Earlier this week, an al-Qaeda-affiliated media group said in a statement that Kashmiri militant Zakir Musa would head a new movement of al-Qaeda in Kashmir with the goal of expelling Indian forces from the region, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist organizations.

Al-Qaeda has not traditionally operated in the Kashmir Valley, long disputed by Pakistan and India and mostly home to indigenous insurgents supported by Pakistan.

Although police officials said the claim was a security concern, they downplayed Musas influence, saying he had only a small band of followers and lacked the firepower to carry out a large-scale attack. But he could draw from the ranks of other terrorist groups in the region, police said.

[Five Indian families slip away, join ISIS in Afghanistan]

School children walk past an Indian policeman in downtown Srinagar, July 28, 2017. (Danish Ismail/Reuters)

Whoever picks up a gun is a terrorist, said S.P. Vaid, director general of the Jammu and Kashmir Police. We treat everybody equally, al-Qaeda or no al-Qaeda.

Musa, once a field commander for the terrorist group Hizbul Mujahideen, had been flirting with al-Qaeda for weeks after an ideological split with separatists, who say they are battling for freedom from India, not for a global caliphate.

In an incendiary online video released in May, Musa threatened to kill separatist leaders and hang their severed heads in Lal Chowk, Srinagars main market.

Kashmirs war is only to enforce sharia law, he said. It is an Islamic struggle.

Local militant commanders issued statements Thursday rebutting the announcement, saying that al-Qaeda has nothing to do with what they describe as Kashmirs freedom movement and that there is no space for international terrorist groups in the valley.

[Teen girls with stones are the new threat in Indias Kashmir conflict]

The al-Qaeda announcement is a big win for the group as it struggles to find ways to prove it is relevant in South Asia, according to Michael Kugelman, a South Asia expert at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington.

Yet it will complicate efforts by Kashmiris to garner more international support, he said.

Its hard to argue youre fighting for a noble local cause when one of your movements leaders becomes an al-Qaeda leader, Kugelman said.

Some analysts say global terrorist networks such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have not made significant inroads in India, despite a population of 1.3 billion that is 14 percent Muslim. An analysis by Dhruva Jaishankar and Sara Perlangeli of Brookings India found that only 142 Indian citizens have some kind of Islamic State affiliation, for example, far fewer than in other countries.

[Indian Kashmir suffers worst violence in years after militant leaders death]

Musa is a former associate of Burhan Wani, the local folk hero and Hizbul commander whose killing last July sparked weeks of protests that left nearly 100 dead. After Wanis death, Musa, a college dropout from an affluent and well-educated family, was tapped as a Hizbul commander with the hope that he could establish a similar online presence, analysts said.

As with Wani, Musa is popular with Kashmiri youths, who share his photos and videos on WhatsApp and Facebook.

Whatever he does, we believe in him, said Tariq Ahmad, 22, a carpenter in Anantag district.

Ishfaq Naseem in Srinagar and Julie Tate in Washington contributed to this report.

Read more

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North Korea has taken another bold step toward achieving its stated goal of being able to send a nuclear weapon to the U.S. mainland, firing an intercontinental ballistic missile late Friday that highlights the regimes rapid technological progress.

The missile flew almost straight up for 45 minutes and reached a height of about 2,300 miles before crashing into the sea off Japan. But if it had been launched on a normal trajectory, the missile could theoretically have reached Chicago and perhaps even New York, experts said.

This latest provocation compounds the problem facing the Trump administration and North Koreas neighbors: how to stop the regime of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un from making progress with its nuclear weapons program.

President Trump called the launch a reckless and dangerous action.

By threatening the world, these weapons and tests further isolate North Korea, weaken its economy, and deprive its people, Trump said in a statement. The United States will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and protect our allies in the region.

The Pentagon and South Koreas joint chiefs of staff both said they had detected the launch, which occurred Friday at about 11:11 p.m. North Korea time. The late-night launch was unusual, as North Korea usually fires missiles shortly after dawn.

We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile, as had been expected, said Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America, Davis said.

Kim Jong Un supervised the launch of the missile, the Korean Central News Agency reported early Saturday.

The latest test proved our intercontinental ballistic rockets reliability and a capacity to launch it in a surprised manner at any place and time, the report said. The leader said that the U.S. mainland is within our striking range.

[ North Korea could cross ICBM threshold next year, U.S. officials warn in new assessment ]

American officials assessed that the missile flew on a lofted trajectory to reach an apogee of 2,300 miles, before landing about 620 miles from its launch site in Chagang province in northwestern North Korea, near the border with China.

In this July 4, 2017, file photo distributed by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, second from right, inspects the preparation of the launch of a Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile in North Korea's northwest. (AP/AP)

This is something that North Korea has been doing to test its missiles without firing them over Japan, an even more incendiary move.

The missile landed within Japans exclusive economic zone in the Sea of Japan, chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference convened early Saturday morning. Analysts said it landed off the coast of the northern island of Hokkaido.

We cannot tolerate North Koreas repeated provocations like this, Suga said. We have made a strong protest to North Korea and condemned this act in the strongest terms.

If the missile had been fired on a trajectory designed to maximize its range, it could have flown 6,500 miles, said David Wright, co-director of the Global Security Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. This is without taking into account the rotation of the Earth, which increases the range of missiles fired to the east.

Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago appear to be well within range of this missile, and that Boston and New York may be just within range, Wright said. Washington may still be just out of range, he added.

These are only estimates, and experts do not know what kind of payload the missile was carrying, a factor that influences range.

But with its rapid succession of tests, North Korea is showing steady and observable technical progress that has alarmed analysts and officials alike.

[ Kim Jong Uns rockets are getting an important boost  from China ]

Fridays test comes just three weeks after North Korea fired its first intercontinental ballistic missile, launched as July 4 dawned in Asia, and becomes the 14th ballistic missile launch this year alone.

That missile, which North Korea called the Hwasong-14 (or Mars-14), flew to an altitude of 1,741 miles  seven times as high as the International Space Station  before landing in the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, 577 miles from its launch site. Analysts said that this would put Alaska and Hawaii within range.

Jeffrey Lewis, head of the East Asia program at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) in California, said that this latest test was designed to demonstrate that North Korea could hit more of the mainland United States.

My guess is that they want to show more range, Lewis said, adding that North Korea was essentially calling the Pentagons bluff. We basically dared them to do this. We said, Its not really an ICBM until it can hit Alaska, and theyre, like, Okay. 

Ten of this years 14 ballistic missile launches can be considered successful, according to CNS researchers.

The Pentagons Defense Intelligence Agency has shaved two full years off the forecast for North Koreas ICBM program, now estimating that North Korea will be able to field a reliable, nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile as early as next year.

A launch this week  the anniversary of the end of the 1950-1953 Korean War fell on Thursday  had been anticipated. U.S. intelligence agencies had seen signs that North Korea was preparing for another test.

The Pentagon is planning another test of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system in Alaska soon. The system is designed to shoot down incoming missiles.

In a surprising apparent shift, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who took office in May vowing to review the U.S. deployment of a THAAD battery to South Korea, signaled he would now accept the system.

After an emergency National Security Council meeting held early Saturday morning, Moons office said he had directed his staff to consider ways to strengthen deterrence, including through the additional deployment of THAAD launchers.

[ The inevitability of North Koreas nuclear weapons ]

The July 4 test, which violated United Nations resolutions against North Korea, was met with the usual rounds of international condemnation, and the latest provocation is likely to be greeted in the same way.

But the world has not found a way to persuade North Korea to stop.

The United States has been leading the charge for more and more sanctions against North Korea, but Russia and China  both veto-wielding permanent members of the U.N. Security Council  have been reluctant to impose painful measures and are calling instead for a de-escalation plan to deal with Pyongyang.

The Trump administration needs to focus on diplomacy as well as sanctions, said Kelsey Davenport, director for nonproliferation policy at the Arms Control Association. A deployed North Korean ICBM is not inevitable, but it will be if policymakers in Washington keep putting the cart before the horse and demanding Pyongyang meet onerous preconditions to begin talks, she said.

The Trump administration, like the Obama administration before it, has said that North Korea must agree to freeze its weapons program before talks can begin.

Washingtons diplomacy deficit is further compounded by the dangerous illusion that sanctions alone will push North Korea to negotiate, Davenport said, when the Trump administration and Congress should be focused on signaling support for talks without conditions.

We wont know anything about North Koreas intentions unless we engage them seriously and at length, said Sharon Squassoni, director of the Proliferation Prevention Program at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. The Trump administration needs to commit resources and real expertise to reshaping peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.

She continued, Kim Jong Un does seem hellbent on acquiring the capability to reach the United States with nuclear weapons.

Thomas Gibbons-Neff in Washington contributed to this report.

Read more

Experts: North Koreas missile was a real ICBM  and a grave milestone

North Korea at the top of agenda as U.S., South Koreans hold summit

Markets helping North Koreans become more independent of the regime, poll says

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The Federal Emergency Management Agency will give Montana a fire management assistance grant to help pay for the cost of fighting the Lodgepole Complex fires.

The 270,000-acre blaze is winding down on the parched range lands of Petroleum and Garfield counties after it grew explosively into the nation's largest wildfire last week. It has destroyed at least 16 homes.

Grant funding can be used to reimburse 75 percent of firefighting costs like labor, equipment and supplies used for fighting the fire and costs for emergency work such as evacuations and sheltering since the start of the fire.

According to the Northern Rockies Coordination Center, it has cost about $6 million to fight the blaze. It's unclear which agencies are expected to cover the cost.

Firefighting units from across the country were called in to battle the blaze as red flag warning conditions helped it jump the Musselshell River and Highway 200 despite more than 300 local firefighters and ranchers battling the fire.

Eventually about 60 engines and 20 water tenders from around the country joined the battle, and firefighters have largely contained the blaze.

Montana politicians had lobbied FEMA to provide grant assistance after the state's application was originally turned down. Gov. Steve Bullock's office announced that the state would appeal FEMA's initial rejection of a grant application Tuesday.

Democrat Sen. Jon Tester sent a letter to the agency demanding to know why the request was denied Tuesday; Republicans Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Greg Gianforte sent letters urging the agency to reconsider Thursday.

Both senators spoke with FEMA director Brock Long on Thursday about the reversal.

"He was very concerned about this from the beginning," Tester said Thursday. "We hope most of the fire's already been fought."

According to a release from FEMA, the grant was initially denied Sunday. The state officially appealed FEMA's decision Thursday.

"A review of the wildfire situation back to the time of the original request was completed, along with an assessment of additional information provided by the State such as the threat to lives and improved property, strain on local and regional fire capability, economic impact to the local communities and high fire conditions at the time of the request," the release says.
President Trump plans to sign legislation slapping new punitive sanctions on Russia over election meddling, the White House said Friday, effectively ending hopes for the fresh start with Moscow that he came into office promising to seek.

Trump opposed the legislation as an infringement on executive power but faced the certainty of an embarrassing congressional override if he vetoed it. The announcement came hours after the Russian government announced that it would seize U.S. diplomatic properties and kick out a large number of U.S. diplomats.

The Russian action was in response to the sanctions bill passed by Congress on Thursday. It signaled a loss of patience by Russian President Vladimir Putin with the Trump administrations inability to change the troubled relationship between the two nuclear-armed powers, which stands at its lowest point since the end of the Cold War.

The legislation handcuffs Trumps power to lift earlier punitive measures taken by the United States in response to Russias actions in Ukraine  the top priority for Putin in any remake of the U.S.-Russia relationship.

President Donald J. Trump read early drafts of the bill and negotiated regarding critical elements of it, a White House statement said. He has now reviewed the final version and, based on its responsiveness to his negotiations, approves the bill and intends to sign it.

1 of 21 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Russian compounds in Maryland and New York shut down View Photos Two luxury retreats, in Centreville, Md., and Oyster Bay, N.Y., where Russian diplomats have gone for decades to play tennis, sail and swim, were shut down by the Obama administration in retaliation for Moscows alleged hacking in the presidential election. Caption Two luxury retreats, in Centreville, Md., and Oyster Bay, N.Y., where Russian diplomats have gone for decades to play tennis, sail and swim, were shut down by the Obama administration in retaliation for Moscows alleged hacking in the presidential election. Dec. 30, 2106 The Russian Embassys compound near Centreville, Md. NBC4/WRC-TV via Reuters Wait 1 second to continue.

It was not clear what influence the White House was claiming Trump had exerted. The bill still includes mandatory congressional review of sanctions.

Trump could have vetoed the law as a signal to Moscow of his continuing interest in rapprochement, while knowing Congress would easily override his action. Signing the bill acknowledges that his goal of better relations with Moscow is on ice.

The Russian expulsion order could affect scores or even hundreds of diplomats and other embassy staff  and officials in Moscow had recently indicated that the measure was imminent.

President Barack Obama expelled Russian diplomats and ordered the seizure of Russian properties in the United States in the closing weeks of his tenure, in response to the conclusion by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia had interfered in the 2016 presidential election to damage the candidacy of Hillary Clinton and help Trump get elected.

[Obamas secret struggle to retaliate against Putins election interference]

Putin initially declined to respond with tit-for-tat expulsions of his own, a gesture to the president-elect and his pledge as a candidate to try to repair relations with the Kremlin.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday that Moscow had no choice but to respond now, according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Lavrov cited a number of hostile steps taken by the United States but also told Tillerson that Moscow was ready to normalize the bilateral relations with the U.S. and cooperate on important international issues, the Foreign Ministry said.

We have expressed our strong disappointment and protest, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said. The U.S. protests came during Tillersons call with Lavrov and a meeting U.S. Ambassador John Tefft held in Moscow with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

The department did not provide an estimate of how many U.S. personnel would have to depart by the Sept. 1 deadline, but Russias order to reduce the number of U.S. diplomatic staff to 455 would appear to affect as many as a few hundred people.

The Senate voted 98 to 2 for legislation that slaps new penalties on Russia and limits Trumps ability to lift sanctions already in place. The measure had previously passed the House.

Trumps aides had given mixed signals about whether the president would sign or veto the Russia legislation, which is packaged with additional sanctions on Iran and North Korea that he supports. Trump advisers had said the legislation imposed unacceptable limits on presidential prerogatives.

This does hem in Trumps political moves, said Jane Harman, a former California Democratic congresswoman who is now president of the Wilson Center.

A threat of more retaliation

[The man who drives Trumps Russia connection]

Russia has promised additional retaliatory measures against the new sanctions once they become law, possibly targeting U.S. commercial or trade interests.

This is a landmark moment, said Andrei Kolesnikov, a journalist for the newspaper Kommersant who regularly travels with Putin and has interviewed him extensively over the past 17 years. His patience has seriously run out, and everything that hes been putting off in this conflict, hes now going to do.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok should reduce the number of their diplomatic and technical employees to 455, in apparent parity with the number of Russian diplomatic staff in the United States.

The Foreign Ministry also said it would seize, effective Aug. 1, a Moscow warehouse and dacha, or vacation house, used by the U.S. Embassy. The dacha, located in a posh suburb along the Moscow River, was often used by families of embassy workers for vacations or parties.

The passing of the new bill on sanctions clearly showed that relations with Russia have become a hostage of the internal political struggle in the U.S., the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement laying out the measures. Putin and other officials have denied that Russia meddled in the 2016 election and dismissed the scandal as the creation of Russophobes in Washington.

James F. Collins, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia who is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said Putins grace period to test the possibility of better relations with the United States under Trump is over.

This is certainly a negative development for any hope for near-term improvement in official relations, Collins said. They see the action by Congress in passing this bill on sanctions and limiting the presidents ability to act as a signal the Obama administration approach is not changed, and President Trump is not going to be able to change it.

Russia also said the new U.S. sanctions could harm cooperation in the fights against terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, illegal drug trafficking, illegal migration and cybercrime.

Among the areas that could be affected are a United Nations vote on new North Korea sanctions and cooperation in Syria.

The U.S. needs our support on some issues at the U.N. Security Council; they are trying to mobilize the international community to toughen sanctions against North Korea, Alexei Pushkov, head of the Russian Federation Council information policy commission, said in an interview with the Russian news agency Interfax.

In Syria, the administration is depending on Russia to restrain its allies  the government of President Bashar al-Assad and Iran  from interfering in the campaign against the Islamic State. Early this month, Tillerson hailed a new agreement between Moscow and Washington on a cease-fire in one corner of Syrias civil war as our first indication of the U.S. and Russia being able to work together on what he described as the shared goal of Syrian stability.

U.S. officials have described cooperation on Syria as steadily improving, and Lavrov, in the Foreign Ministry statement, said Russia was still willing to . . . cooperate on the most important items of the international agenda.

The statement said that Moscow agreed to continue contacts on all aspects of Russian-American relations.

Tillerson traveled to Moscow this year on what he called an outreach mission. The United States, he said at the time, cannot afford to have such bad blood with its largest potential nuclear adversary.

Leaders meeting at summit

Trump and Putin met for the first time on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit this month in Hamburg and appeared to strike up a good personal rapport.

But, ultimately, Putin wanted results from the relationship  in particular, sanctions relief.

[Trumps Russia strategy collides with reality in leaked call with Putin]

A handful of spies in the United States and Russia have been expelled in recent years, including Ryan Fogle, a CIA officer who was paraded on Russian television wearing a shaggy blond wig in 2013. But the last sizable round of diplomatic expulsions was in 2001, when the U.S. government kicked out 51 Russian diplomats over the Robert Hanssen spy case.

Hanssen, an FBI agent caught trying to make a dead drop to a Russian handler in a park in Virginia, was accused of spying for Russia since 1986. Russia expelled 50 diplomats in retaliation. The United States under President Ronald Reagan ordered out 55 Soviet diplomats in 1986 in another case, after Russia expelled five U.S. diplomats.

[Cooperation with Russia becomes central to Trump strategy in Syria]

But this time, the scale of the expulsions, if confirmed to be in the hundreds, appears unprecedented.

The numbers game is important, said Andrew Weiss, a vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace who previously served on the State Departments policy planning staff. The Russians tend to be fastidious about this janitor for that janitor, this second secretary for that second secretary. Extremely into reciprocity.

A change in that pattern, he said, could indicate a serious deterioration in relations.

Roth reported from Moscow. Karen DeYoung in Washington contributed to this report

Read more:

Russian entrepreneurs wish youd stop worrying about Putin

Plan to relocate 1.6 million Muscovites turns middle-class Russians into protesters

Putin denied election hacking after Trump pressed him, Tillerson says

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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Venezuela prepared Friday for a possible showdown between opposition protesters and government forces ahead of a vote that critics decry as a final step toward authoritarian rule in the South American nation.

Residents here in the sprawling capital poured into supermarkets, already struggling with food shortages, to stockpile what they could amid fears of violence. Flash points emerged in parts of the city, with clusters of protesters clashing with security forces who fired tear gas. Many streets were calm, though, some even eerily quiet.

Im going to stay home all weekend, because I feel there will be violence, said Rosa Aponte, 45, who was shopping in a packed grocery store in wealthier eastern Caracas, buying bread, plantains, juice, yogurt and sardines. I do not want to take the risk.

[How a new kind of protest movement has arisen in Venezuela]

Ahead of Sundays vote, the socialist government of President Nicolas Maduro  the anointed successor of leftist firebrand Hugo Chavez, who died in 2013  issued a ban on public gatherings and protests through Tuesday. The opposition answered with a vow to pour into the streets nationwide, although exactly how many would heed that call remained unclear.

Demonstrators at a rally in Caracas against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government on July 27, 2017. (Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters)

In Caracas, a downpour dampened the early turnout, although clusters of demonstrators had begun to set up roadblocks. Rising tensions led the U.S. State Department late Wednesday to order family members of American staff at its embassy in Caracas to leave the country and authorize voluntary departures of personnel. Images on social media showed massive lines at Caracass Maiquetia International Airport.

Opponents are boycotting Sundays vote, which would create a super-congress that could prolong Maduros rule. A whopping 6,120 candidates are running in the election, including Maduros son and wife, former officials and rank-and-file government supporters. The new institution would possess great powers, including the right to change the constitution and supplant the National Assembly.

Although robbed of its power by the government-controlled supreme court, the assembly is dominated by the opposition, which won it in a landslide in 2015.

Roads were blocked Friday in eastern Caracas, but the city center appeared relatively normal, as did western parts of the capital.

Demonstrators said fear was apparently keeping some people away.

I feel a bit sad [there arent more people here], but I am here for Venezuela, said a 29-year-old protester who declined to give her name. She was stuffing fuses inside molotov cocktails at a spot in eastern Caracas where a small group of demonstrators was battling police.

Nothing is going to stop us. We need to stop this country from becoming a second Cuba, she said.

(Multimedios VTV)

[Stuck in a death spiral, Venezuela is borrowing money at any cost]

One remote hope to prevent the vote had rested on secret, indirect talks mediated by former Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. In an interview, Julio Borges, president of the National Assembly, acknowledged that Zapatero had delivered messages between the opposition and government.

But he described that process as now being effectively dead and said there was zero hope of a deal that would forestall the vote.

There are absolutely no negotiations happening now, Borges said. No agreements have been reached. I see zero chance that the government will back down before Sunday. Zero.

[Trump administration hits 13 Venezuelans with sanctions in advance of vote]

The crisis is mounting amid shortages of food and medicine and a 16 percent drop in the already-rock-bottom black-market value of the bolivar, the local currency, in just the past week. The United States this week sanctioned 13 more Venezuelan officials. The Trump administration is weighing far tougher steps, including a deeply painful embargo on Venezuelan oil, if Maduro does not call off the vote.

Other nations in Europe and beyond have pledged to follow suit. Mexican officials said this week that they would impose sanctions on Venezuelan officials. Mexico once again expresses its preoccupation with the grave crisis that Venezuela is going through, the Mexican Foreign Ministry said in a statement, calling on Maduro to fully restore democracy and the rule of law in a peaceful way.

Maduro argues that the new assembly will bring peace and stability as well as empower citizens in poor neighborhoods. His critics call the effort a ploy to replace the National Assembly and consolidate power after four months of protests that have left at least 112 people dead.

Rachelle Krygier in Caracas and Josh Partlow in Mexico City contributed to this report.

Read more

Things are so bad in Venezuela that people are rationing toothpaste

Venezuelas paradox: People are hungry, but farmers cant feed them

Maduro wants to rewrite the constitution. Thats rocket fuel on the fire.

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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A powerful tribe has given the Jordanian government an ultimatum: Release the killer of three U.S. soldiers or face a wave of tribal unrest.

The crisis began July 17 when a Jordanian military tribunal sentenced Maarik al-Tawayha, a soldier, to life in prison for killing the three Americans at an air base in southern Jordan in November.

Just as the government was trying to alleviate tensions over that case, a second crisis shook the kingdom Sunday evening: An Israeli security officer shot and killed two Jordanians on the grounds of the Israeli Embassy after being attacked by one of them with a screwdriver. Many Jordanians were outraged that the officer was allowed to return home to Israel without being questioned.

Citizens, activists and other critics say the handling of the incidents by the government, which is appointed by the king, sent the same message: Jordanian life is cheap.

Caught between its closest Western ally, delicate diplomacy with Israel and an enraged public, the Jordanian government is facing a crisis of credibility.

Maarik al-Tawayha, a soldier, to life in prison for killing the three Americans at an air base in southern Jordan in November. (Ahmad Abdo/EPA)

Jordanians have long prized stability over greater freedoms, enduring austerity measures and a lack of political reforms for the sake of security. But many here say the government is no longer holding up its end of the deal and wonder how much longer they can hold up theirs.

In the last week, we learned that Jordan is the same as the rest of Arab regimes, said Mohammed Hussein, a taxi driver from the southern city of Maan.

[Army Special Forces soldiers killed in Jordan were working for the CIA]

The case has alienated the regimes bedrock, the Howeitat  Tawayhas tribe  which helped lead the Great Arab Revolt that paved the way for the establishment of the country. A century later, the Howeitat sided with the government against pro-democracy protesters.

Critics have pointed out that Tawayhas case was pushed through in less than nine months, swift by Jordanian terms, and that life sentences do not exist in Jordanian law. Many have also said the presence of the U.S. soldiers parents at the trial was proof of outside pressure and influence on the proceedings.

The Arabic hashtag #We_are_all_Maarik is trending on Twitter and Facebook, while the soldiers image is being shared on social media and has been etched onto the rear windows of trucks as a symbol of what Jordanians say is resistance to foreign intervention.

Faced with growing pressure from the Howeitat, and public sentiment siding with Tawayha, the Jordanian government released a video of the shooting on Monday that clearly shows Tawayha gunning down the Americans as they surrendered.

Protestors chant slogans during a demonstration near the Israeli embassy in Amman, Jordan July 28, 2017. (Muhammad Hamed/Reuters)

[New video contradicts Jordanian accounts of how 3 U.S. soldiers were killed]

It did little to quell public anger and suspicion.

Images of the security officer involved in the Israeli Embassy shooting being met with a heros welcome in Israel and a hug from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu only inflamed tensions further. The officer, who reportedly held diplomatic immunity, returned to Israel less than 24 hours after the shooting without an investigation.

On Friday, Jordans state news agency, Petra, reported that the attorney general filed murder charges against the officer. Petra reported that Jordans Foreign Ministry had forwarded its investigations and charges to the Israeli government late Friday, expecting the officer to face trial in Israel.

Before we bury the bodies of our victims, Netanyahu is hugging the officer and asking if he has fixed a date with his girlfriend. This has left a feeling of worthlessness among Jordanians, said Oraib al-Rantawi of the Amman-based Al Quds Center for Political Studies. What happened at the Israeli Embassy revived the entire debate about Maarik al-Tawayha and the Jordanian states respect of its own citizens.

Those protesting the embassy shootings have also used Tawayhas image on social media, while the Howeitat tribe has sent messages of support to the families of the slain Jordanians  a rare sign of political solidarity between southern Bedouin tribes and the mostly Palestinian urban residents of Amman.

The Howeitat have been careful in their language, blaming not the Americans but the Jordanian government for the incident, holding Amman accountable for the trial process.

The Howeitat initially gave Jordan until Saturday to release Tawayha but announced an indefinite postponement to continue talks with the government and the royal palace.

In a statement, the tribe said the delay came out of national interest and the spirit of loyalty to Jordan and His Majesty King Abdullah in order to reach a compromise.

Returning to Jordan from a trip abroad on Thursday, King Abdullah II paid condolences to the family of Mohamed Jawawdeh, one of the slain Jordanians. The king later called on Netanyahu to honor his responsibilities and take the necessary legal measures to ensure that the killer is tried and justice is served.

The Jordanian government announced Thursday that the Israeli ambassador and embassy staff would not be allowed back into the kingdom until absolute assurances were given that the shooter will face trial.

But for many Jordanians, it was too little, too late.

Now the Jordanian government is in a crisis not just with the Howeitat, but with all the Jordanian people  this has become an issue of dignity, said Saddah Habashneh, one of the few members of parliament to raise both issues.

There is a complete lack of trust and resentment toward this government by the people, Habashneh said. We are afraid of where we go from this point.

With Saturdays deadline looming, Jordans Tourism Ministry issued a ban this week on tour groups traveling to Wadi Rum, the site whose majestic red sand dunes served as filming locations for Lawrence of Arabia and The Martian, and from using the stretch of highway between Wadi Rum and the port city of Aqaba, another tourist hub, which runs straight through Howeitat territory.

The U.S. Embassy followed suit Wednesday, barring its staff from traveling to southern Jordan due to potential unrest and encouraging U.S. citizens to avoid the area.

Our problem is not with the Americans; our problem is that the rule of law is applied to some and then scrapped for foreign powers and allies, said one Howeitat tribal member, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized by tribal leaders to speak on their behalf.

Read more:

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Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Thursday night that he has been hurt by President Trumps criticisms, but is still honored to serve the president as the nations chief law enforcement official and push forward his conservative agenda.

Well . . . its kind of hurtful but the president of the United States is a strong leader, Sessions said in a Thursday night interview with Tucker Carlson on Fox News. He is determined to move this country in the direction that he believes it needs to go to make it great again. And he has had a lot of criticisms and hes steadfastly determined to get his job done, and he wants all of us to do our jobs  and thats what I intend to do.

Sessions said that he does not regret his decision to recuse himself from the Russia investigation, which is what turned Trump against him.

I understand his feelings about it because this has been a big distraction for him, Sessions said. I talked to experts in the Department of Justice . . . Im confident I made the right decision, a decision thats consistent for the rule of law. An attorney general who doesnt follow the law isnt very effective in leading the Department of Justice.

Sessions pointed to his more than a decade of experience in the Justice Department as a prosecutor from Alabama and said he knows the integrity thats required of the attorney general.

(The Washington Post)

I believe I made the right decision, he reiterated.

Sessions also made clear that he has no intention of resigning and wants to continue implementing the Trump administration agenda, which includes cracking down on illegal immigration and targeting street gangs.

I do believe we are making tremendous progress, Sessions said. I can feel the movement . . . We had a 25 percent increase in prosecution of criminals with guns just this last quarter.

But, the attorney general said, he also understands he serves at the pleasure of the president.

If he wants to make a change, he can certainly do so and I would be glad to yield in that circumstance, no doubt about it, Sessions said. He said he had not spoken to Trump since his public criticism and there were no plans on the calendar yet to do so. But he said that he has made strides on issues he knows the president cares about, including illegal immigration.

We share such a common interest there, Sessions said.

Next week, the attorney general said, he will hold a news conference regarding multiple leak investigations being conducted by the Justice Department.

I have not been happy with the past prosecutions and investigations of criminal leaks, Sessions said.

The Obama administration conducted an unprecedented crackdown on leaks. The Justice Department prosecuted nine cases that involved leaks and whistleblowers, which compares with just three of all previous administrations.

Sessionss conversation with Carlson was the attorney generals first interview since Trump began attacking him in newspaper stories and tweets, saying that he was disappointed that Sessions had recused himself from the Russia investigation, calling Sessions beleaguered and tweeting that he was VERY weak on investigating Hillary Clintons crimes.

In recent days, Trump has talked with his advisers about replacing Sessions as attorney general and in his news conference Tuesday he did not say what the future would bring for Sessions.

Well see what happens, Trump said. Time will tell. Time will tell.

[Senate Republicans have tolerated Trumps controversies. His treatment of Sessions is different.]

But conservative organizations, including Breitbart News, and Republican lawmakers have strongly come to the attorney generals defense. Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh criticized Trumps swipes at Sessions and called Sessions a by-the-book attorney general, a by-the-book legal mind.

I think Sessions deserves to be treated much more fairly. I mean, Jeff was there when no other senator was, said Sen. Orrin G. Hatch of Utah, the longest currently serving Republican in the Senate, referring to Sessionss early support of Trump during the presidential election.

The attorney general spoke to Carlson during a trip to El Salvador on Thursday to meet with Salvadoran Attorney General Douglas Melendez and participate in briefings related to the MS-13 gang and issues of immigration, drugs and human trafficking. Salvadoran prosecutors charged 113 MS-13 gang members Thursday. The prosecution of MS-13 gang members, who are active in 40 states and the District of Columbia, is a high priority for Sessions.
WASHINGTON  Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke called Alaska's two Republican senators to warn them of repercussions for the nation's largest state if they failed to toe the Trump administration line on health care, according to a published report.

The Alaska Dispatch News reported Thursday that Zinke called Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and complained that Murkowski's vote against proceeding on legislation to repeal "Obamacare" had put Alaska's future with the administration in jeopardy. Vice President Mike Pence broke a 50-50 tie to advance the measure earlier this week.

Sullivan told the newspaper that the call from Zinke heralded a "troubling message." Questioned by reporters on Thursday, Sullivan declined to discuss his conversations with administration officials.

Murkowski confirmed that she received a call from Zinke, but said she did not perceive the call as a threat against her or Alaska.

"He was just sharing the concern that the president expressed to him to pass on to me," Murkowski said Thursday. She and Zinke, a former Montana congressman, have a "cordial, respectful and friendly relationship," Murkowski added. "I don't think that will change one bit."

The Interior Department and the White House had no comment on the report.

The notion of a Cabinet official warning senators of retribution over health care is highly unusual, even as Trump has lashed out at GOP members of Congress for balking at his policies. On Wednesday, Trump tweeted at Murkowski: "Senator @lisamurkowski of the Great State of Alaska really let the Republicans, and our country, down yesterday. Too bad!"

Murkowski, who was re-elected to a new six-year term last year, chairs the powerful Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which has say over Interior business and nominations. She also leads an Appropriations subcommittee with authority over the Interior Department budget. On Thursday, an energy committee hearing on nominations was postponed, with a spokeswoman citing "scheduling uncertainties."

Alaska has a range of issues affected by the federal government, including proposals to build a road through a remote wildlife refuge and drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Several Alaskans also have been nominated for key posts at Interior, and Murkowski and Sullivan have pushed to expand drilling on federal land in Alaska's North Slope near the Arctic Ocean.

Sullivan told the newspaper: "I'm not going to go into the details, but I fear that the strong economic growth, pro-energy, pro-mining, pro-jobs and personnel from Alaska who are part of those policies are going to stop."

"I tried to push back on behalf of all Alaskans. We're facing some difficult times and there's a lot of enthusiasm for the policies that Secretary Zinke and the president have been talking about with regard to our economy. But the message was pretty clear," Sullivan said.

Sullivan told reporters on Thursday that resource development is critical for his state, which he said is in recession.

"From my perspective, the sooner we can get back to cooperation between the administration and the chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the better," he said, referring to Murkowski.

Murkowski, who talked to Trump before her vote on Tuesday, said she has no problem with the administration's efforts to persuade her on the health care bill.

"The president wants to get a health care bill. He's going to make calls. That's understood. ... That's kind of his job. I don't have a hardship with that. I don't have heartburn with that at all," she said, adding that she made her position clear to Trump when they talked before the initial vote on Tuesday.

"He was very direct, in terms of encouraging me to vote to proceed," Murkowski said of Trump. "It was a difficult conversation."

In the end, she decided to vote against moving forward, saying the bill was not ready and would make unacceptable cuts to Medicaid.

Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., said any threat against Murkowski was a mistake.

"Always. Tomorrow's another day," Shelby said. "We vote thousands of times ... I'd never threaten anybody because they didn't vote with me on some issue because tomorrow, we might have another issue."
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 27/07/2017 (1934 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In past years, the Gimli Film Festival has had a tendency to load up its program with films that had already played in Winnipegs premiere art house cinema prior to getting a festival berth.

Gimli Film Festival? You might have just as easily called it Cinematheque North.

But in its 17th year, the GFF offers what may be its best and boldest program ever, with 134 films playing until July 30. (The breakdown is: 72 short films, 36 narrative features and 26 documentaries.) Many of the feature films have yet to open in Winnipeg.

Kate Micucci, Alison Brie and Aubrey Plaza in The Little Hours

Even the films that have played in Winnipeg, old and new, warrant a place at the table for no other reason than the observance of Canadas sesquicentennial has spawned a CanFilm mini-festival.

Here then is a roundup of films to watch for in Gimli:

Local, local, local

Menorca (Thursday, July 27 at 8 p.m. at the Aspire Theatre), director John Barnards weird-sexy comedy-drama is about a troubled mom whose pathological misbehaviour compels her young son to break up with her.

https://youtu.be/t57ooNEIIZA

Downtime (Friday, July 28 at 8 p.m. at the Lady of The Lake Theatre) is an 80s chestnut, the first ever feature film out of the Winnipeg Film Group. Director Greg Hanec examines the funny/despairing lives of a group of Winnipeg 20-somethings.

Lovesick (Sunday, July 30 at 3 p.m., Gimli Theatre), director Tyson Caron fashions a love story between a guy who cant let go of his about-to-be married ex-girlfriend. But in the subtext, the movie is also a love letter to Winnipeg, and the city has never looked more romantic.

https://youtu.be/D2XRiLVD5bU

O Canada

C.R.A.Z.Y. (Thursday, July 27 at 5:30 p.m., Lady of The Lake Theatre), director Jean-Marc Valee offers a portrayal of a sexually confused young David Bowie fan coming to terms with his true self in spite of his strict Catholic upbringing.

Tippi Hedren in Alfred Hitchcocks The Birds.

My American Cousin (Friday, July 28 at 5:30 p.m., Gimli Lutheran Church Theatre). Director Sandy Wilson will be in attendance at the screening of her 1985 coming-of-age silm set in 1950s-era British Columbia, where a 12-year-old girl is beguiled by her James dean-like cousin from the U.S.

Offbeat and international

The Little Hours (Thursday, July 27 at 10 a.m. and Friday, July 28, at 10 p.m. at the Gimli Theatre). Three very contemporary American actresses  Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza and Kate Micucci  play medieval nuns given to 21st-century idioms and behaviour in this comedy adaptation of Boccaccios The Decameron, also starring John C. Reilly, Dave Franco and Nick Offerman.

Becoming Bond, (Thursday, July 27 at 3 p.m. at Lady of The Lake Theatre; Friday, July 28 at 12:30 p.m. at the Aspire Theatre) is a Hulu-produced documentary profile of Australian actor George Lazenby, a one-shot James Bond (On Her Majestys Secret Service, 1969) who lost the gig partly as a result of his own admitted hubris.

randall.king@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @FreepKing

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Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 28/07/2017 (1933 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Loren Remillard winces at the suggestion the unique local event hes planning in November for members of Winnipeg city council could be likened to a night of speed dating with your city councillor.

But Remillard, president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, said the Nov. 16 dinner will get civic politicians shuffling between tables filled with community leaders from all sectors, where they can talk about their concerns and priorities.

Were hoping to make this an annual signature event, Remillard said. Were bringing together all the voices that are really helping to drive our city forward to sit at a table and really have a wide-ranging conversation.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES It may invoke the idea of speed dating, but Loren Remillard hopes the event will create important discussions about the community.

Remillard said the details are still being ironed out but the concept is simple: one city hall guest will sit at each table with nine other guests  leaders representing business, labour, non-profits  where they can talk about the issues that are most important to them.

The city hall guests will include the mayor and 15 members of council, along with four to six senior administrators. At the end of each course, the city hall people get up and move to another table and talk with nine other community leaders.

Over a three-course meal, council members and senior administrators will have three, 45-minute sessions with community leaders, talking to each other about whats most important to them.

There is no pre-set agenda, Remillard said. It will be dependent on who is at the table and which councillor is at that table and they drive the conversation.

Its really an opportunity for all 16 members of council and senior administration to sit down over the course of an evening and hear from those community leaders as to issues that are important to them, as well as the individual councillors and the mayor to talk and convey their priorities, what theyre seeing in their wards and the city at large it really is about community dialogue.

The initiative appears to have the support of city hall. Mayor Brian Bowmans press secretary, Jeremy Davis, said Bowman will attend.

It is an effective way for elected officials to gain feedback from community leaders in a way that can constructively move discussions forward on a wide range of issues of concern, Davis said.

North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty said hes looking forward to the event, adding the evening promises to provide city hall a perspective on issues it doesnt always get.

While were talking to people all the time, were not always hearing about what their businesses or organizations are about, Browaty said. I think the evening the chamber is organizing in November will be a good opportunity to further grow our relationships, for the mutual benefit of the city.

The community leaders at each table will come from a variety of backgrounds to ensure no single topic dominates individual sittings, Remillard said, adding the format will provide an opportunity for some debate for issues the community leaders bring up.

Im sure some people will raise issues that are critical to their organizations but we really hope this is about fostering understanding of priorities, hopefully shared priorities, Remillard said. Our hope is that as many conversations take place as possible, that is really the intent, to foster that kind of dialogue.

Remillard said while hes received positive support from city hall, he hasnt yet identified or invited any community leaders. More details will come in the fall.

Remillard concedes that the guests will largely be the same people who regularly appear at city council committee meetings but said this will be the only opportunity they have to all meet together, with politicians and senior administrators.

We encourage people to come, participate and connect, and raise issues theyre seeing in their community and their lines of work, Remillard said. As well, its equally important for councillors, the mayor and senior administrators to feed back to all those voices, heres our perspective, heres our priorities, heres what Im thinking. It is not a one-way conversation.

While this would be a first for Winnipeg, he acknowledged that the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce holds a similar event with provincial politicians.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 27/07/2017 (1934 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  The federal Conservatives will descend on Winnipeg in September for their first caucus meeting under the leadership of Andrew Scheer, highlighting his focus on Manitoba as a key battleground in the 2019 election.

The Free Press has learned the Tories will meet Sept. 7 to 8 at the Delta Hotel in Winnipeg, to go over their strategy before Parliament resumes. They also plan to hit the streets of Winnipeg.

Portage-Lisgar MP Candice Bergen, who sits among Scheers inner circle, said her colleagues look forward to seeing the sights, and many hope to knock on doors around town.

MARK TAYLOR / THE CANADIAN PRESS Since being voted party leader on May 27, Andrew Scheer has visited the Maritimes, Alberta and Quebec, but not Manitoba.

Winnipeg is a great place to be at the end of summer, she said. Theres not that many mosquitoes, the weathers great.

Since being voted party leader on May 27, Scheer has visited the Maritimes, Alberta and Quebec, but not Manitoba.

Bergen says having Scheers entire team visit Winnipeg will give them a good grasp of local issues.

She says that could mean as many as 98 MPs and 38 senators, and often their spouses and children, visiting The Forks, the zoo and especially the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Numerous Conservatives blame a negative tone for the partys 2015 election loss, and Bergen says her party is trying to present a positive message, especially in Manitoba.

We recognize that we took some hits in the city of Winnipeg in the last election, she said. We want to be able to earn back the trust of the folks that live in Winnipeg, and those areas.

Thats why she plans to knock on Manitobans doors to understand them even better, she said. Maybe not do as much talking, as we can do listening.

Bergen says the party will invite their provincial counterparts, including Premier Brian Pallister, to speak.

Her other hope is that Scheer, who represents Regina, will stay to watch that weekends match between the Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Investors Group Field.

Im sure hes going to be a fan of the Blue Bombers when hes in Winnipeg, quipped Bergen. I may have just gotten myself into trouble for saying that.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits Winnipeg on Friday afternoon, to meet with Mayor Brian Bowman at city hall, and partake in the opening of the Canada Games at Bell MTS Place.

Trudeaus office said Tuesday he has no plans to visit Churchill, whose mayor invited the prime minister to see the plight caused by losing its rail lifeline nine weeks ago.

That has Bergen hoping Trudeau provides a plan for the damaged rail line, which its owner, Omnitrax, says it wont repair.

If something like this was happening in Quebec, I cant imagine how they would just ignore it, she said.

They need to offer some hope, and some solution  or at least some information so that we all know that they are actually working towards a solution.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 27/07/2017 (1934 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Theres a saying that you cant fight city hall but a North Kildonan couple has done exactly that, twice, and won each time.

Darrell and Cheryl Pakosh are waiting for formal word that, for a second time, theyve successfully blocked a condominium development adjacent to their Henderson Highway river lot home.

But the couples fight with city hall has greater implications than simply what gets built next to their home  its forced the civic administration to launch a revision of its planning approval process and set off fears that other controversial but already-approved projects will be have to go back to the drawing board.

All we wanted was a fair process and it looks like were going to get it now, Darrell Pakosh said.

The concerns reverberating within the city halls administration building is the impact the decision will have on the approval process. Currently, developers make an initial application at a hearing of three area councillors, known as the community committee. Decisions of the community committee can be appealed to other civic committees. But there is no requirement for a re-opening of the public hearing.

Justin Samanski-Langille / Winni JUSTIN SAMANSKI-LANGILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS An empty lot at 2090 Henderson Hwy. is seen Thursday. A condo project has been proposed for the property, but Darrell and Cheryl Pakosh, who live next to it, have been fighting against it in city hall. 170727 - Thursday, July 27, 2017.

For this project, the community committee approved the project but placed a caveat that no construction take place within 25 feet of the joint property line with the Pakoshes. However, at a meeting of the senior executive policy committee (EPC), the 25-feet requirement was removed and the rezoning was approved as the developer requested.

Concern among the administration was so high that the issue was brought to a closed-door session of Mayor Brian Bowman and EPC on July 12 and then later to all members of council during another private briefing.

The administration was all in a panic saying how they were going to have to re-invent the process and change how hearings are conducted, said an individual familiar with the issue who requested anonymity as the briefing was classified as confidential.

The city administration was asked to comment on the proposed settlement and its impact on the approval process but they did not respond, as the matter is before the courts.

The condo developers, Betty and Werner Neufeld of East St. Paul, could not be reached for comment. Their lawyer, Gord Steeves, said neither he nor the Neufelds would comment on the project or the Pakoshes dispute with city hall.

Lawyer Charles Chappell, who represents the Pakoshes, said the North Kildonan couple has been adamant that the citys approval process  which allows elected officials to overturn decisions made at a public hearing  is a violation of fundamental justice.

You shouldnt be overturning the findings of a public hearing without holding another public hearing, Chappell said. Thats the issue. If (a standing policy committee) or EPC wants to overturn what was decided at the public hearing, then theyve got to have a process for having a second hearing or just refer it back for a further hearing by the community committee.

Chappell said the terms of the settlement were agreed to back in March but he hasnt heard anything since then. He said he wasnt aware the administration had briefed councillors in private earlier this month but added hes not surprised.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES mayor Brian Bowman and his executive policy committee removed the 25-feet requirement and the rezoning was approved as the developer requested.

Chappell said city hall has its hands full. In exchange for his clients dropping the case, the city has to undo all the approvals for the project and decide how to rewrite the appeal process.

A second source said the administration recommended to EPC at the July 12 meeting that it endorse the settlement with the Pakosh family but EPC decided to postpone a decision.

Chappell said if elected officials will not honour the deal the administration had proposed, hell advise his clients to resume the court case.

Chappell said officials are likely concerned that this will also affect other developments, where decisions of a community committee hearing were overturned, and how theyll respond to them.

The dispute launched by the Pakoshes could likely see the city recommend the creation of an independent planning board, Chappell said, to replace the community committee hearings.

The public hearing process is to hear what the people think about changes in land use. Its not perfect but what would be a different system? Chappell said.

Beating city hall  twice  is rewarding but also expensive

Darrell Pakosh said its cost his family more than $150,000 to challenge what he believes is a faulty plan approval process.

We spent $50,000 going to court the first time . and we probably spent another $100,000 this time, Pakosh said.

The Pakoshes have been fighting city hall since 2012, when several civic committees  backed by civic planning staff  approved the apartment block-style condominium project on the lot immediately south of theirs.

The condo is planned to be built on a 66-foot wide lot, that runs 482 feet back to the Red River. The Pakoshes said it would be like living next door to a three-storey wall a few feet from their property line.

City hall initially approved the project without requiring the developers, Betty and Werner Neufeld of East St. Paul, to produce drawings of plans at a public hearing. The Pakoshes challenged the approval in court in 2013, which sided with them  quashing the bylaw, the rezoning and an amendment to the areas secondary plan.

But the Neufelds went back to city hall with a new plan, increasing the number of units to 14 from 10, and wanting to construct the building within feet of the northern property line.

At a public hearing held by the community committee in July 2015, councillors approved the project but with the caveat that no building be constructed within 25 feet of the northern property line.

When Mayor Brian Bowman and members of his executive policy committee met on Sept. 23, 2015, they removed the 25-foot restriction and approved the rezoning, allowing the condominium project to be built where a single-family home used to stand.

An appeal committee met in November 2015 and removed most of the other conditions imposed by the community committee.

The Pakosh family went back to court in December of 2015, charging the process was unfair and asking the court  again  to quash the approvals.

Lawyer Chuck Chappell, who represents the Pakosh family, said it was the city who approached his clients in March with an offer to settle: the city would cancel all the approvals and require the Neufelds to resubmit their plans for consideration.

Darryl Pakosh said he suspects the Neufelds will submit another proposal but is confident the final design will be something his family can live with.

Theyll have to sit down with us.not all this behind the scenes crap, Pakosh said. (The city) says one thing and then something totally different shows up. Eventually theres something thats going to be happening (next door) but right now, they have to sit down with us, consult with us and design with us, the way they should have five years ago.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 28/07/2017 (1933 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Under a blistering mid-day sun Friday, more than 150 members of a variety of unions, labour allies and politicians marched in support of striking Richardson International Airport workers.

We need people to not travel through this airport, Marianne Hladun of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) told demonstrators gathered in front of the Welcome to Winnipeg sign, as a steady stream of motorists leaving the airport  oblivious to her plea  offered supportive honks to the striking Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE).

Members of the Manitoba Teachers Society, Manitoba Government and General Employees Union, Amalgamated Transit Union, Canadian Union of Public Employees, Unifor and other unions and labour groups rallied to show solidarity with the some 150 airport employees on strike.

Members of unions, organized-labour supporters and politicians marched to the airport in support of striking workers Friday.

The employees, who includes duty managers, administrative workers and various tradespeople, have been without a contract since June 30, 2016, and in bargaining negotiations since October.

Get up, get down  Winnipeg is a union town, Hladun, PSACs Prairies regional executive vice-president, chanted, rousing the enthusiastic but wilting rally-goers, after they marched from UCTE strike headquarters at the Victoria Inn on Wellington Avenue to the welcome sign at the entrance to Winnipegs airport.

The union and the Winnipeg Airports Authority (which operates and manages Richardson International Airport), had been negotiating last week with the help of a federally appointed mediator.

The authority and the union each claim the other side was the one to abandon negotiations and walk away from mediation. Outstanding issues include wage discrepancies, pension plan changes and the contracting out of work to non-union employees.

Airport authorities across Canada have been trying unsuccessfully for years to contract out unionized airport services, UCTE national president Dave Clark told the crowd.

This has been going on for over 20 years at every bargaining table, he said, pointing to strikes in St. Johns, N.L. (that lasted 10 months) and Fredericton (eight months).

It will always be the airport authority that will back down.

Winnipeg NDP MP Daniel Blaikie told the crowd, after pledging to support working Canadians, the federal government has turned its back on them.

Instead of standing up for workers, as they promised during the (2015) election, since getting elected, theyve been undercutting workers, said Blaikie, who was joined at the rally by NDP MLAs Wab Kinew and Tom Lindsey.

Going around duly negotiated collective agreements through contracting out is just one of the ways in which employers are circumventing the collective bargaining rights of workers  and weve got a government that needs to put an end to that, Blaikie said.

Instead of saying, Thats the market  thats between the employees and employers to decide, you need a framework thats fair for workers so they know when they go to the bargaining table they can actually bargain and the employers dont get to go around them.

The Winnipeg Airports Authority has denied contracting out any more union work than what is allowed under the expired agreement.

At the start of the mediation process, the authority tabled an offer it said included a five per cent wage increase over the course of a five-year agreement, along with a commitment to no layoffs. Before negotiations broke off July 23, the authority upped its offer to a 7.5 per cent increase.

The union is asking for a 5.5 per cent increase for all employees in each year of a two-year agreement, retroactive to 2016, according to an airports authority news release.

An official statement issued earlier by the union said the offer failed to address almost all of those issues (the) negotiations were meant to resolve.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
Kingsport, TN - A Republican Party official in Tennessee was arrested Saturday after allegedly exposing himself to an employee in a department store bathroom. David Narramore, 54, served as the chair of the Letcher County Republican Party and was a member of the Republican Party of Kentucky.

Narramore resigned Tuesday after the incident.

Dr. Narramore is clearly going through some personal issues, Tres Watson, communications director for the Republican Party of Kentucky, told the Courier-Journal Wednesday. As of Tuesday morning, he has resigned any affiliation with the RPK. We wish him well as he attempts to deal with his personal struggles.

Police were called to a department store Saturday after an employee said Narramore exposed himself to the employee in the bathroom. Police attempted to arrest him, but Narramore wouldnt put his arms behind his back and cooperate, the Courier-Journal reported Wednesday. Officers then tased him in order to get him to comply, but the taser had no effect. An officer then punched him in the face to subdue him, according to the arrest citation. Police were finally able to wrestle him to the ground and detain him.

Narramore is a dentist who owns his own practice in Whitesburg, Kentucky, according to local news reports. In addition to his official positions within the party, Narramore contributed $2,500 to the Republican Party of Kentucky, including $1,000 to the Jefferson County Republican Party.

Some locals said they were afraid Narramore would be tried in the court of public opinion as a result of the alleged incident.

Until its all negotiated or settled or whatever, it could have a negative impact on him as a prominent businessman and a prominent person in the community, a woman who asked not to be identified told WMYT-TV.

Ive worked here 21 years, Patricia Johnson, who owns a hair salon next to Narramores dental practice, told WMYT. And Ive never heard or seen anything out of Mr. Narramore.

Kingsport Police said Narramore posted $2,250 bond and was released the day after his arrest.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 28/07/2017 (1933 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is meeting with Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister today, and the Free Press has learned the two are expected to announce $50 million in funding for an Assiniboine Park project.

The private meeting will take place this morning at the Fairmont Winnipeg, the Prime Ministers Office said. Trudeau proposed the meeting, according to Pallisters office.

Trudeau will hold a news conference at 9:45 a.m. at Assiniboine Park Conservancy, the future site of Canadas Diversity Gardens, alongside deputy premier Heather Stefanson and Mayor Brian Bowman.

JACQUES BOISSINOT / THE CANADIAN PRESS Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (pictured) and Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister have disagreed on a number of issues.

Sources said Friday that Ottawa has tentatively approved a contribution of $35 million for the gardens.

The province, which has already made investments of nearly $34 million in the redevelopment of Assiniboine Park, will contribute $15 million.

Slated to be completed by the end of 2019, the gardens would showcase plants from around the world and charge a $10 admission fee, officials proposed this week.

Some city councillors have been critical of the project, because only bureaucrats have seen its business plan. The city said last week the plans remain confidential, as the park competes with other tourist attractions.

Todays expected announcement could help smooth over whats been a rocky relationship between Ottawa and Manitoba ever since Pallister became premier in May 2016.

Pallister and Trudeau have disagreed on myriad issues, from the federal Liberals slowing the increase of health transfers, to compelling provinces to implement a carbon tax, to the July 2018 deadline for marijuana legalization.

The federal Liberals have threatened to launch postal delivery of recreational marijuana in provinces that dont set a framework on sales and consumption by the Canada Day 2018 deadline.

In March, Pallister pushed Trudeau for more federal funding to accommodate asylum seekers, estimating that roughly 1,200 would be crossing near Emerson this year.

The federal government hasnt provided more funding.

The RCMP say some 646 people have been intercepted near Emerson, though theyve registered a continuous decline since the numbers peaked in March.

More recently, Pallister has pushed Trudeau to make a decision on how to proceed with Omnitrax, the company that owns Churchills port and flood-damaged rail line.

Last week, the company said it wouldnt pay the $20 million to $60 million to repair the line.

Trudeau declined an invitation from Churchill Mayor Mike Spence.

In a statement, Pallister told the Free Press all these issues are on his radar.

Churchill is definitely top of mind right now, but we hope to also discuss carbon pricing and Manitobas proposed green plan, the federal contribution to health funding and the ongoing asylum seeker situation among other topics, he wrote.

I will also offer our support and encouragement to the prime minister in the co-ordination of efforts to strengthen NAFTA for the good of Manitobans and Canadians.

Pallister also plans to express appreciation for working with us on the return home of dislocated Lake Manitoba Indigenous peoples, though many remain displaced from the 2011 flood.

Friday morning, Trudeau told media in Kenora, Ont., that he hopes to clinch a solution to Pallisters months-long holdout on health funding.

The time in which Canadians want to see levels of governments fighting with each other is long past, he reportedly said.

Though Trudeau and Pallister have met at national gatherings, their last one-on-one sit-down was last June, shortly after Pallister took office. (Though provincial ministers have spoken with their federal counterparts during visits to Ottawa and Winnipeg.)

Trudeau arrived in Winnipeg on Friday afternoon.

He plans to leave by midday today to visit British Columbia communities affected by forest fires.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 28/07/2017 (1933 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MAYOR Brian Bowman used a 45-minute private meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Friday to talk about roads and how the federal government can support cities.

Trudeau is in Winnipeg for two days, taking in the opening of the Canada Summer Games. He had been in Kenora, Ont., earlier Friday. He took in the opening ceremonies in Winnipeg in the evening.

Trudeau arrived at city hall with a heavy security detail and met Bowman in his office, where they exchanged greetings in front of the assembled news media for 90 seconds before having the closed-door session.

JUSTIN SAMANSKI-LANGILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mayor Brian Bowman meet in City Hall Friday afternoon.

Trudeau and Bowman posed for photos at the start of their meeting, but the prime minister didnt take questions from reporters.

We spent much of the discussion speaking about the accelerated regional roads program and our desire to seek provincial support to tap into those funds and address the No. 1 priority of Winnipeggers, which is fixing the roads, Bowman told reporters after Trudeau left city hall.

The city hopes to secure $180 million in federal funding to upgrade the citys regional road network, but it needs the support of the provincial government, which hasnt yet signed off on the request.

Outside city hall, about two dozen people  including civic staff  greeted Trudeau on his way into the building and took photographs.

Trudeaus visit to city hall was the first by a prime minister since 1924, when Mackenzie King met Mayor Seymour Farmer.

Bowman said he and Trudeau talked about several issues other than the citys potholed roads, including carbon tax, cannabis, reconciliation efforts with the Indigenous community, and the NAFTA renegotiations, but the focus was on roads and how Ottawa can work with municipalities.

The prime minister has been very clear with me and the big city mayors that city-building is nation-building and the growing relevance of Winnipeg in the national discussions of nation-building is something that the prime minister recognizes, Bowman said. We had a discussion about the growing need for tools and the funds for cities to succeed.

How we access programs, how we modernize, how were making infrastructure investments, on a whole host of issues, was absolutely part of the discussion.

 Aldo Santin
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 28/07/2017 (1933 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BRANDON  Linda Hansen beat stage 3 cervical cancer in the late 1990s, but she has been living with a painful and disheartening side-effect ever since.

The Roblin woman has suffered from lymphedema since 1999.

The condition causes the swelling of the soft tissues in a limb because lymph fluid cannot flow normally and it builds up. It is a repercussion of dozens of radiation treatments Hansen endured.

Ed Doering / Roblin Review Linda Hansens next hope is a possible surgery in Quebec.

Its the size of an elephant leg, she said of swelling that has tripled the girth of her left leg. It carries an additional four to five litres of fluid, she has been told.

For years, Hansen has been on a heavy medicine regime prescribed by doctors.

Despite this, her left leg still hurts, making even a quick stroll a struggle. She has seen maybe a dozen physicians who have told her she is stuck living with it.

Yet, she has never lost hope.

After overhearing a comment that the Mayo Clinic in the United States might be able to help, she visited the facility in Rochester, Minn. She scheduled a surgery for early July, with the belief Manitoba Health would pay most of her bill.

Shortly before the procedure, the province withdrew its financial backing. Instead, it directed her to a surgeon in Quebec.

Whether or not hes going to be able to do something, I sure hope so, Hansen said. Its a pretty horrific disease.

The mother of three is now waiting to hear back about a possible surgery in Montreal.

Theres hope. Theres always hope, she said. I dont believe for one minute there isnt something that can be done.

That doesnt mean this ordeal hasnt been devastating to Hansen.

She has fought with anxiety, depression and physical pain. She notices people who stare, who circle her to get a closer look.

You can hear their whispers, Hansen said, through tears. Its not nice.

Hansen considers her anguish an injustice she has been forced to endure by herself. Never did the doctors whom she begged for a solution suggest the Mayo Clinic, until she happened to overhear one in the background of a phone call.

She is frustrated about being unemployed, without steady work because of her condition. She does not receive disability payments because she once discontinued the benefit in a futile bid to return to work.

She has fought to re-establish disability payments since then, but her appeals have been denied.

And then theres the physical agony.

It hurts to the point you dont even want to tolerate the pain anymore, so you just try to get your mind off it. You do something, you take a pill, you talk about it with somebody, you cry, an emotional Hansen said.

Sometimes, you rant and rave and you dont understand whats going on.

Galvanized by the support of her husband, three adult children and her friends, she presses forward.

Every day, you have to push through, she said.

 Brandon Sun
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 28/07/2017 (1933 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An application for an urgent injunction to remove demonstrators blocking development on the Parker lands in Fort Garry has been denied.

On July 26, Court of Queens Bench justice Herbert Rempel decided against a request to fast track an injunction and damage claims against members of the Rooster Town Blockade and Parker Wetlands Conservation Committee brought forward by two numbered companies.

Since July 14, about a dozen people have occupied land behind the Winnipeg Humane Society, off of Parker Avenue, blocking machinery that had been used to clear cut about 15 acres of forest. The land is owned by developer Gem Equities which plans to build a new transit-oriented residential development called Oak Grove on the site.

Danielle Da Silva - Sou'wester Demonstrators protesting the development of the Parker wetlands and forest gathered at court on July 26 to support activists sued by the development company.

Rempel told court that the expedited proceedings, with the first statement of claim filed on July 19, had not allowed the defendants time to find a lawyer and that he disagreed with the stated urgency, scheduling for a full days court proceeding to take place Nov. 2.

I dont see irreparable harm that couldnt be compensated, Rempel said, adding that while the perceived risk of violence at the protest site is a concern it hadnt hit a critical mass yet.

Demonstrators have called the property disputed Metis land, citing its proximity to the former Rooster Town settlement that occupied land near Grant Park Shopping Centre until the mid-1950s. It was also the subject of a controversial land swap in 2009 that saw the approximately 24-hectare property given to Gem Equities in exchange for a smaller piece of land in the Fort Rouge Yards.

Jenna Vandal, one of the organizers of the blockade and a defendant in the lawsuit, said she was pleased by the courts decision.

Ive said this again and again but my concerns for Metis interests and rights is legitimate, Vandal said. We will be moving forward with this in a good way and hopefully good things will come of it.

Vandal said the protest remains peaceful and there are no weapons on-site, though there are tools, and demonstrators are not fortifying the camp. She expects the blockade will remain until at least November unless the developer agrees to stop cutting down trees.

Sou'wester Clear cutting of about 15 acres of forest on the Parker lands took place on July 13. The property is slated to be turned into a transit oriented residential development.

We have enough people, and like they said in court, the movement is growing so thats always good. More people are going to come down and support it Im hoping, Vandal said. Were going to have to keep fighting hard, doing our research and doing our due diligence. It will be a hard road for sure.

Cal Dueck, co-chair of the Parker Wetlands Conservation Committee and a Fort Garry resident, said he was relieved by the judges decision.

Im concerned about the environment and I think Winnipeggers as a whole are concerned about the environment and the unjust shredding of forests and natural heritage areas that we have here, Dueck said. We need to get people together who are concerned about the environment, people who are concerned about wildlife and say enough is enough.

Dueck was named as a respondent in the injunction though he claims he has not participated in the blockade, restricting his advocacy instead to social media and discussions with the groups involved. Dueck said his opposition has been centred on the clear cutting, threats to species at risk, and the disruption of migratory birds that use the forest.

Whatever happens now, the birds have a chance to leave and we were really concerned that there were a lot of birds being shredded in that forest, he said. Now at least we have an opportunity that the migratory birds can go through.

Kevin Toyne, lawyer with Hill Sokalski Walsh Olson representing the two numbered companies, said the plaintiffs will consider whether they pursue removing protesters with private security. According to Toyne, the Winnipeg Police Service have not been co-operative in clearing the blockade.

Sou'wester Protesters set up a blockade the following day (at right) to prevent any further cutting of the forest. Organizers of the occupation, called the Rooster Town Blockade, will be in court on Nov. 2 to hear whether there will be an injunction to remove them from the site.

Our clients are going to need a bit of time to digest the judges decision and they have a number of different options that are available to them, Toyne said. They need to decide what theyd like to do next to clear the illegal protest and their chosen course of action will become known in due course.

Our client is entitled to clear the trees and theyd like to continue to do that, he said.
Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk provides telecommunications, informatics, and network services worldwide. The company's Mobile segment offers mobile voice, SMS, and mobile broadband services; and digital services, including financial services, video on demand, music, gaming, IoT, big data analytics, and digital advertising services. Its Consumer segment provides fixed voice and broadband services; and IPTV and related consumer digital services. The company's Enterprise segment offers ICT and digital platform that covers enterprise-grade connectivity services, including satellite, IT services, data center and cloud, and business process outsourcing services, as well as CPE trading and managed, cyber security, financial, big data, digital advertising, e-health, managed ATM, and professional services. Its Wholesale and International Business segment provides wholesale voice, managed, A2P SMS, IP transit and connectivity, data center and cloud, security, and value added and digital services; mobile network operator, mobile virtual network operator, and call center services; and tower and infrastructure services to other licensed operator companies and institutions. The company's Others segment offers digital services, such as digital platform, digital content, and e-commerce; and property management services. The company also provides building management and maintenance services, payment, business management consulting and capital venture, health insurance administration, tourism, directory information, telecommunication construction, and multimedia portal services; acts as a civil consultant and developer; and leases offices. As of December 31, 2020, it had approximately 9.1 million fixed wireline subscribers, including 8.0 million fixed broadband subscribers; and 169.5 million cellular subscribers, including 115.9 million mobile broadband subscribers. The company was founded in 1884 and is headquartered in Bandung, Indonesia.
Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc. provides home and security products for residential home repair, remodeling, new construction, and security applications. It operates in three segments: Plumbing, Outdoors & Security, and Cabinets. The Plumbing segment manufactures, assembles, and sells faucets, accessories, kitchen sinks, and waste disposals under the Moen, ROHL, Riobel, Victoria+Albert, Perrin & Rowe, and Shaws brands in the United States, China, Canada, Mexico, Southeast Asia, Europe, and South America directly through its own sales force, as well as through independent manufacturers' representatives to wholesalers, home centers, mass merchandisers, and industrial distributors. The Outdoors & Security segment offers fiberglass and steel entry door systems under the Therma-Tru brand; storm, screen, and security doors under the Larson brand; composite decking and railing under the Fiberon brand; and urethane millwork under the Fypon brand. This segment also manufactures, sources, and distributes locks, safety and security devices, and electronic security products under the Master Lock and American Lock brands; and fire resistant safes, security containers, and commercial cabinets under the SentrySafe brand. It serves home centers, hardware and other retailers, millwork building products and wholesale distributors, specialty dealers, and remodeling and renovation markets, as well as locksmiths, industrial and institutional users, and original equipment manufacturers in the United States, Canada, Europe, Central America, Japan, and Australia. The Cabinets segment manufactures custom, semi-custom, and custom cabinetry, as well as vanities for the kitchen, bath, and other parts of the home directly to kitchen and bath dealers, home centers, wholesalers, and builders in North America under the AOK, Diamond Brands, Homecrest, Kitchen Craft, Omega, and EVE brands. The company was incorporated in 1988 and is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois.
By Alex Bregman

Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., a decorated Marine Corps veteran, has quickly made a name for himself as an outspoken critic of President Trump. In a wide-ranging conversation with Yahoo Global News Anchor Katie Couric, Moulton spoke about his decision to run for office, his views on President Trump and the future of the Democratic Party.

Before making his run for the House of Representatives, Moulton served four tours in Iraq, which would earn him both the Bronze Star and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for Valor. Moulton served despite his opposition to the war in Iraq. While serving there, though, that was not his focus. He told Couric, Every single day you go over there because you can make a difference in the lives of other people and the lives of Iraqis, and the lives of your fellow Americans, and most of all, the lives of the Marines to your left and your right. And thats really what youre thinking about.

Moulton discussed why he never told anyone about his military honors. He said, There are a lot of my fellow Marines who did heroic things and never got recognized. And I think that theres  theres such a healthy disrespect in the military for people who come back and tell war stories. So I just didnt think it was appropriate. Even his parents didnt learn about them until reading about it in the Boston Globe during his run for Congress in 2014.

Moulton, who still believes that the Iraq War was not worth the fight, told Couric that he was critical of President Barack Obamas approach to the war and is critical of President Trumps strategy as well. Moulton said, Im an equal opportunity critic. Im a bipartisan critic. Ive been very critical of President Obamas foreign policy in Iraq, specifically  not so much because he didnt leave a strong military presence, but because he didnt do anything to ensure the political success of Iraq so that ultimately Iraq [could] govern itself and provide its own national security.

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Moulton had some choice words for President Trumps approach to the war: Trump literally has it exactly wrong. He totally doesnt get the war. I mean, obviously, hes taken five deferments himself. Hes not someone who was interested in serving. I dont think he has much respect for veterans. But to the point on Iraq, what Iraq needs right now is diplomacy.

Moulton also weighed in on the state of his party and criticized the Hillary Clintons strategy against President Trump. He told Couric, I think that weve lost touch with the American people. And our ideas really arent resonating. You know  basically, in the presidential campaign, you had one person saying that real people are suffering. You had another person saying, That guys nuts. And so you can understand why, at the end of the day, even if Trumps solutions werent realistic, at least he acknowledged peoples problems and peoples struggles.

He said the way forward must include new leadership in the party, especially the voices of those who have served in the military. I think the American people are hungry for some new, forward-looking leadership. But I think we also have to look ourselves in the mirror as Democrats and say, Weve lost election after election. What were doing isnt working. And thats why Im calling for a new generation of leaders in the Democratic Party.

He continued, A new generation, you know, the people who went to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan  to start leading, as opposed to those who sent us there. The people who understand the new economy and can talk about the future of work, not folks who were just at retirement age. We need to really reinvigorate the party leadership. And thats what Im trying to do.

Moulton was unapologetic about his harsh stance against President Trump, including his comment earlier this year that hes ashamed that hes president. He said, Its just the truth. And thats what I promised the voters when I ran. I said, Look, Im not a political guy. Im not always gonna say what you want me to hear. But Im always gonna speak the truth. And even if you dont agree with me, you oughta know where I stand.

Would he ever consider running for president himself? He told Couric, Im just proud to be here serving my country. And I think too many people in Washington have forgotten that this job is about public service. You know, I work for my constituents back in Massachusetts, just as when I was a Marine, I worked for my fellow Marines  for our country.  He continued, I sometimes think that too many people around here have forgotten that. But Im not gonna forget that.
When carbon-dating a cars age, there are a few options for taking the necessary samples. Consider this Toyota 4Runner. You might know that its old because the trucks basic structure (dressed up with new styling in 2010) can be traced to its last full redesign in 2002. Or perhaps youd notice that its order form lacks even the option to add increasingly common safety features such as automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, or blind-spot monitoring, all of which are availablemostly as standard equipment, evenon nearly every other Toyota.

Instead, the 4Runner has a steering wheel, accelerator and brake pedals, windows to see out of, four-wheel drive, and big ground clearance for off-roading. The focus is even narrower with the TRD Off-Road trim level tested here; the biggest change year-over-year on this model is a name change from the previous Trail. Sitting just beneath the hard-core TRD Pro and above the base SR5 on the 4Runners performance pyramid, the Off-Road lacks the Pros Bilstein shocks, special springs, and TRD-branded (Toyota Racing Development) skid plates and black-painted wheels. Even so, its set up to get dirty with a standard electronically locking rear differential, Toyotas Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl-control electronic traction aids, and substantial Dunlop Grand Trek tires.

For an extra $1960, the TRD Off-Road is available in Premium trim (previously, this was referred to as the Trail Limited model), adding standard goodies such as a 6.1-inch touchscreen with navigation, faux-leather seat upholstery, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and TRD lettering on each front-seat headrest. Our non-Premium model had the $345 Entune Premium Audio and Navigation package, which brings the aforementioned 6.1-inch infotainment system.

Engage Your Own 4x4

More critical to the 4Runners mission, however, is the TRD Off-Roads part-time four-wheel-drive system, which is activated via a muscular transfer-case lever and requires the transmission be placed in neutral to switch between two-wheel drive and four-wheel-drive high or low range. Our test Toyota was further optioned with the $1750 Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which electronically disconnects the anti-roll bars to free up more wheel articulation during rocky excursions. Opting for this trick hardware triggers a $750 Keep it Wild discount, which more than offset our trucks $350 sliding rear cargo shelf that can extend beyond the tailgate opening to ease loading or unloading.

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All-in, our trail-ready 4Runner came to $40,240, fairly reasonable given the trucks equipment (absent safety gear notwithstanding) and the ever-increasing prices seen among crossovers and SUVs. Youd have to spend another $10K to drive off in the basest Land Rover Discovery.

The Toyotas MSRP invites comparisons to Jeeps four-door Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. Both are among the dwindling handful of SUVs capable of leaving the mall parking lot the grassy way; both have four doors; both are similar in size; and both cost about the same when optioned similarly. Theyve both been around for a long while, too, with the JK-generation Jeep dating to 2007 (but theres an all-new Wrangler coming for 2018). Another difference: The Toyotas roof doesnt come off, but its rear windowthe one in the tailgatecan retract for semi-open-air motoring (or to make it easier to poke one end of a surfboard out of the cargo hold).

The Toyotas 9.6 inches of ground clearance and 33-degree approach and 26-degree departure angles arent as extreme as the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicons 10.0-inch and 42.2- and 32.5-degree measurements. Still, they allow the 4Runner to scamper over the sort of obstacles that would leave most modern crossovers panting and begging for mercy. We dirtied the 4Runner at a local off-road park and barely taxed its capability. In any event, the Toyota also is far more livable than the Jeep thanks to its fixed roof, independent front suspension, and better-appointed (and quieter) interior.

Refined is a Relative Term

Nevertheless, the old-school 4Runner suffers many of the same shortcomings as the Jeep. Its traditional ladder frame forces the floor up high and reduces cabin space relative to unibody crossovers. The meaty tires hum on the highway and serve up notably poor grip; we were even able to chirp them during not particularly hard braking in traffic. And the solid rear axle mixes awkwardly with the independent front suspension, the setups delivering roly-poly handling and significant body dive under braking. At least the ride is generally comfortable.

The steering has vague on-center action, so youll spend plenty of effort on long trips nudging the wheel to and fro. Stopping requires pressing ones foot through a squishy dead zone that spans most of the brake pedals long stroke to the floorboard. Predictably, the TRD Off-Roads 183-foot braking distance and 0.76-g grip figures are unimpressive, and driving it hard results in disconcerting body lean and howl from the tires. This is how SUVs used to drive.

Youll find more cobwebs under the hood, where an ancient 270-hp 4.0-liter V-6no turbos or direct fuel injection here!works with a five-speed automatic transmission to move the 4Runner. This unremarkable combo labors against the TRD Off-Roads considerable mass when pressed, but otherwise fades into the background in normal driving. That ye olde V-6 pushes the Toyota to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds is frankly quite impressive, as is the 17-mpg average we recorded during our test, which matches the EPAs city estimate.

Designed to Stay Together

Other positives? The cargo area is large at 47 cubic feetand thats just behind the second-row seats. The dashboard is pleasantly straightforward and easy to use, particularly the climate and audio controls, both of which have knurled knobs and large buttons easily manipulated by gloved or wet hands. It is leagues more civilized inside than the Wrangler, at least partially because unlike the Jeep it isnt designed to come apart (i.e., the doors, roof, and other bits arent removable). The materials inside are at least two generations behind Toyotas zeitgeist, but theyre still okay.

So, much like the usual subjects of carbon-dating tests, the Toyota is a relic, albeit one with a niche use for the right buyer. This TRD Off-Road iteration marks a nice middle ground in the 4Runner lineup, and one can ratchet up the burliness by opting for the TRD Pro or down with the more basic 4Runner SR5 or luxe Limited. Either way, every 4Runner is a throwback to when SUVs existed under the pretext of off-road capability, not as the family-hauling minivan alternatives that they have become. With Nissans discontinuation of the Xterra after 2015, the choices for an affordable, four-door four-by-four have dwindled to, well, the Wrangler Unlimited and the 4Runner. If you have tunnel vision for an SUV of this ilk, the Toyota is the friendlier everyday companion.

Specifications >

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback



PRICE AS TESTED: $40,240 (base price: $37,045)



ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection



Displacement: 241 cu in, 3956 cc

Power: 270 hp @ 5600 rpm

Torque: 278 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm



TRANSMISSION: 5-speed automatic with manual shifting mode



DIMENSIONS:

Wheelbase: 109.8 in

Length: 191.3 in

Width: 75.8 in Height: 70.1 in

Passenger volume: 97 cu ft

Cargo volume: 47 cu ft

Curb weight: 4767 lb



C/D TEST RESULTS:

Zero to 60 mph: 7.5 sec

Zero to 100 mph: 21.3 sec

Zero to 110 mph: 30.2 sec

Rolling start, 560 mph: 8.1 sec

Top gear, 3050 mph: 4.0 sec

Top gear, 5070 mph: 5.2 sec

Standing -mile: 15.9 sec @ 89 mph

Top speed (governor limited): 114 mph

Braking, 700 mph: 183 ft

Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.76 g



FUEL ECONOMY:

EPA combined/city/highway: 18/17/20 mpg

C/D observed: 17 mpg

C/D observed 75-mph highway driving: 19 mpg

C/D observed highway range: 430 mi




President Donald Trump tweeted yesterday that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. The messages, quickly denounced by leading members of Congress from both major parties, confused military leaders  who had not been informed of the change in policy. It also confused many Americans. Why pink-slip thousands of military service members for no reason other than who they are? Why reject the values of honor and integrity, while undermining the readiness the President is pretending to protect?

The justifications, when they werent transparently cruel, have largely relied on myths. Here are four of the most persistent among them, and why theyre wrong  if not dangerous.

1. That it improves preparedness. Currently, over 15,000 transgender people serve in the U.S. armed services, and Trump is attempting to make policy through Twitter that would overturn the current military policy. At a time when 0.4% of the U.S. population serves in uniform, removing highly trained, well-qualified, and deeply committed service members does nothing to increase readiness  in fact, it does the opposite.

2. That its the American thing to do. In the military, there are supposed to be no distinctions among service members  all are Americans serving their country. Like their comrades, transgender service members have committed their lives to serving, and the armed services have invested tremendously in training them. Ending their careers simply because of who they are is an appalling attack on our military and on our nations values. It is about bigotry, rather than military readiness, reason or science. It is indefensible, and it cannot stand.

3. That it saves Americans money. No facts support the Presidents claim that healthcare costs will increase untenably if transgender military members continue to serve openly. A 2016 study by the Rand Corporation projected that transition-related healthcare spending would make up only 0.0050.017% of the Defense Departments health care budget. This is medical care prescribed by military doctors and supported by every major medical association. No one begrudges our troops their health and medical care  singling out transgender troops is irrational and wrong.

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4. That it preserves unit cohesion. Military and political leaders insisted that lifting DADT would undermine cohesion, recruitment and retention, but none of these concerns were borne out and the change was uniformly hailed for improving readiness, said Army Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy, retired Army Major Gen. Gale Pollock and retired Army Brig. Gen. Clara Adams-Ender in a recent public statement. The Rand study and actual experience by the Defense Department have shown that soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines are serving with their units and commanding officers, and serving well.

We have qualified and trained transgender service members already in place, as well as transgender Americans who are able and willing to join and serve their country. Retaining talented service members  rather than kicking them out them simply because of their gender identity  is the right thing for the country.

As Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain said this week, Any American who meets current medical and readiness standards should be allowed to continue serving. There is no reason to force service members who are able to fight, train and deploy to leave the military  regardless of their gender identity.

Our service members and their families deserve better. Transgender people are our friends, neighbors and coworkers. Transgender veterans have served with honor, and active duty transgender service members make sacrifices daily. When it comes to being able to serve their country, we should be proud of their service.
American Airlines has launched a new baggage alert system that will inform customers about the status of their luggage and save them from waiting around at baggage carrousel.

For anyone who's experienced the misfortune of being the last person at the baggage carrousel, watching as everyone else is happily reunited with their bags, AA has created Customer Baggage Notification (CBN), aimed at sparing travelers the nuisance of waiting pointlessly for a bag that will never come.

The service stops short of sending alerts to everyone on the plane, however, and will only send alerts to passengers whose bags are not on the same plane when they land.

For example, the Early Baggage Arrival alert will inform customers if their bag arrived before them, and will direct them to the right baggage service office for pick-up.

The Late Baggage Arrival alert does the same for bags that will be arriving on a later flight. Instead of waiting unwittingly at the carrousel, fliers will be instructed to proceed directly to the baggage service office for an update on their baggage arrival when traveling internationally.

On domestic flights, customers will receive a Mobile Baggage Order on their mobile device that will ask for delivery details and a bag description, to expedite the process and spare travelers from stopping at the baggage office at the airport.

Fliers can also take matters into their own hands with a portable baggage tracker like Trakdot, a small device placed inside the check baggage that works with the user's mobile phone. Upon arrival at their destination, the device will send the owner an SMS and email on its whereabouts.
Istanbul (AFP) - An international animal welfare charity was on Friday completing the evacuation of a dozen animals stranded in a neglected zoo in the conflict-torn Aleppo province of northern Syria.

The Four Paws group was seeking to move two lions and two domestic dogs from the "Magic World" zoo and amusement park in Syria over the border into Turkey and then to an animal protection centre in the north of the country, a spokesman for the charity told AFP.

The convoy with the animals crossed the Syria-Turkey border late Friday and was now on their way to the animal protection facility in Karacabey, outside the northwestern Turkish city of Bursa, said spokesman Martin Bauer.

In an initial operation, Four Paws said it had on July 21 evacuated nine animals -- three lions, two tigers, two Asian black bears and two hyenas -- from the "neglected" Magic World.

After a one-day journey, they arrived safely at their new home, the animal protection facility in Karacabey.

"The nine animals currently treated in Karacabey are doing fine. The last years have taken quite a toll on them but they're on their way to recovery," said Bauer.

He confirmed that with the evacuation of the last four animals Friday "there will be no more animals left at the zoo in the Magic World amusement park".

Once all the rescued animals are out of Syria, the organisation will decide where their final homes should be, partially based on their health.

"Four Paws has some very good options with its own animal sanctuaries, including in Jordan, South Africa and the Netherlands," said the charity's veterinarian and head of the mission Amir Khalil.

"We will individually decide which place is most suitable for each animal."
MUSCATINE  The Muscatine Police Department is asking for the community's help in investigating a shots-fired incident.

Around 2:40 a.m. Friday, officers were called to the 400 block of West 3rd Street, where they found several shell casings. There are no reports of injuries or property damage at this time.

The Muscatine Police Department is asking for the public's cooperation during the investigation. Anyone with information should contact Muscatine Police Department Street Crimes Unit Officer Anthony Arnaman at 563-263-9922, Ext. 249.
Anthony Scaramucci is a fast-talking New Yorker in the mould of his boss - Getty Images North America

Anthony Scaramucci has launched a foul-mouthed attack on Steve Bannon, Donald Trump's chief strategist, as his feud with senior White House figures escalated on Thursday evening.

The president's newly-appointed communications director also accused Reince Priebus, the White House chief of staff of damaging information leaks.

In a phone conversation with a reporter for New Yorker magazine, Mr Scaramucci accused Mr Bannon, the controversial alt-right former media executive, of serving his own interests.

Steve Bannon and Reince Priebus Credit: AFP

"I'm not Steve Bannon, I'm not trying to suck my own ----," he said.

"I'm not trying to build my own brand off the ------- strength of the president. I'm here to serve the country."

Mr Bannon "declined to comment".

Mr Scaramucci, a New York financier, later tweeted: "I sometimes use colorful language. I will refrain in this arena but not give up the passionate fight for @realDonaldTrump's agenda. #MAGA"

I sometimes use colorful language. I will refrain in this arena but not give up the passionate fight for @realDonaldTrump's agenda. #MAGA  Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) July 27, 2017

I made a mistake in trusting in a reporter. It won't happen again.  Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) July 28, 2017

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the new White House press secretary, said she had nothing to add to Mr Scaramucci's statement.

During the interview with Ryan Lizza, Mr Scaramucci threatened to fire the entire White House communications team over the alleged leak of a dinner he attended last week at the White House with the president, first lady, Sean Hannity, the Fox News journalist, and Bill Shine, the former Fox News executive.

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Reince Priebus (centre) in the Oval Office, with the president and other key officials Credit: Reuters

Lizza wrote: 'What Im going to do is, I will eliminate everyone in the comms team and well start over,' [Scaramucci] said. I laughed, not sure if he really believed that such a threat would convince a journalist to reveal a source."

Mr Scaramucci goes on to state: Theyll all be fired by me.

"I fired one guy the other day. I have three to four people Ill fire tomorrow. Ill get to the person who leaked that to you. Reince Priebusif you want to leak somethinghell be asked to resign very shortly.

He described Mr Priebus as a "paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac". And added that he wanted to "------- kill all the leakers".

"What I want to do is I want to ------- kill all the leakers and I want to get the Presidents agenda on track so we can succeed for the American people, he said.

There was no comment from Mr Priebus.

The comments about Mr Bannon led to some amusing responses on social media:

Scaramucci seen here five minutes before making the call pic.twitter.com/U3YM2SFIbx  Robbie Collin (@robbiereviews) July 27, 2017

.@scaramucci calls @Reince45 "paranoid schizophrenic" & pulls Bannon into it w/barnyard taunt. 5 days in, he's making @POTUS look RATIONAL!  David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) July 27, 2017

Need help!!!

Going on TV soon.

How do I paraphrase Scaramucci's memorable comment?

"I'm not Steve Bannon, I'm not trying to...  Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) July 27, 2017

When you quickly learn not to click on a Steve Bannon trend pic.twitter.com/k2tO7sRSYM  PandaResistence (@PandaChop10) July 27, 2017
As we've learned from the president, tweeting is mostly bad, and you should never do it. But some tweets  some rare, glistening tweets  are pretty good.

One example is this tweet from the Canadian Armed Forces, sent out Wednesday afternoon in the wake of Trump's ban on transgender people in the U.S. military.

SEE ALSO: Transgender comedian speaks out about Trump's ban on 'The Tonight Show'

"We welcome [Canadians] of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Join us!" it says.

Which is, you know, very different than Trump's tweets.

Plus, who doesn't love a rainbow flag attached to a clarinet?
Some holdout Republicans had agreed to vote for repeal only on condition that it will trigger a congressional conference committee

Lindsey Graham, center, called the healthcare bill a disaster. Photograph: Aaron P Bernstein/Reuters

Senate Republican leaders unveiled their so-called skinny repeal bill  denounced by conservatives as a fraud and a disaster  in an eleventh-hour push to pass a pared-down repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

After three days of debate and seven years of promises to repeal Barack Obamas healthcare law, Republicans introduced a far less ambitious measure that the leadership hoped would muster at least 50 votes.

The bill was made public minutes before 10pm EDT on Thursday night, giving senators only a few hours to review the measure before voting on it.

But three hours later drama continued on the Senate floor with no resolution and what appeared to be ongoing lobbying of holdout Republicans.

Republican senators had made clear that they did not expect  and did not want - the bill to become law. Instead, they were hoping it would trigger a conference committee, where they can enter into negotiations with the House on a much broader plan to repeal and replace the 2010 healthcare law.

But as the hours of debate wound down toward a vote, it remained unclear whether Republican leaders could win the support of 50 of the 52 members in their conference. Some Republicans expressed concern that the bill could become law if the two chambers were unable to agree on more comprehensive plan.

In a new analysis released roughly an hour after the bill was filed, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Committee estimated that 15 million people would lose coverage and premiums would rise by 20% compared to current law.

Senate leadership had touted the skinny bill as a mechanism to force a conference committee with the House, taking time to hash out a compromise. As rumblings grew that the House might simply put the bill to a swift up and down vote, many Republicans began to hesitate about the legislation.

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However, after a late night conference call with House speaker Paul Ryan, two of the most sceptical Republicans, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, announced they would vote for the bill, having received a guarantee that it would not become law.



AshLee Strong, a spokesperson for Ryan, said The speaker told senators exactly what his statement said: that well go to conference if they pass something tonight. And then the onus is on the Senate to show it can pass a real plan with 51 votes.

Shortly after that call, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell finally unveiled the bill on the floor of the Senate, which he dubbed the health care freedom act.

Only hours earlier, Graham told reporters in a press conference with three other senators: The skinny bill as policy is a disaster, as a replacement for Obamacare, it is a fraud. Instead, Graham insisted simply that it is a vehicle to get to conference.

The South Carolina Republican, along with Johnson as well as John McCain of Arizona and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, pledged that they would not vote for a skinny repeal unless they received an ironclad guarantee from Ryan that there would be a conference committee.

When asked what that guarantee would consist of, Graham told reporters: Its like pornography  Ill know it when I see it.

In a statement shortly after the press conference, Ryan left room to manoeuvre on what next steps would be if the Senate passed the bill.

Senators have made clear that this is an effort to keep the process alive, not to make law. If moving forward requires a conference committee, that is something the House is willing to do, Ryan said in a statement. The reality, however, is that repealing and replacing Obamacare still ultimately requires the Senate to produce 51 votes for an actual plan ... Until the Senate can do that, we will never be able to develop a conference report that becomes law.

Cassidy accepted that statement while Graham and Johnson needed the conference call. However, McCain described it to reporters as not sufficient and would not respond to further questions on the topic.

For a bill to become law, the House and Senate have to pass identical legislation. The Senate bill being debated is an amendment of the underlying House bill. The House then can pass the underlying Senate bill or the two chambers can set up a conference committee where designees from both bodies meet to produce a compromise called a conference report. A conference report is very difficult to amend and then is subject to an up or down vote in both chambers.

In the past two days, the Senate has rejected both the ACA repeal plan introduced by Senate leadership as well as an almost total repeal of the ACA, which it had passed in 2015 before a veto from Barack Obama.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether Trump would sign a skinny repeal bill if presented to him.
The Senate voted down a stunt proposal to create single-payer health care on Thursday in a move that revealed where the Democratic Party may be headed.

As part of the legislative process to repeal the Affordable Care Act, senators from both parties were free to force their colleagues to vote on various health care measures.

Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana, a critic of single-payer health care, used the opportunity to put Democrats on the spot over the idea.

Most Democratic senators decided to sit out the vote, and it failed 0-57. But four Democratsall from states that went to Donald Trumpjoined the 52 Republican senators to vote no on the amendment: Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Jon Tester of Montana and Joe Donnelly of Indiana. (Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine, which gave one elector to Trump, also voted against the measure.)

The vote came as support for a single-payer health care system is increasing among Democrats. According to a Pew Research Center poll in June, 52 percent of Democrats now think health insurance should be provided by a single government-run system. A majority of House Democrats now back a Medicare for All bill that would create something like single-payer.

Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker and Kamala Harris are among the few who have expressed support for single-payer. On Thursday, Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden said he was interested in single-payer and said that he looked forward to seeing how it works out in individual stateslike California, which has been considering it.

The laboratories of democracy could really have some opportunities, he said.

Another person who has praised single-payer health care? President Trump, who told Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull that you have better healthcare than we do during a May visit.
Britain's defence secretary Wednesday made a strong push to build Australia's next fleet of warships, saying the frigates he proposes are best placed to hunt "Russian and Chinese submarines" amid regional tensions.

Australia earlier this year detailed a massive Aus$89 billion (US$70.4 billion) shipbuilding strategy, including constructing new submarines and frigates, in the nation's largest peacetime naval investment.

The big increase in defence spending comes as Beijing flexes its muscle in the region through a military build-up in the contested South China Sea, and as tensions remain high on the Korean peninsula.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon made the pitch to build the nine frigates as part of a Aus$35 billion project ahead of annual Australia-Britain defence and foreign minister talks in Sydney this week.

Three designers are vying for the massive contract -- Britain's BAE Systems, Italy's Fincantieri and Spain's Navantia -- which is described by Canberra as currently the world's largest frigate shipbuilding programme of its kind.

"You need in a region that is now as unstable and tense as it is, as you've decided, some anti-submarine hunting capability and the very latest capability," Fallon told The Sydney Morning Herald.

He said the Type 26 Frigate -- a class currently being constructed for the British navy -- would be better than their Italian and Spanish rivals in hunting "Russian and Chinese submarines" in waters around Australia and the Pacific.

"The quietness of the ship, and the sophistication of the technology on it, puts it way ahead of any European offer you might be considering," said Fallon.

A key element of the contract is that there must be a high-level of local construction, in a bid by Canberra to boost domestic jobs in the shipbuilding industry.

Fallon said the use of local manufacturing was "perfectly reasonable", and added that Britain would be open to buying Australian-made military equipment.

The programme will replace Australia's current ANZAC class frigates with the winning designer due to be announced next year and the first warship expected in service by the late 2020s.

French naval contractor DCNS was last year selected to design and build 12 new Australian submarines at a cost of Aus$50 billion at an Adelaide yard, beating off competition from Japan and Germany.
You really can buy happiness. (Photo: Pexels)

Ah, that elusive happiness thing everyones always talking about.

People say that money cant buy it  assuming that means spending money on clothes and trendy furniture  and theyre probably right.

But if you use money to buy time? Thats another thing altogether.

According to new research, its not acquiring material goods that make us happier, its buying more spare time.

Use your hard-earned cash to buy yourself some free time. (Photo: Pexels)

In an experiment, people who were asked to spend $40 paying someone else to do time-consuming work, such as cleaning and chores, were happier than those asked to spend the money on material things.

The research published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences had more than 6,000 adults in the U.S., Canada, Denmark, and the Netherlands (including 800 millionaires) answer questions about how much money they spent saving time.

Material items are pretty, but they wont necessarily make you happy (Photo: Pexels)

The researchers discovered that less than a third of the study subjects spent money on carving out free time for themselves each month  yet those who did reported greater life satisfaction.

Next, researchers had 60 working adults in Canada take part in a two-week experiment.

On one weekend, they were told to spend $40 on something that would save them time  such as cleaning, paying local kids to do errands for them, or having food delivered to them at work.

How do you find happiness? Do less chores. (Photo: Pexels)

On the second weekend, they were told to spend the same amount on material things, such as clothes, wine, or books.

The researchers again found that saving time  and reducing feelings of time stress  made people happier than buying objects.

This watch is chic, but your money might be better spent on a meal delivery kit. (Photo: Pexels)

Money can in fact buy time. And it buys time pretty effectively, Professor Dunn, who worked on the study, told the BBC.

And so my take home message is, Think about it: Is there something you hate doing that fills you with dread and could you pay somebody else to do that for you?

If so, then science says thats a pretty good use of money.

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BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Xinhua news agency accused fugitive tycoon Guo Wengui of using "fabricated and distorted information to mislead the public", the latest salvo in a campaign to discredit the billionaire who has made accusations of Communist Party corruption. Central to Guo's claims over recent months has been that a man named Yao Qing used his status as a nephew of a senior Communist Party official to amass a business empire worth tens of billions of dollars. In an online video stream last month, Guo produced a corporate tree diagram which he said showed companies linked to Yao, including GI Technologies (Beijing) Co. Xinhua interviewed Yao, who is listed in corporate records as general manager of GI Technologies. Yao rejected any suggestion he was anything other than an ordinary entrepreneur. "In Guo's logic, companies that have business with me actually belong to me together with all their assets. Thus, my assets will be unlimited. Such logic is ridiculous," Yao told Xinhua in a report published on Wednesday, adding that Guo's "fabricated claims" had brought "negative impact" to him, his family and his company. State media reported earlier this month that the "relationship tree" diagram purportedly showing companies controlled by Yao was fabricated by Chen Xiangjun, a 43-year-old unemployed man from Guangdong province who offered Guo "fake information" in exchange for 50,000 yuan ($7,435). When reached by telephone, a representative for GI Technologies said Yao was not planning to accept any further interviews and that Xinhua's account was accurate. Guo did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters. In an online video stream shortly after Xinhua's report was published, Guo said "he never said that this Yao Qing is the one in the (senior official's) family". Guo, who now lives in New York having left China in 2014, has emerged in recent months as a political threat to the Chinese government in a sensitive year, unleashing a deluge of corruption allegations against high-level Communist Party officials through Twitter posts and video blogs. The businessman has made it clear that he wants to disrupt a key five-yearly congress to be held this autumn. Despite providing scant evidence to back up his claims, Guo's standing as a former billionaire insider with ties to senior intelligence officials has meant his online video streams and prolific tweeting continue to command wide attention among Beijing's political circles, as well as the ire of the central government. Interpol issued a global "red notice" for Guo's arrest in April, at Beijing's request. A growing number of high-profile individuals and companies, including housing vice-minister Huang Yan, conglomerate HNA Group and real estate giant SOHO China are also pursuing legal action against Guo for defamation. ($1 = 6.7 yuan) (Reporting by Philip Wen and Beijing newsroom; Editing by Nick Macfie)
A Conor McGregor impersonator shows off his strength at Muscle Beach in Venice, California (YouTube).

What would you do if you saw Conor McGregor walking the streets of Venice on your beach day?

Take photos? Clap? Admire from afar?

For some Southern California beachgoers, this question became a reality when a man dressed up as the MMA star strutted his way along the boardwalk to the cheers of adoring fans.

The impersonator, a street workout athlete named Islam Badurgov, played to the crowd as he walked across the beach taking photos with fans and grunting and laughing with every move. He showed off his strength with pull-ups and push-ups on the equipment on Muscle Beach, and he even hung sideways from one of the poles on the famous beach landmark.

Badurgov finished his Los Angeles tour with a drive in a convertible where he stopped periodically to entertain fans oblivious to the prank. He even stood up in the car at one point to take a group selfie.

While Badurgov wont actually be the one to take on Floyd Mayweather in August, he clearly played the role of McGregor with intensity (albeit without ever talking). Badurgov had McGregors tattoos drawn on his body with markers, and he also added a little makeup to make his joke even more believable.

There will likely be a lot of disappointed Venice beachgoers who will soon realize that they didnt meet the real McGregor, but at least one thing is clear: the Conor McGregor craze came to Venice Beach, and it came in style, tattoos and all.
MUSCATINE  A 36-year-old man was injured in Muscatine Thursday night in a shooting incident.

Around 9:50 p.m. Thursday, several gunshots were reported in the area of West 6th and Linn streets. Officers found several shell casings in the 500 block of Linn Street. Trinidad Santos-Salas, 36, was injured from the rounds, according to a news release.

Santos-Salas was treated for injuries at Trinity hospital and transferred to the University Hospitals, Iowa City.

Muscatine police said suspects in the case have been located, but the case is still under investigation. Officers said it was an isolated incident.
It may still be summer, but the first weekend in August is also looking like the unofficial  and quite early  start of movie awards season. Chalk that up to the release of Detroit, the new film from director Kathryn Bigelow, who shifts her gaze from the Iraq War (the Oscar-winning The Hurt Locker) and the hunt for Osama Bin Laden (Zero Dark Thirty) to the streets of Michigan, 1967, during a racially charged riot. With a cast led by John Boyega and Anthony Mackie, its already shaping up to be another critical hit for the filmmaker. Timed to its select-theater debut today (and wider roll-out next Friday, August 4), we now have its final theatrical trailer (watch it above).

The above clip spends less than two minutes getting across the basic racial-injustice premise and nightmarish action of Bigelows drama, which concerns the Algiers Motel incident in 1967 Detroit, when a group of African-American men found themselves interrogated by  and at the mercy of  a collection of Caucasian cops. Although none of the actual nastiness is presented in the films last promo, it does make clear that Detroit wont be for the weak at heart, thanks to a centerpiece sequence set in the motel that will detail, in exacting fashion, the abuse and torment suffered by its victimized characters.

Written by Mark Boal (who also penned the directors previous two films), Detroit should once again put Bigelow in the thick of the Oscars race. Watch its final trailer above.

Kathryn Bigelows Zero Dark Thirty: Watch a trailer:

Read more from Yahoo Movies:
The U.S. State Department is warning travelers going to Mexico about drinking possibly tainted or counterfeit alcohol, which causes drinkers to feel sick and pass out. The travel alert advises tourists to consume alcohol "in moderation," and "to stop and seek medical attention if you begin to feel ill." This comes on the heels of 20-year-old tourist Abbey Conners death in January. Conner was found unresponsive along with her brother in the pool of Paradiso del Mar, a popular all-inclusive hotel. Her brother survived after suffering a severe concussion, but Abbey never woke from the coma. This prompted Conners family to question the quality of the alcohol being served at the hotel. Nolan Webster, 22, was also found unresponsive in a hotel pool after going to Cancun for vacation in 2007. The hotel official said Webster was excessively drunk, though numerous eyewitnesses on scene claimed Webster did not appear to be intoxicated. Dozens of other people also claim theyve gotten sick after drinking limited amounts of alcohol at resorts, according to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report. The travel warning states that people who become sick should immediately contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in Mexico.
Elon Musk shared a preview of Teslas Model 3 launch event on Friday, and it looks set to stun. The CEO is gearing up to hand over the initial batches of the electric car (base: $35,000) to a select few buyers at a handover event, set to start at 7 p.m. Pacific time at the Tesla Design Studio in Hawthorne, California.

Its a big moment for the company. The Model 3 is by far the cheapest car Tesla has ever produced, severely undercutting the current-cheapest vehicle, the Model S, which starts at $68,000. The lower price is expected to boost demand: where Tesla currently makes fewer than 10,000 cars per month on average, the company is aiming to boost production to reach 10,000 cars per week at some point in 2018.

To reach this goal, Tesla is constructing a Gigafactory in the Nevada desert, and plans to announce three more factories sometime this year.

Watch the preview here:

The handover will see 30 customers receive one of the first Model 3 vehicles every produced, after the car entered production earlier this month. These arent actually the first Model 3s, as the serial number one model was passed onto its owner on July 9. It is, however, a culmination of years of promise that Tesla could deliver an affordable electric car, a plan that first took its steps into action when the companys first vehicle, the $109,000 Roadster, hit the roads in 2008. Fan anticipation is reaching fever pitch, epitomized by reaction to Musks preview video.

Reminds me of Kennedys space age speech, said Reddit user reefine. Why did we choose to make the electric car? Not because it is easy but because it is hard. Because that goal will serve to save our planet from global warming. That challenge is the only one we are willing to accept. Cheers everyone on this glorious eve. Model 3 or bust!

This is quite an emotional moment, said Reddit user hey_ghis.

Over 400,000 customers have placed a deposit ($1,000 in the United States) to be among the first to receive a Model 3. Teslas website currently advises newcomers that they may not receive their car until next year, owing to the giant backlog of orders. Its an impressive number, especially considering the fact that Tesla has yet to sell 200,000 cars in the U.S. Once sales reach that figure, though, federal subsidies will gradually phase out, increasing the cost to consumers.

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At the handover event, fans are expecting to find out the last missing pieces of information ahead of launch. Musk has been vague on specifics, like how much optional extras will cost, and the $35,000 figure is only for the base model. Last year, Musk claimed the average sale price would come to approximately $42,000 as buyers add on extras.

The Tesla Model 3.

A number of questions remain that details about extras should clarify. Tesla promises a minimum battery range of 215 miles, but Jeff Evanson, vice president of investor relations, claimed the Model 3 will start with battery sizes smaller than 60kWh. The base Model S, with a 75kWh battery, gets around 250 miles per charge. The new car has been designed to get more range from the same size battery, using an aerodynamic design and lightweight components, but how small a battery the company can achieve is not yet known.

The other question is how big a battery consumers can order for the Model 3. Musk has already confirmed the car does not have a wheel base wide enough for 100kWh, limiting options somewhat. The top-end 100kWh Model S is capable of reaching 315 miles per charge, so it will be interesting to see if Tesla can achieve a similar range on a smaller battery.

The fact the event is even taking place in July is impressive. Teslas internal deadline to start production was July 1, but by Musks own admission, it was an impossible deadline more aimed at holding manufacturers feet to the fire to ensure parts were delivered on time. In the end, the car passed all regulatory checks two weeks sooner than expected.

The rapid production start bodes well for future expansion. Back in February, Tesla set itself the goal of producing 5,000 Model 3 vehicles per week by the end of the year. Earlier this month, Musk reiterated that goal, explaining that production would ramp up exponentially. In August, the company expects to produce 500 Model 3s, followed by 1,500 the following month, until reaching 20,000 per month in December.

Photos via Tesla, Elon Musk/Instagram
The Senate has killed the Obamacare repeal bill and everyone on Twitter is praising one guy, John McCain, who returned to Washington early this week after a diagnosis of brain cancer.

McCain was instrumental in voting against the so-called "skinny repeal" proposal, a bill which would have left 16 million additional people without health care and driven premiums up by 20% per annum.

SEE ALSO: Sen. John McCain just contradicted his own healthcare vote in a speech

In a video widely shared on Twitter, the senator and military veteran is depicted as he approaches the front of the Senate chamber, holds the right palm face down then does a thumbs-down as he just says "No", then walks away amidst Democrat applauses and Republicans' gasps:

Naturally, McCain was not alone in voting down the repeal  Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined the Democrats in the final result 51-49  but people couldn't help expressing joyful support to the former presidential candidate:

McCain!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Zach Braff (@zachbraff) July 28, 2017

Senator John McCain is a man of his word and a true hero. Compassion and heart wins the day.  Rob Reiner (@robreiner) July 28, 2017

When you tweeted a bunch of bad stuff about John McCain and he actually came through pic.twitter.com/TMtGrR5eV3  Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 28, 2017

GOP: I know we have John McCain's vote.



McCain: pic.twitter.com/zvLhjzrJaP  Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) July 28, 2017

Before the vote, McCain had told reporters to "wait for the show" as he arrived in the Senate chamber.

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"Have you decided how you'll vote?" press corps.



"Yes," Sen. John McCain.



"How?"



"Wait for the show."  Matt Laslo (@MattLaslo) July 28, 2017

The navy veteran delivered a huge blow to Trump, who mocked him as "not a war hero" during the 2016 campaign.

He later explained his decision with a statement saying the "skinny repeal" failed short of their promises:

Skinny repeal fell short because it fell short of our promise to repeal & replace Obamacare w/ meaningful reform https://t.co/tZISIvccOO  John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) July 28, 2017
The father and sister of the 11-year-old New Jersey girl found stabbed to death a day after she vanished from her home have missed the girls funeral, as pleas to be allowed into the country fell on deaf ears.

AbbieGail Abbie Smiths sister, Kenisha Smith, told reporters that she and her father, Kenroy Smith, had their applications for temporary U.S. visas denied, preventing the pair from traveling from Jamaica to say goodbye.

Kenroy Smith was deported from the United States following a marijuana arrest in 2001, but Kenisha Smith said she wasnt told why her application was rejected, according to The Associated Press.

The 50-year-old father broke down in tears as he begged to be allowed in the country, telling the New York Daily News: I want to see my daughter for the last time, please, one last time before she goes down into the earth.

Read: Coroner Rules Neck Wound Killed 11-Year-Old AbbieGail Smith as Family Prepares to Bury Her

Abbie was buried Monday, almost two weeks after her body was discovered on a roof at the Hancock Arms Apartments in Keansburg.

She and her mother had moved into the complex only months earlier.

Officials said Abbies body was found wrapped in a comforter and bedsheet. She was wearing little clothing, was bound by a computer cord and had died from a fatal stab wound to the neck, authorities said.

Her upstairs neighbor, 18-year-old Andreas Erazo, was ordered held in jail without bail Wednesday as prosecutors said he confessed to killing the girl.

Read: Death of 1-Year-Old Girl Ruled Homicide By Asphyxiation: Cops

Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Diane Aifer said that when investigators confronted Erazo with their findings, he allegedly admitted to stabbing Abbie, NJ.com reported.

But his public defenders, Courtney Schneider and Michael Wicke, said Erazos statement was not a confession and reportedly plan to challenge the admissibility and the legality of the findings of the nine-hour interrogation.

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Several members of Abbies family were in the courtroom, with many wearing T-shirts bearing her picture and the words Gone too soon. AbbieGail Smith.

Abbies father took to social media to express his desire to sit in court, writing on Facebook: Now my people just tell me do you all think I should have the right to go represent for my daughter  I can just imagine how she tried to fight for life and there was no father to be there for her.

Watch: Neighbor, 18, Arrested in Killing of Girl, 11, Who Was Found Dead Hours After She Vanished

Related Articles:
The FBI has been investigating the death of a Utah woman aboard a Princess Cruises ship in Alaska and plan to file charges for the Wednesday incident after the cruise ship docked in Alaskas capital city.

The U.S. attorneys office said the announcement related to the filing of charges in the death of a 39-year-old woman aboard the Emerald Princess will be made at a news conference Thursday.

According to the Washington Post, the attorneys office said the news conference will be conducted along with agencies that were a part of the investigation, including the FBI and the Coast guard.

Read: Harmony Of The Sea Sets Sail: See Pictures, Watch Videos Of World's Largest Cruise Ship

Princess Cruises said in a statement, according to ABC News that the 39-year-old woman from Utah died aboard the Emerald Princess late Tuesday and the incident stemmed from a domestic dispute. The FBI has been investigating the "suspicious" death and what happened in U.S. waters off Alaska.

The ship was docked in Juneau, capital city of Alaska on Wednesday morning. The Emerald Princess was carrying 3,400 passengers and 1,100 crew members departed on Sunday from Seattle to go on a week-long cruise.

"Since the incident, our fleet security team has been coordinating with the FBI and other local authorities," Princess Cruises said in a statement to CBS affiliate KTVA in Anchorage.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and all those impacted by this tragic event," Princess Cruises also said in a statement, ABC News reported.

FBI has jurisdiction on this case as it happened on U.S. waters. No arrests had been made yet, according to spokeswoman Staci Feger-Pellessier. A team was sent to the Alaskan capital in order to talk to the family of the victim.

Passengers were not permitted to get off the ship immediately. They were seen taking photos of Gastineau Channel and Juneau from the decks and balconies of the cruise ship, which was diverted to the capital city of Alaska because of the investigation. The ship was scheduled to leave late Wednesday for its destination to the southeast Alaskan town of Skagway. There were no changes to the schedule, according to Company spokeswoman Kamali, CBS News reported.

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Read: Cruise Ship Pollution: Cruise Sewage And Air Pollution A Rising Concern As Ships Sail Toward Northwest Passage

Deaths on board cruise ships have occurred in the past. There are an estimated 200 passenger deaths a year, around the world. However, the total excludes the ones who die going overboard, if a passenger intends on suicide or it is a result of being under the influence of alcohol, according to the Telegraph.

In December 2011, Shirley McGill, 55, from Winnetka, California, was beaten and strangled to death in a cruise ship by her husband during a heated argument between the couple. They were on a five night-long cruise to Mexico. Her husband later received a life sentence for the crime, Sandiego Union Tribune had reported.

All deaths on board are not just among passengers and some are tragic accidents too. In December 2014, one crew member and two contractors were killed when a massive fire broke out on Oceania Cruises' ship called Insignia. Five years ago, three crew members died when the then Costa Europa cruise ship was said to have hit a dock in Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt.

Majority of deaths occur due to age-related illnesses as the average age of cruise passengers would be 57 years and 40 percent of them are aged 65 and above, according to the Telegraph. A death aboard a cruise ship is made in an announcement saying "Operation Rising Star" that means a passenger has died.

Related Articles
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After falling far short of the votes needed to move forward with its sweeping measure to repeal and replace large parts of the Affordable Care Act, the Senate took another vote this afternoon, this time on a bill that simply repeals key aspects of the ACA without including any replacement.

Unlike last night's vote, which needed to have 60 supporters in order to merit further consideration, the repeal-only measure only needed 50 votes to succeed. However, the GOP was not able to reach that lowered threshold, with seven Republican senators voting against it. Ultimately, the vote went 55-45 in favor of rejecting the bill.

Senators Susan Collins (ME), Lisa Murkowsky (AK), Dean Heller (NV), John McCain (AZ), Lamar Alexander (TN), Shelley Moore Capito (WV), and Rob Portman (OH) were the Republicans who voted no. McCain, Alexander, Capito, and Portman had all voted "yes" last night in support of the repeal-and-replacement bill.

Six GOP senatorsBob Corker (TN), Tom Cotton (AR), Lindsey Graham (SC), Mike Lee (UT), Jerry Moran (KS), and Rand Paul (KY)who voted against the replacement measure voted for repeal-only, highlighting the Senate's current difficulties in reaching a consensus on this matter.

The billtechnically introduced as an amendment to the House repeal/replacement legislation that passed earlier this yearwas championed by Sen. Paul. The substance of the legislation is largely similar to a bill that Congress passed in late 2015, knowing that it would be (and ultimately was) vetoed by President Obama. It seeks to repeal the most frequently targeted aspects of Obamacare, like the so-called "individual mandate," which requires that just about everyone has to purchase at least some form of healthcare coverage.





More from Consumer Reports:

Top pick tires for 2016

Best used cars for $25,000 and less

7 best mattresses for couples





Copyright  2006-2017 Consumer Reports, Inc.
By barring transgender Americans from any capacity in the U.S. military President Donald Trump told thousands of serving trans patriots they are not worthy of defending the country they love for his own cynical politics. With this crass, discriminatory act, he further eroded our democracy and seriously weakened the U.S. military.

He sent the message that ability doesnt count and that prejudice wins. In this case, as in so many more, he thumbed his nose at something that is basic to who we are as Americans: Anyone who wants to serve and is able to serve should be allowed to serve. And he denigrated those trans individuals who are doing what he never did.

Thats why so many who have served in uniform are so strongly opposed. People like Senator John McCain, former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs General Martin Dempsey and Admiral Mike Mullen  and twenty-year Navy SEAL veteran Kristin Beck, who had 13 deployments and earned both a Purple Heart and Bronze Star and said it best: Lets meet face to face and you tell me Im not worthy.

The American principle has always been about what you can do, not who you are.

These were the values behind my efforts as Secretary of the Navy in the Obama Administration to help end the shameful Dont Ask, Dont Tell. That disgraceful policy required gay Americans who wished to serve to lie, even though who they loved had nothing to do with their ability to serve.

Shortly after DADT was repealed, I met a First Class Petty Officer who was leaving Afghanistan after his third combat tour as a medic with the Marines. He wanted to thank me for helping in its repeal because, he said, after 12 years in the Navy and combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, his biggest fear was that he would be kicked out of the service he loved because of who he loved. How wrong is that?

Similarly, I was proud as Secretary to open up all positions, including ground combat and special forces, to women. Securing our nations freedom with a volunteer force requires us to attract the best that America has to offer. This is all about readiness. To assure our forces are truly ready, prepared and capable to handle any challenge and to win, the only barrier to service must be simply and solely: Can you do the job?

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We know Trump is lying about tremendous medical costs and disruption being his motivation. Two studies, one by the military, found health costs would be as little as $2.4 million and, at the very most, $8.4 million. How small is that in our military? In one year, the Department of Defense spent $41 million for Viagra, $48 billion on health care in a $573 billion total budget.

It is sad and ironic that Trump made this announcement on the 69th anniversary of President Truman ending segregation in the U.S. military. Opponents of Trumans decision argued it would erode unit cohesion, impact readiness and disrupt the effectiveness of our military. They were wrong. They were wrong in the 70s when women were admitted to the Service Academies. They were wrong in the 90s when women began serving in combat roles as pilots and aboard ships. Theyve used the same arguments every time, and theyve been wrong every time. Its clear that Trumps real purpose is again to distract from a Russia investigation, which appears to be getting very close and very serious. He did it with the Boy Scouts, and now hes doing it to our bravest, who are serving in our military protecting our country.

Donald Trump has no respect for democratic values or American history. He is a bully who hides behind his tweets, who castigates friends and allies, while praising dictators and providing aid and comfort to our adversaries.

Even his language, suggesting that U.S. military leaders are his generals, demonstrates a lack of understanding about military service and about our system of government. The President is the commander in chief, but the generals  and admirals  are not his, just as the White House is only on loan from the American people.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, Dr. Martin Luther King warned us. This latest Trump injustice is a threat to our military, a threat to our security, a threat to our standing in the world and a threat to the very idea of America.
MUSCATINE  After the Iowa legislature de-appropriated $3 million from the Judicial branch last winter, Jeff Tollenaer, clerk of Muscatine County District Court, jokingly hung a for sale sign outside a first-floor office at the Muscatine County Courthouse.

At some point, one of the courts 10 staff members added Cheap!!! on one corner of the cardboard sign.

Tollenaer, who is known for posting goofy signs at the office, said the de-appropriation has created an atmosphere of uncertainty at the Muscatine County Courthouse.

Weve had a great deal of stress in this office, he said. Not only with the budget uncertainty, (but) because you hear rumors flying  you know, Whats going to happen? Are we going to have layoffs? Are we going to have furloughs?

As a result of the cuts, the judicial branch scheduled a furlough day in May, cut travel by 10 percent, held open judicial vacancies for six months and put a hiring freeze in place.

The budget for the current fiscal year, which began July 1, is almost $15 million less than the judiciary said it needed. According to the Iowa Judicial Branch website, officials are considering closure days, reduction of hours, layoffs and eliminating specialty courts and other programs to make up for that shortfall.

The budget gap trickles down to the Muscatine County Courthouse. For a while, Tollenaer said, judicial branch officials considered layoffs, but decided against it for the time being.

I think weve been getting along fairly well, but the longer this goes on, it will catch up with us, he said.

Travel restrictions mean Muscatine County, which usually has two district judges, now has one most of the time. Since criminal cases have a constitutional right to a speedy trial, they get priority. Civil cases dont fare as well.

Its going to affect service levels unfortunately, he said. Because some of your civil cases are going to take longer to have your day in court.

Nate Jones, a lawyer with Muscatine Legal Services, said some of his civil cases get set back a little more now.

Jones said these delays affect clients who are in the midst of a divorce. Theres a 90-day waiting period for divorce cases, but in the meantime, couples usually participate in a temporary matters hearing, which allows them to set custody and other matters while the divorce is going on. Jones said the court used to be able to schedule these hearings in a matter of a week or two. Now, it can take three or four weeks.

When a couple separates, they are under a lot of stress, so you want some court order in place so they know when to pick the kids up, he said. If they cant have a temporary matters hearing on the court calendar because theres other stuff going on. Its all up in the air.

With the hiring freeze, any impending staff retirement might mean a permanently smaller staff at the courthouse. Tollenaer said he already has one vacancy he cannot fill because of the freeze.

With the positions remaining open it means you have more work to do, it means, probably your level of service will not be as good as it was in the past and it will take longer to get things done, he said.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been ousted from power by the Supreme Court, an unceremonious end to his third term in power ahead of general elections next year.

No Pakistani prime minister has ever completed a full five-year term.

Most have seen their tenures cut short by the powerful military or by the Supreme Court. Others have been ousted by their own party, forced to resign -- or been assassinated.

What happens now Sharif has been disqualified?

Although Sharif has been disqualified as prime minister, he remains the head of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the largest party in the National Assembly.

As such, Sharif will oversee the nomination of his successor who will then be rubber stamped in a parliamentary vote, where his party and coalition partners command a 209-seat majority in the 342-seat house.

The opposition is also expected to field a candidate for the premiership, though the nominee has almost no chance of getting sufficient votes.

The vote will likely happen in a matter of days -- if not hours -- of Sharif's disqualification.

Is there any precedent for this?

Yes, in 2012 then-prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to reopen a corruption case against the sitting president Asif Ali Zardari.

After Gilani was ousted by the Supreme Court, President Zardari, the then-head of the ruling Pakistan People's Party, led the negotiations to find a consensus candidate for the premiership.

Following three days of intense horse-trading within the fractious coalition government, PPP-loyalist Raja Pervaiz Ashraf -- a controversial choice also marred by corruption allegations -- was eventually elected prime minister by the National Assembly.

Could the court's decision be challenged?

In theory, yes -- but it is highly unlikely.

Sharif's legal team could file a review petition but only on very limited grounds, such as a mistake in the judgement.

"The Supreme Court is the interpreter and final arbiter of what the constitution means, so if the Supreme Court says that's how it's supposed to be done then for all practical purposes that is what it is," said constitutional lawyer Yasser Latif Hamdani.

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Could an early election be called?

An early election is unlikely because according to the constitution it can only be called by the president on the advice of the prime minister, meaning a successor to Sharif would have to be chosen first.

Elections are currently due in 2018.

Could the military take over (again)?

The military has been in charge of Pakistan for half of its 70-year history, but few expect the army to make an explicit bid for power again.

The military already exerts control over foreign policy and defence, leading to accusations from some that it is carrying out a "creeping coup".

"The military doesn't need to take over because it already enjoys so many trappings of power from behind the scenes," said Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program at the Washington, DC-based Wilson Centre.

In addition, Kugelman points out, public opinion in Pakistan does not favour a return to martial law.

"There is also simply not as much of an appetite in Pakistan for military rule as there was in previous years. That's important for the military because the military is very concerned about its image and public opinion towards the army," Kugelman said.
By Richard Cowan and Mike Stone WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a $68 billion increase in military spending next year with legislation that also provides money to start construction of President Donald Trump's Mexican border wall. The bill increased spending on the U.S. capability to defend itself from foreign missile attacks amid growing concerns about North Korea's increasing capacity to hit the United States with a nuclear-tipped missile after it successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in July. The money for the wall is dwarfed by the $658.1 billion the bill would provide for the Defense Department, an increase of $68.1 billion above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $18.4 billion above Trump's budget request. The House voted 235-192 for the fiscal 2018 spending bill that would provide $1.6 billion for initial construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, which was a centerpiece of Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. Democrats repeatedly have referred to any money for the wall as a "poison pill" and are likely to try to kill it in the Senate. Congress is up against an Oct. 1 deadline - the start of a new fiscal year - for either passing spending bills or temporarily extending funding at current-year levels to give negotiators more time to come to agreements. Funding for the wall was tucked into a wide-ranging national security appropriations bill at the last minute by Republican leadership, knowing that many House members who oppose the wall would not sink defense spending with a "no" vote. Trump has argued that a "big beautiful wall" was needed along the entire southwestern U.S. border and that Mexico would ultimately pay for its construction. Mexico has flatly refused to pay and in recent weeks Trump indicated that there could be portions of the border that are not conducive to a wall. Democrats and many Republicans in Congress have questioned the feasibility and effectiveness of a border wall, with immigration advocacy groups arguing that it would not stem the flow of illegal border crossings and would hurt U.S.-Mexico relations. OPPOSITION TO WALL In interviews in recent weeks with more than a half-dozen Republican senators from states that voted for Trump for president last November, only Ted Cruz of Texas embraced building the wall. Similarly, House Republicans representing districts along the U.S.-Mexico border have expressed opposition to the barrier, which could end up costing well over $21 billion. Representative Nita Lowey, the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, called the wall a "waste ... that experts confirm is unneeded and ineffective and cuts against our values as Americans." Furthermore, Lowey noted that Pentagon funding would run into a technical problem as it breaches a cap on defense spending by $72 billion. If the bill became law, she said, it actually would "trigger across-the-board cuts of 13 percent to every defense account" in order to stay within the cap. The beefed up defense spending would allow the Pentagon to continue military activities in Iraq, Afghanistan and other trouble spots and hire more troops while providing soldiers with a 2.4 percent pay raise. It also would allow the Pentagon to undertake a shopping spree with money to buy ships and submarines, aircraft, tanks and other big-ticket items. The House-passed bill also includes an increase for America's nuclear weapons stockpile managed by the Department of Energy, as well as for U.S. Capitol Police following a June 14 shooting that gravely wounded Republican Representative Steve Scalise. A $825 million increase for the Missile Defense Agency to more than $8.6 billion is more than Trump asked for and includes additional boosters and missile silos for the main system that would defend against an ICBM attack, a program run by Boeing Co. Missile defense would also gain 14 more THAAD interceptors made by Lockheed Martin Co. (Reporting by Richard Cowan and Mike Stone; Editing by Chris Sanders, Lisa Shumaker and Bill Trott)
An Indianapolis police officer was shot and killed Thursday while responding to a car crash. The incident took place around 2:30 p.m. EDT near Maynard Drive and Madison Avenue in Homecroft, a Perry Township town situated approximately 8 miles south of Indianapolis.

The deceased officer was identified as Southport Lt. Aaron Allan. He was said to be responding to the an accident scene after reports of an inverted vehicle. That's when police said "shots were fired by one of the vehicles occupants, striking the Southport lieutenant," according to Fox News.

Read: NYPD Officer Dies After Being Shot In The Head In The Bronx, Police Kills Suspect

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett condemned the shooting, and called it "a shocking and tragic reminder of the difficult, often dangerous work of police officers." Hogsett issued a statement saying the community grieved for the Allan family and "for all the men and women who risk their lives on a daily basis to protect our city and its citizens."

After the shootout, Allan was taken to nearby Eskenazi Hospital where the doctors later declared him dead. At least two suspects from the incident are in custody, the Indianapolis Police Department (IMPD) told FOX 59.

Two other officers were also present at the scene, including one who was off-duty at the time. They returned fire which struck a person inside the inverted vehicle, Southport Police Chief Thomas Vaughn said. Police did not release the names of the victims in the crash. They were taken to a hospital nearby and were held in custody with non-life threatening injuries.

"Lt. Allan was a hard worker and today was no different. He responded to a crash with urgency to preserve life and tragically his was lost," Chief Vaugh said at a news conference at the hospital. "We appreciate the community support as we continue to work through the loss of our brother."

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Allan was the first officer to have responded to the crash. He reached there immediately after the accident took place.

Read: Who Is Justine Damond? Australian Woman's Fatal Shooting By Minneapolis Police Sparks Outrage

Lt. Allan was serving at the Southport Police Department since the last six years. He was the first-ever officer to have been named Officer of the Year in 2015 for his contribution to the department and for saving a life of a man at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. He performed chest compressions on the injured man for 10 minutes till the backup officers arrived at the scene with a defibrillator.

"Im very surprised," he told the Southport Times after he was honored in 2015. "Its part of the job. Im overwhelmed."

Lt. Allan is survived by his wife, and a son who is in the third grade currently. Allan previously served as an officer at the Indiana School for the Deaf, and at a school district in Marion County, Indiana, according to police officials at the Southport Police Department. The department is an all-volunteer force except for Allan's position and the police chief, which are both full time and salaried.

An eye-witness present at the scene described the incident as "disgusting" and raised questions about safety in the neighborhood, according to CBS affiliate WTTV.

"Its just disgusting you know. Being a vet, I was in the service, were kind of all in the brotherhood. Were not going to be able to walk our kids down the street because of some foolishness like this," said David Andrzeejewski. "I mean, he pulled over a kid, he probably woke up in the morning told his kids goodbye gave them a kiss, pulls a car over. Next thing you know hes in the hospital fighting for his life. Its horrible. Whats it coming to? Whens it gonna end?"

Allan is not the only Indiana officer to have been killed in the past week. Deputy Chief James "Jim" Waters, 48, died after being involved in a serious car crash during the weekend . Waters was traveling eastbound on the interstate in Indiana in his vehicle when a semi-truck hit from behind, fire officials told FOX 59.

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By Elaine Lies TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan will freeze the assets of five organizations and nine individuals linked to North Korea, including two Chinese entities, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said on Friday, outlining new sanctions against the isolated state. Japan's announcement came just hours after the U.S. Senate also voted for new sanctions on North Korea, which followed U.S. media reports this week that intelligence officials had assessed that Pyongyang would be able to field a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by next year, earlier than previously thought. The U.S. sanctions also include measures aimed at Chinese financial institutions, a senior U.S. official said on Tuesday. China's foreign ministry denounced Japan's decision as unacceptable and "wrong." "We are resolutely opposed to any country implementing any unilateral sanctions outside the UN Security Council framework, especially those targeting Chinese enterprises and individuals," ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a daily press briefing. "If Japan insists on doing this it will create major political obstacles for cooperation between China and Japan on the Korean Peninsula issue," he added. Kishida told reporters that given the increasing threat posed by North Korea's missiles and the fact that no concrete proposals have been made to resolve the issue of Japanese abducted decades ago by agents from the North, the steps had to be taken. "Given that we can't expect meaningful dialogue, increasing pressure on them is essential," he said. Japan will be taking steps to freeze the assets of five groups, including two from China, as well as nine individuals, Kishida said. He added that no further details would be made available until various "administrative procedures" had been carried out, but Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference that the groups had "engaged in activities prohibited by a U.N. Security council resolution." Kishida said Japan had been in contact with key allies such as the United States and South Korea, but gave no further details. North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs and the Security Council has ratcheted up the measures in response to five nuclear weapons tests and a series of missile launches. The United States is seeking further sanctions after North Korea tested a missile this month that was believed to be an ICBM. U.S. officials said on Tuesday they had seen increased activity at a site in the western city of Kusong that could be preparations for another missile test within days. (Additional reporting by Kaori Kaneko in TOKYO and Philip Wen in BEIJING, writing by Elaine Lies; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos was named the richest man in the world Thursday, putting the already high profile Bezos beneath an even bigger spotlight. His wife, MacKenzie Bezos, has remained relatively under the radar in comparison.

Jeff Bezos is now worth $90.3 billion, surpassing Bill Gates' estimated net worth of $90 billion. The prolific businessman has been married to his wife since 1993.

Here are six quick facts about MacKenzie Bezos.

Read: Jeff Bezos Net Worth As The Richest Person In The World

1. MacKenzie Bezos grew up in San Francisco, California. Her father was a financial planner while her mother was a stay-at-home mom.

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Photo: Getty Images

2. She attended Princeton University where she studied beneath legendary author Toni Morrison.

3. MacKenzie Bezos is the author of two books: "The Testing of Luther Albright," published in 2005, and "Traps," published in 2013.

4. MacKenzie Bezos has described herself as the "opposite" of her extrovert husband. "Jeff is the opposite of me," she told Vogue in 2013. "He likes to meet people. He's a very social guy. Cocktail parties for me can be nerve-racking. The brevity of conversations, the number of them  it's not my sweet spot."

Read: The Top Five Richest People In The World

5. The couple first met while working at a hedge fund in New York City. MacKenzie Bezos said she first encountered Jeff Bezos while interviewing at the job.

"My office was next to his," she told Vogue. "And all day long I listened to that fabulous laugh. How could you not fall in love with that laugh?"

They were engaged three months after they started dating, when MacKenzie was 23 years old.

6. She helped launch an anti bullying website in 2014. "Bystander Revolution" boasts celebrity contributors who share stories and advice about bullying.

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Photo: Getty Images

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Attorney General Jeff Sessions is an outspoken critic of recreational marijuana, and he has the power to hobble cannabis sales in states where its legal. But for now, business owners and advocates say they dont think hell actually do it.

As the head of the Justice Department, Sessions has a few strategies he could use to go after marijuana which, while legalized for recreational use in 8 states and D.C. and legalized medicinally in 29, remains a federal crime.

In a directive issued last week, Sessions said he wants to increase asset forfeiture, which allows the government to seize money and property from people suspected of a crime without ever formally charging them with one, let alone convicting them. Historically, asset forfeiture has been used to disrupt cartels, and Sessions said he would use it especially for drug traffickers.

But it also means he could send agents to take cash, properties and supplies from cannabis businesses operating legitimately under state law. Even if those businesses sued for their assets back, the case would be lengthy and expensive, and their shops would be effectively closed in the meantime.

Does it tie in specifically with our industry? I dont know for sure, Bruce Nassau, partner in Tru Cannabis dispensary in Colorado and Oregon, says of Sessions push for more asset forfeiture. But it certainly gets one to speculate, doesnt it?

Outside of civil asset forfeiture, which bypasses the criminal court system, Sessions could also choose to prosecute anyone involved in the industry, whether that be the owners of dispensaries or just people who do business with them, like the landlords who rent the property for the stores. Nassaus concern about asset forfeiture gets to an approach many legal experts and cannabis industry spokespeople think Sessions could employ: target a few high-profile businesses to sow fear.

That would make strategic sense, given Sessions relatively limited resources to shut down an industry blooming in nearly 30 states, if you include the ones that have legal medical marijuana.

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I wouldnt be surprised if what Sessions does is settle for enough prosecutions to terrify people and not try to shut down the system systematically, says Mark Kleiman, head of the crime and justice program at New York Universitys Marron Institute of Urban Management. Not only cant they protect themselves from being shut down, they cant protect themselves from being sent to prison for what theyve already done These people are taking insane risks.

Sessions has already signaled his intent to go after pot. He convened a task force to review drug enforcement, which is expected to release its findings soon. He has rolled back sentencing guidelines put in place under his predecessor Eric Holder which called for granting leeway to drug offenders, now saying instead that prosecutors should go after the most serious offense available. The task force is likely also reviewing the 2013 Cole memo, another Holder-era document, which said that the federal government would largely defer to states on marijuana enforcement. What the Justice Department decides to do about the Cole memo will have huge implications for whether or not Sessions cracks down on the drug.

One marijuana advocate even goes to the Department of Justices website to look up the memo.

I periodically check to make sure it hasnt disappeared, says Tom Angell, spokesperson for Marijuana Majority.

Sessions has also asked Congress not to renew the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment, in place since 2014, which prevents the federal government from interfering in medical marijuana at the state level. I believe it would be unwise for Congress to restrict the discretion of the Department to fund particular prosecutions, particularly in the midst of an historic drug epidemic and potentially long-term uptick in violent crime, Sessions wrote in a letter to Congress first reported by Angell. (Congressman Rohrabacher has a clear and strong disagreement with his old friend Jeff Sessions, Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabachers spokesman Ken Grubbs told TIME.)

Sessions has numerous formidable legal tools at his disposal, has indicated that he wants to attack both recreational and medical marijuana, and has previously compared pot to heroin. So why arent people in the cannabis industry more concerned?

Because legal pot is hugely popular, even among Republicans.

I dont see a mass wave of people feeling panicked or making exit strategies or changing their plans, says Taylor West, deputy director of the National Cannabis Industry Association. We are seeing a certain amount of optimism that the support for the industry is such that a move to crack down on it would create a bipartisan outcry.

A CBS News poll from April found that support for legalizing marijuana is at an all-time high. Sixty-one percent of Americans think it should be legal, 71% think the federal government shouldnt mess with states that have legalized it on their own and 88% support medical use. This includes majorities even among Sessions own party: 63% of Republicans dont think the federal government should interfere with states on this issue.

Cannabis right now is a helluva lot more popular than Donald Trump, says Kleiman. And even Trump himself indicated during the campaign that hed favor leaving it up to the states. In terms of marijuana and legalization, I think that should be a state issue, state-by-state, Trump said in a 2015 interview with the Washington Post. I think medical should happen, right? Dont we agree? I think so. And then I really believe we should leave it up to the states.

Along with potentially running afoul of the president, with whom he has already recently fallen out of favor, Sessions would also cross congressmen from states with legal pot.

This is not a fight this Administration wants to take, Democratic Rep. Earl Blumenauer from Oregon warned in a statement to TIME. The legalization train has left the station.

Blumenauer has introduced multiple marijuana reform bills with the Democratic senator from his state Ron Wyden, who also told TIME in a statement, Jeff Sessions cant cherry-pick on a whim which states rights he likes and which ones he doesnt. Voters in Oregon and a growing number of states who have chosen to legalize marijuana should not have their votes casually thrown in the trash by this administration.

It doesnt seem that Sessions or other members of Trumps Administration are cowed by politics. Still, pot advocates feel protected by the swelling public support for their industry. And although Sessions task force on marijuana was directed to look into links between the drug and violent crime, many are hoping he will realize that regulated cannabis businesses can actually help him fight the crime rates hes eager to lower.

We are the wall between the black market and the cartels and our society, says Nassau of Tru Cannabis. The president talks about building a wall, and we are a virtual wall. You want this? We are it.
The so-called skinny repeal of Obamacare went down in flames early Friday after three RepublicansSens. John McCain of Arizona, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Susan Collins of Mainejoined with all 48 Democrats in voting against the measure. McCains vote was arguably the most dramatic, given that he returned to the Senate for votes this week after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

In a statement issued after the vote, McCain said he decided to vote against the repeal because it would not lower costs, increase competition or improve Americans health care. While the amendment would have repealed some of Obamacares most burdensome regulations, it offered no replacement to actually reform our health care system and deliver affordable, quality health care to our citizens, he said.

Skinny repeal fell short because it fell short of our promise to repeal & replace Obamacare w/ meaningful reform https://t.co/tZISIvccOO  John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) July 28, 2017

McCain also said he had not been reassured by House Speaker Paul Ryans statement that the House would be willing to work with Senators on crafting a repeal they could all agree on after members of the upper chamber made clear they were using the skinny repeal to try to keep the Obamacare repeal alivebut didnt want that measure to become law. The Speakers statement that the House would be willing to go to conference does not ease my concern that this shell of a bill could be taken up and passed at any time, McCain continued.

Ultimately, McCain said, he did not want Republicans to rush the repeal through the Congress without bipartisan support as he said Democrats had done with the Affordable Care Act. Instead, the Republican Senator said, the Congress should return to the correct way of legislating and hold hearings, get bipartisan input, and take the advice of governors across the country.

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McCain had expressed similar discomfort with the process in a speech from the Senate floor earlier this week, which he delivered after voting for the motion to proceed.

We should not make the mistakes of the past that has led to Obamacares collapse, McCain said Friday. We must do the hard work our citizens expect of us and deserve.

President Donald Trump expressed his dismay over the repeal measures outcome early Friday morning, tweeting that 3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down.
John McCain dramatically helped to defeat Donald Trump's healthcare bill three days after the President hailed him as a "brave American hero" for returning to the US Senate to vote.

The Arizona senator, who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer, told reporters as he left Capitol Hill: "I thought it was the right thing to do."

His vote was decisive in killing off the Republican "skinny repeal" bill, which had sought to roll back Barack Obama's legislation.

It came after Mr McCain twice voted earlier this week to push forward the controversial bill, which critics had warned could lead to the deaths of 20,000 more people, as up to 22 million people lose health insurance coverage.

The veteran senator remained tight-lipped about his intentions before he reached the Senate floor early on Friday morning on a night of high suspense. He told reporters to "watch the show" as he entered the room.

His vote to reject the bill drew gasps in the chamber and applause from Democratic senators.

His defiance was a hammer blow to a key election promise of a US President who has long been an adversary of Mr McCain.

In 2015, Mr Trump said the Vietnam veteran - who spent five-and-a-half years in a notorious Hanoi prison - was "not a war hero".

"He was a war hero because he was captured? I like people who werent captured," said the billionaire businessman.

Conversely, Mr McCain has been a thorn in the President's side since he entered the White House, describing his administration as "in disarray" in February and later likening Mr Trump's attacks on the press to the behaviour of a dictator.

On Wednesday, he described Mr Trump's declaration that transgender people would barred from the military as "yet another example of why major policy announcements should not be made via Twitter".

The President adopted a more conciliatory tone ahead of Friday's crucial vote, tweeting: "So great that John McCain is coming back to vote."

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So great that John McCain is coming back to vote. Brave - American hero! Thank you John.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2017

But after seeing his bill defeated, he said Mr McCain and two other Republican senators had "let the American people down" by joining 48 Democrats in rejecting his proposals.

Mr McCain said he voted against repealing Obamacare because the bill "offered no replacement to actually reform our health care system and deliver affordable, quality health care to our citizens".

The Republication amendment, which was defeated 51 votes to 49, would have repealed a mandate that most individuals get health insurance and suspended a requirement that large companies provide coverage to their employees.

Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine also voted against it.
The maverick is back.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., shocked his conservative colleagues early Friday morning by defying President Trump to cast the decisive vote against the Republican Partys bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Two other Republicans  Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska  had already voted no on the skinny repeal amendment when it came time for the former presidential candidate to announce his decision. With Democrats firmly opposed, the GOP could afford only two Republican defections to gut Obamacare.

When McCain, who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer, walked onto the Senate floor about 1:30 a.m. and voted no with a thumbs-down, the shock was palpable. Republican senators gasped while scattered applause came from Democrats.

This moment in the early morning hours effectively killed the replacement plan, known as the Health Care Freedom Act. It ended with a 49-51 vote.

McCain, 80, had returned to Washington from Arizona for the vote earlier this week with a visible scar above his eye from brain surgery. Trump welcomed him back.

So great that John McCain is coming back to vote. Brave  American hero! Thank you John.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2017

Unknown to Trump  or, apparently, most of his Republican colleagues  McCain would tank the bill. As he entered the Senate chamber before the vote, McCain told journalists to watch the show. Afterward, he was quoted by reporters as saying he thought it was the right thing to do.

McCain leaving the Capitol asked why he voted NO: "I thought it was the right thing to do."  Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) July 28, 2017

Even as the Senate voted, the New York Times was running an op-ed by columnist Paul Krugman titled The Sanctimony and Sin of G.O.P. Moderates, calling attention to the awfulness of Senator John McCain, who had cast the decisive vote to begin debate on a version of the Senate repeal bill. The column, obviously written earlier in the evening, assumed McCain would fall into line again.

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Krugman updated his column to reflect news developments by adding this key sentence: Awfulness somewhat, but only somewhat, redeemed by his last-minute vote. The original version ran in the print edition.

After the vote, McCain released a statement reaffirming his commitment to repealing and replacing Obamacare with something that increases competition, lowers costs and improves health care, but said the new bill fell short of these goals.

While the amendment would have repealed some of Obamacares most burdensome regulations, it offered no replacement to actually reform our health care system and deliver affordable, quality health care to our citizens, he said. The Speakers statement that the House would be willing to go to conference does not ease my concern that this shell of a bill could be taken up and passed at any time.

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) leaves the the Senate chamber at the U.S. Capitol after voting on the GOP 'Skinny Repeal' health care bill on July 28, 2017 in Washington, DC. Three Senate Republicans voted no to block a stripped-down, or 'Skinny Repeal,' version of Obamacare reform. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

On Thursday afternoon McCain joined several Republican colleagues in saying they would vote for the bill only if they had assurances from House Speaker Paul Ryan that the lower chamber wouldnt pass it in its current version. Whatever Ryan said presumably satisfied the others, including McCains close ally Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. But McCain held out.

McCain has said repeatedly that a major failing of Obamacare is that Democrats rammed it through Congress on a strictly party-line basis without a single Republican vote. He argued that Congress should not repeat these same mistakes.

We must now return to the correct way of legislating and send the bill back to committee, hold hearings, receive input from both sides of aisle, heed the recommendations of nations governors, and produce a bill that finally delivers affordable health care for the American people, he continued. We must do the hard work our citizens expect of us and deserve.

Skinny repeal fell short because it fell short of our promise to repeal & replace Obamacare w/ meaningful reform https://t.co/tZISIvccOO  John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) July 28, 2017

There have been many reports of Republican senators being dissatisfied with the secretive manner in which Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., put the bill together.

McCain, a Vietnam War hero who was held prisoner by the North Vietnamese from 1967 until 1973, earned the reputation of a maverick for being willing to disagree with his party on certain issues over the course of his career in the Senate.

For instance, he pushed for a comprehensive bill to regulate the tobacco industry in the late 90s and voted against President George W. Bushs tax cuts in the early 2000s.

Though many argued that this maverick spirit was nearly erased during McCains 2008 presidential campaign, hes drifted from the party line in more recent controversies. He defended former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons aide Huma Abedin against conservative conspiracy theories in 2012 and the Khan family against Trumps insults in 2016.

This latest vote will surely go down as one of those moments.

Read more from Yahoo News:
MUSCATINE  Following a review of more than $4,000 in city expenses incurred by Muscatine officials during a 2014 trip to China, a state auditor recommends the city implement a formal and transparent procedure for documenting expenditures.

Last year, Mayor Diana Broderson requested a review of the city's finances during the fiscal year 2015, and expenses from the China trip. Upon that review, the state auditor's office determined it was necessary to re-audit the city's books.

City Administrator Gregg Mandsager and Community Development Director Dave Gobin traveled to China in December 2014. The officials said the trip was related to economic development.

The state auditor found there was insufficient documentation of the trip's expenses, some expenditures were filed after the deadline, and more than $2,000 in expenses were not included on a Travel Report Form, which is required by the city's Travel Policy.

In a press release Thursday, city officials said it disagrees with the audits findings and does not plan to implement policy changes.

State auditor findings

The state auditor's office found the Muscatine City Council had no formal discussion about the trip, and there was no documentation explaining the public purpose of the trip, and no opportunity for public input.

The re-audit identified 16 expenditures totaling $4,192 related to the China trip. About $1,318 of that money was spent on "miscellaneous items" such as photo books and brochures. More than $2,400 was spent on airfare and meals, which were not detailed in the trip itinerary.

Based on the itinerary, the state auditor said a "majority of the trip...involved cultural and sightseeing experiences," rather than meetings pertaining to economic development.

City officials said the trip was related to China's investments in developments around Muscatine, but also added "historical and cultural visits were certainly part of the visit as having a better understanding of these topics is important to better understanding the people of China and how they do business."

In April 2017, the city provided a list of individuals and businesses that met with the officials during the trip, but the auditor questioned the lateness of submitting the information and said no context was provided relating to the content of the meetings.

Of the 16 expenditures, the city recorded 14 expenditures under the Advertising and Publications account. The auditor said the 14 items were originally recorded under Actual Travel Expenses, and then moved to Advertising and Publications.

The city argued having all of the expenditures recorded under the same account would allow city staff to view a record of the total expenditures in one place. The auditor, however, said it is "misleading to the citizens to record these expenditures under Advertising and Publications."

The auditor also found several expenditures not documented on a Travel Report Form or approved by the city administrator in advance, as required by the city's policy. The city argued Mandsager has the authority to expend funds under the city code, and expenditures should be approved by the finance director.

The auditor responded with, "Although the city administrator's employment agreement states the city agrees to budget and pay for travel expenses, this statement does not give blanket approval for any travel taken by the city administrator."

Auditor's recommendations

Following the review, the state auditor's office suggested the Muscatine City Council pre-approve all travel to China and document the public purpose related to each expenditure.

The city argued the council supported the China trip and its related expenses, and no formal discussion was required by the council. The city added there was a "very clear public purpose" for the expenses.

City Attorney Matthew Brick wrote, "it seems clear that the benefits obtained and gained for the citizens of Muscatine far outweigh the money spent."

The auditor said it was concerning the city council approves monthly claims at council meetings, but does not review individual expenditures in comparison to supporting documentation. The city argued reviewing individual expenses is not required by law and "would not be practical for a city the size of Muscatine."

The auditor's report said the recommendation is to "formalize that which is already being done" and that periodically reviewing expenses is a practice done by cities regardless of size or internal controls.

The auditor also recommended the city implement procedures to ensure expenditures are recorded with transparency. The city said it is changing the "Advertising and Publications" account title to "Advertising, Publications and Marketing."

The auditor said the new title is still "not transparent as it is not clear travel expenditures will be recorded under this code" or if expenditures are related to China.

The re-audit report acknowledged the sister city relationship between Muscatine and China but said "this relationship does not, in itself, substantiate the public purpose of all trips taken to China."

In response to the auditor's recommendations, the city said in a press release, officials "disagree with all of the findings and recommendations."

Communications Manager Kevin Jenison wrote "Given that many of the findings and recommendations are largely outside the scope of the State Auditor's authority...the city does not plan to make any adjustments to policies or procedures at this time."

Mandsager and City Finance Director Nancy Lueck are out of town and were unavailable to return a call for comment.

Mayor Brodersons reaction

Shortly after taking office, Broderson requested a review of the citys finances in relation to the China trip. The request was included in the city councils decision to remove her from office, claiming the mayor was making false or baseless allegations.

In an interview, Broderson said she made the request following complaints and questions from Muscatine residents about the use of taxpayer money to fund China trips.

With her request, Broderson asked if the city officials spouses had travel expenses paid for by the city. She also questioned the formation of the Muscatine Mayors China Initiative Task Force and city employees using public funds to promote a Muscatine Symphony Orchestra event.

The re-audit did not examine those claims, but focused on travel expenditures.

A lot of things didnt come out of this, Broderson said. But Im pleased that they released ways the city can improve transparency for citizens.

Broderson said she hopes the city will implement policies in the future to improve transparency.

The people represent the highest voice in the community and when they ask us for more transparency and for more information, it is our duty to do the best we can to make that happen, she said.

The city recently launched a partnership with OpenGov.com, which will provide expense reports and other documents for public viewing online, and is also working on an re-branding initiative.

In the citys press release, Jenison wrote more than 40 hours of city staff time was used throughout the past year to review and respond to the state auditors report. He claimed the response cost taxpayers about $2,200.

City officials argued Broderson is responsible for the use of taxpayer money because she requested the state review. Broderson argued the re-audit would not have been necessary if the travel expenses were initially documented with transparency.
Amman (AFP) - Jordan will not allow the return of Israel's ambassador until the shooting of two Jordanians by an embassy security guard has been properly investigated, a government official said on Friday.

"Jordan will not allow ambassador Einat Shlein or the rest of the embassy staff to return until a thorough investigation has been opened" into Sunday's shooting, the official said, adding Jordan informed Israel of its decision.

Israel's foreign ministry late Friday said it had launched a "verification procedure" into the shooting.

Israel's attorney general "gave instructions to implicated (Israeli) bodies to provide all elements in their possession concerning the incident", a ministry spokesman said in a statement.

"Israel will inform Jordan of developments and information gathered during this procedure," the spokesman said, without providing further details.

Hundreds of Jordanians held a protest earlier Friday near the Israeli embassy in Amman, calling on the government to shut it down, expel the ambassador and cancel the 1994 peace treaty with Israel.

Emerging from a mosque hundreds of metres (yards) away from the embassy, the protesters chanted "Death to Israel" and "No Zionist embassy on Jordanian soil", an AFP correspondent said.

On Thursday, King Abdullah II called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to try the guard, who travelled home on Monday night with other embassy officials after being briefly questioned by Jordanian investigators.

The guard was welcomed home and greeted as a hero by Netanyahu, who embraced him and said: "You acted well, calmly and we also had an obligation to get you out."

Israel maintained the guard had diplomatic immunity.

The Israeli foreign ministry said the security guard shot dead a Jordanian worker who had come to an apartment to install furniture and had stabbed him in the back with a screwdriver.

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A second Jordanian, the landlord of the apartment, was also killed -- apparently by accident. He was buried on Thursday in Madaba, southwest of the capital.

A Jordanian police report released Monday said an argument had broken out with the Israeli complaining the Jordanians were late in delivering the furniture.

The Jordanian worker then attacked the Israeli who opened fire, "hitting him and the landlord who was standing next to him", it added.

Jordan's public prosecutor Akram Musaid charged on Thursday that the guard was responsible for the killings and possession of a firearm without a licence.

Tensions in the region have been high over the past two weeks after Israel introduced new security measures at the highly sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound in east Jerusalem, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, following an attack that killed two policemen.

The last of them were removed on Thursday.

Jordan is the official custodian of Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem.

Jordan and Egypt are the only two Arab governments that have signed a peace treaty with Israel and established full diplomatic relations.
By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) - Jordan's King Abdullah angrily demanded on Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu put on trial an embassy security guard who shot dead two Jordanians, and said relations between the neighbouring states were at risk. Netanyahu gave the guard a hero's embrace after Israel brought him home under diplomatic immunity, behaviour that the king said was "provocative on all fronts and enrages us, destabilises security and fuels extremism". "We demand that the Israeli Prime Minister abides by his commitment and takes all measures to ensure the trial of the killer, and not handle this like a political show to achieve personal political gains," he said. The guard shot dead Jordanian teenager Mohammad Jawawdah at Israel's embassy in Amman on Sunday as well as the landlord of the house in the compound where the guard lived. Israel said the guard had been defending himself after Jawawdah attacked him with a screwdriver in a "terrorist attack". But Jordanian police, who were unable to question the guard, said on Monday that he had fired on the 16-year-old after the young man, who worked for a furniture company and was delivering an order, got into a brawl and attacked him. It was not clear how the landlord came to be shot. Abdullah, who visited the family of the young teen and paid his condolences on Thursday, said the state would "do everything within its means" to get justice for the two men. Jordan is one of two Arab states with which Israel has peace treaties, and such an outburst against Israel is rare. Abdullah also cited a previous incident that outraged Jordanians, in which a Jordanian judge was shot in March 2014 by an Israeli soldier at a border crossing. No investigation was ever conducted. "The way Israel handles the embassy case and the judge's killing and other cases will have a direct impact on the nature of our relationship," Abdullah said. Many Jordanians have accused the authorities of abdicating sovereignty by letting the guard leave, and lawmakers walked out of parliament in protest. Jordan's public prosecutor was quoted on state news agency Petra as saying the Israeli security guard was charged under local penal laws with one count of murder and illegal possession of a firearm. Diplomatic immunity did not mean the "killer" could not be put on trial in his own country, the Jordanian prosecutor said. An Israeli judicial source who declined to be named said state prosecutors were giving "preliminary consideration" to an investigation. Asked if this could potentially lead to criminal charges, the source said: "Theoretically, any outcome is certainly possible." An Israeli government source, who also declined to be named, said Israel was also "giving preliminary consideration to offering compensation to the family of the second Jordanian killed in the incident", meaning the landlord. In a kingdom where many of its citizens are of Palestinian origin, anti-Israeli sentiment has been fuelled by a public perception created over the years that the authorities do not stand up to Israel over treatment of its citizens. The outpouring of anger against Israel has also been fuelled in recent weeks by the furor over security devices that Israel installed at the Aqsa Mosque, of which Jordan is custodian. Israel has since removed the devices, including metal detectors and CCTV cameras. Amman is sensitive to any changes at the site, which Israel captured from Jordan along with other East Jerusalem and West Bank areas in the 1967 war. Protesters called for a rally on Friday to demand the government close the Israeli Embassy in Amman and scrap the unpopular peace treaty. The embassy has long been a flashpoint of anti-Israel protests at times of turmoil in the Palestinian territories. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Additional reporting by Dan Williams; Editing by Kevin Liffey, Toni Reinhold)
A prominent young Kashmiri militant has been named as the head of a new Al-Qaeda-linked group in the disputed Himalayan territory, a move described by Indian police Thursday as an "ideological shift" in the long-running conflict.

The declaration, by an Al-Qaeda-affiliated propaganda channel, marks the first time the international jihadist group has pushed so far into Kashmir, a restive Muslim-majority region divided between India and Pakistan but claimed in full by both.

Zakir Musa, a 23-year-old militant based in Indian-administered Kashmir, was named leader of the new group by the Global Islamic Media Front, a propaganda organisation linked to Al-Qaeda.

The statement, published Wednesday by US monitor SITE Intelligence Group, said "the jihad in Kashmir had entered a stage of awakening" and that the new movement would "liberate our homeland".

More details about the new group, 'Ansar Ghazwat-Ul-Hind', would be released soon, the statement added.

For decades, armed groups in Kashmir have waged an insurgency against Indian rule, fighting for independence or a merger of the territory with Pakistan.

Al-Qaeda established an Indian chapter in September 2014, but it has not garnered wide support.

The announcement of a new Islamist outfit in Kashmir linked to the global extremist group was an "ideological shift", said Kashmir police chief S. P. Vaid.

"Earlier, people were fighting for something different," Vaid told AFP on Thursday.

"For us, whoever picks up a gun is a terrorist. Musa is a terrorist. Organisation doesn't matter. We'll see, we'll face it."

Musa is a controversial figure in Kashmir, having ruffled feathers by criticising top separatist leaders for not pursuing Islamic law in the contested region.

Separatist groups have repeatedly stated that Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have no role in the Kashmiri self-determination movement, claiming the armed movement against Indian occupation as "indigenous".

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Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) said the announcement was an Indian conspiracy to label Kashmir's freedom struggle as terrorism.

LeT spokesman Mehmood Shah in statement issued late Thursday said "groups such as AL-Qaeda and ISIS are being brought up to label the legitimate freedom struggle as terrorism."

Security officials consider the young militant's following to be small.

Musa was understood to have succeeded Burhan Wani as leader of Hizbul Mujahideen after the charismatic rebel leader was shot dead by Indian forces last July.

But Musa fell out with the militant group, the largest in Kashmir, over ideological differences.

Wani's killing sparked months of widespread protests against Indian rule and left nearly 100 civilians dead and thousands injured.

Kashmir, divided between India and Pakistan since 1947, is one of the most heavily militarised spots on earth with a long history of conflict.

The conflict has left tens of thousands, mostly civilians, dead.
Kim Kardashian has condemned Donald Trump - REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File photo

Donald Trump has been widely condemned for his tweets in which he announced he would ban transgender people from the military.

Transgender celebrity Caitlyn Jenner, who has previously voiced her support of the Republican party, criticised Mr Trump's decision.

She tweeted: "There are 15,000 patriotic transgender Americans in the US military fighting for all of us. What happened to your promise to fight for them?"

Kim Kardashian backed her family member and was similarly aghast, writing: "Banning transgender people from serving our country is simply wrong. We should be so grateful to anybody who wants to serve!"

There are 15,000 patriotic transgender Americans in the US military fighting for all of us. What happened to your promise to fight for them? https://t.co/WzjypVC8Sr  Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) July 26, 2017

Banning transgender people from serving our country is simply wrong. We should be so grateful to anybody who wants to serve!  Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) July 26, 2017

Other celebrities, including Laverne Cox and Ariana Grande, voiced their disapproval:

To all the trans folks currently serving in the military thank you for your service. I am sorry your "commander in chief" doesn't value it.  Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) July 26, 2017

History shall record that you are not only the stupidest, most incompetent president ever, but also the cruelest and pettiest. #Shamepic.twitter.com/8R4jVOIYmd  George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 26, 2017

Hey Ivanka, James here. Hope all is good, quick question, can you... Erm... Call your dad and have a talk. X https://t.co/yiiL89J3Ap  James Corden (@JKCorden) July 26, 2017

I'm starting to think they don't know what these letters actually stand for. https://t.co/ieznVV5Gio  Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) July 26, 2017

President Donald Trump yesterday announced on Twitter that transgender citizens will not be allowed to serve in the US military, saying that the armed forces "cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption" of transgender people.

The announcement reverses an Obama-era policy.

"This legalises discrimination," said Ben Cardin, a Democrat senator for Maryland. "We should be focused instead on winning wars."

Chelsea Manning, the world's most famous transgender soldier, who was released from prison for leaking documents to Wikileaks, tweeted that Mr Trump's move sounded "like cowardice".

She said that the military had "always been a social experiment as much as a fighting force".

Here's when Donald Trump dismissed a 'very rude' reporter who was trying to ask about the new policy

His spokesperson has said he feels it's 'best' for the military
In a dramatic and unexpected turn of events, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., cast the decisive vote against the Senate health care bill after midnight Thursday, telling reporters to watch the show to see where he stood on the bill. His vivid thumbs-down as he intoned his no overshadowed two of his Republican colleagues, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who had consistently opposed the Obamacare repeal in the face of pressure from the Trump administration and a (presumably jocular) threat of a duel from a congressman from Texas.

The three were joined by every Senate Democrat to sink the skinny repeal, the Republicans last-ditch effort to undo the Affordable Care Act. One Republican had to join Collins and Murkowski to avoid a tie that would have been broken with a yes from Vice President Pence. In the normal course, McCain would have voted before Murkowski, making hers the decisive third no, but when his name was called, the Arizonan was absent from the chamber. When he reappeared on the Senate floor, he strode directly to the clerk with his arm raised before casting the vote that elicited gasps from Republicans and applause from Democrats.

McCain, 80, recovering from surgery after being diagnosed with brain cancer, had returned to Washington at the beginning of the week and cast an equally decisive vote in the other direction, allowing a version of the Republican bill to proceed, before delivering a stirring speech calling for an end to the hyperpartisan and irregular manner in which the bill had been fashioned.

Collins and Murkowski have more quietly and more consistently opposed the various iterations of health care reform put forward by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and have been targeted as a result.

Sen. Susan Collins, Sen. John McCain and Sen. Lisa Murkowski. (Photos: Getty Images)

Last week, Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, said in an interview, Listen, the fact that the Senate does not have the courage to do some of the things that every Republican in the Senate promised to do is just absolutely repugnant to me.

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Some of the people that are opposed to this  there are some female senators from the Northeast  if it was a guy from South Texas, I might ask him to step outside and settle this Aaron Burr-style, he continued, apparently challenging Collins while referencing the 1804 shootout in which Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton. Collins said Farenthold later apologized.

Murkowski was called out by President Trump directly, on the commander in chiefs favorite platform. After she voted no on the motion to proceed Tuesday, Trump tweeted she had really let the Republicans, and our country, down.

Senator @lisamurkowski of the Great State of Alaska really let the Republicans, and our country, down yesterday. Too bad!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

In the canon of Trump criticism, the tweet was mild. However, another member of the administration went further. Alaska Dispatch News reported that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke threatened to punish Murkowskis state over her rejection of health care reform.

When Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., was asked about Trump singling out Murkowski, he said it was perfectly fair, before advocating a different approach to the matter.

Somebody needs to go over there to that Senate and snatch a knot in their ass, Carter said. The regional term snatch a knot in means hit.

Still, Collins and Murkowski broke with the majority of their party and with McCain defeated skinny repeal, ending  for now  the GOPs effort to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. McCains vote received outsize attention partly because it was unexpected, but it still led many to argue the Republican women were being overlooked.

Giving McCain the credit for defeating this repeal when female Senators Murkowski & Collins were early NOs is EVERY WORK MEETING EVER.  Jenny Yang (@jennyyangtv) July 28, 2017

Collins, Murkowski, and McCain have all released statements on health care reform, advocating for a more transparent and bipartisan process in addressing Obamacares flaws.

After the vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was visibly emotional while speaking about McCain on the floor of the chambers. Later, he told reporters, Given his stature, his remarks at the beginning when he came in, moved everybody and I think that helped. Hes a hero. Hes a hero of mine.

At a press conference this morning, he reiterated McCain was on the top of the list of people he credited with beating back Obamacare repeal, before referring to the less showy, but equally important, votes cast by Collins and Murkowski: Certainly not to be forgotten, of equal praise, are Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski. They were amazing and women are in so many instances stronger than men. They brag less about it, but they are. And last night sort of proved that.

Read more from Yahoo News:
If Anthony Scaramucci is conducting an experiment in radical transparency at the White House, then things are going well. Otherwise, his tenure as communications director might not be off to a great start.

Thursday began with Scaramucci giving a preposterous interview to CNNcutting off a segment with New Yorker journalist Ryan Lizzain which he accused White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus of leaking to the press, suggested he is trying to save America from this president, and likened his own relationship with Priebus to that of the biblical figure Cain and to Abel, the brother he slew.

Related Story

The Fratricidal Fight Inside the White House

The day closed with Lizza writing his own, devastating account of a deranged conversation hed had with Scaramucci Wednesday night, after Lizza reported on a dinner Scaramucci had with Fox News personalities past and present. Politico had also published Scaramuccis financial disclosure, obtained by a routine public-records request, but which Scaramucci was for some reason convinced had been leaked. (One fascinating lesson of Scaramuccis appointment is how fast the debilitating paranoia of this White House can infect a new hire.)

Scaramucci demanded Lizza reveal his source, which he wouldnt. OK, Im going to fire every one of them, and then you havent protected anybody, so the entire place will be fired over the next two weeks, the spokesman said.

Recommended: John McCain's 'No' Vote Sinks Republicans' 'Skinny Repeal' Plan

I have three to four people Ill fire tomorrow. Ill get to the person who leaked that to you. Reince Priebusif you want to leak somethinghell be asked to resign very shortly, Scaramucci said, adding, Reince is a fucking paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac.

He also had choice words for Steve Bannon, the chief White House strategist, who like Priebus had opposed his hiring. Im not Steve Bannon, Im not trying to suck my own cock, he said. Im not trying to build my own brand off the fucking strength of the president. Im here to serve the country. (Anyone even sparingly familiar with Scaramucci knows that the idea that he is not out to promote himself is risible.)

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These quotes make for incredible copyLizzas story should be read repeatedly for full effectbut they are also fantastically revealing about the inner workings of the Trump administration. It is not unusual for the West Wing to be full of feuding factions. It is also not unusual for officials to vent in blunt and vulgar terms to reporters. And fury about leaks is endemic to all presidential administrations at some point or another. It is, however, unusual for any officialmuch less the chief messaging guru for the White House, in his first week on the jobto speak on the record in this way. (Typically, a source has to request that an interview be off the record before speaking, but Lizza offered no indication that Scaramucci had done so, either before unloading or later in the conversation.)

Recommended: The Limits of Bullying

No one can be surprised by the antipathy between top Trump advisersfor months, the press has been full of reports about skirmishes between various, rotating cliquesbut such fights have not been not discussed this openly. This was true even in the early days of the Clinton White House, the previous gold standard for early-term dysfunction. Though staffers were frequently stabbing each other in the back, including undercutting the then-chief of staff (sound familiar?), they were not calling up The New Yorker to speak about it on the record. (They were also living in a pre-internet era, though that would change by the second term, when Drudge Report first revealed the Monica Lewinsky scandal.)

But Scaramucci put it best on CNN Thursday morning: The fish stinks from the head down. President Trump has set the tone for making these fights public with his own bizarre, cruel treatment of Attorney General Jeff Sessions. In two newspaper interviews and in a series of tweets, Trump has lambasted Sessionsone of his earliest and most loyal supportersas weak and ineffective, and has complained about his decision to recuse himself from investigations of Trumps relations with Russia, calling it unfair to the president. Not since the Andrew Johnson administration has a president so viciously attacked one of his own Cabinet members.

Personality conflicts, of course, are not uncommon. Rival staffers try to elbow each other out of the way of advancement, and presidents lose confidence in aides. But in a functional administration, and even in every dysfunctional administration before this one, that would be handled simply enough: Either the president would fire someone, or someone would resign.

Recommended: Bill Browder's Testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee

But Trump has refused to fire Sessions, preferring to harangue him publicly, and Sessions has refused to quit. Priebus, who has been the subject of rumors of impending demise more or less since he took the chief of staff job, has so far also refused to step down, even after Scaramuccis blitz on him. Embarrassingly for Priebus, Scaramucci (claims he) reports directly to Trump, sidestepping the traditional gatekeeper.

Trumps reluctance to fire anyone is one of the great mysteries of his presidency so far, but so too is the willingness of humiliated staffers to stick around. In the case of Priebus and Sessions, they might not see much upside beyond the velvet coffin of a TV-contributor gig. Sessions is 70, gave up a safe seat in the Senate to become attorney general, and is remaking the justice system along the lines he desires. Priebus is a mild-mannered longtime operative whose lifes ambition seemed to be making the Republican Party work better. He appeared successful, until Trump came along. On the one hand, the GOP now controls the Supreme Court, both houses of Congress, and the presidency. On the other hand, it cant seem to get anything done and is saddled with, well, vulgar feuds involving Anthony Scaramucci, to say nothing of the looming special-counsel investigation of Trump.

So how long can this go on? The Trump presidency has seemed to be falling apart for at least two months now, and yet so much has happened since then: the appointment of the special counsel, the revelation of Donald Trump Jr.s 2016 meeting with a Russian lawyer, the Scaramucci saga, and dozens more half-forgotten threads. One possibility is that Priebus or Sessions exit, leaving the president with no chief of staff, a vacant attorney generals office, or both. Another is that either of them sticks around, guaranteeing continued dysfunction. Neither seems likely to improve the situation, at least in the short-to-medium term.

During the presidential campaign, the idea of Trumps ceiling became a running joke. Smart prognosticators would insist that there was a ceiling on Trumps support, only to see him burst through the alleged barrier. But as the Trump presidency keeps sinking lower, past what seemed to once be rock bottom, it begins to suggest a peculiar possibility: Could it be that Trump has no floor, either?

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
A man who raped and murdered his girlfriends 3-year-old daughter has been put to death in Ohio, the states first execution in three and a half years.

Ronald Phillips, 43, was executed by lethal injection at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville on Wednesday.

Phillips, whose death had been postponed six times, was sentenced to die for the rape and murder of Sheila Marie Evans, who was only 3 years old when her mothers boyfriend attacked her in January 1993.

The little girl was taken to an Akron hospital after her mother found her on her bed and not breathing.

She was rushed into surgery, where doctors found she suffered from severe injuries to her abdomen and her intestine. She died later that evening from severe blunt force trauma to the abdomen.

An autopsy the following day revealed more than 125 bruises that showed Sheila Marie had been beaten on the head, face, lower torso, arms, legs and genitalia.

Read: Georgia Executes Its Oldest Death Row Inmate, 72, for 1979 Murder

Phillips, who was 19 at the time, told police he beat the girl after she didnt respond to his calls for breakfast, a parole board document obtained by The Associated Press said.

He also admitted to raping her that day and two previous times, the document said.

Before a three-drug formula commonly used to carry out executions was administered, Phillips apologized for his crimes for the first time, according to Sheila Maries family, The AP reported.

Sheila Marie did not deserve what I did to her, he said. Im sorry you had to live so long with my actions.

Phillips was pronounced dead at 10:43 a.m.

Before his death, Phillips spent time praying, kneeling and reading the Bible, a prison department spokesperson told The AP.

He was allowed to meet with his brother before his execution, and became emotional while visiting with a spiritual advisor and a friend.

Phillips committed an unspeakable crime against Sheila Marie, but at the time of his death, he did not in any way resemble that trouble and broken teen, his attorney said in a statement obtained by NBC News.

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Read: Killer of Father and Infant Son - Who Also Tried to Abduct Trial Judge - Is Executed in Texas

He had grown to be a good man, who was thoughtful, caring, compassionate, remorseful, and reflective, the statement continued. He tried every day to atone for his shameful role in Sheila's death... Ron's case suggests we should thoughtfully reconsider our laws that permit the harshest punishment for those who committed their crimes as teenagers, especially the irrevocable punishment of death."

Phillips became a minister in prison and had saved unleavened bread from his last meal of pizza and cheesecake to be used as communion before his execution, according to reports.

But the victims family appeared to be unmoved by Phillips recent behavior.

It was too easy, Renee Mundell, the half-sister of Sheila Marie, told reporters after his execution.

"Finally, after 24 and a half years, she can rest in peace, Sheila Maries aunt, Donna Hudson, said.

Sheila Maries mother, Fae Evans, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter. She died of cancer in 2008.

The death penalty had been on hold in Ohio since 2014, when murderer Dennis McGuire struggled to breathe and snorted during his execution that was administered with an untested combination of drugs. His death took 26 minutes, far longer than usual.

Phillips execution was the 15th in the U.S. this year, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

Watch: Father Sentenced to 70 Years in Prison for Throwing 7-Month-Old Son Off Bridge

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By Nate Raymond

BOSTON (Reuters) - A Massachusetts man who prosecutors said developed a detailed plan while in state custody to kill former U.S. President Barack Obama in a sniper-like attack and then flee was sentenced on Wednesday to 37 months in prison.

Alex Hernandez, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston after pleading guilty in May to one count of threatening to kill and inflict bodily harm upon the president.

The prison term will run concurrently with an earlier sentence Hernandez is serving for a firearms violation, on which he has two years left.

Talwani said that while Hernandez had engaged in "somewhat chilling" conversations with an undercover federal agent related to the contemplated attack, he deserved credit for backing away from his threats.

His lawyer, Miriam Conrad, had fought against the five-year prison term prosecutors wanted, asking whether the threats were "just a fantasy of someone suffering from mental illness most of his life."

Hernandez told an inmate with whom he attended Muslim religious services that he wanted to kill Obama, while serving time at Old Colony Correctional Center in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, in March 2015, according to prosecutors.

The inmate told authorities Hernandez claimed to be upset about how Muslims were treated in the United States and said he could acquire weapons once he got out of prison, prosecutors said.

After learning Hernandez wanted to obtain a fake passport so he could flee the country after the attack, federal agents decided to introduce him to an undercover agent posing as someone at an embassy who could help, they said.

Hernandez wrote letters to the agent, saying he was a "brother in faith, a martyr; and as a martyr I wish to fulfill Allah's wishes and not to live among infidels," prosecutors said.

Hernandez met with the agent twice in prison and told him he wanted to attack the White House and wanted to learn how to shoot "like a sniper," prosecutors said.

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He also told the agent he was learning how to make explosives that could be placed around government buildings to "create chaos," part of what prosecutors said was a backup plan in case the initial attack failed.

Prosecutors said searches of Hernandez's jail cell revealed a list of assassinated former U.S. presidents and images of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Osama bin Laden and members of Islamic State.

(Editing by Scott Malone and Matthew Lewis)
The Republicans looked to have the votes to push through skinny repeal  but three senators upset the math to leave their partys healthcare plans in tatters

Susan Collins of Maine has broken with the party on the environment, gun control and same-sex marriage. Photograph: Yuri Gripas/Reuters

When the Republicans held on to their Senate majority on the night Donald Trump was elected president, things looked truly bad for Barack Obamas signature healthcare law. The general assumption was that, with control of both houses of Congress and the White House, the GOP would find a way to make good on seven years worth of campaign promises to end the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which expanded healthcare to nearly 20 million people.

But early Friday morning, three Republican senators  Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and John McCain  abandoned their party and upset the math. In joining Democrats to vote down a measure that threatened healthcare for millions, the trio resisted intense pressure from their party leadership and hard-knuckle tactics by the president.

Heres a look at the three:

John McCain

It was just two days ago that John McCain returned to Washington to a heros welcome, applauded by both parties and by Trump himself. Less than a week earlier, the Arizona senator had been diagnosed with a glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer that in 2015 killed former vice-president Joe Bidens son.

McCain spent 20 years in the US navy, and five years in a prisoner-of-war camp in Vietnam after his plane was shot down in 1967. He broke one leg and both arms, nearly starved in a filthy Vietnamese prison, and taught himself how to walk again.

Many of McCains former colleagues, and presidents from both sides of the aisle, have noted that record of service and called him a fighter. One peer, the former Michigan congressman John Dingell, called McCain tough as $2 steak, an unintentional harbinger of things to come.

So great that John McCain is coming back to vote. Brave  American hero! Thank you, John, said Trump, about the man whose service record he had insulted during the election campaign.

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Why did McCain return to the Senate so soon? Many, probably including Trump, assumed McCains intention was to vote yes on a repeal of the ACA, popularly known as Obamacare  a goal he said on Thursday he still held. But that would turn out to be a shallow prediction.

Alongside Murkowski and Collins, McCain cast the decisive vote to sink the Republican healthcare effort, giving the bill a dramatic thumbs down as he said no on the Senate floor.

McCain had long shown a distaste for the bill. Asked about his comfort level with the process to repeal healthcare in June, which was criticized as opaque, he said: None. Prior to the vote on Thursday, he joined Lindsey Graham in bashing the so-called skinny repeal, a short, Republican-authored misnomer of a bill with big consequences for 16 million people predicted to lose health insurance over the next decade.

The difference between McCain and Graham? Graham voted yes; McCain voted no. McCain, along with many other senators who eventually voted yes, worried the bill they passed could become law if the House took it up without first trying to hash out the details.

We must now return to the correct way of legislating, said McCain, calling for bipartisanship and an open legislative process. We must do the hard work our citizens expect of us and deserve.

Susan Collins

Collins is the most consistently moderate Republican in the Senate, and one of just five Republican women. She and Murkowski formed what could be described as a team of two on healthcare  both voted against bringing the skinny repeal to the floor, and both are from largely rural states that have struggled to contain healthcare costs.

Their votes did not go unnoticed. A House member and Republican from Texas, Blake Farenthold, challenged Collins to a duel, Aaron Burr-style, because some female senators from the north-east were blocking healthcare reform.

Collins was ahead of most other elected Republicans in rejecting Trump, telling the New Yorker in June 2016 that she might even vote for Hillary Clinton. I do not anticipate voting for her this fall, Collins said, but Im not going to say never.

Collins voted against the original ACA legislation in 2010, and has toed the party line on votes such as the confirmation of the attorney general, Jeff Sessions. However, Collins has broken with her party on major issues including the environment, background checks for gun sales, same-sex marriage, funding for Planned Parenthood and, notably, Donald Trump.

In the current Congress, Collins has broken ranks to vote against Trumps positions more than any other elected Republican, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis. Heritage Action, the activist arm of the conservative thinktank, gives Collins a 16% rating  one of its lowest  for conservative loyalty.

The daughter of a Maine state representative, Collins was the first woman to be nominated by a major party for governor of Maine in 1994. Two years after losing that race, she was elected to the US Senate, to which she was most recently re-elected in 2014. She is rumored to be eyeing the upcoming 2018 governors race in Maine.

Lisa Murkowski

The Alaska senator endured especially focused pressure from the Trump administration to support the health repeal. When she joined Collins to vote against bringing the skinny repeal to the floor, Trump attacked on Twitter.

Lisa Murkowski on her way to debate the healthcare bill. Photograph: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Senator @lisamurkowski of the Great State of Alaska really let the Republicans, and our country, down yesterday. Too bad! he said.

However, Murkowski knows pressure. The Alaska native won a second term in the Senate after a successful write-in campaign  the only one since 1954.

The final push from the administration came Thursday in a phone call from the administrations interior secretary, Ryan Zinke. Alaskas other Republican senator, Dan Sullivan, told the Alaska Dispatch News that Zinke had delivered a troubling message about the administrations support of Alaska.

Murkowski later told E&E News:It was not a very pleasant call. She said Zinke had described Trump as really disappointed in what he perceives to be your lack of support for healthcare reform and tried to convince her to vote yes.

While Murkowski publicly said he was working in good faith for the good of all, the New York Times reported her reaction as furious. Murkowski showed she is not a woman to be trifled with  as a subcommittee chair, she controls the interior departments budget, and hearings for key appointments were suddenly rescheduled.

Alaskans have had one of the toughest times with healthcare. The very rural state has some of the nations highest monthly payments for health insurance  $904 per month for a mid-level plan. The state also has a high proportion of people on Medicaid, a health insurance program for the poor.
Washington (AFP) - In a long career as a maverick Republican, it may have been John McCain's defining moment.

Donald Trump and his Republicans had rejoiced when the cancer-stricken senator returned to Washington this week to vote on health care.

But the feisty elder statesman and long-time Vietnam prisoner of war -- once a target of Trump's scorn -- ended up defying the president, helping kill off efforts to dismantle Barack Obama's health care reforms.

With the plan hanging by a thread, Trump was acutely aware that McCain's vote would be a deciding factor.

What he failed to predict was that the 80-year-old -- in the twilight of his career -- would stun the political world and side with Trump's opponents, bringing the president's campaign pledge to repeal and replace Obamacare crashing to the ground.

"We must now return to the correct way of legislating and send the bill back to committee, hold hearings, receive input from both sides of the aisle, heed the recommendations of the nation's governors, and produce a bill that finally delivers affordable health care for the American people," McCain said.

"We must do the hard work our citizens expect of us and deserve."

- Thumbs down -

Two days earlier, McCain had dramatically returned to Washington from Arizona, where he was recuperating after a brain cancer diagnosis, to cast one of the deciding votes to allow formal debate on health care to begin.

Then on Thursday, as the Republican effort to overhaul Obamacare hung in the balance, McCain spoke out about the bill's faults, warning it offered no workable replacement and could cause health care costs to spike for million

McCain made clear he is no fan of the Affordable Care Act, telling reporters "the status quo is not satisfactory."

But what Republicans were cooking up instead -- a so-called "skinny repeal" of Obamacare that would end certain taxes and the law's mandate for most individuals to have health insurance, but keep most reforms in place -- was not the answer for the senator from Arizona.

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Two other Senate Republicans -- Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski -- had long opposed the effort, and were likely to vote no. A third Republican defector would sink the bill.

Vice President Mike Pence was on hand to break the tie in the event of a 50-50 vote. He could be seen talking intently with McCain for more than 10 minutes on the Senate floor.

At the climax of the vote, McCain strode into the chamber's well at 1:29 am, caught the eye of the clerk, raised his right arm, and flashed a thumbs down.

Some Democrats in the chamber gasped and applauded. Republicans including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, mastermind of the anti-Obamacare plot, stood by in stony silence.

- Revenge? -

It could well be the political exclamation point on McCain's sprawling career that saw him rise to become the 2008 Republican presidential nominee.

And the irony cannot be ignored that his vote preserved -- at least for now -- the controversial reforms brought into being by the very politician who defeated him almost nine years ago.

Also unavoidable: recognition that McCain's "no" vote was a direct slight against the current president, someone whom McCain has never truly supported.

The feeling was mutual. In 2015 as he ran for president, Trump mocked McCain's war hero status as a former POW, sneering, "I like people who weren't captured."

Amid the messages of thanks by Democrats for their "hero," one noted how McCain's vote may have held a not-so-subtle message for the president.

"Senator John McCain to Trump -- revenge is a dish best served cold," congressman Steve Cohen tweeted.

McCain is never one to shy away from the spotlight, but he did not stick around. The senator headed back to Arizona to resume his cancer treatment and will return to Washington after the summer break.
An angry Sen. Mitch McConnell rebuked Democrats and Republicans who voted against the GOP health care plan early Friday morning.

This is clearly a disappointing moment, said the Senate Majority Leader after a vote on the Republicans skinny repeal of Obamacare fell 49-51.

In a speech that began at 1:39 a.m. ET, McConnell stated that Republicans had run on repealing Obamacare for seven years. We told our constituents we would vote that way, said McConnell, and when the moment came, most of us did.

McConnell glanced in the direction of Senators Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and John McCain, R-Ariz., when he said most of us. Murkowski and McCain joined Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, as the three GOP senators whose no votes submarined the bill, which was opposed by all 48 members of the Democratic caucus.

McConnell then turned his attention to those 48 Democrats in the chamber.

Our friends on the other side decided early on that they didnt want to engage with us in a serious way to help those suffering under Obamacare, said McConnell of a bill that was subject to no committee hearings and released at 10 p.m. Thursday night, just two hours prior to the vote.

So they are probably pretty satisfied tonight, said McConnell of his Democratic colleagues. I regret to say they succeeded.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell goes onto the floor during an all-night sessionJuly 27 to consider the Republican health care bill. (Photo: Melina Mara/Washington Post via Getty Images)

McConnell blasted the Democrats for obstruction and slowing things down in the Senate, adding that he was interested to see what ideas they had for moving forward on health care. The majority leader lashed out at the concept of a single-payer system that would provide government health care for all Americans, decrying it as government takeover of everything and European health care. McConnell was seemingly attempting to get ahead of an issue that many are suggesting the Democrats should make a key plank of their future campaign platforms.

The result was a surprise to observers who assumed McConnell would not have called the vote unless he knew it would pass, presumably with a tie-breaking vote by Vice President Pence. Some Republicans voted in favor of the bill only after seeking assurances from the House that it wouldnt become law. Speaker Paul Ryan had to personally promise at least four GOP senators that he wouldnt allow the bill to become law without going to House-Senate conference to make additional changes. A Congressional Budget Office score of the skinny repeal bill projected it would have resulted in an additional 16 million uninsured Americans by 2026 and raised premiums 20 percent.

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This was the third Obamacare replacement bill voted down in the Senate this week, following the Better Care Reconciliation Act (which would have repealed and replaced Obamacare) Tuesday and a bill that would have fully repealed Obamacare without a set replacement plan Wednesday.

At the conclusion of his speech, McConnell suffered one final indignity when his motion to get unanimous consent to move forward on a military funding bill was derailed by an objection from Sen. Rand Paul, his Republican colleague from Kentucky.

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:
Photos of a moldy ice cream machine tray from a locally owned McDonalds franchise in LaPlace, Louisiana, caused outrage online and a response from the headquarters  in China.

The viral photos were posted online by an 18-year-old who worked at the restaurant for five months.

READ: Chipotle Norovirus Is Back: 135 Sick After Eating At Fast Food Chain

"I was completely shocked by what I saw, the employee told Buzzfeed, who only identified him as Nick. I thought [the machine] would be cleaned regularly.

Nick said that he discovered the moldy tray when cleaning ice cream that he accidentally spilled.

In China, McDonalds posted a statement on Weibo, a Chinese micro-blogging site, and its corporate website.

We're paying attention to the information being reposted today online about U.S. ice cream machines, read the statement, according to Reuters on Wednesday. In China, ice cream machines used at McDonald's restaurants are automatically disinfected every day at a set time to ensure food safety.

The American McDonalds site and social media are bereft of such a statement.

The incident happened a month ago, and the photos were posted on Nicks Twitter account on July 14.

This came out of McDonald's ice cream machine in case y'all were wondering... pic.twitter.com/DTXXpzE7Ce  nick (@phuckyounick) July 14, 2017

The employee violated the companys social media policy which states: In order to protect the McDonalds brand, we do not use social media to undermine the goodwill, reputation, development and/or operation of McDonalds, our products, our services and our people.

Nick told Buzzfeed that he was pulled aside by a manager a week ago and was fired.

"The working conditions were ridiculous  everyone was inappropriate and nothing was clean," he said. They banned me from that McDonald's.

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McDonalds did not respond to International Business Times request for comment Thursday, but did respond to Buzzfeed.

(We are) committed to running great restaurants (with) high-quality food, service, and a clean environment, said a McDonalds spokesperson to Buzzfeed.

This is a part of our soft-serve equipment that does not come into contact with any food and is required to undergo regular and timely cleaning, the representative stated.

Nick kept the pictures for two weeks before posting them online.

I shared it because I wanted to let people know what theyre consuming, and how disgusting the conditions are, he said.

Social media was also disgusted, with numerous posts about the incident. Animal rights organization PETA also chimed in.

As if you needed another reason to stay away from McDonalds _ The mold from this ice cream machine is horrifying. https://t.co/gfkhETISqi  PETA (@peta) July 27, 2017

Somebody Told Me That McDonalds Has Mold In Their Ice Cream , Now I'm Scared To Get Ice Cream There .  reesa _ (@xConceited_) September 2, 2013

READ: What Does Donald Trump Eat Everyday? The President Loves Fast Food, For All 3 Meals

Former McDonald's employees also commented about the incident.

When I used to work at McDonald's, we used to clean and dry off every thing everyday. And check for mold every week. This is just a incident hijden (@Mrhijden) July 27, 2017

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PANAMA CITY (Reuters) - The Mexican attorney general's office said on Thursday it asked Panama to extradite a former state governor from President Enrique Pena Nieto's Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), after being arrested there last month on corruption charges. Roberto Borge, who was governor of the state of Quintana Roo, home to tourist resort Cancun, until last year, was detained in early June in the Panama City airport with the aid of Interpol as he was preparing to board a flight to Paris. The attorney general's office has accused Borge of using resources obtained through illegal means, embezzlement and abuse of public office. It said it expects Panamanian authorities to schedule a hearing on the extradition request in the coming days. Panama's Foreign Ministry said it was attending to the formal request presented by Mexican authorities. Borge had long been accused of corruption by opposition parties, although he has denied the allegations. Javier Duarte, who until last year governed the Mexican state of Veracruz as a PRI member, was extradited from Guatemala to Mexico on July 17. He is accused of embezzlement and organized crime activities. (Reporting by Eli Moreno in Panama City and Lizbeth Diaz in Mexico City; Editing by Anthony Esposito and Bill Trott)
Michelle Obama admitted that racist comments hurt her the most.

Michelle and her husband, former U.S. President Barack Obama, made history as the first family of color to occupy the White House. Barack was the first black president and Michelle the first black first lady. Despite the huge changes the Obamas made in breaking the glass ceiling of race, the former FLOTUS admitted that the same issue affects her to this day.

READ: Watch how the crowd cheers as Michelle Obama honors late Eunice Kennedy Shriver at ESPY Awards

On Tuesday, Michelle was present at the Womens Foundation of Colorados 30th anniversary where she opened up about the constant issue of racism. Michelle also recalled a moment when a West Virginia county employee called her an ape.

The shards that cut me the deepest were the ones that intended to cut, Michelle told WFCO president and CEO Lauren Casteel when asked what hurt her the most during her eight years stay in the White House (via Denver Post). Knowing that after eight years of working really hard for this country, there are still people who wont see me for what I am because of my skin color.

Her confession gained praise from the audience. Mattye Crowley, who was one of the 8,300 attendees, had nothing but good words for the former first lady. Michelle is a rarity in todays society, Crowley said, CNN reported. We have witnessed for over eight years people picked and tormented her every move, and she stayed true to herself.

It was Michelles first public appearance since the Obamas left the White House. She was welcomed warmly by the crowd in an extended standing ovation with some audience members shouting, We love you. Mary Timby shared a short clip on Instagram showing how affectionate the audience was to the former FLOTUS. Im proud to say that Colorado gave her a very, very, warm welcome back, she wrote in the caption. The video is shaky because I was shaking with excitement. Thank you to The Womens Foundation of Colorado for putting on the inspiring event.

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Timby added that Baracks wife clarified that she has no plans to run for president. Michelle reaffirmed this to the crowd twice who did not support her decision and expressed their dismay. However, she promised that her family will continue to help as many people as they can. Public service and engagement will be a part of my life and my husbands life forever, Michelle said, CNN noted.

Do you want Michelle Obama to run for president? Share your thoughts below.

Michelle Obama

Photo: Getty Images/Mike Coppola

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A missing Florida woman was found by a sniffer dog primed with a bottle of her own scent - Citrus County Sheriff's Office

Police in Florida have tracked down a missing woman with dementia by using a sniffer dog to follow her scent, which had been bottled and preserved years earlier.

Citrus County Sheriff's Office said the elderly woman, who has not been identified, had used a specialist scent preservation kit in 2015.

Its inventor said it was the first time his innovative system had been used successfully.

The kit comprises a piece of sterilised gauze which is rubbed on a persons underarm before being sealed inside a jar.

Paul Coley, who came up with the idea after a career as a dog handler in the FBI, claims it can then hold someones characteristic odour for up to 10 years if stored under the right conditions. The sealed jar means it is less likely to be contaminated with other scents than a recently worn piece of clothing or a pillow case, for example.

The kit was used after police were alerted to the womans disappearance on Tuesday evening.

Mr Coley, of Florida-based Scent Evidence K9, said: They had used all the traditional methods to look for that individual. To begin with they used a helicopter with a heat seeking camera, they used patrol dogs which are trained differently to our dogs, they used people on foot.

None of that was successful.

They brought the kit out and presented it to the team we had trained there and five minutes later they had her.

Chloe, one of the dogs trained by Scent Evidence K9 to track humans by scent Credit: Scent Evidence K9

The dog, named Ally, was rewarded with an ice cream cone.

Mr Coley said it was the first time a kit had been successfully used after years of development and testing.

He invented the system after realising how difficult it was to find an uncontaminated scent of a missing person.

It can be used for any person. I worked a case back in 2013 when a college student went missing and getting a good clean scent article from a frat house you can imagine how difficult that was, he said.

However, he said his main market was among families concerned about vulnerable loved ones  whether young or old  and to people who disappeared off the beaten track pursuing adventure sports.

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Thousands of the kits are in use, including some in Europe and the UK.

Its an inexpensive product that lasts for years, he said. The term thats been coined over here is insurance in a jar.

His company also works with law enforcement departments around the country which then offer the kits to vulnerable people free of charge.

Despite advances in tracking technology, the nose of a dog remains one of the most reliable detection devices.

Emergency services and armed forces around the world rely on sniffer dogs for finding drugs, explosives, dead bodies and missing people.

Dogs noses can contain as many as 300 million olfactory receptors compared with about six million for a human.

One of the newest applications is to use dogs to sniff out cancer in earlier stages than conventional tests can detect.
By Paul Carsten ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's upper house of parliament backed a series of constitutional amendments on Wednesday that could weaken the presidency and boost the legislature, the latest twist in a two-year power struggle between the two institutions. The head of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, who is pushing the changes, said they would help boost Nigeria's development but a senior official in President Muhammadu Buhari's government said they amounted to "a very unhealthy" power grab. Saraki has been tipped as a possible eventual successor to the ailing Buhari, who has spent more time this year in Britain receiving treatment for an undisclosed medical problem than he has in Nigeria. Buhari, 74, is currently again in Britain. "What we have done today definitely is to lay the foundation for a far-reaching reform of our political, economic and social development," Saraki said after the Senate vote. The amendments must still be approved by the lower house and two thirds of Nigeria's 36 regional state parliaments and then be signed off by the president. The measures include providing certain legal immunity to members of the legislature, reducing the president's ability to withhold assent for a bill passed by parliament, and removing law-making powers from the executive. The Senate also voted to impose time limits on key presidential decisions such as nominating ministers and proposing federal budgets, both of which have been much-delayed under Buhari. [nL8N1K54AW] A senior government official, who declined to be named because not authorised to speak to the media on the matter, criticised the Senate's move. "The executive sees this development as very unhealthy because laws should be made for the overall interest of the nation and not some people or an arm of government wanting to aggregate more powers to themselves," the official said. The lower chamber, the House of Representatives, is due to vote on the proposed amendments on Thursday. Analysts noted the sensitive timing of the Senate move. "The amendments do raise the profile of the Senate and their passage at this particular moment, with the president outside the country, although not law without his approval, will be interpreted by some in the political establishment as a bid by the Senate leadership to dilute the executive's authority," said Antony Goldman of Nigeria-focused PM Consulting. Saraki, 54, hails from Buhari's All Progressives Congress, but he assumed the Senate presidency in 2015 without the party's support but with the backing of the opposition. As Senate leader - constitutionally the third most powerful position in the country after the president and vice-president - he has proven a nimble political operator. Despite numerous accusations of misconduct and investigations, none have stuck to him. [nL8N1JB3CR][nL5N1H65OW][nL5N1CD3D7] Saraki has often been a thorn in the side of the presidency, with parliament repeatedly blocking presidential appointments to key positions. Nigeria's state budget both last year and this were only signed into law after many delays, often caused by battles between the parliament and the presidency over the allocation of federal funds to key projects. [nL5N1832NY][nL8N1K54AW] Saraki has also criticised Buhari for allowing power to be concentrated among the president's chief of staff and an inner circle at the presidential villa. [nL8N1CO5XW] (Reporting by Paul Carsten; Additional reporting by Alexis Akwagyiram in Lagos and Camillus Eboh, Tife Owolabi and Felix Onuah in Abuja; Editing by Gareth Jones)
- SOUTH KOREA'S JCS

The United States was considering "military response options" on Friday night after North Korea carried out its second test of an intercontinental ballistic missile in a month, with Pyongyang claiming the whole of the US was within range.

The Pentagon confirmed that the missile, which flew for 45 minutes, travelled an estimated 600 miles and landed west of Japan's Hokkaido island, was an ICBM. It flew for six minutes longer than the previous one, on July 4.

"The test-fire reconfirmed the reliability of the ICBM system, demonstrated the capability of making a surprise launch of the ICBM in any region and place any time, and clearly proved that the whole U.S. mainland is in the firing range of the DPRK (North Korea) ," KCNA, Pyongyang's official news agency, said.

Washington, which has branded North Korea the "most urgent and dangerous threat to peace," condemned the launch as reckless.

Graphic: North Korea missile launch

"By threatening the world, these weapons and tests further isolate North Korea, weaken its economy, and deprive its people," Donald Trump said in a statement.

"The United States will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and protect our allies in the region."

As Pyongyang confirmed the launch, South Korea said it was ready to take its own steps to deal with the threat.

Song Young-moo, South Korea's defence minister, said Seoul would prepare independent measures.

"Along with joint efforts to deter proliferation (of North Korea's nuclear threat) we will prepare independent measure to curb it as soon as possible," Song told a press conference in Seoul, just minutes after Pyongyang said its second missile test was meant as a "stern warning" for the United States.

The launch was also condemned by the Chinese foreign ministry.

Kim Jong Un waves at parade participants at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang Credit: Wong Maye-E

"China opposes North Korea's violations of UN Security Council resolutions ... At the same time, (China) hopes that all parties concerned will exercise caution and avoid intensifying tensions" on the Korean peninsula, a foreign ministry spokesman said.

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Experts said the North's ICBM launched on Friday was capable of striking Los Angeles and other U.S. cities - a similar assertion was made by KCNA, the official North Korean news agency.

The United States and South Korea responded to the missile test by staging a joint missile exercise.

Shinzo Abe, Japans prime minister, has called a meeting of the national security council to assess the launch.

I have received the first report that North Korea again launched a missile and it possibly landed inside the exclusive economic zone, said Mr Abe.

He called the launch a serious and real threat, while Yoshihide Suga, Japans government spokesman, said: North Koreas repeated provocative acts absolutely cannot be accepted.

US and South Korean military officials were discussing military options last night.

Marine General Joseph Dunford was joined by the Admiral Harry Harris, Commander of US Pacific Command, when they called General Lee Sun-jin, chairman of the South Korean Joint Chief of Staff.

"During the call Dunford and Harris expressed the ironclad commitment to the US-Republic of Korea alliance. The three leaders also discussed military response options," said Captain Greg Hicks, a spokesman for Gen Dunford.

While the Pentagon has long planned for the possibility of conflict with North Korea, the blunt language in the statement marked a departure from previous public reactions to missile tests.

The Pentagon, which earlier this week warned that North Korea could have a nuclear-enabled ICBM as early as next year, said it detected the launch almost immediately.

Donald Trumps administration has said that the period of strategic patience towards North Korea is over,

US officials have also expressed growing frustration with Beijing for not doing more to pressure its neighbour to rein in its military ambitions.

Britain and Australia this week joined the US in calling for China to exert more pressure on Pyongyang.

However, China says it has little leverage over leaders in Pyongyang, and regularly calls on the US and South Korea to halt military drills in the region as a means of diffusing tensions.

Reports this week suggest that Beijing is preparing for a potential crisis along its shared border with North Korea by building bunkers for civilians and realigning forces in the region.

The US and China earlier this week said they are making progress on a new UN resolution that would impose additional sanctions against North Korea in response to the ICBM launch.

The rogue state is already under tough UN sanctions which have been enforced since it carried out its first of five nuclear tests in 2006.
US political analysts are calling the latest failure to repeal Obamacare in the Senate "the beginning of the unravelling" of Republican support for Donald Trump.

During a panel discussion on the Presidents skinny repeal bill, which was voted down by a thin margin of 51-49 after three GOP rebellions led by Senator John McCain, CNN commentator Margaret Hoover warned that Trump is clearly acting on his own; hes not listening to anybody.

Two other Republicans joined Senator McCain, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, on voting no on a bill that critics had warned would have led to the deaths of 20,000 additional people.

In a statement shortly after the results of the vote were announced, the senator for Arizona said: From the beginning, I have believed that Obamacare should be repealed and replaced with a solution that increases competition, lowers costs, and improves care for the American people. The so-called skinny repeal amendment the Senate voted on today would not accomplish those goals.

While the amendment would have repealed some of Obamacares most burdensome regulations, it offered no replacement to actually reform our health care system and deliver affordable, quality health care to our citizens.

3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017

Failure to pass the repeal act demonstrated a haphazard policy-making process on behalf of the White House, Ms Hoover added.

In response to the results, Democrat Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts on CNN encouraged the US president to put aside partisanship and work together with Democrats: We do want to work with Republicans. The Affordable Care Act has to be improvedbut we have to do it on a bipartisan basis and hopefully those millions of Americans can sleep easier tonight knowing their healthcare has not been ripped away from them can now look to democrats and republicans finally coming together to make this healthcare system work better.

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Mark down this date- 7/28/17- this is the beginning of the GOP unraveling of reluctant support for @realDonaldTrump  MargaretHoover (@MargaretHoover) July 28, 2017

The US presidents approval rating has plummeted in the last week following the GOPs disunited front on the topic of Obamacare, as well as the US presidents criticisms following Attorney General Jeff Sessions' decision to recuse himself.

A Reuters poll conducted on the 24 July, less than a week before the vote on Obamacare found that just 35.1 per cent of GOP party members polled approved of the US presidents work. Over half (58.1 per cent) disapproved, and 4.1 per cent had mixed feelings.

Political scientist Matt Glassman echoed these sentiments, telling The New York Times: The current congressional GOP seems less supportive and more constraining of the Potus than basically any in history.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes (where are E-mails & DNC server) & Intel leakers!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2017

The US president has previously expressed exasperation at his party's lack of support, stating on Twitter that: Its very sad that Republicans, even some that were carried over the line on my back, do very little to protect their President.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)  Inspectors repeatedly looked over a thrill ride while it was assembled at the Ohio State Fair and signed off on it hours before it flew apart in a deadly accident that flung passengers into the ground, according to authorities and records released Thursday.

Investigators worked to find out what caused the opening day wreck, which killed a high school student who had just enlisted in the Marines. Seven other people were injured, including four teenagers.

The rides Dutch manufacturer told operators of the same attraction at fairs and festivals around the world to stop using it until more is learned about what caused the malfunction.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich shut down all rides at the state fair and ordered them inspected again. He said it was too early to say whether inspectors missed something that led to the tragedy Wednesday night.

Its a nightmare. Its a terrible situation, the Republican governor said.

Video taken by a bystander of the swinging, spinning Fire Ball ride in action captured a crashing sound. A section holding four riders came apart, and screams could be heard as at least two people were ejected and plunged toward the ground. Other riders were still in their seats as they fell.

Tyler Jarrell, 18, of Columbus, was thrown about 50 feet and was pronounced dead on the midway. The Marine Corps and school officials said Jarrell enlisted last week and was going to begin basic training next summer after his high school graduation.

That was just this past Friday. Then he goes to the state fair and he is involved in this horrible tragedy. Its just devastating, said Capt. Gerard Lennon Jr., a naval science instructor in the Junior ROTC program at Jarrells high school.

The injured ranged in age from 14 to 42. At least two were listed in critical condition. Some people were hit by debris.

Jarrells girlfriend was among those seriously injured, her mother told The Columbus Dispatch. Keziah Lewis, a University of Cincinnati student, doesnt remember the accident and has pelvis, ankle and rib injuries, Clarissa Williams said.

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She kept asking for her boyfriend, Williams said. I had to tell her he was the one who was deceased.

Kaylie Bellomy was in the next group waiting to board the Fire Ball.

It was going for a minute and it was at its highest point and I saw somebody fall on the ride, and then a minute later the whole like row of seats fell off and hit the ground, Bellomy told WCMH-TV.

She said it was chaos afterward: Everybody was running. I got ran over trying to get out of the way.

Read More: A Growing List of Accidents Is Putting Safety at Amusement Parks Under the Spotlight

Records show that inspections on Fire Ball were up to date and a state permit was issued for the ride on Wednesday.

Ohio Department of Agriculture records showed passing marks on inspections of about three dozen items, including possible cracks, brakes, proper assembly and installation.

All rides at the fair are checked several times when they are being set up to ensure the work is done the way the manufacturer intended, Agriculture Director David Daniels said.

Ohios chief inspector of amusement ride safety, Michael Vartorella, said the Fire Ball was inspected three or four times before the fair opened. He said some work on all the rides was delayed by heavy rains last week but the inspections were completed and not rushed.

State Highway Patrol Col. Paul Pride said inspectors are basically going to do an autopsy on that machine to figure out why it malfunctioned.

Amusements of America, the company that provides rides to the state fair, said it is committed to working with investigators to determine the cause. It said Fire Ball had been checked by its staff and independent inspectors before the fair opened.

Fire Ball swings 24 riders back and forth like a pendulum 40 feet above the ground while they sit in four-seat carriages that spin at 13 revolutions a minute, according to the companys website.

The rides manufacturer, KMG, said the one at the Ohio fair was built in 1998 in the Netherlands. Forty-three of the rides, also known as the Afterburner, are in use around the world, 11 of them in the U.S., KMG said. None has had a serious malfunction before, it said.

After the accident, fairs in California, New Jersey and Canada shut down similar rides before the company issued its order.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission also is investigating. It estimates there were 30,900 injuries associated with amusement attractions that required emergency room visits last year. It said there have been at least 22 deaths associated with amusement attractions in the U.S. since 2010.

The Ohio State Fair, which remained open Thursday, is one of the biggest state fairs in the U.S. It drew 900,000 people last year.

Our hearts are heavy for the families of those involved in last nights tragic accident, fair officials said on Twitter

AP writers John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; Dan Sewell in Cincinnati; Mark Gillispie in Cleveland; Denise Lavoie in Boston; Mike Corder in Brussels; and news researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this story
Ordinarily, youd probably have no interest in my kitchen renovation project. Its a common story: The kitchen is nearly 20 years old and starting to fall apart, were readying the house for an eventual sale, blah blah blah.

What makes it fascinating was how we got rid of it.

Most people throw their old kitchens into dumpsters, which takes all of it to the landfill: cabinets, countertops, appliances. Sometimes your contractor may take pieces off your hands; sometimes you can get Habitat for Humanity to take pieces of it. But mostly, its landfill.

But we stumbled onto a much better approach, in the form of a company called Renovation Angel. Theres only one company like it in the country, and its business model is astonishingly airtight:

They send a crew to dismantle, wrap, and haul away your old kitchen, piece by piece, for free. Youre saved the cost of the demolition ($5,000 or so), dumpster rental, and disposal fees. Then they then give you a huge tax deduction. Winner: You.

They set up your kitchens components in a 43,000-foot showroom in New Jersey, where they then resell your entire kitchen! Other people who are renovating their kitchens get luxury stuff for a fraction of its usual pricemaybe 10% or 20% of its original cost. Winner: The next owner of your kitchen.

The showroom holds about 50 kitchens at a time.

Over 12 years, this operation has saved 5,000 kitchens from the landfill. Winner: The planet.

The company employs 35 people. Winner: Renovation Angels employees.

The best part: After expenses, Renovation co-founder Steve Feldman donates the rest of the companys income to charity$2.2 million so far. Winners: At-risk children, recovering addicts, job trainees.

This is, in other words, a win-win-win-win-win scenario.

But does it work?

I love that that this idea has something for both hard-nosed conservatives (Ill take that $25,000 tax deduction, thank you) and bleeding-heart liberals (Save the environment and help the less fortunate? Sign me up!) But Ill just say it: All of this sounded too good to be true.

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So I emailed the company. They sent a guy out to look over the kitchen, measure, take photos, and assess its resale value. The economics of this company work out, Feldman says, only if he resells upscale kitchens; at the moment, Renovation Angel accepts only about half of the candidate kitchens.

Our kitchen made the cut. So on the appointed day, a crew of four meninsured, background-checkedspent about four nonstop hours taking the old kitchen apart. (Incredibly, this was their second kitchen of the day.)

The Renovation Angel crew doesnt demolish the old kitchen; they recycle it.

The term for this process is demolition, but no destruction was involved. Instead, they carefully unscrewed every piece, wrapped it for protection, and loaded it into a moving truck parked outside. It was amazing to watch, especially in time-lapse (see my video above)

Off it goes to New Jersey!

To get the tax deduction, I had to hire an appraiser; but that was my only expense. (I guess that means that somebody else wins from all of this.)

A week later, I visited the Renovation Angel showroom to interview Feldmanand there, among all the other kitchens stacked up for sale, were all the pieces of my own beloved kitchen, ready to move on to a new home. I even saw a New Jersey couple checking it out.

Thats the part I didnt get. How can someone buy a kitchen from a totally different house? What are the odds that it will fit their kitchen space?

Everybody has this question, Feldman says. The answer is, kitchens are modular. So if you had a 20 by 15-foot space, somebody else might have a 12 by 20 space. They use a few less cabinets. They rearrange them differently. They get different granite. But at the end of the day, theyre saving themselves tens of thousands of dollars.

Founder Steve Feldman shows off a kitchen ready for a new life.

Steves story

Confusingly, at least to me, Renovation Angel is the name of the demolition side of the company; the part that resells the kitchens is called Green Demolition. Its the Green Demolition site that lists kitchens for resale.

Feldman, the creator of both halves, has quite a life story. He was an alcohol and drug addict from his teen years right through his career as a radio executive, working for Imus in the Morning. He credits a drug-rehab program for saving his life when he was 30. Im a recovered addict for 29 years, he says now.

About 12 years ago, he saw a 10,000-square-foot house in Greenwich, Connecticut, being demolishedand watched all the fine marble, custom cabinetry, and expensive appliances get tossed into a dumpster.

And I see a sign in the driveway, and it says, Demolition in progress. And I think, whats this? So I drive up to the mansion, and its gone. Just a pile of rubble. And I have this Aha! moment: Maybe I can earn money by selling kitchens and beautiful fixtures out of mansions.

When the local Greenwich newspaper wrote an article about this idea, Feldman got 36 phone calls from hedge fund managers, architects, builders, and designersand the company was on its way.

Today, the company recycles about 500 kitchens a year, and has started to reclaim furniture and fixtures from other rooms of the house. Renovation Angel crews can rescue kitchens from anywhere in the country; eventually, Feldman hopes to open showrooms in California and Florida.

His backstory, by the way, accounts for Feldmans decision to turn over the companys profits to charity. I got my life given back to me [by one of these social programs], and Im motivated for the rest of my life to give back.

Storied kitchens

Its fun to walk through the enormous Renovation Angel showroom, because Feldman is bursting with the stories behind these kitchens.

We went into one of the biggest mansions in North Las Vegas, he says. The kitchen had only been used 25 times. It was a $400,000 kitchen, but it was forest green. It wasnt the color that most people want. The kitchen designer told me that kitchen would have been thrown out if we hadnt reclaimed it. In the end, Feldman says, a woman in Johnson City, Tennessee bought it for $62,000, because her house had recently burned down.

When Feldman says its a kitchen store, he means it.

At one point, he says, he acquired a kitchen worth $630,000, although it included 15 rooms worth of millwork (doors and trim). A guy ordered it in LA, his Ponzi scheme got bankrupted, and it all sat in a warehouse. I found a dentist to buy the whole lot for $125,000. It was a good deal for everybody.

Feldman says he also gets kitchens from manufacturers and designers where parts were mis-ordered. One designer ordered the wrong color on a kitchena $127,000 kitchen. The homeowner said, This is the wrong colororder me the right color! So she brought this kitchen here, and we sold it.

One of a kind

All right, let me play the role of a viewer, I finally asked Feldman. Its like, oh, OK, so people like Pogue get a huge tax write-off and free removal of the old kitchen. The landfill wins. Charities win. Future buyers win. It sounds a little too good to be true. Somebody here is losing.

Well, the risk is on our organization, Feldman replied. Its a ton of labor. We do a lot of overtime. And its a lot of complicated logistics to coordinate, from the removal to the transportation to the unpacking to the selling to the delivering. Thats why the kitchen industry never had a recycle or trade-in component: because its difficult, and its space-consuming, time-consuming risk. They want to focus on selling new. So the opportunity is left for us.

I just couldnt see who doesnt come out ahead in Renovation Angels system. Feldman insists that the answer is, nobody. Nobody loses, he says. Nobody! You know why? Because it would otherwise go to a landfill. The loser is when you put your kitchen in the dumpster.

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David Pogue, tech columnist for Yahoo Finance, welcomes nontoxic comments in the comments section below. On the web, hes davidpogue.com. On Twitter, hes @pogue. On email, hes poguester@yahoo.com. You can read all his articles here, or you can sign up to get his columns by email.
By Asif Shahzad ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan said on Thursday he would quit his post once the Supreme Court has ruled on corruption accusations against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, whatever the verdict. The announcement by one of Sharif's longstanding political allies marks a fresh blow for the premier as he awaits a ruling, expected on Friday, that could disqualify him from office. Khan said he had clashed with members of Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over how to tackle the Panama Papers leak, which led to an investigation into how Sharif obtained his wealth. Sharif this month dismissed as slander a report from the corruption investigation that raised questions about his wealth. "The day Supreme Court decides - whether it is in favor of Nawaz Sharif or against him - I have decided I will quit my ministry and I will also quit the National Assembly," Khan said. Khan said his heart was no longer in politics and he wanted to end his 33-year association with PML-N. "I'm done with politics," Khan told a news conference. Khan's importance to PML-N over the years has been enhanced by his close ties with Pakistan's powerful military. Khan's elder brother once served as chief of the army general staff and his brother-in-law was also a powerful general. Analysts say Khan has often acted as a bridge between the military and Sharif, who has had tumultuous relations with the army during his three stints in power. SUPREME COURT VERDICT Khan praised Sharif's decency during his news conference, but he lashed out against sycophants close to the premier and spoke of a conspiracy to exclude him from meetings. "I had the courage to tell the truth in front of Nawaz Sharif no matter how bitter that truth was," Nisar said. Political analyst Rasul Baksh Rais said the Supreme Court's decision would make or break the PML-N's fortunes in elections due next year, but added that Khan's departure would have little impact. "If the ruling goes against Mr. Nawaz Sharif, then the Muslim League-N is not going to maintain its coherence, its public appeal. It will lose and the winner will be ... (opposition leader) Imran Khan" said Rais, who teaches politics at the Lahore University of Management Sciences. Any ruling short of disqualification would mean "politics as usual", he added. (additional reporting by Kay Johnson; Writing by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by Gareth Jones)
A standoff at the White House appears to be at a boiling point. Anthony Scaramucci, the new communications director, took to Twitter and CNN to accuse Reince Priebus, chief of staff to President Trump, of leaking his financial disclosure form.

A picture published on Thursday appeared to be the definitive proof of their bad blood. But is it? The answer is more complicated than it seems.

Washington, D.C.-based photographer T.J. Kirkpatrick got a text from the Wall Street Journal asking if he was free for an assignment at the White House. He was, and so the photographer arrived with a group of reporters. Before the interview, they were greeted by a very jovial Scaramucci. After some small talk, the reporters went into the Oval Office for their sit-down with Trump.

Kirkpatrick was called in about five minutes before the end of the interview. Priebus and Scaramucci were already in the room, as was a handful of other communications staff, including spokeswoman Hope Hicks and a White House photographer.

That meant about five minutes to get as much variety as I can, he recalls, from the moment he walked in to the moment everyone began to shake hands.

Kirkpatrick, who covered George W. Bush and Barack Obama, had previously been in the Oval Office but exclusively for pool sprays: those lightning-fast gatherings of photographers to capture brief moments between a president and, say, a visiting dignitary.

Its the same mindset where you have such a limited amount of time to get as much as possible, Kirkpatrick tells TIME. If youre lucky you come away with three good pictures. But I know from going into those experiences its important to pay attention to other people in the room aside from the president because that can be storytelling in itself.

This image certainly proves that concept.

Priebus, his hand resting on a couch, appears fixated on Scaramucci, who with thumbs tucked into his pants, is looking in Priebus direction. Its so hard to say what exactly the exchange is thats happening there, Kirkpatrick says. It doesnt seem like it could be anything but that representation for what people think is happening in the White House.

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Kirkpatrick wasnt looking to make that picture. He wasnt too aware of the tension between the two aides that has captivated tweets and headlines and airwaves. I was just reacting to what I saw in front of me when I had a second to look away from the president, he adds. But I couldnt tell you if they were staring each other down the entire time. I dont know. I got lucky that they looked at each other for that split second.

Going back through his haul from the shoot, Kirkpatrick counted 10 pictures he made of the pair in that area. There are three where theyre looking at each other, or seem to be looking at each other, he says. Its actually hard to say if thats whats going on there.

The picture quickly gained attention: POLITICO cybersecurity reporter Eric Geller called it amazing. Abby D. Phillip, a White House reporter at the Washington Post, labeled it a picture worth 1,000,000 words. Darth, a master of Photoshop, had a bit of fun as well.

And so it became the latest image from Washington to make the rounds, well outside of its original journalistic walls of context. Its a now-and-then occurrence, especially around Trump, but this is a rare instance where Trump isnt in the shot.

You kind of have to let go [of the meaning] once the photo goes out, Kirkpatrick rationalizes. He then references the meme-ification of the well-known Diana Walker portrait of Hillary Clinton, then Secretary of State, using a smartphone during a 2011 trip. The image by Walker, a longtime White House photographer for TIME, is often referred to as Texts From Hillary. The distribution of that photolike this one, separate from the context in which it was originally publishedwipes its slate clean: the audience can read into it as they desire. In this age of instantaneous information sharing, it takes on a new life of its own.

If Im photographing a scene, its something Im a witness to, Kirkpatrick says. If you dont have that context, if you come to the image from a different perspective, I have no way of controlling how you see that image, what you take away.

That prompts a question: And youre all right with that?

I dont have a choice, he replies, but to be okay with that.
Police in Florida intend to pursue criminal charges against a group of teens who allegedly taunted a man on video as he died.

Cocoa police want the teenage boys to be charged despite a statement from the state attorney's office that the case lacks sufficient evidence to support criminal charges in the death of 32-year-old Jamel Dunn.

Watch: Acrobatic Vandals Seen Leaping on Parked Cars in Instagram Video: Cops

"We are deeply saddened and shocked at both the manner in which Mr. Dunn lost his life and the actions of the witnesses to this tragedy," the state attorney's office said in a statement. "While the incident depicted on the recording does not give rise to sufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution under Florida statutes, we can find no moral justification for either the behavior of persons heard on the recording or the deliberate decision not to render aid to Mr. Dunn."

When police hand over their recommendation, it will be up to the state attorney to assign it to a prosecutor or to dismiss it.

Outrage over the case first began last week when the video that cops called "extremely disturbing" made the rounds on social media. It depicted a drowning man's final moments as recorded by several teens who allegedly did nothing to help.

The minute-long video depicts Dunn as he died in a retention pond in Cocoa on July 9.

According to police, five teens ages 14 to 16, watched and recorded the incident without so much as an offer of help.

Yet authorities initially deemed the teens broke no laws.

"The video was brought to our attention this past weekend," Cocoa police said in a statement. "Our detectives reviewed the video. The five juveniles who recorded the incident were identified and interviewed. The State Attorneys Office was consulted regarding what, if any criminal charges could be applied in this incident."

Read: Man Who Shot Neighbor Trying to Drown Twin Infants Will Not Be Charged

However, police appear to have changed their mind amid public outcry.

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On Wednesday, the Cocoa Police Department will hand over a recommendation to charge the teens with misdemeanor counts of failure to report a death to the state attorney's office.

Watch: Teens Laugh, Watch and Record Man Drowning in Pond

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In political television shows and films, its the ultimate cliche: a senior aide or Cabinet secretary, standing in a hallowed hall, declares that he or she serves at the pleasure of the President. But in Donald Trumps Administration, the adage is being rewritten. At one time or another, almost everyone who works in the White House has discovered they are serving at the Presidents displeasure.

Amid the Russia investigations and Washingtons legislative morass, Trump has turned his frustrations on some of his most loyal advisers. His stunning parade of attacks on Attorney General Jeff Sessions, whom the President faults for recusing himself from the Russia probe, has drawn much of the attention. But since the hiring of Anthony Scaramucci as White House communications director, Chief of Staff Reince Priebus is increasingly under fire as well.

Scaramucci, whose title doesnt fully capture his influence with the President, has taken the lead in the hunt to root out the source of leaks in the Trump Administration. That effort has quickly turned into an all-out-assault on Priebusone seemingly sanctioned from the top.

In a late-Wednesday tweet, Scaramucci speciously accused Priebus of leaking his publicly available financial disclosure form. That tweet followed a dinner with the President. Then Scaramucci called into CNN Thursday morning, compared his relationship with Priebus to the Biblical feud between Cain and Abel, and suggested that the chief of staff should answer publicly for his leaks. That call also followed an early-morning chat with Trump.

Priebus been under fire since the start of the Administration. As the nominal top aide in the Trump White House, hes an easy person to blame when things go awryespecially when Trump refuses to admit that hes the one at fault. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, arguably the two most influential advisers to the President, have expressed frustration with Priebus performance.

But the arrival of Scaramucci has turned up the heat on the beleaguered chief of staff. The bad blood between the two dates back to the beginning of the Administration, when Priebus was among those who sought to keep Scaramucci, a former hedge fund executive from New York, from taking a role in the White House. Ironically, part of the reason Priebus sought to block Scaramucci was due to concerns that he would leak to reporters with whom he has relationships through his role in GOP finance circles.

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Sessions and Priebus may be the two most embattled officials, but they are hardly the only ones on the hot seat. Trump has also taken aim at Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe. He hasnt taken steps to defend National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster from damaging leaks. And in their effort to squeeze Priebus, Trump and Scaramucci are targeting the chiefs allies inside the White House.

Its not clear to the aides enduring public scoldings or the people around them whether the President wants them gone, or simply wishes to see them squirm. Some believe the President is flailing for a fix in a dysfunctional West Wing. Others see it as the art of distraction. Still more say Trumps pure love of political bloodsport is the reason why he is sponsoring the internecine attacks.

Asked about the drama on Thursday, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said: The President likes that type of competition and encourages it.

Six months into his administration, Trump has all but stopped listening to some of the veteran Washington hands in his White House. This has been a pattern throughout his time in public life: Trump has a capacity to listen to professionals, but when the going gets tough, he almost always falls back on his penchant for disorder.

But the consequences of Trumps decision to promote tumult arent confined to the realm of palace intrigue. The Joint Chiefs of Staff were left scrambling Wednesday to deal with the fallout of Trumps hastily announced plan to ban transgender troops, having not been informed ahead of his half-baked pronouncement on Twitter.

Whats clear is that the officials under fire face a stark choice: resign, or power through the insults. In the case of Sessions and Priebus, they appear committed to the latter path.
Savonlinna (Finland) (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Moscow will ultimately have to respond to sanctions imposed by the United States that he condemned as insolent towards Russia.

"We are behaving in a very restrained and patient way, but at some moment we will need to respond," Putin said at a news conference after talks with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto.

He complained that "it's impossible to endlessly tolerate this kind of insolence towards our country," referring to tougher US sanctions that were backed by the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Nevertheless he did not specify what Russia's response could be, saying simply: "When the response will be and what it will be -- that we will see," implying this depended on what action the US finally takes.

The Russian strongman slammed the intensifying probe into Russian meddling in the US presidential election, saying it bore witness to "a rise in anti-Russian hysteria" in Washington.

He bemoaned the worsening of relations with the United States, saying "Of course, we regret it very much."

Putin also argued that "Russian-US relations are being sacrificed to resolve questions of domestic politics," specifying that "in this case, it is the battle between President (Donald) Trump and his political opponents."

The two countries acting in agreement "could solve very acute problems much more effectively," Putin said, specifying the "fight with terrorism."
Savonlinna (Finland) (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Moscow will ultimately have to respond to sanctions imposed by the United States that he condemned as insolent towards Russia.

"We are behaving in a very restrained and patient way, but at some moment we will need to respond," Putin said at a news conference after talks with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto.

He complained that "it's impossible to endlessly tolerate this kind of insolence towards our country," referring to tougher US sanctions that were backed by the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

"This practice is unacceptable -- it destroys internatioanl relations and international law," Putin said of sanctions.

Nevertheless he did not give any detail on what Russia's response could be, saying simply: "we will see," adding that he had not seen the final version of the US sanctions bill.

The US legislation is aimed at punishing the Kremlin for allegedly meddling in the 2016 US presidential election, and Russia's annexation of Crimea.

It is expected to be passed by the Senate, after which US President Donald Trump will face the tricky choice of whether to veto the legislation.

The Russian strongman criticised the probe into Russian meddling in the US presidential election, saying that he "does not see this as an investigation."

Instead he said, the probe bears witness to a "rise in anti-Russian hysteria" in Washington.

At the same time he said he regretted Russia's worsening relations with the United States.

"In answer to your question on whether I regret the worsening of relations with the US, I can give a direct answer: of course, we do regret it very much," he told a journalist.

"It's a great pity that Russian-US relations are being sacrificed to resolve questions of domestic politics," Putin said, specifying that "in this case, it is the battle between President Trump and his political opponents."

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The two countries acting in agreement "could solve very acute problems much more effectively that concern the people both of Russia and the US," Putin said, specifying the "settlement of acute international crises (and) the fight with terrorism."

He said he hoped "today's state of affairs will end at some point and we will move on to a new quality of relations, we will strengthen them and build them up in the interests of the peoples of the US and Russia."

photo-am/pg
Public awareness about the killing of black suspects by police has steadily grown: Getty

The racial biases of white members of a community have a direct link to the number of black people shot and killed by police officers in that same area, new research indicates.

A study published last year found that African Americans are almost three times more likely than white people to be killed by the polices use of force. Indigenous Americans are also almost three times as likely to suffer such a fate, while Hispanic men are twice as likely.

Now, a new report suggests the biases and prejudices held by white residents in an area has a close correlation to the number of black people who will lose their lives at the hands of officers.

We expected many economic or demographic variables such as the overall wealth of an area, residential segregation, average levels of education in the area, or overall crime levels, to be involved, said the report's lead author, Eric Hehman.

Yet the researchers - Mr Hehman from Ryerson University in Toronto, Jessica Flake from Torontos York University, and Jimmy Calanchini of Germanys Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg - found implicit bias, or the strength of someones association between specific social groups and threat, was the primary indictor as to the level of lethal force.

Specifically, they added, regional implicit biases toward black people, or the implicit stereotypical association between black people and weapons, predicted African Americans being more likely to be killed by police. Where these biases were stronger, African-Americans were more likely to be killed by police.

[The results] indicate that this is not specifically a problem of police officers, but reveals that there is something about the broader communities and contexts in which these officers make speeded, life and death decisions that is associated with killing more African-Americans, said Mr Hehman.

The report, published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science (SPPS), considered the ways in which attitudes and stereotypes can spread through conversations, facial expressions and even body language.

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To the extent that police officer are exposed to the biases of their fellow residents in their region, they may adopt those attitudes themselves, the report says.

Accordingly, one possibility is that prevailing regional biases might shape police officers own attitudes and their behaviour on the job are a result of those attitudes.

As part of their research, Mr Hehman and colleagues looked at use of lethal force against whites and blacks, and linked it with bias data from Project Implicit at Harvard, a non-profit group attacked to the university that seeks to educate the public about hidden biases and to provide a virtual laboratory for collecting data, and demographics from the 2010 US Census.

Black Victims of Police Shootings Deserve the Same Public Outrage as Justine Damond https://t.co/4QtY5pDFCw  The Nation (@thenation) July 26, 2017

In all, they looked at 875 deaths from January 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015. Among these data, black people represented 22.76 per cent of all deaths, but made up just 11.76 per cent of the population.

The research is likely to be seized on by those working to reform a criminal justice system that has been shown to discriminate against men and women of colour.

Yet the researchers say their work needs to be the trigger for more research. They also raise issues that are likely to be controversial.

One interpretation of these results is that white peoples biases create a racially charged atmosphere that contributes to police killing black people disproportionately, they write.

Alternatively, black people in some regions may be more violent when interacting with police, resulting in more justifiable lethal force, in turn influencing the prejudice and stereotypes about black people held by people in the region.

They added: Because of the correlational nature of the analyses, we cannot rule out either interpretation.
Apples supplier Foxconn announced a 10 billion investment in the US. AFP/Getty Images

If I didnt get elected, he definitely would not be spending $10 billion, President Donald trump said Wednesday, referring to Terry Gou, chairman of Taiwanese Apple (AAPL) supplier Foxconn.

That evening, Trump announced Foxconns plans to build a plant in Wisconsin that would produce flat-screen display panels for TVs and other products. The plant would create 3,000 jobs and represent a $10 billion investment, according to White House officials.

While the investment echoed Trumps promise to bring jobs back to the US, the president can hardly take all the credit for Foxconns big move. The relocation of Chinas manufacturing industry has been going on for years, as the long-time cost advantage of manufacturing in China has slowly declined. Lower input costs, strong demand in the US market and financial support from US state governments has accelerated the comeback of made in America.

China is not as cheap anymore

As the worlds largest contract electronics maker, Foxconn operates 12 factories in China. It has faced criticism in the past for paying its workers minimum wage and requiring them to work long hours. In 2010, Foxconn doubled the monthly salary to $290 month after reports emerged that at least 10 workers had committed suicide.

Since then, though, its gotten more expensive to manufacture goods in China. In the past five years, wages in China have grown about 10% to 15% every year, while the increase in the US is about 2.5%, official data from both countries indicates. Boston Consulting Group says industrial electricity prices in the US are 30% to 50% lower than in other major export nations. Foreign manufacturers that make products in the US also save money on shipping time and cost since many customers are here.

Overall, Chinas manufacturing cost advantage over the US shrank from 14% in 2004 to only 1% in 2016, according to research from BCG.

Employees in Foxconn uniforms. Image: Reuters

The disparity has been driven by things like increasing wages and energy cost in China [and] productivity gains relatively in the US, Rahul Choraria, principal at BCG, told Yahoo Finance. Production is likely to be more local for local consumption.

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As a result of all of these factors, Chinese manufacturers have been building more factories in the US to save money  in the same way US manufacturers have moved jobs offshore. This trend predated the election of Donald Trump.

Weve seen this trend start since about 2009, and theres been an uptick especially in the past two years, said Cassie Gao, an analyst at Rhodium Group. Rhodiums China Investment Monitor shows Chinese companies are spending billions on new projects and expansions of existing US subsidiaries.

For example, Keer, a Chinese thread producer, has been operating its factory in South Carolina since 2015. In the US, land, electricity and cotton are all much cheaper, Keers president, Zhu Shanqing, told CNBC in May. My production cost per ton of textiles is 25% lower.

Local governments support

Foxconns Gou smiles as Trump delivers remarks on his investment on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Besides competitive production cost, financial incentive packages have become another selling point when US state governments try to win investors over. Foxconns Terry Gou, who was standing beside Trump during Wednesdays announcement in White House, knows how to leverage those incentives.

Foxconn eyed seven states as candidates for a plant: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin. All are in the Rust Best area where governments are in urgent need of an economic boost to create new jobs.

If US state governments are willing to provide these terms, and we calculate and it is cheaper than shipping from China or Japan, then why wouldnt Sharp [Foxconns partner] build a factory in the US, Gou said at a company party in January, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Wisconsin wasnt the lead contender for Foxconn at that point. Right now Pennsylvania is very proactive. I have to tell other states to hurry up or well go ahead and sign with Pennsylvania, Gou said.

The $10 billion deal announced on Wednesday includes a $3 billion, 15-year incentive package of tax credits from the local, state and federal level. Offering preferential tax policy to attract foreign investment is a common practice. In 2015, Virginia lured Tranlin, a Chinese paper producer, by offering it $60 million state performance grants.

All the incentives have a cost, and its born by taxpayers, said John Ling, president of the Council of American States in China, and representing Georgia to attract Chinese investors. If it proceeds right, it could have significant influence.

And this offer seems to be more effective than Trumps promises to cut the corporate tax and impose tariffs. I dont think a sharp businessman like Gou would make a decision all based on todays politics, Ling told Yahoo Finance. They still have to make sure the number works.

Krystal Hu is a reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter

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Ksenija Pavlovic founded her own website and campaigns for press freedom: Ksenija Pavlovic

A Washington reporter who briefly became a celebrity when she defied Donald Trump by live streaming a media briefing, said she was inspired to act after seeing colleagues die fighting for press freedom while growing up in a dictatorship.

Ksenija Pavlovic, a journalist and academic who founded her own website, made headlines when she used the Periscope app to stream audio of a briefing by Sarah Huckabee Sanders. She did so after the White House banned cameras, and then even said no to live audio.

Ms Pavlovic, the editor-in-chief and White House correspondent of The Pavlovic Today, said she was inspired to act as a result of her experiences in the former Yugoslavia, a dictatorship which broke up in the early 1990s.

Ms Sanders has been taking the most recent briefings (Getty)

Growing up in a dictatorship, I was part of the generation who stood up against Slobodan Milosevic, she said, referring to the late Serbian leader.

During the 90s, the revolution against his oppressive regime was our new found place of freedom. We believed we were a fearless generation who stood up against police cordons as the last bastion of defence of our own ideals for free speech and the right to live in a democracy.

She added: As a young journalist, I watched older, seasoned colleagues lose their lives fighting for the freedom of the press. Given my experiences, I know the value of free speech.

Freedom, as enshrined in the First Amendment, should never be taken for granted. America should be a beacon for the whole world. America should be giving hope to all those around the world who do not even have basic human rights or freedoms including the free use of the internet.

Slobodan Milosevic addresses the media in Paris in March 1993 (Getty)

While a number of journalists had complained about the decision by the Trump administration to ban cameras - on one occasion CNN dispatched a sketch artist usually retained for court cases - none of them sought to actively break or subvert the restriction.

A number of people on social media asked why more celebrated and famous correspondents did not simply turn on their cameras as officials were speaking. Ms Pavlovic, a former political science teaching fellow at Yale, said she believed big legacy media has many stakeholders to account to before taking a decision to make a public stand.

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In contrast, she told The Independent in a written Q&A, a new start up like The Pavlovic Today is able to take such decisions. Audio streaming is important and I do not see any harm in it as the briefing was on the record.

Against the backdrop of Mr Trumps repeated attacks on the media and his accusations of fake news, Ms Pavlovic said the response had been overwhelmingly positive and she had received an outpouring support from the American people as well as from the fellow journalists all around the world. She said it had helped trigger an important discussion: what it means to be a journalist today? What are the roles and responsibilities of the media? What are the values we stand for?

The public response is a good indicator as to how the Americans want to be informed, she added. They want to be included in the conversation and they want to hear directly from the White House during the daily on the record briefings. I believe that the American people are sending an important message here - they demand transparency and that is the message we all have to pay attention to.

She said the relationship between the media and the Trump administration was difficult. She said those who were suffering the most were members of the public.

The primary aim of the daily briefings is not to have a meeting between the journalists and the White House, but to serve the American public and the society at large, she said.

Since Ms Pavlovics actions, Mr Trumps spokesman, Sean Spicer, has resigned and the President has appointed as his director of communications, Anthony Scaramucci, a Wall Street financier with penchant for tailored suits and hair gel.

One of Mr Scaramuccis first actions was to reintroduce the cameras to the briefings, something that will be notched up as a victory for Ms Pavlovic and the other journalists who complained.

Time will tell if Scaramuccis appointment is the right decision, she said. But cameras being on for the press briefings is good for democracy and good for the White House.
At San Diego Comic-Con, Yahoo TV welcomed the cast and crew of Rick and Morty into our suite and chatted with them about the surprise season premiere on April Fools Day. Justin Roiland, who stars as both Rick and Morty in addition to his duties as writer and series co-creator, explained that it had been in the works for a while.

That was a long time ago that that was brought up, Roiland said. We were in the thick of Season 3 when that got pitched, and I remember my initial reaction was, Thats a horrible idea. I mean, I came around pretty quick.

Rick and Morty (l-r) writer Dan Ridley, star Justin Roiland, executive producer Dan Harmon, star Spencer Grammer, and star Sarah Chalke (Photo: Yahoo)

Of course, to make the surprise work, they had to keep knowledge of the premiere to only the essential people. It could not be leaked, Roiland said. So, I think we had somewhere around six people [who knew]. Theres people at Adult Swim who had to know about it in order for it to happen.

Its not the first time a network has said, I have an idea  what if we dont promote your shows premiere,' mused executive producer and series co-creator Dan Harmon. Ive heard that before, but this was the first time it was actually earnest.

Check out the cast of Rick and Morty reviewing Etsy products based on their show:

Read more of Yahoo TVs coverage of San Diego Comic-Con:
Bucharest (AFP) - Romania on Friday sparked fury in Moscow by blocking a Moldova-bound plane carrying a senior Russian minister entering its airspace because of an EU travel ban over the Ukraine crisis.

The foreign ministry in Bucharest confirmed to AFP that the passenger jet carrying deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin was "not allowed to fly over Romanian airspace".

The commercial liner, heading to Moldova's capital Chisinau with some 160 passengers on board, was forced to turn around and land in the Belarusian capital Minsk instead.

Bucharest acknowledged that the decision was made because of EU sanctions introduced in 2014 as the conflict surged between pro-Russian rebels and government forces in eastern Ukraine.

Rogozin is among dozens of Russian and Ukrainian individuals to have been hit by the punitive measures, which include asset freezes and travel bans.

He has been targeted for his role in the Russian annexation of Crimea in March 2014.

After arriving in Minsk, the minister vented his anger at Romania's decision, saying the blockade was an unprecedented move.

"We have flown with the airline company several times before and never had any problems... with Belarusian, Polish, Slovakian and Hungarian airspace," Rogozin told the Russian Interfax news agency.

He later tweeted: "Expect a response, scoundrels!"

Russia's foreign minister summoned Romania's envoy to Moscow to "express a decisive protest" over the move.

"Moscow considers this incident to be a conscious provocation that causes serious harm to our bilateral relations," the ministry said in a statement.

Rogozin had been on his way to Moldova, which is currently locked in a tug-of-war between the pro-Western government and Kremlin-friendly figurehead President Igor Dodon.

Dodon slammed the move to block Rogozin as an "unprecedented Russophobic show" aimed at undermining Moldova's "good relations with our strategic partner Russia."

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"This script is written not in Chisinau but in the West," he said.

The small country wedged between Romania and Ukraine has an East-West cultural, linguistic and political split.

Earlier this month, Moldovan lawmakers issued a fresh demand for Russia to pull out troops stationed in the breakaway territory of Transdniestr since a ceasefire deal halted a bitter conflict 25 years ago.

In May, Chisinau kicked out five Russian diplomats which saw Moscow turf out its officials in revenge.
The number of American diplomats in Russia will fall to 455 under the plan: Reuters

Russia has ordered America to cut the number of diplomatic staff it has in the country and has seized a dacha compound and warehouse used by US officials in retaliation for new sanctions against Moscow.

Embassy staff must leave the country by 1 September, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, in a move triggered by the US Senates near unanimous vote to slap new sanctions on Russia, further hurting its fragile economy.

The move puts Donald Trump in a tough position by forcing him to take a hard line on Moscow or block the legislation and anger his own Republican Party.

Russias Foreign Ministry also accused Washington of extreme aggression in international affairs.

The US embassy's recreational retreat on the outskirts of Moscow will be closed as well as warehouse facilities.

The number of American diplomats will fall to 455 under the plan, the Foreign Ministry added. It was not immediately clear how many US diplomats now serve in Russia.

Relations between Russia and the United States dropped to a post-Cold War low following Russia's annexation of Crimea and interference in eastern Ukraine in 2014.

Reports of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election have dampened hopes for better ties that the Kremlin pinned on Mr Trump's presidency.

Russian policemen stand guard in front of the US Embassy in Moscow (Getty)

The new package of sanctions aims to hit Vladimir Putin and his inner circle by targeting alleged corrupt officials, human rights abusers and crucial sectors of the Russian economy, including weapons sales and energy exports.

The bill underwent revisions to address concerns voiced by American oil and natural gas companies that sanctions specific to Russia's energy sector could backfire on them.

Russia's Foreign Ministry dismissed the new sanctions as "creating unfair competitive advantages for the US economy.

"This kind of blackmail aimed at restricting the cooperation between Russia and other nations is a threat for many countries and global businesses," the statement said.

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Russia's response mirrors moves by outgoing President Barack Obama last December to expel 35 Russian diplomats and shut down two Russian estates in the US.

Moscow said it would cut the US diplomatic corps even further if the U.S. decides to expel more Russian diplomats.

The Kremlin had previously said that it would not impose any sanctions on the US until Mr Trump signs the bill.

On Thursday the senate backed the sanctions bill, which also imposes sanctions on Iran and North Korea, by a margin of 98-2 with strong support from Mr Trump's fellow Republicans as well as Democrats.

It will now be sent to the White House for Mr Trump to sign into law or veto.

Additional reporting agencies
By Susan Cornwell and Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The seven-year Republican quest to scrap Obamacare, a major campaign vow by President Donald Trump, lay in ruins on Friday after the Senate failed to dismantle the healthcare law, with congressional leaders now planning to move on to other matters. John McCain, the maverick 80-year-old senator and 2008 Republican presidential nominee, cast the deciding vote in the dramatic early-morning showdown on the Senate floor as a bill to repeal key elements of Obamacare was defeated, 51-49, dealing Trump a crushing political setback. McCain, who flew from Arizona this week after being diagnosed with brain cancer and was heading back for further treatment starting on Monday, joined fellow Republicans Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski in voting with Senate Democrats unified against the legislation. "It's time to move on," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, whose reputation as a master strategist was diminished, said on the Senate floor after the vote at roughly 1:30 a.m. (0530 GMT). While House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan said fellow Republicans should not give up on healthcare, he cited other pressing issues that needed attention, including major tax-cut legislation sought by Trump. "We have so much work still to do," Ryan said in a statement. The Senate's healthcare failure called into question the Republican Party's ability to govern even as it controls the White House, Senate and House of Representatives. Trump has not had a major legislative victory after more than six months in office, and his administration is mired in investigations into contacts between his election campaign and Russia and high-level White House staff infighting. He had promised to get major healthcare legislation, tax cuts and a boost in infrastructure spending through Congress in short order. Also on the legislative agenda are spending bills for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 to avoid a government shutdown and raising the U.S. debt limit. Speaking in Brentwood, New York, on Long Island, Trump expressed dismay at the bill's failure, saying, "I said from the beginning, let Obamacare implode and then do it (pass legislation). I turned out to be right. Let Obamacare implode." Trump, who earlier on Twitter said the three Republicans who voted no "let America down," again took aim at lawmakers in his own party. "Boy, oh boy, they've been working on that one for seven years," he said in Brentwood. "Can you believe that? The swamp. But we'll get it done." Some lawmakers urged a bipartisan effort to buttress the existing healthcare system. With the partisan divide as wide as ever in Washington, it remained to be seen if a bipartisan approach can get off the ground. McCain said the defeated bill did not offer meaningful reform and that its defeat presents "an opportunity to start fresh" on legislation crafted by lawmakers in both parties. "I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to trust each other, stop the political gamesmanship and put the healthcare needs of the American people first," McCain said. Top congressional Democrats urged a bipartisan effort to fix problems in the Obamacare law without repealing it. "Change it, improve it, but don't just take a knife and try to destroy it and put nothing in its place," top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said. Democratic Senator Bill Nelson said he was working with Republican Collins on a bipartisan effort on healthcare. While Ryan was able to secure House passage of a comprehensive bill to gut Obamacare in May, McConnell earlier in the week was unable to win passage of similarly broad healthcare legislation amid intraparty squabbling and competing demands by hard-line conservatives and moderates. On Friday morning, he failed to get even a stripped-down, so-called skinny bill over the finish line. BACKLASH FEARED Killing the Affordable Care Act, Democratic former President Barack Obama's signature domestic policy achievement dubbed Obamacare, has been a passion for Republicans since its 2010 enactment over their unified opposition, and was a key campaign promise by Trump last year. Republicans lawmakers, some of whom have been gleeful about razing Obama's presidential legacy, now fear a backlash from their conservative political base that could affect the 2018 congressional elections. For the moment, the Affordable Care Act, which extended health insurance to 20 million people and drove the percentage of uninsured people to historic lows, remains in place and must be overseen by an administration that is hostile to it. This leaves health insurers unsure of how long the administration will continue to make billions of dollars in Obamacare payments that help cover out-of-pocket medical expenses for low-income Americans. Schumer warned against any efforts to sabotage the law. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, which represents insurers across the country, said it would work to ensure a smooth open enrollment period from Nov. 1-Dec. 15 and stabilize the individual insurance market under Obamacare for the long term. Shares of health insurers, which had fought against the bill's proposed repeal of the mandate that Americans obtain insurance, were up. Aetna Inc rose 0.9 percent, Anthem Inc gained 2.3 percent and Humana Inc edged up 0.2 percent. On Wall Street, shares of hospitals were mostly higher because of the dwindling prospects for big cuts in the Medicaid insurance program for the poor and disabled. Community Health Systems Inc rose 2.2 percent, HCA Healthcare Inc gained 0.6 percent and Tenet Healthcare Corp edged up 0.1 percent. Republicans have long denounced Obamacare - which expanded Medicaid and created online marketplaces for individuals to obtain coverage - as an intrusion by government on people's healthcare decisions. Veteran House Republican Tom Cole said he thought there were "a number" of other Republican senators who were uncomfortable with the Senate's healthcare legislation but were able to vote "yes" knowing McCain's vote would kill it. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close friend of McCain, met on Friday with Trump to discuss Graham's proposal to take tax money raised by Obamacare and send it back to the states in the form of healthcare block grants, the senator's office said. The skinny bill, released just three hours before voting began, would have retroactively repealed Obamacare's penalty on individuals who do not obtain health insurance, repealed for eight years a penalty on certain businesses that do not provide employees with insurance and repealed a tax on medical devices until 2020. (Reporting by Susan Cornwell and Richard Cowan; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu, Roberta Rampton, Yasmeen Abutaleb, Rodrigo Campos, Amanda Becker, David Morgan and Eric Walsh; Writing by Will Dunham; Editing by Frances Kerry and Jonathan Oatis)
President Donald Trump has nominated Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback to the office of Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. Brownback is expected to take the post after stepping down as governor. The second-least popular governor in the country according to a recent survey drew quite a happy reaction on Twitter.

The Office of International Religious Freedom comes under the State Department and Brownback will head it. Its mission is to promote religious freedom as a core U.S. foreign policy value. It monitors religious persecution and discrimination worldwide, recommending and implementing policies in regions and countries.

READ: Kansas Governor Orders Planned Parenthood Funding Cut

The White House said that Brownback is a former U.S. senator and representative, and has worked on issues related to religious freedom, according to reports. After the news broke, Brownback wrote that he felt honored to be chosen for the post in a tweet.

While some of his followers on the social media website congratulated him for his new role, many took to Twitter to criticize him for his performance as governor and seemed happy about him leaving the post.

Please leave Kansas and never return. It will take years to undo the damage that you did to our state, a Twitter user named DJ1028 wrote.

Its bad enough you ruined Kansas, now you are going after heaven, another Twitter user gwheezie wrote.

Several similar tweets followed.

Some Twitter users questioned the working of the office and asked if people of all religions would be free under Brownback's tenure.







The 60-year-old was elected as the governor of Kansas in 2011. He had earlier represented the state in Congress in 1995 and 1996. He went on to serve as senator from 1996 to 2011.

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Brownback has been an advocate for religious freedom and helped in shaping the International Religious Freedom Act passed in 1998, reports said.

Brownbacks popularity in recent years had taken a hit as the state of Kansas failed to meet its revenue projections and cut down on services. It is believed that the problem occurred due to Brownbacks tax cutting doctrine.

In lowering the tax burden, Brownback sought to attract employers to the state and make the economy grow. However, this never happened and the state suffered, New York Times reported.

Last year his party suffered losses in the legislative elections in Kansas, which has been a Republican stronghold. Democrats and moderate Republicans united to override the governor's veto and raise taxes last year.

READ: Kansas City Man Serves 17 Years For Crime Doppelganger Possibly Committed

Brownbacks image within his party also suffered as he clashed with party members on Affordable Care Acts Medicaid expansion, which he vetoed. He rejected the idea of accepting federal money under the Affordable Care Act, reports said.

As Brownback is set to step down from the office of Governor, uncertainty prevails over Kansas with regards to funding of public education. The Kansas Supreme Court is expected to come up with a judgment on the constitutionality of the new school funding mechanism in the state.

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Newly-appointed White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci on Wednesday indicated he may fire some people from his department in a series of "dramatic steps" to curb the White House leaks.

While it has just been a week that he assumed office, Scaramucci is already grabbing headlines because of his statements and deleted tweets.

READ: Anthony Scaramucci Called Trump A 'Hack Politician' Before Joining White House

He added saying the holdovers from the administration of former President Barack Obama were responsible for series of leaks in the recent months. "There seems to be some holdovers, political holdovers from the Obama administration that are not helping," he said to Fox News. He said he would meet the communications teams and discuss the problem.

The new communications director insisted he wanted to bring down the leaks to zero, but it might not be possible, however, he would be able to curb the leaks to a great extent. He also warned the senior White House staff who, according to him, ask juniors to leak information. In a tweet, Scaramucci also said he would be contacting FBI on leaks related to his financial disclosure.

"In light of the leak of my financial disclosure info which is a felony. I will be contacting @FBI and the @TheJusticeDept # swamp @Reince45," he tweeted. The tweet was seen as an attempt to threaten White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus. However, later Scaramucci clarified his tweet was not meant to target Priebus. He deleted the original tweet.

While the number of televised briefings in the White House have reduced in the last few weeks, Scaramucci on Friday, which was his first day in the office, addressed a televised press briefing.

Scaramucci said he was not in favor of briefings to continue without cameras. "I don't think we need to have the cameras off," he said. "But if the President doesn't want the cameras on, guess what? We're not going to have the cameras on," he was quoted as saying, CNN reported.

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After Scaramuccis name for the post of new communication director was announced last week, Sean Spicer resigned from the post of press secretary. It was widely reported Spicer was not in favor of Scaramuccis hiring. Both of them, however, tried hard not to spill the beans in public.

READ: Anthony Scaramucci Net Worth, Donald Trump Ally Who Caused 3 CNN Reporters To Resign

Earlier, Scaramucci was to join the White House staff as adviser and public liaison to government agencies and businesses. However, the position was retracted later. Scaramucci also served in Trump transition team's executive committee. He was also considered for some other roles like ambassador to Paris based organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. He joined US Export-Import Bank as senior vice president and chief strategy officer in June, Politico reported.

Scaramucci made headlines in June after CNN retracted a story where it was claimed the Senate investigators were looking into a meeting between an executive from a Russian investment fund and Scaramucci to probe Moscow meddling in the presidential election. The controversy forced three journalists of the news organization had to resign.

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US Republicans failed spectacularly on Friday in their latest effort to dismantle Obamacare, leaving the party in stunned disarray and President Donald Trump's dreams of repealing his predecessor's health reforms on ice.

After a night of high suspense in the US Capitol, the extraordinarily tense vote came down to the wire, with Republican Senator John McCain, only recently diagnosed with brain cancer, casting the deciding vote against the legislation.

Senator John McCain cast the deciding vote Credit: AP

Mr Trump wasted no time getting on Twitter to decry the outcome.

"3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!" he tweeted.

3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017

"This was a disappointment, a disappointment indeed," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told colleagues after the vote.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell walks to his office prior to an all night round of health care votes on Capitol Hill Credit: Reuters

Mr McConnell called his bill the Health Care Freedom Act, but among his colleagues it was known as "skinny repeal." It's not intended to become law, but to open a path for a House-Senate conference committee to try to work out comprehensive legislation Congress can pass and send to Mr Trump.

The amendment was a last resort for Senate Republicans to pass something - anything - to trigger negotiations with the House.

In addition to Mr McCain, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine voted with all Democrats to defeat the measure.

"We are not celebrating; we are relieved--for the Americans who can now keep their #healthcare. We must work together to improve the law," US Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer tweeted following the vote.

We are not celebrating; we are relieved--for the Americans who can now keep their #healthcare. We must work together to improve the law.  Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 28, 2017

The measure would have repealed the unpopular Affordable Care Act requiring most people to have health insurance or risk a fine from the IRS. A similar requirement on larger employers would be suspended for eight years.

Additionally it would have denied funding to Planned Parenthood for a year, and suspended for three years a tax on medical device manufacturers. States could seek waivers from consumer protections in the Obama-era law, and individuals could increase the amount they contribute to tax-sheltered health savings accounts for medical expenses.
SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean President Moon Jae-in ordered discussions to be held with the United States on deploying additional THAAD anti-missile defense units following North Korea's test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, his office said on Saturday. Moon also wanted the United Nations Security Council to discuss new and stronger sanctions against the North, the presidential Blue House said following a National Security Council meeting. Two units of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system have been deployed by the U.S. military in a southern South Korean region, with four more planned but delayed over concerns about their environmental impact. (Reporting by Jack Kim; editing by John Stonestreet)
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian government forces and their allies advanced against Islamic State militants in countryside east of Raqqa on Thursday, war monitors reported. The advance, to within four km (2.5 miles) of the town of Maadan, crossed the provincial boundary between Raqqa and Deir al-Zor for the first time from the west, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The monitoring group has reported recent advances in the area by the Syrian army, nearing territory controlled by U.S.-backed forces who are separately fighting Islamic State in the jihadists' stronghold of Raqqa city. Incidents involving the U.S.-backed forces and pro-Damascus forces last month caused tension between Washington and Syrian government ally Moscow. Islamic State is losing ground fast in Syria to separate campaigns waged by the Russian-backed Syrian government on the one hand, and U.S.-backed regional Kurdish forces and their allies on the other. Deir al-Zor province, which borders Iraq to the east, is almost entirely under Islamic State control. The Syrian government has clung to a pocket of territory in Deir al-Zor city, the provincial capital, and at a nearby air base. (Reporting by John Davison; editing by Mark Heinrich)
Just days after John McCain was diagnosed with brain cancer, he flew in to Washington, D.C., from Arizona on the pretense that he would help save Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnells health care bill. In the end, he helped derail it.

Just hours after Senate leadership had unveiled its better health care bill, the measure failed 51-49, a stunning defeat for McConnell, who had been frantically trying to whip up the necessary votes for days.

Since this was passing under the budgets reconciliation process, Senate leadership only needed 50 votes. With 52 Senators in the conference, that means they could only afford two defections. They ended up with three: Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and McCain.

The final Republican bill would have repealed the employer and individual mandates under Obamacare, causing premiums to rise 20% between 2018 and 2026 and leaving 43 million more people without insurance in 2026, according to an estimate released Thursday from the Congressional Budget Office.

McCain had objected to the process, arguing that hearings should have been held on the bill and Democrats given more say. Collins was consistently opposed to the bill, and adamantly against any provision that prohibited Medicaid funds from going to Planned Parenthood, which the final bill did.

Murkowski had also repeatedly voiced objections about the process, and had repeatedly stressed her opposition to the Planned Parenthood provision. Murkowski and Collins, both of whom were left out of McConnells working group to draft the bill, were the only two Republican Senators to vote against proceeding to debate earlier in the week.

Murkowskis decision to vote against the bill came after Trump criticized her opposition to proceed with debate on Twitter, and after the Trump Administrations Interior Secretary reportedly threatened funding for Alaska.

McCain seemed to relish his return to maverick and breaking with his party. He kept the decision close to the chest until he cast it, telling reporters who asked as he headed to the chamber after the latest bill had been revealed to watch the show.

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But as Senators continued to give remarks on the floor, reporters noticed something: Schumer had smiled after he spoke with the Arizona Senator. And after Schumer gave an impassioned plea about the need for the chamber to do away and start over on reforms in a bipartisan fashion, McCain applaudedthe only Republican Senator to do so.

As the Senate voted on a motion to send the bill back to the committeewhich failed, as expectedMcCain huddled with various Senators.

Then, after everyone had voted on the motion, everything stalled. The vote began at 12:21 AM. Every Senator had finished voting within the half hour, but instead of turning to the so-called skinny repeal bill, leaders held the vote open. Attention turned to McCain as party leadership presumably tried to woo him.

Pence huddled alone with McCain. McCain, Collins, Murkowski and Jeff Flake were talking among themselves. Something was awry in McConnells plan.

Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill was the first in the chamber to break the silence and give some indication what was going on.

There is now a glimmer of hope that we stop this and hopefully start over in a bipartisan way to stabilize ins markets and bring down costs, the Missouri Senator wrote on Twitter at 1:07 A.M.

At 1:25 A.M. the chamber began voting on McConnells bill. Fifteen minutes later the vote had closed.

This is clearly a disappointing moment, said McConnell immediately afterwards. I regret that our efforts were simply not enough this time.
WASHINGTON  House Speaker Paul Ryan assured nervous Republican senators on a conference call Thursday night that he would send their skinny repeal of Obamacare to a conference instead of passing it into law.

As a vote neared Thursday night or early Friday morning on a proposed skinny repeal of Obamacare, three key Republican senators said they would only vote for it if they are assured it wont actually become law.

The three  Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., John McCain, R-Ariz., and Ron Johnson, R-Wis. said they needed Ryans word that he would not take up their legislation, pass it and send it to the presidents desk. They instead want the bill to be fixed in a House-Senate conference.

Ryan later released an ambiguous statement saying he was willing to go to conference if thats the only way to move forward. The reality, however, is that repealing and replacing Obamacare still ultimately requires the Senate to produce 51 votes for an actual plan, Ryan said. He added that the House would expect the Senate to vote first on whatever the conference committee produces.

At around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Graham, Johnson and a few other senators held a conference call with Ryan during which he personally assured them that he would send the bill to a House-Senate conference instead of immediately passing it. It is unclear, however, if Ryan also promised he would not pass the legislation later down the road, if that conference does not produce legislation.

I just wanted to hear it right from Paul, we all [did], Johnson told reporters. Those in the room are now on board with the legislation, he said.

While McCain was not in the room, he spoke to the Speaker separately, according to Johnson. He did not answer reporters questions about where he stood late Thursday.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is expected to kick off a late-night vote-a-rama, which would roll back a handful of key provisions of Obamacare but leave other portions of it intact, ahead of a vote on the skinny repeal bill. McConnell released the text of the skinny bill late Thursday night.

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Just hours earlier, several Republican senators admitted that the current version of the bill would drive up premiums and does not improve the healthcare system, but they argued it is a first step of a process that will later produce a better bill.

The skinny bill as policy is a disaster. The skinny bill as a replacement for Obamacare is a fraud, Graham told reporters Thursday.

He said it would be the dumbest thing in history for Republicans to pass it into law and then own the price increases in Obamacare insurance exchanges from then on.

Republican senators are considering passing a stripped-down, partial repeal of Obamacares individual and employer mandates that many of them acknowledge would cause premiums in the individual markets to spike. The Senate leadership is pitching this move as simply the next step in a longer process that would result in a better health care system.

Senators want to make sure the House wont simply take up that skinny repeal and send it directly to the president, avoiding whats sure to be a contentious conference committee to work out differences between the chambers two bills. The House passed a more comprehensive repeal-and-replace bill in May. (The request to go to a conference committee must, for technical reasons, originate in the House.)

In a conference committee, provisions would be added to make the skinny repeal a fleshed-out repeal-and-replace bill, they say. The Senate is using a special budget reconciliation process that requires only 50 votes to pass and constrains what can be included in the legislation.

Senate Republicans have said their bill is just a vehicle, and its myriad issues must be fixed later.

Its a means to an end to keep this conversation going, engage the House and get this to conference, said Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., Thursday. The skinny bill in my opinion is almost like a motion to proceed, its a vehicle to keep it going forward.

As of Thursday evening it was unclear if McConnell had the votes to pass the measure. McCain, has not said if hes on board. Two key senators, including Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Sen. Lisa Murkowksi, R-Alaska, said they had decided how they would vote but would not announce it yet.

Yahoo News reporter Andrew Bahl contributed to this report.

Read more from Yahoo News:
Washington (AFP) - The White House on Thursday announced the departure of a contentious top Middle East advisor, Derek Harvey, from Donald Trump's National Security Council staff.

"The administration is working with Colonel Harvey to identify positions in which his background and expertise can be best utilized," the White House said in a statement announcing the departure.

Harvey was seen as one of the few allies of ousted national security advisor Michael Flynn remaining in the White House.

In recent months he had complained in private about his waning influence as he wrestled with competing US interests in Syria and elsewhere.

Hawkish on Iran -- thanks to experience countering Shia militias in Iraq -- he also viewed the fight against the Islamic State as a key US priority.

In a statement National Security Advisor General HR McMaster was said to "greatly" appreciate "Harvey's service to his country as a career Army officer, where he served his country bravely in the field and played a crucial role in the successful surge in Iraq, and also for his service on Capitol Hill and in the Trump administration."
Sparking outrage from the LGBT community, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday transgender people would be banned from serving in the military. He said the move would curtail the "tremendous medical costs" incurred on the gender-transition surgeries that the transgender people serving in the military go through.

However, a 2016 RAND study underlines the costs of gender transitionrelated health care treatment are relatively low," and the "previous integration efforts and the experiences of foreign militaries indicate a minimal likely Impact on force readiness." Medical care for the transgender people serving in the military add up to $8.4 million, which is a little more than 0.1 percent of the total medical expenses that the military foots for its troops in a year.

Based on the study, the Department of Defense, under the administration of former President Barack Obama, lifted the ban on transgender serving in the military. Following the decision, transgender troops were also eligible to get government funds for any treatment deemed medically necessary by their doctors, including surgery and hormone therapy.

Transgender

Photo: Getty Images/ Spencer Platt

Read: Laverne Cox, Caitlyn Jenner And Other LGBTQ Celebrities On Trump's Transgender Military Ban

In 2011, Obama revoked the Dont Ask Dont Tell policy, a discriminatory program initiated by the administration of former President Bill Clinton back in 1994. The policy mandated the transgender individuals could serve in the military as long as their supervisors did not find out their sexual orientation and the recruits did not accidentally reveal it.

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Instances of the transgender troops successfully serving in the military  albeit not openly  date back to the days of the American Civil War (1861-65). One such example was Albert Cashier, a transgender man who fought in the Civil War with the 95th Illinois Regiment. "As a young private, Cashier had fought at the siege of Vicksburg, where he and his comrades broke the spine of the Confederacy, and his name was inscribed on the Illinois victory monument there," wrote the New York Times.

In the 20th century, Netherlands became the first country to allow people from the LGBT community to serve in the army. Several other countries followed the suit such as Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Some other countries, such as Cuba and Thailand, allow transgender service in a limited capacity, according to reports.

The RAND study estimated between 1,320 and 6,630 transgender service members serve actively in the U.S. military, while between 830 and 4,160 members are in reserves duty. According to a 2014 research paper published by the Williams Institute, an estimated 134,300 transgender individuals are veterans or are retired from Guard or Reserve service. The Williams Institute is a think tank at the University of California, Los Angeles.

"Its a consistent finding in studies that have been done across a variety of different data sources that trans people serve in the military at higher rates than the general population," said Jody L. Herman, a co-author of the research paper.

Read: Trump's Transgender Military Ban Prompts Right Wing Twitter Reactions

Since the White House has refrained from commenting on the details of the ban, there is no way of knowing if the transgender troops already serving for their nation would be forced to quit.

Curiously, in an interview he gave before he announced his run for presidency, Trump said there was no excuse for keeping transgender people from serving in the military. If a gay person can be a doctor or a lawyer or a teacher or take another position of responsibility, why can't they serve this country in the military? 'Don't ask, don't tell' has clearly failed. Gay people serve effectively in the military in a number of European countries," he told pro-LGBT magazine The Advocate in 1999.

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During a speech Friday about cracking down on the MS-13 gang, President Donald Trump pushed it too far when it came to the topic of police brutality.

At one point during his speech at Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood, New York, in front of a crowd of law enforcement, Trump urged officers, "please don't be too nice."

SEE ALSO: The Boy Scouts are really, really sorry about that Trump speech

He went on to talk about removing common arrest procedures like protecting a suspect's head when putting them into a police vehicle. "I said you can take the hand away, OK," the president said, apparently forgetting about the whole concept of innocent until proven guilty.

Twitter picked up on this and quickly accused the president of encouraging police violence. And they were not OK with it.

"to protect and serve and to not be too nice"  E McMorris-Santoro (@EvanMcS) July 28, 2017

Trump just told police officers that they can be more violent than they already are. And they cheered. pic.twitter.com/KjYI3pxcVG  deray mckesson (@deray) July 28, 2017

POTUS just encouraged cops to be rough putting criminals into "the paddy wagon."  Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) July 28, 2017

the president normalizing and legitimizing police brutality is a big deal  fluffy (@curiousgawker) July 28, 2017

Trump openly encourages needless police brutality. This perpetuates the broken trust that makes violence toward and from police more likely. https://t.co/3SG0ymo9qF  Brian Klaas (@brianklaas) July 28, 2017

Amnesty International USA weighed in on Trump's comments. In a statement condemning the president's views, Zeke Johnson, senior director of programs, said, This inflammatory and hateful speech will only escalate tensions between police and communities and put both law enforcement and civilians at risk."

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He added, "encouraging violence by police is irresponsible and reprehensible.

Trump's views on law enforcement and inciting violence are nothing new  and continue to include a racist undercurrent directed at communities of color.

The violent rhetoric is nothing new for Trump. He ran a campaign based on it: https://t.co/UStYwS6wgR  Anthony De Rosa  (@Anthony) July 28, 2017

He was called out for his fear-mongering and violent language again on Friday, especially with his words directed toward immigrants and other marginalized communities.

When you can't govern and pass your agenda through Congress, turn to demonizing marginalized PoC and lies. https://t.co/chHPvMm2wX  Britni Danielle (@BritniDWrites) July 28, 2017

No hate, no fear! Immigrants are welcome here! 100s still in Brentwood demanding Trump go home. #unitedagainsthate pic.twitter.com/cD9wFWUjnu  Daniel Altschuler (@altochulo) July 28, 2017

Sadly, we all known the answer...Trump does NOT believe POC are people. He completely dehumanizes POC.   AmericanWoman8 (@AmericanWoman8n) July 28, 2017

At a time when police and community relations are already tense, Trump's apparent suggestion for cops to rough up suspects is clearly a tactic.
WASHINGTON  In a bombshell announcement capping a week of brutal administration infighting, President Trump said Friday that he had replaced embattled White House chief of staff Reince Priebus with Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly.

Trump, who announced the move on Twitter, did not say whether he had fired Priebus or whether he had resigned, but the former Republican National Committee chairman told Yahoo News via text that he had tendered his resignation to the president on Thursday.

I am pleased to inform you that I have just named General/Secretary John F Kelly as White House Chief of Staff. He is a Great American the president wrote, continuing in a second tweet with and a Great Leader. John has also done a spectacular job at Homeland Security. He has been a true star of my Administration.

When asked by Yahoo News if he was aware of the staff shakeup prior to Trumps Twitter announcement, Priebus texted, Yeah, we talked. I resigned privately yesterday. He later repeated in two televised interviews that he had resigned in a private meeting with the president on Thursday.

I am pleased to inform you that I have just named General/Secretary John F Kelly as White House Chief of Staff. He is a Great American.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017

Incoming White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump and Priebus had begun discussing the exit about two weeks ago. She did not directly answer whether it was a firing or a resignation. We all serve at the pleasure of the president, Sanders told reporters.

In just over six months in office, Trump has shed his first national security adviser (Michael Flynn), communications director (Mike Dubke), press secretary (Sean Spicer), deputy chief of staff (Katie Walsh), deputy national security adviser (K.T. McFarland) and now his chief of staff. His attorney general, Republican former senator Jeff Sessions, has been in an increasingly tenuous position, with the president openly criticizing him, but stopping short of firing him or asking him to resign.

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Priebus never managed to assert himself as a traditional a chief of staff in Trumps profoundly unorthodox White House. He never controlled access to the president, did not manage the mercurial commander in chiefs time, and his power to hire and fire was perpetually questioned by rivals for West Wing power.

Aides also said Trump had never completely forgiven Priebus for suggesting he quit the 2016 presidential race after the release of an audio recording in which Trump seemed to brag about getting away with sexual assault.

Speaking to reporters as he arrived back in Washington from Long Island, N.Y.  where earlier Friday he delivered a speech on gang violence  Trump praised Kelly, calling him a great great American, and added that Priebus is a good man.

The news came at the end of a tumultuous week of White House infighting, notably pitting incoming communications director Anthony Scaramucci against Priebus. And it landed on a day that began just after midnight as Senate Republicans failed to pass legislation aimed at repealing and replacing Obamacare, a central Trump legislative priority championed by Priebus.

Outgoing White House chief of staff Reince Priebus boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Friday, July 28, 2017, to travel with President Trump to Brentwood, N.Y., for a speech to law enforcement officials on the gang MS-13. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP)

Sanders, when asked whether Priebus departure had anything to do with the bizarrely public administration feud  including Scaramuccis foul-mouthed denunciation of Priebus and other colleagues in a telephone call with a New Yorker reporter  she replied: No, it doesnt.

Asked what Kelly would bring to the job that Priebus did not, Sanders replied: Thats a question Ill let the president walk through.

In a live, televised interview with CNN Friday evening, Priebus ducked, dodged and deflected questions about the exact circumstances of his departure from a White House where, on bad days, aides look like its been 10 days since the food ran out on their drifting lifeboat.

He said he was doing great, praised Trump as having the best political instincts, declared himself a Trump fan, proclaimed his membership on Team Trump and denied any ill-will feelings. He declined to hit back at Scaramucci, or to deny the latters charges that he had leaked internal goings-on to the news media. His voice rarely stretching beyond a Midwest-inflected monotone, Priebus suggested his situation had been precarious for a long time.

It was something that Ive always talked to the president about, Priebus said. Ive always said to him, and he always agreed with me, any time either one of his thinks we need to make a change or need to move in a different direction, lets just talk about it and get it done.

Priebus provided the White House with a bridge to Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan, a fellow Wisconsinite. In a statement, the lawmaker said his dear friend had served the president and the American people capably and passionately.

When one reporter noted that most of the departures have come from the ranks of establishment Republicans and asked about the White Houses relationship with the party, Sanders replied: Weve still got a good relationship. Were going to continue working with the party and continue doing what we came here to do.

On Twitter, Trump declared: I would like to thank Reince Priebus for his service and dedication to his country. We accomplished a lot together and I am proud of him!

I would like to thank Reince Priebus for his service and dedication to his country. We accomplished a lot together and I am proud of him!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017

Kelly will start on Monday, when Trump will also hold a Cabinet meeting in what one White House aide described as a reset. Priebus, in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity Friday night said he would stay on for about two weeks to aid in the transition. Of his appointment, the retired Marine general said he was honored to be asked to serve as the chief of staff to the president of the United States.

President Trump with then-Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly at the Coast Guard Academy commencement in New London, Conn., May 17, 2017. (Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

Sanders played up Kellys role in sharply reduced undocumented immigration  a cause dear to Trumps base  and declared him respected by everyone.

The entire administration loves him, and no one is comparable, she added.

Amid White House chatter that Priebus had been targeted because of leaks to the news media, Sanders said that the former RNC chairman had been loyal in his service to the president.

And, she said, Priebus will always be a member of the Trump team.

In a statement released Friday evening, Priebus thanked Trump for the very special opportunity to serve on his team and vowed to remain a strong supporter of the presidents agenda and policies.

Additional reporting by Yahoo News Senior Political Correspondent Jon Ward

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:
President Trump gave an impassioned speech in suburban New York about the violent MS-13 street gang in an effort to drum up support for his strict immigration and tough-on-crime policies.

The White House chose Suffolk County, Long Island  a traditionally peaceful county where there have been at least 17 killings attributed to the gang since January 2016  to deliver his message about the threat of the international gang that was formed by Salvadoran immigrants in Los Angeles in the 1980s.

Over the decades, MS-13 (also known as Mara Salvatrucha) built a criminal network with footholds in major metropolitan areas across the United States. The gang also has a strong presence in Mexico and strong ties to Central America, as its mostly comprised of Salvadoran, Honduran and Guatemalan nationals or first-generation Americans.

In a speech to police officers, Trump repeatedly expressed his almost worshipful respect for law enforcement and vowed to destroy the vile criminal cartel MS-13.

He urged the cops, dont be too nice to suspects when they are thrown into the back of a paddy wagon. In 2015, Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old Baltimore man under arrest for alleged possession of a switchblade knife, died of injuries he sustained being transported by police in the back of a van.

President Trump speaks to law enforcement officials about the street gang MS-13, July 28, 2017, in Brentwood, N.Y. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP)

MS-13 is particularly violent. They dont like shooting people because its too quick. Its too fast, Trump said at Suffolk County Community College in Selden, N.Y., roughly 60 miles east of Manhattan. I was reading, one of these animals was caught and explaining they like to knife them and cut them and let them die slowly because that way its more painful and they enjoy watching that much more. These are animals.

Still reeling from its failure to get through the Health Care Freedom Act through the Senate, the Trump administration is launching a renewed pitch to Congress for stronger borders to keep violent gang members out of the country.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who flew to El Salvador Thursday to talk with officials there about gang violence, said there are more than 40,000 members of MS-13 worldwide, including 10,000 in the U.S.

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According to the FBI, MS-13 is active in at least 42 states and the District of Columbia. They often recruit middle school and high school students and are most powerful in the West and Northeast. Most of their criminal activity is of an extremely violent nature, including murder, rape, robbery, home invasions, kidnapping and hijacking. They are also involved in drug distribution and prostitution.

For many years, they exploited Americas weak border and lax immigration enforcement to bring drugs and violence to cities and towns all across America, he said. Theyre there right now because of weak political leadership, weak leadership, weak policing and in many cases because the police werent allowed to do their job.

The funeral of Justin Llivicura, a Long Island teen who was killed in what many believe to be an attack by members of MS-13. (Photo: Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images)

Trump said that no one has suffered more at the hands of MS-13 than the people of Long Island, referencing the 17 murders in Suffolk County in the last 18 months.

They have transformed peaceful parks and beautiful, quiet neighborhoods into bloodstained killing fields. Theyre animals, he said. We cannot tolerate as a society the spilling of innocent, young, wonderful, vibrant people  sons and daughters, even husbands and wives.

Last March, 13 suspected MS-13 gang members in Suffolk County were charged with seven murders, including the murders of three students at Brentwood High School on Long Island. The slew of other charges included attempted murder, assault, obstruction of justice, arson and conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

Think about it, Trump said. They butchered those little girls. They kidnap, they extort, they rape and they rob. They prey on children. They shouldnt be here. They stomp on their victims. They beat them with clubs. They slash them with machetes and they stab them with knives.

The president claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and law enforcement partners recently completely the largest crackdown on criminal gangs in the history of the United States, arresting nearly 1,400 suspects in just six weeks, and seizing more than 200 firearms and nearly 600 pounds of narcotics.

Abraham Chaparro holds a photograph of his murdered stepson, Miguel Garcia-Moran, outside his home in Brentwood, N.Y. (Photo: Claudia Torrens/AP)

But we need more resources from Congress, he said.

Trump called upon Congress to fund an additional 10,000 ICE officers and hundreds more federal immigration judges and prosecutors. He also bemoaned that cops are expected to refrain from abusing suspects in custody.

When you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon, you just see them thrown in, rough. I said, Please dont be too nice. Like when you guys put somebody in the car and youre protecting their head. You know, the way you put their hand over, he said, lifting his hand over his head. Like, dont hit their head and theyve just killed somebody. Dont hit their head. I said, You can take the hand away, OK.

According to Trump, the law has been stacked against police officers in favor of the criminal for years: You do something wrong, youre in more jeopardy than they are.

Zeke Johnson, the senior director of programs at Amnesty International USA, released a statement condemning Trumps speech as inflammatory and hateful, arguing it could escalate tensions between law enforcement and civilians  placing both at greater risk of harm.

Far from being the root of violence, many people seeking asylum at the southern border are trying to escape the very same gangs that President Trump spoke of today, Johnson said. Everybody wants to live free from fear, but that cant be done when our leaders vilify our families, neighbors and friends as criminals based solely on where theyre from.

Some people familiar with MS-13 claim that Trumps crackdown on illegal immigration is actually emboldening the gang because otherwise law-abiding undocumented immigrants are reluctant to share information with police  for fear of being deported.

The casket of Justin Llivicura is carried from St. Joseph the Worker Church after Llivicuras funeral, April 12, 2017. (Photo: Frank Eltman/AP)

Its not like before, where  [MS-13 was] more hidden, a woman who escaped violence in El Salvador a decade ago told CNN. People can get deported, so they dont call the police. So [MS-13] feel more free.

Trump made illegal immigration from Mexico a centerpiece of his presidential campaign since he announced his candidacy in June 2015 with a speech claiming the U.S. has become a dumping ground for everybody elses problems. He vowed to strengthen border control to block the flow of crime and drugs.

It only makes common sense, he said. Theyre sending us not the right people.

Its coming from more than Mexico. Its coming from all over South and Latin America, and its coming probably  probably from the Middle East.

Trump has blamed former President Barack Obamas immigration policies for the formation and growth of MS-13. In fact, the group was born in the 1980s and its expansion was well under way before Obama took office.

The weak illegal immigration policies of the Obama Admin. allowed bad MS 13 gangs to form in cities across U.S. We are removing them fast!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2017

Big progress being made in ridding our country of MS-13 gang members and gang members in general. MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 27, 2017

In closing his speech on Long Island, Trump reiterated his gratitude for police, sheriffs and ICE officers.

You do a spectacular job. The country loves you. The country respects you, he said. You dont hear it, but believe me, they respect you as much as they respect anything there is to respect about our country.

Law enforcement officers applaud President Trump as he arrives to deliver a speech in Brentwood, N.Y., July 28, 2017. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP)

Read more from Yahoo News:
(Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Friday ruled that an inmate in Louisiana who is a Rastafarian can keep dreadlocks he has been growing for about six years as a part of his religion after the state demanded he cut them to adhere to prison grooming policies.

A three-judge panel from the New Orleans-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled the inmate, Christopher Ware, "met his burden to show that the grooming policies substantially burden his sincere religious beliefs."

Ware argued the grooming policies violated the U.S. Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), which allows for reasonable accommodations when possible for inmates to maintain their religious beliefs.

The Louisiana Department of Corrections (DOC), a defendant in the suit, is reviewing the court's decision and exploring its options, department spokesman Ken Pastorick said in an email.

The appeals court said the department did not provide adequate reasoning why it could not make an accommodation in this case for the inmate.

"We conclude that DOC failed to meet its burden under RLUIPA of showing both that its grooming policies serve a compelling interest and that they are the least restrictive means of serving any such interest," the judges said.

Ware, who was convicted of sexual battery in 2014, began practicing the Rastafarian faith, which is based in Jamaica, in 2011 or 2012, according to court documents.

(Reporting by Jon Herskovitz in Austin, Texas; Editing by Bill Trott and Chris Reese)
By Jon Herskovitz

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Texas executed on Thursday a man convicted of murdering a woman by stabbing her repeatedly after breaking into her San Antonio home in 2004.

TaiChin Preyor, 46, died by lethal injection at the state's death chamber in Huntsville, a prisons official said.

The execution was delayed for more than three hours to allow the U.S. Supreme Court time to hear an appeal from Preyor's lawyer to spare his life, which the court rejected.

The execution was the 543rd in Texas since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, the most of any state.

First and foremost Id like to say, Justice has never advanced by taking a life by Coretta Scott King. Lastly, to my wife and to my kids, I love yall forever and always. Thats it," Preyor was quoted as saying in his final statement by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Preyor was convicted in the 2004 killing of Jami Tackett, 24. He also stabbed a man who was with her, who survived.

"Several of Tacketts neighbors heard her screaming and saw Preyor when he left her apartment," the Texas Attorney General's Office said.

Lawyers for Preyor launched the appeal at the court on Thursday, arguing that prior counsel was incompetent and included one lawyer who lost his license two decades earlier and another attorney with no death penalty experience who used Wikipedia to navigate the Texas death penalty system.

"His trial counsel ignored glaring references to significant mitigation evidence, depriving jurors of crucial information likely to persuade them to impose a life sentence," Preyor's lawyers said in their filing.

Lawyers for Texas asked the Supreme Court to deny the appeal, saying Preyor had been justly sentenced and should have raised concerns about prior counsel earlier.

(Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Leslie Adler and Richard Pullin)
(In this July 27 story, corrects paragraph 7 to reflect that Zarda died in a BASE-jumping accident, not a skydiving accident) By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) - The Trump administration told a U.S. appeals court that federal law does not ban discrimination against gay employees, a sharp reversal of the position former President Barack Obama took on a key civil rights issue. The U.S. Department of Justice, in a friend of the court brief, told the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan on Wednesday that Congress never intended Title VII, which bans sex discrimination in the workplace, to apply to gay workers. The department also said the court owed no deference to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, a federal agency that enforces Title VII and has argued since 2012 that the law bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The brief came hours after President Donald Trump said he would ban transgender people from serving in the military. That would reverse a 2016 policy adopted by Obama. Justice Department spokesman Devin O'Malley said the brief was consistent with rulings by 10 federal appeals courts and "reaffirms the Departments fundamental belief that the courts cannot expand the law beyond what Congress has provided." The department's brief was in support of New York skydiving company Altitude Express Inc in a lawsuit filed by a former employee, Donald Zarda. Zarda claimed he lost his job as a skydiving instructor after he told a customer he was gay and she complained. He died in a BASE-jumping accident after filing the lawsuit. In April, a three-judge 2nd Circuit panel dismissed Zarda's case, citing a prior ruling that said discrimination against gay workers is not a form of sex discrimination under Title VII. The full court, which can overturn the prior decision, agreed in May to review the case. The issue could reach the U.S. Supreme Court in a different case brought by a former security guard at a Georgia hospital who claims she was harassed and forced to quit because she is gay. Earlier this month, LGBT rights group Lambda Legal, which represents the former security guard, said it would ask the high court to review the case. On Wednesday, the Justice Department said employers engage in sex discrimination only when they treat male and female workers differently. Objecting to homosexuality does not depend on sex, the department said, but on moral or religious beliefs. "Of course, if an employer fired only gay men but not gay women (or vice versa), that would be prohibited by Title VII," the department wrote, "but precisely because it would be discrimination based on sex, not sexual orientation." Zarda's lawyer, Gregory Antollino, said on Thursday that the department was making the same arguments the Supreme Court rejected in cases involving discrimination against workers in interracial relationships. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York and Julia Ainsley in Washington, D.C.; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Dan Grebler)
By Valerie Volcovici WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A leading Democratic lawmaker on Thursday said he would ask federal officials to investigate reported threats by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke regarding Alaska energy policy to retaliate against opposition from one of the state's Republican senators to efforts to repeal Obamacare. U.S. Representative Raul Grijalva of Arizona, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives' Committee on Natural Resources, said an investigation is necessary and called Zinke's actions unethical. The congressman will ask the Government Accountability Office, the Interior Department's inspector general or both to investigate, a spokesman said. The Alaska Dispatch News on Thursday reported that Zinke had called Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both Republicans, on Wednesday. He warned them that Murkowski's vote on Tuesday against a motion to begin debate on the healthcare overhaul could have negative consequences for energy and land use in Alaska, the newspaper said. Murkowski's no vote forced Vice President Mike Pence to cast a tie-breaking vote to pass the motion by a 51-50 ballot. The call from Zinke followed a phone conversation Murkowski had with Republican President Donald Trump on Tuesday, which she described to E&E News, an energy and environment publication, as "very unpleasant." Murkowski spokeswoman Karina Petersen confirmed that Zinke had called the senator. "Threatening to punish your rivals as political blackmail is something wed see from the Kremlin," Grijalva said. "Secretary Zinkes willingness to deliver these threats speaks volumes about his ethical standards and demonstrates that Interiors policy positions are up for political grabs, rather than based on science or the public interest. Zinke's office did not respond to requests for comment. His Interior Department oversees more than 20 percent of federal land, including national parks such as Yosemite, and deals with energy development on public land and offshore areas. The department deals with policies crucial to Alaska's economy such as oil drilling and control of wildlife areas. Until he became a Cabinet member earlier this year, he was himself a U.S. congressman, representing Montana. Murkowski, as chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, oversees appropriations and appointee confirmations for the Interior Department. Separately, Interior Department watchdog group the Western Values Project filed a records request related to Zinke's calls to Murkowski and Sullivan. (Reporting By Valerie Volcovici; additional reporting by Susan Cornwell; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
San Salvador (AFP) - US Attorney General Jeff Sessions visited El Salvador on Thursday for meetings on violent gang activity and other cross-border law enforcement issues, stepping away from Washington after days of humiliating online and verbal scorn from President Donald Trump.

Sessions was to hold talks on the MS-13 gang active in El Salvador and plaguing parts of the US, as well as on immigration, drugs, and human trafficking, a US Justice Department statement said.

The visit comes on the eve of a major speech by Trump in New York on the scourge of cross-border gang activity, especially by MS-13.

"This visit demonstrates the lengths to which the Trump administration will go in the mission to eradicate this gang and anyone who threatens the safety of our communities," the statement said.

Sessions, a hardline Republican who shares Trump's tough anti-immigration stance, was an early backer of the billionaire president, who appointed him to the post of attorney general.

But over the past week, he has fallen out of favor, with Trump repeatedly and publicly attacking him.

The US president tweeted this week that Sessions was "VERY weak" for not investigating his defeated rival Hillary Clinton for alleged "crimes."

He also expressed frustration at Sessions for recusing himself from a ballooning investigation into suspected collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Observers said it appeared Trump was trying to force Sessions from office through public humiliation, rather than firing him outright, which could trigger political blowback and arguments that he was obstructing justice.

- Meeting FBI unit -

Sessions thus far has given no indication he intends to step down. In addition, Trump's onslaught has unsettled some of his Republican supporters who also back Sessions for his hardline policies.

El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala make up the so-called Central American "Northern Triangle," an area riven by gang violence, poverty and corruption that is a major source of undocumented migrants heading to the United States.

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The Justice Department statement said Sessions was meeting with his counterparts from the Northern Triangle countries and with an FBI task force stationed there to help battle transnational gangs.

Another statement from the department said Sessions congratulated Salvadoran Attorney General Douglas Menendez on the indictments of more than 700 suspected gang members on Wednesday and Thursday, most of them said to be with MS-13.

Salvadoran officials said Sessions would meet later Thursday with President Salvador Sanchez Ceren and Foreign Minister Hugo Martinez.

The president's secretary for communications, Eygenio Chicas, noted that the number of Salvadorans with criminal records deported from the US has risen recently.

That poses a problem for a government struggling to contain gangs that carry out murders and extortion, and whose ranks often swell with returned members.

Chicas said San Salvador's position was that those who had committed crimes in the US "should be judged and punished in North American prisons."
Russian President Vladimir Putin during a joint media conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in Savonlinna: Mikko Stig/Lehtikuva via AP

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia will have to "retaliate" against proposed new US sanctions that he has labelled "extremely cynical".

Mr Putin said a response would have to come "at some point," but would depend on the final text of the bill being discussed in the US Senate.

The bill, which passed the House by a wide margin this week, targets Russia for alleged interference in the recent US election. It also proposes sanctions on North Korea and Iran for their ballistic missile programmes.

Mr Putin, speaking in Finland on Thursday, said the sanctions are "absolutely illegal from the point of view on international law".

The Russian leader is not alone in his thinking.

European Union chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker warned against passing the bill on Wednesday, saying: "America First cannot mean that Europe's interests come last."

If our concerns are not taken into account sufficiently, we stand ready to act appropriately within a matter of days," he said.

The bill would allow the US to sanction any company involved in Russia's energy export pipelines  a threat to the construction of a major natural gas pipeline between Russia and Germany, which boasts several European investors.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has also condemned the sanctions via a spokesman, calling it "peculiar" that sanctions aimed at Russia could wind up hurting European companies. Berlin has deemed the penalties illegal extraterritorial sanctions against European companies".

House and Senate leaders arrived at an agreement on the bill on Thursday, meaning it will likely be taken up by the Senate before their August recess.

.@Scaramucci: Trump may sign the sanctions or he may... negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians.

https://t.co/VOFYQx9frP  CNN (@CNN) July 27, 2017

US President Donald Trump has not indicated whether or not he will veto the bill, which reduces his power to relieve sanctions on Russia. Anthony Scaramucci, the white house communications director, suggested on CNN that the Presidnet may veto the measure in an attempt to "negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians" himself.

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The Senate, however, has already passed an earlier version of their bill by a 98-2 margin  enough to override a presidential veto.

"Passing the bill on a bipartisan basis will send a strong signal to the White House that the Kremlin needs to be held accountable for meddling in last year's election, Senator Chuck Schumer said.

Three US intelligence agencies have determined with "high confidence" that Russia endeavoured to influence the 2016 election, through a combination of hacking and media messaging. The House, Senate and Justice Department are also investigating whether the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow to sway the election in their favour.

Mr Trump has rebuffed all allegations of collusion, and Mr Putin has denied any interference in the US election.

On Thursday, Mr Putin said investigations into Russian hacking were only a symptom of growing anti-Russian hysteria in the United States.
The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, says he will never negotiate his weapons programmes unless the United States abandons its hostile policy toward his country: AP/Wong Maye-E

The US and South Korea have said they are considering military responses after the latest test of a intercontinental missile by North Korea.

Officials confirmed that the most recent missile tested by Pyongyang, which was in the air for 45 minutes before apparently landing in the waters of Japans exclusive economic zone, was an ICMB.

Earlier this month, US officials said they believed North Korea had the capability of firing a missile that could reach Alaska. At the same time, reports said US intelligence officials believed North Korea was just one year away from completing a nuclear weapon that could be attached to such a weapon.

Reuters said that following North Koreas test, South Korean President Moon Jae-in ordered discussions to be held with the United States on deploying additional anti-missile defence units. Senior US and South Korean military officials also discussed their military options in response to the Norths actions.

The news agency said Marine General Joseph Dunford was joined by the Commander of US Pacific Command, Admiral Harry Harris, when they called General Lee Sun-jin, chairman of the South Korean Joint Chief of Staff.

During the call Dunford and Harris expressed the ironclad commitment to the US-Republic of Korea alliance. The three leaders also discussed military response options, said Captain Greg Hicks, a spokesman for Mr Dunford.

The Pentagon said the US was aware of the launch of the North Korean missile while it was still in flight. It said it was launched from Mupyong-ni, an arms plant in the far north of North Korea, and travelled about 620 miles before splashing down.

Pentagon spokesman Capt Jeff Davis said in a statement: The North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America.

How to Deal With North Korea https://t.co/t1wyEjFCzT via @instapaper  Todd Dow (@toddhdow) July 28, 2017

Japanese officials said they believed the missile flew for 45 minutes and reached an altitude of more than 1,860 miles.

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As a result of their launches of ICBM-level missiles, this clearly shows the threat to our nation's safety is severe and real, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said. He said he was was convening Japans National Security Council.

The European Union called the launch an outright violation of international obligations and a serious threat to international peace and security. It urged North Korea to engage in dialogue to pursue denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

Along with North Koreas series of tests of missiles, the US has been sabre-rattling at Pyongang, with Donald Trump insisting that no options were off the table. He has repeatedly asked China to try and use its leverage to force the North to cancel its nuclear weapons programme.
Arizona Sen. John McCain created a dramatic moment when he cast the deciding vote against the Republicans skinny repeal for the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, early Friday morning.

McCain joined two Republican colleagues, Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who had already announced their intention to vote against the bill amid heavy party criticism.

Watch the show, McCain said, according to Politico, as he headed into the chamber to vote.

He approached the Senate clerk around 1:30 a.m., gave a thumbs down and said no, eliciting audible gasps and some applause. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell looked on from the center of the floor, standing with his arms crossed.

The Health Care Freedom Act ultimately failed by a vote of 49-51, earning no support from Democrats.

I sat there with Senator McCain. I think both of us recognized that its very hard to disappoint your colleagues, and I know that theres probably disappointment because it was the three votes that Senator McCain and Sen. Collins and I cast that did not allow this bill to move forward, Murkowski said to NBC News after the vote. And that is difficult, but I believe each of us stood up for the reasons that we felt were right and hoping  and Im hoping  that our colleagues also respect our reasons for the opposition just as I respect the incredible, extraordinary work that they put into trying to get this product.
Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website.

Toaster ovens do far more than make toast. Most models on the market today can cook smaller amounts of almost anything you'd make in a regular ovenpizza, chicken, cookies. And just like cleaning your oven regularly, you should clean your toaster oven routinely to avoid any food buildup.

People use their toaster ovens for everything from roasting meats to baking casseroles and other items, says Laurie M. Klein, a home economist for Hamilton Beach. So the inside of a toaster oven could have a buildup of grease and various food splatters, which could ignite with high temperatures.

Heres how to get the job done in five simple steps and without using harsh chemicals.

Step 1: Unplug It

First things first, advises Cindy Fisher, Consumer Reports' lead test engineer for countertop appliances: Always unplug your toaster oven. Disconnect the appliance from the power source before you begin cleaning. And, of course, never immerse a toaster oven in water.

Step 2: Remove and Clean Elements

Put the toaster oven on a piece of newspaper to catch the crumbs, then take out the metal tray, rack, and lower crumb tray and place them in the sink. Use dish soap and water to wash these parts. To combat any stubborn stains on these removable pieces, Fisher recommends leaving them in the sink to soak overnight. Let them dry completely while you clean the rest of the appliance.

Step 3: Use a Homemade Cleaner

Create your own cleaning solution to clean the interior of the toaster oven by combining vinegar, warm water, and a little dish soap. Apply that to the interior with a damp sponge, instructs Fisher, but try not to get any of the liquid on the heating elements.

Step 4: Apply Elbow Grease

Some toaster ovens have a porcelain enamel or a nonstick interior that makes them slightly easier to clean. But it can be damaged by metal scouring pads and abrasive cleaners. Instead, use a sponge, cloth, or old rag when wiping down your toaster oven. For stubborn stains, use a plastic scouring pad, Klein suggests.

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Step 5: Repeat if Necessary

For food debris that is hard to remove, our engineer recommends tackling the chore after using your toaster oven. Try cleaning the oven while its still a little warm, says Fisher. But againbe sure to unplug it first.

Fisher advises wiping down the exterior of your toaster oven and cleaning the interior after every use. If you've neglected yours for too long and find that the coating is damaged or the oven isn't performing as well as it used to, it may be time to consider a newer model.

In Consumer Reports toaster oven tests, we rate models on ease of cleaning in addition to how they bake, broil, and make toast. All of our recommended models earned Very Good scores on our cleaning tests, including our top toaster oven, the Breville Smart Oven Pro BOV845BSS, $270.

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Top pick tires for 2016

Best used cars for $25,000 and less

7 best mattresses for couples





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Donald Trump's communications director has admitted that he is unaware of the chlorine-rinsed chicken furore which is sweeping the UK.

Anthony Scaramucci told the BBC's Emily Maitlis that he has "no idea about chlorine-rinsed chicken" and laughed, bemused at the question.

Ms Maitlis asked: "Donald Trump tweeted that he is very excited about a big trade deal with the UK.

"Now, just to get into the specifics, our environment secretary said he would not do a deal with the US if it involved accepting chlorine-rinsed chicken. That's the big question that's going on in the UK at the moment.

"So, the question is, would the US administration make those concessions to do a deal with us?"

Mr Scaramucci replied: "You and I are meeting each other for the first time, I have no idea what's going on with chlorine-rinsed chicken, so even to pretend and make something up to you...I'm just not going to do that, OK?

"But if you want to interview me in a week or two, I'll tell you what's going on with chlorine-rinsed chicken."

After touching Ms Maitlis' hand, he said: "Donald Trump loves the United Kingdom".

Liam Fox said there was no issue with the chicken

Liam Fox, the Secretary of State for International Trade, accused the UK press of being "obsessed" with the issue, after concerns that chicken which has been rinsed with chlorine in the US could hit our supermarket shelves in the wake of a post-Brexit trade deal.

However, Michael Gove started a Cabinet split after this when he said that the UK would not do a trade deal which involved chicken that had been rinsed with chlorine.

Dr Fox, who has the support of Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, wants agriculture to be included in free trade discussions and believes chlorine-washed chicken is safe to eat and should be included in any deal.

But asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme if they would be allowed, Mr Gove replied "no."

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Adding: "I made it perfectly clear, and indeed this is something on which all members of the government are agreed, that we are not going to dilute our high animal welfare standards or our high environmental standards in pursuit of any trade deal."

Here's a re-cap on the chicken issue if, like the White House, you don't know what's going on
Anthony Scaramucci is a fast-talking New Yorker in the mould of his boss - Getty Images North America

Anthony Scaramucciwas brought in to be the new face of an embattled White House, the man to put a fresh gloss on its missteps and controversies.

Yet after only a week into the job he is threatening to sack his entire staff as he hunts for leakers and has been caught badmouthing both the White House chief of staff and Donald Trump's chief strategist.

Rather than cleaning up the mess, he has exposed the administration's divisions to the world and ensured the behind-the-scenes tension explodes into a public war.

On Thursday morning he appeared on TV to all but accuse Reince Priebus, the chief of staff, of leaking against him. Hours later details emerged of an extraordinary telephone conversation with a journalist in which he launched a foul-mouthed tirade during which he said that Mr Priebus would be soon be asked to resign.

The day began with an unscheduled interview on CNN, prompted by his decision to call in by phone.

'Leakers would have been hanged 150 years ago'

The fish stinks from the head down. But I can tell you two fish that don't stink, and thats me and the president," he said, casting doubt on the rest of the staff and their motives.

It was the latest salvo in his hunt for the source of White House leaks. It is a cause close to the president's heart and Mr Scaramucci has made it clear that he answers only to Mr Trump.

He appeared to point the finger Mr Priebus, first in a rapidly deleted Tweet on Wednesday.

Then he further fanned the flames on CNN a day later, challenging Mr Priebus to deny he was the source.

Reince Priebus (centre) in the Oval Office, with the president and other key officials Credit: Reuters

When I put out a tweet and I put Reince's name in a tweet, they're all making the assumption that it's him because journalists know who the leakers are," he said during the unscheduled 30-minute interview.

"So if Reince wants to explain he's not a leaker, let him do that. But let me tell you about myself. I'm a straight shooter and I'll go right to the heart of the matter."

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His relationship with Mr Priebus was already fraught before he was appointed last Friday. The chief of staff was among the voices urging Mr Trump not to bring the Mooch, as he is nicknamed, into the White House earlier.

The latest spat was sparked by publication of an official document detailing Mr Scaramuccis finances, even though it is available to anyone who asks.

On Wednesday evening, Mr Scaramucci was further angered when a reporter obtained details of a White House dinner.

He telephoned Ryan Lizza of The New Yorker to demand how he found out that he had dined with the president, first lady, a Fox News host and one of the network's former executives.

Mr Lizza promptly published the whole extraordinary exchange. He described how Mr Scaramucci threatened to sack everyone in the communications department if he did not reveal the source of his information. He also claimed Mr Priebus would soon be forced out.

Theyll all be fired by me, he said. I fired one guy the other day. I have three to four people Ill fire tomorrow. Ill get to the person who leaked that to you. Reince Priebusif you want to leak somethinghell be asked to resign very shortly.

He went on to reportedly describe Mr Priebus as a "f****** paranoid schizophrenic" and described Steve Bannon, Mr Trump's chief strategist, in profane terms.

Im not Steve Bannon, Im not trying to suck my own ****, he said.

Im not trying to build my own brand off the ******* strength of the president. Im here to serve the country.

Mr Bannon declined to comment.

'I made a mistake trusting a reporter'

Mr Scaramucci did not apologise for the tirade, but said he would try to clean up his language in the future.

I sometimes use colorful language. I will refrain in this arena but not give up the passionate fight for @realDonaldTrumps agenda, he tweeted.

Later on, he added: I made a mistake in trusting in a reporter. It wont happen again.

I made a mistake in trusting in a reporter. It won't happen again.  Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) July 28, 2017

I sometimes use colorful language. I will refrain in this arena but not give up the passionate fight for @realDonaldTrump's agenda. #MAGA  Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) July 27, 2017

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Scaramucci "used some colorful language - I don't think he will again."

The president's senior counselor, Kellyanne Conway, had earlier speculated in a Fox News interview that unnamed forces were out to get Scaramucci, saying: "Somebody is trying to get in his way and scare him off."

"There are leaks and then there are people using the press to shiv each other in the ribs," she said.

Meanwhile, no one in the White House took up for Mr Priebus - including Mr Priebus himself. Ms Sanders avoided giving a direct answer when asked whether Mr Trump has confidence in Mr Priebus.

Newt Gingrich, a former House speaker and frequent outside adviser to Mr Trump, said in an interview that Mr Scaramucci's attacks on Mr Priebus are problematic.

Theyve got to get this sorted out between the two of them, and it would be nice if they didnt do it in public, he said.

'Ask Steve Bannon what happens if you get too much publicity'

Mr Trumps unconventional campaign, staffed in the main by political outsiders, has translated into an unconventional White House, filled with officials who have little previous experience in politics.

That leaves the likes of Mr Priebus  who arrived from a more traditional post in the Republican Party  isolated and vulnerable amid the fall-out from the ongoing Russia investigation and the struggle to persuade Congress to repeal Obamacare.

Mr Scaramuccis appointment immediately prompted the resignation of Sean Spicer, who had served as press secretary and was known as a close ally of the chief of staff.

Brad Gerstman, a New York lobbyist and public relations executive, said it probably doesnt matter to Mr Trump that Mr Scaramucci and Mr Priebus dont get along. Mr Gerstman has done projects for the Trump organisation and is a neighbor and longtime friend of Mr Scaramuccis.

In my experience, hes of the belief that sometimes a little friction in the ranks is how you surface the best ideas, Mr Gerstman said of Mr Trump.

Another rule of thumb in Mr Trumps inner circle is that its never wise to outshine the president.

Mr Trump has reacted angrily when certain aides - including Mr Bannon and, briefly, son-in-law Jared Kushner - received outsized media attention.

Ari Fleischer, who served as press secretary under George W. Bush, said, Ask Steve Bannon what happens if you get too much publicity and go too far.

It reminds me of Icarus flying too close to the sun.
President Trump holds a rally with supporters in Youngstown, Ohio, July 25, 2017. (Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

For fans of Steve Bannons program for the deconstruction of the administrative state, it was a very good week.

Whether or not the alt-right-provocateur-turned-chief-White-House-strategist orchestrated the chaos that was kicked off last Thursday with President Trumps hair-raising interview with the New York Times, it certainly advanced the creative destruction that he reportedly favors.

To most observers, though, the destruction part was more apparent than the creative effort, as Trump launched an unprecedented campaign to undermine Attorney General Jeff Sessions, with the explicit goal of controlling the special counsels investigation into Russian influence in last years election. His remarks in the Times interview and subsequent tweets achieved the rare feat of uniting Democrats (who want the investigation to continue unfettered) with Republicans (who generally like Sessions and his policies) while making Trump look both bullying and weak (as Sessions, refusing to comment or resign, in effect called the presidents bluff). The impression that Trumps vaunted toughness wasnt even skin deep was reinforced when he whined that Republicans in the Senate werent doing enough to protect their president.

Trump did manage to find a scapegoat for his anger: press secretary Sean Spicer, who resigned minutes after the president undercut him with the appointment of Anthony Scaramucci as communications director. Scaramucci, a Wall Street investor and longtime friend of the president, set himself up as Trumps Torquemada, launching an inquisition against media leaks from the White House, issuing threats against staffers up to and including his own nominal boss, chief of staff Reince Priebus.

Steve Bannon listens as Trump delivers remarks to auto industry executives in Ypsilanti, Mich., March 15, 2017. (Photo: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images)

Chaos enough for one week? Apparently not: Trump proceeded to give a meandering, confounding speech to 40,000 Boy Scouts at their annual jamboree, including an attack on former President Obama, flagrantly defying the Scouts tradition of nonpartisanship and reportedly angering Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, an Eagle Scout and former national president of the organization. Coincidentally or not, Tillerson, who has been rumored to be unhappy in his job, proceeded to [take] a little time off, according to his spokesperson. His vacation came just as the White House faced a critical decision about whether to sign legislation, passed overwhelmingly in Congress, writing sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea into law and forestalling the president from unilaterally relaxing them.

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The White House sent mixed signals about its intentions.

Meanwhile the Senate continued its seemingly endless peregrination through the wilderness of health care reform, and Trump threw the entire Pentagon into confusion with a tweet announcing that transgender individuals would no longer be allowed into the military  reversing, with no warning to the generals, a carefully crafted policy that had been in effect for a year.

President Trump delivers remarks at the 2017 National Scout Jamboree in Summit Bechtel National Scout Reserve, W.Va., July 24, 2017. (Photo: Carlos Barria/Reuters)

Even for an administration that has defied the norms and conventions of American politics from the moment it took office, the past seven days have constituted an extraordinary display of misdirection and chaos, calling to mind the motto of the right-wing millionaire and Florida power broker Edward Ball, who would raise a glass of Jack Daniels with the toast Confusion to the enemy. Trump has done an admirable job of confusing his enemies. But at this point, his friends are in the same situation.

Below is a timeline of events:

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Trump shared his thoughts on a variety of topics in a lengthy Oval Office interview with three New York Times reporters, covering topics ranging from his desire to have a military parade on Pennsylvania Avenue to his disappointment with Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Sessions should have never recused himself from the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 campaign, Trump said, and if he was going to recuse himself, he should have told me before he took the job, and I would have picked somebody else.

Trump commented on many aspects of the ongoing investigation into his campaigns connections to Russia, saying that he had done nothing wrong and is not under investigation by the FBI. He also said that special counsel Robert Mueller should never have been appointed in this case and warned him not to look into his familys personal finances.

The president claimed that his unscheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G-20 was about Moscows policy on the adoption of Russian children by Americans, and that he did not look very closely into his sons Trump Tower meeting with Russians last June.

Trump also commented on his infamous handshake with French President Emmanuel Macron, (he loves holding my hand) Japanese first lady Akie Abes inability to converse in English (not even hello), and demonstrated his granddaughters ability to speak Chinese.

Read more highlights from the interview here.

Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, July 21, 2017. (Photo: Alex Brandon/AP)

Press secretary Sean Spicer resigned Friday, soon after long-time Trump supporter and financier Anthony Scaramucci was appointed as the White House communications director.

According to the New York Times, Spicer vehemently disagreed with the appointment of New York financier Anthony Scaramucci

Scaramucci announced Spicers departure from the White House during an on-camera press briefing. Spicer later confirmed this on Twitter, saying that he will officially leave the White House in August.

It's been an honor & a privilege to serve @POTUS @realDonaldTrump & this amazing country. I will continue my service through August  Sean Spicer (@PressSec) July 21, 2017

Meanwhile, in the Oval Office, President Trump inquired about his ability to pardon himself and family members to protect them from indictments from the ongoing Russia investigation. While he can undoubtedly pardon his staff and family members, the Constitution is unclear on whether he can pardon himself.

Scaramucci announced for the sake of transparency that he was deleting old tweets in which he had been critical of the president or expressed opinions that contradicted White House positions. Scaramucci has differed from Trumps views on a long series of items, including gun control, climate change, globalization, Hillary Clintons competency, Brexit, the effectiveness of walls, Russia and Jeb Bush.

Full transparency: I'm deleting old tweets. Past views evolved & shouldn't be a distraction. I serve @POTUS agenda & that's all that matters  Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) July 22, 2017

Trump also continued his tweeting on Saturday, attacking the media for their negative coverage and Republicans in Congress for their slow progress on health care. Its very sad that Republicans, even some that were carried over the line on my back, do very little to protect their President, wrote Trump. The White House did not respond to questions about which legislators Trump was disappointed by or what he expected them to do to protect him.

White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci speaks to members of the media at the White House in Washington, July 25, 2017. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

A frequent cable news guest, Scaramucci made his first Sunday talk show appearance as the White House communications director. He immediately outed Trump as a source of intelligence information after mild pressing from Jake Tapper.

Somebody said to me yesterday, I wont tell you who, that if the Russians actually hacked this situation and spilled out those emails, you would have never seen it, said Scaramucci. You would never had any evidence of them. Meaning they are super confident in their deception skills and hacking. My point is, all of the information isnt on the table yet.

You are making a lot of assertions here, replied Tapper. I dont know who this anonymous person is who said that if the Russians had actually done it we wouldnt be able to detect it.

How about it was the president? said Scaramucci. He called me from Air Force One and he basically said to me, Hey, you know, this is  maybe they did it, maybe they didnt do it.

Scaramucci also contradicted statements made by Sanders on ABC News regarding the White Houses stance on signing a bill reinforcing sanctions on Russia.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions at a Washington news conference, July 20, 2017. (Photo: Aaron P. Bernstein/Reuters)

Trump continued his public attacks on Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Monday, this time for not investigating Hillary Clintons emails and her campaigns possible connections to Russia.

So why aren't the Committees and investigators, and of course our beleaguered A.G., looking into Crooked Hillarys crimes & Russia relations?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 24, 2017

The president later went after Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., for his participation in the House Intelligence Committees own Russia investigation.

Sleazy Adam Schiff, the totally biased Congressman looking into "Russia," spends all of his time on television pushing the Dem loss excuse!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 24, 2017

Schiff quickly fired back.

With respect Mr. President, the problem is how often you watch TV, and that your comments and actions are beneath the dignity of the office. https://t.co/NvZydYbnyW  Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) July 24, 2017

Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, Jared Kushner released a 3,700-word statement in preparation for his closed testimony in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday regarding last summers Russia meeting.

Later that evening, President Trump delivered a rambling, highly political speech in front of 40,000 Boy Scouts at their annual jamboree. The event was criticized by both politicians and former Boy Scouts, with former acting CIA director John McLaughlin saying that it had the feel of a Third World authoritarians youth rally.

As Scouts, we were taught never to make our service about politics. Scouts are not supposed to appear in uniform at political events.  Ted Genoways (@TedGenoways) July 25, 2017

The Boy Scouts, a nonpartisan organization, defending its invitation to the president, said it was part of a long-standing tradition and is in no way an endorsement of any political party or specific policies.

Trumps rage at Sessions continued on Tuesday, as he raised the question of why he did not fire acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe.

Why didn't A.G. Sessions replace Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, a Comey friend who was in charge of Clinton investigation but got.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

big dollars ($700,000) for his wife's political run from Hillary Clinton and her representatives. Drain the Swamp!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

The money Trump was referring to was given to McCabes wife, Dr. Jill McCabe, in her failed bid for a Virginia State Senate seat in 2015 from Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffes political action committee. It did not come directly from Hillary Clinton.

Later that morning, White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci threatened to fire every staffer in the communications office in order to stop leaks of administration secrets to the press.

Im going to fire everybody, thats how Im going to do it, Scaramucci said. Youre either going to stop leaking or youre going to get fired.

Scaramucci said he was upset as a human being and as a Roman Catholic after, he said, assistant press secretary Michael Short found out about his impending firing from Politico before Scaramucci could inform him personally. The source for the Politico story was Scaramucci himself.

Do you want to sell postcards to the tourists outside the gate or do you want to work in the West Wing? What do you want to do? Scaramucci said, referring to his own staffers. Im gonna put em out on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Meanwhile, reports surfaced late Tuesday evening that Secretary of Energy Rick Perry had spent 22 minutes on the phone with Russian pranksters discussing using cow manure as an energy source. Perry was under the impression he was speaking with the prime minister of Ukraine.

Secretary of Energy Rick Perry during a White House daily briefing, June 27, 2017. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The State Department announced that Secretary Rex Tillerson is on vacation, but a spokesperson refuses to confirm whether hes happy in his role amid rumors that he planned to quit by the end of the year.

Meanwhile on Capitol Hill, Vice President Pence broke a tie in the Senate to allow debate to begin on a bill to repeal Obamacare.

President Trump held a campaign rally in Ohio later that evening, appearing reenergized after a tough few days.

Trump announced that transgender Americans will not be allowed to serve in any capacity in the United States military, in an unexpected series of morning tweets.

After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

.Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming..  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

Whether the approximately 15,000 transgender persons who are already serving in the armed forces will be allowed to remain is unclear. During the press briefing, incoming press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that more details about the policy will be made public as they are decided but that the White House needed to work with the Pentagon to decide how to lawfully implement the policy. The announcement was made while Secretary of Defense James Mattis was on vacation.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arriving at the Capitol, July 20, 2017. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

The announcement was met with resistance from all fronts, with GOP Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, both veterans, and numerous human rights groups all strongly disapproving of the decision. Politico reported that Trump might have been attempting to secure funding for a Mexico border wall by ending a budget debate in Congress over funding transgender surgeries.

Meanwhile on Capitol Hill, the Senate rejected a proposal to repeal Obamacare and replace it within two years with seven senators defecting from the GOP caucus.

Communications director Anthony Scaramucci called into CNNs New Day Thursday morning and spent nearly half an hour addressing a cryptic overnight tweet in which he seemingly blamed chief of staff Reince Priebus for the leak of his financial disclosures to Politico.

Politico reporter Lorraine Woellert, however, said that she obtained Scaramuccis financial information after requesting it through official government channels.

Wow, sorry I slept through all the fun! FWIW, Mr @Scaramucci's Form 278e is publicly available from ExIm. Just ask. https://t.co/Io2ed5IEuj  Lorraine (@Woellert) July 27, 2017

Scaramucci confirmed the tension between himself and Priebus on New Day, saying that their relationship might not be repairable, and comparing it to that of Cain and Abel, the sons of the Biblical Adam and Eve. In Genesis, Cain murders Abel.

White House chief of staff Reince Priebus arrives in the East Room of the White House, July 27, 2017. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP)

When I put out a tweet and I put Reinces name in a tweet, they all make the assumption that its him because journalists know who the leakers are, Scaramucci said. So if Reince wants to explain hes not a leaker, let him do that. But let me tell you about myself. Im a straight shooter and Ill go right to the heart of the matter.

Scaramucci later said that he did not blame Priebus for the leak but rather that he was among a group of senior administration officials working with him to help stop leaks.

It was revealed later in the afternoon that Scaramucci called Ryan Lizza of the New Yorker the night before to demand that Lizza say who revealed his plan to have dinner with the president, the first lady, Sean Hannity and former Fox News executive Bill Shine. When Lizza refused, Scaramucci proceeded to rant about both leaks and other staffers.

Reince is a f***ing paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac, Scaramucci said, apparently still believing that Priebus had leaked his financial disclosures.

Scaramucci then turned his attention to chief strategist Steve Bannon.

Im not Steve Bannon, Im not trying to suck my own c***, he said, accusing Bannon of pursuing too much media attention. Im not trying to build my own brand off the fucking strength of the president. Im here to serve the country.

Later Thursday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions responded to Trumps sharp criticisms of his performance, saying that the presidents insults are hurtful.

Sen. John McCain, R-Az., is pursued by reporters after casting a no vote on a a measure to repeal parts of former President Barack Obamas health care law, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, July 28, 2017. (Photo: Cliff Owen/AP)

Meanwhile on Capitol Hill, Senate Republicans began to negotiate a skinny repeal of Obamacare, targeting only select aspects of the bill that all 52 Republicans can agree to end. McCain dramatically cast the deciding vote against the bill around 2 a.m. Friday morning, joining Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska in opposition.

Christopher Wilson contributed to the reporting of this story.

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:
An Ohio woman has been hospitalized after a boa constrictor she rescued the day before wrapped around her body and latched onto her face, not letting go until emergency responders cut its head off.

The panicked 45-year-old woman called 911 for help, telling the dispatcher I have a boa constrictor stuck to my, my face, she is heard saying in a recording of Thursday's call that was released by authorities.

It wasnt clear how the snake came to attack the woman, but she explained that she rescued two boa constrictors on Wednesday.

The other large serpent was in a cage in her Sheffield Lake home, she said.

Read: Gator Attacks Homeless Man Taking a Bath in Pond: 'It Ate His Toes'

Ive never heard of this before, the dispatcher can be heard saying to emergency responders. I dont even know what...

The boa constrictor, which was about five and a half feet in length, wrapped itself around the womans waist and neck and was biting her nose, she said.

Theres blood everywhere, the woman said in the call. Im on the ground. Im just scared.

Read: Hear 911 Call After Alligator Attacks Swimmer: 'It Completely Bit Her Arm Off!'

When firefighters arrived, the woman was lying in her driveway with the snake wrapped around her, officials said.

Emergency responders were forced to cut off the snakes head with a pocket knife to get it to let go of the womans face.

She was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The woman said she had 11 snakes in all. Aside from the two boa constrictors, they are all ball pythons. Neither species is poisonous.

Watch: Watch Rattlesnake Slither Onto Boat Causing Quite the Scare

Related Articles:
President Trump is flanked by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. Both women held fast in their rejection of the skinny repeal of the ACA. (Photo: Getty Images)

In the wee hours of Friday morning, the Senate rejected the skinny repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), with not only the entire Democratic caucus, but three Republicans  Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and John McCain of Arizona  voting it down.

And while McCains thumbs-down vote certainly came as the most dramatic surprise of the evening  and seems to be garnering the most attention on social media and in the press  it was the steadfast opposition of Collins and Murkowski to any repeal effort involving Planned Parenthood defunding that drove the bills defeat.

Women stopped this bill in its tracks, noted Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, in a statement. Since day one, women have led the opposition, from organizing rallies and marches to flooding congressional town halls and hosting weekly phone banks.

Thats likely because two full pages of the eight-page GOP bill, released at about 11 p.m. on Thursday, were dedicated to barring Planned Parenthood from participating as a Medicaid provider, thus making it ineligible for federal funding in the form of reimbursements  a proposal that became known as its defunding. (There is no direct line item funding Planned Parenthood anywhere in the federal budget.)

Sens. Collins and Murkowski in 2010. (Photo: Getty Images)

Murkowski, in June, made clear that she was committed to supporting Planned Parenthood. That same month, Collins was just as emphatic in noting that it makes absolutely no sense to block Planned Parenthood from Medicaid through efforts folded into the Republican ACA repeal strategy.

In Murkowskis state of Alaska, more than 7,300 people a year rely on the states four Planned Parenthood health centers for their care; its supporters there have held 76 events, made 3,658 phone calls, and delivered 3,169 petition signatures voicing their opposition to defunding over the past few months.

Defunding Planned Parenthood in Alaska  where 34 percent of the states residents live in rural areas, and 22 out of 29 of the states boroughs are without an obstetrician and/or gynecologist  would be devastating for Medicaid recipients in the state, according to an analysis released in early July by Health Management Associates. More than half of women of reproductive age in Alaska are Medicaid beneficiaries, and, concluded the report, if Planned Parenthood health centers in Alaska can no longer take care of Alaskan women, other providers cannot fill the gap.

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In Maine, meanwhile, approximately 10,000 people a year rely on care at the states four Planned Parenthood health centers. In that state, Planned Parenthood supporters held 157 events, made 3,428 phone calls, and delivered 8,459 petitions to save access to their care at Planned Parenthood. Nearly one in three women in Maine of reproductive age relies on Medicaid for care, including birth control and cancer screenings.

Let me be clear that this is not about abortion, Collins noted in her statement on the vote, as posted to Twitter on Friday. This is about interfering with the ability of a woman to choose the health care provider who is right for her. This harmful provision should have no place in legislation that purports to be about restoring patient choices and freedom.

Sixty percent of all Planned Parenthood patients participate in publicly funded safety-net programs. Other notable figures:

In 2016, Planned Parenthood served 2.4 million Americans.

In 238 of the 415 U.S. counties with a Planned Parenthood health center in 2015, Planned Parenthood served at least half of the women obtaining publicly supported contraceptive services from a safety-net health center. One-quarter of all women in need of publicly funded contraceptive services live in these 238 counties.

Though Planned Parenthood clinics comprised just six percent of all publicly funded family planning clinics in 2015, they served 32 percent of all publicly funded contraceptive clients in the U.S. that year.

Bolstering the unwavering support of Planned Parenthood by Murkowski and Collins has been the outpouring of action from the organizations supporters. Over the past several months, according to Planned Parenthood, its supporters have made over 200,000 phone calls to members of Congress; organized more than 2,200 events across the country, including rallies, petition drops, phone banks, and marches; and delivered more than a million petition signatures to members of Congress in opposition to its defunding.

As Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, tells Yahoo Beauty, Women should be secure in the knowledge today that they are standing up for the right thing. Womens health is an economic issue. Unfortunately, I think were going to be fighting this battle for a long time.

But whats also true, Murray continues, is that we are standing here today with a victory because women stood up from day one after the election. They did the obvious things, like phone calls, and tweets, and going to rallies. But they also did the hard things. Its not easy to stand up and tell the story about what happened to you when you needed Planned Parenthood or when your child was sick  but it was women who stood up and told those stories. It was women who were courageous and simply did what they needed to do.

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A team of scientists will today set sail from Australia on a two-month expedition to discover the secrets of the mysterious, largely submerged continent of Zealandia.

With increasingly detailed seafloor maps available, scientists are now wondering what secrets the lost eighth continent, which is about half the size of Australia, holds.

As the drilling expedition gets underway, here is The Telegraph's guide to the mostly hidden landmass.

What and where is Zealandia?

Zealandia is the worlds eighth and smallest continent  and the newest to be discovered.

It is located in the southern Pacific Ocean, including New Zealand, New Caledonia and two Australian islands, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island.

The continent spans 1.9 million square miles but the bulk of it  94 per cent  is under the Pacific Ocean. It is about two-thirds the size of Australia.

Zealandia continent map

Who discovered it?

The continent has been gradually discovered by scientists over the past two decades.

In 1995, American geophysicist Bruce Luyendyk used the name to describe New Zealand, the Chatham Rise, Campbell Plateau and Lord Howe Rise.

At that stage, it was believed to possess three of four attributes needed to qualify as a continent, including rock types which are found on continents rather than on the ocean crust and "the high elevation relative to regions floored by oceanic crust.

Earlier this year, a team of scientists used fresh satellite and mapping data to argue that Zealandia was not a collection of submerged continental fragments but was a unified landmass and therefore should be assigned continent status.

They published their findings in a study titled "Zealandia: Earth's Hidden Continent" in the journal of the Geological Society of America. Their views have been widely accepted.

Descent to Zealandia: A view from the deck of the scientific drillship. Credit: IODP

How did Zealandia form?

The underwater section of Zealandia is believed to have detached from the continent of Australia and sank 60 to 85 million years ago.

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In places off the coast of the Australian state of Queensland, the two continents are only fifteen miles apart. Its crust is relatively thin and ranges in thickness from six to 24 miles.

What is happening on the expedition?

Thirty scientists from the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) are setting out from Australia aboard a large drilling ship to drill into the seafloor to try to understand the history and structure of Zealandia.

The team of international scientists will drill about 1,000 to 2,600 feet into the seafloor at six sites in the Tasman Sea to collect sediment samples  containing fossil evidence - deposited over millions of years.

The aim is to examine tectonic plate shifts which occurred around 50 million years ago, when Australia and New Zealand stopped spreading apart and instead the area between them began to compress.

Were really looking at the best place in the world to understand how plate subduction initiates, according to expedition co-chief scientist Gerald Dickens, professor of Earth, environmental and planetary science at Rice University in Texas.

This expedition will answer a lot of lingering questions about Zealandia.

What does the expedition hope to learn?

The sediment samples will help scientists to understand the history of Zealandia and the cause of the tectonic plate shifts which led to New Zealand and a volcano chain being lifted above the waterline as the Pacific Plate dived downwards some 50 million years ago.

The scientists will also examine ocean and climate patterns to try to understand the relationship between climate change and tectonic shifts.

The initial expedition will run from July 27 to September 26.
(Reuters) - Technology that allows alteration of genes in a human embryo has been used for the first time in the United States, according to Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) in Portland, which carried out the research. The OHSU research is believed to have broken new ground both in the number of embryos experimented upon and by demonstrating it is possible to safely and efficiently correct defective genes that cause inherited diseases, according to Technology Review, which first reported the news. None of the embryos were allowed to develop for more than a few days, according to the report. Some countries have signed a convention prohibiting the practice on concerns it could be used to create so-called designer babies. Results of the peer-reviewed study are expected to be published soon in a scientific journal, according to OHSU spokesman Eric Robinson. The research, led by Shoukhrat Mitalipov, head of OHSU's Center for Embryonic Cell and Gene Therapy, involves a technology known as CRISPR that has opened up new frontiers in genetic medicine because of its ability to modify genes quickly and efficiently. CRISPR works as a type of molecular scissors that can selectively trim away unwanted parts of the genome, and replace it with new stretches of DNA. Scientists in China have published similar studies with mixed results. In December 2015, scientists and ethicists at an international meeting held at the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in Washington said it would be "irresponsible" to use gene editing technology in human embryos for therapeutic purposes, such as to correct genetic diseases, until safety and efficacy issues are resolved. But earlier this year, NAS and the National Academy of Medicine said scientific advances make gene editing in human reproductive cells "a realistic possibility that deserves serious consideration. (Reporting By Deena Beasley; Editing by Michael Perry)
The central confinement chamber used to run plasma experiments. (Photo courtesy of Tri Alpha Energy Inc.)

Google has teamed up with nuclear fusion startup Tri Alpha Energy to bring artificial intelligence into the world of plasma research.

High-energy plasma physics is an experimental field with lots of uncharted areas, so to explore all that unknown territory, researchers from both companies created a machine-learning tool based on whats called the Optometrist Algorithm.

The concept works like an eye exam  researchers are presented with two possible outcomes for the experiment, and asked to choose which results are better.

While an optometrist asks a patient to choose between lens prescriptions based on clarity, our algorithm asks a human expert to choose between plasma settings based on experimental outcomes, the authors explain in a research paper published by Nature Scientific Reports.

Plasma physics is different from optometry, in that there are more than 1,000 parameters to consider. But the principle is the same. The choices that result from the earlier settings for plasma shots are factored into the settings for the shots that follow.

The tool has proven successful. Researchers found that they were able to reduce the amount of energy loss by more than 50 percent and keep the plasma hot.

Results like this might take years to solve without the power of advanced computation to rapidly scale our understanding of the complex properties of plasma, Michl Binderbauer, Tri Alphas president and chief technology officer, said in a news release.

The experiments were run at Tri Alpha Energys facility in Foothill Ranch, Calif., using the companys C-2U plasma confinement machine. Those experiments set new records for confinement time and stability, bringing Tri Alpha closer to a sustainable nuclear fusion reaction.

Since then, Tri Alpha has made the transition to a next-generation, $100 million plasma confinement device thats been named Norman, in honor of Norman Rostoker, the companys late co-founder. The Norman machine achieved its first plasma just last month.

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Tri Alphas investors include Microsoft co-founder Paul Allens Vulcan Capital. The company is just one of several ventures aiming to harness nuclear fusion, the energy process that powers the sun. Commercial fusion power holds the promise of cheap, virtually limitless energy from a source that would be more environmentally friendly than nuclear fission or fossil fuels.

Its a promise also being pursued by General Fusion, a Canadian fusion energy company with backing from Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos.

Over the past couple of years, General Fusion has turned to the public to crowdsource ways to optimize plasma performance. Now its also getting help from big-data experts at Microsoft.

The collaboration, announced at the Microsoft Build conference in Seattle in May, will employ Microsofts cloud-based tools to sift through more than 100 terabytes worth of data collected by General Fusion during 150,000 plasma experiments.

Authors of the paper in Scientific Reports, Achievement of Sustained Net Plasma Heating in a Fusion Experiment With the Optometrist Algorithm, include E.A. Baltz, E. Trask, M. Binderbauer, M. Dikovsky, H. Gota, R. Mendoza, J.C. Platt and P.F. Riley.

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Microsoft is working to help bring broadband internet access to rural Americans.

Old, unused TV signals could soon become the rural broadband of the future  but the TV stations of today have some qualms about the idea.

People have been making claims like this for white spaces connectivity since the early 2000s. But this time around, its Microsoft (MSFT) thats putting its money and influence behind the effort.

And nearly nine years after the Federal Communications Commission approved the concept , that company and other white-spaces advocates can finally start pointing to real-world results.

Surfing on the airwaves

The notion the FCC began studying in 2002 goes like this: Since broadcasters dont use all of the available television airwaves  and since that spectrum, expanded by a recent FCC auction , reaches long distances  lets allow internet providers to use them.

That could deliver downloads of 10 megabits per second or faster up to 10 miles from a transmitter  at half the deployment cost of LTE wireless.

But because those openings arent uniform nationwide, the FCC couldnt simply offer one block of spectrum. Instead, its had to create a database for white-spaces devices to verify theyre limiting themselves to vacant airwaves.

After testing this concept for more than a decade in the U.S. and abroad, Microsoft wants to take it nationwide.

In a July 10 report and a July 11 speech by president and chief legal officer Brad Smith, the company outlined how white-spaces technology can bring broadband to 80% of the 23.4 million rural Americans lacking it by July 4, 2022.

To get there, Microsoft will invest in white-spaces providers, offer free licensing of 39 patents covering the technology, and support digital-skills training from the National 4-H Council and other groups.

As for the remaining 20% of unconnected rural Americans, Microsoft thinks satellite (historically plagued by data caps) suffices for more isolated users, while denser populations merit fiber-optic and fixed-wireless connections.

Microsoft puts this visions capital and initial operating costs at $8 to $12 billion, although its share will be considerably less: It estimates that its direct investments will bring white-spaces broadband to 2 million people by 2022.

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That still amounts to a significant white-spaces endorsement from a big company  something the technology has lacked.

Were now at a point where things have gelled, said Harold Feld, a senior vice president at the tech-policy group Public Knowledge who backs white spaces as the duct tape of rural broadband that can patch gaps in coverage. What you need is something to jump-start it.

A start in Virginia

For on-the-ground proof of this potential, Microsoft points to the test its backed in Charlotte and Halifax counties in southern Virginia .

In that rural area  where OpenSignals crowdsourced coverage map shows spotty LTE even along major roads  Microsoft and partner Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corp. have brought broadband with speeds that are faster than DSL to some 130 households, with faster and more widespread access expected this year. Still, the speeds are below cable internet rates.

Mid-Atlantic Broadband CEO Tad Deriso said those users  whose options before amounted to satellite, dial-up or nothing  had downloads of right around 5 megabits per second from as far as four and a half miles away. Uploads are slower, as happens with most wired broadband outside fiber.

Deriso said that ongoing channel-bonding tweaks should get those speeds as high as 15 to 25 megabits per second. That top number is considered true broadband according to the FCC.

Mid-Atlantic Broadband did get help from public investments in broadband : Twelve of its 16 transmitter sites are at schools with fiber-optic links.

Deriso said the technology has lived up to advance billing in keeping broadband out of the way of TV broadcasts  unlike a test MBCC and another vendor ran a few years earlier.

Its been easy sailing, he said. Weve had no interference issues with the broadcast stations.

The technology will get a bigger test later this year when a partner internet provider, B2X Online , will start selling access. B2X CEO Warren Kane said it will offer three tiers: free access to whitelisted educational sites, $10 a month for downloads up to 2 Mbps, and $40 a month for 5 Mbps or more. While he said hes still deciding what exact speeds to advertise, neither paid service will include a data cap.

Deriso said he sees no other viable broadband system in his firms rural context: Were all-in on this type of technology in our little footprint down here.

Microsofts big request: one more channel

The tricky part of Microsofts agenda is its request that the FCC make one additional white-spaces channel available in major markets.

The National Association of Broadcasters  long skeptics of the white-spaces concept  has not been amused by this. In a press release , spokesman Dennis Wharton called it the height of arrogance and asked why the company hadnt bid on that spectrum in the FCCs recent auction.

Its Microsoft that is asking for something new from the FCC, he said in a follow-up email that noted broadcasters arent seeking new spectrum for their pending conversion to a next-generation TV standard , ATSC 3.0, that will let them offer data services. We vigorously oppose that idea, because of the negative impact on TV broadcasters.

Broadcasters in particular fear that smaller stations that relay network signal to isolated areas will get squeezed out  a point Craig Fugate, a director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under President Obama, made in a Friday op-ed warning that rural residents could miss storm warnings.

Feld said this extra channel wasnt needed in rural areas but would allow economies of scale nationwide  in turn driving down white-spaces equipment costs, today on the order of $800 for a receiver.

That political argument will not be settled quickly. But by the time it does, white-spaces technology should no longer be a blank space on the broadband map.

More from Rob:

Email Rob at rob@robpegoraro.com; follow him on Twitter at @robpegoraro.
For you and I, the upcoming total solar eclipse on August 21st will be a pretty stunning spectacle  as long as the weather cooperates and youre in a position to catch it as it unfolds  but for NASA scientists its also a fantastic opportunity to conduct some research. If youre in the right spot for the eclipse, youll get a fantastic view of the suns corona, and researchers are looking forward to the opportunity to observe and analyze it. But how do you conduct research when the actual eclipse event is so short? Thats a problem NASAs eclipse jets are going to solve.

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In order to get the most out of the eclipse, NASA is planning on flying special research jets along the path of the eclipse in the United States. Equipped with high-powered lenses to view the event, the jets will position themselves within the area of totality, which is the spot on the Earth where the angle allows the moon to fully block out the sun. The jets will fly along a designated course in order to lengthen the observation window by roughly three times what it would normally be.

Even with the jets following the perfect shadow as it moves along, the length of totality will only be around seven minutes. Still, thats a significant bump from the normal observation window, and will provide NASAs scientists with the best opportunity to study the suns outer atmosphere as it glows around the silhouette of the moon.

If youre not a NASA scientist and still want to know where and when to check out the eclipse for yourself, theres a handy web tool for just that purpose.

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A pipette injects CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tools into a mouse embryo. Oregon researchers have reportedly conducted similar experiments using human embryos. (University of Utah Health Sciences Photo)

Chinese researchers crossed a threshold last year when they used CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tools to modify human embryos, and now Oregon researchers have reportedly crossed it as well.

A report in MIT Technology Review suggests that the team at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland improved upon the results from China by modifying embryos earlier in their development.

OHSU confirmed that a study was in the works, but said there was nothing more to share at this time.

Results of the peer-reviewed study are expected to be published soon in a scientific journal, OHSU spokesman Erik Robinson said in an email to GeekWire.

Genetic experiments with embryos are controversial because they could involve changing the human genetic code in ways that can be passed along to a persons progeny. That raises the prospect of creating subspecies of genetically modified humans with enhanced traits.

What could possibly go wrong?

In recent years, CRISPR-Cas9 and other gene-editing techniques have revolutionized biology because they make it much easier to splice in or remove targeted strings of genetic code. Extending the technology to the human genome could bring great benefits, said Charles Murry, director of the Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

The implications are very large, because it gives us the ability to permanently eradicate a genetic disease from a familys pedigree, he said in a UW Medicine video. As a physician, thats something thats extremely exciting to me.

However, the procedure isnt perfect: The Chinese researchers reported off-target effects and a high incidence of mosaicism  that is, a mishmash of cells, some with the altered genetic coding and some without.

The Tech Review report quoted unidentified sources as saying that the OHSU researchers, led by Shoukhrat Mitalipov, headed off those problems by injecting human eggs with the CRISPR molecular tools simultaneously with in-vitro fertilization.

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Oregon Health and Science Universitys Shoukhrat Mitalipov heads the research team. (OHSU Photo)

The sperm for the experiments came from men who had a genetic defect. The aim of the experiments was to see whether CRISPR could correct the defect, which went unspecified in Tech Reviews report.

The embryos were reportedly allowed to develop for no more than a few days.

Most countries, including the United States, have banned the implantation of genetically modified human embryos to produce a pregnancy. In 2015, the National Institutes of Health said it wouldnt fund gene-editing research on human embryos. Its legal to conduct such research for purposes that dont involve making babies, but the ethical questions are the subject of sharp debate.

This February, a scientific advisory group convened by the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine said that heritable genome-editing research trials might be permitted, but only following much more research.

Murry said the research raises deep philosophical concerns, as well as medical qualms.

Its a very profound thing when humans begin to rewrite our own genetic code, he said. And there are all kinds of chances to not only make corrections as we edit, but to make new mistakes as we edit.  We may inadvertently create problems in our attempt to solve others.

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We can all sleep a little easier tonight: Tesla and Consumer Reports have kissed and made up.

The relationship between the ratings magazine and the electric car company led by serial entrepreneur Elon Musk hit a rough patch in April, following Tesla's decision in the fall of 2016 to disable automatic emergency braking on Model S and Model X vehicles equipped with Autopilot 2 hardware. (Cars equipped with first-generation Autopilot hardware, however, retained the feature.)

At the time, Tesla said that it was improving the software for Autopilot 2 vehicles to ensure that AEB worked properly, and the company planned to re-enable the feature before January 1, 2017. Unfortunately, that deadline came and went, and as of April, there was still no sign of the AEB software rollout.

And so, given Consumer Reports' firm belief that AEB saves lives, the magazine took action. On April 21, it told Tesla representatives that it was planning to lower its ratings for both the Model S and Model X due to the software's absence.

Tesla responded quickly. Five days later, on April 26, the company issued an over-the-air update for Autopilot 2 software, reinstating AEB as a standard feature.

Unfortunately, the update only allowed AEB to function at speeds of 28 mph or lower. Meanwhile, AEB on Tesla vehicles built before Autopilot 2 rolled out in October 2016 continued to function at speeds up to 90 mph.

A more recent software update put Autopilot 2 vehicle on equal footing (or braking) with their predecessors. And so, Consumer Reports has now fully restored the Tesla Model S to its perch as the top-rated ultra-luxury sedan in America.

But what about the Model X? It's regained a few points thanks to the upgrade, but it still sits near the bottom of Consumer Reports' ratings for high-end SUVs. Like many reviewers, CR dislikes the Model X's gullwing doors, which are slow to open and close. The magazine also notes that reliability ratings for the Model X fall "well below average."
Two new specials premiering Friday on Discovery drive home the heart of shark research and Shark Week: Were trying to learn where these sharks are going, and the reason being is that in some locations, sharks are protected and in other locations, sharks arent, marine biologist Dr. Craig OConnell says. The fact is, we know where those boundaries are, but the sharks dont.

In African Shark Safari (9 p.m.), OConnell and renowned underwater cinematographer Andy Casagrande want to find out where great whites go when they migrate away from South Africa every year. As seen in the sneak peek above, they work to identify and tag large female whites, which are known historically to make the longest journeys, and ultimately discover that two swim more than 2,000 miles to Madagascar. They then set out to capture the first footage of a great white in the waters there, proof necessary to begin lobbying for protection in that country.

In Lair of the Sawfish (10 p.m.), marine biologist Luke Tipple heads to Southern Florida for a similar reason: Sawfish, which are named for their long, toothed nose and can grow up to 18 feet, are a critically endangered species. Together with local experts, he wants to help tag and study juvenile sawfish in the shallows of their mangrove nursery and, in the hours most intense sequences, dive to deep-sea shipwrecks in the hope of filming the even more elusive adults.

As you see in the clip above, a dive to a small wreck at 110 feet is treacherous enough  on the way back up, Tipple and his team are mid-mandatory decompression stop when an 11-foot tiger shark spots them. But its the 230-foot descent to the Queen of Nassau wreck that is the most dangerous. The special is dedicated to Rob Stewart, the famed Canadian conservationist and filmmaker who died last January after a dive in which he, too, sought to film sawfish there. Capturing images of an adult sawfish at the wreck is crucial evidence that the species returns there seasonally. What makes it so difficult? For most of their descents, Tipple and his team of technical divers have only 10 minutes to explore the wreck before they must begin the hour-long journey back to the surface with all the necessary safety stops.

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While that is believed to be the deepest dive in Shark Week history, OConnell and Casagrande also make some history of their own in their special. As the clip above reveals, they are likely the first people to ever dive in these remote waters off Madagascar.

Not knowing what youre going to see when you go into the water is both equally exciting and equally terrifying, because you could be going in the water in a shark-infested spot in Madagascar that no one ever went in and you dont know how the sharks are going to respond, OConnell says. We didnt have a cage when we were there, so we were just going in and exploring. Yes, its also a little nerve-racking, but it is the opportunity of a lifetime, definitely an experience that Id never trade in for anything else.

As viewers will see in the special, OConnell finds a set of great white jaws at a market in Madagascar first. That was a very sad moment, he says. Andy was doing an interview back at the hotel, and I was walking through the town to go to the fish market to see what all came in. And as I was walking through the town, I saw these jaws. They were very old, a lot of the teeth were broken. I dont think I ever ran so fast in my life, back to get the film crew to show them theres direct evidence right here [that great whites are in those waters]. That was something that opened our eyes and gave us a lot more motivation to go out there and see if theres any living white sharks in Madagascar.

At the risk of spoiling the end of their journey, its important to note that they did see one great white there that was alive and healthy. So that means that theres still hope. We can still go out and try to protect these animals before its too late. Thats what were going to do, OConnell says. Although hes a little nervous to return to Madagascar himself after a horrendous infection almost forced him to have his leg removed, hes teamed up with a nonprofit there. The lead scientists there are going to be taking some of our findings and making an informative, educational poster about what a white shark is so that people can see it, understand why its important, and take the proper steps to try and conserve it, he says. Which means if they catch one, they let it go.

Shark Week continues through July 30 on Discovery.

Read more from Yahoo TV:
Three days have passed since Abed al-Fatah Abu Halal, an Egged bus driver from Ar'ara, was stabbed in Petah Tikva by a Palestinian terrorist, and according to his family, no one from the government or the Knesset made any contact with him or came to visit him at the hospital.

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"No one spoke to us, not even once, maybe because he is an Arab," said Abu Halal's brother Thursday.

Abed al-Fatah Abu Halal (R) and his brother (Photo: Avi Hai)

Abu Halal, 32, who was moderately wounded and still hospitalized at Rabin Medical Center, away from his wife and two young children, recounted the day when the harrowing events transpired.

After stopping for his lunch break, Abu Halal decided to eat at the shawarma stand. "I usually only order the food as takeout and continue to work, but I saw that I had time and decided to sit down and eat like a human being," he said.

The shawarma stand where the he was stabbed is located near the Central Bus Station, a place frequented by Abu Halal many times.

The shawarma stand where the attack took place (Photo: Kobi Richter/TPS)

"I sat there and saw him (the terroristed) come in, but I did not expect anything," he said. "You do not look at people and wonder if they will stab you or not ... He sat behind me, ordering food.

"After about three minutes, he suddenly attacked me and I did not understand what was happening. It took me a few minutes to process what had happened."

The scene of the attack (Photo: AP)

Abu Halal was stabbed in the neck and shoulder from behind. He and the terrorist had no exchange of words before the attack.

"I sat and ate, my back was to him, and suddenly he just stabbed me. That's all. I never thought such a thing could happen," he added.

On the day of the attack, the police said that it was apparently a case of mistaken identity, since the terrorist wanted to murder a Jewish man.

Abu Halal's brother, Mahmoud, criticized the elected officials who he claims ignored his brother and did not visit him after he was stabbed.

Mahmoud Abu Halal (Photo: Avi Hai)

"I want him to receive support from public figures, I want him to be recognized," Mahmoud said. "No one, neither from the government nor from the Knesset, spoke to us, not even one conversation," the brother said angrily. "We did not get anything. We were just us alone. And my question is 'why do they not come'. Maybe because he is an Arab citizen?"

The brother asked, however, to thank the people who supported and encouraged them at these difficult times, especially the "Egged family for their support and encouragement."

"I would also like to thank Beilinson Hospital (Rabin Medical Center) for all their support and assistance from the moment they received my brother until now," Mahmoud added.
- He was charged on three accounts of conflict of interest

- The suspension is to run from Thursday July 27, 2017

Get all the latest news in Ghana

Chief Justice and head of the General Legal Council, Sophia Akuffo

READ ALSO: Road minister blames contractors for shoddy work

The General Legal Council has announced the suspension of lawyer Kwasi Afrifa. It is scheduled to span for four (4) years, and starts from retrospectively from Thursday July 27, 2017.

Afrifa was charged with three counts per Rule 5 (10) of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 1969 L.I. 613. All the three counts related to identified cases of conflict of interest.

With the first count, he initially acted as counsel for Dr. Emelia Timpo, in a matter of securing a probate for his client. This was in relation to her mothers estate. He also assisted her to obtain Letters of Administration in respect of the same estate.

READ ALSO: Vivian Jill Lawrence steps out with her beautiful kids

He then turned around to act for the other party, her brother Nana Kwamina Apreh Ackah in against his (now former) plaintiff over property that formed part of the same estate.

In the second case, he acted on behalf of one Kodwo Ackah, in a bid to get a tenant evicted. He then turned around only to represent the same tenant against his former tenant, in matters of the same estate.

In the third case, lawyer Kwasi Afrifa was charged under Rule 9 (4) of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 1969 L.I. 613 in a civil matter in which he initiated a bid to evict a tenant, and subsequently turned around to represent the defendants in that same case.

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The council has convicted him on all three counts.

He has therefore been barred from presenting himself as a lawyer until the expiration of the sentence. He is neither expected to attend chambers nor attempt to provide any form of legal service to any member(s) of the public for a fee.

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Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life!
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 []
Nairobi County governor Dr Evans Kidero has moved to court seeking to stop the Capital Markets Authority from probing his bank accounts.

He has sued the CMA, its boss Paul Muthaura, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General.

The governor wants the court to bar CMA from investigating his bank accounts for the period 2006-16, including the time he was the boss of Mumias Sugar Company.

In his court documents, Kidero argues that the move to look into his personal accounts is aimed at intimidating him, terming the move as political harassment using government agencies to humiliate as well as degrade him in the eyes of his would be voters.

CMA has illegally, unilaterally, in a blatant show of bad faith and in a politically orchestrated move made a decision to allegedly investigate all his personal bank accounts, Kidero said through his lawyer Prof Tom Ojienda.

In March last year, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) was barred from investigating Kideros personal bank accounts.

The anti-graft body wanted to investigate the accounts for alleged economic crimes.

Additional Reporting by The Star
India-based HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd (HCG) has partnered with Cancer Care Kenya Ltd (CCK) and MP Shah Hospital to invest $6.25 million (Sh643 million) in a cancer centre in Nairobi.

The Indian firm will have a 77.6 per cent stake in the facility while MP Shah Hospital will have 10 per cent with other partners controlling 12.4 per cent, reports Business Daily.

The facility will occupy two floors of the upcoming MP Shah Hospital complex in Parklands, Nairobi.

The eight-storey building will house oncology wards, physiotherapy and maternity units with an expected capacity of between 100 and 300 beds.
Is there any sector Safaricom will not put its tentacles into? Apparently not.

Months ago, they drove into the taxi business when it became apparent that Uber was doing well and that there was money to be made. Partnering with a local company, they launched Little Cabs.

That was only the most publicized of their side projects, but in reality the giant telecom has been accused of stealing and implementing many ideas in diverse sectors.

Now, according to Techweez, Safaricom is about to enter the e-commerce business, coming for the piece of the pie currently dominated by Jumia and Kilimall.

The mobile service provider is set to launch an e-commerce platform, reportedly going by the name Masoko.

Obviously they will try to improve on the services currently on offer, and being the deep pocketed corporation that they are, the certainly can. The most obvious way to improve on current e-commerce offerings is by making a major leap on the logistics side. This is especially true if they will allow small businesspeople to sell on the site. Because if you have to meet with your customer at an alley in Nairobi to deliver your good, then you can as well sell on Facebook or OLX.

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One of the reasons e-commerce adoption has been slow, especially C2C is the lack of supporting infrastructure like drop-off points/offices in both small and large towns. While the likes of Kilimall can deliver a product to your doorstep, it is the first part of this chain that makes selling difficult. How will the seller deliver it to Kilimall in a cost effective way?

Hopefully, Safaricoms deep pockets can solve this puzzle.

According to reports, internal testing of Masoko.co.ke started yesterday (Thursday 27), with a 50% off on fashion items for employees. The public roll-out is expected in August.

According to an insider, this new e-commerce platform is for the main purpose of boosting the Lipa na Mpesa payment platform. But Im sure they wouldnt mind the extra shilling that might come with it.

Safaricom may be approaching Sh1 Trillion in market capitalization, but whether they are ready to pour in enough cash for this to be a Jumia-killer remains to be seen. This is considering Jumia has spent a few billions since launch, mostly in advertising.
Dr Evans Kidero has claimed that his five-year tenure was frustrated by a senator who did not know his roles.

Speaking at Uhuru Park on Wednesday, the governor said that he would have accomplished more were it not for an incompetent senator.

The Senator did not understand what his roles were because of incompetence. People like Kimani Wamatangi, Bonny Khalwale and Anyang Nyongo knew what the role of a senator entailed and they will probably go down as the best senators in the last parliament, said Dr Kidero while meeting the Teso community in Nairobi.

Kidero further criticized Sonko-Igathe manifesto, claiming that it is unrealistic and impossible to implement.

It is not realistic. This coming year through the revenue sharing formula we are getting Sh13.5 billion and another Sh2 billion for the programmes from the national government mainly in health as conditional grant. Salaries currently is Sh1.3 billion after the salary review will now go to Sh1.5 billion. How will they fund their operations? he posed.

He also claimed Mr Sonkos manifesto was copied from his strategic plan.

It is all copied from ours. Tell me what is different from ours? The only difference is that they do not understand the job they supposedly want to do, he said.
Brewery executive Kosuke Kuji brought his best sake to a New York booze showcase 16 years ago hoping to promote high-end Japanese rice wine to a new generation of sophisticated foreign drinkers. They were a little disappointed.

It wasnt that sake from his Nanbu-Bijin brewery failed to live up to its rating back home as Junmai-Daiginjo, the name given to premium grade vintages. But for aficionados of traditional grape-based wines, the local appellation that produces the main ingredient can be almost as important as the final product  think Napa Valley in California, Bordeaux in France, or Chianti in Italy.

Back in 2001, most of the rice used in Nanbu-Bijin sake came from the prefecture of Hyogo. Thats 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) south of where the beverage was made in Iwate, on the northern tip of Japans main island of Honshu. So when a sommelier at the New York event learned from Kuji where the ingredients came from, the American wine expert seemed let down that the sake wasnt a more artisanal product.

He wanted sake made from locally grown rice, just as he likes wine out of its vineyard, Kuji, the 45-year-old president of Nanbu-Bijin, said in an interview at his brewery in Ninohe City.

For Kuji, the experience showed the importance of whats known in the wine-making world as terroir. Its a word that the industry uses as a mark of unique regional characteristics and farming practices. The designation also can enhance the value and the appeal of different vintages.

After he got home to Japan, Kuji began a collaboration with farmers in Iwate to develop and produce a rice variety exclusively for the family-run brewery. Now, about a third of Nanbu-Bijin sake is made from local grain  just in time for a surge in Japanese exports that is helping to offset a drop in domestic consumption.

Last year, Nanbu-Bijin generated about 100 million yen ($903,000) in foreign sales, amounting to 15 percent of its total revenue. Shipments were made to 34 markets, including the U.S., France, China and Nigeria. Thats up from zero two decades ago, and Kuji says hes targeting 30 percent of sales in five years.

In overseas markets, consumers who love to drink wine also show interest in tasting sake, Kuji said.

Sake is becoming more appealing to wine fans outside of Japan, Kuji said. But to keep winning converts, the industry needs to adopt the terminology and promotional techniques of traditional vintners, he said. One example would be developing pairings with specific foods, kind of like how wine makers pitch reds with meat and whites with fish.

When I drink a glass of sake, I can think of the best French food to have with it, said Olivier Huet, a 45-year-old Frenchman who was qualified as a sake sommelier in 2015 by Sake Service Institute in Tokyo. As Europeans love to have sushi and white wine, they should want to try sake with cheese.

Kuji isnt alone. Brewers across Japan are looking to boost foreign sales and are shifting the way they make and sell sake, particularly in the northeast region known as Tohoku, the largest rice-growing region and a major sake producer.

The Agriculture Ministry began a Tohoku Sake Terroir Project that matches brewers and farmers to develop new products. The program is intended to help revitalize a region hit hard by the record earthquake and tsunami that caused a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant in 2011.

Domestic consumption of rice and sake has been declining as Japans population ages and the number of people in the country shrinks. Consumers also are eating more Western foods. To support domestic farmers, the government set a target in 2013 of more than quadrupling exports of rice and rice-based products to 60 billion yen by 2020.

In the 12 months through March 2016, sake consumption in Japan was 556 million liters, down 67 percent from a peak in 1976 of 1.68 billion liters, according to the National Tax Agency. Rice demand is down 37 percent at 8.41 million tons, compared with the peak in 1963, according to the Agriculture Ministry.

Sake exports expanded 156 percent to a record 15.6 billion yen in 2016 from 6.1 billion yen a decade earlier, government data show. The U.S. was the largest importer last year at 5.2 billion yen, followed by Hong Kong and South Korea. In the same period, rice exports rose to 2.7 billion yen from 1.2 billion yen.

Shipments of alcohol could keep growing after Japan and the European Union agreed this month to eliminate tariffs on imports of sake and wine in bilateral trade talks. Japan imposes a 15 percent, or 125 yen-per-liter, tax on wine imports, while the EU levy on sake is a maximum 7.7 euro-per-100 liters.

While exports in 2016 rose to a record for a seventh straight year, foreign sales of sake remain a small portion of total demand. This year, sales in Japan will be 516.3 million liters, according to data from researcher Euromonitor International. The global wine market is 55 times larger.

In an attempt to narrow the gap, sake brewers are developing alternative drinks, including a sparkling wine called Awasake. Kuji and eight other brewers established the Japan Awasake Association in November to promote the bubbly concoction. The group also set strict quality standards, including the use of only Japanese rice.

At the worlds biggest sake competition in Tokyo last month, Nanbu-Bijins Awasake was voted the best sparkling drink among 1,730 bottles, including 22 made by overseas brewers.

As a drink for toasts, sake lagged behind wine and beer for a long time, said Yuzo Kuji, Nanbu-Bijins managing director. We have finally succeeded in developing the product that can be substituted for them.

Rising sake exports are a potential lifesaver to Japanese rice farmers. The government will end state control of rice production at the end of this fiscal year. The change could mean too much supply and lower prices, so growers need more outlets to sell, said Ryoichi Itsukaichi, a 60-year-old farmer in Ninohe.

We can sell sake-rice at prices more than 10 percent higher than ordinary food varieties, said Itsukaichi, who heads the group of farmers who supply Nanbu-Bijin with the Ginotome rice they grow on 11-hectare paddies. We are lucky. We can grow rice for award-winning sake.
AMERICAN CANYON COMMUNITY CHURCH

Worship at 10 a.m. Programs for children and youth during worship service. 2 Andrew Road, American Canyon.

ARBOR ALLIANCE

Join us Sundays at 5 p.m. Why 5 p.m. worship? It is a good time for busy people and young families. Kids church and nursery available. 721 Trancas St., Napa. thearborchurch.org; 530-304-4704.

BEIT ABBA

Messianic Jewish ministry of The Fathers House is held the first and third Friday of each month at 7 p.m. Child care provided for ages infant to 7 years old. 2557 Napa Valley Corporate Drive, Napa. tfh.org/beitabba.

CARMELITE MONASTERY

Mass times: Sunday, 9 a.m.; Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. (except for the first Saturday of the month, Mass will be at 11 a.m.). Morning of recollection every first Saturday of the month: Spiritual Talk, 9-10 a.m.; Confessions, 10-11 a.m.; Mass, 11 a.m. Bible study, on Tuesdays with Father Michael Buckley: Tuesdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. following the 8 a.m. Mass (contact the office to confirm time and day at 944-2454, ext. 103). Confessions-English: Monday, Wednesday, Friday; 10 a.m.-noon, 3-5 p.m., 8-9 p.m. Confessions-Spanish: Wednesday, 10 a.m.-noon, 3-5 p.m., 8-9 p.m. The 39th Annual Carmelite Benefit Dinner will be held on Sunday, Sept. 10. 944-2454; oakvillecarmelites.org.

CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING

Services are 9 and 10:30 a.m. with Youth Program and Teen Group at 10:30. Rev. Jay Langs topic is Reclusive or Inclusive. The Center is supporting CRUSH MS on Saturday from 3-6 p.m. at Reid Family Vineyard in Napa for Julys Compassion in Action. The Spiritual Mens Group meets Aug. 5, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Spiritual Cinema Night Aug. 11 will feature What Dreams May Come at 7 p.m. Mindful Living Workshop, led by Lanna Cairns, author of Mindful Living, will be held Aug. 20 at 12:30 p.m. Ongoing activities include Course in Miracles Tuesdays, 6:15-8:15 p.m. and Open Meditation Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. 1249 Coombs St., Napa; 252-4847.

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH

Sunday service and Sunday school for youths up to age 20 at 10 a.m. The Wednesday evening service is at 7:30. Child care provided at all services. New hours for the Reading Room, located in our church building, open to the public weekdays except Wednesdays, 1-4 p.m. All current Christian Science literature, including the writings of Mary Baker Eddy and the renowned Christian Science Monitor, are available to all to read or purchase; 2210 Second St., Napa; 255-5255; christiansciencenapa.com.

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, NAPA  SECOND WARD

Sacrament meeting is each Sunday at 10 a.m., followed by Sunday School at 11:15 and Priesthood and Relief Society at 12:10 p.m. Young mens and young womens programs are on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Corner of Trower Avenue and Dry Creek Road, Napa. 224-6496.

COMMUNITY CHURCH OF LAKE BERRYESSA

Join us as we examine the teachings of Christ and his followers and see how these teachings guide our lives today. We are a non-denominational Christian church welcoming all to enjoy the eternal life changing power of Jesus Christ. A weekly food distribution is available along with groups and activities. 6008 Steele Canyon Road at Moskowite Corners, Napa. 252-4488.

CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM

We welcome the community to join Shabbat services on Friday, July 28. At 5:30 p.m., we will enjoy pre-Oneg conversation and nosh followed by Worship Services. Sunday, July 30, from 10 a.m. to noon, join us at a Community Bagel-Blintz Brunch Fundraiser to support THE TABLE-feeding hungry people in Napa. Wednesday, Aug. 2 meet with our new Spiritual leader Rabbi Niles Goldstein from 11:45 to 1:00 as he shares his vision for the future of Congregation Beth Shalom. 1455 Elm Street, Napa, 253-7305, cbsnapa.org.

CORNERSTONE MINISTRIES

Sunday service is at 10:15 a.m. Spanish Church begins at 1:30 p.m. Sunday school and childcare are available at both services. Our midweek service is at 6:30 on Wednesday nights. There is childcare and childrens activities at this service. Middle school and high school study meets on Wednesday nights as well at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. On Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., Freedom From Bondage meets in our Youth Room. 3305 Linda Vista Ave., Napa; 252-2909. cmnv.org.

COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

At 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary, Rev. Lynda Hyland Burris and liturgist Peg Cann will lead the service. Texts for the day include words from Chapter 13 of Matthew. Rev. Burris has entitled her sermon Hide and Seek. Special music by Napa Valley Threshold Choir. cpcnapa.org, facebook.com/cpcnapa. 1226 Salvador Avenue, Napa.

CREEKSIDE COMMUNITY CHURCH

Join us for Sunday services at 9 and 10 a.m. Childrens programs during the 10 a.m. service. On Wednesdays at noon and 6 p.m. CrossWalk Talk, come and talk about some of the most provocative themes from the book, The Shack. Your faith will stretch. Visit us; our primary mission is to usher people into a growing, life-enhancing, world-improving relationship with God. 1050 Hagen Road, Napa. CreeksideChurchNapa.org; 255-7266.

CROSSWALK COMMUNITY CHURCH

Join us on Sundays at 10 a.m. for services in the courtyard. Childrens programs also available during the service. Meet with Pastor Pete on Wednesday at noon in his office for continued discussion of Poverty in America. 2590 First Street, 226-1812.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

This Sunday, Dennis Nichols of William Jessup University delivers his message The God of all Comfort. Sunday services are at 8:45 and 10:30 am. 2659 First Street, Napa. fccnapa.org.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Please join us this Sunday. Two services: 9 a.m., with special music by Tom Flesher, and 10:30 a.m., with praise music led by Florida Stringer. Travis Lodes, our Youth Pastor, will be preaching at both services and his sermon topic will be Heres the Truth, I Dare You to Live It. Scripture reference will be James 2:14-26. After both services, in our Welcome Center, there will be coffee and treats. Childcare for newborn to age 5 is available all morning. Sunday School: Friendship Class meets at 10; class for kindergarten through grade 5 will meet at 10:30 a.m. 1333 Third St., 224-8693, fpcnapa.org.

GRACE CHURCH OF NAPA VALLEY

Sunday services: Worship service at 9 a.m. and 10:40 a.m. Adult Sunday school classes at 9 a.m. Childrens service at 9 and 10:40 a.m. Nursery and preschool care available. Junior high ministry meets Tuesday, 7 p.m.; high school meets Wednesday at 7 p.m. at 3765 Solano Ave., Napa. 255-4033, GraceNapa.org.

HIGHLANDS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

We continue a six-week teaching series titled Vision. What could the church be? What should the church be? Where is the church going and how do we get there? We hope to bring clarity to some of these questions as we chart a new direction. If youre a regular church attendee, never been or maybe its just been awhile, we invite you to come join us this Sunday and start the adventure with us at 10:30 a.m. Spanish speaking service on Sunday evenings starting at 6:30 and an Alcoholics Anonymous group that meets weekly on Monday and Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. 970 Petrified Forest Road, Calistoga.

HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

We meet at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at 100 Anderson Road, Napa. 255-3036; hccnapa.com.

HOLY FAMILY PARISH

Holy Mass is celebrated at 9 a.m. on Sundays and in the traditional Tridentine Latin (Extraordinary) form of the Roman Rite, according to the 1962 Missal, at noon. Before Low Masses there is a recitation of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 11:30 a.m. Confession is available after every Low Mass. Holy Family Parish is a Catholic mission-parish of St. Joan of Arc in Younvtille. 1241 Niebaum Lane, Rutherford. 944-2461.

HOLY GROUND CHRISTIAN CENTER

Sunday worship begins at 10 a.m., and Bible study is Wednesday at 7 p.m. 3860 Broadway, Suite 111, American Canyon. 373-2015.

LIVING VINE CHURCH

We meet every Sunday morning at 10. 3305 Linda Vista Avenue, Napa. 226-5551.

MEMORIAL CHAPEL AT VETERANS HOME OF CALIFORNIA, YOUNTVILLE

Sunday worship service, 10:15 a.m. Coffee fellowship one hour before service. Bible study on Wednesday at 1 p.m., Fellowship Room, with refreshments served; prayer meetings Thursday at 1 p.m. The memorial chapel is on the Veterans Home at Yountville campus on California Drive, across from the administration building. 944-4840.

MONT LA SALLE CHAPEL

Roman Catholic liturgical services are open to all in this chapel of the De la Salle Christian Brothers at 4401 Redwood Road, Napa. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 11 a.m.

NAPA COMMUNITY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

Guest speaker Rajeev Sigamoney, a professor of Visual Arts at Pacific Union College, will be presenting To Wrestle with God this coming Sabbath, July 29 for the worship service at 11:15 a.m. napacomm.com, 1105 G Street, 252-2444.

NAPA METHODIST CHURCH

We are a progressive and reconciling church, where all are welcome. Two Sunday morning services: 9:30 a.m. Sanctuary service and an 11 a.m. modern-style Fusion Worship service held in the Asbury Room. Childrens Worship and Nursery are available during both services. Silent Meditation is Mondays at 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The Labyrinth, located on the Fourth Street side of the Bonner Building and accessed through the Asbury Room, is available during office hours. 625 Randolph Street. 253-1411, napamethodist.org.

NAPA-SONOMA FRIENDS MEETING (QUAKERS)

Sunday worship at 10 a.m. Silent meeting in the custom of Friends. Meet at the VOICES Youth Center, 780 Lincoln Ave., Napa. Enter at parking lot on left side of building, using door at end of wheelchair ramp. Quaker signs will be posted on Sunday mornings. We welcome visiting friends or those who are new to Quaker practice. nvquaker@gmail.com; 253-1505.

NAPA VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH

Join us Sundays at 9:30 a.m. for Bible Study for all ages, 10:30 a.m. for worship service and a fun, interactive and energetic childrens program for preschool through fifth grade. Nursery provided for all Sunday services. Sunday evenings at 5 p.m., join us for A Study in Revelation with Steve McCoy. Steve will guide you verse by verse through the book of Revelation. Learn all about what the Bible says about the end times and what it means. The public is invited. 303 Trower Ave., Napa. napavalleybaptist.org; 252-2100.

NAPA VALLEY BIBLE CHAPEL

Special guest Clay Berry, an elder at Vista Bible Chapel in San Diego County, will speak at 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 30. We start Sunday services by remembering the Lords death, burial and resurrection during a time of worship and thanksgiving at 9:30 a.m., followed by a fellowship and coffee time starting at 10:30 a.m. At 11 a.m., we enjoy a time of Bible teaching. On Wednesdays at 6 p.m., we meet for a brief Bible study and a time of prayer. A Christian movie night is being held at a home in downtown Napa at 6 p.m. on Fridays throughout the summer. 1559 Second Street, Napa. napavalleybiblechapel.com.

NAPA VALLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH

In spite of the difficulties of this life, one thing more than anything else gives us reason to smile every day: Hope. Do you need a little more hope and joy in your life this week? Join us this Sunday at 10 a.m. as we open Gods Word and get a message of great joy. 4149 Linda Vista Ave., Napa. NapaValleyChurch.org. NVCC is a ministry of the Christian Reformed Church.

NAPA VALLEY LUTHERAN

Sunday worship at 10 a.m. Fellowship time follows. All are welcome because all belong to God. The church is located at the corner of Jefferson and Elm, Napa. 226-8166; napavalleylutheran.org.

NAPA VALLEY UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS

July 30, 10 a.m. Summer Awe Traditional Service with Rev. Christian Schmidt and Service Assistant Rainer Hoenicke. During this service well use the eyes of our hearts to look deep into the wonders of nature and marvel at all we can and cannot understand.Infant care, child care, and religious education provided. 1625 Salvador Ave., Napa; nvuu.org; 226-9220.

NEW LIFE TABERNACLE

Sunday school at 10 a.m., followed by worship service at 11 a.m. Sunday evening service the first Sunday of every month. Bible study on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. 2625 First St., Napa. 255-1062; NewLifeNapa.com.

ST. APOLLINARIS CATHOLIC CHURCH

Join us each third Saturday at the crossroads of faith and culture. 3700 Lassen St. Napa. 257-2555.

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

St. John the Baptist Church holds daily masses in English at 7:30 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. Weekend masses are Saturday at 5 p.m. (English) and 7 p.m. (Spanish) and Sunday 8 a.m. (Spanish), 10 a.m. (English), noon (Spanish), and 5 p.m. (English). Wednesday evening mass at 7 (Spanish). Corner of Caymus and Yajome in downtown Napa.

ST. JOHNS LUTHERAN CHURCH

Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Childrens Church during the 10:15 a.m. service. 3521 Linda Vista Ave., Napa. 255-0119; StJohnsLutheran.net.

ST. MARYS EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Worship on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. or Sundays at 8 a.m. or 10 a.m. (organ and choir). Childrens Chapel (Sunday school) is at 9:50 a.m. Sunday. Nursery care is provided during the 10 a.m. service. Coffee hour follows the worship services on Sunday. 1917 Third St., Napa. 255-0991; StMarysNapa.org.

ST. STEPHENS ANGLICAN EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Sundays at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., sing using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. Refreshments and social time after the 10:30 service. Evensong and Bible Study Wednesdays at 6 p.m. 1250 Oakville Grade, Oakville. 944-8915; ststephensoakville.org.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH

Mass times are Saturday at 4 p.m. (English), Sunday at 8 a.m. (English), 11 a.m. (English) and 1:30 p.m. (Spanish). Daily mass is at 9 a.m., except on the first Friday, which is at noon and in English. 2725 Elm St., Napa. 255-2949; stthomasaquinasnapa.com.

SALVATION ARMY

Join us for services Sundays at 10 a.m. 590 Franklin St., Napa. napasalarmy.org.

THE FATHERS HOUSE

Service times are Saturday at 6 p.m., and Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m. Child care and Kids Church are available (ages infant through sixth grade). Youth ministry Encounter meets every Wednesday night at 7. Celebrate Recovery meets on Monday nights at 6:30. 2557 Napa Valley Corporate Drive, Napa. tfh.org.

UNITY SPIRITUAL CENTER IN NAPA VALLEY

Sunday, July 30, We are happy to welcome back Revs. Sonya and Hal Milton as our guest speakers this week. Her message title is The Wilderness Experience. Their message title is What is Spirit, Who is God?A dialogue with Revs. Hal & Sonya Milton. Long time Unity Minsters Revs. Hal and Sonya Milton will explore and discuss how we experience what we call Spirit or God. Our Sunday Service music is selected and performed by Lon Eakes. Sunday Service and Forum held at the historic Grange Hall, 3275 Hagen Road (1/2 mile east of the Silverado Trail), Napa. Parking next to the building. UnityinNapaValley.org, 255-6881.

YOUNTVILLE COMMUNITY CHURCH

July 30, Contemporary Worship, 9:30 a.m. and Traditional Worship, 11 a.m. Lead Pastor Jim Huckaba is continuing a sermon series called Armed And Dangerous. Sundays sermon is entitled Immersed Into Jesus, From Acts 2:36-39; Romans 6:3-8 Adult Bible Class, 9:30 a.m., in the New Ministry Outreach Room. Childrens classes, 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the Callison Ministry Center Room 1 Jesus and Me. (birth-kindergarten), and first-fifth grades are offered. Vertical Student Ministry 11 a.m.; fifth-eighth grades and high school students in the new Ministry Outreach Room. 6619 Yount Street, Yountville, 944-2179.
Firefighters are investigating a two-alarm fire that burned at China House restaurant on Jefferson Street early Friday morning, according to Napa City Fire.

Firefighters were dispatched to the business at about 2 a.m. after dispatchers received several reports of a structure fire near the intersection of Jefferson and Pueblo Avenue, Capt. Steve Becker said. The first units to arrive found fire coming from the building and called for additional resources.

In total, a battalion chief, five engines, two squads, two ladder trucks, an AMR ambulance and chaplain responded to the scene. Becker said that the department also recalled off-duty fire personnel.

It took about 15 minutes to extinguish the working fire, he said.

The business was closed at the time and no injuries were reported.
Next stop: uncertainty.

The Napa Valley Model Railroad Historical Society, which has run and exhibited miniature trains at the Napa Valley Expo for more than four decades, must now seek a new home.

Tuesday morning, the Expos board of directors voted not to renew the clubs lease at the fairground on downtown Third Street after it expires Dec. 31.

The decision to let the lease run out throws into doubt the future of the model railroad society, which began in 1955 and whose child and adult members have assembled an elaborate 1/87-scale rail network since 1971. A pair of Quonset huts that serves as the clubs base houses a train layout equipped with a computerized switching system, painted backdrops, and miniature houses, cars and greenery forming a diorama of small-town Northern California life.

The site of the train club, within the Expo at 575 Third St., is earmarked for new parking spaces under a fairgrounds master plan released in January in draft form. The lot, one of the long-term changes envisioned in the plan, would accommodate vehicles parked near a covered, open-sided multi-use pavilion that would host the Town & Country Fairs Junior Livestock Auction each August and outdoor events at other times of the year.

Several train mavens in an audience of more than two dozen people implored the Expo board not to close off the groups longtime home and showcase, but were rebuffed in a 6-1 vote, with only Don Huffman dissenting.

Fair officials left open the possibility of month-to-month extensions at the fairground should the model train club enter lease talks with another landlord. But that possibility was no comfort to bitterly disappointed rail supporters who attacked the decision as chipping away at a vital hobby for young Napans  and at another symbol of the citys small-town, pre-tourism culture.

The reality is that its an asset that provides people a lot of free community access, said club member Daniel Jonas, a lifelong Napa resident. Weve had people come by during the fair, happy there was at least one free exhibit here that entertained the kids  literally for hours.

Although board president John Dunbar said the Expo is in contact with at least one person interested in hosting the train collection, club members replied such talks have not been relayed to them, leaving it uncertain whether they can find a place for their fragile, difficult-to-move handiwork  which occupies 3,600 square feet in an L-shaped layout  in a community with soaring rents and real estate prices.

Just finding another place wont be easy; in fact it may be impossible, Jonas told the Expo board before the vote.  I hope you can understand what a big deal this is to the community  and how un-portable it is.

The mother of a young model train enthusiast pointed to a combination of practical skills and adult support she said would be hard to come by in any other hobby.

My son has had many mentors and role models in the Napa club, said Dana Fowers of her 12-year-old son Dylan. These men have taught him electrical engineering; theyve taught him how to solder, how to add computer chips, how to build scenery, even building maintenance.

While sympathizing with the model railroaders plight, fair directors emphasized the need to increase the Expos flexibility for more users, replace buildings torn down after the 2014 earthquake  and remove structures that no longer meet electrical, fire and safety codes.

Board members pointed to aging infrastructure around the grounds, including at the train clubs building. In addition, at least five trees are growing within a foot of its walls  one nearly touching them  and threaten to undermine its foundation, they added.

I want to make sure that any decision we make today is not a reflection of our opinion on the value of model railroading or the club, said Jeri Gill, the fair boards vice president. However, she added that the Expos future depends on modernizing its facilities  and dealing with dangerous or substandard ones  to ensure the widest possible audience can use the grounds.

We have 300 other days (without fairs) a year when we have to serve the community, she told rail club members. We need to be creative in our thinking in serving the community to the greatest extent.

While the end of the model railroaders lease is related to the Expo master plan and its possible future build-out, the board may have made its decision even without redeveloping the fairground, Dunbar said Wednesday.

The Napa Valley Model Railroad Historical Society will discuss its plans at its meeting at 8 p.m. Aug. 4, according to club member Robert Darby. The society can be contacted at 707-253-8428, info@nvmrc.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/NapaValleyModelRailroad/
Donald Trump, like many a businessman-turned-politician before him, argued that if he was elected, he would bring his managerial acumen to Washington, making government run like a business with efficiency and skill.

What we've seen instead is the most chaotic and incompetent White House in living memory. And it's only getting worse.

Let's begin with the Trump administration's new media superstar, communications director Anthony Scaramucci. Despite having no experience in politics or press relations, Scaramucci was hired because President Trump saw him on cable TV, and he is indeed a perfect creature of that medium: not well-informed, but absolutely confident in everything he says. Scaramucci has some other critical qualities, especially his over-the-top love for Trump, but what makes him unique is his propensity for moments of absolutely shocking candor, of a kind we don't normally expect from professional spinners.

So now, in a White House that Trump once described as "a fine-tuned machine," the chief of staff and the communications director are in open war with one another.

According to multiple reports, Reince Priebus was adamantly opposed to Scaramucci's hiring, but in his first appearance at the White House, Scaramucci explained the conflict away by saying they're like brothers who sometimes fight. Then this week, Politico published Scaramucci's financial disclosure form from his recent position at the Export-Import Bank, and Scaramucci believed Priebus was behind the "leak," leading him to tweet (the tweet has since been deleted):

"In light of the leak of my financial disclosure info which is a felony. I will be contacting @FBI and the @TheJusticeDept #swamp @Reince45"

The only problem is that the forms are publicly available to anyone who requests them (that's the thing about "disclosure"), yet Scaramucci accused Priebus of committing a felony and said he was siccing the FBI on him.

Then Thursday morning, Scaramucci did an extraordinary half-hour interview on CNN, in which he barely attempted to contain his scorn for Priebus, who is technically his boss. When asked about White House leaks, he said, "The fish stinks from the head down, but I can tell you two fish that don't stink, okay? That's me and the president." Who else would be at the "head" besides the person whose job it is to run the White House? Scaramucci went on:

"'If you want to talk about the chief of staff, we have had odds, we have had differences. When I said we were brothers from the podium, that's because we're rough on each other. Some brothers are like Cain and Abel, other brothers can fight with each other and get along. I don't know if this is repairable or not, that will be up to the president. But he's the chief of staff, he's responsible for understanding and uncovering and helping me do that inside the White House, which is why I put that tweet out last night. . .If Reince wants to explain that he's not the leaker, let him do that.'"

Holy cow. I've been around for a while, and I can't ever remember one senior White House official publicly throwing that kind of shade at another senior White House official. Scaramucci must be pretty confident in his position, even though he has only been there for a few days.

There's a risk for him, which is that as we know, Trump doesn't like anyone stealing too much of his spotlight. That might suggest that Scaramucci's ultimate fate lies with the editors of Time magazine; if they put him on their cover, he's in big trouble. But that may be an overly simplistic reading of the dynamic between Trump and his aides. It isn't just that Trump doesn't want to share the attention (though that's true); what he really dislikes is someone getting a lot of attention for having an agenda that's separate from the aggrandizement of Donald J. Trump. It appears that Scaramucci understands that, which is why he never gets through an interview without talking about what an extraordinary individual Trump is (in that CNN interview, in between dissing Priebus, he found time to say that Trump is "the smartest person that I've ever worked for").

This question came up with Stephen K. Bannon, who has recently retreated from public view in an apparent attempt to save his job. But the reason Trump got so displeased with Bannon was that he was being characterized as a kind of Rasputin, wielding power behind the scenes and using Trump for his own ends. That makes Trump seem smaller, and it also happens to be true - Bannon has a well-thought-out ethno-nationalist vision that he developed long before signing on with the Trump campaign. He realized that Trump could be a vehicle to realize that vision and so is intensely invested in the Trump presidency, but in the end he's not a pure Trump loyalist.

The same could be said of Jeff Sessions, who cares deeply about turning back the clock on civil rights, voting rights and drug policy. That's why Sessions hasn't resigned yet - even though he's being publicly humiliated by the president on a daily basis, he'll stay as long as he can because he has important work to do in building a bridge to the 1950s. The fact that he hasn't said "I'm sorry if I ever made things difficult for you, Mr. President; here's my resignation" is the best proof Trump could have that his criticisms of Sessions are correct.

The Sessions story is another indication of what an incredible mess this administration is. While the communications director is accusing the chief of staff of committing a felony, the president is giving interviews and tweeting about what a terrible job his attorney general is doing. Meanwhile, the administration hasn't gotten around to even naming nominees for 358 of the 574 most senior positions in the executive branch.

Or look at how Trump went about announcing a dramatic policy shift at the Defense Department, in which transgender service personnel will be banned from the military. He first sent a tweet saying:

"After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow..."

. . . which was followed by a nine-minute pause. Pentagon officials had no idea what was coming, and BuzzFeed reports:

"At the Pentagon, the first of the three tweets raised fears that the president was getting ready to announce strikes on North Korea or some other military action. . .Only after the second tweet did military officials receive the news the president was announcing a personnel change on Twitter."

The announcement caught everyone off guard. Even the president's own spokeswoman seemed to have no idea how it might be implemented.

While this was happening, the secretary of defense was on vacation, and it's unclear if he approved this policy change. Interestingly enough, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who has reportedly been frustrated with Trump and the White House, is also "taking a little time off," according to a spokesperson. I don't know about you, but I haven't taken a vacation since Trump was inaugurated, and my job is somewhat less critical to the fate of the nation than the secretary of state or the secretary of defense.

I'm sure this all makes the Trump administration an exciting place to work - from one day to the next you never know who's at war with whom, who's getting fired, what sweeping policy changes will be made, or what the president will tweet next. Most of Trump's agenda is stalled, half the key jobs are vacant, senior officials can't wait to get out of town, and everybody's leaking to the press about what a mess it all is. This is one fine-tuned machine all right.
When President Donald Trump casually ordered the Pentagon on Wednesday to ban transgender servicemembers from the military, he didnt just undo months of work by military officers, civilian policymakers and trans advocacy groups. He also cut off transgender Americans from an institution thats historically been viewed as a microcosm of society  and a bastion of steady employment. The effects of Trumps shocking strike against the trans rights movement could be much more severe than anyone realized initially.

By some estimates, the U.S. military is the single largest employer of transgender people on the planet, with an estimated 15,500 active-duty trans personnel. Trans people are twice as likely than the general population to serve their country, according to the study Still Serving in Silence: Transgender Service Members and Veterans in the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, by Jack Harrison-Quintana, policy institute manager at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and Jody Herman, manager of transgender research at the Williams Institute. Thats partly because transgender Americans are patriots like cisgender Americans are, but its also partly because we still run far behind our cisgender peers in access to education, affordable housing and employment. Trumps order means thousands of trans people wont be able to turn to the military in search of a career anymore. And with his administrations Department of Justice filing a federal court brief asserting that discrimination on the basis of gender identity is legal, the situation for trans Americans will only get worse. Trans people in America have an unemployment rate of 15 percent, three times higher than the general population. We dont need righteous anti-Trump rants  we need jobs.

It remains to be seen whether the administration will decide to discharge all trans servicemembers, as the Pentagon stated Thursday that it would wait for official White House policy before moving forward, leaving trans people currently serving in place for now. If they return to the old policy under dont ask, dont tell at some point down the road, trans troops would be receiving general discharges marked mentally unfit for duty. As a result, they wouldnt be able to access any veterans benefits, including the VA health-care system or education credits. Troops who did nothing but dare to serve their country openly will be thrown out on the streets with a record that harms their future job prospects. The Trump ban is unnecessarily cruel to our fine trans people in uniform.

What are the thousands of trans troops currently serving supposed to do exactly? Many of them were encouraged to begin the process of coming out by the previous administration, and now Trump is firing them. Trumps decision appears to be completely motivated by electoral politics. According to Axios, a Trump administration source said the ban forces Democrats in Rust Belt states like Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin to take complete ownership of this issue. How will the blue-collar voters in these states respond when senators up for reelection in 2018 like Debbie Stabenow are forced to make their opposition to this a key plan of their campaigns?

I hope those blue-collar voters take a look at how much time, money and other resources were spent studying the readiness and economic impact of allowing trans troops to serve and wonder why their president fired more than 15,000 brave trans people in uniform to play electoral politics at the expense of one of the most underprivileged demographics in the country. Being able to enlist for military service is the bare minimum of effort at trans inclusiveness.

Trump promised jobs, and he promised to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people; instead, hes selling us out for votes. In Trumps America, trans people cant serve in the military, we dont deserve employment protections and were not welcome in schools. But were still people, were still Americans. Where do we fit in American society? This week, the president gave his answer: We dont.
I call on our local Boy Scouts of America to disassociate themselves with the National BSA. To allow the completely inappropriate speech from Trump to 11-year-olds was blatantly negligent.
Wine Industry Financial Symposium

The 26th annual Wine Industry Financial Symposium is on Monday, Sept. 25, and Tuesday, Sept. 26, the Napa Valley Marriott in Napa.

Its the premier event covering the financial, business and strategic issues of the wine industry. Ive attended more than I can admit and found every one of them fascinating and valuable.

I cant imagine anyone deeply involved in managing a wine business or financing it who wouldnt find attendance worthwhile.

The keynote presenters are Robert Bobby Koch, president and CEO, Wine Institute, which has taken to calling itself as the California Wine Institute, and William Newlands, COO, Constellation Brands, who has had a long history in Napa Valley.

Early pricing for the two days is $850. Get details at www.wineindustryfinancial.com or email conference coordinator Waunice Orchid at waunice@winesymposium.com

Tickets are also now on sale for the Monday night wine industry VIP, speaker and sponsor dinner at Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville for registered attendees.

Wine Bloggers meet Wine Marketing & Tourism

Two unrelated, but complementary, wine trade conferences are coming to Sonoma County in November.

The Wine Marketing & Tourism Conference is Nov. 4-6.

Then the 10th annual Wine Bloggers Conference returns to Santa Rosa Nov. 9-12 after meeting all over North America, leaving convenient time to enjoy wine country.

Wine Marketing & Tourism Conference

The Wine Marketing & Tourism Conference is in Santa Rosa on Nov. 4-6. Thats a lot more convenient than some of past other locations such as Tbilisi, Georgia.

Industry representatives who attend this event will hear from industry experts and learn information they can use to help grow and improve their businesses.

In addition to valuable content, the event also offers marketing opportunities for brands looking to connect with wineries or wine tourism companies.

Wine Associations have the opportunity to pour and present wines from their region at no cost as paid registrants. Contact Reno@ZephyrConferences.com for more information.

For more information, visit winetourismconference.org.

Wine Bloggers Conference

The Wine Bloggers Conference is already setting a record for attendance  easier in Santa Rosa than Penticton, B.C., I suspect. It presents a unique opportunity for about 350 attendees from around the world to network among some of the industrys top influencers and suppliers.

The 2017 keynote speaker is wine authority and author Doug Frost.

While the Wine Bloggers Conference is oriented toward wine bloggers and writers, it is also a valuable opportunity for winery marketers and communication experts, winery associations and other industry professionals to meet wine bloggers while learning.

The sessions cover writing, social media, technology, community building, career growth, marketing and wine discovery with many winery sponsors.

Excursions before and after the show will visit Sonoma County and the greater wine region.

The conference is also a good opportunity for marketing wine and wine region to bloggers and other attendees.

For conference details and registration information, visit winebloggersconference.org.

Contact Reno Walsh at 888-758-8687 or Reno@ZephyrConferences.com for more information about sponsorships and booths.

Wine & Weed sold out

The Wine Industry Networks first Wine & Weed Symposium will be held on Aug. 3. at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek in Santa Rosa. Its sold out but you can get information at wine-weed.com.
This wine had to speak for itself: It arrived in a box with no other introduction.

Typically, the way it works with wine samples is a representative sends an email asking if wed like to taste this or that wine. And if I say, sure, a few days later, a box arrives, with assorted information, tasting notes, nifty quotes from winemakers, and so forth.

This, however, was simply two bottles of rose pink sparkling wine with silver foil and labels. A clue to its origins was that it looked like olive tree leaves on the foil; the only words on the front label were: Akakies, Sparkling, 2016, Kir-Yianni.

It was the back label that confirmed what the olive tree leaves indicated; it was written in Greek.

Fine print, in English, also disclosed that the wine was made from xinomavro grapes grown in the Amydeon Heights, in an area surrounded by four lakes.

I was due at a Fourth of July party, and so I chilled a bottle, thinking: a sparkling wine from the birthplace of democracy, in a time when our own is being severely tested, Id bring it with me.

Here is what happened: it vanished in minutes, and I was chastised when I admitted that I actually had two bottles of the wine but had kept one at home.

It garnered praise for its fresh, crisp balance of fruit and acid, its refreshing sparkle, and its low alcohol, 11.5 percent. No one, however, had ever heard of the Amydeon Heights.

It was, all agreed, a wine that went with fireworks, friends and summer nights.

The following week, I got an email from a PR person asking if, by chance, a winery in Greece had shipped me a bottle of sparking wine. I asked, would that be the Akakies from Kir-Yianni in the Amydeon Heights?

Oh God, she said. They jumped the gun.

She promised to track down and send information, such as bottle notes and where the Amydeon Heights are; Google Maps couldnt find it.

Meanwhile, Id been invited to a wine lunch at Tarlas in Napa hosted by a contingent of winemakers from Naoussa, Greece. I went and, lo and behold, here was the xinomavro grape again in a stellar assortment of red wines.

Naoussa, I learned, is a town in the foothills of western Macedonia. Its vineyards are on the slopes of Mount Vermion, the place of origin and the most important growing area of xinomavro, Naoussas black grape.

According to mythology, Mount Vermion was the home of Semele, the mother of Dionysus, the god of wine. In Naoussa, also, archaeologists have found remains of the School of Mieza where Aristole taught. Clearly, xinomavro is a grape with roots.

Wine is woven into the culture of Naoussa; during Carnivale, residents celebrate by dancing through their streets in a ritual that wards off evil spirits and blesses their grapes. Nonetheless, the communitys grapes were destroyed by phyloxera in the 1930s. Today, the rich traditions are blended with new vineyards, modern technology, and a generation of enthusiastic, new winemakers.

Xinomavro grapes, are grown in other parts of Greece, I learned, but, according to the visitors from Naoussa, in their region, this robust, disease-resistant and high-yielding grape reaches its maturity and perfect expression with ease.

The winemakers provided a list of eight samples of Naoussas xinomavro; and one of the wines came from Kir-Yianni winery. The Amydeon Heights, it turned out, are on the slopes of Mount Vermion.

Kir-Yianni winery was founded in 1997 by Yiannis Boutaris after he left the Boutair Wine Group, which had been founded by his grandfather in 1879. Today, Stellios Boutaris is the fifth-generation winemaker. Under his leadership, the winery produces an extensive list of wines, showcasing the indigenous xinomavro but also including syrah, merlot, chardonnay, assyrtiko and blends.

We enjoyed the wines with Tarlas rich, savory dishes, stuffed eggplants and chicken kebabs; but my favorite xinomavro remains the mysterious visitor, the Akakies sparkling.

Diamond Imports out of Chicago imports Kir-Yianni; these and other Greek wines can be found at Craft Beer & Wine in Alameda.

Or, if you are lucky, a bottle will just arrive on your doorstep.
You say rosato; I say rose.

Technically, its the French who say rose; weve just adopted their usage of the word. And its right that we use the French word because France is the indisputable king of rose wine. From Cote du Rhone to Provence, rose has been popular in France since long before the recent international boom in popularity.

Scoffed at for decades in the U.S. due to its distant cousin, white zinfandel, rose hasnt gotten a lot of respect from the typical wine drinker since it went out of fashion in the 1990s. Thats why, when I lived in the Salento region of Puglia, Italy almost 10 years ago, I was shocked that everyone was drinking the pink stuff. Theyre drinking pink wine, I thought, Is that White Zin? How gauche.

They called it Rosato, but I knew what it was. Cheap, sweet swill. Boy, was I wrong.

The logic behind drinking rosato in Puglia is clear  in a region where temperatures consistently reach over 100 degrees in the summer months, one wants to drink a light, and preferably chilled, wine. White wine doesnt always cut it, and red wine can sometimes be too heavy. In steps the Grande Dame Rose as the perfect accompaniment to almost any summer meal.

The rosato from Puglia and especially Salento are often raspberry pink, which brings sugar bomb to mind. But most of these rosato are made from the negroamaro grape, which translates as dark and bitter. Instead of a sweet flavor profile, they are surprisingly savory, dry and full-bodied. My favorite thing about the Salento Rosato is the minerality from the saline air, water, and soil of the peninsula.

Still, the bright pink color of Puglian rosato can connote a lesser quality rose to many. But, the brighter or darker wines are often more complex than the pale roses of Provence that are the current It-Girls of the wine world. There is room for every type of pink wine; it just depends on the cuisine, climate, and taste preference of the drinker.

Anyway, dont judge a book by its cover, because the color difference is mainly due to the type of production and fruit. Pinot noir, grenache, sangiovese, tempranillo, syrah, zinfandel and cabernet sauvignon are grapes commonly used for rose. Naturally, a negroamaro rosato will be darker than a rose of pinot noir.

But the style of production plays the main role in the color of the final product. Rose can be made by literally blending red and white wines to make a pink one, but this is illegal in some places and not common these days.

The saignee method involves the bleeding-off of juices during the production of red wine; its a common practice and can produce some delicious rose.

But its the direct pressing method that is the most highly regarded technique because the resulting rose is purpose-made rather than a by-product. Direct pressing involves crushing dark-skinned grapes and leaving the skins in contact with the juice for a few hours to a few days. The longer they are left in contact with the juice, the more intense the color of the final wine.

If youre interested in trying a rose from an area thats been making and enjoying it for a long time, try an Italian rosato. Leone di Castris in Salice Salentino makes Five Roses, the first rose wine produced and bottled in Italy, and according to the estate, the first to be sold in the U.S.

Bright cherry-red with notes of strawberry and rose, Five Roses is made primarily of negroamaro with 10 percent Malvasia Nera di Lecce. Its name comes from the odd fact that several generations of the de Castris family had five children.

Cantele Wines Rosato Rohesia, made from the winerys flagship Salice Salentino Riserva of Negroamaro, is a powerful, fresh and flavorful wine with hints of pomegranate and flint.

Tomaresca in northern Puglia makes Calafuria, a crisp and elegant rosato of Negroamaro grown on their vineyards along the Adriatic Coast. The Tuscan wine dynasty Antinori owns Tormaresca. Antinori has wineries around the world, including two in Napa Valley (Stags Leap and Antica).

My opinion on rosato has changed significantly in the years since Ive left Salento. Now when I see someone drinking rosato/rose, my reaction is, Theyre drinking pink wine? Wheres mine?
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-26 01:50:29|Editor: huaxia

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RIGA, July 25 (Xinhua) -- The Latvian government on Tuesday approved a reform plan for the Baltic country's healthcare system.

The plan, which has been outlined in the Health Ministry's report, calls for sweeping transformation in the Latvian health sector and higher pay for medics.

The ministers greenlighted the reform plan amid an ongoing strike of general practitioners, or family physicians as they are called in Latvia, who are demanding higher government funding per patient.

The reform plan proposed by the Health Ministry includes measures like raising Latvia's health budget to 4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2020, which among other things would allow increasing medical specialists' pay, reorganizing healthcare institutions and defining local authorities' role in ensuring healthcare services.

The reform plan also calls for a more compact and efficient hospital network, smaller family physicians' practices and innovative medications to cancer patients.

According to the reform plan, provision of highly complex medical services would be concentrated in Latvia's largest medical centers, while the network of healthcare institutions would be designed to ensure that those patients who do not need inpatient treatment can receive services as close to their home as possible, the Health Ministry said.

By Sept. 15, the Health Ministry will work out a detailed plan for the development of the primary care system, and local authorities' role in ensuring healthcare services will be debated until March 1, 2018.

The Health Ministry is also determined to go ahead with the launch of the much-criticized e-health system, which is intended to help patients follow and control their health data and quickly provide necessary information on patients to physicians and other medical staff. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-27 23:23:28|Editor: Yang Yi

Muslim worshippers enter the holy site which is known as the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims and Temple Mount to Jews in the Old City of Jerusalem, on July 27, 2017. Dozens of Palestinians were wounded in clashes with Israeli police near East Jerusalem's flashpoint shrine on Thursday afternoon, the Red Crescent said, shortly after the prayers at the site resumed. (Xinhua/Muammar Awad)

JERUSALEM, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of Palestinians were wounded in clashes with Israeli police near East Jerusalem's flashpoint shrine on Thursday afternoon, the Red Crescent said, shortly after the prayers at the site resumed.

The Red Crescent said at least 50 Palestinians were injured in East Jerusalem, shortly after the prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound were resumed.

Early on Thursday morning, Israeli authorities removed the CCTV cameras' overhead metal bridge and the railings. These were the last in new security measures, including metal detectors that triggered a two-week-long violence.

A few hours later, the Jerusalem Mufti Mohammed Hussein and the Waqf, a Jordanian body that administrates the site, ruled that the status quo at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound has been restored and that the prayers can be resumed.

Over the past two weeks, hundreds of Muslims were holding daily mass prayers outside the site, to protest against the measures, following calls by Muslim leaders.

The detectors, installed following a shooting attack that killed three Israeli policemen, sparked a huge protest. They are seen by the Palestinians as a violation of the status quo at the Muslim-run compound and an Israeli attempt to gain more control over the site.

In the clashes that ensued, at least four Palestinians were killed by Israeli security forces and hundreds of others were injured. Three members of an Israeli family in a West Bank settlement were killed by an assailant who said he did it "to redeem Al-Aqsa."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-27 23:53:46|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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WASHINGTON, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Scientists have genetically engineered human embryos for the first time in the United States, according to a report in the MIT Technology Review.

The effort, led by Shoukhrat Mitalipov of Oregon Health and Science University, involved changing the DNA of a large number of one-cell embryos with the gene-editing technique CRISPR, the report which was released Wednesday said.

Ma Hong, a staff scientist at Mitalipov's lab, told Xinhua on Thursday that their paper is about to be published and that, for the moment, she cannot reveal any information about the research.

"Although none of the embryos were allowed to develop for more than a few days -- and there was never any intention of implanting them into a womb -- the experiments are a milestone on what may prove to be an inevitable journey toward the birth of the first genetically modified humans," said the report in the MIT Technology Review, a magazine published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

"To date, three previous reports of editing human embryos were all published by scientists in China," it said.

Scientists like Mitalipov believe they can eradicate or correct genes that cause inherited disease and even cancer by altering the DNA of human embryos.

Critics, however, said that it could open the door to the world of "designer babies," where people choose the traits they want in a child.

According to the report, the earlier Chinese publications have found CRISPR caused editing errors that lent weight to arguments that the technique "would be an unsafe way to create a person."

Currently, any effort to turn an edited human embryo into a baby in the United States is banned by Congress.

But in February, a report from the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the U.S. National Academy of Medicine said that clinical trials for gene editing of human reproductive cells "could be permitted in the future, but only for serious conditions under stringent oversight."

Frances Flinter, professor of clinical genetics at Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in Britain, who was not involved in the study, said it's impossible to comment on a reported scientific development that has not been peer-reviewed and published in a reputable scientific journal.

"While it might be tempting to consider a technology that potentially offers the prospect of curing serious genetic diseases at such an early stage of development, there are major risks, both of technical failure and unanticipated adverse consequences, which could affect generations to come," Flinter said.

"Couples who wish to avoid passing on serious inherited conditions may consider well established alternatives, such as prenatal diagnosis and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis," he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 01:35:04|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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NAIROBI, July 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S.-based observer group, The Carter Centre on Thursday called on Kenyan politicians and other key stakeholders to shun electoral violence ahead of the tightly contested Aug. 8 elections.

In a pre-election statement released in Nairobi, the Center which is observing the elections urged Kenyans to denounce all acts of violence and violations of the electoral Code of Conduct.

"Candidates also should refrain from using any campaign tactics or language that could incite their supporters to engage in violent or illegal behavior," it said.

Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and former Senegalese Prime Minister Aminata Toure will co-lead the Carter Center's election observation mission in Kenya.

The two were picked by the organization to lead a team of more than 50 observers who will be monitoring polling and tabulation of the Aug. 8 elections throughout the country.

The Carter Center said its pre-election statement is based on the work of the Center's core team and 12 long-term observers, who have been in the country since mid-April and have visited 37 counties and 153 constituencies and attended more than 50 rallies to date.

The Carter Center lauded the Independent Election and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on its efforts to keep the Aug. 8 election on track despite many challenges

It noted the heightened political competition in Kenya that has resulted from the devolution of power to the counties and the inclusion of many independent candidates, calling it evidence of a strengthening democratic culture.

The Center said it remains concerned about the rising tensions witnessed in the campaigns and the level of violence that has prevailed throughout the pre-election period.

It said recent calls by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his main challenger, Raila Odinga, for an end to political intolerance are encouraging but insufficient.

More than 60 short-term observers, led by Kerry and Toure, will join the team on the ground shortly before the election and fan out across the country on election day to assess the voting, counting, and tabulation processes.

The observer group also said the IEBC should take steps to increase transparency and communication with electoral stakeholders and the general public so that they are effectively informed during the remaining electoral period.

"Candidates should refrain from making unsubstantiated attacks on the credibility and impartiality of the IEBC and the courts," it said.

The group said the intensity of the campaign has increased as poll day draws near, bringing an increase in the number of reported violations of the electoral Code of Conduct.

The observer group noted a lack of education on voting day procedures with less than two weeks until the election and urged the IEBC, political parties, and civil society to use the available time before election day to increase voter education and outreach efforts.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 02:25:39|Editor: Song Lifang

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (Front) attends Arab Foreign Ministers' urgent meeting in Cairo, Egypt, on July 27, 2017. Arab Foreign Ministers strongly condemned on Thursday Israel's measures in East Jerusalem, stressing that the recent Israeli procedures are illegal. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

CAIRO, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Arab Foreign Ministers strongly condemned on Thursday Israel's measures in East Jerusalem, stressing that the recent Israeli procedures are illegal.

The ministers urged the United Nations Security Council to shoulder responsibility to maintain peace and security and implement its resolutions relating Jerusalem as well as obliging Israel to stop its policies and violations in East Jerusalem.

Arab Foreign Ministers held an urgent meeting in Cairo to probe the recent Israeli violations and procedures in East Jerusalem.

The ministers also called on all countries to implement the resolutions of the United Nations and the UNESCO Executive Board on the Palestinian issue, including the Word Heritage Committee of UNESCO which affirmed that the Al-Aqsa Mosque is an Islamic site dedicated to worship and an integral part of the World Heritage Sites.

Since July 14 attack at the vicinity of the mosque, where three armed Israeli Arabs and two Israeli policemen were killed, Palestinian worshippers had been performing their five-time daily prayers at the gates outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Muslims' third holiest site.

In response, Israel closed the gates that lead to the mosque for three days and then decided to install electronic gates and cameras at the gates of the mosque, a move that was rejected by Palestinians who refused to enter the mosque under the new Israeli security measures.

In the clashes that ensued, at least four Palestinians were killed by Israeli security forces and hundreds of others were injured, while three members of an Israeli family in a West Bank settlement were killed by an assailant who said he did it "to redeem Al-Aqsa."

On Thursday, the Israeli police announced that all the security facilities installed recently at the Al-Aqsa Mosque were removed and the situation is back to normal, while Islamic leaders in the city allowed worshippers to go inside the mosque without any of the Israeli security measures.

However, Palestinian medical sources said that dozens of Palestinians were wounded in clashes with Israeli police near East Jerusalem's flashpoint shrine shortly after prayers at the site resumed.

Meanwhile, the Arab Foreign Ministers urged the U.S. Administration to continue efforts to restore security and end the current tension on the basis of protecting the holy sites and respecting the historical and legal status of East Jerusalem.

They also warned that the unprecedented Israeli escalation in East Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa endangered regional and global peace.

The Arab League repeatedly condemned the Israeli practices at Al-Aqsa Mosque as a blatant breach of the right of worship and violation of relevant international laws and UN resolutions.

The recent Israeli measures added tension to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that has lasted for decades, since the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and the Western-backed creation of Israel in 1948.

Israel is blamed by the international community for the deadlock of the peace process because of its settlement expansion policy, which is rejected even by the United States, its strongest ally.

The Palestinians seek to establish an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital in the light of the UN-proposed two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 04:37:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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LONDON, July 27 ( Xinhua) -- The free movement of people between European member states and Britain will end in March 2019, British government ministers said Thursday.

It was the clearest indication so far from Westminster about what will happen when Britain leaves the EU.

Home Office minister Brandon Lewis said the government will outline details of how it would manage immigration after Brexit in a white paper later this year. Proposals would then be included in a parliamentary immigration bill in 2018.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd, however, issued in a media interview, an assurance to businesses who employ foreign workers that there will not be a cliff edge.

Rudd said during a visit to South Ayrshire in Scotland that an immigration implementation phase would involve new EU workers registering their details when they come to Britain.

From then EU workers moving to Britain will have to register, at least until a permanent post-Brexit immigration policy is introduced.

"We will ensure we continue to attract those who benefit us economically, socially and culturally. But, at the same time, our new immigration system will give us control of the volume of people coming here," said Rudd.

The governing Conservative Party, led by prime minister Theresa May, has pledged to reduce net immigration to "tens of thousands" compared to the several hundred thousand a year currently entering Britain.

Britain's Home Office has asked the Migration Advisory Committee to study the economic and social costs and benefits of EU migration to the UK economy, its impact on competitiveness, and whether there would be benefits to focusing migration on high-skilled jobs.

The committee is expected to report back by September 2018.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 04:47:32|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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MINSK, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The West 2017 Belarusian-Russian joint exercise are open and defensive, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday.

"The joint military exercise is open. We have invited a large number of observers," Lukashenko said at a meeting with senior officials of the State Secretariat of the Security Council in Minsk.

"As for all the old questions, such as the concerns of the NATO, our neighbors, and Ukraine I have visited recently, have been explained to everyone," he stressed.

The Belarusian leader also noted that the West 2017 is a defensive drill. "We will traditionally hold the military drills together with the Russian Federation," he added.

The West 2017 joint exercise will be held from September 14 to 20. The drills will involve up to 12,700 troops, of which about 3,000 are from the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 05:12:47|Editor: huaxia

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CHICAGO, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) grains futures closed higher on Thursday with wheat futures rising 0.42 percent, supported by results from a tour that illustrated the damage done to the crop in a key growing area.

Corn and soybeans were also higher as uncertainty over the impact of dryness in parts of the U.S. Midwest underpinned prices despite rainfall and milder temperatures this week.

The most active corn contract for December delivery rose 1.75 cents, or 0.45 percent, to 3.8775 dollars per bushel.

September wheat delivery added 2 cents, or 0.42 percent to 4.7975 dollars per bushel. November soybeans went up 7.25 cents, or 0.72 percent, to 10.075 dollars per bushel.

In the outside markets, the Brent crude oil market is 0.40 dollar per barrel higher, the U.S. dollar is higher, and the Dow Jones Industrials are 45 points higher.

On Thursday, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced fresh soybean sales.

Private exporters reported to the USDA export sales of 264,000 tonnes of soybeans for delivery to unknown destinations.

Of the total, 198,000 tonnes is for delivery during the 2016/2017 marketing year and 66,000 tonnes is for delivery during the 2017/2018 marketing year. The marketing year for soybeans began Sept. 1. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 05:27:56|Editor: An

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Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Song Aiguo speaks at a reception celebrating the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Cairo, Egypt, on July 27, 2017. The Chinese Embassy in Cairo on Thursday celebrated the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) with a grand ceremony in Cairo. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

CAIRO, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy in Cairo on Thursday celebrated the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) with a grand ceremony in Cairo.

The ceremony, hosted by Chinese Military Attache Yu Haibo, was attended by some 450 people including Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Song Aiguo, Egyptian Military Production Minister Mohamed al-Assar and senior diplomatic attaches from other countries.

Song said in the opening speech that China sticks to an independent foreign policy of peace and a national defense policy that is defensive in nature.

"No matter what reform the PLA is undertaking, China will unswervingly pursue a path of peaceful development; no matter what future is ahead, China will never seek hegemony, and will steadfastly safeguard the world peace and stability," he stressed.

Song also hailed the comprehensive strategic partnership China and Egypt have built, adding that the relations between Chinese and Egyptian armies maintain a good momentum of development, and the two countries have made fruitful achievements in personnel training, military tech cooperation and cultural exchange along with high-level visits.

Guests at the ceremony lauded China's national defense policy and its efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region and worldwide.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 06:18:12|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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RABAT, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU) slammed Israel's "stark violations" at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem as its emergency meeting closed on Thursday in Rabat.

In a final statement issued following the meeting on the situation in Jerusalem, the lawmakers considered Israeli security measures at the shrine an "aggression and provocation by the occupation authorities and a new episode in the series of repression and confiscation of the rights of the Palestinian people."

The measures as well as the killings and repression by Israel violate the most basic human rights, according to the statement.

The lawmakers also called upon the UNESCO to shoulder its full responsibility in the protection of the Palestinian World Heritage landmarks.

The Palestinian cause remains the central issue for Arab people, the statement stressed.

On Thursday, Israel removed all the metal detectors and cameras it installed two weeks ago at the entrances of the Al-Aqsa Mosque after strong protests inside and outside Jerusalem.

On July 14, three Arab-Israeli gunmen opened fire at two Israeli policemen and shot them dead, while police forces fired back and killed them. The attack took place at the yard of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

After the attack, Israel closed the mosque and later installed electronic gates and cameras at the entrances to the mosque. The action provoked protests from the Muslims who refused to enter the mosque through these gates.

Set up in 1974, the AIPU is an Arab organization composed of parliamentary groups representing Arab Parliaments.

AIPU aims at strengthening contacts and promoting dialogue among Arab parliaments, exchanging legislative experience, coordinating the activities of Arab parliaments on various international forums, and discussing the common Arab causes, on both the Pan Arab and the international levels, and the adoption of relevant resolutions and recommendations.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 06:53:19|Editor: Lu Hui

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a press conference in Punkaharju, a resort in Savonlinna, eastern Finland, on July 27, 2017. (Xinhua/Matti Matikainen)

SAVONLINNA, Finland, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin underlined on Thursday that his country's military cooperation with China would bring balance to the world.

Meanwhile, he denounced the investigations into the alleged Russian influence in the United States. presidential election as well as the possible U.S. sanctions on Russia as an effort to sacrifice bilateral relations.

Putin made the remarks at a press conference in Punkaharju, a resort in Savonlinna, eastern Finland after holding a lengthy talk with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto.

Putin travelled to the picturesque border city by helicopter at midday to observe the centenary of Finnish independence. The working visit coincided with the Russia-China naval exercise on the Baltic Sea.

The joint drill kicked off in the past weekend, and Chinese navy has sent a fleet of three vessels and some helicopters and marines to take part.

RULES OUT MILITARY BLOC

Assuring the media, Putin said that the military cooperation between Russia and China is not directed against anyone, and is not meant to start to form new military blocs.

For his part, Niinisto said it was not the first exercise between China and Russia, nor the first time for Chinese vessels to come to Europe, adding that Chinese navy has been in the Mediterranean before.

"Also Finland takes part in exercises in the Baltic, such as upcoming Aurora with Sweden and the U.S.," said Niinisto. "Aurora is not intended to form blocks as well."

As part of the annual military cooperation program, the drill codenamed "Joint Sea 2017" aims to jointly carry out rescue missions and protect the safety of maritime economic activities.

The regular joint exercises have become an annual program, as Putin emphasized that the two countries have strategic cooperation in the fields of economy, politics and military.

DEPLORES U.S. INVESTIGATIONS

As for the investigations into the so-called Russian influence in the U.S. presidential election, Putin said the effort was to create anti-Russian hysteria. He claimed that the investigations were not real investigations, as they lack a full study of the situation.

He noted that the election of a U.S. president has nothing to do with Russia, and it is not Russia's business to evaluate what the U.S. president does.

The Russian president criticized the U.S. practice as an effort to "make U.S. legislation valid in other countries", and said Russian-U.S. relations were being sacrificed to U.S. domestic issues.

But Putin stopped short of defining what possible counter measures Russia would adopt if the United States would impose new sanctions against Russia. Putin said he would first see what the final outcome of the sanctions would be.

Niinisto warned that any new sanctions would affect other countries and therefore there are talks within the European Union.

Local analysts noted possible new U.S. sanctions against Russia could affect the expansion of the Baltic gas pipelines known as Nordstream 2.

APPRECIATES BALTIC NEUTRAL COUNTRIES

Putin also expressed his appreciation of the roles of the "neutral" countries along the shores of the Baltic.

There are six NATO countries in the Baltic region, whereas Finland and Sweden are not affiliated with the military alliance.

Long-time Finnish MP Ilkka Kanerva, chairman of the parliamentary defence committee, said that Putin again expressed between the lines that he does not want Finland or Sweden to join NATO.

"When Putin mentioned 'neutral countries in the Baltic sphere' and 'Finnish independent foreign policy', he sent the message he does not want to see all of the Baltic basin as members of NATO."

Markku Kivinen, the director of the Aleksanteri Institute of Helsinki University, said Putin sent a tacit message to Finland to act independently in the European Union.

Interviewed by the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, Kivinen referred to Putin's appreciation of Finland for its "independent foreign policy".
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 07:03:26|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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SAN JOSE, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Costa Rica authorities seized 686 kg of cocaine hidden in a truck that was driving along the country's Pacific coast on Thursday, the ministry of public security said.

The seizure occurred 5km outside the municipality of Quepos, near the town of Puntarenas, with six people travelling in the truck and two escort vehicles being arrested.

The seizure was made possible due to "confidential information alerting about a truck that could be transporting drugs to Quepos", the ministry said in a statement.

"A police operation was immediately activated with road blocks and searches of vehicles matching the description," it added.

The cocaine was divided into 686 one-kilogram packets, the ministry said, adding that the drugs and the suspects have been handed over to Costa Rica's prosecutor-general.

Costa Rica's geographic position makes a strategic point for the drug trade in the region, as it serve as a corridor for moving drugs from South America to North America.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 07:14:28|Editor: Song Lifang

Dancers perform "Big City, Big Dreams" during a dress rehearsal at Joburg Theatre, in Johannesburg, South Africa, on July 27, 2017. Dress rehearsal of "Big City, Big Dreams" by Joburg Ballet, Moving Into Dance Mophatong and Vuyani Dance Theatre before its first show was held here Thursday. "Big City, Big Dreams", a creative production combining classical ballet with contemporary and street dance, will be shown here from July 28 to Aug. 6. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 07:23:31|Editor: Lu Hui

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WASHINGTON, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a bill that will slap tougher sanctions on Russia, Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), two days after the bill was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives.

The bill, approved by a vote of 98 to 2, will also grant the U.S. Congress the power to block U.S. President Donald Trump from unilaterally lifting sanctions on Russia. The bill will now be sent to the White House for Trump to sign into law or veto.

This bill came despite that Trump administration officials had called on lawmakers to grant "flexibility" to the White House in dealing with Russia.

So far, it remained unclear whether Trump will veto or sign the bill into law.

Speaking on Thursday before the vote in Senate, White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders said while the Trump administration "supports sanctions" against Russia, Iran and the DPRK, the White House would make a decision after seeing the contents of the final bill.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 09:35:01|Editor: An

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BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- For the past 27 years, China has devoted itself to peacekeeping missions by dispatching troops to maintain peace, participate in infrastructure construction, and provide medical services in conflict-torn countries in accordance with related UN mechanisms.

The contribution of China's "blue helmets" has earned applause and respect from the international community.

PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

It was not until April 1990 that the Chinese army first made its name appear in the briefings of the UN peacekeeping missions, which stated that five military observers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) had arrived in Damascus.

Up to now, the Chinese army has been lauded as a "critical factor and key force of peacekeeping operations," having dispatched a total of 35,000 person-times of peacekeeping and military personnel to take part in 24 UN peacekeeping missions.

At the sparsely populated Lebanon-Israel border, the eye-catching signs of skulls and dreadful thick wire-nettings constantly send out a serious warning to people about the heavily mined "Death Zone."

The 16th batch of Chinese peacekeeping forces recently made a reparative investigation of 163 boundary pillars along the 121-km-long "blue line" which serves as the border of the two countries, amid a dangerous minefield, a complex geographical environment, a hot climate, thistles and thorns, as well as vipers and insects.

The first-level hospital of the 16th Chinese peacekeeping force provides free services to Lebanese people, as well as Palestinian and Syrian refugees, offering medical treatment to everyone who was checked at the sentry.

Chinese soldiers went back and forth between their camps and the "blue line," passing more than 10 villages along the way every day. Wherever they went, the soldiers were welcomed with thumbs-ups and praises such as "China good" or "China friend."

Since 2006, while completing the peacekeeping missions in Lebanon, Chinese peacekeepers have been dedicated to displaying Chinese power, building Chinese platforms, shaping Chinese image and conveying Chinese spirit, winning high praises from the United Nations and other countries and having been regarded as "the most friendly people in UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon)."

INTERNATIONAL COMMENDATION

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is highly appreciative of Chinese peacekeepers' long-term contribution to peace and stability in her country.

"Chinese peacekeepers come to Liberia not just to protect us but also to offer aid to our national army to defend ourselves in a more efficient way. We thank you for all that you have done to us," she said while addressing a ceremony in the capital of Monrovia on July 22.

Sirleaf also extended her sincere gratitude towards the Chinese government for its constant and generous help.

"We thank the Chinese government for giving out support and help to us in every walk. When we encountered difficulties with no other countries by our side, China was the first to give a hand. It turns out that China is a true friend to us. Thank you, China! I am looking forward to continuing cooperation between our two counties and stepping up our lasting friendship," she said.

On March 10, a total of 140 Chinese peacekeeping police officers departed from Beijing for a year-long mission to Liberia, which was China's fifth team of peacekeeping police to the African nation.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix has also spoken highly of China's dedication to world peace.

"As the second largest financial contributor, China's contribution to peacekeeping is extremely important," Lacroix told Xinhua in a recent interview.

"I was deeply impressed by the quality of the Chinese contingent, qualified people and quality equipment -- this is very important," he noted.

The UN does not have its own military force; it depends on contributions from member states. As of March 31, 2014, 122 countries contributed military and police personnel to UN peacekeeping operations, according to UN statistics.

UN official statistics show that China currently contributes 2,512 people to UN peacekeeping missions, including 155 police, 34 military experts and 2,323 troops. On average, China contributes more troops to UN peacekeeping missions than any other permanent member of the UN Security Council.

"We look forward that China will bring those contributions to a level of readiness that will enable us, if needed, to rapidly deploy Chinese units wherever they are needed," said Lacroix.

"This is a very much appreciated effort," he said.

A consensus has been reached among UN top management echelon that peacekeeping operations have evolved from simply monitoring cease-fires to protecting civilians, disarming ex-combatants, protecting human rights, promoting the rule of law, supporting free and fair elections, minimizing the risk of landmines and much more.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 10:01:12|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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DENVER, the United States, July 27 (Xinhua) -- An Arizona man who said he was "hell-bent on killing federal agents" was handed a 68-year sentence by a federal judge on Wednesday.

Gregory Burleson, 53, was the first to be sentenced for his role in the 2014 armed standoff between federal agents and supporters of Cliven Bundy near his Nevada ranch.

A total of 17 people, including Cliven Bundy and his sons, Ammon and Ryan, have been charged for the standoff.

The uprising at Bundy's ranch grew out of a dispute in which federal agents confiscated Bundy's cattle over his refusal to pay fees required for grazing his livestock on government land. The standoff became a flashpoint in long-simmering tensions over federal ownership of vast tracts of public lands in the West.

Burleson came to Nevada on April 11, 2014, carrying weapons and with two other men, to take part in the standoff, court documents revealed.

He was found guilty in April on multiple felony counts, including threatening and assaulting federal officers, obstruction of justice, and traveling across state lines to commit extortion.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro in Las Vegas said she believed Burleson and other armed men used "scare and bullying tactics."

Navarro reduced by five years Burleson's maximum 73-year sentence because he has become blind and was once an informant for the FBI.

Burleson "impeded, intimidated, interfered with, assaulted, and extorted federal law enforcement officers," Navarro read from the bench.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 10:21:30|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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TOKYO, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday said Defense Minister Tomomi Inada had submitted her resignation to account for a scandal involving the coverup of logs that recorded the daily activities of Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force troops serving as U.N. peacekeepers in South Sudan.

Inada's resignation comes ahead of a planned Cabinet reshuffle by the prime minister next week.

Inada tendered her resignation despite denying the allegations. Abe said he has accepted the resignation.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 11:44:41|Editor: Lu Hui

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TOKYO, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Defense Minister Tomomi Inada submitted her resignation on Friday to take responsibility for a scandal involving the coverup of logs that recorded the activities of Japanese ground troops serving as U.N. peacekeepers in South Sudan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.

Inada's duties as defense minister will be taken over by Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida in the meantime until the appointment of a new defense chief. Her resignation comes ahead of a planned Cabinet reshuffle by the prime minister next week.

Sources close to the matter said Friday that amid diminishing public trust in the Defense Ministry and the Self-Defense Forces, Abe is looking to replace Inada with someone with experience, with Itsunori Onodera's name being floated as her likely successor.

Abe first named Itsunori Onodera as defense minister in December, 2012.

Inada's resignation follows allegations that senior members of the Defense Ministry and top brass from the Ground Self-Defense Forces had knowledge of controversial mission logs containing the daily activities of troops deployed to South Sudan on a U.N. peacekeeping mission.

The logs, which showed the security situation where the troops had been deployed was deteriorating, were said by the Defense Ministry to have been discarded by members of the GSDF. The ministry later said that a digital version of the logs had been found.

Under intense media, public and political scrutiny over the coverup scandal, Inada's resignation to account for the alleged coverup has vehemently been called for by opposition parties, who suspect she knew the logs existed all along.

Senior SDF officials allegedly also knew at the time that the GSDF still had the data and government sources have claimed Inada had herself approved the coverup.

The Defense Ministry initially said in December last year that the mission logs from July detailing the increasingly severe situation for the Japanese troops, had been discarded by GSDF members.

The Defense Ministry in February, in a volte-face, said it had found the logs in digital format on a computer belonging to the Self-Defense Forces Joint Staff Office.

But the ministry, at this juncture, still falsely claimed that the GSDF had discarded the same data.

The descriptions in the controversial logs would have certainly seen the Japanese troops withdrawn from the area in South Sudan as the troops could have become caught up in fighting there, which would not only endanger their lives, but also contravene the nation's pacifist Constitution.

When Japan did finally pull its GSDF troops from the U.N. mission at the end of May this year, it said it was because the troops' activities had produced notable results during their five-year placement.

The government here made no mention of the troops being pulled because of the rapidly deteriorating security situation in South Sudan.

Inada has denied the allegations being levied at her and following a probe into the situation by the Defense Ministry, the ministry also denied on Friday that Inada had played a role in concealing the data.

Inada, a layer-turned-politician and close ally of the prime minister became defense minister in a Cabinet reshuffle in August last year.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 11:49:43|Editor: Lu Hui

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CARACAS, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The Venezuelan government warned political opponents of legal consequences if they try to prevent others from voting in Sunday's elections for a new constituent assembly.

Obstructing the right to vote carries jail terms of five to 10 years, Minister of Justice and the Interior Nestor Reverol told reporters at a press conference Thursday.

Elections for 545 members of the National Constituent Assembly (ANC) will take place on Sunday amid heightened tension between supporters of the ruling socialist party and the conservative opposition, which has stepped up pressure in an attempt to derail the vote.

Violent street protests claimed more lives on Thursday, raising the death toll to 105.

The ANC will be tasked to amend the constitution, and opponents see the initiative as President Nicolas Maduro's tactic to consolidate power.

The government says the initiative can help the country move beyond the political crisis that has paralyzed the public sector. Supporters of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela also gathered in the capital city of Caracas to celebrate the upcoming poll.

At the press conference, Reverol also detailed the security plans designed to ensure a smooth voting, including patrols in all 23 states by police officers, military personnel, members of civil protection agencies, and firefighters.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 12:04:48|Editor: Lu Hui

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HANOI, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's central Da Nang city will host the first International Theater Institute (ITI) World Performing Arts Festival in 2018, the municipal authorities announced on Friday.

The festival will be held on the occasion of the 70th founding anniversary of ITI which was established on July 1, 1948, and whose membership has now expanded to over 90 countries worldwide.

Becoming an official member of ITI at the 30th ITI World Congress in 2004 in Mexico, Vietnam values the organization platforms for international exchange and engagement in the education of performing arts, including theater, dance and music.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 12:09:49|Editor: Zhou Xin

A car (front) carrying a suspect leaves the court at Shah Alam, Malaysia, on July 28, 2017. A Malaysian court decided on Friday that the trial of two women suspects, who were arrested following the death of a Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) man in February, will begin in October. (Xinhua/Chong Voon Chung)

SHAH ALAM, Malaysia, July 28 (Xinhua) -- A Malaysian court decided on Friday that the trial of two women suspects, who were arrested following the death of a Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) man in February, will begin in October.

Shah Alam high court judge Azmi Ariffin set more than 20 days for the trial starting from Oct. 2 till the end of November.

The two female suspects, Siti Aisyah from Indonesia and Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam, appeared in the court on Friday following previous appearances in lower courts.

The defence lawyers said they received the surveillance footage at the airport during the incident from the police on Friday.

The two women, along with suspects from the DPRK, were accused of murdering a man on Feb. 13 at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport with deadly nerve agent. The two women insisted that they were duped into what they thought was a harmless prank.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 13:05:05|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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TRIPOLI, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The Libyan eastern-based authorities backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar on Thursday expelled 12 Sudanese diplomats and closed a Sudanese consulate over national security concerns, according to eastern Libyan news agency.

The consulate was shutdown in Kufra, an oasis in southern Libya, with the consul and 11 other diplomats given 72 hours to leave the country.

The closure of the Sudanese consulate in Kufra was due to unconventional practices by the officials of the consulate, which were "contrary to the status established by international conventions for the staff of diplomatic missions and consulates, which is in violation of Libyan national security," said the eastern-based authorities.

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry summoned Libyan Charge D'Affaires Ali Muftah Mahroug in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum on Thursday to protest the closure of its consulate.

"Since its establishment, the consulate has been appreciated by all the dignitaries, leaders and people of the region, with whom it has commercial, cultural and social exchanges that serve the interests of the peoples of both countries," the Sudanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry also called for reconsideration of this decision in order to allow the consulate to resume its normal duties.

Khartoum recognizes the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli and its leader, Fayez Sarraj, while Haftar and the eastern-based authorities supported by his force refuses to recognize the GNA and kept battling to legitimacy.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 13:05:07|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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WASHINGTON, July 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Boy Scouts chief Thursday made a public apology after questions were raised regarding a politically charged speech given to boy scouts by U.S. President Donald Trump.

"I want to extend my sincere apologies to those in our Scouting family who were offended by the political rhetoric that was inserted into the jamboree," Chief Scout Executive for the Boy Scouts of America Mike Surbaugh said in a statement.

"We have steadfastly remained non-partisan and refused to comment on political matters. We sincerely regret that politics were inserted into the Scouting program," Surbaugh said.

Surbaugh's apology was in reference to Trump's speech at the Boy Scout National Jamboree Monday, during which he attacked the U.S. media, political opponent Hillary Clinton and former President Barack Obama.

Inviting sitting presidents is a tradition, not endorsements, Surbaugh said.

Trump spoke to some 40,000 scouts in the U.S. state of West Virginia, and boasted of his election victory to the scouts, most of whom are yet to reach voting age.

The crowd at one point cheered "We love Trump," and booed Obama.

Trump's speech has angered some parents and former scouts, who believed that the youth group should stay clear of politics.

Boy Scouts of America, founded in 1910, is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States with 2.4 million youth participants.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 13:40:23|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

File photo taken on July 10, 2016 shows Tomomi Inada at the headquarters of Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo, Japan. Japan's Defense Minister Tomomi Inada submitted her resignation on July 28, 2017 to take responsibility for a scandal involving the coverup of controversial logs that recorded the daily activities of Japanese ground troops serving as UN peacekeepers in South Sudan. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

TOKYO, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Defense Minister Tomomi Inada submitted her resignation on Friday to take responsibility for a scandal involving the coverup of controversial logs that recorded the daily activities of Japanese ground troops serving as UN peacekeepers in South Sudan.

"I accepted Inada's resignation out of respect for her desire to take responsibility for having caused disruption," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters, also conceding that he bore the blame for appointing her and apologizing to the public at the same time.

Inada's duties as defense minister will be taken over by Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida in the meantime until the appointment of a new defense chief. Her resignation comes ahead of a planned Cabinet reshuffle by the prime minister next week.

"We cannot allow there to be any gaps in our national security," Abe said with regard to Inada's departure, that will deal a heavy blow to Abe personally as she was a close ally and to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) amid historically low public support rates.

Inada herself said the long-running issue pertaining to the alleged coverup of the activity logs could damage the public's trust in the Defense Ministry and the Self-Defense Force (SDF).

"This issue has given the public an impression that could damage their trust in the governance of the Defense Ministry and SDF," Inada told a press conference.

"As the defense minister who directs and supervises the Defense Ministry and SDF, I am acutely aware of my responsibility and I have decided to leave the role," she said.

Sources close to the matter said Friday that amid diminishing public trust in the Defense Ministry and the SDF, Abe is looking to replace Inada with someone with experience.

Itsunori Onodera's name has been floated as her likely successor. Abe first named Itsunori Onodera as defense minister in December 2012.

Inada's resignation follows allegations that senior members of the Defense Ministry and top brass from the Ground Self-Defense Forces (GSDF) had knowledge of controversial mission logs containing the daily activities of troops deployed to South Sudan on a UN peacekeeping mission.

The logs, which showed the security situation where the troops had been deployed was deteriorating, were said by the Defense Ministry to have been discarded by members of the GSDF.

The ministry later said that a digital version of the logs had been found.

Under intense media, public and political scrutiny over the coverup scandal, Inada's resignation to account for the alleged coverup has vehemently been called for by opposition parties, who have long suspected she knew the logs existed all along.

Senior SDF officials allegedly also knew at the time that the GSDF still had the data, and government sources have claimed Inada had herself approved the coverup.

The Defense Ministry initially said in December last year that the mission logs from July detailing the increasingly severe situation for the Japanese troops, had been discarded by GSDF members.

The Defense Ministry in February, in a volte-face, said it had found the logs in digital format on a computer belonging to the Self-Defense Forces Joint Staff Office.

But the ministry, at this juncture, still falsely claimed that the GSDF had discarded the same data.

The descriptions in the controversial logs would have certainly seen the Japanese troops withdrawn from the area in South Sudan as the troops could have become caught up in fighting there, which would not only endanger their lives, but also contravene the nation's pacifist Constitution.

When Japan did finally pull its GSDF troops from the UN mission at the end of May this year, it said it was because the troops' activities had produced notable results during their five-year deployment.

The Japanese government made no mention of the troops being pulled because of the rapidly deteriorating security situation in South Sudan.

Inada has denied the allegations being levied at her and following a probe into the situation by the Defense Ministry, the ministry also denied on Friday that Inada had played a role in concealing the data.

A report by investigators following the probe said that the possibility that Inada heard "some remarks" about the existence of digital data of the GSDF logs in question, during meetings with senior defense personnel and Ground Staff Office members, "could not be ruled out."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 13:50:28|Editor: An

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BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has signed an order to award the Order of August 1 (Bayi) to ten military officers.

Xi is general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC).

Approved by the CMC, the Order of August 1 is awarded to those who have made outstanding contributions to safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and advancing the modernization of national defense and the armed forces.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 13:55:31|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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CANBERRA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- More Australian MPs and senators are expected to be caught up in the federal Parliament's dual citizenship fiasco, according to a citizenship law expert on Friday.

Up to 20 MPs who were born overseas, or whose parents were born overseas, are being urged to check their dual citizenship status.

The revelation comes after Nationals Senator Matt Canavan became the third Parliamentary representative to resign because of dual citizenship, after he found out his mother successfully applied for Italian dual citizenship without his knowledge a decade ago.

Under Section 44 of the Australian constitution, anyone who is a "citizen or entitled to the rights or privileges of a subject or a citizen of a foreign power" is not allowed to run for office.

On Friday, experts have expressed concerns that Canavan's resignation from his cabinet position was just the tip of the iceberg.

Citizenship law expert Kim Rubenstein from the Australian National University (ANU) said those in Parliament should have sought legal advice before throwing their hat in the ring, telling News Corp that taking a family member's word for it simply doesn't cut it.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 14:00:33|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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WASHINGTON, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a bill that will slap tougher sanctions on Russia, Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), two days after the bill was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives.

The bill, approved by a vote of 98 to 2, will also grant the U.S. Congress the power to block U.S. President Donald Trump from unilaterally lifting sanctions on Russia. The bill will now be sent to the White House for Trump to sign into law or veto.

Bernie Sanders, who voted against the bill, said on Twitter that "following Trump's comments that he won't recertify Iran's compliance with the nuclear agreement I worry new sanctions could endanger it." Republican Senator Rand Paul also voted against the bill.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said via Twitter that by passing the bill decisively, the Senate demonstrated its unity against Russia and sent a direct message to the country's government not to interfere in U.S. elections.

This bill came although Trump administration officials had called on lawmakers to grant "flexibility" to the White House in dealing with Russia.

So far, it remained unclear whether Trump will veto the bill or sign it into law.

Experts expect Trump to sign the bill, probably with reluctance.

"The White House will not like the bill, as it limits presidential authority," Steven Pifer, a senior fellow at Brookings Institution, told Xinhua.

But Trump "may have no choice but to sign," Pifer said.

Speaking on Thursday before the vote in Senate, White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that while the Trump administration "supports sanctions" against Russia, Iran and the DPRK, the White House would make a decision after seeing the contents of the final bill.

Newly appointed White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci told U.S. media that Trump "may sign the sanctions exactly the way they are, or he may veto the sanctions and negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians."

On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the bill aimed at targeting key Russian officials in retaliation for Moscow's alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as sanctions against Iran and the DPRK in response to their weapons programs.

On Wednesday, the Kremlin said Russia will respond to a new round of sanctions by the United States should they become law.

"The attitude to this will be formulated after careful analysis, and the decision will certainly be taken by the head of state, President Vladimir Putin," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by TASS news agency.

Peskov said the decision of U.S. lawmakers was "very sad news" for Russia-U.S. relations, international law and international trade relations.

The bill would impose sweeping sanctions on Russia, targeting its defense, intelligence, mining, shipping, energy and railway industries, and restrict dealings with its banks.

Reportedly it punishes Russia for its alleged role in Ukraine's crisis and the U.S. presidential election, the claims that Moscow has repeatedly denied.

Iran, too, vowed "a necessary response" to the new U.S. sanctions, according to the official IRNA news agency.

Iran is used to these kinds of "hostilities" and knows how to deal with them, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said at a cabinet meeting.

"Iranians well know that they should resist and stand against their enemies," he said. "Over the past 40 years, the Iranians have faced numerous pressures, sanctions and accusations by the U.S. politicians and their propaganda machine."

"The Americans cannot tolerate an independent and influential country in this sensitive region," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 14:05:36|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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NEW DELHI, July 28 (Xinhua) -- India's Supreme Court has put an end to immediate arrests of a man and his family members in dowry harassment cases lodged by his wife.

A two-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, gave the ruling Thursday after expressing concern over disgruntled wives misusing the anti-dowry law in India against their husbands and parents-in-law to settle scores.

"It is a matter of serious concern that large number of cases continue to be filed under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (anti-dowry law) alleging harassment of married women

Many such complaints are not bona fide," the court said.

"At the time of filing of the complaint, implications and consequences are not visualised. At times, such complaints lead to uncalled for harassment not only to the accused, but also to the complainant. Uncalled for arrest may ruin the chances of settlement," it added.

The court said that dowry complaints should now be referred to Family Welfare Committees - to be constituted at every district of the country - and no arrest shall be effected till the committee's report is received by police.

"Till report of the committee is received, no arrest should normally be effected. The report may be then considered by the investigating officer or a magistrate on its own merit," the court ruled.

However, in cases of deaths of a woman due to dowry harassment, police can take immediate action, the court ruled.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 16:01:50|Editor: Zhou Xin

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SEOUL, July 28 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's auto exports rose in the second quarter thanks to demand from Europe and the Middle East, customs data showed Friday.

Car exports by local automakers reached 10.3 billion U.S. dollars in the April-June period, up 7.2 percent from the same period of last year, according to Korea Customs Service.

The number of automobiles exported to overseas countries was 700,000 in the second quarter, up 1.4 percent from a year ago.

The growth was attributed to strong demand from oil-exporting countries in the Middle East such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran, to which exports more than doubled in the quarter.

Car exports to Germany, Spain and Italy also posted a double-digit expansion.

The average export price of locally-made cars came in at 14,851 U.S. dollars per unit in the quarter, up 5.7 percent from a year earlier.

Car imports tumbled 15.6 percent over the year to 2.5 billion dollars in the second quarter. The number of imported vehicles plunged 18.1 percent to 80,000 units.
German police officers check vehicles at the border between Germany and Belgium near Aachen, Germany, March 23, 2016. (Xinhua/Gong Bing)

BERLIN, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Individuals suspected of plotting terrorist attacks in Germany can be forcibly deported in a "fast track" process, a ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe found on Thursday.

A corresponding provision in German residence law did not contradict the country's constitution, a statement published by the court read. The Federal Constitutional Court is the highest judicial authority in Germany.

The ruling enables interior ministries across the country's 16 states to deport non-German citizens more rapidly if they are seen to constitute a "special threat to the security of the German Federal Republic or a terrorist threat."

The judges have thus confirmed the constitutionality of legislation first introduced by German lawmakers following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 in the United States.

The measures were only fully enforced after an Islamic extremist drove a truck into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin on Dec. 19, 2016, killing 12.

During related police raids in Goettingen, Lower Saxony, an Algerian and Nigerian extremist were taken into custody and subsequently deported to their home countries because they were allegedly planning terrorist attacks.

Although the plans were not concrete enough to instigate formal criminal proceedings, the Federal Administrative Court confirmed the deportations.

The Federal Constitutional Court has now assessed the law's constitutionality for the first time on the occasion of a separate incident in the city-state of Bremen.

The case at hand concerned an Algerian citizen who first travelled to Germany in 2003. Authorities in Bremen classified the man as a terror suspect in 2017 and ordered his deportation to Algeria. The appeal to the Federal Constitutional Court which was launched in response by the individual was unsuccessful.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 17:17:45|Editor: Xiang Bo

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ISLAMABAD, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's top court on Friday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over corruption charges.

A five-member larger bench of Supreme Court in an unanimous decision also ordered the country's anti-corruption body to formally register corruption case against the prime minister in six weeks and decide the case within six months.

The court also disqualified the country's Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, as well as Safdar, the husband of the PM's daughter Maryam Nawaz, according to the order. Safdar is a member of the parliament.

The apex court advised the president to take steps for the election of a new prime minister.

The court ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan to issue a notification and de-notify the prime minister from the seat of the National Assembly, the lower house of the parliament.

The Supreme Court ruled that the prime minister has failed to reveal his assets and that he is no more a trusted man under the provisions in the country's constitution.

Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf, the government lawyer, told reporters that the court has disqualified Sharif forever. He said there is no law to appeal against this verdict.

The court also ordered the National Accountability Bureau to register cases against the PM's sons - Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz, daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Safdar.

Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb described the verdict as "unfortunate" and said Nawaz Sharif will remain leader of the PML-N party. She said the gov't legal team is reviewing all aspects of the verdict.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 17:37:55|Editor: Zhou Xin

Pakistani lawyers celebrate after Pakistan's Supreme Court disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over corruption charges, in northwest Pakistan's Peshawar, July 28, 2017. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Friday quit as prime minister after the Supreme Court disqualified him over corruption charges. (Xinhua/Umar Qayyum)

ISLAMABAD, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Friday quit as prime minister after the Supreme Court disqualified him over corruption charges.

The court had ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan to de-notify Nawaz Sharif as member of the parliament.

In a formal reaction to the court's verdict, the spokesman for the ruling party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party said that despite "serious reservations over the contents of the petition and different stages until the court's verdict, it has been decided that the court verdict will be implemented."

"The Prime Minister Mr Nawaz Sharif immediately relinquished powers as prime minister," the spokesman said in a statement issued by the PM's office.

He said "all legal and constitutional requirements of fair trial have been badly trampled. Injustice has been done with us. History will make its own decision on this verdict."

The court had also ordered the country's anti-corruption body National Accountability Bureau to start formal criminal proceedings against the PM, the country's finance minister and two sons, daughter and son-in-law of the prime minister for allegedly concealing their property abroad.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 17:48:00|Editor: Xiang Bo

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BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- As the special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping, He Lifeng, head of China's National Development and Reform Commission, will attend the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran on Aug. 5.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang made the announcement on Friday.

Noting that He will attend at the invitation of the Iranian government, Lu said China and Iran enjoy a friendly relationship, and in January 2016, President Xi paid a state visit to Iran, during which the two sides announced they would establish a comprehensive strategic partnership.

China highly values ties with Iran and will work with Iran to cement friendship and deepen practical cooperation, said Lu.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 18:13:18|Editor: Zhou Xin

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LUSAKA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Zambia's revenue agency warned on Friday that it will freeze all bank accounts holders without Tax Payer Identification Number (TPIN) by the end of this year.

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) said having a TPIN was a pre-requisite to all procedures of tax registration and that all bank account holders without the identification numbers will have their accounts frozen by December 31, 2017.

Topys Sikalinda, the tax agency's corporate affairs manager said in a statement that it was a requirement by law for all citizens with a bank account to have a TPIN which should be submitted to their respective banks for inclusion in their details.

He, however, clarified that those with TPIN will not be taxed from their bank accounts but the procedure was meant for an identification initiative for all tax compliant citizens.

"All the money deposited into individual bank accounts is already taxed and there, the acquisition of a TPIN will not lead to double taxation," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 18:28:23|Editor: Zhou Xin

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CARACAS, July 28 (Xinhua) -- With the Sunday vote on the creation of a National Constituent Assembly (ANC) in Venezuela approaching, the country remains unstable with spiralling political violence. Meanwhile, eight powers intertwine and struggle to shape Venezuela's political future.

The Venezuelan government is the executive branch of Venezuela. The country's left-wing leader Hugo Chavez served as the President of Venezuela from 1999 to 2013. His handpicked successor, Nicolas Maduro, took office after Chavez passed away in 2013.

The upcoming ANC is key to the government in deciding whether the new constitution could limit the power of the National Assembly.

The severest challenge awaits the government is whether it could win in the regional elections scheduled at the end of 2017 as well as the 2018 presidential election.

The National Assembly is the unicameral legislative branch of Venezuela. The opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) won a majority in the National Assembly in December 2015 and ended 17-years of control by Chavez and Maduro. Since then, it has been wrestling with the government.

The power of the National Assembly will be severely weakened after Maduro proposed to review and amend the constitution.

The Supreme Tribunal of Justice (STJ) is Venezuela's head of the judicial branch.

Before the opposition took control of the National Assembly, 33 judges named by the Maduro-led government were appointed. Sine then, the STJ has become an important ally of the government to counter the power of the opposition-led National Assembly.

On March 29, the STJ decided to take over the legislative power of the National Assembly, and reversed the decision on April 1 after being condemned by various parties.

The National Electoral Council (CNE) is the country's electoral branch overseeing elections and referendums at the municipal, regional and national levels.

The CNE is a key supporting power of the government. In October 2016, the CNE suspended the opposition's campaign to hold a recall referendum against Maduro.

Tibisay Lucena, the President of the CNE, announced that the CNE would take new measures to ensure the security of the elections of the ANC.

The National Bolivarian Armed Forces is a vital party to the stable political situation in the country.

The opposition MUD made appeals to the military leaders to defy Maduro's orders in recent strikes, but the appeals did not work.

The Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez recently affirmed that the military has unconditional loyalty to Maduro.

The United States backs Venezuela's right-wing opposition. The U.S. government has demanded Maduro to call off the June 30 vote, and on Wednesday announced sanctions on 13 current and former Venezuelan government officials to pressure Maduro. Canada and the European Union have joined the United States to call on the Venezuelan government to drop the vote.

Latin American countries supporting the Venezuelan government are left-wing countries such as Cuba, Ecuador, Bolivia, Nicaragua and Salvador. The left-wing power in Latin America has faced setbacks in recent years, but still maintains influence.

Latin American countries opposing the ANC include Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, Peru and some others. They advocate that the intense situation should be solved through dialogue between the Venezuelan government and the opposition.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 18:33:24|Editor: Mengjie

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (C) meets with Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, South African Minister of State Security David Mahlobo, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Brazilian Institutional Security Minister Sergio Etchegoyen, who are here to attend the seventh meeting of BRICS High Representatives for Security Issues, in Beijing, capital of China, July 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday that enhancing BRICS cooperation not only protects and expands the interests of BRICS countries, but also helps explore ways to build a new type of international relations.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, South African Minister of State Security David Mahlobo, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Brazilian Institutional Security Minister Sergio Etchegoyen, who were in Beijing to attend the seventh meeting of BRICS High Representatives for Security Issues.

Xi congratulated on the success of the two-day meeting, saying that it has made important preparations for the upcoming BRICS summit in China's southeastern coastal city of Xiamen in September.

Serving as a major platform for BRICS nations to cooperate and discuss political and security issues, the meeting on Thursday and Friday was chaired by Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 18:33:25|Editor: Zhou Xin

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ABUJA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's police on Friday confirmed the killing of a policeman by an irate mob in Onitsha, a business district in the southeastern state of Anambra.

The mob had accused the deceased policeman of forcibly stopping an articulated vehicle carrying sand, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and resulting in a fatal accident on Thursday.

A police spokeswoman said three people, including a woman and two children, had died on the spot of the accident.

She expressed disappointment over the development, saying the youths chose an illegal mob action over reporting the matter to the local police.

All policemen around the area had attempted to flee the scene but were attacked by the mob, eyewitnesses said.

According to the witnesses, the mob had spontaneously chased the policemen and beat up two of them, while others escaped with their guns.

The mob also set ablaze a building where the deceased policeman and his colleagues were on special duty.

The police had so far carried out a mass arrest of persons suspected to have taken part in the mob action in the area.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 18:33:26|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- China opposes any unilateral sanctions imposed by any country outside the framework of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Friday.

Lu Kang told a daily news briefing that China especially opposes sanctions against Chinese entities and people.

Media outlets reported Friday that Japan imposed unilateral sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and expanded its blacklists of entities and individuals with ties to the country, including two Chinese enterprises.

Lu said China is committed to denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, and has fully implemented the UNSC resolutions against the DPRK.

"Japan's new sanctions could be shooting itself in the foot," he said, adding that China would never accept Japan's wrong move.

China urges Japan to withdraw the wrong decision, Lu said.

"If Japan still acts arbitrarily, it will bring major political obstacles to China-Japan relations and bilateral cooperation on the Korean Peninsula issues. Japan should pay the consequences," Lu said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 18:38:29|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- In the past five years, China has achieved great results in pushing forward reforms on the domestic front and played a more active role on the global stage, experts in many countries said when asked to comment on a key speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the 19th national congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, gave the speech at a workshop for provincial and ministerial officials earlier this week.

Severino Cabral, head of the Brazilian Institute of China and Asia Pacific Studies, said that since the last CPC national congress, the Chinese government has carried out many concrete measures to promote healthier socio-economic development, adding that what China has done in ensuring social progress while markedly improving people's living standard has won admiration across the globe.

China's growth model and the country's governance style have offered an inspiration for other countries, and China's proposal for common development has been increasingly responded to in the face of unstable global economy and security, Cabral said.

Guo Shengxiang, dean of the Academy of APEC Creative Finance, an Australian think tank, said the CPC has been striving to build a "new normal" of slower but more sustainable economic growth in the past five years, laying a solid foundation for the country to bypass the "middle-income trap."

China's anti-corruption endeavors during the five-year period also drew positive comments.

Macharia Munene, professor of international relations at the U.S. International University in Nairobi, said that China's fight against corruption has proven effective, and that has won applause from both home and abroad.

Munene also expressed confidence that under the leadership of the CPC, China will give a right answer as how to tackle the global problem of corruption.

Koh Chin Yee, CEO of the Longus Research Institute in Singapore, said China's anti-corruption drive and its moves to strengthen party discipline have reduced the social cost of corruption and burnished the CPC's leadership role in China.

By putting forward the Belt and Road Initiative and showing growing willingness to play a major role in promoting globalization, China has given a shot in the arm for the flagging global economy, said Koh.

Jiagu Richter, a foreign policy expert with the University of Vienna, noted that China has accomplished several "big deeds" in diplomacy over the past few years, including setting up the Asia Infrastructure Development Bank, and pushing forward the Belt and Road Initiative.

An increasing number of people in Europe are starting to realize that many countries could benefit if China succeeds in its endeavors, he said, underlining China's role as a global stabilizer.

Xi's speech at the high-level meeting indicates that China will continue its "major-country foreign policy with Chinese characteristics" and keep up its practice of multilateralism by shouldering more global responsibilities and providing more public products, Richter said.

Abbas Zaki, a senior Fatah official in charge of managing relations between China and the Palestinians, told Xinhua that various concepts put forward by China, including common development and common prosperity, are in line with the aspirations of all mankind, and China-proposed solutions to some major global issues such as fighting terrorism have raised China's global profile.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 18:58:40|Editor: Yamei

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BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The Central Military Commission (CMC) on Friday promoted five senior military officers to the rank of general, the highest rank for officers in active service in China.

At the promotion ceremony, CMC Chairman Xi Jinping presented the officers with certificates of command, shook hands with them and extended his congratulations.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 19:03:42|Editor: Zhou Xin

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by Peerzada Arshad Hamid

NEW DELHI, July 28 (Xinhua) -- A day after Al-Qaeda announced it has a group in Indian-controlled Kashmir to fight New Delhi's rule, the region's police chief Friday said it would investigative the presence of the global terror network.

"A militant is a militant, whichever tanzeem (outfit) he belongs. Somebody who has picked up a gun is a militant for us," said Director General of Police (DGP) Shesh Paul Vaid during a press conference in Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

However, he said police would closely monitor the fallout of Thursday's announcement on militancy in the region.

"It's hard to predict any impact immediately, though there is a concern that it might sway youth toward the radical ideology," Vaid said. "We will investigate the arrival of Al-Qaeda in (Indian-controlled) Kashmir."

Al-Qaeda on Thursday officially announced it has a wing in Indian-controlled Kashmir and region's defiant Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Zakir Musa was its chief. The claim was made by the Global Islamic Media Front, online propaganda wing of Al-Qaeda.

In April Musa parted ways with the HM, as his views were seen contrary to HM's core ideology which seeks resolution of Kashmir issue politically.

The new Al-Qaeda cell has been named Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind.

On almost every Friday, protesters opposing New Delhi's rule in Srinagar clash with police, displaying flags of Al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS) after afternoon congregational prayers.

Police officials until now have been refuting presence of global terror networks in the restive region.

Even separatist leaders, who challenge New Delhi's rule in the region have repeatedly rejected the presence of outside groups, including Al-Qaeda, and have accused Indian agencies of maligning the region's indigenous struggle by trying to portray it as terrorism.

Musa was a close aide of Burhan Muzaffar Wani, a popular militant leader whose killing last year triggered a series of protests for months and saw at least 100 young men, mostly teenagers, dead and hundreds others wounded in police shootings on protesters.

Wani's killing also witnessed an increase in the youth joining militant ranks and civilians gathering around gunfight sites in support of militants and help them escape the military cordon.

Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the psyche of majority of Kashmiris. Irate residents often took to the streets and clash with police. The youth throw stones and brickbats on contingents of police and paramilitary, who respond by firing tear smoke shells, pellets and bullets, which often proves fatal.

A guerilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. Gunfights between the two sides take place intermittently across the region.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 19:13:45|Editor: Xiang Bo

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JAKARTA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia will send six men athletes to compete in the shooting events at the SEA Games in Malaysia next month, the Indonesian association said here on Friday.

Head of Indonesian team Marsono said that they will all compete in the individual events of 10m pistol, 10m air pistol, 10m air rifle, 50m pistol, 50m rifle prone and 50m rifle 3 positions.

He said Vietnam shooters are considered as the toughest rivals in the regional sport event.

"But we have anticipated them by undertaking serious practices," he said, adding that the six athletes would show their best performance for the best achievement.

Shooting is scheduled to be held from August 21 to 26 in Selangor of Malaysia, according to Indonesian shooting and hunting association (PERBAKIN).
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 19:23:50|Editor: Yang Yi

The head and the founder of Burundian Wushu Federation and Wushu Bujumbura Club Yves Nilrenganya (L, Front) and Chinese teacher Zhang Xuguang (R, Front), associate professor of the University of International Business and Economics of China, pose for a photo as they practise Chinese martial arts (Wushu) in Bujumbura, capital of Burundi, on July 26, 2017. One afternoon in July, a burst of shouts of practising Chinese martial arts (Wushu) came out from a primary school and could be heard on a crowded street in Bujumbura, capital of Burundi. Over 30 Burundian young men wearing training clothes donated by the Chinese embassy in Burundi were doing Chinese martial arts in the school. They were led by Chinese teacher Zhang Xuguang, associate professor of the University of International Business and Economics of China. (Xinhua/Wang Junbo)

by Lyu Tianran

BUJUMBURA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- One late afternoon in July, a burst of shouts of practicing Chinese martial arts (Wushu) came out from a primary school and could be heard on a crowded street in Bujumbura, capital of Burundi.

Over 30 Burundian youths wearing training clothes donated by the Chinese embassy in Burundi were doing Chinese martial arts in the school. They were led by Chinese teacher Zhang Xuguang, associate professor of the University of International Business and Economics of China.

Burundian Wushu Federation invited Zhang, who is also the director of Lide Martial Arts Research Center at the university, to Burundi to teach them Chinese martial arts. The training started from July 17 and will last for a month.

During the training, Zhang taught them the basics and actions of Wushu and taught them Tai Chi. Zhang planned to teach some of them a kind of traditional Chinese swordplay sometime to spread the Chinese swordplay in Burundi.

"Some of them are very good at Wushu, they practice Wushu with heart and soul," said Zhang, adding that their passion for Wushu is beyond his expectation.

In the training, Zhang consciously help the students to have better understanding of Wushu's connotation.

The head and the founder of Burundian Wushu Federation and Wushu Bujumbura Club Yves Nilrenganya said currently there are 12 Wushu clubs in Burundi, with more than 400 students. These clubs prepare for a national Wushu competition of Burundi each year since 2015, he said, adding that even the first year's competition attracted 2,000 people to watch.

Nilrenganya started learning Chinese Wushu since 2003 when he was a primary school student in Rwanda. His teacher is a Rwandan, who learned Wushu from a Chinese.

"I learned martial arts for protecting myself and for health. After learning Wushu, I also learned philosophy of peace and know how to live with others," he said.

In 2008, Nilrenganya returned to Burundi and started spreading Wushu in different areas of Burundi. In 2017, he created Burundian Wushu Federation with support from the Chinese embassy.

"Wushu is a very important game that every Burundi needs to know," he said. According to him, everyone in Burundi are very excited to see Chinese movies, which include very impressive movements, but people can only see them in film, so he came up with an idea to gather people to do martial arts.

Nilrenganya expected that one day he could represent Burundi to compete in Wushu with people from other countries.

Technician Issa Havyariuana, 28, is Nilrenganya's first student, who started learning Wushu in 2008.

Havyariuana said because of movies of Bruce Li, Wushu has become a favorite game in Burundi. "I first learned Shaolin Wushu, then we started learning the new forms referring to international Wushu," he said.

"I want to be Bruce Li or Jet Li. Learning Wushu helps my technician work, I can do my job faster. I also know how to live with and respect others from Wushu."

Some Burundian Wushu students can speak Chinese, including 27-year-old Ininahazwe Bonfils Ildephonse.

"I like kungfu, it's my hobby. It is also a kind of Chinese culture," Ildephonse, whose Chinese name is Li Zhixuan, told Xinhua in Chinese.

Besides Wushu, he also likes Chinese dancing very much, said Ildephonse, who learned Chinese language at Confucius Institute in Burundi.

"Chinese martial arts could help Burundian people understand Chinese culture and traditional Chinese philosophy. We hope to enrich culture exchanges between China and Burundi through exchanges of Wushu," Chinese Ambassador to Burundi Zhuo Ruisheng told Xinhua in an interview.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 19:23:51|Editor: Zhou Xin

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MOSCOW, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Russia will scale down U.S. diplomatic staff in Russia to 455 people and seize a U.S. warehouse and a recreational compound known as a "dacha" in Moscow in retaliation for Washington's anti-Russian actions, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.

"We ask the U.S. side to bring the number of diplomatic and technical staff working in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and to the consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok, in exact correspondence with the number of Russian diplomats and technical staff in the United States," it said in a statement.

This means that the total number of personnel employed in U.S. diplomatic and consular offices in Russia should be reduced to 455 people by Sept. 1, the statement said, without disclosing the current number.

Moscow will also suspend the use of a warehouse and a dacha in Moscow's prestigious district of Serebryany Bor from Aug. 1 by the U.S. Embassy, it said.

If Washington further cuts the number of Russian diplomats in the United States or takes other unfriendly measures, Russia reserves the right to give a mirror response, said the ministry.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has personally authorized the Foreign Ministry statement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 19:38:56|Editor: Zhou Xin

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JUBA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Over 4 million cattle in South Sudan are infected with the deadly foot and mouse disease that threatens to wipe out the war-torn country's vast untapped livestock economy, officials said late Thursday.

The Minister of Livestock and Fisheries James Janga Duku, despite not declaring an outbreak of the viral animal disease in Juba, said they were working on ways to establish control measures at the various border points in the country to curb further infections.

"We are looking for funds to set up control stations and maximum surveillance along our border. And we are doing this alongside our neighboring countries," he told journalists in Juba.

He added that the foot and mouse disease which does not kill cattle instantly but reduces the levels of milk and yields threatens to affect the vast untapped livestock sector which contributes about 30 percent to the South Sudan's GDP.

The country has 12 million cattle population, 14 million goats and sheep.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) head of programs Felix Dzvurumi said the spread of the disease would worsen the food insecurity situation in the country.

The move comes after the UN declared outbreak in June of the fall army worm putting at risk 6 million people who are already food insecure.

"It is coming at a time when we have other transboundary diseases like fall army worm. All these are putting pressure on the food security of the country," Dzvurumi said.

Meanwhile, the FAO Livestock Officer Nemaya Moga, confirmed an outbreak of the foot and mouth disease, but disclosed it is the government to make official declaration and that further tests are being conducted in the laboratory.

"Efforts have been done to test in the laboratory. It now depends on the government to declare an outbreak of the disease," he said.

Moga added it would take about 18 years for the disease to be controlled in the country as there is lack of well equipped laboratories, research institutes and few veterinary officers at local levels in the now 34 states.

The four Eastern African countries launched a joint initiative on controlling transboundary livestock diseases.

Foot and mouth disease, according to FAO is one of transboundary diseases which have been recognized as one of the devastating diseases seriously affecting food security and global trade in livestock and livestock products in the world.

Duku said that without donor support and capacity building, the foot and mouse will impede their ability to export livestock.

"It will impede our ability to export livestock. If we can't get the budget allocation now then we should go around to donors with a basket," he said.

"You cannot control the disease here when it is in neighboring countries. So what is being done here should also be done there," Moga said of the East African countries like Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia which share the border with South Sudan.

In South Sudan, the disease is endemic, this year alone seven outbreaks have been documented from different location indicating that the disease has spread and affected livestock throughout country.

There is therefore a desire to control and finally eradicate the disease in South Sudan and also within the global community.

South Sudan this year has witnessed numerous outbreaks of livestock disease next to foot and mouth disease including lumpy skin disease, hemorrhagic septicemia and more.

These diseases have a devastating effect on livestock keeping communities in the country as it is affecting availability of food.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (R front) and Kenya African National Union (KANU) party Chairman Gideon Moi (L front) attend KANU delegates meeting at Safaricom Stadium in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, May 6, 2017. KANU party endorsed Uhuru Kenyatta's president's re-election bid on Saturday. (Xinhua/John Okoyo)

NAIROBI, July 28 (Xinhua) -- As Kenya's tightly contested elections draw closer on Aug. 8, citizens are taking all manners of precautions to protect themselves and their families for fear that there may be violence.

Some are taking their families to their ancestral homes while others are raising their fences to boost security of their homes.

On the other hand, some companies are asking their employees to update them on their contacts and place of residence while others have asked their workers, especially that non-core ones to take leave and return after elections.

Amid this, the workers are being asked to take further precautionary measures including buying more food stocks and more mobile phone airtime.

Similarly, foreign governments have issued travel advisories to their citizens both within Kenya and those wishing to visit, warning of political protests, rallies and demonstrations, which often turned violent.

It is evident that no one, both foreigners and Kenyans, wants to be caught unaware in case elections lead to a major dispute as it happened in 2007, leading to violence in which close to 1,000 people were reportedly killed.

The Aug. 8 polls mirror those of 2007, where Kenya was on the brink of civil war due to disputed presidential results, in many aspects.

First is that the incumbent, President Uhuru Kenyatta, is seeking re-election against a resurgent opposition led by Raila Odinga.

In 2007, then President Mwai Kibaki was seeking re-election against his main challenger, who interestingly was Odinga. Kibaki was declared the winner amid claims of massive rigging during the polls.

The Opposition, this time round coalescing under the National Super Alliance (Nasa), has similarly accused Kenyatta's Jubilee party of planning to rig the polls, including by using security forces.

There is also waning confidence in the electoral commission among all the political players, with Nasa claiming the agency is working with ruling Jubilee party to rig the polls.

These claims have stoked fears among the electorate, with many Kenyans now making plans to enable them stay safe and secure their properties.

Assurances from President Kenyatta and security agencies that over 150,000 police officers would be deployed to man the polls and guarantee peace have not yielded much, especially as instances of election violence continue to be witnessed in different parts of the country.

"I have already sent my children to my rural home in Busia where I believe they would be safe in case anything happens. My wife would follow two days before the polls. I cannot take chances again," said Emmanuel Otiato, an electrician in Nairobi.

Kenya's National Supper Alliance (NASA) principals Kalonzo Musyoka (1st L), Moses Wetangula (2nd L), Isaac Ruto (C),Raila Odinga (2nd R) and Musalia Mudavadi display their logo during the unveiling of the National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential candidate, in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, April 27, 2017. Kenya's opposition coalition, NASA on Thursday picked former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as its presidential candidate. Raila Odinga, who has unsuccessfully contested for the presidency three times before, will now face incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta in the August general elections with former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka as his running mate. (Xinhua/Charles Onyango)

Otiato recounted that in 2007, his family suffered as there was no food in the house when violence erupted and people could not move freely.

Most residents of gated communities in Nairobi have come up with measures to boost security, including raising perimeter walls and increasing the number of security guards.

"We contributed 50 U.S. dollars recently which was used to buy spikes that we have erected on the security wall and the rest of the money would go to additional security personnel we would hire for three days during the polls," said Miriam Ngovio, who lives in Kitengela, a suburb on the outskirts of Nairobi.

More than 10 firms in Kenya have this month reportedly taken their employees through safety and emergency response drills ahead of elections.

Some companies have further gone ahead and mapped out various areas across the country where they have operations and come up with measures on how they can respond to a crisis in case anything happens after polls.

Others have done risk assessment of the polls on their operations and those of their staff before, during and after polls.

"On Tuesday, we received an email from the human resources department informing everyone to update their mobile contacts. Those who had not done so after three hours were reminded and informed of how the information was urgent," said Sylvia Muriuki, who works at a media company.

The police have identified parts of the Rift Valley, Coast, Nairobi, Kiambu and Kisumu as potential hotspots.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has, however, pledged to do everything in his powers to ensure there will be no repeat of the 2007 violence in this year's polls.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 20:29:22|Editor: Zhou Xin

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CAIRO, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Led by Saudi Arabia, the four Arab countries that cut ties with Qatar over alleged backing of terrorism will meet in Bahrain on Saturday "to watch Doha's seriousness in combating terrorism," Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement.

"Foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt will hold a two-day meeting in Manama to evaluate the recent developments of Doha situation," Ahmad Abu Zeid, spokesperson of the foreign ministry said on Friday.

The recurrent meetings of foreign ministers signaled the interest of the four countries for coordinating their stands and to watch Qatar's commitment for stopping support for terrorism, and negative intervention in other Arab countries' internal affairs, the statement added.

The four Arab countries have severed diplomatic ties with Qatar early last month accusing Doha of supporting terrorism, interfering in their internal affairs and seeking closer ties with Iran, a Saudi rival.

Qatar has strongly denied the charges against it, while rejecting a list of 13 demands put forward by the bloc for resuming diplomatic ties.

Kuwait has been trying to mediate the crisis and several top Western diplomats have toured the region to try to defuse the row, including U.S. Secretary of States Rex Tillerson.

On Thursday, Qatar's foreign minister accused Gulf neighbors and Egypt of "stubbornness" in their ongoing diplomatic dispute and said the United Nations should step in to help resolve the crisis.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 20:39:29|Editor: Zhou Xin

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PARIS, July 28 (Xinhua) -- French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire welcomed the investment plan between Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines, China Eastern Airlines and Virgin Atlantic, calling it a "global strategic and industrial reinforcement," of the Franco-Dutch joint venture.

In a joint statement with transport minister Elisabeth Borne released on Thursday, Le Maire said "this operation will enable Air France-KLM to ensure the development of the long-haul segment in North America and Asia and to benefit from strong synergies in geographically and economically key marketing networks."

Following "the new capital and commercial partnership, the "Franco-Dutch flag carrier will strengthen," the minister added.

"As the group's largest shareholder, the government fully supports this transaction, which creates value for the company, its customers, its employees and its shareholders," he said.

Under the sharing investment accord, state-owned China Eastern Corp. Ltd. will buy 10 percent in Air France-KLM stake, a first such acquisition of a Chinese airline in a western carrier.

U.S. major airline Delta Air Lines, which holds 3.2 percent in China Eastern, will also buy 10 percent stake in the Franco-Dutch joint venture.

As part of "an integrated global alliance, unique in the world," Air France-KLM will acquire 31 percent of Vigin Atlantic capital.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 20:44:30|Editor: Zhou Xin

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TOKYO, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government said on Friday it will impose emergency tariffs from August on frozen beef from the United States and some other regions.

Tariffs on frozen beef from the affected regions will be raised from the current 38.5 percent to 50 percent from August 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018, according to the government.

The so-called safeguard mechanism, aimed at protecting Japanese cattle farmers, was triggered by a surge in frozen beef imports in the April to June quarter which, according to government data, reached 89,253 tons, up 17.1 percent from a year earlier.

Under World Trade Organization rules, Japan is allowed to activate the safeguard mechanism when the volume of beef import grows more than 17 percent from a year earlier on a quarterly basis.

As Australian beef is exempted from the emergency measure due to a bilateral free trade agreement, the U.S., as the second largest supplier of frozen beef to Japan following Australia, is to be the major country affected by the tariff hike.

U.S. Meat Export Federation President Philip Seng reportedly said that the tariff hike "will not only have negative implications for U.S. beef producers, but will also have a significant impact on the Japanese food-service industry."

Japan's farm minister Yuji Yamamoto told reporters on Friday that the measures would only have "limited effects" on ordinary consumers as frozen beef affected by the emergency measure accounts for only 20 percent of Japan's total beef imports.

Japan's deputy prime minister Taro Aso said that he is ready to discuss the emergency measure at an economic dialogue with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence scheduled later this year.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 20:54:35|Editor: Mengjie

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HANGZHOU, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Once China's most wanted fugitive, Yang Xiuzhu, who fled China in 2003, stood trial for embezzlement and taking bribes on Friday.

According to the trial held at Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, from 1996 to 1997, Yang took advantage of her posts in Wenzhou city to embezzle more than 19 million yuan (2.82 million U.S. dollars) for personal use.

Prosecutors accused her of abusing her power to help others with land exploitation, project promotion, increasing construction areas and reducing expenses, and accepting money and properties worth 7.35 million yuan from 1994 to 1998.

In April 2003, she fled China. Yang turned herself in to the country in November 2016, confessing to her crimes.

She was once number one on China's top 100 fugitives, which were released in an Interpol "red notice."

Yang pleaded guilty and expressed remorse.

About 50 people attended the trial, including legislators, political advisors, journalists and members of the public.

The verdict will be announced at a later date.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 21:14:40|Editor: Zhou Xin

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WELLINGTON, July 28 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee on Friday called for partners to be vigilant against the threat terrorism poses to peace and security in the Asia-Pacific.

Brownlee arrived in Indonesia on Friday to attend a sub-regional meeting on foreign terrorists and cross-border terrorism, co-hosted by Indonesia and Australia, according to a New Zealand government release.

New Zealand is a key regional player and has a long history of building capacity and cooperation in the fight against terrorism, Brownlee said in the release.

"The significant gains made by the coalition against ISIS in Iraq and Syria do not mean we can be any less vigilant about the potential threat terrorism poses, including in our own backyard," Brownlee said, adding that the ongoing instability in the southern Philippines is an example of that.

ISIS has long held the goal of extending its so-called Caliphate into the Asia-Pacific region, said the minister.

The sub-regional meeting will ensure New Zealand is well informed about the threat cross-border terrorism and foreign terrorists pose to parts of Southeast Asia, he said.
Source:Xinhua| 2017-07-28 21:20:02|Editor: Mengjie

A child watches helmet masks at the "God of Rainforest--China-Africa Rare Masks Exhibition" in Zhengzhou City, capital of central China's Henan Province, July 28, 2017. The exhibition was hosted by Henan Museum and was opened to public on Friday. More than 130 exhibits on display showed the diversity, creativity and imagination of African arts and civilization. The exhibition will last until Oct 8. (Xinhua/Li An)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 21:19:44|Editor: Mengjie

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (C), also chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, poses for a group photo with the 10 military officers who are awarded the Order of Bayi, in Beijing, capital of China, July 28, 2017. Xi on Friday awarded the Order of Bayi to 10 military officers and conferred a flag to a military company ahead of the Army Day, which falls on Aug. 1. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), on Friday awarded the Order of Bayi to 10 military officers and conferred a flag to a military company ahead of the Army Day, which falls on Aug. 1.

Approved by the CMC, the Order of Bayi is awarded to those who have made outstanding contributions to safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and advancing the modernization of national defense and the armed forces.

The officers receiving the honor included Chinese astronaut Jing Haipeng, commander of the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft. Jing was praised as a heroic astronaut dedicated to serving the country while taking to space to pursue his dreams.

Wang Gang, head of a detachment of the armed police in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, was also awarded the Order of Bayi. He was honored as a hero in anti-terrorist work, willing to endure "fire and water" and charge forward with great courage.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, helped the 10 military officers wear their medals, and presented them with certificates of honor.

The president decorated an armored infantry company of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), conferring a flag which reads: "Model company in learning and practicing the Party's innovation theory."

It was the first time for the CMC to grant the Order of Bayi, the country's highest military award, several days before the 90th founding anniversary of the Chinese armed forces.

It fully embodied the CMC's respect and praise for the decorated officers, and will boost the morale of the military, and motivate soldiers to contribute to realizing the dreams of stronger country and stronger army, said a military statement released after the honoring ceremony.

Fan Changlong, CMC vice chairman, read an order signed by Xi to honor the officers and the unit. The awarding ceremony was presided over by Xu Qiliang, also vice chairman of the CMC.
Photo taken on June 21, 2017 shows local students looking at baboons in the Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya. Lake Nakuru lies to the south of Nakuru, in the rift valley of Kenya and is protected by Lake Nakuru National Park. The lake's abundance of algae attracts a vast quantity of flamingos that famously lined the shore. Other birds also flourish in the area, as do warthogs, baboons and other large mammals. Eastern black rhinos and southern white rhinos have also been introduced. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

NAIROBI, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Increased demand for land and urban development is threatening Kenya's wildlife conservation that remains the country's main foreign exchange earner.

Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu said on Wednesday that urgent conservation measures must be put in place to save the declining species of wildlife from extinction.

"Kenyan wildlife species has decline by 67 percent between 1977 to 2013, more than a third and continue to be extreme in some species," Wakhungu said during the launch of a report on protection of wildlife corridors and dispersal areas in Kenya.

She noted that the role played by wildlife in the economy is huge since 10 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is generated and continues to provide economic benefits at all levels, including support to sustainable livelihoods for rural communities.

"Local communities benefit directly from numerous payments for wildlife conservation through partnerships with tour operators in community-based conservancies across the country hence the need to conserve the wildlife," Wakhungu said.

The report attributes the decline to changes in government land policies and rapid population growth which discourages pastoralism and promotes privatization of land tenure, leading to land sub-division.

It said that agricultural development and settlement policies that promote farming in rangelands exacerbate the destruction of habitats and exclusion of wildlife.

Photo taken on June 20, 2017 shows a giraff in the Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya. Lake Nakuru lies to the south of Nakuru, in the rift valley of Kenya and is protected by Lake Nakuru National Park. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

"Cultivation resulting in habitat degradation, fragmentation and loss, constrained seasonal mobility and displacement or exclusion of wildlife from pastoral lands is also to blame for the decline of wildlife," says the report.

The report blames the decline to escalating human-wildlife and land-use conflicts, poaching and expansion of settlements and cultivation into the rangelands.

Wildlife also decline due to inadequacy of national parks and reserves to sustain viable populations of large mammals and diminishing opportunities for expanding existing protected areas.

The East African nation has over 25,000 species of wild animals and 7,000 species of wild plants, making the country as one of the biodiversity-rich countries in the world.

The country is endowed with an extraordinary wealth of mammals, birds and other biodiversity, a unique heritage for the people of Kenya.

"We have over 50 protected areas, across all ecosystems in the country to ensure the diversity of wildlife and its beauty is preserved for present and future generations," Wakhungu said.

The report recommends that to avert and reduce wildlife declines, there is need to urgently secure dispersal areas and migratory corridors.

It calls for the identification and mapping of wildlife dispersal areas and migratory corridors to help the country's spatial planning and guide the process of securing wildlife areas already interfered with by human activities.

Photo taken on June 21, 2017 shows zebras in the Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya. Lake Nakuru lies to the south of Nakuru, in the rift valley of Kenya and is protected by Lake Nakuru National Park. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

It further calls for the creation and developing community and private wildlife conservancies, and diversification of rural livelihoods through benefits from ecosystem services.

"Rationalize and implement the policies, laws and regulations related to land use, wildlife conservation, forestry, water, and agriculture," the report adds.

Wakhungu called for collaboration to help secure space for wildlife and healthy ecosystems for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

"Just as the roads and railways are connected and mapped, Kenya's conservation areas and dispersal areas are also going to be connected and mapped," she noted.

The U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec called on wildlife experts to conduct regular monitoring and evaluation for effective management of wildlife dispersal areas and migratory corridors.

"Regular consultations on data gathering can help solve the human-wildlife conflict by creating harmony," Godec noted.

The study is based on the recognition that a significant proportion of Kenya's wildlife seasonally or permanently exists outside protected areas and is exposed to increasing human pressures that have negative impacts on species' populations, dispersal areas and migratory corridors.

It has identified and maps wildlife habitats and their desired connectivity.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 22:05:08|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Beijing released a draft regulation, which requires installation of plates on electric bicycles and tricycles, for public comment on Friday.

The draft also bans electric unicycles and scooters from the roads, a move to regulate the operation of the non-motorized vehicles, according to the Beijing municipal legal affairs office.

Electric bicycles and tricycles have become increasingly popular in recent years as an effective means of commuting due to increased traffic jams in Beijing.

As the vehicles have no plates or other means to track the driver's identity, electric bicycles or tricycles are often caught speeding and occupying motorized vehicle lanes. They have become one of major causes of road accidents.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 22:35:26|Editor: Yang Yi

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LONDON, July 28 (Xinhua) -- British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson's talk of sending the Royal Navy's mightiest warships to the South China Sea was dismissed on Friday as bluster by a British academic.

Johnson's promise during a speech made earlier in Australia, that a visit to the South China Sea region would be among the first assignments of Britain's new super aircraft carrier, attracted global attention.

Scott Lucas, a professor of international politics at the University of Birmingham, said Johnson's comments would not help ease tensions in that region with talk of militarizing or escalating the situation.

"You have to wonder why he said what he did," he added.

Johnson's Australia trip, which he wrapped up on Thursday, was intended to boost post-Brexit trade between the two countries, who were major trading partners before Britain joined the European Union in the 1970s, said the expert.

"But what Johnson has done in the process, is to court one country by alienating a potentially larger trade partner in China," said Lucas.

"There is still this idea that Britain sees itself as a great power, with its great British naval strength. Yet at the same time Britain is detaching itself from Europe, raising questions about Britain's international role," he said.

Lucas blamed the foreign secretary's remarks on his flamboyant and outspoken personality. In addition, Britain may be portrayed as unreliable, he said.

"The fact of the matter is that Beijing will see it (Johnson's comments) not as a sign of strength, but a sign of weakness," he added.

Johnson did backtrack after what he said in his initial comments when he spoke of military deployment, without checking with the British Ministry of Defense. Defense Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said Britain was not committing itself to what Johnson had committed, but added that at some stage there would be military deployment in the India/Pacific region.

Lucas said he did not believe the issue of the disputed islands in the South China Sea would be resolved through what China would see as threats, but would require multilateral negotiations involving countries from the region sitting around the table.

"Everyone needs to take the heat out of the situation by taking a step back. That is why Johnson's comments have not been helpful," said Lucas.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 23:00:37|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ADDIS ABABA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Thirteen people were killed in fresh inter-ethnic clashes between the Gujji clan of the Oromo ethnic group and the Koore group in southern Ethiopia, a local official said.

In addition to 13 dead, scores of people were injured and an unspecified number of houses were set alight, southern regional state communications office Chief Solomon Hailu told the state owned Ethiopian News Agency on Friday.

The situation has calmed down, with a taskforce identifying the cause of violence and suspects accused of participating in the deadly clashes, he said.

The two agricultural communities, Koore and Gujji, sometimes clash over grazing land and adjoining areas, where both communities have a claim to.

Hailu added that local authorities are undertaking reconstruction efforts in devastated areas and arresting individuals suspected to be masterminds of the violence.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 23:05:41|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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RIYADH, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Forces of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition on Friday killed at least 40 Houthi militants in a Yemeni region near the Saudi border, the Al Arabiya TV reported.

The Saudi-led forces, supported by Apache attack helicopters and artillery, killed the Houthi militants in an area near the Saudi border city Jazan, after managing to lure them into a place within their target range, the report said.

The coalition forces set up the ambush after getting intelligence that the Houthi militants and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh were mobilizing in the region near the Saudi border, it said.

The four-hour operations were carried out opposite the Al-Khashl, Al-Fadna and Al-Malhama mountains.

Saudi forces also fired rockets at strongholds held by Houthi militants near the border of Saada province in Yemen, it added.

Yemen has been suffering from a civil war, which began in 2015 after the Houthi militants, with support from forces loyal to Saleh, ousted the UN-backed transitional government and occupied capital Sanaa.

The legitimate government controls the south and some eastern parts, while the Houthi/Saleh alliance controls other parts. The Saudi-led coalition, which includes nine African and Middle East countries, launched a military intervention in Yemen since March 2015 to support the government led by President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi.

The UN has sponsored peace talks between the warring factions for several times, without achieving a peace agreement.

The civil war has already killed more than 10,000 people, half of them civilians, and displaced over two million others, according to humanitarian agencies.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 23:05:44|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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GAZA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Gaza-run Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf Al-Qedra said Friday that a Palestinian young man was killed in Gaza Strip.

Al-Qedra said that the 16-year-old man was hit in the east of the Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, while others were injured by rubber coated bullets and suffocated over tear gas grenades thrown by Israeli soldiers.

Dozens of youth protested in various locations in Gaza Strip against the recent Israeli measures at Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem and the restrictions on access of Palestinians.

Protestors put fire to tires near the Israeli security barrier and hurled stones at the soldiers stationed there, while the latter responded by opening fire and gas to disperse protestors.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 23:10:46|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ADDIS ABABA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- More than 3,600 Ethiopians have been deported from Saudi Arabia between July 3-27, after serving prison sentences for violating Saudi rules and regulations.

Speaking to Xinhua on Friday, Asmelash Gebrehiwot, senior official at Ethiopia's National Disaster Risk Management Commission (NDRMC), said the deportees are separate from the 70,000 Ethiopians that have returned to Ethiopia ahead of a Saudi amnesty deadline for undocumented migrants to leave.

"The Ethiopian deportees were in Saudi Arabia jails over offenses ranging from being caught without valid expatriate residency identification cards to being engaged in petty crimes," he added.

Gebrehiwot further said the Ethiopian government is working with the International Organization for Migration to provide shelter, transportation, clothes and pocket money for the deportees.

Saudi Arabia announced in March a three months amnesty program for undocumented foreign migrants to voluntarily leave the country before the amnesty's expiration in late June.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 23:15:48|Editor: Yang Yi

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LONDON, July 28 (Xinhua) -- A delegation from the Southern University of Science and Technology of China (SUSTech) met with academics from a British university for a week-long visit to discuss collaborating on research projects into artificial intelligence, among others.

Senior academics from SUSTech, one of China's newest universities, also discussed extending an existing doctoral training program with the University of Birmingham.

Prof. Jon Frampton, director of the China Institute at Birmingham, is also the university's Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (China) and professor of stem cell biology. He said: "SUSTech is an ambitious and forward-thinking institution that shares our pioneering attitude towards higher education and research. Our partnership is testament to the University of Birmingham's growing reputation in China - another exciting opportunity for our researchers to collaborate with peers from across the globe."

Up to 30 PhD students will be recruited each year and registered for a Birmingham degree, spending one year in Birmingham.

An agreement has already been signed between the two schools to develop the program.

SUSTech delegation leader Prof. Tang Tao said: "We aim to build SUSTech into a top-tier university that excels in research and innovation. The University of Birmingham is a world-class institution with a strong reputation in both aspects and collaboration between our universities will bring mutual benefits."

SUSTech is a new university founded by the Shenzhen municipal government and led by the Guangdong provincial government. In 2012, China's ministry of education approved the establishment of SUSTech as an innovative pilot for higher education reform in China.

SUSTech aims to build itself into an international university with advanced teaching and research capabilities in science and technology catering to market demands.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 23:20:54|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ISLAMABAD, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will approach the country's top court to present his views, his lawyer barrister Zafarullah Khan said Friday hours after the Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister.

Speaking at a news conference, Khan said the apex court did not disqualify Nawaz Sharif on the pleas of tax evasion, concealing of assets and the ownership of flat in London but disqualified him on other reason.

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court earlier ruled that Nawaz Sharif "failed to disclose his un-withdrawn receivables constituting assets" from a UAE-based company in his nomination papers filed for the General Elections held in 2013.

Meanwhile the Election Commission of Pakistan has de-notified Nawaz Sharif as member of the National Assembly, a statement said. The commission said the decision was taken in line with the Supreme Court's order.

The court ruled that Nawaz Sharif had "furnished a false declaration" and is "not honest" under the provisions of the country's constitution and therefore he is disqualified to be a member of the parliament.

Senior opposition leader Imran Khan welcomed the court's verdict to disqualify the prime minister and said the court verdict is a "victory" of the nation.

Imran Khan, who is also chief of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf party, told a news conference the decision will "strengthen democracy and the institutions" and the people will now feel that leaders are answerable to the people.

He said his party will celebrate the court's decision with a public meeting in capital Islamabad, asking his activists to remain calm.

Former President Pervez Musharraf on Friday welcomed and supported the Supreme Court's verdict to disqualify Nawaz Sharif.

"The court has delivered a bold decision which is based on justice," Musharraf said in a video message posted online.

Nawaz Sharif presided over a meeting in Islamabad of his PML-N party to review the situation arising out of his disqualification as the prime minister and nominate a new leader, official sources said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 23:20:56|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ABUJA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- There is no plan to order a temporary closure of the University of Maiduguri located in the largest city in Nigeria's northeast region in spite of an increase in attacks on the institution by terror group Boko Haram, the government said on Friday.

Mallam Adamu Adamu, the nation's minister of education, told reporters that in spite of the brutal murder of some staff of the higher learning institution and the general security situation in the region, the government did not want academic activities there to be truncated.

Rather, the government was willing to provide "necessary support" in ensuring that the security situation was under control, he said.

Five staff of the university were killed last Tuesday in an ambush by Boko Haram in a town near Maiduguri. That attack was the latest in the spate of attacks on the university community and its members in recent weeks.

According to Ibrahim Njodi, the university's vice chancellor, the deceased included two geologists, two technologists, and a driver.

Four other staff of the university were still missing as of Friday. They include two lecturers, one technologist, and a driver.

They were attacked during a collaborative work with the national oil corporation which embarked on oil exploration in the Lake Chad Basin early this week.

That aside, suicide attacks on the university had increased since early this year.

A professor who was the director of veterinary at the university was among five people killed in an attack on the main campus by Boko Haram in January.

Boko Haram has killed more than 20,000 and displaced 2.3 million people in its attacks since 2009.

Nigeria's security forces have made a considerable gain on the Boko Haram front by dislodging the terror group's fighters from the Sambisa Forest, their last enclave in the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 23:21:01|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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PHNOM PENH, July 28 (Xinhua) -- A Cambodian court on Friday convicted two Malaysian men of trafficking 2.17 kilograms of cocaine and sentenced each of them to 25 years in prison.

Mohamad Rizduan, 27, was arrested on Nov. 11, 2016 upon his arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport and his accomplice, Hemkavin Karthig Su, 26, was caught when he planned to receive the drugs at the airport.

Rizduan hid the illicit drugs in vacuum-sealed cakes inside his carry-on luggage and flew from Brazil to Peru, Qatar and Cambodia, and his intended destination was China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

They were charged with illegally possessing and trafficking illicit drug substances under the country's Drug Law, said the verdict read by Phnom Penh Municipal Court's Presiding Judge Horn Sok Khemarin.

"The court decides to sentence Mohamad Rizduan and Hemkavin Karthig Su to 25 years in prison and fine each of them 30 million riel (7,500 U.S. dollars)," the verdict said.

During a hearing last month, they confessed to the crime and pleaded for leniency.

Under the Cambodian law, the convicts have one month to appeal against the ruling.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 23:26:04|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Lunar New Year is likely to be less noisy in Beijing in the future, as local authorities are considering a ban on fireworks, a traditional part of the celebrations.

The city's legislative affairs office published a draft amendment Friday that prohibits fireworks within the fifth ring road. The draft will be open for public comment from Friday until Aug. 26.

Setting off firecrackers is a long-standing custom to celebrate the lunar new year, as Chinese believe the noise will drive away bad spirits and bring good luck. However, the tradition has caused fiery arguments in recent years, amid mounting air pollution complaints and safety concerns.

Although fireworks are allowed within the city during the lunar new year, or Spring Festival, the number of fireworks sold has declined year by year since the current regulations took effect in 2005, according to Zhang Changyu with the legislative affairs office.

In Beijing, the sales of fireworks and firecrackers during this year's Spring Festival dropped by around 30 percent year-on-year, and by nearly 74 percent compared with that 12 years ago, Zhang said.

Nevertheless, they have continued to take their toll on air quality. During the past five years in Beijing, from the lunar new year's eve to the fifth day of the holiday period, two to four days saw heavy air pollution, according to Sun Feng with the Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center.

From January to June, days with good air quality accounted for 55.3 percent, down 5.8 percentage points year-on-year, and the average density of hazardous fine particle matter PM2.5 was up 3.1 percent from the level in the first half of 2016.

In addition, fireworks and firecrackers caused more than 2,100 fires, killing five people and injuring eight others during the Spring Festival holiday periods from 2005 to 2017, inflicting direct losses worth 150 million yuan (22 million U.S. dollars), Zhang said.

"In recent years, we've heard a stronger voice demanding stricter control of fireworks, and found that people care more about the environment and urban development," Zhang said, adding that the amendment aims to better "adapt to the capital's development" and "safeguard citizens' lives and property."

The proposed fireworks ban has split online opinion. Many support the idea, with some even suggesting a national ban, while opponents criticized it for killing off cultural traditions and questioned its effect on addressing the obstinate winter haze in Beijing.

Nationwide, 444 cities, including 10 provincial capitals, have banned fireworks.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 23:26:09|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the opening session of a workshop in Beijing, capital of China. A workshop for provincial and ministerial officials was held from Wednesday to Thursday in preparation for the 19th National Congress of the CPC. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at a high-level workshop has sent a strong signal that the country will stick to and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The workshop gathered provincial and ministerial-level officials and was a significant meeting in preparation for the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress to be held later this year. The congress will elect the leadership for the next five-year term. Thus Xi's speech at the workshop is regarded as setting the tone for the political, ideological and theoretical foundations of the congress.

Xi said that socialism with Chinese characteristics had been the theme of all the Party's theories and practices since the reform and opening up in 1978.

There is every reason to be confident as great achievements have been made over the past four decades. Last year, China contributed about 15 percent of global GDP, and GDP per capita reached 53,980 yuan (8,011 U.S. dollars).

Developments over the past five years were especially extraordinary in terms of implementing the new concept of development, deepening reform, enhancing the rule of law, improving the environment and building a strong military.

The major achievements mean that after experiencing century-long tribulations and hardships, China has made a historic leap from standing-up to becoming better-off to getting stronger.

Due to its difference from western political systems, China's socialist road has drawn misunderstanding and skepticism over the past decades. A number of so-called China-watchers have long predicted a pessimistic future for China, and the theory of a "China collapse" has never ceased.

But the truth is that China's development rate has surpassed many major economies in the world. The CPC as the leading party of the country is getting stronger. The country's circle of friends in the international community is expanding.

In China, political legitimacy is built on competence and experience. Practice has proven that socialism with Chinese characteristics is the best way to ensure the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people.

Now China's development stands at a new historical starting point. Socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new development stage.

But this does not mean the CPC will rest on its laurels. The country still faces many daunting challenges, ranging from corruption to poverty and pollution.

During his speech, Xi called on officials to enhance crisis consciousness and be ready for risks and challenges.

He has warned the Party against being self-satisfied and blindly optimistic.

The CPC clearly understands that the people's desire for a happier life is stronger than ever. They want better education, higher incomes, stable jobs, reliable social insurance, higher quality medical services, more comfortable living conditions, a more beautiful environment and a richer cultural life.

Based on the will of the people, the CPC will firmly put forward new strategies and measures to gain the initiative in a rapidly changing era.

At present, the major task for the CPC is to lead the country to accomplish the goal of building a moderately prosperous society by 2020.

After 2020, China will strive to become a modernized socialist country by 2049, the centenary of the People's Republic of China.

This is the CPC's solemn promise to the people. And that promise must be kept, as it has been over the past decades.

Socialism with Chinese characteristics will prove that it does not only withstand the test of history, but also expands the pathway to modernization for developing countries, thus providing Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to problems facing mankind.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 23:26:11|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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PHNOM PENH, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Cambodia hosted a reception on Friday evening to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) which falls on Aug. 1.

The event was attended by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Tea Banh and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Xiong Bo as well as some 350 guests including Cambodian government officials, senior military officers, politicians and foreign diplomats.

In his welcoming speech, Colonel Li Ningya, military attache of the Chinese Embassy to Cambodia, said for 90 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the PLA had achieved great achievements in defending national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the people of China as well as in contributing to maintaining world peace and security.

China had sent the most peacekeepers among the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, he said, adding that the PLA played an important role in escorting in the Aden Gulf and anti-piracy.

Meanwhile, he highly spoke of excellent relations and cooperation between China and Cambodia in defense sector, adding that China would continue to work closely with Cambodia to further advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation.

"The PLA is willing to work hand-in-hand with the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces to tackle various security challenges, and to make new contributions to world peace and common development," he said.

Major General Phat Vibolsopheak, director of Cambodian Defense Ministry's International Relations Department, praised the PLA for having firmly defended the nation, served the people of China, and contributed to maintaining world peace and security.

He also expressed his sincere thanks to the Chinese government, the PLA and the people of China for their continuous support to the development of Cambodia and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.

"This is the testimony of comprehensive and fruitful cooperation between the governments, armies, and peoples of both countries," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-28 23:46:32|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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WINDHOEK, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's president Hage Geingob Friday ordered Omusati regional governor Erkki Endjala to issue another apology for tribal remarks he made in a recorded telephone conversation.

Endjala was recorded a few weeks ago by a woman known as Taimi Tekla Imbili during a private conversation saying that the people who belong to the Kwanyama tribe were stupid.

The Kwanyama is a sub-tribe of the Owambo people who are dominant in the north of the country.

Endjala also said that one of Swapo's prominent liberation war heroes Peter Nanyemba, who was a Kwanyama, was troublesome.

The recording also captures Endjala alleging that the Kwanyama killed John Pandeni, who was local government minister in 2008.

Although Endjala apologized for the remarks when the audio clip was leaked Wednesday, Geingob said the apology was not enough.

In a letter to Endjala Friday, Geingob ordered the governor to issue an "unreserved, unequivocal and unconditional" apology.

Geingob told Endjala that his apology fell short of showing that he regretted his remarks.

"As my representative in the region, I expect you to uphold the highest standards of leadership and constitutional principles, especially with regards to fostering peace and harmonious relations in the region.

"Your unfortunate tribal utterances, therefore, are counterproductive and diminishing our concerted effort to build an inclusive Namibian House, where all tribes and races live in unity and harmony," Geingob said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 00:01:50|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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WASHINGTON, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 2.6 percent in the second quarter of the year, higher than the revised 1.2 percent in the previous quarter, according to the first estimate released by the Commerce Department on Friday.

"The acceleration in real GDP (gross domestic product) growth in the second quarter reflected a smaller decrease in private inventory investment, an acceleration in PCE (personal consumption expenditures), and an upturn in federal government spending," the Commerce Department said.

Personal consumption expenditures, which account for about two-thirds of the U.S. economy, increased at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the second quarter of the year. That was an acceleration from the 1.9 percent pace in the first quarter.

Driven by a surge in federal defense spending, the government expenditures grew at a rate of 0.7 percent in the second quarter, compared with a contraction of 0.6 percent in the first quarter.

While inventory investment slightly subtracted 0.02 percentage point from economic growth in the second quarter, trade added 0.18 percentage point to the growth in the quarter, according to the Commerce Department.

Nonresidential fixed investment, a measure of corporate spending on structures and equipment, climbed at a pace of 5.2 percent in the second quarter, down from a 7.2 percent growth rate in the previous quarter.

The latest GDP data confirmed that the U.S. economy is on track to deliver a 2 percent growth rate this year. "It's a 2 percent economy, plus or minus a little bit," said Michael Feroli, chief U.S. economist at JP Morgan.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also said on Thursday that it expected the U.S. economy to grow at 2.1 percent this year and next, supported by solid consumption growth and a rebound in investment.

The IMF believed the Trump administration is unlikely to accelerate annual U.S. economic growth to sustained 3 percent from the newly revised 1.5 percent in 2016, "even with an ideal constellation of pro-growth policies."

"The international experience and U.S. history would suggest that a sustained acceleration in annual growth of more than 1 percentage point is unlikely," the IMF said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 00:06:54|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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HANOI, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The victories of the Vietnamese people in the cause of struggling for national liberation and unification were closely attached with the immense support from the Chinese Communist Party, state, people and People's Liberation Army (PLA), a Vietnamese lieutenant general said at a reception here on Friday.

Lieutenant general Luong Cuong, Chief of the General Political Department of Vietnam People's Army, made the remarks at the 90th founding anniversary of the PLA held at the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam.

In the process of national development on the path of socialism, Vietnam and China have unceasingly made efforts to develop their relations in realistic and effective manner, constantly cementing and deepening the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, the lieutenant general said.

The friendship and comprehensive relations between the two armies, one of the important pillars of the relations between the two parties and states, will further develop, Cuong said.

Noting that the PLA is now entering a critical period of reforms, the Vietnamese general expressed his belief that the PLA will successfully fulfil its planned reforms, making more contribution to world peace, stability, and prosperous development.

Military Attache of the embassy, senior colonel Luo Bin said China and Vietnam have always paid high attention to bilateral military ties and worked together to enhance friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two armies.

The high-level border talk has been the bright spot of bilateral military relationship, which has strongly promoted the security, stability and socioeconomic development of the border area, and also brought about tangible benefits to the two peoples, he said.

The two armies have also conducted productive exchanges and cooperation in various fields, he said, expressing the hope that the relationship between the the two armies will continue to make important contribution to consolidating and developing traditional friendship between China and Vietnam.

Since 1990, China has dispatched more than 35,000 military personnel to UN peacekeeping missions. China is the biggest troop contributor among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, he said.

In the meantime, China has carried out defense exchanges, dialogues and cooperation with over 100 countries around the world, he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 00:06:55|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ROME, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The Italian cabinet on Friday approved an operational mission to support the Libyan Coast Guard in the fight against migrant traffickers in the Mediterranean Sea.

In remarks to the press after the cabinet meeting, center-left Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni explained that the mission will not entail "sending large-scale Navy fleets", and that it is being undertaken on request from the Tripoli-based government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj.

"The mission will make a very significant contribution to the fight against human traffickers and to manage the migratory flows towards our country," the Italian premier said.

"It is no more and no less than what the Libya government of national accord asked for," Gentiloni added.

Italy is at the forefront of the ongoing refugee crisis, because its southernmost islands are the first European landfall for thousands of people trying to cross the Mediterranean in a bid to flee war and famine in Africa and the Middle East.

The migrants and refugees entrust themselves to human traffickers to ferry them across, paying hefty sums and risking their lives on unseaworthy boats.

The main departure point is the Libyan coast.

Gentiloni did not disclose the details of the operation, which will be submitted to parliament's foreign and defense committees for approval next week.

The mission approval comes after Gentiloni met with Sarraj in Rome on Wednesday.

After that meeting, Gentiloni told the press that Italy may send Navy ships to fight migrant traffickers in the Mediterranean off Libya.

"Sarraj wrote me a letter a few days ago, requesting technical support with naval units from the Italian government," Italian news agency ANSA quoted Gentiloni as saying.

"The request is being assessed by our defense ministry," the Italian chief said. "The decisions we make will be assessed in agreement with Libya and, first of all, with (the Italian) parliament," Gentiloni continued.

Migration is a hot-button issue in Italy ahead of the next general election, to be held in spring 2018.

Italy's government has been calling unsuccessfully on its European partners to help shoulder the burden of tens of thousands of incoming refugees.

The UN-affiliated International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 113,433 migrants and refugees entered Europe by sea in 2017 through July 26, with almost 85 percent arriving in Italy and the remainder divided between Greece, Cyprus and Spain.

This compares with 251,172 arrivals across the region through July 26 last year, according to the IOM.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 00:11:59|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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KIEV, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The violence in eastern Ukraine has claimed at least 59 lives of civilians since the beginning of 2017, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said Friday.

Besides, at least 271 non-combatants were wounded in the conflict between government troops and independence-seeking insurgents this year, the OSCE special monitoring mission to Ukraine said in a report.

Between July 10 and July 25, the international monitors have registered 21 conflict-related casualties, including three fatalities, in Donetsk and Lugansk regions, the report said.

The conflict has been spreading in Ukraine's east since April 2014, when the government troops launched offensives to regain control over the cities and towns seized by insurgents.

The confrontation has claimed the lives of more than 10,000 people, including civilians and combatants on both sides, and left about 24,000 others wounded.

In the past two weeks, the OSCE observers have registered increasing violence between the confronting sides despite the latest round of truce, which started on June 24.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 00:17:06|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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SEOUL, July 29 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired an unidentified missile into its east waters late Friday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.

Yonhap news agency cited JCS as saying that the missile was launched into the East Sea from DPRK's Jagang province at around 11:41 p.m. local time, adding that it appeared to be a ballistic missile.

The South Korean media reported that the missile launch was immediately reported to South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who convened an emergency security meeting early Saturday.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 00:27:10|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BERLIN, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Leading automotive parts supplier Bosch participated in secret meetings with German car makers, Spiegel magazine claimed on Friday, referencing internal documents filed by Volkswagen at the Federal Cartel Office.

According to Spiegel, Bosch illegally helped car makers collude on the development of cheaper AdBlue urea tanks to purify diesel emissions which made them too small to meet relevant emissions regulations.

Following this reading, the installation of illicit software to falsify results during emissions tests, first discovered by U.S. authorities and known as the global "dieselgate" scandal, would have been a result of a cost-saving measure by the German automotive cartel.

All car makers wanted Bosch to develop a lower dosage of AdBlue liquid "because of the limited size of urea tanks," Spiegel said, citing an unnamed Volkswagen manager. "Nobody wants to report the true motivations behind this limitation to authorities," he added.

Bosch said it was unaware of any wrongdoing. Bosch CEO Volkmar Denner told German newspaper Welt am Sonntag "they were only made aware (of the allegations) through media reports."

Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche have been found guilty of fraud by U.S. courts following suits brought by the environmental protection agencies CARB and EPA. A U.S. federal judge ruled in April 2017 that Volkswagen had to pay a "2.8-billion (dollar) criminal fine for rigging diesel-powered vehicles to cheat on government emissions tests."

German car makers purportedly also coordinated their emissions strategies in South Korea after Mercedes-Benz models were flagged by local authorities. Their objective was to prevent the introduction of individual tests and registration procedures because German diesel vehicles fell short of regulatory standards.

So far, car industry representatives have been reluctant to comment on what they have widely described as "media speculations." BMW has stressed that not all information exchanges between car makers are illegal.

The German Federal Cartel Office is similarly tight-lipped on the subject and has referred to an earlier statement that it is currently not investigating claims of illegal collusion between car makers. However, European Union anti-trust authorities have confirmed they were launching an investigation into the matter.

The German state attorney in Stuttgart is currently investigating Bosch employees on the suspicion that they were accessories to fraud in relation to "emissions cheating" practices at Volkswagen.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 00:32:14|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DAR ES SALAAM, July 28 (Xinhua) -- More than 5,000 Burundian refugees staying in camps in western Tanzania have volunteered to return home following a recent appeal by President John Magufuli to them to return home and help build their country, a senior official said on Friday.

Emmanuel Maganga, the Kigoma Regional Commissioner, said: "The Burundian refugees are now volunteering to return home following the presidential appeal."

Maganga said 5,327 Burundian refugees from Nduta, Nyarugusu and Mtendeli refugee camps have volunteered to go home, adding that 4,935 of these were from Nduta, 364 from Nyarugusu and 28 from Mtendeli.

Currently Nduta sheltered 124,914 Burundian refugees, Nyarugusu 75,761 refugees and Mtendeli 49,839 refugees.

Maganga said the voluntary repatriation was continuous but explained that the Kigoma regional authorities were awaiting a tripartite meeting between Tanzania, Burundi and the United High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to deliberate on the voluntary return of the refugees.

"After that meeting Burundian leaders will be allowed to visit refugee camps in Tanzania and convince the refugees to return home," he said.

On July 20, President Magufuli called on the Burundian refugees now in the country to return home voluntarily and help build their country, asserting that now there was security in the tiny central African country.

Magufuli's remarks were in support of an earlier plea by Burundian president Pierre Nkurunziza, who had called on his fellow countrymen to go back home and help rebuild their country because the "war is over."

Magufuli also took a swipe at international humanitarian bodies for trying to convince refugees not to return to their home countries because of continued insecurity, just so they can continue receiving aid from donors.

The President also directed the Ministry of Home Affairs not to grant citizenship to any more Burundian refugees coming into Tanzania.

In 2014, Tanzania announced that it was in the process of granting citizenship to 162,000 Burundian refugees who had fled their country in 1972.

In June this year, the UN refugee agency said Tanzania remained the largest host of Burundian refugees.

Tanzania is currently home to more than 315,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, mainly from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They are hosted in three refugee camps of Nyarugusu, Nduta, and Mtendeli, which face severe pressure.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 00:52:21|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ADDIS ABABA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The number of detained senior Ethiopian government officials, businesspersons and middlemen, who were arrested in connection with an alleged large-scale corruption scandal, has increased to 39 on Friday.

The number of suspected government officials and their associates could still rise as the large-scale investigation is still underway in the east African country, local media FBC quoted the Ethiopian Ministry of Government Communication Affairs Office as saying.

However, only the identity of the first 34 individuals, who were arrested late on Tuesday, is so far revealed following their appearance before an Ethiopian court on Thursday.

Amongst the 34 defendants, who have appeared at the second criminal bench of the Ethiopian federal high court on Thursday, include the former Manager of Addis Ababa Roads Authority, Fekade Haile.

According to the criminal case presented to the court, the detained senior Ethiopian government officials, businesspersons and middlemen have been arrested for an alleged embezzlement of over 2 billion Ethiopian birr (over 86 million U.S. dollars).

The ongoing arrest of senior government officials, businesspersons and middlemen is said to be a part of the Ethiopian government's reform process, which was started at the end of 2016 to provide a concrete answer to the preoccupations of the public.
Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai speaks at a reception celebrating the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) at the Chinese embassy in Washington D.C., the United States, on July 27, 2017. (Xinhua/Ting Shen)

WASHINGTON, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit should remain as the defining feature of China-U.S. relations and the only right option for both countries, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai said here Thursday.

"China stands ready to make joint efforts with the U.S. side to strengthen strategic communication, expand practical cooperation in various areas, properly manage differences and sensitive issues, and deliver more consensus and outcomes through cooperation," Cui told a reception in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), which falls on Aug. 1.

"These efforts aim at opening up broader prospects for China-U.S. relations, thus bringing more benefits to the peoples of both countries and the whole world," Cui said.

Cui noted that the two sides are now "making new progress and injecting fresh impetus into their cooperation in various areas through deepened dialogues and coordination."

Cui said U.S. President Donald Trump will pay a state visit to China later this year at Chinese President Xi Jinping's invitation.

For his part, Major General Zhang Yijun, defense attache of the Chinese Embassy in the United States, said the PLA is ready to promote cooperation at various levels, properly manage differences and build trust with its U.S. counterpart.

Over 500 guests attended the reception, including U.S. Major General Charles Hooper, the special assistant to the director of the Army Staff.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 01:12:34|Editor: Liu

A worker counts Chinese currency Renminbi (RMB) at a bank in Lianyungang, east China's Jiangsu Province, Aug. 11, 2015. (Xinhua/Si Wei)

WASHINGTON, July 28 (Xinhua) -- International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Friday that the China's Renminbi exchange rate is broadly consistent with fundamentals and desirable policies.

"The renminbi, despite moving closer to the level consistent with overall assessment, remained broadly in line with fundamentals and desirable policies," said the IMF in its latest External Sector Report released on Friday.

According to the report, in 2016, the average real effective exchange rate (REER) depreciated by about 5.1 percent compared to 2015, reflecting in part the strengthening of the U.S. dollar.

China's policies that was put in place to stabilize the growth has led to recent appreciation of the RMB, and helped to ease capital outflows and foreign exchange reserve loss, Luis Cabeddu, IMF research department's division chief said at a press briefing on Friday.

In regard to China's external sector, the IMF said that China' s external imbalances have declined considerably since the global financial crisis.

China's current account surplus declined to 1.7 percent of GDP in 2016, falling substantially from its peak of about 10 percent of GDP in 2007, according to the IMF.

The IMF expected that China's current account surplus will continue to be narrowed if the country continues to implement reforms.

Despite the declines in foreign exchange reserves in 2015 and 2016, the IMF estimated that China's current level of forex reserves to be adequate.

The IMF warned that China may face potential risks of protectionist policies by its key trading partners in the future.

In order to further reduce imbalances, the Washington-based institution suggested China to improve the social safety net, create a more market-based and robust financial system, and take measures to attract more foreign direct investment.
U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the their bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany July 7, 2017. (Xinhua/REUTERS)

WASHINGTON, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a bill that will slap tougher sanctions on Russia, Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), two days after the bill was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives.

The bill, approved by a vote of 98 to 2, will also grant the U.S. Congress the power to block U.S. President Donald Trump from unilaterally lifting sanctions on Russia. The bill will now be sent to the White House for Trump to sign into law or veto.

Bernie Sanders, who voted against the bill, said on Twitter that "following Trump's comments that he won't recertify Iran's compliance with the nuclear agreement I worry new sanctions could endanger it." Republican Senator Rand Paul also voted against the bill.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said via Twitter that by passing the bill decisively, the Senate demonstrated its unity against Russia and sent a direct message to the country's government not to interfere in U.S. elections.

This bill came although Trump administration officials had called on lawmakers to grant "flexibility" to the White House in dealing with Russia.

So far, it remained unclear whether Trump will veto the bill or sign it into law.

Experts expect Trump to sign the bill, probably with reluctance.

"The White House will not like the bill, as it limits presidential authority," Steven Pifer, a senior fellow at Brookings Institution, told Xinhua.

But Trump "may have no choice but to sign," Pifer said.

Speaking on Thursday before the vote in Senate, White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that while the Trump administration "supports sanctions" against Russia, Iran and the DPRK, the White House would make a decision after seeing the contents of the final bill.

Newly appointed White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci told U.S. media that Trump "may sign the sanctions exactly the way they are, or he may veto the sanctions and negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians."

On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the bill aimed at targeting key Russian officials in retaliation for Moscow's alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as sanctions against Iran and the DPRK in response to their weapons programs.

On Wednesday, the Kremlin said Russia will respond to a new round of sanctions by the United States should they become law.

"The attitude to this will be formulated after careful analysis, and the decision will certainly be taken by the head of state, President Vladimir Putin," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by TASS news agency.

Peskov said the decision of U.S. lawmakers was "very sad news" for Russia-U.S. relations, international law and international trade relations.

The bill would impose sweeping sanctions on Russia, targeting its defense, intelligence, mining, shipping, energy and railway industries, and restrict dealings with its banks.

Reportedly it punishes Russia for its alleged role in Ukraine's crisis and the U.S. presidential election, the claims that Moscow has repeatedly denied.

Iran, too, vowed "a necessary response" to the new U.S. sanctions, according to the official IRNA news agency.

Iran is used to these kinds of "hostilities" and knows how to deal with them, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said at a cabinet meeting.

"Iranians well know that they should resist and stand against their enemies," he said. "Over the past 40 years, the Iranians have faced numerous pressures, sanctions and accusations by the U.S. politicians and their propaganda machine."

"The Americans cannot tolerate an independent and influential country in this sensitive region," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 01:17:38|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Members of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force (CAPF) will be entitled to free entry to cultural facilities, according to an agreement signed by the CAPF and Ministry of Culture Friday.

CAPF members can use public cultural facilities, including libraries, cultural centers, and galleries, at all levels free of charge, according to the agreement, which aims to share cultural resources between the military and the public.

The CAPF and the ministry will also deepen cooperation in training cultural talent and facilitating exchanges between cultural personnel, the agreement said.
A policeman guards at the site of a shooting incident in Hyvinkaa, Finland, May 26, 2012. (Xinhua/Tong Shuai)

HELSINKI, July 28 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed and another four people were injured after a car struck pedestrians at a crossroads in the Finnish capital city's center on Friday, local media reported.

A police officer told media that the car had driven into people at a zebra crossing.

According to police, the driver has been apprehended, and the injured are in hospital.

The reason for the accident is not yet clear. Police suspect that alcohol was involved.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 01:42:53|Editor: huaxia

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GENEVA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Swiss banking giants UBS and Credit Suisse on Friday both posted higher than expected profits for the second quarter of 2017 thanks to improved investor confidence.

UBS net profit for the half year climbed 14 percent at 1.17 billion Swiss francs (1.21 billion U.S. dollars).

Credit Suisse posted net income of 303 million francs (313 million dollars), above market forecasts and compared with profit a year earlier of 170 million francs, a net profit jumping 78 percent.

"Improved investor sentiment and enhanced confidence have translated into improvements in wealth management client activity levels," UBS said in a statement.

Chief executive Sergio Ermotti said, "Considering market conditions, the second quarter results were very good and contributed to a strong first half of the year.

"Our global wealth management business in particular delivered an excellent performance."

He said the results demonstrate the value of UBS' diversified business model, allowing it to grow "profitably and sustainably" in a variety of market conditions.

Tidjane Thiam, chief executive officer of Credit Suisse, said, "We are now midway through the execution of our three-year strategic plan and our strategy is working."

He said the bank is making good progress by focusing on its global wealth management opportunities after it restructured. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 01:47:57|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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JERUSALEM, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli officials said on Friday that a probe has been launched into the deadly shooting where an Israeli security guard killed two people outside Israel's embassy in Amman on Sunday.

The examination will follow usual legal procedures and Israel will update Jordan on the progress and results, Emmanuel Nahshon, spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, said in a statement.

"State Prosecutor, in coordination with Attorney General, has instructed all the relevant parties to transfer any materials they may have regarding the event," Nahshon said.

"As part of Israel's ties with Jordan, we will brief the Jordanians on the results of the procedure," he added.

Israel and Jordan have been in a diplomatic standoff since a security guard with Israel's embassy in Amman shot and killed two Jordanians, a 16-year-old teenager and a doctor who was critically injured and later died of his wounds.

Israel said the guard opened fire after the teenager attacked him with a screwdriver.

The Jordanian authorities first demanded investigation into the guard. However, he returned to Israel a day later citing diplomatic immunity, together with the Israeli Ambassador and the rest of the staff.

The guard received a warm welcome by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met him in the Prime Minister's Office and said he acted "calmly."

On Thursday, Jordan's King Abdullah II urged Netanyahu to "take legal actions" against the guard.

He said Netanyahu should not use the case for political and personal gains, adding that the way Israel is dealing with it destabilizes security, feeds extremism and will have "direct impact" on ties between the two countries, state-run Petra news agency reported.

"One of the Israeli embassy staffers killed two citizens and we will not spare any effort and means to ensure justice," the king said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 02:13:02|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TOKYO, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said early Saturday that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s latest missile launch underscores grave and real security threat to Japan.

He also said that Japan will stay alert about possible further provocations by the DPRK and Japan has no other option but to increase pressure on the DPRK with the international community.

Abe made the remarks when meeting with reporters after a National Security Council meeting convened early Saturday following the latest missile launch by the DPRK.

Japan's top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said that Japan was assessing whether the missile launched by the DPRK Friday night was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

He added that Japan's response to the missile launch would not be affected by Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada's resignation on Friday and Japan will keep working closely with the United States and South Korea over the issue.

The Japanese government confirmed early Saturday that the DPRK had launched a ballistic missile around 11:42 p.m. Japanese time Friday.

The missile flew for about 45 minutes and appeared to have fallen into Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Suga said, adding that no damage has been reported to any vessel or aircraft.

He also said that the missile launch was in violation of the United Nations' related resolutions and Japan protests the missile launch on strongest terms.

South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the missile was launched into the East Sea of Korea from DPRK's Jagang province.

The South Korean military said early Saturday that the DPRK fired "advanced ICBM-class" missile, and it flied over 1,000 km and reached an altitude of 3,700 km.

The South Korean media also reported that the missile launch was immediately reported to South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who convened an emergency security meeting early Saturday.

On July 4, the DPRK announced a successful test-launch of an ICBM, dubbed Hwasong-14, which flew around 930 km and was lofted as high as about 2,800 km.

Expectations had run high among local and global media outlets for Pyongyang to test-fire ICBM to validate its reentry technology on or around July 27 that marks the 64th anniversary of the armistice agreement.

The Korean Peninsula is technically in a state of war as the three-year Korean War ended in armistice in 1953, not a peace treaty.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 02:33:08|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ADDIS ABABA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian Horticulture and Agricultural Investment Authority has announced that it has allocated 3,000 hectares of land for investors who want to engage in Ethiopia's flower farming sector.

A huge international interest in Ethiopia's horticulture development sector is said to be the major factor for the Ethiopian government to allocate the reported 3,000 hectares of land dedicated to the floriculture investment, according to the Ethiopian Horticulture and Agricultural Investment Authority.

Investors from various countries, via their respective embassies and also in person, have shown interest to invest in Ethiopia's floriculture sector, Ethiopian state news agency ENA quoted Adugna Debele, Authority Deputy CEO, as saying on Friday.

According to Debele, the Ethiopian government would give priority for interested investors who have come with their own initial investment capital.

The east African country has also put in place various initiatives to lure large number of foreign investors in the horticulture development sector.

According to the Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association, Ethiopia, the fourth largest supplier of flower to the world market, is endowed with suitable weather condition for flower and other horticultural products.

Amongst these initiatives put in place by the Ethiopian government is a mechanism to provide 70 percent of the capital required for investment from the Development Bank of Ethiopia on loan, based on the initial 30 percent financial amount provided.

Ethiopia's flower industry sector has registered a steady growth over the past decade, making the country one of the top flower producers and exporters in the African continent.
Simorgh rocket is launched and tested at the Imam Khomeini Space Centre, Iran on July 27, 2017. (Tasnim News Agency)

TEHRAN, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry on Friday slammed Washington's threats and pressures pertaining to Tehran's recent successful launch of a satellite carrier.

The launch of satellite carrier is "Iran's inalienable right" and in compliance with its international obligations, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Baharm Qasemi said, according to the ministry's website.

The Islamic republic will not wait for the permission of others for its scientific research and activities, said Qasemi.

The U.S. opposition to Tehran's successful launch of rocket is an indication of Washington's "intervention approach in the internal affairs of other countries," Qasemi said.

The United States should stop its "hostile attitude" towards Iran, he said, adding that "instead of accusing Iran of unfounded charges, the United States is better to quit repetitive violation of international regulations and give up unbounded sales of fatal weapons which have targeted the peace in the region."

The United States imposed on Friday new ballistic missile sanctions on Iran in response to what it called Tehran's "continued provocative actions" including a recent rocket launch, said U.S. Treasury Department.

The sanctions targeted six Iran-based subsidiaries of Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group, a company central to Iran's ballistic missile program, said the treasury department in a statement.

Iran launched on Thursday a space vehicle which used technologies "closely related to those of an intercontinental ballistic missile," representing a "threatening step by Iran," said the statement.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 03:28:23|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TIRANA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who was re-elected for a second term on June 25, published a detailed report on Friday of his government's ten-point plan for its first 100 days.

While warning of sweeping reforms in many sectors starting with the public administration, Rama highlighted at a press conference his determination to strengthen the rule of law.

The first objective in his list is that all state officials in Albania begin a process of accountability.

The second issue to be handled by the new government will be fighting drinking water abuses.

The third priority is to crack down on the country's informal economy starting from September.

He also said there would be an operation launched against environmental pollution.

Rama announced a new campaign to raise awareness on road accidents and said there would also be held public hearings for the 2018 budget in each district.

Lastly, Rama said that another objective of the new government would be the end to the massive and unlawful cultivation of cannabis in the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 03:38:26|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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LAMU, Kenya, July 28 (Xinhua) -- A team consisting of archaeologists from the United States, China and Kenya has excavated skeletons of people determined to be with Chinese blood on Manda Island in Lamu County of Kenya, Chap Kusimba, who headed the group, announced at the first "Ancient and Contemporary Relations Between China and East Africa" conference on Friday.

Kusimba, a professor with American University, said it marked the first time such relics were found in East Africa. Zhu Tiequan, an archaeologist with Guangzhou-based Sun Yat-sen University, said the excavation on the island began in December 2012.

According to the team, the skeletons, altogether three of them, had front teeth that are exclusive for the East Asians and after DNA analysis, they concluded that the skeletons were associated with Chinese blood.

The analysis estimated that one of skeletons might be determined to be at the same period as the time when Chinese navigator Zheng He travelled to East Africa in the 15th century. The other two are determined to be living in a period after the admiral's expeditionary voyages.

Kusimba said these people might have come to East Africa through land trade routes or the Maritime Silk Road, adding that no belongings were found at their tombs.

Other relics, including the ruins of an ancient town and Chinese beads and coins, were also excavated on the island by the team.

Zhan Changfa, Secretary General of China Foundation For Cultural Heritage Conservation, said the discovery was made possible thanks to the integration of archaeology and anthropology, and the application of natural scientific technology helped decode more information related to the materials excavated.

Zhan added that the excavation of these relics have provided valuable resources for the study on the exchanges between China and East Africa in ancient times.

The 3-day conference, which opened on Friday, has been jointly organized by the National Museum of Kenya, School of Sociology and Anthropology of Sun Yat-sen University and American University. More than 30 experts from countries including China, U.S. and Kenya participated in the event.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 03:43:27|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BUJUMBURA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The Burundian human rights commission has urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to cancel the preliminary examination on gross human rights violations that it launched on April 25, 2016, the commission's chairman said here Friday.

"The National Independent Human Rights Commission (CNIDH) urges ICC to cancel the preliminary examination on the alleged human rights violations in Burundi that it had launched on April 25, 2016. Burundian jurisdictions are enough experienced to deal with local judicial cases," CNIDH Chairman Jean Baptiste Baribonekeza told a press conference.

According to him, the east African country's justice sector has been "reformed" and can therefore deal with any judicial cases.

Baribonekeza said the security and human rights situation has "improved" in Burundi.

"CNIDH assumes that the country's 2015 crisis is now over. Criminality cases taking place in Burundi are similar to criminality cases taking place in other countries," Baribonekeza said.

He condemned some organizations like the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) that have been issuing "wrong" reports on Burundi.

Baribonekeza referred to the number of political inmates detained in Burundian prisons whereby a recent report by the FIDH said that at least 10,000 political prisoners are held in the country's prisons whereas the total population of inmates is about 9,000.

"All of those 9,000 inmates are not political prisoners," Baribonekeza added.

CNIDH hailed the request by some 43,000 Burundian refugees for voluntary repatriation, but deplored grenade blasts that took place in July at Bugabira in the northern province of Kirundo, at Gatara in the northern province of Kayanza and at Bwiza in the Burundian capital Bujumbura.

Burundi plunged into a crisis since April 2015 when Burundian President Nkurunziza decided to run his controversial third term in violation of the national constitution and the 2000 Arusha Agreement.

His candidature, which was opposed by the opposition and civil society groups, resulted in a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup on May 13, 2015.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 04:03:30|Editor: Liu

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MOSCOW, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry launched a strong protest Friday against Romania's denial of entry to its airspace for a passenger plane with Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin aboard.

According to a foreign ministry statement, the Romanian authorities earlier in the day refused the use of its airspace for a Russian airliner on a regular flight from Moscow to the Moldovan capital of Chisinau, citing the plane carried a blacklisted person.

Rogozin with his entourage, among a total of more than 160 passengers, were travelling to meet Moldova's pro-Russian president Igor Dodon.

The Russian senior official is on a list of sanctions imposed by the European Union over Crimea and the deadly conflicts in eastern Ukraine.

The plane was forced to land in the Belarusian capital of Minsk, Rogozin said on Twitter, accusing the Romanian entry ban of endangering the lives of the passengers.

"This incident is regarded as a deliberate provocation, which will seriously damage bilateral relations," said the Russian statement.

The foreign ministry demanded the Romanian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and give an explanation.

Romania, a former part of the Soviet-led Warsaw Treaty Organization, is now a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union.
The intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14 is seen during its test in this undated photo released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang, July 5 2017. (Xinhua/REUTERS)

WASHINGTON, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Pentagon said on Friday that an initial assessment showed the missile launched by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) earlier in the day was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

The missile traveled about 1,000 kilometers before splashing down into the sea, said Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis in a statement.

The Pentagon was working on a more detailed assessment, Davis said.

The Pentagon said it detected and tracked a single DPRK missile launch at 10:41 a.m. EDT Friday (1441 GMT).
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 04:38:43|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TIRANA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- A massive explosion took place Friday in a tourist resort in northwestern Albanian coastal city of Velipoja, leaving more than 20 people wounded, Albanian police sources confirmed.

The flames were caused from the explosion of a gas deposit in a restaurant kitchen, police said, citing preliminary reports.

Two of the wounded, the owner of the restaurant and his son were seriously wounded, suffering burns in around 40 percent of the body and are being treated at Tirana University Hospital.

The other wounded, mainly kitchen employees but also tourists who were at the restaurant, were admitted to hospital too.

Sources from Tirana Hospital said that they didn't suffer life-threatening injuries. However, they will stay at the hospital till their conditions are fully stabilized.

Police and civil emergency services made the evacuation of the tourist resort while police are working to shed light on the explosion.

Experts from the state technical inspectorate went to the scene and they have launched further investigations as to whether there are other similar cases, and will take measures to remove such gas tanks.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 04:43:44|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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by Hummam Sheikh Ali

ALEPPO, Syria, July 28 (Xinhua) -- No one has come back from the world of the dead, but for the people fleeing the Islamic State (IS) stronghold of Raqqa, it feels like they miraculously slipped out of death grip.

Being caught hostage by IS, or Daesh, as locals call it by its Arabic acronym, has been so tough for the people of Raqqa, who couldn't leave their homes under IS rule.

Those who managed to slip out would have their homes and families taken by the terror-designated group.

Recently, the war on IS has hit a new high with the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Russian-supported Syrian troops separately advancing on several fronts in Raqqa, the de facto capital of IS in northern Syria.

With the progress made on several fronts, the people who were isolated from the world have finally become free to flee to other Syrian cities.

At Ramouseh bus station in northern Aleppo city, arrivals from Raqqa are in batches, dragging what they had managed to take out with them, backs bent with faces overwhelmed with weariness.

At first glance, those people seemed as if coming from the past, as they were looking around in surprise for seeing something different from the black-hooded IS militants and their medieval practices and way of life.

Wearing a dark gray jellabiya, a traditional garment of the people of Raqqa, Ahmad, who refused to give a full name, was sitting on a gray mat on the ground at the bus station after a long-winding trip from Raqqa to Aleppo.

"Our life in Raqqa was extremely difficult, as we were stuck with Daesh and their rule that was so strict and difficult," Ahmad told Xinhua.

He said that not only women were harassed in Raqqa, but also men.

"If you are walking down the street, they would tell you that you must pray, and they would punish the men if their wives were caught uncovered from head to toe," he said.

In Raqqa, there is no education or real work, said Ahmad.

"Coming here feels like entering heaven," he added.

The thirtyish man wasn't alone. Tens of civilians who succeeded to flee Raqqa, after the U.S.-backed SDF reached their areas, are gathering in Ramouseh, waiting to be granted permission from the Syrian authorities to leave for other Syrian cities to either join relatives or seek refuge in displacement camps.

Families were taking spots here and there on the ground in Ramouseh while their children were jumping around and playing, all wearing chubby clothes and slippers.

Despite the fact that they are no longer living under IS control, talking about the terrorist group in front of the camera was too scary for them, as if the shadow of that fearsome group is still hanging over their heads.

For these people, smoking was a luxury they couldn't afford just days ago.

Now, women and men were smoking and puffing white smoke out with relief. IS has not only forbidden smoking in Raqqa, but also imposed physical punishment over those caught smoking.

Sitting with his relatives, 65-years-old Hisham was looking away, examining other people coming from Raqqa and awaiting the permission to leave for Damascus to stay in a displacement shelter.

He wasn't thinking of the road to Damascus, but of the tiresome road to Aleppo from Raqqa to Tabqa city in northern Raqqa, all the way to the Kurdish-controlled town of Manbij in the countryside of Aleppo, to the city of Aleppo itself.

"We escaped from Raqqa countryside to Manbij and from there we reached Aleppo today. The trip was annoying as the car was struggling on the dirt road," he said.

He added that their speed didn't exceed 30 km per hour on the bumpy road.

Two of his female relatives were sitting behind him, lying on a mat and speaking of their share of IS practices against women.

"We used to get punished if we wear red clothes or if our hands weren't covered, and they would also punish our husbands if we weren't wearing in accordance with their teachings and rules," Hana said.

Their relative Suad once got punished because her hands weren't covered.

"My uncle paid 9,000 Syrian pounds (17.5 U.S. dollars) as a fine because my hands weren't covered when they saw me in the street. We couldn't do anything. Once we are caught they will take us to Hisbeh police," Suad said, referring to the IS police called Hisbeh.

But for Samira, another woman from Raqqa, leaving her home was a pain she couldn't get over with.

"We fled our home when an airstrike suddenly hit our area so we had to flee and thank God we were saved ... It's good we are out but we are not feeling relieved, as no one could be happy leaving home to be displaced somewhere else," she said.

Another burning question they were asked is that why they were leaving Raqqa at a time when the IS days there are numbered, according to several military estimates.

Their answer was they were waiting for the moment to be free.

"Living under Daesh is like the death clutching our necks, and being able to leave is like slipping out of the hands of death," said 18-year-old Saed.

He said he was sad for dropping out of school, which wasn't his will.

"I should be preparing to get into college, but I have been out of school for three years and I wish I could catch up on my education now that I am out," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 04:58:49|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TUNIS, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia and Saudi Arabia signed eight cooperation agreements in economic and commercial fields on the sidelines of the 9th Tunisian-Saudi Joint Commission held here on Friday.

The eight bilateral agreements included a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in export valued at 200 million U.S. dollars.

The two parties also signed a MoU on a joint work plan between the High Authority for Investment in the Saudi Arabia and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) of Tunisia.

Besides, the two governments signed a cooperation agreement on a grant from Saudi Arabia to build a university hospital named as "King Salman Ben Abdelaziz Hospital" with a cost of 85 millions dollars, which will be built in Kairouan, a province located in the center of Tunisia.

"The new investment code, adopted recently in Tunisia, favors the interests of local and foreign investment equally, especially as this code will give a wider field of maneuver to the public-private partnership," said Fadhel Abdelkafi, the Tunisian Minister of Development, Investment and International cooperation.

The Saudi Minister of Trade and Investment Mohamed Al-Kasbi assured that his visit to Tunisia leading a delegation representing 18 high-level governmental organizations as well as a significant number of economic actors "reflects the dynamics of cooperation between the two parties particularly in the economic and trade fields."

During his two-day visit, the Saudi high-level delegation accompanied by 53 businessmen attended also the Tunisian-Saudi Economic Forum, which has been suspended for several years before resuming this year with the 9th joint commission between the two countries.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 05:19:01|Editor: ying

Vassily Alekseevich Nebenzia (L), Russia's new Permanent Representative to the United Nations, shakes hands with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York, on July 28, 2017. Vassily Alekseevich Nebenzia presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday. (Xinhua/UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe)

UNITED NATIONS, July 28 (Xinhua) -- New Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN Vassily Nebenzia on Friday presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Nebenzia succeeds Vitaly Churkin who died suddenly of an apparent heart attack in February in New York and had served as Russia's UN envoy since 2006.

Nebenzia said he will further deepen the cooperation between Russia and the UN in order to strengthen the pivotal role of the United Nations in international affairs.

Russia is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, along with China, the United States, the United Kingdom and France.

Prior to this position, Nebenzia served as Russia's deputy minister for foreign affairs since 2013. From 2012 to 2013, he was director of the Foreign Ministry's Department for Humanitarian Cooperation and Human Rights.

He also served as deputy permanent representative of Russia to the UN Office and Other International Organizations in Geneva between 2006 and 2012.

Born in 1962, Nebenzia graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. He is married and has a son.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 05:19:03|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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SANAA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Saudi-led coalition launched a series of airstrikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa on Friday, just few hours after Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a ballistic missile headed towards Muslim holy city of Mecca, officials and residents said.

A security official said the airstrikes hit the civil and military airports, Republican Guards School and the headquarters of the National Security Agency north of Sanaa several times.

Other strikes hit three military camps in downtown Sanaa and air defense bases on the top of mountains in the west, south and east of the capital.

Residents said the airstrikes continued from midnight until Friday dawn, and described them as "most intensified" since the beginning of the war. They said the warplanes broke the sound barrier when carrying out the powerful strikes.

"Sanaa has been regularly hit by the coalition warplanes and we have used to that, but today is different," said a 28-year-old citizen, Yahya Mutahar.

"They waged more than twenty powerful airstrikes since midnight until the morning that really panic all of us, shook our houses and smashed our windows," said Mutahar, who lives in al-Hasaba quarter in central Sanaa.

Dozens of families living in neighborhoods near the military camps in downtown were seen fled their homes during the strikes.

Xinhua reporter at the scene saw tens of houses were damaged and windows smashed, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.

Huge fire and black smoke were seen rising from hangars inside the nearby camps and from bases on the top of surrounding mountains.

Hours earlier, Saudi Arabia said its air defense force on Thursday night intercepted a ballistic missile launched by Houthi militias that was headed towards Mecca.

It said in a statement that the missile was intercepted with its fragments being dropped in an uninhabited area. Meanwhile, a coalition aircraft managed to destroy the launch pad.

However, the Yemeni Houthi movement denied that it targeted Mecca, saying in a statement that the missile was aimed at King Fahd Air Base in al-Taif city, about 110 km southeast the Muslim holy city of Mecca. The Houthi statement said the missile has hit the Saudi air base accurately.

This is the second time the coalition accused Yemeni Houthi rebels of targeting the Muslim holy city of Mecca.

In October 2016, Saudi-led coalition announced that its forces intercepted and destroyed a missile 65 km away from the holiest city of Muslims that fired from Yemen, while no damages were reported.

Houthis have been targeting Saudi-border cities since the beginning of the war in Yemen more than two years ago.

Last week, the Shiite Houthi group said it had fired a new long-range ballistic missile and struck oil refineries in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port city of Yanbu.

Saudi Arabia neither commented on the Houthi claims nor reported any casualties.

In March 2015, Saudi Arabia-led coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict to back internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi against Iranian-backed Houthis, who invaded the capital Sanaa militarily and seized most of the northern Yemeni provinces.

More than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the war that also displaced over 3 million, according to UN agencies.

The country has also been hit by a deadly cholera outbreak and is on the edge of famine.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin speaks during the 4th International Arctic Forum (IAF) in Arkhangelsk, northwest Russia, March 29, 2017. (Xinhua/IAF official website)

MOSCOW, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry launched a strong protest Friday against Romania's denial of entry to its airspace for a passenger plane with Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin aboard.

According to a foreign ministry statement, the Romanian authorities earlier in the day refused the use of its airspace for a Russian airliner on a regular flight from Moscow to the Moldovan capital of Chisinau, citing the plane carried a blacklisted person.

Rogozin with his entourage, among a total of more than 160 passengers, were travelling to meet Moldova's pro-Russian president Igor Dodon.

The Russian senior official is on a list of sanctions imposed by the European Union over Crimea and the deadly conflicts in eastern Ukraine.

The plane was forced to land in the Belarusian capital of Minsk, Rogozin said on Twitter, accusing the Romanian entry ban of endangering the lives of the passengers.

"This incident is regarded as a deliberate provocation, which will seriously damage bilateral relations," said the Russian statement.

The foreign ministry demanded the Romanian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and give an explanation.

Romania, a former part of the Soviet-led Warsaw Treaty Organization, is now a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 05:44:11|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ALGIERS, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Algeria said on Friday that the implementation of a peace agreement for Mali depends on the will of the signatory parties, who are urged to rebuild bridges of trust and lasting dialogue.

Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel made the remarks after talks with Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to Mali, Head of the Minusma Mission, Mahamat Saleh Annadif.

The implementation of the peace agreement, which was brokered by Algeria and signed in Malian capital Bamako, depends on the signatory parties, said Messahel, adding that "it is a Malian issue, as trust and permanent dialogue among the warrant parties should be established."

The Algerian diplomat added that his meeting with the UN official was an opportunity to assess the situation in Mali and discuss ways to boost the implementation of peace process based on the agreement.

He noted that the situation in Mali remains "difficult and complex," adding that "Algeria has always responded to the call to accompany the Malian people in their efforts to maintain their unity and sovereignty."

Meanwhile, Annadif hailed the "positive" role of Algeria in terms of restoring peace and stability in Mali through the multiple mediation initiatives it has led.

He regretted, however, that "the implementation of the peace agreement has recently been stalled" over disputes between the signatory parties, while affecting the situation in the region as a whole.

Annadif arrived on Friday in Algeria for the 12th Algerian-Malian Bilateral Strategic Committee on northern Mali.

The meeting is meant to assess the progress of the implementation of the peace process in northern Mali. It is co-chaired by Messahel and his Malian counterpart Abdoulaye Diop.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-29 05:44:12|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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SKOPJE, July 28 (Xinhua) -- A group of 100 Macedonian Army troops and some 300 members of U.S. Armed Forces will hold a joint drill in Macedonia's capital on Saturday and Sunday, Macedonian ministry of defense said Friday.

"The Dragoon Guardian 17 joint drill is an excellent opportunity for strengthening the cooperation between the Macedonian Army (ARM) and U.S. Armed Forces," Defense Minister Radmila Sekerinska said Friday in Kumanovo, northeast Macedonia, at an exercise welcome ceremony.

The U.S. Army soldiers crossed into Macedonia from Bulgaria on Friday. The U.S. soldiers will also tour a number of cities here, showcasing its armament and equipment.

According to Macedonian defense ministry, the tour begins in Skopje, Stip and Veles on Saturday and Sunday. The Krivolak exercise begins on Monday, and the last two cities the convoy will visit are Strumica and Struga on Thursday and Friday.

Sekerinska said that the two armies would practice setting up a runway for drones, which would remain for future use of the Macedonian Army.

"Other exercises will include clearing up improvised explosive devices, clean up of radiation contamination and target practices," the minister noted.

Present at the ceremony, the U.S. Ambassador to Skopje Jess Baily said that exercises like Dragoon Guardian served to connect soldiers, countries, and regions in pursuit of shared goals.

Baily said nearly 600 soldiers from Macedonia would participate in U.S.-sponsored, multinational exercises across Europe this year.

Further on, he stressed that the United States worked to see Macedonia join NATO.

The aim of the exercise is to improve the ARM interoperability with NATO standards, strengthening the ongoing partnership with the United States and demonstrating the capabilities of both armies in providing help and support for the general population.
 

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Charles for Emancipation shows

The shows will feature music inspired by the African experience in the new world.

They will be original compositions as well as music from Fela Kuti, the Mighty Sparrow, Lord Kitchener and many others.

Emancipation has been a running theme in my music since I started composing. I finally wanted to put it together to perform in TT near Emancipation, Charles said in a media release.

He plans to tour the island during his visit for an educational outreach.

Titled Etienne Charles: Emancipation, the shows will be held at 2 pm, 6 pm and 9 pm at the Kaiso Blues Cafe on Woodford Street, Port of Spain.

Charles, who last played there in 2016, said he has been itching to return to Kaiso Blues since. He will be accompanied by his New York City band comprising: Godwin Lewis (saxophone), Brett Williams (piano), Jonathan Mitchell (bass) and Charles Haynes (drums).

Charles last performed here in January at a sold-out world premiere of his work from his soon to be released album, Carnival, at the Queens Hall, St Anns.

Carnival, Charles fifth large compositional work was made possible with a Creative Arts Fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. The world premiere followed the Caribbean premiere of his sixth composition the San Jose Suite before a sold-out audience at Queens Hall in November 2016.

A 2015 Guggenheim fellow, Charles was awarded the Reubin OD Askew award, the highest award bestowed upon an Alumnus of Florida State University under the age of 35 and the Jazz at Lincoln Centre Millennial Swing Award. He spent much of 2016 performing at prestigious venues including the White House, Newport Jazz Festival, the Atlanta Jazz Festival, the Lincoln Centre and, most recently, the Jazz Standard in New York and SF Jazz Centre in San Francisco.

For 2017, Charles continued to tour all over the US and overseas including Japan and Jamaica.
18-year-olds suicide leaves family in despair

According to relatives, at about 11.30 am, Trotman made a video in which he explained that he has suffered with bouts of depression since childhood and could not find any other solution other than to end his own life.

Newsday spoke with Trotmans uncle at the Forensic Science Centre, St James yesterday, who said his nephews death has traumatised the family and has left his parents inconsolable.

He explained that Trotmans siblings discovered his body in his bedroom when they returned inside from playing.

The poor children were in shock and didnt know what to do. They called their father who was not at home at the time...but it was already too late. Relatives said that they discovered the video while browsing through his mobile phone later on that day.

They said that Trotman was depressed after his father forbade him from seeing a 14-year-old girl with whom he was involved in a relationship.

However, other relatives believe Trotman committed suicide because he was depressed with his parents recent separation.

His parents got divorced recently and all of their children are really feeling it. They would tell you that everyone is coping with it but, I think that Lurvado felt it the worst. Trotman was a former student of the El Dorado Secondary school and was studying to become a computer technician. Relatives have described him as an easy-going, respectful child and did not suspect that he was suffering with depression.

Newsday also spoke with social worker and senior adjunct lecturer in Behavioural Sciences at the University of the Southern Caribbean Hanif Benjamin who said parents should be aware of changes in their childrens behaviour and detect early signs of depression.

When someone commits suicide, they may do so in either one of two ways, which is acute as in now for now or it may be prolonged over a period of time. In this case, there is always a sign, that someone is dealing with some personal issue. For instance, the person may pull away or become more withdrawn or more isolated. Benjamin also urged parents not to involve their children in their own private issues, especially as it relates to issues of separation and marriage. He said that when facing a divorce, one parent may use children as pawns to attack the other.

Too often in divorce situations parents dont let children be. Too often in divorce situations parents dont check in on their children. I am advocating that children be checked in on more often.
PNM councillors lead no-confidence walkout

There were certain issues we find were not true coming out from the motion, explained Brighton/Vessigny Councillor Gerald Debesette in a telephone interview with Newsday yesterday regarding the PNM walkout.

Debesette said the PNM councillors disagreed with the accusations being meted out against the Corporate Secretary, Natalia Cummings, in the three-page motion brought by Avocat/San Francique Councillor Doodnath Mayrhoo.

She was being accused of bias, of only dealing with the other side, the other side being the PNM, of only giving us information, said Debesette.

This is not true. We debated it, not supporting the motion, and we walked out just after my last colleague made his contribution, before it was put to a vote. The corporation is made up with six PNM members of council; six UNC members of council; and one independent councillor in its former chairman, Leo Doodnath, who declared himself independent in January after.

Doodnath was not present for the vote on Wednesday, however, leaving the floor evenly split with Chairman Glenn Ramadharsingh having the casting vote.

Glenn Ramadharsingh would have had a casting vote and the motion would have carried in favour of the UNC, said Debesette.

We found it was unfair and if you had to sit there for this motion to be carried, we wanted no part of it. The walkout left the council with one less person necessary for a quorum, and therefore no voting occured.

The essence of our democracy is that you will have one side that will win and one side that will lose, said Ramadharsingh yesterday.

Walking out of a debate I think is absconding from your duties and responsibilities in the corporation. Ramadharsingh said the PNM councillors did not show the level of cooperation that was expected of them. The UNC members of council will caucus today and make a press statement on the way forward
Contraception not just womans job

Speaking with the Newsday after yesterdays lecture on gestational diabetes at the San Juan Health Centre, where recently appointed director of womens health Dr Adesh Sirjusingh spoke on the issue, Deyalsingh said much pressure was being placed on women where contraception might be a non issue.

I appreciate the unfair burden that is placed on women globally that they are the main primary caregiver. They breastfeed, they are the primary caregiver to this child and when these children grow up, they are the ones involved generally...it is women who have to manage the house, buy the groceries, go to the market, do the homework with children, cook, wash and iron and, very often, many of these women are single mothers.

As a member of parliament I am so disappointed with the way men abdicate their responsibility to their women folk, their children and their families, Deyalsingh said.

I think it is important to give women some sort of redress in longterm contraception. Contraception is by and large the responsibility of the women.

Even if a man uses a condom, if the condom fails, who carries the burden? It is not the man, its the woman, he added.

He said women car- ried an unusual burden with contraception which was why the Government was planning to bring in subdermal implants that could last for five years.

The implant is inserted in the arm.

It has been used successfully in many parts of the world, so we are not asking our women to use any untested technology. This has been used around the world for decades, and we are now catching up to it, Asked about the choice of a woman having tubal ligation, Sirjusingh said this was a personal choice.

There may be clinical reasons to do so.

Somebody may have health issues and we may strongly recommend that pregnancy is not advised and they may seek something long term like tubal ligation, he said.

Deyalsingh added there were risks for a mother after having three Caesarean sections.

After three Caesarean sections you should have had your tubes tied because with every successive Caesarian, your chances of having a safe delivery decreases dramatically, Deyalsingh said.

Questioned about women in the lower economic level having multiple children, Deyalsingh said it was all about education.

We have to educate women in our lower socio-economic level because very often they are the ones with the large families they cant support, he said. Contraception at those levels become important. When you have these families at the lower socio-economic level it more or less dooms that family to a life of poverty.

Every cent that you earn has to go into minding these children and you cant dedicate it to buying school books, a proper house, nutrition. So it is a self fulfilling prophecy when we have people in the lower socio-economic groups having large families. And that is something that we need to tackle so that people could have children and family sizes that are reasonable for their circumstance that they could support.
Independent Senator: Wajangs deserve respect too

The event, put on with the support of the San Fernando City Council and sponsorship of the United Nations, was organised to highlight violence against women and to showcase social tools which can prevent it. Stay woke, understand what is happening around us, said Edwards. It does not matter if a woman wears a short skirt, or a blouse that is see through or if she presents herself as a wajang. No man, as well as any woman, has any right to disrespect her in any which way.

We have a perception when it comes to a womans responsibility in protecting herself and a lot of the times we feel as if a woman does not carry herself in a particular way or does not do things in a particular manner, that once she follows things the right way, she will no longer have to suffer violence. But nothing is further from the truth. Edwards urged those gathered to think critically about the language they use in speaking about women. We continue in society to say certain things without understanding the consequences of the things that we are saying. Edwards also called for the desegregation of sexual and reproductive health education in schools. Boys and girls should sit in the same classrooms and learn about the bodily functions of their own and the opposite sex in order to foster greater understanding and edge the country closer to achieving the UNs sustainable development goals (SDGs). Aurora Noguera Ramkissoon, director of the United Nations Population Fund, said realising gender equality was fundamental to achieving these SDGs. Ramkissoon called for universal access to sexual and reproductive health services for women, particular rural women.

Women who choose family planning are healthier and place lower risk on maternal death, Ramkissoon said. Children born to women who space their pregnancies tend to be healthier and face reduced risk of death within the first five years of their childs birth.

The families are better off financially and their children receive a better education helping to trigger a cycle of prosperity that they carry on for future generations. San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello expressed the Citys support for the initiative as well as the HeforShe and Every Caribbean Woman Every Caribbean Child initiatives, all of which share common goals.

Through the guidance and support of the United Nations, I am confident that we will make the necessary strides towards the elimination of these terrible acts and create a better society and future for generations to come, said Regrello.
Finance Minister Taro Aso said Friday the Japanese government will impose emergency tariffs on frozen beef from the United States and other regions, widely used in fast food, from August due to soaring shipments.

Japan will raise tariffs on the product from the current 38.5% to 50% until March 2018. It is the first time in 14 years that Japan has taken the emergency measures on U.S. beef imports, a decision likely to irk Washington. Imported frozen beef is mainly used for processed foods such as hamburgers and beef bowls and could lead to hikes in consumer prices. Allowed under World Trade Organization rules, Japan automatically introduces the so-called safeguard tariffs when imports grow more than 17% in a quarter on a year-on-year basis. Aso told reporters the government is explaining the move to the United States and other countries. Aso, who doubles as Japan's deputy prime minister, said he is ready to discuss the emergency measure, if requested, at a high-level economic dialogue with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence being arranged for later this year. The United States is the second-largest supplier of frozen beef to Japan after Australia, together accounting for 90% of total imports of the product. Other suppliers include Canada and New Zealand. Australian beef is exempted from the emergency measure due to the free trade agreement between Japan and Australia.

Jul 28 (ANNnewsCH) - aaaaacacYaaaaaaaaaeZaaaaaaaaaacaaSaaaaaa
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Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union hailed the efforts made by King Mohammed VI, Chairman of Al-Quds Committee, for the defense of Al-Quds Acharif, the protection of its monuments, the preservation of its Arab character and support for the Palestinian people.

In the final communique issued by the Union of Arab MPs that convened an emergency meeting in Moroccos capital city of Rabat following Israeli provocative actions in Al-Aqsa mosque, AIPU lauded the royal actions and projects seeking to improve the situation of Palestinians in the field of education, the restoration of monuments and improvement of social services through Bayt Mal Al-Quds.

The Palestinian cause remains the top priority in the Arab-Muslim world, say the Arab MPs in their final communique, calling on the international community to act to prevent Israel from spoiling Muslim holy sites as such practices risk to ignite sectarian violence in the whole region.

They also called on Arab governments and civil society to support the families of Palestinian martyrs and those whose homes have been destroyed by Israeli bulldozers.

Members of AIPU slammed Israeli violations of the sanctity of the holy sites and its decision forbidding worshippers from performing the Friday prayer in Al Aqsa mosque, a blatant violation of international laws and resolutions.

King Mohammed VI, Chairman of Al Quds Committee, an offshoot of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, has condemned, in a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Israels continued, systematic violations in the city of Al-Quds and around the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

On Friday 14 July 2017, it proscribed the Friday prayers, closed Al-Aqsa Mosque to worshipers for three days and, for the first time in half a century, banned the call to prayer. It also detained, for several hours, Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, the Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestinian territories, said King Mohammed VI.

Israel has increased tension in the region by introducing additional provocative and unacceptable security measures, installing surveillance cameras throughout the Al Aqsa Mosque compound as well as security gates to check the worshipers and assaulting officials and employees of the Islamic endowment department, added the Chairman of Al Quds committee.

These illegal actions undermine the dignity of the inhabitants of Al Quds and constitute a provocation for all Palestinians. They may lead to an outpouring of anger and an overall public reaction that could compound the situation in the Palestinian territories, warned King Mohammed VI, noting that these provocative practices arouse the feelings of Arabs, Muslims and freedom lovers in the world. They could incite extremist tendencies that may lead to further tension, animosity and violence in the entire region.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that France will start processing asylum seekers applications in Libya as of this summer, in a move to curb the deadly crossing of the Mediterranean by illegal migrants.

The idea is to create hotspots to avoid that people take crazy risks when they are not all eligible for asylum. Well go to them, he said during a visit to a refugee shelter in central France.

Libya has become the main departure point of thousands of migrants who take to the sea in an attempt to reach Europes southern seashores.

Migrant smugglers have taken advantage of lawlessness in the North African country whose coasts have been controlled by armed groups that have indulged in the deadly business.

Around 100,000 migrants have already reached Europes coasts so far this year while over 2,000 have been reported drowned in the sea according to the International Organization for Migration.

Europes lengthy debates on the current migration crisis came to the conclusion that one of the wrong decisions was to allow migrants to enter Europe and then be processed whether they can prove refugee status.

As explained by Andrew A. Michta in a recent analysis published by Carnegie Europe, If there is a solution to the current migration crisis, it lies in sealing the EUs external borders and establishing a system to screen migrants outside Europe. This is the solution seemingly adopted by the French President.

Yet, Michta, who is the dean of the College of International and Security Studies at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, warns that This would require a large commitment of resources as well as European military power to create areas where initial screenings could take place before migrants can enter Europe.

Admittedly, this would be a massive task, as it would require the EU to engage both militarily and in terms of aid to transit countries on a scale not seen so far, beginning with breaking smuggling chains and stopping boats from leaving for the Mediterranean, the searcher noted.

Awaiting a consensus on the best way to address the crisis, Europe continues to face its greatest migration wave since the end of World War II.

The majority of migrants are arriving from outside the continent, especially the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) but also the Sahel and, increasingly, Asia, the analyst stated recalling that In March 2017, Frontex, the EUs frontier agency, warned that the number of people undertaking the Central Mediterranean crossing was on the rise. With the arrival of summer, the next wave of MENA migration into Europe is about to be unleashed.

In a related development on illegal migration, Serraj reportedly denied asking Italy to send ships in Libyan waters to help control Libyan coasts and curtail illegal migration.

Serraj who was in Rome earlier this week reportedly invited Italian ships in Libyan territorial waters.

What was agreed with Italy was the completion of the program supporting the coast guards to train and prepare them with armed capabilities and equipment for saving lives of migrants, and to confront criminal organizations, a statement from his office said.

Rome is set to analyse a mission plan on the request.
Moroccan authorities have arrested a British dealer in the virtual Bitcoin currency charged with financial fraud in the United States, the Daily Mail reported.

The Moroccan news agency had previously reported that the British citizen was arrested in Tangier in response to an Interpol notice without naming him and that his extradition will be decided by the court of cassation. The wanted dealer was later identified by other media outlets as Renwick Haddow.

Haddow was charged in the US for conning investors out of $5 million via fake exchange platforms.

The US security and Exchange Commission (SEC) had said in a comment after he was charged with securities fraud that Haddow created two trendy companies and misled investors into believing that highly-qualified executives were leading them to quick profitability.

Haddow, 49, is said to have tricked investors who contributed funds to his Bitcoin Store platform and other ventures, diverting funds to offshore accounts.

In reality, Haddow controlled the companies from behind the scenes and they were far from profitable, the SECs New York Regional Office director Andrew M. Calamari added.

It is a second high-profile Bitcoin case to surface involving the SEC this week, with the regulator also seeking $110 mln in anti-money laundering fines against Russian exchange BTC-e. Its assumed founder, Alexander Vinnik, is also under pressure to pay a personal fine of $12 mln.
Italy is planning to send ships in Libyan waters by the end of August to combat human trafficking and stem a huge influx of immigrants, a government source said on Thursday.

The announcement came after Italys Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said that the internationally recognized government in Tripoli requested in a letter Italys help through the deployment of its ships off Libyan costs to curb Mediterranean crossing of illegal embarkations.

Gentiloni who met his Libyan counterpart of the Tripoli-based GNA Fayez al-Sarraj in Rome earlier this week said that sending naval units is being assessed by the defense ministry.

On Thursday, Gentiloni met with military chiefs and cabinet members to discuss the possibility of sending elements of the Italian navy as part of the fight against illegal migration at sea.

This year alone, 100,000 migrants from Africa, South Asia and the Middle East have arrived in Europe, a 7 percent rise from the same period last year. More than 2,000 others have died attempting the treacherous voyage.

Nearly 600,000 migrants have arrived in Italy since 2014 after making the dangerous cross-Mediterranean journey in boats.

Italy wants to stop migrant boats in Libyan territorial waters and send the migrants back to Libya. Under international law, migrants intercepted in international waters cannot be sent back to Libya if they face potential violence and persecution.

At the domestic level, the increase of illegal migrants in Italy is becoming a thorny issue leading to harsh criticism against the center-left government by conservatives.
Where is he taking us? Photo: Yuri Gripas/AFP/Getty Images

We have become, at this point, inured to having an irrational president in an increasingly post-rational America. Weve also come to tell ourselves that somehow (a) this isnt really happening, (b) by some miracle, it will be over soon, or (c) at some point the Republican Party will have to acknowledge what they are abetting, and cut their losses. And yet with each particular breach of decency, stability, and constitutionality, no breaking point seems to have arrived, even as the tribalism has deepened, the presidents madness has metastasized, and the norms of liberal democracy are hanging on by a thread.

But surely this week must mark some kind of moment in this vertiginous descent, some point at which the manifest unfitness of this president to continue in office becomes impossible to deny.

Compare it with any other week in modern political history. Day after day, the president has publicly savaged his own attorney general for doing the only thing possible with an investigation into a political campaign he was a key part of: recusing himself. And the point of the presidents fulminations was that the recusal prevented Sessions from obstructing that very investigation. The president, in other words, has been openly attacking his own attorney general for not subverting the rule of law.

He is also complaining that Sessions is not investigating his former opponent, Hillary Clinton, even though an extensive FBI investigation has already taken place and no charges were deemed sufficient for prosecution and even though the president himself said, after the election, that he would oppose such an investigation. What special kind of madness is this?

Then we were subjected to the spectacle of the president going to the Boy Scout jamboree, of all places, and delivering a series of partisan jabs, campaign-rally catcalls, and completely inappropriate personal ramblings to a crowd of thousands of boys. The speech was, in some ways, a metaphor for everything Trump is and has done. He took a regular, civil, apolitical American gathering of mainly children and turned it into diatribe of deranged and nakedly partisan narcissism. He is actively despoiling our civic culture.

And then, in what can only be analogized to a royal proclamation, Trump tweeted out a sudden change in military policy. Asked to back defunding the specific medical care for transgender service members, he declared instead  via social media  that all transgender troops are now barred from serving in any capacity. He did not inform the Defense secretary in advance; and he did not issue a directive through the proper channels. He revealed in a flash a sociopathic indifference to the lives of thousands of patriots currently serving their country and contempt for the regular rules and procedures of the military he supposedly commands.

The impulsive move was so outside the norms of presidential behavior that it brought Senators Orrin Hatch and Richard Shelby to the defense of transgender troops, and prompted the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to announce that no such policy change had happened, and no such change would ever happen by presidential tweet. The maneuver was also so politically crude and off-key that even social conservatives became worried it might backfire on them.

Thereupon, like comic relief in a Shakespearean tragedy, the presidents new director of communications, Anthony Scaramucci, arrived in Washington. He called up a reporter, The New Yorkers Ryan Lizza, and threatened to fire the entire White House staff if Lizza didnt reveal the identity of a source. He also declared on the record that the presidents chief-of staff is a fucking paranoid schizophrenic and that one of the presidents chief advisers, Steve Bannon, came to Washington to suck his own cock. The man, we are told, has the presidents full backing. The chief of staff, one assumes, turned up for work today.

And at the same time, as if to beggar belief, we just witnessed in the Senate a travesty of anything that might be called parliamentary democracy. In the early hours last night, a week of secrecy, confusion and lies  almost a parody of how not to pass a law  eventually culminated in an ignominious defeat for a skinny repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. It was a bill that would have openly sabotaged an existing law on which millions of Americans rely, with no effective or coherent alternative. This horrible piece of legislation  in Senator Lindsey Grahams words  was almost designed to force the ACA into a death spiral, and was being passed like a kidney stone through our constitutional system. The point of pushing the legislative and health-care system to this level of dysfunction and danger? A win for a president who is utterly indifferent to the actual content of such a win.

After the last few days, someone in the GOP leadership somewhere is surely going to have to take responsibility for running this country since we have a president who cannot.

And I wonder if historians will one day look back and see Senator John McCains speech last Tuesday as some kind of turning point. Diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer, McCain nonetheless returned to give one of the best-scripted speeches of his career. Excoriating the chaotic process by which repeal of the ACA was being forced through the Senate, McCain reminded his fellows that they are the presidents equals in the government of this country and not his subordinates. He appealed for a bipartisan fix for a national problem, and for a return to regular order. He spoke for a mere 15 minutes, but they remain worth watching several days later. He seemed for a few moments like an actual voice of authority in a capital where all such authority has withered into mere positioning or cowardice. And in the early hours of Friday morning, McCain appropriately provided the critical vote to kill the skinny repeal of the ACA. It was, in some ways, his finest hour.

He is also not entirely alone any more. The Congress as a whole has effectively torpedoed any intention the president might have of lifting sanctions against Russia, by passing a bill by massive margins to prevent it. And on the related matter of the investigation into Russian interference in the last election, Senator Chuck Grassley made it clear this week that, if the president were to fire Sessions, his Judiciary Committee would not hold any hearings on a successor. Thats a checkmate for Trump for the time being, because it would leave the Justice Department under the control of Rod Rosenstein, who hired Robert Mueller in the first place. Put all these developments together and you have an inkling of how the Constitution can still protect us from the worst of this presidency  if the Senate wants to play the role it is designed to play.

Will it? If its the only hope we have right now of rescuing this republic from this presidency, Ill take it. But its also very little, and the situation remains dire. McCain  the one guardrail that stood strong  is visibly mortal. And there is, in Trump, one senses, an even more unhinged quality now than before, a sign that he is cracking under the strain and degenerating before our eyes, but still capable of violating anything in his path. That path, moreover, will and must veer unpredictably from one deranged direction to another, with the president exhibiting absolutely no concern for the institutional, cultural, and civic damage he is doing. And he commands all the power  militarily and constitutionally  of every president before him.

This remains, in other words, an emergency. It is a gargantuan task to ensure our system of government survives it.

Its revealing, it seems to me, that Richard Dawkins is the latest target of the authoritarian left  and why he is under attack. This week, he was disinvited from a book event hosted by a progressive radio station, KPFA, because of his criticisms of Islam. While KPFA emphatically supports serious free speech, we do not support abusive speech, the radio station explained. We apologize for not having had broader knowledge of Dawkinss views [on Islam] much earlier. This is hilarious. As anyone with a brain and an internet connection knows, Dawkins has made a second career out of vilifying religions of all kinds.

To take one random example, heres what he has written of Judaism: The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully. Why is he Islamophobic and not also obviously anti-Semitic? Why was one disqualifying and the other not? And I wont begin to cite his fulminations against Christianity. Perhaps his sin was a recent, not completely relativist pronouncement that its tempting to say all religions are bad, and I do say all religions are bad, but its a worse temptation to say all religions are equally bad because theyre not. If you look at the actual impact that different religions have on the world, its quite apparent that at present the most evil religion in the world has to be Islam.

Notice the qualifier: at the present. And with that qualifier, who, on earth, could deny this? Is there a Christian regime currently anywhere even close to ISISs caliphate? How many Jewish terrorists are setting off bombs at pop concerts full of young girls? History is replete with horrors of all religions when abused by fanatics. But today, it is Islam that is clearly out in front. Dawkins is not, moreover, attacking Muslims. In fact, in the same interview, he immediately followed up with this: Its terribly important to modify that because of course that doesnt mean all Muslims are evil, very far from it. Individual Muslims suffer more from Islam than anyone else. KPFA couldnt read that far?

I fear that the truth is Islam has become an untouchable shibboleth for some on the left. What they lacerate in other religions, they refuse to mention in Islam. Sexism, homophobia, the death penalty for apostasy  all of this is to be rationalized if the alternative is Islamophobia. Why, one wonders? Is it because Muslims are a small minority? But the same could be said for Jews. My best guess is simply that, for the far left, anything that is predominantly of color is preferable to anything, like Judaism and Christianity, that can usually be described as white. Thats how intersectionality can be used to defend what would otherwise be indefensible. The preoccupation with race on the far left is now so deep, in other words, its becoming simply an inversion of that on the far right.

Im off next week, so see you the Friday after next.
No more leaks, dammit! Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Its been clear for a while that the knives are out for Reince Priebus in the White House.

But a New Yorker story that appeared late Thursday afternoon significantly upped the ante  and revealed the colorful side of White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci. The Mooch, who has appeared less and less proficient at his job since his competent debut last week, called the New Yorkers Ryan Lizza, demanding the reporter supply him with the names of sources who told Lizza about a dinner Scaramucci attended at the White House Wednesday night. (Scaramucci has made it a mission to root out the leakers President Trump so loathes.) When Lizza declined to name names, Scaramucci went to town on Priebus, thought to be the wellspring for those leaks  but he didnt stop there. The whole thing is very much worth reading, but here are some of the juiciest quotes in a story full of them.

On Lizza not giving up his sources: O.K., Im going to fire every one of them and then you havent protected anybody, so the entire place will be fired over the next two weeks.

On Priebuss job security: Theyll all be fired by me. I fired one guy the other day. I have three to four people Ill fire tomorrow. Ill get to the person who leaked that to you. Reince Priebusif you want to leak somethinghell be asked to resign very shortly.

On Priebuss mental state: Reince is a fucking paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac.

Parroting Priebuss thought process: Oh, Bill Shine is coming in. Let me leak the fucking thing and see if I can cock-block these people the way I cock-blocked Scaramucci for six months.

On Steve Bannon: Im not Steve Bannon, Im not trying to suck my own cock. Im not trying to build my own brand off the fucking strength of the President. Im here to serve the country.

On stories about his dodgy financial-disclosure forms: Theyre trying to resist me, but its not going to work. Ive done nothing wrong on my financial disclosures, so theyre going to have to go fuck themselves.

On murderous thoughts: What I want to do is I want to fucking kill all the leakers and I want to get the Presidents agenda on track so we can succeed for the American people,

On using his own nickname in the third-person: O.K., the Mooch showed up a week ago. This is going to get cleaned up very shortly, O.K.? Because I nailed these guys. Ive got digital fingerprints on everything theyve done through the F.B.I. and the fucking Department of Justice.

On his plans after the interview: Let me go, though, because Ive gotta start tweeting some shit to make this guy crazy.

On Thursday evening, Scaramucci tweeted his non-regrets about the interview:
Scouts dishonor. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

On Monday the president of the United States asked a crowd of 24,000 teenage boys whether they were old enough to hear about the interesting things that used to happen on William Levitts yacht.

And that was one of the least uncomfortable moments in Donald Trumps speech to the Boy Scout Jamboree. By the time Trump wrapped up his remarks in Glen Jean, West Virginia, he had derided the fake media for not covering the speech (though they aired it); ripped Barack Obama for never attending a Boy Scout jamboree (though he did in 2010); thanked his audience for voting against Hillary Clinton last year (though they were children); and assured them that they would be saying Merry Christmas again when you go shopping (though it was unlikely that every single boy in the crowd was a practicing Christian, and, also, July).

The Boy Scouts is not, as of this writing, the youth organization of the Republican Party. Plenty of out-of-touch coastal elites, rootless cosmopolitans, and globalist cucks allow their sons to join the Boy Scouts. These parents were not pleased to see a GOP president address the groups National Jamboree as though it was an election rally. Normally, the proper target for outrage in this circumstance would be the president. The Boy Scouts didnt ask him to give a hyperpartisan speech leavened with innuendos about maritime sex parties. They merely allowed the president of the United States to address their function.

But asking Donald Trump to give a speech without insulting Hillary Clinton, the media, or Barack Obama is like feeding table scraps to a dog with irritable bowel syndrome and expecting nothing unseemly to occur.

Thus, opprobrium was heaped on the Boy Scouts itself. Especially, once people realized that the organizations current president, Randall Stephenson, is also the chief executive of AT&T  which has an $85 billion deal to merge with Time Warner pending before Trumps Justice Department.

And so, on Thursday, the Boy Scouts apologized for the presidents behavior at their jamboree.

I want to extend my sincere apologies to those in our Scouting family who were offended by the political rhetoric that was inserted into the jamboree, the organization said in a statement. The invitation for the sitting U.S. President to visit the National Jamboree is a long-standing tradition that has been extended to the leader of our nation that has had a Jamboree during his term since 1937. It is in no way an endorsement of any person, party or policies.

Should have been prepared.
Jeff Sessions. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Donald Trump may be bashing his attorney general left and right, but that hasnt deterred Jeff Sessions from deploying his bosss legal agenda. His latest rollback, on what now looks like a banner day for the Trump administration and LGBT rights, was the Department of Justices new position in court that federal civil-rights law doesnt protect employees targeted by anti-gay bias in the workplace.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is one of the crowning achievements of the civil-rights movement, and by its very terms forbids employers from discriminating against anyone on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Since the laws enactment, courts have understood the word sex to mean gender and not sexual orientation, and thus it became standard practice for judges to routinely dismiss cases whenever a worker alleged, say, that his employer denied him a promotion simply because the employer didnt like that the worker hung a picture of his bearded spouse in his cubicle.

In recent years, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which oversees enforcement of Title VII, began to see things differently. And relying on Supreme Court precedent that read existing law as forbidding things such as same-sex harassment and gender stereotyping, the agency started to push the argument that Title VII, indeed, may be read to also forbid taking adverse employment actions against gays and lesbians.

Advocates ran with this position, arguing for themselves and their aggrieved clients that federal employment law, if read the way EEOC and Justice Antonin Scalia read the law  that is, textually  makes it illegal to fire the gay worker with the framed picture of his bearded spouse. After all, a woman with the same picture frame and bearded husband wouldnt be fired. Thats classic discrimination on the basis of sex: The sex of the workers spouse is the bosss guiding light. And isnt the expectation that a man should only marry a woman de facto sex stereotyping?

In a landmark April ruling, an appeals court bucked precedent and ruled for the first time that the EEOCs position is the correct one. And other courts, including the Manhattan-based federal appeals court, are starting to give a fresh look at an issue they once thought was open and shut. Its in that New York case that Trumps Justice Department filed a brief opposing the view that Title VII protects gay workers. Its view is a familiar one: It should be up to Congress to fix the law if it wants to prohibit anti-gay discrimination. As written, the law just doesnt do that.

But for Sessions and his lawyers to prevail in this particular battle, they will be forced to contend with something their hero Scalia recognized for a unanimous Supreme Court in 1998: that what matters in the end is the laws text, not what Congress may have in mind at a specific moment in history. In his view, statutory prohibitions often go beyond the principal evil to cover reasonably comparable evils, and it is ultimately the provisions of our laws rather than the principal concerns of our legislators by which we are governed.

In other words, Sessions could well take a beating here as well. And the Supreme Court, which is the final arbiter of many of our culture wars, is already on deck to deal the painful blow sooner rather than later.
The Simorgh rocket. Photo: Iranian Minstry of Defence

The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday hit Iran with new sanctions for its Thursday launch of a satellite-carrying rocket. The AP referred to the launch as a step forward for the Islamic Republics young space program, but the Trump administration sees it as a provocative behavior.

Space launch vehicles use technologies that are closely related to those of an intercontinental ballistic missile and this launch represents a threatening step by Iran, the Treasury Department said in a statement Friday. Though the newly recertified deal limiting Irans nuclear program doesnt explicitly bar the development of ballistic missiles, the U.S. considers it a violation of the spirit of the deal, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Thursday.

The new sanctions are aimed at six offshoots of Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group, the firm in charge of Irans ballistic missile program, and prohibit American entities from carrying out transactions with those subsidiaries.

These sanctions target key entities involved in Irans ballistic missile program, and underscore the United States deep concerns with Irans continued development and testing of ballistic missiles and other provocative behavior, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said in a statement.

According to Iranian state television, the rocket launched into space Thursday can carry a 550-pound payload. Dubbed the Simorgh, or Phoenix, the rocket was first revealed in 2010. At the time, experts said that while the rocket itself was not able to fly far enough to be considered an intercontinental ballistic missile, it could be Irans road to an ICBM.

The U.S. National Air and Space Intelligence Center echoed that in a report issued just last month. Progress in Irans space program could shorten a pathway to an ICBM because space launch vehicles (SLV) use inherently similar technologies, the report said.

Irans foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded to the new sanctions by accusing the U.S. of violating the the letter and spirit of the nuclear deal. He also denied that Iran is working toward an ICBM. Iran is not and will not be developing nuclear weapons; so by definition cannot develop anything designed to be capable of delivering them, he tweeted.
While there is no set precedent for the issue, more and more courts are encountering a new type of lawsuit related to social-media blocking. The Knight Foundation, for instance, is suing the U.S. government on behalf of Twitter users blocked by President Donald Trump, whose Twitter account has become alarmingly vital when it comes to understanding his presidency.

This week, a federal court in Virginia tackled the issue when it ruled on behalf of a plaintiff blocked by a local county politician. According to The Wall Street Journal, Brian Davison sued the chairwoman of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, who temporarily banned him from her Facebook page after he posted criticism of local officials last year. Judge James Cacheris found that she had violated Davisons First Amendment rights by blocking him from leaving comment, because, in his judgment, the chairwoman, Phyllis Randall, was using her Facebook page in a public capacity. Though it was a personal account, she used it to solicit comments from constituents.

The suppression of critical commentary regarding elected officials is the quintessential form of viewpoint discrimination against which the First Amendment guards, the judge stated in his ruling. Cacheris did emphasize that his ruling should not prohibit officials from moderating comments to protect against harassment. Davison was only banned for 12 hours, and Randall faces no penalties. Still, the ruling is one of the first in a growing, thorny legal issue surrounding social media that has already reached the White house.
Photo: The Strategist; Photo: Retailer

At the start of this year, Amazon, in its continued attempt to take over the world, began quietly rolling out its own in-house, private-label clothing brands. Eight of them, to be exact, which are available to Prime members only. Each has a slightly different focus and is aimed at a different person, but overall, they emphasize everyday basics, our favorite. (Amazon even hired Vogue editor Caroline Palmer to run the editorial, so you know theyre serious about this.) Weve been curious about the clothes for a while now (can the company that has all of our shopping data determine our perfect outfit?), and a few weeks ago we were offered one item from six of the womens collections to test out and decide if Amazon will be to the late 2010s what Gap was to the 90s. We set out to determine if these Amazon brands are worth it, and to take a guess at how soon itll be before were not embarrassed to say our clothing was designed by Amazon. The answer, it seems, is that its not that far off.

PARIS SUNDAY Womens Short Sleeve Textured Ponte Two-Piece Skirt Set The clear winner of the bunch, and Amazons best brand, is Paris Sunday. Its the tech companys best effort at competing with places like Everlane or Zara  basics with an eye for trends. I tried out a two-piece skirt set in black, which is an outfit as easy and uniform-friendly as a $40 jumpsuit, but cheaper and more office-appropriate. The whole set is 93 percent polyester and 7 percent spandex, which actually sounds like it should look and feel like athleisure, but its got a great lightweight patterned texture thats subtle, and just the right amount of sporty stylish. You can wear it down with sneakers or up with a nicer pair of sandals or heels. The skirt and shirt together are a cute look, but it was a bit strong for me, so I separated them and wore the A-line skirt with a slightly baggy white tee tucked in and got a few compliments that day. Everyone was surprised, of course, when I told them the skirt was from Amazon. [Editors note: Several of us in the office complimented Lauren on it!] Id wear the shirt with a pair of jeans and thats two outfits for $25. Buy at Amazon Buy

Ella Moon Womens Alexis Short-Sleeve Placement Floral Lace Top $60 Ella Moon was born Becky Taylor, but she changed her name to Ella Moon after one amazing study-abroad trip to India in college. It mightve also coincided with the first time she smoked weed. Upon graduation, she got a job as a preschool teacher and decided to switch her name back to Becky, but Ella still lives on inside her. As for Amazon, they say, If you like Anthropologie, we invite you to try Ella Moon. That about sums it up; its a cheaper, at times cheesier, Anthropologie. (I could see myself wearing this white lace mock neck all the time, though.) The thing to know about this 100 percent cotton top is that it comes with two layers, with the inner one acting like a slip  because if youre a preschool teacher, you cant have skin showing through these cutouts. Also, the sleeves flare and Ella  I mean Becky  loves it that way. $60 at Amazon Buy

Coastal Blue Womens Swimwear Wrap Halter One Piece Swimsuit $69 In the weird way that bathing-suit prices work, and I will never understand, this is the most expensive piece I tried on. Its high-quality, though, thick material with padded cups in the bust, and moms will love it. There are also some more youthful crisscross styles that I did not get the chance to try on, but would be more likely to buy for myself. Another advantage: Most of Coastal Blues bathing suits also come in plus sizes. $69 at Amazon Buy

Mae Womens Lace Thong, 3 pack $16 Perhaps the most useful package I was sent was this three-pack of lace Mae thongs. In an effort for complete transparency, Ill tell you that I dont usually like to wear thongs unless absolutely necessary, but with these, I actually didnt really feel them at all, and they made me think, if only for the day, Hmm, maybe I actually can be a thong girl after all. Also, three of these are cheaper than one (!) Hanky Panky, and I dont think there are any differences between them besides the brand name. $16 at Amazon Buy

Arabella Womens Short Robe $32 Arabella sounds exactly like every other robe-and-pajama brand youve ever heard of: Cosabella, Eberjey, Natori, Arabella. Tell your friends its Arabella and it sounds vaguely familiar, like, Oh, yeah, Ive seen those $90 pajama sets at Nordstrom or something. Im sure thats the point. Anyway, I got the robe and it is extremely, amazingly soft and cozy. The perfect jersey wrap. The payoff though, and the reason it is likely only $32, is because the stitching on the end of the sleeves and the bottom of the robe looks like it wasnt really finished. It just kind of ends with the stitching all hanging out, leaving you wondering if thats how its supposed to be. There are also these two unnecessary strings to tie the robe together on the inside, but this isnt a wrap dress and those arent needed. Overall though, I would probably buy this. Its a robe and its cozy, so for the most part, its doing everything it needs to be doing. Also, if Arabella came out with matching pajama sets that had shorts for bottoms, I would buy those too. $32 at Amazon Buy

The Fix Izzi Envelope Clutch With Chain Crossbody Strap $79 The Fix is Amazons womens accessories-and-shoes line that has a lot of surprisingly good options (as our colleagues over at the Cut just noticed, too) and this cross-body envelope bag hits all the marks. Amazon says its imported, but they dont say where its imported from. Theres a magnetic closure, which I enjoyed for its easy access. There are two sections to separate your wallet from your lip gloss within the bag. Im not really about that long-metal-chain cross-body life, so I took it off (love the versatility of a detachable chain) and used it as a clutch. It fits a small paperback book and all the other necessities, and I would both recommend this and use it again. Sometimes, it can be just a little too hard to find an affordable small bag that just does what you need it to do, and this solves that problem. $79 at Amazon Buy

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.


Peoples Choice Welcome to Peoples Choice, where we find the best-reviewed products and single out the most convincing reviews. (You can learn more about our rating system and how we pick each item here.) Photo: Universal Pictures

Whether youre gearing up for a new school year, or simply in need of a fresh place to journal and jot down lists, a good notebook is a daily necessity. But with so many options out there  from hard and soft covers to spiral-bound and sewn  it can be hard to pick the right one. So, while weve written about some of our favorite notebooks before  including the best notebook for bullet journaling and the minimalist Japanese notebook with a cult following  here, weve rounded up the best notebooks, as praised by the most enthusiastic reviewers on Amazon.

Related article: 100 Best Notebooks | Best Planners for 2021

Best-rated notebook

Amazon Basics Classic Lined Hardcover Notebook $9 4.7 stars, 28,626 reviews $9 More than 20,000 reviewers give this Amazon Basics notebook a five-star rating, with the majority describing it as a quality notebook for a good price. It has the same high quality hardcover and binding of notebooks twice the price, one says, adding, The paper is just the right shade of off-white and thickness so that ink does not bleed. The writing experience is smooth and the size is perfect to keep in a suitcase, bag, jacket pocket (large) or hand-carry. Another writes, Ghosting can be seen on the back of papers, same as Leuchtturm 1917 papers, but zero bleeds through, same as Leuchtturm 1917 papers. Compared to the Moleskine, There is no real difference in quality, the paper feels the same and there is a back pocket, according to another reviewer. In addition to its no-bleed, sturdy paper, the outside of this notebook is pretty durable too, even when jostled around in the trunk of a car with hostages, one reviewer jokes. Elastic keeps the cover closed so my enemies can not see my plans to destroy them. $9 at Amazon Buy

Best-rated (less expensive) notebook

Mead Composition Notebook $6 $7 now 14% off 4.8 stars, 8,886 reviews $6 Reviewers are as impressed by the quality of this notebook as they are with its low price tag. One repeat customer who notes how inexpensive it is likes that the notebook is sturdy enough to turn it inside out to where Im at [and] then back again days later without them falling apart. Another reviewer who says that the pricing is on point writes, I LOVE THESE. No more page ripping like in spiral bound notebooks. I still fold these back and have no issues. And even a high school English teacher attests that theyre a quality product at an affordable price. They write, My students use theirs every day (they dont exactly handle things with care) and they are holding up extraordinarily well. $6 at Amazon Buy

Best notebook for bullet journaling

Leuchtturm1917 Medium A5 Dotted Hardcover Notebook $23 4.7 stars, 25,439 reviews $23 It really is the ideal, classic black notebook, one reviewer says of this very popular dotted notebook  which ranked eleventh in our comprehensive testing of 100 notebooks  and its the one that Ryder Carroll, who invented the Bullet Journaling system uses. And its a classic for a reason: Six months into this bullet journal experiment and I find myself more organized and prepared than my previous Ill remember that attitude, one reviewer writes. A few reviewers say that the paper is also fairly sturdy. I painted a quick wash of watercolors and it did not tear, one reviewer writes. Another says, The paper isnt so thin that my pens and markers bleed through to the next page but it isnt thick enough that you cant see the dark marker from behind the page. And other reviewers confirm that there is some ghosting but no bleeding. $23 at Amazon Buy

Best (less expensive) notebook for bullet journaling

Minimalism Art Premium Hard Cover Notebook $9 4.8 stars, 3,832 reviews $9 Nearly 10 percent of five-star reviewers use this Minimalism Art for bullet journaling, a handful of whom specifically write that the notebooks are not only less expensive than Moleskine and Leuchtturm hardcover notebooks, but actually of better quality! Thicker pages (no ghosting), leather-like cover, back pocket, elastic closure, ribbon bookmark  its all here! Another previous Leuchtturm user agrees that the quality of this Minimalism Art notebook is just as good or maybe even better than our pick for the best-rated bullet journal, and a third reviewer adds that it has all the same features of premium bullet journals for a fraction of the price: This is the kind of journal that feels so nice its intimidating the first time you write in it, but at the price its affordable. Over 100 other customers comment on the soft-yet-sturdy feel of this notebook, including one self-described incredibly picky notebook user who describes the paper and cover as so sturdy and soft, like straight-up luxurious feeling, all for under 10 bucks. $9 at Amazon Buy

Best durable notebook

Moleskine Large Ruled Hard Cover Notebook $19 4.8 stars, 19,166 reviews $19 Strategist editors are long-time fans of Moleskine notebooks, as are many Amazon reviewers.I have been keeping sketchbooks and journals for over 30 years and have never found anything better than Moleskine, one writes. Reasonably priced, archival paper and sturdy enough to put up with being stuck in backpacks, overnight bags, sketch kits and dragged all over the planet on my travels. A main selling point of these classic notebooks is how well they hold up over time. The exterior cover is made of a solid material that has resisted water spillages in the past, one writes. Another admits theirs is now completely destroyed after two and a half years of use, but it was a tough time: During that time, this notebook had many roles kicking around the cab of my delivery van. Besides being an ordinary notebook, It also has been used as a writing surface, a lunch tray, a bug squisher, a sun shield, a weapon, and everything else between. No other notebook would survive half of that as well as this has. Reviewers also point out that ink does not bleed from page to page, even when writing with fountain pen, and according to former Strategist writer Hilary Reid, who tested a larger version of this notebook, the page quality is excellent and has that classic Bavarian-cream color of all Moleskine pages. $19 at Amazon Buy

Best gridded notebook

Lemome Grid Paper Hardcover Notebook $23 now 30% off 4.8 stars, 2,911 reviews $16 One reviewer thinks this notebook is handsome and sturdy enough to house your Will, or your very best poetry, but more than a quarter of reviewers just like it for the grid lines on the paper, which are visible but sufficiently light to allow writing, artwork, notes to appear without the visual chaos of some notebooks too-dark grids, another reviewer explains. An engineer says, I also love using graph paper as I find it easier to both write and draw on the same sheet, while also having rough guidelines for scaling a design, and it seems to be favorite among architects, too. No matter your profession though, the paper quality got most reviewers attention. The paper is of a quality approaching that of the expensive wedding invitations you regretfully passed up, one says. That means the ink doesnt bleed through. Ive tried everything from pencil to the wettest fountain pen on this paper and can happily report that the paper withstands everything, one user writes. No bleed-through, no feathering, and ghosting ranging from nothing to if I strain I can just make it out. $16 at Amazon Buy

Best notebook for fountain pens

Black n Red Hardcover Notebook, Casebound, Large $8 $16 now 50% off 4.7 stars, 3,138 reviews $8 Over 100 reviewers say this notebooks pages can more than accommodate the ink from fountain pens. There is no bleeding or feathering. And sheen and shimmer does show up fairly well on the pages, one reviewer writes. Another says, The ink I use is a really wet J. Herbin Eclat de Saphir with a medium-sized Japanese nib and the pages take the ink like a champ. They add, There is no bleed through whatsoever and I was incredibly impressed. The other benefit of the thick paper, even if youre not using a fountain pen, is that its hard to smudge the ink across the page. When Strategist senior editor Anthony Rotunno tested the spiral version of this notebook for our ranking, he said, I am a lefty, and I tested all my notebooks with a pencil, and this excelled at the smudge test. $8 at Amazon Buy

Best five-subject spiral notebook

Five Star Spiral College Ruled Notebook, 5 Subject $17 4.8 stars, 9,503 reviews $17 This spiral notebook is a hit among college students on Amazon. The five subject aspect is perfect for the standard college student, one says. Ive been using these since I was a freshman  Im now a junior  and they are perfect for hefty college use. Each section can be dedicated to a different class, and according to one engineering student, they last an entire semester: I usually take about 18 credits every term and this has plenty of space for me to take notes on. As far as the quality goes, the pages are thick enough that ink does not bleed through the page, which means both sides are still useable. Another reviewer says that the pages flip smoothly through the rings. $17 at Amazon Buy

Best set of college-ruled spiral notebooks

Oxford Notebooks, 8 x 10.5in, College Rule, 6 Pack $13 for 6 4.8 stars, 26,623 reviews $13 for 6 Students, and parents of students, love these college ruled notebooks. No unraveled wires, no torn covers, as happens often in the war zone that is the big box store back to school aisle, one reviewer writes. Another says, For about the same price and quality as going to Walmart, I got all the notebooks my kids will need for school this year and I didnt even have to leave my house. Students of all ages, from college to elementary school, use them happily. One parent homeschooling their 7-year-old through a global pandemic writes, These lined notebooks are so helpful for improving her writing but we have been using them everyday for her school work. $13 for 6 at Amazon Buy

Best set of college-ruled composition notebooks

Amazon Basics College Ruled Composition Notebook, 4 Pack $9 $10 now 10% off 4.8 stars, 6,434 reviews $9 Reviewers who prefer composition notebooks to spiral ones love this Amazon Basics set, including one who says its great value, and nice not to have a spiral since Im a lefty. One college student taking online classes says the notebooks are the perfect size to fit into my desk organizer, and appreciates that theyre large enough to even put things I print off into them! And while the notebooks are technically college-ruled, another reviewer points out theyre perfect for elementary school students because they last the whole year if they dont skip pages, [and] they are quite durable. Even the most disorganized, disheveled student will have his/her book intact at the end of the year. $9 at Amazon Buy

Best soft cover notebook

Moleskine Classic Notebook, Soft Cover, Large $18 4.7 stars, 7,019 reviews $18 Of this Moleskines nearly 6,000 five star reviewers, well-over 100 of them call out its soft cover. The cover is very supple, soft and durable, writes a reviewer who also likes that the pages are sewn in rather than glued. Another devout purchaser who claims theyve been using Moleskine for the last 8 years or so notes that the soft flexible cover is ideal for being on-the-go, because you can always bend it back and around unlike the hardcovers. And a third reviewer whos tried countless notebooks from various brands keeps coming back to this one because the quality of the paper is amazing and something about having a soft cover makes it more comfortable for me to lug around in my bags. $18 at Amazon Buy

Best steno notebook

Tops Steno Books, 6 x 9, 4 Pack $13 4.8 stars, 7,279 reviews $13 Theyre steno books  nice and solid for note-taking and list-making, writes one reviewer, and more than 80 percent of reviewers give this classic notebook a five-star rating. Im probably a hopeless old dinosaur because I dont use my phone to organize my life  but stuff written down by hand, doesnt get lost or disappear into cyberspace or become inaccessible due to some technical glitch. One reviewer likes that with this particular steno pad because, the lines fill the entire page and are a little closer together, providing more lines to take notes. And given the size, most reviewers use them for things like to-do lists, grocery lists, meeting notes, and reminders. Though a few do say they use it for school; its sized for shorthand writing, but it also helps anyone who has a smudging problem. As a lefty, I cant stand having a spiral on the side  it gets in the way of writing, one explains. The solution? get one with the spiral on top, of course! $13 at Amazon Buy

Best ecofriendly notebook

Dingbats Earth Dotted Medium A5+ Hardcover Journal $25 4.7 stars, 9,775 reviews $25 In addition to being well-constructed, this Dingbats notebook is sustainably crafted from degradable, recyclable, and vegan materials  and thats what convinces many reviewers to pick it over others. It can be difficult to find a product that looks cute and is functional but vegan. This one checks all the boxes, writes one reviewer, who also describes the notebook as high quality, with a durable cover. Another reviewer, who finished writing a book in this notebook, agrees that in addition to its long-lasting cover and pages, Whats really special is the companys commitment to the environment and wildlife  pointing to Dingbats ongoing contributions to the UK World Wildlife Fund. In addition to including details in each notebook about endangered species, the notebook includes an index, future log, and bullet keys, which over 100 customers say make it great for bullet journaling. The features are time savers, but pretty subtle and unobtrusive says one bullet journaler, who appreciates the companys commitment to sustainability and this journals smooth yet sturdy pages. $25 at Amazon Buy

Best waterproof notebook

Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Top-Spiral Notebook, 3 x 5 $9 4.8 stars, 12,650 reviews $9 Im only half-joking when I say these notebooks kind of make me mad, writes one reviewer. Im upset that nobody told me about them sooner! This reviewer lives in the Pacific Northwest and says, They are perfect for wet and rainy weather as well as anything else you can throw at them. Dozens of other reviewers also say this little top-spiral notebook holds up to its waterproof claims. The paper in these notebooks truly can be used in the rain with no problem, yet there is no need for a special pen, and of the dozen or so I tried work just fine, one writes, while another says, Yes, I have put them thru the laundry (both the washing machine and the dryer) and when I realized what I had done I didnt feel too badly  The writing was still on each page. They can even withstand more intense situations. Ive tested them TOTALLY SUBMERGED for 12 HOURS with very favorable results, one writes, while a phlebotomist says, This notebook even repels blood and other bodily fluids when accidents happen. Its durability combined with its compact size make a lot of reviewers call this the perfect EDC or everyday carry notebook. When Strategist editor Simone Kitchens tested this she felt the same saying This shrunken notepad is best equipped for grocery lists, daily tasks, or highly abbreviated notes. It takes up minimal room in a bag or coat and could be stuffed into a back pocket. $9 at Amazon Buy

Best reusable notebook

Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook $28 $34 now 18% off 4.5 stars, 52,588 reviews $28 We first wrote about the Rocketbook in 2018, when writer Steven John reviewed it and loved it: Scrawl notes as you usually do, and once youre done, wipe them off and start over  ad infinitum. And Amazon reviewers also love this high-tech, reusable notebook that allows you to scan handwritten notes with your phone and then send them where you direct, to be stored, retrieved, and reviewed, as one explains. More than 34,000 reviewers give this five stars, and many find it to be the best of the reusable notebook options, because of how easy the app is to use and how close it is to the traditional note taking experience. As far as the accompanying app goes, The scanning is perfect, it captures the colors, exposes the page with the right lighting, and crops and adjusts the page properly, according to another reviewer. Its not a traditional notebook, but if sustainability is your goal, its a good choice. $28 at Amazon Buy

Our Methodology

The criteria for inclusion in a Peoples Choice post are based solely on the number of reviews and the average customer ratings. All of the products that we include in a Peoples Choice post must:

Feature more than 100 customer reviews,

Maintain an average rating of at least 4.1 stars,

Be fulfilled by Amazon.

We start the process by looking at all of the products in a specific category from a specific merchant. In this case, we started with a list of over 60,000 notebooks that you can buy on Amazon (found by searching notebooks). From there, we use Amazons filters to narrow our search and eliminate any product with less than a 4-star rating, but Amazon isnt perfect: Random office products, like pens and backpacks, occasionally get thrown into the results mix, and some of the notebooks only have 4 stars, not 4.1, as required by our standards. We exclude those products as we sift through the notebooks that meet our criteria and begin looking for the standouts.

As we sort, we keep an eye out for products that weve written about or tested before  like the Rocketbook, the Leuchtturm1917 hardcover notebook, and the Moleskine hardcover notebook  but we also are looking to discover lesser-known, but well-reviewed, gems that weve never heard of before. We are humans, not robots, with over four years of experience reading through thousands of customer reviews, so if a product does not pass our sniff test, we will err on the side of excluding it from the post. We also reference ReviewMeta and Fakespot to help us analyze and identify fake product reviews.

How we choose each superlative

Once we have a full list of products that meet our criteria for inclusion, we start to organize them. There are two sub-headers you will find in every Peoples Choice post, including this one:

Best-rated notebook: The notebook with the most reviews overall, with at least a 4.1-star average.

Best-rated (less expensive) notebook: The notebook that meets all of our criteria for inclusion at the lowest price in the category.

In the case that a notebook has the most number of ratings and the lowest price, we will call it the Best-rated (and least expensive) notebook and remove the Best-rated (less expensive) pick.

The rest of the products are categorized based on what users are looking for and what reviewers are raving about. We read all of the Amazon reviews we can for each product that meets our criteria for inclusion, and give each product a superlative based on what reviewers on Amazon are saying  by reading through reviews and finding recurring themes and referring to Amazons generated list of commonly used phrases and words  and what types of notebooks users are searching for on Google, using Google Trends. In this case, that includes:

Best notebook for bullet journaling

Best durable notebook

Best gridded notebook

Best notebook for fountain pens

Best five-subject spiral notebook

Best college-ruled spiral notebooks

Best college-ruled composition notebooks

Best soft-cover notebook

Best steno notebook

Best eco-friendly notebook

Best waterproof notebook

Best reusable notebook

Well also refer to our previous reporting and testing on the topic to see if our experts and editors have any opinions we can share based on their testing and reporting.

How we update

We update these posts regularly, to ensure that each product is still fulfilled by Amazon and has over 100 reviews with a minimum 4.1 star-average rating. We will periodically add editors notes if there are notable stock changes. We will also adjust our superlatives, as needed, to make sure youre able to easily find what youre looking for  or the best possible thing you didnt know you needed.

This post was first published on March 1, 2018. In the last three years, we have updated this post seven times. In this most recent update, the total number of products climbed from 13 to 15, with three new products added to the list and one out-of-stock product removed. One of those new products is the best-rated (less expensive) notebook  Meads Composition Notebook, which is half the price of our previous best-rated (least expensive) notebook, the National Kolor Krafts College Ruled Notebook, and has more reviews and a higher average rating. The best-rated notebook also changed: Amazon Basics Classic Lined Notebook, which was previously on the list as the best cheap-but-expensive-looking notebook, overtook the Moleskine Classic Notebook in number of reviews, earning it the top spot. We also added three new superlatives to the list to make it even more complete: best durable notebook (to which the still-highly rated Moleskine Classic moved); best set of college-ruled composition notebooks, and best soft cover notebook.

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I LOVE THIS SONG

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the part with her ex getting shaken out of the picture is already iconic. and seeing her in the I Feel like a Woman outfit had me so emotional  so excited for this album!

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i was shook



i didn't think she'd make it /that/ referential lol like damn be more obvious sis

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I feel like her songs aren't nearly as strong without Mutt's influence. Which makes me think he probably had the bigger hand in her earlier bops. Between this song and Today Is Your Day, I'm not feelin' this new era at all.

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have you listened to poor me?



he did have a big influence, since he was the producer, but it was still shania. personally i like the lowkey more gentle bops she's been putting out but ik what you mean.



today is your day sucked and shouldn't be included in any comparisons though lol. that was just for her ~healing tbh

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Get that IKEA sponsorship, Shania!

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You rejoice in those brown ppl waiting on you, Queen Shania!



I haven't gone on a proper vacation in like five years, but for the next one I wanna go on a cruise that turns off all the lights for 10 mins at night so you can see all the stars~

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That was the first thing I noticed when I started watching. I was like, "...oh."

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I mean, it's realistic for an island resort's employees, it's just.... jarring.

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welp

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fuck

me

up

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so is this the same ex husband who cheated with her best friend



or the new husband who also happened to be the best friend's ex husband



(not a typo, they actually did a switcheroo)

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it's obv about mutt. if the scene of her dumping him out of the pic wasn't obv enough....

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i was obv leaving the tidbit for anyone who didn't already know about the fucked up switcheroo



OBV

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I mean, my wife's ex and my ex ended up getting married for a handful of years, so....

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twain was her step dad's name.

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Yeah, I had a family member asking yesterday which of a list of places she should go to on her honeymoon and I pointed away from the Bahamas because she only wanted Nassau and the all-inclusive resorts vs. stepping outside those walls is not good honeymoon atmosphere. That said, I am trying to convince her toward Port Lucaya. It's close enough to Freeport for the good shopping, but also just a cool little town in its own right.

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prescient queen. the title of this song somehow predicted collins, mccain, and murkowski voting with dems to destroy skinny repeal.

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Yassssssss I couldnt sleep bc i was refreshing the news omg

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same. the lead up to the final vote was insane. that inaudible gasp when mccain came in, raised his arm, and gave his no 

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I can sleep well for another night

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lmfao

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boring as shit song and video but she looks beautiful and that's cool

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The Senate rejected legislation to repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act, with John McCain casting a decisive "no" https://t.co/qrKzMZfKaQ  The New York Times (@nytimes) July 28, 2017

i can't sleep and could really go for a political post right now

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I can't sleep but I should probably sleep since this gives me relief for another night

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mte. i'm just waiting for that insufferable orange to go ballistic on twitter (esp bc mccain was the deciding vote lol)

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So are a lot of people. Lol

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Well I'll be damned!

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Murkowski and Collins have my respect for sticking to their position with all the pressure they have been under. I'm glad McCain voted no but he should have done that yesterday.

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That tracklist is missing hella exclamation points. Those must have been Mutt's idea back then.



Anyway, fuck me up Country-Pop Queen!

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She looks amazing spill dem skincare secrets (jk I know it's genes and money)

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whomever produced this or mixed it should be fired. Instead of belting the chorus or ramping it up they left it way to monotone. This could have been an anthem and its not.

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Poor Me is already iconic & better than Don't Let Me Down <3

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Hardly a day goes by without another media report about the impending demise of the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) as petroleum powered cars and trucks are replaced by uber-clean Electric Vehicles (EV). It is just a matter of time before EVs start to materially reduce global oil demand thereby capping a meaningful oil price recovery now and creating an ever-shrinking industry in the future. EVs are yet another reason why the decline of petroleum production and consumption is inevitable.

Except it isnt true. Your writer read dozens of articles and attended a conference on the future of EVs. The evidence overwhelming proves they pose no threat to oil prices anytime soon. Following is a summary of the major points.

 The forecasts for EV growth are all over the map. Late last year investment research outfit Morningstar figured EVs will be 10% of new vehicle sales by 2025 (only 8 years from now!) compared to 1% in 2015. Washingtons Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicted in January cumulative sales of EVs (cars and light trucks) would push 1.4 million by 2025. Last month Morgan Stanley predicted 1 billion EVs would be sold by 2050 and 70% of European vehicles would be electric. Bloomberg New Energy Finance wrote a glowing report on EVs in early July titled The Electric Car Revolution is Accelerating stating adoption of emission-free vehicles will happen more quickly than previously estimated because the cost of building cars is falling so fast. The seismic shift will see cars with a plug account a third of the global auto fleet by 2040 and displace about 8 million barrels a day of oil production. In just eight years, electric cars will be as cheap as gasoline vehicles, pushing the global fleet to 550 million by 2050. When Volvo recently announced it will only produce vehicles with electric motors of some sort  pure EV or hybrid  in a couple of years made global headlines.

 EV sales forecasts dont look intimidating once all the numbers are presented. For perspective, how many cars are there in the world? According to Automotive News, in the U.S. alone there were 18.4 million new cars and light trucks sold in 2016. A year ago, U.S. research house Alliance Bernstein reported that in 2015 there were 1.1 billion cars and 377 million trucks on the worlds roads, quantities expected to rise to 1.5 billion and 507 million respectively by 2025 and 2 billion and 790 billion by 2040. These figures are interesting because if the number of vehicles doubles but EVs are only 25% by 2050 (Bloombergs high case) this doesnt equate to an 8% reduction in oil demand. If the Morningstar prediction above comes true, this would equate to 8.8 million new EVs in 2025 based on worldwide sales of 88 million units in 2016. One of the big issues now emerging is the significant petroleum consumption and emissions of transport trucks for which electrification is not currently practical. And, of course, airplanes only run on refined crude. Bernstein figures Air Revenue Passenger Kilometers, or RPK, which was 9 trillion in 2015, will rise to 12 trillion in 2025 and more than double to 20 trillion by 2040. Oil required for transportation will continue to grow. Of a 42 US gallon barrel of crude 86% ends up transportation fuel (20 gallons gasoline, 12 diesel and 4 jet fuel). And EVs will only capture a meaningful portion of the market if several problems are solved, some highlighted below.

Related: Daily OPEC Oil Prices Now Public For The First Time Ever

 Growth in EV sales thus far have been supported by significant government subsidies. The Tesla website points out just how much the sticker price of its vehicles can be reduced. In America, everyone gets a federal US$7,500 income tax credit then Louisiana adds on as much as US$9,500 depending on battery choice. A typical amount from is other states is an additional $1,000 to $$2,500. In Canada Ontario will chip in a Cdn$14,000 tax rebate plus carpool lane access for a single driver. Quebec is at Cdn$3,000 according to the Tesla website. But it is noteworthy how sales plunge when subsidies end. Website qz.com wrote on July 10 how Nobody in Hong Kong Wants a Tesla Anymore. Sales plummeted once the subsidy was capped at US$12,500 which raised the cost of one of the higher-end models to US$118,400 from US$72,900. In China BYD, which was once the worlds largest manufacturer of EVs thanks to domination of that market, saw EV sales drop 34% in Q1 2017 once state funding was reduced in January. Late last year Forbes wrote EV sales in Europe were declining in the fall of 2016. In April U.S. auto research firm Edmunds concluded, Elimination of federal tax credits likely to kill U.S. EV market, predicting EV sales would crash when the subsidies are withdrawn. Norway proudly trumpets how it has the highest level of EV adoption in the world, but the government pays people to do it. In a great article by thedrive.com in mid-July, the writer reports there are no sales taxes on EVs, owners dont pay for vehicle registration, ferries and roads tolls are free, and they can drive in bus or HOV lanes. To make sure drivers get with the program Norway charges nearly US$7 a US gallon for gasoline. Norway gets all its EV subsidy money by selling oil to the rest of the world. At US$45 a barrel Norways average 2016 production of 2.1 million b/d was worth US$35 billion last year and its sovereign wealth fund is currently totals US$960 billion. Britain and France have announced that by 2040  23 years from now  vehicles powered only by ICEs will be banned. But however gloomy that may sound for the oil industry today, that is enough time for 6 elections in both countries which could change everything, the development of new technologies to make ICEs even cleaner and more efficient, and is sufficiently distant to be meaningless for all crude producers except the supermajors.

 Are EVs really green? There has been much written about this subject but it doesnt make headlines. You have to hunt for it. In article in wired.com on March of 2016 the writer questioned whether or not Tesla was really environmentally friendly. If you recharge with coal-fired electricity the emissions are higher than burning gasoline. The vehicles must be lighter to extend battery life so they require a lot of high performance metals which is hardly environmentally benign to produce (more on lithium later). A researcher wrote, the greenhouse gas emissions footprint of electric vehicles can be pretty high on the front end, as theyre being built. Were shifting pollution, and in the process were hoping that it doesnt have the environmental impact. Then theres the safe disposal of the battery after it dies and the local landfill is not the place. In June, the Montreal Economic Institute released a report that claimed subsidizing EVs was an inefficient way to reduce CO2 emissions. A spokesman said, Its just a waste. Not only do these programs costs taxpayers a fortune, but they also have little effect on GHG emissions. The study claimed current subsidies in Quebec and Ontario, driven by lofty public government ambitions to grow EV use significantly, cost taxpayers Cdn$523 per tonne of reduced carbon emissions in Ontario and Cdn$288 in Quebec. The cap and trade system Ontario is adopting, mirroring than in California, taxes carbon at Cdn18 per tonne. Albertas new carbon tax, which the NDP are selling as a first step in saving the planet from climate change, is Cdn$20.

 Beware of looming electricity and lithium shortages. When Bloomberg did its analysis it predicted, Electricity consumption from EVs will grow to 1,800 terawatt-hours in 2040, or 5 percent of global power demand, from 6 terawatt-hours in 2016. This is a staggering 3,000 percent increase. Where will it come from? Better not be coal or possibly even natural gas. At a conference held April 3 in Calgary sponsored by ARC Energy Research Institute (AERI) a representative of Bruce Power, the Ontario nuclear electricity generator, said to economically reduce carbon emissions recharging EVs only made sense at night, not during peak load hours. If everybody drove their EVs to work and tried to plug in at the office it would overload the system. Meanwhile, there is speculation whether the world has enough lithium to build all the batteries skyrocketing EV growth would ensure. One analyst has predicted lithium shortages as soon as 2023 and have already delayed Teslas output. The solution, which is not all bad for the oil industry, is dual fuel whereby the battery is smaller, the lithium required per vehicle is lower, and mobility is augmented by a smaller ICE using good old-fashioned gasoline.

Related: The Next Big Catalyst In The U.S. Oil Export Boom

 Then theres the morality of EV subsidies, which is rarely discussed in the pursuit of slaying the climate change beast. Until Tesla rolled out its Model 3 with a suggested sticker price of US$35,000, earlier models cost a small fortune restricting the number of people able to purchase one. At the AERI conference an automotive industry speaker noted Tesla dominated the market because it was sexy. But a look at used vehicle website showed these vehicles costing as much as Cdn$170,000, even second hand. Four pages of ads didnt have one listed below Cdn$63,700. Is it politically acceptable that Ontario provides Cdn$14,000 in subsidies from all taxpayers to allow the richest people in the province to buy an EV in the same price range as a Porsche, Ferrari or Maserati? And while the subsidies are directed to the vehicle purchase so politicians can count sales numbers, the recharging network is years behind. This will require even more government money because in most places there is insufficient commercial demand for the private sector to justify the investment. EVs are range-restricted with 300 km. being the outer end. Then they take hours to recharge. Colder temperatures impair battery performance as every Canadian driver knows. Is this an intelligent and sustainable use of taxpayer dollars?

Kevin Libin, an editorial writer for the Financial Post, wrote a column July 11 titled, The awesome, unstoppable revolutionary electric-car revolution that doesnt actually exist. He wrote, because nobodys really driving these miracle machines, said mania has been limited to breathless news reports about how the EV revolution is about to rock our world. EVs comprise just two-tenths of a percent of all passenger vehicles in North America, despite the medias endless hype and efforts of green-obsessed governments to cover much of the price tag.

Libin continued, The real story being missed is just how pathetic things look right now for electric cars. Gasoline prices in the U.S. turned historically cheap in 2015 and stayed cheap, icing demand for gasless carsTesla was rocked by a controversial Swedish study that found that making one of its car batteries released as much CO2 as eight years of gasoline-powered driving. And Bloomberg reported last week on a study by Chinese engineers that found electric vehicles, because of battery manufacturing and charging by fossil-fueled electricity, still emit-50 per cent more carbon than internal-combustion engines.

Calgarys voice of sober second on all matters oil, Peter Tertzakian of AERI, agreed with Libin in an article the same day. He wrote, The demand for oil is as robust as its ever been, thanks to barrels that are priced 60 percent lower than they were three years ago.; the linkage of petroleum to the world economy is actually strengthening, not weakening. But it doesnt matter. EV mania is affecting the psychology of investors who finance oil assets, services and infrastructure. Fog lights of reason are finding it increasingly difficult to see the future of oil past 2020, because a cloud of uncertainty is thickening around long-term demand.

Tertzakian wrote how more people are asking him somewhat rhetorically, Looks like the petroleum business is finished, eh? He responds, Really? Have you bought an electric car or hybrid? and the answer is universally no. And nobody else has either. He figures there are two scenarios. The first is tighter capital will clean out inefficient oil producers but technology will help oil prices stay lower, making the consumer decision to switch to EVs more difficult. The other is shrinking capital investment reducing future production thus leading to a price spike. Tertzakian concludes, Ironically, progressive oil companies will do well under both scenarios.

Meanwhile, you wont see any EVs in the oilpatch anytime soon. The EV maximum range of 300 km. remains what many in this business drive before mid-morning when theres work to be done. And the destination is nowhere near a charging station.

By David Yager for Oilprice.com

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Exxon reported a profit of US$3.35 billion for the second quarter of the year, up from US$1.7 billion a year earlier, thanks to better refining margins and higher oil prices. The latter pushed upstream earnings up to US$1.2 billion, an increase of US$890 million from a year earlier.

Profit from downstream operations rose 68 percent to US$1.4 billion. The rest of the earnings result came from the chemicals business of Exxon, marking a US$232-million decline on the year to US$985 million.

Like its peers, Exxon spent less capital in this years second quarter than last, with capital and exploration expenditures down 24 percent from Q2 to US$3.9 billion. At the same time, the supermajor booked cash flow from operations and asset sales of US$7.1 billion. Asset sales proceeds totaled US$154 million during the period.

Production-wise, Exxon pumped 3.9 million barrels of oil equivalent daily during the second quarter, down by a percent from a year earlier. Bar divestments and entitlement effects, output was up by a percent from the second quarter of 2016.

During the quarter, Exxon continued to expand its footprint in the Permian, the company said in its press release, growing its midstream operations in the Delaware Basin through partnerships.

Elsewhere, it announced several new discoveries off the coast of Guyana, the latest among them from the Payara-2 well, part of the Stabroek block, which also contains the potentially major Liza field. After the latest discovery, the gross recoverable resources in the Stabroek block are now estimated at 2.25-2.75 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

In the downstream division, Exxon said it plans to expand into the Mexican fuel market, allocating US$300 million for logistics, product inventories, and marketing activities over the next decade to grow its Mobil-branded fuel station network in the country.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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While the number of drilled but uncompleted wells (DUCs) in the U.S. oil patch is growing as producers wait for higher oil prices, the shale gas plays have seen the number of DUCs decline as drillers take advantage of higher natural gas prices this year compared to last years lows.

Expectations of additional takeaway capacity coming onlineas well as the rebound in natural gas pricesare making drillers more confident that they will be able to sell their production at higher prices. The companies are still cautious after the downturn, but the economics of drilling an oil well and a gas well have diverged since the 2015-2016 price rout. Gas prices have almost doubled since March 2016, and drillers are hoping that a bull market is coming, analysts reckon.

However, higher production could also depress natural gas prices once again.

The Henry Hub natural gas spot price averaged US$2.98 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) in June. This compares to US$1.73/MMBtu in March 2016, which was the lowest monthly average price since December 1998. For 2016, the average natural gas spot price of US$2.49/MMBtu was the lowest annual average price since 1999.

Natural gas front-month futures contract averaged US$2.994/MMBtu in June 2017, as compared to US$1.812/MMBtu in March 2016.

Drillers in the biggest U.S. shale gas play  the Marcellus  are increasing production and finishing wells, expecting that prices will be high.

They are putting a down payment on a bull market that companies hope is coming, John Kilduff, a partner at commodities hedge fund Again Capital LLC, told Bloomberg.

The number of DUCs in the Marcellus dropped by 20 in June over May, to 643, according to EIAs latest Drilling Productivity Report. The only other area out of the seven most prolific shale plays that saw the number of DUCs decline last month was another gas play in the northeast, Utica. The number of DUCs in the Marcellus was 831 as of July 2015.

Related: Daily OPEC Oil Prices Now Public For The First Time Ever

Gas production, on the other hand, is expected to rise across all seven shale plays next month, with Marcellus output increasing the most, by 201 million cubic feet/day in August over July, to 19.752 billion cu ft/day.

Not only the oil patch has lowered breakevens since the oil prices collapsedgas producers have also become leaner and meaner, according to analysts.

Producers in the Appalachian region currently have their breakevens at below US$3/MMBtu, having improved breakeven economics by 15 percent over the past year, James Williams, an Arkansas-based economist for WTRG Economics, told Bloomberg.

However, a new boom could bring natural gas prices lower again. In addition, new pipeline capacity in the northeast has faced recent setbacks, potentially pushing additional takeaway capacity further in time.

Energy Transfer Partners US$4.2-billion Rover pipeline project currently under construction is planned to connect Marcellus and Utica Shale supplies to markets in the Midwest, Northeast, East Coast, Great Lakes, and Gulf Coast regions of the United States, as well as Canada.

But last week, West Virginia environmental regulators ordered the project to cease and desist some land development activities in West Virginia over violations of state environmental regulations, until it fully complies with all rules.

Additional pipeline capacity would ease takeaway constraints and motivate higher production. But increased production could result in a new rout in U.S. natural gas prices.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Oil prices have recovered as a result of a flurry of bullish catalysts, and while most oil majors see earnings improve, upstream investments are falling.

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Friday, July 28, 2017

Oil prices are on track for the biggest weekly gain so far this year, with Brent solidly above $50 per barrel and WTI not far behind.

Shells CEO: Oil prices lower forever. Royal Dutch Shells (NYSE: RDS.A) CEO Ben van Beurden said this week that oil prices will likely remain lower forever, not just because of too much supply, but also because the coming wave of EV adoption will lead to peak demand, possibly as soon as the late-2020s. His company now produces more natural gas than oil and will continue to diversify. Meanwhile, the company posted better-than-expected profits for the second quarter at $3.6 billion, or more than three times larger than the year before.

JBC Energy: Oil to drop below $40 in 2018. Unless OPEC makes deeper production cuts, oil prices are in danger of falling below $40 per barrel in the first quarter of next year, according to JBC Energy GmbH. The consultancy sees oil prices trading between $45 and $47 later this year, but then it gets very tricky, as demand slows. If OPEC stays the same and we have the same output restrictions even in the first quarter, were looking at a lot of surplus in the market, Richard Gorry, managing director at JBC Asia, told Bloomberg. To really tighten the market, OPEC will have to cut more, and I dont know if they want to do that.

Saudi Aramco IPO leaning towards London. Financial advisors for Saudi Aramco have recommended the company list its shares on the London Stock Exchange, rather than Yew York, citing tougher disclosure rules in the U.S. The final decision for the estimated $100 billion IPO is not expected until later this year.

Related: China Outpaces Competition In Renewable Race

Oil majors see profits improve. So far, the largest oil companies are posting much better financials in the second quarter. Shells profits tripled, but it wasnt the only one enjoying profits on the upswing. Total (NYSE: TOT) saw adjusted profit of $2.5 billion, a 14 percent increase from a year earlier. Statoil (NYSE: STO) said profits jumped to $3 billion, or triple the level from a year ago. And ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) said its earnings doubled to $3.35 billion in the second quarter, year-on-year. Still, most of the majors feel pressure to remain cautious with oil prices not showing any signs of a rebound.

UAE: We will increase compliance. The UAE said that it would cut production deeper in the near future in order to boost compliance with the OPEC cuts. The U.A.E. is committed to its share in the OPEC production cut, the UAEs Minister of Energy Suhail Al Mazrouei said in a tweet on Tuesday. The IEA estimates that the UAE has only achieved a 54 percent compliance rate.

UK to ban gasoline and diesel cars by 2040. The announcement from the UK this week that it would ban sales of gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2040 is the clearest sign yet of the coming energy transition. The move is a signal to the oil industry that while the fears of peak supply are long gone, the industry could be legislated out of existence. Of course, the world will still need oil for years and decades to come, but the fears of peak demand are more real than ever.

New oil and gas projects get green light. The oil industry has given the greenlight to more oil and gas projects in the first half of 2017 than all of last year, according data from Wood Mackenzie, cited by the FT. Also, average development costs are down 40 percent since 2014, making now a good time to invest. The industry took a while to get its collective mind around the idea of lower for longer and now people are getting used to lower for even longer, Readul Islam, analyst at Rystad Energy, told the FT. There were 15 large conventional oil and gas projects that moved forward in the first six months of 2017, encompassing 8 billion barrels of oil equivalent, compared to just 12 projects in all of last year, which covered 8.8 billion barrels.

U.S. sanctions Venezuelan officials; Venezuelan labor unions stage general strike; U.S. evacuates embassy families. The U.S. decided to sanction more than a dozen top Venezuelan officials as the government proceeds with a July 30 effort to rewrite the constitution and consolidate power. The move from Washington was one of the more mild options on the table, and it appears that an effort to ban Venezuelan oil imports wont be taken up right now. Still, the troubles for the South American OPEC member are not going away. More than 300 Venezuelan labor unions launched a two-day general strike to put pressure on the government of President Nicolas Maduro. Several people were killed in clashes between protestors and security forces this week. The violence and turmoil has escalated ahead of Sundays vote and the U.S. government has ordered family members of embassy staff in Venezuela to leave the country.

More shale drillers cut spending. In addition to the decision by Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE: APC) to cut spending this week, other shale drillers began to follow suit. Whiting Petroleum (NYSE: WLL), the largest producer in the Bakken, said it would slash its 2017 spending by 14 percent. Hess (NYSE: HES) also lowered its capex for the year. Others are cutting spending, a sign that the recent downturn in prices are erasing any hopes of higher prices this year. The lower spending is also a sign that the shale boom is bumping up against its limits with oil at or below $50 per barrel.

Related: Libyas Oil King Wont Be Stopped By OPEC

Total to cut off funding for oil sands. Total (NYSE: TOT) decided to cut off funds for the major oil sands project it is working on with Suncor Energy (NYSE: SU). The Fort Hills project is still expected to start up later this year. The companies played down the dispute, but it highlights the waning interest in Canadas high-cost oil sands.

Petronas cancels major LNG export project in Canada. Malaysian-owned Petronas announced that it was shelving its proposed $29 billion Pacific Northwest LNG terminal in British Columbia, a major blow for Canadian gas exports. The company cited low prices for LNG globally.

By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com

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Adnoc will offer Japanese energy companies that hold concessions for fields in the Emirates new terms and conditions as part of a renegotiation of the concessions, the companys CEO told Nikkei. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, who doubles as minister of state, added that the final decision will be made by the end of this year or early in 2018.

UAE concessions account for 40 percent of Japans oil output from overseas operations, which makes them vital for the countrys crude oil supply. They are equally vital for Tokyos plan to source 40 percent of its crude oil and natural gas output from own operations rather than imports by 2030. The current portion of own production is 27 percent.

In addition to new terms and conditions, Adnocs chief executive suggested that the UAE may bring in new partners in the fields operated by Japanese companies alongside Big Oil majors such as BP and Total. The new partners may come from China and South Korea, Al Jaber said.

Japan is among the top three importers of oil and gas in the world as per EIA figures from 2013. Its own production satisfied only a small part of demand despite the shift towards renewables. The UAE is the second-biggest exporter to Japan, accounting for a quarter of all imported oil as of 2015.The top supplier was Saudi Arabia, with 34 percent of the total.

Crude oil satisfies 42 percent of Japans primary energy needs, with natural gas accounting for 23 percent, and coal for 27 percent. This dominance of oil, especially in the wake of the Fukushima disaster, has prompted the Japanese energy industry to further expand its footprint abroad.

At the same time, the UAE is set to make the best of its oil resources in the new lower for longer price environment. In addition to attracting more partners for its oil fields, the company is also considering IPOs for some of its subsidiaries.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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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...












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Ladrones al poder



Asi mira el perrito a su amo



Crazy



Clamor popular



La nueva inquisicion



Bolivia



Chile Hoy



Eso es todo amigos!



Piensalo!



Pinerachet



No More Trump



Adios Macri, hasta nunca



La Marioneta se desinfla



Asi o mas cinico



Almugre



Mexico en 1794



Mas arrastrado imposible



Hasta cuando!



La pura verdad



Solidaridad con Palestina



Serie Capitalismo



Espejismos de la clase trabajadora



Asi es!



Comerciantes o delincuentes



No pasaran!



Asi es la vida



USA HOY



01/01/1959



La avaricia no tiene limites



AYUDA HUMANITARIA?



Chile Hoy



Asi son las cosas



Mapa Electoral de Venezuela



Patagonia argentina?



Un aniversario mas del mayor genocidio de la Humanidad



Retrato del franquismo en Espana



Visca Catalunya!



El Chulo de Madrid



Cuando la policia se roba la democracia



Una imagen dice mas que mil palabras



La purita verdad



Asi gobierna la maldita burguesia



Mi pobre clase media



Como Chavez nadie



Comparte La Colmena via twitter Twittear

Programa de la MUD



Asi o mas clarito



Por que Trump no ataco Corea del Norte?



Hace 15 anos Por que la OEA no se pronuncio?



Una verguenza nacional



La luz que nos guia



La Union Europea Premio Nobel de la Paz?



Feudalismo ayer y hoy



Obama, el mentiroso



Curiosa coincidencia



Un mundo de cerdos



No es extrano?



La Marioneta



Los ricos protestan, los pobres celebran



MARICORI Y OBAMA



Cuantas muertes este ano?



USA TODAY



USA HOY 6



USA HOY 5



USA HOY 4



USA HOY 3



USA HOY 2



USA HOY (1)



Insaciable



Cronologia de un agresor



Guarimbear en USA



Mexico hoy



Bolivar y Chavez



Primero Amargado



Dios los cria y ellos se juntan



USA hoy (III)



USA hoy (II)



USA hoy



Mexico hoy



Mexico hoy



Mexico hoy



Obama



La verdad sea dicha



Los ricos



Que no nos vea Obama



Pobre Obama



SOS PALESTINA



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Chavez Cuanto te queremos!



Por culpa de Chavez



Cerveza Polar







Algun dia Colombia volvera a la ideologia de Bolivar







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LOS REVOLUCIONARIOS NO TOMAN CACA-COLA No se trata solamente de un capricho, sino de una sana actitud en todos los sentidos. Desde la solidaridad con el pueblo colombiano donde la empresa Caca-Cola ha cometido los mas grandes abusos contra sus trabajadores incluyendo el presunto secuestro y asesinato de los dirigentes del sindicato, hasta la proteccion de la salud de nuestros hijos, enviciados por ese jarabe de cola y azucar, que les produce obesidad prematura. Pensemos tambien los revolucionarios, que ese dinero que gastamos en los refrescos es utilizado por esas empresas para financiar el terrorismo en nuestro pais. Es cierto, no se trata solo de la Caca-Cola, sino tambien de la cerveza, de los cigarrillos y todos esos articulos innecesarios y mas que eso, daninos para nuestra salud. Podriamos incluso pensar en un dia de parada para cada uno de ellos. Es cuestion de irnos organizando. Pero para empezar, que tal si dejamos de comprar Caca-Cola y sus similares?



























Cuando lo extraordinario se vuelve cotidiano...



Discurso del Acto de Grado en Barinas en 12 de Febrero del 2005 Queridos Graduandos:



Mas que un discurso, quiero dirigirles algunas palabras que escribi anoche, despues de visitar en las clinicas, a los estudiantes heridos, a consecuencia de los enfrentamientos con la policia de hace apenas dos dias.



Me ha tocado por razones del destino, ser la persona que les otorgue el titulo que bien merecieron con sus estudios. Y me siento sumamente orgulloso de serlo. Me consta que la Universidad de Los Llanos Occidentales Ezequiel Zamora, a pesar de lo dicho por los enemigos de esta universidad, es una universidad de primera.



No tendremos la mejor planta fisica, en los salones hace calor. En el comedor hace calor. Pero no es en lo material que las cosas deben valorarse. El mayor capital es el ser humano. Y en eso, nuestra UNELLEZ, lo digo con conocimiento de causa, esta sobrada. Los llaneros venezolanos son nobles, valientes, de coraje.



En la UNELLEZ hacen vida, en este momento, aproximadamente 67000 personas. El 97% de ellas son estudiantes. Jovenes que, como Ustedes hasta el dia de hoy, buscan ese titulo, que constata los anos de dedicacion y de estudio.



Los jovenes son el rio de la vida, ustedes graduados deben ser los capitanes de esos barcos que naveguen por el rio de la vida.



Nuestra Patria atraviesa momentos muy dificiles porque decidio dejar de ser esa matrona de edad vetusta y complaciente, para ser joven, rebelde y altanera. Nuestra imagen ya no es la de una acaudalada ricachona mayamera. En nuestro rostro brilla ahora la sonrisa del Che Guevara, con su diente delantero torcido, su pelo largo y su boina con la estrella.



Entender esto, a mi me ha tomado practicamente toda la vida. Tengo 53 anos, y ya perdi mi oportunidad de derramar sangre joven a causa de un ideal.



Ustedes son jovenes, estan en la flor de la vida. No cometan por favor el error de renunciar a su instinto de rebelion. El Che Guevara fue Ministro de a Economia en Cuba. Los billetes y las monedas se adornaban con su rostro. Nada de eso le importo. Primero fue a Angola donde paso un penoso ano de combate. Despues se fue a Bolivia, donde encontro la muerte. El Che era el ultimo que comia, el que cargaba la mochila mas pesada. Siempre se sacrificaba por los demas en un estoicismo que mas parecia fervor religioso que ideologia marxista.



Si quieren un modelo de vida. Ahi lo tienen.



Dije hace unos momentos que el 97% de la poblacion de la UNELLEZ es estudiante. Se imaginan Ustedes la Universidad que podriamos tener si todos los estudiantes tuvieran la abnegacion, la combatividad del Che?



Los momentos que se avecinan van a requerir de una gran unidad del pueblo venezolano. La alternativa de continuar siendo libres o regresar a la pobreza se nos planteara en los proximos dias de forma enmascarada, o quizas peor, desenmascarada, vestida con uniforme de soldado del Imperio.



Por nuestra parte podemos esperar lo mejor. La macroeconomia no podria ir mejor, la justicia social ha mejorado notablemente. Las misiones ocupan un papel muy importante en el pago de dicha justicia social. Aqui en Barinas ya hemos cumplido con dos de las misiones, la mision Robinson y la mision Sucre. No hay analfabetismo y no hay exclusion en la educacion superior, en estas tierras de Zamora.



Pero ay malhaya! Son precisamente estos exitos los que nos hacen mas antipaticos al Imperio. Para ellos, somos inclusive un mal ejemplo que se esta contagiando al resto del continente y cuidado sino al resto del mundo.



Nunca venceremos al Imperio. Estara siempre ahi, acechando. Por lo menos hasta que el mismo no se autodestruya. Porque, sepanlo senores, el neoliberalismo es canibal. Cuando le ataque el hambre, se devorara a si mismo.



Ustedes, queridos graduandos, a partir de hoy pasan a conformar la elite profesional que debe sostener este pais en los proximos cuarenta o cincuenta anos. Anos decisivos para el logro de nuestra libertad y del rescate de nuestra Soberania.



No se dejen comprar. No se dejen corromper. No se dejen gritar. No se dejen pisar. Que nadie les diga que comer, o que vestirse, o que leer. Sean siempre autenticos, rebeldes, contestatarios. Pero eso si, profundamente patriotas, dignos de ser hijos de Bolivar.



Muchas gracias y que Dios los bendiga.





Alguna duda?



Medio siglo de Holocausto Palestino



Oscar Zanartu Nacio en Caracas en 1960. Ha realizado exposiciones individuales en las galerias Minotauro, Clave y San Francisco, y en salas de Coro, estado Falcon, y Puerto Ordaz, estado Bolivar. En Paris su obra ha sido exhibida en el Centro Cultural Tanagra, en la Exposicion Cite Internationale des Arts, en las galerias De Mars y Arver Space, al igual que en la Galeria Municipal Levallois, en Levallois Perret (Francia). En muestras colectivas, su obra se ha expuesto en Belgica, Francia, Estados Unidos y Venezuela; en Caracas intervino en la exposicion "Del genesis a la memoria", 1995, organizada por la Fundacion La Previsora. En 1982 obtuvo el Premio Nacional Critven y en 1990 la Mencion de Honor Jose Antonio Paez, en la Embajada de Venezuela en Paris. En 1991 se le concedio el primer premio de Pintura Itinerante, en Levallois Perret, Francia.



OZ1



OZ2



OZ3



OZ4



Homenaje a Jason Galarraga



La Victoria de Samotracia



Odalisca



Mas fotos de la nevada del pasado agosto 2008



























La Sierra Nevada de Merida



Nuestro precioso Churum Meru



Homenaje a Picasso



Autoretrato



Sabes lo que bebes en una Coca-Cola?

La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.

Mi profesion?

Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.

Sal en la Coca Cola?

A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.

De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:

Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gusto

Acido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)

azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)

Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantas

Mucha Cafeina

Conservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o Potasio

Dioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebe

Sal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracion

El uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.

Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.

Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.

En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).

Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.

La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.

Bebidas Light?

Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el

Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.



Publicado por loretahur



En realidad, la formula secreta de la Coca-Cola se puede detallar en 18 segundos en cualquier espectrometro optico, y basicamente la conocen hasta los perros. Lo que ocurre es que no se puede fabricar igual, a no ser que uno disponga de unos cuantos millones de dolares para ganarle la demanda que te metera la Coca-Cola ante la justicia (ellos no perderian).La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gustoAcido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantasMucha CafeinaConservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o PotasioDioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebeSal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracionEl uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el aspartamo , despues de tres semanas mojado, pasa a tener gusto de trapo viejo sucio.Para evitar eso, se agregan una infinidad de otros productos quimicos, uno para alargar la vida del aspartamo, otro para neutralizar el color, otro para mantener el tercer quimico en suspension porque sino el fondo de la gaseosa quedaria oscuro, otro para evitar la cristalizacion del aspartamo, otro para realzar el sabor, dar mas intensidad al acido citrico o fosforito que perderia su sabor por el efecto de los cuatro productos quimicos iniciales... y asi sucesivamente.Un consejo final !!Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.Publicado por loretahur

MARGARINA o MANTEQUILLA La margarina fue producida originalmente para engordar a los pavos; cuandolo que hizo en realidad fue matarlos.Las personas que habian puesto el dinero para la investigacion quisieronrecobrarlo asi que empezaron a pensar en una forma de hacerlo.Tenian una sustancia blanca, que no tenia ningun atractivo como comestible,asi que le anadieron el color amarillo, para venderselo a lagente en lugar de la mantequilla.Que tal esa?... Ahora han sacado algunos nuevos sabores para vender mas alos incautos como usted y yo.CONOCE USTED la diferencia entre la margarina y la mantequilla?Siga leyendo hasta el final... porque se pone bastante interesante!Comparacion entre mantequilla y margarina:

1.- Ambas tienen la misma cantidad de calorias.

2.- La mantequilla es ligeramente mas alta en grasas saturadas: 8 gramos,comparada con los 5 gramos que tiene la margarina.

3.- Comer margarina en vez de mantequilla puede aumentar en 53% el riesgo deenfermedades coronarias en las mujeres, de acuerdo con un estudiomedico reciente de la Universidad de Harvard.

4.- Comer mantequilla aumenta la absorcion de gran cantidad de nutrientesque se encuentran en otros alimentos.

5.- La mantequilla provee beneficios nutricionales propios mientras lamargarina tiene solo los que le hayan sido anadidos al fabricarla.

6.- La mantequilla sabe mucho mejor que la margarina y mejora el sabor deotros alimentos.7.- La mantequilla ha existido durante siglos mientras que la margarinatiene menos de 100 anos.

Ahora... sobre la margarina:

1.- Es muy alta en acidos grasos trans. (Si, esos que recien ahora loscientificos descubrieron que son malisimos y los gobiernoscomenzaron a prohibirlos) .

2.- Triple riesgo de enfermedades coronarias.

3.- Aumenta el colesterol total y el LDL (el colesterol malo) y disminuye elHDL (el colesterol bueno).

4.- Aumenta en cinco veces el riesgo de cancer.

5.- Disminuye la calidad de la leche materna.

6.- Disminuye la reaccion inmunologica del organismo.

7.- Disminuye la reaccion a la insulina.

Y he aqui el factor mas inquietante (AQUI ESTA LA PARTE MAS INTERESANTE! ):A la margarina le falta UNA MOLECULA para ser PLASTICO...!!Solo este hecho es suficiente para evitar el uso de la margarina de porvida, y de cualquier otra cosa que sea hidrogenada (esto significaque se le anade hidrogeno, lo cual cambia la estructura molecular de lassubstancias).Usted puede ensayar lo siguiente:Compre un poco de margarina y dejela en el garaje o en un sitio sombreado.Dentro de unos dias notara dos cosas:

* No habra moscas; ni siquiera esos molestos bichos se le acercaran (esto yale debe decir a usted algo).

* No se pudre ni huele mal o diferente porque no tiene valor nutritivo; nadacrece en ella. Ni siquiera los diminutos microorganismos puedencrecer en ella.Por que? Porque es casi plastico!!



No a la guerra, Si a la Paz



Misterios de la ciencia...



Los costos de la guerra



medicos y capitalismo...



Capitalismo...



medicos (2)



Quien educa a nuestros hijos?



Los Medios...



Sin Palabras...



Chistes feministas

- Cual es el problema, Eva?

- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz...

- Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.

- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...

- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.

- Que es un hombre?

- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.

- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.

- Cual es el truco?.

- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.

- Cual?

- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.





Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Un dia, en el Paraiso, Eva llamo a Dios: Tengo un problema.- Cual es el problema, Eva?- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.- Que es un hombre?- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.- Cual es el truco?.- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.- Cual?- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Ellas...



Ellas (2)...



Tres venganzas femeninas VENGANZA NUMERO 1

Hoy mi hija cumple 21 anos y estoy muy contento porque es el ultimo pago de pension alimenticia que le doy, asi que llame a mi hijita para que viniera a mi casa y cuando llego le dije:

-Hijita, quiero que lleves este cheque a casa de tu mama y que le digas que: Este es el ultimo maldito cheque que va recibir de mi en todo lo que le queda de su puta vida!!! Quiero que me digas la expresion que pone en su rostro.

Asi que mi hija fue a entregar el cheque. Yo estaba ansioso por saber lo que la bruja tenia que decir y que cara pondria.

Cuando mi hijita entro, le pregunte inmediatamente: -Que fue lo que te dijo tu madre?

-Me dijo que justamente estaba esperando este dia para decirte que no eres mi papa!



VENGANZA NUMERO 2

Un hombre que siempre molestaba a su mujer, paso un dia por la casa de unos amigos para que lo acompanaran al aeropuerto a dejar a su esposa que viajaba a Paris.

A la salida de inmigracion, frente a todo el mundo, el le desea buen viaje y en tono burlon le grita:

- Amor, no te olvides de traerme una hermosa francesita Ja ja ja!!

Ella bajo la cabeza y se embarco muy molesta.

La mujer paso quince dias en Francia.

El marido otra vez pidio a sus amigos que lo acompanasen al aeropuerto a recibirla.

Al verla llegar, lo primero que le grita a toda voz es:

- Y amor me trajiste mi francesita??

- Hice todo lo posible, - contesta ella - ahora solo tenemos que rezar para que nazca nina.



VENGANZA NUMERO 3

El marido, en su lecho de muerte, llama a su mujer. Con voz ronca y ya debil, le dice: - Muy bien, llego mi hora, pero antes quiero hacerte una confesion.

- No, no, tranquilo, tu no debes hacer ningun esfuerzo.

- Pero, mujer, es preciso - insiste el marido - Es preciso morir en paz.

Te quiero confesar algo.

- Esta bien, esta bien. Habla!

- He tenido relaciones con tu hermana, tu mama y tu mejor amiga.

- Lo se, lo se Por eso te envenene, hijo de puta!!!



machismo y cibernetica



Chiste machista La NASA ha enviado al espacio una mision experimental tripulada por dos monos y una mujer.Apenas abandona la atmosfera, se establece comunicacion con Houston.

-Atencion, simio 1, verifique sistemas hidraulicos, controle adecuada presion de los propulsores de arranque. A 60.000 pies disminuya un 25% la velocidad.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, simio 2, nivele al cruzar la estratosfera y active sistemas anticongelantes. No olvide monitorear sistemas de comunicacion e indicadores de presion. Comprendido?.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, Houston llamando a mujer: no se olvide.

-Mujer: Si, si, ya se! -interrumpe enojada- que no me olvide darles de comer a estos monos de mierda y que no se me vaya a ocurrir tocar nada!.



.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti.

Un abogado mantiene un romance con su secretaria.Al poco tiempo, esta queda embarazada y el abogado, que no quiere que su esposa se entere, le da a la secretaria una buena suma de dinero y le pide que se vaya a parir a Italia.Esta pregunta: Y como voy a hacerte saber cuando nazca el bebe ? El abogado responde: Para que mi mujer no se entere, tan solo enviame una postal y escribe por detras: Spaghetti. Y no te preocupes mas, que yo me encargare de todos los gastos.

Pasan los meses y una manana la esposa del abogado lo llama al bufete, algo exaltada: Querido, acabo de recibir el correo y hay una postal muy extrana viene desde Italia. La verdad, no entiendo que significa.El abogado, tratando de ocultar sus nervios, contesta:Espera a que llegue a casa, a ver si yo entiendoCuando el hombre llega a casa y lee la postal, cae al suelo fulminado por un infarto.Llega una ambulancia y se lo lleva. Ya en el hospital, el jefe de cardiologia se queda consolando a la esposa y le pregunta cual ha sido el evento que precipito tan masivo ataque cardiaco.

Entonces la esposa saca la postal y se la muestra diciendole: No me explico, doctor; el solamente leyo esta postal. Vea usted mismo lo que trae escrito.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti."Tres con salchicha y albondigas y dos con almejas



Gol !!!!



Chistes de Borrachos Entra un borracho a su casa todo manchado con lapiz labial por todos lados hecho un desastre, y la mujer le pregunta:-Hombre que te paso?Y el borracho le responde:-No me vas a creer, me pelee con un payaso!



Este es un borracho que entra en un bar y le dice al camarero:-Me da cinco copas de whisky?Al rato:-Me da cuatro?Al rato:-Me da tres copas?Despues:-Me da dos copas?Luego le dice:-Me da una copa?Y le dice al camarero:-Ves? Cuanto menos bebo, mas borracho estoy!


Democratic congressional candidate Katie Wilson on Thursday announced that Amanda Huber has joined her staff as finance director.

"She and her dog, Marty, are a welcome addition. We may end up with more dogs on staff then humans," Wilson wrote, in an e-mail fund-raising solicitation.

Wilson of Keene, a business owner and political activist, is one of four announced candidates seeking the Democratic nomination in the 21st Congressional District in 2018.

The other announced candidates are:

Tedra Cobb of Canton, a business consultant and former St. Lawrence County legislator;

Emily Martz of Saranac Lake, an economic development adviser;

Patrick Nelson of Stillwater, a political activist and Bernie Sanders delegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, faces a GOP primary challenge from Russell Finley, a beef cattle farmer and real estate broker from St. Lawrence County.

Among other political parties, Christopher Schmidt of Fort Edward, a political activist, announced earlier this year he is exploring a run on the Libertarian Party line.

Matt Funiciello, the Green Party candidate in 2014 and 2016, has said two other Green Party members are seriously considering the race, and if neither of them runs, he likely will run again.
BALLSTON SPA  The New York City man who used the personal information of the late Trooper Timothy Pratt to open a fraudulent credit card account pleaded guilty Friday in Saratoga County Court.

Steven J. Calderon had been arrested in December for allegedly making purchases at a Home Depot store in Yonkers, using a credit card account opened in the name of Pratt, who died last October after being hit by a car on Ballard Road while stopped to help a lost trucker.

Authorities did not say how Calderon acquired Pratts personal information, but believe he may have been part of a ring that bought forged identities of people who had recently died.

Calderon pleaded guilty to felony identity theft. He faces 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison when sentenced on Oct. 17.
Voters in parts of Washington County had an issue with casting their vote because of an error in the way the ballots were printed.
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T20 World Cup: Babar Azam wants Pakistan to continue with winning momentum in title clash

T20 World Cup: Morgan backs Willey to play ahead of Jordan in the final if Wood is unavailable

India's tour of New Zealand would be a great learning experience for Umran Malik, Kuldeep Sen: Zaheer Khan
A seed planted in a classroom this spring already has sprouted into Per Mar Security Services' first hire through its new Grow Our Own program.

Luis Miranda was a senior at Moline High School when Carri Waack, Per Mar's human resources coordinator, visited one of his classes to discuss the security company and its job openings. Waack, who helped kickstart the school program for Per Mar, learned Miranda had an interest in becoming a security officer after he graduated.

After a thorough background check and interviews, Miranda has been hired and now is a security officer in training.

"The whole focus is planting that seed," said Waack, who has been in the classroom of at least seven Quad-City area schools to introduce them to Per Mar and its job options.

"In most cases, we don't see anything (prospects) right away," she said, adding that the students might "go home and tell their parents, grandparents or an uncle that we're hiring."

Waack said the students learn about jobs ranging from security officers to customer service, dispatchers, technicians and investigators. She also has fielded other employment questions such as how to write a resume, what to wear to an interview, and how to handle a job interview.

Thrilled to have joined Per Mar, Miranda said he looks "forward to having a long career at this company."

Employees also are launching Grow Our Own programs at Per Mar's South Bend, Indiana, and Des Moines branches as well as looking to expand outside the immediate Quad-Cities, Waack said.

Lofts grows Sterling's housing stock

A partnership led by Economic Growth Corp. has resulted in the adaptive reuse of the previously under-used Lawrence Building in downtown Sterling, Illinois.

The $5.6 million redevelopment project has converted the building's second through fifth floors  vacant for decades  into Lawrence Lofts. The upper stories now boast 20 affordable residential loft units with rent ranging from $215 to $740 per unit.

The project is considered a milestone in downtown's redevelopment, which is a community initiative between Economic Growth Corp., the city of Sterling and Sterling TODAY, a nonprofit community and economic development organization.

"We're excited to witness how Lawrence Lofts will serve as a catalyst for additional downtown revitalization," said Brian Hollenback, president/CEO for Economic Growth Corp., a national nonprofit based in Rock Island.

Pre-applications are being accepted and the organization is working with the Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic in Sterling to solicit referrals for veterans. For more information and pre-applications, visit EconomicGrowthCorporation.com.

Milestones

If you spotted the iconic RE/MAX balloon in Moline last week, it was here to honor RE/MAX Elite Homes' anniversary. The real estate firm, with a sister office in Davenport, celebrated the third anniversary of the Moline office at 1485 41st St. Owned by Rich Bassford, who also works as a broker, the Moline office has grown to 20 agents. RE/MAX Elite Homes QC employs 37 agents and was opened in 2016.

Dozens of RE/MAX Elite employees and other visitors were treated to a safety lesson and a history lesson about hot air balloons from its pilot Bennett Schwontkowski. RE/MAX also has a larger, cold air balloon to use in inclement weather.

Roof Top Sedlums is celebrating its 10th anniversary, led by the sister duo of Teresa Nelson and Roxanne Nagel. In 2007, the Davenport business became the first Iowa company dedicated to supplying green roof systems and one of the first licensed growers of LiveRoof brand systems. With the experience of Nagel, a horticulturist, and Nelson, a landscape architect and green building design professional, Roof Top Sedlums has collaborated on green roof projects throughout the Q-C and across the Midwest. Among them are LiveRoof systems at Western Illinois University and Black Hawk College, both in Moline; Pear View Condos in Muscatine; Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street, Davenport; and the Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building and Voxman Music Building at the University of Iowa, Iowa City.
As the Quad-Cities' manufacturing sector continues to shed jobs, the region's unemployment rate is seeing improvement thanks to gains in other employment sectors, a state labor analyst said Thursday.

Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Illinois Department of Employment Security, or IDES, show the Quad-City region's unemployment rate fell to 4.5 percent in June. It was down from 5.4 percent a year ago.

Tom Austin, an IDES labor analyst, said "You're starting to see gains in nonfarm payrolls, so you're starting to see positive news. But you still have the negative decline in manufacturing."

Total nonfarm jobs rose by 800 jobs from a year ago to 185,200 in June. That was an increase of less than 1 percent, or 0.4 percent from a year ago. Nonfarm employment also was up 1,100 jobs, or 0.6 percent, from May.

The region's largest decline was in the manufacturing sector, which saw an over-the-year decrease of 700 jobs. It employed 22,300 workers.

"Some industries in the Quad-City economy still are being affected by situations in the national and international markets,'' he said.

Three other sectors each reported decreases of 100 jobs over the year: wholesale trade (employing 8,200 jobs), retail trade (22,500) and other services (7,600). Three also reported increases of 100 jobs each: financial activities, professional-business services, and government.

But Austin said it was the positive gains in the educational/ health services and construction sectors offsetting the decline.

Education-health services, which is largely made up of health-related jobs, added 1,000 jobs to the payroll. It employed 28,000 workers in June. The construction and mining sector added 500 jobs to employ 10,500 workers.

"As health services continues to grow it offers a lot of employment opportunities at many different employment levels  skilled and unskilled," he said

Meanwhile, the state reported that the unemployment rate fell in all of Illinois' metropolitan areas and all but two counties: Alexander and Massac counties. Nonfarm jobs increased in 11 metro areas while one was unchanged and two reported declines.

The Quad-Cities' statistical area posted the third lowest unemployment rate in Illinois.

"Even though you've had declines in manufacturing you're seeing gains in other industries, and not all the metro areas have that same scenario," Austin said.

The labor data shows 181,005 Quad-Citians were employed and 8,620 were unemployed in June. That compares to 182,090 and 10,331, respectively, in the same period in 2016.

In a news release, IDES Director Jeff Mays said, "We gained jobs but at about half the rate than the rest of the country. Although the unemployment rates are lower compared to last year, the labor force continues to shrink in most metro areas across the state."

The Quad-City labor force decreased 1.5 percent, or by 2,796 to 189,625 in June.

The last time the June rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2007 when it was 4.1 percent.
Bix 7 runner to speak at Orion Baptist

On Sunday, July 30, the First Baptist Church, 1101 4th St., Orion, Illinois, hosts a special service at 10:30 a.m. in honor of the Quad-City Times Bix 7. The Rev. Larry Wiese, a longtime Bix runner, will deliver a message on how the race represents an excellent picture of how every Christian should live.

Special Church of Peace services begin Sunday

Music will fill the Church of Peace, United Church of Christ in Rock Island, the next few weeks. Events begin at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday and include:

 July 30: The church celebrates the work of Christmas that continues all year with a service of Christmas music and readings. Attendees are invited to bring infant diapers and toilet paper to help the churchs food pantry patrons and others in need.

 Aug. 6: It's the churchs 17th annual Dixieland Jazz Service, with music and song.

Founded by German immigrants and located in Rock Island since 1895, the church is at 1114 12th St. The phone is 309-788-6357 or visit ChurchofPeaceUCC.org.

Here comes the Sun!

Music by The Beatles, and from the 1967 album, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, will be explored during a special service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, July 30, in DeWitt.

The First Congregational United Church of Christ, 520 E. 11th St., DeWitt, hosts The Beatles Music Worship Service. The Rev. Ann Molsberry will speak on the impact that The Beatles music and composers Paul McCartney and John Lennon had on spiritual and secular lives. David Schroeder, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, will perform the music. The service is free and open to the public. For more information, visit uccdewitt.org.

Bowlin enjoys recital on retirement from St. Mark's

A recital in honor of Ellen Bowlin, who has been a director and minister of music at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church in Davenport for 30 years will be at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 30, at St. Mark, 2363 W. 3rd St. The public is welcome. Admission is free.

Among the selections will be Michael Burkhardts "Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word: Chorale Improvisation and Free Harmonizations for Organ, commissioned by the church to honor Bowlins retirement.

Bowlin, of Moline, started her tenure at St. Mark in 1987.

JW conventions to attract 15,000 to Rockford

Approximately 15,000 delegates will gather in Rockford, Illinois, to attend one of the three annual conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses this year, titled "Don't Give Up!"

The conventions are at the BMO Harris Bank Center, beginning at 9:20 a.m. July 28-30, Aug. 4-6 and Aug. 11-13. A Spanish language convention will also be held in DeKalb at the NIU Convocation Center on Aug. 4-6.

New QCT feature: 'Faces of Faith' begins soon

A new feature, "Faces of Faith," will begin on an upcoming Saturday on this page. It is coordinated by Deirdre Baker, reporter, and filled by readers like you.

If you are willing to be interviewed about your faith, and why you choose to follow that faith, Baker would like to speak to you. Contact information: Call 563-383-2492; email: dbaker@qctimes.com, Facebook: "Deirdre Baker" and Twitter "@deirdrebaker.
A Davenport man has pleaded not guilty in the death of Brandon Brooks, whose body was found burning in a residential neighborhood on May 30.

Tremayne La-Toine Thomas, 42, waived his right to a formal arraignment and filed a written plea through his attorney, public defender Derek Jones, Wednesday in Scott County District Court.

He is charged with first-degree murder, a Class A felony punishable by a mandatory sentence of life without parole, and abuse of a corpse, a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Scott County prosecutors intend to seek an enhanced sentencing of up to 15 years in prison on the abuse of a corpse charge because they say Thomas is a habitual offender, according to the trial information filed Wednesday.

Thomas will be back in court Aug. 25 for a pretrial conference. A trial is scheduled for Sept. 5. He remained in the Scott County Jail on a $1 million cash-only bond.

At 4:29 a.m. May 30, Brooks body was found on fire near the street in the 3000 block of West Denison Avenue.

An autopsy determined that he was severely beaten all over his body and shot at least once prior to being set on fire, according to an application filed by Davenport police in support of a search warrant.

Police say Brooks was seen with Thomas in Thomas' apartment on May 29. On June 2, officers searched the apartment and found suspected blood evidence, according to police.

Officers also discovered suspected blood evidence in a van Thomas was driving an hour before Brooks' body was found and in the bed of a pickup he owned, according to police.

On June 27, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation's criminalistics lab determined that the suspected blood evidence matched Brooks' DNA profile, according to police.

Brooks, 35, of Rock Island, was released from the Scott County Jail on May 25 after a judge dismissed charges of first-degree burglary and domestic assault with injury in connection with a Jan. 10 incident.

Police say Brooks and another man had gone to a Davenport home where Brooks assaulted a woman. Police say he then asked that the other man give him a gun.

The man reached into his waistband, indicating that he had a gun, but left when officers were called, according to police.

The charges against Brooks were dismissed because a key witness could not be found, according to court records.

Thomas was identified in late May as the second man involved in the incident. He was arrested June 1 and was released from jail after posting $10,000 through a bail bond company, according to court records.

Thomas was charged in Brooks' death in late June.

A witness in the homicide case told police that Brooks and Thomas had an argument over money owed to Brooks after his release in the burglary case, according to the search warrant application.

Thomas worked at a maintenance man for several properties on Heatherton Drive, according to the search warrant application.

Surveillance video of one of the properties showed Thomas arrive in a van and enter the property about an hour before Brooks' body was found. He then exited with a red gas container a short time later, according to the search warrant application.
Veterans and fallen soldiers from two wars were honored in the Quad-Cities Thursday.

The Wall That Heals arrived at the Moline campus of Western Illinois University-Quad-Cities Wednesday and opened for viewing Thursday. It's a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., and will be on display until closing ceremonies at 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, go to wqpt.org.

At the National Cemetery at Rock Island Arsenal, a ceremony commemorated the 64th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice and National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. The event included a wreath-laying and was hosted by the Korean War Veterans Association Quad-Cities Chapter 168.

To see more photos, go to qctimes.com/gallery.
Davenport Police Chief Paul Sikorski had a question for the 70 or so young people who were attending this months edition of Hoopn 4 Change at Beyond the Baseline on the campus of the former Marycrest College on Thursday.

Sikorski was responding to a question from the audience as to why there aren't more minorities on the Davenport police force.

How many of you men or ladies are looking at law enforcement for a career? he asked. Only a couple of hands went up.

Why not? he asked.

Sikorski, along with other members of the command and patrol units, were part of the nights events to discuss community policing. But there also were other community outreach programs there from Boys and Girls Clubs to Vera French to Genesis Medical Center to the Scott County Y.

But the attention was on the cops.

When the crowd asked him why more minorities dont apply for police work, Sikorski said that, I think there is a perception that its not an honorable and noble profession. I think there is the perception among some people that its not cool, that their friends wont accept it.

Sikorski told the crowd that he has been a police officer for 29 years. You young men and you young women, if youre interested in making a difference in your community, there is no better way to do it than on this platform.

Police officers are human, he told the crowd. Once out of the uniform, they are with their wives and children doing all the things families do.

Most of the questions thrown at Sikorski were about community policing.

Our philosophy is community policing, he said, adding that there are three components to the issue. One is developing relationships and partnerships in the community, while another is organizing the structure of the police department to support community policing from the top to the bottom.

In our interviews to hire police officers we talk about community policing, Sikorski said. When it comes to recruits, he added, I want to know where their heart is.

And while there is still the old style of policing that is reactive by going out and arresting criminals, putting them in jail and then going out to arrest more criminals, Sikorski said that they key to community policing is problem solving.

Its finding out what are the roots to the problems in the community and then using our resources to make good things happen in our community, he said.

One person wanted to know if police still walk a beat.

Police Lt. Kevin Smull, commander of the crime prevention bureau, said that while there are officers in cars running from call to call, there are officers whose job it is to be in a particular neighborhood.

That is the job of the NETS officers, with NETS standing for Neighborhoods Enhanced Toward Success.

These officers, Smull said, go out and take care of their area.

Teri Graves, 47, of Davenport, said that seeing the cops up close and personal helps a lot.

People see on TV that they shot and killed someone and all that, Graves said. Its important that we see you guys arent all bad. It puts more work on you guys, but its nice to see you be involved and engaged.

How do we know if you guys are good unless you show us? Grave said. I just appreciate that.
Ironic that the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus folded up tent the same year Donald Trump moved into the White House.

There is one piece of fake news I would like to address. I was born in Davenport and two years ago, I came very close to death in Davenport on Aug. 7. I will gratefully celebrate my birthday because Obamacare works.

And to the Iowan in the big red truck at a dead stop on Locust Street, with your back window filled by foot-high red, white, and blue letters  Trump Power To The People. Sir, you have ripped off the rallying cry of the Black Panthers. Rather, the sign should read, Let them eat cake.

Keeping the faith in Iowa.

Genevieve Rafferty Jr.

Davenport
DES MOINES  Majority Republicans in the Iowa Senate did not make any leadership or staff changes during a closed-door meeting Friday, but they ordered an internal probe of sexual harassment allegations that resulted in a jury award of $2.2 million to a former employee who brought legal action.

We had very candid conversations, said Senate Majority Leader Bill Dix, R-Shell Rock, who turned back a call Friday for him to step down in the wake of testimony presented at trial by former Senate GOP communications director Kirsten Anderson. She claimed sexual harassment and retaliation in what she called a toxic work environment.

Anderson, who worked in the Iowa Senate for five years, told jurors earlier this month that she was fired in 2013 about seven hours after she complained to her boss about the lewd and sexist behavior she experienced in her work environment. Her claims were backed up by others who also testified at trial.

Dix, who contended Anderson was fired for poor work performance, said Friday that issues he learned in the trial that I was not aware of prompted GOP leaders to order the Secretary of the Senate to investigate the allegations.

If we learn that they are truthful, we will move swiftly to address them in the appropriate manner, Dix told reporters.

Sen. Rick Bertrand, R-Sioux City, who said his call Friday for Dixs resignation was not received well, left the meeting expressing concern that its business as usual in the Iowa Senate. But he indicated he was comfortable with the goals his party has set moving forward.

I dont think theres really any significant changes that were going to see, Bertrand told reporters after GOP senators met for more than two hours at the Capitol. I believe that Sen. Dix did his diligence this last week, and there was enough ring-kissing to go around. Theres a reason why you have a meeting 10 days after the issue.

The Sioux City Republican said he wants to see the Senate work on these distractions, and he expects the jury verdict in the Anderson lawsuit will hurt GOP candidates in the 2018 election campaign.

At the end of the day, I made my peace, Ive distanced myself from this thing, and our caucus made decisions, Bertrand said. How do you make the changes that are needed with the current people in charge? If this was any other organization in the United States, you would act decisively and quickly to make changes. That way, you could put people in those roles that can make the changes that need to be made. So I was supportive but disappointed.

Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, said he was disgusted by the workplace testimony that emerged at trial, but he supports Dix and Senate President Jack Whitver, R-Ankeny, and has confidence they will make the necessary changes to correct any problems.

I was disappointed in our staff that no one brought any of this type of information ever to me or we would have done something about it, Zaun said.

Dix said there are still post-jury verdict proceedings under way, and senators would consult with the Iowa Attorney Generals Office in deciding whether to appeal the award the state has been ordered to pay.

Dix said he thinks Republicans are a very unified caucus with a focus on improving Iowas economy and building on successes of the 2017 session next year. GOP senators also discussed a projected budget shortfall for the just-ended 2017 fiscal year, but Dix said no decision will be made on a special session until they have better estimates of the possible problem in September.

After Friday's GOP meeting, Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, issued a statement expressing disappointment that Republicans had refused to make any changes in staff or leadership and refused to rule out an appeal of the jurys decision.

Capitol staff deserve better than this because they deserve a workplace free of harassment and retaliation, Hogg said in his statement. Taxpayers deserve better than this because they are being asked to pay for the $2.2 million verdict because of the inappropriate actions of Republican Senators and staff.

It is time for Senate Republicans to listen and take responsibility for the harassment, discrimination, and retaliation against Kirsten Anderson and other staff. This is unacceptable. The idea of a private, internal investigation is ludicrous after the court, the jury, and the public already know the facts and want action to fix the problem.
PIERRE | A faulty bridge over Rapid Creek that left some eastern Pennington County residents without safe passage to their homes was one of several state highway projects approved for funding by the state on Thursday.

Two bumpy railroad crossings in Rapid City  on Sixth Street and at West Boulevard  also will be fixed as part of a package of seven highway projects that were approved for funding by the state Transportation Commission on Thursday.

The timeworn Bradsky Road bridge off Highway 44 east of Rapid City Regional Airport will be rebuilt by Corr Construction Services Inc. of Hermosa, which won the project with a bid of $617,920 for the project site south of Caputa. The engineer estimate was $614,530. Four companies made bids on that project.

The bridge was inspected in November by the South Dakota Department of Transportation, which determined its poor condition required the weight limit to be dropped 24 tons, to just 6 tons.

Dramatically dropping the weight limit on the bridge that provides the only way in or out to dozens of homes east of Rapid City put a hardship on residents, who found it difficult to get water, garbage service or anything that requires a heavy truck. County workers shored up the bridge in February in order to provide temporary relief for the residents.

As far as the railroad crossings in Rapid City, local firm Complete Concrete will be paid $30,583 for the Sixth Street upgrade and $85,061 for the West Boulevard upgrade. Both sets of tracks are uneven and require motorists to slow down significantly while crossing them.

The engineer estimates respectively were $32,238 and $100,983 for those two upgrades.

The state commission agreed to award a contract to micro-surface 56 miles of highways in Haakon and Ziebach counties to Martin Resource Management Corp. of Omaha, Neb.

The company submitted a low bid of $2,486,708. The departments engineer estimate was $2,536,553. One other company bid.

Weisgram said the bid was somewhat high because aggregate needs to be trucked from Rapid City.

Observed Ron Rosenboom of Sturgis, the commissions chairman: The two bids were right on top of each other.

Six companies bid to resurface 10.5 miles of S.D. Highway 50 in Buffalo County from the state Highway 34 junction south to the Brule County line.

The commission chose Asphalt Paving and Materials Co. of Huron with a low bid of $1,999,087.54. The engineer estimate was $1,977,545.60.

The commission also awarded a combination contract for two Minnehaha County projects.

The contracts for utilities work and a shared-use path on a segment of Arrowhead Parkway in Sioux Falls went to T and R Contracting Inc. of Sioux Falls with a combined low bid of $9,370,863.63.

Three companies submitted bids.

T and R Contracting made the low bid of $8,734,500 for the major part of the project. The engineer estimate was $8,885,963.

Reede Construction Inc. had the low bid of $598,153 for the lesser piece. The engineer estimate was $703,814.

Weisgram said bidders knew the combined lowest price would receive the work.

Commissioners rejected a structure replacement project five miles east of Wessington on a Beadle County road.

An eighth proposed highway project, bid by a construction firm in Black Hawk, was rejected by the commission.

State Department of Transportation recommended the rejection. The project, a box culvert that is to be cast in place at Cain Creek, attracted one bid.

It came from Highmark Inc. of Black Hawk in Meade County.

The company bid $806,425.50. The department's engineer estimated the work would cost $344,149.50.

DOT official Sam Weisgram said a decision hasnt been reached within the department staff about when to re-let the project.

The department has a number of similar projects scheduled in the coming year, according to Weisgram.

He said Highmarks bid might have resulted from timing; many contractors already are booked for the 2017 construction season.

Beadle Countys highway department is on board with possibly delaying the structure replacement until next year, Weisgram said.
Two Cents was used by anonymous liberals attacking our great governor and thankfully that did not work. You might want to think about moving.
NEWELL - It was a slim work crew at K Bar J Leather in Newell on Friday as Gerry Stumpf and Melanie Welke caught up on work items and Jack Gully sat down for an interview for the local newspaper.

It was a fast and furious weekend, starting with a phone call July 13 from the White House. At first Gully thought it was a hoax and started checking things out by phoning the South Dakota congressional representatives to find out more information. He also contacted his friend and former intern, Ty Littau of Carter, who works for the office of Senator John Thune. Slowly they dug through to find the real information, and that it truly was an invitation from the White House to participate in the Made in America Product Showcase on July 17. All 50 states were represented and Gully's business was the lone representative for South Dakota.

"At first I thought, why should I pay for everything and rearrange my schedule," said Gully. "But when I found out that if I didn't go, as the only one from South Dakota, I figured I'd better."

Gully communicated with Roz Leighton, Regional Political Director for White House Office of Political Affairs telling Gully the particulars of what to expect.

"In reality, we had already been fully vetted before even being asked to come," said Gully. Gully talked to another product representative from another state who said he first learned of the Showcase via his bank. The bank had called him about the vetting process before he was even contacted by phone from the White House.

"It took me from 4:30 p.m. on Thursday to 10 that night to verify it was the real deal," said Gully.

Gully was instructed to make travel arrangements (at his own expense) to Washington, D.C., and plan to deliver and set up his product display on Monday morning. On his arrival he went through a three-part security clearance before being allowed into the White House. He took along a variety of leather items that the small company, located on Girard Street in Newell produces.

The business, which was begun by Gully in 1977, is currently staffed by eight local women who make all the products at the Newell site. Those who work locally are Gerry Stumpf, Melanie Welke, Lynette Culver, Dee Schuldies, Darla Collins, Anita Olson, Colleen Olson and Becky Boylan.

"I have no idea how I got there (D.C.)," said Gully. He said he still has no idea how his business was plucked from the many in South Dakota to represent the state and receive the honor of meeting the president and talking to many high-level officials. He even rubbed shoulders with Kelly Ann Conway, Counselor to the President as well as Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.

Gully's message to them and to the President when he shook Donald J. Trump's hand and showed him the custom made leather products was that there needed to be less regulation. Gully said that when he started business years ago there were around 130 tanneries across the U.S. Now it has dwindled, due to regulations, to around six or seven. So Gully has fewer tanneries to supply leather for his products.

In the East Room of the White House Gully, along with others, was allowed a 10' x 10" table for his display. Other larger products were displayed outside, such as Sikorsky helicopters, which Jack laughingly referred to as his ride to the White House. Fifty different companies, from large to small, were represented, one from each state. Rum from Hawaii, candies from Nevada, fishing products from Montana, beef products from Nebraska and Aviat Aircraft products from Wyoming were on display.

A press release from the White House, circulated for publication on July 15, stated, "In continuation with his important message of putting America First, President Donald J. Trump is hosting an event at the White House on Monday, July 17, 2017 at 3 p.m. that highlights and celebrates American-Made products and encourages other companies to manufacture their products in the United States. By offering each state the opportunity to showcase a Made in America product, President Trump reaffirms this administrations commitment to further encourage manufacturing in the United States that will further stimulate the economy and create jobs. Accompanying President Trump at this event will be the Vice President, Cabinet Secretaries, members of Congress, and members of the Presidents Senior Staff."

We want to build, create and grow more products in our country, using American labor, American goods, and American grit," Trump said Monday. "When we purchase products in the USA the profits stay here, the revenues stay here, and the jobs  stay right here in the USA.

From big companies like Caterpillar and Campbells Soup to smaller businesses, including flag and broom makers, heres a look at the companies that the president met with Monday and what they make in the USA.

Jack and Kelly Gully responded with a statement on their Facebook page, "K Bar J Leather Company, Newell, SD, is proud to represent the great state of South Dakota this afternoon at the White House."

The White House has launched a Trump three-week "Made in America" messaging campaign on Monday with the Showcase to refocus President Trump's public agenda. Following a week highlighting American-made products, next week called "American Heroes week" which is expected to focus on American jobs, with the following week devoted to the "American Dream," according to a White House official.

Trump toured the displays, speaking with each individual company represented and shaking hands.

"I think he's the real deal," said Gully. "I think he really wants that connection with small business and the regular people."
The identity of the 26-year-old woman who died Tuesday in a fire in Fairburn has been confirmed as Julia Pawelski of Rapid City.

Pawelski, daughter of Jim and Sharlene Pawelski, had spent Monday night at her parents' home on Main Street in Fairburn. A grass fire started near Pine Street around 10 a.m. Tuesday, quickly engulfing an abandoned outbuilding and moving to the Pawelski home, officials said. Pawelski's body was found on the scene.

Fairburn, which is 30 miles south of Rapid City, has a population of about 90 people, and now the small community is pulling together to help the Pawelski family in the wake of the tragedy.

The fire damaged at least three other buildings as well as several vehicles, Custer County Fire Department officials said. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the county.

Delia Johnson, who has lived in Fairburn for 55 years, said that Jim and Sharlene are currently staying with a neighbor in Fairburn. According to Johnson, the Pawelskis have always been an active part of the Fairburn community.

"If there's something going on in Fairburn, they've got their finger in it, helping," Johnson said.

Jim and Sharlene have one other daughter and three grandchildren, who live in Arizona.

The community has organized several fundraisers for the family, including an ice cream social at 7 p.m. Saturday at United Methodist Church in Fairburn and a pizza lunch and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the Public Safety Building on Kansas Street.

A pancake feed is scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday at the Fairburn Volunteer Fire Department. Proceeds from each of the three events will go directly to the family.

"The people we're doing it for have been part of our community forever," Fairburn resident Ronda Parker said.

Johnson also expressed the community's gratitude to the firefighters, the last of whom left Fairburn on Wednesday night.

"It was only with their help that we were able to contain it to this one spot," Johnson said.

GoFundMe and YouCaring pages have been set up with goals of $10,000 to assist the family and cover funeral costs for Julia Pawelski.

Donations can also be sent to United Methodist First Choice Federal Credit Union at P.O. Box 5540, Rapid City, SD 57709.
AFK Sistema files claim against bailiffs over share arrest

MOSCOW, July 28 (RAPSI)  Russian AFK Sistema holding company and its subsidiary Sistema-Invest filed a claim with the Moscow Commercial Court blaming bailiffs, who reportedly blocked dividends on shares seized under a restraining order.

On June 23, the Commercial Court of the Republic of Bashkortostan seized 31.76% of MTS mobile operators shares owned by AFK Sistema and Sistema-Invest as well as 100% of Medsi Groups shares and 90.47% of Bashkir Power Grid Companys (BESK). The assets were seized after Rosneft, Bashneft and authorities of Bashkortostan region sued AFK Sistema and Sistema-Invest for 170.6 billion rubles (about $3 billion at the current exchange rate).

Rosneft said earlier that the lawsuit is connected with alleged siphoning of assets from Bashneft, while Sistema rejected these claims as groundless.

Initially, Rosneft claimed 106.6 billion rubles ($1.8 billion) from AFK Sistema. Later the oil giant increased its claim to 170.6 billion rubles. The damage was recalculated due to currency fluctuations, according to Rosneft.
LOLO  As the 11-day-old Lolo Peak Fire grew to 2,904 acres this week, U.S. Forest Service officials are putting in place long-term plans for if  or when  the blaze bursts out of the mountains and takes a run toward homes.

On private property southwest of Lolo, Tom Manek uses a joy stick in either hand to deftly maneuver his feller buncher through the heavily wooded parcel. Hes creating what they call a shaded fuel break, which means hes clearing trees and other ladder fuels on either side of this winding mountain road south of Highway 12.

He rolls along on metal tracks, then stops to extend the jointed overhead arm with four claws on the end. He rotates to the right, and grabs a 70-foot-tall Douglas fir. A blade on the bottom of the claw slices through the fir in seconds, and he swings to the left and the tree bounces as he quickly drops it into a pile of other firs and shrubs.

On this job, we have 18 pieces of equipment in three different crews, says John Shotzberger, whos overseeing creation of the fuel break for the U.S. Forest Service, as he watches Manek work. Were trying to go 30 feet on the uphill side  as far as the feller buncher can reach. Well take the small trees out and leave the big trees intact, then clear the road of all grass and debris.

It will look nicer and while theres still the risk of it burning, well remove the small fuels that create ladder fuels. Were creating a buffer, so we have defensible space where the crews can work.

Theyre trying to build a box around the wildfire, with shaded fuel breaks that could stretch 30 to 40 miles, generally paralleling highways 12 and 93 first. Its slow going, though, averaging about a mile per day.

Homes are less than a quarter-mile away from where Manek is working. Some have their own defensible space. Others are thick with trees overshadowing homes that have pine needles littering the roofs.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, along with volunteer fire departments, already have scoped them out and know which ones they can defend safely.

Shotzberger hopes it doesnt get to that. After the feller buncher does its work, theyll use a skidder to haul some logs; others will be chipped into small pieces and spread out. Next, a dozer will come through to finish the 12-foot fire break. Theyll keep a skidgine  a skidder with a water tank strapped to it  available just in case sparks fly from the machinery hitting rocks.

We have a plan. We have something we think will have a high degree of success, but we want to make sure we have something to defend those homes, he said. At least now we can run engines up and down to patrol it.

A few miles farther west, at the OZ Ranch off of Elk Meadows, Lou Gildemeister also is prepping for the Lolo Peak Fire to make a run. Hes got a 10,000-gallon, bright orange pumpkin filled with water that he mixes with powder to create Phos-Chek retardant.

A fire hose snakes 300 feet across a pasture to a dip tank that holds about 5,000 gallons. A helicopter can hover over it, using either a bucket or siphon to pull retardant thats dropped on the fire.

We can mix and pump 350 gallons a minute, Gildemeister says proudly. Right now, were just waiting to get going  we have trigger points and if we get to the next one, well be using this.

A blackened hillside from the 2013 Lolo Creek Complex, which burned 10,900 acres, provides the backdrop to his operation, bearing a silent reminder of the ability of wildfires to move out of the mountains and toward homes.

As hes speaking, a helicopter comes into view and lands. Rick Miller, the operations section chief for the Type 1 team thats managing the Lolo Peak Fire, steps out and reports that he got a good look at the fire and what went on yesterday, when it was too smoky to fly.

He said flames are about chest high on this day. The previous day, they were up 100 feet high.

Today, theres fire on the east side of the South Fork of Lolo Creek thats burning toward Lantern Ridge. It burned pretty hot, and theres a lot of growth to it. We expect that will continue, Miller said. Itll likely move toward Lantern Ridge throughout the day.

Theyve been using the helicopter to drop what look like polystyrene ping pong balls on the south side of the fire. The balls are filled with chemicals that cause a thermal reaction and burst into flames once theyre dropped to create a backfire to burn vegetation in front of the advancing fire to remove the fuel.

But at the end of the day, even with the heavy equipment and additional fire fighters and resources coming in, managers still have to let the fire take the lead in this dance. Miller said the fire hasnt had the alignment where it can make a long run, but he expects that to happen.

Right now, where its at is steep, rocky, remote and the fuels are super dense, Miller said. Its a really bad place for us to put firefighters. If someone was hurt it would take a long time to get them out of there.

We have defined where we will make the effort to stop the fire, in the lower country where we can be more successful. We are trying to keep the fire from burning into the subdivisions and populated areas. What were doing now is increasing the opportunity to stop the fire here.
A statewide survey released Thursday shows Montana students are experiencing more mental health issues than ever before.

The 2017 Montana Youth Risk Behavior Survey said 31 percent of students felt sad or hopeless every day for two weeks or more in a row, and that prohibited some usual activities. Almost 21 percent seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year and 9.6 percent actually attempted suicide one or more times. Those numbers have increased gradually since 2007.

The survey is distributed randomly to schools every two years. In 2017, 47 public schools participated and 4,741 students in grades nine through 12 voluntarily completed the survey. The results are supposed to help school districts identify local needs in their own community, but respondents demonstrated a statewide trend in increased mental health issues.

A spokesperson for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen said mental health is one of her administrative priorities.

As a mother, grandmother, and teacher, I am encouraged that in many areas more Montana students are making healthy and safe decisions, however, more emphasis is needed on positive mental health. I urge local schools, communities, and parents to use this information to promote health, well-being, and success for our most precious treasures, our students, Arntzen said in a statement.

But the Office of Public Instruction acknowledges school budgets are lean and funding is limited for additional mental health programs. A spokesperson said Arntzen has been in contact with the Counselors Association and other state education officials to raise awareness in schools. OPI is also updating and expanding the Bully Free Toolkit with resources for schools, parents and both general education students and students with disabilities. Schools could potentially use federal assistance through the Every Student Succeeds Act to expand some mental health programs.

Despite a rise in mental health problems, students were less likely to participate in harmful behaviors such as smoking cigarettes and driving after drinking than in previous surveys.

Students are much less likely to have ever tried a cigarette. In 2007, 52 percent had smoked a cigarette and only 34 percent had tried one in 2017. Students are less likely to smoke frequently or daily, although 22.5 percent of students regularly use an electronic vapor product.

Overall, students are less likely to use alcohol or try any drug than they were 10 years ago.

In regards to texting while driving, 54.2 percent said they had done so in the past 30 days, which is unchanged from 2015. Almost 57 percent had talked on the phone while driving in the past 30 days, which is also similar to 2015.

In 2017, 8.5 percent of students said they have had a weapon on school property, while 10.6 percent of students said they did in 2015.

The number of students who said they experienced sexual dating violence in the last year decreased from 10 percent to 6.5 percent.

Sexual behaviors were similar over a 10-year period. Approximately 43 percent of students in 2017 said they have had sexual intercourse, compared to 45.7 percent in 2007. Students are less likely to use a condom than they were in 2007, but have relied more on other forms of contraception such as birth control pills, or an IUD, shot or patch. Only 14.6 percent of students in 2017 said they used both a condom and another form of contraception.

Students are more likely to be obese than they were 10 years ago. In 2017, 14.6 students were overweight and 11.7 percent were obese. Students watch less television than they did in 2007 but are more likely to spend time playing video or computer games for three or more hours a day. In 2007, 16.2 percent of students played a video or computer game for more than three hours and 34.6 percent did in 2017.

The survey is expected to have an error rate of 3 percent and warns users to consider that respondents have a tendency to underreport socially undesirable or unhealthy behaviors and overreport desirable or healthy behaviors.
ISLAMABAD, July 28: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday resigned from his post, his office said, hours after the country's Supreme Court disqualified him over corruption claims against his family.

The Supreme Court said Sharif is not fit to hold office and ordered a criminal investigation into him and his family. The court also disqualified Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

The Prime Minister's office said in a statement that Sharif has "stepped down" despite having "serious reservations" about the judicial process.
Kathmandu, Nepal: the talks between government team and representatives of agitating Dr. Govinda KC ended inconclusively after the governments talk team failed to make commitment to fulfill the demands raised by agitating Dr. KC.

The tree member governments talk team led Secretary Shanta Bahadur Shrestha and the talk team representing to the Dr. KC held a meeting at Ministry of Education in Singhadurbar on Friday.

Dr YP Singh, Dr Ranjan Sapkota and Dr Jeevan Chhetri sat on the talks representing the Dr KC.

Dr. KC's primary demand is endorsement of Health Profession Education Bill. The bill has been has been relinquishing in Parliament for about a year but neither neither the government nor the political parties have taken initiation to passage the bill.

During the meeting the representatives of Dr. KC raised the same demands that the government had made a commitment to fulfill during the agreement reached with Dr. KC.

It is said that they had a demand to passage the bill by opting the fast track.

Dr. K.C., Senior orthopedic surgeon at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital had started his 11th hunger strike from Monday.

It is said that the stalled talks will be continued on Saturday as well.
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Movies love bad girls. Lashing out against the patriarchal establishment, kicking men to the curb, fighting for their right to existence. Put this in hand with youthful rebellion, and watch these women soar, sometimes (though not always) with a moral imperitive or point. Jakob Lass' Tiger Girl gives us two such bad girls, somewhat aimless, revelling in their youth and power, with little regard for the consequences.

Vanilla (Maria-Victoria Dragus) has flunked the police academy exam, and takes a job as a security guard. In the midst of a very bad day, she encounters Tiger (Ella Rumpf), a parking lot attendant and badass. Later that day, Tiger rescues Vanilla from a guy who is trying to force her home with him, and the girls become fast friends. Tiger shows Vanilla how to stand up for herself, how to party, how to get back at men who have treated thyem badly. But Vanilla may be taking her new attitude a bit too far, even for Tiger.

Mixing script work and improvisation, with a handheld camera, Lass follows Vanilla as she learns from Tiger. In this underbelly of Berlin, youth with little or no employment drink, sleep, maybe work as small time drug dealers, and have a lot of pent-up rage. When Tiger lashes out, it's with purpose: she'll kick the sideview mirror of the car of the woman who stole a parking spot, or guys illegally smoking in the park. Tiger will resort to some petty crime, such as pickpocketing, shoplifting or pretending to be a security guard to stripsearch and mug people, but she does this for love of her boyfriend, to maintain his existence, and even then, she's still in charge of the relationship.

It's refreshing to find a film such as this that reverses gender roles in more ways than one. Tiger and Vanilla are complex, strange, and often terrible people, but still likeable; the male characters are little more than accesories (and it is they that are often seen naked, as oppose to the women). The violence they purpotrate (at least at first) has a purpose, but they are still just shitty young people trying to find an outlet for their rage and disenfranchisement.

But as Vanilla becomes more confortable with her newfound, badass attitude, she takes things too far. Rather than fighting when wronged, she fights for the fun of it, hurting people that don't deserve it, just because she can. At this point, Lass moves less from Vanilla's perspective to more of Tiger's, as even Tiger knows when to draw the line on violence. Lass leaves the audience (and his characters) little room to breath, keeping the adrenaline pumping, like those in his films who act before they think.

Tiger Girl might have some predictability to its story in terms of direction, but the ending is a nice surprise, giving the girls the leeway they arguably deserve in a world that still looks down more on women who misbehave. It's certainly an anthem to the marginalized youth of Europe, who are given little hope for a reasonable life, and women who need to kick ass if they are going to survive.
West North Wests bold, intimate study of three ladies brought together by attraction, yet isolated by race, religion and sexuality, features knockout performances by its leads. Model, actress and television personality, Sahel Rosa spoke with me candidly about the challenges of growing up as an Iranian in Japan, and taking on the taboo of portraying a Muslima entranced by another woman.

The Lady Miz Diva: Having spoken with your costar, Ms. Kan Hanae, she mentioned you, Ms. Yamauchi Yuka and herself getting together in cafes for long talks to create your characters amongst yourselves. What was your most challenging aspect in creating Naima?

Sahel Rosa: Actually, on my end, I did not know who was going to be playing Kei until being on set. {Laughs.} The director {Nakamura Takuro} and I had talked a lot about Naimas character, herself, but it wasnt until we were actually shooting and to see Hanae turn around at the cafe crying; that was when I really realised who was playing Kei. And so, when she turned around and cried, I reacted to what exactly happened on set.

So, basically, the director and I talked a lot, and the director and also Hanae talked a lot about her character, so the director became sort of a pipeline between our characters. But as the filming went on, in between, we would start talking a lot.

The director really emphasised the distance between the two actresses and the characters to sort of reflect what actually happens in the movie. And so, at the beginning, he wouldnt even let us sit very close to each other. As the filming progressed, we ask a got to sit closer and closer, and we were talking more and more. The shooting and the actual film narrative were both running parallel to each other.

LMD: Do you mind if I ask if you are actually a Muslima?

SR: Yes!

LMD: The reason I ask is because in my talk with Ms. Kan, she mentioned that you helped her very much to understand what Naima was going through, and she learned many things she didnt know about the Muslim faith while making this film. I had never seen a film that deals with anyone Muslim living in Japan. Was part of your motivation to take this role to shed some light that Muslims are indeed there?

SR: I actually had very complicated and conflicted feelings about accepting this role of Naima, mainly because of the idea of homosexuality being taboo in the Muslim faith. And so, my mother actually warned me that this could eventually lead to something that could be a very serious issue for me. So, that was something I really had to think about.

But in Japan, there really are a lot of people who are Muslim who are studying; female students at universities. Oftentimes, they have high hopes about what its like to be living in the US, or living in Japan; they often come here and then they dont actually want to go back to their home countries, and they want to stay. There are many people who are just like Naima, so I really wanted to express that kind of character, but as I said, this idea also incorporating the fact that theres a homosexual element to it was something that I really had to think about.

LMD: The chemistry between Naima and Kei is so palpable throughout the film. What did you make of Naima when you read her?

SR: The biggest similarity I have between myself and Naima is that neither of us had experienced romance before, so we didnt know what it meant to love. But simply put, she also really loved books, and I actually loved books, as well, so that was something I did have in common with Naima. So, we would read about romances.

But, the other thing was, that we both were really simply thinking about our future, and how to open up the doors to where things might be closed off for us. So, she comes across the visa issues, and thats something that I can relate to; when I first came to Japan with my mother, I also had similar issues, so I could really empathise with the character.

But as I got to know Kei, and as I got to know Naima, I really started to realise that the gender really didnt matter, and this is what it means to love somebody, and also how much energy it takes to love somebody. And I realised I really started to fall in love with Kei as a character, and I started to feel very much like Naima.

So, this is something Im going to share with you for this purpose only, but for the six months that we were shooting, I actually started to resent Ais character. Even though I love Yuka, herself, as an actress, I really wanted to resent; and there was a part of me that really did go beyond the boundaries of gender.

So, actually, after two years after shooting, I finally was able to exchange contact information with Yuka. Thats how long it took for me to actually open up to her.

And then, as a woman, in the Middle East, it is still very rare that people have the opportunity to be in love, or have romantic relationships with people that they just want to, and sometimes it is already told by their parents, and so, I do think that possibly there are many people who are like Naima and are unable to say or express their feelings. Even if possibly they might have feelings for a woman, they probably cant tell their friends and family or anyone around them, and they are just holding it inside them.

LMD: There is a very intense scene at the films climax were Naima cries her heart out under a tree. Why is she crying?

SR: That moment is the moment that she realised that she loves Kei. And it was that moment that she realised that she cant say it, and just is so sad when she realises that she just has to accept that.

Actually, as the story progresses, Naima actually changes the color of her hijab, and the colors are her actually getting colored by Kei, as a presence. So, even things like naming the bird; she starts doing it because Kei was saying it, and as the story progresses she is very much getting colored by Keis character. And even the eating granola part; theres an earlier scene where Keis eating it and so then Naima starts eating it later by herself. {Laughs.}

Naima was starting to realise that shes starting to do these things because of the influence of Kei, so that is why it was so emotional.

LMD: Naima seems to be pretty well adapted to her life as an outsider in Japan, yet in my research for this interview, it seems that wasnt your own story. What made her relatable to you?

SR: Naima might seem to you as if she is quite within the society, but to me, actually I think shes rather disappearing. Shes not showing herself within that society. So, there are scenes where she actually cant really make friends. There is the scene where she cant eat dumplings, that doesnt get quite understood by the people around her. While it looks like shes smoothly transitioned in, there is a feeling that actually maybe she is just disappearing within it.

I realised personally when I first moved here, and I really tried to be understood by people, and was going toward people; I was often rejected at the beginning. So, eventually, what I learned was that I had to wait for people to come to me and understand me, and approach me.

I think in a similar way, Naima was waiting for a helping hand to reach out to her, and that helping hand to Naima was Kei. For me, it took over 20 years to really have people understand, so I definitely went through Naimas struggles.

LMD: In those 20 years of waiting to be accepted, what kept you motivated to succeed and become a successful actress, author and television personality? How did you stay strong during all that time?

SR: I think the answer is that I personally died once. I died once when I was in middle school, when I tried to commit suicide {due to bullying}, but then I was kept alive. Then I also realised that a lot is due to my adoptive mother: She is the one who kept me alive. I realised that I am alive because of these people who helped me see tomorrow. And so, throughout this time, it was for my mother  I really wanted to give back to my mother who helped me to stay alive.

LMD: What would you like WEST NORTH WEST to say to audiences?

SR: With West North West, I just want people to purely feel and see and have the movie speak to them. You see in the movie that there are three different kinds of people loving each other very differently. There is the very strong Ai, there is a quiet Naima, and there is also the way Kei loves, as well. I think its okay whether to empathise with all of them, or maybe you dont empathise with any of them, or maybe youd empathise with some of them, and it doesnt matter because there is really no one answer of how to love, in the same way that in romance there is no real answer.

I really want people to feel whatever they want to feel and actually just engage with the film, themselves. And as you see in the film, to kind of go beyond nationality, go beyond languages, go beyond gender, and really just feel things between heart-to-heart, and go beyond discrimination.

Maybe even seeing people with hijabs, like myself, I hope people will just go to see beyond that; especially in a world like today, where things are going awry, I think this is such an important thing, to just go beyond discriminating.
 Reviewing data and lessons of recent Urban Institute report on rising prison time | Main | Spotlighting BOP's continued curious failure to make serious use of "compassionate release" 

July 28, 2017

Texas completes second US execution in as many days

On the heals of Ohio on Wednesday completing its first execution in 3.5 years (details here), Texas late Thursday completed its fifth execution of 2017. This Texas Tribune article provides some details, from which these excerpts are drawn:

After more than 12 years on death row, a San Antonio man convicted in a fatal stabbing was executed Thursday night. It was Texas fifth execution of the year. TaiChin Preyor, 46, had filed a flurry of appeals in the weeks leading up to his execution date, claiming his trial lawyer never looked into evidence of an abusive childhood and his previous appellate counsel  a disbarred attorney paired with a real estate and probate lawyer who relied on Wikipedia in her legal research  committed fraud on the court. But he lost all of the appeals, with the U.S. Supreme Court issuing a final ruling in the case more than two hours after his execution was originally set to begin. At 9:03 p.m., he was injected with a lethal dose of pentobarbital in Texas death chamber and pronounced dead 19 minutes later, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. In his final words, he mentioned his love for his wife and kids and cited a Coretta Scott King quote, saying, "Justice has never advanced by taking a life," according to TDCJ. Preyor was accused of breaking into 20-year-old Jami Tacketts apartment in February 2004 and stabbing her to death. He was found at the scene by police covered in her blood. Preyor claimed the killing was done in self-defense after a drug deal gone bad, but the jury was unconvinced. He was convicted and sentenced to death in March 2005. No witnesses for Preyor or Tackett attended the execution, according to TDCJ spokesman Robert Hurst. During his latest appeals, Preyors attorneys argued that his trial lawyer, Michael Gross, was inadequate because he didnt present evidence of a physically and sexually abusive childhood that could have swayed a jury to hand down the alternate sentence of life in prison. [The jury] did not learn that Preyor jumped from a fourth floor balcony as a teenager, breaking both his ankles in the fall, to escape his mother as she chased him with a knife, attorneys Hilary Sheard and Cate Stetson wrote in a filing to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. ... Any competent counsel would have recognized the importance of uncovering these harrowing details and presenting them to the jury responsible for recommending a life sentence or a death sentence.

July 28, 2017 at 06:22 AM | Permalink

Comments

Another collateral consequence of unlawful drug conduct.

Posted by: Docile/Kind Soul in OR | Jul 28, 2017 6:38:25 AM

Being the victim of horrific child abuse means,

1) one comes from very violent parents, and one carries that tendency;

2) one has been taught to use violence as a remedy;

3) one is more dangerous than average, with a 30% higher risk of being arrested for violent crime.

That means, horrific child abuse, if it has any influence on today, is an aggravating factor, not a mitigating factor.

Posted by: David Behar | Jul 28, 2017 7:23:50 AM

Savage killer got what he deserved.

Posted by: federalist | Jul 28, 2017 8:17:19 AM

Problems with the representation provided is discussed here:

https://www.acslaw.org/acsblog/on-death-row-and-%E2%80%9Crepresented%E2%80%9D-by-a-disbarred-lawyer

The first comment is notable too. He killed his drug dealer (a young white woman looking at a picture -- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4738216/Texas-executes-man-murdering-drug-dealer.html) Murder of this sort is not to me the "worse of the worst" that warrants under the rules in place (even if you grant the death penalty should apply sometimes) execution of a tiny fraction of murders. He deserved a long prison sentence.

This underlines the arbitrary nature of the penalty.

Posted by: Joe | Jul 28, 2017 9:58:31 AM

Well Joe, he has gone to grass. Your concern for his case is touching. And, once again, you show your intellectual dishonesty--there's no free-standing rule that only the so-called "worst of the worst" get the DP.

This was a horrible and savage crime. I'm glad he's dead.

Posted by: federalist | Jul 28, 2017 10:15:03 AM

Joe. I think you need to apologize. You devalue the life of a female. She may have been a lesbian or bisexual. She was a criminal, which is a form of disability, an involuntary disability from a missing ability to act morally. Sexist, homophobic, and ablist is not a way to go through life, today. I would file a formal complaint, and demand an investigation into your comment, if we worked in a prosecutor or criminal defense office.

Posted by: David Behar | Jul 28, 2017 10:22:37 AM

Gone to grass? Retire? But, apparently I'm doing what I always do.



I used a term repeatedly used to summarize the general principle in place. As noted in cases such as Roper v. Simmons:

Capital punishment must be limited to those offenders who commit "a narrow category of the most serious crimes" and whose extreme culpability makes them "the most deserving of execution."

It must not be only applied to all murders. But, again, federalist is wasting time (see the recent "life and death" business). He is arguing that this is "horrible and savage," so would apparently meet the test anyway. But, what that entails is a weighing of various factors. Which obviously we will disagree about.

Anyway, here's just one analysis: http://www.hastingslawjournal.org/wp-content/uploads/Smith-65.5.pdf

I don't think this case is a "worse of the worst" case (quotes showing it is a shorthand label). The other person just killed is more easily put in that category. And, even if he was, the death penalty has too many problems, including the arbitrary Russian Roulette way it is applied where a arbitrary few are executed among a bunch of others.

Posted by: Joe | Jul 28, 2017 10:54:35 AM

I'll respond to DB in this fashion.

I do think that the race and sex of the victim here (if he murdered, in the same way, some other drug dealer, he very well might not have received the same punishment) mattered.

I don't think we have a free rein here to harm people. The general idea here, often confused, is that the person would not be executed (or given as harsh of a penalty) if someone else was harmed. If this is a result of arbitrary criteria, it is wrong.

Some (I recall an op-ed by Ed Koch) say we should just ratchet up -- so here, execute more people. But, I think not killing people is the best policy and I would apply that equally.

Posted by: Joe | Jul 28, 2017 11:00:05 AM

Joe, I meant the killer.

As for the quote of Roper v. Simmons, yet again, you elide the issue--SCOTUS has decided that states need to separate murder simpliciter from DP-worthy murder. These create both factual questions and judgment of factfinder questions. The murder falls into the death-eligible category and a jury made the judgment that it warranted death. Roper is therefore not offended. As for horrible and savage, it's the truth, and it dovetails with what the jury found.

As for wasting time over "life and death"--I think I've well-explained why the "wise [sic] Latina" deserves heavy criticism for that.

AS for your "Russian Roulette" nonsense--that's just a ridiculous way of summing up the effects of local prosecutorial discretion (i.e., democracy), mercy, cooperation and numerous procedural protections afforded capital defendants.

Posted by: federalist | Jul 28, 2017 11:33:10 AM

Joe said, "...the arbitrary Russian Roulette way it is applied..."

So, Joe, do you support mandatory sentencing guidelines for the death penalty, perhaps using a point system, heinousness, repeat offender, malice, vulnerable victim, etc.,to attenuate the arbitrariness, the rarity, the racial bias? Those were all benefits of the prior mandatory sentencing guidelines, and point system. I have to admit that I never once got the points correct on test questions of hypothetical cases. I would be interested in knowing if an expert like Prof. Berman correctly calculated the point system results, ever.

Posted by: David Behar | Jul 28, 2017 12:00:46 PM

You guys take off your skirts and stop being whining Sallys.

The guy is gone. He would of maybe preferred life, but thats a very low level pre historic life style. Have nothing, are nothing and never will. Even if your King Kong, you age get hurt or 5 guys stab so many holes in you, its curtains. If you have a releSe date, its hope.

Posted by: MidWestGuy | Jul 28, 2017 3:50:03 PM

"1) one comes from very violent parents, and one carries that tendency;

2) one has been taught to use violence as a remedy;

3) one is more dangerous than average, with a 30% higher risk of being arrested for violent crime."

Based on this logic the first person we should kill is @David. He is named after a person who's one claim to fame is the cruel slaying of Gentile by a barbarous Jew. By studying the violence of his namesake he has leaned to use violence as a remedy (123D). This makes @David more dangerous than average, with a 300% higher risk of posting trollish comments on the internet. So having the name of David is a aggravating, not mitigating factor as to why @Doug should ban him.

Posted by: Daniel | Jul 28, 2017 4:00:41 PM

Hello, Daniel. That is the pro-criminal left. The facts abandoned it 100 years ago. They killed 100 million people, and still failed to persuade. All they have is personal attack. They want anyone dissenting from their sicko ideology dead or personally destroyed. They are doing that to our brave leader, President Donald Trump. Daniel wants someone dead for making Comments on a left wing, pro-criminal, anti-victim, pro lawyer rent seeking blog.

I do not want to kill the lawyers here. I want to debate them.

Posted by: David Behar | Jul 28, 2017 5:06:21 PM

@David

If you considers it a personal attack when I apply the same logic to you as you apply to others then I freely admit it, I engaged in a personal attack. But that is the right wing tin foil hat mentality. Call them out for their hypocrisy and they claim you are engaging in a personal attack; demonstrate their two faced lies about racism and it is you who are dragging the conversation into the mud; criticize conservative bloodlusting and it is you who become the sinner for noting their sin. They don't have a problem, they have transcended into Bhuddahood--it is the other guy who always has a problem. Some debate that it is, it's a debate you have preordained yourself to win. Another sham like all your other shams.

Posted by: Daniel | Jul 28, 2017 6:30:55 PM

Daniel. I cannot argue with a denier. A denier does not argue in good faith. You are denying the failure of the left over the past 100 years.

Answer the question. Was 9/11 a Mossad/CIA operation, with timed, pre-placed detonations in the outbuildings, as one might see in a scheduled demolition?

Joe, you too, answer the question.

Posted by: David Behar | Jul 28, 2017 9:15:30 PM

Meanwhile on the death penalty front, Amy Barrett is getting some pushback for the views she spells out in depth here: http://scholarship.law.nd.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1523&context=law_faculty_scholarship

(Catholic Judges in Capital Cases)

I won't say much on the topic except to say that I think some of the criticisms from opposition to the nomination on this question appear somewhat unfair. If one opposes her nomination, I would not rely on this.

Posted by: Joe | Jul 29, 2017 2:00:24 PM

"SCOTUS has decided that states need to separate murder simpliciter from DP-worthy murder"

Yes. As I said, the test in place is that a certain core of murderers, repeatedly summarized as "worst of the worst," must be separated. Glad we agree.

We disagree in the application as to the facts in place here. That's fine. That happens. But, useful to at least know the basic test in dispute.

I'm not really sure local prosecutorial discretion is "democracy." That word is as much symbolic as having much content. A local prosecutor, e.g., can very well be appointed and act against the wishes of the local population.

And, democracy repeatedly results in wrongs, which are restrained by constitutional provisions. So, sure, democracy is involved here, including the judges etc. who apply the law in ways you don't like. Sotomayor is here because of democracy -- the people voted for Obama and a Democratic Senate. But, you think she's wrong in various respects.

Likewise, I think the result of the process is arbitrary overall. Your conclusionary comment that it is "ridiculous" to say so is duly noted.

Posted by: Joe | Jul 29, 2017 2:13:44 PM

Joe. Congress must begin to impeach Justices for their insurrection against Article I Section 1 of the constitution. It gives lawmaking power to the Congress. Nothing in Article III allows the Supreme Court to even review a zoning rule of the tiniest village, even if it prohibits people of a certain race from moving there. Judicial review was just made up by corrupt lawyers without amending the constitution. It is illegal. If you want judicial review get an Amendment passed.

Answer the question, you weasel. Was 9/11 a Mossad/CIA operation, with timed, pre-placed detonations in the outbuildings, as one might see in a scheduled demolition?

Posted by: David Behar | Jul 29, 2017 3:37:38 PM

@David

"Judicial review was just made up by corrupt lawyers without amending the constitution. "

A rare point where we agree. Maybury vs Madison was one of the most heinous decisions ever foisted on the mind of man. Having said that, and in fairness to the perpetrators of this violent crime, the world was a very different place back then and there was no legal profession in the sense we mean it today. But Jefferson's tart take on Maybury proved to very prescient.

Posted by: Daniel | Jul 29, 2017 3:56:08 PM

@Joe

Thanks to the link to the article from Amy Barrett. It makes ME oppose her nomination but not for the reasons that one might think. While she has the Church's position on the DP correct what she doesn't understand is the stance the Church takes on the relationship between religious duty and civil duty. There is nothing in Catholic teaching the even so much as implies that if there is a conflict between civil and church obligations that the judge should recuse or resign, on the contrary the Church makes it very clear that an adherent's obligation is to uphold the civil law. To be sure, if a Catholic judge in a DP case wants to recuse or resign based upon their own personal beliefs they are of course free to do that but then then are free to do that in any event whether they are Catholic or not. So a Catholic judge may rely--if they wish--on their Catholic faith to /buttress/ a decision to recuse or resign but they cannot rely on their faith to /justify/ their decision to recuse or resign in a DP case. This distinction between buttress and justification is crucial understanding Catholic thought in this area and the fact the she wrote a lengthy law review article of the topic and doesn't understand even the most basic parameters of the issue tells me that she not the kind of person who is fit to be a judge. It seems to me that she is so eager to get to what she perceives as the politically correct outcome she doesn't care that she comes across as an ignoramus in the process...that is very worrying.

Posted by: Daniel | Jul 29, 2017 4:16:24 PM

"if a Catholic judge in a DP case wants to recuse or resign based upon their own personal beliefs they are of course free to do that"

This seems to hurt the cause. The basic reality is that the Catholic Church gives the individual believer, surely in the U.S., a significant degree of discretion to determine for themselves what their personal beliefs in practice should be. This to me is effectively part of the doctrine. It is at least "implied" that it is the spirit of the doctrine.

"adherent's obligation is to uphold the civil law"

Part of our civil law allows, as noted, recusal in certain cases. I don't known enough of Catholic doctrine to determine if her analysis is wrong. My overall implication is to think you are being a tad unfair. But, maybe I'm wrong. I don't think her analysis is some outlier though.

And, to the extent that she sets forth an overall principle -- no matter what one's belief is -- I think it has some value. The particulars of Catholic faith isn't really important in that context. Finally, the principle has wide scope -- one can be an atheist and have certain basic beliefs that clash in this context.

Posted by: Joe | Jul 29, 2017 4:48:32 PM

"perceives as the politically correct"

I particularly don't think she is trying to be politically correct.

This is matter of debate among Catholics (Scalia, who she clerked for, addressed it) and she set forth her own view.



Posted by: Joe | Jul 29, 2017 4:58:07 PM

@joe "I don't known enough of Catholic doctrine to determine if her analysis is wrong. My overall implication is to think you are being a tad unfair. But, maybe I'm wrong. I don't think her analysis is some outlier though."

(1) Her analysis is an outlier but more importantly from a Catholic point of view (2) it's wrong.

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s1c2a2.htm

is the statement on participation in social life.

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P7Z.HTM

is the link to the Church's position on the DP.

2267 "The traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude, presupposing full ascertainment of the identity and responsibility of the offender, recourse to the death penalty, when this is the only practicable way to defend the lives of human beings effectively against the aggressor."

She confuses her own moral perspective on the death penalty with what the Church demands. She states, "we believe that Catholic judges (if they are faithful to the teaching of their church) are morally precluded from enforcing the death penalty." That statement is directly contradicted by the texts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church which I linked to above. Catholic judges who impose the death penalty are in full conformance with the teaching of the church.

Posted by: Daniel | Jul 29, 2017 7:00:27 PM

Joe, we do not agree--your summary as shorthand, fine--but the fact is that you want to do after-the-fact analysis of "worst of the worst" and create a free-standing right to not be executed if you don't meet the Joe-standard "worst of the worst." The murderer was given the death penalty pursuant to lawful statutes and process.

As for the denigration of "democracy"--local prosecutors select whether they are going to pursue the DP or not. And they are accountable to local voters on that score. To add that as a factor of "arbitrariness" is plump stupid.

Posted by: federalist | Jul 30, 2017 7:49:55 AM

@Daniel. The legal profession as we know it today has been exactly the same since 1200 AD, after the conquering French taught the English their rent seeking, overlawyered methodologies. The 17th Century saw minor updates from Medieval law.

As to the Colonies and independent America, they were more litigious than we are today. The contingency fee came into being in the late 18th Century after plaintiffs won, collected, and stiffed their lawyers. It is not a method to provide access to the court for poor people. It is an effective collection tool for the plaintiff bar, to get the money first, and to give some remaining crumbs to the client.

Posted by: David Behar | Jul 30, 2017 11:13:09 AM

"if you don't meet the Joe-standard"



It isn't my standard. It is a common rough summary of current law. I included an article to help underline what I was talking about. It's fine we disagree as to the application.

I'm also not trying to 'denigrate' democracy as much as stating a perfectly bland statement regarding the constitutional limits in place as checks. Voters play an important role as a check, but it's not the only one out there. Voters sometimes support constitutional things, as shown by the number of free speech cases involving popularly passed legislation.

Merely saying that just because prosecutors are in some fashion democratic in nature is of limited value to avoid arbitrary behavior. Again, this is bland stuff.

Posted by: Joe | Jul 31, 2017 11:27:45 PM

Daniel the first link is long and it would require some more comparison to explain how the take of her article conflicts with it.

As to the second, the "only practicable" test is an extreme case that rarely if ever truly occurs today as compared to let's say back in the day before modern penal systems. Thus, she, e.g., cites the finding of a group that studied the question at the request of bishops and found just that. And, because of the flaws of our own system, where the test is not applied, that adds to the overall argument that a Catholic judge could not hand it down.

Her position is not directly contradicted, especially as practical reality in the U.S. exists today, and your supposition as to her desire to advance political correctness is again unproven supposition of motive.

Posted by: Joe | Jul 31, 2017 11:35:43 PM

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Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier

"When you shake a veteran's hand today, look them in the eye and give them a heartfelt thank you," said USAF Ret. Col. Jen Fullmer, parade grand marshal, who spoke at the event.
Ramen lovers, I need your attention. Ippudo Ramen, which has two locations in New York and two more on the way, in addition to dozens in Japan and other countries, is set to open its first West Coast location on Friday in Berkeley. As Eater explains in this thorough preview, Ippudo specializes in Hakata tonkatsu-style ramen, as well sticky chicken wings, pork belly buns, and some other items, and "noodles are made onsite in a special temperature-controlled noodle room." Also, their noodlemaster insists on letting all noodles rest overnight.

Their ramen is also extremely photogenic, as you can see in the photo above and in some others shot by Eater.

Varieties include shiromaru (classic tonkotsu pork broth), akamaru (richer), karaku (spicy), and shoyu (dashi/ soy sauce-based), and range in price from $13 to $16. They also add things in like garlic oil, clarified lard, and minced pork back fat for flavor, and you have the option of other additions like soft egg, mushrooms, bean sprouts, etc.

And though they don't take reservations, as Gothamist discovered with one New York location a few years back, they would accommodate parties if you showed up in person in the afternoon, before prime time, and put your name in and desired arrival time. We can't guarantee the same policy will work in Berkeley, but you can try.

As Radio Alice reported earlier, a San Francisco location is also due to open this year, in the Yerba Buena area. So, get excited.

Ippudo Berkeley - 2015 Shattuck Avenue - Open Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday to Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Theres not much funny about California wildfire season, with more than 100,000 acres on fire across the state as of press time. So were really going to enjoy the one whimsical story to come from this years brush fires. An entire block of block of the Sonoma County town of Windsor was rendered pink Thursday after a Cal Fire air tanker accidentally dropped about 100 gallons of that bright pink liquid flame retardant on the neighborhood, resulting in the hilarity seen in the YouTube video below.

"I came outside, everything was pink," Windsor resident Alex Cruz told NBC Bay Area. "I've never seen this before."

According to CBS 5, the Cal Fire aircraft was flying into Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport in response to a fire call from Petaluma. The tanker was carrying 1,000 gallons of the retardant, but only about 100 gallons were dropped on the 300 block of a street called Decanter Circle.

The liquid pink flame retardant is non-toxic to people, fish and wildlife, and for the most part comes off with just the application of water. "It's slippery when wet," Cal Fires Ben Nicholls told NBC Bay Area. "It's a slip hazard, has a reaction with automotive paint if its left on it, will create issues with the paint."

Cal Fire crews came out with firehoses and cleaned up the pink mess, which covered nine houses, 12 cars, a camper, landscaping and the street according to NBC Bay Areas Jean Elle.

That pink stuff is apparently called Phos-Chek, and it is 85 percent water.

Related: Pot Grow Investigated As Source Of Loma Fire






In the private photo collection of Charles W. Cushman, recently made available online through the Indiana University Archives, there's a group of photos that were all likely shot in the same month, March 1967, as Cushman played ethnographer and documented the hippie kids who were beginning to congregate in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood. Like the people on this tour bus we talked about last week, Cushman was a square tourist who arrived in the neighborhood to see what all the fuss was about  and you can see in several photos in which the subjects are flipping him the bird, not all the hippies took kindly to being gawked at.

Last year we looked at a couple of other batches of photos from Cushman that he took on trips to San Francisco  trips that he took for business and pleasure nearly every year between 1938, when he was one of the earliest photographers to capture the Golden Gate Bridge in color, and 1969. A hobbyist who was an early adopter of color film, he was a fan of cars, flora, and architecture, and made repeated trips to photograph flowers blossoming in Golden Gate Park and the Palace of Fine Arts at various times of day. He also took photos of various parts of the city in the middle of the last century, documenting moments in time for various neighborhoods like these photos of Telegraph Hill and Chinatown in 1952, and these of Twin Peaks and Diamond Heights in 1955.

But now we get a window on March of 1967  other photos he took of flowers had labels with specific dates in March, and the Haight photos just say "1967," but we can safely assume that all the photos were taken during the same trip, since Cushman did not live here. Barely two months after the Human Be-In, but a couple months before the wild influx of humanity that would become known as the Summer of Love, Cushman captures the casual street fashions and barefoot carefree-ness of the kids who were hanging out on the streets of the Haight at the beginning of the hippie era  some of Cushman's labels even refer to them as the "Beat Generation."

Read more about Cushman's life and legacy here.

Previously: Views Of Twin Peaks, Diamond Heights, Cole Valley, And More Of San Francisco Circa 1955
VERMILLION, S.D. | Where in this area can one go to see a guitar that Elvis once pitched off a stage? Or an American flag-painted saxophone gifted to President Bill Clinton?

At the National Music Museum in Vermillion, visitors can gawk at these and other instruments that, in some form or fashion, were associated with famous names.

Here is a small list of of the museum's exhibits that were owned or played by celebrated musicians.

The Elvis guitar

This 1975 Martin guitar was the subject of a well-publicized legal battle between the museum and a man who claimed to be the guitar's rightful owner. The man, Larry Moss, says he bought the guitar from its owner, Robert Johnson, but never took possession of it. Johnson later donated the guitar to the museum, and all three ended up in court. The museum won that legal battle in January, though Moss recently asked an appellate court to overturn that decision.

But the guitar's stormy history goes back farther than that. At a concert in Florida in February 1977, Elvis threw the guitar offstage during a show. This was a pre-planned stunt, in which a crew member would catch the guitar. But Elvis threw it at the wrong time and the guitar fell to the floor, damaging its bottom. Elvis then gave the guitar to an audience member as a gift.

Today, the guitar -- still showing the damage done to it by Elvis -- is in a glass case at the museum. Patricia Bornhofen, the museum's manager of communications, said a group of young children was recently led through the museum, and the tour leader asked the children if they knew why the museum didn't repair the Elvis guitar.

Some children guessed that repairing the guitar would be too expensive, or that the museum didn't know how to do so.

"Finally this little kid in the back goes, 'You wouldn't have a good story to tell,'" if the guitar were repaired, Bornhofen said.

Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash guitars

One guitar at the National Music Museum was intimately connected with Johnny Cash -- his 1971 Martin D-28 known as "The Bon Aqua." This guitar was kept by Cash at his farm near Bon Aqua, Tennessee, where he would go in search of peace and solitude. He used it while composing during the last 30 years of his life.

There are actually two Johnny Cash guitars at the museum. The other is a Grammer-brand guitar, circa 1966-67, that was custom-made for Cash.

June Carter Cash's guitar, a circa-1967 Gibson Hummingbird, was one of her favorite guitars, and she played it for many years. It features a deep red, intricately carved pick guard. The guitar has a number of visible cracks on its front -- but unlike the Elvis guitar, this wasn't the result of misuse.

"Gibson was using this really, really thick lacquer in this period, and what happened as it dried out and as the wood of the guitar would expand and contract, it would develop these fine little cracks in it," Arian Sheets, curator of stringed instruments, said. "It's very typical of a late '60s Gibson finish."

Bob Dylan guitar and harmonica

Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize winner Bob Dylan didn't actually own the acoustic 1960 Villar-brand guitar on display at the museum, but he did play it while he lived in New York City between 1961 and 1963. At the time, Dylan was staying with Eve and Peter McKenzie, who owned the guitar. There are a number of surviving recordings of Dylan playing the guitar, including "Bury Me Beneath the Willow," "House of the Rising Sun," "Only a Hobo" and several others.

The guitar today looks a bit worse for wear, with its wood darkly discolored in several spots as though it were scorched or suffered water damage. In reality, Sheets said the discoloration is the result of dirt.

The harmonica, a Hohner Marine Band model, was played by Dylan in the mid-1980s. Dylan is apparently fond of the Hohner Marine Band harmonica, as he has often been photographed playing one. It was a gift from his friend and guitar technician Cesar Diaz.

Bill Clinton saxophone

This saxophone, described by then-President Bill Clinton as the most beautiful saxophone I have ever seen, was presented to him on May 16, 1994. Manufactured by L.A. Sax, it features a red, white and blue paint scheme, and was one of a limited edition of 150. Clinton gave the saxophone to the National Music Museum the same year it was given to him.

Honorable mentions

The museum has a few other fame-affiliated instruments in its collection, including a Gibson "Lucille" model guitar signed by B.B. King, and a Gibson guitar once owned by John Entwistle of The Who.

But the real "stars" of the museum, Bornhofen and Sheets said, aren't necessarily the instruments affiliated with popular music greats. Rather, instruments made by venerated masters, like Antonio Stradivari or Adolph Sax, are the focal point of the museum.

"Most of our collection, the celebrity is more the maker than the player," Bornhofen said.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story had the names of Robert Johnson and Larry Moss switched around. Johnson was the owner of the guitar when he donated it to the museum; Moss claimed he payed Johnson for it but never took possession of it.
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Al-Anon and Alateen, meetings locally. For times, dates and locations of area meetings, call 712-255-6724.

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Arc of Woodbury County, serving the mentally challenged, 5:15 p.m. meeting, second Monday of the month at Mid-Step Services, 4303 Stone Ave. For families and interested persons.

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Co-Dependents Anonymous (CODA), 10 a.m. Saturdays at Hawkeye Club, 420 Jones St.

Compassionate Friends, 7 p.m. fourth Wednesday of each month (third Thursday in November and second Sunday December) in Mercy Medical Center's Leiter Room. For families who have lost children. Contact Nancy Webb 712-212-4032 or Don Mulder 712-541-5512.

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Siouxland District Health immunization clinics, call for appointment, 712-279-6119 or 1-800-587-3005.

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Mercy Pathways Outpatient Program, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, on the third floor, Mercy's Central Medical Building, 801 Fifth St., Suite 360. Provides hope, help, opportunity to connect through group therapy for individuals experiencing personal, relationship, psychiatric issues. For more information, call 712-279-5991.

Narcotics Anonymous, meetings daily, various times, dates and locations. For more information, call 712-279-0733.

Overeaters Anonymous, 1 p.m. Tuesdays at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3700 Indian Hills Drive; 6 p.m. Tuesdays at St. John's Lutheran Church, 402 Lane Ave., Storm Lake; 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Church of the Nazarene, 226 N. Main St., Viborg, S.D.; 5:30 p.m. Thursdays and 9 a.m. Saturdays at Newman Center, 320 E. Cherry St., Vermillion, S.D.; 10:30 a.m. Saturdays at Hawkeye Club, 420 Jones St. A 12-step recovery program for people who have problems with food and weight. No fees.

St. Lukes Outpatient Behavioral Health Program, 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Tuesday and Thursday on fifth floor of St. Luke's, located at 2720 Stone Park Blvd. Offers several levels of outpatient care including partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and group therapy. This program provides support and integrated treatment to individuals experiencing personal or relationship issues as a result of their mental illness. For more information and admission criteria, call 712-279-3906.

Sobriety By Faith, 8:30 a.m. Saturdays at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1421 Geneva St. For more information, call James Mothershead at 712-577-9715.

The Link-Recovery and Freedom, 1603 Glen Ellen Road; 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday workshop, and Christian 12-step meeting 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. For all ages. Call Dee at 389-7432.

Tarahouse Meditation Center, 8 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 6:30 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays, all at 3112 Rebecca St. Three easy 10-minute sessions in small group; beginners welcome. For more information, call 490-6410.

Blood pressure and blood sugar screening, 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays in the lobby at Westwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Free to public.

Support Groups

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Hawkeye Club basement, 420 Jones St. For more information, call 277-5935.

Celebrate Recovery, Bible-based 12-step recovery group. Thursdays at 6 p.m. at Sunnybrook Community Church, 5601 Sunnybrook Drive. Childcare provided. 712-490-3343. All welcome.

PFLAG of Siouxland, (Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays), 7 p.m., fourth Monday of January, March, May, July, September and November. St. Mark ELCA Church, 5200 Glenn Ave., in the upstairs meeting area. 712-258-3116.

Singles widowed and divorced, all ages, 4 p.m., Sundays. McDonald's at Sixth Street and Lewis Boulevard. 712-252-2675.

GriefShare, 6:30 -8:30 p.m. every Tuesday until Dec. 6 at Sunnybrook Community Church, 5601 Sunnybrook Drive, Sioux City. 712-276-5814.

H.E.L.P. Ministries, spiritual NA support group, "Sunday on Saturday" service 6-8 p.m every Saturday at 513 Main St., Sioux City. Donald, 712-574-1744.

HIV/AIDS Support Group, meets weekly. For more information, call Darla or Teri at Siouxland Community Health Center, 712-252-2477 or 888-371-1965.

Hospice of Siouxland, seeking volunteers. For more information, call 712-233-4144 and ask for a volunteer coordinator.

La Leche League of Siouxland, breastfeeding support group meets every third Thursday at 11 a.m. at Morningside Lutheran Church. Children are welcome. For more information, call Mary at 712-546-7280 or Jacquie at 712-255-2998.

Living Each Day Cancer Support Group, 7-8 p.m. second Thursday of the month, Floyd Valley Hospital, Conference Center Room 2, Le Mars, Iowa. Open to all cancer patients, cancer survivors and family members. No charge. Pre-register by calling 712-546-3441 or 800-642-6074, ext. 441.

Mom and Baby Support Group, 10-11 a.m. last Monday of the month at the Orange City (Iowa) Hospital, lower level. For new moms and babies. 712-737-5260.

Tri-State Sober Project, 12-step meeting, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Friendship Community Church, 305 Sergeant Square Drive, Sergeant Bluff. 6-7 p.m., Thursdays, Transitional Services of Iowa, 1221 Pierce St., Sioux City.

Doug's Donors Support Group, information for organ donors and recipients, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Fridays, 5:15-6:30 p.m. second Thursdays of the month at Mercy Cafeteria Woodbury Room. 712-277-1050.

Divorce Care, 6:30 -8:30 p.m. every Tuesday until Dec. 6 at Sunnybrook Community Church, 5601 Sunnybrook Drive, Sioux City. 712-276-5814.

NAMI Siouxland, (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Support Group meets 6:30 p.m., second Tuesday of the month at Friendship House, 1101 Court St. For individuals and family members dealing with mental illness. 712-255-4209.

Orphan Sunday, 3:30-5 p.m. Sunday at Sunnybrook Community Church loft, 5601 Sunnybrook Drive.

Post Polio Support Group, 11 a.m. first Thursday of the month at Perkins Restaurant by Menards. 712-490-8213.

Relationship Support Group, 7 p.m. Fridays at Marketplace Mall. For more information, call 239-3129.

Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, Individual and Support Groups. For more information, call CSADV in Sioux City at 712-258-7233; Plymouth County at 712-546-6764; Monona County at 712-423-3443. Advocacy and support available 24 hours a day at 1-800-982-7233. All services free of charge and confidential.

Sickle Cell Disease Support Group, 11 a.m. third Saturday of each month at St. Luke's Hospital, meeting room 1. For patients, their family and any concerned member. Call La'Keshia Rainey at 712-203-2019 for more information.

Single and Parenting, 6:30 -8:30 p.m. every Tuesday until Dec. 6 at Sunnybrook Community Church, 5601 Sunnybrook Drive, Sioux City. 712-276-5814.

Sioux City Association of the Deaf, 7 p.m. third Saturday of the month at Morningside Church of Christ, 5015 Garretson Ave. Regular meeting, September-May; no meeting, June, July, August and December.

Siouxland Autism Support Group, second Thursday of the month at Northwest Area Education Agency, 1520 Morningside Ave. For more information, call Julie Case at 712-490-8939.

Siouxland Epilepsy Support Group, 5 p.m. third Tuesday of the month at Prestwick Apartment Clubhouse, 4230 Hickory Lane. For anyone diagnosed with seizures or epilepsy and family or friends. For more information, call Steve at 274-6927.

Siouxland IC support group, meets quarterly in Sioux City. For patients struggling with interstital cystitis. For more information, call Jacque Dundas 316-641-9766.

Siouxland Informational Group for the Blind, 2-5 p.m. second Tuesday of the month at Northern Hills Retirement Community, 4002 Teton Trace. For more information, call 712-266-8926 or 258-8151.

Grief support group, 5:30-7:30 p.m., beginning Oct. 5 for 13 weeks (may join at any time), Crescent Park United Methodist Church, 2826 Myrtle St., Sioux City. Scott, 712-899-6315.

Siouxland Ostomy Association, 2 p.m. first Sunday of each month (except September, which will be second Sunday; and no meetings June, July, August), in Room 300 at Mercy Medical Center, 801 Fifth St. For more information, call Dick Lindblom at 251-2453.

Siouxland Parkinson Disease Support Group, 1 p.m. fourth Monday of the month at Siouxland Center for Active Generations, 313 Cook St. For more information, call Sally Reinert at 402-987-3516.

South Sioux City Weight Support Group, 8:30 a.m. Wednesdays at St. Paul United Methodist Church, South Sioux City. For more information, call 494-1401 or 494-2133.

Disabilities Resource Center of Siouxland, 520 Nebraska St., Suite 101: Women's Support Group, 1:30 p.m. first Wednesday of the month; LGBT Support Group, 1:30 p.m. first Friday of the month; Adult ADHD, 6 p.m. second Tuesday of the month; Advocacy Group, 1:30 p.m. third Tuesday of the month. For more information, call 712-255-1065.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly, group meetings various times, days and locations in Siouxland. For information on the chapter in your area, call 1-800-932-TOPS.

Voice Disorder Support Group, meets as needed at Mercy Medical Center, Buena Vista Room. 712-279-2686.

Women's Peer Support Group, in Wayne and South Sioux City, Neb., for those who have experienced domestic abuse. For more information, call the Wayne office at 402-375-4633 or 1-800-440-4633; in South Sioux City, call 402-494-7592. Help and support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Services free and confidential.

Woodbury County D.M.D.A., noon-2 p.m. first Saturday of the month at Country Friendship Acres, 4501 West St.; 7-8 p.m. first Tuesday of the month at 515 Court St. in the Community Room; 7-8 p.m. second Tuesday of the month at 441 W. Third St. in the Community Room; 7-8 p.m. third Tuesday of the month at 409 W. Third St. in the Community Room. Support group for people with disabilities and mental disorders.

Natural Mamas in Siouxland, 1 p.m., third Tuesday of each month in the Garretson room of the Morningside Public Library. All ages of children are welcome to come with moms. For sharing natural living tips, recipes, natural remedies and health, homemaking, mothering, etc. For more information, call 402-913-0038 or visit their Facebook page.

A Step Beyond support group, 3:30 p.m. second Tuesday of the month, except for August, November and December when it meets at 5:30 p.m. (no meeting in January) at the Christy-Smith Resource Center, 1819 Morningside Ave. For more information, call 712-276-7319.

Divorce care, 5 p.m., Sundays. Fireside room, Morningside Lutheran Church, 700 South Martha St.

Gamblers Anonymous meetings, 4 p.m. Thursdays at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 315 Hamilton Blvd.; 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Morningside Presbyterian Church, 4327 Morningside Ave.; 7 p.m. Tuesdays, St. John Lutheran Church; 7 p.m. Sundays, Hawkeye Club, 420 Jones St.. 712-277-2901.

Art therapy support group, 5:30 p.m. second Thursday of the month at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center. Registration required, call 252-9387.

After Breast Cancer Support Group, 5:30 p.m. third Tuesday of the month at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center. For more information, call Brenda, 252-9370.

After Prostate Cancer Support Group, 5:15 p.m. first Tuesday of the month at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center. For more information, call 252-9426.

Alzheimer's Association, Big Sioux Chapter Support Group, 2 p.m. second Tuesday of the month; 4 p.m. third Tuesday of the month (under age 65) at 201 Pierce St., Suite 110 (Famous Dave's building); and 6 p.m. first Tuesday of the month at the Barnes and Noble Cafe. For more information, call Emily Lord at 712-279-5802.

Christy-Smith Funeral Homes of Sioux City, extensive grief library at the Morningside location. Open to the public during weekday hours. For more information, call 276-7319.

Chronic Pain/Chronic Illness Support Group, 7:30 p.m. fourth Wednesday of the month in the lower level of the Orange City Hospital. For more information, call 712-737-5260.

Connections Area Agency on Aging, and Mercy Medical Centers Older Adult Services Welcome to Medicare, 1:30-4 p.m., the first Friday of every month at Connections Area Agency on Aging, 2301 Pierce St. To pre-register, or for more information, contact Connections Area Agency on Aging at 712-279-6900.
Corn feed and country music jam

SIOUX CITY | Riverside United Methodist Church, 617 Wright Ave., will hold a corn feed and country music jam from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Admission is $7, children 10 and under eat for free. Dinner will include: corn, taverns, potato salad, coleslaw, fruit, dessert and beverages.

For additional information, contact 712-233-2404.

Former area residents honored

Chaplain (Lt. Col, USAK, Ret.) Harold D. Bonath and his wife Ruth S. (Kroeger) Bonath were honored by the United Methodist Church in Castroville, Texas, for their 25 years of service.

The Bonaths served area churches in Dixon, Coleridge, Chambers, and Amelia, Nebraska, and Glard, Farmersburg and Melvin, Iowa, in the 1950s and 1960s.

Community picnic

SIOUX CITY | St. Mark Lutheran Church ELCA, 5200 Glenn Ave., welcomes all to a community picnic in conjunction with the citywide "Neighborhood Night Out," at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Greek Fest 2017

SIOUX CITY | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 900 Sixth St., will host its 17th annual Greek Festival Friday through Sunday. Admission and parking are free.

The event is open 5-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.

Come enjoy Greek food, dancing, music, taverns and a bake sale.

Joint church service and picnic

SIOUX CITY | Whitfield United Methodist Church and Riverside United Methodist Church will meet at 10 a.m. Sunday at the number five Riverside Park Shelter in Riverside Park, 1301 Riverside Blvd.

There will be music by the Siouxland Discovery Chorus, a service with the Rev. Liz Tucker and a potluck. Bring your own lawn chairs and food to share.

St. Alban's annual service about the Queen II

SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa | St. Alban's Episcopal Church will hold its annual Eucharist service aboard the Queen II at 9 a.m. Sunday. The service will be led by the Rev. Tom Early.

Tickets are $6 and may be purchased by calling 612-845-6963, at the church office or on Sunday at the boat. Transportation from the parking lot to the boat will be provided. There will be coffee and donuts available after the service.

An additional Eucharist service will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday at St. Alban's Church.

Northwestern religion professor co-leads panel

ORANGE CITY, Iowa | Dr. John Hubers, associate professor of religion and director of global education at Northwestern College, co-led a panel at the annual meeting of the Association of Professors of Mission at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, last month.

Quilt auction

OKOBOJI, Iowa | The annual Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp will be held Aug. 4-5. Featured will be 170 quilts of varying patterns and sizes made by the Morning Glories quilters of Morningside Lutheran Church.

Those interested may view the quilts from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 4. Bidding will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday.

For those who wish to place a bid but are unable to attend, proxy bidders will be provided. Forms may be completed at the viewing or by calling the camp at 712-337-3306. Quilts may also be viewed online at okoboji.org.

Additional events include: Scandinavian Feast, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 4; a concert by Glenn Henriksen, 7 p.m. Aug. 4; 5K Fun Run, 8 a.m. Aug. 5.
DES MOINES, Iowa| Planned Parenthood of the Heartland is receiving the first-ever Partners in Liberty Award presented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Iowa.

The Partners in Liberty award recognizes significant civil liberties contributions and leadership by an organization or coalition.

The ACLU of Iowa said in a statement that Planned Parenthood of the Heartland received the award because it stayed focused on delivering quality, affordable health care to Iowa women despite overwhelming challenges.

As a result of $3 million in Medicaid funding cuts, four Planned Parenthood of the Heartland clinics, including the one is Sioux City, were forced to cease operation.

Mark Stringer, ACLU of Iowa executive director, said in the statement, "We value Planned Parenthood's unwavering contributions to reproductive health for all people. We look forward to continuing to partner with this essential organization to protect women's rights and reproductive freedom in Iowa."
SIOUX CITY | What do Dallas, Chicago, Cincinnati and Sioux City have in common?

They're the most competitive cities on the continent when it comes to the food and beverage industry, according to Site Selection Magazine.

An article in the trade magazine's July edition awarded "small but powerful" Sioux City fourth place in its ranking of the most competitive food and beverage cities in North America. The Dallas, Chicago and Cincinnati metros led the rankings, with Sioux City edging out Houston to round out the top five.

Siouxland Chamber of Commerce President Chris McGowan applauded the ranking Thursday, saying it is further proof of Sioux City's longstanding food production legacy.

"This ranking, from the nations leading economic development trade publication, provides additional confirmation of Siouxlands significant stature in the food processing industry," McGowan said. "We stand toe-to-toe with some of the largest metros in the United States, and this is a tribute to our exceptional employers, as well as some of the hardest working employees in the nation."

In March, Site Selection additionally named Sioux City the top small metro area for economic development for the second year in a row and the sixth time since 2007.
SIOUX CITY | Four finalists for Sioux City's police chief position -- two Sioux City Police captains and two out-of-state candidates -- interviewed Thursday before three panels in one of the final steps of the hiring process.

The four interviewees included Sioux City Police captains Rex Mueller and Lisa Claeys; Colorado Springs (Colorado) Police Lt. Patricia Feese; and Roswell (New Mexico) Police Chief Philip Smith, Sioux City Human Resources director Janelle Bertrand told The Journal.

The city aims to name a new chief by mid-to-late August to replace retiring Chief Doug Young, whose last day with the force will be Aug. 31. The panel interviews will be followed by a psychological evaluation, the final step before City Manager Bob Padmore makes the hire for the position, Bertrand said.

Capt. Rex Mueller has been a member of the Sioux City Police Department since Aug. 27, 1996. He was promoted to captain in November 2016 and currently oversees the department's Uniformed Services Bureau, which includes the three watch commands, the K-9 unit, the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program, Alcohol Safety Action Program and telecommunications unit.

Capt. Lisa Claeys joined the department Dec. 29, 1983, and was promoted to captain in April of 2009, where she was the first woman in the department to achieve that rank. She currently oversees the department's Support Services Bureau, which includes accounting, crime analysis, crime scene investigation and records.

Lt. Patricia Feese has been a member of the Colorado Springs, Colorado, Police Department for more than 28 years. She was promoted to lieutenant in March of 2005 and currently serves as a patrol lieutenant.

Chief Philip Smith has been chief of the Roswell, New Mexico, Police Department, since 2013. Roswell, a town of just over 48,000 people, has a police force of around 100 members.

Thursday's interviews included three panels: one comprised of City Hall department directors, another of community members and another of officials from the Sioux City Police Officers Association.

Bertrand said the city received 10 applications in all. One candidate did not meet minimum qualifications and another withdrew during an oral examination process. Another did not pass that process.

Applicants who made a certified list following oral examinations but were not interviewed included Sioux City Police Capt. Marti Reilly, Sioux City Police Lt. Kevin Heineman and former Marshall, Texas, Police Chief Jesus Campa.

Sioux City's police chief oversees a department of approximately 125 sworn officers, the fourth-most in the state, and 25 civilian employees. According to the job description posting, the position will receive a salary between $99,468 and $139,284 per year, depending on qualifications.

Young, 60, has served on the department for 36 years, eight of them as chief. He succeeded longtime chief Joe Frisbie, who served as chief from 1997 to 2009.
SIOUX CITY | The former president of a Le Mars, Iowa, labor union was sentenced to 12 months in prison Friday for embezzling more than $95,000 from the organization during a 10-year period.

Curtis Lang, 53, had taken the money from 2005-2015 while serving as president of the United Dairy Workers, which represents employees of Wells Enterprises in Le Mars, Iowa.

With the stolen money, Lang purchased gift cards that he used to buy a motorcycle, take vacations and go out to eat, among other expenditures.

"This is a crime of pure greed," U.S. District Judge Mark W. Bennett said before sentencing Lang in U.S. District Court in Sioux City.

Lang pleaded guilty in May to one count of embezzlement and theft of labor union assets. Bennett sentenced Lang at the bottom of the 12-to-18-month sentencing guideline range so he could be released from prison earlier to repay the union.

Bennett ordered Lang to make full restitution of $95,223 and gave him credit for $45,000 he has already repaid. Lang will be assessed interest on the remaining balance he owes.

Allen DeVos, the union's secretary/treasurer told Bennett that union officers preferred to see Lang receive a shorter prison sentence so he could repay the stolen money sooner.

"He should have to pay back every penny that he took," DeVos said.

In addition to the prison term, Bennett said Lang must spend the first six months after his release from prison in home confinement, in which probation officers will restrict and electronically monitor his actions.
SIOUX CITY | A Storm Lake, Iowa, man faces felony charges of sexual abuse and child endangerment, after police said he became abusive in a relationship that began via online dating.

The Storm Lake Police Department in a Friday release announced the arrest of Dylan Sassman, 25, after responding to a report Thursday of the alleged physical and sexual assault of a 28-year-old woman and her 7-year-old daughter.

Police said the woman told of meeting Sassman through a dating website in April, and the woman and daughter moved in with Sassman in Storm Lake after starting a relationship. Sassman's mother, Sherry Sassman, also lived in the home.

Police said the woman claimed that shortly thereafter "she and her daughter became victims of Dylan Sassman's control and manipulation." The woman cited being physically abused by Sassman several times, including an episode where he allegedly punched her in the face, kicked and bit her on the nose, while holding her throat.

The woman also said Sassman physically abused her daughter, including striking and biting her face.

The release said the woman decided Thursday to "escape from Dylan Sassman's control" and spoke with police officers. Sassman was later arrested for third-degree sexual abuse, child endangerment causing injury and second-offense domestic assault.

Sassman has previously been arrested on felony charges in Buena Vista County. He is being held without bond in Buena Vista County Jail, and has a previous warrant for probation violation.

Sherry Sassman, 45, was also arrested on a felony charge of child endangerment causing bodily injury. She was held in county jail on $3,500 bond.

Police said the woman and child have been reunited with their family.
SIOUX CITY | The drip, drip, drip of information about possible Russian influence in the 2016 general election has undermined the perception of Iowans about the integrity of the voting system, the state's chief election official said Thursday.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate swung through Northwest Iowa, speaking to media personnel and county auditors to deliver reassurance through a host of statistics that there are many safeguards to ensure the security of votes.

In a Journal interview, Pate said, "All this stuff that has been going on over the last year has truly been about politics, about how groups and maybe countries have tried to influence the politics, of the message. I caution Iowans, Americans in general, not to fall into that trap. Do not allow the Russians or whoever to disillusion you or disenfranchise you from being an active voter."

He added, "No one is going to be punching any buttons from Moscow, or anywhere else in the world, to influence or change a vote."

Pate said the sharing by people of inaccurate reports, especially through social media, about the 2016 election is undermining confidence in the voting system.

He said he was seeking two-way discussions, to hear from county officials, while he sought to deliver his message of electoral rigor.

Pate stopped Thursday at many county auditor offices, including Monona County Auditor Peggy Rolph, as shown in his Twitter account: "I appreciate their dedication to clean, fair #elections."

Pate said lots of good poll workers form the front line against voter fraud. Among the examples given, he referenced 620 Iowans who tried to vote twice in the 2016 election whether they did so inadvertently or intentionally.

He said that's how many people voted early via absentee ballot, then turned up to try to vote again on election day.

In each of those 620 instances, a poll worker caught that the individual had previously voted and didn't allow them to vote a second time, Pate said.

The state is constantly working with county officials to ensure top technology is in place to monitor voting rolls and such key items.

"We want to improve our technology and we have to protect that technology," he said.

Pate added, "If we upgrade our technology and I go after these people that possibly are misusing the system, that demonstrates to the public, we are doing our job."

In a related topic, Pate said his office is fully cooperating with Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. A federal judge ruled Monday the commission could move forward with collecting voter data from 50 states, saying the White House advisory panel is exempt from federal privacy review requirements.

Pate didn't provide any Iowa voting information in the first asking by the commission for the state to provide a list of the names, party affiliations, addresses and voting histories of all voters. He is working on how to respond after the federal judge's ruling.

The commission has not reached out to the Iowa Secretary of State since the ruling, but will have to go through the formal process just like everyone else, Pate spokesman Kevin Hall said earlier this week.

Publically available data the secretary can provide with voter list requests includes name, address, date of birth, party affiliation and in which elections a person voted. Pate said people concerned about privacy should know that by law, Social Security and drivers license numbers are automatically redacted.

"Providing personal voter information, such as Social Security numbers, is forbidden under Iowa Code, Pate said.
On Iowa Politics discussed Loebsack and Peters going head to head for a second round and followed up on Fred Hubbell's, Des Moines businessman, entrance into the race for governor.

On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast which re-creates the conversations that happen when Iowa's political reporters get together after deadlines have been met. This week's show features James Lynch, Todd Dorman, Erin Murphy, Christinia Crippes, and Ed Tibbetts.

This week's show was produced by Sarah Muller and the music heard in the podcast is courtesy of Past Masters. Chat with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @OnIowaPolitics, and subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher. Know an Iowa musician who should be on our show? Send their band sound files to oniowapolitics@gmail.com
Todays top picks from our online calendar. Find more events at siouxcityjournal.com/calendar.

Greek Fest

Head down to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 900 6th St. for the first day of Greek folk dancing, children's events, Grecian Boutique, bake sale, church tours, music and singing 5-10 p.m. Visit www.holytrinity.ia.goarch.org for more information.

Monty Python's Spamalot

Lovingly ripped from the classic film comedy "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," SPAMALOT retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Roundtable, and features a bevy of beautiful show girls, not to mention cows, killer rabbits and French people. Did we mention a bevy of beautiful show girls? Shows 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Sioux City Community Theatre.

Bare

Bare is an incredible show that focuses on a coming-of-age of a group of high school seniors at a co-ed Catholic boarding school, each struggling to define themselves in the face of their relationships, sexuality and religion. Tonight's show begins at 8 p.m. at Shot in the Dark Theatre, 413 Nebraska St. Admission is $18.
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.
Pictured from left to right: Ann K ovalcik, SCNA, Sister Valarie Miller, SCN, Principal Tony Wojt (seated) and Jerry Spence, president of the MCA board of trustees.

MECHANICSVILLE, Md.

Mother Catherine Academy, the only independent elementary Catholic school in southern Maryland, and the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth (SCN) have signed a covenant agreement to ensure the school's Catholic identity will continue in the spirit of Mother Catherine Spalding, foundress of the sisters.Under the agreement, the Sisters will work with the school to teach about the order's mission, history and charism. The school administration will work with the faculty to plan activities to strengthen the connection between the Sisters and the school. The relationship does not involve change in governance, ownership or fiscal responsibility."The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth are pleased to establish a covenant relationship with Mother Catherine Academy," said Mary Elizabeth Miller, SCN, provincial of the Western Province. "Mother Catherine Academy has long been a part of the SCN Family. We are happy to strengthen our bond through this covenant.""The Mother Catherine Academy community shares a historical and cherished connection with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth," said Anthony Wojt, principal of Mother Catherine Academy."The SCN facilitated the Catholic education delivered at Mother Catherine Spalding School for many years," said Wojt. "Now, as an independent Catholic school, a renewed covenant with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth will strengthen the Catholic identity of our staff, students, families and community through the charism of Mother Catherine Spalding. We are truly blessed to reconnect with the SCN who continue to be extraordinary stewards of the faith.""From the time that the SCNs provided administrative and staff support for the school to now, the Sisters were key leaders in moving the school forward as they modeled love, compassion and justice," said Ann Gough Kovalcik, SCNA, a 1974 graduate of Mother Catherine Spalding School. "I am excited about possibilities, by enriching the lives of the students with mission, impelled by the love of Christ for the betterment of our world.""The Covenant relationship between [MCA] and The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth will give the students the opportunity to expand their knowledge of today's Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and more importantly, to open the students' hearts to the needs of the multicultural world," said Sister Valerie Miller, SCN.The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth have a strong legacy in education in southern Maryland, where Mother Catherine Spalding was born in 1793. Mother Catherine Spalding School was operated by the Archdiocese of Washington at the current location of Mother Catherine Academy from 1964 to 2015. The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth also opened St. Mary's Academy, which later merged with Ryken High School to form today's St. Mary's Ryken High School in Leonardtown.Mother Catherine Academy has seen tremendous growthan average of about 10 percent growth each yearsince the school opened in 2015 under the management of a board of trustees, with religious accreditation by the Archdiocese of Washington and academic accreditation through AdvancED.
HUGHESVILLE, Md.

(July 28, 2017)Southern Maryland agriculture has undergone major transformations in the past two decades. Across the region, farmers have transitioned away from the 300 year old tradition of growing tobacco into new agricultural ventures. With that change has come new needs; one of them being new infrastructure.On June 28th, the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) announced a new program called the Regional Agricultural Project (RAP), which is poised to meet that need."We've listened to the feedback from the agriculture community and understand that one of the things they need is new infrastructure," said Shelby Watson-Hampton, Director of SMADC, which is a division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland. "As farming has changed in Southern Maryland, so have the requirements to support the growth of the agricultural industry."RAP is designed to further SMADC's mission to support farms, farmers, and the future of agriculture in Southern Maryland.The intended purpose of this project is to create economic viability for farmers and to foster region-wide collaboration in order to enhance and sustain Southern Maryland's agricultural economy. SMADC encourages everyone to work together on this grant on multiple levels within the county Farm Bureau, Soil Conservation District, Economic Development/county government and University of Maryland Extension, and also with area farmers so that together, funds can be used to strengthen cross county relationships and to bolster the entire farming community.The project application is open to all five counties of Southern Maryland: Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George's and St. Mary's. Project funds are intended to benefit the existing agriculture community and create seed money for agriculture-related projects needed in those counties. Each county may request between $20,000 to $25,000 for a specific project. Examples of projects may include a commercial kitchen, farmers market, meat lockers, cold storage, etc. Ineligible project examples include, but are not limited to: one-time events, marketing and promotion, plant stock, livestock, etc. (Photo insert: the Home Grown Farm Market LLC in Lexington Park; a previous project built in part with SMADC Funding.)Only one application per county may be submitted with one of the following entities taking the lead: a county Farm Bureau, Soil Conservation District, Economic Development or county government office, or University of Maryland Extension. Applications must be accompanied by letters of support from the other county organizations and agencies as evidence of consensus and collaboration. Counties may also choose to combine their applications and funding requests for a collaborative project."I believe the region has a cohesiveness that will lend itself well to a project of this nature. The farmers in Southern Maryland have a strong tradition of working together. Whether it was in the fields and auction barns of the tobacco era, during the buy-out, or in rebuilding our agricultural industry, we've progressed as a community. I look forward to seeing what regional farmers, agri-businesses, and agricultural support agencies will create with this opportunity," Watson-Hampton said.SMADC will hold a pre-deadline meeting for eligible entities interested in applying for the RAP on July 21, 2017 at 9 a.m. at the SMECO Auditorium in Hughesville, Maryland. The deadline to apply for the RAP is September 29, 2017 at 4 p.m. EST. Notification of grant recipients will be made by October 31, 2017 and funds will be dispersed by December 1, 2017.The application, eligibility requirements and additional information about SMADC's Regional Agriculture Project is available on the Farm Resources/Grants page at www.smadc.com or by calling (301) 274 -1922, extension 1.
ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. (July 28, 2017)St. Mary's College of Maryland has been ranked among the "Best Colleges for Your Money" by Money magazine. According to Money, "St. Mary's College of Maryland is the state's public honors college. But with a liberal arts focus, a low student-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, and a high graduation rate, it could easily be mistaken for a selective private school."



In order to create the ranking, Money drew on "research and advice of dozens of the nation's top experts on education quality, financing, and value to develop a new, uniquely practical analysis of more than 700 of the nation's best-performing colleges."



According to the magazine, "Money's Best Colleges for Your Money rankings are the first to combine the most accurate pricing estimates available with all reliable indicators of alumni financial success, along with a unique analysis of how much "value" a college adds when compared to other schools that take in similar students." That value was calculated measuring graduation rates, student loan repayment and default rates, and post-graduation earnings.



St. Mary's College was recently acknowledged in the 2018 edition of the Fiske Guide to Colleges and also is recognized as a 2017-18 College of Distinction. To be designated a College of Distinction a school's curriculum must emphasize such core competencies as critical thinking, writing, oral skills, research, and global perspectives. The institution also must offer dynamic out-of-the-classroom learning and study abroad programs.



St. Mary's College of Maryland is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education through 2024-2025. St. Mary's College, designated the Maryland state honors college in 1992, is ranked one of the best public liberal arts schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Approximately 1,700 students attend the college, nestled on the St. Mary's River in Southern Maryland.
Anthony Vincent Giacchetti, age 33, of Lexington Park Becky Lynn Gould, age 35, of Hollywood Cedric Ricardo Williams, age 25, of Lexington Park Diamante Raquan Butler, age 19, of Lexington Park Erin Neveal Stokes, age 25, of Lexington Park Holly Lynn Gagliarducci, age 27, of Newburg Jamie Lee Rose Emory, age 24, of California Jason Michael Reintzell, age 39, of Lexington Park Jonathan Albert Anderson, age 27, of Lexington Park Keith Sebastian Brown, age 27, of Lexington Park Lisa Marlene Gagliarducci, age 52, of Waldorf Mary Lee Link, age 32, of Mechanicsville Michelle Angela Dorsey, age 26, of Lexington Park Nikki Pistorio, age 55, of Lexington Park Rainesha Raniece Rhamdeow, age 21, of Lexington Park Rainier Nazal Dizon, age 35, of Lexington Park Serenity Faith Byrd, age 25, of No Fixed Address Shaine Allon Mccarson, age 24, of Lexington Park Sharmayne Danae Heigh, age 21, of Lexington Park Shawn Michael Clark, age 25 of Leonardtown Tamika Danielle Stewart, age 33, of Mechanicsville Troy Allen Jones, age 24, of Lexington Park Previous Next

LEONARDTOWN, Md.

Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: so.md/presumed-innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned. You can find additional information about the case by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Database using the accused's name and date of birth. The database is online at so.md/mdcasesearch . Persons named who have been found innocent or not guilty of all charges in the respective case, and/or have had the case ordered expunged by the court can have their name, age, and city redacted by following the process defined at so.md/expungeme.

(July 28, 2017)The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office released the following arrest reports.06-04-2017POSSESSION: Deputy J. Smith responded to a traffic complaint in the 28000 block of Three Notch Road (7-11) in Mechanicsville, where witnesses observed a motor vehicle driving erratically weaving through lanes. The vehicle was located on the south side of 7-11. As Smith approached the vehicle, he found the passenger, later identified as, slouched over possibly inhaling something from her lap. While making contact with the suspects, Smith detected a strong odor of suspected marijuana emanating from the vehicle. An additional officer, Deputy D. Holdsworth, arrived to assist and detained the driver,, who kept repeatedly reaching into her purse after being instructed to stop. A probable cause search of Lisa Gagliarducci revealed suspected Xanax and multiple prescription bottles. The driver, Holly Gagliarducci, possessed suspected Oxycodone, suspected marijuana, and a smoking device. During the incident, two young children were removed from the vehicle and later released to the care of a family member. A field sobriety test was performed on Holly which could not be performed satisfactorily. They were both transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center. Holly was charged with Three Counts of CDS PossessionNot Marijuana, DUI/DWI, DWID and issued a citation for marijuana less than 10 grams. Lisa was charged with Two Counts of CDS Possession: Paraphernalia. CASE#29368-1706-06-2017BURGLARY: Deputy J. Maguire responded to the 21000 block of Barkentine Court in Great Mills for a reported burglary. The victim alleged someone entered the residence and slept in a child's bed on the upper level of the home. The deputy responded later that evening for a report someone had once again, entered the home, this time through forced entry. During a neighborhood check, Deputy Maguire witnessed a motor vehicle enter the driveway of the victim's residence. The driver alleged they were there to pick up a person; however, the deputy knew the home was vacant at the time. Deputies entered the residence and located the suspect,, sleeping in a bedroom upstairs. During the investigation, it was discovered there was an active protective order in place between Byrd and the victim. Additionally, Byrd had an active arrest warrant with the Sheriff's Office. From the residence, deputies also recovered suspected Fentanyl, a suspected crack pipe, and possessions; including cash and electronics, stolen from the victim. Byrd was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where she was charged with First Degree Burglary, Two Counts of Fourth Degree Burglary/Dwelling, three counts of Violation of a Protective Order, CDS Possession, CDS PossessionParaphernalia, and Theft Less than $100. CASE#29755-1706-07-2017SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT: Deputy M. Beyer responded to the 45000 block of Great Mills Court in Great Mills for a reported disturbance. The victim alleged, the suspect,, struck the victim several times. The victim displayed multiple visible injuries. Heigh was arrested and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where she was charged with Second Degree Assault. CASE# 29963-1706-13-2017THEFT: Deputy T. Siciliano responded to the 16000 block of Three Notch Road for the report of a motor vehicle theft. The victim alleged, the suspect,, drove the victim's motor vehicle without their permission. The victim is the sole owner of the vehicle. Also, Clark stole the victim's wallet. He was arrested and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where he was charged with Motor Vehicle/Unlawful Taking and Theft Less than $100. CASE#31128-1706-13-2017VIOLATION OF A PROTECTIVE ORDER: Deputy M. Beyer responded to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in reference to a violation of a protective order. The victim advised that the suspect,, attempted to make contact with the victim multiple times. Deputies confirmed the protective order was valid. Giachetti was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center and charged with Four Counts of Violation of a Protective Order. CASE# 31039-1706-14-2017ASSAULT: Deputy S. Kerby responded to the St. Mary's County Detention Center for a fight between inmates at the detention center. The investigation revealed the suspect,, assaulted another inmate after he had alleged the victim did not give him the food he demanded. After reviewing the surveillance footage, Butler was charged with Second Degree Assault on DOC Employee, etc. and released back to the custody of the detention center. CASE# 31229-1706-15-2017ASSAULT: Deputy P. Henry responded to the 25000 block of Stefanie Lane in Mechanicsville for a reported assault. The victim alleged the suspect,, punched the victim in the face twice leaving visible signs of Injury. Link was arrested and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where she was charged with Second Degree Assault. CASE# 31506-1706-15-2017Deputy R. Steinbach responded to the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office headquarters in Leonardtown to assist with a combative suspect. The suspect,, reported to headquarters to turn himself in on an open warrant. When the officer attempted to arrest him, he became belligerent and aggressive, yelling obscenities in the lobby. He was arrested and charged with Malicious Destruction of Property$1000, Resist Interfere with Arrest and served an open warrant for child support. CASE#31363-1706-15-2017THEFT: Deputy R. Steinbach responded to the Lowes in California, for the report of a female subject making fraudulent returns for cash. The witness stated that on several occasions the suspect,, would enter with old receipts, remove the same items off the shelf, and attempt to return them in exchange for cash. The investigation revealed this happened on multiple occasions and that Emory had multiple outstanding arrests warrants. She was located and arrested for the outstanding warrants. She was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where she was charged with Five Counts of Theft Less Than $100, Theft Scheme: Less $1000, FT A BW: Theft Less than $1000 value and served her multiple outstanding warrants. CASE# 29745-1706-16-2017ARMED ROBBERY: Deputy First Class J. Kirkner responded to the 20000 block of Primrose Court in Lexington Park for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival, Kirkner made contact with the victim who stated two tires on the victim's motor vehicle has been deflated by a sharp object. The victim also reported the suspect,, approached him near the vehicle with a large knife pressed against the victim's ribs and demanded money. After a fight between the victim and Anderson, Anderson fled the scene on a stolen bicycle. Anderson was arrested and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center. He was charged with Armed Robbery, Strong Armed Robbery, First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, Theft Under $1000, and Theft Under $100. CASE#31546-1706-17-2017VIOLATION OF PROTECTIVE ORDER: Deputy D. Holdsworth responded to the 43000 block of Injune Lane in Hollywood for a reported domestic disturbance. The investigation revealed the suspect,, was at the residence in violation of an active protective order, in addition to making contact with the victim several times. Gould was arrested and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where she was charged with Three Counts of Violation of a Protective Order. CASE# 31685-1706-18-2017ASSAULT: Deputy D. Holdsworth responded to the WaWa on Three Notch Road in California for crowd control due to a large number of people frequenting the establishment. While standing in the parking lot, Deputy Holdsworth heard shouting coming from a group of people and observed the suspects,, and, actively engaged in a fight. The individuals were separated and placed under arrest. They were transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where they charged with Second Degree Assault and Affray. CASE#319319-1706-22-2017ASSAULT: Deputy J. Smith responded to the St. Mary's County Detention Center for a reported assault. The suspect,, struck another inmate with an open hand, spit on the inmate, and then threw the inmate to the ground. The victim displayed injuries consistent with the surveillance footage. Dizon was charged with Second Degree Assault on an inmate and released to the custody of the detention center. CASE#32729-1706-23-2017ASSAULT: Deputy C. Ball responded to the St. Mary's County Detention Center for a reported assault between two inmates. The investigation revealed, the suspect,, struck the victim in the face with a closed fist, picked up the victim, and then shoved the victim in a cell. The victim displayed injuries consistent with the surveillance footage. He was charged with Second Degree Assault on an inmate and released back to the custody of the detention center. CASE#32903-1706-23-2017ASSAULT: Deputy C. Ball responded to the St. Mary's County Detention Center for a reported assault. The suspect,, struck another inmate in the face with a closed fist. The victim displayed injuries consistent with the surveillance footage. He was charged with Second Degree Assault on an inmate and released back to the custody of the detention center. CASE#32902-1706-23-2017POSSESSION: Deputy First Class R. Steinbach responded to a residence on Carefree Way in Lexington Park for a reported medical emergency. Upon arrival, Steinbach made contact with the suspect,, who appeared to be under the influence of CDS. A search of her purse revealed suspected heroin. A further search revealed, additional heroin, a small piece of foil with burnt residue, and several suspected smoking devices in her possession. Stokes was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where she was charged with CDS PossessionNot Marijuana (Heroin) and CDS PossessionParaphernalia. CASE#32862-1706-24-2017ASSAULT: Deputy A. Budd responded to the 47000 block of Wheeler Drive in Lexington Park for the report of a domestic disturbance. The victim alleged, the suspect,, tackled the victim. The victim displayed injuries consistent with the allegations. Mccarson was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center and charged with Second Degree Assault. CASE#33068-1706-26-2017POSSESSION: Deputy J. Smith was assisting Corporal W. Rishel with a traffic stop where the suspect,, appeared to be under the influence of a substance. Stewart was asked to exit the vehicle and when she stood up, deputies located a small baggy containing suspected Heroin on the seat in the car. Stewart was arrested and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where she was charged with CDS Possession: Not Marijuana (Heroin). CASE#33441-1706-27-2017CHILD ABUSE: Deputy B. Gaskill responded to the 46000 block of Yorktown Road in Lexington Park for a reported assault. The victim alleged the suspect,, struck the juvenile victim in the face multiple times. During the assault, she also struck a witness in the arm with a shovel. The victim displayed visible injuries. Pistorio was arrested and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center. She was charged with Second Degree Child Abuse and Second Degree Assault. CASE# 33603-1707-04-2017POSSESSION: On June 24, 2017, Deputy V. Pontorno was patrolling the area of the 20000 block of Point Lookout Road in Great Mills when he observed suspicious subjects in the area of the gazebo. As Pontorno approached the area on foot, he noticed signs the suspects,, and, appeared to be living in the park. A search of their belongings revealed hypodermic needles and metal spoons with suspected cocaine residue. Jones was arrested and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center. He was charged with CDS Possession: Paraphernalia and CDS Possession: Not MarijuanaCocaine. A warrant was issued for Medeiros charging her with CDS PossessionNot Marijuana and Two Counts of CDS PossessionParaphernalia. CASE#33007-17
St. Mary's County's newest recreation area, Snow Hill Park, located at 26590 South Sandgates Road in Mechanicsville, is officially open to the public. This beautiful waterfront park along the Patuxent River is available on Saturdays and Sundays, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. through October 1. Operating times may be adjusted following the Labor Day weekend.Fees to enter the park are as follows:Car: $5 for Residents , $10 for Non ResidentsSeason Pass: $20 for Residents , $30 for Non ResidentsVisitors can enjoy the beach and shaded picnic areas. Coolers are allowed but alcohol is not permitted. Dogs are welcome but remain leashed while in the park. Portable restrooms are available.For more information about Snow Hill Park contact Tyrone Harris at 240-434-6669.NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Commissioners of St. Mary's County will conduct a public hearing in the Commissioners' Hearing Room of the Chesapeake Building, located at 41770 Baldridge Street, Leonardtown, Maryland, on Tuesday, August 22, 2017, beginning at 6:30 p.m., for the purpose of receiving public testimony on proposed amendments to the St. Mary's County Comprehensive Water and Sewerage Plan (CWSP). Amendments to be considered include the following:1) As required by Chapter 113 of the St. Mary's County Code, incorporate the approved Capital Improvement Budget of the St. Mary's County Metropolitan Commission for FY2017-2022 into Tables 3-4 and 4-5 of the CWSP.2) Update Table 3-2 Inventory of Existing Community (Water) System Appropriations. Note that as a result of the evidence and comments made at the public hearing, changes may be made to the proposed amendments.Copies of the proposed amendments are available for viewing at the St. Mary's CountyDepartment of Land Use and Growth Management, 23150 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, Maryland, and at www.stmarysmd.com Kathleen Easley, Senior PlannerSt. Mary's County Department of Land Use and Growth Management(301) 475-4200 ext. *1541NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Commissioners of St. Mary's County will conduct a public hearing in the Commissioners' Hearing Room of the Chesapeake Building, located at 41770 Baldridge Street, Leonardtown, Maryland, on Tuesday, August 22, 2017, beginning at 6:40 p.m., for the purpose of receiving public testimony concerning proposed amendments to the St. Mary's County Comprehensive Water and Sewerage Plan (CWSP).The proposed amendments would change the water and sewer service categories for 3.2 acres described in a deed recorded among the Land Records of St. Mary's County in Book No. 641, Page 279, located at 23848 Mervell Dean Road in Hollywood and further described as parcel 651 on tax map 34. The Property is located on the northeast side of Mervell Dean Road approximately nine hundred feet south of the intersection with Clarke's Landing Road. The water service category would change from W-6D (service in 6 to 10 years, developer financed) to W-3D (service in 3 to 5 years, developer financed). The sewer service category would change from S-6D (service in 6 to 10 years, developer financed) to S-3D (service in 3 to 5 years, developer financed). These amendments are requested in anticipation of providing public water and sewerage service for proposed commercial development. The applicant will bear all installation costs involved in connecting the subject development to existing water and sewer service. Properties between existing lines and the proposed connection to Dollar General will not be affected by the installation of new service lines and will not be required to connect under current regulations.A copy of the proposed amendment is available for viewing at the St. Mary's CountyDepartment of Land Use and Growth Management, 23150 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, Maryland, and at www.stmarysmd.com Note that as a result of the evidence and comments made at the public hearing, changes may be made to the proposed amendments.Kathleen Easley, Senior PlannerSt. Mary's County Department of Land Use and Growth Management(301) 475-4200 ext. *1541The Healthy St. Mary's Partnership (HSMP) is a coalition of community members and organizational partners working together to improve health in St. Mary's County. The coalition mobilizes its members through four action teams to address local priority health issues: Access to Care, Behavioral Health, Healthy Eating & Active Living, and Tobacco Free Living. Each year, HSMP brings the members of these teams together for an Annual Meeting, providing the opportunity for participants to network, learn from public health experts and receive updates on local health improvement efforts.This year, the HSMP Annual Meeting will take place on September 21, 2017 from 8:00 a.m.3:00 p.m. at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center in California. All members of the community are invited to attend this event to learn more about the health needs facing our residents and our response as a community.The 2017 HSMP Annual Meeting will include a morning conference, followed by a networking lunch hour that offers a poster session and local data review, and a special afternoon session on the Maryland Opioid Crisis.HSMP is pleased to announce several distinguished speakers, including: Clay B. Stamp, Executive Director of the Maryland Opioid Operational Command Center, Senior Emergency Management Advisor to the Governor and Chair of the Governor's Emergency Management Advisory Council. Captain Joseph R. Hibbeln, M.D., Clinical Investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism for the National Institutes of Health. David Johnson, Vice President at Segal Consulting and Adjunct Professor at Towson University. Stephen T. Michaels, M.D, Chief Operating and Medical Officer for MedStar St. Mary's Hospital and Co-Chair of the Healthy St. Mary's Partnership Christina Church, Senior Policy Analyst for the Governor's Office for Children. Michael D. Bellis, Executive Director of the United Way in Charles CountyThese speakers will cover a range of topics related to health, including: work being done to create a healthier St. Mary's County; the importance of nutrition for good mental health; tools to build a healthier workforce; strategies to support "Opportunity Youth"; the struggles of the working poor; and discussion on the Maryland opioid crisis from a state and local perspective.Attendance is free, and CEUs will be offered for interested participants. For more information or to register, please visit: healthystmarys.com/hsmpannual2017/.
Taqon Wade Nelson, 18, of Waldorf. The second suspect is not pictured due to being a 17-year-old juvenile.

LA PLATA, Md.

(July 28, 2017)Charles County Sheriff's detectives have charged two suspects in connection with 10 burglaries of local businesses. Taqon Wade Nelson, 18, of Waldorf, and a 17-year-old juvenile male were arrested on Monday, July 24 at about 1 a.m. shortly after they fled the scene of a burglary they just committed.Responding officers and detectives obtained a description of the suspects from the store surveillance camera and searched nearby neighborhoods where they spotted the suspects on the front porch of a residence. The clothing the suspects were wearing matched the clothing seen on security cameras. Investigators subsequently linked the pair to burglaries that occurred at Eastern Chinese Restaurant; Davis Nails; Dominican Salon; Crown and Glory Dental; WOW Cafe and Wingery; Pho D'Lite; Payless Shoes; Foster's Grille; Subway; and Massage Envy.In most cases, the suspects threw a large landscaping rock through the front window of the business and then went inside where they quickly tried to locate any cash that was near the front counter. Most of the burglaries occurred during the overnight hours. Detectives served search warrants at the suspects' homes and recovered evidence linking them to some of the cases. Both suspects were charged with burglary and theft.Detective H. Burgess investigated.
ANNAPOLIS

(July 28, 2017)The Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced the first detection of a West Nile virus mosquito pool in Maryland in 2017. On July 28, the Maryland Department of Health confirmed the presence of West Nile virus in mosquitoes collected by department personnel in the New Carrollton area (Prince George's County) on July 18. Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) truck-based spraying to control adult mosquitoes is scheduled for the evening of July 31 in New Carrollton and the evening of August 1 for the communities of Lanham Woods, Oakwood Knolls, Wildercroft, Kingswood/Good Luck Estates, Dresden Green, Martins Woods, and Chestnut Ridge. The department's mosquito control personnel continue to work aggressively to reduce mosquito populations in these communities and across the state."We know that West Nile virus may be present throughout Maryland. It typically appears at this time in the summer, so we are not surprised with this positive finding," said Secretary of Agriculture Joe Bartenfelder. "The confirmation of virus-positive mosquitoes serves as a reminder to all residents to continue protecting themselves against mosquito bites and to conduct backyard mosquito control activities in addition to the department's routine surveillance and spray activities."The department's Mosquito Control Office, in cooperation with the Department of Health, has been conducting surveillance activities throughout the state to collect and test mosquitoes for West Nile virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and several other mosquito-borne diseases. These diseases are endemic in Maryland and are transmitted through the bite of a mosquito. Approximately 20 percent of people infected with West Nile virus will develop West Nile fever, which is typically characterized by fever, headache, and body aches which can last for just a few days or as long as several weeks. Less than one percent of people bitten by a mosquito carrying West Nile virus will develop a more severe form of the disease. People most at risk for developing severe disease are those over 50 and those with already compromised immune systems.While not all mosquitoes carry these diseases, the Maryland Department of Agriculture suggests that residents take precautions to minimize their exposure to mosquito bites. These measures include: Wear long, loose fitting, light colored clothing Wear insect repellents according to product labels Avoid mosquito infested areas during prime periods of activity (between dusk and dawn) Install, inspect, and repair window and door screens in homes and stables Regularly clean bird baths and bowls for pet food and water Remove or empty all water-holding containersCurrently there is no WNV vaccine for humans. There are, however, effective vaccines for horses, ostriches and emus  also known as ratites. Owners are encouraged to get their animals vaccinated and boostered in a timely manner in consultation with their veterinarian.Dog owners are also urged to have their pets checked for heartworms, the most common disease transmitted by mosquitoes in Maryland. Dogs in all Maryland jurisdictions should be placed on a heartworm preventive program. Pet owners should consult with their veterinarians.More information on the West Nile virus is available at www.cdc.gov/westnile/
Kelly Robertson-Slagle.

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md.

(July 28, 2017)The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) announced the appointment of Kelly Robertson-Slagle as the county's director of economic development. The appointment is an important part of the reorganization plan the board approved April 25 to improve overall county government operations and services to the public. Slagle's appointment is effective July 24, 2017.Slagle, who was most recently the business retention specialist in the Calvert County Department of Economic Development (DED), has worked for Calvert County Government for approximately 10 years of combined service. Slagle replaces long-time director Linda Vassallo who was appointed director of communications and media relations as part of the county's recent reorganization.Hired as the county's business retention specialist in 2005, Slagle quickly established the county's first full-time, intensive business retention and expansion program. Prior to joining the DED, Slagle served as director of the Maryland Small Business Development Center where she provided leadership in planning, coordinating and overseeing the development, delivery and reporting of all professional programs, activities and services for the Southern Maryland region. She also served as business development manager for the Calvert County Department of Economic Development, director of government/member relations with the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland and business development specialist with the former Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development, now Maryland Department of Commerce, where she worked directly with local jurisdictions on business retention and expansion projects."Kelly's strong relationship with the existing business community, depth of knowledge as an economic development practitioner and proven dedication to service make her an excellent choice," said BOCC President Tom Hejl. "Her experience, and the fact that she possesses working knowledge of county government operations, will help her easily and quickly transition to her new role.""I look forward to working with the Board of County Commissioners, the business community, and all other relevant stakeholders to develop and implement sound strategies and projects designed to improve local, county and regional economic development activity for the well-being of all Calvert County residents," said Kelly Robertson-Slagle. "I am excited and look forward to this new opportunity.""Even before Kelly originally joined our team in 2005, she worked with our business community in many capacities. I credit her for many wins our businesses have had locally," said acting Economic Development Director Linda Vassallo. "Kelly has been, and will continue to be, an excellent resource and I look forward to working closely with her to assist in her transition. We all look forward to her continued success and congratulate her on her new appointment."Slagle holds a B.S. degree in marketing from the University of Maryland. She has completed numerous continuing education courses through the International Economic Development Council. Slagle has over 25 years of experience in government relations, business development, financial analysis, marketing, grant writing, program management, event planning and direct technical business assistance. In addition, she has extensive experience in working with new and expanding businesses and cultivating relationships between counties and the business community, economic development agencies, and state and regional agencies. She has also spearheaded several new entrepreneurship programs on behalf of Calvert County Government.Slagle is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Southern Maryland and member of the Maryland Economic Development Association, the International Economic Development Council and Northeastern Economic Developers Association. She has served on boards of directors for the Patuxent Partnership, Southern Maryland Workforce Investment Board and Leadership Southern Maryland.
College of Southern Maryland Trustee Dorothea Holt Smith of Waldorf.

LA PLATA, Md.

(July 28, 2017)College of Southern Maryland Trustee Dorothea Holt Smith of Waldorf has been selected as the 2017 recipient of the Trustee Leadership Award for the Northeast Region by the Association of Community College Trustees, announced by the ACCT on July 25."The College of Southern Maryland is honored by this national recognition of the accomplishments of Trustee Dorothea Smith," said CSM President Dr. Maureen Murphy. "Her commitment to service to the college and its communities serves as a model for us all."Smith will receive the award during ACCT's Leadership Congress Sept. 25-28. As the region's recipient, Smith has been advised by the ACCT that she will be the region's nominee for the M. Dale Ensign Trustee Leadership Award which annually honors an individual who has made a significant contribution as a lay trustee toward promoting the community college concept.Smith was appointed as a trustee to CSM's board in 2007 and has served two terms as chair and two terms as vice chair. Her service as a trustee will conclude in 2018. A graduate of Bowie State University with Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees, Smith is a retired educator, beginning her 30-year teaching career in 1965 in the Charles County Public Schools.She is a past recipient of the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award presented by The Washington Post, and of the Charles County Teacher of the Year Award. A language arts-reading instructor of middle school students, Smith also held various positions on the executive board of the Education Association of Charles County and was the faculty representative to the teacher association for John Hanson Middle School.Since her retirement, Smith has been active in numerous civic and community organizations, including serving as a county appointee on the Board of Appeals and the Citizens Advisory Committee on the Waldorf Upgrade/Bypass Study. Presently, she is a member of the Charles County Retired School Personnel Association, the Charles County Sheriff's Citizens Advisory Committee, Antique Arts Association and the Kiwanis Club of Waldorf and its foundation board of directors. She serves as president of the African American Heritage Society of Charles County Inc.She received the Verizon Community Innovator Award in February for her leadership in education.As a CSM trustee, she is a member of the Board of the Maryland Association of Community Colleges and serving on its Executive Committee. She previously served on the board's legislative committee.The ACCT supports community college governing boards in their efforts to govern and develop policies that focus on meeting community needs. Its membership includes 6,000 individual trustees representing 1,200 community, technical and junior colleges. For information about ACCT, visit www.acct.org/ CSM's Board of Trustees is the governing body providing leadership and oversight of the college's mission and policies. Members are appointed by the governor for five-year terms. For information about CSM's leadership, visit www.csmd.edu/about/leadership/.
The Orion Nebula ESO

OmegaCAM  the wide-field optical camera on ESOs VLT Survey Telescope (VST)  has captured the spectacular Orion Nebula and its associated cluster of young stars in great detail, producing a beautiful new image.

This object is one of the closest stellar nurseries for both low and high-mass stars, at a distance of about 1350 light-years [1].

But this is more than just a pretty picture. A team led by ESO astronomer Giacomo Beccari has used these data of unparallelled quality to precisely measure the brightness and colours of all the stars in the Orion Nebula Cluster. These measurements allowed the astronomers to determine the mass and ages of the stars. To their surprise, the data revealed three different sequences of potentially different ages.

Looking at the data for the first time was one of those Wow! moments that happen only once or twice in an astronomers lifetime, says Beccari, lead author of the paper presenting the results. The incredible quality of the OmegaCAM images revealed without any doubt that we were seeing three distinct populations of stars in the central parts of Orion.

Monika Petr-Gotzens, co-author and also based at ESO Garching, continues, This is highly significant. What we are witnessing is that the stars of a cluster at the beginning of their lives didnt form altogether simultaneously. This may mean that our understanding of how stars form in clusters needs to be modified.

The astronomers looked carefully at the possibility that instead of indicating different ages, the different brightnesses and colours of some of the stars were due to hidden companion stars, which would make the stars appear brighter and redder than they really were. But this idea would imply quite unusual properties of the pairs, which have never before been observed. Other measurements of the stars, such as their rotation speeds and spectra, also indicated that they must have different ages [2].

Although we cannot yet formally disprove the possibility that these stars are binaries, it seems much more natural to accept that what we see are three generations of stars that formed in succession, within less than three million years, concludes Beccari.

The new results strongly suggest that star formation in the Orion Nebula Cluster is proceeding in bursts, and more quickly than had been previously thought.

Notes

[1] The Orion Nebula has been studied by many of ESOs telescopes, including images in visible light from the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope ( eso1103) and infrared images from VISTA (eso1701 ) and the HAWK-I instrument on the Very Large Telescope (eso1625).

[2] The group also found that each of the three different generations rotate at different speeds  the youngest stars rotate the fastest, and the oldest stars rotate the slowest. In this scenario, the stars would have formed in quick succession, within a time frame of three million years.

Larger images

More information

This research was presented in a paper entitled A Tale of Three Cities: OmegaCAM discovers multiple sequences in the color magnitude diagram of the Orion Nebula Cluster, by G. Beccari and colleagues, to appear in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.

The team is composed of G. Beccari, M.G. Petr-Gotzens and H.M.J. Boffin (ESO, Garching bei Munchen, Germany), M. Romaniello (ESO; Excellence Cluster Universe, Garching bei Munchen, Germany), D. Fedele (INAF-Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, Firenze, Italy), G. Carraro (Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia Galileo Galilei, Padova, Italy), G. De Marchi (Science Support Office, European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESA/ESTEC), The Netherlands), W.J. de Wit (ESO, Santiago, Chile), J.E. Drew (School of Physics, University of Hertfordshire, UK), V.M. Kalari (Departamento de Astronomia, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile), C.F. Manara (ESA/ESTEC), E.L. Martin (Centro de Astrobiologia (CSIC-INTA), Madrid, Spain), S. Mieske (ESO, Chile), N. Panagia (Space Telescope Science Institute, USA); L. Testi (ESO, Garching); J.S. Vink (Armagh Observatory, UK); J.R. Walsh (ESO, Garching); and N.J. Wright (School of Physics, University of Hertfordshire; Astrophysics Group, Keele University, UK).

ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the worlds most productive ground-based astronomical observatory by far. It is supported by 16 countries: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, along with the host state of Chile. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope and its world-leading Very Large Telescope Interferometer as well as two survey telescopes, VISTA working in the infrared and the visible-light VLT Survey Telescope. ESO is also a major partner in two facilities on Chajnantor, APEX and ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, close to Paranal, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope, the ELT, which will become the worlds biggest eye on the sky.

Links

Research paper  https://www.eso.org/public/archives/releases/sciencepapers/eso1723/eso1723a.pdf
The Soyuz MS-05 rocket is vertically raised into launch position two days before its scheduled launch from Kazakhstan to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky/NASA. NASA

The Soyuz MS-05 spacecraft that will launch three new crew members to the International Space Station has rolled out to its launch pad in Kazakhstan.

The rocket was carted slowly by train from its processing facility to the pad and vertically raised to its launch position at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

Cosmonaut Sergey Ryazanskiy will command the Soyuz when it launches Friday at 11:41 a.m. EDT. He will be flanked by flight engineers Randy Bresnik from NASA and Paolo Nespoli from the European Space Agency. The trio will take a six-hour, 19-minute ride from Earth to the stations Rassvet module. NASA TV will broadcast the launch and docking activities live beginning at 10:45 a.m.

The three Expedition 52 crew members living on the space station now are moving right along with ongoing human research. Veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson continued exploring therapies that target only cancer cells. Flight Engineer Jack Fischer swabbed his mouth and body for a study tracking microbes in space. Station Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin worked life support maintenance and sampled the stations air for a quality check.

On-Orbit Status Report

Microbial Tracking-2 (MT-2): The crew collected saliva and body samples for the Microbial Tracking-2 investigation and placed them inside a Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI). After the samples are returned to Earth, a molecular analysis of the RNA and DNA will be conducted to identify the specific microbes that are present on ISS. MT-2 monitors the different types of microbes that are present on ISS over a 1-year period and how they change over time.

Efficacy and Metabolism of Azonafide Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Microgravity (ADCs in Microgravity): The crew viewed ADC cells with a microscope and fixated the BioCells. The ADCs in Microgravity investigation evaluates new antibody-drug conjugates that combine an immune-activating drug with antibodies in order to target only cancer cells, increasing the effectiveness of chemotherapy and reducing its side effects. In microgravity, cancer cells grow in three-dimensional, spheroid structures that closely resemble their form in the human body, allowing for better drug testing. This investigation may accelerate development of targeted therapies for cancer patients.

Sprint Volume of Oxygen Utilized (VO2) Maximum: The crew set up and performed a Sprint VO2 Max exercise protocol today. The subject completed their Flight Day 105 session with assistance from the other USOS crewmember. The Sprint investigation evaluates the use of high intensity, low volume exercise training to minimize loss of muscle, bone, and cardiovascular function in ISS crewmembers during long-duration missions.

Habitability: The crew narrated a task video while they tore down the microscope hardware used for the ADCs in Microgravity investigation. The Habitability investigation collects observations about the relationship between crewmembers and their environment on the ISS. Observations can help spacecraft designers understand how much habitable volume is required, and whether a missions duration impacts how much space crew members need.

Node 3 to Node 1 Sample Delivery Systems (SDS) Power Jumper Installation: The crew installed the SDS Power Jumper in the Node 1 to Node 3 Vestibule and mated the SDS Power Cable to the Node 3 bulkhead. This activity is part of the ISS Reconfiguration plan and is required to provide samples for the Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) in support of visiting vehicles berthed to Node 1.

Todays Planned Activities

All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

Microbial Tracking-2 Sample MELFI Insert

Combustion Integrated Rack Alignment Guide Removal

Antibody Conjugates Microscope Operations

Voice check in S/G1 from Baikonur

JEM System Laptop Terminal (SLT) swapping from SLT 4 to SLT 6 Part 1.

Collect SM and FGB Air Samples Using ??-1? Sampler

Antibody Conjugates Biocells Fixation

JEM System Laptop Terminal (SLT) swapping from SLT 4 to SLT 6 Part 2.

SM Air Sampling for FREON Using ??-1? Sampler

??? Air Sample Collection for Ammonia in SM

?3 Fan Screen Cleaning in DC1

JEM System Laptop Terminal (SLT) swapping from SLT 4 to SLT 6 Part 3.

JEM System Laptop Terminal (SLT) Activation

Antibody Conjugates MELFI Sample Insertion

Habitability Narrated Task Video Setup  Subject

Plant Exp Unit Checkout Item Gather

Microscope Hardware Teardown

SPLANKH. Termination EGEG Recording and Closeout Ops

Galley Rack Configure

Habitability Narrated Task Video End  Subject

HRF2 PC 2 USB Load Installation Preparation

Food Acceptability Questionnaire  Subject

Sprint Portable Pulmonary Function System Setup Partial

Sprint Portable Pulmonary Function System Power Up

RS2, RS3 Laptops Inspection And Cleaning

Crew Medical Officer (CMO) Proficiency Training

Sprint VO2 Operations  Subject

On MCC Go RS1 Laptop Inspection and Cleaning

MARES Ultrabay Hard Disk installation

Crew Support LAN (CSL) 3 hard drive swap & Reload

Sprint Portable Pulmonary Function System Stow Partial

Measuring CO partial pressure at Central Post using CSA-CP analyzer

Replacement of CO2 Filter Unit ??0501.

Antibody Conjugates MSG Hardware Teardown

ADC Thaw System Trash

Emergency OBT iPad Network Connectivity Test

HRF2 PC 2 USB Load Installation Conclude

Tropical Cyclone Untended Operations

RADIOSKAF. Closeout Ops

RADIOSKAF. Nanosatellite Prep Ops prior to EVA

Completed Task List Items

Node 3 Sample Delivery System Power Jumper Installation [In Work]

Ground Activities

All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

ADC B Cell fixation support

Rodent Research habitat video

Three-Day Look Ahead:

Thursday, 07/27: Capillary Structures, CBEF ops

Friday, 07/28: 51S Launch, RR gather/procedure review

Saturday, 07/29: Crew off duty

QUICK ISS Status  Environmental Control Group:

Component  Status

Elektron  Off

Vozdukh  Manual

[???] 1  SM Air Conditioner System (SKV1)  Off

[???] 2  SM Air Conditioner System (SKV2)  On

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab  Operate

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3  Standby

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab  Idle

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3  Operate

Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA)  Standby

Urine Processing Assembly (UPA)  Standby

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab  Full up

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3  Off
Soyuz Launches to the International Space Station With Expedition 52/53 Crew. NASA

The Soyuz MS-05 launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the International Space Station at 11:41 a.m. EDT Friday, July 28 (9:41 p.m. in Baikonur).

About four minutes prior to launch, the space station flew over the launch site and was flying about 250 miles above south central Russia, just over the northeast border of Kazakhstan, at the time of launch. NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik, Sergey Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos and Paolo Nespoli of ESA (European Space Agency) are now safely in orbit.

The crew will orbit Earth four times en route to the spacecrafts arrival and docking to the space stations Rassvet module, at 6 p.m. Tune in at 5:15 p.m. to NASA Television or the agencys website to watch the docking live.

Below is the docking timeline in EDT:

5:15 p.m. NASA TV: Docking coverage begins

6:00 p.m. Scheduled time for docking to the Rassvet module

7:00 p.m. NASA TV: Hatch opening coverage begins

7:40 p.m. Hatches scheduled to open

The Expedition 52 crew will conduct new science investigations arriving on SpaceXs 12th NASA-contracted commercial resupply mission targeted to launch in August. Investigations the crew will work on include a study developed by the Michael J. Fox Foundation of the pathology of Parkinsons disease to aid in the development of therapies for patients on Earth. The crew will use the special nature of microgravity in a new lung tissue study to advance understanding of how stem cells work and pave the way for further use of the microgravity environment in stem cell research. Expedition astronauts also will assemble and deploy a microsatellite investigation seeking to validate the concept of using microsatellites in low-Earth orbit to support critical operations, such as providing lower-cost Earth imagery in time-sensitive situations such as tracking severe weather and detecting natural disasters.
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The night of July 27th in northern Italy started off with the Italian team once again besting the Americans, scoring yet another victory. It came in the first event over Padova's half mile oval when Ortello Zorzetto piloted Urgara wire to wire which dashed hopes of any chance for team America.

Aided by a team-mate riding shotgun the Americans have yet to forego the individual sacrifice for a team effort, which is frowned upon by U.S. regulators and bettors alike but seemingly acceptable on this side of the pond.

Tony Ciuffetelli, the most consistent of the American team thus far, picked up a fourth-place finish in the first race. But depression was fast setting in.

Then came the second chance in the next event and the least likely to emerge a winner after two horrible experiences the night before was the so called team leader, Joe Faraldo, who racketed a fractious Tieppo Mrs to the lead from her outside post at 21-1 and she never yielded and went on to win in 2:01:4. What was especially pleasing for Faraldo was that the fractious mare had made breaks in half of her previous 15 starts.

"It was a long time since my first ever win with my P license which came here at this track, Padovanelle, 25 years ago with the horse Aggonismo from the stable of Mr. Valpo, said Faraldo.

Mario Greco the trainer and regular reinsman for Tieppo Mrs was shocked at Faraldos win but very, very happy with the share of the win from his mare's most often unpredictability and her difficulty to drive, especially for an amateur.

After his recent driving victory at Vincennes it was a little bit disquieting for Joe who claimed to get only wins across the pond .

Alan Schwartz, got a taste of the Italian team racing as he was charging for second but got the tarantella from Team Italia pushing him so wide to rest second from his grasp and forcing him to a third-place finish.

The evening ended with a visit from Walter Destro, the 15-year president of the Veneto club who started the friendship competition with The North American Amateur Drivers Association 25 years ago. That special treat and a super dinner at Villa D' Italia with Team Italia topped off a night when previously the U.S. team was just treading water. Hopefully, Ciuffetelli, the most consistent point getter, will be picked up by Tony Verruso, Schwartz and Faraldo to pull the preverbal rabbit out of the hat.

Tomorrow the American team meets the former Italian Champion Michele Canali and another team of Italian super amateurs at the beautiful Cesena racetrack by the sea. Frequented by large crowds, the Americans will need to be at their best and will need some bocca lupo for sure.
Three Grassroots divisions of two-year-old trotting fillies will serve as the warm-up act on Clinton Raceways highly anticipated Legends Day program this Sunday (July 30).

Driver Bob McClure will steer one filly in each of the $18,450 Grassroots divisions and will also compete in five other races, but the young reinsman admits the event he is most looking forward to is the program finale, the $15,000 Legends Trot, featuring eight of the greatest drivers to ever grace a race bike.

I took myself off Georgian. I wanted to be there to celebrate, not only John Campbells last drive, but Bill ODonnells last drive. All those drivers, as far as intelligence on the racetrack, theyre a class above everybody. Just to watch those drivers in one race, its really exciting to me, said McClure. So yeah, I took the night off, and Im going to go down and enjoy it. I think Im going to look like an idiot running around getting them all to sign my program for me, but you only get one opportunity, so Im going to do it.

In between the 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. autograph session  with Campbell, ODonnell, Doug Brown, Steve Condren, Mike Lachance, Dave Miller, Dave Wall and Ron Waples, who will participate in the Legends Trot, and Bud Fritz and Keith Waples, who have retired from active driving duty  and the Legends Trot, McClure will be calling on his own driving smarts, hoping to guide one of his Grassroots mounts to the Clinton winners circle. The Elora, ON resident will steer Mackenzie O from post two in the first race, Justice Rules from post two in the second and Kant Afford It from post four in the third.

McClure has one start behind Mackenzie O, in her first qualifier, and has never driven Justice Rules, but the reinsman is confident that both fillies will be ready for action in their Grassroots debuts.

She qualified just okay, said McClure of Mackenzie O, But the best thing about her, shes very good gaited so  getting around Clinton with a two-year-old trotter, thats half the battle  hopefully that gives her an upper hand. Anyway, Ben doesnt like racing them unless theyre ready so Im sure shell be in much better form on Sunday.

Guelph, ON resident Ben Baillargeon conditions the daughter of Angus Hall for his partners Santo Vena of Brampton, ON, Nunzio Vena of Bolton, ON and Claude Hamel of Ayers Cliff, QC. The filly comes into Sundays first race off a trio of qualifiers at Mohawk Racetrack.

Justice Hall daughter Justice Rules has two starts under her belt at Hippodrome Trois-Rivieres, where she finished third and fifth for trainer Dany Fontaine of Terrebonne, QC and owner-breeder Ecurie Gaetan Bono, Inc. of Montreal.

All I know is every horse Ive ever driven for Dany is ready, noted McClure. She has had some trouble making breaks and he is very capable of correcting any issues they have. Hes a really good horseman, especially with trotters.

In the third division, McClure will steer Kant Afford It, and the driver is hoping they can atone for a loss in the second Grassroots event at Georgian Downs on July 16.

In Georgian there was a lot of stuff happening off the gate, and I wanted to take care of her so I eased her off, and all I ended up doing was getting myself in a whole lot of traffic, McClure recalled. She never should have been beat in that Grassroots at Georgian. She should have definitely won, I just did not have her in position at all. So, as long as she can handle the turns, handle the track, I would say she is the one to beat in there, because shes built like a three-year-old and her attitude is like a racehorse. I think shes the best two-year-old trotter Ive driven to this point.

Hall of Fame horseman Bob McIntosh of Windsor, ON conditions Kant Afford It for his partners C S X Stables of Liberty Center, OH. The partners also bred the daughter of Kadabra, who was guided through her qualifiers and first Grassroots test by Hall of Famer and Legends Trot reinsman Steve Condren.

In addition to the on-track action, which gets under way at 1:30 p.m., Clinton Raceway has a full slate of trackside activities for fans. The gates open at 11:30 a.m. and there will be a variety of activities for the smallest fans, a CosyCan photo booth, silent auction, 50/50 draw, and a Legends Trot sign contest. A booklet commemorating John Campbells driving career is free with a program purchase or $5 on its own, and John Campbell T-shirts are also just $5. The afternoon will wrap up with a Pineridge Chicken Barbecue from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to the events charity partner, the Clinton Public Hospital Foundation. Full details, including parking information, are available at http://www.clintonraceway.com/page/legends.

I hear they closed the road off behind the racetrack and put bleachers up, so they must be expecting a huge crowd, and rightly so because its going to be a great show, said McClure. Theres nowhere better to host something like this than Clinton.

(Ontario Sires Stakes)
Judicial Watch Files Three Lawsuits for Info on FBI Acting Director Andrew McCabe

First lawsuit seeks communications between FBI and McCabe concerning "ethical issues" involving wife's political campaign; second seeks McCabe communications with Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe; third seeks McCabe travel vouchers



Contact: Jill Farrell, Judicial Watch, 202-646-5172



WASHINGTON, July 28, 2017 /Standard Newswire/ -- Judicial Watch today announced that it filed three separate Freedom of Information (FOIA) lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Justice seeking records for current FBI Acting Director Andrew McCabe relating to his political activities, travel vouchers, and employment status. The first two lawsuits specifically seek records of McCabe's political activities involving his wife's failed campaign for political office and interactions with Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe.



The first FOIA lawsuit, filed on July 24 (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. 1:17-cv-01494)), seeks the following:

Any and all records of communication between FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe and other FBI or Department of Justice ("DOJ") officials regarding, concerning or relating to ethical issues concerning the involvement of Andrew McCabe and/or his wife, Dr. Jill McCabe, in political campaigns;



Any and all records related to ethical guidance concerning political activities provided to Deputy Director McCabe by FBI and/or DOJ officials or elements.

The second Judicial Watch FOIA lawsuit, filed on July 26, seeks communication records between then-Deputy Director McCabe and Gov. Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and the Democratic Party of Virginia (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. 1:17-cv-01495)), including:

Any and all records of communication between Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe and any of the following individuals:



Any official within the office of the Governor of Virginia, including but not limited to Governor Terry McAuliffe;

Any official, representative or employee with the Democratic National Committee;

Any official, representative or employee with the Democratic Party of Virginia.



In 2015, a political action committee run by McAuliffe, a close friend and political supporter of Bill and Hillary Clinton, donated nearly $500,000 to Jill McCabe, wife of McCabe, who was then running for the Virginia State Senate. Also, the Virginia Democratic Party, over which McAuliffe had significant influence, donated an additional $207,788 to the Jill McCabe campaign. In July 2015, Andrew McCabe was in charge of the FBI's Washington, DC, field office, which provided personnel resources to the Clinton email probe.



The Hatch Act prohibits FBI employees from engaging "in political activity in concert with a political party, a candidate for partisan political office, or a partisan political group."



The third FOIA lawsuit, also filed by Judicial Watch on July 26 (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. 1:17-cv-01493)), seeks the following:

Any and all Standard Forms 50 and 52 (i.e., SF-50s and SF-52s) for FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe;



Any and all requests for approvals of travel submitted by FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe;



Any and all travel vouchers and accompanying receipts and related documentation submitted by FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe;



Any and all calendar entries for FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe.

MORE: www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-files-three-lawsuits-info-fbi-acting-director-andrew-mccabe/
Christian Doctors Association Lauds Appointment of Sam Brownback as Religious Freedom Ambassador

Contact: Margie Shealy,423-341-4254WASHINGTON, July 28, 2017 / Standard Newswire / -- The 18,000-member Christian Medical Association (CMA, www.cmda.org ) today hailed as a "signal of new hope for persons of faith enduring persecution and oppression" the presidential appointment of Samuel Brownback of Kansas to be Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, Department of State. Mr. Brownback has been Governor of Kansas since 2011.CMA Vice President for Government Relations Jonathan Imbody said, "Having worked for many years with Gov. Brownback when he served as a US Senator from 1996-2011, I saw up close his commitment to the unalienable right of every person to worship, serve and honor God according to conscience."As a person of deep faith who respects persons of all faiths and persuasions, Gov. Brownback brings to this role an empathy, understanding and passion that will advance religious freedom abroad and also serve as an example at home, where religious freedom faces new and significant challenges. This appointment is a tremendous encouragement for religious freedom advocates everywhere, and most importantly, serves as a signal of new hope for persons of faith enduring persecution and oppression."The Pew Research Foundation has charted an increase globally in "government restrictions on religion and social hostilities involving religion." The Foundation noted "increases in mob violence related to religion, individuals being assaulted or displaced due to their faith, and incidents where violence was used to enforce religious norms."Through the Christian Medical Association, Mr. Imbody directs Freedom2Care, which focuses on freedoms of faith, conscience and speech in the US.
Holdover Bureaucrats Undermine Trump Administration Progress

Contact: Jim Jacobson, Christian Freedom International , 800-323-2273FRONT ROYAL, Va., July 28, 2017 / Standard Newswire / -- The U.S. State Department's top lawyers are systematically removing the word "genocide" to describe the Islamic State's mass slaughter of Christians, Yazidis, and other ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria from official documents and speeches before they are delivered, according to human rights activists and attorneys familiar with the policies.It is vitally important to the future of millions of persecuted Christians that this is stopped.Richard Visek, who was appointed by President Obama as head of the State Department's Office of Legal Adviser in October 2016, is behind the decision to remove the word "genocide" from official documents, according to Nina Shea, the international human rights lawyer who directs the Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom.These actions guarantee that the Obama-era policies, which contrived to exclude Iraq's Christian and other minority religious populations from key U.S. aid programs, will remain in place.As noted by CFI president Jim Jacobson, "There are backdoor bureaucrats seeking to undermine new policies and progress. Obama holdovers in the Trump Administration are trying to remove any trace of the word "genocide" when referring to cases of the treatment of persecuted Christians by ISIS. This would cause persecuted Christians from ISIS-affected nations to be technically ineligible for asylum, and safety, in the United States."What You Can DoChristian Freedom International is a non-denominational 501c3 human rights organization for religious liberty providing real solutions to conditions of human misery caused by religious persecution.If you haven't already done so, we invite you to learn more about the tragedy of Christian persecution  and how you can help  by visiting CFI's website at www.christianfreedom.org , or calling 800.323.2273.
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Gov. Jay Inslee waded into gooey mud of Willapa Bay on Tuesday to get a first-hand look at the burrowing shrimp problem threatening the bays multimillion dollar oyster industry.

It was his way of smoothing ruffled feathers over his June 30 veto of a measure by a local representative that might have accelerated the use of controversial pesticide to kill the shrimp.

Inslees visit to Goose Point Oysters at Bay Center was intended to explore the shrimp problem in person, according to Tara Lee, the deputy communications director for the governors office. The governor walked into Willapa Bay, decked out in waders, and trudged into the mud flats to pull the shrimp out himself.

The governor said, Theyre bigger than I thought they would be, Lee reported.

Kathleen Nisbet-Moncy, the chief operating officer of Goose Point Oysters, said Inslees visit was a great opportunity to have him out on our farm and see what were doing. Hes never been down to our neck of the woods  so it was really great to have him down here.

Burrowing shrimp, also known as ghost or blue shrimp, burrow under oyster beds. This causes the oysters to sink into the mud and suffocate. The shrimp are native to Willapa Bay and werent a problem until over-harvesting wiped out native Olympia oysters, which formed thick reefs impervious to burrowing. But the shrimps numbers exploded about 70 years ago. Various explanations have been offered: Loss of predators such as herring and sturgeon, warmer ocean temperatures and construction of Columbia River dams, which ended the spring surges of freshwater that may have killed the shrimp.

For years, oyster growers used a pesticide called called carbaryl. It is a neurotoxin classified as a likely human carcinogen and is banned in many countries. Objections to the pesticide arose, and the growers agreed in 2002 to phase it out over 10 years.

In January 2016, the Willapa Bay-Grays Harbor Oyster Growers Association applied to the Washington Department of Ecology to allow a dozen shellfish farms to use the pesticide imidacloprid in coastal estuaries. Despite objections from chefs and oyster buyers that had led growers to withdraw a previous application, the growers association contend the plan is safe.

Inslees veto killed an attempt by state Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, to force the state Department of Ecology to commit to a schedule for approving or rejecting the imidacloprid permit.

Walsh said his measure, a proposed proviso to the state budget, would have given Ecology until the end of the summer, or a reasonable amount of time, to report back to the Legislature. He said he was frustrated by Inslees veto.

I was not happy, he said. It was a modest requirement, in my opinion. It passed the House, so it got bipartisan support. Imidacloprid knocks out the shrimp, doesnt hurt the oysters, doesnt make a huge environmental impact.

Imidacloprid has been linked to bee colony dieoff, and the shellfish industry itself is divided about its use. But according to a 2015 Ecology study it is less toxic to honeybees than carbaryl.

Dick Wilson, the owner of Bay Center Farms in Willapa Bay, says as he already used it on his farm during a brief window when it was legal in 2014.

We put imidacloprid in very small amounts, around 200 grams per acre, or half a pound, he said. It is so diluted at that point that it has to work down. Its also applied to bare sediment. The shrimp are the only thing down there thats alive.

Department of Ecology Water Quality Communications Manager Jessie Payne said she was pleased with Inslees veto, because the agency needs enough time to study the effects of imidacloprid and hold public comment periods.

We dont want surprises, Payne said. Last time we had a permit, there was a huge outcry about the use. We dont want ... to make decisions under the heat of public pressure. Wed rather have time to know what were working with and work within regulatory framework.

State Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen, said he supported Walshs effort, but he also understood Ecologys arguments.

Payne said that Ecology plans to draft a permit by the end of the summer, put it out for public comment and make a final decision in the fall. Growers should not assume the agency will clear the use of imidacloprid, she said.

Spraying imidacloprid on oyster beds was legal in 2014, but a new permit in 2015 was cancelled after a Seattle Times article provoked a massive critical response, according to Nisbet-Moncy.

Nisbet-Moncy said she, as well as other oyster farmers, are frustrated by Inslees veto and wish Ecology would issue a permit more quickly.

Its just really unfortunate that Ecology has taken so long to issue a permit that they issued two years ago, she said. Hopefully, now that hes seen (the shrimp problem), hell realize the issue from an ecological standpoint.

Despite the lengthy permit process, Lee said Inslee still deeply cares about the struggles of oyster farmers.

(Local) families rely on oysters for their livelihood, and the businesses (too), she said. It was really important for him to see that and see that its threatened. Hes taking it very seriously. He really appreciated learning more about it.
Joseph Govednik is aware he has some big shoes to fill.

Govednik became the Cowlitz County Historical Museum Director on July 17, taking over for David Freece, who directed the museum for 31 years and who was beloved in the community.

The new director said hes not nervous about living up to Freeces legacy.

Ive been excited and really honored to be the one thats taking over the legacy that he started, said Govednik, 43. He kept this organization healthy for such a long time, and I can tell in this transition period how he made it so that the transition was smooth.

Govednik grew up in Orinda, Calif., an Oakland suburb, and later attended Southern Oregon University. He had planned on getting a history degree, but his dad changed his mind.

He said, Dont be a history major. Theyre a dime-a-dozen, the new director said.

Instead, Govednik studied sociology and anthropology. He initially was an adjunct professor at numerous Bay Area community and private colleges, but shifted gears after realizing his true passion.

I found that anytime I traveled somewhere, I always wanted to go to a historic site or a museum, he said. The stories and history are just so fascinating how it shapes the world how it is today. In many ways, its more fascinating than what people can write in fiction. So, I decided to go back to school and get a degree in museum studies so that I could work in a museum, because thats where I feel most at home.

Govednik has since worked at four museums: The National Japanese American Historical Society in San Francisco; the Lindsay Wildlife Museum and the California State University C.E. Smith Museum of Anthropology, both in the Bay Area; and most recently as curator for Tacomas Foss Waterway Seaport Museum.

He was a program committee chair for the Tacoma Waterfront Association, president of the Heritage League of Pierce County, and vice chairman of the City of Lacey Historical Commission. He is currently president of the board of trustees for the Washington Museum Association.

After living in the South Sound area for six years, Govednik sought a stronger leadership role. An opportunity arrived when he met Freece at a museum conference. Freece told him about the county owned Cowlitz Historical Museum.

Although Freece wasnt involved in choosing Govednik, he said hes happy with the hiring.

Colleagues of mine that know him and work with him certainly have respect for him, and I thought that was a good sign, Freece said.

Although he hasnt been here long, Govednik said he already loves Cowlitz County.

People here have been so friendly and so helpful with me, he said. People down in Cowlitz County have been so accommodating to all the questions that Ive had, whether its people Ive just met outside of the museum, the museum staff, the board of County Commissioners or the employees over at the county building. Everybodys just been wonderful.

He commutes an hour both ways from his current home in Olympia, but Govednik said he promises he, along with his wife, Erin, and their 2-year-old daughter, Nora, will move to Cowlitz County soon.

Chris Erlich, a Tacoma-based independent contractor who worked with Govednik on building some exhibits for the Foss Waterway museum, said Govednik should be a great fit in Cowlitz County.

Hes incredibly personable. Hes very knowledgeable. Hes got a great background in the museum field and I think hes going to bring a great enthusiasm and dedication to the position, Erlich said.

The new director said he hasnt spent enough time at his new, $60,000-a-year job to have major plans for the museum yet, but he wants more attention on Cowlitz County cities outside of Longview and Kelso. He also said hes especially intrigued by the people who lived here before European expansion, as well as the industries that the county was built around.

As far as his personal life goes, Govednik said he was thrilled by Southwest Washingtons numerous opportunities for outdoor activities, such as hiking, kayaking, and riding his bike. He said he was particularly excited to visit Mount St. Helens for the first time.

Im just extremely excited to be here and have such an incredible staff, he said. I feel fortunate to be here, and I look forward to working with the board on taking the museum into a continuous, prosperous direction.
Drugs  Department of Corrections officers Tuesday arrested Ellis Dale Ferguson, 34, of Cathlamet on suspicion of a felony drug offense and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

Drugs  Longview police Tuesday arrested Samantha Carter Daniels, 36, of Longview on suspicion of a felony drug offense.

Theft  Cowlitz County Sheriff's deputies Tuesday arrested Deborah Lynn Dooley, 34, of Longview on suspicion of second-degree theft and trafficking in stolen property.

Drugs  Longview police Tuesday arrested Jason Lee Daniels, 39, of Longview on suspicion of two felony drug offenses.

Drugs  Longview police Tuesday arrested Michael Brandon Hauge, 33, of Kelso on suspicion of a felony drug offense.

Drugs  Longview police Tuesday arrested Dustin Scott Hurliman, 38, of Battle Ground on suspicion of a felony drug offense.

Drugs  Longview police Tuesday arrested Esteban Alejandro Ledesma, 30, of Seattle on suspicion of a felony drug offense.

Drugs  Longview police Tuesday arrested Mickey Richard Hendrickson, 27, of Longview on suspicion of a felony drug offense and first-degree criminal trespassing.

Burglary

 1200 block of Third Avenue, Kelso. Tuesday. Attempted home break-in.

Thefts

 1400 block of Second Avenue, Kelso. Tuesday. A Washington license plate, AXJ0246.

 100 block of 17th Avenue, Longview. Tuesday. Jewelry.

 1100 block of Tennant Way, Longview. Tuesday. Skateboard.
Pacific County sheriff's deputies are continuing to search for a woman who allegedly robbed the Bank of Pacific branch in Naselle and assaulted two tellers before fleeing on foot Monday.

At about 3:50 p.m. Monday, a woman entered the bank on Knappton Road and attempted to distract employees while passing a robbery note to a teller, according to the Pacific County Sheriff's office.

"The (suspect) climbed over a barrier and forcefully attempted to gain access to cash while physically assaulting two tellers," the sheriff's said in a Facebook post.

She escaped on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash, according to the sheriff's office.

The woman, age 30 to 35, is heavy set, about 5 foot 8 inches tall with dark brown hair. At the time of the robbery she had her hair in a bun and was wearing baggy pants, a black sweater and a blue shirt.

The Bank of the Pacific is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect. Any information should be directed to Lt. Jim Bergstrom at 360-875-9397 or through 911.
Purnima starts Eid work

Sheikh Arif Bulbon :

In last Eid, Purnima was confirmed to work in several plays and telefilms. But before Eid she went to USA. So despite giving confirmation to some directors and producers she could not act in their works. After returning to Bangladesh she has became engaged with different types of activities. On July 24, she hosted the National Film Awards giving ceremony.

From Friday Purnima has started working again. Before Eid-ul-Azha, she will be engaged with shooting. She will work under Mushfiqur Rahman Gulzar, SA Haque Alik, Tania Ahmed, Imarul Rafat, Manik and Romans direction. Yesterday she started shooting of a play under Romans direction.

While talking in this regard Purnima told this correspondent, Due to coming Eid I have many activities in fact many directors want my work. I could not act in their works in last Eid. So I have to give them schedule this time. But it is also true that scripts should be liked by me before working. If I do not like story and my role I cannot agree to work.

Purnima informed that in the beginning of July shooting of Raihan Khan directed play Jokhon Somoy Thomkey Darai was scheduled but it didnt happen. Nobel and Mosharraf Karim were her co-actors in that play.

Though Purnima is working in small screen but she is not seen to work in big screen right now.

She said, I often get offers to work in movies but most of the time either story or my roles did not attract me to work. I am fully a person of big screen so I always want to work in big screen. Due to mismatch of bat and ball I do not work in movies.

Purnima got the National Film Award for acting in Kazi Hayats Ora Amake Bhalo Hotey Dilona.

On May 15, 1998, she started her acting career against Riaz in Jakir Hossain Razus movie E Jibon Tomar Aamar. This year on that day she stepped into 20 years of her acting career. Moner Majhey Tumi, Hridoyer Kotha, Akash Chhoya Bhalobasha, Shova, Shasthi, etc her acted mentionable movies.


Boy abducted from Narail rescued in Pabna

BSS, Narail :

A minor boy abducted from Kalia upazila of the district was rescued by police from Atgharia upazila in Pabna district.

Police Super of Narail Sarder Rakibul Islam said at a press briefing in the town today. The victim is Babul, 10, hailed from Bombbag village of Kalia upazila

The Police Super said Babul, a class four student, was abducted by a few miscreants on July 22 in front of their house. His mother Josna Begum filed a case on July 25 following the abduction. The miscreants demanded ransom to Josna Begum. Tracking mobile phone calls Narail police rescued Babul from Atgharia upazila in Pabna district yesterday with the help of Pabna police. Narail police also held a man following the abduction.
Adoption of time-befitting tech for sustainable agriculture stressed

BSS, Rajshahi :

Speakers at a programme underscored the need for adopting and promoting farmers-friendly crops and technologies for making the agriculture sector in Barind area sustainable.

They also opined that the people should raise their voice against climate change for protecting environment and biodiversity from its adverse impact in the vast Barind tract.

The speakers came up with the observation while addressing a workshop on local economic development forum review at Zila Parishad auditorium in Godagari upazila of the district yesterday. Godagari Upazila Chairman Ishahaque Ali addressed the programme as the chief guest with Upazila Vice-Chairman Rawshan Ara in the chair.

The programme was addressed, among others, by another Vice-Chairman of the upazila Md Kamruzzaman, Upazila Livestock Officer Saiful Islam, Youth Development Officer Ashiqur Rahman, President of Kakonhat Fisheries and Livestock Development Society Habibur Rahman and its Joint-Secretary Soibur Rahman.

Practical Action and Caritas Bangladesh, two non-government development entities jointly organised the event.

During concept paper presentations, Market Development Field Facilitator of Practical Action Md Rakibuzzaman and Regional Field Officer of Caritas Bangladesh Aminul Islam highlighted the importance of promoting time-fitting crops and technologies.

The chief guest said the entire agriculture sector and its subsectors like livestock and fisheries are facing problems due to the adverse impact of climate change, so there is no alternative to adopt time-befitting technologies.

Other speakers told the programme that there should have adequate measures of boosting the level of knowledge of the farmers on the issue.

All community people need proper knowledge about the importance of biodiversity, natural resource conservation and climate change issues so that they can contribute to this field, they opined.

DFP provides family planning services for slum fertile couples

Department of Family Planning (DFP) has brought more than 712 fertile couples residing in slum areas of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) under its services, said Moloy Kumar Roy, Divisional Director of DFP.

He said there are around 910 fertile couples in 11 slum areas and necessary motivational and counseling activities are being promoted to bring the rest under the planned family campaign. The DFP director was addressing a campaign relating to family planning in RCC area at the conference hall of Family Welfare Visitors Training Institute (FWVTI) in Rajshahi city yesterday as the chief gust. DFP organised the meeting in association with its Information, Education and Motivation unit.

With DFP Deputy Director Dr Nasim Akhter in the chair, Assistant Director Tasiqul Haque, FWVTI Principal Faridul Haque, Medical Officer (Clinical Contraception) Dr Khaza Ferdous and Medical Officer Dr Tahsina Shamim also spoke at the programme.

The chief guest viewed collective efforts of all government and non- government organisations concerned has become an urgent need to make all the fertile couples conscious about planned family.

He said there is no way, but to create public awareness about the aspects of planned family and that is very important for freeing the nation from the curse of poverty and hunger.

Dr Nasim Akhter opined that all the authorities concerned should work together for providing necessary information relating to reproductive health services to the adolescents for their welfare.

Proper knowledge and education on physical change, sex and reproductive health for the adolescents could play a vital role in building planned family.

Over 100 persons, including juvenile boys and girls, newly married couples, religious leaders, RCC councilors in women reserved seats and other stakeholders attended the meeting.
Japan sanctions Chinese firms to pressure North Korea

The successful test-fire of the intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14 at an undisclosed location.

AFP, Tokyo :

Japan on Friday slapped sanctions on two Chinese firms, including a bank accused of laundering North Korean cash, amid concerns Pyongyang is prepping for another missile test, the government said.

Japan has stepped up calls for further sanctions against North Korea since Pyongyang tested an intercontinental ballistic missile earlier this month in defiance of repeated UN resolutions.

The test has raised tensions in the region, pitting Washington, Tokyo and Seoul against China, Pyongyang's last remaining major ally.

Japan's move has added further acrimony to often fraught bilateral relations with China and drew a harsh response from Beijing.

Despite being major trading and investment partners they are frequently at odds over a maritime territorial dispute and lingering tensions over Japan's history of aggression in the first half of the 20th century.

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said five entities, including two Chinese organisations, and nine individuals will be put on Japan's blacklists in connection with ties to North Korea.

They will be "newly subject to asset freezing" and other unilateral punishment, Kishida said without elaborating or naming any of them.

"It is important to strengthen pressure so that North Korea should act toward denuclearisation," Kishida told reporters.

"We will urge North Korea to take concrete action toward the resolution of issues," he said.

The Nikkei daily said among the five organisations are China's Bank of Dandong, a Chinese shipping firm and a North Korean trading house dealing with coal and other commodities

The Bank of Dandong is accused of money laundering for North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes.

China immediately denounced the Japanese sanctions.

"We firmly oppose any other country to impose unilateral sanctions outside the framework of the UN Security Council and we especially oppose the sanctions targeted at Chinese enterprises and individuals," Lu Kang, spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, told a regular press briefing in Beijing.

"I would like to tell Japan that China will not accept the wrongdoing and will require Japan to withdraw this wrong decision," he said, warning the sanctions will "create major political hurdles for China-Japan relations".

The United States imposed similar sanctions on the same bank as President Donald Trump said Beijing's efforts to put the brakes on Pyongyang's nuclear drive had failed.

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.

The Pentagon has picked up signs that North Korea is preparing for another missile test, a US defence official said earlier this week.

The official said the test would be of an intermediate-range missile or North Korea's ICBM-known as a KN-20 or a Hwasong-14.

It would be the second time Pyongyang has tested an ICBM, after the July 4 rocket launch that prompted global alarm.
Internet dating : Good, bad or ugly?

Life Desk :



Old order changeth, yielding place to new....

The search for a companion, friend, partner, or a 'date' to spice up one's life is not a new phenomenon; yet, the modus operandi seems to have undergone a revolution. Not too long ago, relationships began in restaurants, in church gatherings, or during social get-togethers, where the chemistry between two people formed the beginning of an equation. Locked gazes turned into loving exchanges, leading to clandestine meetings to discover the potential of the relationship.

Today, the networking generation gazes into the resplendent computer screen to connect to the happening world of the World Wide Web, waiting for that precious life-altering Click. Click- Connect-Engage seems to be the order of the day!

Internet has undoubtedly transformed the world by seamlessly shrinking geographical distances and bringing people closer. The penetration of the internet is so profound, that people enjoy the 'best of both worlds' - the virtual and the actual, to such an extent, that life appears quite dull, boring and unimaginable without the INTERNET.

Caught in the inescapable clutch of the internet, the manner of dating and friendship has undergone a sea change. Many dating and social networking websites have grown to cash in on this trend, raking in the spoils of what is now a multibillion dollar industry.

Finding a mate online has never been so easy. A plethora of options present themselves in the form of intricately designed websites, which offer a range of services to pander to varied preferences. With millions of profiles to choose from, users are simply spoilt for choice. Indeed, it is an invitation into the world of fantasy, which many find hard to resist.

Looking for a prospective date, or singles, on the internet could well begin by posting online personal advertisements or the profile on dating websites. With no holds barred on creativity, players can ask what they want, allowing imagination to run amok. The response may be sooner or later, with the opportunity to proceed to the next step. The floor is now open for chats, voice chats, text messages, video chats, et al. To what extent the relationship proceeds, is completely dependent upon the interest level of those involved.

Casting the 'net' far and wide ....

 According to the US Census, 40% of American adults patronize the services of online dating sites resulting in about 120,000 marriages annually. Nearly 48% of online daters happen to be men.

 In India, 51% of urban Indians patronize dating websites, while 48% use matrimonial sites to find their life partner.

 In Canada, 1.1 to 1.2 million people patronize the services of online dating websites.

 Nearly 38.2 million European internet users visit online personal sites in a month. 50% of Europeans date online and this may translate into an exponential growth for the European web dating market, slated to grow by 30% this year.

 China too expects dating patrons to grow in huge numbers. With 64 million singles residing in the nation, the market is expected to double in the present year.

Netting a date - twist to the tale

As the growing numbers fall in love with internet dating, there are as many who fall easily into craftily laid out traps by scammers, working overtime to throw a spanner in the works. There are thousands of people every year who lose money, reputation and suffer broken relationships after being lured by cheats on the internet.

Consters don't waste a minute to hoodwink naive players seeking online friendships, of course only after winning their trust and confidence. Many people have fallen prey to demands for air tickets, emergency cash, or have completely believed the masked expressions of love professed by their online buddies. The con game is so deep that men use women to impersonate, to show interest till one gets carried away, with a lucid game plan laid out... It is easy to let go till the carpet gets pulled under the feet.

It would need a discerning eye, and an alert mind to read between the lines of well worded e-mails, to make out fake photographs from genuine ones, and to be smart about protecting one's identity. The word clearly is CAUTION.

Screen and Weed Out

 Be wary of those who request detailed information, yet do not reveal too much about themselves.

 Always trust gut feeling.

 Maintain privacy and protect identity.

 Safe to communicate with a local friend than overseas contacts.

 Dating websites are safe for communication. Avoid email communication right at the beginning of the relationship.

 Watch out for inconsistencies in communication, change of tone, style and language.

 Though seeing is believing, fake photographs abound. What you see may not be reality.

Fishy Love

Most of the virtual relationships are based on fantasy. While there are a few serious seekers out there, the majority are out to live their fantasies in the virtual world. According to leading online dating statistics, online relationships are more intimate than offline ones. Women portray a greater inclination to find love online- 72% of women confessed to an online romance as against 52% men.

Virtual infidelity - Is Internet rocking marriage vows?

The Internet is blamed for relationship break-ups, as online affairs and internet flirting is considered as infidelity. To the extent, internet dating has cut short the lifetime value of marriage vows.

Most people are of the opinion that affairs over the internet amount to cheating and is detrimental to relationships. A survey undertaken by 245 students in Britain has revealed the overriding opinion that flirting over the Internet is tantamount to infidelity. It is also a sign of trouble brewing in a marriage, according to marriage and relationship experts.

According to Chief Executive Angela Sibson, of the UK marriage guidance service, one among ten suffering relationship discord blamed the Net. Explaining the reason for this, she said, "People are spending too much time on the Internet and that is time they are not giving to their partner. The Internet is a gateway to other relationships. They can be very potent and break up existing relationships."

Online relationships are fun and easy, one doesn't need to step out of the room to find love. Further, online relationships come with no responsibility, which many find extremely alluring.

Sexual thrills and spills - cyber sex

A US study found hordes of married patrons logging into chat rooms under deceptively catchy names for erotic encounters and thrills.

Explaining the impact of the internet boom and chat room escapades, Beatriz Mileham, from the University of Florida, said, "The internet will soon become the most common form of infidelity, if it isn't already. Never before has the dating world been so handy for married men and women looking for a fling. With cyber sex, there is no longer any need for secret trips to obscure motels. An online liaison may even take place in the same room with one's spouse."

A disappointing foreboding of this trend is that most spouses involved in Net-flings felt nothing wrong about online relationships, though partners confessed to feeling cheated, leaving an emotional scar on the relationship.

Chat room -Room for marital spats

Why do people go to chat rooms? Most of them crave for fun, excitement and a break from boredom. Chat room offered all of this on a platter combined with choice, comfort and convenience.

The leading cause of breakdown of real relationships is chat room chats, a counseling group in the US has found. Though players confessed to love their spouse or partner, the thought of sexual thrills in perfect anonymity was hard to resist. One player confessed, "All I have to do is turn on my computer and I have thousands of women to choose from. It can't get any easier than that."

The serious part, which can potentially wreck real relationships, is the strong likelihood of chat room friendly encounters becoming serious ones- according to data, one third of people carried the amorous relationship into their real lives.

Giving a clue, Al Cooper, author of the book, Sex and the Internet: A Guidebook for Clinicians, said, "We are hearing from therapists around the country reporting online sexual activity to be a major cause of marital problems. We need to better understand the contributing factors if we are going to be able to warn people about the slippery slope that starts with online flirting and too often ends in divorce."

Bottom line

Indeed, there are all sorts that make the virtual world. As internet dating booms, people will find themselves increasingly vulnerable to scams in the name of love and friendship.

Yet, whatever one might say, internet dating is here to stay - for the dull and the delirious, the young and the old, for the married and the single, and all types and during all seasons. Internet dating may just be what Cupid ordered in the age of the Internet!

Source: Medindia
Employees are governed by Service Rules, not Organogram

(From previous issue)

8. All on a sudden, an 'Office Order' dated 23-10-2012 was issued under the signature of the Respondent No.9, transferring /vesting his service from Dhaka South City Corporation to the North City Corporation. On 25-10-2012, the petitioner joined the post of Deputy Chief Accounts Officer of Dhaka North, City Corporation. Accordingly, an office order, dated 27-1-2013 was issued under the signature of Respondent No.8, Secretary Dhaka North City Corporation.

9. It is further stated that all on a sudden, an 'Office Order' dated 23-8-2015 was issued under the signature of the Respondent No.8 transferring the petitioner from the post of Deputy Chief Accounts Officer (Dhaka North City Corporation) to the post of 'Geographer', Town Planning Division (Dhaka North City Corporation) and accordingly, the petitioner joined in the said post on 25-8-2015.

to. The respondent No.6 filed an affidavit-in-opposition controverting the statements made in the Writ Petition, stating, inter alia, that after bifurcation of the then Dhaka City Corporation, due to retirement of the earlier Chief Accounts Officer, the petitioner was given additional charge as Chief Accounts Officer of the Dhaka North City Corporation and current charge of the Dhaka South City Corporation respectively. However, by the impugned order dated 29-3-2012, respondent No. 6 was transferred to the post of Chief Accounts Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation and Respondent No.7, was posted as Chief Accounts Officer of the Dhaka South City Corporation under deputation as per Rule 8 of the XvKv cSi Kcvikb KgPvix PvKzix wewagvjv, 1989.

11. On 29-3-2012, for the purpose of appointing Chief Accounts Officer in the Dhaka North City Corporation and Dhaka South City Corporation, the Government placed the service of Respondent Nos. 6 and 7 to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives. Earlier, the Chief Accounts Officer of Dhaka City Corporation retired from his service and for smooth functioning of the accounts section, the petitioner, who was at that time working as Deputy Chief Accounts Officer, was given additional charge and current charge of Dhaka North City Corporation and Dhaka South City Corporation respectively. By giving the said charges, the authority neither gave any promotion to the petitioner nor any right had accrued to the petitioner to be promoted to the said post. The petitioner sought remedy against Dhaka North City Corporation and Dhaka South City Corporation, but in the instant case, the petitioner has not served any notice upon the Dhaka North City Corporation and Dhaka South City Corporation and, as such, the Rule issued in the said writ petition is liable to be discharged.

12. As per Rule 8 of the XvKv cSi Kcvikb KgPvix PvKzix wewagvjv, 1989, there is a provision for appointment on the basis of deputation and the Respondent Nos. 6 and 7 have been appointed as Chief Accounts Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation and Dhaka South City Corporation respectively by complying with the said Rule and as such, there is no illegality.

13. In 1990 an organogram was approved by the Dhaka Municipal Corporation, which was approved by the Ministry of Local Government, by the said organogram, the post of Deputy Chief Accounts Officer was Created for the first time. In the said Organogram, it has been specifically provided that the Chief Accounts Officer will be appointed by deputation. But the writ petitioner has willfully suppressed this fact. After filing the writ petition, the petitioner is still functioning as the Deputy Chief Accounts Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation and by the Impugned Order, his service has not any way been disturbed and there is no reason of the petitioner to be aggrieved by the impugned Order and as such the Rule is liable to be discharged.

14. The petitioner filed an affidavit-in-reply against the Affidavit-in-Opposition filed by the respondent No.6. It is stated that as per Rule 8 of the Dhaka Pouro Corporation Employees Service Rules, 1989, the authority can transfer any employee on deputation to any post in the City Corporation and/or by complying with the said Rule. Respondent No.6 has been transferred from his earlier post of Director, Railway Audit Department to the post of Chief Accounts Officer, Dhaka North City Corporation, which is without lawful authority, since, as per Rule-8 of the Dhaka Pouro Corporation Employees Service Rules, 1989 the authority can transfer any employee to any post, subject to the Schedule of the said Service Rules -1989.

15. Item No-17 of the Schedule of the said service Rules provides that the post of Chief Accounts Officer shall be filled in either by promotion or by direct appointment. There is no scope to transfer any employee on deputation to that post i.e. the post of Chief Accounts Officer. Therefore, it is apparent that the authority posted Respondent Nos. 6 and 7 in the said post of Chief Account's Officer of Dhaka. North City Corporation and Dhaka South City Corporation respectively in violation of Item No. 17 of the Schedule of the Service Rules-1989.

16. Mr Mohammad Hedayet Hossain, the learned Advocate for the petitioner submits that the Respondent No.1, being empowered pursuant to Section 157 of Dhaka Municipal Corporation Ordinance, 1983, enacted Dhaka Municipal Employees Service Rules, 1989 and these Service Rules of 1989 was no way detrimental to the service condition of the petitioner and the said Service Rules of 1989 was being applied as governing law with regard to the service of the petitioner. According to Item No. 17 of the Schedule of Dhaka Municipal Employees Services Rules, 1989, the post of Chief Accounts Officer was to be filled in either by direct recruitment or by promotion. He further submits that on 1-12-2011 the Dhaka City Corporation was bifurcated as 'Dhaka South City Corporation' and 'Dhaka North City Corporation' by Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Act-2011.

(To be continued)
Dead fish across the trial : The money laundering methods in Bangladesh

Kazi Mokhles Uddin Ahmed :



1. In 2012 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR)1 the mark of Bangladesh is in "major money laundering countries" that are in the "Countries/ Jurisdictions of Concern" category are identified and require the country's most attention. Identification as a "major money laundering country" is based on whether the country or jurisdiction's financial institutions engage in transactions involving significant amounts of proceeds from serious crime. Bangladesh as a country or jurisdiction's legal framework to combat money laundering: its role in the terrorist financing problem; or the degree of its cooperation in the international fight against money laundering, including terrorist financing are still in a vulnerable state. These factors, however, are included among the vulnerability factors when deciding whether to place a country or jurisdiction in the international society in relation to cross border business and investment friendly environment put in the question.

Money Laundering

2. In, lay terms Money Laundering is most often described as the "turning of dirty or black money into clean or white money", If undertaken successfully, money

laundering allows criminals to legitimize "dirty" money by mingling it with "clean" money, ultimately providing a legitimate cover for the source of their illegitimate income. Generally, the act of conversion and concealment is considered crucial to the laundering process.

3. In the Black's Law Dictionary money laundering defines as the act of transferring illegally obtained money through legitimate people or accounts so that its original source cannot be traced.ii In USA Money laundering is a federal crime.iii It is also addressed by state governments through the Uniform Money Services Activ because some money laundering is concluded across national borders, enforcement of money laundering laws often requires international cooperation fostered by organizations such as Interpol.

4. A concise working definition was adopted by Interpol General Secretariat Assembly in 1995, which defines money laundering as: "Any act or attempted act or conceal or disguise the identity of illegally obtained proceeds so that they appear to have originated from legitimate sources". Furthermore, the Joint Money Laundering Sterling Group (JMLSG) of the UK defines it as "the process whereby criminals attempt to hide and disguise the true origin and ownership of the proceeds of their criminal activities, thereby avoiding prosecutions, conviction and confiscation of their criminal funds".

5. A statutory definition of what constitutes the offence of money laundering under Bangladesh law is set out in Section 2 (V) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012 which is read as follows: "Money Laundering" means - (i) knowingly moving, converting, or transferring property involved in an offence for the following purposes:(1) concealing or disguising the illicit nature, source, location, ownership or control of the proceeds of crime: or (2) assisting any person involved in the commission of the predicate offence to evade the legal consequences of such offence; (ii) smuggling money or property earned through legal or . illegal means to a foreign country; (iii) knowingly transferring or remitting the proceeds of crime to a foreign country or remitting or bringing them into Bangladesh from a foreign country with the intention of hiding or disguising its illegal source; or (iv) concluding or attempting to conclude financial transactions in such a manner so as to reporting requirement under this Act may be avoided; (v) converting or moving or transferring property with the intention to instigate or assist for committing a predicate offence; (vi) acquiring, possessing or using any property, knowing that such property is the proceeds of a predicate offence; (vii) performing such activities so as to the illegal source of the proceeds of crime may be concealed or disguised; (viii) participating in, associating with, conspiring, attempting, abetting, instigate or counsel to commit any offences mentioned above.

6. However, an Indian court in Kalcilda Wallang vs U Lokendra Suiam stated that a few disconnected and isolated transactions would not make the plaintiff a person engaged regularly in money laundering business.

Practice and Procedure of Money Laundering in Bangladesh

7. The recent incident of the darkest misuse of the banking system of Bangladesh is the supreme example of money laundering in the history of Bangladesh financial sector. The central bank (Bangladesh Bank) has failed to monitor the state-owned banks who lost several thousand crores in forgeries due to errant directors appointed on political consideration by the government. Sonali Bank Limited faced forgery cases of more than Taka 3,600 crores by Hallmark Group in 2012. BASIC Bank, another scam-hit government bank distributed loans of more than Taka. 5,000 crore violating rules.

8. The method of trial proceeding of the offence of money laundering according to Section 9 of the Money Launde-ring Prevention Act, 2012 states the method of investigation and trial of an offence. Section V of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012 as follows:

"9. Investigation and trial of an offence (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, the offence under this Act shall be considered as the scheduled offences under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004 (Act No. V of 2004) and shall be investigated by the Anti-Corruption Commission or any officer of the Commission' empowered by it in this behalf or any officer of any of her investigating agency authorized by the Anti-Corruption Commission.

(2) The offence under this Act shall be tried by a special judge appointed under Section 3 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1958 (Act No. XL of 1958).

(3) For the purpose of the investigation and identification of" property of an accused person. the Anti-Corruption Commission may, besides this Act, 2004 (Act No. V of 2004) and an officer of any other investigating agency authorized by the Anti-Corruption Commission may, besides this Act, also exercise the powers vested in it under the AntiCorruption Commission Act, 2004 and an officer of any other investigating agency authorized by the Anti-Corruption Commission may, beside this Act, also exercise the powers vested in it under any other law.

9. In compliance to the Section 3 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1958 Government appointed special judge to deal with the money laundering crime. However, the procedural backlog and drawbacks making the process lengthy and complicated. The institution of suit, investigation operated by the sole authority of the Anti-Corruption Commission or by their authorised agency or person makes the process delayed.

10. From 2011-2013 disposals and convictions of corruption cases by Special Judges Court in Dhaka and outside Dhaka is not satisfactory as till the year total disposed of are 200 plus whereas convicted only are 80 approx. the complexity of suit instituting procedure and not-friendly environment bars the small and medium value claims throughout the country. There are number of offence of money laundering committed through hundi and intermediary companies which did not come across the justice process of Bangladesh as the practice and procedure is not simplified.

11. In Anti-Corruption Commission vs Unipay 2U Bangladesh Ltd, XI Justice Md Reazul Haque stated that Money Laundering is deemed as a financially based crime. It has potentially devastating economic security and social consequences. From the first information report and charge-sheet it cannot be said that no prima-facie case could be detected against the accused persons.

12. Furthermore, the offence of Money Laundering closely works with criminal jurisdiction. Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury in MD Unipay 2U (BD) Limited vs State stated that the money laundering nature of the crime needs to be examined by the trial court. In her judgment it stated from the perusal of the definition of Money Laundering and the predicate offence it also appears that the matter need to be examined by the trial Court on examination of evidence to reach a decision whether the allegation as brought against the Petitioner is under Money Laundering Prevention Act or not which is not the function of this court under Section 561A of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The disputed matters as presented before us are to be resolved by the trial Court, on hearing the parties and on examination of evidence produced before the Court.

13. To combat and protect the offence of money laundering Section 24 of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012 empowers Bangladesh Bank to establish a separate unit to be called the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) within Bangladesh Bank. Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) is the central agency of Bangladesh responsible for analyzing suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs), Cash Transaction Reports (CTRs) & information related to money laundering (ML)/financing of terrorism (TF) received from reporting agencies & other sources and disseminating information/ intelligence thereon to relevant Jaw enforcement agencies. BFIU has been entrusted with the responsibility of exchanging information related to money laundering and terrorist financing with its foreign counterparts. The main objective of the BFIU is to establish an effective system for prevention of money laundering, combating financing of terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

14. BFIU was established in June 2002, in Bangladesh Bank (Central bank of Bangladesh) named as 'Anti Money Laundering Department'. To enforce and ensure the operational independence of FIU, Anti Money Laundering Department has been transformed as the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) in 25 January, 20 12 and has been bestowed with operational independence. BFIU has also achieved the membership of Egmont Group in July, 2013.

Recommendation

15. There are many ways to launder proceeds of crime, methods only limited by the creativity of criminals. While investigators should have a range of potential methods in mind in order to consider the' possibilities, they should not get fixated on the idea that certain methods must be used. The more sophisticated money laundering schemes will often employ not just one of the features referred but rather multiple features. The only certainty is that, to use the metaphor quoted earlier, dead-fish will be dragged across the trail as a means of attempting to deceive the financial investigator as to where the criminal proceeds have gone and as to where money at the disposal of the defendant has come from.

The money laundering methods involved in a particular case will tend to be determined by a number of factors; ie a) The amount of money which requires to be laundered.

The larger the turnover from a criminal enterprise, the greater the need there will be for a more efficient laundering service. This increases the likelihood of corporate entities being necessary, b) The sophistication of the criminal enterprise, where a group has an organised structure with differentiated roles, it is more likely that the laundering will be overseen by someone not involved in the underlying crime, c) The ability to

travel to another jurisdiction to make financial arrangements. d) The network of trusted relationships available to the person with criminal proceeds and e). The type of crime which has been committed where the crime is capable of being committed by an individual alone, the laundering may simply be performed by that individual or by his family. and friends.

16. Where the commission of the crime requires the resources of an organised crime group, then the laundering is likely to be done in a more complex way. The educational, professional and business background of the criminal. A criminal may consider that, given his particular background, he is equipped with the knowledge, skills. and experience to be his own launderer (in the sense of not involving other persons in knowingly assisting in the laundering process). A financial investigator with responsibility for a particular investigation should develop, and regularly update, a working hypothesis as to the money laundering methods which may be being used.

Conclusion

17. Bangladesh is a signatory state of the Vienna Convention and International Convention for the suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, which undoubtedly shows the nations intention to protect the financial crimes. However, the current legal framework, practice and procedure are not adequately strong enough to combat with financial crimes. The author does not purport to provide a comprehensive account of how money laundering is performed. It merely uses examples from case law as illustrations of how it has been attempted in the past. It is a nation's interest to formulate a simplified process to combat offence of money laundering by way of strengthening the authorized institutions.



(Currently works an Associate, Imperidus Law Associate and Faculty of Bangladesh University of Professionals, Barrister-at-Law (Middle Temple), UK ; Advocate, Bangladesh ; LLM (Commercial and E-Commerce Law). University of Heartfordshire. UK ; LLB (Honours), University of London, UK ; LLB (Honours) & LLM, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. You can reach author at [email protected])
Islami Andolan Bangladesh staged a demonstration in the city on Friday in protest against attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli forces.
FF Maj Ziauddin passes away

UNB, Dhaka :

Retired Major Ziauddin Ahmed, who was a sub-sector commander during the Liberation War, passed away at Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital early Friday. He was 67.

Ziauddin, also a witness of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman killing

case, had been suffering from liver ailments and breathed his last around 4:30 am(Singapore time).

He left behind wife, two sons, two daughters and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.

Family sources said his body will be brought home from Singapore on Saturday afternoon.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock at the death of Ziauddin.
New law with capital punishment on cards

The government is now working to introduce a new law keeping provision of death penalty for the abuse and trafficking of intoxicating synthetic drugs Yaba, mostly smuggled in the country from neighbouring Myanmar.

"The government is actively considering formulation of a new law where highest punishment will be death for the Yaba smugglers. Apart from different administrative steps, the government is also laying emphasis on the social movement to tackle the spreading and abuse of drugs," Home Minister Asaduzzamna Khan Kamal said on Tuesday.

The statement of Home Minister, given in observance of the Narcotics Day, mentioned the stringent measures against the drug traffickers as the drug abuse situation has taken a dangerous turn in the country.

"The Home Ministry is working to make the country free from drugs in line with the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's zero tolerance policy to the narcotics. The government is determined to tackle the present drug abuse situation," the Minister said.

According to an approximate estimate, the number of drug abusers in the country is about 70 to 80 lakh. Of the abusers, majority addicts are from young generation belonging to different educational institutions. Significantly, most of them take Yaba.

Against this backdrop, Asaduzzaman Kamal said: "The size of Yaba is so small that anyone can carry a lot of Yaba pills in his pocket. There is no carrying cost of it. And for that reason, it's a great business for the drugs dealers. The trade is also spreading across the rural areas or villages for the same."

Answering to a question, the Minister said: "Of the total smuggled consignment of Yaba, 70 per cent comes through the Naf River route. And so, fishing has been banned in the River Naf for some days. If necessity, the government would arrange alternate arrangement for the livelihood of the fishermen in that region."

Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterating her government's firm stance against drugs had said she already directed authorities concerned to stop fish catching in the Naf River to check Yaba smuggling.

'I've already directed the authorities concerned to stop fish catching for some days along Myanmar bordering Naf River as Yaba tablets are smuggled on this route through fishing boats,' she said. "We are discussing the issue with the Myanmar government," the PM said.

Officials of the Department of Narcotics Control said the Yaba smugglers have changed their route. They are now using small boats and fishing trawlers through the Karnafully waterways to transport the narcotics inside Bangladesh, they said. Echoing the same, security officials said the smugglers earlier had preferred to unload their consignments on the embankments of River Naf at Teknaf in the district of Cox's Bazar and later had used land routes for its supply chain. But now they are taking their consignments directly inside Chittagong using riverine routes considering waterways safer for transporting the narcotics due to tight security at different points on the land routes, they said.

Last year, Dhaka and Yangon in a sector level meeting between BGB and Border Guard Police [BGP] of Myanmar had agreed to stop narcotic smuggling, especially Yaba, through border of the two countries. But it did not work.


360 cartons of cigarettes seized at HSIA

Staff Reporter :

Customs Intelligence on Friday recovered import restricted 360 cartons of cigarettes from a passenger at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA).

The USA 303 brand cigarettes were about 72,000 pieces worth Tk 22 lakh only.

Tipped-off, Customs launched a drive and checked his baggage and found the cigarettes. The passenger identified as Md Khorshedul Alam arrived from Dubai, UAE.

A case has been filed against him under Customs Law.
Experts fear more money laundering as nat'l polls nearing

Badrul Ahsan :

Suspicious transactions through banking and non-banking financial institutions have marked a 54.20 percent rise in the fiscal year 2015-16, as intelligence agencies pointed to possible money laundering in its reports submitted to the central bank.

According to Bangladesh Bank (BB) sources, suspicious transaction reports (STR) jumped to 1,687 in the fiscal year 2015-16 from 1,094 in the FY 2014-15.

The agencies submitted 416 STRs in FY13 and 621 STRs in FY14.

Tk 3,035.93 crore has been transacted during the time, according to the STR.

A BB official told The New Nation on Thursday that the STRs usually increased when the country faced an upward trend in money laundering.

However, money market experts have often suspected that money laundering was being perpetrated through the suspicious transactions mainly behind the under-invoicing and over-invoicing.

"Whenever money laundering takes place, suspicious transactions would increase. So there is nothing to be surprised hearing increase in suspicious transactions as we all know that huge amount of money has been laundered in recent years," Dr Saleh Uddin Ahmed, former governor of BB told The New Nation.

He also said, "Such transactions may increase further in the coming years as national election is nearing. Many political musclemen and government supported burecrates will now try to keep their black money in safe place and launder."

According to a Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management research report released in June, a large amount of money is being laundered abroad from Bangladesh through export and import business or trade financing.

After receiving the STRs, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), a wing of the central bank to tackle money laundering and terror financing, conducted 63 special inspections on banks in FY16.

The BFIU also carried out 27 onsite inspections on 27 mobile financial service providers (head offices and agents) during FY16.

The central bank unearthed some money laundering related crimes after conducting the inspections, the BB official said.

The BB, however, did not reveal the unearthed money laundering cases in its report.

The BIFU received 91.70 per cent STRs from banks and the rest were submitted by other reporting agencies including non-banking financial institutions or NBFIs and insurance companies. The foreign commercial banks submitted the highest number of STRs (642) in FY16 despite having the lowest number of branch network and clients.

The private commercial banks and Islamic banks submitted 511 STRs and 362 STRs respectively in FY16.

Of the total suspicious transactions, 99.86 per cent or Tk 3,035.93 crore was transacted at different banks where Islamic banks made the highest contribution to the transaction volume followed by the state-owned banks.

Islamic banks reported to the central bank Tk 1,500 crore suspicious transactions, state banks Tk 984.15 crore, private banks Tk 313.09 crore and foreign banks Tk 234 crore.

The BB official said that STRs had been increasing over the last few years, indicating the rising money laundering during the period. According to a study released in May by Washington-based Global Financial Integrity, illicit financial outflow from Bangladesh was estimated at $8.97 billion (about Tk 72,000 crore) in 2014.

The amount of laundered money in 2014 by traders ranged from $4.96 billion to $7.88 billion or the highest 88 per cent through trade misinvoicing -over-invoicing in import and under-invoicing in export.

Every year, on an average, some $5.3 billion to $7.5 billion was siphoned off the country during 2005-2014, according to the study.
Nawaz Sharif steps down

Dawn.com :

The Supreme Court on Friday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from holding public office in a landmark decision on the Panama Papers case.



Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, who had headed the apex court's implementation bench following its April 20 order on the Panama Papers case, announced that the larger bench had unanimously deemed PM Sharif unfit for holding office and would also order an accountability court to open references against him and his family, and other respondents. Shortly after the order, the PM House issued a notification saying that Nawaz Sharif, despite having "strong reservations" on the SC's verdict, has stepped down from his post as the premier. Reacting to the court's order, a PML-N spokesperson said that the party will utilise all legal and constitutional means to contest the verdict. The judgement, announced shortly after 12pm, brings Sharif's third term in power to an unceremonious end, roughly one year before the scheduled general elections which would have seen him become the first Pakistani prime minister to complete a full five-year term. It is unclear at the moment who will be appointed to take over the post till the next general elections, which are scheduled for 2018.



The federal cabinet was dissolved after Nawaz Sharif relinquished his responsibilities as the prime minister of Pakistan. Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq will assume the responsibility of the interim prime minister.



"The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) shall issue a notification disqualifying Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif from being a member of the Parliament with immediate effect, after which he shall cease to be the Prime Minister of Pakistan," Justice Khan told the packed courtroom.



The judges ruled that Nawaz had been dishonest to the parliament and the courts in not disclosing his employment in the Dubai-based Capital FZE company in his 2013 nomination papers, and thus, could not be deemed fit for his office. "It is hereby declared that having failed to disclose his un-withdrawn receivables constituting assets from Capital FZE Jebel Ali, UAE in his nomination papers filed for the General Elections held in 2013 in terms of Section 12(2)(f) of the Representation of the People Act, 1976 (ROPA), and having furnished a false declaration under solemn affirmation respondent No. 1 Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is not honest in terms of Section 99(f) of ROPA and Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 and therefore he is disqualified to be a Member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)."



Justice Khan said that the bench had recommended that all material collected by the joint investigation team (JIT) tasked with probing the Sharif family's financial dealings be sent to an accountability court within six weeks. The bench said that on the basis of this information, cases would be opened against Finance Minister Ishaq Dar; MNA Captain Muhammad Safdar; Maryam, Hassan and Hussain Nawaz; as well as the premier.



A judgement on these references should be announced within six months, he said. One judge will oversee the implementation of this order. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Captain Safdar, who is an MNA, were also declared unfit for office. ECP has been directed to de-seat Dar for "possessing assets and funds beyond his known sources of income". The judges "commended and appreciated" the hard work and efforts made by members of the JIT in preparing and filing a comprehensive and detailed report.



"Their tenure of service shall be safeguarded and protected and no adverse action of any nature including transfer and posting shall be taken against them without informing the monitoring Judge of this Court nominated by the Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan," reads the court order.



The original five-member bench of the Supreme Court which heard the Panama Papers case - comprising Justices Asif Saeed Khosa, Ejaz Afzal Khan, Gulzar Ahmed, Sheikh Azmat Saeed, Ijazul Ahsan - announced the much-awaited verdict in Courtroom No. 1 shortly after 12pm. According to media reports, the courtroom was filled to capacity as prominent politicians, lawyers and journalists crowded the room to hear the judges decide Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's fate. The twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi were on high alert in anticipation of the SC verdict while the Red Zone was partially sealed.



Paramilitary soldiers and policemen cordon off the main entrance of the Supreme Court building.



Rangers and Frontier Constabulary personnel were deployed at the Supreme Court and the Red Zone to assist the police.



The April 20 judgement issued by the larger bench in the Panama Papers case had been split 3-2 among the five judges, with two dissenting notes from Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice Gulzar Ahmed. Justice Ejaz Afzal authored the majority opinion in the 540-page judgement. The two judges who ruled against PM Nawaz Sharif had said he should be disqualified as he could not be considered 'honest' and 'truthful' (ameen and sadiq), whereas the other three were in favour of forming a joint investigation team (JIT) to definitively answer the question of whether the allegations against the prime minister were true or not.



The court had further said that: "upon receipt of the reports, periodic or final of the JIT, as the case may be, the matter of disqualification of respondent No. 1 [Nawaz Sharif] shall be considered. If found necessary for passing an appropriate order in this behalf, [Nawaz Sharif or any other person may be summoned and examined." A special bench of the Supreme Court was subsequently constituted to examine the case under Section 184/3 of the Constitution. The bench comprised the three judges who had prevailed.



The Supreme Court had on May 6 formed the JIT, putting a senior officer of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in charge. After considering the background and antecedents of the officer, FIA's Additional Director General Wajid Zia, a grade 21 officer, was appointed head of the probe team.



Amer Aziz of the State Bank of Pakistan, Executive Director of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan Bilal Rasool, National Accountability Bureau Director Irfan Naeem Mangi, Brig Muhammad Nauman Saeed of Inter-Services Intelligence and Brig Kamran Khurshid of the Military Intelligence were appointed as the remaining members of the team. The six-member JIT's damning report, submitted after a 60-day investigation that sought answers to 13 questions raised by the Supreme Court's larger bench, had maintained that Prime Minister's family owned assets beyond its known sources of income. It declared that both Hussain and Hassan Nawaz were used as proxies to build family assets.



Consequently, the six-man JIT concluded that it was compelled to refer to sections 9(a)(v) and 14(c) of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999, which deal with corruption and corrupt practices, though such charges are yet to be proven in an accountability court.



The JIT report also highlighted Articles 122, 117, 129 and other sections of the Qanoon-i-Shahadat Order 1984 (Law of Evidence), which places the burden of disproving the allegations on the person facing accusations.



The JIT pointed out failure on the part of the Sharifs to produce the required information that would confirm their "known sources of income", saying that prima facie, it amounted to saying that they were not able to reconcile their assets with their means of income. The prime minister's daughter, Maryam Nawaz, had on the same evening issued a strongly-worded statement on behalf of the PML-N, saying:



"JIT report REJECTED. Every contradiction will not only be contested but decimated in SC. NOT a penny of public exchequer involved: PMLN." Her tweet followed a press conference conducted by four senior PML-N leaders, who had taken turns to criticise the JIT report as 'serving Imran Khan's agenda'. The Sharif family's legal team's strategy in subsequent hearings had focused on discrediting the report, the evidence collected and the means used to do so, and raising questions about the impartiality and capability of the six men who had comprised the JIT.
Can the right be liberal?

Patrick French :

THE CONCEPT OF liberalism in various mutant forms like 'left-liberal' and 'libtard' seems to be under attack globally. Originating in America, an idea has taken hold that liberals are effete, elite, hypocritical, unpatriotic, and out of touch with ground-level realities. What is sometimes forgotten in India is that the arguments that led up to independence, the writing of the Constitution and the founding of the modern republic were rooted in liberal political traditions that had by the 1940s become largely indigenous. This is true for many of the intellectual forebears of both the BJP and the Congress, who are claimed (sometimes by both parties) in the pantheon of heroes. The perceived clash between liberals and nationalists, and between liberal values and the history of the Right, is partially illusory. India has had its own forms of liberalism for longer than anyone can remember, and these have the capacity to evolve.

The current world order is being shaken up, and the pieces have not yet fallen into place. We are told we are living in the era of the strongman, and that leaders like Erdogan in Turkey, Duterte in the Philippines, Trump in the United States, Modi in India, Putin in Russia and Xi in China have knocked aside old Western pieties about the role of freedom and democracy in the world order. But is India a plausible part of this jigsaw? I would suggest Indian traditions of government and forms of debate are more powerfully inflected by liberal thought than we realise.

Certainly the world is in flux and nationalism is more fashionable than a generation ago, but this may be less a clash between liberals and nationalists than an inevitable international rebalancing, exemplified by the comparative decline of America and the rise (or return) of Asia, which is accompanied by an assertion of ancestral identity. The mistake of the globalisers and flat-worlders exemplified by Thomas L Friedman was to imagine that older forms of belonging were going to be supplanted by post-identity politics, and that globalisation would lead inexorably to a spread of democracy and internationalism. The hypothesis that the fall of the Berlin Wall would lead to an end to communist rule in China, for instance, was a common mistaken assumption. Ironically, the process of worldwide adjustment now seems to be hitting the United States as hard as any country, and is provoking a profound ideological anxiety.

Donald J Trump has a great talent for articulating unconscious fears; indeed, it may be the key to his electoral success. When he spoke of American carnage and said people were laughing at the land of the free, when he said that assorted Asian powers (first it was Japan, then it was China) were out to destroy the wealth of the United States, when he said Mexican rapists needed to be kept away by a beautiful wall he was going to build, and when he said he would make the bleak, de-industrialised suburbs of middle America hum once more with economic life, he was speaking to the gut. Something had gone wrong, and he had the snake oil salesman's patter and the outsized populist promise to put it right.

In the US, like many Western countries, the optimism about the future that most people have in India, Vietnam or Cambodia is absent. Remarkably, nearly seven out of ten Republicans say they prefer America as it was in the 1950s, a statement loaded with social and racial freight. In his speech in Warsaw last week, President Trump said: "The fundamental question of our time is whether the West has the will to survive. Do we have the confidence in our values to defend them at any cost? Do we have enough respect for our citizens to protect our borders? Do we have the desire and the courage to preserve our civilisation in the face of those who would subvert and destroy it?" But what did Trump mean by 'the West', and does anyone doubt it has the will to survive? After the London Bridge attacks in June, when three petty criminals attacked passersby with knives and were shot dead within minutes by police, London continued on its way. The UK had faced terrorism before, and would endure, just as other countries have the resilience to endure such attacks.

THE IDEA OF 'the West'-meaning a concert of powers that included Russia- was invented in 1815 in the wake of Napoleon and 20 years of devastating revolutionary wars in Europe and beyond. The idea had links to liberalism and nationalist aspiration, and its growth was partly an attempt to make Europe's political institutions more accountable in order to stave off possible insurrection. Its proponents challenged the arbitrary exercise of state power as damaging to mutual trust between individuals. Programmes of partial representative government spread through Europe in the 19th Century, and to some parts of India at the civic level. Even in autocratic Russia, serfdom was abolished in 1861.

America was the oddity, seeing itself as a colonial extension of Europe, while maintaining a cruder racial politics and the institution of chattel slavery until 1865. Visiting writers were at times disconcerted by the Trumpian folk they encountered across the pond. To quote the imperial historian John Darwin: 'Europeans were also puzzled and alarmed by American populism- the very wide suffrage (for white men) and the universal tendency towards elective office, even for legal or judicial officials. The English radical Edward Gibbon Wakefield condemned the rootless mobility of American society, its lack of any sense of place, tradition or history.'

Long before the American Civil War and the abolition of slavery, liberal ideas were current in countries that were themselves under European rule in various forms. Nearly 200 years ago, the young romantic poet Henry Derozio could lament that India was 'chained', and radical journals in India wrote of 'separation' and the 'drain of wealth' by the colonial power. Such thinking was circulating globally, aided by the rise of printing, and it was hard in many cases to say where ideas had originated, and to distinguish between those that were of 'the West' and those that had emerged from an indigenous political source. India had ancient liberal traditions. As I have written previously in Open,Hinduism has no set of regulations from which a person can apostasise, no clerical hierarchy that can impose sanctions and no historical tradition of killing heretics out of religious duty. What liberals termed 'toleration' was an embedded social practice.

When John Stuart Mill wrote, 'the only way in which a human being can make some approach to knowing the whole of a subject, is by hearing what can be said about it by persons of every variety of opinion, and studying all modes in which it can be looked at by every character of mind,' he was approaching Hindu and Buddhist forms of philosophical enquiry. No surprise, then, that Mill was read down the century by Indian thinkers and politicians of all stripes, from Nehru to Savarkar. Reform movements of varying degrees of utopianism were contagious. Everyone was talking. As the late Cambridge historian CA Bayly wrote of the great Bengali reformer: 'Rammohan Roy himself hosted several celebrations in Calcutta Town Hall for the Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American revolutions between 1820 and 1823.'

Liberalism has always been compromised, in the sense that it began as an exclusive project, but that should not blind us to its malleability as an idea. Women, slaves, non- Christians and non-Europeans have all at times been betrayed by its proponents. John Locke, one of its foundational philosophers, was happy for Catholics to face discrimination since they had 'blind obedience to an infallible pope, who hath the keys of their consciences tied to his girdle'. Adam Smith put an emphasis on economic freedom that was by no means applicable to all. Lord Macaulay promoted progress and liberal freedoms, even while grossly insulting Indian culture.

In the mid 19th century, Mill depended on civilisational exclusions to justify despotism as a reasonable form of government in India, and famously wrote that, 'Liberty, as a principle, has no application to any state of things anterior to the time when mankind have become capable of being improved by free and equal discussion. Until then, there is nothing for them but implicit obedience to an Akbar or a Charlemagne, if they are so fortunate as to find one.' Yet the principle remained radical, in terms of individual freedom, as a possible mechanism for ordering society.

As Mill wrote in On Liberty, 'the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant.'

The political scientist Uday Singh Mehta has observed that it was only after the British Empire gained major territorial control of India that liberalism 'assumes a paternal posture-an odd mix of maturity, familial concern, and an underlying awareness of the capacity to direct, and if need be, coerce'. Chroniclers now spoke of 'our Indian subjects' and 'our Indian empire', as if they were on some benign social mission. 'The possessive pronoun simultaneously conveys familiarity and distance, warmth and sternness, responsibility and raw power.' Claiming a new ethical basis for imperial rule, writers in this tradition distanced themselves from the earlier military excesses of the East India Company and proposed new systems of cooperation and collaboration.

(To be continued)
Bangladesh now to face EU visa restrictions

As the country goes through a myriad of problems to ship goods to the European Union due to a ban imposed on direct cargo flights, yet another threat seems to worsen the situation. According to diplomatic sources, the 28-nation European bloc has already decided to restrict visas for foreign countries that refuse or are reluctant to take back their nationals who reached European shores across the Mediterranean since 2014, and Bangladesh's name is there.



The current issue of visa restriction further worries us after the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Tuesday threatened to "limit visas" to Europe for travellers from Bangladesh if there was no action by Dhaka on irregular migrants. Question automatically arise, what's our diplomatic missions in countries like Italy, Germany, Greece doing? Apart from our embassies we also mark a clear lackadaisical attitude among our high-ups in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this regard.



Had our embassies in Europe taken planned and calculative measures to bring back the hundreds of illegal migrants those reached Europe illegally crossing the Mediterranean shores this threat wouldn't have come in our way. Though Bangladesh is reported to have voiced its firm position on bringing "all the people in irregular situation back", but a number of European diplomats said Dhaka had been making long delay to conclude the negotiations on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on the return of irregular migrants from the EU. Moreover, following the Joint Commission meeting between the EU and Bangladesh on July 12 in Brussels, the EU warned Bangladesh to end the negotiations on the SOPs by the end of this month. There is little time at hand and our concerned ministry and diplomats should act fast.



Earlier, at the Joint Commission meeting, the EU alleged that Bangladesh has long been making "unnecessary" delay in the name of nationality verification and had asked to complete the verification within 48 hours. However, according to the sequence of events the responsibility of verification goes to the Home Ministry and there is a common feeling that the law enforcing agencies took longer to verify the individual's nationality. This unnecessary bureaucratic procedural obstacle and red-tape must be right away removed. More to it, verifying national identity is not a difficult task. Given a proper set of checklists and identification methodology our embassy officials are enough to carry out the task abroad.






Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif resigns after Panama Papers verdict

Pakistan\'s Supreme Court recommended an anti-corruption case against Mr Sharif

Nawaz Sharif has resigned as prime minister of Pakistan following a decision by the country's Supreme Court to disqualify him from office.



The ruling came after a probe into his family's wealth following the 2015 Panama Papers dump linking Mr Sharif's children to offshore companies.



Mr Sharif has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the case.



The five judges reached a unanimous verdict in the Islamabad court, which was filled to capacity.



"Following the verdict, Nawaz Sharif has divested himself of his responsibility as prime minister," a spokesman for Mr Sharif's office said in a statement. However, it said he had "serious reservations" about the judicial process.



There was heightened security in the capital, with tens of thousands of troops and police deployed.



The court's ruling stated that Mr Sharif had been dishonest in not disclosing his earnings from a Dubai-based company in his nomination papers during the 2013 general election.



One of the judges, Ejaz Afzal Khan, said that Mr Sharif was no longer "eligible to be an honest member of the parliament".



Pakistan's Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan earlier advised Mr Sharif to accept Friday's verdict.



The court has recommended anti-corruption cases against several individuals, including Mr Sharif, his daughter Maryam and her husband Safdar, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and others.
Installation of EDS at HSIA in a day or two

CAAB official hopes EU's cargo ban to go soon

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has started installing Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in compliance with the conditionalities from the European Union (EU) in the wake of terror threat after the Holey Artisan Cafe attack at Gulshan in Dhaka last year.

"Installation of Explosive Detection Systems at the airport is underway in compliance with the EU's conditionalities. The systems can automatically detect explosive material concealed inside hold baggage and cargo," a senior CAAB official told The New Nation on Friday, asking not to be named.

The CAAB earlier floated tender for importing two sophisticated EDS. The consignment of the EDS arrived in the country on July 23.

"Installation of the EDS will complete in a day or two. Once the installation work is completed, we hope the EU would erase Bangladesh's name from the red list and lift the ban on direct air cargo from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA)," added the CAAB official.

In June this year, the EU put Bangladesh on the list of "high-risk" countries in terms of operating cargo services by air and sea to the EU countries and imposed restriction on direct air cargos from Bangladesh.

It also asked the Bangladesh authorities for immediate introduction of explosive detection systems as part of additional screening of baggage and cargoes before any flight departure for any EU country.

Last year, Australia, the UK and Germany imposed a ban on direct cargo flights from Bangladesh citing poor aviation security at the HSIA.

"Security at the airport has already been beefed up. For further security enhancement, installation of necessary equipment is going on in full swing," said the CAAB official, adding: "The installation work will be completed within the shortest possible time."

Apart from EDS, the CAAB is also installing duel-view X-Ray scanning machines, duel-view scanning machines, liquid explosive detection systems, under vehicle scanning systems, flap barrier gate with card reader, explosive trace detection system, barrier gate with RFID card reader and many others to improve airport's security.

The official also informed this newspaper that the CAAB authorities are going to invite two teams from the EU and the UK to inspect the progress in aviation security at the HSIA, the prime airport in Bangladesh.

"We will invite the EU and the UK teams in the first week of August for the physical inspection of improved passengers and consignments screening at the airport," he added.

In March 2016, the UK banned air cargo directly flying from Dhaka to London stating that HSIA failed to meet some international security requirements, including screening of passengers and cargoes and lack of explosive tracking devices.

Later, the government engaged British security firm 'Redline Assured Security' to upgrade the security management and training of personnel at the airport at a cost of Tk 73.25 crore.

The firm will continue its project until March 2018.
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WASHINGTON  Four federal legislators are once again pressing Housing and Urban Developments investigatory arm to complete its review into what went wrong at the Alexander County Housing Authority.

On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Mike Bost and Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth sent a letter to Helen Albert, the acting inspector general of the Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General asking her office to swiftly complete the investigation and make the results public.

Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, also joined with the Illinois legislators in making the request to Inspector General Albert.

In the letter, the lawmakers say it is their understanding that the HUD OIG has been investigating mismanagement at the ACHA. In the meantime, hundreds of tenants in Cairo are being forced out of their housing units due to years of negligence and mismanagement by ACHA administrators.

Therefore, it is vital that you complete your investigation as soon as possible and make your findings public.

The Office of Inspector Generals role, according to HUD OIGs website, is to promote the integrity, efficiency and effectiveness of HUD programs. The office conducts audits, evaluations, investigations and oversight efforts concerning the federal housing agencys programs and operations.

HUD OIG reports directly to Congress. It is separate from the federal housing agency. In their letter, Bost, Durbin, Duckworth and Grassley were critical of HUDs oversight role of the local housing authority headquartered in Cairo. As a regular course of business, HUD OIG does not confirm nor deny whether an investigation exists. The spokesperson for HUD OIG could not be reached on Friday afternoon.

For years, HUD sent letters to ACHA raising concerns about significant administrative problems being ignored by the executives.  Yet, HUD turned a blind eye each time ACHA failed to resolve its significant problems, the letter reads. It was not until six months after The Southern Illinoisan newspaper brought to light the extraordinary extent of the ACHA mismanagement, beginning with the article 'Chaos in Cairo' that HUD finally stepped in and took possession of the housing authority.

HUD has been operating the ACHA in administrative receivership since February 2016. In April, HUD announced it would begin relocating about 400 people, close to half of them children, from the Elmwood and McBride apartment complexes that have fallen into extreme disrepair. HUD officials told the residents that many would likely have to move outside of Cairo because of a lack of affordable housing options in the city.

In an interview on Friday, Bost said he wants to see the report made available for public inspection so that everyone has access to the review concerning what led to the housing crisis in Cairo. Bost said that he personally wants to review where it went south, when it went south, when they (HUD) knew it went south  to prevent this type of situation in the future and make policy changes that are needed to address why HUDs oversight function apparently failed.

It doesnt take away the pain of the immediate situation, but there are lessons to be learned here, Bost said.
Carbondale Police Department is investigating the armed robbery at a business in the 2100 block of West Ramada Lane, according to a news release from the department. The police did not identify the business.

Officers responded about 9:03 p.m. to the business in reference to an armed robbery that had just occurred and learned two suspects came in, displayed a firearm and demanded money. One suspect was wearing a clown-style mask, a blue hooded sweatshirt and gray pants and is of an unknown race. The suspect is about 6 feet tall and 190 pounds. The second suspect was also wearing a clown-style mask and is believed to be male standing about five feet, nine inches and weighing about 160 pounds. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, a V-neck T-shirt, gray pants and white footwear.
CARBONDALE  Many people may not think too hard about how letters and packages get delivered to their doorsteps. But every piece of mail takes a journey  sometimes a counterintuitive one.

If you want to send something across town, it wont get there the next day, necessarily  it may be two days later, because it has to go to St. Louis first and then come back, said Jeremy Ridings, supervisor of customer service at the United States Post Office at 1301 E. Main Street in Carbondale.

That delay exists because the Carbondale office, the largest in the region, no longer processes mail the way it did for years and years, Ridings said. After the Great Recession in 2008, the U.S. Postal Service consolidated those centers, moving Southern Illinois processing to St. Louis.

Ridings offered a tour to members of the public Thursday as part of the post offices annual Customer Appreciation Day. He said that although the role of the Postal Service is changing, it is by no means becoming obsolete.

With our partnerships with UPS, FedEx and Amazon now, our parcel sales and our delivery have increased probably tenfold since 2015 for sure. They just keep increasing every year. I feel like thats where were heading, Ridings said. Our actual mail, our letter volume and everything, has tapered off, and thats continuing to happen. Ever since text messaging, email, nobody writes a letter to grandma no more, he said.

Each morning, semitrailers from St. Louis haul in loads of parcels, packages and letters. Workers bring the mail in and process whats being delivered to 54 downstream offices in small towns.

The Carbondale office services 15 city routes and 10 rural routes. Carriers begin by sorting their flats and letters in large metal cases with slots. Next, they pull all of it down in the sequence of their daily walk, so all the deliveries are in order.

Some of our non-career employees, they carry different routes every day, but with most of them, though, its the same process.  You get your mail, you case your mail, you pull your mail down and you go deliver your mail, Ridings said.

Richard Craven, of Carbondale, said he attended the tour because he had an appreciation for the work the Postal Service does.

I worked briefly in a post office when I was younger, in North Carolina. I was just loading and unloading trucks, but Ive always been curious about the mail, and I enjoy letter writing, et cetera, to begin with, and thats what it is for me. I think the post office is just terrific, Craven said.

A lot of people are interested in the operations, what goes on behind the scenes and so on. Id encourage them to come and see it next time. It is a pretty neat process, Ridings said.
HARRISBURG  A light rain fell Thursday morning providing a drop in temperature and some relief for the family of U.S. Army reserve Cpl. Edward Lee Borders as they waited outside the Air Cargo Bay at Lambert International Airport for his remains to be returned.

Borders, a Korean War POW/MIA veteran, was listed as missing in action Feb. 13, 1951, after he did not report to his unit following a massive counter offensive by the CPVF against the South Koreans.

A simple ceremony marked his return to the Midwest.

An Army Honor Guard carried his flag-draped coffin from the terminal to the hearse waiting to return him to Harrisburg, the home town he left 65 years ago.

Service Casualty Officer Sarah Campbell stood by Borders family  his niece, Phyllis Walker of Marion, and nephews, Rusty and Fred Borders of Harrisburg, and their respective spouses, through the rendering of honors.

But the conversation, before and after the ceremony, was subdued. Missing was the general sharing of the details of the life of the person that generally occurs at a funeral or celebration of life.

When the remains of a soldier such as Borders come home after such a long passage of time, oftentimes the generation that knew them best are gone. In Borders case, his father, mom and step-mom are gone, as are his aunts and uncles, leaving his nieces and nephews to guide him to his rest.

Walker said All I know about my uncle is what my parents and grandparents have told me. My mother always kept a picture of him next to my dads, but I was a baby at the time he passed away, so I dont know a lot about him.

But even though the day was short on familial anecdotes, it was not short on family. Surrounding Borders nieces and nephews was the extended family of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and those that serve and protect our nation in other capacities.

In addition to the Honor Guard at plane-side, men and women of the St. Louis Police Force cleared the way for the cortege from the airport to Interstate 64, and later, a motorcycle escort from the Patriot Guard Riders met up with the procession in Mascoutah.

Larry Hamilton, Senior Ride Captain for the Illinois Region 6 Patriot Guard Riders said the group was formed in 2005 by the American Legion Riders chapter 136 from Kansas to protect the family of a fallen hero from a protest by the Westboro Baptist Church.

Anyone is welcome to serve. We take people from any and all groups who want to honor those who have fallen in the line of duty. And we honor all veterans past and present as well as first responders, Hamilton said.

Charles Chuck Taitt has been with the group for six years and is now a Ride Captain. Taitt was turned down for active service in the 1970s as a result of long-standing kidney problems as a youth, but was called to honor those who helped to preserve his freedom.

To quote a friend, I did not serve myself, but I am here to serve those who did, Taitt said.

Hamiltons wife, Judi, is also involved. She functions as one of the organizations Illinois Moderators and occasionally rides with her husband on their missions.

I have been on so many of these rides, she said. The KIA rides are the hardest because they are real heart-breakers. But this one for Corporal Borders had a little bit both ways. The way he died was horrific and it was so sad he died without his family knowing what happened to him. But it is also happy because they are finally bringing him home.

Bittersweet, perhaps is the best way to describe the mood on this journey. When the procession left Interstate 57 at the VA in Marion, every car along the three-mile journey down Main Street and over to Illinois 13 pulled over to the side of the road and paused in respect.

The same thing happened all along the final leg of the journey from Marion to Harrisburg. Just outside the city limits, the cortege was met by a truck from the Harrisburg Fire Department and two cars from the Harrisburg Police Department, which proceeded to help the procession commandeer both lanes of the highway.

On the way into town, a lone man stood at the end of Jones Road with his hand held over his heart. While the procession circled the courthouse, people lined the streets, some with bowed heads, some holding POW flags.

The fire department had an enormous American flag suspended from a crane, and children stood, hushed by the weight of a somber ceremony, as the Honor Guard carried Borders into the building where he will stay, under the watchful eye of his army escort, until he is finally laid to rest.

Services for Cpl. Borders will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the J. M. Weirauch Funeral Home with Rev. Chris Winkleman officiating. Interment with full military honors will be at Cottage Grove Cemetery, east of Harrisburg. Visitation will be after 9 a.m. Saturday at J. M. Weirauch Funeral Home, 211 N. Jackson St., in Harrisburg.
"Tracy and I can't thank the people of Southern Illinois enough for their support and their prayers. Our victory tonight sends a powerful message to out-of-touch politicians everywhere that we're unified and unyielding in the fight for our conservative values. Joe Biden's going to be held accountable for destroying the economy, ignoring the border crisis, and taking us from America First to America Last in two years flat. But none of this would be possible without the trust of voters from across our vast 12th District. Serving you is truly the honor of a lifetime."
Malfunctioning heating, ventilation and air conditioning units and out-of-date alarm systems will soon no longer be issues after ground was broken Thursday morning for construction of a new Orangeburg County Department of Social Services building.

Officials gathered near the Technology Center on Magnolia Street on Thursday morning for the long-awaited project.

"This has been a long time coming. It has been very challenging to get this done, but I am grateful that we're at this point," Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright said.

"We were getting so much problems with the older building. We were getting cited by DHEC with issues in the building, which was in such a bad condition," Wright said. "I would get calls in the middle of the summer about the cooling system and calls in the winter about the heating system."

"People were saying, 'Y'all don't care,' and we did care," he added.

County council members and other government and health officials attended Thursday's ceremony.

The new DSS building will be located near The Technology Center on Magnolia Street. The single-story building will be approximately 30,000 square feet. Construction is expected to begin Aug. 14, with occupancy of the building anticipated by the late summer or early fall of 2018.

Orangeburg County Council approved the DSS project with North Carolina-based Piedmont Companies Inc. last year.

Wright said, "I'm just really excited by the fact that we had the opportunity to partner with the Piedmont company. By working together and putting the building in its location along Highway 601, (it) is a win-win situation for them and Orangeburg County."

Piedmont Companies Commercial Developer Andrew Silver said, "Piedmont is very proud to be part of the Orangeburg community. Orangeburg's moving forward, and we're working hard on other projects."

County Administrator Harold Young said the project will especially benefit DSS workers, noting that it is an example of the progress the county has made in infrastructure development to improve quality of life.

"One of the things that I'm most proud of is that Orangeburg County Council has set us on a path, and that path you see is coming to fruition," Young said.

The building, which was designed by Columbia-based Studio 2LR Inc., will include several Department of Health and Human Services and economic services interview rooms, job development space, two visiting rooms, an observation room and a board room.

Young said the existing DSS building was not initially designed for that purpose.

"It was some type of factory in the '70s and then after the company left, they turned the building over to the Department of Social Services for them to move into that. This new building will allow us to definitely save a lot as far as maintenance costs," he said. "The fact that it has leaks is an understatement. The DSS side of the building has no windows. Basically, it's just like a tin box. And, not having any ambient lighting means that it costs us a whole lot more to light that facility."

Safety issues will also be addressed with the new facility, the administrator said, adding, "This new facility will have incorporated children's rooms and other things to make it less of a trauma on a child that's being removed from their home."

Young said the existing DSS building also houses the Orangeburg County Council on Aging and Senior Catering, with the rear of the building currently being leased by Kimlor Mills Inc. as warehouse space.

"We'll have time to go about finding additional facilities for them. What we'll do first is move DSS out and then we'll take suggestions about what we're gonna do with the facility. And then if it requires us to move out the Council on Aging and the Senior Catering, then we will. But for right now, they'll be staying there until we make further plans," the administrator said.

He added, "Once we let the state know that we were building a new facility, they kind of cut a little bit of slack until we could get it built. But in the most part, we're kind of working at this together. I wish additional funding was coming from the state, but they have agreed to at least take care of the furniture and fixtures and phone systems and those type things. So that's a burden that the county doesn't have to worry about."

Young said while the county is responsible for providing a building for DSS, the state provides "the personnel, their computer systems, software, inventory and that type stuff."

Nicole Foulks, who has been serving as the interim Orangeburg County DSS director for approximately four months and as regional director for 12 surrounding counties, is happy about the new building.

"It is magnificent. You can't be anything but excited about what this impact is for the community and staff. The work is hard. So to have to consume yourself with talking about the environment, it's just not fair. Being able to focus on the work more and not worry about building issues is absolutely a morale booster," Foulks said.

County Councilman Willie B. Owens said, "I think it will help the workers of DSS serve our citizens better. It provides a better working environment. It was originally ... makeshift and we should have probably done something years ago."

County Councilman Harry Wimberly, who did not attend the groundbreaking, previously said, "We had been battling some building problems with the DSS building for a long, long time. We had an opportunity to work with a developer in getting the new building done ... I think it'll be a big asset to Orangeburg County so far as the services that we provide for the folks at DSS."
A Eutawville man will go to trial on allegations that he participated in a quadruple homicide despite the lack of physical evidence against him.

Attorney Carl B. Grant sought to have charges dropped against 35-year-old Antly Jermaine Jackie Man Scott during a preliminary hearing Thursday.

"They do not have the physical evidence that one would expect in a murder case, Grant said.

"There is no confession, there is no DNA, there is no gunshot residue ... there is no gun, therefore there are no ballistics tests, there are no fingerprints. They have no physical evidence and the bottom line is they essentially have no case," Grant said.

Scott is facing four murder charges, one attempted murder charge and one first-degree burglary charge. He is also facing a charge of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

Authorities claim he was involved with three others in the July 15, 2015, slaying of Tamara Alexis Perry, 14; Shamekia Sanders, 17; Krystal Hutto, 28, and Jerome Butler, 50. Dreamzz Nelson, 8, was injured.

The homicides occurred at 7050 Old State Road, just outside of Holly Hill.

Clad in an orange-and-white jumpsuit with hand and leg cuffs, Scott remained quiet during Thursdays 20-minute preliminary hearing as Grant argued the charges should be dropped.

The victims family members filled several rows in the courtroom.

Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office Investigator Allen Culpepper admitted there is no physical evidence linking Scott to the homicide, but he noted evidence is still being processed by the State Law Enforcement Division.

Culpepper said officers received corroborating statements from co-defendants Luther Joseph Smith and Derrick Warren Coleman that Scott was involved in the homicide.

Scott and Coleman, who were roommates at the time of the incident, were later apprehended in Alabama.

Culpepper said Coleman was interviewed separately from Smith and his story matched Smith's.

Grant questioned if there was any proof that Smith and Coleman did not talk to make sure their stories lined up.

Culpepper noted Smith was in prison at the time, but Grant said prisoners can still speak with the outside world with cell phones.

"The fact that Coleman and my client were together, nothing about that indicates criminal activity," Grant said. "It is not against the law to go to Alabama."

Senior Assistant Solicitor Donald Sorenson said the witness statements are enough evidence for the case to go to court.

"It will ultimately be a jury decision about the credibility of those two witnesses," Sorenson said.

Orangeburg County Magistrate Judge Derrick Dash ruled the state had enough probable cause for the case to go to trial.

Following Dash's ruling, Grant noted the probable cause standard for a preliminary hearing is very low.

"Of course, if we go to trial, the prosecution is going to have to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt," he said. "That is a much higher standard than what we have here."

Three other Eutawville men are also facing multiple murder charges, an attempted murder charge and first-degree burglary charges.

The other men are:

Smith, 35, of 244 Gaillard Street.

Coleman, 27, of 1234 St. Julien Drive.

Robert Lee Pockets Bailey, 37, of 11269 Old Number Six Highway.

Bailey and Coleman also face a charge of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Smith does not face that charge.
DENMARK -- The funeral services for Mrs. Carolyn D. Walker Parks will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 29, 2017, at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church of Olar, with burial in the church cemetery. She passed away on July 18, 2017, in Hempstead, New York.

Carolyn was born on April 28, 1948, to the late Paul Sterling Walker and Blanche Moncrief Walker in Denmark. She graduated from Voorhees High School in 1965 and later acquired a bachelor of arts degree from Hampton University. She started her career in education as a math teacher in P.S. 44 in Brooklyn, New York. She was an active member of Unity Church of Christianity for 30 years.

Carolyn Deloise Parks us survived by her husband, Ronald Parks; sister, Anna Coats, of Birmingham, Alabama; sister, Mamie Mosley and brother, Welbor Walker, both of Denmark.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 28, 2017, from 6 to 8 p.m. Friends may call at the residence and at the funeral home.

Wright's Funeral Home of Denmark is in charge of the services.
July 27th, 1953, was the day the killing stopped in the Korean War 64 years ago. With the anniversary having been marked on Thursday, it is timely to contemplate a solution to the North Korean dilemma confronting the United States and the world.

I am a 90-year-old veteran of the Korean War. I hope that someone somewhere will pay attention to what I have to say. We saved South Korea from the North Koreans at great cost all those years ago. 36,000 American service personnel were killed, 103,000 were wounded and 7,799 are still listed as missing in action in the 37-month war. The war was intense with an average casualty rate of 3,968 per month.

We must not save South Korea again in another bloody war.

I hope our president will make it clear to President Moon Jae-in that it is the sole responsibility of South Korea to mobilize its armed forces into an efficient and effective fighting force capable of defeating North Korea. The United States should work with President Moon to provide his country with the missiles, tanks, planes and other equipment that are needed. We can also provide training to the South Koreans as necessary.

We then should withdraw our forces now stationed in Korea to emphasize that we are not there to deter Kim Jong-un or risk American service personnel in another round of combat on the Peninsula. It is unacceptably dangerous for us to have 28,000 service personnel stationed in Korea. As long as they are there, the South Koreans will lack the motivation necessary to sustain a force adequate to protect their country against Kim Jong-uns military.

South Korea is a prosperous nation of more than 50 million people. North Korea is a nation of about 25 million impoverished people. Those statistics alone support my opinion that my plan is doable.

In November 1950, China interceded in the Korean War and sent hundreds of thousands of troops across the Yalu River into Korea extending the war and the massive casualties to follow. China should feel a responsibility to do more to stop Kim Jong-un from developing an intercontinental missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead that can reach as far as Hawaii and the west coast of the United States. Kim Jung-un has said that he is developing his nuclear capability to protect his country from being attacked.

China can and should guarantee that it will protect North Korea from such an attack, provided North Korea dismantles and discontinues its nuclear programs. Trump can use his relationship with the Chinese leadership to make this happen. The history of recent decades has proven that sanctions and United Nations resolutions do not work.

It is now evident that North Korea will have an operable long-range missile to which it will be able to attach a nuclear warhead and be capable of reaching Hawaii and the West Coast. If China will not cause Kim Jong-un to dismantle his nuclear program, more drastic action will be required.

The preferred result is regime change from within North Korea. If that does not or cannot happen, then regime change brought about by a coalition of nations will be necessary. The situation is complex, difficult and dangerous, but eventually, action will be needed.

I am disappointed that President Trump after his meetings with President Moon only seemed to discuss improving the trade deficit with no mention of solving the imminent danger that hangs over the peninsula. My plea is that he convince Moon to mobilize and be able and ready. He then should order all American troops withdrawn from Korea.

In 1951 I was with the First Marine Division fighting the Chinese army at the 38th Parallel in Korea. To me, the war is not about the statistics noted above. I still see the fixed stare of death in the unseeing eyes of a young Marine lying in the muck on a hillside. I still taste and smell the cordite mixed with the acrid odor of blood. I hear my best friend, Darry, talking about his plans for a future that were not to be.

To repeat the horrors of the Korean War must not be allowed to happen. I urge action now before it is too late.
The Argyle International Airport has had its fair share of challenges since its opening on February 14, 2017.

As of Monday this week, investigations into 22 of the 52 complaints of theft made by passengers using the Argyle International Airport (AIA) have been completed.





And, according to Glender Francois, Customer Service and Marketing/PR Manager, of those 52 complaints received between May 15 and July 2, only 29 of the complainants had completed the process, e.g. providing detailed flight information, so as to allow for thorough investigation by AIA authorities.





Other setbacks have been occasioned when the authorities have been unable to make contact with complainants, because contact numbers proved inaccessible and email remain unanswered.





Breakdown of complaints





It was clear, according to AIA personnel, that the majority of the complaints/queries submitted were made after it was discovered that bottles of Sunset Strong Rum were removed from checked-in luggage.





In keeping with international flight rules and regulations, alcoholic beverages over 70 percent alcohol content or 140 proof are prohibited on all flights.





The confiscation of Strong Rum at the AIA accounted for 24 percent of the number of complaints made, Francois said, and a combination o Strong Rum and other items amounted to 44.8 percent.

Other complaints made by individuals included damaged bags, ransacked luggage, bottles of items unsealed or not sealed securely and resulting in damage to clothing  this category accounting for the remaining 31.2 percent of the complaints filed.





Information provided showed that 93.2 percent of the complaints made were done so by passengers travelling on LIAT. One was submitted by a passenger using Sun Country, and one from a passenger who travelled on Caribbean Airlines (CAL).





Regarding the routes, the data indicated that the majority (close to 60%) of complaints were made by passengers flying from AIA to Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados; 29.6 percent were made by passengers travelling to Piarco in Trinidad, 3.7 percent by passengers travelling from AIA to St Lucia then on to Barbados, and 7.4 percent leaving from the AIA to Antigua via St Lucia.

Vincentian nationals accounted for all the complaints made.



No evidence of wrong doing

Based on the findings of the investigations completed to date, (Monday), there was no evidence of any wrongdoing by AIA personnel.

Having declared as such, Francois continued to media personnel on Monday, that, in fact, some of the claims were discovered to be false.

She gave two examples, the first where a passenger accused airport personnel of taking more than prohibited bottles of strong rum. The investigation determined that the only items taken from passengers on that particular flight were in fact bottles of Strong Rum, and a plastic bottle containing a "clear liquid. The other instance, according to Francois, was that of an individual who accused AIA staff of stealing one of his bags that he thought was left in a luggage trolley. CCTV footage revealed that the individual had placed all his luggage, including the bag in question, on to the trolley, took it to a vehicle into which he loaded all his luggage, including the one he complained about being lost. In this case, the AIA staff member can be seen returning the empty trolley to the area where they are designated for storage, Francois explained.

As a fallout of the complaints, security personnel at the AIA have taken the allegations seriously. Hadley Bourne, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Argyle International Airport (AIA), told the media on Monday, ""Some even wanted to respond to the allegations, but we said that that was not the way to go. According to Bourne, they were being called robbers and thieves, "but they are Vincentians and they were hurt about the accusations being leveled against them.












(L-R): Winston Wright, the Manager of Cargo Handling and Cargo Services, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hadley Bourne spoke of ongoing discussions towards increased service to and use of the Argyle International Airport.

It has been just over five months since the official opening of the Argyle International Airport (AIA), and the facility continues to develop.





This, despite the recent spate of accusations of theft leveled against staff at the AIA from individuals who have used the facility recently.





Speaking at a press briefing early this week, AIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hadley Bourne commented that things have been progressing gradually since the February 14 opening.





Development continues in the area of air traffic, and other entities have since expanded their services.

One such example is the operations of Caribbean Airlines (CAL), who have since expanded from offering two flights per week up to five, including one of its 737 flights to North America.





Another that Bourne spoke to was the removal of Amerijets 727 jet to make way for the operation of the 767, which now affords locals greater capacity to move cargo overseas.





"So these are some of the positives that we would like to highlight, the CEO said.





Winston Wright, the Manager of Cargo Handling and Cargo Services added that there were some developments in the area of cargo, saying that there was another major carrier looking to operate here.

Discussions were still in the infancy stage, and approval will have to come from the airports board.

He mentioned Air Canada as another major airline showing come interest in operating here, considering not just the movement of passengers, but cargo as well.





Discussions in this venture were now at an advanced stage, Wright said, but admitted there was still a considerable amount of discussion left in the process.





Three regional air carriers, and one out of South America were also said to be showing an interest in AIA.

Sun Wing Airlines, the carrier utilized as a charter to fly home Vincentians residing in Canada for the opening of the airport back in February, is also said to be looking here. So too, Miami Air and Sun Country who had indicated that they were satisfied with the scope of equipment and services available at the AIA.

He boasted that things were put in place to ensure safety and efficiency.





"In this business, an efficient turnaround is important, and we have the ability based on the equipment that the country has invested in, to provide efficient turnarounds, and airlines are always pleased with those two combinations because it guarantees that they would be able to conduct their business in the manner that they have planned, Wright explained.




Prime Minister Freundel Stuart is on record as saying that he would be a traitor to let unelected officials determine how Government runs the country.

Barbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart moved over the weekend to deny claims that his Government was indifferent to the demands of public officers for pay increases, or that he did not respond to the request for a tripartite meeting by private sector and trade union members; but from all accounts, those denials fell on deaf ears.





On Monday, thousands of Barbadians took to the streets of capital Bridgetown, in a show of support of a joint call by the islands four main trade unions and the Barbados Private Sector Association.





The four trade unions - Barbados Workers Union, the National Union of Public Workers, the Barbados Union of Teachers, the Barbados Secondary Teachers Union  had, over the last two weeks or so, stepped up agitation against what they said was burdensome taxes levied on Barbadians, by the 2017/2018 Budget, during a period of economic hardship bordering on crisis.





Efforts by the trade unions to meet with the Prime Minister all but failed, with the Prime Minister ruling that the manner in which the call for dialogue was made, was tantamount to blackmail.





"..It is true that the Prime Minister of Barbados was told to meet or to schedule a meeting in order to avert social unrest, which is a coded way of saying if you dont meet there will be social unrest, PM Stuart said over the weekend at a luncheon of the Democratic Labour Partys Christ Church West branch.





He went further, saying, "The phrase social unrest can only mean one thing, creating a situation where the society is thrown into chaos. I have said it is a matter for the Royal Barbados Police Force . . . if we get to that stage.





Undaunted by the utterance of the Prime Minister, the unions reiterated the call for street protest, resulting in Barbados being literally shut down, aiding by several businesses closing their operations for the first part of the day, to allow workers to join the march aimed at pressuring the Government to return to the negotiating table, to discuss recent austerity measures outlined in the 2017/2018 Budget.





BWU General Secretary Toni Moore told Barbados Today the unions and the private sector are acting in the interest of Barbadians.





"We hope that this statement by the people of Barbados this morning will send a message that we want to talk in the interest of Barbados, we want solutions in the interest of Barbados, he said. (Main Source: Barbados Today)
Left:Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is ensuring that he gets what the Court ordered. Right:Once again, Douglas De Freitas and NICE Radio have won the support of ordinary citizens in their time of need.

About 39 days after Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves filed a petition to the Court for an order adjudging BDS Ltd., owners of Nice Radio, bankrupt, that company has paid Gonsalves $100,000, as part of its efforts to offset a debt of $210,000 owed to him, arising from a 2009 Judgement handed down in his favour for defamation. Damages were awarded in 2012.





Lawyer for BDS Ltd Kay Bacchus-Baptiste, told THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday that the money was paid to Gonsalves through his lawyer Grahame Bollers, in a Bankers cheque, last week.

She said the funds so to do, were raised primarily through Radiothons, part of the ongoing Save Nice Radio appeal.





"It is commendable for persons to dig into their pockets in these hard economic times, to safeguard their favourite radio station for the second time in recent years. It shows the influence Nice Radio has, and the respect the public has for democracy and freedom of speech.





"On behalf of Nice Radio, I am saying a hearty thank you to the general public, as we continue to raise funds to pay the Prime Minister the fruits of his judgment. I am only hoping that he would do what is right and pay the fruits of judgements to other persons, Bacchus-Baptiste said.





The Bnkruptcy Petition, filed early last month, was slated for hearing in the High Court June 26, but on June 23, Bacchus-Baptiste, on behalf of BDS Ltd and its receiver/Manager Trevor Edwards, filed a motion of intention to oppose the petition, on the basis that it did not comply with the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Statute and Regulations.





When the petition came up for hearing before Justice Esco Henry, in Chambers, Bollers, who was served with a copy of the notice to oppose it, requested time to respond. The matter was adjourned to last Monday, July 24.

However, when the case was called, it was further adjourned to a date to be fixed by the Registrar, in consultation with both parties.





Bacchus-Baptiste told THE VINCENTIAN that Bollers was not present when the matter was called, but the hearing would have been adjourned anyway, as she and Bollers had already agreed to an adjournment.




First Vice President of the SVGUT all but begged the administration to move speedily to attend to outstanding repairs at schools so as to avoid having to close schools.

Vibert Lampkin, the First Vice President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Union of Teachers (SVGUT), is hoping that the Union is not given an "excuse to have to close schools.





His word of caution came as he addressed the issue of the physical conditions in schools, and called for repairs and renovation work at schools to be completed before the beginning of the new school year, in September.

Lampkins concerns about conditions and safety at schools across the state were raised during last Tuesdays press conference hosted by his Union.





He decried any attempts at a "cosmetic approach, and reminded those responsible that the needs at some institutions required more than a few weeks of attention.





He bemoaned "deplorable conditions under which teachers worked, and recalled having to order the closure of an institution because of the state to which it has deteriorated.





Lampkin called for "timely repairs, and hoped that enough money is provided for completion of the works so that teachers can provide the "quality education for which the Prime Minister incessantly calls.

Quality education can be assured, Lampkin said, if the environment to which teachers and students are exposed, "gets a corresponding quality grade.




Plus-size model Jezra Matthews, a New Yorker of Vincentian parents, paid a recent visit to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and gave great significance for plus-size women here, with her presentation of a "Closet Giveaway.





The passionate fashionista sat down with THE VINCENTIAN to give some insights into the activity and her views pertaining to the status of the plus-size woman and fashion.





GLORIAH: Good afternoon Jezra, thanks for giving THE VINCENTIAN this opportunity to chat with you.

JEZRA: Good afternoon Gloriah. Its my pleasure.





GLORIAH: Where in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are your parents from?

JEZRA: My Dad is from Rose Bank and my Mom is from Mesopotamia.

GLORIAH: So, is this your first visit to St. Vincent?





JEZRA: No, Ive been coming here for years, since in my mothers stomach. I been here up to three times a year.

GLORIAH: What is the reason for this particular visit then?





JEZRA: This visit is personal as well as vacation. Personal, because Id planned Pure Body Love  a two-part event: a meet and greet and a closet giveaway. At that function held at the French Verandah at Villa on Friday, 7th July, I basically introduced myself to the women of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as did the closet giveaway.





GLORIAH: Describe for our readers, what is a closet giveaway.

JEZRA: I gave away free clothes to women sizes 1X to 3X. As an afterthought, I added sizes 4 to 6 as well.

GLORIAH: Where did the idea of such an event come from?





JEZRA: This event was created because over years of coming here, I noticed it was hard for plus-size women to get clothes and I felt the need to do something. So, I decided to give away free clothes. I contacted two companies with whom I work to donate stocks. These I combined with my own clothes, (and) I was able to come up with a good amount for the event.





GLORIAH: Who were these donor companies?





JEZRA: Oh, they were US companies which are plus-size brands: Fashion to Figure and Monif C Clarke.

GLORIAH: How many ladies attended the event?





JEZRA: It was over 150 and I believe that about 130 got items: two items per person.

GLORIAH: Lets look now at the issue of the plus-size lady. In St. Vincent and the Grenadines we have fashion shows from time to time. As far as these go, slim is it! There are many plus-size ladies who exhibit a love for fashion, who would like to wear fashionable clothing but they never come down the runway. What advice would you give to a lady like this?





JEZRA: Honestly, I would tell them to create their own. Show the world that plus-sizes will never die. Were here to stay. Plus-size women can model and we need to show the world that a big woman, it doesnt matter if she has cellulite, big arms, or whatever; she should be shown and people need to see her.





GLORIAH: Were talking here about fashion and size, the like. All these constitute the main theme of beauty. Help me here with the plus-size and beauty. Some people feel plus-size is ugly so, give me your definition of beauty where plus-size is concerned.





JEZRA: Well my movement is called "Pure Body Love and it means loving your body purely at any size. I feel that being big or plus-size doesnt equal fat. Thats what I want to encourage everyone: loving your body purely at any size is loving who you are, knowing that you were created for a reason just the way you are. There is nothing wrong with going to the gym but dont go there with the intention of doing whatever it takes to fit into what society calls beauty. Be yourself and the rest will follow.





GLORIAH: From what youre saying, there needs to be a serious level of confidence within the individual. Talk about confidence.





JEZRA: Thats another thing too. Beauty starts within and you have to work on the confidence from inside. I get messages from women who ask me where I find my confidence. I always say it is within. Sometimes someone may need a little push: from anybody or from something you read. You have to believe you are beautiful, that youre here for a reason, then your confidence will come out.

GLORIAH: It is obvious that you possess this confidence. How did you begin your journey as a plus-size model?





JEZRA: I love taking photos of myself. One day, a photographer messaged me asking to take some photos of me. When he did, I posted them online and the reaction was so encouraging that I decided to speak through my photos. This gave confidence to other women and caused me to start "Pure Body Love and to continue to model and blog.





GLORIAH: How did that evolve?

JEZRA: Companies started reaching out to me to model with my locks or in outfits. Then the requests started coming in a big way.





GLORIAH: Are you saying that the confidence came first then the modeling or vice versa?

JEZRA: No, the confidence was there with me, but today plus-size models are not in the forefront. There will always be a slim girl then a plus-size one. Hopefully, having gained a lot of confidence, plus-size women will show the world that we are here! In time, I hope the mindset of the world will change, to have these women in the front.





GLORIAH: You graduated recently. Tell me about that.

JEZRA: Yes, I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. It was a long journey but the end result was amazing and I know that my knowledge of how the mind works, I hope to take my education by inspiring, encouraging and motivating them to reach their goals.





GLORIAH: Where do you go from here as far as your Closet Giveaway and Meet and Greet activity goes?

JEZRA: I plan to make this an annual venture. I will try to secure different pieces, maybe swimwear next year. I will like to do workshops and that sort of thing.

GLORIAH: Any final words?





JEZRA: Yes. I want people to feel free to chat with me when they meet me on the street. I am a normal person who loves St. Vincent and really want to interact with these ladies. They should feel free to contact me to discuss any matter that I could help them with.





GLORIAH: Well Jezra, thanks again for accommodating me. THE VINCENTIAN wishes you much success in your endeavor.





JEZRA: Youre absolutely welcome Gloriah




In conjunction with the VSPCA (Vincentian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), World Vets, an international aid organisation for animals, will be returning to St. Vincent to hold free spaying and neutering clinics on August 19 in Campden Park at Bethel High School from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and August 20 and 21 at the Government School in Barrouallie from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A team of veterinarians, technicians and assistants from Canada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and the United States, will volunteer their time and skills to spay and neuter our dogs and cats.





Spaying and neutering (also called sterilising, fixing, tying off) are beneficial not only for the animals, but for the Nation as a whole. Their numbers are increasing drastically, and without human intervention, the current problem of overpopulation will become a crisis. The problem? Thousands of dogs and cats are unwanted and uncared for. They suffer, the environment suffers, and humans suffer  physically, socially, economically.





World Vets recognize the importance of the One Health concept in which the health of humans, animals and their ecosystems are inescapably linked. "Our programs help not only animals, but also people and the communities in which they live. Everything is connected. Through the spaying and neutering of owned and stray dogs and cats, we humans decrease and control their numbers, which ultimately benefits the whole.





The World Vets team will also provide health consultations and additional surgical procedures, if requested ahead of time. Additionally, they welcome the participation of locally-based veterinarians, vet students and/or skilled volunteers. Please call the VSPCA at 532-9327 to request participation in service activities, or for extra vet services for your pets. There is no charge for your pets health care, but donations are appreciated.





Join your neighbours and bring all owned and stray dogs and cats in your area, which have not yet been neutered, to the World Vets/VSPCA clinics in Barrouallie. VSPCA and the Ministry of Agriculture will assist with catching strays and transporting owners and pets to and from venues. Please take advantage of these free services. YOU can make a difference in the welfare and well-being of your Nations animals and people! (Source: VSPCA)
By Azernews





By Sara Israfilbayova

Azerbaijan and Pakistan are eager to expand cooperation in the fields of investment, industry, tourism, transport, transit transport, agriculture and food production.

The Azerbaijani Economy Ministry reported that the relevant issues were discussed between Azerbaijani Deputy Economy Minister Sahil Babayev and Pakistans Commerce Secretary Mohammad Younus Dagha at the first meeting of a trade cooperation working group on July 28.

The sides discussed the promotion of the Made in Azerbaijan brand in Pakistan and Pakistani side was provided with information about local companies.

Moreover, Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which envisages the expansion of cooperation between businessmen of the two countries, exchange of information on market research and investment projects, establishment of joint ventures, as well as participation in fairs and business events.

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is one of the first countries that recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on December 12, 1991. The diplomatic relations between two countries were established on June 9, 1992.

Trade and cooperation has steadily grown between the two nations, with several summits being held on how to improve trade between the two nations.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Pakistan amounted to $17.5 million in January-June 2017, more than $16 million of which accounting for the import of Pakistani products, according to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee.




By Azernews





By Laman Ismayilova

Over the last years, Azerbaijani conductor Eyyub Guliyev`s name is seemingly everywhere.

The 32-years-old conductor is the winner of several competitions, including the International Conducting Competition after B. Lyutoslavckiy in Belostok in 2006 and the International Conducting Competition after D. Mitropoulos in Athens in 2008.

In 1998 upon the decree of the President of Azerbaijan Republic the name of Eyyub Guliyev was included into the Presidential Golden Book of Young Talents and he also has become the Presidents scholarship holder.

This year has also brought many positive changes in the life of conductor.

Upon the decree of the President of Azerbaijan Republic, Eyyub Guliyev has been awarded the title of Honored Artist of Azerbaijan. Moreover, conductor took the second place at first "Debut Hamburg 2017" music contest in Germany.

" All rewards that I get abroad are very important, but for me because they are addressed not only to me but to our country. It's the achievement Azerbaijani musical culture". However, awarded the title of Honored Artist that has been given by the President Ilham Aliyev is of particular importance," said Guliyev in his interview with Day.Az.

He also stressed the government's role in development of Azerbaijani culture.

"I am very fortunate that our state always supports musicians. In 1999, I received the first scholarship and by order of the National leader Heydar Aliyev was included into "Golden book of young talents". In those difficult years this scholarship was a big motivation. Heydar Aliyev has attended all of our concerts. Today, President Ilham Aliyev, the newly appointed First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, who also heads the Heydar Aliyev Foundation pay great attention to young artists", he said.

In his interview, conductor stressed that large-scale musical projects are being held in country.

" A number of theatres and festivals are canceled in other countries due to lack of funds. However, grandiose festivals are being held in Azerbaijan. Large-scale musical projects for young musicians is a priority. They have a chance to perform together with their famous counterparts", he said.

Eyyub Guliyev also spoke about his successful performance "Debut Hamburg 2017" music contest held in Germany.

" I was primarily attracted to the jury of the contest. I wanted to know their opinion about Azerbaijani conductor, wanted to test their strength", said conductor.

" First, it was necessary to pass the qualifying round, which was very difficult. This competition gives you an opportunity to perform with German's famous orchestra-Klassik Philharmonie Hamburg. We performed works by Edward Elgar and Sergei Prokofiev, who I had never conducted before. It's very prestigious competition which allows to promote Azerbaijani music in Europe", he added.

Eyyub Guliyev also spoke about his first competition. The conductor received his first award at Lutos?awski competition held in Poland in 2006. After that he was often invited to Poland where he actively promoted Azerbaijani music.

But the most prestigious for conductor was the International Conducting Competition named after Arturo Toscanini in Parma, ?taly. During 19 years nobody had won first prize of the contest. It was so honorable that the Azerbaijani conductor was the first who took the first place. After that, Guliyev I was invited on a concert tour with the orchestra named after A. Toscanini.

"Azerbaijani music is perceived with great enthusiasm.We are always asked play some works by national composers. Through these competitions we have the opportunity to promote Azerbaijani music in the world. And by winning these contests, you have the right to make changes in the repertoire of orchestras. Now, after winning the recent competition in Germany, I have already received an invitation to perform with different orchestras. I will try more often to choose for a concert of Azerbaijani classical music", he added.




By Trend





The Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) said in a statement that it was appalled to learn that the Canadian government granted a permit for the export of modern military equipment from Toronto-based INKAS Armored Vehicle Manufacturing to Azerbaijan.

In a letter to Canada's Minister of International Trade Francois-Philippe Champagne, the ANCC urged the Canadian government to immediately halt the export of weapons to Azerbaijan and take the necessary steps to cancel this decision.

The highlight of the statement by representatives of the Armenian lobby  one of the most ardent inspirers of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyans occupation regime and the Armenian diaspora that finances military crimes against Azerbaijani civilians  is the allegation that, Such transfers of dangerous weaponry to rogue states such as Azerbaijan violate the very basic norms of Canadas arms exports regulations and pose a significant danger to domestic and regional stability.

It is worth drawing special attention of representatives of the Armenian diaspora in Canada to the fact that it is Armenia that has been violating international law for more than 20 years by occupying the lands recognized by the whole world, including Canada, as Azerbaijans sovereign territory.

Perhaps, it would be useful for the Armenian diaspora in Canada to realize that Armenia, by continuing the occupation of Azerbaijani lands and thus jeopardizing the regional stability, in fact contributes to continuation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Maybe only after this the Armenian diaspora in Canada will stop writing foolish things to the Canadian minister and calling Azerbaijan a rogue state. Armenia itself is a rogue state, because of its relations with neighbors.
By Azernews





By Rashid Shirinov

The Armenian armed forces daily carry out provocations on the frontline with Azerbaijan, thus proving that the Armenian leadership continues its aggressive policy against the neighboring country.

Some days ago, the Armenian armed forces once again used a combat drone on the line of contact of the troops, in the territory of Azerbaijan's Tartar region. Today, the aggressors continue to violate the ceasefire by carrying out provocations through the use of heavy weapons along the contact line and the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border. The Armenian armed forces deliberately shell not only the Azerbaijani armed forces, but also the civilians and civilian facilities in frontline areas.

Lev Spivak, the director general of the Israel-Azerbaijan International Association, told Day.az that the provocative actions of the Armenian armed forces show that the leadership of this country is not interested in a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the resumption of the negotiating process.

The Israeli political scientist believes that in the face of the Armenian authorities' unpreparedness for peace, an end to the Armenian aggression can be put through only one way  by force.

I am deeply convinced that there is only one way of ending this long-standing conflict  by military intervention. The occupied lands should be returned by force, Spivak said. Roughly speaking, we will get nothing while we expect that they will return them [lands].

The expert also added that even if some authorities, international bodies or organizations will again adopt decisions and resolutions calling on Armenia to return the Azerbaijani territories, there is no guarantee that the Armenians will fulfill them. Four such resolutions of the UN Security Council, as well as of other international organizations still remain unfulfilled by Armenia.

To my deepest regret, I do not believe that there is a peaceful way to resolve the Karabakh conflict in conditions when Armenia shows the opposite, trying to maintain the status quo, said Spivak.

The expert also assumed that the existing status quo is in the interests of not only Armenians, but also Russia and the U.S.  the countries responsible for the peace progress in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

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.
By Azernews





By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijan and Peru have identified promising areas of cooperation, including energy, agriculture, mutual investment, tourism and the humanitarian spheres.

The issues of cooperation in these areas were discussed by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and the temporary charge d'affaires of Peru in Azerbaijan, Luis Chang Boldrini.

The parties also noted the need to expand the legal framework and conduct political consultations at the level of extra-political departments of the countries.



Mammadyarov congratulated the diplomat on his appointment, noted that his activities will contribute to the development of the bilateral cooperation.

To develop and strengthen the bilateral relations, Peru opened an embassy in Azerbaijan, which started its activities in June.

The Embassy of Azerbaijan to the United Mexican States was accredited to the Republic of Peru. In June 2015, diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan was opened in Peru.

The diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Peru were established in 1996.

In 2013, the Peruvian Congress adopted a resolution condemning the Khojaly genocide and Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan.




By Trend





Turkish vehicle manufacturers Otokar and BMC as well as the Turkey-UAE joint defense company FNSS will take part in a tender for mass production of Turkeys domestic tank Altay, the Turkish media reported July 27.

The tender for the mass production of Altay tank will be held in early August.

Turkey plans to produce 250 Altay tanks initially and around 1,000 tanks in the second phase.

Earlier, the Turkish Koc Holding expressed its readiness to participate in the mass production of Altay tanks.

Turkeys first domestic tank, Altay, was tested in July 2013. According to the test results, the tank fully meets the requirements and is suitable for mass production.
By Trend





A strong Turkey is not in the interests of a number of countries, including the Western countries, Cengiz Er, former editor-in-chief of the Turkish news channel A Haber, told Trend July 27.

Er, who is also the founder of Superhaber.tv, a Turkish online newspaper, said that Turkey's role in the region has greatly increased over the past ten years and the Western countries are concerned about it.

He added that at present, Turkey is the most powerful country located between the Middle East and Europe.

The Western countries are displeased with Turkeys growing role and in this regard they are carrying out an active anti-Turkish propaganda, Er said.

Er said the anti-Turkish propaganda in the Western media pursues one main goal, namely, to belittle Turkey's image.

He said the strengthening of the anti-Turkish propaganda is also connected with operations conducted against the supporters of the Fethullah Gulen movement and PKK terrorists.

Er said that one more reason for the anti-Turkish propaganda is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Today, Erdogan is one of the world's strongest leaders who has always called for reforms in the UN Security Council, he said. Meanwhile, President Erdogan has repeatedly urged to reform the UN.

There must not be permanent members in the UN Security Council, because this organization should be exemplary in terms of justice, Er added. Many countries, in particular, the Islamic countries, are not represented in the UN Security Council. How can the UN Security Council be fair?
Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) has announced the completion of the first electricity substation that serves the Qatar Rail Company in Ras Abu Fontas area.



The plant will provide the Doha Metro project with electricity.



Kahramaa, in collaboration with the entire working team and Qatar Rail, achieved operational works of the substation 132/33 kV last week. The project took 16 months to complete, it said.



The plant will be supplied power from Al Thumama Super Station and the generation plant at Ras Abu Fontas.

The substation was designed with two separate systems for operation. The first one is a 132 kV system that will be operated by Kahramaa and the second system of 33 kV will be operated by Q-Rail.



Kahramaa plans to construct four more new substations (including one 220/132/33 kV substation) and work is expected to start before the end of December 2017. - TradeArabia News Service
A total of 25 people have graduated from their Expo 2020 Dubai Apprenticeship Programme, marking the completion of their nine-month learning and on-the-job training.



Working alongside industry experts in a number of departments including Commercial, Communications, Procurement and Real Estate and Delivery, the graduates learned a wide range of skills to help them build promising, successful and long-lasting careers.



Open to UAE-based university graduates under the age of 28, the programme received more than 2,700 applications. The apprentices, representing 14 nationalities, were chosen after several rounds of workshops, shortlisting and interviews.



With the completion of the programme, Expo 2020 is proud to be assisting with placing such competent and highly-skilled graduates into the UAEs workforce, and is delighted to announce that 80 per cent of the graduates will continue in roles at Expo.



Manal AlBayat, senior vice president, Business Development and Integration at Expo 2020 Dubai, said: With young people at the heart of Expo 2020 Dubai, the programme represents our vision, ambition and pursuit of excellence, embodying our subtheme of Opportunity in ensuring that new horizons are opened to individuals to help them meet their current needs, and their future aspirations.



Launched in April 2016, the Expo 2020 Dubai Apprenticeship Programme was designed in line with global best practice to equip the apprentices with the necessary confidence and skillset to bridge the skills gap between university graduates and experienced professionals.



The final apprentices were selected based on their leadership and teamwork skills, and ability to identify and solve problems under pressure. They were then trained in effective communication, workplace efficiency, project management and how to apply innovation and creativity in the work place.



Neha Ahmed who worked with the Event Operations department and graduated the programme with high distinction, said: When I started, I did not know what to expect, but it quickly became clear that we would not only learn a lot, but also be given the opportunity to put it all into practice.



My favourite parts were the job placements. Having the opportunity to learn from such experienced individuals about the planning of an event of this scale, and seeing all the work that goes into it, was definitely the highlight for me.



To facilitate the apprentices growth, experienced colleagues were provided as mentors, able to share knowledge and give their advice and support when required.



One of the primary objectives of the programme was to provide apprentices with exposure to expertise and experiences that they may otherwise not get in a different environment.



Moving forward, the Expo 2020 Dubai Apprenticeship Programme has been integrated with Jafzas Tumoohi programme, combining the tested and proven structure and content developed by Expo with Jafzas extensive network of public and private sector partners, to create a new programme that will have a significant impact on unemployed Emirati youth.



Expo 2020 Dubai is guided by the belief that innovation and progress are the result of people and ideas combining in new ways. Over the course of six months from October 2020, Expo aims to bring together hundreds of countries and millions of people to celebrate human ingenuity: Connecting Minds; Creating the Future.  TradeArabia News Service
National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC) drilled one exploration, 22 development and appraisal and 31 workover wells in the four-month period from mid-March to mid-July, said a top official.



"Of this figure, 40 wells were located in the operational territory of National Iranian South Oil Company, four pertained to Iranian Offshore Oil Company, nine were drilled within the framework of production projects undertaken by Petroleum Engineering and Development Company and one was drilled at the order of National Iranian Oil Company's Exploration Directorate, Hamidreza Khoshayand, deputy head of NIDC for drilling operations, was quoted as saying in an Iran Daily report, which cited ISNA.



The company has performed more than 96,000 meters of drilling operations during the four-month period, he added.



Khoshayand noted that currently, NIDC owns 74 light, heavy and ultra-heavy onshore (71) and offshore (three) drilling rigs, adding more than 15 per cent of the company's rigs are currently operating in Iranian oilfields shared with neighbouring states.
Advisers to the proposed public issue of shares of Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil and gas company, have recommended London for the listing of the shares, according to a Reuters report

Saudi Aramco plans to offer 5 per cent of its shares in the IPO, which will the world's biggest IPO. It is expected to raise $100 billion through the issue.

US disclosure rules are a concern for Saudi authorities, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

A final decision on the venue for the listing will be taken by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, who is overseeing Saudi Arabia's radical economic reforms, Reuters quoted its sources as saying.

The IPO is a centerpiece of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy away from oil.
In light of the current political situation with Doha, the government of Saudi Arabia has extended its welcome to pilgrims from Qatar and has expressed its keenness to enable them to perform Umrah, said a report.



The Ministry reaffirmed that Qatari pilgrims can continue to perform Umrah at any time and can arrive into the kingdom through any airlines, except Qatar Airways, said a report in Saudi Press Agency.



Qatari pilgrims are expected to start from Doha and come through any transit station via any carrier and arrive at King Abdul Aziz Airport in Jeddah or Prince Mohammed Bin Abdul Aziz Airport in Madinah.



Qatari pilgrims and those residing in Qatar who have Haj permits from the Ministry of Haj and Umrah and the Haj affairs authorities in Qatar, and have been registered in the Haj electronic system, will be able to come directly from Doha or through any other transit station via any carrier, other than Qatar Airways, selected by the Qatari government and approved by the GACA, it said.
During one of the most difficult years for the Wyoming coal industry in decades, the mining and construction company that operates the Kemmerer Mine in Lincoln County quietly bought a second Wyoming coal mine last winter.

The Haystack Mine, about 20 miles outside of Evanston, was built by Kiewit in 2011, and operated by a subsidiary, the Haystack Mining Co. Kiewit shut down operations two years later citing a challenging environment in the coal market. Haystacks largely been idle ever since.

Colorado Springs-based Westmoreland Coal Company acquired Haystack Mining last year, adding it to its annual financial statement for 2016 and changing the name of its principles with the Wyoming Secretary of States office in February.

Other details on the acquisition, including the price, are scarce.

Both Kiewit and Westmoreland declined to comment on the details of the sale. The Wyoming Economic Development Association noted in a post on their website early in the sale negotiations that the mine could create as many as 32 jobs if Westmoreland made it operational.

Im really not at liberty to discuss our strategy and things operational to Westmoreland, said Gary Kohn, CFO for the company. We bought it and obviously had an intended purpose in buying it. Beyond that I respectfully cannot provide any more color.

Westmorelands 13,400-acre Kemmerer Mine bucked the trend of declining production throughout the downturn, producing about 1 million tons per quarter. As Powder River Basin coal faced layoffs, bankruptcies and production declines, Kemmerer provided a steady fuel source for the nearby Naughton Power Plant, owned by PacifiCorp.

Kiewit still owns the Buckskin Mine north of Gillette. The mine has been subject to the common pressures of the thermal coal market. Buckskins production fell from 4.3 million tons in the first few months of 2015 to less than a million at the start of this year. The company laid off a number of employees at the height of the downturn in 2016.

Land quality permits for Haystack, filed with the Department of Environmental Quality, were carried over in the sale from Kiewit to Westmoreland, said Keith Guille, spokesman for the department.

My understanding is they are looking to bring it out of cessation, Guille said.

However, bringing Haystack back to life will have its challenges. The mine sits on federal land which comes with a lengthy leasing process.

Kiewit retracted its pending lease application with the Bureau of Land Management for Haystack, which would have extended the mine another 12 years.

If Westmoreland is to operate the mine, it will have start from scratch with the BLM.
In movies, the West is often portrayed as endless saloon brawls, shootouts and bounty hunts. Although things have changed, at least one group of Casperites were temporarily transported last weekend to the world of outlaws  and their ghosts.

A group of about two dozen gathered Friday downtown where a wild West saloon once stood, listening to Donna Fisher weave tales of jealousy, murder and ghouls.

They listened as Fisher told them about a jealous saloon owner who cut off the nose of a beautiful employee to stop other men from flirting with her. The woman, Lou Polk, later owned the saloon, but the establishments reputation deteriorated due to continuous brawls and shootings.

Fisher is the tour guide for the Casper Theater Companys Hauntings Tour of Downtown, which continues Friday and Saturday evenings. The company also offers a Sand Bar Murder Mystery walking tour Aug. 18 to 26.

The stories on the Downtown Haunting Tour are real, local history, Fisher said. Many of them are published in Charlotte Babcocks book, Shot Down! Capital Crimes of Casper. Fisher ties those stories with others contributed by business owners, employees, others she knows and even past tour participants.

Last weekend, Fisher led the tour through a few blocks of downtown, stopping at buildings to tell tales of bootlegging, brothels and things that go bump in the night. Heres where a man was hanged for shooting a former sheriff. Heres where a mother and her children died during an influenza outbreak and may still haunt the building. Heres where a prominent businessman and state senator shot his wifes lover in the street and never spent a day in jail for it.

The group gazed up at the seemingly innocuous parking garage on Wolcott Street as Fisher explained that its elevators sometimes run up and down at night when no one is there to operate them.

Later, Fisher told them about a jail that once stood in an alley behind Don Juan Mexican Restaurant. A drunken doctor arrested for trying an autopsy on a living person set the jail on fire in hope of escape, but he was burned alive. People today report seeing a figure rising from ashes, Fisher said.

Obstetrician Carrie Merrill joined the tour along with several staff members from her office. She hasnt lived in Casper long and enjoyed meeting new faces and learning about Caspers past, she said. She said she likes the town even better now.

The history was fantastic, I learned so much, Merrill added.

Some tour participants contributed stories of their own.

Casper Native Michael Pierce relayed some from an elderly friend whod known the kids of former Wonder Bar owners many years ago. Night employees reported that a woman who fell down the stairs has lived in the building since, among other ghosts said to haunt the place.

Pierce enjoyed an evening wandering his hometown and musing about its stories.

Ive heard most of the stories, Pierce said, Its interesting to see where they took place.

During one stop, the tour stepped inside Charlie Ts Pizzeria, where the owner told them about a mysterious presence in the building, which once housed a geology firm. Something  or someone  would move objects in the kitchen and the upper floors. Thats where the presence  perhaps a former secretary of the office  can be felt most strongly.

The happenings have quieted in the past couple years, but Charlie Tyrrel still leaves the upper floors mostly alone to respect the space, which is much as it was left in the 1950s.

Apparently, shes either taking a liking to us or is at rest, he said.
Clubs

Toastmasters every Monday

Toastmasters, Morning Tour, meets every Monday from 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. at the Parkway Plaza. Polish your public speaking skills. Get the confidence needed for job interviews and more. For more information, call Brenda at 251-4357 or email blingwy@gmail.com.

District governor visits Rotary

Bill Emslie, governor of Rotary District 5440, will speak at the regular meeting of the Casper Rotary Club at noon on Monday, July 31, at the Parkway Plaza. His district includes 53 Rotary clubs in Wyoming, Northern Colorado, Eastern Idaho and Western Nebraska.

The International Rotary theme for the year is Rotary Making a Difference. Governor Emslie is expected to focus on all the projects and activities that the Casper Rotary Club accomplishes, both locally and internationally.

Bill Emslie has been a Rotarian since 1986. He and his wife, Tracey, have a farm near Fort Collins, Colorado. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and Michigan State University. He served in the Navy on two nuclear submarines, and as a Naval Reserve officer, commanded six Naval Reserve units. He retired as a Navy captain after 30 years of service. He worked for 35 years in the electric utility industry and managed projects in power plant construction, engineering, and water resources.

Beekeepers meet Aug. 10

Thinking about become a beekeeper, or you already have hives? Join us to learn about bees and meet area beekeepers. Natrona County Beekeepers Association will meet at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10, in the basement of the College Heights Baptist Church, 600 W. 21st St.

Republican women meet Aug. 22

Join us at the Natrona County Republican Women meeting on at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 22 at the Ramada Plaza Inn, 300 W. F St. Members are welcome to bring out of town guests. The speaker will be city councilman Shawn Johnson. Meeting starts at 11:30 a.m., lunch is a salad bar at noon. Cost $20, cash, checks, credit cards. Members and guests should RSVP please, by phone, 307-215-9749; email: ncrwmember@gmail.com; or pay in advance: mkt.com/ncrwgiftshop.

Bring along any jewelry or purses that you would like to recycle. NCRW will add these to our jewelry bazaar later in the year.

We will also be signing up models for the November Gathering of the Goddesses. We are looking for a variety of ages and sizes for the models.

NARFE hosts social

Casper Chapter #358 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) will have a no-host social meeting at noon on Aug. 22, in the meeting room at the Casper Senior Center, 1831 E. Fourth St.

Corvette Cruise and Dine every Tuesday

Cruise and Dines sponsored by the Central Wyoming Corvettes (a nonprofit organization) are every Tuesday night through Nov. 7. Bring your Corvette and meet at Whites Chevrolet at 6 p.m. and take a short cruise with several other Vettes to a local restaurant for dinner. Guests or new members are always welcome. See us on Facebook or visit our website.

Barbershoppers welcome members

The Oil City Slickers barbershop a capella singing group holds weekly, year-round rehearsals at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Marks Church and does performances upon request. The group sings for funerals as well as services at churches and other venues.

The director is Roy Hayford, and phone contacts for people wishing to join or inquire are 472-4722 and 267-2673.

Central Wyoming Corvettes meets monthly

Central Wyoming Corvettes (a nonprofit organization) meets the second Thursday of every month (Aug. 10) at the Holiday Inn East restaurant with dinner at 6 p.m. and the meeting at 7 p.m. This is a group of people who over the years have donated thousands back to the community by sponsoring fun car events. Guests or potential new members are always welcome. See us on Facebook or visit our website.

Elks family picnic Aug. 12

Elks Family Picnic in the City Park across from the Elks Lodge is Aug. 12. Meat and beverages will be provided by the lodge. Please bring a covered dish to share. Please bring your own plates, eating utensils and lawn chairs. Picnic is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Family games for the older kids and the younger ones as well. The lodge is also hosting a car show that is open to the public. If you have an old car and would like to show it off, bring it down and register your car beginning at 8 a.m. There is no fee, and awards will be presented at 2 p.m. You may register that morning or before at the lodge. For more information, call 234-4839.

PEO awards scholarships

Chapter BD, P.E.O. is pleased to announce that scholarships have been awarded to two Wyoming women recommended by the chapter. Dana Theriot of Casper is the recipient of the Glen Ella Jones Scholarship for the academic year of 2017-2018. Dana is studying business at Casper College. Ramsey Sinn of Worland is the recipient of the Carol W. and William R. Daley Scholarship for the academic year of 2017-2018. Ramsey is studying pharmacy at the University of Wyoming. Both of these scholarships are Wyoming P.E.O. college scholarships. P.E.O. is an organization focused on womens education.

What is PFLAG?

PFLAG is the nation's largest family and ally organization. Uniting people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) with families, friends and allies, PFLAG is committed to advancing equality through its mission of support, education and advocacy.

The Casper PFLAG chapter has been helping families and providing a safe place for LGBTQ youth and adults for over 20 years. If you are a parent, youth or adult looking for information or support, please call Ruth Ann Leonard at 265-5449.

Civil Air Patrol meets

Civil Air Patrol meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at Casper National Guard Armory, 5905 CY Ave. For more information, call 259-0855.
Local businessman Tony Cercy was booked into the Natrona County Detention Center on Friday afternoon on suspicion of three sexual assault charges.

According to the jails phone system, he was booked on two counts of second-degree sexual assault and one count of third-degree sexual assault. It was unclear whether a bond amount had been set for the charges.

His son, Cole Cercy, said Friday afternoon that he had no comment. He did confirm his father had been arrested.

A merchant on the 800 block of Old Yellowstone Highway said he saw Cercy being arrested Friday afternoon by what he described as roughly 20 agents with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. The merchant, who asked to remain anonymous, said the arrest took place at about 2:30 p.m.

Tony Cercy sold his manufacturing company, Power Service Inc., in April 2016 for an undisclosed sum. He has since made several large purchases and donations. He helped his son buy the Wonder Bar and Poor Boys Steakhouse in the fall. He also donated $1 million to the David Street Station downtown plaza as well as $500,000 to Natrona County High School for a new digital scoreboard.

The Cercys also made recent donations to the University of Wyoming as well as the Casper YMCA.

Gov. Matt Mead toured the Wonder Bar with Cole Cercy on Friday, according to a photo posted at noon to the family business Instagram account.

Cercy spoke at a city council meeting after a tumultuous few weeks surrounding the dismissal of former police Chief Jim Wetzel. He asked for calm and said all the drama was making it hard for him and others to do business and would dissuade potential investors.

Cercy started in the sales and parts department at Power Service Inc. in 1982. He took over the company and its 32 employees in 2003. By 2014, at the height of the boom, it employed more than 500 people. Annual revenues surged from $16 million to $270 million over that time, according to previous Star-Tribune reporting.
Saturdays events include a walk/run to support transplant awareness, a youth car wash, a large garage sale and events at the trails center. Here is a summary, as provided to the Star-Tribune.

The second annual Second Chance on Second Street 5k Walk/Run to benefit the Mary Bennion Foundation begins at 8 a.m., with registration from 7 to 8 a.m., at Highland Park Community Church, 5725 Highland Dr. The nonprofit organization helps to financially assist Wyoming residents and their families going through the organ transplant process. Cost is $30 and includes a T-shirt.

Support United Church of Christ youth group from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the corner of 15th and South Melrose by getting your car washed for a free will donation.

The Casper Humane Society Super Garage Sale is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1743 E. Yellowstone Hwy. Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (free admission), with the final box sale (everything you can fit in one box for $5/box) from 2 to 4 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the Casper Humane Society, a no-kill shelter supported entirely by local contributions and charitable donations.

Central Wyoming Kennel Club and American Kennel Club present a dog show Saturday and Sunday at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds. There is no admission charge for spectators. Come meet handlers and breeders of different types of dogs that you may never have seen.

Weekly yoga class has returned to the Bart Rea Learning Circle in Amoco Park. At 9 a.m.: Yoga, meditation, labyrinth walk and Qigong.

Engage in the historical phenomena of handcart migration at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. during the free interactive youth program, Handcarts. From 1856 to 1860 thousands of emigrants pulled handcarts across Wyoming to settle in the Salt Lake Valley. Come learn what they took on their journey, how they traveled, and listen to diary excerpts detailing their daily lives. Families will make miniature handcarts during the program, while supplies last. Parents of young children must accompany students throughout the program.

Explore the life of a frontier cavalryman at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center at 1 p.m., during the free interpretive program, Letters to Home: Hervey Johnsons Posts, 1863-1866. Join NHTIC volunteer Nic Skalicky as he shares a first-hand look at a soldiers journey to protect the emigrant trails and the life he left behind. From farmer to the frontier lines, a hundred letters have become the narrative of a soldier and his family, showing the trials of deployment in the 1860s.

Casper Theater Company hosts the Casper Ghost Tour at 7:30 p.m. The tour is about an hour-plus; please bring a camera and wear comfortable shoes for the six-block walk. Please call 267-7243 or email for a reservation by 2 p.m., to caspertheatercompany@gmail.com.

I-REACH 2 Inc. hosts its sixth annual fundraiser, I-Reach for Art, is scheduled at The Hangar in Bar Nunn. The evening will include a live auction, a silent auction, raffles, The Powder River Percherons, local entertainers and much more. Standard tickets: $50 single; premium tickets: $75 single. Premium includes plated dinner, wine/beer at table, cocktail services at the table, complimentary raffle tickets.

Bruce Oakes & the Hi Line Fever Band will be playing for your listening and dancing pleasure at the Casper Senior Center, 1831 E. 4th St., from 7 to 10 p.m. You dont have to be a senior to attend, $5 cover charge, everyone is welcome. Bring your favorite snack and enjoy the pot luck at the 8 p.m., break, with prize drawings at 9 p.m. Info: Bruce, 277-0865.
The states highest court ruled against the city of Casper on Friday, stating that Caspers municipal court was illegally sentencing minors charged with possessing alcohol to probation.

Theyve made their decision and thats something that we will live with, Assistant City Attorney Gary Way said after the decision.

The ruling confirms that of Natrona County District Court Judge Catherine Wilking, who found in October that the court was not able to sentence minors to probation, which had been part of the standard sentence for the misdemeanor crime. She wrote that city ordinance limited the sentence to only a maximum $750 fine.

The citys attorneys asked the Supreme Court to review Wilkings decision, though the justices eventually agreed with the district court judge.

The district court was therefore correct in holding that municipal courts cannot impose probation when the only penalty for an offense is a fine. We recognize that this ruling will limit municipal courts ability to impose what might be helpful conditions of probation to address the potential drinking problems of youthful offenders. However, the resolution of that issue lies in amending the ordinance to provide for incarceration, or through legislation, according to the courts opinion.

Minors found guilty of the crime were routinely sentenced to six months of unsupervised probation and a fine, according to a document written by Way.

As far as I know weve been giving out those sentences for as long as Ive been in Casper  thats 13 years, Way previously told the Star-Tribune.

However, the assistant city attorney said on Friday that the municipal court immediately stopped sentencing minors charged with possessing alcohol to probation following the district courts ruling.

Anybody who would have been placed on probation before the district courts ruling would have long been off probation by now, he added.

Way added that any necessary changes in city ordinance will be left to the Casper City Council.

Casper attorney Dallas Laird challenged the city courts practices for an 18-year-old woman charged with possession of alcohol in 2015 after officers cited her at a party.

Laird, who later became a city councilmember, argued that the court could not order probation for a violation that does not include incarceration as a potential punishment.

The attorney said on Friday that this form of punishment can have serious consequences for minors, as college or employment applications frequently ask applicants if they are on probation.

Who knows how [being placed on probation] effected them? he said.

Laird added that he was pleased by the Supreme Courts ruling.

Im always happy when justice is done, he remarked.
The University of Wyoming hopes to have at least two new residence halls built or under construction by 2022, and the schools board of trustees approved $300,000 for a firm to help make that goal a reality.

The university  which houses 2,100 students across seven residence halls  last built a dorm in 1967. It last had a broad housing and facilities plan in 2001. But a five-year strategic plan approved last week calls for the creation of a 10-year housing strategy to be implemented by 2022, along with two to three residence halls at least under construction.

The UW Board of Trustees last week approved the expenditure of up to $300,000 for development of a 10-year housing plan by KSQ Design, a national planning, architecture, engineering and interior design company that specializes in campus planning and student life facilities, according to a university press release.

In previous studies of its facilities, UW found that its residence halls did not meet students expectations, putting the university at a competitive disadvantage with competitor institutions.

Eric Webb, the executive director of residence life at UW, said that housing on campus is structurally sound, its clean, its very well maintained, but its just very basic.

We dont have the amenities, we dont have the common space, we dont have air conditioning, he said. That has an effect as students compare UW to other universities. We do hear consistently from admissions (staff) ... Oh, this university is great, but Im not sure I can live here.

Webb said the plan to build two to three new halls in the coming years is aggressive but that residence staff is optimistic that the work can be done. He said he anticipated new buildings would have more community and academic space.

The push is part of a broader effort by new President Laurie Nichols to map out the universitys future. The strategic plan, designed over the past 10 months, also emphasizes recruiting and retaining more students at the states only public four-year institution. By 2022, UW hopes to have 13,500 students  an increase of more than 1,100 compared to its current numbers.

To achieve that, the university is soliciting proposals from firms for a study of UWs enrollment capacity, according to the same press release. The review would examine the schools capacity given its current resources and the cost of adding the number of students officials hope to in the coming years.

From a residence hall standpoint, Webb said theres been available space for at least 30 years. Often, UW leaves one residence hall empty for an entire year.

Whichever firm examines the universitys enrollment capacity will also look into offering reduced tuition for out-of-state students in Colorado and Nebraska.

Earlier this year, lawmakers considered a measure to cut tuition for those students as UW looks to attract more regional students, but the bill was ultimately defeated in the Senate. The bill would have charged Nebraska and Colorado students 175 percent of tuition; currently, out-of-state students are charged four times what Wyomingites pay.

Its unclear what the university might charge Colorado and Nebraska transplants. The university wants to commission a study that would look at the level of growth needed to overcome any losses in current tuition revenues from those students.

Earlier this year, the university announced two new scholarships for community college graduates from nearby states. One offers 150 percent tuition to associates degree holders from 14 nearby states, including Colorado. The second has the same requirements but is exclusively for Nebraska students.

In January, UW enrollment specialist Mary Aguayo said the scholarships were created to boost transfers to Laramie.

Currently, transfer students are 42 percent of the incoming class at UW, she said in an email, and wed love to attract even more students from Wyoming and the region to continue their education at UW.
The bonfire cracked, hissed and illuminated the Oregon coast. My husband Rons family was laughing and my son, Cooper, was roasting marshmallows when I slipped away. I walked to our oceanfront condo and called my little brother, Patrick.

Are you like Dad, where your job requires that youre an extrovert but really youre an introvert? he asked, trying to figure out why I was upset.

A little bit, I said, as confused as he was. I couldnt understand why  following a day of promotion and interviews for my new book  I was in tears. But as I stood on the balcony overlooking the beach, I couldnt stop crying.

This is everything I want, I said. What is wrong with me?

Patricks laughter linked me to our childhood. Mare, its a lot. Id need downtime, too.

I nodded and stared at the waves that rushed to shore. There has always been something about an ocean that grounds me. I didnt think Id make it last year, I said softly.

I know.

From the moment we left Wyoming for the Oregon coast, Ive been fortunate to have book signings and interviews arranged with local radio shows, newspapers and bookstores. At each juncture, Ive shared my story about writing Escape Clause during the uncertainty of breast cancer treatment. I began writing the book when we left the Oregon coast last summer, which was a blessing because I returned home to fail two more mammograms. With each interview, the reality of actually surviving my battle against breast cancer sank in.

When I called Patrick, the links connected. A year ago, I had phoned my little brother with one request: Raise my children if I couldnt. But not just raise them.

I asked if he would he oversee their emotional, physical, spiritual and educational growth in my absence. Would he be both Mom and Dad to my children? And would he love my four children as much as I did?

Since Ron isnt the biological father of my children, he has no legal claim to raise them. When I revised my living will, my attorney suggested I ask a family member. I knew my sister or two brothers wouldnt turn me down, but I still had to ask. And it was one of the hardest phone calls of my life.

I cried. Patrick kept it together and tried to make me laugh, but the gravity of my situation was too great. It was all too real and my breast cancer too uncertain.

So a year later, when I called my brother, it hit me  hard. I no longer needed him to be on standby. My darkest, heaviest fear, leaving my children and husband, had lifted. I no longer felt the shadow of doubt following me. I was free.

It took returning to the coast because its the only promise I made myself last summer. When we drove away, I silently prayed for our return so that I could once again see my son chase seagulls, build sandcastles, scout for seashells and be a child. I wanted to feel the salt air on my skin and smell it in my hair. I wanted to hear the ocean while I lay next to my husband. And I wanted to know at a core level that Id be OK.

God answered that prayer in December, when I had my first clean mammogram screen, but it really didnt sink in until I stood on the balcony of a condo in Nye Beach. A year had passed. It was a milestone I hadnt been convinced would happen.

Oncologists, cancer support groups, family and friends called me a survivor, but until I felt like one, until I claimed it, survivor wasnt anything more than a word. It didnt have weight until I attached weight to it. By fulfilling a promise I made to myself by returning to the coast, it felt like I had survived the hardest year of my life.

God is much bigger than any of my problems, but when Im in the midst of them I forget. Breast cancer tested everything yet yielded the greatest blessings. I am closer to my children than I ever have been. I am a more present wife, and I connect with my siblings more often. And his blessings continue.

This week, I will be one of 50 cancer survivors attending Cheyenne Frontier Days Pink Day celebration. Its a record number for the annual event. And I couldnt be prouder to be part of this awesome celebration with fellow survivors.

My walk will be for those who cant or those who may not be ready and for those whose life was cut short due to cancer. Cancer is a very personal journey. It took a return to the beach for me to fully realize that I survived.

If youve been diagnosed with cancer, please dont give up. Reach out. Im only an email away.
Total darkness in the midst of the day, unannounced without explanation, returning just as quickly to light as the blackness appeared. For thousands of years, this phenomenon inspired a myriad of reactions. Revolt, retreat, murder, sickness, fortune and celebrations are just a few.

In the name of two minutes and 26 seconds of darkness, Casper will experience its own version of eclipse-inspired chaos in August. With an expectation of tourists arriving in droves large enough to increase the citys population by half, this 21st-century version of an ancient marvel is sure to cause its own heartburns, headaches and other maladies.

One hundred and thirty-nine years prior, an equally impressive total eclipse covered western skies in darkness. People flocked into Colorado, just two years a state, along with the territory of Wyoming in order to witness the spectacle and to gain astronomical knowledge. Thomas Edison and the first woman astronomer to join the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Maria Mitchell, were two of the knowledge seekers en route to the Wild West.

James H. Freeman, a sheepherder living in rural Colorado in 1878, described in his journal the perspective of an everyday westerner in the midst of such a sight as a total eclipse.

I know not but a thousand eyes are turned on this plain, gazing over my head, and perhaps, some through powerful glasses are watching me as I write, Freeman pondered.

After corralling his sheep, Freeman climbed to the top of a house and described the event as follows:

At 3:15 it looks like a new moon at sunset. It is a strange weird light now and getting dimmer. 3:25 Oh! Oh! What a weird, gloomy sight. 3:26 total3:28 Partial. Oh! What a strangely beautiful scene. 3:36 New Moon again, in reversed position growing largerOne moment it was dark as midnight- the next as light as midday.

Freeman released his sheep from the corrals 15 minutes after totality and went about his herding business, but not before expressing his good fortune:

The conditions were perfect for viewing this grand spectacle. The clear crystalline atmosphere here at an altitude of more than 6,000 feet above sea level could not be improved on. It came to me without cost or invitation.

The year 1878, long before social media check-ins, live-streaming video and selfies, allowed such a tremendous occasion to be fully experienced by Freeman and thousands of others without technological interruptions.

In Casper, we are afforded the same viewing opportunities as Freeman  high elevation, clean atmosphere and a connection with the surrounding land and animals. However, with todays complicated attachment to technology, it is up to the viewer to become wholly immersed in the event.

The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center will offer programming aimed to educate and inform visitors, in order to bring historical and scientific significance back into focus during the 2017 eclipse.

From Aug. 16 through Aug. 21, youth programs will engage young minds with a variety of topics ranging from The Night the Stars Fell in 1833 to Medicinal Folklore & Eclipses. On Aug. 19 at 6:30 p.m., the Trails Center auditorium will show a family-friendly film featuring a westward-bound mouse on the big screen.

Adults will find much to experience as well, with a full lineup of topics to include Native American Legends in the Teepee, Dr. Dumas: Traveling Medicine Show and Scientific Study of Eclipses. Hank Cramer will entertain with pioneer music all day long on Aug. 21.

With warnings to stock up on groceries, temporary campgrounds within city limits and 18 main events planned throughout the festival weekend, it can all seem a bit overwhelming to the Wyomingite more used to the states typical serenity. Take back control of your eclipse experience by jumping back in time and increasing your knowledge at the Trails Center. For full scheduling of events and adventures, visit nhtcf.org or call 307-261-7780.
We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some July 28 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 signs of a backroom deal were there.

Sen. John McCain proclaimed the value of old-fashioned openness and bipartisanship in a remarkable speech on the Senate floor Tuesday. That was the emotional day he returned to Washington after his brain cancer diagnosis.

But then, that same day, he voted to move forward an Obamacare-repeal bill that was drafted in secret and supported only by Republicans. It represented the opposite of the process he had just extolled.

And on Thursday afternoon, McCain and two Senate colleagues said they opposed the so-called skinny repeal, the Senates latest effort to remove the Affordable Care Act. But McCain & Co. were willing to consider it if certain assurances or amendments were made.

So, many of us were pretty sure McCain would strike a deal with Senate leaders that would allow him to support the party and vote yes. This has become a pattern with McCain in the Trump era  protest, criticize, grumble, then go along. My earlier draft of this column even operated on that assumption.

Then, in a dramatic move that happened in the early-morning hours in Washington, D.C., Friday, he surprised me and many others. He walked into the well of the Senate, stuck his thumb downward and said no.

Senators gasped. Even though McCains vote was consistent with his earlier arguments, it was surprising.

He explained in a later statement that the reasons for his vote were essentially the principles he had extolled on Tuesday.

Ive stated time and time again that one of the major failures of Obamacare was that it was rammed through Congress by Democrats on a strict-party line basis without a single Republican vote. We should not make the mistakes of the past that has led to Obamacares collapse, including in my home state of Arizona where premiums are skyrocketing and health care providers are fleeing the marketplace.

We must now return to the correct way of legislating and send the bill back to committee, hold hearings, receive input from both sides of aisle, heed the recommendations of nations governors, and produce a bill that finally delivers affordable health care for the American people. We must do the hard work our citizens expect of us and deserve.

At this point, they really have no choice. Thats a good thing  and today we have McCain to thank for it.

Stone on McCain

Roger Stone would not come to Tucson and just spout pablum. No, Stones currency is controversy, and he gave plenty of hot takes during a speech at the Mountain Oyster Club Wednesday night. My colleague Joe Ferguson attended the $25-a-person event and gave this account.

Stone, an advisor to President Trump, told about 100 people that Sen. John McCain needs to leave the Senate, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Trumps chief of staff Reince Priebus should both resign, and former President George W. Bush did not keep Americans safe.

Without even a smirk, Stone said the enemy is not liberals or Democrats  it is Republicans who are loyal to the national party establishment rather than to Trump. Stone focused his ire on McCain, saying while he hopes the 80-year-old recovers from brain cancer, he cannot forgive the former prisoner of war for giving a dossier containing unconfirmed intelligence reports on Trump to the FBI.

I am tired of his red-faced antics, Stone said. His attacks against the president make me sick.

He said McCains actions were treasonous and played into what he says is a false narrative invented by Democrats  calling it the Russian collusion-delusion.

Stone told the audience the entire investigation will allow Democrats to cook up phony indictments for perjury as an excuse for impeachment of Trump.

After McCain, Stone smacked Sessions.

It is time for Jeff Sessions to go, Stone said.

At least part of his criticism stems from Sessions recusing himself from the Russia investigation. With Sessions having stepped aside, Stone says it set in motion a plan to allow justice Department officials to move forward with an investigation.

Why? he asked. We dont have evidence of a crime.

Stone also faulted Sessions for a renewed war on drugs and siding with federal prosecutors in the 2014 standoff with Cliven Bundy and his supporters.

Stone is the first of a series of planned speakers for the Pima County Republican Party designed to help raise funds.

Chew faces campaign issues

Candidate Felicia Chew has danced through a couple of tough spots this month in the campaign for the Democratic nomination for Tucson City Council in Ward 3.

In her July 13 financial disclosure, Chew noted that she had returned a $10 donation from Tucson Unified School District board member Rachael Sedgwick. She explained in the document that she is not accepting donations from TUSD board members.

Of course, Sedgwick has grown unpopular among many Tucson Democrats, so it was a convenient rule to apply. But its true that Chew herself is a middle-school teacher, which she told me Thursday was the real reason for establishing that rule.

Chew also drew some criticism after acknowledging at a forum Tuesday that she voted for Green Party candidate Jill Stein in the 2016 presidential election.

Chew, a Bernie Sanders supporter, said she did it under the assumption that it was a safe vote because Hillary Clinton would win the presidency anyway.

Chew also explained the fact that she has only been registered to vote in Tucson for two years by saying that she was a domestic-violence victim who didnt like the divisiveness of politics and was involved in the community as a teacher and advocate for domestic-abuse victims.
Roger Stone, a political provocateur and close advisor to President Donald Trump, offered a cutting assessment of national Republican politics while talking to two local groups this week.

At a $25 per person private fundraiser for the Pima County Republican Party, Stone told about 100 people at the Mountain Oyster Club that Sen. John McCain needs to leave the Senate, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Trumps chief of staff Reince Priebus should both resign, and former President George W. Bush did not keep Americans safe.

Stone, a political consultant, said the enemy of the GOP is not liberals or Democrats  it is Republicans who are loyal to the national party establishment rather than to Trump.

Stone focused his ire on McCain saying while he hopes the 80-year-old senator recovers from brain cancer, he cannot forgive the former prisoner of war for giving a dossier containing sensitive information on Trump to the FBI.

"I am tired of his red faced antics," Stone said, adding McCain is simply no longer fit to be in the Senate. "His attacks against the president make me sick."

He added that McCains actions were treasonous and played into the the false narrative he says was invented by the Democrats  playfully calling it the "Russian collision-delusion.

Stone told the audience the entire investigation will allow Democrats to cook up phony indictments for perjury as an excuse for impeachment of Trump.

After McCain, Stone went after Sessions.

"It is time for Jeff Sessions to go," Stone said.

At least part of his criticism stems from Sessions recusing himself from Russia investigation.

With Sessions having stepped aside, Stone says it set in motion a plan to allow Department of Justice officials to move forward with an investigation.

Why? he asked. We dont have evidence of a crime.

Stone has been asked to testify for what he knows about the Trump campaigns dealings with Russia but says he will only proceed if he can make his statements publicly. He says he doesnt trust Democrats in Congress to be honest if he testified privately.

He believes there is a new McCarthyism in Washington and that if you are not angling for war with Russia that you are a traitor.

As for Priebus, Stone said the former Republican National Committee chairman has failed to serve the President  telling the audience that he hopes his eventual replacement will be loyal to Trump.

Stone then turned his attention to criticizing the mainstream media, saying the major networks cant be trusted  encouraging the audience to use specific websites and frequently mentioning the Alex Jones Infowars website as a source of conservative news.

Stone, who spoke later before an audience in Green Valley, is the first of a series of planned speakers for the Pima County Republican Party designed to help raise funds.
An employee at Asarco LLCs Mission Mine Complex near Sahuarita was killed in a vehicle collision Thursday evening, the company and the Pima County Sheriff's Department said.

The sheriffs office identified the victim as 41-year-old Gabriel Benitez, who was found dead at the scene by first responders at around 9:30 p.m.

Benitez apparently was sitting in his work truck, a Ford F-550, when the truck was run over by a large mining dump truck that had just finished dropping its load, the sheriffs department said.

The driver of the dump truck showed no signs of alcohol impairment or other substance use.

The accident was an isolated incident and no other employees were injured, Asarco said in a prepared statement.

Asarco said it is working with federal Mine Safety and Health Administration and the Arizona State Mine Inspectors Office to investigate the fatal crash.
Has the Arizona Star said ANYTHING positive about President Trump or his administration over the last six months? Its all, The Russians are coming, the Russians are coming. OK. Show me those Russians. Name names. Provide dates. Describe acts. Produce evidence. Define collusion. Stop the phony leaks and the cowardly anonymous sources. Put up or shut up. Get on with the countrys business.
Since the President's tweet on Wednesday about banning transgender people from the military, I have been surprised at Congresswoman McSally's silence. The Congresswoman is usually a strong supporter of our troops. What is her opinion on this? Her office, when I call, is unable to shed any light. Her Facebook feed has been very lively lately, showing her engagement with her constituents; maybe she has shared her opinion privately with the personnel at Davis Monthan AFB. In any event, I, and I think many of her constituents, would like to know how she stands on Mr Trump's ban.
In a secret recording on May 30th, Rep. Martha McSally told a room full of bankers that she was tired of the expectation that she be a pundit, and comment on Trumps tweets. What she doesnt understand is that responding to changes in policy is her job, and Trump has a habit of announcing policy changes via Twitter.

As a former Air Force colonel who will frequently comment about military matters, I am dismayed by McSallys lack of opinion concerning Trumps proposed transgender ban for service members. Calls to her office have yielded no answers, and she has not released a statement, even after Senator John McCain has done so.

Representative McSally, please tell us where you stand on this proposed policy change. Up to 14,000 transgender men and women in uniform need to know.

Kristen Landrum

Green Valley
Help India!

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter

BJP might be happy about regaining power in Bihar, but the news coming out from Varanasis local city assembly (Zila Panchayat) poll is likely to disappoint the party.

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BJP has lost the confidence vote to Samajwadi Partys Aprajita Sonkar, who was holding the President post of the Jila panchayat.

BJP had filed for confidence vote and floor test on June 21 against Aprajita Sonkar. Aprajita has been facing tough times since last few months. His father Gyanchand Sonkar was jailed in February this year for producing fake certificates for getting government job.

Moreover, BJP members of the Panchayat were lobbying against Aprajita since the BJP bagged Uttar Pradesh in March. Even newly-elected MLAs of Varanasi were also helping members in creating a dissent atmosphere against Aprajita. Many members were accusing Aprajita of not paying attention in their areas, a allegation which Aprajita has constantly been refusing.

But BJP failed in confidence polls that were held on Friday. Sources have informed TwoCircles.net that party leadership and state government in Uttar Pradesh have taken note of this defeat. It is because the fact that BJP did not want to let any kind of leadership slip from their hands in their fort Varanasi. That is why local leadership was asked to get actively engaged in the polls.

On July 26, Sonkar filed a complaint in Human Rights Commission and National Commission for Women alleging that BJP leaders and MLAs were harassing her and her party members.

However the Panchayat poll in Varanasi was always considered to be one of the ego and caste fight in Varanasi. Jailed gangster turned MLC Brijesh Singhs family always had influence on Panchayat polls, but in 2015 Aprajita Sonkar, who comes from the Schedule Caste community, bagged the president post. Sources inform that since the Sonkars win the undercurrent to uproot her was flowing, but it surfaced after BJP made the government in Uttar Pradesh.

Sonkar has termed the victory as the win of democratic values. BJP members refused to pass comment on the issue.
Help India!

By Tariq Hasan

There is no doubt that by changing tracks overnight, Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar has proved that he is the ultimate master survivor in Indian politics. Undeniably he has played a trump card by switching political loyalties across the entire spectrum of political ideology or whatever remains in Indian democracy. But the million Dollar question is, whether this ostensibly smart political move brings him long or even medium term gains or will this end up as his last hurrah.

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This writer is of the opinion that within a short span of few months, it will be strikingly clear to Mr. Nitish Kumar, who had been during the past few months, spouting venom on the RSS that the Modi-led government at the Centre is as different from the Vajpayee-led NDA government as chalk is from cheese. In the weeks ahead Mr. Nitish Kumars stinging remarks of a RSS Mukt India will haunt him for the rest of his political life.

All this is a clear pointer to the extreme likely hood of the possibility that while Mr. Nitish would be allowed to continue as Chief Minister of Bihar for a few more years but he faces the daunting proposition of being a lame duck chief minister for the rest of his tenure. He can still survive but from now onwards his entire political career would be under the shade of a saffron colour banyan tree.

In his heart, Mr. Nitish Kumar and his handful of comrades would shortly realise that they have lost the trust forever of all marginalized sections in the Bihar electorate. Mr. Nitish was a politician of ideas who always succeeded in creating a hype revolving around his voice of conscience. It has paid him this image as paid him well during the past couple of decades. But he has ever been a politician with a mass political base of his own. It is this weakness in his armour which is going to be exploited by his new political masters. When his utility in Bihar politics is on the vane, he is likely to be thrown away like an empty egg shell.

Mr. Nitish Kumar is trying his best to sell his image as a politician with a conscience. But his detractors are losing no time in pointing out that Mr. Kumars voice of conscience suffers from a selective amnesia. It is no secret that some of his new-found colleagues in the NDAs pantheon of chief ministers have their own track record of corrupt and criminal records. Once the NDA governments skeletons start tumbling out of the cupboard, Mr. Nitish will find it exceedingly difficult to call upon his voice of conscience.

But what should be the real concern today to all those who value and treasure Indian democracy is not the fate of Mr. Nitish Kumar, but the wider fall out of Bihar in the immediate context of Indian politics.

A few weeks before Mr. Kumars switch over to the NDA, he made a very significant remark regarding the need of the opposition to come up with an alternative narrative if it wishes to counter the growing clout of the NDA government at the centre. It has to be admitted that this comment of Mr. Kumar cannot be ignored by the Congress-led opposition. While Mr. Kumar may apparently have his own motives behind this telling observation, the fact remains that his observation of a Congress-led opposition is a brutally true one.

It would be naive and untruthful for any political observer to entirely blame Mr. Nitish Kumar for what happened in Bihar this week. Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav, and above all, the Congress Party and its poll strategists will also have to share a huge ocean of the responsibility for failing to read the writing on the wall regarding Bihar politics during the past six months or so.

To be precise, Mr. Nitish Kumars exit from the grand alliance of opposition parties is unquestionably the last chance for the protagonists of an opposition grand alliance to change course drastically. For the Congress Party and, in particular Mr. Rahul Gandhi, it is the final call  respond or perish.

It is starkly clear that if there is any chance for the Congress-led opposition to pose any serious challenge to the Modi-led NDA government in the 2019. The situation calls for a drastic review of their entire political strategy. Mr. Rahul Gandhis politics of two steps ahead and then three steps backward, if allowed to three-four months, will, in all probability, will seal his political future at least for the next few decades.

In politics, it is said that one week is a long time. Despite the dark clouds hovering over the Congress party and the entire opposition in the country, the situation is still far from lost. You travel to the backwards of Indias countryside and small towns and you are bound to see the stirrings and murmurs of a very deep running disenchantment with the Modi-led government. Be it the small time farmers, petty artisans, cottage industry owners, marginalized castes and petty traders, the chickens are coming home to the roost as an after effect of the demonetization, GST and growing lawlessness is breeding frustration in the minds of all the non-bhakts in the countryside.

In his parting broadsides to the Congress leadership, Mr. Nitish Kumar has left behind a magic mantra for the opposition.

Stop the negative politics of focusing totally upon attacking the Modi-led government and instead create a viable counter-narrative which appeals in a positive sense to the masses of India. The dividends will be rich.
Help India!

By Dr Syed Zafar Mahmood

During late 2014 and early 2015 with attacks on Christian churches continuing and extreme rights groups going ahead with their ghar wapsi (reconversion to Hinduism) agenda in India, PM Narendra Modi had said that he would not allow any religious group belonging to majority or minority to incite hatred against others overtly or covertly and his government will strongly act against any religious violence as it gives equal respect to all religions. He had added My government will ensure that there is complete freedom of faith and that everyone has the undeniable right to retain or adopt the religion of his or her choice without coercion or undue influence.

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I have said this before and I say it again: any discrimination or violence against any community will not be tolerated, the prime minister had said in the interview held on the occasion of his governments one year in office.

Asked on how he would reign in the elements who are spreading hatred on communal lines, Modi had said that the constitution guaranteed religious freedom to every citizen and such communal hatred is not negotiable.

However, the people are not able to find any perceptible action taken during the last two and a half years by the central and state governments to show that the PMs specific announcement has been followed up.

Instead, now a well orchestrated trend has begun in India that a crowd of 50-100 persons suddenly emerges from somewhere, it corners and surrounds a hapless Muslim individual, accuses him of having something to do, directly or indirectly, with beef and then beats him to death.

In at least one case (in the state of Haryana) the crowd went to a mosque, dragged the Imam out and beat him up and in another, a minor boy Junaid was stabbed to death by a well organized crowd in a running train and his brothers were seriously injured.

Ostensibly because a crowd of individuals is involved, though mostly in full and clearly discernible view of the camera, such crimes (surely exceeding twenty by now) have mostly gone unnoticed by the security agencies. Usually nobody is arrested. Reluctantly and heartlessly some minister repeats this will not be tolerated and the chapter is closed till another such happening takes place.

With the opposition geared up to raise the issue, a day before the current monsoon session of Parliament began, at an all-party meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked the state governments to sternly deal with those who incite violence in the garb of protecting cows,People must know that there is a law to protect the cow and the violation of law is not an alternative. It has an impact on the image of the nation. State governments must deal sternly against such anti-social elements, he said.

In the fourth year of Modis Government and against repeated tides of well coordinated crimes of communal hatred committed against Christians and Muslims the people are yet to see any concrete action being taken by his government to contain the waves of anti-minorities mayhem though it is easy to do so.

The government can launch air borne armed task forces to keep vigil on whole of India through satellite reconnaissance and be in a state of readiness to quickly descend wherever a crowd of cow vigilantes gather. Something like that is being done now by UPs provincial government in order to ensure the security of Kanwaria Hindu religious pedestrians. Similar armed air borne vigil against crowds suddenly gathering and lynching an innocent person being an alleged suspect of carrying beef would surely send tough message to the wayward youth.

Also the Govt should try to provide proper employment to these at-a-loose-end young boys rather than leaving them unmonitored to deflect into vandalizing in the name of cow protection.

In the absence of such concrete steps the people of India and the world will keep wondering why the PMs announcements are not implemented; is the government losing its grip over governance ?

Incidentally, such repeated unchecked instances of taking the law in ones own hands also give rise to a perverted social ethos where it changes the citizens psychology prompting him to do so on any pretext. In turn, it tends to become a national culture. Is that the reason why in the second half of July 2017 we have seen in India cases like the following:

Delhi professor Ashwani Kumar was punched and slapped by his student Pardeep Phogat after the teacher refused to pass him in the internal examination. Pradeep was arrested and then released on bail the same day.

The central board of secondary education question paper for IIT-JEE entrance examination which is known to be very tough was solved in half of the given time with 100% accuracy by Oxford student Jackson Fraser. After he innocently shared this on well known social portal Quora, he and his mother received worst abuses from Indian surfers. Is this our nationalism? As a proud Indian I bow my head in shame and on behalf of whole of my India I deeply apologize to Fraser and his Mom.

On the line of control Major Shikha Thapa scolded Naik Kathi Resan for using mobile phone on duty, the soldier shot dead the Major using his AK-47. In another case, the armys foot soldiers took the law in their hands. Some army men were traveling past 2am in civilian dress against security rules. When policemen at the check post stopped them, the soldiers thrashed the cops and damaged public property inside the police station.

There seems to be seeping a general sense of indiscipline currently in India.

Where are we taking India to ! For short term politico-parochial gains of 10-15-20 years will we vitiate the whole society for centuries ? I am afraid, the silent majority will not be able to defend itself in the divine court. If it has to, it will have to keep a close vigil and ensure that the noble concept of nationalism is not hijacked by the political class for temporary individual or group gains and that the perverted usage of nationalism is not allowed to trample upon the sacred supremacy of the human interest.

In order to put the country back on an even keel the Government of India would do well to bring out a white paper detailing the action taken in each case of mob lynching between 2014 and 2017. This needs to be done before the upcoming Independence Day, otherwise our PM would be obliged to do the explaining from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
As I sat watching BBC1's 'The One Show' fronted by Alex Jones and Matt Baker coming from Buckingham Palace showing young people from the Commonwealth who had done good deeds I thought what's the point? Not that I was mocking those young people far from it as obviously they will enjoy meeting the Queen and the whole pomp and circumstance.

Before the European Union which we will be leaving in 2019 there was The British Empire and its Commonwealth. The empire has long gone but its memory continues in the form of the Commonwealth consisting of former nations that were in the British Empire.

The question has to be asked what's the point of this behemoth from another age and is it time this organisation was disbanded?

If we can leave the EU isn't it time the Commonwealth was gone too?

The UK for better or worse is leaving the European Union in 2019 and that is an irrevocable certainty whether you voted for leave or for staying. In the past, I believed the European Union was the UK's future and the Commonwealth a hangover from the days of the empire was the past but now this dream that I had is unravelling fast.

People moan about the numbers of Eastern Europeans and those from Western Europe also that have come to our shores however the majority of immigrants coming to the UK are from outside of the European Union.

Many of those non-European immigrants come from Commonwealth countries like India, Pakistan, Australia and Canada.

The 3 million or so European immigrants that have made their home here were uncertain about their future as the UK begins talks about leaving the EU. Theresa May has given these people some hope saying they can stay here after residing here for 5 years and the same hope appears to have been given to Brits living in the EU approximately 1 million.

Britain cannot be the country it was

When the 53% voted to leave the EU because they did not want European immigrants here or because they wanted Britain to be a nation ruling itself again what was in their mind? Did they think the UK would go back to the glory days of Britain being a world power again like in the days of the Empire and Commonwealth?

Did they think the UK would return to some pure British nation before the immigration of any kind from anywhere (if that nation ever existed at all) happened? Historically if that was one of their motivations for voting to leave the European Union then they are sadly mistaken many of today's white Brits in their ancestry will have had ancestors that were once immigrants or migrants from Europe.

A new UK will have to emerge once we have gone from the EU and we will trade with the Commonwealth but they will never be like the trade we had with the EU. Let us hope we retain a large chunk of trade with the EU because Commonwealth nations will never come close to matching the EU on that front.
US President Donald Trumps attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the healthcare bill passed by his predecessor Barack Obama, with his own Trumpcare, have once again been foiled. Of course, Trump is furious about it and hes been tweeting about how Obamacare is set to implode, but Obamacare is saving lives and its a terrific healthcare plan.

The Democrats owe it all to three plucky Republicans

48 Democratic Senators voted against Trumpcare and a further three Republicans swung the majority and got Obamacare to stay, so the Democrats owe it all to those three Republicans: Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Senator Susan Collins of Maine are two of them (both women, of course, because they wouldve suffered greatly under Trumpcare), as well as John McCain, Obamas former Presidential election rival, who cast the deciding vote.

The Trumpcare-supporting Republicans are scrambling to come up with something that will trigger negotiations and compromise within the Senate, but their prospects dont look great. Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer  who Trump personally hates  insisted that the Democrats are not celebrating in the wake of the vote, but are rather relieved. He tweeted, We must work together to improve the law.
Donald Trump announced his decision to bar transgender individuals from the military citing medical costs and disruption. He announced this major policy in one of his twitter postings saying he came to the decision after consulting with generals and military experts. Under the Trump twitter pronouncement, transgender persons will not be allowed to serve in the US military in any capacity.

Pentagon in the Dark

A spokesman for the Pentagon appeared to be unaware of the new policy and did not answer questions on Trumps policy on transgender in the military, referring all questions to the white house.

Navy Capt. Jeff Davis in a statement said that they will work with the White House to address the new guidelines on transgender persons in the military. There is reportedly some 250 military personnel in the process of transitioning.

A promise to the LGBTQ

Donald Trump made a promise, loud and clear to the LGBTQ community. At the Republican National Convention, he said unequivocally that the rights of Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons will be protected. The promise was made during his prime time speech at the convention referring to the murder of 49 members of the community who were murdered in Orlando by what he called Islamic terrorists. He said that they were targeted and as president, he will protect them from violence and oppression of a foreign ideology that is hateful.

Trump has so far failed on his promise to deliver a better health care plan for Americans by repealing and replacing Obamacare. By barring transgender persons from military duty, he has again failed to keep a promise he made, this time to the Glbtq persons.

Protesting the ban

In wake of Trump's ban on transgender in the military, protests broke out across the US.

The ban took a nation by surprise and left those serving in the military in limbo. Just hours after the announcement, angry demonstrators took to the streets in New York, San Francisco and Washington DC. to protest the ban.

There has been no word from the President and the White House hasn't offered any further clarification since his tweet about the ban.

But some Republican and Democratic lawmakers along with Human Rights groups have accused Donald Trump of discrimination. While the Pentagon did not provide the actual numbers of transgender troops in service, it is estimated that 2,500 to 7,000 are on active duty with another 1,500 to 4,000 serving in the reserves, according to a Rand Corporation report.
Last night, after a neck and neck vote in the United States Senate on whether or not to repeal Obamacare in favour of President Donald Trumps own healthcare bill, the AHCA, the deciding vote was down to Republican Arizona Senator John Mccain. If he voted for Trumpcare, the vote wouldve been tied. If he voted against it, Obamacare wouldve stayed in place. And, as luck would have it, McCain voted against Trumpcare and Obamacare will continue to save lives and give equal opportunities across the US.

Its interesting that McCain voted against Trumpcare

Whats interesting about McCains vote is not only that hes a member of Trumps party and voted for the typically Democratic side of the debate, but also that he ran against Obamacare pioneer Barack Obama in his first Presidential election campaign, and lost to him. Its also interesting that, three days before the healthcare vote, McCain was diagnosed with brain cancer, so hell be relying on the US healthcare system and the benefits of Obamacare for the foreseeable future.

McCain headed back to his home state of Arizona for related surgery before being diagnosed with brain cancer. He returned to Washington on Tuesday, with a statement reading that he was excited to push on with his work in the Senate on important legislation, including healthcare reform, the National Defence Authorisation Act, and new sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Its a good thing he came back, because he swung the whole vote.
US President Donald Trump is furious as usual, this time because his attempts to once again overthrow former President Barack Obamas healthcare plan, the Affordable Care Act, with his own, less inclusive American Health Care Act have been foiled. Hes like Skeletor and Obama is He-Man and every week, he tries to destroy him, and every week, he fails, because the hero prevails and also if he succeeded in crushing him, there wouldnt be another episode next week.

What maddens Trump the most is not that the left-wing Democrats are voting against his bill  he hates them, but that at least is to be expected  but that the right-wing Republicans of his own party are voting against it.

Some Republicans have their doubts about the bill, which cuts back on health benefits to women, transgender people, and other groups that the Republicans generally ignore. So, clearly Trump has been a little too harsh in all the cutbacks to peoples, you know, rights.

A lot of Republicans are on board with the bill

That being said, there are many Republicans who stand proudly with the AHCA bill, dubbed Trumpcare, and the whole thing has torn the party apart. Their views are usually so ignorant and one-note that its easy to get them all on the same page about something, but in the area of healthcare, Trump is struggling with that to say the least. But he wont stop until he has repealed Obamacare, as God is his witness.

Trumps dreams of repealing Obamacare seem to go beyond the desire to have his own system in place. Hes starting to develop a personal hatred for Barack Obama, first of all because his healthcare bill got passed with flying colours and Trump has been struggling with his since day one, and also because he feels like Obamacare is staring at him, mocking him (like the rest of us are).

On Capitol Hill, the night was tense as the Senates votes came in one by one to show who supported Trump and who did not. It was like the scene in Lincoln where every state votes yay or nay on whether or not to abolish slavery. It was neck and neck until it came down to Republican Senator John Mccain  who ran against Barack Obama in a tense Presidential election race back in 2008 and has recently been diagnosed with brain cancer  to cast the deciding vote.

McCain voted against the AHCA

As the final nail in the Trumpcare coffin, McCain voted against the legislation, and now, Obamacare, the plan put in place by McCains former election rival, stays. McCain has never been a fan of Trump. Back in his first week as President, when he said that the US military would have to fight fire with fire and bring back torture, McCain was outraged. McCain, its worth mentioning, is a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he endured copious amounts of torture himself at the hands of the Viet Cong.

Trump was very angry that the Senate had voted against Trumpcare, and of course, tweeted about it right away. He noted that the 51% of votes that kept Obamacare in place came from three Republicans and 48 Democrats, who Trump said have let the American people down. Then he added, As I said from the beginning, let Obamacare implode, then deal.

Watch! Okay, were watching.

Senate Majority Leader: This was a disappointment

Mitch McConnell, the Senate Majority Leader, was clearly on Trumps side on the issue of healthcare, as he told his cohorts after the vote, This was a disappointment, a disappointment indeed. McConnells bill, the Health Care Freedom Act, has been referred to as a skinny repeal of the existing bill. He doesnt want it to be legislated  he just wants it to start a conversation that leads to compromise between the Democrats and the Republicans. Good luck with that!
Fear, pain, frustration, and anger are becoming an explosive combustible in Venezuela. The country is a hostage to the regime of Nicolas Maduro who is jealously snuggling up to the powers that be, losing sight of what people really need. In two days of the elections of the assembly who will rewrite the Constitution, violence has escalated and the death toll of violent anti-government protests has increased to 112 in the last four months of protests. Six victims died just in last two days of the general strike, officials confirmed.

'Maduro is irresponsible'

The government is only following the example of previous political and business elites, experts say. Dominic Waghorn, Diplomatic editor for Sky News considers that every Venezuelan government since the 50s 'has closely guarded control of the oil monopoly, and not delivered necessary political and economic reforms'. Furthermore Maduro 'mismanagement of the economy has been breathtakingly irresponsible,' he added. A recent decree ordered by interior minister Nestor Reverol banned protests and warned that anyone who marches against the electoral process and the Constituent Assembly risks up to 10 years in prison.

Evidence of human right violations

The state's prosecutor's office said they had evidence that Venezuelan security forces led by former head of the Venezuelan National guard, Antonio Benavides has been charged with 'serious and systematic' human rights violations.

Official forces used 'excessive force' against demonstrators, carried out raids without warrants, damaged property and tortured apprehended protesters On account of this, recently Benavides was removed from his post.

Despite restrictive measures, many young demonstrators have decided to join in anti-goverment protests. Nearly 3,000 people have been detained since the beginning of April.

Some are kept in prison regardless of being freed by a judgment order. The state's prosecutor's office said they had evidence that Venezuelan security forces led by Antonio Benavides used 'excessive force' against demonstrators, issued carried out rid without warrants, and more.

We are poor, we are angry and ill

Two rebels said to the BBC that poverty, hunger and the precarious state of their families health are the real reasons why they started the action.

"Sometimes we go through hard days, like coming back home and not having anything to eat," says Rodrigo. Last year 72 percent of population lost 20 pound (9 kilos) due to the lack of food.

"I used to have a normal life, where I could have drugs in my fridge in case of an emergency, but now I don't have anything" Armando (not real names) added. Venezuela reports that only 15 percent of medicines are readily available and many people had not been able to find the drugs they need in last six months.

A New Constitution for restoring peace (and Maduro)

On May 1 president Maduro announced his decision to call a referendum for a new Constitution sayng it was 'the only way to restore peace' in Venezuela.

Recently, The Guardian explained that isn't impossible that the president will back down under domestic and international pressure. But he has gone ahead with his plan despite the risk that there will is a chance that Chavismo will soon be entering a new more authoritarian phase'.

A new parliament without parties

The new Constituent Assembly to redraft National Constitution will be composed of 545 members: 364 will be chosen by local pools, and the remaining 181 members will be elected by members of seven social sectors (pensioners, indigenous groups, businesspeople, peasants and students). Parties have been removed from the process. The new body is expected to be heavily pro Maduro so the opposition outright rejects it and will boycott 30 July elections.

Maduro is a traitor

In addition to the opposition party the Attorney General, Luisa Ortega, one of the senior state officials, has taken sides in the battle of the new the Constituent Assembly. In a Financial Times interview she defined Maduro as 'fascist' 'traitor' and 'sellout' who has failed to preserve the rule of law, the constitutional order and peace'.

Francisco Toro, the editor of Caracas Chronicle explained the three reasons why Maduro is holding the vote: to dissolve and to remove the opposition, mobilize his base and consolidate power. Many opposition leaders accused Maduro of trying to centralise power and turn Venezuela into a dictatorship. The next presidential elections, which Maduro now seems likely to lose due to just 10 percent of popular support, are currently scheduled to be held in 2018. From this perspective, it is becoming increasingly clear why Maduro to have new rule of democracy.
A member of Donald Trump's inner circle is rumored to have said he's "going to prison," according to an intel community insider. John Schindler took to Twitter on Tuesday to say that a source who works close to the president claims Trump will be put behind bars. It's a strong statement considering he hasn't been impeached or removed from office yet for any criminal activity. The special counsel is investigating a potential Russian-Trump campaign collusion, but it's not an open and shut case. Is there more to come out over this information that hasn't yet been made public?

Source says president will wind up behind bars

"Trusted member of Trumps inner circle has told family & friends that he knows both he & POTUS are going to prison," Schindler wrote. He didn't offer any details about what was behind the information he received but certainly left people wanting more. Is it about the Russian probe? Is it about other business transactions?

FYI ===> Trusted member of Trump's inner circle has told family & friends that he knows both he & POTUS are going to prison.



Developing ...  John Schindler (@20committee) June 26, 2017

Several in Trump's orbit talking to investigators

The Washington Post also revealed that former Trump adviser, Carter Page, has talked with federal investigators several times to discuss the scandal involving Russia and the Trump campaign.

Former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, former Trump campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, are being heavily scrutinized in the scandal.

The president's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, is being looked at closely by the special counsel concerning his business dealings. He, Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, and Attorney General Jeff Sessions are all retaining high-powered attorneys to represent them in the probe.

Schindler's Tweet that Donald Trump is going to prison is a bold allegation, however. Though Trump tweeted last week that he's being investigated in the probe, his lawyer went on news programs to deny that claim.

Impeachment would have to occur first

Calls for Trump's impeachment continue as the Russian-Trump investigation moves forward.

If he does go to prison there will be a formal process for such a sentence. He would have to be impeached, removed from Congress, then be prosecuted in the legal system. As The Palmer Report notes, in the event Trump attempted to pardon himself before leaving office, he would be limited to federal crimes because the commander-in-chief doesn't have the power to pardon anyone for state-level crimes; the same is true of a president's replacement. If the new president wanted to pardon an outgoing president, the power is only with the federal crimes portion of it.

In order for Trump to be impeached without involvement from the Republicans, it would require Democrats to become the majority after midterm elections. As it stands, their power is marginal. There's the likelihood that the impeachment process would begin quickly if that actually turn into a reality.
After six months in office and Donald Trump is still engaging in a heated war of words with the mainstream media. With his time in the White House continuing, the president has decided to hit back at the press while taking his frustrations out on social media..

Trump on Twitter

It started the moment Donald Trump announced his campaign for president, as the future commander in chief set off the feud between himself and the media when he referred to illegal immigrants from Mexico as "rapists" and "murderers." The tension grew throughout the 2016 presidential election, with the former host of "The Apprentice" taking his rage out on the press during the campaign trail, going as far as referring to journalists as "terrible" and "the worst people" he's ever met.

Since Trump's inauguration, the rift between the media and the president has only gotten worse, especially as the Russian scandal takes over the headlines on an almost daily basis. The most recent twist in the feud took place last week when CNN was forced to retract a story which falsely linked a Russian bank to the president. As expected, the White House was quick to rip into the network, labeling them and most of the media as "fake news." As seen on his Twitter account on June 28, Trump has expanded his criticism to include other well-respected news outlets.

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!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 28, 2017

Taking to Twitter on Wednesday morning, Donald Trump didn't hold back his thoughts on two of the top newspapers in the country.

"The failing New York Times writes false story after false story about me. They don't even call to verify the facts of a story," Trump tweeted, before adding, "A Fake News Joke!" "Some of the Fake News Media likes to say that I am not totally engaged in healthcare," he continued, while noting, "Wrong, I know the subject well & want victory for U.S."

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.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 28, 2017

Not stopping there, Donald Trump then shifted his criticism to the Washington Post.

"The #AmazonWashingtonPost, sometimes referred to as the guardian of Amazon not paying internet taxes (which they should) is FAKE NEWS!" he posted on Twitter. Trump's harsh words for the New York Times and Washington Post doesn't come as a surprise, as he banned both publications from a White House press briefing earlier this year.

The #AmazonWashingtonPost, sometimes referred to as the guardian of Amazon not paying internet taxes (which they should) is FAKE NEWS!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 28, 2017

Next up

As expected, Donald Trump is using CNN's blunder to his advantage by attempting to lump all the media together and have them tied back to the network's mistake. While the president and his supporters continue their attack on the press, the bad blood between both sides doesn't look to be ending anytime soon.
Melania Trump moved to the White House in Washington, D.C. just a few short weeks ago, but she went back to Trump Tower in New York City on Wednesday. Daily Mail photographers caught the First Lady as she was exiting the building on Wednesday afternoon. What was she there for?

First lady back in NYC soon after move to Washington

According to the report, Melania Trump was trying to hide her appearance after she was discovered exiting Trump Tower. She had on a trench coat despite the temperature being a warm 80 degrees. When cameras began snapping photos of her, she put on sunglasses.

At that point, it was too late. If she tried to keep it a secret that she was in town, it didn't work.

Melania got into a black SUV that was waiting for her outside the skyscraper just after 2 p.m. It's unknown why Mrs. Trump went back New York, but her stay was quite brief. There wasn't an exact time reported of when she actually arrived.

Why was Melania in town?

The big question is why she was seen back at home so soon after moving to Washington. Was there something some unfinished business she needed to do that needed her full attention? With all of the resources and help she has at her disposal, it must have been important for Melania Trump to return home. Perhaps she had an after-school meeting with one of Barron's teachers.

First lady likes living at the White House

How does Melania like living at the White House? The first lady told "Fox and Friends" last week that she's "enjoying" her new home and that Barron "loves it." She didn't seem to miss New York, telling the program that she keeps so busy that she hasn't had much time to think about it.

The 47-year-old went on to say that there's a lot of "great stuff" she's involved with.

President slips up by complimenting female reporter

The report couldn't help but note that Melania going back to Trump Tower a day after her husband made headlines for flirting with an Irish news reporter while he was on the phone with Ireland's newly elected Prime Minister Leo Varadkar.

The president summoned RTE reporter, Caitriona Perry, over to his desk to ask where she was from and complimented her "nice smile." She took the compliment in good humor, but it was seen as an awkward moment for Perry.

Donald Trump hasn't been under fire for his treatment of women since he was sworn into office. When it comes to that part of his job, he's been well-behaved. He slipped a little when he paused in the middle of an official phone call to compliment a woman in the Oval Office.

Are you surprised to hear that Melania Trump went back to New York City only a few weeks after getting settled in at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?
Not long after Donald Trump pulled off his shocking upset win over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton last November, he brought with him his former campaign manager. Kellyanne Conway was tapped for the role of "special counsel" to the president, but she doesn't seem happy with the process of working in the White House.

Conway on Fox News

It was just over a year ago when Paul Manafort was forced to resign as the campaign manager for Donald Trump after it was revealed that he had financial ties back to Russia. In his place, the billionaire real estate mogul hired veteran Republican pollster Kellyanne Conway to fill the spot.

In the months that followed, Conway would become a mainstay on cable news, often engaging in heated arguments with hosts and guests in her defense of Trump. Despite finding herself on the wrong side of the facts at times, Conway helped lead the former host of "The Apprentice" to victory. Since then, Conway has taken on the role of advising the president, while also making her presence known across cable news. Conway's lowest point came earlier this year when she coined the phrase "alternative facts" to excuse Trump's blatant lies and fabrications. As reported by Mediaite on July 27, Conway appeared on Fox News to complain about the difficulty in getting a job in the White House.

On Thursday morning, Kellyanne Conway appeared as a guest on "Fox & Friends" on Fox News, and didn't waste any time in venting about how difficult it is get hired in the administration.

"There are so many qualified men and women who wanted to serve this president, this administration and their country, who have been completely demoralized and completely, I think, disinclined to do so based on the paperwork that we have to put forward," Conway said.

Kellyanne Conway: Paperwork Required to Serve in White House Demoralizes People https://t.co/EzITrLz04z pic.twitter.com/eQAV3d3xhu  Mediaite (@Mediaite) July 27, 2017

Kellyanne Conway was then pressed on Anthony Scaramucci's recent tweet where he appeared to accuse Chief of Staff Reince Priebus of leaking information from the White House.

Conway defended Scaramucci, citing the difficulties of getting into the administration, while stating, "It is dis-incentivizing good men and women, and I hope it doesnt dis-incentivize Anthony."

Moving forward

While Kellyanne Conway continues to vent her frustrations on the conservative-friendly Fox News, Donald Trump and the administration have more important issues to deal with. The GOP's latest attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act has not gone according to plan, and the scandal surrounding Russia is heating up on a daily basis.
Right after Deputy Attorney General of the Justice Department, Rod Rosenstein named special prosecutor Robert Mueller, the Trump White House was reportedly examining ways that they could undermine the former FBI Director. Such a blatant gesture is fitting to the way Donald Trump retaliates as he has no qualms, scruples or shame for doing anything he feels he has to do in order to "win." That he hasn't suffered the consequences yet appears to be a testament to that fact.

Trump's shameless research to self-pardon

Over the months that there have been more reports about the development of Mueller's investigation against the president, Trump has armed himself with a legal defense team as he intends to block the special prosecutor and make his ability to investigate difficult.

Trump has also tested out the limits of his powers by publicly threatening to fire Mueller, despite the backlash it would cause. Thus far, only criticism, debate and outrage over the scandal would come out of it and there's no indication that it would have very real consequences for the president.

The view that the Trump administration would continue to try and undermine Mueller, however, was further confirmed by sources at the White House who said last week that both Trump and his legal counsel were looking into the president's pardoning powers. The assumption from this was that this would somehow allow the president to prevent himself from being targeted by Mueller's investigation. Even more bizarre is that according to those sources, Trump and his lawyers were looking into pardoning powers for his aides, his family and himself, should he be implicated of committing a crime as a result of the investigation.

Self-serving ethics waiver

Even before Donald Trump entered the Oval Office, the questions about Trump being in violation of ethics laws have been consistent. One only needs to look at the reports of when the Republicans in Congress were looking to weaken the Congressional Ethics Office as a sign of reining in an ethics regulator.

Despite the fact that Trump gave the appearance of protecting the watchdog by asking Congress to focus on something else, the President has decided to fight and even ignore the Office of Governmental Ethics (OGE) since being president. This was the case when Walter Shaub of the OGE demanded that Trump turn over waivers the President had secured for his staff.

Feeling that he was ineffective against a president who publicly defied the ethics watchdog, Shaub resigned from his position several months early but not before getting those waivers. Shaub was on the PBS Newshour Wednesday where he said that the president had even given himself waivers. This only makes it clear that President Trump has abused his power of the office to protect himself from being targeted for questionable conduct. So, it's not impossible to believe that Trump wants to be able to pardon himself. Here is that interview with Shaub about those ethics violations.

Justice officials hold Trump at bay

The Washington Post originally reported on Thursday in an article titled: "Trump team seeks to control, block Mueller's Russia investigation," that the White House lawyers were putting together a list of the Special Prosecutor's conflicts of interest in order to corral the probe.

This is ironic given that President Trump has been defending himself and his aides against his own blatant conflicts of interest while in the Oval Office. The reason for this is apparently because under the regulations of the Justice Department, the prosecutor can be removed from their investigation for his own conflicts of interest.

That direction is also ironic because while Trump relies on rules and regulations to undermine Mueller, he has targeted other regulations that are against his own legislative interests. When Rosenstein was under pressure to answer for whether he would allow President Trump to fire Mueller a few months ago, the Deputy Attorney General seemed to establish that this would not happen and that the special prosecutor had his full support. For the time being, justice officials who operate independently from President Trump might be the only ones who are able to hold him accountable.
On Wednesday, July 26, 2017, President trump said he had banned transgender individuals from serving in the U.S military. He stated on his official twitter account that transgender individuals will not be permitted to serve in the armed forces in any capacity. However, the LGBTQ community, as well as their allies, have voiced their overwhelming support of transgender individuals right to serve and their disapproval of Trumps ban. By coming together on social media, American people everywhere are combing forces to stand with transgender troops, and human rights overall, under the hashtag #ProtectTransTroops.

The official statement

Early on the morning of the 26th, Trumps ban was announced to citizens via his twitter account @realDonaldTrump. The first tweet in a series of three was delivered at 8:55 AM.

After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow......  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

The tweet was left open-ended for nearly ten minutes and anticipation grew as Americans waited for critical information about the state of the country. The subsequent tweet posted at 9:00 AM revealed the truth behind the announcement, ....Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military.

Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming..... After several more minutes, Trump had completed his series of tweets stating, ....victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you. Trumps tweets have effectively overturned the progress made under the Obama administration, which had lifted the ban on openly transgender individuals from serving in the military.

The overwhelming response and support

American citizens and concerned individuals from all over the world took to social media to voice their disapproval of the ban and their unwavering support of the transgender community. This support especially encompasses the transgender individuals already extending their service to the American people.

Those tweeting out support for transgender rights include Kim Kardashian West, Ellen DeGeneres, Demi Lovato and countless others.

However, the loudest and most unwavering voices across the web have been from alliances, support groups, and legal teams fighting for the transgender community. @TransEquality on twitter has posted, Our #trans veterans and servicemembers deserve better. Tell @POTUS to #ProtectTransTroops along with a direct link as to where you can express your thoughts and submit your disapproval to the government.

@glaad, the official twitter account for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, posted a series of tweets to the president. In their posts they stated, His admin.

will stop at nothing to implement its anti-LGBTQ ideology - even if it means denying some of our bravest the right to serve. There are already 15,000 patriotic, transgender Americans serving in our military, and this ban will cause a huge disruption. They also added, Furthermore, this puts the careers of patriotic transgender Americans on the line who want nothing more than to serve their country.

@HRC, the Human Rights Campaign who are currently the largest civil rights organization in the United States, tweeted, .@RealDonaldTrump's announcement has negative implications for our nations military readiness. #ProtectTransTroops and they urge human rights supporters to text OUR TROOPS to the number 30644.

@ACLU, the American Civil Liberties Union, have taken to twitter to express their disapproval, yet optimism that justice will prevail. They have posted multiple tweets stating, In another gratuitous attack on LGBT people today, Justice Department argued that LGBT people are not protected under the Civil Rights Act. Fortunately, the courts, not an administration playing politics with people's lives, will decide if the Civil Rights Act protects LGBT people. They reminded readers that, While today will go down as Anti-LGBT Day, we are confident that the courts will side with equality. The ACLU urges supporters to donate to their organization on their official website in order to aid their fight for equality.

Moreover, people everywhere are voicing their thoughts about the ban on the platform. According to twitter analytics, the hashtag #ProtectTransTroops has reached approximately 1,821,386 users. The hashtag is bursting with backing for transgender individuals, as well as providing information for rights rallies and resources for contacting government venues to express crucial thoughts in protecting the right to serve for every person. While scrolling the tag, the platform is alight with the repeated mantra that TRANS PEOPLE ARE NOT A BURDEN. Once more, social media has acted as a medium to join people together to send a message, and in this case, a group call for human rights.
Charlie Gard, the Terminally Ill 11-month-old baby who was denied permission to fly to the United States to partake in an experimental treatment that had never before been done on humans has, unfortunately, passed away this evening. Since he was just a few months old, little Charlie has been living at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London to monitor his deteriorating condition.

"Our beautiful little boy has gone, we are so proud of you Charlie," his mother, Connie Yates said in a statement just after the news broke that her son had slipped away.

The battle for Charlie's life

A controversial battle waged on for Charlie's life that lasted for the past several months and resulted in court battles for Charlie's parents. The little boy, who would be one year old on August 4, was born with a faulty RRM2B gene. Because of this, the little one could not move or breathe on his own, which was in a way, incompatible with life.

His parents wanted to take him to the United States to seek controversial and experimental care to help save his life, even though it was incredibly expensive and had never been tested on a human being before. American scientist Michio Hirano provided some hope for the parents by stating that he could take him on, but results for Charlie's care was never promised.

They battled with several courts and after lengthy appeals and examinations by doctors, it was ruled that it would be more humane to allow the baby to die peacefully rather than put him through treatment that had very little success of actually working in the end.

Parents concede

Just a few days ago, Charlie's parents gave up the battle to take their son overseas for the controversial treatment.

They acknowledged that it was too late for the boy to receive the treatment anyway and that they would now simply enjoy anytime they had with him left. They finally gave in to the courts, even after Donald Trump said he would make the child a permanent US resident so he could get treatment. But this only happened after Hirano confirmed with a new scan that the treatment would no longer work, even at an experimental level on the baby boy.

Some have blamed the window of opportunity being lost on the lawmakers who were unwilling to allow Charlie to seek medical treatment in the United States, while others say that the treatment was incredibly experimental and had very little chance of succeeding no matter what. Still, this is indeed, a travesty for his parents.
Details regarding Adam Drivers role as Kylo Ren in Star Wars: The Last Jedi are very scarce. In fact, the often talk about character is his master Supreme Leader Snoke for his mysterious real identity.

In an interview with Huffington Post, although the 33-year-old actor didnt talk about the leader of the First Order, he discussed the film itself. The Girls star has nothing but good praises to the script of Episode 8 director Rian Johnson for bringing the movie into a different direction.

The films balance in new and old concepts

Adam Driver described that Rian Johnson has taken Star Wars: The Last Jedi in a different path, but still remain to its canon and mythology.

[Johnson] created new rules for the Star Wars universe, he told Huffington Post. The Paterson star even called the movies script remarkable. The 43-year-old producer has put balance to the films familiar and unfamiliar concepts proficiently while considering the viewers reactions and understanding.

In fact, the husband of Joanne Tucker revealed that characters and story are the writers top priority that can be evidently seen in his previous movies. According to Heroic Hollywood, Adam Driver is not the only one who praises Rian Johnson for his take on The Last Jedi. In fact, The Empire Strikes Back screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan also commended the director for his weird ideas that are used in a very great way.

Toy leakage

Moreover, the first look of Kylo Ren in Star Wars: The Last Jedi is seen in the movies trailer revealed in April. However, it is just for a fleeting second.

In the previous Star Wars: The Force Awakens, he has been scarred by Rey (Daisy Ridley) in their battle. However, in the leak toy figures of Hans Solo (Harrison Ford) and General Leia Organas (Carrie Fisher) son, he is seen without any kind of scar.

So, some might be surprised or even confused when fans see him quite disfigured in the film.

Bricks are Awesome reported that Lego toys are a good way to get some leakage about the movie as it is not trying to spoil anything or even breaking copyright laws. In fact, some theories and assumptions emerging today are based on the images and looks of this toy.

Meanwhile, as D23 Expo is about to come, Disney revealed that it will feature the behind-the-scenes looks of its upcoming movie releases. This, of course, includes The Last Jedi. With that, fans are expecting to see a new trailer coming for the eighth film. The event will happen on July 14 to 16 at Anaheim Convention Center.
In recent days, Donald Trump and the Republican Party have received a barrage of negative reviews over their health care plan that is currently sitting in the Senate. While the backlash continues to pour in, two high-profiled critics of the president are speaking out.

King and Takei

It didn't take long after Donald Trump announced his campaign for president that he quickly became an enemy of most celebrities out in Hollywood. From the moment the former host of "The Apprentice" labeled illegal immigrants from Mexico as "murderers" and "rapists," criticism was quickly unleashed by many.

As the 2016 presidential election moved forward, it became commonplace for Trump to engage in a heated war of words with big names who publicly spoke out against him and his political agenda. Once Trump was named the GOP nominee, his opposition kicked into high-gear, which was never more evident than when actor Alec Baldwin took on the role of Trump for "Saturday Night Live." While Baldwin received rave reviews, Trump was not pleased and would often spend time lashing out on Twitter. Trump would also single out other actors to fight with, but has since slowed down that portion of his rhetoric since being sworn into office. While Trump might have gone quiet when it comes to celebrities, that hasn't stopped them from hitting back, as was seen during a series of tweets by actor George Takei and author Stephen King on June 28.

It's telling that you're not tweeting about the Senate #healthcarebill, Sean. Because you know it's indefensible. And yes, it's mean AF. https://t.co/V9Gn84gBJI  George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) June 28, 2017

Taking to his Twitter account on Wednesday was George Takei, who continued to keep his foot on the gas when it comes to criticizing Donald Trump.

"Losing the confidence of the rest of the world is what happens when Donald abdicates our global leadership role. A sad turn of events," Takei tweeted out in response to the global feeling of Trump's time in office. "This isn't healthcare, it's the biggest con on the lower and middle classes in history," Takei added in reference to the GOP "Trumpcare" bill.

When Trump admin cuts back on press briefings & sows distrust in media, it's right out of Vlad's authoritarian playbook.



This is not normal  George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) June 28, 2017

Losing the confidence of the rest of the world is what happens when Donald abdicates our global leadership role. A sad turn of events. pic.twitter.com/N1zgIyHUTx  George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) June 28, 2017

Not stopping there, George Takei then responded to a recent tweet by Donald Trump who accused the Washington Post of being "fake news" and not paying an internet tax. "The most taxing thing on the Internet, Donald, is you," Takei added.

The most taxing thing on the Internet, Donald, is you. https://t.co/Q1ydTw1rMo  George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) June 28, 2017

King speaks

In addition to George Takei, Stephen King decided to chime in and give his thoughts, while not holding back in the process with a short and to the point message.

"Do you think the Founding Fathers foresaw a narcissistic liar like Donald Trump?" tweeted with wonder, before adding, "I somehow doubt it."

Do you think the Founding Fathers foresaw a narcissistic liar like Donald Trump? I somehow doubt it.  Stephen King (@StephenKing) June 28, 2017

This isn't the first time that Stephen King has been critical of Donald Trump, as the legendary horror author announced earlier this month that he was actually blocked by the president from viewing his tweets. Despite not having access to Trump's social media feed, King is showing no signs of backing off his criticism.
Jinger Duggar married Jeremy Vuolo less than a year ago. By all accounts, he is more liberal than Jim Bob Duggar. He has allowed Jinger to wear pants and break out of the strict life that she has always known. Vuolo is a pastor in Laredo, Texas where the couple resides. His sermons are often talked about, especially now that he is in the public eye.

Donald Trump comments

Donald Trump is controversial at best. During one of his recent sermons, Jeremy Vuolo made a comment about Trump having the "authority of God." As you can imagine, the public's reaction has been extreme.

According to the Hollywood Gossip, Jeremy Vuolo s being slammed for his comments about God and Donald Trump. While some viewers believe he was making an analysis and slamming the current commander-in-chief, others believe his statements show his support for Trump.

The Duggar family is used to controversy. They have been plagued with it for years. Jinger Duggar has been in and out of the headlines, especially when it was revealed that she was courting Jeremy Vuolo. He had somewhat of a wild past. Aside from that, the idea that he allows his wife to dress how she chooses has caused some uproar. She is the third daughter to be married off, with both of her sisters still holding on to the tradition of dresses and skirts.

Jinger has worn pants and shorts since being married, and it doesn't appear she is going to stop.

Jeremy breeds controversy

Because Jeremy Vuolo is a pastor, he is heavily scrutinized among fans and haters of the Duggar Family. The comments regarding his words relaying Donald Trump having God's authority hasn't sat right with their side in the debate.

Even some of the most extreme Christians have taken issue with Trump. Others are reaching for the comparison that Vuolo was making is that while the president is ruling our country like God rules lives, he will still be held accountable for his actions.

Aside from all of this, Jinger Duggar and Jeremy Vuolo have been heavily criticized for not getting pregnant immediately.

Rumors are circulating that Joy-Anna Duggar may already be pregnant ahead of her sister who has already been married nearly a year. The focus on having a child immediately after marriage seems to be a thing for the Duggar family. Jinger and Jeremy appear to be happy in their lives, especially while they are living in Texas and helping to spread God's word. Jeremy Vuolo may not be eloquent with words, but he definitely knows what he believes.
Angelina Jolie is popular for her humanitarian and charity works. Thus, people were shocked when they learned how she cast the Cambodian child who will be starring in her Netflix film First They Killed My Father.

Jolie plays psychological games in casting children

Jolie who is going through a divorce from Brad Pitt will be busy as she is directing her upcoming Netflix film First They Killed My Father. In an interview with Vanity Fair, the actress admitted that they exerted too much effort in finding the child who would play the lead role of Loung Ung.

In fact, they searched for children who experienced hardships in life in the different areas of the country. They searched at orphanages, circuses, and slum schools.

The team used a different approach in finding the one that deserved the spot. Jolies casting director set up a game that disturbed realism. They put money on the table and asked the child to think of a reason why they needed the money. The child would snatch the money, and the director would pretend to catch the child who would lie why she did the act.

Jolie recalled how they found the child who bagged the title role. "Srey Moch [the girl who was ultimately chosen for the part] was the only child that stared at the money for a very, very long time," Jolie explained to Vanity Fair.

"When she was forced to give it back, she became overwhelmed with emotion. All these different things came flooding back. When she was asked later what the money was for, she said her grandfather had died, and they didnt have enough money for a nice funeral.

While Jolie proudly shared how they found the lead star of her film First They Killed My Father, netizens did not like what they learned.

A number of fans slammed Jolie on Twitter.

Netizens criticize the ways Jolie cast children for Netflix film

Shortly after Jolie revealed how they cast the child star for their Netflix movie, a number of Twitter users reacted and most of them did not approve of it. Many found the process absurd. Some even questioned how Jolie had become an ambassador for children considering the cruelty she displayed during the Cambodian kids during the audition.

Many believe that what Jolie did to the already poor and impoverished children in Cambodia was traumatizing. A number considered it exploitation and emotional abuse. Another referred to it as monstrous, hoping that it wont go unnoticed.

This 'casting game' Angelina Jolie subjected impoverish children to is monstrous and should not go unnoticed. pic.twitter.com/k5F2T6Ukkk  Nathaliekdy (@Nathaliekdy) July 27, 2017

this is deliberate emotional abuse inflicted upon kids and not a word should be spoken in its defense. https://t.co/l73qJJuvN4  dan (@_suprdan) July 27, 2017

Stop for a moment and consider what Angelina Jolie is doing to these children. "We'll take that money back, and no you didn't get the part." https://t.co/FHCMuTKNH8  Per Axbom (@axbom) July 27, 2017

Why in the HELL were Angelina Jolie and Co traumatizing poor cambodian children for "casting"? How is this applause worthy? https://t.co/79XYK1eRXK  Shanelle Little (@ShanelleLittle) July 26, 2017

Was Jolie's choice a result of her personal endeavors after splitting from Pitt?

The "Maleficent" star admitted that she struggles after her much-publicized divorce from Pitt because she has to handle the household, the kids, and her affairs alone.

Whats your take on Jolies way of casting the Cambodian children for her Netflix film? Share your thoughts below.
Gan Yong, president of the Central Iron & Steel Research Institute. [Photo/China Daily]

An official has called for upgrading in China's iron and steel industry, to take the opportunity of the government's Made in China 2025 initiative.

"An intelligent steel industry platform supported by big data can not only help to eliminate overcapacity but also optimize the industrial structure and increase industry profits," said Gan Yong, president of the Central Iron & Steel Research Institute and chairman of the Chinese Society for Metals.

The platform is a commercial ecology system jointly built and operated by several companies, which share resources and profits, he said.

The academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering has called for the establishment of three big data platforms in China: the Yangze River Valley steel platform, the Bohai-Rim steel platform and the Southwest steel platform.

"If a company were on the platforms, it could survive. Otherwise, it will die."

"We have long been talking about intelligent production process within a company, however, intelligence in the whole industry is more important," he said.

"An intelligent internet platform is the best and effective way to solve the problems in the pillar industry in China."

There are many individual steel companies in China, which lead to fierce competition and a waste of resources, while mergers and acquisitions between giant corporations are not easy and may bring huge financial burdens, Gan said.

Normally, when the prices are comparatively high, all companies produce a large amount to make more money, which leads to overcapacity and plummeting prices.

The phenomenon is normal in some sectors in China, especially in cyclical industries, such as iron and steel, coal and nonferrous metals, because producers do not know how much should be manufactured.

The big data system solves the problem through capacity utilization adjustment. Cloud calculation gives the participants clear advice on the production variety and specific levels of production, eliminating blind production and arranging output capacity reasonably, he said.

"Setting up intelligent platforms is a central course: they join as a group, but they are independent in finance, management and staff."

Companies on the platform can cooperate with upstream and downstream firms, as well as former competitors, he said.

Sharing resources and information in supply-chain, design, manufacturing and service, they achieved a win-win situation, he said.

For instance, steel companies can bargain jointly with domestic and foreign iron ore providers like international giant Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, reducing costs to the lowest level, he said.

The two conglomerates and Vale of Brazil are the three biggest iron ore suppliers in the world, which control the prices of the black metal.

In addition, the platform can easily realize industrialization for technological achievements, and provide financial support for research and production, said Gan.

"Of course, we still need some time to set up the intelligent platforms, but steel giants should realize their necessity, feasibility and urgency, with advance of the technology," he said.

China has already become a powerful country in the global steel industry, Gan added.
Robots attract visitors at an industry expo in Beijing. [Photo by Chen Xiaogen/For China Daily]

China will encourage State and private investment in business startups, especially those in the high-tech sector, to help finance new business and innovation, according to a State Council guideline released on Thursday.

The country will establish subsidiary funds to invest in startups, according to a guideline on promoting the innovation-driven strategy and mass entrepreneurship.

The funding consists of the national venture capital fund for emerging industries, which was founded in 2015 with 40 billion yuan ($5.84 billion); the national development fund for small and medium-sized enterprises; and the national fund for transforming technological achievements.

The guideline said standards and rules will be reformed for government funds and State-owned capital to invest, manage and exit venture capital, with an assessment system set up in line with the new rules.

Preferential tax policies, given to startups and individual angel investors, will be expanded to other areas as appropriate. The policies, released by the State Administration of Taxation in April, stipulate that 70 percent of total investment can be deducted from taxation two years after the investment for high-tech startups.

The guideline also encourages local governments to establish venture capital funds with certain management criteria. Commercial banks will be encouraged to establish inclusive financing branches to help small and medium-sized enterprises. Financial devices, such as bonds and equities, will be perfected for technological SMEs to provide full-life-circle services.

The work will be conducted by the China Banking Regulatory Commission, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Finance and other ministries.

The central government has been promoting business startups and innovations that aim to boost employment and help transform the manufacturing sector. However, small startups have found it difficult to obtain financing.

It's a systematic project to fix the dilemma for SMEs to get financing, said Guo Xia, a researcher of new economies at Peking University. New measures will help SMEs, in particular business startups, by helping them in the capital market and giving preferential fiscal and tax policies, he said.

Inclusive financing will change the reluctance of major banks to grant loans to startups, considering their small size and uncertain prospects, said Zhu Lijia, a professor of administrative reforms at the Chinese Academy of Governance.

Zhu said some places such as Shenzhen, an industrial hub in Guangdong province, have seen the benefit of better financing technological startups. "The document will stimulate local governments to provide assistance for technological startups," he said.

The new guideline was also in line with Premier Li Keqiang's commitment to reduce taxes and fees charged on companies, Zhu said. "If properly implemented, the guideline will help SMEs and business startups in the future," he added.
Audrey Hepburn by Zhu Yiqing and Xue Yongjun. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Celebrities are far more than just a person in the eyes of fans. They are idolized and worshiped even long after they die.

The artist duo of Zhu Yiqing and Xue Yongjun now invites people to reconsider the roles of these celebrities by redoing some of their classic images.

At their current exhibition in Beijing's 798 art district, titled Sign, they show paintings that feature portraits of such icons as Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe.

The approach reminds one of that of pop art pioneer Andy Warhol who produced silkscreen portraits of celebrities.

The exhibition is being held at Mountain Art Beijing & Frank Lin Art Center through Aug 13.
A combination of two photos shows US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin as they arrive for the G20 leaders summit in Hamburg, Germany, July 7, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON - The US Senate voted almost unanimously on Thursday to slap new sanctions on Russia, putting President Donald Trump in a tough position by forcing him to take a hard line on Moscow or veto the legislation and infuriate his own Republican Party.

The legislation all but dashes Trump's hopes for warmer ties with Moscow as his administration is dogged by congressional and special counsel investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election to sway it in Trump's favor.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has repeatedly denied the conclusions of US intelligence agencies that Moscow interfered using cyber warfare methods, has threatened retaliation against the legislation.

The Senate backed the bill by a margin of 98-2 with strong support from Trump's fellow Republicans as well as Democrats.

The bill, which includes a provision that allows Congress to stop any effort by Trump to ease existing sanctions on Russia, will now be sent to the White House for Trump to sign into law or veto.

It is the first major foreign policy legislation approved by Congress under Trump, who has struggled to advance his domestic agenda despite Republicans controlling the Senate and House of Representatives. The strong bipartisan support for the bill was a sharp contrast to the bitter partisan rancor during debate over how to overhaul the US healthcare system.

If Trump chooses to veto it, the bill is expected to garner enough support in both chambers to override his veto and pass it into law. The sanctions measure has already passed the House of Representatives by 419 to three votes.

Republicans and Democrats have pushed for more sanctions partly as a response to the election allegations. Trump denies any collusion between his campaign and Moscow.

Senator John McCain, a leading congressional voice calling for a firm line against Russia, said before the vote: "The United States of America needs to send a strong message to Vladimir Putin and any other aggressor that we will not tolerate attacks on our democracy."

Putin said Moscow would only decide on how to retaliate once it had seen the final text of the proposed law.

The bill would affect a range of Russian industries and might further hurt the Russian economy, already weakened by 2014 sanctions imposed after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine.

Besides angering Moscow, the legislation has upset the European Union, which has said the new sanctions might affect its energy security and prompt it to act, too.
Japan's Defence Minister Tomomi Inada announces her resignation during a news conference at the Defence Ministry in Tokyo, Japan July 28, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

TOKYO - Embattled Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi Inada on Friday said she was resigning, after a series of gaffes, missteps and a cover-up at her ministry that have contributed to a sharp plunge in public support for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Inada, 58, an Abe protege who shares his conservative views ,had already expected to be replaced in a likely cabinet reshuffle next week that Abe hopes will help repair his ratings.

Support for the prime minister has sunk below 30 percent in some polls, due to scandals over suspected cronyism and a view among many voters that he and his aides took them for granted.

Speaking to reporters after Inada announced her resignation at a separate news conference, Abe apologised "to the people from my heart".

He said Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida would add the defence portfolio to his duties, to eliminate any gap at a time when Japan faces tough security challenges.

Abe, however, had drawn fire from both ruling and opposition party lawmakers for retaining Inada despite her missteps and perceived incompetence.

"He should have thrown Inada under the bus long ago  doing so on the eve of a cabinet reshuffle only looks like desperation," said Jeffrey Kingston, director of Asian Studiesat Temple University Japan.

The resignation coincided with a report of an investigation into suspicions that defence ministry officials tried to hide logs showing worsening security in South Sudan, where Japanese troops joined in a U.S.-led peacekeeping operation.

Critics said troop deployment in the dangerous environment violated conditions set for such activities in line with Japan's pacifist constitution. No Japanese troops have died in combat since World War Two and the growing chaos in South Sudan fuelled concern.

Abe, who returned to power in December 2012 promising to revive the economy and bolster defence, had until recently been seen as likely to win a third term when his tenure ends in September 2018, putting him on track to be Japan's longest-serving prime minister.

But the ratings plunge is making it more likely that LDP rivals will challenge him for the top party post - and the premiership.

The main opposition Democratic Party, however, has failed to capitalise on Abe's troubles.

Its leader, Renho, who goes by one name, said on Thursday she would resign as the best way to try to repair her party's image, tarnished by persistent bickering and memories of its rocky 2009-2012 rule.

Financial markets are taking the political developments in stride. "Until it gets to the point where Abe is going t oresign, this is not affecting markets at all," said Mitsushige Ando, chief fund manager at Ichiyoshi Asset Management.

Reuters
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The Governments recent decision on the restructuring of credit institutions ensures that State-owned banks listed on the market no longer have to worry about dividend payout in cash.  Photo vietnambiz.vn

HA NOI  The Governments recent decision on the restructuring of credit institutions ensures that State-owned banks listed on the market no longer have to worry about dividend payout in cash, experts said.

Under Decision 1058/Q-TTg issued last week, the Government requires the Ministry of Finance, in conjunction with the State Bank of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Planning and Investment, to help State-owned banks increase their charter capital in the 2016-20 period so that the banks can meet Basel II capital standards by 2020.

Vietcombank, Vietinbank and BIDV are the three listed banks in which the State holds more than 50 per cent of the charter capital. Currently, the banks do not meet the minimum Basel II requirement of 8 per cent for capital adequacy.

However, the three banks have failed to increase their charter capital despite repeated efforts over the past few years. Raising their capital was tough for these banks as they could not use their profits for the purpose; profits would go for cash dividend payout, as required by the finance ministry.

Last year, though at the annual general meetings (AGM) of Vietinbank and BIDV, dividend payout in shares was approved so that money could be used for capital increase, the finance ministry insisted that the banks pay dividend in cash.

The banks had no choice but to follow the ministrys orders, which helped the State budget earn a revenue of around VN4 trillion (US$175.4 million).

If this continues, as per a proposal circulated during the AGM season in April, the three banks will contribute a total of VN6 trillion to the State budget through dividend payout in cash in 2017.

However, because of the Governments new regulations, banking expert Phan Minh Ngoc said the finance ministry would not insist on cash dividend payout for the next few years. Of course, the banks could choose to pay dividends in cash if they make profits higher than the approved charter capital increase.

According to the National Assembly resolution on the 2016-20 economic restructuring plan, commercial banks will have equity capital under Basel II standards, in which at least 12 to 15 commercial banks have applied Basel II successfully (above the standard method) by 2020. Meanwhile, a Vietcombank Securities Company report states that the success or failure of the application of these new standards depends primarily on the three State-owned listed banks.

Basel II is a new, higher level for Vietnamese banks in accordance with Basel Accords standards set by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS). The application is flexible to different countries but the overall spirit is tighter regulations on banking operations.

Industry insiders said that the Basel II application in Viet Nam would be a challenge for local banks, however, it was a must as it is believed to be the best solution to make Vietnamese banks healthier.  VNS
BAC NINH  Samsung Viet Nam has achieved a significant breakthrough in increasing the localisation rate of its products from 35 per cent in 2014 to 57 per cent at present.

Participants of the Samsung Sourcing Fair 2017 also heard that the number of Vietnamese enterprises joining Samsungs supply chain has increased dramatically.

A total of 215 enterprises, including 25 tier-1 vendors and 190 tier-2 vendors, are currently participating in the supply chain for Samsungs factories in Viet Nam, which include Samsung Electronics Viet Nam (SEV), Samsung Electronics Viet Nam Thai Nguyen (SEVT), SEHC Complex (HCM City), Samsung Display Viet Nam (Bac Ninh), Samsung SDI Viet Nam (Bac Ninh) and Samsung Electro-Mechanics Viet Nam (Thai Nguyen).

The company expects its tier-1 vendors to increase to 29 in 2017.

The annual workshop and exhibition, which has been held in Viet Nam since 2014, aims to discover and connect domestic component suppliers with Samsung. It seeks ways to enhance the competitiveness of hi-tech suppliers in particular and boost development of Viet Nams parts manufacturing industry in general.

This years event, organised in the northern province of Bac Ninh on Wednesday, drew the participation of 26 enterprises that are expected to act as core agents for support industry development in Viet Nam.

Company officials noted that there were 15 totally new firms nominated by the ministries and enterprises associations.

Speaking at the event, Shim Won Hwan, chairman of Samsung Viet Nam Complex, said the exhibition on supporting industry has been considered the first official connection between Samsung and Vietnamese enterprises, in a series of activities to assist parts suppliers.

Enthusiastic participation along with great determination of potential businesses in this 4th event gave us impetus to continue implementing practical activities to help them improve their productions and enhance their competitiveness. They will play the very important roles as the core agents to create the spreading effect for the general development of supporting industry in Viet Nam.

Pham Anh Duong, chairman of management board of An Phat Plastic and Green Environment Joint Stock Company, which produces thin packaging items for exports to Japan, the US and EU, said his company has been considering becoming a local parts supplier for Samsung.

I think we will surely face difficulties at first time to meet Samsungs requirements including quality, production process and corporate social responsibility, Duong said.

However, he added that the company is confident because it has 15 years of experience in exporting to foreign markets.

An Phat planned to invest US$50 million in its plant and production process to be eligible to participate into the supply chain.

We expect our revenue to increase by 15 per cent over current levels after becoming Samsungs local supplier. Last year, our companys revenue was VN2.1 trillion ($92.3 million) and the expected revenue this year would be around VN3 trillion, he said.

It created opportunities for six enterprises to showcase their best performance after finishing the 3-months programme with Samsung experts.

The consultancy programme with South Korean experts helps enterprises improve their production process and meet the criteria for supplying products and components to Samsung factories with products error ratio decreasing by an average of 25 per cent and production capacity increasing by 30 per cent.

From 2015 to date, 26 Vietnamese enterprises have benefited from the programmes.

Starting this year, Samsung will expand the programme to hi-tech industries, helping local firms to produce sophisticated electronic parts and be part of Samsungs global supply chain for hi-tech products.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam needs to form policies that will boost the digital economy, a move that will generate added value and help sustainable development, experts said at a conference on Wednesday in Ha Noi.

ao Huy Giam, General Secretary of the Viet Nam Private Sector Forum (VPSF), said that more than ever, its time for Viet Nam to pay attention to digital economy.

Giam cited statistics showing that 1.7 per cent of the population are involved in the digital economy and contribute 5 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP). Each labour worked in the digital economy creates added value three times higher than the national average.

The digital economy stimulates high added value and leads to breakthroughs in capacity for sustainable development, Giam stressed.

According to Nguyen Trung Chinh, head of the VPSFs working group on digital economy, with US$900 million revenue from e-commerce in 2016 and 60 million smartphone users, Viet Nam had significant room to boost the digital economy.

Still, the biggest challenge is that Viet Nam had not had favourable policies to encourage new business models and digital technology-enabled companies, Chinh said.

He said that to develop digital economy, the Government should hasten efforts in limiting the use of cash, promoting e-commerce and e-contracts and creating payment infrastructure for electronic transactions. In addition, incentives should be given to the software industry and hi-tech zones.

Chinh said that in digital economy, firms needed fair playing ground to develop, adding that there are still differences in treatment compared to different economic sectors.

According to Bui Quang Ngoc, deputy chairman of technology FPT Group, It is critical to create a fair playing ground for different economic sector, especially in accessing State-funded IT projects.

Experts added that focus should be paid to develop IT human resource.

According to Pham Van Hai from the Ha Noi University of Technology, the IT sector faces a severe human resource shortage.

A report by job finding website VietnamWorks in 2015 said that Viet Nam needed 1.2 million IT workers by 2020. However, with the current growth rate of 8 per cent per year, Viet Nam will faced with a shortage of 500,000 workers.

VPSF statistics show that the global digital economy was worth $3 trillion in 2016 with an anticipated annual growth rate of 9 per cent by 2020. ASEANs digital economy is worth $150 billion.  VNS
HA NOI  South Korea has surpassed the US, the European Union and ASEAN for the first time to become Viet Nams second-largest trade partner, after China.

According to the General Department of Customs, in the first half of this year, trade value between Viet Nam and South Korea reached $29.12 billion, accounting for 14.7 per cent of total national trade value, of which export value from Viet Nam to South Korea stood at $6.57 billion while import value from South Korea to Viet Nam was $22.56 billion.

That import value with strong growth at 51.2 per cent year-on-year made Viet Nams trade deficit with South Korea increase to $15.99 billion, higher than its trade deficit with China at $13.72 billion.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment said these figures showed that Viet Nam had promoted imports from South Korea and that country, therefore, became the second largest goods supplier of Viet Nam, after China. Viet Nam mainly imported machines and equipment from South Korea for South Korean investors factories to produce export goods in Viet Nam.

Nguyen uc Thanh, director of the Viet Nam Institute for Economic and Policy Research, said this development and current structure of import and export goods reflected the trend of dependence on trade of some large South Korean enterprises, especially Samsung.

Some $15 billion of the $22.5 billion import value from South Korea to Viet Nam was spent to import machinery, equipment and spare parts; computers, electronic products and their components; and phones of all kinds and components. These products were required for Samsungs investment projects in Viet Nam.

Economic expert inh Tuan Minh said it was a positive development if imports from South Korea consisted mainly of equipment and material for production, however, it was a different story if the imported items were consumption goods.

Tran Toan Thang, head of the World Economic Department at the National Centre for Socio-economic Information and Forecast, said this development was unavoidable.

Viet Nam and South Korea had expected this change in the structure of trade when negotiating the Viet Nam-South Korea Free Trade Agreement. According to the expectation, imports from South Korea would increase and this change would diversify Viet Nams import and export markets to avoid dependence on one market.

However, those changes came earlier than expected, Thang said.

Viet Nam must depend on the import of equipment and material for production because the domestic support industry has not developed for the short term, he said. The nation has seen large volumes of import items for the processing of export products.

The important thing was that Viet Nam should depend on countries that will bring more benefits. If it depends on imports from the United States, European Union or OECD with high quality products, Viet Nam will have imported material of high quality and will thus process higher quality export products, Thang said.

In addition, putting a stop to imports was impossible once tariff barriers were lifted according to commitments of free trade agreements signed between Viet Nam and some countries, he said.

The key solution was for other countries to make use of the FTA to export their goods to Viet Nam while Viet Nam would also do the same to promote its exports to those countries, he said.

Meanwhile, Viet Nam should improve further development of its support industry to reduce the import of equipment and material, leading to a trade deficit cut in the future.

Trade figures

According to the General Department of Customs, Viet Nams total trade value was $198.2 billion in the first half of this year, up 21.5 per cent year-on-year.

Trade value of foreign-direct-investment (FDI) enterprises reached $129.62 billion, up 23.9 per cent over the same period last year, including export value at $68.97 billion and import value at $60.66 billion.

This value of domestic enterprises reached $68.6 billion, 17.2 per cent higher than the same period of last year, including export value at $28.76 billion and import value at $39.84 billion.

The department said Viet Nam had trade deficit of $2.78 billion in the first half of this year, including $292 million in June.

The trade deficit of the domestic business sector was $11.09 billion while FDI enterprises achieved a trade surplus of $8.31 billion.

Trade value of Viet Nam with its 10 largest markets stood at $176.09 billion in the first half, accounting for 88.8 per cent of the total.

China remained the countrys largest trade partner, with $39.8 billion, accounting for 20.1 per cent of the total.

The US came third with $24.4 billion, accounting for 12.3 per cent, then the European Union with $24.01 billion, or 12.1 per cent, and ASEAN with $23.9 billion, or 12 per cent.

The US continued to be the largest export market of Viet Nams goods with value at $19.7 billion, a year-on-year increase of 10 per cent.  VNS
ONG THAP  Located in the wetlands of the Plain of Reeds in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of ong Thap, Tram Chim National Park is known for its spectacular diversity of bird species, attracting bird-watchers year-round.

Local farmers named the park Tram Chim due to the great number of cajeput (tram) trees and birds (chim).

The 7,300ha park, flooded for half a year and dry for the other half, is home to more than 100 vertebrate species, 40 species of fish, and 213 species of water birds, including 16 rare birds like the Sarus crane, the greater adjutant, black-headed ibis, darter, and little egret.

Nguyen The Hanh, vice director of the national park, said that thousands of Asian openbill storks, which were given priority for preservation, have flocked to the park.

The park has a good environment for birds, containing a level of water conducive to the development of flora and aquatic creatures.

Thanks to its diversity of bird species, the park holds bird-watching tours, attracting a great number of visitors.

The number of visitors exceeded 60,000 in 2014, a five-fold increase compared to 2012, when it was recognised as Viet Nams fourth site under the Ramsar Convention of Wetlands of International Importance.

In the first half of the year, the park welcomed more than 75,000 guests, an increase of 26 per cent year-on-year. Tourism revenue in that period exceeded VN3.8 billion (US$167,000), up 81.5 per cent from the same period last year.

The World Wild Fund for Nature Viet Nam recently provided VN2.6 billion ($114,500) for a project to encourage eco-tourism and sustainable use of natural resources in the park.

Pham Tan Xieu, head of the ong Thap Province Peoples Committee Office, said the project would preserve the biodiversity of the wetlands and improve livelihoods for local people through community-based tourism.

Preservation efforts

In the late 1980s, under a Government programme to turn ong Thap Province into one of the countrys largest rice granaries, many canals, embankments and irrigation works were built, which led to degradation of the wetlands ecosystem.

The grass fields, which were food sources for the Sarus crane and other bird species, narrowed significantly, causing the birds to seek new shelter sites.

In an effort to retain the precious birds, the Government and conservation organisations have worked in the past decade to promote the migration of birds and cranes with million-dollar projects.

One of them was a project supporting habitat restoration and protecting the wetlands ecosystem in Tram Chim funded by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Coca Cola, which operated from 2007-2014 in two phases.

The project helped increase by threefold the area of Eleocharis grasslands, a favourite food of the Sarus crane, drawing 125 cranes back to the park.

However, Hoang Viet, a programme coordinator of WWF Viet Nams Freshwater and Climate Change, said that efforts to rehabilitate the wetlands habitat could be in vain if actions are not taken to restrict negative influences on the natural reserve.

The overuse of pesticides in agricultural production, for example, harms cranes, he said.

Trading of wild birds

Despite many efforts to protect the bird population, a wild bird market in Long An Provinces Thanh Hoa District, the biggest in the south, has been seen selling several species of rare birds, including darters and Asian Openbills.

Though the provinces authorities have urged people to stop trading wild birds, the market remains busy.

Le Huu Loi, vice chief ranger of Long An Province, told VnExpress that authorities had imposed fines on eight people who sold endangered birds this year.

He said that many species of wild birds sold at the market were not on the list of endangered species banned from trade and hunting, and thus rangers could not punish traders. VNS
Deputy Prime Minister Vuong inh Hue (R) meets with Minister of Trade Todd McClay in New Zealand.  VNA/VNS Photo Khanh Linh

WELLINGTON  Viet Nam and New Zealand on Thursday affirmed their determination to raise two-way trade to US$1.7 billion by 2020 during Deputy Prime Minister Vuong inh Hues working visit to New Zealand.

While in Wellington, Hue paid a courtesy visit to Speaker of the House of Representatives David Carter, held talks with Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett and worked with Minister of Foreign Affairs Gerry Brownlee and Minister of Trade Todd McClay.

The officials agreed to intensify investment in fields with high Vietnamese demand and deep New Zealand strength such as agriculture, renewable energy and infrastructure.

Paula Bennett and Todd McClay promised to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese agricultural products to enter New Zealand, and continue supporting the country in improving production, processing and preservation of farm produce to meet foreign markets high standards.

The two sides reached a consensus on the early signing of the 2017-20 Viet Nam-New Zealand Action Programme in 2017 in order to boost co-operation in the priority fields of politics, economy-trade, agriculture, education-training, and science and tourism.

They also pledged to organise the sixth meeting of the two countries Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Co-operation.

The New Zealand leaders asserted to maintain the provision of official development assistance (ODA) for Viet Nam, with a focus on social welfare, rural development, human resources improvement and climate change adaptation.

Deputy PM Hue thanked New Zealand for supporting Viet Nam in projects related to dyke safety, clean vegetables and hi-tech agriculture, while suggesting the two sides build a regular bilateral dialogue mechanism in order to carry out measures to use New Zealands ODA effectively.

Both sides discussed regional and international issues, agreeing to continue close co-ordination at multilateral forums, especially ASEAN.

They emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, maritime and aviation safety, and freedom in the region, settling disputes peacefully on the basis of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, strictly following the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and working toward forming a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

Hue and the New Zealand leaders also reaffirmed support for the intensification of economic co-operation and trade liberalisation in the region, and they agreed to tighten co-operation to seek a proper path for the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The hosts spoke highly of Viet Nams successful organisation of meetings within the framework of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Year 2017, hoping that the two countries will share experience when New Zealand hosts APEC 2021.  VNS
Mozambique Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosario.  Photo GPM

HA NOI  Mozambique Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosario will pay an official visit to Viet Nam from July 31 to August 3.

The visit is made at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday.

Viet Nam and Mozambique established diplomatic ties in June 1975.

The two countries have carried out a number of co-operation projects in agriculture and fisheries, and they have signed numerous agreements in other fields such as a framework agreement on economic, cultural, scientific and technological co-operation, a 2003 trade agreement, and an agreement on investment encouragement and protection in 2007.

In 2014, the two governments reached another agreement on joint research into food crop development in Mozambique for 2013-17.  VNS
Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh and Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry Eli Cohen sign co-operation MoU in Tel Aviv.  VNA/VNS Photo Viet Thang

TEL AVIV  Plans to strengthen co-operation between Viet Nam and Israel were discussed at the second meeting of the Viet Nam-Israel Intergovernmental Committee for Economics, Science and Technology held this week in Tel Aviv.

Vietnamese and Israeli officials highlighted the potential to boost bilateral ties, suggesting ways to improve co-operation in diplomacy, trade, investment, finance, agriculture, science-technology, culture and education. The sides are targeting annual two-way trade of US$3 billion.

Within the framework of the event, Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh met with Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry Eli Cohen, who also co-chaired the meeting.

The Vietnamese minister met with his Israeli counterpart Ofir Akunis, during which the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on co-operation in science and technology between the two ministries.

The MoU aims to support joint projects; organise events and meetings on science and technology; exchange information, delegations and experience; and encourage co-operation among universities between the two nations.

During his stay, Minister Anh visited the Israel Innovation Authority, Ben-Gurion University and a number of Israeli enterprises, such as SouthUP, Trendlines, BioFishency and Mobileye.  VNS
BINH THUAN  A team of eight scientists arrived in the central province of Binh Thuan on Thursday to assess the environmental protection plan related to the controversial dumping of sludge into the sea.

On June 23, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment granted a licence to the Vinh Tan 1 Thermal Power Plant to sink one million cubic metres of sludge near the Hon Cau Marine Protected Area, one of 16 such areas in the country.

The Hon Cau Marine Protected Area contains a 2km long coral reef and 234 kinds of corals that is home to many rare marine species.

Many citizens have expressed concern about the sludge dumping and its impact on the Hon Cau Marine Protected Area.

The team of scientists held working sessions with the Hon Cau MPA and the Binh Thuan Shrimp Association to discuss possible impacts of the planned dumping on the MPA and local shrimp farms.

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh inh Dung has instructed the Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology to work with other scientific organisations to determine if the Vinh Tan 1 Thermal Power Plant should be licensed to sink the amount of sludge.

He said the academy could invite foreign consultants to examine the environmental impact in Tuy Phong District in Binh Thuan Province, where the thermal power plant is located.

Scientific organisations are expected to carefully reconsider the environmental impact report on sinking sludge, and report to the Prime Minister as soon as possible.

Earlier on Saturday, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) called for clarification after waste dumping violations reportedly occured at the coal-fuelled power plant into the sea off the coast of Binh Thuan Province, an area rich in natural resources that could be badly damaged by the waste.

MoIT asked the MoITs Industrial Policy and Strategy Institute to determine violations of and consider discipline against Ha Quoc Quan, one of its staff, in association with the Vinh Tan 1 Power Companys waste dumping project, Vietnam News Agency reported.

According to the request, the institute must ask Quan to prepare a full report clarifying the establishment of the company, as well as its hiring of retired MoIT officials as specialists. Under current law, a civil servant is not allowed to manage a private company.

MoIT also called for clarification of the companys work as the consultant for the waste dumping project as well as the mention of domestic scientists as its consultants.  VNS
HCM CITY  Sixty-four woman in HCM City were recognised with the State title of Vietnamese Heroic Mother for their contributions and sacrifices to the countrys liberation in celebration of the annual 70th Day for War Invalids and Martyrs on July 27.

The awards ceremony was held by the city authority at the Southern Womens Museum, attended by representatives from the citys Party Committee, Peoples Council and Peoples Committee, members of the Standing Committee, and agency officials.

Of 64 heroic mothers, five were awarded and 59 were posthumously awarded.

Speaking at the ceremony, secretary of the city Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan expressed the gratitude of the Party and Government to heroic mothers who lost their husbands and children on the battlefield for national independence and freedom.

He asked the district authorities to pay more attention to improving the living standard of heroic mothers and policy beneficiaries in compensation for the losses they have suffered.

A representative of a heroic mother relatives thanked the Party and Government for their support and promised to contribute to developing the country.

More than 5,000 heroic mothers have been honoured in the city, and 278 of them are still alive, receiving monthly support and special policies from the Government for their lifetime.  VNS
HA NOI  Seven Vietnamese citizens were killed in flash floods and landslides in Mengshan County, Wuzhou City, Guangxi Province, China, the consulate general of Viet Nam in Nanning has said.

The consulate is working with local authorities to complete necessary legal procedures for the victims funeral services.

Citing the information provided by local police, the consulate general said there are 30 other Vietnamese who are safe. The consulate has sent details of these people to functional agencies in Viet Nam for verification so that they can be assisted to return home at the earliest.

According to local authorities, three children of Vietnamese workers, aged between one and three, have been sent to a care centre in Wuzhou City. VNS
The World Heritage site of Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam has recently been ranked seventh among the worlds 15 best cities, voted by readers of the US travel site www.travelandleisure.com.

For its annual Worlds Best Awards survey, the website called on its readers to share their opinions on the worlds top cities based on their travel experiences.

Known as the busiest and most bustling trading port in Southeast Asia from the 15th to 19th century, Hoi An is home to beautiful pagodas, age-old communal houses, and ancient wells.

What makes the central coastal town appealing to tourists, especially international visitors, may be the unique traditional lantern festival held on the 14th day of each lunar month.  VNS
Endy M. Bayuni*

Southeast Asian countries today are far more integrated than they have ever been in the modern history of the region, but ASEAN has some way to go before it can call itself a real community.

The 10 member countries grouped in the Association of Southeast Asean nations (ASEAN) are glued together more because of their geographical proximity, and out of that perhaps comes a sense of shared destiny.

But a community, where members have shared values and principles, ASEAN is not.

For now, it is looking more like a neighborhood.

Its a neighborhood of nations, big and small, rich and poor, at different stages of economic and political development, and they are already trading with one another more and more. But they ruled under vastly different political systems and ideologies, and often they have little in common other than the knowledge that their prosperity are closely tied because they are neighbors.

ASEAN marks its 50th anniversary on August 8, and although the group has officially become the ASEAN Community since the end of 2015, one could hardly find the spirit or the sense of being part of an emerging community when traveling and meeting with ordinary people across the region.

Their governments rarely talk about ASEAN being a community. In speeches, they still refer to it just as ASEAN. Some call it an ASEAN economic community because of the closer economic integration.

Their peoples, according to most surveys, are mostly ignorant about the community idea. Many do not even know what the ASEAN acronym stands for let alone the benefits the association brings. Yet, ASEAN officials tirelessly churn out new acronyms with every new meeting.

The ASEAN motto One Vision, One Identity, One Community has hardly taken roots among the 625 million citizens. Few people will be singing the ASEAN anthem, aptly titled The ASEAN Way. Few people actually is aware that there is such an anthem.But at least there is the aspiration, or the stated intention, to turn the region into a community. As the anthem goes, we dare to dream, we care to share, for its the way of ASEAN.

What is grossly missing is the political will of its leaders to take up the community idea more seriously and more than just a geopolitical and economic concept.

This, however, does not take away the value of ASEAN in the first 50 years of its existence, to the member countries, to their peoples, and to the rest of the region of Asia and beyond.

Peoples ignorance about ASEAN extends to the most important contribution that the association has given: Five decades of uninterrupted peace which has afforded member countries the time to focus attention and devote resources to nation building and economic development. People in the richer ASEAN countries may not appreciate that their prosperity owes to the relative stability their leaders have painfully built through the association.

ASEAN meetings have expanded with offshoots such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit that bring all the major powers in the world and the Asian region to discuss political and economic security of the region and the world.

ASEAN has been dubbed as the most successful regional organisation in the world. So successful, in fact, that ASEAN has often been in the driving seat for some initiatives seen in the Asia Pacific region. ASEAN enjoys the centrality of its role in the larger region. Fifty years ago, this region of Asia was a zone filled with tensions and conflicts. Every country had some bones to pick with all its neighbours over historical overlapping territorial claims or ideological differences. In the Cold War context, Southeast Asia gave the perfect theatre for the big powers to conduct their proxy wars.

The original five founding ASEAN members  Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand  worked out the perfect way to overcome their differences and their territorial disputes: Put them aside, literally sweep them under the carpet. Its a formula that has survived the test of time as the group expanded over the years, with the addition of Brunei in 1984, and later Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Viet Nam in the late 1990s, to make it a complete 10.

Throw in the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of other members, and of the decision-making process by consensus, together these make up the elements that created the ASEAN Way, a slow but almost sure, and most importantly, peaceful mechanism. It takes one member to kill any initiative or to slow down the process. ASEAN has moved nevertheless. That is the way how ASEAN has grown  some ascribing it as the recipe for its success. It is still going to be the way it moves forward for the foreseeable future.

With the group now turning 50, the ASEAN Way may become the one factor that slows and limits the process of closer integration. The ASEAN Way defines not only how fast but also how far it can move with the community idea.

The integration of their economies has moved so far afield with countries trading with one another more, and investing in one another more than before.

The political integration is a different story. It is moving at a slower pace, if at all.ASEAN never has the pretension to replicate the European Union (EU), and the Brexit episode makes it even more unlikely for ASEAN countries to want to move faster towards political integration.

The EU places more emphasis on members having shared values and principles. Former East European communist states had to work hard at political reforms to strengthen their democracy, freedom and human rights guarantees before they were admitted to the club. No such requirements in ASEAN. Its purely geography. If the map shows youre part of Southeast Asia, welcome to the neighborhood. No questions asked.

Unlike the EU, ASEAN is a collection of diverse political regimes: An absolute monarchy (Brunei), communist states (Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia), military junta (Thailand), semi-democracies (Singapore and Malaysia) and struggling democracies (Philippines, Indonesia and now Myanmar).

There was an attempt to write in the principles of democracy, freedom and human rights when ASEAN was drafting its charter as part of the move to become a community. The original white paper, prepared by eminent ASEAN persons, was a very progressive document, but by the time their officials got their hands on it, they shot down the requirements that member governments must ascribe to on basic democratic principles.The ASEAN Charter, enacted in 2008, was a milestone nevertheless for the regional grouping.

The official launching of the ASEAN Community on December 31, 2015, marked the intention of their leaders to bring their countries closer together, if not politically, then certainly economically. Now they look to 2025 as the new target for some of the community ideals to be fulfilled.

But the march towards a community, in the real sense of the word, will likely have to wait until these countries decide to come and live together under some shared principles and values.

For now, lets be content with ASEAN being a neighbourhood. Its not a bad one.  ANN

* Endy M. Bayuni is Editor-in-Chief of The Jakarta Post, Indonesia. This is a series of columns on global affairs written by top editors and columnists from members of the Asia News Network and published in newspapers and websites across the region.
TOKYO  Japans defence minister on Friday said she had resigned over a long-brewing scandal involving the handling of military documents, in a political blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Abe, who has seen his popularity plummet in recent weeks over a series of controversies, immediately apologised to the nation over the saga.

"I decided to resign as defence minister," Tomomi Inada told a press conference. "I submitted my resignation to the prime minister and it was accepted."

Inada, a close confidante of Abe who shares his staunchly nationalist views, was appointed defence minister in August 2016, a time when she was touted as a possible future leader.

But her nearly year-long stint has been characterised by repeated controversy, including increasing criticism of the ministrys handling of log reports filed by Japanese peacekeepers in South Sudan showing worsening security.

Abe, who became prime minister for a second time in December 2012 with a vow to rejuvenate Japans economy, has been hit by scandals and gaffes involving members of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

"I apologise from the bottom of my heart to the people for this situation in which a minister resigns," Abe told reporters after the resignation.

"All responsibilities lie with me, the prime minister, in the appointment of cabinet ministers," Abe said, adding he "must seriously accept the peoples severe criticism".

The most recent setback to the prime minister has been claims he showed favouritism to a friend in a business deal, an accusation he has vigorously denied.  AFP
WASHINGTON  The US Senate on Thursday passed bipartisan sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea, sending the package to President Donald Trump, who must decide whether to accept the tough approach to Moscow or veto the measure.

The sanctions, which were approved on a 98-2 Senate vote and overwhelmingly passed the House on Tuesday, are sure to antagonise the Kremlin as well as European nations fearing their companies will be penalised.

The measure, which notably constrains Trumps ability to waive the penalties, is aimed at penalising the Kremlin for meddling in the 2016 US presidential election and Russias annexation of Crimea.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the bill would address the failure so far to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin for what he described as a "stunning breach" of a sovereign nations elections.

"That all changes today," he said.

Senator John McCain, who chairs the Armed Services Committee and is a long-time harsh critic of Moscow, applauded the measure that "finally holds Russia accountable for its brazen attack" on US elections.

"The Senates overwhelming vote today sends an important message that America will not tolerate attacks on our democracy or national security interests," he said.

But the bill could end up penalising European firms that contribute to the development of Russias energy sector.

New sanctions against Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which stands accused of supporting terrorism, and North Korea, for its missile tests, are also included in the bill.

Key among the provisions is one that handcuffs the US president by complicating any of the leaders unilateral efforts to ease penalties against Moscow in the future -- effectively placing him under Congresss watch.

Trump has faced accusations that his administration had sought to reassure Moscow that sanctions imposed near the end of the Obama administration could be lifted under a new presidency.

Initially, Trump resisted the sanctions legislation. But faced with near-total consensus among Republican and Democratic lawmakers, the White House blinked, saying this week that Trump was "reviewing" the bill.

US lawmakers, including Republican leaders, have remained wary of the intentions of the billionaire businessman-turned-president -- who has called for better relations with Moscow -- regarding a relaxation of pressure on Putin.

But even if Trump were to veto the legislation, Congress would likely be able to overcome such a blockage with a two-thirds majority in each chamber.

Putin himself lashed out at the US sanctions effort on Thursday, warning that Russia would ultimately have to retaliate.

"We are behaving in a very restrained and patient way, but at some moment we will need to respond," Putin said at a news conference after talks with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto.

"Its impossible to endlessly tolerate this kind of insolence towards our country," he added.

Several European nations, including Germany, are livid because the new law would allow punishing companies working on pipelines from Russia, for example by limiting their access to US banks.  AFP
WATERLOO  Authorities are seeking the publics help after someone attempted to light a fence on fire over the weekend.

Waterloo officers were called to suspicious activity in the yard at 520 Elm St. around 11 a.m. Sunday and discovered someone had attempted to set fire to the wooden fence that surrounds the house. The fire had apparently been set around 6:42 a.m., according to the police report.

The home has been the subject of numerous complaints over the years, and city officials have twice cited the owner under the chronic nuisance ordinance.

Damage to the fence was minor.

On Tuesday, Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers released images taken from a surveillance camera that show a man with a shirt pulled over his face. Police said they would like to speak with the man in the photos, which can be veiwed at wcfcourier.com.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Waterloo Police Department at 291-4340 ext. 7 or Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers at 855-300-TIPS (8477). Tips also may be left at www.cvcrimestop.com, sent with TipSoft or by texting the word CEDAR plus the information to CRIMES (274637).

Man sent to prison

in 2016 robbery

WATERLOO  A Waterloo man has been sentenced to prison for shooting a man while trying to rob him in 2016.

Daelin Elijah Cole, 20, pleaded to second-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, willful injury causing serious injury, going armed and prohibited person in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to up to 45 years in prison July 18, and he will have to serve at least seven years before he is eligible for parole.

Court records allege Cole had arranged to meet 21-year-old Houston Simmons at 2007 W. Third St. at 11 p.m. March 30, 2016. Cole demanded Simmons money, a fight broke out and Cole pulled out a gun and shot Simmons once in the lower abdomen, police said.

Simmons was taken to a local hospital by a friend, and police found Cole near the Third Street address.

Man detained

for gun charge

WATERLOO  A Waterloo man has been indicted on federal gun charges after police found a military-style rifle.

A grand jury in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids returned an indictment July 10 charging Ramell Dashay McQueen, 31, with one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

The indictment was unsealed Monday when he was arrested and appeared in court, and a magistrate ordered he be detained pending trial following a Tuesday hearing.

Authorities allege McQueen possessed a MAG Tactical MG-G4 5.56 mm rifle March 26, 2016, while he was barred from handling firearms because of a 2010 domestic abuse conviction.

Mom arrested

for leaving kids

MANCHESTER  On July 2 at 2:15 a.m., the Manchester Police Department was conducting an investigation at 113 Ludland Drive. Officers attempted to make contact with the occupant of the residence but no one answered the door and officers could see a 1-year-old child in the apartment.

A family member was contacted and entrance was made into the apartment to check the welfare of the children that were present. Officers found three children, ages 1, 4 and 7, in the home with no supervision. Law enforcement made contact with the mother about 3 a.m.

Officers discovered the mother had left the children in the care of her 10-year-old daughter, who left the apartment to go to her grandmothers apartment. It also was discovered the mother had been consuming alcohol and tested above the legal limit for intoxication.

The mom, Shaunte D. Hughes, 27, of Manchester, was arrested on three counts of child endangerment, an aggravated misdemeanor.
CEDAR FALLS -- The Everyday Astronaut wakes up under a cloud of despair. He goes about his life -- brushing his teeth, ironing his shirts, mowing the lawn -- half-heartedly. He's longing for something.

And then he glances out his window: His spaceship -- a Tesla Motors car -- has arrived.

The commercial, put together by Cedar Falls photographers Tim Dodd and Neal Johnson as part of a Tesla contest of user-submitted ads, was good enough to be chosen as one of the top 10 entries by the Elon Musk-owned company, and vaulted to the top 3 in recent weeks by online voting.

The official top 3 will be chosen at 10:45 p.m. Friday in a Tesla event Dodd livestreamed with "fingers crossed, on the edge of my seat." He encouraged people to vote by favoriting this Tesla tweet until 5 p.m. Friday: https://twitter.com/teslamotors/status/890292180853465088

"We had a lot of fun making it," Dodd said Friday before the event.

Everyday Astronaut, played by Dodd, isn't a new creation: Dodd's been taking photos and videos of himself in a Russian high-altitude flight suit for a few years, ever since he was the only bidder on it during an online auction.

"I've liked space most of my life," he said.

He's parlayed that enthusiasm along with the acquisition of the suit to creative ends, first with photography projects and then with videos on YouTube as well as speaking engagements. He's spoken at Musk's other company, Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX.

But if his commercial won, Dodd would be over the moon.

"If Musk says the words 'Everyday Astronaut' on stage, I'll probably crap my pants," he said.

Either way, Dodd will continue his brand, producing more content for YouTube, more public speaking gigs and "some things I can't quite talk about yet."

"Being able to produce creative content -- that's something I found out I really, really enjoy," he said. "If this (contest) helps turn a leaf and get a few contacts out the door, then I would absolutely love that."
WATERLOO  Black Hawk County Democratic Chairwoman Vikki Brown has only held the position since March, but her years of service to the party earned her recognition at Thursday nights Iowa Democratic Party Hall of Fame Awards in Des Moines.

Brown received the Minnette Doderer Award of Outstanding Leadership. The award is named for an Iowa City womens rights advocate and long-time legislator whose tenure in state office began in 1964.

Vikki is an example for all those looking to make a difference as activists, Iowa Democratic Party Executive Director Kevin Geiken said. We could not have chosen anyone better to honor this year when activism has taken center stage in our political debate.

Browns activism dates back to age 11 when she marched with the Childrens Crusade in Birmingham, Ala., in 1963 as part of the civil rights movement. One of her last acts before becoming the county chair was joining the Womens March in Des Moines in January.

In between, the Waterloo resident served as a precinct captain in the 2008, 2012 and 2016 caucuses and general election and presided over early voting events. Her campaign work dates back to 1973, including helping Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart succeed in his 2015 bid for the office.

Vikki was chosen for her outstanding leadership as a civil rights activist, a Democratic activist and a party leader. Her record speaks for itself, Geiken said.

Brown was also active throughout the 2016 cycle working to get the partys presidential nominee Hillary Clinton elected. She introduced President Bill Clinton during a Waterloo campaign stop on behalf of his wife; served as a representative ambassador for Hillary Clinton at the national convention; and as the partys African-American outreach coordinator in eastern Iowa for Clintons 2016 bid.

Brown said the work she does isnt for the accolades but for the love of the party.

I am so humbled and honored to have been nominated and chosen for this award, and I graciously accept, even though all of the things I do is as natural for me as tying your shoes, Brown said. I genuinely love my party.

Brown, who lives in Waterloo, was not able to attend Thursdays ceremony to accept her word in person due to unforeseen circumstances.

She was elected in March to serve a two-year term as the Black Hawk County Democratic chairwoman, the county partys first African-American leader. She succeeded long-time chairwoman Pat Sass.
DES MOINES -- For the seven Democratic candidates vying for their partys nomination to run for governor of Iowa in 2018, this was a golden opportunity.

The Iowa Democratic Partys annual hall of fame celebration, held Thursday night in downtown Des Moines, presented those seven campaigns with 5 minutes of time to address roughly 600 people, according to a party spokeswoman, many of whom presumably will be casting ballots in Junes primary election.

It was the first such opportunity for the campaigns in the lead-up to the 2018 election, a critical moment for Iowa Democrats who hope to rebound from wave losses in 2014 and 2016.

The Democratic Party isnt going anywhere, Troy Price, the new chairman of the state party said at Thursday nights event. We are going to get together, and we are going to win in 2018.

If Democrats are to take back the governors mansion, it likely will be one of these seven candidates.

NATE BOULTON

The state senator from Des Moines, a native of Columbus Junction, called 2018 an election for the soul of our state and described the legislation approved during the 2017 legislative session, the first in two decades under all-Republican control.

During the session, Boulton took the point on debate over some of the most significant bills, in particular bills that rewrote the states laws for public employee collective bargaining and workers compensation.

We fought. We stood there with you until they turned off our microphone, Boulton said. Iowa is better than this. Iowans are better than this. Thats why we choose to fight.

JOHN NORRIS

Norris worked on the staffs of U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin and Gov. Tom Vilsack; he was the latters chief of staff. He is also a former state party chairman.

Norris also noted the anger Democrats feel as a result of the 2016 election and 2017 legislative session, but added he thinks anger alone will not move our state forward.

We must connect with Iowans with the values that make Iowa great and a policy agenda that gives Iowa workers and families hope for a better future, Norris said.

ANDY MCGUIRE

McGuire, a physician and the state partys chairwoman during the 2016 election, said during that time she traveled across the state and heard from Iowans who dont feel like theyre getting a fair shake.

Focusing on health care, McGuire criticized former Gov. Terry Branstads decision to transfer management of Iowas $5 billion Medicaid program to three private health care companies, what she said was inadequate resources in state programs that treat mental illness, and the defunding of prenatal health care provider Planned Parenthood.

Ive cared for people my whole life. I want to care about the success of every Iowan, McGuire said. Health care is a right, not a privilege.

FRED HUBBELL

The Des Moines businessman -- whose family, decades ago, donated the home that became the very governors mansion he now seeks -- spoke of his experience working for his familys businesses. He served as board chairman of the Iowa Power Fund, which oversaw funding for energy projects; and served on the state economic development board in the wake of the state film offices tax credit scandal.

Hubbell said he could no longer stand aside as Republican policies were undermining the core values of what built our state. He cited goals of improving job training, education, health care and preserving both soil and water quality.

We need to take back our state, Hubbell said. We need to change our priorities.

JON NEIDERBACH

Neiderbach is a former employee of the states nonpartisan fiscal estimating agency and the state human services department. He was the Democratic candidate for state auditor in 2014.

Neiderbach listed health care, the environment, mental health care, collective bargaining, and tax structure as issues he thinks need to be addressed. Without being specific in his 5 allotted minutes, he called for major changes to government.

We need to change our government, the old system. We need a new system, a new structure, Neiderbach said. If youre interested in big changes, I ask for your vote.

TODD PRICHARD

Prichard, a member of the U.S. Army Reserves, could not attend the event because he is deployed to Bulgaria. His wife, Ann, spoke on his behalf.

Ann, a teacher, said her husband would make education a priority. She said on his first day in office he would sign an executive order declaring an intention to restore the public employee collective bargaining rights lost to the new state law passed in 2017 by Republicans. And she said he supports providing two years of free community college tuition.

Todd is committed to making smart, ambitious investments in our education system, Ann said.

CATHY GLASSON

Glasson, a nurse and union leader, called for a bold, progressive movement to help Iowa Democrats return to power.

Glasson called for a higher minimum wage, more union-friendly labor laws and more attention to water quality programs. She also called for a Medicare-for-all health care system, saying if the federal government does not take such action, Iowa should.

Im tired of the working people in this state getting beat up, Glasson said. Tonight its time to send a message to the corporate lobbyists who pull the Republican strings: Your days of controlling our state are numbered. Its our time.
WATERLOO  Mayor Quentin Hart has announced his re-election bid.

Being mayor for the city of Waterloo is one of the greatest honors of my life, he said in a news release. While we have seen significant progress, there is more work to do.

Hart, 46, will be seeking a second two-year term in the Nov. 7 municipal election and becomes the first candidate formally announcing for the mayors office.

His campaign theme is Believe Waterloo.

It is time, as a community, we begin to truly believe in ourselves, in our ability to conquer our challenges and in the significance of our successes, he said. When we believe in the greatness of our community and the goodness of our people, we lay the foundations of an exciting tomorrow.

Hart is a graduate of the Waterloo Community School system and earned bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Northern Iowa and previously served as associate director of multicultural affairs at Hawkeye Community College.

He served eight years as the Ward 4 City Council representative before winning the mayors post in 2015. Hart was the highest vote-getter of five mayoral candidates that year and defeated former Mayor Tim Hurley in a run-off election to become Waterloos first African-American mayor.

Hart pointed to highlights of his first term in office, which included responding to the 2016 floods, citywide growth through economic development, youth jobs initiatives, cross-community collaborations and development of a citywide strategic plan.

He said the city also secured $28 million to reconstruct University Avenue; signed a deal for the redevelopment of the former Logan Plaza; negotiated the sale and redevelopment of the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center and Ramada Hotel; and secured new grants, awards and recognitions for the community.

The formal filing period for Waterloo city government candidates is Aug. 28 through Sept. 21.
WATERLOO  In 2009, Twe Tanda, 13, and Marko Lwin, 14, came to the United States as refugees with their family. While their first language was Burmese, they had to quickly learn English to fit into their new communities.

Now, they are helping other children do the same in a four-week program that ended Thursday.

The program was created by EMBARC and the AmeriCorps RefugeeRISE program  which is designed to alleviate the barriers for refugee communities  who also partnered with the University of Northern Iowas literacy department.

Tanda and Lwin, along with 13 other Burmese high school students, trained for the last two weeks in June to teach literacy before kicking off the actual programs first summer.

It immediately attracted 40 elementary English-language learner students, ages 4 to 11, who spent every July afternoon reading, writing and creating stories in OHagan Hall, a space donated by Sacred Heart.

Its really incredible because all of the high school students had to learn English themselves, and continue to learn it, so for them to be teachers to the younger kids is really amazing, said Mallory Petsche, AmeriCorps youth program coordinator. We are so grateful to have them.

Each teen leader, who has already volunteered 150 hours of their summer, and a partner were paired with a group of four or five camp-goers to lead them through each weeks station rotations that focus on the different aspects of storytelling. This leadership position enhances their collaboration skills and helps them develop confidence.

Since I have the youngest group, I cant really do much with them, so I read a lot of books to them and let them choose the stories. If they get tired of reading, Ill let them color or play for a while then return to the story, Tanda said.

The first week of the program focused on characters, and the children were tasked with creating puppets and playing improvisation games focused on the English language. The following weeks focused on setting and conflicts before putting everything together during the fourth week to create a puppet show performed for the parents.

The program would not have been possible without the parents. At the beginning of the process, Sacred Heart gave a list of Burmese students to Petsche and fellow co-director Joana Lwin. The pair reached out to the parents with forms for the camp and were surprised by the positive response.

After contacting parents, the directors searched local schools for their teen leaders, who were required to fill out applications and paperwork as well as attend the orientation training.

They then immediately began gathering supplies such as notebooks, pencils, crayons and other simple creative materials that were funded by RefugeeRISE, which is made up of members who are refugees themselves, and the McElroy Trust Foundation.

Thats been one of the great things about this camp, that weve been able to do a lot with so little. You can make puppets out of really anything, Petsche said. The program is a very refugee-led project and thats very important to us.
Sullivan Center

BILL KAMMEYER

WATERLOO -- As a veteran and lifelong resident of Waterloo I couldnt be more disappointed in how the city of Waterloo treated the family of the Five Sullivan Brothers during the sale of the convention center. At the first meeting this issue was discussed, multiple city officials and the developer claimed to have received the blessing of the Sullivan Family regarding changing the centers name. This was a blatant lie.

It was followed by two to three days of nonstop media reporting on how the Sullivans were in fact not consulted. I applaud all parties for reaching a compromise, however I have lost a lot of respect for City Hall. The mayor and council members tell us often that we need to trust the work of city staff. Well if you want our trust, lying about talking to the family of five of the most well respected veterans in Waterloo history isnt a good first step. In fact its just sickening.

Our president

PENELOPE POPP

CEDAR FALLS -- I am disappointed that our president is unable and unwilling to represent all the citizens of our country. Disrespecting people on a daily basis further separates us. I expect my president to act with high moral standards, something Mr. Trump has been unable and unwilling to do. Constantly berating the citizens of this country by the president is unprecedented.

Please, Mr. Trump, stay at the White House just one weekend for a crash course in social etiquette instead of running off to one of your many properties at the tax payers' expense. I surely would support you on that.

Corbin column

BERYL RICHARDS

NASHUA -- Regarding Steve Corbin's July 23 guest column, I also believe we as individuals owe our fellow citizens to aid and comfort when necessary, and religions are certainly part of the help needed. He lost me when he suggests government should take the responsibility for citizens. That makes some sense in a country that is historically a monarchy, but not in the USA. Our constitution offers a guarantee of opportunity to make what you can of yourself. It does not guarantee outcome and should not be expected to take care of you if you fail. The agencies that are supposed to aid and assist typically spend a large part of their budget (the least amount is 12 percent) to build and maintain infrastructure, pay salaries and provide for themselves before anything gets to the needy.

We should allow much of the government money now dedicated to federal state and local agencies to be given to nonprofit unpaid volunteers, all religious organizations should be included. Local control and distribution of assistance makes far more sense and would have to be less expensive than paying for more government buildings and employees. Of course, this would take control out of the hands of the politicians. Fat chance.

Backs Trump

RHIO CLEIGH

CEDAR FALLS -- As I read story after story in our very liberal newspaper, they seem to refer to our elected president, my president, as if he is the only one who believes in conservative values, and we should oppose him at every turn. I, for one, truly appreciate all he has done to restore a sane government.

I want you to know, Mr. President, I voted for you and believe in you. Keep on doing as you are doing. It will indeed "Make America Great Again!"
Alec Baldwin sues to 'clear his name' in movie set death
John Mellencamp and Meg Ryan in 2013 (Alo Ceballos/FilmMagic)According to Page Six, John Mellencamp and Meg Ryan are seeing each other again.

A source tells the outlet, "They are together. It's been a few months."

The Indiana rocker and perennially cute rom-com star broke up in 2014 after three years.

Page Six reports that Ryan was spotted at the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer's concert in Queens, New York, on July 11.

"Meg was at his recent Forest Hills Stadium concert, dancing on the side of the stage," according to the source.

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A startup needs to test an idea quickly. For this, an MVP is created. MVP, Minimal Viable Product  a test version of a product or service with a minimum set of functions (up to one or two), which allows you to see the product's value for consumers and the market. MVP is created to test hypotheses and check the viability of the intended product: is it worth developing the project further, what changes should be made? The sooner a startup brings its MVP to market and tests the idea, the better. This article will look at how no-code technology can help founders achieve their business goals.

This article will try to cover everything that a founder needs to know about no-code at the initial stage of creating a startup.

What is no-code?

No-code, zero-code platform is a tool for creating websites, applications, chatbots, and other programs without the need for direct code writing by programmers. No-code is a valuable alternative to traditional development.

No-code is confused with low-code, but there is a difference in these terms. Low-code includes no-code and the ability to "finish code", add parts of code and the functionality.

A user of a no-code platform usually does not need to know layout, programming languages, or hire a team of programmers. The user of the no-code tool creates an application using a visual block constructor, which he fills with the necessary content and functions, and the no-code platform itself does the processing of requests, compiling the application and other "magic." It generates code using AI and/or contains blocks of code pre-written by programmers.

No-code allows the startup founder to create an MVP himself, entrust it to his employee with basic technical literacy and understanding of the project, or hire a no-code developer. Even in the case of hiring a no-code developer, the cost of creating an MVP will be significantly lower than with classical development with programmers. For example, you can read the interview of a startup and no-code developer on our website, who initially worked as a Product Manager and was able to master no-code for his project himself.

Benefits of no-code for a startup founder

There are the following key advantages for a startup founder in using no-code technology:

a large selection of no-code tools, platforms, and their integrations at the moment  already in 2022, there are many tools and platforms for creating an MVP, a larger project, or even a finished product on no-code, but few people still know about them, and others are far from all startups and founders use their potential;

cost  no-code development saves the money by speeding up the development process, not hiring professional programmers or no need to maintain a developer department, monitoring functions and quick bug fixes, avoiding or reducing the growth of technical debt;

speed is the main advantage over classical development  no-code allows you to build a simple application in a weekend, and a more complex one can be built in a month. In this way, you can test an MVP and even several versions of an MVP very quickly;

low entry threshold  to master a no-code platform, you often do not need technical education at all, but only an understanding of a company's business processes or product from the inside. In the case of pro-level no-code platforms, technical education is required, but you can get used to it hundreds of times faster than with any programming language. This makes no-code available to almost everyone who wants to work with technology;

ease of use  no need to write hundreds of code lines  just move the blocks and assign links between them. Work on a project can be entrusted to your employee without communicating with a team of third-party developers. You can speak "in your language" without the need to understand the "inner kitchen" of developers;

flexibility  with the help of no-code, it is easy for a startup founder to add new functionality and new features right during a project or a MVP testing without a significant increase in development costs.

Possible disadvantages of no-code for a startup founder

As often, any property can be, under certain conditions, both a disadvantage and an advantage. In no-code, many of the benefits with the wrong choice of tool can turn into disadvantages:

no-code is not always a budget solution for a project. Sometimes in a no-code development package, you get unnecessary functions and additions (on AppMaster.io you can separately connect the frontend and pay only for the backend or only for those functions that you are using); if you do not understand the needs of your project, then you can make a mistake with the choice of a no-code tool and not be able to implement the necessary functions on it, or it will be too difficult to implement them; often, no-code tools fail to ensure proper data security and contribute to data leakage (but AppMaster.io allows you to host a finished application on any server); no-code tools often do not provide the ability to upload source code or provide uploading in an inconvenient format, which makes it difficult to move to another tool or to your development. You have to choose a no-code tool "once and forever immediately" (AppMaster. io gives you the ability to download the source code. Also, we generate human-readable code and you will not have any difficulties with its transportation); most no-code tools on the market are not suitable for creating a finished product, and there are significant difficulties with scaling the project if the MVP is successful (AppMaster.io is a professional no-code platform and our capabilities allow us to implement and support the finished product and scale it in the future).

Forewarned is forearmed. Choose your no-code tool wisely and take full advantage of your choice.

Types of no-code platforms

Conventionally, all no-code tools can be divided into several types: no-code devices with a low entry threshold (you can create frontend and not very powerful backend on them), integrators that help connect applications and services, and professional no-code platforms (they strive to replace the code completely, provide the ability to create a robust backend and high bandwidth).

The basic principle of operation of your MVP and the choice of a no-code platform depend on such a conditional division into types. For example, if you make a simple application like a diary, you can limit yourself to a no-code tool with a low entry threshold and a beautiful design.

If your application has powerful potential, high bandwidth, multi-user interface, and works with large amounts of data or real-time data, it is better to choose a professional no-code platform like AppMaster.io or Direcual.

If you use several services at once, link them on integrators like Integromat and Zapier.

Adalo

An easy-to-learn designer with a relatively user-friendly interface. The free version is helpful for learning. The free version contains Adalo watermarks and does not allow you to upload your applications to GooglePlayMarket and AppStore. Beginners often choose this no-code platform to create their first applications with simple logic.

Bubble

It will take more time to learn Bubble , but the platform allows you to work with the backend, databases, business processes, and layout. There are many plugins. The free plan allows you to master the tool, and you can start developing at the middle rate. The price increase is due to the rise in the number of users.

Integromat

It is an integrator. Experts talk about it as a simple and affordable platform for linking applications and services. Scenarios can be created personally, or you can use templates. If you need to connect an application with a service not from the Integromat database, fill out the form and connect to its API via HTTP.

Zapier

This is an integrator for linking applications with each other or with other external services. You can transfer data between thousands of applications. There is a script constructor (one event starts a chain of necessary actions).

Directual

The no-code platform positions itself for creating MVP applications (Minimal Viable Product, minimum viable product) and full-fledged applications of finished products. Scenarios are the backbone of the platform. Using scripts, you can automate the backend logic of the application, create and combine workflows. The Directual catalog includes out-of-the-box connectors, HTTP requests, webhooks, database listeners, and integration with popular services.

AppMaster.io

No-code next-generation platform for creating native and web applications on a real backend. Visual drag-and-drop designer, user-friendly business process designer, one-click app publishing to AppMaster Cloud, or integration with any cloud platform. Push notifications, authorization using social networks. Networks, email, and more. Connect applications to hundreds of services or programmatically access them using APIs. The ability to upload source code and documentation in a human-readable format and transfer it to your servers. Documentation auto-generation. Modern and fast language GoLang at the core.

No-code perspectives for startups

No-code development is gradually gaining popularity around the world. There are already more than 500 no-code tools for creating websites and various types of applications.

According to the forecasts of IT world experts, no-code will develop more and more actively and capture parts of the market responsible for medicine, small online business, small business, and all niches where it is possibly necessary to optimize and automate development processes.

The mass shift of businesses and their customers online and to gadgets has increased the demand for the fast and inexpensive creation of mobile applications that would work according to a single quality standard and have a simple, understandable, user-friendly interface.

Conclusion

No-code is visual programming in the form of a constructor without directly writing code. Usually, basic knowledge in development is enough to build applications on no-code.

The logic of no-code constructors is intuitive: the application interface is assembled from blocks, icons, buttons, and text which are connected to the database. Usually, you can choose a suitable template or do everything from scratch. Speed and economy are the main advantages of no-code tools.

No-code is suitable for creating an MVP, testing an idea or new features in a product, saving time for solving standard tasks. PRO level no-code platforms can provide you with a finished product, an application.

If you don't have an account on AppMaster.io yet, join us. After registration, you will be given a free trial period for 14 days, in which all the basic functionality of the platform is available. It will allow you to learn the intricacies of working with a professional-level no-code platform and understand its potential.
DAURIA, RUSSIA, July 28, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- There is high demand and high shortage of petroleum products on the both sides of the border and no refinery in radios of more than 1000 km from both sides.



The refinery with a capacity of 2000 barrels per day (100 thousand metric tons per year) already received the permit for construction and land next to Dauria village, part of the main technological equipment has been purchased and a railway deck has been constructed. At this stage the entrepreneurs make additional capital razing round to complete the construction.



The refinery is also only 140 km to the border crossing with Mongolia which also suffers from shortage in petroleum products and has no operating refinery.



The refinery has been constructed by Nobel Technologies, a Russian private company with extensive experience in a design, construction and operation of mini refineries in Russia and Kazakhstan, expanding its operation these days to Africa and Southeast Asia.



Dr Boris Selsky, the founder and the CEO of Noble Technologies explains: "Generally mini oil refineries offer considerable advantages over regular large scale refineries, enabling fast and low budget construction and operation and therefore fast return of investment. It is especially good solution for peripheral and low demand areasin emerging markets that don't need or cannot afford large scale and complex oil refineries that cost billions of dollars and demand years to construct. Mini oil refinery is also a good start for further easy expansion of capacity. The Dauria refinery in particular will boost the development of the Russian Far East and its trade with northern China, which already is on a consistent rise."



For more information: [email protected]



# # #
WILMINGTON, NC, July 27, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- When the U.S. State Department issued a grant titled "Give Voice to Women through the Arts" as part of its cultural exchange program, Danielle Hampson, Executive Producer of The Authors Show, who volunteers her time and resources to help the mission of World Academy for the Future of Women (WAFW) around the globe wasted no time, and turned to her extensive pool of authors to help WAFW find writers and illustrators qualified to teach a module in China.



Following interviews and training at the WAFW headquarters in Phoenix, AZ, the following women were selected to travel for five weeks as facilitators for WAFW in China between September 2017 and June 2018:



Leslie Karen Hammond (CT), Norma Thompson Hollis (CA), Jacqui Letran (NC), Cindy Lewis (FL), Mildred D. Muhammad (MD), Shanalee Sharboneau (TX).



"Art is the expression of imagination that conveys beauty and emotions, and artists express themselves in different ways," Hampson stated. "Like the painter who paints and the musician who performs music, writers write and illustrators draw to express their creativity. They are all artists thus it made sense to me to include them in this program, and knowing the quality of the thousands of authors The Authors Show has processed in over a decade, I knew we would find among them candidates who would fit the criteria set forth by WAFW."



Since 2009 WAFW has been sending volunteer facilitators to Sias Int'l University in Henan province, China, to teach modules that are part of an extensive advanced global leadership program for young university women that address the UN Development Goals in emerging nations. WAFW's "voice" can be heard online at WorldAcademyRadio.com, a podcast created and hosted by Ms. Hampson to give Academy students, alumni and facilitators a platform to share their experience with WAFW, and the life changing outcome these modules create for participating students.



Danielle Hampson is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at [email protected]. More information about The Authors Show is available at The Authors Show site at http://www.theauthorsshow.com.



The Authors Show is a professional book marketing audio & video interview podcast in its 12th year. The interviews are professionally produced and broadcast worldwide through the show's substantial marketing and publicity outreach.



# # #
Jul 28, 2017 | By Benedict

Maker Marcus Wu has built a 3D printed Curta calculator, a mechanical calculator that can make calculations with the turn of a handle. The device was originally developed by concentration camp survivor Curt Herzstark in the 1940s.

Most of us grew up with electronic calculators in school. But those bulky, solar-powered devices that could be flipped upside down to spell out rude words are being replaced by even more advanced models that will help the next generation of mathematicians tackle difficult problems.

Back in the early 20th century, however, you couldnt simply go to the store and buy a calculator, let alone one that could solve brain-melting algebra problems. Primitive computers were only just being developed, and people had to find other ways to make difficult calculations.

One particularly impressive calculating device, the Curta mechanical calculator, was invented during the Second World Warand under extraordinary circumstances too.

Curt Herzstark, the Austrian inventor of the calculator, had a Jewish father, and was taken to the Buchenwald concentration camp in 1943. There, he was forced by his captors to continue developing the calculator so it could be given to Hitler as a gift following Germanys eventual victory.

Of course, history went a little differently, and Herzstark was eventually freed, allowing him to finalize the Curta calculator on his own terms.

Herzstark brought his invention into production under his own name, and the mechanical cranking devices were popular right up until the birth of the electronic calculator in the 1970s.

Fascinated by the history of the Curta, present-day maker Marcus Wu recently designed a fully functional 3D printed version of the calculating device that other math aficionados can download from Thingiverse.

Wu was able to make his impressive 3D printed calculator after leafing through original engineering drawings for the Curta at Liechtensteins Museum Mura.

With notes from the factory drawings to hand, Wu designed his own calculator in Onshape, eventually generating 240 3D printable parts, including 100 unique designs. (The original Curta had around 600 components, but Wu found that he could combine many of these to simplify the design.)

The many 3D printed parts of Wus Curta are complemented by around 100 off-the-shelf parts, including ball bearings, springs, and screws.

After the 3D printable designs were sliced using Simplify3D, printing time for the calculator parts was around nine days. However, it took Wu several months to print, assemble, and test the entire thing. In total, the maker says it took a whole year from concept to finished item.

Luckily, Wu wont have to spend an entire year fixing the device if it breaks: he says he can disassemble and reassemble the whole thing in a couple of hours.

And rather than leave the printed parts as they appeared from the printer, Wu also carried out a thorough paint job on the calculator. He used a Cricut cutting machine to cut out stencils for the numbers on the dials; paint masks are available on the devices Thingiverse page along with the 3D printing files.

Wus 3D printed Curta calculator was printed at 3:1 scale and weighs 1357 grams (around 3 lbs).

The maker recently displayed his creation at the Charlotte Mini Maker Faire at the Discovery Place science museum in Charlotte, North Carolina. Were sure attendees were as impressed as we areafter all, 3D printing + nostalgia = good times.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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willi wrote at 7/28/2017 9:48:37 PM:Excellent




Jul 28, 2017 | By Julia

Chinese tech company HeyGears Technology will reportedly be spending one billion RMB (~$148M) to establish a new 3D printing research facility. The new 3D printing center, ultimately aimed at advancing Chinas national 3D printing industry, will be located in Foshan, a city in Chinas Guangdong province.

Since its founding in 2015, Guangzhou-based company HeyGears Technology Ltd. has dedicated itself to the development of intelligent wearables, with a specialty in audio devices such as earbuds and earphones. The company, which already uses 3D printing technologies in its research and development, is seeking to expand its additive manufacturing capabilities with the announcement of its new 3D printing facility.

Within China, 3D printing has been highlighted as an important technology of the future, and is a key part of the government-led Made in China 2025 strategy, a large-scale plan to upgrade Chinese industry through intelligent manufacturing. According to HeyGears Technology, it is in a prime position to exploit 3D printing for its smart wearable development and production.

The 1 billion RMB 3D printing R&D facility will consist of three main sections: an international training and education base for 3D printing; an international 3D printing research and development center; and an international 3D printing production service center. The latter will reportedly include such tasks as talent cultivation, product development, CNC production, 3D printing production, and more.

Together, the three centers that will make up HeyGears 3D printing facility will enable the company to accelerate its adoption of 3D printing for its smart wearable products. On a larger scale, it is aimed at laying the foundation for the development of Chinas 3D printing industry.

As the company explained, as 3D printings popularity increases and its applications grow, there will be a need for more advanced printing technologies as well as more machines and practitioners. By establishing a state-of-the-art 3D printing research and development center, HeyGears believes it will have a solid foundation to support the increased adoption of additive manufacturing.

Currently, HeyGears Technology uses 3D printing technology to produce its Enron headphones, which integrate a hollow 3D printed headphone cavity. The company says this product is its first to be mass produced using 3D printing technology.

In addition to bolstering Chinas 3D printing industry, HeyGears hopes its new 3D printing center will help to establish connections between domestic and international research initiatives. As part of this effort, HeyGears founders say they will introduce international elite schools aimed at bringing foreign technology into China, all with the goal of using additive manufacturing for mass production.

The 3D printing R&D center will also undertake research in the field of 3D printing materials. HeyGears says it plans to introduce a 3D printing materials business, and establish a materials supply system. Its goal is to offer the whole industry chain, from design to production.

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Northern State football team concludes season Saturday hosting Duluth

As the Northern State football team wraps up its season this weekend, the Wolves men's and women's volleyball season get going with games on the road.
Launch out the new platform of female career.

On Beijing time May 6th, the new Union Nations Forum of US-China Entrepreneurs grandly opened. Elites from all over the world gathered here. Among them, there was a Chinese representative, who brought a new voice to the world.

It is reported that in the current United Nations Forum of US-China Entrepreneurs, Fang Fang, a brilliant post-90s Chinese female entrepreneur, issued a voice of female career. Her speech attracted the attention of over 400 medias in the United States, excited the whole USA.

As a representative of the new generation of Chinese female entrepreneurs, Fang Fang is also the founder of Omeolife brand. In the speech on the Union Nations forum of US-China Entrepreneurs, Fang Fang shared the unremitting efforts before her success. She never expected the great honor today. It is the reward of years of struggling that she got the chance to speak here for the women group needs on the Union Nations forum of US-China Entrepreneurs as a post-90s girl.

To stand on the stage of the Union Nations forum of US-China Entrepreneurs is to represent the China post-90s female entrepreneurs to the world. Which attracted over 400 US medias on the forum was Fang Fangs outstanding idea of the Future of the China New Female Generation. Its known to all that the social pressures, job sexism, traditional family values are the main facts that preventing Chinese new female generation embracing their new lifestyle. So how women accomplish for themselves along with the pursuit of beauty in the most appropriate way? That is the goal of her Omeolife platform, Fang Fang said.

In the excellent speech, Omeolife is more than a skin-product marketing brand, It is a stage where women shining as stars. Every woman is an entrepreneur here with their own team. The revenues from the team management realize the women self-fulfillment and gain financially independent. With the power of Union Nations forum of US-China Entrepreneurs, she called for more self-care of the Chinese women, heighten the women status, show the new generation of Chinese women to the world.

Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/embed/nTblRwoQxsc

Facing over 400 US medias, Fang Fangs emotional speech impressed the world with the charm of the post-90s Chinese female entrepreneurs. She handed the International Industry Influential Brand Prize in the United Nations Headquarters with her BSM company after the speech.

As a post-90s entrepreneur who stood on the Union Nations forum of US-China entrepreneurs, Fang Fang expected the future upon her return to China after the presentation on the forum. Under the influence of Omeolife, she will care more about the gap between the Chinese female identity with the world, focusing on building new platforms of the female career.

Website: http://www.omeolife.cc/

Media Contact

Company Name: Bosenmei International Hong Kong limited

Contact Person: Omeolife

Email: 3570007676@qq.com

Country: China

Website: http://www.omeolife.cc/
Million Insights  Worlds Fastest Growing Market Research Database

According to new report available with Million Insights, The primary factor that propels the market growth includes expanding fast food chains all over the world. There is an increased requirement to store perishable items, mainly food and food ingredients. Moreover, there is an increased intake of beverages which require ice.

The global Ice Maker Market research report is classified on the basis of product type, end-users and geography. An ice maker is a device for making ice, found inside a home freezer, a stand-alone appliance or an industrial machine for making ice on a large scale. The size of an ice maker basically depends on its requirement. A typical ice maker consists of a control module, motor, thermostat, heater terminal, valves, and blades.

The primary factor that propels the market growth includes expanding fast food chains all over the world. There is an increased requirement to store perishable items, mainly food and food ingredients. Moreover, there is an increased intake of beverages which require ice. Furthermore, butcher shops also require ice in order to display fresh meat, seafood, and fish. In addition, the healthcare industry also significantly fuels the global market growth owing to increase in life expectancy. The healthcare industry increasingly uses ice maker machines for several critical applications such as storing organs and for rehabilitation procedures.

Furthermore, a number of biotechnology, biochemistry, microbiology, and genetic engineering laboratories also have a continuous need for ice to store biological samples and permit transportation to other facilities. On the basis of product type, the Ice Maker market is classified as ice cube, ice flake, and ice nugget.

Full Research Report On Global Ice Maker Market Analysis available at: https://www.millioninsights.com/industry-reports/ice-maker-market

Among the product type, ice cube market is projected to hold a large share of the Ice Maker market. The key factor that fuels the growth of this segment is owed to the its extensive used in the food and service industry. On the basis of end-users, the Ice Maker market is classified as food and services, healthcare, retail outlets/grocery stores, and residential users. Among the end-users, food and services segment is expected to account a major share of the global market.

The key factor that drives the growth of food and services segment is owed to the ever increasing number of restaurants, bistros and eateries all over the world. They need ice in several forms such as cubes or flakes for their day-to-day processes, which comprise storage of food and food ingredients and serving outdoor food. On the basis of geography, the market research report is classified as North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa.

The North American region consists of the U.S. and Canada. Latin America region consists of Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others. The Western European region consists of Germany, England, France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The Eastern European region consists of Poland and Russia. Asia Pacific region consists of China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand. Middle East and Africa region consists of GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa.

Request for Free Sample@: https://www.millioninsights.com/industry-reports/ice-maker-market/request-sample

In case of geographical region, North America is projected to account for a dominant share of the global market. The key factors that attribute to the significant growth of ice maker market in North America is due to the presence of large number of restaurants, rise in outdoor eating habits of people, and presence of well-known retail chains and supermarkets.

On the other hand, Asia Pacific market is expected to grow considerably during the forecast period due to the rapid development of the food service industry.

Some of key players mentioned in the global market report include Hoshizaki, Ice-O-Matic, Manitowoc Ice and Scotsman Ice Machines. The other prominent players operating in the global market report include Bionics Scientific Technologies, Brema Ice Makers, Cornelius, Electrolux, Follett, Howe, KOLD-DRAFT, MAJA and Telstar.

Related Reports of this Category available at Million Insights: https://www.millioninsights.com/industry/machinery-and-machine-parts

About Million Insights

Million Insights, is a distributor of market research reports, published by premium publishers only. We have a comprehensive market place that will enable you to compare data points, before you make a purchase. Enabling informed buying is our motto and we strive hard to ensure that our clients get to browse through multiple samples, prior to an investment. Service flexibility & the fastest response time are two pillars, on which our business model is founded. Our market research report store, includes in-depth reports, from across various industry verticals, such as healthcare, technology, chemicals, food & beverages, consumer goods, material science & automotive.

For More Information: www.millioninsights.com

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Quarterly Activities Report

Perth, July 28, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - MZI Resources Ltd ( ASX:MZI ) provides the Company's Quarterly Activities Report for the period ending 30 June, 2017.



HIGHLIGHTS



- Record quarterly product sales of 23,361t ~ Full year 62,473t.



- Quarterly sales receipts of $14.8M from product sales comprising: 8,945t of L88; 10,500t of L70 and 3,916t of zircon concentrate.



- Full year sales receipts of $51.1M from product sales comprising: 29,538t of L88; 17,126t of L70 and15,809t of zircon concentrate.



- Full year HMC production of 93,118t, including 22,172t in the June quarter.



- New specialty leucoxene product delivered for customer trials.



- Martin Purvis appointed Managing Director.



- Funding secured to progress strategic land access program at Keysbrook.



- Capital restructuring process underway.



- Mineral sands market conditions continue to improve.



Overview



During the June quarter MZI made substantial progress with improvements to operational efficiency and process controls at the Company's Keysbrook Operations. This systematic approach is set to deliver a more stable production platform, along with better plant availabilities, that will pave the way for increased productivity levels going forward.



The June quarter was a period of operational consolidation. Activity at Keysbrook focused on capitalising on the successful commissioning of the new Mine Field Unit (MFU) in the prior quarter by increasing mining production in the eastern mining location and maintaining consistent feed to the Keysbrook Wet Concentrator Plant (WCP). This resulted in significantly higher mining volumes and subsequent ore feed to the WCP in the quarter.



At the Picton Mineral Separation Plant (MSP), MZI utilised 37 days of allocated production capacity during the quarter. This compares with the 52 days of entitlement taken up in the March quarter and correlates with the comparatively lower product output from April to June, despite similar HMC production in both periods. On average MZI has access to 45 days of processing capacity each quarter, but actual allocation and take-up depends on the timing of both production cycles and shipment schedules.



The MSP is currently the subject of increased technical focus in order to optimise both throughput capacities and product separation, so as to facilitate variations in the HMC feedstock composition. In June, as part of this process, the MSP was successfully configured to produce a specialty leucoxene product aimed at the titanium welding rod market. The trial of this product is under way and could open the door to potential new markets for the Company.



With general market conditions for mineral sands products continuing to strengthen, MZI enters the new financial year with significant operational momentum, and looks forward to delivering a step change of improvements in the year ahead.



To view the full report, please visit:

http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/O82D5473





About MZI Resources Ltd





MZI Resources Ltd (ASX:MZI) is a mineral sands company focused on the high value minerals of zircon, rutile and leucoxene based in Perth, Western Australia. Its flagship operating asset is the Keysbrook Mineral Sands Project, located 70km south of Perth. At the Keysbrook mine, mineral sands are mined and processed to produce heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) which is processed into final products under a toll treating arrangement with Doral Mineral Sands Pty Ltd at the Picton Mineral Separation Plant (MSP) near Bunbury.

The Keysbrook mine hosts a world-class zircon / leucoxene ore body with total Ore Reserves equivalent to over 15 years of production at design output rates, and total Mineral Resources equivalent to over 30 years of production. Production commenced in late 2015, making the Keysbrook Project Australias first  and the worlds largest - primary producer of high value leucoxene.
Distribution of company announcements to the professional platforms, finance portals and syndication of important corporate news to a wide variety of news aggregators and financial news systems.


Hawsons a Global Leader after Successful Prefeasibility Study

Brisbane, July 28, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Emerging iron producer Carpentaria Exploration ( ASX:CAP ) ( 78A:FRA ) announced today a new prefeasibility study for its flagship Hawsons Iron Project joint venture near Broken Hill (ASX-CAP 64%, Pure Metals P/L 36%) which has elevated Hawsons to the front of the development queue for high-quality iron ore projects.



Hawsons Iron Project prefeasibility study (PFS) for a 10 million tonne per annum (Mtpa) operation confirms:



- Broken Hill project's potential as the leading undeveloped high quality iron ore concentrate and pellet feed project



- Robust project economics and excellent development potential at long-term iron ore price forecast



- Costs in the 1st quartile of CRU's global iron ore supply cost curve (adjusted to 62% Fe)



- High strategic value to steel makers as priorities increasingly shift globally toward higher quality inputs



- Positive equity returns (post tax, geared) with net present value (NPV) of US$1.1 billion (A$1.46 billion) and 30% internal rate of return (IRR), project returns (post tax, ungeared) 18% IRR



- Maiden Probable Reserve Statement of 755MT at 14.7%DTR for 111 million tonnes of high quality concentrate (see page 6 in the link below).



The Hawsons project prefeasibility study (PFS) was completed by independent consultants GHD and the results show robust project economics for production of 10 Mtpa of the world-leading Hawsons Supergrade(R) product for steel makers based on assumptions below (see the link below).



Carpentaria's Managing Director, Quentin Hill, said the results established the project's position as the world's leading undeveloped high quality concentrate and pellet feed project.



"This is a major step forward for what could become a decades-long operation for Broken Hill. Blue-chip steel makers from Asia and the Middle East have already oversubscribed for our initial planned production, and Hawsons is now extremely well positioned to attract the necessary investment to advance towards mining," he said.



To view a summary of the PFS results, please see the link below.



Commentary



Carpentaria's Mr Hill said the delivery of a PFS indicating financially robust results and a Maiden Probable Reserve Statement is the biggest step towards the project's development thus far, laying the foundations to attract funding for a bankable feasibility study.



"This successful prefeasibility study delivers an attractive development case for Hawsons under long-term iron ore price forecasts, and importantly a cost structure in the first quartile of the global iron ore cost curve (see page 4 in the link below) that means cash flow is likely sustainable through the commodity cycle. These results substantially lift the investment grade and the strategic value of the project," Mr Hill said.



"We are delighted to have met the lower end of our cost targets and the project is now well positioned for ongoing development. These results are for a base case exporting through Port Pirie and we will seek to improve on the base case and optimise the project configuration, lowering costs and development risk where possible.



"Hawsons benefits from world-leading all in business costs (see page 4 in the link below) and a highly competitive capital intensity and we are expecting strong interest in these results from the global iron ore and steel industry. Steel mill profits are improving and the industry is now once again seeking solutions to maintain productivity over the long term as the quality of iron ore globally continues to decline. We have positioned the project as a valuable, real and attractive high quality option to meet those needs. Hawsons is the right project at the right time".



GHD's study was completed to a +/- 30% accuracy with inputs from Carpentaria, other consultants and infrastructure and equipment suppliers. The project configuration and design maximise the advantages of Hawsons' soft ore and its location close to existing infrastructure. The engineering study also utilised advances in design and manufacturing technology where appropriate, while allowing for appropriate contingency, design growth and engineering procurement and management (EPCM).



Carpentaria now plans to present the results of the report to, and seek support for the next stage of project development from, its seven blue-chip customers that have signed non-binding letters of intent (LOIs) for purchase of the Hawsons Supergrade(R) product, as well as other steel makers, buyers and financial institutions who have shown ongoing interest in the project. Initial discussions have been encouraging and a data room will soon be open.



Current LOI customers comprise Bahrain Steel, Emirates Steel and Kuwait Steel from the Middle East; China's Shagang International; Japan's Mitsubishi Corporation RtM; Taiwan's Formosa Plastics; and Gunvor Group. Collectively, they have signed LOIs for a total of 12 Mtpa of Hawsons Supergrade(R) product, accounting for 120% of the PFS' target production.



"We are focused on ensuring this project delivers maximum benefits to all stakeholders, including new jobs and investment for Broken Hill and increased wealth for our shareholders," Mr Hill added.



Hawsons Iron Project - World leading concentrate and pellet feed project



Independent market analysts CRU have made an assessment of the Hawsons project, concluding that:



1. Business costs are in the first quartile of the global iron ore supply cost curve



2. Business costs show Hawsons to be the leading concentrate/pellet feed project globally



3. Capital intensity is near the lowest of CRU's basket of concentrate/pellet feed projects globally, and



4. Hawsons' product iron grade is the highest of all concentrate products worldwide.



CRU has forecast sustained modest long-term growth in steel demand, and identified that iron ore pellet feed/pellets are likely to be the highest growth segment of the iron ore market at a compound average growth rate to 2030 of 3.4% globally. This is primarily driven by growth in Chinese pellet demand fuelled by consolidation and increasing efficiency of the Chinese steel industry, but also by significant expansion in the Middle East and Latin America.



These factors all underscore that Hawsons is well positioned for development and has increasing strategic value that is yet to be realised.



Customers



Hawsons offtake customers cover the Asian steel making market and the Middle East direct reduction market:



-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Company Volume Market -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Formosa Plastics 2.6 Mtpa concentrate/pellet feed Bahrain Steel 3.0 Mtpa direct reduction (DR) pellet feed Shagang 2.5 Mtpa pellet feed Mitsubishi Corporation RtM 1.0 Mtpa pellet feed Gunvor 1.0 Mtpa concentrate Kuwait Steel 1.0 Mtpa DR pellet feed Emirates Steel 0.9 Mtpa DR pellets -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 12.0 Mtpa --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional information for the purposes of ASX Listing Rules 5.9.1 and 5.16 and 5.17:



The material assumptions and outcomes of the PFS study, the production target of 10 Mtpa and forecast financial information:



The study investigated production of 10mtpa of Hawsons Supergrade(R) concentrate production for a mine of 20 years production for 201Mtpa. The ore is to be mined and processed on site, with the final mineral concentrate being transported via slurry pipeline to a rail head site near Broken Hill.



Concentrate will then be dewatered and transported on the existing rail to Port Pirie, where a port upgrade including storage sheds, pipe conveyor and new ship loaders is proposed. Ore would then be transported via barge to capesize ocean going vessels for delivery to export markets to customers in the Middle East and East Asia.



Assumptions such as pricing for iron ore products and exchange rates are as set out in this announcement.



The criteria used for classification, including the classification of the mineral resources on which the ore reserves are based and the confidence in the modifying factors applied/the basis of the cut-off grade or quality parameters applied/ estimation methodology:



The classification of the resource estimates is based on the data distribution, which is a function of the drillhole spacing, the style of mineralisation, the geological model, the QAQC programme and results and comparison with previous resource estimates. Drill hole spacing was nominally 200m x 200m or 200m x 100m for Indicated Resources and up to 400m x 200m for Inferred Resources. The mining method will be a bulk mining method via an open pit operation and the resources have been classified according to this assumption.



As a result of the above classification, a new updated Mineral Resource for the Hawsons Magnetite Project has been estimated and was reported (ASX Announcement 21 June 2017). The estimates are reported for a 9.5% Davis tube recovery (DTR) cut off, as advised by the Company, from within the fresh rock zone vertically above the -240mRL.



The 9.5%DTR cut-off is considered by the Company to be conservative and reasonable, as GHD reported that the optimisation process indicates the economic cut-off grade could be lower than 9.5%DTR. Key assumptions in the optimisation were revenue based on 62%Fe price of US$60/t (converting to a 65%Fe price of US$70/t), with mining and processing costs being derived from previous mine planning and processing test work.



The Company has a high level of confidence in the modifying factors applied in the estimation of reserves. The estimates have been based on GHD's conceptual General Arrangement Drawings, Process Flow Diagrams and other information obtained by the Company from independent consultants and suppliers. The accuracy of the cost estimates (+/-30 %) is in line with the level of detail available at the time of producing this study. The estimates for applied contingency and design growth, were on a line by line basis and averaged 16.5%.



- The process cost estimate relates to all equipment required for the production process. It includes comminution and concentration, along with all pumps, pipe work, motors and electrical components and transport equipment for slurry pipeline and dewatering near Broken Hill.



- The infrastructure cost estimate relates to all supporting elements of the mining and processing operation.



- Sustaining capital cost estimate is related to the necessary cost to refurbish or replace major pieces of equipment. It does not include the in pit conveyor and is less salvage value.



- The operating cost estimate relates to equipment and infrastructure maintenance, including process consumables and power consumption, separated into mining, processing and infrastructure operational costs.



- Transport cost estimates, including port, rail, and sea freight costs were provided by external operators or derived from first principles.



The relevant proportions of probable ore reserves and proved ore reserves, inferred, indicated and measured ore resources and exploration target:



Indicated Mineral Resources comprise 87% of the ore mined and processed in the early mine plan, defined as the first seven of twenty years and covering the payback period. Under the mine plan, the economic viability of the project is not reliant on Inferred Resources.



(Cautionary statement: There is a low level of geological confidence associated with Inferred Mineral Resources and there is no certainty that further exploration work will result in the determination of Indicated Resources or that the production of target itself will be realised.)



The combined total resource mineral estimate of 348mt of concentrate will allow for an extended mine life beyond that studied should additional drilling confirm conversion from Inferred to Indicated resources. During the September 2016 drilling programme the conversion rate was 96%.



The PFS has allowed the application of modifying factors to convert Indicated Mineral Resources into Probable Reserves as described in this announcement. To view the total Hawsons Resource base, please see the link below.



The mining method selected and the other mining assumptions, including mining recovery factors and mining dilution factors:



The mining method utilises truck and shovel for the pre-stripping and the early mine plan, while in pit conveying (IPC) is utilised in year five once meaningful depths have been reached. The plan is to use the conveyor for the vertical lift and the trucks for horizontal movement, maximising the use of comparatively cheap electrical power, reducing truck hours and improving safety. Following a prestrip of ~150mt, the life of mine (LOM) waste:ore ratio is 0.40, dropping to near zero by year 11.



A total of 1406mt of ore and 568mt of waste are mined post pre-stripping. A maximum mining rate of 152mtpa is achieved in year 7.



The processing method selected and other processing assumptions, including the recovery factors applied:



The processing plant design criteria are based on:



- The results of ore characterisation tests such as crushing and milling indices and material flow properties



- Results of an 8 tonne pilot plant run on a representative bulk sample.



- Nameplate plant design capacity of 10 Mtpa.



All major processing will occur in the magnetite concentrator at the mine site before transporting the concentrate in slurry form to the railhead for de-watering. The process plant consists of the following major elements:



- Primary crushing - Impact crushers



- Crushed ore stockpiling/reclaiming



- Secondary crushing - Impact crushers



- Primary Concentration - Rougher magnetic separators



- Grinding - Ball mills



- Cleaner magnetic separators



- Hydro-separators (Thickener)



- Concentrates transport via slurry pipeline to railhead



- Concentrates dewatering and handling at the railhead



The flow sheet has been developed largely based on an 8 tonne pilot scale test done at ALS iron ore technical centre in Perth. Under the mine plan, material is delivered to the plant at a LOM average of an estimated 14.2% Davis tube mass recovery (DTR) and concentrate grade of 69.8% Fe. Plant recovery on average is 14.1% DTR mass recovery at 70% Fe.



The near 100% recovery reflects results achieved through the pilot plant test work. Typically, mineral concentrate recoveries are based on processing test work recoveries reported against pure elemental assays of the ore. However, the DTR test is a metallurgical recovery test and therefore high recoveries are expected. Test work included a representative sample from three mineralogical domains which all returned very similar results, establishing a relatively high degree of homogeneity across the ore deposit.



Tailings will be thickened and pumped to a circular tailing storage facility and single cell and perimeter discharge will be utilised.



Material modifying factors, including the status of environmental approvals, mining tenements and approvals, other governmental factors and infrastructure requirements for selected mining methods and for transportation to market:



Power



Total power demand for the site has been determined by summing the total of all the electrical motors and applying the relevant usage factors. The total installed power for the project is 138MW, with an average power usage of 87.4MW over three load centres.



The transmission line is a 220 kV single circuit line running from the Buronga to Broken Hill substations and is connected to the NSW transmission system via a single circuit 220kV line. This line has sufficient spare capacity to meet project requirements.



Power will be sourced from this line via a connection in Broken Hill and then distributed to the rail head, the mine site and the borefield (see figure in the link below).



Transgrid, the infrastructure owner, has advised that there is sufficient spare capacity available in the grid.



Water



Water will be sourced from a deep saline aquifer located 90km to the south of the site. Extensive sampling, pumping test work and hydrogeological modelling has identified sufficient project water. The water is available for allocation under existing regulations. Water will be pumped to site and a reverse osmosis plant will enable a fresh water stream for concentrate washing and product transport.



Product transport



Rail pricing and rail capacity information was obtained from below and above rail operators. Carpentaria was informed that sufficient rail capacity is available with small upgrades to the network in the form of extension of sidings.



Port infrastructure was detailed in the earlier Port Pirie study in conjunction with Flinders Ports (refer ASX announcement dated 23 February 2015). Infrastructure required includes storage sheds, a pipe conveyor and a ship loader to allow product delivery to the existing port berths for transhipment in 17,000t payload barges to capesize vessels.



Pricing



Independent consulting group Shanghai Metals Market, following interviews with a large sample of the coastal Chinese steel industry, provided the pricing formula for the concentrate product. The formula was applied to long-term iron ore index rates that were supplied by an independent international consulting group. The base index for the revenue calculation was the average long term 65% Fe fines price. This resulted in a premium to the benchmark 62% Fe fines price of ~US$25/t.



Market



Carpentaria has current non-binding letters of intent to purchase up to 12mtpa of Hawsons Supergrade(R) product, and therefore a ready market has been established. The consensus outlook is for sustained modest long-term growth in steel demand, and CRU have identified that iron ore pellet feed/pellets are likely to be the highest growth segment of the iron ore market over the first ten years of mine life.



This, it is argued, will primarily be driven by growth in Chinese pellet demand fuelled by consolidation and drive to increase productivity of the Chinese steel industry, but also significant expansion in the Middle East and Latin America.



Approvals



Carpentaria has lodged a mining lease application and is working to complete the secretary's environmental assessment requirements (SEARs) to allow lodgment of the Environmental Impact Statement. No significant issues have been identified to date.



Carpentaria's Mr Hill concluded: "Hawsons is positioned to become the basis of a long-term, low cost premium iron business for our Company. With Asia and the Middle East needing new, independent and reliable suppliers of high quality product, we are perfectly placed to deliver the right product at the right time."



To view tables and figures, please visit:

http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/L14X3DAI





About Carpentaria Resources Ltd





Carpentaria Resources Ltd (ASX:CAP) is focussed on delivering the best quality iron concentrates into the growing premium end of the iron ore market.

The Company aims to build a long term, low cost premium quality iron ore business from the development of its flagship asset, the Hawsons Iron Project, utilising existing infrastructure.


Quarterly Activities Report

Perth, July 28, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Ironbark Zinc Limited ( ASX:IBG ) ( IRBGY:OTCMKTS ) ("Ironbark" or "the Company") hereby reports on its activities for the period ending 30 June 2017 in which the Company remained focused on the advancement of the wholly owned Citronen Base Metals Project ("Citronen") in Greenland into production.



Citronen represents one of the largest undeveloped zinc resources in the world with a granted Mining Licence located in a mining supportive and low sovereign risk environment. The Citronen Project is currently moving towards development funding. We consider that the robust Citronen deposit remains open to further mineralisation in many directions and that Ironbark is peerless on the ASX.



As our stakeholders will be aware, Ironbark was required to complete a feasibility study before it was able to lodge the application for a Mining Licence. The Mining Licence was recently granted but has taken longer than initially anticipated to finalise and Ironbark is now working on updating the costs relating to the Feasibility Study. A current Feasibility Study is required to conclude financing activities. Ironbark appointed CPC Project Design (CPC), an Australian engineering contracting group to both assist Ironbark working with China Nonferrous Metal Industry's Foreign Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd ("NFC") on the Citronen project and also to update the Feasibility Study in a traditional Western format. This updated document is expected to be completed in late August, 2017.



During the quarter:



- Progressed with NFC to provide a capital and operating cost update to the feasibility study and advance the project towards financing and construction. A large proportion of the work has been completed.



- Continued discussions with banks and banking advisors to pursue alternative funding pathways



- Zinc stockpiles continue to fall and the zinc price remains at very strong levels



Development Activities



Ironbark is working with NFC under an agreement to:



- Incorporate current Chinese equipment and construction costs into the Citronen Feasibility Study



- Prepare a project study report in compliance with the financing requirement of China's banks



- Ensure the technical criteria is in compliance with local laws, regulations, standards and codes in Greenland and China



- Assist Ironbark in securing Chinese project debt financing for the development of Citronen under the terms of the earlier Memorandum of Understanding



Ironbark is working towards advancing the financing and development of Citronen as it progresses to become one of the world's largest zinc mining companies. Ironbark selected NFC as providing the most technically capable, rapid and competitive construction engineers to deliver a turnkey, fixed price EPC solution to developing and commissioning Citronen. Moving beyond the existing Memorandum of Understanding with NFC, Ironbark will see the Citronen Feasibility Study updated and tailored to meet the Chinese banking requirements that will target 70% debt financing and provide NFC with an option to acquire up to 19.9% of the Citronen project. Recently discussions have included exploring options for even higher levels of financing from China.



During the quarter NFC made excellent progress towards the review, re-costing and preparation of the Feasibility Study report into a Chinese format that is "in compliance with the approval by the Chinese Government and the financing requirements by the Chinese banking sector". Work completed includes an independent resource estimation, mining studies and process and flowsheet studies. As part of the review a further site visit is planned in early August with a delegation from NFC as well as the Greenland Minister for Mines, Mr. Mute Egede and the Deputy Minister for Mines, Mr. Jorgen Hammeken-Holm.



Alternative Financing



In addition to progressing the financing plan through the NFC pathway, as discussed above, Ironbark continued planning and holding discussions with major international banking groups and corporate advisors to provide alternative financing options. The Citronen project location in Europe makes it a candidate for European Export Credit Agency (ECA) finance funding as well as traditional debt and equity financing options. These options will require the completion of the updated Feasibility costs before they can be advanced any further. Ironbark will provide further details surrounding this work in the near future.



Zinc Market



"Falling zinc warehouse stock levels are driving a strong zinc price providing Ironbark with exceptional leverage to a rallying zinc price"



The price of zinc has remained exceptionally strong having risen by 60% last year and currently up a further 8% this calendar year.



Zinc, the fourth most mined metal by volume, is mostly used for galvanising steel, and has not run as hard this year as it did last year predominately based on mine shutdowns and depletion resulting in a metal deficit. The price of zinc had in fact fallen from its February high but has very recently enjoyed a rapid rebound. One explanation for this rapid recovery is the increase in London Metal Exchange (LME) cancelled warrants (zinc that is marked for delivery). LME zinc stocks are currently below 270,000 tonnes, see Figure 1 in the link below, which is down by 37 percent and the cancelled warrants are currently almost 70 percent, which suggests market tightness. The Chinese Shanghai stockpiles are following the same trend and are lower by approximately 50 percent. Interestingly lower Chinese treatment charges and better zinc payability terms being offered by the smelters also point to a market tightness. In addition to this, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZSG) observed that global zinc market deficit widened to 92,400 tonnes in April from a revised deficit of 72,700 tonnes in March. In the first four months of 2017, the zinc market was in a deficit of 112,000 tonnes versus a deficit of 20,000 tonnes in the same period last year.



It has been widely forecast that zinc prices may continue to trend upwards in the near future driven by increasing tightness in the concentrate market, following the recent closure of several major mines and healthy and growing zinc demand. This has been observed already with increasing Chinese refined metal imports. Overall tightness in the market and the major metal warehouses such as the London Metal Exchange (LME) and the Shanghai Exchange with regards to falling stocks are likely to be supportive and drive zinc prices even higher. In the context of Ironbark, this should prove to be a very supportive financing environment.



Cash Position



The Company holds a cash position at the end of the June 2017 quarter of approximately $2.4M with no debt. Strong cost saving measures remain in place.



To view tables and figures, please visit:

http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/IE80EMLK





About Ironbark Zinc Limited





Ironbark Zinc Limited (ASX:IBG) (OTCMKTS:IRBGY) is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and is seeking to become a base metal mining house. Ironbark has an undrawn US$50M funding facility provided by Glencore to expand its project base through acquisition.

Ironbark seeks to build shareholder value through exploration and development of its projects and also seeks to actively expand the project base controlled by Ironbark through acquisition. The management and board of Ironbark have extensive technical and corporate experience in the minerals sector.

The wholly owned Citronen base metal project currently hosts in excess of 13.1 Billion pounds of zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb). For full details refer to ASX announcement 25 November 2014 Citronen Project Resource Update  JORC 2012 compliant resource.


Completion of Share Placement

Sydney, July 28, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The Board of Tianmei Beverage Group Corporation Limited ( ASX:TB8 ) (Company) is pleased to announce the successful completion of the placement to Hui Li and Pan Zhang (who are sophisticated investors) today to place a total of 10,000,000 ordinary shares (each subscribing 5,000,000 shares) in the Company for a total amount of $2,000,000 at a price of $0.20 per share (Placement).



The shares issued under the Placement rank equally with existing shares and are not subject to any voluntary escrow. The 10,000,000 shares are issued without shareholder approval and within the Company's placement capacity pursuant to ASX listing rule 7.1. The process the proceeds from the Placement will be used for working capital purposes.





About Tianmei Beverage Group Corporation Limited





Tianmei Beverage Group Corporation Limited (ASX:TB8) provides promotional services to producers of FMCG goods as well as its own water products in the Guangdong province in China. Guangdong province is one of China's most developed provinces with a gross domestic product of US$1.1 trillion in 2014 and has as its capital, Guangzhou city, which is China's third largest city with a population of approximately 13 million people.

Product Promotion

Tianmei have contracts with over 940 terminal supermarkets and convenience stores in Guangdong. Through this network of stores, the Company promotes fast moving consumer goods, including food, beverage and general grocery products for over 65 FMCG suppliers.

Water Products

The Company's water products business focuses on the sale of Tianmei-branded water products, including bottled water, infant water and water dispensers through a network of over 500 retail outlets. The Company have a number of patents approved and pending surrounding it's water products and production equipment.








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Favouritism and improprieties are some of the allegations that have been on the heels of Ottawa Police Services (OPS) since 2014. The Chair of the Ottawa Police Service Board (OPSB) has continued to live in denial, refusing to acknowledge the issues raised about the OPS, or take actions. This has led to an outcry for the Chairs resignation by the Ottawa Police Association (OPA).

In response, the Mayor told those who are not satisfied with their job at OPS to walk away. Till date, not much has changed as related issues have continued to raise their ugly head in the OPS. Ignorance of legislation and flagrant abuse of the institution in favour of the minority has been speculated to be the root cause.

The hope of a positive change diminishes if the same people perceived to be the perpetrators of the problem are tasked with fixing it. One of the recent pointers to trouble was the result of the OPS employee satisfaction survey and the Ontario Human Rights Commission ordered OPS gender audit.

45 percent of those who participated in the employee satisfaction survey openly expressed their dissatisfaction with the civilian Director General, Chief, and Keeley, the then Deputy Chief. 28 percent were neutral while two-thirds were grateful to be part of the OPS  less than half recommended OPS for job seekers. The result of the gender audit was worse.

The abysmal nature of both results proved insufficient to make the Chief acknowledge the gaping need to find a solution to the discontent expressed by the OPS employees. Unchecked frustrations occasioned by the inaction and silence of the Chief made several members of OPS go public. In defence, the OPSB Chair, El Chantiry Said, one or two discontented officers do not speak for the entire force.

The limitations of OPA members from obtaining fair hearing are captured by Valarie Findlay, OPS members only have access to internal complaints processes or the OPA; they cannot complain through the office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) or Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC).

Two of the six binding principles of the PSA address human rights and equality but the statement and body language of the Chair clearly indicates that some are greater than others. Although the PSAs legislation has been modified several times to meet the changing societal trends and values, a recent article by the Chair Heres how to reform policing in Ontario suggests that the PSA is out-dated legislation.

More legislation reform is not the solution. Legislation will not cure organizational issues and any attempt to reform policing at organizational level is futile without first addressing systemic or recurring misconduct: that begins with removing those who perpetrate it, instilling new leadership who instils confidence, renewing policies to guide the transformation of the culture and demonstrating commitment through core values, upheld as organizational principles, said Findlay, reformation relies on a collaborative relationship between police and the public; it cannot survive when designed in isolation or through unilateral decision-making.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 74F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 43F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.
July 27, 2017

Al-Qaeda has upped its ideological challenge to Saudi Arabia with an attack by Hamza bin Laden on the royal family's legitimacy. This comes as the group's failed 2009 attempt to assassinate their Saudi nemesis, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, ironically appears to have provided the pretense for his demotion from crown prince.

Al-Qaeda declared war on the Saudi royal family 15 years ago with a call to revolution by Osama bin Laden that precipitated the most serious and dangerous violence in the modern kingdom since its founding. Terror attacks hit every major Saudi city. Only after a prolonged counterterrorist campaign led by Mohammed, then interior minister, was al-Qaeda suppressed.

Bin Laden's favorite son has now issued two audio messages attacking the royal family. The first, released a year ago, hailed lone-wolf terror attacks and called for an uprising in the kingdom. The most recent recording is a history lesson and was issued by al-Qaeda's media arm, as-Sahab, from its hideout in Pakistan. In the message, Hamza charges that the founder of the modern Saudi kingdom, Abdul-Aziz bin Rahman Al Saud (Ibn Saud) was a British agent. Ibn Saud allegedly worked with the British to weaken the Ottoman Empire and its tribal ally in the Arabian Peninsula, the Rashids.

Hamza notes that when World War I began, the British sent an emissary to Ibn Saud, Capt. William Henry Shakespear, to propose a formal alliance against the Ottomans and the Rashids. Shakespear was later killed in a battle with the Rashids. Hamza charges that the Saudis betrayed Islam by working with the crusaders against the Ottoman caliphate. They were doing the bidding of the crusaders, who used the breakup of the Ottoman Empire to create Israel.

Hamza is being groomed by al-Qaeda to become its future emir, and his image as the heir apparent to his father is smart political theater. It is deeply ironic that al-Qaeda's attack on Mohammed bin Nayef has now come back to haunt the one-time Saudi heir apparent.

According to multiple press reports based on interviews with the prince's supporters, King Salman confronted Mohammed with the accusation that the failed attempt on his life had left him addicted to painkillers. One account said that Mohammed still has shrapnel from the attack in his body. The painkillers, it was alleged, were impairing the prince's judgment.

Saudi authorities have denied the reports, but have provided no alternative explanation for Mohammed's removal from the line of succession and command of the Interior Ministry. Al-Qaeda and bin Laden finally got revenge for Mohammed's campaign against them.

Mohammed's demotion has also led to a shake-up of the Saudi security establishment. The head of the Royal Guard has been dismissed and replaced without explanation, and the Interior Ministry is being reorganized. A few royal family members have openly criticized Mohammed's ouster, including Abdel-Aziz bin Fahd, son of the late King Fahd. Mohammed has not spoken in public since his dismissal and is said to be under house arrest.

At the moment, the new crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, is keeping watch over the kingdom as his father, King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, is on his annual vacation in Tangier, Morocco. As is normal when the king travels abroad, he deputized his heir to run the kingdom in his absence. Salman has rented more than 800 hotel rooms in Tangier for his entourage. He is expected to meet with foreign leaders while in Morocco, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Jordanian King Abdullah. There is speculation, meanwhile, that Salman may abdicate and put his son on the throne.

Although Mohammed bin Salman is in charge at home, the line of succession is incomplete. Salman has not named a successor to the post of deputy crown prince that his son previously held. There is no rule requiring that a deputy crown prince be appointed if the king is fit. Abdullah kept the position open for some time after he ascended to the throne. It is also very unlikely that Salman will pick someone older than Mohammed bin Salman  age still matters in the Saudi system  and there is no obvious younger 20-something prince ready for the No. 3 slot. It can be left open for the meantime, but not if the king intends to turn power over to the No. 2. The necessary predicate to any possibility of Salman abdicating is for him to choose a new deputy crown prince and thus the putative successor to his son.

Al-Qaeda will no doubt test the new security team in Riyadh. Cells of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula remain active, and as-Sahab will go after the legitimacy of the new crown prince, painting him as unqualified for the throne. The kingdom is facing a complex and interrelated series of challenges with deadly enemies.
July 28, 2017

BAGHDAD  On July 21, farmers complained about a gas pipeline dredging their farmlands. The pipeline carries gas from Iran to Baghdad through Bismayah, which is located in southeast Baghdad. Meanwhile, reports on May 22 revealed that the pipeline caused damage to an archaeological site under which it passes.

On March 17, 2016, Iran announced the completion of a 100-kilometer (62-mile) Iranian gas pipeline. It starts at the South Pars gas field and continues to Baghdad to provide fuel for the electricity stations. As part of the project, the Oil and Energy Committee of the Iraq Council of Ministers decided to extend the pipeline through Bismayah to provide gas for electricity stations there.

Many residents in Bismayah were happy at first. However, their happiness did not last as they were forced to vacate parts of their land for the project. According to testimonies documented in a video report broadcast by an Iraqi channel on May 22, a farmer said that a military force stormed onto his land and forced him to accept the extension of the pipeline into his land without providing any documents, which he considered a violation of his rights and of applicable laws.

On July 12, Al-Monitor contacted the Nahrawan police directorate, which said, The security force securing the site has orders to protect the project of extending the Bismayah gas pipeline and remove any constraints that may hinder its accomplishment.

In a country like Iraq, environmental awareness is still weak and procedures of environmental safety do not apply. The phenomenon of dredging farmlands and causing damage to archaeological sites has become quite familiar. In July 2016, an Al-Monitor report stated that UNESCO would not name Babylon a World Heritage site as long as an oil pipeline crossed the historical site.

In a phone interview with Al-Monitor, Hussein Fleih, Babylons director of antiquities and a member of the Babylon provincial council, insisted, Procedures of moving the pipeline have already started after the Babylon Directorate of Antiquities won a lawsuit against the Ministry of Oil in 2016.

Following the same pattern of conflict between the projects and the environment, the head of the provincial council of the district of Zubair in south Basra announced on May 18 that environmental pollution caused by extracting oil in the oil fields of Rumaila and Zubair is still ongoing.

On Nov. 3, 2016, a governmental source in Basra said, There are more than 3,000 agricultural contracts that have been taken over by oil extraction companies.

Torki al-Ghoneimawi, the vice president of the provincial council of Wasit, spoke to Al-Monitor, as the Bismayah project is located within the administrative borders of his province. He said, Wasit is among governorates producing oil and gas, and it needs more networks of energy pipelines to feed the projects, especially after the capacity of the Badra gas field increased, reaching 150,000 barrels a day, as well as the gas from the fields of al-Ahdab and the gas imported from Iran.

Pipelines have harmed agriculture. The government intends to compensate farmers whose lands were dredged, Ghoneimawi added.

Ghoneimawi continued, Archaeological areas in Bismayah are among the protected areas that were reported by some channels and media agencies to have been dredged. As a result, the local government is about to launch investigations into this matter and file lawsuits against those responsible for the destruction of Baghdad archaeological sites.

We will sue the Ministry of Oil and the implementing company, he added.

Al-Monitor called the office of the Minister of Oil, which confirmed that the pipeline runs through long distances in desert and agricultural lands. However, the office denied causing any damages to archaeological or agricultural lands. The pipeline and its approaches only occupy narrow spaces of the land it passes through. The media exaggeration was caused by farmers who unrightfully sought large compensations. They still resort to the media to raise the topic again, the office said.

Farmers losses caused by oil projects is not a new story. On May 28, the local administration in Dhi Qar in the south compensated 900 farmers for damages caused by oil companies working in Garraf oil field.

Environmental problems were also caused by the oil licensing rounds, which have transformed farmlands and marshes to areas affiliated with oil companies without proper inspection or accuracy concerning the condition of the environment.

Levels of environmental pollution increased due to terrorist operations against oil pipelines, resulting in clouds of smoke and oil deposited in the soil, which affects its fertility and endangers the lives of people, animals and plants.

Zaher al-Abadi, a member of parliaments oil committee, admitted that projects of energy transmission and exploration in Iraq have caused environmental problems. He told Al-Monitor, It is not possible to find alternatives to laying pipelines other than farmlands.

The Ministry of Oil confiscates about 75 meters (246 feet) [of land] on each side of all pipelines, which is a space that does not affect the rest of the farmlands through which the pipes pass, Abadi added. He explained that the ministry compensates farmers for the parts confiscated and allows them to use the rest of the lands they own freely.

Abadi also revealed a project that aims at compensating those affected by allocating new farmlands for those who want.

Abadi considers that the best solution is when the ministries of Justice, Agriculture, Electricity, Finance and Oil cooperate to come out with a new strategy to invest in lands through energy transmission and exploration companies. Work on putting a new cooperation approach is well underway. The permanent solution lies in applying a coexistence strategy between agriculture and oil as well as legislating laws that protect peoples rights and prevent causing damage to agriculture and archaeological sites, he added.
July 26, 2017

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri stated July 15 that he personally asked Algeria to accommodate some Hamas leaders. He said leaders of the movement are welcomed upon arrival to Algeria and their visas require only a couple of hours to process, unlike other Arab countries that sometimes take more than two months to be issued. He did not identify the Hamas leaders receiving special treatment in Algeria, nor did he name the Arab countries that take much longer to process visas.

Abu Zuhri himself has been in Algeria since the beginning of this year, meeting with Algerian political leaders. His most recent meeting was July 26, when he met with the Algerian Association of Muslim Scholars and the Algerian Workers Party to discuss means of supporting the Palestinian people.

Hamas foreign relations chief Osama Hamdan told Al-Monitor, We have visited Algeria several times in an official capacity, and we met with its officials. Hamas enjoys official and public Algerian support, and Algeria has contributed to the success of the convoys to lift the siege on Gaza." Hamdan noted that the party also appreciates the lack of ties between Algeria and Israel, adding "Hamas has good relations with all Algerian political parties, especially the ruling National Liberation Front.

Foreign aid convoys have been sailing for Gaza since 2009, carrying relief for the Palestinians in the form of food and medication. Still, the convoys havent manage to break the siege and deliver their aid directly to Gaza.

On July 19, news circulated that a Hamas delegation headed by Hamdan is set to visit Algeria to participate in political events and meet with factional leaders in the coming days. Hamas visits to Algeria are state sanctioned and enjoy official security protection.

The Saudi-backed Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported July 17 that Hamas is searching for a foothold in Algeria to shelter its officials who left Qatar in early June. Algeria received an official request from Hamas to establish a representative office for the movement on its territories, but it has yet to respond.

Hamas leaders are now spread across the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Lebanon, Malaysia, Qatar and Turkey. A Hamas political source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, Hamas inclination toward with Algeria preceded the latest Gulf crisis because the movement realized the importance of the North African countries on the media and political levels. Hamas seeks to mobilize more supporting countries to expand its influence around the world without relying on one country alone.

Hamas turned its attention to Algeria after June 9, when Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman voiced Israels demands to the US ambassador to the EU, Nikki Haley, to pressure Lebanon to expel Hamas leaders who flew there from Qatar.

Political science professor at Al-Ummah University Hussam al-Dajani visited Algeria in 2006. He told Al-Monitor, Hamas made a mistake when it did not pay Algeria enough attention after it won the legislative elections in 2006, even though Algerians love Palestinians. But the movement has made changes since its latest internal elections in May and has started reassessing its regional ties to widen its circle of friends. Although Algeria and the Palestinian territories are geographically far from one another, globalization has drawn Hamas closer to Iran, Turkey and Qatar despite their distance. The same can apply to Algeria.

Talk about opening an office for Hamas in Algeria coincided with July 11 statements from Saudi Ambassador to Algeria Sami Al-Saleh describing Hamas as a terrorist organization. Salehs statements did not go over well in Algeria, and Abu Zuhri responded to him July 14, saying that if Hamas were a terrorist group, Algeria wouldnt have welcomed its members so warmly.

Izzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas political bureau, thanked the Algerian Muslim Scholars Association for sending an aid convoy worth $3 million to Gaza June 18.

Ahmed Youssef, former political adviser to the deputy chairman of Hamas' political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, told Al-Monitor, Algeria might face pressure from the Arab world and the West if it welcomes Hamas on its territories, especially as the US labeled Hamas a terrorist group. Algerian Islamists do not have enough political power to pressure the state to embrace Hamas.

He added, I am not sure Algeria can shelter Hamas leaders despite Algerians great sympathy for Hamas and the Palestinian cause. I realized this when I lived in Algeria between 2004 and 2006. Still, it would be a suitable refuge for Hamas leaders abroad and spare them from dispersion around Arab capitals.

Head of the Algerian Movement for the Society of Peace Abdul Razzaq Muqri said July 20 that Hamas' welcome in Algeria will depend on official approval. In an interview with the Tunisian Al-Jarida newspaper July 22, Tunisian security analyst Ali al-Zarmadini said he expected Algeria not to allow Hamas leaders to move freely around the country if it does let them live there. Algeria is not like Qatar, which gave Hamas leaders full freedom.

Abdullah Abdullah, a member of Fatahs Revolutionary Council and head of the political committee of the Palestinian Legislative Council, told Al-Monitor, If Algeria agrees to accommodate some Hamas leaders, its decision will be based on humanitarian considerations, in the wake of their departure from Qatar following the Gulf crisis. But this decision will not have political dimensions, and Fatah does not mind it. Algeria is a historical ally for Fatah and the Palestine Liberation Organization, and it will not replace this alliance with Hamas. Hamas should know that any rapprochement with a foreign state will happen through the PLO, not behind its back.

Will Algeria be the next stop for Hamas, despite the distance separating the Palestinian territories and Algeria? Or will Algeria cave to foreign pressure and turn Hamas leaders away?
July 28, 2017

TEHRAN, Iran  It has become customary for Irans Reformists to unite in the face of defeat and to attack one another in times of success. With their rivals vanquished in consecutive victories in presidential, parliamentary and city council elections, differences within the Reformist camp are being highlighted, as occurred under Reformist President Mohammad Khatami (1997-2005).

Ahead of the 2016 parliamentary elections, the Reform movement decided to organize not merely under the Reformist Front Coordination Council, which coordinates among the various groups and factions, but under a new Supreme Council for Policymaking, which oversees the latter and consists of the heads of Reformist organizations and Khatami advisers.

The Reformists employed the same approach in the presidential as well as concurrent city and village council elections last May, although the Supreme Council was initially envisioned to sit only for the parliamentary elections. Instead, it continued, with a few adjustments, including increasing the number of council members and allocating seats to new Reformists. The council is where the Reformists internal differences began.

Critics said the council's activities meant that the parties played a less prominent role and certain influential figures were allowed to make decisions for the entire Reform movement. Among the critics who believed individuals should not act in place of parties were prominent Reformist clerics Hadi Khamenei, secretary-general of the Assembly of the Forces of the Imam's Line; Rasoul Montakhab-nia, deputy head of the Etemad-e Melli Party; and Mohsen Rahami, secretary-general of the Islamic Association of University Teachers. These three clerics saw the councils mission as accomplished after the parliamentary elections and therefore stopped attending its meetings.

The situation devolved after the Reformists released their List of Hope, the ticket of candidates for the city and village council elections. The ticket sparked a wave of criticism on social media and among some Reformist organizations, especially since many prominent Reformists were not included on it. There was also talk of behind-the-scenes rents being paid as well as lobbying to add certain names to the list and eliminate others. That different versions of the ticket were being released also led some Reformists to think that Khatami, the spiritual head of the Reform movement, would not approve it.

On May 15, however, Khatami issued an official statement asking his supporters to vote for everyone on the list. Unlike for the 2016 parliamentary elections, he did not release a message on video. This led to speculation among Reformists that Khatamis statement may have been made under pressure and that deep down, he did not want to support a controversial list from the Supreme Council for Policymaking, led by parliamentarian Mohammad Reza Aref.

Despite the controversy, the Reformists won all the seats on the Tehran City Council. The victory did not, however, end rumors about alleged behind-the-scenes payments and the composition of the list. Aref in particular became the target of a wave of criticism, given his leadership of the Supreme Council.

Accusations persisted that individuals had been added to the Reformist ticket through the back door and that the Supreme Council had received hefty sums totaling some 20 billion rials ($615,384) to include names on the list. In a May 28 interview later refuted, Fatemeh Daneshvar, a former Reformist member of the Tehran City Council, said she had been asked for 20 billion rials and was removed from the ticket after refusing to pay it. Meanwhile, on June 6, the daily Aftab-e Yazd wrote on its Telegram channel that some prominent secretaries-general of Reformist parties had requested the amount from various individuals.

Aref dismissed all such claims on June 25, but the calls continued for transparency in regard to the List of Hope. In a June 25 interview with Khabaronline, Rasoul Montakhab-nia, former parliamentarian and deputy head of Etemad-e Melli, said, The Reformists Supreme Council for Policymaking is a symbol of dictatorship and this council must be dissolved.

A member of Khatamis advisory council speaking on condition of anonymity told Al-Monitor, The reality is that parties have divided the council seats among themselves. The Executives of Construction Party and figures close to Mohammad Reza Aref were decisive in this regard. This resulted in the more established Reform parties remaining on the sidelines. The main reason for this problem is Mohammad Reza Arefs ineffectiveness and also totalitarianism, which the Executives of Construction Party, led by Gholamhossein Karbaschi, had also been challenged with.

Aref  whose actions are under the radar more than any other Reformist politician  managed to cause even more controversy. At a July 14 press conference, he criticized Rouhani, saying, After victory, some people forget who worked hard for them. Rouhani owes his victory to the Reformists and should consult with them on introducing a Cabinet line-up [for his second term].

Aref's remarks elicited varied reactions from Reformists. Those who were not pleased with his performance in parliament or his introducing the ticket for the Tehran City Council elections openly attacked him. Abdollah Nasseri, a prominent Reformist, said in a July 14 interview that no one, Reformist or Principlist, had the right to ask for a share from Rouhani.

Tehran University professor Sadegh Zibakalam told Al-Monitor, Asking Rouhani for a share and saying that his victory is owed to this or that is not a correct approach. This is not to mention that it will ignite differences within the Reform movement, which is not good at all, as we have experienced these bitter differences in previous decades.

Regardless of the fears and hopes expressed by Reformists about their internal differences, it seems that their consecutive victories in the parliamentary, presidential, and city and village council elections have given them an immense level of confidence, but now that there are no Principlists on the stage, they have turned to competing among themselves. Such a development could lead to a repeat of Khatamis final years in office and thus herald the beginning of successive electoral defeats.
July 27, 2017

Iranians approval of the 2015 nuclear deal is growing, but so is their appetite for restarting the countrys suspended program if the Donald Trump administration stops implementing the accord.

According to a survey released today by the Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland (CISSM) and IranPoll.com, 67.1% of Iranians now approve of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). That compares with 55.4% who said so soon after Trumps election and 62.6% a year ago.

At the same time, some 55.4% of Iranians would approve of their government restarting aspects of the nuclear program that were limited by the JCPOA if the United States walks away from the deal. Thats up from 48.4% before Trumps election.

The change in outlook comes amid growing signs that Trump may be getting ready to act on his comments disparaging the nuclear accord. The president has repeatedly challenged the recommendations of his top foreign policy advisers to continue implementing the JCPOA, telling The Wall Street Journal on July 25 that he believed Iran was not complying and suggesting that he might not provide the necessary recertification in October.

Ebrahim Mohseni, a research scholar at CISSM and a lecturer at the University of Tehran, told Al-Monitor, While Iranians hope for the best and are optimistic about the JCPOA, data suggests that they are ready for the worst and would support some form of a retaliation if the United States abrogates the deal.

In January, in an earlier University of Maryland poll, a large majority of Iranians predicted that the Trump administration would violate the JCPOA. Instead, Trump has twice grudgingly recertified Iranian compliance and waived the requisite US sanctions.

Several Republicans opposed to the JCPOA have told this analyst that their aim is to goad Iran into violating the agreement by imposing more non-nuclear sanctions. The Associated Press reported that the Trump administration was considering demanding new inspections of Iranian military facilities in hopes that Tehran will balk. But such demands could also trigger a time-consuming process that might postpone US abrogation of the accord.

The government of President Hassan Rouhani has so far largely abided by its obligations, according to the US State Department, while accusing the United States of violating both the spirit and letter of the JCPOA. The uncertainty caused by Trumps expressed unhappiness with the deal, however, has discouraged some foreign businesses from returning to Iran, empowering hard-liners opposed to Rouhanis diplomacy with the United States.

Just as in previous polls, Iranians say they are disappointed with the economic benefits that have followed implementation of the JCPOA in January 2016. A substantial majority of 63.4% described the economic situation in the country as poor, compared to 58.6% a year ago. A slight majority of 50.2% told pollsters that they think the economy is getting worse, compared to 43.4% a year ago. This is despite the slow but steady increase in foreign investment in Iran as well as the recovery of Irans oil exports to pre-sanctions levels.

For most Iranians, the ball is in the US court as far as the future of the JCPOA is concerned, said Paul Pillar, a former US national intelligence officer for the Near East and South Asia. There is still solid Iranian support for the agreement, despite disappointment with the slowness of economic benefits. But Iranians are prepared to respond strongly to US noncompliance, including by restarting currently restricted parts of their nuclear program. Both the opportunities and the costs associated with US decisions about the JCPOA have never been clearer.

Both supporters and opponents of the JCPOA in the United States have raised the possibility of renegotiating aspects of the agreement to extend limitations on Irans nuclear program that are due to sunset in a decade, or to include issues that were not part of the deal.

However, Iranian officials have said they are not interested in renegotiating the JCPOA at this time, and a majority of Iranians seems to agree. In the latest poll, 62% opposed extending limits on Irans nuclear program even if Iran is offered relief from more US sanctions. A similar percentage said Iran should not extend such restrictions under any circumstances.

Both the Trump administration and the US Congress have sought to impose new sanctions on Iran related to its ballistic missile program and its support for groups such as Hezbollah. These activities fall outside the purview of the JCPOA.

In the new poll, Iranians say their government should resist such pressure. A majority of 55% says Iran should continue testing missiles despite new sanctions, although 31% would offer to negotiate ways to improve confidence in the nature of the program, which Iranians maintain is defensive.

Terrorist attacks in Tehran in June by the group that calls itself the Islamic State (IS) have boosted Iranian approval for foreign organizations that fight IS. According to the poll, 67.9% say Iran should increase backing for anti-IS groups, up from 59.8% a year ago. Meanwhile, a majority of 64.9% backs the deployment of Iranian military personnel to Syria to help the regime of Bashar al-Assad, up slightly from 62.7% a year ago.

When asked who they believed was responsible for the attacks on Irans parliament and on the tomb of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, 52% blamed IS. However, large percentages of 60 or more said Saudi Arabia, the United States and Israel provided guidance or support for the perpetrators of the attacks.

Rouhani, who was re-elected by a solid margin of 57% in May, remains popular, with approval from 76.2% of the population. His foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, the chief negotiator of the nuclear deal, has a similar approval rating, as does Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Ebrahim Raisi, the losing presidential candidate in May, has an approval rating of 56.6%, up from 48.3% in a survey conducted after the election.

The latest poll was conducted by telephone among 1,004 Iranians from June 11 through June 17. The margin of error was +/- 3.1%. Despite the limitations of polling in Iran, CISSM has conducted similar surveys over the past few years that appear to accurately reflect trends in public opinion on crucial issues.

Correction: July 28, 2017. An earlier version of this article stated that 50.2% of those polled think the economy is getting better, when in fact this percentage reflects those who felt the economy is getting worse.
July 28, 2017

Those following Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon on Facebook got to accompany him this week on his first official meetings with the new administration in Washington through his posts, video clips and ceremonial photos. The videos exuded an energy typical of election campaign clips: professionally edited with appropriate background music and captions, portraying Kahlon as a straight talking, charismatic winner on the world stage.

In one of the videos, shot on July 23, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is standing next to Kahlon. Mnuchin appears somewhat embarrassed as his Israeli guest speaks  in Hebrew  describing the amazing meeting they had, during which the secretary expressed great appreciation of and support for Israels economy, for the State of Israel and its people. Mnuchin clearly did not understand a word, but went along politely. The opening shot shows Kahlon skipping up the steps of the Treasury Building to a musical beat.

The first daily installment of Mr. Kahlon goes to Washington, documenting his activities from the moment he arrived in the capital, starts with Kahlon saying, We have now landed in Washington, the Finance Ministry staff and myself, to hold meetings with the new administration. In the ensuing scenes he reports on his meetings with the head of Israel Bonds and with Mick Mulvany, the head of the US Office of Management and Budget, with whom he discussed setting up a joint team. Everything is presented nicely accompanied by photos, candid and otherwise.

Kahlon has occasionally mentioned the latest outbreak of violence in Jerusalem and the despicable July 21 murder of the Solomon family in the West Bank settlement of Halamish. However, he conspicuously sidestepped any reference to the governments decisions to install metal detectors at a Jerusalem holy site and immediately remove them as Palestinians rioted and Israel was faced with a crisis with Jordan.

Kahlon participated in the July 20 meeting of the Israeli Security Cabinet that ended with the controversial metal detectors in place. He left early for Washington, leaving his vote to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus discretion. While his government colleagues, among them Housing Minister Yoav Galant, Transportation Minister Israel Katz and Education Minister Naftali Bennett, as well as the heads of the opposition parties and the prime minister himself, discussed the unfolding crisis in public comments, Kahlon distanced himself geographically and politically from the fray.

None of this is coincidental. Kahlon is interested and well versed in such issues. But ever since the resolution of the crisis over the Public Broadcasting Corporation (when the Israeli Broadcasting Authority was dismantled), in which he was heavily involved, he has adopted a new strategy.

The public broadcasting saga almost resulted in the governments demise last March, after the finance minister objected to the move led by Netanyahu to close down the newly formed corporation before it even made a broadcast. This was a serious blow to Kahlon, who as chairman of Kulanu had until then been considered a government strongman capable of dismantling Netanyahus coalition in one fell swoop. Kahlon had not anticipated Netanyahus conduct and feared that Netanyahu would make good on his threat to call early elections at a time when Kahlon was not faring well in polls. The compromise reached provided Kahlon with a face-saving option and defused the crisis. It gave him more time in office and he does not intended to squander it.

Kahlon realized this week that he risked being dragged into an unfolding security scandal in which his voters are not overly interested. He decided not to get involved, sticking instead to the agenda that had brought him to the finance ministry over two years ago and the role he had undertaken: defending the weak and young, lobbying the government for the ordinary people.

The crisis over the establishment of the broadcasting corporation was undoubtedly the most traumatic event for Kahlon in an otherwise cushy political career. Kahlon is a pragmatist who single-handedly formed a political party and garnered an impressive 10 Knesset seats in his electoral debut, and the last thing he wanted was to see his small political enterprise going down in flames.

His plan was simple: return to his element, to the goal he set himself during his election campaign and throughout his tenure as finance minister: to resolve the housing crisis. Anyone following his activity in recent months can easily see that the Kulanu chair is in the midst of an election campaign. It began with a tax break plan to increase the disposable income of young working families. It was called family net, with childcare subsidies and significant discounts on popular household appliances, but was in fact a campaign ploy. That move was followed by aggressive promotion of a housing plan offering tens of thousands of discounted apartments to young couples.

A professional film crew has been documenting Kahlon throughout all this, editing and disseminating the footage on social media. As far as Kahlon is concerned, the elections are here. However, just as his decline in the polls was arrested and he began to recover, Kahlon sustained another blow: Avi Gabbay, his former protege, was elected this month to lead the opposition Labor Party.

Kahlon is responsible for Gabbays political career. He brought him into the newly formed Kulanu, named him its director and then appointed him to a ministerial position, but then something went wrong. Gabbay resigned from the government last May, accusing it of corruption. He betrayed Kahlon, as far as Kahlon was concerned. A few months later Gabbay registered as a member of Labor and managed to take control of it in the primary elections, confounding forecasters. Now Kahlon is forced to watch in dismay as his former party stalwart leads a new one (the Zionist Camp, of which Labor is the main partner) that holds 24 Knesset seats  more than double what he has. A close associate of Kahlon told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that the betrayal has been difficult for Kahlon to stomach, and at some point, when the time is right, He will be the one sticking a pin into Gabbays balloon. Kahlon is one of the most wily and vengeful politicians around. He is biding his time, but the poisoned arrows will be deployed.

The result of these treacherous developments once again places Netanyahu and Kahlon on the same side with the same interests. Proof of this rapprochement was provided in an agreement reached this week between Kulanu and the Likud to avoid controversial bill proposals in the winter Knesset session that begins in October. The session is already expected to be politically volatile, and the understandings are designed to ensure the governments stability.

Kahlon has undergone interesting changes. The man considered the moderate, sane force in the right-wing Netanyahu government, a defender of principles and the Supreme Court, is conducting himself as though the elections have already been called.
July 28, 2017

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his official Facebook page July 26 to announce that he is taking steps to shut down Al Jazeera's Israel bureau. He claimed that the news agency "continues to incite violence around the Temple Mount," and that he "appealed to law enforcement agencies several times to close Al Jazeera's office in Jerusalem. If this is not possible because of legal interpretation, I am going to seek to have the necessary legislation adopted to expel Al Jazeera from Israel."

Al Jazeera's offices in Israel are located in Jerusalem. During the crisis surrounding the Temple Mount, representatives of the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) spokesperson's unit approached the network on several occasions, asking it to allow Israeli representatives to appear on air, in an attempt to restore calm. One of the people interviewed was the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai. He was invited to the network's studios after the July 21 terrorist attack in the West Bank settlement of Halamish, in which three members of the Salomon family were assassinated. In the interview, Mordechai said that Israel was prepared to look into alternative solutions to replace the metal detectors on the Temple Mount, while still preventing terrorist attacks, like the one on July 14, in which two police officers were killed. This was part of a larger attempt to stop the wave of violence, which erupted after Israel introduced new security measures at the site.

Another frequent visitor to the Al Jazeera studios is the head of the Arabic-language department of the IDF spokesperson's unit, Maj. Avichai Edri. A representative of the network in Ramallah, the West Bank, who spoke to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, said that the requests by Israeli representatives to appear on air throughout the crisis sounded to him like distress signals. He said that the network granted airtime to Israel's official representatives for professional, journalistic reasons, but also to provide Israel with a platform to relay the message that it is not planning to change the status quo on the Temple Mount.

Nevertheless, anyone who watched the network's live reports from Israel and the West Bank over the last few days inevitably came away with the impression that Al Jazeera's reporters did goad Palestinians to demonstrate. Its reporters relayed the message that Israel was acting unilaterally at Al-Aqsa Mosque, while its reports failed to note that the metal detectors were installed in response to the July 14 terrorist attack there.

Netanyahu is not the only world leader who deems the Qatari network  the most important news network in the Arab world  to be hostile. In 2014, after the rise and removal from power of the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's military government declared war on its broadcasts. In June, Jordan and Saudi Arabia shut down the network's local offices as part of a larger boycott of Qatar. Kuwait, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates all declared a boycott on Qatar recently, claiming that the country supports terrorist organizations and radical Islamic movements. They also issued an ultimatum to Qatar, insisting that it shut down the network.

In the West Bank, too, attitudes toward Al Jazeera are complicated and sensitive. On more than one occasion, senior Palestinian officials have accused the network of supporting Hamas. On the other hand, because of the enormous power wielded by the most-watched network in the Arab world, those same officials have no choice but to maintain a correct working relationship with it.

Netanyahu's demand that the Al Jazeera bureau in Israel is shut down is not unusual; he is joining a long list of heads of Sunni Arab states throughout the Middle East who feel that Al Jazeera's broadcasts pose a threat to their regimes. But is it the right step, as far as Netanyahu is concerned? Knesset member Nachman Shai (Zionist Camp), a former IDF spokesman and author of the book "Media War: Reaching for Hearts and Minds," told Al-Monitor that the prime minister's decision was intended to strengthen his standing among the right.

Shai said, "[Netanyahu] said that terrorists should be executed, and in the same breath he announced that he will expand the boundaries of Jerusalem and create separate Arab municipal councils [for Palestinian villages close to Jerusalem]. Then as part of all these decisions  intended to appease the right  Netanyahu announced that he plans to shut down Al Jazeera. There is only one way to shut the network down, and that is by proving that it really did violate the law. That can only be determined in court."

According to Shai, on a personal level, he avoids giving interviews to Al Jazeera, so as not to grant legitimacy to its broadcasts. At the same time, however, he pointed out that closing its Jerusalem offices would not change its attitude toward Israel.

Brig. Gen. (Res.) Hanan Gefen, who once headed the IDF's elite intelligence unit 8200, also believes that it would be a mistake to carry out Netanyahu's threats. In an opinion piece that appeared on the Israel Defense website, he wrote, "After spending a long time tracking the network's broadcasts, I know that Al Jazeera's audience in the Arab states benefits from a balanced picture of what happens in the State of Israel, complete with responses from Israeli spokesmen, accurate quoting of the Israeli media and spokesmen, and the use of nonaggressive language insofar as possible." More generally, he said that negative coverage of Israel by the network is marginal.

The civil administration also believes that the shutting down of Al Jazeera's offices would not be a wise move. It is only natural that Mordechai avoided speaking out against Netanyahu's proposal, but a COGAT source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, "The dialogue with the Arab world  through the most prominent media platform in the Arab world  would be cast into oblivion. That would be a mistake. It would be impossible to find a suitable alternative."

And so, even if Netanyahu does want to bolster his status on the right, the relationship between Israel and Al Jazeera is too important to make rash decisions about it based on unrelated issues.
July 27, 2017

It took quite a few months for David Dudi Califa to decide to come back to Istanbul following the attack by a suicide bomber on March 19, 2016, on one of Istanbuls busiest streets. Califa, a food blogger from Israel, was leading a gastronomy tour when an Islamic State (IS) bomber killed three of his friends and injured 10 more of his group, including himself.

Even while I was lying in a pool of blood and broken glass on that unfortunate day, I remember making a vow to myself that hate will not win. A little over a year after the incident, Ive decided to start again to build the bridge of friendship between the Turkish and Israeli people, he told Al-Monitor when he visited Istanbul on July 20.

Califa told Al-Monitor a year ago that although he and his friends had been physically and emotionally wounded, he still loved Istanbul and was determined not to hate the city that altered their lives forever. He came back and back again since then, several times, making new friends and healing his wounds around tables sharing food.

For a gourmet, the medium to build friendships is inevitably the table. Each time he visited Istanbul, Califa was more convinced that food brings people together and a good table chases away the bitter taste of fighting words and acts of violence that set nations apart.

Then he started reflecting on a peace mission with the motto, Food connects hearts, where he would bring top Israeli chefs to Istanbul and whip up a friendship dinner in memory of their friends lost last year. While it took time for my wounds to heal, the incident only reinforced my belief that food remains the best way to bring people together," he said.

The peace mission started with six chefs; they soon ended up being a gang of 10. The moment they arrived in Istanbul, they ended up in the streets, visiting shops and markets including Istanbuls Spice Bazaar, a remnant from the 17th-century Ottoman renewal plan at the very spot of a former Jewish market as part of the Yeni Cami (New Mosque) complex.

They tasted the best the city has to offer, from the finest restaurants to hole-in-the-wall street food places and popular eateries. They explored the culinary and cultural treasures of Istanbul on both sides of the Bosporus  one day shopping like locals in the bustling open air Kastamonu market on the European side, and the next day taking a boat ride up toward the Black Sea to taste the freshest fish.

Their merciless guide, Sinan Hamamsarilar, a foodie blogger who knows every taste corner worth visiting in the town, offered them an ambitious itinerary: On certain days the tight schedule included four lunches in a row, and at certain spots  like the famous local restaurant Ciya in Kadikoy (Asian side)  they were served feasts that resembled four lunches combined together. The venues ranged from the classics, such as the typical meze, fish and raki, to high-end chefs cuisine places.

After devouring Istanbul for three days, they started to cook. Inspired by the city, the chefs brought in their own interpretations connecting Israeli and Turkish cuisines, using local Turkish ingredients to create a fusion of both cultures. The Middle Eastern meze spread included hummus, labneh, baba ganoush, halloumi, an amazing kibbeh nayeh and charcoal grilled lamb sweetbreads. The team of Israeli chefs was from all around Israel, as well as having outlets around the world.

As they cooked, they sang and occasionally toasted glasses of Recanati wine made of Marawi grapes for friendship. Serefe and lchayim, words for cheers, echoed on the shores of the Bosporus. The mission was accomplished  the dinner meant for peace did indeed connect hearts through food.

But even the best of friends do not see eye to eye on everything, and in this case the bone of contention was the hummus. Israeli chefs did not regard the Turkish hummus as the real one. The kindest comment on Maksut Askars hummus at his restaurant Neolokal was that it was tasty but not hummus. Askar took it gracefully, telling Al-Monitor, This is the taste of my mothers hummus, and of course their mother's can be different. It seems that peace can be achieved at the table, maybe with the sole exception of hummus.
July 27, 2017

Two days after an Israeli Embassy guard shot and killed two Jordanians on July 23 in what appeared to be an argument over the installation of bedroom furniture at the assailants apartment, a talk-show guest on Jordans government-run TV station described Israel as the usurper Zionist entity." Public acrimony against Israel has transcended even the usual scorn often directed at the Jewish state that one can hear on private TV and radio stations and read on social media platforms and local news websites.

Anti-Israel rhetoric had been building up since a crisis at Haram al-Sharif in occupied East Jerusalem erupted on July 14 following a deadly shooting in the compound. Israels two-day closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque, an event that last occurred in 1969, and its subsequent installing of metal detectors at the gates of the holy compound, had enraged Palestinians but also infuriated Jordanians, almost half of whom have Palestinian roots.

Repeated interventions by senior Jordanian officials, including King Abdullah himself, had failed to dislodge Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus position. Clashes in the Old City of Jerusalem between angry Palestinians and Israeli soldiers had continued on a daily basis since July 21, when Jordans administered Waqf (endowment) Department  which is responsible for Muslim shrines in East Jerusalem  refused to enter the compound until Israel had removed the metal detectors and all other restrictions. By July 23, at least three Palestinians and three Israeli settlers were killed in separate incidents.

Jordans efforts to resolve the crisis in Jerusalem seemed ineffective. Israeli actions were seen as driven by hard-line ministers in Netanyahus government who contested Jordans special role in overseeing Muslim shrines in Haram al-Sharif and were pushing to allow Jewish prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is also sacred to Jews, who call it the Temple Mount.

But then the Israeli Embassy compound incident took place. It was an unexpected turn of events that jolted governments in Jordan and Israel. Jordanian security cordoned off the embassy and prevented its staff, including the assailant, from leaving. Despite his diplomatic immunity, Amman insisted on interrogating the Israeli security guard, later identified only as Ziv.

What happened over the following 24 hours remains unclear, and both governments have given little details. But it seems, according to Israeli sources, that Netanyahu had called on the Trump administration for help, having failed to contact Abdullah, who was in the United States on a private visit. According to the Israeli media, Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, intervened and contacted the Jordanian monarch. Late in the evening on July 24, the entire Israeli Embassy staff was evacuated from Jordan. Jordanian sources said that the staff was allowed to leave after hearing the testimony of the Israeli security guard. No other details were given.

Also that evening, Jordans media reported that Abdullah and Netanyahu had spoken on the phone and discussed ways to defuse the crisis at Al-Aqsa. And much later that evening, Israel announced that its security Cabinet had decided to remove the metal detectors at the entrance of Haram al-Sharif.

The release of the Israeli Embassy staff enraged Jordanians across the kingdom. Twitter and Facebook were alight with insults against Israel and criticism of the Jordanian governments handling of the affair. Local websites attacked the government for bowing down to Israel and letting the killer go free. Few accepted the governments version that a Jordanian youth, 17-year-old Mohammad Jawawdeh, had attacked the Israeli diplomat with a screwdriver, and many questioned the mysterious circumstances surrounding the killing of the second man  Jordanian physician Bashar Hamarneh, who was also the assailants landlord.

Thousands of Jordanians joined the July 25 funeral of Jawawdeh, whose family originally came from Hebron in the West Bank. They chanted Death to Israel and We are martyrs for Al-Aqsa. On the same day, three government ministers held a press conference with Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, insisting that there was no deal with Israel or a quid pro quo between the release of the Israeli Embassy staff and the removal of metal detectors at Al-Aqsa. He also said Jordan, which had to abide by international law regarding diplomatic immunity, will pursue legal steps against the Israeli assailant in Israel.

But the Jordanian public was not satisfied. Parliament members demanded the closure of the Israeli Embassy and the recalling of Jordans ambassador in Tel Aviv. They accused the government of gross negligence and failing to provide a convincing narrative.

There was further disdain for Netanyahus public welcome of Ziv as a hero once he returned to Israel. While tension over Al-Aqsa may have subsided for now, relations between Israel and Jordan are tinder dry. There have been serious confrontations, primarily over Al-Aqsa, between the two since the signing of the peace treaty 23 years ago, but this seems to be the gravest so far. The pressure is not only on Netanyahu to save his job, salvage his far-right coalition and rescue relations with Jordan, but it is equally heavy on the Jordanian government, which must be true to its word in pursuing legal action against Ziv for killing the two Jordanians.

Upon his return to Jordan on July 27, the king visited Jawawdehs family to offer his condolences. He also presided over the meeting of the National Policies Council, which usually convenes during national crises. He said the Jordanian state will dedicate all of its resources to bringing justice to the deceased. He called on Netanyahu to rise to his responsibility and take legal steps to put the killer on trial instead of dealing with this crime in a manner of political showmanship for personal political gains. He also said that the way Israel will treat the embassy affair and the killing of Judge Raed Zeiter in 2014 will impact the future of bilateral ties.

On the same day, Al-Ghad daily reported that the public attorneys office has charged Ziv with murder and that since the assailant has diplomatic immunity the case will be followed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to bring charges against him in his own country.

The kings angry but unyielding statements and his visit to the condolence house of one of the victims (he is expected to pay a similar visit to the family of the slain physician) will be welcomed by Jordanians who felt insulted and provoked by Netanyahus actions and their own governments perceived mishandling. But with the clashes at Al-Aqsa erupting again on July 27, Jordanian-Israeli relations will take a turn for the worse for many weeks and maybe months to come.
July 27, 2017

As the Islamic State's reign comes to an end in Iraq, the sectarian narrative of Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds  and the competition among them  is re-emerging. Political parties are mobilizing the three components to advocate a sectarian identity for each of them in post-IS Iraq.

In a series of posts on his official Facebook page, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi warned against "attempts by some to market sectarianism" after the liberation of Mosul from IS. "After liberating Mosul, new faces left their hideouts and appeared to speak in the name of the people of Mosul and Anbar," Abadi said in a post.

Abadi's remarks refer to certain demands that have been posed in the name of Sunnis in the liberated territories to divide the country along sectarian lines. The demands include calls for including Sunni territories in Iraqi Kurdistan on the premise that Sunni Arabs and Kurds both share the Sunni doctrine. This could mean dividing Iraq into Shiite and Sunni camps.

Arab villages in the north of Ninevah province witnessed demonstrations demanding the integration of their territories into Iraqi Kurdistan. Hundreds affiliated with Ninevah's Arab tribes from Zummar and Rabiah west of the Tigris River took to the streets July 18 to demand integrating their territories into Iraqi Kurdistan. Zummar and Rabiah, which are among the territories that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) aspires to integrate, are referred to in speeches by the regional government's officials as "Kurdish areas outside the administration of the Kurdistan Region."

Demonstrators also demanded that they be granted the right to vote in Iraqi Kurdistan's independence referendum, which is scheduled to take place Sept. 25. Tribal leaders on the outskirts of Mosul demanded on June 22 to integrate their territories into Iraqi Kurdistan and hold a referendum to decide the fate of their territories.

In Kirkuk, where the regional government also intends to hold the referendum despite the fact that it is not within the region's actual borders, Arab tribes, including the Abada tribe, supported holding a referendum over the independence of the region. Tribe leader Sheikh Khalaf al-Abadi told Kurdistan 24 on July 6, "We support the Iraqi Kurdistan referendum because the peshmerga forces protect all the components without discrimination based on religion or ethnicity and we stand with the side that protects us."

Prominent Iraqi Sunni cleric Ahmad al-Qabisi predicted in an interview with Samarra Channel on July 20 that Iraq would be divided, that the Sunni territory in Iraq would be in Kurdistan and that Iraqi Kurdistan will not only be for Kurds, as Sunni Arabs will join it since they sincerely want to be under its umbrella.

The sectarian competition in Iraq shows that there are two clear mainstream discourses. Shiite parties want to have the upper hand in the state through their political representation and by keeping their military factions within the Popular Mobilization Units, which was destined by the Popular Mobilization Law to work outside  but parallel to  the structure of the Iraqi army. There is also the secessionist discourse by Kurdish parties, especially the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which represents a majority in both the KRG parliament and the government.

Sunni Arab parties in Iraq are still unable to formalize the demands of their voters because they are not designed to support a united Iraq within a comprehensive national rhetoric that brings together other groups. Meanwhile, they are also unable to establish their own platform of administering Sunni-majority territories in post-IS Iraq, which sometimes makes them vulnerable to exploitation by Shiite and Kurdish parties according to their own political agendas.

In the past, Shiite and Sunni parties negotiated several compromises to support a platform by a Shiite party in exchange for the Sunni side receiving certain political seats. Now, there are obvious Kurdish attempts to exploit Sunni Arabs for the interest of the KDP's secessionist platform.

One example was when KRG President Massoud Barzani met with a group of Arab tribal leaders from the disputed territories in Ninevah July 22. In a statement, the spokesman for Ninevah's Arab tribes Muzahim al-Howeit said, "Sheikhs of tribes have expressed their desire to integrate their territories into Iraqi Kurdistan and also to include it in the fate-deciding referendum scheduled to take place Sept. 25."

Howeit called for "nominating Arab nationalists to become members of the Kurdistan parliament" in the future.

At the same time, Barzani is mobilizing Sunni Arab countries to receive their support for Kurdistan's independence. On July 4, Barzani met with consuls from seven Sunni Arab entities  Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Palestine, Kuwait and Sudan. Barzani gave the Sunni Arab diplomats his views about a post-IS Iraq and the reasons for holding a secession referendum in September.

Therefore, it appears that the Sunni Arab community is going to be used as leverage against Baghdad in the hands of the secessionist wing in Iraqi Kurdistan, while the Shiite political authority in Baghdad will continue to fail to embrace the Sunni community or help it formalize a nationalist platform that may help promote a national identity for a united Iraq. What's going to be lost in the middle is the interests of the Sunni community, which has long been suffering destruction at the hands of terrorist groups, and, on the other hand, has been neglected by the central Shiite-led government in Baghdad.
July 28, 2017

Tensions threaten to reach new highs this summer in Lebanon amid calls on social media to attack Syrian refugees and allegations that several Syrians detained by the Lebanese army had been tortured to death. We are witnessing a rise in tensions between Syrians and Lebanese, Prime Minister Saad Hariri acknowledged July 15 during a meeting at the Grand Serail, government headquarters in Beirut. The entire country feels the weight [of the refugees].

Amid chronic economic and social problems, Lebanon now hosts the highest per capita concentration of refugees worldwide, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Syrians constitute roughly a quarter of Lebanons small population, estimated at 4-5 million people.

In private, many Lebanese compare the current situation to the eve of the civil war (1975-1990), which was sparked by tensions between local communities and Palestinian refugees. Lebanese media often amplify this fear, publishing sensationalist articles like one in early May in Ad-Diyar claiming that there were 300,000 pregnant Syrian women in Lebanon, implying that the number of Syrian refugees would top 2 million by the end of the year.

The latest controversy began July 4 when the Lebanese army announced the deaths of four Syrian men in its custody. They had been arrested in late June along with more than 300 others during raids on several Syrian refugee camps in Arsal, near the border with Syria. The army asserted in a press release that the men  Mustafa Abd el-Karim Absse, Khaled Hussein el-Mleis, Anas Hussein el-Husseiki and Othman Merhi el-Mleis  had suffered from chronic health issues that were aggravated due to the climate condition.

Pictures widely shared on social media and by Human Rights Watch (HRW) show deep gashes around the mens wrists, as well as burns, bruises and, in one case, congealed blood around the man's ear. HRW showed the pictures to Dr. Homer Venters, program director at Physicians for Human Rights. In a statement to HRW, Venter asserted, It would be reasonable to conclude that the death of these men is the result of in-custody violence.

The Beirut Bar Association has prohibited Diala Chehadeh, the lawyer representing the families of the deceased, from talking to the press. Meanwhile, the army has stopped her from pursuing independent analyses of blood and tissue samples a doctor collected from the Syrians' bodies.

Its the first time that several people have died in the custody of the Lebanese army, Wadih al-Asmar, president of the Lebanese Center for Human Rights, told Al-Monitor. Asmar said he could not remember any such cases even during the 2007 clashes between the army and Palestinian factions near the northern city of Tripoli, during which more than 400 people were killed. To Asmar, this is proof that the army can behave according to the international humanitarian law when it has the desire to do so.

To Fidaa Itani, a journalist who spent a night in custody after taking to Facebook to criticize politicians for the June raid in Arsal, the message was clear. They arrested as many men as possible, he told Al-Monitor. It means the Lebanese army wants all refugees to leave the region of Arsal and go back to Syria. A large number of refugees has settled in the Arsal area.

Against this backdrop, the Socialist Forum, a left-wing political group with approximately 30 members, called for a march to be held July 18 in solidarity with Syrian refugees. An obscure Facebook group calling itself the Union of the Syrian People in Lebanon then rallied people to counterdemonstrate, disrupting the Socialist Forum initiative.

The [group] was posting racist videos against the Lebanese army and the Lebanese people, so we were put in a position that was really hard to manage, because we do not support racism in any way, Hani Adada, a member of the Socialist Forum, explained to Al-Monitor. The organizers received threats, including for allegedly managing the union's page, and ultimately canceled the event.

Wiam Wahhab, a former government minister, sent several indignant tweets calling for counterdemonstrations in support of the army and against terrorism. On July 16, Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk banned all demonstrations.

As the controversy grew, many expressed support for the Lebanese army on social media, for instance by changing their WhatsApp profile picture to the army's emblem. Activist and blogger Gino Raidy attributed the populist defense to the positive image the army enjoys.

In neighboring countries, the army is seen as oppressive, but not in Lebanon, Raidy said. The army is the one institution that is believed to be above corruption and sectarian issues.

Kareem Chehayeb blogged that voice messages were sent via WhatsAapp encouraging Lebanese to attack Syrians on the street. Even the staunchest defenders of the army seemed to take a step back, however, when a video surfaced of a group of Lebanese men beating someone who appeared to be a Syrian refugee and forcing him to pledge allegiance to the Lebanese army. The swift arrest of the perpetrators reassured activists, who also noted that the army was making a public show of cooperating with international nongovernmental organizations to shield civilians from the ongoing offensive by Hezbollah against militant groups near Arsal.

Asmar hopes that the outbursts of violence against Syrians will now be contained. We have only heard of four or five incidents during the last two weeks, when the tension was at its peak, he said.

One major sticking point remains, however: the investigation by the Lebanese army into the deaths of the four Syrian men. On July 24, the National News Agency said Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr had received a report from the army's Medical Committee affirming that the Syrian detainees had died from various health complications. The army has not officially commented.

Very often, the government is quick to announce an investigation if there is an uproar, but results are never released, Bassam Khawaja, a researcher on Lebanon at HRW, told Al-Monitor. The army should be able to take this kind of scrutiny. If these people died of natural causes, a full transparent investigation would make this clear. Otherwise, those responsible should be held accountable.
July 28, 2017

WASHINGTON  After twice certifying that Iran is complying with the nuclear deal, President Donald Trump has now asked top aides to provide him with options to exit the agreement. If he leaves under manufactured pretexts, however, the president risks isolating the United States while jeopardizing his administrations goal of containing Irans other troubling behaviors, former administration officials, allied diplomats and some administration allies warn.

Whats more, Trump has articulated no alternative strategy for containing Irans nuclear program should the agreement collapse. That raises the prospect that the president could generate a new nuclear crisis even as his administration faces the prospect that North Korea may be able to reach the United States with a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile within the next year, according to a new Defense Intelligence Agency assessment.

Trump telegraphed his frustration over being urged by his Cabinet chiefs to certify Irans compliance with the nuclear deal at a White House meeting last Monday. He told The Wall Street Journal that he thinks Iran will be deemed to have breached the accord by the time of the next congressionally mandated certification deadline in the fall.

Weve been extremely nice to them in saying they were compliant, OK? Weve given them the benefit of every doubt, Trump told The Wall Street Journal in a July 25 interview. But were doing very detailed studies. And personally, I have great respect for my people. If it was up to me, I would have had them noncompliant 180 days ago.

Asked if he thought Iran will be declared noncompliant in the fall, Trump said he did. He added that while he respects Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, he would likely overrule a recommendation to certify in the fall.

I think theyll be noncompliant, Trump said. I think theyre taking advantage of this country.

Look, I have a lot of respect for Rex and his people, Trump said. Its easier to say they comply. Its a lot easier. But its the wrong thing. They dont comply. And so well see what happens. I mean, well talk about this subject in 90 days. But, yeah, I would be  surprised if they were in compliance.

One tactic the Trump administration is considering to get Iran declared noncompliant is to push the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to request special inspections of non-nuclear sites that Iran may reject, the Associated Press reported.

If they dont let us in, boom, Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., told columnist David Ignatius at a Washington Post Live forum on Wednesday.

But nonproliferation experts briefed on the consultations in Vienna last week of the Joint Commission overseeing implementation of the nuclear deal said US officials there did not raise the prospect of pushing the IAEA to take such an approach. It would take five of the eight members of the Joint Commission to agree to back such an inspection request. The eight-member commission is comprised of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, China, the European Union and Iran.

Based upon my sources, it is not clear whether the so-called special inspection gambit has been discussed at an official level, Daryl Kimball, the executive director of the Arms Control Association, which supports the deal, told Al-Monitor. This may simply be a concept being pushed by opponents of the Iran deal outside the White House and inside the White House.

However, Kimball added, The Trump administration has made its intentions clear. The president wants to find a pretext for accusing Iran of a violation or noncooperation so he can trigger the re-imposition of nuclear-related sanctions.

But such a cynical ploy is not going to be supported, in my view by nuclear deal partners Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China because they see the agreement as working effectively, and any attempt to create a crisis will backfire, lead to the unraveling of the deal and to a nonproliferation and security crisis, Kimball said.

A European diplomat at the Vienna talks said the Europeans support robust implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, including IAEA inspections, but not as a pretext to collapse or renegotiate the deal. A renegotiation of the deal is not in the cards, the source said.

There is no way a renegotiation should work, the diplomat told Al-Monitor. But we are pushing for a very robust implementation, including in terms of IAEA access.

Corker said he had aligned himself with Tillerson, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and national security adviser H.R. McMaster in urging Trump to radically enforce the deal for now while developing a strategy to bring along allies for possibly negotiating a tougher deal in the future.

What I say to the president [is] you can only tear the agreement up one time, Corker said at Wednesdays Washington Post Live forum. So, when you are going to tear it up, since nothing bad is happening today  wait until you have your allies aligned with you. Radically enforce it.

You want the breakup of this deal to be about Iran, you dont want it to be about the United States, because we want our allies with us, Corker said. And at the end of the day, I know Tillersons goal is to negotiate a follow-on [agreement] that ensures that they never enrich uranium.

Corker said that while he was working to bolster the triumvirate of Tillerson, Mattis and McMaster to try to bring along Trump on an Iran strategy that keeps allies on board, it was evident that Trump was working the phones and listening to many competing voices.

If Trump acts prematurely to destroy the nuclear deal, Corker said, What is your next step? Once you do that, you are self-creating a crisis.

What we have got to do is get our allies with us, we have got to radically enforce, Corker said. When we have a plan where we are going to develop a policy outcome, that is the time. But to do it today, where you self-create a crisis, you are out of the agreement, you start putting sanctions in place, you lose your European allies. We have got a crisis in Syria, we have got a crisis in North Korea, we have issues to deal with with Russia. I just say, maybe you think about a better time to do it when you are looking for a strategic outcome.

Trumps comments in the Journal interview suggested he was listening to those inside and outside the administration urging him to blow up the deal sooner than that, among them White House chief strategy adviser Steve Bannon.

However, on Thursday, Derek Harvey, a hawkish Bannon ally, was forced to resign as the White House National Security Councils senior director for the Middle East, reportedly over differences with McMaster. A protege of David Petraeus, Harvey had advocated the United States take a more aggressive posture confronting Iranian-backed forces in Syria, Syria policy experts have told Al-Monitor. Trump and the Pentagon ultimately disagreed, arguing for the United States to prioritize defeating the Islamic State in Syria and working with Russia to try to de-escalate the conflict.

In the meantime, the family of dual US-Iranian nationals detained by Iran offered high praise of the Trump administration for its efforts to secure their release. Jared Genser, a human rights lawyer retained by the family of prisoners Siamak and Baquer Namazi, said senior White House officials had been meeting with him and his client regularly and conveyed the administrations determination at the highest level to secure their release.

Sources said the Trump administration had been engaging with Omani and UN officials and others about how to secure the Namazis release, and suggested that another swap of Americans held in Iran and Iranians detained over alleged sanctions violations in the United States and abroad, might be under consideration. Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi met with Tillerson and White House officials on July 21, after which the White House released a statement saying it was redoubling efforts to bring home all Americans detained abroad and warning Iran of serious consequences unless all American citizens are released.

President Trump urges Iran to return Robert Levinson home, who has been held for over 10 years, and demands Iran release Siamak and Baquer Namazi, who were taken during the [Barack] Obama administration, along with all other American citizens unjustly detained by Iran, the White House statement said. President Trump is prepared to impose new and serious consequences on Iran unless all unjustly imprisoned American citizens are released and returned.

The US House of Representatives also voted unanimously this week for a resolution calling for the unconditional release of US citizens and residents held by Iran.

On Friday, the US Treasury Department announced it was sanctioning six Iranian-based entities involved with the countrys ballistic missile program. The action was taken in part in response to Irans launch Thursday of the Simorgh space launch vehicle, officials said.

The US government will continue to aggressively counter Irans ballistic missile-related activity, whether it be a provocative space launch, its development of threatening ballistic missile systems, or likely support to Yemeni Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia such as occurred this past weekend, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a press statement. These sanctions target key entities involved in Irans ballistic missile program, and underscore the United States deep concerns with Irans continued development and testing of ballistic missiles and other provocative behavior.
July 28, 2017

TUNIS, Tunisia  Tunisias parliament has approved comprehensive new legislation targeting violence against women. The new law, passed July 26, represents a major change from the existing law.

Despite Tunisias reputation as one of the regional leaders on womens rights, violence against women has remained a major problem. In a 2010 study by the National Office of Family and Population, 47% of Tunisian women reported being victims of violence.

The new legislation, which was led by an amalgam of representatives from different political parties and civil society organizations, addresses several key issues. The law addresses different forms of violence, defining violence against women along the lines of the United Nations Handbook for Legislation on Violence Against Women: any physical, moral, sexual or economic aggression against women specifically.

Womens rights activists have spent decades pushing for this type of legislative change. After working on the law for over six months, the parliamentary representatives involved in writing it broke into cheers upon its long awaited passage. Parliament member Bochra Belhaj Hmida passed out celebratory jasmine blossoms. Other parliamentarians broke out in song, chanting the Tunisian national anthem in the middle of the assembly.

The law may seem straightforward, but lawmakers had to ensure it would be acceptable to most of their constituents. Given its importance, civil society activists were closely involved in perfecting every detail of the text.

Mohamed Ben Hamida, a research assistant at parliamentary watchdog organization Al-Bawsala, told Al-Monitor, This is a revolutionary law in Tunisia. Wednesday was a very happy day since activists have been working on these issues for more than 20 years.

Ennahdha parliament member Imen Ben Mohamed, who has herself been working on the initiative for over six months, elaborated, I believe this law is as revolutionary, if not more, than the 1956 Personal Status Code, which outlawed polygamy and formalized the procedures for divorce.

With the new law set to be implemented within six months, men who have sex with underage girls will no longer be allowed to escape prosecution by marrying their victims. This loophole shot to prominence when Ala Chebbi, a well-known talk show host, told a woman on national television to marry her rapist. Womens rights activists immediately called for the suspension of Chebbis show and went on the offensive to repeal the law.

On top of eliminating this loophole, the new legislation also raises the age of consent from 13 to 16. Both Ben Hamida and Ben Mohamed believe this to be one of the most important provisions of the new law.

Additionally, workplace and wage discrimination is now punishable by a fine of 2,000 Tunisian dinars ($817).

In the public sphere, sexual harassment will now be a criminal offense, punishable by two years in prison and a fine of 5,000 Tunisian dinars (just over $2,000).

Marital rape will now be criminalized. Before, judges were able to say that marital rape was not actually rape and therefore not a crime. Now, marital rape is always treated as rape, with no room for ambiguity.

As with any law, the next concern is implementation. The writers of the legislation made sure that the text clearly designated responsibility to different Tunisian ministries for preventing and properly handling cases of violence against women. Hospitals and schools will soon become venues for raising awareness so that Tunisia's newest generation is fully sensitive to the topic. Police officers, judges and other officials and public servants will be retrained. Belhaj Hmida believes the first years of its implementation will be difficult, but the same was true for the Personal Status Code, which took many years to take root in the collective psyche and state institutions.

Although the law is groundbreaking, some activists believe it is only one battle in the fight for true equality. This law only concerns violence and is only a part of our work. For Tunisia to develop, we need to continue working on womens rights issues, said Ben Mohamed. Belhaj Hmida agreed, saying, We would like to have included more, but had to make compromises to keep everyone happy. We hope to get rid of all discriminatory laws one day.

Human Rights Watch has heralded the law as a major accomplishment but expressed concern that it does not go far enough, pointing out that Tunisian Muslim women are still prevented from marrying non-Muslim men, an issue Belhaj Hmida plans to work on in the future.

Belhaj Hmida also wants to get started on removing unequal inheritance protocols, under which women receive only half of what men do. Ben Hamida said, We couldnt put everything into the violence against women law because this would have made its implementation too difficult. But our next fight is inheritance. We really need to focus on it, as it is a very complicated subject.

Regardless of its limitations, the law marks a milestone in womens rights progress not only in Tunisia but in the world at large. It codifies violence against women as specific and punishable crimes after years of the Tunisian legal system failing to protect half its population.
July 27, 2017

Celebrities sometimes suffer the consequences of overexposure, when their audiences turn away, tired of seeing them everywhere. Turkey's ubiquitous president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, appears to be feeling the effects of something similar: Erdogan fatigue.

Erdogan watches public opinion polls closely. His ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) routinely employs polling agencies to check the pulse of the nation, particularly those who identify with the party: That's one of the reasons why Erdogan has been able to claim and supposedly sustain his popularity. These polls are usually just for party insiders' eyes. However, in mid-July, Nuray Babacan from the daily newspaper Hurriyet reported that the results of two polls conducted after the April 16 constitutional referendum were leaked to the press.

One of the polls was about AKP voters' choice on the April 16 referendum, which greatly expanded the powers of the presidency. The poll showed that about 4% to 12% of the AKP base voted against the referendum. Also, Erdogan's fear of losing the youth vote was real: Only 35% of the AKP youth voted for the constitutional amendments.

The overall results of the April 16 referendum weren't pleasant for Erdogan, either; his dubious victory came with a significant loss of major cities, including Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. Out of 30 major cities, 17 voted no. Also, about 60% of first-time voters voted no. The long-dreaded truth has become clear: Erdogan lost the support of urban youth between the ages of 16 and 25.

The second poll aimed to compare the main opposition party's 25-day-long Justice March to the 2013 Gezi Park protests. About 60% of the overall population and 35% of AKP voters said they supported the Republican People's Party march, which ended earlier this month, and about 25% of AKP voters said they had no opinion.

Even more worrisome for Erdogan is that 76% of the population polled doesn't trust the justice system.

Hence, on May 30, after becoming AKP chairman once again, Erdogan said, "We will review and update all our provincial organizations in the cities, districts and villages because there is a metal fatigue that we need to [overcome]. We have to get ready for the 2019 elections with more dynamic and hardworking teams."

The strongest response to Erdogan's words came from Temel Karamollaoglu, the chairman of the Islamist Felicity Party. Karamollaoglu said changing the cadres of the AKP will be useless as long as the mentality  the fatigued metal  does not change.

Is it fair for one man to claim a victory as his own accomplishment while blaming the loss on the party? Since the end of May, Erdogan has used various opportunities to tell AKP members to be ready for a shakeup. Meanwhile, pro-AKP columnists keep busy explaining ways to overcome this exhaustion.

Yet, is altering the party ranks sufficient to shake off the exhaustion? The Cabinet was shuffled recently, but it didn't cause much excitement. People know well that Cabinet members, the prime minister or senior bureaucrats are only a means to serve Erdogans agenda  or as it is commonly referred to in Ankara, the palace's wishes. So, are the party cadres really the problem, or is the entire country feeling Erdogan fatigue?

The phrase "Erdogan fatigue" has been used now and then since he became president in 2014, after serving as prime minister since 2003. It's unlikely that any political leader who serves longer than a decade will have consistently high popularity ratings. It's normal for people to demand new figures in politics.

No one is mentioning potential challengers to Erdogan for the 2019 elections; still, Turks are increasingly exhausted by Erdogan's omnipresence. The AKP's leaked post-referendum polls are one indication. Another came during late-night ceremonies marking the one-year anniversary of the failed coup July 15. Before cellphone users could make calls, they were subjected to a 16-second automated anniversary statement from Erdogan, prompting an outburst by annoyed social media users. As emergency law becomes the new normal in Turkey, with arbitrary acts by law enforcement and courts, people are growing weary.

Plus, political snitching is encouraged and surveillance of ordinary people is becoming common in Turkey. For example, the AKP's Istanbul metropolitan municipality will start a program that requires all taxis to have audio and visual recordings of passengers. As public discontent increases, so does the surveillance.

When faced with criticism, Erdogan is not known to avoid confrontation. To the contrary, his popularity once thrived on displays of angry outbursts and macho tantrums. Yet, the returns on Erdogan's anger are diminishing. So another reason for Erdogan fatigue is the high cost Turks have accrued due to unsuccessful policies. This is most visible on the international front, where hiding facts may not be so easy for the AKP government.

For example, the EU Parliament has voted to suspend Turkey's accession talks. Germany and Greece are only a few of the countries that refuse to extradite Turkish soldiers and other alleged coup participants. Even though Turkey is a fellow NATO member, Germany is not only relocating its troops from Incirlik Air Base to Jordan; it just warned its citizens against traveling and investing in Turkey. After Turkey suffered sanctions for shooting down a Russian jet, Erdogan took numerous measures to make amends, but he still hasn't even managed to get Moscow's permission to resume tomato exports to Russia. The financial and human cost of Turkish involvement in Syria is still unknown. Despite all promises about drying mother's tears, Erdogan has failed to provide a sustainable peace with the Kurds. Plus, he wasn't able to convince the United States to stop providing military aid to the Kurdish People's Protection Units in Syria.

There is no credible data to compile a complete picture of Turkish gains and losses. But given that Turkey ranks sixth in the world in number of diplomatic missions abroad, Turkish foreign policy has not been able to deliver most of its stated goals. To the contrary, just the above-mentioned few facts cost various segments of Turkish society dearly, from farming to hospitality industries. As Turkey's credibility in the international realm melts like ice cubes in the desert, Turks find it rather difficult to blame anyone but Erdogan.

As for domestic politics, just looking at the wild and generous promises Erdogan made before the April 16 referendum is sufficient to see how big the disappointment must be for those who supported him. Erdogan promised the world to his voters if the referendum passed. Now, however, with a razor-thin and contested victory, the only promise is an intra-party shakeup.

A seasoned pro-AKP communications scholar told Al-Monitor, "Backbiting has reached its peak in AKP ranks after the July 15 coup. Loyalty to Erdogan is the foremost important criteria for survival." Some people are very unhappy "despite cushy jobs in government."

The scholar added, "However, they cannot leave. Any resignation or firing right now means you are marked as a Gulen movement supporter [and therefore part of the coup attempt]. No one can afford that. Yet, 'yes men' do not help produce sound policies. They are only good to generate save-the-day sound bites. This leads to an extremely lonely Erdogan, without access to wise guidance or opportunity to see his errors."

Given all his fears, we can only expect Erdogan to keep increasing the pressure on any critic, domestic or international.

Erdogan gained and sustained his popularity to an extent by projecting the image of an underdog. He has situated himself and his Islamist movement as victims of a staunchly secularist system. Yet, this routine has been wearing thin for quite some time. Erdogan has proved that he can flip-flop on his promises and most endearing commitments  as he did with Israel over the Gaza flotilla dispute. Abuse of state power as well as increasing nepotism are only a few of the mounting problems adding to Erdogan fatigue.

Most people in Turkey are tired of listening to Erdogan's undeliverable promises and angry rhetoric. Yet, when you turn off the television or the internet, he appears on your phone at midnight. The fatigue cycle continues.
Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said Alabama is currently in the running for economic development projects which could potentially yield more than 11,000 jobs.

Canfield, speaking at the Economic Development Association of Alabama's summer conference at Point Clear this week, said 2017 has already been a good year for Alabama.

In particular, Canfield said the automotive and forestry industries continue to expand. In the last year, those two fields have seen almost $2 billion in new investment, along with nearly 5,000 jobs anticipated.

In particular, Canfield said the state could see more action in information technology. On Wednesday, in Birmingham for Gov. Kay Ivey's announcement of her "Strong Start, Strong Finish" education initiative, Canfield said there could be an announcement "sometime soon."

"Things are looking good," he said.

Ivey's initiative, which aims to beef up STEM and computer science instruction in Alabama's schools, said it was important to train students because "Sec. Canfield's going to have jobs for them."

That strategy falls in line with something the state's Commerce Department has already been working on - a focus on technology-based jobs in advanced manufacturing and innovation. Engineering, research and development and design initiatives also can tap into the state's existing infrastructure among its research firms and universities.

"Knowledge-based jobs is really where our next focus needs to be," he said.

Last year, Alabama saw announcements for projects with about 14,700 expected jobs and $4.2 billion in capital investment.
Children's of Alabama is building a 12-story parking deck and a six-story office building on Birmingham's Southside in a $54 million investment.

The parking deck will go on what is currently a surface parking lot used by Children's employees between 16th and 17th Streets on the children's campus. The deck will add 1,500 parking spaces. Construction is scheduled begin in August and to conclude in spring of 2019.

Once construction is finished on that deck, Children's will begin construction on a 115,000-square-foot office building on the 4th Avenue side of the project. That office will hold non-clinical support services, many of which have been located outside of the main campus since construction began on the Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children building in 2008.

About 200 offsite workers will move to the main campus when the project is complete.

"This project will help to relieve parking congestion on our campus," Mike McDevitt, Children's Vice President for Facilities, said in a press release. "By adding this much-needed parking for staff, we can also dedicate space closer to the hospital itself for our patients' families and visitors. There are many days, especially during cold and flu season, when our current parking is, quite frankly, inadequate."

Brasfield & Gorrie is the general contractor. Williams Blackstock Architects is the project's architect.

The existing parking lot will be vacated and a warehouse on the corner lot will be demolished.

The parking deck and office building will be connected by a pedestrian bridge across 4th Avenue South to Children's existing Park Place building. It'll connect all of Children's Russell Campus facilities.
Jairo Vargas and his family came to Alabama from Colombia more than 20 years ago for a loved one's graduation, unaware they would soon pioneer Latino News, a successful media source for the state's Hispanic community.

Vargas, originally an engineer, didn't have any experience in the news business until a church leader approached him about writing a small bulletin in Spanish for the few Hispanic members of the St. James Catholic Church in Gadsden.

(From left to right) Vanessa Vargas, Jairo Vargas and Maria Vargas.

"I always enjoyed writing, but I didn't have any real writing experience before Father Kevin approached me about doing a news bulletin," he said. "It was so important for me to bring news to Alabama's Hispanic community, not only to inform the Hispanic people on local, national and international news, but also to address the needs of the community and bridge the gap between the Hispanic and American communities."

The humble church column has grown into a weekly newspaper reaching more than 12,500 Latino readers in 14 counties. The organization, now based in Hoover, just celebrated 20 years in print in Alabama.

Because a large portion of the market is on Facebook, Latino News also produces a daily broadcast for online viewers and offers an app that digitizes and archives all of its publications. A website is available to translate Latino News into any language.

As newspapers everywhere struggle to stay afloat, Vargas said he feels confident for the future.

"As I said before, we will go wherever the technology goes," he said. "We have survived the ups and downs of print journalism by adapting to most effectively meet our readers' needs."

Latino News started in Gadsden before moving to Birmingham in 2005. The agency had offices in Trussville and Irondale before settling in Hoover more than six years ago. The Times Daily, owned by the Tennessee Valley Printing Co., prints the weekly newspaper in Florence.

The publication began the digital transition in 2012, starting with a simple web page and evolving into a full digital version online. Latino News now has a strong presence on Facebook and YouTube.

"I've always said that the competition for our industry is not other publications  it's technology," Vargas said. "In our market, many of our readers still read a newspaper, but many immigrants solely rely on social media as their news source, especially when everything is so readily available on their phones."

One of Vargas' goals is to support small businesses, especially those within the Hispanic community. Vargas was recently named Hands On Birmingham's IGNITE 2017 Small Business Volunteer of the Year for his dedication to small business and the local community.

Vargas said Latino News gives his family a platform to address reader needs while spurring economic development throughout the state.

"Many of the Hispanic small business that start a business do not have an idea of all the documents needed to open," he said. "We use the newspaper as a form to educate our community. Small businesses are the heart of USA, so it is important to help people and their business grow."

Latino News held a cocktail reception earlier this month to mark 20 years in business. Vargas' daughter, Vanessa, said she is proud of her family's efforts to guide the Hispanic community through life in Alabama.

"We're always trying to help our community," she said. "The impact is giving them the skills to further their business or their personal (goals) as well."

It wasn't an easy road transitioning from life in Columbia to Alabama without a lot of savings, but Vargas said he knew it would be the best move for his family.

Looking back at the resources he has provided to the Hispanic community, Vargas said he's glad they made the decision to stay.

"We had to maintain our legal status while trying to start a new life, make a living, be a father and a husband  all this plus trying to adapt to a new culture and language," he said. "After all these years, I can say it has been worth it."
A lesbian mother in Alabama has asked a Christian judge in DeKalb Circuit Court to recuse himself from her divorce case because of his stance against homosexuality.

Tiara Brooke Lycans, in her divorce case against husband Zachary Thomas Lycans, filed two motions earlier this year asking trial Judge Shaunathan C. Bell to recuse himself from the case. Bell declined to recuse himself both times.

Tiara Lycans then petitioned the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, which on Thursday also denied her request for recusal.

She has argued in her requests for recusal that Bell has for 15 years been a preacher at a fundamentalist church and continued to serve as a preacher even after taking office as a judge.

In his campaign materials, Bell listed his political views as "conservative" and his religious views as "Baptist."

Tiara Lycans argued that Bell's "publicly expressed belief that homosexual relationships and marriages are contrary to God's law" might influence his decision-making on the custody of the child born to her marriage with Zachary Lycans, according to court documents.

The appeals court noted that Judge Bell, in his initial pending ruling on custody, granted the Lycans joint physical custody alternating weekly, and that he had done the same in two other divorce cases involving lesbian mothers.
Two Birmingham men are behind bars after state investigators say they basically supported themselves by scamming insurance companies.

Alabama's Department of Insurance, the criminal investigative division of the State Fire Marshal's Office, on Thursday announced the arrests of Julius Lorenzo Parker, 37, and Kenyatta Jamelle Hunter, 41. Both are charged with several counts of insurance fraud.

Assistant State Fire Marshal Jim Finn said Alabama authorities in June were contacted by USAA Insurance investigators in Los Angeles. They had been tracking fraudulent claims all over the U.S. and believed their suspects were possibly from Alabama. The two agencies teamed up to track them down.

Basically, Finn said, the suspects would use fake identities and information to apply for insurance policies on homes or vehicles and then would quickly file claims for various losses and damages. They would say a storm had come through or they had been in a car accident. As insurance companies will do, they fronted the men anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to a couple thousand dollars for their immediate needs such as shelter, clothing and transportation.

Finn said they operated in Birmingham, Nashville, Atlanta but most in the Birmingham area. They lived pretty much on the street and when the cash ran low, they'd do a couple of claims,'' he said.

Finn said the suspects set up special bank accounts to receive those funds electronically, and were caught on surveillance cameras using those bank accounts to buy goods. "They would make two or three claims and then go,'' Finn said. "They knew just how to fly under the radar."

Both suspects have lengthy arrest histories involving identity theft, fraud, stolen credit cards and auto theft dating back as far as the early 2000s.

They are now being held in the Jefferson County Jail. Parker's bond on the new charges was set at $55,000 and Hunter's bond at $5,000. However, they are also now charged with parole violation of previous convictions and are being held on no bond.
Sam McLure, a candidate for state attorney general, has apologized to former Attorney General Luther Strange, saying he went too far in comments he made about Strange at a press conference on July 20.

McLure said he realized he might have unintentionally accused Strange of bribing his way into the appointment to the U.S. Senate by former Gov. Robert Bentley.

"The way that we worded our press release and the way that I spoke at our press conference on Thursday I think I probably crossed the line," McLure said in a press release issued today. "So, I want to acknowledge that publicly, I want to repent of that, and I want to explain it."

McLure, however, says there still should be an investigation into the events surrounding Bentley's appointment of Strange.

McLure sent today's press release with the subject line: Retraction.

He included the comments he made on July 20 that he apologized for:

"It's crystal clear that Luther Strange chose self-promotion over his duty to the people of Alabama. When someone acts with such cavalier disregard for ethical conduct ... when someone does that in broad daylight, it screams out for zealous investigation into what happened behind closed doors. Luther Strange, Mike Hubbard, Oliver Robinson ... in many ways these are just fruit from a poisonous tree. The roots of this corruption lead to a few politico-power brokers who bribe and manipulate the mechanism of government for their own greedy ends ... crushing the rights and freedoms of the citizens of Alabama."

Referring to those comments, McLure said today:

"So, I was wrong. Luther Strange, please forgive me. I did not intend to communicate that you bribed anybody."

Bentley appointed Strange to the U.S. Senate on Feb. 9 to fill the seat Jeff Sessions left when he became U.S. attorney general. A few months earlier, Strange had asked the House Judiciary Committee to suspend its impeachment investigation of Bentley until his office could complete its "related work."

When asked about the potential conflict of interest after receiving the appointment, Strange has said that he never said his office was investigating Bentley, citing a policy of not commenting on investigations.

Bentley appointed Steve Marshall to replace Strange as attorney general on Feb. 10. Five days later, Marshall confirmed there was an investigation into Bentley when he recused himself and appointed special prosecutor Ellen Brooks. Bentley agreed to a plea deal with Brooks and resigned as governor on April 10.

The Judiciary Committee did suspend its work at Strange's request but later resumed and had started impeachment hearings when Bentley resigned.

While apologizing to Strange today, McLure maintains there should be an investigation into the Bentley appointment of Strange. In April, McLure announced that he and six others had asked the Alabama State Bar to investigate the appointment.

Tracy Goodwin, press secretary for McLure's campaign, said McLure's apology did not come at the request of Strange or anyone from Strange's campaign.

"This was something that he personally felt he needed to do," Goodwin said.
Photo by Waring Abbott/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- The Russian lawyer who met with Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower is the Russian government's "point person" in fighting U.S. sanctions and took the meeting to discus sanctions relief, a prominent Putin critic told Congress Thursday.



Bill Browder, an American-born financier who worked extensively in Russia, appeared before the Senate Judiciary committee Thursday. He's emerged as a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin after the death of his former attorney Sergei Magnitsky.



Magnitsky, who died in a Russian jail after accusing Russian government officials of stealing millions of dollars in a tax fraud scheme, is the namesake of the Magnitsky Act sanctions law against human rights violations passed by Congress.



Browder told the panel he has "no doubt" the controversial meeting in Trump Tower in June of 2016 was orchestrated by the Kremlin.



"The interest and the goal in that meeting was to repeal the Magnitsky Act," Browder said. "That's the one thing we can conclude with certainty about what happened in that meeting."



While emails released by President Trump's eldest son indicate that the meeting was arranged after Trump Jr. was promised compromising information on Hillary Clinton, Veselnitskaya told ABC News she attended the meeting to discuss the Magnitsky Act and Russian adoptions.



Kushner and the White House have both said the meeting was about adoptions.



Browder told senators Thursday that the ban on Americans adopting Russians was "retaliation" from Russia after the passage of the Magnitsky Act, and that any conversation about adoptions was tied to sanctions.



"This was a big ask, to go and ask the possible future next president of the United States to repeal a major piece of human rights legislation, they wouldn't have gone in and said please can you repeal this for us without having something to offer in return," he said of the meeting.



Democrats and Republicans in attendance Thursday vowed to keep the existing sanctions in place.



"There is no way that Congress would agree to repeal the Magnitsky Act," Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said.



Browder faced Congress alone Thursday, though the committee had initially invited Manafort and Trump Jr. to appear to discuss their meeting. Both are cooperating with the committee's investigation under threat of subpoena - which Sens. Grassley and Feinstein issued, and later withdrew, for Manafort.



He also testified that opposition research firm Fusion GPS, which funded research for the dossier of unverified allegations against President Trump, also worked separately to lobby against the Magniskty Act.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
London  Tucked away in one of Surreys verdant, leafy suburbs is the home of an Iraqi culinary icon, Naziha Adib, still famous for her half-century-old cookbook.

After entering Adibs home, the conversation quickly turns to tales of an Iraq that exists only in memories. Adib nostalgically leafs through old family albums that show her rubbing shoulders with political giants, such as the countrys former ministers of education and religious affairs.

Her previously out-of-print cookbook, which found its way into the nations heart 52 years ago, went back into circulation this year for the 18th time, with just 400 copies printed and distributed. The first edition has been upgraded with glossy pages showcasing Iraqs time-tested recipes and dishes from the wider region. Adib and coauthor Firdous al-Mukhtar have been described as the first women to grant Iraqi cuisine its rightful place in history.

Born in Ottoman Syria in 1925, four years before her family laid down roots in Iraq, Adibs mother  the daughter of a Kurdish Ottoman military officer  was one of Iraqs first women to open a primary school in Sulaimania.

Like her maternal family, Adib described her paternal side as Ottoman aristocrats. The Turkish influence, she told Al Jazeera, was evident from the dishes she grew up eating and from her mothers Iraqi dialect, with its smattering of Turkish. Turkish is one of three major culinary imprints Adib traces in Iraqi food, next to Iranian and Indian.

The Iraqi kitchen is a blend of all three flavours, Adib said, and when stripped of these components, it loses its richness. Syrian and Lebanese culinary influences crept into Iraq through intermarriage and commerce much later, she added.

At 14, Adib attended her first political rally in support of Arab unity. She graduated 10 years later from the Baghdad College of Law. At 32, she started her first desk job as director of domestic arts at the Baghdad College of Fine Arts. Less than a decade later, she and Mukhtar wrote the modern gospel of Iraqi food.

At 92, she has republished the book for the 18th time. Adib spoke at length about Iraqs golden years and the society she knew as modern, in not only infrastructural developments, but also in mindset.

Iraqi sociologist and food scholar Sami Zubaida told Al Jazeera that Indian food came to Basra and the Gulf largely through sea trade, while Iranian and Turkish remnants are age-old.

While everyone tends to think of certain dishes as their own, they are in fact a variation of existing themes and currents. It is in the context of interaction that people start to think what is theirs and not theirs, Zubaida said.

Rummaging through her personal archives, Adib pulls out a modern edition of Kitab al-Tabikh, a 13th century Arabic culinary manual.

It was 1960; I was invited to write the introduction to Daoud al-Jalbys book, who investigates the recipes that form Kitab al-Tabikh. What caught my attention was the Abbasid roots of signature Iraqi dishes, she said. Shorba, red and boiled meat, grains, aubergine and spices  still popular in Iraq  were all key markers of the Abbasid kitchen.

The evolution of Iraqi food continued well into Ottoman rule, the legacy of which distinguishes Iraqs staples from its neighbours.





Iraqs signature dolma is a dish that emerged first in the 15th century. Before tomatoes, onions and peppers were used, the leaves were stuffed with apple, melon and turnip. The vegetables currently associated with dolma were introduced three centuries later.

Adibs book is less concerned with food scholarship than with cataloguing every contemporary dish imaginable, from the wildly popular to the more adventurous, in an accessible fashion.

The book began its life as a radio show.

During my time as director at the faculty of domestic arts, I received a call one day from [a radio station] asking me to host a 10-minute show called The Womens Corner. I presented Iraqi recipes as part of the programme, by collecting one from books and magazines each day, till I found myself with 160.

READ MORE: When Iraq was the bastion of a thriving cosmopolitan culture

The programme was discontinued, but adamant not to let the recipes go to waste, Adib convinced her colleague, Mukhtar, to transform them into a cookbook. With the help of Mukhtars brother-in-law, they printed the first 1,000 books in 1965, charging one dinar a copy. They sold like hotcakes.

Recognising their success, the women proceeded to sell another 5,000 after republishing with Irshad bookhouse. The market was hungry for a book like this, distinctly Iraqi, Adib recalls.

Fake copies have have also been discovered over the years, printed and published in Beirut and London. Firdous would also call me from Baghdad, telling me, Dear, our book is being sold on the streets, Adib says.

This year, it was demand that sent the book back into print  countless online requests for copies, Adib says, looking surprised.

But bad experiences in the past discouraged her from going down the official book-publishing route. With the help of an Iraqi restaurant owner in Qatar, she produced additional copies: Without his help, I would not have done it, she says.

Adib utilised her own transnational business network of family and friends  between London, Dubai, Amman and Qatar  to move copies.

The latest publication bears testimony to Adibs ongoing relevance as the unsung queen of Iraqi cuisine.

She is not deterred by complex kitchen procedures, arguing that everyone who can read Arabic can recreate these culinary delights. Nothing is too difficult, she says.

READ MORE: The teahouse that holds the history of Iraqs Erbil

Her book has played an unparalleled role in standardising patterns of preparation and consumption in households in and outside of Iraq.

But todays culinary ambassadors are younger, diaspora-raised Iraqis.

Philip Juma, the London-based, British-Iraqi chef and founder of Juma Kitchen, is currently a household name for Iraqi cuisine. Through his involvement in the London pop-up and supper club movement, he introduced Iraqi cuisine to the British public for the first time.

Born to a father from Mosul, Juma grew up surrounded by the tastes and scents of Iraq, learning through one-on-one training with his father, he told Al Jazeera.

The response Juma has received from Iraqis has exposed culinary divisions between a diaspora seeking to reinvent their cuisine and an older generation set on fixed traditions.

Juma is currently working on opening a restaurant serving an Iraqi-only menu, reminiscent of when Iraq was cool and to rejuvenate the glories of its civilisational past.

Until recently, there has been comparatively little interest in Iraqi cuisine, and Iraqi names such as Naziha Adib are virtually unknown to non-Iraqis.

But even half a century on from her books publication, its relevance remains timeless, the mainstay of every Iraqi household.
Analysts say latest attacks in Israel and the occupied territories have exposed the cracks in Israels security system.

The latest attacks against Israeli forces and settlers in Jerusalem and the West Bank have once again exposed the cracks in the Israeli security apparatuses, experts and analysts say.

Israel watches over the Palestinians in minute details; their lives and their movements. But this surveillance does not work all the time. There are loopholes. Such attacks are difficult to predict, and what happened at al-Aqsa is proof of that, Elia Zureik, a writer and researcher on colonialism and surveillance, told Al Jazeera.

The attacks are relatively infrequent, and still, they cannot be controlled, in one of the most advanced countries in the world. They have not managed to escape them, Zureik said.

Over the past two years in what has been termed the Jerusalem Intifada (uprising), Palestinians  mostly acting on their own  have carried out routine attacks, largely against Israeli soldiers in the occupied territories. The attacks are widely seen by Palestinians as acts of armed resistance to oppression.

Since the uprising started, some 285 Palestinians have died in alleged attacks, protests and army raids. Simultaneously, Palestinians have killed 47 Israelis in car-ramming and knife attacks.

The majority of the attempted attacks have not resulted in Israeli casualties, and have ended with the killing of the Palestinian attackers. But recently, two Israeli guards were killed outside the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem in a shoot-out with three Palestinian citizens of Israel, who were shot dead. A few days later, three Israeli settlers were stabbed and killed by a Palestinian in the illegal settlement of Halamish in the occupied West Bank.

READ MORE: Israeli measures at al-Aqsa will increase Palestinian resistance

Despite the increased presence of Israeli forces in Palestinian neighbourhoods, and despite the states advanced security systems, Israel has not been able to control such sporadic attacks, raising questions about the effectiveness of the states security apparatus.

Hani al-Masri, director of the Palestinian Center for Policy Research and Strategic Studies, Masarat, said that while Israel uses all measures to spy on Palestinians  including mobile phones, social media accounts and all technologies, as a superior intelligence agency, there are loopholes in the system when Palestinians carry out successful armed resistance operations.

Thousands of Palestinians enter Israel on a daily basis without permits. This means that there are thousands who manage to break through the Israeli security system. So when there is a will, there is a way, Masri told Al Jazeera.

Since its controversial inception in 1948, the state of Israel has prioritised security above all else. Sixty-nine years into its existence, Israel markets itself as a model for hi-tech security and defence systems, exporting its products worldwide.





By framing itself as a vulnerable state facing an existential threat, the state uses the pretext of security to control the more than six million Palestinians living within its borders and under its occupation in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.

Mainly through the Shin Bet, the states internal security service, and its army, Israel operates one of the most advanced security apparatuses in the region. The Shin Bet and the Mossad espionage agency have an annual budget of $2.4bn.

Some of the methods Israel uses to surveil and control its Palestinian population include the Big Brother law, which allows Israeli police access to communications data on citizens; CCTV cameras; wiretapping; mistaarivim, or undercover Israeli units trained to assimilate with Palestinians for intelligence gathering; collaborators; and biometric identification cards.

In the old days it used to be just wiretapping the phone, but nowadays its more elaborate  they use things like drones today. They can also track down the signals from cellphones that Palestinians make and go after them, and they have an army of informers that spy on Palestinians in Israel itself and in the [occupied Palestinian territories], said Zureik.

In some Palestinian towns, this has become a joke; Palestinians know exactly who these spies are  they know them by name  and they would give them false information. So it doesnt always work out the way Israel wants it to.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Zureik added, Israel began using Palestinian women from Israel. They could produce pictures to show the women in comprising positions and blackmail them for prostitution to turn them into collaborators. Also, for Palestinians to get a teaching position today, they must first get clearance from the Shin Bet. Almost all governmental institutions in Israel have an Arab section purposed for monitoring the Palestinians in Israel and collecting information about them.

READ MORE: Jerusalem cameras more dangerous than metal detectors

In the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, Israel uses both direct and indirect forms of control over the more than three million Palestinians who live under its military rule. This includes checkpoints, colour-coded license plates, nightly raids of Palestinian homes, and a heavy military presence.

Using social media, Israel also monitors Palestinians and arrests them for any material it considers incitement. Between 2015 and 2016, Israel arrested more than 400 Palestinians in the West Bank and Israel for online content, mainly on Facebook. One such case was that of Dareen Tatour, who was arrested after posting a poem on Facebook that called on Palestinians to resist Israeli oppression.

Sami Shehadeh, an activist in Jaffa, said he used to be called in on a yearly basis for questioning.

There is complete control over our lives  over our expression of national identity, economic control, education system and our curriculums, Shehadeh told Al Jazeera. People are checked whenever they enter public buildings such as malls, schools, municipality buildings, and Palestinians get searched more extensively than Israelis.

Israel is a militarised society and its security is implemented in every aspect of our lives, he added. Were not treated as a people with a national identity  were treated as a religious minority. Therefore, we do not study the history of Palestine in schools, and all subjects are taught in Hebrew. They strip us of our identity to try and control our minds.

Israel also coordinates with the Palestinian Authority, a Ramallah-based semi-governmental body that governs parts of the West Bank, to foil attacks.

Still, loopholes remain. Despite the presence of dozens of military checkpoints between Israel, East Jerusalem and the West Bank, some can only be crossed by car. Soldiers do not always stop each car to search it and check the IDs of the passengers, as some of the roads are used by settlers as well. This means that Palestinians can bypass the system and get into Israel, although they face imprisonment if caught.

And while the separation wall splits East Jerusalem and Israel from the West Bank, Palestinians have found ways, albeit dangerous, to climb over the wall  mainly to find work and a better chance at living.

Additionally, though it is generally difficult to obtain weapons in the West Bank, Palestinians have resorted to smuggling and manufacturing their own. In Israel as well, a black market for weapons is thought to be where the Palestinian citizens of Israel found their guns.

But Ofer Zalzberg, a senior analyst for Israel/Palestine at the International Crisis Group, says the fact that most of the Palestinians who carried out attacks over the past two years were unaffiliated to any particular movement makes it much harder to collect intelligence about them.

Security measures cannot be 100 percent foolproof, especially when attackers are willing to sacrifice their lives, he told Al Jazeera.

OPINION: Palestinians have a legal right to armed struggle

Though Israel denies that the occupation and violence Palestinians face on a daily basis in the occupied territories is the main driver of attacks against its forces and settlers, analysts and locals say the attacks will continue as long as the oppression of Palestinians lives on.

Security measures, no matter what they are, cannot prevent resistance, and this has been proven over the course of the years; it is not mere speculation, Masri said. Were talking about anger on a national level  these sentiments of injustice do not stem from certain political/religious ideologies, they exist on a national level. Those who resist demonstrate the will of the majority of the Palestinian people.

Shehadeh agreed: These attacks are sporadic and there cannot be a security solution to them. If there is a solution, it will have to be a political one  one that needs to provide us with justice and equality.
With the resignation of Pakistans prime minister after the countrys Supreme Court disqualifed him for concealing assets and referred him, along with his finance minister, Ishaq Dar, and son-in-law Captain Safdar, to the corruption court for trial, we take a look at the candidates likely to replace Nawaz Sharif.

Shahbaz Sharif

Nawazs younger brother and closest political ally. Currently serves as chief minister of Punjab  the countrys most populous province and Nawazs political heartland. In order to become prime minister, he would have to run in a by-election for Nawazs now vacant seat in parliament to qualify as a candidate. It is unclear when that by-election will take place.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif

Nawaz Sharifs daughter and assumed political heir, Maryam holds no public office. She would have to run for election for her fathers now vacant parliamentary seat in a by-election. Her candidacy, however, would be fraught with risk given that the Supreme Court has referred her to a corruption court for trial.



Ahsan Iqbal

Iqbal has been at the forefront of implementing the $56bn China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as the countrys planning minister. He has been part of the PML-N since 1988 and was one of the people who kept the party alive in the years the Sharif brothers lived in exile following a coup by General Pervez Musharraf in 1999.



Khawaja Muhammad Asif

Having served as the minister for defence as well as water and power, under Nawaz Sharif, Asif is a close ally and long-time party member. He has been a part of Nawaz Sharifs inner circle for years, and has been vocal in his criticism of the political opposition.



Sardar Ayaz Sadiq

Sadiq is the speaker of the lower house of parliament and is considered to be close to the Sharif family. He would have to resign from his post as speaker to become prime minister. However, such a step would necessitate the nomination of a new speaker before his possible election.



Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan

A founding member of the party, Khan has been one of Sharifs political confidantes for years. In the present government, he has served as interior minister, a key post in a country conducting a military offensive against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and other armed groups. Khan, however, has expressed his displeasure with how the current political crisis has been handled, and recently said he was on the verge of quitting the cabinet.



Other candidates

A number of other less well-known PML-N candidates could be nominated for the position as an interim pick until the next elections, allowing the Sharif brothers to shore up the partys base in Punjab in the run-up to elections due in mid-2018.
As top diplomats from various countries flock to the Gulf in an attempt to solve the GCC rift, major energy companies continue to vie for competitive projects in the oil and gas fields in the region. The latest of these projects is the development of the South Pars/North Field, the worlds largest natural gas field, which is owned by both Iran and Qatar. This field plays a central yet often underrated role in the development of foreign and national policies in both Qatar and Iran. In light of this, any attempt for isolation or pressure on either country to alter select policies is futile insofar as it disregards this fact.

As several experts have previously noted, the tension arose briefly after the Riyadh Summit, when US President Donald Trump assured Saudi Arabia of his commitment to the region in the face of the Iranian threat. The US hope of forging an impenetrable GCC shield against Iran fails to appreciate the centrality of the energy question and exhibits a narrow sightedness based on the pursuit of self-interest. It is, therefore, predestined to fail.

Similarly, the ensuing Saudi-led blockade against Qatar is destined to eventually subside and give way to normalised relations in spite of the current tension. As a sign, perhaps, that energy trumps political antagonism, it is noteworthy that shortly after the rift, Qatar announced it would not disrupt liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which runs through the Dolphin pipeline.

The UAE receives about two billion cubic feet on a daily basis from Qatar. Egypt, similarly, will continue receiving Qatari LNG shipments which it secured till the end of 2017. Qatars LNG ships continue to make their way unhindered to Asia through the Hormuz Strait and to Europe through the Suez Canal.

Qatar and the LNG lifeline

On the Qatari side of the field, its discovery in 1971, which coincided with the states year of independence, has been crucial for state building and sovereignty recognition. It is no wonder, then, that in addition to being the single most important contributor to the countrys GDP, natural gas has also indirectly driven many foreign policy choices for the small state even where monetary returns are not directly involved. This includes foreign aid, mediation and education initiatives, to name but a few.

READ MORE: Energy market vulnerable to prolonged Gulf crisis

Qatars strategy towards its neighbours up until the early 1990s was hinged primarily on security provision and following Saudi Arabias lead in terms of foreign policy. Concrete changes started in the early 1990s in Qatars relations with other countries in the region, including improved relations with Iran and stronger ties with the United States at the expense of relations with Saudi Arabia, which took a blow following border and gas sale disputes. The fact that Qatar shares the largest non-associated natural gas field with Iran has influenced its relation with the latter since the 1980s. In order to maintain cordial relations aimed at stabilising natural gas supplies, Qatar has always adopted a more sensitive diplomatic approach to Iran.

In 1996, Qatar sought to export its natural gas to neighbouring GCC countries. However, the project faced numerous obstacles pertaining to pricing, transit rights and border disputes. This cemented the view that Qatar should look beyond its neighbourhood for export markets, especially as prices were more lucrative on the international market. As a result, the sale of natural gas to key international players such as the UK, China, India and Japan has inexorably linked customers energy security to the stability of Qatar.

Moreover, Qatars energy policy is closely linked to its investment policy as the national sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), recycles oil and gas revenue by investing heavily in Europe and North America. Therefore, the sale of natural gas is both a means to, and objective of, Qatars international relations.

The importance of gas in Iranian politics

The northern side of the gas field belonging to Iran was discovered in 1990, but gas production was delayed until the early 2000s because of a combination of geological and political problems. Although Irans economy is more diverse, petroleum still accounts for 80 percent of its exports. The oil and gas resources are also crucial for powering an ambitious industrial sector, as well as providing electricity and heating needs for a population estimated at around 80 million.

However, a number of challenges face the energy sector. Oil and gas production and export have been hampered by sanctions dating as far back as 1979. Additionally, the country has been cut off from global technological advances usually brought in by multinational companies and corruption and bureaucracy plague the system. The energy sector is in dire need of foreign investment that would revamp its infrastructure and increase oil and gas production efficiency.

The centrality of the energy question for both Iran and Qatar means that both countries will continue to put forward policies that favour the development of said resources even if it places them at odds with regional and global players. by

This year Total signed a 20-year contract with the National Iranian Oil Company using to develop phase 11 of South Pars.

The agreement benefits Iran in a number of ways as it creates jobs, brings in financing as well as technological know-how, and, perhaps most significantly, it ushers the way for other major companies to invest in Iran.

Political internal affairs in Iran are less stable compared with Qatar as conservative and moderate forces are involved in a tug of war over influence and popular approval. Although the current president, Hassan Rouhani, won a landslide victory for a second term, he lacks the full-hearted support of the countrys conservative establishment led by the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Therefore, for Iran, the development and production of natural gas not only satisfies growing national energy needs but also helps the current administration to maintain political support and fulfil ambitious economic promises which include overall growth through job creation and foreign investment attraction. It also helps prove that the Nuclear Agreement of 2015 engineered by the Rouhani administration is starting to bear fruit.

The geopolitics of natural gas

Both being aware of the growing significance of the shared field, Iran and Qatar recently announced further development plans. Following the signing of its deal with Total, Iran announced that its production capacity could exceed Qatars  although most of it would go to satisfy domestic needs.

A few months after signing the agreement, the self-imposed moratorium on further development of the North Field was lifted in April 2017. Although officials deny that these events are linked, it is necessary for Qatar to increase production to maintain market share in an increasingly competitive market.

The LNG market is becoming a more integrated global market in which prices are set by market factors, rather than geopolitical interests. The change was ushered in by the emergence of new players  as well as the increase in global supply, which ensures that LNGs price and quantity are not controlled by a monopoly. In addition to increased production by Iran, Australia is expected to become a top gas exporter, the US entered the export market, and Russia is ambitious to take the first place held by Qatar.

Under these new conditions, Qatar is likely to seek more than ever to maintain leadership of the market and will, therefore, continue to foster relations that support energy development, even if it comes at the expense of regional relations.

The centrality of the energy question for both Iran and Qatar means that both countries will continue to put forward policies that favour the development of said resources, even if it places them at odds with regional and global players. Therefore, any such attempts to isolate either country would not only be in vain, but also threaten the stability of a fragile region and endanger international energy security.

Susan Kurdli works as a researcher and an energy analyst. Her research interests include geopolitics of energy and Gulf political economy.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
The opposition say they will defy the ban ahead of President Maduros controversial Constituent Assembly vote on Sunday.

Protests that could affect the controversial Constituent Assembly vote this weekend will be banned, the government of Venezuela announced on Thursday.

National meetings and demonstrations, concentrations of people and any similar acts that may disturb or affect the normal development of the electoral process are prohibited throughout the country, Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said at a news conference in Caracas.

Reverol said the measure would be applied from midnight Friday until Tuesday, August 1.

Violators will be punished with imprisonment for 5 to 10 years, Reverol warned.

READ MORE: Venezuela has reached the zero hour  Whats next?

The protest ban was issued on the second of a two-day national strike organised by the opposition in an attempt to thwart President Nicolas Maduros plans to elect a Constituent Assembly that would have the power to rewrite the constitution.

Opposition parties have said the vote on the Constituent Assembly is a fraud to establish a dictatorship and planned massive marches in Caracas for Friday.

One congressman and opposition leader said the protest ban would not prevent Venezuelans from occupying the streets this weekend.

The dictatorship says we cant protest from tomorrow. So? Tomorrow we will no longer take the streets in Caracas but in all Venezuela!, Guevara wrote on Twitter, just minutes after Reverols speech.

A huge confrontation

Al Jazeeras John Holman, reporting from Caracas, said the protest ban was very unusual.

Even in this crisis-ridden and very divided country, weve seen over four years now of protests on and off against this government, we havent really seen that sort of announcement come out very often, he said.

So it is really serious here  there is a sense of upping the ante on both sides.





Venezuela has grappled with deadly political and economic crises as low crude oil prices have forced the government to cut back or eliminate its socialist programmes.

The crises have fuelled public anger and fed massive protests over four months that have left 108 people dead, according to prosecutors. Five of them  including two minors  died in protests during the two-day strike.

Demonstrations have intensified in recent days as the opposition seeks to thwart Maduros plans and remove him through early elections.

Fears of open civil conflict have prompted an exodus of thousands of Venezuelans into neighbouring Colombia.

Al Jazeeras Lucia Newman, reporting from Caracas, said that the opposition was also calling on trade unions who support the strike to protest in the streets on Friday.

So its not just to paralyse factories and shops and so forth, but actually to go out and protest despite this ban  there is clearly going to be a huge confrontation, she said.

Calls for dialogue

Meanwhile, Maduro on Thursday also called for talks with the opposition coalition to resolve the countrys political crisis.

I propose to the opposition  to install in the next few hours a table of dialogue, a national agreement and reconciliation, a national table of understanding, to talk about peace and the country issues, Maduro said during a pro-government march in Caracas, adding he would like the peace table to be launched before the vote on Sunday.

Al Jazeeras Lucia Newman said Maduro has been saying that he wants dialogue for months.

READ MORE: Venezuela  A country divided

But the problem is  what are they going to talk about? The opposition has become more and more determined not to give in at all  it says it listened in the past to the governments claims of wanting a dialogue, but nothing ever came of it, she said.

The opposition is also calling for early elections and respect of the opposition-controlled congress, as well as cancelling the Constitutuent Assembly plans.

These are all things that the government is highly unlikely to give in to because it would almost certainly mean  given the low popularity of the president  that he would lose control, said Newman.

International concern growing

International concern has mounted, with the United States, European Union, United Nations and most heavyweight Latin American nations urging Maduro to back down from his plan to hold a vote.

Some 70 percent of Venezuelans oppose plans for the constituent assembly, according to polling firm Datanalisis.





The US has responded to Maduros intransigence by imposing economic sanctions on 13 current and former Venezuelan officials, freezing their US assets and forbidding US entities from doing business with them.

Maduro branded the US punishment illegal, insolent and unprecedented.

The US on Thursday also ordered relatives of American diplomats to leave the Venezuelan capital ahead of Sundays vote.

The State Department says its also allowing US government workers to depart the embassy in Caracas and limiting the movement of those who stay. An updated travel warning also urges American citizens not to travel to Venezuela due to social unrest and violence.

Al Jazeeras John Holman said the withdrawal of US embassy families was also an unusual step.

There is a sense that this is working towards some sort of climax, he said.

There is a sense that the country is becoming more isolated, there are more divisions, and the opposition did say that this Constituent Assembly [vote] was zero hour.
Details emerging from Tuesdays ambush in northeast Nigeria suggest the death toll is higher than initially reported.

More than 50 people were killed in a Boko Haram ambush on an oil exploration team in northeast Nigeria earlier this week, multiple sources told AFP news agency on Thursday, warning the death toll could rise.

Tuesdays attack in the Magumeri area of Borno state on a convoy of specialists from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was the groups deadliest in months.

It underscored the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram fighters, despite government claims they are a spent force, and also the risks associated with the hunt for crude in the volatile Lake Chad basin.

Details of the ambush, which was initially thought to be a kidnapping attempt, have been slow to emerge and an exact death toll difficult to establish, as the military strictly controls access to rural Borno.

READ MORE: Northern Nigeria  Refuge for IDPs fleeing Boko Haram

Telecommunications and other infrastructure have been severely damaged or destroyed in the conflict, which has left at least 20,000 dead and more than 2.6 million homeless since 2009.

The army said on Wednesday that 10 people were killed in the attack.

But one source involved in dealing with the aftermath told AFP news agency on Thursday: The death toll keeps mounting. Now we have more than 50 and more bodies are coming in.

Its clear that the attack wasnt for abduction. They (Boko Haram) attacked just to kill.

Missing university staff

An aid agency worker in Magumeri, which is 50 kilometres northwest of Maiduguri, said 47 bodies were recovered from the bush as of Wednesday evening.

Eleven of them were badly burned in the attack. They were burned alive in their vehicle, which was stuck in a trench, he added.

We buried them here because they couldnt be taken to Maiduguri.

This evening (Thursday), six more bodies were recovered, including one soldier, and many more could be recovered because search and rescue teams are all over the place.





A medical source at the Nigerian Army 7th Division headquarters at Maimalari barracks in Maiduguri said: So far we have 18 dead soldiers. Ten were brought yesterday and eight more today.

At the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), a medical worker said: We have 19 bodies at the moment of civilians.

Fifteen of them were vigilantes (civilian militia), and four were staff from the university. They have been taken for burial.

The head of the academic staff union at the University of Maiduguri, Dani Mamman, confirmed they had received four bodies and said two of them were academics.

We got the impression our staff on the team were rescued because that was what the military spokesman said yesterday, he added.

But we were shocked when we were given four dead bodies. This means it wasnt a rescue. We still have other staff that are yet to be accounted for.

Hospital and army officials told the local Punch newspaper that the corpses of 18 soldiers and 30 others had been brought to a facility in Maiduguri following the incident.

The bodies brought to the hospital included 18 soldiers, 15 members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), a group of fighters to help expel Boko Haram, five local university staff and four NNPC drivers, Punch reported.

An ongoing threat

In a statement, Nigerias junior oil minister and the former head of the NNPC Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu described the attack as unfortunate but did not give a death toll.

OPEC-member Nigeria is looking to find new oil reserves away from the southern Niger Delta, which has been blighted by attacks from rebels wanting a fairer share of revenue for local people.

With production hit by the attacks, there has been a shift in focus to explore inland basins, including around Lake Chad in the northeast, where Nigeria meets Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Both Chad and Niger are exploiting reserves on their side of the freshwater lake.

Activities on the Nigerian side had to stop in November 2014 because of Boko Haram violence, but the military gave permission to resume exploration in November last year, according to Kachikwu.

Work is centred on a triangle of hotly contested land stretching from Gubio in the west of Borno to Marte in the east, and Kukawa, in the far northeast corner near the shores of the lake.

OPINION: Is another Boko Haram in the making?

There has been no serious suggestion that Boko Haram is motivated by a desire to control oil in northeast Nigeria.

But fighters, squeezed out of captured territory by the military counterinsurgency, may have been eager to make a show of force against the soldiers and civilian militia guarding the NNPC team.

In recent months, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group affiliate has been forced to rely on guerilla tactics, particularly suicide bomb attacks, against the security forces and civilian militia.

Women and young girls, in particular, have been used against civilian soft targets such as mosques, as well as the university in Maiduguri.
Grenfell campaigners decry punishment for corporate manslaughter charge, raised by UK police, which only carries fine.

Campaigners rejected a British police statement that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that local authorities may have committed corporate manslaughter in a deadly high-rise fire in London, saying the punishment for the charge  a fine  is too light.





The Metropolitan Police force wrote to residents of the Grenfell Tower on Thursday and said officers might interview senior members of the local council and the housing association that ran the public housing block.

The officer leading the case informed the Kensington and Chelsea council and the Chelsea Tenant Management Association that they may have committed the offence of corporate manslaughter, the letter said.

But since the offence is punishable by a fine, and not prison time, activists have decried the charge.

David Lammy, a Labour MP, said a fine would not represent justice for the Grenfell victims and their families.

At least 80 people died in the June 14 fire, Britains deadliest blaze in more than a century.

READ MORE: Grenfell fire  Residents demand justice

In a statement on Twitter, Lammy called on the police to consider gross negligence manslaughter charges instead as it entails jail time.

Justice for Grenfell, a campaign group, also said it wanted to see individuals named, charged and put on trial.

Survivors, bereaved families, evacuated residents and the wider community have been demanding arrests be made, the group said in a statement.

Angry residents want to know how building regulations, meant to be among the worlds best, could have failed so catastrophically.

Many accuse officials in Kensington and Chelsea, one of Londons richest boroughs, of ignoring their safety concerns because the building was home to a largely immigrant and working-class population.

The news also drew strong criticism on social media:

Shocking to think even if those responsible for #Grenfell fire are charged with 'corporate manslaughter ' they can only get a fine!  Wendy Bacon (@Wendy_Bacon) July 27, 2017

Exactly!!! That's we've been campaigning for an criminal inquest NOT A public enquiry with no teeth #Grenfell  Grenfell Watch  (@grenfellwatch) July 27, 2017

That is partially better; however, it does not answer who pays. The residents via council tax? That'd mean victims pay the fine! Hmmn.  Universal Basic Income Now, Fuckers! (@holski_beat) July 27, 2017

Why is corporate manslaughter treated so lightly? This fire was caused by greed and a deep disregard for people who are less well off.  Helen Burgess (@Helen_Burgess1) July 27, 2017

https://twitter.com/viren2468/status/890694984684498944

This is a disgusting betrayal !!!  Peter Burton (@pgb1758) July 27, 2017

Police told the Associated Press news agency that it had not made a decision on whether to charge any individual or organisation.

Investigations by the police, fire fighters and others are under way to determine how a blaze that started with a refrigerator in one apartment got out of control so quickly in the 24-storey building.

Attention has focused on the buildings new aluminium cladding, installed during a recent renovation, that could also affect thousands of other buildings in the country.
Seven journalists from Cumhuriyet newspaper must be released under judicial supervision, Istanbul court rules.

An Istanbul court has ordered the release of seven suspects in the trial of staff from the Cumhuriyet opposition newspaper but said other prominent defendants should be kept in jail.

The trial in Istanbul of 17 writers, cartoonists and executives from Cumhuriyet (Republic) on terror charges  ridiculed as absurd by supporters  began earlier this week.

The seven, including cartoonist Musa Kart, will be released under judicial supervision, meaning they have to report to the authorities regularly in the lead-up to the next hearing on September 11.

The court on Friday ruled, however, that five other employees of Cumhuriyet should remain jailed until the end of the trial.

They include the newspapers chief editor and a prominent columnist.

READ MORE: Turkey dismisses thousands of police and civil servants

The staff are charged with supporting in their coverage three groups that Turkey considers terror groups  the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the ultra-left Revolutionary Peoples Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), and the organisation of Fethullah Gulen, the US-based Muslim leader accused by Turkey of ordering last years failed coup attempt.

Those to be released were expected to walk free later from Silviri jail outside Istanbul after completing the prison formalities.

Their arrests are part of a widespread crackdown in the wake of a failed coup attempt last year, which has led to the imprisonment of more than 50,000 people.

Long live freedom

One of Turkeys oldest newspapers, Cumhuriyet has been fiercely critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, causing anger in the halls of power with embarrassing scoops.

Since Monday, journalists from the daily have given powerful testimony, rejecting as absurd the terror charges laid against them.

Ahmet Sik, one of Turkeys most famous investigative journalists, made a defiant stand in the courtroom on Wednesday, describing what he said was the Erdogan governments past cooperation with the Gulen movement.

This is not a statement for my defence, because I consider doing so as an insult to journalism and to the ethical values of my profession. Because journalism is not a crime, he said.

In 2011, Sik was imprisoned after writing one of the few full-scale investigations into Gulens organisation.

We know that what scares the tyrants most is courage, he said.

Sik could now face new charges over the statement after the complaint by prosecutors.
Clashes in countrys east come week after President Rodrigo Duterte called off peace talks.

Troops in the Philippines have killed four communist rebels during clashes in the eastern part of the country, a regional police spokesperson said.





The slain fighters included a regional commander of the New Peoples Army, the armed wing of the rebel group known as the Communist Party of the Philippines, police superintendent Nonito Marquez said on Friday.

No casualties were reported on the military side, Marquez said.

The soldiers were on patrol when they encountered about 30 rebels in a village in the province of Sorsogon, 383 kilometres south-east of Manila, he said.

The firefight marked the latest clash between communist rebels and government forces since President Rodrigo Duterte scrapped peace talks after a series of attacks by the rebels.

Government troops are also fighting in the southern Philippines against hundreds of fighters allied with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group (ISIL, also known as ISIS) who have laid siege to Marawi City since May 23.

OPINION: Dutertes reality check in Mindanao

No more talks, he declared on Monday at a press conference after his state of the nation address in congress, vowing to prepare the armed forces for war by recruiting at least 20,000 more soldiers and purchasing new equipment.

Communists next target after ISIL fools

Last week, soldiers and communist rebels engaged in tit-for-tat attacks that left several dead, prompting Duterte to threaten to launch a new offensive against communist fighters.

After we finish off those [ISIL] fools there, we will re-orient our offensive against the New Peoples Army, he said, referring to the armed wing of the rebel group the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Documents recently obtained by the army allegedly showed Maoist rebel leaders had ordered fighters to step up attacks after martial law was imposed in Mindanao on May 23, Ano said.

Peace talks between the government and Netherlands-based communist rebel leaders have been suspended since May.

READ MORE: The girl and her red shoes  a haunting story from Marawi

In April, government and communist rebel negotiators agreed to an interim ceasefire, but they have not yet finalised the guidelines and rules that would make the truce effective.

Communist rebels have been fighting the Philippine government since the late 1960s, making the movement one of the longest-running leftist armed uprisings in Asia.

Communists reportedly shot dead two soldiers who were buying supplies at a public market in the town of Roxas in Palawan province, 510 kilometres south-west of Manila, on July 19.

That same day, Maoist fighters attacked a checkpoint on the Mindanao Island, killing a paramilitary guard officer and injuring five soldiers from the presidential guard.
Official says Pentagon will not immediately change current policy allowing transgender people to serve in US military.

The Pentagon will not immediately change its policy after US President Donald Trump said transgender service members would no longer be allowed to serve, the most senior US military official said.

There will be no modifications to the current policy until the presidents direction has been received by the Secretary of Defense and the secretary has issued implementation guidance, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford wrote in a letter to the Pentagons top officials that was published Thursday on Twitter.

In the meantime, we will continue to treat all of our personnel with respect, Dunford added.

Trump on Wednesday broke with a campaign pledge to protect LGBT rights, writing on Twitter that the United States will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the military.

INFOGRAPHIC: Mapping hate  The rise of hate groups in the US

Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender (individuals) in the military would entail, he said.

The announcement appeared to blindside the Pentagon, which referred all inquiries on the matter to the White House, where spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders was unable to answer basic questions about the issue, including whether service members who are on active duty would be dismissed.





Trumps tweets drew quick, sometimes scathing criticism from many legislators, both Democratic and Republican, as well as many military troops and retirees. But social conservatives applauded.

Protesters demonstrated in several cities as well as outside the White House.

The American Civil Liberties Union said its chances of getting a court to block Trumps proposed ban might depend on the details of the plan.

While Trump asserted in his decision that transgender service members saddle the Pentagon with tremendous medical costs, the Rand Corporation estimates in a Pentagon-commissioned study that those costs would amount to between $2.4m and $8.4m annually.

To put that in perspective, the US military spends $41.6m annually on Viagra, an erectile-dysfunction medication, according to the Military Times.

The total estimated number of transgender members of the US military varies, with estimates ranging between 2,000 and 15,000.
US accuses Iran of violating UN convention after launching a satellite-carrying rocket into space on Thursday.

The United States has hit Iran with new sanctions in response to its launch of a satellite-carrying rocket into space.

The ballistic missiles sanctions, announced on Friday, target six Iranian subsidiaries of the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group, which the US treasury department says is central to Irans ballistic missiles programme.

On Thursday, Iran successfully tested a rocket that can deliver satellites into orbit.

The same day, Iranian state television showed footage of the firing of the rocket, mounted on a launchpad, carrying pictures of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

READ MORE: It is in Trumps interest to keep the Iran deal alive

The US said the rocket launch violated the UN Security Council resolution that endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal and called upon Iran to not undertake activities related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such technology.

The resolution stops short of explicitly barring such activity.

In a joint statement on Friday, Britain, France and Germany joined the US in condemning the satellite-launch rocket test, saying it was in violation of the resolution.

Irans programme to develop ballistic missiles continues to be inconsistent with UNSCR 2231 and has a destabilising impact in the region, the statement said. We call on Iran not to conduct any further ballistic missile launches and related activities.

The six entities being sanctioned contribute to Irans liquid propellant ballistic missiles, the US treasury department said, including development and manufacturing of engines, launchers, guide-and-control systems and ground support as well as the liquid propellant itself.

The sanctions freeze any assets the entities may have in the US and prohibit Americans from doing business with them.

US shows bad faith

Steven Mnuchin, US treasury secretary, said the sanctions illustrate deep US concerns about Irans missile testing and other actions.

These sanctions target key entities involved in Irans ballistic missile programme, and underscore the US deep concerns with Irans continued development and testing of ballistic missiles and other provocative behaviour, Mnuchin said.

The nuclear deal does not cover Irans ballistic missile programme.

Iran has denied it has missiles designed to carry nuclear warheads.

OPINION: Trump and Iran  Scenarios of escalation

On Friday, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Irans foreign minister, said his country is complying with the nuclear deal and suggested that the US is not complying with the letter and spirit of the deal.

Rhetoric and actions from the US show bad faith, he said.

Iran is not and will not be developing nuclear weapons; so by definition cannot develop anything designed to be capable of delivering them.





The fresh sanctions come as Donald Trumps administration continues debating its Iran policy and whether to scrap the 2015 nuclear deal.

During the 2016 presidential election campaign, the US president promised to rip up the worst deal ever made.

Last week, the US hit Iran with fresh sanctions, designating 18 individuals and entities for supporting what it said were illicit Iranian actors or transnational criminal activity.

Irans parliament retaliated by voting for extra funding for the missile programme and its foreign ministry said it would impose its own sanctions against US citizens.

Last weeks sanctions came just a day after the US administration declared that Iran was complying with the landmark nuclear deal signed two years ago.

US officials said the conditions had been met, but Iran is unquestionably in default of the spirit of the agreement.

Iran countered the US accusation, saying that it had violated the deal.

Abbas Araqchi, Irans deputy foreign minister, said the US was trying to sabotage the situation, to threaten or scare off foreign companies to invest in Iran.
Tensions grow after around 100 Israeli settlers forcibly take over a Palestinian home in the flash point city of Hebron.

Around 100 Israeli settlers forcibly took over a Palestinian home in the Old City of Hebron, raising tensions in the city amid widespread anger over Israeli-imposed restrictions on entry to al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

The settlers raided the Abu Rajabs family home, located in the southern occupied West Bank, on Wednesday.

Activists caught the moment on video and circulated the footage on social media.

Issa Amro, director of the Hebron-based Youth Against Settlements activist group, said the settlers began moving their furniture in on Thursday, right in front of the [Israeli] police and the army.

The Human Rights Defenders NGO posted a video on Facebook showing soldiers shoving and roughing up members of the Abu Rajab family as hundreds of settlers applauded.

[The Abu Rajab family has] been attacked by soldiers, police and settlers, and they were very intimidated, Amro told Al Jazeera, explaining that the takeover comes after a week of settler attacks in the city.

Yesterday, the settlers also attacked a Palestinian child who was walking past, and they threw stones at a family, Amro recalled. This is very common in Hebron.

Around 700 Jewish Israelis live in settlements in the heart of Hebron, where they are guarded by thousands of Israeli soldiers and police.

Around 37,000 Palestinians live in the same area and endure dozens of military checkpoints that severely limit their freedom of movement.

The city is divided into three spheres of control  including full Palestinian Authority (PA) administration, joint administration between Israeli military forces and PA police, and full Israeli control.

Settlers are changing the names of the streets and changing the names of the neighbourhoods, which is an obvious violation of the agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, Amro added.

Netanyahu intervenes for settlers

The home  known to settlers as Beit HaMachpela  has been the subject of a long-standing legal case, with settlers claiming that they legally purchased the property.

The Abu Rajab family rejects that claim, and Israels civil administration has said the settlers have been unable to provide proof of that purchase.

On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman to allow the settlers to remain in the Abu Rajab family home, the Times of Israel reported, citing unnamed sources.

A slew of far-right and nationalist Israeli politicians have publicly backed the settlers and called on the government to allow them to stay in the occupied home indefinitely.

READ MORE: Living in fear in Hebron

The entry into the home is another step in strengthening the natural connection of the Jewish people to its land. In the last few days in which Jerusalem has been under incessant incitement, I am glad that the people of Israel continue to establish themselves in the City of the Patriarchs, said Uri Ariel, Israels agriculture minister, according to the local Arutz Sheva news site.

Environmental Protection Minister Zeev Elkin, a member of Netanyahus right-wing Likud party, called on the prime minister and the defence minister to work to keep them in the house forever.

Peace Now, an anti-settlement watchdog, called on the Israeli government to evict the settlers from the home.

We demand that the government orders the immediate evacuation of the settlers who invaded Beit HaMachpela, the group said in a statement.

After their claims of ownership had been denied, the settlers have decided to take the law into their own hands and establish an illegal settlement that might ignite the region.

Earlier this month, the United Nations cultural arm, UNESCO, declared Hebrons Old City as a protected heritage site.

Hebron is home to more than 200,000 Palestinians.

The Old City is home to the Cave of the Patriarchs, a holy site for both Muslims and Jews.

More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in Jewish-only colonies, which are deemed illegal by international law, throughout occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank.

Last month, Israel began work on the first new settlement in the West Bank in 25 years to provide residences for settlers who were expelled from the Amona outpost  a settlement not approved by Israeli authorities  in February.

Jerusalem unrest

Recent weeks have seen a sharp surge in violence, with Palestinians holding daily mass protests against Israels crackdown on entry to al-Aqsa Mosque  the third holiest site for Muslims  in occupied East Jerusalem.

The unrest started when three Palestinian citizens of Israel opened fire on Israeli police in Jerusalems Old City on July 14, killing two officers. Israeli forces shot dead the three men in the subsequent shoot-out.

Israel installed metal detectors, security cameras and turnstiles at the entry to al-Mosque Mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount.

Throughout the two weeks of demonstrations that followed, Israeli forces and settlers killed five Palestinians, according to the Palestinian Maan News Agency.

Under increasing pressure as protests spread, Israel removed the metal detectors overnight on Wednesday. On Thursday, the cameras and turnstiles were also removed.
Foreign minister says assets of five groups, including two from China, to be frozen, as well as nine individuals.

Japan will impose additional sanctions on North Korea for its weapons programmes, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said on Friday, just hours after the US Senate also voted for new sanctions on the secretive state.

US media reported this week that the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Pentagon spy agency, had assessed that North Korea would be able to field a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by next year, earlier than previously thought.

Kishida told reporters that given the increasing threat posed by North Koreas missiles and the fact that no concrete proposals have been made to resolve the issue of Japanese citizens abducted decades ago by agents from the North, the steps had to be taken.

Given that we cant expect meaningful dialogue, pressure on them is essential, he said.

Japan will be taking steps to freeze the assets of five groups, including two from China, as well as nine individuals, Kishida said but did not give further details.

READ MORE: Three things to know about North Koreas missile tests

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference that the groups had engaged in activities prohibited by a UN Security Council resolution.

Kishida said Japan had been in contact with key allies such as the United States and South Korea, but gave no further details.

The US Senate voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to slap new sanctions on North Korea, Iran and Russia, including seeking to punish foreign banks that do business with North Korea.

North Korea has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes and the Security Council has ratcheted up the measures in response to five nuclear weapons tests and a series of missile launches.

The US is seeking further sanctions after North Korea tested a missile this month that was believed to be an ICBM.
Young protester succumbs to wounds after being shot by Israeli forces, as police renew ban on men under 50 at holy site.

A 25-year-old protester has succumbed to his wounds, becoming the fifth Palestinian to be killed by Israeli forces and settlers in two weeks of violence as tension mounts over discriminatory restrictions at al-Aqsa Mosque.

Muhammad Kanan, who had been shot in the head three days earlier, died late on Thursday in a hospital in the central occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said.





Kanan had joined thousands of Palestinians in the streets to rally against extra restrictions at Jerusalems al-Aqsa Mosque compound, protesting in Hizma, his hometown near Jerusalem.

Israeli soldiers and police cracked down on extended protests on Friday.

Police announced for the second week running a ban on men under the age on 50 attending the holy site, and closed several gates to the compound.

That announcement came hours ahead of Friday prayers, when thousands of Muslims typically worship in congregation at al-Aqsa Mosque.

Police fired water cannon and tear gas at protesters in Bethlehem, and there was a high police presence close to al-Aqsa compound.

We were barred from entering al-Aqsa, Salim abu Hani told Al Jazeera. We came from Beersheba to pray. We will pray in the street; there is no other way.

Beersheba is more than 100 kilometres from Jerusalem.

The situation has gotten worse, said 34-year-old Abdullah abu Hani, also from Beersheba. God willing it will become better and [the Israeli authorities] will remove the checkpoints.

Samira Edrees, a resident of the Old City, said she refused to pray inside the compound because nothing has been achieved.

How can I pray in there when there is no peace? How can I go in when my brother and son are barred? The police are acting like a gang, she told Al Jazeera.

Dozens of worshippers were subject to identification checks by Israeli police.

Al Jazeeras Imran Khan, reporting from Jerusalems Damascus Gate, said police were deployed in large numbers.

Theres a real atmosphere of tension, he said, explaining that Israeli forces were restricting movement from checkpoints between occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank.

Israel installed metal detectors and turnstiles at the mosque, the third holiest site for Muslims, after an alleged attack on July 14 when three Palestinian citizens of Israel fatally shot two Israeli policemen, and were later killed themselves.

Palestinians viewed the restrictive measures  which have since been removed  as an encroachment of Israeli control over the holy site, and a form of collective punishment.

They feared that Israel was attempting to change the status quo of al-Aqsa, which gives Muslims religious control over the compound and Jews the right to visit, but not pray there, and launched a boycott.

Instead of praying at the mosque, they worshipped in the streets and demonstrated against the measures.

Men under 50 banned again

Palestinian religious leaders who were satisfied with the eased restrictions declared an end to the boycott, and thousands of Palestinian worshippers returned to the mosque on Thursday for the first time since July 14.

But renewed clashes followed, with Israeli forces firing stun grenades, tear gas and sound bombs in the mosques compound, wounding more than 100 people.

Jamal Zahalka, a Palestinian politician in Israels Knesset, said Palestinians would continue to defend al-Aqsa and Jerusalem and insist an end to the occupation.

If there is no occupation, there is no struggle against occupation, he told Al Jazeera.

The compound, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount, is in occupied East Jerusalem.

Over 12 days of protests, Israeli forces wounded more than 1,000 Palestinians during clashes, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.

Three Palestinians were killed last Friday during Day of Rage protests across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

READ MORE: Israeli MK says he would execute Palestinian attackers family

Later that night, a Palestinian assailant hopped the fence of Halamish, a Jewish-only settlement in the West Bank, and killed three Israelis in their home.

Raed Saleh, a resident of East Jerusalem, said that re-entering the compound on their own terms was a victory for Palestinians.

We never saw this kind of win for our people, he told Al Jazeera. People are coming from everywhere just to support us in this occasion.

The Israeli government will now understand that Palestinians from Jerusalem will not accept everything they [Israelis] will tell them. We control ourselves. No one is controlling us.

Al Jazeeras Stefanie Dekker, reporting from East Jerusalem, said Palestinians view the removal of the cameras and metal detectors as a victory for the people.

Everyone we speak to says this is a historic moment, she said.

Yoram Halevy, the Israeli police chief in Jerusalem, threatened Palestinians and urged them not to continue their protests on Friday.

If they try to disrupt the order [on Friday], there will be casualties, he said, according to Israeli media reports. Do not try us. We know how to react vigorously.

Additional reporting by Ibrahim Husseini in Jerusalem.
Palestinian shot dead north of Hebron after reportedly trying to stab Israeli soldiers, army says.

A Palestinian has been shot dead after allegedly attempting to stab Israeli soldiers north of Hebron in the occupied West Bank.

The Israeli army reported the incident on Friday, but added that none of its soldiers were wounded.

The Israeli army published a picture of the mans identity card. It showed that the alleged attacker was 24- year-old Abdullah Taqatqa from Bethlehem.

Palestinian witnesses told local media that Israeli forces shot at him while he was around 20 metres away from them and that Taqatqa didnt have any type of knife with him or any kind of weapon.

The incident occurred at the Gush Etzion junction near a large bloc of Israeli settlements south of Bethlehem.

It comes amid soaring tensions between Israeli authorities and Palestinians over discriminatory restrictions in place at al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem.

A few hours before the Friday prayers, Israeli police announced for the second week running that men under the age on 50 will not be permitted to attend the holy site, and closed several gates to the compound.

A few skirmishes broke out in different West Bank towns and cities after prayers were over.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said that they have received 52 cases of injuries across the West Bank and Jerusalem, in protests against the restrictions on Friday.
Trump denounces latest reckless and dangerous action as US and South Korea conduct live-fire exercise in response.

North Korea has launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, according to multiple military reports, just weeks after the country tested a similar projectile capable of hitting parts of the US.

The US defence department said Fridays launch appeared to be that of a long-range ICBM.

After South Koreas military and Shinzo Abe, Japans prime minister, confirmed the report, the governments in Seoul and Tokyo convened meetings of their national security councils.

US President Donald Trump said the missile launch was only the latest reckless and dangerous action by the North Korean regime.

He said the US will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and protect our allies in the region.

Captain Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesperson, said the launch took place at about 14:45 GMT from Mupyong-ni, an arms plant in northern North Korea.

OPINION: Will Trump strike North Korea?

South Koreas Yonhap news agency, citing the countrys military joint chiefs of staff, said the missile was launched from Jagang province, and landed in the East Sea.

The launch left analysts concluding that a wide swath of the US is now in range of North Korean weapons.

David Wright, a physicist and co-director of the global security programme at the Union of Concerned Scientists, told the Associated Press news agency that if reports of the missiles maximum altitude and flight time are correct, it would have a theoretical range of at least 10,400 kilometres.

That means it could have reached Los Angeles, Denver or Chicago, depending on variables such as the size and weight of the warhead that would be carried atop such a missile in an actual attack.

In response to the North Korean launch, the US and South Korea conducted a live-fire exercise, Pentagon said in a statement.

It said the exercise used missiles that were fired into the territorial waters of South Korea along the East Coast.

China meanwhile, North Koreas most important ally, urged Pyongyang to abide by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and refrain from escalating tensions, according to a foreign ministry spokesman quoted by the Xinhua news agency .

A 45-minute flight

Earlier on Friday, the Associated Press news agency, quoting the Japanese chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said the North Korean missile flew for about 45 minutes and appeared to have landed in the waters of Japans exclusive economic zone.

The distance of the missile flight could have been more than 3,000km, Japans NHK said, quoting a defence official.

There were no immediate reports of damage.

The Korean Central News Agency said that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed on Saturday great satisfaction after the Hwasong-14 missile, which the country first launched on July 4, reached a maximum height of 3,725 kilometres and travelled 998 kilometres from the launch point before landing in waters near Japan.

The agency quoted Kim as saying that the latest launch reaffirmed the reliability of the countrys ICBM system and confirmed an ability to launch the missile at random regions and locations at random times with the entire US mainland now within range.

Kim said the launch late Friday sent a serious warning to the US, which has been meaninglessly blowing its trumpet with threats of war and stronger sanctions, the KCNA said.

The US military and South Korea had in recent days warned that North Korea appeared to be preparing for another missile test  possibly of an ICBM or else an intermediate-range rocket.

Al Jazeeras Kathy Novak, reporting from Seoul, said Fridays apparent missile launch was not entirely unexpected.

There were signs from officials in the United States and South Korea that preparations were being made for a missile launch in North Korea and that the Korean Peninsula was a high alert, she said.

She also said Thursday marked the anniversary of the end of the Korean War, and in the past North Korea has been known to take these proactive measures on important holidays.

North Korea created a stir on July 4 when it test-fired its first ICBM, a Hwasong-14 missile, which experts believe could have the potential to reach Alaska.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who personally oversaw that launch on Americas Independence Day, described it as a gift to the American bastards.

North Korea is not believed to have yet developed the technology to miniaturise a nuclear weapon to fit in a missiles warhead.

Tougher measures sought

The July 4 test raised tensions in the region, pitting the US, Japan and South Korea against China, North Koreas last remaining major ally.

The US launched a push at the UN for tougher measures against North Korea.

In all, six sets of UN sanctions have been imposed on North Korea since it first tested an atomic device in 2006, but two resolutions adopted last year significantly toughened the sanctions regime.

Al Jazeeras Patty Culhane, reporting from Washington, DC, said the concern is that the North Korean missile fired on Friday may have been another ICBM.

What the Pentagon is doing now is looking at the trajectory and trying to figure out how capable this missile is, she said.

Incidentally, the US military is preparing to conduct another test of a missile-intercept system in Alaska, perhaps as soon as Saturday.

That test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system had been scheduled before Fridays developments.

The US has layers of missile defence capabilities comprising several components designed to take down different types of missile at different phases of flight.
Local fishermen tell Al Jazeera they have been hired by authorities to dispose of bodies as trash in the Manila Bay.

Fishermen in the Philippines have revealed that they have been dumping bodies of drug suspects, killed as part of the countrys so-called war on drugs, on the orders of the police.

The bodies, called trash by authorities, have been thrown on the sides of highways and in Manila Bay over the past year.

Police are the ones coming to my house ordering me to take out trash, said Manuel, a local fisherman who has personally disposed of 20 bodies.

We usually throw them out in Manila Bay, he told Al Jazeera. Sometimes we put weights on it, so it doesnt float up.

READ MORE: The girl and her red shoes: A haunting story from Marawi

Al Jazeeras Yaara Bou Melhem, reporting from the capital Manila, verified the identity of one of the dumped corpses, who was known to police as a drug dealer.

Once, I saw the body of a friend, said Manuel. Im scared and wonder if I could be next.

Manuel said he does not trust the authorities who are playing both sides of the drugs war.

Thousands of people have died since President Rodrigo Duterte took office last year and ordered an unprecedented crackdown on drug-related crimes that has drawn global criticism and allegations of widespread human rights abuses.

You drug pushers, hold-up men and do-nothings, you better go out, he said during the election campaign last year. Because Id kill you. Ill dump all of you into Manila Bay, and fatten all the fish there.

Critics say the president has unleashed a campaign of mass murder by police and unknown assailants on the nations most vulnerable.

Police have reported killing some 3,200 people in anti-drug operations, while thousands of unlawful killings remain unexplained.

Human rights organisations cast doubt over the police reporting, saying more than 7,000 people have been killed in connection to the drug war.

READ MORE: Medical marijuana amid Dutertes drug war

Before February 2017, they actually had a higher number, and they decided to lower it April and May which didnt make sense for us, said Wilnor Papa, a human rights officer at Amnesty International.

Is it because the world is watching, is it because people are saying there are too many deaths? As far as were concerned its not just the numbers, but for us, one death is a death too many, he told Al Jazeera.

Philippine police, who vowed to continue their crackdown on drugs, said they would investigate the alleged dumping of bodies.

If its true, we will work on it, police spokesperson Diornardo Carlos told Al Jazeera. We will not allow any member of the organisation, the police organisation, to continue these wrongdoings.

There [have been] three focus [points] in the campaign from day one  drugs, criminality and corruption  which we are [tackling] through our internal cleansing process.








Qatars foreign minister also accused the four Arab countries that have blockaded Doha of violating international law.

Qatars foreign minister called on Thursday for the United Nations to help resolve the Gulf crisis and accused the four Arab countries that have imposed a blockade on Doha of violating international law.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told reporters that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt are showing stubbornness and have not taken any steps to solve the crisis.

He vowed that Qatar would spare no effort to overcome what he called violations of international law and said, the United Nations is the right platform to start from.

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman spoke to reporters after discussing the crisis with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who has supported regional efforts led by Kuwait to resolve the dispute.

OPINION: Qatar  Finding opportunities for reform in crisis

There is a role for the Security Council and for the General Assembly and all the United Nations mechanisms in resolving the crisis, said Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, adding that he briefed council members on the dispute a month ago.

The state of Qatar has already stated more than 10 times that we want to solve this issue by dialogue and we are not willing to escalate  and they need to retreat from all their illegal actions, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman said.

Chinas UN ambassador, Liu Jieyi, told reporters that the Security Council would take up the crisis if there is a formal request.

I think its something that should be sorted out among the brothers in the GCC and in the region, he said, referring to the Gulf Cooperation Council, which Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Qatar belong to. And I just hope there is a negotiation process for the various sides to sort out their difficulties.

At a standstill

In Washington, where Mohammed bin Abdulrahman met a day earlier with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the crisis appeared to be at a standstill.

That naturally concerns us, Nauert said. We are urging direct talks between all of the parties because we believe that in order for the situation to be resolved  and it does need to be resolved  they have to sit down together and have some direct dialogue.





However, UAE Ambassador to the UN Lana Nusseibeh said the measures taken were entirely legal, justified and proportionate and accused Qatar of grave violations.

We hope to see a diplomatic solution at the regional level through genuine engagement from their side, she told Reuters.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, and Bahrain broke diplomatic relations with Qatar in early June largely over their allegations that it supports terrorist groups  a charge Qatar rejects.

They initially made 13 demands, which Qatar also dismissed.

Last week, the quartet urged Qatar to commit to six principles on combatting extremism and terrorism and negotiate a plan with specific measures to implement them.

Qatars ruler has reiterated his countrys willingness to fight terrorism and issued a decree revising the countrys counterterrorism laws.

OPINION: The crisis of regional order in the Gulf

Qatari officials said the crisis was sparked by a cyberattack in May that they said was linked to the UAE. The UAE has denied any involvement.

The attack involved what Qatar says were fabricated comments attributed to the emir posted on the official state news agencys site and affiliated social media accounts in which he supposedly called Iran an Islamic power and said Qatars relations with Israel are good.

Qatar swiftly disavowed the comments but state-owned and semi-official media in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain continued to report the remarks for days.

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman told reporters on Thursday that the entire crisis has been based on a fragile foundation, which is a cyberattack, which is considered an electronic terrorism against the state of Qatar.

Imad Harb, Director of Research and Analysis at the Arab Center Washington DC, told Al Jazeera he does not think the crisis will end soon.

And its not ending because it cant be resolved  it can be resolved, he said.

The biggest problem is that the countries that have started this whole thing have really painted themselves into a corner from which they just simply cannot withdraw.
Russias foreign ministry hits back at proposed US sanctions and orders Washington to cut its diplomatic staff.

Russia has retaliated to tough new sanctions proposed by the US Senate, ordering Washington to reduce its diplomatic staff in Moscow.

In a statement on Friday, Russias foreign ministry said the United States must reduce its staff to 455 people by September 1. It added that it was seizing a compound and warehouse used by US diplomats.

We propose to the US side to bring the number of diplomatic and technical staff working in the US embassy in Moscow and the consulates general  in exact accordance with the number of Russian diplomats and technical staff in the US, the statement said.

The sanctions, outlined in a new bill passed on Thursday, violated international law and demonstrated extreme aggression of US in international affairs, Russia said.

It also warned the US it would respond in kind if Washington decided to expel any Russian diplomats.

The sanctions against Moscow are punishment for its alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election and its military actions in Ukraine and Syria.

According to the bill, US President Donald Trump would be barred from easing the Russia sanctions without first getting permission from Congress, a demand that could imperil his bid for better relations with Moscow.
A man born in the United Arab Emirates has killed one person with a knife and wounded six others in a supermarket in the German city of Hamburg.

Police said the man shouted God is greatest before he was overpowered by passers-by and arrested on Friday.

They said they were unable to immediately determine the motive behind the attack and were continuing to investigate every possibility.

Citing security sources, Berlin newspaper Der Tagesspiegel reported that the 26-year-old perpetrator was known to police as an Islamist and was born in the UAE, but they had not yet identified his nationality.





It was definitely a lone attacker, Hamburg police said on Twitter.

Police said initial reports about a possible robbery had not been substantiated.

At about 13:10 GMT, the attacker stabbed to death a 50-year-old man believed to be a German citizen.

Police said the suspect struck out wildly at others, wounding five more in the supermarket, a 50-year-old woman and four men aged 19, 56, 57 and 64.

Another 35-year-old man was hurt while overpowering the attacker in the street alongside other passers-by shortly after the killing.

All of the wounded were being treated or operated on in hospital, some of them for serious injuries, police said.

A police murder unit and a specialist politically motivated crime squad are investigating the attack and were able to secure the suspected murder weapon.

A witness told DPA news agency that the attacker repeatedly shouted Allahu akbar (Arabic for God is greatest) as he held up the knife.

I thought I was in a horror movie, I thought he would kill me, an unnamed woman who had been in the supermarket told rolling news channel NTV.

She said she feared she would die, as she was queueing for the till and couldnt get away.

The suspect fled the supermarket after the attack.

But people were running after him with improvised weapons, chairs and sticks  they ran after him into a side street, a witness Ralf W told Bild newspaper.

READ MORE: Berlin attack: Community spirit and resilience prevail

People chased after the killer with chairs, they were throwing them at him, Shaylin Roettmer, bakery worker, told DPA.

The witnesses slightly injured the attacker while they were overpowering him, before handing him over to police.

Police blocked off the lively and diverse high street dotted with cafes and shops in the northeast of the port city, Germanys second-largest and host of the G20 summit of world leaders in early July.

High alert

While the attackers motives remain unknown, Germany has been on high alert about the threat of attacks, especially since last Decembers truck rampage through a Berlin Christmas market that killed 12 people.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, known as ISIS) group claimed responsibility for the carnage in which Anis Amri, 24, drove the stolen truck through a crowd.

In 2016, ISIL also claimed a suicide bomb attack in the southern city of Ansbach which wounded 15 victims, and a mans axe rampage on a train in Bavaria that hurt five, before the perpetrator was shot dead by police.

READ MORE: As ISILs caliphate crumbles, its ideology remains

In one case of a homegrown attacker, a German teenager identified as 16-year-old Safia S was in January sentenced to six years of juvenile detention for stabbing a police officer in 2016 to support ISIL.

Authorities were also investigating an ISIL claim of the stabbing death of a teenage boy in Hamburg last October.

The 16-year-old boy was fatally wounded in the knife assault on the banks of the Alster river but a 15-year-old girl who was with him escaped unharmed after the attacker shoved her into the water.

Germany is a target, particularly because of its reconnaissance and refuelling missions to support the coalition fighting ISIL in Iraq and Syria, and because it has deployed troops in Afghanistan since 2001.
Houthi rebels say they are now able to target major cities and oil facilities deep inside Saudi Arabia.

In the two years since the Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemens civil war, fighting has often spilled over the countrys borders.

Until now, that meant shelling of Saudi cities and villages close to the frontier.

But the Houthi rebels who control the capital Sanaa, and much of the north of the country, have long threatened to take the war directly to Saudi Arabia.

The group says it is now able to target major cities in Saudi Arabia and claims to have successfully hit a Saudi oil facility in the Red Sea port of Yanbu last week. US officials have confirmed the missile attack but the Saudi government denied it.

The development is significant because Yanbu is more than 900km from the northern Yemeni province of Saada, from which the missile was launched. If Yanbu is within range of Houthi weaponry, then so is much of the rest of Saudi Arabia.

While the Saudis deny reports of the Yanbu attack they say, they did intercept a missile 69km south of Mecca this week. The Saudi-led coalition called that launch a desperate attempt to disrupt the upcoming pilgrimage season.

So if the Houthis really are capable of attacking cities and oil facilities deep inside the kingdom, what does that mean for the ongoing war in Yemen?

Presenter: Richelle Carey

Guests:

Hussain al-Bukhati  Yemeni political commentator and pro-Houthi journalist

Oubai Shahbandar  Managing director of Orient Media and former political adviser to the US militarys Special Operations Forces

Andreas Krieg  Assistant professor of defence studies, Kings College London
In this UpFront special, two former foreign ministers debate what it will take to fix India-Pakistan relations.

Seventy years since partition, and the independence of India and Pakistan, relations between the two nations remain turbulent.

There have been four major conflicts and numerous skirmishes since 1947 and yet the territorial disputes between India and Pakistan remain unresolved, and bilateral relations are marked by mutual mistrust.

So, can the two neighbours and nuclear powers ever become friends? What will it take to resolve the seemingly intractable Kashmir conflict? And how much of todays hostility can be traced back to partition?

To debate this in this UpFront special, were joined by a former foreign minister of each country: Hina Rabbani Khar, Pakistani foreign minister from 2011 to 2013, and Shashi Tharoor, Indian minister of state for external affairs from 2009 to 2010 and a current opposition MP.

I believe the fundamental problem that prevents meaningful friendship is, and Im being very blunt here, the nature of the Pakistani state, says Tharoor, author of the 2017 book Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India. In India, our state has an army; in Pakistan the army has a state. And the armys desire to continue to control an extraordinary set of resources and privileges  gives it a vested interest in stirring up troubles.

[W]hereas in Pakistan the military historically had a role, and now the democratic dispensation is eagerly taking its space back, says Khar, who remains a member of the Pakistan Peoples Party, currently in opposition. I fear that in India, the direction is quite the opposite.

For more on this topic, extra content will be posted to our Facebook page Saturday, July 29 at 14:00GMT.

Editors note: This debate was recorded just prior to the resignation of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Follow UpFront on Twitter @AJUpFront and Facebook.
The European Unions competition watchdog said Belgium and France have until the end of 2017 to take the necessary steps to remove the tax exemption.



The European Commission is requiring Belgium and France to abolish corporate tax exemptions granted to their ports, thus aligning their tax regime with European Union state aid rules, the EU competition watchdog said in a statement.

Belgium and France have until the end of 2017 to take the necessary steps to remove the tax exemption, the commission said.

The European Commission said it believes the corporate tax exemptions granted to Belgian and French ports provide them with a selective advantage, in breach of EU state aid rules, and that the exemptions do not pursue a clear objective of public interest.

The tax savings generated can be used by the port operators to fund any type of activity or to subsidize the prices charged by the ports to customers, to the detriment of competitors and fair competition, the commission said.

Various sea and inland waterway ports in Belgium  including the ports of Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Charleroi, Ghent, Liege, Namur and Ostend, as well as along the canals in Hainaut Province and Flanders  are currently exempt under Belgian law from the general corporate income tax regime.

These ports are subject to a different tax regime that has a different taxable base and tax rates, resulting in an overall lower level of taxation for Belgian ports compared to other companies throughout the country.

Meanwhile, in France, most ports  notably the 11 grands ports maritimes, the Port autonome de Paris, and ports operated by chambers of industry and commerce  are fully exempt from corporate income tax under French law. The 11 grands ports maritime include the ports of Bordeaux, Dunkerque, La Rochelle, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes-Saint-Nazaire and Rouen, as well as Guadeloupe, Guyane, Martinique and Reunion.

The European Commission will not be able to ask Belgium and France to recover the aid already granted, since the corporate tax exemption for ports already existed before the accession of France and Belgium to the EU.

The European Commission argued that removing unjustified tax advantages does not mean that ports will no longer be able to receive state support.

In May 2017, the commission simplified rules for public investment in ports, the EC said. As a result of the commission extending the General Block Exemption Regulation to non-problematic investment in ports, member states can now invest up to 150 million euros (U.S. $175.5 million) in sea ports and up to 50 million euros in inland ports with full legal certainty and without prior verification by the commission.
On Monday, July 24, the parents of terminally ill 11-month old British baby Charlie Gard agreed with his doctors to end life support and allow him to die. It was assumed that the court proceeding in London where this decision was announced would be the final occasion requiring the parents presence in court, allowing them to focus now on being with their son until the end. As it turned out, Connie Yates, Charlies mother, felt the need to return to the same court on Tuesday and Wednesday and appeal to the same judge for help.

In court on Monday, all of the interested parties  the parents, the hospital, the attorneys, and the judge  seemed to be trying hard to sound a note of unity. Before the next day, this feel-good front had dissolved when the hospital and the doctors refused to honor the parents wishes to allow Charlie to die at home. This request does not seem unreasonable considering the fact that Charlie has spent all but the first two months of his short life in hospital. High Court Judge Nicholas Francis sided with the hospital on that issue, but it was back to court again on Wednesday for another appeal by Connie Yates, this time to allow the parents the choice of the hospice staff to oversee Charlies final days and the length of time that he might be kept alive in hospice with the help of life support. The parents want Charlie to be on a respirator for at least several days after he leaves the hospital to allow them a decent length of time in a supportive environment to say goodbye.

Crying uncontrollably and shielding her face from photographers, Connie Yates leaves the British High Court, July 26, 2017

After the latest court hearing, the AP reported Wednesday afternoon from London:

Yates requested a medical team of her choosing that would work to keep her son alive for a week under hospice care rather than the few hours he was expected to survive once his ventilator was removed. The request indicated that the parents have backed away from their earlier expressed wish to take Charlie home for a few days of tranquility before his ventilator was disconnected and he was allowed to slip away.

Wherever Charlie winds up spending his last days, nurses from the hospital have volunteered to care for him in his final hours.

Mr. Justice Francis said the situation calls out for mediation rather than a court ruling, but he said he would rule on the details of Charlies future on Thursday at noon PST (British Summer Time) if the parties could not agree.

Less than five hours before the scheduled Thursday noon deadline, the Daily Mail published an article summarizing the latest information.

Great Ormond Street doctors said it was not practical to provide life-support treatment to Charlie at the couples home for days. They said a hospice would be a better plan, and they said life-support treatment should end shortly after Charlie arrived at a hospice.

Charlie Gard with his parents at Great Ormond Street Hospital



The Mirror published a running and riveting account of developments during Wednesdays court hearing, as did attorney and journalist Joshua Rozenberg who tweeted live updates from the courtroom.

Dr. Hirano Speaks

On July 15, it was revealed that Michio Hirano, M.D., a specialist in neurological disorders including the very rare condition that Charlie Gard has, was the expert who had been confidentially weighing in on Charlies case since earlier this year. Dr. Hirano, 56, is involved in innovative research and clinical practice at Columbia University Medical Center in New York and has a list of positions, accomplishments, publications, and research grants that have resulted in significant international recognition.

After the court hearing on Monday, July 24, during which it was agreed that life support for Charlie would come to an end and treatment of Charlie in New York by Dr. Hirano would not be attempted, Dr. Hirano suddenly became an apparent scapegoat and a target of the hospital, the judge, and much of the media. Overnight, this previous miracle worker (who had saved the life of another young patient afflicted with the condition that Charlie Gard has) became a quack, wicked, and a pariah who was only in it for the financial rewards, with allegations that he stood to profit from the therapies he was experimenting with and was prepared to use on Charlie.

Michio Hirano, M.D.

On Tuesday, Dr. Hirano finally spoke out in the form of a statement  the first time he has said anything on the record (other than in court) about this case and its aftermath.

In a July 26 article, US doctor Michio Hirano who flew to London to examine Charlie Gard after offering experimental treatment hits back at financial interest claims, The Sun does a credible job of summarizing the case in light of Dr. Hiranos new input.

In his first public statement since their decision, Dr Hirano hit back at reports he would have benefited financially from the therapies. He said: I became involved in Charlies case when I was contacted by his parents, and I subsequently agreed to speak with his doctors to discuss whether an experimental therapy being developed in my lab could provide meaningful clinical improvement in Charlies condition. As I disclosed in court on July 13, I have relinquished and have no financial interest in the treatment being developed for Charlies condition.

In this first out of court public statement on the case itself, Dr. Hirano, according to The Sun, went on to say:

Unfortunately, a [sic] MRI scan of Charlies muscle tissue conducted in the past week has revealed that it is very unlikely that he would benefit from this treatment.

The statement on GOSH patient Charlie Gard released by the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) on July 24 took on Dr. Hirano:

GOSH was concerned to hear the Professor state, for the first time [on July 13], whilst in the witness box, that he retains a financial interest in some of the NBT compounds he proposed prescribing for Charlie.

For what its worth, Dr. Hirano, according to The Sun, stated that he disclosed to the court on July 13 that he relinquished and have no financial interest in the treatment. It is probably water under the bridge at this point, but it would be helpful in setting the record straight if the court record could be consulted by someone with access to it to determine who is telling the truth here.

Before Dr. Hiranos name was revealed, I thought that whoever it was  at that point an unnamed foreign expert who was getting involved in the Charlie Gard case would wind up being a victim of unwarranted attacks for his efforts and would have his reputation besmirched. And so it was.

The sudden negative publicity directed at Dr. Hirano starting on July 24 suggests that other hospitals in London that declined to provide care for Charlie Gard at the request of his parents feared the same thing. For example, on July 11 it was reported in The Telegraph that Hospitals refuse to take Charlie Gard as relations between his parents and Great Ormond Street plummet:

Relations between Charlie Gards parents and Great Ormond Street deteriorated to such an extent that attempts were made to move the baby  but no other hospital would have him. A lawyer said discussions had taken place with other units to care for Charlie but unsurprisingly none wanted him.

The latest word from Charlies parents  for now

Chris Gard and Connie Yates with Charlie in his hospital room

Finally, in the wake of the blizzard of legal briefs and statements issued by different players during and after the July 24 court hearing, the most complete, informative, and compelling one is the statement by Charlies parents Connie Yates and Chris Gard, read to the court from the witness stand on July 24 by Connie:

Put simply, this is about a sweet, gorgeous, innocent little boy who was born with a rare disease, who had a real, genuine chance at life and a family who love him so very dearly and that's why we fought so hard for him. We are truly devastated to say that following the most recent MRI scan of Charlie's muscles, as requested in the recent MDT meeting by Dr Hirano; as Charlie's devoted and loving parents we have decided that it's no longer in Charlie's best interests to pursue treatment and we will let our son go and be with the angels. The American and Italian team were still willing to treat Charlie after seeing both his recent brain MRI and EEG performed last week. He's not brain dead (and never has been). He still responds to us, even now, but after reviewing the recent muscle MRI it was considered that Charlie's muscles have deteriorated to the extent that it is largely irreversible and, were treatment to work, his quality of life would now not be one which we would want for our precious little boy. They both agreed that treatment should have been started sooner. There is one simple reason for Charlie's muscles deteriorating to the extent they are in now  TIME. A whole lot of wasted time. Had Charlie been given the treatment sooner he would have had the potential to be a normal, healthy little boy.

The parents statement goes on for over 2,000 words and is highly recommended reading. It closes with:

Mummy and Daddy love you so much Charlie, we always have and we always will and we are so sorry that we couldn't save you. Sweet dreams baby. Sleep tight our beautiful little boy. Charlie Matthew William Gard Our hero.

Update:

Shortly after 11 AM EST (3 PM in London) Thursday, July 27, 2017, it started to be reported by the British press and the media in other countries that Mr. Justice Francis of the UK High Court had given an order for baby Charlie Gard to be moved without further delay from the Great Ormond Street Hospital to a hospice where he will inevitably die shortly after. The time of the transfer and the name of the hospice are not being announced in order to maintain the familys privacy. Charlie's parents, as this article notes, had accepted that Charlie would be moved to a hospice but they wanted him kept on life support there  and had lined up volunteer medical personnel and were willing to pay the costs  for a period of approximately one week so they could have some quiet and private time with their son before they let him go. The judges order came after the parents and the hospital had failed to agree on the details of a final plan for Charlie after a deadline of noon British time on July 27, given to them the day before by the judge, had passed.

This latest sad chapter in the lengthy story of Charlie Gard that has consumed Great Britain and been reported widely around the world provides more evidence  as if any is needed  that in the British system of single-payer socialized medicine, the state has the final say over the details of life and death of its citizens, rather than, as in this instance, the parents of a baby.

Peter Barry Chowka is a veteran journalist who writes about national politics, media, popular culture, and health care. His new Web site is AltMedNews.net. Peter's July 13, 2017 one-hour interview on The Hagmann Report can be viewed here
The other day a friend who works for a regional environmental group asked me if I had been doing any environmental restoration projects recently.

I replied that I hadnt been doing much lately because it had become obvious to me that damaged, desertified, land is so much more valuable than healthy land that theres not much demand for changing the former into the latter.

He looked extremely puzzled at that. As an environmentalist, hes absolutely convinced that his job and his life work is to make unhealthy land healthy.

Whats a green piece of land here in the southwest (restored or otherwise) worth? If its the kind of remote land which we typically call rangeland and, if its green enough to be called healthy, most likely it will produce a few burgers of the sort that sell for a buck or two at a fast food joint and thats about it. How valuable is that?

But what about a piece of land we would call wasteland? In really bad shape, mostly bare dirt with a few trees (a number of which are dying) and lots of erosion. The remnants of grassland obviously deteriorating and dying. Many of the plants are non-natives called invasives which we are encouraged to uproot whenever we encounter them, and the roots of all of the above are protruding out of the walls of deep, rapidly growing gullies.

Whats the value of a piece of land like that? First of all, a number of environmental groups are clamoring for it to be protected and soliciting contributions to do so.

Quite likely this land is being pushed for national monument status or maybe even wilderness designation, which will maximize its protection. Hence, more contributions.

Almost certainly this land is the home of at least one or more species designated as threatened or endangered.

To top it all off, without a doubt, this deteriorated land is described as a casualty of climate change and global warming, meaning its barren expanses and deepening gullies provide material for Al Gores claim that it will take something like $15 trillion dollars to reverse this trend and avert the end of life on Earth.

Add politicians using this land to make the case for their candidacy for public office up to and including the presidency. Then, extend that with all the government agencies those politicians will create, which will in turn ask for budget increases to enable them to hire more people to enforce all the regulations, and I think youre beginning to get an idea of the value of ecologically damaged land.

Theres an area not too far from my house that has been protected since the mid-1980s, and I have photo evidence from the U. S. Forest Service that its gullies and barrenness have happened since protection was imposed. Whats the remedy being proposed to bring this land and a lot of surrounding land in similar condition back to ecological function and health? More protection, of course, along with national monument designation, the issue that helped get our congressional representative elected, to make sure that protection is irreversible.

Appropriately enough this place is called the Canyon of Fools.

A little further from my house, but close enough to be in the same river drainage, is a 40-acre study area set aside in the 1940s by the USFS as a means to illustrate how effective protection is as a means of healing land damaged by human impact. Within this area the Forest Service installed a number of monitoring transects to enable it to measure, record, and, thus, prove how fast and how effectively protection enabled this land to recover from its overgrazed and overused condition.

These transects have done their job admirably but the conclusion they provide is the exact opposite of what was intended. All the transects have been abandoned. The reason seems obvious? The way most of these study plots were designed to be read is by stretching a 100-foot tape between metal stakes marking the site and counting, listing the species, and noting the condition of the plants that grew within that 100 feet. How many of those 70+ years would it take for you to get the message when reading those transects meant driving to a remote location in the Arizona Desert, walking into the desert, stretching the tape, and writing down 0.

So what use is protection?

Well, although those protected areas arent producing much thats alive, growing, biodiverse, carbon sequestering, and sustainable, they are still producing the billion$ that I listed above. Thats an obviously sufficient reason to keep protecting huge areas of the West despite the counterindication of those abandoned study plots. If you subscribe to the conventional wisdom that the way to solve all environmental problems is to protect whatever is afflicted from the afflicters, i. e., humans, the only tool you have is protection. So, if protection doesnt heal a piece of land, the only solution available to you is to protect it more.

As they are doing in the Canyon of Fools.

Not too far from this collection of abandoned counterindicative study plots is another series of study plots on land that is managed according to the function of the free market.

These study plots havent been abandoned. In fact, they are read every year by the staffers for a variety of federal, state, and local agencies to make sure that the rancher, whose cattle are grazing this land under a lease agreement with the federal government, isnt overusing, overgrazing, or overexploiting it.

Between the stakes that mark the limits of the transects, the grass and other plants are so dense and numerous they are impossible to count. Devices that enable the readers to interpret and condense the data must be used.

Why so different? This is land being managed to produce a practical rather than a political commodity. Here, results rather than rhetoric is what produces reward. According to biology the greener and more functional the land, the more beef it will produce. The free market adds the incentive to increase, enhance, improve the health of the land in order to increase the reward. Those transects with more grass than you can count provide evidence of the effectiveness of this formula.

In the case of land managed to produce the political commodity -- protection -- the opposite is true. The more devastated and barren the land, the more effective it is as a means of soliciting donations and political support. Instead of indicating failure, seventy years of zero on those abandoned transects can be used to prove the need for more protection. In other words, under protection, land that remains in bad shape or deteriorates even further provides a means to greater reward and longer tenure.

The problem here is that the people who logically would be most interested in blowing the whistle on those failures (and most likely to do something about them) are those of us who consider ourselves to be most concerned about the environment -- environmentalists. In the vast majority of cases, they are the very same people who have contributed to these disasters. Fat chance of them blowing the whistle or holding themselves accountable.

The good news is there are some environmentalists interested in increasing and improving the health of the. In fact, there are enough of these contrarians to cause the Sierra Club to publish an article, recently, to discredit Allan Savory, a former Provincial Game Officer from Africa who is promoting the idea that humans adapting and mimicking natural synergies can restore and sustain the health of those ecosystems.

Environmentalism thus reveals itself to be guilty of the very sin it was created to solve -- pursuing not-for-profit profits and political power at the expense of the environment.
Editor's note: The poor child featured in this story is referred to below by masculine pronouns  not because we have information as to his gender, but as a grammatical convention called the gender-neutral "he," sometimes used outside insane liberal enclaves for gender-ambiguous singular nouns like "someone" and "everyone."

The tired, inaccurate, and overused dismissal hurled at theists by the liberal elite is "there is no God because science." The hilarious irony is the inconsistency they utilize in weighing their own beliefs and decisions against "science." So long as they can use "science" to absolve themselves from accountability to absolutes (read: God), it is their friend, but shame on anyone who challenges any of their more radical beliefs on scientific grounds.

Those medical experts who claim that gender is binary? Well, they are nothing more than bigots trying to hinder human flourishing. Science is useful only when it serves the purpose of silencing those outdated enough to oppose "progress."

Marching at the head of the Progress Parade is a Canadian creature who goes by the name of Kori Doty. And the creature has just given birth to the future  a child who, after a brief dispute, is the first to have a "U" on his birth certificate where others have been confined to the outdated norm of "F" and "M." The "U," of course, is for "unassigned" or "undetermined."

At War with Gravity

In other words, when people asked Kori (who is a tertium quid, identifying as neither male nor female), "Do you know if you're having a girl or a boy?" the response was, "I'm waiting until it is old enough to decide for itself."

The real head-scratcher is why Kori would allow "themself" (the pronoun of choice for those at war with, among other things, the outdated norms of binary genders, hereafter avoided) to be so closed-minded and limited. Has she not thought through the ramifications of labeling her offspring a person? Why is she limiting the generation that will inherit the future to the category of human?

Why not label her child a creature? Or better yet, a "being"? What if he grows up and decides he wants to identify as a yeti or a demogorgon, or some other fictitious creature? Who is Kori to tell her child that he must be human? Why stop there? So long as we're freeing ourselves from the limitations of reality, what if the child decides he wants to be an inanimate object, like a slab of stone or the lost Ark of the Covenant?

I know, I know: this is too radical. The world is not ready for this type of progress quite yet. By proposing these outlandish ideas, I'm likely to get stoned. Let's start off small and try to wrap our heads around Doty's small step toward "progress." Her aim: to remove gender from birth certificates, or at the very least give a third option.

As for me, it might be a while before I can legally identify as rubber. But as soon as I can, watch out, world, 'cause every stone you throw at me will bounce right back at you!

The Fight for Freedom to Be "Other"

Call me old-fashioned, but I tend to think this sort of silliness is better left to the world of science fiction. The true victim here is Kori's poor child, who gets the pleasure of being the subject of a ridiculous social experiment.

Doty is seeking to make history by fighting for the right to free our children from the outdated norms of being labeled male or female at birth. It is a difficult and unnecessary process, Doty argues, to attempt to change one's gender at a later time in life. Then again, the denial of reality is always a difficult process. The man who identifies as a butterfly finds that out every time he jumps from the roof of his garage only to land on the cold, hard, familiar blacktop once again. Reality is so unforgiving to those who wish to live a fairy tale.

Kori is trying to remove any reference to gender from her own birth certificate as well. Should Kori fail, she'll sleep better at night knowing that if not for her, at least her child and the next generation will be freed from the constraints of having to identify as a male or female (so long as he can avoid the pesky reminder between his legs).

Doty reminds us that it is discriminatory to assume that because someone has a penis or a vagina, that person is either a male or a female. Gender is a figment of the imagination to those who live in reality, and they must not assault those who live in alternate realities with their bigotries.

If Doty has her way, the government will not be able to determine what gender is "true" by labeling it as such on a birth certificate. What business does the government (or God, for that matter) have in determining truth? If the government tells me I ran a red light and caused a fifty-car pile-up and shows me surveillance footage to back it up, that's just the government's opinion, right? I don't live on this planet and won't be subject to its restrictions.

Here's to the future, where we will no longer be confined by the scientific norms entrusted to us by our Creator that remind us we are dependent upon him (or is it they/them/their?) for our gender or species. But what do I know? I'm just an anti-scientific Christian who still believes in reality. Maybe in the future, my children will choose to identify as kettles. If Kori's successful in her endeavors, you'd better believe there won't be anyone there to call them black.

Sean Nolan is a husband, father, pastor, and former schoolteacher. You can follow him on Twitter at @SeanNolan or check out his blog (www.familylifepastor.org).
A dominant narrative about the Trump Administration is that Donald Trumps election ushered in a new wave of anti-Semitism. Its an absurd claim, given that among Trumps top advisors, eleven are Jews, including his daughter Ivanka and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Thats not to say anti-Semitism isnt a problem. In fact, it is on the rise. But if you want to find where anti-Semitism is running rampant, dont look to the Oval Office. Look instead to the place where youre least likely to find a Trump supporter, the college quad.

I know this because at the recent Christians United For Israel Washington Summit, I spent time with student activists from CUFI On Campus. I listened to their harrowing stories of harassment and intimidation that Jewish (and Christian) students face from left-wing professors and Palestinian student groups whenever they speak up in support of Israel or resist misguided boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) schemes that single out the Jewish state for punishment.

While many in the media portray anti-Semitism as a phenomenon of the right, it is among young liberals that it is growing the most. Several recent studies demonstrate just how pervasive anti-Semitism has become on college campuses. An April report by Tel Aviv Universitys Kantor Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry found that there has been a 45 percent rise in the number of anti-Semitic incidents on American college campuses between 2015 and 2016.

A study by the Anti-Defamation League found that such incidents rose by a third in 2016 from 2015 and increased 86 percent in the first quarter of 2017. Several other studies put the share of Jewish college students who experience anti-Semitism on campus at anywhere from half to three quarters.

The problem isnt confined to students making threats against or hurling anti-Semitic slurs at Jewish students. A recent lawsuit suggests school administrators are partly responsible for creating an environment thats unsafe for Jewish students.

In June, a group of current and former students sued San Francisco State University alleging that the university fostered a climate of anti-Semitism marked by violent threats to the safety of Jewish students on campus. The students complain that they were intimidated and prevented from holding events. The environment became so hostile that the students say they became afraid to do anything to indicate that they are Jewish, such as wearing Star of David necklaces.

In one incident in 2016, the mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, was prevented from speaking at a student event because pro-Palestinian protestors shouted over him, yelling Get the f-ck off our campus and Intifada! Intifada! -- a reference to the violent Palestinian uprising against Israeli citizens. Worst of all, the schools administrators are accused of systematically support[ing] these groups.

Ken Marcus, who formerly led the Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights, recently said that while just a few years ago, there were some notable hot spots for anti-Semitism, today its really all over. Anti-Semitism is so pervasive that in any given semester it could be virtually anywhere, he added.

A big part of the problem is that groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine and Students for a Free Palestine have become more strident in their opposition to Israel and more hostile to Jewish students, especially those who support the Jewish state.

Recently, when a 23-year old female Israeli border guard was stabbed to death in Jerusalem by Palestinian terrorists, who were subsequently killed by Israeli police, the Stanford Students for Justice in Palestine referred to the shootings of the Palestinian attackers as "executions" of "Palestinian teens" carried out by "Zionist occupation force." They evinced little sympathy for the victim of the Palestinians heinous crime.

The BDS movement is strong on many college campuses. BDS targets Israeli institutions and companies and those that do business with them. But more and more, its goal is to silence pro-Israel voices on campus, which is the anti-thesis to what college is supposed to be about.

A new report called Campus Free Speech, Academic Freedom and the Problem of the BDS Movement, released by the nonpartisan American Council for Trustees and Alumni, describes the (BDS) boycott as one of the greatest threats to academic freedom in the U.S. today. The report states that anti-Israel rhetoric often edges into anti-Semitism and criticizes the BDS movement for focusing all its energy on Israel, while legitimate human rights abusers, such as China and Saudi Arabia, are ignored.

Anti-Israel sentiment has become such a fixture on the left that when Chicago recently held its annual Gay Pride Parade, a pro-Israel lesbian group was prohibited from taking part, a strange development given that Israel is about the only country in the Middle East that treats gays with humanity.

For some liberals, opposition to Israel, which often edges into anti-Semitism, can be a way to demonstrate solidarity with Muslims. For others, it is rooted in the ancient hatred of Jews. Whatever its origins, anti-Semitism has no place on our college campuses.

Gary Bauer is the Washington Director of the Christians United for Israel Action Fund
Obamacare, like almost everything the government is in charge of, is undoubtedly a disaster and needs to be repealed. Why should it be replaced with anything? We already have an extensive Medicaid program, which was supposedly designed to provide a safety net for those unable to afford insurance. Like most if not all government programs, it is rife with fraud and abuses.

Medicare is another disaster. The majority of people think this is a free government program that pays 80% of everything. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Seniors pay for Medicare, and Medicare pays for 80% of what Medicare thinks you should have been billed. For example, if your doctor charges you $200 for an annual exam, Medicare might decide that you should have been charged only $100, and it will pay 80%, or $80, of that amount. The Medicare enrollee is left with a bill for $120. That's why almost all seniors have what is called "gap" insurance, a secondary insurance, which can be costly but pays most or all of the gap left between what you are billed and what Medicare pays. The same holds true for all medical testing and hospitalizations.

One of the popular narratives for replacing Obamacare is that so many people were uninsured before its passage and need to be insured. What I haven't heard is who these people are. I know that a good portion of them are young people who choose not to have health insurance. Since when did the government decide how a person should live his life? And should it?

Another portion are those with pre-existing conditions. Unless someone was born with congenital defects, these people are also mostly those who chose not to have insurance until they acquired a medical problem; were without insurance; and found that insurance, once they had this problem, was very costly. There may be some companies, if you are going from job to job, who will not cover you if you have a pre-existing condition, but I'm not aware of any.

Compare health insurance with car insurance. If you feel you are an incredibly safe driver and choose not to have any, or adequate, insurance, what happens if you are in a serious and costly collision? It certainly isn't the responsibility of the government to bail you out for your poor choice. And if you try, after this costly collision, to increase your auto insurance or get insurance, you will probably find yourself in a high-risk pool paying incredible amounts of money. No one expects the American taxpayers to pay for your poor decisions.

So why should the American taxpayers pay for your poor medical decisions? They shouldn't.

Another thing touted as popular is keeping children on their parents' policy until they are 26 years old. This sounds good, but 26-year-olds are not children. By all indices, they are adults. Yes, a lot of them are still living at home  but why? What are they doing with their money? Looking at the adult children of people I know, they are having a wonderful time, spending their money on cars I can't afford at 72 because I realize that Medicare pays very little of hospital bills and I need a good secondary insurance, clothes, and miscellaneous other things. These young people are the ones who probably, when they turn 26, won't get their own insurance. Again, should the taxpayers be responsible for their poor decisions and priorities?

It seems to be all about priorities. There are certain things in life that should be a priority. Medical insurance should be one of those. There's an idea for a mandatory high school class  what is a priority and how to establish those priorities. But that would be a sensible, worthwhile class and definitely not part of the liberal agenda.

Another reason against government health care is that, legally, no one is ever turned away from a hospital based on ability to pay. I spent years working in information technology with hospital accounting. I know not only how many millions of dollars in only free care were provided by the hospital, but how many millions of dollars were written off as bad debts and how many debts were worked out with patients for a nominal monthly charge  with no late fees or charges. If a hospital accepts Medicare and Medicaid, it is required to provide a certain amount of "charitable" care or risk losing its funding from these sources. Not only that, but every hospital I have been associated with has staff who specifically assist people who are uninsured to apply for Medicaid.

There is no magic formula for deciding what any individual needs in health insurance, just as there isn't a magic formula for deciding what type of auto insurance an individual needs. This is a personal decision and should be made by the persons directly involved  not the government and definitely not by Congress, whose members live in their elitist bubble and have a wonderful health care program and know almost nothing about medical insurance.

Government insurance is just another step toward socialized medicine, where the government will be deciding not only what type and amount of insurance you need, but how you should be cared for.
Theres a debate being waged within the upper echelons of our government as to whether or not and/or to what extent, Americas military forces should retain control on that ultimate aspect of waging war: taking human life. Through advances in Artificial Intelligence, armed robots are becoming so effective that they are now fully capable of autonomous, deadly combat according to multiple sources. That venerable Russian arms manufacturer, Kalashnikov, a company which has probably accounted for more gunshot deaths than any other arms manufacturer in history, with its series of AK rifles, most notably, the AK-47, has announced its plans to unveil such a fully autonomous robotic weapon system at their upcoming Army-2017 show.

Meanwhile, Vice Chair of the Joint Chiefs, General Paul Selva, recently testified to Congress that we must never give AI robotic systems such full control over taking human life lest we lose contol of them and create uncontrollable killing machines. So what do we do? Do we allow our enemies to gain the battle advantage by restricting ourselves with rules of engagement similar to those that have so often hamstrung our forces in the past? Or do we loose these digital dogs of war to roam and fight, unimpeded by human masters? Must our binary beasts fight muzzled by microprocessors awaiting digital approval from human controllers while a free ranging robotic enemy force ravages the battle area unconcerned with such moral niceties as inflicting collateral damages or covering behind human shields?

And its not like we have decades to decide this thing; as the Russian announcement makes clear, robotic combat is upon us and if the Russians can actually back up their boast of putting a fully autonomous robotic fighting machine on the battlefield in the next year or so, wed best have a national discussion soon to develop a national policy to determine:

Who will, quite literally, call the shots?
The complete moral inversion of the left is on display.

Joan Walsh, formerly of Salon, lately of The Nation and MSNBC, is a fixture of the pretentious journalistic left, so certain of its moral superiority. I have to assume that Trump Derangement Syndrome had something to do with two disgraceful tweets she posted (hat tip: Will Racke, DCNF).

Wow, the head of a violent gang is taking the podium at the White House. The head of ICE. Ask good questions please, WH press corps  Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) July 27, 2017

They are the deadliest gang.  Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) July 27, 2017

In an era where enforcing immigration law is called "racist," maybe it should be no surprise to see a person with a big soapbox launching the notion that ICE is worse than MS-13, currently in the news, as the national affairs correspondent of The Nation and MSNBC political analyst surely knows.

But we also live in an era of assassinations of law enforcement officers based on the presumptions underlying Walsh's tweets.
Intelligence committee chairman David Nunes revealed in a letter to DNI Dan Coats that he has uncovered hundreds of requests to unmask the identities of Americans found in overseas intel reports during the last year of the Obama administration and that most of them carried no official justification.

Nunes says most of the requests came from White House political aides and were not related to intelligence or national security work. He also says some of the requests to unmask identities were for Trump campaign and transition aides.

The Hill:

Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), in a letter to Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, said the requests were made without specific justifications on why the information was needed. "We have found evidence that current and former government officials had easy access to U.S. person information and that it is possible that they used this information to achieve partisan political purposes, including the selective, anonymous leaking of such information," Nunes wrote in the letter to Coats. The letter was provided to The Hill from a source in the intelligence community. In March, Nunes disclosed that he had seen data suggesting Trump campaign and transition officials were having their names unmasked by departing officials in the Obama White House. National Security Adviser Susan Rice and CIA Director John Brennan have acknowledged making such requests though they insisted the requests were for legitimate work reasons. Nunes recused himself from his committee's work on its investigation over Russia's meddling in the 2016 campaign after a controversy over his charges about Obama-era unmasking. The chairman had reviewed intelligence reports on White House grounds that he said showed unmasking of Trump officials by Obama aides. Democrats accused him of working with the White House to make the disclosures. In Thursday's letter, Nunes said the total requests for Americans' names by Obama political aides numbered in the hundreds during Obama's last year in office and often lacked a specific intelligence community justification. He called the lack of proper justifications a "serious deficiency." His letter noted requests from senior government officials, unlike career intelligence analysts, "made remarkably few individualized justifications for access" to the U.S. names. "The committee has learned that one official, whose position had no apparent intelligence related function, made hundreds of unmasking requests during the final year of the Obama administration," Nunes wrote. "Of those requests, only one offered a justification that was not boilerplate." Sources familiar with the Nunes letter identified the official as then-U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power.

This sort of thing used to be illegal until Obama relaxed privacy rules in 2011. So while it's not technically illegal (Nunes and others think it should be), it is a clear abuse of the privilege. It may even be an abuse of power if the White House used the unmasking to leak the names of Trump officials to the press for political purposes.

The press is totally uninterested in this story, even though many of us would like to know what the hell the Obama administration was doing with all this information. Is it not important that the then-president of the United States was using intelligence agencies to do his political dirty work? I guess if it doesn't lead with Trump and Russia, it's non-news.

It's unnerving to think your identity could be compromised even if the NSA did not have a warrant to spy on you. But the Obama administration was far more concerned about which Republican was meeting with foreign leaders or businessmen and what they discussed than any constitutional right to privacy.
Pakistan's high court has ruled that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is disqualified from office as a result of a corruption probe related to the massive leak of documents in 2016 known as the Panama Papers. Sharif accepted the verdict and resigned.

CNN:

The court ruled Sharif has been dishonest to parliament and to the judicial system, and is no longer deemed fit for the office of Prime Minister. The panel of five judges announced their unanimous decision Friday afternoon, with the election commission ordered to issue a disqualification notice to Sharif. With the ruling, Sharif's Cabinet has also been dissolved. Silence enveloped the courtroom as Justice Ejaz Afzal read out the judgment, and the opposition distributed candy following the verdict in celebration. "Nawaz Sharif will accept the decision of the Supreme Court," Sharif's party, the PMLN said in a statement following the verdict. "There has been an injustice against us. Nawaz Sharif will step down as premier of Pakistan despite reservations regarding the verdict." He is expected to vacate the Prime Minister's residence by Friday evening. The panel had been investigating Sharif's alleged links to offshore accounts and overseas properties owned by three of his children. The assets, which were not declared on the family's wealth statement, were revealed in the massive Panama Papers leak in April 2016. Although Nawaz Sharif was not named in the Panama Papers, a joint investigation committee formed by the Supreme Court in April 2017 concluded in mid-July that their investigation revealed incriminating documents that pointed to the prime minister and his family's corruption. But investigators did find that Sharif held a work permit for the United Arab Emirates for a previously undisclosed company, a violation of the country's constitution, according to the judgment. The Panama Papers leak sparked mass protests in Pakistan and calls from opposition political groups for a panel to investigate him and his children over their alleged offshore accounts.

The 11.5 million documents leaked by an anonymous source belonged to the law firm Mossack Fonseca. Most of their business was legal  advising individuals and companies on how to avoid paying taxes on wealth. But hundreds of clients apparently used the firm's expertise to illegally avoid paying taxes and launder money.

Some of the world's most powerful people are mentioned in the Panama Papers, and prosecutors are still digging through the massive trove of information. The more complex the money trail, the more difficult it is to find illegal transactions. But that was apparently Mossack Fonseca's expertise, and it's unclear who else might get caught up in the scandal.

Sharif has been at the top of Pakistani politics for more than two decades, having served twice before as prime minister, only to resign both times. His second term began in 1997 and was cut short when he went up against the Pakistani military and General Pervez Musharraf and lost. Musharraf engineered a coup, and Sharif spent some time in jail.

Now Sharif, one of the richest men in Pakistan, will be barred from leading his party in the general election next year. But it appears he is grooming his daughter, Maryam, to take over the party's top spot. Since no Pakistani prime minister has ever served out a full term, because of either corruption or a military coup, it stands to reason that whoever takes the reins of the PMLN has a truncated term ahead.
This is a shocking report from Boeing that details what will happen in the next couple of decades if we don't dramatically increase the number of pilots being trained.

Over the next two decades, 87 new pilots need to be trained and ready to fly a commercial airliner every day in order to meet our insatiable demand to travel by air.

That's one every 15 minutes.

Passenger and cargo airlines around the world are expected to buy 41,000 new airliners between 2017 and 2036. And they will need 637,000 new pilots to fly them, according to a forecast from Boeing released this week. That staggering figure is matched only by how many will leave the profession in the next decade  particularly in the U.S.

Retirements at U.S. airlines will start to rise precipitously starting in 2021 as the current crop of pilots turns 65, the mandated age of retirement. More than 42% of active U.S. airline pilots at the biggest carriers will retire over the next 10 years, about 22,000, according to a recent report by Cowen & Company.

In the next 20 years, airlines in North America are going to need 117,000 new pilots, Boeing estimates. And the farm team for training and recruitment in the U.S.  the military and regional carriers  are already struggling to find and keep aviators.

The coming retirements exceed the active U.S. regional airline pilots corps, which stands around 19,000.

Without enough pilots, the amount airlines can fly will be capped. And an acute shortage may wreak havoc on air travel, grounding planes and reducing air service to some cities if routes are cut or curtailed.

It's already happening.

Last month, Horizon Air, the regional arm of Alaska Airlines, said it was canceling 6% of it schedule  more than 300 flights  from August to September because it doesn't have the pilots. And Republic Airways filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2016 in part because it was "grounding aircraft due to a lack of pilot resources.

Pilots and their unions contend that there is no shortage, only a perceived one, and a dearth of good-paying flying jobs that would attract new candidates. Rather than change any standards to bolster recruitment, pilots unions have pushed for higher wages for existing pilots to increase the economic attractiveness of the profession.

And American Airlines (AAL), Delta Air Lines (DAL) and United Airlines (UAL) have all signed new contracts with their pilots to raise their hourly wages.
Yesterday, seven Republicans in name only  Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (W.V.), Susan Collins (Maine), Dean Heller (Nev.), John McCain (Ariz.), Rob Portman (Ohio), Lamar Alexander of (Tenn.), and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)  voted not to repeal major portions of Obamacare, Obama's dreadful legacy that has, for millions of Americans, virtually destroyed the health insurance industry and access to their actual health care. Only members of Congress were allowed to keep their doctors and keep their plans. That was the promise Obama made to every American. It was a lie.

These seven senators have betrayed their party and the people who elected them. Betrayal is common among people without conscience. Yes, McCain has demonstrated prodigious conscience in the past, but no more. He long ago became a tool of the left. That is what the word "maverick" means when applied to John McCain. It was Arthur Miller who wrote that "betrayal is the only truth that sticks." And stick it does. Not one of these people should be re-elected.

In opposition to the most basic of conservative principles, those seven senators are wedded to the welfare state and to expanding it, despite the fact that the nation is trillions of dollars in debt. They obviously oppose the conservative tenet of personal responsibility, as they are promoting increased dependency among Americans, the notion that persons other than themselves should pay for their medical needs.

These senators claim to be representing their constituents, but they are not. They are self-serving sops for the left and the lobbyists who fill their coffers. They are sell-outs.

Betrayal is always an inside job. With the exception of Collins, long a lefty RINO, these senators all voted numerous times to repeal the deadly bill that has bankrupted thousands of businesses, sent doctors into early retirement, and left millions with no insurance at all. And then there are the costs for those who did fall for the trap and enroll: they now cannot afford their premiums or their deductibles. Everyone knows this, including those seven senators who betrayed those of us who elected them. Do they care? Not one bit. They are happy to condemn the rest of us to the progressive dream of single-payer, the kind of system that rations care in the cruelest possible way. It's the kind of system that makes people wait months and years for needed care or denies it altogether in the name of rationing or fairness. There is nothing fair about it; it's sadistic. But it will never affect them, so who cares? They have nothing to lose.

The free market works, which is what drives the left and the RINOs crazy. Let people choose the policy they need, want, and can afford? No way; we are not smart enough. We, the people and the doctors must be controlled by the government. This has long been the absolute policy of the left. Now seven Republicans have made common cause with them.

Could Trump have worked harder to woo them? Maybe, but it likely would have done no good. These seven traitors hate him as much as the loser Democrats do. Collins was heard on a hot mic and conveyed exactly that sentiment. A classy woman she is not.

The Democratic Party is mired in a swamp of its own making, a swamp made of cruelty, hate, and the profanity with which leftists routinely express themselves. Now seven Republicans have joined them in their campaign to destroy not only Trump, but national health care as well.

Whatever happens throughout the day regarding the vote-o-rama, one thing has become clear. Far too many of the Republicans in Congress are cowards of the most hypocritical kind. Their word means nothing; they lack strength of character. They think nothing of betraying the citizens who put them in office. Maybe they have forgotten that betrayal is almost always the reason empires fall.
July 14 marked the second anniversary of the nuclear deal signed between Iran and the P5+1 in Vienna back in 2015.

This pact was reached fundamentally by sanctions against Tehran due to continuous revelations made by the Iranian opposition People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), being the first to blow the whistle on Tehran's nuclear weapons ambitions.

The possibility was at hand to completely uproot Iran's nuclear bomb-making facilities. The West's appeasement policy in the face of Tehran and unnecessary concessions provided to the mullahs, parallel to the windfall of billions gifted to Iran as sanctions were lifted, only fueled the flames of war in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. Despite all the concessions provided, Iran has been anything but contained.

Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei personally sought to reach a nuclear agreement to prevent the toppling of his regime. For four years, he personally supervised the nuclear talks, even prior to the tenure of Iranian president Hassan Rouhani.

"In 2012 the country faced an oil-for-food program, similar to the measures that destroyed the state of Iraq and caused the fall of Saddam Hussein's rule in a matter of days. Our regional rivals and enemies were hoping the head of the snake be chopped off soon," according to the July 16 edition of the Iran Daily.

The international community expected the JCPOA to launch the mullahs' behavioral shift and containment. The West, however, failed to understand that, as Khamenei recently described, "any change in behavior means regime change." Iran neither could nor had the will to respond positively to the international community's request for change.
Reject new trolling laws: free speech means being free to lampoon and abuse MPs

British politicians have been subjected to a wave of racism, sexism and homophobia on social media, spiking during the General Election. Not all of it is satirical lampooning of our elected and unelected representatives. A fair amount of it is cruel and vindictive. But  yep, theres the but  so what? If you trammel what can and cannot be said to an MP, you have lost an essential part of democracy.

Tory MP Simon Hart said things have taken a turn for the worse. The robust banter followed by a shake of the hand and a pint in the pub of past campaigns has mutated into death threats, criminal damage, sexism, racism, homophobia, anti-Semitism and general thuggishness. Was none of that there before? And can the downturn in pubic discourse be linked to the death of pubs, hastened by the smoking ban and tax on booze? The problem is not one of less pubs, of course, but more internet, which has given voice not only to the oppressed and isolated but also to the bigots, prudes, nutters, mentally negligible and mouth breathers.

So Theresa May PM has ordered the Committee on Standards in Public Life to investigate whether existing laws governing threats against MPs are enough. The mood is that new laws are required to keep MPs protected and the less attractive elements of the demos at bay. The Independent says the MPs are looking at online trolling laws.

Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary, had a word on her own experiences. We are talking about mindless abuse and in my case the mindless abuse has been characteristically racist and sexist, she said. And just to outline Ive had death threats, Ive had people tweeting that I should be hung if they could find a tree big enough to take the fat bitchs weight. There was an EDL-affiliated Twitter account BurnDianeAbbott, Ive had rape threats, described as a pathetic, useless, fat, black, piece of shit, ugly, fat, black bitch.

Nasty. But is being pathetic the same as being threatened with rape? Can mindlessness be banned? What about the figures?

Research undertaken by Buzzfeed News and the University of Sheffield looked at 840,000 tweets sent during the month before June 8. It found that male Conservative MP candidates received the highest percentage of abuse on Twitter while male Ukip candidates were second with just over four per cent of their mentions deemed to be abusive. Male Labour candidates were next with just under four per cent while female Conservative candidates were also on about four per cent. Meanwhile, just over two per cent of female Labour candidate mentions were abusive.

Whats considered abusive?

Moron. Twat. Coward. Should such words be banned? Of course not. A new law that protects politicians from being hailed by such words  a law that criminalises us from using them when addressing one of our elected reps  is abhorrent.

In 1964, the US Supreme Court ruled that debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust, and wide-open, and that it may well include vehement, caustic, and sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks on government and public officials.

Well said.

Freedom of speech is, as AA Gill noted, what all other human rights and freedoms balance on. Dont let them or anyone own it.

Anorak

Posted: 27th, July 2017 | In: Key Posts, News, Politicians Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
(ANSA) - Rome, July 28 - Premier Paolo Gentiloni's government on Friday approved a resolution for an Italian mission of support to the Libyan coast guard. Gentiloni said the Italian mission should be considered "a step forward in Italy's contribution to the Libyan authorities' capacity to take the initiative against traffickers and reinforce their capacity to control their borders and national territory". He added after the cabinet meeting that: "it is a piece of the path of stabilization of Libya and Italy feels it a duty to participate".

The cabinet "approved what the (Libyan) government requested, no more, no less," he said.

Gentiloni announced Wednesday that Italy was considering a request from Libya for the help in combatting human traffickers after meeting Libyan Premier Fayez al-Sarraj in Rome. Most of the over 93,000 migrants to have landed in Italy so far this year started their journey across the Mediterranean from Libya, which has been affected by chaos since a Paris-led campaign contributed to the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Gentiloni stressed Friday that the use of Italian vessels to support Libya would not entail "an enormous deployment of big feels and air squadrons".

"It can give a significant initiative to support Libya sovereignty, it is not an initiative against Libyan sovereignty," he said. Gentiloni said that he hopes support in parliament for the mission goes beyond the ruling coalition. "I hope that parliament can give approval with the broadest possible consensus," he said.

There is speculation that some left-wingers within the ruling coalition may rebel over the mission.


(By Paul Virgo)

ROME - Premier Paolo Gentiloni's government on Friday approved a resolution for an Italian naval mission of support to the Libyan coast guard. Gentiloni said the Italian mission should be considered "a step forward in Italy's contribution to the Libyan authorities' capacity to take the initiative against traffickers and reinforce their capacity to control their borders and national territory". He added after the cabinet meeting that: "it is a piece of the path of stabilization of Libya and Italy feels it a duty to participate".



The cabinet "approved what the (Libyan) government requested, no more, no less," he said.



Gentiloni announced Wednesday that Italy was considering a request from Libya for the help in combatting human traffickers after meeting Libyan Premier Fayez al-Sarraj in Rome. Most of the over 93,000 migrants to have landed in Italy so far this year started their journey across the Mediterranean from Libya, which has been affected by chaos since a Paris-led campaign contributed to the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. It is hoped that the mission with the Libyan coast guard can help stem this flow, which is causing massive strain on the Italian authorities. Gentiloni stressed Friday that the use of Italian vessels to support Libya would not entail "an enormous deployment of big feels and air squadrons".



"It can give a significant initiative to support Libya sovereignty, it is not an initiative against Libyan sovereignty," he said. Gentiloni said that he hopes support in parliament for the mission goes beyond the ruling coalition. "I hope that parliament can give approval with the broadest possible consensus," he said, adding that the details will be presented in parliament on Tuesday.



NGOs have warned that the initiative could mean asylum seekers face atrocities including torture and rape when they are taken back to Libya.



Italy wants to international organizations such as the UNHCR and the IOM to work in Libya to make sure migrants are treated humanely.


Tobruk and militias still a problem for Libya Doubts cast on laying down of arms after the Paris accord

(ANSA) - CAIRO, JULY 28 - The more time passes, the more doubts arise on the possibilities that the agreement between Libya prime minister Fayez Al-Sarraj and General Khalifa Haftar will be actionable.



The agreement was made near Paris with mediation by French president Emmanuel Macron. Comments by analysts and statements indicate several problems regarding the much-hoped-for road towards elections and the role that militias outside the control of both will have. In Italy, there is also the incognito of a new situation that will affect collaboration with Sarraj on the fight against migrant trafficking. The French newspaper Le Monde immediately after the agreement warned that the ''joint accord'' - which was, significantly, agreed but not signed on Tuesday - is ''without any guaranteed results''. Analysts say that the handshake with the French president served as an excellent ''photo op'' but had not been agreed with regional and international powers (Haftar is sponsored by Russia and Egypt) or with the militias holding sway in Libya. Sarraj had also arrived in the La Celle Saint-Cloud without a mandate to do so and even the Muslim Brotherhood - who through their Justice and Construction Party had praised the roadmap presented recently by the prime minister - has rejected the Paris agreement. The pledge to hold presidential elections ''as soon as possible'' does not indicate a deadline and thus does not go beyond leaks on the target of March that came out during the Abu Dhabi summit in May.



The summit was held and a photo of the two together was taken but no joint statements were issued. A two-thirds majority in the parliament where only half of the MPs usually attend in Tobruk is needed to call elections.



There is also the issue of Haftar's clear political ambitions, seen in interviews this week in which he praised the advantages of a ''presidential system'' and called for a possible role even for Saif Al-Islam, the son of former dictator Muammar Ghaddafi. The most dangerous aspect is that of militias that only in appearances has been resolved by an agreement for a 'ceasefire' and a sort of amnesty for those that join the ranks of Haftar's fighters or the police, or who return to civilian life. The general, bolstered by recent successes in the central-southern area of the country and in Benghazi, in the agreement only said he would fight ''terrorists'': the term, however, is often used for the militias in both Tripoli and especially in Misrata, under former PM Khalifa Ghweil.



This is the Libya with which Italy and the EU have nevertheless managed to bring in collaboration to try to limit the number of desperate migrants arriving on their shores: through motorboats given back to the Coast Guard to stop thousands of migrants off the Libyan coast and an imminent restructuring of an operation in Libyan territorial waters. The head of the EU Operation Sophia, Admiral Enrico Credendino, will be in Tripoli on August 1 as part of the work for the new operating plan for the operation. (ANSAmed).




(by Lorenzo Trombetta) - BEIRUT - Exactly four years on from his disappearance in northern Syria, Father Paolo Dell'Oglio is considered by many to be a forerunner, "a prophet of what was gathering over the entire Mediterranean area".

It is no accident, therefore, that Vatican expert Riccardo Cristiano has compiled the recently published book on the Roman Jesuit priest "Paolo Dall'Oglio. La profezia messa a tacere" (Paolo Dall'Oglio. The silenced prophecy.) This collection of accounts of his life and ideas carries a preface by former Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi, now president of the Ratzinger Foundation.

In the preface Lombardi talks of the "clarity with which Paolo saw the storm and his people's tragedy arrive", in reference to the conflict that broke out in Syria in 2011 and has led to the death of at least 500,000 people. In his opinion, Dall'Oglio "understood the complexity and causes of the tragedy, he read the signs, identified the forces in play, unequivocally called on the responsibility of the actors in the tragedy".

Cristiano, author among other things of a monograph on Bergoglio, told ANSA that "in his different role, possibilities and responsibilities, Pope Francis stands as a lonely witness in the same way that Father Paolo Dall'Oglio did". "In the complex world of the Vatican, Dall'Oglio and Bergoglio share a similar identity, not just because they are both Jesuits, but because they are mystics with the pressing need to act, they are both convinced that Christianity must either evolve or it will turn to stone and no longer be Christianity, they are convinced that government is needed from the bottom up, they both partake in the vision and urgency of a church that must meet the needs of the people on its confines," Cristiano continued. Dall'Oglio disappeared on these very confines, in Syria.

"Because Paolo decided to put himself fully on the line in person in total solidarity with his Syrian people, fully aware of the difficulties and the risks," Father Lombardi said.




Palestinian shot and killed after knife attack attempt Soldiers unhurt. 50 need medication in West Bank clashes

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, JULY 28 - A Palestinian armed with a knife was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers on Friday after trying to attack them at the Gush Etzion crossroads near the West Bank city of Bethlehem, military radio has said.



The soldiers were unhurt in the attack, the source added. The Palestinian was subsequently identified as Abdallah Taqatqa, 24, from Beit Fajar near Bethlehem. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Red Crescent has reported that around 50 people needed medical treatment as a result of violent clashes in the West Bank during the course of the afternoon.



(ANSAmed)
Palestinians count 5th victim of clashes with Israeli police For Abu Mazen Kanaan is a 'martyri

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, JULY 28 - Mohammad Kanaan, 26, died in hospital in Ramallah on Thursday night from head injuries allegedly sustained during clashes with Israeli police in Hizme (Jerusalem) on Monday.



His death takes to five the number of Palestinians who have died since last Friday during protests against Israeli security measures on Temple Mount. The circumstances of Kanaan's death remain uncertain. Israeli media cite military sources as saying he was injured in a "row with neighbours" and not in clashes with police. However, Fatah has released a funeral announcement carrying the images of Yasser Arafat and Abu Mazen and presenting Kanaan as a 'martyr'. A spokesman for Israeli Premier Benyamin Netanyahu has accused the Palestinian president of using his death to "instigate violence" in Jerusalem. On Friday the young man's funeral in Hizme was accompanied by an inflamed Palestinian nationalist demonstration. Incidents were reported at the end of Friday prayer in various parts of the West Bank.



Palestinian sources say clashes are underway on the outskirts of Bethlehem, in the centre of Hebron, in Qalandya, south of Ramallah, and in Huwara, near Nablus. The same sources say the Israeli army is using tear gas and rubber bullets to put down the protests. (ANSAmed)
Protestors burn Israeli flag near embassy in Amman Activists call for trial of Israeli for killing two Jordanians

(ANSAmed) - AMMAN, JULY 28 - Scores of angry Jordanians demonstrated near the Israeli embassy in Amman on Friday to protest against killing of two Jordanians by an Israeli embassy security staff, demanding the government to end ties with Tel Aviv.



Following end of Friday prayer, throngs of young men and women waved Jordanian and Palestinian flags as they chanted anti-Israel slogans. Protestors decried the government's stance over the recent killings and demanding retribution.



Protesters ended by burning the Israeli flag and calling for scraping the 1994 Wadi Araba peace treaty, amid strong security presence.



Last week, two Jordanians were killed by an Israeli security staff following an apparent spat over delivery of furniture near the Israeli embassy compound. Jordanian security staff were unable to question the Israeli official due to his diplomatic immunity. The kingdom, a strong ally of Washington, is one of only two Arab countries to have diplomatic ties with Israel, with which it shares the longest borders.



The killings have lead to diplomatic tensions between Amman and Tel Aviv, prompting Israel to pull out large number of its embassy staff from Amman. (ANSAmed)
Gentiloni govt approves Libya support mission 'Step forward' in stabilization, no big fleets says premier

(By Paul Virgo) (ANSAmed) - ROME, JULY 28 - Premier Paolo Gentiloni's government on Friday approved a resolution for an Italian naval mission of support to the Libyan coast guard. Gentiloni said the Italian mission should be considered "a step forward in Italy's contribution to the Libyan authorities' capacity to take the initiative against traffickers and reinforce their capacity to control their borders and national territory". He added after the cabinet meeting that: "it is a piece of the path of stabilization of Libya and Italy feels it a duty to participate".



The cabinet "approved what the (Libyan) government requested, no more, no less," he said.



Gentiloni announced Wednesday that Italy was considering a request from Libya for the help in combatting human traffickers after meeting Libyan Premier Fayez al-Sarraj in Rome. Most of the over 93,000 migrants to have landed in Italy so far this year started their journey across the Mediterranean from Libya, which has been affected by chaos since a Paris-led campaign contributed to the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. It is hoped that the mission with the Libyan coast guard can help stem this flow, which is causing massive strain on the Italian authorities. Gentiloni stressed Friday that the use of Italian vessels to support Libya would not entail "an enormous deployment of big feels and air squadrons".



"It can give a significant initiative to support Libya sovereignty, it is not an initiative against Libyan sovereignty," he said. Gentiloni said that he hopes support in parliament for the mission goes beyond the ruling coalition. "I hope that parliament can give approval with the broadest possible consensus," he said, adding that the details will be presented in parliament on Tuesday.



NGOs have warned that the initiative could mean asylum seekers face atrocities including torture and rape when they are taken back to Libya.



Italy wants to international organizations such as the UNHCR and the IOM to work in Libya to make sure migrants are treated humanely.




Police officer Hao Zhiguo. Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn

A police officer is being widely praised for helping a prisoner's children, who were left alone without parents, for five years.

In 2012, Hao Zhiguo, working as a traffic police officer for 20 years in North China's Hebei province, started to provide money, food and other daily necessities to two brothers whose father was imprisoned for a traffic accident.

The boys' mother left due to the accident and heavy burden she faced raising the children alone.

The boys, who were in primary school at the time, were left with their 85-year-old grandma at Shuanglou village in Xingtai.

Hao Zhiguo at Shuanglou village in Xingtai. Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn

"The difficulties at home almost forced them to drop out of school, which I couldn't bear after I heard [about] it," Hao said.

Since then, Hao has financed the boys' school and brought them to his home during Chinese New Year when families usually reunite.

"The children are innocent no matter what their parents do," Hao said.

He is relieved now because the children's father has recently been released from prison and their mother has returned home.

Contact the writer at zhangyu1@chinadaily.com.cn.
The airline did not offer a reason for the French nationals departure, but the airline said the board of directors has appointed one of its members as interim CEO.

SalamAir chairman Khalid Al-Yahmadi said in a statement to Arab News: The board of directors of SalamAir has made a decision a few weeks ago to change the companys CEO, and the next appointment will be announced in a few weeks. The post is currently and temporarily occupied by the advisor and aviation expert on the board of directors.




The sixth out of nine Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft that EgyptAir plans to acquire in 2017 has passed an official registration procedures to finally join the fleet that includes now 26 aircraft of the same type, and thus became the 66th aircraft of the fleet.



"We have steady goals to achieve regarding EgyptAir fleet and through this order of B737-800 NG, which to be finalised by the delivery of the ninth later this year, with an approximate age of six years," EgyptAir CEO said recently.



He added that the company is currently working on reviewing several transactions offered by major manufacturers and lease-funding companies in a bid to add 33 more aircraft of different types that will varies between short-, medium-, and long-haul planes, measures that come in accordance with the renewal plan the company adopts.



Musallam noted that this year the company will enhance the fleet by four others.

"We are working on an overall- plan that would enhance our medium-haul fleet, we managed to further develop our network, increase frequencies on the most popular routes, therefore, guarantee that all our passengers reach their destination on time," he concluded.
 The Companys firm order backlog ended the quarter at US$ 18.5 billion;

 Revenues in 2Q17 increased 29.5% year-over-year to US$ 1,769.6 million, with significant growth across all three segments;

 Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA[1] margins were 9.3% and 13.9%, respectively, in 2Q17, representing margin expansion compared to both the 2Q16 and 1Q17 consolidated results. Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA exclude US$ 9.4 million in net non-recurring gains in 2Q17 and US$ 200.0 million in non-recurring charges in 2Q16. Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA in the quarter were US$ 164.6 million and US$ 245.4 million, respectively;

 In the first half of 2017, Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA margins were 7.0% and 12.5%, respectively. Accumulated Adjusted EBIT and EBITDA over the first six months of the year were US$ 195.6 million and US$ 348.8 million;

 2Q17 Net income attributable to Embraer shareholders and Earnings per ADS were US$ 59.1 million and US$ 0.32, respectively. Adjusted Net income (excluding the impact of FX-related non-cash deferred income tax and social contribution and non-recurring items) for the quarter was US$ 123.0 million, representing Adjusted Earnings per ADS of US$ 0.67 per basic share in 2Q17;

 Embraer generated US$ 220.0 million of Adjusted Free cash flow during 2Q17, and over the first six months of 2017 Adjusted Free cash flow was US$ 20.7 million. The Companys net debt position improved to US$ 661.5 million at the end of 2Q17 from US$ 805.8 million at the end of 1Q17.
Never-before seen images inside Tomb in Peru where alleged Alien mummies were foundThis is the alleged entrance to the mysterious tomb, which according to Gaia.com, is where the mummified alien remains were found. Image Credit:The mysterious mummified Alien remains are believed are believed to be around 1,700 years old and measure around 170 centimeters.And even though the World Congress on Mummy Studies was cited as calling the research and work an irresponsible organized campaign of disinformation, the group of experts behind the discovery is convinced that they have uncovered one of the most important discoveries of the 21century.Interestingly, not far away from the supposed tomb, experts found a series of petroglyphs depicting strange three-fingered beings.Image Credit:The entire process is followed by Gaia.com which argues that up to FIVE mummified alien bodies have been discovered in a remote tomb near Nazca Peru, and they have even released a new video revealing the first ever images inside the alleged tomb.The video also revealed the identity of the man who is said to have stumbled across the tomb while exploring the region. The video presents the man who made the discovery only as Marion who argues to have discovered the remote tomb in an undisclosed part of Peru.Ever since the group revealed they had discovered the alien remains, theyve been heavily criticized by scientists and archaeologists who refuse to accept the idea that they may have found evidence of Alien mummies in Peru. Many experts argue that the discovery is a fabricated hoax, something skeptics have still not been able to prove.Gaia.com has still not revealed the exact location of the Tomb, nor what else was found inside.The video posted online only indicates that a man named Mariono surnamemade a world-changing discovery.The narrator of the video tells how Mario helped with the discovery of many well-known sites in Peru since the 1990s. He knows very well what he does, and he knows what he has found, and what he has found does not belong to any known culture in South America.Inside the alleged alien tomb. Image Credit:The video footage also features comments made by Jaime Maussan, one of the most prominent UFO researchers from Mexico.Mr. Maussan said in the video Inside this tomb, in a secret place, he (Mario) found two sarcophaguses.In one of them was just pure objects. In the second one, he found two medium-sized bodies and many little bodies.The big body was outside the sarcophagus.Mr. Maussan said in the video how Mario would not agree to be interviewed on camera.Interestingly, the narrator of Gaias video states how the discoverer of the tomb believes he has just opened around ten percent of the mystery tomb, and that many more sensational discoveries could await inside.The video footage shows what appears to be the entrance to the enigmatic tomb and the mummified remains buried in there.Up to five strange-looking- beings were found inside the mystery tomb, somewhere in Peru. Image Credit:Mr. Maussan is convinced that the discovery suggests how these beings once coexisted with humans.He said: These mummies were buried in human tombs, in sacred places.This means that they had coexisted with our ancestors, were not enemies and had, to a certain extent, a degree of respect between both races and cultures.However, despite the fact that the group has presented scientific studies and x-ray tests, many people are unconvinced by the alleged discovery of alien mummies.Nigel Watson, author of the UFO Investigations Manual said they were plaster of Paris fakes.
Op-ed by Bob Shead

In this article, I would like to attempt to cover the main aspects of the Philippine Tourism Industry and the potential for investment. The tourism industry was worth approximately 8.6 percent of the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2016, compared to 8.2 percent in 2015. Foreign investment in the tourism industry in 2016 was P184 billion (US$3.7 billion) and was mainly into 20 major projects involving resorts and hotels. Employment in the Philippine tourism sector is currently just over 5 million workers. Compared to the previous year, the monthly figures for tourist arrivals has increased by 5.5 percent in 2017, with the current monthly figures at Philippine airports standing at 580,000 travelers. This will give an annual projected figure of 7 million tourist arrivals by air for 2017.

Philippines Tourism Overview as part of GDP

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), as measured by the share of Tourism Direct Gross Value Added (TDGVA) to total GDP, the contribution of tourism to the economy was estimated at 8.6 percent in 2016. The TDGVA amounted to P1243 billion (US$25 billion) in 2016, higher by 13.7 percent compared to previous years P1093 billion (US$22 billion).

The TDGVA estimate is based on the latest results of the Philippine Tourism Satellite Accounts (PTSA) which also provides information on tourism expenditure and employment. The following are the other key results from PTSA:

Inbound tourism expenditure, which refers to the expenditure of non-resident visitors (foreign visitors and Filipinos permanently residing abroad) within the Philippines, grew by 2.3 percent in 2016, amounting to P313.6 billion (US$6.3 billion) from P306.6 billion (US$6.13 billion) in 2015. Compared to the countrys total exports, the share of inbound tourism expenditure was 7.7 percent. Inbound tourism ranked third among the biggest export items in 2016.

Domestic tourism expenditure, which includes expenditure of resident visitors within the country either as domestic trip or part of an international trip, grew by 19.1 percent, from P1770.7 billion (US$35.4 billion) in 2015 to P2108.2 billion (US$42.2 billion) in 2016. Domestic tourism expenditure represented 19.8 percent of the Household Final Consumption Expenditure (HFCE) in 2016.

Employment in the tourism-related industries was estimated at 5.2 million in 2016, higher by 5.1 percent compared to 5 million in 2015. Share of employment in tourism-related industries to total employment in the Philippines was recorded at 12.8 percent in 2016.

(Source: Department of Tourism and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority)

Investment in the Philippine Tourism Industry is managed by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), a government corporation, created by the Tourism Act of 2009 and is under the Department of Tourism (DOT). The current annual budget of DOT (including TIEZA) is P2.5 billion (US$50 million). It is anticipated that in light of increasing tourism to the Philippines, this budget will increase during the next financial year.

TIEZA acts as the DOTs implementation arm, and provides a support infrastructure that facilitates investments in Tourism Enterprise Zones (TEZ) throughout the Philippines. The main functions of TIEZA are: Infrastructure Development and Designation; Regulation and Supervision of TEZ areas; Management of its existing assets and/or facilitation of privatization of an asset; Administration and the collection of the Philippine Travel Tax.

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) confirms that TIEZA tax incentives for Tourism Enterprise Zones (TEZ) will continue beyond 2019

According to a media release on 11 July 2017, the BIR recently issued a ruling on the clarification that had been sought by TIEZA. This confirmed the tax beneficial financial incentives for TEZ under the Tourism Act of 2009. This stated that both foreign and local investors will continue to benefit beyond 2019 and until these investments are fully realized or availed.

This announcement came in light of the Revenue Regulations issued by the BIR in November 2016 on the effective administration of tax incentives for TEZs for a period of ten years or until 2019, also known as the sunset provision. In response to questions by tourism investors on the continued availability of incentives beyond the sunset provision, the TIEZA Chief Operating Officer, Pocholo Paragas had sought clarification from the BIR, and this ruling was announced on 30 May 2017.

Paragas also stated We want to immediately put this issue to rest. This clarification will greatly enhance investors confidence to develop Tourism Enterprise Zones and to attract locators to put up tourism enterprises inside. The time to invest in tourism is now. He further stated that TIEZA through TEZ will continue to engage tourism investment groups, as he believed in the significant contributions of tourism in the national economy, and the huge potential of tourism to the Philippines will provide inclusive growth in the local communities.

The Tourism Act of 2009 now authorizes TIEZA to grant the following tax incentives to TEZ Developers and tourism enterprises:

A six-year Income Tax Holiday (ITH) that may be extended for another six years;

A 5 percent preferential tax on gross income in lieu of national taxes except for real property tax and fees of TIEZA;

A Net Operating Loss Carry Over (NOLCO) scheme;

Import tax exemptions for capital goods, related equipment, transport equipment including spare parts, necessary for TIEZA registered activities;

Exemption from Value Added Tax (VAT) and excise tax goods imported for TIEZA registered activities;

Tax credit equivalent to taxes paid on locally sourced goods;

And tax deduction of up to 50 percent of cost of environmental protection and cultural heritage preservation activities, as well as of sustainable livelihood programs of the Registered Tourism Enterprises (RTEs).

The second part of this article, covering the various sectors in the Philippine tourism industry, can be read here.

About Us Bob Shead is ASEAN Briefings Philippines Correspondent and is based in Manila. He has 25 years experience as a diplomat in Asia. Asia Briefing, a subsidiary of China, India, Indonesia, Russia, the Silk Road & Vietnam. For editorial matters please contact us here and for a complimentary subscription to our products, please click ASEAN Briefing is published by, a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates . We produce material for foreign investors throughout Asia, includingthe. For editorial matters please contact usand for a complimentary subscription to our products, please click here Dezan Shira & Associates provide business intelligence, due diligence, legal, tax and advisory services throughout the ASEAN and Asia. We maintain offices in Singapore, as well as Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City, and maintain Alliance offices in Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Manila as well as throughout China, South-East Asia, India and Russia. For assistance with ASEAN investments into any of the featured countries, please contact us at provide business intelligence, due diligence, legal, tax and advisory services throughout the ASEAN and Asia. We maintain offices in Singapore, as well as Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City, and maintain Alliance offices in Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Manila as well as throughout China, South-East Asia, India and Russia. For assistance with ASEAN investments into any of the featured countries, please contact us at asean@dezshira.com or visit us at www.dezshira.com

Dezan Shira & Associates Brochure

Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing legal, tax and operational advisory to international corporate investors. Operational throughout China, ASEAN and India, our mission is to guide foreign companies through Asias complex regulatory environment and assist them with all aspects of establishing, maintaining and growing their business operations in the region. This brochure provides an overview of the services and expertise Dezan Shira & Associates can provide.

An Introduction to Doing Business in ASEAN 2017

An Introduction to Doing Business in ASEAN 2017 introduces the fundamentals of investing in the 10-nation ASEAN bloc, concentrating on economics, trade, corporate establishment, and taxation. We also include the latest development news for each country, with the intent to provide an executive assessment of the varying component parts of ASEAN, assessing each member state and providing the most up-to-date economic and demographic data on each.

How to Set Up in the Philippines



In this issue of ASEAN Briefing magazine, we provide an introduction to the Philippines as well as analyze the various market entry options available for investors interested in expanding to the island nation. We also discuss the step-by-step process for setting up a business entity in the Philippines, highlighting the various statutory requirements for overseas investors. Finally, we explore the potential for Singapore to serve as a viable base to administer investors Philippine operations.
They also deliberated upon contemporary international tax issues and appreciated India's new GST regime.

Heads of revenue of BRICS nations have signed a pact to identify areas of cooperation in tax matters among members of the group. (Representational Image)

New Delhi: Heads of revenue of BRICS nations have signed a pact to identify areas of cooperation in tax matters among members of the group, and hailed India's indirect tax reform GST, finance ministry said on Friday.

The meeting of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Heads of Revenue and Tax Experts was held at Hangzhou, China from July 25-27. India was represented by Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia.

A Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in respect of tax matters identifying areas of cooperation, namely, coordination in international forums, capacity building, experience sharing and regular interaction was also signed by the BRICS Heads of Revenue, the ministry said.

They also deliberated upon contemporary international tax issues. "India's GST reforms were appreciated and hailed by the BRICS countries," the ministry added.

The biggest indirect tax reform since the Indian Independence, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was rolled out from July 1. It has subsumed 17 different levies and transformed India into a single market for seamless movement of goods and services.
Almost after a year of running BBPS on pilot basis, NPCI has now received the final clearance from RBI.

NPCI has received final approval from RBI to function as the Bharat Bill Payment Central Unit and operate Bharat Bill Payment System.

Mumbai: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on Friday said it has received final approval from the Reserve Bank to function as the Bharat Bill Payment Central Unit (BBPCU) and operate Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS).

"Nearly 45 crore bills, which comprise electricity, telecom, DTH, water and gas, are permitted under BBPS. This initiative will provide a major push to digital payments as it is a big step forward in formalising the bill payment system in the country," NPCI managing director and CEO A P Hota said in a statement here.

Last year in August, eight BBPS operating units, which received in-principle approval from the RBI, took part in the pilot, it said.

Almost after a year of running the pilot, NPCI has now received the final clearance from RBI.

The total number of Bharat Bill Payment Operating Unit (BBPOU) certified by NPCI now stands at 24. The certified units include three public sector banks - Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India and Indian Overseas Bank, 10 private lenders, five cooperative banks and 6 non-bank biller aggregators.

At present, the bulk of transactions on BBPS are towards payment of electricity bills.

The power sector potentially contributes to about 18 crore bills per month out of which only 10 per cent is digital.
The actor who will be seen playing an Army man for the first time on screen will have to learn Urdu & Punjabi to get into the skin of the character.

Actor Emraan Hashmi, who is known as a serial kisser in Bollywood seems to have shifted his interest towards serious and meaningful cinema. While he is busy promoting his film Baadshaaoo he will be seen in a titular role in his next Captain Nawab, which is a spy thriller film.

The actor who will be seen playing an Army man for the first time on screen will have to learn Urdu and Punjabi to get into the skin of the character. Captain Nawab has an intense and demanding script. My prep aims at a good command over Urdu and Punjabi. We are arranging for people from Amritsar to tutor me. Im looking forward to get on with it by August, Emraan said.

Reportedly, Emraan has also approached a Hollywood stunt choreographer to shoot a few action sequences of the film.
If you cannot tolerate apartheid in the name of politics, this Madhur Bhandarkar scrapbook straight from the 1970s is for you.

Rating:

Director- Madhur Bhandarkar

Cast- Kirti Kulhari, Anupam Kher, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Supriya Vinod and Tota Roy Chowdhury

In one hand we have political dramas like Rajneeti, Sarkar, frolicking at the border between propaganda and what some may call the partial truth, and in another, we have Indu Sarkarbrutally honest, riveting and a silent slap to the shapers of this nation who resort to tactics that cut at the very root of democracy. Indu Sarkar is not your usual insipid, lackluster, half-hearted attempt at stripping naked the ill-practices prevalent in a country notorious for abuse of power; Madhur Bhandarkar has gone all out with this one.

Born with a fate that deprives her of parental love and social acceptance, mostly due to stuttering, Indu (Kirti Kulhari) buries her dream of becoming a poet at the backyard of her orphanage and settles for a life of domesticity with a man who is hell-bent on shunning his past life of poverty and march towards a path that is somewhat questionable but promises abundant of opportunities, riches and power. Kirtis character in this tell-all tale is docile and demure; while her government officer husband (Tota Roy Chowdhury) is the official ass licker or, to put it in a polite way, yes man to the men on top.

Indus world revolves around her family of two and occasional poetry recitation at grand parties, until one day, she stumbles upon two kids who mirror her life during tender yearsorphans and victims to holocaust stirred by the emergency period of 1975. The story is embroiled with multiple confrontational scenes between the couple with (stark) contrasting political ideologieseach fighting a battle of his ownthat turn out to be the biggest takeaways.

What is a Madhur Bhandarkar film without irking some, causing controversies with its storyline? Indu brings to light the malicious concept of forced sterilization that the Congress government had imposed in the name of population control and uprooting the gareeb janta from their places of inhabitance in order to beautify Delhi. The Mummy references that Chief (Neil Nitin Mukesh) reiterates is exactly the reason why CBFC had proposed major cuts. Who would have thought that Bhandarkar will get the leading lady to mouth tum log Maa-Bete ki gulaami karte rahoge and get away with it? But again, if you have watched Page 3 and Fashion, you would know that Bhandarkar exposes, literally rinses the concept in hand and no ones spared. Be it that Indira Gandhi lookalike changing goggles in the car or Neil Nitin Mukesh lifting the emergency to earn the trust of the people he had so miserably failed for a mere 320 seats, the National Award-winning director has stayed true to his forte.

Call it the Sushant Singh Rajputs Byomakesh Bakshi hangover, which I thought had the best art direction in a period drama of recent times, but the reconstruction of the 70s era is lackadaisical in this otherwise well-researched movie. Sure, Bhandarkar has paid attention to minute details and had done his homework well, but your characters tapping cigarettes on Charminar boxes and the absolutely unnecessary Bobby billboard cannot make up for the damage the art department has done. The authenticity, rawness that Bhandarkar movies are renowned for, was missing here, thanks to its lame and pretentious setup. Also, the whining lady who marks her attendance at the background during emotionally charged scenes needs to be banned from working in Bollywood.

Kirti, with innocence in eyes and fire of rebellion in her heart, is marvelous. Sure, the court episode reminded us of a scene from Pink that left us stupefied and take notice of this little stick of dynamite, but that does not take away from all the hard work this theater-trained actress has put in. The stuttering, sans a few times, looked and sounded natural. Yes, the rebel in her could have woken up much earlier but it really was about her personal battles and not the subplot.

Neil Nitin Mukesh, as the cold-hearted political tyrant, fits right in and brownie points for his mannerisms. The flip of the hair, those aptly timed hand gestures, the deathly stares; it all heightens the drama, making you simmer with anger. Purpose served!

If you are not a hyper-nationalist or an ardent fan of pressure groups, if you cannot tolerate apartheid in the name of politics, regardless of which party you support, this Madhur Bhandarkar scrapbook straight from the 1970s is for you.
The ED had registered a criminal FIR against the firm, its Chairman Gautam Kundu and others in 2014 under the PMLA.

The central probe agency's regional office here issued a provisional attachment order under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and with this fresh action, the total attachment in this case stands at Rs 1,950 crore (market value). (Photo: File)

Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate on Friday attached assets worth Rs 293 crore in connection with the Rose Valley chit fund scam case in which thousands of people were allegedly cheated in West Bengal and Odisha, officials said.

The central probe agency's regional office here issued a provisional attachment order under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and with this fresh action, the total attachment in this case stands at Rs 1,950 crore (market value).

"The latest attachment order is on assets worth Rs 293 crore (market value)," senior officials in the agency said.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had registered a criminal FIR against the firm, its Chairman Gautam Kundu and others in 2014 under the PMLA.

Kundu was arrested by the agency from here in 2015 and he is currently in judicial custody.

Multiple charge sheets have been filed in the courts in Kolkata and Bhubaneswar by the ED in this case. The group had allegedly floated a total of 27 companies for running the alleged chit fund operations out of which only half-a-dozen were active.

It is alleged that the firm had floated the scheme by promising inflated returns on investments between 8 and 27 per cent to gullible investors in various states.

The company had allegedly promised astronomical returns to depositors on land properties and assets and bookings done in the real estate sector. It is alleged that the company had made "cross investments" in its various sister firms to suppress its liabilities towards investors.

The SEBI had probed the company before the ED and the CBI registered cases against the group. The ED has pegged the total volume of the alleged irregularities at Rs 15,000 crore.

An attachment order under PMLA laws is aimed to deprive the accused from getting benefits of their ill-gotten wealth and it gets confirmed after an order by the Adjudicating

Authority of the said Act.
Arshad in his early 30s, has been staying at a guest house in south Kolkata's Anwar Shah Road area.

Kolkata: Days after riots broke out in West Bengals Baduria, in North 24 Parganas, in July, over a youths alleged inflammatory post on Facebook that hurt sentiments of the Muslim minority community, a Kashmiri man staying in Kolkata was detained for a similar cause.

The Kashmiri youth had allegedly posted anti-national remarks on his Facebook wall, the police said on Thursday.

Arshad in his early 30s, was staying at a guest house in south Kolkata's Anwar Shah Road area and was detained by the Lake Police Station after local residents complained about his anti-national posts on Facebook, the police said.

"Arshad has been coming to the city for the last 12 years for his garment business. Every time he used to stay at this particular guest house and became friends with some locals who noticed his activities on Facebook and informed us," a senior officer of Lake Police Station said.

Arshad's posts started appearing after India lost to Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final in June, he said adding, the youth came to the city a couple of days back, when some local residents caught hold of him and handed him over to the police.

"We are running a check on whether this person has links with any terror outfit or not. We are also scanning his activities on social networking sites," the officer said.

The Kolkata Police Special Task Force (STF) is also probing the matter, he said.

In contrast, West Bengals Basirhat, an area close to the Indo-Bangla border, became a hotbed of communal clashes after the accused had posted objectionable remarks on Facebook on July 2, 2017.

Although the accused fled at night, he was later arrested by the police from a paddy field the next morning. The accused was remanded by the Basirhat Sub-Division Court to police custody for four days.

But the public anger continued as many roads were blocked and several houses were torched by the demonstrators. The Centre deployed paramilitary forces while Rapid Action Force (RAF) teams of Kolkata Police tried to bring the violence-hit area under control.

Security forces barred ministers and administrators from entering Basirhat. Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah had constituted a three-member-committee to probe the state of affairs in Basirhat but Central security personnel prohibited them from entering the region as well.
Constable Salim Yousuf was also shot at and injured by militants inside his residence at Yamrach in Kulgam district Thursday night.

Indian armed forces personnel patrol along the LoC, in Kashmir. (Photo: Twitter | ANI)

Srinagar: Militants opened fire at a police station in Shopian district and shot at a policeman in Kulgam district of Kashmir late Thursday night, police said on Friday.

Constable Salim Yousuf was shot at and injured by militants inside his residence at Yamrach in Kulgam district Thursday night, a police official said.

He said the injured policeman was rushed to district hospital Anantnag where doctors referred him to a hospital in Srinagar for specialised treatment.

In another incident, militants opened fire on police station Shopian Thursday night.

The cops on sentry duty retaliated, forcing the militants to flee from the spot, the official said adding no one was hurt in the brief exchange of fire.

Earlier on Thursday, militants had opened fire on a patrol party of army at Mantribugh in Shopian but there were no casualties reported in the incident.
Termination of pregnancy beyond the 20 weeks period is an offence in India, punishable with punishment ranging from three to seven years.

The decision was taken by the apex court after considering the report of medical board (Photo: File)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday declined 10-year-old rape survivor's plea, seeking termination of 32-week pregnancy after a medical board informed it that abortion at this stage would put the life of the girl, from Chandigarh, at grave risk.

The apex court, however, asked the doctors at the government hospital in Chandigarh to give the girl the best treatment.

The medical board, through the Member-Secretary of the Legal Services Authority of Chandigarh, submitted a report to the SC bench on Friday in a sealed cover. The report said that the girl should continue with the pregnancy till delivery.

Acting on a writ petition filed by an advocate, Alakh Alok Srivastava, a Bench of Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud had on July 24 asked a medical board to examine the girl.

Advocate Srivastava approached the Supreme Court after doctors refused to terminate the minor girl's pregnancy. The girl was repeatedly raped and impregnated by her own uncle.

The rape survivors parents, who are poor, had earlier approached the Chandigarh District Court for permission to terminate the pregnancy, but the trial court dismissed their plea on July 18.

Termination of pregnancy beyond the 20 weeks period is an offence in India, punishable with punishment ranging from three to seven years.

Meanwhile, Srivastava pointed out to the apex court that there is an urgent need for it to frame appropriate guidelines for setting up a permanent mechanism and for constituting permanent medical boards in each district for termination of pregnancies beyond 20 weeks in the exceptional cases, particularly involving child rape survivors.

Taking note of the submissions, the Supreme Court Bench asked the Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the Centre, to consider enacting a law for setting up a permanent medical board at each government hospital in the country.

Meanwhile, another bench of Justices Dipak Misra and AM Kanwilkar permitted termination of 24-week pregnancy of a girl in Mumbai after a team of doctors pointed out that the foetus was suffering from abnormalities in the brain and it would be dangerous for both the mother and the child if pregnancy was continued.
The chief minister announced that on the lines of the National Disaster Response Force, his government would set up a State Disaster Response Force.

Lucknow: UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath slammed the Opposition for boycotting Assembly proceedings during the Budget Session that ended on Thursday.

Wrapping up the discussion on the Budget in the Assembly, even as the Opposition continued it boycott, the chief minister said, Truth is bitter and not everyone can digest it. It seems that the Opposition too cannot digest it.

He said that he could not understand why the Opposition is boycotting the Assembly proceedings. Chandni raat choron ko acchi nahin lagti, he stated amidst applause.

The chief minister announced that on the lines of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), his government would set up a State Disaster Response Force. He said that his four-month-old government had recorded a decline in the crime rate.
Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi warned the MLAs of serious consequences of anti-defection law.

New Delhi: The Congress on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of horse-trading in Gujarat and using "money, muscle and state power" to engineer defections ahead of the crucial Rajya Sabha polls.

Stating that the party is keeping all options open, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi warned the MLAs of serious consequences of anti-defection law that can lead to disqualification from contesting elections up to six years.

Abhishek Singhvi recalled court judgements that termed defections a constitutional sin and unprincipled defections a social evil.

"Crores of rupees have been spent in horse-trading in Gujarat by the BJP. You have seen this naked drama.... The policy of the BJP in Gujarat is - by hook or by crook, come to power by breaking all laws," he said.

The comments come after six Congress MLAs quit the party ahead of the crucial Rajya Sabha elections for three seats that may alter the result. The party had 57 MLAs in the 182-member Assembly.

While Amit Shah and Smriti Irani have been fielded by the BJP, the Congress has again fielded Ahmed Patel, the political secretary of Sonia Gandhi, for the third seat and the

defections may have a bearing on the election for this seat.

Singhvi said, "The anti-defection law is supreme and repeatedly the Supreme Court has called defections a constitutional sin."

He alleged that Congress Gujarat MLA Punabhai Gamit was offered Rs 10 crore by the BJP. Singhvi also accused the BJP of adopting unlawful measures with the use of money and power to force the Congress MLAs to switch sides and quit the assembly.

"If the MLAs think they cannot come under the anti-defection law, they are mistaken. If found guilty under the law, they face future disqualification of six years," he said.

He added that the Prevention of Corruption Act says any person receiving any gratification for doing something in return is corruption.

Asked what options does the Congress have now, the Congress leader said, "we have all our options open", a indication that the Congress may move the court.

Singhvi accused the BJP of engineering defections by using "money, muscle and state power" and subverting the authority of elected governments, adding "this has become the hallmark of the ruling party".

On Nitish Kumar switching sides, the Congress leader said it is like number portability where the chief minister is the same and only the service provider has changed from the RJD to the BJP.

"It's chief minister portability," he said.
Tejaswi added the entire disturbing series of events had been planned in advance by the saffron party.

Patna: Former Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav on Friday said that the mandate which was handed over by the people of Bihar in 2015 elections was for the grand alliance, adding that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had insulted that mandate.

"It is a murder of democracy. People of Bihar had given mandate in 2015 not for the BJP but for the grand alliance. He (Nitish) along with the saffron party has insulted the mandate," Tejaswi told the media in Patna.

He further assured that public will teach them a lesson.

"We asked several questions in Assembly today, but BJP and Nitish Kumar had no answers to them. When they couldn't answer my questions in Assembly, then how will they answer to the people," he questioned.

Tejaswi added the entire disturbing series of events had been planned in advance by the saffron party.

"Nitish ji is sitting in the lap of BJP and RSS which has disappointed the people of Bihar. The public feels betrayal. If he had to ultimately go to the BJP then did he change four parties in four years," he asserted.

Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar has won the floor test with 131 votes in favour against 108.

The Chief Minister was faced vote of confidence in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, to prove his majority to form the state government.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) had issued whip to their legislators to vote in favour of the trust vote.

The RJD and the Congress had also issued a similar whip to their legislators.

Nitish led JD (U)-NDA government had a support of 132 MLAs.

According to the communique issued from the Raj Bhawan, Nitish had claimed the support of 131 members, including the BJP, two independents and legislators of BJP allies Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM)-Secular and Rashtriya Lok Samata party (RLSP).

Opposition RJD has 80 MLAs, the Congress 27 and the CPI-ML 3.

On Thursday, Nitish and BJP leader Sushil Modi were sworn-in as Bihar Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister respectively, and former has been asked to prove his majority on the floor by Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.

Nitish, on July 26 resigned as Bihar Chief Minister citing political differences with former ally, Lalu Prasad Yadav led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), over corruption charges against the RJD supremo's son Tejaswi Yadav.

He, however, on Thursday, took oath as Bihar Chief Minister for the sixth time, marking a historic transition of the state from a Grand Alliance government to an NDA regime.
Touched by Swaraj's response, Asif praised Swaraj and said, Pakistan would have changed had she been the prime minister of her country.

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday directed the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to issue a visa to a Pakistani national for medical treatment in India.

Swaraj's direction to India's High Commissioner in Pakistan Gautam Bambawale came after a woman  Hijaab Asif  sought the external affairs minister's urgent intervention.

Touched by Swaraj's prompt response, Asif praised Swaraj and even said that Pakistan would have changed had she been the prime minister of her country.

Minutes after Swaraj's tweet to Bambawale, the Indian mission tweeted that it was in tough with the applicant.

"Ma'am, we are in touch with the applicant. Rest assured we will follow it up," the Indian High Commission said in a tweet.

Responding to Asif's plea, Swaraj also wondered whether Pakistan Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Satraj Aziz had refused to issue a recommendation letter for issuance of a visa by India to the patent.

The External Affairs minister had a few weeks back said that Pakistani nationals seeking visas for medical treatment in India must accompany their visa applications with a recommendation letter by Aziz.

"Dear ma'am, spoke to DHC (Deputy High Commissioner) in Islamabad, told the patient's current condition and he said it's all up to you. If you allow," Asif had tweeted earlier.

The patient is suffering from serious liver ailment and needs urgent treatment in India, she said.

After Swaraj's direction to grant a visa to the patient, Asif was effusive in her praise of the external affairs minister.

"@SushmaSwaraj What do I call you? Superwoman? God? No words to describe your generosity! Love you ma'am. Cannot stop praising you in tears!!!," she said.

In another tweet, she said "my heart belongs and beats for you", adding that "Pakistan doesn't deserve her at all".

"Lots and Lots of Love and respect from here. Wish you were our prime minister. this country would have changed.
A worried Congress flew nine of its Gujarat MLAs to Bangaluru to prevent poaching by the BJP.

New Delhi: Amid signs of the Congress ship sinking rapidly, there is a rush among its leaders to desert the party. A day after three Congress MLAs resigned from the party and joined the BJP in poll-bound Gujarat, two more legislators switched sides and joined the saffron party on Friday, denting the chances of Congress leader Ahmed Patel to make it to the Rajya Sabha from the state.

A third legislator also quit the Congress but did not join the BJP.

A worried Congress flew nine of its Gujarat MLAs to Bangaluru to prevent poaching by the BJP.

Vasda MLA Chhana Chaudhry and Balasinor MLA Mansinh Chauhan are the latest Congress leaders to join the BJP. Thasra MLA Ramsinh Parmar also quit the Congress but not announced his next move.

All of them have submitted their resignations to Speaker Ramanlal Vora. The latest tally of legislators abandoning the Congress in Gujarat stands at eight, threatening to jeopardise the election of Mr Patel, political secretary to party president Sonia Gandhi, in the August 8 poll for Rajya Sabha seats. While six Congress MLAs quit the party in the last 24 hours, senior leader Shankersinh Vaghela and his son, Mahendrasinh Vaghela left the party earlier. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad accused the BJP of using the state machinery and money power to lure away Congress MLAs for the Rajya Sabha polls. While the BJP candidates for Rajya Sabha polls - party president Amit Shah and Union minister Smriti Irani are expected to sail through, Mr Patel is likely to face an uphill task. Mr Patel, who is aiming for a fifth term in the Rajya Sabha, could be in danger as the BJP has fielded Balwantsinh Rajput, who switched over from the Congress to the saffron camp, on Thursday. Four candidates are now in the fray for three RS vacancies from Gujarat. It may be recalled that in the recently concluded presidential polls nearly 11 Congress MLAs had voted in favour of NDA candidate Ram Nath Kovind.

Mr Ahmeds defeat will be a major loss of face for the Congress and the party was going all out to ensure his victory, sources said. After the desertions on Friday, the Congress strength in Gujarat Assembly has come down from 57 to 49 MLAs. With eight Congress MLAs quitting in the past few days, the strength of the Assembly has also been reduced from 182 to 174. To win, each RS candidate would require 43 votes. With 121 MLAs in BJPs kitty, both Mr Shah and Ms Irani would sail through. The battle could rage for the third seat between Mr Patel and Mr Rajput. The BJP has 35 spare votes and Mr Rajput would need only eight more votes to defeat Mr Patel. If more Congress MLAs quit the party before August 8, it could virtually become a herculean task for Ms Gandhis aide to enter the Upper House for the fifth time from Gujarat. Congress in-charge of Gujarat Ashok Ghelot huffed and puffed and lashed out at the BJP saying: In pursuit of power and grabbing Rajya Sabha seats, the BJP is engaged in lowly tactics of causing defections in the Congress by horse trading.
Young entrepreneurs from Lucknow are attempting to revolutionize the food delivery system using drones.

Have you ever faced hunger pangs due to late delivery of food coupled with your incessant greed to order in? Or have you ever had to cancel out on your order since the delivery boy was just taking too much time?

Well residents of Lucknow might have found a solution to their food delivery woes. Onlinekaka is a food delivery portal based in Lucknow which is trying to reduce the delivery time of food by using one of the most innovative modes ever  drones.

Onlinekaka which was formed in 2016 was founded by Ahad Arshad, Mohd Bilal and Mohd Salman.

A brainchild of 22-year-old Ahad Arshad and 23-year-old Mohd Bilal, Delivery via Drones happened because of a delay in order delivery that they faced. Much like us, the duo love food, and it turns out that, belonging to the City of Nawabs, Mughlai cuisine is one of their favorites. So it was only a matter of time when some delivery boy got delayed in bringing them their Tunday Kebabs, and delivery via drones was born!

Speaking about it Ahad says, It was due to the delay in order delivery that we were forced to think of delivering food using other ways. The traffic of city has gone from bad to worse due to the metro construction, but we are hopeful that it will be in the future.

Bilal goes on to add, Not only will it reduce delivery time but it will also help us fight pollution caused by two wheelers. If we are successful in getting the nod from the authorities, we'll be the 1st company to do it in North India and the second one in India. Amazon in the US is also working on a similar concept.

Once the idea was fermented in the youngsters mind they ordered two drones from China. They did a few trail runs on it, made a few modifications and attached a box (with edibles) with the help of pulleys under the drone, where as soon as the box touches the ground, it will be detached from the drone.

Delivering food via drones is yet to be used on a practical basis, but the duo proposes that it will follow a few generic methods.

Ahad says, We have four hubs in various parts of the city (Hazrat Ganj, Chowk, Aminabad and Mahanagar) and almost all our restaurants are located in the same locations. The drone will pick up the food from the restaurant and drop it off at the nearest hub of the customer. From there our delivery agent will take the order and deliver it to the customers doorstep.

Bilal goes on to further elucidate, Eventually we plan to use google maps API and directly deliver the food to the customer. It will only be available on a few locations, as the drone won't be able to fly in the areas where there are a lot of trees. This will be difficult to implement as of now, so we plan to initially work on plan one.

Both of them are however, quick to point out that delivery by drone will be more expensive than normal delivery.

The delivery time will be 1/3rd of the average delivery time which is 45 Minutes, adds Bilal.

The young entrepreneurs believe that delivering food via drones is the future of food delivery in the country.

Ahad says, Today, no one wants has the time to wait for anything. They need things urgently. People can still wait for their clothes for a few days but in case of food delivery people cannot hold onto their hunger. Once this concept of delivery via drone becomes a reality, people will not have to settle with any food that is near them, they can order from a place 5 Kms away from there home/office and get it delivered in 15 minutes.

The drone delivery concept by Onlinekaka is pending for a nod from the authorities. They have already written a letter to the DM of Lucknow to allow them a few areas for trial run. The Civil Aviation Ministry is also in the favour of Drone Deliveries but it is also waiting for a nod from the GOI.

The young entrepreneurs who believe that the youth will love the idea, are meanwhile already planning on an eager expansion to Kanpur, Allahabad and NCR.
Says will take more development work in remaining years of term.

New Delhi: Asserting that he was fighting for the dues of the people, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday asked people to have faith in his government. He said the AAP government will undertake more development works in remaining three years of its term.

Have faith in us, we will do all the (development) works. You can see how they are creating hurdles on daily basis. I am fighting for you with them, Mr Kejriwal said.

The AAP, which came to power in February 2015, has had frequent run-ins with the BJP-led Centre and the Lieutenant Governors office over various issues. The party has repeatedly accused the Centre of not allowing the Delhi government to work freely.

Mr Kejriwal said his government was working round-the-clock for the poor who voted for AAP. We won 67 out of 70 (Assembly) seats. Poor people voted for us, not those living in big bungalows and kothis. It is our duty to serve you. We work 24 hours for you, he said.

The chief minister was speaking after inaugurating a 2 MVA transformer, first in the city, at thickly populated Joga Bai Extension in Okhla. He highlighted the work done by his government in education and health sectors.

The work done by the AAP government in schools and hospitals is talked about in foreign countries. The question is why did not Congress and BJP governments do anything, he said.

Mr Kejriwal stated that the AAP government was saving large sums of mo-ney and utilising them in development work.

He also hit out at the previous Congress and BJP governments in Delhi for making excuses of lack of funds. They used to make excuses that the governments had no money. Where are we getting the money from to provide free of cost medicines, tests and operations, lay water pipelines and build schools? It is because you voted for an honest party. We do not take money or allow our officers to take money, he asserted.

Delhi power minister Satyendar Jain and Okhla MLA Amantullah Khan accompanied the chief minister.
The victim is admitted to AIIMS and is said to be critical.

However, later he started to feel a burning sensation, which was when he realised that he had been fed acid, his family members alleged. (Representational image)

New Delhi: In a bizarre incident, a group of men unable to buy paneer (cottage chee-se) allegedly force-fed an acid-like liquid to a 20-year-old youth at his shop in Southeast Delhis Sangam Vihar on Wednesday.

The police said that a man had gone to buy paneer from the victims shop, but when he found out that it wasnt available, he started to abuse the victim. Later, he brought a few of his friends to the shop and force-fed a chemical substance to the youth. The victim is admitted to AIIMS and is said to be critical.

Probe reveals that the victim, Yogesh, runs a milk shop in Sangam Vihar and lives with his parents and sister.

According to the police, the prime accused, identified as Golu, had reportedly got involved in a verbal spat with the victim a day before the incident.

A senior police officer said that the incident came to light after the victims sister informed the police and narrated the entire chain of events.

The family stated that a day before the incident, Golu had walked into the shop and asked for some paneer. At that time they had run out of the item and communicated the same. This infuriated the accused, who abused the victim and left the shop, said a police officer.

Unable to take no for an answer, Golu came back the following day with a gang of men. They barged into the victims shop and fed him a chemical substance in front of his sister. Initially, the victim did not feel anything. However, later he started to feel a burning sensation, which was when he realised that he had been fed acid, his family members alleged.

He was taken to a nearby hospital from where he was referred to AIIMS for further treatment. The police has not confirmed whether the substance was an acid and has roped in forensic teams to ascertain the identity of the substance. A case under relevant sections has been registered.
The mayor gave the direction to commissioner PK Gupta during a meeting of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC).

New Delhi: North Delhi Mayor Preety Agarwal on Thursday directed the municipal commissioner for facilitating councillors with funds to undertake development works in their respective wards.

The mayor gave the direction to commissioner PK Gupta during a meeting of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC).

"She directed that each councillor be provided with Rs 25 lakh for development work in his/her respective wards," an official of the civic body said.

The councillors are not able to take up civic and development-related work as statutory committees have not been formed, she said.

The mayor had on Wednesday alleged that the Delhi government was not allowing the corporation to function due to "party politics".

"For smooth functioning of the 'deliberative wing' of corporations, it is essential to have statutory committees in place. In the absence of a Delhi government notification authenticating zone-wise details of wards, the NDMC is not in a position to proceed further," Agarwal had said.
According to a DCW official, the commission informed that many of these women were beaten and kept hungry.

New Delhi: The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Jaihind has written to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj requesting her to help 45 Indian women who are allegedly trapped in Oman.

We received a representation from NGO Navshrishti which has received calls from certain women in Oman stating they are unable to come back to India. The case appears to be that of human trafficking, Ms Maliwal said in the letter, seeking Swarajs intervention in the issue.

According to a DCW official, the commission informed that many of these women were beaten and kept hungry. These women were promised nursing jobs in Dubai by an agent who took them to Oman instead and recruited them as house maids, the official said.

The official added that the womens passports are confiscated and they had approached the India embassy in Oman for help but failed to receive any support.
Action will also be taken against the doctor of the JJ Hospital's Casualty Department, who gave false reports on Shetye's death.

New Delhi: Indrani Mukerjea will be interrogated in connection with murder of Manjula Shetye, a Byculla jail prisoner, said Maharashtra minister Ranjit Patil.

Patil announced the development in the monsoon session of the Legislature.

Action will also be taken against the doctor of the JJ Hospital's Casualty Department, who gave false reports on Shetye's death.

Earlier, six Byculla women's prison officials, accused of murder of inmate, Shetye have filed their bail pleas at a sessions court in Mumbai.

In the bail pleas, they blamed Sheena Bora murder accused Mukerjea of hatching a conspiracy against them for framing them in the murder case.

Their bail plea mentioned, "Indrani Mukerjea, a murder case under trial prisoner along with others have masterminded the false case to gain advantage and personal grudge against public servants."

The plea also says that Shetye's death was a result of her illness.

Earlier on June 30, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Bombay High Court seeking Criminal Investigation Department (CID) inquiry in the murder case of Shetye.

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 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.

Shetye died at the JJ Hospital on June 23 after being allegedly beaten up by the Byculla jail officials and staff.
Shiv Sena further aimed potshots at the BJP and said that in the Ishrat Jahan encounter case, Nitish spoke against the saffron outfit.

Mumbai: Responding to the 'ghar wapsi' by Janata Dal (United) in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the Shiv Sena on Friday fired a sardonic salvo at the new tie-up and said both the BJP and the JDU, who are brimming with bonhomie presently, in the past two years left no stone unturned in bringing each other down.

Mocking the history of see-sawing ties between Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shiv Sena questioned that though the two prominent leaders are oozing love and heaping praises at each other, how will they explain the venom they spewed against one another in the past years.

"Amit Shah said that if Nitish Kumar wins Pakistan would celebrate, so is Pakistan celebrating now? Seems like the BJP has itself made Pakistan happy by collaborating with Nitish," Shiv Sena Editorial mouth piece Saamana stated.

"Nitish accused Prime Minister Modi of being non-secular. He also accused the BJP of functioning according to the RSS ideology. Nitish even went on saying that when Prime Minister Modi was the chief Minister of Gujarat he killed Muslims, so if Modi ji is nominated as the Prime Ministerial candidate my conscious will now allow me to be a part of NDA," the article added.

Shiv Sena further aimed potshots at the BJP and said that in the Ishrat Jahan encounter case, Nitish spoke against the saffron outfit, so how will the latter party forget such sharp criticism.

"Nitish favored Ishrat, and slammed the Centre, how will the Modi government digest all the criticism," the article said.

Meanwhile, Kumar who took oath as Bihar Chief Minister on Thursday, later in the day will prove his majority in the state Assembly.

It will be a special session where the new Janata Dal (United) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance will prove their political mettle.
During the discussion, BJP MLA Raj Purohit demanded a 50 per cent quota for local students.

Mumbai: Blaming students for changing preference of colleges while taking admission in Class 11, education minister Vinod Tawde informed the Assembly on Thursday that more than 10,000 students changed their preference after the release of the first list. Also, MLAs demanded to reintroduce offline admissions to avoid the ongoing confusion and panic.

Colleges were allocated to students based on their choice. But after the first list released, we came to know that as many as 10,000 students changed their choice and did not take admission in the colleges they were allotted. It put a pressure on the entire system and it resulted into the procedure slowing down. With so many students changing their preference, it naturally affects the system, said Mr Tawde. Compared to rest of Maharashtra, there is more number of colleges in Mumbai with minority status, which further complicated the admission process, he added.

The state officials, after speaking to some students, came to know that instead of students, parents had filled the forms and hence the allotted colleges were not opted by the students. Hence, the state will develop a mechanism, which would generate a password, and only one person can fill in the admission forms. This will reduce the loan on the online system, though the state is going to enhance the capacity of the server to handle the incoming traffic, he said. Mr Tawde said while replying to queries related to the delay in Class 11 admission.

During the discussion, BJP MLA Raj Purohit demanded a 50 per cent quota for local students. The south Mumbai MLA had earlier led a morcha against the BJP-ruled government raising the demand. Supporting the demand, Shiv Senas Sunil Prabhu said that colleges should be asked to admit local students as a special case. While Mr Prabhu claimed that all assembly legislators were in favour of the move, BJPs Sunil Deshmukh opposed the suggestion. The admission process must be merit-based. How can we suggest that a meritorious student from the suburbs or far-off suburbs should be deprived of an admission to top south Mumbai college just because he does not stay there? Mr Deshmukh asked.

The minister also pointed out that there are 2.60 lakh students in Mumbai highest in Maharashtra, who submitted their applications online.
After a brief uproar on the issue, speaker Haribhau Bagade appealed to the MLAs to calm down.

Mumbai: The recent Madras high court order making the singing of Vande Mataram compulsory across all schools, colleges, universities and government offices in Tamil Nadu triggered noisy scenes in the Maharashtra Assembly on Friday.

Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi and All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MLA Waris Pathan had expressed their opposition to the chanting of the national song on Thursday. On Friday, BJP MLA Anil Gote brought the matter to the floor of the House. He made a scathing attack against Mr Azmi, which created an uproar.

Stating that there should not be any opposition to Vande Mataram, Mr Gote said, It is a patriotic song, and it should not be opposed by people like Abu Azmi.

However, Mr Azmi remained firm on his stand against making it compulsory for the song to be sung, and demanded that the speaker allow him to talk on the issue.

I am opposing any move to make singing of Vande Mataram mandatory. If my faith tells me that singing it is against my faith, then I should not be forced to do so, Mr Azmi said.

However, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Eknath Khadse said people of all faiths used to recite Vande Mataram during the Independence struggle. If a person lives and feeds on the soil of this country, what is wrong in being grateful? You are born here and after your death you will be buried in the same land. Why cant you respect the soil by saying Vande Mataram? During the pre-Independence period, all faiths used Vande Mataram in their struggle against the British. If the same song has to be recited today, why are you opposing it? Mr Khadse said.

Congress MLA Aslam Shaikh said, There are two versions of Vande Mataram; and after the Independence, the government is forcing one version on us. It is wrong and should be opposed.

After a brief uproar on the issue, speaker Haribhau Bagade appealed to the MLAs to calm down.

On Thursday, BJP MLA Purohit, citing the recent order of the Madras high court that made singing of the national song mandatory in schools across Tamil Nadu at least twice a week, had demanded the same in Maharashtra. However, Mr Azmi and Mr Pathan objected to it. Mr Azmi had said that he would not sing Vande Mataram even if he was thrown out of the country, while Mr Pathan had said he would not sing it even if a revolver is put to my head.
Organs donated by youths family after his demise saves four lives in Delhi.

According to the hospital-wise data decided by NOTTO, the heart was allocated to Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, one kidney to Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj, one kidney to BLK Hospital and the liver was given to Gangaram Hospital. (Photo: Pixabay)

New Delhi: At a time, when traffic in South Delhi crawls at a snail's pace and most dread to get stuck on their way back home from work, the clockwork precision of Delhi Police helped transport a beating heart between Fortis Vasant Kunj and Fortis Escorts to save a life.

The Fortis Organ Retrieval and Transplant (FORT) unit of Fortis Healthcare Limited successfully transported a donor's heart from Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall Hospital at Vasant Kunj in South Delhi to Fortis Escorts Heart Insitute, Okhla.

The donor, a 25-year-old male, a road accident victim was brought into the emergency of Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj at 3.58 am on July 24, with multiple fractures and multiple organ failure, post which he was declared brain dead.

The proposal to donate his organs was discussed with the family members who gave their consent, despite their irreparable loss.

The hospital informed NOTTO (National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization) and police clearance was taken, this being a medico-legal case.

The donor is survived by his mother, father (who is himself a cancer patient) and elder brother.

A life-saving heart transplant was carried out on a 24-year-old patient suffering from congestive heart failure by Dr Z S Meharwal, Director of Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplant Surgery, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute.

The surgery went on for four hours and the patient is recovering well with a normal ejection fraction of achieved since the transplant.

"The young patient suffered from a Myocarditis due to congestive heart failure. In this case, his heart muscles did not relax after each pumping and hence there was excessive water retention in the body. Over the years, the patient's condition grew serious and he was in dire need of a heart transplant," explained Dr Vishal Rastogi, principal intervention Cardiologist, Head, advanced Heart Failure Program, FEHI.

Dr Rajeev Sood, Director, Urology, Robotics & Kidney Transplantation also performed a kidney transplant on a 59-year-old male at Fortis Vasant Kunj.

"The patient had End Stage Renal Disease and was on dialysis for the past three years. It is his fortune to have received a young 25-year-old's kidney which has been in excellent condition. The transplanted kidney has provided him with a new lease of life and is generating urine since the time of transplant. The patient is doing well and recovering well in the post-op ICU," shared Dr Sood.

According to the NOTTO protocol and guidelines, each hospital has to inform about their possible organ donation after which the government body decides as to which organ is to be sent to which hospital in the region based on a list of recipients.

According to the hospital-wise data decided by NOTTO, the heart was allocated to Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, one kidney to Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj, one kidney to BLK Hospital and the liver was given to Gangaram Hospital.

The entire process of organ donation and transplant surgeries is meticulous, requiring counselling for the grieving donor family, quick and efficient coordination by the medical and administrative teams to speed up necessary formalities and transport the donated organ quickly to the recipient.

Mr Sandeep Guduru, Facility Director, Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall Hospital said, "This is our third deceased organ donation at Vasant Kunj. We express our gratitude towards the donor's family as they have acted in such a noble manner even in their hour of grief."
The Creators Update makes the OS more stable and adds a host of new features to enhance productivity.

With this new update, users can get access to the new Paint 3D that helps in drawing three-dimensional objects.

Microsoft unveiled the Creators Update for Windows 10 back in April 2017 and the Redmond giant has finally made it available to all Windows 10 users. The information comes from an official statement released by Microsoft stating that the Creators Update is now available for all eligible Windows 10 devices around the world.

We are excited to make the Creators Update fully available to all our customers. We also encourage commercial organisations to begin broadly deploying Windows 10, version 1703, if you havent already done so. Staying up to date on both the latest feature and quality updates assures you of being on the most secure version of Windows 10 ever (version 1703), John Cable, Director of Program Management, Windows Servicing and Delivery, explained.

The Windows 10 Creators Update will bring a host of new features to the computers running the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. With this new update, users can get access to the new Paint 3D that helps in drawing three-dimensional objects. The new Game Mode will help you attain higher frame rates on your high-end gaming titles by limiting background apps. A new Night Light feature will enable a blue filter on the screen to protect the users eyes from harmful radiations. Also, theres a Picture-in-Picture mode available for Universal Windows Platform apps for enhancing greater multitasking.

Microsoft is also working on the second major update scheduled to release later in the year. Dubbed as the Fall Creators Update, it will bring a major visual overhaul to Windows 10. Stay tuned for all the information related to major Windows 10 updates.

(source)
Trump said the ban would save on the 'tremendous' medical costs and disruptions that transgender personnel could create.

The Times cited a source who said Trump was worried the amendment could delay the spending bill. (Photo: File)

Washington: President Donald Trump's announcement that transgender troops are no longer welcome in the US military caught the Pentagon off guard, leaving officials scrambling for a coherent response.

Trump's tweeted decree upended years of progressive personnel reform in the military, which in recent years has opened the door for women to fight in front-line combat roles and lifted a ban on gay people openly serving.

Here's a look at the legal and political minefield the Pentagon must now clear if it is to implement Trump's ban:

What prompted the ban?: Trump said the ban would save on the "tremendous" medical costs and disruptions that transgender personnel could create.

But a Rand Corporation study said only a small portion of service members would ever seek gender transition affecting their deploy ability or health costs, adding between $2.4 million and $8.4 million to the Pentagon's more than $600 billion budget.

According to The New York Times and other US media, Trump's ban was driven by politics. A spending bill that included money for a wall along the US-Mexico border and other signature Trump pledges also included an amendment barring the military from paying for transgender medical treatment.

The Times cited a source who said Trump was worried the amendment could delay the spending bill. So, rather than dealing with the issue, Trump made it moot by barring transgender people altogether, the Times reported.

What's the legal impact?: On June 30, 2016, then defense secretary Ash Carter said the military could no longer discharge or deny re-enlistment to troops based solely on their gender identity.

That means transgender troops who were encouraged to come out under one administration now face getting booted under another a potential legal quagmire for the Pentagon.

Already, advocacy and civil rights groups are drawing up court challenges. OutServe-SLDN which works to end military discrimination and civil rights litigators Lambda Legal have said they are ready to sue.

"If this disgraceful tweet actually becomes policy, we will sue in a heartbeat," said Lambda legal director Jon Davidson. The American Civil Liberties Union said it was examining options on how to fight the ban, and called for anyone affected to contact the organization.

The Pentagon has a long history of exclusionary policies, including racial segregation, bans on gays and barring women from combat roles. Those prohibitions were all scrapped over time.

Recruitment repercussions: The number of transgender troops among America's 1.3 million active duty service members is small, with estimates ranging from between 1,320 and 15,000.

While losing troops would have an impact on some units, observers also worry about the knock-on effects, particularly among millennials who may no longer consider joining an organization with discriminatory policies.

To choose service members on other grounds than military qualifications is social policy and has no place in our military," Carter said following Trump's announcement.

"This action would also send the wrong signal to a younger generation thinking about military service."

What now?: Trump apparently tweeted his announcement with little or no coordination with the Pentagon.

Public affairs officials on Wednesday refused to return calls or worked behind closed doors, and a promised statement that was supposed to offer clarity on how the ban might be implemented never arrived.

Pentagon chief Jim Mattis was on holiday when the tweets landed and it appears he was informed of the decision only after it was made.

General Joe Dunford, who is Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a short memo to service heads and senior enlisted leaders Thursday that the current policy should remain in effect until Trump had given formal direction to the Pentagon and Mattis issues new guidance.

"In the meantime, we will continue to treat all of our personnel with respect," Dunford wrote. As of Thursday afternoon, the Pentagon's existing guidelines on transgender policy remained on its website.
But the bill could end up penalizing European firms that contribute to the development of Russia's energy sector.

The measure, which notably constrains Trump's ability to waive the penalties, is aimed at penalizing the Kremlin for meddling in the 2016 US presidential election and Russia's annexation of Crimea. (Photo: PTI)

Washington: The US Senate on Thursday passed bipartisan sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea, sending the package to President Donald Trump, who must decide whether to accept the tough approach to Moscow or veto the measure.

The sanctions, which were approved on a 98-2 Senate vote and overwhelmingly passed the House on Tuesday, are sure to antagonize the Kremlin as well as European nations fearing their companies will be penalized.

The measure, which notably constrains Trump's ability to waive the penalties, is aimed at penalizing the Kremlin for meddling in the 2016 US presidential election and Russia's annexation of Crimea.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the bill would address the failure so far to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin for what he described as a "stunning breach" of a sovereign nation's elections.

"That all changes today," he said. Senator John McCain, who chairs the Armed Services Committee and is a long-time harsh critic of Moscow, applauded the measure that "finally holds Russia accountable for its brazen attack" on US elections.

"The Senate's overwhelming vote today sends an important message that America will not tolerate attacks on our democracy or national security interests," he said.

But the bill could end up penalizing European firms that contribute to the development of Russia's energy sector.

New sanctions against Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which stands accused of supporting terrorism, and North Korea, for its missile tests, are also included in the bill.

Key among the provisions is one that handcuffs the US president by complicating any of the leader's unilateral efforts to ease penalties against Moscow in the future -- effectively placing him under Congress's watch.

Trump has faced accusations that his administration had sought to reassure Moscow that sanctions imposed near the end of the Obama administration could be lifted under a new presidency.

Initially, Trump resisted the sanctions legislation. But faced with near-total consensus among Republican and Democratic lawmakers, the White House blinked, saying this week that Trump was "reviewing" the bill.

US lawmakers, including Republican leaders, have remained wary of the intentions of the billionaire businessman-turned-president -- who has called for better relations with Moscow -- regarding a relaxation of pressure on Putin.

But even if Trump were to veto the legislation, Congress would likely be able to overcome such a blockage with a two-thirds majority in each chamber.

Putin himself lashed out at the US sanctions effort on Thursday, warning that Russia would ultimately have to retaliate.

"We are behaving in a very restrained and patient way, but at some moment we will need to respond," Putin said at a news conference after talks with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto.

"It's impossible to endlessly tolerate this kind of insolence towards our country," he added.

Several European nations, including Germany, are livid because the new law would allow punishing companies working on pipelines from Russia, for example by limiting their access to US banks.
At the time of the accident many passengers were standing up in the busy carriages, which increased the number of injuries.

Injured passengers are attended to on the platform of a train station in Barcelona, Spain. Dozens of people were injured when a morning commuter train they were traveling on crashed into the buffers in a station in northeastern Barcelona early Friday. (Photo: AP)

Barcelona: A commuter train slammed into the end of the platform during the morning rush hour at a busy station in Barcelona on Friday, leaving 54 people injured, emergency services said.

One person was seriously injured, 19 were injured "less seriously" including the driver, and 34 were lightly injured in the accident at Francia station in the centre of the Spanish city, local emergency services said on Twitter.

A French citizen and a Romanian were among the injured, a spokesman for the civil protection agency said. The rest were Spanish nationals.

The regional train, travelling from the town of Sant Vicenc de Calders, ran into buffers at 7:15 am (0515 GMT), a spokesman for Spanish train operator Renfe said.

At the time of the accident many passengers were standing up in the busy carriages, which increased the number of injuries.

"At the moment of impact I had the feeling of experiencing an earthquake. People were swaying back and forth and colliding into each other," Lidia, who was travelling in the first carriage of the train, told Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia.

"Many people fell to the ground because people were standing up and I saw several people with cuts to the head and face from the blows they suffered when they fell," she added.

Pictures from the scene posted on social media showed the interior of the train covered in shattered glass. Others showed firefighters treating injured commuters on the platform.

The train did not brake when entering the station, a security guard who works at the station, who declined to give his name because he was not authorised to talk to the media. "It was going at normal speed, it did not brake and it crashed into an iron pillar," he said.

The front of the train was crumpled by the impact. Officials covered the damaged front in blue plastic, TV images showed.

The streets around the station, Barcelona's second busiest which is known as Estacio de Franca in the regional Catalan language, were closed off to allow emergency vehicles to get through.

Investigation opened: An investigation into the cause of the accident has been opened, the spokesman for Renfe said.

The accident coincided with the start of a national rail strike which forced the cancellation of hundreds of trains.

It was not immediately clear how many people were on the train at the time of the accident, an emergency services spokeswoman said.

The head of the regional government of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, was at the scene of the crash and Public Works Minister Inigo de la Serna announced that he would travel to Barcelona.

"I am following closely the developments regarding the commuter train crash in Barcelona. I wish a quick and completely recovery for the injured," Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said in a Twitter message.

The accident comes as Spain this week marked the fourth anniversary of one of the country's worst rail disasters in which 80 people died in 2013 near the northwestern city of Santiago de Compostela.

The train from Madrid crashed as it hurtled round a sharp bend at 179 kilometres per hour (110 miles per hour) more than twice the speed limit for that stretch of track in the village of Angrois.

The driver of the train is facing trial, but under pressure from associations representing families of the victims, officials have reopened their investigation to see if there was negligence on the part of the railway firm.
Qatar has dismissed the demands as a violation of its sovereignty and has received significant support from its ally Turkey.

Doha: Qatar's foreign minister on Thursday accused Gulf neighbors and Egypt of "stubbornness" in their ongoing diplomatic dispute and said the United Nations should step in to help resolve the crisis.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York to discuss tensions after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut ties with Qatar on June 5.

The four countries accuse Qatar of backing extremism and have imposed sanctions against Doha in what the foreign minister said was a "serious violation of international law."

"There is a role for the Security Council and for the General Assembly and all the United Nations mechanisms, because of course the violations have continued," the foreign minister told reporters after his meeting with Guterres.

"We are seeing from the other side of the conflict this stubbornness without even taking any forthcoming step to solve this problem," he said.

Last month Al-Thani met with several Security Council members to lobby for support, but the council and Guterres have repeatedly stressed that a solution should be found among regional partners.

Kuwait has been trying to mediate the crisis and several top Western diplomats have toured the region to try to defuse the row, including US Secretary of States Rex Tillerson.

"This is the right place where we have to start to seek all our options in order to find a legal solution," said the foreign minister.

"Qatar has already stated more than ten times that we want to solve this issue by dialogue, and we are not willing to escalate, and they need to retreat from all their illegal actions," he said.

The crisis between the regional allies is the worst to hit the Gulf in decades.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia and its allies unveiled a "terrorist" blacklist of 18 organizations and individuals suspected of links to Islamist extremism tied to Qatar.

The countries have demanded that Qatar break its longstanding ties with the Muslim Brotherhood -- blacklisted as a terror group by the four governments, although not by the international community.

They also demanded that it close broadcasting giant Al-Jazeera and a Turkish military base, and fall in line with Saudi-led policy in the region, particularly towards Iran.

Qatar has dismissed the demands as a violation of its sovereignty and has received significant support from its ally Turkey.
A steel tycoon-cum-politician, Sharif had served as the Pakistan's prime minister for the first time from 1990 to 1993.

His second term from 1997 was ended in 1999 by Army chief Pervez Musharraf in a bloodless coup. (Photo: AP)

Islamabad: Pakistan's Supreme Court on Friday ordered Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to step down and ruled that graft cases be filed against him and his children over the Panama Papers scandal.

It is the third time the 67-year-old veteran politician's term as premier has been cut short. As the unanimous verdict by the five-judge bench was read out by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan inside the packed courtroom 1 of the Supreme Court, a large number of opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers celebrated outside.

The Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, in a swipe at Sharif, tweeted, "Godfather's Rule has ended for good! Truth & Justice have prevailed!"

The prime minister was disqualified from holding his office as the judges ruled that he had been dishonest to Parliament and the courts and could not be deemed fit for his office.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Captain Safdar, who is an Member of National Assembly (MNA), also stood disqualified from office, Justice Khan said.

This is the third time the prime minister has been unable to complete his term as premier. However, it was unclear as to who will take over the post till the next general elections, which are scheduled for 2018.

"He is disqualified as a member of the parliament so he has ceased to be holding the office of Prime Minister," Justice Khan said. The court ordered Election Commission to issue a notification for Sharif's disqualification.

The court also ordered the National Accountability Court to start a corruption case against Sharif, his children -- Hussain and Hassan -- and his daughter Maryam.

The Supreme Court ordered that the cases against them be registered within six weeks and trial be completed within six months. The scandal is about alleged money laundering by Sharif in 1990s, when he twice served as prime minister, to purchase assets in London.

The assets surfaced when Panama Papers leak last year revealed that they were managed through offshore companies owned by Sharif's children. The assets include four expensive flats in London.

Sharif has been the prime minister of Pakistan for a record three times. He leads Pakistan's most powerful political family and the ruling PML-N party.

A steel tycoon-cum-politician, Sharif had served as the Pakistan's prime minister for the first time from 1990 to 1993. His second term from 1997 was ended in 1999 by Army chief Pervez Musharraf in a bloodless coup.

In May, the Supreme Court set up a six-member joint investigation team (JIT) to investigate the charges against Sharif and his family. The JIT submitted its report to the court on July 10.

It said the lifestyle of Sharif and his children were beyond their known sources of income, and recommended filing of a new corruption case against them.

Sharif dismissed the report as a "bundle of baseless allegations" and refused to quit, despite demands to do so from several quarters, including opposition political parties. On July 21, the court reserved its verdict after concluding the hearing.

The six-member JIT was set up with a mandate to probe the Sharif family for allegedly failing to provide the trail of money used to buy properties in London in the 1990s.

The top court took up the case in October last year on petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Awami Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami and reserved the verdict in February after conducting hearings on a daily basis.

The five-judge bench that issued today's verdict comprised -- Justices Asif Saeed Khosa, Khan, Gulzar Ahmed, Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Ijazul Ahsan.

The court took up the case on November 3 last year and held 35 hearings spanning over more than 132 hours before concluding the proceedings on February 23. It had issued the 547-pages split judgement on April 20.
Names of Rana Sanaullah and Hamza Shehbaz are being touted as contenders for the post of Punjab chief minister, the report said.

Nawaz Sharif, who resigned from his post after the top court disqualified him, was quoted by The Express Tribune as saying that he wished to see his brother Shehbaz appointed the next prime minister. (Photo: AP)

Islamabad: Pakistan's Punjab province Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to be made Prime Minister after his brother Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court over the Panama Papers scandal, according to a media report.

After a consultative session of the ruling PML-N, Shehbaz has emerged as the most likely candidate to be the next prime minister of Pakistan after an interim premier has served the 45-day period, Geo News reported.

Shehbaz, 65, is currently serving as the chief minister of Punjab. Sharif met with senior party leaders after being disqualified by the Supreme Court verdict following culmination of the Panama Papers case.

Read: Pak MPs rush to pay higher taxes after Panamagate

After chairing the meeting as president of his party, Nawaz recommended his own brother to be his replacement as the prime minister of Pakistan, the report said.

A name has not been announced for the interim prime minister, who will fill the 45 day vacuum until Shehbaz is elected to a National Assembly seat, it said.

Names of Rana Sanaullah and Hamza Shehbaz are being touted as contenders for the post of Punjab chief minister, the report said.

Read: Pak minister says 'will resign after judgement'; Panama case verdict today

Nawaz Sharif, who resigned from his post after the top court disqualified him, was quoted by The Express Tribune as saying that he wished to see his brother Shehbaz appointed the next prime minister.

In a meeting with his confidants, Nawaz said though the final decision on who should be appointed the next prime minister would be made in a parliamentary meeting of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), he hoped that Shehbaz would be chosen for the post, the report said.
China's state-run news agency also reported that Yang met separately with Doval and his other counterparts from South Africa and Brazil.

Beijing: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi on Thursday discussed "major problems" in bilateral ties, the foreign ministry here said after the first high-level meeting between India and China since the military standoff erupted in the Sikkim sector on June 16.

The Chinese foreign ministry, in a brief readout on Doval-Yang meeting, said Yang "elaborated China's position on bilateral issues and major problems", which is being seen as an apparent reference to the standoff in the Dokalam area.

China's state-run Xinhua news agency also reported that Yang met separately with Doval and his other counterparts from South Africa and Brazil.

Though there were no direct references to the Sikkim standoff in the Xinhua report, it said the talks between Doval and Yang included bilateral relations, international and regional issues and multilateral affairs.

Though China had maintained that there wont be a meaningful dialogue without the unconditional withdrawal of Indian troops, India has been maintaining that the unilateral action by China to build a road in the area was altering the status quo and had serious security implications for India.

India has also been pitching for diplomatic solution to resolve the standoff but sought simultaneous withdrawal of troops of both the sides from the tri-junction with Bhutan.

However, the Chinese official media has been carrying a blistering campaign accusing India of trespassing into the Chinese territory.

Doval arrived here yesterday to take part in the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) NSAs meeting being hosted by Yang, who, like Doval, is the Special Representative for India-China boundary talks.

His visit has raised expectations about the likelihood of India and China finding a way-out of the over the month-long standoff.

While the media had no access to Friday meetings, it will be allowed to cover tomorrows joint meeting of the NSAs of the five-member bloc.

Doval, along with other heads of the delegations, will also call on Chinese President Xi Jinping tomorrow evening.

About the BRICS NSAs meeting, the Chinese foreign ministry on Monday said that the meeting on security issues is a major platform for BRICS countries to discuss and conduct cooperation in politics and security fields.

"It bears great significance for these countries to strengthen strategic communication, enhance political mutual trust and elevate their impact on global affairs."

As agreed by all parties, those at the meeting will discuss on topics including global governance, anti-terrorism, internet security and energy security, as well as major international and regional hot spot issues and national security and development, Lu said.

The military standoff began on June 16 when Chinese troops attempted to lay a road in the Dokalam area. Doka La is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Dokalam, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region. India and China share a 220-km-long border in Sikkim section.
Pak interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan expressed serious disappointment over the way he was kept away from Sharif by his rivals.

Islamabad: Pakistans powerful Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday said that he would resign and quit politics after the Supreme Court judgement on the Panamagate case on Friday in which embattled Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family have been named for alleged corruption.

His announcement, which comes a day before the verdict in the high-profile case, stunned his supporters and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party.

Khan expressed serious disappointment over the way he was kept away from Sharif by his rivals.

"I have decided to resign from the cabinet and Parliament after the (Panama) decision, whether it is in favour of the prime minister or against him," he told reporters.

Khan, who has 33 years of association with Sharif, did not target the prime minister but criticised some of the party leaders who have been speaking against him (Khan) in presence of Sharif with an objective to create differences.

"I had no one-to-one meeting with the prime minister during the last about six weeks," Khan said as he complained that he was kept out of the crucial consultations on the Panama case which now hangs over Sharifs head like a sword.

Khan, known as a hardcore ideologue within the party, rejected the impression that he may join a new party, saying he can not even think of joining any other political outfit.

Speaking on civil-military relations, Khan said he had "never compromised on civilian supremacy" even though he had strong ties with the military.

"Ask any military or intelligence leader if I have ever attempted to undermine the government for political gain," said Khan whose grandfather, father, elder brother, nephews and several other relatives have been in army.

He said that he always supported civilian supremacy over armed forces and occasionally ran into troubles for criticising senior generals.

He also ruled out speculation that he was hoping to become the prime minister in case Sharif was disqualified. "I am not in this race," Khan said.

Khan, respected for his outspokenness, puts Sharif in an awkward situation at a time when he is passing through the toughest time of his political career.

Sharif critics are using the press conference to portray that demise of PML-N had started even before the court verdict.

"It shows the internal rift in the party," said Skeikh Rashid Ahmad, a former associate of Sharif and now his fierce critic.

Earlier, Sharifs younger brother and Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Khan for the second time today in as many days to win him back but failed.

A six-member joint investigation team (JIT) set up by the court to investigate the charges the 67-year-old Sharif and his family submitted its report to the court on July 10. It has said the lifestyle of Sharif and his children were beyond their known sources of income, and recommended filing of a new corruption case against them.
Sharif 'stands disqualified', the court said in its highly anticipated ruling over the allegations stemming from the Panama Papers leak.

In May, the Supreme Court set up a six-member joint investigation team (JIT) to investigate the charges against the 67-year-old Sharif and his family. (Photo: AP)

Islamabad: Nawaz Sharif on Friday stepped down as the Prime Minister of Pakistan after the Supreme Court disqualified him over long-running corruption allegations. Pakistan Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was also disqualified by Supreme Court in Panamagate case.

"He is disqualified as a member of the parliament so he has ceased to be holding the office of Prime Minister," Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan told the packed courtroom.

Read: Lawyers across Pak hold protest, demand Sharif's resignation over Panamagate

The court also asked the national anti-corruption bureau to launch a further probe into the allegations against Sharif, which stem from the Panama Papers leak last year linking the premier's family to lucrative offshore businesses.

No Pakistani prime minister has ever completed a full five-year term. Most have seen their tenures cut short by the powerful military or interference from the Supreme Court. Others have been ousted by their own party, forced to resign -- or been assassinated.

Read: Panamagate: Pak PM Sharif's lawyer rejects joint investigation team report

It is the second time in Pakistan's 70-year history that the Supreme Court has disqualified a sitting prime minister.

In 2012 then-prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to reopen a corruption case against the sitting president Asif Ali Zardari.

The Supreme Court's unceremonious end to Sharif's tenure represents a record third time he has been ousted as leader before completing his term.

In 1993 he was sacked by the then-president over graft allegations, while in 1999 he was ousted in a military coup.
by Santos Digal

The Assembly for the Year of the Parish as a Communion of Communities proposes to address issues such as: "How do we speak of communion in the midst of so many exclusions, inequalities, abuses and oppression? How do we talk of solidarity, being one heart and one soul, when is there so much that separates us? How do we meet Jesus in the context of poverty, suffering and conflict? How can we embody our identity as a Church of communion and solidarity especially with the poor?".f

Manila (AsiaNews) -Proclaiming Jesus and his message is a daily activity, says Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle. He was speaking at the Fourth Philippine Conference on New Evangelization (PCNE 4), a three-day event to mark the Church in the Philippines celebration of the Year of the Parish as Communion of Communities, on July 27.

The theme is: Of One Heart and Soul (Acts 4:32), which is taking place at the University of Santo Tomas (Royal, Pontifical and Catholic University), July 28 -30. More than 6,000 delegates from all over the Philippines, including bishops, priests, nuns, lay people, youth, women and students are attending the event.

It is an assembly to celebrate the Year of the Parish as Communion of Communities. It is to remember and proclaim Jesus message of unity and solidarity. Like the early Christians, Filipinos are of one heart and soul in aspiring to live as a community of disciples, as a Church of and with the poor, as agents of communion, participation, and mission, said Cardinal Tagle.

The aim of PCNE 4 are to lead the participants to a deeper encounter and communion with Jesus, the source of our unity and community, to awaken in the participants a sense of being for one another as we reflect on the meaning of Church as communion and the concrete manifestation of a participatory Church and challenge the participants to a missionary lifestyle and transformation as we explore the necessity of communion-in-mission in being Christians today.

Just eight men own same wealth as half the world. This was the stunning heading of the Oxfam International 1 report in January this year. The organization compellingly noted that it is obscene for so much wealth to be held in the hands of so few when 1 in 10 people survive on less than a day.

Here in the Philippines, it is no less encouraging. According to a survey firm, in the last quarter of 2016, forty-four percent (44%) or about ten (10) million families considered themselves poor. From Philippine Statistics Authority, we are told that 3.8 million, or 33.5 percent of all Filipino children up to five years old, are biologically stunted. More than 2.2 million people are without decent housing. Unemployment and contractualization remains a major scourge in spite of the promises to eliminate them. The killings continue. Cruelty and dehumanization have become ordinary. Fake media are colonizing discourses and altering narratives. The threats to life and culture, human and environmental ecology, marriage and family have not let up.

Some of the questions the conference is going to address include: How do we talk about communion in the midst of so much exclusion, inequality, abuses and oppression? How do we talk about solidarity, of being one heart and soul, when clearly there is so much that separates us? How do we encounter Jesus in the context of poverty, suffering and conflicts? How can we embody our identity as Church of communion and solidarity especially with the poor and the cast-off? How do we concretely practice our communion-in- mission in the midst of secularization and globalization of indifference?

The Fourth Philippine Conference on the New Evangelization is being audaciously called forth not primarily to offer solutions but to allow us as bearers of the memory of Jesus and proclaimers of the Gospel to come together and discover the path that the Lord wants us to take in the midst of destitution and hate. In sharing our stories, we find not easy answers but inspiration and light. In the predicaments that we have to deal with every day, we can only turn to the Lord who walks with us and who takes our tears away.

Thus, we gather for three days as a response to the inescapable challenges of our times and as a non-violent resistance to the post-truth culture of deception and death. We gather in the Year of the Parish as Communion of Communities and we advocate the formation of basic ecclesial communities as a way of being Church in the small groups. We celebrate the message of unity and harmony. We share one heart and soul as a community of disciples, as a Church of and with the poor, as agents of communion, participation, and mission. Together, we will bring into prayer and discernment the following fundamental questions that we, as Christians of the millennial age, must face, said Shionie Gregorio Tabada, a lay leader.
Both are under house arrest since 2011 for supporting the "Green Wave" movement and challenging the 2009 election results. Human rights groups have called for their release, which Rohani had promised during his election campaign, but which has been opposed by hard-liners.

Tehran (AsiaNews/Agencies)  The health of two Iranian leaders under house arrest has worsened, this according to their families.

Both played a leading role in the Green Wave, a pro-reform movement suppressed in 2009 by then President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Mir Hossein Musavi, 75, is suffering from irregular blood pressure and dizziness and is unable to walk without assistance. Mehdi Kharrubi, 79, was hospitalised this week due to a heart attack.

On Monday, Kharrubi's son, Mohammad Taghi, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that his father's health problems had been caused by his detention.

In March, in an interview, he had slammed the conditions of imprisonment in which his father was being held.

Karrubi, along with Musavi and Musavi's wife, Zahra Rahnavard, were placed under house arrest in February 2011 for challenging the establishment over the disputed 2009 presidential vote, highlighting human rights abuses, and expressing support for the Green Wave. None of the three have been formally charged.

Meanwhile, Iranian media cannot mention the issue or the Green Wave movement, which was violently repressed at the time, and is still labelled as subversive.

For years, rights groups have repeatedly called for the release of the three political prisoners.

During his election campaign in 2013, Irans current president, moderate Hassan Rohani, had pledged to release the three, but has failed to do so because of strong opposition from the country's hard-liners.

Earlier this year, both Karrubi and Musavi pledged their support for Rohani in the 19 May presidential election, in which Rohani easily won a new four-year term over a conservative challenger.
Israel removes all the security measures imposed two weeks ago. Some skirmishes with the police. Other violence is feared today. Netanyahu: "Time to consider the death penalty for terrorists."

Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Palestinians have returned to praying on the Esplanade of Mosques after nearly two weeks: they did not enter the third most sacred place of Islam in protest at security measures imposed by Israel after the July 14 attack that killed two Israeli policemen.

Yesterday, the Israeli authorities dismantled all the facilities and cameras installed after the attack to the celebration and cheers of thousands of Palestinians.

However, tensions remain high: even one hour after the return of thousands of faithful to the Esplanade, other clashes with the police broke out, and more than 100 Palestinians were injured due to rubber-coated bullets, tear gas inhalations, blows and pepper spray.

According to Israeli police spokesman, Micky Rosenfeld,some Palestinians threw stones at the Wailing Wall. The security forces intervened "to clear the area and prevent injured".

Omar Kiswani, director of the al-Aqsa mosque, fears further violence today, defining Israeli repression on the faithful as a worrying sign.

Today, on Friday, thousands of people are expected for Islamic prayer in the sacred place. Israel imposed a ban on entering the Esplanade for all Muslim men under the age of 50.

Within 10 days, more than 1,000 Palestinian protesters were injured in the clashes, and four killed. On the Israeli side, besides the two policemen killed on July 14, three colonists were stabbed to death. Precisely this incident provoked statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who argued "the time has come" to consider the death penalty for terrorists. Although Israeli law provides for the possibility of condemnation to death, this punishment was only enforced in the case of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962.
by Kamran Chaudhry

The prime minister, his favourite daughter and other family members are involved in the Panama Papers affair through suspicions funds in offshore companies used to buy luxury apartments in London. Sikh leader voices doubts. For him, "it seems that plots to remove elected premiers are again successful.

Lahore (AsiaNews)  Pakistan's Supreme Court today disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from office and ordered a corruption probe against him and his family. After the unanimous verdict was read, Sharif resigned.

His brother, Shehbaz (Punjab's chief minister), favourite daughter and heir apparent Maryam, and other family members are involved in connection with the Panama Papers' scandal through suspicious funds in offshore companies that bought luxury flats in London.

Speaking to AsiaNews, various leaders of religious minorities say that the prime ministers disqualification from political life "is a victory of justice."

Of course, this is a sad day for Pakistan, said Mgr Joseph Arshad, bishop of Faisalabad. I call on both politicians and citizens to stay calm. We trust our army to control any unrest in the country. Justice should prevail, and let the law take its course.

Unfortunately, most of the attacks against churches occurred during his (Sharifs) tenure but he did try to take good steps in favour of religious minorities.

Had he not been removed from office, Sharif would have been the first political leader to complete a legislature in Pakistan. Now social media are full of comments, mostly favourable to his departure.

Gone Nawaz gone! Congrats to all who followed with passion and patriotism. Unanimous Disqualification, tweeted Christian Brigadier (R) Samson Simon Sharaf.

Rev Faraz Malak, president of Minorities Rights Watch, also congratulated the Supreme Court. Now we are getting confident that change is coming, he said. We could not see justice prevail in this situation. Pakistanis should celebrate. The whole nation will get their equal rights and see good results.

Rojar Randhawa, operations manager at Caritas Pakistan in Lahore, posted a list of 17 prime ministers who were disqualified or executed during the countrys history. The disqualification of Nawaz Sharif is no big deal. It would have been a big news had he not been disqualified. This always happens to the premiers of the country, he posted on Facebook.

"For his part, Sardar Kalyan Singh Kalyan, secretary general of the Guru Nanak Ji Mission, a Sikh organisation, has mixed feelings.

Our country will celebrate its 70th anniversary next month (14 August) and it seems that plots to remove elected premiers are again successful. But we hope the court ruling helps in decreasing corruption and heralding a better scenario, he said.

We receive news that Lahore Metrobus service has suspended its operation. We dont want damages to minority places of worship. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has close links with terror groups. The party was on a dangerous path and we lost many temples and churches during its tenure.
A special unit of the Italian police (DIGOS) detained Dolkun Isa, a leading exiled Uyghur figure, in Rome on Wednesday at the request of Interpol upon notification by the Chinese government. Chinas Deputy Minister of Public Security Meng Hongwei currently is Interpols chief. Isa was stopped before in New York, South Korea, Turkey and Switzerland. Germany, on the other hand, granted him citizenship.

Rome (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Dolkun Isa, a top exiled Uyghur leader, was detained on Wednesday, 26 July, at the request of the Chinese government, by a special unit of the Italian police. He was set to speak about restrictions imposed on his people, under pressure from the Chinese state, at a press conference at the Italian Senate in Rome.

At around 11:45 am, Mr Isa, who is the general secretary of the Munich-based World Uyghur Congress (WUC), was approached by 15 to 20 plainclothes members of the General Investigations and Special Operations Division (DIGOS) as he walked with colleagues towards the Italian Senate, he told RFAs Uyghur Service.

The officers, holding Isas picture, stopped him at the entrance of the Senate building and asked him to go with them to police headquarters (Questura), he said.

Isa informed the officers that he was due to speak at a noon press conference at the senate building co-organised by the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO) and Italys Nonviolent Radical Party, hosted by Italian Senator Luigi Compagna, but the officers loaded him into a car and took him away.

While en route to the station, Isa, who is a German national, informed his German lawyer and the German authorities of his detention by mobile phone.

The DIGOS checked Isas ID, took his picture and fingerprints, and eventually released him after 3:00 pm, saying they would run his information against a database with the International Police Organisation (Interpol), an intergovernmental organisation that facilitates global police cooperation.

When Isa demanded to know why he had been detained, the DIGOS officers informed him that they had acted on a request from China, which routinely objects to political activities by exiled ethnic Uyghurs who left their traditional homeland in Chinas Xinjiang Autonomous Region.

Interpol had issued an international alert on Isa several years ago based on what he called a politically motivated and baseless request by the Chinese government, and the alert was later rejected by German authorities, who viewed it as a political warrant, he told the DIGOS officers.

In November last year, Chinas Deputy Minister of Public Security Meng Hongwei was elected Interpol president, Isa told the officers, and asking Interpol to run a check on his background is like asking the Chinese government to do it.

Isa told RFA after his release that he was treated well whilst in custody and expressed gratitude to the German government for its intervention in his detention. He also thanked members of the Italian Senate, the Nonviolent Radical Party, the UNPO and the WUC for their concern. However, he condemned what he called the nefarious influence of the Chinese government on democratic Europe and said it must stop.

Speaking about the issue, Italian Senate's Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Pier Ferdinando Casini said that "This is an initiative of individual parliamentarians opposed to the strong, loyal relationship between Italy and China, as evidenced by the recent visits to Beijing of top state officials in Italy".

[Nations of] the free world should not allow China to interfere in their internal affairs and let China use Interpol as an instrument to achieve its illegitimate objectives, he said.

China can never silence my voice or stop my peaceful human rights activism on behalf of the long-suffering Uyghur people in East Turkestan, he added, referring to the name of a short-lived Uyghur republic that the Chinese government now administers as Xinjiang.

I know China will continue to demonise me and attempt to prevent me from speaking out about its crimes committed against the peace-loving Uyghur people . . . but I will not stop until the Uyghurs can enjoy democracy and freedom.

Isas run-in with the las is nothing new. His detention in Italy comes less than three months after he was removed from a United Nations forum in New York by security guards without explanation. The Uyghur leader was also stopped in the past by South Korea, Turkey, and Switzerland.

The Uyghurs are a Muslim minority (who once were the majority in Xinjiang) that China has tried to overwhelm by sending Chinese Han settlers in the region.

Now Beijing is trying to gain international support against Uyghur terrorism" because some Uyghurs (a few hundred according to the most credible sources) have joined the ranks of the Islamic State group. However, the WUC has little to do with these groups.

In addition, Dolkun Isa has a German passport. So, it is rather an abnormal case considering his status as a citizen of the European Union.

Italian Radical Party member Maurizio Turco told Italian Communist daily Il Manifesto that Isas press conference was to be held in the Senate building, but Speaker Pietro Grasso moved it to another site.

"Not a few have tried to stay away from this event, over-zealous perhaps towards China, which is increasingly able to apply its own soft power even from afar," he noted.

"It is clear that this ridiculous and disconcerting episode was inspired by Beijing s increasingly aggressive diplomacy, he added. Only three weeks ago, the Italian Interior Ministry denied a visa to three Tibetan monks who wanted to travel to their monastery in Pomaia, Tuscany, to attend a Tibetan Festival."

Dolkun Isa is third on Chinas black list of Uyghurs expats. During the press conference at the Italian Radical Party headquarters, he explained that he has never owned a weapon in his life and that he has seen terrorist actions only in movies.

Certainly, things are not much better for Uyghurs at home. The authorities in Xinjiang, northwestern China, have prevented Muslim Uyghurs from fasting and praying during the sacred month of Ramadan, sending Chinese officials from house to house to check.

Since 15 July, it is compulsory for all Uyghurs to install an application on mobile phones that allows the authorities to monitor their communications.
By Richard Matthews, PhD Candidate, University of Adelaide

Richard Matthews, Author provided

What do nuclear submarines, top secret military bases and private businesses have in common?

They are all vulnerable to a simple slice of cheddar.

This was the clear result of a pen testing exercise, otherwise known as penetration testing, at the annual Cyber Security Summer School in Tallinn, Estonia in July.

I attended, along with a contingent from Australia, to present research at the third annual Interdisciplinary Cyber Research workshop. We also got the chance to visit companies such as Skype and Funderbeam, as well as the NATO Collaborative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence.

The theme of this years school was social engineering  the art of manipulating people to divulge critical information online without realising it. We focused on why social engineering works, how to prevent such attacks and how to gather digital evidence after an incident.

The highlight of our visit was participation in a live fire capture the flag (CTF) cyber range exercise, where teams carried out social engineering attacks to pen test a real company.

Pen testing and real world phishing

Pen testing is an authorised simulated attack on the security of a physical or digital system. It aims to find vulnerabilities that criminals may exploit.

Such testing ranges from the digital, where the goal is accessing files and private data, to the physical, where researchers actually attempt to enter buildings or spaces within a company.









Richard Matthews, Author provided





During the summer school, we heard from professional hackers and pen testers from around the world. Stories were told about how physical entry to secure areas can be obtained using nothing more than a piece of cheese shaped like an ID card and confidence.

We then put these lessons to practical use through several flags - goals that teams needed to achieve. Our challenge was to assess a contracted company to see how susceptible it was to social engineering attacks.

Physical testing was specifically off limits during our exercises. Ethical boundaries were also set with the company to ensure we were acting as cyber security specialists and not criminals.

OSINT: Open Source Intelligence

The first flag was to research the company.

Rather than researching as you would for a job interview, we went looking for potential vulnerabilities within publicly available information. This is known as open source intelligence (OSINT). Such as:

who are the board of directors?

who are their assistants?

what events are happening at the company?

are they likely to be on holiday at the moment?

what employee contact information can we collect?

We were able to answer all of these questions with extraordinary clarity. Our team even found direct phone numbers and ways into the company from events reported in the media.

The phishing email

This information was then used to create two phishing emails directed at targets identified from our OSINT investigations. Phishing is when malicious online communications are used to obtain personal information.

The object of this flag was to get a link within our emails clicked on. For legal and ethical reasons, the content and appearance of the email cant be disclosed.

Just like customers click on terms and conditions without reading, we exploited the fact that our targets would click on a link of interest without checking where the link was pointing.









Freddy Dezeure/C3S, Author provided





In a real phishing attack, once you click on the link, your computer system is compromised. In our case, we sent our targets to benign sites of our making.

The majority of teams at the summer school achieved a successful phishing email attack. Some even managed to get their email forwarded throughout the company.









Freddy Dezeure/C3S, Author provided





Our results reinforce the findings of researchers about peoples inability to distinguish a compromised email from a trustworthy one. One study of 117 people found that around 42% of emails were incorrectly classified as either real or fake by the receiver.

Phishing in the future

Phishing is likely to get only more sophisticated.

With an increasing number of internet-connected devices lacking basic security standards, researchers suggest that phishing attackers will seek out methods of hijacking these devices. But how will companies respond?

Based on my experience in Tallinn, we will see companies become more transparent in how they deal with cyber attacks. After a massive cyber attack in 2007, for example, the Estonian government reacted in the right way.

Rather than providing spin to the public and covering up the government services slowly going offline, they admitted outright they were under attack from an unknown foreign agent.

Likewise, businesses will need to admit when they are under attack. This is the only way to reestablish trust between themselves and their customers, and to prevent the further spread of a phishing attack.

Until then, can I interest you in free anti-phishing software?

Richard Matthews is an elected member of Council at The University of Adelaide. He was one of several students who benefited from funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to attend the Sumer School. He is a member of the South Australian branch of the Labor Party and a Graduate Member of the Institute of Engineers Australia.

Originally published in The Conversation.
Photo via Wikimedia.

A proposal to use a border-adjusted tax to discourage companies from manufacturing products overseas has been dropped because it doesn't have enough support, Republican leaders in Washington, D.C. have announced.

At least one fleet management company executive welcomed the news.

"As the U.S. already has corporate tax rates among the highest in the world, its a relief to know the proposed border tax is now off the board," said Tom Coffey, vice president of sales and marketing with Merchants Fleet Management. "It certainly would have had a detrimental impact on North America fleet vehicle prices. Hopefully it will not reappear anywhere else under a different name as a new tax on corporations or individuals."

The plan has been set aside by a group of Republican leaders that includes House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, White House economic advisor Gary Cohn, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Calif.), and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), reports Reuters.

The group issued a statement saying that the tax would not be part of an effort to reform the tax code.

The decision benefits large importers, including a group of automakers such as Toyota Motor Co. that lobbied against the tax. In February, President Donald Trump said the border tax wold create more jobs in the U.S.
Rent-A-Wreck of America Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware, saying lengthy and costly litigation with the company's founder had strained its liquidity and forced it into restructuring as operational losses mounted, according to a report by Law360.

Gregg Steinbarth, Rent-A-Wreck director and general counsel, said that the company began experiencing serious issues following its 2006 acquisition by JJF Management Services Inc. that included lawsuits brought by the company's founder David Schwartz.



"The costs of defending the Schwartz litigation, which lasted almost a decade, have consumed funds that could have been reinvested in the business," Steinbarth said of the lawsuits.



The acquisition and resulting litigation also came just before the 2008 recession, which stalled the expansion of Rent-A-Wreck's franchise network because financing options to purchase rental fleets became limited for potential franchisees, according to the report.



The litigation, which ended after two trials in Maryland federal court and two appeals to the Fourth Circuit, resulted in a court determination that Schwartz was entitled to own and operate, for the rest of his life, an exclusive Rent-A-Wreck franchise based near Los Angeles International Airport without paying any royalties or fees to the debtor. Steinbarth says Schwartz's franchise is too small to operate in that territory and that it uses the debtor's services without having to pay for them.



Schwartz also won a sanctions fight against the debtor last month pursuant to which Rent-A-Wreck had to pay more than $80,000 for failing to list Schwartz's franchise on its website or via its phone call center, says the report.



The litigation originated after the 2006 acquisition of the company, with Schwartz alleging the debtors had no legal rights to use the Rent-A-Wreck name and trademarks, and that it improperly terminated his Los Angeles franchise.



Rent-A-Wreck has spent $2.7 million in legal fees and expenses defending the Schwartz litigation over the past 10 years, according to the report.



"[G]iven the long and difficult history of the parties and the fact that the Schwartz franchise derives from an unwritten franchise agreement, debtors believe that there remains a continuing risk of costly litigation with Schwartz," the declaration said.



The company came to court with about $3 million in secured debt held by its sole equity holder, JJF Management Services, and a plan to right-size its franchise network by eliminating underperforming locations.



Steinbarth said the most valuable assets held by the debtor are the Rent-A-Wreck trademarks, which are only valuable to the extent the businesses using them are viable and successful. The company is plagued by franchises with fleets that are too small to provide any financial benefit to the debtor, frequently costing more to operate than they earn, according to the declaration.



"Debtors therefore filed these Chapter 11 cases to ease the strain on their cash flow ... while they restructure and right-size the Rent-A-Wreck franchise network and internal business operations, eliminating underperforming and non-performing Rent-A-Wreck franchises," Steinbarth wrote.



The restructuring will allow the debtor to put more focus on its healthy franchises and bolster the inherent value in the Rent-A-Wreck name, as well as position the remaining locations for success after emerging from administration, he said.



The debtor is seeking $750,000 in debtor-in-possession financing from JJF to fund its operations throughout the bankruptcy, according to court documents, with $100,000 being requested on an interim basis.



A first-day hearing on the DIP motion and other requests for relief is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday July 28 in Wilmington before U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein.



Representatives for Rent-A-Wreck declined immediate comment to Auto Rental News.



Schwartz founded Rent-A-Wreck in 1977 as an alternative to expensive car rental agencies by offering used cars to consumers for their rental needs. The company went public in 1985 and was acquired by JJF in 2006. There are currently 76 Rent-A-Wreck franchises in 28 states and on the island of St. Maarten. A master franchisee in Oslo, Norway, administers subfranchises in Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.



The company sustained more than $4 million in net operating losses as of 2015 as a result of the costly litigation with Schwartz and its underperformance during and following the 2008 recession, according to the report.
Bakersfield woman, on eve of 100th birthday, says she joined up because she was 'mad at Hitler'
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[Photo provided to China Daily]

Shanghai's State-owned West Bund Group has joined hands with the Centre Pompidou for a five-year project from 2019 and 2024.

It will feature many cultural programs, including showing the Parisian museum's collections at the West Bund Art Museum which will be completed by the end of 2018.

The project will include more than 20 exhibitions and events both in Shanghai and Paris, and will feature Centre Pompidou's collection as well as Chinese contemporary artworks.

Besides, Centre Pompidou will help with curating exhibitions, art conservation, public education and cultural exchanges between China and France.

The West Bund Art Museum, designed by British architect David Chipperfield, covers 25,000 square meters, and will be the main venue for the Centre Pompidou Shanghai project.

The project is one of West Bund Group's attempts to boost Shanghai's cultural landscape.

The group now manages an area of 9.4 square kilometers in Shanghai's Xuhui Waterfront district.

The district houses an array of well-known museums, such as the Long Museum, the Yuz Museum and Shanghai Center for Photography.

It is also the venue for the West Bund Art & Design Fair and other fine art events.

The Centre Pompidou, now marking its 40th anniversary, has 120,000 works of art dating from the early 20th century. It received an average of 5 million visitors each year.
A Polk County School Board member is urging the district to create a policy to deal with administrators having non-marital romantic relationships with their subordinates.

Three separate allegations of misconduct in last 2 months

Board member addressed need for policy in blog post

Policy could prompt legal challenges if created

Board member Billy Townsend put forth his idea in a blog post entitled "Power, Sex, and Leadership: An Urgent Policy Need." He said he started looking into creating the policy after hearing three separate allegations of misconduct surrounding this topic within the past two months.



Two of those allegations, according to Townsend, are currently under investigation. The third has resolved itself, as the two parties involved have left the district.



According to Townsend's blog post, hed like a policy that mandates disclosure of any romantic/sexual relationship between people in a supervisory relationship. If youre dating as teachers, and one of you becomes an AP, you need to let your principal know."



He also wants the policy to make it clear that people who are or have been in romantic/sexual relationships cannot supervise each other.



If an assistant principal and a teacher have had a relationship in the past or in a relationship currently, they should not be in the same school with one supervising the other. Thats my preference, said Townsend.



The districts current nepotism policy bans administrators from directly supervising relatives at the same work location and mandates disclosure to the superintendent. Anyone who lives in the same residence as the administrator is considered a relative.

Polk School Board Member Billy Townsend

Support for, challenges to proposed policy

The President of the Polk County Education Association, Marianne Capoziello, said she supports looking into Townsends idea.



It's happened enough that I think its wise to be proactive now and put in a policy, said Capoziello.



However, Capoziello wants to make sure the policy the district drafts is fair.



We dont want it where, 'Oh, were always going to move the woman if the mans a principal,'" Capoziello said. "We have to figure out a way to make sure its an equitable policy. The devil is always in the details of what you put on paper.



Legal expert Peter Helwig, who has been practicing employment law for 40 years, said the district could run into legal trouble if it creates such a policy.



If you were to just simply have a policy that says if youre having an intimate relationship with another employee, you should not supervise them, that seems to me would be possibly legal," Helwig said. "But to require a mandatory reporting goes way beyond the line that the courts have drawn and would not survive a legal test."



Helwig went on to say he's never seen such a policy enacted, and it could violate peoples right to privacy and right to freedom from discrimination, particularly if theyre lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

Policy in other counties?

In his blog, Townsend wrote that hes received several examples of model policies, including one from Bay County, which seems to be the only Florida district that we know has one.



When we checked with other Tampa Bay area school districts, we learned Hillsborough County has a nepotism policy, but it doesnt address non-marital romantic relationships. Pasco County has a fraternization policy that specifies,administrators shall refrain from dating or engaging in consensual sexual relationships with employees they supervise.



Pasco's nepotism policy also considers a relative any person who resides in the same residence as the supervisor.



Polks superintendent said staff is researching how this issue is handled across the state and the nation.



Townsend requested Tuesday that the topic be put on the next work session agenda, but that hasnt happened yet.
A 25-year-old Largo father is in custody after the death of his infant son and hospitalization of his daughter after extreme heat in their mobile home.

1 child dead, 1 hospitalized after being found in hot mobile home

William Francis Hendrickson charged with aggravated manslaughter and child neglect

Temperature in bedroom of mobile home was 109 degrees, said detectives

WX BLOG: Kids and hot weather dangers

William Francis Hendrickson is facing charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child after the death of his 8-month-old son and child neglect of his 2-year-old daughter after the children were found in extreme heat.

Police responded to assist Pinellas County Child Protection Investigators with a welfare check of two children at the King's Manor Mobile Home Park, 1399 S. Belcher Rd. Thursday afternoon.

Upon arrival, officers found the boy who was unresponsive due to extreme heat in the trailer. Officers and Largo Fire paramedics responded performed CPR on the child but the infant died at the scene.

The girl was transported to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg due to severe dehydration.

Largo Police detectives began an investigation into the circumstances of the boy's death and arrested Hendrickson. Detectives recorded the temperature in the mobile home's bedroom at 109 degrees at 1 p.m. Thursday.

According to authorities, Hendrickson had been warned by social services not to leave the children in the hot environment of the bedroom.

Hendrickson is scheduled to make his first appearance before a judge Friday afternoon.
The Kirbyville school district claims it is immune from a potential lawsuit by the family of Dennis Reeves, according to a motion filed this week in Beaumont's Ninth Court of Appeals.

Attorney Sara Leon wrote in the brief, as she has in previous court filings, that the family's motion for a temporary injunction protecting evidence related to Reeves' May death and their motion to take depositions of more than 30 people are insufficient because they don't allege a specific claim against the school district.
Tour the Texas barbecue trail with these mouthwatering spots around the state.
South Carolina high school students attended a mentorship program at practices in Murrells Inlet, S.C., according to South Strand News.

Here's what you should note:

1. Carolina Orthopaedics, Carolina Coast Surgery Center and ATI Physical Therapy, all based in Murrells Inlet, hosted the students.

2. Fifty-five students from 10 high schools are attending the second annual Medical Mentoring Program.

3. In the program, students have the opportunity to shadow physicians, registered nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, radiology, surgeons, registered nurses, surgery technicians and anesthesiologists.

4. The program runs for 11 weeks in the summer.
The Nevada Supreme Court overturned a second-degree murder conviction against the late Dipak Desai, MD, who was imprisoned for his role in a 2007 hepatitis C outbreak in Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Here's what you should know:

1. Dr. Desai was the founder of Gastroenterology Center of Nevada and Endoscopy Center of South Nevada. In 2007, seven people contracted hepatitis C after two of the centers' registered nurse anesthetists injected people using contaminated needles. The federal government has since shut down the centers.

Two men died because of complications from the disease. The family of one patient pursued criminal charges, although that man refused treatment for his hepatitis C from two physicians.

2. Dr. Desai was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the man's death in 2013. On July 27, the Nevada Supreme Court overturned his second-degree murder conviction. Justice James Hardesty wrote the infected man didn't die as a result of Dr. Desai's actions, but as a result of his own failure to pursue treatment.

Mr. Hardesty also noted Dr. Desai did not administer the injections, nullifying the murder conviction.

3. The court upheld several other criminal counts against Dr. Desai including reckless disregard, criminal neglect, theft and obtaining money under false pretenses.

4. Dr. Desai died in prison in April 2017.
University Hospital in San Antonio, owned by University Health System, plans to build a $390 million Women and Children's Inpatient Tower on South Texas Medical Center Campus in San Antonio, according to My San Antonio.

If approved by the state's commissioners court next month, University Health System and UT Health San Antonio will collaborate to build the new inpatient tower to increase the number of patients served and consolidate medical services for women and children.

The new women and children's tower would be built next to University Hospital's existing Sky Tower, which doubled the hospital's size in 2014, according to University Health System.

Bexar County Judge Nelson W. Wolff said the expansion proposal came at the right time as the population of San Antonio is growing rapidly.

The commissioners court will vote on the matter next month.
Numerous healthcare organizations recently received donations to fund research, advance treatments, improve patient care and start renovations.

Here are six recent donations, grants or gifts given to healthcare organizations by various entities in the past week, beginning with the most recent.

1. Idaho credit union bake sale a boon for babies at St. Luke's Nampa hospital

Employees of the Idaho Central Credit Union in Nampa raised $700 for the new St. Luke's Nampa hospital through a bake sale, reports Idaho Business Review.

2. Mercy Hospital receives $1M pledge for renovations

Ada, Okla.-based Mercy Hospital received a $1 million pledge from the Valley View Foundation to remodel its front entrance and gallery, according to The ADA News.

3. University of Alabama cancer researchers receive $262k from St. Baldrick's Foundation

Two pediatric cancer researchers at University of Alabama at Birmingham received a total of $262,824 from the St. Baldrick's Foundation to advance research and treatments for childhood cancer.

4. NIH awards KSU researchers $10.6M to establish brain center

Researchers at Kansas State University received a $10.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish the Cognitive and Neurobiological Approaches to Plasticity Center, according to KSAL.

5. HRSA awards WSU College of Nursing $1.3M to expand NP program

The Health Resources and Services Administration awarded Spokane-based Washington State University College of Nursing a $1.3 million federal grant to expand its nurse practitioners program to help fight the shortage of primary care in the state, according to The Spokesman Review.

6. Hyundai Hope On Wheels selects Arnold Palmer Hospital as $50k award winner

Orlando, Fla.-based Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children will receive a $50,000 Hyundai Impact Award for its excellence in the fight against pediatric cancer from the Hyundai Hope on Wheels Organization.
The state of Alabama is ditching a plan to reform its Medicaid program through regional care organizations, which would have shifted the program into a managed care approach instead of a fee-for-service model, according to the ABC33.

The decision to abandon RCOs was attributed to the uncertainty over funding and potential changes at the federal level. In addition, the initial costs of implementing the program deterred the state from pursing RCOs.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said the state would pursue an alternative plan for Medicaid reform; however, they are looking for a less risky plan with a similar outcome.

"While the financial implications could be challenging for our state, the new flexibilities and waiver options that the Trump Administration is willing to consider gives our state Medicaid program new options to accomplish similar goals without incurring the same level of increased upfront costs associated with the RCO program," Stephanie Azar, Alabama's Medicaid commissioner, told the Alabama Business Journal.

The RCO program, pioneered in Alabama by former Gov. Robert Bentley, was a Medicaid reform proposal that was expected to make the state program more efficient, eventually driving down the cost to provide care to the state's Medicaid population.
The Senate rejected a "skinny repeal" plan that would have eliminated some parts of the ACA in an early morning vote Friday. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, was among three Republicans who voted "no."

Here is how four groups reacted to the vote.

American Medical Association President David Barbe, MD, encouraged continued work on the ACA.

"While we are relieved that the Senate did not adopt legislation that would have harmed patients and critical safety-net programs, the status quo is not acceptable. We urge Congress to initiate a bipartisan effort to address shortcomings in the Affordable Care Act.

"The first priority should be to stabilize the individual marketplace to achieve the goal of providing access to quality, affordable health coverage for more Americans."

America's Essential Hospitals President and CEO Bruce Siegel, MD, said the vote "is welcome news for millions of Americans and the nation's essential hospitals, which care for people who face social and financial hardships."

"Americans want and deserve a truly deliberative and bipartisan process to reduce barriers to health care and fix the shortcomings of the ACA. Sens. McCain and [Chuck] Schumer, [D-N.Y.], made clear their desire to bridge political and ideological divides, and we hope all lawmakers follow their lead. The health and economic stability of millions of people depend on our elected leaders working together to preserve gains in coverage and ensure hospitals have the resources necessary to meet their mission of caring for those in need.

"Efforts to protect our hospitals and their patients must start now by averting damaging cuts to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments, set to start Oct. 1. Congress also must renew its commitment to the Children's Health Insurance Program and other key elements of the safety net.

"The nation's essential hospitals can help lawmakers find solutions to our most pressing healthcare problems. Let's all get to work now."

Children's Hospital Association was pleased with the vote.

"The Children's Hospital Association thanks those lawmakers who spoke up for kids in this process and ultimately helped protect the nation's children. As this legislative chapter closes, children's hospitals remain eager to work with Congress and the administration in a bipartisan fashion to strengthen coverage and care for children across the country, and continuing to improve Medicaid is a crucial part of that process. Our children represent our future and advancing their health must be our top priority.



"Medicaid covers more than 30 million children in the U.S. All of these kids rely on the program for fundamental preventative care such as vaccines and check-ups, as well as more complex care when a child requires surgery or complex and ongoing treatments. Children's coverage, benefits and access to care under the Medicaid program are critical.



"Standing on the shoulders of Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program covers another 6 million children. States and families must be assured that CHIP will continue into the future. CHIP funding is set to expire at the end of September, and Congress should act quickly to fund this critical program.



"Children's hospitals across the country, on behalf of the millions of patients and families they serve, are ready to work with Congress to develop bipartisan solutions that advance care for children. Ensuring that this generation grows up healthy and strong is our responsibility, and the Medicaid and CHIP programs are critical parts of that mission."

Association of American Medical Colleges President and CEO Darrell Kirch, MD, said his organization is grateful the Senate did not approve the "skinny repeal" plan.

"On behalf of the patients we care for, we thank the Senate for voting to protect the health of millions of Americans  including those on Medicaid and with pre-existing conditions  whose coverage was in jeopardy.

"Now it is more important than ever that Congress and the administration work together to improve the current system and ensure that all Americans have access to affordable, comprehensive coverage. The most immediate concern is stabilizing the health insurance market through continued, predictable funding of cost-sharing subsidies. Without these subsidies, the markets will face significant strains that could be devastating for patients, especially those who are most vulnerable.

"Additionally, there are other issues that must be addressed for the benefit of patients, including reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicare extenders, and reducing the unnecessary regulatory infrastructure that drives up costs and inhibits the efficient delivery of patient care.

"The nation's medical schools and teaching hospitals continue to develop ways to move toward a more efficient, high-quality health care delivery system. We stand ready to work with the administration and all members of Congress on these efforts in order to deliver solutions that protect patients and improve the health of all."

More articles on leadership:

The GOP's 'skinny repeal' plan: 6 things to know

Jeff Bezos replaces Bill Gates as world's richest person

AMA: 'There is no medically valid reason to exclude transgender individuals from military service'
Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic is beginning staff restructuring as part of plans to consolidate services between its hospitals in Albert Lea and Austin, Minn., according to a Post-Bulletin report.

Mayo plans to consolidate inpatient surgeries, overnight hospitalization, maternity and intensive care in Albert Lea on the Austin campus. As part of these plans, Mayo notified three health unit coordinators in Albert Lea Wednesday that their positions will be cut at the end of September, the clinic confirmed in an emailed statement to Becker's Hospital Review.

"These employees were offered the standard Employee Transition Plan, which includes severance pay based on their length of service, and direct assistance from our human resources department to find and apply for other positions in Albert Lea or any other Mayo facility," the statement reads. "The employees were given information on some positions that are currently open, and new positions will be posted soon that would be appropriate for these individuals. We are confident that these three valued employees will be able to remain employed with Mayo if they so choose."

Mayo also addressed a rumor from Minnesota Nurses Association spokesperson Jay Armstrong that the three job cuts confirmed by Mayo could be the beginning of 500 job losses in Albert Lea. The clinic said the Albert Lea hospital currently has about 1,000 employees, and noted "less than 5 percent of services are being transitioned from Albert Lea to Austin, and at the same time there are services moving from Austin to Albert Lea, bringing jobs with them." Officials added, "To speculate that one-half of the total work force will be displaced is irresponsible."

Moving forward, Mayo said it is trying to establish detailed staffing plans for each affected unit to determine the number of positions that will transition between the two Minnesota campuses. Overall, though, the clinic said it expects the number of positions in Austin and Albert Lea to remain close to what it is now when the transitions are complete in several years. But officials noted "some individual staff members may need to consider transitioning to another location."

Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic is beginning staff restructuring as part of plans to consolidate services between its hospitals in Albert Lea and Austin, Minn., according to a Post-Bulletin report.

Mayo plans to move the inpatient psychiatric and chemical dependency services from Austin to Albert Lea, and consolidate inpatient surgeries, maternity and intensive care in Albert Lea on the Austin campus. As part of these plans, Mayo notified three health unit coordinators in Albert Lea Wednesday that their positions will be cut at the end of September, the clinic confirmed in an emailed statement to Becker's Hospital Review.

"These employees were offered the standard Employee Transition Plan, which includes severance pay based on their length of service, and direct assistance from our human resources department to find and apply for other positions in Albert Lea or any other Mayo facility," the statement reads. "The employees were given information on some positions that are currently open, and new positions will be posted soon that would be appropriate for these individuals. We are confident that these three valued employees will be able to remain employed with Mayo if they so choose."

Mayo also addressed a rumor from Minnesota Nurses Association spokesman Jay Armstrong that the three job cuts confirmed by Mayo could be the beginning of 500 job losses in Albert Lea. The clinic said the Albert Lea hospital currently has about 1,000 employees, and noted "less than 5 percent of services are being transitioned from Albert Lea to Austin, and at the same time there are services moving from Austin to Albert Lea, bringing jobs with them." Officials added, "To speculate that one-half of the total workforce will be displaced is irresponsible."

Moving forward, Mayo said it is trying to establish detailed staffing plans for each affected unit to determine the number of positions that will transition between the two Minnesota campuses. Overall, though, the clinic said it expects the number of positions in Austin and Albert Lea to remain close to what it is now when the transitions are complete in several years. But officials noted "some individual staff members may need to consider transitioning to another location."

Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic is beginning staff restructuring as part of plans to consolidate services between its hospitals in Albert Lea and Austin, Minn., according to a Post-Bulletin report.

Mayo plans to move the inpatient psychiatric and chemical dependency services from Austin to Albert Lea, and consolidate inpatient surgeries, maternity and intensive care in Albert Lea on the Austin campus. As part of these plans, Mayo notified three health unit coordinators in Albert Lea Wednesday that their positions will be cut at the end of September, the clinic confirmed in an emailed statement to Becker's Hospital Review.

"These employees were offered the standard Employee Transition Plan, which includes severance pay based on their length of service, and direct assistance from our human resources department to find and apply for other positions in Albert Lea or any other Mayo facility," the statement reads. "The employees were given information on some positions that are currently open, and new positions will be posted soon that would be appropriate for these individuals. We are confident that these three valued employees will be able to remain employed with Mayo if they so choose."

Mayo also addressed a rumor from Minnesota Nurses Association spokesman Jay Armstrong that the three job cuts confirmed by Mayo could be the beginning of 500 job losses in Albert Lea. The clinic said the Albert Lea hospital currently has about 1,000 employees, and noted "less than 5 percent of services are being transitioned from Albert Lea to Austin, and at the same time there are services moving from Austin to Albert Lea, bringing jobs with them." Officials added, "To speculate that one-half of the total work force will be displaced is irresponsible."

Moving forward, Mayo said it is trying to establish detailed staffing plans for each affected unit to determine the number of positions that will transition between the two Minnesota campuses. Overall, though, the clinic said it expects the number of positions in Austin and Albert Lea to remain close to what it is now when the transitions are complete in several years. But officials noted "some individual staff members may need to consider transitioning to another location."

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A GOP bill proposing a single payer system was voted down Thursday, according to The Hill.

The bill was proposed by Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., in what many believe was an attempt to force Democrats to publicly demonstrate whether they actually support single-payer healthcare. The bill was defeated 57 to zero, with most Democrats voting "present" instead of yes or no. Four Democrats and one Independent voted against the bill.

"Senator Daines doesn't support this bill," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. He just wants to get Democrats on the record. The majority leader has made pending an amendment that both he and the author of the amendment will oppose, and that's the very definition of a political game. We Democrats aren't going to go along, because ... this isn't a game."

"I do not support a single-payer system, but I believe Americans deserve to see us debate different ideas, which is why I am bringing forward this amendment, Mr. Daines said. Its time for every senator to go on the record on whether or not they support a single-payer healthcare system.

A single-payer system has received public support from legislators like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, though none of them voted for the measure. A bill proposing Medicare-for-all has already received 115 co-sponsors in the House.

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From a pharmaceutical company paying $280 million to settle a whistle-blower lawsuit to the CEO of a healthcare technology company being sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison, these are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines.

1. Celgene to pay $280M to settle whistle-blower case over cancer drugs

Celgene, a pharmaceutical manufacturer based in Summit, N.J., agreed to pay $280 million to resolve allegations it promoted two cancer treatment drugs for uses not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

2. Woman pleads guilty to impersonating physician, operating clinics in 4 states for 15 years

An Alabama woman pleaded guilty to lying about her identity and her medical credentials for the last 15 years, during which she operated naturopathic clinics in four states.

3. Pain Management Group to pay $312k to resolve false billing allegations

Antioch, Tenn.-based Pain Management Group agreed to pay $312,000 to resolve federal and state False Claims Act allegations.

4. Healthcare executive gets nearly 10 years in prison for $56.5M fraud scheme

Sreedhar Potarazu, MD, founder, president and CEO of McLean, Va.-based VitalSpring Technology, was sentenced July 19 to 119 months and 29 days in prison for defrauding VitalSpring's shareholders and failing to pay employment taxes.

5. Jury levels $4.5M verdict against Iowa hospital in age discrimination suit

Grinnell (Iowa) Regional Medical Center faces a $4.5 million verdict after a jury sided with a former lab director who claims he was fired because he refused to retire after he was diagnosed with cancer.

6. Fleeing suspect blamed in patient's death at Oklahoma hospital

Authorities say a 24-year-old man who tried to escape police custody at Baptist Hospital in Oklahoma City may have caused the death of another patient.

7. Amedisys settles $43.8M Medicare fraud lawsuit

Amedisys, a Baton Rouge, La.-based home health provider, will pay $43.8 million to settle a federal lawsuit alleging the provider and its former executives participated in a Medicare fraud scheme.

8. Vanderbilt University Medical Center pays $6.5M to resolve Medicare fraud allegations

Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanderbilt University Medical Center paid $6.5 million to settle a whistle-blower suit alleging VUMC committed Medicare fraud between 2003 and 2011.

9. Horizon BCBS ordered to hand over report used to create Omnia tiers

The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled Newark-based Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey must disclose documents detailing how it selected hospitals for its discount tier health plans.

10. Patient stabs University of Nebraska Medical Center employee

A 37-year-old man was arrested after police say he attacked a phlebotomist at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

11. Aurora Health Care settles HIV discrimination lawsuit for $60k

Milwaukee-based Aurora Health Care settled two HIV discrimination claims for a total of $60,000.

12. Montana family sues air ambulance company after receiving $109k bill

A Montana family filed a lawsuit seeking class-action status against Reach Air Medical Services after receiving a $109,000 bill for transporting their 6-year-old son 535 miles.

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Prosecutors allege a man who received prostate surgery in 1992 murdered the physician who recommended the surgery 21 years later, according to the Los Angeles Times.

In opening statements Thursday, prosecutor Matt Murphy told jurors Stanwood Elkus underwent prostate surgery at the Long Beach (California) VA in 1992. For the next two decades Mr. Elkus told anyone who would listen that the surgery caused him to suffer from incontinence, erectile dysfunction and diminished sex drive. He also claimed the surgery caused his girlfriend to leave him.

Prosecutors said Mr. Elkus was angry about the effects of the surgery and blamed Robert Gilbert, MD, the urologist who recommended the surgery, for his troubles.

Mr. Elkus went to Dr. Gilbert's office on Jan. 22, 2013, and used a fake name to make an appointment. Mr. Elkus allegedly returned the office six days later for his appointment and fatally shot the physician 10 times, according to the report.

Mr. Elkus, now 79, is charged with first-degree murder and faces life in prison without parole if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

His defense attorney Colleen O'Hara did not dispute the facts presented by prosecutors. She said her client suffered from various disorders, including depression, dementia and impairment of his brain's frontal lobes, and he had tried to treat his conditions over the years by seeing psychologists and reading religious texts.

"He understood that he was going crazy and he was trying to get help," Ms. O'Hara told jurors, according to the report.

Ms. O'Hara said Mr. Elkus began taking antidepressant Lexapro a few days before his appoint with Dr. Gilbert, which caused him to lose his inhibitions, according to the LA Times.

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A physician was shot dead in the parking lot of Mishawaka, Ind.-based Saint Joseph Rehabilitation Institute Wednesday afternoon by someone who was targeting him specifically, according to the WSBT.

Todd Graham, MD, was walking between buildings at the medical campus when he was approached by the shooter, who fired multiple times before speeding off. Dr. Graham was pronounced dead when emergency responders arrived to the scene.

The suspect, whose identity is currently being withheld by the St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit, was later found dead as a result of a suspected suicide. The suspect and Dr. Graham knew each other, but the nature of their relationship is still unclear. The police say that the two men had an encounter earlier in the day.

Patients who knew Dr. Graham left comments about him on the South Bend Tribune website mourning his death. Dr. Graham specialized in physical medicine and rehabilitation at South Bend Orthopaedics.

"Dr. Graham saved me," one patient wrote. "What a fantastic person he was. One whom I will never forget."
Senator Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., on Thursday expanded her investigation into the causes of the nation's ongoing opioid epidemic by involving four additional drugmakers and three more drug distributors.

The senator requested internal documentation from McKesson Corp., AmerisourceBergen Corp., Cardinal Health, Mallinckrodt, Endo, Teva and Allergan that can confirm whether companies made diligent efforts to monitor, report and investigate the diversion of opioids for illicit use.

"We've seen numerous reports that potentially hundreds of millions of opioid pills wound up on the black market, fueling a nationwide epidemic  we need a better understanding of how committed these companies are to preventing this type of drug diversion or whether they are turning a blind eye," said Ms. McCaskill in an emailed release. "The people of Missouri and the countless families affected by this epidemic across the country deserve to find out everything possible about the root causes of this crisis."

In March, Ms. McCaskill, a ranking member on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, requested materials from five leading opioid manufacturers: Purdue Pharma, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Insys, Depomed and Mylan. The requested documents included internal studies on the possible risk of addiction related to opioids, marketing and business strategies and contributions made to third party groups that may have hindered efforts to strengthen opioid regulations.

To learn more about Ms. McCaskill's investigation, click here.

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The National Institutes of Health selected the first set of community partners for its precision medicine effort, called "All of Us."

The All of Us Research Program, which is part of the NIH's precision medicine initiative, aims to engage more than 1 million participants to share biological samples, genetic data and lifestyle information. The program  which will serve as a national research resource to inform future studies  launched its beta stage in June.

The NIH awarded four community partners a total of $1.7 million. The organizations, selected from a pool of applicants, will use the funding to engage communities that have traditionally been underrepresented in medical research, such as African Americans, Latinos, seniors and the LGBT community, among other populations.

"Medical breakthroughs have traditionally been based on findings from a limited portion of the U.S. population," said Dara Richardson-Heron, MD, chief engagement officer of The All of Us Research Program. "Our hope is for future research to include all of us, so that future healthcare can be more tailored to our individual differences."

Here are the four community partners.

1. Nashville, Tenn.-based FiftyForward, formerly Senior Citizens, will share information through lifelong learning centers and home-based services to engage low-income and senior citizens.

2. Washington, D.C.-based National Alliance for Hispanic Health will launch local and national campaigns at healthcare clinics and community events to reach Spanish-speaking populations.

3. Washington, D.C.-based Delta Research and Educational Foundation will launch a national community engagement effort to inform African Americans about the research project.

4. San Francisco General Hospital Foundation will build a national network and develop customized educational programs to engage gender and sexual minorities.

The NIH plans to select additional community partners in the future, drawing on the lessons learned from these initial four awardees.
Delta Sky Magazine featured Jay Jagannathan, MD, in its August 2017 issue.

Here are six highlights:

1. The magazine is honoring Dr. Jagannathan as one of the "Top Doctors" in America.

2. Peers nominated the featured physicians.

3. Dr. Jagannathan specializes in minimally invasive spine and brain surgery.

4. He founded Jagannathan Neurosurgery with locations throughout Michigan in Metro Detroit, West Branch and Sault Ste. Marie.

5. Dr. Jagannathan serves as a fellow of American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

6. He completed a clinical neuro-oncology fellowship at the National Institutes for Neurologic Disorders and Stroke.
Diageo has toasted a brighter outlook after securing a hefty jump in sales and profits thanks to a leg up from the Brexit-hit pound. Photo: David Cheskin/PA

Drinks giant Diageo has toasted a brighter outlook after securing a hefty jump in sales and profits thanks to a leg-up from the Brexit-hit pound. The Smirnoff vodka and Guinness maker said operating profit surged 25% to 3.6bn for the year ending in June, while reported net sales climbed 15% to 12.1bn over the period.

The group was boosted by healthy growth in international markets and strong Scotch sales, while sterling's weakness laid the foundations for an extra lift when translating overseas earnings back into pounds. Stripping out acquisitions and currency movements, annual operating profit grew by 6% to 3.6bn.

Chief executive Ivan Menezes said: "We have delivered consistent strong performance improvement across all regions and I am pleased with progress in our focus areas of US Spirits, Scotch and India.

"Our productivity work is delivering ahead of expectations allowing us to reinvest in our brands, drive margin improvement and generate consistent strong cash flow."

Shares soared nearly 7% in morning trading on the London Stock Exchange, as the firm hiked its profit margin growth target, raised the annual dividend by 5% and announced a 1.5bn share buy-back scheme to be paid out in 2018.

Diageo, which owns 200 brands across 180 countries, said Scotch sales rose by 5% over the period, as Johnnie Walker and Buchanan's climbed by 6% and 16% respectively.

However, vodka, which represents 12% of the group's net sales, dropped by 4%, as Ciroc and Ketel One struggled on the American market.

In total, US sales stepped up by 3% over the period, while Europe, Russia and Turkey grew by 5%, and Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean rose by 5% and 9% respectively.

The firm said exchange rate shifts could deal an 80m hit to net sales in 2018, but had the potential to boost operating profits by 70m.

Diageo announced last month that it had inked a $1bn deal (790m) to buy premium tequila brand Casamigos founded by Hollywood actor George Clooney and entrepreneur Rande Gerber.

Steve Clayton, fund manager at Hargreaves Lansdown, said the results delivered "encouraging news" for investors.

"Currency movements gave the company a big helping hand, but the underlying progress was strong too. The company are raising their targets for boosting profit margins," he said.
UTV will vacate its Havelock House premises on Belfast's Ormeau Road after nearly 60 years. Photo: Jonathan Porter/PressEye

From left: Jacqui Bradley of ITV with Rhianna Jordan and Ivan Hutchinson of M&H and Alan Mackey of UTV

Northern Ireland construction firm McLaughlin & Harvey has won the contract to fit out UTV's new offices and studio at Belfast Harbour.

UK broadcasting giant ITV -which bought UTV last year - said the new offices at City Quays 2 were a "multi-million pound investment".

Next year UTV will vacate its Havelock House premises on the Ormeau Road after nearly 60 years as it makes the move - first revealed by the Belfast Telegraph in February.

McLaughlin & Harvey, based in Mallusk, will be fitting out the eighth floor of City Quays 2 with a high-definition studio, editing technology and offices.

Contract manager Ivan Hutchinson said: "This is a really exciting project for us and the first with UTV.

"McLaughlin & Harvey pride themselves on delivering high quality fit-outs and have over 160 years' experience."

Terry Brennan, head of news and programmes at UTV, said the announcement "marks a major milestone in our plans".

"We are delighted to have got to this stage with such a well-established local company as McLaughlin & Harvey," he said.

"We are looking forward to them being on-site from the end of August and, by the summer of 2018, UTV will be broadcasting from one of the most modern news centres in Europe."

Last month McLaughlin & Harvey announced it had acquired an office furniture company in a major deal.

The Mallusk firm said the purchase of School and Office Supplies Group (SOS Group) in Belfast for an undisclosed sum would bolster its specialist joinery division.

And the company said it would also enable it to offer clients an 'end-to-end' construction service.

Group company McLaughlin & Harvey Holdings declared pre-tax profits of 5.5m on sales of 427.1m for 2016. It was set up as a group company last year and reported pre-tax profits of 1.3m in the three months to the end of December 2015.

ITV acquired the TV assets of UTV Media plc in a deal which completed in February last year. The package also included Dublin-based broadcaster UTV Ireland. However, ITV later sold UTV Ireland to Virgin Media, which also owns TV3. In January this year Virgin Media rebranded UTV Ireland as be3, a female-oriented channel.

This month it emerged that Belfast radio station U105 will join its former sister broadcaster UTV at the new City Quays 2 premises, but on a different floor.

The radio station, home to presenters such as Frank Mitchell, Johnny Hero and Carolyn Stewart, also leaves Havelock House next year. U105 has been part of UK media giant News UK since late last year after it was sold on, along with the six stations in the Republic also making up the Wireless Group.

Both the TV channel and the radio stations had been part of UTV Media plc before the group was broken up with UTV's disposal.

From left: Jacqui Bradley of ITV with Rhianna Jordan and Ivan Hutchinson of M&H and Alan Mackey of UTV
Sales in Northern Ireland's food and drink processing sector fell by 3% to 4.4bn in 2015, latest figures show. It was the first decline for the sector's sales in 15 years, according to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

However, DAERA said that provisional figures for 2016 - when the sector was celebrated in a year-long campaign led by Tourism Northern Ireland - put sales only marginally lower, at 4.423bn compared to 2015's 4.424bn.

Despite the fall in sales for 2015, the sector was responsible for a great share in output or gross value added at 2.3% in 2015, up from 0.2%.

The subsectors of beef and sheep meat, milk and daily products, accounted for close to 50% of turnover in 2015 and 2016.

However, beef and sheep meat suffered the largest decrease in sales at 29.6m, while pig meat sustained the next biggest fall at 12.2m.

But the subsectors of drinks, bakeries and fruit and vegetables all added sales of 16.6m, 13.9m and 11m respectively.

Dr Esmond Birnie, senior economist at the Ulster University economic policy centre, said the overall 2015 fall in sales may have been down to the impact of a relatively strong pound on competitiveness.

He said this was also borne out in the fall in sales to the Republic over the period - down 11.3% from 704.3m in 2014 to 624.8m in 2015.

Overall, Great Britain was the most important destination for sales at 47% of the total, while the Republic remained the biggest export market at 14%.

Charlie Kerlin, head of agri-food at business advisory firm Grant Thornton, said the statistics showed the continuing importance of food and drink processing to the economy. But he said deal activity in the market in 2017 could affect the pattern of future sales.

Meat giant Dunbia in Dungannon last year sold its pork processing operation to Cranswick plc, and has also entered a joint venture with Dawn Meats in the Republic for its red meat.

And Linden Foods - part of Fane Valley - has formed a joint venture with ABP for its meat processing.

Mr Kerlin said: "The sector will continue to have to deal with challenges as it tries to grow.

"This year has seen significant deal activity in the local market which may also impact the level of food processing undertaken in our local market in the future."

He also said currency fluctuations would also affect 2016 sales.
He's the wild-eyed, controversial Ulster actor who numbered playwrights Samuel Beckett and Harold Pinter among his closest friends and who appeared in iconic movies like A Clockwork Orange and Chariots of Fire.

Yet Patrick Magee is an almost forgotten figure in his homeland -and not just because he shared his name with the Brighton bomber.

But now the gravel-voiced star of stage and screen, who died in August 1982, is to be commemorated with a blue plaque by the Ulster History Circle at his former family home in Armagh's Edward Street.

Belfast actor Stephen Rea, who appeared on stage with Magee in London, will unveil the plaque later this month during the John Hewitt summer school.

The recognition comes after a campaign to honour Magee was backed by the University of Reading where celebrated Armagh-born poet Dr Conor Carville, an associate professor, has been instrumental in championing his cause.

Dr Carville whose brother Daragh is a playwright, is also publishing a book about Magee, who was 60 when he died from a heart attack in London.

"Patrick Magee is a very important and unjustly forgotten figure who represents an important aspect of the cultural ferment of the 1960s and 1970s in Britain," Dr Carville says.

Magee was born Patrick George McGee, but later changed his name to avoid confusion with another actor.

He was born into a middle-class family, the oldest of five children, but the man who would become addicted to drink and gambling loved to tell interviewers that he was "a street fighter from Armagh".

He was, however, a committed republican who joined up with acting colleagues Vanessa Redgrave and Glenda Jackson to campaign on social issues of the day.

He was also instrumental in persuading his union Equity to boycott South Africa because of apartheid in 1976.

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Magee was educated at St Patrick's College in Armagh where he excelled in a number of school productions.

He went on to join the Group Players in Belfast in 1948 and he appeared in fondly-remembered productions like Mountain Post by Ballymoney playwright George Shiels and Harry Sinton Gibson's Bannister's Cafe.

He stayed with the Group for nearly three years before he and a number of his colleagues went to England under the auspices of the renowned theatrical director Tyrone Guthrie to take part in a series of Irish plays, staged at the Lyric Hammersmith as part of the Festival of Britain in 1951.

Magee returned to tour Ireland with Shakespeare plays in a company put together by Monaghan-born Anew McMaster, whose advertisement for actors was answered by, among others, Harold Pinter.

Determined to establish a foothold as an actor in England, Magee went into repertory theatre and later recalled how he was just about to eke out a living. However, in 1958 - the year he married Armagh woman Belle Sherry - he made his film debut in Rag Doll, directed by Lance Comfort.

But he never made a secret of the fact that he preferred the stage to the big screen.

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He'd also carved a reputation for himself on radio as a definitive interpreter of the work of playwright Samuel Beckett, whom he met in 1957 and who was so impressed by him that he wrote his acclaimed play Krapp's Last Tape with Magee in mind.

The friendship endured and a film of Krapp's Last Tape, which is on YouTube, is testimony to Magee's prowess, as is his performance in the Joseph Losey prison drama The Criminal, a film which also starred Stanley Baker.

In 1964, Magee joined the Royal Shakespeare Company after Harold Pinter said he wanted him to be in his play The Birthday Party.

And the following year, after a production of Marat/Sade was transferred from London to New York, Magee won a Tony award for his portrayal of the Marquis de Sade.

However, Magee still struggled financially, in part due to his drinking and gambling, and he accepted roles in low budget British horror films. His performances of sinister characters caught the eye of cult European directors like Walerian Borowczyk and Lucio Fulci.

But there were more mainstream movies too, like A Clockwork Orange and Barry Lyndon during the Seventies.

The theatre still called him back, and in 1976, he was in Beckett's Endgame in a cast which included Stephen Rea.

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Magee's career hit its lowest point, however, when he starred along with a young Helen Mirren (right) in a production of Brian Friel's play The Faith Healer at the Royal Court theatre in London.

Despite a towering performance as Frank McCabe in the central role, Magee was eventually sacked because he was drunk on stage.

Playwright Thomas Kilroy, who was in rehearsal for another play at the Royal Court, told the Irish Times: "I have never been so frightened in the theatre. Most of those nights Magee was so drunk that he barely made it into the spot on stage.

"To compound matters, Mirren was giving a performance of matching power and you ached for even one respite to allow these two performances to speak to one another.

"It never quite happened because of the real danger that Magee was about to fall head over heels into the front rows of the stalls."

One of Magee's final roles before his death was in the Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire.

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Despite his problems on and off stage, Conor Carville said he regarded him as one of the finest actors in the British Isles, adding: "The persona he had off-stage was that of a hell-raiser, and this blended into the roles he was cast in.

"He was at the forefront of theatrical and cinematic experiment of the time, and yet, as a BBC stalwart on both radio and TV and a West End actor, he was also ensconced in the mainstream.

"As well as this, his immersion in the new British horror genre meant he moved in underground circles.

"My research has revealed an undercurrent of desperation in his career, as he took on such roles for the income they provided."

Dr Carville's research on Magee for his book has drawn on Beckett's letters to Magee and his wife held at Trinity College; letters between Magee and Pinter held at the British Library, the BBC archives in Caversham, near Reading, as well as the V&A Theatre and Performance Collections in London.

He also drew on the extensive Samuel Beckett Collection at the University of Reading, the world's largest collection of resources relating to the writer.

The Ulster History Circle's blue plaque to honour Patrick Magee will be unveiled by Stephen Rea tomorrow, at 2 Edward Street at noon
Casualty actress Cathy Shipton has said her co-star Derek Thompson is "worth" his BBC salary.

The Ulster-born star, who plays Charlie Fairhead in the hit medical drama, was recently named the highest paid actor at the corporation, earning between 350,000 and 399,000.

The broadcaster has since come under fire for its huge gender pay gap.

Shipton told Good Morning Britain on Friday: "I was quite low down on the list but I was on the catchment part of the list."

Asked whether she was angry about the pay disparity, she said: "Absolutely not. Derek and I started in the show thirty years ago, he has maintained... He didn't start on that figure, I'll have you know, so the show now really revolves around that character.

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"Thirty years he's committed to that show, that's brought in so many actors, so many, all the crew working on the other side."

Prompted by Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway, who commented 'So he's worth it?', Shipton said: "I believe, the feedback I got, was that... he's worth it and I think for 40p a day the whole BBC output is absolutely worth it."

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The BBC was forced to reveal the wages of on-air talent who earned more than 150,000 during its annual report.

It showed that Radio DJ Chris Evans was the highest earner at 2.2 million, while highest earning female Claudia Winkleman receives between 450,000-499,000.

Director-General Tony Hall defended the salaries which are drawn from TV licence funds.

He said: "Ultimately, people should judge the BBC on the quality of the programmes and service they get for their 40p a day."

He also addressed the gender pay gap inconsistency saying: "At the moment, of the talent earning over 150,000, two thirds are men and one third are women. We've set a clear target for 2020: we want all our lead and presenting roles to be equally divided between men and women.
The baby squirrels stay in the drey nest for the first few months and are starting to explore their surroundings.

The aim of Belfast Zoo's red squirrel nook is education but plays a vital and leading role in red squirrel conservation in Northern Ireland.

The baby squirrels were spotted outside of their drey for the first time at the start of July and can now be spotted in red squirrel nook. (Photo credit - Jon Lees)

Belfast Zoo has formed the first captive breeding programme for red squirrels in Northern Ireland. (Photo credit - Jon Lees)

Belfast Zoo is celebrating another conservation success with the birth of five red squirrel kittens. (Photo credit - Jon Lees)

Belfast Zoo is celebrating the arrival of five red squirrels kittens, following a carefully planned conservation scheme.

The newborns were first spotted at the start of July and visitors can now see them at the zoos red squirrel nook.

The red squirrel is a small, tree-living rodent which is believed to have been present in Ireland for more than 10,000 years.

Many people are familiar with this iconic native species, its bright red coat, creamy white belly, bushy tail and distinctive ear tufts.

However, the red squirrel in Northern Ireland is in serious trouble. The population has dramatically declined due to the loss of their forest habitats in addition to competition from the invasive grey squirrel that carries a lethal pox virus.

Zoo manager, Alyn Cairns, explained: We care for some of the most endangered species from around the globe but the problem is closer to home than most people think.

"Animals on our own doorstep are facing increasing threats and populations are disappearing at an alarming rate.

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"Recognising this alarming trend, the Belfast Zoo team formed a native species group in 2004 to work on a number of native species projects. In 2012, following the culmination of many years of work and consultation with local wildlife organisations, we opened red squirrel nook.

Alyn continued: The aim of the nook was predominantly to interact with visitors to educate them about this iconic native animal and the risks threatening the red squirrel. However, from the beginning, the hope was that the squirrels would be sufficiently content in the nook to breed.

"In anticipation of this, release arrangements were drawn up by Belfast Zoo, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Northern Ireland Squirrel Forum. The aim was for Belfast-Zoo bred kittens to supplement current populations in protected areas around Northern Ireland. This innovative project therefore led to the release of the first Belfast Zoo-born red squirrels into Glenarm Estate in 2014. This success was duplicated with the release of further animals into Ballykinler Estate in 2015.

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Red squirrel nook initially became home to three animals when it first opened. The key to the formation of a successful breeding programme and safety net population is genetic diversity.

"The zoos breeding male was therefore released in Ballykinler in 2015 with the aim of introducing a new breeding male to the group. In January 2017, we were approached by the PSNI who had rescued a young male red squirrel who could not return to the wild. It is this rescued male that has now become our breeding male and the father of our latest five kittens.

"We are delighted with the continued success of red squirrel nook and the zoos continuing native species projects.
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has said there is no proposal from the Irish Government to make the Irish Sea the border between Ireland and Britain saying UK officials needed to come up with an imaginative solution to the problem.

The minister was responding to reports in Friday's Times that the Irish Government had hardened its position over the border between the north and south of Ireland.

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Mr Coveney said there was no proposal from the Irish Government to have the border in the sea as opposed to along the land border with Northern Ireland.

Speaking to RTE he said the "onus" was on British officials to come up with an imaginative solution but they would not support a proposal which would see a hard border return on Ireland.

He said any solution should also not compromise the Good Friday Agreement or the consent principle.

"Friends should speak honestly to each other," he said.

"We have a border that is 500km long. There are 400 road crossings along that border.

"Anybody who suggests to me that we can solve this problem by putting cameras on this border ... I don't think that is the approach we can take."

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs reiterated the Government's position on the issue of the border in Brexit negotiations was political and not a technical matter.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has warned that Ireland will not play any role in creating a border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

In a dramatic raising of the Brexit stakes, Mr Varadkar has said it is up to the British government to devise the so-called seamless border  but warned even then Ireland may not accept it.

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"There hasnt been an economic border since 1992. As far as this Government is concerned there shouldnt be an economic border.

"We dont want one. Its the United Kingdom, its Britain that has decided to leave and if they want to put forward smart solutions, technological solutions for borders of the future and all of that thats up to them," he said.

"Were not going to be doing that work for them because we dont think there should be an economic border at all. That is our position."

The comments are likely to stun the UK government who have until now been working closely with Dublin to devise what Prime Minister Theresa May has described as a "frictionless border".

Its Britain that has decided to leave

It had been suggested that technology could be used to monitor goods crossing between the Republic and Northern Ireland after Brexit  but Mr Varadkar has now rejected this out of hand.

Asked whether he was concerned that by ratcheting up the rhetoric he could upset the DUP in Northern Ireland or Downing Street, Mr Varadkar bluntly replied: 'I hope there wont be any angry response from anyone. Anger isnt a policy and anger doesnt lead to solutions. But if anyone is angry it should be us.

He said the Good Friday Agreement was written in the context of Britain and Ireland working together within the EU.

It is the British and the Brexiteers who are leaving, so if anyone should be angry its us quite frankly. But were not going to get angry. We are going to try and find solutions that will benefit or at least minimise the damage to relations between Britain and Ireland, to the peace process and to trading links. But what we are not going to do is design a border for the Brexiteers.

"They are the ones who want a border, it is up to them to say what it is, to say how it would work and to first of all convince their own people, their own voters, that this is actually a good idea, he said.

Anger isnt a policy and anger doesnt lead to solutions

The Taoiseach said his government position is very clear, adding: We do not think its in the interests of Northern Ireland or the United Kingdom that there should be an economic border between our two countries or on our island and were not going to be helping them to design some sort of border that we dont believe should exist in the first place.

So let them put forward their proposals as to how they think a border should operate and then well ask them if they really think this is such a good idea because I think it will have a very severe impact on their economy if they decide to go down that route.

In response to Mr Varadkars intervention, a spokesperson for the UK Brexit office said finding a solution to the border question is a top priority, which we want to address early in the negotiations.

We are pleased to have had constructive discussions with the European Commission on this already.

"As we have always been clear, our guiding principle will be to ensure that  as we leave the EU  no new barriers to living and doing business within the UK are created, the spokesperson said.

"We aim to have as frictionless a border as possible between Northern Ireland and the Republic Ireland and we welcome the European Councils recognition that flexible and creative solutions will be required.

"It is our priority to deliver a practical solution, that recognises the unique social, political and economic circumstances of the border."
The show - A Prescription For Murder? - looked at the use of certain antidepressants and their potential side-effects. (Anthony Devlin/PA)

An NHS chief has accused the BBC of "stigmatising and unpleasant language" after a Panorama episode on mental illness.

John Lawlor, chief executive of Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, said he had been horrified by the programme and claimed it reinforced "unhelpful stereotypes".

The show - A Prescription For Murder? - looked at the use of certain antidepressants and their potential side-effects.

It specifically focused on the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the case of 24-year-old American student James Holmes, who carried out the Aurora mass shooting in 2012 and had been taking a prescription.

Mr Lawlor said: "I am horrified that the BBC has chosen to use such stigmatising and unpleasant language in relation to people who use antidepressants.

"Substantial steps forward to challenge the stigma of mental ill health have been made, and linking the experience of mental health problems with violent crime only reinforces unhelpful stereotypes.

"In fact, people with mental ill health are far more likely to be the victim of violence, partly because of the stigma they experience.

"I would like to call upon BBC Panorama to apologise for the offence they have caused."

The BBC claimed the investigation was in the public interest and it had done so responsibly.

A statement said: "It is in the public interest to investigate the possible adverse side-effects of SSRIs that could potentially affect a minority of people, and Panorama did so carefully and responsibly.

"Our journalism included new information about the number of reports to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority about reported side-effects of SSRIs, as well as a range of voices in psychiatry in both the US and the UK.

"It was also stressed clearly throughout the programme that these drugs are safe for the majority of users, and people should not change or stop taking medication without seeking medical advice first."
Belfast City Council seems set to approve a motion that will see materials removed from bonfires in nationalist areas - despite the opposition of unionist councillors.

Sinn Fein has called a special council meeting to discuss the issue next Wednesday.

The party's motion allows the council to lift the material ahead of the August 9 anti-internment bonfires. Unionists have indicated they won't be supporting the proposal.

Sources said they believed that Sinn Fein was attempting to set a public precedent which would apply to Eleventh Night bonfires next year.

But with Alliance and SDLP backing it, the motion is likely to be carried. The PSNI and the Housing Executive has already removed pallets from bonfire sites in north Belfast.

Agreement to permit the council to do the same at sites in west Belfast couldn't be reached at private meetings in City Hall, with unionists refusing to support such a move. Sinn Fein's motion states: "This council gives permission to our council officers to remove bonfire materials or employ contractors to facilitate the removal of bonfire materials from council sites and other sites, which belong to statutory agencies and those which are in private ownership."

The party's group leader, Jim McVeigh, said: "These bonfires are a threat to life and to property.

"No bonfire is a safe bonfire. They are a blight on communities and a magnet for anti-social behaviour.

"The ratepayers of this city have to foot the cost of this year in and year out. Laws are being broken and this council has a duty to act."

However, PUP leader Billy Hutchinson said that Sinn Fein was being "totally unreasonable" and that the motion was "unenforceable" across Belfast.

He added: "Contractors can't be found to do this work. Council employees can't be sent into such situations without protection. The police say it's a civil matter.

"What Sinn Fein is demanding just won't happen. Why should the council be paying to have material lifted from land which it doesn't even own? This isn't our responsibility."

DUP councillor Lee Reynolds said: "This is an attempt to bounce the council into a bad policy without committee scrutiny, without full advice from officers, to compel other agencies to act outside their powers and to prejudice the review and investigation."

Alliance councillor Michael Long said the council had a duty to support the west Belfast residents who wanted the material removed.

"The bonfires concerned cause anti-social behaviour, potentially could damage property, and there are health and safety issues," he added.

"I'm fully behind the council taking the lead, although other statutory agencies and the PSNI need to step up to the plate."

SDLP councillor Tim Attwood said: "I've spoken to Divis residents living close to one of the sites and they want the material removed.

"After the Grenfell Tower tragedy, we have a clear responsibility to protect people and property from fire."

People Before Profit councillor, Matt Collins, said he would support the motion, adding "now more than ever we need to develop a politics that seeks to challenge sectarianism in this city".
A controversial Church of Ireland minister who had multiple ear piercings and wore jeans to services has stepped down.

The Rev Alan Kilpatrick has officially resigned from Hope Community Church less than two years after he quit the then troubled Knocknamuckley parish in Co Armagh.

He quit as minister-in-charge with effect from June 30, meaning there is now a vacancy at the Craigavon-based missional congregation.

The Church of Ireland told the Belfast Telegraph that the church was "financially self-sufficient" and able to meet all the costs that need to be covered in having a full-time minister.

"The Rev Alan Kilpatrick resigned his post leaving the church numerically and financially healthy," it added.

"Both St Matthias (Knocknamuckley) and Hope Community Church are moving forward with the mission and ministry entrusted to them under the overall leadership of the Church of Ireland Diocese of Down and Dromore."

In 2015 the maverick cleric divided parishioners at the rural St Matthias' Church on Bleary Road near Lurgan due to his often colourful and relaxed style of ministry, which was said to rarely involve him wearing official robes or preaching from the pulpit.

The Scotsman eventually chose to step down from his role in May 2015 before officially leaving at the end of September.

But the decision caused a mixed reaction and resulted in a bitter church split.

It left members in tears as they were ripped away from lifelong friends, and his own followers were torn from the place they had worshipped in for years.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph at the time, he insisted: "I'm fine, I'm good, I'm great." But he later admitted it was a mistake to drop traditional services entirely when he took up his position in 2013. Almost half of the 120 members of the congregation followed the minister when he moved his contemporary Pentecostal-style services to new premises, but his detractors in the pews at Knocknamuckley welcomed his departure.

Tensions ran particularly high on Easter Sunday in 2015 when 13 parishioners walked out of his unconventional service in which a troupe of young girls from the Zephaniah Dancers performed routines to Christian music and stories from the Bible.

A parishioner previously described his incorporation of rock music into services as "very alienating", before adding: "There's a place for rock music, but not in a church."
Dean McIlwaines grief-stricken parents Karen and Rodney at the funeral of the 22-year-old at Carnmoney Presbyterian Church yesterday

Dean McIlwaines grief-stricken parents Karen and Rodney at the funeral of the 22-year-old at Carnmoney Presbyterian Church yesterday

The heartbroken girlfriend of Newtownabbey barber Dean McIlwaine sent a poignant and loving farewell message to him at his funeral yesterday.

Demi-jo McMahon told Dean, whose body was found at Cave Hill in north Belfast at the weekend: "I want you to know that I will never stop loving you. I miss you every single day and I long to be with you."

She added: "I miss our conversations and the way you made me smile. But I know you are watching over me."

Her words were read by one of six friends, who paid moving tributes to Dean yesterday.

And later, in the shadow of Cave Hill, where Dean died a solitary death a fortnight ago, hundreds of people gathered for a very public outpouring of grief as the award-winning 22-year-old barber was laid to rest in Carnmoney Cemetery.

Yesterday a minister warned mourners it was possible that Dean's devastated family might never know what led to his death, which police have said they are not treating as suspicious.

Dean, who was planning to open his own barber's shop in the Newtownabbey area, went missing after he was last seen alive on the Carnmoney Road on July 13.

Expand Close Deans friend Alan Drennan, who died in Ibiza in 2015 / Facebook

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Whatsapp Deans friend Alan Drennan, who died in Ibiza in 2015

And at Carnmoney Presbyterian Church, on the same road, the start of yesterday's service had to be delayed because so many people were queuing to get in to say goodbye to him.

On top of the coffin at the front of the church, relatives placed several pictures of the ever-smiling Dean, whose inexplicable death has left his friends and family devastated and bewildered.

Two of the friends who read poems and shared memories of Dean and anecdotes about him were overcome with emotion as they tried to speak of their shock at his passing.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Alan Lewis - PhotopressBelfast.co.uk 27/7/2017 Picture by Justin Kernoghan Dean's mother Karen, father Rod and partner Demi Jo helping to carry Dean's coffin at his funeral in Carnmoney Photopress Belfast Press Eye - Dean McIlwaine Funeral - 27th July 2017 Photograph by Declan Roughan Hundreds of mourners gathered together at Carnmoney Presbyterian Church for a funeral service for barber, Dean McIlwaine, who was found on Saturday after widespread searches. Police have indicated that his death is not being treated as suspicious. Hundreds of mourners gathered together at Carnmoney Presbyterian Church for a funeral service for barber, Dean McIlwaine, who was found on Saturday after widespread searches. Hundreds of mourners gathered together at Carnmoney Presbyterian Church for a funeral service for barber, Dean McIlwaine, who was found on Saturday after widespread searches. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Alan Lewis - PhotopressBelfast.co.uk 27/7/2017 Picture by Justin Kernoghan Dean's mother Karen, father Rod and partner Demi Jo helping to carry Dean's coffin at his funeral in Carnmoney

Dean was described as a "one in a million" friend with a heart of gold, who brought laughter and happiness to many people's lives.

"He will live on in our hearts and minds," said one man, who added that he hoped Dean would be having a party "up above" with two of his friends who had died in recent years.

One of them was Alan Drennan from Newtownabbey, who passed away on holiday in Ibiza in 2015.

Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Hundreds of mourners gathered together at Carnmoney Presbyterian Church for a funeral service for barber, Dean McIlwaine, who was found on Saturday after widespread searches. Alan Lewis - PhotopressBelfast.co.uk 27/7/2017 Picture by Justin Kernoghan The funeral of Dean McIlwaine at Carnmoney Presbyterian Church in County Antrim - Hundreds of mourners gathered at Carnmoney Presbyterian Church for a funeral service for barber, Dean McIlwaine. Photopress Belfast Press Eye - Dean McIlwaine Funeral - 27th July 2017 Photograph by Declan Roughan Dean McIleaine's mother Karen (red coat) and his father Rodney (blue suit) grief stricken at / Facebook

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Whatsapp Hundreds of mourners gathered together at Carnmoney Presbyterian Church for a funeral service for barber, Dean McIlwaine, who was found on Saturday after widespread searches.

As the congregation burst into spontaneous applause at the end of their messages, the six distraught friends huddled together for support.

Another tribute left even more people in tears as Dean's life story was told in a series of pictures on video screens - from his earliest days in a Noddy top to the sharp tailored suits he wore on nights out with his friends. Even Carnmoney minister the Rev John Dickinson acknowledged Dean's fashion sense.

He said: "He loved style and clothes and was immaculately turned out.

"The shop he was finishing was going to be finished to a very high standard."

The cleric said it wasn't surprising that so many were fond of him. "He was soft-hearted in many ways, and when you got to know him it was hard not to love him," he added. "He was held in high esteem by everyone who knew him and he had a great sense of fun."

But turning to the mystery surrounding Dean's death on Cave Hill, where his body was found after hundreds of volunteers searched for him last Saturday, the minister said that what happened would probably never be known.

Mr Dickinson said it appeared that Dean had everything going for him, adding: "Apart from the death of his granda only a few weeks ago, this had been a good summer for Dean."

The cleric said Dean had been to Cyprus for his brother Glen's wedding, and as well as looking forward to opening his salon he'd got the qualifications which enabled him to get a position teaching barbering to students in September.

And Mr Dickinson added that Dean had also taken possession of the keys to a new home with Demi-jo.

"Which makes what brings us here today all the more tragic," he added.

"His parents and friends know so little about the last hours of his life and will probably never know exactly what happened, and we are not here today to speculate on that."

Mr Dickinson said Dean's family had found it hard to deal with the stresses of the search for him, which "stretched over nine long days and nights".

He added: "What words are there, adequate to the loss that this family have sustained and the trauma they have experienced, not only personally but in a very public way?"

In the end the ordeal of the funeral was too much for Rod and Karen McIlwaine.

After their son's coffin was brought from the church to the strains of The Hollies' hit song He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, the McIlwaines and Demi-jo were among the pall bearers.

But minutes later his parents wept uncontrollably and clung to each other for comfort as lone piper Glen Baxter led the cortege towards the cemetery playing Amazing Grace, Abide With Me and other hymns.

The McIlwaines had thanked the people who hunted tirelessly for their son, searchers who'd come from both sides of the community.

Former First Minister Arlene Foster acknowledged in a tweet that she was of proud of how people had pulled together in the search for Dean.

Some of the volunteers attended the funeral service, including one of the co-ordinators of the operation, Paul McCusker, who is an SDLP councillor.
Former Taoseach Bertie Ahearn has said there is no chance of Ireland leaving the EU, saying: "We are mad, but we are not that mad."

Irish premier Leo Varadkar has said a border in the Irish Sea was the only way to guarantee freedom of movement of goods and people on the island of Ireland.

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While British Chancellor Philip Hammond said it was a high priority for all to avoid having a border on the island of ireland.

DUP MP Ian Paisley has said the only option available is either a hard border, or Ireland "wise up" and leave the EU.

Former Taoseach Bertie Ahearn said there was "no chance" of Ireland following Britain out of the union.

"We are mad, but we are not that mad," he told Sky News.

"Thankfully there is no support for that act of insanity. There is no prospect of Ireland leaving the EU either now or in the future."

He said it would be "unacceptable" to have a hard border on the Island of Ireland, but that the issue of moving goods needed consideration.

"We all want the border to remain as it is, no one wants to see a border or checkpoints. It is a worry and everyone is good intentioned. But the difficultly is the experts say it is impossible.

"Until we have resolution... there is uncertainty and it is worrying for all kinds of reasons; for business, for those working in the north and living in the south and for tourists who travel around the island."

He said that while there was "lots of good will" there had been no credible proposal on how to solve the problem of the border between the EU and the UK post Brexit.

"It is easy for people to say unite the country or put the border off the coast.

"There is no realistic proposal that I have seen. Have they looked at the difficulties and the constitutional position? I worry the issue has not been examined to the extent that is required.

"We should have been trying in the past 12 months to get a hard position between Ireland the UK and put that to the EU. And that has not been done and it is a mistake that needs rectified."
DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson described reports Dublin ministers are pushing for the Irish Sea to act as the border between the UK and the Republic after Brexit as "utter madness".

It comes after the London Times said new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is unconvinced by the UKs plans to introduce a high-tech land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Sir Jeffrey described the plan as "economic nonsense".

He told the BBC: "The port of Belfast is our biggest port, 73% of what goes through it either comes or is destined for Great Britain. Why on earth would it be in the interests of the Northern Ireland economy to have a customs border between Northern Ireland and London, between Northern Ireland and Great Britain?

"It would be utter madness."

Prime Minister Theresa May is facing another setback in the Brexit negotiations, Friday's Times reported. The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic is one of the key issues that needs to be resolved by the UK and the EU before talks begin on a new trade deal.

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The Times said new Taoseach Leo Varadkar and Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney were pushing for the Irish Sea to be the effective border. They have said to impose measures on the 310 mile land border would jeopardise peace.

The newspaper said the two were "stamping their authority" and the change of tone from Dublin had stunned London officials.

Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes, reacting, said reports around the matter were both "unhelpful and speculative".

British ministers had proposed using measures like surveillance cameras to allow free movement between the north and south of the island.

Sir Jeffrey added: "I think Dublin is being too pessimistic and I suspect that behind this is a little bit of politics going on which is unhelpful.

There is no way that the DUP will go for a border like this. Dublin really needs to understand that that proposition is absurd and unconstitutional.

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South Belfast DUP MLA Christopher Stalford, referring to the report described the move as "another foot in mouth moment".

"If they push this line further it will result in a hard border. Their choice not ours," he said.
A senior figure from controversial far-Right group Britain First has defended a planned appearance during a loyalist protest coinciding with an anti-internment parade in Belfast city centre.

But organisers of next weekend's Loyal People's Protest have accused the group of hijacking their event.

The loyalist "anti-terrorism march" is due to take place at the same time as the republican Anti-Internment League parade.

Tensions are high in the run-up to both marches on August 6 and there are concerns over the potential for violence as loyalists and republicans take to the streets en masse.

Britain First said the rally will be addressed by "pro-British, anti-Islamic, anti-immigration" Britain First leader Paul Golding and his deputy Jayda Fransen.

Belfast independent unionist councillor Jolene Bunting is also listed to appear.

However, the Loyal People's Protest Facebook page stated: "We are not affiliated to any political party, or any independent councillors on Belfast City Council. No one will speak at this March without our approval."

It also posted a photo of Britain First's poster for the event with the word 'Hijacked' plastered across it.

Britain First encourages members to "take our country back". Its website shows pictures of countryside "activist training camps" and is littered with anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim stories.

London-based deputy leader Fransen (31) told the Belfast Telegraph that support for her group was growing in Northern Ireland and that it was "happy to stand with Northern Irish people to ensure Ulster doesn't fall to Islam the way the mainland has".

"One of our main core issues is tackling Islamic extremism and all forms of extremism and terrorism," she claimed.

"We are getting far more active in Northern Ireland. This march is a good opportunity for us to reach out to the people in Northern Ireland.

"We have a huge amount of support over there and there are a lot of calls for us to be more active there.

Paul had been in Northern Ireland over the Twelfth and we plan to come over far more frequently now, myself particularly."

Ms Fransen said one of the group's key issues and concerns was Islamic terrorism.

She added: "Obviously the issue on the mainland is far worse than it is in Northern Ireland.

"Our concern is that we keep Britain British, and of course, Ulster forms part of Britain (sic).

"We would hate to see the situation we have here - as in my home town of London is no longer recognisable, it has been completely colonised, and it is not a safe place to be.

"We want to raise awareness about that and stand with the British people in Ulster.

"The message that we will be bringing over is that there is a new threat, the greatest threat to our country, and indeed the world, is Islamic terrorism.

"You only have to turn on the news to see that the world is at war with Islam and we want to make sure that Ulster doesn't fall the way that the mainland has.

"Britain First is a political movement, but we are also a street movement. Ultimately, we believe that the country is going to descend into civil war and we believe that it will be Britain First who will lead the resistance against that."

The Anti-Internment League is planning its event from 11.30am through until 2pm, and has predicted 5,000 supporters will attend.

The planned route for its march will pass through parts of north and west Belfast including Ardoyne Avenue, Cliftonville Road, New Lodge and Divis Street - and will also pass through central Belfast.

The timing of the Loyal People's Protest overlaps with the anti-internment march, with it running from 11.15am through until 1pm.

As it stands, both the anti-internment and Loyal People's Protest parades are under consideration by the Parades Commission and are considered "sensitive".

The SDLP has described the sharing of any platform with Britain First as "shameful".

However, Ms Bunting, a former TUV member, said it was right the group appear, and that it was "not right" it was considered dangerous.

"I have seen their demonstrations, I've heard them speak and they are very articulate when it comes to international terrorism," she told the BBC.

Last year a planned march by the Anti-Internment League was banned from entering Belfast city centre by the Parades Commission when it said that there was "extremely high risks of public disorder" if the parade was allowed to go ahead.

In 2015 violence erupted on Oldpark Road in north Belfast after the republican parade was stopped by police.

The Loyal People's Protest previously drew controversy for its demonstrations outside of Belfast City Hall, including a 12-hour 'Union flag vigil' on St Patrick's Day last year.
Seven medals awarded to a fearless British undercover soldier, including a Queen's Gallantry Medal he received for his exploits here, have sold for more than 25,000.

The Special Ops Northern Ireland QGM was awarded to Corporal - later Sergeant - Anthony Haw "in recognition of service in Northern Ireland".

It covered the period from November 1, 1977, to January 31, 1978. The medal was stolen from Mr Haw's car in Liverpool soon after he received it, but he eventually got it back during the 1990s.

Before the auction, at Spink in London on Wednesday, Mr Haw's QGM and his six other medals were expected to sell for between 18,000 and 22,000, but they were snapped up by a mystery buyer for 25,200.

Marcus Budgen, a medals specialist at Spink, said: "The awards of Tony Haw are truly remarkable. Being a Special Forces group with two gallantry awards is quite exceptional, making this a completely unique group.

"His work with 14 Intelligence Company was at the spearhead of the covert surveillance operations missions undertaken at the time and is very much taken from the pages of an Ian Fleming novel at times. His career later took him over the Iron Curtain into East Berlin as part of the Cold War spy mission, BRIXMIS."

Mr Budgen said the auction price reflected the history and importance of the medals.
The issue of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic will ultimately mean the UK stays within the single market, a former senior aide to Tony Blair during the peace process has said.

The Times of London has reported that the Irish Government is hardening its stance over the issues with a preference for the Irish Sea to act as a border between it and the UK after Brexit.

Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney, however, has said there has been no such proposal.

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Speaking to Sky News, Jonathan Powell who played an influential role in the talks preceding the Good Friday Agreement, said that the issue would lead to the UK remaining in the single market.

He described the British efforts so far in the Brexit negotiations as "shambolic" and that given the issue of the border was not a new one, there should have been answers to it already.

"The Good Friday Agreement took the issue of identity out of Irish politics, a hard border puts it right back in," he said.

"There is already a political crisis in Northern Ireland because the two sides can not agree and this will only make things worse."

Mr Powell said there were no "simple answers" in resolving the question of the border in a post-Brexit Europe, adding: "Putting the border in the sea may be a fine theory, but obviously it will never be acceptable to the DUP.

"There are no technological solutions, the only way to deal with this is a hard border or the UK remaining in the single market.

"The only way I can see this being resolved is by the UK staying in the single market."
Marie Stopes UK has said it will no longer charge fees for Northern Irish women to have abortions in England

Forty per cent of people in Northern Ireland support reforming the law on abortion here - compared to 29% who oppose changing it, a new opinion poll shows.

The findings will be welcomed by pro-choice campaigners who have long claimed that politicians are significantly out of touch with public opinion on the issue. Surprisingly, more DUP voters support liberalising abortion law (41%) than Sinn Fein supporters (32%).

The poll also shows a clear majority of the public (53%) in favour of legalising same-sex marriage, with only 23% opposing such a move.

The results are part of the 2017 Northern Ireland general election study in which 1,200 people were interviewed after last month's Westminster vote. The poll was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.

It found that more DUP supporters (44%) were in favour of same-sex marriage than were opposed (42%).

Of Northern Ireland's five main political parties, only the UUP had more supporters against same-sex marriage than in favour, although the party was almost evenly split.

Two-thirds of Sinn Fein and SDLP voters, and almost all Alliance supporters, back change.

Age determined attitudes to same-sex marriage more than political affiliation.

Only 7% of 18-24 year-olds oppose its legalisation, while just 31% of those aged 65 and over are in favour.

The public was split on an Irish Language Act, although more people (34%) favoured a new law than were opposed (28%).

An overwhelming 84% of Sinn Fein supporters wanted the Act - 4% said they didn't - but only 10% of DUP voters agreed with such a measure.

Despite the deadlock at Stormont, there is still strong backing for the political institutions, with two-thirds of people supporting the Assembly and the Executive and only 9% opposing them.

A total of 71% people want power-sharing restored.

Asked to rate our political leaders from zero (not at all) to 10, Naomi Long emerged the most popular with only 9% of people giving her zero. Next was Colum Eastwood (13%), followed by Robin Swann (15%) and Michelle O'Neill (17%).

Arlene Foster was the least popular leader, securing a zero from one in five people.

There was strong opposition to reducing the voting age from 18 to 16, with 43% of people disagreeing with such a move compared to 28% supporting it.

More people were against continuing academic selection at 11 (38%) than agreed with it (25%).

In the event of a border poll, 53% would vote to remain in the UK, with only 27% opting for a united Ireland. Although the idea features heavily in the media, only 18% of people believe that Brexit makes a united Ireland more likely.

More people here disagreed with the idea that immigration had been good for society and the economy (30%) than agreed with it (29%). There was no groundswell of support for either British (Conservative or Labour) or Irish (Fianna Fail/Fine Gael) parties contesting elections here, with only 20% backing the former and 15% the latter.

But a majority of people (57%) backed political parties being required to put forward a certain proportion of female candidates.

Two-thirds of those questioned believed that only innocent people could be categorised as victims of the Troubles.

There was also strong opposition to the idea of an amnesty, with 56% against the proposal and just 18% in favour.
66% of DUP voters believe it is right to leave the EU  only 15% of SF voters think likewise

71% of interviewees support restoration of the Assembly and Executive at Stormont

44% of DUP voters are in favour of same-sex marriage  42% were opposed

As Northern Ireland's politicians take a well-earned break - just the six months off since the Assembly collapsed on January 26 - it might be time to take stock of public opinion on the issues that seem so difficult to resolve.

The 2017 Northern Ireland General Election study, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, provides a detailed analysis of those key issues.

Social Market Research Belfast interviewed nearly 1,200 adults after the election.

As the exit poll on the night (again) showed, quizzing people after they have voted tends to be a more accurate guide than asking in advance.

Asked to identify the most important election issues, there was a clear top four: the NHS, the economy, constitutional issues and Brexit.

Most voters backed the party they genuinely supported - only 9% claimed to have voted tactically. For all the harrumphing over unionist election pacts, more DUP and UUP voters support the idea than oppose - not that they did the UUP any good.

Despite all their problems, the Assembly and Executive - remember them? 90 people earning 50,000 per year minimum? - continue to command widespread backing among electors.

Some 70% support restoration, two-thirds express support for the institutions and for power-sharing, with cross-community majorities in favour - and only 5% want the Executive and Assembly to be permanently binned.

So does public opinion offer hope that the institutions can be restored?

If an Irish Language Act really is a deal-breaker, direct rule looms - at least if the parties follow their support bases. Some 84% of Sinn Fein voters want an Act (only 4% say they don't) but only 10% of DUP supporters agree with such a measure. On same-sex marriage, however, there are clear signs of movement. It may surprise some that, excluding the undecided, there were more DUP voters (44%) in favour of Peter marrying Paul, to quote one MLA, than opposed (42%), with 14% undecided.

Of the 'big five' parties (let's be generous to the UUP, Alliance and SDLP) only the UUP had more against same-sex marriage than in favour, but the party was almost evenly divided. Two-thirds of Sinn Fein and SDLP voters, and nearly all Alliance supporters, back change.

Regardless of party, age has a huge effect here. Only 7% of 18 to 24-year-olds are opposed to the legalisation of same-sex marriage, while only 31% of those aged 65 and over are in favour. On abortion, a very significant proportion of the electorate is undecided on legalisation. Of the largest two parties, 41% of DUP supporters and only 32% of Sinn Fein backers are outright in favour.

The study revealed how Brexit continues to polarise. Two-thirds of DUP voters believe it is right to leave the European Union, but only 15% of Sinn Fein voters think likewise.

And while a majority of unionist voters are sanguine about Brexit, rejecting the idea that it will lead to a hard border, only a minority of nationalists back this view. If Brexit led to a border poll, 52% would vote for Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK and 27% for a united Ireland.

In terms of dealing with the past, only 12% of DUP voters support amnesties for those who admit to carrying out acts of violence during the Troubles.

In contrast, only 26% of Sinn Fein backers oppose the idea. A majority (57%) of Sinn Fein's voters endorse the idea of a truth and reconciliation commission, but only one-third of DUP backers think the same.

And what about the political leaders and appeals beyond their base? Guess what? Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill polarise voters according to party supported. Who would have thought it?

Asked to rate the DUP leader on a 0 (don't rate at all) to 10 (rate very highly), the most common score for Mrs Foster among DUP voters was 10, while 62% of Sinn Fein supporters reciprocated warmly with a score of, er, zero.

UUP opinion of Foster was fairly warm: three-quarters rated her at 5 and above.

The percentage of DUP voters endorsing Michelle O'Neill with a nice friendly 10 was, yes, also zero. There was not even a solitary score of 9 from the DUP's base for Michelle, although at least only 42% graded her at 0 out of 10. Some 84% of Sinn Fein voters rated her at 7 or above.

There is strong evidence that young people are turned off by Northern Ireland's politics.

Only one-in-three 18 to 24-year-olds bothered to vote. More broadly across all age groups, elections remain contests for the true believers.

Among those identifying as unionist, 76% voted, while 78% of nationalists voted. And of those saying they are neither unionist nor nationalist, a mere 37% went to the polls.

As it was a post-election survey, we also asked about the election's aftermath. The DUP will be heartened to see that, excluding don't knows, 96% of those who voted for the party support Arlene's arrangement with the Conservatives - and other unionist voters are equally supportive. Unsurprisingly, 90% of Sinn Fein voters do not back the new dispensation.

Maybe we need another election to sort all this out.

Only joking.
Jolene Bunting said the group's views should be heard.

An independent unionist councillor has defended the appearance of members of Britain First at a Belfast anti-terrorism rally.

On Sunday, August 6 a rally has been organised for Belfast City Hall.

It features Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen of Britain First as well as Paul Rimmer a Banksy who are listed as "British Patriots". Banksy is no relation to the artist of the same name.

Independent unionist councillor Jolene Bunting is also to appear.

"Rally in memory of victims of terrorism," posters advertising the event say, "good standard of behaviour apply."

The SDLP has described the sharing of a platform with controversial far right group Britain First as "shameful".

However, Ms Bunting, a former TUV member, has said it is right the group appear and that it was "not right" they were considered dangerous.

"Britain First have been holding a number of demonstrations in England, Scotland and Wales," she told BBC Talkback.

"I have seen their demonstrations, I've heard them speak and they are very articulate when it comes to international terrorism and I do want their views heard."
The heartbroken family of a west Belfast mother who lost her battle against cancer believe she would still be alive if she had been tested for the disease sooner.

Kellie McConville (43) succumbed to bowel cancer on Tuesday night, exactly one year after being diagnosed.

Her devastated nephew Conall Mac Corraidh paid tribute to his "big sister" who was "sharp-witted and very well-liked by the many people who knew her".

He also vowed that the family would carry on her legacy by campaigning for better cancer care in Northern Ireland after she was undiagnosed for years.

"Kellie was sick for three to four years before she was diagnosed last July," he said.

"She was back and forward to A&E and her GP, but was misdiagnosed and treated for irritable bowel syndrome. Eventually they brought her in to test her for Crohn's disease."

It was at this time Conall said doctors discovered a tumour in her bowel, which had spread to her liver and lung.

"It was too late to remove it," he said.

After making an "educated and informed decision" to refuse chemotherapy, doctors estimated Kellie would only have a couple of months to live.

But family and friends rallied behind her fundraising campaign, helping collect over 20,000, which allowed her to receive innovative treatment in Germany.

Conall said the entire family were "in no doubt" that the treatment bought her precious time without the severe side-effects associated with chemotherapy, but they couldn't afford to continue.

Kellie had witnessed her mum die of cancer just months before she was given the life shattering diagnosis. Theresa McConville died in February 2016 and Kellie was adamant that she didn't want to go through the gruelling treatment which would ultimately only buy her a few short months.

"She didn't want (daughter) Mia seeing her hair falling out and see her getting sick," Conall explained. "She seen her mum go through it and saw how she ended up after just one round, so she chose to spend whatever time she had left being as healthy as possible - she had already made peace with the fact she was dying."

On Wednesday Kellie's partner Tony sat down with six-year-old Mia to tell her that her mum was gone.

"Mia was aware that her mum was sick, but we had to break the news as gently as possible. She's a brave wee thing," Conall said. The family are now calling for the bowel cancer screening test to be made available to everyone.

"Drugs is one issue, but testing and diagnosis is also a major issue which needs to be addressed," he added.

"There is a test available but only to the over-60s. Why? Kellie is not the first person aged under 60 to die of bowel cancer."

The family now want to prevent anyone else suffering. They said people are being diagnosed too late and it is costing lives. "We are not angry, we are just sad - this is what we need to be arguing about, not all the other nonsense," said Conall.

The South Eastern Trust said it was willing to meet with Kellie's family to discuss any issues.

Her funeral service will take place at 10am tomorrow in St Luke's Church, Twinbrook.

Any further donations to Kellie's campaign will be forwarded to the Northern Ireland Hospice.
The UK has eased a ban on carrying large electronic devices in aircraft cabins on flights from one of six countries subject to the restrictions ( Lauren Hurley/PA)

The UK has eased a ban on carrying large electronic devices in aircraft cabins on flights from one of six countries subject to the restrictions.

Since March passengers have been stopped from taking laptops and tablets in their hand baggage on inbound flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

But the Department for Transport (DfT) has lifted the ban for all flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen and some flights from Istanbul Ataturk and Izmir.

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The original restrictions remain in place elsewhere but these will be lifted once the Government has verified that additional security checks are in place, according to the DfT.Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: The safety and security of the travelling public is always my top priority.

Having looked carefully at the changes introduced in March, and working with our international partners and the industry on tough additional security measures, we can now lift the ban on electronic devices in the cabin on a small number of UK-bound flights from Istanbul and Izmir.

The remaining restrictions will be lifted only when we are satisfied it is safe and proportionate to do so.

Expand Close Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has lifted the ban for all flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen and some flights from Istanbul Ataturk and Izmir (Joe Giddens/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has lifted the ban for all flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen and some flights from Istanbul Ataturk and Izmir (Joe Giddens/PA)

The UK will not hesitate to put in place effective and robust security measures wherever we believe these are needed to protect passengers, and we keep them under constant review.

The ban covers devices larger than a typical smartphone and means gadgets such as iPads and Kindles must go in the luggage holds of aircraft.

This theoretically stops terrorists on affected flights physically triggering a bomb concealed in these devices.

The restrictions were originally announced a day after the US unveiled similar measures for flights originating from a longer list of eight mainly Muslim countries.

EasyJet announced that it plans to lift restrictions and implement new security measures on its flights from the Turkish airports of Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman and Izmir next week.

Expand Close EasyJet plans to lift restrictions and implement new security measures on its flights from the Turkish airports of Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman and Izmir next week (Gareth Fuller/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp EasyJet plans to lift restrictions and implement new security measures on its flights from the Turkish airports of Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman and Izmir next week (Gareth Fuller/PA)

A spokeswoman for the Luton-based carrier said: Once we have a date we will contact customers travelling on these routes to inform them.

She added: We continue to work with the UK Government with regards to our flights from Hurghada (Egypt) to the UK.
Shinzo Abe said the possible launch is being investigated (AP)

North Korea has test-fired its second intercontinental ballistic missile, which flew longer and higher than the first.

Leading analysts said that a wide swathe of the US including Los Angeles and Chicago is now within range of Pyongyang's weapons.

Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the missile, launched late on Friday night, flew for about 45 minutes - about five minutes longer than the ICBM North Korea test-fired on July 4.

"We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile, as had been expected," Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis said in Washington.

The missile was launched on a very high trajectory, which limited the distance it travelled, and landed west of Japan's island of Hokkaido.

Analysts estimated that the missile tested on July 4 could have reached Alaska, and said that the latest missile appeared to extend that range significantly.

David Wright, a physicist and co-director of the global security programme at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said in Washington that if reports of the missile's maximum altitude and flight time are correct, it would have a theoretical range of about 6,500 miles.

That means it could have reached Los Angeles, Denver and Chicago, depending on variables such as the size and weight of the warhead that would be carried on such a missile in an actual attack.

Bruce Klingner, a Korean and Japanese affairs specialist at the Heritage Foundation think tank in Washington, said, "It now appears that a significant portion of the continental United States is within range" of North Korean missiles.

Mr Klingner recently met with North Korean officials to discuss denuclearisation, the think tank said.

Washington and its allies have watched with growing concern as Pyongyang has made significant progress toward its goal of having all of the US within range of its missiles to counter what it labels as US aggression. The progress it has made toward producing nuclear warheads to fit on those missiles is less clear.

President Donald Trump has said he will not allow North Korea to obtain an ICBM that can deliver a nuclear warhead.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the launch a "serious and real threat" to the country's security.

Mr Suga said Japan has lodged a strong protest with North Korea.

"North Korea's repeated provocative acts absolutely cannot be accepted," he said.

Mr Abe said Japan would cooperate closely with the US, South Korea and other nations to step up pressure on North Korea to halt its missile programmes. Repeated rounds of sanctions from the UN Security Council, however, have yet to deter the North.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile reached an estimated height of 2,300 miles before landing at sea about 625 miles away. It appeared to be more advanced than the ICBM North Korea previously launched, it said.

AP
The man was arrested after the incident

A man armed with a kitchen knife fatally stabbed one person and wounded six others at a supermarket in the northern German city of Hamburg police said.

The attacker, who was overpowered and arrested, entered the supermarket in the Barmbek district on Friday afternoon and stabbed one man, who died at the scene. Police said the victim is believed to be a 50-year-old German.

After the man fled and wounded five others with the knife - a woman and four men - he was overwhelmed by passers-by and slightly injured in the process, police said.

Officers then arrested him. A sixth man was injured while overpowering the attacker.

The wounded people, some seriously hurt, were taken to hospitals, authorities said.

The suspect is a 26-year-old who was born in the United Arab Emirates, police said on Friday evening. They said they are still working to establish his nationality.

There was no immediate word on his possible motive and police said that they are "still investigating in every direction". There was no indication there was more than one attacker.

News agency dpa quoted two witnesses at a nearby bakery as saying they heard the assailant shout "Allahu akbar!" as he held up the knife, but police did not confirm the report.

"Allahu akbar" means "God is great" in Arabic and has been used by Islamic extremists when carrying out violent acts.

AP
Sunbathers are being evacuated from the beach in Le Lavandou (AP)

Two teenage boys have appeared before a judge on suspicion of deliberately starting one of the wildfires that devastated parts of south-eastern France and Corsica this week.

Authorities warned that the danger is far from over even though they have tamed most of the blazes that scorched over 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of land, destroyed homes and forced the evacuation of thousands in the worst fires France has seen in more than a decade.

The boys, both aged 16, were stopped on Wednesday by police who believed that arson was the cause of the blaze in Carro, west of Marseille, where 150 hectares (370 acres) of land were burnt.

Carro lies to the west of the Cote d'Azur region where blazes have laid waste to forests overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Around 230 firefighters battled the Carro fires, which damaged houses, injured an emergency worker and forced the evacuation of residents.

Aix-en-Provence deputy police prosecutor Remy Avon said the teenagers also face charges of theft and could be sentenced to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Francois Arizzi, the mayor of the French town of Bormes-Les-Mimosas, a tourist magnet in the Var region on the Cote d'Azur that saw one of the most dramatic wildfires, is among several officials to say some of the blazes were caused by arsonists.

He said: "We have to stop closing our eyes to the facts. We need to find the persons responsible and punish them so that they don't do it again."

Between Monday and Thursday, firefighters were deployed to fight 177 blazes in the vast Var region.

French president Emmanuel Macron, who met Portugal's prime minister Antonio Costa in Paris, said the two discussed the possibility of sharing equipment and manpower in fire crises.

A wildfire last month in central Portugal killed 64 people in one night, and Portuguese firefighters are currently battling a string of blazes.

Meanwhile, a 41-year-old man has admitted to starting a wildfire by accident with a metal-cutting device.

That fire, in Peynier, some 19 miles north of Marseille, burned 72 hectares (178 acres) of vegetation before being contained by a team of over 300 firefighters.

The man will go before a judge on Friday afternoon and could face up to five years in prison.

The fiercest fires have been tamed in Riviera towns such as Bormes-Les-Mimosas, with more than 12,000 evacuated residents and tourists now able return to their homes and holiday places.

"Everything is back to normal. The vacation has restarted and it's really a great feeling," said Katherine Mercier, an American tourist from Atlanta.

But it is not a return to normality for many others. The burnt-out landscapes are said to have already hurt tourism in the Riviera town, although it is too early to measure the overall impact of the blazes.

The picturesque hilltop town of Bormes escaped the blazes, but large swathes of the wooded Bormes region were devastated.

Senior officials warned that the situation remains perilous in certain places.

"In Corsica, the fires are starting up in a sporadic way," interior minister Gerard Collomb told reporters in Paris.

He said one of the fiercest fires, deep in the back country in Artigues, remains out of control.

Mr Collomb said an Italian fire-fighting plane used against the Riviera blazes has now been redeployed back to Italy as the country faces its own fires caused by drought and heat.

AP
More must be done in order to help heroin addicts in Northern Ireland

If you are caught speeding, you might be offered the option of a speed awareness course, rather than taking the points on your licence. Harm reduction is the objective, making it less likely that you'll offend again.

Smart idea, and it often works. But what if there were no speed courses available and you had to wait a month, six months, a year, or more?

And what if the only way to get on that course was to keep on speeding, foot to the floor, putting yourself and others in mortal danger throughout the long waiting period?

Sounds completely crazy, right? But this analogy gives a small sense of the lethal absurdity that many heroin addicts in Belfast find themselves trapped within.

Here is how it happens. The person makes the decision to tackle their addiction: this can be an incredibly difficult, painful process, and many don't ever get to this stage.

They then discover they will have to wait at least 18 months before getting on to the Belfast Health Trust's substitute prescribing programme, a harm reduction initiative which weans them off heroin through the use of replacement drugs like methadone.

What choice are addicts left with, other than to keep on mainlining the deadly drug until the authorities finally decide they can provide the required treatment? According to the most recent figures, 44 people are currently trapped in this hell, with no immediate prospect of release.

Michael McDowell, from Belfast Experts by Experience (BEBE), a group for addicts and former addicts, says that these people are dying in slow motion. He has seen the evidence with his own eyes.

"I have a friend who has been on the waiting list for a year-and-a-half, and I have watched him physically deteriorate," says McDowell.

"He's gone from smoking heroin to injecting heroin and he has had numerous overdoses.

"His life is in danger every day."

McDowell buried another friend from BEBE just last week.

Anyone who thinks that this is a simple issue of personal responsibility and that giving up heroin is a matter of waking up one morning and renouncing the stuff - well, they need their own head examined.

Addicts should not be preached to, criminalised, punished or reviled. They should be given the necessary support to free themselves from the living nightmare of their addiction.

And support should be given promptly, as soon as the call for help is made.

Evidence shows if that call is ignored, or put off, the moment may be lost, and the user may slide into even more dangerous behaviour, beyond the reach of anyone's help.

So, why isn't treatment immediately available? Well, in some health trusts, it is. Outside Belfast, there are no delays, except for the Western Trust area, and its waiting list is tiny by comparison.

Michael McDowell does not accept the explanation that the long waits in Belfast are primarily down to difficulties with resources and funding.

He points out that the other health trusts deal with larger numbers and receive similar funding, yet manage to operate without significant delays.

Nobody is claiming that substitute prescription programmes are a panacea. Heroin-assisted therapy, in which the opiate is prescribed for use under medical supervision, as they do in Switzerland and Canada, is a far more effective (and cost-effective) treatment. But methadone substitution is better than nothing and it's desperately needed. We have a spiralling opiate problem in Northern Ireland which is rapidly getting out of control, and it is killing people.

Every year, on July 21, BEBE holds a memorial service at Crescent Park in south Belfast to remember those who have lost their lives.

It would be an outrage and a travesty if the names on that memorial roll were to increase, even by one, as a result of delays in providing treatment.

So what is going wrong in the Belfast Health Trust, and why is the wait for the substitution programme so disproportionately long?

While 18 months is the latest official statistic, Michael McDowell says that users have told him they have been on the list for much longer than that.

It is important that we know the answers to these questions and that urgent action is taken, because human lives are currently hanging in the balance.

Heroin users are often viewed with fear, contempt or suspicion.

But these are some of the most vulnerable people in society and their lives are no less valuable because they are addicted to drugs.
Post-Brexit, if not under a fully operational devolved government, then most definitely if under a Direct Rule administration, we are in need of a Northern Ireland Ambassador. A role which would be Brexit-specific with a clearly defined mission. A role of selling our best assets across Europe, USA, the Commonwealth and beyond.

Brexit is under-way with the clock ticking toward a vast array of arrangements and deals forging a new dimension of relationships. To get caught up in grandstanding over special status or fallouts on border controls, let alone over-hyping the outcome of a hard or soft exit is to be foolish in the extreme. We must do what everyone else is - preparing to look after themselves.

Despite the latitude generated around the Tory-DUP voting caucus we cannot depend on our best interests being placed on the negotiating top table.

For sure, in their best interests, both the Scots and the Welsh governments will soon change their anti-Brexit tunes when the realities of the end-game between the UK and the EU approach.

The main qualification an ambassador requires is holding an allegiance to our welfare and future beyond Brexit, and that he or she is supported by an Executive committed to working together in maximising our post-Brexit position. That means the local leaders assuring the ambassador that they are willing to put Northern Ireland first by focusing on the best possible return beneficial for us all.

David McNarry

Address supplied
the decade of centenaries on these islands continues apace, with next year bringing the anniversary of the historic 1918 election result and the First World War coming to an end.

Next year will also be 50 years since the first marches for civil rights set out from Coalisland to Dungannon and were battered off the streets on Duke Street in Derry.

These marches marked the first steps in the ongoing movement for equality, rights and respect after years of systematic discrimination following partition.

Ahead of the civil rights commemoration in the north, I have taken the initiative to establish an official committee which will plan a series of events to commemorate those momentous events, as well as highlighting the ongoing civil rights campaigns of the present.

I fully and freely acknowledge that the anniversary of the civil rights movement in the north belongs to no one individual and to no one political party - a fact the committee will respect - but it would be wrong to deny that it has a special place in the life of the SDLP.

Those years gave birth to a movement which took on a unionist government that denied people the most basic civil rights and disregarded the most basic of human decencies - backed up by a British Government in London which deliberately designed a political state giving them free reign to do so.

A generation of young people burning with young political ideas in the shape of John Hume, Austin Currie, Bernadette Devlin, Ivan Cooper and Eamonn McCann shook and shattered that status quo forever. They knew that the solution to the Anglo-Irish conflict and all its hurt lay in the power of politics, rather than sending more young men and women to an early grave.

No deliberate occupation of our history will dilute the truth that the vast majority of the nationalist and republican community always chose civil rights ahead of civil war. Their foresight and wisdom told them that politics was not alone the path to peace, but it was also the path to change. That is what we must remember and what we must never forget.

Equally though, as Seamus Mallon said a few days ago, today's challenge is to be "good ancestors as opposed to being just good rememberers". That means that the civil rights campaigns of today are just as important as those which were fought for in the past.

That challenge doesn't just apply to removing the continued disrespect shown to the Irish language and LGBT rights. Real equality doesn't end with social or cultural issues - it also means economic equality and a politics that properly focuses on the pound in people's pockets.

It's about time politics in the north began to talk about poverty - and it's about time we had a government that'll actually do something about it. It's about time that we addressed the disgrace of child poverty rates in west and north Belfast and in Derry.

After 50 years of campaigning, it's about time we delivered a proper road network and a proper university west of the Bann. It's well past time that we talked about why the southern economy consistently grows at three times the rate of the economy in the north.

Mass marches may be less frequent than 50 years ago, but there's still plenty to be angry about and there's still plenty that needs changed. These are the civil rights battles still out there to be overcome.

It's telling that after 10 years at the top of government together, neither the DUP nor Sinn Fein want to talk about any of these issues.

They don't like to be reminded of their joint record.

The current stalemate and polarisation of our politics in the north has returned them to the comfort of old battles, but it does nothing to solve our deeper problems. All of us should understand that we face too many challenges in this society to dwell in that comfort.

Fifty years on and months on after the collapse of our Assembly, it's time to get on with the real job of delivering civil rights for all.

Colum Eastwood is leader of the SDLP
Two European and two Chinese astronauts will undertake an extreme sea survival training exercise off the coast of Shandong province in the first such maneuver to occur in Chinese waters.

Chinese astronauts Ye Guangfu and Chen Dong will join Samantha Cristoforetti of Italy and Germany's Matthias Maurer for a 10-day joint training program in Yantai, on the Bohai Strait, in late August. During the exercise, they will be left at sea with limited supplies and equipment.

European Space Agency spokesman Pal Hvistendahl said the drill is part of a larger agreement between the ESA and the China Manned Space Agency to collaborate on astronaut training, scientific utilization and infrastructure.

"This group is advancing rapidly with exchanges of practices and training activities, notably survival training," Hvistendahl said. "The objective of the cooperation with CMSA is to fly a European astronaut on the Chinese Space Station in 2022."

The exercise is designed to prepare the astronauts in the event of an emergency landing in an extreme environment. Upon re-entry, spacecraft may be forced to come down in the sea, desert, tropical rain forest or on a glacier, in summer or winter. The astronauts must learn to survive for long periods on basic items provided in a capsule's emergency pack.

The four astronauts have previously trained together at the European Astronaut Center in Cologne, Germany, and have taken to the sky in zero-gravity parabolic flight maneuvers. Ye Guangfu has completed the ESA's two-week underground training program in Sardinia, Italy. Both Maurer and Cristoforetti have visited China before and speak Mandarin.

Maurer told the German magazine Der Spiegel: "They are great, very pleasant colleagues to work with. I would be really happy to fly with my Chinese colleagues to the station. ... This sea survival training is now a further step toward future cooperation between Europe and China in the area of space travel."

The European and Chinese space agencies have significantly strengthened ties in recent months. This year, Tian Yulong, secretary-general of the China National Space Administration, told Chinese media he had discussed several joint proposals with the ESA including launch projects and a base on the moon.

Through its space program, China lifted the Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2 space labs into orbit in 2011 and 2016, respectively. This allowed testing of the technology required to build a permanent, staffed space station.

angus@mail.chinadailyuk.com
Electric vehicles like Chevrolets Spark are scarce in Northern Ireland, but will become the norm within a couple of decades

Electric vehicles like Chevrolets Spark are scarce in Northern Ireland, but will become the norm within a couple of decades

It's rush hour in Belfast city centre and the streets are packed with vehicles. But silence reigns. It's so quiet. For the first time in well over a century you can hear the birds singing in the trees around City Hall. Inside one car, a teenage girl is watching a documentary on urban transport in the 20th century. She looks amazed at images of an atmosphere saturated with noise and toxic fumes. The narrator says this was normality then and everybody accepted it unquestioningly.

This is no sci-fi fantasy. Cars are going electric. We now have an announcement which will mark a decisive point in the transformation of travel. From 2040 it won't be possible to buy a new petrol or diesel car. Contrary to what some have imagined, internal combustion engines won't be banned from the streets on that date, but they will be on the way out.

Strictly speaking, the announcement by the Government doesn't necessarily apply here. Control over environmental issues has been devolved to Stormont.

It's up the Executive, when it's restored, to implement a policy on electric cars. In my view, it is inconceivable that we would do something different from the rest of the country.

Already some have raised objections. Electric cars are not a practical proposition for commuters. They're far too pricey and a lack of charging points could easily leave drivers stranded. In any case, the power system couldn't cope with the massive surge in demand.

Electric cars are undeniably expensive. That largely explains why there are only about a thousand of them in Northern Ireland.

What puts them out of most people's reach is the cost of the battery. But the price of storage has been falling dramatically. Battery prices have dropped by more than 90% in a decade and are set to fall further as a result of advances in technology and Tesla-style gigafactories.

It's thought that by the middle of the next decade, a medium-sized electric car will match petrol and diesel models on price. At that point sales will ramp up with or without subsidies not least because the cars will be so cheap to run. The fuel cost for a round-trip from Belfast to Ballymena will be less than 3 at today's prices.

Another deterrent to electric car uptake is a lack of places where you can power up. According to ecarNI, the body with responsibility for providing refuelling spots for electric cars, there are just over 350 public charge points here. A further 40 charge points on public sector property are accessible to ordinary motorists. In total, that's only sufficient to cater for around 400 drivers at any one time. Clearly a massive investment is called for if the go electric policy is to be credible.

That leaves the question of whether the network can cope. In short, it can with some significant reform and investment. And by the way, it won't mean a power plant at the end of every street. A few back of the envelope calculations show how demand for electricity could rise if the one million cars and vans here were powered by batteries.

On the assumption that each covers 8,000 miles a year on average, consuming 0.3 kWh of electricity per mile, Northern Ireland would need an extra 2.4 billion units of electricity annually. That sounds an awful lot but it represents a total boost in demand of around 30%.

Even if the outcome were a bit higher, the fact is that we could handle it. One extra 400 MW power station along with additional wind and solar farms should be enough to meet the new need.

Of course it's not that simple. If all those electric car owners hooked up their vehicles to the power supply as soon as they got home, they would crash the system.

To prevent blackouts, drivers will have to be encouraged to charge overnight when demand is low and incidentally when wholesale prices are cheap. It would involve the widespread installation of smart meters and the introduction of tariffs offering time of day prices. Such arrangements are already available to businesses. It just means extending them to consumers.

If some think we're moving too quickly towards the adoption of electric cars, others will argue that the pace is too slow. I disagree. Power generation in Northern Ireland still relies far too heavily on coal. A change right now from petrol or diesel to electricity could just be a case of switching from one dense greenhouse gas emitting fuel source to another.

However, Kilroot Power Station, which burns coal, is due to quit production in the early part of the next decade as a result of the EU's industrial emissions directive. It's likely to be replaced with a gas-fired plant which will have a much lower output of climate warming carbon dioxide.

On top of that, we already have 1,000 MW of installed wind farm capacity. That's set to rise by 40%. Solar farms are also expected to make a greater contribution to green electricity production.

In short, motorists who switch to electric cars in the future can be assured that they are helping to keep global temperatures at a manageable level. They will also be freeing our streets from toxic air pollution.

The case for electric cars has now become irresistible.

Jamie Delargy is a business commentator
Bangladeshis pay their respects outside the former Holey Artisan Bakery on the one-year anniversary of the terror attack, July 1, 2017.

Bangladesh police arrested one of the suspected planners of the July 2016 Holey Artisan Bakery massacre during a counter-terrorist raid early Friday northwest of Dhaka, officials said.

Aslam Hossain Rashed (alias Rashedul Islam and alias Rash) was captured in Singra, Natore district, about 220 km (135 miles) from the Bangladeshi capital, counter-terrorism police unit Chief Monirul Islam told BenarNews.

Rashed is being escorted to Dhaka, Islam said, explaining that the suspect would be charged as a suspect in the cafe attack. Rashed was one of the planners of the attack.

Investigators had linked the suspect to slain Canadian national Tamim Chowdhury, who police believe was the mastermind of the attack, Sonaton Chakravarti, an additional superintendent of police in Bogra, told reporters Friday.

The July 1, 2016, attack left 29 people dead, including 20 hostages, two police office officers and the five militants who had stormed the cafe in Dhakas diplomatic quarter, police said.

Investigators said they had identified 21 suspects, including 15 men who were killed in police raids or committed suicide to avoid arrest. Police believe the slain men were members of the Neo-JMB, an offshoot of outlawed Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh.

Officials said Rasheds arrest brought the number of suspects in custody to five in connection with the attack while police are still searching for another suspect identified as Hadisur Rahman Sagor.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack and posted photos of the militants on one of its websites. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and other government officials rejected that claim, blaming the attack on the domestic militant group Neo-JMB.

Suspects in custody

Hasnat Karim, a Bangladesh-born British citizen working as a businessman in Dhaka, was identified as a suspect and was the first one taken into custody in connection with the cafe attack. He has been in official police custody for nearly a year but has proclaimed his innocence, stating he was at the bakery with his wife and two daughters to celebrate a birthday.

Karim said he was a victim of circumstance, while police alleged he was linked to the attackers because he was able to leave unharmed.

Since then, Neo-JMB members Mizanur Rahman (alias Boro Big Mizan), Raqibul Hasan Regan and Jahangir Alam (alias Rajib Gandhi) have been jailed for their alleged roles in the attack.

Investigation criticized

The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina faced tough questions about its efforts to tackle terrorism following a string of bloody attacks against writers, activists, bloggers and religious minorities dating to 2013.

Bangladesh police also grappled with criticism for failing to submit its report on the Holey Artisan attack after almost 13 months.

The law-enforcement agencies are very much interested in carrying out (pre-emptive) operations or arresting the suspects. But they are not so interested in bringing the militants to justice, Syed Mahfujul Haque Marjan, a professor of criminology at Dhaka University, told BenarNews.

The charge sheet has yet to be submitted. When will the case trial start? Japan, Italy and other countries have been affected by the attack. So speedy disposal of the case is a big challenge for Bangladesh, he said.

On Thursday, Home Minister Khan told reporters that police were preparing to submit a report, adding that the investigation was at its final stage.

Previously, police attributed the reports delay to their inability to arrest the five fugitive Neo-JMB militants, including Rashed and Sagor.

Aslam Hossain Rashed (alias Rashedul Islam and alias Rash). (Courtesy Bangladesh Police)
Indian police detain demonstrators in Gandhinagar, in western India, during a protest march demanding justice for a rape victim in the state of Gujarat, Feb. 20, 2017.

Indias top court on Friday turned down a petition from a 10-year-old rape victim who was seeking permission to terminate her 32-week pregnancy, saying an abortion would be too risky.

The Supreme Court said it was basing its judgment on the assessment of a leading medical institute, which concluded that abortion would be unsafe for the girl.

In view of the recommendation of the medical board, we are satisfied that it is neither in the interest of the girl child or fetus, which is approximately 32 weeks old, to order abortion, the court said, adding that the girl was receiving treatment at a government hospital.

The girl, a Nepalese by origin, was allegedly raped multiple times by her maternal uncle over the last seven months, resulting in the pregnancy. It was discovered when the victim complained to her mother about pain in her abdomen.

After arresting the accused, police in the northern state of Haryana sought permission from the district court for the victim to terminate her then 26-week pregnancy. The court rejected that request on July 18 on the basis of a gynecology report that cited risk to the victims life if the fetus was aborted.

Indian law restricts termination of pregnancy after 20 weeks. Fetuses beyond that period may be aborted under exceptional circumstances, if doctors believe that giving birth would cause grave harm  physically or mentally  to the mother or the child.

An amendment to the law, which would allow the termination of pregnancy from 20 to 24 weeks, was introduced in the parliament in 2006, but lawmakers have yet to pass it.

After issuing the ruling, Supreme Court Justices J.S. Khehar and D.Y. Chandrachud urged the government to establish permanent medical boards in all states to decide on such matters, considering the increasing number of abortion requests being filed in the court by rape victims.

Alakh Alok Srivastava, a Delhi-based lawyer who filed the petition on the girls behalf, said he was satisfied with the courts verdict.

Our petition was to get her [the girl] thoroughly examined medically to see if an abortion was possible or not. The court accepted that and ordered a medical assessment. Our plea was not to get the fetus aborted, Srivastava told BenarNews.

Above all, the court has directed that the best medical care be provided to the girl to see her through the pregnancy. The order is quite a relief to us, he said.

Delivery will be complicated: doctors

However, senior gynecologists predicted many complications during childbirth for the minor girl.

It is going to be a risky delivery and is likely to have many complications, Dr. Sushma Dikshit, head of the Gynecology Department of Max Super Specialty Hospital, told BenarNews.

It cannot be said right now whether the minor will undergo a normal delivery or a C-section. It depends on her condition during labor and the associated risks and complications at that time, she said.

Dr. Nikita Trehan, a top Indian gynecologist, felt that forcing a 10-year-old to give birth posed serious risks to the minor.

A 10-year-old girl still has not developed bones and pelvic muscles, Trehan told BenarNews last week.

Young girls also dont have enough iron and calcium to transfer to their babies, she said.

And because of undeveloped bones, the girl may suffer a fracture during childbirth. She may bleed excessively, Trehan said. Her uterus may not respond. It is full of risks.
Suspected Islamic State-linked militants are transported in a police vehicle after being captured in a village in Marawi City, June 3, 2017.

Updated at 1:46 p.m. ET on 2017-07-21

Southeast Asian countries could face larger terrorist threats after Philippine forces finally wrest the Mindanao city of Marawi from an alliance of Islamic State-linked militants, a Jakarta-based think-tank warned in a report published Friday.

The militants ability to hold onto portions of Marawi and ward off a government onslaught over the past two months will have regional ramifications long after the Philippines military retakes the city, the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) reported.

The risks wont end when the military declares victory, IPAC director Sidney Jones said in releasing the report. Indonesia and Malaysia will face new threats in the form of returning fighters from Mindanao, and the Philippines will have a host of smaller dispersed cells with the capacity for both violence and indoctrination.

The post-Marawi after-effects could bring about a higher risk of violent attacks in cities in the Philippines as well as in Indonesia and Malaysia, IPAC said. There could also be greater cooperation among Southeast Asian extremists and new leaders emerging in pro-Islamic State (IS) cells in Indonesia and Malaysia from among combat veterans returning from Marawi, the report said.

IS-backed operations in the southern Philippine city received direct funding from IS central in the Middle East, revealing a chain of command that runs from Syria through the Philippines and beyond, according to the 25-page study, titled Marawi, the East Asia Wilayah and Indonesia.

The report compares photographs posted on social media after the battle in Marawi began on May 23, showing smiling fighters holding their weapons in the air, with victory photos from Mosul, Iraq, in 2014.

They generated a shared sense of triumph and strengthened the desire of ISIS supporters in the region to join the battle, IPAC said among the conclusions in its report, referring to IS by another acronym.

Major roles for foreign fighters

IPAC also examined the role of foreigners linked to IS in preparation for the battle. The report specifically identifies Malaysian professor Mahmud bin Ahmad as an example of a foreigner who had a crucial role in aiding the Marawi militants.

Not only did those foreigners wanting to join the battle have to go through him to get to the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, he also was responsible for thousands of dollars channeled through IS to purchase weapons, the report said.

The report detailed how, in January 2017, Mahmud set up a delivery of U.S. $10,000 through a Telegram account. The money was sent by Western Union to trusted recipients in the Philippines. In February and March, Mahmud set up similar transfers of $25,000 and $20,000 from sources in Syria to recipients in the Philippines.

Mahmud was in Marawi during the battles but, according to a Malaysian counter-terrorist police official, he may have fled to Indonesian or Malaysian Borneo from the Philippine city after reports emerged last month that he was possibly killed in the fighting there.

We believe Mahmud is not in Marawi now as he is more of a planner and administrator, an intelligence official based in the nearby Malaysian state of Sabah told BenarNews on Friday.

In the early days of the fighting, he was there in Marawi. But now, he and Isnilon have fled, and Mahmud is believed to be with the IS in Basilan, the source said on condition of anonymity.

He was referring to Isnilon Hapilon, a top leader of the southern Philippine militant group Abu Sayyaf who is recognized as the leader of the Philippine branch of IS.

Indonesian fighters

Based on estimates that 20 Indonesians joined other foreign fighters in Marawi, IPAC listed potential concerns for the government.

These include the return of a few men with the potential to organize, unite and lead some of the existing pro-ISIS cells; interest shown among militants in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia in pursuing joint operations in Indonesia; and Indonesians possibly becoming involved in violent acts in the two neighboring countries.

The report also mentions the potential risk of militants establishing a new regional training site in Mindanao that could attract recruits from Indonesia and Malaysia and even further afield.

Indonesian police are watching out for home-grown militants returning from the fighting in Marawi, a spokesman for the national police force said in response to the IPAC report.

We are cooperating with immigration officials to flag those suspected as returnees from Marawi. We will keep an eye on them, although, legally, there is nothing we can do, Police spokesman Inspector General Setyo Wasisto told BenarNews on Friday.

The police force has also increased its presence in North Sulawesi province and other island areas in Indonesias northernmost reaches closer to the southern Philippines, so as to prevent militants in Marawi from infiltrating Indonesian territory by sea, Setyo added.

Dysfunctional ties

Among the conclusions in its new report, IPAC makes the case that Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines  the three front-line nations in this battle against IS  need to recognize where they have problems and focus on greater cooperation, while fixing dysfunctionality in their bilateral and multilateral security relationships.

These include the deep-seated political distrust between the Philippines and Malaysia that impedes information sharing; concern from Indonesia and Malaysia police about mixed loyalties of local counterparts in Mindanao, especially given clan and family links; and institutional disjunctures that give the lead in counter-terrorism to the police in Indonesia and Malaysia but to the military in the Philippines, the report said.

Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata in Jakarta, Felipe Villamor in Manila, and Colin Forsythe, in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia contributed to this report.
Philippine Marines prepare to fire mortars at Muslim militant positions at the frontline in Marawi, on the southern island of Mindanao, July 22, 2017.

The Philippine Congress on Saturday voted to extend President Rodrigo Dutertes martial law for five months in the southern island of Mindanao, giving security officials more time to end what they said was a rebellion by local militants backed by the Islamic State (IS).

Duterte previously said the extension was necessary to crush IS-backed militants who have been occupying parts of the southern city of Marawi since May.

Two hundred and forty-five members of the 294-seat House of Representatives and 16 of the 24-member Senate approved Duteres request, which extends military rule in the entire southern part of the country until the end of December.

The overwhelming favorable vote has been expected, with Duterte controlling a majority in both chambers.

The extension of martial law is essential to the overall peace and stability, Dutertes spokesman, Ernesto Abella, said in a statement shortly after the vote. The rebellion in Marawi continues to persist and we want to stop the spread of evil ideology of terrorism and free the people of Mindanao from the tyranny of lawlessness and violent extremism.

Martial law gives the military extraordinary police powers, allowing soldiers to detain people without charge for long periods.

Military spokesman Col. Edgar Arevalo urged the public to rally behind government forces fighting in Marawi.

The task to neutralize the terrorist-extremists and degrade their capability, to rescue civilians trapped or held hostage, and to set the conditions for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the city is daunting, he said.

The fighting began on May 23, after the military and police launched an operation to capture Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon  the acknowledged leader of the IS here  who was spotted in Marawi. But they were pushed back by a huge enemy force, including fighters from the local Maute group backed by Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern fighters.

The gunmen took over the city, burned buildings, held dozens of hostages and allegedly beheaded residents who were identified as Christians, forcing its estimated 200,000 residents to flee.

The military responded by deploying combat-tested soldiers and by dropping bombs on areas identified as under rebel control.

But after two months, the gunmen have managed to survive the bombing runs, and the military said they appeared to be well-entrenched and stocked full of ammunition. They extremists also are believed to be holding about 300 hostages, Duterte said on Friday, adding that he has ordered soldiers to be extra cautious in their advance.

The death toll in two months of fighting stood at 99 soldiers, 421 militants and 45 civilians as of Friday, officials said.

Edcel Lagman, a congressman who voted against the extension, argued that there was no sufficient factual basis for the request. He said what was happening in Marawi was lawless violence amounting to terrorism, not actual rebellion.

The president and his subalterns failed to sufficiently show the element of culpable political purpose of the terrorist groups, Lagman said. He warned that the escalating number of deaths and massive destruction would be aggravated by the martial law extension.

In his letter requesting for an extension, Duterte said it appeared that militant leaders have survived the military assault on Marawi, a former scenic trading hub.

Of the 600 militants known to be fighting in Marawi, about 220 or so were still entrenched in four neighborhoods in Marawis central business district, Duterte said.

His statement contradicted the militarys earlier estimate that just 60 fighters remained holed out in the area.

Hapilon, as well as brothers Omarkhayam and Abdullah Maute, also remain at large despite previous military reports to the contrary, Duterte said, adding that a Malaysian militant, Mahmud bin Ahmad, who allegedly was the conduit for IS funds coming from the Middle East, was also believed to be still in Marawi.

Felipe Villamor in Manila contributed to this report.
The Philippine military said Friday it had intercepted and arrested 59 suspected Muslim militants this week, including four minors, as they were en route to reinforce Islamic State-linked fighters in the besieged city of Marawi.



One batch of 32 fighters was stopped on Tuesday at a road block near the town of Ipil, in Zamboanga del Sur province, and 27 others were subsequently arrested at a home in nearby Zamboanga City, officials said.



The suspects were held for covert acts tending to reinforce the Maute-ISIS terrorists fighting the government in Marawi, the military said in a statement, referring to Islamic State (IS) by another acronym.



The two areas where the arrests occurred are more than 100 km (62 miles) west of Marawi, a southern Philippine city that has been under siege since May 23. Abu Sayyaf and Maute gunmen backed by foreign fighters took it over then, capturing scores of civilian as hostages and engaging troops and police in deadly running gunbattles.



The military said the men belonged to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), a former Muslim rebel group which signed a peace deal with the government in 1996. But a faction of the MNLF led by its chairman, Nur Misuari, launched another failed rebellion in 2003 that left more than 200 people dead in Zamboanga City.



When interrogated, according to the military, the men said they were heading to an MNLF camp for training prior to being integrated into the regular armed forces  as spelled out in the peace deal.



But military officials said they were not aware of any training taking place, and the MNLF leadership later denied links to those arrested.



The suspects were flown to Manila for further questioning while charges of rebellion were being prepared.



A military spokesman said the arrested militants were unarmed but wore military uniforms.



With Martial Law in force in entire Mindanao, we can validly restrict and effect arrests of suspicious persons and unscrupulous groups whose actions bear with the rebellion, said Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, the military chief in the region.



I commend our troops on the ground for their alertness that frustrated the movement of these suspicious persons. They have just prevented these individuals from potentially compounding the operational challenges in Marawi should they succeeded in sneaking into the City, he said.



The arrest was a very strong signal to any groups supporting the Islamic State that the military would counter any attack with a strong hand, Galvez said.



Martial law in south



The arrests come days after President Rodrigo Duterte won an extension in Congress of his edict placing the entire southern region of Mindanao under military rule for the rest of the year, citing the ongoing rebellion in Marawi.



Duterte admitted to having underestimated the enemy firepower, forcing him to ask for intelligence back-up from the United States, a long-time military ally but which he had repeatedly castigated in favor of seeking closer ties to its traditional rivals China and Russia.



Australia and Singapore also offered to fly drones, while neighboring Malaysia and Indonesia agreed to boost anti-terror cooperation with the Philippines in fear that the terrorism taking place in Marawi could spill over to their shores.



The local Abu Sayyaf and Maute fighters are believed to have received funding from the IS, and several fighters from Southeast Asia and the Middle East are said to be fighting in Marawi, a once idyllic city that has been abandoned by majority of its 200,000 or so residents.



Duterte, in his state of the union address to Congress on Monday, said there were as many 300 hostages still in rebel custody in Marawi, and that he believed the fighting could still last for months.



Artillery and air assault



On Friday, the military launched large-scale air and artillery assaults against enemy positions, and claimed that the gunmen-controlled area had fallen to just about three neighborhood blocks, or about less than one-square kilometer (0.38 square miles).



Apart from mortars and howitzer cannons, the Air Force also deployed two attack helicopters to fire rockets as well as two airplanes to drop bombs on enemy positions, including into buildings where the gunmen were known to be hiding.



The air strikes started this morning, Capt. Jo-ann Pentinglay said. There were specific areas targeted which we cannot divulge. Every day, we have different challenges, needs and situations.



However, she said, ground troops were moving slowly and cautiously to prevent civilian hostages getting caught in the crossfire.



The advance by troops was very slow because they were also picking their way to an area known to have been rigged with homemade bombs, Pentinglay said.



Based on official count released in Manila on Friday, the toll has increased slightly to 471 militants, 114 soldiers and 45 civilians killed since clashes erupted on May 23. More than 1,700 civilians caught in the cross fire or held as hostages have also been freed.

Marines patrol an area formerly held by Islamic State-linked militants in the southern Philippine city of Marawi, July 2017. [Froilan Gallardo/BenarNews]
Buddhist monks walk past a portrait of King Maha Vajiralongkorn in front of Dusit Palace in Bangkok to take alms from people celebrating the monarchs 65th birthday, July 28, 2017.

Thais participated in merit-making ceremonies Friday to mark the first birthday for King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) since he ascended to the throne in December 2016 following the death of his father two months earlier.

In front of Maha Vajiralongkorns Dusit Palace in Bangkok, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha presided over a ceremony to wish the new king a long life. Thousands of civil servants and ordinary people offered alms to 651 Buddhist monks, an auspicious number for the monarchs 65th birthday.

The military set off a 21-gun salute and other agencies held merit-making ceremonies. Earlier, Thais released 1,066 turtles as a tribute.

Merit-making ceremonies are a Buddhist tradition contributing to a persons growth toward prosperity.

But the king did not appear on television or at any of his Thai palaces, leading news services and others to question whether he was in the country. His father King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died on Oct. 13, often appeared in public to celebrate his birthday with his countrymen during his seven-decade reign.

The Straits Times reported the king drew a set of cartoons that appeared on the cover of a booklet for a religious ceremony on Thursday.

Happiness starts from our mind and a good attitude toward others, said one of his handwritten messages, printed alongside a depiction of a smiling family standing by a car, a house and pet dogs, according to the report. If one is happy to devote oneself to the public, it makes others, and the public, happy.

Increasing power

Vajiralongkorn spent much of his adult life in Germany but returned to Thailand last year when his fathers health failed. In April, he signed a new Constitution after the government agreed to amendments allowing him to rule his kingdom while traveling abroad.

Since then, he was given control of five agencies overseeing palace security and management. Those agencies are the Royal Household Bureau, Office of His Majestys Principal Private Secretary, Royal Thai Aide-De-Camp Department, Office of Royal Court Security Police and Royal Security Command.

Earlier this month, a new law gave him the power to control the Crown Property Bureau, which oversees the monarchys land holdings and assets. Back in 1932, the Peoples Party took the bureau away from King Rama VII, when a revolution in Thailand ended an absolute monarchy and replaced it with a constitutional one. In 2011, Forbes magazine estimated the Royal Familys net worth at $30 billion.

The new constitution and other changes are seen as efforts to increase the kings power with the support of a junta led by Prayuth, who toppled the government of Yingluck Shinawatra in a military coup in May 2014.

Since seizing power, the junta has cracked down on Thais violating Lese-Majeste, the countrys strict royal defamation law. One man faces 35 years in prison and at least 82 others have been charged. Many of those cases stem from social media postings.

People in Narathiwat province in southern Thailand give alms to monks for Buddhist merit-making to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit, and to celebrate King Maha Vajiralongkorns 65th birthday, July 28, 2017. [BenarNews]
Lt. Gen. Manas Kongpaen (right) and a fellow defendant arrive for their arraignment at the Bangkok Criminal Court, Nov. 13, 2015.

A Thai court convicted and sentenced a former three-star general and 61 other defendants Wednesday in Thailands largest human trafficking case, which stemmed from the discovery of graves of Rohingya Muslims and Bangladeshis near the Malaysian border in 2015.

It took 13 hours for a panel of judges at the Bangkok Criminal Court to read out a 500-page verdict and sentences for all 102 defendants, who were tried together on various charges related to involvement in a transnational human smuggling ring. Forty of the defendants were acquitted, court officials said.

Former Army Lt. Gen. Manas Kongpaen was among high-profile defendants and ex-officials who were found guilty. He was sentenced to 27 years for trafficking Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar and Bangladeshis as part of a crime syndicate that was exposed through the unearthing of a mass grave in the jungle in southern Songkhla province.

Manas, who held a key post in maintaining security in Thailands southern border region and preventing illegal migration there, participated in the smuggling of Rohingya and other undocumented people, the court found.

The defendant number 54 [Manas], instead of pushing back or denying entry to those Rohingya migrants, cooperated with the human traffickers, unduly taking benefits from the trafficking ring, a judge ruled.

The discovery of the graves of 32 migrants led Thai authorities to launch a crackdown on illegal immigration and seal its maritime borders to boats smuggling in people from Bangladesh and Myanmar. This, in turn, caused a regional migration crisis that saw thousands of desperate Rohingya and Bangladeshis come ashore in nearby Indonesia and Malaysia in May 2015.

Manas conviction was based on evidence that he had received a kickback from trafficking kingpin Pajjuban Aungkachotephan, (alias Ko Tong), a former chief executive of the southern Thai municipality of Satun and businessman who was also convicted on Wednesday.

Ko Tong, or Big Brother Tong, owned resorts on the island of Lipe, and was accused of receiving trafficked persons and sending them to Malaysia.

Banjong Pongpol (alias Ko Jong), a former official in Padang Besar, a sub-district in Songkhla, facilitated their transfer to relatives in Malaysia or Myanmar after a fee of between 30,000 ($892) and 150,000 baht ($4,465) was paid, the court found. Many who were unable to pay the fee were tortured or killed, court officials said.

The two were sentenced to 78 and 75 years, respectively, but the court reduced their terms to the maximum 50 years stipulated under Thai law. Soe Naing (alias Anwar), a Rohingya man identified as the chief trafficker, was sentenced to 94 years, but this was reduced to 50 years.

Four policemen were also convicted. An army captain who served as an aide to Manas was acquitted.

Depending on their acts, each of the 102 defendants was subject to any of 16 charges ranging from being a member of international crime syndicate, to involvement in human trafficking, ransom, slavery, killing and rape.

Conviction on the crime syndicate charge carries a sentence of four to 15 years and a maximum fine of 300,000 baht (U.S. $8,927). Human trafficking charges carry a sentence of up to 15 years and a fine of up to 1 million baht ($29,759). Thai law calls for double punishment for government officials who are found guilty.

Reporters were not allowed inside the court room because of the number of defendants, but monitored the proceedings on closed-circuit television in nearby rooms.

No one is above the law

Wednesdays verdict and sentences mark a milestone in Thailands efforts to eradicate human trafficking, and puts an end to impunity for Thai officials, Sunai Phasuk of Human Rights Watch told BenarNews.

Todays verdict is a major step in efforts to combat human trafficking in Thailand, now that we see the convictions of a senior army general, local politicians, influential tycoons and others complicit in trafficking of Rohingya, Sunai said.

This should send a strong message that regardless of their status and affiliation, no one is above the law. Impunity of trafficking gangs is now being stripped off. This is the biggest case so far, but not the only case of human trafficking in Thailand. The government must leave no stone unturned, Sunai added.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha asked people to not blame the military despite the conviction of Manas.

There are many people in this human trafficking network, Prayuth told reporters, according to the Reuters news agency. Dont group all soldiers in the country as one.

A long way to go

Arraignments in the case began in November 2015, but not without controversy, and the trial opened in March 2016. Lead police investigator Maj. Gen. Paween Pongsirin resigned just days before the arraignments began, and sought asylum in Australia a month later after claiming that influential people in the government had ordered him to stop the probe.

Another human rights group, Fortify Rights, called on the government to ensure that those responsible be held accountable.

This may be the end of an important and unprecedented trial, but its been a rocky road, and its not case-closed for survivors of human trafficking here, Fortify Rights Executive Director Amy Smith said in a press release issued on the eve of the sentencings in Bangkok.

Thailand has a long way to go to ensure justice for thousands who were exploited, tortured, and killed by human traffickers during the last several years.

Sunai, of Human Rights Watch, expressed concern for the migrants.

On the other side of the coin, the plight of Rohingya continued after they were rescued. Apart from punishing the perpetrators, there needs to be measures to protect and assist the victims, Sunai said.

Rohingya now either live in hiding or end up in squalid indefinite immigration lockup in Thailand, as the government does not allow them to get access to refugee status determination by the United Nations refugee agency.
After an 18-year run in Goose Creek and unforeseen challenges presented by COVID-19, Dreamalot Books has gradually  but decidedly  gained a steady foothold in the Moncks Corner community as a welcoming haven of second-hand books for both area bibliophiles and those traveling in from Myrtle Read moreThe 'happy place' for used books: Dreamalot Books emerging as a go-to hot spot in Moncks Corner
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For Immediate Release, July 27, 2017 Contact: Brian Segee, (805) 750-8852, bsegee@biologicaldiversity.org House Votes to Approve Trump's Destructive Border Wall, Bulldoze Wildlife Refuges WASHINGTON The House of Representatives today approved the Trump administration's $1.6 billion budget request to expand the U.S.-Mexico border wall, ignoring threats to protected wildlife refuges and border communities. Republicans bundled the funding with defense and veterans spending bills in a bid to ensure passage. Work could begin later this year to build 32 miles of new border wall in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas and replace an existing border wall in San Diego, Calif., only a decade after its completion.



Trump's border wall fixation now has legs, thanks to House Republicans, said Brian Segee, an attorney with the Center. But they're underestimating public opposition to this $70 billion boondoggle. Bulldozing beloved wildlife refuges won't make us safer, but it will enrage people across the country. Part of the Texas wall would destroy the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, one of the top birding destinations in North America and home to a dwindling population of endangered ocelots. Border wall construction is also planned through or near at least six other protected national wildlife refuges, including two south of San Diego and three refuges in Arizona.



The Trump administration is ignoring federal laws that require environmental review and public input before building on public land. In June the Center expanded its lawsuit against proposed border wall prototype construction in San Diego to also challenge replacement of a 14-mile segment stretching east from the Pacific Ocean. The lawsuit challenges the failure of the Trump administration to conduct any environmental analysis or disclose any information about the project. The San Diego border wall was built using extensive waivers from environmental laws issued under the George W. Bush administration. It's impossible to know where Trump's border wall fantasy will lead, but it's clear that Mexico won't be paying for it, so he needs to shake down taxpayers, Segee said. The costs are enormous, and he'll only keep asking for more. What's certain is the border wall will divide local communities and destroy wildlife. A recent study by the Center identified more than 90 endangered or threatened species that would be harmed by proposed wall construction along the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border. In April the Center and U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), the ranking member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, sued the Trump administration over the proposed border wall and other border-security measures, calling on Homeland Security to conduct an in-depth investigation of overall border-security environmental impacts. Beyond jeopardizing wildlife, endangered species and public lands, the U.S.-Mexico border wall is part of a larger strategy of ongoing border militarization that damages human rights, civil liberties, native lands, local businesses and international relations. The border wall impedes the natural migrations of people and wildlife that are essential to healthy diversity.
Media Advisory, July 28, 2017

Contact: Rob Mrowka, (702) 218-9911, rmrowka@biologicaldiversity.org

Federal Judge to Hear Arguments on Las Vegas Water Grab

LAS VEGAS, Nev. The Center for Biological Diversity will present oral arguments Monday in U.S. District Court in a case that could decide whether a massive water pipeline to Las Vegas can be built.

The Center argues that the Southern Nevada Water Authority's $15.5 billion groundwater development project violates federal environmental laws and would endanger wildlife, public lands and rural communities.

The case is being heard together with a second lawsuit brought by White Pine County, the Great Basin Water Network, American Indian tribes and other groups.

What: Oral arguments on Southern Nevada Water Authority pipeline lawsuit

When: Monday, July 31, 2017 at 3 p.m.
The Fight Is On to Save Tiny Beach Birds From ORVs

We're heading to court to save one of the most threatened shorebirds in North America from being crushed by dune buggies.



This week the Center for Biological Diversity filed a notice of intent to sue the California Department of Parks and Recreation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for allowing ongoing deaths of snowy plovers at San Luis Obispo County's Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. These pocket-sized, white-and-tawny shorebirds are federally protected, but their population is still declining.



The state park department isn't doing enough to protect plovers  as required by law  and last year alone, six of these charming little birds were found dead in vehicle tracks at Oceano Dunes.



"The sandy beaches and fragile dunes where plovers feed and breed must be protected," said Center scientist Ileene Anderson. "Letting dune buggies crush them isn't just illegal, it's indefensible."



Read more in The San Luis Obispo Tribune.
Opinion | 04 November 2022 | Interviews

India needs to connect OPD with the cashless insurance network to bring them into the digital economy

After having raised $1.2 million from Entrepreneur First and GrowX Ventures in 2021, how do you see the perfor...Read more
Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province and elsewhere in Saudi Arabia
BAMAKO, Mali - A Malian activist whose fierce criticism of politicians and religious figures on YouTube has made him a cult figure, survived an assassination attempt on Tuesday, his family told AFP.

 Sascha Burkard via 123RF

"Marshall Madou", real name Madou Kante, was driving in the capital Bamako around 1am when a gunman fired several bullets at him, according to a family member. "The bullets hit him mostly in the chest. He is in hospital," the family member told AFP, requesting anonymity.

Malian media published images of Kante shirtless and standing upright in hospital, with dressings covering his chest and upper right arm.

Kante took part in protests this month organised by opponents of a constitutional referendum framed by the government as an important step towards enshrining a peace deal in the national charter.

Critics say the referendum, which has been indefinitely delayed to cool tensions following massive protests, is a tool for President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita to consolidate his own power, especially by giving him the right to appoint senators.

But Kante has made many enemies with his popular show the "Madou Ka Journal", notably attacking corruption and nepotism in Mali. One of his close associates, Oumar Diakite, told AFP he would not "accuse anyone without proof".

Government sources said several ministers had visited him at his bedside, and he remained in hospital on Tuesday.

Source: AFP.
As an entrepreneur who has had the privilege of working across Africa, I have come to respect the role that systems and structure have to play in the success of any industry or enterprise. I really believe that these form an integral part of the secret of entrepreneurial success but that's a story for another article.

Garikai Nhongo

It is against this backdrop that I set up an office for our advertising agency in Kigali, Rwanda. I was and still am impressed with the progress that this country is making and with the systems and structures that you find across most facets of the economy. In addition to this, the economic indicators are exciting for an entrepreneur like myself.

With the economy growing at over 7% per annum and with international investors and businesses investing in the country, I smelt opportunity like a shark smells blood in the water. Numbers like that should ordinarily mean that there are endless opportunities for support industries like insurance, management consulting and in our case, advertising.

Heres what threw me off a little (not a lot). A few months after setting up, I realised that regardless of the growth everywhere else, the advertising industry in Rwanda was on the decline and the decline had been steady over several years. It was and still is hard to believe. Imagine that billings within the advertising industry have fallen to between 16% and 22% of what they were five years ago. Ill give you a moment to gasp.

Challenges

I took the time to try and understand why and I uncovered the challenges that bedevilled the industry. The largest firms in the country prefer to work with international and external agencies from Kenya, South Africa and even Madagascar, as opposed to Rwandan ones. One executive unapologetically told me that there were no good agencies in Rwanda (hey, Im here now!).

Others have decided that it is more cost effective to hire internal design teams to work with their marketing departments rather than spend millions on agency fees. I kept asking the question why and a deeper analysis revealed that over the last 15 years, companies have been so disappointed with what they have received from advertising agencies that they no longer see value in them.

This comes as no surprise given that the oldest advertising agency, as an example, operates in similar fashion to what more developed agencies in Africa were doing 12 years ago. In addition to that, the industry has little or no oversight, so anyone with a computer and a design programme can call themselves an agency, sell their services and without doubt they will disappoint on delivery or creative or strategy or any other facet that requires more than a laptop and design software.

To sum up my findings, although Rwanda has a number of advertising agencies, there is no advertising industry. Measures have to be taken to transform this collection of companies into a self-regulating and accountable industry. The only way to resurrect the advertising industry in Rwanda is to develop the systems and structures that will make it an industry.

My suggestion is to bring together industry players into an organisation or chamber that represents the professional interests of every player and is managed and regulated in the same way in which chambers of commerce are. This gives the industry credibility and organisation that works for everyone involved.

An industry body of this nature has immense benefits for agencies, suppliers and clients and this has been demonstrated by similar bodies in other markets that we operate in, namely South Africa and Zimbabwe and beyond, and even in industries outside advertising.

Benefits

Firstly, a body like this would be able to set minimum standards that each business would need to adhere to in order to remain an operational agency. This protects clients more than anyone else but it also protects the reputation of Rwandan advertising agencies and by extension, the Rwandan brand.

Therefore, no more fly-by-night agencies that rip clients off and give the profession a bad name. This also means that we can all raise our game to international best practices or at the very least, work towards that goal.

Such a body would also make lobbying more effective. I will give a practical example. In Zimbabwe, the Advertising and Media Association (ADMA) has a deal with media houses across all media. Any accredited agency that places ads with any media house gets a 16.5% commission off the media cost. Should any client approach the media houses directly, they will be quoted a full fee including the 16.5%.

Moreover, the agencies can offer discounts to clients by reducing their own commission. This encourages clients to place their ads through an ad agency as opposed to going directly. This works well in that you will find that gross media bookings account on average or 60% of agency billings and even more for the larger agencies. This means jobs and revenue within the industry. It has worked so well, that in some instances media agencies have emerged which only place media for clients and yet-to-be-accredited agencies.

Juxtapose this with the current industry practice in Rwanda. A direct client is more likely to get a discount from a media house than an agency is likely to. Therefore, most agencies earn absolutely nothing from media placement. Simply put, Rwandan agencies could be making twice as much in turnover if there was an industry body to lobby and negotiate on their behalf. The lobbying can go beyond this to include areas such legislation etc. Surely another 100% in revenue would have kept many closed agencies open and created some jobs within the sector?

Best practice

When we mention developing and maintaining global best practices and Im sure one wonders that if the industry is a decade behind, where would those come from? The answer is simple. An industry organisation would have the mandate and capacity to offer learning opportunities to members. These learning opportunities must be accredited to international organisations to ensure that we are plugged in to the latest trends and developments and to ensure that we can put these into practice. This means that as long as agencies set up well and correctly, opportunities are offered for the agencies to grow. That cant be a bad thing, can it?

Just like with any other industry, the body would offer protection for agencies. A good and recent example reported on Bizcommunity.com, is where South Africas Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA) sanctioned fixed telephony provider Telkom for unfair tender and pitching practices. According to the article, they felt that the tender process was skewed in that it offered agencies less than a 10% chance of getting the work and the pitch costs and requirements were prejudicial to smaller agencies.

How many times do we hear that with pitches especially with the bigger companies in Rwanda? The playing field is so skewed against anyone who hasnt been around for 10 years, such that fairness is lost in the process. With an industry body looking over those things and with enough clout to do something about it, the advertising industry in Rwanda can only get better and stronger.

There are many more reasons why professionalising the advertising landscape in Rwanda is a good idea. Any client who has been the recipient of shoddy service and work would agree. I have heard people asking why they should invest in making other agencies better. The simple answer is that such an investment benefits us all and if you are the biggest agency now, business coming back into Rwanda can only make you bigger. Moreover, better skills and more revenue certainly cannot hurt. We can also contribute to the incredible developments that are taking place in Rwanda and being part of the process and not left behind. I am convinced that this move will not only serve Rwandan agencies well, but also make Rwandan advertising agencies regional players within East Africa.
#StartupStory: Spatialedge

In this week's #StartupStory, we chat to Retief Gerber, CEO of Spatialedge - a geospatial data insights and marketing company.

Tell us about your startup business. How did you come about the idea? Tell us about your startup business. How did you come about the idea?

We started as a small team of mathematicians and engineers working on geospatial data applications and big data projects like the Square Kilometre Array at Space Commercial Services Geospatial Information (SCSGi). Along the way, we were put in touch with Geospatial Data Solutions (GDS), a direct marketing company that wanted to be more precise with its marketing efforts. We were able to help it market to the 60 million consumers in its database and the company soon found that it would be a major differentiator for its business.

We saw further potential for more advanced data insights, so we decided to create Spatialedge - a joint venture between the two companies.

How did you hear about, and what motivated you to apply for the Barclays Accelerator programme? How did you hear about, and what motivated you to apply for the Barclays Accelerator programme?

Yossi Hasson and Emily Skinstad from Techstars, along with Camilla Swart from Rise Cape Town, were taking a tour of LaunchLab in Stellenbosch, the incubator where we have our office. Each office has a small blurb at the door with a brief description of what the company does, and Yossi happened to read ours. Frank had a couple of brief chats with the three of them and we were invited to apply.



We decided to apply thinking we didnt have much to lose by doing so. If we had known just how fantastic the programme would turn out to be, we would have been far less relaxed about it!



What is the long-term vision for your company? What is the long-term vision for your company?

We plan to become the best geospatial data insights and marketing company in South Africa.

Fortunately, that means we can help a large number of industries, including print media, banking, insurance, retail, etc. Once we have sufficiently validated our technology and expertise in South Africa, we would like to expand beyond our borders.

What do you hope to gain/learn from this programme? What do you hope to gain/learn from this programme?

Spatialedge is technically very capable, but we have much to learn about marketing ourselves to potential clients, sales and intricacies of engineering a scalable business.

The programme gives us access to an incredible group of mentors that can help accelerate our growth. Growing a network like this would ordinarily take years. Being a part of the Techstars family also gives the company a lot of credibility.



What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming 13 weeks of the programme? What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming 13 weeks of the programme?

There is so much to learn! That in itself is exciting. However, we are really looking forward to seeing how these learnings are turned into accelerated growth for our business. Fortunately, we get to learn from the best in the business.

We have had master classes from experts that have opened our eyes to new possibilities. But the best part is getting to know all the people we meet, especially the members of the other companies in the cohort, and the Techstars employees and associates. It is a special group of people that we get to interact with every day.



What are you most unsure of/nervous about? What are you most unsure of/nervous about?

We were already very busy servicing our existing clients and expanding our suite of solutions, so hearing that we should get a lot of sleep before the programme was concerning.

However, being part of the Techstars programme is so invigorating that working even harder feels natural and exciting. It has been challenging to keep up with everything that is expected of us, but we have learned how to get better at it and are in the process of putting better processes in place to help us serve our clients better and scale our business at the same time.



How do you define the word "success"? How do you define the word "success"?

Forming lasting value creation partnerships that leave both companies in a better position.

Follow the Spatialedge journey: Website | Twitter
LONDON - British miner Anglo American has set aside $101m to cover potential damages for former South African staff who contracted the fatal lung disease silicosis at work...

Picture: Sonke Gender Justice

The news came after Johannesburg's High Court ruled in May to allow former and current mine workers, employed by South Africa's main gold mining firms since 1965, to proceed with a class action against those companies.

That court decision cleared the way for up to half-a-million miners to sue for damages resulting from silicosis -- a deadly respiratory condition developed from breathing in fine silica dust found in places such as mines.

"We have made an accounting provision within our half year results this morning, acknowledging the progress that is being made towards an agreement as part of the working group of companies in the silicosis litigation in South Africa," an Anglo American spokesman told AFP.

"This figure is an estimate at this stage and we will see where the negotiations land in the months ahead."

The miners accuse 30 subsidiaries of seven companies -- including African Rainbow Minerals, Anglo American, AngloGold Ashanti, Harmony Gold, Gold Fields and Sibanye Gold -- of knowingly and systematically failing to protect workers against the disease that inflames and scars the lungs.

In a separate statement Gold Fields Ltd said it had set aside $30m for the class action lawsuit.

Meanwhile, Anglo American saw its share price jump after announcing the resumption of shareholder dividends.

The company added in a results statement that it had rebounded into first-half profit on steep cost-cutting and higher commodity prices.

Profit after taxation hit $1.415bn in the six months to the end of June. That followed a loss of $813m in the same period a year earlier.

Anglo's share price rallied 3.22%to 1,233.50 pence in late afternoon deals on London's falling FTSE 100 index.
Although the Western Cape has not seen the end of the dry spell yet, the agricultural sector is encouraged by the moderate rise in Western Cape dam levels.

SplitShire via Pexels

In the latest update on the state of South Africas dams, water levels stood at 69.9% full on a national level as of 24 July 2017, which is much better than last years 51.8% around the same time. The only exception is the Western Cape where dam levels have fallen below 50% full with the lack of rains delaying the planting of the winter crops.

The Western Cape is still very much in the grips of the dry spell. The province continues with its water restrictions throughout all its regions. The winter rains have assisted slightly but have not had the desired impact as yet as the water levels remain critically low. The parts of the Western Cape that are non-winter rain areas are in a far worse position. The only positive is that there has been a general one percentage point increase in dam levels across the Western Cape from the previous week, says Paul Makube, senior agricultural economist at FNB.

Water availability in winter rainfall areas is at 26.2% week-on-week versus last years 50.4%. Dam levels in non-winter areas are at a critical low of 19.6% versus last years 45.6%.

The water level in Western Capes biggest dam, the Thee Waters Kloof, has had a slight increase week-on-week at 20.9% full versus last years 42.6%.

Previously anticipated El Nino weather pattern has diminished

We expect the Western Cape to have decreased agricultural production due to the lack of significant rainfall. The knock on effect there could be lower seasonal employment in the agricultural sector. The recent relative good snowfall over the Western Cape mountains, will, however, be beneficial for dam levels as soon as warmer weather sets in. We also look forward to a recovery in non-winter areas of the Western Cape because the previously anticipated El Nino weather pattern has diminished, with neutral conditions slowly manifesting, implying a normal rainfall in the new production season ahead, concludes Makube.
ArcelorMittal SA sank deeper into the red in the six months to June, as the struggling steel producer buckled under the weight of unrelentingly low steel demand, rising input costs and a stronger rand.

The headline loss for the review period widened to R1.61bn, from R458m in the year-earlier period, as the costs of imported coking coal and iron ore rose, dealing a further blow to the company, whose fortunes are closely tied to the performance of the economy.

High international coal and iron ore prices were the main contributor to the increase in raw material costs, the company said on Thursday, 27 July, in its results statement.

Electricity costs also increased due to annual electricity price increases.

Total steel sales volumes fell by 95,000 tonnes, with local sales dropping 9.2%, which the company attributed to difficult trading conditions.

Export sales rose 15.9%, helping to mitigate lower sales in SA.

Revenue rose 12.6% to R19.151bn, mainly due to an 18.9% increase in average net realised steel prices, from R6,845 a tonne to R8,138 a tonne.

The company said local and export steel markets were constrained because of minimal local investment and infrastructure spend, high raw material costs and the volatility of the exchange rate.

An impairment of R600m was recognised against property, plant and equipment for the long products unit. This was due to a stronger rand and loss of volumes due to higher coal prices compared with scrap-based local competitors.

The market reacted negatively to the results, with the share price dropping 2.6% to R4.87 in early trade on the JSE, valuing the company at R5.5bn. Back in 2010, the market valuation was R35bn.

Source: BDpro
Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi has welcomed the decision to fire the educator found guilty of three serious charges including racism at St John's College in Johannesburg.

The department on Friday said the educator has left the school with immediate effect.

The MEC had visited the school earlier on Friday and held a meeting with the School Management Team in which he expressed his disappointment and unhappiness following the decision to retain the teacher, even after he was found guilty following a disciplinary process.

The departments Head Edward Mosuwe, the schools council chairperson, Dr John Patricios, as well as visiting Bishop, Reverend Dr Steve Moreo were present at this mornings meeting.

The teacher was found guilty of three charges including contravening the South African Council of Educators (SACE) Code of Conduct, making racist and derogatory statements and for bringing the school into disrepute.

The teacher had been allowed to continue teaching at the school despite being found to have victimised pupils based on their race. After he was issued with a final written warning, he stepped down from senior positions at the institution and also received a pay cut.

The MEC said the final written warning was unsatisfactory considering the seriousness of the charges and the guilty finding against the educator.

Subsequent to the meeting with the St Johns College management, MEC Lesufi met the representatives of the Independent Schools Association of South Africa (ISASA) to discuss the issues facing the private education sector.

It was agreed that a summit would be facilitated in September 2017 to deal in detail with all issues affecting private and independent schools in particular.

The department said a date for the summit will be announced in due course.

All schools, whether they are public or private, cannot have codes of conduct that contravene the Constitution of South Africa.

We will deal with racism decisively and not give racists space to breath because non-racialism is non-negotiable, said MEC Lesufi.

The department said it takes allegations of racism very seriously and it will not hesitate to act swiftly to deal with matters relating to racism.

Earlier today, the MEC had given the management of the school until 1pm to reverse its decision regarding the teacher.
Redefine Properties, a diversified real estate investment trust, will soon launch the S&J industrial estate in Germiston, as it aims to invest further into high-tech industrial real estate rather than smoke-stack factories.

Industrial property has been a strong performing subsector of listed property. It was the top performer in 2016, with a 13.6% return, outperforming traditional frontrunner retail at 12.6%, according to the IPD South African Annual Property index.

The prime S&J site is 90% owned by Redefine Properties and 10% is owned by developer Abland. Redefine has committed R154m for the bulk infrastructure so far.

The estate, which was once part of larger Simmer & Jackowned mines, covers more than 163ha of developable land along the N3.

"Forming part of the greater bulk services project, construction on the two main roads within the estate has started. Once completed these roads will unlock 118ha of developable land, of which about 60% will be available for disposal to end users," said Redefine CEO Andrew Konig.

The project could accommodate manufacturing, logistics and included opportunities for a fuel station and retail centre.

"The acquisition meets Redefine's strategy of identifying quality property opportunities in desirable nodes, enabling the business to secure strong lease covenants," said Johann Nell national asset manager: industrial. "We have received inquiries for over 380,000m in industrial land sales and development," Nell said.

"We expect market interest to increase further once the major bulk services and roads, due for completion early in 2018 are established," he said.

Most of the new lending for the property has been for the funding of large-scale logistics, distribution and assembly facilities in industrial and activity parks, said Robin Lockhart-Ross, managing executive at Nedbank CIB Property Finance.

Source: Business Day
A new R145m student accommodation block is rising on the beachfront, promising some relief to the city's crippling student accommodation crisis.

Artists impression of CampusKey Scarborough in Summerstrand, PE.

The seven-storey CampusKey Scarborough development is nearing completion at a crucial time for Nelson Mandela University (NMU) with next year's student intake looming and funding for a new on-campus residence not yet finalised.

Not everyone is happy with the project, however, with neighbours citing damage to property prices and going concerns.

The 300-bed CampusKey Scarborough is the latest project from Stellenbosch-based CampusKey group. The company has built student accommodation in Potchefstroom, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Stellenbosch and Cape Town and this is its second in Port Elizabeth. The first went up a year ago in 9th Avenue, also in Summerstrand.

CampusKey Scarborough will comprise 296 single fully furnished rooms with their own shower and basin. The rooms will be divided into clusters of five, six and 10, each with a communal kitchen.

The company's managing director, Leon Howell, said that the model was intended to be "safe, inspiring, modern and personal". The facilities range from Wi-Fi, study nooks, lounges and braai facilities on the roof to bicycle storage and a token-operated laundry service.

NMU spokeswoman Zandile Mbabela said the university welcomed the development. "[It] will go a long way to mitigating the perennial student accommodation issue," she said. Demand for student accommodation far outweighed capacity, particularly at historically white universities not geared for an influx of boarding students.

"The reality is there are not enough on-campus residences to meet demand.

"This is why the university secured and accredited off-campus accommodation sites."

Mbabela said NMU was working towards construction of a new 2000-bed on-campus residence with funding from the Department of Higher Education. "The university is looking at raising a loan or equity funding to cover the balance needed to make this long-term solution to accommodation challenges a reality.

"The university also wishes to develop a student village within the city that will essentially be a hub of accredited off-campus accommodation establishments with easy access to an integrated transport system."

The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber says the provision of adequate, safe accommodation for an ever-growing number of students is crucial, and spokeswoman Cindy Preller said they welcomed the new development. "We welcome the investment made by the developer and trust it will add value to growing the economy of the region."

Visiting the area this week, The Herald found that, where before the beachfront end of Scarborough was quiet and sun-soaked, it is now noisy, dusty and cloaked in shadow, jammed with machinery and construction materials.

Walter Mazano, the managing director of the five-star Isango Gate Boutique Hotel and Spa on the corner of Scarborough and Bournmouth, said the development was a blow to their establishment. "Bookings have dropped drastically and I am concerned for the job security of staff if it continues."

Established seven years ago by Eastern Cape-born attorney and businesswoman Nothemba Mlonzi, Isango Gate includes a range of facilities including a pool and jacuzzi deck. But this area was now overlooked by CampusKey, Mazano said. "My guests are not happy. At the moment it's the construction workers looking down, but when the building is finished it will be students. Our privacy is gone."

Mazano said the other problems were dust and drilling, cutting and hammering which continued from early morning until evening.

Abu Munshi, a resident in The Bay complex, said residents had been alerted to the development two years ago, and had together lodged objections with the metro.

"One of the many negative effects is the decline of property prices.

"Why was this student accommodation not erected rather on the university's land?"

Munshi said dust, noise and heavy trucks and machinery had characterised the construction since it began and the only consolation was it was due to be completed soon. Building began in October last year and is due to finish in October.

Bay Language Institute director Shaun Fitzhenry said while he was not opposed to the development, the construction process was causing problems for his business. "Their vehicles, machinery and materials are encroaching onto the road...causing a mess, damaging the road and making it difficult for our students to park."

Municipal spokesman Mthubanzi Mniki said residents' concerns had been considered, but the plans put before the municipality were in line with the development parameters and the provisions of the National Building Regulations Act.

"These regulations address the land-use rights and restrictions which include, inter alia, height, building lines and coverage."

Howell said the contractor had allocated an employee to manage road usage to minimise disruptions. There was also a team of workers cleaning the road every afternoon.

"The road will be reinstated to the original condition when the project is completed, at CampusKey's cost."

Source: Herald
When all grade 12 learners at Sizimisele Technical High School were registered to write mathematics for the first time, the school's pass rate dropped by just over 50%.

In previous years, Sizimisele, which recently converted into a technical high school, allowed learners to take the less intense mathematics literacy, which previous matriculants passed with flying colours.

But in the 2016 National Senior Certificate exams, the schools pass rate dropped from 78% to 34%, and an analysis pointed to poor mathematics and science results.

This prompted International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Nomaindiya Mfeketo to visit the school in January to find out what happened and how she can offer support.

On Friday, the Deputy Minister returned to the Khayelitsha school in the Western Cape with a mathematics and science specialist, who was recalled by his son from New Zealand to help learners with the subjects.

In an interview after the visit, the Deputy Minister said she went back to the school to fulfil a promise she made when she went there in January.

This was a school that was [a general school] at first and then it was [converted] to be a technical high school and they did not have the resources and the assistance to be technical and from then on, I said I will see what we can do because it is clear that they need to be assisted and it cannot be only by government, but by the community and having skills to manage, she said.

Partnership

In partnership with energy firm Carbonaro Energy, the Deputy Minister marked the adoption of the school by bringing maths specialist Teddy Veerasamy to the school to help them get out of the low pass rate hole.

Addressing the event earlier on, the Deputy Minister said: This gesture of adopting this school is an important message for the private sector in South Africa. More than painting and cleaning streets, not that these are not important, we need more long-term sustainable intervention programmes, which look to the future of our country. The private sector in South Africa needs to engage more with us as government in solution-oriented approaches.

As the nation used the month of July to commemorate former President Nelson Mandelas birthday, the Deputy Minister said the adoption of the school was fitting to the former statesmans legacy as he was passionate about children and education.

This is why we are doing it now in July. It might not be the 18th, but it is still Mandela Month and we are following his passion for education and we are building leaders of tomorrow because that education means the sky is not the limit [for the learners], she said.

Specialist tutoring

Lillo Maruping, the schools principal, said he appreciated the initiative by the Deputy Minister and Carbonado, and hoped that it would help learners to do well in their exams later this year.

It is going to assist us as she brought Mr Veerasamy, who is a specialist in maths and science.

We are going to have Saturday classes, organise some programmes so that those learners will have an opportunity to be taught by somebody who has got a big knowledge on the subject hoping that that is going to boost our results because that is where we have a challenge with maths and science, he said.

Veerasamy, who also offers his tutoring services at several other township schools - including Langa and Phillippi  says he left a teaching job in New Zealand after his son convinced him to come back to tutor learners in township schools as they were struggling with mathematics and science.

...we have started this programme and it is running into its third year. We are running it in Langa, Phillippi and it has been a huge success and the kids at Phillippi, we have had two of them studying maths at the University of Cape Town (UCT), two of them are doing engineering, one is doing ICT, one is doing maths at Stellenbosch University and this has really made us feel proud that we are able to change lives, he said.
The government has taken an initiative to amend the National Land Transport Act in an effort to accommodate e-hailing services which include Uber, Zebra, and Taxify.

 36clicks via 123RF

"As we speak there is an amendment bill in parliament which is being assessed by the portfolio committee on transport," transport minister Joe Maswanganyi said.

Addressing a media briefing on Thursday on the outcome of the meeting between the department of transport, the meter taxi associations and the e-hailing operators, the minister said public hearings on amending the act are expected to start soon.

"We cannot predetermine the outcome of the amendment bill which is before parliament, so there is a willingness on the side of government to accommodate innovation in this regard. However as we speak the National Land Transport Act No5 of 2009 has to be complied with," he said.

The minister's meeting with operators follows an increase in violence involving both these operators.

Preventing acts of intimidation and violence

"Following this meeting and to ensure a safe environment for both the public and public transport operators, the law enforcement agencies will continuously monitor all the identified hotspots to prevent acts of intimidation and violence.

"It must be noted that perpetrators of violence and intimidation will be immediately dealt with in terms of the applicable laws," minister Maswanganyi said.

Furthermore, it was emphasised during the meeting that public servants and their spouses, partners and immediate family members must be impartial, and must have no direct financial or business interest in any sector of the public transport industry, and may not decide or adjudicate on a matter in which they have such an interest.

"The public service regulations also prohibit civil servants from participating in any form of remunerative work or business prior approval," South African Police Services (SAPS) general Nobesuthu Masiye said during the meeting she requested that public servants who are involved in the Uber business be reported to the police.

"We are going to deal with our own, there is no one that is above the law in this country. Whoever is breaking the law will be arrested, whether it's a member of the SAPS or a member of the department of transport or an educator, whoever is involved as a public servant will be arrested," Masiye said.

"Fruitful discussions"

Convenor of the Gauteng Concerned Meter-Taxi Operators, Oupa Sikhosana, said his organisation had fruitful discussions with the minister.

"We are happy because the minister was able to sit around the table with us and listen to our concerns," Sikhosana said.

He said the minister has assured them that the law will be applied in dealing with this matter. Section 50 of the National Land Transport Act states that no person may operate a road-based public transport service unless he or she is the holder of a legal operating licence or a permit.

This means, therefore, that anyone who operates a public transport service for reward without an operating licence will be violating the law.

Sikhosana has defended meter taxi drivers, saying they are not violent. "This cheap mode of transport is enslaving our children, you find drivers who are in their early 20s who have to drive for 20 hours to make money.

"Those children should be in universities, Uber does not create jobs, they enslave people and indebt people who buy cars because they believe they can make money," he said.

Sikhosana said meter taxis were creating better jobs for the women who sell food in their ranks and the young men who wash their cars.
At the recent Gauteng leg of the Business of the Year (Boty) roadshow, Gary McCraw, director of the National Automobile Dealers' Association (Nada), noted that, apart from having to operate in tough economic conditions, motor dealers in South Africa are under increasing business management pressure.

Photo by Mason Jones via Unsplash

McCraw presented an update on Nada in which he sketched the rapidly changing environment in which businesses operate these days. He also gave feedback from meetings between the Competitions Commission and Nada and then added details about proposed changes to the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) Act.

He said NADA would be engaging with the FIC authorities to consider the negative and costly impact that the proposed changes would have on dealers.

McCraw listed the unexpected happenings  global and local - which had occurred between the mid-year Boty roadshow in 2016 and this years event.

These included:

Donald Trump becomes president of the United States.

President Zuma fires finance minister Pravin Gordhan and subsequently announces a reshuffle of the cabinet at midnight.

Malusi Gigaba is appointed minister of finance.

Theresa May loses her majority in the British parliament in a snap election meant to strengthen her position.

General Motors disinvests from South Africa.

The Nada executive said these happenings showed how necessary it was for dealer management to be aware of the changing world around them so they could make the necessary changes to the way they did business and planned for the future.

Gary McCraw

He showed how several key economic indicators, such as exchange rates, the oil price, fuel price and CPI had, in fact, improved over the past 12 months. The local business climate was not as bad and leaders in the industry need to instil a positive attitude in their areas of influence.

Code of conduct for the motor industry

McCraw provided background on the meeting with the Competition Commission and explained that this body was proposing the introduction of a code of conduct for the motor industry, which would deal with various issues such as restrictive trade practices, consumer rights of choice, and financial barriers to market entry.

Ongoing engagement with the Competition Commission on the proposed code will take place over the coming months.

John Templeton, market head operations at Sewells MSXI, provided delegates with details on several useful methods of managing an automotive dealership in these changing times when margins were under pressure and volumes werent rising. He said this situation was particularly concerning on average for dealers selling luxury car brands.

Trading environment increasingly difficult

He said the tough trading environment meant it was increasingly difficult for dealers to absorb overhead costs solely through after-sales income.

Tight expense management has to be linked to ensuring all members of the executive team  including heads of the parts and service operations  were made aware of financial processes and given the required business management skills to ensure their areas of responsibility did not become a drain on the overall well-being of the dealership," he said.

Boty is a joint venture between Nada and Sewells MSXI, an automotive retail solutions provider. The roadshow in Johannesburg followed similar sessions in Cape Town and Durban where dealer personnel could benefit from presentations and discussion on topics which were near and dear to the local automotive retail industry and the many unique challenges it faces in these tumultuous economic times.
The third annual South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) Bridge Building Competition took place during the July school holidays in Port Elizabeth.

Winners of the 2017 Sanral Bridge Building Competition

The event was hosted at Sanral Southern Regions Road Materials Testing Lab in Struandale, in conjunction with Unity in Africa Foundations Incubating Great Engineering Minds (iGEMs), a leadership development incubator and education to employment programme. The programme promotes engineering career fields amongst youth in high schools who have potential to go into undergraduate engineering studies at a tertiary level, and then enter future engineering fields after graduation.

The Sanral Bridge Building Competition was one of a series of workshops, site visits and projects during the July school holiday for the iGEMs learners. The holiday programme is an integral first phase in a four stage leadership development programme, which incubates incumbents for about seven years.

Around 34 academically-deserving Grade 11 and 12 pupils from disadvantaged and socio-economic vulnerable backgrounds from 18 schools in Nelson Mandela Bay participated in the competition. The event offered a glimpse into the world of civil engineering but also allowed learners to put their creativity, team skills and future engineering skills to the test.

Based on the format and rules on the South African Institution of Civil Engineerings (SAICE) bridge building competition, learners had to design and then build model bridges using only wooden sticks, rope and glue in a limited time frame following functional specifications and construction methods.

The bridges were judged on aesthetics, weight and structural strength. In relation to the latter, suspended weights literally stretched the bridges to breaking point in an ultimate showdown between the 10 teams.

Scholarship induction

Sanral announced that later this month it will host an induction event for the scholarships and bursaries that will be awarded to pupils in the Eastern Cape.

In the past financial year, Sanral awarded 180 bursaries to learners in various schools and 300 scholarships for engineering-related studies at a tertiary level with an estimated combined value of approximately R8 million.

Mbulelo Peterson, Sanral Southern Region Manager explained that agency takes an integrated approach at development of South African youth for future roles and careers in engineering.

We begin with initiatives like todays iGEMS programme which supports the development of youth in high schools. In addition to this, we offer scholarships and a maths/science programme for high school learners. When high school learners enrol for formal studies, Sanral offers bursary options.

Once students have graduated, we provide on the through a structured and formal graduate training centre which provides real world road engineering experience, Peterson said.
Thought leader on climate change, poverty and social justice issues and long-term activist for freedom, Tasneem Essop has launched an initiative that she hopes will put the power back into the hands of the people... quite literally.

Describing her aha moment at the 2017 WWF-SA Living Planet Conference, Essop's concerns about the serious challenges of poverty and her broadening understanding of the impact of climate change on the poor collectively ignited the idea to launch the Energy Democracy Initiative.

She lamented the missed opportunities from South Africa's hard-won freedom which she believes have not materialised in more meaningful ways. Renewable energy, however, provides a means to redress this. "People will have power," she said, "and they will have power in doing so."

The Energy Democracy Initiative is a startup that aims to work with grassroots communities, empowering people to not just be consumers of electricity, but to actually generate electricity. Essop emphasised that communities will plan, deliver, fundraise and eventually own their own decentralised energy systems.

The initiative entails a three-phase programme:

During phase one, the community selects 30 people as its 'energy-democracy champions' who will participate in the programme. They will be equipped with a basic knowledge about energy, climate change, and democracy.

In phase two, they will receive technical training in terms of the technology options, how they work, and how to plan a decentralised energy system.

The third phase will cover governance, project management, implementation, and fundraising, followed by implementation and rollout.

@Energydemocracyinitiative community capacity building workshop in Belhar, Cape Town with @TasneemEssop pic.twitter.com/MfqlDenf44  FES South Africa (@FES_SouthAfrica) June 7, 2017

The sustainability of the initiative and for the community, Essop explained, lies in its ability to sell surplus electricity either back to the municipality or to Eskom. "Those battles still need to be fought because the regulatory environment doesn't allow for it, but I wasn't going to start with the obstacles," she said.

"This technology has the ability to bring power back to people. It has the ability to ensure that we achieve social justice because people will not only be employees in some company, but can actually be the owners of the means of production and generation of electricity."

Tasneem Essop previously worked for the Global Climate and Energy Initiative at WWF International after working as an international climate advocate for WWF South Africa. She is also a serving her second term as a commissioner in the National Planning Commission of South Africa.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a press conference in Punkaharju, a resort in Savonlinna, eastern Finland, on July 27, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

SAVONLINNA, Finland - Russian President Vladimir Putin underlined on Thursday that his country's military cooperation with China would bring balance to the world.

Meanwhile, he denounced the investigations into the alleged Russian influence in the United States presidential election as well as the possible US sanctions on Russia as an effort to sacrifice bilateral relations.

Putin made the remarks at a press conference in Punkaharju, a resort in Savonlinna, eastern Finland after holding a lengthy talk with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto.

Putin travelled to the picturesque border city by helicopter at midday to observe the centenary of Finnish independence. The working visit coincided with the Russia-China naval exercise on the Baltic Sea.

The joint drill kicked off in the past weekend, and Chinese navy has sent a fleet of three vessels and some helicopters and marines to take part.

RULES OUT MILITARY BLOC

Assuring the media, Putin said that the military cooperation between Russia and China is not directed against anyone, and is not meant to start to form new military blocs.

For his part, Niinisto said it was not the first exercise between China and Russia, nor the first time for Chinese vessels to come to Europe, adding that Chinese navy has been in the Mediterranean before.

"Also Finland takes part in exercises in the Baltic, such as upcoming Aurora with Sweden and the US," said Niinisto. "Aurora is not intended to form blocks as well."

As part of the annual military cooperation program, the drill codenamed "Joint Sea 2017" aims to jointly carry out rescue missions and protect the safety of maritime economic activities.

The regular joint exercises have become an annual program, as Putin emphasized that the two countries have strategic cooperation in the fields of economy, politics and military.




NEW DELHI (PTI): In a major move, the Government has delegated "substantial" financial powers to the Army, the Navy and the Indian Air Force to strengthen perimeter security at sensitive military installations across the country, the defence ministry said on Thursday.



Defence Minister Arun Jaitley has fixed strict timelines to ensure that the works are undertaken on priority and in a time-bound manner to ensure full security at the critical defence assets, it said.



The vice-chiefs of the three services have been empowered to place orders, procure equipment and carry out civil works without seeking approvals of the defence ministry.



"In an unprecedented move, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has decided to delegate substantial financial powers to the Armed Forces for undertaking works for perimeter security of sensitive military installations," the ministry said in a statement.



Official sources said following the decision, each of the three vice chiefs will be able to spend at least Rs 800 crore annually in strengthening perimeter security at the sensitive bases.



A total of 3,000 sensitive bases, including 600 highly sensitive installations of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, were identified by the forces months after the daring attack on Pathankot air base last year.



The decision came at a time when Indian Army is locked in a face-off with the Chinese Army at Dokalam and confronting rising incidents of cross border attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.



The defence ministry said the move to give financial powers is aimed at expediting the decision-making process involved in the modernisation of the security apparatus of airbases and defence installations.



"The financial delegation represents a significant jump in the powers currently exercised by the services," the ministry said.



A security audit of defence bases was carried out on the recommendation of a committee headed by Lt Gen Philip Campose which was set up after the terror attack on the forward Pathankot air force base last year.



The committee was asked to recommend measures to beef up security at the military bases.



The armed forces had together sought Rs 2,000 crore to strengthen security infrastructure at all "highly sensitive, sensitive and moderately sensitive bases" during the current and next financial years.



The sources said following the security audit, revised standard operating procedures (SOPs) were sent to the commands of all three services to revamp their security management, including putting in place a multi-tier security structure.



A parliamentary panel had in March come down hard on the defence ministry for failing to take any concrete measures to beef up security at frontline military bases, and said the scenario is as "vulnerable" as has been "exposed" during the Uri and Pathankot terror attacks.



The Campose Committee had submitted its report to the defence ministry last May.



The parliamentary panel had said security arrangements at military establishments were dynamic in nature and called for maintaining a robust and strong response mechanism to emerging threats.




The "Simorgh" carrier rocket being test launched. A Press TV photo

TEHRAN (AFP): Iran on Thursday "successfully" tested a satellite-launch rocket, days after warning Washington of a response to new US sanctions over the Islamic republic's ballistic missile programme, state television said.



It said the launch vehicle, named "Simorgh" after a bird in Iranian mythology, was capable of propelling a satellite weighing 250 kilograms to an altitude of 500 kilometres above earth.



The launch marked the official inauguration of Iran's Imam Khomeini space centre, named after the late founder of the Islamic republic, built for sending satellites into space, the television said, without giving its location.



Western states suspect Iran of developing the technology capable of launching long-range ballistic missiles with conventional or nuclear payloads, a charge denied by Tehran which insists its space programme has purely peaceful aims.



Iran's four other launches of domestically produced satellites since 2009 have all sparked condemnation in the West.



President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that Iran would respond in kind to any breach by the United States of a 2015 nuclear deal after the House of Representatives passed a new sanctions bill.



"If the enemy steps over part of the agreement, we will do the same, and if they step over the entire deal, we will do the same too," Rouhani said at a cabinet meeting.



The Iranian parliament's national security and foreign affairs committee said it would hold an extraordinary session on Saturday to discuss its formal response.



The parliament voted earlier this month to fast-track a bill introduced in June that would increase funds for Iran's missile programme and Revolutionary Guards.



"We must always develop our defence capability and we will strengthen our defensive weapons regardless of the opinion of others," Rouhani said.



The US House passed a new sanctions bill on Tuesday targeting the Revolutionary Guards over its missile programme.



As part of its space programme, Iran has also sent two capsules into space, the first in February 2010 carrying a rat, tortoises and insects, and the other in January 2013 when a monkey was sent into space and returned to earth safely, according to official media.






TOKYO (AP): Japan's beleaguered defence minister resigned on Friday over an alleged cover-up of military documents from UN peacekeeping operations, the latest blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's scandal-ridden government.



Tomomi Inada denied, however, that she herself took part in the alleged cover-up. Abe said he accepted her resignation and assigned Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida to take on the defence portfolio for now.



The Defence Ministry was conducting an internal investigation following accusation that it concealed parts of a daily log of activities by Japanese UN peacekeepers in South Sudan that referred to dangers faced by the troops in Africa's conflict zone.



Inada announced her resignation as she announced the investigation results, which she said showed "serious" mishandlings of official documents in violation of the information disclosure law and suggesting to the public a lack of governance. The probe showed no evidence that she gave prior consent to the officials' plan to conceal the document, she said.



"As defence minister, whose job is to oversee the organisation, I feel serious responsibility over this," she said. "I'm stepping down as defence minister."



The popularity of Abe's administration has plunged over a series of recent scandals, including accusations of misuse of power and cronyism.



Abe is expected to reshuffle his Cabinet next week in a bid to regain public support, but has been criticised for defending Inada for too long. Opposition lawmakers plan to grill Abe over his appointment of Inada, who had little expertise in national security.



In the alleged cover-up, defence officials had reportedly tried to conceal logs containing references to worsening safety in the area where Japanese peacekeeping troops were repairing roads.



Defence officials initially denied a public information disclosure request, saying the documents had been destroyed, but a subsequent probe in March found that the data actually existed.



A whistleblower recently said that Inada had approved a plan to reject the request despite knowing the documents existed. Inada has denied she gave consent.



Inada, a lawyer, has come under fire for an election campaign speech in which she sought support for a ruling party candidate on behalf of her ministry and military troops, a possible violation of a law requiring political neutrality for government employees.



She has also been criticised for links to an ultra- nationalist school operator now under criminal investigation for an allegedly fraudulent state land transaction.




The LRASM. A Lockheed Martin photo

ORLANDO (BNS): Lockheed Martin has successfully conducted the first-ever launch of the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) surface-launch variant from a topside canister on July 26.



The flight test, carried out at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, proved the missile's ability to conduct an angled launch from the newly designed topside canister, replicating a ship-launched environment, Lockheed announced a day later.



During the test, the LRASM, its Mk-114 booster and booster adapter ejected cleanly from the topside launcher using the same launch control and launch sequencer software currently employed by the Mk-41 Vertical Launch System (VLS).



"This successful flight test demonstrates Lockheed Martin's readiness to answer the US Navy's call for lethal, longer range anti-surface warfare capabilities as part of the 'Distributed Lethality' concept," said Scott Callaway, Subsonic Cruise Missile director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.



"This test also validates the flexibility and versatility of LRASM, as it proved it can be successfully fired from VLS and non-VLS surface platforms."



Integrating LRASM onto surface ships enables distributed operations beyond enemy threat ranges.



Along with the already proven VLS launch capability of LRASM, the topside canister with an angled launcher allows the LRASM surface-launch variant to be employed aboard various platforms in the Navy's surface fleet, providing the potential for a powerful new anti-ship role under the US Navy's "Distributed Lethality" concept of operations, Lockheed said.



The LRASM is a precision-guided anti-ship missile leveraging on the successful Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER) heritage, and is designed to meet the needs of US Navy and Air Force warfighters in a robust anti-access/area-denial threat environment.



The LRASM surface-launch variant is built on the same production line as JASSM, JASSM-ER and LRASM air-launch weapons, delivering the same long-range, precision capability while benefiting from manufacturing efficiencies.






BHUBANESWAR (PTI): Odisha Government has formally named the Outer Wheeler island in Bhadrak district as APJ Abdul Kalam Island as a tribute to the former President on his second death anniversary on Thursday.



The revenue and disaster management department on Wednesday issued a gazette notification after obtaining no objection certificate from the Ministry of Home Affairs, said revenue and disaster management minister Maheswar Mohanty.



Mohanty handed over a copy of the gazette notification on Thursday to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who had earlier announced to name the Wheeler Island after Dr. Kalam.



Patnaik paid tribute to Dr. Kalam at a function on the occasion of the former President's second death anniversary.



He recalled Kalam's emotional attachment with the Interim Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Balasore district and the Wheeler Island in Bhadrak district.



Kalam had spent most of his time in these two places as part of his efforts to develop missiles for the protection of the country, the Chief Minister said after paying floral tributes.


The Immigrant Council of Ireland is concerned a detention centre at Dublin Airport could be over-used.

Work is due to begin in September on the facility which will hold people who are due to be deported.
Theresa May is facing a fresh Brexit challenge amid reports that Dublin wants the Irish Sea to be the country's border with the UK.

Ireland's new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is unconvinced by the UK's plans to introduce a high-tech land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic after Brexit, according to The Times.

It comes after Home Secretary Amber Rudd pledged there would be "no cliff-edge" on freedom of movement after Brexit, as she outlined an "implementation" period where EU nationals could register to come and work in the UK.

The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic is one of the key issues that needs to be resolved by the UK and the EU before talks begin on a new trade deal.

British ministers had proposed using measures like surveillance cameras to allow free movement between the north and south of the island.

However, sources have told The Times that Mr Varadkar thinks these plans could jeopardise the peace process in Ireland and restrict movement between the two countries.

He is said to want customs and immigration checks moved away from the land border to ports and airports - effectively drawing a new border in the Irish Sea.

Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney, speaking at a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers last week, said: "What we do not want to pretend is that we can solve the problems of the border on the island of Ireland through technical solutions like cameras and pre-registration and so on.

"That is not going to work."

He added: "Any barrier or border on the island of Ireland in my view risks undermining a very hard-won peace process and all of the parties in Northern Ireland, whether they are unionist or nationalist, recognise we want to keep the free movement of people and goods and services and livelihoods."

Such a suggestion is likely to anger the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which supports the Tories at Westminster through a confidence and supply arrangement.

The DUP has previously rejected calls for a "special status" for Northern Ireland after Brexit, while it is also at loggerheads with Sinn Fein after the collapse of the Northern Ireland executive.

DUP MP Ian Paisley tweeted: "1 of 2 things will now happen 1. A very hard border 2. Ireland will wise up and leave the EU."

On Thursday Ms Rudd commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to carry out a detailed analysis of the role of EU nationals in the UK economy and society.

In a letter to the MAC she outlined a transitional phase on immigration for EU nationals after Britain leaves the EU in March 2019.

She said there would be "a temporary implementation period to ensure there is no cliff-edge on the UK's departure for employers or individuals", including "a straightforward system for the registration and documentation of new arrivals".

After this period Britain would move to third phase of the policy, Ms Rudd said, which will determine the long-term arrangements around immigration from the EU.

In her letter Ms Rudd also said that after the UK leaves the EU, free movement will end, but migration between the UK and the EU will continue.

Immigration minister Brandon Lewis told BBC Two's Newsnight: "When we leave the European Union, by definition freedom of movement ends and we have control of our borders.

"There will be a system after March 2019, which will be our new immigration system, and there will be a period in that, as we've said, there will be transition system which includes a number of things."

Mr Lewis added that the Tories were "still very determined to deliver" their target of reducing net migration to the tens of thousands, but wanted to do so in a way that allows the economy to flourish.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported that Philip Hammond wants Britain to maintain full access to the European single market and customs union in the first of a two-part transitional deal after Brexit.

The Chancellor is said to have told business leaders he initially wants an "off-the-shelf" deal with the EU that would maintain the UK's current trading relationship with the bloc.

According to the newspaper, this would be followed by a second "implementation" phase while the final terms of a future trade deal were negotiated.

Allies of Mr Hammond told the newspaper the transition and implementation periods should end by 2022.

DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson ruled out the idea of a border running along the Irish Sea.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There is no way that the DUP would go for an option that creates a border between one part of the United Kingdom and the other.

"Dublin really needs to understand that that proposition is absurd and unconstitutional."
An six-year-old boy is in a serious condition in hospital after being hit by a van in Co Dublin.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to the collision, which happened on the Shanganagh Road, near the Hazelwood estate, in Shankill, Co Dublin at around 4.45pm yesterday.
Galway fire fighters are taking to the streets today in protest at how they are being treated by their council bosses.

They are marching from Galway Fire Station to County Hall to hand in a letter outlining their concerns.
Update 12.12pm The Housing Minister has said the Government will not be providing any compensation to businesses affected by the water crisis in the North East.

The water supply is slowly returning to normal in Louth and Meath after a week of disruption.

Many businesses suffered significant losses in revenue as a result.

But Eoghan Murphy has said neither the Government or Irish Water will be reimbursing them.

"Unfortunately we are not in the position to give compensation," he said.

"We have to prioritise our funding in to actually fixing and building new pipes but Irish Water have urged businesses to talk to their insurance companies about mechanism for possible compensation."

Earlier: Irish Water have said mains water supply has improved in most of the areas affected by the recent water outage.

Duleek, Stamullen and the coastal areas of Laytown, Bettystown, Mornington, Donacarney and Grangerath should all have close to normal mains water supply today.

A full supply should also be returning to the Ashbourne and Ratoath areas.

However, supply will take longer for a number of the high ground areas and outlying parts of the network.

Irish Water have said the disturbance in the pipework may result in some customers receiving discoloured water for a time, but tests show the water is safe to drink.

They will continue to monitor the supply over the next few days and advice on quality issues or airlocks is available at www.water.ie.
The Government will today answer questions from the UN over the Magadelene Laundries, industrial schools and mother and baby homes.

A 20 strong Irish delegation has been appearing in Geneva this week to discuss the progress it's made since 2011 on the implementation of the Convention against Torture.
The police's failure to conduct an overarching examination of state collusion with a notorious loyalist murder gang in Northern Ireland was inconsistent with its human rights obligations, a judge has found.

The independent Historic Enquiries Team (HET) had partially completed a probe into the activities of the Glenanne gang before its work was halted by Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) commanders.

The HET had examined individual murders committed by the gang but had not undertaken an overarching thematic review of the collusion allegations.

The PSNI's decision to stop the HET review was challenged by way of judicial review by the family of one of the gang's victims.

The Glenanne gang was a unit of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) that counted rogue security force personnel among its members.

Operating mostly in Tyrone and Armagh, the gang has been blamed for around 130 sectarian murders during the 1970s and 1980s.

The judicial review was taken by the family of Patrick Barnard, who was killed in a bomb blast in Dungannon in 1976.

Delivering judgment at Belfast High Court, Judge Seamus Treacy found that changes made by the PSNI to how it investigated historic cases were "fundamentally inconsistent" with its obligations in the European Convention on Human Rights.

He also questioned the state's commitment to investigating cases that involved alleged collusion.

He was particularly critical of decisions taken by former PSNI chief constable Sir Matt Baggott.

The judge said the Barnard family had a "legitimate expectation" that a thematic probe into collusion would have been completed.

He said the police's treatment of them had been "unfair" in the "extreme".

"It has completely undermined the confidence of the families whose concerns are not only still unresolved but compounded by the effects of the decisions taken by the then chief constable (Mr Baggott)," he said.

Justice Treacy added: "There is a real risk that this will fuel in the minds of the families the fear that the state has resiled from its public commitments because it is not genuinely committed to addressing the unresolved concerns that the families have of state involvement."

The judge placed the onus on the PSNI to offer an "appropriate form of relief" that would address the family's concerns.

The court was packed with relatives who lost loved ones at the hands of the murderous gang.

Outside, some wept and others applauded as they reflected on the judgment.

Patrick Barnard's brother, Edward, who took the judicial review, said he had not expected the outcome.

"I am shocked. I did not think we would get the victory today that we have got," he said.

"We have proved collusion, we have proved that the police halted the report, they stopped the HET from fulfilling their part."

Eugene Reavey, whose three brothers were murdered by the gang in 1976, described the alleged collusion as a "war crime".

"The judge repeated collusion, collusion, collusion all day," he said.

"This was a war crime - there were 135 people dead. This was murder by the state and its agents.

"There is no other word for it than a war crime - that's how big it is.

"I am delighted for everybody here for the perseverance they have shown over the years. We have been humiliated, we have been abused by everybody in every part of the journey but today we have been vindicated."

Darragh Mackin, solicitor for Mr Barnard, said the families had been through an "excruciating" process.

"This has been a long and turbulent journey for these families," he said.

"Not only has the court today ruled that there is credible evidence (of collusion) throughout the Glenanne series but the procedure and torment that these families have had to go through has been extremely unfair and there has been an abuse of power by the powers-that-be."
A man is to face trial accused of dangerous driving causing death of a 13-year-old boy following an alleged hit-and-run incident in Dublin.

Dean Shelley, 27, from Casement Road, Finglas, Dublin appeared in court on Friday morning charged with dangerous driving causing the death of pedestrian Lee Henry and failing to remain at the scene, at the R139, Old N32, Coolock on Oct. 22 last year.

The young boy suffered serious injuries when he was struck that night by a car on the R139. He was taken to Childrens University Hospital, Temple Street where he was later pronounced dead.

Garda Sergeant Noel Smyth told Judge John Lindsay at Dublin District Court that he arrested Mr Shelley at 9.20am on Friday at Coolock station. He was charged with the two offences and after caution he made no reply and he was handed true copies of the charge, said Garda Sgt Smyth.

He confirmed that there was no objection to bail with conditions and he asked for the case to be adjourned for six weeks for Mr Shelley to be served with a book of evidence. Garda Sgt Smyth said the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that all matters are to be dealt with on indictment, meaning that the accused will face trial in the circuit court.

Members of Lee Henrys family watched the proceedings from the public gallery.

Judge Lindsay agreed to impose bail conditions sought by Garda Sgt Smyth and told Mr Shelley that he had to sign on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Finglas Garda station, surrender his passport and not apply for a replacement, have no contact directly or indirectly with witnesses and have a mobile phone powered up, in credit and switched on so he can be contacted 24 hours a day.

Mr Shelleys solicitor Danica Kinane told the court that the phone number could be provided today.

Ms Kinane made a successful application for legal aid to be granted to her client after she furnished the court with a statement of Mr Shelleys means and the judge noted there was no objection by Garda Sgt Smyth.

Mr Shelley, who was wearing a grey jacket, white shirt and black trousers, has not yet indicated how he will plead and did not address the court.

He was remanded on bail in his own bond of 300 to appear again at the district court on Sept. 8 when it is expected he will be served with a book and returned for trial.
A man spent the night alone on his cruise boat after running aground on Lough Derg, writes Patrick Flynn.

The man spent 13 hours on board the stranded vessel because he was reluctant to inconvenience the rescue services by calling them.

The alarm was raised at around 8.45am today after the crew of another cruiser who reported seeing a vessel aground near Hare Island on the Clare side of Lough Derg.

Staff at the Irish Coast Guard marine rescue sub centre on Valentia Island alerted the Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat and requested them to investigate the report.

The volunteer lifeboat crew located a 16ft cruiser on rocks in Church Bay which is known for its hazards including sudden shallows and rocks.

An RNLI volunteer waded across the rocks and boarded the casualty vessel and found one person sleeping below. The man was unharmed and wearing his lifejacket.

He told his rescuers that he had been on his boat since 8pm the pervious evening, but had been reluctant to call the rescue services, anxious not to put anyone out.

Winds overnight on Lough Derg last night were westerly, Force 5, gusting 7 at times.

The lifeboat managed to get the vessel safely off the rocks and took it under tow to Garrykennedy harbour.

The vessel was then safely tied up alongside while boat owners in Garrykennedy provided breakfast for the skipper and helped arrange to have his boat lifted from the water.

Lough Derg RNLI helm Eleanor Hooker said: No callout is routine. Our training and experience tells us to expect the unexpected, and that is how we approached this apparently empty vessel thought to have slipped its moorings".

Lifeboat station Deputy Launching Authority Pat Garland said: We would entreat all boat users, when is difficulty (or members of the public, if they witness someone in danger), to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Irish Coast Guard. The RNLI and rescue services are on call 24/7, every day of the year to assist those in difficulty on the water".
This morning marked the final broadcast for RTE's Cathal MacCoille as presenter of Morning Ireland on RTE Radio 1 as he retires.

To mark his final sign off, Rachael English paid tribute to the journalist who she has had the absolute privilege to work with.

Following the programme a large group of colleagues gathered in the RTE Newsroom to wish him well and acknowledge his contribution to Irish journalism.

Another broadcasting legend comes off air. Pleasure to work with @CathalMacCoille, gentleman, absent-minded cyclist, generous with praise pic.twitter.com/0WQk7bk8EJ  Stephen Murphy (@SMurphyTV) July 28, 2017

Managing Director of RTE News and Current Affairs, Jon Williams said:

"His greatest legacy is the generation of RTE journalists who were shaped by working with Cathal - who he imbued with his values of decency, curiosity & rigour. He will always be part of the RTE family."

Colleague Aine Lawlor said:

"When Cathal was returning to present Morning Ireland in 2001 I said to David Hanley who previously presented with him So whats he like?. He was a pol corr at that stage with TnaG, he used to come in and do great interviews with us.

"Youd see him up at the Belfast Peace Talks running round with his bike he brought up on the train and all that kind of craic. And Hanley turned around and he said Hes quite mad you know. But he is quite brilliant as youll see. And then he paused and he said Hes also rather nice. And I think he was bang on.

"A quiet brilliant man, the soul of the programme. People talk about all kinds of things but I think Morning Ireland has a soul - a heathen soul  but a noble soul and I think its his. He embody's it and I wish him the very best

Listeners also took to Twitter to wish him farwell:

Best wishes to @CathalMacCoille. Always one of the toughest, but fairest interviewers on Irish radio, he'll be missed on @morningireland  BrendanHowlin (@BrendanHowlin) July 28, 2017

An era ends as our friend and colleague @CathalMacCoille retires from #MorningIreland A gentleman and a scholar, and a joy to work with  Lisa Pereira (@lisa_pereira) July 28, 2017

one of my journalistic heroes a true professional thank u @CMacCoille you will be missed-enjoy next chapter @morningireland @CathalMacCoille https://t.co/ZHaPCATbrm  June Shannon (@juneshannon) July 28, 2017

Cathal himself remarked:

"I do know for all kinds of reasons, nothing is forever and I also know that there are all kinds of other things that I want to do and will look forward to doing. I dont know what they are yet, but Ive got a few ideas!"

It wasn't just his retirement that made it a special day for the journalist, he happened to take his first ever selfie on his last morning cycle to work, "by accident".
Update 5.46pm: South Korea's joint chiefs of staff said that a missile was launched from North Korea's northern Jagang province today.

There was no immediate confirmation of the launch by North Korea. The day's broadcast on state-run television had already ended when the news broke at around midnight Pyongyang time.

Yoji Koda, a retired admiral in Japan's maritime self defence force, said information that the missile flew 45 minutes and landed west of Hokkaido suggests that it was most likely another ICBM.

Earlier:

Japan's prime minister said North Korea has fired what is believed to have been a missile which may have landed in the sea off the Japanese coast.

Shinzo Abe said officials are analysing the apparent launch.

He has also called a meeting of the national security council.

In Washington, Pentagon spokesman, Navy Captain Jeff Davis, confirmed that the launch of a ballistic missile from North Korea had been detected.

He said: "We are assessing and will have more information soon."

Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the missile flew for about 45 minutes and landed off the coast in waters between Japan and the Korean Peninsula.

Public broadcaster NHK said the coast guard has issued safety warnings to aircraft and ships.

July 27 is a major national holiday in North Korea, called Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War Day.

North Korea generally waits hours or sometimes a day or more before announcing launches, often with a raft of photos in the ruling party newspaper or on television news.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is usually shown at the site to observe and supervise major launches.

Late-night launches are rare. North Korea usually conducts its missile and underground nuclear tests in the morning.

To have a real deterrent, it is important for North Korea to prove it can launch whenever and wherever it chooses - making it harder for foreign military observers trying to detect their activities ahead of time.

It is likely the North launched the missile at night and from the remote province of Jagang to demonstrate its operational versatility.

Analysts said the Hwasong 14 ICBM launched by North Korea on July 4 could be capable of reaching most of Alaska or possibly Hawaii if fired in an attacking trajectory.

It was launched at a very steep angle, a technique called lofting, and reached a height of more than 1,550 miles before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean 580 miles away.
US attorney general Jeff Sessions has said he intends to stay in the job and fight for President Donald Trump's agenda.

Mr Sessions said he and Mr Trump have a "harmony of values and beliefs".
The Canberra Liberals will release proposed anti-consorting laws on Saturday, designed to deal with outlaw motorcycle gangs suspected of basing their activity in Canberra to avoid a NSW crackdown.

Liberal spokesman Jeremy Hanson said the NSW anti-consorting laws in 2009 had pushed activity into Canberra, and police in both states wanted the ACT to deal with the problem.

Voting yes: former ACT Liberals leader Jeremy Hanson. Credit:Rohan Thomson

In July, three cars at a Kambah home were burned out and shots were fired at the house, in what police say was an ongoing feud between rival gang members.

In June, two Comancheros were found guilty of a drive-up shooting in Stirling, also gang related.
When it comes to the distribution of GST revenue, the Commonwealth Government must defend the important Australian Federation principle of equal treatment.

The distribution of Commonwealth grants will always be hotly contested by states, but the Commonwealth needs to act as a 'steward of the system'.

Credit:Virginia Star

Instead, it recently asked the Productivity Commission to carry out yet another inquiry into Australia's system of horizontal fiscal equalisation (HFE).

Less than five years ago I was a member of the GST Distribution Review  together with the Honourable Nick Greiner and the Honourable John Brumby  which reported in October 2012.
The owner of a Sydney CBD noodle bar has been ordered to publish two newspaper notices owning up to six serious food breaches, which included dirty pest-ridden premises and the sale of unsafe food.

Thi Minh Nguyet Vo, owner of Hong Hai Noodle Bar in the Hunter Connection Food Court, was issued the order in the Downing Centre Local Court this week, along with a fine of $22,500 and an order to pay legal costs of more than $2300.

Thi Minh Nguyet Vo of Hong Hai Noodle Bar in the Hunter Connection Food Court was fined for unsafe food storage practices and the sale of unsafe food. Credit:City of Sydney

It was not the first prosecution for the restaurateur, who was prosecuted for 21 breaches and fined $28,000 in 2009 and 2010.

Images of Hong Hai Noodle Bar show pests settled in egg cartons and containers of vegetables covered in thick, furry mould.
The Mayor sofa was created for Sollerod City Hall in 1939 by Danish architects Arne Jacobsen and Flemming Lassen, who were responsible for the town hall's interior design. Tightly upholstered with two rows of elegant buttons extending over the armrests, the sofa has a simple and stylish look which was reissued by Copenhagen-based design company &tradition. Great Dane, greatdane.com TRAVELLERS' TALES Fine china manufacturers Wedgwood have launched Wonderlust, reworked pattern designs from the British tableware company's design archives, inspired by the Grand Tour of the 17th and 18th centuries when young, well-to-do Europeans embarked on trips around Europe and further abroad. Wedgwood, wedgwood.com.au Wonderlust Rococo Flowers mug, $49.95. BEAR NECESSITIES

Online children's clothing, interiors and homewares store Hush Little Baby has a diverse selection of brands. Owner Catherine Elliott scours globally to perfect the mix, including fair-trade leather shoes and booties from Donsje Amsterdam, fashion from Melbourne brand Anarkid and cute playmats for the floor from Mister Fly. Panda playmat, $99.95. Hush Little Baby, hushlittlebaby.com.au ON REFLECTION Auckland-based design house Citta Design creates staples for the home that reflect the relaxed Antipodean way of life. The range includes furniture, living and bedroom accessories, kitchen and dining ware, plus a line of clothing and accessories. Citta Design, cittadesign.com Arc freestanding mirror, $690. NATURE TRAIL

A modern sofa bed from Croatian brand Prostoria, sleek sideboard from Pianca and contemporary bathroom cabinetry and home accessories from Italian brand Ex.t are among the new arrivals at Melbourne furniture, lighting and decor store Meizai. We love their softly toned leaf hooks inspired by the movement of foliage on a tree. Ex.t Leaf Hooks, priced from $69. Meizai, meizai.com.au FINE DETAIL Family-run business Fanuli has been going strong for 30 years, offering Italian and locally made designs from brands such as Flexform, Kristalia and Riva1920. New in and exclusive to Fanuli is elegant atmospheric lighting from Penta, as well as Flexform's Mood Collection. Our pick is the Fauno coffee table, which combines metal and marble in a refined oval shape. Fanuli, fanuli.com.au Fauno coffee table, $6,800. REST STOP
River flows from the basin are highly variable. Credit:Louie Douvis 'Shocked and rocked' Evidence revealed by ABC's Four Corners on Monday indicated well-heeled irrigators have been extracting billions of litres to water cotton farms, with apparent encouragement by NSW bureaucrats. Ian Hunter, who as Water Minister for parched South Australia is arguably the most anxious to see upstream states toe the line, says his faith in the integrity of the basin plan has been "shocked and rocked". He's calling for a judicial inquiry because he doesn't trust NSW's investigation with its limited terms of reference and powers to extract documents and call witnesses. Water bird populations have dropped two-thirds from 1980s levels. Credit:Justin McManus

Labor's federal water spokesman, Tony Burke, who launched the plan during the Gillard government has also lodged a formal request for an audit to the National Audit Office. Also draining confidence have been revelations NSW has undertaken only perfunctory enforcement of the state's 130,000-odd water licences. Former compliance officers  often former police picked for their ability to detect and investigate criminal behaviour  have been frustrated as cases ripe for prosecution failed to proceed and expert teams were dismantled. Regulators' resolve across the basin may be tested in the months ahead as the region appears to be headed for an extended dry period. Credit:Peter Braig NSW boasts dozens of compliance staff but only a handful of them conduct on-the-ground, surprise inspections.

'Make money' Jamie Morgan, former head of the Department of Primary Industry's former Strategic Investigations Unit until early this year, says there was "no appetite for compliance any more".



He cites the transfer of responsibilities to state-owned WaterNSW, a corporation. "They are now the poacher and gamekeeper," Morgan says. "The charter is to make money, not to spend money to prosecute people they are making money from." Morgan's unit of 12 officers was disbanded soon after it began to target the Barwon-Darling region of north-west NSW, which even the authority views as a frontier zone compared with the more tightly regulated southern basin. His ability to issue stop-work notices for water users suspected of breaching their licences - an action he had performed hundreds of times in few years [check time] - was abruptly terminated by David Harris, his new boss at WaterNSW last September. New notices would need Mr Harris's "express written consent", he said. Fairfax sought an explanation for the change from WaterNSW.



A separate team of nine investigators that feed Morgan's group, was wound up when a $17 million, five-year federal subsidy  under the National Framework for Compliance and Enforcement Systems for Water Resource Management  ended. "Most of the states weren't fair dinkum on regulation," a former member of that team says.



Regulators' resolve across the basin  taking in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, SA and the ACT  may be tested in the months ahead as the region appears to be headed for an extended dry period.

June was the basin's driest since 1986 - and the fourth driest on record - and July's rains have been similarly poor and the outlook for the next three months also points to below-average rainfall for the region. (See Bureau of Meteorology chart below showing June 1- July 26 rainfall for the basin - outlined in black.) "When it dries out, the incentives to steal water go through the roof," the ex-investigator says. The shorter term fluctuations aside, the basin plan does not little to account for climate change. The authority's Glyde says the region is likely to get hotter but the impacts on rainfall are unclear - the northern region may get more rain and the southern areas less.

"Sooner or later we'll be precise enough [to predict local climate change impacts] and we'll have to bring forward the case for making changes to the plan," he said." Winding back oversight Meanwhile, federal oversight has also been systematically wound back. The Sustainable Rivers Audit, which in 2010 found all but two of the basin rivers to be in a poor to extremely poor state, was disbanded after the Coalition government in NSW cut funding. In 2015, the Abbott government also scrapped the National Water Commission that had been charged with auditing the basin plan. A year later, Barnaby Joyce as deputy prime minister deftly used the turmoil of Malcolm Turnbull's ousting of Abbott as PM to snatch control of water policy as his price for Coalition peace. Joyce reminded his constituents what was at stake for them on Wednesday, telling a pub gathering in the Victorian irrigating centre of Shepparton: "We've taken water and put it back into [the agriculture ministry] so we can look after you and make sure we don't have the greenies running the show, basically sending you out the back door."
And he declared it all stacked up. Paul Murray hosted One Nation's Malcolm Roberts on Thursday night. Credit:Screenshot The documents, said Murray at the very start, were "a million per cent correct" and their chronology "I believe very clearly, proves you are not a dual citizen." The small difficulty for those who might consider themselves jurors, which is to say, the audience, is that the documentation wasn't produced, though some pieces of paper were shuffled around the studio desk. Indeed, Roberts reiterated that he wasn't going to display the documentary proof of his argument because he knows what "the twitterati" could do with it. He didn't say what that might be.

So what did we learn? Nothing that had not already been made public, it turns out, though Murray, a master at putting words into a witness's mouth, drew a handy time-line from the senator. Born in India to an Australian mother and Welsh father, raised in Australia from about age seven, Roberts became an Australian citizen in 1974. Since then, he'd only ever travelled on his Australian passport. "The first and most important thing here is your only allegiance has only ever been to Australia," Murray led. "Correct," Roberts said. "In cheering for sport, politics and everything," Murray prompted.

Roberts said he knew he wasn't an Indian citizen because a few years ago he had to get a work visa when he went there to undertake a consulting job, and it had taken him two months to get the visa. But when he'd been about to nominate as a One Nation candidate for the 2016 election, he'd noticed a question about whether he was a dual citizen. On May 1, just to be sure, he'd written to the British consulate asking if he was a British citizen because of his Welsh father. Roberts said he wrote again and again and again without response and, with nominations drawing close, stated in writing on June 6, "I believe I am not a British citizen, and just in case, though, if I am, then I renounce it effective immediately." "Now," said Murray, helpfully. "I've seen that document, it's in bold and there's no question that that is the document that was put in place." And the document itself? No appearance, your worship, at least on Sky.

Murray continued the narrative. "Malcolm Roberts and your wife persisted. You seek formal registration of [your] renunciation from the British Home office, which was finally received on December 5th, 2016," he asserted. "After a lot of badgering," Roberts chipped in. "Now this is the bit I want to talk about," said Murray, having talked almost non-stop for four minutes and 15 seconds. There are all these reporters, said Murray, particularly Adam Gartrell from Fairfax ("Fairfax," said Roberts, a trifle archly), who wanted to pin down the "smoking gun" - that the official receipt of the renunciation didn't arrival until December 5, well after nominations had closed and indeed, well after the election itself.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will promise to give Australians a vote on whether to become a republic during the first term of a future Labor government.

The promise, to be made in a landmark speech to the Australian Republican Movement on Saturday, will dramatically reignite debate about whether Australia should have its own head of state.

In a move that will energise republicans and give supporters of an Australian head of state a clear choice between Labor and the Turnbull government ahead of the next election, Mr Shorten will pledge to hold a simple "Yes" or "No" vote.

The question would be: "Do you support an Australian republic with an Australian head of state?"
Ms Banks won the marginal seat of Chisholm with 51.2 per cent of the two-party preferred vote at the 2016 election. It was the only seat won by the Liberal Party from Labor in the federal election and the Turnbull government holds power in the lower house by just one seat. Malcom Turnbull and Julia Banks together in the electorate of Chisholm after the election. Credit:Eddie Jim If a byelection was held, Labor would fancy its chances of reclaiming the seat. That would mean the Turnbull government held just 75 seats in the 150-member house and would need to rely on the crossbench, including a number of independent MPs, to hold government. Labor's Victorian headquarters is bubbling with excitement over the Banks predicament. Senior Liberals have expressed concern to Fairfax Media that Ms Banks might be caught up in the growing scandal that has so far seen three senators admit to dual citizenship.

Section 44 precludes people from being candidates for the federal parliament if they are "under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to a foreign power, or is a subject or a citizen or entitled to the rights or privileges of a subject or citizen of a foreign power". Greens senators Larissa Waters and Scott Ludlam quit Parliament and the Nationals senator Matt Canavan has quit cabinet, pending the outcome of a High Court case. There are also serious questions facing One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts. In her maiden speech, Ms Banks thanked her late father, Sofoulis Phillip Lolatgis, who "first landed in Australia in 1949 as a 15-year-old migrant boy from Greece" and her mother, who was born in Australia and is of Greek descent. The Greek embassy website states that: "A person acquires Greek citizenship at the time of birth, if said person is born to a parent of Greek nationality  that is, the offspring of a Greek citizen, even if the parent has not exercised his/her right to citizenship". But it also states that "a Greek citizen is a person who is duly registered in the Records of a Municipality of the Hellenic Republic".

Professor Williams said "the question for me is whether you are a citizen of Greece if you are not entered into the roll". "In some countries it's not an issue, you can simply be a citizen. Larissa Waters was caught out without taking any steps [to become a citizen]," he said. "It's a matter for Greek law whether it's enough for her to be considered to have these rights without having taken any steps to be a citizen herself. If that is the case, she would be disqualified even though she has not actually taken any positive steps in that direction herself. "The requirement under Australian law is that she take every reasonable step to divest herself of citizenship rights from another country. And so the question is has she divested herself of those rights if they are conferred upon her?"
A man and a woman have been charged with human trafficking after allegedly holding a woman as a slave in Brisbane for nearly a decade.

Australian Federal Police allege the 42-year-old woman was brought to Australia from Fiji and kept in domestic servitude for eight years.

The couple were arrested at a home in The Gap and charged with human trafficking offences. Credit:Louie Douvis

In August last year federal police were alerted to the alleged slavery by the Salvation Army.

On July 19 a 56-year-old man and a 46-year-old woman were arrested at a home in The Gap, Brisbane, and charged with trafficking in persons, causing a person to enter into or remain in servitude, and allowing an unlawful non-citizen to work.
Daniel, who is now a partner at venture capital firm Blue Sky Ventures, says she told some people about the harassment but nothing happened to the perpetrator, he got wind of the allegations and deleted connections to her on Facebook and Twitter. Sexual harassment is rife in Australia's start-up scene. Credit:Illustration: Simon Bosch Daniel doesn't want to name the perpetrator but says after publishing a post on Medium detailing her harassment, she understands he may lose one of his board positions. "We are not at a point as a community where a person in my position naming someone will have an effect that is positive," she says. "At this point it would still be an accusation that would reflect negatively on me as a victim of that behaviour as much if not more than the perpetrator."

She wants people in the tech community to call out harassment when they see it or experience it. "I'm burnt out on apologies," she says. "I want actions." Daniel says there is a culture of ignoring sexual harassment. "As a society, we consider the potential harm to a man from sexual harassment allegations as doing greater damage than the damage of his behaviour towards victims," she says. "No one wants to be near an allegation, or someone who makes allegations. So the behaviour is often allowed to continue uninterrupted. Too many of us sit in the middle knowing it's wrong but not wanting to take what we consider to be 'extreme' action to stop someone behaving like this."

'I would never go public' Fear of the backlash that could result from speaking out about sexual harassment is an issue for many of the women Fairfax Media spoke to who asked to remain anonymous. Tech company employee Susan* is in the process of bringing a sexual harassment claim in court against one of her former employers. "My treatment affected my self-esteem, my ability and after a 12-year career in IT, I have left it behind, believing I am worthless and have achieved nothing," she says. "I would never go public with my story, the stakes would be too high".

Susan says this is also the case with other women she has met within the tech industry. "There's an unconscious bias in the industry that creates discrimination due to the ratio of men to women, it's nothing new  I guess it's more prevalent due to how tech industry has evolved," she says. "It's important to remember that we are not born with this bias, it's not an [inherent] gender trait, but something we are taught as we grow up. This is one of the reasons why the numbers don't add up: not as many women are choosing to enter the IT industry." 'It's just the tip of the iceberg' Pocket Sun and Elizabeth Galbut are the founders of SoGal Ventures.

At the Dell Women's Entrepreneurs Conference in San Francisco last week, sexual discrimination and harassment towards women was a key topic of discussion. Angela Fox, co-leader of Dell EMC in Australia and New Zealand, told Fairfax Media on the sidelines of the event, that she was shocked to hear of the experiences of many female entrepreneurs. "One of the things that has blown me away at this conference is the amplification of the discrimination that is still going on," she says. "I guess I didn't come with a perception that it was as bad as it really is, so I was grilling some of the Australian attendees saying 'Is it really this bad?' and their view is 'Yes it is'." Fox says corporates such as Dell need to lead the way.

Elizabeth Galbut, the 28-year-old co-founder of New York-based venture capital fund SoGal Ventures, was one of the attendees with her own story of discrimination, beginning when she first finished university. "I'd go to conferences and I'd say 'Hi, I've just graduated from my MBA, are you looking for associates or analysts?' and some of the responses I got back was 'We don't hire women'," she told Fairfax Media. "In the US it is illegal to say something like that but it didn't even faze them it was just, that is what it is. I really felt like I didn't have a place." Galbut decided to make her own place and set up SoGal with co-founder Pocket Sun to invest primarily in female-led businesses. "In fact 94 per cent of VCs [in the United States] are men, which means that women are largely absent when it comes to making important investment decisions regarding where the world is going," Sun says. "As a result in 2016 only 2.2 per cent of VC funding went to female CEOs."

In less than two years SoGal has invested in 40 start-ups of which two have been acquired. "We thought this is the moment and it's time to do it because nobody else is going to do it," Galbut says. But it didn't take long for Galbut to experience sexual harassment herself. "I've had people when we've been raising our funds say 'Do you want to have a threesome?' and I'm there trying to talk business and help some of the biggest funds in the world raise money," she says. "It's really tough." Galbut says female-led firms come to SoGal as a result of harassment.

"Every single one of the entrepreneurs has a story like that or multiple stories," she says. "We have had entrepreneurs who have turned down significant amounts of money because of comments ranging from, 'You know if I invest in you it would be so nice to get to know you better because I think I like you more than my wife' to things as blatant as 'Do you give good blow jobs and if I invest will I get blow jobs?'." Galbut says the tales of sexual harassment coming out have been harrowing. "The last couple of weeks have been very challenging for us," she says. "Everyone is hurting. There is a bit of PTSD every time you hear one of those stories and relive your own experience." Galbut believes there are more revelations to come.

"That bias is incredibly rampant, what has come out so far has been just the tip of the iceberg," she says. Fallout continues Dave McClure, founding partner at 500 Startups. Credit:Bloomberg The fallout from the sexual harassment claims continues around the world and in Australia. In the US, Justin Caldbeck of Binary Capital and David McClure, chief executive of 500 Startups, both resigned after confessing to "inappropriate interactions with women in the tech community".

McClure's demise had ramifications in Australia with LaunchVic putting on ice the $3.2 million in funding it had committed only weeks earlier to 500 Startups to bring the accelerator to Melbourne. LaunchVic has stated it will not work with 500 Startups until it addresses its sexual harassment problem. "The future of the 500 Melbourne program is dependent on the delivery of a remedial plan that not only addresses sexual harassment in the startup ecosystem but also promotes women and other under-represented groups," LaunchVic said in a statement. Speaking out Annie Parker co-ordinated the statement calling out sexual harassment in the Australian tech community. Credit:James Brickwood

Broader change is in the pipeline as well with Daniel and Annie Parker, interim chief executive of Fishburners, co-ordinating an open letter from leaders in the Australian start-up community speaking out against sexual harassment. "We, the undersigned, declare the Australian start-up community will, to the very best of our ability take action against the kind of behaviour that makes women feel exploited, secondary or unwelcome," it says. The statement has been signed by over 100 people including Paul Bassat, the co-founder of Seek, investor and Shark Tank star Steve Baxter and investor and entrepreneur Susan Wu, who helped highlight Caldbeck and McClure's behaviour. Melanie Perkins is the co-founder of graphic start-up Canva. Credit:Louise Kennerley Melanie Perkins, chief executive and co-founder of Canva, is one of the high profile signatories to the statement but told Fairfax Media more needs to be done.

"As an industry here in Australia, it's great the conversation has been kick-started, but now real change needs to occur," she says. Perkins says as a female with "brown skin" from outside the US she initially struggled to attract investment. "While statistically odds were definitely not stacked in my favour, we eventually found investors who believed in me and our vision and we landed investment, even if it took three years, six months in San Francisco and hundreds of revisions to our pitch deck," she says. Perkins says change requires action. "It comes back to what every VC firm and every company can do to ensure that we're doing the right things to encourage diversity, make it clear what behaviour should and shouldn't be tolerated, and have clear ways for dealing with any issues that do arise."
Meanwhile, dedicated Backup software tends to offer a lot more granular control over which files you backup and how often your backups run. You can point your Backup software at any folder, rather than a special sync folder, but one trade-off is that Backup services tend to be more expensive. To further complicate things, most of the major dedicated Backup services have added Sync features in the last few years to help ward off competition from the likes of Microsoft and Google. At the same time some Sync services are fleshing out their Backup options, which brings us to the new Google Backup and Sync which is available for Windows and MacOS. Your files can stay put The biggest change with Google Backup and Sync is that you can now choose which folders on your computer to backup. By default it covers your Documents, Pictures and Desktop folders on PC or Mac, but you can add other folders. Log into Google Drive on a computer, smartphone or tablet and below My Drive you'll find a new option called Computer where you'll find the files backed up from your computers.

Straight away this makes Google Backup and Sync easier to install on the computers of less-tech-savvy friends and relatives, because you don't need to force them to change their habits and start saving their important files in a special sync folder. Sometimes it's hard enough to get them to ensure all their important files are somewhere within their My Documents folder, let alone a special sync folder. Admittedly it's possible to tinker with Windows and redirect the My Documents folder so it lives within a special sync folder, I've done that before for OneDrive, but there's no need for this hassle if you're backing up to Google. Google lets you throttle the overall upload and download speeds, to ensure your backups don't choke your broadband connection, but you'll need to keep an eye on your monthly data limit if your ISP counts uploads (which most do). It only uploads new and changed files, so after your initial backup it shouldn't chew through too much data. Unlike dedicated Backup services, Google Backup and Sync still doesn't offer the ability to restrict your backups to specific file types or sub-folders. Nor can you create multiple schedules to backup some files more often than others. Thankfully Google Drive does store previous versions of your files online for 30 days, letting you turn back time if you fall victim to a cryptolocker ransomware attack. You need to manage this on a file by file basis, you can't choose a point in time and rollback an entire folder in one go.

Storage king Google grants you 15GB worth of free storage, which will meet the needs of many basic users and is a lot more generous than OneDrive or Dropbox. You can upgrade to 100GB or 1TB for $2.49 or $12.49 per month respectively, with a discount if you pay by the year. If you want more storage space from Google you can opt to upload your photos into Google Photo in "High Quality" rather than "Original", so they don't count towards your storage limit. The trade-off is that it downscales large images to 16 megapixels. Digital SLR owners won't be happy with this, but it isn't a problem if you're only shooting happy snaps on a smartphone or compact digital camera. There's also the option to automatically backup images from USB or SD cards inserted into your computer, which makes life easier for people who don't want the hassle of manually dragging photos into their desktop My Pictures folder. Stay in sync

Google still offers the same Sync features as before, ensuring that anything in your sync folder on your computer is automatically uploaded to the cloud and downloaded to your other computers. Thankfully you can control which cloud folders are synced to which computers. You can also access these synced files via Google Drive but keep in mind that, unlike Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive won't let you edit Office files in the cloud (it copies them as a Google Doc which you can edit). Nor will Google automatically download files you've created online and store them as Office files on your computer. So what's the verdict? Google Backup and Sync won't cut it for everyone, power users will probably still find it too basic compared to the granular control you get from dedicated backup services. Business users, even small/home office users, might also prefer more advanced restore options with the ability to easily rollback entire folders. That said, if you're responsible for looking after the computing needs of less tech-savvy friends and relatives then Google Backup and Sync provides them with a handy insurance policy should disaster strike.
Julia Banks was one of the unexpected heroes of the Coalition's 2016 election win and on Friday voters in her electorate were standing by her amid questions about whether she held dual Greek Australian citizenship.

The successful campaign for the federal electorate Chisholm was lauded as a significant Liberal victory after Ms Banks took the seat that Labor had held for almost 20 years.

Chisholm is home to some highly multicultural suburbs, including the lively Greek centre of Oakleigh, while in recent years people from Chinese backgrounds have also moved into the area.

The electorate sits in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, and takes in suburbs including Box Hill, Clayton, Mount Waverley and Chadstone.
A Victorian Labor MP who has been denied entry to the US while travelling on official parliamentary business, made an official visit to Syria 10 years ago.

Khalil Eideh, who was born in Lebanon, but is an Australian citizen, was barred from boarding a flight to Denver while trying to leave from Vancouver.

It is not known why he was refused entry to the US.

Australian officials are making urgent enquiries and consular staff will provide support if required, a spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop said.
Your pharmacist will soon be keeping real-time tabs on your consumption of Panadeine and Nurofen Plus, in a push to cut the number of deaths caused by over-the-counter medication.

The Victorian-wide scheme will allow hospitals, GPs and pharmacists to monitor patient's reliance on prescription drugs.

Melissa's loved one died as a result of a prescription drug addiction. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui

Drug deaths have surged over the past five years, led by addictive medications such as Valium, which has been linked to more fatalities than illegal narcotics.

Last year, 372 people died of prescription drug addictions in Victoria, a higher figure than the road toll. The national toll is 600.
A Kensington man has pleaded guilty to raping a tourist outside a Melbourne hospital after she was unable to rouse help from fellow tram passengers.

The woman was 22 and visiting from interstate when, in the early hours of March 16, she crossed paths in the CBD with Jamie Evan Macarthur

A tram in Melbourne Credit:Wikimedia

Macarthur, 49, began talking to her and followed her onto a tram and then off, before sexually assaulting her outside St Vincent's Hospital in Fitzroy.

On Friday, Macarthur, pleaded guilty to rape and two counts of attempted rape. He was remanded in custody to appear before the County Court in December.
WA's consumer watchdog is looking into allegations that a Sydney events company advertised speakers for a conference in Perth without those people agreeing to appear or even knowing of the event.

The development comes as Perth's government funded promotional body for conferences said it had no knowledge of the event, and more people listed as speakers for the company's events come forward to tell of similar experiences.

Douglas Karr was featured in promotional material for the event, despite never having agreed to appear, while Meg Coffey pulled out after raising concerns.

Promoting a line up of social media gurus from big name companies like Twitter, Foxtel and Microsoft, the 8th annual Web 3.0 conference was to be held at Perth's Novotel Hotel on the 8th and 9th of August, organised by IBR Conferences.

However, investigations by WAtoday last week revealed a number of speakers who had been listed in marketing material promoting the event either had no idea they were appearing, or had participated in previous IBR conferences and had no intention of coming to the Perth edition.
Girls and children under the age of 14 will be moved out of Western Australia's only juvenile detention centre, which will be "changed profoundly" following a damning report into the facility.

Inspector of Custodial Services Neil Morgan this month revealed unprecedented levels of self-harm and other problems at Banksia Hill Detention Centre, and recommended the state government consider repurposing the facility and opening smaller ones.

Banksia Hill is WA's only youth detention centre. Credit:ABC News Perth

Corrective Services Minister Fran Logan on Friday criticised the previous government's decision to close Rangeview Juvenile Remand Centre in 2012 but said there was no "magic wand" to solve detention problems.

"Banksia Hill will be changed profoundly," he told ABC radio.
The mother of Bunker Bay shark victim Kyle Burden has told a senate inquiry in Perth the former Barnett government failed to implement better strategies following her son's death.

Mr Burden, 21, died at a surf break known as 'The Boneyards' near Dunsborough in 2011 after he was badly mauled by a shark.

Sharon Burden at her son's memorial with Sea Shepherd activist Jeff Hansen. Credit:Photo Jeff Hansen

His mother, Dr Sharon Burden, made an emotional testimony to the Senate environment committee's inquiry into shark mitigation strategies at the Duxton Hotel on Friday, claiming there are still no warning signs at the beach where her son was killed six years ago.

"As a simple example, if you go into any workplace you will see warning signs where there are risks..' watch your head', 'watch your step', danger signs about the place," she said.
But this much we know  Trump's sometimes adviser Newt Gingrich spoke truth about power when he said of the President this week, "He's really mad".

Administration spinners are divided. Trump wants to be rid of Sessions, say some; that he merely wants to humiliate the Attorney-General, say others. By another explanation, having expressed his displeasure, the President expects Sessions to walk  but will not give him that final push.

He is the loyal and influential supporter that then-candidate Trump needed last year, but seemingly thinks he now can get by without; he's the Attorney-General the President had to have this year, but now doesn't want.

US President Donald Trump talks with Attorney-General Jeff Sessions early in May. Credit:AP

The "how" and "why" questions posed in Gingrich's assessment go to the core of the man Americans elected as their leader  Trump's well-documented obsession with loyalty is more about himself, less about the American people or the Constitution by which they govern themselves.

Furious that Sessions recused himself from any involvement in the Justice Department's handing of investigations into what he calls "this Russia thing", Trump seemingly believes he has been denied options  like curbing the inquiries, shutting them down or telling Special Counsel Robert Mueller, "You're fired!"

Trump has taken to attacking Sessions publicly  tweeting demeaningly about him; and in what was seen as an incredible presidential attack on one of his own team, Trump last week told The New York Times: "Sessions should have never recused himself, and if he was going to recuse himself, he should have told me before he took the job, and I would have picked somebody else."

"So Jeff Sessions takes the job, gets into the job, and recuses himself  which, frankly, I think is very unfair to the president. How do you take a job and then recuse yourself? If he would have recused himself before the job, I would have said, 'Thanks, Jeff, but I can't, you know, I'm not going to take you'. It's extremely unfair, and that's a mild word, to the president. So he recuses himself. I then end up with a second man [handling the Russia investigations], who is [Sessions'] deputy."
Moscow: Russia ordered the US to cut its embassy and other personnel in the country and vacate two properties in Moscow, retaliating angrily to a new sanctions bill in the US Congress.

"The passage of the new law on sanctions shows with all obviousness that relations with Russia have become hostage to the domestic political battle within the US," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

"The latest events show that in well-known circles in the United States, Russophobia and a course toward open confrontation with our country have taken hold."

Late Thursday, the Senate voted 98-2 for a bill passed earlier by the House that strengthens existing sanctions on Russia and gives Congress the power to block President Donald Trump from lifting them.
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Its not the container store.

The Red Hook Container Terminal will continue operating as a shipping facility for at least five more years, despite talk of a potential sale, according to a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey rep who said the transit agency will begin to solicit bids from companies to manage the waterfront site in August.

Were starting to monetize the terminal, but we dont think thats going to happen in the next five years, so we dont see issuing the request for proposals as going against our ultimate goal of selling it, said spokesman Steve Coleman.

Rumors that the bi-state authority might sell the facility swirled after its head honcho voiced support for the idea in June, telling attendees of a real estate conference that the agency should offload the massive parcel  which runs along the East River from the foot of Carroll Street to Brooklyn Bridge Parks Pier 6  to make money for transit needs.

Red Hook Container Terminal, LLC currently leases the site, which is roughly the size of Brooklyn Bridge Park, and has for the past five years. Coleman wouldnt say whether the authority will continue the companys lease, pointing out that the application process is open to anyone.

The current operator gets a $3.75 million subsidy from the Port Authority to help pay for barges to transport cargo to ports outside the city, such as New Jerseys, where it can be loaded into trucks. Shippers would have to foot the bill for those vessels if the agency pulls its help  an added cost that likely would force budget-conscious cargo companies to use other facilities.

Coleman declined to comment on whether the authority will extend the subsidy to a new operator, only saying that more details will be revealed in the upcoming request for proposals.

Ill defer to the RFP when it comes out and what it will call for, he said.

This is not the first time agency honchos have talked of selling the terminal. The idea was floated in 2008 and again in 2011, but locals and pols rallied against it each time, and have since demanded the terminal stay open because it provides jobs, maintains a working waterfront, and limits air pollution by bringing in cargo on ships, not trucks.

In fact, imported beer such as Heineken would arrive in the city on big rigs were it not for the terminal, where it is shipped from the Netherlands and stored in huge warehouses at Pier 7.

And while Port Authority officials continue to discuss offloading it, the agency is not the only party with a say in the matter. A sale would require approval from the state and city, and all of the pols in the area oppose getting rid of it.

Reps for Congressman Jerry Nadler (DBay Ridge) cried wolf on the authoritys suggestion of selling the site, saying it has threatened to hawk it off for years with no result. They cheered the news that the container terminal will stay open for another half-decade, stressing the importance of its continued operation.

A commitment by the Port Authority for continued container and barge operations at the Red Hook Container Terminal is great news for Brooklyn, and the region, in terms of environmental protection, job creation, resiliency, homeland security, and removing trucks from congested city streets, a spokesman said.

In other Brooklyn waterfront news, the city is working to secure a new operator for the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal in Sunset Park, which has been closed for more than a decade. It requested bids for a steward in 2015, and plans to name a winner by the end of the year, according to an Economic Development Corporation spokesman.

The news of Red Hook Container Terminals continued operation was first reported by Crains.
Over 1,200 mail-in votes added to Montco totals; Bucks still in limbo

Two of Montgomery County's three commissioners said they did not support disenfranchising more than 1,200 voters because of a handful of rule breakers
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...
With more women's sports on TV, more fans are tuning in
Wearing two hats at once can be an uncomfortable fit, but it does not seem to bother the author Arundhati Roy , who for most of her life has railed against state excesses and corporate exploitation while also wielding the pen

Maybe she does not think of these two jobs as different, but rather as extensions of each other.
The year was 1993. Jammu and Kashmirs Baramulla district was the hub of militant activity. Rarely did a day go by without a confrontation between the militants and the army. Gunfire, explosions and death had become a common occurrence  a way of life. Few would have forgotten the Sopore massacre of January 6, 1993 in which 55 Kashmiri civilians were killed.
In late May 1940, Vic Viner was one of the 338,000 Allied troops on the beaches around the French port of hoping for rescue as the German Army neared and the Luftwaffe circled above.
Samuel Beckett once declined an interview because, he said, he had no views to inter. On the other hand, Svetlana Alexievichs The Unwomanly Face of War: An Oral History of Women in World War II is made up of conversations with women who have waited their entire lives to speak.
Home furnishings major plans capacity addition and wants to move focus from exports to the burgeoning home textiles market even as textile manufacturers continue protests over goods and services tax (GST).
The Ltd has reported a net profit of Rs 26.44 crore during the quarter ended June 30, 2017, as against Rs 43.98 crore, a year ago. Company's total income rose to Rs 1,466.75 crore during the first quarter from Rs 1,205.72 crore, a year ago.
Scoot, the low-cost long-haul carrier owned by Singapore Airlines, said on Friday it cannot increase the number of seats and destinations in India, since Indian carriers were yet to fulfil their quota of services as agreed upon in the bilateral agreement between the two countries.



The Singapore Airlines group, which includes Silk Air and Scoot, has exhausted its permissible quota, barring some not-so-viable tier-2 destinations in the country. Air India and the private Indian airlines, on the other hand, have utilised only 50 per cent of their entitlement, according to Bharath Mahadevan, country head, India at Scoot.
Indian Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Kumar Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi met in Beijing on Thursday on the sidelines of a BRICS meeting, amid an ongoing military stand-off between the two nations in the Sikkim area.
Security Advisor Ajit Doval along with other top security officials of the BRICS nations on Friday called on Chinese President Xi Jinping here.

The meeting comes amid a standoff between China and India in Doklam area in the Sikkim sector.

After day-long deliberations over improving cooperation in a number of areas, the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) NSAs met Xi and interacted with him.

China on Thursday acknowledged that Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi met on the sidelines of the BRICS NSAs meet during which they discussed "major problems" in bilateral ties. However, China made no mention of the Doklam standoff.

Since the standoff began on June 16, China has been maintaining that there will not be a meaningful dialogue without the unconditional withdrawal of Indian troops.

In today's meetings, there were no hand shakes in front of the media between Chinese officials and the BRICS NSAs.

(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.)
Furthering his purported agenda of clipping the wings of the high and mighty who flaunt their clout and power, Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Minister has ordered an extensive state-wide campaign against vehicles fitted with hooters and pressure horns.
Bihar Chief Minister has reached the state Assembly ahead of the 11 am floor test, news agency ANI has reported.

The Bihar Assembly will have a day- long special session from 11 am on Friday to facilitate the new JD(U)-NDA government of to seek a trust vote, Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said on Thursday.

"The assembly secretariat has informed the house members to participate in the one-day special session which will begin at 11 am tomorrow. The members have been informed by telephone, SMS and letters," Chaudhary told reporters.

"There is only one agenda for tomorrow's special sitting - that is the trust vote of the new government," he said.

Chaudhary said he wanted to announce the names of leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition provided his office receives the names in this regard.

A communique from the Bihar assembly secretariat said Speaker Chaudhary would address the assembly at the beginning of the special session and Kumar would then move the confidence motion.

Earlier during the day, a brief Cabinet meeting cancelled the notification calling for five-day monsoon session for bicameral Bihar legislature from July 28 to August 3.

Kumar was sworn in as the chief minister along with BJP's Sushil Kumar Modi as his deputy this morning by Governor K N Tripathi, who gave two days to the new government to prove its majority on the floor of the House.

Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj told PTI that elaborate security arrangements have been made in and around the assembly building for tomorrow's special one-day session.
The Rajya Sabha on Friday witnessed repeated adjournments as angry Congress members accused the BJP of "stealing" party lawmakers, after the defection of five Congress MLAs to the BJP in Gujarat.

The Congress accused the BJP government in Gujarat and at the Centre of pressurising Congress legislators to quit the party and join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The House was adjourned till 2.30 pm - the fourth time in one and a half hours -- by Chairman Hamid Ansari amidst pandemonium by Congress MPs.

As soon as the House met at 12 pm after two adjournments, the Congress members stood up and started shouting slogans. The Chair adjourned the House for 15 minutes.

However, the Congress MPs again resumed sloganeering when the House met. Ansari reiterated that the members should raise the issue with the "designated agency".

As the Congress members did not relent, Ansari then adjourned the House till 2.30 pm.

Earlier, as soon as the Upper House met for the day, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma raised the issue of the MLAs' defection and alleged that Congress MLA Poonaji Gavit was "abducted" by the police.

"Many MLAs are being abducted. Constitutional violation is taking place. They are in the habit of stealing MLAs - which they showed in Goa and Manipur. Now they are showing it in Rajya Sabha elections," Sharma said.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien asked the protesting members as to what he could do in this matter and advised the aggrieved members to raise the issue with the Election Commission.

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad alleged that Gujarat police officers were promising Congress MLAs tickets for the election.

"Will the police officers now decide who the Congress will give tickets to?" Azad said.

Subsequently, the opposition members trooped near the Chair's podium and started shouting slogans saying "Stop killing Constitution, stop killing democracy".

When Kurien remarked what he could do in the matter, Azad replied: "You can direct the Election Commission to conduct free and fair elections."

Kurien replied: "The Election Commission does not need directions from the Chair. It is constitutionally bound to hold free and fair election."

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi objected to Azad's demand saying "tomorrow they will demand the Chair to give directions to the Supreme Court".

As the protest continued even after the first adjournment of 10 minutes, the House was adjourned again till 12 pm.

On Friday two more Gujarat Congress MLAs quit the party, a day after three legislators resigned from the party and joined the BJP.

Chhanabhai Chaudhary, a legislator from the tribal Vansda constituency, and Mansinh Chauhan from Balasinor, submitted their resignations to Speaker Ramanlal Vora.

Balwantsinh Rajput, MLA from Siddhpur, Tejashree Patel from Viramgam, and Vijapur legislator P.I. Patel submitted their resignations on Thursday afternoon and joined the BJP.

Within minutes of joining the BJP, Rajput was named the party's third Rajya Sabha candidate besides president Amit Shah and Union Minister Smriti Irani.

Shah, Irani and Rajput filed nominations for the August 8 Rajya Sabha elections on Friday.

For the Congress, party chief Sonia Gandhi's political secretary Ahmed Patel on Wednesday filed papers seeking a fifth term in the Upper House.
Discovery Communications has gone to the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), against a decision by Den Networks to discontinue the services of 11 of its channels.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday warned against any tinkering with Article 35(A) of the constitution that is being debated in the Supreme Court and which empowers the state legislature to define "permanent residents" and accord special rights and privileges to them.

Strongly defending the constitutional clause, Mehbooba said that any change in its status would invite repercussions and mean that nobody would be able to protect the Indian flag in Jammu and Kashmir.

She said that mainstream parties like the Conference and her own Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) risk their workers' lives who stand up and carry the flag in Kashmir.

"Any tinkering with the article won't be acceptable. I won't hesitate in saying that nobody will even carry the corpse of the National Flag in Kashmir (if the article is scrapped). Let me make it very clear," she said at an event here on Kashmir.

The Chief Minister said that by employing such tactics, "you are not targeting separatists who have an agenda to secede but you are weakening the forces who have accepted India, participated in elections. They make efforts to integrate Jammu and Kashmir with India with respect and dignity. You are weakening them."

The Article 35(A) is being challenged in the Supreme Court by NGO 'We The Citizens' on its legal basis because the article was never presented before the Parliament and executed on the orders of President of India.

The provision was implemented in 1954 when then President Rajendra Prasad used the powers conferred on him by Article 370 to introduce the "Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order 1954".

Under the article, citizens from other parts of the country cannot acquire immovable property in Jammu and Kashmir or take up employment with the state government.

The Supreme Court has now referred the case to a three-judge bench for a larger debate over it.
Infamous for its vagaries, the southwest monsoon has created two contrasting water situations causing distress in several parts of the country. In the first two months of its four-month of journey, the monsoon has brought in surplus rains in some parts and scanty showers in some others.
Prime Minister seems to be the flavour of the upcoming celebrations in Kanpur, as innumerable kites with photographs of Prime Minister Modi will dot the city skyline on that day.

Ahead of the celebrations, the city will witness a sea of colourful paper frames and hundreds of kite-fanatics engaged in the kite-flying scene.

There are kites depicting pictures of Prime Minister Modi, with mentioning like "Mahanayak" and "Acche din".

However, there are other kites with "evergreen theme" like Bollywood movie "Dangal" cartoon characters Doremon, Tom and Jerry, Barbie etc.

Unlike earlier times, this year has seen a rise in the sale of bigger designer kites with customers ordering special kites that come all the way from Bareilly and Jaipur.

(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.)
Indu Sarkar begins abruptly and mundanely with a montage of newspaper headlines, which announce the imposition of Emergency in India, and takes viewers into the thick of its atrocities. More than the how or why, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar focuses mainly on the what of the period that lasted for 19 months, from 1975 to 1977.
When Amy Jones dad, Paul, was diagnosed with glioblastoma last month, she wondered whether it might be tied to his time in Vietnam.
Nawaz Sharif became the Prime Minister of Pakistan for a record three times, but every time he was forced to quit in the middle of his term  first by the Presidency, then military and now judiciary. Sharif (67) had served as the PM for the first time from 1990-1993. In July, he resigned under pressure from the army but made a settlement that resulted in the removal of Conservative President Ghulam Ishaq Khan. Sharifs second term from 1997 ended in 1999 when then Army chief Pervez Musharraf staged a coup. Sharif ended up in jail, convicted of hijacking charges for trying to stop a plane carrying Musharraf from landing. He then went into exile in Saudi Arabia and did not return to Pakistan until 2007, when he teamed up with Pakistan Peoples Party to force Musharraf from office. Sharif assumed power for the third term in 2013.
When Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi expressed his angst at Janata Dal (United) president and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar simply walking out of the mahagathbandhan or grand coalition, which he had so assiduously stitched together in the state ahead of the assembly elections in 2015, his pain was understandable  for the grand old party has of late being making overtures to all 'secular' parties to put up a united front against the BJP. But while expressing his views on Nitish, Rahul would do well to restrain himself for, as history shows us, in politics there are no friends or enemies, only opportunists.
The Unique Identification Authority of (UIDAI) has registered a case with the Bengaluru Police against Abhinav Srivastava and Qarth Technologies Pvt Ltd for misusing data obtained from its website without any authentication.
Pakistans Supreme Court (SC) on Friday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for dishonesty and ruled that corruption cases be filed against him and his children over the Panama Papers scandal, forcing the embattled leader to resign.
The Madhya Pradesh tourism department advertisement invites potential visitors: Hindustan ka dil dekho (Come see the heart of India). Alankrita Shrivastavas Lipstick Under My Burkha does just that, taking us to the heart of Bhopal and of four women  two Hindu; two Muslim  and the desires that take root there. Only two of these women, Shireen (Konkona Sen Sharma) and Rihanna (Plabita Borthakur) actually don the burkha; for Buaji alias Usha (Ratna Pathak) and Leela (Aahana Kumra) the burkha is a metaphor for the social restrictions they have to conform to. Much as wearing lipstick is a metaphor for their unfulfilled desires and aspirations (A nod to Satyajit Rays 1963 classic Mahanagar?).
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China and India have jockeyed for centuries over the Himalayas. The Chinese military invaded Tibet in 1950. India granted asylum to the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, in 1959. Three years later, the two countries fought a border war. Now they are in a standoff over an area disputed by China and Bhutan, the Himalayan kingdom whose claim is supported by India.
The current Karnataka State Anthem, Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate written by KV Puttappa reads in translation as, Victory to you Mother Karnataka, the daughter of Mother India! Hail the land of beautiful rivers and forests, hail the abode of saints! 80-year-old Vasanthi Hegde, mother of one of the authors, remembers an earlier anthem from her schooldays which went "Udayavagali namma Cheluva Kannada Nadu", which loosely translates as "may our dear Kannada Land arise and dawn".

Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal. They do not reflect the view/s of Business Standard.
Power companies in the country are seeking billions of dollars of federal funding to retrofit coal-fired plants to cut emissions, saying hefty tariff increases would otherwise be needed to pay for the technology, according to internal documents.

Private companies such as Reliance Power Ltd, Adani Power Ltd and GMR and state-run NTPC Ltd, have also asked for an extension to a December deadline to meet the new pollution standards.

The government, which has been pushing a clean energy campaign hard, has given no indication it would be willing to fork out the money for the new technology, which the private companies estimate to cost as much as $38 billion, potentially setting up a confrontation with the industry.

Thermal power companies account for 80 per cent of all industrial emissions of particulate matter, sulphur and nitrous oxides in India, and their slowness in complying with new standards shows the difficulties India faces in cleaning up its air, among the most polluted in the world.

The power producers, who account for the second-biggest portion of India's $150 billion in bad loans after the steel industry, have sought access to the more than $4 billion National Clean Energy Fund to help install cleaner technology, according to letters to the government reviewed by Reuters.

The upgrades are needed to meet stringent rules set out by the environment ministry in 2015 to cut emissions that cause lung diseases, acid rain and smog.

Top producer NTPC said in a letter dated February 26, 2016, that it needed about $8 billion to upgrade equipment at its 28 coal-fired plants across the country to comply with the rules.

Installing the new technology would raise the cost of production and lead to an increase in tariffs ranging from about Rs 0.50 ($0.0078) to Rs 1.25 ($0.0195) per unit, the Association of Power Producers, which is lobbying for the private firms, said in a letter to the government.

The average power tariff in India is around Rs 5 per unit.

"This increase in the cost of power would have severe impact on the finances of the distribution utilities and collateral impact on the lenders," the association warned, referring to companies that buy power from producers and distribute it to industrial and domestic consumers.

One producer, Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL), a unit of the Vedanta Group, told Reuters it had petitioned the regulator in the northern state of Punjab to pass on the costs of the equipment installation to the power purchaser, Punjab State Power Corporation.

Adani Power said it would implement emission-cutting equipment in accordance with schedule finalised by the government. All the other companies did not respond to Reuters questions.

Increasing power tariffs would reverse gains made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to reduce costs and spur economic growth, one of the achievements it has touted in its three years in power.

A source familiar with the discussions said there was no precedent for such federal funding for power firms. "Even if funding were to be given, it is difficult to decide how we allocate such funds," the source said.

Deadline extension?

Around 78 per cent of generated power in India comes from coal-fired plants, making it one of the biggest users of the dirty but cheap fuel globally.

Coal-burning plants also contribute to deadly particulate matter in the atmosphere that cause lung diseases.

While federal funding seems unlikely, the government could be more willing to consider an extension of the deadline for compliance with the regulations, officials say.

"We have referred to the ministry of environment pointing out the difficulties. It has been explained how much it will take to comply, including the technology issues," Anil Kumar Bhalla, the top official at the power ministry, told Reuters.

Most power plants have yet to meet the new emission guidelines, the Central Electricity Authority said in May, suggesting the environment ministry extend the deadline on sulphur dioxide emissions standards by as many as six years.

NTPC, in particular, is worried that if it fails to meet the deadline, it would affect its prospects to raise international funds because they are tied to meeting environmental standards.

"Even in the existing loans which we are having, in case of non-compliance of environment norms, NTPC will be declared a defaulter which may have serious repercussions for the company," it said in a letter to the environment ministry, making the case for an extension.

The environment ministry said no formal discussions had taken place about reviewing the December deadline.

But officials acknowledged it did not expect all the power producers to be compliant with the new standards.

"If you are asking if everybody will become compliant in December 2017, it doesn't happen that way," said a top environment ministry official who did not want to be identified. ($1 = 64.1250 Indian rupees)
BRICS countries Heads of Revenue Meeting hails GST Reforms being introduced in India; Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in respect of tax matters identifying areas of cooperation signed by the BRICS Heads of Revenue at the Meeting held at Hangzhou,China . .

India's GST reform has been hailed by the BRICS countries in a meeting of Revenue Heads in China recently. .

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In the meeting of the BRICS Heads of Revenue and Tax Experts held at Hangzhou, China from the 25th to 27th of July, 2017, India's GST reforms were appreciated and hailed by the BRICS countries. The Indian delegation was led by Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, Revenue Secretary of India. .

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The leaders and representatives from BRICS countries were inquisitive about GST Reforms introduced in India and appreciated efforts of India in bringing about this major reform. During the Press Conference held after the meeting, the media also enquired about the GST reforms introduced in India. The salient features and advantages of the reform were explained to the media. .

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During this meeting, the BRICS Heads of Revenue and Tax Experts deliberated upon contemporary International Tax issues. A joint communiqu was issued at the end of the meeting. A Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in respect of tax matters identifying areas of cooperation, namely, coordination in International Forums, Capacity building, Experience sharing and regular interaction was also signed by the BRICS Heads of Revenue. .

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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently released Operational Guidelines for Planning and Implementation of Family Participatory Care (FPC) for improving newborn health. The guidelines will serve as a guiding document for those intending to introduce FPC in their facility as an integral part of facility based newborn care. The document also provides details of infrastructure, training, role of health care providers and steps in the operationalization of FPC in the newborn care unit. The operational guidelines of FPC are for all stakeholders involved in the process of planning and delivering newborn care. .

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The guidelines also addresses various aspects of attitudes, infrastructural modifications and practice that will help in establishing FPC at Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU) such as sensitization of State and District Managers on FPC, prioritization of SNCUs for initiating FPC, making required infrastructural enhancement in SNCU, creating family participatory care environment in SNCU, ensuring availability of supplies for parents-attendants, training of SNCU staff for SNCU, role of healthcare providers for FPC implementation and institutional support for FPC. .

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Under FPC, the capacities of parents-attendants are built in newborn care through a structured training programme (audio -visual module and a training guide). The staff at newborn care unit will provide continuous supervision and support. Provisions for infrastructure and logistics strengthening required for implementing FPC are ensured in the annual state Program Implementation Plan (PIP). The guidelines will be shared with the States for implementation and it is expected that these guidelines when implemented by States would further improve the quality of care being provided in the SNCUs across the country. .

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Sick and newborn are highly vulnerable and require careful nurturing in order to survive the neonatal period and first year of life. Under National Health Mission, more than 700 state of the art Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU) have been established across the country to provide 24 X 7 comprehensive care to the newborns by dedicated trained staff. .

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In the recent years, it is realized that if parents are trained, during the stay of their babies in the hospital, to provide supportive care to their sick and newborns, it will help in not only improving survival of the babies after discharge but will also provide for psycho-social and developmental needs of the newborn. In this regard, Family Participatory Care has emerged as an important concept of health care which provides for partnership between health care staff and families in care of sick newborns admitted in the SNCU. .

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Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti has said that there should not be any politics on water and State should rise above their State outlook and should work for a national outlook on water management in the country. Inaugurating the fourth Jal Manthan, a national seminar on water related issues in New Delhi today, the Minister said Water should not be on fire but should always be used to douse it". She said some State Governments are afraid of taking an open stand keeping in view the national interest just because they are afraid of political opposition. Sushri Bharti said, The onus is more on opposition than the government to amicably solve the water related issues in the country. I have decided that in future whenever I meet any States Government leaders on water related issues I will also speak to the opposition there". She said centre is always concerned about inter states disputes on water and tries to solve it amicably through persuation. She appreciated political maturity shown by the Chief Ministers of AP and Telangana to solve the water disputes between the two States and urged the other States to emulate the same. .

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Referring to the interlinking of rivers the Minister urged the officials of UP and MP present in the seminar to amicably solve the pending issues related to Ken-Betwa link so that Central Government may go ahead with the Phase I of the project at the earliest. She said Maharashtra and Gujarat are cooperating with the centre at a much faster pace to complete Par-Tapi and Daman Ganga-Pinjal link projects. Sushri Bharti said that sometimes there is misconception about the interlinking of river in some states because of lack of information. For example in Odisha a section of people were opposing Mahanadi-Godavari link because there were thinking that entire water of Mahandi will be transferred to Godavari. But when they were told that extra water of Tista and Sankosh will flow to Godavari through Mahanadi they were satisfied. The Minister stressed that centre will never deprive any states of its water resources. Sushri Bharti expressed the hope the deliberations in the seminar will be helpful for all stakeholders to formulate a good water resources management policy and suggest changes to improve the existing frame work. .

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Minister of States in the Ministry Shri Vijay Goel and Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Baliyan also addressed the inaugural session. Agriculture Minister of Harayana Shri Om Prakash Dhankar and Water Resources Minister of Andhra Pradesh Shri Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao were also present in the inaugural session. .

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Towards its commitment for wider consultations among various stakeholders and to brain-storm new ideas for solutions to various issues of water sector the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has organized the two-day national seminar titled Jal Manthan IV". Union Ministers of related Ministries/Departments, Chief Ministers of some States/Union Territories, Irrigation/Water Resources Ministers of States/Union Territories, eminent experts in water sector, representatives of NGOs and senior officers of the Central and State Governments are attending the seminar. .

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On the first day, consultations and discussions are being held on Pradhan Mantri Krishi Seenchai Yojana (PMKSY) and its implementation and the Review of progress made by States under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) and Command Area Development (CAD) etc. The speakers include Shri Brijmohan Agrawal, Minister for Water Resources, Government of Chhattisgarh, Shri Girish Dattatray Mahajan, Minister for Water Resources, Government of Maharashtra, Shri T. Harish Rao, Minister for Irrigation, Government of Telangana, Dr. Amarjit Singh, Secretary, MoWR,RD&GR, Shri A B Pandya, Former Chairman, CWC and Shri Narendra Kumar, Chairman, CWC. .

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The discussions on the second day would focus on Inter-linking of Rivers and its implementation followed by Chintan Baithak to be chaired by Sushri Bharti. Shri A. D. Mohile, Former Chairman, CWC and Shri S. Masood Husain, Member (WP&P), CWC will be the main speakers on the second day. .

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It may be recalled that the Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti has been emphasizing the need to hold wider consultations amongst various stakeholders engaged in water resource development and management to achieve synergy of water resource development with environment, wild-life and various social and cultural practices. Jal Manthan programmes are being held to achieve this purpose. .

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The three earlier Jal Manthan Programmes held in November, 2014, February, 2016 and January, 2017 were a huge success. .

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Nawaz Sharif on Friday stepped down as the prime minister of Pakistan despite having "strong reservations" on Supreme Courts verdict, which disqualified him from holding public office in a landmark decision on the Panama Papers case, the Dawn reported.

This decision brings Sharifs third-term in power to an abrupt end, around one year before the scheduled general elections, which would have seen him become the first Pakistani prime minister to complete the five-year term.

Following is the chronology of the Panamagate scandal:



April 4, 2016: The Consortium of Investigative Journalism publishes the Panama Papers, exposing tax evasion by the world's elite through off-shore accounts and shell companies. The documents include names of Sharif's family.

April 5, 2016: Sharif sets up a judicial committee to investigate the allegations, denies charges.

April 26, 2016: Opposition parties reject the judicial commission set up by the government.

November 1, 2016: The Supreme Court decides to pursue a case related to Nawaz Sharif.

November 7, 2016: PML-N submits Qatari prince's letter to the Supreme Court containing information about the London flats that were at the centre of the Panama Papers scandal.

January 6, 2017: Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz submits details of assets after the Supreme Court resumes hearing.

April 20, 2017: SC orders formation of a JIT with a split 3-2 verdict to probe the corruption charges against Sharif.

May 5, 2017: SC formally constitutes the JIT.

May 22, 2017: The JIT presents its first bi-weekly report to the SC in two volumes.

May 24, 2017: The JIT sends questionnaires to Sharif and his two sons - Hussain and Hassan.

May 28, 2017: Sharif's elder son, Hussain, appears before the JIT, claims it did not provide him any questionnaire.

May 30, 2017: Hussain appears before JIT for the second time.

June 13, 2017: The JIT submits report to the SC on obstructions to its work, blames government institutions for "creating impediments in the collection of evidence".

June 15, 2017: Sharif appears before the JIT for questioning, becoming the first sitting Pakistan prime minister to appear before any investigating agency.

June 17, 2017: Sharif's younger brother and Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif questioned by JIT.

July 5, 2017: Sharif's daughter Maryam appears before JIT.

July 7, 2017: Former Qatari premier Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani sends a letter to the JIT, asking it to record his statement at his palace before submitting its final report to the SC.

July 8, 2017: PML-N says will reject any JIT report without Qatari ex-premier's statement.

July 10, 2017: The JIT submits the final report to the SC.

July 21, 2017: The three-judge bench Supreme Court bench hearing the case reserves decision.

July 28, 2017: The five-member SC bench unanimously rules against Sharif, disqualifying him from the office.

Currently, it is unclear who will be appointed to take over his post until the 2018 general elections.
With Nawaz Sharif stepping down, who will succeed him as Pakistan's Prime Minister?

As Sharif resigned after a stinging Supreme Court verdict, speculation was rife in political circles of the likely men who could become the Prime Minister until the next general election.

The apex court on Friday told President Mamnoon Hussain to take charge of the country's affairs. Being the head of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, Sharif still holds the power to nominate his successor.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif is one of the most trusted men of Sharif and according to speculations, he is considered most likely to succeed him. The former banker has held a series of key positions within the PML-N since 1991.

Asif, a strong critic of the powerful military, has been elected to the National Assembly from his home district of Sialkot since 1993. His hardline stance against the army had created problems for Nawaz Sharif.

According to reports, the PML-N has planned to bring in an interim Prime Minister for a few weeks before electing Sharif's younger brother Shahbaz Sharif -- the Punjab Chief Minister -- to the post.

The younger Sharif would have to step down from his current role and be elected to the National Assembly before being eligible for the top post. Shahbaz is considered more intelligent but less charismatic than his older brother.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of the National Assembly, is another strong candidate for the top post. He is said to be close to the Sharif family. Sadiq gained Sharif's trust after he defeated Sharif's main rival Imran Khan in a hotly-contested race for a Lahore seat in the 2013 general election.

Next in line is Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal. He hails from a political family that has long been associated with Sharif's party.

Having previously served as Minister for Education and Minorities, he has also worked as Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission from 1998 to 1999 during Sharif's second term.
Chinese startup Ofo is in talks to raise $1 billion in a new funding round led by Japan's SoftBank Group, people familiar with the matter said, in what would be the largest fund-raising in the nation's bike-sharing business.

Didi Chuxing, China's biggest ride-hailing firm which counts SoftBank as an investor, could join Ofo's new fundraising round?the sources told Reuters. Ofo could reach a valuation of close to $3 billion after the funding, one of the sources said.

Ofo and Mobike, China's two largest bike-sharing startups, each has raised over $1 billion since late last year in a cash war to expand market share at home and overseas.

Ofo is seeking fresh capital less than a month after raising more than $700 million from investors led by Alibaba Group and two others, following rival Mobike, which in June announced a $600 million investment led by Tencent Holdings.

The latest Ofo investment plan has not been finalised, the sources said, who declined to be identified as the discussions are private.

SoftBank and Didi declined to comment. Ofo didn't immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

Ofo did not disclose its valuation in the last funding round. Dai Wei, Ofo's founder and CEO, had said in April the firm was valued at upwards of $2 billion.

Mobike's valuation reached around $2.7 billion-$3.0 billion after the June funding round, according to three sources close to the startup. Mobike declined to comment.

Didi, already an investor in Ofo, has been increasing its influence at the company. Three of its senior executives joined Ofo this week, according to local media.

Ofo told local media on Wednesday it had named Fu Qiang, a former senior vice-president of Didi, executive president of the company but did not confirm the hiring of the other two.

For SoftBank, which recently launched a near $100 billion technology fund, an investment in Ofo would be another bet on China's sharing-based economy that has already attracted billions in venture capital. The Japanese conglomerate in May agreed to invest $5 billion in Didi, putting an over $50 billion valuation on the Chinese company.

SoftBank's potential investment in Ofo also comes after New York-based co-working space startup WeWork said on Thursday that it raised $500 million from SoftBank and several Chinese investors to set up a Chinese unit.

SoftBank and Didi are also investing in Southeast Asian ride-hailing firm Grab in its latest funding round, Reuters reported earlier this week.
The 16-year-old lies on her side on a mattress on the floor, unable to hold up her head. Her uncle props her up to drink water, but she can barely swallow. Her voice is so weak, he places his ear directly over her mouth to hear her.
has apparently removed the 'Instant' feature from its desktop-based search engine. The instant feature has been part of search engine since 2010, and now, with the search facility becoming predominantly popular on a wide range of devices with different screen sizes and input methods, the feature has been removed to bring uniform search experience across devices.
Japan's beleaguered defence minister resigned on Friday over an alleged cover-up of military documents from UN peacekeeping operations, the latest blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's scandal-ridden government.

Tomomi Inada denied, however, that she herself took part in the alleged cover-up. Abe said he accepted her resignation and assigned Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida to take on the defence portfolio for now.

The Defence Ministry was conducting an internal investigation following accusation that it concealed parts of a daily log of activities by Japanese UN peacekeepers in South Sudan that referred to dangers faced by the troops in Africa's conflict zone.

Inada announced her resignation as she announced the investigation results, which she said showed "serious" mishandlings of official documents in violation of the information disclosure law and suggesting to the public a lack of governance. The probe showed no evidence that she gave prior consent to the officials' plan to conceal the document, she said.

"As defence minister, whose job is to oversee the organisation, I feel serious responsibility over this," she said. "I'm stepping down as defence minister."

The popularity of Abe's administration has plunged over a series of recent scandals, including accusations of misuse of power and cronyism.

Abe is expected to reshuffle his Cabinet next week in a bid to regain public support, but has been criticised for defending Inada for too long. Opposition lawmakers plan to grill Abe over his appointment of Inada, who had little expertise in national security.

In the alleged cover-up, defence officials had reportedly tried to conceal logs containing references to worsening safety in the area where Japanese peacekeeping troops were repairing roads.

Defence officials initially denied a public information disclosure request, saying the documents had been destroyed, but a subsequent probe in March found that the data actually existed.

A whistleblower recently said that Inada had approved a plan to reject the request despite knowing the documents existed. Inada has denied she gave consent.

Inada, a lawyer, has come under fire for an election campaign speech in which she sought support for a ruling party candidate on behalf of her ministry and military troops, a possible violation of a law requiring political neutrality for government employees.

She has also been criticised for links to an ultra- nationalist school operator now under criminal investigation for an allegedly fraudulent state land transaction.
Israel has decided to remove metal detectors from entrances to the compound that houses al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.

Security camera infrastructure including railings and an overhead bridge were dismantled in the early hours of Thursday

According to Independent, the move was announced late on Monday night by the office of the Israeli Prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and is designed to end a crisis over the holy site. Days of violent confrontations have claimed seven lives.

After the site's Muslim religious authority the Wafq completed their inspection of the site, they announced that the worshippers could end their boycott of the site, urging the faithful to return to the compound to pray.

"The Israel occupation forces have been trying for long to violate the al-Aqsa mosque compound. We appreciate the masses who have been gathering," a senior Waqf official told Independent.

After the decision, thousands of Palestinians took to Jerusalem's Old City overnight to celebrate the fact that Israel had capitulated to their demands.

Earlier, the installation of new security cameras was met with uproar by Palestinians and Muslims across the world. Worshippers had conducted morning prayers outside the mosque, with clashes in the streets killing at least four Palestinians.
North Korea on Friday launched an intercontinental ballistic missile for the second time in a month, the Pentagon said, a day after US Congress voted to impose new tougher sanctions against Russia, Iran and Pyongyang.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigned after he got an unfavourable verdict from the countrys Supreme Court in the Panama Papers leaks. The Pakistan Supreme Court disqualified Sharif from holding public office, contesting elections and ruled that graft cases be filed against him and his children over the Panama Papers scandal.


Russia's foreign ministry today announced counter measures in response to tough new sanctions proposed by the United States, ordering Washington to reduce its diplomatic staff.

Moscow ordered the US to reduce its diplomatic presence in Russia to 455 diplomats and staff and also barred it from using a Moscow summer house and storage facility.

The ministry said that this was in response to the passing of a new bill on sanctions by the Senate late yesterday. US President Donald Trump will now have to decide whether to accept or veto the measures.

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday slammed what he called "anti-Russian hysteria" in Washington and said that Russia could not "endlessly tolerate this kind of insolence."



Moscow complained that the "new sanctions bill showed with all clarity that relations with Russia have fallen hostage to the domestic political struggle in the US."



It warned that it "reserves the right to carry out other measures that could affect the interests of the US" while acting in a reciprocal fashion.

The move comes after Russia has repeatedly expressed anger at Washington barring its diplomats access to two compounds in the US in December last year, under Barack Obama, in response to suspected Russian meddling in the US election.

Obama at the same time expelled 35 Russian diplomats for spying.

President Vladimir Putin initially held off from retaliating, saying he would wait to see how Trump reacted after he came into the White House.

Trump and Putin discussed this diplomatic spat at their first meeting at the G20 in Hamburg this month.

Russia's deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov had said after subsequent talks in Washington that the matter was "almost" resolved.

The Russian foreign ministry on Friday slammed what it called "extreme aggressiveness of the US in affairs" and said Washington was using the "absolutely far- fetched pretext of Russia's interference in its internal affairs" to carry out "flagrantly anti-Russian actions."



The ministry said "We propose to the US side to bring the number of diplomatic and technical staff" working in Russia "in exact accordance" with the number of Russian diplomats and support staff in the United States by September 1.

It said that this would reduce the number of US diplomats and staff to 455.

The ministry also said it would bar access to a summer house and storage facilities in Moscow used by the US embassy from August 1.
The House has passed a $788 billion spending bill that combines a $1.6 billion down payment for President Donald Trump's controversial border wall with Mexico with a whopping budget increase for the .

The 235-192 vote both eases a large backlog of unfinished spending bills and gives Trump and his House GOP allies political wins heading into the August recess. Challenging hurdles remain in front of the measure, however, which will meet with more powerful Democratic opposition in the Senate.

The 326-page measure would make good on longtime GOP promises to reverse an erosion in military readiness. It would give veterans programs a 5 per cent increase and fund a 2.4 percent military pay raise.

GOP leaders used the popularity of the and veterans programs to power through Trump's border wall. "Every single dime the President requested to start building a wall on our southern border he's going to get," said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif, yesterday. "Most importantly, we're sending more to the VA to fix veterans' health care and reform outdated VA systems."



Still, a potential government shutdown battle over the US-Mexico wall looms with Senate Democrats this fall. The generous defence spending increases also run afoul of strict spending limits set by an earlier budget law, and there's been no progress on a bipartisan budget deal that would be a prerequisite for the higher spending to take full effect.

The House added Trump's wall funding by a 230-196 procedural vote that denied angry Democrats an up-or-down vote. The wall gets low marks in public opinion polls and is opposed by many of the GOP's more moderate lawmakers.

Trump promised at nearly every rally and campaign event that Mexico would pay for the wall. Mexico said no, and U.S. taxpayers will have to provide the money.

"The president has promised this funding, the American people want this funding, and today the House is making good on that promise," said Rep. Steven Palazzo, R-Miss.

Critics say that existing fencing is more than enough and that the portions of the border without it are too remote for crossings and that tribal law, environmental requirements, and personal property rights have blocked fencing for most of the rest.

"Nobody would know it from the President's hysterical rhetoric, but there are already 700 miles of fence down there on the border - vehicular fencing, pedestrian fencing," said Rep. David Price, D-N.C. "I know about it because most of that fencing was built when I was chairman of the homeland security appropriations subcommittee."



At issue are the spending bills passed by Congress each year to fund the day-to-day operations of federal agencies. Trump is pushing for a sweeping increase for the and commensurate cuts of more than $50 billion, or 10 per cent, from domestic agencies and foreign aid.

House Republicans are responding by adding even more for defence but have significantly scaled back Trump's cuts to domestic programs like community development grants and medical research.

GOP leaders had hoped to advance a broader "omnibus" package that would have included each of the 12 measures. But the GOP rank and file balked, so Republicans devised a smaller bill anchored by the Pentagon budget, funding for veterans programs, and money for the wall.

But most of the sweeping Pentagon increases which total about $60 billion above current levels and almost $30 billion higher than Trump's budget would evaporate next year unless there's a bipartisan agreement to raise budget "caps" set by a 2011 budget pact.

A two-year agreement that eased those "sequestration" spending limits expires in September.

Both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate want additional funding for domestic programs. Democrats have lots of leverage because their votes are needed to pass the funding measures. For now, the Senate is working in a bipartisan fashion on a sharply different set of bills that, on average, are frozen at current levels.

Earlier this year, Congress and Trump came together of spending bills for the current budget year that largely stuck to work done last year under former President Barack Obama. Trump reluctantly signed a $1.2 trillion catchall spending bill in May after his demand for border wall money looked like it would stall the measure.

The current bill, however, reflects the changed balance of power in GOP-controlled Washington. Weapons procurement is a top priority, including two additional littoral combat ships above Trump's request and 14 unrequested next-generation F-35 fighters.

Democrats said the big gains for now are illusory since automatic budget cuts known as sequestration remain in place. "We do not give certainty to our defence or confidence to our troops when we legislate with phony numbers, when we refuse to make honest choices about our Defence budget," said Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

"Instead of giving certainty to our heroes in uniform, this bill would breach the sequester spending limit by more than $70 billion, forcing a mandatory 13 percent cut to all defence accounts.
The Trump administration abruptly waded into the culture wars over gay rights this week, signaling in three separate actions that it will use the powers of the federal government to roll back civil rights for gay and transgender people.
surged 10% to Rs 149 on BSE after the company said it has achieved provisional acceptance of 300 MW power plant of the step-down subsidiary of the company, Maamba.
Hollywood actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are returning to Television again.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Pearl Street Films production company partners have landed a pilot order at Showtime for gun violence drama 'City on a Hill'.

The show is based on an original idea from Affleck.

'City on a Hill' is a fictional account of the "Boston Miracle," a police operation that helped calm the streets. In the early 1990s, Boston was rife with violent criminals emboldened by local law enforcement agencies in which corruption and racism was the norm and then it all suddenly changes.

At the center is an African-American district attorney who comes in from Brooklyn advocating change. He forms an unlikely alliance with a corrupt yet venerated FBI veteran who is invested in maintaining the status quo.

So together they take on a family of armored car robbers from Charlestown in a case that grows to encompass and eventually upend Boston's citywide criminal justice system.

Chuck MacLean (Boston Strangler) will pen the script for Showtime and Pearl Street Films. The pilot will be helmed by Gavin O'Connor, who directed 'The Accountant'.

Pearl Street's Jennifer Todd, said in a statement, "City on a Hill is a gritty thriller about severe corruption and gangs, the type of series that takes you back and centers around the crime-riddled streets of Boston in the early '90s. We are excited to be a part of this project with Showtime and to partner with Gavin again."

Meanwhile, O'Connor shared that he is excited to work on this pilot that has a complex story of family, blood, betrayal, honour.

He added, "His take on the ties that bind is handled with a deep honesty and insight. I see the show as a brawling thriller and an intimate family drama - played out on the rough streets of Boston."

For Pearl Street, City on a Hill marks the company's second scripted TV foray following Syfy's short-lived drama Incorporated, which was canceled after one season.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Jet Airways flight suffered bird hit, few minutes before the landing at the runway at the Jodhpur Airport, on Friday.

The Jet Airways 9W 412 flight travelling from Mumbai to Jodhpur was impinged by a bird during the landing at the airport, due to which the aircraft captain aborted the landing.

A statement was immediately issued by the Jet Airways Airlines about the issue saying that as a precautionary measure, the captain decided to abort the landing and carry out a "go around."

"The aircraft landed safely and all guests were deplaned and transported to the terminal building," they said.

They further said that the aircraft is being inspected by the Jet Airways engineering team.

The Boeing 737-800 flight had 167 travellers and crew on board at the time.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
will be interrogated in connection with murder of Manjula Shetye, a Byculla jail prisoner, said Maharashtra minister Ranjit Patil.

Patil announced the development in the monsoon session of the Legislature.

Action will also be taken against the doctor of the JJ Hospital's Casualty Department, who gave false reports on Shetye's death.

Earlier, six Byculla women's prison officials, accused of murder of inmate, Shetye have filed their bail pleas at a sessions court in Mumbai.

In the bail pleas, they blamed Sheena Bora murder accused Mukerjea of hatching a conspiracy against them for framing them in the murder case.

Their bail plea mentioned, "Indrani Mukerjea, a murder case under trial prisoner along with others have masterminded the false case to gain advantage and personal grudge against public servants."

The plea also says that Shetye's death was a result of her illness.

Earlier on June 30, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Bombay High Court seeking Criminal Investigation Department (CID) inquiry in the murder case of Shetye.

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 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.

Shetye died at the J J Hospital on June 23 after being allegedly beaten up by the Byculla jail officials and staff.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met Chinese President Xi Jingping, along with other Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) representatives in Beijing on Friday.

Earlier on Thursday, Doval met his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi in the first high-level meeting between the two sides since the military stand-off in the Doklam tri-junction region that broke out last month.

The meeting came on the sidelines of the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) NSAs meeting.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry, in a brief read-out on the meeting, said Yang "elaborated China's position on bilateral issues and major problems", which is being seen as an apparent reference to the standoff in the Doklam area.

China's Xinhua news agency reported that the talks between Doval and Yang included bilateral relations, international and regional issues and multilateral affairs.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has asserted its precondition of "meaningful dialogue," which is that Indian troops should withdraw from Doklam.

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Chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Swati Malliwal has written a letter to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, urging her help to bring back 45 Indian women allegedly trapped in Oman.

The letter said that a few women sent a complaint to Navshrishti, an NGO associated with the DCW, alleging that many women from states like Pondicherry, Haryana and Punjab are trapped in Oman at the moment.

"These women have claimed that they went to Dubai in search of better employment. The agents had promised them nursing work in Dubai," the letter said.

According to the letter and the complaint, these women were placed in Dubai for a while, but later were taken to Oman and handed over to an agent there.

It further said, "The agent in Oman placed them in houses across Oman as maids. Their employers misbehaved with them, also giving them 'lots of work'."

The employers even deprived them of food and at times they were beaten too, the complaint said.

"They have claimed that they had approached the India Embassy in Oman for help several times, but they failed to receive any support," the complaint alleged.

It further said that few of these women have taken ill, while others are dying to meet their children.

"One of the women, who was brutally beaten up is a 60-year-old senior citizen," they further said.

They said that whenever they asked their employers to send them back to India they threatened them with jail time.

The women have appealed that they should be brought back to their country under "any circumstances" so that they can be reunited with their children and family.

The NGO forwarded the complaint to the DCW asking for help after which the DCW forwarded it to Sushma Swaraj and asked for her intervention in bringing these women back home.

Malliwal said that she has requested her to take further action in this matter.

She has also asked for a meeting with the minister and added that as Sushma Swaraj is extremely pro-active in such matters, she is confident that she would definitely help the women.

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Entrepreneur and Tesla Motors Chairman and CEO Elon Musk's SpaceX, a rocket-producing firm, raised around USD 350 million in its latest round of funding, thus taking over as the world's most valuable privately-held firm.

With this new feat, SpaceX is all set to join the USD 20 million bandwagon of companies, as it is now valued at USD 21 billion, according to a report published by The New York Times.

Earlier, the Tesla co-founder also took to twitter to unveil the first look of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, scheduled for launch this November.

SpaceX's latest funding nearly doubles the valuation of the company, which was valued at around USD 11 billion following its previous round of funding in 2015. Previous investors in SpaceX include venture capital firms Founders Fund and DFJ.

A key player in the commercial satellites business, the company suffered a major blow as an explosion rocked the launch site for its Falcon 9 rocket at Cape Canaveral in Florida in September last year.

In March, the company launched a partly used, less expensive rocket, with the aim of bringing down the cost of sending supplies into space, in lieu of Musk's vision to colonise Mars.

Following that, the company in May 2017 launched a top secret spy satellite for a U.S Government towards orbit.

The commercial rocket Falcon 9, lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, reported CNN.

Seven minutes after liftoff, the first-stage rocket booster separated from the upper stage and fired its engines again.

An on-board computer then guided the rocket to a pinpoint landing on a 300-foot platform back at Kennedy Space Center.

The satellite was made for National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), a U.S. Government agency that develops and maintains spy satellites.

The NRO said the satellite aimed to survey potential threats to the United States by tracking terrorists and monitoring the development of nuclear weapons in other countries.

It was also capable of providing an early warning of a potential missile strike.

On the competition front, SpaceX is pitted up against Blue Origin, a rocket company founded by Jeff Bezos, the chief executive of Amazon, who recently overtook Microsoft founder Bill Gates as the world's richest individual.

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Former Goa chief minister and Congress MLA Pratapsinh Rane on Friday said that he would not campaign against his son and current Health Minister in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition government, Vishwajit Rane, in the upcoming Assembly by-election, dealing a setback to the Congress.

Speaking to ANI, Pratapsingh said, "Family is more important than politics. There are many instances in India, where members of the same family have contested on different party tickets."

Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Michael Lobo said that the party was confident of victory, irrespective of whether Pratapsingh campaigns or not.

"Vishwajit has a good connect with the people. Whether his father campaigns against him or not is irrelevant," Lobo told ANI.

Goa will see two by-elections in August in Valpoi and Panaji Assembly constituency, where Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is still a Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh, is expected to contest from.

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With Gujarat Congress MLAs quitting and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the grand old party on Friday accused the saffron party in the state of horse-trading ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for August 8.

"Crores of rupees have been spent in horse-trading in Gujarat by the BJP. One Congress Gujarat MLA Punabhai Gamit has said he was offered Rs. 10 crore by the BJP to join hands with them," Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said in a press conference.

He added that the Anti-Defection Law is supreme, and repeatedly the Supreme Court has called defection a constitutional sin.

The comments come after at least six Congress MLAs in Gujarat resigned from the party to join the BJP.

Earlier in the day, two Congress MLAs - Maan Singh Chouhan and Sana Bhai Choudhari - offered their resignations.

This came a day after three Congress MLAs - P.I. Patel, Balwantsinh Rajput and Tejashree Patel - quit the party and joined the BJP.

Rajput is a relative of former chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela, who quit the Congress last week, while P.I. Patel was the Congress legislator from Vijapur.

Speaking on the issue, Gujarat Assembly Speaker Ramanbhai Vora said that nine MLAs have given resignation since yesterday, but he received only five resignations in paper.

"I got the resignation of the three MLAs of Gujarat yesterday. Sana Bhai Choudhari gave me his resignation. Maan Singh Chauhan gave me his resignation today. No one has asked for the time, whoever will come to my office, I will talk to them," he added.

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In the backdrop of Gujarat Congress MLAs quitting and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as many as 44 of the grand old party MLAs left for Bengaluru on late Friday night to ensure they don't succumb to police and political pressure to join the saffron party.

Speaking to the reporters, Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar said, "To ensure that BJP is not successful in its mission, 44 of us Congress MLAs are leaving from Gujarat for Bengaluru. To hide their failure, the saffron party is trying to make sure our MLAs resign by offering money and through police pressure."

Earlier in the day, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi accused the BJP in the state of horse-trading ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for August 8.

He said, "Crores of rupees have been spent in horse-trading in Gujarat by the BJP. One Congress Gujarat MLA Punabhai Gamit has said he was offered Rs. 10 crore by the BJP to join hands with them."

Following this, Union Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad laughed off the accusation and said the Congress has become a sinking ship and is not able to hold their own house together.

"The Congress has become a sinking ship and the senior leaders, who did not get respect, are now openly saying that they don't want to continue with them. This is the hard fact. The sinking ship is not able to hold itself together," Ravi Shankar Prasad told ANI.

He said the Congress has been making baseless allegation against the BJP and further called on Congress president Sonia Gandhi to come up and clarify why their party is crumbling down like a deck of cards.

"They have to explain this. The allegations are laughable. They are making it in utter desperation," he said.

The developments come after at least six Congress MLAs in Gujarat resigned from the party to join the BJP.

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Concerned with the repeated provocations by North Korea that test fired another intercontinental ballistic missile on Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that Tokyo will urge international community to build more pressure on North Korea as the threat to our nation is real.

"As long as North Korea continues such provocative actions, there is no avoiding maintaining close contact with the international community starting with the United States, South Korea, China and Russia and further strengthening the pressure against the reclusive state,"Abe stated

Abe said that the international community must raise the heat on North Korea over its latest ballistic missile launch.

"As a result of their launches of ICBM-level missiles, this clearly shows the threat to our nation's safety is severe and real," Abe said.

North Korea fired the missile shortly before midnight at Japan on Friday, just hours after the US and Japan moved to step up sanctions against Pyongyang, following its first ICBM test earlier this month.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Japan "absolutely cannot tolerate" repeated provocations from North Korea and will make a severe protest against it.

"There is no damage to any vessel or aircraft adding that the missile is believed to have fallen in Japan's exclusive economic zone,"CNN quoted Suga as stated.

Immediately after the launch, Shinzo Abe called a meeting of Japan's National Security Council and said, "I have received information that North Korea once again conducted a missile firing,"

"We will immediately analyze information and do our utmost to protect the safety of the Japanese people."

"We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile," Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said, adding that the rocket travelled about 1,000 kilometres before splashing down in the Sea of Japan.

On July 4th ,North Korea conducted its first successful test of a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14, that it says can "reach anywhere in the ."

An intercontinental ballistic missile reached a height of 2,802 kilometers (1741 miles), according to state broadcaster Korea Central Television (KCTV).

After the July 4 launch, the United States conducted the successful test of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system by shooting down an intermediate-range ballistic missile over the Pacific Ocean, thus increasing tensions between the United States and North Korea.

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The Kerala High Court has rejected the bail plea of actor Dileep's manager Sunil Raj aka Appunni in connection with the Malyalam actress molestation and abduction case.

Earlier actress and wife of actor Dileep, Kavya Madhavan was also interrogated by the investigation team in connection with the case.

On July 9, popular Malayalam actor Dileep was arrested on conspiracy charges in connection with the Kerala actress kidnap case.

Earlier, the two main accused - Sunil Kumar and Vigeesh - were brought to Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu for evidence collection.

This came after a court of Aluva in Ernakulam district granted nine days police custody of the two accused.

A case of attempted rape was filed after the actress was allegedly abducted and molested.

The incident reportedly took place while the victim was returning from a shoot.

According to police, the actress was held in the car for an hour, after which, she was dropped near her residence at around 10.30 p.m.

The police stumbled upon the conspiracy angle last week, when Dileep's name surfaced in a jail inmate's letter, who shared the cell with Sunil.

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A knife wielding Palestinian man was shot dead on Friday after he tried to attack soldiers at the Gush Etzion Junction in the West Bank, the Israel Army said.

"The Palestinian arrived at the scene armed with a knife and ran toward IDF soldiers. Forces fired shots at the assailant. No injuries to the IDF forces were reported," The Times of Israel quoted an army statement, as saying.

The junction, in the Etzion Bloc south of Jerusalem, was a focal point for the Palestinian attacks during a wave of violence that broke out in 2015 and has since petered out.

The stabbing came amid heightened tensions in Jerusalem and the West Bank after a week of clashes over security arrangements at the Temple Mount compound also known as the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims.

The Israeli authorities installed metal detectors and cameras at the compound of the holy site following a deadly shootout on July 14. This led to Palestinians protesting the move as they view the security move as Israel asserting further control over the site, which houses the revered Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock.

Palestinian rioting was reported on Friday in several locations in the West Bank, including in nearby Bethlehem and Hebron.

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In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday declared Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif guilty of illegally accumulating offshore properties and monies beyond his known sources of income and disqualified him from continuing in office.

The apex court issued a unanimous 5-0 verdict and ordered the concerned authorities to immediately file a case against the Prime Minister and forward it to an accountability court.

The apex court bench was headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa.

It maybe recalled that on April 20, Justice Khosa had declared Prime Minister Sharif 'disqualified' for not being honest to the nation. He had also directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to issue a notification of the Prime Minister's disqualification, an opinion that was endorsed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed.

A three-member bench of the Supreme Court, consisting of Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijazul Ahsan had earlier concluded the entire hearings and reserved its judgment in the Panamagate case for July 28 after declaring Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family accused and guilty of amassing offshore assets.

Earlier, a specially constituted six-man Joint Investigating Team (JIT) had been appointed by the Supreme Court to investigate allegations of money laundering against the Sharif family, submitted its report to the Supreme Court on July 10 and accused them of concealing the information from tax authorities that involves four apartments in Park Lane area of London.

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The Pentagon has confirmed the launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea on Friday.

"I can confirm that we detected a launch of a ballistic missile from North Korea. We are assessing and will have more information soon," the Fox news quoted Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis, as saying.

It was not immediately known if the missile, which was expected to land in the Sea of Japan, was an intercontinental ballistic missile or another type of rocket.

The launch comes one day after the 64th anniversary of the armistice that ended the Korean War.

The anniversary had led to increased concerns the regime planned another test to fire another intercontinental ballistic missile.

The United States have been concerned over the North's accelerated missile and nuclear programme.

Earlier this month on July 4, North Korea conducted its first successful test of a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14, that it says can "reach anywhere in the ."

An intercontinental ballistic missile reached a height of 2,802 kilometers (1741 miles), according to state broadcaster Korea Central Television (KCTV).

After the July 4 launch, the United States conducted the successful test of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system by shooting down an intermediate-range ballistic missile over the Pacific Ocean, thus increasing tensions between the United States and North Korea.

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Israel has decided to remove metal detectors from entrances to the compound that houses al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.

Security camera infrastructure including railings and an overhead bridge were dismantled in the early hours of Thursday

According to Independent, the move was announced late on Monday night by the office of the Israeli Prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and is designed to end a crisis over the holy site. Days of violent confrontations have claimed seven lives.

After the site's Muslim religious authority the Wafq completed their inspection of the site, they announced that the worshippers could end their boycott of the site, urging the faithful to return to the compound to pray.

"The Israel occupation forces have been trying for long to violate the al-Aqsa mosque compound. We appreciate the masses who have been gathering," a senior Waqf official told Independent.

After the decision, thousands of Palestinians took to Jerusalem's Old City overnight to celebrate the fact that Israel had capitulated to their demands.

Earlier, the installation of new security cameras was met with uproar by Palestinians and Muslims across the . Worshippers had conducted morning prayers outside the mosque, with clashes in the streets killing at least four Palestinians.

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Venting out his anger against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his former deputy Tejashwi Yadav on Friday tore into his former boss and asked him that did he not feel ashamed after sitting next to Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Sushil Kumar Modi.

Tejashwi unleashing a tirade of fiery slavos on Kumar, said that the latter has stitched an alliance with a party who conspired the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

"Did you not feel ashamed sitting next to Sushil Kumar Modi? You take out Champaran yatra and then stitch an alliance with a party which assassinated Mahatma Gandhi," said Tejashwi.

Further speaking on the matter of his resignation, Tejashwi said Kumar never asked him to step down from his post and it never occured to him that the Bihar chief does not want him to be a part of his team.

"Nitish ji never asked me to resign. I also thought that he does not want me to resign. I would like to ask him why he quit the alliance and toppled the government," said Tejashwi.

Tejashwi further highlighted that thanks to Kumar's hasty decision people have suffered immensely, while accusing his ex-ally of viciously planning to check-mate the grand alliance.

"People of Bihar have suffered immensely. I am deeply saddened by the Nitish ji resigned. It was all pre planned," said Tejashwi in assembly.

"We did not put any pressure on the Chief Minister ever," he added.

Slamming his former boss, Tejashwi said that Kumar knew that he had huge support and that it was not possible for the JD (U) supremo to oust him from his post.

"We have 80 MLAs, Nitish ji knew he could not have removed me: Tejashwi Yadav in the assembly. If it is about ones image then I would like to say that the whole nation knows what the real basis of Nitish Kumar is," he added.

Meanwhile, the Patna High Court also earlier in the day refused to hear the RJD's plea challenging formation of the new BJP-JD (U) government in Bihar.

The Court said that the hearing is not possible before July 31.

This comes at a time when Bihar Chief Minister with his ally Bharatiya Janata party is going to prove his majority.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) have issued whip to their legislators to vote in favour of the trust vote. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress have also issued a similar whip to their legislators.

Nitish led JD (U)-NDA government has a support of 132 MLAs, which will help it to prove a comfortable majority in the 243 member state assembly where 122 MLAs are required to prove majority.

According to the communique issued from the Raj Bhawan, Nitish has claimed the support of 131 members, including the BJP, two independents and legislators of BJP allies Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM)-Secular and Rashtriya Lok Samata party (RLSP).

Opposition RJD has 80 MLAs, the Congress 27 and the CPI-ML 3.

Yesterday, Nitish and BJP leader Sushil Modi were sworn-in as Bihar Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister respectively, and former has been asked to prove his majority on the floor by Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.

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Defence expert Qamar Agha on Friday said that 'disqualified' Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has paid the price of being democratic in a military-dominated country.

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Friday delivered its verdict in Panamagate case and disqualified Nawaz Sharif from continuing as Prime Minister.

In a telephonic interview, Agha told ANI that Sharif has paid the price because he wanted the civilian arm of the federal administration to have a greater say in the management of national affairs while containing the military establishment.

"After the SAARC Summit was called off in Pakistan, then it was Nawaz Sharif only who had said that Pakistan is being alienated because of the military's support to the militants, and it was the turning point of his political career," Agha said, adding that "since then, relations between Nawaz and the Pakistan Army continued to worsen and culminated in the form of his disqualification."

He also said the Pakistan's military mandarins also didn't like Nawaz Sharif hobnobbing with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The relations between Nawaz Sharif and army were worsening since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014. The army wanted Nawaz to go and it has succeeded in a way," Agha said.

The defence expert didn't mince words and held Pakistan military responsible for nailing Nawaz Sharif through the country's 'radical' judiciary.

Replying to a specific question whether he saw the hand of the Pakistan military in the Panamagate verdict, Agha said, "I do see a Pakistani military's hand in the Panamagate verdict because the judiciary and the military are hand-in-hand. Pakistani judiciary has always backed the military establishment and not the civilian government. This, not the first time that a Pakistani prime minister has been removed by the judiciary. The judiciary has been backing the military since the time of former Pakistan President General Zia-ul-Haq."

He further asserted that Pakistani judiciary is dominated by radical Islamists.

"Many judges and lawyers are directly or indirectly connected with Jamaat-e-Islami, which has very close ties the army," the defence expert said.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) is a social conservative and Islamist political party. Its objective is to make Pakistan an Islamic state, governed by Sharia law, through a gradual legal, and political process.

The party came under severe government repression in 1948, 1953, and 1963, but it served General Zia-ul-Haq regime's 'ideological and political arm' when many JI members held cabinet portfolios.

The defence expert said that not only has Sharif been disqualified, but he will also go to jail.

"The Pakistani Army will see to it that ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) disintegrates because it is the only pan-Pakistan party. Pakistan People's Party (PPP) is confined to Sindh only. Though the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has emerged as a national political leader, political situation in Pakistan has become very bad,' Agha lamented and added that forces of destabilization will gain ground in Pakistan.

Replying a question, he said that Pakistan military will have a hegemony over any political establishment in the country.

"The timing of Panamagate verdict is very important. Pakistan has a very sinister design in Jammu and Kashmir and Afghanistan. Second thing, they (Army) have the support of China also and are being emboldened and trying to play the Chinese card. They don't allow the civilian establishment to play a greater role. They want to have a puppet government in Islamabad so that they can continue to control it from Rawalpindi," Agha said.

He asserted that considering the mood of the western world, especially the United States; the Pakistan Army is finding it very difficult to stage a coup.So, it prefers a puppet government in Islamabad.

Agha also said that India is used to dealing with a politically unstable Pakistan and it will manage the emerging situation.
The Pakistan Supreme Court's decision to disqualify Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from holding office after declaring him guilty of acquiring illegall offshore assets and lying to the nation, will weaken civilian rule in the nation, feel experts and observers here.

Talking exclusively to ANI over phone, Harsh V. Pant, Distinguished Fellow and Head of Strategic Studies at Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi, and Professor of Relations at King's College, London, said, "The disqualification of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will further weaken democracy in Pakistan and the civilian government in Pakistan. It will give more access to the country's army to control the government."

Pant predicted that the adverse majority 5-0 apex court verdict against Sharif, his family and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, will bring more turmoil to the country, as the next prime minister, whoever he may be, will not be a democratically-elected one, but an appointed person named by Sharif. He opined that Sharif would like to hold on to the levers of control even after his ouster.

"Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has become weaker since the Panama Gate scandal surfaced last year. As the case progressed in the court, he became weaker by day. He was not able to perform and tried to divert the people's attention by escalating tensions along the Indo-Pak border," Pant said.

Major General (Retired) Shashi Asthana, Chief Instructor, USI of India, and former Additional Director General of the Infantry told ANI, "It is sensational news, but from an Indian point of view, it is of little significance."

"The main reason for saying so is that irrespective of who is the Prime Minister of Pakistan, it is the Pakistan Army, which calls the shots and their aims and objectives don't change with the personality of Prime Minister," he added.

"Sharif's disqualification was well anticipated and his, and his aide's involvement in corruption, was well known to all who matter in Pakistan. The anti-India agenda is the rallying point for Pakistani politicians and for the army, Kashmir is the focal point. This will not change," Major General Asthana said.

On who could emerge as Sharif's successor, Professor Pant opined that "There are many names being taken as successors to Sharif as PM, but none of the names looks capable. There is also the fact that the person taking over will not have the people's mandate. He will not be coming from an open political process. Thus, the new Prime Minister will not be a strong leader and will only be at the mercy of his political mentor (Sharif) and the powerful military leadership."

He also said that Sharif's disqualification will not have any major impact on Indo-Pak relations, as Pakistan's politicians, whether the ruling party or the opposition and the military share the same anti-India agenda.

"Kashmir is the rallying point for all of them with the army as the focal point. It will also not have any impact on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project because Pakistan has already militarised it and the Pakistan Army has already announced that it will safeguard Chinese interests insofar as the CPEC is concerned.

Major General (Retired) D.K.Mehta, another defence expert, said, "This is all an orchestration of the army which is controlling the judiciary also, and that's why when the Pakistan Supreme Court appointed a JIT against Nawaz Sharif with regard to the Panama Gate scandal, they included Pakistan Army officers."

He further said, "Although Pakistan is trying to showcase that its judiciary is transparent and independent, this is not reality. One of the judges had made a statement in the past that he was forced to resign by the military. Also, it may be recalled that the courts in Pakistan have not been able to convict former Pakistan president General Pervez Musharraf, who is facing several charges of murder, abduction, treason and conspiracy of toppling the civilian government. He has also been allowed to go out of the country by these same courts."

Major General (Retired) Mehta further stated that the courts in Pakistan are under the strong influence of the military, have also not been able to do much about internationally declared terrorists such as Hafiz Saeed and others.

When asked to comment about the possibility of Defence Minister Khwaja Asif taking over as caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, Major General (Retired) Mehta said, " He is a loose cannon, as he has been spewing venom against India in the recent past. There is a possibility of him joining up with the military to take the anti-India discourse forward. I don't visualise any change in the anti-India rhetoric after Nawaz Sharif's disqualification."

He also said that there will be no impact on the progress of the CPEC, as Pakistan's incumbent army chief Gen.Bajwa has already stated that the project is in the interest of the people of Pakistan.

Qamar Agha, a defence expert, said, "I see a Pakistani military hand in this Panama Case government. Pakistani judiciary and military have very close ties."

Nawaz Sharif has paid the price of being democratic in a military-dominant country, he added.
Given the reality that many terror groups like The Haqqani Network and Lashkar-e-Taiba continue to operate from its soil, Pakistan must accept responsibility for its negative global image, said former Pakistan envoy to Washington Hussain Haqqani.

Speaking to Dawn TV this week, Haqqani said Islamabad must accept this as one of its major weaknesses and take firm steps to neutralize and counter these terror groups.

He also advised the Government of Pakistan that notwithstanding its firm stand on Kashmir, engaging peacefully with India should be a goal to be aimed for to ensure a calm neighbourhood. The Kashmir issue must not dominate the diplomatic discourse, he added.

He further said how can the federal government repeatedly deny the presence of terror groups before the whole world, when domestic media frequently carries reports of their existence.

On the Pentagon's decision to withhold disbursement of USD 350 million in aid to Pakistan, Ambassador Haqqani said this was a coalition fund made after the 9/11 terror attacks as the Bush administration wanted to help Islamabad immediately in the war against terrorism.

"To get out of a very complex process of reimbursement, the U.S. used to provide Pakistan with the funds for expenses which Islamabad claimed were spent for countering terrorism," Ambassador Haqqani added.

Haqqani maintained that Pakistan has erred in assuming that it was their right to demand funds from the U.S. in the name of fighting terrorism.

He recalled that when he was an envoy, Islamabad wanted to covert these funds into permanent aid for the country.

Haqqani said Pakistan will have to work according to the needs of the United States if it wanted access to such funds.

He emphasized that Washington wants Islamabad to specifically crack down on certain terror groups like The Taliban and The Haqqani Network and was simply not interested in hearing Islamabad oft-repeated claims of countering terror.

He asked why Pakistan can't be questioned for not taking action against terrorist groups operating from its soil when it has supported a United Nations referendum against terrorism.

He claimed that there is enough evidence to nail Islamabad on this score, including the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai and attacks in Kashmir.

Recently in an opinionated piece for The New York Times, he said that President Trump must now consider alternatives as Washington's incentives to Pakistan since the September 11 terror attacks have failed to dissuade the latter from stopping its support to the Taliban and other terror elements.

He opined that for Islamabad, the alliance with the United States has been more about securing weapons, economic aid and diplomatic support in its confrontation with India.

He said both the U.S. and Pakistan have disappointed each other because of divergence in their interests in South Asia.

"The George W. Bush administration erred in ignoring the regrouping of the Taliban in Pakistan after their defeat in Afghanistan in the aftermath of Sept. 11, considering Pakistan's cooperation in capturing some Qaeda figures as sufficient evidence of its alliance with the United States. President Barack Obama's administration tried to deal with a resurgent Taliban with a surge in troop numbers for a specific period. Mr. Obama deployed armed drones to strike at Taliban targets inside Pakistan, but that proved insufficient in dealing with the leadership living in the Pakistani cities of Quetta and Peshawar," he wrote.

He noted that the United States had presented evidence of Pakistan's links to Afghan militants just as the country transitioned from military to civilian rule in 2008.

As Pakistan's ambassador to the United States, Haqqani said he had urged Pakistan's civil and military leaders to engage with Americans honestly instead of sticking to blanket denials.

"Islamabad's response was to argue that Pakistan does indeed support insurgents in Afghanistan, but it does so because of security concerns about India, which is seen by generals and many civilian leaders as an existential threat to Pakistan. But that excuse is based on exaggerations and falsehoods. India has no offensive military presence in Afghanistan and there has never been any evidence that the Afghans are willing to be part of India's alleged plan for a two-front war with Pakistan, he said.

The United States this month had withheld the disbursement of USD 350 million aid to Pakistan after Pentagon chief Jim Mattis informed the Congress that Islamabad has not taken sufficient measures to counter the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network.

Pakistan it was stated has not taken sufficient action against The Haqqani Network as per the National Defense Authorization Act to permit full reimbursement of Coalition Support Funds.

Pakistan was allotted USD 900 million aid through the special fund by the United States. akistan has already received USD 550 million funds out of the allotted USD 900 million aid.

Secretary Mattis said Pakistan still has time to influence the certification decision by taking action against The Haqqani Network.

This comes as the Trump Administration continues to retain Pakistan on Washington's list of nations providing "safe havens" to terrorists in its annual 'Country Report on Terrorism', as mandated by the U.S. Congress.

.

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U.S.President Donald Trump traveled to Long Island and promised to provide safety to the communities by "dismantling and eradicating" the deadly criminal cartel Mara Salvatrucha MS-13 street gang.

"Together we're going to restore safety to our streets and peace to our communities and we're going to destroy the criminal cartel MS-13 and many other gangs," Trump said, as he was addressing enforcement officials at Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood about the notorious MS-13 gang and asking for more resources to combat illegal immigration.

Trump promised his administration would "dismantle, decimate and eradicate" MS-13 and also issued warning to immigrant criminals that he is seeking to deport them.

"We will find you, we will arrest you, we will jail you and we will deport you," Trump said.

Trump also claimed that laws are written to "protect the criminal" and "not the officers".

He told the law enforcement officials that the "laws are stacked against you" and need to be changed.

"We're going to enforce our laws, protect our borders and support our police like our police have never been supported before," Trump said.

The violent gang known as Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, originated decades ago among Salvadoran immigrants in Los Angeles and has since built a criminal network that extends across the US, with thriving pockets in the Washington, D.C. suburbs and here on Long Island, just an hour or so east of New York City. It's estimated to have 10,000 members nationwide.

"We're getting them out," he said. "They're going to jails and then they're going back to their country, or they're going back to their country period."

He also appeared to advocate rougher treatment of people in police custody, speaking dismissively of arresting officers who protect suspects' heads while putting them in police cars.

The gang has strongholds in the US, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. The Obama administration's Treasury Department sanctioned the gang in 2012 as a transnational criminal organization.

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The U.S. Department of Defense and Department of State have submitted a joint report to the Congress, in which it has reiterated the support by the United States towards the inclusion of India in the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

The United States has also re-affirmed its support for India's membership in the Australia Group and Wassenaar Arrangement as soon as India meets each group's membership criteria.

Since 2010, the United States has supported India's membership in the four multilateral export control regimes-Wassenaar Arrangement, NSG, Australia Group, and the Missile Technology Control Regime.

The report was on enhancing defense and security cooperation with India in accordance with section 1292 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017.

The report includes joint actions taken by the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State necessary to:

(A) Recognize India's status as a Major Defense Partner of the United States;

(B) Designate an individual within the executive branch who has experience in defense acquisition and technology to reinforce, through interagency coordination, the success of the Framework for the U.S.-India Defense relationship and help resolve remaining issues impeding defense trade, security cooperation, and co-production and co-development opportunities;

(C) Approve and facilitate the transfer of advanced technology, consistent with U.S. conventional arms transfer policy, to support combined military planning with India's military for missions such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter-piracy, freedom of navigation, and maritime domain awareness missions, and to promote weapons systems interoperability;

(D) Strengthen the effectiveness of the U.S.-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative and the durability of the Department of Defense's "India Rapid Reaction Cell";

(E) To collaborate with the Government of India to develop mutually agreeable mechanisms to verify the security of defense articles, defense services, and related technology, such as appropriate cyber security and end-use monitoring arrangements, consistent with U.S. export control laws and policy;

(F) Promote policies that will encourage the efficient review and authorization of defense sales and exports to India;

(G) Encourage greater government-to-government and commercial military transactions between the United States and India;

(H) Support the development and alignment of India's export control and procurement regimes with those of the United States and multilateral control regimes; and (I) continue to enhance defense and security cooperation with India in order to advance the United States interests in South Asia and the greater Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2017 also directs the Department to reorganize the Office of the USD (AT&L) into two new Under Secretary positions-one for Research and Engineering (USD (R&E)) and one for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD (A&S)). This change will take effect not later than February 2018.

"With a mutual aim for global stability, the United States and India maintain a broad-based strategic partnership and have an increasing convergence of interests, including on maritime domain awareness, counter-piracy, counter-terrorism and coordinated response to transnational threats." the joint report said.

It further stated, " We see a growing convergence with India on our strategic outlook for the region, and we view India as an increasingly important regional security partner within and beyond the Indo-Asia-Pacific region."

Adding, "India has deepened its involvement with the biennial Rim-of-the-Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise hosted by U.S. Pacific Command. In 2017, the United States expects to relaunch our bilateral Air Force exercise, COPE INDIA. The U.S. Air Force is also focused on expanding cooperation with the Indian Air Force on C-130J/C-17 transport aircraft capabilities, flight safety, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and combat search and rescue."

The U.S. DoD and the Indian MOD have a robust International Military Education and Training (IMET) program that brings Indian military personnel to U.S. institutions for training.

For India, seven of the last nine Indian Navy Chiefs have been U.S. professional military education graduates. For Fiscal Year 2017, the Department of State allocated $1.3 million in International Military Education and Training funds for India.

The United States designated India a "Major Defense Partner" in June 2016 - a status unique to India. The designation is intended to elevate defense trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with that of U.S. closest allies and partners. It also seeks to institutionalize changes the United States has made to ensure strong defense trade and technology cooperation.

The momentum behind the relationship and converging security interests will result in a more secure Indo-Asia pacific region and beyond.After Prime Minister Modi's June 2016 visit, the United States and India released the "Framework for the U.S.-India Cyber Relationship," which recognizes the value of enhancing and institutionalizing our broad-based cooperation on cyber issues.

The framework highlights priority areas for U.S.-India cyber cooperation including strengthening critical internet infrastructure and undertaking skill development and capacity building programs.

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United States (U.S.) Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells will travel to India and Pakistan later this month to meet with government officials and business executives for discussing U.S. relations with the South Asia.

The U.S. diplomat would also meet the Embassy staff to learn more about their efforts to advance U.S. prosperity and security across the region.

Her trip would be from July 30 to August 8.

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United States and South Korean military officials on Friday discussed "military response options," after North Korea carried out its second test of an intercontinental ballistic missile in a month.

Marine General Joseph Dunford, who is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, along with Admiral Harry Harris, the Commander of U.S. Pacific Command spoke with General Lee Sun-jin, Chairman of the South Korean Joint Chief of Staff, the Telegraph reported.

Both Dunford and Harris have expressed the ironclad commitment to the US-Republic of Korea alliance. "The three leaders also discussed military response options," said Captain Greg Hicks, a spokesman for Gen Dunford.

The Pentagon confirmed that the missile, which flew for 45 minutes, travelled an estimated 600 miles and landed on west of Japan's Hokkaido island, was an ICBM. It flew for six minutes longer than the previous one, on July 4.

Shinzo Abe, Japan's Prime Minister, has called a meeting of the national security council to assess the launch.

Last month Pentagon has updated its options for North Korea that includes the military response with the goal of giving Trump plans for a rapid response.

The Pentagon, which earlier this week, warned that North Korea could have a nuclear-enabled ICBM as early as next year, said it detected the launch almost immediately.

CIA Director Mike Pompeo said last week that the Trump administration needed to find a way to separate Kim from his growing nuclear stockpile.

"As for the regime, I am hopeful we will find a way to separate that regime from this system," Pompeo said. "The North Korean people I'm sure are lovely people and would love to see him go.

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For dredging in Pussur Channel, Bangladesh

Dredging Corporation of India signed an agreement with Mongla Port Authority, Bangladesh for dredging in Pussur Channel, Bangladesh. The project involves dredging of around 3.88 million cum to be completed within 15 months at a cost of Rs 102 crore. DCI plans to commence the work by September 2017.

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On 10 August 2017

Inditalia Refcon will hold a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company on 10 August 2017, for approving the un-audited quarterly and financial results of the Company.

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India's GST reform has been hailed by the BRICS countries in a meeting of Revenue Heads in China.

India's GST reforms were appreciated and hailed by the BRICS countries.

The leaders and representatives from BRICS countries were inquisitive about GST Reforms introduced in India and appreciated efforts of India in bringing about this major reform. During the Press Conference held after the meeting, the media also enquired about the GST reforms introduced in India.

The salient features and advantages of the reform were explained to the media.

During this meeting, the BRICS Heads of Revenue and Tax Experts deliberated upon contemporary International Tax issues. A joint communiquwas issued at the end of the meeting. A Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in respect of tax matters identifying areas of cooperation, namely, coordination in International Forums, Capacity building, Experience sharing and regular interaction was also signed by the BRICS Heads of Revenue.

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Held on 28 July 2017

Astec Lifesciences announced that the Board of Directors at its meeting held on 28 July 2017 has transacted the following business -

1.The Compensation Committee, has allotted 4,200 (Four Thousand Two Hundred)Equity Shares of Face Value Rs.10/- (Rupees Ten Only) each to the employees of the Company upon exercise of 4,200 (Four Thousand Two Hundred) Options granted to them, at an Exercise Price of Rs.34/- (Rupees Thirty Four Only) per Equity Share.

2.Approved the Unaudited Financial Results (Standalone & Consolidated) as per Indian Accounting Standards (IND AS) for the Quarter ended 30th June, 2017.

3.Noted of the Limited Review Report of the Statutory Auditors on the Unaudited Financial Results (Standalone & Consolidated) for the Quarter ended 30 June 2017.

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On 1 August 2017

Punjab National Bank will hold a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company on 1 August 2017, for considering Raising of Capital upto total of Rs. 3000 Crores by way of Equity issue (FPO/QIP/Rights etc.) and Fixing date of Extra Ordinary General Meeting (EGM) for obtaining shareholder's approval in this regard at a price to be determined in terms of SEBI (ICDR) Regulations

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Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya, in a written reply to a question on revival of closed fertilizer plants in Rajya Sabha today, informed that at present eight fertilizer public sector plants have been lying closed. Out of these closed plants presently five plants namely Talcher, Ramagundam, Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni are being revived by setting up Ammonia-Urea plants of 1.27 million metric tonne per annum (MMTPA) capacity each, the Minister informed.

Gorakhpur &Sindri units of Fertilizer Corporation of India limited (FCIL) and Barauni unit of Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation Limited (HFCL) are being revived by means of Special Purpose Vehicle of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) through nomination route.

A Joint Venture (JV) Company named "Hindustan Urvarak&Rasayan Limited (HURL)" comprising of National Thermal Power Corporation, Coal India Limited, Indian Oil Corporation Limited and FCIL/HFCL has been formed, Shi Mandaviya stated.

Further the Minister informed that the Talcher Unit of FCIL is being revived on 'Nomination basis' by a Consortium of PSUs namely Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited (RCF), GAIL(India) Limited, CIL and FCIL. A JV Company named "Talcher Fertilizers Limited (TFL)" has been formed. Ramagundam unit of FCIL is being revived on nomination basis by consortium of PSUs namely Engineers India Limited (EIL), National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) and FCIL. A JV Company named "Ramagundam Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited" has been formed.

Expected date of operationalization of these plants are as under:

Talcher December, 2020Ramagundam November, 2018Gorakhpur August, 2020Sindri September, 2020Barauni October, 2020

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Stunned by the exit of seven of its legislators in 24 hours, the Congress party on Friday accused BJP President Amit Shah of engineering defections in Gujarat by "money and muscle power".

In a statement signed by five MLAs and AICC Media In-charge Randeep Surjewala, who rushed here from Delhi, the Congress said: "Hunger for power has made the rulers blind to the extent that Congress MLAs are being offered bribe of crores of rupees, election ticket and other allurements."

"By misusing money power, muscle power and state power, MLAs are being asked to meet Amit Shah for changing their loyalty and vote by way of defections. This is disparaging to every constitutional norm, independence of the electoral process and majesty of democracy itself. All this is being done when Amit Shah himself is a Rajya Sabha candidate."

It was alleged that Scheduled Tribe Congress MLA Punabhai Gamit, a three-time legislator, was being threatened and lured.

"He was forcibly detained and an attempt was made to give a bribe of Rs 10 crore with allurement to meet Amit Shah," according to the statement which also has Gamit as a signatory.

"Similar attempts to buy the loyalty of Congress MLAs Mangalbhai Gavit and Ishwarbhai Patel were made by misuse of muscle power, money power and state power.

"It is the innate belief of these MLAs in Congress ideology and their impeccable integrity that deterred the conspirators and resulted into an absolute failure of their conspiracy to cause defections through allurements," the Congress said.

Besides Surjewala and senior Gujarat leader and Congress MLA from Abdasa Shaktisinh Gohil, the statement has been signed by legislators Punabhai Gamit, Mangalbhai Gavit, Ishwarbhai Patel and Anand Chaudhary.

--IANS

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Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday visited forward posts along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, apart from reviewing operational preparedness and the overall security situation.

Gen Rawat, accompanied by Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Devraj Anbu, visited the White Knight Corps to review operational preparedness and prevailing security situation in the Corps Zone, Defence Ministry spokesman Lt. Col. Manish Mehta said here.

"The Army chief was briefed by Lt. Gen. A.K. Sharma, General Officer Commanding of the 16 Corps, about its preparedness in dealing with emerging and dynamically changing security situation (in Jammu and Kashmir) and measures taken to thwart any misadventure by forces inimical to the country."

An official statement said the Army chief also visited Rajouri and Akhnoor sectors, where he was briefed on the operational readiness by the GOCs of Ace of Spades Division and Crossed Swords Division.

He visited the forward posts along the LoC where he was briefed on actions taken to ensure a robust counter-infiltration grid.

"General Rawat, while complimenting the formations for their unflinching efforts, reiterated the continued need to remain prepared to counter the nefarious designs of the country's enemy," the statement added.

Gen Rawat arrived in Jammu in the morning to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and interact with soldiers in forward areas along the LoC.

--IANS

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A Jet Airways Mumbai-Jodhpur flight with 167 people aboard landed safely in Jodhpur in Rajasthan after it was hit by a bird while coming to land, an airline statement said.

"As a precautionary measure, the Captain decided to abort the landing and carry out a go around. The aircraft later landed safely without any incident," said the statement.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft was being inspected by the airline's engineers.

--IANS

as/vd

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Tax authorities of the five BRICS countries inked a landmark document to establish a mechanism for taxation cooperation.

The BRICS Taxation Cooperation Memorandum signed on Thursday at the fifth Meeting of BRICS Heads of Tax Authorities is the bloc's first document that elevates taxation cooperation to the institutional level, reports Xinhua news agency.

At the meeting, the authorities also agreed to cooperate on taxation information exchange, improve consultation procedures efficiency, boost taxation capacities and planned paths for coordination of taxation policies.

China pledged to annually train at least 150 taxation professionals from developing countries over the next two years. Since 2015, the State Administration of Taxation (SAT) has provided taxation courses for nearly 400 professionals from more than 50 developing countries.

In addition, the five countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa -- promised to implement a financial account information exchange system before September 2018 to counter cross-border tax evasion and enhance taxation transparency.

Wang Jun, the SAT director, proposed at the meeting that BRICS countries should work together to improve the global taxation governance system, actively engage in rule-making, and allow emerging and developing countries to have a bigger say in the area.

Liao Tizhong, head of the international taxation department of the administration, said that taxation cooperation between BRICS members is an indispensable force to address imbalances of global economic development and promote coordinated growth.

The meeting comes ahead of the 2017 BRICS Summit to be held in Xiamen, Fujian province, from September 3 to 5.

--IANS

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An inter-state criminal involved in multiple murder cases and carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head and has been arrested here, police said on Friday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Pramod Singh Kushwah said that the accused Rajesh, 47, from Rohtak in Haryana has been arrested by city police from Karnataka on Wednesday.

The DCP said that Rajesh, belonging to 'Sonu Daryapur Gang', was wanted in a triple murder case in Delhi and also in several gang wars.

Kushwah said that two of Rajesh's associates were arrested in May and June and acting on a tip-off, Rajesh was arrested from Uttar Kannada district in Karnataka on Wednesday.

Police said Rajesh was given life imprisonment in 1997 in a murder case but he jumped parole and committed murders in between.

On April 2016, Rajesh, along with his associates had shot down a police officer and two others in north-west Delhi, police said.

--IANS

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The parents of 31-year-old Naina Bharali are worried since their only daughter has been diagnosed with cirrhosis (liver cancer) -- caused by the hepatitis C virus. She is four months pregnant and they fear the new born will also get infected by the blood-borne viral disease.

The confused Bharali does not know how she got the disease, but doctors she is consulting on a regular basis suspect she received infected blood almost a decade ago when she had met with an accident. Now, the only priority for Bharali's parents is to get her proper medication and prevent her foetus from getting affected by the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

"A child born to a HCV-positive mother has a 90 per cent chance of carrying the viral infection. Such children usually develop chronic HCV and, without treatment, progress to chronic liver disease and liver failure," Manish S. Bhatnagar, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist cum Director of Ahmedabad's Icon Hospital, told IANS.

According to an Indian Society for Clinical Research, the country "carries a high burden of this disease...has 17 per cent of the global population and 20 per cent of the global disease burden.

"But less than 1.4 percent of all global clinical trials are done in India," according to an ISCR statement issued on Friday.

President ISCR Chirag Trivedi said it "is crucial for us to scale-up clinical research for many of our public health challenges, including hepatitis."

Last year, the then president, Suneela Thatte, had said in a press release that hepatitis C alone affected an estimated 12 million people in India.

More worryingly, there has been an eight per cent rise in the number of HCV cases among pregnant women in the last one decade.

Experts say that babies born with HCV often have a mild liver disease and around 80 per cent have very low to no liver scarring in the first 18 years. However, the actual nature of the disease becomes apparent once the child reaches adulthood as HCV usually takes more than a decade to cause liver problems -- but whenever it happens, it is disastrous.

The Hepatitis C virus can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis, ranging in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness. Most common modes of infection are through exposure to small quantities of blood. This may happen through injection drug use, unsafe injection practices, unsafe health care and the transfusion of unscreened blood and blood products.

Bhatnagar said that HCV cases in women are fast increasing due to unsafe injection practices, promiscuity and unsafe sex, unsanitary delivery practices, rising intravenous drug use and usage of unsafe blood products from unregistered blood banks.

According to global health bodies, an estimated 71 million people have chronic hepatitis C infection. A significant number of them will develop cirrhosis or liver cancer. Approximately 399,000 people die each year from hepatitis C, mostly from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Neerav Goyal, Senior Consultant -- Liver Transplant, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said HCV in pregnant women in India has been reported more from rural areas compared to urban areas.

"One of the reasons attributed is the increased incidence of anaemia in the rural population with a consequent higher chance of using contaminated needles and syringes for its treatment. A higher incidence has also been reported from multigravida, where previous pregnancies, hospital admissions, obstetrical surgeries and blood transfusions have lead to an increase incidence of HCV infection," said Goyal.

According to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, transfusion of unscreened blood in patients till 2002 had been one of the major reasons behind spread of Hepatitis C. Following 2002, the government has been strict on measures against infected blood.

Commenting on cases of HCV among pregnant women, Roy Patankar, a prominent Mumbai-based gastroenterologist and Director of Zen Hospital, said that as the impact of this illness on children is not as much in the initial days as that of an adult, many doctors opt for a wait-and-watch approach. Until they reach an appropriate age for therapy, doctors do not prefer any treatment.

Antiviral medicines can cure more than 95 per cent of persons with HCV infection, thereby reducing the risk of death from liver cancer and cirrhosis, but access to diagnosis and treatment is low. There is currently no vaccine for HCV, but research in this area is ongoing.

"HCV can usually be treated using antiviral medicines, although currently there is no vaccine for HCV, research is on. Recently, few Indian firms have received licenses to manufacture HCV drugs as the country's capabilities in generic manufacturing, where quality and low cost co-exist, is quite well known," said Patankar.

As far as research on the development of new medicine for HCV is concerned, a lot of effort is being put in worldwide. However, most of the breakthrough drugs have come from the US and Europe so far. India's pharma prowess has ensured the lowest rates of these antivirals, thereby making them accessible to most of the patients.

Sofosobuvir, Ledipasvir Ribavarin, Veltapasvir, Grazoprevir, Elbasvir and PEG-Interferon are some of the latest drugs against HCV.

Sofosbuvir is a direct-acting antiviral drug that targets different steps of the HCV lifecycle. The medicine blocks the polymerase enzyme that the virus uses to replicate.

Ramesh Garg, Senior Consultant at Gastroenterology at the city-based Saroj Hospital, said that earlier, HCV treatment was difficult and came with a lot of side effects, but since the advent of direct acting antivirals, there have been significantly higher cure rates.

(Rupesh Dutta can be contacted at Rupesh.d@ians.in)

--IANS

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The Congress in Gujarat, which was jolted by the exit of six of its legislators in 24 hours, with one more likely to leave, flew off most of the party's remaining MLAs to Bengaluru on Friday night even as it accused BJP President Amit Shah of engineering defections in Gujarat by "money and muscle power".

As many as 44 of the remaining 51 Congress MLAs left for Bengaluru, most of them by 11.45 p.m. Indigo flight from Ahmedabad to Bengaluru in Congress-ruled Karnataka while the others from South Gujarat and Saurashtra flew off through Mumbai to the South Indian metropolis.

They will be putting up at Clarks Exotica Resorts, which is a 15-minute drive from the Bengaluru airport.

"What they did in Goa, Manipur and in Bihar. They are trying to do the same in Gujarat. Our legislators are being threatened or offered money. People like an IPS officer who was behind bars for 8-9 years in fake encounter case are being used to kidnap our MLAs, offer money or threaten our legislators. There is insecurity and environment of terror. So our legislators are being moved to safety," Arjun Modhvadia, senior Congress leader, told reporters at Ahmedabad airport before leaving.

Party sources claimed that in a last-ditch attempt to prevent any more legislators from resigning and defecting to the BJP in view of the August 8 Rajya Sabha elections where veteran leader and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's Political Secretary Ahmed Patel is contesting from Gujarat, it was imperative to keep the rest of the flock aloof from allurements.

Three MLAs, Balwantsinh Rajput, Tejashree Patel and P.I. Patel, quit on Thursday and joined the BJP, while three more submitted their resignations to Speaker Ramanlal Vora on Friday but did not join the BJP till evening.

Those who resigned on Friday are veteran Congress legislator Ramsinh Parmar, MLA from Thasra constituency and chairman of the prestigious Amul Dairy, Chhanabhai Chaudhary, MLA from Vansda constituency, and Mansinh Chauhan from Balasinor.

Congress Chief Whip Balwantsinh Rajput, MLA from Siddhpur who quit on Thursday, is rebel leader Shankersinh Vaghela's close relative. Rajput, within minutes of joining the BJP, was named for the third Rajya Sabha seat for which Patel has filed his nomination. BJP president Amit Shah and Union Minister Smriti Irani are the other two party candidates.

One more Congress MLA, C.K. Raolji, who is believed to be the closest to Vaghela, was on his way to resign, but turned back midway "for final negotiations" with the BJP, a close confidante of Raolji told IANS.

"Till evening, everyone thought that he quietly went to the Speaker's official residence and resigned, but he is yet to do so. Some final negotiations (with the BJP) are going on. Of course, eventually, he will resign," the source said.

Local Gujarati TV channels and the rest of the media assumed that Raolji had quit and had proclaimed so, leading to confusion, he said.

AICC media in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala rushed here from New Delhi. The issue also rocked the Rajya Sabha, which witnessed repeated adjournments as angry Congress members accused the BJP of "stealing" party lawmakers.

The Congress accused the BJP government in Gujarat and at the Centre of pressurising Congress legislators to quit the party and join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In Ahmedabad, a Congress statement signed by Surjewala and five MLAs, including three who claimed the BJP tried to lure them with crores of rupees among other things, said: "Hunger for power has made the rulers blind to the extent that Congress MLAs are being offered bribe of crores of rupees, election ticket and other allurements."

"By misusing money power, muscle power and state power, MLAs are being asked to meet Amit Shah for changing their loyalty and vote by way of defections. This is disparaging to every constitutional norm, independence of the electoral process and majesty of democracy itself. All this is being done when Amit Shah himself is a Rajya Sabha candidate."

It was alleged that Scheduled Tribe Congress MLA Punabhai Gamit, a three-time legislator, was being threatened and lured.

"He was forcibly detained and an attempt was made to give a bribe of Rs 10 crore with allurement to meet Amit Shah," according to the statement, which also has Gamit as a signatory.

"Similar attempts to buy the loyalty of Congress MLAs Mangalbhai Gavit and Ishwarbhai Patel were made by misuse of muscle power, money power and state power.

"It is the innate belief of these MLAs in Congress ideology and their impeccable integrity that deterred the conspirators and resulted in an absolute failure of their conspiracy to cause defections through allurements," the Congress said.

Besides Surjewala and senior Gujarat leader and Congress MLA from Abdasa Shaktisinh Gohil, the statement has been signed by legislators Punabhai Gamit, Mangalbhai Gavit, Ishwarbhai Patel and Anand Chaudhary.

--IANS

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The Congress was on Friday jolted by the exit of six of its legislators in 24 hours, with one more likely to leave, even as it accused BJP President Amit Shah of engineering defections in Gujarat by "money and muscle power". Late in the evening, the party was bracing to fly off its Gujarat MLAs to Bengaluru.

Party sources claimed that in a last-ditch attempt to prevent any more legislators from resigning and defecting to the BJP in view of the August 8 Rajya Sabha elections where veteran leader and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's Political Secretary Ahmed Patel is contesting from Gujarat, it was imperative to keep the rest of the flock aloof from allurements.

The Congress legislators are reportedly to be bundled out later on Friday night on an Indigo flight to Bengaluru.

Three MLAs, Balwantsinh Rajput, Tejashree Patel and P.I. Patel, quit on Thursday and joined the BJP, while three more submitted their resignations to Speaker Ramanlal Vora on Friday but did not join the BJP till evening.

Those who resigned on Friday are veteran Congress legislator Ramsinh Parmar, MLA from Thasra constituency and chairman of the prestigious Amul Dairy, Chhanabhai Chaudhary, MLA from Vansda constituency, and Mansinh Chauhan from Balasinor.

Congress Chief Whip Balwantsinh Rajput, MLA from Siddhpur who quit on Thursday, is rebel leader Shankersinh Vaghela's close relative. Rajput, within minutes of joining the BJP, was named for the third Rajya Sabha seat for which Patel has filed his nomination. BJP president Amit Shah and Union Minister Smriti Irani are the other two party candidates.

One more Congress MLA, C.K. Raolji, who is believed to be the closest to Vaghela, was on his way to resign, but turned back midway "for final negotiations" with the BJP, a close confidante of Raolji told IANS.

"Till evening, everyone thought that he quietly went to the Speaker's official residence and resigned, but he is yet to do so. Some final negotiations (with the BJP) are going on. Of course, eventually, he will resign," the source said.

Local Gujarati TV channels and the rest of the media assumed that Raolji had quit and had proclaimed so, leading to confusion, he said.

AICC media in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala rushed here from New Delhi.

The issue also rocked the Rajya Sabha, which witnessed repeated adjournments as angry Congress members accused the BJP of "stealing" party lawmakers.

The Congress accused the BJP government in Gujarat and at the Centre of pressurising Congress legislators to quit the party and join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In Ahmedabad, a Congress statement signed by Surjewala and five MLAs, including three who claimed the BJP tried to lure them with crores of rupees among other things, said: "Hunger for power has made the rulers blind to the extent that Congress MLAs are being offered bribe of crores of rupees, election ticket and other allurements."

"By misusing money power, muscle power and state power, MLAs are being asked to meet Amit Shah for changing their loyalty and vote by way of defections. This is disparaging to every constitutional norm, independence of the electoral process and majesty of democracy itself. All this is being done when Amit Shah himself is a Rajya Sabha candidate."

It was alleged that Scheduled Tribe Congress MLA Punabhai Gamit, a three-time legislator, was being threatened and lured.

"He was forcibly detained and an attempt was made to give a bribe of Rs 10 crore with allurement to meet Amit Shah," according to the statement, which also has Gamit as a signatory.

"Similar attempts to buy the loyalty of Congress MLAs Mangalbhai Gavit and Ishwarbhai Patel were made by misuse of muscle power, money power and state power.

"It is the innate belief of these MLAs in Congress ideology and their impeccable integrity that deterred the conspirators and resulted in an absolute failure of their conspiracy to cause defections through allurements," the Congress said.

Besides Surjewala and senior Gujarat leader and Congress MLA from Abdasa Shaktisinh Gohil, the statement has been signed by legislators Punabhai Gamit, Mangalbhai Gavit, Ishwarbhai Patel and Anand Chaudhary.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The House of Representatives has voted to approve a budget bill which includes $1.6 billion requested by the White House to begin the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border, the media reported.

In a 235-192 vote on Thursday, the lower house gave the green light to a $788 billion defence, veterans and energy budget bill for fiscal year 2018 - which runs from October 1, 2017, through September 30, 2018, reports Efe news.

"Every single dime the President requested to start building a wall on our southern border he's going to get. Most importantly, we're sending more to the VA (Veterans Affairs) to fix veterans' health care and reform outdated VA systems," said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican.

Republican lawmakers included the wall budget proposal in the defence budget bill with the aim of forcing House Democrats to vote in favour of the wall, one of the key campaign promises made by Donald Trump during his presidential campaign but a measure that has been opposed head-on by Democrats.

Lawmakers could not agree on a comprehensive budget to finance the government as a whole and, therefore, they have been dividing the total funds into smaller bills for different departments.

Not included in the bill approved on Thursday are funds for the Department of Homeland Security, which is in charge of the wall project and financing for which will be considered in a separate bill.

In May, the White House, via the Office of Management and Budget, asked Congress for $1.6 billion to build 51.5 km of the wall along a sector of the Rio Grande River Valley in South Texas and another 45 km along another stretch in the region.

Yet another 22.5 km of wall is to be built in the San Diego sector to replace existing border fencing there.

These are some of the zones in which Border Patrol agents have been making an increased number of arrests.

It comes as no surprise that the bill passed the House because Republicans hold a 240-192 majority there over Democrats, and it does give Trump and his congressional supporters something of a mini-victory before lawmakers leave for their summer recess.

But greater resistance is anticipated in the Senate, where Republicans hold just 52 of the 100 seats, and 60 votes are needed to pass the corresponding budget bill.

It is considered to be virtually impossible that eight Senate Democrats will join with the Republicans to pass the budget bill including the wall funds.

Congress needs to approve a government budget for fiscal 2018 before the end of September and, if lawmakers cannot do so, at least a partial government shutdown could result, as occurred in 2013.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
There were 422.19 million broadband subscribers and the internet penetration (internet subscriber per 100 populations) was 32.86 per cent in the country as on March 31, 2017, Communications Minister Manoj Sinha informed Parliament on Friday.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Sinha said the National Telecom Policy-2012 envisages 600 million broadband connections by the year 2020.

He said that the government has planned the BharatNet project to provide 100 Mbps broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (around 2.5 lakh) in the country.

Under the first phase of the project, one lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) are to be connected by laying underground optical fibre cable (OFC). The work is under implementation.

Under Phase-II, targeted to be completed by March 2019, connectivity will be provided to remaining 1.5 lakh Gram Panchayats in the country using an optimal mix of underground fibre, fibre over power lines, radio and satellite media, the Minister said.

Sinha said the provision of last-mile access to the network and broadband service provisioning shall be through Wi-Fi or any other broadband access technologies in all 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats in the country.

As on July 23, 2017, under the BharatNet project, OFC laying was completed in 100,299 Gram Panchayats and broadband connectivity was provided in 25,426 of them.
Rome, July 28 (IANS/AKI) The government agreed on Friday to boost Italy's naval support to the Libyan coastguard in fighting migrant trafficking , Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni told reporters, playing down the size and scope of the planned mission.

"We are not talking about the deployment of an enormous fleet of ships and squadrons of aircraft. We are talking about a request that we have accepted to support Libya's coastguard," Gentiloni stated.

The mission represents "progress in Italy's contribution to building the capacity of Libyan authorities in curbing trafficking and securing its borders and national territory", Gentiloni said.

Italy would only act in accordance with the Libyan authorities, Gentiloni stated, giving no details of what his government planned to do.

Earlier on Friday, Libya's UN-backed government said it had only requested logistical and technical support for Libyan coastguard from Italy, Libya's LANA news agency reported.

"The presence of several Italian naval vessels in Tripoli's port could be required for this purpose and only for this purpose," LANA quoted Libya's UN-backed government's Foreign Ministry as saying.

The Foreign Ministry statement came after Libya's UN-backed Premier Fayez al-Sarraj on Thursday denied asking Rome "to send Italian navy vessels to Libya's territorial waters... or fighter planes into Libyan airspace.

"Such allegations ... are without any foundations," Sarraj was quoted as saying in the statement issued by Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).

Sarraj said he had also asked Rome "to support border guards" in southern Libya, the main entry point for migrants heading for Europe's shores, and to supply an electronic surveillance system.

After a meeting in Rome with Sarraj on Wednesday, Gentiloni announced the government was considering a formal request from the GNA to send naval ships into Libyan territorial waters to help fight human trafficking and said he the plan would be debated by Italy's parliament next week - remarks that appeared to have concerned Tripoli.

Planes, helicopters and drones would also be deployed in the planned Italian naval mission, Corriere della Sera newspaper reported on Thursday without stating its sources.

Most migrants set sail from Libya, where people smugglers operate freely in the chaos that has gripped the country since the 2011 ousting of late dictator Muammar Gaddafi. In recent years, the great majority of boat migrants arriving in Europe have landed in Italy.

Some 600,000 migrants and refugees have reached Italy from Libya, since 2014 and Rome is eager to stop the human traffickers' boats setting sail from the lawless North African country. Italy has been at the forefront of efforts to make Libyan coastguard more effective and is already helping train and equip it and to upgrade its fleet.

Libyan officials have said the coastguard need far more equipment than that supplied to date, however.

--IANS/AKI

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A militant who planned last year's deadly terror attack in Dhaka and and carried arms for it was arrested in the country's Natore district on Friday morning, the police said.

Abu Jara Rashed, who belongs to the banned Neo-JMB group and carried arms and grenades from Chapainawabganj district to Dhaka, was the key plotter of the Holey Artisan Bakery attack, in the posh Gulshan area, that left 22 persons, mostly foreigners, dead on July 1 last year, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Dhaka Police's Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit chief Monirul Islam said Rashed alias 'Rash' is being brought to the capital for further interrogation.

"We're bringing him to Dhaka. He will be taken to court and shown arrested in the Dhaka cafe attack case," he said.

According to the official, Rashed maintained close connections with many already arrested and killed cafe attack plotters.

The police have so far hunted down and killed 40 militants linked with the cafe attack, including mastermind Tamim Chowdhury, who was killed in a police raid on August 27 last year, Xinhua news agency reported.

Neo-JMB, an offshoot of banned militant outfit Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), has been blamed for the attack.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A clutch of city-based bands will perform covers of rock band Linkin Park (LP) in remembrance of group frontman Chester Bennington at a special tribute here on Saturday, organisers said.

Bennington was found dead on July 20 at his home in Palos Verdes Estates just outside of Los Angeles. His death was ruled as suicide. He was 41.

The "Somewhere I Belong - Celebrating Chester" free-for-all concert in Kolkata's Eco Park seeks to celebrate his life and art. As many as 27 Linkin Park songs will be performed at the concert.

"The event will feature local, new bands performing covers of LP, a karaoke corner for all members of the audience to sing their favourite LP songs, and a finale Linkin Park Tribute Band (comprising of some of the city's best musicians) to perform the best of Chester's songs," said organisers BlooperHouse Studios (a music production studio) and event planners DhikChik.

On-demand audio streams of songs by the chart-topping California metal band increased by 730 per cent following Bennington's death.

The top streamed songs of the band include numbers like "Numb," "Heavy" featuring Kiiara, "One step closer," "Crawling,", "What I've done," "Papercut," "Somewhere I belong," "Numb/Encore," and "Bleed it out,".

His tragic death sent shockwaves across the music community. Bennington had been open about his struggles to overcome drug and alcohol abuse and depression, caused in part because he was molested as a child.

"Instead of this being a sombre affair, we wanted to celebrate Chester and his contribution to our lives. Therefore we decided to host an event with positive energies and a theme of respectful celebration of an artist's life work," the organisers said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress on Friday extended its support to Congress candidate Pradip Bhattacharya for the coming Rajya Sabha polls, opening up possibilities of a new political alignment in the state.

While the Trinamool has nominated five candidates, Bhattacharya and Left Front nominee Bikash Bhattacharya entered the contest on Friday, making it a seven horse race for the six seats.

"All five of our candidates will win. And we will support Congress' Pradip Bhattacharya for the sixth seat," Banerjee told media persons in the state Assembly after parleys with the Congress aspirant and the Leader of Opposition Abdul Mannan.

Emerging from the discussions, Bhattacharya took potshots at the Left Front for fielding Bikash Bhattacharya.

"Those with whom we were in discussions, who had given their word, we had expected their backing and help," he said.

However, LF Chairman Biman Bose told the media earlier on Friday that the coalition had to take a last-minute decision to field Bikash Bhattacharya after the Congress renominated sitting member Pradip Bhattacharya.

A few months back, there were talks of the Congress supporting CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, if nominated by the party. However, Yechury's candidature was shot down by his own party's Central Committee.

"We were trying to zero in on an outstanding personality outside the periphery of party as a common candidate acceptable to all quarters (read Congress and LF). We lost two days looking for such a candidate," Bose said.

"We had no idea that Pradip Bhattacharya is contesting. That was announced unilaterally by them (Congress). So, we had to hold an emergency meeting and decide our candidate," he added.

But the Chief Minister snapped at the LF.

"Why are they saying he (Bikash) is apolitical? He is not an apolitical person. He functioned as Kolkata Mayor when the LF ran the Kolkata Corporation."

But on the other hand, state Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, known for his antipathy to the Trinamool, downplayed the significance of the RS poll tie-up between the two.

"We have given our candidate. Who is supporting or not is their problem? If Trinamool has the guts, they can put up a candidate. They are supporting us, because they know their sixth candidate will not win," he said.

As per the West Bengal assembly arithmetic, the five Trinamool candidates -- Derek O'Brien, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Dola Sen, Manas Bhunia and Santa Chettri -- are expected to sail through on the strength of the party's numbers.

The focus will now be on the sixth seat, for which Pradip Bhattacharya and Bikash Bhattacharya would duel it out.

After losing some of their lawmakers to the Trinamool, the Congress and Communist Party of India-Marxist are for all practical purposes left with 36 and 31 legislators respectively.

Though except Bhunia, none of the other eight party-hoppers have put in their papers, they are likely to vote as per the Trinamool diktat.

The Trinamool won 211 seats in the assembly polls, and are now assured of the support of eight other lawmakers.

To win, a candidate needs 42 first preference votes in the 293-member assembly, the electoral college for the Rajya Sabha polls. With the Trinamool now extending support to the Congress, Pradip Bhattacharya looks favourite to make the cut with the help of the surplus votes of the ruling party.

To queer Bikash Bhattacharya's pitch further, there were some speculation that his candidacy could be cancelled due to some delay in filing some of the documents. If that does happen, there won't be any election, with all six nominees winning uncontested.

Banerjee, a staunch opponent of the Centre's ruling BJP, has been for some time calling for a united fight against it.

The Trinamool and the Congress joined hands for the recent presidential elections and the coming Vice Presidential polls.

The two parties had forged an alliance for the 2009 Lok Sabha and the 2011 state assembly elections, that brought the 34-year Left Front rule to an end. But the alliance came apart in 2011.

In the assembly polls last year, the Left Front and the Congress had cobbled up an alliance, which, however, came a cropper.

Friday's developments could prove a dampener on any coming together of the two in the near future.

--IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Extending the Kanyashree scheme to higher education, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said NRIs will sponsor research aspirations of 10 meritorious woman students from the state.

Banerjee launched the extended version of the UN-lauded Kanyashree Prakalpa, the targeted conditional cash transfer scheme, aimed at checking child marriage and retaining girls in schools and other educational institutions. She said the project is being extended to boost post-graduate studies.

"The non-resident Indians (NRIs) had come to meet me on Thursday and gave a proposal. They will bear the total expenses of 10 meritorious girl students who wish to pursue research. They will help even in future research work," Banerjee said at a celebration for the success of the scheme.

The Kanyashree scheme has brought almost 41 lakh adolescent girls in its fold, covering over 15,500 institutions in West Bengal. It was awarded the first prize at United Nations Public Service Award ceremony this year.

In the project, the government provides an annual scholarship of Rs 500 to girls between 13-18 years (class eight to class 12) to continue their studies, provided they are unmarried and their parents' annual income is below Rs 1.20 lakh.

If the girl continues her studies up to the age of 18, a one-time grant of Rs 25,000 would be deposited in her bank account, provided she is unmarried.

"At 18, the amount of Rs 25,000 they are getting will continue (if they don't marry and continue studies). We have had K1 and K2. Now we are starting K3 (extended version) which means after passing out from school and college, students who go for universities (postgraduate), if they score 45 per cent, then in science stream, we will give them Rs 2,500 monthly while for arts section, we will give them Rs 2,000 per month," she said.

"We are taking them right from childhood to university level," she said, adding: "It is not a crime to be born poor. You must conquer poverty."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on Friday described West Bengal's Kanyashree scheme "effective" but refused to adopt it as a model project that can be followed by other states.

The "Kanyashree Prakalpa" recently bagged United Nation's highest award for empowering the girl child with education.

Maneka Gandhi, however, said Kolkata is showing a severe declining trend in child sex ratio and urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to adopt the "Beti Bachao Beto Padhao" programme of the central government.

"While the programme which the West Bengal government has launched on their own is effective, it is the only state in India which has completely refused to implement the 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' scheme," Gandhi said.

"As a result, of 161 districts, Kolkata is showing a severe declining trend," she added while responding to a query by a Trinamool Congress member during Question Hour.

"On the scheme that they have started, many states have done equally well in implementing similar schemes. In Kolkata, the child sex ration has gone down from 1,022 to 898. In fact, Kolkata is unfortunately the worst of 161 districts that we have taken," Gandhi said.

Mriganko Mahato, a TMC member from Purulia in West Bengal, urged the Minister to adopt Banerjee's pet scheme "Kanyashree " as a model project that can be followed by other states.

"So many states have got similar programmes and are doing extremely well. But I would urge the West Bengal government to adopt the 'Beti Bachao Beto Padhao' programme because it is not political. It benefits girls. I see no reason why the Chief Minister should not adopt the programme," Gandhi responded.

However, responding to a similar demand by BJP's Rajasthan member Santosh Ahlawat, the minister said: "It is an effective scheme and we will see whether it can be adopted or not."

The BJP leader said "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao" scheme has been an extremely successful programme.

"In the first year of 2014, we took 100 districts and at the end of the year, 58 districts had done extremely well and even going up by 100 points. In the second year, we took 161 districts and so far the reports that have come in, we have done extremely well in 104 districts," she said.

Later talking to IANS, Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandopadhyay said the budget for "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao" scheme is only Rs 100 crore while the West Bengal government is spending much more on "Kanyashree" scheme.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Social activist Medha Patkar on Friday continued for the second day her fast to protest against the government's 'apathy' towards resettlement of those affected by the increase in the height of Sardar Sarovar Dam.

Patkar, the founder of Narmada Bachao Andolan, is on an indefinite fast since Thursday. A team of Congress legislators arrived at the site of fast on Friday to lend her support and take stock of the situation.

"She (Medha Patkar) sat on fast in Barwani on Thursday. Later, she sat on fast on the Narmada bank in Dhar district in Chikhalda village, where a large number of displaced people also gathered," Rahul, associated with 'Narmada Bachao' movement, told IANS.

The height of Sardar Sarovar Dam, on the Narmada river near Navagam in Gujarat, is being increased by 17 metres to 138.72 metres. The Supreme Court had ordered resettlement before July 31 of people of a town and 192 villages that fall in the submerged area.

"The Madhya Pradesh government has presented false figures and provided wrong information in the Supreme Court. The apex court's instructions are also not being followed," Patkar alleged.

"A major part of Madhya Pradesh would fall in the submerged area with the increase in dam's height. The government is planning resettlement in areas which are muddy, there is no facility available... how would people and livestock survive," she wondered.

The Narmada Bachao Andolan, in a statement, had alleged that the project was initially pushed "in the name of drought-affected people in Gujarat".

"It is obvious that it was being pushed in favour of the corporates and in the interest of electoral politics," it said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Invoking Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Jammu and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday advocated dialogue with Pakistan and all stakeholders in Jammu and to bring the state out of the "current mess".

She said it was more about an emotional integration of Kashmiris with India for which the idea of 'azadi' in needed to be replaced with a "better idea" that will accommodate aspirations of the people of the state.

Speaking at a two-day Jammu and Kashmir Conclave-2017 organised here by Delhi-based think-tank Bureau of Research on Industry and Economic Fundamentals (BRIEF), the Chief Minister lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged the central government to do more for restoring peace in the state.

She said she was longing to see "the India which cries, feels the pain of Kashmir".

"The India that embraced us on our terms. To me, India is when we go to Nizamuddin shrine and see Hindus and Muslims praying together. To me, India is statues of Hindu gods being made by Muslim artisans."

Mufti said the government and the people of India needed to understand what Kashmiris were asking for and replace the idea of azadi "with a better idea".

"Are we ready to do that? Or we will just depend on administrative measures or security measures to tackle the situation? We may be able to contain the situation with all these measures but I don't think we have been able to address the real problem in the last 70 years."

Mufti said the ruling alliance was created with a hope of reviving the magic of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had initiated talks with separatists and Pakistan to solve the Kashmir problem.

"We need to revive that. He did it in spite of Kargil, he did it in spite of the Parliament attack. We need to revive it and Pakistan has also to contribute positively."

She admitted that there were some setbacks while dealing with Pakistan "but we cannot give up".

"I feel Modi is the man of the moment. He has the potential to rise. He can become the man of history and his leadership is an asset which needs to be harnessed and there has to be a way to work together and take Kashmir out of the mess."

Drawing attention to the five 2005 Working Groups constituted by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to address problems of the people of the state, Mufti said the government needed not to reinvent the wheel.

"The working group reports are there but they have been consigned to dustbins."

Asked about the recent crackdown of the National Investigation Agency against separatist leaders in the Kashmir Valley, Mehbooba said such administrative moves won't solve the real problem.

"Whatever happened with the NIA is an administrative measure. They don't address the real problem. The real problem is still there."

Strongly opposing any move to change the special status of Jammu and Kashmir or revoking Article 370, Mufti, who heads a coalition with BJP -- which opposes the special status accorded to the state, said there was so much of distrust between Kashmiris and India that the people of her state fear that whatever "we have that is also being snatched".

"You are telling those who are demanding azadi that we will snatch all that you have. How will they feel? This won't work," she said, expressing concern over any tinkering with Article 35A of the constitution that is being debated in the Supreme Court by way of a PIL.

The act empowers the state legislature to define "permanent residents" and accord special rights and privileges to them.

"Who is doing it? Why are they doing it? ...The separatists' agenda is different and it is totally secession. But you are weakening those powers which are Indian and trust India and participate in elections (by challenging Article 35A)," she said and warned if there is an alteration in the special status of the state there could be a revolt.

Strongly defending the constitutional clause, she said any change in its status would invite repercussions and mean that nobody would be able to protect the Indian national flag in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mufti said mainstream parties like the National Conference and her own Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) risk their workers' lives who stand up and carry the tricolour in Kashmir.

"Any tinkering with the article won't be acceptable. I won't hesitate in saying that nobody will even carry the corpse of the National Flag in Kashmir (if the article is scrapped). Let me make it very clear," she said.

Mufti said that by employing such tactics "you are not targeting separatists who have an agenda to secede but you are weakening the forces who have accepted India, participated in elections".

"They make efforts to integrate Jammu and Kashmir with India with respect and dignity. You are weakening them."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister on Friday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership but said for her "India is Indira".

At a Kashmir event here, said she was saddened to see the idea of India projected on television prime times that widens the gap between India and Kashmir.

She said she has not known this India projected in "hyperventilating" TV debates.

"I am sorry to say that the image of India which the (TV) anchors project is not what India is about, is not the India I know," she said.

Mufti said Jammu and Kashmir, defying the two-nation theory that was based on religious divide, had aligned to a more secular and accommodative India where Hindus and Muslims pray together at shrine and statues of Hindu gods are being made by Muslim artisans.

"To me, India is Indira Gandhi. When I was growing, she represented India for me. Maybe some people won't like it but she was the India," the Chief Minister said, apparently referring to Sangh Parivar's dislike for the Nehru-Gandhi family.

"I want to see that India which cries, feels the pain of Kashmir. The India that embraced us on our terms. We are a diverse state with all kinds of multi-diversity of religion and everything. Kashmir is a mini India in India," Mufti said.

Strongly opposing any move to revoke Kashmir's special constitutional status, she said some people were talking "about our flag, sometimes about Article 370... which are very dear to the people of the state and they help preserve the state's unique identity".

Mufti said the government of India and the people of the country needed to do more to accommodate the aspirations of Kashmiris even as the sentiment of 'azadi' needed to be replaced with a "better idea".

She did not spell it out but spoke of more cross-border contacts between the people of divided Jammu and Kashmir.

The Chief Minister pinned her hopes on Prime Minister Modi for resolving the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

"I feel Modi is the man of the moment. He can become the man of history and his leadership is an asset which needs to be harnessed. And there has to be a way to work together and take Kashmir out of the mess," she said.
Beleaguered Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigned on Friday after the Supreme Court, accusing him of dishonesty, disqualified him from holding the post following a probe that exposed illegal family wealth stashed abroad. Later, the PML-N decided to make Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Nawaz's brother, the new Prime Minister.

A five-judge bench unanimously disqualified Nawaz Sharif from his post after an investigative panel linked his grown up children to offshore companies, showing that their wealth was far above their legitimate earnings.

One of the judges, Ejaz Afzal Khan, said: "He (Sharif) is no more eligible to be an honest member of Parliament and he ceases to be holding the office of Prime Minister." His cabinet was also dissolved.

The much-awaited verdict in what came to be known as the Panama Papers case stunned the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, which put up a brave front saying he would remain its leader.

But very soon the veteran politician, who was in his third term as Prime Minister, quit from office while claiming he had "strong reservations" about the Supreme Court ruling.

The Election Commission later issued a notification disqualifying Sharif as a member of the National Assembly.

The opposition was jubilant and celebrated on the streets. Many distributed sweets.

The Panama Papers leaks of April 2016 revealed that three of Sharif's children owned offshore companies and assets not shown on his family's wealth statement. This was apparently used to channel funds to acquire foreign assets, including in London.

The court has recommended that anti-corruption cases should be registered against several individuals including Sharif, his daughter Maryam and her husband Mohammad Safdar, Sharif's sons Hassan and Hussain Nawaz as well as Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

The bench also disqualified Dar and Safdar, an MP, from holding office.

The bench said the Prime Minister, who has denied any wrongdoing, had been dishonest to Parliament and the judiciary and could not be deemed fit to hold office.

Within hours, the elder Sharif met senior party leaders and it was decided that his younger brother, Shahbaz Sharif, would succeed him. The younger Sharif, who has visited India, is not a member of the National Assembly or Senate and will have to be elected.

The PML-N will have to propose an interim Prime Minister to fill the 45-day vacuum until Shahbaz gets elected to Parliament. PML-N leader Khawaja Asif will most likely be the interim Prime Minister.

Born four years after Pakistan's independence, Shahbaz Sharif has been the Punjab Chief Minister since June 2013. He earlier held the post from February 1997 to October 1999 and from June 2008 to March 2013.

Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan said all material collected by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), which probed the allegations against Sharif and his family, would be sent to an accountability court within six weeks.

The President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain, has been asked to take necessary measures to run the country after Sharif's disqualification.

It was the second time in Pakistan that the Supreme Court has disqualified a sitting Prime Minister. In 2012, Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to reopen a corruption case against then President Asif Ali Zardari.

This is the third time Sharif has failed to complete his term in office. In 1993 he was sacked by the President over corruption allegations. And in 1999 he was ousted in a coup by Army Chief Pervez Musharraf.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan, who had emerged as the most vocal critic of Sharif, said that with his disqualification, the foundation of a new Pakistan had been laid.

Former President Musharraf, who went into virtual exile after Sharif returned to power, said the Supreme Court decision will have a positive impact on the country.

The Pakistan People's Party said it was regrettable Sharif didn't step down earlier and urged the authorities to ensure he didn't flee the country.

Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz was defiant. She tweeted: "Today will pave the way for Nawaz Sharif's resounding victory in 2018. He will be unstoppable. Rok sakte ho to rok lo!"

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A day after Nitish Kumar took oath as Bihar Chief Minister at the head of a JD-U-BJP government after dumping the Grand Alliance, he is confident of proving his majority in the assembly on Friday, party leaders said here.

The Janata Dal-United leaders said Nitish Kumar was "calm and cool" and spent the early morning at his official residence as usual, not worried about the trust vote in the 243-seat legislature.

"Nitish Kumar is confident that the JD-U-BJP combine will get 132 votes and will prove their majority in the assembly," JD-U leader Neeraj Kumar said.

According to officials at 1 Anne Marg, official residence of Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar was not at all "tense".

After he took oath as Chief Minister on Thursday with support from the BJP, Nitish Kumar vowed to seek a vote of confidence at a special session of the state assembly.

JD-U spokesperson Sanjay Singh told IANS that the trust vote would be smooth sailing for Nitish Kumar.

"There is no if and but, we are sure and certain of it hundred per cent," Singh said.

He said the JD-U and BJP have already issued whip to their party legislators.

Similarly, the RJD and Congress have also issued whip to their party legislators.

RJD leader Bhai Virender said that his party would stage protest in the state assembly.

Another senior RJD leader said that the party would walk out of the assembly.

--IANS

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The Income Tax Department has detected over 1,155 in the last three years through which non-genuine transactions of more than Rs 13,300 crore were carried out, Parliament was informed on Friday.

"During last three financial years (2013-14 to 2015-16), investigations by the Income Tax Department have led to detection of more than 1,155 shell companies/entities which were used as conduits by over 22,000 beneficiaries," Minister of State for Finance Santosh Kumar Gangwar told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

"The amount involved in non-genuine transactions of such beneficiaries was more than Rs 13,300 crore.

"Criminal prosecution complaints have been filed by the Income Tax Department against 47 persons. Action against such companies, the beneficiaries of non-genuine transactions and other persons associated there with under the direct taxes law is a continuous process," he added.

Enforcement Directorate conducted nationwide searched in 16 states on April 1 in respect of and related professionals who were behind their creation and operation.

"The CBI has registered 30 cases against 201 during the last 3 years  2014, 2015, 2016 and the current year till February 28," said Gangwar.

Out of these, charge-sheets have been filed in 17 cases, he added.

With a view to have consolidated relevant information at one place and based upon inputs from all law enforcement agencies, the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) has undertaken the exercise of preparing comprehensive digital database of shell companies and their associates that were identified by various law enforcement agencies.

As on July 12, the Corporate Affairs Ministry has removed 1,62,618 companies from the Register of Companies by following the due process under Section 248 of the Companies Act, 2013, Gangwar said.

Further, the exercise of identification of the directors of the companies defaulting in filing of financial statements or annual returns for continuous period of three financial years has been undertaken as part of the ongoing process for disqualification for reappointment as director in that company or in other company for a period of five years, he said.

A 'Task Force on Shell Companies' under the joint chairmanship of Revenue Secretary and Secretary, Corporate Affairs was constituted in February for effectively tackling the malpractices by shell companies/ponzi companies/'khoka' companies in a comprehensive manner.

Other members of the Task Force are from the Department of Financial Services, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Central Board of Excise and Customs, Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate, Serious Fraud Investigation Office and Financial Intelligence Unit.

The Task Force has held five meetings so far. Decisions taken by the Task Force focusing upon most effective and expeditious actions against shell companies and associated persons by the agencies concerned have duly been taken forward, he said.

The government had requested the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for freezing of accounts of the defaulting companies who have long exceeded the stipulated time limit, for filing of financials statements and returns, under the Companies Act.

The RBI has informed that, at present, it has no powers to freeze such accounts. Moreover, freezing orders issued by the government as per the provisions of the relevant statutes such as Unlawful Activities Prevention Act or Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, are communicated by the RBI to the banks.

Further, the government has requested the RBI to circulate the details of defaulting companies to all the banks with the advice to exercise enhanced due diligence while dealing with these companies, said Gangwar.

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Beleaguered Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigned on Friday after the Supreme Court, accusing him of dishonesty, disqualified him from holding the post following a probe that exposed illegal family wealth stashed abroad.

A five-judge bench unanimously disqualified Sharif from his post after an investigative panel linked his grown up children to offshore companies, showing that their wealth was far above their legitimate earnings.

One of the judges, Ejaz Afzal Khan, said: "He (Sharif) is no more eligible to be an honest member of Parliament and he ceases to be holding the office of Prime Minister." Sharif's cabinet also stands dissolved.

The much-awaited verdict in what came to be known as the Panama Papers case stunned the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, which put up a brave front saying all was not over for Sharif and he would remain its leader.

But very soon the veteran politician, who was in his third term as Prime Minister, quit from office while claiming he had "strong reservations" about the Supreme Court ruling.

The Election Commission later issued a notification disqualifying Sharif as a member of the National Assembly.

The opposition was jubilant and celebrated on the streets. Many distributed sweets.

The Panama Papers leaks of April 2016 revealed that three of Sharif's children owned offshore companies and assets not shown on his family's wealth statement. This was apparently used to channel funds to acquire foreign assets, including in London.

The court has recommended that anti-corruption cases should be registered against several individuals including Sharif, his daughter Maryam and her husband Mohammad Safdar, Sharif's sons Hassan and Hussain Nawaz as well as Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

The bench also disqualified Dar and Safdar, an MP, from holding office.

The bench said the Prime Minister, who has denied any wrongdoing, had been dishonest to Parliament and the judiciary and could not be deemed fit to hold office.

Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan said all material collected by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), which probed the allegations against Sharif and his family, would be sent to an accountability court within six weeks.

The President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain, has been asked to take necessary measures to run the country after Sharif's disqualification.

It was the second time in Pakistan that the Supreme Court has disqualified a sitting Prime Minister. In 2012, Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to reopen a corruption case against then President Asif Ali Zardari.

This is the third time Sharif has failed to complete his term in office. In 1993 he was sacked by the President over corruption allegations. And in 1999 he was ousted in a coup by Army Chief Pervez Musharraf.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan, who had emerged as the most vocal critic of Sharif, said that with his disqualification, the foundation of a new Pakistan had been laid.

Former President Musharraf, who went into virtual exile after Sharif returned to power, said the Supreme Court decision will have a positive impact on the country.

The Pakistan People's Party said it was regrettable Sharif didn't step down earlier and urged the authorities to ensure he didn't flee the country.

Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz was defiant. She tweeted: "Today will pave the way for Nawaz Sharif's resounding victory in 2018. He will be unstoppable. Rok sakte ho to rok lo!"

The ruling party, which said it will challenge the verdict, expressed reservations over the disqualification of Sharif and said the removal of the Prime Minister was not on the basis of Panama Papers.

"Since 1947 till date, not one Prime Minister of Pakistan has completed the five-year tenure. Call it irony of fate or mistakes on one ground or the other," said party leader Barrister Zafarullah.

It was unclear who will succeed Sharif till the 2018 general elections. Sharif had warned that his ouster would destabilize Pakistan.

--IANS

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Pakistans deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday became ineligible to hold public office for life after the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the disqualification of two lawmakers, including him was permanent, in a landmark verdict ending the political future of the three-time premier ahead of general elections this year.

The verdict was issued by the apex court while hearing a case related to the determination of time duration for disqualification of a lawmaker under the Constitution.

The five-judge bench of the Supreme Court had grappled with Article 62(1)(f), which only stated that a lawmaker is disqualified under specified conditions but did not set out the duration of the disqualification.



ALSO READ: Pakistan tragedy: 7 killed in blast near Nawaz Sharif's; police targetted

Article 62, which sets the precondition for a member of parliament to be sadiq and ameen (honest and righteous), is the same provision under which Sharif was disqualified on July 28, 2017, in the Panama Papers case.

Sharif, 68, was disqualified by the Supreme Court for not being honest and righteous as he failed to declare in 2013 a salary he got from the company of his son in the UAE.



ALSO READ: Watch: Shoe thrown at former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif at Lahore madrasa

In February, the court also disqualified Sharif as the head of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). In Fridays verdict, it said that under the countrys Constitution, no person once disqualified from office by the top court can hold public office again.

The historic ruling ended Sharif's hopes to stage a political comeback in general elections slated after June. Likewise, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen was disqualified on December 15 last year by a separate bench of the apex court under the same provision. Following the verdict, both Sharif and Tareen have become ineligible to ever hold public office.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice on Friday after the opposition created a ruckus over the resignation of five Congress MLAs from Gujarat who later joined the ruling BJP in the state.

Congress member Anand Sharma accused the Gujarat Police of "kidnapping" its MLAs to pressurise them to join the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Subsequently, the opposition members trooped into the well of the House in protest and raised slogans of 'Stop killing of the Constitution'.

When Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien asked what he could do in the matter, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said: "You can direct the Election Commission for free and fair elections (in the state)."

Kurien responded: "The Election Commission does not need directions from the Chair. It is constitutionally bound to hold free and fair elections."

BJP member Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi objected to Azad's demand, saying that he may also ask for such directions from the Supreme Court.

As the protest continued even after the first adjournment of 10 minutes, the House was adjourned again till 12 p.m.

Chhanabhai Chaudhary, a legislator from tribal Vansda seat, and Mansinh Chauhan from Balasinor submitted their resignations to Speaker Ramanlal Vora on Friday.

Chaudhary and Chauhan are believed to be close to rebel leader and former Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela, who quit as Leader of the Opposition on his birthday on July 21, alleging there was an intra-party conspiracy to oust him from the Congress.

Congress' Balwantsinh Rajput, MLA from Siddhpur, Tejashree Patel from Viramgam, and Vijapur legislator P.I. Patel had submitted their resignations on Thursday afternoon and joined the BJP.

--IANS

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Federal Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt said here on Thursday that an illegal emissions software had been detected in the three-litre TDI diesel Cayenne and, as such, he had ordered 22,000 vehicles to be recalled across Europe.

Furthermore, he announced the withdrawal of the licensing for this particular SUV so that no new vehicles of this type would enter the market, Xinhua news agency reported.

This is the first time in the German diesel scandal that a car can no longer be newly registered.

According to Dobrindt, the technology that was detected recognises when the vehicle is in an emission test scenario, switching to a "warm-up strategy" that was not activated in real driving situations.

The Cayenne's diesel engine is supplied by Audi who already has to recall 24,000 vehicles because of an illegal emission software.

Volkswagen announced it would investigate Dobrindt's suspicion with respect to the VW Touareg.

--IANS

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Private life insurer Company Ltd is targeting to expand its distribution network by acquiring a public sector bank promoted life insurer, a top company official told analysts on Friday.

The top management of Reliance Capital and its subsidiaries spoke to analysts a day after the company declared its results for the first quarter ending June 30, 2017.

"We also plan to expand our distribution network through M&A (merger and acquisition) opportunities with PSU (public sector undertaking) bank-owned life companies," Ashish Vohra, CEO of Reliance Nippon Life, told analysts.

Queried about the life insurer's individual agency-based distribution model, he said there is substantial non-bank assurance business and many players are revamping their distribution model.

"Clear turnaround has been achieved in the operations in Q1 FY18. There is a sharp improvement across all Key Performance Indicators, including new business and persistency," Vohra said.

Anmol Ambani, Executive Director, said: "We are on track on the process of demerger and independent listing of Reliance Home Finance over the next few months."

He said the listing of Reliance Nippon Life Asset Management and Reliance General Insurance would happen in FY18 and would unlock substantial value for all stakeholders.

Ambani said the total income of Reliance Capital for the first quarter increased by 33 per cent to Rs 49 billion, and profit rose by 15 per cent to Rs 2.4 billion.

"In terms of operating performance, all businesses have achieved significant growth in topline and a strong improvement in profitability," he added.

The top management of the company told analysts that Reliance Capital will treble lending book in small and medium enterprises and consumer finance to Rs 50,000 crore in the next three years.

Similarly, the housing finance company would also reach an asset under-management (AUM) of Rs 50,000 crore in three year's time.

According to officials, Reliance Capital will leverage technology and digital platforms in a big manner for accelerated growth in the lending business and simultaneously will focus on underserved tier 2 and tier 3 towns and cities for achieving targeted growth in the lending business.

On Thursday, Reliance Capital reported a 15 per cent rise in consolidated net profit at Rs 238 crore in the first quarter. Its net profit stood at Rs 207 crore in the year-ago period.

Total income stood at Rs 4,857 crore for the quarter as against Rs 3,663 crore in the same quarter a year ago.

As on June 30, 2017, the net worth of the company stood at Rs 16,777 crore, an increase of seven per cent.

Meanwhile, the Reliance Capital scrip shot up to touch a high of Rs 713.90 in BSE on Friday.
Rome, July 28 (IANS/AKI) A ship docked in the Sicilian port of Trapani in Italy with 245 migrants on board who were saved earlier this week in the Mediterranean, as well as the bodies of 13 people who perished on the crossing, officials said on Friday.

Rescuers on Tuesday recovered the corpses of 13 migrants including pregnant women from a flimsy inflatable dinghy drifting 15 nautical miles off the Libyan coast.

Shocking pictures of the tragedy emerged showing survivors from sub-Saharan Africa sitting on the sides of the raft around a pile of bodies, many of which were naked.

A Spanish charity rescue vessel that reached the scene found 167 migrants alive.

Nearly 3,000 migrants have died trying to reach Europe across the Mediterranean so far this year, according to the UN migration agency the International Organization for Migration.

A total 113,433 people entered Europe by sea this year through 26 July as the Mediterranean migrant crisis continues, with 94,445 of these people landing in Italy, according to IOM.

--IANS/AKI

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The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to Maharashtra government on a plea seeking cancellation of bail granted to Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur in the 2008 Malegon blasts case, in which six people were killed.

A division bench of Justice R.K. Agrawal and Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar sought response from the state government and Thakur on the plea seeking a stay on the Bombay High Court's April 25 order granting bail to her.

The court also posted for August 14 the plea of co-accused Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit seeking bail in the case.

The Bombay High Court in April granted bail to Thakur while rejecting the bail plea of Purohit, another prime accused in the case. The court had held that prima facie there was no case made against her.

Nisar Ahmed Haji Sayed Bilal, father of one of the blast victims, has moved the apex court alleging that Thakur was a "powerful person" and could influence the witnesses in the case.

The high court had erred in concluding that there was no prima facie evidence against her, said the plea, claiming that there was ample evidence against Thakur, and "her role, involvement and complicity in planning and executing the conspiracy for committing Malegaon blast is writ large on the case record".

"Thakur coordinated with a co-accused for providing explosives to her confidantes/absconding accused," it said, adding that she had been denied bail by a special court in Mumbai several times in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016 on the ground that "a prima facie case is clearly made out against her."

Seven people were killed in a bomb blast on September 29, 2008, at Malegaon, a communally-sensitive textile town in Nasik district of north Maharashtra.

A Special MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) court had earlier ruled that the Anti-Terrorist Squad had wrongly applied the MCOCA in the case against Thakur, Purohit and nine others.

--IANS

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While the paramilitary Assam Rifles has stepped up security on the India-Myanmar border along eastern Mizoram to stop drugs and arms smuggling, border fencing work is on in western Mizoram along the India-Bangladesh frontiers, an official said here on Friday.

"Of Mizoram's 318-km border with Bangladesh, 233 km is to be fenced by March 2019," an official of Mizoram's home department said.

"Barbed wire fencing has been undertaken in 2005 to check various border crimes, smuggling of arms and drugs and cross-border movement of militants."

He said: "After the visit of the Madhukar Gupta Committee along Mizoram borders with Bangladesh, the Union Home Ministry recently asked to stop fencing work of the 'unfenced' border without citing any reason. The work would resume soon."

The official said the fencing work along the India-Bangladesh border with Mizoram has been delayed due to several reasons, including topographical adversaries.

Two central government agencies -- Engineering Projects India Limited and National Projects Construction Corporation Limited -- are erecting the border fencing in Mizoram.

The Assam Rifles, anti-insurgency trained paramilitary force, has stepped up security on the India-Myanmar border along eastern Mizoram to stop drugs, arms smuggling and cross-border movement of inimical elements.

An Assam Rifles official said the higher authority of the central paramilitary force has alerted troops deployed along the 510 km-long India-Myanmar border with Mizoram to tighten vigil along the porous border.

Acting on a tip-off, the Assam Rifles troopers recently seized five AK-56 rifles, some loaded magazines and ammunition between Farkawn and Vaphai villages in Mizoram adjoining Myanmar. These weapons were likely meant to be sold to Manipur-based insurgent groups.

Until 1986, after two decades of terrorism, Mizoram become a peaceful state but the arms and drugs smuggling from Myanmar has become rampant in recent years.

To review security along the India-Myanmar border, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh accompanied by his deputy Kiren Rijiju last month held a meeting in Aizawl with the Chief Ministers and senior officers of four northeastern states, which share borders with Myanmar.

Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Manipur (398 km), Nagaland (215 km) and Mizoram (510 km) share the 1,643-km mountainous border.

There is a 16-km-wide free zone (eight km on either side) along the unfenced border.

Nagaland is unwilling to erect fencing along the India-Myanmar border, citing spoiling of relations among the ethnic tribals living on both sides of the boundary.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As opposition party leaders in Pakistan celebrated the Supreme Court's decision to disqualify Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from office, ruling PML-N members expressed disappointment but said Sharif's days are not over.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, talking to the media outside the apex court, said: "This is a difficult time for the PML-N. But the power to make party decisions will remain with Nawaz Sharif."

State Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said: "Nawaz does not need a chair, he is a reality. That day is not far when he will be chosen for the fourth time."

Aurangzeb added: "Some decisions happen in court, others in peoples' courts. We may have lost one decision... which I am not surprised about but am saddened."

"PML-N (Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz) is Pakistan's biggest political party. It has the highest number of political workers. And history is a witness that whenever Nawaz Sharif was removed unjustly, the people of Pakistan brought him back to Parliament with a greater majority."

She said that the party will announce its plan after looking at the court decision in detail.

Senior lawyer Asma Jehangir told Dawn that the court's decision should be accepted but there was room for criticism.

"After his decision, a lot of cracks have emerged which will keep the judiciary on its feet for a very long time," Jehangir said to Geo News.

"I think that Zia ul Haq (former President) and Iftikhar Chaudhry (former apex court Chief Justice) have returned. It will become difficult for others and the court... The Parliament will think that the apex court has always decided against us and Article 184(3) powers have reached a point where anyone can be disqualified, the Parliament will look to amend it."

She added: "This is a unique decision. It has had a unique procedure. In courts it happens that there is a set pattern but the way this case has happened is not normal."

--IANS

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Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the brother of ousted Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif, is to replace him at the head of the government, the media reported.

The elder Sharif met senior party leaders after being disqualified by the Supreme Court for "dishonesty" in the Panama Papers trial case.

The name of Shehbaz Sharif was announced during a high-level PML-N meeting.

The younger brother is not a member of the National Assembly or Senate, and will have to get elected to the Senate to be Prime Minister.

The party will have to propose a name for interim Prime Minister, to fill the 45 day vacuum until Shehbaz Sharif gets elected to the Parliament.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Khawaja Asif will most likely become interim Prime Minister.

According to reports, either Hamaz Shehbaz Sharif, the son of Shehbaz, or Rana Sanaullah, Punjab province's Law Minister, will replace Shehbaz Sharif as the Punjab Chief Minister.

It was also decided during the meeting that the party will utilise all legal and constitutional options available to counter the apex court's verdict.

--IANS

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Amid India's growing ties with Africa, the Foreign Minister of Somalia Yusuf-Garaad Omar will pay a five-day visit to the country next week during which he will hold talks with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj.

Omar will be visiting from July 31-August 4. This will be Omar's first visit to India since he assumed office earlier this year.

The two sides will discuss the entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest, a statement said.

Both sides will also ink the Agreement for Transfer of Sentenced Persons during the visit.

The Union Cabinet had in June given its approval for the ratification of the agreement on transfer of sentenced persons between India and Somalia, located on the Horn of Africa.

Earlier this year, India had thanked Somalia for rescuing 10 of its nationals held by pirates.

The Indians were working as crew on a commercial vessel - Al Kausar -- which was hijacked by pirates off the Indian Ocean coast near Yemen.

The Somali security forces liberated the vessel in April this year.

India also offers Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) training scholarships and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships to Somalia.

Somalia is among the partner countries of India's Pan African e-Network project.

India-Somalia bilateral trade stood at $391.05 million in 2014-15, a more than 51 per cent increase over the figure of $257.27 million in 2013-14.

The Somali Foreign Minister will also travel to Mumbai and Hyderabad during the course of his visit.

India has been increasing its engagement with Africa, including through a series of high level visits in the last two years -- by then President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. New Delhi also hosted the India Africa Forum Summit in October 2015 that saw all 54 African nations participating.

Earlier this year, India also hosted the annual meeting of African Development Bank.

--IANS

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Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake has spoken highly of the proposed Belt and Road Initiative, saying that Colombo would like to see more Chinese investments.

The newly-appointed Foreign Minister told Xinhua news agency that China and Sri Lanka had maintained strong ties since ancient times, with the relationship being at its strongest level at present.

While appreciating the large-scale investments China had brought to Sri Lanka, especially since the end of a civil war between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009, Karunanayake said the country would benefit from more Chinese investments.

"We appreciate the investments that are coming in from China, but we would like to see much more," he said.

While reiterating that Sri Lanka would soon be transformed into a global trading hub, Karunanayake said Colombo's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative would strengthen its trading position even further.

He said Sri Lanka was happy being a part of the Belt and Road Initiative and was implementing a 'Sri Lanka first' approach due to the benefits it would get from the initiative, Karunanayake said.

Proposed by China in 2013, the initiative refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, aiming at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes of Silk Road.

China has become one of Sri Lanka's largest development partners with infrastructure construction projects worth billions of dollars. China is also one of the major FDI sources of Sri Lanka.

--IANS

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Thousands of people bid a tearful adieu to former Karnataka Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh at a state funeral at his farmhouse near here on Friday.

Dharam Singh died on Thursday at a private hospital in Bengaluru following a massive heart attack earlier during the day. He was 80.

The State Reserve Police gave a 21-gun salute to the veteran politician and sounded the bugle before the cremation at Nelogi village in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge, a few Cabinet Ministers, many lawmakers, relatives, and friends.

People from this old Hyderabad-Karnataka region, about 650 km from Bengaluru, flocked to Kalaburgi to pay their last respects to Dharma Singh, whose body was kept at the Nutan Vidyalaya grounds in the city centre to enable his followers to pay homage.

Dharam Singh's eldest son Vijay Singh lit the pyre before sunset after Hindu priests performed religious rituals.

The cortege was flown to Bidar from Bengaluru by a special flight on Thursday night and then to Kalaburgi through state highway as hundreds of people gathered en route to catch last glimpse of the body wrapped in the Tricolour.

On way to the village farm, Dharam Singh's body was taken to his hometown Jewergi.

Dharam Singh is survived by his wife Prabhavathi, two sons Vijay Singh and Ajay Singh, and daughter Priyadarshini.

The state government on Thursday declared a three-day mourning in honour of Singh. Government offices and educational institutions were closed on Friday in Kalaburgi and Bidar districts.

A veteran Congress leader for over six decades, Singh was the Chief Minister of the first coalition government in the southern state from May 28, 2004, to February 3, 2006, along with the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S).

He was an MP from Bidar from 2009-2014 and a record seven-time legislator from the Jewargi in the state's northern district of Kalaburgi from 1978-2008.

--IANS

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Telugu Titans defeated debutants Tamil Thalaivas 32-27 in the opening match of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), which got underway at a nearly-full Gachibowli Indoor Stadium here on Friday.

Captain Rahul Chaudhari set the tone early for the hosts who raced to an 18-11 lead by half-time. In total, Rahul bagged as many as 10 points.

Nilesh Salunke was another star performer for the winning side earning for his side seven points out of his 14 raids.

Vishal Bhardwaj (five points) and Farhad Milaghardan (4) kept a check on the rival team's star raiders Ajay Thakur (6) and K. Prapanjan (7).

Initially, the match looked balanced, with both teams at 3-3. But Rahul's power, agility and intelligence enabled points after points for Telugu.

At 8-7, Prapanjan's double in a raid steered Telugu to a strong position, with the opponents facing the danger of all out -- which ultimately happened two raids later.

This led to the visitors fall behind by seven points and after the break, Salunke starred for Telugu. His attack to the left, especially, paid dividends, as he and his team reaped the handsome win.

Prapanjan did his best with three points in second raids with three minutes to go but it was not enough.

C. Arun (four points) was also another key performer for Tamil side.

--IANS

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Three new crew members will join the Expedition 52 aboard the International Space Station on Friday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, NASA said in a statement.

The liftoff of astronauts Randy Bresnik from NASA, Sergey Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos and Paolo Nespoli from ESA (European Space Agency) is scheduled for 3.41 p.m. (9 p.m. IST).

After launching, the trio will travel for six hours in the Soyuz MS-05 spacecraft before docking to the space station's Rassvet module.

The crew will be welcomed onboard by Expedition 52 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of Roscosmos and Flight Engineers Peggy Whitson and Jack Fischer of NASA.

They will spend more than four months together aboard the orbital complex before returning to Earth in December.

The six crew members of Expedition 52 will continue work on hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science and earth science aboard the International Space Station, NASA said.

Live coverage of the docking will begin at 5.15 p.m. on NASA TV.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A top US official will be on a visit to India and Pakistan next week, during which she will meet with government officials and others to discuss US relations with the region, a statement said.

Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs and Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Alice Wells will travel to New Delhi and Islamabad on her introductory trip to the region, July 30-August 8, a US State Department media release said.

"She will meet with government officials, thought leaders, and business executives to discuss US relations with the region. She will also meet with Embassy staff to learn more about their efforts to advance US prosperity and security across the region," it said.

Her appointment as acting special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan puts to rest speculation that the Trump administration was abolishing the office established during former President Barack Obama's first term.

The senior diplomat with over 28 years of experience was US Ambassador to Jordan and has also served in Islamabad.

--IANS

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US Attorney General Jeff Sessions has admitted that President Donald Trump's criticism over his recusal from the Russia investigation has been "kind of hurtful", but insisted that he will continue in the job, the media reported.

"The President of the US is a strong leader," Sessions told Fox News in an interview on Thursday.

"He has had a lot of criticisms and he's steadfastly determined to get his job done, and he wants all of us to do our jobs and that's what I intend to do."

"I serve at the pleasure of the President...If he wants to make a change, he can certainly do so and I would be glad to yield in that circumstance, no doubt about it. But I do believe that we are making tremendous progress," Sessions told Fox News.

Trump has repeatedly slammed Sessions in media interviews and on Twitter over the attorney general's decision to recuse himself from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's probe into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Trump and Sessions have not yet spoken, though "people have talked about it at the White House", the attorney general said, making clear that he still feels he understands the "mission" of this administration.

Trump told The New York Times last week that Sessions "should have never recused himself. And if he was going to recuse himself he should have told me before he took the job and I would have picked somebody else."

Sessions, in the interview, said that he still believed he "made the right decision" in recusing.

Since his initial comments, the president has refused to say if he'll fire Sessions, telling reporters last week that "time will tell" about the attorney general's fate.

--IANS

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It was a special Friday for veteran actor Anupam Kher, who says he feels privileged that two of his movies released in two different parts of the world on the same day.

"Privileged to be perhaps the only Indian actor to have two releases on the same day on two sides of the world. 'Indu Sarkar' and 'A Family Man'," Anupam tweeted.

While "Indu Sarkar" is a much in news drama set in the Emergency era imposed in India in the 1970s, "A Family Man" is an American drama in which the actor plays a Sikh doctor.

These apart, "The Big Sick" -- the 500th film of Anupam's career -- also released in Britain. The movie has been getting positive reviews.

--IANS

rb/vd

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Rome, July 28 (IANS/AKI) The Italian cabinet on Friday said it had dissolved two councils in the southern Calabria region for alleged infiltration by the local mafia.

The disbanded councils are Cropani in the province of Catanzaro and Brancaleone in the province of Reggio Calabria, the cabinet said in a statement.

The cabinet also extended the dissolution of Brescello council in the northern Emilia-Romagna region, the statement said.

Brescello was the first northern town to be disbanded (in 2016) for infiltration by the Calabrian mafia or 'Ndrangheta.

Hundreds of town councils in southern Italy have been dissolved for mafia infiltration since 1991 including the Sicilian mafia stronghold of Corleone - birthplace of 'boss of bosses' Toto Riina - which was dissolved last year.

--IANS/AKI

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Goa former Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane on Friday said that he will not campaign against his son and current Health Minister in the BJP-led coalition government, Vishwajit Rane, in the upcoming assembly bypoll, dealing a setback to the Congress.

"Family is more important than politics," Rane told IANS on the sidelines of the ongoing monsoon session of the Goa assembly.

"There are many instances in India where members of the same family have contested on different party tickets," the former Speaker and Goa's longest serving Congress legislator said.

His son Vishwajit won from the Valpoi assembly constituency earlier this year on a Congress ticket, but later switched over to the Bharatiya Janata Party and joined the coalition cabinet as Health Minister, resulting in by-election in Valpoi.

Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar said the party respects Rane's decision. "It is a personal matter. We do not want to force him to campaign," Kavlekar said.

BJP spokesperson Michael Lobo said that the party was confident of victory, irrespective of whether Pratapsingh Rane campaigns or not.

"Vishwajit has a good connect with the people. Whether his father campaigns against him or not is irrespective," Lobo said.

Goa will see two by-elections in August in Valpoi and in the Panaji assembly constituency, where Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar -- who is still a Rajya Sabha member from Uttar Pradesh -- is expected to contest from.

--IANS

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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday won the trust vote in the Bihar Assembly, with 131 of the 243 legislators voting for him. Amid protests by Lalu Prasad Yadavs RJD, Kumar said that that the new alliance of JD(U) and BJP has been built on political opportunism.
In a dig at the BJP over recent developments in Bihar, the today said it seemed its ally had "made Pakistan happy" by aligning with Nitish Kumar.

The Sena said in an editorial that today was "no longer about morals and ideals" and added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah had "snatched away" the opposition's prime ministerial face.

"Amit Shah had earlier said if Nitish Kumar won, Pakistan would celebrate. So is Pakistan celebrating now," it asked in the editorial in the Sena mouthpiece, 'Saamana'.

It said, "It seems that the BJP itself has made Pakistan happy by collaborating with Nitish".

The NDA has got its "old friend" back, it said, but pointed out that Kumar had "splashed a lot of muck" on Modi when he left the NDA.

"Has that muck been washed off now," asked the Sena, a constituent of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and in Maharashtra.

"In just two years, after Modi kept on with his winning spree, Nitish Kumar's conscience once again made him join the NDA fold. is no more about ideals and morals," it said.

The BJP formed a government in Manipur and in Goa despite not having a majority, it said.

"The BJP should ask its conscience if this would have been possible if the party did not have its government in Delhi," the Sena said.

It said the BJP should "immediately ask" Nitish Kumar to clarify his views on violence by gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes).

"Nitish Kumar was the prime ministerial face of the opposition parties. Modi and Amit Shah have snatched that face away," the Sena added.

(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.)
was on Thursday sworn in as the Bihar Chief Minister at the head of a JD-U-BJP government, a day after he dumped the RJD and the Congress, but faced murmurs of protest from senior leaders including Sharad Yadav. The Kerala unit of his party snapped ties with him.

also came under attack from former allies who called his decision a "betrayal" of the 2015 mandate.

Nitish Kumar, who took the oath of office and secrecy with his former Deputy Sushil Kumar Modi of the BJP, has to prove his majority in the Assembly on Friday.

He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi at a hurriedly-organised event at the Raj Bhavan as JD-U supporters raised slogans of " Zindabad".





ALSO READ: Unravelling CM Nitish Kumar's myth: Only 17 of 100 Biharis support JD(U)

The new JD-U-BJP combine including some other parties has submitted to the Governor a list of 132 MLAs, 10 more than the half-way mark of 122 in the 243 member Assembly.

They include 71 of JD-U, BJP's 53, RLSP's and LJP's two each, HAM's one and three independents. The RJD has 80 MLAs and its ally Congress has 27. The CPI-ML, bitterly opposed to the BJP, has three members.

"My commitment is for the people of Bihar and for the development of Bihar. The decision is in Bihar's interest and for its development," Nitish Kumar said after taking oath.





ALSO READ: After swearing in, Nitish Kumar faces heat at home

The Chief Minister pledged to take the state to new heights of development.

It was not a smooth affair though as two JD-U MPs, M.P. Veerendra Kumar, head of the party's Kerala unit, and Ali Anwar (Bihar) rebelled against his decision to embrace the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The unhappy leaders met at Sharad Yadav's residence in Delhi and said the veteran was upset with Nitish Kumar. The meeting was also attended by JD-U General Secretary Arun Srivastava and spokesperson Javed Raza.

Veerendra Kumar said he was ready to quit the Rajya Sabha to pursue his fight against "fascist forces".





ALSO READ: Nitish Kumar to seek trust vote at 11 am today

"We are not accepting the JD-U joining the NDA and our relations with Nitish Kumar have ended. It's shocking Nitish Kumar has joined the NDA. We all thought that he will fight the fascist tendencies but he has now become a part of it."

Veerendra Kumar added: "He (Sharad Yadav) told me there is no question of accepting the present stand of Nitish Kumar."

"None of the party office bearers were consulted before taking such a cruel decision," Anwar said. He said Nitish Kumar on Thursday morning spoken to Sharad Yadav over phone and briefed him about the circumstances under which he chose to go with the BJP.

Nitish Kumar's move marks his return to the NDA after almost four years. The JD-U severed ties with the BJP after it chose Narendra Modi as its Prime Ministerial candidate in 2013.

Lalu Prasad, whose son Tejashwi Yadav faces corruption charges and which triggered the collapse of the Grand Alliance, accused Nitish Kumar of "cheating" the people of Bihar. He said Nitish Kumar "conspired" with the BJP to get graft cases filed against his family.

"I made him the Chief Minister despite my party being the single largest party in the state."

The RJD leader said his party was consulting legal experts and may approach the Supreme Court as the verdict in the S.R. Bommai case was not followed while inviting Nitish Kumar to form the government in Bihar.

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi also slammed Nitish Kumar for shaking hands with the BJP for "personal gains".

"The mandate was against the communal stand of the BJP but Nitish has chosen to embrace them. We were aware of what was going on for three-four months. This is the problem with Indian . For the sake of power and personal gains, they compromise with anything."

BSP chief Mayawati accused Nitish Kumar of betraying the people of Bihar. "Democracy will be weakened. This is another example of hunger for power."
This article first appeared in Business Standard on 28 July, 2017

With the BJP and JD(U) joining hands in Bihar, the stage is finally set for implementing one of the foremost poll promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the run up to the Bihar elections in 2015. While Modi had announced a special package of Rs 1.25 lakh crore for Bihar at an election rally in Arrah in August 2015, it has released money to the state only for projects sanctioned under the 12th Five-Year Plan. The plan, which commenced in 2012, coincidentally, will end this year. This sets the stage for the BJP-JD(U) alliance in Bihar to go full steam ahead, with the special package for the backward state promised by Modi in his 2015 election rally.
Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar, is a very popular leader in that state, with virtues of probity in public life and governance focus on development, the English press and the larger media narrative would have us believe.
Ten people were today booked by the police on charges of embezzlement of funds of the rural development grant to the tune of Rs 1.44 crore here.

The Additional Deputy Commissioner-Development, Jagwinderjit Singh Sandhu, has lodged a complaint with the police in connection with the alleged embezzlement in the Block Development and Panchayat Officer's (BDPO) office at Batala recently.

The then BDPO Malkiat Singh, block samiti patwari Inderjit Singh, three panchayat secretaries -- Sandeep Singh, Jaspal Singh and Azad Masih-- are among those booked in the case, the police said.

Besides them, three clerks -- Gurpinder Singh, Amarjit Singh and Tejinder Singh-- and two owners of a private firm face charges, they said.

They have been booked under various sections of the IPC and the Corruption Act, police said, adding the accused are absconding.

The alleged embezzlement to the tune of Rs 1.44 crore in the BDPO's office at Batala came to the light recently, they said.

The amount was provided by the Finance Commission of India for spending under the 2011 Census programme. The alleged scam was detected by a high-level probe committee of revenue officials.

The probe was instituted by Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar following a number of complaints received by the administration during the tenure of the SAD-BJP government.

The Batala BDPO's officewas allocated the amount under the 13th and 14th Finance Commission to further allocate the grant to the rural development purpose, the Additional Deputy Commissioner said.

Malkiat used to place cheques in his name, employees, private persons and private firms and pocket the money on his own, Sandhu said.

The inquiry committee has found gross violations in BDPO office records, he said, adding the grants issued to the different panchayats had not been entered in any cash books that determine its distribution.

According to the instructions of the government, it is necessary to register details regarding the amounts allocated in the cash book every month, Sandhu said.

This was not found in order at the Batala's BDPO office, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The 10-year-old child who will soon give birth -- with the Supreme Court today dismissing a plea to allow her to terminate her 32-week pregnancy -- may need years of sustained counselling centred on respect, rehabilitation and resilience, experts say.

The three Rs are necessary to help the rape survivor, assaulted by her uncle and just a few weeks away from full- term pregnancy, cope with the trauma of rape as well as the childhood pregnancy, psychologists and childcare experts said.

"She should get a lot of support in the form of good counselling. And it should continue. She needs to be rehabilitated and not abandoned in a dirty Home. She needs to be in a place where she would be respected," Mumbai-based psychologist Harish Shetty told PTI.

Too young to have attained the "developmental maturity" to deal with the issue, the child may suffer psychologically as well as physically, the experts state.

City-based psychiatrist Samir Parikh advises psychological interventions not just for the child but for her family as well.

"Such interventions could help in the healing process post the trauma associated with the experience, while also helping the child and the family members adjust to the situation, develop more adaptive coping mechanisms, and also work on building the child's resilience post the pregnancy," Parikh said.

Such an experience is also likely to lead to interference in the child's interpersonal relationships, personality, self-esteem and overall health, he added.

According to Mumbai-based gynaecologist Sonal Kumta, giving birth and abortion in such early pregnancies are both "equally risky".

"It may lead the girl to be anaemic or the baby to be born prematurely," she said.

Shetty went on to say that counsellors must look out for sudden emotional outbursts and tend to her in an "understanding" manner.

"One should understand her grief and help her resolve her issues slowly over a period of time. They should look out for emotions and excessive fears -- nightmares, sadness etc."



He added the process of rehabilitation should not stop.

"She should not be abandoned. She should be helped in building resilience and start a new life in a new city with a new identity. All this is very important," he said.

While diagnosing pregnancy in children as young as 10- years old is very difficult, Kumta advises "educating" girls from the start to help them understand such issues.

"We need to be aware that something like this can happen and not be in a denial mode," Kumta said.

Courts allow medical termination of a pregnancy up to 20 weeks under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and can make an exception if the foetus is genetically abnormal.

Kavita Krishnan, secretary of the All India Progressive Women's Association, stressed there should be no delays in court decisions on such cases, for the health of the mother was of paramount importance.

"A delay in hearings in such cases is unacceptable. There should be a day by day hearing as it will have consequences on the health of the mother," she said.

The PIL in this case was filed after a Chandigarh district court on July 18 refused to let the girl undergo the abortion as it was confirmed that she was 26 weeks pregnant.

Considering the report of the medical board that terminating the pregnancy would neither be good for the girl nor the foetus, the apex court had expressed satisfaction over the medical care being provided to the survivor.

An apex court bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud took note of the report of the medical board set up by PGI (Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) Chandigarh to examine her and the consequences if the termination of pregnancy was allowed.

The bench asked Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, who was present in the court room, to consider its suggestion to set up a permanent medical board in every state to take prompt decisions on prospects of early abortion in view of the fact that such cases were reaching the apex court in a big way.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The UN peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic says two Moroccan peacekeepers have been killed in a southeastern town where another Moroccan was killed on Sunday.

A statement Tuesday says the two peacekeepers were killed by suspected anti-Balaka militia while another peacekeeper was lightly injured. They had been refilling water for the town's humanitarian needs when they were attacked.

Hundreds of people have been killed in Central African Republic and roughly 100,000 displaced in the past two months.

Sectarian violence that began in 2013 has been moving into the impoverished country's central and southeastern regions, prompting warnings of a national conflict roaring back to life.

In Bangassou alone, more than 150 people have died in fighting between militias and U.N. Peacekeeping forces.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister today attacked Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for allegedly "glorifying" China and hoped the almighty would give him "good sense".

"A number of things were stated in the House during budget discussion to which I think every Indian will object. I am upset and have objection over the former CM's attempt to glorify an enemy country. May God give him good sense," Aditynath said in Legislative Council.

On July 26 during the budget discussion, Akhilesh said, "I feel that a fight should be initiated with someone you can win against. Beware of China. They (BJP) say India is not the same as 1962 but did not say China is not what it was that year. It has development and basic infrastructure and we can not reach there."



When opposition members had objected to it, SP members said Akhilesh's statement was misinterpreted.

Adityanath also said today that due to the "misdeeds" of the SP government, the people of the state have thrown them out of power.

"I will pray that such situation soon arise in the Upper House too that they will be forced to leave themselves," the chief minister 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.)
After the disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, no clear picture has emerged so far as to who would succeed him from the family-run Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), with a prominent analyst today predicting a "very uncertain" situation for the ruling party.

Pakistan's Supreme Court today disqualified the three- time prime minister for dishonesty and ruled that corruption cases be filed against him and his children over the Panama Papers scandal, forcing Sharif to resign.

Zahid Hussain, an author and senior journalist, said that one cannot be sure who would be the successor to Sharif.

"One cannot be sure about it. It's a very uncertain situation," he was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.

To a question whether is there anyone that the PML-N can produce as a leader, Hussain said, "I don't think so because the party revolves around one person or one family. So it will be very difficult for the party to actually have a person who could keep the party united and go into the next elections," he added.

A report in The Nation newspaper said the potential candidates for the post are rumoured to be Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar, Federal Minister of Defence and Minister of Water and Power Khawaja Asif, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and younger brother of Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Asif was the strongest contender to succeed Sharif, as per reports before the Panama verdict but after an important press conference of Nisar and the Iqama scandal, his chances have been reduced, the paper said.

Asif is also on a visit to the US.

The option of Shahbaz is rather lengthy as he will have to be elected as Member of National Assembly (MNA) and resign as Chief Minister of Punjab and Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) seat, the report noted.

Sadiq is another strong candidate for the Prime Minister's post and likely to be selected as premier.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is another major candidate for Prime Minister's seat and party will take decision soon regarding it. Some political circles are taking name of Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir as another potential candidate, the paper said.

Sharif, who has been disqualified from his National Assembly seat in Lahore, has tried to transform the party and make it more populist but it still remains the party of the establishment, Hussain, who is also a well-known commentator, said.

"We have seen in the past that whenever under pressure, the party disintegrated and I think it could happen again," he warned in the Dawn newspaper piece.

The Supreme Court has also ordered the National Accountability Bureau to file a corruption case against Sharif, his children -- Hussain and Hassan -- and his daughter Maryam.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
National auditor CAG has said a 30 per cent failure rate was found in the surface-to-air missiles Akash during testing and held that such deficiencies posed an operational risk during hostilities.

In a report tabled in the Lok Sabha today, the Comptroller and Auditor General said the strategic missile system procured from the state-run Bharat Electronics Ltd were deficient in quality. The missiles were to be deployed on the China border.

The report said missile systems were to be installed at the six designated sites between 2013 and 2015. But till date, none of the missile systems procured at a cost of Rs 3,619 crore has been installed due to delay in execution of civil works at the sites concerned.

The CAG did not mention name of the strategic missile but sources said the auditor was referring to the Akash missiles.

"Out of 80 missiles received up to November 2014, 20 missiles were test fired during April-November 2014. Six of these missiles that is 30 per cent, failed the test," the CAG said in the report.

The auditor said as the failure rate of the sample tested was as high as 30 per cent, action needs to be taken to establish the reliability of factory acceptance test of the remaining missiles.

Preliminary failure analysis report, the CAG said, revealed that the missiles fell short of the target and had lower than the required velocity. There was also malfunctioning of critical units.

"Two missiles had failed to take off because the booster nozzle had failed. These deficiencies posed an operational risk during hostilities," the CAG said.

In view of the threat perception, the government had approved the induction of the strategic missile in the Northeast sector to provide the necessary deterrence and counter possible threat from China.

The CAG said failure analysis of the first three failed missiles was completed in August 2014 while that of another three missiles was completed in May 2016.

"IAF replied that action for replacement of the failed missiles was being undertaken. IAF also stated that BEL had replaced the three failed missiles in January 2016 and the remaining three missiles were yet to be replaced.

"Audit is of the view that it is not just a matter of replacing the missiles that failed in the test. As the failure rate of the sample tested was as high as 30 per cent, action needs to be taken to establish the reliability of the balance 'Z' missiles," the CAG said.

The CAG was also not ready to accept Indian Air Force's argument that the delay in commissioning of missile system was not attributable to non-availability of infrastructure, but the delay by BEL in supply of maintenance spares and completion of acceptance checks of missiles.

The auditor said the defence ministry may review the quality of the factory acceptance test (FAT) of the missiles so as to enhance reliability of FAT.

"The quality of strategic missiles also needs improvement so as to bring down failure rate. The Ministry needs to ensure better synchronisation of the various activities and agencies involved in such strategically important projects to ensure their timely completion," it said.

The CAG also slammed IAF over procurement of autopilots.

"Against requirement of 108 autopilots projected by IAF in 1997 for 108 Jaguar aircraft, only 35 autopilots were procured between 2006 and 2008 through a contract concluded in August 1999," it said.

The CAG said repeat contract for 95 autopilots could be concluded only by March 2014 and that out of 35 autopilots procured earlier, only 18 autopilots could be integrated on the Jaguar aircraft as of March 2017.

"The integrated autopilots were also functioning sub optimally due to malfunctioning of their vital component," the CAG observed.

It said 30 autopilots received through the repeat contract are yet to be integrated and thus, the flying aid capability envisaged by IAF for the Jaguar Aircraft in 1997 remains largely unrealised even after 20 years.

The auditor also slammed IAF for delay in servicing and repair of IL fleet of aircraft.

"This was in turn largely attributable to poor availability of spares and delay by IAF in signing maintenance support contract with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)," it observed.

The CAG also criticised IAF for "irregular" availing of LTC by officers during their private visits to foreign countries.

"Officers in IAF were taking approvals from competent authority to proceed abroad on leave on personal grounds. However, though they visited foreign destinations during the sanctioned leave, they were allowed claim for Leave Travel Concession (LTC) for cities in India, which they did not visit," the CAG said.

It said permissions of LTC for journeys to foreign destination and payments of Rs 82.58 lakh by the respective authorities were irregular and in gross violation of provision of LTC contained in defence travel regulations.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A committee, set up to submit an action plan for restoring Yamuna floodplains, on Friday told the Green Tribunal that there was no compaction of the soil on the site where the Art of Living's (AOL) three-day cultural extravaganza was held last year.

The report assumes significance as its findings are different to that of an earlier seven-member expert panel which had alleged that the Yamuna floodplains were completely destroyed due to the World Cultural Festival of AOL.

The three-member committee, which was formed by NGT after submission of report by the larger panel, today said the land where AOL's function was held last year was found to be fully covered with grass and some saplings of tree species.

"This kind of grass and natural regeneration of seedlings is not possible on compacted soil.

"The area was also under water in small depressions in majority of the areas where function was held. No significant size of the wetland/water body was noticed by the committee in the area used by AOL," the committee said in its report submitted before a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

Referring to Google earth images, the committee said in its report that it could not locate any "heap of debris" on the site and it is evident that no "wetland or water body" is seen on the site prior to the event.

"The committee also inspected the areas on eastern bank which are under the control of UP government. This site as informed by chief engineer was used for parking of vehicles on 15 hectare land permitted by them to AOL temporarily for the event.

"He further informed the committee members that this land was being used by farmers for raising agricultural crops prior to the function and at present also the site is under agricultural crops.

"The committee observed that no compaction of the soil was seen in this area as many portions were ploughed out where soil was very loose and very healthy crops were standing on the ground. This is only possible if the soil is loose which can support the crop," it said.

The panel comprises principal commissioner of DDA's horticulture department and chief engineers from the irrigation departments of Delhi and UP.

With regard to the removal of the toxins which may have leached out of the dumped debris on the site, the panel said that two successive monsoons might have already washed away such material.

"After the function of AOL, one monsoon season of 2016 is already over and monsoon season of 2017 is in progress and it is expected that many of the toxic substances might have already been washed away. Anyway, toxification, if any, identified after the comparison of the testing of the soils of AOL site and the adjoining areas of the river is proposed to be removed through the remediation methods," the panel said.

The committee has recommended against creation and maintenance of the wetlands within the Yamuna flood plain as such type of activity will also alter the natural flow of the river.

The matter is fixed for hearing on August 4.

Earlier, an expert committee had told the tribunal that restoration of Yamuna floodplains, "ravaged" due to a cultural extravaganza organised by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living last year, would cost Rs 42.02 crore besides additional ancillary expenses.

It had suggested that there would be two components of rehabilitation plan -- physical and biological-- and they would cost Rs 28.73 crore and Rs l3.29 crore respectively.

The seven-member committee had observed that entire floodplain area used for the main event site between DND flyover and the Barapulla drain (on the right bank of river Yamuna) has been completely destroyed, not simply damaged.
A branch manager of a nationalised bank was kidnapped by unidentified persons in West Singhbhum district but was rescued within four hours, a senior police officer said today.

Ashish Gupta, branch manager of Bank of India, Gua branch in West Singhbhum district, was returning home in Manoharpur after duty around 8.30 pm on Thursday when identified persons allegedly kidnapped him near Bokna village, Superintendent of Police, Anish Gupta said.

The abductors have demanded Rs 15 lakhs for his safe release, the SP said.

Gupta was rescued within four hours of the kidnapping late last night, the SP said adding that two suspected abductors were taken into custody for interrogation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The scrip of bio-pharmaceutical firm Biocon today dropped by 7 per cent after the company reported a 51.20 per cent decline in consolidated net profit for the quarter ended June 30.

Shares of the company opened the day on a disappointing note and further declined 6.86 per cent to Rs 371.70 on BSE.

On NSE, shares of the company fell sharply by 7 per cent to Rs 371.20.

Biocon yesterday reported a 51.20 per cent decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 81.3 crore for the quarter ended June 30, on account of weakening of the US Dollar and GST impact.

The company had posted a net profit of Rs 166.6 crore for the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal.

Total income of the company stood at Rs 987.7 crore for the quarter under consideration, as against Rs 1,032.9 crore in the same period a year ago.

Commenting on the results, Biocon Chairperson & MD Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said: "Financial performance was muted largely due to a combination of factors: weakening of US Dollar, GST impact and inclusion of operational and fixed costs of Malaysia".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Congress today accused the BJP of using "crores of rupees" as well as "muscle and state power" in Gujarat to engineer defections ahead of the crucial Rajya Sabha polls.

Stating that the party was keeping all its options open, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi warned MLAs of the "serious consequences" of anti-defection and anti-corruption laws that could bar them from contesting elections for up to six years and lead to imprisonment of up to seven years.

He recalled court judgements that termed defections a "constitutional sin" and unprincipled defections a "social evil".

"Crores of rupees have been spent in horse-trading in Gujarat by the BJP. You have seen this naked drama... The policy of the BJP in Gujarat is - by hook or by crook, come to power by breaking all laws," he told the media here.

The party's comments came after six Congress MLAs quit the Congress before the Rajya Sabha elections for three seats, a defection that may impact the results for the party that had 57 MLAs in the 182-member Assembly.

While Amit Shah and Smriti Irani have been fielded by the BJP, the Congress has, for the third seat in the state, once again backed Ahmed Patel, the political secretary of Sonia Gandhi.

The defections may have a bearing on the election for this seat.

"The anti-defection law is supreme and repeatedly the Supreme Court has called defections a constitutional sin," Singhvi said.

He alleged Congress Gujarat MLA Punabhai Gamit was offered Rs 10 crore by the BJP. Singhvi also accused the BJP of adopting unlawful measures and, with the use of money and power, forcing the Congress MLAs to switch sides and quit the assembly.

"If the MLAs think they cannot come under the anti- defection law, they are mistaken. If found guilty under the law, they face future disqualification for six years," he said.

He added under the Prevention of Corruption Act receiving gratification for doing something in return was corruption and hinted the MLAs could face upto seven years in jail under the anti-corruption law.

Asked if the Congress party would invoke the anti- defection law, he said, "We reserve all our rights. This is only the beginning. The election is still 8-10 days away."



As far as invocation and action were concerned, he said, "Let me assure you, all options are open to us, none are closed."



He hinted the Congress might move court.

He also pointed to the "dangerous game" the BJP was playing.

On whether it was a warning to the MLAs, he said, "Facts constitute warnings, facts constitute consequences, facts constitute reality and facts constitute truth taken in whichever adjective you like".

"Facts cannot be ignored unless you are an ostrich who puts its head in the sand. So we are making you aware of a legal fact, a political fact," he said.

Singhvi accused the BJP of engineering defections by using "money, muscle and state power". Subverting the authority of elected governments "has become the hallmark of the ruling party", he said.

"The BJP believes in shamelessly denigrating, decimating and deprecating every institution of democracy and those institutions include Assemblies, Parliament, MLAs, MPs and all the Constitutional provisions against corruption and defection," he said.

Singhvi said the BJP's "lectures on morality and anti- corruption were in inverse proportion to its practice".

"Their words and deeds have a difference of the sky and the underworld. Their preaching and practices are completely divergent," he said.

He cited the examples of Goa, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, where after having lost the peoples' mandate they made "every possible attempt to cobble up" a government by "undemocratic, illegal and immoral means".

The spokesperson described the developments in Bihar as a "conspiracy and collusion between our Prime Minister and a person seeking a continuous sixth term CMship, Nitish Kumar".

On Kumar switching sides, he said it was like "number portability" where the chief minister was the same, but the "service provider" had changed from the RJD to the BJP.

"It's chief minister portability," he said.

Referring to J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, the Congress leader said the divergence of opinions between the two coalition partners (PDP and BJP) and the Centre, and within the partners, was "like the sky and the bottom of the ocean".

"This is just a camouflage of words to hide their differences. What the country wants, what the principal opposition wants, is an answer on the substance, not on words which camouflage this difference," he said.

Singhvi said it was an open secret that not a single policy of the Central government had been accepted or implemented in "a genuine spirited sense" by the J&K state government.

"In this terrible-terrible divergence, who is suffering? The most vital part of India and every Indian," he said.

On another question on the Panama Papers, Singhvi said there was "zero tolerance as far as mere allegations and FIR" only when it came to the opposition.

"However, 100 per cent tolerance qua non-opposition leaders who may be in the same list with the same charge," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
More than 50 people were killed in a Boko Haram attack on an oil exploration team in northeast Nigeria earlier this week, military, medical and humanitarian sources have told AFP.

"The death toll keeps mounting," said one source yesterday involved in dealing with the aftermath of Tuesday's attack near Magumeri, adding: "Now we have more than 50 and... more bodies are coming in."



Details of the ambush, which was initially thought to be a kidnapping attempt, have been slow to emerge, as the military strictly controls access to Borno state, which has been the epicentre of Boko Haram violence.

Telecommunications and other infrastructure have been severely damaged or destroyed in the conflict, which has left at least 20,000 dead and more than 2.6 million homeless since 2009.

The military said on Wednesday that 10 people were killed in the attack, which targeted a team from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and geologists from the University of Maiduguri.

But an aid agency worker in Magumeri, which is 50 kilometres (32 miles) northwest of the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, said: "As at 7:00 pm (1800 GMT) yesterday (Wednesday), 47 bodies were recovered from the bushes around Magumeri.

"Eleven of them were badly burned in the attack. They were burned alive in their vehicle, which was stuck in a trench.

"We buried them here because they couldn't be taken to Maiduguri.

"This evening (Thursday), six more bodies were recovered, including one soldier, and many more could be recovered because search and rescue teams are all over the place."



A medical source at the Nigerian Army 7th Division headquarters at Maimalari barracks in Maiduguri said: "So far we have 18 dead soldiers. Ten were brought yesterday and eight more today."



At the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), a medical worker said: "We have 19 bodies at the moment of civilians. Fifteen of them were vigilantes (civilian militia) and four were staff from the university.

"They have been taken for burial."



The head of the academic staff union at the University of Maiduguri, Dani Mamman, confirmed they had received four bodies and said two of them were academics.

"We got the impression our staff on the team were rescued because that was what the military spokesman said yesterday," he added.

"But we were shocked when we were given four dead bodies. This means it wasn't a rescue.

"We still have other staff that are yet to be accounted for.

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The CBI today registered a corruption case against Vivek Batra, Mumbai Additional Commissioner of Income Tax (TDS wing), for amassing disproportionate assets to the tune of over Rs 6 crore and carried out searches in five cities in this connection.

Batra's wife Priyanka, several industrialists and a chartered accountant have also been named in an FIR, CBI spokesperson R K Gaur said here today.

The 1992-batch Indian Revenue Service officer allegedly amassed disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs 6.79 crore between 2008 and 2017, he said.

The officer is facing CBI probe in another disproportionate assets case.

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The Federation of People's Rights has requested Chief Minister V Narayanasamy to lead an all party delegation to Delhi to meet the Prime Minister and persuade him to exempt Puducherry from NEET.

Federation General secretary K Sugumaran said that the Chief Minister should lose no time in this regard as both students and parents are already in a dilemma whether the former would be able to do medicine this year.

He said though the Puducherry government had already sent in a draft bill to the Centre for exempting the Union Territory from NEET, no follow up step had been taken to persuade the Centre to concede the plea.

Sugumaran said rural students would be specifically hit if admission was on the basis of NEET, which focuses on CBSE syllabus while those in the union territory havedone their higher secondary course under State Board syllabus.

In another release, former Rajya Sabha MP P Kannan hit out at the Chief Minister for having no clearthought on the hardships being faced by students in Puducherry following introduction of NEET based entrance test.

He said it was mind boggling that the government had 'hastily' conducted counselling through Centralised Admission committee on July 22 and 23and admitted students to private medical colleges under the government quota. Now seats under management quota alone are to be filled.

Kannan, a former Health Minister, also said that if the Puducherry government was genuinely interested in protecting students, it should have joined hands with the Tamil Nadu government and filed a petition in the Supreme Court to seek exemption of Puducherry from NEET.

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Congress and BJP workers today clashed in front of a cinema hall in Indore which was screening Madhur Bhandarkar's film 'Indu Sarkar', based on the Emergency imposed by the Indira Gandhi government in 1975.

Police used canes to disperse the BJP and Congress workers who came to blows near Indore's Sapna-Sangeeta cinema hall, where the movie was being shown.

An official from Indore's Bhanwarkua police station said the BJP and Congress workers shouted slogans and made advances against each other, forcing the police to use canes to disperse them.

The Congress activists alleged that Bhandarkar distorted facts and the film seeks to tarnish the image of the party among the people of the country.

On the other hand, the BJP workers claimed the Congress was trying to suppress the freedom of expression.

Meanwhile in Bhopal, the BJP urged its workers and the public to watch the film, which released today.

"The country passed through a bad phase during the Emergency. The BJP workers as well as common citizens should watch the film to know what happened during the Emergency," state BJP media in-charge Lokendra Parashar told PTI.

The democratic system had collapsed during that 21-month-long period in 1975-77 and the BJP workers should know about it so that such a thing does not happen again, he said.

However, state Congress spokesman K K Mishra claimed the film is "fully sponsored" and seeks to tarnish the image of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, in a tweet, said he is going to watch the political thriller with his family members in Indore.

He also urged his supporters to watch the movie, which stars Kirti Kulhari, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Anupam Kher, Tota Roy Chowdhury and Supriya Vinod.

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In a move to guard its MLAs in Gujarat from being "poached" by the BJP ahead of the August 8 Rajya Sabha polls in that state, the Congress leadership has decided to "shift" them to Bengaluru.

According to party sources, the legislators would fly to the capital of Karnataka, a Congress-ruled state, tonight itself.

"Looking at the current situation (in Gujarat), where attempts are being made to lure our members, we are taking 46 of our MLAs to Bengaluru tonight," said a senior party leader, requesting anonymity.

Another state leader confirmed the development.

Earlier today, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala demanded that the Election Commission (EC) lodged a criminal case against the BJP for "poaching" its MLAs using "money and muscle" power, a charge denied by the saffron party.

In a major setback for the opposition party in Gujarat, three more of its MLAs resigned today, taking the number of legislators who quit the party ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls to six.

The Congress has re-nominated Ahmed Patel, the political secretary to party chief Sonia Gandhi, to the Upper House of Parliament from Gujarat.

In the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, the strength of the Congress has now gone down to 51 from 57.

The desertions have cast a shadow on the fate of Patel in the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls.

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Coromandel International, the country's second largest phosphatic fertiliser player, today clocked ten-fold jump in its consolidated net profit at Rs 75.43 crore in the first quarter of this fiscal.

The Secunderabad-based company had reported a net profit of Rs 7.49 crore in the same period last year, it said in a BSE filing.

Net income increased to Rs 2,289.43 crore in the April- June quarter of the 2017-18 fiscal from Rs 2,072.01 crore in the year-ago period.

However, expenses remained higher at Rs 2,174.16 crore in the first quarter of the fiscal as against Rs 2,060.30 crore in the year-ago period.

The company also informed the BSE that it has received environmental clearance for raising production capacity of its phosphoric acid facility at Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

Its scrip closed higher by 0.39 per cent at Rs 437 a piece on the BSE today.

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A Maharashtra court today deferred till October 27 framing of charges against Rahul Gandhi in the defamation case filed against him by an RSS worker regarding his alleged statement about Mahatma Gandhi's assassination, a lawyer representing the Congress vice president said.

Magistrate Tushar Vaze was likely to frame charges today, but the matter was adjourned as Rahul Gandhi could not appear. The court in Thane accepted the Congress leader's plea for exemption from appearance, the lawyer said.

Framing of charges is a stage before the start of trial.

Advocate Narayan Iyer, Rahul Gandhi's lawyer, told the court that his client could not remain present today as a Parliament session is underway and he has to also attend a meeting in Chhattisgarh.

The court granted the Congress leader exemption today and adjourned the hearing to October 27, Iyer said.

The case against Rahul Gandhi was filed by a local RSS functionary, Rajesh Kunte, over the Congress leader's speech at Bhiwandi in Thane district on March 6, 2014 in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls.

During the rally, Rahul allegedly said, "The RSS people had killed (Mahatma) Gandhi."



He had said he was ready to face trial after the Supreme Court refused to interfere in the criminal proceedings at Bhiwandi court.

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Ridiculing the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, DMK leader M K Stalin today likened it to a "circus camp", claiming that the "gutkha scam" alone would unseat the government and there was no need for his party to topple it.

"It is a circus camp.... Each day, a person from the ruling party issues a statement. A propaganda is on that we are planning to topple the government. There is no need for it...The gutkha scam alone will unseat them," the DMK working president told reporters here.

The AIADMK is currently divided into camps led by Chief Minister E K Palaniswami, former chief minister O Panneerselvam and the party deputy general secretary and nephew of party chief V K Sasikala, T T V Dhinakaran, respectively.

Last year, Income Tax raids at an illegal gutkha manufacturing unit here had led to the unearthing of documents, which pointed towards alleged bribes to a minister and officials, including a senior police officer.

The DMK has been targeting the government over it and the issue also went to the Madras High Court. Palaniswami had said a vigilance inquiry into the matter was on.

To a question, Stalin said though the state government had claimed that it was contemplating promulgating an ordinance on the NEET issue, "efforts do not seem to have been taken towards that".

He accused the state government of adopting "double standards" and staging "dramas" over the issue.

The political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the AIADMK and DMK, are opposed to the NEET, maintaining that the rural and urban poor and students from oppressed castes would be affected, which in turn would pose a threat to social justice.

Earlier, Stalin called on CPI(M) state secretary G Ramakrishnan, who was detained by the police at a marriage hall in north Chennai, for staging a demonstration on the NEET issue.

CPI state secretary R Mutharasan had taken part in a human chain demonstration held by the DMK here yesterday.

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The National Green Tribunal has rapped the Delhi government over the poor condition of the iconic Purana Quila lake here and directed it to ensure that it does not become a waste-dumping yard.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar took exception to non-compliance of its May 19 order to expeditiously restore all water bodies in the city.

The green panel asked the AAP government to explain why silt, sand and other debris has not been removed from the lake despite its specific direction.

"The counsel appearing for NCT Delhi shall take clear instructions from the department as to why the status of Purana Quila lake is so hampered that it has been converted into a play ground with so much of mud, silting and other material.

"He shall also submit as to why removal of silt, sand and other debris has not been carried out, particularly in present season where the rainfall has been excessive to the normal and why the order of the tribunal has not been complied with," the bench said.

The tribunal had earlier directed the city government to rejuvenate water bodies and asked it maintain and clean them so that they become a source of natural beauty for the residents of the nearby area.

The green panel had also approved a proposal put forward by the Delhi Jal Board to revive Rajokari water body in south-west Delhi and develop it an aesthetic manner.

However, it had made it clear that there should be no use of any "concrete, cement or brick" and it should not change the natural geomorphology of the area.

"We make it clear that needs of the water body will require protection of its catchment area and prevent siltation due to erosion and dumping of waste which alone will ensure a healthy water body rich in aquatic life and biodiversity," it said.

The NGT had said that similar approach should be adopted by all public authorities including the Delhi Development Authority and municipal corporations to restore the water bodies existing within their jurisdictions in various parts of the city and ensure that they are not used for open defecation.

The tribunal had recently banned open defecation and dumping of waste on the floodplains of Yamuna and announced a fine of Rs 5,000 for those who violated the order.

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A BJP member in the Lok Sabha today demanded amendment in the dowry law, dubbing it as "legal terrorism" and claiming that it has become a tool for harassment of men.

Raising the issue in the Zero Hour, Anshul Verma said over 27 lakh persons have been arrested between 1998-2015 in such cases and these include minors.

He sought amendments to Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code under which a man and his family can be summarily arrested when a complaint of cruelty is lodged by the wife.

The Supreme Court and high courts have also said that the law has been misused, he said, claiming that many men have committed suicide and become 'shadi ke shaheed' (martyrs of marriage).

"The shortcomings of the law should be addressed. A men's cell should also be opened. Pro-woman must not be anti-man," he said.

Among other issues, Dhananjay Mahadik (NCP) said the imposition of GST on idols has made them expensive and demanded that they be exempted from the tax. With the Ganesh festival approaching in Maharashtra, he said a decision needed to be taken immediately.

Bharti Shiyal (BJP) sought daily flights between Bhavnagar and Mumbai, while Jagdambika Pal (BJP) highlighted the plight of 'Shiksha Mitra' in Uttar Pradesh following an adverse Supreme Court order.

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: One person was killed and five students escaped with injuries when a car in which the latter were proceeding to their school fell into a 100-foot gorge at Lovedale near here today.

Twenty-five-year-old Gilbert, who was driving the car with the five students of a private school, lost control of the vehicle as it plunged into the gorge on the ghat road, police said.

He was killed on the spot.

The students, including two girls, were seriously injured and admitted to the Government Hospital here.

District Collector Innocent Divya visited the students at the hospital, police said.

Three students, including the girls, who were seriously injured, were shifted to the Government Hospital in Coimbatore.

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The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia today evinced keen interest in mutual exchange of best practices being adopted by the Haryana police force.

The Embassy of Ethiopia's first secretary Zenebe along with Commissioner General of the Federal Police of Ethiopia, Haneta G M called on Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) B S Sandhu here to discuss issues related to structural and operational organisation of the state Police.

A experience-sharing session for the Haryana Police and the police forces in Ethiopia was held on the occasion, an official spokesman said here.

"The discussion was focused on training of police forces, law and order situation, and the crime scenario, particularly heinous crimes and human trafficking," he said.

The Ethiopian delegation was briefed about the procedure adopted for private security agencies in Haryana, the spokesman said.

Expressing appreciation for the efforts being made by the Haryana Police, Haneta requested the DGP to send a delegation of officers to Ethiopia for exchange of best practices between the police forces, he said.

The DGP also presented a memento to Haneta on behalf of the Haryana Police, the spokesman said.

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Fancied Carbonara trained by



Imtiaz A Sait and ridden by jockey Prashant P Dhebe lifted The Dr S R Captain Trophy the chief event on second day of Pune meeting held here today.

Trainer Imtiaz A Sait saddled a good treble while jockey Prashant P Dhebe scored a good double on a day.

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Following are the top stories of the northern region at 1920 hrs:



DES 17 NIA-EXPLOSIVE-ASSEMBLY



New Delhi: A team of NIA officials along with experts from CFSL, Chandigarh visit the Uttar Pradesh Assembly hall in Lucknow where a dangerous explosive was found, says an agency spokesperson.

DES 18 WAT-KEN-BETWA-UMA



New Delhi: Union minister Uma Bharti urges the Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh governments to amicably resolve issues related to the Ken-Betwa river-linking programme so that the first phase of the project can be launched at the earliest.

DES 13 UP-BABRI SHIA



Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Shia Central Waqf Board (UPSCWB) decides to stake claim to the disputed Babri mosque and move relevant courts seeking that it be made a party in the ongoing litigations related to the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute.

DES 6 JK-ARMYCHIEF



Jammu: Army chief General Bipin Rawat arrives in Jammu to review the security situation and operational preparedness of the armed forces posted here and along the Line of Control.

DES 3 JK-ATTACKS



Srinagar: Militants open fire at a police station in Shopian district and shoot at a policeman in Kulgam district of Kashmir late last night, says police.

DES 11 JK-DGP



Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir's top cop plays down reports of former Hizbul Mujahideen commander Zakir Musa being named as the head of al-Qaeda cell in the state, says "a terrorist was a terrorist" regardless of the terror outfit.

DES 5 ACCIDENT-TANKER



Agra: An oil tanker collides with two tractor-trolleys on the Agra-Mathura highway, killing five people and injuring 40, says police.

DES 14 HR-LIQUID NITROGEN-BAN



Chandigarh: The Haryana government bans liquid nitrogen in drinks and food items after a Delhi man burnt a hole in his stomach by drinking a cocktail containing the chemical at a Gurgaon pub.

NRG 9 PB-FARMER-SUICIDE



Bathinda (Pb): Reeling under a huge debt, a 45-year-old farmer allegedly commits suicide by consuming pesticide in village here, says police.

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A Telangana Youth Congress leader, son of former Andhra Pradesh minister M Mukesh Goud, was hospitalised with bullet injuries in the early hours today, police said.

Vikram Goud, in his mid 30s, was found injured in his house in Film Nagar under suspicious circumstances and now is out of danger, they said.

"The incident occurred between 3 am and 3.30 am," Deputy Commissioner of Police (West Zone) A Venkateshwar Rao said.

"As per preliminary investigation, Vikram and his wife were getting ready to visit a place of worship. Vikram was waiting on the ground floor. Suddenly, his wife heard gun shots and found him lying on the ground," the DCP said after visiting the hospital.

He was rushed to a private hospital in Jubilee Hills area at around 3.30 am by his family members.

The police officer said they were trying to find out if someone fired at Goud or he shot himself.

"We are verifying...We can tell more about the incident only after getting a clear information. The investigation is underway," the DCP said.

According to doctors at the hospital, he is out of danger, he said.

As per hospital authorities, Vikram suffered bullet injuries on his arms, chest and spine. One bullet has been removed, they said.

"He is in the ICU and his condition is stable," a source at the hospital said.

Mukesh Goud, who is a Congress leader, was a minister in the earlier AP government led by Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

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A gangster, carrying a reward of Rs one lakh on his head and wanted in a case in which three persons, including a Delhi Police assistant sub-inspector and a gangster, were killed, has been arrested from Karnataka, the police said today.

On April 30, gangster Monu Daryapur, his personal security officers -- Assistant Sub-Inspector Vijay Kumar and Constable Kuldeep -- and two others, Arun Shastri and Yogesh, were attacked by armed assailants at outer Delhi's Mianwali Nagar.

The armed men had fired indiscriminately at their car, killing Monu, Kumar and Shastri and injuring the other two.

The main accused in the case -- Rajesh alias Raje (47) -- was arrested from Madangir in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka on July 26, said P S Kushwah, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell).

He added that this was the third arrest in connection with the case. On May 20, one Satish was nabbed and on June 8, Naveen Khatri was arrested for his role in planning the attack.

Rajesh had hatched a plan to kill Ramesh Lohar, a gangster, and Sonu Daryapur wanted to kill Monu, said the DCP, adding that Rajesh and Daryapur had joined hands to eliminate their respective rivals.

Lohar was associated with Krishan Pahalwan, a gangster from Delhi, since both were lodged in the Rohtak Jail, he said, adding that to counter Lohar, who enjoyed the patronage of the Pahalwan gang, Rajesh had joined hands with Daryapur.

On March 28, Lohar was attacked at the Rohtak Court complex, purportedly on the directions of Rajesh. Lohar managed to escape the attack but one of his associates, Sanjeet, was killed, said the DCP.

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Germany warned today that it would not accept any new US sanctions against Russia that targeted European companies at the same time.

Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel underlined the importance of applying economic pressure on Russia over its involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.

But he stressed in a statement that "we will under no circumstances accept an extraterritorial application of these US sanctions against European companies."



"Sanction policy is neither a suitable nor an adequate instrument to advance the interests of national exports and the domestic energy sector."



European nations have lashed out at Washington over the impact of the new sanctions, arguing that they could hurt European companies involved in the construction of a new pipeline that would pump Russian gas under the Baltic Sea directly to Germany.

They fear that the US could use the sanctions to squeeze Russian gas supplies out of Europe in favour of US energy exports.

The EU has also warned of swift retaliation if the US pushed ahead with the sanctions without taking heed of its concerns.

To date, anti-Russia sanctions have been coordinated on both sides of the Atlantic in a common Western front reminiscent of the Cold War.

But yesterday, the US Senate passed the sanctions package despite European concerns, sending it to President Donald Trump, who must decide whether to accept the tough stance or veto the measure.

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The Air Intelligence Unit of Mumbai Customs has arrested two Chinese nationals and seized gold bars worth over Rs 1.5 crore from their possession at the international airport here.

Lin Hung Yu (33) and Tseng Hao Chun (30) were intercepted and searched late last night after they arrived here from Hong Kong.

The duo was found to be in possession of gold bars, concealed in waist pouches and cabin bags.

Both admitted that they were trying to smuggle the gold which they had procured in Taiwan for sale in the Indian market. Further probe is on.

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The AAP today accused the Modi government of covering up alleged instances of corruption thrown up by the leaked Panama papers, on a day Pakistan's Supreme Court disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the case, forcing him to quit.

Party leader Ashutosh said the names of several actors, politicians, kin of an industrialist, "close" to the ruling party, have cropped up in the papers, but the Centre has failed to take any action against them.

He claimed that instead of launching an investigation into the Panamagate scandal, the Centre is "hounding" leaders of opposition parties using agencies under it.

"But Modiji and the Centre are covering up corruption by own partymen," he alleged.

"A country like Pakistan, whose democratic credentials are questionable, has its prime minister disqualified because his name cropped up in the scandal. I am not saying that these people are guilty, but at the least, there has to be a probe," the AAP leader said.

Sharif was today disqualified from office by the country's Supreme Court, which also sent his case to an anti- corruption court for trial in the Panamagate graft scandal.

Panama papers are leaked documents of about 1.15 crore files containing details of about 2.15 lakh bank accounts. The documents were leaked from law firm Mossack Fonseca headquartered at Panama.

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FMCG major Hindustan Unilever (HUL) today said the new tax regime of goods and services tax (GST) has not impacted the consumer offtake and expects the price cuts undertaken by it to drive sales.

"I don't think GST has impacted the consumer offtake. In fact, with us taking the lead in reducing the consumer price, it should give a fillip to consumer demand and consequently to the volume," HUL Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Sanjiv Mehta said here.

The company had reduced the prices of some of its detergents and soaps, extending the tax benefits it got under the GST regime to consumers.

Mehta said most of the trade channels are returning to normalcy, barring a few wholesale traders in the central part of the country.

"There are some channels like modern trade which have gone back to their normal rhythm, canteen store department, which had stopped buying a few weeks before the transition, they have started buying and they are slowly getting into the rhythm. There are sections of general trade in some parts of the country, which are limping back to normalcy," he said.

The company's topline and volume growth were impacted by 200 basis points with the canteen store department not buying from it.

"I think the most affected still remains the wholesale in the territory of central India like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, those are the cases where the traders are still sitting on the fence, waiting to understand what they need to do and how they need to react to the new era of GST," he said.

"I would believe that sooner or later, the trade channel should start unclogging and there would be some element of channel reset but the large number of wholesalers who are engaged in trade, would have to find ways and means of engaging with the trade, accepting GST is a reality and they will have to live with that," he added.

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A knife-wielding assailant who killed one person and injured six others in a Hamburg supermarket today is a 26-year-old man born in the United Arab Emirates, police said.

In a statement, they added they had yet to determine the nationality of the perpetrator, who stabbed to death a 50- year-old man believed to be a German citizen, and wounded six.

All of the wounded were being treated or operated on in hospital, some of them for serious injuries, police said.

Five people suffered knife wounds, comprising a 50-year- old woman and four men aged 19, 56, 57 and 64.

A 35-year-old man was hurt while overpowering the attacker in the street alongside other passers-by shortly after the killing.

A police murder unit and a specialist politically- motivated crime squad are investigating the attack and were able to secure the suspected murder weapon.

The Berlin newspaper Der Tagesspiegel said the knifeman was a known Islamist, but police did not immediately respond to the report.

In addition, there were eyewitness reports that the man shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest) as he fled the scene.

"We continue to investigate every possibility," the police statement said.

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The state government today issued transfer orders of ten IPS officers with PR Deo being posted as new Director General of the State Vigilance Bureau.

Deo, MD, Haryana Police Housing Corporation, Panchkula has been posted as DG, State Vigilance Bureau, Haryana.

Parminder Rai, Director General (DG), State Vigilance Bureau (SVB), Panchkula will replace him as Chairman and Managing Director, Haryana Police Housing Corporation, an official release said here.

Rajvant Pal Singh, Commandant General, Home Guard and Director, Civil Defence (H), Chandigarh will be the Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Rules at Police Headquarters in Panchkula, relieving K Selvaraj of the additional charge.

BK Sinha, Special DG, SVB and DG, Bhondsi Complex, has been posted as Commandant General, Home Guard and Director, Civil Defence (H), Chandigarh, in place of Rajvant Pal Singh.

Sudhir Chowdhary, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Prisons, will be the new ADG Administration, relieving RC Mishra of the additional charge.

AS Chawla, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Law and Order, Police Headquarters, Panchkula, has been posted as Commissioner of Police, Panchkula relieving Mishra of the additional charge.

CS Rao, IGP, SVB has been posted as IGP, South Range Rewari, in place of Hardeep Singh Doon, who has been posted as IGP, Haryana Armed Police Madhuban.

Y Puran Kumar, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Administration swaps places with Rakesh Kumar Arya, DIG, CID.

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The Delhi High Court today asked the city police to ensure the safety of AAP MLA Pankaj Pushkar, on his complaint that he and his family had been threatened on WhatsApp that they would be killed.

Justice Vinod Goel directed the Station House Officer (SHO), Timarpur Police Station, to assess the level of threat to the MLA and provide him with security.

"The SHO of the police station concerned is also directed to take adequate measures, so that the life and limb of the person is not affected in any manner," the court said.

It also issued notice to the Delhi Police and asked it to file a status report on the MLA's plea, seeking an FIR under the relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against a person for sending the threat messages on WhatsApp.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan told the court that the Timarpur MLA was added to a WhatsApp group, 'Hindu Paksh', by one Aakash Bhatia on July 9.

"The accused started sending texts and voice clips of offensive and threatening nature in the WhatsApp group. The accused also pasted posters containing allegations and threatening content," he said, adding that Pushkar should be given police protection immediately.

Bhushan told the court the messages not only gave death threats to the petitioner, but also targeted his wife and minor daughter.

He said the accused intended to stop the AAP MLA from working for the betterment and development of his constituency.

Pushkar, who had launched an agitation against the AAP government over the lack of facilities in the unauthorised colonies, has sought a direction to hand over the probe into the matter to an independent agency such as the CBI.

The police, meanwhile, told the court that they had already lodged an FIR under the relevant sections of the IPC after they received the complaint from the AAP MLA.

Bhushan, who was also assisted by advocate Shakti Vardhan Sharma, objected, saying the police had lodged the case only for offences which were non-cognisable and bailable.

"These messages are racial, derogatory and highly abusive in their contents, attracting various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act. There is a grave threat and danger to the petitioner's life," he submitted.

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Over 1,050 people have been rescued from Rajasthan's Jalore, Pali, Barmer and Rajsamand districts, where heavy rains created flood-like situation.

Teams of the Army are on their toes to evacuate people to safe places from water logged area and providing them medicines and food to those affected in the region, especially in Jalore, a state government official said.

More than 525 persons from these districts have been rehabilitated to 20 special relief camps, a public relations officer of the state government said.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje is monitoring the the rescue and relief operations measures, the official said.

He said that 528 persons from Jalore, 235 from Sirohi, 165 from Pali, 120 from Barmer and three from Rajsamand districts have been taken to safe places so far.

NDRF teams and boats were sent through helicopters in the Jalore, which is the worst affected, he added.

Four teams from the NDRF and the SDRF each, three teams of the Army, one of the CRPF, two Airforce helicopters and home guards are involved in rescue operations in affected districts.

Defence spokesperson Manish Ojha said that people stuck in Jalore and Sanchore were provided food packets, water and other essentials.

Meanwhile, heavy rains isolated places in various parts of the state.

In eastern Rajasthan, Dug recorded 19 cm of rainfall, while Gangdhar and Chabra areas recorded rainfall of 13cm each.

Bakani and and Aklera received 11 cm and 10 cm of rains respectively, the MeT Department said.

In western Rajasthan, Bhinmal recorded 13cm of rainfall followed by 10 cm in Raniwada, 6 cm each in Marwar Junction, Sumerpur and Erinpura/jawai Dam.

The weatherman said Ajmer recorded 3.2 cm of rainfall, while Jaipur and Dabok received 1.02 cm and 1.5 cm of rains respectively, followed by 1.3 each in Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.

The MeT has predicted heavy rainfall very likely in isolated places of the state except Bikaner region over the next 24 hours.

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The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) today seized 600 kg of Alprazolam, worth Rs 5 crore, by raiding illegal manufacturing units.

Alprazolam is a psychotropic substance notified under the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, the DRI said in a release here. It is used, illegally, to increase the potency of toddy, it said.

Searches were conducted at four places in Medak and Nalgonda districts.

"Over 600 kg of Alprazolam in different stages of manufacture has been recovered. Of this, 18.55 kg was in the finished stage," the release said.

Four persons were being questioned, it added.

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An India-born academician at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been named as the dean of its engineering school.

Anantha Chandrakasan, the Vannevar Bush Professor and head of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) was last month named the dean of the MIT's School of Engineering.

He assumed his new role effective July 1. Chandrakasan succeeded Ian Waitz who is now MIT's vice chancellor, a statement from the MIT said.

The Chennai-born academician had previously headed the MIT's largest academic department, spearheading a number of initiatives that opened opportunities for students, postdocs, and faculty to conduct research, explore entrepreneurial projects.

MIT President Rafael Reif said in the statement that in a time of significant challenges, from new pressures on federal funding to the rising global competition for top engineering talent, he is confident that Chandrakasan would guide the school of engineering to maintain and enhance its position of leadership.

"And I believe that in the process he will help make all of MIT stronger, too," Reif said.

In an email, Provost Martin Schmidt described Chandrakasan as "a people-centered and innovative leader."



Since joining the MIT faculty in 1994, Chandrakasan has produced a significant body of research focused largely on making electronic circuits more energy efficient.

The MIT statement said that while at the helm of the EECS, Chandrakasan launched a number of initiatives on behalf of the department's students.

"That's what excites me about an administrative job. It's how I can enhance the student and postdoc experience. I want to create exciting opportunities for them, whether that's in entrepreneurship, research, or maker activities. One of the key things I plan to do as dean is to connect directly with students," the statement quoted Chandrakasan as saying.

Chandrakasan also initiated the 'Rising Stars' programme in EECS, an annual event that convenes graduate and postdoc women for the purpose of sharing advice about the early stages of an academic career.

"I'm also very passionate about helping our faculty explore new research areas," said Chandrakasan, who as department head has sought unrestricted grants and other funding to provide faculty with this flexibility.

Chandrakasan moved to the US while in high school. His mother was a biochemist and Fulbright scholar, and he spent considerable time in her lab where she conducted research on collagen.

"I always knew I wanted to be an engineer and a professor," he said.

"My mother really inspired me into an academic career. When I entered graduate school, I knew on day one that I wanted to be academic professor," he said.

Chandrakasan earned his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of California at Berkeley.

After joining the MIT faculty, he was the director of the Microsystems Technology Laboratories (MTL) from 2006 until he became the head of EECS in 2011.

He is a recipient of several awards including the 2009 Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) University Researcher Award, the 2013 IEEE Donald O Pederson Award in Solid-State Circuits, an honorary doctorate from KU Leuven in 2016, and the UC Berkeley EE Distinguished Alumni Award.

He was also recognised as the author with the highest number of publications in the 60-year history of the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), the foremost global forum for presentation of advances in solid- state circuits and systems-on-a-chip.

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India and Egypt shared their experinces on major economic reforms, emphasising that the two countries have the potential to be market leaders.

During a seminar organised by the Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC) of the Embassy of India here yesterday on 'Economic Reforms: Sharing of experiences between India and Egypt' the two countries discussed measures for attaining growth and development on a sustainable basis.

The primary focus of the discussion was to share, discuss, evaluate and analyse the learnings arising from the experience of India, which had introduced major economic reforms in the past.

Eminent speakers who elaborated on the theme were Abdel Moneim Said, Director, Regional Centre for Strategic Studies in Cairo; Ahmed El Safty, Co-Founder, Delta Research Centre in Cairo and Visiting Associate Professor of Practice, The American University in Cairo (AUC), Nihal el-Megharbel, vice minister for monitoring, Ministry of Planning, Monitoring and Administrative Reform and Renu Yadav, Third Secretary at the Embassy of India in Cairo.

Abdel Moneim Said gave a brief about the history of political economy in Egypt and how it developed through years.

"Our policies particularly started in 1952 were based on how to make life for poor people easy," Said underlined, adding that currently the Egyptian economy is big despite the hardships that Egypt face nowadays.

Ahmed El Safty said that the Indian experience is very interesting for Egypt because of the similarities between the two countries' strategies as both countries are moving in a parallel track.

During the discussion, the speakers aimed at exploring the various dimensions of reforms in order to gain a better understanding of the factors that lead to successful implementation of the reform process and to the attainment of the primary objectives of growth and development on a sustainable basis.

Nihal el-Megharbel spoke about the sustainable development strategy, Egypt's vision 2030, which is consisted of three main dimensions; economic, social, and environmental, which aim at improving of the quality of life in a way that does not affect the right of following generations for a better life.

On the other side, Renu Yadav spoke about the history of growth in India and how the economic reform, which started in India in 1991, transformed the country to the better in the past two decades.

India's Ambassador to Egypt Sanjay Bhattacharyya said that the roundtable was fruitful as the theme is particularly relevant in this era of increasing globalisation which has necessitated countries around the world to make structural adjustments to their economy in order to be able to compete effectively on a global scale.

"The entire idea of starting this MACIC roundtable was to stimulate discussion so that we can exchange experiences. The idea of this is to have a beginning of a dialogue," the ambassador said.

The ambassador also said that there are many lessons that both countries can learn from each other.

He also recalled that, according to what he has read, some six decades or more back when India and Egypt emerged in this new world in the modern times, both countries were actively collaborating and working together for peace and freedom of the newly emerging countries.

"India and Egypt can be market leaders, there are so many commonalities between our systems, I think we both have large economies...We have a very young population of young people," the ambassador said.

The seminar is part of the twelfth edition of the monthly series of MACIC Roundtable, a monthly seminar seriesinvolving youth, academicians, culture lovers,civil society on issues of mutual interest to India and Egypt.

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India has supported a decision by a UN council to deny granting consultative status to a Geneva-based human rights NGO that has been declared a terrorist organisation by the UAE and whose founder had been sanctioned by the US and the UN.

The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on July 26 decided against granting consultative status to Fondation Alkarama, following objections by United Arab Emirates over the group's alleged ties to terrorism.

Concerns over the NGO were also expressed by countries, including India, that said it would work with the international community to fight terrorism.

India's representative Paulomi Tripathi said during the Council's meeting that the UAE had raised serious concerns about Fondation Alkarama, affirming that the group had been declared a terrorist organisation.

Tripathi said that at least one of its founders was the subject of the US and the UN sanctions, according to information about the meeting on the UN website.

She said India would work with the international community to fight terrorism and took such concerns seriously.

Tripathi expressed support for the decision to deny consultative status, stressing that the situation called for introspection on the Committee's functioning and need for due diligence in the consultative mechanism.

"We need a much higher scrutiny of applications," she said, urging the Committee's secretariat to take such due diligence, including by collaborating with sanctions committees to avoid such situations in the future.

According to information on its website, Alkarama is a Geneva-based human rights NGO established in 2004 to "assist all those in the Arab world subjected to or at risk of extrajudicial execution, enforced disappearance, torture and arbitrary detention".

UAE's representative Ahmed Almahmoud said at the meeting that his country had designated Fondation Alkarama a terrorist group and the Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee had designated its founder as a financier and facilitator of such behaviour.

The UAE added that Abd al-Rahman bin Umayr al-Nu'aymi, the founder and former president of Fondation Alkarama, was designated as a financier and facilitator of terrorism by the UN's Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee.

Introducing the draft decision on Fondation Alkarama, Almahmoud told the Council not to grant consultative status to the group.

Noting that consultative status must come with responsibilities, he expressed deep concern over the fondation's clear connection to terrorism.

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Separatists in Kashmir today said terror groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda were non-existent in the Valley and accused Indian agencies of maligning the "ongoing freedom movement of Kashmiris".

Indian agencies are "desperate to malign our movement" and under a well-thought-out plan are devising policies to bring a bad name to the freedom struggle in Kashmir, Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik said in a joint statement.

They alleged that these agencies, with the active support of elements who are not affiliated with the movement, have chalked out a program for carrying their sinister designs.

"Groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda are non existent in the state and that there is no role for these groups within our movement," they said adding "our movement is local in nature and indigenous in character".

Asserting that terrorism and freedom movements are poles apart, the separatists said "Indian agencies, by linking Kashmir's movement with some global organisations, are planning their roguish activities to influence the international community".

"Al-Qaeda and ISIS are involved in merciless killings. Neither they are fighting against tyrant forces, nor they succeeded in realising Islamic jurisprudence in any part of the world," the statement said.

The separatist leaders said their activities have proved disadvantageous and detrimental for Muslims.

"Wherever the Muslim communities were fighting for their rights, these organisations instead of helping them, resorted to killing the very suppressed nations," they said referring to the gloomy situations in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Centre is frustrated and has launched a well-planned psychological war against the freedom movement in Kashmir, the statement added.

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Diversified conglomerate ITC is entering into the fruits, vegetables and other perishables segment as part of its drive to build an agri-based industry for the future, its chairman Y C Deveshwar said today.

The Kolkata-headquartered firm is also looking to invest in farming of aromatic and medicinal plants.

ITC has started working on creating the infrastructure for it and is investing in supply chain.

"ITC has decided to foray into the fruits, vegetables and other perishables segment. This would help address India's massive agri-wastages that deprive farmers of a potentially large income source," Deveshwar said in his AGM speech.

The move is aimed at providing options to consumers and consumers alike.

"Such fresh, frozen and dehydrated agri-products will provide high quality options to consumers, creating an agri- value chain that will help farmers diversify crop production as well as manage wastage," he added.

Addressing shareholders, Deveshwar said investments are underway to create climate-controlled infrastructure for an efficient supply chain to unlock the potential latent in this area.

The company, which has recently launched Frozen Prawns under its ITC Master Chef brand, will soon extend it to pan India.

"These high quality 'Super Safe' prawns leverage ITC's 45-year legacy in exporting to the most exacting markets of the world," Deveshwar said.

The company is working in the rural areas with the farmers from the year 2000 through its network of e-Choupal and over 4 million farmers have benefited from this initiative so far.

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Japan today slapped sanctions on two Chinese firms, including a bank accused of laundering North Korean cash, amid concerns Pyongyang is prepping for another missile test, the government said.

Japan has stepped up calls for further sanctions against North Korea since Pyongyang tested an intercontinental ballistic missile earlier this month in defiance of repeated UN resolutions.

The test has raised tensions in the region, pitting Washington, Tokyo and Seoul against China, Pyongyang's last remaining major ally.

Japan's move has added further acrimony to often fraught bilateral relations with China and drew a harsh response from Beijing.

Despite being major trading and investment partners they are frequently at odds over a maritime territorial dispute and lingering tensions over Japan's history of aggression in the first half of the 20th century.

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said five entities, including two Chinese organisations, and nine individuals will be put on Japan's blacklists in connection with ties to North Korea.

They will be "newly subject to asset freezing" and other unilateral punishment, Kishida said without elaborating or naming any of them.

"It is important to strengthen pressure so that North Korea should act toward denuclearisation," Kishida told reporters.

"We will urge North Korea to take concrete action toward the resolution of issues," he said.

The Nikkei daily said among the five organisations are China's Bank of Dandong, a Chinese shipping firm and a North Korean trading house dealing with coal and other commodities



The Bank of Dandong is accused of money laundering for North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes.

China immediately denounced the Japanese sanctions.

"We firmly oppose any other country to impose unilateral sanctions outside the framework of the UN Security Council and we especially oppose the sanctions targeted at Chinese enterprises and individuals," Lu Kang, spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, told a regular press briefing in Beijing.

"I would like to tell Japan that China will not accept the wrongdoing and will require Japan to withdraw this wrong decision," he said, warning the sanctions will "create major political hurdles for China-Japan relations".

The United States imposed similar sanctions on the same bank as President Donald Trump said Beijing's efforts to put the brakes on Pyongyang's nuclear drive had failed.

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.

The Pentagon has picked up signs that North Korea is preparing for another missile test, a US defence official said earlier this week.

The official said the test would be of an intermediate- range missile or North Korea's ICBM -- known as a KN-20 or a Hwasong-14.

It would be the second time Pyongyang has tested an ICBM, after the July 4 rocket launch that prompted global alarm.

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The funds of the LTTE will remain frozen in the European Union countries despite the recent judgement by the 28-member bloc's top court to remove the Sri Lankan Tamil rebels from its terror list, the grouping has said.

In 2006, the EU banned the LTTE as a terrorist organisation and has maintained the LTTE on its list.

In 2014, the General Court annulled the restrictive measures concerning the LTTE due to procedural shortcomings. The 2014 judgement was appealed by the Council of the European Union at the European Court of Justice.

The EU has said the LTTE funds will remain frozen despite the recent judgement by the ECJ to lift the previous order of freezing funds restricted to the period 2011 and 2015, the EU said in a statement.

"The Court of Justice found that the Council failed to explain why it believed the LTTE still had the intention to continue terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka despite the LTTE's military defeat in 2009. In the judgement issued on July 26, the European Court of Justice confirmed the annulment of the continued freezing of the LTTE's funds between 2011 and 2015. The judgement only applies to this specific period of time," a EU statement said.

These same funds remain frozen as a result of the two most recent reviews by the Council which took place in July 2016 and January 2017.

Any future review must take into account the judgement of the Court of Justice issued on July 26. At present, however, the LTTE remains designated as a terrorist organisation in the European Union (EU), and the EU's restrictive measures against the LTTE remain in force, the statement added.

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The National Green Tribunal has directed the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC) to expedite the work of maintaining roads and pavements with sufficient green cover.

A bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim passed the order after noting the submission of the municipal commissioner who said a sum of Rs 2.77 crore has been sanctioned and allocated to complete the work on three roads in Sector 3 of Vasundhara area.

"The commissioner of municipal corporation seeks six months time to complete the work and report which we find is not reasonable. However, we direct him to expedite the work and complete it as early as possible. Since the issue raised in this execution application regarding non-compliance have been answered, we permit the applicant to submit what further actions is necessary in this regard," the bench said.

During the proceedings, the counsel appearing for Uttar Pradesh Avas Vikas Parishad told the bench that since the municipal corporation has found its own resource for carrying out work in terms of directions of this tribunal, it may not be proceeded against.

The matter is fixed for hearing on August 3.

The tribunal had earlier slammed the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation for not maintaining roads and pavements with sufficient green cover in Ghaziabad and summoned its municipal commissioner there for explaining the delay in the implementation of the directive.

It had also taken exception to the affidavit filed by the GMC stating that the green panel's direction of May 16, 2016 order had been complied with.

The tribunal had earlier imposed a fine of Rs one lakh on three officials of the Ghaziabad for non-compliance of its order on maintenance of roads and pavements with green cover in one of the sectors.

It had said that municipal commissioner, chief engineer and the executive engineer were responsible for the lapses in Sector 3 of Vasundhara and directed that the fine be recovered from them.

The tribunal's order came on a plea filed by Ghaziabad- resident Nayan Agrawal seeking execution of the NGT's direction to repair and carry out maintenance of the roads and pavements with sufficient green cover in Sector 3 in Vasundhra area of the district.

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The police today claimed to have arrested an absconder booked for drug smuggling five years ago in Jammu and Kashmir's Jammu district.

Arjun Dev alias Ajay of R S Pura Tehsil's Jinder Melu area has been arrested and was produced before a court today, a police officer said.

He was involved in cases of smuggling of narcotics and a case was registered against him at the Miran Sahib Police Station in 2012, the officer said.

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West Bengal is the only state which has completely refused to the implement the 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' scheme which is "not political", union minister Maneka Gandhi said in the Lok Sabha today.

Her remarks came during the Question Hour when a Trinamool Congress member mentioned that West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had initiated a programme 'Kanyashree' which has also received a UN award.

TMC member Mriganka Mahato also requested that Kanyashree programme's model should be followed by other states.

In response, the Women and Child Development Minister said while the Kanyashree programme was effective, West Bengal is the "only state in India which has completely refused to implement the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme".

As a result, out of 161 districts, Kolkata has shown a "severe declining trend" in terms of child sex ratio, she said.

"In fact, Kolkata is unfortunately the worst of the 161 districts that we have taken," the minister said. Launched in January 2015, BBBP is implemented in 161 districts.

Gandhi also said that many states have done equally well in implementing schemes similar to Kanyashree.

She cited Ladli Yojana in Haryana, Balika Samridhi Yojana in Gujarat and Bangaru Talli scheme in Andhra Pradesh as examples.

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The Medical Council of India (MCI) has rescinded admission of 95 students in PG courses at seven private medical colleges here for the 2017-2018 session as they were enrolled by violating rules and regulations, Lt Governor Kiran Bedi said tonight.

She said in a release that the MCI had issued directions to the seven private medical colleges and deemed universities "to discharge the 95 students admitted to PG courses otherwise through a common counselling by the CENTAC, an official panel constituted by Puducherry government for counselling of students for professional courses."



Bedi hailed the step taken by the MCI to annul the admission of the students as "a breakthrough."



The managements had admitted the students even though they had not undergone counselling by the CENTAC which has been made compulsory by the Supreme Court, she said.

The MCI had acted tough "by cancelling admission."



"We have received a letter from the MCI today on the cancellation of irregular admission," she added.

Bedi said many of the students who were given provisional allotment by CENTAC in the PG stream recently were refused admission in the colleges.

The aggrieved students had met her and presented oral and written complaints.

The student alleged that private medical colleges allegedly denied them admission even after they paid the fee fixed by the fee committee.

Deemed universities had also refused them admission and allegedly demanded "exorbitant fee to the tune of Rs 40 to Rs 50 lakhs per year".

The Director of Health and Family Services in Puducherry, who is the nodal officer of the Union territory, was asked to furnish the list of students admitted in each of the seven private medical colleges here to the MCI.

The MCI was also apprised through a separate list of the "discrepancies made by medical colleges in admitting students to the PG courses," the statement said.

Bedi stated that she had also written to the MCI chief forwarding the list of "discrepancies" detected in the admission by the colleges. The Monitoring Committee of the MCI carefully examined the list of students admitted by private colleges with that of students who were allotted seats through CENTAC under common counselling.

The students who did not find a place in the list of those allotted seats through CENTAC have been directed "to be discharged by the concerned colleges".

The Council has also directed the colleges to send a compliance report within two weeks.

It has also sent copies of the directions to Pondicherry University, the affiliating university for private medical colleges, for appropriate action.

"It is the bounden duty and responsibility of Puducherry government to ensure that the meritorious students who were allotted the PG seats through CENTAC are admitted against the vacant seats now arising out of cancellation of admission of 95 students by MCI in the private colleges," Bedi said in the release.

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Sugar mills owe Rs 4,611 crore to farmers against sugarcane purchase made in the ongoing season that will end in September, Parliament was informed today.

Already, 92 per cent of sugarcane dues of the current 2016-17 season have been cleared by mills, Minister of State for Food C R Chaudhary said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.

The outstanding cane price arrears are now only Rs 4,611 crore, he said.

Of this, cane arrears in Uttar Pradesh - the leading sugar producing state - stand at Rs 2,535 crore, Gujarat (Rs 1,067 crore), Tamil Nadu (Rs 494 crore), Uttarkhand (Rs 302 crore), Punjab (Rs 127 crore), Bihar (Rs 24 crore), Haryana (Rs 22 crore) and Puducherry (Rs 12 crore), according to the data placed before the Upper House.

The minister said cane arrears have come down substantially on account of several measures taken in last few years.

As a result, mills have cleared 92 per cent of cane dues of 2015-16 season and the outstanding amount is Rs 822 crore. Similarly, 99.33 per cent of dues of 2014-15 season have been cleared and Rs 1,073 crore remains to be paid, he said.

As per the rule, mills have to pay cane price within 14 days of supply of raw material, failing which interest at Rs 15 per cent per annum is charged on amount due for the delayed period. The states have powers to enforce this.

The minister said, "however the time schedule is not adhered to sometimes by sugar mills due to dynamics of sugar prices in domestic as well as international market which leads accumulation of cane price arrears."



In 2014-15, cane price arrears had peaked to Rs 21,837 crore in April 2015.

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The Mizo National Front (MNF) today announced that it supports the appeal made by the NGO Coordination committee to all the political parties not to field candidates belonging to Chakma community in the coming state Assembly polls scheduled to be held next year.

Former chief minister and MNF chief Zoramthanga, while addressing party workers at the party office here, said the NGO Coordination Committee's appeal was supported by his party and the MNF wanted the NGO Coordination Committee to pursue the issue.

Zoramthanga also said that the party supported the demand of the NGO Coordination Committee that Fisheries Minister B D Chakma should be sacked for his alleged "anti government and anti Mizo" activities.

He claimed that the MNF during peace talks with the government of India had demanded that the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), which was imposed upon the people of Mizoram and was created without the consent of the Mizo people should be scrapped.

"The Centre refused to scrap the CADC as it was created by the Parliament with a constitutional amendment as it felt that it should send wrong signals to the people of the country," he said.

He said the MNF still demands that the CADC should be scrapped.

There are two assembly constituencies where Chakma candidates always won - Tuichawng and West Tuipui from where BD Chakma and former minister Nihar Kanti Chakma, both belonging to the ruling Congress won the seats respectively in 2013 assembly polls.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) today protested against a jewellery shop in Dadar and a hotel in Mahim here, asking them to remove the signboards in Gujarati, police said.

Following the protests, the two establishments removed the Gujarati signboards, they said.

According to police, while the owners of the establishment did not lodge any complaint against the cadres of the Raj Thackeray-led party, seven of them were arrested by police for "illegal gathering" in Mahim.

"In the first case, MNS workers gathered outside P N Gadgil Jewellers in Dadar around 12.30 pm, where the jewellery shop management had put up the signboard in Gujarati," Sunil Deshmukh, Assistant Commissioner of Police told PTI.

After the protest, the management of the removed the signboard, he said.

After Dadar, the MNS workers headed to Mahim junction. There they targeted Hotel Shoba over the same thing, he added.

"There, they requested the hotel owner to remove the Gujarati signboard. The hotel manager then asked his staff to take the board down," Deshmukh said.

There was no complaint against MNS workers from the owners of these establishments. However, as they breached the orders issued by Mumbai Police Commissioner, which prohibited gathering without permission, offences were registered against them and action has been taken, he said.

"Two separate offences of illegal gathering under section 135 of Maharashtra Police Act have been lodged against the MNS workers at Dadar and Mahim police stations accordingly," the officer said.

"Police have arrested at least seven MNS activists in connection of illegal gathering at Mahim," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Drinking for over three to four days every week may reduce the risk of developing diabetes, a study has claimed.

Previous studies have consistently suggested that light to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk of diabetes compared with abstention in men and women, whilst heavy consumption is associated with a risk greater than or equal to that of abstainers.

However previous studies examining the role of drinking patterns in relation to diabetes risk have given inconsistent findings, and studies on the effects of particular types of beverage are likewise inconclusive.

Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark examined the effects of drinking frequency on diabetes risk, and also considered association with specific beverage types.

They used data from about 70,551 Danish citizens aged 18 and over completed a self-reporting questionnaire including items on lifestyle and .

Follow up information, continued until 2012 also was gathered. During follow up, 859 men and 887 women developed diabetes.

Scientists found that people consuming moderate amounts of alcohol were at the lowest risk of developing diabetes.

Men consuming 14 drinks per week were found to have a 43 per cent lower risk of diabetes relative to no alcohol intake, and women consuming nine drinks per week had a 58 per cent lower risk compared with women who did not drink at all.

In terms of frequency, the data revealed that consumption of alcohol 3-4 days a week gave the lowest risk of diabetes - a 27 per cent lower risk in men and a 32 per cent lower risk in women - when compared to individuals drinking less than one day per week.

Regarding beverage type, moderate to high intake of wine was associated with a lower risk of diabetes, in line with previous studies.

Researchers suggest that this might be due to a beneficial effect that polyphenols in wine have on management of blood sugar, giving red wine in particular a potential protective impact.

Men and women who consumed seven or more drinks of wine per week had a 25-30 per cent lower risk of diabetes compared with those having less than 1 drink of wine per week.

Consuming between one and six beers per week gave a 21 per cent lower risk of diabetes in men compared with men drinking less than one beer per week, while beer was not associated with diabetes risk in women.

"Our findings suggest that alcohol drinking frequency is associated with the risk of diabetes and that consumption of alcohol over 3-4 weekdays is associated with the lowest risks of diabetes, even after taking average weekly alcohol consumption into account," researchers 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.)
More rains battered Rajasthan, which is battling a deluge in four districts, even as 12 people lost their lives today in incidents of lightning, drowning and wall collapse in West Bengal where the flood situation remained grim.

Authorities in Odisha are fearing floods as excess water is being released from the Rengali Dam.

The Water Resources Ministry has warned that water levels in rivers in east Madhya Pradesh, north Chhattisgarh and east Rajasthan may rise rapidly due to "heavy to very heavy" and "extremely heavy" rain today and tomorrow.

Rivers may also rise in parts of west Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, north Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat due to "heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places", it said.

"Due to this, rivers in Sone basin, Southern Ganga tributaries between Allahabad and Ballia, basins of Ken, Betwa, Chambal, Mahi, Sabarmati and Narmada are likely to rise rapidly," the ministry said in a statement.

The rainfall is likely to decrease from Sunday onwards, it added.

Meanwhile, over 1,050 people have been rescued from Jalore, Pali, Barmer and Rajsamand districts of Rajasthan, where heavy rains have triggered floods.

Teams of the Army, NDRF, SDRF, CRPF, two Airforce helicopters and home guards are engaged in the relief and rescue work in affected areas.

More than 525 people from these districts have been shifted to 20 special relief camps, a public relations officer of the state government said.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje is monitoring the rescue and relief operations, the official said.

More rains lashed the state. Dug recorded 19 cm of rainfall, Gangdhar and Chabra 13 cm, Bakani 11 cm, Aklera 10 cm of rainfall, Bhinmal 13 cm and Raniwada 10 cm.

Swirling waters of the Subarnarekha river inundated over 80 villages in Odisha's Balasore district. The government has asked authorities to remain alert.

The flood situation, however, improved in Bhadrak, Sundergarh and Jajpur districts after the water level of the Baitarani river receded.

While 63 villages have been inundated in Bhograi block, 20 villages of Balaipal block were under water in Balasore district. The flood waters are flowing 1.5 metre above the roads.

The Special Relief Commissioner's (SRC) office, however, was fearing floods in two blocks each of Jajpur and Kendrapara districts with the authorities opening 10 gates of the Rengali reservoir.

Special Relief Commissioner B P Sethi said four people have so far lost their lives in the Odisha floods.

Meanwhile, a seven-member central team said floods in Assam have caused "very profound and large-scale" damage.

The team is in Assam since Tuesday to carry out an on- the-spot assessment of the damage caused.

It visited Biswanath, Lakhimpur, Majuli, Barpeta, Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj districts and interacted with the affected people and administration officials to ascertain the intensity of the damage caused.

Also, the Centre announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those killed in flood-related cases in Assam this year.

As many as 79 people lost their lives in the devastating floods, eight of them in Guwahati.

The prime minister also announced compensation of Rs 50,000 each to the people injured in the floods, an official release said here.

The flood situation in western districts of West Bengal remained grim. The West Midnapore district administration has sought the help of the Indian Air Force for rescue operations.

An Indian Air Force Mi17 V5 helicopter has been sent from the Barrackpore air force station to rescue the stranded civilians, a Defence spokesperson said.

At least 16 people have lost their lives while nearly 20 lakh are affected in over 160 villages, inundated due to heavy rains and the water released by Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC).

The weatherman has warned of very heavy rain at isolated places over west Rajasthan tomorrow.

Heavy rain is very likely over Assam and Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, east Rajasthan and Gujarat, the MeT office said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
More rains battered Rajasthan, which is battling a deluge in four districts even as the overall flood situation in Odisha improved today.

The flood situation in western districts of West Bengal remained grim. The West Midnapore district administration has sought the help of the Indian Air Force for rescue operations.

The Water Resources Ministry has warned that water levels in rivers in east Madhya Pradesh, north Chhattisgarh and east Rajasthan may rise rapidly due to "heavy to very heavy" and "extremely heavy" rain today and tomorrow.

Rivers may also rise in parts of west Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, north Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat due to "heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places", it said.

"Due to this, rivers in Sone basin, Southern Ganga tributaries between Allahabad and Ballia, basins of Ken, Betwa, Chambal, Mahi, Sabarmati and Narmada are likely to rise rapidly," the ministry said in a statement.

The rainfall is likely to decrease from Sunday onwards, it added.

Meanwhile, over 1,050 people have been rescued from Jalore, Pali, Barmer and Rajsamand districts of Rajasthan, where heavy rains have triggered floods.

Teams of the Army, NDRF, SDRF, CRPF, two Airforce helicopters and home guards are engaged in the relief and rescue work in affected areas.

More than 525 people from these districts have been shifted to 20 special relief camps, a public relations officer of the state government said.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje is monitoring the rescue and relief operations, the official said.

More rains lashed the state. Dug recorded 19 cm of rainfall, Gangdhar and Chabra 13 cm, Bakani 11 cm, Aklera 10 cm of rainfall, Bhinmal 13 cm and Raniwada 10 cm.

Swirling waters of the Subarnarekha river inundated over 80 villages in Odisha's Balasore district. The government has asked authorities to remain alert.

The flood situation, however, improved in Bhadrak, Sundergarh and Jajpur districts after the water level of the Baitarani river receded.

While 63 villages have been inundated in Bhograi block, 20 villages of Balaipal block were under water in Balasore district. The flood waters are flowing 1.5 metre above the roads.

The Special Relief Commissioner's (SRC) office, however, was fearing floods in two blocks each of Jajpur and Kendrapara districts with the authorities opening 10 gates of the Rengali reservoir.

Special Relief Commissioner B P Sethi said four people have so far lost their lives in the Odisha floods.

Meanwhile, a seven-member central team said floods in Assam have caused "very profound and large-scale" damage.

The team is in Assam since Tuesday to carry out an on- the-spot assessment of the damage caused.

It visited Biswanath, Lakhimpur, Majuli, Barpeta, Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj districts and interacted with the affected people and administration officials to ascertain the intensity of the damage caused.

The flood situation in western districts of West Bengal remained grim. The West Midnapore district administration has sought the help of the Indian Air Force for rescue operations.

An Indian Air Force Mi17 V5 helicopter has been sent from the Barrackpore air force station to rescue the stranded civilians, a Defence spokesperson said.

At least 16 people have lost their lives while nearly 20 lakh are affected in over 160 villages, inundated due to heavy rains and the water released by Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC).

The weatherman has warned of very heavy rain at isolated places over west Rajasthan tomorrow.

Heavy rain is very likely over Assam and Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, east Rajasthan and Gujarat, the MeT office said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today sought inputs for review of the foreign trade policy (FTP) from candidates pursuing courses at Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT).

IIFT is a prestigious institute under the ministry.

"I would draw your attention and seek your participation in the FTP, which is being reviewed. The major part is almost done. We did lot of stakeholder consultations. I would like you to look at the FTP and tell us what do you think will have to be changed, tweaked or amended. Give your inputs," Sitharaman said.

She was addressing students and faculty at the 51st convocationof the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.

The ministry is expected to release the FTP (2015-20) by September.

Sitharaman also asked the doctorate students to consider academics as a career and being in teaching profession.

"There is today a desperate move to have a good faculty members teaching foreign trade," she said.

Exports are recording positive growth and it will be an important area in which "I would require academic inputs to come and for which we need good faculty members", she added.

The minister further said that global economies are tightening their positions and not following the principles of free and fair trade.

Protectionism is increasing and trade barriers are really coming up from most unexpected quarters, she said adding due to this global economy has to be understood, studied and analysed by experts.

"I think there is an immense scope for India at every level to build its capacity," the minister said.

Sitharaman said that there is a shortfall of well trained trade negotiators, experts in international negotiations and experts who have a cross-pollinated view.

"IIFT can give people of that calibre. Give India that kind of negotiator and experts," she said.

Talking about trade in services, she said it is in the range of USD 10 trillion globally and India has also presented a paper to the WTO where it wants a framework for a trade facilitation agreement in services.

"That paper is gaining lot of momentum and it is under discussion in WTO. In my recent visit to Geneva, I discussed as how it can move forward," she said.

Further, she added that people from different areas should also be part of the faculty at IIFT.

Indian trade service officers may also come for a short duration to meet the academic shortage.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Nitish Kumar government today won the crucial floor test in the Bihar Assembly, securing 131 votes against the opposition's 108.

Four members in the 243-member house could not vote, reducing the total strength of the house during the trust vote to 239.

With the effective strength of the House reduced to 239 during voting, Bihar's new government needed 120 votes to win the confidence vote.

While Raj Bhallav Yadav of the RJD could not attend as he is in jail, BJP's Anand Shankar Pandey was absent as he is undergoing medical treatment outside the state. Congress' Sudarshan could not vote due to technical reasons as he was out of the House when the doors were shut for lobby division.

Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary did not participate in the voting.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi did not take part in the voting as both are members of the Legislative Council. However, they were present in the house.

In the voting under lobby division, members in favour of the confidence vote went inside one lobby where they signed a register; those against it headed for another lobby and signed a register.

At the end, the speaker announced the result of the trust vote, with 131 in favour of the NDA and 108 against it.

The 131 votes in favour of Nitish Kumar comprised JD(U) 70, BJP 52, HAM 1, RLSP 2, LJP 2 and Independent 4.

The 108 votes against it comprised RJD 79, Congress 26 and CPI-ML 3.

The speaker's effort to decide the fate of the confidence motion through voice vote failed twice following shouting from both the treasury and the opposition benches.

Senior RJD MLA Abdul Bari Siddiqui demanded secret voting but was rejected by the speaker.

At the end of the confidence vote, the speaker announced its adjournment for an indefinite period.

The Bihar Assembly held a one-day special session today for taking up the trust vote by the JD(U) and NDA coalition government.

Speeches of senior leaders of various parties on the confidence motion moved by the chief minister were frequently disrupted by members of rival parties.

RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, former deputy chief minister and the son of Lalu Prasad Yadav, started the discussion on confidence motion. The Congress fielded its legislature party leader Sadanand Singh.

Modi spoke on behalf of the BJP while the chief minister spoke last.

Kumar, 66, was sworn in yesterday, returning to the National Democratic Alliance after four years. The day earlier, he had resigned as chief minister, breaking ranks with his allies -- Lalu Yadav's RJD party and the Congress.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
North Korea today launched an intercontinental ballistic missile for the second time in a month, the Pentagon said, a day after US Congress voted to impose new tougher sanctions against Russia, Iran and Pyongyang.

The unusual late-night test launch was North Korea's 12th missile test this year and second intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in less than a month.

"The US Department of Defence detected and tracked a single North Korea missile launch today at about 10:41 AM (New York time)," Pentagon Spokesman Capt Jeff Davis said.

"We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), as had been expected. The missile was launched from Mupyong-ni and travelled about 1,000 km before splashing down in the Sea of Japan.

"We are working with our interagency partners on a more detailed assessment," Davis said.

The North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America, he said.

"Our commitment to the defence of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, remains ironclad. We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation," Davis said.

Speaker of the US House of Representatives Congressman Paul Ryan said: "North Korea is a global menace and its pursuit of nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles poses clear and immediate danger to our national security. We take this threat very seriously.

"That's why, earlier this week, a bipartisan majority of the House voted to sanction North Korea. These expansive sanctions directly target Pyongyang's ability to threaten the United States and our allies. The Kim (Jong-Un) regime needs to pay for its actions," Ryan said.

Harry J Kazianis, director of Defence Studies from the Centre for the National Interest, a recognised expert on North Korea, said the latest test should not come as a surprise.

"North Korea is slowly morphing into a nuclear and missile power right before our very eyes. North Korea will continue to test over and over again its missile technology and nuclear weapons in the months and years to come in order to develop the most lethal systems it can.

"And you can bet every time they do tensions will continue to rise. This is what makes the situation on the Korean Peninsula as dangerous as it is," he said.

A day earlier, Commander of US Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris said North Korea is "a clear and present danger" to global peace and stability.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's regime is not only a threat to South Korea, Japan and the US, but to China, Russia and US allies in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, he said.

"(North Korea is) a threat to the entire world because North Korea's missiles point in every direction. It's the reason why we call for all nations to implement far stronger economic sanctions against Pyongyang," Harris said at an event at the Japanese Embassy in Washington.

The provocative North Korea ICBM test comes in less than 24 hours of the Senate passing 98-2 a bill to impose tough sanctions on Russia, North Korea and Iran.

"Kim Jong-Un must end his dangerous pursuit of a nuclear weapon or face total economic isolation. The sanctions will limit access to foreign currency and the ability to conduct trade, severely weakening the North Korean economy," said Senator Dianne Feinstein.

"It also gives us the ability to work with the UN to impose harsh penalties against any foreign entity that violates or helps North Korea circumvent these sanctions," she said.

In the past a few days, the Trump administration has ramped up its pressure on China to use its leverage on North Korea from going ahead with its missile tests.

"We expected China to exert its very considerable, economic, political and diplomatic pressure on North Korea. The president has said he is not satisfied with the results," Sebastian Gorka, a top presidential adviser told PBS early this week.

"That's why the president on the fringes of the G20 sat down with the heads of state of both South Korea and Japan to take the North Korean issue back to the UN Security Council. And why the president, additionally, at the end of the G20 had a conversation with (Chinese President) Xi Jinping to tell him exactly what he thought about what China needs to do right," he said.

"Right now we're going to maintain our policy of peaceful pressure with regards to North Korea, hoping that China can step up to the plate, while the president takes no options off the table," Gorka said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has formalised a loan agreement for Rs 6,608 crore to finance capital expenditure of a 1,320 mw power project being set up in Uttar Pradesh.

"Meja Utpadan Nigam Pvt... Signed a loan agreement for Rs 6,608 crore to finance capital expenditure of the power project consisting of two units of 660 mw being set up at Meja near Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh," said in a statement.

Meja Utpadan Nigam is a 50:50 JV between the country's largest power producer and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam.

Taking advantage of falling interest yields, the deal was finalised between the two during a short span.

The proceeds will also be utilised partly to refinance costlier loan from a consortium of banks and financial institutions. To ease future cash flows, the loan offers extended repayment period, the company said.

The agreement was executed in the presence of CMD Gurdeep Singh.

(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.)
A man born in the United Arab Emirates killed one person with a knife and wounded six in a supermarket in the German city of Hamburg on Saturday, shouting "Allahu Akbar" before being overpowered by passers-by and arrested, said police.

Police said they were unable to immediately determine the motive behind the attack and were "continuing to investigate every possibility".

Citing security sources, Berlin newspaper Der Tagesspiegel reported that the 26-year-old perpetrator was known to police as an Islamist. News agency DPA reported that security authorities were investigating evidence the man had Salafist ties.

Around 1310 GMT, the attacker stabbed to death a 50- year-old man believed to be a German citizen.

Police said that he "struck out wildly" at others, wounding five more in the supermarket, a 50-year-old woman and four men aged 19, 56, 57 and 64.

Another 35-year-old man was hurt while overpowering the attacker in the street alongside other passers-by shortly after the killing.

All of the wounded were being treated or operated on in hospital, some of them for serious injuries, police said.

A police murder unit and a specialist politically- motivated crime squad are investigating the attack and were able to secure the suspected murder weapon.

German daily Bild published a picture of the attacker in the back of a police car with a white, blood-soaked bag over his head, and reported that he cried "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) during the attack.

"Suddenly I saw a man smeared with blood running along the other side of the road with a knife," an eyewitness identified as Ralf W. Told Bild. "He shouted out 'Allahu Akbar' as he was running."



A female witness standing in line at the supermarket till also told NTV rolling news channel that "as he was running out... He held up his arms and shouted 'Allahu Akbar'."



"I thought I was in a horror movie, I thought he would kill me," an unnamed woman who had been in the supermarket told rolling news channel NTV.

She said she feared she would die, as she was "queueing for the till and couldn't get away".

The suspect fled the supermarket after the attack.

But "people were running after him with improvised weapons, chairs and sticks... They ran after him into a side street," Ralf W. Told Bild.

"People chased after the killer with chairs, they were throwing them at him," bakery worker Shaylin Roettmer told DPA.

The witnesses slightly injured the attacker while they were overpowering him, before handing him over to police.

Police blocked off the lively and diverse high street dotted with cafes and shops in the northeast of the port city, Germany's second largest and host of the G20 summit of world leaders in early July.

Anti-terror officers armed with automatic weapons patrolled the scene and onlookers gathered behind strips of red-and-white police tape.

While the attacker's motives remain unknown, Germany has been on high alert about the threat of a jihadist attack, especially since last December's truck rampage through a Berlin Christmas market that killed 12 people.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the carnage in which a Tunisian rejected asylum seeker and ex- convict, Anis Amri, 24, ploughed the stolen truck through a crowd.

It was Germany's deadliest attack by an Islamist militant, but not the first.

In 2016, the IS group also claimed a suicide bomb attack in the southern city of Ansbach which wounded 15 victims, and an Afghan man's axe rampage on a train in Bavaria that hurt five, before the perpetrator was shot dead by police.

Public fears about more extremist violence have grown amid Germany's mass influx of refugees and migrants, mostly from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan as well as several African countries.

More than one million asylum seekers have arrived in Germany since Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the country's borders in 2015.

Germany's domestic intelligence service estimates there are about 10,000 radical Islamists in the country, including 1,600 who are considered potentially violent.

In one case of a homegrown attacker, a German teenager identified as 16-year-old Safia S Was in January sentenced to six years of juvenile detention for stabbing a police officer in 2016 "to support the Islamic State group".

Authorities were also investigating an IS claim of the stabbing death of a teenage boy in Hamburg last October.

The 16-year-old boy was fatally wounded in the knife assault on the banks of the Alster river but a 15-year-old girl who was with him escaped unharmed after the attacker shoved her into the water.

Germany is a target for jihadist groups, particularly because of its reconnaissance and refuelling missions to support the coalition fighting IS in Iraq and Syria, and because it has deployed troops in Afghanistan since 2001.
Opposition Congress today created an uproar in the Rajya Sabha, forcing four adjournments in quick succession, alleging that the Gujarat police had abducted its MLA in the state with a view to influence the upcoming elections to the Upper House.

Congress members trooped into the Well of the House raising anti-government slogans and charging the BJP with "stealing" MLAs to help its candidates win the Rajya Sabha polls, forcing brief adjournments one after the other.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien first adjourned the proceedings for 10 minutes soon after the House assembled as Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma, raised the issue and party members stormed the Well raising slogans.

Similar scenes were witnessed when the House met again, forcing Kurien to adjourn the proceedings till 1200 hours. A repeat of the protests saw Chairman Hamid Ansari to adjourn the House again after it reassembled at noon.

As there was no let-up in the opposition protests, the House was again adjourned till 1430 hours.

Azad said he was not raising the issue of three Congress MLAs who had resigned from the party and one of them being immediately named as the BJP candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls.

He said Punabhai Gamit, MLA from reserved constituency of Vyara, after attending district Congress executive committee, had gone for a tea to another MLA's house when district superintendent of police "abducted" him.

The police officer, he alleged, told the MLA that Congress has decided not to give him a ticket for the upcoming assembly elections and he should leave the party and join BJP and he would arrange his meeting with the BJP president and get him the ticket.

Azad alleged that the police officer who picked the Congress MLA up was the one who was arrested in a fake encounter case. The MLA managed to flee when he asked the police officer to allow him to get a changeover of clothes, he claimed.

"You are stealing MLAs by using the police (to garner votes)," Azad said, adding "You should be ashamed."



Earlier, Sharma had raised the issue through a point of order saying the Constitution was being violated by the ruling BJP which was using the police to "abduct" MLAs.

"They are stealing MLAs," he said, adding that it must be guaranteed that the biennial elections to Rajya Sabha are free and fair and MLAs are released.

Union Minister Parshottam Rupala sought to counter the charge saying it was an internal matter of the Congress whose MLAs, including the leader of the party in the state assembly, were deserting it. "Why are you complaining here," he said.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said it is the Election Commission's responsibility to hold free and fair elections. "If they have a complaint, they should go to Election Commission. Rajya Sabha is not the place to protest."



Congress is not able "to keep its house in order", Naqvi said, prompting the opposition party MPs to troop into the Well shouting slogans.

"You have to protect the Constitution ... Voters are being kidnapped where do we go," Azad said.

Kurien said the Chair has nothing to do with elections. "If what has been narrated has happened, solution lies elsewhere. You can approach police, you can approach election commission and seek remedy. I have no remedy for this," he said.

He asked protesting members to return to their seats but his pleas went unheeded. "What is the use of obstructing," he asked before adjourning the proceedings for 10 minutes.

When the House reassembled, Anand Sharma (Cong) again raised the issue of abduction.

To this, Kurein asked what he could do.

Azad suggested that the Chair can give a direction to the Election Commission to ensure fair election. He said the officer involved in the incident should be removed.

Kurien, however, said the Election Commission "does not require a direction from the Chair" to conduct free and fair election, as it is bound to do so and "they are doing it".

"If you have a complaint, approach Election Commission," he said.

As Congress members trooped into the Well and started slogan-shouting, Naqvi took pot-shots at the main opposition party saying they would also demand a direction to the Surpreme Court as several of their members are involved in "corruption" cases.

Congress would also seek direction to Election Commission as they are losing the elections, the minister added.

Kurien asked agitated Congress members to return to their seats so that Zero Hour business could be taken.

However, Congress members kept shouting slogans from the well. Kurien adjourned the House till noon.

When the House met at noon, Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the proceedings, first briefly for 15 minutes and then till 1430 hours.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian teenager and wounded seven others today during clashes near the border fence in Gaza, said the health ministry of the Hamas movement that rules the enclave.

Abdulrahman Abu Hmeisa, 16, was killed in the clashes east of the Al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said.

He said seven others were also wounded by Israeli gun fire by the border fence.

The clashes erupted after hundreds of youths reached the border area in response to a call by Hamas for protests to take place in solidarity with Palestinians in Jerusalem.

Israeli-Palestinian tensions have been high over the last few weeks due to a dispute over controversial security measures at a sensitive Jerusalem holy site.

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Jammu and Kashmir's ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) has deferred its foundation day celebrations by a day to avoid a clash with the Friday prayers.

"The foundation day celebrations will be held tomorrow. It was postponed in view of today being Friday as the functions normally end late in the afternoon and people have to offer prayers," PDP general secretary Nizamuddin Bhat told PTI.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who is also the PDP president, is out of town today.

PDP was formed on 28 July 1998.

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Apotex Research, the Indian arm of Canadian pharmaceutical major Apotex Inc, today opened its new global business services office here and said it will expand its footprint in the country.

The company said the facility will provide centralised service delivery for various areas, including medical, regulatory, quality, manufacturing, administrative and commercial functions for Apotex globally.

The new office has been designed to maximise collaboration and employee engagement, a company statement said here.

Apotex Research Pvt Ltd (ARPL) and its sister company, Apotex Pharmachem Inc Pvt Ltd (APIPL) were established in Bangalore (now Bengaluru) in 2004.

Over the years, both the companies have evolved into one of Apotex's global strategic R&D and manufacturing centres with over 2,500 employees. Operations include API & formulation R&D, clinical research, API and finished dose manufacturing. The Bengaluru campus supplies products to global markets including the US, Canada, EU and Australia.

"Mumbai is the commercial hub of India with a strong pharmaceutical presence including key talent, so it is good strategic location for continued growth of Apotex's business in India. The global business services operation will make a significant contribution to Apotex's future business growth," Apotex Research Managing Director Rav Kumar said.

Jeremy B Desai, CEO & President, Apotex Inc said, "India continues to be one of our global strategic centres and I am thrilled to announce this further investment. The Global Business Services function will be a key contributor to our business and will support our purpose of improving access to medicines for millions of patients by providing affordable, innovative and high-quality solutions."



Yoganjaneya Reddy, VP & Site Head, Apotex Pharmachem India, said, "We have seen a promising growth path in India and the Global Business Services operations strengthens this path."



Apotex is Canada's largest privately-held pharma company with a global presence in more than 45 countries with over 11,000 employees.

With its worldwide manufacturing sites, Apotex produce up to 25 billion dosages per year. It produces 300 medicines in 4,000 dosages and formats that are exported to 115 countries. Apotex will spend $2 billion over the next 10 years on research and development.

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The Philippine military says only about 60 pro-Islamic State group militants are still fighting in a bloody siege of southern Marawi city that has left 630 people dead, including more than 470 gunmen, and dragged on for more than two months.

Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said today that most of the militants' leaders are believed to still be with the main group of gunmen fighting in an area less than one square kilometer.

Troops and police have arrested 59 men suspected of being on their way to reinforce the Marawi militants.

The suspects were flown under heavy guard today to the Department of Justice in Manila, where they denied before prosecutors that they were aiming to back up the extremists.

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A police jawan was injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) laid by Naxals exploded in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district.

A team of security personnel led by Dantewada's Superintendent of Police Kamlochan Kashyap was patrolling in Katekalyan area last night when the IED exploded, a senior police official told PTI.

As the policemen was cordoning off the road between Metapal and Gatam villages, they found a Naxal banner in support of the 'martyrdom week', he said.

Constable Laxmaih was trying to remove the banner when the pressure IED planted behind it exploded, leaving him injured, the official said.

The injured jawan, belonging to the district force and deputed as follow guard of the Dantewada SP, sustained minor splinter injuries on his hand, he said.

He was immediately rushed to a local hospital where his condition was said to be stable, he said.

Maoists are oberving a 'martyrdom week' fromtoday to August 3.

Security has been beefed up in forests of all the seven districts of Bastar division - Dantewada, Bijapur, Bastar, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Sukma and Kanker in view of Maoist week, the official said.

Notably, AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi is also scheduled to undertake a two-day visit of Bastar from today during which he will attend a series of programmes.

Hence, thepatrolling has been intensified in the district and its bordering areas, the official said.

The outlawedCommunist Party of India(Maoist) observes the martyrdom week every year to remember its leaders who died in various operations conducted by the security forces.

The IEDs planted randomly in forests and places, where frequent de-mining operations are not feasible, pose a big challenge in the counter-insurgency operations in Bastar division, a senior police official earlier said.

At least 1,232 IEDs have been recovered by security forces in different pockets of Bastar from 2010 to June 30 this year, as per the figures of the state police department.

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said poverty cannot be a block for anyone to achieve success and encouraged girl students not to discriminate among people but to indulge in healthy competition in life.

"Poor financial condition cannot be a bar for a student. Always remember that you have to win over poverty. But you have to be a good person to grow into a good human being," Banerjee said at a programme to celebrate the success of 'Kanyashree', a state government scheme.

The UN has last month awarded 'Kanyashree', aimed at promoting girls' education, with its highest Public Service Award.

"There is no place to worry about your financial condition. Remember that there is no place for competition of money but there can be competition of merit and good work and culture," she said.

During the programme, Banerjee announced that the state government would provide a monthly scholarship of Rs 2500 and Rs 2000 for girls pursuing post graduation in science and arts stream respectively.

A group of US-based NRIs recently met her expressing their interest in funding 10 brilliant girl students from the state in pursuing research works, the chief minister said.

The state government would provide free cycles to all students studying in Class 9, 10, 11 12 every year, she said adding that around 70 lakh cycles have been distributed to students by the state government.

"We have already started helping researchers after the UGC stopped providing the scholarship. The state government has set up a fund of Rs 20 crore," Banerjee said.

UNICEF representative in India Dr Yasmin Ali Haque was present at the programme besides, several eminent personalities from regional film and television industry.

Twenty girls from all over the state were felicitated for their achievements in several fields despite adversities in lives.

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The Delhi unit of the BJP today opposed any hike in power tariff in the national capital and demanded that the AAP government ask distribution companies to make their financial accounts public.

The three discoms -- BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL), BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) -- have been seeking hike in tarrif pointing that the last such increase of 5 per cent was effected way back in July 2014.

Manoj Tiwari, the Delhi unit president of the BJP, said, "People are already paying a high power tariff and discoms, in which the Delhi government and private operators are partners, have been making hefty profits."



"Delhi's total revenue gap (regulatory assets) owed to the three discoms is over Rs 34,000 crore till FY 2015-2016. This is the shortfall that has piled up due to a non-cost reflective tariff over the years," said a discom official on the condition of anonymity.

The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) earlier this month had held a public hearing on the petitions of the discoms to balance tariff, expenses and aggregate revenue requirement, but it was boycotted by the representatives of resident welfare associations.

Tiwari said the BJP will continue its support to the RWAs opposing any possible tariff hike.

"We will convene a meeting of RWAs to discuss the issue and extend all our support to the cause of people of Delhi," he said.

The discoms have also justified the "need" of a hike pointing that many states and UTs have raised tariff in the past two years in line with recommendations of UDAY (Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana) which was approved by Union cabinet in November 2015.

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Qatar refuses to bow to Saudi-led demands to "outsource" its foreign policy to resolve the Gulf crisis, its government spokesman has said.

Sheikh Saif bin Ahmed Al-Thani, who holds ministerial rank, accused Doha's adversaries in the crisis - Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt - of meddling in Qatar's internal affairs.

"What's behind this crisis of course is Qatari sovereignty and independence to put it very simply. It is about... Outsourcing our foreign policy so that decisions are not made in Qatar, and that is something that will never be acceptable," he told AFP in an interview.

Sheikh Saif said the Saudi-led bloc had laid down a new "ultimatum" on Tuesday by publishing a list of individuals and "terrorist" entities allegedly linked to Doha.

This "list, it's still an ultimatum, it's still something that is stalling resolving the crisis", the official said.

However, "we have said it from the start, we are open to dialogue, we are open to negotiating... The first step should be lifting the illegal blockade."



In the region's worst diplomatic crisis in years, Riyadh and allies have been boycotting Doha since June 5.

They have sealed the emirate's only land border, ordered its citizens to leave, and closed their airspace and waters to Qatari flights and shipping.

They are demanding that Qatar break its longstanding ties with the Muslim Brotherhood, blacklisted as a "terror group" by the four governments although not by the international community.

They also want Doha to close broadcasting giant Al- Jazeera and a Turkish military base, and to fall in line with Saudi-led policy in the region, particularly towards Iran.

Sheikh Saif insisted that "this crisis was again triggered by them not by us".

Qatar was prepared to discuss "anything openly" as long as it does not impinge on the country's sovereignty and independence, he said.

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Reliance Capital today said it has elevated chief investment officer of its mutual fund arm Sunil Singhania as a global head of the company's equity business.

Manish Gunwani will be the new CIO for equity division at Reliance Nippon Life Asset Management (RNAM), better known as Reliance Mutual Fund.

Singhania will move into the new role from September 1, 2017, till which time he will continue in his present role of CIO -- equities -- of Reliance Mutual Fund. Gunwani would also join the company from the same time.

In his new role, Singhania would be responsible for expanding equity business of Reliance Capital, across life insurance, offshore funds, Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) and wealth management.

Besides, he would provide broad strategic inputs to portfolio managers within the scope of the existing regulatory framework.

"Given Sunil's deep understanding of Indian equity markets and his wide global relationships, we look forward to his enhanced contribution across the full spectrum of our investment related businesses to realise these exciting opportunities," Reliance Capital Vice Chairman Amitabh Jhunjhunwala said.

Gunwani, who has over 20 years in fund management and equity research, had earlier worked with ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, where he served as Deputy CIO equity and managed assets of more than Rs 35,000 crore.

"Mutual funds have provided an ideal platform for investors to participate in India's growth story, and retail participation has been accelerating in recent times.

"With favourable structural reforms and a positive macro-economic outlook, there are great value creation opportunities for investors," Gunwani said.

RNAM currently manages over Rs 3.62 lakh crore including Rs 2.23 lakh crore for mutual funds.

"We are confident that his appointment will further enhance our vision of creating wealth for the people of India and accelerate the growth of RNAM's equity assets," Jhunjhunwala said.

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Kerala Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac today said selling of Mizoram lottery tickets was illegal in the state.

"Selling of lottery tickets of Mizoram in the state is illegal and it is without getting the state's permission," Isaac told reporters here.

The government would investigate to find out who was behind selling of Mizoram tickets by giving advertisements, he said.

"The lottery (tickets) coming into the state is not the Mizoram lottery, but tickets of lottery king Santiago Martin," he alleged.

Efforts were on from certain quarters to sell lottery tickets in the state after the GST came into force, he said.

The government has issued notification imposing restrictions on the sale of lottery tickets of other states, he said.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Ramesh Chennithala alleged that lottery tickets of other states were coming back to Kerala with the help of CPI-M-led LDF government.

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Assyrians in North Iraq Reject Second Mayor Appointed By Kurds

Lara Yousif, an Assyrian and a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, waving a Kurdish flag. She was appointed the mayor of Alqosh, an Assyrian town in north Iraq, despite the protestations of the residents. Alqosh, North Iraq (AINA) -- The residents of Alqosh, an Assyrian town in north Iraq, have again rejected the new mayor appointed by the Nineveh Province Council, an entity controlled by the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). The new mayor, Alqosh resident Lara Yousif, is an Assyrian and a member of the KDP. She was appointed to the post yesterday after the previously appointed mayor, Adel Amin Omar, a Kurd, was also rejected by the residents (AINA 2017-07-21). Adel Amin replaced the legally elected Assyrian mayor of Alqosh, Fayez Abed Jawahreh.

The removal of mayor Jawahreh is an illegal act, according to Alqosh residents and the laws of the Nineveh Province Council. The decision to remove him was extra-constitutional and made by one man, Kurd Bashar Al Kekee, the head of the Nineveh Province Council, without consulting the council.

Lara Yousif is a member of the Chaldean Catholic Church (a Roman Catholic Uniate), as are nearly all Alqosh residents. She unsuccessfully ran for a Christian seat in the KRG Parliament.

Alqosh residents have stated that her acceptance of the position is a betrayal and vowed to continue to oppose her and the Kurds, and fight to bring the legally elected mayor Jawahreh back to office.

Many see the move as part of a Kurdish plan to include areas outside of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in the independence referendum announced by Kurdish president Massoud Barzani, scheduled for September 25. The district of Alqosh borders the Kurdish region but is under the jurisdiction of the central government of Iraq. Most of its inhabitants are Assyrians, with a smaller percentage of Yazidis. The district forms the northern part of the wider Nineveh Plains region, which Kurdish leaders openly seek to annex to the Kurdish region.
The Senate has voted decisively to approve a new package of stiff financial sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea, sending the popular bill to President Donald Trump for his signature after weeks of intense negotiations.

Never in doubt, however, was a cornerstone of the legislation that bars Trump from easing or waiving the additional penalties on Russia unless Congress agrees. The provisions were included to assuage concerns among lawmakers that the president's push for better relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin might lead him to relax the penalties without first securing concessions from the Kremlin.

The Senate passed the bill yesterday, 98-2, two days after the House pushed the measure through by an overwhelming margin, 419-3. Both are veto proof numbers as the White House has wavered on whether the president would sign the measure into law.

The legislation is aimed at punishing Moscow for meddling in the 2016 presidential election and its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria, where the Kremlin has backed President Bashar Assad.

Sen John McCain, R-Ariz, said the bill's passage was long overdue, a jab at Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress. McCain, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, has called Putin a murderer and a thug.

"Over the last eight months what price has Russia paid for attacking our elections?" McCain asked. "Very little." Trump had privately expressed frustration over Congress' ability to limit or override the power of the president on national security matters, according to Trump administration officials and advisers. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal White House deliberations.

But faced with heavy bipartisan support for the bill in the House and Senate, the president has little choice but to sign the bill into law. Trump's communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, suggested earlier yesterday on CNN's New Day that Trump might veto the bill and "negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians."



Sen Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said that would be a serious mistake and called Scaramucci's remark an "off-handed comment." If Trump rejected the bill, Corker said, Congress would overrule him.

"I cannot imagine anybody is seriously thinking about vetoing this bill," said Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "It's not good for any president - and most governors don't like to veto things that are going to be overridden. It shows a diminishment of their authority. I just don't think that's a good way to start off as president."



Still, signing a bill that penalizes Russia's election interference would mark a significant shift for Trump. He's repeatedly cast doubt on the conclusion of US intelligence agencies that Russia sought to tip the election in his favor. And he's blasted as a "witch hunt" investigations into the extent of Russia's interference and whether the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow.

The 184-page bill seeks to hit Putin and the oligarchs close to him by targeting Russian corruption, human rights abusers, and crucial sectors of the Russian economy, including weapons sales and energy exports.

The bill underwent revisions to address concerns voiced by American oil and natural gas companies that sanctions specific to Russia's energy sector could backfire on them to Moscow's benefit. The bill raised the threshold for when US firms would be prohibited from being part of energy projects that also included Russian businesses.

Lawmakers said they also made adjustments so the sanctions on Russia's energy sector didn't undercut the ability of US allies in Europe to get access to oil and gas resources outside of Russia.

The North Korea sanctions are intended to thwart Pyongyang's ambition for nuclear weapons by cutting off access to the cash the reclusive nation needs to follow through with its plans. The bill prohibits ships owned by North Korea or by countries that refuse to comply with U.N. Resolutions against it from operating in American waters or docking at US ports.

Goods produced by North Korea's forced labor would be prohibited from entering the United States, according to the bill.

The sanctions package imposes mandatory penalties 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.

Sens Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, and Rand Paul, R-Ky, voted against the sanctions bill.

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told US counterpart Rex Tillerson today that Moscow remained ready to work with Washington despite striking back at new sanctions being readied approved by Congress.

"Lavrov confirmed that our country is still ready to normalise bilateral relations with the US and to cooperate on the most important international issues," Russia's foreign ministry said after a phone call between the two top diplomats.

"However this is possible only on the basis of equality, mutual respect and a balancing interests," the ministry said.

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The Supreme Court today sought the response of the Maharashtra government on a plea challenging the Bombay High Court order granting bail to Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case.

The apex court also listed the plea of co-accused Shrikant Purohit seeking bail for hearing on August 14 along with the Thakur case.

"Both matters are on similar facts," a bench comprising Justices R K Agarwal and M M Shantanagoudar said.

The court's remarks came when senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for Purohit, sought to know why the case was being adjourned.

The National Investigating Agency (NIA) had filed its reply in the case of Purohit saying there was ample evidence against him, but no evidence against Thakur.

Nisar Ahmed Haji Sayed Bilal, father of one of the blast victims, has alleged in his plea against Thakur that she was a "powerful person" and could influence the witnesses in the case.

He has sought a stay on high court's April 25 order granting bail to her. The high court had granted her the relief, saying there was "no prima facie evidence against her".

"The high court failed to appreciate that Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur is an influential person and is likely to wield her power and influence in an illegal and unlawful manner to tamper with evidence and influence witnesses," he has said.

The plea has claimed that there was ample evidence against her, and "her role, involvement and complicity in planning and executing the conspiracy for committing Malegaon blast is writ large on the case record".

It has said that she had been denied bail by a special court in Mumbai several times in the years 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016 on the ground that "a prima facie case is clearly made out against her".

Thakur was granted bail by the high court, which, however, had refused a similar relief to Purohit.

On other hand, the apex court had on May 5 sought response from the NIA and the Maharashtra government on the plea of Purohit seeking bail.

Seven people were killed in a bomb blast on September 29, 2008, at Malegaon, a communally-sensitive textile town in Nasik district of north Maharashtra.

A special MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) court had earlier ruled that the Anti-Terrorist Squad had wrongly applied the MCOCA against Thakur, Purohit and nine others.

The 4,000-page charge sheet had alleged that Malegaon was selected as the blast target because of a sizeable Muslim population there.

It named Thakur, Purohit and co-accused, Swami Dayanand Pandey as the key conspirators.

The charge sheet had alleged it was Pandey who had instructed Purohit to arrange explosive RDX, while Thakur owned the motorcycle which was used in the blast.

Ajay Rahirkar, another accused, allegedly organised funds for the terror act, while conspiracy meetings were held at Bhonsala Military School in Nasik, it had said.

Rakesh Dhawde, Ramesh Upadhyay, Shyamlal Sahu, Shivnarain Kalsangra, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, Jagdish Mhatre and Sameer Kulkarni were the other accused.

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The Supreme Court today agreed to hear a plea by a Jammu and Kashmir woman challenging certain provisions of the Constitution which denied property right to a woman who marries a person from outside the state.

The provision which makes such woman from state lose property right also applies to her son the right to acquire immovable property.

A bench comprising justices Dipak Misra and A M Khanwilkar directed Additional Solicitor General P S Narasimha, appearing for the Centre, to verify whether this matter involved a similar issue in which the chief justice has referred the case to a larger bench.

The bench was referring to a July 17 order passed by a bench headed by the Chief Justice J S Khehar which has referred to the larger bench of three judges, the issue of challenge to Article 35 A of the Constitution, dealing with special rights and privileges to the citizens of the Jammu and Kashmir.

The top court today directed the counsel appearing for the petitioner to serve the copies of the petition to the Centre and other parties in the case and posted the matter for hearing to August 14.

The apex court was hearing a plea filed by one Dr Charu Wali Khanna challenging Article 35 A of the Constitution and Section 6 of the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution which dealt with "permanent residents" of the state.

Article 35A, added to the Constitution by a Presidential Order in 1954, accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of the Jammu and Kashmir, and empower the state's legislature to frame any law without attracting a challenge on grounds of violating the Right to Equality of people from other states or any other right under the Indian Constitution.

"Section 6 of the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution restricts the basic right of women to marry a man of their choice by not giving the heirs any right to property if the woman marries a man not holding the Permanent Resident Certificate.

"Her children are denied a permanent resident certificate thereby considering them illegitimate -- not given any right to such a woman's property even if she is a permanent resident of Jammu and Kashmir," the plea, filed through advocate Bimal Roy Jad, said.

According to the petitioner, as per the provisions if a woman marries a person outside Jammu and Kashmir then she loses property rights as well as employment opportunities in the state.

While Jammu and Kashmir's Non-Permanent Resident Certificate holders can vote in Lok Sabha elections, the same individual is barred to vote in local elections in the state.

"The petition challenges blatant gender discrimination in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, violative of fundamental Right of Equality as enshrined in the Constitution of India.

"The petitioner being a Kashmiri Pandit woman by ancestry desires to build a home in Jammu and Kashmir in order to rediscover her roots but due to the peculiar discriminatory laws is unable to purchase property in the state being a non- permanent resident and further married out of caste," it said.

"Despite being a Kashmiri Pandit by origin, the state does not recognise the petitioner as a citizen. Further in total violation of the cherished constitutional ideal of gender equality, the women of Jammu and Kashmir do not have equalrights as men when it comes to citizenship rights for spouses and their children," the petition said.

In a related matter filed by Delhi-based NGO 'We The Citizens' challenging Article 35 A of the Constitution, a bench headed by the Chief Justice had referred the case to a larger bench.

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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today warned that any tinkering with the special status granted to the state will have serious ramifications and there will be no one to hold the tricolour.

At a seminar here, she spoke on issues like Article 35-A, which gives special status for Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370, and said efforts should be made that no one tinkers with it.

The chief minister said while on the one hand efforts are afoot for resolving the Kashmir issue within the framework of Constitution, on the other hand, "we flog it".

"Who is doing it? Why are they doing it? (challenging the Article 35A)" she asked as she added candidly, "let me tell you that my party and other parties who carry the national flag there, despite all risks... I have no doubt in saying that no one will hold it if it is tinkered".

Mehbooba said by challenging Article 35-A in the Supreme Court, none of the separatist groups in the valley was getting affected as they were on a different agenda all together.

"But, you are weakening those powers which are Indian and trust India and participate in elections and who fight to live a life honourably in Jammu and Kashmir. This is one of the problem," she said.

In 2014, an NGO 'We the Citizens' had filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court seeking striking down of Article 35 A. They contended that the President could not have amended the Constitution by the 1954-order and it was supposed to be a temporary provision.

The PIL said the state government, under the guise of Article 35A and Article 370 which grants special autonomous status to the state, has been discriminating against non- residents who are debarred from buying properties, getting a government job or voting in the local elections.

Article 35A was added to the Constitution by a Presidential Order in 1954 and it accords special rights and privileges to the natives of the state and empower its legislature to frame any law without attracting a challenge on grounds of violating right to equality of people from other states or any other right under the Constitution.

While the Jammu and Kashmir government contested the petition saying the President has the power to incorporate a new provision in the Constitution by way of an order, the Centre recently expressed its reservations in filing a reply and requested the three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India J S Khehar to refer the matter to a larger bench as constitutional issues were involved in the case.

Mehbooba, while delivering her keynote address at the 'Understanding Kashmir' session hosted by social group BRIEF, said Kashmir is an idea of India.

"The basic question is how much is the idea of India ready to accommodate the idea of Kashmir? This is the crux," she said.

She recounted how during Partition, Kashmir, even being a Muslim majority state, defied the two-nation theory and the divisive separation on grounds of religion, and aligned with India.

"There have been special provisions in the Constitution for the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Unfortunately, with the passage of time something happened somewhere that both sides (state and centre) started doing dishonesty," she said.

"Rather than addressing the problem, we took administrative measures like dismissal of government or making charges of conspiracy, sedition...

"...We had all these things against separatists which at times led to their hangings, weapons exclusive to Kashmir and more security measures and increasing number of security people.

"These administrative measures have not helped us to address the idea of Kashmir...," Mehbooba said.

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Language is a tool to unite the society, but "a few sections" are using it to create divisions, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia today said.

Inaugurating Urdu literacy centres at a function, Sisodia emphasised on co-existence of languages and advocated having academies for every language.

"A few people will work to break the country and through languages they want to create divisions. Our challenge is to unite it through language," he said.

Sisodia, who recently took charge of the Art, Culture and Languages department of the Delhi government, has directed for preparing proposal for formation of 12 language academies in the city.

The 12 languages include Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malyali, Kannada, Odia, Assamese, Garwahali, Kumaoni, Jaunsari, Kashmiri and Marwadi.

"I have full faith that the academies will work to bridge the gulf created in the name of languages," Sisodia said at the function organised by the Urdu academy.

Calling upon the gathering to work as "ambassadors of culture" and "representatives of the way of life reflected by Urdu", he asked them to inculcate 'tehzeeb' in the society.

"Our challenge is to unite the society through the language. In the name of tehzeeb we will unite it," he added.

The Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government had announced in its annual budget setting up of multiple academies this year.

A few days ago the government had announced opening up 75 Sanskrit learning centres across the city. It has also announced to promote Hindi literary activities.

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Sri Lanka today released 77 Indian fishermen held by it for allegedly poaching in the island nation's international waters, officials said.

Nishantha Dhanasinghe, the commissioner general of prisons said the Department of Fisheries had instructed for the release of the fishermen who were arrested during different time periods.

Dhanasinghe said 44 of them had already been released by the northern courts in Jaffna and Mannar in Sri Lanka's northern province.

"They will be handed over to the Indian High Commission," Dhanasinghe said.

Sri Lanka Fisheries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said the decision had been taken to release the Indian fishermen without their equipment.

Lanka had earlier this month passed regulations to ban bottom trawling. Indian fishermen are accused of bottom trawling in the Lankan waters.

On March 8, Sri Lanka and India had agreed to release fishermen held in each other's custody after a high-level discussion between the two sides in Colombo in a bid to defuse the tension following the killing of an Indian fisherman.

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German prosecutors have filed terrorism and murder charges against a suspected member of Afghanistan's Taliban whom they accuse of participating in an attack in which an American soldier was killed.

Federal prosecutors said today they filed the indictment against the 20-year-old Afghan national, identified only as Abdol Moghadas S in line with German privacy rules, at the Munich state court. He is charged with membership in a terrorist organisation, murder and attempted murder.

They say the suspect joined the Taliban in 2013 and underwent weapons training, and participated in two attacks on US soldiers and Afghan government troops.

Prosecutors say that in the second attack in early 2014, a convoy of eight or nine US military vehicles was hit, with at least one American soldier killed and two more wounded.

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The Thane police have arrested a 32-year-old school teacher for allegedly molesting a girl student.

Suresh Sahebrao More, who teaches at a civic-run school, was arrested last night under section 354 of IPC (molestation), and also under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, said senior police inspector S M Patil.

One of the girls at the school had lodged a complaint with the police yesterday that More touched her inappropriately on a couple of occasions.

He also addressed the girls in her class in an objectionable way, the complaint said.

When the girls said they would complain, he allegedly threatened to cut their marks in the examination.

Police were verifying the girls' claim that they had complained to the school headmaster about More's behaviour in the past, Patil said. Further probe is on.

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In a rude jolt to the Congres in Gujarat, three more of its MLAs resigned today taking the number of legislators who quit to six ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls, for which the party has fielded its heavyweight Ahmed Patel.

The erosion from its legislature party has cast a shadow on the fate of Patel as his party has to zealously guard against further desertion of MLAs to ensure his victory in the election due to be held on August 8. Patel, 67, is the political secretary to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and has been re-nominated by the party.

Besides the six legislators who already quit, two more MLAs have threatened to sever ties with the party.

Mansinh Chauhan, the Congress MLA from Balasinor in Mahisagar district, handed his resignation to Assembly Speaker Ramanlal Vora this morning.

Chhanabhai Chaudhary, the party legislator from Vansda in Navsari district, gave his resignation to the Speaker at the latter's residence last night, while Ramsinh Parmar, MLA from Thasra in Anand district quit today from the Congress party and as MLA.

With this, the Congress's tally has come down to 51 in the 182-member assembly.

After giving his resignation, Mansinh Chauhan said he was tired of "internal politics and groupism" in the Congress.

"I am in the politics because of Shankersinh Vaghela. I was in the BJP earlier. Then, I joined the Congress after Vaghela's party merged with it in 1998. Since then, many of us were waiting for the Congress to form the government. However, it never happened," Chauhan said.

"Instead of focusing on winning elections, Congress leaders always indulged in internal politics. Groupism was also rampant. Thus, I was left with no option other than to resign. I will take the decision to join the BJP later, after consulting Vaghela and other supporters," he said.

Ramsinh Parmar claimed that he did not quit the party keeping the Rajya Sabha polls in mind.

"My resignation has nothing to do with the Rajya Sabha polls. Since I had been in the opposition for the last 22 years, people of my constituency were complaining that developmental works were not taking place. Therefore, I decided to resign as the MLA," Parmar said.

He, however, said that the question of joining BJP does not arise at this point.

The Congress is already rattled in the state, where the Assembly elections are due later this year, with Vaghela breaking ranks with the party last week.

Yesterday, three party MLAs, considered to be close to Vaghela, quit the Congress and joined the BJP, which quickly declared one of them its candidate for next month's Rajya Sabha polls against Congress veteran Ahmed Patel.

Balwantsinh Rajput, the party's chief whip in the Assembly, Tejashreeben Patel and Prahlad Patel yesterday resigned from the House and also all party posts. They later drove to the BJP office in Gandhinagar and joined the saffron party in the presence of its president Amit Shah.

Shah and Union minister Smriti Irani have entered the fray as the BJP candidates for the Rajya Sabha polls.

Of the total 11 Rajya Sabha members from the state, the term of three -- Irani and Dilipbhai Pandya (both BJP) and Ahmed Patel -- is coming to an end on August 18. Patel filed his nomination papers on Wednesday.

Within hours of Rajput's induction, the BJP, seeking to queer the pitch for Ahmed Patel, fielded Rajput as its third candidate from Gujarat, hoping to cut into the votes of the Congress nominee.

Rajput's son is the husband of Vaghela's granddaughter.

Patel can sail through if he musters the support of 47 MLAs and the party is able to arrest further desertions from its legislative arm. Congress, the main opposition party in the Gujarat Assembly, also has the support of two NCP legislators and the lone JD(U) MLA.

The presidential election had seen cross-voting by Congress MLAs as the joint opposition candidate Meira Kumar could garner votes of only 49 legislators against the party's then strength of 57 in the Assembly.

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: Top stories from Southern region at 1700 hrs today



MDS1 KL-LD BJP OFFICE ATTACKED



Thiruvananthapuram: Ruling CPI-M's youth and student wing activists allegedly vandalise BJP's Kerala unit office today.

LGM2 TN-HC-NALINI



Chennai: Nalini Sriharan, a lifer in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, moves Madras High Court seeking "ordinary leave" for six months to make arrangements for her daughter's marriage.

LGM1 TN-COURT-MARAN



Chennai: Former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Kalanithi move CBI court seeking deferment of framing of charges against them in the illegal telephone exchange case, saying several documents submitted by the probe agency were illegible.

BOM5 TL-DRUGS-PROBE



Hyderabad: Popular Telugu film actor Ravi Teja appears before the Telangana Prohibition and Excise Department's special investigation team (SIT) in connection with a high-end online drug racket busted by it.

SRG7 PD-INFRASTRUCTURE CM



Puducherry: Chief Minister V Narayanasamy says his government was concentrating on providing improved infrastructure facilities like roads.

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A top US diplomat will travel to India and Pakistan later this month to discuss America's relations with South Asia as the Trump administration reviews its Afghanistan policy to include a regional perspective.

Alice Wells, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs and Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, will travel to New Delhi and Islamabad on her introductory trip to the region from July 30 to August 8, a statement said.

"She will meet with government officials, thought leaders, and business executives to discuss US relations with the region," the State Department said.

Wells will also meet with Embassy staff to learn more about their efforts to advance US prosperity and security across the region, the statement added.

Her trip assumes significance as the US wants to deal with the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan from a regional perspective in its new strategy for the country to involve its neighbours such as Iran, Pakistan and India.

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A self-styled Area



Commander of Maoist outfit Trutiya Prastuti Committee (TPC) was today arrested from Baghatwa village under Ranka police station in Garwah district, police said.

The police arrested him during a raid in the village and seized a country-made rifle and five cartridges from his possession.

Over 16 cases are pending against him in various police stations of the district, police said.

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Talking tough on illegal immigration and violent crime, President Donald Trump appeared today to advocate rougher treatment of people in police custody, speaking dismissively of arresting officers who protect the heads of handcuffed suspects while putting them in patrol cars.

"Don't be too nice," said Trump. He visited Suffolk County, New York, to highlight administration efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and violent crime, and in particular the street gang known as MS-13, which has terrorized communities on Long Island and in other parts of the country.

The president urged Congress to find money to pay for 10,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers "so that we can eliminate MS-13."



Trump said the administration is removing these gang members from the United States "but we'd like to get them out a lot faster and when you see ... These thugs being thrown into the back of the paddy wagon, you just see them thrown in rough, I said, 'Please don't be too nice.'"



Trump then spoke dismissively of the practice by which arresting officers shield the heads of handcuffed suspects as they are placed in police cars.

"I said, 'You could take the hand away, OK,'" he said. The audience included federal and law enforcement personnel from the New York-New Jersey area, some of whom applauded Trump's remarks. The president offered no details on when and where he would have made those comments.

Trump talks regularly about cracking down on MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha. The gang is believed to have originated in immigrant communities in Los Angeles in the 1980s and then entrenched itself in Central America when its leaders were deported.

It is known for violent tactics that include torturing victims and hacking them with machetes. Authorities estimate the group has tens of thousands of members across Central America and in many US states.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has instructed the Justice Department's law enforcement agencies and federal prosecutors to prioritize the prosecution of MS-13 members, as directed by an executive order Trump signed in February.

Since the beginning of 2017, the Department of Homeland Security's investigative unit has arrested 3,311 gang members nationwide during targeted operations, said Tom Homan, acting director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agency could not provide similar numbers for 2016.

Trump's visit to his home state of New York came as Sessions was in El Salvador to increase international cooperation against the gang. But the president did not mention Sessions in his remarks.

Trump's comments about police treatment of people in their custody resurrected memories of Freddie Gray, a 25- year-old Baltimore man who was shackled but alive when he was put in a Baltimore police van in April 2015.

Gray left the vehicle with severe neck injuries, and his subsequent death spawned rioting. Six officers were charged initially, but prosecutors in July 2016 dropped all remaining charges after acquittals and a hung jury.

Gray's family agreed in September 2015 to a USD 6.4 million settlement with Baltimore.

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Vietnam has harassed and assaulted activists in an "intensifying crackdown" on human rights defenders, the UN said today, calling for the release of bloggers given long prison terms for criticising the state.

The United Nations human rights office highlighted the cases of two prominent activists -- Tran Thi Nga and Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh -- who in recent weeks were jailed for nine and 10 years respectively.

Both were punished under article 88 of Vietnam's penal code, which prohibits "anti-state propoganda".

The UN condemned the "flawed judicial proceedings" that led to both convictions.

In Nga's case, the 40-year-old best known for her anti- China activism was held incommunicado from her arrest in January until a few days before her trial, which lasted one day.

AFP's request to attend the trial was not answered by local authorities, and several activists said they were harassed by plainclothes police outside the courthouse.

"We urge the Vietnamese authorities to immediately release all those detained in connection with their exercise of their rights to freedom of expression, and to amend the overly broad ill-defined laws that are used -- under the pretext of national security -- to crack down on dissent," the rights office said in a statement.

It added that many activists had been "intimidated, harassed and brutally beaten".

"Human rights defenders should never be treated as criminals who are a threat to national security," the statement said.

Dissidents, rights lawyers and bloggers are routinely jailed in communist Vietnam but rights groups and activists accuse the new government in place since last year of waging a particularly harsh crackdown on its critics.

Dozens of activists are imprisoned in the country, where all independent media is banned and public protests are routinely broken up, often violently.

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the government in the Maldives to lift a blockade of parliament and refrain from all acts that result in the harassment and intimidation of lawmakers, civil society and the media.

The UN chief's remarks came amid the ongoing political turmoil in the Maldives where soldiers have barred the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) from entering the parliament complex.

Lawmakers who tried to enter the compound were hit with pepper spray and forcibly evicted.

Guterres voiced concern over "gradual erosion of basic democratic norms and principles" in the country and has urged a dialogue.

He called on the government in Maldives "to uphold the constitutionally guaranteed rights of speech and assembly".

According to astatementissued by a UN spokesman, the Secretary-General urged the government to refrain from all acts that result in the harassment and intimidation of Members of Parliament, political parties, civil society and the media.

The UN Chief "encourages effective dialogue and consultations on political issues", the statement said.

India has reacted cautiously to the developments in its neighbouring country, saying it wishes to see a stable and peaceful Maldives in which aspirations of the people are fulfilled.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay also said India remained committed to provide unstinted support for stability, development and democracy in Maldives.

"Maldives is very important neighbour of ours. It is part of SAARC...We attach the highest importance to our relations with Maldives..India wishes to see a stable, prosperous and peaceful Maldives in which aspirations of people of Maldives are fulfilled," Baglay said in New Delhi.

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Opposition parties today protested in Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council against the alleged baton charge by the police on contractual teachers at some places.

Protesting members of the opposition barged into the Well of the House even as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assured that "no injustice" will be meted to anyone.

As soon as the House assembled, Leader of Opposition Ahmed Hasan raised the issue of protesting 'shiksha mitras' and alleged that they were yesterday subjected to baton charge in Gorakhpur and other places.

"Frustrated over failing to get adjusted in government jobs, they are staging dharnas but the government has subjected them to barbaric lathi charge. Two shiksha mitras have committed suicide so far," he alleged.

Following this SP, BSP and Congress members moved to the Well of the House, raising slogans.

As Chairman Ramesh Yadav's requests to restore order failed, he adjourned the House first for 20 minutes and then till 12 noon.

When the House reassembled, opposition members continued their protest and the House was again adjourned for 30 minutes.

'Shiksha mitras' (ad-hoc teachers) launched an agitation across the state yesterday.

Later, CM Adityanath in a statement in the House said, "we appeal to the agitating Shikshamitras to remain calm and patient. Government is sensitive on their concerns and will not allow any injustice to be meted to them."



"There were discrepancies in the process of adjustment of 1.72 lakh shiksha mitras as full time teachers due to which the Supreme Court quashed their appointments. Our government is going through the SC order and trying to find out ways," the CM added.

I appeal to them not to resort to violence and start teaching in schools, he said.

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An influential US lawmaker today introduced a legislation that will remove tariff benefits for countries found to be non-compliant in returning American children abducted and taken to another country by one parent without the consent of the other, a move may impact India.

The bill 'Bindu Philips and Devon Davenport International Child Abduction Return Act of 2017' is named after two parents, an Indian-American and a Brazilian-American, both of whom allege that their kids were abducted and taken to India and Brazil respectively and despite US court orders the two countries are not helping them get their dear ones back.

"Bindu Philips fought valiantly in India for over eight years for the return of her abducted twin sons, only to be given the incessant delays in India's courts and little support from the Obama administration," Congressman Chris Smith, Chair of the House panel on global human rights, said.

"Just recently, she was finally granted a short visit with her children in India, but the children's father marred the time with harassment and monitoring, refusing to let the children and mother leave a hotel for seven days.

"Devon Davenport has had a return order for his daughter Nadia from Brazil since 2009. He has won every single one of the 24 appeals against the order-but Brazil still will not enforce its own return order," the Republican lawmaker said.

Smith said that 11 of the 13 countries found to be non- compliant in the annual Goldman Report by the US State Department in the return of abducted American children are still receiving billions of dollars in tariff exemptions under the Generalised System of Preferences.

"We must cease rewarding countries that aid abductors. When is enough finally enough?" he asked.

In 2016, 629 American children were taken from the US by one parent without the consent of the other, often in direct violation of valid US court orders, US criminal law and the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

The Obama administration's refusal to apply sanctions against countries that fail to return abducted children has led to a rate of return of only 16 per cent, Smith said.

Noting that for years, the US government response to abductions has been an engraved invitation to abductors, Smith said abductors have an 84 per cent chance of no penalty for ripping their child from home and family in the US.

"It is my hope and expectation that this year, the State Department will begin to act more decisively on behalf of American families so that more children come home," he said.

The new bill proposes to amend the Generalised System of Preferences, a trade programme designed to promote economic growth in the developing world through duty free entry for some products, so that any country named as non-compliant in the prompted resolutions of abductions would lose trade benefits granted by the US.

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The US today said it is looking forward to a "smooth" political transition in Pakistan as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stepped down after the Supreme Court disqualified him for dishonesty over the Panama Papers scandal.

"We look forward to a smooth transition as Pakistan's parliament selects the next prime minister," a State Department official said when asked about the disqualification of Sharif for dishonesty.

The official, however, described Sharif's resignation as Pakistan's internal matter.

Sharif's resignation comes at a time when Pakistan's relations with the US is under strain after the Trump administration blocked USD 350 million coalition support funds the the country for failing to act against the dreaded Haqqani terror network.

Pakistan-based Haqqani network is blamed for a number of high-profile attacks on US and Western interests in war-torn Afghanistan.

It is the third time that the 67-year-old veteran politician's term as premier has been cut short. The much- awaited verdict plunged Pakistan into a political crisis at a time when the country is facing a brittle economy and a surge in militancy.

The court disqualified Sharif under Article 62 and 63 of Pakistan's Constitution. The articles state that a member of Parliament should be "truthful" and "righteous".

Though there was no official announcement, Geo reported that after a consultative session of the PML-N, Shehbaz Sharif has emerged as the most likely candidate to be the next prime minister of Pakistan after an interim premier has served a 45-day period.

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In a reflection of overwhelming bipartisan support, the United States Senate has passed a bill that imposes tough and additional sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea.

Passed by the House of Representatives early this week, the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act was passed by the Senate 98-2 votes.

The bill now heads to the White House for President Donald Trump's approval.

"This legislation finally holds Russia accountable for its brazen attack on America's 2016 presidential election by imposing new sanctions, strengthening existing sanctions, and requiring congressional oversight of any attempt to ease sanctions on Russia," said Senator John McCain, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"The Senate's overwhelming vote today sends an important message that America will not tolerate attacks on our democracy or national security interests, and that we will respond to such attacks with strength, resolve, common purpose, and action," McCain said.

Earlier in the day, the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said the Trump Administration supports strong sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea.

"The President and the administration support sanctions against Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

We continue to support strong sanctions against those three countries, and we're going to wait and see what that final legislation looks like and make a decision at that point," she told reporters.

"The Congress of the United States has sent a clear message tonight to the governments of the Russian Federation, Iran and North Korea - there will be consequences for their dangerous, destabilising activities against our country, our allies, our interests and our values," said Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"President Trump must sign this legislation without delay. Any equivocation or political games from the Administration after today will be completely unacceptable in the face of such overwhelming bipartisan resolve in the Senate and House," Cardin said.

The legislation, McCain said would impose mandatory sanctions on transactions with the Russian defence or intelligence sectors, including the FSB and the GRU, the Russian military intelligence agency that was primarily responsible for Russia's attack on US election.

It would impose mandatory visa bans and asset freezes on any individual that undermines the cybersecurity of public or private infrastructure and democratic institutions.

"The legislation would codify existing sanctions on Russia by placing into law six executive orders signed by President Obama in response to both Russian interference in the 2016 election and its illegal actions in Ukraine. And it would take new steps to tighten those sanctions," McCain said on the Senate floor.

"The legislation would target the Russian energy sector, which is controlled by Vladimir Putin's cronies, with sanctions on investments in Russian petroleum and natural gas development as well as Russian energy pipelines," he added.

McCain said that the US needs to send a strong message to Vladimir Putin and any other aggressor that we will not tolerate attacks on its democracy.

"We must take our own side in this fight-not as Republicans, not as Democrats, but as Americans.

It's time to respond to Russia's attack on American democracy with strength, with resolve, with common purpose, and with action," he said.

With near unanimous support in both chambers of Congress, this legislation sends a strong signal to Iran, Russia and North Korea that US will stand firm and united in the face of their destabilising behaviour, said Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"This bill ensures Congress will continue to play a leading role in defending the American people and our allies from these serious threats while providing the Trump administration appropriate national security flexibility," he said.

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Revised nutrition guidelines prepared by the Women and Child Development Ministry are likely to be issued by this month end, its top official said today.

WCD Secretary Rakesh Srivastava said this while releasing the report of a four-year-long cohort study on early childhood education impact in India, conducted by the UNICEF in partnership with the Ambedkar University and NGO Pratham.

Responding to a question on the quality of food served at the Anganwadi centres under the WCD's Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme, the secretary said, "The revised nutrition guidelines are likely to be issued by July 31."



"We had set up a new committee which includes the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN). The panel has held its rounds of consultations with various stakeholders and some states have also been consulted. We hope it will be out soon after getting the final nod," he said.

He said there were 14 lakh Anganwadi centres across the country and the number of beneficiaries ran to 10 crore per day.

"But, around 33 per cent of these Anganwadi centres, which is about 4.5 lakh, are running at rented places which are unhygienic with poor ventilation and sanitation facilities," Srivastava said.

He said these Anganwadi centres would be shifted to the nearest primary schools with vacant space.

"That way, it would also be monitored by the headmaster of that school," the secretary said, adding the shifting would be done only to schools are located near these Anganwadi centres.

He said the WCD and the HRD ministries have recently issued a joint circular to this effect.

Srivastava said states such as Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh have done well in Annaganwadi management and their mode of functioning can be replicated in other parts of the country.

The India Early Childhood Education Impact Study took seven years in the making and Pratham's autonomous research and assessment unit, ASER, partnered in this project.

One of the major findings of the study is every seven out of 10 surveyed four-year-old children attend a preschool programme.

"With access no longer the main issue, India is well placed to invest in the quality of early childhood education," it said.

"The field study conducted from 2011-2015 followed a cohort of 14,000 four-year-olds from age 4-8 years in the rural areas of three states in the country. The states chosen were Assam, Rajasthan and Telangana," a senior official of ASER said.

Asked about the choice of states, she said, "These places offered different set ups and environment and, so, offered us different kinds of data to research on."



In cohort studies, the sample is observed over a period of time, and usually forward-looking - that is, they are prospective studies, or planned in advance.

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Twelve more people died in the last 24 hours in flood-affected districts of West Bengal taking the toll to 28, a senior government official said today.

Around 23 lakh people have been hit in over 165 villages inundated by heavy rains and the water released by Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), the official said, adding the weather conditions showed signs of improving.

"Some of them died due to snake bites, lightning, drowning and a few after walls fell on them," the official told reporters at the state secretariat.

Out of the 104 blocks in 11 flood-affected districts of the state, 13 have been hit badly, he said.

The state government has opened around 2,067 relief camps in the affected districts wherein around 44,542 people have been provided shelter, the official said.

"Besides distributing dry food, water pouches and tarpaulin, we are also keeping an eye on the districts so that there is no epidemic in the flood-affected areas. We have kept enough medicines there," he said.

Talking about crop losses, a senior official at the department said, "The estimation can only be done after water recedes. It also depends on the number of days the crops or saplings are submerged. But it seems that it could be a huge amount."



The official said the state government will definitely look into the losses of the farmers and chalk out a plan to compensate them.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the current flood in West Bengal as worse than the one which hit the state in 1978.

"This year's flood condition is worse than that in 1978. There are so many places where there is so much water ... It's so deep at some places," Banerjee said.

The state did not have so many dams in 1978, she said.

Referring to the project that Bengal has taken up along with the World Bank that will reform the lower basin of the Damodar river, Banerjee said the state government was trying to come up with more dams to address the flood problem.

Blaming the DVC for releasing water during the monsoon leading to the "man-made" flood in West Bengal, she said, "Every year they release water and we have to face the problem. And because West Bengal is shaped like a boat it creates flood here."



Asked whether she would write to the Centre regarding the DVC problem, the chief minister said, "I have been writing to them for so many years, but the problem has not been addressed."



Referring to the IAF helicopter deployed to rescue a family from a house in West Midnapore district's Ghatal, Banerjee said, "Because the area has so many trees they (the IAF helicopter) could not rescue them today. They will resume the rescue operation tomorrow morning. A NDRF team is already there."



An Indian Air Force Mi17 V5 helicopter was sent from the Barrackpore air force station to rescue a family stuck at a house in Ghatal, a Defence spokesperson said.

Several areas in West Midnapore, Howrah, Bankura and West Burdwan districts of the state have been flooded due to incessant rains and the release of water by the DVC from its barrages owing to heavy precipitation in upper catchment areas in Jharkhand.

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The bitter-infighting among top staffers at White House turned ugly as Anthony Scaramucci, President Donald Trump's new communications director, launched a foul-mouthed attack on his rival Reince Priebus, calling him a "paranoid schizophrenic", a website has claimed.

Scaramucci, the Wall Street financier who joined the administration last week, had earlier vowed to crack down on leaks from the White House, threatening to fire everyone, if necessary, to stop aides from leaking information.

"Reince is a f------ paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac," Scaramucci told New Yorker writer Ryan Lizza on aphone call Wednesday. The journalist revealed this in a lead story on the website yesterday.

Scaramucci, he wrote, called him to find out who the source of his information was, about the dinner he had with Trump the other night.

Lizza claimed when he refused to divulge the source of information, Scaramucci got agitated.

"I've asked people not to leak things for a period of time and give me a honeymoon period," he said.

"They won't do it. He was getting more and more worked up, and he eventually convinced himself that Priebus was my source," he wrote.

"They'll all be fired by me," Scaramucci said, according to Lizza.

"I fired one guy the other day. I have three to four people I'll fire tomorrow. I'll get to the person who leaked that to you. Reince Priebus-if you want to leak something- he'll be asked to resign very shortly," he said.

Lizza wrote that Scaramucci believed Priebus had been worried about the dinner because he hadn't been invited.

"Reince is a fXXXXXX paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac," Scaramucci said.

Priebus and the White House did not respond to allegations.

Ever since his appointment as the White House Director of Communications, Scaramucci has portrayed himself as a close confidant of the US President.

Last Friday, Sean Spicer had resigned as White House Press Secretary after Trump appointed Scaramucci as the White House Communications Director.

According to New Yorker, Scaramucci also told Lizza that unlike other senior officials, he had no interest in media attention.

"I'm not Steve Bannon, I'm not trying to s*** my own c***," he said, speaking of Trump's chief strategist.

"I'm not trying to build my own brand off the f****** strength of the President. I'm here to serve the country." Bannon did not comment.

The White House Communications Director said that his list of allegations included leaking the Hannity dinner and the details from his financial-disclosure form.

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In an interim order, the Madras High Court today directed the Tamil Nadu government to work out a plan for removal of 'Seemai Karuvelam' (Prosopis Juliflora) trees from water bodies in a phased manner.

The direction was given by a bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee, Justice MM Sundresh and Justice M Sundar on a PIL filed by A Meganathan, an advocate, seeking to forebear authorities from drastically removing 'Seemai Karuvalam' trees without any scientific proof on their negative aspects.

The First Bench had referred the matter to a larger bench and stayed felling of the trees until further orders on April 28.

On May 11, the state government had informed the court that a committee headed by Chief Conservator of Forest (Research) as chairman was appointed to go into various aspects of the negative and positive impacts of the trees.

Government Pleader M K Subramaniam today submitted the panel's analysis report to the larger bench.

After going through the report, the bench in its order said, "As per the recommendation of the committee a plan may be worked out and implemented for removal of 'Karuvelam' trees across water bodies in the state in a phased manner."



The authorities with the help of the committee and other experts can identify areas where removal process should be mechanical and where it should be manual and appropriate land management standards shall also be designed to control the spread of the trees, the judges said.

A programme should also be evolved for planting alternative species on the land cleared of 'Karuvelam' trees.

The expert committee, in its report, said "the committee reviewed in an exhaustive manner available scientific literature and analysed the facts and is of the opinion that total removal of Prosopsis Juliflora is not necessary."



The committee said removal of the trees may be initiated to facilitate flow of water to augment the storage capacity of water bodies.

Referring to southern districts of Tamil Nadu such as Virudhunagar, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Thoothukodi and other areas where the tree is dominant, the panel in the report said, "the native soil does not support much plant diversity, the total removal of Juliflora is not recommended."



The larger bench, which passed the interim order on the basis of the report, directed the state to file an action taken report within eight weeks and posted the matter for October 13.

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India has agreed to pay 6 per cent higher price than the previous year to Russia's Uralkali for importing 650,000 tonnes of potash in the year beginning August, said PS Gahlaut, managing director of Indian Potash Ltd on Friday.

For the next year, India will buy potash at $240 a tonne, Gahlaut told Reuters. He said other sellers including Potash Corp of Saskatchewan are likely to offer similar prices for potash.

Potash contracts signed by India, one of the world's top buyers of the crop nutrient, help set the global benchmark along with buying by China, the world's biggest consumer.

Indian contract prices are closely watched by other regional buyers Malaysia and Indonesia.

Reuters last week reported that Indian could agree a higher prices due to improved global demand for potash.

(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.)
By Karolin Schaps

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices edged higher on Friday, reaching fresh two-month highs and on track to post the strongest weekly gains this year as investors digested signs of an easing oversupply picture.

U.S. crude and gasoline inventories fell much more steeply than expected this week and the world's biggest oil exporter Saudi Arabia said it would further reduce oil output in August.

Brent crude futures were up 22 cents at $51.71 a barrel at 0931 GMT after reaching a fresh two-month high of $51.75 a barrel. The front of the crude oil curve jumped into backwardation, with the month-ahead trading above the subsequent month, showing investors are not expecting recent gains to last.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were flat at $49.04 a barrel, near a two-month high of $49.24.

"Positive signs came from the draw in gasoline stocks this week, as the U.S. moves into the peak driving season," said Ashley Kelty, oil analyst at Cenkos Securities.

U.S. crude stocks fell sharply by 7.2 million barrels in the week to July 21 due to strong refining activity and an increase in exports, according to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Brimming U.S. crude supplies have been a challenge to production cuts to prop up prices led by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, meaning weekly U.S. inventory data is closely watched.

Despite these signs, analysts' assessments of the oil market remained bearish.

"We believe the latest price rise is on a fragile footing," said analysts at Commerzbank, adding OPEC production was likely to rise in the coming months as the group has not officially capped output from members Libya and Nigeria.

Investors were eyeing an update on the U.S. rig count expected later on Friday to assess any signs of a slowing down in drilling activity.

(Additional reporting by Jane Chung in Seoul; Editing by Adrian Croft)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Grand Alliance has collapsed-and how! Wednesday night's development in Bihar politics has not only changed the power equation in the corridor of state assembly - with BJP making a comeback to power, replacing RJD - but has set the tone for the General Election-2019.

Call it a political manoeuvring or Nitish Kumar's opportunism, but one has to concede that the Grand Alliance was never a serious alternative due to weak agenda and whatever weight it carried - with the stalwart like Nitish Kumar - is now completely gone, leaving it to leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mayawati, Mulayam Singh Yadav and CPI chief Sitaram Yechury.

Will it be possible for these leaders to unite and take on the BJP? It depends on how quickly these leaders realize that how out-of-touch they are with the reality. JDU Chief has served them a reminder, and a chilling one. But, that's not the point. What is important to underline is that how by bringing back Nitish Kumar to NDA, the Prime Minister has taken down a man who had the potential to challenge -if not remove- him in 2019.

Nitish Kumar who is also known as Sushashan Babu has a reputation of an honest and clean politician working in the interest of the people of Bihar. It was believed that he might be the face of Grand Alliance in next general elections. However, the opposition has not only lost its one of the most credible faces - Nitish, but has also lost the plot ahead of the next crucial face-off. With Nitish Kumar leaving the Grand Alliance, the opposition is left with the leaders who show very little promise when pitted against the BJP's strong duo of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.

So who are the leaders who would try to stop Modi's juggernaut in 2019 general Elections, and what are their weaknesses?

RAHUL GANDHI: Earlier in the month, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia told a news agency that party Vise-President Rahul Gandhi will be the face of larger opposition in General Election in 2019. No other opposition leader has reacted on it as yet. The Congress scion has not been able to make any strong impact in Indian politics. Under his leadership, the Congress was reduced to dust in 2014 genaral election and subsequent elections in states. Historian Ramachandra Guha writes that in general public views 'Rahul Gandhi is an object of ridicule and contempt'.

Weakness: Represents Dynastic politics, known as reluctant politician, no grip on veteran party leaders (leaders left the Congress and joined BJP under his watch), lacks vision for India, silent on corruption.



ARVIND KEJRIWAL: Anti-Corruption crusader-turned politician Arvind Kejriwal was a man, until few months ago, who seemed to have the potential to take on Prime Minister Modi in next general elections. Arvind Kejriwal's phenomenal rise in national politics created ripples across the country especially in two largest parties - Congress and BJP. However, he couldn't maintain the momentum as he failed to deliver on promises made during election campaign. While Kejriwal blames the Central government for not allowing him the autonomy to take decisions to fulfil the promises, the main criticism against him is that he is too ambitious and instead of focussing in Delhi as the Chief Minister, he aspires for a bigger role. What was significant in all this was his move to join opposition in attacking the government of the day. He also shared dais with convicted politicians like Lalau Prasad Yadav. Arvind Kejriwal had promised to bring positive politics but he joined opposition to attack the centre on several issues.



MULAYAM SINGH YADAV: Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav had once left his Chief Ministerial post to his son Akhilesh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh, but his son still wants him to become the Prime Minister of India. In an interview last year, Akhilesh Yadav had said that he would have no issue going with an Alliance with the Congress at national level if his father is made the Prime Minister and Rahul Gandhi his deputy. Mulayam Singh matters for the grand alliances because he comes from a state which has 80 parliament seats, but given that the SP has already lost the state to BJP, the chances are quite minimal to retain UP again in 2019. Aging Mulayam doesn't represent the aspiration of today's youth which may not help him win the votes for the Grand Alliances.



MAMATA BANERJEE: West Bengal Chief Minister is the fiercest critic of PM Narendra Modi. But an alliance fighting against the BJP can't count on her in the next general election. She is a regional leader and has no presence in other states other than West Bengal. This is her second term as the Chief Minister, however, Banerjee failed to live up to the expectations of the people. Recent communal flare up in the state has hurt Mamata Banerjee image further as reports accused her of doing Muslim appeasement politics.

There are other seasoned politicians like Mayawati, Sitaram Yechuri and NCP chief Sharad Pawar, however, their political clout at this point does not seem to suggest that they can match Prime Minister Modi's political aura.


The Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG) has highlighted the possibilities of misuse of income tax exemption provisions by the private healthcare industry.

In a performance audit conducted to assess the quality of the monitoring done on the tax compliance level of the private healthcare sector by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), the CAG found that the Income Tax Act does not prescribe any measurable parameter to assess the extent of charitable activities being undertaken by hospital trusts availing of exemptions. It cautioned about the possibility of assessees availing tax exemptions under the Act without performing charitable functions.

The audit also noticed instances where exemptions were allowed to ineligible assessees engaged in trading/commercial activities, as well as instances of incorrect allowance of accelerated depreciation on items not classified under life-saving medical equipment, incorrect allowance of deduction under section 80IB of the IT Act on incomes from non-hospital activities and irregular allowance of deduction on provisioning rather than on actual capitalisation under section 35AD of the Act. It faulted the Income Tax department for not undertaking any impact analysis to assess the outcome of relief provided to assessees engaged in the private healthcare sector.

The audit noticed deficiencies in monitoring of donations and cross verification of donation receipts of donees vis-a-vis claims made by donors. As such, there is no provision in the ITD module to enable validation of section 80G certificates by Assessing Officers on similar lines as in done in the case of TDS certificates under TRACES.

The report also pointed out that assessing officers omitted to obtain details of cases where cash receipt and payments were made in contravention to sec 269SS and 269T and also failed to initiate penalty proceedings. The computation and allowance of capital gains/losses were not carried out according to the provisions of the Act.

The audit noticed that the systems -- Income Tax Payer Data Management System (ITDMS), Non-filers Monitoring System (NMS), Project Insight and other versatile tools for analysing data collected from external sources for widening of tax base -- have not been effectively utilised/ implemented for strengthening the tax base in private healthcare sector and for identifying the stop-filers and non-filers. "This also points to the possibility of potential assessees remaining outside the tax net", it warned.

The assessment, based on a study carried out during July 2016 to November 2016, included the tax assessment practices followed in the case of private hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, medical colleges, research institutes, diagnostic centers, pathological labs and other medical supplies agencies and stores.


Minister of State for Finance Santosh Kumar Gangwar has stated that Rs 200 notes will be in circulation soon. The Reserve Bank of India, as reports suggest, has already begun printing the new notes.

The Rs 200 note is meant to sort out difficulties in transactions while using the new Rs 2000 notes and due to lack of sufficient Rs 500 and Rs 100 notes

Even the largest commercial bank of the nation, State Bank of India , has praised the move to release new Rs 200 notes calling it the 'missing middle'.

ALSO READ: RBI likely to release Rs 200 note next month

The note could be released in the month of August, news agency IANS reported while quoting anonymous government sources.

"The paper for Rs 200 notes was ready in the Mysuru paper mill in June. It should be in circulation next month," IANS reported.

The Mysuru paper mill is jointly run by Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran, a RBI subsidiary which prints currency notes, and Security Printing and Minting Corp of India Ltd (SMPCIL), which is a public sector unit.

Along with this, Gangwar established that there is no news yet stating that the Rs 2000 will be taken out of circulation. The central bank recently stopped printing new Rs 2000 notes, as per reports.

"No news that Rs 2,000 will be scrapped," IANS reported Gangwar saying.

Gangwar further added, "The reduction in printing of new Rs 2,000 notes is a separate issue. But that needs to be confirmed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). RBI will give information on Rs 2,000 notes."

Opposition had questioned Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Parliament earlier this week, asking him to confirm if the government was going to "demonetise Rs 2,000 notes" and whether it would not be printed in future, which Jaitley did not answer.

ALSO READ: I-T dept probing 30,000 cases where ITRs revised after demonetisation: CBDT

It has been speculated that government has no intention to demonetise Rs 2000 notes. Printing Rs 2000 notes has been discontinued to limit their circulation but they will remain legal tender.

This had been the plan even when they were brought into circulation at the time of demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes back in November last year. The Rs 2000 were meant to expedite the remonetisation process and their circulation was to be restricted after this purpose was fulfilled.

According to a SBI Ecowrap report, the economy is nearing complete remonetisation as circulation of new currency notes reached 84 per cent of the devalued ones on July 7. The total value of old high denomination notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 was Rs 15.44 lakh crores on November 8, the day Narendra Modi government announced their demonetisation.

The gap created by limited circulation of Rs 2000 notes is likely to be filled by smaller denomination currency notes of Rs 200.

Also watch:




A motorist in UK had a 'miraculous escape' when his $262,000 Ferrari Scuderia veered off a highway and caught fire in a field in South Yorkshire.

The driver who walked away with just cuts and bruises had bought the Italian supercar an hour before the accident.

In a statement on Facebook police said: "Officers asked the driver what sort of car he 'had' to which he replied 'It was a Ferrari'.

"Detecting a sense of damaged pride he then said 'I've only just got it, picked it up an hour ago'."

It went 50 metres down a bank and ended up in a field, where it caught fire and had to be extinguished by firefighters, Independent reported.



They added: "Over the past couple of weeks there has been a number of collisions where driving styles have not reflected the road and weather conditions. Please take more care!"
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has expressed doubts over the public sector banks' ability to raise Rs 1,10,000 crore from markets by 2018/19 as part of their recapitalisation exercise.

The CAG audit report on recapitalisation of public sector banks (PSB), tabled in the Parliament today, said that the banks were able to raise only Rs 7,726 crore during January 2015 and March 2017. It has led to the doubt on the possibility of raising the balance, amounting to over Rs 100,000 crore, from the market by 2019.

The report pointed out that the basis for working out the parameters for capital infusion changed between actual and estimated values from year to year and often within different tranches of the same year (2010/11, 2015/16 and 2016/17). It also stated that the rationale for distributing the central government's capital among different PSBs was not found on record in all cases. Some banks, which did not qualify for additional capital as per the decided norms, were infused with capital; a bank was infused with more capital than required while others did not receive the requisite capital to meet their capital adequacy requirements.

Over 2008-16, the advances of PSBs had more than doubled, from Rs 22,59,212 crore to Rs 55,93,577 crore, although the rate of growth in advances decreased from 19.56 per cent in 2009/10 to 2.14 per cent in 2015/16, the report noted.

It also pointed out that the PSBs' return on assets (ROA) - a measure of their profitability - has been consistently lower than that of the scheduled commercial banks or SCBs (2011-16). "PSBs account for nearly 88 per cent of the gross non-performing assets (GNPAs) of the banking sector in 2015/16. There is a significant gap between the book value and the market value of the PSB shares, with most PSBs having a lower market value, which may come in the way of the PSBs approaching the market for additional capital funds," the report said.

The central government, as the majority shareholder, has infused Rs 1,18,724 crore between 2008/09 and 2016/17 in the PSBs to meet their capital adequacy requirements or based on their performances.

The CAG report stated that in many cases, the parameters mentioned in the Statement of Intent (SOI), which set targets for a set of parameters to monitor the performance of PSBs, was not adhered to. "Out of the nine years reviewed, in only one year, conditions were stipulated in the sanctions that were issued to five PSBs for infusion of capital," it said.

The CAG noticed these conditions were significantly different from the targets set for the same parameters in SOIs for the same period.

The CAG has recommended that the criteria for fund infusion, once finalised, should be consistently applied across all PSBs. However, in case of variations, reasons should be well documented. It also wanted that the purpose of fund infusion, for which the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs' (CCEA) approval is taken, may be adhered to by the government. Changes, if necessary, in the purpose of fund infusion may be approved by the CCEA before being implemented, it suggests. It has also called for an effective monitoring system to ensure fulfilment of the intended objectives of fund infusion.

The banking system in India comprises commercial and co-operative banks with commercial banks accounting for the bulk of the banking assets. PSBs account for over 70 per cent of the deposits received in and advances made by the SCBs. The capital requirement of PSBs is driven by credit growth in the economy and prudential regulatory requirements. The regulatory framework for banks is globally developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, which is adopted by the Reserve Bank of India for the Indian banks.
Situation critique du Cameroun - Edith Kah Walla du CPP ecrit au President de la Republique, Paul Biya :: CAMEROON

Monsieur le President de la Republique, En cette deuxieme moitie de lannee 2017, notre pays est confronte a une multitude de crises. Cette situation nest certes pas nouvelle, car comme tous les camerounais le constatent au quotidien, le Cameroun se trouve dans un etat preoccupant. Cependant, certaines crises majeures presentent un danger imminent pour la stabilite a tres court terme de notre pays.

Cest pourquoi, nous vous interpellons afin que vous agissiez de toute urgence.

La Lutte contre Boko Haram

Monsieur le President, cest avec fierte que nous saluons le travail extraordinaire accompli par les forces armees camerounaises en collaboration avec les pays voisins au sein de la Force Multinationale Mixte, pour reduire la capacite de Boko Haram a commettre des atrocites contre nos citoyens. Toutefois, il est aussi important de reconnaitre a ce jour que nous sommes confrontes a des defis nouveaux dans cette lutte, notamment :

 La recurrence des attentat-suicides indique que nous avons encore un important travail a faire pour neutraliser completement Boko Haram et ramener la paix et la securite dans cette partie du pays.

 La probabilite dune baisse de lefficacite de la Force Multinationale Mixte, derivant du fait qu'elle n'a pas recu le financement necessaire a son fonctionnement et qu'un partenaire cle, le Tchad, reduit les ressources qu'il alloue a cette force en raison de ses propres difficultes internes ;

 La prise en charge inadequate des 223,000 Camerounais Deplaces Internes qui entraine une double peine pour nos compatriotes de cette region : victimes de Boko Haram et victimes de la mauvaise gouvernance de l'Etat du Cameroun

 Une approche essentiellement militaire, negligeant les solutions sociales et economiques qui traiteraient les causes premieres de la capacite de Boko Haram a recruter et kidnapper les citoyens a linterieur de nos frontieres.

 Les cas serieux de violation des droits de l'homme incluant la torture des citoyens camerounais reveles par le rapport d'Amnesty International. Il vous souvient peut-etre que des cas de violation des droits de l'homme, avaient deja ete rapportes par des ONG camerounaises tel que le REDHAC, il y a deux ans. Monsieur le President, Amnesty International n'est pas notre ennemi : cest un lanceur dalerte. C'est faire preuve de sagesse, que de faire bon usage des alertes. En lespece, cette alerte, peut nous permettre de corriger certains elements dysfonctionnels de notre systeme de defense, par ailleurs devastateurs pour nos citoyens et contre-productifs dans la lutte contre Boko Haram. Ceci renforcera limage de larmee camerounaise qui en sa majorite fait un bon travail de defense de notre nation.

Monsieur le President, pour agir en faveur de la securite de nos citoyens dans cette nouvelle phase de la lutte contre Boko Haram et apporter des solutions capables deradiquer durablement Boko Haram ainsi que d'autres groupes extremistes dans notre pays, le Cameroon Peoples Party exige quun Task Force (groupe de travail) independant et pluridisciplinaire soit mis en place. Ce groupe de travail aura la responsabilite de definir les strategies non militaires dans la lutte contre Boko Haram. Ses responsabilites majeures incluront notamment :

 Lencadrement des Camerounais deplaces internes qui, du point de vue numerique sont les victimes les plus importantes de Boko Haram. Si la qualite et la quantite des services qui leurs sont du ne sont pas revus a la hausse, nous les exposeront alors aux enlevements et au recrutements de Boko Haram.

 L'elaboration et la mise en uvre des strategies sociales et economiques qui attaqueront les causes premieres de l'extremisme dans cette region. Ces strategies devront s'etendre dans les regions du Nord et de lAdamaoua pour assurer leur durabilite.

 La mise en place dun mecanisme dalerte qui permettra aux citoyens de denoncer des violations des droits de l'homme et les actes de corruption perpetres par n'importe quel acteur de lEtat ou non, implique dans la lutte contre Boko Haram. Ceci inclura le travail avec des ONG locales et internationales pour etablir la veracite des actes denonces et la concertation avec les bureaux des forces armees appropries pour assurer que les mesures sont prises pour empecher les violations des droits de l'homme et que les sanctions proportionnelles sont appliquees.

 Lelaboration avec les autorites traditionnelles et religieuses dans la region et la mise en uvre de strategies efficaces pour leradication de l'extremisme religieux et ideologique.

 La prise en compte systematique, dans toutes les solutions et recommandations, des besoins specifiques des femmes, des jeunes et des enfants qui sont les victimes les plus importantes de Boko Haram.

Ce groupe de travail pluridisciplinaire pourra comprendre des membres tels que :

 Des personnes deplacees internes, victimes de Boko Haram ;

 Des membres des groupes communautaires de defense impliques dans la lutte contre Boko Haram

 Les autorites religieuses multiconfessionnelles impliquees dans la lutte contre Boko Haram ;

 Les autorites traditionnelles impliquees dans la lutte contre Boko Haram ;

 Les ONG locales et internationales impliquees dans la lutte contre Boko Haram ;

 Les representants des groupes a la base vivant dans les trois regions concernees.

Ce groupe de travail devrait avoir un nombre egal d'hommes et de femmes. au moins 30 % de ses membres devraient avoir entre 20 et 30 ans.

Il devra etre dote du pouvoir de veiller a ce que les agences gouvernementales agissent de facon efficace en temps et en heure. Il sera tenu delaborer des objectifs a court (6-9 mois) et moyen (2-3 ans) terme.

Il devra tenir des reunions publiques mensuelles pour rendre compte de son travail et donner aux citoyens et aux medias lopportunite d'evaluer et de contribuer a ce travail.

La Rentree Scolaire 2017-2018 dans les regions du Nord-Ouest et du Sud-Ouest

Monsieur le President, ces derniers 10 mois, la crise anglophone a secoue notre nation, ramenant en surface des problemes non seulement vieux de plusieurs decennies, mais lies a la fondation meme de notre nation. Le traitement desastreux de cette crise par votre gouvernement a mis en danger notre unite nationale et favorise l'emergence de groupes radicaux qui proposent des solutions qui pourraient signifier la fin du Cameroun tel que nous le connaissons aujourdhui. Bien quil soit urgent de resoudre cette crise dans son ensemble, il y a un aspect qui necessite votre attention immediate.

 Selon plusieurs estimations, plus de 3 millions d'enfants n'ont pas pu terminer l'annee scolaire 2017-2018 dans les regions du Nord-Ouest et du Sud-Ouest.

 Malgre les menaces et la force utilisees par votre gouvernement pour ramener les enfants dans les salles de classe, peu d'entre eux l'ont fait.

 Les appels actuels pour que les enfants s'inscrivent a l'ecole par votre gouvernement ne fournissent pas de reponses concretes aux questions suivantes :

o Dans quelles classes les enfants doivent-ils s'inscrire ? Pour etre precis, doivent ils redoubler ou passer a la classe superieure ?

o Quelles mesures ont ete prises pour que les enfants recoivent les lecons et acquierent les connaissances qu'ils ont manque durant la derniere annee scolaire ?

o Comment les ecoles devraient-elles organiser cela en termes de jours et heures supplementaires d'enseignement ?

 Les parents ont retenu leurs enfants loin de l'ecole pour une multitude de raisons. Parmi les plus importantes, l'atmosphere d'insecurite. L'hyper-militarisation de ces regions ainsi que les arrestations et les detentions arbitraires, qui se poursuivent a ce jour, ont ete les facteurs determinant de cette atmosphere d'insecurite.

Monsieur le President, notre pays ne peut pas se permettre une annee scolaire blanche supplementaire pour des millions de ses enfants. Vous etes en mesure de veiller a ce que ces enfants jouissent de leur droit a l'education. Cest pourquoi, nous exigeons que vous preniez sans tarder, les mesures suivantes :

1. Liberez tous ceux qui ont ete arretes dans le cadre de la crise anglophone. Toutes ces arrestations ont ete effectuees illegalement sans respect du droit camerounais. La liberation de ces personnes contribuera a detendre latmosphere et permettra la reprise du dialogue en vue du reglement de la crise et dans limmediat, au retour des enfants a l'ecole dans quelques semaines.

2. Demandez a la Justice dabandonner les charges contre le clerge anglophone. Ces methodes qui frolent le ridicule, constituent des barrieres absurdes pour la resolution de la crise anglophone.

3. Recevez les syndicats des enseignants et definissez ensemble, des strategies durablesafin de resoudre :

a) Le probleme de l'annee scolaire blanche 2017-2018

b) Les problemes fondamentaux exposes par les enseignants anglophones en novembre 2016 qui, au lieu d'etre resolus, ont conduit a leur arrestation et leur exil.

Monsieur le President, les membres de votre gouvernement ont rappele a plusieurs reprises aux Camerounais au cours des derniers mois que l'education est un droit. Nous vous rappelons maintenant que, en tant que Chef de lEtat, vous etes le garant de ce droit. Nous sommes a quelques semaines du debut de l'annee scolaire. Prenez les trois mesures ci-dessus et garantissez le droit a l'education a des millions d'enfants camerounais.

La Situation Financiere du Cameroun

Monsieur le President, les recentes actions de votre part nous laissent perplexes et nous plongent dans lincertitude en ce qui concerne les finances du Cameroun. Comme vous le savez, l'incertitude en matiere financiere est catastrophique pour la realisation de notre objectif commun de croissance de l'economie du Cameroun et de creation d'emplois. Les investisseurs, qu'ils soient locaux ou internationaux, ninvestissent pas dans des marches ou l'avenir financier est incertain. A cet egard, nous vous demandons de prendre les mesures cles suivantes et de repondre aux questions suivantes. Si cela s'avere necessaire, nous rappelons que l'argent en question appartient aux Camerounais.

Le peuple camerounais a besoin et a droit a une reunion publique sur les finances de lEtat. Votre gouvernement cree des depenses et contracte des dettes en dehors du processus budgetaire. Dans ce contexte, il est devenu pratiquement impossible pour les Camerounais de connaitre l'etat exact des finances de lEtat. Cela est inacceptable. Convoquez ou instruisez a vos ministres des finances et de l'economie de convoquer une reunion publique sur les finances nationales afin de mettre au clair la situation financiere exacte du Cameroun. Au cours de cette reunion publique, il conviendra de repondre aux questions suivantes :

1. Quel est a ce jour l'etat des finances du Cameroun en termes de revenus, de depenses et de dettes?

2. Qu'est-ce qui justifie notre fort endettement au cours des 5 dernieres annees ? Bien que nous comprenions clairement largument de la chute des prix du petrole et l'augmentation des budgets pour les depenses militaires, nous avons besoin d'informations precises concernant :

a) L'utilisation des reserves etablies lorsque les prix du petrole etaient eleves

b) Le budget exact des depenses militaires

c) La justification de la dette pour les actifs non productifs tels que les ordinateurs

d) La justification de la creation de plans d'urgence au milieu de l'annee financiere, sans en referer a l'Assemblee Nationale pour des problemes connus avant la session parlementaire.

e) La justification de la non reduction des depenses publiques malgre les revenus et la croissance qui ont diminue au cours des 3 dernieres annees.

3. Le gouvernement semble avoir des problemes continus de flux de tresorerie, ce qui entraine des paiements retardes pour les fournisseurs de lEtat et des decaissements tardifs pour des projets d'investissement. Quelle en est la cause ? Le gouvernement etant l'un des acteurs economiques les plus importants du Cameroun, les retards dans le decaissement ralentissent l'ensemble de l'economie. Nous avons besoin d'une explication pour savoir pourquoi cela ne peut etre corrige annee apres annee.

4. Votre gouvernement s'est mis en position de contracter des dettes aupres du FMI. Les objectifs officiels de cette dette indiquent que cest pour  l'amelioration de la competitivite du Cameroun et le potentiel de croissance a moyen terme . Monsieur le President, ce sont des objectifs louables. Cependant, votre gouvernement a contracte son premier pret du FMI en 1997. En 2000, vous nous avez introduit dans le programme  Pays Pauvre et Tres Endette  (PPTE). En 2017 vous avez de nouveau contracte un pret du FMI. Tous ces prets portent les memes objectifs cites ci-dessus. Pourquoi cela ? De 1997 a ce jour, la pauvrete a stagne a environs 40% au Cameroun, les services de sante et d'education ont diminue en qualite et vous avez ete incapable de traduire la croissance du PIB en emplois et revenus pour les Camerounais. Monsieur le President, qu'est-ce que vous et votre gouvernement avez l'intention de faire differemment cette fois-ci ? Quelles mesures seront prises pour que cette dette que les Camerounais paieront longtemps apres vous, soit benefique pour les citoyens camerounais ?

5. En juin 2017, vous avez fourni des directives budgetaires a votre gouvernement pour le budget national de 2018. Dans ces directives, vous n'avez fait aucune mention de l'organisation des elections. Il y a quatre elections sur le calendrier electoral du Cameroun pour 2018. Monsieur le President, est-ce que vous jouez a nouveau avec la vie et l'avenir des 23 millions de Camerounais que vous dites que nous sommes ? Avez-vous l'intention de tenir des elections a la surprise generale du peuple camerounais ? Ou alors vous comptez ne pas les tenir du tout ?

Monsieur le President, Pour le Cameroon Peoples Party (CPP), ces crises demontrent que la solution pour le Cameroun est celle d'une Transition Politique. Notre pays doit mener une analyse objective et approfondie de sa situation actuelle, puis reconstruire et redefinir le fondement meme de ce qui nous unit en tant que peuple. Nous avons besoin d'institutions et de systemes qui nous permettrons de construire le Cameroun Leader en Afrique et dans le monde.

Pour lheure, les mesures urgentes que nous avons demandees ci-dessus exigent votre attention dans les 2 a 3 prochaines semaines. Ce serait a la fois une surprise et un soulagement de vous voir reagir dans ce delai.

Monsieur le President, la situation actuelle du Cameroun exige que vous preniez ces mesures pour eviter d'autres catastrophes au peuple. Si vous ne parvenez pas a le faire, cela signifierait quil est temps, pour vous, Monsieur le President, de mener laction la plus importante de votre carriere politique, celle de demissionner pour permettre au Cameroun d'entrer dans sa transition politique et de construire son avenir.

Dans le plus grand interet de notre bien-aimee nation,

Pour le Cameroon Peoples Party

Kah Walla

Presidente Nationale

OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON:

The Time is Now for you, Mr President, to take the most important action of your long mandate !

Dear Mr. President,

As we enter the second half of 2017, our country is beleaguered with a plethora of crises big and small. This situation is, of course, not new. Every Cameroonian finds the situation of our country increasingly preoccupying. However, several serious crises facing our nation demand that we call on you to act immediately and with expediency.

While the whole of Cameroon is in a dire situation, three key crises are impacting the lives of millions of Cameroonians and pose imminent danger for our country.

First crisis: The Fight Against Boko Haram

Mr. President, while the Cameroonian armed forces in conjunction with our neighboring countries have done an extraordinary job through the Multi-National Joint Task Force in diminishing the ability of Boko Haram to commit atrocities against our citizens, it is important for us to recognize today, that we are faced with new challenges in this war, notably:

 Renewed and increasing attacks by Boko Haram suicide bombers that have once again put our citizens in the Extreme North in extreme danger. These attacks are an indicator that we still have extensive work to do to eradicate Boko Haram and bring back peace and security to our citizens in this part of the country.

 The risk that the Multi-National Joint Task Force will diminish in effectiveness, given that it has not received the funding required and that a key partner, Chad, is decreasing the resources it dedicates to the MNJTF due to its own internal difficulties.

 The fact that the services to over 223,000 Internally Displaced Cameroonians remain wholly inadequate, making them victims of both Boko Haram and of the State of Cameroon.

 The fact that we have fought this war almost exclusively on the military front, neglecting the social and economic solutions that would attack the root causes of Boko Harams ability to recruit and kidnap within our frontiers.

 The Amnesty International report that highlights serious cases of human rights abuses including torture on Cameroonian citizens. It is important to note that many of the abuses in this report had already been reported by Cameroonian NGOs such as REDHAC, two years ago. Mr. President, this report is not our enemy, it is a clanging alarm bell, enabling us to focus on certain key elements in our defense system that are dysfunctional, devastating for our citizens and counterproductive to the fight against Boko Haram.

Mr. President, in order to act for the security of our citizens in this new phase of the fight against Boko Haram, and to bring solutions that will sustainably eradicate Boko Haram and other extremist groups from our country, the Cameroonian Peoples Party demands the following.

That a multidisciplinary independent task force be put into place. This task force will have the responsibility to lead the non-military strategies in the fight against Boko Haram. Its major responsibilities will include:

 Increasing the quantity and quality of services to internally displaced Cameroonians who in number are the greatest victims of Boko Haram and who, if they do not receive assistance are the group most vulnerable to Boko Haram kidnapping and recruiting.

 Ensuring the definition and implementation of social and economic strategies that will attack the root causes of extremism in this region. These strategies must extend to the North and Adamawa regions in order to ensure their sustainability.

 Putting in place a whistleblower mechanism that will enable citizens to denounce human rights abuses and acts of corruption by any state or non-state actors that are involved in the fight against Boko Haram. This will include working with local and international NGOs to establish the veracity of accusations and liaising with the appropriate armed forces offices to ensure that measures are taken to prevent human rights abuses and sanctions are applied when such abuses occur.

 Working with the traditional and religious authorities in the region to develop and implement strategies to fight against religious and ideological extremism.

 Ensuring that all solutions implemented, without exception, take into account the specific needs of women, young people and children who are the greatest victims of Boko Haram.

The members of this multidisciplinary task force should include:

 Internally displaced persons who are victims of Boko Haram

 Members of community watchdog groups who have been involved in the fight against Boko Haram

 Multi-denominational religious authorities who have been involved in the fight against Boko Haram.

 Traditional authorities who have been involved in the fight against Boko Haram

 Local and international NGOs who have been involved in the fight against Boko Haram

 Representatives of grassroots groups in the three regions concerned

The task force should have an equal number of men and women and at least 30% of its members should be between 20  30 years old.

The task force must be endowed with the power to ensure that government agencies act in a timely and efficient manner. It will be obliged to develop short-term objectives (6-9 months) as well as medium-term objectives (2-3 years). The Task Force should hold monthly public meetings to render account of it work and give citizens and the media the opportunity to evaluate and contribute to its work.

Second crisis: 2017-2018 School Year in the North West and South West Regions

Mr. President, for the past 10 months, the Anglophone crisis has made our nation quaver, bringing to the forefront problems that are decades old and foundational to our country. The disastrous handling of this crisis by your government has endangered our national unity and fostered the emergence of radical groups who today, propose solutions that could mean the end of Cameroon as we know it. Though this crisis as a whole urgently needs to be addressed, there is one aspect of it that requires your immediate attention.

 It is estimated that over 3 million children in our country were unable to complete the 2017-2018 school year in the Northwest and Southwest regions.

 Despite threats and force used by your government to get children back to the classroom, few of them did so.

 The current calls for children to register for school by your government fail to provide key operational elements.

o What class should children register into?

o What measures have been taken for children to acquire the lessons and knowledge they missed last school year?

o How should schools organize this in terms of supplementary teaching days and hours?

 Parents kept their children away from school for a multitude of reasons. Most importantly, they felt the atmosphere of insecurity was such that their children were not safe. The hyper-militarization of these regions as well as arbitrary arrests and detention, both of which continue to this day, were the key factors in creating this atmosphere of insecurity.

Mr. President, our country cannot afford for millions of children to miss another school year. You hold within your power the ability to give these children back their right to education, in a matter of hours. Please take the following measures immediately so innocent children do not continue to pay for the poor governance enacted your successive governments.

1. Free all those who have been arrested in connection with the Anglophone crisis. All these arrests were carried out illegally without respect of Cameroonian law. Freeing these people will create an atmosphere of detente which will enable dialogue to resume for the resolution of the crisis and most importantly, children to go back to school in a few weeks.

2. Demand that the court dismisses the cases against the Anglophone clergy. These cases were fallacious to begin with and today, it would seem there are no plaintiffs. These cases serve no one and are an absurd barrier to begin the resolution of the Anglophone problem.

3. Sit down with the teachers trade unions and determine sustainable strategies to resolve:

a. The immediate crisis of the 2017-2018 school year

b. The fundamental problems that were outlined by the Anglophone teachers in November 2016 and which instead of being solved, led to their arrest and exile.

Mr. President, members of your government have reminded Cameroonians repeatedly in the last few months that education is a right. We now remind you that you, as Head of State, are the guarantor of that right. We are weeks away from the beginning of the school year. Take the above three measures and guarantee the right to education to millions of Cameroonian children.

Third crisis: The Financial Situation of Cameroon

Mr. President, the recent actions on your part leave us with perplexity and uncertainty as regards the finances of Cameroon. As you should know, the perception of financial uncertainty is catastrophic for the achievement of our common objective of growing the economy of Cameroon and creating jobs. Investors, be they local or international do not put their money into economies where the financial future is uncertain. In this regard, we demand that you take the following key actions and respond to the following questions. Should it be necessary, we remind here that the money in question belongs to Cameroonians.

We need and deserve a public meeting on finances. Your government creates expenses and contracts debts outside of the budgetary process. As such it has become virtually impossible for us as Cameroonians to know the exact state of our finances. This is unacceptable. Kindly convene, or ask your Ministers of Finance and the Economy to convene a public meeting on our national finances that will provide clarity as to the exact financial situation of Cameroon. During this public meeting, the following questions should be answered:

1. What is, to date, the state of Cameroons finances in term of revenue, expenses and debt?

2. What justifies our sharp increase in indebtedness over the last 5 years? Though we clearly understand falling oil prices and increased budgets for military expenditure, we need precise information regarding:

a) The use of reserves established when oil prices were high

b) The exact budget for military expenditures

c) The justification for incurring debt for non-productive assets such as computers

d) The justification for creating emergency plans in the middle of the fiscal year, without reference to the national assembly and for problems which were known before the assembly budgetary session

e) The justification for non-reduction of government expenses despite revenues and growth that have been declining for the past 3 years.

3. Government seems to have continuous cash flow issues resulting in delayed payments for government suppliers and late disbursements for investment projects. What is the cause of this? Government being one of Cameroons most important economic actors, delays in disbursement slow down the entire economy. We need an explanation for why this cannot be remedied, year after year.

4. Your government has put itself in a position to contract debt from the IMF. The objectives of this debt are cited as enhancing Cameroons competitiveness and medium-term growth potential. Mr. President, these are laudable objectives. However, your government contracted its first IMF loan in 1997, in 2000 you subjected us to the Highly indebted Poor Country program, in 2017 you have once again contracted an IMF loan. All these loans have the same objectives cited above. From 1997 to date, poverty has stagnated at about 40% in Cameroon, health and education services have decreased in quality and you have been incapable of translating GNP growth into jobs and income for Cameroonians. Mr. President, what do you and your government intend to do differently this time around? What measures will be taken so that this debt which Cameroonians will be paying long after you, is beneficial to us as citizens.

5. In June 2017, you provided budget directives to your government for the 2018 national budget. In these directives, you made no mention of the organization of elections. There are four elections on Cameroons electoral calendar for 2018. Mr. President, are you once again playing games with the lives and the future of the 23 million Cameroonians you say we are? Do you intend to hold surprise elections? Not to hold them at all?

Mr. President, the Cameroon Peoples Party believes that your government is completely overwhelmed and today, causes more problems than it can resolve. For the Cameroon Peoples Party, these crises are the demonstration that the solution for Cameroon today is that of a Political Transition. Our country needs to carry out objective, in depth analysis of our situation as a nation, then rebuild and redefine the very foundation of what binds us together as a people. We need institutions and systems that will enable us to build the future of a Cameroon that is Leading the Way, in Africa and throughout the world

The urgent actions we have demanded above require your attention within the next 2-3 weeks. Great would be our surprise and relief if you could actually take action in within that time frame.

This immediate, expedient and efficient action is what Cameroon needs to avoid further catastrophes for its citizens. Should you be unable to carry it out, it would be time Mr. President to take the single most important action, that of resigning to enable Cameroon to enter into its Political Transition and build its future.



In the utmost interest of our beloved nation,

Douala, July 26, 2017

Kah Walla

National President,

Cameroon Peoples Party
| BY Ricki Green |

Edelman Australia has announce the appointment of Jamil Bhatti as creative director.

Bhatti brings both agency and in-house experience to the role, with a strong perspective on effective creativity. As creative director at Edelman, he will lead the team of creatives, working alongside the head of strategy and experts in social media, film, UX, design, digital, research and paid media.

Most recently, Bhatti lead a 20-strong team at Camelot, the UKs National Lottery creative agency. His responsibilities included directing creative outputs across five brands for print, outdoor, instore, social media and earned media.
| BY Ricki Green |

Layla Firth has been awarded top student at the South Australia 2017 AWARD School graduation ceremony, which took place at The Austral Hotel in Adelaide on last night (Thursday, 27 July).

She is now in the running for top student at the National AWARD School Competition, with the chance to win a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet David Droga in NYC. The national winner will be announced on Monday 7 August in Sydney.

Commenting on the quality of Firths work, SA judge Oliver Prenton of The Distillery said: Layla really impressed the judges and she ended up scoring very highly on quite a few briefs. There were a few stand out students this year but her enthusiasm and inquisitive nature mixed with a relentless pursuit to crack the brief ultimately led to some varied and mature thinking.

SA judge John McLaren of Blacksheep Advertising adding: Layla Firth delivered work that had clarity but also a sense of fun and adventure. Her work demonstrated a sound grasp of the fundamentals but also some imaginative and strategic thinking.

Second place was awarded to Pippa Coles (left).

Before a crowd of industry professionals and supporters, SA AWARD School Head Matt OGrady of KWP! congratulated the class of 12 graduates on completing the 12 week intensive course.

Says OGrady: As a state known for its energy problems, there was certainly no shortage of it from this years AWARD School students. Having headed the school for the past few years, Id say the Class of 2017 was our most determined and competitive yet.

It was great to see each student working the tutors hard and finessing their projects right through to the end. I was also encouraged to see some outstanding and unique work in the integrated, digital and innovation categories with several pieces scoring some of the highest marks.

OGrady also took the opportunity to thank this years lecturers, tutors and judges for their time and support over the 12 week course.

2017 SA AWARD School Tutors

Matt OGrady  KWP!

Corey Swaffer  KWP!

Johnny Velis  Jamshop

Michael Gagliardi  BAD Advertising

Matt Minear  BAD Advertising

Andy Scott  Showpony

Oliver Prenton  The Distillery

John McLaren  Blacksheep Advertising

Dave Lawson  WDM Advertising

This years five state winners from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane will have their books reviewed by the National Competition Super Jury, comprising leading creatives from around the world.

The National Competition coincides with the 30th anniversary of a teenage David Droga, Founder and Creative Chairman of renowned agency Droga5, winning Top Student at AWARD School in 1987.

To mark the occasion, AWARD School will fly the national winner to NYC to meet David Droga and to compare their winning portfolios from 1987 and 2017.

Dates for all graduation ceremonies are as follows:

QLD  Wednesday 19 July

NSW  Tuesday 25 July

VIC  Wednesday 26 July

SA  Thursday 27 July

WA  Friday 28 July

National Announcement (in Sydney)  Monday 7 August
| BY Ricki Green |

Tourism NT has launched Get out of the state youre in, a social campaign with creative and production via Common Ventures, Sydney. Starring Harley Breen, Alex Williamson and Tanya Hennessy, the campaign features three videos of comedians taking the piss out of their home states.

The campaign was created and produced by Common Ventures, with the hope to create cut through with social media engagement while also continuing to maintain existing levels of brand awareness of Do the NT in the domestic market.

Says Alastair Shields, CEO department of tourism and culture, Tourism NT: Getting out of the state youre in means more than just physically travelling. Its about getting out of a rut, day-to-day norms and your current state of mind. Sydneys traffic, Adelaides cold nights and Melbournes beaches  there are so many reasons to get out of those states and visit the Northern Territory.

Says Brian Merrifield, managing director and ECD from Common Ventures: It was exciting to work so closely and collaboratively with the Tourism NT team due to their willingness to speak to their audience in a way that they genuinely appreciate. We all love the videos and are glad they have been received so well by those they were made for. Millennials have turned to platforms like Instagram and Snapchat for travel inspiration so it made sense to make a tourism campaign built for social consumption, instead of making a TV ad that is uploaded to YouTube.

Says Alex Don, senior account director, Common Ventures: Considering the campaign is aimed at the youth market, finding the right tone was critical for the success of the campaign. With the NTs inherent larrikin nature, humour was the perfect fit for the brand while ensuring these videos would resonate. Tourism NT is one of the only government bodies that could pull this off.

Says James Crawley, co-CD, Common Ventures: Instead of opting for identities with a mainstream following, we decided to utilise comedians with strong online personalities. With the only requirement being a large social media following and a little good natured hatred toward their states, so using comedians to rag on their home states simply made sense.

Jane Burhop, co-CD, Common Ventures: Weve worked with some extremely funny people, all who brought their own particular style to the clips. It was an incredibly fun campaign for an equally fun client.

A collaborative approach to production was of utmost importance says Burhop: We picked content creators with a style that suited the NT, and worked with them to ensure their own audiences will be receptive to the work. This flowed through the whole production process, including shooting the videos in a way that suited their established aesthetic.

To further utilise Instagram and Snapchat, the campaign also featured social footage shot on the day with the comedians iPhones, which was then uploaded to coincide with the campaign launch.

Says Burhop:Along with the longer form video content, we really wanted to capture and share a wide array of snackable content to match how people are currently using their social apps; from Instagram stories through to interactive Snapchat stories.

The campaign is supported through Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook and to date has garnered over 4000 shares.

Creative Agency: Common Ventures

Executive Creative Director: Brian Merrifield

Co-Creative Director: Jane Burhop

Co-Creative Director: James Crawley

Creative: Daniel Nutman

Senior Account Director: Alex Don

Account Executive: Megan Deveson

Designers: Logan Muir, Hugh Inglis

Producer: Tim Russell

Production: Common Ventures

Director: Nick Russell

Line Producer: Daisy Bray

1st AD: Jose Marquina

DOP: Dale Cochrane

Camera Assist: Jackson Gallagher

2nd Camera Op. (QLD): Frank Souter

Editor: The Butchery
| BY Ricki Green |

Defence has launched its latest campaign, The ADF Surprised Us via Havas Sydney, which speaks to the families of people joining the Australian Defence Force (ADF), rather than potential recruits themselves.

The ADF Surprised Us aims to attract the best talent from the widest possible talent pool. The integrated campaign features a content series telling the stories of 8 diverse families. It features the worries and fears these families had before their loved ones joined and how their misconceptions were overcome once they learned what life is really like in the ADF.

Says Grant ODonnell, tri-service marketing manager at Defence Force Recruiting: Our research shows that one of the biggest barriers for people joining the ADF is concerns their families have.

The ADF members who feature in the campaign all attribute their success to their families. Their families encouraged them to follow their dreams and helped to make them the people who they are today.

They share the leap of faith it took to join the ADF; faith in themselves and their own capabilities, and a willingness to take a chance on the ADF.

They describe the ADF as a welcoming, supportive community that is like a family. And, their families acknowledge them as role models; people to look up to and be proud of; people who have set a precedent for others to aspire to.

Their message for Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds is that the ADF offers a promising future.

Says Seamus Higgins, joint-executive creative director at Havas Sydney: These stories bring to life the hopes families have for their loved ones in the ADF as well as the shared pride and joy in their successes. It was great to meet families from such different backgrounds who so warmly invited us into their homes and lives to tell their stories.

The ADF Surprised Us represents broader efforts by the ADF to engage families across a wide range of cultures, backgrounds and beliefs that make up modern Australia. The first phase of the campaign aims to connect with seven cultural groups including Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Indigenous Australians, and Caucasians.

The campaign will roll out nationally across print and radio as well as digital and social channels with language translations for each cultural group.

Click here to view the stories on the website.

Client: Defence Force Recruiting

General Marketing Manager: Pat Duffy

National Marketing Manager: Fiona Boughton

Marketing Operations Manager: Andrew Edmunds

Tri-Service Marketing Manager: Grant ODonnell

Tri-Service Senior Marketing Officer: Allanah Stewart

Creative Agency: Havas Sydney

ECD: Seamus Higgins and Stuart Turner

Art Director: Helen King

Copywriter: Alex Bolderoff

Managing Director: Dan Smith

Account Director: Amy Kawaguchi

Senior Account Manager: Amelia Bryant

Planning Director: Phil Johnston

Head of Broadcast: Monique Pardavi

Print Team Lead: Thea Clausen

Design: Darren Cole, Serlina Wong

Social: Mark McKissock

UX: Adam Shutler

Digital Producer: Angelica Scott

Production Credits: Rabbit

Director: Ant McPhail

Producer: Marcus Butler

Editing: The Editors

Sound: Song Zu, Myles Lowe
| BY Lynchy |

BBDO Indonesia has appointed Talha Bin Hisaam to Head of Planning, further bolstering the planning department.

Bin Hisaam (pictured) joins BBDO from Ogilvy & Mather Pakistan where he led an aggressive new business strategy in addition to his Head of Planning duties. He was responsible for Nestles dairy and nutrition portfolio that included Milo, Nido, Bunyard, Cerelac, Lactogrow and Nan, providing strategic counsel on initiatives such as U4HK and Start Healthy, Stay Healthy.

With a career spanning over 15 years, Bin Hisaam has worked on multiple categories including FMCG, healthcare, technology, media, fashion, telecom, finance, dairy, food and nutrition. Among his top clients were local and international heavyweights including P&G, PepsiCo, Nestle, Toyota, Emirates Airline, Barclays, Telenor, Bata, AkzoNobel, Next, Haier, Acumen Fund, Teradata and Microsoft.

Bin Hisaam commented, Im thrilled to be part of a team as vibrant, diverse, open and talented as BBDO is in Indonesia. I cant wait to be strategising ground-breaking campaigns that deliver efficacy for our clients and awards for us!
| BY Lynchy |

Columbus Malaysia has been appointed for digital duties for Lafarge Malaysia Berhad, a blue-chip company in the Malaysian construction industry. Columbus is tasked with social media management, digital media planning and buying, as well as website development and maintenance, effective immediately.

Having been in Malaysia for more than 60 years, Lafarge is indeed a well-known, trusted brand within the construction businesses. On the back of this success and as we continue to grow our business, we are diversifying and expanding into the consumer segment. So we are looking into refreshing the brand as well to connect with the masses, said Tolga Pekel, Vice President of Marketing and Pricing, Lafarge Malaysia.

Columbus has demonstrated its digital capabilities that resonate well with Lafarges vision. That said, what we also appreciate is that they went out of their way to conceptualise creative content, presented an original and exciting idea  in particular the colourful cement and concrete truck design project that was rolled out to spread happiness around the city as part of Lafarges Happiness in the City campaign  and how they amplified that creativity through the effective use of digital. We feel their innovation and agility would add value to our business growth, he added.

Commenting on the appointment, Abdullah Alkury, Managing Director, Columbus Malaysia (pictured above), said, This is the first-time ever Lafarge has appointed a digital marketing agency and we are honoured to be given this opportunity to grow their business through digital. Its also encouraging to see companies that do not typically invest in digital pushing the boundaries and embracing it after learning what digital can do for them.

Technology is totally reshaping the environment that brands and people live in. In todays digital economy, an effective marketing mix involves a digital strategy that consists of solid content and compelling storytelling, especially if you want to capture the masses. So we are moving in this direction together with Lafarge, and I believe we are aligned in our drive to win in the digital economy, Alkury explained.
| BY Lynchy |

Orchard Turn Developments has appointed TRACK Singapore for creative duties to manage integrated advertising communications for ION Orchard.

Jointly owned by CapitaLand and Sun Hung Kai Properties, ION Orchard forms part of an upscale retail and residential development in Singapores popular Orchard Road district. Recognised by Forbes as one of the top shopping destinations in the Lion City, ION Orchard is home to some of the worlds top luxury, fashion and lifestyle brands.

TRACK Singapore, a division of DDB Group Singapore, won the business following a pitch. The assignment will see the brand management and CRM specialist target trade and consumers in both Singapore, and across the region, to boost footfall and talk value through advertising and experiential efforts starting with the malls 8th Anniversary celebrations. This partnership marks the second collaboration between DDB and ION Orchard, following a previous appointment in 2007.
Spice up your Friday evening with hearty soups, mulled wine, outdoor activities, live music and a rare chance to dine after dark at The Conservatory Restaurant at the Arboretum. You can enjoy the views across Canberra under the heaters outside, or go on a sunset walk to the top of Dairy Farmers Hill, and kids can make lanterns and go on an outdoor storytelling adventure by the fire. It's on 4-9.30pm. Tickets start from $35 for adults, $20 for kids from tix.yt/mid-winter-at-the-arboretum. General tickets include all activities and some food, with non alcoholic, gluten-free and vegetarian options available. VIP tickets include all activities plus a two-course dinner.
"We've spent a couple of days with the Capital [Brewing Co] guys, in fact we're going to produce a few very cool products for them. And we're doing some stuff for Greg [Hewitson from 42 Lines], and he's done stuff for us. So there's a collaboration."
Barnby can shut the door to his war room. Light floods the rest of the house, rosellas come and nibble at a birdfeeder hanging off a tree near his deck, his walls are decorated with vibrant works of art including a set of comic-like birds by Melbourne artist Dean Bowen that just make you want to smile. He can shut the door to the small dark room in his house. Whether the door to the things he's seen can be closed is another question. The same question that all men and women who come home, that the families of those who don't, ask themselves every day. Can that door ever really be closed?
"But I think that's a good thing. We're doing something that isn't normally done and really trying to create something that we're passionate about and can represent what we believe in."
The entire situation is clarified from the verse 60:9, which states that "Allah forbids you not, respecting those who have not fought against you on account of your religion, and who have not driven you forth from your homes, that you be kind to them and act equitably towards them; surely Allah loves those who are equitable".
"Seven-and-a-half years ago, when I started, we had 200 million visits to those post offices per annum and we had about 50 or so million visits digitally. Today, we have 300 million digital visits of our services and more like 180 [million] physical visits," he said.
Millennial Moms Review: 2022 Acura MDX is pretty close to the perfect family car

I dont know if perfect is attainable, especially considering weve got the world of options when it comes to modern vehicles. Were spoiled and, as such, we have very specific needs and wants. Driving-wise, the 2022 Acura MDX is one of my favourite ...
Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact.

Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here.

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You are our people. You Care. We Care2.
Australian gearheads may be morning the death of the homegrown Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore but things will get much better as both the Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette are bound for the Land Down Under.



Motoring has received word that the owner of Holden Special Vehicles, the Walkinshaw Group, is accelerating its efforts to import the upcoming, facelifted 2019 Camaro and sell it through local Holden dealerships after converting the muscle car to right-hand drive.

It is said that Mark Reuss, GM global development boss, is a fan of the project but it isnt yet known if GM will provide official backing for the project and allow Walkinshaw to purchase Camaros at a discounted rate.

Either way, the Camaro looks set to be joined by the eighth-generation, mid-engine Corvette towards the end of the decade which will be offered in right-hand drive configuration from the factory. It will probably cost around $200,000 in Australia and while that may sound like a lot to U.S. readers, its affordability will easily undercut all European rivals.

When Walkinshaws goal of bringing the Camaro to Australia is given the go-ahead, conversions will be done at its new facility in Clayton, Melbourne. Prices for the Camaro SS are expected to sit at around $90,000 in local coin, over $30,000 more than the Ford Mustang GT.

PHOTO GALLERY
Opel has opened the order books for the all-new Insignia Country Tourer in Germany, where it starts from 34,885 ($40,831), tax included.



The first units of the car will arrive at dealers shortly after it will debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, and they will be equipped with a wide range of standard features.

The list includes the hill start assist, front camera, forward collision alert with pedestrian detection, automatic city emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, following distance indication, and high beam assist.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity is also offered at no extra cost, on the Radio R 4.0 IntelliLink infotainment system, along with the OnStar services, two-zone climate control, keyless entry and go, and others.

The engine lineup includes the 2.0-liter gasoline and diesel units, rated at 260PS (256hp) and 170PS (168hp), respectively. The latter can also be had with the optional all-wheel drive. Opel says that an even more power diesel lump will join the lineup in the near future, in addition to the 1.5-liter turbod gasoline engine that delivers 165PS (163hp).

Those in the market for the new Opel Insignia Country Tourer can also specify it with the Exclusive program, a new personalization concept that allows buyers to choose the color they want. Moreover, the Black Pack, which is available with Opel Exclusive, gives the car a high gloss black grille bar, window trim strips, side mirror casings, and others.

A wide range of light alloy wheels are also part of the personalization program, and so are the leather interior options and decorative elements.

Opel says that every Exclusive model has standard features such as the Navi 900 IntelliLink with an 8-inch color touchscreen, solar protect heat-absorbing glazing, and LED matrix lights.

Prices for the Opel Insignia Country Tourer Exclusive start from 35,885 ($42,002).

PHOTO GALLERY
Rolls-Royce says the new aluminum platform underpinning the 2018 Phantom will allow for levels of customization simply not possible in the outgoing model.



At the launch of the new car in the UK, Rolls-Royce designer Alex Innes said the new Phantom was created from the outset with bespoke variants from its most dedicated customers in mind, suggesting that more crazy creations like the Sweptail are on the horizon.

With the new Phantom VIII we have a bigger canvas with more freedom and flexibility than weve ever had with any other Rolls-Royce vehicle, he said.

Motoring reports that the secret to the new Phantoms almost limitless levels of personalization come thanks to its aluminum architecture which can be changed when required. For example, rumors suggest that many of its hard-mounting parts may actually be moveable, allowing parts like the windscreen to be shifted. Additionally, the length of the platform will be adjustable.

Innes revealed that Rolls-Royce engineers worked in collaboration with designers and customers from the firms Bespoke department to ensure the new Phantom offers something no other luxury cars can.

Bespoke is what defines us, its what sets Rolls-Royce apart from anything else and unquestionably we can and will deliver on individual wishes and tastes of a patron of ours like no other car brand can, said Innes.

PHOTO GALLERY
Seat revealed the nine potential names for their upcoming seven-seater SUV: Abrera, Alboran, Aran, Aranda, Avila, Donosti, Tarifa, Tarraco, and Teide.



These are the semi-finalists selected by the Spanish automaker from the 10,130 proposals received, and all of them have successfully passed three different rounds that included brand values and product characteristics, linguistic criteria, and legal criteria.

The first one makes sure that the name fits the companys values and the characteristics of the new large SUV that follows the Ateca and Arona, while the second one ensures that they are easy to pronounce in different languages, and have no negative connotations associated with them. Finally, the legal criteria will eventually allow Seat to register the winning name and use it on the upcoming vehicle.

The figures speak for themselves. We are very happy with the results of this initiative, which has managed to engage more than 130,000 people from 106 countries, and reconnect the brand with Spanish society and fans from all over the world, and we would like to thank everyone for participating. The time is fast approaching when we will all know the name of Seats new SUV, said Luca de Meo, the brands President.

Seat now has to eliminate six of out these nine proposals, and the finalists will be announced during a press conference, on September 12, at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. The name of the new SUV will be made public on October 15.

PHOTO GALLERY
Honda says that the death of a 34-year-old woman during a car crash in Florida last week is likely to have been caused by an exploding Takata airbag inflator.



The automaker reports that the driver of the 2002 Honda Accord was killed in Florida following a dramatic rupture of the inflator, but an official cause of death has yet to be announced. If the airbag is confirmed to have been at fault, it will be the 19th death worldwide linked to the faulty airbags.

Honda first recalled the airbag in question in 2011, and in the years since, has mailed 21 recall notices to owners around the world. Remarkably, 10 recall notices had been sent to the owner of the 2002 Accord in question, but the car was never repaired, Reuters reports.

In a statement, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson of Florida said: This is more evidence that the recall is failing and not enough is being done to find the affected vehicles and fix them.

News of this latest fatality comes just days after a man in Sydney was killed because of the airbag in his Honda CR-V.

PHOTO GALLERY
Photo: File photo

Thanks, but no thanks.

As citizens across the province rally around those impacted by wildfires, officials are asking people not to donate material goods.

Cariboo Regional District communities, including 100 Mile House and Williams Lake, do not have the resources to manage donations of goods like food, clothing or household items.

Emergency responders and essential service providers in the region are focused on wildfire suppression and ensuring communities can support returning evacuees.

Officials said they recognize many people want to help those affected by wildfires, and the goodwill is much appreciated, but donated items may not match up with needs.

Donations also require storage and processing, which takes time and resources, and communities within the Cariboo region are not able to manage the workload.

Specific donations may be needed at a later date. If so, this information will be shared with the community.
Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Colin Lacey of Edmonton won for the third year in a row at the eighth annual Great Naramata Cherry Pit Spit Contest on Wednesday.

The contest, with 38 contestants, was held before a crowd at the Naramata Community Market at Wharf Park.

The summertime visitor propelled his winning Lapin pit some 33 feet down the measuring mat, matching his 2016 performance, and two feet shy of his 2015 marker when he reached some 35 feet.

Jeremy Church was second with a distance of 30 feet.

Rob Van Westen, who supplied the cherries for the event, picked up third place in the adult category at 26 feet.

Lacey is the third reigning cherry spit champ in the community.

Local favourite Kim Russell earned the crown in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

In 2013 and 2014, a Van Westen farmworker from Quebec named Frank claimed first prize.
Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Now that the threat of high water is past, it's pretty much business as usual at the Penticton Yacht Club.

The sandbags that ringed the club on Okanagan Lake are gone and visitors are returning.

"It was very trying for everybody including management, staff and the board of directors," said marina manager Gary Stene, of the flood risk. "But business is picking up for sure."

Board members started working in May to protect the facility as water started rising.

Work parties piled sandbags around the club, with repair work done on the breakwater through the provincial government approving $110,000 in emergency funding.

The gas dock was reopened at the end of June after being shut down since May, the sandbags have been removed, and they just finally opened up their second boat launch.

They had a few visitor cancellations early on due to high water and smoke but they are starting to see more activity now. Many other tourist related businesses have taken a significant hit over the past month due to unfounded perceived threat of wildfire.

"We are booked solid right through until the middle of August with visitors," said Stene. "The clubhouse also survived. We held the water at bay."
Photo: The Canadian Press Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde

First Nations leaders are divided on what to do about the troubled inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde says.

Some want a reset of the commission while others want resignations from the four commissioners, Bellegarde said Thursday in an interview with The Canadian Press prior to a vote on resolutions at a Regina meeting of chiefs.

Bellegarde is steering a middle course, saying the commission needs to focus all of its energy on ensuring the stories of families are front and centre, adding it is critical for the commission to improve communications going forward.

"Our chiefs are divided," he said. "Some want a total reset, some want to start fresh and then there are others that are saying 'You know, we should be empowering those commissioners, we should be supporting those commissioners, we should be praying for those commissioners because they have a tough job, they're dealing with hurt and pain'."

The inquiry has spent weeks fending off criticism from some families who have loudly expressed concern about the process and the recent resignations of senior staffers and a commissioner, Marilyn Poitras.

Two of the remaining commissioners  Michele Audette and Brian Eyolfson  addressed some of those concerns directly Wednesday night at the AFN annual meeting in Regina.

There are also family members encouraging the commissioners, Audette said Wednesday.

"There's a silent group  that are saying 'stay, don't give up'," she told reporters. "We hear that too."
Photo: The Canadian Press

British police said Thursday they have "reasonable grounds" to suspect that local authorities may have committed corporate manslaughter in a deadly high-rise fire in London.

The Metropolitan Police force said it has officially informed the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, which owns the Grenfell Tower public housing block, and the management group the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Association that they are under suspicion.

The news came in a letter from police sent to residents of the building. The letter said a senior representative of each body will be interviewed about the fire as part of the police investigation.

The police force confirmed to The Associated Press that the letter is genuine, but stressed it does not mean a decision has been made on whether to charge any individual or organization.

Police have said for weeks that their investigation will consider whether anyone should be charged with a crime. The force said Thursday it was "considering the full range of offences, from corporate manslaughter to regulatory breaches."

At least 80 people died June 14 when an early morning fire ripped through the west London high-rise. It was the deadliest fire in Britain in more than a century.

Huge investigations by police, fire officials and others are underway to determine how a blaze that started with a refrigerator in one apartment got out of control so quickly in the 24-story building.

Attention has focused the building's new aluminum cladding, installed during a recent renovation, and authorities want answers fast because thousands of other buildings in the country could be affected.

Angry residents want to know how building regulations that were meant to be among the world's best could have failed so catastrophically. Many accuse officials in Kensington and Chelsea, one of London's richest boroughs, of ignoring their safety concerns because the building was home to a largely immigrant and working-class population.
Photo: The Canadian Press White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus

President Donald Trump's new communications chief shoved the behind-the-scenes drama at the White House onto centre stage Thursday, daring Trump's chief of staff to publicly deny he's a "leaker" and exposing the West Wing as a hotbed of internal rifts and conspiracy theories.

Language pouring out of the mansion sounded more like a mobster movie than a seat of presidential stability.

In a pull-no-punches, impromptu CNN interview that he said was authorized by the president, Anthony Scaramucci went after chief of staff Reince Priebus in graphic terms. "The fish stinks from the head down," he said. "I can tell you two fish that don't stink, and that's me and the president."

Not even a week into his new job, Scaramucci accused unidentified senior officials of trying to sabotage him. But the personal financial information that he said someone had "leaked" about him had simply been obtained through a public records request.

The president's senior counsellor, Kellyanne Conway, also speculated in a Fox News interview that unnamed forces were out to get Scaramucci, saying: "Somebody is trying to get in his way and scare him off."

"There are leaks and then there are people using the press to shiv each other in the ribs," she said.
Photo: Contributed

Parkers Chrysler and Janet Parker have collectively donated $25,000 to Discovery House.

This is an immense help," said executive house director Jerome Abraham. "We had no idea it would be such a generous amount."

Parkers Chrysler raised $7,720 during their June Fundraiser for Discovery Houses new building on Winnipeg Street by committing $100 for every vehicle sold and $10 for every oil change service during the month of June.

Janet Parker, mother of the late Colin Parker, then topped up the dealerships fundraising efforts with a personal cheque for Discovery House in the amount of $17,280 for a total donation of $25,000.

Colin would have turned 40 in June and if I can help another mother and family avoid this tremendous loss, then I will," said Janet Parker as she handed the cheque over to Abraham. "Its organizations like Discovery House that need the communitys full support to help those who suffer from addiction

Colin Parker passed away losing a battle with addiction in October

Following the presentation of the donation cheques, Parker and Parkers General Manager, Jim Tabler, were taken on an informal tour of the new building that will house up to 13 clients.

We will be dedicating a wing of Discovery House in Colins honour at an open house later in the summer, said Jerome Abraham. "The home is slated to open its doors to clients sometime in August."

It is an impressive facility and we look forward to an ongoing relationship with Discovery House," Tabler said.
Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

A Penticton woman and sister of a man who was stabbed to death at a party in 2011 was sentenced to 106 days behind bars Thursday.

Heather McAdam, 27, has accumulated a large criminal record over the past few years, largely due to breaches and failure to appear in court, according to the crown prosecutor.

McAdam was last taken into custody May 23, with most of her convictions falling between November 2016 to May 2017.

McAdam has spent the last 64 days in jail which will be applied to her 106 day sentence handed down by Judge Gail Sinclair. She will now have 42 more days to spend in custody.

When the crown prosecutor asked Sinclair if he is familiar with the criminal history of Heather McAdam, he responded "I have known her since she was a baby."

As McAdams defence lawyer gave a brief history of her life, she wept.

"She had a difficult childhood. Her mom was addicted to drugs and also sold to support her habit, resulting in her being removed from her mother's care and put into the care of her grandparents," the defence lawyer said.

She moved back in with her mother at 12-years-old, which resulted in McAdam "using crystal meth at a young age."

Her lawyer then went on to explain how hard on her the stabbing of Andrew McAdam, her brother, was to cope with.

"It was after her brother's death that she turned to heroin use to numb her pain."

McAdam explained to judge Sinclair that she is now being treated for cancer in her ovaries and her cervix.

"I've been seeing the doctors here but they don't really have the technology to deal with me," she said. "Hopefully when I get out of here I can start seeing the doctors again regularly."

Sinclair appeared sympathetic towards McAdam and proceeded to wipe her slate of all monetary fines associated with her charges.
Photo: Contributed Kevin Kerfoot was sentenced to 13 years in jail for drug smuggling.

A Surrey man convicted of leading a cocaine and ecstasy smuggling ring has been sentenced to 13 year in a U.S. prison, a year after a key witness in his case was shot eight times in West Kelowna.

U.S. Attorney Annette Hayes says 53-year-old Kevin Kerfoot organized an operation to smuggle 41 kilograms of cocaine to Canada from Washington state in 2005.

Kerfoot was indicted in July 2006, nine months after others involved in the operation were arrested in the Bellingham, Wash., area while attempting to get the cocaine on a boat to Canada.

The boat operator was also bringing more than seven kilograms of ecstasy into the U.S. for distribution through Kerfoot's drug network.

Kerfoot fought extradition from Canada for more than a decade but eventually exhausted his options, leading him to plead guilty in U.S. court in April.

Other members of the smuggling ring, including the boat operator, were sentenced to prison terms ranging three years to more than six years, but have since been released for serving their time.

The boat operator, Reginald Purdom, was a key witness in the case against Kerfoot before the guilty plea in April.

In August 2016, Purdom was shot eight times in his chest, leg and hand by a man riding a bicycle, while driving in West Kelowna. He survived the shooting.

Two weeks before the shooting, Kerfoot lost his B.C. Court of Appeal bid to halt his extradition to the U.S.

"This defendant tried to avoid facing the music by getting people to lie during his Canadian extradition proceedings," said Hayes.

"Perhaps he thought he could fight a war of attrition - but this office and our law enforcement partners are committed to holding leaders of drug trafficking organizations responsible for the poison they spread both here and in Canada."

The man accused in the West Kelowna shooting, 29-year-old Tyrone McGee, remains in custody, and is scheduled to next appear in Kelowna Supreme Court in March.

- with files from The Canadian Press
Photo: CTV Police are looking for Yu Chieh Liao in connection to a quadruple murder in Calgary earlier this month.

UPDATE: Friday 9:45 a.m.

Calgary Police say their person of interest in connection with the Calgary murder was taken into custody in Toronto overnight.

ORIGINAL: Thursday 8 p.m.

Calgary police say a woman they're seeking in connection with a quadruple homicide earlier this month may be in Ontario or Quebec.

Yu Chieh Liao, who goes by Diana Liao, is considered a person of interest in killings police have described as brutal and ruthless.

Police say Liao is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for fraud.

Liao is described as a 24-year-old Asian woman with dark hair and brown eyes who is five-foot-five and 160 pounds.

Glynnis Fox, her older sister Tiffany Ear and Cody Pfeiffer were found dead in a burned out car at a northwest Calgary construction site on July 10.

Hanock Afowerk, the burned car's owner and the man police believe was the intended target, was found dead in a rural area west of Calgary two days later.

Afowerk and Liao knew each other.

Police say the man Liao was spotted with in the Moose Jaw, Sask., area shortly after the homicides has been identified.

Tewodros Mutugeta Kebede, who is 25, was arrested in Toronto on unrelated offences last week.

Police have said Liao has ties to Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, Regina and Moose Jaw, Sask.
Photo: Cariboo Regional District An evacuation has been ordered for Clisbako area, west of Quesnel.

While Williams Lake and 100 Mile House residents have been allowed back to their homes, wildfires continue to force others from their properties.

The Cariboo Regional District issued an evacuation order for the Clisbako area, about 100 kilometres west of Quesnel, Thursday evening.

The order expands on an existing evacuation order for the area.

A map of the evacuation area can be found here. The evacuation route from the area is along Blackwater Road to Quesnel.

Additionally, an evacuation alert has been expanded for the Blackwater River area, just north of the Clisbako evacuation.

A map of the evacuation alert can be found here.

Earlier in the afternoon, a wind warning was issued for the Cariboo Fire Centre, with gusts of up to 70 km/h and lightning forecast for the region.

"Winds of this speed will cause an increase in fire behaviour and can cause unstable trees to come down," said Natasha Broznitsky, fire information officer.
For the third year in a row, art filled Bernard Avenue Thursday night instead of vehicles.

The annual Arts on the Avenue event, put on by Festivals Kelowna, hosted more than 65 visual artists from the Okanagan and beyond.

Hundreds of people wandered through downtown Kelowna Thursday evening, perusing paintings, drawings, carvings, jewellery and more.

The event started in 2015, with one block of Bernard closing down. Last year and this year, art took over two blocks in the downtown core.

It's been a real nice progression of having recurring, and then having all new artists for people to experience, said Lisa Brown, Festivals Kelowna project co-ordinator.

Brown says that while the majority of artists at Thursday's event are from the Okanagan, some travelled from Edmonton and Vancouver to be a part of it.

It's really picking up it's own little bit of local fame, so I think it'll just get bigger, better and stronger as the years go, Brown said.
Photo: CTV Evidence markers at shooting scene.

A targeted shooting left a man with non-life-threatening injuries in Surrey, Thursday.

It's the latest in a string of shooting incidents in the Lower Mainland city.

About 3:30 p.m., RCMP responded to shots fired on the 15200 block of 32nd Avenue.

Witnesses said the male victim fled on foot. A search located the man a short distance away, and he was taken to hospital.

Police say the victim is known to police for his involvement in criminal behaviour.

A commercial building, a residence and a vehicle were all struck by bullets in the incident.

The Surrey Gang Enforcement Team and B.C.'s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit are investigating the recent spate of shootings.

Witnesses are asked to contact Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca.
Photo: Getty Images

Stranded hikers have been fined more than $1,200 for starting an illegal campfire in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park.

The two hikers were ignoring a campfire ban and an evacuation order at the park near Bella Coola.

They were rescued by helicopter Tuesday after activating an emergency beacon.

These hikers blatant disregard for park closures resulted in the diversion of valuable resources and assets ... which would have otherwise been used in fire suppression efforts, RCMP spokesperson Staff Sgt. Annie Linteau said Thursday.

BC Parks staff extinguished the campfire, and the hikers were fined $1,233.

Linteau noted that had the campfire caused a wildfire, they could have been liable for fire suppression costs, jail time and a fine of up to $1 million.

 with files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: CTV

UPDATE: 12:20 p.m.

Fraser Health says it's working to reunite a senior couple separated in two different care homes.

Spokesperson Tasleem Juma says a meeting has been set for next week with Lorraine and Joe Papp, so that decisions can be made "and we can start prioritizing their reunion."

"We've arranged the meeting to discuss options for their relocation," said Juma.

The Papps will both have to move, as their current homes can't accommodate their differing levels of care.

"We're working to reunite them," said Juma.

ORIGINAL: 6:30 a.m.

An elderly Maple Ridge couple have made an emotional plea to be reunited after being forced to live apart for nearly two years.

Lorraine and Joe Papp have been together 62 years, but require different levels of senior care.

They had been living at an assisted living facility until Joe, 83, was moved to a long-term care home.

"I just thought that eventually I would move in here too," Lorraine told CTV. "But it didn't happen."

The two homes are only a kilometre apart, but 81-year-old Lorraine's mobility issues make it seem farther in her wheelchair.

"I come every day, but I am getting so tired," she said.

Fraser Health is looking into the case.

Meanwhile, the Papps say it doesn't matter where they go, as long as they're together.

"Because we love one another," Lorraine said.

 with files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: Twitter

Authorities say firefighters have rescued an Ohio woman after a boa constrictor wrapped around her neck and began biting her face.

The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports the unnamed 45-year-old Sheffield Lake woman called 911 Thursday afternoon asking for help. The boa constrictor was one of two snakes she'd rescued the day before.

Firefighters found the woman lying in the driveway of her home with the snake wrapped around her neck and biting her. A firefighter used a pocketknife to cut off the snake's head.

The woman was taken to a hospital for apparent non-life threatening injuries.

The woman had 11 snakes, including nine ball pythons and the boa constrictors.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says his threat to launch airstrikes against tribal schools because they allegedly teach subversion would apply only when the buildings are empty, a clarification that still raised concern he was advocating a war crime.

Critics had asked Duterte to retract his earlier threat, saying government troops may use it as a pretext to attack indigenous, or Lumad, schools and communities. He had claimed the schools were teaching students to become communist rebels and were operating without government permits.

Duterte responded to a question about his threat at a news conference late Thursday by saying the bombings will be done at night.

Carlos Conde of Human Rights Watch says bombing unoccupied schools still violates International Humanitarian Law and is a war crime.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Her future is cloudy. When grizzlies mix too freely with people, the grizzlies usually lose.

And after dozens of encounters with humans, Bear 148 may be shambling perilously close to that fate as she roams the Bow Valley in Banff National Park.

Bill Hunt, a Parks Canada resource conservation manager, says 148 is just doing what her mama taught her: Trying beary hard to live and let live.

"This is a bear that, to date, has shown a very moderated response," says Hunt. "She'll tolerate less than ideal human behaviours time and time again."

This summer, 148 has strayed onto a high school rugby field, charged a person walking with a stroller and chased dogs out for a walk with their owners. The bear has already been trapped and relocated to the far western edge of her range, but 148 wanders back within days.

Hunt emphasizes that she is not a "garbage bear" that hangs around human habitation in hopes of an easy meal.

"She is absolutely not interested in garbage at all. For a bear that spends that much time in and around the communities, the fact that she hasn't become hooked on garbage or bird feeders really speaks to people's commitment to not making that food available for wildlife."
Photo: The Canadian Press

A Spanish commuter train crashed into a buffer early Friday at a station in northeastern Barcelona, tossing passengers to the floor and sending 53 people to the hospital, officials said.

Public Works Minister Inigo de la Serna, who visited the scene, said 56 people in all received medical treatment, with 53 taken to city hospitals. Regional health authorities said one man was seriously injured by a blow to the chest, but his life was not in danger as he recovers at Barcelona's Clinic Hospital.

The accident happened at 7.15 a.m. on a train that began at the coastal town of Sant Vicenc de Calders.

"When the train arrived at Francia station it applied the brakes but at the same time it made a noisy crash," said passenger Said Saharaui.

"The passengers were thrown to the floor," he said. "Even though the train did brake, it wasn't until the crash when it reached a full stop."

The impact of the crash smashed the nose of the train and left it hanging off one side.

The accident came as RENFE rail workers staged a one-day strike. The affected train was running as part of minimum services ordered by the Public Works Ministry.
Photo: The Canadian Press British Columbia Premier-designate, NDP Leader John Horgan speaks outside Government House after meeting with Lt-Gov.

British Columbia Premier John Horgan says Canada and the United States are close to reaching a softwood lumber trade deal that could come as early as next month.

Horgan made the comments Thursday during a conference call from Washington, D.C., following two days of meetings with trade officials from President Donald Trump's administration and Canada's ambassador to the U.S.

Horgan said talks between Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross are ongoing and it appears they are close to reaching a market-share agreement.

"There have been intense negotiations between Mr. Ross and Minister Freeland, and they're very close to an agreement but there are challenges with the representatives on the (U.S. Lumber) Coalition that brought the dispute to a head," Horgan said.

The coalition, which represents American lumber producers, filed a petition last November asking the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission to limit Canadian lumber shipments. The group claimed Canada unfairly subsidizes its lumber industry, harming U.S. workers who are experiencing mounting unemployment.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration imposed tariffs and duties averaging 27 per cent against Canadian softwood producers.

Horgan said he stressed the need for a renewed lumber trade pact that is fair to his province, Canada's largest exporter of softwood lumber.

The B.C. premier met with Ross and Robert Lighthizer, the U.S. trade secretary, and one of the top officials in charge of negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement. Horgan also met with Washington state Rep. Congressman Dave Reichert, who sits on the Ways and Means committee overseeing tax-writing policy.

"I just wanted to make the case again to these senior representatives that B.C. wants a fair deal," Horgan said. "We want to make sure it's a deal that is in the interests of B.C., and as the largest player on the Canadian side in terms of market share, we want to make sure they understand we are not prepared to give and give and give."

British Columbia produces about half of Canada's softwood lumber.

Last year, the province's forest industry accounted for $14 billion in exports, amounting to 35 per cent of all B.C. goods exported. Forestry directly employs more than 60,000 people in over 140 communities around B.C.

Horgan said he wanted to impress upon U.S. trade officials the economic importance of the forest industry to thousands of families and hundreds of communities. He said he also made that case in Ottawa this week when he met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

"I made it abundantly clear to Minister Freeland and to the prime minister that this is the highest priority we have in terms of protecting jobs and growing our economy," Horgan said.

The 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement between Canada and the United States expired on Oct. 12, 2015.
Photo: The Canadian Press Cars and trucks drive though the thick smoke caused by wildfires just outside of Kamloops,

Thousands of people who rushed out of their homes as a wildfire neared Williams Lake are being allowed to return to the Interior British Columbia city, but with a warning that they could be forced to leave again.

Mayor Walt Cobb said he couldn't be happier an evacuation order that went into effect on July 15 was being lifted on Thursday.

"The wildfires near our community are not 100 per cent contained and due to the changing weather conditions an evacuation could happen," he said. "So welcome home and please be as orderly in your return as you were during the evacuation."

Fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek said winds that risked making the fires more aggressive didn't end up having that effect, but as the conditions persist, concerns remain.

Cariboo Regional District chairman Al Richmond said that while an evacuation order for Williams Lake and 10 surrounding areas was being lifted, residents of five other areas could still not return home due to ongoing wildfire dangers.

Richmond said the returning evacuees should keep their belongings packed because they may have to leave at a moment's notice if another evacuation order is issued.

"People need to consider, particularly those in rural areas, that the areas have been profoundly affected by wildfire. The services you used to rely on may be limited for some time," he said

Richmond said people headed home should bring back basic necessities such as food and prescription medications to last them for up to a week.

Hospital and ambulance services as well as grocery stores and gas stations were being re-established in co-ordination with local and First Nations governments and agencies including the Red Cross, he said.
Photo: Canadian Press Canadian Tire mixup

Canadian Tire has apologized after an Indigenous man was physically removed from one of the retail chain's Regina stores when he was accused of stealing.

Kamao Cappo says he was in the east-end outlet on Wednesday buying a chainsaw, an extra chain and oil.

While checking out, he realized he had the wrong model and took the goods to customer service where he put the chain and oil inside the saw box for ease of handling by the clerk.

While looking for the right model, Cappo says he was approached by a male store worker who accused him of trying to shoplift and ordered him out  a confrontation Cappo captured on his cellphone and posted to Facebook.

Cappo rejects the claim he was trying to steal and says he was discriminated against because he's Aboriginal.

Canadian Tire's (TSX:CTC) corporate head office says in a statement that it's reviewing what happened.

Cappo said he was pushed against some shelves and ejected from the store after he refused to leave.

The video appears to show Cappo and the male employee exchanging words before the two jostle and the worker accuses the other man of shoving him.

Cappo later says, "You have no right to kick me out," to which the worker replies, "Sure I do. You just told me you were planning on taking something from the store."

The video later shows Cappo being forced to leave.

Canadian Tire's corporate head office says "we sincerely apologize for the experience that occurred in our store and we are actively reviewing all of the facts surrounding this matter. We are communicating with Mr. Cappo directly, and we hope to resolve this matter as quickly as possible."
Photo: Canadian Press Missile fired

Japan's prime minister says North Korea has fired what is believed to be a missile and it may have landed in the sea off Japan.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters that officials are analyzing the apparent launch and that he has called a meeting of the National Security Council.

In Washington, a Pentagon spokesman, Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, confirmed that a launch of a ballistic missile from North Korea had been detected.

He said, "We are assessing and will have more information soon."
Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

A Penticton man facing charges in connection to a non-fatal shooting incident that took place in January was sentenced to 730 days in federal prison, Friday in Penticton court.

The sentence was imposed by Judge Gregory Koturbash after McBride pleaded guilty to a count of possession of a restricted, unloaded firearm and break and enter to a dwelling.

Harley McBride, 35, was facing several firearms related charges, tied to the shooting that took place on Jan. 9.

McBride was first sentenced to a total of 1,032 days concurrent on each count, but was credited with 302 days for time served.

A publication ban was also ordered by Koturbash on submissions and facts in the case because matters are still ongoing for McBride's co-accused.

At the time of McBrides arrest, the Penticton RCMP said a group of men entered an apartment to confront a man who was visiting the residence. The man was assaulted and shots were fired, but nobody was injured.

Officers were then called to the second home for another shots fired call. Investigators believe an altercation occurred between the individuals involved in the first incident. The 24-year-old male victim, a resident of Penticton, suffered non-life threatening wounds from a single gunshot.

McBride was arrested shortly afterwards.
An evacuation order for the Boston Flats Mobile Home Park near Cache Creek has been rescinded.

That means residents can return home  but for many there is nothing to return to.

The neighbourhood was ravaged by a fast-moving wildfire earlier this month that left dozens of homes destroyed.

The evacuation order will be lifted at 5 p.m. today and the property released to the mobile home park owner.

It is understood that the owner will continue to keep the site safe and secure, and will have a check point in place to control access, Thompson-Nicola Regional District information officer Kristen Rodrigue said in a press release.
Photo: CTV

Three people have been arrested after a police chase involving a gun near the B.C. legislature Thursday night.

Police were tipped off that a wanted was in James Bay and likely was in possession of a firearm.

The subject was spotted only a block away from the legislature, and took off running at the sight of police.

Police seized a firearm, ammunition and bulletproof vest after tracking the men with a canine unit.

 with files from CTV Vancouver Island
Photo: Thinkstock.com

The federal government started the fiscal year with the tiniest of budgetary surpluses, though the black ink is expected to turn very red in the coming months.

The Finance Department's monthly fiscal monitor released Friday reports that the government posted a $68-million surplus for April and May, just less than last year's total over the same period.

The federal government's fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31.

The surplus is not expected to last, however, as the Liberals have promised to run deep deficits over the coming years to finance major infrastructure work and more lucrative child benefits.

The feds ended up running a $21.85-billion deficit last year, and have projected a $28.5-billion deficit this year.

The Finance report shows that program expenses increased by six per cent, or more than $2.6 billion, in April and May compared to the same period last year.

About half of the increase was due to more money being spent on benefits for the country's growing number of seniors as well as the new Canada Child Benefit. Much of the rest was in the form of additional spending on federal departments and agencies.

The growth in expenses outstripped the nearly $2.3-billion, or 4.7 per cent, increase in revenues, which included a major boost in money raised by the GST but only moderate gains in income tax.

However, public debt charges were down by 7.1 per cent, or $312 million, which helped push the final total from red to black.

The Liberals won the 2015 election on a platform that promised annual deficits of no more than $10 billion over the next couple of years, and to eliminate the deficit by 2019-20.

They are now projecting double-digit deficits until at least 2021-22, and have not provided a timeline for when the budget will be balanced.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Ottawa is a city used to fire-breathing politicians wandering the streets.

But tens of thousands of people in the nation's capital were treated Friday to the awakening of a beast of a different sort.

Long Ma, a giant smoke-billowing, fire-breathing mechanical dragon from France, gracefully wandered the city's streets after being "awoken" in a ceremony at Ottawa city hall.

The dragon was part of an elaborate street theatre performance by French production company La Machine, brought to Ottawa for the city's celebrations of Canada's 150th birthday, along with a 5.7-metre-high mechanical spider called Kumo.

City streets were awash with people, including hundreds of families with young children, to witness Long Ma's awakening and oscillating movements.

While their parents captured the moment with their smartphones and cameras, some of the children appeared apprehensive as the dragon spewed a warm mist from its nostrils and speakers bellowed ominous growling sounds.

Others were in awe, including nine-year-old Saul Brown, who said he was amazed by "the attention to details and the movement of the eyes."
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The positive demand trend continued in the second quarter of 2017. We increased our year-on-year sales volumes for the fifth consecutive quarter. Compared with the same quarter of last year, we considerably improved our sales and earnings, said Dr. Kurt Bock, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE.

BASF Group sales rose by 12% to 16.3 billion compared with the second quarter of 2016. This was largely attributable to higher prices and volumes. Amid higher raw material costs, the company raised sales prices by 7%; this was mainly driven by higher prices in the Chemicals segment. Sales volumes increased by 3%. Currency effects had a positive impact on sales and, like portfolio effects, accounted for a 1% increase.

Income from operations (EBIT) before special items in the second quarter rose by 32% year-on-year to 2.3 billion. The sharp rise was primarily a result of the substantially improved earnings in the Chemicals and Oil & Gas segments. This increase was dampened by lower earnings in the Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions and Agricultural Solutions segments. The negative impact on earnings caused by the North Harbor accident at the Ludwigshafen site in October 2016 was compensated for by an insurance payment of 100 million, an amount which was predominantly booked in the Chemicals segment.

At 1.5 billion, net income exceeded the previous second-quarter level by 404 million. Earnings per share were 1.63 in the second quarter of 2017, compared with 1.19 in the same quarter of the previous year. Adjusted for special items and amortization of intangible assets, earnings per share amounted to 1.78 (same period of 2016: 1.30).

Cash provided by operating activities improved from 2.3 billion in the second quarter of 2016 to 3.0 billion in the second quarter of 2017. Free cash flow amounted to 2.1 billion, compared with 1.3 billion in the same quarter of the previous year. This improvement was largely the result of higher net income.

Outlook for the year 2017

Because of the positive macroeconomic development in the first half of the year, BASF now takes a somewhat more positive overall view of the underlying conditions for 2017. The companys expectations for the global economic environment in 2017 are as follows (previous forecast in parentheses):

Growth in gross domestic product: 2.5% (2.3%)

Growth in industrial production: 2.5% (2.3%)

Growth in chemical production: 3.4% (unchanged)

Average euro/dollar exchange rate of $1.10 per euro ($1.05 per euro)

Average Brent blend oil price for the year of $50 per barrel ($55 per barrel)

We continue to expect a considerable increase in sales for the full year  by at least 6%. Given the considerable earnings increase in the first six months of the year, we now expect a considerable increase in EBIT before special items of at least 11% for 2017, said Bock.

For the second half of 2017, we expect a slight increase in EBIT before special items in comparison to the same period of 2016. This forecast takes into account the good development in the Chemicals segment in the first half of 2017, which will likely lose momentum, as well as the weaker than originally expected oil price and U.S. dollar. These factors have a negative impact on BASFs earnings, said Bock.

Development of the segments

Sales in the Chemicals segment rose by 25% compared with the second quarter of 2016 to reach 4.0 billion. This was largely the result of significantly higher prices, especially in the Monomers division. Currency effects had a positive influence on sales, whereas volumes declined slightly. At 1.1 billion, EBIT before special items improved by 662 million compared with the second quarter of 2016, primarily through higher margins in the Monomers and Petrochemicals divisions. Fixed costs were slightly reduced overall. Sales in the first half of the year increased by 30% to 8.2 billion. EBIT before special items increased by 1.2 billion to 2.1 billion, mainly driven by higher margins and volumes.

In the Performance Products segment, sales of 4.1 billion exceeded the previous second quarters level by 4% due to price increases as well as volumes growth in all divisions. Currency effects had a positive impact on sales; portfolio effects slowed sales development. Ongoing margin pressure, mostly from rising raw material prices and challenging market conditions in individual business areas, resulted in EBIT before special items declining by 107 million to 405 million. In the first half of the year, sales of 8.4 billion were 6% higher than in the prior-year period. EBIT before special items decreased by 147 million to 920 million.

Second-quarter sales in the Functional Materials & Solutions segment grew by 12% to 5.3 billion. This development was largely attributable to an increase in sales volumes, the Chemetall business acquired from Albemarle in December 2016, and higher prices. Currency effects additionally supported sales. BASF was able to boost its sales volumes to the automotive industry. EBIT before special items fell by 113 million to 422 million. The earnings increase in the Catalysts division and the contribution from the Chemetall business could only partly compensate for overall lower margins and higher fixed costs. Sales in the first half of the year rose by 15% to 10.5 billion. Compared with the same period of the previous year, EBIT before special items declined by 38 million and amounted to 953 million.

In the Agricultural Solutions segment, sales increased by 5% to 1.5 billion as compared with the previous second quarter. This was largely the result of higher volumes, especially in North America and eastern Europe, in addition to positive currency effects. Prices were slightly down versus the second quarter of 2016. Compared with the same quarter of 2016, EBIT before special items fell by 48 million to 272 million. Among other things, this was mainly the result of lower average margins brought about by a different product mix. In the first half of the year, sales increased by 4% year-on-year to 3.4 billion. EBIT before special items decreased by 106 million to 805 million.

Compared with the second quarter of 2016, the Oil & Gas segment saw considerable sales growth of 32% to 814 million, driven by increased volumes and prices. The rise in volumes came mainly from higher sales volumes of gas in addition to an offshore lifting in Libya in June. Production volumes matched prior second-quarter levels. EBIT before special items improved by 89 million to 183 million. This was largely attributable to the higher prices and sales volumes. Net income grew significantly. In the first half of the year, sales in the segment grew by 34% year-on-year to 1.6 billion. EBIT before special items rose by 193 million to 353 million.

At 476 million, sales in Other were 2% below the previous second-quarter level, as a result of lower raw materials trading. EBIT before special items rose by 61 million to minus 151 million, primarily due to valuation effects for the long-term incentive program. In the first half of the year, sales of 1.1 billion in Other were 13% higher than in the same period of the previous year. EBIT before special items improved by 30 million to minus 401 million.
View statistics on breweries in the Chicago area compared with other U.S. metro areas.

Chicago is the top place in the U.S. to build apartment towers or grab a beer, according to a study that gives new meaning to the term "frothy apartment market."

Research by CoStar Portfolio Strategy, a unit of CoStar Group, shows the Chicago area has the most breweries in the nation, with 202  topping Denver's 198 and Seattle's 168. The Chicago area includes small portions of Indiana and Wisconsin.

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Downtown Chicago, meanwhile, experienced the largest wave of apartment construction in the country from 2010 through 2016, with 10,937 new units. CoStar's definition of downtown includes an area roughly bounded by Lake Michigan, Chicago and Ashland avenues and 26th Street.

That area ranks second among U.S. real estate submarkets with 34 breweries, topped only by downtown Denver's 55. An area including several of Chicago's North Side neighborhoods is tied for seventh on the list with 28 breweries. Each metro area is divided into several geographically defined submarkets.

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The study found that areas with a bounty of breweries also experienced significant population growth among young adults, as well as high demand and rent increases.

There's no way to know how much one statistic contributed to the other, but the correlation between desirable U.S. apartment markets and high brewery counts is no coincidence, according to CoStar, which also used data from BeerMe.com.

"Are developers looking for a place where there's a brewpub? Not so much," said Hans Nordby, managing director of CoStar Portfolio Strategy, which advises developers, investors and lenders on real estate investments. "One really feeds off the other. It's a virtuous cycle. This shows an area is happening and that people want to be there."

One such place is the Fulton Market district west of the Kennedy Expressway, where Ballast Point on Thursday confirmed plans to open a brewery on Green Street.

CoStar's numbers demonstrate how population growth among young adults has driven construction of apartment buildings and new amenities, such as breweries.

Chicago also tops the list when it comes to apartments headed to market, with 8,667 units under construction downtown. That has led some developers and investors to worry the market has become too frothy and could soon suffer the effects of overbuilding.

"Investors need to look at how that's going to impact rents," Nordby said.

Downtown Chicago's apartment demand rose 39 percent and rents increased 18 percent from 2010 through 2016. The increases were smaller but still significant on the North Side, with demand up 8 percent and rents up 15 percent.

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"Urban Chicago has done one of the best jobs of any city in the U.S. of accommodating growth," Nordby said. "The reason Chicago and Denver are picking up more millennials and Gen-Xers is, you're allowed to build in urban areas. You can get the zoning you need."

New York City and Los Angeles, by comparison, have 227 breweries combined  just 25 more than the Chicago's area's total.

"There are great, cool neighborhoods in New York and Los Angeles, but to get zoning and the space to build is harder," Nordby said. "Breweries go to neighborhoods where people want to live. The flip side is, if you can't get the zoning, it doesn't go up."

Some areas where zoning standards have become more relaxed, such as a formerly industrial strip between Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., have experienced booms in apartment construction, breweries and other types of properties, Nordby said.

That bears watching in Chicago, where the City Council just voted to allow a much wider range of real estate uses on a 760-acre strip along the North Branch of the Chicago River that was once primarily used for manufacturing.

Of course, not every brewery needs new zoning or nearby residents to thrive. Some breweries are a destination. Three Floyds Brewing Co., for one, has a cultlike following despite its inconspicuous location in a Munster, Ind., industrial park.

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rori@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @Ryan_Ori
Foxconn laborers work May 26, 2010, on the production line at the Foxconn complex in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen. (Kin Cheung / AP)

Here's some advice for those who see Foxconn's decision to open a plant in southeast Wisconsin as a devastating economic defeat for Illinois: Take a breath.

Business doesn't stop at Wisconsin's southern border.

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Provided Taiwan-based Foxconn Technology Group delivers the goods  and opens a plant  the $10 billion facility will become a font of jobs, supplier contracts, construction projects and other commercial possibilities for the Chicago area and northern Illinois.

And we'll reap this harvest without having to spend a penny, as opposed to the estimated $3 billion in taxpayer-funded incentives that Wisconsin is willing to provide to seal the Foxconn deal.

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In retrospect, why would anyone have expected Illinois to win the Foxconn bidding game against other states, especially with the Trump administration playing such a significant role in the company's decision making?

For starters, Illinois is a mostly Democratic state that voted against Donald Trump for president in 2016. Wisconsin helped Trump get elected and is an essential part of the president's political base.

If the White House didn't provide enough clout, Republican U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan hails from very Wisconsin district where the Foxconn facility is expected to land.

What a coincidence.

Geez, even Trump's chief of staff Reince Priebus is from southeast Wisconsin.

Spicing up the bid even more is the hefty $3 billion in incentives that Wisconsin lawmakers are set to bestow on Foxconn, which says the factory will initially employ 3,000 workers but could climb to 13,000 employees.

Wisconsin's legislature will hash out the details of the incentive package, which will be doled out as Foxconn reaches certain hiring and other milestones. Approval is expected in August.

Illinois was in no position to offer such perks, especially considering its shaky public finances, heavy debt and political dysfunction at the highest levels.

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Can you imagine the public outrage that would have flared had Illinois leaders proposed doling out $3 billion in taxpayer-backed subsidies to Foxconn?

There's another reason Wisconsin beat Illinois: Our northern neighbor is now a "right to work" state. It does not require workers to be part of a union or pay union dues even if they are employed at a company operating under a collective bargaining agreement.

That's one less worry for Foxconn, which has come under fire overseas for labor strife that ranges from demanding excessive overtime without pay to pressuring workers to churn out products.

Foxconn management has pledged to change its ways.

Once it's acquired the necessary Wisconsin land, Foxconn is going to need lots of help building and staffing its mammoth facility.

In response, scores of Illinois construction companies, suppliers and other related businesses will get a shot at these building projects and other opportunities.

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An up and running, high-tech factory is going to require a lot of skilled employees, especially those with training and experience in robotics, advanced manufacturing, product distribution and management.

Eager young people now honing many of those very skills at the City Colleges of Chicago and Chicago-area universities will be heading for the Foxconn facility. What's more, McHenry and Lake counties have an abundance of experienced manufacturing workers, according to regional jobs data, who could fill the bill.

Some Foxconn employees will live in Wisconsin but others will opt to reside in northern Illinois and commute to work.

Also, don't underestimate the role O'Hare International Airport will assuredly play in serving the ongoing global traveling and air transit needs of Foxconn management, vendors and partners.

Those are only some top-of-mind possibilities for cross-border commerce. I'd expect more to emerge as the facility gets closer to becoming reality.

Undoubtedly, Wisconsin scored a political and commercial victory by winning the Foxconn bid.

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But by virtue of its location, Illinois came in a close second and that's pretty good.

roreed@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @reedtribbiz
Northwestern University officials say they won't begin bargaining with a union representing nontenure-track faculty at the school, citing contested ballots in the vote for the union's formation.

The school's provost sent a letter Thursday to faculty members, arguing that the election outcome is not final. Service Employees International Union Local 73 represents the nontenure-track and part-time faculty members.

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The vote for the union was held last summer, but results were delayed due to a large number of contested ballots. The remaining ballots were counted in May, and the majority favored the union. The National Labor Relations Board certified the election soon after.

There were 229 votes in favor of unionizing and 219 votes opposed, according to the NLRB. Twenty-five votes were challenged.

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"These uncounted ballots represent 5 percent of the total vote, and the university believes the vote of every faculty member who participated in the election should be counted to ensure the outcome reflects the will of the majority who voted," Northwestern Provost Daniel Linzer and Provost-Designate Jonathan Holloway wrote in a letter to faculty members.

The university appealed the challenged ballots with the NLRB, university spokesman Alan Cubbage said. Since the NLRB has not yet ruled on the appeal, it would be premature to begin negotiating, he said.

Stephan Garnett, an SEIU member and lecturer at the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, has been employed at Northwestern for more than two decades.

"I was hoping that the administration would cooperate," he said. "It is unfortunate that they have not."

The union could include more than 675 part- and full-time adjuncts and faculty members at Medill; the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences; McCormick School of Engineering; Bienen School of Music; the Graduate School; the School of Communication; and the School of Education and Social Policy. It does not cover faculty members at the medical, law or business schools.

SEIU Local 73 also represents part-time and nontenured full-time instructors at Loyola University Chicago and the University of Chicago.

amarotti@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @AllyMarotti
MILWAUKEE  A Rust Belt state that built a manufacturing legacy through assembly-line jobs will have to quickly transition to a more highly skilled workforce now that Foxconn has selected Wisconsin as the site of its coveted U.S. electronics plant.

"This will not be your grandfather's factory," said Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council. "This will be a high-tech facility that will attract workers of various skill levels to produce products that will really define where the economy is going to go for years to come."

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Foxconn is best known for making iPhones and other Apple products in China. It entered into a memorandum of understanding Thursday to build its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Wisconsin  a decision cheered for its potential to transform the state's economy. But many questions remain, including the type of jobs the Taiwan-based electronics giant will offer and whether it will follow through on its plans.

The deal calls for finalizing terms of the agreement  which will require a special legislative session to approve a $3 billion incentive package  no later than Sept. 30. Gov. Scott Walker and Foxconn CEO Terry Gou signed the memorandum inside Milwaukee's art museum, a white, winged-shaped structure by Santiago Calatrava that sits on Lake Michigan. The project to bring Foxconn to Wisconsin was called "Flying Eagle," they said.

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Foxconn said its $10 billion factory  at a yet-to-be-determined site in southeastern Wisconsin  will initially bring 3,000 jobs and eventually employ 13,000 workers. It would be a substantial gain for a state that currently has 472,000 manufacturing jobs and is still recovering from factory layoffs  including the closure of a General Motors plant after the 2008 financial crisis.

Foxconn has not said what type of jobs it will offer in order to produce liquid-crystal display panels that are used in televisions and computer screens. But the average salary for the jobs will be nearly $54,000, suggesting some of the higher-end positions will be engineers, software developers and people proficient in computer-assisted design, Still said.

Economists elsewhere note highly skilled postings aren't always easy to fill.

"For an indicator I would look at Michigan. There's lots of workers in Michigan and there's lots of advanced manufacturing jobs in Michigan, and most of them are difficult to fill," said Stefanie Lenway, dean of the Opus College of Business at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis.

Lenway also said that making LCD screens doesn't involve people "because people create defects on the glass and that's expensive," so it's unclear how many of the jobs will be for assembly workers.

Still said worker shortages for higher-skilled jobs are common around the country and it's a challenge that Foxconn could've faced with any of the other states it was considering  Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.

But Wisconsin officials say the state's higher education system is capable of producing enough employees by the time the plant opens in 2020. However, it's a process that needs to start now.

Walker said part of wooing Foxconn to Wisconsin included meetings with chancellors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and UW-Milwaukee and the president of Gateway Technical College to talk about training opportunities so graduates would be prepared to work at the plant.

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"For something of this magnitude we're going to have to quite literally start training people now for jobs that will be open over the next couple of years," Walker said Thursday during an interview on WTMJ-AM. "We're going to start doing programs specifically targeted towards getting the workforce they're going to need."

To close the Foxconn deal, state lawmakers still have to approve a $3 billion worth of tax credits for the company. The incentive package, which lawmakers could take up in a special session next month, will be pro-rated on how many jobs the company creates and how much it spends.

Walker and other state officials have said the trade-off for the incentives will pay off in the long run, noting that Foxconn's presence will create thousands of other jobs through the hundreds of suppliers it will rely on for materials.

Walker said Democrats who were skeptical of the deal were "cynics."

But the full impact of Foxconn's planned factory may still be too early to measure, according to an economics expert at the UW-Milwaukee.

"It's difficult to assess how this factory, if in fact it comes to be, will affect the labor market without knowing what the jobs are," said Marc Levine, senior fellow and founding director of UWM's Center for Economic Development.

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Critics have also cautioned that Foxconn has made promises before to invest in the U.S. and not followed through. Foxconn promised in 2013, for example, to invest $30 million and hire 500 workers for a new, high-tech factory in Pennsylvania that was never built.

"So I think there's some question about the modus operandi of Foxconn on these sorts of things," Levine said.
Ald. Edward Burke is all fired up, and that clattering sound you hear from the East may be the knocking of North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un's knees.

Incensed at the brutal treatment of Ohio tourist Otto Warmbier, who died last month after 17 months in detention in North Korea, the dean of the City Council has called for Chicago to sever any business ties it has with the hermit regime and to ban any airlines that fly there  a group that includes the Chinese state airline Air China.

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Addressing the City Council on Tuesday, Burke said he wants to know "whether or not we have any interaction with businesses that are dealing with North Korea. What we've seen happen to that young man from Ohio that was tortured and murdered in North Korea is an international disgrace."

He added, "One cannot help but grieve with the family of that young man over what happened. We should not be doing business with anybody that does business with that terrorist regime."

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A resolution sponsored by Burke and Alds. Ariel Reboyras and Michael Scott Jr. calls for hearings to ban any airlines that fly to North Korea and to divest "city funds deposited or invested through financial institutions that engage in financial transactions with North Korean government."

The North Koreans, of course, deny wrongdoing, and it's unclear how the Chinese government would react to a move to block Air China from O'Hare. The carrier has a partnership with United and offers flights from O'Hare to Los Angeles as well as several Chinese cities. It also flies from China to Pyongyang.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and for Mayor Richard M. Daley have both worked hard to build trade ties with the Chinese government, which has come under pressure from the Trump administration to get tough with North Korea.

President Donald Trump in June slapped sanctions on a Chinese bank, a Chinese business and two Chinese individuals the U.S. accuses of aiding North Korea's illicit nuclear and missile programs.

Just how far Burke is prepared to go in irritating the Chinese is not clear: He did not return calls this week seeking comment.

kjanssen@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @kimjnews
Bulk carrier Diana Shipping has declined to provide many details regarding the incident, including how much damage the vessel sustained and how long it could be out of service.



The M/V Melite, a 76,436-deadweight ton Panamax dry bulk vessel owned by Greece-based shipping company Diana Shipping Inc. had to be temporarily taken out of service July 26 after it ran aground in Indonesia.

Although the company is still assessing the situation, the crew is in no danger as a result of this incident and there has been no pollution, Diana Shipping said in a statement, adding that it appeared that the vessel had suffered hull damage resulting from the grounding, which took place on the Indonesian island of Pulau Laut.

The Marshall Islands-flagged Melite, which was built in 2004, has an overall length of 225 meters (738 feet), a breadth of 32.2 meters (105 feet) and a gross tonnage of 39,964.

Diana Shipping, at least for the time being, has declined to provide further details regarding the grounding incident, including how much damage the vessel sustained and how long the Melite could be out of service.

In an unrelated move the day after the grounding, Diana Shipping announced that it, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, has entered into a time charter contract with Glencore Agriculture B.V., Rotterdam, for one of DSIs dry bulk vessels, the M/V Maia.

Under the contract, the gross charter rate is $10,125 per day  minus a five percent commission paid to third parties  for a period of 12 to 15 months. The charter commenced on July 27.

The Maia is an 82,193-dwt Kamsarmax dry bulk vessel built in 2009. The vessels employment, according to Diana, is expected to generate about $3.65 million of gross revenue for the minimum scheduled period of the time charter.
Magnus Nilsson, Swedens star chef at Faviken, is coming to Chicago the week of Sept. 13 for a variety of appearances on behalf of the Swedish American Museum. (Via Swedish American Museum)

Magnus Nilsson, Sweden's star chef behind the world-renowned Faviken, is coming to Chicago the week of Sept. 13 for a variety of appearances sparked by an exhibition of his photography at the Swedish American Museum. This display, titled "Nordic: A Photographic Essay of Landscapes, Food and People" opened in June at the Andersonville museum and closes Sept. 24.

Details of Nilsson's visit are still being worked out, said Karin Moen Abercrombie, the museum's executive director, but a private $250-a-ticket dinner with Nilsson benefiting the museum is planned for Sept. 14 at Tre Kronor, the Swedish restaurant in Chicago's North Park neighborhood.

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Tickets will also be available at various price ranges for a Sept. 15 signing at the Andersonville museum of Nilsson's books, which include cookbooks "The Nordic Cookbook" and "Faviken," and a book about the exhibit, which is titled, "Nordic: A Photographic Essay of Landscapes, Food and People." Nilsson is scheduled to lead a tour of the exhibition Sept. 16, as well.

"We're very excited for him to be coming," said Abercrombie, who was unsure if Nilsson has visited Chicago before. "And, he's excited about coming."

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Nilsson is the chef at Faviken in Are, Sweden, considered one of the best restaurants in the world. Larry Anderson and Patty Rasmussen, co-owners/chefs at Tre Kronor, dined at Faviken two years ago.

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"It was a great experience," Anderson said of Faviken. "The fact that he's going to be here, we're jazzed and maybe super nervous."

Anderson said the menu for the Sept. 14 dinner hasn't been set yet, but the plan is to present an authentic Swedish meal using local ingredients.

The "Nordic" exhibit is made up of large-scale photographs taken by Nilsson in the Nordic countries, Greenland and the Faroe Islands and are being based on three years of research and more than 8,000 photographs taken during work on "The Nordic Cookbook."

Along with the exhibition, the Swedish American Museum is screening episodes from the public television series "The Mind of a Chef" that feature Nilsson, at noon on the second Tuesdays of the month when museum admission is free. The next screenings are slated for Aug. 8 and Sept. 12; viewers are invited to bring a lunch.

The Swedish American Museum is at 5211 N. Clark St., 773-728-8111.

wdaley@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @billdaley
WARRENVILLE  Austin-based chain Chuy's has been whipping up dishes inspired by South Texas, New Mexico and Mexico border towns for more than 35 years. Now Chicagoans can sample the homemade tortillas, roasted chicken and guacamole at the new Warrenville location, which opened recently. The 10 handcrafted sauces, ranging from mild to spicy, come from Chuy's chile farmer partners in Hatch, N.M., home of the famed eponymous pepper. Even the New Mexican martinis are made with the roasted green chile (in this case infused in tequila). The Warrenville Chuy's partnership with the Student Excellence Foundation will bring fundraising and volunteer efforts in the coming year for the nonprofit dedicated to supporting enrichment programs for students in District 200. 28250 Diehl Road, 630-393-0911, www.chuys.com

WEST LOOP  The Fulton Market District receives a fresh addition Aug. 4 with the opening of Honeygrow, a fast-casual restaurant offering stir-fry, salads and cold-pressed juices. For its first Midwest location, Honeygrow has created a Chicago exclusive Capone Stir Fry with egg white noodles, tomato-basil sauce, Italian sausage, vegetables and mozzarella. The menu offers vegan and gluten-free options, such as a red coconut curry stir-fry. The Honeybar is a dessert bar offering fresh fruit and toppings such as local honey and yogurt. Honeygrow's first 100 guests Aug. 4 will have complementary meals with the option of donating the price of the cost of the meal to Honeygrow's local nonprofit partner, Common Threads, which promotes community wellness through nutrition education. Look out for local artist Julie Murphy's artwork depicting Chicago. 179 N. Morgan St., 312-631-3923, www.honeygrow.com

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DOWNERS GROVE  In Portuguese, "Nossa" means "wow," which is what fast-casual restaurant Nossa! Brazilian Grill hopes to do to your taste buds. Brazil natives Ana Santos-Vitelo and her husband, Mario Vitelo, owners of Brazil Express Grill in Schaumburg, have expanded the reach of Brazilian food with the opening of their second restaurant, Nossa! The concept at Nossa! is to build a bowl or wrap with a Brazilian grilled protein (steak, chicken, sausage), rice, beans, lettuce, tomato, corn, and sauces like chimichurri. They also have sides like tabbouleh, cabbage salad and hot cheese bread rolls. 1340 Butterfield Road, Suite 200A, Downers Grove, 331-777-2402, www.nossagrill.com/

ANDERSONVILLE  The Dollop Coffee Co.'s 10th location is a full-scale neighborhood diner. Dollop Diner has a full menu and a liquor license. It boasts homemade doughnuts, coffee by Metropolis and craft beer on tap. Breakfast items include buttermilk pancakes with seasonal fruit, a chicken biscuit with maple butter and a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. Lunch and dinner items include kale salad with farro and Asian pork sloppy joes. Finish it all off with a dessert of banana cream trifle. 5060 N. Clark St., 773-564-9520, www.dollopdiner.com

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RIVER NORTH  Left Coast, the Lincoln Park cafe focusing on healthy eating and locally sourced ingredients, has opened a second Chicago location, this one on Wells Street in River North. Special features include draft kombucha, craft beer and rose wine options, and the menu has plenty of gluten-free, vegan and dairy-free items. Left Coast is known for its Instagram-worthy breakfast items, like avocado toast, acai bowls and breakfast burritos. 717 N. Wells St., 312-8770-5500, www.leftcoastfood.com

ICYMI

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RIVER NORTH  LA glamour comes downtown Thursday with the opening of Japanese restaurant Katana. Taking cues from the original Katana on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, the new location strives for a Chicago feel, especially by employing general manager Jason Chan, who has already successfully run Butter and Juno in the city. Look out for the sushi, prime steaks and robata-style grilled meats and vegetables. 339 N. Dearborn St., www.innovativedining.com/restaurants/katana

OLD TOWN  The fourth Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream shop in Chicago opens just in time for all of your sweltering-August ice cream cravings. Its untraditional flavors, like riesling poached pear sorbet and wildberry lavender ice cream make Jeni Splendid a special find. If you attend the Thursday launch, 7-11 p.m., you'll be able to get a free scoop of ice cream. The first 50 attendees will also get a gift bag. 1419 N. Wells St. 312-877-5880, www.jenis.com

RIVER NORTH  Katsuji Tanabe from "Top Chef" Season 12 has opened Barrio, a Mexican restaurant with influences from his upbringing in Mexico and his Japanese father. Try the mussels steamed in a Tecate-dashi broth with polenta and chorizo. Barrio, 65 W. Kinzie St., 312-940-9900, www.barriochicago.com

GOLD COAST  The rebranding of the Public Hotel not only resurrects its historic name, The Ambassador, but also brings back Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises to manage its restaurant. The group previously ran the restaurant in the hotel from 1976 to 1998. The revamped historic Pump Room space is set to debut in late autumn 2017. 1301 N. State Parkway, 312-229-6740

CLOSINGS

WICKER PARK  The European-inspired cafe Americano 2211 had its final brunch last weekend. The restaurant closed after 15 months of service. 2211 W. North Ave., Wicker Park

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RIVER WEST  Paramount Room, a gastropub with a Michelin nod, is set to close at the end of September after a decade of service. You can say goodbye at the 10th anniversary party Aug. 27 and get a complimentary sample of chef Stephen Dunnes barbecue with a special beer pairing while supplies last. 415 N. Milwaukee Ave, 312-829-6300, paramountroom.com

WEST LOOP  Spanish wine bar and restaurant Vera will close Saturday after six years of business. Husband-and-wife team Mark and Elizabeth Mendez met working at a different restaurant and opened Vera together as seasoned veterans of the industry. 1023 W. Lake St., 312-243-9770, www.verachicago.com
Thai and Danielle Dang are back from the troubles that were Embeya, showing brilliance and resiliency with new Vietnamese restaurant HaiSous in Pilsen. (Sean Leidigh/WGN)

You would need a heart of stone to root against HaiSous, the impressive Vietnamese restaurant that opened in Pilsen a little more than a month ago, and its owners Thai and Danielle Dang.

Embeya was one of the best new restaurants of 2012, thanks to chef Thai Dang's remarkably polished cooking (he was 27 at the time) and an exceptional beverage program by Danielle Pizzutillo (Dang's girlfriend then, wife today). Embeya (meaning "little one," Dang's childhood nickname) seemed poised for a long and successful run.

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But in 2015, majority partner Attila Gyulai abruptly fired Pizzutillo, and later Dang after Dang questioned how the business's money was being handled. There was a lawsuit, in which Dang prevailed, but the chef said he never saw a penny of the ordered settlement. A short time later, Gyulai and his wife vanished, leaving behind a dead restaurant, emptied bank accounts, a mountain of unpaid debts and uncollected judgments. Gyulai is assumed to be out of the country; Dang and his brother (who invested in Embeya) were left holding the bag.

(Crain's Chicago Business reported on the breakup in great detail here.)

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Thai and Danielle Dang speak of the past only in vague "what we went through" terms, though the aftermath is reflected in their new restaurant's name.

"Hai sous means 'two pennies,'" Thai Dang said. "Two pennies; that's what we had left to bail ourselves out. We had to open (HaiSous) to get myself and my family out of debt."

If the last two years have left the Dangs sadder but wiser, it doesn't show in the restaurant. There's an unrestrained joyfulness to HaiSous, an infectious sense that everyone, from the simplest plate-clearer to the ever-cheerful Danielle Dang herself, is having a terrific time. Quite a few Embeya veterans, including service captain Jason Bennett, contribute to a staff that boasts impressive polish for such a young (less than 2 months old) operation.

The two dining rooms seat 115 guests between them. Danielle Dang, an architect by training and general contractor by necessity, crafted a very pretty look on a "two pennies" budget. Decor highlights include birch plywood wall paneling (the visible, irregular joints are intentional), ornate screens dividing the two rooms, a see-through bamboo "wall" that adds intimacy while allowing some diners to view the kitchen activity, and a dropped bamboo ceiling that casts shadows from the high-mounted lighting.

Thai Dang's menu at Embeya had no weaknesses, and that's pretty much the case here. The one, and I mean the only one, exception for me was the braised duck, in which small pieces of bone-in duck mingle in a light broth  too light, in my sample; the promised flavors of ginger, shallot and black pepper were undetectable.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 11 For the whole fried fish, chef Thai Dang uses fluke, an easy-to-manage flatfish that abounds with sweet-flavored, pure-white flesh that contrasts wonderfully with the crackly fried exterior. To the side are a semi-sweet dipping sauce and lettuce leaves for wrapping. (Alyssa Pointer / Chicago Tribune)

That gripe out of the way, the rest of the menu is a virtual hit parade. Fans of Embeya will recognize the salad of papaya, shaved to cellophane-noodle thinness and piled high, studded with house-made beef jerky (moister than true jerky, and I'm not complaining) and Thai chiles. Grilled octopus is a modified blast from the past; at Embeya, the octopus pieces gathered under a frothy coconut foam, but now they sit atop a reduced coconut-cream base accented by lime and lemongrass. Melt-in-the-mouth eggplant confit, perilla leaves and crushed peanuts play nicely with the protein.

Some dishes, such as the grilled quail and grilled rib-eye (both small plates) arrive with something the kitchen calls "pimp salt." It's a tiny saucer of salt, pepper, Thai chile and kaffir-lime leaf; squeeze in a little lime juice, stir and you have a condiment that works so well with grilled meats you'll want to take some home.

Soft-shell crab, astride ribbons of carrot and young mango, is an occasional feature that shouldn't be passed up. Fried chicken wings is an improbable hit; the plate looks like gussied-up bar food, but the meaty wings, with a caramelized fish-sauce glaze and pieces of crispy garlic, are heavenly.

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The fried option you must try is the whole fish, a classic Vietnamese dish. Chef Dang uses whole fluke, an easy-to-manage flatfish that abounds with sweet-flavored, pure-white flesh that contrasts wonderfully with the crackly fried exterior. To the side are a semi-sweet dipping sauce and lettuce leaves for wrapping, though the fish works equally well as a knife-and-fork dish, especially with a side of the excellent fried rice. The fish is perhaps a splurge at $42, but it easily feeds at least two.

The same dipping sauce works well with the grilled lobster, available in half or whole portions ($20 and $40, generally, subject to market adjustments), the shells split for easy access. A chile and lemongrass paste raises bone-in pieces of grilled chicken above the ordinary, and do make room for the curry, one of the menu's five vegetarian dishes, in which pieces of carrot, sweet potato and radish luxuriate in a coconut broth steeped with kaffir, ginger, lemongrass and turmeric.

Dessert, in keeping with tradition, consists solely of fresh fruit, and the $6 plate of jackfruit, rambutan and lychee makes a fine finale.

The beverage program offers very good cocktails, including a perfect-for-summer prosecco-and-hibiscus refresher ($8) and a nifty Old-Fashioned made with Japanese white whiskey ($15). Every bottle on the wine list is $99 or less, most considerably lower; I suspect Danielle Dang had to shave her profit margin to fit some of these bottles in, so that the priciest bottles often offer very good value.

HaiSous posits itself as a "revenue-sharing" operation, meaning employees get full wages along with profit-sharing. Consequently, there is no tipping per se, though guests are free, if they so choose, to leave an additional amount, which will be shared by the entire team. This policy, which could catch on if successful, is clearly spelled out on the menu, cocktail menu, and check.

The Dangs plan to open a cafe toward the rear of the property, which will serve Vietnamese-style coffees, including an egg coffee that Danielle Dang says "will make you an addict." There will be sweet pastries (which might augment the restaurant's dessert offerings eventually), banh mi sandwiches and more. Look for the cafe to open toward the end of the year.

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Weekend brunch is about a month away; tickets are on sale (via the restaurant's website) for the inaugural Momma Dang's Pho Brunch on Aug. 19 and 20. Thai Dang is flying his mother in from Virginia for the weekend.

"To any Vietnamese, their mother's pho is the best," he said. "I promised that the first pot of pho I served would be hers, and she'll be here serving. It would have been improper for me to serve pho without paying my respect to her."

pvettel@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @PhilVettel

HaiSous

1800 S. Carpenter St.

312-702-1303

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www.haisous.com

Tribune rating: Three stars

Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >

Open: Dinner Monday to Saturday

Prices: Large plates $16-$25

Credit cards: A, DC, DS, M, V

Reservations: Strongly recommended

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Noise: Conversation-challenged

Other: Wheelchair accessible

Ratings key: 4 stars, outstanding; 3 stars, excellent; 2 stars, very good; 1 star, good; no stars, unsatisfactory. The reviewer makes every effort to remain anonymous. Meals are paid for by the Tribune.






Fish, charcoal-grilled until the edges are crispy, comes in the hot pot smothered with tenderly cooked napa cabbage, carrots and celery. If you ordered yours spicy, crimson chiles warn of the heat to come. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

In a world where restaurants not yet open receive judgment by juries of armchair arbiters, it's curious that three months after serving its first meal, Legend Spicy Bar has only three Yelp reviews. And this despite its prime Chinatown location and an unusual offering: grilled fish hot pot served in a heavy, red-glowing quartz vessel.

Chongqing grilled fish hot pot, named for the city in southwestern China, has been made in our city before, but this version  called crystal hot pot  is new to Chicago and even a relatively new phenomenon across Asia.

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Spicy Bar is owner Fanny Kwok Ng's second time around the block, quite literally; she also owns Legend Tasty House down the street, where she serves cartoonishly colorful cups of Thai rolled ice cream. Ng buys into the idea that crystal has healing powers, an ancient belief, although there's no scientific evidence to support it. "Crystal hot pot is different from regular hot pot because it's very good for your body and health" is her line.

Good for me or not, I'm ready for my first crystal hot pot. I take up the menu and follow the instructions. Step one: Choose between two whole fish: tilapia ($20) or largemouth bass ($27). I later learn from Ng there's a third fish available: sole ($29), which was left off the menu due to an oversight.

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Next up, choose a "cooking style," as it's described on the menu: "hot and spicy," peppercorn (as in Sichuan , delivering a curiously numbing heat on par with the "hot and spicy") or garlic.

"If you come with kids, we recommend garlic, which is not spicy at all, so they can enjoy their fish," Ng says.

Finally step three: Pick any raw "add-ons" to cook yourself in the simmering hot pot. There are 18 vegetables ($2 each), five seafoods ($3.59 each) and nine meats (also $3.59 each). Cubes of jiggly pig blood and calamari balls (like meatballs but made with calamari) are here too, plus nine "others" ($2 each), from "green bean wide noodles" (so-called cellophane noodles made with mung bean starch) to frozen tofu.

If you're new to hot pot, no worries  your servers will eagerly advise you. The most popular vegetables are corn and bean sprouts, Ng says.

After you order, your server whisks away the empty crystal casserole dish that serves as your table's centerpiece and returns it filled with fish and saucy soup. Your add-ons follow, carefully arranged on platters, ready to be cooked.

Servers then turn on an inset tabletop induction cooktop, which will glow red from light, not heat. Quartz is conductive, which means the soup starts to simmer in the crystal. Health claims aside, that's cool.

"The servers' job is to make sure the pot's temperature doesn't go too high," says Ng. "If you need more soup, we'll always add more." As with every hot pot, how long you cook your add-ons is up to you.

The fish, charcoal-grilled until the edges are crispy, comes smothered with tenderly cooked napa cabbage, carrots and celery, all garnished with fresh scallions and cilantro. If you ordered yours spicy, crimson chiles warn of the heat to come, though it will be tempered by the fish's succulent white flesh.

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Oddly, the restaurant lacks strainers that help you scoop out your food into bowls of white steamed rice or onto small side plates. The attentive servers apologized profusely, then brought big slotted kitchen spoons instead. Unwieldy, but sufficient.

The most popular order is the "hot and spicy" tilapia, said Ng, who before her dual debut in Chinatown owned an Elgin-area Chinese buffet. The dish was fine, though the tilapia flavor alone was muddy compared with the delicate bass.

My vegetable add-ons  green leafy bouquets of peppery watercress and herbal, saw-toothed tong ho (chrysanthemum greens)  arrive so abundant I suspect they might be a better deal than buying them at the market. Impeccable, without a wilted leaf in sight, plus washed and trimmed beautifully.

Pristinely cleaned raw seafood add-ons of squid and shrimp ($3.59 each) are also impeccable, though the shrimp is headless despite being listed "with head."

On a second laminated menu, meat eaters will find two more raw add-ons, lamb or beef ($3.29 each), thinly sliced then rolled for easy chopstick pickup to cook ever so briefly in the grilled fish hot pot. There are also cooked lamb or beef skewers ($5), as well as mini sausages on a stick ($2). To drink, there's hot tea and a few other alcohol-free options.

Legend's modern signage and interior design further confirm my (unproven) suspicion that there's a company somewhere selling the same early-21st century, modern Asian restaurant package, because I've seen it around the world. It's not entirely unpleasant, but they all have hints of rustic beams, shiny furniture, wall-sized murals with street market scenes overlaid with random English words, and of course, too many blaring flat-screen TVs.

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A dozen tables can be found in the long, narrow corner space. If you'd rather have hot pot at home or for an office party, you can order takeout, pickup or delivery. "For to-go orders, we pre-cook everything," Ng says. "We cook the vegetables or any other add-on items, so when you get it, everything is ready to eat. Unless you have a special request, everything is cooked for you."

When I ask Ng about the inspiration for the crystal hot pot, she declines to answer. The vessels are available for sale on Alibaba, and one restaurant in Singapore also appears to use them.

I visited Legend Spicy Bar twice, and both times the dining room was quiet, but huge takeout orders were being rushed out, so plenty of people are trying out the food  just not reviewing it online. Perhaps the mysterious power of the crystal has repelled the Yelpers?

lchu@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @louisachu

Legend Spicy Bar

2358 S. Wentworth Ave.

312-929-2758

www.legendspicybar.com

Tribune rating: Two stars

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Open: Lunch and dinner daily, Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday to 10 p.m.

Prices: Main courses $14.99-$28.99

Credit cards: A, DC, DS, M, V

Reservations: Taken; walk-ins accepted

Noise: Conversation-friendly

Other: Wheelchair accessible; validated parking

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Ratings key: Four stars, outstanding; three stars, excellent; two stars, very good; one star, good; no stars, unsatisfactory. The reviewer makes every effort to remain anonymous. Meals are paid for by the Tribune.






Women march on State Street during a rally for equal rights and health and child care considerations in 1971, when the Jane Collective was covertly providing abortions. (James Mayo / Chicago Tribune)

The Jane Collective, the underground network founded in Hyde Park that provided abortion access in those final years that the procedure was illegal, is the subject of two new film projects.

Production on the indie flick "Ask for Jane" has started in New York with a cast that includes "The Americans" star Alison Wright and "Parenthood's" Sarah Ramos, Deadline.com reports. The news comes two months after it was reported Amazon acquired the spec screenplay "This is Jane," based on former Jane member Laura Kaplan's 1995 book about the network.

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Formally known as the Abortion Counseling Service of Women's Liberation, the Jane Collective helped end some 11,000 unwanted pregnancies in the four years before the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion nationwide in 1973. The collective began by helping pregnant women connect with practitioners performing illegal abortions, but by the time it disbanded, some Jane members had transitioned from counselors to abortionists.

"So many of the lawmakers trying to restrict abortion access (today) have never even considered the disparate reasons why a woman might be driven to seek one," "Ask for Jane" producer-star Cait Johnston told Deadline. "'Ask for Jane' beautifully depicts a few of their stories, and illustrates how vital it is to keep this procedure legal and safe."

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Leah Greenblum, founder and executive director of Midwest Access Coalition, a Chicago nonprofit that provides lodging, transportation and other support for women traveling to have an abortion, speaks about the coalition at her home June 20, 2017. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

Meanwhile, "This is Jane" is based on Kaplan's book "The Story of Jane: The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service." It is reportedly being produced by John Lesher's Le Grisbi Productions. Lesher served as a producer on the Oscar winner "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" and the Whitey Bulger story "Black Mass."

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 126 Woody introduces the gang to a homemade spork toy with self-esteem issues in "Toy Story 4." Read the review. (Pixar / AP)
Chance the Rapper, left, and Chief Keef, right, represents two different sides to rap music coming out of Chicago. (Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, Chris Walker / Chicago Tribune)

With Chicago's national reputation ranging from tourist heaven to gang war zone, it seems appropriate that two of its brightest stars are rap golden boy Chance the Rapper and rap bad boy Chief Keef.

Beyond their divergent musical styles, the artists exemplify the dueling personalities within black communities on the South and West sides fighting for the souls of men and boys.

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Chance and Chief Keef "are two opposite ends of the spectrum. They're definitely the yin and yang and they always have been," said Andrew Barber, whose Fake Shore Drive hip-hop blog was one of the first media outlets casting attention on both rappers. They "come from totally different backgrounds. Telling two totally different stories. They're seeing things a different way. That's why they're both so important."

Since they emerged as teenage rap prodigies in the early 2010s, each has carved out his own identity and fan base.

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Chance, who won three Grammy awards this year and is headlining Lollapalooza, has become the city's odds-on favorite. A product of a stable, two-parent household who graduated from the prestigious Jones College Prep, the rapper born Chancelor Bennett, 24, has parlayed his gospel- and poetry-inspired mixtapes into a successful music career. His aspirational raps have earned him a host of friends and admirers, from President Obama and Beyonce to rocker Eddie Vedder.

He has won over parents and teachers with the millions he donated and helped raise for Chicago Public Schools. And his stock as an activist has risen, following disagreements with Gov. Bruce Rauner and Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his recent call for HBO to end comedian Bill Maher's series after the host uttered a racial slur. Ebony magazine recently put the rapper on its front cover asking "Chance For President?"

Chance the Rapper has come a long way and his trajectory is one watched and marveled by many.

Then there's Chief Keef, 21, the dread-headed stepchild of Chicago rap, remembered as much for problems with the law and his halted concerts as his music. Before Chance became prince of the city it was Chief Keef who helped introduce rap lovers to the city's pervasive gang culture and violence.

Born Keith Cozart, the Black Disciples-linked youth who was mostly raised by his grandmother, was busted for selling heroin at 15 and pointing a gun at a Chicago police officer at 16, according to court records.

Chief Keef burst onto the national rap scene in 2012, when fellow South Side native Kanye West's musical reworking of his local hit "I Don't Like" became an international platinum-selling smash.

Soon record executives were eager to take advantage of the teenager's rough sound. "When people first heard (Chief Keef's) name, I was getting phone calls immediately," Barber recalled. "Then we started posting (stories) about him and for the next six months I think everybody in the music business came to Chicago trying to find Keef."

I learned just how influential Chief Keef is recently over burgers and fries with my nephews, 16 and 19. Discussing Chance, they said glowing things about his music, adding that they supported him because of his positive message and local connection.

Then I mentioned Chief Keef's name and it was like a light came on. The 16-year-old looked up from his iPhone and made eye contact. "He's a legend," he said. "A pioneer," the 19-year-old added.

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 22 Keith Cozart, right, also knows as the rapper Chief Keef, exits the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan with friends Friday after being arraigned for a DUI arrest. (Chris Walker, Chicago Tribune)

Chief Keef's use of social media to generate buzz for his music has made him a role model for young artists. Young listeners are also attracted to his gang ties  a sign of authenticity in the perception-conscious rap world. They aren't put off by the fact that Chief Keef has been criticized by law enforcement, elected officials and even some veteran hip-hop artists who accuse him of dumbing down rap.

Even in neighborhoods where teens are recruited as gang assassins, Chief Keef gave hope to gangsters that their rhymes could be a means for escape as it had been for Chief Keef himself.

His violent and crude tales portraying hard-knock young men in search of money and good times has fascinated city and suburban kids alike. "I'm Southside, I'll pop out/ OBlock bring them Glocks out/ 300 bring them chops out/ We shoot up your block now," Chief Keef rapped in "Citgo."

"People just saw it as a raw different sound. They bought into the back story of Chief Keef, which I think a lot of people found just as intriguing as the music," Barber said.

The Chicago of Chance's and Chief Keef's disparate rap tales is the ongoing story of communities at the tail end of a silent and slow four-decade erosion of resources.

Chance represents the multitude of socially conscious and social-climbing youth who, through talent or ambition, have a legitimate shot of success despite living in crumbling communities. Chief Keef symbolizes the untold numbers of dispirited young men who are surrounded by tragedy, poverty and criminality with few prospects for escaping.

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An exodus of residents, the Great Recession and the ravages of drug and gang wars have left deserted blocks and broken families in an already-debt ridden city and state. With few jobs or opportunities in their neighborhoods, nearly half of the city's black men between 20 and 24 (Chance and Chief Keef's age group) don't have jobs and aren't in college, according to a report from the University of Illinois at Chicago's Great Cities Institute.

It is to this Chicago that Chance and Chief Keef came of age, the sons of a dying black community that 180,000 Africans-Americans have left since the early 2000s.

Chance's music and philanthropy has captured the city's attention, but Chicago's problems with violence in the most-distressed neighborhoods is being perpetrated by a number of men and boys who see Chief Keef's version of city life as their own.

If Chicago is to solve the cipher of gangs, street violence and abandonment, it first needs to figure out how to turn its disadvantaged, desperate young men into productive citizens.

Learning to understand Chief Keef's Chicago and key sources of desperation within it could give social service agencies, city officials and community leaders clues as how to best neutralize the hopelessness that leads to crime. It also wouldn't hurt them to study Chance's Chicago and its dwindling resources if they hope to retain capable homegrown talent before it flees Illinois.

And while we're busy patting ourselves on the back for producing a talent like Chance, we should remember that the neighborhoods helped create Chief Keef too, for better or for worse.

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wlee@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @MidNoirCowboy

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
Kendrick Lamar sprinkled some eye candy Thursday at the packed United Center. He starred as "Kung Fu Kenny" in a martial-arts video and was occasionally joined by a few sword-wielding dancers dressed as ninjas. There were even a few obligatory outbursts of pyro.

It was all superfluous. Lamar commanded a rectangular stage framed by shifting video screens of himself. All he needed was the conviction of his delivery and songs drawn from a handful of albums that have made him hip-hop's most acclaimed practitioner.

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The rapper from Compton, Calif., is at a rare intersection of commercial popularity and artistic accomplishment, and his performance affirmed that right now he's the MC setting the bar for everyone else.

His music traced a personal path that has widened in scope with each album: the camaraderie and violence of a youth spent among the hustlers of Compton in "Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City" (2012), the social commentary of "To Pimp a Butterfly" (2015) and the shift toward the metaphysical in "DAMN."  a search for meaning and, by extension, God.

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In keeping with the latter album's stripped-down presentation, Lamar stalked the stage armed only with a microphone, his tongue a scalpel slicing and dicing a string of dense rhymes over a river of African-American music spanning decades and genres. He was briefly but memorably joined by a single surprise guest, the ubiquitous Chance the Rapper, who exited nearly as quickly as he arrived after a few bars of "No Problem" amid a thunderous ovation. "Forever you must protect Chance," said Lamar like a doting older brother.

Even when wrestling with his contradictions, he sounded purposeful. He opened with "DNA." and its frank self-assessment: "I got power, poison, pain and joy inside." He was staggered but unbowed in "ELEMENT." as he spat defiantly, "Ain't nobody prayin' for me." It set up the strutting, room-wrecking funk of "King Kunta," which ignited the fans and sent Lamar dancing and dodging around the stage like Muhammad Ali.

From the brash teen marauding of "Backseat Freestyle" to the political protest of "XXX.," Lamar was like an actor playing multiple roles. There was the hard-won wisdom of an elder in "PRIDE." as he appeared to levitate above a dancer, the tenderness of a bruised innocent in "LOVE." and the steely resolve of an agitated activist in the Black Lives Matter anthem "Alright."

At one point, Lamar moved to a smaller stage in the middle of the arena and a cage of lights enfolded him, as if he were locked up by his "LUST." One of the central themes in Lamar's work is the notion of imprisonment, both real and figurative, and the struggle of America's outcasts to maintain their legal and spiritual freedom.

It was fitting that the rapper spent most of his time on stage alone, a fighter staking out his turf in a vast emptiness. Trust no one and expect nothing, Lamar suggested. He espoused self-reliance: "I put my faith in these lyrics."

But as the self-assertion of "HUMBLE." demanded to be performed twice, with the fans barking every rhyme as orchestrated by Lamar's rising and falling index finger, a community made itself heard. It was where Lamar wanted to land all along. "It's a secret society," he rapped to the celebrants in front of him. "All we got is us."

greg@gregkot.com

Twitter @gregkot

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 126 Woody introduces the gang to a homemade spork toy with self-esteem issues in "Toy Story 4." Read the review. (Pixar / AP)
Arcade Fire, a band not generally celebrated for its sense of humor, recently posted a spoof review of its fifth studio album, "Everything Now" (Columbia). It was perhaps designed as a pre-emptive strike against the type of reviews that inevitably rain down on a band that has moved past critical darling phase into mid-career stasis.

What eludes them is an even better response to that sort of media skepticism: A great album, and "Everything Now" is not that.

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To its credit, the Montreal sextet isn't standing pat. After its surprise Grammy album of the year award in 2012 for "The Suburbs," it returned with an ambitious double album, "Reflektor," in 2013, a mix of propulsive dance tracks and slower, less focused art-rock songs.

"Everything Now" is a tighter but not better album. The heavyweight arena anthems of Arcade Fire's 2004 debut, "Funeral," are long gone, replaced by brooding lyrics encased in lighter music. "Infinite Content," the title shared by two songs in the album's middle, suggests a loose theme. This is an album-length requiem for the overstimulated and the under-inspired, an ode to the numb generation.

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It's hardly a new problem  Radiohead's "OK Computer" and "Kid A" and Grandaddy's "The Sophtware Slump," among others, explored it at length nearly two decades ago. Arcade Fire try to avoid wallowing by picking up the disco thread that weaved through "Reflektor." It's an art-rock band that uses the funkiness of Talking Heads, "Sandinista"-era Clash and ESG as touchstones, along with contemporaries such as LCD Soundsystem and Daft Punk. It's no coincidence that LCD's James Murphy co-produced "Reflektor" and Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter was enlisted to co-produce "Everything Now."

Arcade Fire also doubles down on pop to make the harsh medicine in some of the lyrics go down more easily. The title song brazenly repurposes the piano flourishes of ABBA's "Dancing Queen" even as Win Butler complains that he's "sick of it all."

"Creature Comfort" blends "Blade Runner" synths and a clipped electronic pulse to undergird a tale of despair and suicide. "God make me famous," Butler sings. "If you can't, just make it painless."

It's one of the album's strongest moments, matched by "Electric Blue," in which Regine Chassagne's delicate voice floats over a wistful yet hypnotic electro groove.

Much of the rest struggles to stay buoyant. On "Signs of Life," Butler raps awkwardly about increasingly empty nightlife rituals over syncopated handclaps, a thumping house kick drum and a rubbery Tim Kingsbury bass line. "Chemistry" flirts with horn-peppered dancehall reggae but never quite achieves lift-off. "Good God Damn" splashes around in slow, would-be funk and both versions of "Infinite Content"  one punky and distorted, the other slow and countryish  feel like sketches rather than finished songs. "We Don't Deserve Love" ends the album with a whimper. "Just burn it all down," Butler sings, "and bring the ashes to me."

Greg Kot is a Tribune critic.

greg@gregkot.com

Twitter @gregkot

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'Everything Now'

Arcade Fire

 (out of four)

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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)
This week, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) released numbers that estimate it will lose nearly 8,000 students overall for the 2017 school year. Most affected will be 45 CPS high schools that, in addition to losing enrollment, will also collectively lose $6 million in funding.



Seven of the high schools that will see the steepest drops in enrollment according to CPS projections are located in Latino neighborhoods on the Southwest and Northwest sides: Kelly High School (slated to lose 197 students), Schurz High School (174), Dunbar Vocational High School (135), Foreman College and Career Academy (132), Roosevelt High School (125), Kelvyn Park High School (104), Steinmetz College Prep (98), and Farragut Career Academy (96).



Each high school will lose about 100 students, with Kelly and Schurz losing nearly 200 each.



Over the last decade, Chicago Public Schools has seen steady declines in enrollment. One culprit is out-migration from the area, particularly among black residents. Other factors include declining birth rates, and the expansion of publicly funded, independently operated charter schools.



Under the district's student-based budgeting model, money is set aside for each school based on enrollment projections made before school starts.



The 2017 CPS budgets, released this week, show charter schools are expected to gain enrollment, and consequently, funding.
Five days after a semi-truck trailer was discovered in a San Antonio parking lot with over 30 Mexican and Central American citizens trapped inside, the parents, wives and siblings of those migrants are fighting to cross the U.S. border and find their missing family members.

To date, 10 people have died and more than 20 others rescued from the rig have been hospitalized in dire condition, many with extreme dehydration and heatstroke, officials said.

Meanwhile, at the border, community activists and everyday citizens have united to help the families of the victims, many of whom hail from situations of extreme poverty in Mexico and Central America, to reach the U.S. hospitals where their loved ones are being treated.

It was the lack of jobs, poverty and hunger that drove their loved ones to leave their home countries and risk their lives traveling in a tractor-trailer that was later confirmed to have had no source ventilation, several family members told Hoy.

From Chicago, Julie Contreras, of the Latino civil rights organization League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is working to process and deliver humanitarian visas to Immigration authorities at the Laredo, Texas border checkpoint, as well as coordinate funding to transport the families from their homes across Mexico to the border, and then onwards to U.S. hospitals, she explained.

A chain of volunteers have come forward to assist Contreras, offering shelter and other aid on both sides of the border, to help impoverished families reach the U.S.

Yesterday morning, the families of five of the hospitalized migrants arrived in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, where a volunteer was waiting to transmit them safely to the crossing point.

Lending a hand is our obligation as humans. I left my job to come be with them, the woman said.

At the border, Customs and Border Patrol officials were waiting to help them across, where the families were received by U.S. volunteers who helped them reach the hospitals.

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Among the family members who arrived seeking loved ones was Ema Moreno, mother to Jose Luis Gomez, 33. All she knows, she said yesterday, is that her son is in serious condition at a military hospital.

Siguen ingresando a Estados Unidos mas padres, esposas o hermanos de los migrantes que viajaban en el camion cuya travesia de la frontera mexicana a San Antonio, Texas, culmino en tragedia. Diez de ellos murieron. (CORTESIA)

She believes her son was on his way to Florida, she said, with hopes of finding work "to give a better life to his children," who are 5 and 10 years old, she said.

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"In Mexico there's desperation, because there's no work. The only thing we have is poverty," Moreno said.

If the "coyotes," the human traffickers who help people cross the border illegally, had told her son that he would travel under such conditions. "Maybe he wouldn't have risked it but they don't tell you that," she said.

"The U.S. government is partly to blame," Moreno said. "They need workers but they don't give them visas so that they can avoid this."

Traveling with Moreno was Sergio de Santos Aguilar, 38, who hoped to find his brother, Jorge, still alive. All he knows, he said from the border, is the the 42-year-old "is in serious condition, in intensive care."

It was "desperation" that motivated Jorge to journey towards Houston, his brother said. "In Aguascalientes [central Mexico] he didn't have a job and he came looking to support his family," a wife and four children, Santos Aguilar explained.

Now, Santos Aguilar himself feels hopeless, he said. He never imagined coming north under these circumstance. "I hope Sergio gets better so we can go back home together," he said.

In Mexico, life is difficult, Santos Aguilar said. "There's no jobs. People are desperate to find work. People are hungry. It's a tough situation," he said.

To those contemplating crossing the border, Santos Aguilar offered a warning: "Think about it very carefully. Don't leave your families, because you never know how things might go."

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"My brother only wanted to help his kids. You've got to value your life. It's more important to live than to pursue the American Dream," Santos Aguilar said.

Jorge de Santos Aguilar considered President Donald Trump's tough immigration rhetoric, promising ramped-up enforcement at the border, before making his journey, but "his desperation won out," his brother said.

According to Nuria Olascoaga Rosas, a spokesperson for the Mexican Consulate in San Antonio, 34 of the 39 passengers in the tractor-trailer were Mexican citizens, of whom seven are confirmed dead, while the other 27 are hospitalized.

Two of those under medical supervision are minors, Olascoaga said.

Seven others have agreed to testify against James Bradley, 60, the driver of the truck, who faces charges that include illegally transporting immigrants for financial gain, resulting in death, although Bradley has maintained he did not know he was transporting human cargo.

According to Olascoaga, the Mexican Consulate together with charity organizations and community activists, is coordinating legal assistance for the undocumented migrants.

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"So far, the information that we've received from Immigration authorities, who have promised to consider [the migrants] on a case by case basis, is that none of them are in deportation proceedings so far," Olascoaga said.

Coordination has also begun with the Mexican government to repatriate the bodies of the deceased, said Reyna Torres Mendivil, the Consul general of the San Antonio Consulate, though the immediate focus is, "processing the humanitarian visas for those who want to come visit their hospitalized or deceased family members in San Antonio," she said.

Ten of the Mexican migrants are originally from the Mexican state of Aguascalientes, while the rest include natives of the states of Veracruz, Zacatecas, Oaxaca, Michoacan, San Luis Potosi, Jalisco, and Mexico state.
As'ad's Bio

As'ad AbuKhalil, born March 16, 1960. From Tyre, Lebanon, grew up in Beirut. Received his BA and MA from American University of Beirut in pol sc. Came to US in 1983 and received his PhD in comparative government from Georgetown University. Taught at Tufts University, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Colorado College, and Randolph-Macon Woman's College. Served as a Scholar-in-Residence at Middle East Institute in Washington DC. He served as free-lance Middle East consultant for NBC News and ABC News, an experience that only served to increase his disdain for maintream US media. He is now professor of political science at California State University, Stanislaus. His favorite food is fried eggplants.
Supporters of childhood vaccines are putting pressuring  legal, medical and even social  on parents who dont want to vaccinate their school-age children. Here are six facts about vaccination rates in the U.S. and Illinois.

In Illinois, school vaccine exemptions aren't what they used to be.

Parents with clear-cut religious objections can still opt to send their kids to school without vaccines, as long as they're willing to meet with a health care provider and receive information about vaccine benefits.

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But parents who oppose vaccines as unnecessary or dangerous are on shaky ground under a 2015 law that does not recognize philosophical objections.

"I definitely think it's making things more difficult for them," said Alexandra Eidenberg, a Wilmette activist and mother of four who helped write the 2015 law.

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"That was the intention, and I'm glad."

The Illinois law, which went into full effect last year, reflects a broader development in the vaccine wars. Supporters of childhood vaccines are turning to an array of relatively restrained measures that create pressure  legal, medical and even social  on parents who don't want to vaccinate their school-age children.

While California vaccine advocates made headlines in 2015 when they helped pass a law wiping out the state's nonmedical exemption entirely, advocates have more commonly settled for modest gains in recent years: closing loopholes, limiting eligibility and adding requirements.

Since 2011, nine states have limited exemptions or added new requirements, such as parent education and more frequent renewals, according to data from the pro-vaccine Immunization Action Coalition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging states to disclose school-level immunization rates online, a practice that puts pressure on schools with low vaccination rates, and, in turn, on parents who send their children to them.

And pediatricians have upped their game, with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommending the elimination of all nonmedical exemptions, as well as softening its position on pediatricians who decline to see patients if parents refuse vaccines. (Patient dismissal should still be avoided if possible but now may be "an acceptable option.")

While the median vaccine exemption rate remains low in the U.S., at only 1.9 percent, there is significant variation, with Oregon and Idaho reporting median exemption rates of a little over 6 percent in 2015-16, and a recent California study found that some private schools had average exemption rates over 40 percent.

For vaccine advocates, Exhibit A is the 2015 measles outbreak in California, where an estimated 3 percent of kindergartners had nonmedical exemptions from the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

"I think that led a lot of parents to step back and say I didn't realize that my child could be attending a school with a lot of children who are not vaccinated, and they could be exposed to diseases like measles or pertussis," said Diane Peterson, associate director for immunization projects at the Immunization Action Coalition.

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"It was kind of an awakening."

On the other side of the issue, Barbara Loe Fisher, president of the National Vaccine Information Center, says informed consent, which includes the right of the individual to refuse medication, is a basic human right.

"I see this as a human rights issue of our time," said Fisher, whose organization supports flexible religious, medical and philosophical exemptions.

"They can bring down the hammer, and they can force people, and they can punish people, but they will lose all trust, and the people will fear them, and they will run, they will go underground because they have to protect their children."

Fisher wants to see more research pinpointing which kids are vulnerable to vaccine reactions, and why.

Alexandra Eidenberg holds her son Jack Cady, 2 months, as her daughter Miriam Cady and son Owen Cady, 2 years old, play at their home in Wilmette. (Jim Young / Chicago Tribune)

Eidenberg, a Democrat who ran for Congress unsuccessfully in 2014, is in many ways an unlikely vaccine warrior. She's the founder of Mom + Baby, a nonprofit that has worked on relatively uncontroversial issues, such as lowering the sales tax on diapers and pregnancy accommodation.

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She herself had a rare adverse reaction to childhood vaccines, she said: a seizure disorder that began immediately after her 2-year-old immunizations and ended when she was 11.

Because her seizures happened when she was going in or out of sleep, she missed out on sleepovers and sleep-away camp. Swimming was a big issue because of concern that she could have a seizure in the water.

Still, she said, when she researched whether to get her own kids vaccinated, she was struck by the seriousness of the diseases that vaccines protect against.

"At the end of the day, I can deal with a seizure disorder," she said. "I can't deal with polio."

She decided to get her own kids vaccinated and worried about the number of parents opting out in Illinois, where in 2015-16 estimated vaccine coverage for measles was 94.9 percent. Experts say that 90 to 95 percent of a community has to be immunized against measles to provide herd immunity, or good protection for the population as a whole.

Nina Jensen, the mother of two unvaccinated tweens, said she left California last winter after the state got rid of all nonmedical vaccine exemptions. Along with her husband and children, she moved to Oregon, a state where the median exemption rate is 6.3 percent.

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Jensen, who views vaccines with suspicion, in part because of the scientific community's rejection of a link between vaccines and autism, said the new vaccine law wasn't the only reason her family left California, but it was a big factor.

"These kids can't go to school unless they're updated on all their vaccines," she said. "They want to do the HPV vaccination. That has nothing to do with my child getting an education. She should not have to endure that  it's too new a vaccine." The HPV vaccine is not currently required in California schools.

Her only remaining option in California was to home-school her kids, and as a working parent, she couldn't do that. Oregon, she said, is a much better fit.

"It's fabulous," she said. "There's a ton of like-minded people here."

Still, even in Oregon, pro-vaccine forces have made small inroads. In 2014, a law went into effect requiring that parents seeking exemptions get a statement from a health care provider or go online for vaccine education.

MAKING IT HARDER TO GET EXEMPTIONS

States that enacted laws limiting or discouraging vaccine exemptions between 2015 and 2017

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California: Eliminated all nonmedical exemptions

Colorado: School exemption data will be posted

Connecticut: Religious exemption requests must be notarized; due annually

Illinois: For religious exemptions, a parent needs a certificate signed by a health care provider saying that vaccine information has been provided

Utah: A parent must receive an in-person consultation with a health care professional or complete an online education requirement

Vermont: Philosophical exemption was eliminated; school immunization rates must be provided to parents annually.

Source: Immunization Action Coalition; news reports

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The diamond ring phase, shown here, happens for a few seconds at the start and end of a total solar eclipse. (Bob Baer, Sarah Kovac, Citizen CATE)

Want to see the Aug. 21 solar eclipse from the sky?

Then Southwest Airlines says it has the flight for you.

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Make that five flights, to be exact.

The Dallas-based carrier has narrowed down its inventory of thousands of already-scheduled flights Aug. 21 to pinpoint five that offer the best opportunity to witness the celestial spectacle, when a total solar eclipse will make its way over the U.S. mainland  coast to coast  for the first time in nearly a century. (Southern Illinois will experience the longest period of darkness, but that's another story  one that you can read here.)

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The five Southwest flights are scheduled to take off between 9 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time and 10:20 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time on Monday, Aug. 21.

Departure cities are Seattle, Portland, Ore., and Denver.

The exact flights are:

Southwest Flight 1375

Departing Seattle-Tacoma at 9:05 a.m. PDT for St. Louis

Southwest Flight 1368

Departing Portland at 9:05 a.m. PDT for St. Louis

Southwest Flight 1577

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Departing Denver at 10:20 a.m. MDT for St. Louis



Southwest Flight 301

Departing Denver at 10:20 a.m. MDT for Nashville



Southwest Flight 1969

Departing Denver at 9:50 a.m. MDT for Atlanta

The airline is promoting these flights as the "most likely to experience maximum effects" of the eclipse.

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A press release on its website says customers will get "some commemorative flare" with special viewing glasses (needed to safely look at the sun), and "cosmic cocktails" will be offered.

Passengers will just have to hope there aren't any delays and the flights take off on time.

Also helpful: a window seat.

lrackl@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @lorirackl

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Starting next month, the Trump administration will prohibit Americans from traveling to North Korea. Closer to home, Ald. Edward Burke this week called for Chicago to sever business ties with the country. But at least one Chicagoan is making a case for traveling to countries like North Korea.

Matt Abbott, director of government and diplomatic programs at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, visited North Korea in 2010, documenting what he saw in Pyongyang, Kaesong and Sariwon. He also visited other countries where North Koreans travel, speaking to many different natives of the country for his research on North Koreans abroad. His interest in the topic was sparked after he encountered North Koreans in an airport in Ethiopia.

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Abbott said traveling to an insular country can help people understand cultural differences and observe similarities.

"There's so many average citizens who are just like us," he said, "and share similar hopes and dreams for themselves and their families."

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Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: Tell me a bit about what took you to North Korea.

A: From an early age, my parents instilled a passion for travel and learning about culture. My fascination with North Korea really began with a trip to South Korea, when I visited the Demilitarized Zone during a tourist trip.

Q: You visited three North Korean cities and the Demilitarized Zone in 2010. What did you see?

A: Every tourist has at least two minders or tour guides who travel with him or her. I had one gentlemen and one lady.

The most interesting part was just seeing individual North Koreans as individual human beings. Not every person there hates America. I was really surprised (about) one woman's love of Britney Spears music. I had one person tell me she really wanted to travel to America. I found they were surprisingly open and frank with me. The fact that someone would admit to me that she would love to travel to the United States, that to me was such a shock, and it really put a human face on people who sometimes can be dehumanized here in the United States.

Q: Your minders translated for you. Was there any problem communicating?

A: I was pleasantly surprised to see how open they were. Every time we would meet someone on the street, they were open to interpreting for us. Especially in a city like Pyongyang, pretty much everyone who lives there is already vetted by the government. At the same time, we got both sides of the spectrum. I had asked another gentleman if he would ever come to America, and he said absolutely not. They were critical at times of the American government policy, but they seemed able to separate the American government from American citizens.

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Q: Were the minders OK with your taking photos?

A: Throughout Pyongyang, we had no restrictions. On the drive to the Demilitarized Zone, there were times when they asked that we not take photos of the countryside. I think they're quite sensitive as to how their country is perceived abroad, so any images of poverty or something that paints the country in a less-than-positive light is something they prefer not to be shown.

Q: The Trump administration recently announced it will ban Americans from traveling to North Korea, starting next month. What do you think about the ban?

A: I certainly understand the rationale behind it. Economically, it's not going to make a significant dent in the North Korean economy.

I think it's a huge missed opportunity for Americans to directly dispel stereotypes about ourselves, our country and to counter that propaganda.

Q: Otto Warmbier, a 22-year-old college student, died in June after returning from North Korea. He had been imprisoned since last year there after being accused of trying to steal a propaganda banner while visiting with a tour group. Do you feel this is something that could happen to any American? Did you feel safe there, and would you return?

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A: It's an absolute tragedy what happened to Otto. It shouldn't have happened to him. It was certainly unjustified. At the same time, I certainly would go back.

I felt perfectly safe, but I will say the trip is not for everyone. But if one does one's homework and adheres to the laws while he or she is there, I personally felt very safe being there. It's not a country that people should be going to to check off a box or have a typical touristy vacation.

(But) the opportunity that North Koreans can see an ordinary American coming to their country that is a good person, that is a kindhearted person and shares some of the same hopes and dreams he or she shares, every time an encounter like that takes place it's breaking down barriers between our two countries.

abowen@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @byalisonbowen

[ Related: Ald. Ed Burke ready to do battle with North Korea ... and China?  ]

[ Street food isn't as scary on a guided food tour in Hanoi  ]

[ 'Architecture geeks' find you vacation rentals with design appeal  ]
Republicans may be turning their guns on each other following Friday's failed attempt to pass the "skinny repeal" of Obamacare in the U.S. Senate.

But it also was bumpy behind the scenes for the Democrats before they passed the Affordable Care Act in 2010, according to dueling accounts of a battle between U.S. Sen. Al Franken and Chicago's own David Axelrod.

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Axelrod landed the first blow in his 2015 memoir "Believer," in which he described confronting the former "Saturday Night Live" star "through slightly gritted teeth" at a closed-door meeting about health care in February 2010.

Obama's chief political adviser described a rant Franken directed at him about delays in passing Obamacare as being delivered "with a forced flourish that revealed why he had been a comedian and not a dramatic actor."

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If the insult smarted, Franken struck back in his recently released tome, "Al Franken: Giant of the Senate." In Franken's telling, he "dropped the F-bomb maybe 50 times" in his impassioned speech to Axelrod. And Franken hints his anger may have pushed President Barack Obama into finally committing to a House vote on the Senate bill that became Obamacare.

"For Axelrod's part, he didn't take my outburst personally," Franken wrote. "I think it probably helped that after the bill finally passed, I wrote him a nice note. It read, 'You're welcome.'"

kjanssen@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @kimjnews
Sen. John McCain visits the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain, docked in Vietnam's central province of Khanh Hoa on June 2, 2017. McCain's distinguished military career is nothing like the fight against cancer he's now undertaking, writes Mary Wisniewski, and the same terms aren't accurate or appropriate. (U.S. Embassy in Hanoi)

One of my big sister's favorite stories was about how our mom tried marijuana.

It was around 1971. Ma had been in the basement, taking laundry out of my brothers' room, when she came running up the stairs brandishing a baggie.

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"Jimmy has pot!" my mother cried in distress.

My sister Susan, then 18, took the bag, sniffed it and said, "Ma, that's not pot. That's tea." Then she reached into her own fringed suede purse and pulled out a joint. "This is pot."

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My mother looked at it, and said, "Can I try it?"

So they went into the bathroom, cranked open the window and smoked. My sister remembers my mother saying, "This isn't doing anything" before starting to giggle.

I love this story because it's so telling about my sister's personality. Susan was fearless and a maverick  she didn't care what other people thought of her, and she hated cant and hypocrisy. Her openness and "what-the-heck" attitude encouraged everyone around her to be the same. Of the six of us, only Susie would have had the nerve to show our upright mother a reefer and make her feel OK about trying it.

My sister Susan Moseley died this week of brain cancer, at 64. It was such a wrong thing to happen. I never knew anyone who enjoyed life more. Born in Chicago, she moved to Canada to study art history, and ended up marrying and raising a family there. She was a brilliant artist  creating embroidered images of fairy tale characters and Michael the Archangel. She would nurse wounded animals back to health and take in stray cats and people  there was always room at her table for one more. She loved Buster Keaton and French-Canadian fiddle music, and was smart and funny as hell.

My sister had glioblastoma, the same type of cancer recently diagnosed in Sen. John McCain.

While I have been pleased by the bipartisan displays of good will for McCain, I've been distressed by all the suggestions that he can beat this because he is tough. Vice President Mike Pence tweeted "Cancer picked on the wrong guy. John McCain is a fighter & he'll win this fight too." Former President Barack Obama tweeted: "Cancer doesn't know what it's up against. Give it hell, John."

These sentiments were well-meant, but a bad fit for this kind of cancer. Glioblastoma kills the vast majority of the people it afflicts  people who are tough and brave and determined and die anyway. It almost always returns after surgery, radiation and chemotherapy  the survival rate is 12 to 15 months.

I hate it how sometimes cancer is put into such militaristic terms, as if people who have strong personalities and determination can "win." It's not that kind of war. You are not more virtuous if you survive cancer, and you are not weak if you don't.

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Why do we do this  why do we imagine cancer as a battle that the best patients can win? I think people sometimes don't know what to say if they hear someone has a serious medical diagnosis, and want to be encouraging. Research has shown that a positive outlook can be helpful in going through treatment and can improve outcomes in some cases.

But I think we have to be careful not to imply to a cancer patient that you can be victorious, but only if you are a good warrior. Sometimes, you're just lucky, or unlucky. If you learn that someone has cancer, why not skip the battlefield imagery and offer your sympathy, and your help?

Breaking Business As it happens When business news breaks, be the first to know. >

My sister was tough. She was so brave. She had a great attitude. She knew the odds and did everything she needed to do to overcome her illness. She had excellent care from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto  her doctor was the same one treating The Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie  as well as amazing support from her children and husband. But the end came anyway.

We hate to acknowledge that no matter what we do, in the end, nature bats last. We need to do what we can to help ourselves, seek the right treatments for our ailments and support research for better ones. But we also need to live as if tomorrow is not promised, for ourselves and for the people we love.

Susie lived that way  putting her whole self, with courage and integrity and generosity  into everything she did. That's the lesson I'm trying to take from this, and one day I'll be at peace. One day, I'll just be grateful for the time we had.

But today is not that day.

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To help look for new treatments for glioblastoma, you can donate to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research at https://donate.sunnybrook.ca/braincancerresearch.

mwisniewski@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @marywizchicago
Four people were injured early Friday when a car fleeing Chicago police crashed into two other cars on the Dan Ryan Expressway on the South Side, according to police.



The chase began when officers responded to a call of gunfire in the 200 block of West 47th Street around 2 a.m. and spotted a car speeding away, police said.



Officers activated their lights and sirens and tried to pull the car over, police said, but the car fled south on the Dan Ryan and struck two cars about five miles away, police said.



The driver of the fleeing car was taken in critical condition to Stroger Hospital. A passenger was taken in serious condition to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.



The driver of one of the cars hit, a man, was taken in good condition to St. Bernard Hospital. The driver of the second car hit was extricated by fire crews and taken to Stroger, where his condition was stabilized.



Charges were pending.



Check back for updates.
A taxi lost control, hit a pole, flipped and caught fire, also hitting and killing Eric Kerestes, 30, on Milwaukee and Chicago avenues. (Chicago Tribune 2012)

A Cook County jury on Friday acquitted the driver of a taxicab that fatally struck a graduate student in a 2012 crash, finding him not guilty of reckless homicide and aggravated reckless driving.

John Kesse leaned back on his seat in relief after the verdict was read Friday afternoon at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.

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"It's not like there are winners and losers here," Kesse's attorney Bruce Rafalson told the Tribune after the jury found his client not guilty following a four-day trial. "Our heart goes out to the family."

Prosecutors had accused Kesse of driving recklessly when he sped down Milwaukee Avenue on an August morning nearly five years ago, losing control and fatally striking 30-year-old Eric Kerestes, an engineer who was working on a master's degree at the University of Chicago.

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More than a dozen of Kerestes' friends and family members walked out of the courtroom in silence after the verdict came down. They were too stunned to speak with each other, said Carol Kerestes, Eric's mother.

"I was just shocked," she told the Tribune on Friday evening. "We just don't understand what it was that made (the jury) decide that."

Kesse had testified in his own defense this week, telling jurors his cab malfunctioned just before the wreck. He said the Ford Crown Victoria he was driving accelerated to a high rate of speed all on its own, and that he pumped the brakes to no avail.

"All of a sudden I heard 'voom,' and the cab took off," Kesse testified this week. "It was speeding. ... I tried to keep on braking, but it doesn't stop."

The taxi slammed into a curb near Chicago Avenue, flipped and rolled and caught fire. Kesse's passenger suffered injuries but was able to crawl to safety through a side window. Kerestes was thrown into the air and landed 200 feet from where he was struck. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

In closing arguments Friday, prosecutors had asked jurors to discount Kesse's testimony, saying an expert who looked at the car after the crash found that the mechanisms controlling acceleration were behaving normally.

Eric Kerestes, 30. (Family photo )

John Kesse exits the Leighton Criminal Court Building on July 26, 2017, after his trial wrapped up for the day. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune )

"This is not a case about a random, unrepeatable accidental alignment of a whole bunch of bad things that just were bad luck," said Assistant State's Attorney Eric Sacks. "This is a real case about an unjustified, reckless crash caused by this defendant."

Kesse's defense pointed to its own expert, who had testified the vehicle must have accelerated due to a random electrical malfunction.

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At no point during the trial was it alleged that Kesse, a veteran cabdriver and father of seven, had been drinking or under the influence of any drugs.

Kesse had been in another serious crash in 1998, in which he also maintained his innocence.

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In Bob and Carol Kerestes' view, the crash that killed their son is the second time Kesse has hurt someone without admitting fault, they told the Tribune.

"If you make a mistake, you should own up to your mistake," said Bob Kerestes, Eric's father. "He didn't own up to his mistake the first time, and now he's got the same thing, he didn't own up to it the second time."

Bob and Carol Kerestes had made the trip from downstate Bloomington to Chicago for nearly every one of Kesse's 60-plus court dates over the past five years.

They plan to go home this weekend and do something their son loved to do: play golf, go out to dinner, maybe read a science fiction book.

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They have no plans to return to Chicago anytime soon.

mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @crepeau
A taxi lost control, hit a pole, flipped and caught fire, also hitting and killing Eric Kerestes, 30, on Milwaukee and Chicago avenues. (Chicago Tribune 2012)

Tatijana Janko walked to her train station one summer morning five years ago past the aftermath of a devastating car wreck.

Streetlights were toppled and sparking. There were skid marks on the ground and a gathering crowd. A crumpled taxicab had flipped and rolled and caught fire.

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It was a startling scene, but the personal horror would come later. Janko learned soon afterward that her husband, Eric Kerestes, had been struck by the speeding taxicab and killed.

Kerestes, a promising 30-year-old engineer who married his college sweetheart, was pronounced dead at the scene. Janko, stunned, went to the morgue to gather his belongings, including his mangled wedding ring.

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"I tried not to imagine what had happened to his arm, and the rest of him," she said Tuesday, testifying at the trial of the taxi's driver, John Kesse, who was charged with reckless homicide.

In the moments before Janko passed by, Kesse's Checker cab had sped down Milwaukee Avenue, blowing past stoplights and weaving into oncoming lanes. When it reached Chicago Avenue, it slammed into a curb, crashed into light poles and struck Kerestes, who was thrown into the air and landed in a parking lot some 200 feet away.

As jurors began to hear the case this week, prosecutors described Kesse as thoughtless and rash, a driver zooming down a city street without regard for the passenger in his cab or the safety of the public.

Kesse's defense attorneys countered by arguing the cabbie had no choice  a random electrical problem made the taxi accelerate, they said, telling the jury the car was no longer in Kesse's control when it plowed into Kerestes.

A bright future

On the day his life ended, Kerestes had accomplished much, and was working toward more.

Described by his family as a whip-smart scientist, Kerestes was a graduate student who already had two degrees in engineering. He was killed on his way to his job at a construction firm, where his work included runway projects at O'Hare International Airport.

Eric Kerestes, 30. (Family photo )

Kerestes took to engineering like he was born for it, according to his father, Bob Kerestes. His son was thrilled to get Lego sets every childhood Christmas and would build them flawlessly.

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"At an early age he was already a technical little guy," Kerestes said of the boy who would become an Eagle Scout.

Eric Kerestes was hoping that one day he would run his own engineering business, his parents said.

They have established a scholarship in his name at his alma mater, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign  an effort that has in some ways reminded them of the great potential that was lost, said his mother, Carol Kerestes.

"It makes us proud of Eric, but it also is really sad for me because he's not there," she said. "It's great that we can do something in his name, and that people will remember him."

I heard 'voom'

A native of Ghana who has lived in the United States for 40 years, Kesse is well-respected in his community of fellow African immigrants, his attorney, Bruce Rafalson, told the Tribune. Friends said at prior court hearings that Kesse, a married father of seven, never drank alcohol and was a conscientious driver.

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Kesse took the witness stand himself Wednesday, answering questions so hastily he was often warned against talking over his examiners.

John Kesse exits the Leighton Criminal Court Building on July 26, 2017, after his trial wrapped up for the day. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune )

The Ford Crown Victoria he drove was operating normally when he stopped at a red light just after picking up his first fare on Aug. 14, 2012, near Division Street and Milwaukee Avenue about 6 a.m., he said.

He didn't notice trouble until he turned on to Milwaukee at a green light, he told the jury.

"All of a sudden I heard 'voom,' and the cab took off," Kesse testified. "It was speeding.  I tried to keep on braking, but it doesn't stop."

Kesse said he weaved in and out of his lane in an attempt to avoid cars that had slowed or stopped in front of him, and ran red lights because he could not brake, he said, eventually thinking his safest option would be to try to hit a light pole to stop the car. That was his aim when the cab hit the curb at Milwaukee and Chicago avenues, Kesse testified, and he lost control.

When questioned by prosecutors, Kesse said he never honked his horn or flashed his lights to try to alert other drivers that something was wrong. He did not put the car in neutral, he acknowledged, or try to hit a different light pole earlier in his path down Milwaukee Avenue.

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Kesse's passenger at the time of the crash, Michael Kim, testified in court this week that everything seemed normal when he got in Kesse's cab on his way to work.

Then Kesse blew past a red light at the corner of Noble and Milwaukee, and Kim noticed the cab was speeding, he said.

"I noticed things were just flashing by, and it was much like a blur," he said.

The next thing he knew, the cab was airborne, and he was being thrown around in the back seat. Kim suffered a spinal injury and a bruised lung, but was able to crawl out of a side window and stumble away, he said.

Did the cab malfunction?

The kind of sudden acceleration that led to Kesse veering off the road at high speed is highly unlikely to be caused by a malfunction in a modern automobile, according to prosecutors' expert witnesses. A mechanic hired by police to inspect the taxi in the days after the wreck said nothing was wrong with the mechanisms that control acceleration.

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And if something had gone drastically wrong, the car's fail-safes would have been activated and prevented the car from reaching such speeds, said Ryan Welsch, who performed the inspection.

"None of the components failed in any way that could cause a scenario like that," Welsch said from the witness stand this week. "If it fails, it goes into shutdown mode, limited mode, 30-mile-an hour-mode."

But a forensic engineer who testified for Kesse's defense said the car likely sped out of Kesse's control due to a freak electrical issue that would not have been detectable in the days after the crash. Interference within the car's electrical system sent an "unwanted signal" to the car's computer, Samuel Sero said, the kind of problem that would have left no trace.

"This is sort of the consummate random event," Sero testified Wednesday.

He reached his conclusion by process of elimination rather than running tests, he said, but the lack of physical evidence for such an occurrence is unimportant: "Whether you can see damage or see a footprint is irrelevant," he said.

That analysis doesn't meet the basic scientific standards of proof, testified Thomas Livernois, an electrical engineer called by prosecutors Thursday to rebut Sero's testimony.

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"It's sheer speculation," Livernois said of Sero's conclusions. "It's not scientific."

There has never been a confirmed case of electromagnetic interference causing the kind of unintended acceleration Kesse described, Livernois said.

"It cannot happen in the real world, no one's been able to make it happen even in a laboratory," Livernois said. "And believe me, people have tried."

A prior crash

Jurors at the trial have not heard it, but Kesse was involved in another serious wreck 14 years earlier, in 1998. Witnesses at the time said he ran a red light near the intersection of Chicago and Inner Lake Shore Drive.

Kesse's cab struck a station wagon making a left turn, then careened toward a Toyota Corolla, caving in its dashboard and leaving the driver with a fractured femur and a broken hip.

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A review of Cook County records by the Tribune after Kerestes' death found that Kesse was not ticketed for any traffic offenses in the 1998 wreck  likely because of a conflict at the scene over who was at fault.

Kesse testified in a deposition after that crash that he had a green light when another driver improperly made a left turn and hit his cab, pushing it into the Toyota, according to court records. The cab company later settled the Toyota driver's personal-injury lawsuit for $400,000 without admitting liability.

Kesse's history of driving infractions is otherwise unremarkable for a veteran driver. By the time of the crash that killed Kerestes in 2012, he had amassed 33 tickets for alleged moving violations, records show, but most were dismissed or pleaded down to supervision, which would not appear on his permanent driving record. His last conviction for a traffic offense before the 2012 crash came in 1998 for speeding.

After Kesse was charged criminally, he filed a civil lawsuit against the Ford Motor Company that is currently pending in U.S. District Court in Chicago, alleging that a defect caused the car's "sudden unintended acceleration."

A family's vigil

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Bob and Carol Kerestes have made the 130-mile trip from downstate Bloomington to Chicago for almost every one of Kesse's hearings  nearly 60 times in the five years since Kesse was charged, Bob Kerestes told the Tribune in a phone interview Wednesday.

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Kerestes said he made a promise at his son's graveside that he would try not to miss any court dates.

"I sort of think he's there and he's asking me for help and I love him," he said.

Closing arguments in the trial are slated to begin Friday morning. Bob and Carol Kerestes plan to be in court again, along with their son's widow, Tatijana Janko.

"This week has been really tough," Janko told the Tribune after testimony had concluded Thursday. "But I really hope that there's some closure."

mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @crepeau
George Rabb, shown with an okapi, was the influential longtime director of Brookfield Zoo. He died Thursday after a brief illness, the zoo announced. He was 87. (Chicago Zoological Society)

Despite running Brookfield Zoo, one of the Chicago area's top tourist attractions, for decades and even living in a house on zoo grounds, George Rabb was probably better known in the international zoo and conservation communities than he was locally.

"He was a quiet, shy, unassuming guy, and I've never in my life seen anybody more respected completely than him," said Joe Mendelson, director of research at Zoo Atlanta and a longtime friend and colleague of Rabb's. "He was absolutely central to the modernization of zoos from animal menageries to conservation and research centers."'

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Rabb died Thursday at 87 after a brief illness, the zoo said in a statement Thursday night. His legacy, marked throughout his career by bringing scientific methods into his chosen workplace, touches nearly all aspects of modern animal conservation, friends and colleagues said.

Rabb had heart surgery in early July and struggled to recover, Brooke Hecht, president of the Center for Humans and Nature, a Chicago wildlife think tank where Rabb sat on the board, said in a newsletter Friday.

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"At some point, at 87 and post-surgery, George's body could no longer keep up with his mind. To those who knew him, this likely comes as no surprise," she wrote, calling him "our dear George Rabb." "I was honored to be with George yesterday when he died. He leaves behind multitudes inspired by his dedication to conservation as caring, the importance of global citizenship and, yes, the dream of a world environment organization that cares for the whole community of life."

A herpetologist by training and one of the first Ph.D.s to work in an American zoo, Rabb relentlessly pushed zoos toward that conservation mission by helping to establish cooperation in species management, for instance. He was also a leader in the movement toward more naturalistic animal habitats such as Tropic World, the massive enclosure at Brookfield that depicts three continents under one roof.

"He brought a lot of caring into the zoos," Mendelson said. "He really made sure zoos were stepping up to do the absolute best in terms of animal welfare."

In the early 1990s, Rabb developed a widely influential chart titled "Evolution of Zoos and Aquariums." It depicts them rising from a "Menagerie" and "Living Naturall History Cabinet" in the 19th Century to "Zoological Park" and "Living Museum" in the 20th to "Conservation Center" and "Environmental Resource Center" in the 21st, marked by "Immersion exhibits."

These, along with a focus on raising awareness about the global amphibian crisis, were goals Rabb continued to pursue even after he retired as the zoo's director in 2004 to become president emeritus.

"George was a consummate scientist and a brilliant man," said his successor, Stuart Strahl, president and CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages the zoo. "A lot of the things that he started here were the first in the field: the first zoo nutrition lab for animals, the first behavioral endocrinology testing for stress levels in animals, good and bad, the first family play zoo anywhere ever."

Rabb was not a charismatic figure, however, like Lester Fisher, the longtime head of Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. "He wasn't necessarily the guy who was out looking for votes on Mr. Popularity," Strahl said. "He was a guy who was very serious about outcomes."

Said Mendelson, "He made sure that the zoo was a great popularizer of information and caring, but he wasn't a spokesperson," adding that "painfully shy" was a fair description.

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Mendelson told of one "raucous" open-mic meeting, at the Global Amphibian Conservation Summit in Washington, D.C. in 2005. As the conversation grew divisive, even "mean," over one issue, "George leaned into my ear and said, 'Joe, you're not going to let this continue, are you?'," Mendelson recalled -- a clearly understood prompt for his friend to "step up to the microphone, lay down the gauntlet, and break the impasse."

"He has always avoided the limelight but is known as a warm and wise animal expert," said a Tribune Q&A with Rabb in 1996. "He recently retired from the chairmanship of the Species Survival Commission of the IUCN-World Conservation Union, the leading scientific group that monitors the status of wildlife and advises world governments. Rabb's work added luster to an international reputation, yet he largely remains anonymous in his hometown."

Yet Rabb's passion came through in that Tribune interview. "That is the most tragic part, the loss of biodiversity," he said. "We're bloody ignorant. The notion that we're sort of stirring ourselves to have expeditions to Mars when we really don't know what's on this planet to sustain us. The yew was a trash tree until we discovered its potency in fighting breast and uterine cancer."

Earning an undergraduate degree from the College of Charleston in his home city of Charleston, S.C., Rabb went on to earn his doctorate at the University of Michigan with a thesis on "the systematics and biogeography of lizards" in the Bahamian Islands, where he had done research in 1953, according to an extensive biography of Rabb published in 2015 in Copeia, a journal of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists.

Rabb joined the zoo in 1956, became director in 1976, and helped guide the institution, on Cook County Forest Preserve District Land in west suburban Brookfield, out of tough times.

"The zoo struggled with deficits and a declining physical plant through much of the 1960s," says the Encyclopedia of Chicago. "Then, helped by a large bond issue from the Forest Preserve District, close attention to zoo governance and visitor services, and Rabb's appointment as director in 1976, the zoo began to recreate itself as one of the nation's best, especially in its institutional commitment to international conservation and environmental awareness."

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Rabb in 1953 married Mary Sughrue Rabb, a fellow Charlestonian and College of Charleston graduate who would run the zoo's library and work with him on conservation issues, including among amphibians and wolves. Scientists named a species of frog discovered in 2005 after the Rabbs, the zoo said. The couple did not have children, and Mrs. Rabb died in 2006.

After his 2004 retirement, he moved off of zoo grounds to another house in Brookfield, became president emeritus and stayed active in animal issues and nonprofit governance in the Chicago area. In his career he won many of the top honors available to zoo professionals, including the 1997 Silver Medal of the Zoological Society of London and the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award of the National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment. At Brookfield his work led to the establishment of the zoo's Center for the Science of Animal Care and Welfare and Center for Conservation Leadership.

"The collective whole of the people he affected and who worked with him and learned from him and went on to be zoo directors or amphibian biologist or educators, the collective whole is probably more than the sum of George," Strahl said. "But individually there can never be another George Rabb."

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Even toward the end of his life he was working. Right before his surgery, Rabb met with staff of the Center for Humans and Nature, Hecht said.

"As we got ourselves settled on the patio," she recalled, "George pulled a folder from his wheelchair" that included a review of a book called "Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Our Worst."

"'I've got reading material for you!" Rabb said.

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Plans for a memorial service were pending.

Note: This more detailed story replaces a shorter obituary that was first published Thursday night.

sajohnson@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @StevenKJohnson
With increasing Lyme disease and Powassan virus cases, two upstate New York congressmen want to raise awareness about tick-borne illnesses.

A bill introduced by U.S. Reps. John Katko and Sean Patrick Maloney would establish grants for states to set up tick identification programs. The programs would enable people to submit photos of ticks.

Vector-borne biologists would use the photos to identify the tick and provide individuals with details about the insect. The information would include the species, an estimate of whether the tick is carrying a disease, best practices if you've encountered a tick and how to prevent the spread of tick-borne illnesses.

"With steady increases in cases of tick-borne illnesses, like Lyme disease and Powassan, in central and upstate New York, it is critical that we work to move the ball forward on public health efforts to combat these diseases," Katko, R-Camillus, said.

In 2015, there were 3,252 confirmed cases and 1,062 probable cases of Lyme disease in New York, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC said 95 percent of confirmed Lyme disease cases in 2015 were reported from 14 states, including New York. The other states are located in the Northeast or Midwest.

Another tick-borne illness, Powassan virus, is raising concerns in New York and other states. Severe cases of Powassan virus can lead to encephalitis or meningitis.

A Saratoga County man died in May after contracting Powassan virus. The illness is rare and it's difficult to diagnose.

Maloney, D-Cold Spring, said the pilot program that would be established by the bill he's introducing with Katko could boost awareness about tick-borne illnesses.

"If you're out hiking with your family or working on your farm and you get a tick bite, you should be able to get your hands on the tools you need to determine your level of risk and figure out your next steps," he said.

The bill is supported by public health officials and organizations, including the American Lyme Disease Foundation.

The CDC also supports the bill.

Laura Harrington, program director of the CDC Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, said the bill is "timely" because the threat of tick-borne illnesses are at record levels.

"There is a critical need for more information on expanding tick distributions, as well as the development of new strategies and landscape management for controlling and reducing New York's exposure to ticks and diseases, such as Lyme disease, babesiosis, Powassan/deer tick virus and other novel tick-borne parasites that are poised to invade our region," she said.

New York could benefit from the program that Katko and Maloney hope to launch. Cornell University in Ithaca hosts the CDC's Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases.

The Katko-Maloney bill is supported by members of New York's congressional delegation. The bipartisan group includes U.S. Reps. Yvette Clarke, Tom Reed, Elise Stefanik and Paul Tonko.
The woman strained against the crime tape, just feet from a body slumped on the sidewalk, and pleaded with police: "I need to touch my son."



For the next hour early Friday, officers gently kept her away as investigators talked to her and relatives comforted her.



As the sun rose, she walked down the street and disappeared into one of the homes in the 500 block of West Iowa Street on the Near North Side. Minutes later, she rushed out the back door, ran down the steps and collapsed on the body of her son.



"My baby," she cried as she struggled to hold him close to her. "My baby."



Police say her son, Kennatay Leavell, 31, was shot several times in the face around 2:55 a.m. Friday outside the last of the Cabrini-Green rowhouses. Another man, 34, was shot several times in the abdomen and taken in critical condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital.



His death came as Chicago passed a grim milestone: 400 homicides so far this year. That's two days earlier than last year, when gun violence reached levels not seen in two decades. And that's four months earlier than four years ago, when the city hit the mark shortly before Thanksgiving, according to data collected by the Tribune.



While fewer people have been shot this year than this time last year, more people are dying from their wounds, the statistics show. The percentage of fatal shootings is running about 1.3 percent higher than last year.



Police couldn't say what led to the shooting of Leavell, one of at least 2,150 people shot in Chicago this year. His family said he had relatives and friends who lived in the area.



"All this is family around here," his father, Willie Ross, said at the scene. Leavell was convicted of second-degree murder in 2008, but his father said he was raising two children, a 12-year-old and a 1-year-old. "He was a good son," Ross said. "He loved people. He did everything he could for people."



As he talked, about a dozen security guards along with Chicago police officers guarded the crime scene, in the middle of what was once a vast housing complex. Neighbors paced the street while others watched from their front steps.



A woman came out of one of homes, looked around and kissed the baby in her arms before going back inside.



Evidence technicians were already working the scene when Leavell's mother arrived. His body lay uncovered in the backyard.



"Where my son at? Where my son?" she asked as two women came up and held her. "I want to see my son, please, I got to see my son."



Officers led her away but she stayed close by, at times sitting on the curb and crying. "When are they going to let me go over there to see my son?" she asked. "I need to touch my son, let me over there."



She finally found a way through one of the homes just before a van arrived to take her son's body. After a few minutes with her son, she was steered back to the steps by an officer. She was still sitting there when the van pulled up.



Leavell's father walked around the van and knelt next to his son and silently held him as workers unloaded a gurney. There were gasps in the crowd as they turned his body over and placed him on it.



As the van pulled away, Leavell's mother got a bowl of water and poured it on the sidewalk, then used a broom to sweep her son's blood away. An officer came to help, pouring a bucket of water on the sidewalk.



A relative took the broom from the mother and finished the job.
Chicago police evidence technicians process a crime scene in the 4300 block of South Ashland Avenue in Chicago after a Chicago police officer was shot in the area on July 21, 2017. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Two men already facing charges after being nabbed in a controversial federal sting operation have now been accused of participating in separate shootings while free on bond, including a homicide and the shooting of a Chicago police officer, according to court records.

Dante Jeffries, 27, and Jayvon Byrd, 24, are two among dozens of so-called stash house defendants charged in U.S. District Court in Chicago who allegedly agreed to commit armed robberies at drug houses after being approached by informants working for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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In the stash house stings, targeted defendants typically agree to a plan to use guns to rip off a drug house in conversations that are secretly recorded by an informant. The plot is fictitious, however, created by an ATF agent.

Byrd is now charged with the July 6 fatal shooting of a 29-year-old in Sauk Village.

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Jeffries, meanwhile, is charged with attempted first-degree murder in the July 21 shooting of a Chicago police officer. He is one of three people charged in the shooting, which allegedly happened after officers responded to a call of an armed robbery at a store in the 4300 block of South Ashland Avenue in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.

The robbers allegedly tied up store employees in a back room. As the men were leaving, they shot at officers who then returned fire, authorities said.

Dante Jeffries, 27, left, and Jayvon Byrd, 24, both facing charges in a federal sting operation, are accused of participating in separate shootings while free on bond. (Chicago Police Department / Cook County Sheriff's Department)

Jeffries and Byrd were named in a 2013 criminal complaint charging them in connection with the ATF sting. Bond has now been revoked for both in the wake of the shootings, according to federal court records.

The stash house ruse has come under intense scrutiny nationwide, including in Chicago, after patterns emerged showing that most of the defendants caught up in such cases were black. Experts hired by criminal defense attorneys concluded that ATF showed bias in its selection of the targeted defendants. Judges have also raised concern about entrapment and whether the stings went too far by luring suspects with fake plots.

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Federal prosecutors, though, have strongly defended the stings in filings, calling the expert opinion "riddled with false assumptions." For its part, the ATF generally has credited the stings with taking violent offenders off the street.

A major hearing on whether some 40 of the cases should be dismissed is scheduled to be held at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in the coming months.

Attorneys representing both Jeffries and Byrd declined to comment. A spokesman for the ATF also declined to comment.

asweeney@chicagotribune.com

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jmeisner@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @annie1221

Twitter @jmetr22b
Illinois Federation of Teachers lobbyist David Piccioli sought a larger pension after serving as a substitute teacher for a single day in 2007, in an attempt to take advantage of then-newly enacted legislation. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune / Illinois secretary of state photo)

In Illinois, pension provisions have long been protected by the courts, which ruled that benefits cannot be lowered once they are put in place.

But then there's the special case of teachers union lobbyist David Piccioli, who served as a substitute teacher for a single day in 2007 and then, taking advantage of newly enacted legislation, tried to use that service to inflate his pension.

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That deal was exposed four years later by the Tribune, prompting the General Assembly to respond with legislative action that, in effect, wiped out most of Piccioli's enhanced pension benefit.

Piccioli fought back but suffered another setback this week when a judge in a Springfield circuit court rejected his challenge and said he wasn't entitled to the extra money.

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By deciding the case with a summary judgment before a full trial, the court sent a strong message that Piccioli's case was weak. Sangamon County Judge Ryan Cadagin determined the provision in the 2007 law that benefited Piccioli represented "unconstitutional special legislation."

That 2007 law, Cadagin wrote, "cannot reasonably be construed in a manner that would preserve its validity."

By going to court, Piccioli sought to boost his annual pension from the Illinois Teachers' Retirement System from more than $31,000 to what the Tribune estimated would be more than $67,000.

Sen. Kwame Raoul, a Chicago Democrat and pension expert, called Piccioli's attempts to cash in "outrageous" and "greedy."

"It's audacious, first of all," Raoul said, to push for the bigger pension when lawmakers are "trying to figure out what we can do going forward to get public pension funds back to a place of of stability."

The state's five public pension systems are billions of dollars in debt, a burden that comes with a far-reaching impact on the state's overall finances.

Carl Draper, Piccioli's attorney, said the 67-year-old retiree deserves the bigger teacher pension because the state high court has ruled a public worker's pension cannot be diminished or impaired. In 2015, it struck down a landmark law to cut state pension costs and reduce benefits through a major legislative overhaul.

Draper provided a statement from Piccioli saying he was disappointed by the "revocation of my vested pension rights."

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"If there is a problem with the legislation, the state should be answerable for it, not a citizen like me," Piccioli said in the statement.

Piccioli's pension windfall first came to light from a Tribune/WGN-TV investigation that uncovered a lucrative loophole signed into law by now-imprisoned Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2007.

The Illinois Federation of Teachers, a longtime supporter of Democrats in Springfield, endorsed Democratic Blagojevich in his 2006 re-election campaign, donating over $515,000 in the two-year election cycle.

Only a few weeks after his re-election, lawmakers approved a pension bill that included a provision opening a window for Piccioli and other union officials to count their previous years as union employees toward a teachers pension.

One key provision was that Piccioli and anyone else who wanted to buy credit in the teacher pension system for past years of work at IFT had to be covered by the retirement system before Blagojevich signed the law  even if it meant serving only one day as a substitute teacher.

That meant people had to act fast.

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Piccioli and fellow IFT lobbyist Steve Preckwinkle got certified as substitute teachers, and each served a day as substitutes in Springfield schools before Blagojevich signed the bill in February 2007.

Piccioli went ahead and paid into the teacher pension system to buy credit for his past IFT years, spending about $198,000 to cover costs for roughly a decade of time with the union, Draper said. (Preckwinkle did not buy such retroactive credits.)

In 2012, angry lawmakers pounced on the matter and eliminated the chance to retroactively count years already served in a union toward a teacher pension, prompting the teacher retirement officials to refund Piccioli's payments plus interest.

But Piccioli still will benefit from his day as a sub.

He remains eligible to count years in the union going forward from the day he taught as long as he made proper payments  thanks to separate laws that had long been on the books, Draper said. That's why Piccioli gets a teacher pension, even though it is smaller than the one he sought, Draper said.

The judge said the 2007 law violated the state Constitution's "special legislation clause" by allowing the narrow opportunity of only a few weeks to qualify for the Teachers' Retirement System and become eligible to buy credit.

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Cadagin noted that Piccioli did not explain "why only individuals who met these criteria before the 2007 Act became law are unique with respect to any legitimate legislative purpose."

Further, Cadagin wrote, Piccioli did not identify "any rational reason why the benefits available under the 2007 Act should be limited to such persons, and not be available to other individuals ... who met those criteria after the 2007 Act became law."

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The judge's order said the provision at the heart of the matter was drafted by the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

But Draper said that "David Piccioli had no involvement with the drafting."

Draper said he is considering whether to appeal the judge's ruling directly to the Illinois Supreme Court or ask the judge to reconsider.

The teacher pension system and the attorney general, who represented the system in the case, declined to comment Thursday.

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In addition to his teacher pension, Piccioli also gets a second pension from his time as a legislative aide. That's worth $31,840 a year, records showed.

rlong@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @RayLong
Gov. Bruce Rauner, joined by Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady, left, speaks in Chicago Monday about school funding. Rauner called the General Assembly back into session to deal with funding for education. (Alexandra Wimley/Chicago Tribune )

SPRINGFIELD  Republicans sent mixed signals Thursday about the future of a measure that changes how Illinois distributes money to local school districts, with a key senator contradicting Gov. Bruce Rauner's pledge to immediately veto the proposal.

Sen. Jason Barickman said Rauner has committed to hold on to the bill once it's sent to him to try to negotiate an agreement with Democrats, saying there are "no hard lines in the sand."

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"I asked the governor, when the bill is transmitted to you, will you hold the bill so that we can have a negotiation?" said the Bloomington lawmaker, who has served as a GOP negotiator on the issue. "He said 'yes.' He said 'That's a very reasonable thing to do, but I need the bill first.'"

Barickman's comments counter what Rauner has said publicly. Last week, Rauner said he would "immediately" use his amendatory veto powers to rewrite portions of the legislation he opposes. Earlier Thursday, Rauner said he did not believe Democrats were interested in cutting a deal, saying if they were, they should have sent the bill to him months ago instead of waiting until just days before the first school payments are scheduled to go out.

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"There is no interest in compromise on the other side, that's why this bill is being withheld to create crisis," Rauner said.

By Thursday evening, Barickman had issued a statement on Twitter cleaning up his earlier remarks, saying he "never implied that the governor's position had changed."

Asked to clarify the governor's stance, Rauner spokesman Laurel Patrick said in an email that the governor's position on an immediate veto "has not changed." She included a link to Barickman's statement.

Under the budget lawmakers enacted over Rauner's objections, school aid payments cannot be distributed unless a new "evidence-based" funding formula is in place. Democrats passed such a plan in May but have put a procedural hold on the bill in the Senate keeping it off Rauner's desk.

Democratic Senate President John Cullerton said the move was intended to prevent an immediate veto. Cullerton has asked Rauner to meet privately to begin talks, saying a veto "threatens all the work that has gone into this reform proposal."

"I again urge the governor to show us any changes he wants and to sit down for rational discussions now," Cullerton said in a statement Thursday.

So far, Rauner has declined to meet. Cullerton plans to send the legislation to Rauner on Monday.

While the governor supports the majority of the funding proposal, he's characterized parts of the bill as a "bailout" for Chicago Public Schools. His main objection is $215 million set aside the bill to help pay for teacher pension costs, which the state covers for all schools outside of Chicago. He's also raised concerns about another $250 million CPS receives in the form of a special block grant.

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mcgarcia@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @moniquegarcia
Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield. Subscribe here.

Topspin

The pain of new taxes in Chicago is not over, a Wall Street debt rating agency predicted this week.

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Still, a Kroll Bond Rating Agency report says Chicago is making progress in fixing its financial woes and can weather the continuing storm.

By 2023, the city will have to come up with up to $1.3 billion in new revenue and spending reductions to meet scheduled contributions to the city's four pension funds and make rising debt payments, the agency estimated. On top of that, Chicago Public Schools and other local taxing bodies could need nearly $339 million more to meet those costs.



New taxes, coupled with any spending reductions at the city, CPS, Cook County and other governments could come to as much as $1.66 billion by 2023, Kroll concluded. Of course, those dynamics could change over time, depending on the economy, whether CPS gets the extra money it seeks from state government and Chicago's overall finances.

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That comes on top of $1.4 billion in new annual revenue  by the Tribune's count  the city already has approved since Mayor Rahm Emanuel took office in 2011. The mayor inherited a city budget balanced precariously with one-time revenues, floundering city worker pension systems and generous union contracts.

Most of the new money  $823 million  comes in the form of higher property taxes, a new water service tax and an increased 911 telephone fee all dedicated to increased pension contributions. The bulk of the rest is in the form of higher water service fees being used to upgrade the city's aging water system.



CPS, meanwhile, has increased property taxes by more than $477 million to cover education costs, construction and pension contributions since 2011.

Kroll gives Chicago a higher bond rating than other agencies and believes the city is in a position to work its way out of its troubles. Moody's, for example, warned earlier this month of another debt downgrade.

The Kroll report, though, stated Emanuel's plans to increase pension contributions, approved this month by the state, are "sustainable and a positive step forward.

The agency "believes that Chicago's businesses, households and visitors  the city's wealth base  can afford the city's debt and pension obligations  even if it will be somewhat painful," the report added.



It goes on to note the "depth and diversity" of the city's economy, "effective management, improved financial controls and ample reserves. ... City leaders have demonstrated the political will necessary to execute their plans despite numerous obstacles." (Hal Dardick)

What's on tap

*Mayor Rahm Emanuel is set to announce with the Department of Streets and Sanitation that more miles of street have been swept this year than last.

*Gov. Bruce Rauner has no public events scheduled.

*The Illinois House and Senate will be in special session.

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*There's a hearing in the Cook County soda pop tax lawsuit. According to the plaintiffs, it's a potential ruling on the county's motion to dismiss.

*Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle will appear at a forest preserve in Thornton for a morning graduation ceremony for young people who participated in a summer jobs program.

From the notebook

A new debate leader for the GOP: Illinois House Republicans have named Rep. Peter Breen of Lombard to serve as floor leader, a high profile position in which he will serve as the lead debater for his caucus.

Breen replaces Rep. Steve Andersson, who was removed from the leadership position after he split with Gov. Bruce Rauner and joined Democrats to approve a budget and income tax hike.

Breen is a constitutional attorney known for his conservative stances on fiscal and social issues.

"I look forward to voicing our caucus' priorities and goals as we continue with reform efforts to move our state from the brink of collapse to substantial recovery," Breen said in a statement. "The leadership team is dedicated to restoring people's confidence in the state of Illinois and I am pleased to be taking a larger role in sharing our message." (Monique Garcia)

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*When is a news conference not a news conference?: Gov. Rauner was scheduled to hold a news conference Thursday following the quick in-and-out of the special session. First, it was pushed back. Then, an aide said the governor wouldn't be taking questions. Which means it wasn't really a news conference.

*Pritzker gets painters' union backing: Democratic governor candidate J.B. Pritzker is continuing to pick up endorsements from organized labor, now getting the backing of Illinois Painters District Councils covering workers in Chicago, Cook and Lake counties, areas bordering Iowa and southern Illinois.



Pritzker's campaign said the labor councils, as members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, represent 36 different craft trades collectively across Illinois.



"As governor, working families and the labor movement will always have a seat at the table as we work together to protect collective bargaining rights, oppose right to work and enforce prevailing wage laws," Pritzker said in a statement.



Pritzker already has received the backing of the Illinois AFL-CIO and 17 unions across the state.



The Pritzker campaign also released a new one-minute digital video showing broadcast media coverage of some of the problems that surfaced following the big shake-up in Republican Gov. Rauner's governmental and political operation. It also features Rauner lauding his staff as the "best team in America." (Rick Pearson)

*EMILY's List puts Roskam, Davis "On Notice": The Democrat-supporting advocacy group for women, EMILY's List, has put Illinois Republican Reps. Peter Roskam of Wheaton and Rodney Davis of Taylorville on its "On Notice" targeting list over their votes in support of House GOP plans to repeal and replace Obamacare.



Stephanie Schriock, the group's president, issued identically worded statements  swapping out the names of Roskam and Davis  in which she contended they "failed to protect the Illinoisans" they were elected to represent and vowing the group is committed to flipping their seats to Democrats.

Roskam represents the 6th District, which is centered in DuPage County, while Davis has the 13th District, which includes part of central Illinois.



EMILY's List is calling its "On Notice" program the largest in its 32-year history and targeting 50 Republicans on the federal level over their voting records on women's issues. (Rick Pearson)

*The Sunday Spin: On this week's show, Chicago Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson's guests are Lauren Chooljian, who is moving on after covering city politics for WBEZ-FM 91.5; Democratic state Rep. Rob Martwick of Chicago and 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beale. The "Sunday Spin" airs from 7 to 9 a.m. on WGN-AM 720.

What we're writing

*Illinois budget backlog gives headache to health care providers, patients.

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*Republicans send mixed signals on immediate Rauner veto of school funding bill.

*City Hall denies permit to install golden, pig-shaped balloons to block TRUMP in titular tower.

*36th Ward Ald. Villegas wants to deputize Chicagoans to free dogs from hot cars.

*Naperville City Council member latest to announce Democratic bid for right to take on Republican U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (IL-6).

*Former speechwriter for Daley II, Sen. Dixon dies at 70.

*Bullet hits Chicago firetruck responding to scene.

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What we're reading (Friday Summer Fun Edition)

*Lettuce Entertain You returns to the Pump Room.

*Illinois suspends operation of a dozen rides after Ohio accident with fatalities.

*West Coast brewery coming to Fulton Market (we recommend trying Sculpin).

Follow the money

*Democratic state Sen. Heather Steans of Chicago kicked in $10,000 to the 48th Ward Democrats.

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*Democratic state Rep. Lou Lang of Skokie collected $33,000, led by $11,000 from the Casino Law Group.

*Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here.

Beyond Chicago



*U.S. Senate still working on 'skinny repeal' of Obamacare.

*Scaramucci has a conversation with the New Yorker, from which expletives are not deleted.

*Sessions tells AP he'll serve as AG as long as Trump wants him to.

*Joint Chiefs of Staff: Going to take more than a Trump tweet to modify military transgender policy.

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*Shkreli told 'lies upon lies,' prosecutors say in closing statements in securities fraud trial.
The Illinois State Board of Elections said it has received the revised request for Illinois voter data from a panel President Donald Trump formed to look into his claims of voting irregularities and that the issue will be placed on the agenda of its Aug. 22 meeting. (Getty Images)

The Illinois State Board of Elections Friday said it will consider next month a revised request for voter information sought by a panel President Donald Trump formed to look into his claims of voting irregularities in the last presidential election.

The decision by the bipartisan elections board to consider the request comes after in early July it rejected an initial appeal for "publically available" voter data by the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. The state board said under Illinois law it had no such information available that could be publicly disclosed.

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In the presidential panel's latest request, though, it is vowing to keep the voter information confidential.

"Individuals' voter registration records will be kept confidential and secure throughout the duration of the commission's existence," Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, the Republican vice chair of the commission, wrote in the letters to state officials. "Once the commission's analysis is complete, the commission will dispose of the data as permitted by federal law."

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State law in Kansas had kept Kobach, the state's top election official, from fully complying with the commission's original request.

The Illinois election board, in a statement, said it has received the revised request for Illinois voter data and that the issue will be placed on the agenda of its Aug. 22 meeting.

"No voter information will be released without board approval and advance notice to the public," the state election board statement said. It also solicited public comment by emailing webmaster@elections.il.gov.

The Illinois board received numerous complaints over the presidential panel's initial request to turning over such data as voter names, addresses, birth dates, the last four digits of Social Security numbers and voting history going back to 2006.

Several prominent Illinois Democrats had urged the state reject the panel's initial request, including U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin.

Trump formed the panel in May after he claimed, without evidence, that 3 million to 5 million immigrants living in the U.S. illegally voted in the 2016 presidential election, costing him a popular vote victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton. Democrats contend the panel is attempting to advance efforts to suppress voter turnout, citing little evidence of widespread voter fraud.

rap@aol.com

Twitter @rap30
LONDON  A High Court judge ruled that Charlie Gard - a terminally ill 11-month-old who has become the face of a worldwide debate over end-of-life rights - will be moved to hospice, where he will "inevitably" die, according to reports.

Charlie's parents and doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) finally agreed that Charlie would die in hospice, but could not agree on how much time the child should have to live, according to BBC News. BBC reported Charlie's parents wanted to pay for a private medical team to oversee their son's care so they could spend time with him, but the hospital argued that prolonging it would not be in his best interest.

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Judge Nicholas Francis gave them until noon Thursday (local time) to come up with a plan, or he said Charlie would be transferred to hospice and soon disconnected from life support.

After the deadline had passed, the judge approved that plan, saying that it "will inevitably result in Charlie's death within a short period of time thereafter," according to the Associated Press.

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For many months, Charlie's parents, Chris Gard and Connie Yates, have been fighting in court to keep their son alive.

But that battle - which has drawn sympathy and support from Pope Francis and President Donald Trump, with hospitals in Rome and New York offering to help - is coming to an exhausting and emotional end.

Following Thursday's ruling, a spokesperson for Great Ormond Street Hospital called the months-long ordeal "a uniquely painful and distressing process" for everyone involved in it.

"Charlie's parents have tirelessly advocated for what they sincerely believed was right for their son, and nobody could fault them for doing so," a hospital spokesperson said in a statement. "All of us at Great Ormond Street Hospital get up every morning to care for sick children, not to cause further anguish to devoted parents like Chris and Connie."

The hospital said it exhausted all options to try to accommodate the grieving parents' wishes for their son's final moments but that his "severe and complex needs" made it impossible.

"The risk of an unplanned and chaotic end to Charlie's life is an unthinkable outcome for all concerned and would rob his parents of precious last moments with him," the spokesperson said.

Great Ormond Street Hospital said it will arrange for Charlie's transfer to a children's hospice that will "make these last moments as comfortable and peaceful as possible for Charlie and his loved-ones."

On Monday, Charlie's parents gave up their battle in court, acknowledging that time had run out and that their son would die within days, not even living to see his first birthday on Aug. 4.

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"We are about to do the hardest thing we will ever have to do, which is to let our beautiful little Charlie go," Gard said as he stood in front of the gothic stone of London's High Court building alongside Yates. Both choked back tears, with onlookers openly weeping.

Gard and Yates spent Tuesday trying to persuade the hospital and a judge to let them say goodbye to Charlie at home. Hospice was the second-best option, their attorney told a judge at a hearing.

Yates and Gard wanted Charlie with them at home several days before he received palliative care, according to the Mirror. They offered to pay for a mobile ventilator and medics so the infant could leave the hospital, according to the Sun. The hospital said Charlie's invasive ventilation was a significant obstacle to his parents' wishes. A complication could arise while he was being moved to his parents' home. And their front door may be too small for hospital equipment to fit through.

Ultimately, Charlie's parents agreed that their son should die in hospice but wanted more time to say their goodbyes.

It was the final dispute in an acrimonious and bitter legal battle that has brought global attention to Charlie's plight.

The case has pitted the rights of Charlie's parents to decide what's best for their son against the obligations of doctors to spare the baby what they have described as a life defined only by pain and suffering.

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Charlie was born in August with mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, a rare genetic condition and resulting brain damage that has robbed him of the ability to see, hear, move or breathe on his own. Weeks after birth, Charlie was struggling to hold up his head and was not gaining weight. At the 2-month mark, he had become lethargic, and his breathing had become shallow, court records show.

The child was taken to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where he has remained since. Earlier this year, doctors concluded that nothing more could be done for him.

His parents' decision to stop their legal fight drew overwhelming expressions of commiseration and sorrow this week. Outside the court, protesters who labeled themselves "Charlie's Army" reacted furiously to the announcement, chanting, "Shame on you, judge!" and "Shame on GOSH!"

The protesters have included activists from the United States, many of whom have seen the case as a galling instance of the state trampling on the wishes of parents who, above all, have wanted to give their child a chance.

The hospital said it had received a "disgraceful tide of hostilities," and even death threats, all of them directed at "doctors and nurses whose life's work is to care for sick children."

But Claire Fenton-Glynn, who specializes in children's rights as a law lecturer at the University of Cambridge, said the hospital and courts had behaved appropriately - carefully considering the parents' arguments but, in the end, deciding what is best for Charlie.

"It's the role of the state and the courts to make an objective assessment of where the child's best interests lie," she said. "It's a devastating case on a human level. On a legal level, it's not as controversial."

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In the end, Charlie's parents said they gave up on their court fight because the doctor who pioneered the experimental treatment believed it was no longer viable for Charlie, who was too far gone.

Speaking in front of a phalanx of news cameras outside the courthouse Monday, Gard and Yates said they planned to retreat from the public eye so they could spend "our last precious moments with our son."

The last words of their tear-filled statement were for him:

"To Charlie, we say: Mummy and Daddy, we love you so much. We always have and we always will and we are so sorry that we couldn't save you. Sweet dreams, baby."

Griff Witte contributed to this report.
Police investigate the scene of a car crash and shooting on July 27, 2017, in Indianapolis. A police officer died after being shot multiple times while responding to the crash. (Michelle Pemberton / The Indianapolis Star )

INDIANAPOLIS  A police officer had no reason to suspect he was in danger before he was fatally shot while trying to help two people inside an overturned car in a yard along a busy Indianapolis street, his chief said Friday.

Police arrested 28-year-old Jason Brown, of Indianapolis, on a preliminary murder charge for the Thursday afternoon killing of Southport police Lt. Aaron Allan. Authorities haven't disclosed a possible motive for the attack.

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Court documents say Allan sustained 14 gunshot wounds, WISH-TV reported. They say Homecroft Police Maj. C.T. Bowman, who also responded to the crash, says Brown was upside-down in the vehicle and being held in by his seat belt. He says Brown was "hysterical" and Allan told Brown to be calm.

Bowman says Allan climbed into the car, then Bowman turned to speak to a female witness when shots rang out, the documents say. Bowman said he heard 10 or 12 gunshots followed by a lull, then two or three additional gunshots.

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Indianapolis police said two other officers, including one who was off-duty, returned fire and shot one of the people in the car, but they didn't specify whether it was Brown. Both people in the car suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police spokesman Sgt. Kendale Adams said Friday.

Southport Police Chief Thomas Vaughn said Allan would have been in "medic mode instead of police mode" as he approached the crash scene, which was in a largely residential area.

The car wasn't stolen and no arrest warrants were pending for Brown, Vaughn said.

"I think that's the hard part some of the officers and our community are dealing with now  they don't understand why you would shoot someone who was there to help you. He wasn't there to arrest you," Vaughn said.

Allan, 38, was married and the father of a teenage son and a 5-year-old son, Vaughn said.

A judge on Friday ordered Brown to remain in custody without bond until a Tuesday court hearing, said Peg McLeish, a spokeswoman for the Marion County prosecutor's office. The office expects to decide on filing formal charges in the shooting early next week, she said.

Brown, who was still hospitalized Friday, also faces a preliminary charge of marijuana possession, according to police.

The person who was in the car with Brown was interviewed by detectives and released, the police said in a Friday news release.

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Allan's patrol SUV was parked Friday outside the Southport police station and was covered with flower bouquets and other mementoes left by residents.

Vaughn said he hired Allan in January to join him as Southport's only full-time officers after about five years as a volunteer on the department while also working as an officer for the Franklin Township school district in suburban Indianapolis.

"He knew everybody's name. He got out of the car. He would go into every business every day and say 'Hey, how are you doing?'" Vaughn said. "... He had that switch, where to him it was going out talking to friends all day. And when he had to, he would put them in jail, write them a ticket or do what he needed to do."
WASHINGTON  Republican finger-pointing commenced Friday after the Senate's dark-of-night defeat of the GOP effort to repeal much of the Obama health care law, a startling blow to President Donald Trump and congressional leaders.

"They should have approved health care last night," Trump said in Brentwood, N.Y., where he delivered remarks on gang violence. "But you can't have everything."

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The "skinny repeal" bill  erasing parts of President Barack Obama's law  was rejected just before 2 a.m. EST on a vote of 51-49. Though Trump seemed to shrug it off and added that "we're going to get it done," the rejection is one of the worst legislative losses of his presidency.

Earlier Friday, he tweeted, "3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down," after GOP leaders failed to patch party divisions and win passage for the last-ditch bill.

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All Democrats were joined by GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and the ailing John McCain. The 80-year-old Arizona senator made a dramatic return to the Capitol Tuesday after being diagnosed with brain cancer, when he cast a decisive procedural vote that for a time advanced the legislation.

3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017

Following rejection of two broader GOP repeal plans earlier in the week, Friday's vote cast doubt on whether divided Senate Republicans can advance any health bill despite seven years of promises to repeal "Obamacare."

In a statement, McCain called the Senate's inability to craft wide-ranging legislation "inexcusable." He said lawmakers should write a bill with "input from all of our members, Republicans and Democrats" and "stop the political gamesmanship."

House leaders had no hesitation about blaming the Senate for the collapse of one of the GOP's paramount priorities. In a statement, Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., pointedly said "the House delivered a bill" and said he was "disappointed and frustrated." Nearly three months earlier, the House approved its health care package after several embarrassing setbacks.

He added, "But we should not give up. I encourage the Senate to continue working toward a real solution that keeps our promise."

Underscoring the House's view of where the fault lie, leaders opened a morning meeting of the chamber's GOP lawmakers by playing audio of Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," which recounts the 1975 wreck of a freighter in Lake Superior. Several lawmakers said House deputy whip Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., told them the song was meant as a reference to the Senate.

One moderate Republican said Trump shared responsibility for the bill's breakdown. "One of the failures was the president never laid out a plan or his core principles and never sold them to the American people," said Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa. "Outsourced the whole issue to Congress."

The measure defeated Friday would have repealed an Obama mandate that most people get health insurance and would have suspended a requirement that larger companies offer coverage to their employees. It would have also suspended a tax on medical devices and denied federal payments to Planned Parenthood for a year.

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"This is clearly a disappointing moment," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, said. "I regret that our efforts were not enough this time."

"It's time to move on," he said. McConnell put the health bill on hold and announced that the Senate would move onto other legislation next week.

Conservative Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., who's running for a vacant Senate seat, suggested it was time for McConnell to relinquish his post.

"If they're going to quit, well then by golly, maybe they ought to start at the top with Mitch McConnell leaving his position and letting somebody new, somebody bold, somebody conservative take the reins," Brooks said on CNN. He added, "How is he going to get the job done on the rest of President Trump's agenda?"

The amendment was a last resort for Senate Republicans to pass something  anything  to trigger negotiations with the House.

"I hope this is a turning point," Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of New York, said Friday.

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Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price said in a statement that the Trump administration would pursue its health care goals through regulation. "This effort will continue," Price said. But insurers, hospitals, doctors, and consumer groups are pressing the administration to guarantee billions of dollars in disputed subsidies to help stabilize insurance markets around the country.

McConnell had introduced a pared-down health care bill late Thursday that he hoped would keep alive Republican ambitions to repeal "Obamacare."

Ryan had seemingly opened a path for McConnell by signaling a willingness to negotiate a more comprehensive bill with the Senate. Some Republican senators had been concerned that the House would simply pass McConnell's "skinny bill" and send it to Trump. That would have sent a shock wave through health insurance markets, spiking premiums.

Ryan sent senators a statement saying that if "moving forward" requires talks with the Senate, the House would be "willing" to do so. While Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., eventually said he was reassured by Ryan's words, McCain remained unconvinced.

"Not sufficient," McCain said.

Associated Press writers Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Stephen Ohlemacher and Kevin Freking contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump is likely to sign a tough new sanctions bill that includes proposed measures targeting Russia  a remarkable concession that the president has yet to sell his party on his hopes for forging a warmer relationship with Moscow.

Trump's vow to extend a hand of cooperation to Russian President Vladimir Putin has been met with resistance as skeptical lawmakers look to limit the executive power's leeway to go easy on Moscow over its meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

The Senate voted decisively on Thursday to approve the new package of financial sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea two days after the House pushed the measure through by an overwhelming margin.

Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., had said he wanted to re-examine the bill's North Korea portion, potentially delaying it before legislators take their August recess. But late Wednesday he announced that he sees "a path forward on legislation to sanction Iran, Russia and North Korea" following "very productive discussions."

The proposed measures target Russia's energy sector as part of legislation that prevents Trump from easing sanctions on Moscow without congressional approval.

Two administration officials say that Trump is likely to sign the bill, despite last-minute wrangling over language and bureaucracy. Faced with near-unanimous bipartisan support for the bill in both the House and Senate, the president finds his hands are tied, according to two administration officials and two advisers with knowledge of the discussions.

The officials added that the president has been reluctant to proceed with the bill, even after it was revised last week to include some changes that American and European companies sought to ensure that business deals were not stifled by new sanctions. Trump has privately expressed frustration over Congress' ability to limit or override the power of the White House on national security matters, saying that it is complicating efforts to coordinate with allies  particularly those in Europe that have taken a different approach to sanctions.

The administration officials and advisers demanded anonymity to discuss the private sanctions deliberations. Trump's new communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, hedged the inevitability that Trump will sign, telling CNN's New Day on Thursday that the president "may sign the sanctions exactly the way they are or he may veto the sanctions and negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians."

"There is a tremendous and unprecedented effort by Congress to assert its influence on Russia and foreign policy because it does not trust the president," said Elizabeth Rosenberg, senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security and a former senior adviser at the Treasury Department.

"Lawmakers are so distrustful of the administration that they are imposing requirements to conduct congressional review of attempts by the president to roll back sanctions, and in some instances prevent him from doing so," Rosenberg said.

Lawmakers have been keen to implement a sturdy clampdown on North Korea's confrontational actions  most recently after its first test of an intercontinental ballistic missile. They've also traditionally favored a policy that keeps Moscow in check for its own aggressive measures in Eastern Europe and Syria, as well as its efforts to disrupt elections in the U.S. and across Europe.

"The message coming from Congress on a bipartisan basis is these are hostile regimes and sanctions are warranted  sanctions are called for," Ryan told reporters Thursday. "And we want to make sure that they're tough sanctions and that they're durable sanctions. It took us a while to figure this out and come together to get the policy right . . . and we all agreed we believe these tough hostile regimes deserve sanctions and this is the bipartisan compromise that produces that."

Trump hasn't threatened to reject the bill even though Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and other senior administration officials had objected to a mandated congressional review should the president attempt to ease or lift the sanctions on Russia. They've argued it would infringe on the president's executive authority and tie his hands as he explores avenues of communication and cooperation between the two former Cold War foes.

Russia's ambitions to be on equal footing with the U.S. suffered a setback in 2014 when the Obama administration authorized sanctions against sectors of the Russian economy, including financial services, energy, mining and defense. The administration also sanctioned people in Putin's inner circle accused of undermining peace in Ukraine. Add to that falling oil prices and a weak ruble, and Russia's economy was shackled.

Sanctions relief is important to Russia's broader objective of superpower status, shown by its bullish Syria policy. Syria's Russian-backed military made major gains in rebel-held eastern Aleppo in recent days and rebel resistance appeared to be crumbling. While Moscow and Washington are continuously at odds over Syria, the Obama administration did not impose any Syria-related sanctions.

Trump's positions on Russia are generally hard to assess because he's often stepped away from his more controversial proposals. In his meeting this month with Putin on the sidelines of the Group of 20 leading rich and developing nations summit in Germany, Trump said he repeatedly addressed the topic of Russia's meddling in the U.S. election. But he never directly answered questions about whether he believed Putin's claims that Russia had nothing to do with it.

"There is a bipartisan consensus to confront Russia across the board  from its actions in Ukraine, Syria, cyber, its election meddling  you name it," said Boris Zilberman, a Russia sanctions expert with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

"Russia is the driving force in the sanctions bill," he added. "So we see the legislative branch now trying to send a clear message to the executive branch on where they stand on the issue."

AP writer Richard Lardner contributed to this report.
An upstate New York Republican and Florida Democrat have introduced legislation to help Canadians with part-time residences stay longer in the U.S.

U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch and Elise Stefanik unveiled the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act, a bill that would allow Canadians who are at least 50 years old and own or rent a residence in the U.S. to stay in the country an additional two months annually.

The Canadian visitors would be banned from working for an American employer and they wouldn't be eligible for public assistance.

Stefanik, R-Willsboro, represents New York's North Country in Congress. She noted that many Canadians will visit northern New York for outdoor activities or to visit historical sites in the region.

"Providing them with an extra two months to engage in these activities will support many small businesses, grow jobs and foster an even closer relationship with our neighbors to the north," she said.

Deutch, D-Florida, added that Canadians contribute more than $4 billion to his state's economy each year. He said the economic activity helps create jobs and support businesses.

"This bipartisan legislation will boost our economy and create new jobs by inviting more Canadian visitors to visit the Sunshine State for even longer stays," he said.

Canadians spent nearly $20 billion in the U.S. in 2016, according to Stefanik's office. On average, Canadians purchase $13.1 billion worth of residential real estate in the U.S. each year.

Nearly four million Canadians visit New York annually. These visitors spend $1.5 billion in the state.

The legislation introduced by Deutch and Stefanik is supported by the Canadian Snowbird Association. The group's president, Karen Huestis, lauded the pair for leading the push to allow Canadians to spend more time in the U.S.

"This bill will provide Canadian retirees with greater flexibility in their ability to travel to the United States annually," Huestis said.
President Donald Trump, with Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and Vice President Mike Pence, right, speaks at a meeting of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, Wednesday, July 19, 2017, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP)

President Donald Trump's voting commission, given a judge's approval to resume seeking voter data, has issued another request asking states for information and vowing to keep the details confidential.

The voting panel has come under intense scrutiny and faced a wave of lawsuits since making a sweeping request last month for reams of "publicly-available voter roll data," including names, addresses, dates of birth and partial Social Security numbers.

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State leaders from both parties have expressed privacy concerns about potentially revealing personal information, while some officials and voting experts also have pushed back against the commission, which was formed by Trump after he repeatedly claimed - without evidence - that widespread voter fraud cost him the popular vote in last year's presidential election. (Studies and state officials have found no evidence of widespread voting fraud.)

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, R, the commission's vice chair, wrote in letters Wednesday that the voting panel prioritizes "the privacy and security of any non-public voter information." Kobach vowed not to release "personally identifiable information from voter registration records" submitted to the group.

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"Individuals' voter registration records will be kept confidential and secure throughout the duration of the commission's existence," Kobach wrote in the letters to state officials. "Once the commission's analysis is complete, the commission will dispose of the data as permitted by federal law."

Kobach continued that the commission would make public only "statistical conclusions drawn from the data" and any "other general observations" pulled from the information. He also said that the commission will release anything that states may submit in response to other questions posed by the panel.

In his letters sent to states last month first asking for the voter data, Kobach had asked officials questions such as whether they could recommend any changes to federal election law, what information they could provide on voter fraud and a list of convictions for election-related crimes.

Kobach also wrote that the commission would allow state officials to securely submit data "directly to the White House computer system."

The voting commission earlier this month had asked states and the District to hold off on submitting the data requested by the panel until a court could weigh in on a lawsuit filed by a privacy watchdog group. Trump administration officials had also said that they were abandoning plans to use a Pentagon-operated site to collect the data, instead designing a system inside the White House.

On Monday, a federal judge allowed the commission to go forward with its data request, ruling that the panel is exempt from federal privacy review requirements. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly of Washington wrote that just the "mere increased risk of disclosure stemming from the collection and eventual, anonymized disclosure of already publicly available voter roll information is insufficient" to block the voter data request.

According to Kobach's letters, officials in more than 30 states have either agreed to provide the publicly available information sought by the commission or are working to figure out what records they can provide.

While some state officials have vowed to release no information to the commission, many others said they would release at least some of the requested details, in part because state laws prohibited releasing other data.

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Some officials have made their responses public. Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, a Republican, sent a three-page letter to the commission earlier this week and posted it online.

Husted was one of numerous officials who pledged to send what information he could, and on Monday, he submitted a link to the details that Ohio law allows him to make public.

"When your work is completed, I believe that you will conclude as I have that voter fraud exists, it is rare and we should take reasonable measures to prevent it and hold violators accountable," Husted wrote.

After the voting commission reiterated its request for information this week, officials in at least two states - California and Kentucky - quickly released statements saying they rejected this latest request, echoing their earlier refusal to turn over any data.

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla dismissed the letter from what he called "the President's sham election commission." Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Grimes said "the compilation of every American voter's information would build a national voter registration database, which is unnecessary to improving our elections, opposite our Constitution and state's rights, and puts voters' privacy and personal data at risk."

Trump had said since his election that he lost the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes because 3 million to 5 million people voted illegally and, he added, none of those illegal ballots were cast for him.

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To bolster these claims, Trump signed an executive order forming what is formally called the "Presidential Commission on Election Integrity." After a number of states came out late last month and said they would not provide voter information to the panel, Trump posted a statement on Twitter calling it a "very distinguished VOTER FRAUD PANEL" and suggested that these states had something to hide.

Kobach wrote Wednesday that the commission approaches its task "without preconceived conclusions or judgments." The commission has sparked controversy since its inception, much of it focusing on members such as Kobach, who has claimed that voter fraud is rampant.

When the panel met for the first time last week, Vice President Pence, who chairs the group, said it does not have any "preordained results." In his remarks to the commission, Trump did not reiterate his previous claims that millions of people voted illegally, though he described hearing from voters concerned about "inconsistencies and irregularities which they saw, in some cases, having to do with very large numbers of people in certain states."
The culture war has been going on a long time, and it won't end any time soon. But the outcome is not in doubt. Some conservatives were gratified to see President Donald Trump bar transgender people from the military. The backlash suggests it will be much like the Native Americans' victory at Little Bighorn  memorable but ultimately irrelevant.

White House officials saw this announcement as a brilliant political move. "This forces Democrats in Rust Belt states like Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin, to take complete ownership of this issue," an anonymous administration official gloated to Axios.

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Democrats, however, have put their names on the issue the way the president emblazons "Trump" on buildings. If they feared being out of step with their constituents, House Democrats would not have voted unanimously this month against legislation to stop the Pentagon from paying for hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery.

The proposal was defeated  thanks to 24 Republicans who sided with them. Even House Speaker Paul Ryan "declined to fully endorse" it, reported The Washington Post.

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Making the case to cut off funding for transgender treatments is easier than making the case for Trump's decree. "House Republicans were never debating expelling all transgender troops from the military," reported Politico. "'This is like someone told the White House to light a candle on the table and the WH set the whole table on fire,' a senior House Republican aide said in an email."

The political wizards in the White House don't seem to have noticed that voters in one of those Rust Belt states, Wisconsin, elected an openly lesbian U.S. senator, Tammy Baldwin, in 2012. Michigan's Sen. Debbie Stabenow had a 92 percent rating from the Human Rights Campaign, which favors gay rights, when she buried her Republican opponent by 21 points in 2012.

A lot of conservative Republicans are not lining up with Trump, either. Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama  Alabama!  said, "You ought to treat everybody fairly and you ought to give everybody a chance to serve." Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah  Utah!  said, "I don't think we should be discriminating against anyone. Transgender people are people, and deserve the best we can do for them."

Those who pushed the ban believe it will resound with Trump voters. But during the campaign, he claimed to be a better friend to the LGBT community than Hillary Clinton. He also criticized North Carolina's bathroom bill and invited Caitlyn Jenner to use any restroom she wanted at Trump Tower. Trump's fans didn't seem to mind.

The truth is that the number of Americans inclined to support Trump on this matter isn't large. A Rasmussen survey in June revealed that only 31 percent of voters opposed the Obama administration's policy of allowing transgender troops.

A poll last year by the Public Religion Research Institute found that 53 percent of Americans  and 36 percent of Republicans  oppose laws requiring transgender people to use the restroom corresponding with their sex at birth. Nearly three-quarters of Americans support laws forbidding job discrimination against gays and transgender people  and 62 percent of Republicans concur.

The zealots cheering Trump won't help his cause. The right-wing Family Research Council had denounced "President Obama's use of the military to engage in liberal social engineering." But the same argument was used against integrating the military, opening the service academies to women and lifting the ban on gays. It didn't work then, and it won't work now.

The FRC had vilified Obama's "wicked" policy and "the forces of darkness that gave birth to it." But overtly religious appeals have lost potency. In 2004, the Pew Research Center notes, only 11 percent of white evangelical voters wanted to legalize same-sex marriage. Now it's 35 percent. Support among Catholics is at 67 percent today, compared with 36 percent in 2004.

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Attitudes toward transgender people have grown more liberal even though most Americans don't know many of them, if any. But the parallel with gay rights is too compelling to ignore.

Once the norm has been established that gays should be full and equal members of society, it's hard to rationalize penalizing transgender people. In a free and modern society, the nature of inclusion is to expand, not contract.

Trump may get his way on transgender troops, but only temporarily. In the long run, those who see him as an ally should realize how the culture war will end: They lose.

Steve Chapman, a member of the Tribune Editorial Board, blogs at www.chicagotribune.com/chapman.

Download "Recalculating: Steve Chapman on a New Century" in the free Printers Row app at www.printersrowapp.com.

schapman@chicagotribune.com

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In the summer of 2014, professor Steven Salaita became the center of a national controversy when his job offer at the University of Illinois was rescinded as a result of his vicious tweets about Israel and Zionists. Now, after two years in a temporary position at the American University of Beirut, Salaita has been unable to obtain another academic appointment, and he recently announced on his Facebook page that he is leaving academia and plans to pursue a career writing and lecturing.

As he explains: "Despite applying to positions on four continents, I was unable to find an academic job, so I no longer count myself among the professoriate. A number of colleagues have attempted to recruit me, but their efforts always get shut down by management. In turn, I often feel like I'm reliving the UIUC (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) fiasco, which isn't conducive to the kind of mood I prefer to inhabit. I'm easygoing, but I refuse to tolerate the indignities of a blacklist."

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Given the consequences for his career and his family, Salaita's post is impressively graceful and low-key. "I don't intend to slosh around in self-pity," he says. "Whatever I end up doing, I will maintain the spirit of noncompliance that defined my time in academe. If you take any lesson from my ouster, please don't let it be fear or caution. Docility is a gift to those who profit from injustice."

Of course, he identifies his adversaries and sticks to his principles, but he avoids the sort of vicious rhetoric that drew attention to him, and sparked his troubles, in the first place: "Zionists have worked overtime to incriminate me, but they've never found anything incriminating  not from a lack of diligence, but because there's nothing to find but plainspoken disdain for settler colonization."

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Many will recall that Salaita was far more than "plainspoken" in his vilification of Israel. Neither he nor his supporters have ever acknowledged the undertone of anti-Semitism in his tweets, which evoked ritual child murder and compared Israeli Jews to scabies. He also used the term "Zio-trolls," adapting a slur originated by David Duke, a former leader of the Ku Klux Klan. As pointed out by Yair Rosenberg on Tablet, British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbin (who is no fan of Israel) repudiated the term "Zio" as a "vile epithet that follows in a long line of earlier such terms that have no place whatsoever in our party." Progressives have no trouble recognizing anti-Semitism when The Daily Stormer, an American neo-Nazi and white supremacist website, refers to Zionists as "rats," but the same acuity failed them when Salaita analogized Zio-trolls to vermin.

Even so, Salaita did not deserve to have his career destroyed. As I wrote at the time in the Chicago Tribune, and as the American Association of University Professors later concluded, Salaita's political opinions, no matter how offensively expressed, should not have killed his appointment at the University of Illinois. Although he obtained a hefty settlement in litigation, a better resolution would have been renewing the job offer at Illinois.

So I feel badly for Steven Salaita. There are many tenured professors in the U.S. who have been equally vile and whose academic work is certainly no better than his, but who are celebrated and promoted by their universities. Yes, it is ironic that Salaita complains of a "blacklist" while endorsing the comparable pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement's boycott of Israeli universities. But consistency has never been a requirement for an academic position.

It is also understandable that Salaita remains unapologetic about his tweets:

"People still ask if I would go back in time and change anything. I would not. If my behavior were dishonorable, then I might have something to regret. I condemned a brutal ethnocratic state. On this count, I will die unapologetic."

Here, I think he must truly lack self-awareness about why he became such a lightning rod, given that his current statement is so much more measured and thoughtful than his earlier screeds. He concludes:

"I haven't always been a good professor  I'm disorganized and forgetful and reclusive and unresponsive and an easy grader  but I've never compromised my ethics or sold out colleagues and students in order to ingratiate myself to power.

"Thank you for entertaining my self-indulgence. If my words sound incompatible with the demands of nuance and discretion that predominate in academic culture, then it's because I'm no longer of the culture and thus unconstrained by its emphasis on disinterest and diplomacy. I can speak according to the whims of my conscience. This is what happens when you manage to survive a punishment. You become free."

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If Salaita had been only this "unconstrained" in the first place, he would be teaching today in Urbana-Champaign. Nonetheless, he should not have been exiled from academics, and I hope he finds success and fulfillment on the lecture circuit.

Steven Lubet is a law professor at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and director of the school's Bartlit Center for Trial Advocacy.
To live in Harvey is to live in a perpetual state of municipal dysfunction. The city's mismanagement spans decades. Police pensions went unpaid for years. Rape kits languished on a shelf when they should have been sent to a lab for analysis  a lag time, prosecutors say, in which some of the suspects in those cases raped again. In 2015, when the city's police desperately needed squad cars, Mayor Eric Kellogg's administration used $51,000 in federal grant money to get the mayor an SUV.

Now, a Cook County judge has taken aim at the south suburb's shenanigans with its water operations. Circuit Judge Kathleen Pantle ruled that Harvey has misused millions of dollars in water operations revenue, according to the Tribune's Joe Mahr and Matthew Walberg, who have written extensively about corruption and mismanagement in Harvey. Pantle said she will appoint a receiver to ensure Harvey complies with the law, and will hold a hearing in August to decide whether the city should be found in civil contempt for violating court orders.

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Harvey's latest transgression involves Lake Michigan drinking water it buys from Chicago. Harvey, in turn, sells that water to its residents and to five other suburbs: Dixmoor, Posen, Homewood, East Hazel Crest and Hazel Crest. State law mandates that the revenue Harvey (or any other municipality) receives from such sales be used solely for water-related expenses.

Harvey fell behind on its payments to Chicago to the tune of $22 million. The city negotiated an installment plan with Chicago to pay its debt over time, then reneged on that plan. Last winter, Pantle banned Harvey from collecting any more water money from the other south suburbs, and ordered the city to set up a fund that ensured Harvey residential and commercial water payments went directly to Chicago to repay the debt.

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But Chicago found out that Harvey officials had been spending that money elsewhere, Mahr and Walberg wrote. Water fund revenue was used to cover budget deficits and meet the payroll of non-water department workers. The misspending of water revenue also included payments to Kay Jewelers, a Kohl's department store and a college savings account. Harvey officials say they discovered those fraudulent payments and made sure the money was paid back. "It is undisputed that Harvey's water fund finances are in disarray," Pantle wrote in her ruling, "and are being unlawfully raided by Harvey's government to pay for non water-related expenses."

Pantle's no-nonsense approach toward Harvey's reckless leadership is refreshing. But that's not going to be enough to fix what's wrong. In the past, we applauded the efforts of three Harvey aldermen  Christopher Clark, Joseph Whittington and Shirley Drewenski  to seek state and federal intervention that would provide sane, sound stewardship in an otherwise rudderless town. Two years ago, the trio sent a letter to then-President Barack Obama; James Comey, who was FBI director at the time; Leslie Munger, who was then Illinois comptroller; and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, pleading for their intervention "in whatever way" to root out corruption and financial mismanagement in Harvey.

What happened? Nothing. Harvey has been left to fix itself, which under the current leadership in the city is not likely to happen.

The city's 25,000-plus citizens are stuck with Kellogg & Co. until 2019, when his term is up. A lot of damage has been done to Harvey under his leadership, and more could be in store  unless someone up the food chain bothers to intervene.

Other states have put wayward local governments back on track by appointing special monitors or, in some cases, taking over local operations. As we've argued before: At the very least, Gov. Bruce Rauner should send a Department of Revenue team to Harvey to dig through financial records. He could encourage the Illinois State Police to investigate. The Illinois auditor general could probe Harvey's finances. If some of those things are happening behind the scenes, great. And if certain state interventions require a new law for technical reasons, shouldn't lawmakers introduce one? Harvey isn't the only community where officials have repeatedly abused citizens.

There are a lot of options if federal or state agencies, or other outside officials, want to get involved. We don't often encounter federal prosecutors, attorneys general or state regulators so shy that they cannot find some way to insert their enforcement powers into chronic crises that victimize people by the thousands.

Harvey's distress signal is still sounding loud and clear. Will anyone ever hear it?

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House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, left, and Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, talk on the Senate floor Tuesday, July 4, 2017, at the Capitol in Springfield, Ill. (Rich Saal / AP)

For Illinois households with school-age children, August is not simply a month on the calendar. It is closure and reset. Sleepovers taper off. Bedtimes get earlier. School shoes displace flip-flops. Wet bathing suits yield to pleated pants.

The sweet back-to-school ritual is unfolding across Illinois, even as lawmakers in Springfield jockey over legislation  a fight that could jam a shiv into the August calendar. Without agreement on an education funding bill, schools might not be able to open on time. Yes, parents, while you've been preoccupied with lemonade stands and summer camps, Democrats in Springfield have been jeopardizing the timely opening of schools.

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Democrats and a handful of Republicans supported a budget in early July that tied money for schools to a controversial rewrite of the school funding formula, which they had approved May 31. On top of that gamble, the Senate refused to send the rewrite package to Gov. Bruce Rauner's desk. Two months have passed with no action, only dueling press conferences and noisy insults.

Just when you think Senate President John Cullerton and House Speaker Michael Madigan couldn't be more scheming, they prove you wrong. In this case, they're jeopardizing the start of the school year. Brinkmanship at its worst. A game of chicken with school families trapped midfield.

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To emphasize, parents: August is here and your legislature has not agreed on how to send your state tax money to your schools. You're being played. You're supposed to panic and blame a governor who's, yes, still waiting for that May 31 funding bill to arrive.

On Monday, lawmakers gather for the fourth and final day of a special legislative session called by Rauner to settle this funding crisis. The first three days, dozens of lawmakers didn't even show up. Democratic Reps. Kelly Cassidy and Ann Williams, both of Chicago, decided to ignore Springfield and instead painted and cleaned schools in their districts.

Applause-worthy (if camera-ready) volunteerism to be sure. But couldn't they do that on a non-session day  there are plenty for our part-time legislators  when the governor hasn't summoned lawmakers to address an unfolding emergency?

They and others blame Rauner for another Illinois embarrassment. But this one is not on him. He can't act on a bill he doesn't have. Cullerton has been stoking the crisis by refusing to send Rauner the funding legislation.

Remember that, parents, when you hear Democrats trash the governor. Remember May 31, the date the House and Senate signed off on a bill revamping the way the state pays for schools  and remember July 6, the date they overrode his budget veto.

Cartoonist Scott Stantis shows how his school funding reform cartoon came to be.

Please tell us what other legislature in the nation could serve with such defect and get away with it.

We wish we could reassure parents that on Monday, the standoff will end. But that requires a faith we don't have. This is how Illinois operates, lurching from emergency to confrontation to climax and back again.

And, parents, in case you haven't noticed, the state already is taking more of your income. The 32 percent hike in the income tax rate, which lawmakers approved without any structural reforms of government, is in effect. It's just not headed to your schools.

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Welcome to August. It's back-to-school month in most places. In Illinois, it looks like back to crisis.

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Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, calls on Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner to have a meeting to discuss the changes the governor wants made to Senate Bill 1 during a news conference on the first day of a special session on education funding at the state Capitol, Wednesday, July 26, 2017, in Springfield, Ill. (Justin Fowler / AP)

To recap: Gov. Bruce Rauner on Monday summoned lawmakers back to Springfield to deal with a school funding crisis. House Speaker Michael Madigan mocked the idea, calling it "political theater." Senate President John Cullerton, the reason for the special session, questioned Rauner's "mental state." Dozens of rank-and-file lawmakers haven't bothered to show up.

Yes, Springfield is an orgy of deplorable these days. The inaction, the dysfunction, the empty chairs in the House and Senate  a disgrace. Of the 118 members of the Illinois House earning full-time salaries for part-time jobs, 32 did not show up for the start of Thursday's special session. And there were dozens of empty desks in the Senate, a chamber that doesn't take daily attendance. Lucky for those hard-to-track senators playing hooky.

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Then both chambers adjourned within minutes of convening, sabotaging a rightfully called special session to address a serious issue for schoolchildren and their families. But because Cullerton and Madigan signaled it was OK for their members to blow it off, many did.

Let's get a few things straight, given that legislative leaders and lawmakers have difficulty navigating right vs. wrong. The right thing to do in a part-time government job is to show up for special sessions when the governor calls them. The right thing to do  yes, you, Mr. Cullerton  is to quit playing games with a school funding bill legislators passed eight weeks ago and put it on Rauner's desk. The right thing to do is then vote to accept or override whatever changes Rauner makes in an amendatory veto.

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Governing the right way would not be so difficult, that is, if not for the petulance that permeates leaders of our state government.

Instead of doing what's right, Cullerton and Madigan thumbed their noses at Rauner's special sessions, yanking the plug on any legitimate business that could have taken place. Cullerton's ever-subservient Senate on Thursday waited for Madigan's House to adjourn before playing copycat.

Keep in mind this is a legislature that was required to report to Springfield only five days in January, eight days in February and 13 days in March. Legislators took two weeks off for spring break and a week in May, despite their alarming fiscal fiasco and lack of a state budget.

Wouldn't most citizens appreciate that schedule, especially earning a base salary of around $68,000, plus up to $20,000 for additional duties and with health care benefits and, yes, a pension?

If lawmakers truly wanted to get school funding reform signed into law, they would be in Springfield this week. All hands on deck. They would be pressuring Cullerton to adhere to his constitutional duty of sending their funding bill to Rauner's desk. They would be debating the merits of Rauner's anticipated amendatory veto.

Madigan and Cullerton would be lobbying their members to ensure that school funding reform becomes law, with or without Rauner, by overriding that veto.

But that's not happening. Politics always trumps policy with this crew.

Cullerton says he will send the bill to Rauner on Monday, the last day of Rauner's special session. Brinkmanship, pressure, lurching. The whole idea is to continue manufacturing  let's copyright this phrase and not let him change the subject  "Cullerton's School Crisis" 2017.

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Remember that, school funding reform advocates, no matter what happens on Monday. Cullerton has been sitting on the bill since May 31. Rauner has telegraphed the changes he intends to make. There has been plenty of time to build support for his changes or to override them.

Instead, brinkmanship from Cullerton. And for what?

For politics. For leverage. For revenge, at the expense of Illinois schools and their students.

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President Donald Trump arrives to speak in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, July 26, 2017, during an event with the American Legion Boys Nation and the American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation. (Alex Brandon / AP)

In a divided nation, this president took office amid controversy. Many Democrats believed his victory was illegitimate. And what exactly were his qualifications?

Obviously, we're referring to President George W. Bush, who won the 2000 election only after the U.S. Supreme Court validated his 537-vote Florida victory. Yet Bush's first six months in the White House went smoothly, professionally. In June 2001 he delivered on a promise to cut taxes. Don't spit out your coffee here, but Congress passed that legislation with broad bipartisan support.

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"What we've seen so far is a calm and careful administration, one that has established itself in the mainstream of conservative orthodoxy, one that, to its credit, understands that campaign promises should be kept," we wrote in late April 2001. "That will annoy some people who cling to the notion that this is an illegitimate presidency run by a hapless man. But for the great majority of Americans, it should give confidence that the White House is in capable hands."

Looking back to Bush reminds us of what the American people should demand of the incumbent president: Do your job and deliver results. While everything would change for Bush's presidency on 9/11, he overcame odds early in his tenure to govern effectively. That Donald Trump has failed, abjectly, to move the country forward is not a matter of political circumstances beyond his control. The disarray in the White House is all on Trump. And it must end  now.

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What is Trump's record so far? Beyond seating Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and a welcome shift of regulatory policies to encourage economic growth, we've seen mostly disappointment, stasis and reason for concern. The investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election would have remained in the background if only the president had self-control. Instead, Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, which led to the naming of a special counsel and the amping up of an investigation that has sucked the oxygen out of Washington. Still the president won't shut up, picking on Attorney General Jeff Sessions for recusing himself. Might Trump fire Sessions, too, to get at the special counsel?

No one in the White House is capable of restraining Trump from his impulses, or coaxing him to focus on the details that matter. The president uses Twitter as an insult machine. He ignores decorum to attack foes and gloat about his accomplishments at nonpolitical events. In case you missed it, the head of the Boy Scouts apologized to families for Trump's tacky political comments at a Scout jamboree.

Obsessing on the president's crass behavior often strikes us as a waste of energy. Yes, he can be vulgar and impetuous. That was clear before the election, which he won. While we rejected his candidacy, tens of millions of voters were drawn to him precisely because he is an outlier. "Trump supporters did not want a cookie-cutter president, they wanted someone who is different  and that's who the country will get, deep flaws and all," we wrote in January.

Our underlying premise is that he should be judged above all on his policy agenda for the country, which includes spurring economic growth and creating jobs. Where Trump gets himself in the most trouble is when his rash temperament and classless comments distract from important issues and derail political progress. Infighting among aides exacerbates the sense of chaos. On Friday, Trump ousted chief of staff Reince Priebus.

Trump promised to repeal and replace struggling Obamacare with a better health care plan, but he failed to develop a strong working relationship with the Republican-led Congress. His tax plan awaits his attention. He burned political capital on a Mexican wall instead of crafting immigration reform. Allies in Europe and Asia are still not sure they can trust Trump. Perhaps if the president stopped rehashing his victory over Hillary Clinton he'd have more time to think about the future.

It's now the cusp of August. Congress soon will recess, in all likelihood without an Obamacare replacement. Members will go home to get an earful from frustrated constituents. Then soon enough the fall session will begin. The window of opportunity to achieve results will reopen, then slowly shut as the 2018 election season intensifies.

Trump has two options: He can get a grip on his presidency or see it wither.

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Residents of Chicago's Buena Park neighborhood express differing opinions when it comes to the potential sober-living facility proposed for the 900 block of West Cullom Avenue. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)

Uptown is like any other community that wants to better itself by attracting more development and raising property values. But can neighborhoods ratchet up their appeal and still maintain a commitment to compassion?

Long ago, Uptown built a reputation as a hub for social services: food pantries, homeless shelters, mental health treatment facilities, halfway houses, housing for refugees  the list goes on. At the same time, Uptown is a lakefront community, primed for the kind of gentrification seen in Lakeview, Ravenswood and other surrounding neighborhoods.

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That's the backdrop for the neighborhood's latest controversy  a proposal by a Texas company to open a sober-living residence for men recovering from addiction.

The proposed site, in a section of Uptown called Buena Park, looks like every other single-family home on the block. Up to 15 men would live there, and they'd have to abide by a set of strict rules. To be eligible, they would have to be sober for at least 30 consecutive days. They'd have to adhere to a curfew and submit to random drug tests. They would also have to either work or volunteer full time during daytime hours.

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The company behind the proposal, Eudaimonia Recovery Homes, stresses that the home would not provide any on-site medical services, detoxification programs or counseling. The goal, it says, is to give recovering addicts a way station that helps them transition to independent living.

The company intends to apply to the city's Zoning Board of Appeals for a special use permit. Without it, the home can't open. And there's strong resistance from many Buena Park residents, the Tribune's Leonor Vivanco reports. Some say Uptown is reaching critical mass when it comes to social service providers. Others worry that recovering addicts could relapse, and pose a risk to the neighborhood.

The center's opponents have the support of Ald. James Cappleman, 46th, who has taken a pro-development approach toward stewardship of his ward. A licensed social worker, Cappleman has taken guff from social service advocates for, among other things, pushing to force out of the neighborhood a Salvation Army truck that was handing out food to Uptown's homeless.

We didn't endorse Cappleman in his 2015 bid for re-election because, while he'd preached about development, he hadn't produced it. At the time, the only development success he could point to was a new Sonic fast food drive-in. Like many Uptown residents, we would like to see Uptown's development catch up to nearby neighborhoods such as Ravenswood and Lakeview. But we don't see the sober-living facility as a source of harm to Uptown, or an impediment to its growth.

Not long ago, the same kind of facility was proposed for Lakeview. Rosecrance Inc.'s bid for a sober-living residence for young adults drew a similar backlash from neighborhood residents who worried about the facility's impact on safety and property values. Were those fears justified? Vivanco reports that, after a year in business, the facility drew just two complaints. Both had to do with cigarette smoke. "I hope people's fears have been put to rest," Rosecrance President David Gomel told Vivanco.

People who sign up for these recovery residences commit time and effort toward turning around their lives  a pivot that can transform them into productive citizens for the neighborhoods they've joined. A liability becomes an asset. It's hard to see why that would be bad for a neighborhood.

So we hope Buena Park residents will give the home a chance. Its prospective residents and the company that would be responsible for them have every incentive to make this project succeed.

Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook.

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China will not go away; China cannot be outlasted. It has already eclipsed its greatest modern rivals, Meiji-Taisho-Showa-Heisei Japan and Soviet Russia. ... China's threat-based expansion has so far been exclusively local  hardly a global concern, or even an American concern, so China seems to believe. China would be disquieted by economic decline in any of its major trading partners, especially Europe and the United States, but no European navy, the Russian one aside, matters in the Pacific, and China could hardly think the U.S. much more than troublesome: a non-Asian state with an unsustainable and unnecessary Asian presence, a high-spending visitor whose visa has expired, not a fated rival.

China wants to be itself: Asia's leader if not the world's. China wants the U.S. to know its place, to go home and stay there, to keep Europe prosperous, to impose peace on the Middle East, and, obviously, to continue spending money in China  but not so irresponsibly as to default on the trillion dollars of its debt that China now owns.

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Robert Sprinkle and Bradley Thayer, The National Interest

Looking back at the controversy over his medical care from an American perspective, however, one is also struck by how Charlie (Gard) was used politically in this nation: Right-wing politicians and commentators have wielded his tragic case as a crude cudgel against the public provision of health care, essentially accusing the British National Health Service of sentencing him to die.

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The means by which a health care system is funded neither creates nor resolves these difficult situations: They are instead the inevitable consequence of the mid-20th-century invention of the ICU and of life-support tools like ventilators. I would wager that most, if not nearly all, critical-care clinicians have found themselves in scenarios where they felt they were doing a true disservice to another human being  performing invasive procedures, maintaining life support, prolonging suffering  because they were compelled to push ahead by a sick patient's family. I most certainly have.

There is simply nothing to suggest that the hospital was motivated at any point by anything other than what it saw as Charlie's best interest. This was never about cost-cutting or rationing; Charlie is simply not, as the headline of Washington Examiner put it, "a baby  condemned to death by socialized medicine." He is a baby tragically condemned to death by a fatal illness, which would be true in any country.

Adam Gaffney, The Washington Post

The problem with investing in the New New Thing is that typically only a few firms win. As the tech-phobic Warren Buffett once pointed out, 2,000 or so car companies operated around the time that Henry Ford started his assembly lines. Investing in the auto sector was correct. But investing in most of those companies was not.

These days, a glut of money eager to bolster gains in a low-return world has lifted the economy of Silicon Valley to ridiculous heights. Yet the real winners are likely to be the small number of platform groups such as Amazon, Google, Facebook and Apple that can use their network effect to capture and control the data, which have become the new oil in our digital economy.

Indeed, research by Google, in conjunction with Carnegie Mellon University, shows that it's not so much the brilliance of an algorithm but the sheer amount of data that you pump into it that allows for everything from more accurate searches to better facial recognition to sharper cancer research.

Rana Foroohar, Financial Times
Perhaps now other representatives will step forward and speak up as well. I don't understand why Illinoisans continue to vote Madigan and others back in office. They have served their time. Its time for them to leave and time for term limits. I also blame the people of Illinois.

I voted for Gov. Bruce Rauner hoping things might change. It's not his fault that they havent. He inherited this mess. Our representatives need to step up to the plate and start doing the right things for Illinois. I hope when my husband retires we arent with the rest of the people currently leaving this state.

 Matina Kantzavelos, Morton Grove
Every Friday, The Citizen features a pet available for adoption from the Finger Lakes SPCA of Central New York.

This week, we spotlight Cher.

Q: Who is your best friend?

A: My BFF doesn't live here anymore. That makes me both sad and happy. That would be my best buddy for all time, Sonny. He was adopted sometime ago, and I just don't have the heart to name a new BFF. However, if really pressed, I would say that Roscoe is my kind of guy. He needs a home, too.

Q: What has been your worst experience?

A: Well, I used to have a human whom I thought loved me. That really wasn't true. My human didn't come here to look for me, and that makes me very sad. I have a suspicion that I was just thrown away and not really lost. But that's just my opinion.

Q: If you could describe yourself, what would you say?

A: Well, I am very pretty, as you can see. I am also very outgoing and I really love people. I mean, I really, really, really love people. That just happens to be a pit bull trait. And check this out! I get along very well with other dogs. I love to play in our yard with the other dogs here. If you have a dog that needs a BFF, you might want to check me out.

Q: If you could visit any place in the world, where would that be?

A: Well, I don't have an answer for that specific question. But I can tell you where I would not want to visit, if that helps you fill up your space. I do not want to visit places that have bans against my breed or any "bully" breed, as some canines are called. Unfortunately, there are many of those places, so I won't bother giving them a mention here. I like it right here, thank you very much!

Q: If you could meet someone famous, who would that be?

A: Allow me to tell you about Stubby! Stubby was a pit bull-type dog and was the most decorated dog of World War I. He is credited with capturing a German spy, whom he pinned down and held until American soldiers could took him prisoner. The commanding officer of the 102d Infantry, Yankee Division, where Stubby was a mascot, was so impressed by Stubby's actions that he promoted him to sergeant. I would have loved to have met this hero dog!

Q: Do you have an interesting fact to share?

A: I do! In case you didn't know it, the pit bull is, without a doubt, the most misunderstood dog breed ever. In fact, one of the most misunderstood things about it is that it's not really a dog breed at all! This is true. "Pit bull" is actually a general term that means different things to different people. To some, it's simply a synonym for the American pit bull terrier. To my shelter people, it means pure love!

Q: Do you have any advice for our good Citizen readers?

A: I do, so I hope you all are paying attention! Sunday, July 30  two days and counting until Hogs for Dogs 2017. After today, we won't be reminding you again. Registration for the ride begins at 10 a.m. and the ride leaves the shelter at about 11:45 a.m. No bike? Join the ride in your truck or car! And don't miss the party, which will be at Tinkers beginning at 2 p.m. Great music, prizes, fun, food and friends. Thank you for helping to support all of us while we wait for new homes. Love, Cher and friends.
"Someone should tell him that he's not in Paris anymore."

Pat Kummer, Lisle, IL

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"Gentrification on the south side? This ain't Paris! MON DIEU!"

Susan Radzinowicz, Chicago

"Nice stripes, mister mayor, since it's criminal that you're not in Chicago when they need you."

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Carolyn Wartinbee, Elmhurst

"Hey yous guys, buy me a nudder."

Alan Reese, Naperville

"Three guys in a bar, how can you tell the " tax levy er" from the tax payer?"

Jerry Mejdrich, Hinsdale

"He bought a $200 bottle of merlot with his refund from the red light class action lawsuit settlement."

Neal Kotlarek, Chicago

"Man on the left: 'Da Bears.'

Man in the center: 'Da Bears.'

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Rahm on the right: 'Who changed the channel. I was watching the ballerina competition!'"

Pat Donohue, Darien,

" He's no Grabowski - more like an L'enfant terrible"

Ken Hutter, St. Charles

"If you ask me, I'd say that he would make a better mayor of Paris than Chicago."

Wally Salganik , Buffalo Grove

"Quell domage....whine, whine, whine!"

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Bob Roll, Chicago/South Shore

"It's a drinking contest. Every time the red light camera goes off, you take a sip. And it's not the expensive stuff Rauner gave him."

Ed Washak, Yorkville

"And he didn't even tweet once!"

Harlean Vision, Skokie
Illinois House Speaker-for-Life Mike Madigan and State Senate President John Cullerton are up to their old tricks down in Springfield. Rather than vote on and send a badly needed school funding bill to Governor Rauner they are playing all sorts of games with it. To the continuing consternation of beleaguered school kids throughout the state.
Her son was shot and killed and a bullet tore through Annette Johnson's arm in the same shooting. For Johnson, who spent barely 24 hours at Mt. Sinai, the hospital charges approached $27,000. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)

To add dramatic flair to this column, I could tell you that I executed a spectacular spit-take while reading just the second paragraph of "Gunshots exact staggering toll," a recent Tribune investigative article by my colleagues Jennifer Smith Richards, Annie Sweeney and Jason Meisner.

But I confess it was just a weary eye-roll.

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The paragraph was about how doctors at Mount Sinai Hospital treated a left-forearm bullet wound suffered by Annette Johnson, a bystander who'd been hit by gang-related gunfire in Chicago's Garfield Park neighborhood. They secured her "shattered ulna ... with numerous bone screws that cost $246 apiece."

Italics mine.

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Now, it's true these weren't screws like you keep in a baby-food jar on your workbench shelves. They were 3.5 millimeter titanium cortical bone screws, seven of them, for a billing total of $1,722.

You can buy the same surgical screws online in bulk for as low as $1.16 apiece, according to my cursory research. And yes, I know, hospitals have considerable overhead costs and almost no one ends up paying list price. The tale of eye-popping medical markups has been well told.

But these absurd prices are "both the real and the metaphoric essence of the broken (health care) market," as Steven Brill wrote in "Why medical bills are killing us," a 25,000-word Time magazine cover story in 2013. "They are anything but irrelevant," he wrote of the $7 alcohol swabs, $77 gauze pads, $1.50 apiece for a generic version of Tylenol and other charges he detailed. "They're the source of the poison coursing through the health care ecosystem."

They confuse the public, give outsized leverage to bill collectors, distort the market for devices and drugs and contribute to swollen profits and staggering administrative salaries. Even at the discounted rates paid by government programs  Johnson was a Medicaid patient taxpayers shoulder an unnecessarily high burden.

$246 for one surgical screw? Really? When I asked the PR department at Mount Sinai, they shrugged and directed me to Danny Chun, a spokesman for the Illinois Health and Hospital Association.

"It doesn't matter what the listed charge is for a titanium bone screw  that's irrelevant," Chun said in an email. "Medicaid, Medicare and private insurers pay a pre-determined amount to hospitals for the particular service, drug, medical supply or part. Private insurers negotiate with hospitals in their contracts on what they will pay."

Chun added that the remittances help hospitals pay the significant costs of treating the uninsured. Though in his article Brill notes that hospitals often cite the grossly inflated, admittedly irrelevant prices when they brag about how much charity care they provide. And insurance companies also love the crazy price lists, Brill wrote, "because they can then make their customers feel good when they get an Explanation of Benefits that shows the terrific discounts their insurance company won for them."

A spokesman for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services said he could not say how much Medicaid ended up paying Mount Sinai for each screw because "the cost of the screws would be covered in the payment for an overall procedure."

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Obamacare didn't appreciably bend the cost curve on health spending, in part because of the significant compromises with the industry that were part of crafting the law. But now that the Republican effort to repeal and replace it is dead, at least for now, Congress should fuss less about about who's paying for health care and fuss more about how much they're paying, thus making whatever system we end up with less expensive.

As Brill wrote, "...because the health care market deals in a life-or-death product, it cannot be left to its own devices. Put simply, the bills tell us that this is not about interfering in a free market. It's about facing the reality that our largest consumer product by far  one-fifth of our economy  does not operate in a free market."

Re:Tweets

The best tweet of the past week, in my opinion, was posted by @thesunah early Friday morning, too late to be entered in our online poll: "John McCain is America's alcoholic Dad. You never really know why, when, or what he's going to do."

The runner-up in the official contest  "Congratulations to Sean Spicer for finally chewing all the way through his leg," by @badbanana  was also political, as was the winner, "There is no way Anthony Scaramucci doesn't say 'talk to me' every time he answers the phone," by @AlexisGirlNovak.

To receive an email notification each week when it's time to vote on the finalists, write to ericzorn@gmail.com and I'll put you on the list of honor.

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Twitter @EricZorn
Our picks for movies you should see in August. (Leonard Mc Lane / Getty Images)

Ditch the big-name new releases this month for a dose of independent, foreign and classic films lined up at The Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport Ave. 773-871-6604), The Logan Theatre (2646 N. Milwaukee Ave 773-342-5555), Gene Siskel Film Center (164 N. State St. 312-846-2800) and Facets Cinematheque (1517 W. Fullerton Ave 773-281-9075). We've rounded up the best selections on schedule to keep you entertained all August long.

Films are arranged by date of first showing, many have multiple showings throughout the month. Click through for tickets.

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"Amnesia" (2015), Gene Siskel Film Center

Showtimes: August 2: 8:15 p.m., August 3: 6 p.m.

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Martha is a German musician living in self-imposed exile in Ibiza in 1990 following the renouncement of her native land after World War II. She must revisit her language and past when a young German DJ moves next door.

"I, Olga Hepnarova" (2016), Gene Siskel Film Center

Showtimes: August 3: 8:30 p.m.

In 1973, 22-year-old Olga Hepnarova, the last Czech woman to receive the death penalty for her crimes, deliberately drove a truck into a Prague tram stop, killing eight. This film profiles the life of Hepnarova leading to the crime. (In Czech with English subtitles).

"Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me" (1992), The Logan Theatre

Showtimes: August 4-7: 11 p.m.

Enter the red room with David Lynch's prequel to the "Twin Peaks" television series.

"I, Daniel Blake" (2016), Gene Siskel Film Center

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Showtimes: August 4: 2 p.m., August 5: 5:15 p.m., August 6: 3 p.m., August 7: 7:45 p.m., August 8: 6 p.m., August 9: 7:45 p.m., August 10: 6 p.m.

The winner of the Palme d'Or at 2016 Cannes follows the unlikely friendship between an aging carpenter on disability and a single mother with two young children.

"Some Freaks" (2016), Facets Cinematheque

Showtimes: August 4: 7 p.m., 9 p.m., August 5: 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m., August 6: 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m., August 7-10: 7 p.m., 9 p.m.

Everything changes for self-described "freak" Matt Ledbetter (Thomas Mann) when he meets a new girl in class, Jill (Lily Mae Harrington). The two share a bond in their mutual position as social outcasts.

"Brave New Jersey" (2016), Facets Cinematheque

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Showtimes: August 4: 6:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., August 5: 5:45 p.m.,7:45 p.m., August 6: 3:45, 5:45, August 7-10: 6:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m.

On October 30, 1938 Orson Welle's "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast terrified millions of Americans into believing that Martians were invading Earth. The citizens of Lullaby, NJ were never notified of the hoax and together face, what they think, is their last night on Earth.

"Black Sabbath" (1963), Gene Siskel Film Center

Showtimes: August 5: 3 p.m., August 10: 6 p.m.

This classic Italian horror film centers on three different stories featuring strange and eerie events from the dead and beyond.

"Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities" (2017), Gene Siskel Film Center

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Showtimes: August 6: 5:30 p.m., August 7: 8 p.m.

Documentarian Stanley Nelson highlights the crucial role of historically black colleges and universities in providing opportunity and security to black students since the end of slavery.

"Killing Lazarus" (2015), Gene Siskel Film Center

Showtimes: August 8: 8 p.m., August 9: 8:30 p.m.

This thriller follows drug dealers Thurgood "T" Jacobs and Lazarus as competition and jealousy threaten their business and relationship.

"Memento" (2000), The Logan Theatre

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Showtimes: August 8-10: 10:30 p.m.

Leonard (Guy Pearce) has one mission: track down the man who raped and murdered his wife. The only problem is that he suffers from a rare, untreatable form of memory loss where he cannot remember anything for more than fifteen minutes.

Shorts Program: Women of Color (2016-17), Gene Siskel Film Center

Showtimes: August 9: 6 p.m., August 10: 8:15 p.m.

Five short films featuring women of color as heroines will be shown.

"The Girl Without Hands" (2016), Gene Siskel Film Center

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Showtimes: August 11: 2 p.m., 6 p.m., August 12: 8:15 p.m., August 13: 3 p.m., August 14: 6 p.m., August 15: 7:45 p.m., August 16: 6 p.m., August 17: 7:45 p.m.

The Brothers Grimm's story about a miller making a bargain with the devil at his daughter's expense comes to life in this animated film. (In French with English subtitles.)

"Call Center" (2017), Gene Siskel Film Center

Showtimes: August 11: 6:15 p.m., August 15: 8:15 p.m.

This Chicago-made feature film follows the comedic drama inside of a fictional call center.

"Whitney: Can I Be Me" (2016), Gene Siskel Film Center

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Showtimes: August 11: 8:30 p.m., August 12: 6 p.m.

This documentary reveals the effect on Whitney Houston of being booed as a "sellout" at the 1989 Soul Train Music Awards, her addictions, bisexuality and her marriage to Bobby Brown.

"Superbad" (2007), The Logan Theatre

Showtimes: August 11-14: 11 p.m.

High-school seniors and social outcasts Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) have only two wants for their graduation celebration: booze and babes.

"The Fifth Element" (1997), The Music Box Theatre

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Showtimes: August 11 and 12: 11:59 p.m.

Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), New York City cab driver in the 23rd century, finds the world's fate in his hands when Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) ends up in his cab.

"Let it Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992" (2017), Gene Siskel Film Center

Showtimes: August 12: 8 p.m.

The screenwriter of "12 Years a Slave" directs this documentary focusing on the complexity of the events surrounding the Rodney King verdict.

Shorts Program: Made in Chicago I (2015-17), Gene Siskel Film Center

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Showtimes: August 13: 5:15 p.m., August 16: 8:30 p.m.

Seven short films featuring Chicago talent and history will be shown.

"Raising Arizona" (1987), The Music Box Theatre

Showtimes: August 13: 7 p.m.

Ex-con and ex-cop, H.I. (Nicolas Cage) and Ed (Holly Hunter), remedy their infertility issues by stealing a baby from a newborn set of quintuplets.

"The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman's Portrait Photography" (2016), Gene Siskel Film Center

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Showtimes: August 18: 2 p.m., 8:15 p.m., August 19: 6:30 p.m., August 20: 3 p.m., August 21: 6 p.m., August 22: 8:15 p.m., August 23: 6 p.m., August 24: 8:15 p.m.

Elsa Dorfman, a self-described "lucky little Jewish girl," discovered photography at the age of 28 and photographed icons such as Bob Dylan, Audre Lorde and Allen Ginsberg. This documentary highlights the life and work of the photography legend.

Shorts Program: Love African-American Style (2016-17), Gene Siskel Film Center

Showtimes: August 18: 6 p.m., August 19: 8:30 p.m.

Six short films showcasing African-American love will be shown.

"The Best Thing!" (2017), Gene Siskel Film Center

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Showtimes: August 18: 8:30 p.m., August 22: 8:15 p.m.

Shot entirely on Chicago's South Side, this comedy showcases local talent and a sense of community.

"The Blues Brothers" (1980), The Logan Theatre

Showtimes: August 18-21: 11 p.m.

In this Chicago favorite, Jake (John Belushi) reunites with his brother, Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) upon his release from prison. The two set out on a "mission from God" to save a Catholic orphanage from foreclosure by reuniting their band for a performance to earn the money needed.

"Kill, Baby...Kill!" (1966), Gene Siskel Film Center

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Showtimes: August 19: 4:45 p.m., August 21: 6 p.m.

A Transylvanian village is frozen in fear by the vengeance of a little girl from beyond the grave.

"Napoleon Dynamite" (2004), The Logan Theatre

Showtimes: August 22-24: 10:30 p.m.

Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) has trouble fitting in at his small town high-school in Preston, Idaho. When he befriends the new kid, Pedro (Efren Ramirez), the two launch a campaign to run for class president.

"Bronx Gothic" (2017), Gene Siskel Film Center

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Showtimes: August 23: 8:30 p.m., August 24: 6 p.m.

This documentary focuses on performer Okwui Okpokwasili and her one-woman show centering on a series of notes passed between two 11-year-old girls in the Bronx in the 1980's.

"Boyz n the Hood" (1991), The Logan Theatre

Showtimes: August 25-28: 11:30 p.m.

Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is sent to live with his father, Furious Styles (Laurence Fishburne), in Los Angeles where he is led into the world of gang culture and violence.

"Pulp Fiction" (1994), The Logan Theatre

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Showtimes: August 25-28: 11 p.m.

Hit-men Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield's (Samuel L. Jackson) stories are interwoven with that of their boss, his actress wife (Uma Thurman), boxer Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis), fixer Winston Wolfe (Harvey Keitel) and a pair of armed robbers.

"The Girl Who Knew Too Much" (1963), Gene Siskel Film Center

Showtimes: August 26: 4:45 p.m., August 28: 6 p.m.

This psychological thriller follows Nora, a tourist in Rome, who wakes up one morning and believes that she has witnessed a murder for which no body has been found.

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (1975), The Music Box Theatre

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Showtimes: August 26: 11:59 p.m.

Do the time warp at this timeless horror-parody midnight screening with a shadow-cast of actors playing out the roles in front of the screen. "Virgin kit" prop bags available for purchase at the theater.

Shorts Program: Made in Chicago II (2016-17), Gene Siskel Film Center

Showtimes: August 27: 5 p.m., August 29: 8:15 p.m.

Six short films featuring Chicago talent will be shown.

Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >

"Obsession" (2017), Gene Siskel Film Center

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Showtimes: August 27: 2 p.m.

Jude Law stars as Gino who meets a woman and her husband, begins an affair with the woman and plots to murder her husband.

Double Feature: "The Chicago Way" (2017), "Blueprint for Bronzeville" (2017), Gene Siskel Film Center

Showtimes: August 28: 8 p.m., August 30: 8:30 p.m.

"The Chicago Way" documents the battle to make Chicago safe. "Blueprint for Bronzeville" is about the community group Housing Bronzeville's struggle to maintain affordable housing and their seize upon a bid to bring the Olympics to Chicago to gain leverage for their cause.

@AudreyGorden | agorden@redeyechicago.com
An Aurora Fire Department crew aboard a powered raft pulls a mannequin out of the dam wash on the Fox River near the Galena Boulevard bridge, as part of a recent river rescue drill. (Steve Lord / The Beacon-News)

While the Fox River remains flooded, authorities from Elgin to Aurora are warning residents of the dangers of the water.

After recent severe weather, the Fox remains flooded at Montgomery and Algonquin measuring stations.

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The Illinois Department of Natural Resources restricted boating along a stretch of the Fox, and since then authorities have conducted three rescues on the river between St. Charles and Oswego. Two bridges over the river in St. Charles were closed, then reopened, and water lapped at the side of a riverfront manufacturer in Carpentersville.

Though the river is receding, fire department officials continued to warn residents to stay away. The flood water can be deceiving, appearing shallow when it is not or appearing tranquil when there are currents under the surface. Flood water can also pick up contaminants when it overflows its banks, said St. Charles Fire Chief Joe Schelstreet.

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"I understand how captivating it is right now," he said. "We're just asking people to stay out of the water for the short time until the level's receded."

Fox River water levels peaked at a gauging site in Montgomery on July 23 at 14.22 feet, considered moderate flood stage by the National Weather Service. At the next site upstream where the National Weather Service monitors levels, which is in Algonquin, water levels peaked July 23 at 13.15 feet, considered major flood stage at that part of the river.

Water levels have continued to drop since then. The river is expected to be below what is considered flood stage in Montgomery around Tuesday. The water is expected to remain in what is considered flood stage in Algonquin at least through Aug. 4, the furthest available projection from the National Weather Service.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources restricted boating on July 12 from Pistakee Lake, near McHenry and Lake counties, to the Montgomery Dam. Days later, boating restrictions on the river from the Illinois-Wisconsin border to Pistakee Lake took effect.

Since then, water rescues have taken place near North Aurora, Oswego and St. Charles.

In North Aurora, two teenage girls were found Wednesday in the Fox River clinging to a tree after their inflatable raft overturned. They were rescued by boat.

Oswego firefighters rescued three kayakers in mid-July, including one found clinging to a tree branch. Also in mid-July, two kayakers were rescued in St. Charles after they went over a dam there.

Walton Island in Elgin has been mostly submerged for more than a week. St. Charles city officials had closed two bridges  the Illinois Street and Indiana Street bridges  and posted signs and barricades at submerged paths along the river. The two bridges have since reopened.

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Walton Islands in Elgin have been submerged in the Fox River as a result of recent heavy storms and the water near it is moving rapidly. (Mike Danahey / The Beacon-News )

Water levels along the Fox depend on what is happening throughout the river chain, said Aurora Director of Public Works Ken Schroth. In St. Charles, the high water has been largely because of the amount of water areas to the north received, which then traveled downstream, Schelstreet said.

Dams, in particular, can pose hazards, Schelstreet said. A large amount of water going over the dam at one time hits the surface below "violently," and someone caught in that turbulent water can be repeatedly pulled under, he said.

Two Elgin firefighters died at a dam there more than 30 years ago. While rescuing a man who had gone over the dam, they were caught in the undertow created by water rushing over the dam.

Other dangers can come when high water covers structures such as docks and piers, Elgin Fire Chief Dave Schmidt said. Submerged tree limbs along the shore can be dangerous, as can tree limbs that have broken free and become "projectiles traveling down the river." High water can affect the clearance under bridges, making some impassable or causing boats to become stuck, he said.

Aurora Fire Department Capt. Jim Rhodes said the river is "extremely dangerous" right now.

"Even if, for some odd reason, the temptation's there, the bottom line is do not go," he said. "Because that river's unforgiving and it's not risking your life for."

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Courier-News reporter Mike Danahey contributed.

sfreishtat@tribpub.com

Twitter @srfreish
Residents in Whispering Meadows subdivision are not happy with the condition of the roads in their neighborhood. (Denise Crosby / The Beacon-News )

Yorkville Mayor Gary Golinski said he is as frustrated as everyone else over roads left undone in the city when developers walked away when the housing market collapsed in 2008.

"We are doing all we can," Golinski said.

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Yorkville is among the municipalities in the region left in the lurch when home builders left and didn't finish infrastructure projects during the economic recession.

A group of residents from the Whispering Meadows subdivision recently spoke before Yorkville City Council hoping there is something the city could do about the roads in their neighborhood.

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Golinski told them the unfinished road structure in the subdivision continues to be an ongoing issue for staff and legal counsel. He said the matter is in the courts.

"It is very frustrating and we know it is frustrating for the residents. Believe me we are doing what we can. The wheels of justice turn very, very slow," the mayor said.

Whispering Meadows, located west of Route 47 north of Cannonball Trail in Yorkville, is one of those subdivisions started by Kimball Hill Homes that went bankrupt.

Fidelity and Deposit Co. of Maryland financially insured the developer with a bond and has fought efforts to pay for completion of the infrastructure. The city has done patch work as an interim solution.

The homeowners said their patience is running out from having an incomplete road structure that has deteriorated to the point of having gaping holes.

They said the roadways are a driving hazard and a safety issue for kids who simply want to ride their bicycles or roller skate to a friend's house.

T.C. Cooper said he scrapes the bottom of his car each time he pulls away from his home because of the unleveled surfaces between the road and his driveway.

"It's been an issue for a while. We need to figure something out," Cooper said.

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"We pay plenty in taxes for the roads. I see other roads get done, including ones that don't seem to need fixing," the resident said.

Jody Dolan said new homebuyers should be made aware of the incomplete road system before they make the investment to move into the neighborhood.

"The city is still letting people buy houses here. Where are we going to be in two, three, four or five years when traffic increases? It's horrible now," Dolan said.

Dolan said in some areas he is forced to drive into the oncoming lane of traffic to avoid sunken areas in the roadway.

"We moved into our retirement home two years ago and we are already thinking about moving out," he said.

Meredith Delarber came to the meeting with her two young sons, Harrison and Mack.

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"People say ride on the sidewalks but there are parts that don't even have sidewalks. It's not an option. We want to see something done. It's been a really long time," Delarber said.

Garrett Dorsey said the roadways are unsightly and hazardous for kids.

"Grass is growing inside the cracks in the road better than in my lawn. Yorkville is where we grew up and where we want our kids to grow up. Our kids just want to be able to ride their bikes in the street," Dorsey said.

Colleen Long said she also doesn't allow her children on the streets.

"Look at my son's knees. He's missing chunks of skin," she said. "This is all from all of the wipeouts my children have had on the streets."

The mother said her daughter is an "amazing roller skater" but she can't enjoy the sport in her own neighborhood.

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"My children are not allowed to ride their bikes or roller skate on streets. When we walk as a family there are areas with no sidewalks. We have no choice," Long said.

"We are battling the developer and Fidelity that backed the bonds. Hopefully it will be resolved soon," Golinski said.

Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
Bringing classical arts to mainstream rock music by using instruments not typical in the current rock era is the focus of Classical Blast.

Vocalist and guitarist Javier Martin Lopez, violinist Jimmy Chaos, cellist Petar Kecenovici, bassist Bill Syniar and drummer David Kelly perform "From Bach to Rock: A Musical Metamorphosis" Aug. 10 for the Summer Concert Series at Joliet Area Historical Museum's rooftop in Joliet.

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"You'll hear a little bit of something that's from 'Sarabande' and then, all of a sudden, we'll drift into 'In the Air Tonight' by Phil Collins," said Syniar via phone from his Oak Park home.

"The strings make everything so beautiful. I see people have tears in their eyes while we're doing certain sections. Some parts are so dramatic. Even though I know it's coming I just feel this adrenaline rush going through me.

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"Not only are the cellist and violinist doing their thing but they're doing it through effects so they might have distortion and display different sounds through the instruments that you don't normally hear when you hear a symphony orchestra."

Syniar is no stranger to rock, having written music for the Doobie Brothers, former Kansas vocalist Steve Walsh and members of the band Toto. Syniar also performed on albums and toured internationally with the band Survivor, known for the hit "Eye of the Tiger" from the "Rocky II" movie.

"As soon as you walk out on the stage, the crowd goes crazy," said Syniar about working with Survivor, which included appearing on the "Too Hot to Sleep" and "Greatest Hits" albums as well as the single and video for "Didn't Know It Was Love."

"Playing the bigger stages and the bigger gigs always felt really good. Everybody likes most of Survivor's music. Most of it is all happy, up-tempo stuff that always felt good. Working with the players in the band was nice. The travel wasn't too bad since they're a fairly big-name band.

"We were able to fly to gigs instead of taking a van. I would have a limo pick me up at my house and take me to the airport. Then we'd play our sets and we'd have a big dinner in our dressing room. There were all these people who wanted to talk to us. It wasn't too tough of a lifestyle."

Performing with Classical Blast also has been rewarding for Syniar, who joined in 2013 after working on the band's first album, "Classified," and doing hospital performances with Kecenovici on cello and him on guitar for Caring Arts Foundation.

Syniar's volunteer work with the nonprofit that provides emotional support to Chicago-area cancer patients and their families inspired him to write the song "Beautiful."

"These people we meet are dealing with horrific illness. With how much it's affected them, they're just so up and nice. Considering what their deal is, it blows me away. Something kicks in and it makes these people beautiful people."

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Much of "From Bach to Rock" is culled from Classical Blast's "Metamorphosis," which was released in 2015 and features classic rock songs mashed with popular classical pieces plus symphonic versions of rock songs and rocked classical pieces.

"We do these medleys that we don't normally do when we're playing our regular gigs," said Syniar who cited Classical Blast's arrangement of Edvard Grieg's "In the Hall of the Mountain King" and Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" as one of his favorites.

"The Joliet crowd just seemed to display their affection for us instantly. We have a blast there."

Classical Blast, which performed at Joliet Public Library's Star Wars Day, returns to the city for a 9 p.m. Sept. 1 gig at Hollywood Casino, 777 Hollywood Blvd., and later in 2017 for its annual "Dark Side of the Yule" concert at Joliet Area Historical Museum.

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The band, which has performed the national anthem at Wrigley Field in Chicago three times and recorded a new version of Steve Goodman's "Go Cubs Go" as part of its 2015 "All-American Cubs" tribute EP, continues to craft new material.

"We are working on trying to write originals that are as good as the big hits we're performing now. I don't want to just do an OK original. I want to write something that people are going to like just as much," Syniar said.

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"We're also in the process of putting more arrangements together."

Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.

Classical Blast

When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10

Where: Joliet Area Historical Museum's rooftop, 204 N. Ottawa St., Joliet

Tickets: $10 ($8 museum member)
July 28, 1994

Imagine finding a genuine postage stamp featuring a likeness of you and your husband in native costume, using a photograph taken at your wedding in Africa in 1988.

It happened recently to Cindy and Walter Aikman, former Peace Corps representatives to Swaziland when the king of that African nation issued stamps celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Peace Corps in his country.

The Auburn couple did not know such stamps were issued until a friend sent them an envelope with the stamp. The stamp, taken from their photograph, includes a student of Cindy's and the Peace Corps symbol. All stamps feature a photo of King Mswati III.

The Aikman stamp is valued at $1. Other Peace Corps volunteers are honored on different denominations.

The Auburn couple theorize they were chosen because they are the only American couple married in a traditional Swazi ceremony.

Cindy, a native of Johnstown, and Walter, a native of Syracuse, met at a Peace Corps training session in West Virginia in August 1984, just before being sent overseas.

Cindy, who was 22 when she arrived in Swaziland, said she and Walter had a long, traditional courtship. Assigned to different sites, they traveled five to six hours on bus and foot, hitchhiking when lucky, to meet once a month in the capital city of Mbabane. Sometimes they couldn't get there on the same weekend.

Communicating was difficult. There was no telephone at Walt's site, and it took a week for a letter to be delivered within the country.

"We had been challenged to immerse ourselves in the native culture," she said. And they did. Walter joined the king's regiment, becoming "a warrior" of the king. But in order for Cindy to participate in traditional events for women, she needed permission from her Swazi father, the chief of her area and the headmaster of her school.

While there, Walter, a graduate of the University of Rochester and SUNY Rangers school, supervised a nursery and helped farmers plant trees to prevent erosion.

Cindy, a graduate of Oneonta State College, served as a high school science teacher in Swaziland. She is now an Auburn city planner.

As Cindy's 2-1/2 year Peace Corps tour neared its end, she decided to tour Asia, and Walter made plans to seek employment at a game farm.

While visiting Nepal, she received a letter with a marriage proposal from Walter. She agreed, and they returned to the U.S. to meet each other's families.

When the Peace Corps hired Cindy to train volunteers in Swaziland, the couple decided to have two wedding ceremonies and invite all the people to share their celebration. Their Swazi families were thrilled that the couple wanted to be married following their local customs.
Palos Township trustee Sharon Brannigan has apologized for Facebook comments about Middle Eastern immigration that have sparked protests demanding her resignation. (Zak Koeske / Daily Southtown)

A Palos Township trustee whose controversial Facebook comments about Middle Eastern immigration sparked protests earlier this month has stepped down from her post on Cook County's Commission on Women's Issues, a county spokesman said.

Sharon Brannigan, a Republican who ran against U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski in 2014, took heat recently for Facebook posts suggesting the area's schools were filling with undocumented Middle Eastern students, asserting that local Muslims often failed to integrate into the community and questioning what Lipinski had done to "stem the flow of Middle Eastern immigration into our beloved United States while we are at war with Islamic extremists."

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More than 100 activists rallied outside Palos Township offices to condemn Brannigan's remarks and demand her immediate resignation from the township board prior to that panel's July 10 meeting. She has thus far refused to step down from that board.

Brannigan did, however, relinquish her seat on the county's women's commission shortly after Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle called for her resignation from it, county spokesman Frank Shuftan said.

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She had served on the commission since May 2016 after being appointed by County Board Commissioner Sean M. Morrison.

Activists demand that a Palos Township trustee resign over comments she made on Facebook. July 11, 2017. (Zak Koeske / Daily Southtown) (Videolicious - Chicago Tribune)

"Such viewpoints certainly do not reflect our values nor, in my opinion, the kind of representation we want on the Commission," Preckwinkle said in a statement released July 12. "Ms. Brannigan is the appointee of Commissioner Sean Morrison. I ask that Commissioner Morrison seek Ms. Brannigan's immediate resignation."

A staffer from Morrison's office confirmed that Brannigan had resigned from the county women's commission but said it was related to her difficulty making it to downtown meetings from the south suburbs and not Preckwinkle's demand for her to step aside.

Brannigan had been phoning in to meetings for the past few months but ultimately decided even that was interfering too much with her small business and notified Morrison that she planned to relinquish the position, staffer Chris Provenzano said.

"(Preckwinkle) called for her resignation that wasn't even needed because she could no longer commit the time to serve on the women's commission," he said. "If the president's office would have called and spoken with us, we could have let them know."

On July 14, Morrison sent the commission's chairwoman, Peggy Montes, a letter in which he stated that Brannigan had advised him on July 1 that she would need to withdraw from the commission.

"Ms. Brannigan had been concerned that she could not give the proper attention to the Commission and had indicated her desire to no longer serve due to the time her professional and business commitments demanded," Morrison's letter states. It makes no mention of the controversy over Brannigan's Facebook comments.

Provenzano said Morrison had no comment on his appointee's statements.

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"He's not jumping into any of these local issues. That's for Sharon to explain and to handle," Provenzano said, adding that Brannigan was a "strong advocate for taxpayers" and "watches carefully the allocation of tax dollars."

Brannigan did not return requests for comment on the matter.

She has since taken down her Facebook page where the controversial comments were made but has not apologized for them. She defended the statements at the Palos Township board meeting in July, citing her First Amendment right to free speech, and said she would not resign.

The activists who protested Brannigan at the July meeting said they would continue attending the monthly meetings until she resigned.

"For us, the outcome that the Muslim and Arab community wants is very simple," activist and organizer Rush Darwish said after the July 10 meeting. "This trustee must resign. Must resign her post. And until that happens, this crowd you saw here tonight, you will continue seeing until that result is met."

zkoeske@tribpub.com

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Dr. Larry Kociolek has been appointed to the school board in Frankfort District 157C. (Frankfort District 157C)

Frankfort School District 157C said it has appointed Dr. Larry Kociolek to fill a vacancy on the school board.

The appointment was made during a special board meeting held Wednesday, and Kociolek will take the oath of office at the board's next regular meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 16 at Hickory Creek Middle School, 22150 W. 116th Ave., Frankfort.

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Kociolek is a physician-scientist in the field of pediatric infectious diseases at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, and is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, the district said in a news release Friday.

His appointment fills the vacancy created by the death of board member Christopher McFadden.

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McFadden was elected to the board in April. He was found dead in his home June 29, and the Will County coroner's office recently ruled his death a suicide.

McFadden died due to "tramadol and hydrocodone intoxication," which are two prescription medications, typically used to treat pain, Kevin Stevenson, chief deputy coroner, said.

McFadden previously served nine months on the Lincoln-Way High School District 210 school board. He resigned that post in January 2016.

Kociolek will serve out the remainder of McFadden's term, until the next school board election in spring 2019.

The district said that six "very well qualified" people had applied to fill the vacancy.

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"After deliberation, we felt Dr. Kociolek's knowledge and experience would best serve the needs of the board," Gina Briese, school board president, said in the news release.

The district said that Kociolek and his wife, Lisa, have lived in Frankfort for eight years. She is a neonatal intensive care nurse at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital.

"My goal as a school board member is to provide an additional voice to the already strong group of board members and district administrators who continue to improve upon an already thriving school district," Kociolek said in the release.

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McFadden previously served on the 157C board from 2011 to 2015, including two years as its president.

McFadden was an attorney with the Mahoney, Silverman and Cross law firm in Joliet, and previously was an assistant U.S. attorney from 2005-2016.

mnolan@tribpub.com

Twitter @mnolan_J
About 200 people attended a prayer vigil for the Schmidt family at Firemen's Park in Beecher. ( Zak Koeske / Zak Koeske/Daily Southtown )

In times of grief, emotions often run high, but words tend to escape us.

And so we busy our hands, hoping they speak for our hearts.

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We collect money, we bake, we light candles, we pray.

Because what can you say when a single event turns an ordinary Monday morning into tragedy?

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Lindsey Schmidt, 29, and her 21-month-old son, Kaleb, were killed Monday morning when the driver of a 2002 Chevrolet S10 pickup truck allegedly blew a stop sign at the intersection of Corning Road and Yates Avenue in unincorporated Washington Township and struck their 2014 Subaru Outback, according to the Will County sheriff's office.

Schmidt's two other sons were severely injured in the crash. Weston, 4, died Tuesday evening. Six-year-old Owen died Thursday.

Schmidt, who was four months pregnant, was taking her children to Vacation Bible School at Trinity Lutheran Church in Crete when the crash occurred not far from their home.

The horrific nature of the crash, which sent Schmidt's 2014 Subaru into a field, and the escalating nature of the tragedy has plummeted the far south suburban community into sorrow, and the sadness is being felt around the world.

Post after post on numerous social media and web sites express heartbreak over the deaths. People who didn't even know the Schmidt family have asked what they can do to alleviate the suffering. Prayer vigils have been organized, and a bank account has been opened in the family's name, all in the hope of bringing a modicum of comfort to the family.

But are such efforts enough to heal a community?

We asked local pastors, counselors and people accustomed to imparting words of comfort whether there is any way to ease the pain of this situation.

"At a time like this, we ask, 'What can we do, what can we say?'" said Ron Rock, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Beecher. "But at a time like this, words from humans seem empty."

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Rock said, "I think a lot of people can easily plug themselves into this situation and think, 'There but for the grace of God go I.'"

Monday morning, he said, "was probably just like any other morning. You can imagine the young mother hurrying her kids to get in the car."

Scenes like that, he said, are played out every morning in every home.

"The family hurries off on what they expect will be a normal, busy day, and then literally in the blink of an eye, it's shattered and changed forever  both for those who were in the accident and for those on the outside."

Rock spoke at the first prayer vigil Wednesday evening.

"The only thing that really matters is God's promise to get us through these things until we rest from our labors in heaven," he said.

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At times like this, he added, "we can only see that we're helpless to the events of this world, whether it's an auto accident or crazy political enemies who will do anything to slaughter people."

"We're helpless but we're not hopeless," he said.

Rock said several people, in their attempt to come to grips with the tragedy, have said, "Boy, I'm kissing my wife or husband or hugging my kids tighter tonight."

The fragility of life is more evident when accidents like this occur, especially when young children are involved, he said.

"We realize there's no promise for how long we'll have these blessings of spouse and children and grandchildren," he said. "I think everybody is just more cognizant now of what God has given them. Hopefully they're more appreciative now. Because nothing's guaranteed."

Rock said that as dire as the news has been, there has also been hope.

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"At the vigil, it was almost like we were a family. We're really all in this together," he said. "We're here to mutually help one another as best we can. I think sometimes we get caught up in our little worlds of jobs, sports, schedules. Those are good, but sometimes it's to the detriment of our relationships."

A bright spot in all this darkness, he said, is seeing people come together to comfort each other.

"I think that will be a positive that comes from this horrific thing," he said.

Juan Hernandez lives in Beecher and is a friend of the family. The founder of Alicia's House Food Pantry in South Chicago Heights, Hernandez is an ordained minister whose granddaughter died when she was just 4.

He said, "Even in our darkest hours, God is there with us."

That love is evident, he said, in the outpouring of love from our neighbors, friends, community and total strangers who have been moved by this tragedy.

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Peggy McClanahan, pastor of Pilgrim Faith United Church of Christ in Oak Lawn, agreed community is so important at times like this.

"There are no real words that comfort, but our presence and the presence of God are what get us through and enable us to go forward," McClanahan said. "Knowing that we are not alone gives us enough strength for the moment, and the grief of the moment is all we can bear.

"So I hope that people will be there for the family and for each other and will hold each other in prayer."

Although it may not feel like it is enough, McClanahan said, "It will be."

Beecher Mayor Greg Szymanski said that in the wake of the tragedy, the community is coming together and will continue to do so. But he added, "I think it is important to respect the family's privacy while they grieve and begin to heal."

Karen Shockley, director of counseling at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, said showing survivors that they are loved and cared for is important, but so is respecting their grief.

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"We feel very helpless when it comes to grief, especially when there are traumatic events, so we turn to the things we can do to show how we feel and to be busy," she said.

But sometimes the kindest thing to do for someone who is grieving is nothing tangible.

"Let them direct the process," she said. Some people want to talk about their grief. Others do not.

One thing to avoid, she added, is cliches. Making trite general statements, such as "Time heals all wounds," can add to the hurt.

"Everybody's grief process is unique," she said.

And the way outsiders react to horrific events can be myriad. While community bonding doesn't take away the grief, she said, it can be cathartic for some people.

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Some feel the need to respond immediately and heavily, she said, by posting about the event, organizing vigils or fundraisers, or making casseroles for the family.

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"For those who need that, it is very, very supportive to come together as a community," she said. "But others may need more time to process things on their own."

Although it is not unusual for feelings of anger to arise during times like this, Rock said he hopes people do not rush to judgment regarding the driver of the pickup truck.

"I've had this conversation with many people. How many times have we blown a stop sign? I've done it. These country roads are dangerous. You're driving along, and all of a sudden there's a stop sign," he said.

"My heart breaks for this young guy. I don't know all the details, but many of us are praying for him too. How could his life not be changed by this? I'm sure he would love to have a do-over."

Trinity Lutheran Church is taking donations to help specifically with costs for burial at Trinity Christian Cemetery. Send donations to Trinity Women's Ministry, 1393 Elizabeth St., Crete. Donations for the family can be made to the Schmidt Family Fund, FCBT, P.O. Box 457, Beecher.

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dvickroy@tribpub.com

Twitter @dvickroy
The Romeo Town Center will be more accessible after the Will County board paved the way for an additional traffic signal on Weber Road.

County officials had to pass a resolution permitting the traffic signal, which technically is not warranted by federal criteria.

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The shopping plaza, on the northeast corner of 135th and Weber Road in Romeoville, will lose one of its full entrances on 135th due to the improvements the county is making on Weber.

The development will still have one full access at the rear on 135th and two full access points to the north.

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To replace the 135th Street access, Attorney Richard Kavanagh, representing Romeo Town Center, asked Will County officials to allow a new three-way traffic signal on Weber between 135th and Grand Boulevard to serve only that center, and not the commercial strip on the west side of Weber.

In a letter of support for the new signal, Romeoville Mayor John Noak told county officials that the property owner will pay for the construction and installation of the traffic light.

Variances were needed to deviate from the county's requirements for spacing of traffic signals and intersections, which follow the US Department of Transportation's criteria.

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At the July 20 meeting, the county board unanimously passed a resolution granting the variances and directed Jeff Ronaldson, director of the Will County Department of Transportation to issue the permits. If the signals are not installed by Aug. 1, 2022, the variances will expire, according to the resolution, which passed unanimously.

In a July 14 memo to the county board, Ronaldson stated that according to federal guidelines, signals should be not less than a quarter-mile apart, but a half-mile is the "preferred distance."

"At no time should spacing be less than 1,000 feet," according to the criteria he cited. The proposed new signal is 620 feet from the nearest existing traffic light, he said.

Ronaldson suggested other options, such as U-turns or a frontage road. He noted, however that IDOT suggested the left-turn only signal on Weber Road, similar to what was done on Illinois Route 59 in recent years.

In the resolution approving the variances, county officials noted that this added traffic light will not be detrimental to the safety of motorists.

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Twitter @SusanLaff
Friends, family and fellow firefighters from throughout the region gathered at St. Mary Catholic Church in Huntley Thursday to pay their final respects to Carpentersville Battalion Chief Todd Middendorf.

Among those in attendance were Doug Kruser and other members of the Hazel Green (Wis.) Fire Department, where Middendorf worked his first stint as a volunteer firefighter from 1992 to '94. Kruser said his friendship with Middendorf dated back to high school.

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"Todd was a soft-hearted kind of guy who always had a trick up his sleeve and a smile on his face," he said.

Middendorf, 46, died July 18 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville, Tenn. Middendorf , his wife Daisy and son Tyler were on vacation at their home in Sevierville, Tenn., a place where the couple planned to eventually retire, friends said. Family members have not publicly discussed the circumstances leading to Middendorf's unexpected death and the medical examiner has not yet released the cause of death.

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Middendorf joined the Carpentersville Fire Department 23 years ago, starting as a firefighter and working his way up to battalion chief. He was based at Station 1 on Spring Street.

Elgin Public Works Superintendent Dan Rich said he went through firefighter recruiting class with Middendorf. Rich was a part-time firefighter and paramedic for Carpentersville for four years.

"Todd got it as a firefighter," Rich said. "He understood what the job was about. Not being a hero, but serving the community. He loved life, his family and his friends."

Friend Jerry Christopherson, of Elgin, and volunteers with the True Patriots Foundation decorated the church grounds with American flags in advance of the service. Christopherson said he was living in Carpentersville and serving on its Police and Fire Commission when Middendorf was hired by the village.

"It was an honor to hire him and to watch him progress over the years to the rank of battalion chief," Christopherson said. "He's certainly going to be missed. He always had that smile on his face."

Steve Roesslein, of Mount Morris, who retired as assistant chief in Carpentersville about six years ago, said he and Middendorf became best friends pretty much from the time they first met.

"He walked in and said he wanted to be a fireman. I told him he came to the right place," Roesslein said. "He was a great fireman. One of the best. The best. He worked with a demeanor that when he walked into a room, he lit it right up.

Roesslein said his friend's death was a tough loss for the department and the entire community.

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Village President John Skillman, the village's former fire chief, recalled Middendorf's first call as a paramedic in March 1997. He and three other Carpentersville firefighter-paramedics responded to an accident involving a woman who was eight months pregnant.

The woman showed no signs of life, but the crew knew they might be able to save the child if they were able to keep blood and oxygen flowing through to the baby still in her womb.

Sherman Hospital's trauma team, obstetrics team and a neonatologist were waiting when the crew arrived and performed a rare post-mortem C-section, saving the newborn's life.

Carpentersville Fire Battalion Chief Kieran Stout and Lt. Jon Mensching said Middendorf always seemed upbeat and they knew he had everyone's back. His profession was a big part of his life, they said, and Middendorf was always concerned about doing things right by the department.

Middendorf's services began with a visitation at 3 p.m., followed by a fire service tribute at 6 p.m. and a funeral mass at 7 p.m. Middendorf and his family were parishioners at St. Margaret Mary in Algonquin, but the celebrations were held at the Huntley church to accommodate the number of people who wanted to attend.

Retired Schiller Park Fire Chief Tom Deegan, who serves on the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association funeral committee, said the tribute involved Carpentersville firefighters lining up by rank, followed by local towns and then those from farther away. The procession would pass by Middendorf's casket prior to the mass.

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So that Carpentersville firefighters could attend the proceedings, firefighters and paramedics from the Algonquin, Barrington & Countryside, Elgin, East Dundee, Elburn, Hampshire, Huntley, South Elgin and West Dundee covered their shifts while others from Pingree Grove and Hoffman Estates assisted in the Dundees during the services.

Carpentersville Fire Chief John-Paul Schilling said, "The support network in the firefighting community is beyond anyone's belief. There's support available for department members as well as for families. The help we're receiving today at our stations so most of us could be here today is example of that. No other profession does that."

In addition to his wife and son, Middendorf is survived by his parents; Gerald and Barbara; his brothers and sisters Troy (Brenda) and Tim (Emily) Middendorf, Tami (Matt) DeMuth and Tara (Eric) Budde; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ramon and Caridad Morales; his sister-in-law, Lourdes Morales, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

mdanahey@tribpub.com
A Chicago Public Schools administrator will take over at Larkin High School this fall.

School District U46 announced this week that Jamie Crosen is the new principal of the Elgin school. During Monday's U46 school board meeting, board members approved the hire.

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Crosen served since 2011 as the assistant principal of Roberto Clemente Community Academy, in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood, according to U46. Prior to being an assistant principal, he was the curriculum coordinator and department chair and teacher at Chicago's Tilden Community Academy during the 2010-11 school year. From 2006-10, Crosen was the department chair and teacher at Chicago's New Millennium School.

Larkin's new principal is a former South Chicago Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year, according to the School District U46.

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Crosen replaces Jon Tuin, who left Larkin for a principal job in Southern California.

The hire marks the third new high school principal among U46's five high schools for the upcoming school year. At Elgin High School, Krystal Thomas was announced as its latest leader; she spent the past two school years as principal of Bloom High School in Chicago Heights. And in Streamwood, Michele Chapman-Simmons will be the new high school principal after serving as an assistant principal at Naperville North High School since 2014.

raguerrero@tribpub.com
Dozens of Glenview residents attended the July 25 Plan Commission meeting to learn more about a proposed active living apartment complex in the 600 block of Waukegan Road. Fifteen residents addressed the commissioners to share their concerns about height, density, traffic, parking and noise. (Alexandra Kukulka / Pioneer Press)

A group of 15 residents addressed the Glenview Plan Commission on July 25 to share their concerns about a proposed apartment development on Waukegan Road near the Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad tracks.

The developer, Trammell Crow Company, has proposed demolishing two retail buildings and rezoning the property to build a what it has termed "multi-family active living," a 178-unit apartment building in the 600 block of Waukegan Road, according to a staff report. The proposed apartment complex would take up 270,000-square feet on 3.09 acres of land, it said.

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The apartments would be marketed to "active adults" with an early-70s age demographic, said John Carlson, Trammell Crow Company's principal of the Midwest business unit. The tenants would be able to rent the apartments, and they would have five daily activities, he said.

The proposal includes an above-ground parking structure and additional parking underneath the complex, according to the staff report. The minimum required parking stalls for this type of project is 356 parking spots, and the developer proposed 232 parking spots total, it said.

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The developer proposed a building height of 59 feet, which is 19 feet taller than the maximum building height allowed in a residential area, and a building density of 55 units per acre, which is 37 units per acre more than the maximum density allowed in a residential area, according to the report. The report indicates that multiple apartment complexes, like The Reserve Glenview, are above the height and density maximums.

"About density and height of this building, I feel like it will block out the sun," said resident Timothy Hanley.

In addition to concerns about height and density, the residents also raised issues about parking in and around the proposed development, an increase in traffic on Waukegan Road and an increase in noise.

The residents of the nearby neighborhoods around the proposed project are concerned that there won't be enough parking spots on the site, which will force anyone visiting the proposed apartments to park in the nearby neighborhoods, said resident Michael Kaplan.

Resident David Berk said that he is concerned that "with a structure this size being put so close to the tracks," the noise from the trains will be reflected toward the nearby homes.

"Yes, the homes directly behind the train tracks, we deal with it," he said. "But now, it is going to be amplified by just a solid building."

Resident William Nelson said he supports redeveloping the property, but he has concerns with the proposed project. Nelson suggested the developer install a traffic light at Waukegan Road near the development to avoid traffic congestion.

It is "very unlikely" that a traffic signal would be installed if the project is approved because the Illinois Department of Transportation, which installs the traffic lights in the village, discourages more lights on Waukegan Road to maintain a specific traffic flow, said Planning Manager Jeff Rogers.

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The developer conducted a traffic study, and the village's third-party consultant reviewed it, according to the staff report. The traffic study assumed that anyone turning left to leave the apartment complex would drive to the median, stop and then complete the turn when there is a gap in traffic, it said.

But the village's consultant found that it was "unlikely to happen," because completing a left turn like that conflicts with current traffic signals, according to the report. Without being able to turn left by stopping at the median, "vehicles will experience long delays," it said.

The consultant found that the developer should redesign the drop-off area at the front of the proposed apartment complex so that cars turning right do not cut through that area to bypass left turning cars, according to the report.

The commission directed the developer to expand the traffic study, conduct sound and light studies, and to come to the next meeting with information to address residents' concerns about height, density and parking.

The commissioners will continue discussing the proposed project at their Aug. 8 meeting.

mailto:akukulka@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter @Akukulka11
Do you like live music, outdoor games, boat rides and swimming  with free admission and parking?

Well, come on out to Deauville Island at Emerson Park from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6.

On this 10th anniversary of Owasco Lake Day, hosted by the Owasco Watershed Lake Association, everything is focused on having fun, being around and even on the lake, and learning more about its tremendous value to all of us.

With no formal speakers or presentations this year, Owasco Lake Day has a cross-section of activities, entertaining individuals and interesting exhibitors. There will be free boat rides: four or more pontoon boats will cruise continuously, in 25-minute intervals, transporting visitors around the lake's northern section. The drivers and narrators will provide a wealth of information about the lake's history and its future. Back on Deauville, continuous live music will occur inside two separate tents. Buy some food and sodas from our local Boy Scouts, sit down and enjoy the tunes while looking out over that fantastic view down the lake. For the kids, painting wooden magnets, making a personalized badge to wear and constructing food chain bracelets will all occur inside the island shelter house. The Cayuga County Dairy Princess is returning with a live dairy calf. New this year is a fellow who carves wooden art with a running chainsaw! Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery is bringing live fish in tanks for viewing, not catching. Along with the ever-popular bean bag toss and a backyard fishing game, a fisherman will instruct in the fine art of fly tying and casting. These are just a few of the many opportunities for a fun for all afternoon at Emerson Park, including swimming at the nearby beach.

Inside the conservation shelter house, initially, videos will run of OWLA's March to Lake Day presentations, describing the current status of the lake and programs to improve its water quality. Later in the afternoon, some older guests will relate memories of the glorious good old days on the lake, and some of the interesting characters and events from those often forgotten or unknown times.

Back to the island shelter house, several exhibitors will have informational displays, with a varied focus on the environment, water quality, agriculture, local history and tourism. Please stop in to learn more about the incredible asset that Owasco Lake and all of the Finger Lakes are to central New York. They are vital to the local economies, they are a source for numerous forms of recreation and they provide the all-important drinking water for so many citizens. The health of our lakes is essential to our whole quality of life, whether you live on the lake, boat on it, fish in it or just consume its water.

Again, Owasco Lake Day has free admission and parking. The closest access is off the Lake Avenue traffic circle, with parking in the grassy area west of Deauville Island. Parking is also available in the main lot of Emerson Park  either way, you walk across a bridge to enter OWLA's festival on the island. Centro has graciously provided free round-trip bus service from downtown Auburn; the bus stop is next to the parking garage on Lincoln Street. The bus will depart on the hour and half-hour.

We hope to see you on Sunday, Aug. 6, at Deauville Island. We would appreciate your feedback.

We sincerely thank our many sponsors for their support.
The original Culvers development included space for a restaurant with a neighboring retail space, as shown here. The Culvers owner presented the Plan Commission on July 25 with a new plan that eliminates the neighboring retail space. (Photo courtesy Jeff Brady)

The Culver's owner who received Glenview board of trustees approval last year to build a restaurant with a drive-thru and neighboring retail space at the vacant Matty's Wayside Inn site returned to the Plan Commission July 25 with a revised plan.

In the new proposal, the neighboring, 4,200-square foot retail space has been removed because of "engineering costs and project scheduling delays," said Planning Manager Jeff Rogers.

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With the elimination of the retail building, the project requires fewer parking spots, which allowed the developer to add an above-ground water detention basin to the plan, and move the location of the shared trash enclosure with the neighboring Taco Bell farther away from the nearby homes, according to a staff report.

In a 4-0 vote, the plan commission approved the new proposal. Chairman Steven Bucklin and commissioners Mark Igleski and Linda Witt were absent. The Board of Trustees will consider the proposal at the Aug. 15 meeting.

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Last summer, when the project was first proposed and ultimately approved, residents attended multiple plan commission and board of trustees meetings to voice their concerns about the possible increase in noise, lighting, littering and traffic.

The Culver's owner made changes to the previous proposal and site plan to address resident concerns, including altering landscaping, moving the building closer to Waukegan Road and agreeing to build a 9-foot-tall fence with sound maintenance panels and a guardrail between the business and the homes. The owner also agreed to change the restaurant and drive-thru hours to 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and changing delivery times to between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Lawrence Freedman, a lawyer representing the Culver's owner, said the new proposal should be approved because it "is significantly less" than the previously approved proposal. The owner will still follow the established restaurant hours and delivery hours, he said.

"We understand that condition was significant at the time it was approved, and we're not asking that it be changed," Freedman said.

But the owner would like to build an 8-foot-tall fence without sound maintenance panels because a bern, which will decrease light and sound to the nearby homes, was added to the new proposal, Freedman said.

Commissioner Tom Fallon said he does not agree with decreasing the fence height and removing the sound maintenance panels because "those were hard fought" conditions.

"I personally would like to still keep the 9-foot (fence) and the acoustical. I don't think we are talking about a whole lot of money here, and I think it will make the residents much happier," Fallon said.

Kristen Hugueley, a resident who lives behind the Taco Bell, was one of the four residents that addressed the commission about the proposal. She said that the fence with sound maintenance panels should be included in the new proposal.

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Resident Thomas Cunningham addressed the commission and gave them research on sound maintenance panels.

"There was a lot of effort by a lot of parties here," he said. "Let's please have ... the same conditions for fencing."

In the final vote, the commission recommended a minimum fence height of 8feet, but with a recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals to include a zoning variation for a 9-foot-tall fence. The commission recommended that the fence have sound maintenance panels and a guard rail.

akukulka@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @Akukulka11
Jennifer Dotson is executive assistant to the city manager and the mayor of Highland Park and the founder of Highland Park Poetry. ( Jennifer Dotson )

By day, Jennifer Dotson is executive assistant to the city manager and the mayor of Highland Park. She's also a published poet and founder of Highland Park Poetry, which reaches far beyond local borders.

Q: What prompted you to start Highland Park Poetry in 2007?

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A: Poets often work by themselves, so I was trying to create a community of poets and create opportunities for writers to get together and share work. I also wanted to encourage new, young poets. I said, Hey, we ought to have a Poetry Month celebration, and it spiraled into this year-round effort.

Q: What's your Highland Park Poetry Public Art Contest about?

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A: The city has a really impressive collection of public art along trails, city streets and in the parks. I wanted to draw attention to this fabulous collection of public art and get people's reactions to it. Poets write a poem about a specific sculpture or art installation by the Aug. 1 deadline. A judge who isn't local will read the poems blind and look at photographs of the art. The winning entries will be printed on election-sized signs and placed alongside the art around mid September. All of the poems will also appear on the Muses Gallery page on our website.

Q: Are there prizes?

A: It's really bragging rights and the fact that your poem is going to be published. Poets who live, work or study here have the advantage of seeing the art in person. We're received a few international submissions from people who were inspired by photographs of the art. In one case, an Oregon woman who grew up here submitted a poem. A couple of poets from Chicago drove up and toured around Highland Park looking at all the artwork, kind of like a scavenger hunt.

Q: "Clever Gretel," your debut full-length collection of poetry, received the Journal of Modern Poetry First Book Award and was published by Chicago Poetry Press in 2013. Did that put you on cloud nine?

A: Yes. I'd been working on my first collection for while. My grandmother is a big fan of poetry and I really wanted to have my first collection of poetry published while she is still living. Happily, she is still living.

Q: What kind of themes do you write about?

A: Everything is up for examination, whether it is personal relationships, personal experience, or observations. I tend to do a lot of things with pop culture and I'm a big fan of time travel novels so I've even written poems about that.

kberkowitz@pioneerlocal.com
Amy Cengel is the new principal of Oak Terrace School in Highwood. (District 112)

School officials hope the arrival of a new Oak Terrace School principal Aug. 1 will ease the anxieties of parents and staff that had been growing since word broke that Principal Alexandra Escobar would not be returning this school year.

The perceived void in leadership added to parents' concerns about still-unfilled teacher slots and instability at the most demographically diverse school in North Shore School District 112.

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The recent elimination of the My Path personalized learning program and other instructional changes also has eroded parents' confidence, according to parent comments at the recent board meeting.

The school board July 25 approved a resignation agreement with Escobar, who had been principal at Oak Terrace for the past year. The board also approved the appointment of a Des Plaines principal, Amy Cengel, to the principal's position.

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"We have been working diligently to recruit an experienced candidate for the position," said Co-Interim Superintendent Edward Rafferty, who described Cengel as a "highly effective principal who works well with staff to make sure learning opportunities happen for students."

For the past three years, Cengel has been principal of South Elementary School in Des Plaines Community School District 62. Her previous school, like Oak Terrace, serves a high proportion of low-income and Hispanic students as well as English language learners.

Cengel worked in the Des Plaines district under Jane Westerhold, who is now sharing interim superintendent duties in District 112.

Administrators would not elaborate on the reasons for the principal shake-up, or why it was occurring just weeks before students return to school Aug. 28. Personnel matters are kept confidential and discussed in closed meetings with the school board. Escobar could not be reached for comment.

Board member Art Kessler assured Oak Terrace parents who attended the special board meeting July 25 that the principal change was not a last-minute decision or a response to a few parental complaints.

"It's never a great situation when you are contemplating the resignation of a principal the month before school starts, and we don't take this lightly," Kessler said. "This process started many months ago, and the superintendents have kept us apprised at every step of the process."

He added that the decisions went beyond the complaints of a few parents.

"It is really taking into account the entire role of the principal and what they need to deliver to our students," Kessler said.

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Monica Schroeder, assistant superintendent for personnel services, said parents and staff were not included in the principal selection process, as they have been in the past, due to the short timing and the importance of having a strong leader in place for the start of school.

She said the administration wanted to bring stability to Oak Terrace so parents, students and staff had someone they could rely on. They also were looking for a principal who speaks Spanish and possesses the interpersonal skills to bring the community together.

Schroeder said Cengel is committed to working with populations like the one at Oak Terrace.

State data show that 70 percent of the 565 students enrolled at Oak Terrace are low income and 62 percent are English language learners. The school's enrollment is 75 percent Hispanic.

Cengel's previous school, South Elementary School, serves 263 students and its population is 57 percent low-income and 59 percent Hispanic. English language learners make up 56 percent of enrollment, according to state data.

The most recent data from PARCC testing in 2016 shows that 46 percent of South School students were found to be "ready for the next level." At Oak Terrace, the figure was 20 percent.

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Prior to her year as principal of Oak Terrace, Escobar had served as both an assistant principal and principal in the Chicago Public School system. The previous principal, Jim Kallieris, served from 2013 to 2016. Kallieris took a principal position in Mundelein Elementary District 75.

kberkowitz@pioneerlocal.com
A registered sexual predator was found this week to be living near a Waukegan school, a violation of the state's sex offender laws, after failing to show up in court on a domestic battery charge, police said.

Lerou Kelly, 38, of Waukegan, was arrested Friday after fleeing an apartment he was living at in the 500 block of McAlister Avenue, said Sgt. Christopher Covelli with the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Kelly was found hiding behind a wall in the basement of the apartment building.

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The Lake County Sheriff's Office Warrants Team and U.S. Marshals Service's Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force apprehended Kelly seven days after a warrant was issued for his arrest, according to a news release.

Kelly had failed to appear in court on a Waukegan domestic battery charge and was also under investigation by the North Chicago Police Department for violations of the Sex Offender Registry Act, according to the release.

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Kelly was charged Friday with not disclosing that he was living with children under 18; failing to register his new address; living within 500 feet of a school, public park and daycare center; and violating an order of protection, all felonies, according to the release.

Kelly had been convicted in March 2001 of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, according to Lake County Circuit Clerk records.

The victim in the case had been 13 years old, and Kelly was 20 at the time, according to the Illinois Sex Offender Registry.

Kelly remains in Lake County Jail on $250,000 bail. His next court date is Aug. 16.

emcoleman@tribpub.com

Twitter @mekcoleman
After nearly flunking out of both grade school and high school, Allen Lynch of Gurnee joined the United States Army, where he also had a rough time, nearly earning himself a dishonorable discharge before a fateful day in combat.

Lynch was 22 years old and serving as a radio telephone operator with the Army's 12th Cavalry on Dec. 15, 1967, when his unit was attacked in the Binh Dinh Province of South Vietnam. Ignoring enemy fire and saving three of his fellow wounded soldiers would eventually lead to Lynch receiving the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration, from then-President Richard Nixon.

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Lynch is known around Lake County for his past talks to various groups and for having an overpass bearing his name at Grand Avenue and the Tri-State Tollway in Gurnee. But on Friday, he kicked off a new program at the Lake County Jail in which people who have overcome obstacles in their lives speak to the inmates about changing behavior and making plans so they don't end up back in custody and can find a better life.

Lynch had been a regular at the jail through Joy Lutheran Church of Gurnee as part of a Bible study group with inmates some seven or eight years ago. This time, he was the main attraction as part of the jail's new "Real People, Real Stories" program.

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"He is one of the most inspirational people. The inmates that hear him will hear about the value of redemption and not letting the past define who you are," said Sheriff Mark Curran. "He didn't let his past define his potential."

While Allen Lynch would eventually receive the Medal of Honor, he nearly got kicked out of the Army. Lynch spoke with inmates Friday at Lake County Jail. (Frank Abderholden / Lake County News-Sun)

Lynch described to both men and women inmates how he was bullied as a child, "and not the cyberbullying we have today  this was the good old-fashioned punch-in-the-face bullying," adding that was why he didn't do well in school and actually thought he was stupid.

"I was a lousy student," he said.

But when he joined the Army, Lynch added, he began to learn how to get along with all kinds of people  rich, black, white, poor  because you slept bunk-to-bunk, and the commodes for the bathroom were out in the open. He learned to stand up for himself.

"There was no privacy," Lynch said. When he entered the service, he added, he was given a test and it turned out maybe he wasn't so stupid after all, and he was given the opportunity to go to officer's school. He lasted four weeks before leaving, because once again, he felt he was getting picked on.

"It was all about me. I've learned that once you realize it is not all about you, you can change your life around," he said.

But Lynch told the gathering that he still wasn't done screwing up  he was cited under Article 15 for talking back to an officer, which meant being docked seven days' pay, having an extra 15 days of duty cleaning the toilets and bunkhouse, and another 15 days confined to the barracks.

Then he received another Article 15 when a friend was going to go AWOL (Absent Without Leave), so Lynch went to get him at a bar to bring him back. "Of course we had to have a couple of beers first. And we got caught," he said, adding that one more Article 15 and he could have been dishonorably discharged.

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But Lynch said he was bonding with his fellow soldiers. "I was closer to them than my own family. It didn't matter who you were or where you were from or what you looked like," he said.

Disregarding his safety in the face of withering hostile fire, he crossed 70 meters of exposed terrain five times to carry his wounded comrades to a more secure area.  Allen Lynch's Medal of Honor citation

In combat ,everything changed. On that fateful day, according to his citation for the Medal of Honor, Lynch ran across 50 meters of open ground "through a withering hail of enemy fire" to aid three wounded comrades. He then cleared a nearby trench, killing two enemy soldiers in the process, and "unhesitatingly returned to the fire-swept area" three times to carry the wounded men to safety.

"When his company was forced to withdraw by the superior firepower of the enemy, Sgt. Lynch remained to aid his comrades at the risk of his life rather than abandon them," the citation states. "Alone, he defended his isolated position for two hours against the advancing enemy. Using only his rifle and a grenade, he stopped them just short of his trench, killing five.

"Again, disregarding his safety in the face of withering hostile fire, he crossed 70 meters of exposed terrain five times to carry his wounded comrades to a more secure area. (His) gallantry at the risk of his life is in the highest traditions of the military service, (and) Sgt. Lynch has reflected great credit on himself, the 12th Cavalry, and the U.S. Army."

When he left the service, Lynch said, he went to the College of Lake County and then a four-year college and made honor roll at both schools. He went on to work for veteran's rights with the Illinois Attorney General's Office and later at the Department of Veterans Affairs. He married and had a child. He also suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.

"For a lot of years, it was my excuse," he said. But he urged inmates to re-examine themselves.

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"We don't stay the same person. We can change and be different," he told the inmates. "Sometimes under pressure, a person can become a diamond or stay a lump of coal.

"If I can do it, all of you can do it too. We can be a benefit to everyone who knows us. It's all up to you. Every one of you has the potential. Don't miss the opportunity," he added. "You have a lot of life left to live  make it positive."

fabderholden@tribpub.com

Twitter @abderholden
Asia Clancy tossed butter-coated sauerkraut and mushroom pierogi in a pan at the Lake County Fair on Friday afternoon. Owner of Dilicja, a Polish eatery, Clancy said this was her first time at the fair  and she's glad she came.

The pierogi and Polish sausage were selling well, she said. Phil and Gail Peszat, of McHenry, were glad she was there too.

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"We grew up on pierogi," said Phil Peszat, who came to the fair with his sister, Sharri Upton, of McHenry; sister Janet Welsh and brother-in-law Jim Welsh, of Arizona; and their 94-year-old mother, Jeannette Peszat.

The pierogi vendor was among a cadre of firsts at the 89th annual Lake County Fair, which runs through Sunday at the fairgrounds on Peterson Road in Grayslake.

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Other new attractions included a fishing tank with bluegills for kids, life-size bouncing balls for all ages and samples of ice cream frozen with nitrogen.

John Maguire, the fair's director of business development, said adding new attractions along with traditional favorites keeps people coming back to the fair each year.

Growing up in Wauconda, Janet Welsh said she loved coming to the fair and said it was a great surprise to find homemade pierogi.

Jeanette Peszat recalled making sauerkraut pierogi and agreed to sample one of Clancy's potato-and-cheese pierogi. "It's good," she said.

As good as those she used to make? She shook her head "no."

Clancy said she moved to the United States from a Polish town about 90 miles from Warsaw some 10 years ago to make a better living, and she's found it.

"Tomorrow, I'll have paczki and kolaczki," Polish desserts, she said.

While the adults were reminiscing about pierorgi, young children were trying to catch bluegill in a huge fishing tank at a new fair attraction.

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Tom Gatewood of First Bite Fishing said he's been teaching children to bait the poles and take the fish off the hook since the fair opened Wednesday.

"We've had lots of kids who have never caught a fish. It's wonderful to watch them play," Gatewood said. "It's great to watch them (catch their first fish). They smile. They jump and giggle."

Louis Lively's son, Tristan, 9, of Volo, fishes every day. But he was waiting for 20 minutes at the fair and still hadn't caught a fish.

"Even the best fishermen don't catch one all the time," said Tristan's mom, Sara Lively.

Sam Schwebke, 9, of Pleasant Prairie, fishes often as well, said his mom, Cyndy Schneider.

"I love catching the fish and feeling them," he said. "They're slimy."

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Gatewood encouraged Sam to give the fish a kiss, but Sam would only get so close to the fish's lips. Touching a fish is one thing, but kissing one is a different matter.

Meanwhile, 4-year-old Grace Barnard stood quietly dangling a line as her mom, Amy Barnard, of Pleasant Prairie, watched. It was her first time holding a fishing pole, and she was hooked.

"I like going fishing," she said. Patience, it seemed, was her virtue.

For those children and adults who wanted something more exciting, the fair had another new attraction called Knockerball.

Participants get inside a life-size ball made of hard plastic and run toward each other, like bumper cars, trying to knock one another upside down.

Vincent Caruso, 11, whose mother, Corie Caruso, owns the business, said, "We go to festivals, and people get to bump into each other. They get to bump with their friends or play on a team."

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His brother, Joe, 14, said he's seen adults as well as young kids playing Knockerball. "It's fun to see the little ones go in and have fun," he said.

With the weather looking good for the last two days of the fair, Maguire said he's hoping for a high count of visitors this year.

For more information, go to www.lcfair.com.

Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
A DuPage County judge on Thursday declined to lower the bond of an Army veteran awaiting trial on charges he made threatening statements to a Naperville school and a Wheaton police officer.

William MacKinnon, 48, of Massachusetts, requested the reduction in his $100,000 bond on charges of felony disorderly conduct so that he could receive treatment at the Hines VA Hospital.

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Judge Liam Brennan said he was concerned MacKinnon would not have enough structure were he to be released from jail. MacKinnon has a history of mental illness that is possibly exacerbated by diabetes, conditions that can be closely monitored in the jail, Brennan said.

"There's no question that the defendant currently is stable," Brennan said. "The problem is that he's in an incredibly controlled environment. It's not something we can replicate with pretrial services."

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MacKinnon's attorney, Jeff Fawell, said MacKinnon had a four-year stretch in which he regularly wore an insulin pump and had no legal issues. However, when he stopped using it in early 2016, he was arrested twice for making threats, Fawell said.

MacKinnon served in the U.S. Army for 21 years and was honorably discharged in 2007, the lawyer said. MacKinnon had been "a model soldier" until his life began a downward spiral in 2002 while he was serving in Kuwait, Fawell said.

In 2008, he came into contact with local authorities after he allegedly made threatening telephone calls to his girlfriend, a Wheaton resident.

In 2016, he threatened a Wheaton police officer and the officer's family. MacKinnon was charged and later released on bond, a condition of which required him to receive medical treatment while living in Massachusetts.

In April he was charged with making threatening calls to St. Raphael Catholic School in Naperville, in which he vowed to "terrorize" the school and made threats against a third-grade teacher and Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich.

Assistant State's Attorney James Scaliatine argued against a bond reduction, saying MacKinnon had not followed pretrial orders when he was previously released.

"He may have been a model soldier, but he's not a model candidate for bond," Scaliatine said.

Fawell cited a psychological evaluation recently conducted by court services, which put MacKinnon at low risk to commit physical violence.

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Clifford Ward is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Savory Spice opened this month on Washington Street in downtown Naperville, next door to the vomFASS store. (Savor Spice Naperville Facebook)

Summer has brought new business openings and closings to downtown Naperville, including a new spice purveyor setting up shop on Washington Street and the end of the line for a store known for its Grateful Dead merchandise.

Here's a rundown of the changes:

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Board & Barrel opened at the beginning of July at 218 S. Washington St. in downtown Naperville. Board & Barrel bills itself as a country and folk bar bringing "a touch of Nashville to the Chicagoland suburbs," according to its website.

The restaurant's menu boasts salads, appetizers and sandwiches, including a barbeque pork sandwich, Nashville chicken sandwich and a bacon-wrapped beef hot dog topped with mac and cheese.

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Savory Spice shop at 123 S. Washington St. opened July 13. The chain has locations in 15 states; its one other Illinois location is in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood.

After 10 years, Lil J's Bohemia said "fare thee well" to its location at 124 S. Main St. The building that housed the shop, best known for its Grateful Dead-related items, and longtime downtown staple Russell's Cleaners is expected to be demolished and rebuilt.

Aroma Roots Bath & Body is expected to open in August at 232 S. Washington St. The shop offers natural handmade soaps and bath bombs among other products made at the business' Oswego location.

Aroma Roots' Naperville location will include a face mask bar where customers can receive guidance in self-application for the face masks in 45-minute to one-hour sessions.

Denim & Soul is priming to open soon at 26 W. Jefferson Ave. next to Everdine's Grilled Cheese. In addition to high-end jeans for men and women, the shop sells cashmere tops, handbags and shoes.

Drybar, a salon that specializes in hair blowouts, is opening soon on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Webster Street. Drybar will take the place of Pure Barre Naperville, which is moving to the building's second floor. The blowout salon has two other Illinois locations in Chicago.

Denim & Soul has announced plans to open at 26 W. Jefferson Ave. in downtown Naperville. (Erin Hegarty / Naperville Sun)

ehegarty@tribpub.com
Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico said this past week that he believes the city of Naperville would be obligated to buy the old Nichols Library if the city council designates it a local landmark. (Erin Hegarty / Naperville Sun)

Naperville Sun readers have plenty of opinions when it comes to the news of the day. Here are some of the comments left on stories posted on our website  napersun.com  and on our Facebook page.

In response to Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico saying the city would likely have to buy the old Nichols Library if it was designated a landmark because it would be difficult for the owner to develop it with landmark restrictions:

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To me, it is an odd, unattractive building. Is there a historical value or is it just old? If I thought it was beautiful or if there was historical importance, I would have a different opinion.

It's in a perfect area for city visitors and napervillians. Across the street from garage parking next to Central Park and YMCA. If they allocated the funds from repairs of Moser bell tower to this building it could be our new city monument, tourism office, meeting rooms, additional city offices, park district offices, etc.

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Then buy it! Make it a City tourist bureau or add it to the library system somehow. It's a historical landmark in Naperville, one of the first beautiful buildings before hitting the downtown area. Also next to a park and a memorial statue.

I've been gone over 30 years, Always enjoy seeing the building that says "Naperville, The Way it Used to Be" when visiting.

It is a landmark... what do they mean make it a landmark?! lol

I'd rather have the city buy this than spend money on the Carillon.

It would make a great, fancy restaurant or event venue or b and b. Could do that and still preserve the historical value. How about a citizens go fund me page?

I think that's wonderful! I am sure it means more to people who grew up there. I have very fond memories..

Would make a great visitors center.

The issue is the cost to maintain said facility as a landmark.

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Tear it down.

Love this building!

Great place for an art museum or classes. Maybe the fine arts could work something out with city. They would get a lot more visitors than they do now

In response to the DuPage County Sheriff's Office finding that the Naperville police officer involved in a fatal car crash did not do anything for which she should be criminally charged:

And here goes another lawsuit award at the taxpayer expense. This was wrong. Police policies should change if it's ok to chase someone at 68mph without lights or sirens for a cell phone violation.

The officer should have had her flashing lights on plain and simple. I feel absolutely sick about this. I hope the family wins the lawsuit. If a police officer is pursuing somebody they need to have their lights on. I do support our police officers 99.9% of the time but when they screw up big like this this can't be overlooked.

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Speed of almost 70mph, on Ogden no less, chasing someone for looking at their cell phone????

Once again, the cops exonerate themselves. Hope the family wins!

This police officer is at fault, end of story. No flashing lights, no siren, how in God's name was this woman supposed to know to stop.

Absolutely horrible

Of course! Not surprised...

Benefit vs risk. Kill someone while chasing a cell phone violation.

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In response to Christkindlmarket signing a contract with Naper Settlement to keep the German Christmas market in Naperville for the next three years:

They need to spread out all of the booths more. Naper settlement is a giant venue, and they need to take advantage of it. A line for some hot chocolate should not be barricading off access to six or more vendors.

Yes. And forget walking through with kids or a stroller. The small space was so overwhelming we had to just leave.

I will go again if they figure out how to spread out and keep the strollers out. It was simply too crowded - you'd think there would be a city code on the amount of people jammed in a small space. Then there's the school charging you to park in a parking lot that you've already paid your taxes for. And last, the drink tickets if I drink is five dollars, and each ticket is worth a dollar, why do we have to buy seven tickets at a time?

You drop me off, I'll go get food and call you when I've got it, then you can come pick me up! ....sadly there wasn't much room to sit, stand or walk last year.

I hope they can work on the parking on the side streets so we can get out of our driveway this year.

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New parking garage is open right across the street

I'd like to see more traditional vendors there. I went with my daughter, and it was a bit disappointing. It seems like the overwhelming majority of vendors were non-German.

If parking is an issue and you live close by, try the tuk tuk it's awesome. Or maybe uber. So happy they are coming back, great time.

I'll start saving my money now since we wealthy Naperville people are always so eager to spend it again, and again, and again.

I liked it. The simple fact that I didnt have to go downtown made it totally awesome.

So happy to hear they are staying. What a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit!

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New parking garage right across the street this year. 580 new spaces!!!

Chicago one is WAY better. I was disappointed. Hope it's better this year.

Loved it and the day we went it wasn't too cold and a heavy snow was coming down. So pretty

Loved it! We could walk to it versus the insane crowds in Chicago! We also visited on a snowy day. Magical!!

There was nooo where to park and was so many people we couldn't move . I won't return to that location.
HIT: To an Auburn company that's looking to expand.

Blair Construction and Fabrication has submitted a proposal to the Auburn Planning Board to build a 15,600-square-foot addition to its business on North Street. The project would double the size of the existing facility and create 10 to 15 new jobs.

The company  and the planning board  will have to make sure everything is in order before the project goes ahead, but it appears to be a positive move.

We hear too many stories of businesses struggling not to be encouraged by news about a company that's growing.

MISS: To rape charges against a Port Byron woman.

Police said the woman had carried on a months-long sexual relationship with a 14-year-old boy before being arrested and sent to the county jail.

The woman had worked as a school bus aide for the Port Byron school district, but authorities said that she did not have contact with the boy as a result of that job.

MISS: To an alarming number of people who steal.

The Auburn Police Department recently reported that its officers responded to 22 burglary calls in the month of June  eight more than they had in May.

And late last week, two Auburn residents who live in the same home where charged in unrelated burglary cases. One man was charged with break-ins at Tom Thumb Drive-In in Owasco and Classic Cones in Throop. The other was arrested for allegedly burglarizing a business in Sennett.

It seems that some people just aren't suited to working for a living.
How the city of Naperville opts to redevelop the Fifth Avenue land around the Naperville Metra station will say a lot about city priorities and how much it respects its residents opinions, columnist Bill Mego says. (Erin Hegarty/Naperville Sun)

Naperville's downtown Metra station is awkwardly situated. That's not particularly uncommon for Metra stations, but it does create a lot of difficulties, traffic- and otherwise. At certain times of day, getting around that area in a car is just not worth the trouble.

That's not to say I don't like the station. I'm actually quite fond of it. I took the train into Chicago for many years, and found it to be far better than driving. It gave me more time to work and cut my level of anxiety by at least 90 percent. There's nothing like being stuck in traffic on the Eisenhower when you know 400 people are waiting for you in a lecture hall.

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I'm also quite fond of the park in front of the Metra station, and think we're very lucky to have it. Its two statues by Ernest Moore "Dick" Viquesney, "The Spirit of the American Doughboy" and "The Spirit of the American Navy," give it a small town charm that is the envy of other towns.

What I am not particularly fond of, however, are some of the plans I've seen for the land the city of Naperville owns around the train station. While I realize the city does not want to restrict developer creativity, elected officials have to remember they, not the developer, represent the interests of the residents of that area.

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Those residents are counting on the city to preserve their quality of life, even if that may limit some developer's opportunity to make money. If we can't respect our neighbors' right to live as they want to live and have always lived, then we don't deserve to be called the "best city" in any category. Cities aren't buildings and amenities; cities are people.

Naperville Sun Twice-weekly News updates from the Naperville area delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

I am told the neighbors around a new apartment complex on Ellsworth, south and east of the train station, welcome the plan and think it will improve the area. That's the kind of reception I think we're looking for, plans that the neighbors enthusiastically welcome.

It's fine to talk of opportunity sites and an area revitalization, but we have to remember there's nothing really wrong with the area. It's not blighted, it simply hasn't been redeveloped. Although that doesn't bother me a bit, I realize it is offensive to some who think that unless a piece of land is making a truckload of money for someone, it's essentially being wasted.

The council and staff want to improve the land parcels the city owns. However, "the city" doesn't actually own them, we all do, including the neighbors who live around the train station. And because whatever happens there will affect them the most, they should have the biggest say about it.

That's the way it should work. The closer something gets to the place where you and your family live, the more your opinion should matter. It shouldn't depend on whether you have an old house or a small one. It's not your property or your wealth we should respect, it's you.

I realize the country's going through a weird phase right now. You can't believe a single thing anyone says and if you have enough money, you can do anything you want. Well, that's not the way Naperville people have lived in the past, and I don't believe that's how they want to live in the future.

I guess I look at that land around the train station as a kind of test. We'll soon see if we still possess some of those old-fashioned values, such as truthfulness, transparency and respect for the lifestyles of our friends and neighbors.

bill.mego@sbcglobal.net
A 27-year-old Forest Park man is being held in the attempted robbery of Byline Bank in Harwood Heights on July 25, in which authorities said a customer on a cellphone in one of the drive-thru lanes alerted the teller, which broke off the robbery.

The suspect, later identified as Andrew Johnston, had his initial appearance in federal court July 26. According to court records, he waived his right to a preliminary examination hearing, and the court entered a finding of probable cause. Documents indicated he was to remain in custody pending further order of the court. A detention hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Aug. 7.

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Court records indicate that attorney Anthony Hill of the Federal Defender Panel was appointed as Johnston's counsel.

"Mr. Johnston is innocent, and we look forward to confronting the government's evidence in court," Hill said via email.

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No gun was observed or implied in the incident at the bank, located at 4660 N. Harlem Ave., police said. According to one of the tellers, the suspect requested between $2,500 to $3,500 in bank money, alluding to a family member's gambling and other problems, the FBI complaint said.

A Norridge police officer placed Johnston under arrest at Forest Preserve Drive and Cumberland Avenue less than 20 minutes after the attempted robbery, said Harwood Heights Deputy Chief John DeVries.

Harwood Heights and River Grove police arrived on the scene around the same time, relying on a detailed description of the suspect's car and registration provided by the customer from the drive-thru lane, DeVries said.

"It was great teamwork from everybody involved," he said of the joint effort.

Taken back to the bank for witness identification following his arrest, Johnston became contrite for his actions, and asked to apologize to the shaken tellers, the FBI complaint stated.

The drama unfolded shortly before 5 p.m. July 25. According to one of the tellers, Johnston wore a black mask over his face and nose, as well as a black hoodie and black hat with the word "Security," and had a phone to his face, announcing a robbery, the complaint said.

The suspect then stated that his family had been kidnapped and a family member had gambling problems, according to the complaint.

The teller stated that she was "really scared" and put her hands up, telling investigators that the suspect mumbled so fast at times she couldn't understand his words, according to the complaint. She told investigators that she looked out the drive-up window and and saw a customer holding up his phone, motioning to the teller as to whether she needed him to call the police, the complaint said.

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The teller stated that when she nodded "yes" toward the customer, Johnston appeared to notice and left the bank without taking money, according to the complaint.

DeVries said the same customer in the drive-thru lane dialed 911  reporting that an older model green Buick or Pontiac had just gone north through the 4700 block of Harlem and then west through the parking lot of Old Warsaw restaurant in the direction of Lawrence Avenue.

Harwood Heights police then relayed the vehicle information, offender information and direction of travel over net band radio, alerting neighboring towns. The deputy chief said the "eyewitness was so descriptive about the offender  what he was wearing, the car he got into, the direction of travel he used upon leaving  we were able to put that across to the radio. And immediately within nine minutes, a Norridge police officer observed a car similar to that description."

The Norridge officer pursued the vehicle, stopping it at Forest Preserve Drive and Cumberland Avenue, DeVries said. River Grove police came to assist Harwood Heights and Norridge police, he said, recounting the events at Thursday's Harwood Heights Village Board meeting.

The apology was hard to explain, DeVries said. In 32 years of doing investigative work in the town, he said he never had anyone, especially someone involved in a suspected bank robbery, ask to apologize.

"When I took him into custody, I brought him back for show-up in front of the tellers, to make sure it was the same suspect," he said in his report at the village board meeting. "So after I showed him to the tellers, the one teller was really emotionally upset, very hysterical about what was going on. I walked him back to my squad car and I said, 'Did you see the face of that young girl who works here for probably $10 an hour, how shook up she was?' "

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"He asked me if I could please walk him back to the window so he could apologize, sincerely, to this woman for what he did to her," DeVries said. "And he did  he was very sincere about it. It's in my report, and when the federal agents came I made sure that was noted because I found that was impressive on my part as a policeman. So kudos to him."
The Illinois Department of Transportation is proposing to add a lane to the Eisenhower Expressway between Mannheim Road and Racine Avenue. It would be free for carpool drivers, and others would pay a toll to use the new lane. (IDOT)

Plans to expand and rebuild the Eisenhower Expressway received federal approval July 28 to proceed with the project.

According to officials with the Illinois Department of Transportation, the United States Department of Transportation approved phase 1 of the plan, though there is still no funding commitment to actually complete the work.

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"The draft environmental impact study is final," IDOT spokesman Guy Tridgell said. "With most highway projects, there's three phases: initial planning and design, final engineering and then construction. There's no funding [to proceed to the second phase] at this point."

In total, IDOT officials estimate the entire project would cost $2.7 billion.

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"All of the options are open for possible funding sources, but public-private partnerships will be given strong consideration," Tridgell said. "This is a significant milestone, but there is still a lot of work to do."

In addition to widening and rebuilding Interstate 290, the plan calls for managed toll lanes to be installed on the Eisenhower between Mannheim Road and Racine Avenue. If approved, IDOT would install a fourth lane to I-290 in each direction between Mannheim Road and Austin Boulevard, which would bring the entire expressway to four lanes in each direction between Interstate 88 and Interstate 90/94.

IDOT's proposed new Eisenhower lane would be free for carpool drivers, and others would pay a toll to use the new lane. (IDOT)

The two center lanes, between Mannheim Road and Racine Avenue would be converted into a "Hot 3+" lane, which would allow carpool vehicles and buses to ride for free. Other commuters could use the lane, but would be charged a toll. Three traffic lanes in each direction would remain free for drivers.

Pete Harmet of IDOT previously said the goal was to maintain a 45 mph speed through the toll lane, ensuring a "reliable trip" for drivers. The toll would increase in cost during higher traffic periods.

"The next phase of improvements on the Ike will be another step to strengthening the state's position as the transportation hub of North America," Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn said in a statement. "This project will improve safety and mobility throughout the region while creating economic opportunity for generations to come."

The proposal includes additional transit options and expanded linkages between Pace and the Chicago Transit Authority, as well as bicyclist improvements along the corridor.

Before any construction could begin on I-290, IDOT officials said managed toll lanes must be installed on Interstate 55. Because of a lack of funding, no timeline has been established for either the I-55 or I-290 improvements.

"One of the things needed before anything to occur is we need to build additional capacity on I-55 to act as a reliever for congestion on I-290," Tridgell said.

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Under that proposal, new toll lanes would be added to I-55 between Bolingbrook and Chicago, which is designed to alleviate congestion on the Stevenson Expressway.

According to IDOT officials, the Illinois General Assembly has yet to act on a proposed joint resolution that would allow the agency to pursue the I-55 toll lanes through a public-private partnership.

The Eisenhower Expressway study included seven public meetings and more than 150 small group meetings in communities and neighborhoods along I-290. Tridgell said public input will continue to be sought as the project moves forward.

"Nothing is scheduled at this time, but our commitment is to retain that rigorous outreach throughout the project," Tridgell said. "We will continue to engage the public."

According to IDOT, the Eisenhower Expressway was built in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and much of its original infrastructure remains in place today. The expressway was designed for 100,000 vehicles per day, but IDOT officials said the Eisenhower currently handles double that amount.

sschering@pioneerlocal.com

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Twitter @steveschering
A bust of Abraham Lincoln, believed to have been sculpted by Park Ridge artist Alfonso Iannelli. (Kalo Foundation)

A sculpture of Abraham Lincoln, believed to be created by Park Ridge artist Alfonso Iannelli, is in the process of being duplicated for public display overseas.

That is according to Kalo Foundation Co-President Judy Barclay, who said she has been working with a French representative of the Paris-Chicago Sister City Committee to make the project possible.

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Barclay said a mold of the Lincoln bust, owned by the Kalo Foundation, has been created and will be shipped to Paris, France, where a copy of the original is expected to be cast in bronze for public display in Paris.

"I think it's pretty special that something that was made by a Park Ridge artist almost 100 years ago is being honored and cast in bronze in Paris to be exhibited in a wonderful location," Barclay said.

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Interest in the piece began shortly after the Kalo Foundation acquired it last year.

"Our friend [Chicago cultural historian] Tim Samuelson called and said the French consul general and a few other people would like to come to the studio and see our Lincoln," Barclay said. "They liked it and thought it would work for the Paris-Chicago Committee."

No local funds are being used to create the mold or the final bronze, she added.

The sculpture itself was acquired by the Kalo Foundation from the Abraham Lincoln Book Shop in Chicago, Barclay said.

David Jameson, the author of a book chronicling Iannelli's work, said he believed the bust was, in fact, sculptured by Iannelli because it was included among the artist's works that were obtained by his Chicago art gallery in 1981.

"That particular bust was in the gallery when I managed it," Jameson said.

Iannelli exhibited Lincoln-related pieces in the 1920s, he said, but Jameson believes the Kalo Foundation's piece is not one that was part of the exhibit. Where it was displayed  if at all  is unclear, Jameson said, though it is possible it was made for a monument to be built on a section of the Lincoln Highway that runs through Illinois, he added.

The piece also looks very different from Iannelli's other sculptures, which are largely in the art deco style. The bust of Lincoln is very lifelike, which Jameson acknowledges is "a little out of character" for Iannelli, but not completely unusual for him.

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"Early in his career, he did more realistic approaches," Jameson said. "I have a photo from 1906 or 1908 where he is sculpting a bust of his wife, and it was very realistically rendered in clay."

Photographs of some religious statues credited to Iannelli, which appear in Jameson's book "Alfonso Iannelli: Modern by Design," also depict more realistic features on the faces of the figures.

When the bronze Lincoln sculpture is complete and displayed in Paris, Barclay said she hopes representatives from Iannelli's hometown will be there to see it.

"Kalo is already making plans to go over for the dedication," she said.

jjohnson@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter: @Jen_Tribune
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana said Lake County did not discriminate against a group of part-time senior workers fired in the midst of the county's financial crisis following the recession.

Chief Judge David Hamilton recently agreed with an April 2016 lower court ruling that Lake County did not violate age discrimination laws when it let a group of retirees who had taken a buyout package and returned as part-time workers go after it learned it would have to provide those employees with insurance.

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The employees, who were identified as Aaron Carson, Charles Collins, John Curtis, Marty Dobrijevich, Donnie Jones, Catherine Koby, Gwen Lane, Matthew Lubarski, John J. McBride Sr., Janet Nickovich, Charles J. Podgorney, Pattie G. Podgorney, John D. Pruzin, Danny Sebben, Helen G. Sutton, Dennis Tobin, Camila A. Trevino, Marian Vukas and Susan Wyatt, in a complaint filed in May 2014 contended the county violated federal law by firing them due to their age.

The group ranged in age from 65 to 81 years old when they were fired from their positions in various departments throughout the county in September 2013.

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"We affirm. We saw no evidence that the County engaged in age discrimination. Age was a necessary but insufficient factor in the County's decision-making process," according to the decision.

Hamilton wrote the key criterion that distinguished the terminated employees from all other county employees was not their age but rather their participation in the Aetna plan.

"The equal protection claim fails because the undisputed facts show that the County's action was rationally related to a legitimate state interest: preserving supplemental insurance coverage for its retirees while avoiding further financial hardship," the decision continued.

In 2008 and 2010, Lake County offered early retirement incentives to all Medicare-eligible employees who had at least five years of continuous service and were age 65 or older. The employees could select either a lump-sum payment or five years of supplemental health insurance at the same relatively low premium that full-time county employees paid for their health insurance package, the decision said. Retirees who selected the insurance package, the decision said, were also able to return to work part-time or receive a small monthly stipend.

"There is no evidence that the county engaged in any prohibited stereotyping," Hamilton wrote.

Lake County Commission President Micheal Repay, D-Hammond, said the win on appeal is good news for the county and its taxpayers.

"We felt like what we did was right. We felt like what we did was within the law. When the court agrees with you it is always a nice thing," Repay said.

Repay said the advice given to county officials on how to handle the situation regarding the workers was accurate and sound and followed to the letter.

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"It's a good thing for the board of commissioners and a good thing for the taxpayers of Lake County," Repay said.

Carrie Napoleon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
A tow truck operator charged alongside Lake County Sheriff John Buncich intends to plead guilty on charges of corruption and tax evasion, according to court documents.

William Szarmach, of C.S.A. Towing, filed documents in court Thursday changing his prior plea of not guilty and admitting his role in an alleged scheme to solicit bribes through the form of campaign donations  in order to get more towing jobs from the Lake County Sheriff's Department. Szarmach is also expected to plead guilty to a charge of tax evasion, according to court documents.

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"Based upon my experience in the towing business in Northwest Indiana, it was my belief that in order to remain on the Lake County tow list, or to increase my towing area, I would have to buy tickets to many, if not all of Sheriff John Buncich's fundraising events and pay additional cash payments," the plea agreement read.

"To become involved, to increase, or to retain my Lake County towing, beginning in 2009 and continuing through 2016, I regularly purchased tickets to Sheriff John Buncich's fundraising events by cash and check," the agreement read. "These purchases were sometimes directly with the sheriff himself, and other times, through other individuals employed by the Lake County sheriff's office, including the chief of police and co-defendant, Timothy Downs."

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Buncich, former Chief of Police Timothy Downs and Szarmach were named in a multicount indictment in November alleging a towing scheme where the sheriff accepted bribes in the form of thousands of dollars in cash and donations to his campaign fund, Buncich's Boosters, according to court records.

Downs pleaded guilty in December and resigned his position at the Lake County Sheriff's Department, according to court documents.

Buncich and Szarmach pleaded not guilty to the charges after the indictments were filed in November and again in April when additional counts of wire fraud were filed with the court.

The purchases were made to reportedly get promises from the sheriff, including securing Szarmach's spot on the towing list, enlarging his heavy and light towing, getting Gary ordinance towing done by the Lake County Sheriff's Department, and getting help from the sheriff to get towing at Indiana University Northwest, according to court documents.

"To increase my Lake County towing, I simply paid more money for more towing," Szarmach said, in the plea agreement. "Sometimes these payments were in cash, other times, disguised as campaign check contributions, or sometimes a mix of both cash and checks."

In April, Buncich issued a public statement affirming his innocence.

"For those who know me and my 45 years in law enforcement, you know that I would never compromise my integrity or professionalism and cannot be guilty of these charges; trust that I would never sell my office  not for any amount. I assure you that I am absolutely innocent," Buncich wrote.

The plea deals filed by Szarmach and Downs are both contingent on their cooperation and that they provide testimony during the sheriff's August trial, according to court documents.

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Szarmach pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud, bribery and tax evasion, according to court documents. The wire fraud and bribery charges each carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to the plea agreement, and the failure to file tax returns has a maximum of one year incarceration and a fine not to exceed $100,000.

As a part of the deal, Szarmach agreed to pay $89,448 in restitution for the tax charge.

clyons@post-trib.com

Twitter @craigalyons
Pierogi cook on the flat top at Conley Pierogis on Friday at the Pierogi Fest. (Jim Karczewski / Post-Tribune )

Every summer, when women young and old grab their headscarves, hair curlers and feather dusters and men don mismatched lawn mowing clothes in Whiting  there's a good chance that it's the annual Pierogi Fest.

Now in its 23rd year, the flamboyant fest draws as many as 300,000 people to Whiting's narrow 119th Street corridor for a lighthearted three-day tribute to its Eastern European past.

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The expansive food selection and festival's ability to poke fun at itself is one of the many reasons Chicago resident Kathy Morgan returned for the fourth year.

"Where else are you going to see clothes (lines) hanging from a bank," Morgan said, pointing across 119th Street. "It's like truly a walk back in time. It's got an old-time feel to it."

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The spirit of the festival comes through many of the volunteers like its longtime "buscia brigade" who will host a "Christmas in July" cooking demonstration Saturday.

Most of their routine is improvised on the spot.

"We laugh like this all weekend," said 'Buscia' Laine Kaminsky. "You never know what's going to come out of our mouths."

For an East Chicago-born street photographer, the crowds are a perfect opportunity to catch candid moments with his camera.

"It's great for people watching," said Joe Heredia. "The atmosphere of Pierogi Fest is obviously really festive."

"It's fun, it's campy," he said. "I like that everyone seems to be in on the joke."

This year, the fest will have 20 to 24 vendors selling pierogi ranging from traditional cheese, meat or potato to Cajun, Mexican and gourmet varieties.

Popular staples of the festival include the pierogi toss, Slovak dancers, polka, contemporary live music, pierogi-eating contest, Mr. Pierogi Songfest, arts and crafts and nun-dunking contest benefiting St. Joseph's Carmelite Home in East Chicago.

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Besides pierogis, the fest is also known for food stands serving the beloved Polish egg noodle and cabbage dish haluski, a traditional stuffed cabbage dish called halupki, sausages and other non-Slavic foods.

The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

mcolias@post-trib.com

Twitter @meredithcolias

Fest runs through Sunday

Saturday suggestions:

Noon: Buscia's Cooking Show (Main Stage)

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1 p.m.: Mr. Pierogi Songfest (Main Stage)

2 p.m.: International Slovak Dancers (Main Stage)

5 p.m.: Buscia Feud (Polka Stage on Sheridan Avenue)

5 p.m.: Whiting Idol (Main Stage)

Sunday suggestions

Noon: International Slovak Dancers (Main Stage)

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2 p.m.: Sgt. Sauerkraut's Polka Band (LaPorte Stage)

3 p.m.: Pierogi Toss (Main Stage)

3:30 p.m.:Pierogi Eating Contest (Main Stage)
What's Quickly? It's where readers sound off on the issues of the day. Have a quote, question or quip? Call Quickly at 312-222-2426 or email quickly@post-trib.com.

I think it is noteworthy that the only two of the three Republican senators to vote against the repeal of Obamacare were women. It doesn't surprise me that women were the only ones compassionate enough to stop the repeal that would drop over 20 million people from health care. I am very proud of their bold actions.

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The readers that noted Indiana people are crabby and ignorant are noticing the Illinois influence from the many Illinois people moving here. Pick some new friends, as I know many Hoosiers that are very friendly and extremely intelligent. They are usually native born and raised Hoosiers, but a few are from Texas, Wisconsin and Iowa.

I, too, have noticed people being hateful in the Region. I have witnessed a few people yelling at others while in parking lots for some perceived wrongdoing. I attributed it to the election of our president. His election seems to make hate acceptable and gives the haters a chance to be bold and proud.

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If law enforcement is going to use speeding cameras, cars should come with automatic speed control. If they can use automation to ticket us, we should be able to use automation to avoid the ticket. Lets level the playing field and eliminate this stupid political revenue enhancement tool.

Post Tribune Twice-weekly News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Republicans are now at the point where they just want to pass a healthcare bill regardless of what is in it or how many Americans will lose their health insurance. Just so they can tell a minority of the minority that they did it.

How long will it be before Trump turns on Scaramucci? You know he will.

In your wildest dreams, did you ever think that the Boy Scouts of America would find it necessary to issue a public apology for tasteless remarks made at their Jamboree by the sitting President of the United States? Yes, the president who is enthusiastically endorsed by evangelical Christians. The same one Jerry Falwell Jr., called evangelicals' "dream president."

If this country wants to deport somebody, they need to start with Justin Bieber. He has no talent and has been nothing but trouble for this country since the day he crossed over the border.

Our coward of a president sits in the Oval Office surrounded by armed guards tweeting insults about the Attorney General instead of acting like a man and human being and talking to the AG in person. How classless can you get.

Now a commenter says if you don't believe (fake news) stories about Russia in the newspapers then you can remain ignorant if you want. Al Gore's dire predictions about rising sea levels and the dangers of climate change to date have all been fairy tales and flat-out lies, and reported in every newspaper in the country. Being a seasoned news junky, you have to be able to read between the lines, not believe everything you read like some fools do!

Read more at www.post-trib.com/quickly.
NAU professor Julie Baldwin is looking for local mental and behavioral health service providers who are willing to take a deeper dive into the needs of some of Northern Arizonas underserved communities and find the best methods to help those communities with adolescent drug use and mental health problems.

Baldwin, the director of NAUs Center for Health Equity Research, hales from the University of South Florida Institute for Translational Research Education in Adolescent Drug Abuse program, where she worked with USF professors Bruce Levin and Tom Massey on a grant-funded certificate program. The program matches scholars with local social service agencies who work together to translate research on substance abuse and physical and behavioral health into service learning projects that can help communities.

Baldwin said the group recently had its grant renewed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Some of the service learning projects scholars from the program have completed over the last five years include a project about providing on-site counseling at a pediatricians office in the hopes of catching and providing care for mental health problems early, getting parents engaged in their childrens lives so they can catch problems early and identifying key factors into why some people start using opioids.

The projects were largely based on what the community agency saw as priority for their clients/patients and what the teams felt they could do, what was feasible within the timeframe, and what could have the greatest impact," Baldwin said. "And it certainly is possible that some of these programs could be replicated in other communities or settings.

Northern Arizona has a particular problem with access to health care because of the rural nature of the area, widespread poverty and cultural differences, she said.

According to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, 38,517 people in Coconino County were on AHCCCS this month. There are two main hospitals in Coconino County -- Flagstaff Medical Center and Page Hospital -- and a handful of medical clinics for a county that is 18,661 square miles in size and has a population of 140,908. According to the U.S. Census Quick Facts website, nearly 20 percent of county residents live in poverty.

Baldwin, who has been working on the program for USF for the last five years, said there are numerous studies out there that show multiple ways to help treat drug abuse or behavior health problems for local behavior and social health specialists and organizations to choose from. But not all of those methods are a good fit for a community, especially underserved communities like Native Americans, Hispanics and rural areas.

There are cultural, economic, social and environmental issues that prevent or make it more difficult to translate what looks like a great treatment idea into a plan that fits these community, she said. The idea is to provide equal access to health care to all communities in the state. Unequal access to health care plays a factor in the spread of communicable diseases, such as Zika, Ebola and tuberculosis.

Organizations that provide physical, behavioral and mental health services also often dont have the time to weed through the data and adapt new treatment ideas to their communities.

That's where the USF Institute for Translational Research comes in, Baldwin said. As part of an 18-month program graduate students and community professional who are studying or working in the fields of public health, psychology, social work, criminal justice, education, counseling or nursing, first take classes on adolescent behavioral health and how to translate research into real world uses, as well as how to collect, measure and parse data that they collect through surveys, interviews and other means.

The 15-credit certificate course also requires a service learning project where scholars work directly with local organizations to research and create a treatment plan that works for their communities.

Baldwin will start recruiting the next cohort of NAU students for the certificate program in the fall.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office has determined that the death of an 82-year-old Wilmette woman hit by a train was an accident.

The woman, identified by the medical examiner as Zenobia W. Ciesielska, was struck by a Metra train just before 8 a.m. on Wednesday at the Central Avenue crossing at Green Bay Road in downtown Wilmette, according to police.

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Wilmette police said their investigation also showed the woman did not intend to put herself in harm's way.

"Witness statements and evidence from the scene clearly indicate that the death was an accident and not an intentional act," Police Chief Brian King said.

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Ciesielska died of multiple injuries as a result of the accident, according to the examiner's office, which performed an autopsy on Thursday.

Wilmette police said their initial investigation showed the woman walked around train gates that were "deployed and functioning properly." As she tried to make it across the tracks, Ciesielska was hit by a southbound Metra train, police said.

Police said they were working with Metra and Union Pacific officials on the investigation, which continues.

All inbound and outbound service on the Union Pacific North line in the area came to a halt after the incident. Most trains resumed operations later in the morning, but with delays, Metra said.

The train had left Kenosha, Wisc., and was due to arrive at Chicago's Ogilvie Transportation Center at 8:26 a.m. It was eventually allowed to continue onto Chicago, but not for more than 90 minutes, officials said.

kroutliffe@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter @pioneer_kathy
The Skokie Lagoons nature preserve is seen in this Nov. 22, 2016, file photo in Glencoe, Ill. The Cook County Forest Preserve District board voted July 20 to authorize a memorandum of understanding, recognizing the village of Winnetka's desire to use roughly 18.6 acres of the forest preserve district's Skokie Lagoons property. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

In what Winnetka Village President Chris Rintz called a major step forward in Winnetka's stormwater control efforts, the Cook County Forest Preserve District board has approved a preliminary agreement that could eventually allow the village to route much of its stormwater to forest preserve land.

The district board voted July 20 to authorize a memorandum of understanding, recognizing the village's desire to use roughly 18.6 acres of the forest preserve district's Skokie Lagoons property, County Commissioner Larry Suffredin said July 21.

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The memorandum of understanding, which was reached after almost two years of negotiations between the district and the village, is set to go to Winnetka's village council on Aug. 1, Rintz said.

"We have so much work in front of us, but this is huge," Rintz said. "We can now start to talk about how we actually get the water from neighborhoods, keep it out of basements and move it to where we can store it."

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Rintz and Suffredin  the latter sits on the district board by virtue of his position as a Cook County commissioner  both said Winnetka must complete stormwater storage agreements with New Trier High School District 203, Winnetka Public Schools District 36, and the Winnetka Park District before tackling a more official intergovernmental agreement with the forest preserve district.

Neither man gave any prospective timeline, but Rintz said the village would have to provide some preliminary engineering drawings to take to the park and school districts in order to reach agreements with them.

Winnetka and the high school district are currently negotiating the possibility of creating underground stormwater detention under New Trier's Duke Childs Field, which lies on the northwest corner of the Willow-Hibbard Roads intersection, next to both park district and forest preserve land. New Trier Superintendent Paul Sally told school board members July 17 that those talks were ongoing.

Suffredin said the memorandum of understanding, and progress thereafter, is predicated on Winnetka being able to prove to district officials that water routed onto its land in future is cleaner than water that now flows unrestricted onto district land after storms.

He said the agreement would allow Winnetka to widen two sections of ditch that run onto district land, increasing its ability to detain floodwater for longer periods before it flows to a district pumping station and is pumped away from the area.

Preserve land would also benefit from becoming more usable, he said: "If you go down Hibbard Road now after a heavy rain, you see water running across the road into our land. This will enable better control of the water, and upgrade land, making it more useful for walking trails and other uses."

Rintz praised village staff members for their work during the negotiations thus far, saying "We had to put together a proposal that was compelling to (the forest preserve district), that actually made the property better, that provided enough benefits to the district.

"I've been working on this for 18 months, and we probably floated fix or six proposals to them before we found one that captured their attention," he said.

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Talks between Winnetka and forest preserves officials have been lengthy, as village engineering consultant Strand and Associates went through several design concepts for the detention project before finding one district officials were willing to work with.

Winnetka's board last year agreed conceptually on a $57.7 million proposed flood control effort designed by Strand and based on routing floodwater west of the village. That came after the village decided in 2015 to shelve an $81.3 million plan moving it east to the lake.

This February, Rintz said the first plan presented to the forest preserve district underestimated fee costs, including fees for cutting trees or staging construction on its property, as well as fees to the Army Corps of Engineers for working on designated wetlands. It would have generated tree removal fees as high as $15 million on a portion of the $57.7 million plan originally estimated at $12 million, Rintz told council members at the time.

Strand then came up with a plan with fewer cut trees  about 260 instead of 2,500  Rintz said in April. It also featured deeper water detention spaces with a smaller overall footprint, and called for more detention to be sought away from district land.

In February Rintz said the extended negotiations would make the final plan "a much more environmentally sensitive project  it makes it easier to deal with the environmental advocacy groups."

On July 21, Suffredin said the memorandum had been reached with input from Illinois Open Lands, and Friends of the Forest Preserves among other groups.

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Suffredin said the village had been responsive to district concerns, "and our professional team has been very responsive to Winnetka's needs."

kroutliffe@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter @pioneer_kathy
Palestinian, Israeli and American participants of Hands of Peace enjoy a picnic, on Monday, July 17, 2017, at Elder Lane Park in Winnetka. (Mark Kodiak Ukena / Pioneer Press )

The purple-shirted teens who listened to music, wolfed hot-dogs and learned the basics of softball at Winnetka's Elder Lane Park clearly had fun during their July 17 outing. But the Israeli, Palestinian and American high school kids laughing and joking with each other were doing something else as participants in the 2017 Hands of Peace program.

They were learning to listen to each other, to truly hear each other's stories, fears and hopes  and, with any luck, turn that experience into tools that could someday bring peace to the Middle East.

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It's a tall order, but Hands of Peace participants wanted people to know they're taking on the challenge. That was especially true of teens who returned for a second year, this time as so-called XLs; counselors who used their own experience and growth over the past year to help program newcomers.

The first challenge is both simple and difficult to surmount, according to Yazan, a West Bank Palestinian: "You have to see the people before you as human."

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He and other XLs talked about how their first Hands of Peace visit affected their lives this year, and about what they try to provide for new program participants.

Between their July 12 arrival and their scheduled departure after a July 30 celebration, the Middle East teens stayed with 25 host families, most in Glenview, but others in Glencoe, Wilmette, Highland Park, Evanston, Deerfield and Northbrook, Hands of Peace spokeswoman Gretchen Grad said.

Grad, the program's president and co-founder, helped create it in 2003 in response to her grief over the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Since that first summer, Hands of Peace has grown and evolved.

The mission remains the same, she said. As stated on the program's website, Hands of Peace believes "the existing conditions among Israelis and Palestinians are unacceptable and the way to create impactful and lasting change is through developing future leaders who are committed to positive and just peace."

Tensions militating against peace mean security is a priority, since Israeli and Palestinian teens run risks back home for even taking part in communication efforts Grad said; hence the use in this story of the teens' first, but not last, names.

This year, tightened travel restrictions also meant some teens heading to the U.S. underwent extra questioning at border crossings, "but we're grateful they all were able to make it," she said.

Hands of Peace now operates in Chicago and on the west coast. This year, 49 participants took part in Chicago and 47 in San Diego, she said. For the first time, Hands of Peace was also able to bring American teens in from elsewhere, including Portland and New York, she said.

Another first; some American teens who took part last year traveled in March to the Middle East and stayed in Israeli and Palestinian homes, Grad said. This was a step beyond the program's existing efforts to keep participants in the program and in touch with each other via retreats, monthly meetings and other events.

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Mohammed, a North Shore resident and XL, took the trip.

"I thought it would be beneficial," he said of his 10-day stay. Reconnecting with friends he'd made the previous summer was great because "it got my hopes up for communication all over again," he said.

Maya, a Jewish Israeli who took part last year, said her trip to a Palestinian village for the first time would have been impossible without Hands of Peace.

It added to the new reality into which she grew thanks to the program, she said: "I'm not the same as before. I have friends now in towns not far from where I live  I never used to think about the people in those towns, but now I do."

Yazan and Reham, a Palestinian citizen of Israel, both talked about the increased sense of personal responsibility they feel as XLs.

Reham was so inspired by her experience last year that she applied to be an XL this year, joking, "I told them that if I wasn't chosen, they'd still see me here."

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Yazan said being an XL "is a little bit weird. People come up to me for guidance. I tell them 'This is an open space for emotions; don't be scared to feel.' And I feel responsible for them."

Part of their ability to do so came from their own personal growth, the two agreed.

"For the last year I've grown like crazy, and my knowledge has grown like crazy," Reham said.

Hosts, too, have learned from their young guests.

"It's changed us," Deerfield resident Lori Kenward said July 21. "My husband and I know more about the conflict  you see the power of dialogue." Marily Schonthal of Glencoe agreed: "It's been eye-opening."

Wilmette host David Bliss said he has seen the maturation of one teen he's helped host, an XL who this year helped rally Israeli Jewish and Palestinian teens around one of their own, affected by the death of someone killed in unrest earlier this month in Jerusalem.

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Ultimately, Reham said, "I'd like people to know that at a time like this in the world, the most important thing is for us to hear each other. To do that, you need a safe place to say the things that need to be said, and to listen to each other. For me, that's been Hands of Peace."

To learn more about Hands of Peace, visit www.handsofpeace.org/

kroutliffe@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter: @pioneer_kathy
Nufer: Count your blessings

"While you are having that second piece of pie, reflect on the blessings of the past year and appreciate being with your loved ones on Thanksgiving Day"
WASHINGTON  The response from Arizona lawmakers was swift and clear Wednesday after President Donald Trump said in a series of early-morning tweets that transgender individuals would not be able to serve in any capacity in the military.

Members of the states congressional delegation criticized both the message  one called it dumb  and the medium, with confusion on exactly what weight the presidents words have on Pentagon policy.

Any American who meets current medical and readiness standards should be allowed to continue serving, Sen. John McCain said in a statement released by his office. There is no reason to force service members who are able to fight, train, and deploy to leave the military -regardless of their gender identity.

Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Phoenix, said at a hastily called rally of House Democrats that the prohibition is not Pentagon policy.

Theres a reason why Secretary (James) Mattis did not issue this, there is a reason why no general decided to talk about this, because its embarrassing and its dumb, Gallego said. This president is acting like a coward, unlike the men and women who are trying to serve who are not.

The Trump tweets began shortly before 9 a.m., sandwiched between tweets in which he criticized Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who had voted against a Senate health reform measure, and another in which he questioned Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

The three transgender tweets together said: After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.

They come a little more than a year after the Defense Departments announcement last summer that openly transgender individuals would be allowed to serve in the armed forces.

Calls seeking clarification from the Pentagon were redirected Wednesday to the White House, where spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said implementation of the ban is something that the White House and the Department of Defense have to work together to lawfully determine. She said the change was not easy, but that the president feels that its the best one for the military, according to a White House transcript.

McCain criticized the lack of clarity in Trumps messages.

The presidents tweet this morning regarding transgender Americans in the military is yet another example of why major policy announcements should not be made via Twitter, McCain said. The statement was unclear.

Gallegos message seemed clear when he fired back at Trump on Twitter.

Banning any qualified person from serving their country because of who they are is both discriminatory and bad national security policy, Gallego wrote. He added in a later tweet: I served in Iraq. I know what matters on the battlefield isnt gender identity, its your character and willingness to serve the country.

Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Tucson, said in a statement that Trump had callously turned his back on more than 15,000 current active transgender service members, the LGBT community and our nation with the ban.

Military service members who bravely serve in the name of freedom, liberty and rights for all deserve a better commander-in-chief, Grijalvas statement said. As a LGBTQ ally, I extend my gratitude to those who make sacrifices for our country and continue to pledge my unwavering support to them.

Steve Kilar, a spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, said that current military personnel who are transgender shouldnt panic.

Donald Trumps tweets are not self-executing in this context, Kilar said. Transgender people cannot simply be thrown out of the military because of his tweets from this morning. There are existing military rules and regulations that allow transgender people to serve and even the commander-in-chief cannot change those rules and regulations via Twitter.

If the rules were to be changed, Kilar said, the ACLU and other organizations will be ready to take legal action.

Kilar challenged Trumps claim that transgender people in the military come with tremendous medical costs.

When the RAND National Defense Research Institute evaluated health care needs of the transgender soldiers at the request of the Defense Department, it reported in 2016 that costs related to gender transition health care would increase between $2.4 million to $8.4 million annually. This would represent an increase between 0.04 and 0.13 percent in the Pentagons health budget.

This is a really small cost, I mean were talking a couple trips to Mar-A-Lago, Kilar said, referring to the presidents weekend Florida getaway. Its not something that is a serious concern for anyone.

Arizona Republicans and Democrats, meanwhile, agreed that those who want to serve, should serve

We should all be guided by the principle that any American who wants to serve our country and is able to meet the standards should have the opportunity to do so  and should be treated as the patriots they are, McCain said.
Today is Friday, July 28, the 209th day of 2017. There are 156 days left in the year.

Today's Highlights in History:

On July 28, 1945, a U.S. Army B-25 bomber flying in heavy fog crashed into the 79th floor of New York's Empire State Building, killing all three people in the plane and 11 people in the building. The U.S. Senate ratified the United Nations Charter by a vote of 89-2.

On this date:

In 1540, King Henry VIII's chief minister, Thomas Cromwell, was executed, the same day Henry married his fifth wife, Catherine Howard.

In 1794, Maximilien Robespierre, a leading figure of the French Revolution, was sent to the guillotine.

In 1821, Peru declared its independence from Spain.

In 1914, World War I began as Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.

In 1932, federal troops forcibly dispersed the so-called "Bonus Army" of World War I veterans who had gathered in Washington to demand payments they weren't scheduled to receive until 1945.

In 1959, in preparation for statehood, Hawaiians voted to send the first Chinese-American, Republican Hiram L. Fong, to the U.S. Senate and the first Japanese-American, Democrat Daniel K. Inouye, to the U.S. House of Representatives.

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced he was increasing the number of American troops in South Vietnam from 75,000 to 125,000 "almost immediately."

In 1976, an earthquake devastated northern China, killing at least 242,000 people, according to an official estimate.

In 1977, Roy Wilkins turned over leadership of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to Benjamin L. Hooks.

In 1984, the Los Angeles Summer Olympics opened.

In 1995, a jury in Union, South Carolina, rejected the death penalty for Susan Smith, sentencing her to life in prison for drowning her two young sons (Smith will be eligible for parole in 2024).

In 2002, nine coal miners trapped in the flooded Quecreek (KYOO'-kreek) Mine in Somerset, Pennsylvania, were rescued after 77 hours underground.

Ten years ago: Vice President Dick Cheney, with a history of heart problems, had surgery to replace an implanted device that was monitoring his heartbeat.

Five years ago: Syria's government launched an offensive to retake rebel-held neighborhoods in the nation's commercial hub of Aleppo. At the London Olympics, Chinese swimmer Ye Shiwen set the first world record, winning the women's 400-meter individual medley in 4:28.43. Ryan Lochte of the U.S. won the men's 400-meter individual medley in 4:05.18.

One year ago: Hillary Clinton accepted the Democratic presidential nomination at the party's convention in Philadelphia, where she cast herself as a unifier for divided times as well as an experienced leader steeled for a volatile world while aggressively challenging Republican Donald Trump's ability to do the same.
The following editorial appeared in The Baltimore Sun on Thursday, July 27:

President Donald Trumps announcement-by-tweet that he will not allow transgender men and women to serve in the armed forces in any capacity was not about costs or military readiness. It was about bigotry and a willingness to put political expediency above respect for those who volunteer to sacrifice their lives for their country.

The decision to allow transgender people to serve openly in the military is a recent one and reflected the years-long evolution of the Obama administration toward full recognition that desire and ability should be the only qualifications to serve in any capacity in the armed forces. Trumps decision to reverse it, by contrast, appears to have come on a whim. The Pentagon had been studying the issue, with a report due in December, and officials reportedly were caught by surprise by the announcement, as were Republicans in Congress.

But the political context is clear. Trump was suffering on multiple fronts in the eyes of his base. His promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act continues to founder, and his open feud with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, whose hard-line stances on immigration and law enforcement offered reassurance to conservatives who doubted the presidents bona fides, further diminished his standing with the right wing.

Ever the master subject-changer, Trump had an opportunity in a debate in the House of Representatives over whether the Pentagon should be required to pay for gender reassignment surgery and hormone therapy for transgender troops. Social conservative advocacy groups had been rallying behind an amendment to a must-pass military spending bill offered by Rep. Vicky Hartzler, a Missouri Republican, to ban the practice. Trumps tweets  this policy was, apparently, important enough to warrant three  specifically cited the tremendous medical costs that allowing transgender service members would entail, along with the phantom menace of disruption in the ranks.

(That he announced the decision on the 69th anniversary of Harry Trumans executive order desegregating the military, another move critics at the time promised would produce disruption and hinder war-fighting efforts, is a mere ironic bonus.)

Even if we put aside questions of social justice, equal opportunity and respect for those who volunteer to serve, there are a couple of substantive problems with President Trumps analysis and a big political one.

The Rand Corporation last year issued a report assessing the impact of transgender troops serving openly in the military and found that, by and large, there wouldnt be one. Rand estimated that there are about 2,500 transgender men and women on active duty out of a total force of 1.3 million. Based on typical rates of gender reassignment surgery and private sector cost data, Rand calculated that providing that service might result in increased active duty military health care spending of somewhere between 0.04 percent and 0.1 percent, with at most a 0.1 percent disruption in potential deployment. Research from other countries with policies allowing transgender people to serve openly in the military found little or no impact on unit cohesion, operational effectiveness, or readiness, the Rand report said.

All that is to say, President Trumps two stated rationales  the cost of health care and diminished operational readiness  are bunk.

As for the politics, President Trump himself noted during the campaign what a losing issue North Carolinas transgender bathroom ban was, telling Fox News Sean Hannity it was causing them some problems, adding, they are losing business, and they are having people come out against. Indeed, even as Trump carried North Carolina, the states Republican governor, Pat McCrory, who signed the bill, lost his re-election effort.

And the evidence suggests military service by transgender people is an even less certain wedge issue for Republicans; Hartzlers spending amendment failed, with 24 Republicans and all 190 Democrats voting against it. Republican reaction to Trumps move has hardly been laudatory, with some voicing quick opposition. Sen. John McCain said There is no reason to force service members who are able to fight, train, and deploy to leave the military  regardless of their gender identity. A spokeswoman for Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, another military veteran, said essentially the same thing. Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama said You ought to treat everybody fairly and give everybody a chance to serve, and Sen. Orin Hatch of Utah said I dont think we should be discriminating against anyone.

And not only is Trump wrong on policy and politics, hes very wrong on principle. The transgender community is small, marginalized and all too frequently the subject of ridicule and abuse. A just nation would stand in its defense. Trump attacks it in a misguided attempt at political gain. That is behavior unworthy of a commander in chief.
Our weekly round up of other news affecting foreign investors throughout Asia:

Import and Export Best Practices in Laos  Best Practices

As Laos continues to integrate its market and regulatory system within ASEAN, the ease of doing business for both importers and exporters will continue to improve. In this article we explain best practices for importing into and exporting out of Laos.

Growth of Digital Payments Systems in India

Since demonetization in November 2016, and given the ongoing rapid spread of internet connectivity and smartphone usage in India, the countrys digital payments industry is become more attractive for investors. This article illustrates the major factors shaping the online cash and payments sector in India.

Leningrad Oblast Looking to Legalize Bitcoin for Estonian, Finnish Trade

Leningrad Oblast in Western Russia, a region that has significant borders with EU nations, has asked the Russian Federal Bank to legalize the use of the cryptocurrency  bitcoin. Cryptocurrency is a type of digital currency in which encryption techniques regulate the generation of units of currency and verify the transfer of funds, which operate independently of a central bank.

Winners and Losers in the EUs Digital Connectivity with China and the OBOR Sphere

The digital revolution is impacting on the essential deliverables of the OBOR routes  getting product delivered, on time, safely, and securely. This includes not just e-commerce, but also e-customs and e-government.

Indian Investment in Vietnam  How to Structure Operations for Success

Bilateral trade between India and Vietnam has seen continuous growth over the past few years. Although Indian investors have been cautious, recently investments have increased manifold. Vietnam continues to be an attractive investment destination for Indian companies. companies.



About Us Our Briefing updates are written by and provided by the various regional offices of Dezan Shira & Associates throughout Asia. To obtain a complimentary subscription to Asia Briefing please click here. To contact Dezan Shira & Associates concerning foreign investment and assistance in Asia, please email us at asia@dezshira.com

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Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing legal, tax and operational advisory to international corporate investors. Operational throughout China, ASEAN and India, our mission is to guide foreign companies through Asias complex regulatory environment and assist them with all aspects of establishing, maintaining and growing their business operations in the region. This brochure provides an overview of the services and expertise Dezan Shira & Associates can provide.

An Introduction to Doing Business in ASEAN 2017

Doing Business in ASEAN introduces the fundamentals of investing in the 10-nation ASEAN bloc, concentrating on economics, trade, corporate establishment and taxation. We also include the latest development news in our Important Updates section for each country, with the intent to provide an executive assessment of the varying component parts of ASEAN, assessing each member state and providing the most up-to-date economic and demographic data on each.

An Introduction to Doing Business in China 2017

Doing Business in China 2017 is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in China. Compiled by the professionals at Dezan Shira & Associates in January 2017, this comprehensive guide is ideal not only for businesses looking to enter the Chinese market, but also for companies who already have a presence here and want to keep up-to-date with the most recent and relevant policy changes.

An Introduction to Doing Business in Hong Kong 2017

Doing Business in China 2017 is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in China. Compiled by the professionals at Dezan Shira & Associates in January 2017, this comprehensive guide is ideal not only for businesses looking to enter the Chinese market, but also for companies who already have a presence here and want to keep up-to-date with the most recent and relevant policy changes.

An Introduction to Doing Business in India 2017

An Introduction to Doing Business in India 2017 is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in India. As such, this comprehensive guide is ideal not only for businesses looking to enter the Indian market, but also for companies who already have a presence here and want to stay up-to-date with the most recent and relevant policy changes.

An Introduction to Doing Business in Singapore 2017

An Introduction to Doing Business in Singapore 2017 provides readers with an overview of the fundamentals of investing and conducting business in Singapore and outlines the citys role as a trading hub within ASEAN. The guide explains the basics of company establishment, annual compliance, taxation, human resources, and social insurance in the city-state.

An Introduction to Doing Business in Vietnam 2017

An Introduction to Doing Business in Vietnam 2017 will provide readers with an overview of the fundamentals of investing and conducting business in Vietnam. Compiled by Dezan Shira & Associates, a specialist foreign direct investment practice, this guide explains the basics of company establishment, annual compliance, taxation, human resources, payroll, and social insurance in this dynamic country.
Telecom roaming charges to be abolished by September

Chinas three major telecom service providers, China Telecom, China Unicom, and China Mobile, will cancel roaming fees for mobile phone services in September, a month ahead of the preliminary deadline. They added that data and leased line fees for small and medium sized enterprises will be cut.

The move, which will affect around 80 million mobile phone users, comes as part of the governments plan to create a stronger internet industry, as initiated by Chinas Premier Li Keqiang in March of this year. Shortly following, the three telecom providers announced their commitment to the effort.

China Telecom also announced that it will remove long distance domestic call charges. The changes will also benefit users subscribed to international calling services, and services for Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

China Unicom has disclosed estimates that the removal of the fees will cost around RMB 6.4 billion in losses per year.

Starbucks to buy out its JV partner in China

Seattle-based coffeehouse chain Starbucks has announced that it will buy out the 50 percent stake in remaining stores it does not wholly own in Shanghai and the surrounding Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.

Its largest ever acquisition, costing US$1.3 billion, will claim Starbucks ownership of 1,300 stores in the region, bringing its total amount of stores in China to around 2,800.

Starbucks has already set up shop in over 130 cities in China, and hopes to expand its shop numbers to 5,000 by 2021. The chain has 600 stores in Shanghai alone, the highest concentration of any city in the world.

The companys move comes as a reaction to slowing business in the US as consumers move away from shopping centers and high street-based shopping to online. Starbucks suffered an 8.3 percent decrease in revenue in the three months leading up to July.

RELATED: Pre-Investment and Entry Strategy Advisory from Dezan Shira & Associates

Baidu profits rebound

Chinese search engine Baidu has reported its first profits in three quarters since an advertising scandal last year, in which a student died after taking therapy advertised on the platform.

In addition to the scandal, Baidus slowed performance has suffered due to weak synergies and poor strategic planning, reporting a 67 percent decrease in revenue over the past year.

However, due to a recent shift in its business model and service strategy towards AI and mobile apps, the firm saw 83 percent growth in profits, reaching RMB 4.42 billion (US$655 million) in the first two quarters year-on-year.

Baidus shift included development of new features, such as a camera search function and an upgrade of its content quality, in addition to a commercialization of AI products, such as voice interaction systems and an autonomous driving platform. Moreover, Baidu announced a partnership with US payment company, Paypal, hoping to shore up future success.



About Us China Briefing is published by Asia Briefing, a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. We produce material for foreign investors throughout Asia, including ASEAN, India, Indonesia, Russia, the Silk Road, and Vietnam. For editorial matters please contact us here, and for a complimentary subscription to our products, please click here. Dezan Shira & Associates is a full service practice in China, providing business intelligence, due diligence, legal, tax, IT, HR, payroll, and advisory services throughout the China and Asian region. For assistance with China business issues or investments into China, please contact us at china@dezshira.com or visit us at www.dezshira.com

Dezan Shira & Associates Brochure

Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing legal, tax and operational advisory to international corporate investors. Operational throughout China, ASEAN and India, our mission is to guide foreign companies through Asias complex regulatory environment and assist them with all aspects of establishing, maintaining and growing their business operations in the region. This brochure provides an overview of the services and expertise Dezan Shira & Associates can provide.

An Introduction to Doing Business in China 2017

This Dezan Shira & Associates 2017 China guide provides a comprehensive background and details of all aspects of setting up and operating an American business in China, including due diligence and compliance issues, IP protection, corporate establishment options, calculating tax liabilities, as well as discussing on-going operational issues such as managing bookkeeping, accounts, banking, HR, Payroll, annual license renewals, audit, FCPA compliance and consolidation with US standards and Head Office reporting.

Payroll Processing in China: Challenges and Solutions

In this issue of China Briefing magazine, we lay out the challenges presented by Chinas payroll landscape, including its peculiar Dang An and Hu Kou systems. We then explore how companies of all sizes are leveraging IT-enabled solutions to meet their HR and payroll needs, and why outsourcing payroll is the answer for certain company structures. Finally, we consider the potential for China to emerge as Asias premier payroll processing center.

Dezan Shira & Associates
Amazon China, one of the largest online booksellers, unveiled the bestselling books in China for the first half of 2017 on Tuesday, disclosing Chinese people's reading habits.

China's top 10 most popular paper books on Amazon for the first half of 2017. [Photo: amazon.cn]

Japanese author Keigo Higashino's Miracles of the Namiya General Store topped the list of the most popular paper books, followed by late Chinese writer Yang Jiang's We Three and Israeli historian Yuval Noah's Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow.

In the list of paid eBooks on Kindle, the top three places were taken by Chinese writer Zhou Meisen's In the Name of the People, Keigo Higashino's Miracles of the Namiya General Store and Fall of Giants  book one of British author Ken Follett's historical Century Trilogy.

Amazon has also released a ranking of Chinese cities where people read most. Hefei and Zhengzhou occupy the first and second spot respectively for the second straight year. The ranking was based on the ratio of books sales compared to the volume of all products sold on Amazon during the first six months of the year.

Isabel Nee Yeh-su's The First Half of My Life. [Photo: amazon.cn]

Hit TV shows boost book sales

Popular TV dramas have prompted the surge in sales of the original books.

In the Name of the People, an anti-corruption novel, has become the most favored choice on Kindle's paid eBooks and the eighth popular printed book in Amazon.

The company has attributed the sales boom to the novel's smash TV adaptation, which went viral online in March. Statistics show the purchases of the book's e-version increased 24 times three months after its screening, and printed copies surged 12 times.

Hong Kong author Isabel Nee Yeh-su's The First Half of My Life is another example. The recent TV adaption of the novel caused a book buying craze in China. Purchases of the book's hard copies rose 600 times a week after the TV play was aired earlier this month.
In Lianyungang, a city on the eastern coast of China, is a hill known as Kongwang, which translates as "Confucius Contemplates," a name it received after the great philosopher Confucius (Kong Zi in Chinese) climbed it to contemplate (wang in Chinese) the sea. However, the most amazing thing about this small hill only 129 meters high is not that it was visited by one of the great Chinese thinkers, but that it hides a group of Buddhist carvings from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). This is testimony to the arrival of Buddhism in the country through the Maritime Silk Road.

200 Years Older than the Mogao Grottoes

The figures can be seen from the paved road 500 or 600 meters west of the entrance at the foot of the hill. Carved into a yellow ocher rock, 105 figures of different sizes and positions tell Taoist and Buddhist stories. In fact, these images incorporate the secrets of the Maritime Silk Road.

A carving of Buddha on Kongwang Hill.

Although the "picture" is dominated by Taoist figures, some Buddhist images can be found around them. This syncretism was a cultural particularity of the Eastern Han Dynasty, especially after Buddhism first entered China and took advantage of the local religion  Daoism  to spread. "The positions of the images and the carving techniques clearly reflect the Han style: full use of high relief and engraving with convex lines," explained Gao Feng, deputy director of Haizhou District Tourism Department in Lianyungang.

Opposite the Buddhist images, upon four lotus flowers  one under each foot  is an elephant carved in stone, from a single gigantic rock. "Both the elephant and the lotus flower are closely related to Buddhism," said Gao Feng. "They say that Sakyamuni Buddha rode an elephant before he was reincarnated. After his rebirth, Sakyamuni stepped on lotus flowers." Along with the images that decorate the rock, the stone elephant relates to a time when Buddhism spread through China and coexisted harmoniously with Taoism. Inside the left front leg of the elephant is written in characters: "Fourth month of the fourth year of the reign of Yongping." This date indicates the creation of the elephant, which took place during the rule of Liu Zhuang, second emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Many details have disappeared after centuries of weathering.

In 1980, experts revealed that Kongwang Buddhist images were carved in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, 200 years before the Mogao Grottoes  known as the "China Grottoes"  were created.

How is it possible that such syncretism occurred first on the Kongwang Hill and not in the center and west of the country where Buddhist culture was most developed? The explanation has to do with the fact that in that area, in addition to living in a strong religious atmosphere, the Eastern Han Dynasty had fully developed the stone carving technique. However, another explanation points to the fact that, in parallel with the overland Silk Road, Indian Buddhism was introduced to China through the Maritime Silk Road.
"When I was first here in 1957, everyone wore what was called the National Uniform, but today we see all sorts of clothing from every possible part of the world; quite a different scene." Fifty-eight years later, Robert Carl Cohen stood once again in Tian'anmen Square, watching the scene unfolding in front of him and feeling the beauty of it all.

In 1957, Cohen, together with 40 other young Americans, spent six weeks in China filming and conducting interviews as a special correspondent for NBC-TV. He was the first American photojournalist ever to film a documentary since the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949. In 2015, 85-year-old Cohen returned to retrace the route he took that year, and found that the China he had seen through his lens had experienced a huge transformation.

A Little-known History

Robert Carl Cohen was born in Philadelphia in 1930. He graduated in 1952 and got his Master of Arts in Film in 1954 from UCLA. In 1956, inspired by an advertising campaign, Cohen, along with many other young Westerners, arrived in Moscow to take part in "The 6th World Democratic Youth Day." On this day, numerous young people, including Cohen, received an invitation from representatives of the All-China Federation for Democratic Youth.

At that time, the U.S. government strongly discouraged American citizens from entering China, but insatiable curiosity led Cohen to make the journey, in spite of the travel ban. Of 180 young Americans who received the invitation, only 41 accepted. Amongst them was Cohen, who went as a special correspondent for NBC-TV.

Cohen shows a picture of a factory he took in China decades ago.

"As a special correspondent for NBC, I ran the risk of being put on the U.S. government's blacklist. This would mean I wouldn't be able to enter any government department or state-owned enterprise ever again, not to mention the possibility of being labelled a communist spy," Cohen said. "But being able to film the situation inside China, and allow Americans to see the lives of people there, that was a very rare opportunity." With that, Cohen prepared himself to accept all possible consequences and in August 1957, he travelled from Moscow to China.

Cohen carried with him a 19-mm camera and 11 rolls of black and white film lent to him by NBC. He used this camera to document the American Youth Delegation's travels through eight Chinese cities  Beijing, Dalian, Changchun, Wuhan, Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, and Guangzhou. He shot 300 hours of source material, and parts of the footage were broadcast on NBC's news program shortly after it was sent back to America, offering a few precious images of distant China to an American audience. Cohen thereby became the first American journalist and filmmaker to be granted permission to film a documentary in the New China.

After returning home, Cohen used this film footage to compile a 50-minute documentary called "Inside Red China." In the following decades, this documentary was shown in over 100 universities, libraries and communities in the U.S. and Canada, and Cohen was invited to give talks at these institutions about his experiences of filming in China.

Cohen later revisited China in 1978 and 1988. With camera in hand, he documented the early years of China's reform and opening-up. Through these visits, China gained a special place in Cohen's heart.
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Chinese tech giant Baidu posted soaring profit growth in the second quarter of this year. [File Photo]

Chinese tech giant Baidu posted soaring profit growth in the second quarter of this year thanks to its continuous investment in artificial intelligence (AI).

Net income attributable to Baidu in Q2 reached 4.415 billion yuan (about US$651 million), jumping 82.9 percent year on year, according to the company's unaudited financial statement released Friday.

Total revenues stood at 20.874 billion yuan, a 14.3-percent increase from Q2 2016, with mobile revenue as the main contributor.

Online marketing revenues in Q2 reached 17.883 billion yuan, up 5.6 percent year on year.

Baidu announced its new mission in Q2 to "make a complex world simpler through technology."

To achieve the mission, Baidu will strengthen its mobile foundation in AI and use AI as a fundamental driver to elevate its current core business, specifically core products of Mobile Baidu, search and feed,according to Robin Li, Baidu's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Meanwhile, Baidu will continue to build out its newer AI-enabled initiatives through an open platform and ecosystem approach to capture long-term economic opportunity, Li added.

Baidu announced earlier this month it will roll out two major open AI platforms, DuerOS and Apollo, to speed up development in technology and applications for man-machine dialogue and autonomous driving.

The company expects to generate total revenues ranging from 23.130 billion yuan to 23.750 billion yuan for the third quarter of 2017, representing an annual increase of 26.7 percent to 30.1 percent.
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Chinese authorities said that four of the six Japanese citizens detained in March for "illegal activities" had been released.

Two others are still being held on accusations of stealing China's classified information.

The six Japanese, either employed by Japan's NC Geophysical Survey Corporation or Dalian-based He Yuan Hot Spring Development Consultant Company, were found to have conducted illegal surveying activities in east China's Shandong Province and south China's Hainan Province in March, without any official registration, qualification or permit.

The two still under investigation are the heads of the two companies.

Investigations show that the two companies had conducted illegal surveys in China more than 30 times in the past 10 years.

Investigators have discovered classified materials on the suspects' laptops, USB drives and other devices, including more than 80 maps.
Young delegates from BRICS countries attend the concluding meeting of the 2017 BRICS Youth Forum to witness the announcement of The Action Plan for 2017 BRICS Youth Forum. [Photo by Li Huiru/China.org.cn]

The 2017 BRICS Youth Forum concluded in Beijing on July 27.

After three days of in-depth discussion and deliberation, young delegates from the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) reached a consensus and The Action Plan for the 2017 BRICS Youth Forum (The Action Plan) was announced at the last plenary session before the closing ceremony.

The Action Plan, which takes aspects such as youth policy, youth innovation and entrepreneurship, and youth participation in global governance as the main fields for BRICS youth cooperation, has proposed concrete measures to establish a center for BRICS youth research, a platform for information exchanges, a network dedicated to boost BRICS youth innovation and entrepreneurship, and a BRICS volunteer database for international communication.

"The forum strengthened the bond of youth in BRICS," said Chinese representative Kong Dewei, adding that, "much useful and practical advice has been proposed for youth policy, entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as global management. Delegates from different countries have also formed solid friendships during the forum." Kong is a student from Nankai University.

Aleksandr Bolotnov, vice chairperson of National Youth Council of Russia emphasized the importance of such communication mechanisms among BRICS youth. In an interview with China.org.cn, he said, "The BRICS youth forum is a big contribution for the BRICS cooperation." He added that the forum will help consolidate the relationships of BRICS countries.

"We have learnt a lot together during these three days," Thamsanqa Zulu, manager of Mothosi Holdings in Brazil said. "I hope the vigor from the youth forum will be extended to other fields. Our South African delegation will bring back the documented agreements and make sure it will be carried out in a due manner."

The Action Plan, as an achievement of BRICS youth cooperation, will be submitted to the preparatory committee of the Ninth BRICS Summit to be held in China's Xiamen this September.

The 2017 BRICS Youth Forum hosted by the All-China Youth Federation was attended by a total of 50 young delegates from the BRICS countries.
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Tax authorities of the five BRICS countries inked a landmark document Thursday to establish a mechanism for taxation cooperation.

The BRICS Taxation Cooperation Memorandum signed at the fifth Meeting of BRICS Heads of Tax Authorities is the bloc's first document that elevates taxation cooperation to the institutional level.

At the meeting, the authorities also agreed to cooperate on taxation information exchange, improve consultation procedures efficiency, boost taxation capacities and planned paths for coordination of taxation policies.

China pledged to annually train at least 150 taxation professionals from developing countries over the next two years. Since 2015, the State Administration of Taxation (SAT) has provided taxation courses for nearly 400 professionals from more than 50 developing countries.

In addition, the five countries promised to implement a financial account information exchange system before September 2018 to counter cross-border tax evasion and enhance taxation transparency.

Wang Jun, the SAT director, proposed at the meeting that BRICS countries should work together to improve the global taxation governance system, actively engage in rule-making, and allow emerging and developing countries to have a bigger say in the area.

Liao Tizhong, head of the international taxation department of the administration, said that taxation cooperation between BRICS members is an indispensable force to address imbalances of global economic development and promote coordinated growth.

The meeting comes ahead of the 2017 BRICS Summit to be held in Xiamen, Fujian Province, from September 3 to 5.

The BRICS countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- are home to 42 percent of the world's population. Their total share in the global economy has risen from 12 percent to 23 percent in the past decade, while contributing more than half of global growth.
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Hillary Clinton [Chinanews.com]

Hillary Clinton, the former Democratic presidential nominee, is releasing a book titled "What Happened" in which she opens up on her stunning 2016 election defeat to her Republican rival Donald Trump.

The book, to be published by Simon & Schuster in September, will explain how the former secretary of state came up short again in her fight for the White House.

"Writing 'What Happened' was hard, so is what we see every day. As we move forward & fight back, I hope this helps," Clinton posted on her Twitter account on Thursday with a link to the book's page at amazon.com.

"In the past, for reasons I try to explain, I' ve often felt I had to be careful in public, like I was up on a wire without a net. Now I'm letting my guard down," Clinton writes in the introduction of What Happened.

"This is her most personal memoir yet," said Simon & Schuster on its Web page for the book in which for the first time Clinton reveals "what she was thinking and feeling during one of the most controversial and unpredictable presidential elections in history."

"Now free from the constraints of running, Hillary takes you inside the intense personal experience of becoming the first woman nominated for president by a major party in an election marked by rage, sexism, exhilarating highs and infuriating lows, stranger-than-fiction twists, Russian interference, and an opponent who broke all the rules," the publisher said.

The book describes "what it was like to run against Donald Trump, the mistakes she made, how she has coped with a shocking and devastating loss, and how she found the strength to pick herself back up afterward," it added.

Twitter users were quick to offer their thoughts about the book, with some saying that they "cannot wait" to read it.

"...Filled with fun Russian info!! Can't wait," tweeted sarah.siskin.

"What Happened to Hillary is proof that this country is still anti-woman, and sadly -- not very smart," @AssKickinLibMom said.

But others simply mocked its title and Clinton herself.

"Hillary Clinton's new book 'What Happened?'" isn't even out yet, and it's already been marked down to 20%. Like Unranium she sold to Russia," said @ScottPresier in a tweet.

"Hillary's upcoming book is called 'What Happened'? I can write the book for you in 3 words: The American People," said @ScottPresier in another tweet.

"...Maybe #Hillary is Dead Broke again ... Thought I'd save the Reader a little money," said @LVNancy.
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The U.S. Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a bill that will slap tougher sanctions on Russia, Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), two days after the bill was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives.

The bill, approved by a vote of 98 to 2, will also grant the U.S. Congress the power to block U.S. President Donald Trump from unilaterally lifting sanctions on Russia. The bill will now be sent to the White House for Trump to sign into law or veto.

Bernie Sanders, who voted against the bill, said on Twitter that "following Trump's comments that he won't recertify Iran's compliance with the nuclear agreement I worry new sanctions could endanger it." Republican Senator Rand Paul also voted against the bill.

This bill came although Trump administration officials had called on lawmakers to grant "flexibility" to the White House in dealing with Russia.

So far, it remained unclear whether Trump will veto the bill or sign it into law.

Speaking on Thursday before the vote in Senate, White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that while the Trump administration "supports sanctions" against Russia, Iran and the DPRK, the White House would make a decision after seeing the contents of the final bill.

Newly appointed White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci told U.S. media that Trump "may sign the sanctions exactly the way they are, or he may veto the sanctions and negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians."

On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the bill aimed at targeting key Russian officials in retaliation for Moscow's alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as sanctions against Iran and the DPRK in response to their weapons programs.

On Wednesday, the Kremlin said Russia will respond to a new round of sanctions by the United States should they become law.

"The attitude to this will be formulated after careful analysis, and the decision will certainly be taken by the head of state, President Vladimir Putin," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by TASS news agency.

Iran, too, vowed "a necessary response" to the new U.S. sanctions, according to official IRNA news agency.

Iran is used to these kinds of "hostilities" and knows how to deal with them, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said at a cabinet meeting.
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The Chinese embassy in Cairo on Thursday celebrated the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) with a grand ceremony in Cairo.

The ceremony, hosted by Chinese Military Attache Yu Haibo, was attended by some 450 people including Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Song Aiguo, Egyptian Military Production Minister Mohamed al-Assar and senior diplomatic attaches from other countries.

Song said in the opening speech that China sticks to an independent foreign policy of peace and a national defense policy that is defensive in nature.

"No matter what reform the PLA is undertaking, China will unswervingly pursue a path of peaceful development; no matter what future is ahead, China will never seek hegemony, and will steadfastly safeguard the world peace and stability," he stressed.

Song also hailed the comprehensive strategic partnership China and Egypt have built, adding that the relations between Chinese and Egyptian armies maintain a good momentum of development, and the two countries have made fruitful achievements in personnel training, military tech cooperation and cultural exchange along with high-level visits.

Guests at the ceremony lauded China's national defense policy and its efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region and worldwide.
Churches in China, such as Guangfu

Church pictured above, are banned by

officials. (Photo: ChinaAid)

ChinaAid

(Jiangmen, GuangdongJuly 28, 2017) Police officers in Chinas southern Guangdong province interrogated a Christian leader and raided her home after issuing repeated warnings to her church.

Tang Lili, a leader of Renyi Church, received a summons to the local police station to drink tea, an excuse Chinese police often use to lure someone in for questioning. They interrogated her on July 16, and, the next day, visited her landlord and demanded entrance to her home. The landlord let them in, and they took several unspecified items.

Several weeks prior, officials ordered a stop to the churchs services and recently raided it, confiscating some religious materials.

ChinaAid exposes abuses, such as those suffered by Tang Lili and Renyi Church, in order to stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians and promote religious freedom, human rights, and rule of law.

ChinaAid Media Team

Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985

Email: [email protected]

For more information, click here
China Aviation Daily | Jul. 28, 2017

Air France-KLM today announces a further major step in the strengthening of its strategic partnerships with, firstly, the creation of a single global joint-venture between Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines (Delta) and Virgin Atlantic and, secondly, the strengthening of its partnership with China Eastern Airlines (China Eastern). These two commercial alliances will be strengthened by equity investments:

 Air France-KLM will acquire Virgin Group's 31% stake in Virgin Atlantic for around 220 million pounds.

 Delta and China Eastern will each acquire a 10% stake in Air France-KLM by subscribing new shares through capital increases totalling EUR 751 million.

The strategic, commercial and capitalistic reinforcement of these partnerships will position Air France-KLM as the European pillar of the leading global airline network.

At the heart of the most global partnership in the airline industry

Air France-KLM, Delta and Virgin Atlantic today signed a Memorandum of Understanding laying the foundations for a future combination of the existing joint-ventures between firstly Air France-KLM, Delta and Alitalia, and secondly between Delta and Virgin Atlantic, within a single joint-venture. This step will mark the expansion and strengthening of one of the most advanced partnership models in the airline industry. Subject to the signature of the definitive agreements and the approval of the relevant regulatory authorities, this joint-venture will enable the Group to:

 Offer customers an unrivalled proposition on the trans-Atlantic axis,

 Drive the capacity growth of the partners,

 Create an associate partner status enabling the inclusion of other players at a later stage,

 Establish a partnership over a 15-year period,

 Generate significant synergies within the joint-venture thanks to new code shares to/from London, sales coordination, the extended partnership and cost savings.

The creation of this joint-venture will thus consolidate Air France-KLM's leadership position in the North-American and European markets with the largest airline network articulated around twelve powerful hubs on both sides of the Atlantic: Amsterdam, Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati, Detroit, Los Angeles, London Heathrow, Minneapolis-St Paul, New York-JFK, Paris-CDG, Salt Lake City and Seattle.

In parallel, Air France-KLM and China Eastern will step up their commercial cooperation and reinforce their partnership within the framework of the existing joint-venture, to:

 Secure and reinforce Air France-KLM's presence in the Chinese market thanks to a long-term partnership.

 Give Air France-KLM a European leadership position on Shanghai, the main business market in China.

 Improve the services for our customers.

 Enable increased cooperation in terms of the network, pricing and operational synergies

The strengthening of this cooperation will take place in accordance with the partnership strategy of Delta, which already holds a 3.2% stake in China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited. This cooperation does not call into question the current joint-ventures between the Air France-KLM Group and China Southern.

All of these agreements with Delta, Virgin Atlantic and China Eastern Airlines will enable Air France-KLM to offer its customers an expanded network and to capitalize on the pooling of extensive distribution networks. As an integral part of the Trust Together strategic plan, these partnerships will support the Group's profitable growth and enable Air France-KLM to offer its customers an unparalleled proposition.

Reinforcing the partnerships via the acquisition of equity stakes

To consolidate the new trans-Atlantic joint-venture, Air France-KLM has announced plans to acquire a 31% stake in Virgin Atlantic for around 220 million pounds. This transaction should take place in 2018, after approval by the relevant regulatory authorities. Air France-KLM will become the second largest shareholder in Virgin Atlantic after Delta which holds 49%, and will have the same level of representation as Delta within the Board of Directors.

In addition, Delta and China Eastern, who are now Air France-KLM's very long-term partners, will subscribe equal amounts to two reserved capital increases totaling EUR 751 million at a subscription price of EUR 10 per share, enabling them to acquire 10% each of the Air France-KLM share capital. This price represents a 42% premium relative to the average share price over the last 12 months and a 13% premium relative to the average share price since the announcement of the 2016 annual results on 16th February 2017. Relative to the closing share price of 26th July 2017, the subscription price represents a 17% discount.

The realization of these reserved capital increases will be subject to approval by the Air France-KLM shareholders during an Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting convened for 4th September 2017, and to approval by the relevant regulatory authorities. These reserved capital increases will be the subject of a prospectus to be submitted for authorization by the Autorite des Marches Financiers ("AMF"). The acquisition of these stakes will be accompanied by the appointment of two Board directors to the Air France-KLM Board of Directors, the first nominated by China Eastern and the second by Delta.

The subscription agreements signed separately with Delta and China Eastern, who are not acting in concert, have a 25-year duration and include a commitment by the partners to retain their shares subject to a number of exceptions and not to purchase shares potentially leading to the crossing of 10% threshold in the share capital for five years. The partners have also made a commitment not to sell their stakes to another airline without the agreement of the Air France-KLM Board of Directors

These capital increases will enable an improvement in Air France-KLM's financial structure, accelerate the reduction in its net debt and finance the purchase of the stake in Virgin Atlantic.

Jean-Marc Janaillac, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air France-KLM, said: "This partnership which is unprecedented in scale gives Air France-KLM a leadership position in the worldwide airline industry. With Delta and Virgin Atlantic we are reinforcing our trans-Atlantic alliance, making us the number one alliance between Europe and the United States in terms of traffic. With China Eastern, we are consolidating our position on a high-growth market. The commitment and efforts of Air France-KLM staff have enabled an improvement in our performance and the securing of these strategic partnerships. These agreements accelerate the value-creation initiatives deployed through the Trust Together project."

Planned calendar for the transaction:

 4th September 2017: Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting to approve the capital increases and the appointment of the new members of the Board of Directors

 Once the regulatory approvals are obtained: realization of the reserved capital increases.

Contributed by Air France-KLM
A China National Petroleum Corp engineer examines equipments at in Suining, Sichuan province. [Photo by Zhong Min/For China Daily]

Analysts believe the outstanding performance of China National Petroleum Corporation, the nation's largest oil producer and supplier, is expected to continue in the next six months, after its net profit soared 16 times higher than expected during the first half of 2017.

According to an early announcement on earnings released by the company on Wednesday, net profit in the first six months of this year is expected to reach nine billion yuan ($1.33 billion) to 11 billion yuan, up 1,600 percent to 1,986 percent, compared with 528 million yuan during the same period last year.

The company's shares fell by 0.49 percent on Thursday on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

"The company may extend profit into the second half of this year in its upstream unit," said Wang Lu, an Asia-Pacific oil and gas analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, adding that competition has also become more fierce in refining and marketing, eroding its margins in those businesses.

"CNPC's decline in oil output should ease in the second half of this year and its gas-production growth may accelerate."

Wang said the forecasted drastic profit rebound is mostly a result of last year's low base, 528 million yuan for the first six months of 2016, its worst first-half profit since it was publicly listed in 2000, according to a stock exchange filing on Wednesday, citing Chinese accounting standards.

Li Li, the energy research director at ICIS China, a consulting company that provides analysis of the energy market, said the company, which earns most of its revenue from crude oil sales, benefited largely from a rebound in international oil prices during the first six months of this year.

Brent oil, the global benchmark, averaged some $53 a barrel during the first half of 2017, up 29 percent year-on-year.

The oil price recovery has helped to boost profitability of upstream industries, said Oceana Zhou, a senior analyst at S&P Global Platts, adding that the ICE Brent crude price averaged at around $53 per barrel in the first half of this year, up 28 percent from the $41 per barrel average in the same period last year.

"Better profitability also helped China to slow the decrease in domestic crude oil production, but competition in the domestic refining market is expected to be increasingly intense," said Zhou.

CNPC, which attributed the drastic boost to a moderate recovery in the world economy, an increase in international oil prices, the optimization of manufacturing operations and expenditure cuts during the first six months.

International oil companies are gradually recovering from the oil sector's two-year crash, with many of them resorting to cost reductions. According to analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg, oil giants Exxon Mobil Corp and Royal Dutch Shell Plc are expected to more than double second-quarter profit from a year earlier, far outstripping the gain in benchmark Brent crude.

CNPC said on Wednesday that it would continue optimizing its business and asset structures while reducing expenditure.

Oil prices through the rest of the year will fluctuate at a mid-low level, it said.
LISBON  An airbus A300 aircraft on its first direct flight from China's Hangzhou province to the Portuguese capital via Beijing landed on Wednesday at Humberto Delgado airport after a 13-hour flight.

Portuguese minister of planning and infrastructure Pedro Marques said at a ceremony marking the event that the launching of the first direct flight route between the two countries had been the government's dream for many years.

He said he hoped the route would strengthen the role Portugal has been playing as a bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Chinese Ambassador to Portugal Cai Run said in his speech that the direct flight path between China and Portugal was of great significance to the development of bilateral relations as it would promote economy, trade, investment, and tourism between the two countries.

Additionally, the opening of the route is more convenient for cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, he said.

Nearly 200,000 Chinese tourists came to Portugal last year.

A Portuguese family was busy with check-in for the aircraft's return flight from Lisbon to Beijing, also on Wednesday. Lona, a prosecutor in his late forties, told Xinhua that he and his family had a strong interest in China as it is a big and important country.

"As summer vacation is going on, my wife and I, together with my son and daughter, will visit Beijing and Tianjin for ten days. We want to see the world-famous Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and famous Olympic buildings like bird's nest and water cube," he said.

The first Hangzhou-Beijing-Lisbon flight was carried out by Beijing Capital Airlines. Both flights were 90 percent full. Currently, there are three flights per week and one more will be added in winter of this year.
KOZANI, Greece  Greece's Power Public Corporation (PPC), the largest power utility in the country, is undergoing great changes as part of efforts to overcome the 7-year Greek debt crisis and plans the future seeking credible partners, PPC Chairman and CEO Manolis Panagiotakis told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The agreements PPC has sealed with major Chinese companies over the past year and bilateral collaboration so far indicate that the future for Sino-Greek cooperation in the energy sector is bright and Chinese firms can hold a key role in Greece's new strategic energy planning, Panagiotakis said.

Seven years into the debt crisis and bailout programs, PPC faced accumulating overdue bills and creditors' demands to open up the market to competition and sell assets.

By 2019 the state-controlled company will lose its monopoly status. Currently PPC has an almost 90 percent share of Greece's retail market which needs to be reduced by 40 percent under bailout commitments.

PPC will also lose 40 percent of its lignite capacity by selling mines and lignite powered plants.

In this context, Panagiotakis welcomes as a "positive development" the purchase of a 24-percent stake of power grid operator ADMIE by China's State Grid which was finalized this June following an international tender.

"In a few years, PPC will be entirely different.... Our target is to rebuild a company which will be operating in many fields, not only the production and sale of electricity," the official told Xinhua.

"In this framework, we are seeking partners to for joint ventures. Since such projects require capitals, but mainly advanced technology and knowhow that Chinese companies have, I believe there is great potential for bilateral cooperation," he said.

At the moment Panagiotakis and Greek Energy Ministry officials are finalizing the list of units that will go on sale with the European Commission's Directorate General for Competition.

Regardless of this procedure, the memorandum of understanding PPC signed with CMEC a few months ago to build a new coal-fired electricity producing plant in Florina in northern Greece will go ahead, he told Xinhua.

Xinhua reporters visited recently the area where beats the "energy heart" of Greece. Within a zone stretching about 100 kilometers between the cities of Florina and Kozani, some 500 kilometers north of Athens, are operating for several decades power plants that generate most of Greece's electricity. They are fed by nearby lignite mines.

Since Greece possesses rich lignite energy capacity, the "brown coal" has powered Greek economy for more than half a century. As the country gradually turns to other sources, its "energy heart" is also changing.

Aghios Dimitrios power station at the outskirts of Kozani is Greece's largest lignite- fired power plant. Its first unit was constructed in 1984 and the fifth in 1997, its director Panagiotis Tsanoulas and other PPC employees said while giving Xinhua a tour at the impressive premises and explaining the stages of operation.

Approximately 700 people work at the power plant and a further 1,000 at the nearby mine which supplies it with lignite via a conveyor belt 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The South Field lignite mine which is adjacent to Aghios Dimitrios processing plant is the largest in the Balkans. Gigantic excavators reaching up to 45 meters high are extracting the "brown coal" since 1983.

Lignite resources are still in abundance, but Greece faces pressure to reduce lignite fired production of electricity in the future, although investments have been made and measures are taken to keep below European standards dust and gas emissions in the area.

PPC's stance is that for the near future Greece needs to keep at least 27 percent of its electricity produced by lignite fired plants to ensure that its energy needs will be covered and the country will not be largely dependent on natural gas in cases of spikes in prices in the international market, Panagiotakis said.

PPC proposes carefully planned investments in lignite production, such as the Florina project, and joint ventures with investors in upgrading current units and other projects in Greece and the wider Balkans region.

During his two visits to China in 2016 and 2017 as part of the Greek government delegation led by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Panagiotakis had contacts with 21 Chinese companies, visited state-of-the-art power plants and was impressed by the high level of technology used, he said.

The PPC chief is convinced that in Chinese enterprises Greece can find the credible partners she seeks. He is eager to discuss the idea of establishing a smart meters production unit in Greece with CMEC or cooperation in the electric cars sector and the transfer of electricity via underwater cable interconnections linking Crete to the mainland with State Grid, he told Xinhua.

The Greek official was also impressed by Shenhua's research center which is a pioneer in environment protection, as he noted. PPC will explore the prospect of cooperation in research programs.

"I believe that there are great prospects for collaboration," Panagiotakis said.

PPC has a strong brand name in the Balkans and can play a leading role in developments in the energy sector in the area in the future, he added.
Analysts from a leading Chinese think tank said they were optimistic about the prospects for China-US trade and investment, calling for a restart to negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty and for the promotion of cooperation in fields such as services trade and energy.

"We are optimistic about the prospects as Chinese entrepreneurs are optimistic about economic growth in the United States, which creates a huge potential for investment in the US," said Lu Jinyong, director of the China Center for Investment Promotion.

Lu spoke at a symposium on the China-US Comprehensive Economic Dialogue, hosted by the Center for China and Globalization on Tuesday. The center is one of China's top privately funded think tanks.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the dialogue focused on macroeconomic policies, trade and investment, and global governance, while seeking to expand cooperation and tackle differences.

CCG Director Wang Huiyao said China wanted fair treatment for Chinese companies investing in the US and more relaxed export controls, while the US wanted balanced trade.

The US is seeking wider opening-up by China to cut the trade deficit, due to growing interdependence between the two countries, Lu said. Data showed investment Chinese businesses have made in the US had surpassed those from the world's largest economy.

Bilateral investment hit a new record high of $60 billion last year with $45.6 billion coming from China, according to a report jointly released by the CCG and the US-based Rhodium Group last month. China had a trade surplus of around $250 billion with the US last year.

Lyu Xiang, a researcher on US studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said China's trade surplus partly stems from different positions in the current global supply chain.

"Taking the iPhone as example, more than half of its components are purchased around the globe and then assembled in China, but Apple Inc takes half of the net profits," Lyu said. "So the US has to look at the deficit from an objective angle."

Cui Fan, a professor of international trade at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said China and the US have increasingly shared interests.

China and the US should restart negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty, he said. BIT negotiations were initiated in 2008 and both countries agreed to exchange the second round of negative lists last June.

He Weiwen, a senior researcher at the CCG, said the treaty is in line with the economic interests of the US as the business community in the US has strongly called for such an agreement.

CCG's Wang Huiyao said both countries can also cooperate in infrastructure and energy. US President Donald Trump has an ambitious plan to rebuild the infrastructure system as an important way to boost manufacturing and employment.

Chinese companies have been known for their cost-efficiency and efficiency in building highways, railways and ports. For example, CRRC Corporation Limited has bid for subway projects in Boston and Chicago, Wang said.

"Infrastructural cooperation can help achieve more balanced economic ties between the two countries," Wang added.
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Profits earned by major industrial firms witnessed steady growth in June, the latest sign of continued recovery in the world's second-largest economy.

Profits made by major industrial companies rose 19.1 percent year-on-year in June, up from the 16.7-percent growth in the previous month, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Thursday.

Structural improvements in the industrial sector paid off, with profits earned by high-tech manufacturing increasing in June, while profits in traditional sectors such as mining declined during the same period.

The positive profit data came after a series of statistics released earlier this month, reflecting the continued expansion of the industrial sector.

Data such as the Producer's Manager Index and industrial value-added output achieved better-than-expected growth in June.

"The low base effect contributed to high speed month-on-month growth in June, but in general, based upon recent data released, the profits of industrial firms have been on the track to see medium-tohigh growth," said Gao Ming, an analyst with China Merchants Securities.

Some possible negative factors such as slower investment in June have not dragged down the growth pace, according to Gao.

A slower-than-expected decline in housing sales means the appetite for industrial products has remained healthy, he added.

The improved outlook for economic growth will support the robust growth of profits, after the economy witnessed solid growth in the first six months, according to Gao.

In the meantime, a possible cooling of the property market may put some downward pressure on profit growth, according to Zhao Yang, chief China economist with Nomura Securities.

Increased costs of companies in recent months are another source of pressure on future profit gains, according to He Ping, a statistician at the NBS.

The central government has implemented a series of measures starting from the beginning of this year in order to prevent asset bubbles and reduce debt levels.

Efforts to curb financial risks have led to concerns that companies would face higher costs.

Li Bin, deputy head of the monetary policy department of the People's Bank of China, said firms are unlikely to be affected much by regulatory measures, because total social financing, a broad measure of liquidity in the market, continued to increase at reasonable pace on a monthly basis.

"While fending off financial risks, the government will ensure that the financing demand of companies can be properly met," said Li.
NEW YORK  Starbucks announced on Thursday that it is buying the remaining 50 percent share of its East China joint venture in a $1.3 billion transaction, marking the largest single acquisition ever in the company history.

The Seattle-based coffee chain will assume 100 percent ownership of about 1,300 stores in Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang after it acquires the rest of share from its business partners Uni-President Enterprises Corporation and President Chain Store Corporation, according to a statement Thursday.

China is the company's fastest-growing market outside of the United States in terms of store count and the acquisition builds on the company's ongoing investment in the country.

In the statement, Starbucks reaffirms its commitment to operating 5,000 stores on the Chinese mainland by 2021.

Shares of Starbucks rose 1.72 percent to 58.94 dollars apiece in intraday trading Thursday after the news came out.

East China is a significant and strategic region for Starbucks, with Shanghai containing nearly 600 stores, the largest number of stores globally of any city where Starbucks has a presence.

In December 2017, Shanghai will also be the first city outside of the United States to open the brand's high-end Roastery.
HANGZHOU  Tax authorities of the five BRICS countries inked a landmark document Thursday to establish a mechanism for taxation cooperation.

The BRICS Taxation Cooperation Memorandum signed at the fifth Meeting of BRICS Heads of Tax Authorities is the bloc's first document that elevates taxation cooperation to the institutional level.

At the meeting, the authorities also agreed to cooperate on taxation information exchange, improve consultation procedures efficiency, boost taxation capacities and planned paths for coordination of taxation policies and tax collection.

The meeting comes ahead of the 2017 BRICS Summit to be held in Xiamen, Fujian province, from September 3 to 5.

The BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - are home to 42 percent of the world's population. Their total share in the global economy has risen from 12 percent to 23 percent in the past decade, while contributing more than half of global growth.
Billionaire Li Ka-shing, chairman of CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd and Cheung Kong Property Holdings Ltd speaks during a news conference in Hong Kong, March 22, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

A consortium led by Hong Kong's CK Infrastructure said on Thursday it would buy German metering and energy management group Ista in a deal valued at up to 4.5 billion euros ($5.25 billion).

The deal could be Germany's second largest by a private equity firm if buyout groups Bain Capital and CinvenStada succeed in buying generic drugmaker Stada.

CKI - part of conglomerate CK Hutchison, controlled by Hong Kong's richest man Li Ka-shing - is acquiring Ista from private equity fund CVC.

CK Infrastructure, Cheung Kong Property Holdings and Midco 5 have formed a joint venture to acquire the company, the firms said in statement filed with the Hong Kong exchange.

CVC confirmed the sale of its majority stake in Ista in a separate statement.

The deal is being closely watched by investors ahead of the planned sale of Ista's peer Techem by Australian infrastructure investor Macquarie in the autumn, sources have said.

Ista, which provides energy and water metering, posted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of 370 million euros in 2016 on sales of 850 million euros.

Buyout group CVC, which bought Ista in 2013 at a valuation of 3.1 billion euros, had hoped the company to be valued at 5 billion euros, people familiar with the matter said last month.

Reuters reported on Tuesday that CK Infrastructure was seen as the frontrunner to buy the German firm.

CKI has a market capitalization of HK$190 billion ($24 billion) and is invested in electricity generation and distribution, gas distribution, oil pipelines, water supply and wind power.
NAIROBI  Governments and corporations should invest in cloud computing that promises better data storage and retrieval options while protecting it from intrusion by hackers, a Huawei executive said on Thursday in a commentary published by Kenya's daily newspaper People.

Gao Wenli, the deputy CEO for marketing and solutions at Huawei, said that cloud computing has broken a new ground in the information age by enabling organizations store and access vital data with speed and efficiency.

"Cloud computing is the technology of the future and government departments such as ministry of lands that rely on multiple documents such as reference materials, legal documents and customer data to deliver their services can benefit from such technology," Gao said.

He added that even though cloud computing is not completely immune to cyber attacks; it provides a safer and a more convenient platform for governments and private firms to store data.

"Using cloud based solutions is a more viable alternative compared to traditional methods in terms of security," said Gao, adding that organizations should invest in upgraded cyber defenses as hacking by sophisticated criminal networks escalate.

Cloud computing is yet to be adopted by a critical mass of government departments and corporations globally despite its multiple benefits.

Gao noted that ignorance on benefits unleashed by cloud computing alongside failure by organizations to upgrade their obsolete infrastructure have hampered its uptake.

He disclosed that Huawei has invested in supportive infrastructure and technical expertise to facilitate faster integration of cloud computing in key operations.

"We have devoted resources and time to ensure that our cloud service infrastructure is reliable, secure and agile," said Wenli adding that the Chinese mobile phone company has been offering cloud based solutions tailor made for corporate clients.

The senior executive noted that companies that have adopted cloud computing have been able to promote efficiency in key value chains ranging from supplies, logistics, human resources management and sales.

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta during his trip to China in May signed an agreement with Huawei to help develop government cloud services.

Gao said that Huawei will install cloud infrastructure to enhance migration and sharing of data among government departments in the East African Nation.

"This will mean faster and more efficient government operations, and more user-friendly and integrated services for citizens," Gao said.

He added that cloud computing is an inevitable component of new age technologies that are disrupting key sectors of the economy like manufacturing, transport and financial services.
CHONGQING  The BRICS countries should work together to ensure stable employment and better quality of life for their people, according to the 2017 BRICS labor and employment ministers meeting that ended Thursday.

According to Yin Weimin, minister of Human Resources and Social Security, progress in science and technology and changes in economic and demographic structure have brought new challenges to labor markets around the world, and the international community should find common ways of dealing with them.

China has made employment a priority and tried to improve the quality of employment through vocational training, Yin said.

The BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, should work together to boost employment and inclusive growth, enhancing the skills of professionals to alleviate poverty, he said.

Countries should cooperate on social security systems, cultural exchange in the labor market and mechanisms for future collaboration, he said.

During the two-day meeting in Chongqing, labor and employment ministers discussed topics including skills-driven development and a universally sustainable social security system.

A declaration was passed, while four documents were presented, including one on common ground in labor market governance and an action plan on skills-driven poverty alleviation.

The meeting comes ahead of the 2017 BRICS Summit to be held in Xiamen, Fujian province, from September 3 to September 5.
NANCHANG  Cargo train services between Ganzhou, East China's Jiangxi province, and Kazakhstan began Thursday.

A train carrying 100 containers of furniture, clothes and electronic goods departed from Ganzhou on Thursday morning and is expected to arrive in Kazakhstan in 12 days.

Kazakhstan is the third Central Asian destination from the port, following Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, said Zhong Dingyan, deputy head of Nankang District in Ganzhou.

Links to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are expected in the near future, he said.

A hub for railways, roads and shipping transportation along the Yangtze River, Ganzhou is striving to become an international cargo distribution center for the Belt and Road Initiative.
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Guangzhou authorities said that city aspires to become a trade hub, home to young entrepreneurs and the regional base for Fortune 500 enterprises in the near future.

Guangzhou has been reducing the cost of operating a business or start-up, and has been accelerating moves to make administrative and public services more efficient, Cai Chaolin, a standing member of the CPC Guangzhou Committee, said.

Cai is also on the executive committee for the Fortune Global Forum to be hosted in Guangzhou December 6-8.

City authorities have been touring China and gateway cities around the world to invite more enterprises to join the December event.

Highlighting the benefits of the Nansha (Guanghzhou Area) Piloted Free Trade Zone, located 40 minutes drive from the city center is one of the key points of the roadshow's stop in Shanghai.

The zone is to become a shipping, diamond trading and automobile imports and exports center, taking advantage of its location and its position as a pilot free trade zone. By the end of June 2017, the number of enterprises established in the Nansha Free Trade Zone had increased by 30,221 since April 2015, according to the 2017 Fortune Global Forum executive committee.
China Eastern Air will invest about 375 million euros to acquire a 10 percent stake in Air France-KLM Group in a move expected to speed up the group's overseas expansion.

The share purchase, announced on Friday, is the largest investment the Shanghai-based carrier has made.

A wholly-owned overseas arm of China Eastern Air signed the agreement with the Paris-based airlines.

Another agreement for market cooperation was signed between the group's listed arm China Eastern Airlines and Air France-KLM.

At the same time, Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines which owns 3.55 percent of China Eastern, signed an agreement to also buy a 10 percent stake in Air France-KLM. Both China Eastern and Delta will send a board member to Air France-KLM after the deal.

The three major carriers in Asia, America and Europe said they are looking to build closer commercial ties and jointly explore the global aviation market.
Overcapacity in iron and steel industry has significantly reduced in the first half of the year, officials say.

"Our aim is to eliminate 100 million to 150 million metric tons of backward capacity within five years, but actually we accomplish that goal in two years," Xia Nong, a senior official with the National Development and Reform Commission, said on Friday.

China is expected to cut 50 million tons of steel this year, on top of last years 65-million-ton reduction.

Speaking at a China Iron and Steel Association conference, Xia said the total reduction would be within the five-year capacity reduction range.

In the first six months, the operation status and performance of steel enterprises in China improved on the back of policies on reducing output and eliminating inferior steel.

China has reduced steel production by 42.39 million tons by the end of May, 84.8 percent of the target for 2017.

"The companies which produce inferior steels are basically in a shut-down state," China Iron and Steel Association chairman Jin Wei said.

The Baowu Group plans to further reduce output by 5.45 million tons, while Hebei Iron and Steel Group is working towards shrinking its iron output by 1.04 million tons and steel by 3.36 million tons.

Crude steel production hit 420 million tons in the first half of the year, rising 4.6 percent year-on-year. Jin attributed the increase to the elimination of inferior steel and increased market demand.

Global steel output, excluding China, increased 4.4 percent in the first half.

Jin said that in the second half of the year, they will continue to strongly promote supply-side reform including overcapacity reduction and de-leveraging.

"It is an arduous task to prevent the revival of inferior steel and illegal construction of electric furnaces."

mengfanbin@chinadaily.com.cn
The internet has deconstructed lives of many people in various ways since its emergence, and will continue in doing so for many years to come.

The China Internet Conference, held for three days from July 11 in Beijing, has allowed attendees to catch a glimpse at knowing the latest trends in the online platform. Dozens of tech company founders and high-level executives shared the ins and outs of how their businesses have influenced people. The examples have been listed below:

Safe, free WiFi connection

A child with a WiFi logo on his head walks in Shijingshan district in Beijing on July 20, 2017.[Photo/VCG]

Zhang Fayou, co-founder of WiFi Master Key, with a customer base of 900 million, valued at $1 billion, said WiFi has evolved into a necessity for many people, with a majority of internet users accessing a connection as the first thing they do when returning home from a day's work.

"WiFi Master Key, based on its big data analysis technology, informs its users of which free WiFi hotspots are deemed safe. If one WiFi hotspot indicates it is in Shandong province one day and in Shanxi province the next day, there might be a problem."

"In addition, those who suffer a property loss due to the connection to a WiFi hotspot under the help of a WiFi Master Key could claim compensation."

"However, in saying this, since the company introduced insurance in 2015, there has been no such claim."
LOS ANGELES  The war between tech titans has begun. Some are worried about what artificial intelligence (AI) will mean for humanity, calling for slowing down the process of building it, while others are pretty optimistic.

Debate

For years, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been famous for his skeptical attitude towards AI and suggested it could be dangerous to the future of the human race.

Earlier this month, he warned a group of governors at the conference of the National Governors Association that AI is a "fundamental risk to the existence of human civilization."

"Transport will be one of the first to go fully autonomous. But when I say everything - the robots will be able to do everything better than us. ... I mean all of us," Musk told the National Governors Association on July 15."I have exposure to the very cutting edge AI, and I think people should be really concerned about it," Musk said. He urged the governors to initiate proactive regulation regarding AI technology.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg took exception. During the past weekend, while smoking meats and doing a Facebook Live feed from his backyard in Palo Alto, California, Zuckerberg blasted Musk-style warnings against AI as "pretty irresponsible" and "really negative."

Zuckerberg said he is optimistic about AI, and opposed the spread of fear surrounding its potential.

"I think people who are naysayers and try to drum up these doomsday scenarios - I just, I don't understand it. It's really negative and in some ways I actually think it is pretty irresponsible," Zuckerberg responded in a Live feed recorded on July 23.

He praised Facebook's AI Research team and researchers at Cornell and Tsinghua, China. "One reason I'm so optimistic about AI is that improvements in basic research improve systems across so many different fields - from diagnosing diseases to keep us healthy, to improving self-driving cars to keep us safe, and from showing you better content in news feeds to delivering you more relevant search results. Every time we improve our AI methods, all of these systems get better. I'm excited about all the progress here and its potential to make the world better."

"In the next five to 10 years, AI is going to deliver so many improvements in the quality of our lives," Zuckerberg predicted.

On Tuesday, in a tweet, Musk shot back.

"I've talked to Mark about this. His understanding of the subject is limited," he said.

Concerns

Zuckerberg is not the only one who has a much rosier vision of the future.

Andrew Ng, co-founder of Coursera and former chief scientist at the Chinese company Baidu, tweeted on Tuesday: "Kudos Mark Zuckerberg for speaking out against AI fear mongering."

While the debate between Zuckerberg and Musk is ongoing, Ng shared his opinion as well. He told an audience at a Harvard Business Review event what AI's real societal challenge is.

"As an AI insider, having built and shipped a lot of AI products, I don't see a clear path for AI to surpass human-level intelligence," he said.

"I think that job displacement is a huge problem, and the one that I wish we could focus on, rather than be distracted by these science fiction-ish, dystopian elements," Ng said.

However, Musk is not the only tech billionaire who is sounding alarm bells over AI posing a threat to our safety and well-being.

Stephen Hawking, for example, has stated: "I think the development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race."

Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, said that in the near future, robots doing more work will be positive, but he did express concern over the potential of AI in the long run.

"I am in the camp that is concerned about super intelligence," Gates said in a question-and-answer session on Reddit, an American social news aggregation and discussion website.

Humanity and AI

"AI is the driving force of the fourth industrial revolution," Fei-Fei Li, a top AI expert and chief scientist of AI/ML (Google Cloud), told Xinhua in a recent exclusive interview.

She believed that all vertical industries have the potential to benefit from AI deployments, saying "AI can make life better."

"The risks are way over-hyped and the benefits of AI are under-represented in the popular media," Tuomas Sandholm, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, told Xinhua earlier this year.

Sandholm and his PhD student Noam Brown developed Libratus, a poker-playing AI computer program that in January beat a team of some of the best professional Heads-Up, No-Limit Texas Hold'em poker players.

No doubt, there will be lots of pressing problems for humanity to solve, which include AI amplifying racism and sexism, or the technology having the potential to put millions out of jobs.

"Technology can generally always be used for good and bad," Matt Kodama, vice president of Product at Recorded Future, told Xinhua on Thursday at the Black Hat conference. He thinks the most important factor is people, who are using the tools.

Li believed that humanity as a whole has the responsibility to use AI technologies to benefit mankind.

With more tools and technologies being developed, "we see how they could be used to benefit people or be used in pretty bad ways and cause big problems," Li said.

"It's not only responsibilities for developers or discoverers. I think all these people should be engaged: Silicon Valley leaders, professors, students, policymakers, lawmakers, educators ... everybody should be at the table discussing this," she told Xinhua.

In the Chinese language, the abbreviation of artificial intelligence, or AI, is pronounced the same as the character for "love."

"The ultimate power, in my opinion, is love, not AI," Li said.
Amazon is ramping up resources in China to tap into China's cloud computing market with its local partner establishing nine data centers across the country to improve services.

Amazon's cloud service platform, Amazon Web Service (AWS) signed a deal with Beijing Sinnet Technology Co (Sinnet) last year to better serve local enterprises.

AWS mainly offers technical support while Sinnet is responsible for operations and management including investing in and constructing IT infrastructure.

The data centers, established by Sinnet in Beijing, Shanghai and Hebei Province, have been used to provide Chinese enterprises with cloud related services. Sinnet is also planning to build a bigger data center in Beijing.

AWS recently launched several new services including an loT platform, ECS container service and NAT Gateway Service for NetWare in China which will help improve the efficiency of the system.

AWS China managing director Alex Yung said: "The public cloud became a new normal in the IT industry. We are delighted to see that is in sync with the global market. The Chinese cloud market has developed at an extremely-high speed in recent years. "

Over the past year, AWS has cooperated with Sinnet to help Chinese software developers and enterprises expand their businesses through the cloud service.

More than 100 big Chinese companies, SOEs and start-ups, including electrical appliance manufacturer Midea Group, Mengniu Diary Group and smartphone maker Xiaomi have used AWS cloud services.

Real estate tech company Lianjia has also connected more than 100,000 real estate agents and customers through the AWS cloud, making their search engine much easier, faster and more enjoyable for customers to use.

"Combined with the robust, scalable and secure technology offered by AWS Cloud, the expertise of these national and global partners are helping thousands of Chinese companies transform quickly, effectively and successfully, as they explore the amazing possibilities of the digital era," Werner Vogels, Amazon's chief technology officer, said.

Noting the future of AWS cloud services in China, Sinnet CEO Yang Yuhang said that they will accelerate more cooperation with AWS to enrich services in China, especially in the area of mixed cloud, Internet of Things and artificial intelligence.
The CPC Central Committee has approved and adopted a group of regulations to establish a comprehensive commendation system for meritorious service for the Party, nation and military.

The documents include regulations on commendations for meritorious service and honors, as well as rules to award certain medals of honor, according to an official release issued on Thursday.

China also will set up books of meritorious deeds for the Party, country and military and build up a unified, standard and authoritative commendation system, the release said.

In the newly established system, the Medal of the Republic, the nation's supreme honor, will be given to distinguished people who make great contributions to the cause of the Party, the state and the people. It will be decided by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and signed by the president, according to the constitution.

The July 1 Medal, the highest honor inside the Party, will be awarded to CPC members who make outstanding contributions to the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and Party building.

The August 1 Medal is designed for military personnel who make outstanding contributions in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and promoting modernization of national defense and the armed forces.

The Friendship Medal will be granted to foreigners who make great contributions to China's construction, China's exchanges with the outside world and safeguarding world peace. National honorary titles will be awarded to distinguished people who have made great contributions.

The medals and honorary titles will be granted regularly, but they can also be awarded in exceptional circumstances. The president can give the Friendship Medal to foreign dignitaries and international friends during state visits or events.

The regulations were produced by a commission for the Party and State's meritorious service and honor commendations. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, made several important instructions, expecting it to build up a social atmosphere of admiring heroes and seeking to be pioneers.

The first August 1 Medals will be issued before the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the PLA on Tuesday.
CHENGDU - Staff are under fire following accusations of mistreatment of giant pandas at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province.

In an online video that went viral, a staff member can be seen pushing, dragging and throwing "Rourou" and "Manman," the two popular pandas at the research base.

The video has fueled heated discussion, and many are outraged by the mistreatment of the animals, seen as national treasures of China. A post about the incident on microblog Sina Weibo had drawn more than 6,000 comments as of 8 p.m. Thursday.

Authorities at the base Thursday explained to Xinhua about what happened during the incident.

Panda keeper Guo Jingpeng said he was feeding milk to some panda cubs on July 12, when one of them suddenly became violent.

"It bit my hand really hard, its teeth cut into the flesh and my hand started bleeding," Guo said. "When it tried to bite me again, I pushed it away out of instinct."

Even though it has been two weeks since the incident, Guo's hand is still scarred by the panda bite.

Guo said when he heard about the viral video and its scathing comments, he felt he had been wronged.

"The over 50-minute video was intentionally edited into less than two minutes of footage," Guo said.

Another panda keeper, Xie Huhai, said that to the playful pandas, biting is just a way of "having fun," but "panda fun" could cause injuries to the keepers.

"We often get hurt by the pandas," Xie said. "Scratches and bites are daily occurrences."

Pandas can become violent once they reach one or two years old, Guo said.

"When they are happy, they may act normally, but if they experience any external stimulation, they can react quite violently," he said.

Authorities with the breeding base said they have questioned the staff members involved and taken measures. They demanded all staff treat the pandas more "gently" when the animals try to bite or scratch.

"When we saw the video, we thought the staff members had overreacted, even though they meant no harm to the pandas," said Wu Kongju, a panda expert at the base. "But we hope people can show more understanding towards the panda keepers, because although giant pandas look cute, they are quite strong and can be violent."

Many people have agreed with Wu's explanation.

"Firstly, a panda is a bear, and they can be strong and violent," said Weibo user Dengzheshouxindehanzi. "They just happen to have a babyface."

The current giant panda population count, including cubs, is approaching 2,060 and mature adults are estimated to constitute 50.5 percent of that figure, according to a report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2016.

In the Red List of Threatened Species on Sept. 4, 2016, the IUCN reported the giant panda population had improved enough for the endangered species label to be downgraded to "vulnerable."

However, the threat of declining bamboo resources due to climate change could, in the near future, reverse the gains made during the last two decades, the IUCN warned.
Shenzhen customs officials show the blood samples seized at a checkpoint. [Photo/chinanews.com]

Customs officials in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, have seized 262 blood samples of pregnant women from the mainland in four shipments destined for neighboring Hong Kong for gender tests.

In one case on July 25, officers at Futian Checkpoint, a major link with Hong Kong, found 203 blood samples in a woman's bag. In another case, a passenger hid the tubes in her bra in an attempt to escape detection.

Suspects caught said they were paid between 100 yuan ($14) to 300 yuan for smuggling the blood samples.

An official at Huanggang Customs said many mainland parents want to know the gender of their expected child before deciding whether to give birth. It's illegal to have prenatal gender tests for non-medical purposes on the mainland, so some agencies take blood samples from pregnant women and transport them to Hong Kong for tests.

Huanggang Customs said it will intensify checks against illegal transport of blood samples through a number of measures, vowing to end the "profit chain."
Seventeen suspects allegedly involved in telecommunication fraud are escorted from a chartered plane that arrived in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Thursday from Cambodia. [Photo by HAO FEI/CHINA DAILY]

A total of 124 people, including seven Taiwan residents, were arrested in Sichuan province and Cambodia on suspicion of cross-border telecom fraud, the Ministry of Public Security said on Thursday.

According to the ministry, police officers smashed 15 criminal operations, confiscated money, equipment and data.

"Telecom fraud seriously violates people's security, property and rights, and we must resolutely crack down on such crimes," a senior official in the ministry's criminal investigation department said on Thursday. The official asked not to be named.

In February, police in Guang'an, Sichuan province, received a number of tips from the public that led to the discovery of the suspects.

According to the ministry, the suspects cheated their victims by posing as law enforcement officers. Targets were told that personal information had been stolen and was being used to apply for credit cards. Large overdrafts had been run up, the victims were told.

Victims were induced to transfer money to a "safe account" that was actually held by the criminals, the ministry said.

Sichuan police found that criminal operation bases had been set up in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and immediately set up a special investigation team. Eighteen suspects were arrested in Sichuan, Henan and Hunan.

In June, under the direction of the ministry, Chinese police went to Cambodia to make arrests. With the assistance of Cambodian police, the Chinese authorities made their first arrests there on July 1, capturing 74 Chinese suspects and escorting them back to China to face trial.

In a second crackdown, on July 17, Chinese police cooperated with their Cambodian counterparts to capture another 32 suspects, including seven Taiwan residents.

Meanwhile, the police destroyed three criminal bases and seized laptops, mobile phones and electronic data.

Of the 32 suspects detained in the second effort, 17 were flown back to China by Cambodian authorities on Thursday morning.

"The successful crackdowns have shown our confidence and resolve in combating telecom fraud," the ministry official said. "No matter where the suspects are hiding to operate the criminal ring, we will bring them to justice."




Topics including boosting innovation and entrepreneurship, improving the social security system and increasing vocational training were some of the highlights of the 2017 BRICS Labor and Employment Ministers' Meeting, which concluded in Chongqing on Wednesday.

More than 100 people, including labor and employment ministers from BRICS countries, representatives from international organizations such as the International Labor Organization and International Social Security Association attended the two-day meeting.

Yin Weimin, China's minister of Human Resources and Social Security, said at the meeting that developments in science and technology, the restructuring of the economy and changes in demographics have brought new challenges for labor that require BRICS members to work together and come up with better solutions.

Guy Ryder, director-general of the International Labor Organization, said at the meeting that the strategic positioning of the BRICS countries and their weight and dynamism in the global economy mean that they are all addressing these challenges, both globally and nationally.

"You face sometimes very different national circumstances, but there are common issues to be confronted equally," Ryder said. "And that is why coordination and sharing of experience and good practices between you makes such obvious sense."

Yin said he had five proposals to boost cooperation in the field of labor, which he hoped would add to the welfare of people in BRICS countries, including enhancing employment to achieve inclusive growth, promoting skills training to alleviate poverty and deepening cooperation on social security to ensure mutual benefits.

He also said the Chinese government has maintained a people-centered development path and has implemented proactive employment policies to ensure a stable job situation nationwide.

Data from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security show that at least 12 million people in urban areas of China were employed each year during the past five years, and a total of 65 million people landed jobs.

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate in urban areas has been kept under 4.1 percent, below the limit of 4.5 percent set by the government.

"People's employment quality has been continuously improved through vocational skills training offered by the government. Meanwhile, a complete social security system will ensure people's livelihoods," he said.

The meeting concluded with the signing of four documents including the Declaration of the 2017 BRICS Labor and Employment Ministers' Meeting.
A seminar attended by more than 400 people from universities, think tanks and media organizations opened on Thursday in Yantai, Shandong province, to discuss how China's stories and voices can achieve consistent global reach.

With the country's growing influence, the world is interested in learning more about China, said Guo Weimin, vice-minister of the State Council Information Office, at the opening ceremony. Communication workers must seek ways to tell stories so that the country's voice can be heard better around the world, Guo said.

"People want to know more about China. They not only want to know what happened in China but the reasons behind the events," Guo said.

Shandong province, the home of Confucius, is developing a branding campaign highlighting the Chinese sage as a platform for telling stories about traditional Chinese culture, said Wang Hao, Party chief of Yantai.

"In the context of globalization, Shandong is willing to share its culture with the world and absorb the essence of cultures from around the world for development and prosperity," Wang said.

Hu Zhengrong, president of Communication University of China, said international communication should incorporate features that fit individual countries.

"When China's stories are told, elements including the readers' ethnic groups and religions should be considered. Then the stories will be better understood," Hu said.

Six subforums and two roundtable meetings were scheduled for the two-day event, with topics ranging from disseminating Chinese culture to innovation in international discourse.
The cities of Beijing and Tianjin, along with Hebei province, will allow 144-hour visa-free entry for nationals from certain countries and regions by the end of 2017, a vice-mayor of Beijing said on Thursday.

The move is part of the nation's long-term commitment to modernize and upgrade its service industry.

Cheng Hong, a vice-mayor of Beijing, said the policy will extend the visa-free time for travelers from some countries who want to visit the three areas. Currently, the maximum stay in Beijing and Tianjin is 72 hours.

The policy adjustment will facilitate "the free circulation of resources" in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Cheng said.

In 2016, Shanghai, joined by Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, took the lead in permitting 144-hour visa-free entry, which gave foreign visitors from 51 countries and regions more than enough time to travel or attend conferences in the region.

Cheng made the remarks at a news conference on a comprehensive pilot plan, which the State Council promulgated in late July, to further open up the capital's service industry.

Under the plan, the local authorities will reduce investment restrictions in major service sectors, including aviation, culture and arts, publication, banks, legal services, tourism and medical research and development.

By streamlining regulations, Beijing expects to offer one-stop service to foreign investors considering the capital by the end of this year.

Foreign investors who intend to set up a business in the city are now required to obtain about 15 licenses and certificates issued by 11 departments. The materials include an administrative license, information collection and management filings.

"Within this year, they will just need one single license," Chen said. "By sharing repeated basic information among different departments and making the registration procedures available online, the whole process will only take five working days."

For years, China has been working to shift its economy toward a growth model based on consumption, services and innovation.

Describing Beijing as a testing ground for the nationwide opening-up of the service sector, Wang Shouwen, vice-minister of commerce, said: "We can expect new progress and breakthroughs in easing market access, speeding up institutional reform and establishing supportive systems for the sector."

In 2016, China's service sector accounted for 51.6 percent of the country's gross domestic product, up 1.4 percentage points from a year earlier, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

For Beijing alone, the added value of its service sector was around $292 billion in the same period.
After several years of modernization, the People's Liberation Army is one of the bestequipped fighting forces in the world

In the past five years, the People's Liberation Army has made huge strides in its modernization drive, and now boasts an array of world-class weaponry and equipment.

Ground force

The PLA Ground Force has a powerful land-strike spearhead, comprising the Type-99A main battle tank, the ZBD-04A infantry fighting vehicle, the HJ-10 anti-tank missile carrier and the PLZ-05A self-propelled howitzer.

China North Industries Corp, the country's biggest manufacturer of land armaments, said the Type-99A is a third-generation tank with strong firepower, advanced active protection systems, cutting-edge composite armor and supreme mobility.

Weapons experts said it has a high-technology data link that provides access to battlefield intelligence obtained by other combat vehicles.

Liu Qingshan, editor-in-chief of Tank and Armored Vehicle, said the Type-99A has one of the most powerful engines in the world, along with high automation and information capabilities.

Germany's Focus magazine reported that the Type-99A is mainly armed with a 125-mm smoothbore gun capable of firing anti-tank guided missiles, and is propelled by a 1,500-horsepower diesel engine.

Other unique elements include an active laser self-defense weapon and a laser warning receiver, both leading, but rarely used, countermeasure technologies, according to Russian media.

The ZBD-04A infantry fighting vehicle has several weaponsa 100-mm rifled gun, a 30-mm auto-cannon and a 7.62-mm coaxial machine gunstrong enough to destroy any target, observers said.

Compared with its predecessor, the ZBD-04, the new model has improved fire-control instruments and additional armor. It also has an advanced information system capable of being integrated with the system used on the Type-99A.

As the PLA's latest multipurpose anti-tank missile, the HJ-10 can also be used to attack armored vehicles, small fortifications and even helicopters flying at low altitude, according to Chinese defense publications. Earlier reports said the PLZ-05A self-propelled howitzer has good mobility and can destroy targets from a long distance, thus clearing the way for armored forces.

The Ground Force has equipped its air assault units with WZ-10 and WZ-19 combat helicopters. The WZ-10 is regarded as one of the best attack helicopters in the world due to its superior maneuverability and combat capabilities. It was designed primarily for anti-tank missions, but was later given a secondary air-toair fighting capability, aviation industry sources said.

Naval prowess

The PLA Navy has a carrier battle group, led by the aircraft carrier CNS Liaoning, and the unit continues to move toward gaining full operational capability, according to the Navy. The Liaoning carrier battle group completed a cross-sea, live-fire exercise at the end of last year and recently undertook a long-distance training exercise. Dozens of pilots and landing signal officers are now qualified to operate the J-15 fighter jets deployed on the carrier, the Navy said.

China's second aircraft carrier, as yet unnamed, was launched in April. Once completed, it will have a displacement of around 50,000 metric tons, a conventional propulsion system, and it will carry J-15 fighter jets and other aircraft. The ship will employ a ski jump mode to launch fixed-wing aircraft.

It is currently being fitted out, and engineers and workers will soon complete installation of interior equipment and weapons. Engineers will test and fine-tune equipment already mounted on the ship. At the same time, mooring trials will be conducted to assess the carrier's overall design, the Navy said.

At a media briefing in March, Major General Chen Zhou, a senior strategy researcher at the PLA Academy of Military Science, said the second carrier will definitely not be the end of China's aircraft carrier program.

"The number of carrier battle groups will depend on our national plans and military strategies, but we will not have as many as 12 groups like the United States plans to do because our military strategy is defensive in nature," he said.

The Navy will continue commissioning Type-052D guided-missile destroyers, and has also launched a larger destroyer, which observers regard as the first in the Type-055 class.

Military experts said the Type-052D class is the most powerful destroyer and the most capable fleet escort in service with the PLA. Some Western observers have called it a "carrier killer" because of the large number of anti-ship and land-attack cruise missiles it carries.

According to military sources, Type-052D destroyers have a full displacement of nearly 7,000 tons, and a wide range of weapons including a single-barrel 130-mm naval gun, a close-in weapon system and dozens of long-range anti-aircraft missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles. The vessel features a low radar signature, a high information level and state-of-the-art phased array radar.

The Type-055 class is a 10,000-ton destroyer. It will be equipped with new types of air defense, missile defense, anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons, the Navy said.

Yin Zhuo, director of the PLA Navy's Expert Consultation Committee, previously said each Type-055 destroyer will be able to carry more than 100 vertical launch cells capable of firing a range of missiles.

Zhang Junshe, a senior researcher at the PLA Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said compared with other Navy destroyers, the Type-055 features stronger firepower, higher information capacity and improved capabilities in terms of reconnaissance and early warning.

He added that the vessel will improve the Navy's long-range operational capability and such ships will play a major role in the country's carrier battle groups.

Cao Weidong, also a researcher at the institute, said Type-055 destroyers will make effective missile-defense platforms because they can carry and launch Chinese-made advanced missile interceptors, effectively expanding the country's missile defense network.

The Navy also has some of the world's most advanced armaments, such as the YJ-12 heavy-duty, supersonic anti-ship missile. With its ultrafast speed and long strike range, the weapon is capable of penetrating the outer defense systems of a carrier battle group, and can use sea-skimming maneuvers to avoid interception when approaching a target, according to observers.

If a 100,000-ton aircraft carrier is hit by two YJ-12s, it will basically lose all its functions, they said.

Air power

The PLA Air Force is believed to have started taking delivery of the J-20 stealth fighter jet, a third-type, fifth-generation combat aircraft.

Its maiden flight was made in January 2011, and the aircraft was declassified in November last year when it performed at a defense exhibition in China. The Air Force said the J-20 is designed for future aerial combat.

Military analysts said the cutting-edge aircraft will enable the Air Force to engage all leading fighter jets, substantially improving operational capabilities.

Wang Ya'nan, editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge, said the J-20 is not only a superior fighter jet, but can also conduct air-to-ground strikes and anti-ship operations.

The Air Force has also improved its transportation capacity via the deployment of the Y-20 strategic transport plane.

With a maximum takeoff weight of about 200 tons, the Y-20 can ferry cargo and personnel over long distances in all types of weather, strengthening the Air Force's strategic power projection capability.

According to Wang, compared with transport planes made overseas, it is easier for the PLA to use and maintain the Y-20 because its design was based on the experience and requirements of the PLA Air Force.

He explained that the jumbo jet can fly more than 5,000 kilometers in eight hours, meaning it can fulfill most of the PLA's transportation needs.

The Air Force has also deployed several early-warning and aerial control planes, including the KJ-500, the latest model. The aircraft has one fixed phased-array radar and two passive electronic intelligence arrays, according to IHS Jane's Defence Weekly in London, which reported that it can track up to 100 targets simultaneously to a range of 470 km.

The Air Force also uses a wide range of unmanned aircraft such as the GJ-1 reconnaissance/strike drone and the BZK-005 high-altitude, long-range reconnaissance drone. They are expected to extend operational scope and give the PLA more options to conduct reconnaissance and land attack tasks at lower cost, experts said.

Missile deterrence

The PLA Rocket Force, the pillar of the nation's strategic deterrent, is probably the best in the world in terms of the variety of missiles it usesit has at least nine different ground-to-ground missiles, including the DF-31A intercontinental ballistic missile, the DF-15B short-range ballistic missile and the CJ-10A ground-launched cruise missile, according to PLA Daily.

The latest additions are the DF-16 short-range ballistic missile, the DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile and the DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile.

The Rocket Force said the DF-21D is its "trump card" in asymmetric naval warfare, while the DF-26 can destroy fixed targets and moving targets on the ocean. They are probably the only ballistic missiles in the world capable of destroying vessels as large as aircraft carriers, Chinese media reported.

Military experts said the DF-16 has a strike range of more than 1,000 km, boasts a similar level of accuracy as a cruise missile and can undertake terminal maneuvers to penetrate defensive firepower.


Guo Wengui, one of China's most-wanted fugitives, used fabricated and distorted information to mislead the public and attack the reputation of a company manager.

Yao Qing, general manager of GI Technologies (Beijing), who was the target of accusations, strongly objected to claims made by Guo through overseas media outlets and online video platforms.

"Guo's fabricated claims have brought negative impacts to me, my family, friends and company. It's necessary to make this known to the public, and we reserve the right to use legal means to hold Guo accountable," Yao said.

"Guo's fabrications and vicious words have greatly impacted my reputation, as well as that of the company, executives and employers, and I express my strong outrage."

Guo claimed that Yao was a relative of a senior Chinese official and controlled more than 10 companies, had bank accounts in other countries and held more than $160 billion in cash. He also claimed Yao was a principal in a bank and an oil company.

Guo, who was suspected of multiple crimes, fled China in August 2014 and is currently the subject of an Interpol "red notice" for wanted fugitives.

In China, he was the controlling shareholder of Beijing Pangu Investment and Beijing Zenith Holdings.

A statement by GI Technologies in October introducing Yao when he was named general manager of the company noted that he was born in 1977, holds Chinese nationality and graduated from East China University of Political Science and Law.

Yao said he had lived in rural areas of Shanghai's Nanhui district, now known as Pudong New Area, until 1996, when he went to study law. After graduation, Yao was employed by a private enterprise in Shanghai.

Yao's biographical information was confirmed by Li Yan, an employee of GI Technologies, who studied at the same high school as Yao.

"Yao is from Shanghai. We know his background, and he has nothing to do with senior leaders or huge assets. What Guo said about him is ridiculous," Li said.

Yao established a Shanghai-based credit risk consulting firm called Weicheng in 2004. He began working in the asset management industry in 2007.

Gao Huaixue, the controlling shareholder of GI Technologies, said her company started working in nonperforming asset management in recent years, and engaged Yao as a professional manager.

Guo, the fugitive, alleged that Yao held controlling shares in more than 10 companies. But Yao said the companies simply had business relationships with GI Technologies.

One of those companies, which was engaged in fossil fuel engineering technology, was acquired by GI Technologies in 2015 and merged with another company in 2016. However, the new company failed to deliver, and cooperation was ended at the end of last year, Yao said. The new company was closed earlier this year.

"In Guo's logic, companies that have business with me actually belong to me, together with all their assets. Thus, my assets will be unlimited. Such logic is absurd," Yao said.

Guo claimed that Yao "turned State-owned enterprises into his own" through his work dealing with nonperforming assets. But Yao said that wasn't true.

"Our company dealt with nonperforming assets mainly in private enterprises and helped them become profitable through measures including acquisition and asset reconfiguration," Yao said. "There are no grounds for any claims of embezzling State assets."

According to Gao, the major shareholder of GI Technologies, "Yao has no shares in the listed company. Shareholder information is publicized online by law," she said. "I am the controlling shareholder of the company, and my shares are my own, not Yao's."

According to the Chinese police, Guo's list of alleged relationships was fabricated by Chen Xiangjun, 43, from Leizhou, Guangdong province. Guo allegedly paid Chen 50,000 yuan ($7,420) to provide him with fake business data.

Police said Chen confessed that he had originally created the so-called relationship tree and that he only discovered later that Yao was an employee of the company with no shares.

GI Technologies' Gao said that "if the company has suffered from Guo's rumors, we will not rule out legal action to safeguard our rights".
Workplace accidents and deaths in China dropped in the first half of this year as the government stepped up inspections, the top safety watchdog said on Thursday.

The number of workplace accidents from January to June plunged by 25.4 percent year-on-year to 2,240, while the death toll in those accidents dropped by 17.4 percent to 1,620, Su Jie, a State Administration of Work Safety official, said at a news conference.

"The work safety situation improved in most provincial regions. Both the number of accidents and the death toll declined in 22 of the 32 provincial regions monitored, and no major accident happened in 21 of them," Su said.

The improvements were the result of more rigorous safety inspections, she said, adding that 40 new clauses have been added to inspection regulations so far in 2017.

She noted that 24 enterprises were shut down in 16 provincial regions, and production at 53 enterprises was suspended over safety hazards.

"Many of the accidents this year happened because of illegal production. Some happened in enterprises that operated without authorization, and some failed to follow procedures required by State laws or regulations," Su said. Some workers also died because of improper rescue techniques, she added.

Su said a four-month inspection mechanism was renewed in July in the government's latest effort to ensure work safetya requirement of the State Council, China's Cabinet.

The administration had inspected 5,476 coal mines, or 67 percent of the country's total, as of the end of June. Inspectors found 886 safety hazards, and the administration levied total fines of nearly 140 million yuan ($20.8 million), said Xue Jianguang, spokesman for the administration.

He said gas explosions were to blame in six of the 13 major accidents in coal mines this year.

Small coal mines were singled out as a particular problem.

"It has been a problem that some small coal mines violated laws and regulations, yet continued to operate after being ordered to suspend production," he said.

"Of the seven major accidents that occurred in small coal mines, three happened in mines that had resumed operations without the approval of authorities," he added.

He said the administration is continuing to weed out small coal mines with an annual output of less than 90,000 metric tons.
Higher speed limit to boost efficiency; maturity of technology ensures safety

Bullet train trips between Beijing and Shanghai will get even faster in September when the maximum speed on the line will be raised to 350 kilometers per hour, six years after it was reduced to 300 km/h.

The travel time will be reduced to about four and a half hours, State-owned China Railway Corp said on Thursday.

The 1,318-km journey now takes from four hours and 49 minutes to six hours, depending on the number of stops.

One of the main reasons the speed can be safely increased is the next-generation bullet train modelsdubbed Fuxing (Chinese for rejuvenation)that were put into operation on the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed line on June 25. Before that, all Chinese bullet trains were labeled with the word Harmony on their exterior.

The new models, using Chinese railway standards and technologies, are a big improvement over previous models in safety, comfort and energy conservation, according to the company.

Government regulators reduced the maximum speed of high-speed trains to around 300 km/h in August 2011 for safety reasons. Before that, trains on some of the first high-speed lines in China, such as the Beijing-Tianjin and Shanghai-Hangzhou lines, ran at up to 350 km/h.

The Beijing-Shanghai high-speed line, which opened in 2011, was built to the highest standards in the world, according to China Railway Corp. Passengers have taken more than 600 million trips on the line in the past six years.

The line has been in service for six years safely, and railway authorities have gained adequate operating and management experience for the speed upgrade, the company said.

After the Beijing-Shanghai line, other high-speed rail lines in China may switch to a maximum speed of 350 km/h, Xinhua News Agency reported.

"Restoring bullet trains' top speed to 350 km/h is a sign of the maturity of China's high-speed railway technologies," Liu Xu, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, told Xinhua.

Sun Yongcai, executive director of CRRC, the largest supplier of rail transit equipment in China, said the company will keep tracking and collecting data for the trains and conduct research to ensure their safety at the higher speed.

Raising the top speed on the Beijing-Shanghai line will increase its efficiency and help ease mounting pressure from the increasing number of passengers on one of the busiest railways in China, according to China Railway Corp.

It will promote regional integration and economic development, increase China's competitiveness in high-speed rail technologies and contribute to China's railway exports, the company said.
Workers fix electrical cables as a bulldozer cleans garbage on the street in Suide county, Shaanxi province, on Thursday. A rain-triggered flood on Wednesday has left four people dead in the county. PENG ZIYANG/CHINA DAILY

A flood triggered by rain left six dead and three missing in Shaanxi province, local authorities said on Thursday.

Direct economic losses will exceed 230 million yuan ($34.1 million). More than 71,300 people have been relocated after torrential rain battered Yulin from Tuesday evening, according to the provincial flood control headquarters.

Water burst out of Qingshuigou Reservoir, a water source for 45,000 residents in Zizhou county, on Wednesday, disrupting supplies, according to the flood headquarters.

The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said 254,700 people in worst-hit Zizhou, Suide and Yuyang counties of Yulin were affected by the flood, which also inundated more than 23,000 hectares of farmland.

In Suide, floodwaters damaged hundreds of residences and commercial buildings in the downtown area, it said.

Torrential rain also disrupted power supplies, telecommunications and traffic. The provincial weather forecast said rain would continue until Saturday.

According to the flood headquarters, the rain caused direct economic losses of 48 million yuan in neighboring Shanxi province, where more than 3,500 people have been evacuated. No casualties have been reported so far.

Continuous rainfall in the middle reaches of the Yellow River, the country's second-longest, brought the river to its first flood peak this year.

Peak flow at the Longmen Hydrological Station in Henan province reached 6,010 cubic meters per second at 1:06 am on Thursday, exceeding the warning level of 5,000 cubic meters per second, according to the Yellow River Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

The headquarters told flood control authorities in Shanxi, Shaanxi, Henan and Shandong provinces to be alert to peak water levels. The provinces are required to take adequate measures to control flooding.

A total of 6,419 people who work along the Yellow River in Shaanxi and Shanxi have been evacuated, the headquarters said.

It has dispatched seven teams to guide the flood response in Shaanxi, Shanxi and the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.
A customer holds a McDonald's ice cream in front of its Nanjing East Road store in Shanghai, July 27, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

Shanghai Municipal Food and Drug Administration raided four McDonald's restaurants in the city on Thursday and didn't find food safety problems, the Information Office of Shanghai Municipal Government said late Thursday.

During the raids, the restaurants' purchase records, the employees' operating process and the sanitation of the kitchen were some of the steps inspected.

The inspection came after a former employee of a restaurant of the US fast food behemoth in Louisiana posted pictures on social media of a greasy part of a machine that he claimed produced homemade ice cream in the restaurant, which triggered online discussion in China.

Zhang Qi, restaurant manager of a McDonald's store on Minhang district's Hechuan Road, said the ice cream machine undergoes disinfection automatically for three hours before daybreak on a daily basis and is opened every 14 days for maintenance and cleaning.

The Shanghai FDA also summoned senior officials from the Shanghai-based China branch of the industry giant for talks on Thursday and urged it to fulfill its non-delegable duty as a huge fast food chain and be 100 percent meticulous about food safety details.

McDonald's China said in a statement on Thursday that the US branch had verified the machine part in the pictures was a tray that carries dripping lubricant inside the machine when it is running, and the part has no contact with food.

"This issue has nothing to do with our Chinese restaurants," read the statement issued on the company's official Sina Weibo.

"We earnestly request the public to trust us that we have rigorous standards for food safety, which is always our priority," it added.

zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.cn
A screenshot shows a tank. [Photo/CCTV]

The production line of VT-4, a high-end main battle tank with a 125-mm smoothbore that targets the international market, has been revealed by the state broadcaster China Central Television in a recent TV documentary.

VT-4 is produced in factories of China North Industries Group Corporation, or Norinco Group, the country's biggest developer of land armaments, in Baotou, capital of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, CCTV reported.

The factory producing VT-4 tank guns first produced copies of the former Soviet Union's T-54A rifle guns in 1958, and after 59 years, it was able to produce the world-class tank guns, according to the CCTV documentary.

The gun steel used for VT-4 is one of the strongest alloy steels, since the pressure rises to 630 MPa, or six tons on an area of one square centimeter, and the temperature reaches 3,400 degrees at firing.

VT-4's 125-mm smoothbore can fire various shells, including kinetic energy penetrators and high-explosive anti-tank warheads. It can fire anti-tank missiles with a maximum range of 5,000 meters, a stinger to the rival helicopters.




A blind man sits an exam in Beijing, Oct 16, 2010. [Photo/VCG]

A blind woman who has spent five years learning about the law has been told there are no braille judiciary exam papers in East China's Shandong province, Beijing News reported on Friday.

Wang Rui signed up for the national judicial examination in early July. She asked the judicial authority of Qingdao, Shandong province, to provide a braille examination paper or electronic paper equipped with screen reader software so she could understand it.

After being refused, Wang asked the Ministry of Justice on July 22 what the process is to get a braille judicial examination paper, but she has not received a response yet.

On Thursday, Qingdao judicial authority offered to dispatch a staff member to help Wang with the exam by reading the questions and dictating Wang's answers.

Self-taught law exam candidate was a masseuse

Majoring in acupuncture and manipulation, Wang Rui worked as a masseuse after graduating from university in 2009.

One year later, she started working in human resources and employee training at a massage company, sparking an interest in legal matters.

Since 2012, she learned law by herself via online courses and electronic books on her computer and mobile phone every day.

Examination critical to realize career goal

"I think being a lawyer is a career that has a sense of justice," Wang said. "I want to use what I have learned to safeguard the rights of people with disabilities and that goal can only be achieved by passing the judicial examination first."

"Every candidate has the right to acquire an exam paper that fits their physical condition. It is a basic issue of equality," she said.

According to the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Disabled Persons "where visually impaired persons take various entrance examinations, occupational qualification examinations and appointment examinations held by the state, braille or electronic examination papers shall be provided to them, or special workers shall be arranged to offer assistance".

Wang said she wants to do an electronic paper, because she usually studies via computer and is accustomed to adjusting the speed of the screen reader according to her will.

She said after taking the examination, she will express her feelings about the examination and send them to judicial authorities as a suggestion.

No special exam paper for the blind in many regions

Judicial authorities in many provinces, including Jiangsu, Anhui and Shanghai, revealed that they do not have an exam paper suitable for blind candidates.

Wang Yukai, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Governance, said that as there is no law stipulating people with disabilities can't be a lawyer or take the judicial examination, Wang Rui has the right to ask for a proper exam paper.

It is a loophole of judicial authorities not having specially-made exam papers for the blind, Professor Wang said, adding that Qingdao dispatching a staff member to help is a remedial measurement, but not a solution for good, as it is hard to be popularized nationwide.

"Authorities should make specially-made exam papers for people with disabilities as soon as possible," he said.

The latest data from China Disabled Person's Federation shows that China has more than 85 million people with disabilities.

Only one visually-impaired man is reported to have completed the judicial examination with the help of two staff members and acquired his qualification certificate for legal professionals in the Tianjin municipality in 2006.
China has begun to invest almost 172.2 billion yuan ($25.5 billion) of basic endowment insurance funds, social security authorities said on Friday.

As of the end of June, eight provincial regions, including Beijing, Shanghai and Hubei and Shaanxi provinces, had entrusted 410 billion yuan of endowment insurance funds to the National Council for Social Security Fund for investment, Lu Aihong, spokesman for the Human Resources and Social Security Ministry, told a news conference.

The money that is not being invested right away will be transferred to the council in accordance with contracts that have been signed with the eight provincial regions, he said.

According to Lu, the ministry will push for more provincial regions to invest their endowment insurance funds, while also researching the possibility of investing urban and rural residents' social endowment insurance for the unemployed.

China's social security fund recorded an accumulated surplus of 6.63 trillion yuan at the end of last year.

Its income from January to June reached 3.14 trillion, while its expenditure stood at 2.47 trillion yuan, according to the ministry.

At Friday's conference, the ministry also disclosed that the registered unemployment rate in urban areas for the second quarter this year stood at 3.95 percent, a year-on-year decline of 0.1 percentage point.

It added that 7.35 million new jobs were created from January to June, 180,000 more than the same period last year.

China has set a target of creating 11 million jobs in urban areas this year as an estimated 15 million workers, including 7.95 million college graduates, are expected to enter the urban job market.
'Red notice' fugitive stands trial for embezzlement, accepting bribes

Xinhua | Updated: 2017-07-28 21:21

HANGZHOU -- Once China's most wanted fugitive, Yang Xiuzhu, who fled China in 2003, stood trial for embezzlement and taking bribes on Friday.



According to the trial held at Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, from 1996 to 1997, Yang took advantage of her posts in Wenzhou city to embezzle more than 19 million yuan (2.82 million U.S. dollars) for personal use.



Prosecutors accused her of abusing her power to help others with land exploitation, project promotion, increasing construction areas and reducing expenses, and accepting money and properties worth 7.35 million yuan from 1994 to 1998.



In April 2003, she fled China. Yang turned herself in to the country in November 2016, confessing to her crimes.



She was once number one on China's top 100 fugitives, which were released in an Interpol "red notice."



Yang pleaded guilty and expressed remorse.



About 50 people attended the trial, including legislators, political advisors, journalists and members of the public.



The verdict will be announced at a later date.
President Xi Jinping awards medals and certificates to the recipients of the Order of August 1  the latest and highest military decoration  at the Bayi Building in Beijing on Friday. LI GANG/ XINHUA

President salutes 'generational models', names new PLA generals

President Xi Jinping promoted five people to general in the People's Liberation Army on Friday and awarded 10 people the Order of August 1  the latest and highest military decoration  for their outstanding contributions to national defense and military modernization.

Xi, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the ceremony, which took place in Beijing just four days ahead of the PLA's 90th anniversary on Tuesday.

The five new generals are: Han Weiguo, commander of the Central Theater; Liu Lei, political commissar of the PLA Ground Force; Yu Zhongfu, political commissar of the PLA Air Force; Wang Jia-sheng, political commissar of the PLA Rocket Force; and Gao Jin, commander of the PLA Strategic Support Force.

As for the award, this is the fourth time  and the first time since 1988  that the Chinese military gave its highest military honor to distinguished individuals, who were selected from a list of 17 candidates published in June.

The recipients came from a wide range of military, science and armed police forces, including Rear Admiral Ma Mingwei, the leading engineer of electromagnetic catapult for Chinese aircraft carriers; Major General Jing Haipeng, an astronaut and the commander of the Shenzhou XI spacecraft; and Yin Chunrong, a border policeman who cracked more than 890 drug cases and caught more than 1,470 criminal suspects since 1998.

"All active-duty soldiers and officers from the PLA and armed police should learn from the recipients of the order.  They are the generational models for building a strong military and a strong nation," Xi said in an order read aloud by Fan Changlong, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission.

The order also urged all soldiers and officers to enhance political awareness, resolutely obey orders from the central leadership and improve combat readiness, thus to build the PLA into a world-class military.

The previous three award ceremonies took place in 1933, 1955 and 1988. The previous highest military honor was the Order of Heroic Exemplar, which was superseded by the new Order of August 1 after approval by the Central Military Commission in June.

The Order of August 1  the date of the PLA's founding  was established in 1955 and was given to some of the most senior and prestigious generals, such as Zhu De and Su Yu. But it was a national award that had three classes and was only given to those who distinguished themselves in the revolutionary wars.

The new Order of August 1, which is now a military decoration with only one class, will be awarded once every five years to those who have made outstanding contributions to safeguarding the countrys sovereignty, security and development interests, as well as advancing the modernization of national defense and the armed forces, according to its mission statement.

Chen Yue, a military historian from the Institute of Naval History Studies, said this year's award is a breakthrough, both in merit criteria and recipients.

"In the previous ceremonies, the first-class orders were only granted to legendary generals with the most accomplished resumes. Such esteemed, almost mythical status made it hard for the vast majority of people to relate and learn from their models," he said.

"Now, the 10 recipients come from a wide range of disciplines and fields. ... These are exemplars that we ordinary people can relate to and draw inspiration from."
The BRICS cooperation will usher in its second "golden decade" as long as the five members make joint efforts for closer ties with the spirit of openness, inclusiveness, cooperation and win-win, President Xi Jinping said on Friday.

Xi made the remarks while meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with heads of the delegations for the 7th Meeting of BRICS High Representatives for Security Issues. During the two-day meeting, which ended on Friday, the five countriesBrazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa reached consensus on many things, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

South Africa's Minister of State Security David Mahlobo, Minister Sergio Etchegoyen of the Office of Institutional Security of the Presidency of Brazil, Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev of the Russian Federation and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval of India attended the meeting. State Councilor Yang Jiechi hosted it.

The president offered his congratulations on the success of the meeting, saying it has made important political preparation for the BRICS summit to be held in Xiamen, Fujian province, from September 3 to 5.

Given the common wishes of BRICS peoples to boost exchanges and communication, the five countries should push forward economic and financial cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and security coordination at the same time, Xi said, adding that only through such efforts will BRICS cooperation last long and remain stable.

China calls for joint efforts of the international community to push the global economy onto the path of sustainable development, promote economic globalization to develop in a fair, inclusive and sustainable direction, and resolve global issues including terrorism through development, Xi said. The BRICS countries work together for common interests and goals, he added.

Noting that BRICS cooperation has existed for 10 years, Xi said the cooperation has crossed the longest geographic distance of the world, crossed different development paths and social systems, and gathered the five countries' resolution and moves to seek stability, development and improvement of people's livelihood.

The enhanced cooperation among BRICS members has not only maintained and expanded the five countries' interests, but has also provided meaningful exploration of the establishment of a new type of international relations, Xi said.

The senior officials of the BRICS countries extended their state leaders' sincere wishes to the Chinese president. They expressed the willingness of enhancing BRICS cooperation to deal with such challenges as anti-globalization and terrorism in economic and security areas, and to expand the influence of BRICS countries in international affairs.
Leverage remains under control, but possible risks 'scrutinized'

China will strengthen efforts in regulating local government debts, giving more prominence to controls over hidden debt risks, the vice-minister of finance said on Friday.

"While the overall government debt remains well below the level that would be risky, risks involved in illegal funding methods will be scrutinized in order to prevent financial hazards," said Vice-Minister of Finance Liu Wei.

The ministry will issue guidelines to enhance regulation of project-specific bonds, referring to new channels giving local governments greater borrowing capacity.

The latest new financing method introduced by the ministry is land revenue bonds, and the repayment source is income related to land sales.

His comments came after the central government introduced a slew of measures targeting off-balance-sheet debts during the first half of the year.

Zhang Bin, a senior researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said it is hard to predict when the regulatory measures will take effect. Currently, the total amount of off-sheet debt is hard to calculate, he said.

"The good thing is that documents released by the ministry are problem-solving oriented. The government has made it clear what kinds of funding channels should be strictly prohibited," Zhang said.

"The government will add more details as new risk points are found," he said. "Now the key is to make sure that the measures are put into place at local levels."

Enterprises and banks have been active in the past several years issuing credit to local governments to invest in infrastructure construction projects. Guarantees from local governments, often in the form of letters or other documents, helped ensure repayment.

Risks that accumulated in off-sheet debts would threaten the nation's financial stability if not properly resolved, given that they often are linked to another source of financial riskfunds from shadow banking, according to Zeng Gang, a senior researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Zhang Lianqi, a financial expert consulted by the ministry, said while regulations are improved at the central government level, local governments should improve transparency by returning debts to the budget sheet using a specific timetable.

While fending off financial risks, the government will implement a proactive fiscal policy to support sustainable economic growth in the second half, said Wang Kebing, deputy head of the budget department at the Ministry of Finance.

He said the government will continue to reduce taxes and costs for enterprises. A total of 1 trillion yuan ($148.3 billion) of tax and cost burdens is expected to be reduced by year's end.
Yang Xiuzhu, former deputy director of Zhejiang province's construction department, stands trial on graft charges at the Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court in Zhejiang on Friday. CHINA DAILY

China's most-wanted graft fugitive, Yang Xiuzhu, who had been on the run for 13 years, stood trial on Friday at a court in Zhejiang province.

Yang, 70, a former deputy director of the construction department of Zhejiang province, was accused of having embezzled more than 19 million yuan ($2.8 million) of public funds and taken bribes of around 7.35 million yuan.

The Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court in the province held an open trial and issued a statement saying Yang confessed to committing the crimes.

Yang was also head of the provincial office of urbanization before she fled China in April 2003. She had also been vice-mayor of Wenzhou, Zhejiang, from 1995 to 1998.

According to prosecutors, Yang misused her positions from 1996 to 1997 as the vice-mayor of Wenzhou and the chairman of the board at a railway real estate company in the city to commit embezzlement. She was also accused of abusing her power from 1994 to 1998 as the assistant to the mayor of Wenzhou and vice-mayor of the city, taking bribes from land developers as well as promoting others.

The verdict will be announced at another date.

Yang topped the list of 100 Chinese fugitives suspected of economic crimes and was subject to an Interpol red notice.

She fled to the United States when evidence of corrupt conduct was uncovered after her brother Yang Guangrong was arrested by the procuratorate in Zhejiang in March 2003 on charges of accepting bribes from local real estate developers.

Yang had been hiding in several places, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Singapore, France, the Netherlands and Italy.

She had applied for asylum in France and the Netherlands, but was rejected before fleeing to the United States to seek asylum in May 2014.

Yang returned to China in November 2016 and turned herself in to authorities.

Around 50 people from all sectors of society, including media, deputies to the National People's Congress and political advisers for Hangzhou Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference were present at the trial.
A customer holds a McDonald's ice cream in front of its Nanjing East Road store in Shanghai, July 27, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

Shanghai Municipal Food and Drug Administration inspected four McDonald's restaurants in the city on Thursday and didn't find any food safety problems, the Information Office of Shanghai Municipal Government said late on Thursday.

Items including the restaurants' purchase records, employees' operating processes and the sanitation of the kitchen were checked.

The inspection came after a former employee of the US fast food behemoth in Louisiana posted pictures on social media of a greasy part from a machine that he claimed produced ice cream, which triggered an online discussion in China.

Zhang Qi, restaurant manager of a store on Minhang district's Hechuan Road, told the inspectors that the ice cream machine is disinfected daily and is opened every 14 days for maintenance and cleaning by technicians.

Records provided by Zhang showed that the machine was last cleaned on July 22.

Data from the FDA showed that 254 spot checks have been performed in the city's McDonald's restaurants so far this year and there was nothing substandard.

McDonald's China said in a statement on Thursday that the US branch had verified that the machine part in the pictures was an inner tray that carries dripping lubricant when the machine is running, and the part has no contact with food.

The company assured Chinese consumers that "the issue has nothing to do with the Chinese restaurants" and said it immediately inspected several stores after the incident and found all the ice cream machines met the company's standards.

"We earnestly request the public to trust us that we have rigorous standards for food safety, which is always our priority," read the statement from the company.

Qi Feng from Quanzhou, Fujian province, who used to work part time in a McDonald's restaurant during holidays while at university, said the store has strict rules and management of sanitation, disinfection and discarding expired products.
Court says confession, remorse not enough for lenient sentence

A man who killed 19 people, including his parents and a 3-year-old, was sentenced to death on Friday, according to a local court in Yunnan province.

The Qujing Intermediate People's Court found Yang Qingpei guilty of murdering his parents at home in Yema village on Sept 28 after they refused his request for money to pay back his debt and blamed him for his situation.

The 28-year-old then killed 17 of his neighbors from six families, including three children, with a pickax fearing they would discover his crime, according to the court.

Ages of the victims range from 3 to 72. Eight of them were female.

The man fled to Yunnan's provincial capital Kunming and was arrested by local police the following day.

The Ministry of Public Security sent a team led by a senior officer to guide the investigation into the case.

Yang confessed and showed repentance, but that wasn't enough for the court to hand down a lenient sentence considering the severe consequences of his brutal crime, the court said.

According to media reports, Yang, who was married, worked in Kunming for years and fell into debt as a result of gambling.

Two seniors were found dead first, and local police were investigating the case when they found the bodies of the other 17, China News Service reported.

Yang accepted the sentence and said he will not appeal.

He pleaded guilty to all charges, expressed remorse and apologized to the relatives of the deceased when he stood trial on July 19, which was witnessed by 200 spectators including relatives, lawmakers, media and members of the public.

Relatives of the victims have withdrawn their appeals for civil compensation as the local government has "properly" dealt with the aftermath of the incident, China Central Television reported on Friday.
A kung fu practitioner smashes bricks using one hand in Luoyang, Henan province, early this Month. XU JUNWEN/CHINA DAILY

The first "Great Meeting Open to All" will be held at the Shaolin Temple from July 29 to Aug 4 in Dengfeng, Henan province.

The 1,500-year-old temple will welcome kung fu masters and enthusiasts from home and abroad to share their skills and views on kung fu.

Shi Yongxin, the abbot of Shaolin Temple, came up with the idea of holding the "Great Meeting Open to All" in August 2016, said Zou Xiang, website manager for Shaolin Temple.

The meeting welcomes people of any social status and identity who will be treated equally through diverse forms of cultural exchanges, including Chan (Zen Buddhism), martial arts and medicine, Zou said.

The events date back to the late 4th century, according to historical records.

"Besides the martial arts, Chan and medicinal culture are regarded as the essence of Shaolin culture, and the contests involving the traditional 72 Shaolin kung fu arts can also be seen during the seven-day event," Zou said.

In addition, many foreign disciples are welcome to join in events such as the lamp transmission ceremony, and take part in the "Shaolin Temple and the Northern Buddhist" academic seminar.
That the US House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, which has controversial provisions on Taiwan, suggests the Donald Trump administration is eager to leave its mark on Washington's policy toward Taiwan.

As one among a series of measures taken by the Trump administration, the bill passed on July 14 contains provisions about "re-establishing" regular ports of call for the United States Navy at Kaohsiung or any other suitable port in Taiwan, and permitting the US Pacific Command to receive Taiwan vessels. It also gives the green light to more US "defense cooperation" with Taiwan and "normalizing" US weapons sales to the island.

For obvious reasons, China has strongly opposed the bill, seeing it as a serious interference in its internal affairs and a blatant violation of the one-China policy and the three joint communiqus that guide Sino-US relations.
Oregon Coast History Videos: Shipwreck Facts, Volcano, Joe the Sea Lion

Published 07/27/2017 at 6:03 PM PDT - Updated 07/28/2017 at 5:03 PM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Oregon Coast)  Sometimes, knowing the history behind a spot on the Oregon coast can add much to your experience there. It fires up the imagination and helps you take in the vibe that much more, soaking up the sense of the place from all sorts of angles. (Above: a secret shipwreck at Rockaway Beach).

This shoreline's history is full of surprises  some of which you can still see and touch at times. These three videos cover such subjects and shed light on aspects of the past that will amaze, helping you to dive into these beaches in a whole new way.



First, there is the crazy yet cute (and yet sad) story of Joe the Sea Lion in Lincoln City. (Historical photos courtesy North Lincoln County Historical Society).

Back in the early '30s, the Oregon coast was still fairly inaccessible to many as a tourist destination. Parts of 101 were still being built and the roads to the beaches were not traversable when it got really rainy.

Yet one kooky sea lion changed that for a week or so.

They called him Joe, after this fairly-scarred male sea lion was found just flopping around the beaches of what was then a village called Nelscott (Lincoln City wouldn't be founded until the '60s, made up of little villages around this one).

One local managed to get him into a pen, where Joe quickly became as enamored of his human captors as much as they were of him. He loved getting his back scratched with a broom, getting hosed down  but most of all he loved escaping. Each night he'd get out and  while presumably thinking these were caves  he'd be found in the doorway of a home, or even inside one.

One article on the goofy beast and all of a sudden Nelscott was dealing with hundreds upon hundreds of tourists. Sadly, the neighboring burgh of Taft got jealous and complained to local authorities, which took him away and released him back into the wild.

Now, however, we realize this was the right thing to do, whatever the motives of Taft really were.

See the full story on Joe the Sea Lion here  and you can see a statue of him at the SW 35th access in Lincoln City.

Three Amazing Oregon Coast Shipwreck Facts You Didn't Know. There are definitely more than three shipwreck tales that are amazing and astounding on these shores, and in fact there is this deeper insight into Five Amazing Shipwreck Facts that is truly full of surprises.

But did you know?....

The wreck of the Peter Iredale at Fort Stevens nearly bit the big one in World War II? That infamous (yet not very well known) bit of history where a Japanese sub fired upon the U.S. mainland carries the unusual snippet of trivia that the wreck was nearly destroyed by the volleys. There's another fun factoid in the video as well.

The video also makes note of the J. Marhoffer shipwreck that not only gave Boiler Bay its name (near Depoe Bay), but the flaming ship set some of the trees of the bay on fire. (Historical photos courtesy Lincoln County Historical Society in Newport).

Also in this little movie: the secret shipwreck of Rockaway Beach and how to find it.

Scary Pre-History of Yachats and Its Volcanoes. Imagine a fiery, hellish landscape of molten lava covering your favorite beach and plunging into the nearby ocean. Imagine that area filled with toxic gasses and plumes of burning objects shooting into the air from a volcano right near you.

This was what would be the Yachats area around the Oregon coast about 50 million years ago, and that volcano was the beginnings of the famed Cape Perpetua. Granted, the actual shoreline was more than 80 miles east at this point and the volcanic Perpetua had likely sprung up from beneath the waves, however.

This and other volcanic action around this area is why there are so many layers of basalt. The video says more, but even more details are found at Yachats Geology: Wonders and Frights of Central Oregon Coast. - Oregon Coast Hotels in these areas - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours









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Experts from home and abroad attend the 2017 Symposium on Chinese Studies in Beijing to discuss the global influence of the Belt and Road Initiative. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Putting onions and carrots together will make soup both delicious and nutritious.

This is an interpretation of harmonythe Confucian philosophy that is at the core of the Chinese civilizationwhich is also the spirit behind China's cooperation with other countries, big and small, especially with regard to the Belt and Road Initiative, Thaddeus Metz, a professor of philosophy and religion with the University of Johannesburg in South Africa, said in a speech at the 2017 Symposium on Chinese Studies earlier this week.

Co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences first in 2013, the symposium has been aiming to build a professional platform for exchange of thoughts among scholars from home and overseas.

This year, 26 experts on China studies and international relations from 22 countries joined 20 Chinese scholars to exchange ideas on the theme: the Belt and Road Initiative in global view.

"We can also find the Confucian thought of 'harmony' in the win-win cooperations, that is, two very different sides work together to do a project that will benefit both sides," says Metz.

Metz was one of many speakers who dug out Chinese mainstream ancient thoughts to interpret the cooperation mode under the Belt and Road Initiative.

"For thousands of years, Chinese people have talked about the concept of 'land under heaven'. For Chinese people, harmony on the land under heaven is built on compassion, to love and respect anyone in the world fairly," says Wang Keping, a researcher on aesthetics with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

"Now through the Belt and Road Initiative, we also have the fundamental principles for sustainable development for mutual benefit, openness and tolerance," he says.

Liu Mengxi, director of the Institute of Chinese Culture at the Chinese National Academy of Arts, talked about the classic Confucian thought "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" to explain China's relations with the world today, especially when China is the world's second-largest economy with an increasing influence that may worry many other countries.
[Photo provided to China Daily]

The People's Liberation Army will mark the 90th anniversary of its founding on Aug 1.

China Post will issue a commemorative set of stamps on that day, showing soldiers from the PLA's ground force, navy, air force, rocket force, strategic support force and armed police force.

China Post will also release two photo albums of stamps, paintings and postcards that feature some of the country's top weapons. One album is designed for children and teenagers, and tells stories of military heroes who are devoted to both national defense and UN peacekeeping missions.
Kenya's new China-built railway carries 150,000 in two months 2017-07-28 05:32:00 chinadaily.com.cn Edith Mutethya Barely two months since Kenya commissioned its Chinese-built Standard Gauge Railway, the transport system is seeing heavy demand from travellers between Nairobi and Mombasa.

Barely two months since Kenya commissioned its Chinese-built Standard Gauge Railway, the transport system is seeing heavy demand from travellers between Nairobi and Mombasa.

The service, dubbed the Madaraka Express, has transported approximately 150,000 passengers with the demand increasing on daily basis, according to Atanas Maina, managing director of Kenya Railways Corporation.

Kenya Railways said it will review the passenger numbers so as to increase the frequency of trains and number of locomotives in order to meet the growing demand.

"The corporation remains committed to meeting this growing need by increasing the number of trains as well as frequency of schedule, all in due course," he said.

The train's average speed is 100 kilometers per hour. Trains have been stopping only at Mtito Andei to allow for passage of the oncoming intercity train. However, from Aug 1 another stop will be introduced at Voi.

"Operations at the remaining intermediate stations, namely Mariakani, Miasenyi, Kibwezi, Emali and Athi River, will start once the operations of the county trains commence," Maina told a news briefing.

He said KR is currently revisiting the ticket format and will soon be rolling out a new version of the tickets incorporating passenger's identification details, thus addressing the issue of unscrupulous purchase and resale of tickets at a premium.

"We have enhanced surveillance at the termini and the security team is on the ground to monitor any such occurrences and handle them appropriately," Maina said.

He noted that the ticketing process has taken a lot of time because the handover process from construction to Kenya railways and then to the operator was delayed. "We now have technical team on the ground and hope in the next few weeks we will launch an online ticketing platform," he said.

So far, the SGR has moved close to 38,000 metric tons of the government-imported cereal. It is carrying an average of 88 Twenty Foot containers and taking around 8 hours between Mombasa and Nairobi.

The corporation has received 18 more freight locomotives and 60 wagons designed for double-stacking on the SGR freight operations. This will go further in decongesting the Port of Mombasa as well as Mombasa Road.

China Road and Bridge Corporation, the contractor of the depot, is expected to hand over the facility to KR for official commencement of cargo operations in December.

Operations on the SGR line and Madaraka Express service between Mombasa and Nairobi are set to improve the overall efficiency of passenger and freight transportation within the northern corridor.

The modern, high capacity Madaraka Express will carry up to 1 million passengers a year, increasing to 1.5 million passengers a year by the third year of operations. The SGR will also run freight trains.

According to Maina, the relocation plan for the phase two of the SGR project is now complete.

The plan is to establish an extended safety corridor for railway operations and maintenance in Mukuru and Kibera.

Maina noted that the contractor mobilization for phase two is currently ongoing in preparation for land acquisition and subsequent commencement of construction.

"Identification of financiers for the Naivasha sub-county to Kisumu (phase 2 B) of the SGR project is currently ongoing," Maina added.

edithmutethya@chinadaily.com.cn
Didi executives ride over to boost the ranks of Ofo

By Fan Feifei ( China Daily )

Updated: 2017-07-28

A woman tries out an Ofo bike at an industry expo in Beijing earlier this month. [Photo by Zou Hong/For China Daily]

Three senior executives from China's biggest ride-hailing company Didi Chuxing have joined Chinese bike-sharing startup Ofo Inc. The move is seen as an indication of the strengthening influence that Didi is having on Ofo.

Ofo announced on Wednesday it had named Fu Qiang, a former senior vice-president of Didi, executive president of the company. Fu will report directly to CEO Dai Wei.

Fu will leverage his industry experience to help Ofo improve operational efficiency and upgrade user experiences, the company said in a statement.

At the same time, the head of Didi's open platform Nan Shan and director of finance Leslie Liu have joined Ofo's marketing and finance department, financial magazine Caijing reported.

Ofo confirmed that the two senior executives joined the company, but declined to disclose the positions they hold.

Didi, as a strategic investor in Ofo, said in a statement that it is willing to provide assistance to such an excellent startup and would continue to help Ofo in capital, staffing, technology and operations in the future.

The ride-hailing giant aims to further integrate Ofo's last-mile mobility solutions with its own ride-hailing capabilities, and has participated in nearly every financing round of Ofo since its first investment in September 2016.

"Didi has accumulated rich experience in the car-sharing sector, including market strategy, investor relations management and consumer behavior analysis, which is of guiding significance for Ofo that is still in a growth phase," said Wang Xiaofeng, a senior analyst at Forrester Research Inc.

Wang said only two to three companies could survive in the fierce competition. "Users' experience and their loyalty to the brand will become more important to bike-sharing companies," the analyst added.

Earlier this month, Ofo raised more than $700 million in its latest round of financing, which was led by e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, Hony Capital and CITIC Private Equity. Other backers included its former investors DST Global and Didi.

Didi reportedly owns more than 30 percent of Ofo, and two of Ofo's eight board members are from Didi. It added Ofo's service into its app in April, allowing users to book their bikes directly via the Didi ride-hailing app.

Last month, Ofo's arch rival Mobike Technology Co Ltd raised more than $600 million in its latest round of financing led by existing investor Tencent Holdings, taking this year's funding to over $1 billion.

Wang Chenxi, an analyst at internet consultancy Analysys in Beijing, said Didi will help Ofo enhance its operational ability and competitiveness.

Wang added that Ofo's personnel adjustment would speed up the reshuffle of the industry and accelerate the pace of competition with its biggest rival Mobike.

Ouyang Shijia contributed to the story.
Editor's note: China will soon celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Over the past 90 years, the PLA has made great achievements and has become a strong military force. In addition to safeguarding China's territorial integrity, PLA personnel operate in peace-keeping missions around the globe contributing to world peace and humanitarian missions. China Daily website invites its forum readers to share their opinions on the Chinese military.

waterdroplets (Malaysia)

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY ON ITS 90TH ANNIVERSARY! SAFEGUARDING PEACE IS YOUR MISSION - THANK YOU! The World needs more peace and security for progress - so LONG LIVE THE PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY! The PLA is the pride of the Chinese people, and indeed the world. [It's] an army to maintain peace and security - so the world can make progress and prosper.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures as he addresses the nation from the historic Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations in Delhi, India, August 15, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

In mid-June, Indian troops crossed into China at the Sikkim section of the border, instigating a standoff with Chinese troops. This is arguably the biggest crisis facing the two countries since the 1962 border war, because there is still no sign of the Indian troops ending their trespass into Chinese territory.

The Sikkim section of the China-India boundary was delimited in 1890 in the Convention Between Great Britain and China Relating to Sikkim and Tibet, and the boundary demarcation is recognized by both China and India.

However, India claims that a road being constructed by Chinese troops in Chinese territory has "serious" security implications for India. It fears it will lead to the severing of the so-called chicken's neckthe 20-kilometer-wide corridor that links the Indian mainland to its northeastern states. As a result, New Delhi decided to make a "preemptive" move.

Knowing the Chinese border troops will refrain from "firing the first bullet", Indian soldiers have time and again employed such shady tricks in disputed areas. But this time, New Delhi has sent troops into China's Donglang area, which is not disputed, and which is nowhere near the trilateral junction that separates China, India and Bhutan. India believes that Beijing would compromise due to the upcoming ninth BRICS Summit in Xiamen, Fujian province. And because of this misperception, New Delhi has been emboldened to "dig in".

India's border provocation constitutes a diplomatic and military challenge to China and, to some extent, carries strategic implications for it. With its troops trespassing in Chinese territory, New Delhi has taken a dangerous step by inciting confrontation. So far, China has exercised restraint, but its patience will not last forever.

China has repeatedly stated that it will defend its core interests, which include its territorial integrity. China does not have any strategic ambition to manipulate South Asian or Indochinese Peninsula affairs, but that does not mean it will allow its own territory to be encroached upon.

China seeks to handle border issues in line with international laws and documented evidence, but it does not fear a clash on its borders with a neighbor, if that is what is necessary to defend its territory. It has abundant resources to keep the risks controllable should a showdown occur. China can now force illegal intruders back across the border more easily than it did during the 1962 border war.

While continuing to be engaged in diplomatic efforts to persuade India to withdraw its troops from Chinese territory, China should be prepared for military action should that prove to be its only recourse. As China has repeatedly emphasized, although the diplomatic channels are unimpeded, the withdrawal of the Indian border troops who have illegally crossed into China's territory is the prerequisite for any meaningful dialogue between the two sides.

Although the crisis is fundamentally an outcome of India's perception of its geopolitical role and worries about the rise of China, playing up the idea of an all-out geopolitical clash between the two countries is uncalled for. After all, China and India are close neighbors and a healthy bilateral relationship meets the need of both for a favorable environment for development.

The two countries should seek to reconcile their border issues and jointly strive to maintain regional stability.

The author is a senior researcher at the Pangoal Institution, a Beijing-based think tank.
US President Donald Trump attends a press conference at the White House in Washington DC, on April 12, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

That the US House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, which has controversial provisions on Taiwan, suggests the Donald Trump administration is eager to leave its mark on Washington's policy toward Taiwan.

As one among a series of measures taken by the Trump administration, the bill passed on July 14 contains provisions about "re-establishing" regular ports of call for the United States Navy at Kaohsiung or any other suitable port in Taiwan, and permitting the US Pacific Command to receive Taiwan vessels. It also gives the green light to more US "defense cooperation" with Taiwan and "normalizing" US weapons sales to the island.

For obvious reasons, China has strongly opposed the bill, seeing it as a serious interference in its internal affairs and a blatant violation of the one-China policy and the three joint communiques that guide Sino-US relations.

Under the three joint communiques, the US is obliged to abide by the one-China policy, recognize that Taiwan is part of China, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government of China.

However, over the years the US has maintained unofficial contacts with the island and kept selling arms to it under the Taiwan Relations Act.

The latest US bill, if written into law, will set two troubling precedents for Washington's relations with Taiwan, and subsequently damage Sino-US relations. The port of call arrangement will, in effect, signal the beginning of direct military contacts between Washington and Taiwan and, along with the "normalizing" of US arms sales, amount to the US backpedaling on its official stance of phasing out arms sales to the island.

The US' national defense bill came into media spotlight one day after the Trump administration notified the US Congress of "seven proposed defense sales for Taiwan" worth $1.42 billion. Beijing has strongly criticized the Trump administration's first arms sales to the island, because it opposes any official or military exchange between Washington and Taiwan.

Considering that the Trump administration is still weighing the pros and cons of Sino-US ties, its intensified Taiwan-related moves show it is trying to play the Taiwan card, using it as leverage against Beijing to gain benefits in fields such as trade in return. That Trump, by nature, is a businessman and his credo is "America First" lend credence to this perception.

But the US should be warned that China brooks no interference in the Taiwan question, and any provocation over the issue will erode the mutual political trust between Washington and Beijing, even shake the foundation of Sino-US relations.

In the six months that Trump has been in the White House, China and the US have exchanged several high-level visits and held a series of talks.

The two countries reached important consensuses when President Xi Jinping and Trump met in Florida in April. They have implemented the 100-day economic plan, and decided to start a yearlong action plan for economic cooperation.

At the security level, the first China-US Diplomatic and Security Dialogue was held in Washington last month, which both sides said was constructive and fruitful. They have also made efforts to jointly address issues of common concern, including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

But the US arms sales to Taiwan risk compromising the consensuses reached between the two sides and undermine their mutual efforts to deepen cooperation on both bilateral and multilateral fronts.

Given that the US Senate needs to vote on the Taiwan-related bill before Trump signs it into law, US politicians need to thoroughly reflect upon the harmful effects of those controversial provisions and do not aggravate the situation. After all, it will take the efforts of both sides to build on the good momentum of bilateral relations and chart a brighter future for Sino-US ties.

The author is a senior writer with China Daily. wanghui@chinadaily.com.cn
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (middle, front) speaks during a ministerial meeting of the UN Security Council on the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsular, at the UN headquarters in New York April 28, 2017.[Photo/Xinhua]

Susan Thornton, the acting US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, spoke in a Senate hearing on Tuesday about the need to increase the pressure on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea so it will give up its nuclear weapons program.

Besides calling for the UN member states to implement their commitments, she said the United States has urged all countries to suspend or downgrade diplomatic relations and cut trade ties with Pyongyang.

The strategy is all sticks, no carrots. There is no consideration that less pressure, rather than more pressure, might be a more viable way to achieve the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

The US clearly believes that tightened sanctions will force the DPRK to change course. Yet tougher and tougher sanctions have failed to get the DPRK to halt its nuclear weapons program.

Senior US officials claim that the US wants to bring the DPRK to its senses, not its knees. Yet its strategy suggests that is not the case, and that it wants the DPRK to be on its knees.

US concerns that the DPRK could have a continental ballistic missile capable of hitting the US worsened this week after new assessment by the Pentagon Defense Intelligence Agency showed that the DPRK could have this capability as early as next year.

But the strategy Thornton laid out is deeply flawed because it shows the US is making no attempt to put itself in the DPRK's shoes. Thornton, for example, has not addressed any of DPRK's legitimate security concerns.

The US said it does not seek regime change, but it has threatened various military options. And the US' word does not inspire trust after it helped remove Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi in 2011 after he gave up nuclear weapons and toppled Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in 2003 under the pretext that he had weapons of mass destruction, which it knew did not exist.

Thornton also talked a lot about how China could use its unique leverage, noting that the US would not hesitate to punish Chinese individuals and entities violating the sanctions.

But in doing so, the US has again assumed the role of the world's policeman, something US President Donald Trump said he would reject during his presidential campaign.

Unilateral sanctions imposed by the US outside the UN framework undermine mutual trust and cooperation among nations. Yet the world's only superpower has found it an easy and appealing tool.

Contrary to the claims of its critics, China, which borders the DPRK, has a strong interest in denuclearization of the peninsula, as well as peace and prosperity in the region.

China has been working closely with the US on UN sanctions imposed against the DPRK. Yet the US has rejected China's proposal for "dual suspension"the DPRK suspends its nuclear weapons program and the US and the Republic of Korea suspend their large-scale military drillsand resuming the Six-Party Talks and direct talks with the DPRK. The US still insists that the DPRK must first agree to talk about abandoning its nuclear weapons program before any talks can be held.

In Thornton's words, while the US continues to see a negotiated solution as the best way to resolving the problem, the conditions at present are not conducive to dialogue.

It is true that previous talks failed to achieve the goal of denuclearization due to missteps, probably more on the DPRK side than on the US side. But that should not be an excuse for shunning talks on such a critical issue.

What seems certain is that sanctions without talks will likely escalate tensions.

The author is deputy editor of China Daily USA.

chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com
MA XUEJING/LI MIN/CHINA DAILY

China is already experiencing the effects of climate change. According to the Third National Assessment Report on Climate Change, the average temperature of China's land area rose by 0.9 Celsius to 1.5 C from 1909 to 2011, which is higher than the global average. It is projected to rise another 1.3 C to 5 C by the end of this century.

Besides temperature rise, climate change has had other observable effects on China, such as rising sea levels, melting glaciers, changing precipitation patterns, more droughts and heat waves, and increasing risks of hurricanes. Climate change therefore has a significant effect on China's natural environment and economic growth.

Due to its complex climate conditions and fragile ecosystems, China is sensitive to climate change, with its agriculture being particularly vulnerable.

Although climate change will improve thermal conditions for agricultural production in some areas, the negative impacts are more pronounced. They include declining crop quality and yield, decreasing arable land quality, increasing price of water and fertilizers, aggravated crop pests and diseases, and more frequent and intense extreme climate events. It is widely believed the net effect of climate change on agriculture is negative.

Climate change therefore poses a huge challenge to the stability and sustainability of food production in China. Agriculture employs about 40 percent of China's population; it also produces 30 percent of rice, 17 percent of wheat, and 20 percent of corn in the world. The climatic shocks to agriculture will not only threaten the food security of the world's largest population, but also have a ripple effect on the global food market.

All these call for thorough assessment of the economic impacts of climate change on China's agriculture and a strategy to address the challenge.

The cost of climate change on China's agriculture has been assessed in a recent paper published in the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management by researchers from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Duke Kunshan University and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The report's authors say climate change is likely to decrease the yields of rice, wheat and corn in China, and the authorities need to take urgent actions to deal with the challenge.

The impacts of climate change on the three staple crops are heterogeneous across Chinese regions. While climate change is harmful for rice production in southern China, it is beneficial in northern China. Additionally, the major rice-producing provinces, such as Hunan, Hubei, Jiangsu, and Jiangxi, will suffer significant losses.

For wheat, northeastern China could benefit from climate change. And while Central China, including several counties in Henan, Shandong and Hebei provinces, will suffer moderate losses, the impact of climate change on southern China will be severe.

When it comes to corn, all regions show the negative impacts of climate change, except for some counties in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. In particular, the major corn-producing provinces, such as Jilin, Heilongjiang, Henan and Hebei, will be severely affected.

The impacts of climate change on rice, wheat, and corn productions are of great economic significance. And evidence suggests climate change can endanger China's food security. Domestic food production is likely to decline if advanced technology and improved farming methods cannot fill the supply gap caused by climate change. And if China has to rely, even if partly, on the world market for food security, it cannot achieve self-sufficiency in food production, which is a top priority for the Chinese government.

Given the impacts of climate change and potential risks, China needs to take immediate measures to deal with eventualities. Adaptation can help China mitigate the negative impacts of climate change and benefit from the positive impacts. According to the findings of a study, China's National Technology Needs Assessment for Climate Change Adaptation, funded by the World Bank, the priority adaptive measures include stress-tolerant varietal breeding, precision agricultural technology, and agricultural water-saving technology. By promoting these climate-friendly agricultural technologies, China can reduce the climate risks on food security.

The author is director of the environmental research center, Duke Kunshan University, Jiangsu province.
Smoke rises from a chimneys of a steel mill on a hazy day in Fengnan district of Tangshan, Hebei province February 18, 2014.[Photo/Agencies]

After special environmental inspections by the top environment watchdog exposed some serious issues, seven provincial-level governments including Beijing and Shanghai recently made public their rectification plans.

Most of them have set up a leading group with their top leader acting as the head to supervise the rectification work, and adopted a list system that sets out concrete responsibilities, remedial measures, specific targets and deadlines.

In its rectification program, for instance, Beijing published a list of 47 detailed tasks, including trying to control the intensity of PM2.5 in the atmosphere within 60 micrograms per cubic meter this year and reducing the PM2.5 intensity by 30 percent by 2020 from the 2015 level. It also vowed to keep its city-wide polluted water treatment ratio above 95 percent by the end of 2020.

Central China's Hubei province vowed to shut down all coal producers within two years.

Such action lists are a list of responsibilities. On the environment issue, local governments' environmental protection programs are not just a response to the top environment watchdog's orders, they are a solemn commitment to the public that they will correct their past wrongdoings in environmental protection. Such a commitment cannot be discounted even a bit.

Past experiences indicate that it is yet to be seen whether these good-looking environmental protection plans will have any noticeable effects. Tightened supervision has proven to be the key to the effective implementation of such plans in the past.

The rectification lists drawn up by the local governments after inspections by the top environment watchdog not only reflect the leadership's hardened resolve to strengthen environmental protection, but also mark an important step toward this target.

President Xi Jinping has stressed that a good ecology is a public product that is fair to all. Given that people today are more aware of environmental problems and health risks posed by pollution, local governments cannot afford to ignore environmental protection any more.

--BEIJING YOUTH DAILY
Sydney Opera House in Sydney Nov 11, 2014.[Photo/IC]

When the new school term began in Australia recently, posters appeared on the campuses of some universities warning Chinese students not to enter the university buildings. Such racism should be condemned by the whole of Australian society, and the relevant authorities should do more to guard against the spread of anti-China sentiment in universities.

These racist posters obviously hurt the feelings of not only Chinese students studying in Australia but the entire Chinese community in the country. It is to be hoped the perpetrators can be found and held accountable.

In recent years, Chinese students have contributed hugely to Australia's education sector, as they account for one-third of one of the country's pillar industries, bringing in approximately 20 billion Australian dollars ($16 billion) a year. Chinese students enrolled in Australian universities have the right to enjoy a peaceful and friendly school environment. Australia should also show the outside world that it respects people from other cultures.

Unfortunately, the posters are just the latest in a series of China-smearing incidents that have flared up in Australia over the past few months. Posters mocking Chinese property buyers, whom some Australians believe should be held responsible for fueling rising prices in Australia's property market, were seen in Sydney earlier this month. And in June, an Australian TV program falsely accused China of trying to influence the Australian political system by "manipulating" the Chinese community in Australia. To add fuel to the fire, some Australian politicians have talked in an unfriendly manner about China or aired biased and unjust opinions on the territorial disputes involving China and some of its neighbors.

Such a worrying tendency should raise the alarm because, if it remains unchecked, it will undermine the generally good momentum in China-Australia interaction.

Such an ill tendency runs counter to the two governments' efforts to deepen both the scope and the depth of bilateral cooperation. And it does not reflect the ever-increasing interactions of the two economies and their robust people-to-people exchanges.

Generally speaking, China and Australia relations are not plagued by any longstanding issues between them, meaning they should be able to effectively anchor their bilateral ties with friendly cooperation.

Yet, due to the deep-rooted bias harbored by some Australians toward China and the influence of a Cold War mentality, anti-China sentiments do flare up from time to time. It is high time the Australian government countered these undesirable misperceptions that hinder the healthy development of China-Australia ties.
POLICE IN SUIDE COUNTY in Northwest China's Shaanxi province have banned locals from collecting unattended goods after torrential rain caused flooding over the past few days. Beijing News commented on Thursday:

That the local government allocated 250 million yuan ($37 million) for flood control and rescue work and launched a Level 2 emergency response, to some extent, indicates the floods came faster than expected.

It is a shame that some Suide residents chose to take advantage of that and the evacuation of 20,000 people, including many shop owners, to loot the flooded stores.

The looters have no reason to take the things that do not belong to them, not least when they themselves could well fall victim to probably the worst flooding seen in the province for decades. Their wrongdoings must be stopped and they should be held criminally accountable despite the emergency situation.

Some might be tempted to loot unattended shops if there is no one to stop them when a natural disaster strikes. But what they are doing is theft. Looters also risk hampering flood control efforts and endangering public security if they steal emergency supplies and distract the local police from the urgent task of evacuating affected residents and rescuing those in danger.

During previous disasters, rescue and relief efforts have been overshadowed by some ignorant, insatiable people, who saw the misfortune of others as the opportunity to pick up "windfalls". It is a relief that the flood control missions are being carried out smoothly in the province, but those involved in looting will have to pay the price for breaking the law.
LUO JIE/CHINA DAILY

It was 15 minutes before opening time on Wednesday morning, and the entrance for the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution was already packed with visitors, despite the rain.

Marking the 90th founding anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), which falls on Aug. 1, a major exhibition was launched Friday, attracting people from all walks of life.

Featuring major PLA battles, events and historic achievements, the exhibition contains models of the major PLA military equipment in active service, with over 1,000 photos and 1,300 relics and other items on display.

"The museum is expected to accept over 60,000 tourists starting Thursday, when it opens to individual visitors instead of just visitor groups," Luo Qiuping, a museum employee, told Xinhua.

REWINDING OLD MEMORIES

For some older visitors, the exhibits mean much more than just pictures.

"The exhibition reminds me of the old times," said Liu Zhirong, an 85-year-old veteran from China's eastern city of Nanjing, who played his part in the War of Liberation (1945-1949) and the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953).

"I remember the time when we all thought the War of Liberation would take another eight years, but were thrilled to see it end early," he said.

As a scout back in the day, Liu can recall his duties thanks to the display of military technology.

"I could only resort to my senses, memories and drawings for collecting information back then. I'm deeply impressed with all the modern weaponry on display," Liu said.

Liu's sentiments were echoed by Zhao Zhansheng, the son of Zhao Yimin, a former major officer of northeast China's united forces against Japanese aggression.

"I took a lot of pictures of the better preserved relics," said Zhao Zhansheng, 78, with a camera on his neck. "The exhibition is great in the way it chronicles the history of the PLA and our Party."

EDIFYING YOUNG GENERATION

For younger visitors, the exhibition is more about raising interest and nurturing their hobbies.

"The armors and weapons appeal to me a lot," said Huang Jingkai, a 12-year-old from Xiamen City, who urged his father to take him to see the exhibition.

"He has repeatedly expressed his eagerness to the military museum for a long while," his father said.

It was the same for a group of 42 children at kindergartens or primary schools, who are the children of police officers in Beijing.

"They are particularly interested in the weapons on exhibition," said a teacher surnamed Nian in charge of the group.

The weapons were used by generations of PLA soldiers over 90 years, including self-made pistols during the War of Liberation, a model of a cannon that killed a major Japanese officer and others.

"The visit is a part of our summer camp," he added. "We want them to go through patriotic education at a young age."

A STRONGER ARMY

"It's an army of might and civilization," wrote a visitor named Yuan Xing at the exit of the museum, where visitors can take a seat and write down their views of the exhibition and the PLA.

"People are very keen on taking the time to drop some words," a museum employee said.

"It's a genuine education in patriotism, which I'll keep in mind for a very long time," wrote another visitor.

As for Liu Zhirong, with the PLA 90th anniversary drawing near, the exhibition is a necessity.

"It's important for China to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the PLA, because we shouldn't forget history," he said.

"Numerous people sacrificed for the PLA's missions, and every one of them had a notable legacy," said Ma Zhijiang, an amateur photographer.

"I hope the PLA will further develop its science and technology, as the significance of military scientific research is always getting bigger," Zhao Zhansheng added.

Liu, who joined the army at the age of 13, agreed.

"The PLA should continue on the path of modernization, and focus more on independent innovation to build a stronger army," he said.
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven attends a news conference at Rosenbad, the Swedish government headquarters, in Stockholm, Sweden July 27, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

STOCKHOLM - Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven announced on Thursday that he would reshuffle cabinet over an IT security scandal.

At a press conference, Lofven announced that the interior and infrastructure ministers would leave their posts, over the IT security scandal.

"I will not put Sweden into a political crisis...I take responsibility for the country," Lofven said. He refused to requests of a full government resignation.

The defence minister, however, despite being under pressure by the opposition, kept his post.

Confidential information, including the country's driver's license registry with photos, as well as sensitive information about bridges, subways, roads and ports in Sweden, was available to IT personnel working in the Czech Republic and Serbia through an outsourcing agreement between Sweden's Transport Agency and global IT company IBM, Swedish public television broadcaster SVT reported.

SVT reported that in 2015 the Transport Agency decided to outsource the management of its vehicle and drivers' license registers to IBM. The databases also contain information about police and military vehicles, as well as data on anybody who has a driver's license.

In 2015, IBM decided to place the IT administration in eastern Europe, giving personnel who have no security clearance access to sensitive information, SVT reports.

The former director general of Sweden's Transport Agency Maria Agren bypassed several laws designed to protect sensitive information to go ahead with the outsourcing agreement with IBM, according to the SVT reports. Agren was fired in January.
A demonstrator is detained at a rally during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 27, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

CARACAS - The US government ordered family members of employees at its embassy in Venezuela to leave on Thursday as a political crisis deepened ahead of a controversial vote critics contend will end democracy in the oil-rich country.

Violence continued to rage on the street, with another seven people killed during the latest opposition-led strike against President Nicolas Maduro's planned election for a powerful new Constituent Assembly on Sunday.

Adding to Venezuela's growing international isolation, Colombian airline Avianca suddenly stopped operations in the country on Thursday due to "operational and security limitations".

Maduro's critics were planning to pile more pressure on the unpopular leftist leader by holding roadblocks across the nation dubbed "The Takeover of Venezuela" on Friday.

"We're going to keep fighting, we're not leaving the streets," said opposition lawmaker Jorge Millan.

The government banned protests from Friday to Tuesday, raising the likelihood of more violence in volatile Venezuela. Many people have been stocking up food and staying home.

As well as ordering relatives to leave, the US State Department on Thursday also authorized the voluntary departure of any US government employee at its compound-like hilltop embassy in Caracas.

President Donald Trump has warned his administration could impose economic sanctions on Venezuela if Maduro goes ahead with the vote to create the legislative superbody.

The Constituent Assembly would have power to rewrite the constitution and shut down the existing opposition-led legislature, which the opposition maintains would cement dictatorship in Venezuela.

Over 100 people have died in anti-government unrest convulsing Venezuela since April, when the opposition launched protests demanding conventional elections to end nearly two decades of socialist rule.

Reuters
A commuter train is seen crashed into a railway buffer in Barcelona's Francia station, Spain July 28, 2017 in this still image from a video obtained from social media. [Photo/Agencies]

MADRID  Emergency services say some 50 people have been injured when a morning commuter train crashed into the buffers in a station in northeastern Barcelona.

The Catalan regional emergency services said 48 people were treated and 18 taken to city hospitals, five of them in serious condition, following the accident Friday at Francia station on the northern side of the city.

Television images showed many passengers being tended to on the ground in the station.

The train driver was among those seriously injured.

The train had left the southern coastal town of Sant Vicenc de Calders and arrived at Francia station at 7.15 am (0515 GMT).

AP
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif looks out the window of his plane after attending a ceremony to inaugurate the M9 motorway between Karachi and Hyderabad, Pakistan February 3, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's top court on Friday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from office after a damning corruption probe into his family wealth, cutting short his third stint in power.

The Supreme Court dismissed Sharif after an investigative panel alleged his family could not account for its vast wealth. The court also ordered a criminal investigation against the premier and his family.

"He is no more eligible to be an honest member of the parliament, and he ceases to be holding the office of prime minister," Judge Ejaz Afzal Khan said in court.

Sharif, 67, has always denied any wrongdoing and has dismissed the investigation into him as biased and inaccurate.

Sharif's allies have alleged there was a conspiracy to unseat him.

"This is not accountability, it is revenge," tweeted Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq hours before the verdict was announced. "In an effort dislodge us, the democratic system has been made a target."

Sharif's two previous stints in power were also cut short, including by a military coup in 1999, but he came back from exile to win a resounding victory in the 2013 general elections.

His ruling PML-N party, which has a majority in the parliament, is now expected to appoint a new prime minister.

Reuters
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif speaks during a joint news conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 12, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan's top court on Friday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over corruption charges.

A five-member larger bench of Supreme Court in an unanimous decision also ordered the country's anti-corruption body to formally register corruption case against the prime minister in six weeks and decide the case within six months.

The court also disqualified the country's Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, as well as Safdar, the husband of the PM's daughter Maryam Nawaz, according to the order. Safdar is a member of the parliament.

The apex court advised the president to take steps for the election of a new prime minister.

The court ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan to issue a notification and de-notify the prime minister from the seat of the National Assembly, the lower house of the parliament.

The Supreme Court ruled that the prime minister has failed to reveal his assets and that he is no more a trusted man under the provisions in the country's constitution.

Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf, the government lawyer, told reporters that the court has disqualified Sharif forever. He said there is no law to appeal against this verdict.

The court also ordered the National Accountability Bureau to register cases against the PM's sons - Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz, daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Safdar.

Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb described the verdict as "unfortunate" and said Nawaz Sharif will remain leader of the PML-N party. She said the gov't legal team is reviewing all aspects of the verdict.
MOSCOW -- Russia will scale down US diplomatic staff in Russia to 455 people and seize a US warehouse and a recreational compound known as a "dacha" in Moscow in retaliation for Washington's anti-Russian actions, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.

"We ask the US side to bring the number of diplomatic and technical staff working in the US Embassy in Moscow and to the consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok, in exact correspondence with the number of Russian diplomats and technical staff in the United States," it said in a statement.

This means that the total number of personnel employed in US diplomatic and consular offices in Russia should be reduced to 455 people by Sept. 1, the statement said, without disclosing the current number.

Moscow will also suspend the use of a warehouse and a dacha in Moscow's prestigious district of Serebryany Bor from Aug. 1 by the US Embassy, it said.

If Washington further cuts the number of Russian diplomats in the United States or takes other unfriendly measures, Russia reserves the right to give a mirror response, said the ministry.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has personally authorized the Foreign Ministry statement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif speaks during a joint news conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 12, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

ISLAMABAD - Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Friday quit as prime minister after the Supreme Court disqualified him over corruption charges.

The court had ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan to de-notify Nawaz Sharif as member of the parliament.

In a formal reaction to the court's verdict, the spokesman for the ruling party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party said that despite "serious reservations over the contents of the petition and different stages until the court's verdict, it has been decided that the court verdict will be implemented."

"The Prime Minister Mr Nawaz Sharif immediately relinquished powers as prime minister," the spokesman said in a statement issued by the PM's office.

He said "all legal and constitutional requirements of fair trial have been badly trampled. Injustice has been done with us. History will make its own decision on this verdict."

The court had also ordered the country's anti-corruption body National Accountability Bureau to start formal criminal proceedings against the PM, the country's finance minister and two sons, daughter and son-in-law of the prime minister for allegedly concealing their property abroad.
The Texas House of Representatives recently passed a measure that would require abortion facilities to report botched abortion procedures.

LifeNews.com reports that the House passed the measure by a vote of 97-46. A second procedural vote is required before the bill can move forward.

This is not the first pro-life bill passed by Texas lawmakers this month. Texas pro-life gov. Greg Abbott has even called for a special session to discuss pro-life legislation.

The recently passed bill, known as House Bill 13, would require that abortion facilities report:

Maternal death

Uterine perforation

Infection

A baby born alive after a failed abortion

The bills sponsor, Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake), said the purpose of the bill is to ensure that abortion facilities are being transparent and providing information to the public.

The bills aim, said Capriglione, is to makeavailable data for research andquite frankly, for women who want to know what the actual real complication rate is for these procedures. Everybody wants to make educated decisions.

Abortion clinics and advocates oppose the bill and claim that it is unnecessary because abortion facilities are safe. However, supporters of the bill and pro-life advocates say that there is not enough information on the safety of abortion clinic practices, and that is precisely why this bill is necessary.

Photo: Anti-abortion protestors gather at a demonstration outside a Planned Parenthood office on February 11, 2017 in Washington, DC. Protests were held around the country calling on the government to defund Planned Parenthood.

Photo courtesy: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Publication date: July 28, 2017
On July 30, 1967, a teenage girl went with her sister to a beach on the Chesapeake Bay and suffered a diving accident that rendered her quadriplegic. Today, Joni Eareckson Tada leads an international ministry, advocates for those with disabilities, and is a sought-after speaker, best-selling author, and radio host. This weekend marks the 50-year anniversary of the accident, and CT connected with Tada to discuss how God has worked in and through her life over the past five decades.

At the time of your diving accident, you were just 17 years old. If you could speak to the young woman you were at that age, what would you most want to say?

As a young girl I was so distracted, enamored, fascinated, infatuated. The world was before me and I had so many options. If I could go back, Id take myself by the shoulders and shake them and say, Look at me, Joni, listen: Love Jesus more, obey him more. Follow him more closelynot at a distance. Dont second guess the Holy Spirits whispers and convictions in your heart. Dont make your own decisions without checking in with Godfollow him much more closely.

How do you feel as you reflect back over the past 50 years?

Just the other day I was reading 1 Peter 5:10 [ESV], where Peter says, After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace  will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you. Honestly, Im amazed that the last 50 years feel like only a little while. Maybe God does that when we finally do love Jesus more, when we finally do follow him more closely. Maybe he erases all the horror, all the despair, all the depression of the past when we learn how to trust God. He pushes ...

1
A once-in-a-lifetime glimpse inside Raphaels creative process

Co-curator Dr. Ben Thomas tells Florence Waters about a stunning new exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford which shines new light on the Renaissance Masters drawings

Raphael: The Drawings brings together 120 of the artists exquisite drawings  a third of his extant works on paper  to Oxford from collections around the world. Its a highly intimate exhibition, revealing the interests and pleasures of the artist, and locating drawing as the place in which the artists creativity was at its most spontaneous. The curators of the show want to familiarise audiences with the Renaissance masters language of drawing, to show how he used it for brainstorming. They introduce the artists wide vocabulary of styles and techniques, showing how the stabbing of a pencil, the scratch of metalpoint or the gentle shaping of chalk helped him to achieve subtle emotive tension in his subjects. The exhibition pulls the viewer into a very direct relationship with the act of creation. Here, co-curator Dr. Ben Thomas explains how he and Dr. Catherine Whistler have bypassed conventional thinking about Renaissance drawing in an attempt to shine fresh light on the artist.

Open a larger version of this image A Man Carrying an Older Man on His Back, c. 1513-14. Red chalk. 30 x 17.3 cm.  Albertina Museum, Vienna Open a larger version of this image Putto Holding the Medici Ring, c. 1513-14. Black chalk with white heightening, later framing lines in black chalk. 33.8 x 19.3 cm.  Teylers Museum, Haarlem

Raphael: The Drawings is an unusually presented exhibition, with little in the way of biography. Why is that? Dr. Ben Thomas: We wanted the focus to be insistently on the drawings, to see them less as documents of commission, but rather as a direct way of getting inside Raphaels creative process. We set out to unlearn certain art-historical assumptions. Instead of looking at the drawings as if they were explained by the end product  the painting  we saw them as moments in time in which the artist is trying to discover the potential for a creative act. You get a sense that he was constantly developing a language in his drawing, whether using a blunt pen outline, gently moulding, tracing, or sketching BT: The working title for the research project was Raphael and the Eloquence of Drawing. His drawing is eloquent in two senses: in a rhetorical sense definitely, but also as an index of a physical action on the part of the artist  the speed, the pressure of his hand, sometimes tentative, sometimes incredibly assured.

Open a larger version of this image Study for Adam in the Disputa, c. 1508-10. Chalk and/or charcoal with white heightening. 35.7 x 21.2 cm.  Gallerie degli Uffizi, Gabinetto dei Disegni e delle Stampe, Florence Open a larger version of this image Studies for the Figure of Christ, c. 1507. Pen and brown ink over leadpoint. 28.5 x 16.2 cm.  Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

Was this intuitive or studied do you think? BT: Its been fascinating to work out that dynamic between the artist constructing things from learnt conventions, and also from moments of inspiration, when just the rhythm of the hand on the page has led to something slightly different. Did you do any drawing for this research? BT: Yes, we all did, and learnt a lot. Our notebooks are full of woefully inadequate copies! Raphael was indebted to his older contemporaries Michelangelo and Leonardo. Was there rivalry? BT: Raphael is restlessly trying to find the most expressive forms he can. That means hes open to taking things from other artists. In his drawings hell unpack them, stress-test them, absorb them. Tension is something that he liked about Leonardos art; the sense of coiled emotion, an eruptive moment about to happen.

Open a larger version of this image Study Inspired by Michelangelos David, c. 1504-5. Pen and brown ink over traces of black chalk. 39.6 x 21.9 cm.  Trustees of the British Museum

Raphael has always seemed a bit aloof to me, and yet the work on show is surprisingly emotional. BT: There is a tendency to think of Raphael as perfect; the epitome of grace. When Joshua Reynolds went to see the Raphael frescoes in Rome he famously said that he had to pretend to like them  until he actually started to like them. I think the emotional range of Raphaels art is more evident in the drawings. And theres humour, too. BT: He is humorous. Thats another of his devices. He will sometimes rethink an idea in a different genre  take a tragic image such as the carrying of Christ, for example, and try it out comically.

Open a larger version of this image The Virgin with the Pomegranate, c. 1504. Black chalk with compass indentation for the halo. 41.2 x 29.4 cm.  Albertina Museum, Vienna

And, of course, hes a great storyteller. BT: The Madonna and Child is one of the basic motifs for Italian artists. He wrings out the drama of it in so many variations, as if hes challenged himself: how can one get as much pathos out of that very constrained set of possibilities? Some of the accompanying material to the show describes Raphael as having an imagination fired by contrasts. What do you take that to mean? BT: We see it on sheet after sheet. If theres a nude study he thinks about drapery, if theres a recumbent figure he thinks about an active figure... Hes constantly seeing how he can orchestrate his composition to find counterpoints.

Open a larger version of this image Head of a Muse, c. 1510-11. Black chalk over pouncing and some blind stylus. 30.5 x 22.2 cm.  Private collection
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U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry repeated the assertion Friday that scientists have not conclusively determined the extent to which human activity is driving global climate change. He also emphasized the need to continue developing fossil fuels in addition to renewable energy sources.

"Sometimes the wind doesn't blow," the former Texas governor said during an appearance at a manufacturing plant in Waller. "Sometimes the sun doesn't shine."

Perry didn't confine his comments, during a town hall-style meeting at the massive new Daikin air-conditioning facility northwest of Houston, to areas specifically in the purview of the Department of Energy. They included topics like health care, foreign investment and even President Donald Trump's recent tweet announcing the armed services would no longer "accept or allow" transgender troops to serve.

Perry, a former Air Force officer, said he supports such a ban because the military shouldn't have to cover gender-reassignment surgeries. So far, Trump's Wednesday morning tweet has not been put into effect.

Speaking on climate change, Perry acknowledged that "the climate is changing, it's been changing for centuries," and that human activity has driven some change. But he rejected the idea that "the science is settled" on just how much.

He called for more conversation on the topic, noting that the U.S. is among the world's leaders in reducing emissions.

RELATED: On outskirts of Houston, giant HVAC plant employs thousands

In addition to energy-related policy matters such as nuclear waste, climate change and grid security, Perry also addressed hot topics like health care and foreign investment.

"If I have an opinion about it, I'm not going to be quiet about it," he said. "I'm going to talk to the American people about things outside the Department of Energy."

He praised Daikin as a "another international company that's putting Texans to work," and said competitive U.S. policies on taxes, regulations, laws and education were key to attracting such foreign investment. Education in particular, he said, helps build a skilled workforce.

Goodman Manufacturing CEO Takeshi Ebisu, who oversees the new Daikin plant, has cited the Houston area's skilled engineering workforce as a prime reason to build the plant, the nation's second-largest industrial building, outside Houston.

The deal was among the biggest in recent memory for Houston. The $417 million, 94-acre manufacturing and distribution facility will employ 5,000 people. Daikin, a 93-year-old, $24 billion Japanese maker of heating and air conditioning units, opened its North American headquarters in Waller this year after buying Houston-based Goodman Manufacturing for $3.7 billion in 2012.

Perry said that as governor he helped to create the regulatory climate that's attracted this kind of foreign investment in Texas.

Finally, Perry called for a new solution to nuclear waste storage, saying 38 states have storage facilities, "some of them not very well protected."

"Let's get on with this," he said. "We need to stop kicking the can down the road."
Amazon is giving little indication of its plans for Whole Foods Market even as analysts seek to determine the implications of the proposed $13.7 billion acquisition.

The e-commerce giant fielded questions on Thursday about its plans for the Austin-based upscale grocer during its second-quarter earnings call, the first since the merger announcement last month. Analysts at the time speculated that Amazon would use Whole Foods' network of 460 stores as distribution hubs to greatly expand its grocery delivery service.

Baird analyst Colin Sebastian asked how the pending acquisition might affect the company's strategy for AmazonFresh, a grocery delivery service available to Amazon Prime members in a limited number of cities.

In response, Amazon CFO Brian Olsavsky addressed grocery delivery more broadly, saying the company believes there will be "no one solution."

He said the company is experimenting with physical pickup points at Amazon Go, a grocery store concept it's testing in Seattle. It's also considering delivery methods with AmazonFresh and Prime Now, a two-hour delivery service available to Amazon Prime members in 50 cities worldwide.

"We'll see how customers respond," he said. "We like the response that we've seen so far."

RELATED: Amazon's Whole Foods acquisition to have industrywide impact

The combination of Amazon and Whole Foods, which has 10 Houston-area stores, will likely give the hyper-competitive supermarket industry far greater online potential. The grocery sector has remained largely tied to brick-and-mortar stores as other parts of the retail industry succumb to e-commerce pressure.

The merger could have particular implications for Houston's cutthroat grocery market, where many major retailers have capitalized on the area's population growth.

Amazon has expanded at breakneck speed in recent years. It expects to open a massive warehouse this summer in the Pinto Business Park at the southwest corner of Interstate 45 and Beltway 8, and it recently announced plans for another fulfillment center in Katy.

RELATED: Sears announces plans to sell Kenmore brand on Amazon

The company on Thursday reported that revenue increased 25 percent to $38 billion in the second quarter. But its profits fell 77 percent to 197 million as it invested heavily in expanding its distribution network.
It's the first time that one of Houston's iconic restaurant brands has ventured outside of the Houston city limits. So when Goode Company decided to move to the Woodlands it didn't do so with caution or trepidation.

Goode went in big: Two restaurants at the same address.
Twenty years after the first edition was published in 1996, Frederic Remington: A Catalogue Raisonne II provides seven new essays on the artist and an updated appraisal of his body of work. The revised edition also boasts a companion website, which maintains a regularly updated list of authenticated two-dimensional works and serves as a key resource for scholars, collectors and enthusiasts. It is nominated for a High Plains book award in the art and photography category.

Editor and foremost Remington scholar, Peter Hassrick, provides the volumes introductory essay, which recounts the history of the raisonne and the authentication committees findings to date and offers updated examples and categorical analysis of the types of inauthentic works examined since 1996. Hassricks original co-author, Melissa Webster Speidel, discusses the relationship between Howard Pyle and Remington during the Golden Age of Illustration. Her in-depth link between personality and ideology is similar to the approach taken by Laura F. Fry in her essay on Remington and William F. Buffalo Bill Cody. Sarah E. Boehme ties Remington to place and the landscape of Taos, New Mexico, while Doyle L. Buhler and B. Byron Price delve deep into the artists prolific output on the subjects of the horse and hunting, respectively. Ron Tyler unpacks Remingtons meaning laden descriptive, men with the bark on, to suggest a link between the universally understood west and its heroic characters.
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Partnerships between federal immigration agents and local police have boomed in 2017 - growing to a whopping 60 agencies in 18 states, according to a large batch of new contracts recently posted on Immigration and Customs Enforcement's website.

Eighteen Texas sheriffs departments are now approved to partner in ICE's so-called 287(g) program - by far the most agencies of any state. By comparison, only three Texas departments partnered with ICE in 2016 - and Harris County, the largest of the three, dropped the program earlier this year citing costs and civil rights concerns.

Officers from all of the new partner agencies - including Galveston, Montgomery and Waller County sheriff's offices in the Houston suburbs - will receive additional training and computers they can use to cross-check immigration data banks for people who are arrested and processed in local jails for anything from a traffic ticket to murder.

Story continues below ...

Other newly-approved Texas partners include rural sheriffs whose turf runs along a major highway corridor that stretches south from Houston to the US-Mexico border.

The 287(g) partnerships, a program under which ICE provides training to teach local officers how to consult its data banks and how to question detainees about their immigration status in local lock-ups, had declined under President Barack Obama.

But the partnerships have attracted renewed interest particularly from Texas agencies under pro-detention and deportation policies announced by President Donald Trump.

ICE held a ceremony in Grapevine, Texas Monday to mark the milestone. Acting ICE Director Thomas Homan shared the stage there with several Texas sheriffs signing new contracts.

"I'm proud to stand alongside these sheriffs who are taking decisive action to join ICE in an important effort to enhance the safety of their communities," Homan said. "By partnering with ICE's 287(g) program, each of these counties will be able to identify criminal aliens in their jails and turn them over to ICE, once their criminal process is complete. It is common sense partnerships like these that help law enforcement achieve our mutual goals, and I'm encouraged by the increased interest from law enforcement professionals who seek to join this program and protect public safety."

The partnerships get their name from section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act that authorizes them. Local sheriffs who applied for the program in 2017 said they were excited about getting additional help to screen inmates for potentially dangerous immigrants or fugitives and better protect public safety. In an interview, Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset said his agency may send as many as 10 officers for training and tools needed to "confirm who individuals are before we release them" and determine whether they're wanted by federal immigration agencies or anyone else.

Texas now has by far the most partnerships of any state with 19, including Carrollton Police Department, which already had an older ICE contract. By comparison just three Arizona law enforcement agencies currently have 287(g) partnership. Only the Orange County Sheriff's office currently partners with ICE in California. Copies of the contracts can be found online.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzales still honors ICE detainer requests, but no longer dedicates 10 deputies to the county's jail-based ICE partnership full-time at an annual cost of $675,000.

Nationally, the program has grown from 38 departments in February to 60 as of Friday, based on ICE contract postings. By comparison, ICE noted in a press release that only six new agreements had been added between 2012-2016 and more expansion is planned.

The ACLU had urged ICE not to approve the applications of many of those Texas departments. ACLU lawyers and other civil rights advocates have argued that ICE's detainer program even without additional local law enforcement already leads to civil rights violations and wrongful detentions and deportations through data mix-ups and errors.

Civil rights attorneys have raised concerns about Texas jail conditions and noted that several of the 287(g) partners - including Montgomery County - separately earn income from housing ICE detainees through detention contracts, giving agencies a profit motive to find reasons to detain more people longer.

Astrid Dominguez, immigrant rights strategist for the ACLU of Texas, said Friday she doesn't believe that having local law enforcement do ICE work will make communities any safer.

She said she worries the partnerships "will divert resources from essential public safety."

This story has been updated to reflect information released by ICE after it was first posted.
A woman found her boyfriend stabbed to death in north Houston Thursday evening and then left the scene, according to the Houston Police Department.

The man was found around 7:10 p.m. in the 200 block of Cockerel. When the girlfriend found him dead, she left the scene prior to police arriving.
Two men were ordered to remain in custody Thursday after working together to traffic teens in the Houston area, Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez announced Thursday.

Jamine Lake, 27, and Ronnie Presley, 35, allegedly tried to traffic three teens in the Bissonet area, according to information presented in court. Lake was arrested on July 19, while Presley was arrested July 26.
Dear Abby:

My 18-year-old daughter has just graduated from high school. She has now informed me that she's not going on to college, like we had previously discussed, and becomes upset when we try to talk to her. My question is, should we let her make her own decision about this - and pay for it for the rest of her life - or continue to push her into some kind of life skill set?

Life Skills in Missouri

Dear Life Skills:

Your daughter may be burned out from studying. Rather than "push" her into doing something she is sure to resent, consider allowing her to take a gap year.

This does not mean it should be spent resting on her laurels or her fanny. She might benefit from getting a job and learning what the real world is like. It would give her time to mature and, after spending a year in a lower-paying job, she may begin to appreciate the wisdom of furthering her education for the financial benefit it brings.

Dear Abby:

I have had a weight problem all my life. What makes it harder is that I have a sister a year younger who can't gain a pound. She has always been the "hot one" and the center of attention. People she has introduced me to have actually said, "I can't believe you're sisters" instead of "Nice to meet you."

Of course, my sister is married, while I am still single. I hate being around her because I feel like a slug. I'm more physically active than she is, and I eat healthier. I'm not ugly, but I feel that way around her. Do you have any advice on handling this?

In Her Shadow in Maryland

Dear In Her Shadow:

For starters, stop comparing yourself to your sister. You are overdue for reviewing your own assets as an individual.

You may not be as "metabolically blessed" as your slender sister, but that doesn't mean you don't have important qualities that she doesn't share. Figure out what those are, "polish" them, and you will discover you are a successful person in your own right.

If you think your not being married is a drawback, it's time you understood that marriage isn't a goal; it is only a beginning. It's a partnership, hopefully a successful one, but it's not a guarantee of success in any area.

Dear Abby:

My son volunteers teaching classes at a community center and is generous about assisting anyone with anything he is capable of. But when it comes to helping his wife and family, he never has time because he's always helping strangers. I believe his giving should begin at home. How can we get him to see the light?

Do-Gooder's Mom

Dear Do-Gooder's Mom:

While I agree that charity should begin at home, your daughter-in-law should address this with your son, not you. Suggest she begin by asking him why the psychic gratification he receives from helping strangers seems to be greater than what he feels from helping family. His answer should be an interesting jumping-off place for the discussion that ensues. Everybody needs to feel important, and strangers may be more inclined to express their gratitude.

DearAbby.comDear Abby P.O. Box 69440 Los Angeles, CA 90069Andrews McMeel Syndication
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Reggie Van Lee stretches his long legs out from a plush chair in his spacious Wharton home to talk about his home and his life.

His sisters are buzzing around with their children and grandchildren as others move chairs, set up tables and prepare food for a party to mark the birthday and retirement of Van Lee's brother-in-law, Mark Szafarz.

Van Lee takes it all in, smiling as his niece, Emily Szafarz, scurries after her 18-month-old son, Tommy, who's run off with a balloon.

The 59-year-old created this place - so much more than a home - so his family could live together. The idea was hatched years ago when he was a student at MIT in Boston.

One of many brushes with celebrity throughout his life, Van Lee and Caroline Kennedy had a mutual friend, and she invited the two to visit Hyannis Port one weekend.

He was a sophomore in college - not long out of the protective shell of his tight-knit family in Houston's Sunnyside neighborhood - and he was awestruck.

Someday, he told himself, he wanted to build a place to share with his sisters and his parents.

It took a while, but he did. His dream has come full circle.

His sister Tommye Szafarz knew all along that it could someday happen. Their parents were aging and needed help, then their sister Eva Watkins became ill, and someone said, "Wouldn't it be great if we were all in one place?"

"When Reginald starts a project, everyone knows at some point it will come to fruition," she said. "Once he sets his mind on a project, it is going to happen."

Today, he and his three sisters and brother-in-law share a one-level, 20,000-square-foot home on land in Wharton that was purchased by their great-grandmother Susan Freeman Jones Jefferson in 1899.

They're all in

A grand piano shares space with artwork just off the foyer, capped with a glittery Hudson chandelier dripping with strands of gold chain. To the other side is their banquet hall, a giant dining area usually set up with a table for 24.

Today, though, it's where the party will be later in the afternoon.

A huge living room filled with curvy Christopher Guy chairs and sofas arranged in several small groupings is the center of the home. There's also a grotto bar for refreshments, plus a huge kitchen with two islands and enough cabinet and cooking space for a small restaurant.

Designed by architect John Sullivan of Sullivan, Henry, Oggero and Associates in Spring Valley, the 300-foot-wide home is a series of intimate spaces connected by halls and art-filled galleries.

Elsewhere is more private space, with quarters for Van Lee and Corey McCathern, his husband of nearly six years, on the north side of the home.

On the south side are "casitas," small apartments for his sisters - Carolyn Conner, Tommye Szafarz and her husband, Mark, and Anita Lee - all accessed by a common hallway. Another sister, Eva Watkins, died during construction; a chapel in the home is named in her honor.

A small hair salon was created on the sisters' side because Van Lee didn't want them to have to drive all the way to Houston every week or so to get their hair done. Instead, a niece who owns the salon Mass Appeal drives down to take care of them.

If he'd been able to persuade his 98-year-old aunt, Maggie Jefferson Prince, to leave Houston for Wharton, she'd be here, too. A guest room is waiting just for her, decked out in bold neoclassical Versace style.

"She's set in her ways. She said to me, 'You know no one will come out there,' " Van Lee said, mimicking the voice of his elderly aunt. "But people come, and sometimes they bring suitcases."

Tommye Szafarz said the large family home is a product of their upbringing. "That is my mother's influence. She taught us that all you have is your family, and you have got to stick together. It was very important to her, and that's why we do it."

The north side of the home is opulent, filled with art that Van Lee has collected through dealers and his world travels.

One area meant to be a spa - a sauna, massage room and prep room - is now a guest area for visitors. Further inside are a tiny kitchen ("Kitchens are for refrigerating and microwaving," he said) and a larger living/dining area where Van Lee holds court with friends.

Decorating the home has been the work of Van Lee's longtime interior designer, Philip Sheffield of Sheffield Design Group, who finds himself at the home a few times a month, tweaking arrangements, hanging art or placing new accessories.

"I'm still a little nervous sometimes, but Reggie just says, 'You know what I like,' " Sheffield said. "With that comes a lot of responsibility. We've become friends over the years, of course."

Van Lee loves color, bold style and dramatic design. Sheffield cites neoclassical as Van Lee's favorite style, and pieces by his late friend Gianni Versace are scattered throughout his home.

"There's a story behind every piece," Van Lee said as he pointed to a large artwork on one wall. "I got this in Vietnam when we were on one of my birthday trips. We walked in this gallery, and this piece was suspended from the ceiling. I said 'I want this,' and they said, 'It's not for sale.' I said, 'Everything's for sale.' "

Much of his art is purchased through dealers, and most is by African-American artists. A patron of the arts, he is a trustee of the Studio Museum of Harlem and the Washington Ballet and has supported many arts and dance groups.

He has pieces by esteemed artists such as Frank Bowling and Norman Lewis, but his eclectic taste also brings in sculpture by Kehinde Wiley and stenciled glyphs by Cheryl Riley.

Hallways and galleries leading to his sisters' casitas are filled with more, a big piece by Gregory Coates made of chicken feathers painted pink, a series of photos mixed with paint by Cedric Smith and a collection of subtle portraits of black women by Chris Shelton among them.

Five mothers

Van Lee's love of his sisters, all retired teachers, runs deep. The youngest, he jokes that he was raised by five mothers.

He and his sisters had strict, God-fearing parents - Tommie Lee, a postal worker, and Eva Elnora Jefferson Lee, a nurse - who instilled the virtues of honesty and respect. At school, academics were more important than extracurricular activities. If he's in town on weekends, he still attends the family church, Blue Ridge United Methodist.

Instead of attending ball games in high school, Van Lee was active in the Slide Rule Club and participated in the science fair, speech and drama. "I was a nerd," he said matter-of-factly.

"We were all nerds," Conner chimed in.

He was watching "Star Trek" one day, and there was a reference to MIT. "What's MIT?" he asked his mother.

She didn't know, but they figured it out, and that's when Van Lee decided that he would attend MIT. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees there and later earned an MBA from Harvard. Van Lee loved his years in Boston and later served as a trustee at MIT; this year he received its Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award.

He worked for Exxon for a couple of years, then shifted to Booz Allen Hamilton where he worked for 32 years, retiring as an executive vice president in its Washington office.

He worked in Houston for a while but spent many years in New York and Washington, D.C. He traveled the world for his employer, meeting his husband on a trip to Milan. The couple has been together 14 years.

McCathern was working as a model in Italy and later became a personal trainer. For the past four years, he's owned a fried chicken joint, Corey's Soul Chicken, in Milan.

A touch of whimsy

From a travertine-lined patio, visitors look out beyond a cool blue pool to a different backyard diversion. There's a catfish pond and a vintage RV, a sparkling 1960s Avion that Lee had shipped to Wharton just for fun. A few years ago, Sheffield stepped in again to revamp the whole thing, including plush custom-made pullout beds and a pullout dining table.

It doesn't get much use, except when the grandkids head out back for the afternoon. They fish for a while and then head to the trailer.

"They call it camping," Sheffield said. "They have no idea they're napping on Italian sheets and Versace pillows."
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When most of us tackle a home makeover, we might start at Home Depot and end up at IKEA. Not Erin Lobosco.

A DIY decorator with an uncanny capacity for creative visualization, a sharp eye for a quality bargain and the impish charm of a good haggler, she hits everything from flea markets and estate sales to charity resale stores and even shopper extravaganzas such as the Round Top Antiques Fair. Very near and dear to her heart is the Habitat for Humanity Home Center.

The people that work at there know me by name, said Lobosco, 56, whose ice-blue eyes are offset by a neat auburn pageboy. Its a fun house. But more than that, its very ... I dont know ... validating. People think that if youre buying used, youre somehow not getting quality. I think used means quality. And it has a history to go with it. Youre buying local history to have a house you can be proud of, that youve put your own blood, sweat and tears into  thats very satisfying.

After selling her Marmon Mok Architecture-designed Colonial Hills home of 26 years in 2015, Lobosco and her husband Gerard, a retired lawyer, wanted something that didnt come with a half acre to mow.

But she did want some green space, said Ellen Hagan, Loboscos realtor. They wanted a garage, outdoor space, a community where everybody knows each other, and that can be hard to find in a condo.

Last year, they discovered a 2,200-square-foot, two-story condominium in the Medical Center area. The downside: It was like a trip back to my childhood in the 70s, Hagan said. It was very dark.

It was brown, Lobosco said. But the rooms were all big, and it had high ceilings. It was well built, constructed by H.B. Zachry in 1972. Not a crack in it anywhere. It had good bones.

The condo, which has three bedrooms and three baths, including upstairs and downstairs master suites, was built on a good foundation of timeless terra cotta tile floors. Otherwise, it was a time warp of spindled arches and carpeted stairs.

It had miles and miles of popcorn ceilings, and the fireplace was white, with niches for art, I guess, very Southwestern, Lobosco said.

For around $45,000, including furniture, Lobosco has completely transformed a shadowy space oddity into a bright, classically modern, retro-funky home that is both comfortable and conversation-worthy.

Original art on her walls includes paintings by Franco Mondini-Ruiz and Robert Tatum, two maverick San Antonio artists who see very little light between lowbrow and highbrow.

Its unbelievable, Gerard said. Im very happy. My wife did just an incredible job.

Its a miracle that Erin Lobosco was around to make her mark on the condo.

I suffered a massive stroke when I was 43, said Lobosco, who was a paralegal for 27 years. I lost all my speech, and my left side was paralyzed. I did months and months of therapy, and still do some therapy because I still have a lot of cognitive difficulties that I struggle through all the time. I cant do math, for example, like a tip in a restaurant. I can type, but I cant write. So, doing this house was just exhausting. It was a real test of will. But, if I dont have a creative outlet, I go a little bit nuts.

Almost everything in the condo has an origin story, which Lobosco is proud to share.

The industrial kitchen countertops, for example, were once galvanized metal doors in a commercial warehouse, found at the Habitat for Humanity Home Center, as was the wood-grained ceramic tile used in a fireplace facelift and a headboard in the downstairs master suite.

An anti-gravity Contour chair in the den was the result of a prolonged negotiation with a seller at a flea market in Arkansas (He didnt know what he had, and I got a really good deal, Erin said), and a turquoise vinyl armchair, as well as all the living room furniture, came from the Childrens Shelter Thrift Boutique on South St. Marys Street.

A barn door sliding on a black metal trolley system in the dining room is another Habitat find. It was $75, Lobosco explained. But I didnt like the handle that was on it, so I bought another door for $10 just for the handle.

Loboscos vision is unique, said Bianca Peralta, a marketing associate for Habitat for Humanity.

To see someone transform something and use it for a totally different purpose is incredible, she said. Erin has a vision that not everybody has.

Through material procured by liquidators and its own Wrecking Crew, Habitat Home Centers sell new and used building supplies, furniture, cabinets, appliances and housewares at discounted prices to the public. Proceeds pay administrative costs so that monetary donations go directly to the organizations home-building program.

It comes full circle, said Sarah Inez Arredondo, a Home Center marketing associate. We keep things out of the landfill and offer them to the public at discounted prices. And the thing about our stores is that our inventory is always turning over, so its new stuff.

A Corpus Christi native, Lobosco champions the sustainability factor of repurposing and reusing items and building materials in her home, like her vintage kitchen appliances, all bought at a Habitat Home Center, including an oven/stove/microwave combo ($45), a dishwasher ($10), a refrigerator with icemaker in the door ($215) and a garbage disposal ($15). Theyre dated, but feel right at home.

I even bought the kitchen sink there  its a Koehler, she said. Ten bucks!

Her mom would be proud.

My mom was the original recycler, Lobosco said. With five kids, we lived very frugally. Instead of buying new furniture, my mom would take an upholstery class at the local college. Until middle school, she sewed every stitch of clothing I wore. She even made my dads clothes. I guess I get a lot of it from her.

Realtor Hagan is amazed at the dramatic transfiguration of the condo.

Ive seen so many homes in San Antonio, which cost millions and were professionally decorated, and theyre beautiful, she said. But the quality of this home equals them. And theres so much more because there are so many stories here.

sbennett@express-news.net
The button that could have started a nuclear holocaust is gray -- not red.

I learned this after climbing into a nuclear rocket command silo, 12 floors below ground, and sitting in the same green chair at the same yellow metal console at which former Soviet officers once presided. Here, they practiced entering secret codes into their gray keyboards, pushing the launch button and turning a key -- all within seven seconds -- to fire up to 10 ballistic missiles. The officers never knew what day their practice codes might become real, nor did they know their targets.

This base in Pervomaysk, Ukraine -- about a four-hour drive from Kiev -- once had 86 intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of destroying cities in Europe and the United States. Though the nuclear warheads have been removed, the command silo with much of its equipment, giant trucks that carried the rockets to the base and an empty silo were preserved so that people could see what had been secretly going on at nuclear missile bases in the former Soviet Union. The museum's collection includes the R-12/SS-4 Sandal missile similar to those involved in the Cuban missile crisis and the RS-20A/SS-18 Satan, the versions of which had several hundred times the destructive power of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

"This is what the tourists come to see," said Igor Bodnarchuk, a tour guide for Solo East Travel, a Kiev company that specializes in tours of Soviet ruins. "What else do we have to offer?"

Tourists go to Paris to marvel at the majesty of the Eiffel Tower, to Rome to stroll the cobbled streets of the Vatican, to Moscow to behold the magnificent domes of Red Square. And while Ukraine has its own plethora of domed cathedrals, including monasteries with underground caves, thousands of tourists are trekking to this country for a uniquely Soviet experience. Here, they stand outside an exploded nuclear reactor at Chernobyl and rifle through the remains of a nearby abandoned city -- Geiger counter in hand. In Chernobyl's shadow, they marvel at the giant "Moscow Eye," an anti-ballistic-missile detector that rises 50 stories high and looks like a giant roller coaster.

Every day, a handful of travel companies ferry mostly foreigners to Chernobyl's 19-mile "exclusion zone." In 2016, Solo East Travel hauled 7,500 people there, up from only one trip in 2000.

"It used to be sort of extreme travel," said Sergei Ivanchuk of Solo East Travel. "You were very brave to go to Chernobyl in 2000. Now, not so much."

Ivanchuk insists that people who go to Chernobyl are not morbid. "They are intelligent people who want to learn something new, and are often interested in nuclear power," he said.

Likewise, people who venture to the missile base at Pervomaysk are interested in the Cold War. "It's a place to remember -- like the Holocaust -- about a dangerous time in history and what it means to have nuclear weapons," he said.

Earlier this year Russia deployed a new cruise missile, apparently violating its 1987 arms-control treaty with the United States, making the Soviet ruins in Ukraine seem all the more relevant.

_ _ _

The day I visited the former 46th Rocket Division in Pervomaysk, silver engines gleamed in the sunlight as the temperature edged up to 22 degrees. Sticking out of the snow were missiles reminiscent of the one Major T.J. "King" Kong rode like a rodeo cowboy in the movie "Dr. Strangelove." Nearby was a surface-to-air missile similar to the one that brought down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine in July 2014.

The museum tour guides are all former Soviet officers who once worked at the missile base. Ours, Gennadiy Fil', once manned the nuclear controls. When American tourists dallied, snapping photos of the rockets above ground, he barked, "Ledz go!"

Then he darted through a heavy door of a squat building, down a series of winding stairs and through an underground tunnel, navigating by memory through the narrow, 500-foot-long passageway to the control center in a silo. The narrow cylinder is suspended from the ground -- theoretically, to withstand the shock of a counterattack.

In six-hour shifts, Fil' and another officer would descend in a tiny elevator (maximum capacity: three people) to the bottom of the silo. Stationed at metal consoles in an 11-by-11 control room, they would read secret codes from Moscow that flashed on a computer screen, then quickly tap them into a dingy yellow monitor. Then they pressed a small gray button and turned a key on the opposite side of the terminal to launch up to 10 nuclear rockets at once.

"You don't launch just one missile, because the other side is going to shoot back and destroy you," explained Elena Smerichevskaya, our Ukrainian interpreter. An intercontinental ballistic rocket fired at New York, she explained, would take about 25 minutes to hit its target.

Fil,' 55, said he never knew when he would be ordered to input real codes. It was his job, he said, shrugging. He said he had no moral objections to pushing the button. Launching nuclear missiles was a "political decision," something that people on top of the ground decided, not him.

He admitted that he feared the possibility of nuclear war. "You'd have to be crazy in the head not to be scared," he said.

But just in case Fil' or a fellow officer (two officers were required to launch a rocket) refused to push their buttons, reserve officers could be called up from a compartment beneath the control center.

For officers like Fil', there were both mental and physical challenges. The compartments were hermetically sealed, and Fil' said there was immense pressure on their ears. There were also concerns about the psychological impact of being isolated in the chambers. While the Soviets kept enough food and water on hand for 45 days, some men started to become batty after only two or three days inside the silo bunker, Smerichevskaya said.

While Fil' is glad the world didn't implode under his watch, he said, he is sad to have lost his job behind the missile controls.

_ _ _

In 1994, three years after Ukraine became independent, it joined the Non-Proliferation Treaty and agreed to dismantle its 1,900 Soviet missiles. At the time, Ukraine boasted the world's third-largest stockpile of nuclear warheads after Russia and the United States. Ukraine shipped its nuclear warheads to Russia and dismantled its silos, often blowing them up or filling them with cement. The control silo at Pervomaysk was the only one spared -- so it could become a museum. The 46th Rocket Division, part of the 43rd Rocket Army, was disbanded in 2001.

As a child growing up in the Cold War who was taught to hide under her school desk in case of a nuclear attack, I found it surreal to meet a man who had had his fingers on the triggers of the Soviet Union's nuclear warheads.

Fil' shakes his head at how things have changed. "I never thought I'd be standing here talking to an American," he said, his eyes wide with amazement. "I never thought I'd be having my picture taken. That was absolutely forbidden. And now . . . it's OK."

The museum claims that its silos are very similar to those still in operation in Russia. The Satan missile is still part of Russia's weaponry, although an improved version is set to be operational in 2018. Before Russia invaded Crimea and backed the separatists' war on Ukraine's eastern front, Russian soldiers frequently took their families to Pervomaysk to show them what they did at work, museum tour guides say. The missile sites in Russia remain secret.

The city of Pripyat was once a secret Soviet city, closed to anyone but workers of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor and their families. Now the city, an hour-and-a-half drive from Kiev, is a nuclear ghost town. Forty-nine thousand people were forced to evacuate the day after Chernobyl's Reactor No. 4 exploded on April 26, 1986.

Nearly all the first responders and soldiers died from radiation poisoning while trying to contain the graphite fire and the radioactive particles spewing from the destroyed reactor, explained Bodnarchuk, our tour guide. Officially, only 31 firemen and soldiers were killed. But some believe that the disaster claimed at least 10,000 lives as wind carried radioactive material into Belarus and Northern Europe.

Even though critics have said that the designs of Chernobyl are outmoded and inherently unsafe, Russia reportedly is still using 11 similar nuclear reactors.

Today, visitors can stand across the street from the damaged reactor at Chernobyl, which recently was covered by a huge, $2.3 billion shield. But the highlight of the tour is, by far, the crumbling city of Pripyat. Though tour operators are warned to stay out of Pripyat's buildings, tourists routinely stomp through the city, including the hospital where dying first responders were taken.

Tourists stick their Geiger counters against tatters of clothing in the hospital lobby and watch their machines shoot up to shockingly high levels -- 85 microsieverts per hour. The normal range is .09 to .30 microsieverts per hour, according to the tour company. Most guides carry their own Geiger counters; many tourists come with their own.

Tour operators claim that a visit to Chernobyl is no more dangerous now than a flight from Ukraine to North America. This calculation includes spending 10 minutes in front of the burned-out reactor and no more than two hours in Pripyat.

Solo East Travel has a video that shows how it came up with such math. Those calculations, however, don't factor in hovering over a firefighter's highly radioactive clothing that has been dug up from deep in the hospital. Nor do they specifically include driving through the red forest near the Chernobyl reactor -- where the radiation burned up all the trees, which were then bulldozed and buried. Our Geiger counters went crazy as we drove through the new-growth forest, registering 26 sieverts per hour.

Our guide tried to calm fears about our exposure to radiation by assuring us that any high levels on our body would be detected by the machines we had to pass through on the way out of Chernobyl's exclusion zone. Those machines -- old Soviet steel contraptions that look like retro airport metal detectors -- hardly inspire confidence.

To amplify tourists' shock, guides have embellished some of the Pripyat remains: Amid hundreds of crumbling gas masks spread over the floor of an elementary school, a baby doll has been placed on a chair -- wearing a gas mask. A hospital nursery has been outfitted with plastic dolls, placed in cribs with blankets, to make the scene appear even more macabre. Outside a village school building, old toys are scattered about. One-eyed teddy bears and dolls with missing limbs sit on bed springs at a village orphanage. Tables are set with plates and pots.

The most eerie scenes include an abandoned amusement park with its empty, lonely-looking Ferris wheel and bumper cars filled with leaves; a swimming pool with cracked tiles, its deep end filled with trash and an old shopping cart; school hallways cluttered with books; school desks laid out with science experiments; posters of Lenin and other Soviet leaders adorning classroom walls; and a broken baby carriage abandoned in a decaying community center.

Visitors are exhausted by the time their tour bus leaves Pripyat and turns down a one-lane road through a thick forest. Hiding there is the Moscow Eye, also known as the "Russian Woodpecker," an enormous metal structure silhouetted against the sky like a vertical Stonehenge.

Using over-the-horizon radar, the Moscow Eye was the receiver for a powerful radio broadcast sent from elsewhere in Ukraine. Some said that the signal's short, repetitive tapping noise sounded like a bird, thus the woodpecker moniker. Others say it sounded more like a machine gun. From 1976, until it went off the air in 1989, the unexplained radio signal interfered with many broadcasts. Listeners speculated that it was a method of Soviet mind control. Only in the past three years have tourists discovered its sublime metal architecture rising from the forest floor near Chernobyl, an anachronistic remnant from a not-so-distant era.

_ _ _

Solo East Travel

Prorizna St., No. 10, Office 105, Kiev

800-893-3153

tourkiev.com

Chernobyl tour: One- or two-day tours in Chernobyl, spending the night at a new hotel in the exclusion zone. Prices range from $79 for a one-day tour with a group to $349 for a two-day tour with an overnight stay. Tours typically include the Moscow Eye as part of the tour.

Missile Base at Pervomaysk tour: All-day tours with English-speaking drivers and guides range from $75 a person with a group of five or more to $300 for a single person private tour. The museum charges about $8 for admittance that is not included in the tour price.
How would the Senate's attempts to replace and repeal Obamacare  which include a provision to defund Planned Parenthood  affect women's health? For the answer, look at Texas, Jia Tolentino writes in the latest edition of The New Yorker.

Conservatives in the Texas Legislature launched their campaign against Planned Parenthood in 2011, Tolentino explains, cutting family-planning spending by two-thirds and banning Planned Parenthood from participating in what was then the state's Medicaid Women's Health Program. It mattered not that the Hyde Amendment had banned the use of federal funds for abortions since 1976. Kicking out Planned Parenthood, Tolentino writes, meant giving up "a nine-to-one federal funding match" and turning away "millions of dollars in spending for women's health care."
A group of Florida A&M sorority sisters celebrated the beauty of the black body with a stunning photo shoot in Costa Rica, Yahoo! Style reports.

Earlier this week, members of the Beta Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta took a three-day trip to the Central American country.
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Through tears, Carla Craig, North Belt Elementary media specialist, recounted a painful memory from her adolescent years.

"You're not smart enough to be an astronaut," Craig was told.

The experience now motivates her to guarantee no child hears those words.

Craig was a kindergarten teacher at North Belt for 19 years and recently assumed a new role with the school as media specialist.

Her first order of business was to give the library at North Belt a much needed face-lift in hopes of creating a space every one of the estimated 650 students who pass through the library find comfortable and inviting.

"It's all for the kids; it's all about the kids," Craig said. "I just always wanted to make them feel a part of everything that I've done."

Craig first took to Facebook, calling on community members to contribute paint-related tools and accessories that can help her vision become a reality.

"I want to make it into a place where kids can come and snuggle up and read a great book, faculty can come and find the books they want for their kids and just make it a place where kids love to come," Craig said.

"Fabulous," "encourage," "incredible," "read," "grow" and "love" are just a few words suggested by Craig's students to decorate the circulation desk in colorful letters in Spanish and English at the center of the library.

"Some kids will say, 'I don't really like reading,' and my response is, 'You just haven't found the right book,'" Craig said.

When students arrive on their first day back to school, they will notice a multitude of changes at their library, one of which is the removal of many desktop computers that have been replaced with iPad minis available for checkout.

"I do want kids to realize that there are other ways to read books and some might prefer to read online, and that might be where they read best," Craig said.

Craig plans to have book clubs in both English and Spanish, an after-school origami club and a book fair.

"When we discussed her moving to that position, she was excited. There is no one else that can ignite a love for reading; she is excited about being the hub of the school," said Christina Morris, principal of North Belt.

The paint, primer, brushes and all other tools were donated by Atascocita Home Solutions owner Joey Janes.

"My biggest thing is I hope that this will freshen things up and give the kids something new and not old and a place that they want to go," Janes said.

Craig and Morris both hope the changes made to the library will rebrand it not only as the school's hub, but also give a coffee shop feel to students to encourage more reading.
The widow of a worker who was killed in a workplace accident involving an industrial sized blender has sued Nabors Drilling USA for negligence, according to a lawsuit filed this week in state district court in Harris County.

Luis Velazquez was working in March at an above ground mud pit at a drilling site in West Texas. He was cleaning the giant metal blades used to stir mud to keep water and dirt from separating when the machine was turned on and the blades began to rotate.
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Petrochemical giant LyondellBasell and special chemical company Huntsman both reported growing profits after making major recent announcements.

LyondellBasell said last week it will move forward with its most expensive project ever, a $2.4 billion plant near the Houston Ship Channel that would become the largest factory of its kind in the world.

Likewise, The Woodlands-based Huntsman previously announced its plans to merge with Swiss company Clariant in an all-stock deal that would create a $14 billion company called HuntsmanClariant - the world's second-largest specialty chemical business.

For the second quarter, LyondellBasell reported its net income jumped 4 percent from last year up to $1.13 billion. Its revenues grew 15 percent up to $8.4 billion. With new projects getting underway and recent expansions already completed, LyondellBasell CEO Bob Patel is projecting a strong second half of 2017 as well.

"With no major maintenance planned for the remainder of 2017, we are well positioned to deliver strong performance from LyondellBasell's global assets," Patel said.

While its profits aren't as large, Huntsman saw its net income grow by more than 90 percent for the second quarter to $167 million versus $87 million a year ago. Huntsman also saw a small revenue hike of 3 percent up to $2.62 billion.

"This is an unprecedented and transformational time for our company," CEO Peter Huntsman said. "Furthermore, having begun our integration planning with Clariant, we are now more confident than ever in our ability to exceed our stated synergy targets, seamlessly integrate these two complementary organizations and create significant value for the combined company's shareholders."
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On Wednesday, July 26, a longtime businessman, husband, father and fierce supporter of law enforcement was remembered and honored with the renaming of the Liberty County Firearms Training Facility to the Paul Brockner Memorial Range.

More than 100 peace officers, county officials, and Brockner's wife and daughters gathered to participate in the christening of the renamed facility following his untimely death earlier in the year.

Brockner and one other brother were riding motorcycles in Columbia, La., after attending the funeral of their other brother when Brockner wrecked. His injuries left him on life support for almost a month before tragically passing away in early March in a Shreveport, La., hospital.

"Oftentimes a person will pass through life while giving so much to so many yet not getting nor asking for credit for their generosity," said Capt. Ken DeFoor with the Liberty County Sheriff's Office.

"This exemplified the qualities of Paul Brockner and his unfailing generosity that affected so many in the law enforcement profession," DeFoor said.

The history of this firearms training facility dates back to 2002 when the present Range Coordinator Royce Wheeler was constable for Pct. 6. He recognized the need for a firearms training facility to address the growing needs of not only his own agency but for the entire law enforcement community in Liberty County.

It was at that point that Paul Brockner, who owned Brock's Logging & Land Clearing business just down FM 1010 from the present range, stepped up and donated one acre of the land he owned to Wheeler to put in a firing range.

It quickly became obvious to both Wheeler and Brockner that more property was needed to establish a quality firing range. Not only did Paul Brockner donate a total of almost nine acres to this effort, but he brought in his own heavy equipment and manpower to level and clear the land and to build the "berms" for the firing backstops and all at no cost, whatsoever, to the Liberty County taxpayers.

"This firearms training facility presently services 22 different law enforcement agencies from the federal, state and local agencies and provides an average of over 40,000 hours of firearms training to these organizations each year and is recognized as one of the best equipped and planned out training facility in southeast Texas," DeFoor said.

Liberty County Commissioners have been supportive in voting this past April to designate this as the Paul Brockner Memorial Range in addition to providing some of the shelter and seating now in place at the range.

Sheriff Bobby Rader spoke to Paul Brockner's wife, Jan, and daughters, Abby Brockner and Drinda Pena, in the presence of those gathered and expressed not only his own appreciation for the unselfish donation made by their husband and father, but he also expressed the appreciation of so many other agencies who use this facility on a daily basis.

"The legacy that Paul Brockner left behind in just this one act of law enforcement and community support will echo for many years in the future because the professional training facility that was a gift from his heart will become a domino effect as it provides increased safety for not only the officers who train here, but for the citizens of their respective communities whom they are sworn to protect in this changing society of increased technology and expectations from the public," Rader said.

"So, Paul, from all your friends in law enforcement and your community, we offer a solemn salute of honor for your generosity, foresight and unfailing support and each time our eyes fall on the sign reading Paul Brockner Memorial Range, we will know you have our backs," the sheriff said.
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Houston's home sales are on pace to set a new record.

According to the Houston Association of Realtors, sales of all property types enjoyed an 8.3-percent year-over-year increase in June. The median price for a single-family home in Houston is not $239,023, and the average sits at more than $304,000.

ZIP CODES: 9 Houston ZIP codes rank among Texas' top 20 priciest when it comes to renting

"June proved to be another phenomenal month for the Houston real estate market with buyers and renters sending volume and pricing into record territory," Houston Association of Realtors chair Cindy Hamann said in a press release. "Between continued strong employment numbers and healthy housing inventory levels, we expect the market to remain vibrant."

As most locals know, the city's outskirts typically offer more bang for your buck.

Story continues below...

Take a look at suburban-Houston homes priced at around $300,000 to see what city's average looks like outside Beltway 8:

3426 Satton Ranch in Katy: Built in 2015, this 2,636-square-foot house has four bedrooms and three baths. The modern kitchen features stylish details and sleek new appliances. Set on a 6,634-square-foot lot, the property has a a large backyard and is zoned to Katy ISD schools.

LEGENDARY REAL ESTATE: Dallas home of late Cowboys coach Tom Landry listed at nearly $1.25 million

4806 Ladona in League City: This 2,594-square-foot house is hosting an open house Aug. 5 from 3 to 5 p.m. The four-bedroom, two-story residence has an open-layout floor plan, with the second floor game room looking over the kitchen and den. Stylish detail add flair to the Mar Bella subdivision property.

75 W. Wading Pond in The Woodlands: A sprawling, 7,811-square-foot lot is the setting for this 2,578-square-foot, four-bedroom house. Built in 2012, the house has a number of custom upgrades and contemporary architectural details. It's zoned to Tomball ISD schools.

HOME ATRIUM: Famed Houston chef's unique Memorial home features glass-covered courtyard

7115 Glenwood in Sugar Land: This 1993 house was been well maintained and seen the addition of a new roof and new appliances recently. The three-bedroom residence has three baths and is situated in Sugar Land's desirable Greatwood subdivision.
A charter bus caught fire early Friday in the I-10 HOV lane, headed westbound, near South Fry.

The blaze started before 7:15 a.m., when a mechanical malfunction in the left rear section of the bus sparked flames.

There were at least 20 passengers on board the bus, which was headed to Monterrey, Mexico, said Capt. Terry Thurman with the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Office.

None of the passengers were injured during the blaze, Thurman added.

The fire prompted a traffic snarl on the freeway, until the bus was towed about 9 a.m. off of the highway.

The bus appears to have been operated by a company called Turimex LLC. Its passengers boarded another bus Friday morning and continued on their route to Monterey.
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Local law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes made an appearance at Texas Roadhouse in Kingwood on Thursday, July 27.

Montgomery County Pct. 4 Constable's Office law enforcement officers helped serve patrons at Texas Roadhouse. All of their tips went to support Special Olympics Texas.

This year, the Tip-A-Cop event raised $3,399, which is $99 more than last year.

"A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out," stated Pct. 4 Constable's Office, Montgomery County Texas on its Facebook page.
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Single-family homes and freshly mowed lawns line the street leading up to Woodland Hills Elementary School at the corner of Little Cedar Drive and Plum Valley Drive in Kingwood.

But with its boarded windows and torn-out fence posts, the property at 2190 Little Cedar Dr. seems out of place among its neighbors in the North Woodland Hills community. It sits next to the elementary school and neighbors said it's been vacant since 2011. It's unclear how the house became vacant, but the Harris County Appraisal District lists the property owner as an estate.

"Every now and then we'll see people go over there for no reason," said Alex Overton, resident of Little Cedar Drive. "There's this lady who actually weirded me out the other day. She was riding her bike crazily in the street, all over, disregarding cars completely. Then, she went into the driveway and disappeared into that house for a while."

Mike McKinzie has lived across the street from the vacant house for years.

He said the house's interior has been defecated in, vandalized and covered in graffiti.

"You wouldn't believe the filth written on the walls," McKinzie said. "They've stolen the air conditioner; they've stolen most of the light fixtures. It's two stories and the stairway up to the second floor is not safe. The rail has been pulled off and it's laying on the living room floor. There's broken glass everywhere. They've broken every window. The mirror over the bar is smashed."

Like Overton, McKinzie has witnessed suspicious visitors approaching and leaving the house.

"I used to sit out on the patio out here, and I'd see people ride a bicycle up to the front door and stop, the door would open, and they would get back on the bicycle and ride down the street," McKinzie said.

He recounted an arrest he said was made at the abandoned property a few years ago.

"They were in the front yard on their knees with handcuffs behind them, and we were applauding," McKinzie said.

For the most part, he said, intruders these days consist mainly of thrill-seeking students acting on dares.

He recalled confronting two middle school students running out of the house. When he questioned one of the students, the boy said he had been dared to retrieve his phone after another student had put it on the second floor of the house.

On another occasion, he encountered a boy who was curious about the house because of a rumor it contained a dead body.

"The kids get in there because it's the 'local haunted house,'" McKinzie said.

McKinzie fears it's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.

He said intrusions at the house have not been as frequent lately since the house has been boarded up and secured. However, McKinzie said, he has made past attempts to secure the property by repairing the fence himself, only to return and find a different section of the fence had been torn down.

The Houston Police Department reported there were no calls for service at the property within the past six months. However, the HPD Kingwood division is aware of and monitoring the situation.

"That house has been vacant for some time, so we have officers that check on that house regularly," said Sgt. David Giannavola with the HPD Kingwood division.

He said the house is secure at this point and the police department is doing what it can to help the situation.

The city of Houston Department of Neighborhoods is the entity working to bring the property into compliance.

"(Tuesday, July 25,) the Department of Neighborhoods dangerous building inspections team inspected the property," stated an email from Evangelina Vigil, public information officer for the department of neighborhoods. "The property was found to be non-compliant and has been referred to our Legal Department for review and processing for a dangerous building hearing."

Further details on the possible hearing are pending.

The vacant house's vicinity to Woodland Hills Elementary School has put the issue on the radar of Humble Independent School District.

An email from the district's communication office stated, "Humble ISD takes the safety of all our students very seriously. We have been monitoring the situation regarding the vacant house located in North Woodland Hills in Kingwood. Humble ISD will have a presence at any hearing regarding this issue."

While one side of the abandoned property borders the elementary school, the other side is adjacent to a residence currently involved in a lawsuit with the North Woodland Hills Village Community Association. The community association filed the lawsuit against the defendant, Claylon J. Cooper Jr., for refusal to pay community association fees.

A representative of Sterling, Association Services, the management company for North Woodland Hills, declined to comment on issues regarding the property. The community association's attorney did not respond to requests for comment as of press time.

John E. Patton III, Cooper's attorney, said the association is not upholding a contractual obligation to ensure homes are kept up to a standard of care, which he said excuses his client from paying association fees.

He described the abandoned property as a place where vagrants go to party, drink, take drugs and vandalize. Its presence, he said, has a direct, negative impact on his client.

Patton said his client has found drug paraphernalia, including syringes, dropped on their property; has had feces and urine around the property; and has vermin migrating to the property because of infestations in the abandoned house. He also said there have been instances of trespassers running from the vacant property through his client's yard.

"They've tried to lease their home and they can't because of this property," Patton said.

He said selling the home is also not a viable option.

"I'm sure they could, but it would be detrimental," Patton said. "It would not achieve full value. That's the issue.  But they also don't want to have their three small children next to this."

In the house across the street, McKinzie said he'll continue to keep a watchful eye on the vacant house and hopes the situation is remediated before someone gets injured inside the deteriorating structure.

The department of neighborhoods scheduled a check-back of the property for July 28.

"If the property is found to be non-compliant, our department will schedule the abatement of weeds and securing of the building," Vigil said.

Because of the legal process involved in these situations, she said it can sometimes take years to arrive at a permanent solution.

Update: During the Department of Neighborhood's check-back inspection on Friday, July 27, the property was undergoing abatement by the homeowner.

"Our inspector witnessed the securing of the property, including fence repair and tree and debris removal," Vigil said.

Another check-back is scheduled for Aug. 1.
Liberty Mortgage will celebrate its 20th anniversary in business. Owner Danielle Wendeburg purchased the building at 3710 Center St. and gave it a makeover, and moved Liberty Mortgage to this new location. Let Deer Park's only mortgage company help you finance your next home.

Murphy USA opens

The Murphy USA gas station, located in the Walmart parking lot at the intersection of East Boulevard and Spencer Highway, is now open.

Value Dollar

Value Dollar is now open at 3601 Center St., next door to the new Planet Fitness.

Lunch menu available

Somethin' Sweet offers a daily lunch menu, in addition to itsbakery items like cupcakes, brownies, cakes, etc. Stop by at 116 Dixie Drive, near the intersection of San Augustine and Center St., across the street from the post office.

Mexican restaurant opens

Vega's Mexican Restaurant is now open at 3709 Center St., in the former location of NOLA Poboys and next door to Starbucks.

Freezing with nitrogen

Sub-Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream has just signed a lease at the Junction at Deer Park, next door to the new H-E-B gas station at 9315 Spencer Highway. It will join MOD Pizza and Yo Yo's Chinese Cafe as new tenants in the retail center. At Sub-Zero, they freeze ice cream using nothing more than liquid nitrogen. You can completely customize your ice cream and then watch it freeze right before your eyes.

Music academy returns

After taking a break from owning his own business, Troy Wilburn has now reopened T-Roy's Music Academy in the same location as before at 2605 Center St.

In addition to selling a full line of music and band accessories, the new store also offers lessons in piano, guitar, mandolin and more, guitar repair, setups, restrings and cleanups. Find them on Facebook or call Troy at 281-884-8766.

Growth in Deer Park

Dow Chemical recently moved into its 76,000 square-foot leased office building located in Deerwood Glen Business Park on Texas 225. Another Clay Development building, Deerwood Glen II, recently changed hands in a deal that signals the strength of the real estate market near the Port of Houston. Fairway Real Estate Management purchased the 74,695-square-foot, fully-leased office building at 4440 Texas 225 in Deer Park, from an affiliate of Clay Development & Construction. The buyer stated that it was the port region's tremendous growth, coupled with significant tenant demand in both the office and industrial sectors that prompted the deal.

A good place to buy a home

Deer Park has ranked No. 98 in the best places to buy a home in Texas, according to the website LendEDU. What helped Deer Park place in the top 100? Items that were listed as most important to homebuyers include) home value to income ratio, five-year population forecast and five-year income forecast.

See the full report here: https://lendedu.com/blog/250-best-places-buy-home-texas/.
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Harris County sheriff's deputies delivered a letter to county commissioners Friday with a simple message: It's time for a pay raise.

The letter from the Harris County Deputies Organization  which represents 1,700 jailers and deputies  cites a salary study showing deputies make on average 18 to 24 percent less than in comparable departments.

"You can go to Buc-ees and be a supervisor and probably make more than a jailer or entry level deputy," said David Cuevas, president of the Harris County Deputies Organization. "We are so far behind (other agencies) it's hard to recruit and retain personnel."

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said he'd spoken with union officials about the letter.

"Comparable to other agencies, we should probably be doing a lot better," he said. "It's a very competitive marketplace ... It would be great to see a bigger influx of personnel coming in, being able to compete to get the best and brightest."

The letter drew mixed reactions from commissioners, who said Friday they are reviewing the letter and study.

"We need a sustainable stream of steady increases across all ranks that we can afford  even if it comes in steps," Commissioner Jack Morman said. "They deserve it."

Commissioner Steve Radack said he would like to see a comparison to other sheriff's departments.

"We want our law enforcement officers compensated fairly, and it's important to note that recently we just gave more money to pay incentives," Radack said. "We're trying to be fair. But if you check, you'll find there are very few law enforcement positions open in [Harris County]. They're able to hire people."

Commissioner Jack Cagle asked the Harris County Budget Office to compare county budgets and deputy salaries  as well as the salaries of constables - with other counties, said Mark Seegers, Cagle's spokesman.

"He did not seem to be overly concerned or fazed by the report, but said we should definitely look at it and consider what the HCDO is telling us," Seegers said.

Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett could not be reached Friday for comment.

The deputies organization study compared Harris County salaries to those in similar Texas law enforcement agencies.

New Harris County deputies make $44,862, less than new officers at the Houston Police Department, who start at $49,918; Dallas, $46,870; Fort Worth, $57,729; and San Antonio, $50,664. Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers make $44,082 in their first 18 months, and then jump to $53,242, according to the study.

Among the large urban departments, Austin police officers consistently earned the most, with salaries starting at $58,681 and reaching as high as $95,270 for experienced officers, the study showed. In Plano - an upscale Collin County community - officers start at $65,670 and can climb to $86,238.

Harris County deputies top out at $68,643 with 20 years experience.

The pay discrepancy continues up the ranks.

Harris County sergeants on average make 19 percent less than their peers, with pay topping out at $79,419, compared to as much as $113,186 in Austin.

Lieutenants make up to $88,481. Similarly ranked supervisors in Austin make $130,166 and in Fort Worth, $114,672.

Captains in Harris County  the highest civil service rank within the sheriff's office  can make up to $102,364 compared to $150,513 that Austin officers in similar positions make and $17,000 less than the $119,212 that Houston police captains make.

"It is imperative that the starting pay per Deputy be increased in order to recruit the best pool of candidates into the Sheriff's Office ranks as well as maintaining a competitive average so that trained law enforcement will spend their careers with Harris County," Cuevas wrote in the letter.

The letter also calls for other improvements for working conditions and benefits, such as a reduction in forced overtime and free parking.

"We want a frank and honest conversation about how to improve working conditions through additional staff and to deal with parking for jail staff," the letter says.

Lack of resources is hurting the department, Cuevas said.

"We're hoping the commissioners will look at this from a statistical standpoint and reality," Cuevas said. "When you don't have law enforcement resources to protect the citizens of Harris County... they're sending the wrong message about the safety of the public."

Harris County Budget Officer William Jackson said Friday he had not had time to fully review the salary analysis but would be looking at the numbers in coming days.

"The bottom line is this: The average length of service (of deputies) is 14 years. With detention officers, its 10 years," he said. "So I don't see high turnover, compared to other county departments and all that. So if we weren't paying enough, you'd think people would be leaving the office, and then go find better paying jobs. And I haven't seen that."

He said the analysis did not appear to include total compensation, with other perks such as incentive pay, take-home cars, health insurance or retirement benefits.

The analysis likewise did not include other sheriff's offices from large nearby counties such Fort Bend or the Bexar County, he said.

"We just need to make sure we're comparing apples to apples," he said.

Cuevas, however, said the pay disparities are hurting the department.

"With all the perils in our region, with smuggling, gangs, and property times on the rise, the choice of whether to have the best people on the front lines is a choice Harris County cannot afford not to make," he said in the letter.

St. John Barned-Smith covers public safety and major breaking news for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook. Send tips to st.john.smith@chron.com.
Karen Pence was at Billings Clinic on Friday advocating for art therapy, her planned initiative as the wife of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.

Pence was last in Billings in May when her husband came to stump for then-candidate Greg Gianforte during the special election campaign to fill Ryan Zinke's seat in the House of Representatives.

On Friday, Pence steered clear of politics during her hourlong PowerPoint presentation on art therapy, quipping that she was neither elected nor appointed to her current position  she simply ended up there through marriage, she said with a smile  and as such didn't feel the need to talk politics or policy.

Still, the presentation came at a fraught moment in the national debate on health care. Just 12 hours before she spoke to a full conference room at Billings Clinic about the the need for funding and the important role art therapy can play in the health care process, Senate Republicans failed to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

In her presentation, Pence explained art therapy helps to heal the "invisible wounds" hospital patients sustain as they go through mentally and emotionally taxing treatments.

"This is an avenue for people to express themselves," she said.

She talked about a child who had gone through 70 weeks of chemotherapy and how the process of drawing and creating helped him come to terms with the fear and isolation he felt as he faced what felt like endless rounds of treatment.

Pence, an elementary school art teacher by training, met the child after he'd healed when she was seeking to better understand art therapy.

"When I heard, 'I don't go to that dark place anymore,' I thought, 'This is something I can get behind,'" she said.

Pence was first introduced to art therapy when her husband was serving in Congress in the mid-2000s. By the time Mike Pence was governor of Indiana, Karen Pence had joined the board of Tracy's Kids, a nonprofit organization that works to expand the role of art therapy within traditional health care.

Walter Reid National Military Medical Center runs a similar program that helps veterans work through the physical and psychological trauma they experience while in combat.

Pence displayed images of the masks the veterans had made as a way to illustrate their inner lives.

"It's a way for these veterans to kind of work through what they've done," she said. "It's not about the finished product. It's about the process."

She explained that art therapy isn't about fixing all the psychological or emotional trauma that patients experience. Rather, she said, it's a way to help them get through that process as they work with a licensed mental health care provider.

She's using her role as the wife of the vice president to bring more national attention to the profession of art therapy, to make sure art therapy is a treatment option for anyone who wants it and finally to encourage more young people to consider art therapy as a profession.

Pence explained the biggest challenge to expanding the reach of art therapy was funding.

"Funding is difficult because frequently hospitals see art therapy as a want and not a need," she said.

For that reason, it will be vital for the industry to continue to study art therapy so that its practices can be backed up by real science and strong data, she said.

Pence was introduced by her childhood friend Karen Klee, a doctor of internal medicine at Billings Clinic. It was Klee's connection with Pence that brought her to Billings Clinic as Pence begins a tour across the country to raise awareness of art therapy.

"Karen is the type of person who always reaches out and tries to include people," Klee said.

At the end of her presentation, Jim Duncan, president of the Billings Clinic Foundation, presented Pence with an original painting of a Sioux teepee by Montana artist Kira Fercho, who was at the presentation.

Pence said she would hang the painting in her office at the White House.

"It was pretty cool," Fercho said of the experience. "You make these paintings with your hands and they go out all over the world."
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The number of dog flu cases in Harris County and nearby locations continues to rise.

The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) reports that it has now diagnosed eight positive cases of H3N2 virus this summer, which is the same strain found in Florida where the latest outbreak started. This is up from five the laboratory diagnosed in mid-June.

This is the first time TVMDL has positively diagnosed H3N2 since it first appeared in the U.S. in 2015, said veterinarian Cheryl Maguire, who has been with the lab since Dec. 2014.

POOR POOCHES: Three cases of highly contagious dog flu confirmed in Harris County

Three other cases were reported at Shadow Creek Veterinary Clinic in Pearland Thursday. All these dogs belonged to one owner, the clinic told Chron.com.

"We urge all owners to protect their dogs with a Canine Influenza vaccination. With the increase of cases in our region, vaccination could be a potentially life saving choice," Shadow Creek wrote on Facebook Thursday. "It is also important for dog owners to be observant of changes in their dog's body or behavior. The initial symptoms include but are not limited to runny nose, fever and a persistent cough."

The dog flu is highly contagious with most dogs developing clinical signs, according to the TVMDL website. Roughly 20 percent of dogs will not exhibit clinical signs yet can still spread the disease.

LONE STAR BOUND: Outbreak of highly contagious dog flu hits Texas

If a dog owner suspects their dog may have the flu, they need to call the vet because there are other diseases that cause similar symptoms, Maguire said.

Since 2015, Texas has had at least 16 confirmed H3N2 cases in the entire state though this number under represents individual cases because the network does not capture all cased, said Amy Glaser, senior extension associate and director of the molecular diagnostics section at Cornell University's Animal Health Diagnostics Center. The network includes private and public laboratories like TVMDL which provide Cornell data.

Glaser started the U.S. H3N2 surveillance network and mapping program in March 2015 with Nicholas Hollingshead.
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President Donald Trump plans to visit Long Island, NY, today, to talk about border security and a familiar bane for Texas law enforcement: transnational gangs like MS-13.

The visit comes as the White House makes a renewed push to increase border security funding, and just days after Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo spoke of the threat posed by the gang, calling MS-13 "the worst of the worst" in an interview with National Public Radio Wednesday.

MS-13, or "La Mara Salvatrucha," was formed in California in the 1980s. The gang spread throughout Central America and the U.S. and is infamous for the grisly murders and wholesale violence its members commit.

THREAT ASSESSMENT: Texas gang threat led by Tango Blast; Aryan Circle upgraded

Story continues below...

It is the only street gang federal authorities have labeled a transnational criminal organization. In Houston, which is home to approximately 20,000 gang members (from organizations like MS-13 and Tango Blast to small local cliques) the gang has been a frequent bane for local law enforcement, racking up some of the area's most gruesome murders.

MS-13 gang members were convicted for murdering a 14-year-old boy here in 2014 who wanted to go to church instead of associating with the gang.

They were also charged with killing a girl earlier this year in a Satanic sacrifice. And earlier this week, two MS-13 gang members landed on the Texas Department of Public Safety's list of most wanted fugitives.

Trump made border security one of his priorities - promising a coast-to-coast border wall, which he would make Mexico pay for.

MAPPED: Where Texas' most significant gangs, criminal groups hold sway

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has directed his department's law enforcement agencies and federal prosecutors across the country to prioritize prosecutions of transnational gangmembers, as directed by an executive order Trump signed in February, among other measures.

Here's what the Washington Post reported earlier today:

In a speech this week in Youngstown, Ohio, Trump referred to violent gang members as "animals" who terrorize their communities, including other immigrants. "We are throwing MS-13 the hell out of here so fast," Trump said. "You know, we're actually  hard to believe that we're talking about our great country. We are actually liberating towns and cities. We are liberating  people are screaming from their windows, 'Thank you,' thank you to the Border Patrol and to [Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly's] great people that come in and grab the thugs and throw them the hell out.'"

The Associated Press reported that the Department of Homeland Security's investigative unit has arrested 3,311 gang members across the country in a number of targeted operations. The agency could not provide numbers for a similar timeframe in 2016.

WANTED: MS-13 gang member on the run from Houston on two murder charges

But an investigation by the Washington Post found that MS-13's presence has grown sharply in recent years in Houston and other parts of the country.

File/Texas Department of Public Safety

While Trump's tough talk and immigration crackdown has cheered conservatives, others say that his recent actions are only emboldening MS-13.

One immigration advocate told CNN today that increasing immigration enforcement action makes undocumented immigrants more fearful of arrest and deportation and less likely to cooperate with authorities, ultimately helping MS-13.

"This situation is actually putting people who are very vulnerable in a more precarious situation because then they remain at the mercy of gangs,"said Walter Barrientos, Long Island coordinator with Make the Road.

The international spotlight that President Donald Trump focused Friday onto the brutal MS-13 gang highlights a problem that Houston-area law enforcement have been battling for years. The gang  known for wielding machetes and practicing Satanic rituals  has left a trail of bodies and mayhem across Harris County, the U.S. and Central America as its violence and influence have spread throughout the region in the past decades.
A 38-year-old San Antonio woman was arrested Wednesday after she allegedly posted revenge porn of her boyfriend on Facebook following their break up.

Traci Lorraine Aragon now faces a charge of publishing intimate material. She was booked into the Bexar County Jail on a $2,000 bond.
AUSTIN  The Texas House gave final approval Friday to three bills the governor asked for in his special session call, although one of them could clash with a version passed in the Senate.

Texas lawmakers passed two bills that are nearly identical to versions that have passed the Senate, including a bill that would require abortion clinics to report complications from the pregnancy-ending procedure within three business days.
Can you name the original 13 Colonies? Do you how many amendments there are to the Constitution? Or how many voting members are in the House of Representatives? These are some of the questions those seeking U.S. citizenship are expected to answer, but many Americans struggle with them.

According to data from the Joe Foss Institute, an organization that advocates for civics education for high school students, while 93 percent of immigrants seeking citizenship pass the test, only 65 percent of Americans could answer the same questions.
The Shenandoah mother of a boy who was known as the "boy in the bubble" is heartened by the progress of a bill authored by U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, that would guarantee continued home care for people suffering from the same rare and often fatal disease that led to the death of her son.

Brady's so-called "Medicare for Americans" bill would extend a pilot program that provides for people with what's called severe combined immunodeficiency disease, or SCID for short, to receive what's often lifesaving care in their homes. SCID is a genetic condition that weakens the body's immune system so severely that the body has little or no natural immunities to battle against infections and diseases. Babies born with SCID -- because they can't fend off what would frequently be only minor childhood illnesses -- often die before they're a year old.

Under Brady's H.R. 3178, a pilot program that's due to expire at the end of September would be extended so that people now receiving infusion services in their homes still would be able to get the treatment and other necessary nursing care at home. If the pilot program is allowed to expire, people with SCID would have to be taken to a hospital or healthcare facility for treatment.

"These young children can be infused at home and in their own beds," Carol Ann Demaret, the mother of David Vetter, told The Courier. "It's safe, it's cost-effective and it's just the right thing to do."

Demaret spoke to The Courier while at The David Clinic, a pediatric facility at Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands, where she works as a volunteer and has been described as a "tireless advocate." The clinic, which is named after her son, provides immunology and rheumatology diagnosis and care services.

During his relatively short life, David, who died at the age of 12 in 1984, captured the world's attention as he was confined to a protective "bubble home" that was designed by NASA to protect him from germs. David could only be touched by protective gloves sticking through the walls of his bubble home. Everything he touched had to be sterilized and placed inside steel capsules that were inserted through a system of air locks. Demaret kissed her son for the first time when he came out of the bubble to die.

Because David suffered from a more severe form of SCID, it's uncertain whether home treatments would have been able to save him; but as Demaret says, her son "would have had a greater chance of survival."

After passing the House, Brady's bill, which he says also extends access to other high-quality types of care and reduces administrative burdens on doctors and healthcare providers, is awaiting consideration in the Senate.

"Allowing these vulnerable patients to receive treatment from the safety of their own home can not only improve the quality of care, it can greatly enhance their quality of life," Brady said in support of his bill. "It can give a kid a real chance to be a kid."
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While Operation Jade Helm may be long over, the conspiracy theories surrounding the large scale military exercise continue two years later.

A social media search limited to the past seven months turns up plenty of YouTube videos and tweets from people who still believe the operation was President Barack Obama's attempt to force martial law on states he deemed "hostile," as one map of the exercise showed. Then there's Facebook groups like "JADE HELM: the Invasion" where people still discuss a litany of theories.

The map was part of a 12-page document released by the Army in March 2015. The document also detailed how hundreds of soldiers with the Navy SEALS, Green Berets and other Special Operations groups would be sneaking through Texas' small towns. The document immediately set conspiracy theorists off.

Instead of using yarn, a pin board and crude photos, these people weaved together videos of Humvees, empty military camps, and closed Wal-Marts in their ongoing pursuit of "the truth."

FIRST ANNIVERSARY: Jade Helm: The long Texas nightmare ended a year ago today

One of the physical groups who tried to monitor the military exercise two years ago was "Operation Counter Jade Helm." Eric Johnston, 54, was a surveillance team leader in this group.

Reflecting back on Jade Helm two years later, Johnston knew their effort was futile.

"I didn't expect a group of civilians could catch specials forces guys. If we could, they wouldn't be doing their job right," Johnston told Chron.com.

TRUMPED UP: Trump cites Houston conspiracy theorist to push illegal vote claim

The infamous map remains at the center of what Obama once called his favorite presidential conspiracy theory.

"That military exercises we were doing in Texas were designed to begin martial law so that I could usurp the Constitution and stay in power longer," Obama told GQ Magazine in Nov. 2015. "Anybody who thinks I could get away with telling Michelle I'm going to be president any longer than eight years does not know my wife."

Ground zero for many of these conspiracy theorists was Texas. The state was labeled on the fictitious map as "hostile" and was the only one participating in Jade Helm to have its governor take action.

THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE: Why do moon landing conspiracies live on?

Gov. Greg Abbott called in the Texas State Guard after Texans flooded his office with concerns and comments about the operation, which ran for two months starting on July 15, 2015.

"During the training operation, it is important that Texans know their safety, constitutional rights, private property rights and civil liberties will not be infringed," Abbott wrote to Maj. Gen. Gerald Betty in April 2015.

Abbott's decision only helped to fuel conspiracy theorists who felt their fears had been given credence. Abbott's administration tried to calm the situation a month later by stating Jade Helm was "not a martial law exercise."

A request for comment was placed to Abbott and his administration regarding the anniversary of Jade Helm.

CONSPIRACY GOLD MINE: 54 years after death, JFK conspiracy theories linger

To this day Johnston, who is a retired firefighter and sheriff's deputy, still gets the occasional email from someone claiming they have new information on the "real story" behind Jade Helm. He believes if the exercise were done under President Donald Trump, the public response would have been similar.

"If they came out and said they would schedule an exercise now, I think people would go 'ho hum,'" Johnston said. "Why do people still believe in the JFK conspiracy? Same reason, The folks that are clinging to it are looking for a conspiracy with the U.S. government."


Godofredo A. Vasquez/Houston Chronicle

The exit ramp from Interstate 10 westbound to the northbound lanes of Interstate 69 is blocked early Friday by an overturned truck, causing a traffic snarl in northeast Houston.

The truck - an 18-wheeler - flipped over before 5:25 a.m., according to Houston Transtar. It appears there was one other vehicle involved in the crash.
A member of the Gulf Cartel had his hand blown off during a struggle with military personnel earlier this week that also left two soldiers dead, according to El Blog del Narco, a Mexican publication.

The publication reported that a hit man for the cartel was injured in crossfire with members of the military in Reynosa, which sits on the Texas-Mexico border, at the beginning of the week. He lost his right hand and part of his forearm.
WASHINGTON  Almost the entire Texas congressional delegation has come to together to urge the Trump administration to crack down on foreign airlines that compete against U.S. carriers under international "Open Skies" pacts using subsidies from their home governments.

In a letter Friday to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and other Trump cabinet members, the lawmakers singled out the "anticompetitive practices" of three subsidized Gulf air carriers: Etihad Airways, Emirates Airlines, and Qatar Airways.

The letter  led by Houston Democrat Gene Green and Dallas Republican Kenny Marchant  was signed by 29 of 36 Texas House members from both parties. In all, the letter brings to 283 the total number of Washington lawmakers who have signed letters in the past three years to successive administrations urging action to enforce international agreements and protect domestic hub networks.

"President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that the United States will not tolerate unfair, subsidized foreign competition," the Texans wrote. "We urge you to take swift and resolute action against Gulf subsidies, enforce our trade agreements, and protect American jobs and the domestic economy."

The pressure from lawmakers comes amid lobbying efforts by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines pressing the government to restrict access by fast-growing rivals based in the Persian Gulf.

"The Texas economy is one of the largest in the world, with the aviation industry serving a vital role in the economic success of the state," said Jill Zuckman, chief spokesperson for the Partnership for Open & Fair Skies. "The U.S. government needs to enforce our country's Open Skies agreements and stop the trade cheating that threatens so many jobs in Texas and the rest of the United States."

Representatives of the Gulf airlines have argued that restricting their access to U.S. airports would violate long-standing "Open Skies" agreements designed to lower airfares and smooth international travel.

In Texas, American Airlines, Delta and United collectively employ almost 50,000 workers. "The positive economic impact of the domestic aviation industry is a key engine for our national economy," the Texas lawmakers wrote. "These industry-supported jobs are: stable, middle-class, well-paying, and in many instances, follow in the footsteps of other family members with a love for the aviation industry and serving the traveling public."

The letter alleges that the governments of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar have provided more than $50 billion in subsidies to their three flag carriers over the past 13 years. "These subsidies have allowed their carriers to significantly increase capacity to the U.S. at the expense of our domestic airlines," the lawmakers said. "Every time a domestic airline is forced off a long-haul route or foregoes launching a new long-haul route as a result of the subsidized Gulf carrier competition, roughly 1,500 American jobs are lost."

The lawmakers argue that the stakes are spread across Texas. "Unlike the subsidized Gulf carriers, U.S. airlines serve smaller markets in our state, such as Amarillo, Beaumont, Killeen/Ft. Hood, Laredo, Lubbock, McAllen, and Midland/Odessa," they wrote. "Air service and economic development in small communities will be jeopardized if subsidized competition weakens the domestic airlines' ability to maintain robust hubs in the Lone Star State."
Cities and counties nationwide are sounding the alarm over the Texas Senate's "quick strike" assault on local governments and vowing to do something about it.

A national group calling itself Campaign to Defend Local Solutions said the state Senate went too far this week in trying to impose itself on local governments by trying to restrict everything from bathroom policies, to building permit processing and even tree ordinances.

"It's one of the most aggressive quick strike assaults we've ever seen," said Franco Ripple, spokesman for Campaign to Defend Local Solutions, which is based n Florida where cities have similarly been pushing against the state's efforts to restrict what ordinances cities and counties can pass.

On Wednesday, the Texas Senate passed more than a dozen bills, including many that take aim at city and county governments. Tree ordinances, city annexation regulation, building permits, bathroom policies and local texting while driving rules were all part of the surge of bills that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Houston Republican, touted as historic because of the volume of bills that cleared in just over a week's time.

"We've accomplished a tremendous amount of work in a week," Patrick told lawmakers as they wrapped up the session on Wednesday afternoon.

State Sen. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, said she's been watching the Texas Legislature for 45 years and what she saw this week was unprecedented.

"I've never seen such an attack on local control," Garcia said.

Garcia said she's alarmed that some of the bills could have a big financial impact on local governments, like one bill demanding building permits be approved or denied in 30 days instead of 45 days. In high growth counties, like Harris County, Garcia said that's going to increase the cost of government for taxpayers.

Harris County officials have already warned state lawmakers that the bill could have "significant fiscal impact." Travis County was even more detailed, saying they would have to create 11 new positions at an annual cost of $1.8 million to comply with the bill.

Ripple said his group is already sending people to Austin to help consult with local governments on what the next step might be. In other states, the group has joined in lawsuits, like in Ohio, where state lawmakers have tried to block local hiring ordinances.

The Campaign to Defend Local Solutions was started in January as state governments nationwide began getting more aggressive in challenging local governments and their authority to govern themselves.

But supporters of the state efforts say local governments are creating a patchwork of regulations that make it hard for people and they are trying to resolve that.
AUSTIN  Texas lawmakers sounded off on several pet peeves Thursday on the House floor as the chamber began passing bills demanded by Gov. Greg Abbott.

For some, they voiced frustration at the creation of new abortion laws. For others, it was the muddy politics involved in the battle over tree trimming. And for a few lawmakers in the back of the room, the venting was over the House speaker himself.

The 150-member Texas House began pushing through multiple bills that answer the governor's 20-item special session call that drew members back to Austin this month, giving the initial OK to a bill that would fund the extension of the Texas Medical Board and tentative approval to two bills on the governor's conservative to-do list.

Among them was House Bill 13, which requires additional reporting on abortion complications. After testy debate by Democrats challenging the need for the new rules, the Republican-controlled House voted 97-46 to give the bill initial approval.

If passed into law, abortion providers would be required to report within three business days if their patients have complications related to ending their pregnancy. Hospitals or clinics that did not perform the abortion would have 30 days to report.

The legislation would require the health care providers to tell the state when the abortion was performed, what kind of procedure was used, what the gestational age was, the date the complication was diagnosed and a description of the complication. The bill would also require detailed reporting about the mother such as her date of birth, race, martial status, state and county of residence, along with the date of her last menstrual cycle, and her history of past abortions and live births.

Critics say the legislation creates an onerous and unnecessary bureaucracy for abortion providers in the state's quest to limit the safe procedure. Supporters contend the bill would help compile statistics on abortion complications to better understand the health and safety risks of the procedure.

Failure to report the information to the state would result in a $500 fine for each violation, with a third violation would give the state cause to revoke or suspend the physician's of health facility's licensing.

"Why would we single out one medical procedure" to be reported every 72 hours when the others are reported every six months, asked Rep. Donna Howard, an Austin Democrat and opponent of the bill.

Lawmakers also voted in favor of legislation that takes a whack at local tree trimming ordinances.

House bill 7, which passed 132-11, is identical to a measure Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, passed with nearly unanimous support in the regular legislative session. The bill requires the approximately 50 local municipalities that impose tree mitigation fees to allow people to apply for a credit to offset the fee for tree planting.

The governor vetoed that bill after it passed during the regular session, and said it didn't go far enough to stop local governments from micromanaging property owners.

"I've had enough of the cities telling what people can and can't do in their daily lives," Rep. Larry Phillips, a Sherman Republican said on the House floor before saying he would vote for the bill. "I don't think it goes far enough."

Rep. Matt Schaefer, a Republican from Tyler, also voted for the bill, saying it was a step in the right direction.

Schaefer was one of about 50 conservative Republicans at a Monday meeting with Abbott pushing members to sign on as supporters of his preferred legislation by Friday. Phelan's tree bill, Schaefer recalled, was not the bill the governor wants.

Tension between factions of Republican in the Legislature have been an issue all year in the Texas Capitol. Schaefer, chairman of the 12-member Freedom Caucus in the House, said dynamics of the special session are no different as conservative members try to push the governor's agenda through the more moderate House.

"We're on a pace to leave conservative priorities unfinished," said Schaefer who blamed House Speaker Joe Straus, a San Antonio Republican, for a lack of progress on the governor's agenda. "It's very clear the speaker is sending a message to Gov. Abbott that his conservative agenda doesn't line up with his."

The Senate has rushed to pass 18 bills -- some in the middle of the night -- pertaining to the governor's 20 priority issues in less than 10 days. Straus said early in the session "this isn't a race," and vowed the House would act deliberately.

"Texas House committees are focused on doing what's in the best interest of Texas, and that's why they have spent all week working on bills, listening to the public, and building consensus," said Jason Embry, Straus' spokesman.

"The House will continue to focus on substance, and Speaker Straus is grateful for the committee chairmen and House members who are hard at work trying to get the details right."
The man who Democrats see as their best hope of beating Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018 is gambling that border wall politics is shifting.

On the House floor, Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, said Texas does not need a wall with Mexico.
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.
Hyderabad July 28 : Actress Pooja Javeri who was last seen in Vijay Antonys Telugu film Dwaraka has been roped to play the female lead role in an upcoming untitled film starring Sathyadev. she has already joined the set.During the media interaction, Bham Bolenath actress said, I am playing Juliet in this film. It is a serious and mysterious role which I never played earlier. I am very happy as I got the opportunity to act in this murder mystery drama. It has glamour, emotion, romance, thrill, action, with amples scope for performance, that is the main reason, why I took up this project. Right Right actress further added, I will be seen expressing emotion through my eyes in this film and such type of role, I am doing first time in my career.On the other side, Pooja is also busy in upcoming Tamil comedy movie Rukkumani Vandi Varudhu starring Atharvaa under the direction of Rajamohan.
Copiii cu nevoi speciale din Stefan Voda au conditii de reabilitare mai bune, datorita UE si Fundatiei Soros Moldova
If youre planning to squeeze in one last road trip before the summer ends, there are a few hot spots in Texas where you might want to slow down.

Especially if youre planning on a trip to South Padre Island.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports two of the counties where Texas Department of Public Safety troopers write the most tickets are on the states southern tip, Hidalgo and Cameron. Harris County (Houston) also has a bunch.

Closer to home, theres a better chance of getting a ticket from a DPS trooper in Parker or Collin counties than Tarrant or Dallas, according to a Star-Telegram analysis of Texas Department of Public Safety data from 2012 through 2016.

Parker County ranked No. 9 on the list with 26,506 tickets, and Collin County is No. 10 with 26,431. Dallas is No. 13 at 13,714 and Tarrant County ranks No. 48 with 9,674.

Other North Texas counties include: Wise 22,844; Denton 21,262; and Johnson 13,732.

People die and are seriously injured every day in senseless, preventable vehicle crashes  all because someone chose to drive irresponsibly, including speeding, said Tom Vinger, a DPS spokesman. We are unapologetic about our Troopers efforts to enforce all laws in every area of the state, and were proud of the critical role they play in keeping our roadways safe for everyone.

Across Texas, more than 1.6 million speeding tickets were issued by troopers in the past five years.

Texas is busting at the seams, and anyone whos driven on Texas streets knows more drivers means more speeders, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston.

DPS officials stress that their data doesnt represent all the speeding tickets issued in Texas.

Troopers generally dont focus on traffic enforcement in cities such as Fort Worth, Dallas, Austin or Houston that have police forces doing the same thing.

That leaves them working, for the most part, in suburban and rural areas, such as Parker County.

DPS is picking up the slack in some border counties where local police and sheriffs offices are overworked or understaffed, Rottinghaus said. The surge of DPS troopers in these counties may be reflected in increasing moving violations.

In Tarrant County, much of the DPS traffic control work focuses on the stretch of Chisholm Trail Parkway that is outside the Fort Worth city limits.

There are about 2,660 troopers across the state.

The review of data shows that the number of speeding tickets issued by state troopers appeared to be going down, from 394,249 in 2012 to 291,441 in 2015.

Then in 2016, the number of tickets issued rose to 317,443.

Some suggest the numbers may have gone up because of increased border enforcement.

Through traffic enforcement, troopers routinely arrest drunk drivers; seize illegal drugs and weapons before they make it into our communities; arrest wanted fugitives; rescue endangered children during routine traffic stops; help stranded motorists; and provide lifesaving aid to those in need, Vinger said.

Other interesting facts:

Speeding tickets were issued in every one of the states 254 counties during the past five years.

Loving County, the least populated county in Texas at 113 last year, saw the fewest tickets issued: eight over the past five years.

Two other counties saw fewer than 100 DPS-issued speeding tickets over the past five years: Borden, with 68, and Kent, with 93. Both are near Lubbock in West Texas.

Now, public safety officials have some advice for Texas drivers.

We always tell people to slow down, buckle up and dont have anything to drink and drive, said Lt. Lonny Haschel, a local DPS spokesman.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Driving under the influence of drugs, Front Street: A Berea man, 57, was arrested at about 11 a.m. July 26 after the Ford Explorer he was driving slammed into a Volkswagen.

Another driver called police after seeing the Explorer swerving left of center and hitting curbs while southbound on North Rocky River Drive. The sport-utility vehicle turned left onto West Bagley and passed Front. Then the vehicle backed up and turned right onto Front, where it hit the Volkswagen.

The Berea man, before police asked him a question, said he was not under the influence of any drug. However, his speech was slurred and he had difficulty concentrating. He failed field sobriety tests. He later admitted ingesting heroin and was taken to Southwest General Health Center in Middleburg Heights.

Theft, East Fifth Avenue: An unidentified man walked into an East Fifth garage at about 1:30 a.m. July 26 and stole two bicycles and a bag of Cheetos.

The victim's son, and two of her son's friends, were sitting in the garage with the door open when the incident unfolded. They saw the man walking in a field behind Berea High School. He jumped a chain-link fence and continued toward the garage.

The victim's son and his friends were frightened so they ran into the house. A few minutes later, they returned to the garage and noticed that the bikes and Cheetos were missing. They found one of the bikes on East Fifth.

They said the man had long hair and a beard, wore baggy sweat shorts and a T-shirt and was in his 20's or 30's.

Operating a vehicle under the influence, North Rocky River Drive: A Cleveland woman, 35, was arrested at about 1:45 a.m. July 23 after police saw her Jeep make several erratic moves on North Rocky River.

The Jeep, at a West Bagley Road red light, was stopped several car lengths behind the stop bar. The vehicle was in the right-turn-only lane but drove straight through the intersection, toward a cul-de-sac at the end of North Rocky River.

The Jeep turned around in the cul-de-sac, moving 25-27 mph in a 35-mph zone. The vehicle's left tires drifted into the center turn lane. On North Rocky River near Grayton Road, the Jeep almost hit a curb. Police finally stopped the Jeep near Emerson Drive.

The woman smelled like alcohol and failed field sobriety tests. Officers told her they could release her if she signed papers, and if a sober driver picked her up. The woman refused to sign. She called several friends but no one answered - she said they had likely all passed out from inebriation.

On the way to Strongsville jail, the woman repeatedly asked why the officer was mad at her. The officer said no one was mad.

Disorderly conduct, West Bridge Street: Two Middleburg Heights men, 52 and 22, and a Middleburg Heights woman, 24, face misdemeanor criminal charges after they beat up a 51-year-old Cleveland man at about 8:35 p.m. July 22 in the parking lot of Giant Eagle, 50 West Bridge Street.

A witness saw it happen and called police. By the time police arrived, the attackers and victims had left. But the victim drove to the Berea police station to report the incident. He said he was attacked because he had been having an affair with the 52-year-old man's girlfriend.

Operating a vehicle under the influence, Prospect Street: A Brunswick man, 63, was arrested at about 5 p.m. July 22 after other drivers saw the man's Ford Ranger run a red light and pass cars on the wrong side of the road in Strongsville.

One witness said the Ranger almost hit a guardrail on Prospect in Strongsville. The Ranger swerved left of center and nearly hit several cars head-on. The Ranger also drove over a curb. Police saw the Ranger swerving as it entered Berea on Prospect.

Theft, West Bagley Road: Police hope to identify and arrest a man who stole a handbasket filled with merchandise at about 3:45 p.m. July 24 from Dollar General, 390 West Bagley Road.

A store worker saw it happen and called police. The man, about 40-years-old, had several tattoos on his arms and neck. He was wearing white shoes, a white T-shirt, jeans and a dark cap. He might have been wearing a necklace or chain, a watch and a bracelet on his right wrist.

Operating a vehicle under the influence, Woodmere Drive: A Berea man, 35, was arrested at about 2:45 a.m. July 21 after police saw his car weaving on Edgewood Drive.

The car drifted toward a police cruiser headed in the opposite direction on Edgewood. Then the car swerved to the right, almost hitting a curb. The vehicle continued to weave and jerk after turning onto Race Street, then Woodmere. The man reeked of alcohol.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Thursday's crime and courts comments section.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Renewable energy's struggle to grow in Ohio is expected to resume this fall following years of political battles over state energy mandates.

Legislation amending how close a wind turbine can be to adjacent property not part of a wind farm is planned by Republican state senator Cliff Hite of Findlay.

Senator Matt Dolan of Chagrin Falls said Thursday he would be a co-sponsor.

Wind farm development abruptly stopped in 2014 when Republicans then controlling the Senate, without debate, slipped language into the final version of a budget bill nearly tripling the distance a wind turbine could be from adjacent property not part of a wind farm.

Hite in June proposed new language for the budget bill that would have based turbine set back on the height of a turbine and the length of its blades. The language disappeared in final House and Senate negotiations.

Dolan said he thinks the wind turbine setback issue along with years of arguing about the state's renewable energy mandates -- which were approved in 2008 -- has made Ohio unattractive to renewable energy developers.

"If you invest $100's of millions of dollars in 2017 and 2018, [you need to know] the rug is not going to be pulled out from under you in 2021. That's the message we have to send," Dolan said during an energy roundtable discussion sponsored by the Great Lakes Brewing Co. and the Advanced Energy Economy Institute.

He said the "clarity of our direction" is more important to the industry than what percentage of power sold in Ohio should be generated by wind and solar technologies.

Currently, the state requires that by the end of 2027 power produced by renewable technologies account for 12.5 percent of all power sold in the state.

Lawmakers also in 2014 tried to eliminate the mandates, but under threat of a veto from Gov. John Kasich, decided to "freeze" them for two years while they studied the issue. In 2016, the same GOP leaders managed to pass a proposal making the standards voluntary for another two years -- a bill which Kasich then vetoed.

"Ohio will be behind [in coming decades]," said Dolan. "The next generation of CEOs will ask, 'Where is our energy coming from?' Is it the most efficient? Is it reducing our carbon footprint? That will be a decision that Ohio will be behind on if we don't act quickly."

Rep. Kent Smith, a Euclid Democrat, summed up the situation: "Public policy is the interests of today versus the interests of tomorrow. We could be winning on the economy of today and the economy of tomorrow if we would just unshackle renewable energy in Ohio."

The Great Lakes Brewing Co. sponsored the symposium as part of its corporate commitment to sustainability and sustainable business practices.

Saul Kliorys, the company's sustainability manager, said Great Lakes installed a 20-kilowatt (20,000 watt) solar array on the brewery's roof last fall.

The array generates about 1 percent of the brewery's electric consumption, enough electricity to produce about 16,000 cases of beer a year.

The array will pay for itself in seven or eight years, he said.

Great Lakes previously installed solar thermal panels on the roof of its brewpub. The panels capture heat from the sun, which the company uses to pre-heat water before it becomes beer. Kliorys said the thermal panels produce enough heat to save the amount of gas used annually by two average Cleveland homes.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- President Donald Trump has reworked the Defense Department's old "Don't Ask - Don't Tell" policy. Trump's new spin is "Don't ask-Don't Tell" military leaders that you're going to tweet out a new policy banning transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. armed forces.

In a series of three tweets, the Commander-in-Chief conveyed that the "United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military."

Trump said the military "must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail."

Because the first of the three tweets was an incomplete message, the Pentagon reportedly went into a panic, thinking Trump was about to announce a missile attack on North Korea.

Trump had initially tweeted only the following:

"After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow..."

Turns out Trump's Generals hadn't been informed of his policy decision. The Joint Chiefs of Staff were blindsided by Trump's policy change.

Joint Chiefs chairman General Joseph Dunford has since informed the armed forces that for now there will still be "no modifications to the current policy until the President's direction has been received by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary has issued implementation guidelines. In the meantime, we will continue to treat all of our personnel with respect."

Sen John McCain, who chairs the Armed Services Committee, said Secretary of Defense James Mattis was going through a study of the issue and had just informed Congress he needed to extend the time to complete it. "I know what Mattis said, that he had wanted to complete the study, and he was surprised," said McCain.

McCain issued a statement saying the President's tweets were "yet another example of why major policy announcements should not be made via Twitter.

"The statement was unclear. The Department of Defense has already decided to allow currently-serving individuals to stay in the military, and many are serving honorably today. Any American who meets current medical and readiness standards should be allowed to continue serving. There is no reason to force service members who are able to fight, train, and deploy to leave the military-regardless of their gender identity. We should all be guided by the principle that any American who wants to serve our country and is able to meet the standards should have the opportunity to do so - and should be treated as the patriots they are."

Apparently, if Trump did consult any Military leaders, it was just Cap'n Crunch, General Halftrack from Beetle Bailey and son Barron's old GI Joe action figures.

Trump's transgender ban reverses current military policy and his campaign pledge to champion LGBT rights. That promise is what Trump really "repealed and replaced."

In their 2016 study commissioned by the Pentagon, the Rand Corp estimated there were 6,630 transgender individuals active in a military force of about 1.3 million. The study found that the transgender-related healthcare cost increase would amount to 0.13 percent.

So the numbers don't support Trump's assertion that transgender present too much of a financial burden and are a disruptive force.

Trump tweeting out his transgender ban appears to be more disruptive to the military than transgender individuals serving has been.

Can you imagine President's George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt tweeting out disruptive military policy changes while forces are still in combat, or at any time?

Trump avoided service in Vietnam due to an alleged bone spur in his foot. And yet somehow, appearing to have a large bone spur in his head, hasn't prevented him from serving as Commander-in-Chief.

At a Youngstown Trump jamboree this week, our fake president joked about his face one day being on Mt. Rushmore. At this rate, if Trump makes it onto Mt. Rushmore, it will be on its backside, with Trump depicted as an Elephant's backside, alongside Richard Nixon, Andrew Johnson and Warren Harding.
National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster is increasingly isolated in President Donald Trump's administration, congressional and administration officials tell CNN, finding himself in conflict with senior White House officials, Cabinet members and the President himself.

A congressional source tells CNN that McMaster is at odds with President Trump on many key national security issues. McMaster has also found himself undercut by others in the President's orbit like chief strategist Steve Bannon and he has clashed with Defense Secretary James Mattis, according to congressional and administration officials.

McMaster's dust-ups with the President and his team have bubbled up over a long-delayed plan for Afghanistan, where the President has yet to sign off on a McMaster-backed strategy that would increase the number of US troops deployed to bolster America's longest war.

As the dispute has dragged on, administration officials have speculated that McMaster could be on his way out of the White House, potentially taking a new job within the administration or military outside of the National Security Council.

McMaster met with Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday as the NSC looks to finalize an Afghanistan strategy that the President will sign off on.

CNN has spoken to a number of government officials who say several scenarios are possible in the coming weeks, including the unlikely possibility McMaster could be transferred to command troops in Afghanistan or tapped as a new "special envoy" for South Asia, where he would oversee policy and strategy for Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. A senior administration official dismissed the notion as premature and not under serious consideration.

McMaster staying put as the national security adviser, the sources say, will depend largely on how comfortable Trump feels keeping him on in his current position amid all the disarray in the White House.

However, two intelligence officials caution that the warnings about McMaster's fate that have arisen in recent weeks may originate from other factions in the administration trying to undermine the national security adviser's authority.

"Bannon's been undercutting him and NSC, but that's nothing new," said a Republican congressional aide. "It's Game of Thrones over there."

The drama surrounding McMaster comes amid reports several others in Trump's Cabinet are feeling frustrated and could be on the way out.

Trump has taken the extraordinary step of attacking his own Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, on Twitter in recent days. The President said Tuesday he was "disappointed" in Sessions but would not say if he would fire him, adding only that "time will tell" Sessions' fate.

Two sources told CNN on Sunday that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson could be on the way out, too, amid his own issues with the White House. The State Department has pushed back, and Tillerson said Wednesday he'll stay "as long as the President lets me." He added that his relationship with Trump is "good."

McMaster has clashed with Bannon over a troop increase in Afghanistan for several months, as they have competed to win over Trump on the issue. The dispute has sparked leaks about McMaster losing his standing within in the White House, including a Politico report Monday that Trump's hesitation to add troops in Afghanistan was a no-confidence vote in his national security adviser. An NSC Principals Committee meeting on Afghanistan last week was heated and "words were exchanged," according to Politico.

McMaster has expressed concerns about Russian aggression, as has Mattis. But as a longtime proponent of military counter insurgency, McMaster may have run afoul of the White House interest in limiting large scale military involvements and instead focusing on the use of special operations forces.

The National Security Council declined to comment on the record for this article. Steve Bannon did not respond to a request for comment.

Closer to a decision?

The National Security Council's Principals Committee met again Wednesday to debate US policy in South Asia, including the future of the US effort in Afghanistan, administration officials said.

Pence chaired the meeting instead of McMaster, and he was there to ask questions and help guide the discussion, according to the officials.

One official pushed back on the notion McMaster is isolated, insisting that McMaster and other members of the principals committee have worked together to secure the President's support on major decisions like granting the Pentagon additional troop management authority and recertifying Iran's compliance with the nuclear agreement.

Another senior administration official told CNN the meeting primarily focused on addressing the concerns Trump has expressed in recent weeks about the US's long-term commitment to the war in Afghanistan and his questions about what success would look like there.

The officials established barometers to measure success as the US presses forward in the 16-year war, and claimed the top national security and foreign policy officials emerged from the meeting united on ways to address the President's questions and concerns on the US's ongoing commitment to Afghanistan.

The official said that while chief strategist Steve Bannon, who has feuded with McMaster over the strategy in the past, attended the meeting, he did not speak up.

Problems at the Pentagon

McMaster joined Trump's White House in February as an active-duty three star general replacing Michael Flynn, a retired three-star general. The move put McMaster in an awkward place with Flynn's allies in the White House, which was exacerbated when McMaster removed Flynn loyalists from the NSC -- and got Bannon removed from the principals committee.

Retired Col. Derek Harvey, a Flynn appointee to the NSC, was removed from his post on Thursday.

But internal White House politics aren't McMaster's only issues in the administration, as Mattis has also grown frustrated over the delay on an Afghanistan decision and the two have clashed over it, according to Republican lawmakers and administration officials.

"The biggest problem is he and McMaster have had these tensions," said a Republican senator. "That's the problem -- over roles, missions, budgets. Why do you think we haven't got a strategy yet?"

Defense officials also pointed out that as a three-star general, McMaster is essentially outranked by both Mattis, a retired four-star Marine general, and Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

While McMaster has immediate access to the Oval Office, he is more of a coordinator than policymaker in the eyes of the Pentagon, defense officials say.

Mattis, they say, has no hesitation about going directly to Trump when he feels it's necessary.

Of course, the Afghanistan strategy delay also underscores Mattis' own difficulties with Trump. Mattis had promised Congress a plan by mid-July that has still yet to materialize. And Wednesday's decision to ban transgender troops caught nearly everyone in the Pentagon off guard -- including the Joint Chiefs -- and came while Mattis was on vacation.

One military official who has worked with McMaster says he has made some at the Pentagon uncomfortable for publicly taking what they see as political positions in defending the President, including when he publicly defended Trump after his Oval Office meeting with the Russian ambassador and foreign minister and disputed reports that the President had shared classified information.

Mattis dismissed reports that he and McMaster are at odds, or that McMaster could be on his way out at NSC.

"We love reading those kinds of stories going -- I'm amazed sometimes when I'm having a fight with and everything, somebody I haven't talked to in two weeks. I'm having a fight with them. It's good. You know, it keeps us smiling," Mattis told reporters last week.
After Verizon and AT&T topped Wall Street's earnings estimates with their second-quarter results, Jim Cramer wondered if there might be more steam ahead for the telecom giants.

"Are the empires striking back?" the "Mad Money" host asked.

Verizon's earnings beat was driven in part by the addition of 614,000 wireless, post-paid subscribers, up from a 307,000-subscriber decline last quarter. Cramer pointed out that the company's "churn," or how many customers leave it for other carriers, was markedly low.

"This represents a pretty incredible 90-day turnaround for the telco titan," Cramer said.

AT&T's earnings also showed a record-low level of churn on top of 2.3 million added users, beating expectations as the company awaits regulatory approval to merge with Time Warner .

Cramer added that AT&T's smoothly executed acquisition of DirecTV, cost controls and historically high margins were also worth noting as areas of improvement.

"These are huge comebacks for two staid, old competitors that had started to seem like whipping boys for John Legere, the brash CEO of T-Mobile ," the "Mad Money" host said.

The un-carrier's second-quarter earnings report did blow investors away, with its 817,000 post-paid subscriber additions coming in at more than double the Street's estimates.

Moreover, T-Mobile's earnings were clearly better than those of Verizon and AT&T, so much so that on his conference call, Legere suggested his main rivals may be "dumb and dumber."

"OK, they may still be dumber than T-Mobile, but what I find intriguing is that if both AT&T and Verizon are in growth mode here, then their stocks might be better buys than T-Mobile at this level unless the un-carrier catches a takeover bid," Cramer said.

He did, however, agree with the idea behind Legere's tweet to him on Wednesday:

"If [Verizon] is happy with these results, so are we!" Legere wrote. "That's 3.5 years [T-Mobile] leads industry in postpaid growth."

Even after shares of AT&T rallied post-earnings, Cramer argued the stock was still cheap, especially considering its 5 percent yield.

Cramer said that Verizon's 4.89 percent yield is also attractive, mainly because the company is likely able to boost its dividend after its strong second quarter.

"I think the reason T-mobile's stock didn't fly on that better-than-expected quarter when they reported is that the empires of the old world are striking back. Now, AT&T and Verizon aren't un-carriers; they aren't cool in any way, shape or form. But as investments? They're beginning to be, let's say, among the best and their stocks are open for business for everyone who needs income and not just the capital appreciation that I think T-Mobile will continue to give you," Cramer said.

T-Mobile's Legere struck back in his own way in an emailed response to Cramer's commentary sent to CNBC.

"If this is what it looks like for Verizon and AT&T to 'strike back,' I say keep it up!" the CEO wrote. "It works for me we took double the post-paid phone nets of Verizon while AT&T lost 132 [thousand] this quarter! At the same time, we just announced our 13th consecutive quarter of [year over year] service revenue growth while both Verizon and AT&T posted declines [year over year] for 10 and 13 consecutive quarters respectively. #stilldumbandumber"
The CEO of Dunkin' Brands says delivery is the next worldwide phenomenon in food service.

"I think the holy grail in the next few years ... is going to be delivery. And that's going to be a global trend, not a trend just here in the U.S.," CEO Nigel Travis said on CNBC's "Closing Bell" Thursday.

Recently, Dunkin' Brands has taken the kitchen-sink approach to technological innovation.

Dunkin' Donuts' mobile app has been around since 2012, and the Baskin-Robbins app launched just last year. DD Perks, Dunkin's rewards program, had more than 5 million members in 2016, and Travis said the company recently announced a plan to implement curbside pickup at many of its locations.

"We are giving the consumer everything they're looking for," Travis said.

Travis said delivery will be the dominant trend in coming years because of the changing nature of consumer demand. "The whole industry is under some pressure from changing demand," he said. "Consumers are demanding it instantly, they want it delivered, they're pressured for time."

Travis said Dunkin' Donuts is positioned "perfectly" to meet the more demanding consumer base by focusing on speed, delivery and technology. Eighty-five percent of new franchisees, for instance, are equipped with drive-through windows, compared with 70 percent in prior years, Travis said.

Dunkin's stock fell 0.17 percent during intraday trading on Thursday. The company's second-quarter earnings release Thursday morning fell short on revenue, and gave a full-year outlook that mostly fell below analysts' expectations.

Still, Travis said his company's focus on tech will help Dunkin' win the day.

"I'm more excited than I've ever been by the support of our franchisees getting right behind the technological innovations that we've been pushing for some years, and you'll see a lot more in the future."
Under pressure from widespread illegal narcotics distribution, Southeast Asia's largest economy has expressed a willingness to let authorities shoot down drug dealers, sparking fears the country could embark on a Philippine-style drug war. In a speech last week, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, or Jokowi, said his country faced a "narcotics emergency" and recommended police to shoot drug traffickers who resisted arrest. "I have told you, just be firm, especially with foreign drug dealers who enter the country and resist [arrest]. Gun them down. Give no mercy," local news outlets quoted the leader as saying.

Jakarta, July 20, 2017: 1 ton of crystal methamphetamine at the Metropolitan Jakarta regional office. Indonesian national police shot dead a Taiwan drug smuggler and arrested three Taiwanese at a hotel in Anyer, Banten province, after they received information from the Taiwanese government that Dasril Roszandi / NurPhoto / Getty Images

National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian also said last week that he had instructed police officers "not to hesitate shooting drug dealers who resist arrest," Indonesian media reported. Such comments mirror those of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is accused of giving police free rein to kill drug suspects. Philippine police have the right to shoot if their lives are endangered when drug suspects resist arrest, according to Duterte's official instructions, but reports of extrajudicial executions are widespread. In response, Human Rights Watch slammed Indonesian authorities. "President Joko Widodo should send a clear and public message to the police that efforts to address the complex problems of drugs and criminality require the security forces to respect everyone's basic rights, not demolish them," Phelim Kine, the organization's Asia deputy director, said in a recent note. Many believe Duterte's war on drugs, which has killed thousands, has jeopardized overall rule of law and democracy. Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano, however, has criticized media for misrepresenting Duterte's policies. If Indonesia, already weighed down by religious politics, embraces Duterte's controversial policies, analysts predicted an increase in societal divisions. "Launching such a crackdown will be deeply controversial in Indonesia," said Anwita Basu, analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit. "Violence of this kind is not well liked in the archipelago where democracy is maturing and people are increasingly becoming more engaged in politics."

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House Judiciary Committee Republicans on Thursday called for a new special counsel  to investigate Hillary Clinton, James Comey and Loretta Lynch.

In a letter addressed to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, the Republicans said they were writing to "request assistance in restoring public confidence in our nation's justice system and its investigators, specifically the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)."

The lawmakers said they presumed investigation of potential Russian influence on the U.S. presidential election was covered by special counsel Robert Mueller, but that they "are not confident that other matters related to the 2016 election and aftermath are similarly under investigation" by the former FBI director.

"The unbalanced, uncertain, and seemingly unlimited focus of the special counsel's investigation has led many of our constituents to see a dual standard of justice that benefits only the powerful and politically well-connected," the letter said. "For this reason, we call on you to appoint a second special counsel to investigate a plethora of matters connected to the 2016 election and its aftermath, including actions taken by previously public figures like Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton."

Last year, the Justice Department declined to charge Clinton or her associates for Clinton's handling of classified information while at the State Department. As a candidate, Trump threatened to appoint a special prosecutor to look into Clinton's actions.

Comey had made a public announcement about the FBI's recommendation that the Justice Department not pursue charges against Clinton. He had said "no reasonable prosecutor" would bring a case against the former secretary of state for her handling of government emails. That conclusion was widely panned by Republicans.

Mueller, meanwhile, was appointed in May following Trump's dismissal of Comey and after the former FBI director's accounts about private conversations with the president started to surface.

Although the Thursday letter will surely be deemed a cynically partisan move by those on the left, the lawmakers attempted to address those criticisms.

"Our call for a special counsel is not made lightly. We have no interest in engendering more bad feelings and less confidence in the process or governmental institutions by the American people. Rather, our call is made on their behalf. It is meant to determine whether the criminal prosecution of any individual is warranted based on the solemn obligation to follow the facts wherever they lead and applying the law to those facts."

Still, Thursday's letter aligns with recent messages from the White House.

Trump has repeatedly lashed out and tried to shift the focus to Clinton amid his frustration with federal and congressional investigations into whether his campaign coordinated with Moscow. He has called the probe, led by Mueller, a politically charged "witch hunt."

The man Trump has picked to lead the FBI, Christopher Wray, has disputed that assertion.

Trump also recently lashed out at Rep. Adam Schiff of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, which is investigating Moscow's role. He called Schiff "sleazy" and "totally biased" and accused him of using Russia as an excuse for Democrats' performance in the election.

CNBC's Jacob Pramuk contributed to this report.
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SHENZHEN, China  Chinese tech firm Huawei has clawed its way to the top in China and now it wants to clobber Apple and Samsung globally by selling to richer customers. "We're more focused on developed countries, instead of developing countries," Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei's consumer business group, told CNBC. That's because they're more likely to have a better economy and stronger consumer spending power, he said. related investing news Analysts love these EV-related stocks  and give one upside of more than 100% "Everybody knows that profit is on high tier, low tier no profit, and the middle tier very few margin ... to be honest, we have no interest in the low end," Yu said, adding that "Huawei is a company good at technology, innovation ... we believe we can bring more value to the high-end users" who care about better design and user experience. Huawei has made it big at home, and it has expanded ambitiously in a quest to become a global brand. It's now the world's third-largest smartphone maker, accounting for nearly one-tenth of the market. But profits are getting harder to come by, and the company still lags behind Samsung and Apple with 22 percent and 15 percent of the market last year, according to industry research firm Canalys.

David Ramos | Getty Images

Experts say the company is doing poorly in key markets like Indonesia and India  and the U.S. remains elusive. "The U.S. is a must-have," said Mo Jia, an analyst at research firm Canalys. "Only by [obtaining] a sound presence in the U.S., Huawei could have the chance to claim its crown in the global smartphone market." On Thursday, Huawei's consumer business group said sales for the first half of the year increased 36.2 percent to 105.4 billion yuan ($15.6 billion), with smartphone shipments up by 20.6 percent to 73 million units. The company expects to keep pace for the second half, shipping 140 to 150 million phones by the end of this year, but that's only a tad higher than the 139 million phones it sold last year. So there's still a ways to go, especially if Yu's division is to hit its own target of $100 billion in revenue by 2020. To get there, Huawei will keep prioritizing higher end customers in markets like Europe and Japan, where it's done well  phone shipments in Europe were up 18 percent in the first half of the year, led by Italy. "Rome was not built in a day; everything you have to do it step by step," Yu said. "And the U.S. will be our next step ... they need a better product, also better innovation from better vendors, from Huawei."

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Yu declined to discuss specific growth plans in the U.S., but said the fast-changing tech industry meant companies couldn't go it alone. "You cannot do everything by yourself; you have to do many things with partners." The company already partners with a range of companies including Leica, which industry analysts have touted as a success, allowing Huawei to launch dual-camera technology. It's also going keep building tens of thousands of stores, some operated with partners, hitting 56,000 shops by year-end. Looking ahead, Yu said Huawei would launch the world's first artificial intelligence-powered processor in a smartphone before the end of 2017  with a planned launch around the same time as Apple's iPhone 8. Yu wouldn't give further details, but Huawei is expected to put out its Mate 10 phone, a product that he said would beat the competition by a mile with a longer battery life, faster charging speed, and great camera capabilities. "Huawei has even more powerful products," he added.

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Japanese PM Shinzo Abe during his meeting with Danish PM Lars Loekke Rasmussen on July 10, 2017 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Embattled Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi Inada on Friday said she was resigning, after a series of gaffes, missteps and a cover-up at her ministry that have contributed to a sharp plunge in public support for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Inada, 58, an Abe protege who shares his conservative views and had been suggested as a possible future premier, had already expected to be replaced in a likely cabinet reshuffle next week that Abe hopes will help rebuild his ratings.

Support for the prime minister has sunk below 30 percent in some polls, due to scandals over suspected cronyism and a view among many voters that he and his aides took them for granted.

Abe apologized "to the people from my heart", in comments to reporters carried live on national television after Inada announced her resignation.

He said Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida would add the defence portfolio to his duties, to eliminate any gap at a time when Japan faces tough security challenges, such as a volatile North Korea.

Abe, however, had drawn fire from both ruling and opposition party lawmakers for retaining Inada despite her missteps and perceived incompetence.

"He should have thrown Inada under the bus long ago. Doing so on the eve of a cabinet reshuffle only looks like desperation," said Jeffrey Kingston, director of Asian Studies at Temple University Japan.

The resignation coincided with a report of an investigation into suspicions that defence ministry officials tried to hide logs showing worsening security in South Sudan, where Japanese troops joined in a U.S.-led peacekeeping operation.

Critics said troop deployment in the dangerous environment violated conditions set for such activities in line with Japan's pacifist constitution.

No Japanese troops have died in combat since World War Two and the growing chaos in South Sudan fuelled concern.
Martin Shkreli's lawyer suggested Thursday that his "pharma bro" client had a sexual relationship with the gay former chairman of the board of Retrophin , the drug company Shkreli had founded.

"What didn't Steve Richardson do for the two years he was on the board except try to seduce Martin Shkreli?" defense attorney Benjamin Brafman said in his summation at Shkreli's securities fraud trial in Brooklyn, New York, federal court.

Richardson, 63, is a former top human resources executive at American Express who served as chairman of Retrophin when the company ousted Shkreli in 2014 over a series of concerns about him.

Richardson, who is gay, .

Richardson said he believed Shkreli was doing so in the mistaken belief that Richardson would want to hear such remarks.

Brafman told jurors, "I don't care whether you're gay, or not gay, or straight or bisexual."

"It's not our business whether Steve Richardson's gay," Brafman said.

But Brafman said Richardson had "lied" when he claimed that he once sent Shkreli, now 34, an

"If you got that email from Mr. Richardson, you'd be creeped out about it," Brafman said.

In another email from Richardson, he wrote Shkreli, "I'm drunk. Where are you?"

Brafman asked, "Who sends an email to someone like that that you're not having a sexual relationship with?"

Brafman said that Richardson was actually telling Shkreli, "I'm horny," in that email.

The lawyer also noted that Richardson left Retrophin's board after a report by an independent commissioner found that he had "a personal relationship" with Shkreli.

"You did not get the truth from Mr. Richardson," said Brafman.

Richardson had been an investor in Shkreli's hedge fund and then in Retrophin before joining the board of the then-young company.

In testimony earlier this month, Richardson, who has a longtime male partner, said that Shkreli was interested in sleeping with a male employee or a restaurant waiter.

"He was starting to say certain things of a gay nature that worried me a bit," said Richardson. "I thought maybe he was saying things to me because he thought I would want to hear them."

Richardson testified that one night, while having Shkreli over for cocktails in his apartment in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, he conducted an unusual confrontation with Shkreli.

I said, 'Come with me' and walked him into the bedroom, and I sat him on the bed," Richardson testified.

"I said, 'You're here, you are sitting in a gay man's bedroom ... do you have any physical feeling to me?'"

"And he said, 'No, I like you a lot.'"

He then told Shkreli, "I want you to stop," according to Richardson's testimony.

When a prosecutor asked Richardson if he had any interest in a physical relationship with Shkreli, Richardson said, "No."

Brafman on Thursday scoffed at Richardson's account about taking Shkreli into his bedroom only to underscore the idea that he didn't want to have sex with him.

"What are we doing?" Brafman asked. "He's old enough to be his father. He's chairman of the board!"

Shkreli did not testify at his trial. If he had done so, prosecutors could have asked him if he did have a sexual relationship with Richardson, and why he had allegedly made suggestive remarks to the other man.
Meg Whitman, CEO of Hewlett Packard, on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange

Meg Whitman dismissed speculations on Friday morning Asia time that she may join Uber as a replacement for its former chief, Travis Kalanick.

Whitman, who is currently CEO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise , emerged as a front-runner in the ride-hailing company's search for a new chief executive officer after Kalanick stepped down in June, following pressure from shareholders.

In a series of tweets, Whitman reiterated her commitments to HPE and said she didn't plan to move. She said, "So let me make this as clear as I can. I am fully committed to HPE and plan to remain the company's CEO."

Whitman added, "We have a lot of work still to do at HPE and I am not going anywhere. Uber's CEO will not be Meg Whitman."

Whitman Tweet 1: (1/3) Normally I do not comment on rumors, but the speculation about my future and Uber has become a distraction.

Whitman Tweet 2: (2/3) So let me make this as clear as I can. I am fully committed to HPE and plan to remain the company's CEO.

Whitman Tweet 3: (3/3) We have a lot of work still to do at HPE and I am not going anywhere. Uber's CEO will not be Meg Whitman.

Earlier this week, Whitman stepped down as chairwoman of HP's board, but she remained at the helm of the more enterprise-focused HPE business. The two companies were created in 2015 from the split of Hewlett Packard.

News site Axios said on Thursday that it had learned from multiple sources that Whitman had emerged as a front-runner to become Uber's next CEO. But, Axios reported, it was not a done deal and there was no consensus among the members of Uber's executive search committee.

Currently Uber is struggling from myriad issues on top of the search for Kalanick's replacement. Those include an intellectual property fight with Waymo, Google's self-driving car program, scrutiny into its workplace culture and a criminal probe over a software that helped drivers evade local transportation regulators.
House Speaker Paul Ryan said Thursday that his chamber was open to going to a conference committee to reach an Obamacare repeal deal with the Senate  but expressed doubts that his Republican counterparts could pass any major overhaul of the health-care system.

"If moving forward requires a conference committee, that is something the House is willing to do," Ryan said in a statement. "The reality, however, is that repealing and replacing Obamacare still ultimately requires the Senate to produce 51 votes for an actual plan."

Ryan's statement came after four Republican senators shredded the GOP's "skinny" Obamacare repeal plan, but said they could vote for it if they got an assurance that they could craft something better in a conference committee with the House.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., later told reporters that Ryan's statement was not sufficient. It's unclear now if Ryan's statement will satisfy the demands for the other three senators, Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., and Bill Cassidy, R-La.

Ryan did not specifically say whether the House would take up the skinny repeal plan if the Senate passes it.

"The House remains committed to finding a solution and working with our Senate colleagues, but the burden remains on the Senate to demonstrate that it is capable of passing something that keeps our promise, as the House has already done," Ryan said. "Until the Senate can do that, we will never be able to develop a conference report that becomes law. We expect the Senate to act first on whatever the conference committee produces."

A conference committee can form when the Senate and House pass differing versions of bills and aim to strike one agreement that both chambers can then vote to approve. The House already passed an Obamacare replacement plan, the highly unpopular American Health Care Act. It is unclear if that process can produce a plan that enough Senate Republicans will support.

Here's Ryan's full statement:

"It is now obvious that the only path ahead is for the Senate to pass the narrow legislation that it is currently considering. This package includes important reforms like eliminating the job-killing employer mandate and the requirement that forces people to purchase coverage they don't want. Still it is not enough to solve the many failures of Obamacare. Senators have made clear that this is an effort to keep the process alive, not to make law. If moving forward requires a conference committee, that is something the House is willing to do. The reality, however, is that repealing and replacing Obamacare still ultimately requires the Senate to produce 51 votes for an actual plan. The House remains committed to finding a solution and working with our Senate colleagues, but the burden remains on the Senate to demonstrate that it is capable of passing something that keeps our promise, as the House has already done. Until the Senate can do that, we will never be able to develop a conference report that becomes law. We expect the Senate to act first on whatever the conference committee produces. Obamacare is collapsing and hurting American families. We have to keep working at this until we get the job done."

Separate GOP plans to immediately replace the Affordable Care Act or repeal it with a two-year transition period failed in the Senate amid Republican divisions. The skinny proposal is seen as a final attempt to push a plan through the Senate before the House would have to approve a proposal as well.

Senate Republicans have not unveiled text yet of a "skinny" repeal bill, which they aim to pass on Thursday night or Friday. Provisions of it may depend on what can garner a majority of support in the Senate during a string of upcoming votes.

A Congressional Budget Office score requested by Democrats estimated that a skinny repeal plan would leave 16 million more people uninsured and make premiums about 20 percent higher than under current law. However, that report was based only on widely reported outlines of a skinny repeal proposal, meaning it does not capture whatever concrete bill the Senate will field.
Wells Fargo said on Thursday that it would compensate around 570,000 customers with car loans who were harmed by being forced to buy auto insurance.

The bank estimated the total cost at around $80 million.

Auto-loan contracts require customers to have comprehensive insurance for potential damage, and the bank was permitted under the contracts to buy that coverage and pass on the cost if there was no evidence it had been purchased elsewhere, Wells Fargo noted in the statement on Thursday.

But it added that its "internal controls were inadequate," with customers charged insurance premiums even if they were paying for their own vehicle insurance.

"We take full responsibility for our failure to appropriately manage the collateral protection insurance program and are extremely sorry for any harm this caused our customers, who expect and deserve better from us," Franklin Codel, head of Wells Fargo Consumer Lending, said in the statement.

"Upon our discovery, we acted swiftly to discontinue the program and immediately develop a plan to make impacted customers whole," he said.

The overcharging of customers for auto insurance was first reported by the New York Times on Thursday.

That article, citing a 60-page internal report prepared by consulting firm Oliver Wyman, said that Wells Fargo required a much larger number of customers  more than 800,000  who took out car loans to buy auto insurance they did not need.

The cost of the unnecessary insurance pushed around 274,000 customers into delinquency and resulted in nearly 25,000 wrongful vehicle repossessions, the article said, citing the internal report.

The internal report examined insurance policies sold to Wells Fargo customers from the beginning of 2012 through mid-2016, the article said, noting the practice began as early as 2006 and continued through September of 2016.

Wells Fargo's mea culpa over the improper auto insurance sales marked another black eye for the bank.

In September, Wells Fargo reached a $185 million settlement with regulators over creating what the bank then said could be as many as 2.1 million accounts in customer names without their permission.

Workers created the accounts to meet the bank's aggressive sales quotas to enroll customers in multiple programs.

Since then, former CEO John Stumpf has left the bank and a handful of other executives have departed as well. Wells Fargo recently announced another settlement  this time $142 million to take care of a class-action lawsuit.

The Wells Fargo board recently decided to claw back more money from Stumpf and Carrie Tolstedt, the former head of the community bank unit head, where the scandal unfolded.

CNBC's Jeff Cox, Wilfred Frost and Dawn Giel contributed to this article.
Obamacare's individual mandate is not the most popular aspect of the Affordable Care Act. But as Congress moves toward repealing the mandate as part of tax reform, voters, legislators and industry experts have flocked to its defense, pointing out that doing away with it would cause already high premiums for individual health plans to rise by 10 percent.

As a result, "a coalition of physician, hospital and health insurance industry associations called on Congress [earlier this fall] to keep the individual mandate," reports CNN.

They warned repeal would lead to "a significant increase in premiums" for those seeking to buy insurance on Obamacare marketplaces, which offer coverage to those who don't have insurance through an employer or elsewhere.

That increase would add about $1,000 to the annual cost of coverage for an individual health plan for the average unsubsidized family shopping for coverage via government exchanges. (The Kaiser Family Foundation breaks down which lower- and moderate-income families qualify for subsidies here.) That family would go from paying about $10,000 a year on premiums alone, which is what it spent in 2016, to about $11,000. The average unsubsidized individual, meanwhile, would go from paying about $3,800 a year on premiums to about $4,180.

And the Center for American Progress, which crunched the numbers before the House and the Senate reconciled their bills, warned that the forecast could be even more dire: "A typical middle-class family buying individual market insurance would see premiums increase nearly $2,000."

Increased costs would also threaten the health insurance of about 13 million Americans, according to estimates from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.
The "bad boss" has become a comedic part of work culture, permeating movies and television, but when you actually work for a bad boss, there's nothing funny about it. Researchers from the Harvard Business School and Stanford University meta-analyzed the results of more than 200 studies to better understand the effects of stress in the workplace. They found that worrying about losing your job makes you 50% more likely to experience poor health and that having an overly demanding job makes you 35% more likely to have a physician-diagnosed illness. More from LinkedIn:

Four things to do when you catch a liar

Ten signs you're burning out (and how to stop it)

Two snap judgments people make when they first meet you Job insecurity and unrelenting demands perfectly characterize the environment created by bad bosses, and the negative health effects measured by the Harvard and Stanford researchers are as bad as what are seen in people who are exposed to significant amounts of second-hand smoke. Bad bosses are more common than you think. Recent research from the American Psychological Association reported that 75% of American workers identify their boss as the worst and most stressful part of their job and 60% of US workers would take a new boss over a pay raise. "People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader leads, and the boss drives."  Theodore Roosevelt It's obvious that bad bosses have a disastrous impact on their employees' health and productivity, so what do people working for bad bosses do about it? Not much.

Charly Triballeau | Getty Images

While 27% of people working for a bad boss quit as soon as they secure a new job and 11% quit without having secured a new job, an amazing 59% stay put. That's an alarming number of people who are living with overwhelming stress and experiencing the trickle-down effects this has on their sanity and health. There are many theories as to why people keep working for bad bosses, ranging from Stockholm Syndrome to company loyalty. Sometimes it's just "comfortable couch" syndrome, where putting in the effort to find a new job seems too overwhelming. The problem is that the longer you stay with an abusive boss, the harder it becomes to convince yourself to leave and the bigger the toll it takes on your mind, body, and family. That's why it's important to know how to recognize the signs of a bad boss early on before you're sucked in so deeply that it's hard to leave. Here are some critical things to watch out for.

Belittling

Sometimes it's necessary for bosses to deliver feedback about your performance that isn't easy to hear. But some of them give you the strong impression that they enjoy it. They don't just give you important feedback, they relish the act of putting you in your place  even more so if they have an audience. While you don't necessarily want a boss who can't deliver tough feedback, you definitely don't want to work for someone who enjoys criticizing and blaming. If that's the kind of boss you have, get out quickly, for the sake of your health.

Temper tantrums

Like everyone else, bosses have bad days. Pressure might make your boss lose his temper, but that shouldn't be happening on a regular basis. If your boss flies off the handle anytime something doesn't go exactly the way he wants it to, it's time to reconsider your employment. Whether it's directed at you, his bosses, or just the forces of nature, tantrums set a negative emotional tone that reverberates throughout your workplace. They make people timid and cautious. People stop speaking up and sharing their creative ideas because they're afraid they're going to get slapped back down. If you hear your boss yelling down the hall, and instead of thinking 'What in the world is going on?' you're thinking 'Here we go again,' then it's time to move on.

Doctors from Grey's Anatomy work on a high stakes case, adding additional pressure to a tense environment. Vivian Zink | Getty Images

Unreasonable expectations

Some bosses see their employees the same way that young children see their teachers  as having no identity outside of their work. They can't quite wrap their minds around the importance of family obligations, hobbies, or anything else outside of the office that doesn't serve them. These are the bosses that expect you to put in unreasonable hours that serve little purpose. If you get the feeling that you're disappointing your boss every time you leave for the day, then you're working in an unhealthy environment.

Failure to lead by example

If there's one thing that drives almost all employees crazy, it's a boss who doesn't walk the talk. It's extremely difficult to feel inspired and to take your job seriously when the person who sets your standards doesn't live up to those expectations herself. If your boss is a hypocrite, it's time to go.

Bringing it all together
Today, a lot of good jobs require a college degree, which is a big ask for a lot of people at a time when one year of college costs an average of $9,650 at a public university and a whopping $24,930 at a private university.

For those who can't afford that time or money, starting a promising career may seem impossible. As The Wall Street Journal reports, "By 2015, the share of all good jobs that went to non-college graduates fell to 45 percent from 60 percent in 1991leaving 45 million workers in low-paying, sometimes part-time roles that don't offer a path to the middle class."

But according to a new report by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, there are well-compensated jobs available for those with a high school degree, some college experience or an associate's degree  about 30 million of them, to be exact.

The research team at Georgetown University defines a good job as one that pays an average of $55,000 per year, with a minimum of $35,000. Many of them are concentrated in a few specific industries.

Here are eight fields that, between 1991 and 2015, added a significant number of good jobs that don't require a college education to the economy at an increasing rate:
After disclosing a brain tumor diagnosis last week, returning to Washington Tuesday to vote for debate on health care and sending a fiery message to his colleagues in government on the Senate floor, Sen. John McCain maintained his vice grip on the political spotlight Friday morning by casting the deciding vote against the latest effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

When he revealed his illness, McCain, R-Ariz., was lauded with praise across the political spectrum for his character and sense of principle in carrying out the duties of his office.

Tweet Barack Obama

But his vote on Tuesday to push the ball forward for the "skinny repeal" of Obamacare spurred some taboo-breaking commentary on the political left:

Tweet Joy Ann Reid

Tweet Jamelle Bouie

Tweet Matt McDermott

After some late-night legislative drama, the Arizona senator has now come under fire from some on the right.

McCain cast the third Republican vote against the health-care repeal at 1:30 a.m. Friday morning, effectively dooming a bill that had no Democratic support  and leading some conservative commentators to question the intent of the Senator's decision.

"John McCain stabbed his Republican colleagues in the back, and that of the president," Ron Christie, ex-special assistant to former President George W. Bush, said on CNBC's "Power Lunch" Friday.
Amazon's first foray into the Southeast Asian market appears to have hit a roadblock.

The e-commerce giant launched its express, same-day delivery service, Prime Now, on Thursday morning in Singapore, but by that afternoon the service seemed to have become unusable.

Many users in Singapore were unable to select a delivery window for their purchases to be delivered at the checkout screen. A message stated that all remaining delivery windows "for today and tomorrow are currently unavailable," and that users should check in later for updates.

On Friday, the messaging on the checkout screen was updated to say that Amazon was "working hard to open up more capacity as soon as possible."

Some items listed also appeared to be either in low supply or to have run out of stock on Friday morning.

When contacted by CNBC, Amazon said that users were unable to check out because they were "sold out" of delivery availability.

The company said in an official statement that "Singapore loves Prime Now, and we are delivering thousands and thousands of orders each day." Most reports on local media indicated delivery could be selected for only a few hours after the initial launch.

In its statement to CNBC, Amazon added: "Due to great customer response, delivery windows are currently sold out. We are rapidly opening up new windows to ensure we can continue delighting customers in Singapore."

The Prime Now service is available in Singapore through the app, which can be downloaded on Google's Play store and Apple's App store. Prime Now is part of Amazon's Prime membership service and was launched in December 2014 in New York. To-date, the service is available in more than 50 cities in nine countries, including Berlin, London, Madrid, Rome and Tokyo.

There are several delivery options given: For orders below 40 Singapore dollars ($29.48), users pay a S$5.99 delivery fee; orders above S$40 are delivered free in a two-hour delivery window. For those wanting to get their goods within an hour, they pony up S$9.99 per order.

 CNBC's Leslie Shaffer contributed to this report.
Perhaps President Donald Trump's new White House communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, should listen to a bit of his own advice on how to communicate effectively. In November, Scaramucci, then running the hedge fund company he founded, SkyBridge Capital, appeared on knowledge forum Big Think where he espoused his best advice on the subject. "I find that words really do matter," explains Scaramucci to the camera. "Particularly in our society today where we're getting a lot of our information electronically transferred I think words do matter. And I also think that for whatever reason, due to political correctness there's a heightened sensitivity to words," Scaramucci says in the video.

The advice has resurfaced a day after a New Yorker reporter, Ryan Lizza, published a piece detailing the gratuitous, obscenity-laden phone call he got from the new White House communications director Wednesday night. "I'm not Steve Bannon, I'm not trying to suck my own c---," says Scaramucci to Lizza, whom he called trying to find out who leaked information to the reporter. "I'm not trying to build my own brand off the f---ing strength of the president. I'm here to serve the country." New Yorker tweet The point of the Big Think video was to give communication advice to leaders, such as using "we" instead of "me" when talking to your employees. "When you're managing a company you have to speak in the right way because if I say 'me' and 'my' and 'I,' I'm going to lose people around me," Scaramucci says. "[Y]ou should really think about it, if you're running a company when the word 'team' is in your head, it's together everyone achieves more," he explains. However, Scaramucci's communication skills are questionable, even in the Big Think video  the financier goes on to say how words have changed, using now-unacceptable terms to describe Asian-Americans and African-Americans as examples.

I find that words really do matter. Anthony Scaramucci White House communications director

"I hope I didn't offend anybody even by bringing those [words] up on  I'm just bringing up the illustration the evolution of the words," he says. Scaramucci also admits he isn't the most eloquent communicator.

Anthony Scaramucci, White House communications director Photo by Chip Somodevilla
Neil Woodford, Woodford Investment Management. Woodford Investment Management

AstraZeneca saw more than 10 billion ($13.08 billion) wiped off its market value on Thursday, yet one of Britain's most influential investors argued the pharma giant's investment case remains "very, very attractive." Shares in the ailing Anglo-Swedish pharmaceuticals group tumbled almost 16 percent Thursday, hitting its lowest level in five months after the firm announced the failure of a high-profile medical study. Results of the 'Mystic' study showed a combination of two injectable immunotherapy drugs were no more effective at shrinking tumors in patients with advanced lung cancer than chemotherapy.

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"The investment case for AstraZeneca is about so much more than this one trial. Across a broad spread of disease areas, the company is developing new ground-breaking therapies which have significant commercial potential," Neil Woodford, a top AstraZeneca shareholder and one of the U.K.'s best-known fund managers, said in a blog post late Thursday.

'Market prone to overreact to bad news'

He argued the scale of the share price fall was not evidence of the failure of the drug, his fund's rationale for holding the stock or AstraZeneca's overall strategy. The founding partner of Woodford Investment Management suggested an oversensitive market had failed to place sufficient value on one of the company's most promising cancer drugs.



"Perhaps, at a time like this when the stock market is in such a febrile state and prone to overreact to news, especially when it is bad, it is important to remind investors that all four of the large immuno-oncology players (Roche, Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca) have all had cancer trial set backs in recent months," Woodford said. AstraZeneca's Chief Medical Officer, Sean Bohen, said while the results of the drug trial had been "disappointing", the group would continue to assess whether the treatment prolonged overall survival. The news came as AstraZeneca reported its total revenue had slipped 11 percent to $10.45 billion in the first six months of the year. Product sales were also down 11 percent to $9.78 billion over the same period. Shares in AstraZeneca were slightly higher during Friday afternoon trade.
People use their mobile phones in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on August 31, 2015.

It's a match made in business heaven: Chinese technology companies hungry for expansion are diving into the less-developed African continent, where several countries are targeting double-digit economic growth.

Iginio Gagliardone, a lecturer in media studies at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, told CNBC via telephone that the Middle Kingdom's expansion into Africa has been particularly pronounced over the past four to five years.

"China is everywhere," Gagliardone said, though he noted that its presence was stronger in certain markets.

For example, Gagliardone explained that China was "definitely the only player" in Ethiopia, with Chinese investment in the country's technology sector totaling $3 billion as of 2012.

But, he added that China was making its presence felt not just in East Africa, but also as far north as Egypt and Morocco and as far south as South Africa.

According to analysts CNBC spoke to, success in Africa boiled down to cost, with Chinese companies offering cheaper alternatives to their U.S. and European competitors. Gagliardone also said that African companies welcome the Chinese "no questions asked" style of doing business.

The China-Africa tech story began two decades ago, with the expansion of Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE , followed by Huawei, which provides similar services.

Tim Steinecke, an analyst at management consultancy Xynteo, wrote to CNBC via e-mail that both multinationals helped lay Africa's telecommunications infrastructure, and also worked with local African companies, research institutions and governments.
Nia Wellman and Ayanna Bozeman (above) have managed to start their own moneymaking businesses before graduating college  through YouTube. Wellman, 20, from Lithonia, Georgia, started making silly videos with her cousin and has managed to grow her YouTube channel to more than 94,000 subscribers. Most of the videos on her channel, Nia Imani, are tutorials on how to style natural African-American hair. The inspiration came from her own struggles to find other African-American women with her hair type on YouTube. "I wanted to show girls who have hair like mine how to do their hair," said Wellman. Natural-hair tutorials have grown over the past few years. Meechy Monroe, an African-American hair guru who was seen as a pioneer in raising this issue through social media, had more than 50,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel before passing away tragically from brain cancer. Natural hair has become a big trend as more African-American women are starting to embrace their natural kinks. Nia Wellman is now one of many natural-hair gurus on YouTube. She is now making as much as $1,000 a month from her YouTube channel and has quit her student job to focus all of her energy on her new venture. "I think after I graduate I'm not going to have a job job. If YouTube goes the way I want it to go for me, I'll probably just do YouTube," Wellman said.

College student Nia Wellman runs a profitable YouTube channel called Nia Imani, which focuses on natural-hair tutorials for African-American women.

Milwaukee resident Ayanna Bozeman, 20, started off doing "vlogs"  blogs in video form  just for fun. Her channel, Ayanna Alexis, encourages viewers to embrace who they are while living life to the fullest with a positive mind-set. As her channel took off, she started doing more reviews and taking part in more YouTube challenges to raise her profile. More from Iconic:

'Shark Tank' star Daymond John's 5 millionaire principles

Arianna Huffington's No. 1 tip for success

The rise of the female social entrepreneurs While there are many vloggers on YouTube inviting the world into their network of family and friends, Bozeman thinks the determination and confidence she displays is what has attracted a following of more than 27,000 subscribers. "Be yourself, stay confident, and never let your light dim, because success is not an option but a way of life," said Bozeman. The two young YouTube channel entrepreneurs still plan to graduate college, but as far as post-graduation plans, they are open to turning YouTube into a full-time job. They didn't get to this point just by sitting in front of a camera. They had to follow a set of rules to start making money from YouTube. Here are their tips for new YouTubers hoping to get on the path to YouTube channel profitability.

1. Stay consistent through struggles.

Both Bozeman and Wellman struggled to grow their audience in the early days of their YouTube channels. "It was frustrating. I'm putting work into recording videos, vlogging and editing, and I would only get like 30 to 50 views," Bozeman said.

Ayanna Bozeman created her motivational YouTube channel, Ayanna Alexis, while a sophomore in college. It currently has more than 27,000 subscribers.

Consistency quickly became Bozeman's go-to strategy for her channel. "You have to have a schedule of when you post videos. I try to post at least two videos a week, so people are expecting more content from me. Because if you post one video and then you leave for a month, people are going to lose interest in your page," Bozeman said.

2. Don't spend more than you will make.

Wellman didn't reach the point of making more than $1,000 a month from paid sponsorships and partnerships by spending a lot when she started out. And to this day, she tries to only spend money on her channel when she deems it necessary for her audience. "Say I want to film a tutorial that I think will be super helpful, like a beauty tutorial, or if I want to buy a beauty product. On average I might spend $30 maximum, and if that video receives enough views, I definitely think the amount I make will outweigh what I spent," Wellman said.

3. Don't monetize excessively.

In order to make money on YouTube  which is under the Alphabet corporate umbrella  you have to enable your channel for monetization and connect your channel to an AdSense account in order to get paid for monetized videos. Wellman, who has more than 7 million views on her videos, tries to stray away from using too many ads. "I don't like to be excessive, because to me that just screams I want YouTube money," Wellman said. Wellman determines the type of YouTube advertising she uses by the length of the video she is posting. "If my video is over 10 minutes, I'll use two ads. If it's a video within the 10-minute span, I'll use one ad before the video," she said.

4. Integrate YouTube with other social media and social media stars.

Both Wellman and Bozeman use additional social media platforms to drive subscriber growth, including Instagram and Snapchat. "I would go on my Instagram and Snapchat to be like, 'Hey, go watch my video,'" Bozeman said. Wellman often posts pictures of her natural hairstyles on her Instagram page in order to promote her upcoming hair tutorials. These other social media platforms can become moneymakers, too. For promotional posts on Instagram, Wellman makes $500. They also both use collaboration, the process of making a YouTube video with another YouTuber in order to gain exposure.

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Bozeman recently did a collaboration with LavishRuby, which involved a giveaway for people who subscribed to both of their YouTube channels. LavishRuby is another African-American vlogger, who has 14,545 subscribers. "I'll have them send me a clip of their video, and I'll put their clip in my video, and they'll put a clip of my video in their video. Then their subscribers will go check out my page," Bozeman said.

5. Pick and choose paid sponsorships carefully.

After a year of being active on both social media and YouTube, Bozeman didn't have to reach out to sponsors  they reached out to her. "My first sponsorship was a hair company. They sent me hair and told me that they wanted me to do a review. At that time, I didn't charge, since it was my first sponsorship, and I was just so happy that someone was sending me free hair," Bozeman said. She now receives emails from sponsors daily and makes $220 for a dedicated video review and $50 to shout out a product  that's when a YouTuber tells their audience to go check out the product but the majority of the video is unrelated. Bozeman has done reviews for Teami Tea, Fermoo and Vaseline. "You have to pick and choose what you want to be sponsored with and what you want to do with it," Bozeman said. Wellman makes more than $400 for each dedicated review and says she often uses Famebit, which is a site where YouTube channels can search for sponsors. "Sometimes I will reach out to brands that may not have seen my content," she said, adding she also keeps her business email on social media, which generates sponsorship inquiries. Wellman has done reviews on UNice Hair, EcoStyler and products from The Mane Choice. Both YouTube entrepreneurs say there is a downside to every product. Bozeman emphasizes doing your own research and testing a product before agreeing to review it. "If I honestly truly don't like the product, I won't review it," she said. Within reviews, she makes sure to give her audience an honest opinion about the product, careful not to sugarcoat. "I try to give the pros and cons so that it's genuine and realistic," she said.

6. Success will attract third parties, so be wary.

Bozeman and Wellman are always wary of scammers: After some success, YouTubers often start to attract third-party marketing companies that promise to grow their channel. While some are legitimate and work with well-established media and content brands, others could be scams. "I always like to get a second opinion," Bozeman said. Any email solicitation promising to scale your channel and asking you to enter your credit card information should be scrutinized, and for new YouTubers it's probably best to err on the side of not trusting the third-party sales pitch.

7. Don't overspend on equipment.

Many established YouTubers have high-quality cameras such as the Canon T5i or Canon 70D. However, both Wellman and Bozeman said starting out with an expensive camera is not necessary. "You want something that's going to give you a decent video but you don't have to go out and get a $10,000 camera. There's no need for that, especially if you're a beginner," Bozeman said. There are several options that aspiring YouTubers can turn to if they don't have enough money for an expensive camera. For one, YouTubers can use their phone or a webcam. Many big-time YouTubers  such as Eva Gutowski, who has more than 8 million subscribers on her channel MyLifeAsEva  started with their webcam. Wellman long had her heart set on the Canon 70D, which retails for around $800 (the Canon T5i is a little less expensive), so she decided to make a few sacrifices. "I traded in one of my old cameras, and I'm financing it. So I pay for it every month, and my quality has upgraded because of my purchasing a new camera. If you can afford a new camera, go for it," Wellman said.

8. Don't lose sight of why you started your YouTube channel.
Check out which companies are making headlines before the bell:

Merck  The drug maker reported adjusted quarterly profit of $1.01 per share, 14 cents above estimates, with revenue beating forecasts as well. Merck's profit was up 61.5 percent from a year earlier, bolstered by demand for its cancer drug Keytruda.

American Airlines Group  The carrier came in 5 cents above estimates with adjusted quarterly profit of $1.92 per share, with revenue slightly above forecasts. American also saw the key metric of revenue per available seat mile rise by 5.7 percent compared to a year earlier.

Rockwell Collins  The maker of aircraft components exceeded Street forecasts by 6 cents with adjusted quarterly earnings of $1.64 per share, while revenue also exceeded estimates. Rockwell Collins benefited from its acquisition of B/E Aerospace, a maker of aircraft interiors.

Amazon.com  The online retail giant earned 40 cents per share for its latest quarter, well below the consensus estimate of $1.42. Revenue did come in above estimates, but Amazon invested heavily in growth areas such as video content. It also forecast a possible operating loss for the current quarter.

Starbucks  Starbucks matched Street forecasts with adjusted quarterly earnings of 55 cents per share, though revenue came in below estimates. The coffee chain also gave a cautious forecast for the current quarter, and announced it would shut down all 379 of its Teavana stores.

Intel  Intel beat estimates by four cents with adjusted quarterly profit of 72 cents per share, while the chipmaker's revenue came in above estimates. Intel also raised its full-year revenue outlook, amid a more optimistic outlook for its personal computer business.

Expedia  Expedia fell four cents shy of estimates, reporting adjusted quarterly profit of 89 cents per share, though the travel website operator did post consensus-beating revenue. Gross bookings  a key metric for Expedia  also fell short of expectations.

Electronic Arts  Electronic Arts posted adjusted quarterly profit of 36 cents per share, beating estimates of 27 cents, while the video game maker's revenue was also above consensus forecasts. The results were helped by demand for its most popular titles like "The Sims", but shares were pressured in after-hours trading after they reached a record high during the regular session.

Mattel  Mattel lost 14 cents per share for its latest quarter, wider than the nine cents forecast by analysts. The toy maker also saw revenue fall short as global sales of its flagship Barbie brand fell five percent.

First Solar  First Solar reported adjusted quarterly profit of 64 cents per share, well above the four cent consensus estimate. The solar company's revenue also beat forecasts by a wide margin, and gave an upbeat forecast for the full year as pricing in the solar market firms.

Boston Beer  Boston Beer earned $2.35 per share for the second quarter, far outstripping the $1.41 consensus estimate. The brewer of Sam Adams beer also reported revenue above Street forecasts, as it sees increased revenue per barrel produced.

Align Technology  Align reported second quarter profit of 85 cents per share, 12 cents above estimates, with revenue also beating forecasts. The maker of the Invisalign dental brace system also gave an upbeat revenue forecast and said Invisalign case volume for the current quarter would be up 30 percent or more from a year ago.

Barclays  Barclays reported a $1.57 billion first-half loss, following a sizable impact from the sale of the European bank's Africa business.

UBS  UBS reported a $1.21 billion profit for the second quarter, beating analyst forecasts, but the bank gave a cautious second-half outlook.

Wells Fargo  Wells Fargo will reimburse about $80 million to 570,000 customers. The refund involves borrowers who were wrongly charged for car loan insurance.

Ford  The automaker's Explorer models are under increased scrutiny from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is expanding an investigation of reports of exhaust odors in vehicle compartments. About 1.3 million vehicles are affected, covering model years 2011 through 2017.

Amgen  Amgen was granted priority review for its request to add heart-related benefits to the label for its injectable cholesterol drug Repatha.

Weyerhaeuser  Weyerhaeuser reported adjusted quarterly profit of 28 cents per share, beating forecasts by 1 cent, while the forest products company's revenue came in slightly below consensus. The company said all its businesses were performing well and that it is poised to benefit from a strong housing market.
A driver in the United Kingdom has destroyed his Ferrari supercar in an accident after owning it for just one hour.

Police in South Yorkshire said the driver was able to walk away with just cuts and bruises after the Ferrari 430 "went airborne and burst into flames" in South Yorkshire on Thursday.

It's unclear what he paid for the car, but it was one of only 499 ever sold with an original list price of $288,000. These cars currently fetch between $80,000 to $220,000 according to one dealer.
Oil pumpjacks in the Permian Basin oil field are getting to work as crude oil prices gain.

The rebalancing in the oil market is accelerating, said Goldman Sachs in a note on Thursday.

"While OPEC's production path remains uncertain, recent fundamental oil data have come in even better than we had expected," Goldman said. "If sustained, these trends would help achieve the normalization in inventories by early next year."

Oil prices have rebounded over the past month due to large inventory draws, falling U.S. rig count and strong demand demand data, with prices rising above Goldman's September 2017 forecast of $50 a barrel Brent, the investment bank noted.

Data out of the U.S., Europe, Singapore and Japan point to overall inventory declines of 83 million barrels since March, according to Goldman's data.

Robust demand in particular has sent spot prices outperforming two-year forward West Texas intermediate prices by $2.40 barrel over the past month, Goldman analyst Damien Courvalin wrote in the note.

Europe, the U.S., India and China were driving up consumption and Goldman expected this strong demand growth to remain in place through the second half of the year. Its forecasts pointed to sustained draws through the third quarter of the year.
Something collapsed of its own weight last night, but it wasn't Obamacare. It was a partisan legislative effort that had grown completely disconnected from its ostensible purpose. Congressional Republicans, in the name of improving American health care, ended up searching for any bill they could pass  whatever its content.



Thursday's bizarre spectacle included Republican senators demanding assurances that a bill they were about to vote for would never become law. In the end, the fact that the "skinny repeal"  like every other variant the House and Senate had considered  would have left millions more Americans without health insurance proved too much for Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and John McCain.

Given the GOP's narrow 52-seat majority, their "no" votes were enough to sink the party's seven-year anti-Obamacare crusade. Spectacular dysfunction within the Trump White House  where a disengaged president oversees open warfare between his chief of staff and new communications director  only made the effort harder.

Now that GOP implosion threatens prospects for tax reform and President Donald Trump's entire legislative agenda. A similar disconnect between campaign commitments, policy goals and achievable legislation hangs over the remainder of the Republican agenda, which includes overhauling the tax code.



But Trump and Republican congressional leaders have no consensus on specific objectives. And since their legislative plan is to proceed with only Republican votes, they have minimal margin for error.



Trump, who championed the "forgotten" working class in his 2016 campaign, says his principal concern is cutting taxes for middle-income Americans. House Speaker Paul Ryan, who favors cutting top marginal tax rates above all, specifically rejects the idea of focusing a plan around cutting middle-class taxes.



Ryan, reflecting conservative deficit hawks in his caucus, wants a tax reform plan that does not increase budget deficits after accounting for economic growth. Trump and his aides emphasize tax cuts and are willing to accept higher deficits.



A tax reform statement released Thursday, just as health-care legislation foundered yet again, showed that the White House has prevailed on that point, at least for now. It shelved the so-called border adjustment tax that Ryan hoped would finance deep rate cuts for businesses.



What's not certain is whether a cuts-only plan that increases the federal debt could pass even in the House, where Republicans hold a substantial majority, much less the Senate. And while Ryan backs cutting the top personal tax rate, neither the Senate nor key players within the Trump White House have embraced that goal.



Hopes for a major infrastructure plan face the same dynamic. The White House has pledged a $1 trillion investment that uses $200 billion in taxpayer money to attract $800 billion in private capital.



But GOP leaders, already struggling to boost defense spending, raise the debt limit and pass a budget, face resistance from conservatives on infrastructure spending. Democratic lawmakers will insist on more spending if the White House decides to seek their votes.



For now there's only one clear lesson from the GOP's health-care failure. The size of Republican majorities now make partisanship for its own sake too heavy a burden to bear.
A riot security force member fires his weapon at a rally during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela July 26, 2017.

Some hedge funds are taking big bets on Venezuelan debt ahead of a controversial national vote on Sunday that has sparked severe unrest in that country.

The vote is for a special constitutional assembly that could rewrite the constitution despite widespread condemnation and the threat of more sanctions by the U.S. and other nations, particularly against Venezuela's state-owned oil company known as Petroleos de Venezuela , S.A., or PDVSA.

One particular trade concerns a PDVSA bond that has a $1.8 billion principal payment due in November. This bond traded Friday at 76.5 cents, deeply distressed and down from 83 cents just one month ago as the threat of sanctions weighs on it.

There are strong rumors that President Nicolas Maduro has reached a deal with Venezuela's government opposition that would stop the vote this Sunday. Hedge-fund traders are betting that if the rumors are true, they will get a windfall on their holding of this PDVSA bond.

If Sunday's vote is called off, the bond could rise dramatically on Monday, reflecting the market's view that the oil company would be able to make the November payment. And those who bought the bond on Friday at 76.5 cents and held it to November, if the principal payment is made, could recover 100 cents, a 30.7 percent return.

But if the rumors aren't true, and Sunday's vote is held, traders think it means more sanctions from the United States, and possibly the EU, and a likely default of the PDVSA bond by the Venezuelan government.

In that case, the recovery value on the bond in a restructuring is somewhere between 30 and 60 cents, based on the varied opinions of funds and restructuring experts.

The outlines of a deal, according to the speculation circulating in the emerging-market trading community, are as follows:

Maduro agrees not to hold the vote on Sunday, agrees to hold long-delayed regional elections in December and a presidential election in late 2018. The government would also allow a humanitarian aid channel opened. Thus far that has been prohibited because the government denies there is a crisis in the country.

In exchange for that, the opposition stops the unrest on the streets, and eventually allows safe passage out of the country for Maduro. It is unclear whether the opposition is united on this and will actually go along with it.

Sunday's vote for the new assembly would supersede the current parliament, which is controlled by Maduro's opposition. That has been criticized by leaders throughout the Americas as anti-democratic. Violent protests have rocked Venezuela, with nearly 100 deaths so far.

The United States imposed sanctions on 13 former and current Venezuelan officials earlier this week, promising more if Maduro goes through with the vote.

One of the most severe sanctions being floated is a ban on the import of Venezuelan oil, or a tax so heavy it wouldn't make sense to buy it. Oil makes up 95 percent of Venezuela's exports, and its sale provides the U.S. dollars Venezuela would need to pay the PDVSA bond due in November.

An even tougher option is what's known as the "Iran or Cuba" option or the "nuclear" option: prohibit the Venezuelan government from transacting in U.S. dollars, which would prevent it from selling oil in large parts of the world.
For months, the world has been captivated by the slow drip of information about Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

R. David Edelman, a former advisor to President Obama on technology and cyber issues isn't as worried about what the Russians did in the past as he is about what the state-actor could do in the future.

Dr. Edelman says the current news environment and emerging technology could create the perfect conditions for Russia to mislead the American public with misinformation.

"It is worth thinking  and perhaps worrying  about the intersection of Russia-style information operations and artificial intelligence," said Edelman. "Too often, people simply believe what they see online, especially if it confirms an existing bias. And new research is showing just how easy it is to impersonate a voice, an image, or even a video of a well-known official," he said.

The former cyber policy director imagines a fake broadcast being accepted as truth.

"I think in 5 years it will be very difficult to tell truth from fiction. Video forgery, audio forgery, deep learning provides tools that state and non-state actors could use to create confusion," said Edelman.

While malicious Russian cyber activity in nothing new to the U.S., the tactics used have become more sophisticated over the years. In 2014, hackers thought to be working for the Russian government broke into an unclassified White House computer system, according to reports. Then, there was the hacking of the State department email system which was described by law enforcement and congressional officials briefed on the investigation as the "worst ever" intrusion against a federal agency. In 2016, cyber hacking activities were aimed at Democratic party groups including Hillary Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, and his emails were released on WikiLeaks as part of an "influence campaign" directed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a declassified U.S. intelligence report.

"What we saw in the election hacking was simply an extension of a longstanding series of aggressive actions Russia has undertaken throughout modern history  usually within their sphere of influence, in the region  to sow discord to favor the political preferences and to ultimately discredit the West," he said.

As Obama's cyber policy lead Edelman was on the team that established the U.S.-Russia "red phone" designed to de-escalate cyber crises. The phone was used by Obama to warn Putin of potential consequences if Russian interference didn't stop. "While we did find ways to work together, to try to prevent crises or miscalculations, there was no point in the last nine years where U.S. experts regarded the Russians as a friendly actor," Edelman said.

The election meddling was in line with Russia's policy goal of destabilizing the Western order, he said. Still, Edelman thinks the Trump candidacy may have led them to become bolder as time went on. "They saw the potential to really shake things up," he said.

Since the Russian security services didn't hack the election in the sense of changing votes from one to the other, the narrative around the cyber intrusion should change, Edelman said.
Chaos reins in the White House, with the latest bombshell coming from new communications chief Anthony Scaramucci who unleashed a profanity-laced tirade excoriating Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and advisor Steve Bannon in a New Yorker article published on Thursday.

But President Donald Trump's feud with Attorney General Jeff Sessions remains a burning issue that could have major ramifications. It is abundantly clear that the president wants Sessions gone. Yet, instead of just firing him the president continues to attack and undermine his attorney general in tweets, interviews and press conferences, calling him "beleaguered" and "VERY weak."

In fact, there have been reports that the president is considering a recess appointment to replace Sessions, which would be a highly controversial move.

Trump's repeated public humiliation of Sessions is difficult to watch. He should decisively support his attorney general or just fire him. Mr. Trump is famous for the catchphrase "You're fired," but he is strangely hesitant to utter that phrase in this case.

Of course, he may be thinking that outright firing Sessions would be seen as another move to impede an investigation into possible collusion with Russia, especially after his controversial firing of FBI Director James Comey. Sessions' resignation could absolve him of that risk.

However, there are many reasons that the president should discontinue his campaign to hound Sessions out of office.

For one, Trump's shabby treatment of his AG threatens to erode his already weak basis of support, especially among conservatives, something a president with historically-low approval ratings should consider carefully.

Many conservatives voted for Trump in significant part because of Session's early endorsement of him. A swell of support for Sessions from conservative lawmakers, voters and news outlets, including Breitbart, has grown in step with the president's escalating attacks, and that should concern him more than it does. The opposition became more vocal Thursday with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) warning, "If Jeff Sessions is fired, there will be holy hell to pay,"

The president's agenda is already on thin ice, with Obamacare repeal failing in the Senate in an early morning vote on Friday, little movement on tax reform and an infrastructure plan in limbo. Angering conservatives will not help his cause.

There are other reasons Trump should stand down. Public criticism of employees is rarely a good idea. As my friend and Notre Dame graduate Adam Greenway, a dean at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, wisely advised, "Compliment publicly. Correct privately."

Second, the president 's main criticism of Sessions, that he did not tell him sooner that he would recuse himself from the Russia investigation, is based on a faulty timeline.

The main reason Sessions recused himself was the revelation on March 1 that he had met with the Russian ambassador twice during the presidential campaign, contradicting his statement during a Judiciary Committee hearing on January 10th that he had not met with any Russian officials.

So Trump is criticizing Sessions for not telling him in January that he would do something he did not know he would do until March. That makes as much sense as a passenger on the sinking Titanic saying "I would not have boarded had you told me we were going to hit an iceberg."

Thirdly, dismissing an employee is fair only when you have clear performance expectations, tell the employee when he or she is falling short of those expectations, and work with the employee to improve his or her performance. Firings should be a last resort when those efforts fail.

Sessions is obviously trying to improve his performance. The president said Tuesday that Sessions needs to be "much tougher" on leaks from the intelligence community, and multiple news reports indicate that Sessions will soon announce more aggressive efforts to investigate the leaks. But the president seems unwilling to give Sessions any credit for such efforts.

The president is also handling the situation poorly because he is talking about Sessions but not to him. Communications director Anthony Scaramucci has urged the president to sit down and talk with Sessions to iron out their issues and that would be a good idea, but it has not happened.

A final reason the president should stop backstabbing Sessions is that his apparent attempt to force Sessions to resign is undermining the morale and effectiveness of government workers. The Washington Post reported Tuesday, for example, that Justice Department employees say the president's comments are damaging the reputation and morale of the department.

The president's treatment of Sessions also hampers the administration's efforts to fill many key positions that remain vacant, and that should be filled during the early months of the administration when it has the best opportunity to advance its agenda.

Boarding the good ship Trump at this point is an increasingly risky proposition. In a May CNBC article, Steven Billet, from George Washington University's Graduate School of Public Management offered this sobering assessment: "They won't be able to attract the most talented people in Washington, D.C. Nobody in their right mind would jump into this White House at this point."

The president's prolonged and vicious public humiliation of the first Senator to endorse him will certainly not help recruitment efforts.

Firing employees is one of the most difficult tasks facing managers and leaders, but when necessary it can be done right if it is done with fairness and compassion. Trump has demonstrated neither of those qualities in his harsh treatment of Sessions. He has also failed to demonstrate loyalty, a quality that he insists on from others but has failed to show one of his most loyal soldiers.

Commentary by Joseph Holt, a business ethics professor at the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business. Follow him on Twitter @busethicsdude.

For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter.
Japan's Ministry of Finance (MOF) said on Friday the country will raise tariffs on frozen beef imports from the United States and other countries from August to protect domestic producers.

Tariffs on frozen beef will jump to 50 percent from the current 38.5 percent between Aug. 1 and the end of March next year, as a "safeguard" mechanism to protect domestic farmers is being triggered, the ministry said in a statement.

The increase will be the first time the tariff mechanism has been tripped for beef imports since it was last triggered for chilled beef in August 2003, the farm ministry said.

The increase threatens a significant sector of United States' access to the biggest Asian market for U.S. beef overall, just as President Donald Trump is trying to expand American exports to Japan.

A tariff increase is automatic if quarterly imports for specific types of beef products - both from all nations and from those that do not have economic partnership agreements (EPAs) with Japan - rise more than 17 percent from a year earlier.

In April-June, Japan's first fiscal quarter, frozen beef imports from all nations totalled 89,253 tonnes, up 17.1 percent from a year ago, and imports from non-EPA nations reached 37,823 tonnes, up nearly 25 percent, government data showed.

Nations that have EPAs with Japan, such as Australia, Mexico and Chile, will be excluded from the hike in tariffs. Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso told reporters the government has been contacting affected nations such as the United States to explain the increase, Kyodo news agency said.
Friday's court session began with Shkreli's lawyer Benjamin Brafman and assistant U.S. Attorney Jacquelyn Kasulis making their closing arguments in the trial .

Matsumoto then asked the panel if they wanted to start considering the charges against Shkreli right away. But they quickly told her they preferred to go home for the weekend.

The seven-woman, five-man jury, plus five alternate jurors, finished listening to more than 90 typed pages of legal instructions from Judge Kiyo Matsumoto in Brooklyn, New York, federal court late Friday afternoon.

Jurors in the Martin Shkreli securities fraud case will begin their deliberations Monday.

Shkreli snacked on a bag of Fritos while the jury instructions were read, and also read a book.

At other times, Shkreli pulled on his hair, and twirled around in his chair, facing completely away from the jury at one point.

The 34-year-old Manhattan resident is charged with defrauding more than a half-dozen people who invested in two hedge funds he ran from 2009 through 2012.

He also is accused of looting Retrophin , the drug company he subsequently founded, of stock and cash to pay back those investors.

Shkreli denies the charges, which are unrelated to his having hiked the price of an anti-parasite drug by more than 5,000 percent while running another drug company in 2015.

The trial began in late June. Shkreli faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted, but even if found guilty of all charges he is not likely to be sentenced to more than 10 years.
U.S. stock index futures held lower on Friday after U.S. economic growth data came in-line with expectations.

The U.S. economy grew by at an annualized rate of 2.6 percent during the second quarter. Economists polled by Reuters expected the economy to have grown at that rate.

Dow futures traded 36 points lower, while S&P and Nasdaq futures slipped 6.5 points and 43.50 points, respectively.



After a whirlwind of earnings releases seen this week, Friday will deliver a lighter batch, however these earnings are still expected to keep investors on their toes.
Bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell may not be a huge risk-taker, but he thinks you should be. "I'm not a good example of a risk-taker," he told CNBC Make It at OZY Fest. But in fact he took one of the biggest risks of his life when he was just 20 years old: "It's not that much of a risk, but I'm a Canadian who immigrated to another country, and came to this country not knowing a single person, to do a job that I got fired from within two months." Moving to a new country may seem like a big risk to most, but Gladwell wishes he had traveled even further. "I would have told my 21-year-old self to leave North America," he says.

Malcolm Gladwell Bloomberg | Getty Images

"In retrospect, I have spent too much of my time in the same and narrow world," says Gladwell. "I would have been a much more interesting and thoughtful person if I had, I don't know, gone to South America, gone somewhere different." Gladwell notes that while taking the time to travel does help people broaden their horizons, it's not the only kind of personal leap that can help set you up for success. "I don't mean physical risks or social risks, I mean intellectual risks," he says. "It's about putting yourself in places where you are uncomfortable with what people are thinking." While the prospect of any kind of risk-taking can be intimidating, Gladwell says it's important to remember that most people who have found success have done so by taking some kind of a chance.

Malcolm Gladwell Photo by Bloomberg
Three Republican senators who voted to block their party's latest Obamacare repeal plan called Friday for a bipartisan fix for insurance markets.

Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and John McCain, R-Ariz., said they still wanted to revamp the American health-care system to reduce costs and stabilize markets in pockets of the country. But they urged Senate leaders to take up an approach with both parties, rather than the Republican-only effort that characterized the various pushes to repeal or replace parts of the Affordable Care Act in recent weeks.

"Neither party has a monopoly on good ideas, and we must work together to put together a bipartisan bill that fixes the flaws in the ACA and works for all Americans," Collins said, in a statement.

McCain, whose vote early Friday appeared to come as a surprise to GOP leaders, added that he wants the Senate to "return to regular order with input from all of our members  Republicans and Democrats  and bring a bill to the floor of the Senate for amendment and debate."
It's official: Reince Priebus, Donald Trump's beleaguered chief of staff, is out.

The president took to Twitter on Friday evening to announce that his new chief of staff will be John F. Kelly, who is currently serving as the Secretary of Homeland Security.



"I am pleased to inform you that I have just named General/Secretary John F Kelly as White House Chief of Staff. He is a Great American ...," Trump tweeted to his more than 34 million followers, "... and a Great Leader. John has also done a spectacular job at Homeland Security."

Trump added: "He has been a true star of my Administration."

About Priebus, he wrote, "I would like to thank Reince Priebus for his service and dedication to his country. We accomplished a lot together and I am proud of him!"

TWEET

According to the Department of Defense, the four-star Marine general, 67, was born and raised in Boston, "enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1970, and was discharged as a sergeant in 1972, after serving in an infantry company with the 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina."
Americans "ought to be disgusted" by the airing of White House dirty laundry, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer told CNBC on Friday.

"The American people I'm sure are extraordinarily disappointed with Washington as they well ought to be and I would hope disgusted with ... what's going on in the White House," Hoyer said on "Squawk Box."

Hoyer also called on President Donald Trump to stop tweeting and start thinking. "He's our president. He ought to start acting like a president," he said.

The Maryland Democrat spoke after new White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci unleashed a profanity-filled tirade against White House chief of staff Reince Priebus and White House chief strategist Steve Bannon in an interview with The New Yorker.

"I'll get to the person who leaked that to you," Scaramucci told The New Yorker reporter. "Reince Priebus  if you want to leak something  he'll be asked to resign very shortly."

On Bannon, Scaramucci told the New Yorker: "I'm not Steve Bannon, I'm not trying to suck my own c---."

Scaramucci fumed about leaks after Politico reported findings from the former hedge fund star's disclosure, noting the 53-year-old had earned $4.9 million from his ownership stake in SkyBridge Capital and more than $5 million in salary between January 2016 and the end of June this year. The reporter who wrote the Politico story noted that it was a publicly available document that she got from the government



In a tweet late Wednesday, Scaramucci wrote, "In light of the leak of my financial disclosure info which is a felony. I will be contacting @FBI and the @TheJusticeDept #swamp @Reince45."

Since Priebus was tagged in the tweet, the media made the assumption the chief of staff was the leaker because "journalists know who the leakers are," Scaramucci told CNN on Thursday.

On the policy front, Hoyer said Friday on CNBC that he hopes Republicans, unlike with health care, can move forward with tax reform on a bipartisan basis. The Senate blocked the latest Republican attempt to repeal Obamacare in a dramatic floor vote early Friday morning.

"That's the only way real tax reform is going to be adopted. It's the only way real tax reform is going to be permanent, and bring stability to the market rather than instability," Hoyer said.
White House budget director Mick Mulvaney told CNBC on Friday that the Trump administration is not giving up on repealing Obamacare after a "disappointing day" in the Senate.

Senators are still talking, Mulvaney told "Squawk on the Street." "I don't think they can go home without doing something. I think that the health-care discussion is very much alive despite the vote last night."

The Senate has already delayed its recess until the third week of August. And now House GOP leaders said they might delay theirs if senators are able to pass something on health care. The House was set to leave for its recess Friday afternoon.

In a dramatic early Friday morning floor vote, the Senate blocked the latest Republican attempt to dismantle Obamacare, the so-called skinny repeal measure. Three GOP defections, including Sen. John McCain, sank the measure 49 to 51.

In the light of day, it doesn't look like McCain is going to change his mind.

The Arizona Republican said released a statement around noon ET on Friday, again calling for a bipartisan approach to health care. "The vote last night presents the Senate with an opportunity to start fresh. It is now time to return to regular order with input from all of our members  Republicans and Democrats  and bring a bill to the floor of the Senate for amendment and debate," the senator said.

After the failed vote, President Donald Trump tweeted his disappointment.

3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!

Mulvaney, formerly a congressman from South Carolina and member of the hard-line conservative Freedom Caucus, said, "It's a disappointing day. There is no other way to look at it."

But he argued, "We have to get rid of Obamacare in order to get the additional, probably 0.1 percent GDP growth, just from repealing Obamacare."

The director of the Office of Management and Budget said repealing Obamacare and reforming the tax code, including tax cuts for corporations and Americans, are key to achieving sustained 3 percent economic growth. "So they do tie in together," he added.

Mulvaney said passing tax reform by the end of the year is "absolutely doable" after Republican leaders on Capitol Hill Thursday dropped the polarizing border adjustment tax proposal.

That 3 percent growth threshold is a key pillar of what he calls MAGAnomics (a mashup of Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again' and the word economics).

However, the U.S. has not seen annual 3 percent gross domestic product growth since 2005, according to the government.

The Commerce Department said on Friday that GDP increased 2.6 percent in its first look at the second quarter, meeting expectations.
Obamacare remains the law of the land, but the administration has tremendous leeway in how it enforces the program. At the heart of insurers concerns is whether the Department of Health and Human Services will try to provide greater stability for Affordable Care Act exchanges.

With the defeat of the Obamacare repeal in the Senate, there are a number of key issues insurers need the Trump administration to clear up in the next few weeks in order to determine whether they'll offer marketplace plans for 2018.

1. Will the administration continue paying cost-sharing reduction subsidies through next year?

Every month, insurers are supposed to get reimbursed for so-called CSR subsidies, which they pay out to help cut out-of-pocket costs for their lower-income Obamacare plan members.

The Trump administration has been reimbursing insurers on a month-to-month basis, while it decides what to do about a federal judge's ruling that the payments weren't authorized by Congress.

"I don't get the impression that there's advanced warning that it's coming every month," or if the payments will stop, said Ceci Connolly, president and CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans.

Under the Trump administration, she said, insurers in her group say they "kind of wait by the mailbox" every month.

The next CSR payment is due the week of Aug. 20. That's the same week the court case surrounding those payments is due back in court, after having been continued twice this year.

2. Will the health insurance tax be coming back next year?

Under Obamacare, insurers have to pay a 3 percent tax on every plan. This year the tax was put on hold. Insurers need to factor in the return of the tax next year into their 2018 rate requests.

Insurers have cited both the uncertainty over CSRs and the tax as part of the reason they submitted higher-than-expected rate increase requests.

"If we aren't able to gain certainty on some of these items quickly, we do expect that we will need to revise our rate filings to further narrow our level of participation," warned Joseph Swedish, chairman and CEO of Anthem earlier this week.

Swedish said on the company's second-quarter earnings call that his firm will need real clarity by early September from state and federal officials about marketplace rules for 2018, or Anthem may exit more markets.

"If the level of uncertainty in the marketplace is reduced, we would have increased confidence in our ability to predict the appropriate level of market participation," he said.



Insurers have until Aug. 15 to revise their rate requests for states on the federal Healthcare.gov exchange. Ahead of the Senate vote, health insurers appealed to Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer to urge them to push for funding of CSR payments, and to provide immediate short-term stabilization of the marketplaces.

"We stand ready to continue to work with Congress and the administration on solutions to ensure that the American people have affordable, high-quality choices for their coverage and care," said Kristine Grow, spokesperson for America's Health Insurance Plans, known as AHIP.

3. Will the administration promote and support 2018 open enrollment?

The Trump administration set a much narrower window for open enrollment this fall. The sign-up period will run for six weeks, from Nov. 1 through Dec. 15  that's half as long as enrollment periods in the last three years.

This month the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ended contracts to pay community groups that helped people enroll for coverage at libraries, community centers in 18 cities across the country.

Analysts say without strong outreach, it may be even tougher to get younger, healthy people to enroll in exchange plans during the shortened enrollment period. And, if the administration announces that it will stop enforcing the individual mandate, younger people will have even less incentive to sign up.

Tweet

So far, CMS and health department officials have mostly talked about stabilizing the marketplaces within the context repeal legislation. If insurers want assurances that the administration will take new measures on its own, one veteran industry consultant says they shouldn't hold their breath.

"Will Trump make things worse in the Obamacare insurance exchanges? Probably," said Robert Laszewski, president of Health Policy and Strategy Associates.

He noted that President Donald Trump certainly does not appear ready to provide support for the market in the wake of the failed Senate vote.

"As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!" the president exclaimed in a tweet early Friday, following the failed vote in the Senate.
The ruling will make it more difficult for the U.S. to find a solution to the war in Afghanistan.

Stockbyte | Getty Images

Pakistan is likely to face serious political and economic instability after the country's three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is ousted from power by the Supreme Court following a corruption investigation into his family's wealth. "He is no more eligible to be an honest member of the parliament, and he ceases to be holding the office of prime minister," Judge Ejaz Afzal Khan said in court, Reuters reported. But the nuclear-armed country is now set for political uncertainty with no clear successor in place.

Why has Nawaz Sharif resigned?

Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled on Friday morning to disqualify Sharif, along with the country's finance minister Ishaq Dar, from power. Sharif also faces a corruption trial after investigators said his family could not account for its wealth. Sharif resigned shortly after the ruling. The allegations relate to the 2015 "Panama Papers," which revealed three of Sharif's children had links to offshore companies which owned properties in London, according to BBC reports.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addresses the General Assembly at the United Nations on September 21, 2016 in New York City. Spencer Platt | Getty Images

The court's decision is a victory for the rule of law, according to Timothy Ash, emerging markets senior sovereign strategist at BlueBay Asset Management. "Politicians have been brought to account in Pakistan - can the same be said for many emerging markets, e.g. Ukraine and South Africa. On the latter we talk a lot about the strength of South African institutions, but have any major politicians been brought to account for stuff that is not dis-similar, even worse, than this?" he said in an email to CNBC. Ash said the ruling is a credit to Pakistan, even though it raises questions over the country's political stability.

Will this affect the U.S.?

The ruling will make it more difficult for the U.S. to find a solution to the war in Afghanistan, says Wali Aslam, senior lecturer in international security at the University of Bath. "High-ranking military and civilian officials in Washington have recently been reiterating the significance of Pakistan in resolving the conflict. In his recent visit to the region, Senator John McCain said, 'We will not have peace in the region without Pakistan,'" he said in a press statement. Aslam warns Pakistan's relations with the U.S., China and India could be disrupted now Sharif is gone.

Who will take over from Sharif?

Sharif has been prime minister of Pakistan three times: from 1990 to 1993; from 1997 until 1999; and since July 2013. Pakistan's prime minister is the chief executive of the country, with the power to form a cabinet, assign government ministers and control the country's nuclear weapons. Sharif's party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), will get to choose the next prime minister, at least until the elections in the summer of 2018, according to Daniel Salter, head of equity strategy and head of research for Eurasia at Renaissance Capital. There may be infighting within the party, he warns. "Nawaz's daughter, Mariam Nawaz Sharif, who was being groomed as potential successor was also caught up in the (corruption) case: local sources seem to assume the army may have given its support to this ruling, perhaps to prevent the Sharif dynasty becoming overly powerful," Salter said in a note.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Christopher Furlong | Getty Image

With Sharif's daughter compromised, Salter says the most likely successors are Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, speaker of the national assembly; Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, minister of petroleum; Khurram Dastgir Khan, commerce minister; and Khawaja Muhammad Asif, defense minister. He adds that Sharif may try to guide the party from the background. The defence minister or railway minister Khawaja Saad Rafique are the most likely successors, says Asad Ali, Asia country risk analyst at IHS Markit, but he warns there's risk of a split within the party. "An official split in the PML-N ahead of the election would fracture the party's vote bank in Punjab," he told CNBC via email.

What does this mean for the economy?
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., leaves a meeting of the House Republican Conference in the Capitol on July 28, 2017.

House Speaker Paul Ryan on Friday struck an optimistic tone on Republicans' ability to reach a tax reform deal, just hours after the latest GOP attempt to repeal Obamacare crumbled, for now, amid party divisions.

In a Fox Business interview, Ryan expressed a sentiment that many in the GOP have shared in recent weeks: tax reform is the top priority for the party, and the White House and top lawmakers have taken more strides to reach a consensus at the start than they did during the health-care process.

"I feel much more confident that we're going to stick the landing on tax reform because we have now said we have consensus, here's the framework, let's go get it done," Ryan said. "... We as Republicans, especially now, agree on how to do it. Health care is a good example. There's not a complete consensus on how best to do health-care reform. On tax reform, we have that consensus."

Ryan's comments came a day after the Republican leaders working on tax reform released a joint statement saying they will abandon the controversial border adjustment provision and outlining the broad goals for tax reform. The key congressional and White House officials said they wanted the bill to start moving through relevant committees "this fall."

Passing a tax reform plan will still be a difficult task for Republicans, despite a strong ideological underpinning and powerful GOP forces putting their weight behind the effort. The last comprehensive tax reform took place in 1986, and various business and local interests will complicate the goals for Republican lawmakers in the areas they represent.

Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch have been meeting regularly to strike a plan that the GOP wants to push through Congress this year. Republicans in Congress have generally seen more policy engagement from the White House on taxes than they did in the health-care fight.

"It is more important for us than anything that we get tax reform done because we think it's absolutely critical for strong economic growth," Ryan said Friday.

But many unknowns remain. The joint statement released Thursday by the six leaders did not offer new details on possible corporate or income tax rates, revenue neutrality or other specifics that could be included in the tax plan.

The border adjustment proposal was a key revenue-raising plank of the plan House Republicans unveiled last year, but it faced resistance from the retail industry and an uncertain future in the Senate. It taxes imports but lets exports go untaxed.

Ryan, a champion of border adjustment, said he was comfortable dropping the provision if it means reaching a party consensus more quickly.

Still, removing the measure adds more questions, among them: how do Republicans pay for their desired cuts for business and individual tax rates without another revenue-raising tool? Ryan said he wants to see if a "viable alternative" exists to border adjustment.
Jurors were expected to begin deliberations in the case later Friday.

"The last few weeks have shown Martin Shkreli for who is really is: A con man who stole millions of dollars and it's up to you... to tell the defendant, 'It's over, it's done. No more,' '" the prosecutor said.

"It's time for Martin Shkreli to be held accountable... for his choices to lie and take someone else's money without a second thought."

"Use your common sense, and don't be distracted," said assistant U.S. Attorney Jacquelyn Kasulis.

A prosecutor urged jurors Friday to convict "Pharma bro" Martin Shkreli and finally end his years of allegedly lying and stealing from investors while promoting the "myth" that he was an altruistic drug developer.

Shkreli is accused of defrauding investors out of millions of dollars that they placed into his two hedge funds, and then ripping off the publicly traded drug company he had founded, Retrophin , to pay those investors back for their swindled cash.

Prosecutors said Shkreli looted stock shares and cash from Retrophin, and had the firm pay investors through sham consulting agreements, to stop them from hounding him over the course of months or even years for their money.

Shkreli's attorney, Benjamin Brafman, in his own closing argument, noted that every investor who testified in the case ended up getting more money back  often much more money back  than they originally had put into the hedge funds.

Kasulis scoffed at Brafman's implication that Shkreli committed no fraud because people ultimately profited from their dealings with him. She also said Brafman was trying to lead jurors "astray" by mischaracterizing the evidence against Shkreli.

"I would submit to you that the evidence in this case is devastating, and Mr. Brafman has to make up evidence or skew facts," Kasulis said.

"Don't be fooled. There is an avalanche of evidence in this case, and I don't use that word lightly. There's an avalanche that buries the defendant."

Kasulis said that evidence shows in Shkreli's dealings with investors "he lied over and over again to get their money, and to keep their money."

She said he had lied about his past record of stock trading, about the performance of his hedge fund funds, and about the amount of the assets they managed.

"It doesn't matter if you pay people back years later after you've stolen their money," Kasulis said. "Those people are still victims of fraud."

"He then stole from Retrophin and its investors to pay back those defrauded MSMB investors," the prosecutor said. "Think about it... if you rob a bank, and then you rob another bank, you still robbed that first bank."

Kasulis accused the defense of promoting "the Myth of Martin Shkreli."

"Let's talk about who is Martin Shkreli," Kasulis said. "Martin Shkreli is calculating ... we have proven his intent to deceive beyond any doubt."

Kasulis said Shkreli never cured a rare disease that Brafman referred to in his summation, and that the drugs sold by Retrophin were acquired from other companies.

Kasulis also took aim at Brafman for having noted that many of the alleged victims were wealthy, and for claiming that their testimony in the case was "rich people B.S."

"There is no 'rich person' exception to the law. That's insulting," Kasulis said. "It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor."

The prosecutor also dismissed Brafman's argument during his summation that Shkreli had to be acquitted by jurors if they believed that in his mind he had no intent to defraud investors because he was confident Retrophin would be a success.

"Mr. Brafman wants you to believe that Mr. Shkreli's truly believed his lies because he was soooo special," Kasulis said.

Kasulis said that at the time Shkreli was allegedly looting Retrophin of stock to keep his hedge fund investors quiet about their missing money, he was touting the then-new company as being worth up to $80 million.

"All a complete fiction... and he knew that," Kasulis said. "You don't say a company is worth $80 million when you have $11,000 in the bank account [for the company] at the end of 2012."

She also pointed out that when Shkreli's lawyer had warned against buying Retrophin stock at below-market price at a time when he was a corporate executive, Shkreli emailed the lawyer back: "F--- that."

" 'F' that. 'F' that. That's what it's all about [for] Martin Shkreli," Kasulis said. "It really just sums it all up, doesn't it?"

"Martin Shkreli thought he is somehow above the law," the prosecutor said. "We all know that the law applies to Martin Shkreli. He may not like it, but it it applies to him.

Shkreli, 34, did not take the witness stand in his own defense. The trial is unrelated to the controversy of Shkreli raising the price of an anti-parasite drug by more than 5,000 percent while running another company he founded after Retrophin.

WATCH: Co-worker says Shkreli 'mentally unstable'
"There is no greater contributor to the rigged economy than the U.S. tax code, and comprehensive tax reform will help un-rig this broken system to the benefit of all Americans," Americans for Prosperity said in a statement.

Freedom Partners and Americans for Prosperity are holding an event Monday featuring remarks by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House legislative director Marc Short, who previously served as president of Freedom Partners. That will be followed by a speech on Wednesday by Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., leader of the House Freedom Caucus. The political advocacy groups are affiliated with the libertarian billionaire brothers Charles and , and they've committed to spending several million dollars to promote the benefits of tax reform focused on simplification and lower rates.

Two influential and well-funded conservative groups are publicly throwing their weight behind the Republican effort to revamp the nation's tax code after the White House and GOP leadership on Capitol Hill dropped the controversial border adjustment tax.

The Koch groups are expected to provide key financial support and political pressure for lawmakers as they return to their home districts next month seeking to demonstrate progress on one of the centerpieces of the Republican agenda. The groups said they are planning to organize grass-roots events across the country as well as invest in paid ads.

Monday's event will also include volunteers working phone banks to urge lawmakers to pass comprehensive tax reform. On Thursday, Freedom Partners began highlighting 10 senators who previously had supported changes to the tax code, starting with Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Together, the groups already have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on digital ads targeting members of the tax-writing committee in the House this summer.

But the Koch groups and Republican leadership have not always been on the same page.

The groups were among the most vocal opponents of the border adjustment tax, which would have allowed U.S. companies to deduct the cost of domestic production but not imports  effectively raising the cost of foreign goods. GOP leadership argued the provision was critical to keeping U.S. companies from moving overseas and also raised a trillion dollars in revenue to help pay for a lower corporate tax rate.

But the Koch groups dubbed the measure a new tax on consumers, even organizing a protest against House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady as he delivered a speech at a Washington hotel. AFP spent six figures on a cable TV ad this spring that compared the measure to the taxes in the Affordable Care Act, while Freedom Partners funded research on the state-level impact of the border adjustment tax.

On Thursday, the Republican leadership announced in a joint statement with the White House that it would abandon the measure to focus on the broader goals of tax reform. Freedom Partners cheered the move as a "welcome step."

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Brady said he planned to retreat next month with members of his committee and the Senate to Rancho del Cielo in California, which served as a vacation home for President Ronald Reagan, to begin work on a tax bill.

"It shows we are uniting behind bold principles of tax reform," Brady said. "It makes clear there is an urgency to deliver it this year, and it's clear the president is fully committed to this tax reform approach."
These credits may not make that much of a difference for buyers of Tesla's high-end cars, which run just over $140,000. But the incentive is one-fifth the price of the much cheaper Model 3, which starts at $35,000.

Tesla's production numbers have climbed dramatically over the last few years, from just roughly 2,400 cars in 2012 to almost 80,000 in 2016. Throughout that time, Tesla buyers have been able to redeem both the federal credit and, in many cases, state incentives as well.

Edmunds estimates Tesla has sold about 121,000 cars since the rebate took effect in 2010. The credit will halve in the first two quarters of the phase-out period, and then halve again in the two quarters after that, before disappearing entirely.

The U.S. government offers a tax credit for electric vehicle purchases amounting to $7,500. The credit begins to phase out once a manufacturer has sold 200,000 vehicles, of any model.

A key government incentive benefiting Tesla buyers is dwindling, according to Edmunds. The online automotive research site estimates Tesla has only about 79,000 federal tax credits left, and says this could be a concern for new buyers, especially those interested in the company's lower priced Model 3.

The ticking clock might be a concern for some of the roughly 400,000 Model 3 reservation holders, who may be counting on redeeming the incentive, as Tesla hands out its first Model 3 cars to 30 employees on Friday, said Edmunds executive director of industry analysis, Jessica Caldwell.

The electric car maker has said before it is selling its earliest Model 3 cars to employees, in part for quality control and troubleshooting purposes.

"The uncertainty of tax rebates is still a big concern for Tesla reservation holders," Caldwell said in a report sent to CNBC. "Tesla appears to be prioritizing employees, investors and current Tesla owners for delivery of the Model 3, all while the company continues to sell the Model S and Model X, which will eat into Tesla's dwindling tax credits. It's still a big question whether the thousands of people in line to buy a Model 3 will be able to stomach the full price of the car without a hefty rebate."

Tesla was not immediately available for comment.

There will, of course, still be state-level credits and other perks in some states, particularly California, where Tesla is based. For now, governments around the world are still leaning toward supporting electric vehicle adoption.

"Public policy, for the most part, is on the side of Tesla's mass-market vision," Caldwell said. "Bans of gas and diesel vehicles in Europe are on the distant horizon, and although U.S. Federal tax credits may not be extended by the current administration, California has proposed its own incentive program that carries a lot of weight considering more than half of electric vehicles are sold there."

It is also worth noting that Tesla is not the automaker with the largest number of federal tax credits redeemed, according to Edmunds. General Motors holds that title, with almost 143,000 qualifying electric vehicles sold, most of which are plug-in hybrids.

GM began selling its first all-electric car, the Chevrolet Bolt, in California in December 2016, and plans to roll it out in every state by August.

Tesla shares were up roughly 1 percent Friday afternoon, trading around $337.
Coss Marte was released from prison in March 2013 after serving time for dealing drugs. Four years later, he's the proud owner of ConBody, a trendy "prison-style boot camp," and has trained the likes of "Avatar's" Stephen Lang and "Seinfeld's" Larry David. Marte tells CNBC Make It that he has been able to create one of the most in-demand fitness studios by doing this: constantly pitching himself. Marte says he was making over $2 million selling drugs from age 19 to 23 when he was arrested. While in prison, doctors told him he was overweight and that his cholesterol was so bad he only had five years to live. Determined to not die in the cell, Marte started working out and lost 70 pounds in six months. The businessman, now 31, says his first paying customer after his release was his mother. Every day he would head to a public park at 5:30 a.m. to exercise. From there, he began training people who he came across in the park. He would hand out business cards to passerby on the street and approach girls in yoga pants to offer his training services. "I never stopped pitching myself," Marte tells CNBC Make It. "I'd tell my story 20, 30 times a day. I'd go on the train and talk about what I do and act a fool. Whatever it took." As his client list started to expand, Marte began renting out rooms and by 2014 his classes had begun to outgrow the spaces he was renting.

Obstacles along the way

The fitness trainer decided it was time to find a permanent location for ConBody but real estate agents had a different idea. Marte tells CNBC Make It that nobody wanted to let him rent a studio because he had been formerly incarcerated. "We'd start talking to them ... and they'd be really into it," says Marte. "Then we'd tell them that it was former prisoners and about the concept. All of a sudden you'd see their body language change and they'd say we weren't the right fit." Marte says he wasn't ready to give up. After months of looking for places and being rejected by almost 20 real estate agents, a friend of Marte's notified him that a studio was available for rent. The space was located on Broome Street, ironically, in the exact same area that he used to sell marijuana and cocaine. The ConBody founder says he knew immediately that it was the perfect location for his business. On November 2015, he signed the lease and ConBody opened for business in January 2016. But unbeknownst to him, things were just getting interesting.

ConBody gets a lucrative partnership

In 2016, Marte attended a wellness conference at Spring Studios in Tribeca, as a keynote speaker. After telling his story about his transformation from ex-con to business owner, he was approached by Misha Vayner, manager of leased departments at luxury department store Saks 5th Avenue. Vayner told Marte that she wanted him to be a part of Saks' new wellness center, called The Wellery, and the two exchanged information. "I honestly forgot about it," says Marte. Two months later, he was contacted by Saks and asked if he would partner with them as soon as possible. Marte enthusiastically agreed and two weeks later he had built a ConBody location on the second floor of the Saks in Midtown.

How ConBody helps former inmates
It may seem like Silicon Valley is populated entirely with celebrity college dropouts, but in fact, they're the exception to the rule. Going to college pays off, and to land a job at one of the most coveted tech employers, you'll need to stay in school.

Data analysis site Paysa looked at over 8,200 job posting and over 70,000 resumes at tech "titans" (companies worth at least $100 billion with an IPO more than 10 years ago) and "tech disruptors" (companies worth at least $10 billion with an IPO within the last 10 years) and found that employees at these companies are highly educated, not dropouts.

A disproportionate number of employees at these sought-after companies actually have advanced degrees, and one company stood out as employing the highest percentage of workers with Ph.D.s  Google.

A whopping 16 percent of positions at Google require a doctorate degree. Less than 2 percent of Americans have earned a doctoral degree and an even smaller percentage have studied topics that are relevant to Google's work. Data visualization initiative Data USA reports that in 2015 there were only 34,002 people in the workforce with doctorate degrees in computer science  just 0.01 percent of the total U.S. population.
Big Tobacco is feeling the sting not only from federal action but also from California tripling cigarette taxes in April, with some retailers indicating cigarette purchases are down as much as 50 percent.

On the federal front, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday indicated it plans to slash nicotine levels in cigarettes to bring them to non-addictive levels. The FDA news is causing a sell-off in shares of tobacco companies, including Altria Group , owner of Philip Morris USA and the leading U.S. cigarette brand  Marlboro.

In California, tobacco also is facing challenges due to April's steep increase in cigarette excise taxes. Several independent retailers interviewed for this story say the decline in sales was steeper than they had expected. However, some report that coupons provided by the tobacco companies are helping to cushion the blow.

"We're down 50 percent," said Sam Mroky, store manager at Cigarette Depot in San Diego. "Before the price went up, a lot of people stocked up on cigarettes. I'm the cheapest one in the town now and  still business is no good."

The falloff in sales is evident in a study released this month by the state Legislative Analyst's Office. It shows revenues from the state's cigarette excise taxes plunged 64 percent in May 2017 compared with the year earlier.

An informal check of more than a dozen independent retailers statewide found more than half of them were experiencing a drop of 10 percent or more in cigarette purchases. Several others, though, indicated they had seen a recovery in June or July and estimated purchases were down in single digits.

California voters passed a measure in November to boost the cigarette tax by $2 a pack, up from the earlier 87-cent tax. Big tobacco companies spent more than $70 million fighting the voter measure, according to MapLight.

The higher taxes are designed to discourage people from smoking by raising the price of cigarettes. California already has one of the nation's lowest adult smoking rates.

"We went down around 12 percent after the tax," said Andy Musayelyan, manager of Hollywood Smokes in Los Angeles.

On Thursday, Altria reported second-quarter adjusted earnings per share that were short of Thomson Reuters consensus. The company said its smokeable segment's results were hurt by the cigarette excise tax increase in California.

According to Altria CEO Martin Barrington, the company's flagship brand, Marlboro, has more than 50 percent share in the California market.

The CEO called California "a high-volume state," noting it previously accounted for about 7 percent of total U.S. cigarette industry volume but since the tax increase its volume contribution fell to 5 percent. As a result, he said total U.S. industry cigarette volumes were down around 4.5 percent in the June quarter.

Altria and other big tobacco companies have been using coupons to make the California tax hike more palatable to consumers.

"The tobacco companies have been sending out a lot of coupons to our customers," said Dave Mesesan, store manager for Rod's Liquor in Orange, California. "They're trying to deal with the tax increase the best they can."

A bill that would have prohibited the redemption of all coupons and promotional discounts for tobacco products failed to pass recently in the state legislature. The bill was proposed by Assemblyman Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento).

"Tobacco coupons are nothing more than a deadly promotional trick by the tobacco industry to keep Californians smoking, leading to illness and early death for our residents, with taxpayers footing the bill," McCarty said in a statement.

The higher cigarette prices also have attracted theft rings.

Three suspects are being sought for several recent thefts of cigarettes from Walgreens stores in the L.A. area, according to the Burbank Police Department. It said there have been eight reported incidents involving the same suspects, including in Burbank, and estimated losses were running into the thousands of dollars.

Similarly, there have been big thefts of cigarettes reported in recent months in other areas of the state, including Redding, Riverside and Bakersfield.
In the crowded world of finance twitter, some market analysts are looking for a way to get paid for their tweets.

Bespoke Investment Group co-founders Paul Hickey and Justin Walters, with the help of Centric Digital, quietly launched a paid, private Twitter channel product called Premo Social on July 13. For about $10 or more a month, subscribers can get live market and economic analysis in their

Twitter feeds from Bespoke, Ritholtz Wealth Management CEO and CNBC contributor Josh Brown, T3Live's Scott Redler or macroeconomics blogger Mark Dow.

"We wanted to come up with a way to distribute our content in the fastest way possible," Hickey told CNBC. He noted that some of Bespoke's time-sensitive reports often took too long to reach clients through email, so creating a subscription service on top of Twitter allows for real-time distribution to a large, existing user base.

Premo Social is completely independent from Twitter and the social media company didn't respond to a request for comment on this article. Premo's system automates the authorization process for adding new followers to a private Twitter feed, while collecting a fee along the way.

"If a social media platform's goal is to keep eyeballs, this only enhances that goal," Hickey said.

Bespoke, Josh Brown and the other initial Premo account holders already have tens of thousands or more followers on Twitter. But the selling point for subscribers is tweets that "avoid some of the more personal stuff" and provide "actionable, thought-provoking" analysis, Hickey said.

While he wouldn't disclose the number of subscribers, Hickey said initial sign-ups have "exceeded everbody's expectations so far."

Like private tweets, Premo Social tweets flow right along with tweets from other accounts. Theoretically, the product could bring more users to Twitter, while giving financial analysts some extra income.

Mark Dow said in a July 24 post on his "Behavioral Macro" blog on Tumblr that he was "pretty happy" when he found Premo Social.

"My public twitter account and blog no longer reward my effort the way they did when I started tweeting, disincentivizing thoughtful output," Dow wrote. He charges a premium for his private Twitter feed  $30 a month, including the ability to correspond via direct messaging.

However, it's not clear whether these independent paid feeds or an official paid service one day will help Twitter the company, which reported Thursday an 8 percent slump in advertising revenue to $489 million. Monthly active users were unchanged at 328 million. The stock fell more than 14 percent Thursday.

Michael Pachter, managing director, equity research, at Wedbush Securities, said Premo Social sounded like "a smart idea to allow users to monetize and for Twitter to exploit their user base, but $10 per month seems pretty rich for me for each feed."

Pachter compared the idea to mobile video games, which failed to convince customers to pay for each game.

A host of online financial tips and analysis websites have sprouted up over the years, some of which have done quite well.

For example, TradingView, launched in September 2011, said it has 2 million active monthly users. The website offers free and paid charting tools for major global markets and digital currencies like bitcoin and ethereum. Users can also post trading ideas, and their ranking in the system grows as more of their ideas prove accurate.

The firm said it generates about $6 million in revenue a year and has 100 employees.

"Professional investors and traders historically had the advantage of great tools & a community of like minded people to bounce ideas off each other. TradingView was born in 2011 to give regular folks the same advantage," Stan Bokov, co-founder and COO, said in an email.

More than 200 firms annually compete in the Benzinga Fintech Awards for recognizing innovation and excellence in the capital markets industry.

We're "very keen advocates that this was the right time for this type of model," said Nick Creegan, product manager for Premo Social. "We're starting to move out of the phase where people are used to getting everything for free."

As for Premo Social, it plans to launch paid subscription feeds in the near future on other social media platforms.

That said, the model may not work for other industries.

"The only celebrities who I think have any chance of getting subscribers are those who are giving investment advice," Pachter said.
Artificial intelligence (AI) effectively remedies each of these pain points. Many experts predict that over the coming decades, AI will empower mankind to vastly improve the human condition and the state of the planet we inhabit.

One such authority is Fabrice Fischer. The founder and CEO of Blu Ltd, a leading AI consultancy that helps companies harness artificial intelligence, Fischer was previously the CFO of Sentient Technologies, one of the worlds best funded AI solutions providers.

We are undergoing a revolution. AI allows us to go through a massive amount of data and find patterns and optimums, and that opens up a lot of opportunities, Fischer says. When you find a pattern, you can automate the response to that pattern. The most serious effect this can have is in the reduction of wastage. Today, we waste a massive amount of resources  gas, electricity, food, water, all kinds of things. Fischer says that via AIs ability to slice and dice information (cut a large segment of data into smaller parts until the correct level of detail for analysis is arrived at), you can find what is useful and whats not. You can stop behaviour patterns that lead to wastage.

Moreover, he says, You can not only find what is wrong, you can find which patterns are the best, and you can improve a pattern that is not optimum and bring it to its optimum. Thats going to be super useful in everything from transportation, motors, manufacturing, and the generation of energy.

A longtime partner of major energy companies (as well as the oil and gas, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and iron and steel industries, among others), leading Japanese industrial automation (IA) and control specialist Yokogawa Electric is investing significantly in the development of new technologies that will allow customers to innovate and thrive in the changing business landscape AI is shaping. Yokogawa believes its automation systems will contribute greatly to the more efficient generation and use of energy.

On a related note, Fischer says he believes well soon enjoy far more affordable, cleaner power, Because we are innovating ways to do it more cheaply, well make tremendous progress in that thanks to optimization and ending wastage, optimization of power generation, conservation and transport. Youll have an increased supply at lower cost, and decrease of demand, or at least not a massive increase. I expect decrease of demand, because today our capacity to waste energy is tremendous.

AI, Fischer believes, will help us identify ways to generate energy closer to the end user, better store excess energy and maximize the effectiveness of the supply we possess. If you are an energy company, you really need to be focusing on the innovation side. Thats the only way, or you will be out of business soon enough, Fischer remarks.
Weve had plenty counterfeit stories over the last year or so. The recent success by the Secret Service crossed our path this week, and it became our top post.

Its that time of the week again, as we catch up on what happened in the numismatic world this week.

Coin World is looking back at its five most-read stories of the week.

Click the links to read the stories. Here they are, in reverse order:

5. 1974-D aluminum cent, 1933 double eagles at U.S. Mint booth at ANA Worlds Fair of Money: An aluminum 1974-D Lincoln cent and 1933 Saint-Gaudens double eagles in U.S. Mint custody will be displayed by the Mint Aug. 1 to 5 in Denver.

4. John Mercanti designs three Spider-Man coins for Cook Islands: ModernCoinMart has partnered with former United States Mint Chief Engraver John Mercanti to celebrate the movie Spider-Man: Homecoming with three new coins.

3. Stacks Bowers and Heritage to increase buyers premium: Stacks Bowers announced that, effective Aug. 14 with its Hong Kong Showcase Auction, it would be standardizing its buyers fee to 20 percent across all auctions.

2. Multiple venues to debut 2017-S 225th Anniversary Enhanced Uncirculated Coin set: Collectors and dealers will have multiple ways to buy the 10-coin 2017-S 225th Anniversary Enhanced Uncirculated Coin set when it goes on sale Aug. 1.

1. Secret Service thwarts multiple counterfeiting schemes since April: The Secret Service foiled four counterfeiting schemes since April according to the agency. The incidents varied both in sophistication and complexity.

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John F. Kennedy has been depicted on the half dollar since 1964 and is featured on a 2015 Presidential dollar. Legislation before Congress seeks a commemorative silver dollar for Kennedy in 2020.

President John F. Kennedys 100th birthday was in May this year, but legislation has been introduced in both houses of Congress that seeks a 2020 commemorative silver dollar honoring the president slain in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963.

Kennedy has been featured on the half dollar since 1964 and on a Presidential dollar issued in 2015  and hundreds of medals and world coins  but he may now make an appearance on a U.S. commemorative coin if the President John F. Kennedy Commemorative Coin Act becomes law.

Two measures, H.R. 3274 in the House of Representatives and S. 1568 in the Senate, seek a 2020 silver dollar celebrating the centennial of Kennedys birth on May 29, 1917.

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In a Dear Colleague letter dated July 18, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy III, D-Mass., co-sponsors of the House bill, said: As members of the John F. Kennedy Centennial Commission, we write to urge you to cosponsor H.R. 3274, the President John F. Kennedy Commemorative Coin Act. In honor of President Kennedys service and dedication to our country, this bill would direct the U.S. Mint to issue a special limited commemorative silver dollar coin to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of President Kennedy. Rep. Kennedy is the grand-nephew of President Kennedy.

They added in the letter, On this centennial anniversary of President Kennedys birthday, we are reminded of a man whose legacy has inspired countless American citizens to push our country towards progress, justice, and unity. Through his commitment to public service and his iconic leadership, John F. Kennedy has left an unforgettable imprint in the hearts and minds of numerous generations of Americans.

The Senate version of the legislation was introduced by Sens. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., and John McCain, R-Ariz.

Connecting coins, the arts, and American monuments: Another column in the August 7 monthly issue of Coin World continues with the art theme, as the artists whove designed our most gorgeous pieces of paper currency are profiled.

Both bills call for the U.S. Mint to issue a maximum of 500,000 silver dollars honoring Kennedy. As with other recent bills seeking commemorative silver dollars, the bills call for the coins to be made of at least 90 percent silver, a change to older legislation that required such coins to be made of the traditional 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper. Congress granted the Mint some flexibility in silver coinage alloys in 2015.

The designs of the silver dollar would be selected by the secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the Commission of Fine Arts and representatives of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, and after their review by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

The purchase price of each coin would bear a $10 surcharge to be paid to support the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston.

The Kennedy half dollar has been issued annually since 1964, though production has been shunted to collector sales since 2002. The coins do not circulate widely. Similarly, the 2015 Presidential dollar was struck for collector sales only (as were all Presidential dollars after the last issue struck for 2011).
July 28, 2017

 The grandson of a Soviet rocket scientist, the grandson of Amelia Earhart's authorized photographer and an Italian engineer who will be the oldest professional astronaut to reside aboard the International Space Station launched into Earth orbit on Friday (July 28) on a planned five month mission.



Sergey Ryazanskiy of Russia's federal space corporation Roscosmos, Randy Bresnik of NASA and Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency (ESA), lifted off aboard Russia's Soyuz MS-05 spacecraft atop a Soyuz FG rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 11:41 a.m. EDT (1641 GMT or 9:41 p.m. local Baikonur time). Launched on an expedited six-orbit rendezvous, the three crewmates will dock the Soyuz at the space station's Rassvet module at 6 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT).



Update: Soyuz MS-05 docked to the space station at 5:54 p.m. EDT (2154 GMT).



Once they come aboard the orbital laboratory, Ryazanskiy, Bresnik and Nespoli will become part of the Expedition 52 crew, joining cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchnikhin and astronaut Jack Fischer, who arrived at the space station in April, and astronaut Peggy Whitson, who arrived in November 2016.







The Soyuz MS-05 crew of Sergey Ryazanskiy with Roscosmos and astronauts Randolph Bresnik and Paolo Nespoli of NASA and ESA, respectively, are seen prior to boarding the Soyuz on July 28, 2017 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Nespoli was originally assigned to launch with Fischer and Yurchikhin, but a decision by Roscosmos to limit its space station contingent to two cosmonauts until its multipurpose lab module (MLM, or Nauka) is ready to launch resulted in schedule and seat changes.



Likewise, Whitson was originally slated to land in June, but her record-setting mission was extended and she will now return to Earth with Fischer and Yurchikhin in September.



"We are launching into a crew that has been up there by themselves for 57 days," said Bresnik at a pre-flight press briefing on Thursday (July 27). "They've got their grove on; they are working very well. They've a very good technique and tempo that they're operating under and we're going up there and joining them."



"We are there to add to what they are doing, not to change anything that they are doing. So we've got a time when we are going to jump in and join the team," he said.



After Yurchikhin, Fischer and Whitson leave on Soyuz MS- 04, Bresnik will become the commander of the Expedition 53 crew, which will include cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin and astronauts Mark Vande Hei and Joe Acaba, launching on Soyuz MS-06 in September.







The Soyuz MS-05 crew is seen in quarantine behind glass during a crew press conference on July 27, 2017. (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

"The big thing is that we're going to have four USOS [U.S. operating segment] crew members and with 330 possible experiments, of which 85 are new to the station, there is a ton of science for us to do," explained Bresnik.



"With that extra crew member, we are going to have a lot more opportunities to not only do science, but also repairs on the space station. We have got EVAs [spacewalks] that are planned," he said. "And so we think the productivity of this huge laboratory up in space that's there for humankind will really go up quite a bit having the four crew members."



Ryazanskiy, Bresnik and Nespoli, who will live in orbit until mid-December, have each been to the station before.



Ryazanskiy, 42, previously served on the Expedition 37/38 crews, spending 166 days aboard the orbiting outpost from September 2013 to March 2014. A cosmonaut since 2003, he is the grandson of Mikhail Ryazanskiy, a chief designer who oversaw the creation of the radio control systems for Soviet spacecraft and rockets. (Mikhail Ryazanskiy died in 1987 at the age of 78.)



Bresnik, 49, visited the station on an 11-day space shuttle mission, STS-129, in 2009, bringing spare components to be stored on the lab's exterior. His grandfather, Albert, was recruited by aviatrix Amelia Earhart in 1932 to be her only authorized photographer.







Soyuz MS-05 crew patch. (Roscosmos/Spacepatches.nl)

Nespoli, 60, first visited the space station as an STS-120 mission specialist in 2007 before spending 159 days as an Expedition 26/27 flight engineer in 2011. His current flight's science mission has been dubbed "Vita," or "life" in Italian, and includes a logo designed by Italian artist Michelangelo Pistoletto.



"He designed a symbol that represents the third paradise," Nespoli said. "This paradise has two extremes, which work together to protect the center. And what we put into it was science on one side and education on the other, and in the middle they put the Earth."



"I will take pictures in space and through an application on smart phones people will be able to take pictures and join them and we will produce a giant mosaic that should focus the attention on education, Earth and our understanding of space and life," he described.



Nespoli was born in 1957, six months before the launch of the first satellite, Sputnik, from the same launch pad where Soyuz MS-05 lifted off Friday. The Soyuz FG rocket lofting Nespoli, Ryazanskiy and Bresnik into orbit was decorated with a logo marking the 60th anniversary year of Sputnik.



Soyuz MS-05 is the 51st Soyuz to fly to the International Space Station since 2000 and 134th since the first flight of Russia's Soyuz-class of spacecraft in 1967.
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Microsoft today said its latest Windows 10 upgrade, the "Creators Update," is suitable for broad deployment by businesses, marking an important milestone for the edition and simultaneously setting its retirement in 14 months.

The move also begins a countdown clock on support for the late-2015 version of Windows 10, which will be struck from the rolls in October.

"Windows 10 1703 is ready for that broad deployment, based on feedback that we've received from organizations, ISVs, partners, OEMs, and consumers that have already done it," said Michael Niehaus, a director of product marketing, in a post to the company's TechNet site, a resource for IT professionals. Niehaus referred to the Creators Update by its numerical label, 1703, which is in Microsoft's yymm format.

Microsoft first offered 1703 on April 5, but has limited automatic delivery to consumers since.

Previous versions of Windows 10 were promoted to the "Current Branch for Business" (CBB) -- one of three release "tracks" the company maintained -- when they were fit for business use. But Microsoft has discarded CBB, as well as its consumer-grade accomplice, "Current Branch" (CB). In April, the company said it would synchronize Windows 10's terminology with what it had already settled on for Office 365, and squeeze CBB and CB into a single label, "Semi-Annual Channel" (SAC).

[ To comment on this story, visit Computerworld's Facebook page. ]

Because there is just one SAC -- unlike earlier reports, which had speculated that the channel would be separated into "Pilot" and "Broad" subsections to denote deployment purposes -- Microsoft will no longer "promote" a version, like 1703, to another track.

It will, however, continue to declare the acceptable-for-business milepost for each edition.

To celebrate 1703's new status, Microsoft will update the edition's installation packages and .iso disk image files by integrating the July 11 cumulative update, the most recent set of security fixes. The installation packages and disk images will be refreshed on Windows Update, Windows Update for Business, WSUS (Windows Server Update Services), the Volume License Servicing Center and MSDN (Microsoft Developers Network), said Niehaus.

Update and patch platforms, including Microsoft's System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), can, of course, roll out 1703 to PCs at IT's discretion.

With 1703 now ready for broad deployment in enterprise, Microsoft also set the end of support for the first Windows 10 upgrade, dubbed 1511 to mark its November 2015 launch: 1511, which does not have a catchy alternative name, will be retired on Oct. 10, that month's Patch Tuesday. After that date, Microsoft will refuse to provide security updates and bug fixes to devices running the edition.

Although Microsoft has since set 18 months as the length of support for each edition, the company originally had planned on just 12. Due to multiple factors, including just one upgrade in all of last year, 1511 will end up being supported for 23 months, or nearly two years.

Microsoft also listed tentative end-of-support dates for 1607 (Anniversary Update) and 1703 (Creators Update) at March 2018 and September 2018, respectively, or approximately 18 months after each edition's debut.

The likely end-of-support dates: March 13 and September 11, those months' Patch Tuesdays.
A week ago, I lamented the lack of a fix for the bad June Office security patches. On June 13, those of you with Automatic Update turned on were treated to seven different, documented bugs that persisted until today.

I expected to see these patches on Tuesday, in normal cadence. For reasons that are only known to Microsoft, they waited until Thursday to release the files.

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The patches are rolling out now through Windows Update. Its still much too early to tell if theyre going to cause more problems than they solve.

Here are the patches to look for:

In addition to fixing the well-documented June bugs, these four patches are all supposed to plug these security holes:

CVE-2017-8571: Microsoft Office Outlook Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2017-8572: Microsoft Office Outlook Information Disclosure Vulnerability

CVE-2017-8663: Microsoft Office Outlook Memory Corruption Vulnerability

Hey, it only took six and a half weeks.

Have a problem? Drop by the AskWoody Lounge.
"Down in Alabama," the sometimes humorous look at Alabama news, politics and life, hosted by veteran Southern journalist Ike Morgan, debuted as an Alexa flash briefing last year and is now available via several popular podcasting platforms.

"Down in Alabama with Ike Morgan" provides a quick look into issues and features around Alabama in an easily digestible 3- to 5-minute daily show.

Listen to a recent sample below.

Occasionally there also are longer, discussion-style episodes available some weekends.

"Down in Alabama" can be found on:

Amazon Echo and other Alexa-enabled devices

From your phone's Amazon Alexa app, open the menu, select Skills and search for AL.com.

iTunes

On your iOS device, open the Podcasts app, tap the Search button and enter AL.com

Google Play

On your Android-powered device, visit

Stitcher

Open the Stitcher app on your computer or device and search for AL.com to subscribe

SoundCloud
 Insulting Apology from Islamic Center of Davis | Main | Half of Foreign Aid to Palestinian Authority Goes to Terrorists, Media Shrugs 

July 28, 2017

The Washington Post Details Al-Aqsa Incitement

A Washington Post report by Jerusalem bureau chief William Booth provided readers with a look at Palestinian anti-Jewish violence and incitement (A young Palestinian vowed to die a martyr, then stabbed 3 members of an Israeli family to death,? July 25, 2017).

Booth detailed the actions of a Palestinian Arab named Omar al-Abed who stabbed three members of the Salomon family to death Friday night in the Jewish settlement of Halamish, as they began to lay the table with food and drink, with sweets and whiskeys, to celebrate the birth of the newest grandson.?

Prior to the attack, al-Abed called Jews pigs and monkey,? The Post noted.

The paper also reportedif not in full detailon the use of the al-Aqsa libel. As CAMERA has frequently highlighted, Palestinian Arab leaders have a history of claiming that Jews want to rid? Jerusalem of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is located on the Temple Mount, Judaisms holiest site. The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (JCPA), in a lengthy report on the subject, noted that the, Al-Aqsa is in danger is a classic libel that was embroidered in the first half of the twentieth century against the Jewish people, the Zionist movement and, eventually, the State of Israel.? This lie has often preceded Palestinian anti-Jewish violence (for examples, see The Battle over Jerusalem and The Temple Mount,? CAMERA, July 24, 2017).

On several occasions, including most recently in a July 24, 2017 Algemeiner Op-Ed, CAMERA has pointed out how many in the media, including The Post, have failed to inform readers about the al-Aqsa libel despite its ongoing relevance (The Washington Post Passes on Palestinian Incitement?).

However, in his July 25, 2017 dispatch, Booth pointed out that al-Abed made a Facebook post prior to the attack, in which he stated All I have is a sharpened knife and it answers for al-Aqsa.? The report said that al-Abeds father similarly exhorted, All of us would die for al-Aqsa? and that many Palestinians support? his son because what he did was for al-Aqsa.?

The Post noted that al-Abeds mother was arrested by Israeli forces for incitement after a video of her appeared of her sharing sweets with well-wishers and saying she was proud of her son.? As CAMERA pointed out in a 2016 Washington Examiner Op-Ed (Missing the Palestinian after terror after-party?), Palestinians often hand out candy to celebrate terror attacksa gruesome tradition that the media frequently overlooks.

To its credit, The Post also dismissed al-Abeds fathers claims that his son purposefully spared children in the attacknoting, Survivors of the attack said Abed did no such thing.?

Although Palestinians were claiming that talk of installing metal detectorsa security measure prompted by a July 14, 2017 terror attack in which al-Aqsa mosque was used to hide weaponswas the reason for the violence, some Israelis told The Post this was nonsense. As one woman told the paper, They dont really need a reason to stab Jews.?

The Post also quoted an Israeli named Victor Waknine, who said, The metal detectors? That is not the reason. There were no metal detectors when they murdered the Fogels, no metal detectors when they throw rocks at our cars, no metal detectors when they toss Molotov cocktails.?

Booth then informed readers that Waknine was referring to a killing in 2011 in a nearby Jewish settlement, when two Palestinian assailants entered the home of Ehud and Ruth Fogel and stabbed them to death alongside three of their children,? including a 3-month-old baby.?

The Posts report on Palestinian incitement is a welcome change from its previous history of frequently ignoring or minimizing anti-Jewish violence.



Posted by SD at July 28, 2017 02:17 PM

It is pretty strange and upsetting that the incitement issue is rarely reported.

Posted by: The U at July 28, 2017 03:58 PM

I am appalled at the inuendo and misrepresentation that large media companies use when reporting Israeli/Palestinian stories. Just by word choice and half truth they skew their audience while leaving just enough wiggle room to claim they reported accurately. Before I thought it was incompetence, but the last 6 months have taught me that it is a defined plan by Palestinian apologists, and I am sorry that's the case!

May I request that CAMERA occasionally print other things like the call for the Intifada of the Knife - uneducated Americans like me will understand better when we realize how real those kind nds of threats truly are.

I appreciate your work

Posted by: Jay Wilson at July 29, 2017 05:09 PM

Jay Wilson, respectfully sharing your concern. What is most troubling is that there does not seem to be a nation today with the the national will to stand up and do something to stop bigotry and racism. Islamic state nations are the worse, Erdagon is on the verge of turning Turkey into despotic state and is in denial or justifies the annihilation of 1.4 million Armenians. another.2 forcibly converted, and looted of over 1 billion in Reichsmarks. Maybe the USA can not send police all over the world to stop the crazy fanatical reaction to the fear of what the future will bring demographic and environmental catastrophe, and denial and annihilating minorities will continue to be a practice used by despots, Islamic or other to justify the survival of the nation. Hitler held the Armenians were Uber Jews. The UN and apparently or own amoral media must bear some of the blame. It is "appalling".

FYI:

Source:

The Oxford Dictionary of Islam What is This?

Marxism and Islam

"Diverse forms of Marxism agree that social ills result from oppression of the poor by the wealthy (class conflict) but differ on strategies to overcome poverty and establish social harmony. Marxism is also associated with atheism, based on Karl Marx 's view that religion is used by rulers to legitimate the status quo, causing many Muslims to reject Marxism. But due to the affinity between Marxist and Islamic ideals of social justice, some Muslims adopted various forms of Marxism from the 1940s, reaching peak popularity in the 1960s and 1970s. Their analyses often ignored materialism and atheism, rejecting the idealist view that religion is independent of historical conditions and holding instead that many of its manifestations are related to the societies in which it operates. Islam in this view ideally meets the needs of society and can both accommodate and guide social change."



Posted by: jeb at August 5, 2017 06:58 PM

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This is a moderated blog. We will not post comments that include racism, bigotry, threats, or factually inaccurate material.

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The superheroes in Watchmen win the Vietnam War, X-Men: Days Of Future Past shows us how the Cuban Missile Crisis would have gone down if mutants were involved, and Cars 3 depicts the grim world that follows when Pixar just stops caring. Movies love to blow up the history books, but what happens when they don't even realize they've done it?

5 Batman Begins Implies That All Of Human Civilization Is Controlled By Asshole Ninjas

In Batman Begins, the film that kicked off DC's fascination with sad-ass superheroes, the bad guys are a bunch of murderous ninjas. Their leader, Ra's al Ghul, is ruled by his strict moral code: killing people he thinks are too decadent, or who live in a city that he thinks kinda sucks. As he explains to Bruce Wayne:

"The League of Shadows has been a check against human corruption for thousands of years. We sacked Rome, loaded trade ships with plague rats, burned London to the ground. Every time a civilization reaches the pinnacle of its decadence, we return to restore the balance."

Warner Bros. "Limiting McRib availability and getting rid of Ecto Cooler has only bought America so much extra time."





So they've been behind every major collapse since Jesus was born, and Gotham City is next: They plan to release a special gas that will make everyone really scared and start punching each other to death, like a Black Friday sale -- but not on a Friday! The terror.

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We've been taught that empires that grow too big, abusive, or arrogant are naturally predisposed to failure. That's why the Soviet Union collapsed, and that's why the colonists rebelled against Great Britain. Corruption, inequality, and bureaucratic bloat eat away at complacent civilizations from the inside, like a political chest-burster. But in Batman's world, the fate of nations are actually decided by a group of self-righteous ninjas sneaking around with sickly rats in their pockets.
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"Call 1-800-911!"

IAM claimed they would donate 10 percent of the profits to the Fund for the City of New York, but the fund's spokeswoman said they never gave permission to use their name, nor did they agree to receive money from these ghouls. Hall explained to CBS News that they just wanted to "do something very tasteful where people all over the United States who have never been to New York could feel a part of the event." Finally: The perfect gift for that shitty person in your life who has to make every single thing about them! Even terrorist attacks.

Erik S. Lesser/Getty Images

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They should have just slapped "FOMO" in the middle.

The company also said they were willing to donate 5,000 to 10,000 of the six-million medallions to the families of the victims, but they weren't exactly thrilled by the offer ... for a very good reason. Fair warning: This is where this story veers dangerously into horror-movie backstory territory. As the head of a group of families explained, "There is going to be a large number of people never found because their bodies were pulverized. In all probability, their bodies could be with the steel in those medallions. Where would you display that?"

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By the way, a quick eBay search reveals that the $30 medallions now go for ... $29.99. That's quite the investment right there.
Data center News

HPE CEO Whitman: I Will Not Be Next Uber CEO

Steven Burke

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Hewlett Packard Enterprise CEO Meg Whitman says she is not going to be the next CEO of Uber.

Normally I do not comment on rumors, but the speculation about my future and Uber has become a distraction, Whitman said in a Tweet on Thursday evening. So let me make this as clear as I can. I am fully committed to H.P.E. and plan to remain the companys C.E.O. We have a lot of work still to do at H.P.E. and I am not going anywhere. Ubers C.E.O. will not be Meg Whitman."

[ Source: HPE CEO Whitman Has Not Interviewed For Uber CEO Job]

The statement crushed speculation that Whitman, an early Uber investor who has advised the embattled ride sharing company in the wake of a sexual harassment controversy, may leave HPE to become the next CEO of Uber

Both Bloomberg and Recode had reported that Whitman was on a "short list" for the Uber CEO job.

Whitman has turned up the volume on the the rebirth of HPE with the acquisition of four companies this year  including hyper-converged power house Simplivity and all flash superstar Nimble. At the same time, she has engineered the spin off mergers of HPE's enterprise services business and legacy software assets.

During the company's last earnings call, Whitman told analysts that HPE is set to take the next step in its transformation into a smaller and faster-moving company.

"We have just gone through one of the largest transformations maybe in American business history, we have created four industry leading companies that I think are poised to do very well in their given segments," said Whitman. "Now we are very focused on the go forward Hewlett Packard Enterprise financial architecture."

When asked by CRN just last month whether she was committed to staying the course and continuing to run HPE, Whitman replied: "I am committed. I have to say this has been quite a journey. But now it is starting to get really fun. I am excited about it. I may be the only Fortune 500 CEO who likes to run something smaller than something bigger. Maybe that is because of my eBay experience [serving as president and CEO from 1998 to 2008.] It is just more fun to run something that is fast and nimble as opposed to a supertanker."
Data center News

Partners Pumped Up Whitman Is Staying Put At HPE

Steven Burke

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Partners say they couldn't be happier that Hewlett Packard Enterprise CEO Meg Whitman has publicly committed to remaining at the helm of the company.

HPE partners say it is Whitman's leadership that has been the driving force behind a massive turnaround that has taken the onetime Silicon Valley behemoth from a debt-ridden company with long-in-the-tooth products and a demoralized partner network to a smaller and more nimble enterprise-focused company with a reignited innovation engine and charged-up channel.

Skip Tappen, CEO of NWN, one of HPE's top partners and No. 79 on the 2017 CRN Solution Provider 500, said Whitman's decision to stay the course is a big boost to HPE and its partners.

[ CRN Exclusive: HPE's Whitman On New Products, Dell EMC's 'Old Technology' Bet, Cisco's UCS-VCE Data Center Dilemma And Her Future Plans]

"I remember when Meg came to the company and how much contention and channel conflict there was," said Tappen. "From her first days at the company she came out very strongly in favor of the channel. That changed the internal mindset of the company and she has stuck with it. HPE's current credibility with the channel is a result of Meg."

An HPE CEO change with all of the transitions going on in the industry and at HPE would be "disruptive" to the company and its partners, said Tappen. "Think of how disruptive it would be to have a new CEO," he said. "Meg's decision to stick with it provides stability for HPE and the channel. It says a lot about her commitment to the company and the industry. That is the kind of leadership HPE needs right now. As Meg said, there is a lot of work still to be done. There is no one better to lead that effort than Meg. She has a vision on where she wants to take HPE and she is sticking to her guns."

Tappen said Whitman has reignited the HPE innovation engine with strong acquisitions like Aruba, SimpliVity and Nimble. "Meg has positioned the company well for the future with the acquisitions," he said.

The strong response from partners came after Whitman took to Twitter Thursday night in a rare post to snuff out reports earlier in the week that she was on the "short list" to become the next CEO of embattled ride-sharing company Uber.

Normally I do not comment on rumors, but the speculation about my future and Uber has become a distraction, Whitman said in a Tweet on Thursday evening. So let me make this as clear as I can. I am fully committed to H.P.E. and plan to remain the companys C.E.O. We have a lot of work still to do at H.P.E. and I am not going anywhere. Ubers C.E.O. will not be Meg Whitman."

Raymond Tuchman, CEO of Experis Technology Group, a Potomac, Md., HPE partner, said he sees a bright future with HPE with Whitman continuing to lead the company. He said his HPE business is up 30 percent this year.

Tuchman shudders at the state of HP when Whitman took the helm six years ago. "Meg brought stability and leadership," he said. "She got rid of all the distractions like the enterprise services and software businesses and has the company sharply focused on next-generation infrastructure. Her staying the course is going to help us continue to drive sales momentum. We are glad she is staying put, and we're also glad that she stepped aside from the HP board. That gives her more time to focus on HPE."

On Wednesday, the day after the Uber reports surfaced, HP Inc. announced Whitman was giving up her position as chairman of the board, a post she held since HP was formally split in November 2015.

Chris Case, CEO of Sequel Data Systems, an Austin, Texas-based solution provider and HPE channel partner, said he was "relieved" to learn that Whitman was staying put at HPE.

"Every time you have a change and there is a new CEO, there is a fear that things will go in a different direction," Sequel Data Systems' Casee said. "It's hard to compare how big a difference Meg has made to the company. It's like night and day. Meg came in, laid out a five-year plan, stuck with it and has made sure that HPE is innovating again. There was a long period of cost cutting under [former HP CEO] Mark Hurd. Meg invested in R&D and has HPE innovating again."

Peter Larocque, president of North America distribution for Synnex, Fremont, Calif., one of HPE's top distribution partners, said he was "happy" to hear that Whitman is staying at HPE.

"Meg is a friend of the channel who has been very aggressive at making changes that grow the business," said Larocque. "She has made a big difference to HPE. She always talks about the importance of the channel and then walks the talk. She has done a lot of good and built a great organization. This shows she is committed to the channel, investors and associates. It's full steam ahead."
Networking News

Report: Verizon Poised To Pounce On More Fiber, Sights Set On WideOpenWest's Network Assets

Gina Narcisi

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Telecom giant Verizon is in talks to acquire cable operator WideOpenWest's fiber network in the Chicago area for more than $200 million, according to a Reuters report.

Verizon has said that building out its fiber footprint will be critical in supporting its next-generation networking plans, which includes speeding the deployment of 5G.

WideOpenWest has built out about 1,200 miles of fiber in the Chicago market for a "leading wireless carrier," according to a corporate filing from the company. The Reuters report, which cited people familiar with the matter, said the carrier in question is Verizon. The sources said that Verizon is currently using WideOpenWest's fiber system in Chicago for backhaul.

[Related: Verizon's Q2 Revenues Boosted by Unlimited Data Plans, XO Acquisition]

Matt Ellis, Verizon's executive vice president and CFO, said during the company's earnings call Thursday that the carrier will need more fiber going forward.

"The way that we're going to add that capacity will be probably through a combination of buying fiber that already exists if it's the right type of fiber," he said. "Fiber will continue to be very important the higher we build the network, not just for wireless but also various wireline applications, including smart city deployments."

Verizon declined to comment on the latest Reuters report when reached by CRN Friday.

For its part, WideOpenWest went public in May and is reportedly working with a financial adviser to explore a sale of the unit, according to Reuters.

The report said the two companies are still in negotiations, and in the meantime another buyer could potentially emerge for WideOpenWest's fiber assets.

Basking Ridge, N.J.-based Verizon has been on a fiber tear in 2017. The carrier closed its acquisition of XO Communications in February for $1.8 billion, which gave the carrier XO's fiber-optic network business. Then in April, Verizon inked a deal to purchase $1.05 billion in fiber-optic cable from specialty manufacturing company Corning. In May, Verizon signed a three-year deal with the Prysmian Group, a manufacturer of electric power transmission and telecommunications cables and systems worth $300 million.

Verizon reported its second-quarter 2017 earnings Thursday. The carrier added 633,000 wireless customers during the quarter, signaling that its unlimited data plans, which it unveiled during the first quarter, are paying off. Verizon said that the quarter marked the first time it grew its postpaid account base in the last six quarters.
PAINESVILLE, Ohio -- A Painesville man, recovering from head injuries suffered in a car accident, was deported to a Mexican border town where he was kidnapped by "a Mexican crime cartel" and is being held for ransom, according to his lawyer.

The story of Francisco Narciso, and that of a woman who is scheduled to be deported next week, were told to more than 300 people in the Painesville town square Thursday afternoon as part of a protest against increased activity by U.S. immigration agents against undocumented immigrants living in the United States that have otherwise committed no crimes.

Attorney Elizabeth Ford, an immigration attorney from Chardon, said Narciso's treatment by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was unacceptable, even though he had been deported several years ago and returned.

"They basically dumped him out at the border in the middle of the night in a dangerous Mexican community with no regard for his safety," she said. "He was kidnapped by a criminal cartel and is now being held for ransom. Why would our immigration officials treat a man this way?"

Ford explained that Narciso was in a car accident on June 15. He suffered severe head injuries when his car was struck in the rear by another vehicle. After it was determined that he had no license, Ford said Mentor police cited him and alerted ICE. Narciso pleaded guilty on July 13 and fined $269 but when he exited the courthouse he was arrested by ICE agents.

Because Narciso had previously been deported in 2006, he was not subject to a review before an immigration judge and was deported on Tuesday.

"He was still being treated for head injuries," said Ford. "I had spoken with immigration and was told they would delay deportation until December to allow him time to recover, but then on Monday I was told it was happening the next day. I filed an appeal, but he was deported anyway."

She said he was flown to Laredo and immediately deported.

"They took him to the border in the middle of the night and just deported him," Ford said. "He was kidnapped almost immediately." Narciso's family is negotiating with the kidnappers for his release. They did not attend the protest.

ICE spokesman Khaalid Walls declined to comment on Narciso's situation or about agents walking deportees to the Mexican border and releasing them in an unfamiliar city.

Deporting Mexicans has been a constant source of tension for Mexican officials worried that migrants become magnets for criminal groups who kidnap, extort and too often recruit them for criminal activities.

"We have expressed our concerns to U.S. authorities several times in the past," said one Mexican official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

This is especially a bloody time in Nuevo Laredo in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas where in recent few years the deadly Zetas organization has evolved into the CDN, Cartel del Noroeste, or Northeast Cartel. The CDN controls not just drug routes, but smuggling and "every criminal activity imaginable," said Arturo Fontes, a former veteran FBI agent now working as a private investigator in the border region. He was once stationed in Laredo and threatened by the Zetas.

"It's a common occurrence," he said. "You have vulnerable people who are dropped off at the border, in a city that doesn't belong to them and they have something precious, whether it's a vehicle, jewelry, or relatives in the United States that these criminals can extort."

Fontes added that cartels prey on migrants who go north or are headed south, adding that he suspects CDN was behind the smuggling operation in which scores of migrants were found crammed in a sweltering 18-wheeler in San Antonio last weekend. Ten people died and more than a dozen others were hospitalized with life threatening injuries.

"Migrants are money makers," Fontes said. "They're vulnerable. They're easy prey."

Ford and Veronica Dahlberg, executive director of the immigrant support group HOLA, decried ICE's actions at Thursday's rally.

Dahlberg said her calls to ICE and to the Mexican consulate about the situation went unanswered.

The rally was also for Beatriz Morelos Casillas, a Painesville mother of four who is scheduled to be deported Tuesday.

She came to the United States about 20 years ago at the age of 17 and was arrested last Sunday.

"She was driving home when she passed an Ohio Highway Patrol officer who had stopped another car on I-77," said Ford, who represents Casillas as well as Narciso. "She apparently did not pull totally into the other lane and the trooper stopped her."

She was cited for driving without a license and police turned her information over to ICE. Because Casillas, 37, was once caught trying to enter the United States illegally earlier, she is not being permitted a hearing before an immigration judge or being allowed to post bond and is scheduled for a swift deportation.

"My wife works for a factory, she works seven days a week with no days off, no health insurance and no benefits," said her husband, David DeJesus Casillas at the rally. "She has never been arrested for a crime, never hurt anyone, and now she will be taken from her family."

He cried as he addressed the crowd with their children ages 4 to 12, huddled around him.

Ford and Dahlberg said that it is within ICE's discretion to pardon Casillas but feared it would not happen.

They said there has been a huge crackdown on immigrants since Donald Trump took office.

According to ICE, "Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly has made it clear that ICE will no longer exempt any class of individuals from removal proceedings if they are found to be in the country illegally.

"ICE agents and officers have been given clear direction to focus on threats to public safety and national security...but when we encounter others who are in the country unlawfully, we will execute our sworn duty and enforce the law," the website says.

Said Dahlberg: "They are going after anyone whose skin is brown. These are the people that pick your crops and shine your shoes and do nothing illegal, yet they are being arrested and deported all the time."

Also speaking at the rally were two Hispanic women, Ana Padilla and Dora Ascosta, who are running for Painesville City Council.

They said they resent that Painesville police are eager to turn in immigrants to ICE that come to the police departments attention.

They said as council members they would oppose such cooperation.

With additional reporting from Alfredo Corchado of the Dallas Morning News.
Storage News

eFolder, Axcient Merge, Form Powerhouse Data Protection, File Sync/Share Powerhouse For MSPs

Joseph F. Kovar

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Data protection and file sync and share software developer eFolder and disaster recovery-as-a-service developer Axcient said on Thursday the two companies have merged.

The merger, brought about with the help and financial capital of K1 Capital, an El Segundo, Calif.-based investment firm, brings together Denver-based eFolder and Mountain View, Calif.-based Axcient to form a large MSP-focused provider of data protection and file sync and share technologies.

These are two companies with great technology with a relatively small amount of overlap, said Matt Nachtrab, who joined eFolder earlier this month as that company's new CEO.

[Related: The 10 Coolest Enterprise Cloud Storage Offerings In 2017 (So Far)]

"Our backup technologies fit well," Nachtrab told CRN. "eFolder Replibit is the industry's best image-based recovery technology. And Axcient offers the best recovery environment, with very advanced recovery capabilities. With Axcient, customers can recover hundreds of servers, do test recoveries in the cloud, and can even adjust the timing of the recovery according to the application."

After the merger, Nachtrab will continue as CEO of the combined company, which will use the eFolder name. Kevin Hoffman, former CEO of eFolder, is stepping back to focus on the technology as chief technology officer. Justin Moore, Axcient's founder, will be chief strategy officer of the combined company.

The merger was a pleasant surprise to Luis Alvarez, president and CEO of Alvarez Technology Group, a Salinas, Calif.-based MSP and channel partner to both eFolder and Axcient.

"Knowing both companies and their cultures, I expect they will mesh together quite nicely," Alvarez told CRN. "If you are doing a lot with Axcient BDR [backup and disaster recovery] appliances, eFolder will bring you file sync. If you are doing a lot of file sync, Axcient will bring you new BDR appliances."

With the merger of the two companies, eFolder gets two key technologies from Axcient, Alvarez said.

The first is Axcient's BDR appliances, which he said are among the best in the industry. "We've already deployed about 60 Axcient BDRs, with data consumed both on-premises and off-site," he said. "I've been seeing eFolder to get into the BDR market more aggressively."

The second is Axcient's Fusion platform, which Alvarez said eliminates the need for backup and disaster recovery appliances in virtualized environments by delivering data directly to the cloud for data protection, testing, and other purposes requiring separate environments.

Nachtrab said that eFolder brings four primary technologies to the combined company: eFolder Backup business-grade file and folder data protection, eFolder Cloudfinder for protection of cloud-based data with the ability to search data for specific text strings, eFolder Anchor file sync and share, and Replibit end-to-end business continuity via backup and disaster recovery appliances.

eFolder acquired Replibit in June of 2016, Cloudfinder in June of 2014, and Anchor in September of 2013.

Moore told CRN that Axcient brings the combined company backup and disaster recovery appliances, including hardware, software-based, and virtualized appliances.

However, he said, the company's flagship offering is Fusion, which was released late last year and which has since been enhanced with new automation and orchestration capabilities.

Fusion provides seamless cloud-based replication of an entire IT environment from a single server to thousands of servers, within an hour, and can then get employees up and running within an hour should the primary environment suffer a failure, he said.

"With our runbooks, customers can pre-set up the replicated environment in the cloud to let them recover quickly," he said.

While Axcient's traditional strength has been in the SMB market, the company is now also serving companies with thousands of servers and 100-plus TBs of data, Moore said. "We're seeing some customers shutting down their co-location facilities and rely on Axcient for disaster recovery completely, and paying six-figure yearly fees to do so," he said.

Axcient, which had raised $65 million in funding, was not yet profitable, but was on the way, Moore said.

He said the merger with eFolder was the alternative to additional funding rounds to grow the business. "We wanted to make sure we can capitalize on the market," he said. "After meeting with eFolder, we felt the best way to do it was to be a part of a bigger company. It fills in the gaps in our product lines and lets us take advantage of scale in distribution, marketing, employees, and other resources."

Neither Nachtrab nor Moore would discuss the financial terms of the merger.
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HARTFORD Add Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsens name to those of 18 colleagues who oppose President Trumps ban on transgender men and women serving in the countrys armed forces.

Jepsen announced Friday he signed onto the letter composed by Hawaii Attorney General Douglas S. Chin and sent to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Armed Services committee. It urges Congress to prohibit discrimination against current transgender military members or banning future transgender applicants.

"Discrimination of any kind has no place in our society," said Jepsen, a Connecticut Democrat. "Transgender men and women who want to serve should be afforded the same opportunities to do so as any other American, and those who are already serving deserve our respect and our gratitude for their service.

He said the ban is inherently wrong and based on untruths and falsehoods... I'm proud to stand in support of the transgender community on this and on any other policy that is contrary to the principles of opportunity and equality."

Its approximately 150,000 transgender individuals have served or are currently serving in the various armed forces branches or National Guard units.

On July 26, Trump tweeted a new ban on transgender service members, citing unnamed support from military leadership. Among the many Congressional members who have voiced opposition to the ban is Republican Arizona Sen. John McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The letter Jepsen signed includes signatures from attorney generals in California, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia

"The new ban harms our states' transgender residents and marginalizes an entire group of people based solely on gender identity, the letter reads. In addition to its constitutional infirmities, it is inconsistent with the laws and policies of many states, and with fundamental notions of fairness and equality."
PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- The destroyer Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, has successfully completed builder sea trails, with the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer undergoing three days of testing of its main propulsion, combat and other systems.

"It's always a great accomplishment when our shipbuilders successfully take a ship to sea for the first time," said Ingalls president Brian Cuccias. "DDG 114's sea trials showcase the skill of our shipbuilders and our large, national DDG 51 supplier base.

"We look forward to acceptance trials, and to delivering our 30th Aegis destroyer to our U.S. Navy customer later this year."

Ingalls has delivered 29 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the Navy, most recently the John Finn (DDG 113). Four destroyers are currently under construction at the Pascagoula shipyard: the Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), Delbert D. Black (DDG 119), Frank E. Petersen (DDG 121) and Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123).

Ingalls has also received a contract modification to incorporate Flight III upgrades to the Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), fabrication of which will begin in 2018.

"Our test and trials personnel, craftsmen and Supervisor of Shipbuilding team continue to show their dedication to delivering quality ships to the Navy every time they go to sea on these trials," said George S. Jones, Ingalls' vice president of operations. "The shipbuilders at Ingalls take pride in their work and in the missions that these ships will be doing for our country."

"There is still work to be done," said George Nungesser, Ingalls' DDG 51 program manager. "Completing another successful sea trial puts us one step closer to delivering the Navy another state-of-the art guided missile destroyer to help in our nation's defense.

"Now it's time for our team to get back to work so they can have DDG 114 ready for acceptance trials and then ready for the fleet."

DDG 114 is named in honor of Marine Corps Pfc. Ralph Henry Johnson, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War.

Johnson shouted a warning to other Marines and threw himself on an explosive device, saving the life of at least one Marine and preventing enemy penetration of the perimeter. He was killed instantly, having only been in Vietnam for just over two months at the time of the incident. He was 19 years old.
ANSONIA  One man suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a shooting in the north end, police said.

Ansonia police responded to a report of a male being shot near the intersection of Star Street and Fifth Street around 8 p.m. Thursday.

The victim, a 27-year-old male, was shot once in the lower body while inside a vehicle, police said, and then drove himself to the hospital.

Police said he was treated for injuries that were not life-threatening and has since been released from the hospital.

Detectives investigating the incident identified a possible suspect, police said.

Police ask anyone with information to call 203-735-1885. All calls are confidential.
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TAMPA BAY, Fla. - Mark Luther's dream home has a window that looks out to a world of water. He can slip out the back door and watch dolphins swim by his private dock. Shore birds squawk from nearby nests in giant mangroves.

He said it's hard to imagine ever leaving this slice of paradise on St. Petersburg's Bayou Grande, even though the water he adores is starting to get a little creepy.

Over the 24 years since he moved into the house, the bayou has inched up a protective sea wall and crept toward his front door. As sea level rises, a result of global warming, it contributes to flooding in his Venetian Isle neighborhood and Shore Acres, a neighboring community of homes worth up to $2.5 million, about 70 times per year.

"Why stay?" asked Luther, an oceanographer who knows perfectly well a hurricane could one day shove 15 feet of water into his living room. "It's just so nice."

Tampa Bay is mesmerizing, with 700 miles of shoreline and some of the finest white sand beaches in the nation. But analysts say the metropolitan area is the most vulnerable in the United States to flooding and damage if a major hurricane ever scores a direct hit.

A Boston firm that analyzes potential catastrophic damage reported that the region would lose $175 billion in a storm the size of Hurricane Katrina. A World Bank study called Tampa Bay one of the 10 most at-risk areas on the globe.

Yet the bay area - greater Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater - has barely begun to assess the rate of sea-level rise and address its effects. Its slow response to a major threat is a case study in how American cities reluctantly prepare for the worst, even though signs of impacts from climate change abound all around.

State leaders could be part of the reason. Republican Gov. Rick Scott's administration has discouraged employees from using the words "climate change" in official communications. Last month, the Republican-controlled state legislature approved bills allowing any citizen to challenge textbooks and instructional materials, including those that teach the science of evolution and global warming.

The sea in Tampa Bay has risen naturally throughout time, about an inch per decade. But in the early 1990s, scientists say, it accelerated to several inches above normal, so much that recent projections have the bay rising between six inches and more than two feet by the middle of the century and up to nearly seven feet when it ends.On top of that, natural settling is causing land to slowly sink.

Sea-level rise worsens the severity of even small storms, adding to the water that can be pushed ashore. Hard rains now regularly flood neighborhoods in St. Petersburg, Tampa and Clearwater.

- - -

By a stroke of gambler's luck, Tampa Bay hasn't suffered a direct hit from a hurricane as powerful as a category 3 or higher in nearly a century. Tampa has doubled down on a bet that another won't strike anytime soon, investing billions of dollars in high-rise condominiums along the waterfront and shipping port upgrades and expanding a hospital on an island in the middle of the bay to make it one of the largest in the state.

Once-sleepy St. Petersburg has gradually followed suit, adorning its downtown coast with high-rise condominiums, new shops and hotels.The city is in the final stages of a plan to build a $45 million pier as a major attraction that would extend out into the bay.

Worried that area leaders weren't adequately focused on the downside of living in a tropic, the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council reminded them of the risks by simulating a worst-case scenario hurricane, a category 5 with winds exceeding 156 miles per hour, to demonstrate what would happen if it entered the Gulf of Mexico and turned their way.

The fictitious Phoenix hurricane scenario projects that wind damage would destroy nearly half a million homes and businesses. About 2 million residents would require medical treatment, and the estimated death toll, more than 2,000, would top the number of people who perished from Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Florida's most densely populated county, Pinellas, could be sliced in half by a wave of water. The low-lying county of about a million is growing so fast that there's no land left to develop, and main roads and an interstate connecting it to Tampa get clogged with traffic even on a clear day.

"If a hurricane 4 or 5 hit us," St. Petersburg City Council Chairman Darden Rice said, referring to the two highest category storms, "there's no doubt about it. The plan is you'd better get out of Dodge."

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn's warning was even starker. Standing outside City Hall last year, he described what would happen if a hurricane as small as a category 3 with 110 to 130 mile per hour winds hit downtown.

"Where you're standing now would be 15 feet under water," he said.

- - -

Video simulations of hurricanes that strafed Florida but missed Tampa Bay look like an epic game of dodgeball.

"It's like we're in this sweet spot. It's like we're blessed somehow, protected," said Allison Yeh, a planner for Hillsborough County in Tampa.

The last direct hit from a category 3 in 1921 left the area in ruins, but few people lived there then. A single death was recorded.

Now, with 4 million residents and gleaming new infrastructure, the stakes are higher, and Yeh and her fellow planners are wary. They know a major hurricane like one of several that barely missed the bay in recent years would have a devastating effect.

There are few hurricane-proof buildings in the bay area. One is a gallery, the Salvador Dali Museum in downtown St. Petersburg with 18-inch-thick concrete walls and pressured glass supported by steel frames that could withstand anything the aforementioned storms could dish out. The building supervisor could stand at the windows and watch a hurricane pass as though it were on the Weather Channel.

The museum is better protected than one of the largest hospitals in the state, Tampa General, which sits on Davis Island, a spit of earth that was dredged from muck at the bottom of the bay a few years after the last hurricane hit. Buckhorn said a category 3 hurricane would level the island's houses, including his own.

Tampa General has a thorough evacuation plan, indoor generators that can supply energy for several days and safe floors with reinforced walls and windows.

But parts of two bridges that lead to and from the island would be cut off by floodwaters, a concern of officials in spite of assurances by the hospital's managers that there's a contingency for that too.

Floridians view hurricanes with the same bravado of Oklahomans who face tornados and Californians who brave earthquakes and wildfire: They come with the territory, a fact of life in a tropic, they say.

But other problems are less abstract than big hurricanes. Sea-level rise doesn't need a megastorm to make its presence felt.

"Even when we don't take a direct hit, even when its a tropical storm or a category 1, the rain it delivers to our city puts enormous stress on our rainwater and sewer collection system," Rice said.

Water is bubbling up all over Florida. Within the next 12 years, according to an assessment by a group of researchers, Risky Business, the value of state property that will vanish under encroaching water could reach $15 billion. By 2050, it could reach $23 billion.

- - -

Along the barrier islands that lured more than 6 million tourists who spent nearly $10 billion last year, governments spend a mix of local and federal to renourish beaches lost to erosion that even a tropical storm can cause.

"The bay's getting higher and the bay needs to go somewhere else. But there's nowhere for the water to go," said Mark Hafen, a University of South Florida associate professor who specializes in environmental science and coastal planning.

A team of planners in Hillsborough County said they fight against the potential impact of rising water every day, creating alternative bus routes and detours for flooded roads and trying to get the message out to residents in low-lying areas that their homes could be ruined.

"You live in a paradise and that's wonderful, but it has storms," said Eugene Henry, mitigation manager for Hillsborough County. He preaches about improved coastal inspection, color-coded warnings for residents depending on how low their homes are in a flood zone, making them more aware of the threat so they can take steps to protect themselves.

"If the inevitable monster storm comes, it's not going to keep you safe from 30 feet of storm surge," he said, but they'll know when the tide rises to put shutters up. New structures built on the Florida coast, along with homes seeking major renovations, are mandated to have three feet of clearance from floodwaters.

Planners in Tampa Bay are noticing that floodwater is sticking around longer. As the water rises, it's filling huge outfall pipes, pushing water that would flow down a storm drain back onto streets.

Tampa and Hillsborough County officials have considered levying a tax to help fix a growing problem, but in a state where Republicans opposed to taxes control the governor's office and the legislature, that's a tough sell.

"We do have a real challenge with our storm water drainage system," said Beth Alden, the executive director of Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization, which recently spent millions to clear huge pipes blocked by barnacles left by increasingly swollen tides. "This isn't a glamorous expenditure, something you're going to go have a ribbon cutting for.

"It's something that if we don't have the funding to keep up, it's not going to be there. What we've been seeing is a very conservative state legislature that has been coming out and trying to reduce the ability of local governments to levy taxes."

In Hafen's eyes, there's an additional problem, one that officials who work at the pleasure of politicians are reluctant to discuss.

"We've had a really hard time getting buy-in on sea-level rise on this side of the bay," Hafen said. "Hillsborough County and Tampa are super conservative. They're burying their heads in the sand."

Pinellas County, on the other side of the bay, is more progressive about addressing climate change impacts, Hafen said. But that didn't happen until fairly recently. It took a nerdy University of Florida county extension agent to help open everyone's eyes.

- - -

Elizabeth Carnahan was plucked from academia by the county's director of sustainable living. Her new role was to focus on climate change and engage with others to make the county more resilient to its impacts, and Carnahan took it seriously.

But Carnahan didn't see a lot of area collaboration in planning.

"They weren't doing a lot to address climate change and sea-level rise," she said. "They were willing, but no one was going to the head of the pack to take it on."

But they were elsewhere, in Gulf coast states that were hit by Hurricane Katrina and the Southeast Florida area of Fort Lauderdale and Miami that was raked by hurricanes constantly in the first years of the new century.

Carnahan dropped in on their meetings, talked to planners and listened to their sea-level rise projections and vulnerability assessments. After three years of networking outside the bay, she gathered what she considered the best ideas she heard and imported them to Pinellas County.

The county sponsored a three-hour workshop at the Weedon Island Preserve that Mark Luther can see from his flood-risk home. After that gathering, Carnahan noticed a change in officials in the 30 cities in Pinellas County.

"I could see them calling each other a lot more to share what each other were doing," she said. Watching this, Carnahan's boss, Mary Campbell, floated an idea to get scientists together to make climate related recommendations to local governments.

That group became the Climate Science Advisory Panel. Within months, they helped establish the One Bay Resilient Community, looping Hillsborough and Pasco counties into a network that works on climate related problems.

Tampa Bay now produces a climate report that compares to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Climate Assessment, offering projections for sea-level rise specifically for their region. It is used to plan bridges and roads, to site government buildings that are supposed to last at least 75 years.

- - -

Living in near-poverty in Clearwater, Jessica Lopez said she has little time to worry about a threat that might arrive years down the road. For her, the future is now.

Last year around June, she fell asleep as rain pounded her mobile home and awoke to a terrifying sight. The rain hadn't stopped, and water from an overflowing creek had climbed the stairs to her front door.

Lopez, her husband, Matt, and their daughter, Aurora, were trapped. Water was four feet deep in places, up to her neck. She was six months pregnant with a second daughter.

At least two venomous water moccasins swam past a trailer. A community septic tank that sits directly behind Lopez's back window flooded. "The feces," she said, "was everywhere." She put her head in her hands. "It was so gross."

The problem got worse. Wet dirt shifted under her trailer, causing it to tilt. Lopez worried they would not survive.

But Pinellas County rescuers quickly rushed to the scene. The county is so flood prone that the Mariners Cove Mobile Home Park is one of numerous "hot spots" that emergency management department officials watch closely when it storms.

"We know at those locations if we get too much rain and get high tide, we know they're vulnerable," said Kelli Hammer Levy, director of the county's environmental management division.

Three months later, Mariners Cove Mobile Home Park flooded again when Tropical Storm Hermine took a swipe at Tampa Bay.

Now Lopez is frightened whenever it rains. "You hear when it starts to storm and you can't sleep," she said. "I'm constantly worried now when it floods and the dirt shifts, it'll tilt us more and more sideways."

She and her husband had no idea that the mobile park home was a county hot spot when they moved there about a year ago. Like several residents there, she said managers didn't include that information when they signed leases for the land where their trailers sat.

The county's floodplain coordinator told Levy that notifying potential tenants of a flood risk is recommended but not required. Renters and lease holders are often left in the dark.

Leaving is not much of an option, Lopez said. "If we were to move without paying off the trailer, they would undo everything we've done. We've paid about $2,000. They would just void that."

Repetitive flooding is so dire that county officials considered buying out the mobile home leasers and relocating them but lacked the funds, Levy said. The county had already spent $300,000 to purchase nearly three dozen homes near McKay and Allen creeks in Largo and relocate the owners.

- - -

In Shore Acres, the wealthy community next to Mark Luther's neighborhood, residents are much better informed about the area's flooding, and have far more options.

Like Lopez, they're staying. Many Venetian Isle and Shore Acres residents have poured thousands of dollars into homes to accent their bayou views.

But it might be a trap.

Nearly all of Shore Acres is considered a repetitive loss area where homes have flooded more than once and required compensation from insurers. Street flooding happens after rains and high tides.

Eighty percent of homes in the area are what planners call "slab-on-grade." It means their living rooms are one step from the ground or less. More than 1,500 are subject to flooding, according to an analysis of repetitive loss flooding by the city of St. Petersburg.

Since 1978, 29 homes have made 129 flood insurance claims totaling $2.9 million. A significant flood or a catastrophic storm could ruin a thousand more, triggering major insurance claims.

St. Petersburg, like Tampa, is spending millions in an attempt to clear storm drains that are supposed to collect water from streets and dump it back into Tampa Bay. The city is also imploring owners of slab-on-grade homes to consider building mounds to raise them three feet from the ground.

It's a tough sell for someone like Luther, whose home was built long before anyone started talking about accelerated sea-level rise.

"I'm not sure you can elevate this type of house," he said. "It's U-shaped and fairly large, 3,700 square feet." Luther's house is brick with terrazzo floors "that would crack to pieces."

But there's one option that Venetian Isle residents have that Lopez in her Clearwater trailer park does not, and Luther is considering it. The real estate market in paradise is hot, and he can sell.

"People who want to live on the waterfront will always live on the waterfront," Luther said, a reference to the rich. "Every house on my street that sold within the past 10 years, they've knocked it down and built a 10,000 or 12,000 square foot mini-mansion on top of it."

Carnahan seconded that. On the edge of Tampa Bay, where the danger from a colossal storm is worse, homes Venetian Isle and flood prone Shore Acres are still being snatched up.

"I can't believe what houses here are selling for," she said.

- - -

Video link: Why the Dali museum is a surreal shelter from the storm

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Video link: A major storm could destory Tampa Bay

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PASCAGOULA, Miss. -- Scotty Lakeith Street has been sentenced to life in prison without parole in the stabbing death of 55-year-old retired Hurley school teacher, Frankie Fairley.

The jury returned to the courtroom where they delivered their verdict based on all the evidence presented by the prosecution and defense. However, the jury could not reach a unanimous decision on punishment.

In a 10-2 poll, Street's options were death penalty or life in prison without parole. Judge Kathy King-Jackson decided Street's fate and decided he would spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Before his sentencing, King-Jackson asked Street if he had any final words. Street responded in a very low voice saying, "I am asking for you to have mercy on me."

Frankie Fairley (file photo)

On Day 1 of the trial, the prosecution presented evidence that pointed to Street as Fairley's killer. An autopsy performed on her body revealed that Fairley had been stabbed a total of 37 times.

Fairley's husband Charles was asked to recall the day he last saw his wife alive and how she asked him to look after a pot of food she left cooking on the stove.

She then left her Polktown Road home driving her gold 2004 Honda Odyssey en route to East Central High School when she was last seen.

Fairley's youngest son Micah testified that his mother dropped he and his sister off at a neighbor, Mrs. Ruby's home to help her decorate her home for Christmas. Fairley was supposed to pick her children up later that evening -- she did not.

Police were subsequently called around 7 p.m. that night to report Frankie missing. Frankie was later found in a field Wednesday morning after she was grotesquely stabbed to death.

That same evening of the killing, Fairley's van was used in a strong-armed robbery by Street in D'Iberville at a gas station. Street was subsequently taken into custody.

It was later revealed that Street crossed paths with Fairley at a Dollar General in the Hurley community.

After D'Iberville police searched the vehicle, blood was found inside of it, most belonging to Frankie. Street's DNA was also found inside of the van.

To hide the clothing he wore the day of the killing, Street dumped some of the articles of clothing in what was believed to be an animal pin behind his home.

After his arrest, investigators searched Street's home and found the clothing aligned with that of the surveillance footage on the day Frankie was killed.

Day 2 of the trial, the defense introduced Street's long history of mental illness by having his sisters and mother testify to various incidents they saw Street commit as a child such as swallowing nails, painting his body, and tying of a Coke bottle to his genitalia, causing bleeding.

Before the verdict was delivered, District Attorney Tony Lawrence said he asked the jury to consider 'Mrs. Frankie' because of the defense injecting Street's mental illness into the fold.

"I just implored them to remember Mrs. Frankie because it seemed as if the trial was becoming all about Scotty Street and she was a special woman," Lawrence said. "I think the jury reviewed all of the evidence and made the best decision they felt they could make."

The Fairley nor the Street family had any comment after the reading of the verdict.
Protest

Keep Joel Home; Family man, taxpayer, citizen, Joel; Keep Families Together.

Among the chants from a crowd in Hartford supporting Joel Colindres, of New Fairfield, a non-citizen whos been ordered to return to his native Guatemala by Aug. 17, leaving behind his citizen wife and their two citizen children.

No pigs in pokes, thank you

If I dont get those assurances, Im a no, because Im not going to vote for a pig in a poke. Im not going to vote for a bill that is terrible policy and horrible politics, just because we have to get something done.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., regarding concessions hes seeking in the ongoing House-Senate wrangling over a new health care bill.
BRIDGEPORT  State Police asked for the publics help Thursday to identify a man suspected of stealing electronics from a construction worker at the Housatonic Community College.

At approximately 6:45 a.m., a male suspect entered a room where several items were taken. Reported stolen was a black iPad, a black Galaxy S6 phone and a black iPhone 5.

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5'5" to 5'8", 150-180 lbs, wearing a gray t-shirt, green cargo shorts and black sneakers.

In a Tweet, State Troopers posted a photo of the suspect, who took the items around 6:45 a.m. at the HCC campus at the intersection of State Street and Lafayette Boulevard.

A black iPad, black Galaxy S6 and black iPhone 5 were reported stolen, police said.

It is uncommon for State Police to take on small-scale thefts, but scene of the crime is state property.

They have the first jurisdiction with us, even though theyre in the city, said police Msgt. Christopher Gough, HCCs director of security.

The college has been undergoing renovations for months, and construction workers are on site daily. State Police said that the items were taken from a room.

State Police described the suspect as a black male, approximately 5'5" to 5'8", 150-180 lbs, wearing a gray t-shirt, green cargo shorts and black sneakers.

Anyone with information about the theft can call State Police at 203-696-2500 or text TIP711 to 274637.
PASCAGOULA, Miss. - A legal settlement governing pension payments to Singing River Health System retirees has received an appeals-court setback, but some involved with the case characterized it as a procedural delay rather than a deal-killer.

SRHS had presented a plan before U.S. District Court Judge Louis Guirola, who had approved it in May 2016. It specified that SRHS would pay $150 million over a 35-year span to retirees through a trust fund, to make up for $55 million it failed to put into the pension from 2009-2014.

U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana this week ruled that it was improper for Guirola to "limit its consideration to the hospital's ability to pay while ignoring a transparent explanation of the settlement's consequences for class members." The appeals court said it had found four issues explaining why Guirola's decision should be vacated and the case should be heard again:

How, and how much, the future streams of SRHS's payments into the Plan, together with existing Plan assets and prospective earnings will intersect with future claims and what effect the settlement has on current retirees.

What are SRHS future revenue projections, dollar amounts, contingencies, from which a reasonable conclusion is drawn that SRHS has the financial ability to complete performance under the settlement.

Why any payments from litigation involving KPMG, Transamerica, or related entities are permitted to defray SRHS's payment obligation rather than supplement the settlement for the benefit of class members.

Why class counsel's fees should not be tailored to align with the uncertainty and risk that class members will bear.

Attorney Matthew Mestayer of law firm of Reeves & Mestayer, which filed a class-action suit on behalf of beneficiaries of the failed Singing River Pension Plan, said the following regarding the Court's ruling:

"As Plaintiff's Counsel we are pleased to have a decision by the Fifth Circuit. That Court ruled there was not enough information in the record to either approve or deny the Settlement Agreement. However, this kind of ruling is not unusual. The Appeals Court primarily requested clarification of issues not addressed in the objectors appeal."

"Class Council is considering all options but remains confident in the Settlement Agreement and its ability to pay the retirees 100% of their benefits. Quite frankly, we're looking forward to returning to Court as quickly as possible to further develop the record."

After the decision was released on Thursday, SRHS CEO Kevin Holland released the following statement:

"Upon initial review, the Fifth Circuit's decision announced today is not a rejection of the proposed settlement, but rather a road map for successfully approving it with more detail and clarity on the terms of the agreement and how it will impact beneficiaries. The court outlined four areas of concern to be addressed in cooperation with all parties to the settlement. We still feel strongly that this settlement agreement provides the very best opportunity for the ongoing financial stability of not only the pension plan, but also our entire health system.

We are reviewing the court's decision with our legal counsel to determine next steps, and our strategy will be based on how to expedite this process in the best interest of all parties. As we have maintained from the start, a protracted and costly legal battle does nothing to benefit the plan, its beneficiaries or our health system and the patients who depend upon us to care for them, so time is of the essence.

It's important to note that the proposed settlement provides numerous new protections for beneficiaries, including oversight by an independent, court-appointed special fiduciary, who will be responsible for managing the Plan, its investments, and future distributions under the supervision of the court. In addition, as part of the settlement, Singing River has committed to support the Plan over the next 35 years with payments totaling $149 million to benefit retirees. In fact, we have already deposited our first payments pursuant to the settlement into escrow as scheduled.

While this case approaches its third year in litigation, our retirees have continued to receive their full benefit checks from the plan, and we remain committed to work with the special fiduciary overseeing the plan to continue providing benefits to the thousands of current and future retirees who have served our health system and our community."
BY VIRGINIA POSTREL, BLOOMBERG NEWS

I support marijuana legalization, but I wish pot smokers would stop stinking up the sidewalks.

I'm not alone. In places where using marijuana no longer carries the threat of a jail sentence, the pungent odor of ganja is increasingly infiltrating daily life -- and annoying nonsmokers. "It used to be kind of neat smelling pot occasionally on a weekend, but now Toronto smells like weed all the time," complains writer Liza Herz, who says she supports legalization.

Like cigarette smokers, marijuana smokers get used to the smell and don't notice how loathsome it can be to those who don't share their habits. Unlike cigarette smokers, however, pot smokers haven't yet developed strong norms about not bothering the neighbors.

"The worst is that new neighbors in the house behind me smoke all the time, and it wafts into my yard and bedroom like a frightened skunk," says Jessica Lee, a financial professional in Washington, D.C. who says she "used to be for legalization" but changed her mind after seeing so many young people smoking. Once the threat of police sanctions disappears, many people feel free to light up without considering the spillover effects.

"The smell makes my stomach churn a little, so I even hold my breath when I have to walk by a dispensary," says Joe Inglish, a software engineer from Portland, Oregon, who describes himself as "decidedly pro-legalization." His state supposedly bans public smoking, but observes fellow resident Nancy Rommelmann, "Portland reeks."

If the marijuana-legalization movement faces an effective backlash, it's likely to come from smoke-averse citizens rather than traditional drug warriors. "I don't care at all what one does in their private space, but when it invades and endangers my health and the health of others -- bad, bad, bad!" says Manhattan makeup artist Maria Verel. She complains that the many construction workers in her neighborhood smoke so much pot on their lunch breaks that "it's like walking through an opium den."

Those workers could still be arrested under the state's law against publicly displaying or smoking pot, which is subject to decidedly selective enforcement. Pointing to the law's disparate racial effects, the New York Times recently opined against it. "The state missed an opportunity to fix this problem five years ago when a bill that would have made public display of marijuana an offense similar to a traffic violation -- rather than a crime -- died in the Legislature," the editors argued.

The law is intrusive and unjust, but maybe the reason it's still on the books is that New Yorkers who don't smoke marijuana don't want to live with the fumes. "In New York City, after all, you can't legally smoke a tobacco cigarette in a bar, a restaurant, a movie theater, a subway train or platform, a public park, or on a beach," wrote Ira Stoll in response to the Times. "Maybe people don't want other people smoking marijuana everywhere, either."

Threatening criminal prosecution, which can ruin someone's life, is a terrible substitute for establishing norms of politeness. But nonsmokers make up the majority of voters, and politicians listen to them. If marijuana fans want to keep their drug of choice legal, and extend that legality to new locales, they need to adopt more considerate consumption methods -- vaping, gummies and brownies come to mind -- or at least keep in mind that smoke has to go somewhere, and not everyone enjoys the aroma.

- Postrel is a Bloomberg View columnist.
Great Allegheny Passage improvements coming

The bids were opened Nov. 1 and Adam Eidemiller's was the lower of two bids received. The project will take two weeks starting within the next week.
Environmental Review for CA Bullet Train Reinforced by State High Court

Federal railway laws do not categorically preempt the California Environmental Quality Act, the state Supreme Court said, slowing down a Northern California train pending an environmental review.

The Court said CEQA applies to the state North Coast Railroad Authority -- just like any other state agency -- on its projects. The Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act, a federal law that regulates public rails, does not displace state laws in carrying out those projects.

"This decision clears the way for the courts below to begin considering the merits of plaintiffs' CEQA claims, which the courts had previously found to be preempted by the ICCTA as a categorical matter," Justice Leondra Kruger wrote in a concurring opinion in Friends of Eel River v. North Coast Railroad Authority.

Almost All Aboard

Kruger joined the majority decision, but wrote separately to note that some CEQA remedies may be preempted if they unreasonably interfere with the federal Surface Transportation Board.

Judge Carol Corrigan did not agree at all. She said when a state enters the railroad business, it is subject to federal regulation just like any private business.

"[T]oday's holding will displace the long-standing supremacy of federal regulation in the area of railroad operations by allowing third party plaintiffs to thwart or delay public railroad projects with CEQA suits," she wrote in dissent. "Such an outcome is both unfair to public entities and inimical to the deregulatory purpose of ICCTA."

The dispute dates back to 1989, when the state legislature got involved in a railroad that ran through Northern California. The private company was about to shut down, but the state created the North Coast Railroad Authority to keep it going.

Stops Ahead

The rail authority channeled state and federal funds for repairs and compliance, and then turned the project over to the Northwestern Pacific Railroad Company to operate in 2006. The company was rolling by 2011, but environmental groups sued to stop the train.

The plaintiffs said the rail authority and railroad company had to comply with CEQA, but the defendants said the ICCTA had preemptive jurisdiction over the operation.

After the parties wrangled in state and federal trial courts, a state appeals court ruled for the defendants. The Supreme Court reversed and remanded.

It was a closely-watched case in Northern and Southern California, primarily because of a proposed bullet train between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Under the court's ruling, the $64 billion project will also be subject to CEQA review.

Related Resources:
Man Tased by Colorado Police Receives $110K Settlement

Tasers are often viewed as a non-lethal alternative to subdue criminal suspects, but they are far from perfectly safe. Victims have suffered miscarriages, brain damage, and even death. Therefore, tasers should be used rarely and only with good reason.

It turns out that a man asking "What for?" while his hands are above his head and his back is facing police is not a good enough reason. Darsean Kelley got a $110,000 settlement from the city of Aurora, Colorado, without even having to file a lawsuit, after body camera footage showed officer an officer tasing him in the back.

I Know My Rights

The footage of Kelley's tasing is not easy to watch, as his body stiffens, he falls backward onto the sidewalk, and can be heard crying afterward. The ACLU, who took up Kelley's case, described the scene:

Police in Aurora, Colorado, got a call about a man pulling a gun on a kid. They had no description of the suspect. On their way to the scene, they stopped two Black men walking down the sidewalk.

Darsean Kelley, one of the men, followed the officers' orders to hold his hands above his head and turn around. His repeated requests for an explanation as to why they had been detained went unanswered. Even though it was clear he had no weapons and he was no threat to the officers, Darsean was tased in the back just as he said, "I know my rights." Darsean fell backwards and hit his head on the pavement.

Kelley was arrested for disorderly conduct, or failure to obey a lawful order, after he was tased. That charge was dropped, but not before he spent three days in jail, unable to post his bond.

Within Policy

Suing the police can be tricky, but a lawsuit wasn't even necessary in this case. While Aurora City Attorney Mike Hyman stood behind the officers' actions, he said the settlement was a financial decision. "We disagree with the ACLU's characterization of the events in this case and their unwarranted attack against the Aurora Police Department," Hyman said in a statement. "This case was settled for the reason that many cases are settled -- to avoid the cost of prolonged litigation. That cost would have far exceeded the value of the settlement."

There was no punishment for the police officers involved, after an internal review board determined the use of force "was reasonable, appropriate, and within policy."

Related Resources:
She's a free-spirited artist with a penchant for posting her holidays on social media, while he's a senior member of the Serbian royal family.

And now Prince Philip and his girlfriend Danica Marinkovic have delighted royal watchers by announcing their engagement..

Philip, 35, shared his happy news this week alongside a photograph of the couple beaming on the steps of Belgrade's Royal Palace, prompting a flurry of congratulations from well-wishers.

A statement from the palace read: 'Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander, Crown Princess Katherine and Princess Maria da Gloria Orleans-Braganza have great pleasure to announce that HRH Prince Philip is engaged to Ms. Danica Marinkovic, daughter of Mr. Milan Marinkovic  Cile and Mrs. Beba Marinkovic.'

The Royal Palace of Belgrade released this photo to mark the engagement of Prince Philip and girlfriend Danica Marinkovic who wore a 49 Topshop thigh split Bardot dress

Serbia - formerly part of Yugoslavia - is now a republic but its once-exiled royal family have lived in Belgrade's Royal Palace in 2001.

Philip has previously spoken of his wishes to return to the capital for good one day and marry 'a Serbian woman if possible' - and now it appears his dreams are set to become a reality.

While Philip, who was educated in the UK and now works in finance in London, may have royal blood his fiancee also has society credentials; her father is a respected impressionist painter who has worked with designer Roksanda Ilincic.

And if her social media accounts are anything to go by, Marinkovic is no stranger to the high life, with photos showing her enjoying a never-ending series of sun-kissed holidays in Seville, Milan and Croatia.

With her husband-to-be unbound by the formalities of public duties like his British counterparts, she will be free to continue working full-time as a graphic designer and dressing however she likes - such as the daring thigh-split Topshop number she wore for her engagement photo.

Graphic designer Danica Marinkovic is active on social media but has just over 650 Instagram followers - but this may change when she marries Prince Philip of Serbia

Famous parentage: Danica has A-list credentials; her father is respected impressionist painter Cile Marinkovic (pictured together in 2016) who has worked with designer Roksanda Ilinc

'The sun brings memories': The 30-year-old posts pictures of her sun-kissed holidays on social media. She divides her time between London, Belgrade and Paris to exhibit her work

'Chasing the breeze': The artist is no stranger to the high life, with photos showing her enjoying a series of sun-kissed holidays in Seville, Milan and Croatia

The well-travelled graphic designer recently jetted out to Chateau Pesquie, in France's Rhone Valley, for a wedding as seen on her social media

Free spirit: With Danica husband-to-be not being bound by the formalities of public duties, she will be free to continue working full-time as a graphic designer and wear whatever she likes

Danica wears a flamenco-style dress during a trip to Seville, one of her fiance's favourite cities. A further announcement is expected regarding date and location of the wedding

Jet-setter: Born in Belgrade, she is officially a citizen of France and, like her fiance, studied in the UK, graduating from the Chelsea College of Arts in London

WHO IS PRINCE PHILIP OF SERBIA? Arsenal fan Philip, who has a twin brother, is the second oldest child of Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavias sons - Hereditary Prince Peter, 37, and Prince Alexander. He grew up in London, says his father is 'best friends' with the Prince of Wales and he has even rubbed shoulders with William and Harry who he describes as 'wonderful'. Advertisement

And fans hoping for a lavish royal wedding like the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's show-stopping 2011 nuptials will be sorely disappointed; when his relative Prince Mihajlo tied the knot last year it was a low-key affair with the European press even describing the family as 'faded royals'.

Danica's work has appeared in exhibitions all around Europe and she spends much of her time in Paris, describing herself online as a 'dynamic team player' who is fluent in French, Serbian and Spanish.

Born in Belgrade, she is officially a citizen of France and, like her fiance, studied in the UK, graduating from the Chelsea College of Arts in London before embarking on a successful career as a designer.

A 2016 trip to Serbia by Camilla and Charles resulted in a brush with royalty for Marinkovic herself who proudly posted a picture of her invite to the reception at the Embassy (pictured)

Danica soaks up the sun at Mljet National Park in Croatia. Born in Belgrade, she is officially a citizen of France and, like her fiance, studied in the UK at the Chelsea College of Arts in London

Talented: Danica's work has appeared in exhibitions all around Europe and she describes herself online as a 'dynamic team player' who is fluent in French, Serbian and Spanish

Like her husband-to-be, Danica is well-travelled and her social media is peppered with snaps of holidays and working trips in far-flung destinations

That's me! The artist proudly poses alongside a poster advertising one of her exhibitions

Winter wonderland: Danica snaps a selfie on the slopes during a recent skiing holiday

Written in the stars: Philip has previously spoken of his wishes to return to the capital for good one day and marry 'a Serbian woman if possible'

Arsenal fan Philip, who has a twin brother, is the second oldest child of Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavias sons - Hereditary Prince Peter, 37, and Prince Alexander.

He grew up in London, says his father is 'best friends' with the Prince of Wales and he has even rubbed shoulders with William and Harry who he describes as 'wonderful'.

Indeed, a 2016 trip to Serbia by Camilla and Charles resulted in a brush with royalty for Marinkovic herself who proudly posted a picture of her invite to the reception at the Embassy - along with a snap of Charles greeting the crowds.

A further announcement is expected regarding date and location of the wedding.
Bristol Palin is back in Texas with all three of her children, but the mom is already feeling nostalgic about the time she spent with her sisters in her home state of Alaska.

The 26-year-old took to Instagram on Thursday afternoon to share a heartwarming photo of her and her sisters Willow, 22, and Piper, 16, posed her children Atlee Bay and Tripp during their visit to Homer last week.

'Missing my sisters today!' she captioned the snapshot, which sees Bristol carrying her two-month-old daughter Atlee in a carrier on her chest.

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Throwback: Bristol Palin (right) took to Instagram on Thursday to share a photo of her sisters Piper (left), 16, and Willow (center), 22, posed with her and her children while she was in Alaska

Home again: Bristol held her newborn daughter Atlee Bay in a carrier as she posed for a picture with her sister Willow, while her son Tripp gave his aunt bunny ears

Too cute: During the trip, Bristol introduced two-month-old Atlee to her baby cousins

Willow is in the center of the picture, and she happily has her arms around her younger sister and her eight-year-old nephew Tripp as they pose in front of the harbor.

Bristol spent last week with her siblings and parents in Alaska, introducing Atlee to her baby cousins and spending some quality time with Tripp, her only child with her former fiance Levi Johnston.

The only thing missing was her husband Dakota Meyer, who stayed back in Texas with their on-year-old daughter Sailor Grace.

And while Bristol was thinking about her family in Alaska on Thursday, Dakota was nursing what looks like a sprained ankle.

Ouch! While Bristol was reminiscing about her trip to Alaska on Thursday, her husband Dakota Meyer revealed on Instagram that he hurt his ankle

Dakota has been hiking and running while training for the upcoming 2017 Sniper Adventure Challenge, and he revealed on Thursday that he is facing a bit of a set back.

The former Marine shared an Instagram Stories video of himself lying on an examining table, zooming in on his bruised ankle.

'And here we are again,' he wrote, insinuating that this is just one of his many emergency trips to the doctor.

Just one day before, Dakota paid tribute to his wife on Instagram by sharing a throwback photo of them together at an event.

Own it: The former Marine has been training for the 2017 Sniper Adventure Challenge and has been spending his spare time hiking and running

Look of love: On Wednesday, Dakota paid tribute to Bristol with a gushing Instagram post

'The best thing about being married is having a soft spot to come home to, someone you know has your back, someone who is there to love you and support you no matter what,' he wrote.

'No one on earth has ever done a better job at that than my amazing wife @bsmp2. Thank you for always putting me first and seeing good in me. I love you more than anything!'

Earlier in the week, Bristol was reunited with Dakota and their eldest daughter Sailor, and she couldn't resist sharing a video of her little girl while cracking a joke about her retro-looking hairdo.

'MY PRINCESS!! & her Carol Brady shag,' Bristol captioned the clip, which sees Sailor smiling for the camera.

Retro: Earlier in the week, Bristol couldn't resist sharing a video of her one-year-old daughter Sailor Gracel while cracking a joke about her 'Carol Brady shag' hairdo

Bonding time: Dakota and Sailor stayed in Texas while Bristol was in Alaska

Although Sailor was undoubtedly thrilled to have her mom back home, the tot got to spend some quality time with her dad.

Last Thursday, Dakota shared a cute video of Sailor sitting in her car seat during a drive.

'Sailor do you love your dad? Yes or no,' he asks her, and she is all smiles as she cheekily tells him: 'No.'

Dakota quickly feigns outrage, saying: 'What are you kidding me? You don't?'

The reaction appears to be exactly what Sailor wanted, and she can't resist giggling in her car seat.

Dakota also gave Sailor 'driving lessons' in her new battery powered Range Rover while his wife was away.
Makeup brand Napoleon Perdis has come under fire for displaying an advertisement outside a store window showing a woman lighting another woman's cigarette.

The controversial display has been spotted at Sydney's affluent suburb of Double Bay below a gold glittering sign that reads: 'education is everything'.

Cancer Institute NSW CEO Professor David Currow has slammed the drawing as 'incredibly irresponsible' for attempting to 'glamourise' smoking to young women.

Makeup brand Napoleon Perdis has come under fire for displaying an advertisement outside a store window in Sydney's Double Bay showing a woman lighting another woman's cigarette

Cancer Institute NSW CEO Professor David Currow has slammed the drawing as 'incredibly irresponsible' for attempting to 'glamourise' smoking to young women

'This piece of advertising is incredibly irresponsible and disappointing to see from an Australian company,' Professor Currow told Daily Mail Australia in a statement.

'It's time that brands, celebrities and social media influencers recognise that by promoting smoking as cool, they are risking the lives of the people who look up to them.

'Images like this, which attempt to glamourise smoking and associate it with beauty and style, risk reversing the incredible progress we have made as a country.'

Professor Currow said promoting smoking to young women is 'dangerous and unethical' because there's 'absolutely nothing beautiful about smoking'.

The controversial display has been spotted at Sydney's affluent suburb of Double Bay

Cancer Institute NSW CEO Professor David Currow has slammed the drawing outside the store as 'incredibly irresponsible' for attempting to 'glamourise' smoking to young women

'Smoking rates in Australia have dropped dramatically in recent years, with a ban on tobacco advertising and plain packaging both having a part to play,' he added.

'Smoking is highly addictive, causes premature aging and wrinkles, as well as discoloration of the teeth and skin, never mind the detrimental health effects.'

However, Napoleon Perdis marketing director Peter Sintras told The Daily Telegraph the drawing was 'by no means condoning smoking but is rather a cheeky reflection of the Double Bay cafe culture'.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Napoleon Perdis for comment.
An entrepreneur has revealed how an expensive birthday gift she received in her childhood led her to create a multi-million dollar leather accessories empire.

Alyce Tran, from Adelaide, said the inspiration behind co-founding her brand The Daily Edited stemmed from a gift she received from her uncle at the age of 16.

And fast forward, the 31-year-old's hugely successful personalised leather boutique - which started in her lounge room in 2014 - has since turned over $23 million in the last end of financial year.

Speaking to Sunrise, the former lawyer said she just 'knew' she wanted to run a monogramming business after her 16th birthday.

Alyce Tran (pictured) said the inspiration behind co-founding her brand The Daily Edited stemmed from a gift she received from her uncle at the age of 16

The 31-year-old's hugely successful personalised leather boutique has turned over $23 million in the last end of financial year

'I received a bag with a personalised tag on it when I was 16 from my uncle for my birthday,' she recalled.

'It was very special and it was very expensive.... and I knew I wanted to offer that to the everyday consumer.'

Working in the corporate world, Ms Tran began juggling her job - as well as running her brand via social media on the side with her fellow lawyer Tania Liu.

The business partners initially started off with a clothing line in 2011 - but after the business failed, they looked into blogging.

Working in the corporate world, Ms Tran began juggling her job - as well as running her brand via social media on the side

The journey to success for Ms Tran didn't come too easy after working full-time as a lawyer while attempting to run her business

'We were sort of pedaling along with the Daily Edited as a blog,' she said.

Eventually, the pair quit their day jobs as lawyers to start an online leather goods business to provide a service that high-end fashion houses have always done, but apply it in an affordable way.

Launching with just 50 pieces, the two friends listed their leather goods up for sale on Instagram before it was all snapped up within a week.

'Started in my dining room back in August 2014 and here we are today,' she said.

But the journey to success didn't come too easy after working full-time as a lawyer while attempting to run her business.

'I was working until 7pm as a lawyer, and race home, monogram a few things like the orders I'd gotten that day,' she said.

'[I would ] be up until midnight-1am wrapping these orders, processing these orders, [and then] taking them back into work.'

Ms Tran famously developed the fashion blog which provided the background for The Daily Edited while working as a lawyer - she launched it with her friend, Tania Liu (pictured together)

When she finished her day job, Ms Tran would return home to work on her accessories label between 7.30pm and 2am

Her latest interview comes just a month after she shared her business secrets and how she made her first AUD $1 million.

Speaking of her secrets to success, Ms Tran told Marie Claire Australia that there is no shortcut for 'hard work':

'I read a quote from another Australian entrepreneur who said: "How can you achieve anything if you leave at 5pm?",' she said.

'It's harsh, but if you want to be successful, then you're not leaving at 5pm.'

Ms Tran famously developed a fashion blog which provided the starting point for The Daily Edited while working as a lawyer between 9am and 7pm.

She would later work on her website between 7.30pm and 2am, and putting up 'cr*ppy photos of the products taken with my iPhone'.

Ms Tran (right) was a successful lawyer before she quit her corporate role to focus on TDE

These days, The Daily Edited boasts eight stores around the world, concessions in countless department stores and a website (pictured left: Kate Waterhouse)

'I worked so hard during that period, but that's how you become successful. It doesn't happen by doing nothing,' the 31-year-old told the publication.

Ms Tran later launched The Daily Edited with her friend and fellow lawyer, Tania Liu, and $7,000 of her personal savings.

These days, The Daily Edited boasts eight stores around the world, concessions in countless department stores and a website.

It is expected to turn over $23 million this financial year and is regularly seen on the arms and phones of countless Australian It girls including Nadia Fairfax and Steph Claire Smith.

'We bought our first lot of stock in September 2014 and sold out within three weeks, so we re-ordered and haven't looked back since, Ms Tran previously told FEMAIL

The business duo now receive hundreds of orders every single day

'Besides spending our whole disposable income on clothes and having a mutual passion for fashion, we had no experience in the industry but were keen to do something creative outside of work,' Ms Tran said

Speaking previously to Daily Mail Australia about the business launch and her partner, Ms Tran said:

'Besides spending our whole disposable income on clothes and having a mutual passion for fashion, we had no experience in the industry but were keen to do something creative outside of work.'

However, the pair didn't quite realise how much of a winner they were onto with their e-commerce site, until the stock they ordered sold out in just two weeks:

'We bought our first lot of stock in September 2014 and sold out within three weeks, so we re-ordered and haven't looked back since, Ms Tran told FEMAIL.

To find out more about The Daily Edited, you can visit the website or follow the label on Instagram.
It's natural for any bride to feel stressed in the run up to their big day but walking down the aisle can often turn women into demanding bridezillas.

And one lady, thought to be from the US, believes her sister is the biggest bridezilla of them all - after revealing she made her friends bid in an auction to secure a spot in her bridal party.

Writing on Reddit, the 33-year-old dubbed her sister 'self-absorbed' as she revealed the bride-to-be was holding an auction for her potential bridesmaids to compete in for a place in her wedding.

The sister explained that whoever splurged the most would be crowned maid of honour - and the bride would use the total proceeds to fund her wedding and honeymoon.

A woman, thought to be from the US, revealed that her sister is making her friends bid in an auction for a place in her bridal party (and she'll use the proceeds to fund her wedding and honeymoon)

The sister went on to explain that the ladies taking part in the auction aren't even close friends with the 22-year-old bride and she added that the man she is marrying is 'rich' so they aren't lacking in funds.

She also revealed that her own mother called her selfish and said she would 'look bad' if she didn't bid in the auction.

'I just find this really awkward and tacky. She's basically having people pay to be in her wedding. It's totally nonsensical', added the sister.

The sister explained that whoever splurged the most would be crowned maid of honour - and 500 people shared their verdict on Reddit, with many calling her 'selfish' and 'a nutter'

The woman's post received hundreds of responses from shocked people online, who dubbed her sister 'selfish' and 'a nutter'.

'In my opinion her sister is highly manipulative,' wrote one. 'The nutters are those willing to actually pay to be in her wedding party. Why would anyone do this? I can't wrap my brain around it.'

One user said the whole affair was 'absurd and trashy' and others said they were struggling to get their heads around it.

The post has amassed 500 comments from shocked Reddit users.
The Mon State government will provide 16 million kyats budget to hold Kayin traditional wrist typing ceremonies in the Mon State, according to the Mon States Kayin (Karen) Affairs Minister Saw Aung Myint Khine.

Rather than focusing on the budget amount, we want to focus more on giving recognition. We are giving our emphasis on development and trying our best to support tradition and culture, said Minister Saw Myint Khine.

The budget will be distributed based on the population in 18 venues where the wrist tying ceremonies will be held, he added.

Mawlamyine Townships wrist tying ceremony will be held at Taung Yoe Tan Aditayone Monastery on 7 August. I heard the government has allocated a budget. This is the first time it has provided the budget. Last years ceremony cost around two million kyats. The Kayin Literature and Culture Committee paid for the costs, said Saw Tar Paung, secretary of Mawlamyine Townships Kayin Literature and Culture Committee.

The Mon State government has previously allocated budgets for the Kayin New Year ceremony and joint literature course completion ceremonies within two years since it took office.

The Kayin people celebrate the traditional wrist tying ceremony annually on the full moon day of Wagaung to ward off evil spirits. This year, the full moon day of Wagaung falls on 7 August.
A woman once dubbed the UK's 'top cougar' has claimed she is giving up toyboys for good - in a bid to attract a mature man.

Businesswoman Juney Smith, 53 from St Albans, says she has stopped dating younger men after being put off by bearded hipsters with tattoos.

Juney hit headlines last year when she revealed she had dated more than 250 younger men since turning 30, insisting that they kept her young.

But the singleton says she has turned over a new leaf and, appearing on This Morning today, Juney said: 'Hipsters have helped me a lot.

Turning a corner: Former cougar Juney Smith says she is turning her back on younger men for good after she was put off dating toyboys by hipsters

'Im not a big fan of the beards and theyre covered in tattoos, like wallpaper. Ill read a book in bed, I dont want to have to look at wallpaper.'

Juney added: ' Im not some desperate woman looking for young guys if hes nice and charming and I find him attractive then Ill go out on a date.'

She also defended her dating history, telling Rylan Clark-Neal and Alison Hammond: ' Sometimes you go on a date with an older guy and you look at the clock because its so boring. Whats wrong with having a lovely time?

'Im not some desperate woman looking for young guys if hes nice and charming and I find him attractive then Ill go out on a date.'

In a cheeky reference to her many conquests, she added: 'We're not talking wizard's sleeve here, if you know what I mean.'

However she insisted her new dating tactic was 'not a U-turn'.

Appearing on This Morning today, June insisted: 'Im not a big fan of the beards and theyre covered in tattoos, like wallpaper. Ill read a book in bed, I dont want to have to look at wallpaper'

Businesswoman Juney Smith, from St Albans (pictured), previously claimed to have dated more than 250 younger men since she turned 30, insisting it keeps her young

Juney, who has never married or had children, previously said of her love life: I have always dated younger but really focused on it from the age of 30, and among the guys I've gone out with were lads aged 18 to 20. I haven't looked back since.'

She insisted that while she enjoys dating in 'all its forms' she refuses to be unfavourably labelled - and was quick to clarify that she hadn't slept with all 250 of her conquests.

Juney added: 'I am definitely not a s*** which is what people automatically assume comes with the word cougar. I am "sex positive".

Juney, pictured with one of her dates, previously said that men her age either can't offer what young men can - or simply have no idea how to 'date properly'

The businesswoman previously said: 'The guys I date range in age from 18 to 45 - I meet them at clubs, out grocery shopping, at art galleries, at service stations'

'That means I feel sexy, like to look good and enjoy sex with the right man and am not afraid to talk about it.

I enjoy sex but before that I have to date. I consider my approach to men very American. Manhattan dating or accepting invitations for dinner and outings with up to three to four men separately of course over a week is how it works.'

'You don't just date one guy until you decide to become exclusive.

Speaking of her former preference for younger men, Juney said: 'I tried dating men my own age but they are boring, bad in bed and frankly not eager to please'

Speaking last year, Juney was quick to clarify that she hasn't slept with all 250 of her conquests - some of them have just been dates which haven't gone any further

Juney previously said that dating men who are younger than her was both an obsession and addition, because it kept her feeling young

Juney, who once told how men often mistake her for 30 to 35 years old, added: Most of the men I date admire my sense of fun, style and the fact I am not after marriage and kids.

'When you're a cougar you need to date younger guys who know the rules from the start. The main one is the relationship won't be long-term but we will enjoy each other's company and a lot of the time doesn't involve sex.

'I am also into 20-something music, and television shows like TOWIE and am young at heart. However even if you are an intellectual older women then there is always a younger man for you.

Juney, pictured (left) and (right) in her 20s says she still likes '20-something music' and TV shows like TOWIE

Juney has previously insisted: 'I am definitely not a s*** which is what people automatically assume comes with the word cougar'

'I am fun loving woman and if that means I am Cougar Queen then it makes me proud because I can hopefully share my expertise with men and women.

Juney, who keeps her trim size 12 figure by eating healthy and working out three to four times a week, previously said she was sick of women being labelled cradle snatchers for dating younger men while men who date younger women are hailed as heroes.

For me age is just a number,' she said. 'I would be bored senseless with a man my age.

'I haven't ruled out dating men my age or older but the problem is they don't know how to party, to date and often come with so much baggage it means their moves in and outside the bedroom are way behind the times.

Juney previously suggested that older men should take lessons in dating. There is a definite hole in the market,' she said. 'There should be a course for older men on how to date, what to talk about and what women expect.

She added: 'Women like Demi Moore have made it cool to date and marry younger guys and ironically teen women seen with older blokes are labelled gold diggers were as an older woman with a younger bloke is given the thumbs up.
They've been together 17 years and are parents to toddler twins, but Princess Charlene and Prince Albert are very clearly still in the honeymoon phase.

The royal pair put on a very loved-up display as they attended the departure of ecological research ship, the Yersin, which is embarking on a three-year world tour.

They were joined at the event by their adorable twins Jacques and Gabriella, two, who were impeccably behaved throughout the event.

Jacques dressed the part in white jeans and a t-shirt bearing the Monaco Expeditions logo, while his sister was looking very grown up in a black dress.

Mother-of-two Charlene looked ready for the red carpet in a scarlet one shoulder gown, while her husband embraced the nautical look in white trousers and a blazer.

Princess Charlene, 39, and Prince Albert, 59, were joined by their adorable twins Jacques (left) and Gabriella at the launch of an ecological expedition ship in Monaco

The couple, who have been married for six years and together for 17, were seen looking very loved-up as they kissed and held hands

The couple - who married six years ago - were seen indulging in a rare PDA, holding hands and kissing while Prince Albert put a gentle hand on his wife's back to guide her to her seat.

Monaco Expeditions' Yersin vessel is set to sail the tropics for three years to measure the damage inflicted on the marine ecosystem.

Prince Albert, who is heavily invested in the protection of the oceans, will join the ship several times to work there and support the scientists who are living on the floating laboratory.

Earlier this week, the 59-year-old has imparted his wisdom for Prince Harry on welcoming a new partner into the royal family in a rare interview, revealing that adjusting to royal life is a challenge for anyone.

Charlene carried her little girl on board, who had brought along her doll for company

The prince chivalrously guided his wife to her seat before the event began

Speaking to People magazine, the father-of-four admitted that bringing anyone into royal circles, navigating the press and mastering protocol 'is a pretty tough act.'

Especially in the British royal family, which is scrutinised by the press as no one's been.'

Albert, whose wife is a former Olympic swimmer, told the magazine that the Meghan and Harry 'seem to be having a good deal of success so far (but) sooner or later, she's going to have to face the full onslaught.'

Charlene, 39, looked ready for the red carpet in a simple but stunning one shoulder gown

The couple were joined by their blonde-haired twins who will celebrate their third birthday in December

The prince added: 'They seem to be doing okay for now. The only kind of advice I can offer is the British expression: "Keep calm and carry on."'

Elsewhere in the interview Albert admitted that his wife Charlene had found adjusting to royal life 'difficult to handle' but said he imagined that Meghan would be better prepared thanks to her career as an actress keeping her in the limelight.

Albert's own wife Charlene faced the same challenges of adjustment when she became his girlfriend in 2000.

Prince Albert gave a speech at the launch of the expedition, while his wife attended to their children in the front row

Over the next three years, the Yersin will sail the tropics to measure the damage inflicted on the marine ecosystem

The couple met at a swimming competition in Monaco in 2000, the same year Charlene represented South Africa at the Sydney Olympics in the 3 x 100m medley relay.

She retired from competitive swimming in 2007 and set up her charitable foundation in 2012.

The foundation focuses on three key areas: learning to swim, water safety, and sport and education programs.
A toddler who was born deaf finally got to hear his mother say 'I love you' for the first time, and the emotional moment was caught on camera.

Two-year-old Kanon Newsome from Emanuel County, Georgia was passed a faulty gene by both his parents, which left him with no hearing at all.

Thanks to cochlear implant surgery, though, the little boy finally has the ability to hear, and heartwarming footage taken soon after the procedure shows him hearing his mother's voice for the first time in his life.

Monumental! Two-year-old Kanon Newsome recently underwent cochlear implant surgery to be able to hear for the first time in his life

Big hurdle: His parents Lindsey and Justin, both 27, were devastated when the little boy was born deaf

Big deal: Doctors tried hearing aids that didn't work, and in March and May this year the little boy had two separate surgeries to have the implants put in

His parents Lindsey and Justin, both 27, were both devastated with their son's lack of hearing when he was younger. As a newborn, Kanon failed his hearing test, and further exams revealed he was totally deaf.

He was diagnosed with sensorineural bilateral hearing loss and referred to an audiologist.

'When Kanon was younger I used to tell him I would give him my hearing if I could,' Lindsey said. 'He couldn't hear stuff that we take for granted, like birds chirping or the wind blowing or leaves in the trees.'

'It was devastating. It felt like our world was crushed. It was the last thing we were expecting,' she went on. 'Above all, it broke my heart that he had never heard us say, "I love you."'

When Kanon was five months old, doctors tried fitting him with hearing aids, but they had no effect. Then, he came under the care of doctors at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, where experts recommended cochlear implant.

Hard: Lindsey said the surgeries were nerve-wracking but the best decision

Major change: Kanon was confused when he hear sound for the first time, and it seemed to take him a bit of adjusting

What's that? At first, he appeared to be confused and didn't like the big change

He managed to crack a smile and has since grown used to hearing

In March, when he was 19 months old, the little boy underwent surgery to insert the implants, which replace the function of the damaged ear.

'The implants have totally changed his world,' Lindsey said. 'It was nerve-wracking but amazing. There were 18 people in the room  the whole family drove to the hospital.'

'My heart was beating so fast because my baby was about to hear for the first time,' she added. 'He had no idea what was happening. She turned it on and he scratched his forehead and grabbed his ear.'

Heartwarming footage shows Kanon moments after the first implant in his right ear was activated.

As he hears tones being played for him, he first seems surprised and uncomfortable by this new sensation. He then looks confused and shocked as he hears mom Lindsey Newsome tell him she loves him for the first time in his life  but soon flashes a smile.

Getting there: The little boy is now catching up with other kids his age

Ta-da! He is learning to talk, and recently uttered his first word  'hot'

Movin' and groovin' He also loves to listen to music and will sway when his parents put some on

'He had no idea what was happening... He scratched his forehead and grabbed his ear. At first it was a beeping sound, but then his daddy and I got to say, "Hey Kanon, we love you." And he heard it for the first time.

'He whined and cried and pulled the device off because he wasn't sure what was going on. But after a few seconds he was figuring it all out.

'When he was first able to hear it was one of the best days of my life. The fact that I could tell him I loved him was incredible  I cried so much,' Lindsey added. 'It means the world to me.'

He had a second implant in his left ear turned on in May. With his new implants, he is now learning how to talk and has developed a love of blues and soul music.

Adorable videos show him squeezing his eyes shut and swaying as he listens to his parents' records.

'When he was first able to hear it was one of the best days of my life,' said his mom

Sweet: In video taken after the first implant was put in, Lindsey and Justin tell their son they love him

Musical fun: Lindsey said the tot loves blues music in particular and will tell his parents to put the radio on

'He loves slow blues music. He will close his eyes and just dance to it,' said his mom. 'He didn't really pay attention to it when the first one was switched on but now he has both he will actually go to the radio and tell us to turn it on. It makes me so happy.'

Kanon is now having regular auditory therapy to help him learn how to talk and catch up with his classmates. His first word, uttered last month, was "hot", and he's now picking up other words.

Lindsey added: 'Getting the cochlear implants for Kanon was the best decision of my life.'

Rather than amplifying sounds, like hearing aids, cochlear implants do the work of the inner ear by sending sound signals to the brain. A processor worn behind the ear 'listens' to sound and translates it into digital code.

This code is then transmitted through a coil worn on the outside of the head and converted into electrical impulses.

These stimulate the inner ear's hearing nerve, which in turn sends impulses to the brain where they are interpreted as sound.
The killer clown in Stephen King's It isn't so creepy once his make-up has been washed out  in fact, he's pretty sexy.

Warner Brothers has now released three trailers for its upcoming remake of It, which tells the story of a shape-shifting creature that terrorizes and kills children.

But while Pennywise the Dancing Clown will undoubtedly be terrifying in the film, the actor that plays him is more likely to send fans swooning when he hits the red carpet at the premiere in just a matter of weeks.

Scroll down for video

Coming soon: Warner Brothers is set to release a film based on Stephen King's It in September

The actor behind the make-up: The title character is played by actor Bill Skarsgard, 26

In his blood: Bill is brother to Alexander (left) and son of Stellan (center)

In It by Stephen King, the title creature takes different forms to stalk and kill its prey  on of which is Pennywise, a seriously creepy clown.

Trailers for the new film, which hits theaters in September, have offered peeks at the iconic villain.

Pennywise wears a clown suit and has his face painted white with a red mouth, nose, and lines coming from his eyes that look like blood.

Though Pennywise seems scary in the clips, the actor who plays him is decidedly not.

Bill Skarsgard, 26, is as good-looking as his older and more famous brother, Alexander Skarsgard. He has Alex's same sexy eyes, pink lips, and brushed-back hair, and already has plenty of dedicated fans.

Sexy! Fans are already excited about the hunky actor's starring role

Freaking out: However, his version of Pennywise the Dancing Clown is sure to be spooky

Previously, Bill appeared in 2012's Anna Karenina and 2016's Allegiant. He was also on the TV series Hemlock Grove and appears in this year's Atomic Blonde.

Recently, the the Swedish actor told Interview magazine what it was like to take on the already-famous role.

'It's a really weird thing to go, 'If I succeed at doing what I'm trying to do with this character, I'll traumatize kids,'' he said 'Hopefully, there will be a lot of 10-year-olds who will be traumatized forever based on my performance.'

He also recounted how he tried to retain a 'weirdness' while in character on the set, explaining that the director brought in a bunch of child extras for a scene and none of the kids had been told what to expect.

When he made his appearance in full make-up and costume, 'Some of them were really intrigued, but some couldn't look at me, and some were shaking.'

Yikes... Pennywise preys on young children and murders several in the horror film

Boo! Bill said if he has done his job well, he will leave people traumatized

Experience: Previously, Bill appeared in 2012's Anna Karenina and 2016's Allegiant. He was also on the TV series Hemlock Grove and appears in this year's Atomic Blonde

'This one kid started crying. He started to cry and the director yelled, "Action!" And when they say "action", I am completely in character,' Skarsgard went on.

'So some of these kids got terrified and started to cry in the middle of the take, and then I realized, "Holy s***. What am I doing? What is this? This is horrible."'

The upcoming movie is the first of a two-part adaptation of the 1986 novel, which was turned into a mini-series in 1990, starring Tim Curry as the child-killing clown.

The first part recounts the terrifying experiences of the children in 1989. The second part follows those same characters 30 years later as adults and how what happened to them continues to impact their lives.
Meal kits are ideal for busy people who still want to eat a nutritious home-cooked dinner instead of a ready meal or a takeaway.

But though you can pick one up for less than 4 from any supermarket, they often require you to buy pricey extras such as the meat and fish which easily doubles the price of your meal.

Aldi is trying to lower the cost of this convenience by introducing new Ready Set Cook meal kits that include the meat and vegetables from just 2.99 a person - but you still need to buy rice, noddles or tortilla wraps in addition.

FEMAIL has now calculated the real cost of some of the most popular meal kits on supermarket shelves to find the most expensive and the cheapest.

And the analysis revealed that the cheapest meal kits cost less than 2 a person - but the most expensive will cost you more than 5 for two every time.

Aldi's 2.99 meal kit only costs a total of 3.09 once you buy the extra rice, making it the cheapest of all the recipe packs analysed in FEMAIL's comparison

Once you add the tortilla wraps, the real cost of Aldi's 2.99 Ready Set Cook Fajita Stir Fry meal is 3.39

All the meal kits available to buy at UK supermarkets require you to buy extra ingredients.

FEMAIL compared own-brand recipe packs as well as branded kits against each other to see which cost the most once you bought the required extras.

The cheapest three in real terms were all from Aldi's new Ready Set Cook range, as their kits don't require you to buy pricey meat or fish; they already contain the right portion of these ingredients.

The only extras you need to buy on top of the Aldi kits are cheap carbohydrates such as rice, noodles or tortilla wraps.

The cheapest was Aldi's 2.99 Ready Set Cook Chicken Tikka for two, which will only cost 3.07 in real terms once you add two portions of rice.

Two more from Aldi's new range, the Chicken Fajita and BBQ Pork Stir Fry meal kits, will cost you 3.39 for two after portioning out tortilla wraps or egg noodles.

The most expensive and cheapest meal kits (after adding all the extras you need) Product Cost Extras needed Cost of extras Total cost Aldi's Ready Set Cook Chicken Tikka 2.99 for two 200g rice 8p (Aldi's Everyday Essentials Longgrain Rice) 3.07

Aldi's Ready Set Cook Chicken Fajita 2.99 for two Four tortillas 40p (Aldi's Sunnyhills Plain Tortilla Wraps) 3.39 Aldi's Ready Set Cook BBQ Pork Stir Fry 2.99 for two 200g noodles 40p (Aldi's Asia Specialities Medium Chinese Egg Noodles) 3.39 Dolmio Original Lasagne Meal Kit 4 for four 500g mince and cheese 3 (Tesco Everyday Value Grated Cheddar and Tesco Beef Steak Mince 15% Fat) 7 (3.50 for two) Old El Paso Oven Baked Crispy Fajitas 3.19 for four 500g chicken, one lettuce, sour cream, two tomatoes 5.24 (Tesco 500g Mini Fillets, Tesco Iceberg Lettuce, Tesco Loose Vine Tomatoes, Tesco Soured Cream) 8.43 (4.21 for two) Tesco Pad Thai Meal Kit 1.99 for two 200g chicken/prawns, and an egg 2.65- 3.20 (Tesco Chicken Breast or Prawns and Medium Free Range Eggs) 4.64-5.19 Thai Taste Easy Pad Thai Meal Kit 2.35 for two 200g chicken/prawns 2.50-3.05 (Tesco Chicken Breast or Prawns) 4.85-5.40 Blue Dragon Thai Red Curry 3 Steps 2.75 for two 200g chicken/prawns and rice 2.59-3.14 (Tesco Chicken Breast or Prawns and Everyday Value rice) 5.34-5.89 Patak's Punjabi Tikka Masala 2.85 for two 200g chicken and rice 2.59 (Tesco Chicken Breast and Everyday Value rice) 5.39

Dolmio's 4 Original Lasagne Meal Kit for four people works out at just 1.25 a person when you buy the additional ingredients, while Thai Taste's 2.35 Easy Pad Thai Kit actually costs at least 2.43 a person once you buy the extras

The next cheapest when adding up the 'real' cost was Dolmio's Original Lasagne Meal Kit. Despite it being the most expensive recipe pack to buy, it works out cheapest per person because it serves four people.

But you only need to buy a packet of 3 mince, and portion out some cheese to complete the meal, and it works out at just 1.25 per person.

On the other end of the scale, Patak's 2.85 Punjabi Tikka Masala kit ends up being the most expensive meal kit after adding the required amount of chicken and rice.

FEMAIL calculated the dinner would cost 5.39 for two people.

A spokesperson for Patak's said: 'We believe our three step meal kits offer good value for money for customers, giving them the authentic flavours they need to create a delicious meal for two without any waste.

'The recipes we include on our packs are suggestions only. For example, there is no obligation to add fish sauce to your Blue Dragon Thai Red Curry and, if you do choose to, you only need a few splashes. Some additions, like a sprinkling of caster sugar, are also store cupboard ingredients that many of us already have at home. Were committed to providing our customers with products of the highest standards of quality and taste and this focus runs through all our ranges.'

Blue Dragon's 2.75 Thai Red Curry 3 Steps actually costs at least 5.34 for two people once you buy the additional ingredients, while Patak's 2.85 Tikka Masala's real cost is 5.39 for two

However if you choose to add prawns instead of chicken to Blue Dragon's 2.75 Thai Red Curry 3 Steps meal kit, the 'real' cost of that pack is 5.89 for two people - making it the most expensive of any kit analysed.

A spokesperson for Thai Taste said: 'Thai Taste is an authentic range of premium quality products, made in Thailand using traditional recipes and fresh ingredients wherever possible.

'The brands meal kits are designed to help introduce those less confident in the kitchen (or with Thai cuisine) to cooking restaurant-quality meals at home and, while a confident chef might have a store cupboard filled with fish sauce, dried shrimp and tamarind paste, those who are new to cooking Thai wont.

'Thai Tastes meal kits represent great value for money at just 2.35 versus the cost of stocking up on all of these ingredients. The Pad Thai meal kit comprises of rice noodles, pad thai sauce and peanut mix, all in one pack, and goes from pouch to plate in 15 minutes, offering time-poor shoppers a quick mealtime solution and a lot of flexibility on the fresh ingredients they wish to add. We suggest prawns as a traditional Thai favourite but the kit is equally delicious enjoyed with vegetables or leftovers found in the fridge which carry no additional cost.'

Old El Paso's 3.19 Oven Baked Crispy Fajitas meal kit will cost you the most in real-terms at 8.43, but as it serves four people, it only costs 2.11 per person.

Tony Baines, joint managing director of corporate buying at Aldi UK said: 'Our Ready Set Cook kits are perfect for our customers who want to eat a healthy, fresh meal but don't have time to prepare one from scratch. With seven enticing products now on offer, customers have enough choice for a different meal every night.'

FEMAIL has asked the other brands for comment.
Delicious dishes for alfresco dining from James Martins show French Adventure  currently airing on ITV

Remember its not a dessert  it only needs a light brushing of treacle!

Cooking this on location in the Languedoc while filming my TV series James Martins French Adventure was memorable for many reasons.

The mayor and his mates turned up unannounced so I had to cook it for them, plus the mercury hit 36C  not ideal for firing up a barbecue.

But, cooked with treacle, this steak works so well. Just remember its not a dessert  it only needs a light brushing of treacle!

Serves 8

For the salad

2 egg yolks

tbsp Dijon mustard

2tbsp raspberry vinegar (from supermarkets)

200ml (7fl oz) grapeseed oil (from supermarkets)

3tbsp creme fraiche

120g (4oz) soft blue cheese

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 heads of little gem lettuce

2 handfuls of dandelion or rocket leaves

For the steaks

1 baguette

100ml (3fl oz) grapeseed oil

1 garlic bulb, cut in half horizontally

2tbsp black treacle

2 sprigs of thyme, leaves picked

A splash each of Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce

4 x 300g (10oz) rib eye steaks

4 large spring onions, each cut into 4 lengthways

Preheat the grill or barbecue. To make the salad dressing, place the egg yolks, mustard and raspberry vinegar in a bowl and whisk. Slowly add the grapeseed oil, whisking until you have a mayonnaise-like texture. Add the creme fraiche and crumble in the blue cheese. Whisk until smooth, then season and set aside.

Slice the baguette lengthways, then cut into quarters crossways. Drizzle with oil, char under the grill or on the barbecue, then rub the cut surfaces of the garlic on the cut side of the baguette.

Place on a platter. Pour the rest of the oil into a bowl and mix in the treacle, thyme and Tabasco and Worcestershire sauces.

Grill or barbecue the steaks for 4 minutes, then baste with the treacle mixture and cook for 2 minutes more.

Turn the steaks, spoon any remaining treacle mixture over and cook for a further 4 minutes. Set aside in a warm place. Grill or barbecue the spring onions for 3-4 minutes, turning halfway through.

Tear the lettuce and scatter over the baguettes, then do the same with the dandelion or rocket leaves and drizzle with dressing. Slice the steaks and place on top, with more dressing. Top with the spring onions and a little more dressing to serve.

NOTE: The dressing uses raw egg, which is unsuitable for pregnant women, young children and the unwell.

James Martins French Adventure: 80 Classic French Recipes by James Martin is published by Quadrille, 20. Order a copy for 15 until 5 August at mailbookshop.co.uk or call 0844 571 0640, p&p is free on orders over 15. James Martins French Adventure is on Thursdays at 8.30pm on ITV.
Delicious dishes for alfresco dining from James Martins show French Adventure  currently airing on ITV

While we were in the Dordogne, we found some amazing strawberries in a market in Rouffignac. I couldnt resist buying some to make this dessert.

Serves 4-6

600g (1lb 5oz) strawberries, hulled, plus whole strawberries to serve

50g (1oz) caster sugar

50ml (2fl oz) cold water

12 lemon verbena leaves (available online) or use the zest of  a lemon

500g (1lb 2oz) mascarpone cheese

75ml (2fl oz) double cream

A drizzle of grapeseed oil (from supermarkets)

1 brioche loaf

Place half of the strawberries in a pan over a medium heat. Add the sugar and cold water and allow to cook for 3-4 minutes until the strawberries are soft enough to crush lightly with a fork. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.

Cut the remaining strawberries in half and place in a bowl, then add the cooked strawberries and scatter with the lemon verbena leaves or lemon zest. Mix well and set aside.

In a clean bowl, whisk the mascarpone and cream together to soft peaks. Brush a bowl or pudding basin with grapeseed oil, then line with clingfilm, overlapping it so the inside is well covered. The clingfilm should hang over the edges of the bowl by about 10cm all the way around.

Cut the brioche into 1cm-thick slices and use most of it to line the prepared bowl so that the slices overlap slightly  line the sides of the bowl first, then the bottom. Gently press two large spoonfuls of the strawberry mixture into the base of the bowl, then add a couple of spoonfuls of the mascarpone mixture, spreading it evenly.

Repeat the layers until the bowl is full, then top with the remaining brioche slices so that they completely cover the filling. Fold the excess clingfilm over and press down gently.

To serve, fold back the clingfilm, place a serving plate upside-down over the bowl and carefully invert the trifle on to the plate. Carefully lift the bowl away, holding the edges of the clingfilm if necessary, to unmould. Remove the clingfilm and scatter the whole strawberries over the top and around the edges of the plate.

James Martins French Adventure: 80 Classic French Recipes by James Martin is published by Quadrille, 20. Order a copy for 15 until 5 August at mailbookshop.co.uk or call 0844 571 0640, p&p is free on orders over 15. James Martins French Adventure is on Thursdays at 8.30pm on ITV.
Delicious dishes for alfresco dining from James Martins show French Adventure  currently airing on ITV

This dessert makes the most of peaches at the height of their season

Originally created to honour the Australian soprano Dame Nellie Melba, this dessert makes the most of peaches at the height of their season  and the peaches in the markets in France were some of the best Ive ever tasted.

Serves 2

For the peaches

2 peaches

50g (1oz) unsalted butter, diced

For the sauce

75g (2oz) caster sugar

Juice of 1 orange

25g (1oz) flaked almonds

25g (1oz) shelled pistachios

100g (3oz) raspberries

To serve

300g (10oz) vanilla ice cream

25g (1oz) each shelled pistachios and flaked almonds, chopped

Preheat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6 and line a small baking tray with baking parchment. Place the peaches on a separate baking tray and use a kitchen blowtorch to char the skins until they are blistered. (Alternatively, blanch the peaches in boiling water for about a minute until the skins split and start to peel away.)

Once the peaches are cool enough to handle, remove and discard the skins. Halve the peaches and remove the stones.

Place the halves, cut side up, on the lined baking tray. Dot with the butter and roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the peaches are soft but still hold their shape.

Meanwhile, for the sauce, heat a small frying pan until hot, pour in the caster sugar and heat gently until it forms a caramel, swirling the pan occasionally to help the sugar dissolve evenly.

Add the orange juice (the mixture will spit, so be careful) and swirl to combine. Add the almonds, pistachios and raspberries and heat through for a minute only  you dont want the raspberries to break down. Remove from the heat.

To serve, place the cooked peaches in shallow serving bowls and pour the sauce over. Serve with the vanilla ice cream and sprinkle with the chopped nuts.

James Martins French Adventure: 80 Classic French Recipes by James Martin is published by Quadrille, 20. Order a copy for 15 until 5 August at mailbookshop.co.uk or call 0844 571 0640, p&p is free on orders over 15. James Martins French Adventure is on Thursdays at 8.30pm on ITV.
Up to 67% of heart patients are being put at risk of bleeding by wrongly being prescribed anticoagulants, new research reveals.

Patients with an irregular heartbeat who are at risk of bleeding are almost just as likely to be prescribed anticoagulants as those without such concerns, a study found.

After studying patients with an irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation (AF), for 12 years, researchers found up to 67.2 percent were prescribed anticoagulants against medical advice, compared to up to 67.7 percent who were actually eligible for such treatment.

Anticoagulants, such as warfarin, reduce a patient's risk of stroke by making blood less likely to clot. Yet, these drugs can cause bleeding in certain people.

Study author Professor Tom Marshall from the University of Birmingham, told MailOnline: 'Anticoagulants can cause a bleed, which may be internal and require a transfusion in hospital. It could also be fatal in some cases.'

Up to 67% of heart patients are at risk of bleeding by wrongly being prescribed anticoagulants

SIX MILLION PATIENTS ARE BEING GIVEN THE WRONG STATIN PRESCRIPTION Up to six million patients are being given the wrong prescription for statins, research revealed back in May. Such patients are either receiving the wrong type of the cholesterol-lowering drug or are not taking the recommended dose, the researchers from Imperial College London found. These mistakes could be putting thousands of patients at risk of a heart attack. Doctors say the situation should be corrected as a public health priority. Advertisement

'Patients taking anticoagulants are at risk of bleeding complications'

The researchers analysed patient records from 645 GP surgeries between 2004 and 2015.

Patients were included in the study if they were aged 35 or over and diagnosed with AF.

Lead author Dr Nicola Adderley said: 'These patients are at high risk of stroke and anticoagulant drugs greatly reduce the stroke risk as they make blood less likely to clot.

'However, because they reduce blood clotting, patients taking anticoagulant drugs are at risk of bleeding complications.

'Therefore, safety advice is to avoid anticoagulants in patients who have certain conditions such as a bleeding peptic ulcer, diabetic eye disease or a previous stroke caused by a bleed.'

Anticoagulants reduce blood clots and stroke, but can cause bleeding complications

SWALLOWING A GRAIN-OF-SAND SIZED SENSOR REMINDS PATIENTS TO TAKE THEIR MEDICATION Swallowing a grain-of-sand sized sensor sends signals to a patch worn on patients' torsos, reminding them to take their medication. It also sends health information, such as patients' heart rates, to doctors via an app. Tony Perry, staff at Chicago's Rush University Medical Center, which uses the device, said: 'We know from a data perspective that when we write prescriptions, a good number of those prescriptions either don't get filled or don't get taken by people. 'The "click in the head" was that this is a behavioral tool that was meant to help people help themselves.' Amanda Tosto, who also works at Rush, added: 'You've got your patients who are really going to like this and see it as an extension as their Fitbit or their MyFitnessPal app.' Advertisement

Key findings

The results revealed that AF patients at risk of bleeding are almost just as likely to be prescribed anticoagulants as those without such safety concerns.

At the beginning of the study, 40.1 percent of patients ineligible for anticoagulants were prescribed them regardless.

Prescription occurred in 42.1 percent of patients suitable for anticoagulants.

At the end of the study, 67.2 percent of patients were prescribed anticoagulants against medical advice.

The prescription rate was then 67.7 percent among patients suitable for the treatment.

The findings were published in the British Journal of General Practice.

Around 38,000 wrongly taking anticoagulants

Professor Marshall told MailOnline: 'Anticoagulants can cause a bleed, which may be internal and require a transfusion in hospital.

'It could also be fatal in some cases.'

He said: 'Our study shows that safety advice seems not to influence the prescribing of anticoagulants.

'Because anticoagulants prevent strokes in people with this type of irregular pulse, GPs are encouraged to prescribe more anticoagulants to those who need them.

'This has been happening and it is good news. But the sting in the tail is that more people who perhaps shouldn't be on anticoagulants are also taking them: about 38,000 nationally.

'We need to understand the reasons for this and whether patients might come to any harm.'
The 'turkey baster' method of placing sperm directly into the vagina increases a woman's chance of having a live birth by 22 percent, new research reveals.

Known as intrauterine insemination (IUI), the technique raises couples' likelihood of having a successful pregnancy from nine percent to 31 percent if they have been trying to conceive for three months, a study found.

This comes despite the UK's NICE stating couples who have been unsuccessfully trying to conceive for more than a year should bypass IUI and start IVF.

Roy Homburg, professor of reproductive medicine at Homerton University Hospital in London argues skipping IUI and proceeding directly to IVF is 'like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut'.

He adds that, when combined with female fertility drugs, IUI can be more cost effective and less invasive than IVF.

Placing sperm directly into the vagina increases the chance of a live birth by 22 percent

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 revealed back in May. 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, the researchers from the University of Adelaide's Robinson Research Institute said. Up to one in five couples in the US struggles to conceive within the first year of trying despite having regular unprotected sex. Advertisement

IUI raises live births by 22%

Researchers from the University of Auckland analysed 201 women who had spent three months trying to conceive naturally.

Each woman had three rounds of IUI alongside taking a drug that boosts ovulation.

The results suggest that IUI can increase a woman's chance of having a live birth from nine percent to 31 percent - a 22 percent rise.

The findings were presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology meeting in Geneva.

In a separate study, researchers from the Fertility Clinic Isala in Zwolle, the Netherlands, analysed 602 couples and found that, after six rounds of treatment, IUI has similar success rates to drug-free IVF.

IVF is 'like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut'

Dr Ben Cohlen from the Fertility Clinic Isala, said: 'For unexplained or mild male infertility, I would do at least three cycles of IUI before trying IVF.'

Professor Homburg agrees IUI is worth a try and describes proceeding directly to IVF as being 'like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut'.

He said: 'We are overusing IVF to treat unexplained infertility.'

When combined with female fertility drugs, IUI can be more cost effective and less invasive than IVF, he adds.

The technique is thought by some to be less invasive and more cost effective than IVF

What is IUI?

IUI is a fertility treatment that involves directly inserting sperm into a woman's womb.

It is available on the NHS for certain couples, for instance via donor sperm for women in a same sex relationship.

Woman are required to have healthy Fallopian tubes in order to be eligible for such treatment.

Success depends on the extent of the woman's fertility problems, the woman's age, if medication is used to enhance ovulation, and the man's sperm count and quality.

Side effects are non-serious but may include abdominal cramps.
Mon literature textbooks for the 2017-2018 school year have still not arrived at some of the states schools. (Photo  MNA)

Some state schools teaching Mon literature have not yet received the proper textbooks, delaying the coursework, according to a state official.

Many schools in Ye township haven't received [the books] yet, said U Min Soe Lin, secretary of the Ethnic Affairs Committee of the Mon State Hluttaw.

We dont know how many schools in other townships also havent received the textbooks yet.

He added that the ethnic affairs committee will start a field inspection on July 28, beginning in Chaungzone township.

According to U Myo Tint Aung, the education officer for Mon State, the Mon State Education Office sent Mon, Karen and Pa-O textbooks for the 2017-2018 academic year to respective township education offices on July 13.

If the schools still havent received the textbooks, they need to contact their respective township offices to get them, he said.

On July 20, Mon State Education Officer and Social Affairs Minister U Htain Lin repeated the instructions for township education officers to come and pickup books concerning ethnic literature.

But some blamed poor communication within the education office for the delay.
A new cancer treatment helped two children with leukemia be disease-free for up to 18 months, new research reveals.

One of the infants has shown no signs of the condition for 16 months, while the other has been in remission for a year-and-a-half, a new study found.

The youngsters received an immune-boosting treatment alongside a gene-editing technique, known as TALENS, that altered their DNA.

Such DNA changes makes it easier to create immune cells that attach to, and destroy, tumours.

Yet, some experts argue it is unclear to what extent their remission is due to the new treatment and how much is the result of their previous chemotherapy and stem cell transplants.

Gene editing has helped two children be cancer-free for up to 18 months, a study found

WHAT IS TALENS? TALENS is a form of gene editing that causes specific immune cells, known as T cells, to express proteins that target tumours. Yet, some argue the technique CRISPR is more accurate to target cancer-causing genes. CRISPR works by cutting out a target area of DNA and replacing it with something else. Cancer-causing genes can therefore be replaced with those that kill tumours. Advertisement

Cancer-free for up to 18 months

Researchers from Great Ormond Street Hospital in London investigated a new cancer treatment in two infants with an aggressive form of leukaemia.

The youngsters had previously been treated with chemotherapy and received stem cell transplants.

The researchers made four DNA alterations on immune cells from donors and infused the cells into the patients.

Results revealed that both youngsters have been cancer-free for 16 and 18 months, respectively.

The findings were published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

How does the new treatment work?

The researchers combined a immune-boosting treatment with a gene-editing technique, known as TALENS.

WHY IS GENE EDITING CONTROVERSIAL? Gene-editing technology, such as CRISPR, can precisely 'cut and paste' sections of DNA to either remove unwanted genes or insert desirable ones. Some have suggested the technology could be used to remove damaging genes from children before they are born, such as those that cause Huntington's disease or hereditary blindness. Yet the technology could also be used to insert genes for desired traits, such as blond hair or above-average height. If science's understanding of genetics improves, the technology may one day be used to insert genes that encode certain skills, such as musical ability. Advertisement

For the immune-boosting therapy, specific immune cells are collected from patients' blood and modified to contain certain receptors.

They are then reintroduced into patients' blood where the receptors attach to tumours, leading to their destruction.

Although previous trials have demonstrated such treatments to be effective, modifying immune cells can be time consuming and expensive.

Gene-editing, which allows patients' DNA to be altered, makes it easier to create 'universal' immune cells.

'Hint of efficacy but no proof'

Stephan Grupp from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, argues it is unclear if the children's remission was due to the new treatment or the chemotherapy and stem cell transplants they previously received.

He said: 'There is a hint of efficacy but no proof. It would be great if it works, but that just hasn't been shown yet,' MIT Technology Review reported.

Nonetheless, such a treatment may be promising for future patients when there is more evidence of its effectiveness.
Energy-saving lightbulbs could be giving us all headaches as they flicker too much.

LED bulbs can bring on feelings of dizziness and pain within just 20 minutes of switching them on, an expert has warned.

Professor Arnold Wilkins, professor of psychology at the University of Essex, said the flickering of the unpopular lights is stronger than for traditional lightbulbs.

While fluorescent lights, such as those in offices, dim by around 35 per cent with every flicker, LED lights dim by 100 per cent. It means they effectively turn off and on again hundreds of times every second.

This can cause headaches by disrupting movement control of the eyes, forcing the brain to work harder. Flickering LED bulbs could double the chances of suffering a headache, based on previous research.

Professor Arnold Wilkins, professor of psychology at the University of Essex, said the flickering of the unpopular lights is stronger than for traditional lightbulbs

The warning comes as Britain is set to ban halogen lightbulbs completely next September under EU law. They are currently being phased out, with major retailer IKEA already only offering LED bulbs for sale.

'People do not like the flicker'

Professor Wilkins said the flicker from the energy-efficient bulbs is putting some people off buying them, adding: 'People do not like the flicker, it can make them fell dizzy and unwell after about 20 minutes, and can produce disturbing anomalies of perception, such as seeing multiple images of the lamp, every time you move your eyes rapidly.'

Most electric lighting is powered by an alternating current supply, which causes light bulbs to flicker. This particularly affects vision during rapid eye movements called saccades.

A study from 1989 conducted by Professor Wilkins found fluorescent lighting which flickered 100 times a second doubled the chances of office workers experiencing headaches. LED lightbulbs can flash 400 times a second  four times as often.

YOUNG ADULTS CAN'T CHANGE LIGHTBULBS Britain's young adults might be tech savvy but they are incapable of doing even the most basic household tasks. The under 35s are at a loss when it comes to basic DIY with many even unable to change a light bulb or repair a fence, according to a survey in March. Researchers found young Londoners were the least happy get their hands dirty while those in the West Midlands were the most capable. What's more one in five of them blame their parents for not telling them how to do these basic tasks. Researchers found one in five under 35s still turn to their parents if they need help with household chores. And among women it was even worse with eight in ten of them relying on their partners to fix things in their homes, according to the study by British maintenance company Corgi HomePlan. Advertisement

Annoying and distracting

Writing on the website The Conversation, Professor Wilkins said: 'No similar study has yet been performed for LED lights. But because LED flickering is even more pronounced, with the light dimming by 100 per cent rather than the roughly 35 per cent of fluorescent lamps, there's a chance that LEDs could be even more likely to cause headaches.

'At best, it's likely to put some people off using LED bulbs because of the annoying, distracting effect of the flickering, which we know can be detected during saccades.'

The risk of headaches may be particularly high while reading, when it is important to position the eyes carefully to scan the pages.

Flickering lightbulbs disrupt the control of this eye movements, making the brain use more energy to work harder, which has been linked to headaches.

It can also cause people to suffer visual anomalies, such as double or multiple vision. The lamp in front of you may look like two or three lamps because of this visual effect when a bulb flickers.

What are LEDs?

LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are one of two main types of energy-efficient lightbulbs available in the UK, along with compact fluorescent lamps. They can cost more than traditional lightbulbs, but are said to be cheaper in the long-term because they last longer.

However they have faced past criticism that they emit a cold, green light and take too long to warm up.

The flickering can be solved by buying a more expensive lamp, with a direct current rather than an alternating current so that the light is constant. But the lamp's components may not last as long.

Arlene Wilkie, chief executive at the charity The Migraine Trust, said: 'While we do know there are certain trigger factors for migraine, such as flickering light, there isn't a lot of evidence that LED flickering lights are bad for migraine/headache.'
Surgeons successfully separated conjoined twins in less than half an hour after discovering the operation was far simpler than they had anticipated.

Scans taken when the twin girls were still inside their mother's womb led doctors in Moscow, Russian, to believe their skulls were conjoined.

They prepared for complicated surgery  but were pleasantly surprised to find the babies were joined only by their skin.

Their bone structures were completely independent and both are expected to make a good recovery.

Professor Andrey Prytyko, who led the operation, said he had been expecting to have to carry out a much more complex operation lasting hours.

He said: 'The girls grew together only with their skin. We thought they did it with the bones, this is why we prepared for a major operation.'

Doctors in Russia prepared for a complicated surgery but separated the twins in 30 minutes

A scan of the girls inside their mother's womb led doctors to believe their skulls were meshed

Professor Prytyko said the twins were likely to develop 'in the most wonderful way', adding: 'Their hair will grow and it is done. The parents are happy.'

Normal brain development

The operation was carried out as soon as the twins were born at a hospital in the Odintsovsky District, just outside Moscow in western Russia's Moscow Oblast region.

Both of the girls' skulls were slightly deformed by the way they were conjoined in the womb but their brains appear to be developing normally.

Doctors say the twins' parents will be able to perform a series of simple exercises with the girls to push their skulls back into shape.

They might also have to wear special helmets for a while.

Pleasant surprise: During the operation, it emerged the babies were joined only by their skin

Doctors will be monitoring the health of Rabia and Rukia before putting them under the knife (pictured in the hospital)

Bangladeshi twins

Meanwhile, conjoined twins who could die at any given time are finally set to undergo surgery to separate their heads.

Rabia and Rukia's heartbreaking story came to light when MailOnline reported on the tragic case of the Bangladeshi pair last September.

And it can now be revealed that the twins could be set to undergo a complicated procedure in the coming weeks  after an agonising wait, local reports suggest.

Doctors at Banghabandhu Sheik Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, will be monitoring the health of the girls before putting them under the knife.

The sisters, whose lives are in danger due to the medical condition, were born fixed together at the head at a clinic in Pabna last July.

Surgeons previously warned they would have to wait two years before making a final decision on going ahead with the risky procedure.
A 10-year-old boy from England who has spent the last nine months receiving cancer treatment in America is finally healthy and headed home in less than a month.

Alex Goodwin traveled from Leicester to Kansas late last year in a desperate bid to cure his advance bone cancer.

He had been dismissed by NHS doctors for months before scans revealed his muscle pain was actually caused by Ewing's Sarcoma.

In January he was finally wheeled into the operating theater at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City.

There, doctors immediately performed surgery to remove the tumor. He then underwent months of proton beam therapy - a highly specialized form of radiotherapy that was famously denied to six-year-old brain cancer sufferer Ashya King, who had to fly to Spain to be cured.

Now, the little boy, who was bald for months following chemotherapy, now has a fresh head of hair, thick eyebrows and only a bit of redness on the long scar that lines his surgically reconstructed right leg.

Alex Goodwin, a 10-year-old from England who has spent the last nine months receiving cancer treatment in America is finally healthy and headed home in less than a month

Now, the 10-year-old, who was bald for months following chemotherapy, now has a fresh head of hair, thick eyebrows and only a bit of redness on the long scar that lines his surgically reconstructed right leg (pictured)

Alex's issues began around Christmas 2015 when he started struggling to walk. By April of the following year, he was forced to use crutches as he lost the strength in his right leg.

Even still, he was repeatedly misdiagnosed and dismissed by hospitals.

In June 2016, tests revealed he had cancer, and doctors told his parents he would probably only have a few months to live.

His only chance at life was an incredibly complicated operation to remove his cancer-infected thigh bone - and due to the advanced stage of his disease, it could only be done in America.

Alex received his first surgery at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City in January of this year

In January he was able to have the surgery at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City.

During his time there, the precocious little boy won over the hospital staff with his vibrant sense of humor.

'It's all about being happy and staying strong,' Alex explained.

During his time there, the precocious little boy won over the hospital staff with his vibrant sense of humor

'He's a champion, orthopedic oncology surgeon Howard Rosenthal told the Kansas City Star following the hours-long operation. 'He's going to make it through, he just has a tough road ahead.'

And despite all the odds, he was right.

After the surgery, he underwent months worth of proton-beam radiation, which uses a high energy beam of protons rather than a high energy X-rays, delivering targeted doses to the cancerous areas.

The treatment has been particularly effective treating cancers of the skull and the spine. Its meticulous precision has been shown to effectively attack tumors while leaving surrounding muscles and tissues unaffected.

Surgeons have now replaced Alex's right hip, thigh bone, and knee with mechanical ones. He was also given a temporary artificial femur while a more permanent one was crafted.

Earlier this month, he had a telescopic prosthetic femur put in. The prosthesis can be electro-magnetized to lengthen as his body grows.

Surgeons have now replaced Alex's right hip, thigh bone, and knee with mechanical ones. Earlier this month, he had a telescopic prosthetic femur put in. The prosthesis can be electro magnetized to lengthen as his body grows

His family expects to fly home on August 20, though he'll be back in America roughly every three months for tests and to get the leg lengthened as he grows.

Ewing's sarcoma is a rare type of bone cancer that affects children and teenagers, widely believed to be caused by rapid bone growth.

Fewer than 30 children in the UK and 225 in the US will develop the condition each year.

If it's caught early, there is an 80 percent cure rate, though once it's spread to the muscles and tissues, as in Alex's case, the tissue becomes incredibly difficult to reach using traditional methods.

Despite instantly starting chemotherapy, Alex's cancer continued spreading, and by the end of treatment he relied on a wheelchair to move around.

This meant he was left with a significantly-reduced chance of survival, and reduced the treatment options available to him back in England.

Although Ewing's is notoriously susceptible to radiotherapy, the best kind this treatment - proton beam therapy - is not available in the UK.

Alex is publishing a book called Alexander's Journey (pictured), which will tell the story of parents who wouldn't give up after hearing their son only had months to live, and the thousands of strangers-turned-friends who rallied to help him

Seeking advice worldwide, Alex's mother and police officer father from Dunton Bassett, Leicestershire, reached out on social media and were eventually directed to Kansas City.

The treatment and travel would cost upwards of 120,000 ($158,000), which they were able to raise through charity events - including a music video performed by his father PC Jeff Goodwin and other Warwikshire officers.

His family is now continuing to raise money for his continued physical therapy and return trips to Kansas city.

They are publishing a book and releasing a documentary, both called Alexander's Journey, which will tell the story of parents who wouldn't give up after hearing their son only had months to live, and the thousands of strangers-turned-friends who rallied to help him.
Smoking may leave people more vulnerable to suffering from phobias and other types of chronic fear like post-traumatic stress disorder, according to new research.

Scientists have found that tobacco smoke can impair the brain's ability to repress fear-related memories, leaving smokers less able to deal with fear and anxiety after a traumatic event.

It could have serious implications for people in jobs where they are most at risk of developing PTSD, such as in the armed forces. Around 33 percent of soldiers are thought to smoke.

The scientists behind the study believe chemicals in tobacco smoke may interfere with the messages between neurons in the brain - also known as neurotransmitters - that are involved in controlling fear.

Scientists in Hamburg have found that tobacco can impair the brain's ability to repress fear-related memories, leaving smokers less able to deal with anxiety after a traumatic event

But they claim helping people who have suffered a trauma to stop smoking may improve their treatment and could even help to prevent conditions like PTSD developing in the first place.

Dr Jan Haaker, a neuroscientist at the University Medical Centre in Hamburg-Eppendorf who helped to lead the study, said: 'Interventions against smoking in PTSD patients could help them recover.

'Early interventions to stop smoking in people at risk - such as soldiers in combat, firefighters and police officers - might also reduce the risk of developing anxiety-related disorders.

'This might play a role in phobias as well. These occur due to fear conditioning, where a fear response is connected to an associated memory to connect an event with something in the environment.

'This can be the dog that bit you and now you developed a dog phobia, or a traumatic memory during combat, as in PTSD.'

Smoking is a common habit among people who suffer from PTSD and up to four times as many people with the condition smoke compared to the rest of the population.

Studies suggest at least half of America's 44.7 million PTSD sufferers smoke tobacco in some form.

Around three in every 100 adults in England are thought to suffer from some level of PTSD, with one in five firefighters, one in three car crash survivors and one in two rape victims suffering from the condition.

Around 6,000 British military veterans are registered with the mental health charity Combat Stress to help them deal with the aftermath of their wartime experiences.

Dr Haaker and his colleagues at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden and the Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Centre in Mainz, Germany, examined the fear responses in 376 healthy volunteers, a fifth of whom were regular smokers.

The researchers, whose work is published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, presented the participants with symbols on a screen that were accompanied by electric shocks.

This led to the volunteers develop a conditioned fear response, where they expect an electric shock with certain symbols and measured their fear levels through changes in the sweat levels on their skin.

They also asked the participants to rate their stress, fear and tension during the tests.

The following day, the researchers also performed a second set of tests where they showed the same volunteers symbols but this time without the shocks and with reassurances of safety.

This was intended to help extinguish the fear response from the previous day through a similar conditioned learning process. This was designed to simulate attempts to treat people suffering from PTSD.

The researchers found that smokers tended to have a larger fear response to the symbols after they had been taught to associate them with electric shocks than the non-smokers.

The smokers also responded less well to the attempts to extinguish the fear response the following day.

Dr Haaker said the more people seemed to smoke, the less able they were to inhibit their fear response.

He said: 'Our results suggest that smoking impairs the repression of fear related memories, particularly when no danger is present. Smokers also showed an impairment to retrieve safety memories they had learned.

'The more and longer people have smoked for, the higher the deficit in inhibiting fear responses.

'Why smoking impairs the ability to learn about safety is not clear, but one possibility is that smoking changes neurotransmitter balances in the brain, which are necessary for successful safety learning.'

Dr Haaker and his colleagues now hope to unravel the mechanism underlying this effect with the hope of developing new treatments and perhaps even new drugs.

He said: 'Understanding the biochemical pathways that contribute to learning safety could initiate the development of new treatments for anxiety-related disorders.

'Enhancing dopamine in the brain, for example, can enhance fear extinction.'
Heart disease patients are twice as likely to suffer an early death if they suffer depression, new figures reveal.

Researchers tracked more than 24,000 patients for 10 years, and found that post-coronary artery disease depression was the single biggest predictor of death.

That remained the case even after they adjusted for factors such as age, race, diabetes, or high blood pressure.

A leading psychologist with the American Heart Association told Daily Mail Online the findings highlight the crippling impact depression has on one's physical health, and support the idea that the mental illness has a biological impact on our organs.

Researchers in Utah tracked more than 24,000 patients for 10 years, and found that post-coronary artery disease depression was the single biggest predictor of death (file image)

The research, by epidemiologists at Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Utah, was released today in the European Heart Journal, one of Europe's most prestigious peer-reviewed publications.

Dr May and the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute research team studied 24,138 patients who underwent angiographies, which determined they had coronary artery disease.

To detect subsequent depression, the researchers used standardized diagnostic coding system.

The patients with depression were placed into subcategories based on how long after their heart disease diagnosis the depression was identified.

Until now, most studies have looked at depression at a single point in time, such as within 30 days of a heart event or at the time of heart disease diagnosis.

Just a handful of studies have looked over the course of a year.

This study, however, has the unique distinction of tracking patients for an average of 10 years after their coronary artery disease diagnosis to see if they were ever diagnosed with depression.

In all, 15 percent, or 2,646 patients, were diagnosed with depression at some point during follow-up.

Of those, most of them (37 percent) were diagnosed more than five years after their first heart event, but the two diagnosis were linked.

The second most likely scenario was being diagnosed within a year of the first heart event, which was the case for 27 percent of patients with depression.

The rest were diagnosed between one and five years after their first event.

This study reinforces previous research investigating the link between depression, heart disease, and increased risks of death.

It's already been shown that people with coronary artery disease don't live as long as their peers who don't have heart disease.

And while life expectancy has increased with better therapies, surgeries, and more aggressive treatment of identified risk factors, depression has come under increasing scrutiny as a risk factor that could make a difference, if properly treated.

'No matter how long or how short it was, patients were found to have twice the risk of dying compared to those who didn't have a follow-up diagnosis of depression,' said lead author Dr Heidi May.

'Depression was the strongest risk factor for dying, compared to any other risk factors we evaluated. That included age, heart failure, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney failure, or having a heart attack or stroke.'

Dr Barry Jacobs, an AHA-affiliated psychologist in suburban Philadelphia, said the study adds to a growing swell of research that shows depression may have a much more aggressive physical impact on our bodies than previously thought.

'It begs the question: is there something biological about depression? There is increasing evidence that there are hormonal changes and electrofunctioning changes which affect the heart's functioning,' Dr Jacobs, of Crozer-Keystone Health System, explains.

'For years, we have assumed that depression rates affect health because it makes people less likely to follow routines they need to stay healthy. Sometimes when people are depressed they engage in behaviors to make them feel better emotionally - eating a lot, smoking, drinking. But it can make them more prone to cardiac symptoms as well as death.

For most people, they are facing their mortality for the first time Dr Barry Jacobs

'But increasingly, research suggests the reason for the increased death rate is not strictly behavioral - there's a biological reason for it too.'

It is widely believed that people who suffer from depression also have reduced levels of serotonin released in their brain.

Dr Jacobs explains that, since the heart has serotonin receptors, it may be that decreased levels of serotonin affect the heart.

'This is not well-understood but, increasingly, research is showing it could be the case, and this study adds to that.'

As this field of research builds, cardiologists and psychologists are racing to catch up.

Dr May said the findings emphasize the importance of continual screening of depression for all heart disease patients. 'Patients who have depression need to be treated for it to improve not only their long-term risks but their quality of life,' she said.

'I hope the takeaway is this: it doesn't matter how long it's been since the patient was diagnosed with coronary artery disease. Continued screening for depression needs to occur.

'After one year, it doesn't mean they're out of the woods. It should be ongoing, just like we keep measuring things like LDL cholesterol.'

However, Dr Jacobs warns that the medical community is still playing catch-up, and for now patients should be proactive about checking that their doctors have screened them for everything.

'Doctors do not always do it,' Dr Jacobs warned.

'Primary care doctors in this day in age routinely do so - we carry out a PHQ (patient health questionnaire) for every adult patient that walks through the door. But most cardiologists don't.

'It will be important for patients not to assume that they will get tested, but to ask their doctor directly. With this new research we have new impetus for every heart disease patient to ask their doctors to screen them for depression.'

In the meantime, he said, anyone who has suffered a cardiac arrest or received a heart disease diagnosis should go easy on themselves and be wary of the emotional toll it will take on them.

'All patients should keep in mind that there are normal emotional reactions to having a heart attack or a diagnosis,' he said.

'This could include anxiety, sadness, sometimes anger. Those are all normal. For most people, they are facing their mortality for the first time.

'However, depression could deter people from following their doctor's advice, so people have to make a re-doubled effort.

'They need to be extra careful about eating better, drinking better... making life changes that people don't want to make but they have to in order to extend their lifespan.'
For those who will jump for a slice of birthday cake, you might want to think twice.

New data show that the ritual of blowing out the candles leaves the dessert ridden with bacteria.

A team of researchers at Clemson University in South Carolina found that the saliva spread from blowing out birthday candles increases bacteria in the icing by 1,400 percent.

Dr Paul Dawson, a professor at the university, conducted the study with a group of his undergraduate students to get them thinking about food safety.

He normally looks into things like the five-second rule or the risk of sharing food, but said he got the idea for this study from his own experience as a father.

'I got the idea actually from my daughter in a casual dinner conversation when I was explaining the project to her,' he told Daily Mail Online.

In fact, a team of researchers found that blowing out birthday candles increases the desert's bacteria by 1,400 percent. They simulated a birthday cake by putting frosting on top of a piece of foil and a cake-shaped Styrofoam wheel that they stuck candles in

The research team put frosting on a piece of foil atop a cake-shaped Styrofoam wheel, which they stuck candles in.

Before blowing out the candles, they all ate pizza, to 'simulate a birthday party,' and 'help the salivary glands get going.'

They then lit the candles and blew them out.

To count bacteria, the team diluted the frosting with sterilized water and then spread it out on agar plates for the bacteria to grow.

BACTERIA IS EVERYWHERE All the bacteria in our body collectively weighs about 4 pounds. The average desk has 400 times more bacteria than a toilet. Mobile phones have 18 times more bacteria than toilet handles. A dollar bill has 3,000 types of bacteria. Most antibiotics are made from bacteria. Advertisement

Each of the colonies on the agar represented a single bacteria cell from the frosting.

Dr Dawson noted that this isn't the most precise way to count bacteria, because not each one will grow on an agar plate. There are now more expensive and precise ways to count bacteria cells, but this is a classic baseline method.

The team of researchers found that there was a lot of bacteria, but more surprisingly, that each blow resulted in different types of bacteria.

On average, blowing out the candles caused the frosting to grow 14 times as much bacteria.

However, in one case, it was increased by more than 120 times, suggesting certain people transfer more bacteria than others.

But, Dr Dawson said this new data shouldn't ruin birthday parties.

'In my opinion, you're fine to eat a birthday cake if someone blew out the candles,' he explained. 'I don't think you'd get sick.'

Dr Dawson said if blowing out candles on a birthday cake actually caused the spread of deadly diseases it would be obvious because of how common the practice is, especially in children

Human mouths are full of bacteria, and most of them are not harmful.

Additionally, if blowing out candles on a birthday cake actually caused the spread of deadly diseases it would be obvious because of how common the practice is, especially in children.

Dr Dawson said he might avoid the cake if he thought the candle-blower looked sick, but otherwise thought it was probably fine.

This is not the first time he's done studies like this.

In 2015, he shared a controversial article for anyone who likes to double dip their chips, saying that doing it is not only socially unacceptable, but could risk the spread of infectious diseases.
ANNA by Niccolo Ammaniti (Canongate 12.99)

ANNA

by Niccolo Ammaniti (Canongate 12.99)

Teen Anna and her younger brother Astor live in a world without adults. A strange plague has swept the world, infecting everyone and becoming fatally active when teenagers reach puberty.

Mostly, the two children stay behind the fence around their Sicilian home, which is piled high with rubbish, and where their mothers skeleton rests on her bed.

But every day, Anna must venture into the outside world, where gangs of feral children roam in search of food and medicine. And all the time, the clock is ticking towards her own demise as her body matures.

The siblings only chance seems to be to reach the mainland, in the hope that some grown-ups may have survived the illness and have a cure for it.

Niccolo Ammanitis Italian bestseller has been compared to those classic novels featuring children in a dystopia, Lord Of The Flies and The Road.

Although the characterisation is certainly not in that class, its a powerfully disturbing and thought-provoking read.

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MIDWINTER BREAK by Bernard MacLaverty (Cape 14.99)

MIDWINTER BREAK

by Bernard MacLaverty (Cape 14.99)

Retired Irish couple Gerry and Stella fly from their Glasgow home to Amsterdam for a midwinter break.

But their view on this sightseeing trip soon turns inwards, as they contemplate their marriage and the uncertain future.

Gerry is a stupendously heavy drinker and self-deluded enough to believe that Stella is unaware of his secret forays to buy whisky, conceal it in their hotel room and slug it in the bathroom.

Stella, too, is hiding something  that she is tired of Gerrys drinking and his mocking of her religion and is considering abandoning him for a Dutch Catholic community.

Bernard MacLavertys first novel in 16 years is a heart-rending analysis of the weary affection and annoyances of a long marriage in its fragile twilight years.

Both characters are fully realised, although Gerrys superhuman consumption of alcohol and blind obedience to its call is enough to drive the average reader to AA and side unequivocally with Stella in her thirst for more meaning in her final years.

YUKI MEANS HAPPINESS by Alison Jean Lester (John Murray 16.99)

YUKI MEANS HAPPINESS

by Alison Jean Lester (John Murray 16.99)

Diana, a recently qualified nurse, leaves America for Tokyo to become nanny to three-year-old Yuki, whose father, Naoki, is keen that she is brought up learning English from a native speaker.

Yukis mother, Emi, has already left the household under circumstances that are not explained to Diana.

Yukis name means happiness, and Diana finds herself increasingly attached to her smiling, bubbly little charge. She settles into a routine of ballet and swimming lessons and a gradual acclimatisation to Japans very different values and way of life.

Then the controlling Naoki moves in his pregnant girlfriend, and the household dynamics change.

Diana discovers a dark secret that threatens Yuki and is left with the choice of fleeing or taking action that will inevitably put her and the little girl in peril.

The theme of Alison Jean Lesters novel is the maternal instinct, movingly evoked here in various guises. Its funny, warm, scary  and thoroughly recommended.
An investigation has revealed that the money trail from Pakistan-based terror outfits to Kashmiri separatists in the Valley to fuel violence in the Valley goes all the way back to the 1990s.

Over a dozen properties, a score cross-border traders and some 50 WhatsApp and social media groups have come under the scanner of central investigating agencies.

According to a senior government official, a collective crackdown by agencies is going to have a long-term effect in the Valley in restoring peace as it has cut down the financial links of anti-social elements in Kashmir from their handlers in Pakistan.

Indian policemen stand guard in front of closed shops during a curfew in the downtown area of Srinagar

Villagers have increasingly protected the rebels by hurling rocks, and abuse, at Indian troops when they enter their areas. At least five civilians have been killed by government forces during such clashes this year

Both the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) are separately investigating cases of terror funding and subversive activities.

While NIA has arrested seven Kashmiri separatist leaders, who were sent to 10-day judicial custody, ED arrested Shabir Shah - one of the founders of Kashmiri separatism, who was remanded to ED custody for seven days.

While probing these cases, security agencies have unearthed some faces of stone-pelters, properties of separatist leaders that doesn't match with their income and dirty transactions by Indo-Pakistan traders.

'Kashmiri separatists have accumulated enough properties worth several crores in Kashmir and Delhi, but they will have a tough time explaining the source of their assets that is not in proportion to their income,' said a senior MHA officer.

The probe by NIA reveals that prime properties were bought by them even when they were under house arrest.

Investigators have also unearthed the dubious role played by some Indian businessmen involved in cross-border trade.

Over a hundred such traders are under scrutiny and NIA recently conducted raids in J&K, Haryana and Delhi, probing their role in money supply by terror organisations.

Separatist leader Shabir Shah (left) arrested for funding terror produced at Patiala Court in New Delhi on Wednesday

Mail Today had earlier reported that traders under suspicion used to export goods by over-invoicing their bills and after receiving the money, they would route the funds to pro-freedom leaders for unrest in Kashmir.

Investigators believe the money pumped by terror outfits was used keep the Valley burning for several decades.

Sources claim to have identified several people involved in stone pelting, damaging public property and burning down schools.

Electronic evidences including chains of transaction establish links between separatist leaders and violent elements in the Valley were also uncovered. Following detailed analysis of mobile phone locations, NIA has zeroed in on 48 youths, who orchestrated stone-pelting mobs to disrupt anti-terror operations in Kashmir.

It has also identified over 5,000 stone-pelters as part of its probe in the terror-funding case, involving Hurriyat leaders. It is now probing links between stone pelters and separatists.

According to investigators, groups of violent men were mobilised through several WhatsApp and social media groups monitored and operated from Pakistan.

The phone analysis established that though these people lived far away, they were present in the vicinity of anti-terror operations' sites.

The NIA has listed out the operations, with dates and locations, in a dossier, to establish the presence of these suspects.
Indians that have been through the school of hard knocks will do absolutely anything for their children to have the chance of a better life.

'I will save Rs 1,000 and give it to you. I beg you with folded hands, please give admission to my daughter,' reads Nanhi's letter to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Nanhi is among nearly two dozen parents from Chilla Khadar area on the banks of the Yamuna river who are shuttling between schools, trying to admit their kids.

Omvati (right) said earlier no such documents were required but now school authorities are adamant

The parents have now penned open letters to the CM, pleading for their children to be taken in by a local government school.

The letters were sent to Kejriwal on Thursday, seeking his intervention.

The students aged 6-14 are covered under Article 21-A of the Constitution that grants them Right to Education, have been denied admission to government schools in east Delhi on the pretext of unavailability of Aadhaar cards and bank account details.

Despite an Aadhaar card, Taravatis 13-year-old daughter Sushmita (right) was refused admission

'My daughter can read properly and helps me with basic mathematical calculations when people come to buy vegetables from me,' pleads Nanhi in her letter.

Another parent has begged the Delhi CM to first give admission to his son and daughter, after which he will submit the documents required. 'I have been running around for months now.

'My health is worsening and I cannot leave work every day for making trips to schools. I want to educate my daughter Muskaan so that she does not have to wash someone's utensils,' reads Pankaj's letter.

Parents have penned open letters to the CM Arvind Kejriwal trying to get their kids into schools

Mail Today's calls and messages to Atishi Marlena, the education adviser to deputy CM Manish Siisodia, went unanswered.

India enacted the landmark Right to Education (RTE) Act in 2009, giving children from poor and other disadvantaged backgrounds the right to free and compulsory education till the age of 14.

It was hailed as a major step to bridging the cavernous gap between the education of rich and poor in the country.

But critics say implementation has been patchy. The troubles of these parents began when they started applying in government schools in east Delhi this year but were sent back by authorities.

Red Tape: Asif was staying in the village and hence his Aadhaar Card was issued in the village only. School authorities are asking for Asif's Aadhar Card issued in Delhi now

'The schools are asking for an Aadhaar card and bank account details. I am willing to present those but yet I have been sent back, without any clear answer,' said Om Singh, another parent who had applied for admission at the Rajkiya Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya.

Their worries have magnified as they watch the academic cycle drift, weakening the chances of sending their kids to school with each passing day.

Arguing that denial of admission not only infringes the RTE but also takes away the chance at education of these students, Delhi High Court advocate Ashok Agarwal said, 'Implementation of Right to Education involves responsibility on the part of state.

Even in the absence of documents, schools cannot deny admission to these kids.

According to the provisions of RTE Act 2009, admission to these children cannot be denied on any ground whatsoever.

Several parents have started rethinking the decision to educate their children because of financial constraints.

'I cannot afford to open three bank accounts for my children,' said one of them.

'It will cost me Rs 15,000 for my three kids and it is a huge amount.'

According to the admission authorities at a government school, the details are required to send the money for books and uniforms to the parents.

Praveen Nagar, admission coordinator at Rajkiya Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, said: 'We do not have rooms to accommodate the students and there is a cap on seats now.

'However, we are entertaining the requests.'
The Southern Myanmar Journalists Network campaigns for freedom of express campaign in Mawlamyine. (photo: MNA)

Amid an uptick of legal cases involving the press, the Southern Myanmar Journalists Network this week launched a campaign to support freedom of expression.

On July 27, journalist members of the network distributed pamphlets in Mawlamyine to promote public awareness about journalists detained under laws that have been called draconian and repressive by international watchdog groups. The pamphlets also detail how oppressing the media can place obstacles on democracy.

Journalists in Myanmar have been threatened and sued under oppressive laws. This is a threat against us, the journalists. We are campaigning to protect our rights, said Ko Kyaw Soe, coordinator of the Southern Myanmar Journalists Network.

He added that section 17(1) of the colonial-era Unlawful Associations Act, and section 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law, which criminalizes online defamation, cause a daily challenge for the media.

Since the National League for Democracy-led government took office in 2015, the Telecommunications Law and the Unlawful Association Act have been levied against journalists. Two journalists from DVB and one from the Irrawaddy were arrested last month following a reporting trip to cover a drug elimination event in Shan State held by the Taang National Liberation Army.

Im participating in the campaign [to demand] amendments to laws hindering the journalists right to freedom of expression, said U Kyi Aye, a reporter from the Mon State-based Than Lwin Times.

In the last year and half under the NLD-led administration, 14 journalists have been charged with Section 66 (d) and 3 journalists have been charged with Section 17 (1).
Remember in the wonderful era of childhood before TV, our parents used to deluge with questions, riddles, songs which were composite questions.

One hovered around the community solving it with other children. I wish I could transfer that sense of play and excitement to the problem-solving approaches we employ as adults turning every problem mode of understanding to a dismal science.

Opportunity

To me, the most dismal and illiterate of such sciences is international relations and security studies. They seem like Victorian disciplines corseted by ideas of aggression and war, where peace appears like a form of unemployment.

Chinese soldiers stand at a Chinese post on the Chinese side of the border at Nathu La

In fact, security experts project their insecurities onto the subject, turning war into a perpetually iatrogenic exercise, where the expert is often the source of the disease.

When I look at the way India and China think of their relationships, I am astonished at their belligerence and the continuity of rhetorical chorus. Let us turn the problem into an opportunity.

The danger is, can India become more securitarian, more like China as we face the issues of peace and war.

Should we imitate China or in facing China can we add to the survival and imagination of Indian democracy?

Secondly, can we add something to the Chinese imaginations in this process?

One thing is common today as nation states pursuing development and security; both China and India have been indifferent to the cost of human life.

Chinese talk of evicting Indian soldiers from this area by force is just bluster

The question is, are we still civilisations or have we been reduced to nation states with little or no value frameworks.

To put it bluntly, can we out think China? Or are two countries as nation states growing to be the great polluters, seed beds of new authoritarian styles rooted in current megalomania of nation states.

As one sees it now, China plans to be an authoritarian America open to consumption and literacy.

As a mentality, it is the last remaining empire in the world. Its ambitions make Britain and the USA look modest.

The question is, do we want to be like China, a threat to the idea of freedom or can we become an alternative paradigm for the future.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval

Right now, neither country seems equipped for the future. They have different models of change.

China moves from one paradigm to another, regardless of cost or democracy.

It is a totalitarian regime that can be brutal about change.

My question is how do we battle this gargantuan China of the future? The responses are not easy because we have to think about the authoritarianism within ourselves.

China is an opportunity for rethinking the way we have constructed the frontier, the way we have treated the tribes and our unquestioning acceptance of violence in the name of security.

The removal of AFSPA is the first step.

Thinking of it incrementally only increases the China in us. By opening out to new versions of democracy, India in fact makes the challenge sharper, not in a confrontational sense but in terms of plural visions of decent societies.

Relevance

As we introspect about our societies, our civilisations and our democracy, we need to be more open to China.

China, I suggest, should be part of the general education of every Indian. I think today a cosmopolitan India must know about China, Africa and Latin America and celebrate them.

We have to recreate a new UNESCO between our three continents, understand and celebrate China as a relevant other.

A Chinese soldier walks near the border fence at Nathu La

In an anthropological and ontological sense, we have to recognise that we are not complete without China.

As neighbours, we are trustees to Chinese civilisation. While being open to China, we have to look at it for future hypothesis, examine what a dialogue of civilisations between us would mean today.

We also have to be open to the varieties of China beyond China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the huge NRI Chinese population across the world.

An Indian soldier (left) and his Chinese counterpart stand still before a ceremony marking the re-opening of the China-India border

China can be a mirror to the way both our societies imitate the West.

Can understanding China help us stop being a mimic edition to the West?

Perspective

Third, a debate between India and China has to be a debate about how we construct our cities, how each of us has been creative or obtuse about our informal economies.

Years ago, during the enquiries of the Indian Industrial Commission, Alfred Chatterton, the great engineer, complained that 'by heart' was an Indian word and that Indians had 'by hearted' the British.

We 'by hearted' the English language, adopted Shakespeare, the Bill of Rights, the Magna Carta. I think we should 'by heart' China to understand what an Indian other would be like.

This project should be cast as the classic opening of the Indian mind to other possibilities.

The Chinese so far have shown a better sense of the long run, the capacity of a society to think in terms of 100 or 1000 years.

It changes the way you think of everything from roads to livelihoods.

While China is committed to development, India must insist on a pluralistic path which keeps nomad, tribal, pastoral and other marginal ways alive.

Both societies face the major challenge around education. Is the massified Chinese model with its obsession for ranking the way or can India create a more playful, plural system which suits our genius.

China and India in that sense become a comparative study in choices of how large societies look at larger issues.

It is only within this wider context of perspective can security sustain a sense of literacy.

Our reports on the border are too predictable, our imagination too barricaded with barbed wires.

Rather than play Punch and Judy of a new genocidal system, it is time India/China think of more creative ways to live in peace.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday pitched for BRICS countries to take 'a leadership role' in combating terror.

Doval, who was in Beijing to meet his counterparts in BRICS countries, also held talks with the Chinese leadership amid the Doklam border stand-off.

Doval and other BRICS NSAs on Friday called on Chinese President Xi Jinping, who called for greater coordination on security matters among the five countries in a 'complex international situation'.

India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, South Africa's Minister of State Security David Mahlobo and Russia's Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev meet with China's President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing

Xi, in his address to the BRICS NSAs, praised them for building mutual trust and cooperation among member nations.

'The five-member group of emerging countries has carried on meaningful cooperation despite geographical distance and different political systems establishing a new type of international relations,' he said.

'While the starting point of BRICS cooperation is in the economic and financial field in its first decade, in view of the complex international political and economic security situation, the member countries should expand cooperation with more people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges and coordinate on security issues,' Xi added.

Doval said the five countries needed 'to show leadership in countering terrorism' as well as 'take a leadership role on strategic issues of regional and global importance and in areas where the countries have consensus'.

His visit to China comes amid the on-going border stand-off between India and China at Doklam near the India-China-Bhutan trijunction.

On Thursday, Doval had held bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart, state councillor Yang Jiechi.

Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval attends the seventh meeting of BRICS

The Chinese government later said bilateral and regional issues had been discussed, and Yang had 'set forth China's position on bilateral issues and major problems'.

It, however, did not specify what those problems were. The Chinese state media said on Friday that Beijing 'would not compromise' in its talk with Doval, with Chinese Communist Party-run Global Times saying, 'The only way to resolve the current stand-off is for India to unilaterally withdraw its troops.'

Doval said the five countries needed 'to show leadership in countering terrorism'

In the same paper, Chinese navy's senior captain Zhang Ye, who is also a research fellow of the PLA Naval Research Institute and a prominent strategist, warned India that its intervention in Bhutan could have repercussions in Jammu and Kashmir.

'As a third party of the Sino-Bhutan border dispute, does the Indian military have the right to trespass across the Sino-Indian established border to stop China's road construction?

If yes, it would be very dangerous, for in India's logic, if Pakistan requests, a third country's army can enter the area disputed by India and Pakistan, including India-controlled Kashmir,' he said.

Missiles near China border go 'missing'

By Sudhi Ranjan Sen

Indigenous Akash surface-to-air missiles that were supposed to be positioned in the vulnerable Siliguri Corridor (chicken's neck) to take down Chinese air force fighters haven't been installed, the comptroller auditor general (CAG) has observed.

Worse, at least 30 per cent of the missiles supplied to IAF were faulty. Doklam, where Indian and Chinese troops have been involved in a stand-off, is only a few kilometres away from the Siliguri Corridor.

The CAG observation comes at a time national security advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi on the sidelines of the BRICS NSAs meeting in Beijing.

The CAG observation comes at a time national security advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi

Terming the missiles 'strategic', the CAG said, 'The missile systems were to be installed at the six designated sites, between 2013 and 2015.

'But till date, none have been installed.' The CAG report was placed before the Parliament on Friday.

The total cost of the project was about Rs 3,900 crore, of which IAF has already paid Rs 3,800 crore.

IAF was to deploy six Akash missile squadrons east to counter China's build-up of military infrastructure all along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

China has eight fully-operational airbases in Tibet. And, that isn't all. The CAG report says that about 30 per cent of the 'strategic missiles' made by BEL - a defence public sector unit - failed when they were test fired.

'The larger issue is that 30 per cent failure rate of the sample tested puts a question mark on the reliability... based on which 95 per cent of the payment was already paid,' the CAG observed.

Even worse, the CAG observes that the life span of at least 70 missiles was reduced by more than three years because no storage facility was available.

Each Akash missile costs several hundred crores.

The life span of another 150 missiles was diminished by at least 'two to three' years and that of another 40 odd missiles by at least a 'year or two years'.

The Akash missiles that have a range of about 25 km have a life span of about 10 years 'from the manufacturing date' and they need to be stored under controlled conditions.

'Due to delay in creation in of prescribed storage rooms, all the missiles received during April 2014 to May 2016 were kept at alternate facilities that lacked required storage conditions,' the CAG report says and adds at least 71 missiles were affected by 'moisture.'

The then UPA government cleared the deployment of Akash missiles in 2010 in the Siliguri Corridor as Indian changed its China policy from 'dissuasive to deterrence'.

After the 1962 debacle, India followed a policy of dissuasion against China.

Areas along LAC were deliberately left under-developed and roads weren't built to dissuade China from going on the offensive.

But as China added to border infrastructure, added troops and muscle to its military, India moved to a posture of deterrence, positioning troops and fighters along the border.
Trial error

Top AstraZeneca shareholder Neil Woodford said a 16 per cent fall in the companys share price after the failure of a high-profile cancer drug trial was unwarranted. The investment case... is about so much more than this one trial, he said.

AstraZeneca investor Woodford says share fall results not justified

Oil deal

Oil and gas firm Faroe Petroleum has bought an extra 13.9 per cent interest in a North Sea field from JX Nippon Exploration, for 4m.

Profits up

The fall in the pound boosted profits at engineering firm Imi. Revenues of 846m and profits at 106m were both up 11 per cent.

Factory plan

Chemicals firm Ineos is planning a new plant in Germany to make cumene, a key raw material for the chemicals industry.

Deal: Video game tournaments will be broadcast on internet channel BBC Three

Contract win

Engineer Amec Foster Wheeler has won a 2.9m contract from the Government to develop smaller nuclear reactors.

Video games

A BBC deal with esports specialists Gfinity will see video game tournaments broadcast on internet channel BBC Three for the next six weeks.

Cable rollout

Some 100m will be spent by Hyperoptic to provide full-fibre cables to 5m UK homes by 2025.

5g talks

Telecoms watchdog Ofcom has launched a consultation on proposals for 5G mobile internet to be available in the UK by 2020.

EDF dip

French utility giant EDF has suffered a drop in half-year profits as its income fell 3.7 per cent to 1.7bn.

Confidence falls

Consumer confidence has hit a low not seen since after the Brexit vote, to -12 points, claims a survey by GfK.

Gatwick goal

Airport operator Gatwick plans to reach its goal of 50m yearly passengers, by investing 1.1bn over the next five years.

Russian fightback

A recovery in Russia helped car maker Renault to post rising first-half profits of 1.6bn.
Lithium was the word this week, with miners of the rare metal seeing strong demand boosted by reports the UK government is pressing ahead with plans to ban sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2040.

Lithium is a key component of the batteries used to power electric vehicles (EV), which the government hopes people will start switching to as it looks to do its part in the global fight to reduce emissions.

Other European governments have made similar commitments to banning sales of gas guzzlers, and the major carmakers are starting to focus more of their resources on hybrid and EV development.

Keeping it green: Lithium is a key component of the batteries used to power electric vehicles

With the demand for new EVs set to soar in the coming years, the need for the soft metal will jump as well which bodes well for the likes of Premier African Minerals Limited and Cadence Minerals PLC.

Premier African was the biggest AIM gainer over the week, with its shares surging over 86 per cent higher to 0.70p after the junior miner revealed that its Zulu project in Zimbabwe is likely host to more lithium than originally thought.

The firm has now completed 12 diamond core holes at Zulu, with 'significant massive lithium mineralisation zones' intersected in all of them.

Several new pegmatite zones  the primary source of lithium  have also been discovered in the southern part of the license area.

'These new results are most encouraging,' said Premier African's chief executive George Roach.

Meanwhile, fellow AIM-listed lithium miner Cadence also got a boost after a bullish update from Macarthur Minerals' Reynolds Springs lithium project in Nevada.

Cadence has a 20.2 per cent stake in Macarthur, which said the results of a geochemical soil sampling program at the project had confirmed that there is a lot of lithium underfoot. For the week Cadence shares gained nearly 35 per cent at 0.43p.

Indices hardly electrified

Overall, however, the last full trading week of July hardly proved electrified for indices despite a plethora of corporate news to mull over, with the FTSE AIM All-Share index shedding around 1.4 per cent to 983 points, while the FTSE 100 index lost about 0.5 per cent at 7,387.

Biggest loser: RM2 International PLC's shares collapsed after they dropped plans to raise 60 million

Among the fallers, shares in RM2 International PLC collapsed on Monday afternoon after the pallet manufacturer dropped plans to raise 60 million, and over the week the stock shed over 45 per cent of its value to 7.25p, the biggest AIM loser.

RM2 announced its intention to raise the cash back with last month's annual results, but said this week that the raise would not be in the 'best interests of the company and its shareholders'.

The money was originally earmarked to cover the costs of the business through to the end of the year after which a larger additional placing would be arranged, but RM2 will now look at other options.

The group said: 'The board continues to pursue various other financing alternatives, which may include the issuance of equity and/or debt instruments.'

Meanwhile, drug development services group Proteome Sciences PLC saw its shares drop 25 per cent to 3.5p despite a fairly solid first half update.

The AIM-quoted company saw its revenues rise by 21 per cent in the six months ended June, while gross profits soared by a third to 780,000. The slight negative was that the loss after tax remained around the 1.5 million mark.

MySQUAR runs the MyChat platform

MySQUAR working on a placing

And Myanmar-focused MySQUAR shed 9 per cent on Friday to 3.85p, to notch up a 17.7 per cent fall for the week after it confirmed it is working on a placing to raise funds to set up a mobile payments platform.

The group said this would involve the creation of digital wallet services, a mobile payment application for processing peer-to-peer (P2P) and person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions.

MySQUAR runs the MyChat platform and has telephony options such as Voice over Internet Protocols (VoIP) service, CallHome in the Asian country.

Back among the week's AIM gainers, however, Cellcast PLC shares shot over 30 per cent higher to 4.75p as the Babestation owner took a significant chunk out of its annual cost base.

The UK broadcaster has been undertaking a 'major review of costs' in recent months and said it had renegotiated a contract with a current supplier that should lead to a 'substantial and material reduction' in its annual expenses.

The agreement with the provider, which supplies Cellcast with large bandwidth services, is for an initial three-year term with a break clause inserted after one year.

Keywords studios provides services for the video games industry

Keywords Sudios sees results beat expectations

Elsewhere, Keywords Studios PLC also leapt over 33 per cent higher to 1,067p after the company beat expectations with a strong first half performance on Thursday.

The AIM-quoted firm, which provides services for the video games industry, saw its revenues jump 50 per cent higher to 63.7mln during the six months to 30 June, while adjusted pre-tax profits also surged by 60 per cent to 9.6mln.

And there was good news for RTC Group PLC this week after the specialist recruiter's Ganymede Energy division won a new long-term contract with energy giant SSE PLC.

The AIM-quoted outfit saw its shares jump nearly 25 per cent higher to 68p on the news it had been selected to source, train and provide at least 250 dual fuel installers for SSE's smart meter rollout programme.
The worlds biggest tech companies face being broken up as they toast a formidable set of sales figures.

This week, Google, Facebook and Amazon  and Microsoft last week  reported huge growth in advertising sales, cloud computing services and internet video revenues.

The total revenues of the four for the last quarter were 74bn.

Formidable: The worlds biggest tech companies face being broken up as they celebrate an impressive sales figures

That has renewed political feeling in Washington that the Silicon Valley titans are at risk of becoming monopolies  and should be split into several different companies.

President Donald Trumps chief strategist, Steve Bannon, is among those reportedly pushing for them to be considered utility companies, like power firms, so they could be more closely scrutinised.

It is not unprecedented to break up US firms  giants such as Standard Oil, AT&T and IBM have been separated in the past.

Professor Jonathan Taplin, a US academic who studies tech companies, said: Something has definitely changed in the past month. You now have people on both sides of the political aisle saying maybe we should be regulating these firms as utilities.

They are becoming natural monopolies. Breaking them up, as was done with Standard, would be an extreme option but there are lots of smaller actions that could be taken first.

US Senate Democrats have outlined plans for a better deal that proposes breaking up monopolies across a number of major industries.

The dominance of the tech giants has been underlined by their results this week. Google, owned by Alphabet, accounts for 90 per cent of all web searches. Google and Facebook command 99 per cent of all new internet advertising revenues.

Alphabet this week posted revenues of 19.8bn for the second quarter. However, it was hit with a 2bn fine by the EU for manipulating search results, which wiped out an increase in profits.

Facebook, meanwhile, has grown to 2.1bn users, of which 1.3bn use it every day. Its other services, such as WhatsApp, now have 1.3bn monthly users. WhatsApp Status, its version of Snapchat Stories launched six months ago, now has more than 250m daily users. Rival Snapchat has 166m daily active users.

Total revenue rose 44.8 per cent to 7.1bn from the same period in 2016, and Facebook posted a profit of 2.9bn  up 71 per cent.

Adverts on mobile phones accounted for 87 per cent of its total advertising revenue.

The boost came from cashing in on video within its Facebook news feed, as well as the growth of its Instagram photo app, which now has 700m users.

Amazon shares sank after it announced a fall in profit to 29bn, but below this bottom line revenues were soaring. Its growth was spurred on by other services climbing 51 per cent, which analysts have interpreted as being Amazons own advertising business as well as its credit card arm.

The firms have also been accused of killing off rivals.

Amazons bid for organic supermarket chain Whole Foods is expected to be closely examined by competition officials.

Also, the 49.5 per cent share dive of Snap, the parent company of photo-messaging app Snapchat, has been partly blamed on Facebook, which has been accused of taking features from Snapchat and duplicating them in its rival Messenger and Instagram apps. Apple reports its results on Tuesday.

Amazon did not comment.
British fintech leader Worldpay will seek to convince investors in the coming week that the 7.7bn bid by American rival Vantiv is a terrific deal and should not be resisted.

In the effort to persuade stakeholders that this is not a takeover but a merger, there will be a series of commitments.

This probably will include a pledge to maintain the Worldpay name at the top company, a secondary quote for the groups shares in London, some kind of headquarters in the UK and Softbank-style job promises.

None of this should go unchallenged.

Puny pledge: Worldpay will seek to convince investors in the coming week that the 7.7bn bid by American rival Vantiv is a terrific deal

Worldpay is a global leader in online payments systems, operating in 146 countries and 126 currencies. Clients include Google and other digital giants.

In contrast, Vantiv has grown big on point-of-sale technology in the US at a moment when commerce is switching online. So which company has the better business?

Worldpay shareholders might also question a little more the meanness of a 21 per cent premium now that a dividend has been thrown in.

Not of much consequence to chief executive Phil Jansen, who took 30m-plus out of the enterprise at flotation and might be as happy about working in Cincinnati or New York as in London.

What we do know, of course, is that if the deal is done, command and control will move from the UK to the US and Britain will be deprived of building a digital champion to rival Silicon Valley and China.

Britains great research universities and software skills might outshine much of the world, but it becomes a wasted resource and investment when the benefits and wealth creation take place elsewhere.

If the Government wants to end the self-immolation of tech takeovers, there was never a better case for intervention than Worldpay, a company born at Royal Bank of Scotland and brought to fruition by judicious investment.

Instead, head buried in the sand, the Cabinet continues to feud about Brexit as prosperity drains away.

The vision of IAG coining it with pre-tax profits up 13.8% in the six months to June

Cruz control

The big difference between British Airways owner IAG and other European carriers is that it has a chief executive in Willie Walsh who has been willing to take on the unions in one of the last private sector bastions of old-style labour practices.

The consequence is a sharp uplift in first-half operational profits and the promise of a double-digit increase in the second half.

As ever, the core of BAs income remains the transatlantic routes, where IAG is increasing its presence with flights from Barcelona using its low-cost carrier Level.

The vision of IAG coining it with pre-tax profits up 13.8 per cent in the six months to June at 871m cannot but aggravate the 75,000 passengers at Heathrow and around the world whose Easter holidays were devastated by an IT snafu and electrical failure.

The report into the causes of the meltdown is still some weeks away and is likely to make recommendations for a bulletproof system. As worrying as the computer failure was BAs treatment of customers, with Spanish chief executive Alex Cruz nowhere to be seen as the saga unfolded.

His cost-cutting leadership, introducing BA customers to M&S sandwiches and shrinking leg-room, had tarnished BAs image before the systems implosion.

Walsh needs to order a mid-course correction if the carriers competitive edge is to remain intact.

Barclays bother

The unanswered question at Barclays is whether chief executive Jes Staley will be allowed by regulators to carry on with his strategic reforms.

No one questions Staleys credentials or direction of travel, but his poor handling of a whistleblower left a lot to desire.

At times it seems that ten years after the start of the financial crisis, UK High Street banks are continuously swimming through mud. Pre-tax profits of 2.3bn at Barclays were turned into a 1.3bn loss after more payment protection insurance payouts and big restructuring costs associated with retreat from Africa.

Staley has set great store by remaining a big player in investment banking. But that didnt quite come off in the first half because a lack of volatility held back trading.

The bank is not even at the starting post when it comes to doing a deal with the US Department of Justice over mortgage securities.

Oh dear.
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Chris Gard and Connie Yates wanted their son Charlie (pictured together) to undergo a therapy trial in America

Charlie Gard was born a 'perfectly healthy' baby on August 4 last year.

His loving parents Chris Gard, 32, and Connie Yates, 31, took him home in Bedfont, west London, to celebrate the birth of their first child.

But what happened next captured the hearts of people across the world as the brave couple initiated a tense and lengthy legal battle regarding their son's life.

At just one month old, Charlie's parents noticed he struggled to lift his head and support himself like other children his age.

Just a few weeks later, their son was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition when he began to lose weight.

He became just the 16th person in the world to be diagnosed with mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, which causes progressive muscle weakness and brain damage.

Charlie was transferred to the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and his parents launched a desperate bid to save their son's life.

Doctors there said they wanted the boy, who was then 10 months old, to be able to 'die with dignity' and his mother quickly found an American doctor who was willing to offer her son a trial therapy.

Mr Gard and Ms Yates began a crowd funding campaign to help finance the US treatment in January, however, the hospital - where he was staying - suggested that experimental treatment in the US would not work.

In March this year, Great Ormond Street bosses ask Mr Justice Francis to rule that life-support treatment should stop which, just over a month later, he agreed.

This prompted a long and tense legal battle between the hospital and Mr Gard and Miss Yates.

At first, they asked the Court of Appeal to consider the case. Despite a petition calling on the Prime Minister to release the boy from hospital being signed by 110,000 people, three judges at the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court's ruling on May 25.

The couple then took the case to the Supreme Court, but lost that fight on June 8.

Subsequently, they asked European Court of Human Rights judges, to consider the case.

But the judges refused to overturn a ruling to switch Charlie's life support off on June 27.

10-month-old Charlie Gard (pictured) suffers from a rare genetic condition and has brain damage and his parents have been told his life support machine will be turned off

Charlie (pictured) became just the 16th person in the world to be diagnosed with mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome

This was Mr Gard and Ms Yates' final appeal and they were said to be 'utterly distraught' when the verdict was announced in Strasbourg, France.

The decision came after Charlie's parents made a number of emotional appeals urging the public to help them fight for their son's life.

While he was being treated in hospital, they raised a staggering 1.4million thanks to the help of those who were known as the so-called 'Charlie's Army'.

The money they raised - which was thanks to donations from around the world, including from celebrities - was enough for Charlie to travel by air ambulance and to cover the cost of the experimental treatment.

On July 3, the Pediatric Hospital Bambino Gesu, known as the 'Pope's Hospital' which sits close to the Vatican's walls, offered to treat Charlie.

President of the hospital, Mariella Enoc, tweeted that the Holy Fathers own words in support of Charlie 'sum up our mission'.

She said: 'I have asked the health director to check with Great Ormond Street Hospital if there are sanitary conditions for an eventual transfer of Charlie to our hospital. We know that the case is desperate'.

President Trump subsequently rallied behind the family and tweeted: 'If we can help little Charlie Gard as per our friends in the U.K. and the Pope, we would be delighted to do so.'

While he was being treated in hospital, they raised a staggering 1.4million thanks to the help of those who were known as the so-called 'Charlie's Army'

Mr Gard and Miss Yates are pictured at the Great Ormond Street Chapel. On July 3, the Pediatric Hospital Bambino Gesu, known as the 'Pope's Hospital' which sits close to the Vatican's walls, offered to treat Charlie

The Pope later tweeted: 'To defend human life, above all when it is wounded by illness, is a duty of love that God entrusts to all'

President Donald Trump rallied behind the family and tweeted: 'If we can help little Charlie Gard as per our friends in the U.K. and the Pope, we would be delighted to do so'

The Pope later tweeted: 'To defend human life, above all when it is wounded by illness, is a duty of love that God entrusts to all.'

He also offered to give Charlie a Vatican passport so he can be flown there for potentially life-saving treatment.

Congressmen in Washington DC subsequently proposed to hand the Gards permanent residency so they can access potentially life-saving treatment.

But under the High Court ruling, GOSH was forbidden from allowing Charlie to be transferred for nucleoside therapy anywhere.

US medics later said they were willing to ship the vital medicine he needs to Great Ormond Street and 'advise their medical staff on administering it if they are willing to do so.'

But after the European Court refused to intervene in the case, his parents had to deal with fresh heartbreak when they were told their son's life support machine would be switched off imminently on June 27.

However, they won more time so they could say goodbye to their dying son so they could 'create precious memories'.

Mr Gard and Ms Yates returned to the High Court one last time on July 10 and asked Mr Justice Francis to carry out a fresh analysis of the case, which he agreed.

A week later, Michio Hirano, a top neurology professor from New York, travelled to London to examine the little boy, discuss the case with Great Ormond Street doctors and other clinicians and examine fresh scans.

But after lawyers revealed his latest scans made for 'very sad reading', Ms Yates and Mr Gard decided to end their legal fight on July 24.

Tonight, after his death was announced, the family were flooded with messages of support from well-wishers and notable people, including the Pope.

Pope Francis tweeted: 'I entrust little Charlie to the Father and pray for his parents and all those who loved him.'

Chris Gard and Connie Yates, from Bedfont, west London, have been battling to save their son since he was diagnosed with a rare condition in September 2016

Judges in the UK said that the parents of Charlie (pictured) could not take him to the US for treatment despite them raising 1.4million

Charlie's parents (pictured together) hoped that judges in France would come to their aid after losing battles in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in London
A furious mother has claimed the Safe Schools program 'sexualises' students as young as 13 by showing them how to use sex toys, educating them about different sex positions and teaching them there are 63 different genders.

The Victorian mother-of-four took to Facebook on Thursday to slam the Safe Schools program which was originally meant to tackle issues such as bullying and discrimination arising from homophobia and transphobia.

The horrified mother said she was open-minded about the program at first, but very quickly saw it as 'hyper, hyper sexual' and inappropriate for school-aged children.

A Victorian mother-of-four took to Facebook on Thursday to slam the Safe Schools program which was designed to tackle issues including bullying and discrimination arising from homophobia and transphobia

'My 13-year-old son came home from school and said "Mum, I know what a dildo is",' she said.

'The teacher had shown them a dildo.'

The mother said the program taught her children 'extreme gender theory'.

'There are 63 different genders, they're not teaching male and female and people fit within that spectrum, but 63 different,' she said.

But a Department of Education spokesman told Daily Mail Australia: 'These claims are absolutely ridiculous.

'All students have the right to feel safe and welcome at school, and it is a sad reality that LGBTI [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex] young people are more likely to be bullied at school than elsewhere and this has a major impact on their educational outcomes,' he said.

Supporters of the Safe Schools program said it was not a part of the Victorian curriculum, did not teach students to be LGBTI and did not ask young people to question their sexuality or gender.

The woman claimed her children were also taught how to masturbate in class

In her video, the mother claimed her children were also taught how to masturbate in class.

'My daughter [brought home] evidence of being taught how to masturbate,' she said.

'How to masturbate using things like electric toothbrushes.

'It's sexualises the children.'

The mother claimed the Safe Schools program, which is federally funded, also taught children about sex positions.

'Safe Schools is teaching your child about anal sex and anal sex positions,' she said.

'The program is absolutely disgusting and it needs to stop.'

The horrified mother claimed the Safe Schools program, which is federally funded, taught children about sex positions

The mother claimed parents were not given the option to 'opt out' of the program if they were not happy.

'I don't believe the state is in a position to be teaching our kids these things,' she said.

'There are positive components but 95 per cent of it is smut.'

The mother-of-four said she was open minded and understood the importance of sex education in schools.

'I'm not a prude about these things, I will talk to [my children] and answer their questions but I will wait until they are ready,' she said.

'For all the haters who say "you're homophobic, transphobic", hell no I'm not.

'I'm very accepting of cultural diversity but I don't think we should be talking about anal sex.'
The United States ordered relatives of American diplomats to leave the Venezuelan capital on Thursday, as a political crisis deepened ahead of a controversial vote critics contend will end democracy in the oil-rich country.

The State Department says it's also allowing U.S. government workers to depart the embassy in Caracas and limiting the movement of those who stay.

An updated travel warning also urges American citizens not to travel to Venezuela due to social unrest and violence.

The ordered departure comes three days before President Nicolas Maduro's government plans to hold a vote for an assembly tasked with overhauling the country's charter. Maduro's opposition says the election rules are rigged to strengthen his hold on power.

The U.S. on Thursday ordered the families of diplomats to leave Venezuela. Above, the U.S. Embassy in Caracas

President Donald Trump has warned his administration could impose economic sanctions on Venezuela if Maduro goes ahead with the vote to create the legislative superbody.

Violence continued to rage on the street, with another seven people killed during the latest opposition-led strike against President Maduro's planned election on Sunday.

Adding to Venezuela's growing international isolation, Colombian airline Avianca suddenly stopped operations in the country on Thursday due to 'operational and security limitations'.

Maduro's critics were planning to pile more pressure on the unpopular leftist leader by holding roadblocks across the nation dubbed 'The Takeover of Venezuela' on Friday.

'We're going to keep fighting, we're not leaving the streets,' said opposition lawmaker Jorge Millan.

The government banned protests from Friday to Tuesday, raising the likelihood of more violence in volatile Venezuela. Many people have been stocking up on food and staying home.

The order comes ahead of a vote planned for Sunday that critics say will end democracy in the oil-rich country. Above, protesters in Caracas on July 26

President Nicolas Maduro's government plans to hold a vote for an assembly tasked with overhauling the country's charter. Above, members of the National Guard clash with protesters on July 26

Maduro's opposition says the election rules are rigged to strengthen his hold on power. Above a protester on May 1

More than 100 people have died protesting the vote in the past four months. Above, members of the National Guard clash with protesters on July 26

The Constituent Assembly would have power to rewrite the constitution and shut down the existing opposition-led legislature, which the opposition maintains would cement dictatorship in Venezuela.

Over 100 people have died in anti-government unrest convulsing Venezuela since April, when the opposition launched protests demanding conventional elections to end nearly two decades of socialist rule.

Many streets remained barricaded and deserted on Thursday during the second day of a nationwide work stoppage.

Plenty of rural areas and working-class urban neighborhoods were bustling, however, and the strike appeared less massively supported than a one-day shutdown last week.

With Venezuela already brimming with shuttered stores and factories, amid a blistering four-year recession, the effectiveness of any strike can be hard to gauge. Many Venezuelans live hand-to-mouth and say they must keep working.

In Barinas, home state of former Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, only about a third of businesses were closed according to a Reuters witness, as opposed to the opposition's formal estimate of 90 percent participation nationally.

'I am opposed to the government and I agree we must do everything we can to get out of this mess, but I depend on my work. If I don't work, my family does not eat,' said Ramon Alvarez, a 45-year-old barber at his shop in Barinas.

There has been widespread international condemnation of Maduro's Constituent Assembly plan. The United States on Wednesday announced sanctions against 13 current and former officials for corruption, undermining democracy, and participating in repression.

Government officials and candidates for the Constituent Assembly wrapped up campaigning on Thursday with a rally in Caracas with Maduro.

The former bus driver and union leader reiterated that the assembly was the only way to bring peace to Venezuela, blasted threats of further sanctions from 'emperor Donald Trump,' and hit back at accusations that he is morphing into a tyrant.

'The usual suspects came out to say Maduro had become crazy,' he told cheering red-shirted supporters in Caracas.

'Of course, I was crazy! Crazy with passion, crazy with a desire for peace.'

Amid rumors of 11th-hour attempts to foster negotiations, Maduro reiterated an invitation to dialogue with the opposition, although such talks have flopped in the past.

The state prosecutor's office said four people died on Thursday amid the unrest: A 49-year-old man in Carabobo state, a 23 year-old in Lara state, a 29 year-old in Anzoategui state and a 16-year old in the middle class Caracas area of El Paraiso.

A 23-year-old man and a 30-year-old man were also killed in western Merida state and a 16-year-old boy was killed in the poor Caracas neighborhood of Petare during clashes on Wednesday.

This week's death toll topped last week's one-day strike, when five people were killed.

Over 190 people were arrested during the stoppage on Wednesday and nearly 50 on Thursday, said local rights group Penal Forum. Since April, authorities have rounded up nearly 4,800 people, of whom 1,325 remain behind bars, the group said.

Wuilly Arteaga, a violinist who has become one of the best-known faces of the protests, was among those detained by the National Guard, Penal Forum added.
A teenager in Russia is showing off his fine motor skills, in an unbelievable video where he lifts himself in the air using only his thumbs.

Slava Kripak, 18, is big on unusual calisthenics. The Russian gymnast, from Omsk in south-central Russia, has a massive social media following to his workouts of core heavy exercises, where the plank position is paramount.

Video shows Mr Kripak turning a sitting stool upside down and preparing to mount its legs using his thumbs.

He looks for the sweet spot and gets his thumbs in the right position, before lifting himself in the air, slowly raising his body to a flat 90 degree position.

He holds the position for about ten seconds before the camera cuts to him performing a similar exercise.

In this second position, Mr Kripak, still balancing in the air on his thumbs, moves his legs apart to form a triangle shape - testing out his core strength once more.

He then starts doing push ups in this same position.

Slava Kripak, 18, pictured, holds this unbelievable plank position using just his thumbs for balance. The Russian gymnast, from Omsk in south-central Russia, has a massive social media following

Closeup of young Russian gymnast Slava Kripak balancing his thumbs on a sitting stool, pictured, before lifting himself into the air in an unbelievable plank position which he holds for approximately 10 seconds

Planking exercises, to which there are a variety of different positions, help build core strength and work on toning the body.

The young athlete has generated a fan club on social media for his extreme workouts. His Instagram alone has over 77,000 followers.

The video shows him doing several other exercises, including a one-handed hand stand.

Planking exercises, to which there are a variety of different positions, help build core strength and work on toning the body. Slava Kripak, pictured, clearly has a lot of practice under his belt

The young Russian athlete Slava Kripak, pictured, has generated a fan club on social media for his extreme workouts where he shows the variety of planks and core exercises that can be done
60 UK tower blocks, including 9 owned by local governments, have failed a new round of more-stringent fire tests conducted in the wake of the Grenfell fire disaster.

According to the BBC Local Government Association chairman Lord Porter would not disclose which blocks failed the test because "intellectual property rights on the installation of cladding systems mean the identification of tower blocks affected by fire safety issues may not be made public."

This is incoherent rubbish of the sort that government officials are wont to hand down all over the world, but especially in the UK. There is no right in patent, trademark or copyright that would prevent the disclosure of which buildings incorporated a product, nor could this possibly be a trade secret.

Presumably, Lord Porter's next move will be to assert that nothing can be said because of the Data Protection Act, which is the way that government officials say, "I mayn't answer thine question, for a witch has put a curse on all who utter those words and we would be set upon by demons."

It's been five years since former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron declared war on "safety culture", a year since landlords serving as Members of Parliament voted down a rule that would require that their properties be "fit for human habitation," and a month since his successor, Theresa May, refused to promise any government funds to remediate dangerous housing.

The nine blocks built in the 1960s were re-clad recently with shiny coloured panels, and insulation to cut energy bills. One resident told the BBC it was "like sitting on a tinderbox". Crisis management expert Prof Edward Borodzicz said: "For the people who live in these buildings, this must be extremely concerning." He added there could be a case for evacuating people from towers with unsafe cladding and insulation combinations.

Salford had already begun removing cladding and the process will continue.

Grenfell Tower: Sixty blocks 'fail new fire test'

[BBC]





(via Naked Capitalism)
A child shooting at a target above another kid's head is a dangerous stunt that could have gone wrong, unverified video from what is thought to be Pakistan shows.

The shocking video opens with a young child in a crouched position with a tin can balanced on top of his head.

The video then pans left, where an older child is holding, what appears to be, an air rifle, giggling as he loads the firearm.

Within seconds the situation becomes all too clear, when the older child crouches down, takes aim and fires at the target resting on top of the other kid's head.

Sound signals that the pellet has hit the tin can as it is blasted off the young child's head.

Thankfully the kid appears unharmed. He stands up immediately and runs toward his friend.

An older child holds a refile, pictured left, preparing to load his firearm, as a younger child, pictured right, balances a tin can on top of his head preparing to act as a target for a bullet

The older child, pictured left, crouches down and takes aim, firing at the tin can target that's resting on top of the other, young child's head, pictured right. The younger child barely flinches

Sound signals that the bullet has hit the tin can, which blows off the younger child's head, pictured left. He then gets up, appearing unharmed, running towards his friends, pictured right

The unverified video is said to have been shot in Pakistan and it is not entirely clear that the child is using an air rifle.
The U.S. police officer who shot dead Australian woman Justine Damond as she stood on a driveway outside her home may never face criminal charges.

Rookie cop Mohamed Noor is maintaining his silence and continues to exercise his legal right not to be interviewed by investigators probing Ms Damond's death.

However, when the shooting becomes the subject of an internal police investigation, Noor will be compelled to provide statement or face the sack from the force.

The only catch is, any statement he provides during the internal investigation cannot be used in a criminal case due to a legal technicality, the Star Tribune reports.

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U.S. police officer Mohamed Noor, who shot dead Australian woman Justine Damond as she stood on a driveway outside her home, may never face criminal charges

Noor is maintaining his silence and continues to exercise his legal right not to be interviewed by investigators probing Ms Damond's death

Any statement Noor (right) provides during the internal investigation cannot be used in a criminal case due to a legal technicality

The law is known as the Garrity Warning in Minnesota, and means that public employees under internal investigation are given the option to provide information or face disciplinary action.

'Because you are being required to provide information under the threat of disciplinary action, the information you provide, and any evidence resulting from the information you provide, cannot and will not be used against you in any subsequent criminal proceeding,' the warning reads.

A number of unrelated felony criminal cases in America are reportedly relying on the same law to have their client's cases thrown out, claiming prosecutors used internal interviews to build up their own cases.

Originally from Sydney's Northern Beaches, Ms Damond, 40, was shot dead by Minneapolis policeman Mohamed Noor on July 15.

Ms Damond called 911 at around 11.30pm after hearing a woman's screams and fearing a sexual assault was taking place in an alley behind her home.

When police arrived, she approached the vehicle before Officer Mohamed Noor shot across his partner, Matthew Harrity, and struck her in the stomach.

Neither Noor or Harrity had their body cameras turned on at the time of the shooting.

The law is known as the Garrity Warning in Minnesota, and means that public employees under internal investigation are given the option to provide information or face disciplinary action. But any statement they make is not valid in a criminal case (Noor pictured right)

It comes as Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo (right), who has replaced former Chief Janee Harteau (centre), announced Minneapolis police officers must now turn on their body cameras 'when dispatched to any call or self initiated activity'

A Bureau of Criminal Apprehension statement said Officer Harrity heard a loud noise before Ms Damond was killed.

There is a suggestion that the Australian woman may have 'slapped' the car and startled him before she was shot.

A Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension search warrant, obtained by Minnesota Public Radio, doesn't specifically name Ms Damond.

It says, 'upon police arrival, a female ''slaps'' the back of the patrol squad... After that, it is unknown to BCA agents what exactly happened, but the female became deceased in the alley.'

Justine Damond's American fiance has given his blessing for her ashes to be returned to Australia
Former Miami Dolphin cheerleader Lynn Aronberg and her husband Palm Beach County State Attorney, Dave Aronberg, have filed for divorce after less than two years of marriage in what is called the 'Trump Divorce'

The current state of politics in America are not only dividing the nation but also splitting couples too.

Former Miami Dolphins cheerleader Lynn Aronberg and her husband Palm Beach County State Attorney, Dave Aronberg, have filed for divorce after less than two years of marriage in what is called the 'Trump Divorce.'

'Dave and Lynn Aronberg Sign Amicable Divorce Settlement Putting an End to What Some Were Calling The Trump Divorce,' a release from the law firm representing the wife.

The release details grievances between the couple that ultimately led to their demise.

Lynn Aronberg, 36, is said to be a 'staunch Republican and supporter of President Trump' and felt 'increasingly isolated in the marriage.'

Lynn Aronberg, 36, is said to be a 'staunch Republican and supporter of President Trump' and felt 'increasingly isolated in the marriage.'

Her now ex-husband, 46, is a firm Democrat.

Court records, obtained by the Palm Beach Post showed that Lynn Aronberg filed on Friday and is represented by Lake Worth divorce attorney Joshua Bleil.

Dave Aronberg is represented by West Balm Beach attorney Robert H.W. Shalhoub.

The former cheerleader, who is executive vice president of PR firm TransMedia Group, will receive $100,000 in benefits in 'exchange for her signature on the dotted line.'

A firm Democrat, her ex-husband (pictured with Florida Democratic Attorney General candidate Dan Gelber) proposed to his now ex-wife in Paris at the Eiffel Tower

She will also have her luxury apartment in Boca Raton, Florida, paid for until next summer along with a new BMW and $40,000 in cash.

Lynn Aronberg told the Palm Beach Post on Thursday that she is unsure how the release knew of the confidential financial details of her arrangement.

'Whatever's been put out there, I haven't gotten to the bottom of it,' Lynn Aronberg said.

The former cheerleader, who is executive vice president of PR firm TransMedia Group, will receive $100,000 in benefits in 'exchange for her signature on the dotted line'

Adrienne Mazzone, the president of TransMedia, said that the release was made to satisfy the public's curiosity.

'Lynn is certainly a media maven,' she said.

'The public has been asking a lot of questions, and we're simply accommodating that.'

The former couple agreed to release a joint statement, according to Lynn Aronberg.

It said: 'After much consideration over the past few months, we've decided to respectfully and amicably part ways and end our marriage.

'We are, however, dedicated to remaining close friends. We kindly ask for your supporting in preserving our privacy as we start to navigate this new chapter in our lives.'

In addition to their staunch political views, children were also an issue for the couple.

'They have no children, which was a problem for Lynn,' the statement reads.

'She said she wanted children, but Aronberg was in no hurry.'
A suspected thief is fighting for his life after he lost control of a truck filled with donuts, sandwiches and milk crashing into a family home.

Police say the driver stole the truck from a nearby 7-Eleven before it crashed into a house on Gleneagles Place in Watanobbi on the NSW Central Coast at 11pm.

The truck ran through a roundabout, over an embankment, and then down a hill and into the house, according to 9News.

A truck allegedly stolen from a petrol station slammed into a Watanobbi house ovenight

The man who was driving the truck was airlifted to hospital to treat 'severe' head injuries

The scene of the crash has been cordoned off while local police investigate the incident

The accused thief, who is understood to have suffered severe injures to his head, was taken to the Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition.

He is now listed as stable but it was 'impossible for the police to speak to him'.

The family-of-four who were home at the time of the incident escaped unhurt.

Some of the donuts that the truck was carrying at the time of the crash were found in the yard

Meanwhile, the stolen truck was removed from the scene for further analysis.

When it was taken from the service station, the refrigerated vehicle was loaded with milk and donuts - some of which were strewn across the backyard from the force of the crash.

The Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command police are currently investigating the theft and subsequent accident, according to ABC.

The family of four, who were home at the time of the crash, were lucky to escape unharmed
A federal cabinet minister has hit out at the absurdity of a colleague's Italian citizenship plight, and used North Korea to make his point.

Christopher Pyne was defending senator Matt Canavan who's resigned from his ministerial duties after discovering his mother registered him when he was 25, without him have to sign an application form.

'On that basis Kim Jong-un could make us all citizens of North Korea and we'd all have to resign,' Mr Pyne told Nine Network on Friday.

Matt Canavan (pictured) has been forced to resign from ministerial duties after discovering he had been given Italian citizenship without his consent

Christopher Pyne (pictured) defended his colleague by outing the absurd issue to be something like North Korea

'On that basis Kim Jong-un (pictured) could make us all citizens of North Korea and we'd all have to resign,' Mr Pyne told Nine Network on Friday

He jokingly insisted he would reject it.

'I don't like Pyongyang.'

The minister, a fifth-generation Australian, also criticised the Italian citizenship processes.

'Quite frankly, what is going on with the Italian government that they will make people citizens of their country without having a signed application form asking to be a citizen,' he said.

'I think the Australian public are looking at this and thinking, this is the theatre of the absurd, and there has to be come common sense approaches.'

Senator Canavan has admitted he considered quitting parliament after discovering what had happened but decided to fight the issue in the High Court.

Senator Canavan (pictured) said his mother signed him up to be an Italian citizen years ago

The resignation from cabinet comes weeks after two Greens senators, Larissa Waters (left) and Scott Ludlam (right), resigned for the same reason

His resignation from cabinet came after two Greens senators left parliament after also being caught out by section 44 of the constitution, which prohibits a person being elected if they are a dual-citizen.

Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese insists his party thoroughly checks all its candidates and all its MPs and senators 'are fine'.
Caroline Quiles Sanchez, who was arrested Wednesday in Gurabo, a small town southeast of San Juan

A mother has been arrested in Puerto Rico and charged in her baby's fatal fentanyl overdose in Florida last year.

Caroline Quiles Sanchez was arrested Wednesday in Gurabo, a small town southeast of San Juan.

The 26-year-old faces a manslaughter charge in central Florida.

A Kissimmee police report published in The Orlando Sentinel reports a member of the infant's household was using prescription fentanyl patches for pain relief.

Investigators believe Quiles Sanchez used a patch to give three-month-old Danuel Otrtiz a lethal dose of the synthetic opioid in July 2016.

Police say the child's age made accidental ingestion unlikely.

Quiles Sanchez had been living in Puerto Rico since shortly after the child's death.

The mother wasn't immediately booked into a Florida jail and it wasn't known if she had an attorney.
Tiahleigh Palmer's mother is expected to write to Queensland's attorney-general seeking an appeal of the jail sentence handed to the slain schoolgirl's foster brother.

Josh Thorburn, 21, was sentenced to 15 months jail on Thursday after pleading guilty to perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice charges at Beenleigh District Court.

Thorburn's sentence will be suspended after three months for three years.

Tiahleigh Palmer, 12, was found dead on the banks of a Gold Coast river in November 2015

Tiahleigh's birth mother Cyndi Palmer is 'devastated' by Josh's Thornburn suspended sentence

Tiahleigh's mother Cindy Palmer was devastated with the outcome.

'The justice system has let us down horribly,' Ms Palmer said outside court.

'Most of all they've let down Tiahleigh and her fight for justice.'

The court heard Thorburn had been left 'frightened and bewildered' after a meeting with his family regarding Tiahleigh on the night police allege she was murdered.

Cindy Palmer says that the court has 'let down' Tiahleigh with Josh Thorburn's sentencing

His older brother Joshua (pictured) has been charged with perverting the course of justice

The body of the 12-year-old was discovered on the banks of a Gold Coast river about a week later.

Thorburn lied about seeing Tiahleigh the morning after her alleged murder twice during police interviews, before repeatedly lying to a Crime and Corruption Commission hearing last year.

Judge Colin Chowdhury said while Thorburn had an 'acute fear' of his father and was being pressured by his parents to tell lies, his actions disrupted police attempts to discover 'the real killer of Tiahleigh'.

Rick Thornburn (pictued leaving Beenleigh District Court) was chared with Tiahleigh's murder

'The peace and welfare of our society depends on citizens young and old standing up for what's right,' Judge Chowdhury said, adding the family's collusion to lie about Tiahleigh's disappearance was an attempt to conceal a 'horrific crime'.

Thorburn's father Richard has been charged with Tiahleigh's murder while his younger brother Trent is facing charges of incest, perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Thorburn's mother Julene was due to be sentenced on charges of perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice on Thursday but her matter has been adjourned after she recently changed lawyers

Trent Thorburn faces charges of incest, perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice
They say there is no such thing as a bad question but there are some funny ones.

A group of adorable students have asked a police officer hilarious questions during a visit to their school.

Children from Kellyville Ridge Public School, west of Sydney, were visited by Acting Sergeant Baird on Friday.

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Children from Kellyville Ridge Public School, west of Sydney were visited by acting Sergeant Baird on Friday morning

They were shown a police car and told what goes on in prison.

The curious children even had some time to quiz the acting sergeant on Channel Seven's Sunrise on Friday morning.

One girl asked: 'Do police officers get to arrest people when they are not at work?'

'It has to be a good reason, so if I see someone doing the wrong thing when I'm not working I can arrest them,' Sgt Baird replied.

Another girl asked: 'Where are the bad people cages?'

'We put them in the back but the general duty police cars have cages,' Sgt Baird replied.

A number of other children asked the sergeant questions and one lucky girl got to turn on the police car lights.

One girl asked: 'Do police officers get to arrest people when they are not at work?'
The attorney for a man accused of raping a former Alabama student released a full-page ad in a local paper claiming that her text messages exonerate his client.

Megan Rondini committed suicide in February of last year after accusing TJ Bunn, the son of a prominent local family, of rape after a night of drinking in 2015.

Her parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit earlier this month against Bunn, personnel at the University of Alabama and law enforcement officers on the behalf of their deceased 20-year-old daughter.

In response to the national case, Bunn's lawyer Ivey Gilmore took out a full-page ad in the Tuscaloosa News on Thursday and claimed Rondini's text messages clear Bunn.

An excerpt of the ad, entitled Character Assassination In The Internet Age, said: 'It is this young woman's own words, and her own text messages that led every investigating authority to conclude she had not been sexually assaulted.

'Further, it is regretful that the young woman's own texts, emails, photographs and statements will bring such embarrassment and intense examination for her friends and associates.'

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Megan Rondini, 20 (pictured), may have been driven to commit suicide after she accused TJ Bunn, 36, the son of a wealthy Tuscaloosa, Alabama, family, of rape in July 2015. She hanged herself on February 26, 2016

Bunn's lawyer Ivey Gilmore released a full-page ad in the Tuscaloosa News on Thursday (pictured) claiming that Rondini's text messages will clear his client

Gilmore also slammed Buzzfeed, who first reported the story, in the ad and claimed Rondini's parents, Michael and Cindy Rondini, of Texas, were trying to extort money.

The ad read: 'The horrible, misleading and blatantly false accusations of BuzzFeed and malicious false assertions of social media attackers are designed to do nothing more than attempt to extort money with a lawsuit.

'These "journalists" have used selective facts, gossip and have outright lied about the facts of the case.

'So why is the tragic suicide of this young woman now the subject of a lawsuit? It is because some of those involved have determined that money can be gained, one way or another, at the expense of this young woman's reputation.

'This matter is now before the Court, and in an open court, ALL the evidence, the text messages, the statements she made, photographs on her phone, everything will be aired for consideration.

'The full review of the evidence will show that law enforcement, the grand jury, the hospital and others involved acted properly because no sexual assault occurred."

The ad continues: 'It is regretful that BuzzFeed and a group of trial lawyers have chosen to potentially expose the most intimate and sensitive (and embarrassing) aspects of this young woman's life in this lawsuit. But that is their choice and the result of their actions.'

Michael and Cindy Rondini (pictured) said their daughter felt betrayed by school and law enforcement officials. They filed a wrongful death lawsuit in the beginning of the month

Bunn's attorney also slammed Buzzfeed, who first reported the story, in the advert and claimed that Rondini's parents were trying to extort money

Michael and Cindy Rondini filed the lawsuit earlier this month and believe Bunn avoided being criminally charged because he was wealthy and well-connected.

The Rondinis are claiming that the alleged rape and Alabama officials' mishandling of the case drove their daughter to suicide in February of 2016.

In response to Gilmore's ad, the firm representing the wrongful death lawsuit said to AL.com: 'This paid advertisement reeks of desperation and is a clear attempt to bully the Rondini Family.

'The text messages [Bunn's] lawyer refer to show exactly how a situation can devolve into a nightmare in a matter of minutes.

'It's no accident that this paid ad carefully avoids to mention the messages and phone calls that occurred immediately after that tragic night.

'This is classic case of victim blaming and a sad attempt to justify a sexual assault.'

Speaking to CBS News in early July, Megan's parents said their late daughter felt betrayed by those who she believed were supposed to be on her side.

'She's like, "Mom, they think it's my fault,"' Cindy Rondini tearfully said. 'Like, "It's not your fault baby, it's not."'

After learning of the alleged rape, Cindy Rondini drove from the family's home in Austin to Alabama to support her daughter. 'It was the most heart-breaking moment of my life,' the mother recalled as she wept.

The Rondinis' federal complaint states that Megan, then a junior who planned to go to medical school, met then 34-year-old Terry 'Sweet T' Bunn, whose family runs a large construction business in Tuscaloosa, at a popular local bar in July 2015.

She was later sexually assaulted at his home, possibly after being drugged, the suit contends.

Mother's worst nightmare: Mrs Rondini weeps recalling the moment Megan told her she was being treated as if she were at fault

Megan (pictured) told investigators that on July 1, 2015 she went to Innisfree Irish Pub for trivia night with a group of sorority sisters. She blacked out and woke up in Bunn's Mercedes. She said she was so intimidated that she didn't try to stop Bunn as he drove toward his house

Ultimately, Megan and her family decided it was no longer safe for her to stay in Tuscaloosa. She withdrew from the University of Alabama (pictured) before the end of fall semester

Police investigating the sexual assault were sympathetic toward Bunn and wrongly focused on Rondini's actions, which included taking a handgun and $3 in cash for cab fare from his home, the lawsuit claims.

'Megan ultimately was treated as a crime suspect and her status as a victim of a sex crime was completely disregarded,' the suit said.

In her initial interview with the police, which took place just hours after the alleged rape and was videotaped, the young woman told officers: I had already said like I needed to leave, and he just wasn't really responding to that.

I feel like I wanna like throw up, she also said.

After being asked about the $3 and the handgun, Megan says in the recording: 'I'm really sorry, like, I didn't, I just...'

To which one of the detectives responds: 'I told you we just gotta touch base on everything.'

Michael Rondini, the woman's father, told CBS News it was at that moment in Megan's interview that the family 'started to learn that this wasn't going like a normal investigation.

Bunn's interview with the local police was also recorded on video. In it, the suspect could be heard telling the cops: 'I appreciate y'all's professionalism. And I appreciate the way y'all have handled this.

An investigator replies: If it was me on the other side, I'd want to do the same thing for me.

When Megan sought counselling from the university, the first therapist who was assigned to treat her had to drop her case because she personally knew Bunn.

Mom Cindy said after the alleged rape, her daughter no longer felt safe on campus and would call her parents to tell them she was afraid.

Megan ultimately withdrew from Alabama and returned home to Texas, where her mental condition deteriorated, according to the complaint.

Bunn wasn't charged, and the lawsuit claims investigators and university officials mishandled her allegations.

The suit contends Rondini afterward suffered depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, which her parents say led to her suicide.

It also names Beth Howard, Title IX coordinator at University of Alabama; Cara Blake of the school's Women and Gender Resource Center; Tuscaloosa County Sheriff Ron Abernathy; and two county officers, investigator Adam Jones and deputy Joshua Hastings.

In a statement, the university declined comment on specifics of the lawsuit but said school officials were 'deeply saddened' by Rondini's death and are trying to raise community awareness and support victims of sexual assault.

In a separate statement to CBS, college officials contended that its staff 'handled their responsibilities with care at all times keeping Megan's well-being as their absolute highest priority.'

A lawyer for Bunn denied that he had sexually assaulted her.

'The allegations against my client as set forth in this baseless lawsuit are simply false,' the statement said.

Abernathy said the case was referred to a grand jury, which declined to issue an indictment. Letting grand jurors consider evidence rather than filing immediate charges is standard practice in cases with 'very conflicting statements,' Abernathy said.

The lawsuit was assigned to a federal magistrate judge Monday, but no hearing date was set.

The complaint doesn't seek a specific amount of money. It asks for a court order requiring the sheriff's office to provide better training to officers and 'to provide safe conditions to citizens around criminal investigations.'

Megan told investigators she went to Innisfree Irish Pub for trivia night with a group of sorority sisters. She saw Bunn there and had seen him before but they only had spoken once.

She blacked out and came to in Bunn's Mercedes.

Megan said she was so intimidated by Bunn that she didn't try to stop him as he drove toward his house.

She then said Bunn told her to go to his room and she complied, sitting on a couch near the door, as far as possible from his bed and - when he came in - he told her he wanted to have sex.

That's when Megan said she had to leave, while 'trying to be really nice to him' because 'I know he's an influential person in Tuscaloosa'.

'I said, I really need to go, I have friends that are waiting,' she told police when they first interviewed her at the hospital. 'He didn't really take that.'

Eventually, Megan said, she 'felt like just letting him have sex with me was the only way he would let me go'.

According to investigators, Megan was able to escape his mansion by climbing out of the second story window.

When she realized she couldn't find her keys, she checked Bunns Mercedes, where she found his wallet and a pistol, which she took for protection despite not knowing how to fire it.

Under Alabama's rape law, victims must prove they 'earnestly' resisted their attackers, and the investigator who interviewed Megan, Adam Jones, decided that she hadn't done so against Bunn.

According to him, she hadn't 'kicked him or hit him,' so the investigator would conclude that no rape occurred.

When she told him about going into Bunn's car, video shows Jones entering and exiting the room, asking Megan questions that were about her behavior the previous night instead of her rape allegations.

When Bunn was interviewed, he called Megan 'a very willing participant.'

When his interviewer left the room for a moment, Bunn told his lawyer in a whisper that he'd drop the charges against Megan if she dropped hers.

'I won't pursue her if she doesn't pursue me, but I will play hardball if she does,' he's seen saying on video.

The suit names Tuscaloosa County Sheriff Ron Abernathy (above with his wife), saying law enforcement treated Megan like a criminal and TJ Bunn like a victim

Later, when Megan tried to file a civil suit, she learned the only way to escape possible prosecution for those crimes was to drop her case.

The district attorney's office eventually decided to present it to a grand jury - but the grand jury would also rule on felony charges against Megan for breaking into Bunn's car and stealing his gun.

When Megan went to the University of Alabama for counseling, a staff therapist told her that she had to recuse herself from the case because she knew the Bunn family.

Ultimately, Megan and her family decided it was no longer safe for her to stay in Tuscaloosa and she withdrew from the university before the end of fall semester.

'She did everything that she could to protect herself and to get help,' Megan's father, Mike Rondini, told Buzzfeed News. 'She should have gotten that help, and she didn't. That is a failure on everybody's part.'

Megan left Tuscaloosa newly-diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, and her depression seemed to only worsen.

On February 2016, Megan sent a text to a friend that read: 'When all is said and done, I wonder what I could've accomplished if one man didn't completely rip everything away from me.'

Megan ended up transferring to Southern Methodist University in Texas, a school she hated because she missed her old friends, her sorority, her old life.

She filled out an intake form for SMU's mental health center, in which she wrote that she thought she would be 'better off dead' more than half the time.

One question asked if there had been major losses, changes, or crises in her life. Megan wrote: 'Raped, bullied by police, changed university.'

She never turned it in and hanged herself on February 26, 2016.

Megan never wrote a suicide note, but the intake forms were found next to her bed.
Democrat and Republican Senators pushed through the Russian sanctions bill with an overwhelming majority on Thursday after the president's new communications director suggested that he might not sign it into law.

The bill - which also applies to North Korea and Iran - targets slave labor and corruption in the three countries.

It was passed with a vote of 98-2 and was earlier approved by the House with a vote of 419-3, two solid enough majorities for Congress to override the president should he veto it, a scenario which was suddenly tossed up by Anthony Scaramucci earlier in the day.

The Senate passed a new Russia sanctions bill on Thursday after it was suggested by senior White House staff that the president may not sign it. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell is seen (left) on Thursday

'He may sign the sanctions exactly the way they are, or he may veto the sanctions and negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians,' Scaramucci told CNN.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee-Sanders refused to give a firm answer when questioned.

Anthony Scaramucci, White House Communications Director, suggested on Thursday that Trump may veto the bill

'Were going to wait and see what that final legislation looks like, and make a decision at that point,' she told The Washington Post.

The vote on Thursday in favor of the sanctions bill is the first major legislative victory for both parties since Trump's inauguration.

With this in mind, senators vowed unequivocally to override the president if he does not sign it through.

'I cannot imagine anybody is seriously thinking about vetoing this bill. It's not good for any president - and most governors don't like to veto things that are going to be overridden. It shows a diminishment of their authority.

'I just don't think that's a good way to start off as president,' Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said.

Speaking after it was passed on Thursday, Rep. Sen. John McCain said: 'Over the last eight months what price has Russia paid for attacking our elections? Very little.'

Sen. John McCain said the bill was overdue punishment for the Russians. Sen. John Cornyn said it would be a 'mistake' if the president vetoed the bill

Sen. John Cornyn said it would be a 'mistake' for the president to veto the bill which is the first major legislative development of his six-month-old presidency.

The sanctions bill vote gave lawmakers some respite from the drawn-on dispute over Trump's healthcare bill and his plan to repeal Obamacare.

Republicans suffered a blow earlier this month when they failed to pass a new healthcare bill which repealed and replaced the Affordable Healthcare Act.

They are hopeful that a new 'skinny' version of the same bill, which removes some key components of Obamacare but not all, will gain enough support to be voted in.

The president willed them to succeed on Thursday, tweeting: 'Come on Republican Senators, you can do it on Healthcare. After 7 years, this is your chance to shine! Don't let the American people down!'
A rush to install energy smart meters in millions of homes has triggered fires and is putting families at risk, it is claimed.

Evidence suggests some of the engineers hired to install the meters do not know what they are doing.

One employed by British Gas told a horrified couple: 'Sorry, I've blown up your house.'

Details of two fires linked to the installation of smart meters were highlighted by the BBC Watchdog programme last night.

A rush to install energy smart meters in millions of homes has triggered fires and is putting families at risk, it is claimed

There are concerns that many more could follow, as energy companies have been ordered by the Government to install smart meters in 53million homes and businesses by 2020.

The programme will cost some 11billion, which is being added to customers' bills. The meters transmit details of a family's energy use to their suppliers using a system similar to mobile phones, removing the need for estimated bills.

One couple, Paul and Lou Lynch, from Enfield, north London, said a tenant in a flat they own witnessed a British Gas engineer get into difficulties as he was installing a smart meter.

The gas supply ignited, setting the kitchen on fire. It was safely extinguished but the rest of the flat was smoke and water damaged and the tenant lost her possessions.

Landlord Mr Lynch said: 'Both myself and the fire officer were standing together when the gas engineer installing the meter ... said 'I am really sorry, I've blown up your house'.

'It was devastating. You sit there and think  where do you start? Seven months after the fire, we are still in the same position.'

Marina Devall, from North Wales, told the programme she had just gone outside her rented house to collect her car keys when it went up in flames. 'There wasn't anything we could do, so we just watched the house burn,' she said.

Evidence suggests some of the engineers hired to install the meters do not know what they are doing

Three months later, Miss Devall is living in a caravan with her partner while the house is repaired.

The fire service confirmed that the blaze began at her electrical distribution board.

Her energy provider, Ovo Energy, which had installed a smart meter six months earlier, launched a full investigation and provided the caravan for her to live in, but has denied responsibility for the fire. It said there is 'no evidence' the smart meter was the cause.

British Gas said its engineers get comprehensive training and blamed the Enfield fire on 'human error', adding: 'This mistake had nothing to do with smart meter technology.'

And the Government energy department, BEIS, said: 'We work together with energy suppliers and network operators to continuously review safety trends and have seen no evidence of increasing safety risks.'
The co-directors of a family owned muesli company allegedly argued over a failed export to China, just weeks before one allegedly stabbed the other dead.

Jennifer Borchardt, 49, and Peter Pavlis, 75, were lifelong friends who had taken The Museli Company from a small Melbourne-based brand to an international success.

Pavlis was director of the cereal brand and Ms Borchardt was his right-hand man. He reportedly had a key to her house and she gave him a ride to work most mornings.

But it's claimed the pair's relationship soured in recent weeks - reportedly following a dispute over their China exports - before Pavlis allegedly killed Ms Borchardt in her Richmond home on Tuesday, The Age reports.

Jennifer Borchardt (left), 49, and Peter Pavlis (right), 75, were lifelong friends who together ran 'The Museli Company', a Melbourne-based brand. Pavlis is now charged with her murder.

Pavlis was found lying in a pool of blood inside the kitchen of her Richmond home on Tuesday

Ms Borchardt was found by her boyfriend Robert Hansen, lying in a pool of blood in her kitchen at 4pm on Tuesday.

Investigators are now reportedly looking into the dispute between the pair over a failed shipment of their muesli to China.

Mr Hansen claimed the pair's argument over the botched order had left Pavlis angry and reportedly wanting to fire those responsible, but Ms Borchardt discouraged him.

'She told him: "Don't fire anyone because you've done worse, this was only a mistake",' he told The Age.

'She became friends with the people on the floor [of the factory], she always protected them.'

Little more than a fortnight before she was killed, Ms Borchardt took to Facebook to announce she was in a relationship with Mr Hansen.

'Jennifer is the most beautiful soul I've ever met... everyone in her life, they didn't like her, they loved her,' Mr Hansen said.

The company, which Pavlis founded in his 'small kitchen' in the inner-city suburb of Fitzroy in 1984, has seemingly gone into lock down since Ms Borchardt's death.

Police are investigating allegations Pavlis and Ms Borchardt argued over a failed export to China in the weeks leading up to her death

Ms Borchardt's boyfriend Robert Hansen (left) claimed the botched order had left Pavlis angry and reportedly wanting to fire those responsible, but Ms Borchardt (right) discouraged him

Little more than a fortnight before she was killed, Ms Borchardt (right) took to Facebook to announce she was in a relationship with Mr Hansen (left)

A padlock is wrapped around the front gates of the factory, while there is no answer on the telephone.

Pavlis was charged with her murder by police on Wednesday and in an appearance at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday did not apply for bail.

His family were in court for the brief appearance and Pavlis mouthed a message to them before he was remanded.

When he again faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Thursday, he appeared to have a bandage wrapped around his left thumb.

Prosecutors said there was 'a lot of forensics' to be done at the 'extensive crime scene', and they sought a 15-week period to prepare their brief of evidence.

Pavlis (pictured) was charged with her murder by police on Wednesday before appearing in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and Thursday. He did not apply for bail

The company, which Pavlis founded in his 'small kitchen' in the inner-city suburb of Fitzroy in 1984, has seemingly gone into lock down since Ms Borchardt's death (Stock image)

Evidence to be gathered from the Richmond home includes mobile phones, a computer and CCTV cameras, the court heard.

A diabetic, Pavlis suffers from high blood pressure and arthritis, and will need the aid of a sleep apnoea machine while in custody.

Members of his family were in court and one woman held her hand over her mouth for parts of the hearing.

Pavlis will return to court for a committal mention on December 21.
Cassandra Sainsbury's sister has warned her accused drug mule to 'keep her mouth shut' because changing her story so many times is not helping her court case.

Khala Sainsbury revealed she was not on good terms with her sister, who was caught smuggling six kilograms of cocaine out of Colombia on April 12, and had gone a month without talking to her.

Speaking to reporters from her home in Adelaide on Thursday, Khala warned her sister to 'keep your mouth shut'.

Cassandra Sainsbury (pictured in a Colombian court on Wednesday) was caught smuggling six kilograms of cocaine out of Colombia on April 12

'(There are) too many stories, and hopefully the truth will come out eventually,' she told 7 News.

'You can't go into it saying you had nothing to do with it, then all of a sudden saying "yeah I did it"'.

Sainsbury, 22, appeared in a Colombian court on Wednesday expecting to be sentenced.

The Australian woman was not sentenced because the Colombian judge refused to accept a plea deal.

Sainsbury reportedly accepted a deal which would see her admit to carrying the cocaine and offer information about who supplied her with the drug, in exchange for a more lenient sentence.

'(There are) too many stories, and hopefully the truth will come out eventually,' Khala Sainsbury (pictured left and right) said

The judge did not accept the plea deal and questioned Sainsbury's story.

'Were you under threat to take the drugs with you?' the judge asked through a translator.

'Yes,' Sainsbury replied.

Sainsbury told the court on Wednesday she did not want to take the package but was forced to.

'I was told my family and partner would be killed,' Sainsbury told Colombian court on Wednesday

Cassandra Sainsbury, of Australia, arrives for a court hearing in Bogota, Colombia, Wednesday, July 26

'I was told my family and partner would be killed,' she said.

Judge Sergio Leon delayed the sentencing.

'I have found a very complex development with this plea bargain. It is therefore necessary to set a new sentencing date,' he said.

Cassie Sainsbury will face court again on August 9, allowing time for Judge Leon to re-evaluate the plea deal and death threat allegations.

Cassie Sainsbury (pictured in court on Wednesday) will face court again on August 9, allowing time for Judge Leon to re-evaluate the plea deal and death threat allegations

Sainsbury's fiance Scott Broadbridge (pictured) and mother Lisa Sainsbury, both who were paid huge sums of money for interviews with rival television networks, flew in for the hearing
Lt Aaron Allan, of the Southport Police Department, was shot and killed while responding to a traffic incident

A police officer was gunned down while responding to a traffic crash on the south side of Indianapolis.

Lt Aaron Allan, of the Southport Police Department, was killed while responding to a call about a crash with people trapped inside a vehicle.

The six year veteran, who had more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, was shot multiple times.

The shooting happened at 2.30pm yesterday.

Southport Police Chief Thomas Vaughn said: 'Lt Allan was a hard worker and today was no different. He responded to a crash with urgency to preserve life and tragically his was lost.

'We appreciate the community support as we continue to work through the loss of our brother.'

Sgt Kendale Adams of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department told reporters at a news conference that Allan died at Eskenazi Hospital.

Adams said: 'Shots were fired by one of the vehicle's occupants, striking the Southport lieutenant.'

The six year veteran, who had more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, was shot multiple times

On Thursday night, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett called Allan's death 'a shocking and tragic reminder of the difficult, often dangerous work of police officers'

Two other officers at the scene, including one who was off-duty at the time, returned fire, striking a person inside the vehicle, Adams said.

That person and a second person injured in the crash were hospitalized and in custody with non-life-threatening injuries. Police did not release their names or discuss a motive for the shooting.

On Thursday night, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett called Allan's death 'a shocking and tragic reminder of the difficult, often dangerous work of police officers.'

The 38-year-old father was called to the traffic incident at around 2.30pm on Thursday

Sgt Kendale Adams of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department told reporters at a news conference that Allan died at Eskenazi Hospital

He said the community grieves for the Allan family.

Neighborhood resident Bryan McGary told WXIN-TV the shooting was unusual for the area.

'It's just hard to believe that this would happen here. I mean I've lived here since 1976 and we really haven't had much. We do have a lot of policemen in our area that live here so it's just one of those things,' McGary said.

Southport is an enclave within the city limits of Indianapolis.
Detectives have caught one prison escapee while two other inmates remain on the run after they escaped through a window.

Fugitive Taskforce detectives caught Billy Sperling, 25, in Geelong, Victoria, Thursday night 'without incident'.

Sperling, who remains in custody, was one of three prisoners who escaped Beechworth Correctional Centre and was caught 348km south of the minimum-security facility.

Fugitive Taskforce detectives caught Billy Sperling, 25, (pictured) in Geelong, Victoria, Thursday night 'without incident' after he escaped from Beechworth Correction Centre

Thomas Smith, 27, (pictured) escaped the prison through a window with Sperling and Geoffrey Pennell Wednesday night and remains on the run

Pennell, 34, (pictured) remains on the run from prison and is serving time for offences including drug and theft

Criminals Thomas Smith, 27, and Geoffrey Pennell, 34, escaped the correctional centre with Sperling on Wednesday morning.

Sperling is behind bars for property, traffic, assault and drug-related offences.

Smith is serving time for traffic, property, drug and damage-related offences while Pennell is serving time for burglary, theft, drug, traffic and damage-related offences.

Victoria Police believe the men are travelling in a blue 1988 Mercedes sedan which was stolen from Beechworth-Everton Road Wednesday night.

Detective Senior Sergeant Gary Barton said they believed the men were not a danger to the public.

Sperling will face court in Geelong Friday.

Police believe the three escapees stole a blue Mercedes from Beechworth (similar to pictured)
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell was under pressure to come clean about the cost of Labours plans, amid Tory claims they would add 250 billion to the national debt.

In a joint letter today, 147 Conservative MPs challenge Mr McDonnell to set out how he will fund the additional 5.8 billion a year in debt interest that Labours profligate plans would create.

The letter says analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) of Labours manifesto suggested the national debt would be 106 billion higher than under the Tories. But it warns that Jeremy Corbyn has made fresh commitments costing 12.9 billion since the election, and says Labours nationalisation plans would cost 134 billion at the very least.

The MPs state: The position is clearly untenable. Either you will need to make reductions to public spending in areas which you are yet to identify, raise taxes in areas you have yet to identify or break the promises you made to the electorate.

In a joint letter today, 147 Conservative MPs challenge John McDonnell (pictured) to set out how he will fund the additional 5.8 billion a year in debt interest that Labours plans would create

The move underlines a fresh Tory determination to go on the offensive on the economy after an election campaign in which they faced criticism for giving Labour a free ride over its spendthrift plans.

Chancellor Philip Hammond said the cost of servicing Labours additional debt would be equivalent to the pay of around 65,000 nurses, 56,000 teachers or 53,000 police officers.

Mr Hammond said the recent Labour U-turn over Mr Corbyns pledge to write-off student debt showed they arent being straight with the British public.

Chancellor Philip Hammond (pictured) said the cost of servicing Labours additional debt would be equivalent to the pay of around 65,000 nurses, 56,000 teachers or 53,000 police officers

He added: Labour would take out an enormous loan, but are pretending they wouldnt have to make cuts elsewhere to pay for it.

Families, and working people everywhere know thats not how it works; when you take out a loan you have to pay interest on it, and that means making tough decisions on where to cut back elsewhere.

Labour last night dismissed the claims as silly season nonsense.

A spokesman said: We will take no lessons from a Tory party that could not even tell us how much their own manifesto cost. Labour will invest in order to provide the growth our economy desperately needs. We will pay for our plans while maintaining a commitment not to raise taxes on 95 per cent of earners, a promise the Tories have failed to match.'
A white woman who was filmed hurling racist abuse at Somali women in a parking lot has apologized to the immigrants for her vile behavior.

A shocking video of Amber Hensley verbally abusing three women for their religious beliefs at a Fargo, North Dakota, Walmart went viral on Tuesday.

The secretary can be heard telling Somali immigrant Sarah Hassan 'we're gunna kill all of ya, we're going to kill every one of you f***ing Muslims' during the rant.

On Thursday the women reconciled and Hensley apologized for her actions as the Somali women said they had forgiven her and they all posed for a photo.

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Amber Hensley (center) was filmed hurling racist abuse at Somali women in Fargo, North Dakota, on Tuesday. She has since apologized and posed with Leyla and Sarah Hassan (left and right) on Thursday

The Fargo police chief posted on the department's Facebook page a photo of the women along with a message that the Fargo community had 'things to work on' before commending the women for coming together.

Chief David Todd wrote: 'I want to put before you an example of what can be accomplished even though mistakes were made and unfortunate words were said.

'Amber Hensley, Sarah Hassan and Leyla Hassan have all expressed regret regarding their interaction and language with each other.

'With an openness to reconciliation, these women have come together and talked through this incident and expressed their sincere regrets, apologies and most importantly  forgiveness to each other.

'This process has also allowed them to gain understanding and respect for each other.'

Amber Hensley was filmed telling the three Somali immigrants that 'we're going to kill every one of you f***ing Muslims' during a fight over a parking space

Hensley used her Facebook account to apologize, which victim Sarah Hassan accepted, but has since deleted the account

Speaking to Buzzfeed News, Sarah Hassan said: 'We forgive her. She had a bad idea about Islam and about Muslims. We sat down with her and discussed Islam...Islam is about forgiveness and we want to show that to people.

'She has a good heart, she's a good person inside, and we don't want anyone to judge her.'

On Wednesday accounting firm Horab and Wentz, where Hensley worked as a secretary, announced that she is being let go from her job.

A statement by the firm said: 'Horab & Wentz does not agree with or support the statements expressed by Amber Hensley in the recently posted video.

'She does not reflect the views of Horab & Wentz. Ms. Hensley is no longer employed with Horab & Wentz effective immediately.'

Hassan told Wday 6 that she was out shopping at Walmart on Tuesday with her 20-year-old sister Layla and friend Rowda Soyan, 23, when the incident happened.

Hensley accused the women of parking too close to her car before a row started, during which Hassan admits the group called Hensley a 'fat b****'.

Around halfway through the argument Hassan said she got out her phone and started recording, fearful of what might happen next.

Hassan (center) said Hensley accused her of parking too close to her car in a Walmart parking lot before becoming aggressive

The footage was initially posted on Snapchat before the group sent it to Hukun Dabar, director of the Afro American Development Association, who uploaded it to Facebook where it went viral.

Hensley initially commented on that video, apologizing for the outburst, but later deleted her Facebook account, removing the message.

She also deleted a Twitter account on which she had expressed support for President Trump.

Her apology read: 'I would first like to apologize for the horrible things that I said to the two ladies at Walmart. It was not a Christian-like thing to do at all and I wish I could take it back, but I lost my cool and I can't.'

Hensley said she reprimanded the group, asking them if they knew 'who Jesus was' at which point the group told her 'f*** Jesus, and I lost it.'

Hassan told WDay 6 that she accepts Hensley's apology, adding that 'anyone can have a bad day.'

A shopper who claims to have seen Hensley inside Walmart before the argument broke out said she was also ranting at staff inside, and asked a manager why they don't employ people 'who can speak English'.
Eleanor Wilson is a Royal Navy reservist (picture) and is 'getting on with her life', her brother says, and she maintains she did not have sex with a pupil in a plane toilet

A female physics teacher who was struck off for having sex with a pupil on a flight was blackmailed with 'sext messages' by students who targeted her because she is 'good looking', her brother has claimed.

Jethro Wilson, 26, says his Royal Naval Reservist sister Eleanor, 28, denies joining the 'mile high club' with a sixth-former on the way back from a school trip to the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva 2015.

Mr Wilson says the former teacher, who was banned from the classroom for life and is under investigation by police, is now in the Royal Navy and is currently backpacking on Dartmoor as part of her training.

He added she is serving alongside her new boyfriend who she is also living with.

Jethro was adamant that she had repeatedly been 'hassled' by male students during her time at the school, and that she was a victim of her looks.

He told the Daily Telegraph: 'I know they made it up, because he blackmailed her. They made the story up and made it sound good.

'He had a crush on her. They were on an educational trip and she didn't want anything to do with them, so they made up stories about her.

'Good-looking teachers get picked out by students and they get hard done by.'

He added: He was sending her explicit images and she told the school what happened.'

Jethro also told MailOnline that his sister was not sacked from her job, and said: 'She left because of all the hassle she was getting from the younger students.

'She mutually left the school but nothing sexually happened with the student and for it to come out that it was on the plane was a bit bizarre really.

'The police have dealt with it and haven't prosecuted her because she hasn't done anything wrong. Nothing happened on the plane or anywhere else.'

A tribunal heard that Miss Wilson, from Keighley, West Yorkshire, had been drinking miniature bottles of wine while flirting at the back of a budget flight back from Geneva.

She is then said to have entered the toilet, kissed, engaged in a sex act and had intercourse with the pupil without using any protection.

Giving evidence to a professional conduct panel, the sixth-former, known as Pupil A, said both of them were drunk on the flight in the summer of 2015.

But Jethro Wilson denies this, saying: 'When she [Miss Wilson] went on this trip she drinking wasn't on the plane, she had just had a drink with some of the students older than 18 in a bar in Switzerland.

Eleanor Wilson, 28, has been banned from the classroom for life after having unprotected sex in a toilet with a pupil on a flight home from a school trip

He added: 'She worked so hard to be a teacher and it's a shame because she doesn't want to do it because of what's happened.

'She had a drink in Switzerland and allowed students over 18 to have a drink, that was all and now it's this big.

'A student can easily say one thing that has ruined a teacher's career. She has worked seven years for it and to suddenly out of the blue stop because of lads pestering her because she is a young teacher.

'It's a real shame, they need more good teachers like her, she was the smartest teacher in her school.

'She had a boyfriend at the time who she was happy with. She has no reason to blow her career like that.'

Miss Wilson, from Keighley, West Yorkshire, continued their relationship, texting and meeting up for drinks despite gossip at the school in Bristol.

In September 2015 the head teacher heard rumours about the relationship and quizzed Miss Wilson about them.

But she denied any improper behaviour and no further action was taken.

But the relationship came to light seven months later after another pupil threatened to reveal the tryst unless Miss Wilson had sex with him.

Miss Wilson, pictured on a wild west themed photoshoot while on holiday in Canada admitted during the school's probe that the pair had met and exchanged text messages but denied that they had drunk any alcohol

He sent Miss Wilson a series of emails in March 2016, in which he said he knew about her relationship with Pupil A and would inform the school.

These emails were reported to the school and the police.

The school launched an investigation and Miss Wilson was dismissed in May 2016.

Pupil A said Miss Wilson, pictured on the school trip, was intoxicated and he had consumed approximately five miniature bottles of wine on the flight

She was called to appear before the professional conduct panel earlier this month.

At the hearing, the National College for Teaching and Leadership disciplinary panel found that Pupil A to be a credible, reliable witness and agreed with his version of events.

Miss Wilson was not present but the panel heard she had previously denied the pair kissed or had sex, and claimed they simply 'hugged on occasion'.

She admitted during the school's investigation that the pair had met and exchanged text messages but denied that they had drunk any alcohol, even though Pupil A had shown his teachers a receipt for ciders.

But following the two-day hearing, she was found guilty of all but two of the allegations against her.

Polly O'Malley, chairman of the professional conduct panel, said: 'There was evidence that the teacher's actions were deliberate and continued for a significant length of time despite her understanding that her behaviour was inappropriate.

'There was no evidence to suggest that the teacher was acting under duress.'

Miss Wilson (pictured with a friend) became close to the sixth-form pupil during the trip to the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva and got drunk on the plane home, a tribunal heard

Denial: Miss Wilson, pictured, was not present but the panel heard she had previously denied the pair kissed or had sex, and claimed they simply 'hugged on occasion'.

The banned teacher became close to the sixth-form pupil during the trip to the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva (pictured) and got drunk on the plane home

Striking Miss Wilson off from the profession, she added: 'These behaviours include serious dishonesty and serious sexual misconduct.

The panel has found that Miss Wilson engaged in sexual activity with Pupil A on one occasion, including oral sex and sexual intercourse.

'Additionally the panel has found that Miss Wilson encouraged Pupil A to hide their relationship and lied about it herself when an investigation into the allegations was undertaken by the school.'

The name of the school and the name and age of Pupil A were not revealed at the hearing to protect his identity.

Miss Wilson was reported to the police, however it was not known last night whether officers had taken any action against her.

An Avon and Somerset spokesman said she voluntarily attended a police station for interview in 2016 and 'enquiries are ongoing'.

A spokesman for The Royal Navy said: 'It would be inappropriate to comment.'
Northern Ireland's DUP party today vetoed support for any Brexit plan that put a hard border between the Republic and the UK in the Irish Sea.

Ireland's new Taoiseach reportedly does not believe a 'virtual' border between the Republic and Northern Ireland is a viable way of dealing with issues raised by Brexit.

Leo Varadkar's plan would means customs and immigration checks for people heading to Northern Ireland would have to be carried out on the British mainland.

But the DUP, which is propping up Theresa May's Government in Westminster, immediately said the idea was unworkable today.

Ireland's new Taoiseach is unconvinced by the UK's plans to introduce a high-tech land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic and warned Theresa May her plans risk the peace process

Mr Varadkar and Mrs May held their first official talks in Downing Street in June (pictured), shortly after he was elected as Ireland's leader

British ministers had said the border on the island of Ireland could be controlled with cameras and other technology.

Mr Varadkar does not see this as viable and as a potential threat to the peace process.

But sources have told The Times that Mr Varadkar thinks these plans could restrict movement between the two countries.

He is said to moved away from the land border to ports and airports - effectively drawing a new border in the Irish Sea.

Mr Varadkar and Mrs May held their first official talks in Downing Street in June, shortly after he was elected as Ireland's leader.

Since the Brexit vote, both sides have insisted they do not want a return to the 'borders of the past' in which there was a hard, military controlled border inside Ireland.

Jeffrey Donaldson, the DUP chief whip in Westminster, today rejected the suggestion the Irish border should be at sea

Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney, speaking at a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers last week, said: 'What we do not want to pretend is that we can solve the problems of the border on the island of Ireland through technical solutions like cameras and pre-registration and so on... That is not going to work.'

He added: 'Any barrier or border on the island of Ireland in my view risks undermining a very hard-won peace process and all of the parties in Northern Ireland, whether they are unionist or nationalist, recognise we want to keep the free movement of people and goods and services and livelihoods.'

Such a suggestion is likely to anger the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which supports the Tories at Westminster through a confidence and supply arrangement.

The DUP has previously rejected calls for a 'special status' for Northern Ireland after Brexit, while it is also at loggerheads with Sinn Fein after the collapse of the Northern Ireland executive.

DUP MP Ian Paisley tweeted: '1 of 2 things will now happen 1. A very hard border 2. Ireland will wise up and leave the EU.'

DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'There is no way that the DUP would go for an option that creates a border between one part of the United Kingdom and the other.

'Dublin really needs to understand that that proposition is absurd and unconstitutional.'

On Thursday Ms Rudd commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to carry out a detailed analysis of the role of EU nationals in the UK economy and society.

Leo Varadkar wants customs and immigration checks at the country's post-Brexit border with Britain

In a letter to the MAC she outlined a transitional phase on immigration for EU nationals after Britain leaves the EU in March 2019.

She said there would be 'a temporary implementation period to ensure there is no cliff-edge on the UK's departure for employers or individuals', including 'a straightforward system for the registration and documentation of new arrivals'.

After this period Britain would move to third phase of the policy, Ms Rudd said, which will determine the long-term arrangements around immigration from the EU.

In her letter Ms Rudd also said that after the UK leaves the EU, free movement will end, but migration between the UK and the EU will continue.

Immigration minister Brandon Lewis told BBC Two's Newsnight: 'When we leave the European Union, by definition freedom of movement ends and we have control of our borders.

'There will be a system after March 2019, which will be our new immigration system, and there will be a period in that, as we've said, there will be transition system which includes a number of things.'

Mr Lewis added that the Tories were 'still very determined to deliver' their target of reducing net migration to the tens of thousands, but wanted to do so in a way that allows the economy to flourish.

British ministers had proposed using measures like surveillance cameras to allow free movement between the north and south of the island (file photo of the Irish Sea)

Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported that Philip Hammond wants Britain to maintain full access to the European single market and customs union in the first of a two-part transitional deal after Brexit.

The Chancellor is said to have told business leaders he initially wants an 'off-the-shelf' deal with the EU that would maintain the UK's current trading relationship with the bloc.

According to the newspaper, this would be followed by a second 'implementation' phase while the final terms of a future trade deal were negotiated.

Allies of Mr Hammond told the newspaper the transition and implementation periods should end by 2022.
CCTV stills of a man who is being sought in connection to an act of indecency on a train near Pendle Hill Railway Station have been released by the NSW Police Force.

The incident, which happened at 8.50pm on Friday 26 May, involved a man who allegedly sat down hear a woman, exposed himself, and then committed an indecent act.

On their Facebook page, police urge anyone with information, or anyone who recognises the man in the images, to contact Crime Stoppers.

This man may be able to help identify a man who committed an indecent act in May, police say

The offender was on a train travelling west from Town Hall Railway Station at the time the event occurred.

The woman reportedly walked away from the man, and he was later seen exiting the train at Pendle Hill Railway Station.

Investigations commenced after the incident was reported to officers from the Police Transport Command.

Anyone who recognises this man is urged by police to call CrimeStoppers or alert the police

Following investigations, officers have released images of a man who may be able to assist with inquiries.



Police are appealing for information and request that anyone who may be able to help contact Crime Stoppers or use the online reporting page.

Information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence, police say, and remind people they should not report crime information via Facebook or Twitter.
An heroic firefighter saved a elderly dog from drowning in Biscayne Bay after it was found by a passerby.

Rookie Miami Beach firefighter Emilio Sanchez arrived to find 12-year-old Junior struggling to stay above water in Miami Beach on Thursday. He stripped out his clothes and dived into the water, in hopes of saving the dog.

Captured in a heartwarming video posted on Twitter, Sanchez can be seen swimming towards the barely paddling dog before wrapping his large biceps around the dog.

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Rookie Miami Beach firefighter Emilio Sanchez arrived to find 12-year-old Junior struggling to stay above water in Miami Beach on Thursday

Assisted by two other firefighters, Sanchez is able to get the old dog unto an orange stretcher, pushing him so that his fellow fighters can pull the dog up

Junior, a brown Chinese Shar Pei and Rottweiler mix, seems elated to be afloat as his rescuer takes the two to land.

He added: 'I got the dog on my shoulders, swam toward the dock, and at that point, my crew was able to get a backboard so the dog could climb onto it'

Assisted by two other firefighters, Sanchez is able to get the old dog onto an orange stretcher, pushing him so that his fellow fighters can pull the dog up.

The other two successfully pull the dog up, and it happily catches it breath on land as the firefighters pet him.

'He was really excited to see me,' Sanchez told 7 News.

'I got the dog on my shoulders, swam toward the dock, and at that point, my crew was able to get a backboard so the dog could climb onto it.'

After half an hour, the dog was reunited with his owner, in a scene which was also captured on video.

Junior's owner, Jose Ruiz, walks toward the dog in the adorable video and emotionally ask if he is 'OK.'

'What a baby. He is family. He is my baby. I consider him my son,' owner Jose Ruiz told the news station.
'Girls Trip' breakout star Tiffany Haddish says she was just joking when she said she wanted to work with Bill Cosby.

Haddish told reporters Thursday that she made the remarks during a day of interviews and was trying to be funny while reflecting a fearless approach to her work.

She said it was 'not the best joke' and clarified: 'I don't agree with what he did or anything.'

Haddish later told The Associated Press that she had done more than 20 interviews that day.

'In every interview you have to be humorous because you're considered a comedian, right? So I was trying to be humorous and maybe it was not the best joke,' she said.

'It was a joke. But at the end of the day, the whole point of it was to say I'm not afraid of the big bad wolf.'

'Girls Trip' breakout star Tiffany Haddish says she was just joking when she said she wanted to work with Bill Cosby

The 37-year-old Girls Trip star joked about the alleged sex offender during a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times.

When asked to rattle off some of her comedic inspirations, Haddish replied: 'Bill Cosby - I still want to work with Bill Cosby.

'I don't care, I'll drink the juice. I'll drink the juice. I'll take a nap. I don't give a damn.'

She continued, after taking a pause to laugh about her Cosby joke: 'But seriously, I would love for him to play my grandfather in something.'

Haddish went on to list a number of other inspirational figures in her career, including Richard Pryor, Lenny Bruce, Carol Burnett, Moms Mabley, and Regina Hall.

The 37-year-old Girls Trip star joked about the alleged sex offender during a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times. Cosby is seen leaving a Pennsylvania court on June 17

Shortly after the interview was published, people on social media began attacking the comedian for her joke.

'Tiffany Haddish basically said she would let Cosby drug and rape her just so she can work with him in a movie,' one person wrote.

'Wait. Tiffany Haddish said she still wants to work w/ Bill Cosby? Girl...,' another tweeted.

'I've been rooting hard for Tiffany Haddish but I find nothing funny about her making light of Bill Cosby drugging women,' another tweeter said.

'Tiffany Haddish just broke my damn heart. Just no girl. No. We don't make Cosby jokes. We don't want to work with him,' another added.

However, some stuck up for Haddish and her joke.

'I like Tiffany Haddish. I don't like that she said she's inspired by Bill Cosby and wants to work with him, but I like her,' one of her defenders said.

Cosby will be retried on three charges of assault starting November 6 of this year, after he avoided a conviction on Father's Day weekend as a jury declared itself hopelessly deadlocked on charges he drugged and molested a woman more than a decade ago.

Haddish was quickly attacked on social media as the joke she made during the interview was shared around

The 80-year-old is accused of abusing more than 50 women.

Haddish appeared Thursday at the Television Critics Association's summer meeting to discuss her role in Tracy Morgan's new TBS comedy, 'The Last O.G.'

Morgan plays a man just released from prison after 15 years.

Haddish plays his former girlfriend who has moved on.

The actress is on a high after receiving overwhelming accolades for her performance in 'Girls Trip,' but says her bank account 'don't show movie star yet.'

'That's the part I'm waiting on,' she said.

'When do that happen? They say like nine months. It's like a baby. I'm waiting for the delivery.'
A butcher with a knife obsession has been sentenced to 29 years in prison for the stabbing murder of a woman found in a pool of blood near her Melbourne home and a knife attack on a sleeping man.

Christian Bain-Singh, 24, was sentenced on Friday for the 2014 killing of 34 year-old Rani Featherston, 11 days after an unrelated home invasion attack on Daniel Maynard.

Supreme Court of Victoria Justice Christopher Beale said Bain-Singh's offences were shocking but he had shown remorse and had good rehabilitation prospects, as he imposed a non-parole period of 22 years.

Christian Bain-Singh, a 24-year-old former butcher with a knife obsession, has been jailed for 29 years for the stabbing murder of a Melbourne woman in 2014 (court drawing)

Rani Featherston, 34, was found in a pool of blood near her Melbourne home

Ms Featherston was stabbed in the head and face with a bladed weapon. Her bloodied and beaten body was found on a footpath just 500 metres from her home.

It was a street she had walked often - a shortcut to the 24-hour service station on Princes Highway from her home on nearby Oleander Street.

Ms Featherson's brother Matt said no sentence would bring back his sister.

'We're pretty flat, it's been a long process,' he said, reported the ABC.

'It's hard work, it's been a roller coaster, no matter how long the sentence is it doesn't change what happened.

'We got a life sentence, we lost Rani,' said Ms Featherston's father Kevin.

Ms Featherston's mother died in 2015, never knowing who killed her daughter.

Bain-Singh pleaded guilty to the murder, but has never given an explanation

The 34-year-old woman died 500 metres from her home in Doveton in April, 2014
Quinton Brown, 30, was charged with sex trafficking and pimping in three southwestern states on Thursday

Two men have been arrested and a woman is at large after allegedly pimping out eight teenage girls in a sex trafficking ring that sprawled across three states.

California residents Quinton Brown, 30, and Gerald Lavell Turner, 32, were charged with pimping 13 female victims, including eight minors, for commercial sex work.

Along with Mia McNeil, 32, who is still at large, the three suspects face a total of 54 charges that include sex trafficking, pimping and identity theft, authorities said on Thursday.

The ring was busted six months after the initial probe was launched as investigators claim the three operated 16 brothel sites across California, Nevada and Texas.

Among the victims were eight young women between the ages of 15 and 17 years old. The five other victims were between the ages of 18 and 21.

Brown faces the most charges with 41 criminal counts, while Turner has six counts and McNeil has 12, reported Fox 11.

Gerald Lavell Turner, 32, (left) and Mia McNeil, 32, (right) are also accused of being part of the massive ring that had 13 female victims, including eight minors. Turner is in custody while McNeil is at large

According to California's Attorney General's Office, the suspects rang their ring in 'plain sight', using social media to lure the young women away from home and then used the same sites to sell them.

Brown is accused of luring a majority of the victims from the Central Valley and trafficked them throughout the state, primarily in the Los Angeles area as well as in Las Vegas and Texas, reported NBC 7.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said in a news conference: 'Years ago, a human trafficking case of this magnitude was not likely.

'We knew the more we looked, the more we would find.'

McDonnell was joined by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, and said the trio 'sought to exploit children while defrauding their victims and other unsuspecting people.'

Authorities say McNeil used stolen identities to rent apartments across California that were used as brothels and purchased luxury cars that were used to transport the victims

Investigators launched a probe in December after Los Angeles County deputies were called to an apartment in West Hollywood to follow up on a missing person report filed in Tulare County, McDonnell said.

The deputies found the missing teenage girl and two other adults in the apartment and later learned the apartment was being used as part of the human trafficking that included the victims.

Human trafficking has become 'one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises worldwide,' Becerra said.

Authorities said McNeil used stolen identities to rent apartments across California that were used as brothels and purchased luxury cars that were used to transport the victims throughout California and to Las Vegas, Nevada and Texas.
A nine-year-old girl with autism has penned a powerful letter to Pauline Hanson in response to the One Nation leaders comments around the education of children diagnosed with the social developmental disorder.

In June, Senator Hanson called for autistic children to be pulled from mainstream classrooms and educated independently, citing they require special care.

'I heard her say people like me shouldn't go to school,' Ivory told the Brisbane Times.

A nine-year-old girl, Ivory (pictured) with autism has penned a powerful letter to Pauline Hanson

The Year 4 student was angered by Senator Hanson's remarks so she wrote an open letter explaining her feelings directly to the One Nation leader.

'Today you have really hurt my feelings and those of all the other children with autism,' she says in a letter posted to her mother's Facebook page.

'I am intelligent and I have lots to contribute to my class and community.

'No one has the right to say I should be separated from my friends and class mates. I am well mannered and I always behave in class.'

The Brisbane primary school student wrote she feels proud to be part of a country that is inclusive and welcomes people with differences.

The year 4 student was angered by the remarks so Ivory wrote an open letter explaining her feelings addressed directly to Senator Hanson

Ivory tells Hanson she has done a lot of work with a psychologist to develop her social skills.

Her mother Kylie Clark said Ivory has the ability to filter what she says around others in social situations.

'When she sees something and she wants to tell someone something, she needs to stop, think, breath, think about it again and then, if she's not sure, just leave it,' she said.

Ivory goes on to say that she has learned to filter her words as not to hurt other people, and suggests lending Hanson a few of her books so she could learn to do the same.

Association for Children with a Disability CEO Eddie Chapman said the Senator's comments were 'outdated and uninformed' (stock image)

She ends with the inference Hanson should be more thoughtful.

Association for Children with a Disability CEO Eddie Chapman said the Senator's comments were 'outdated and uninformed'.

'Efforts to include children with disabilities in schools have shown it's not only possible, but all kids in the class benefit when you have the diversity of need there,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'To get rid of any children with a disability from mainstream classrooms would be leading us back to dark days, when people with disabilities were kept hidden and unable to contribute to society.

'The reality is our community is made up of people with different needs and modelling that in our schools is the best way to an inclusive society.'
Three men have been jailed for the rape of an unconscious teenager with a glass bottle at an Australia Day party.

Bailey Hayes-Gordon, Jacob Watson and Nicholas Jackson were on Friday found guilty by a Brisbane District Court jury of assaulting a 19-year-old friend in 2015.

Hayes-Gordon, the principal offender, and accomplices Watson and Jackson were sentenced to two years' jail before the rest of their sentence is suspended after six months spent behind bars.

Bailey Hayes-Gordon (pictured Friday) has been jailed for two years after raping a teenager along with two other men on Australia Day

Jacob Watson (pictured) was one of three men guilty of raping a teenager with a glass bottle and will spend six months of two year jail sentence behind bars before sentence is suspended

Nicholas Jackson (pictured) was one of the men who will be jailed for two years after being found guilty of raping the unconscious teenager

The unconscious teenager was raped with a glass bottle by three men including the main offender Hayes-Gordon (pictured)

There were outbursts, sobs and wails from family and friends of Hayes-Gordon, Watson and Jackson after they were found guilty.

Judge Anthony Rafter repeatedly warned supporters in the public gallery to remain quiet amid outbursts, including one woman saying she would kill herself and another yelling that co-accused Frazer Eaton was a 'liar'.

Eaton, a talented Australian rules footballer, had been given a wholly suspended 18-month jail sentence in February, after he pleaded guilty to holding the young man's shoulders during the incident.

After the jury's verdict on Friday, one man was visibly shaking in the public gallery, while some had their head in their hands and others were consoling each other in disbelief.

During the four-day trial, the prosecution alleged Jackson rolled the teenager over and restrained him by his feet, Watson took video footage on his phone and Hayes-Gordon - as the principal offender - inserted the bottle.

Footage of the alleged assault was later shared in Facebook conversations, with Hayes-Gordon accused of posting the video and screenshots, and writing: '(The complainant) passed out so we stuck a bottle up his arse and he just took it ... Funniest thing I've ever seen, legit.'

But taking to the witness box on Wednesday, Hayes-Gordon denied penetrating the complainant with a bottle and said his comments were an 'over-exaggeration'.

Judge Anthony Rafter repeatedly warned supporters of the three men (including Bailey Hayes-Gordon) in the public gallery to remain quiet amid outbursts

A female supporter of the men (including Nicholas Jackson pictured) burst out in court saying she would kill herself

During the four-day trial, the prosecution alleged Watson (pictured) took video footage on his phone while Hayes-Gordon - as the principal offender - inserted the bottle

The prosecution alleged Jackson (pictured) rolled the teenager over and restrained him by feet

He also described the dynamic among his friends as 'prankish' and said they often teased each other.

Pressed by crown prosecutor Caroline Marco if his social media messages were the true account and he'd only changed his story after being charged, he said: 'That's completely not true'.

Watson and Jackson did not give evidence in the trial.

The jury delivered their verdict around noon on Friday after retiring to deliberate at 3.40pm on Thursday.

Hayes-Gordon (pictured) denied penetrating the teenager with the beer bottle, instead calling the his relationship between friends 'prankish'
After 20 years of waiting, Sylvia and Frank Martin tied the knot at their retirement village - aged 93 and 88 - on Tuesday.

And Sylvia appeared more than ready for her honeymoon as she was caught sharing a dirty remark with her granddaughter after the ceremony.

Leaning in to the young girl, perhaps unaware of the news cameras around her, she said: 'I said to [Frank], 'If you don't nail me with that on tonight, I will lay on you'.

And while her granddaughter dramatically recoiled in mock disgust, Today Show hosts Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson found they had nothing to say at all.

Today Show hosts Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson were left speechless after hearing a 93-year-old bride's dirty joke

Frank and Sylvia Martin tied the knot in Canberra after 20 years of dating on Tuesday

The breakfast show was presenting footage from the wedding earlier this week, which included Sylvia's cheeky comment.

When cameras cut back to the hosts, the pair were speechless, with Karl breaking down in silent laughter, and Lisa looking gobsmacked with her mouth wide open in shock.

'Did she really say that,' she exclaimed.

'Sylvia! Go Sylvia! We are so happy for you, there is plenty still going on with Frank and Sylvia.'

Karl referred to the youthful woman as 'a real livewire', before speculating what Sylvia and Frank would be doing on their honeymoon, a cruise to Tonga.

'If the P&O ship's a rocking, don't come a knocking,' he joked.

Frank and Sylvia made headlines when the bride-to-be asked the internet for help choosing a wedding dress.

When Sylvia, 93, began talking about her husband and their wedding night, Karl and Lisa couldn't contain themselves

Karl called Mrs Martin a 'livewire' while Lisa cheered her on for her youthful spirit

Sylvia was filmed leaning in to her granddaughter and saying: 'I said to [Frank], 'If you don't nail me with that on tonight, I will lay on you'.

With four dresses to choose from, Sylvia took to Facebook to ask for help with her decision - the heartwarming post featuring a collage of her trying on each of the gowns.

Since being shared by clothing retailer Birdsnest, where Sylvia tried on the dresses, her Facebook fashion parade has gathered more than 10,000 responses.

Frank had been asking Sylvia to marry him every day for 15 years before she finally said yes.

The couple have been together for 20 years and met when Sylvia was 73, and Frank was 68.

Both are delighted to now officially be husband and wife.

In his vows, he told Sylvia, 'You have made me what I am, and what I hope to be.'

The Canberra couple tied the knot in Monash on Tuesday, and couldn't wait for a quick smooch

Frank had been asking his new wife to marry him for some 15 years, but had always been met with a no

She admitted that the pair would be having some sneaky champagnes to help celebrate.

'I don't feel 93 or act 93, I still get up to mischief and like dancing and playing about,' Sylvia said about marrying her love at her age.

The wedding had a fun and casual atmosphere by a lake, surrounded by 60 friends and family at Goodwin Village.

The crowd was silent when the pair exchanged rings and said the phrase 'I give myself to you today and forever.'

Cheers erupted when the two exchanged an array of kisses after the celebrant uttered the words 'you may now kiss your bride'.

'Hooray, about time!' Frank enthused about the couple finally exchanging vows.
Victorian Labor MP Khalil Eideh (pictured) has been stopped from entering the United States

A Labor MP from Victoria has been prevented from entering the United States, with fellow travelling politicians claiming they were are yet to be given a reason why.

Khalil Eideh, who was born in Lebanon an identifies as Muslim, is now stuck in Vancouver after a United Airlines staffer told him he was not allowed to fly to the U.S.

The 63-year-old was preparing to board a flight to Denver to continue on an overseas study trip with a number of high-profile counterparts, when he was stopped without any reason.

'The United Airlines staff knew he had been denied entry to the US before any of us,' Sex Party MP Fiona Patten, who is part of the group, told AAP from Denver.

'He was incredibly upset... (he was) disbelieving.'

Ms Patten said Mr Eideh was not told why he wasn't allowed on the plane, but that all MPs on the trip had official and valid visas.

Mr Eideh (back left), 63, was born in Lebanon and identifies as Muslim, and was travelling on an international study trip (pictured)

Liberal MP Martin Dixon, Labor MPs Geoff Howard and Natalie Suleyman, and Victoria Police assistant commissioner Rick Nugent are also on the study trip.

The group had been in Europe and Canada studying drug laws and were due to fly to Denver on the next leg when Mr Eideh was blocked at the airport.

Every MP on the trip had been issued with official passports and visas weeks before the trip.

It's understood a Victorian government trade official is with Mr Eideh in Vancouver.

The US Embassy in Canberra has been contacted to ask why Mr Eideh was not allowed to board the flight.

The group had been in Europe and Canada studying drug laws and were due to fly to Denver on the next leg when Mr Eideh (front, second from right) was blocked at the airport
Sydney locals have voiced their support for U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration ban and urged the Australian government to close the country's borders.

Former Labor leader and political commentator for The Rebel Media, Mark Latham, hit the streets of Campbelltown in south-west Sydney this week to talk to locals about how best to combat Islamic terrorism.

Responses varied from 'only allow people who were born in this country to stay in this country', to 'give (Muslims) job opportunities and (terrorism) will stop'.

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When asked how she thought Australia should tackle Islamic terrorism this woman replied: 'only allow people who were born in this country to stay in this country'

'Probably best is to restrict them from coming in. I'm not racist at all but there's not too many other religions or races of people who are doing this to poor unsuspecting citizens around the world,' one man said.

'Just don't bring them over, that's all,' another man said.

One respondent told Mr Latham that Islamic terrorism would stop if Australia gave Muslim people a fair go.

'We need for the community to know about our culture and everything, and give us job opportunities and it will automatically stop,' he said.

'Not every Muslim is a terrorist.

'Islamic terrorism is not Islam.'

'We need for the community to know about our culture and everything, and give us job opportunities and it will automatically stop,' one man (pictured) said

Mr Latham also asked for opinions on the new 'super counter-terrorism agency' set up by the Turnbull government to combine the resources of intelligence, federal police and border force.

People responded in trepidation, claiming it was a band aid fix.

'I know in politics we have a lot of people Malcolm Turnbull is attempting to appease,' one man said.

The opinion of Donald Trump's immigration ban was more glowing.

'It's great Trump is protecting its sovereignty. I don't think it would be a terrible thing if Australia took a similar view for our own borders, our own sense of nationhood,' one man said.

A US native told Mr Latham: 'As far as I'm concerned, Trump's getting the job done'.

'I think it's great Trump is protecting its sovereignty. I don't think it would be a terrible thing if Australia took a similar view for our own borders, our own sense of nationhood,' one man said

The former Labor leader turned political commentator asked people what they thought of The Project host Waleed Aly and his claim that Islamic State was 'weak' and merely a 'perpetual irritant'

A US native told Mr Latham: 'As far as I'm concerned, Trump's getting the job done'

The former Labor leader turned political commentator asked people about the claim by Waleed Aly, host of The Project, that Islamic State was 'weak' and merely a 'perpetual irritant'.

Channel Ten presenter Waleed Aly sensationally claimed IS was weak in a March episode of the show.

'ISIL's weak, I know it doesn't look like that right now but it's the truth which is why it's something we should talk about,' he said.

'He's totally wrong,' one man told Mr Latham.

'ISIS isn't weak, terrorism is a problem not just a nuisance,' another said.

'I don't watch the show mainly for that reason. I don't agree with what he says.'

'Isil's weak, I know it doesn't look like that right now but it's the truth which is why it's something we should talk about,' Waleed Aly said

'He probably hasn't consulted enough info to know really, or have a balanced view,' a third man said.

Their opinion was not mirrored by everyone, with one man saying 'No, I don't think it's that bad'.

Reflecting on his day on the streets of Campbelltown, Mr Latham said he saw an overwhelming amount of support for Donald Trump's travel ban, and 'a lot of condemnation of Waleed Aly' and his claim Islamic State was weak.

'Let's trust the opinions of the people,' he said.
TaiChin Preyor, 46, died by lethal injection in Huntsville, Texas, on Thursday night

A man convicted of murdering his drug dealer by repeatedly stabbing her was executed by Texas on Thursday night.

TaiChin Preyor, 46, was fed a standard cafeteria meal of pepper steak before he was put to death by lethal injection at the death chamber in Huntsville, Texas.

The facility does not do requests for last meals, a public information officer said.

Preyor was sentenced to death for murdering his drug dealer Jami Tackett, 24, when he kicked in the door of her San Antonio apartment and slit her throat in 2004.

Lawyers for the convicted man argued for an appeal until the very last hours before his death, claiming prior counsel had used Wikipedia for legal research.

Preyor's execution was delayed for more than three hours to allow the US Supreme Court time to hear the appeal from Preyor's lawyer to spare his life, which the court ultimately rejected.

In his final statement, Preyor said: 'First and foremost, I'd like to say: Justice has never advanced by taking a human life. That's it.'

Preyor was sentenced to death for murdering his drug dealer Jami Tackett, 24, (right) when he kicked in the door of her San Antonio apartment and slit her throat in 2004

Preyor attributed this statement to Coretta Scott King before adding he would love his wife and children 'forever and always', reported CBS News.

Preyor was pronounced dead 19 minutes after the lethal dose of pentobarbita was administered to him, taking several deep breaths before he began snoring.

He had no friends or relatives at his death and no one related to the victim was there.

Hours before he died, Preyor's attorneys claimed deficient legal help during earlier stages of his appeals tainted his case.

They argued he should be spared from lethal injection so his appeals can be reviewed more fairly.

A portion of the motion read: 'It appears she relied on Wikipedia, of all things, to learn the complex ins and outs of Texas capital-punishment law.

'Her files included a copy of the Wikipedia page titled, "Capital punishment in Texas," with a post-it note stating "Research" next to highlighted passages of "habeas corpus appeals" and "subsequent or successive writ applications"'.

Preyor was fed a standard cafeteria meal of pepper steak before he was put to death. The facility does not do requests for last meals. Pictured: File photo of a death chamber

The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals refused to accept the arguments about six hours before the scheduled execution, saying in part that his current attorney had known about the issues being raised for two years but waited until two weeks before Preyor's planned punishment to begin seeking court relief.

In Preyor's original trial, prosecutors said he was dressed in black and wearing a hood and gloves when he barged into Tackett's apartment.

He attacked Tackett and another man inside, who survived, and Preyor fled the scene after the assault.

However, Preyor returned because he had dropped his car keys in the struggle.

By the time he tried to flee a second time, police had arrived and arrested him covered with the blood of his victims.

He later said he was acting in self-defense when he stabbed Tackett and wounded her boyfriend.

His execution was the fifth execution in Texas this year and the 543rd in Texas since the US Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, the most of any state.
A petition launched by outraged residents of Florida has garnered more than 3,000 signatures from people who are calling for the punishment of the cruel Florida fishermen who dragged a shark behind their boat earlier this week.

On Tuesday, a horrifying video emerged of the shark being brutally dragged behind four men's speedboat as they laughed at the helpless creature.

Outrage over the video sparked an online petition on Change.org demanding 'community service and jail time' for the men.

As of Thursday night, 3,200 people signed the petition calling for Florida wildlife officials to revoke the men's fishing licenses and order them to '1,000 hours of community service'.

A petition launched by outraged residents of Florida has garnered more than 3,000 signatures from people who are calling for the punishment of the cruel Florida fishermen who dragged a shark (pictured) behind their boat earlier this week

The brief, 11-second video, shows the shark hitting the surface of the water and flipping around helplessly as it's being dragged behind a boat

'These 1,000 community service hours will be held under the supervision of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,' the petition read.

'They will use that time to teach these young men to treat our Florida wildlife with respect.'

Though the commission declined to release the names of the men involved, several angry people posted their names on Facebook.

Residents in the area said two of the men, Michael Wenzel and Robert Lee 'Bo' Benac, whose mother, Betsy Benac, is the chairwoman of the Manatee County commission, are anglers they've repeatedly complained about, according to the Miami Herald.

The outrage grew on Thursday when another image surfaced of two of the men pouring beer into the gaping mouth of a protected Goliath grouper and over the gills of a hammerhead shark.

On Tuesday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission launched an investigation after the men were seen in the video, talking about how the shark is going to die as it helplessly flopped around in the water behind their boat.

As of Thursday night, 3,200 people signed the petition calling for Florida wildlife officials to revoke the men's fishing licenses and order them to '1,000 hours of community service'

Though the commission declined to release the names of the men involved, several angry people posted their names on Facebook. Residents in the area named, Michael Wenzel (right) and Robert Lee 'Bo' Benac (left) as two of the men in the video

Another photo of the shocking incident surfaced on Thursday showing the remains of the shark that was dragged by the men's speed boat

Spokesperson Robert Klepper confirmed the FWC was 'alerted to the video circulating on multiple social media sites showing a group of individuals traveling at high speed on the water dragging a shark behind the vessel'.

'The FWC takes this very seriously and is currently investigating this incident. We are also attempting to identify the individuals in the video and where it took place.'

Fishing captain Mark Quartiano, who received the video from someone he believes was on the boat, shared the clip on Instagram, writing: 'FOR ONCE I MAY HAVE TO AGREE WITH @PETA.'

The brief, 11-second video, shows the shark hitting the surface of the water and flipping around before the cameraman turns the lens to show three others on the boat, laughing and pointing at the animal.

One man can be heard saying: 'Look, it's already almost dead.'

Quartiano, who said he received the video from Instagram users @bearjew428 AND @MICHAELWENZEL, wrote: 'CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WTF IS GOING ON HERE ???? JUST GOT THIS ON MY FEED!

'FOR ONCE I MAY HAVE TO AGREE WITH @PETA. #WHODOESTHISS*** #sowrong #notcool.'

It's unclear if those involved have done anything illegal and the other two men haven't been identified by officials or residents in the area

According to the Miami Herald, Wenzel was investigated by state and federal officials in 2015 after posting a series of disturbing pictures that showed him gripping pelicans.

Wildlife officials said the case was closed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in January, highlighting the difficulty in prosecuting incidents depicted in an online post.

It's unclear if those involved have done anything illegal. But social media are calling it animal cruelty.

Instagram user @tati.tvami.asi wrote: 'Yeah, they're pieces of s***. I wish some one could drag them behind their car like this.'

User @yeahjustg wrote: 'How sad for that poor shark. A beautiful creature tortured for some sick human's amusement. I hope they are identified and prosecuted. If anyone knows who they are, please report them.'

In Florida, shark fishing is legal, but regulated. Some species cannot be harvested at all; others must have reached a certain length before harvesting is allowed.
Pauline Hanson's sister could join her in parliament if One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts is forced out by the dual citizenship scandal.

Roberts is fighting for his career after admitting he did not receive confirmation he had renounced his dual British citizenship until after he nominated himself as a political candidate.

The Constitution requires all political candidates to be Australian citizens only, and Roberts' case could end up in the High Court.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the next candidate on One Nation's Queensland's Senate ticket, Fraser Anning, may be ineligible because he has had bankruptcy proceedings filed against him.

Pauline Hanson's sister is likely the next suitable candidate to fill Malcolm Roberts' (pictured) Senate State seat should he be deemed ineligible for the position

Following Roberts' admission that he failed to renounce his British dual citizenship questions are now being raised whether to keep him in the job, which may lead to a High Court judgement

That would leave Judy Smith, One Nation founder and figurehead Pauline Hanson's sister, next in line to represent Queensland for the party.

Roberts' case could hang on whether the courts agree he took 'reasonable steps' to relinquish his dual citizenship.

If Roberts is found to be ineligible and Anning is out, Judy Smith is next in line

Daily Mail Australia is not making claims of misconduct on the part of Mr Anning and the bankruptcy application may not go forward.

As the 4th candidate for the Queensland seat Judy Smith formerly worked as a commercial property consultant.

Her bio on the One Nation website states Ms Smith has always been proud of her sister, Pauline Hanson, and her achievements.

'Judy shares the same values as Pauline and would like to help strengthen her cause in the Senate, by her side.'

Mr Anning's matter will go before the courts on August 22.
A young husband and father-of-two has turned to GoFundMe to support much-needed treatment for Multiple sclerosis which is not available in Australia.

Anthony Blank, 37, spent his last birthday undergoing a costly procedure called Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) in Moscow, Russia.

Undergoing this procedure is the only thing keeping him alive, and the only chance he has of being able to watching his son Mannix, 3, and daughter Savannah, 1, grow up.

Jemma Coad, Anthony Blank and their son Mannix, who 'adores his dad and wants him well'

Anthony Blank with daughter Savannah, who kisses the phone when she sees him on FaceTime

After successfully battling Multiple sclerosis for ten years and an official diagnosis four years ago, recent brain scans revealed Anthony had 40 lesions on his brain and four on his spine.

'If Anthony had not gone for this treatment we knew the end would not be far off,' fiancee Jemma Coad, 31, told Daily Mail Australia.

'Anthony has just started treatment and we are very hopeful that this will help with a lot of Anthonys symptoms and pain. He was literally losing the ability to walk.'

The Blank family, who live in Lakes Entrance, East Gippsland, borrowed in excess of AU$100,000 to travel to Russia and undergo HSCT.

Ms Coad has created the fundraising page to help cover the cost of the treatment, a flight back home and to help them repay the original loan.

So far, the campaign has raised an astounding $31,480 but this will only cover a fifth of the family's expenses.

Anthony and Jemma with their children Savannah and Mannix on Savannah's first birthday

In 2016, Mr Blank was a busy fly-in, fly-out worker, but now struggles with the most basic tasks.

He also suffers from depression and anxiety due to the stress of dealing with his illness, forcing his fiancee of 5 years to watch as her partner and the father of their two children deteriorate to a shadow of his former self.

'This disease has taken so much from him, physically, mentally and financially,' Ms Coad said.

Anthony Blank wants to enjoy time with his family, including his daughter Savannah, now 1

'This disease has almost broken Anthony and his will to live, but this treatment has brought hope back into our lives.'

Without HSCT, he would have slowly lost motor function and would have been unable to enjoy his remaining time with his family.

Mr Bank will be in Russia for the 30-day treatment and will then return to his family.

Anthony Blank's white blood cells are being taken and cultivated during his treatment in Russia

The white blood cells will be transplanted back into his body at the end of Mr Blank's treatment

The couple met when Ms Coad was 17, and kept in contact until they officially started seeing each other in 2013 - the year Mr Blank received his official diagnosis.

He was originally diagnosed with remitting, relapsing MS, which has now progressed to secondary progressive MS.

'It's a nightmare that has just gotten worse,' Ms Coad said. 'He hasn't worked for a year. But we're going to keep pushing through.'

Mr Blank undergoing four days of chemotherapy after his white blood cells were harvested

Mr Blank was diagnosed in a Melbourne hospital in May 2013, after feeling unwell for a long time and being tested for 'everything under the sun'.

Ms Coad was so devastated when her partner rang to tell her the results that she had to hang up the phone and cry, because she just couldn't believe it.

The revolutionary treatment Mr Blank is currently undergoing involves a combination of steroids, white blood cell extraction, cultivation and transplant, as well as eight hours of dialysis and four days of chemotherapy.

Eight hours of dialysis is part of the revolutionary treatment for MS Mr Blank is undergoing

It has a 70 to 90 per cent success rate of stopping the progression of MS.

'There's always a chance that it can come back, but we're hopeful that it's going to be the thing to change our lives,' Ms Coad said.

'Realistically if Anthony didn't go and have this treatment, he'd be in a wheelchair by the end of the year. The doctors in Russia were amazed that he could still walk.'

Dr Denis Fedorenko (left) with Anthony Blank before he commenced his treatment in Russia

Doctors in Russia were amazed Mr Blank could walk, given the extent and nature of his lesions

Mr Blank has said that he wants to speak about his treatment because if it works, he wants people to have access to it.

'It's not fair that people are going through what we're going through don't get what we're getting, 'Ms Coad said.

Alternative treatments and prescribed medication were ineffective, and also gave him horrific illnesses and side effects that made his illness worse.

Part of Anthony Blank's treatment in Russia involved having a catheter inserted into his neck

The couple appealed for help after Centrelink turned them down, despite a doctor's letter

'We've used all our savings and we've tried to [pay for the treatment] ourselves, but you can only stretch yourself so far,' said Ms Coad, revealing that Centrelink had turned down their application for the Disability Support Pension.

'He couldn't even take our son out to the park in the end. He just collapsed and couldn't get up. He just knew he wasn't capable.'

The couple have plans to get married once Mr Blank is home and well.

Mr Blank is determined to recover and take care of his family, including son Mannix (pictured)

The cause of MS is as yet unknown, but is being studied in Russia.

Medical experts currently believe that the disease is triggered by a bacterial or viral infection; in Mr Blank's case it was most likely triggered by Lyme Disease.

'He is adamant that when he gets home and gets well, he is going to help everyone he can,' Ms Coad said. 'He just doesn't want anyone else to suffer the way he has.'

Help Anthony Blank, Jemma Coad and their family by donating to their cause here.

ALL ABOUT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS 1. It's a chronic condition Multiple sclerosis is a chronic condition, which means its long-lasting and theres no cure for it. That said, its important to know that for the vast majority of people who have MS, the disease is not fatal. Most of the 2 million people worldwide with MS have a standard life expectancy. A rare few may have complications so severe that their life is shortened. 2. Symptoms vary The list of possible MS symptoms is long. It includes numbness and tingling, vision problems, balance and mobility issues, and slurred speech. Theres no such thing as a typical symptom of MS because each person experiences the disease differently. The same symptoms may come and go frequently, or you may regain a lost function. 3. MS involves relapse and remission Most people who seek treatment for MS go through relapses and remissions. A relapse is when you experience a flare-up of symptoms. Relapses are also called exacerbations. Remission is a period in which you have no symptoms of the disease. A remission can last for weeks, months, or, in some cases, years. But remission does not mean you no longer have MS. 4. Theres a cognitive side of MS The damage MS does to your nerves can also affect your critical thinking and other cognitive (mental) skills. Its not uncommon for people with MS to have problems with memory and finding the right words to express themselves. 5. MS is a silent disease MS is labeled as a silent disease or an invisible disability. Many people with MS look no different from someone without it because some of the symptoms, such as blurred vision, sensory problems, and chronic pain, are not visible. However, someone with MS may need special accommodations even though they dont have mobility issues and seem fine. Advertisement

Source: Healthline
With Sydney's median house price soaring past $1 million, there is still a glimmer of hope remaining for people on a budget wanting to break into the property market.

Lakemba is about 15km south west of Sydney CBD and has three bedroom houses complete with backyards and spa baths for sale for less than $1 million.

One of the cheaper Sydney suburbs with close proximity to the CBD, Lakemba's median three bedroom house price is $927,000 according to realestate.com.

Lakemba could be one of the cheapest suburbs left in Sydney with houses less than $1million (pictured)

Designer house on Colin St, Lakemba (pictured) has a starting price of $840,000

The three bedroom house (pictured) has two bathrooms and two car spaces, 15km from CBD

A modern designer three bedroom town house with two bathrooms and two car spaces on Colin St, Lakemba, has a starting price of $840,000.

A dated two bedroom house on Macdonald St, Lakemba, has one bathroom, four car spaces and decent backyard with a starting price of $968,000.

A generous sized three bedroom house with two bathrooms and four car spaces at Benaroon Rd is listed for $995,000 comes complete with spacious backyard and spa bath.

A three bedroom brick house with one bathroom, two car spaces and polished floorboards on Moreton St is listed just shy of six figures for $999,000.

But while the prices remain lower than other Sydney suburbs, experts are warning house buyers to get in quick, with prices expected to increase.

Estate Galaxy Lakemba Syed Hasan told Domain the past few years have had a significant impact on the suburb.

A two bedroom house on Macdonald St, Lakemba, (pictured) starting price from $968,000

The Macdonald St house (pictured) has one bathroom, four car spaces and decent backyard

The dated two bedroom house on Macdonald St (pictured) is considered affordable for Sydney

Three bedroom house at Benaroon Rd, Lakemba, (pictured) is listed for $995,000

The generous sized three bedroom house (pictured) has two bathrooms including spa bath

As well as an intimate kitchen, the Benaroon Rd house (pictured) boasts a spacious backyard

'A lot of people didn't want to move into that area,' Mr Hasan said.

'But now - it's close to the city, close to the airport. You look at Belmore, Campsie, prices have gone up.'

Known to be the affordable alternative to the inner west, potential buyers can find themselves a bargain house on a block of land and still be 25 minutes from the heart of the harbour city.

Three bedroom Lakemba house (pictured) with one bathroom comes in just under $1million

Moreton St brick house (pictured) has one bathroom, two car spaces and polished floorboards

The house (pictured) is $999,000, making the suburb one of five with houses under $1million

Lakemba is one of five Sydney suburbs with property available for less than six figures alongside Marsfield, Wiley Park, Greenacre and Silverwater.

There are 90 suburbs with median house prices more than $2million, up 76 in six months according to Domain.
People came out in droves and stood in enormous lines in hopes of working at the new Pure Penn medical marijuana dispensary.

The new dispensary sought employees at its McKeeport, Pennsylvania on Thursday but was greeted with packed lines extending down the streets.

'We put in a ton of work over the last year to make this possible,' Gabe Perlow, PurePenn's CEO, said to CBS Pittsburgh.

People came out in droves and stood in enormous lines in hopes of working at the new Pure Penn medical marijuana dispensary

A man holds a copy of a Time magazine with marijuana on the cover as he arrives at the dispensary's drug fair on Thursday in McKeeport, Pennsylvania

'And now that we're here we're going to deliver a first class division one quality facility by the December deadline.'

The site on five acres will consist of 2,100 square-foot production plant for the production of medicinal products aimed at curbing cancer, sickle cell, seizure disorders and more.

Joseph McGurk and his wife lobbied for the medicinal herb for their daughters and attended celebrations on Thursday.

Lines that go on forever! It seemed like the lines into PurePenn never ended as hopefuls sought employment opportunities

The site on five acres will consist of 2,100 square-foot production plant for the production of medicinal products aimed at curbing cancer, sickle cell, seizure disorders and more. All the work will promote job growth in the region

'There's going to be a facility here growing medicine that will change lives,' McGurk said.

'Not just my girls' lives, but millions of Pennsylvanians can benefit from the medicinal qualities of cannabis.'

Hundreds attended the job fair that the company held on Thursday and more can apply for jobs on the Pure Penn's website.

A man diligently fills out an application for work. Hundreds attended the job fair that the company held on Thursday and more can apply for jobs on the Pure Penn's website

Job hopeful Sara Michaels added: 'I will take anything as, like, a trimmer to something like sales

The grounds will produce oils, ointments and pills.

Benefits at Pure Penn include medical insurance, dental and vision, paid time off, retirement savings, training and career growth.

Job hopeful Sara Michaels added: 'I will take anything as, like, a trimmer to something like sales.

'I'm just excited to try to get into this industry because I do have a medical background.'

Bobby Boyd hopes to get any job.

'Anything available that sounds good I'm willing to apply for,' he said.
A signed sketch of the New York City skyline drawn by none other than President Donald Trump sold for more than $29,000 Thursday evening.

Trump's drawing, which features his Trump Tower prominently at the center, was auctioned off by Nate D. Sanders Auctions.

The sketch drew 11 bids and was sold for $29,184. Trump drew the 11.5 x 9 inch sketch back in 2005 at a charity event.

A signed sketch of the New York City skyline drawn by none other than President Donald Trump sold for $29,000 Thursday evening. Trump's drawing, which features his Trump Tower prominently at the center, drew 11 bids and was auctioned off by Nate D. Sanders Auctions

He was among a number of celebrities and politicians, including John McCain, Joe Lieberman, Ben Affleck, Charlize Theron, Joe Torre and Jennifer Gardner, to draw an artwork to raise money for a literacy campaign.

The prints were originally auctioned off through eBay.

Trump's drawing shows a series of New York City high rises. Trump Tower sits right in the middle with a distinctly different roof to the other buildings.

He even signed his name with a gold marker.

The auction house described the sketch as a 'rare original artwork by the President'.

'Originally drawn by Trump for a charity event, and very rare, with only a handful of such drawings known,' the auction house website read.

Bidding on the sketch started at $9,000 on Thursday evening.

A 10-year-old bright red Ferrari that was owned by Trump went on the auction block in Florida in April and sold for $270,000.
A police officer in Ohio has shot and killed a dog that he claims charged at him and was captured on his body camera.

In the video captured on July 24, the Alliance, Ohio police officer Josh Tenney responds to a complaint of three dogs running loose, before he is forced to shoot one dog that charges at him.

Investigators added that the video supports his claim that he was in danger and had no choice to shoot.

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In the video captured on July 24, the Alliance, Ohio police officer Josh Tenney responds to a complaint of three dogs running loose, before he is forced to shoot one dog that charges at him

The officer's body cam shows him repeatedly calling to the dogs to come to them, using a light tone to try to coax the animals towards him

The officer's body cam shows him repeatedly calling to the dogs to come to them, using a light tone to try to coax the animals towards him.

Barking can be heard as the officer approaches the car wash they are in as he continues to call to the dogs

Footage shows the dog running then running toward the officer, while another tries to stop its companion from charging.

It happens a second time, and the officer resorts in shooting the pup - named China and a winner of the Coastal Products Pet Show - down, killing it.

Footage shows the dog running then running toward the officer

It happens a second time, and the officer resorts in shooting the pup - named China and a winner of the Coastal Products Pet Show - down, killing it

As other officers approach the scene, one of the dogs refuses to let the cops come close to the dead animal

As other officers approach the scene, one of the dogs refuses to let the cops come close to the dead animal.

The dogs' owner then approach and restrains one of the dogs as one of the little girls approaches the motionless dog.

Alliance police have confirmed that they received an email claiming that the dad dog was one allegedly involved in a 2014 attack. They are also investigating if any of the three dogs were also involved in a March attack of a 63-year-old man.

'No officer (whether police or animal control) puts their uniform on in the morning, planning to go in and kill something that day,' said Stark County Dog Warden Jon Barber.

He added that he is unsure if charges are pending against the dog's owner.
Stephen Colbert mocked Anthony Scaramucci's foul-mouthed rant following the new communications director's tirade against other White House officials.

Scaramucci had an expletive-filled phone call regarding leaks coming from the White House and directed his rage towards Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and senior strategist Steve Bannon.

He proclaimed Priebus was a 'f***ing paranoid schizophrenic' and 'c**k blocker' who he was sure had leaked information to the press about him.

Although Scaramucci has attempted to excuse his vulgar remarks, Colbert wasn't about to let the 'Mooch' get off easy on Thursday night.

The Late Show host launched his own mocking tirade against the Italian New Yorker, proclaiming: 'I don't think anybody could block you from being a c**k.'

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Stephen Colbert mocked Anthony Scaramucci's (right) foul-mouthed rant on Thursday night following the new communications director's tirade against other White House officials

Scaramucci also slammed Bannon in the phone call with New Yorker journalist Ryan Lizza and said: 'Im not Steve Bannon, Im not trying to suck my own c**k.'

Continuing after his scathing impersonation of Scaramucci's comments, Colbert quipped: 'Look, if Bannon could do that, hed never leave the White House.

'Though, I gotta say, we never see him anymore. Good for you, Steve.'

Colbert cautioned the vulgarity of his opening of his segment and said: 'We got an incredible taste of unfiltered Mooch today.

'I want to give a quick warning to the CBS censors, youre going to want to break out the extra bleeps for this one.'

The TV personality read portions of the interview, which was published on Thursday, and referred to a portion where Scaramucci referred to Priebus as a 'f***ing paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac'.

Colbert hit back: 'Hes paranoid, okay? He thinks his own communications director is gonna stab him in the back. Front-stab!'

Scaramucci proclaimed Priebus (left) was a 'f***ing paranoid schizophrenic' and 'c**k blocker'. He also slammed Bannon (right) in the phone call with a New Yorker journalist and said the White House Chief of Staff was 'trying to suck his own c**k'

Colbert launched his own mocking tirade against the Italian New Yorker, proclaiming: 'I don't think anybody could block you from being a c***'

Colbert's comedic assessment of the publicized meltdown was met with roars of laughter from the audience, closing out what must have been a hectic day for the new communications director.

After the story made headlines, Scaramucci turned on the reporter who published his foul-mouthed rant against the senior White House officials.

'I made a mistake in trusting a reporter. It won't happen again,' he tweeted.

In a phone call with Lizza late on Wednesday night, a 'worked up' Scaramucci told Lizza that White House Chief of Staff Priebus was a 'f***ing paranoid schizophrenic' and 'c**k blocker' who he was sure had leaked information to the press about him.

He was as merciless in his characterization of senior strategist Steve Bannon who he accused of 'sucking his own c**k'.

White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci later blamed the journalist who published his foul-mouthed rant against senior White House officials on Thursday

Scaramucci turned on journalist Ryan Lizza, saying late on Thursday that he 'made a mistake in trusting a reporter'

At first, Scaramucci seemed unperturbed that his profane remarks had been shared.

In an afternoon tweet, he accepted his language was 'colorful', vowed to 'refrain in this arena' and pledged his support to the president and his agenda.

The stunning interview came after Scaramucci's financial disclosure form was published online, which he thought was a leak, and after Lizza revealed details of his dinner with the president.

During the call with Lizza, the Mooch, as he has become known, accused Priebus of leaking word of a dinner he had Wednesday night with President Trump and Fox news host Sean Hannity, along with former Fox News president Bill Shine and first lady Melania Trump.

'Oh, Bill Shine is coming in. Let me leak the f***ing thing and see if I can c**k-block these people the way I c**k-blocked Scaramucci for six months,' he said, in reference to the months he was kept out of the White House, reportedly by Priebus, after having sold his company.

Scaramucci at first seemed unperturbed by Lizza's report. He defended his 'colorful language' but vowed to 'refrain in this arena'

He repeatedly pressured reporter Ryan Lizza to reveal the source of his tweet about the dinner, threatening to fire his own entire communications staff if he wouldn't reveal who did it.

'Who leaked that to you?' Scaramucci asked him. 'What I'm going to do is, I will eliminate everyone in the comms team and we'll start over.'

Lizza told CNN Scaramucci was 'worked up' and 'angry' during the call, adding he was 'worked up into a tizzy.'

The Mooch said he was on a plane landing in New York to visit his mom.

'I was on a plane landing in New York, I have to go visit my mom, and so you may have caught it the wrong way. I was teasing you and it was sarcastic. It was one Italian to another,' he said.
Plans to alter the date of Australia Day and change the national flag have been included in a motion to be considered at this weekend's Queensland state conference of the governing Australian Labor Party.

A draft motion made by a Brisbane ALP branch proposing the significant changes was obtained by the Gold Coast Bulletin, with backers saying the current date does not bring together the community as a national day should.

'We assert, therefore, that our current national day of 26 January does not meet this essential requirement,' it said.

A draft motion made by a Brisbane ALP branch propose to change Australia Day date

The motion obtained by Gold Coast Bulletin reveals plans to scrap national day and get a new Australian flag (pictured)

Queensland State Opposition leader Tim Nicholls (pictured) said the motion was 'political correctness gone mad' and there were bigger issues to be debated

'Unfortunately, it is also a day viewed by many of our indigenous citizens as a day of mourning - a day that marks the origin of their dispossession and their oppression.'

There were also plans to change the national flag, removing the Union Jack section.

The State Opposition seized on the divisive ALP motion, saying it represented 'political correctness gone mad' and that there were bigger issues to be debated.

ALP Queensland's state conference will be in Townsville, north Queensland, on Friday and Saturday, with plans to debate the motion.

Queensland's Labor Premier Annastacia Palazczuk said she did not support any change to the January 26 date.

'Australia Day is an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be Australian,' Queensland Premier Annastacia Palazczuk said in a statement Friday.

'I love Australia Day because it is another great opportunity for families, friends and communities to come together.'

Ms Palazczuk said moving the date was 'not on' when asked about the motion at an event in Brisbane on Friday, reported 9News.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palazczu (pictured) said moving the date was 'not on'
A 'memorial paddle' will be held for the three-year-old Sydney girl who was pulled unconscious from a pool while on holiday with her family in Bali.

Kawa Sweeney's parents Dee Tang and Desmond Sweeney made the agonising decision to switch off her life support on Thursday afternoon, after hearing from doctors their daughter won't recover from the accident.

They have scheduled a paddle out at the south end of Newport Beach in Sydney's Northern Beaches on Sunday morning to remember their daughter with friends, family and supporters.

'Desmond, Dee and Rafa invite you to a memorial paddle out to celebrate the life of Kawa Leaf Sweeney' the invitation reads.

'Everyone is welcome. Please wear white, floral or Hawaiian shirts.'

Guests are also invited to 'bring flowers, leaves and shells for Kawa'.

The youngster was airlifted to Perth for medical treatment after she was found at the bottom of a pool at the resort her family were staying at in Uluwatu on Sunday morning.

Her family announced their decision to turn off Kawa's life support through their GoFundMe page.

'Unfortunately, in spite of all the hopes and prayers, Kawa has lost her battle. The family are saying goodbye today,' they said in a statement.

The family of a three-year-old Sydney girl who was pulled unconscious from a pool while on holiday with her family in Bali have decided to switch off her life support

Three-year-old Kawa is pictured with her mother Dee, father Desmond and one-year-old sister

Kawa Sweeney (pictured) who was pulled unconscious from a pool while on holiday with her family in Bali had been declared brain dead

Kawa was resuscitated by a Perth doctor, Grant Booth, who happened to be nearby when she was pulled out of the pool.

She was flown back to Australia for treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children in Perth on Monday after a GoFundMe campaign quickly raised the $42,000 needed for a medivac. It has now raised more than $88,000.

After a series of tests by doctors at Princess Margaret Hospital, the Sweeneys were informed their daughter was not responding.

'We would like to thank everyone who has gone above and beyond in all of this,' the family's statement adds.

'Thank you to Grant and Kelly, everyone who helped us in Bali, the medivac team, the doctors and the incredible nurses at Princess Margaret Hospital in the PICU who have been with us 24/7 since arriving in Perth.

'Thank you to everyone who has supported us with their thoughts, prayers, love and donations.

'We are overwhelmed with your generosity and are grateful for all that you have given us in this difficult time.'

Kawa Sweeney was airlifted to Perth for medical treatment after she was found at the bottom of a pool at the resort her family were staying at in Uluwatu on Sunday morning

Kawa (pictured, with her one-year-old sister Rafa) was on the last day of a family trip to Bali

Ms Tang, who runs homewares brand Kawaiian Lion, planned the trip for work as well as a family getaway.

Ms Tang's sister Christine Walsh told Daily Mail Australia was pulled out of a pool unconscious on what was to be the family's last day of a week-long trip to the popular Indonesian island.

'Basically, she was in a drowning accident. They pulled her out of the pool and she was unconscious,' she said on Monday.

She added that a doctor who happened to be nearby at the time performed CPR on the little girl for 45 minutes.

Kawa Sweeney was on a trip with her parents when she was found unconscious in a pool on the Indonesian island on Sunday morning

Ms Tang's friend Pearl Tan issued a fundraising appeal on her friend's Instagram page saying Kawa was in a coma after a 'drowning accident.'

She set up a GoFundMe page seeking donations to cover the cost of a medivac flight to Perth.

The campaign raised more than $70,000 in a day, surpassing the $42,000 goal for the flight.

An update said the remainder would cover medical bills.

'Thanks for the speedy support everyone,' it said, alongside a picture of Kawa in a hospital bed.

Ms Walsh said the family is extremely grateful by the support they've received.

She said they had thought they had travel insurance, but it turned out they weren't covered.

Kawa was pulled out of a pool unconscious on what was to be the family's last day in Bali

Kawa's mother Dee Tang (pictured with her daughters) runs homewares brand Kawaiian Lion

Kawa (above, with her father) was airlifted from Bali back to Australia on Monday evening

The family were advised to get Kawa back to Australia as soon as possible, she said.

Ms Walsh said the air ambulance company had advised Ms Tang, who is originally from Perth, to raise funds to charter a plane to fly her daughter there as it is closer to Bali than Sydney.

She added that any funds left over after Kawa's medical bills have been paid will be donated to charity.

'They are really overwhelmed by the support and people's generosity,' Ms Walsh said.

'They are really grateful.'
A father has been found guilty of his two-year-old daughter's manslaughter after he accidentally shot her in the head with a sawn-off shotgun.

Gustav Otto Sanft, 26, has been on trial in New Zealand after his daughter Amokura Daniels-Sanft died outside their Auckland home last June, reports NZ Herald.

The Auckland High court heard Amokura was playing on a couch in their driveway when Sanft aimed the gun at her and pulled the trigger.

Gustav Otto Sanft (left) accidentally shot his daughter Amokura Daniels-Sanfth in the head with a sawn-off shotgun

Crown prosecutor Katie Hogan said Sanft neglected to check if the weapon was loaded, and if its safety catch was on.

However Sanft did not intend to kill his daughter and didn't expect the shotgun to blast, the court heard.

The court heard Sanft told police was acting up before he pointed the gun at her, possibly trying to scare her.

Sanft had already pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a pistol, as the gun was technically classified.

The hulking father told the court he acknowledged he made a shattering mistake that day.

'How do you accidentally shoot a kid, let alone my own child,' he said.

Sanft will be sentenced in September.

The young girl was playing the driveway of their Auckland home (pictured) when tragic accident unfolded
A rescue team member has been forced to spend the night beside the body of a woman who tragically plunged 200 metres to her death from a waterfall.

The operation to remove the woman's body from where it lies at the bottom of a cliff-face was postponed due to bad weather on Friday night.

The team member will sit with the unidentified woman's body until it can be retrieved on Saturday.

Emergency services were called to Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains on Friday afternoon after it was reported a person had 'fallen from the rocks' near Fletchers Lookout.

A helicopter (pictured) was called in after emergency services had trouble reaching the place were a woman plunged to her death from a waterfall on Friday afternoon

A member of the emergency services (pictured) rescue team will stay beside the woman's body overnight as bad weather caused the extraction operation to be postponed

Emergency services (pictured) found it difficult to access the scene due to its distance from the nearest roads

A police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia the death is being treated as non-suspicious.

The spokeswoman said emergency services were called to the scene just after 3pm but they found it difficult getting to where the body fell.

The lookout is 40 minutes walk from the nearest car park.

A helicopter was called in to assist in the search and was seen scouring the area for the woman's body on Friday afternoon.

If you or anyone you know needs help please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

The 'non-suspicious' incident occurred at a waterfall near Fletchers Lookout at Wentworth Falls (pictured)

The lookout near where the incident occurred is located on a walking track (pictured), 40 mins from the nearest car park
At least 54 people have been injured in a train crash in Barcelona, with one said to be in a serious condition.

The accident happened at 7.15am local time on Friday at Barcelona's Franca train station, one of the busiest in the city.

The front of the commuter train was badly damaged after it smashed into a buffer as it arrived from the village of San Vicente Calders, around 50 miles away.

The train was pulling into the station when it ploughed into a buffer, wounding dozens

One person was seriously injured, 19 were injured 'less seriously' including the driver and 34 were lightly injured, local emergency services said on Twitter.

The seriously injured man suffered a pulmonary contusion, according to local media.

Witnesses said a block of metal that formed part of the buffer ended up more than six feet inside the front carriage.

The director of Barcelona's Civil Protection said: 'The train was braking, if it had been entering the station at speed the consequences would have been worse.

Most of the injured were in the front carriages, and were thrown to the ground by the force of the crash

Barcelona's civil protection said the force of the impact caused the train to derail as well

'The train derailed because of the force of the impact.'

Barcelona's mayoress Ada Colau attended the crash scene along with Catalunya president Carles Puigdemont.

She tweeted afterwards: 'A hug for all the injured and wishing them a speedy recovery.'

At least 18 people were taken to hospital, and one of them is believed to be in serious condition with a pulmonary contusion

One of the casualties likened the incident to an earthquake and claimed some people initially mistook the smash for a bomb, telling a local paper: 'The moment of the impact felt like an earthquake.

'People were falling over and colliding with each other. Many fell to the ground because there were people standing up. I saw many people with cuts to their head and faces.'

Said Saharaui, a passenger on the train, said: 'When the train arrived at Francia station it applied the brakes but at the same time it made a noisy crash.

'The passengers were thrown to the floor. Even though the train did brake it wasn't until the crash when it reached a full stop.'

The witness, known only as Lidia, added: 'Many people were frightened. Some people thought at first it was a bomb.'

The accident coincided with the beginning of a national rail strike in Spain.

Hundreds of trains were cancelled after trade union members promised to stop working between midnight and 11pm Friday.

The area where the crash happened has now been cordoned off by investigators.

Barcelona's council said it activated the city's mass casualty plan, and eleven fire trucks, along with paramedics and police, were sent to the station

Emergency services said most of the injured were in the front of the train waiting to get off

The smash coincided with the start of a national rail strike throughout Spain

The conductor was reported to be in a state of shock afterwards. One witness said he was knocked unconscious by the force of the accident, but was later brought to by paramedics.

Those injured were taken to emergency rooms throughout Barcelona, including Hospital Clinic, Hospital del Mar, Sagrat Cor y Hospital Sant Paul.

It is not yet known whether any British or Irish nationals are among the casualties.

The force of the crash knocked many passengers on to the ground, injuring their hands and heads on the broken glass

Many of those injured were able to be treated at the station by paramedics, but 18 had to be taken away to hospital

Some of the witnesses initially thought that the crash was an earthquake or bomb

Commuters were advised to avoid Franca station after the crash

Most of the injured were travelling in the front carriage, and were standing up ready to leave the train.

When it crashed into the buffer, the force knocked them to the ground and broke the windows in many of the front carriages.

The train was on the R2 line of the Rodalies commuter rail service, emergency services said.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known, but investigators have begun examining whether it was human error or mechanical failure

Witnesses told local media that they were standing up waiting to get off the train when the accident happened, forcing them to the ground.

One said: 'It took me a while to realize what was going on.'

Another said: 'Everything rose up when we were hit. We were inside the wagon for two to three minutes. There was some nervousness, some people couldn't get up.'

The train driver was knocked out by the force of the crash, but was later revived by paramedics

The slow speed of the train as it entered the station helped lessen the number of casualties

The Barcelona Council said they activated their mass casualty protocol, and sent eleven fire trucks to the station as well as a number of units from the Urban Guard, one of Catalunya's police agencies.

Six ambulances and nine police patrol units were also sent to the site of the crash. Television images showed many passengers being tended to on the ground in the station.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known, and investigators are working to establish whether it was a mechanical failure or human error.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy tweeted:'I am following closely the developments regarding the commuter train crash in Barcelona. I wish a quick and completely recovery for the injured,' .

Television images and videos on social media showed many of the wounded being tended to at the scene

The crash coincided with a national strike by train drivers, protesting against the 'dismantling of Spain's public rail system'

The national rail strike was called to protest against what was seen as, 'the dismantling of Spain's public rail system and the destruction of jobs in the railway sector.'

The accident comes as Spain this week marked the four year anniversary of one of the country's worst rail disasters in which 80 people died in 2013 near the northwestern city of Santiago de Compostela.

The crash comes on the four year anniversary of the 2013 rail crash at Santiago de Compostela, once of Spain's deadliest rail crashes

The train from Madrid crashed as it hurtled round a sharp bend at 179 kilometres per hour (110 miles per hour) - more than twice the speed limit for that stretch of track - in the village of Angrois.

The driver of the train is facing trial, but under pressure from associations representing families of the victims officials have reopened their investigation to see if there was negligence on the part of the railway firm.
Prince Harry has helped sort donations for Grenfell Tower survivors as it was revealed sixty other tower blocks across the UK have failed new tougher fire safety tests.

Nine of the 60 failed buildings are believed to be council high-rises in Salford with the remaining 51 a mix of private and public sector housing and office projects across Britain.

The stiffer tests they failed involve starting a fire under mock-ups of the sides of each building including its metal cladding and insulation.

Grenfell's cladding accelerated the blaze that killed at least 80 people with witnesses describing how the block was engulfed in 20 minutes because its outside sparked like a firelighter on a barbecue.

Prince Harry today made a private visit to meet British Red Cross volunteers helping to sort through the large number of donations made to the victims of the Grenfell Tower block fire as t emerged other blocks are still failing fire tests

Harry spent around 50 minutes chatting to workers who are based at a Royal Mail site in Greenford, north-west London

60 tower blocks across the UK have failed new stricter fire safety tests and ine of the buildings are believed to be council high-rises in Salford (pictured)

The more thorough tests involve making mock-ups of the sides of each building including its metal cladding and the insulation it encases (pictured)

Fires are then started below them (pictured) and seeing if they spark in the same way as Grenfell Tower

Local Government Association chairman Lord Porter told the BBC, who uncovered the 60 failed test results: 'It was fairly evident from the Grenfell fire that there was more than just the panels that was a fire risk on that building.'

Prince Harry last night made a private visit to British Red Cross volunteers helping to sort through the large number of donations made to the victims of the Grenfell Tower block fire.

He spent around 50 minutes chatting to workers who are based at a Royal Mail site in Greenford, north-west London, and to Royal Mail staff who have facilitated the operation with the charity.

According to the British Red Cross, volunteers have so far sifted through around 62 tonnes of donations, with 10 tonnes having gone back to those affected in the west London neighbourhood. They include clothes, bedding and toiletries, it said.

Hundreds were left destitute when a fire ripped through the 24-storey building on June 14, killing at least 80 people.

Adele Hampton, 51, has been volunteering between shifts as an auxiliary nurse, travelling from her home in Kent to help.

She said after meeting Harry: 'His visit is a boost and recognition - not that we want recognition, we don't, but for someone in such a position to care enough to take time out to come and see us means a lot.

'I wouldn't say it makes it worthwhile, what makes it worthwhile is making sure the victims get support. But when someone like Prince Harry comes down here, it's lovely and genuine. He wanted to talk to everybody.'

The charity said on its website excess donations were being sold in its high-street shops, with the money raised going to its London Fire Relief Fund, which so far has raised more than 3.2 million.

It reported that some 850 volunteers had contributed 5,100 hours of their time sorting donations since the end of June.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: 'Prince Harry wanted to visit the volunteers who have given many hours of their time to help sort through the huge number of donations made to the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire.

'His Royal Highness was moved to hear how generous the public and businesses have been in donating all kinds of items to those affected; he thanked the teams from the British Red Cross and the Royal Mail who have worked tirelessly to sort through the donations.'

The deadly blaze ripped through the 24-storey block of flats in Kensington, west London on June 14

Police have found 'reasonable grounds' to consider corporate manslaughter charges over the Grenfell inferno, it emerged last night

A devastating fire ripped through the 24-storey building in west London on June 14, killing at least 80 people.

Police have found 'reasonable grounds' to consider corporate manslaughter charges over the Grenfell inferno, it emerged last night.

In a letter to survivors, officers said Kensington and Chelsea council and the tenant management association that ran the tower 'may have committed the offence'.

The dramatic development means town hall chiefs face police interviews over accusations they ignored repeated safety warnings.

A residents' group had predicted it would take a catastrophe to end 'the dangerous living conditions and neglect of health and safety'.

Cheap combustible cladding installed on the 24-storey tower during refurbishment last year has been widely blamed for the fire's rapid spread. The speed of the police announcement  just six weeks after the tragedy  shows the pressure on senior officers to hold those responsible to account

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell was accused of using the tragedy for party gain when he said the 80 victims were 'murdered by political decisions'.

The authorities have also been criticised for their slow response to the tragedy  with comparisons made to the Hillsborough disaster and that three-decade fight for justice.

Corporate manslaughter charges are brought against organisations alone and individuals cannot be arrested. It is punishable by an unlimited fine.

In the letter to survivors, released last night, Scotland Yard said: 'There are reasonable grounds to suspect that each organisation may have committed the offence of corporate manslaughter.

'In due course, a senior representative of each corporation will be formally interviewed by police in relation to the potential offence.' Police said they would continue to investigate whether other crimes were committed  either by organisations or individuals.

Officials such as company directors can be charged and prosecuted under health and safety laws, including manslaughter by gross negligence, which can carry an 18-year jail sentence.

David Duckenfield, the South Yorkshire police officer who was in charge of the Hillsborough stadium in 1989, has been charged with this offence.

Police refused to reveal who would be interviewed as part of the corporate manslaughter investigation.

Grenfell Tower will probably be razed to the ground by the end of next year and its scorched remains will be covered in a giant protective wrap within weeks, it was revealed today.

Grenfell Tower will probably be brought down by the end of next year - and will be wrapped to preserve it until then

Site manager Michael Lockwood also revealed that some flats remain in 'perfect' condition and those residents will return next month to collect their belongings.

Michael Lockwood, pictured, Grenfell's site manager, says that some of the flats are still perfect and those residents can go back in soon to get their belongings

Mr Lockwood, who has been inside the building's black husk five times, estimates the recovery operation could last until mid-November.

The criminal investigation involving material being collected from the cladding and inside the building could go on until January.

Speaking at the Notting Hill Methodist Church last night, he said: 'I think that to be honest, the building will stay up throughout 2018.

'Then towards the end of 2018, I think we could start to bring it down, if that is what the community wants, and the scaffolding will help us to do that because we can do that within the wrap.'

Any decision on what happens to the site after the eventual deconstruction would be made with input from the community, Mr Lockwood said.

He added there were some flats in the doomed building that were 'completely untouched and in perfect condition and there are some that are absolutely devastated'.

There are around 33 flats from which personal possessions might now be retrieved. After the meeting, Mr Lockwood said that efforts to get those items back might begin 'in the next week or so'.

He said it would happen 'in consultation with those residents, and at the speed that they want, but we would like to get some of those possessions back to them'.

Mr Lockwood said: 'What we have to be mindful of is that we do that with the sensitivity that further up the building, we are still recovering possessions and remains.'

He pointed out, with the ongoing work moving through the building, that 'if we don't do it soon, we will lose those possessions'.
Britain is relying on the German air force to guard its seas against Vladimir Putin's submarines after the country scrapped its Nimrod surveillance planes.

New figures show around 40 planes from NATO allies were flown in to patrol UK seas.

The U.S. sent maritime aircraft to RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland 20 times, while Canada helped out with eight.

A further five were sent from Germany and France, each, and Norway lent one.

Britain is relying on the German air force to guard its seas against Vladimir Putin's submarines after the country scrapped its Nimrod (pictured) surveillance planes

Last year, the RAF revealed plans to bolster their intelligence branch in the fight against terrorism by investing 2.6billion on nine top of the range spy planes P-8 Poseidon (pictured)

The Ministry of Defence told The Sun that some aircraft were used on missions, while others were used for training.

The role would have been performed by the Nimrod spy planes but ministers controversially axed the 4.1billion fleet in a defence review seven years ago, in a cost-cutting drive to save 2billion over 10 years.

Ex-Defence Minister Gerard Howarth said the shock figures revealed the 'folly' of getting rid of the Nimrod reconnaissance plane in 2010 as part of the Coalition cuts.

He told the Sun: 'I was a Minister at the time and I made no secret of the fact it was a very dangerous decision that left us exposed.'

Labour's Nia Griffith said the Tories were 'undermining our national security'.

In 2011, Britain was forced to 'borrow' a spy plane from the U.S. to protect Royal Navy warships fighting in Libya.

Last year, the RAF revealed plans to bolster their intelligence branch in the fight against terrorism by investing 2.6billion on nine top of the range spy planes.

Each Boeing P-8 Poseidon will have the capacity to deliver GCHQ-style intelligence gathering, with the facilities to hack terrorists' communications and track their movements.

The spy planes will provide a wealth of invaluable intelligence data from the sky, feeding back to the security services.

As well as serving as an intelligence asset, the multi-functional jet will be stationed to protect the British waters and naval assets.

The deal marked the first time Britain has invested in top spy planes since 2010 when the Nimrod Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft (Nimrod MR4A) was scrapped.

In May this year, a Royal Navy warship was forced to shadow a Russian submarine as it passed through the English Channel.

HMS Somerset located the diesel-electric submarine Krasnodar off the east coast of the UK on Friday morning.

The Plymouth-based Type 23 frigate then followed the Kilo-class submarine through the Dover Strait and the English Channel during the weekend.

In May this year, a Royal Navy warship was forced to shadow a Russian submarine as it passed through the English Channel

Commander Tim Berry, the commanding officer of HMS Somerset, said at the time: 'Policing the sea both in home waters and further afield is core business for the Royal Navy.

'Escorting foreign warships, in this case a Russian submarine, through UK waters is just part of our ongoing effort to protect our island nation.'

The previous month, Somerset's sister ship HMS Sutherland escorted two Russian warships as they sailed close to UK territorial waters.

An MoD spokesman last night insisted the number of operational flights carried out by NATO allies on the RAF's behalf was down on 2015.

A spokesman said: 'We work closely with our NATO allies on security in the North Atlantic and have robust force protection measures in place for our assets which we continually review.'
Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte has dismissed Oxford University as a 'school for stupid people' after its study claimed he paid 'keyboard trolls' to boost his popularity online.

The controversial president lashed out after being asked about a study called 'Troops, Trolls and Troublemakers: A Global Inventory of Organised Social Media Manipulation'.

Oxford's research claimed he paid $200,000 in 2016 - when he was elected - for a cyber army to launch a social media campaign using civilians and groups to back him online.

Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte (pictured) has dismissed Oxford University as a 'school for stupid people' after its study claimed he paid 'keyboard trolls' to boost his popularity online

Although the 72-year-old has admitted paying others to defend him on social media during his election campaign, he has denied claims that it continued once he was in power.

And speaking to the news outlet Rappler, he said: 'Now I do not need it. I do not need to defend myself against attacks. I stated my piece during my inauguration and my campaign. Oxford University? Thats a school for stupid people.'

The university, named the best in the world in 2016 in the Times Higher Education global rankings, carried out research examining how governments around the world allegedly use fake social media accounts for political reasons.

Oxford's research claimed he paid $200,000 in 2016 - when he was elected - for a cyber army to launch a social media campaign using civilians and groups to back him online

According to the Telegraph, the report claims 'many of the so-called "keyboard trolls" hired to spread propaganda for presidential candidate Duterte during the election continue to spread and amplify messages in support of his policies now hes in power.'

Duterte ascended to the presidency last year after campaigning on his extra-tough approach on crime as a prosecutor and later as mayor of southern Davao city.

He has remained popular despite thousands of deaths in his nationwide anti-drug crackdown, and his continuing popularity and the ineffective opposition have apparently emboldened him.
A dementia sufferer who was ordered to leave Australia after a visa mix-up arrived back in the UK last night.

Frail Christina Grant, 96, moved to New South Wales to stay with family after the death of her son and carer Robert, who looked after her in Scotland, two years ago.

The pensioner, originally from Dulnain Bridge, south-east of Inverness, is described as 'nearly blind' and having 'mild dementia' which means she cannot live alone.

As part of her visa Mrs Grant had to leave Australia once a year.

Concerned that she was not fit enough to fly out of the country to meet this requirement, her family booked her on a cruise to Vanuatu, a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean.

Accompanied by son Allan and daughter-in-law Diane, 67, Mrs Grant, known as Chrissie, arrived at Glasgow Airport yesterday after a delayed 10,000-mile journey via Dubai

Speaking from the arrivals area Diane Grant, who was pushing Mrs Grant in a wheelchair, said: 'The flight was a bit rough, as you can imagine'

But Mrs Grant was then told the trip did not qualify, and that her visa had expired. She was then given an ultimatum to leave the country by July 26.

Accompanied by son Allan and daughter-in-law Diane, 67, Mrs Grant, known as Chrissie, arrived at Glasgow Airport yesterday after a delayed 10,000-mile journey via Dubai.

A video, taken by her daughter-in-law at the airport, shows Christina clearly very confused about what is happening to her.

When her son asks about the flight she says 'I don't think we've been travelling very far' - even though they have already travelled 7500 miles from Australia and are only halfway through their trip.

She also seems confused when her son asks where they are going, as she replies: 'We're heading to Scotland, I think.'

The pensioner nods when asked if she will be happy to return to Scotland, but admits that she will miss Australia.

Christina is pictured resting at Dubai airport during the 10,000 mile journey from Australia to Glasgow

Her son Allan consoles her by saying that they will be staying with her for a while, to which she retorts - 'Oh you are? Have you been invited?'

Speaking from the arrivals area Diane Grant, who was pushing Mrs Grant in a wheelchair, said: 'The flight was a bit rough, as you can imagine.

'Christina was violently ill the day before we were due to leave and then she came good. I don't think she knows what is happening, though.

'Allan has some extended cousins in Scotland we will try to see while we are over there. But they have families of their own so we don't want to intrude.'

Diane Grant added: 'Christina was violently ill the day before we were due to leave and then she came good. I don't think she knows what is happening, though'

She added: 'Taking care of a vulnerable pensioner on such a long flight has not been easy for the family.

'Chrissie has handled it OK but it would be easier to have a two-year-old.

She just doesn't understand it all and is confused

'This has been very hard on Chrissie And brings us to tears at times - she has deteriorated immensely in the last six weeks.'

Mrs Grant is pictured in Dubai airport using a walking stick after she was forced to leave Australia

She added: 'We should have applied for a visa while we are home but they told us it would take 30 years. Now if Allan and I pass away she'll be left in limbo.'

The family first revealed their plight with a heartbreaking picture of Mrs Grant, who uses a walking stick, holding a packed suitcase in a picture posted online earlier this month.

In the Facebook message, Diane Grant blamed Australian bureaucracy for 'unreasonably' ruling the visa had expired, which she claims was done as a result of her mother-in-law's 'age/health'.

The couple even paid $250 (150) to speak to an immigration specialist, but to no avail.

Diane Grant wrote: 'If it had instead been cancelled we could have gone to the administration appeals tribunal who, I believe, would have overturned this decision.

Devastated relatives claimed Christina Grant, 96, pictured, was told to leave Australia after making a 'common mistake' with her visa

Ms Grant holidayed in Vanuatu with son Allan, right, and daughter-in-law Diane, pictured here

'The immigration department has kept themselves and us very busy, filling in endless forms over the last few months, and offer no help or advice.

'We paid $250 for less than half an hour with an immigration specialist who did clarify a couple of things for us but was useless in the end  not her fault as there was nothing she could do for us.'

She ended the post by writing: 'Only hope we can get mum into a home to be cared for by someone in Scotland, as she has mild dementia and nearly blind and is not happy about leaving the home her son has provided for her here.

'Everyone is very upset about this and it breaks my heart.'

The couple, from Sydney, now plan to find a care home for Mrs Grant. They have also referred the case to the ministerial resolutions service in the hope of pushing through another visa.

Pictured: Ms Grant enjoys a pamper session at a beauty salon in New South Wales

Diane Grant added: 'Australian immigration said they'd refer our case to the ministerial resolutions service, but I can't see that helping in any way.'

She told the Scottish Sun: 'This has been very hard on Chrissie she has deteriorated immensely in the last six weeks.'

Mrs Grant's husband Martin died some years ago. She has nieces and nephews living in Scotland, some in the Highlands.

It was reported earlier this month that immigration officials said they were been working with the family and made no arrangements to remove Mrs Grant.

But Mrs Grant's family said they have not heard from immigration officials, adding: 'We have no idea of who they have been working with to resolve this issue as we have not heard from them since they gave us the ultimatum.'

The Australian High Commission in London was unavailable for comment last night.
Tragic: Steven Salter died on Monday

A British scuba diver has died exploring a famous wreckage off the United States east coast.

Steven Salter, 46, from Gateshead, was exploring the Andrea Doria ocean liner with a group on Monday when he found himself in difficulty.

He was pulled unconscious from the water by crew members who gave him CPR but was later pronounced dead.

His family said: 'It is with absolute sadness that we have to tell you that Steven died on Monday 24 July whilst diving in the United States.

'We are all heartbroken but draw comfort knowing he was doing something that he loved.'

East Hampton Police said the official cause of death is yet to be determined.

A post on the EUROTEK Advanced Diving Conference page said: 'Steve was a hugely respected and well-liked British wreck and technical diver.

'Steve pursued his passion, actively researching, then searching and diving missing wrecks with his friends.'

His friend Mike Dixon, who runs a dive boat out of Tynemouth, said: 'Steve was one of the UK's leading divers and over his 28 years of diving he had achieved some very notable dives, including the ground-breaking Empress of Britain dive in 541ft (165m) of water in 2011 with the Darkstar dive team.

'Steve's real passion was discovering wrecks off his native north east coast and over the years he has identified over 50 wrecks, often through meticulous research.

'A regular contributor to diving and shipwreck conferences, Steve was well known in the UK deep diving community for his diving and his research but most of all for his sense of humour and generosity of spirit.

The SS Andrea Doria sank 60 nautical miles off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts in 1956 as it was heading for New York City when it collided with the MS Stockholm, killing 46 people

'He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.'

The SS Andrea Doria sank 60 nautical miles off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts in 1956 as it was heading for New York City when it collided with the MS Stockholm, killing 46 people.

Nick Caruso, the captain of the boat which pulled Mr Salter on board called Ol' Salty II, wrote on Facebook: 'We're coming home. Sad end.

'Our deepest, sorrow and sympathy to the family and friends of the lost brother wreck diver.'
A 28-year-old British fashion designer who died after falling from her loft bed at her Brooklyn apartment has been identified.

Tansy Stowell, 28, was found by her boyfriend the morning after a drunken night out.

Medics rushed her to the Woodhull Hospital Center but were unable to save her. She succumbed to her head injuries on Tuesday.

Fashion graduate Ms Stowell, from Maidstone in Kent, ran a millinery agency, Tansy Lea Millinery, making women's hats.

Fashion designer Tansy Stowell died after falling from her loft bed at her apartment in Brooklyn

Just three days before her death, she posted a message on Instagram, urging followers to 'revel in our open hearts'.

The retail and fashion expert, who previously worked at Selfridges, was a former pupil at the all-girls Walthamstow Hall in Sevenoaks, Kent.

He told police that he found his girlfriend on the floor beneath her loft bed when he woke up to use the bathroom.

Police were called to the apartment located on Driggs Avenue in Greenpoint around 8am on Tuesday.

Ms Stowell was bleeding from the head and was rushed to the hospital, where she died a short time later.

Police told the Daily News that they believe Stowell lost her balance as she came down the stairs from the bed, hit her head on a hook in the ceiling and fell.

Police were called to the apartment located on Driggs Avenue near McGuinness Blvd (near this area) in Greenpoint around 8am on Tuesday. An autopsy has been schedule to determine how she died, but investigators do believe that her death was accidental

In her final Instagram post, written three days before she died, marking the change of star sign from Cancer to Leo, Ms Stowell wrote: 'May this season remind us to always be brutally honest and have the guts to be bold with our awkward vulnerability!

'Heaven forbid we tell someone we can't stop thinking about them, or finally reveal to a family member that we disagree with their painful judgements etc. some things must die or come to an end, some things must be splayed open from the soul but instead of avoiding our emotional moments (I'm a capricorn moon so id sooner be hit by a megabus than tell you I'm youres!) let's revel in our open hearts!!!'

Police told the Daily News that they believe Stowell lost her balance as she came down the stairs from the bed, hit her head on a hook in the ceiling and fell.

An autopsy has been schedule to determine how she died.

But investigators do believe that her death was accidental.
These owls rewarded a local wildlife photographer with their very own 'selfie' when one leaned in to his friend for the perfect shot.

Bird watcher Barry Jackson, 45, has been going to a former First World War aerodrome site in Essex for six years to photograph the birds.

But in all his visits, some of which have lasted up to eight hours, he has never seen anything quite like this.

These little owls decided to pose for their very own selfie when local photographer Barry Jackson paid them a visit at an a First World War aerodrome site in Essex recently

One of the birds (pictured right) appears so determined to get in on the action he leans his head towards his friend to make the perfect shot

The amusing image shows one 'little owl' sat on top of a post, with his friend so determined to get in on the action he thrusts his head towards him  as if posing for a human selfie.

Mr Jackson, of Chelmsford, Essex, said: 'It's a really funny photo as it looks just like the one on the right is posing for the camera.

'It's almost like a selfie picture for Facebook.

'Little owls are full of character and are known for striking amusing poses but it was nice they trusted me so much to get close.'

Amateur snapper Barry Jackson (pictured), 45, has been visiting Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome near Chelmsford for six years to see the birds, who often hide out in its buildings

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome near Chelmsford is the only remaining First World War aerodrome in its original form and home to all sorts of wildlife who hide out in its buildings.

The 45-year-old engineer often meets up with the site's owner to observe the little owls, who were first introduced to the UK in the 19th century from parts of Europe, Asia and north Africa.

He thinks the birds were happy for him to get his perfect shot because they have learnt to trust him over the years.

He added: 'The owls know I am here but don't tend to see me as a threat.

'I think it's because I spend so much time here and I have followed most of them since they hatched.

'That's probably why they just looked straight at the lens and didn't fly at me.'
News / National

by Staff reporter

FOUR armed robbers, among them a South African, were involved in a spate of heists in Johannesburg before they escaped into Zimbabwe where they shot dead one of their own in a fight over sharing of the loot.Melusi Ndlovu (47) of Gwatemba area in Filabusi and his brother Edmos Ndlovu, who is still on the run, allegedly shot and killed their accomplice Dumisani Mbatha, the South African, on March 24 in 2001 at Manando Farm in Figtree before dumping the body in a bushy area.Melusi fled to South Africa after committing the crime and was arrested at his homestead in Filabusi in January this year after being on the run for 16 years.Yesterday, he appeared before Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Nokuthula Moyo facing a murder charge in connection with the death of Mbatha.Prosecuting, Mr Khumbulani Ndlovu said on March 24 in 2001, the two Ndlovu brothers shot Mbatha with a pistol once on the head following a misunderstanding over proceeds from the heist and he died on the spot.The two men hid the body in a bush at Manando Farm and fled from the area.The court heard that on March 23 in 2001, the accused person went to his late brother Mr Robert Ndlovu's house in Johannesburg in the company of Edmos. Melusi indicated that he wanted to travel back home to Zimbabwe with Mbatha and Edmos."They left Johannesburg at around 4PM and Melusi stole Robert's passport, which he used to cross the border to Zimbabwe," said the prosecutor.On entering the country through Beitbridge Border Post, the three men proceeded to Pangani Training Centre in Filabusi and arrived at midnight.On the following day, the trio drove to Bulawayo where they met their accomplice in the heist, Sikhumbuzo Moyo, at his house in Nketa 9 suburb."They demanded that Moyo should pay back the money which he owed them. The three men then requested Moyo to accompany them back to South Africa and he refused," said Mr Ndlovu.The court heard that Melusi and Edmos left Bulawayo and returned to Filabusi without Mbatha. On being quizzed by relatives about the whereabouts of Mbatha, they revealed that they shot and killed him."They dumped the body in a bushy area at Manando Farm in Figtree and covered it with tree branches before fleeing from the scene," said Mr Ndlovu.The body was discovered the following day by a farm worker who reported the matter to the police.Police questioned villagers from the area who revealed that they had last seen Mbatha entering Melusi's car and driving away with him on the day that he was last seen alive.The cops hunted the two brothers and later learnt that they had fled to South Africa.Melusi was arrested on January 16 this year after police received a tip-off that he had visited his home.Moyo yesterday took to the witness stand and revealed that he was part of Melusi's gang which committed heists in Johannesburg.He told the court that Melusi and Edmos killed Mbatha after he lied to them that he took the loot from their heist and crossed over to Zimbabwe."This prompted Melusi, Mbatha and Edmos to cross into Zimbabwe because Mbatha had lied to them that I had fled to Zimbabwe with the loot from an armed robbery that we had jointly committed in Johannesburg," said Moyo.He said when Melusi, Edmos and Mbatha left his house, they did not tell him where they were going."I received a phone call from Edmos warning me against divulging information on their whereabouts. I was shocked when police came to my house a month later inquiring about the death of Mbatha. I told them that I last saw the trio when they visited my house," he said.Melusi, through his lawyer, Mr Jabulani Mhlanga of Masiye-Moyo and Associates, applied for a discharge, arguing that the State failed to establish a prima facie case against him."There is no independent evidence proffered by the State linking my client to the alleged offence. The State is relying on circumstantial evidence, which is not enough to suggest that the accused person killed the deceased," said Mr Mhlanga.Justice Moyo remanded the matter to today for ruling.
A teenager has appeared in court charged with the murder of 16-year-old Leonne Weeks.

Miss Weeks was stabbed to death on a towpath in Dinnington, near Rotherham on January 16.

Shea Peter Heeley, 18, will stand trial at Sheffield Crown Court in March next year, following a psychiatric report.

Shea Heeley is accused of murdering Leonne Weeks in Rotherham in January. He appeared in court for further case management today

The 16-year-old was said to have been going to meet someone she met online before her body was discovered

He was remanded into custody to appear on March 5 at the same court.

Prosecuting barrister Tim Roberts QC told Sheffield Crown Court that the crown's case against Heeley included a number of witnesses who are 'mostly young people'.

Shea Heeley is charged with the murder of Leonne Weeks, who was found stabbed on a towpath in January

The court heard that further assessment of Heeley could take up to seven months.

Defence barrister Dapinder Singh, QC, admitted that it was a difficult position.

'We want to work towards that date (March 5) but we can't say that we will definitely be ready by then.'

The murder scene in Rotherham after the teenager was stabbed to death, as people lay floral tribute

Her funeral included a procession before a service at St Leonard's Church. Above, the scene as forensic officers investigated

Mr Roberts said: 'I think the focus is on making sure the defendant is fit to be on trial, then everything else will fall into place.'

The alarm was raised when Miss Weeks didn't return home that Sunday night

Closing the hearing, Judge Goose said: 'I'm satisfied that the custody limit be extended to March 9.

'This should be treated as a fixed trial date and not a provisional one.'

Miss Weeks was studying hair and beauty at Dinnington College at the time of her death.

Friends said she had gone to meet someone she met online before her body was discovered.

In a statement released two days after her death, her family said: 'We are devastated at the loss of our beautiful daughter and sister Leonne.

'She was very much loved and will be missed by all of us.'
A Greek resort that featured in the Inbetweeners Movie has banned 10,000 British holidaymakers in a bid to stop rowdy behaviour by tourists.

Malia, on the island of Crete, wants to lose its reputation as a party destination so it can attract families to the area.

Most of the town's hotels are now refusing to take people who have signed up to notorious 18-30 holiday packages.

The resort featured in The Inbetweeners Movie in 2011 which follows the misadventures of a group of British teenage friends after the end of their final year at school together. Some scenes were filmed in the town and others on the Spanish island of Majorca.

A Greek resort that featured in the Inbetweeners Movie has banned 10,000 British holidaymakers in a bid to stop rowdy behaviour by tourists. File picture shows young revellers in the town

The resort featured in the Inbetweeners Movie which follows the misadventures of a group of teenage friends after the end of their final year at school together

The move has already seen thousands blocked with UK tour operators complaining that large parties are being turned away.

Deputy mayor, Efthymios Moutrakis, blamed tour operators for fuelling the problem by selling holidays 'where anything goes'.

'We've given Party island bans 10,000 Britons these tour operators a free hand in branding an image completely alien to what Malia really is,' he told The Times.

'Malia isn't about sex, drugs and everything goes. It's the prime tourist destination in Crete, bringing in millions of euros to the island.'

The culture of binge-drinking has swamped resorts across Europe in recent years - much of it driven by young Britons intent on drinking themselves into oblivion.

The move follows reports of soaring problems with anti-social behaviour and young people taking legal highs (file picture)

In 2014, UK taxpayers footed the 14,000 bill to send two West Midlands Police officers to Magaluf to help crackdown on drunken behaviour by British tourists.

This year, the authorities have been trying to clean up the holiday hotspot this year by threatening those who misbehave with hefty fines.

Now, local authorities in Malia say 95 per cent of hotel have committed to stopping single Brits from coming.

They are confident they can fill their rooms with families of tourists from the likes of Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.

It follows reports of soaring problems with anti-social behaviour and young people taking legal highs.

One hotel owner said he had 'nothing against British people' but said tour groups were 'operating on the verge of criminal negligence'.

The unnamed local complained the behaviour was driving other tourists away.

He said: 'Just the other day I had a group of German visitors who cut short their stay because they couldn't sleep and they didn't feel safe.
President Macron's plan to transform 62 hotels across France into migrant shelters have been met with backlash from officials.

Mayors and police unions slammed the plans over fears towns with smaller populations could be 'filled with hundreds of single men'.

Mr Macron has vowed to clear migrants of France's streets by the end of this year and ensure those awaiting asylum are housed and not sleeping rough.

In an bid to alleviate increasing tensions and to halt the creation of new camps following the destruction of the Jungle in Calais last year, all migrants will be offered housing, said President Macron.

President Macron has vowed to clear migrants off France's by the end of this year as he stands behind plans to transform 62 cheap hotels into shelters.

Shop owners and locals in the town of Semeac, in southern France, have built a 6ft high, 65ft long concrete wall around a hotel which was due to be turned into a migrant shelter

Residents say they are not opposed to helping those less fortunate, but blasted this project for a lack of transparency and being situated in a residential area

While France has received far fewer the asylum applications when compared to Germany, measures by the German government to tighten its asylum procedures in Calais have worried officials in Paris.

They are braced for an influx in immigration from former French colonies in north and west Africa, who co find it more difficult to gain asylum elsewhere.

It comes after more than 40 per cent of France's population backed extremists on the far Left and Right during the recent presidential election.

The hotel in Semeac, which can house a maximum of 85 people, is one of 61 properties to be bought with public money to house migrants (file image)

On July 7 police in Paris rounded up 2,771 migrants sleeping in the streets near to an overcrowded migration centre.

According to charities there, the area is home to a further 800 migrants who arrived this month alone - with the number rising by around 50 a day.

Authorities in Calais are also trying to prevent around 600 migrants who have returned to Calais from setting up another camp, following the destruction of the Jungle nine months ago.

Officials were accused of using pepper spray to disperse migrants  including on unaccompanied minors.

Speaking on a visit to Orleans in central France yesterday, President Macron pledged to speed up the asylum process for refugees fleeing areas of conflict, while thwarting economic migration.

'For those who are persecuted, for freedom fighters...they must be welcomed on out territory,' said Mr Macron.

'Letting them wander from border to border, that is not what France is about.'

The president also warned: 'No country can take in all the economic migrants.'

Authorities in Calais are also trying to prevent around 600 migrants who have returned to Calais from setting up another camp

It comes after the destruction of the Jungle last year. Officials were accused of using pepper spray to disperse migrants  including on unaccompanied minors

The president wants migrants housed while their asylum applications are processed instead of sleeping rough on the sleep

He promised 'worthy' housing for asylum seekers who have spent many months or even years sleeping rough on the streets while their applications were assessed.

But the state's plan to purchase 62 Formule 1 hotels and convert them into shelters that will accommodate around 6,000 homeless people and migrants has been met with controversy.

In the Pyrenees town of Semeac locals have built a wall in front of a hotel to keep out the 80 or so migrants due to move in.

In Bailleul, northern France, police unions slammed plans to place dozens of migrants in the town's Formule 1 hotels as 'pure madness'.

But officials are worried that migrants would use the location to try and stow away in lorries, due to the hotel's proximity to a motorway.

President Macron pledged to speed up the asylum process for refugees fleeing areas of conflict, while thwarting economic migration

President Macros on spoke of plans to dispatch officials to Libya and Niger to determine whether migrants had a genuine claim to asylum

They are worried that migrants would use the location to try and stow away in lorries, due to the hotel's proximity to a motorway.

Michel Lebouc, the Left-wing mayor of Maganville, northwest of Paris, said he was 'scandalised' to on find out plans to convert his town's Formule 1 hotel into a shelter.

Maganville, says Mr Lebouc, could cope with a 'few families' but feared 'the grubby-looking hotel would be filled with hundreds of single men', reports The Times.

President Macros on spoke of plans to dispatch officials to Libya and Niger to determine whether migrants had a genuine claim to asylum, before they taken across the Mediterranean.
The furious parents of a young boy, who was killed by a driver texting at the wheel, described her suspended sentence as an 'absolute joke'.

Clinton Pringle was crossing the road while on a family holiday in Jersey when Rebekah Le Gal mowed him down with her VW Transporter.

Clinton died three days later in Southampton Hospital from 'catastrophic, non-survivable injuries'.

Le Gal, 39, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving after officers found she had sent a 'trivial' moments before she knocked the boy down. She was cleared last month.

She was given an eight-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to a lesser charge of causing death by careless driving. Le Gal was also banned from driving for 30 months.

Clinton's devastated parents, Michael and Stacey Pringle, said they have been let down by the justice system.

Clinton's devastated parents, Michael and Stacey Pringle, said they have been let down by the justice system

Le Gal, 39, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving after officers found she had sent a 'trivial' moments before she knocked the boy down. She was cleared last month

Mr Pringle, 50, from Moodiesburn, near Glasgow, told the Daily Record: 'It's an absolute joke. The justice system has allowed her to get away with killing our wee boy.

'She will never serve any time in jail, there no real punishment for what she's done.

'When the verdict was read out I stood up in the gallery, applauded and shouted 'bravo' then walked out of court.

'I'm totally disgusted this woman got away with killing our son. We have to go through the rest of our lives without Clinton - where is the justice in that? We are the ones dealing with a life sentence.'

Mrs Pringle and Clinton's aunt Melissa Anderson screamed and waved their arms desperately to alert Le Gal, but were unable to stop her hitting the toddler.

A court heard that she had just read a message from him asking for his grandmother's phone number. She replied with the grandmother's phone number 12 seconds after reading the message, records show.

The Royal Court in Jersey heard that Clinton's mother Stacey and aunt Melissa Anderson 'screamed' and waved their arms in a desperate bid to alert Le Gal as the youngster crossed the road.

Clinton died three days later in Southampton Hospital from 'catastrophic, non-survivable injuries'

Le Gal admitted sending the text when she was interviewed but claimed it had not distracted her and described it as a 'measured act.'

Advocate Matthew Jowitt, defending, claimed she had sent her reply 16 seconds before the crash.

He said that was an 'awfully long time' for his client to still be distracted from 'simply pressing send on a text'.

Mobile phone expert Mark Rigby told the court the text message could have been delayed as she had 33 or 34 apps open on her phone at the same time.

Jurats Michael Liston and Jane Ronge took less than two hours to acquit Le Gal of causing death by dangerous driving.

She had previously admitted the lesser charge of death by careless driving and will be sentenced for that next month.

Outside court last month Clinton's parents Michael and Stacey, 29, said the family from Glasgow were 'shocked' and 'gobsmacked' by the verdict.

He said: 'We won't be able to pick up the pieces and move on. We will forever be stuck in June 2016.

'Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Clinton will remember what a wonderful child he was. Nothing will ever compensate for his loss at such a young age.

'The facts of his death are now down on record for all to see.

'The most obvious fact is that Rebekah Le Gal had plenty of time to see him and stop safely and should have. But she didn't.

Clinton Pringle was crossing the road while on a family holiday in Jersey when Rebekah Le Gal mowed him down with her VW Transporter

Mrs Pringle and Clinton's aunt Melissa Anderson screamed and waved their arms desperately to alert Le Gal, but were unable to stop her hitting the toddler

'It's been absolutely horrific especially for Stacey and Melissa (Clinton's aunt) who have relived this almost every day as it is.

'It's been an absolutely horrendous time for all of us but especially for them. For me, it was the first time I had seen the fine details of what happened and I think people can make their mind up.'

Police said after the verdict: 'We note the decision of the court in this particular case.

'However we continue to remind all road users that using a mobile phone whilst driving is dangerous.

'The States of Jersey Police remain committed to ensuring, with partners, that our roads are as safe as they can be and will continue to target those drivers who use their mobile phones whilst driving.'
A man has been sentenced to six years behind bars for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

Luke Aaron Smith was jailed in the Auckland District Court, in New Zealand's North Island, on Friday over the October 2015 assault.

The 29-year-old had planned the attack with the girl's mother, who he had met on a dating website about a month earlier, The New Zealand Herald reported.

Luke Aaron Smith (pictured) has been jailed for six years and six months for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl

The girl had been given alcohol by Smith and was unconscious at the time he started assaulting her but woke up during the attack.

Her mother told her it was a bad dream as she sat next to her and watched the assault.

Smith and the girl's mother had also planned to assault the girl a second time but never went through with the attack.

Through a victim impact statement read out when Smith was sentenced, the girl said she had been 'trying to figure out what I had done to deserve this?'

Smith, 29, was sentenced in the Auckland District Court (pictured) on Friday

'At the time, I was shocked, confused, angry and scared... My trust with my mother was dramatically affected,' the victim impact statement said.

Smith was jailed for six years and six months by Judge Mary-Beth Sharp after pleading guilty to sexual conduct with a young person aged under 16 and conspiracy to commit sexual violation of the girl.

He had also pleaded guilty to a sexual misconduct charge relating to offending against another victim and sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection.

The judge also ordered Smith to pay $2500 to his victim in emotional harm reparation.
A teenager died of a cocaine overdose after going to the flat of a man three times her age when she lost her friend in a nightclub.

Charlotte Wade, 18, tried to knock the door of her ex-boyfriend's mother's house before ending up at Stephen McDonald's house in Preston in the early hours of July 18 when she got split up from her friend after they left a club.

Police are not clear about why Miss Wade ended up at McDonald's flat, but that her ex-boyfriend's mother lived on the same road.

McDonald, 51, supplied the teenager with drugs including cocaine, morphine and heroin. The 18-year-old managed to speak to a friend using his phone, but told them not to tell anyone where she had gone.

Miss Wade was found unresponsive by McDonald that afternoon, and tests showed she had 'fatal' levels of cocaine and morphine in her system.

Charlotte Wade had been for a night out in Preston with a friend, referred to only as 'Megan' in an inquest, when she became separated from her after the club closed

McDonald called an ambulance for the teenager and later admitted supplying Class A drugs to her. He was jailed for four years.

In the hours before her death the teenager had used McDonald's phone to call a friend and told her not to tell anyone she was at the flat. It is not believed she had any previous history of drug issues.

Brief details of last July's tragedy emerged at an inquest which heard how Miss Wade who is thought to have been training to be a hairdresser at college had gone for a night out in Preston with a friend named only as Megan.

Stephen McDonald, 51, was jailed for supplying drugs after her death

Det Insp Roger Ashcroft of Lancashire Police told the Preston hearing: 'We know that Charlotte had gone into Preston City Centre at around 10pm in the evening of the 17 July, 2016 with a friend called Megan and they went out and drank a considerable amount of alcohol.

'They got to the club and arrived at 2am but while it is not clear what or how much Charlotte drank, she got separated from her friend at 3am when she got ejected from the club after a disturbance inside.

'She was separated from her friend and went off on her own. What we do know is that she got in a taxi from CCTV. At 4am she knocked on the door of the mother of Josh Kirkham who she had previously been in a relationship with.

'A short distance away Stephen McDonald lived in his flat and it was some time that morning that Charlotte arrived there. While she was there she was in contact with a friend Zoe who spoke to Charlotte on Stephen McDonald's phone and said that she seemed normal and fine and spoke to her on two occasions that day.

'She requested that she should not tell anybody that she was there at the time. At 3.08pm there was a call from an ambulance which was diverted to the police regarding a unresponsive female.

Miss Wade had no previous history of drug use, but tests showed she had a 'fatal' level of two drugs in her system after her death

'McDonald called the ambulance and was at the flat when they arrived. He was later arrested as a result of the post mortem of supplying class A drugs. He admitted that he had supplied the drugs. He was charged and is currently serving four years imprisonment.

'There wasn't evidence to show that there was drugs forced upon Charlotte. He was simply charged with supplying the drugs.'

Pathologist Dr Alison Armor said the medical cause of Miss Wade's death was 'complex drug misuse.' She said: 'In her blood was morphine, heroin and its metabolites, cocaine and its metabolites and gabapentin.

'Gabapentin is a prescribed drug but also a drug which is frequently abused. It is abused to enhance the effects of heroin. There was an amount of morphine found in her blood which was fatal on its own. There was also a large amount of cocaine that was fatal in its own.'

It is not known how she ended up with McDonald in his flat, but her ex-boyfriend's mother lived nearby and she appeared to be trying to contact her

Miss Wade had been studying hairdressing at a college before her death in July last year

McDonald was arrested after Miss Wade's death but he skipped bail in February and went on the run. He was re-arrested the following April after the teenager's family launched a campaign on social media to track him down. He was jailed last May at Preston Crown Court.

Recording a verdict of drug related death, Coroner Richard Taylor said: 'Firstly I would like to offer my condolences for something that has been going if for almost a year now. All I have to do is return a conclusion on how Charlotte met her death.

'I simply have to return a factual conclusion on what happened. There was no evidence, or no sufficient evidence that drugs were forced upon her or there would have been different charges brought at Preston Crown Court the conclusion I give is one of a drug related death, and that she ingested excess drugs.'

Miss Wade's family did not comment after the hearing.
Chinese state media has been praising the benefits of foreign women marrying Chinese men as the country faces a bachelor crisis.

A piece by the People's Daily Online describe Chinese men as 'honest, outgoing and responsible'.

It's estimated that around 15 million men between the ages of 35 and 59 won't be able to find wives by 2020.

The piece described Chinese men as being caring and respectful towards women. (Left, Chinese swimmer Ning Zetao, Right, Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming)

China estimates around 15 million men won't be able to find wives by 2020

The site claims that Chinese men are becoming increasingly attractive to foreign women.

It described Chinese men as being caring and respectful towards women.

Anna, a Russian lady who married a Chinese man told the People's Daily that she thinks Chinese men have more of a sense of responsibility.

It comes as China faces a huge bachelor problem.

There has been an increasing trend in bachelors paying to wed women from other countries

Mao Shoulong (pictured), a dean from the Renmin University, made the claim in a column

It's estimated that around 15 million men between the ages of 35 and 59 won't be able to find wives by 2020.

By 2050, it's thought that the figure could reach 30 million.

There has been an increasing trend in bachelors paying to wed women from countries such as Vietnam after struggling to find a partner.

In February last year, Mao Shoulong a scholar from Renmin University called on more female immigrants to be encouraged to live and work in China so that they could perhaps marry Chinese 'leftover men'.

Men in rural areas face the most difficulty when finding a partner. For a typical rural marriage, a man is expected to have a house and in some cases a car.

Zhang Hu, a father who lives in a mountainous village in northwest China's Gansu province, spent his entire savings and borrowed a further 150,000 yuan (16,496) to ensure his son married.

The money has now flung the family back into poverty as they struggle to pay back the giant sum.
A gang boss who pimped out young girls for 150-a-time at a curry house is set for early release just five years into his 22-year sentence.

Mubarek Ali, 34, sold teenage girls, some as young as 13, for sex above an Indian restaurant in Telford, Shropshire, after grooming them.

His brother Ahdel Ali, 27, was handed a 26-year sentence after the pair sexually abused, trafficked, prostituted or tried to prostitute four teenagers.

One of the victims of the notorious Telford child sex abuse ring is said to still be 'living in fear'.

Mubarek Ali, 34, (left) and his brother Ahdel Ali, 27, (right) were both jailed after sexually abusing young girls in a child sex abuse ring

Mubarek was convicted of four charges of controlling child prostitution, two of trafficking in the UK for sexual exploitation and one of causing child prostitution.

The offences against girls as young as 13 took place between March 2008 and December 2009.

He is due to be released on licence in November later this year and the news prompted Telford MP Lucy Allan to raise her concerns in the House of Commons.

She asked the Prime Minister earlier this month whether Ali should be allowed to return to Telford.

She said: 'A young woman in Telford who gave evidence in a horrific child sexual exploitation case five years ago is living in fear.

'The perpetrator, who received a 22-year sentence, is about to be released early.

'CSE victims are too often overlooked and ignored. Does the Prime Minister agree that CSE victims should be properly consulted on the release of perpetrators and that in this case the perpetrator should not be returned to Telford?'

Prime Minister Theresa May replied: 'My hon. Friend raises a very important issue. We all know that child sexual exploitation is an absolutely horrific crime.

'It is absolutely right that if victims are going to come forward to report this abuse, they need to know that they will be supported so that they can have the confidence to do so and be confident in their future security and safety.

'The victim contact scheme is supposed to treat victims properly and ensure that consideration is given to victim-related conditions when looking at an offender's licence on release.

'If my hon. Friend would like to write with the details of the case to my right hon. Friend the Justice Secretary, he will look at it very carefully.'

Ali, from Wellington, Shropshire, was jailed for 14 years and given eight years on licence after his trial at Stafford Crown Court.

Ali, from Wellington, Shropshire, was jailed for 14 years and given eight years on licence after his trial at Stafford Crown Court (pictured)

His brother Ahdel Ali was jailed for 18 years with an additional eight-year period on licence after release.

He was convicted of a string of sex offences including rape, 11 charges of sexual activity with a child, three charges of controlling child prostitution and one of inciting child prostitution.

The court heard the young girls were offered cash, gifts and free car journeys before being taken to the restaurant to have sex.

Five other men were also convicted relating to child prostitution in the town.

The incidents took place in bedrooms above the Dhaka Tandoori restaurant in the town and the proprietors were unaware of the activities taking place there.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman told MailOnline they do not comment on individual cases, but said: 'Under the Criminal Justice Act 2003, most prisoners must be automatically released at the halfway point of their sentence.

'Time spent in custody on remand counts towards the length of time an offender serves behind bars.

'This offender remains in custody.'
Horrifying photos have emerged of the aftermath of a truck collision with two cars as police investigating desperately search for a driver who they say fled the scene.

Both cars were stopped at a set of traffic lights on Picton Road at Wilton, south of Sydney, when the truck failed to stop at the intersection and hit both vehicles.

Police said the truck scrapped the left side of one of the cars before ramming into the other, crushing the rear driver's side and forcing the vehicle into a guard rail.

Police have released images of the aftermath of a smash south of Sydney, where a truck collided with two vehicles

The truck rammed one car, crushing the rear driver's side and forcing the vehicle into a guard rail

The truck then accelerated away from the scene about 8.15am on Thursday without the driver attempting to stop to render aid to any person, police allege.

The driver of one of the vehicles was taken to hospital, while the driver of the other car was 'badly shaken'.

Police are now keen to 'speak to the driver of the truck or any person who may know the truck or it's driver'.

'The truck is described as a white, Western Star truck with quad dog trailer with alloy buckets with a torn tarp on top,' police said in a Facebook post.

They are also calling on members of the public who may have dashcam footage of the incident or the moments leading up to the crash to come forward.

Anyone with information that may assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Debris sprawled across the road following Thursday morning's accident south of Sydney
Diane Abbott has been slammed for spreading a meme that falsely claims Theresa May once sought to 'curb lesbianism'.

The Labour MP shared the image with her 170,000 Twitter followers claiming it represented the Prime Minister's 'thoughts on LGBT rights'.

The meme features an old picture of Mrs May on the campaign trail alongside text reading: 'Curbing the promotion of lesbianism in Merton's schools starts with girls having male role models in their lives.'

The quote - which was supposedly made in the 1980s - has been repeatedly debunked in the past but is frequently shared by Labour supporters on social media in a bid to attack the Tories.

The meme features an old picture of Mrs May on the campaign trail alongside text reading: 'Curbing the promotion of lesbianism in Merton's schools starts with girls having male role models in their lives'

Diane Abbott deleted the tweet just minutes after MailOnline alerted her aides to the fake quote

None of the accounts sharing the image have offered a source for the comments, which are often contrasted alongside those made by Labour politicians in the same era.

Abbott deleted the tweet just minutes after MailOnline alerted her aides to the fake quote.

The Shadow Home Secretary was flooded with furious responses from her followers who accused her of 'encouraging abuse of a female politician based on a lie' after she uploaded the meme at 8am today.

James Savage wrote: 'Can you provide evidence this is real? If not, you are misleading the public and spreading fake news. Stop!'

James Savage wrote: 'Can you provide evidence this is real? If not, you are misleading the public and spreading fake news. Stop!'

Victoria Freeman said: 'Diane, there is no evidence May ever said this. Why would you encourage abuse of a female politician based on a lie?'

Emily Topping added: 'Imagine having to resort to fake images to get one over on the gov. I could put text over a picture of you, doesn't mean you said it.'

Another user going by the name of @blairby said: 'Was this not a fake news article?'

A spokesman for Ms Abbott did not respond to a request for comment.

Ms Abbott complained earlier this month about the 'mindless abuse' that she has received as an MP through emails and social media.

Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate, she said the abuse had become worse in recent years, and gets worse at election time, but said she did not put it 'down to a particular election'.

Emily Topping added: 'Imagine having to resort to fake images to get one over on the gov. I could put text over a picture of you, doesn't mean you said it'

Another user going by the name of @blairby said: 'Was this not a fake news article?'

She added: 'I think the rise in the use of online has turbocharged abuse because 30 years ago, when I first became an MP, if you wanted to attack an MP you had to write a letter, usually in green ink, you had to put it in an envelope, you had to put a stamp on it and you had to walk to the post box.

'Now they press a button and you read vile abuse which 30 years ago people would have been frightened to even write down.'

Ms Abbott said the abuse was 'much worse' for women but acknowledged that male politicians also suffered.
News / National

by Staff reporter

THE Motor Industry Association of Zimbabwe (MIAZ) has reacted angrily to Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda's proposal for a 150% hike on import duty for second-hand vehicles.Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda speaks at the Zimra parliamentarians workshop at Rainbow Towers Hotel yesterdayMIAZ president Luckson Gwara told NewsDay yesterday that the proposal to raise duty to 150% was not in sync with what they had crafted in the Motor Industry Development Policy, which is currently before Cabinet."I am not sure what way he (Mudenda) wants to go about it, whether it is in sync with what we crafted as the Motor Industry Development Policy, because I have not read his statements," he said."But, our view is that, while we attend to this, we still need to allow people to be able to drive vehicles."Obviously, the vehicles they are importing are much cheaper than anywhere else and in any case, we are not building (sic) any vehicles, so it is more to do with controlling."Gwara said while they were crafting the Motor Industry Development Policy, some issues had been discussed such as the age of cars that were being imported and whether the used vehicles could be serviced locally.He proposed that dealers should then be the ones to bring in second-hand vehicles, whose parts should be readily available locally in order to save on foreign currency.Yesterday, Mudenda said he believed the poor deserved better and should be allowed to import vehicles without hassles upon getting a permit from the Industry ministry.Mudenda on Tuesday caused an uproar after suggesting customs duty for second-hand vehicles be raised from the current 96% to 150% to cut on the country's import bill.
Trumpeting his administration's crackdown on illegal immigration and violent crime, President Donald Trump came to Long Island today to dedicate his administration's full support to police officers battling MS-13.

He left Washington early in the afternoon with his warring senior advisors, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci, in tow.

Trump spoke Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood, New York, close to where the ultra-violent street gang has committed a string of gruesome murders, including the massacre of four young men in April in a Central Islip park.

'These are animals,' Trump said of gang that brutalizes its victims before it kills them.

The president also gave police officers permission to be 'rough' with members of the gang - endorsing police brutality when it comes to handling 'thugs.'

And while members of the audience laughed and applauded Trump's comments, the Suffolk County Police Department hit back on Twitter after the speech.

'The SCPD has strict rules & procedures relating to the handling of prisoners. Violations of those rules are treated extremely seriously,' the police force tweeted.

'As a department, we do not and will not tolerate roughing up of prisoners.'

Trumpeting his administration's crackdown on illegal immigration and violent crime, President Donald Trump came to Long Island today to dedicate his administration's full support to police officers battling MS-13

Trump spoke Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood, New York, close to where the ultra-violent street gang that has committed a string of gruesome murders. He's seen boarding Air Force One this afternoon in Washington

He left Washington early in the afternoon with his warring senior advisors, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci, in tow

After his speech encouraging the 'rough' treatment of prisoners, the Suffolk County Police Department hit back on Twitter

Trump continued his tough talk on immigration and immigrant crime, which he said his administration is 'nipping in the bud,' and thanked Congress for dedicating more funding to border enforcement in a speech to law enforcement officers and the family members of crime victims.

'When you see these thugs being thrown into the back of the paddy wagon, you just see them thrown in, rough, I said, "Please don't be too nice," ' Trump recounted to laughter. 'Like when you guys put somebody in the car, and you're protecting their head, you know the way you put you're their hand over? Like don't hit their head, and they just killed somebody? Don't hit their head?'

To cheers and applause, the president told them, 'I said, "You can take the hand away, OK?" '

Trump has made cracking down on MS-13, also called Mara Salvatrucha, a top priority of his administration.

The gang, which is believed to have originated in immigrant communities in Los Angeles in the 1980s and then entrenched itself in Central America when its leaders were deported, is infamous for its violent tactics, including torturing victims and hacking them with machetes.

'They kidnap. They extort. They rape and they rob. They prey on children. They shouldn't be here. They stop on their victims. They beat them with clubs. They slash with machetes, and they stab them knives,' Trump said on Friday.

The president said the gang has 'transformed peaceful parts and beautiful, quiet neighborhoods into blood stained killing fields.

'They're animals,' he repeated. 'We cannot tolerate, as a society, the spilling of innocent, young wonderful, vibrant people. Sons and daughters, even husbands and wives. We cannot accept this violence one day more. Can't do it.'

Because of the law enforcement officers surrounding him, Trump said the people of Long Island wouldn't have to put up with the killing any more.

'You're not going to allow it to happen, and we're backing you up 100 percent. Remember that,' he said.

Trump is asking Congress to provide funding for 10,000 new immigration agents.

The House of Representatives passed legislation yesterday that authorizes $1.6 billion in spending for Trump's border wall. Senators were busy debating Obamacare until the wee hours of last night.

Trump made the funding for his barrier sound like a done deal on Friday, despite the discrepancy.

'We will build the wall, that I can tell you,' he said. 'The wall is vital and vital as a tool for ending the humanitarian disaster brought, and really brought on by drug smugglers.'

The president gave police officers permission to be 'rough' with members of the gang - endorsing police brutality when it comes to handling 'thugs'

'When you see these thugs being thrown into the back of the paddy wagon, you just see them thrown in, rough, I said, "Please don't be too nice," ' Trump recounted to laughter

'Like when you guys put somebody in the car, and you're protecting their head, you know the way you put you're their hand over? Like don't hit their head, and they just killed somebody?' To cheers and applause, the president told them, 'I said, "You can take the hand away, OK?" '

Trump's Justice and Homeland Security departments have made targeting the gang a top priority.

Its recruits are middle- and high-school students, predominantly in immigrant communities, who are said to risk violent retribution if they leave. Authorities estimate the group has tens of thousands of members across several Central American countries and many U.S. states.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has directed his department's law enforcement agencies and federal prosecutors across the country to prioritize their prosecution, as directed by an executive order Trump signed in February, among other measures.

'We're liberating our towns and we're liberating our cities. Can you believe we have to do that?' Trump said at an Ohio rally earlier this week, adding that law enforcement agents were rooting out gang members - and 'not doing it in a politically correct fashion. We're doing it rough.'

'Our guys are rougher than their guys,' he bragged.

Trump made the same boast again today.

'Im talking about liberating our towns. This is like Id see in a movie: They're liberating the town, like in the old Wild West, right?' he said. 'I never thought Id be standing up here talking about liberating the towns on Long Island where I grew up, but that's what youre doing.'

The president said once again that US immigration services employs 'rough guys.'

'They're rough. I don't want to be -- say it because theyll say that's not politically correct,' he added. 'You're not allowed to have rough people doing this kind of work...Just like they don't want to have rich people at the head of Treasury, okay?'

'Like, I want a rich guy at the head of Treasury, right? Right?' he told them.

The president said once again that US immigration services employs 'rough guys.' 'They're rough. I don't want to be -- say it because theyll say that's not politically correct'

Trump was accompanied on the trip by senior policy advisor Stephen Miller, United States ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and acting ICE director Tom Homan, in addition to Priebus and Scaramucci.

Scaramucci dropped off in New York, though, and did not fly back to Washington.

Attorney General Sessions was not on the trip with Trump to New York today.

The cabinet official who's on the outs with the president was in El Salvador today to give an address at an international law enforcement academy graduation near the MS-13 headquarters.

Sessions met Thursday with his Salvadoran counterpart and members of an international anti-gang task force.

'MS-13 is based here in El Salvador, but its tentacles reach across Central America, Europe, and through 40 U.S. States, and to within yards of the U.S. Capitol,' he told graduating cadets on Friday.

'With more than 40,000 members worldwide-including 10,000 in the United States-MS-13 threatens the lives and wellbeing of each and every family anywhere they exist and everywhere they infest.'

Since the beginning of January the Department of Homeland Security's investigative unit has arrested 3,311 gang members across the country in a number of targeted operations, said Homan, the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The agency could not provide numbers for a similar timeframe in 2016.

In this April 19, 2017 file photo, the casket of Justin Llivicura, 16, is carried from St. Joseph the Worker Church after Llivicura's funeral in East Patchogue, N.Y. Llivicura was one of four young men found slain in a suspected MS-13 gang massacre in a park in Central Islip, N.Y.

Congressman Peter King, who represents Brentwood was also on Air Force One with the president from Washington.

He said before the event that Trump's appearance would send a signal to communities that have been shaken by the violent killings.

'It's absolutely devastating. And almost all of these killings have occurred in my district, within 20 minutes of my home,' he said.

King said the gang is responsible for 17 murders between January 2016 and April 2017 in his district - but that the impact on largely immigrant communities has been larger because of the way the gang kills.

In addition to torturing victims, King said, members have also sent video of gruesome crime scenes to their victims' loved ones.

'This gang's chilling motto is 'mata, viola, controla,'which means "kill, rape and control," 'said Robert Hur, a top official at the Justice Department. 'They seek to live up to this motto through truly shocking acts of violence designed to instill fear: vicious machete attacks, execution-style gunshots, gang rape and human trafficking.'

The Trump administration blames the gang's recent resurgence in certain areas on illegal immigration and believes policies like building a wall along the southern border and cracking down on so-called 'sanctuary cities' will eradicate the problem.

Critics see the focus misplaced, however, and argue resources could be better spent on other enforcement efforts.

Trump said Friday that he'd talked to police unable to do their jobs, 'because they have a pathetic mayor or a mayor who doesn't know what's going on.'

'Its sad. Its sad. You look at whats happening, its sad. But hopefully -- certainly in the country, those days are over,' he said. 'From now on, were going to enforce our laws, protect our borders, and support our police like our police have never been supported before.'
Prince William flew to rescue a missing woman on his last shift as an air ambulance pilot after a police van out searching for her ended up running her over.

William, who will now take up royal duties full time, flew the unnamed victim to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge where she is in a critical condition today.

The pedestrian, who is in her 50s, was hit by a police van responding to a 999 call to find her on the B1135 Wymondham Road in Hethel, about eight miles south-west of Norwich, at 10.20pm last night.

Norfolk Police have called in the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to investigate how officers out trying to find a missing woman managed to knock her down and leave her fighting for her life.

Prince William was spotted in a park in Hertfordshire on his last night shift as a pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance - hours later he rushed to save a woman knocked down by a police van

The pedestrian was hit by a police van responding to a 999 call to find her on the B1135 Wymondham Road in Hethel, about eight miles south-west of Norwich (pictured today)

William, who will now take up royal duties full time, flew the unnamed victim to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge where she is in a critical condition today

A mile-long stretch of the B1135 remains closed today as investigators study the crash scene.

A Norfolk Police spokesman said: 'Officers were in the area responding to a 999 call relating to concerns for the safety of a woman who had been reported missing.

'The road was closed while initial scene investigations were carried out and remains closed this morning.

'In accordance with normal procedure, Norfolk Police has referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.'

The Duke of Cambridge attended the incident on his final night shift as a pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA).

William and Kate are reportedly hoping to expand their own Royal Foundation charity and want to focus more on causes like mental health.

The Duke and Duchess, along with Prince Harry, have lent their support to helping people battle mental health issues and launched the Heads Together campaign last year.

They will move from their primary resident at Amner Hall in Norfolk to an apartment in Kensington Palace in London with their two children George and Charlotte.

An EAAA spokesman said: 'The EAAA crew, which last night included William, attended an incident south of Norwich which involved a road traffic collision-related injury, and a patient was treated at scene for severe head injuries then treated at Addenbrooke's Hospital.'

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) said it was called at 10.25pm on Thursday and two land ambulances, the East Anglian Air Ambulance and an ambulance officer were sent to the scene.

An ambulance service spokesman said: 'They treated a woman in her 50s who had suffered serious head and leg injuries.

'She was airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in a life-threatening condition.'

William was seen sitting in the helicopter in a park in Royston at around 7.05pm after attending an emergency call out with the crew - hours later he would be in Norfolk

The Duke of Cambridge landed in a park at the Templars Gate Estate in Royston to treat a patient on his last day with the charity

A spokesman for the Independent Police Complaints Commission said: 'An incident involving a collision between a police vehicle and a pedestrian on Wymondham Road, Norfolk, on July 27 has been referred to the IPCC and an independent investigation was launched at 8am this morning.

'IPCC officers have been deployed to the scene.'

A Norfolk Police spokesman said the woman struck by the van was the missing woman officers were searching for.

The air ambulance was called at 11.13pm and the woman was treated at the scene for complex serious head injuries.

The air ambulance medical team administered a general anaesthetic and took control of the patient's breathing.

The critical care team transferred the patient to Addenbrooke's Hospital for further treatment. The team returned to the Cambridge base at 1.30am.

Earlier Prince William has been spotted landing his helicopter in a park.

The Duke of Cambridge set down at the Templars Gate Estate in Royston, Hertfordshire to treat a patient on his last day with the charity.

William was seen sitting in the helicopter at around 7.05pm after attending an emergency call out with the East Anglian branch of the charity.

The heir to the throne spoke about the horror of witnessing 'things that cannot be unseen' ahead of his final shift as an air ambulance pilot.

The Royal told of his pride at serving with a team who 'save lives across the region every day' but have experiences they have to 'carry with them for life'.

The Duke (front left) poses with, left to right: Ccp Gary Spitzer, Dr Karen rhodes, Dr Adam Chesters, Cpt Matt Sandbach, Cpt Dave Kelly, Pilot Olly Gates, Dr Tobias Gouse and Ccp Carl Smith

During his two years with the service, based out of Cambridge Airport, William (pictured during his last shift) has responded to 'hundreds' of call-outs in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk

William gives his helicopter a final check before taking to the skies for the final time

Prince William begins his final shift working as an air ambulance pilot, and will return to his royal duties

The heir has been flying medical crews to emergencies such as traffic accidents for about two years

His departure closes a chapter for William, 35, who is leaving the skies to return to formal duties as the country's future king

He arrived ten minutes early for his 4.30pm night shift at Cambridge Airport and his final briefing as a pilot with East Anglia Air Ambulance.

Dressed in a regulation blue flight suit with his name William Wales on the breast, he attended two hand-over briefings from the flying and medical day teams, who had just returned from a call-out.

He jokingly told colleagues: 'You're handing over to the A-Team.'

The prince joined the East Anglian Air Ambulance service in March 2015, after serving for nearly five years as a helicopter pilot with the RAF Search and Rescue Force.

WILLIAM'S SERVICE William (pictured in the rescue helicopter) will now devote more time to his royal duties and will move his primary residence from Norfolk to London - The Prince graduated from Sandhurst military academy in December 2006 and was commissioned into the Blues and Royals, a regiment of the Household Cavalry - In 2008, William received his RAF wings from his father, the Prince of Wales - He was then transferred from the Army to the RAF and made Flight Lieutenant Wales - Two years later, in 2010, he joined the RAF's Search and Rescue Force - In 2012, he was deployed for a tour in the Falkland Islands 30 years after Britain fought a war with Argentina to reclaim them - One year later, his active service with the Air Force came to an end Advertisement

He began piloting his first missions with a team of specialist doctors and critical care paramedics in July that year. He is thought to have responded to hundreds of call-outs, from road accidents and heart attacks to suicide attempts.

In an open letter yesterday, he wrote: 'I have the utmost respect for the job that our emergency services carry out, without fuss, on a daily basis.

'As I hang up my flight suit, I am proud to have served with such an incredible team of people, who save lives across the region every day.

'I now know though that there are things that cannot be unseen and experiences that our first responders deal with on a daily basis that they will carry with them for life.'

Captain Dave Kelly, who was working with him last night, said: 'Prince William has made a fantastic contribution to the team. It's been an absolute pleasure to have him on board. He's been a hard working member of the team.'

William and Kate are reportedly hoping to expand their own Royal Foundation charity and want to focus more on causes like mental health.

The Duke and Duchess, along with Prince Harry, have lent their support to helping people battle mental health issues and launched the Heads Together campaign last year.

They will move from their primary resident at Amner Hall in Norfolk to an apartment in Kensington Palace in London with their two children.

It comes after the Queen announced she would be stepping down as the patron of 25 organisations in December last year.

William has been stung by criticism that he is 'workshy' and a 'reluctant royal'.

Sources close to Prince William spoke out in his defence last year, describing him as a 'modern working father and husband'.

A senior aide also revealed that the future king works an average of 80 hours a month so he can combine his royal and charity work with his job as an air ambulance pilot.

Claiming the Duke of Cambridge's hours were in line with Civil Aviation Authority regulations, the aide insisted he had the backing of both his grandmother and father.

Other full-time working royals - including William's grandmother, the Queen - will conduct 500-plus engagements each year.

The second-in-line to the throne said last year he was making the most of time to do another 'worthwhile job' while he could and his family was supportive.

He said: 'I take duty very seriously. I take my responsibilities very seriously. But it's about finding your own way at the right time and if you're not careful duty can weigh you down at a very early age.

'I think you have got to develop into the duty role.'
A photographer has documented the lives of one of the biggest and most feared gangs in the US, giving chilling insight into their violent world.

The images show gang members holding guns and drugs, as well as mourning friends killed in the cycle of crime they have become engulfed in.

The Bloodline gang, which has an estimated 35,000 active members, dates back to the 1950s and was originally set up as an organisation aimed at tackling racial discrimination against Hispanic people.

But it has evolved into a huge criminal enterprise New York, and is a faction of the notorious Latin Kings gang.

The anonymous photographer was given unique access to the group, following the daily routines of members who go by aliases including 'Murder', 'Flash' and 'Smokey'.

'Murder' holds a gun that he bought for 250 USD in the street. He bought it after guys from another gang stabbed one of his friends in the neck

Gang members and friends mourn the death of 'Simbaa', who died after being stabbed 20 times in the chest in Williamsburg-Brooklyn. Death has become something familiar to gang members, memorial ceremonies and visits to the hospital are common and they always live with the fear of who will be next

A tattoo displays the words Been Family on the chest of Thomas Jennings, an active member of the gang

'Flash' lies on the floor after smoking marijuana. One of the things that Latin Kings do the most is hang out and smoke

'Smokey' walks down the street while taking his shirt off before trying to fight some other gang members from a rival gang called the Trinitarios

Gang member 'B-RAD' hides in the corner of his apartment because police officers and members from an enemy gang were looking for him. He was part of a shooting on the second floor of his building, where he was shot in the leg and now can't leave his house because of gang retaliation

As well as highlighting the gritty realities of life for gang members, it also draws attention to the happiness, unity and respect they show each other.

The series explores the intimacy and naivety of teenagers who have been pushed by their economic status, racial or social issues to survive in a hostile environment in one of the most developed cities in the world.

The Trump administration recently vowed to crack down on violent gang members and criminals from American Communities.

Recent nationwide gang apprehension programs such as Project Dawn, focusing on dismantling transnational gangs have seen hundreds arrested in New York alone.

Gang members 'King Looney', 'King 'Chucho', 'King Smokey' and 'King Buckets' rest in their apartments after a long day at a meeting with other gang members, smoking marijuana and drinking beer

'Teflon' shows the table where he has displayed a gun laying on top of a Bible, several bullets, a scale for drugs and a book of the law of attraction. Drug dealing and violence is part of the daily life of gang members in New York

'Smokey' lights up a marijuana cigarette while sitting in his room at the Bushwick housing projects. Smokey is the leader of the South-Side tribe of the Latin Kings gangs in Brooklyn and he tries to keep his people from smoking anything else that is not marijuana because he wants them to be able to protect the hood at any time

A marijuana drug deal happens in one of the upper floors of a housing building. Dealers are trying to avoid security cameras in the lobby and outside the building.

Latin Kings meet at one of the headquarters of the gangs in Bushwick, monthly meeting often take place at parks or abandoned houses. 'Amor de Rey' or 'King Love' , is what they yell while listening to one of the leaders give instructions to the gang

'Looney', an active member of the Nation yells 'Amor de Rey' or 'King Love' at his group while they're looking for Trinitarios' members from an enemy gang in a subway station
Finella Brito-Babapulle, 63, who claimed she could cure terminal cancer and entered the empty farmhouse of a patient who was in hospital has been suspended for nine months

A doctor who claimed she could cure terminal cancer and entered the empty farmhouse of a patient who was in hospital has been suspended for nine months.

Finella Brito-Babapulle, 63, a consultant hematologist, sneaked into a 65-year-old patient's home after she left her job following clashes with staff about untested treatments.

She left a letter on the kitchen table with her home telephone number and her email address saying: 'I'm here for you, I do hope you are alright, I hope you're not concerned about not seeing me. Please contact me on the number directed as I leave tonight.'

Police were called in over the incident which happened a day after she left her job as a locum consultant at St Mary's hospital on the Isle of Wight.

She also criticised colleagues over their cancer treatments and attempted to pressurise other doctors into administering inappropriate treatment, it was said.

The hearing was told about another patient, a man of 84, who was terminally ill with cancer and had been under the care of another doctor who was due to retire.

Dr Brito-Babapulle was accused of giving the patient 'false hope' by saying she had a cure for him, despite colleagues saying it was 'extremely unlikely' for him to recover. She also asked him if he would fund the treatment himself.

She also contacted another patient with leukemia via a friend at her bridge club.

Dr Brito-Babapulle, from Richmond, south west London, had joined St Mary's in August 2013 for four months but left on October 28 after being in the job for just 10 weeks.

Just 24 hours after leaving the role she crept into the 65-year-old patient's farmhouse.

Police were called after a farmhand who knew the homeowner was in hospital for a rare bone marrow condition noticed the lights to the farmhouse had been switched on.

The patient later said: 'I felt freaked out by this. I was in a low state mentally anyway but this made me feel far worse.'

In the days up to her departure the 65-year-old patient had been treated by a different doctor but Dr Brito-Babapulle, who was helping file a report on her condition, unexpectedly turned up at the clinic and gave the patient the results of the investigation herself.

During the conversation, she diagnosed her with Systemic Mastocytosis and said she would 'cure her symptoms'.

Consultant waged a smear campaign against her ex-husband following bitter divorce Finella Brito-Babapulle waged a smear campaign against her ex-husband following a bitter divorce in which she claimed she was cheated out of hundreds of thousands of pounds. She claimed Dr Mark Layton was a homosexual and suggested his new girlfriend was a 'Bangkok ladyboy', sending notes which read: 'Once a gay  always a gay'. Brito-Babapulle and Dr Layton, both consultant haematologists, separated in 2008 after 20 years of marriage. Dr Layton received half the proceeds of the family home, which Brito-Babapulle claimed she had bought in full. The mother of three took her divorce settlement all the way the Court of Appeal, but remained angry about allegedly losing 430,000. Advertisement

Elsewhere, the hearing was told Dr Brito-Babapulle had given 'false hope' to an 84-year-old male patient by claiming a highly toxic chemotherapy programme would help cure him of lymphoma.

He had undergone six cycles of chemotherapy but his condition progressed and it was extremely unlikely he could be cured.

She took over his treatment and during a consultation was openly critical of the previous doctor's management and decision making and suggested he could be cured.

She said she would be starting him on a new treatment plan, which was a combination of four different drugs including Bendamustine, which was at the time not funded by the NHS. She failed to inform him about the potential toxicity of the treatment, which was only being used as a trial drug in the United States.

When told Bendamustine was not available on the NHS, divorced mother-of-three Brito-Babapulle asked him whether he would be willing to fund the drug himself.

In a letter to the hospital trust's Chief Executive the man said: 'I want my life saved and am extremely happy to have the trial done even without knowing its possible side effects. Dr Finella is of the opinion that it maybe very successful.'

Paul Wakerley counsel for the General Medical Council said: 'The regimen she was proposing was toxic and could easily have killed Patient A. She didn't explain the risk that it could make him worse with the possibility of not making him much better. Shortly after Dr Brito-Babapulle left her post, Patient A came to the ward and brought with him a letter that had been hand delivered to him by Dr Brito-Babapulle at his home address.

'There are references of achieving a cure and that letter appeared to have upset the patient. It was not appropriate to tell this patient he was likely to be cured by this treatment.

'The likelihood of him being cured was at best slim no matter what regimen would have been offered. It was entirely inappropriate to go to his own home. She decided to propose a different and untested chemotherapy which was not clinically indicated. Curative treatments were extremely unlikely to be successful on this patient.

'It was not appropriate to ask him to self fund, it was only mentioned as a trial drug in the US. It was not appropriate at this stage, it was only in the use of a clinical trial.'

Another colleague took over treatment of Patient A and said he and his family had been harmed due to the 'levels of expectation' they were given.

The patient, who was engaged to be married, died in December 2013.

In a statement the 84-year old man's partner said: 'He did not splash any money around but in this instance and where he was with his health, he was open to try anything and would have paid for any drug in this treatment.'

At the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, Brito-Babapulle was found guilty of misconduct and suspended for nine months.

Chairing the tribunal, Dr Janet Nicholls, told Brito-Bapulle: 'Your own expert acknowledged that your approach to patients at the end of life was at the "aggressive" end of the spectrum of treatment.

'You suggested in your evidence that a doctor either saves patients' lives or lets them die. You appeared to have little time for the concept of palliative care. The tribunal concluded that, in view of your ideological stance regarding end of life care, you allowed your personal beliefs to interfere with your professional judgement.

'Patients need to be able to trust their doctors and doctors must be honest with their patients. Patients are also entitled to expect that doctors will adhere to the professional standards. Your conduct caused upset to patients and colleagues alike.

'While there was no evidence that the clinical care of particular patients was actually compromised, your actions in relation to specific patients had the potential to risk patient safety.'

After the case Dr Brito-Babapulle said: 'I was just trying to save the life of an elderly patient with a curable cancer. It is shocking that the GMC tried to ignore the fact that this 84 year old patient had been diagnosed only when he paid 8,000 to a private hospital - despite visiting his GP for many months.

'If doctors cannot save the lives of older people then the aging population of Britain needs to seek to make sure that this organisation which should protect members of the public is replaced by one that cares for patients lives.'
Britain's giant new aircraft carrier could be sent straight to the South China Sea in a deployment that would anger Beijing, it has emerged today.

Both Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon have used a trip to Australia to warn China Britain will continue to use the contested waters.

Mr Johnson made clear he expected HMS Queen Elizabeth to take a tour through the South China Sea once she is fully operational. Sir Michael made a less clear reference to Royal Navy ships doing so.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson (far left with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop) and Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon (far right with Australia's Minister for Defence Marise Payne) have used a trip to Australia to warn China Britain will continue to use the contested waters

Sir Michael (pictured at a press conference in Australia overnight) said Britain had a right to freedom of negotiation in the South China Sea and would exercise it

The Malacca Strait between Sumatra and Malaysia carries huge amounts of global trade by China is irritated when foreign warships enter the area.

China claims most of the energy-rich sea where neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.

But Britain stands by the 'freedom of navigation' in international waters and together with allies runs routine missions through contested but open space.

The new 3billion HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier and its sister ship HMS Prince of Wales are the biggest warships ever commissioned by the Royal Navy, but neither vessel will be fully operational for years.

Speaking in Australia, Mr Johnson said: 'One of the first things we will do with the two new colossal aircraft carriers ... is send them on a freedom of navigation operation to this area.'

Mr Johnson insisted their deployment was 'not because we have enemies in the region but because we believe in upholding the rule of law'.

HMS Queen Elizabeth is currently undertaking sea trial in the Moray Firth off the north east of Scotland (pictured)

The new 3billion HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier (pictured) and its sister ship HMS Prince of Wales are the biggest warships ever commissioned by the Royal Navy

Sir Michael told reporters: 'We hope to send a warship to region next year. We have not finalised exactly where that deployment will take place but we won't be constrained by China from sailing through the South China Sea.

'We have the right of freedom of navigation and we will exercise it.'

Sir Michael added: 'We flew RAF Typhoons through the South China Sea last October and we will exercise that right whenever we next have the opportunity to do so, whenever we have ships or planes in the region.'

China's construction of islands and military facilities in the South China Sea has stoked international condemnation, amid concern Beijing is seeking to restrict free movement and extend its strategic reach.

Britain's move could also upset ties between London and Beijing, undermining efforts to shore up what the two governments have called a 'golden era' in their relationship as Britain heads towards a divorce with the European Union.
Members of a local community are up in arms over the impending deportation of a young family-of-five.

Three young girls who have been in Australia for a decade will be forced to leave along with their parents after their father failed to pass an English test.

Dhiraj Sookharee, who is employed at United Panels in the Melbourne suburb of Packenham, has been described as 'the ultimate worker' by his boss.

The family, who come from the tiny island nation of Mauritius - a French-speaking country in the Indian Ocean - say they love Australia.

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Dhiraj Sookharee (pictured) failed an English language test and now his whole family could be deported, even though he is a model worker and they have been in Australia for 10 years

The Sookharee family (pictured) moved to Australia from Mauritius a decade ago for their kids

Mr Sookharee's English is good enough to train apprentices at his workplace, and he is begging the government to let his children stay, A Current Affair reported.

'I would just beg for my family, for my kids... they've grown [up] here, they're happy here, they want to stay here,' he said.

Mr Sookharee's eldest daughter Anastasia is halfway through Year 12 and deportation would have a massive impact on her education.

Killester College assistant principal Steve McPhail says he is baffled by the decision to deport the family.

'I can't understand why we as a country don't want to keep people here that are contributing and have so much potential, the values that these girls hold, they will be great contributors to our society, they will be great citizens,' he said.

The Sookharee sisters (pictured) have spent two thirds of their lives in Australia and the oldest in halfway through Year 12

Mr Sookharee's (pictured) boss Daniel says he is the 'ultimate worker' and was overcome with emotion when talking about the impending deportation

A heartbroken Annick Sookharee says her daughters have been in Australia for two thirds of their lives and she and her husband emigrated for them.

Daniel McCasker, co-owner of United Panels, was overcome with emotion when speaking about Mr Sookharee, calling him an indispensable employee.

'He's our right-hand man ... to have someone we can trust totally, not just ourselves ... we know the days we're not here Dhiraj is looking after everything,' he said.

However, Mr Sookharee's failure to pass the English language test means deportation is looming, even though he has no communication problems at work.

The Sookharee's case is now being looked into by the Assistant Immigration Minister's office.
This is the moment a student was snared by paedophile hunters after turning up to meet who he thought was a 14-year-old boy, telling the group: 'I feel like s*** now.'

Fakhri Anang, 21, from Newcastle, contacted a fake profile which had been created by undercover group Guardians of the North and asked the 'boy' to engage in a sex act with him.

Michael Bunch, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court how the group replied using the name Zen saying 'Really?' before Anang replied, 'Can you?'

Fakhri Anang, 21, from Newcastle, contacted a fake profile which had been created by undercover group Guardians of the North and asked the 'boy' to engage in a sex act with him.

Mr Bunch said: 'The conversation persisted from there. The defendant persisted asking repeatedly for sexual activity to take place.'

Mr Bunch told the court how during an early stage in the conversation Zen told Anang he was 14-years-old.

He said: 'That didn't stop the defendant from the contact which he was having with the profile.'

Mr Bunch said Anang continued to suggest that Zen could come to his address where sexual activity could take place.

He said: 'He gave his address and offered to pay for his taxi. The defendant asked if Zen was really 14 and said, 'You know it's illegal having sex under 18.'

Anang continued to communicate with the profile until 'Zen', which was set up on May 2, said he had arrived near the defendant's address.

Anang, who is originally from Indonesia but living in Newcastle, admitted attempting to meet a child following grooming.

But Anang was confronted by a member of Guardians of the North.

Mr Bunch told the court how Anang said: 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry, don't call the police, I'm lonely and I need sex.'

When arrested and interviewed by police, Anang accepted his guilt and said his intention was to have a sex act performed on him.

When questioned about the boy's age he said: 'I know it wasn't right but I was horny.'

Anang, who is originally from Indonesia but living in Newcastle, previously admitted attempting to meet a child following grooming.

Anang continued to communicate with the profile until 'Zen', which was set up on May 2, said he had arrived near the defendant's address

Nick Peacock, defending, told the court how Anang was in the UK on a student visa and would be leaving the country at the end of August.

He said: 'He's been studying here for the last three years, he's just passed his degree in mass communications.

'He is applying for jobs in Indonesia.'

Mr Peacock said a custodial sentence would ruin what he has worked so hard for the last few years.

The judge, Recorder Nicholas Lumley QC, said: 'You were looking for sexual activity on the internet with a young person and you were drawn to someone called Zen.

'He told you he was 14, that did not put you off in fact it may have encouraged you.

'In time you arranged to meet him, you were fully aware that what was about to take place was unlawful.'

Recorder Lumley QC sentenced Anang to eight months in prison suspended for two years.

He agreed with Mr Bunch that it would not be suitable to impose a sex offenders prevention order as he was about to leave the country.
This is the Venezuelan fitness fanatic who has been dubbed 'Wonder Woman' by adoring anti-government activists after pictures showed her hurling rocks at police.

Striking pictures of muscle-bound Caterina Ciarcelluti brought global attention to the crisis unfolding in the troubled South American nation earlier this year.

The 44-year-old former athlete, who regularly posts photos and videos of her training regime online, is a fierce critic of President Nicolas Maduro's administration.

Activists hold her up as an unofficial heroine and have nicknamed her Wonder Woman after images showed the blonde fitness fanatic wearing a helmet, denim shorts and a red top and charging down a street with her arm in the air during a street protest.

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A Venezuelan fitness fanatic has been dubbed 'Wonder Woman' after pictures emerged of her wearing a helmet, denim shorts and a red top and charging down a street with her arm in the air during a street protest

Pictures of muscle-bound Caterina Ciarcelluti (pictured) brought global attention to the crisis unfolding in the troubled South American nation earlier this year

The 44-year-old former athlete, who regularly posts photos and videos of her gruelling training regime online, is a fierce critic of President Nicolas Maduro's administration

In an interview, Ciarcelluti revealed how she hates the gym and instead heads to the mountains overlooking the capital Caracas

Four months of protests against unpopular leftist President Nicolas Maduro have already claimed 112 lives, according to prosecutors - seven of them during a two-day general strike that ended on Thursday.

In an interview, Ciarcelluti revealed how she hates the gym and instead heads to the mountains overlooking the capital Caracas.

Her regime includes jogging up a hill at 6am, lifting weights and then 90 minutes of high-altitude training before a five-egg-white omelet for breakfast.

That's all before she starts her job as a personal trainer.

Pictures show the Venezuelan fitness fanatic who has been dubbed 'Wonder Woman' by adoring anti-government activists after pictures showed her hurling rocks at police (above)

Ciarcelluti said that she only threw the stone in 'a moment of rage' and does not condone violence

Her Instagram account, which shows her exercising, posing for selfies and taking part in demonstrations, has amassed nearly 75,000 followers

She said she was surprised at the amount of attention her superhero appearance has generated in recent weeks

She told Stephen Gibbs of The Times: 'We Venezuelan women are all guerrillas. It's in our personality. We tend to look after ourselves physically.'

Ciarcelluti added that she only threw the stone in 'a moment of rage' and does not condone violence.

But she added: 'If it's only peaceful they are not going to leave. I just can't see it happening. I am not saying there needs to be extreme violence but there needs to be pressure. Constant pressure. We must not tire.'

Her Instagram account, which shows her exercising, posing for selfies and taking part in demonstrations, has amassed nearly 75,000 followers.

Her regime includes jogging up a hill at 6am, lifting weights and then 90 minutes of high-altitude training before a five-egg-white omelet for breakfast

Ciarcelluti insisted that 'Venezuelan women are all guerrillas. It's in our personality. We tend to look after ourselves physically'

The former athlete said 'mentally I am stronger than I look physically'. Pictures posted online have helped her become a hit on social media

In an interview with Univision, she insisted 'mentally I am stronger than I look physically.'

But she was surprised at the amount of attention her superhero appearance has generated in recent weeks.

'I've been protesting since day one, so when they sent me this photo it was a surprise, but I'm glad if it has a positive outcome, so they know about us and also about the women who are leading along with the men.'

It comes as the United Nations' human rights office voiced concern this morning about the risk of further violence in Venezuela as the country prepares for a vote to start rewriting the constitution, and about a new ban on political protests.

Demonstrators clash with riot security forces at a rally during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela this week

A demonstrator runs away from riot security forces at a rally amid tension over Sunday's election

A National Guard trooper in riot gear aims at opposition demonstrators during clashes in Caracas earlier this week

Opposition leaders are urging Venezuelans to boycott Sunday's election for delegates to an assembly to rewrite the constitution

Opposition leaders are urging Venezuelans to boycott Sunday's election for delegates to an assembly to rewrite the constitution.

Officials announced security measures including an order barring political protests through Tuesday.

Liz Throssell, a spokeswoman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in Geneva Friday that 'the wishes of the Venezuelan people to participate or not in this election need to be respected.'

She urged the government to manage any protests 'in line with international human rights norms and standards' and also called on those opposing the election to do so peacefully.
A rave-loving grandfather who commanded a multi-million dollar ecstasy empire has been jailed for 20 years.

John McKenzie, 57, imported vast quantities of liquid ecstasy in wine bottles before police raided his Box Hill home in Melbourne.

Drugs with a street value of up to $1,043,011, drug-making equipment, and $176,950 cash was seized, reports Herald Sun.

A rave-loving grandfather who commanded a multi-million ecstasy empire has been jailed for 20 years

McKenzie had an affluent upbringing and graduated from the elite Scotch College, where annual fees fetch upwards of $26,000.

The brother of a surgeon went on to run all-night rave parties as far afield as Asia, Europe and Africa.

McKenzie was convicted of heroin offences decades ago and did time in Victoria's former maximum-security Pentridge Prison and a Thailand jail.

The court heard he battled drug addiction, but Judge parish deemed the business 'large-scale' and run to make a profit.

John McKenzie imported vast quantities of ecstasy before police raided his home

'These drugs end up in nightclubs and on the street. It's just a scourge,' the judge said.

McKenzie must serve a minimum of 16 years before he becomes eligible for parole.

His trafficking gopher Samuel Cahir, who works at his own mother's brothel, was also jailed for four years.
Shopaholic Theresa May has turned saver after wearing a 26 dress from Next for the second time in three days on her three-week summer holiday with husband Philip.

Mr and Mrs May are spending five days in the Italian lakes before heading to Switzerland for two weeks after a brief stop in Belgium.

On Tuesday Mrs May chose to wear the pink linen shirt dress from Next  which she paired with leopard print sandals - while walking around Lake Garda.

Yesterday she wore the same dress but opted for white Converse All-Star trainers instead.

But despite the economical decision to use the pink shirt dress again the savings stopped there because the Prime Minister later bought some sunglasses in a boutique opticians.

Theresa May was out buying sunglasses on Thursday as her three-week European summer holiday with her husband Philip continues

The couple are keen walkers and have been enjoying strolls around Sirmione - known as the pearl of Lake Garda in northern Italy

Theresa May was out and about with Philip in Italy in her favourite summer dress yesterday (left) - two days after she wore it again while they walked around Lake Garda (right)

The couple are currently staying in Sirmione in northern Italy and headed into a shop called Inga - described as a 'luxury and vintage shop for extraordinary women' - where Theresa purchased a pair of shades.

Mr and Mrs May will spend days in Italy before heading to Switzerland

The couple then walked around the Lombardy town, known to everyone as 'the pearl of Lake Garda, flanked by the Prime Minister's security team.

Despite the political pressures at him the couple have appeared carefree on their three-week holiday where most days they have taken relaxing stroll around Lake Garda.

At home Chancellor Philip Hammond is in charge and appears to be enjoying his freedom.

Today he all but confirmed that Britain is likely to pursue a 'soft-landing' transition from the EU that could see free movement continue in all but name until 2022.

Mr Hammond said trade deals with third countries may not come into force during the period, but claimed there was a 'broad consensus' treaty-based arrangements with the EU would be in force by the next scheduled general election in June 2022.

Mr Hammond said 'many things will look similar' on the first day after leaving the bloc in March 2019, and hoped goods would flow across the border between the EU and Britain in 'much the same way as they do now' during the transitional period.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'There will be a process between the date we leave the European Union and the date on which the new treaty-based arrangements between the UK and the European Union which we hope and expect to negotiate come into force.'

Mr Hammond did not say how long it would take to put the 'necessary arrangements in place', but said: 'People have talked about a year, two years, maybe three years.

'I think there's a broad consensus that this process has to be completed by the scheduled time of the next General Election, which is in June 2022.'

Mr and Mrs May have been staying in a luxury hotel near the lake, which is one of Italy's most popular tourist areas

The PM left the shop carrying a bag and instead of pounding the streets in sandals she swapped them for white Converse All-Stars

The Prime Minister and Philip browsed for some postcards before heading off into one of the town's many winding streets

The Prime Minister jetted out to the popular holiday destination in northern Italy for a five-day first leg, and was spotted enjoying a walk around the town of Desenzano del Garda.

Earlier this week chose to wear a popular trend piece for the occasion  a 26 pink linen shirt dress from Next  which she paired with leopard print sandals.

Her husband, an investment relationship manager, wore a checked shirt and blue chinos as they made the most of the warm weather and sunshine.

The couple will spend five days exploring the area before they break off from their holiday to attend commemorations of the centenary of the battle of Passchendale in Belgium on Monday.

The Mays will then depart for Switzerland for two weeks, before returning to Downing Street on August 14.

A room at the Villa Cortine Palace Hotel, where Mr and Mrs May are staying

The pool at the hotel in Sirmione which overlooks a beautiful view of Lake Garda

The dining room. The pair are keen hikers and are expected to spend much of the three weeks walking

No 10 has insisted the Prime Minister will still be in charge of Britain throughout her time abroad and will be kept fully up to date during her trips

The pair are keen hikers and are expected to spend much of the three weeks walking.

Last year, Mrs May and her husband spent some of their summer holiday hiking in the Swiss Alps  a place she has long en-oyed visiting.

No 10 has insisted the Prime Minister will still be in charge of Britain throughout her time abroad and will be kept fully up to date during her trips.

On her last holiday  a walking trip to Snowdonia - Mrs May famously changed her mind about holding a general election.

When asked if Mrs May was 'tired' after the announcement of her holiday last week, her official spokeswoman said the Prime Minister had just had a 'very busy week' and was 'looking forward' to her trip.
Celebrities have rejoiced at John McCain's decision to kill the Republican's plan to repeal Obamacare.

Cher lead the praise for the maverick senator, who has made a huge impact on Capitol Hill in the wake of his brain cancer diagnosis.

The singer said on Twitter: 'God Bless John McCain' in reaction to the news coming from the US Capitol.

Video blogger and self-titled media analyst Mark Dice called the 80-year-old - who flew to Washington after surgery - a 'scumbag' for voting against Donald Trump's wishes.

'Right thing to do': John McCain told reporters outside the Senate chamber that voting against the 'Skinny Repeal' was the only course of action he felt able to take

High drama for the maverick: Senator John McCain leaves the the Senate chamber at the U.S. Capitol after voting against his own party

With the vote stalled going late into the morning, McCain walked onto the Senate floor just before 2am to point his finger downwards and said 'nay' to audible gasps from fellow lawmakers.

Killing the so-called 'skinny repeal' dead 51-49 after seven years of promises from Republicans, McCain was joined by fellow GOP rebels, Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins.

As well as the cheering inside the chamber, observers posted their glee on social media.

Cher, pictured, was among the most vocal supporters of John McCain

Cher said: 'God Bless John McCain, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski. Alaska Strong.

'Obamacare needs changing now the Democrats and the Great Old Party can work together to fix it.'

She also poked fun at the President saying McCain was a hero who risked his life for America fighting in Vietnam while Trump hid in New York.

John Legend also backed McCain's decision but stopped short of calling his actions heroic.

He said: 'Thanks to the Senators who voted to kill that stupid, heartless bill. Let's stay vigilant. It's not over.

'Bill should have lost 95-5. I have a hard time calling the three republicans who voted "no" heroes. It was obviously stupid and awful.'

Bernie Sanders, who was pipped to the Democrat's candidate post last year by Hilary Clinton, also expressed his gratitude to those in power who decided to back Obamacare.

He said: 'Thank you to everyone across the country who stood up and fought back. Tonight was a victory for the American people.

'This is only the first step.

'We must now move forward to guarantee health care to all people as a right not a privilege.'

Billy Crystal, Jason Alexander and Kristen Bell were all among those in McCain's camp, but there are plenty opposing the Arizona senator.

John Legend, pictured right with his wife Chrissy Teigen, also praised McCain's decision

Mark Dice, a staunch Trump supporter who has a million subscribers to his YouTube channel, said: John McCain cast the fatal vote which killed the Skinny Repeal of ObamaCare tonight. What a scumbag.

'John McCain is the poster boy of why we need term limits in Congress.'

One of his followers - identifying as Digital Anarchist - replied with a sick message saying he hoped McCain 'got what he deserved' and 'dropped dead'.

Host of Your Voice America Bill Mitchell, another Trump promoter, said: 'John McCain. You are a national embarrassment.

'What we witnessed from McCain last night was the final flight of a Kamikaze, career and life over, seeking to take Trump with him.

'I don't know what was worse, McCain's treachery voting no or his orgy on the floor of the Senate with his Democrat pals afterwards.

'Sorry John, your "War Hero" card is all punched out. You are just a traitor now.

'Is John McCain gonna play the cancer victim card now that his war hero card is all punched out? I had cancer - twice. McCain is a traitor.'

Leaving the Capitol early Friday, McCain is pursued by reporters after casting a 'no' vote

On leaving the Capitol, McCain was asked by reporters why he decided to vote against the bill.

He replied, 'Because it was the right thing to do.' He later issued a statement.

'From the beginning, I have believed that Obamacare should be repealed and replaced with a solution that increases competition, lowers costs, and improves care for the American people,' said McCain.

'The so-called 'skinny repeal' amendment the Senate voted on today would not accomplish those goals.'

Trump responded on Twitter: '3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!'

The House must now trash out what the final legislation will look like before sending it to the White House for Donald Trump to sign it to law.
A manufacturer has suspended dozens of fairground rides across the US following a tragedy in Ohio which claimed the life of an 18-year-old Marine.

Tyler Jarrell died after the Fireball ride he was on at the Ohio State Fair snapped, flinging victims into the air when their seats snapped off.

Following Wednesday's tragedy, KMG International BV instructed operators to shut similar attractions.

Several states have already closed rides like the Fireball, or ordered further inspections.

Scroll down for video

Tragedy: Part of the ride snapped off on Wednesday night, sending people flying through the air (above)

Remains: The pieces of The Fireball that broke off laying on the asphalt at the fair (above)

KMG product manager Albert Kroon said in a statement: 'We are currently gathering information on the accident and investigating the cause and circumstances.'

Inspectors are notifying operators in Illinois to stop three Fireball rides, eight Freak Out rides, and one Extreme ride, state labor department officials said.

Officials said the Fireball ride will not operate at the Indiana State Fair when it opens next week, while Kentucky State Fair officials said they scrapped plans to include the Fireball ride at this year's event in August.

A spokeswoman for the California State Fair said that operators there suspended use of the Fireball within 20 minutes of the Ohio accident and were reinspecting it.

'It's one of the more popular rides. My son was just on it yesterday,' said spokeswoman Darla Givens.

North Carolina issued a moratorium on the ride's use until an investigation is completed.

Tragedy: Tyler Jarrell, 18, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, has been identified as the young man who was killed on Wednesday night at the Ohio State Fair (Tyler above enlisting as a Marine last week)

Big things: Tyler (above with Amber Duffield) had just joined the Marines last week, posting photos of himself in his new uniform on July 21

Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Missouri, New York and the Monmouth County Fair in New Jersey also suspended operations of the Fireball and similar rides.

At an annual fair in the Canadian city of Edmonton, officials shut down the Fireball ride on Wednesday night until further notice, said Caiti Farquharson, a spokeswoman for the organization that holds the event.

Tyler had only enlisted in the Marines last week. He was thrown into the air when part of the amusement ride snapped and came down with such force that he was killed upon impact.

The tragedy occurred just five days after Tyler posted a photo to his Facebook page which showed him in a Marines Uniform and holding a plaque that read 'United States Navy' and 'Department of the Marine Core.'

Dapper: He was killed upon impact after being flung into the air when the ride he was on, 'The Fireball',' suffered a malfunction and snapped (above in April)

His decision to enlist meanwhile came a little over a month after he graduated from Franklin Heights High School in Columbus.

Six of the seven victims have also been identified by the State Highway Patrol, with the youngest of the group having his name withheld at this time as he is just 14 and a minor.

Tamika Dunlap, 36, of Reynoldsburg; Russell Franks, 42, of Columbus; Keziah Lewis, 19, of Columbus; Jacob Andrews, 22, of Pataskala; Jennifer Lambert, 18, of Columbus; and Abdihakim Hussein, 19, of Columbus.

Keziah was Tyler's girlfriend, and only learned that he had passed when she woke up in the hospital, where she was admitted in critical condition on Thursday and has already undergone two operations to after badly damaging her pelvis, ankles and ribs.

Horrible news: Keziah Lewis (left) was Tyler's (right) girlfriend and learned about his death on Thursday after coming out of surgery as she remains in critical condition

Proud to serve: Tyler's decision to enlist was heralded by Marine Corps Recruiting South Columbus Ohio on Sunday (above)

Meanwhile, documents released on Thursday show that the Ohio Department of Agriculture gave The Fireball passing marks during an inspection that happened just a few hours before the fatal crash.

The Department also released the paperwork they received from Amusements of America showing that both the operator and attendant who were working that day had been trained and were aware of safety/emergency procedures.

Keziah and Tyler went to the carnival on Wednesday after a difficult day for the young woman, who attended her grandfather's funeral.

The University of Cincinnati journalism student, who just finished her second year at the school, wrote on Facebook about her grandparents finally being together again in death.

'It was hard and extremely sad to see you go but it's a blessing to know that you and Nana are reunited and living it up in Heaven,' wrote Keziah.

'Rest In Peace Vincent S. Williams, Sr. You will forever be in our hearts.'

Keziah's grandfather also served, having been a member of the Air Force.

The comments on that post soon filled with wishes of good will after people found out that she was one of the victims.

Keziah and Tyler have been together for approximately one year and worked together at McDonald's for two years, which is how they met.

Her mother Clarissa Williams told The Columbus Dispatch that she was the one who had to tell her daughter the devastating news when she kept asking for Tyler.

When asked what she thought about the accident and if she was angry, Williams said: 'I just feel something went terribly wrong, something was overlooked that they should have secured more.'

Williams revealed in the interview as well that her daughter was heading in for yet another surgery on Friday.

Model citizen: Tyler was also very involved in the local police force, having joined The Columbus Division of Police Explorer Program (above)

Tyler was also a decorated member of the Boy Scouts (above with Amber and Karina Duffield)

Marine Corps Recruiting South Columbus Ohio even posted a photo of Tyler on their Facebook page Sunday because they were so excited about his enlistment.

'Give him one! Tyler Jarrell is the first senior from Franklin Heights high school to enlist into the United States Marine Corps this year,' read the post.

'I'm proud to call him my brother. #FranklinHeights #Marines.'

Tyler was also very involved in the local police force, having joined The Columbus Division of Police Explorer Program to see if he might be interested in becoming a cop.

Dillon King, who heads up that program, posted a photo on Thursday of Tyler posing in front of a paddy wagon in his police uniform.

He also commented on a photo of the young man by stating how much he looked up to the teenager.

That sentiment was echoed by almost everyone Tyler knew, both young and old, upon hearing the news.

Sharon Payne, who was Tyler's boss at McDonald's posted a photo of the young boy in his Marine uniform and wrote: 'He was a good kid who just passed his physical and was accepted into the marines last Thursday, i thought of him as my son and he called me mom.'

And in addition to his enlisting in the Marines and working with Police Explorer's and holding down a job at McDonald's, Tyler was also very involved in the Boy Scouts.

Work, work, work: Sharon Payne, who was Tyler's boss at McDonald's (above) posted a photo of the young boy in his Marine uniform and wrote: 'He was a good kid ... I thought of him as my son and he called me mom'

Where's the food?: Governon John Kasich talks with fairgoers while he tours the Ohio State Fair on Thursday (above)

Not risking it: All rides were shut down the fairground Thursday in the wake of the incident

Flying high: Many wrote about how much they looked up to Tyler despite being much older than the teen (Keziah left, Tyler right flying a helicopter back in April)

A young woman who was on the amusement ride detailed what happened just before the crash in an interview on Wednesday.

'It started normal, everything started normal, and then it started shaking. It was shaking real bad,' Devray Williams told ABC 6 on Wednesday.

She said that the girl next to her also started to say her seat was shaking just moments before Devray watched the woman go flying off into the air when the machine snapped.

An emotional Devray then said through tears: 'And then the dude hit the ground. He wasn't breathing. None of them was, it was like five people. Nobody was breathing and then they came and tried to give him CPR but nothing was happening.'

Three of the victims are in critical condition, with one being treated at Grant Medical Center and the other two at Wexner Medical Center.

Doctors at Wexner said that the three individuals who were admitted, which includes Keziah, underwent surgery overnight and will have to undergo additional surgeries in the coming days.

In addition to their two critical patients, the hospital also has one in serious condition.

The other three victims were admitted to Grant in fair condition, and two were released from the hospital early Thursday.

Emotional: Devray Williams (above), who was on the ride when it malfunctioned, said that he seat began shaking uncontrollably just moments before the crash

Meanwhile, the young boy who filmed the fatal ride malfunction that occurred at the fair revealed that bystanders began screaming at the operator to slow down just moments before the crash.

Julian Bellinger was filming The Fireball as he stood in line with his friends to get on the ride when it suddenly broke, killing one person and injuring seven others.

He recounted what happened in an interview with Good Morning America, saying: 'We were just recording each other on Snapchat and we had deleted the video because we heard like commotion on the ride and there was people on the ride like, "Slow it down, it's too fast," and all this. So people on the ground beside me and in front of me in line... they all were like, "whoa, whoa, slow down."'

Julian said at that moment the operator 'pressed the emergency brake,' with the teenager stating that he had to turn his head away when he started to see people fall out of their harnesses and seats on the ride.'

Host Robin Roberts confirmed that Julian did in fact hear people shouting out to the operator to slow down the ride, and the boy against said that was what happened, adding: 'I heard people in front of me in line and then after the fact I talked to them and they were like, "yeah, people on the ride just couldn't take it anymore because I guess they had sped it up.'

He then said that in the wake of the crash people were running away and 'crying.'

Britney Neal and her little sister Kylie also witnessed the crash at the fairground on Wednesday, and told a story very similar to Julian's while appearing on Today.

'Well, the ride was going normal, then all of a sudden you see people flying out and then the guy hit the emergency stop button which then made the seat fly off and other people flew off as well,' said Britney.

'The fireball was working normally. Then it swung to the left and it looked like someone's chair was kind of falling out. Then the guy pushed the emergency stop switch, and then it swings to the right and the whole row broke off and they went flying.'

The teenager later said is 'traumatized' by the incident, while her younger sister Kylie saying nothing and just stared off into the distance during the interview.

Scene: Two of the victims are treated after the crash on Wednesday by first responders

Flung: Some of those on the ride managed to stay in their seats while others flung free

Good move: In the wake of the incident a number of other fairs announced that they would not be operating their Fireball ride and began re-inspecting their machines

One person is pictured being treated for injuries while laying on a gurney after the ride accident

Ohio Governor John Kasich released a statement Wednesday evening, reading: 'I am terribly saddened by this accident, by the loss of life and that people were injured enjoying Ohios fair.

'Our thoughts and prayers go out to those grieving and injured. I have ordered a full investigation into this incident and have ordered that all fair rides be shut down until additional safety inspections can be completed.'

Wednesday was the opening night of the fair.

The Ohio State Fair also released a statement on Thursday, saying: 'Our hearts are heavy for the families of those involved in last night's tragic accident.'

Thursday morning the fair was back in business , though all the rides remained closed to the public.

Few people were in attendance.

In the wake of the incident a number of other fairs announced that they would not be

The Ohio State Fair is currently celebrating its 164th year in operation.
Police are hunting two 'brazen' suspects pictured strolling around with glasses of wine at an exclusive art fair where three diamond rings worth 2million were stolen.

The luxurious jewellery items were swiped from a cabinet during the Masterpiece London event at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on July 4 in a raid which has been likened to one in a Peter Sellars Pink Panther movie.

Detectives have released CCTV stills of two men they would like to trace in connection with the theft, as well as pictures of the rings that were stolen.

In the pictures the men are casually dressed with the younger of the two walking with two glasses of white wine and a bottle of lager.

Detectives have now released CCTV images which show the two casually-dressed men they want to speak to in connection with the theft

Police have also issued photographs of the three diamond rings which were stolen from the exclusive event

He was wearing a white shirt, while the other man police want to speak to was wearing a blue polo shirt and glasses.

Around 44,000 people visited the fair at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, including Kirstie Allsopp and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

One of the items on sale was a one of a kind 1968 Riva Lamborghini for just under 2million.

Detective Sergeant Chris Taylor, of Kensington and Chelsea CID, said: 'This was a brazen theft carried out in the middle of the afternoon when there were lots of people attending the event at Royal Hospital Chelsea.

A total of three rings - worth a total of 2million - were taken from the Masterpiece London event

Officers desperately want to speak to two men in connection with the incident in which three rings went missing

'We have carried out extensive inquiries and reviewed CCTV footage, and we have released images of two men we would like to trace and speak to.

'Both men are wearing distinctive brightly-coloured driving shoes. Did you attend the event and notice these men? Or have you come across the rings at all?

'If you have any information that could help us, no matter how insignificant it seems, we would urge you to come forward.'

He said there have been no arrests and inquiries continue.
Pakistan's former dictator has revealed he considered using nuclear weapons against India in 2002 - but decided not to because he feared retaliation.

General Pervez Musharraf, now 73 and living in Dubai, said there was a 'danger when nuclear threshold could have been crossed' amid worsening relations between the two countries.

The former military ruler said he had sleepless nights deciding whether he should use the devastating weapon as tensions flared in the wake of an attack on the Indian Parliament in New Delhi that left 14 dead.

Pakistan's former dictator General Pervez Musharraf (pictured) has revealed he considered using nuclear weapons against India in 2002 - but decided not to because he feared retaliation

According to the Japanese newspaper 'Mainichi Shimbun', Musharraf said neither Pakistan nor India had nuclear warheads on their missiles at the time meaning it would have taken up to two days to prepare them for launch.

He was then asked whether he had asked for warheads to be fixed to missiles, to which he responded: 'We didn't do that and we don't think India also did that, thank God.'

Earlier this year, Musharraf launched a career as a political analyst on a weekly television talk show, a prominent role for the ex-leader who lives in Dubai and faces several criminal cases at home.

The show, 'Pakistan First with President Musharraf', debuted on Pakistan's Bol TV.

General Pervez Musharraf (pictured in 2008), now 73 and living in Dubai, said there was a 'danger when nuclear threshold could have been crossed' amid worsening relations between the two countries

Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 military coup and stepped down nine years later amid mass protests, was allowed to leave Pakistan last year for health reasons that his lawyer argued prevented him from standing trial on treason and other charges. Musharraf denied the charges.

The criminal cases against Musharraf were lodged by prosecutors under Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted as prime minister in the 1999 coup. Sharif returned to power in elections four years ago.

The cases against Musharraf were seen as a source of tension between the military and Sharif's government.
A two-year-old boy is fighting for life after a car smashed into a pram being pushed by his horrified grandmother.

Emergency services were called to an intersection in Narwee, Sydney's south, at 4.20pm on Friday following reports of a crash.

A 18-year-old local man, driving a metallic blue Nissan Pulsar, struck the child's pram on Hannans Road.

A two-year-old boy is fighting for his life after the pram he was being pushed in by his grandmother was hit by a car on Hannans Road, Narwee (pictured), in Sydney's south

The unconscious toddler was treated by paramedics at the scene before being rushed to Randwick Children's Hospital in a critical condition.

The child's grandmother was not injured, however she has been treated for shock.

The car driver was taken to hospital for mandatory blood and urine samples.

Police have urged anyone who might have witnessed the crash to come forward.
All police officers will be asked if they want to carry guns while they are out on routine patrols.

A survey by the Police Federation will ask its 123,000 officers in England and Wales about the issue next week - the first of its kind since 2006.

The controversial move could overturn Britain's proud tradition of routine unarmed policing.

New figures showed that the number of armed operations by the police in the last year was up seven per cent due to the rise in crime.

There are concerns about how some areas outside London would cope with a marauding terrorist attack. But some 80 per cent of officers recently voted against carrying guns.

A survey by the Police Federation will ask its 123,000 officers in England and Wales about the issue next week - the first of its kind since 2006

Che Donald, the federation's firearms lead told The Telegraph: 'The question of routinely arming police officers is a challenging one and one that regularly crops up, but, given the current climate, we feel it's time to seek the views of our members again.

'Policing has changed significantly over recent years, not just around the types of crime we are dealing with and greater use of technology, but also the threat, harm and risk to the public and to officers themselves.

'This survey seeks to determine our members' views to inform our position on the issue of routine arming. Over the last few years a handful of forces have been surveyed individually on this issue, but we are keen to establish a fresh national view.'

Home Office figures show first rise in firearms operations in at least eight years, with total of 15,705 incidents in the 12 months to March.

It also showed an increase of 639 armed officers from the previous year, bringing the current total to 6,278.

Police chiefs met a two weeks ago, where they decided to increase levels of fully trained firearms officers in some areas where response times were relatively low.

The controversial move could overturn Britain's proud tradition of routine unarmed policing. Pictured are armed police officers at Epsom on Ladies Day

The idea is that officers who are not part of Britains firearms squads could react quickly to shoot a terrorist such as the Westminster or London Bridge attackers if they were first on the scene.

But the national lead for armed policing, Simon Chesterman, told The Guardian: 'There was also a very active debate around routine arming.

'Chief constables have decided that now is not the right time to consider routine arming of some or all frontline resources, but that is an issue we will have to keep under review in line with the threat in future.'

Critics dismissed the notion of giving a sidearm to ordinary officers on the beat as hysterical.

Armed policeman outside the ground ahead of the Sky Bet League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium in May

They said the move would overturn Britains 188-year-old history of policing by consent and would position the UK closer to our continental neighbours whose police are routinely armed.

In a paper being drawn up by Deputy Chief Constable Chesterman, a number of measures have been proposed for discussion to boost Britains armed response to terror attacks.

One idea is to give pistols to constables who routinely patrol sensitive locations and key landmarks considered at risk of a terror attack, such as Government buildings and major tourist attractions, so they could respond before firearms officers arrived.

Currently only highly trained firearms officers carry guns. They have to go through a rigorous selection process with a high failure rate.

Earlier this year, a survey of London police officers by the Metropolitan Police Federation found that just over half said they would carry a gun routinely if asked to do so

They must pass several selection tests before completing a nine-week training course, and officers in counter-terrorism face additional training of at least three months.

The discussion paper suggests that beat officers who are currently unarmed would get only about two weeks of training in how to handle a handgun. They would then get a day of refresher training and reaccreditation twice a year.

The NPCC stressed that any decision regarding arming patrol officers would be subject to extensive assessments and approval by chief constables to ensure it was justified by the nature of the threat.

But no change in the law would be required for police chiefs to increase the number of officers who carry guns.

Earlier this year, a survey of London police officers by the Metropolitan Police Federation found that just over half said they would carry a gun routinely if asked to do so. One in 10 said they would quit rather than carry a firearm.
One of the women in a hen party that was escorted off a Ryanair flight after they 'acted like creatures' has defended their alcohol-fueled antics as 'having fun'.

The revellers had reportedly been drinking alcohol, screaming and swearing during the FR9898 Ryanair flight from Liverpool to Alicante on Thursday night.

After they landed in Spain, the group were met by police officers who removed them from the aircraft.

One of them, Emma Yates, took to Facebook to defend their actions.

The group pictured in a Liverpool Airport bar before flying to Alicante

One of the women took to social media to defend the group's actions

She wrote: 'Yes we was drunk. Yes we was embarrassed... so wot? Not a***d bout what people think or say!!

'Like you ain't never done it!'

Before getting on the flight, Ms Yates posted a picture of the group in a Liverpool Airport bar alongside the caption: 'Benidorm are you ready for us crazy girls?'

In footage of the confrontation later that day the group of women are seen arguing with staff in the aisle, as another shouts: 'Sit down, sit down!'

Rowdy: In the video, which was uploaded by Josh Daley, a group of women are seen arguing with staff in the aisle of the plane, as another shouts: 'Sit down, sit down!'

At one point, the man filming turns the camera towards his face, saying: 'This is quite funny this.'

As the women leave the plane, one of them can be heard saying: 'Get your bags, we're all getting chucked off'.

Clearly relieved to be rid of them, passengers burst into applause and boo the troublemakers and their friends.

Passenger Katie Bridges, 17, who was going to Spain to visit her father, described the women's behaviour as 'unacceptable'.

As the women leave the plane, one of the women can be heard saying: 'Get your bags, we're all getting chucked off'

Passengers described the women's behaviour as 'vile', saying they were acting like 'creatures'

'They were a drunken mess, shouting at each other and other passengers who told them to be quiet,' she told MailOnline.

'On the flight, babies and small children were sitting watching that disgusting behaviour. No way to start a holiday.

'I could not even get up to go to the toilet because the girls would be in the aisle, fighting and shouting in each other's faces.

'They had to be told to sit down on various occasions and did not listen to the staff on board.'

She added that it was the worst flight she had ever been on with the airline.

'I don't think I'll be flying with Ryanair again. Sad to think this is only just one of the cases that the staff have to deal with day in, day out.'

Adam Hunter, 23, who also claimed to be on the flight, said the pilot warned them the plane could be diverted to France if they did not settle down.

'They even had to stop the selling of alcohol to everyone,' he told MailOnline.

He said passengers were made to wait for over an hour on the runway at Alicante, causing him to miss his coach to Benidorm.

'When I finally got here I saw the four individuals in the middle of the street bladdered and getting ready for a night out,' he went on.

'It isn't the airlines fault as they could not control the behaviour of the women on this flight, but they should not have been let out of the airport after ruining so many people's holidays.'

One passenger described them as 'drunken and rowdy', adding that people suspected of being drunk should be breathalysed

Clearly relieved to be rid of them, passengers burst into applause and boo the women

Other passengers described the women's behaviour to The Sun as 'vile', saying they were acting like 'creatures'.

Writing on Ryanair's social media page, a passenger was quoted by the paper as saying: 'Another Ryanair flight compromised by a stag/hen party.'

They described them as 'drunken and rowdy', adding that people suspected of being drunk should be breathalysed.

In a statement, a Ryanair spokesman said: 'The crew of this flight from Liverpool to Alicante (27 July) requested police assistance upon arrival in Alicante after a number of passengers became disruptive inflight.

'The aircraft landed normally and police removed and detained these individuals. The safety and comfort of our customers, crew and aircraft is our number one priority and we will not tolerate unruly or disruptive behaviour at any time.

'This is now a matter for local police.'

If you were on this flight please email sophie.inge@mailonline.co.uk
This is the heart-stopping moment a car travelling down an interstate suddenly burst into flames, engulfing the vehicle.

The intense dashcam footage shows the car to the right of center suddenly ignite from the back, completely unexpected to the driver behind, Simit Patel.

Simit, 36, said the incident happened on the I285 in Dunwoody, Georgia late last month though his footage only recently received attention when he decided to upload it to social media channels recently.

The car begins to ignite from underneath on the busy highway

The flames spread across the vehicle and the car eventually becomes consumed

Unsure what caused the explosion, Simit said he has heard theories that have ranged from fuel to power steering fluid.

Simit, from near Atlanta, said: 'People are impressed with how quickly it exploded.

'My main concern was to try and stay calm, although it was a scary event and there was instantly adrenaline pumping.

'I was trying to pull over and stay within sight of the car.'

Adding to the stunning footage Simit was able to capture, his wife, Palak Patel, just so happened to be travelling one minute behind.

Her dashcam footage shows the vehicle completely covered in flames, parked on the hard shoulder.

After a few moments the car looks like a glowing orb, engulfed in flames

Surprisingly, no one was reported hurt from the sudden explosion

The pair later checked to see if those involved in the incident were unharmed.

The night of the incident Dunwood PD tweeted that there had been no injuries.

Simit said: 'My wife's car which was only a minute behind.

'You can see how quickly the whole car is engulfed.'
Harrowing footage has surfaced of the dark and dingy room where a 16-year-old girl was allegedly made to endure a horrific 'revenge rape'.

The silent clip shows a rickety wooden bed inside a hut with only thin, woven material serving as a mattress.

It was here that the distraught young victim says she was subjected to a revenge rape at the orders of the village council.

Members of the jiga have been arrested amid the allegations. It is claimed they ordered the rape because the girl's older brother sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl in a field.

The distraught young victim sat on the bed says she was subjected to a revenge rape at the orders of the village council

The silent clip shows a rickety wooden bed inside a hut with only thin, woven material serving as a mattress

She was dragged to the meeting in Rajpur and the horrific retaliation was carried out in front of her parents and the 40 men on the council

The latest arrests, which include the man who allegedly committed the 'revenge rape', brings the total number detained to 25.

A jirga - or village council - in a suburb of the central city of Multan had ordered the rape of the 16-year-old girl as a punishment, after her brother sexually assaulted a 12-year-old.

She was dragged to the meeting in Rajpur and the horrific retaliation was carried out in front of her parents and the 40 men on the council.

A Pakistani villager poses as he points to a house where a teenage girl was raped in the neighbourhood of Raja Ram in Muzaffarabad, a suburb of the central city of Multan on July 26, 2017

Family member Muhammad Bilal, 25, said after they learned of the first rape - which was committed last week - they went to the 12-year-old's family to seek forgiveness.

'Their women started shouting and their men asked us to first bring Umar's sister (the 16-year-old) then they will talk about it,' he said.

'But when we came back with the girl, the men and the council decided that the same act would be done to the girl. What could we do, in our village disputes are settled like this.'

Both the girls are now staying in a women's shelter and were due to meet the provincial chief minister Shahbaz Sharif, brother of the prime minister, later today.

This photograph taken on July 26, 2017, shows a view of a room where a Pakistani teenage girl was raped in the neighbourhood of Raja Ram in Muzaffarabad

Pakistan's Supreme Court has also ordered an investigation into the incident.

A senior police officer said: 'I have suspended the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Station House Officer and the Assistant Sub Inspector.

'I have suspended all of them so that justice is seen to be delivered. God willing, justice will be carried out. That is my promise to you.'

Jirgas, or village councils formed of local elders, are a traditional means of settling disputes in Pakistan's rural areas, where courts and lawyers are not always accessible or trusted.

Such councils are illegal and have been under fire for their controversial decisions, especially regarding women.

An aerial shot of a festival in Multan, where the council convened to dish out the sickening punishment to an innocent girl

'What we did was wrong, but this is the way things are done here. We seek pardon and we promise not to do it again,' said Mohammad Amin, 45, a member of the jirga who is now in police custody.

A jirga was involved in one of South Asia's most infamous cases of sexual violence against women when, in 2002, it ordered the gang rape of a woman called Mukhtar Mai after her brother was falsely accused of rape.

Mai made the unusual decision to defy her rapists and take them to court. Her attackers walked free but she went on to become a high-profile women's rights activist.

Her story inspired an opera, 'Thumbprint', which opened in New York in 2014 and premiered in Los Angeles last month.
Heartbreaking footage shows a monkey mother carrying around her lifeless baby.

The baby monkey died tragically after coming into contact with high-tension wires passing near the trees in Bangalore, India.

Residents say the mother had been carrying the baby around for several days - an apparent refusal to accept baby's passing.

Tragic: The monkey mum stands on a tree branch with the lifeless body of her child

The troop of monkeys had made the town of Mulbagal their home, unaware of the danger the high-tension wires passing near the trees posed.

The juvenile monkey tragically came into contact with the wire and instantly fell to the ground after being electrocuted.

Locals described seeing the mother rush to the fallen baby and attempt to revive it.

Bereft: The baby monkey died tragically after coming into contact with high-tension wires passing near the trees in Bangalore, India

The troop of monkeys had made the town of Mulbagal their home, unaware of the danger the high-tension wires passing near the trees posed

Another female member of the troop took notice and joined in the attempts to revive the lifeless creature.

Before leaving the town of Mulbagal, locals say the monkey mother was seen carrying around the lifeless baby for several days - while walking on walls and climbing up trees.
A tin of coffee mate, similar to that used in prisons to replace milk

Four prisoners managed to set off a bomb they made from tea and coffee whitener, it has emerged.

Warders are calling for the flammable powder to be banned in jails after the homemade device erupted in Cardiff Prison in June.

One inmate lit a plastic container and slid it under a stairwell. When he moved away it exploded but no-one was hurt.

Four men were arrested but three have since been cleared as officers continue to investigate.

The bomb was thought to be made from particles of milk replacement for coffee and tea which is combustible and can explode if burnt quickly enough.

Prison Officers Association Acting chairman Mark Fairhurst today demanded the withdrawal of coffee whiteners from all Britain's 120 prisons if it is proven they caused the blast.

He said: 'I have never heard of this happening before but if there is a risk action needs to be taken.

'Coffee whiteners need to be withdrawn and replaced by cartons of milk- that can't be too difficult.'

Mr Fairhurst confirmed the explosion of the homemade device at the 800-inmate Cardiff prison.

He said: 'A prisoner was observed putting a plastic container under a stairwell. When he moved away it exploded.

Warders are calling for the flammable powder to be banned after the homemade device erupted in Cardiff Prison (pictured) in June

'Two prisoners were moved away the next day. There is an internal and criminal investigation underway.'

He added: 'If prisoners had history of causing trouble they should be held in high security prisons. Boredom among prisoners breeds mischief and this is what happens.'

Welsh Assembly Member Bethan Jenkins said she was told about the blast by a prison officer.

How whiteners can make a bomb Cardiff University scientist Dr Ben Ward said: 'Any very finely divided organic powder like coffee and tea whiteners is combustible and can really burn quite quickly. 'The smaller the particles the more likely they are to burn and if they burn quickly enough they can cause an explosion. 'It's the same with tiny grains of flour, custard powder and coal dust which was a major cause of explosions in coal mines.' Advertisement

She said: 'I was informed by the staff member in question that prisoners recently made a bomb out of tea whiteners, which are very flammable.

The Plaid Cymru member said the incident could have led to a prisoner protest with lags taking control of the 800-man jail.

Ms Jenkins added: 'I was told that if they rose up, they would be able to take over in less than 10 minutes, and that this was close to actually happening recently.

'The staff member implied that they were very short staffed also and so they are worried that they would not be able to react sufficiently in an emergency situation.'

Ms Jenkins questioned staffing levels at the 1,000 prisoner jail and asked for more support for prison officers.

A spokesman for South Wales Police said they were investigating after a 'bottle of unknown liquid, erupted and slid across the floor. It was a minor incident.'

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said no prisoners or staff were hurt in the incident on June 15.

They added: 'The matter was referred to the police and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.'
Alaska senator Lisa Murkowski ignored a threat from Donald Trump as she and Maine's Susan Collins joined John McCain in voting against the Obamacare bill.

All three Republican senators rebelled against the party line which was to introduce an overhaul to the system left behind by the Barack Obama administration.

On Wednesday, Trump tweeted at Murkowski: 'Senator @lisamurkowski of the Great State of Alaska really let the Republicans, and our country, down yesterday. Too bad!'

Having already voted against proceeding on legislation to repeal Obamacare, she ignored the barb as she voted 'no' to the Skinny Repeal in the chamber in the early hours of this morning.

In doing so, along with Collins and McCain, it dealt a huge blow to Trump's healthcare plans to which he said '48 Democrats and three Republicans have let the American people down'.

Republican senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska passes reporters as she leaves the Senate Chamber after voting 'no' on a a measure to repeal parts of former President Barack Obama's health care law, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, July 28, 2017

Senator Susan Collins, R-Me., talks to reporters as she arrives for a Senate healthcare vote on Capitol Hill in Washington. She too voted 'no'

Leaving the Capitol early Friday, McCain is pursued by reporters after casting a 'no' vote

On Tuesday, Murkowski, R-Ak., released a statement about the Senates vote to begin debate on a healthcare bill.

She said: 'I have repeatedly said that healthcare reform, and especially major entitlement reform, should go through the committee process where stakeholders can weigh in and ideas can be vetted in a bipartisan forum.

I voted "no" today to give the Senate another chance to take this to the committee process.

'I still believe thats the best route, but we will now have this debate on the open floor.

'We all recognize that we have much work to do to address the healthcare concerns in this country.

'My commitment is to work with all of my colleagues in the Senate to find solutions that benefit all Americans by increasing access and reducing the cost of care.'

Sen. Susan Collins Title: United States Senator from Maine Assumed office: January 3, 1997 Other titles: Chair of the Senate Aging Committee (Assumed office January 3, 2015) Previous titles: Chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee (in office from January 3, 2003 to January 3, 2007 and succeeded by Joe Lieberman Political stance: Susan Collins is a self-described 'moderate Republican'. In 2013, the National Journal gave Collins a score of 55 percent conservative and 45 percent liberal. On August 8, 2016, Collins announced that she would not be voting for Donald Trump. She said as a lifelong Republican she did not make the decision lightly but felt that he is unsuitable for office, 'based on his disregard for the precept of treating others with respect, an idea that should transcend politics'. She also opposed the President's travel ban in January, but backed Trump's sacking of former FBI director James Comey. Advertisement

Sen. Lisa Murkowski Title: United States Senator from Alaksa Assumed office: December 20, 2002 Other titles: Chair of the Senate Energy Committee (Assumed office January 3, 2015) Previous titles: Vice Chair of the Senate Republican Conference (in office from January 3, 2009 to September 17, 2010) and Member of the Alaska House of Representatives from January 19, 1999 to December 20, 2002 Political stance: The National Journal, in 2013, gave Murkowski a composite score of 56 percent conservative and 44 percent liberal. The American Conservative Union has given her a lifetime rating of 59.79 percent conservative. The Americans for Democratic Action has given her a rating of 35 percent liberal. Since winning re-election in 2010, her voting record has become more moderate when compared to her previous years in the Senate. She is pro-choice on abortion, supports the rights to bear arms and opposed President Barack Obama's health reform legislation in 2009. Advertisement

'Right thing to do': John McCain told reporters outside the Senate chamber that voting against the 'Skinny Repeal' was the only course of action he felt able to take

Senator Susan Collins was one of three Republicans to vote against the measure. She is pictured in the center all smiles before heading into the chamber

JOHN MCCAIN's FULL STATEMENT John McCain at a news conference ahead of the Obamacare vote From the beginning, I have believed that Obamacare should be repealed and replaced with a solution that increases competition, lowers costs, and improves care for the American people. The so-called 'skinny repeal' amendment the Senate voted on today would not accomplish those goals. While the amendment would have repealed some of Obamacare's most burdensome regulations, it offered no replacement to actually reform our health care system and deliver affordable, quality health care to our citizens. The Speaker's statement that the House would be 'willing' to go to conference does not ease my concern that this shell of a bill could be taken up and passed at any time. I've stated time and time again that one of the major failures of Obamacare was that it was rammed through Congress by Democrats on a strict-party line basis without a single Republican vote. We should not make the mistakes of the past that has led to Obamacare's collapse, including in my home state of Arizona where premiums are skyrocketing and health care providers are fleeing the marketplace. We must now return to the correct way of legislating and send the bill back to committee, hold hearings, receive input from both sides of aisle, heed the recommendations of nation's governors, and produce a bill that finally delivers affordable health care for the American people. We must do the hard work our citizens expect of us and deserve. Advertisement

With the vote stalled going late into the morning, McCain walked onto the Senate floor just before 2am to point his finger downwards and said 'nay' to audible gasps from fellow lawmakers.

Killing the so-called 'skinny repeal' dead 51-49 after seven years of promises from Republicans, McCain was joined by fellow GOP rebels, Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins.

On leaving the Capitol, McCain was asked by reporters why he decided to vote against the bill.

He replied, 'Because it was the right thing to do.' He later issued a statement.

'From the beginning, I have believed that Obamacare should be repealed and replaced with a solution that increases competition, lowers costs, and improves care for the American people,' said McCain.

'The so-called 'skinny repeal' amendment the Senate voted on today would not accomplish those goals.'

Collins has not yet commented on her social media pages on the vote.

Revelation: Ryan Zinke called Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and complained that Murkowski's vote against proceeding on legislation to repeal 'Obamacare' had put Alaska's future with the administration in jeopardy

President Donald Trump blamed the 51 senators who voted down the 'skinny' Obamacare repeal bill for 'letting the American people down' around 2.30am Friday

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke called Alaska's two Republican senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan to warn them of repercussions for the nation's largest state if they failed to toe the Trump administration line on health care, according to a published report.

The Alaska Dispatch News reported Thursday that Zinke called Sens.

Sullivan told the newspaper that the call from Zinke heralded a 'troubling message'.

Questioned by reporters on Thursday, Sullivan declined to discuss his conversations with administration officials.

Murkowski confirmed that she received a call from Zinke, but said she did not perceive the call as a threat against her or Alaska.

Scout's dishonor: Ryan Zinke was last seen in public dressed as a scout at the National Boy Scout Jamboree on Monday night. Now he is revealed to have threatened Alaskan senators over Obamacare

Telling what happened: Dan Sullivan disclosed the call from Ryan Zinke

'He was just sharing the concern that the president expressed to him to pass on to me,' Murkowski said Thursday.

She and Zinke, a former Montana congressman, have a 'cordial, respectful and friendly relationship,' Murkowski added. 'I don't think that will change one bit.'

The Interior Department and the White House had no comment on the report.

The notion of a Cabinet official warning senators of retribution over health care is highly unusual, even as Trump has lashed out at GOP members of Congress for balking at his policies.

So what happens next? Now the bill still has more than the required 50 Senators on board, the House must trash out what the final legislation will look like. This usually happens with those sitting meeting for a conference and would be compromised of members from both the House and the Senate. Once this is is done and is approved by both chambers, it is sent to Donald Trump's desk at the White House for him to sign it to law. The aim is for this to be done by the end of the week, according to Senator Mitch McConnell, who said: 'This is just the beginning. We're not out here to spike the football.' Advertisement

On Wednesday, Trump tweeted at Murkowski: 'Senator @lisamurkowski of the Great State of Alaska really let the Republicans, and our country, down yesterday. Too bad!'

Murkowski, who was re-elected to a new six-year term last year, chairs the powerful Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which has say over Interior business and nominations.

She also leads an Appropriations subcommittee with authority over the Interior Department budget.

On Thursday, an energy committee hearing on nominations was postponed, with a spokeswoman citing 'scheduling uncertainties'.

Alaska has a range of issues affected by the federal government, including proposals to build a road through a remote wildlife refuge and drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Several Alaskans also have been nominated for key posts at Interior, and Murkowski and Sullivan have pushed to expand drilling on federal land in Alaska's North Slope near the Arctic Ocean.

Sullivan told the newspaper: 'I'm not going to go into the details, but I fear that the strong economic growth, pro-energy, pro-mining, pro-jobs and personnel from Alaska who are part of those policies are going to stop.'

Made a call: Murkowski said the president had been on the phone and suggested his tone was not positive. 'He was very direct, in terms of encouraging me to vote to proceed,' she said.

'I tried to push back on behalf of all Alaskans. We're facing some difficult times and there's a lot of enthusiasm for the policies that Secretary Zinke and the president have been talking about with regard to our economy. But the message was pretty clear,' Sullivan said.

Sullivan told reporters on Thursday that resource development is critical for his state, which he said is in recession.

'From my perspective, the sooner we can get back to cooperation between the administration and the chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the better,' he said, referring to Murkowski.

Murkowski, who talked to Trump before her vote on Tuesday, said she has no problem with the administration's efforts to persuade her on the health care bill.

'The president wants to get a health care bill. He's going to make calls. That's understood. ... That's kind of his job. I don't have a hardship with that.

'I don't have heartburn with that at all,' she said, adding that she made her position clear to Trump when they talked before the initial vote on Tuesday.

'He was very direct, in terms of encouraging me to vote to proceed,' Murkowski said of Trump. 'It was a difficult conversation.'

In the end, she decided to vote against moving forward, saying the bill was not ready and would make unacceptable cuts to Medicaid.

Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., said any threat against Murkowski was a mistake.

'Always. Tomorrow's another day,' Shelby said. 'We vote thousands of times ... I'd never threaten anybody because they didn't vote with me on some issue because tomorrow, we might have another issue.'
A six-year-old girl, who was out magnet fishing with her parents, has reeled in 3,000 bullets from a river near an army base.

Leah Knewstub, from Woking, was out 'fishing' with her mother Alexandra, 25, and father James, 35, when she landed her 'unbelievable' catch casting off from an old bridge under a viaduct in Pirbright.

They were stunned to find a never ending amount of 'steel tip' bullets right next to the Pirbright Army Training Centre.

A six-year-old girl, who was out magnet fishing with her parents, has reeled in 3,000 bullets from a river near an army base

Leah Knewstub, from Woking, was out 'fishing' with her mother Alexandra, 25, and father James, 35, when she landed her 'unbelievable' catch casting off from an old bridge under a viaduct in Pirbright

Mrs Knewstub, whose family took up magnet fishing three months ago, said: 'I initially thought my husband was crazy because it was a very odd idea.'

But she said she never expected to find such 'incredible' items.

Earlier this month, they pulled up 18 bullets, an 'already ridiculous' amount according to Mrs Knewstub.

The mother-of-one decided to contact Surrey Police to report the situation.

'They were not particularly concerned over it because Pirbright Army Training Centre is near us anyway,' she said.

However, things changed when the family went back to the same location and found another 600 'steel tip' bullets.

That, though, proved to be just the tip of the iceberg - on Sunday, the trio found thousands more in the waters.

'This day, the river was crystal clear,' said Mrs Knewstub. 'I could see thousands. We found a never ending amount of bullets.

'It just went from 18 to 300, then 300 to another 300, and to the point now of over 3,000.'

At first, Leah did not know what the bullets were - but that did not stop her excitement

At first, Leah did not know what the bullets were - but that did not stop her excitement.

After finding such a large amount, the family drove to their local police station to report their find.

'Leah was really excited because we took her to the police station,' said her mother.

'She was so happy with herself because she was solving crime.'

According to the family, 'hundreds' of bullets are still to be retrieved from the waters near the viaduct.

But bullets are not the only items the family has found - they have also discovered bicycles, laptops, cash registers and safes.

The family, who uses a 'heavy duty magnet' to fish, is currently in touch with Surrey Police regarding the bullets

According to Mrs Knewstub, Leah, who has her own magnet, always spots the most 'interesting things'.

'She seems to find the best sort of stuff while me and James tend to pull up bulks and things like that,' she said.

When the family comes across an interesting object, they take it home where they then clean it up and paint it, said Mrs Knewstub.

'If it is just rubbish we just go and take it to the nearest bin and then the council comes along and clears it,' she said.

The family, who uses a 'heavy duty magnet' to fish, is currently in touch with Surrey Police regarding the bullets.

Fishing enthusiasts have started using magnets for the hobby - and have already pulled a Civil War cannonball, pistols and an Enigma machine from British waters.

Using the new technique, anglers are unearthing hundreds of pounds worth of metal goods from wells, river beds and canals.

One person found what is believed to be a Civil War cannonball after dredging a river in Leicester.

This haul - including nine penny coins, a chain and other unknown items - was retrieved through magnet fishing in Leicester

Another claims to have found a codebreaking machine from silt at the bottom of a pond, while a third fisherman found a diamond bracelet in the Thames.

Dozens of knives and guns - potentially thrown in the water from crime scenes - have also been pulled up from different waters.

An ornate cutlass was dredged from water in Coventry while a rusty Tukaway pistol came up from the Babingley River in Norfolk.

Others have found rounds of ammunition and an entire intact rifle. Another fisherman found a bike rack in the River Stort, which runs through Hertfordshire and Essex.

Those taking part in the new craze are using hard core Hulk magnets - powerful enough to lift up to 500lbs - suspended on ropes.

Police last month said the technique could actually help them solve crimes.

One former detective said: 'The fact this equipment is now available to anyone means we may potentially be handed new evidence in crimes.

'It's not beyond possible that these items may still hold DNA evidence or fingerprints.

'We would ask enthusiasts to make sure they hand in all items of interest however.'
A drug-smuggling submarine capable of carrying four tons of cocaine has been seized by police and troops in Colombia.

The million pound electrical 'narco-submarine' was found by the army before it could transport its illicit cargo.

Soldiers found the customised underwater vehicle in a river in the Choco area of Colombia, near the north-western border with Panama.

Authorities seized the first electrical submarine used to transport and traffic of drug in a rural area of the department of Choco, near Colombia's border with Panama

The interior of the submarine, capable to carrying around four tons of cocaine

It is believed the submarine, which was nine metres (30 feet) long and four and a half metres (15 feet) wide, was going to be used to transport drugs into Central America.

The submarine was discovered during an operation around the rivers of San Juan and Baudo.

The ELN guerrilla group, who are currently negotiating with the Colombian government over a peace deal are the most likely owners of the vessel.

The submersible was built out of sheet metal and had electrical jet propulsion engines powered by more than a hundred batteries.

Police believe the submarine would have taken about five months to build at a cost of 4,500 million COP (1.1 million GBP) and it would have been incredibly difficult to detect underwater because it was electric.

The submarine also had an underwater camera to help its crews steer during their underwater drug smuggling voyages.

It will now be transported to a naval base in the south-western Colombian department of Valle del Cauca

Video footage shows the vessel in the waters where it was captured

It will now be transported to a naval base in the south-western Colombian department of Valle del Cauca.

Colombian prosecutors will check it over for clues that will help with their battle against the country's drug traffickers.

In the last two months Colombian authorities have seized more than nine tons of cocaine and 1.5 tons of cannabis on the west coast of the country.

A laboratory was also destroyed as part of this latest operation which involved the use of a helicopter.
Two anti-terror officers have been cleared of fraud for leaving work early when they should have been looking for extremists.

Detective Constables Gareth Clement, 55, and Timothy Pawlett, 52, blamed stress and exhaustion for going home from their posts early more than 120 times in three months.

The pair - members of the Welsh Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit - were accused of faking their clocking-in hours to earn extra time off work.

A court heard they were supposed to be scouring passenger manifests of ferries coming in from Ireland against terror lists but regularly left their jobs early.

But a jury found the pair not guilty of fraud after a four-day trial at Swansea Crown Court.

Detective Constables Gareth Clement, 55, and Timothy Pawlett, 52, pictured left and right, blamed stress and exhaustion for going home from their posts early more than 120 times in three months

Clement, of Crymych, and Pawlett, of Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, said they were suffering from exhaustion, stress and depression - but didn't tell their senior officers.

The pair - who worked for Dyfed Powys Police - were were spotted by a camera arriving and leaving Fishguard port at different times to what they had recorded.

Detective Pawlett told the court: 'I was not in a fit state to do my job at all.

'My depression was so bad that sometimes my mind was all over the place and I didn't know what I was doing. It's all a result of my ill health.'

Detective Clement said: 'Events in my personal life took me to the brink of a breakdown. I did not tell a soul.

The pair were accused of leaving work early when they should have been checking ferries for extremists at Fishguard port, pictured, in South Wales

The two officers were cleared following a trial at Swansea Crown Court, pictured

'My head was in such a state I was not thinking straight or thinking about what I was doing. Getting home was my number one thought.'

Swansea Crown Court had heard between October 2015 and February 2016 there were 72 discrepancies in Pawlett's time keeping - around 1,100 of his wage.

In the same time period, there were 54 discrepancies in Clement's time keeping - 720 of his salary.
Armed police are today hunting a man in his 20s after a victim had his face slashed open and car tyre cut in an apparent argument over parking.

Gun-wielding officers rushed to an address on a leafy residential street in Bournemouth, Dorset, following reports of an assault.

When they arrived the suspect had fled the scene and a man in his 40s was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Police removed a grey Renault Traffic Sport van - believed to belong to the victim - which had a flat tyre.

Officers arrived on the leafy residential street in Bournemouth, Dorset, after reports of an assault

No one has been arrested and the weapon is yet to be found following the incident yesterday morning. Officers are today hunting for the offender.

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said: 'Officers attended and located a man with a cut to his face caused by a sharp object.

'It is not known at this stage what the object was.

'A search of the area was carried out, with support from armed officers and a National Police Air Service helicopter, however the offender was not located.

'The offender is described as a white man aged in his late 20s. He was wearing a light grey hooded top with the hood up, a blue T-shirt and grey trousers.

'The victim - a local man aged in his 40s - was taken to hospital for treatment, his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

'He also reported that he had a cut to one of his car tyres.'

Detective Constable Matthew Loader, of Bournemouth CID, is appealing for anyone with information about the incident to contact Dorset Police.

Police are searching for the suspect, believed to be a man in his 20s, who fled the scene

He said: 'We believe this may have been a targeted attack but it is not known at this stage whether the offender and victim were known to each other.

'We have stepped up patrols in the area and have been making a number of inquiries, including door-to-door, and have also been trawling CCTV in order to identify the offender.'

Ivor Richards, who lives in St Winifred's Road, where the incident occurred, said: 'We do have a problem with people parking here to go into town.

'If they block a drive then some people do get very frustrated.'

The police search is ongoing today.
A man who hurled a torrent of verbal abuse at police including calling one female officer a 'fat s*** ganga' has avoided conviction on drug charges.

Bahaa Youssef, who tattooed 'f*** the police' on his arm, was charged with cannabis possession after a raid on his Redfern home in Sydney.

The 27-year-old went viral in January filming himself unleashing a stream of sexually charged barbs at police who asked him for identification.

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Bahaa Youssef went viral in January after he hurled a vile torrent of abuse at police

The vision shows him flipping the bird at officers with his tattooed arm while telling them: 'f*** your mum, all four of you.'

'Thank you all for sucking my d***.'

Questions were raised on social media why police didn't arrest him during the expletive-laden outburst.

Four days later, officers raided his home and seized 139 grams of cannabis in five resealable sandwich bags, reports news.com.

When police knocked on his door, he allegedly threatened to shoot them and they later found him in the car park of the flat.

'I never open the door to coppers. I don't trust you. If I had an AK47 ... I would shoot you,' he allegedly told them.

Youssef was charged with cannabis possession after a raid on his Redfern home in Sydney

He claims to have suffered years of harassment by police because of his heritage and religion

He told the publication at court he suffered years of harassment by police because of his heritage and religion.

'Middle Eastern, Muslim? I'm half Syrian. I've been harassed for years.'

NSW police charged him with offensive language and fined Youssef $500 over the January incident.

Following his acquittal, Youssef posted another video to social media showing him swilling beers on the street with his friends.

'F*** the police. Yet again we win,' he says to the camera.
President Trump's personal lobbying campaign to cultivate Sen. John McCain and squeeze a pair of moderate Republicans failed to secure passage of a Senate bill to tear down part of Obamacare.

The president personally called McCain to try to secure his support in the final hours before a crucial vote to pass a 'skinny bill' that would rip a way some fundamental parts of the law Republicans have been railing against for seven years.

The president also publicly saluted the former POW recently stricken with brain cancer, hailing him in public for his dramatic return to Washington to cast a critical vote that allowed Republicans to take up an Obamacare repeal.

His top lieutenant, Vice President Mike Pence, didn't fare any better, spending more than 20 minutes on the Senate floor working over McCain in the final minutes before the bill went down at 1:30 am Friday morning.

President Donald Trump's personal plea to Sen. John McCain of Arizona failed to secure his support for a 'skinny' partial Obamacare repeal

Trump tried a soft approach online with McCain  who he infamously taunted during the campaign by saying he preferred people who don't get captured.

'.@SenJohnMcCain-Thank you for coming to D.C. for such a vital vote. Congrats to all Rep. We can now deliver grt healthcare to all Americans!' Trump wrote.

Trump tweeted earlier in the week: 'So great that John McCain is coming back to vote. Brave - American hero! Thank you John.'

The public acclaim was a turnaround from 2015, when Trump went after McCain during the campaign, saying: 'Hes not a war hero. Hes a war hero because he was captured. I like people who werent captured.'

Trump's phone call to McCain was reported byPolitico and multiple outlets.

The failure to bring McCain  a conservative who has himself called for a comprehensive repeal of Obamacare  dealt a critical blow to the effort.

McCain himself cited the closed-door, improvised process that led the GOP to the make-or-break vote after midnight.

Republicans hadn't held hearings on the bill, provided only a few hours notice of the latest draft, and scheduled the vote when most of their constituents were asleep. Republicans had been furious over Democratic efforts to jam through Obamacare when it was enacted.

McCain, a former Vietnam POW, resisted pleas from the president, Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker Paul Ryan, and Senate Majority Leader MItch McConnell

Trump's efforts to lean on moderate GOP senators didn't appear to be any more effective.

The president, who has repeatedly hailed his own negotiating skills and ability to make deals, tried to publicly shame Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski after she voted against proceeding to the bill.

'Senator @lisamurkowski of the Great State of Alaska really let the Republicans, and our country, down yesterday. Too bad!' Trump wrote.

Republican senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska passes reporters as she leaves the Senate Chamber after voting 'no' on a a measure to repeal parts of former President Barack Obama's health care law, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, July 28, 2017.

Senator Susan Collins, R-Me., talks to reporters as she arrives for a Senate healthcare vote on Capitol Hill in Washington. She too voted 'no'.

His Interior Department secretary, Ryan Zinke, reportedly called Murkowski to say that administration support for a key road and energy extraction issues might dry up.

She held firm anyway.

She released a statement Tuesday saying: 'I have repeatedly said that healthcare reform, and especially major entitlement reform, should go through the committee process where stakeholders can weigh in and ideas can be vetted in a bipartisan forum.'

At a White House event on health care, Trump seated himself next to Murkowski and Maine Sen. Susan Collins. Collins also voted 'no' on the bill. The three defections were enough to kill the bill.

Trump even tried being a cheerleader. 'Go Republican Senators, Go! Get there after waiting for 7 years. Give America great healthcare!' he tweeted to his millions of followers.

He urged in another tweet: 'Come on Republican Senators, you can do it on Healthcare. After 7 years, this is your chance to shine! Don't let the American people down!'

High drama for the maverick: Senator John McCain leaves the the Senate chamber at the U.S. Capitol after voting against his own party

Entreaties by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan also failed to sway McCain.

McCain McCain lived up to his reputation as a political maverick as he dramatically voted 'no' to reject the repeal of Obamacare on a night of high suspense in the U.S. Capitol - dealing a serious blow to President Donald Trump's agenda.

With the vote stalled going late into the morning, McCain walked onto the Senate floor just before 2am to point his finger downwards and said 'nay' to audible gasps from fellow lawmakers.

Killing the so-called 'skinny repeal' dead 51-49 after seven years of promises from Republicans, McCain, who flew to Washington after surgery for his brain cancer, was joined by fellow GOP rebels, Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins.

On leaving the Capitol, McCain was asked by reporters why he decided to vote against the bill.

He replied, 'Because it was the right thing to do.' He later issued a statement.

'From the beginning, I have believed that Obamacare should be repealed and replaced with a solution that increases competition, lowers costs, and improves care for the American people,' said McCain.

'The so-called 'skinny repeal' amendment the Senate voted on today would not accomplish those goals.'

Trump responded on Twitter: '3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!'

The House must now trash out what the final legislation will look like before sending it to the White House for Donald Trump to sign it to law.

'Right thing to do': John McCain told reporters outside the Senate chamber that voting against the 'Skinny Repeal' was the only course of action he felt able to take

President Donald Trump blamed the 51 senators who voted down the 'skinny' Obamacare repeal bill for 'letting the American people down' around 2.30am Friday

Leaving the Capitol early Friday, McCain is pursued by reporters after casting a 'no' vote

'This is clearly a disappointing moment,' said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. 'I regret that our efforts were not enough, this time.'

'It's time to move on,' he said.

McConnell put the health bill on hold and announced that the Senate would move onto other legislation next week.

The key vote to defeat the measure was cast by McCain who returned to the Senate this week after receiving a diagnosis of brain cancer.

In an impassioned speech the day he returned, McCain had called for bipartisanship on major issues of national concern, and a return to the 'regular order' of legislating by committee.

Three Republicans joined with all Democrats to reject the amendment, which would have repealed a mandate that most individuals get health insurance and suspended a requirement that large companies provide coverage to their employees.

It would have also delayed a tax on medical devices and denied funding to Planned Parenthood for a year.

Senator Ted Cruz, R-Tx., speaks with reporters after the failure of the 'skinny repeal' health care bill on Capitol Hill in Washington. He said it was 'not the end of the journey' and that he would continue to fight

John McCain told reporters to 'watch the show' ahead of the vote. Tension mounted on the floor as the vote was stalled for more than an hour

McCain, who spoke to Pence on the floor, later hugged Sen. Dianne Feinstein (in purple) (D-CA) while surrounded by a group of Democrats (above)

Senator Susan Collins, R-Me., walks to the Senate chamber at Capitol Hill for all-night voting

Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., leaves the senate chamber accompanied by his staff after the senate voted down republican efforts to repeal The Affordable Care Act 49-51 with three Republican senators voting against the bill with the Democrats

Senator Ted Cruz leaves the Senate Chamber cutting a dejected figure after the Senate failed to pass a measure to repeal Obamacare

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wi., speaks about healthcare at his final weekly press conference before The House of Representatives begins its summer recess on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 27

The final vote was 49-51. Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine joined McCain in voting no.

The amendment was a last resort for Senate Republicans to pass something - anything - to trigger negotiations with the House.

'It's time to turn the page,' said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of New York. 'We are not celebrating. We are relieved.'

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price said in a statement the Trump administration would pursue its health care goals through regulation.

'This effort will continue,' Price said.

Ted Cruz, a hardline conservative who had previously warned the bill might not properly derail Obamacare, told reporters: 'Mark my words, this journey is not yet done.

'For seven years Republicans have campaigned on one central message that we would repeal the trainwreck that is Obamacare,.

'The losers tonight are the people who believed in the democratic process, believe that actually when candidates run and say: "I will fight to repeal Obamacare" that that actually means they will fight to repeal Obamacare.'

Buoyed by a signal from House Speaker Paul Ryan, McConnell had introduced a pared-down health care bill late Thursday that he hoped would keep alive Republican ambitions to repeal 'Obamacare.'

JOHN MCCAIN's FULL STATEMENT John McCain at a news conference ahead of the Obamacare vote From the beginning, I have believed that Obamacare should be repealed and replaced with a solution that increases competition, lowers costs, and improves care for the American people. The so-called 'skinny repeal' amendment the Senate voted on today would not accomplish those goals. While the amendment would have repealed some of Obamacare's most burdensome regulations, it offered no replacement to actually reform our health care system and deliver affordable, quality health care to our citizens. The Speaker's statement that the House would be 'willing' to go to conference does not ease my concern that this shell of a bill could be taken up and passed at any time. I've stated time and time again that one of the major failures of Obamacare was that it was rammed through Congress by Democrats on a strict-party line basis without a single Republican vote. We should not make the mistakes of the past that has led to Obamacare's collapse, including in my home state of Arizona where premiums are skyrocketing and health care providers are fleeing the marketplace. We must now return to the correct way of legislating and send the bill back to committee, hold hearings, receive input from both sides of aisle, heed the recommendations of nation's governors, and produce a bill that finally delivers affordable health care for the American people. We must do the hard work our citizens expect of us and deserve. Advertisement

Senator Susan Collins was one of three Republicans to vote against the measure. She is pictured in the center all smiles before heading into the chamber

Principles: Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Susan Collins also voted against the repeal

Republican Sens. John McCain, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins voted against the 'skinny' Obamacare repeal bill, killing Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's last ditch efforts

McConnell had called his measure the Health Care Freedom Act.

It was not intended to become law, but to open a path for a House-Senate conference committee to try to work out comprehensive legislation Congress could pass and send to Trump.

So what happens next? Now the bill still has more than the required 50 Senators on board, the House must trash out what the final legislation will look like. This usually happens with those sitting meeting for a conference and would be compromised of members from both the House and the Senate. Once this is is done and is approved by both chambers, it is sent to Donald Trump's desk at the White House for him to sign it to law. The aim is for this to be done by the end of the week, according to Senator Mitch McConnell, who said: 'This is just the beginning. We're not out here to spike the football.' Advertisement

The measure would have repealed the unpopular Affordable Care Act requirement that most people have health insurance or risk a fine from the IRS. A similar requirement on larger employers would be suspended for eight years.

Additionally it would have denied funding to Planned Parenthood for a year, and suspended for three years a tax on medical device manufacturers.

States could seek waivers from consumer protections in the Obama-era law, and individuals could increase the amount they contribute to tax-sheltered health savings accounts for medical expenses.

Ryan seemingly opened a path for McConnell earlier Thursday evening by signaling a willingness to negotiate a more comprehensive bill with the Senate.

Some Republican senators had been concerned that the House would simply pass the 'skinny bill' and send it to Trump.

That would have sent a shock wave through health insurance markets, spiking premiums.

Minority Leader Chuck Schumer then took the floor after the vote and called for a bipartisan effort to make improvements to the existing law

Ryan sent senators a statement saying that if 'moving forward' requires talks with the Senate, the House would be 'willing' to do so.

But shortly afterward, his words received varied responses from three GOP senators who'd insisted on a clear commitment from Ryan.

'Not sufficient,' said McCain, who returned to the Capitol Tuesday. The 80-year-old McCain had been home in Arizona trying to decide on treatment options for brain cancer.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., initially said 'not yet' when asked if he was ready to vote for the scaled-back Senate bill.

But later, he told reporters that Ryan had assured him and others in a phone conversation that the House would hold talks with the Senate.

'I feel comfortable personally. I know Paul; he's a man of his word,' said Graham.

The convoluted developments played out as a divided Senate debated legislation to repeal and replace the Obama-era law.

With Democrats unanimously opposed, the slender 51-49 GOP majority was divided among itself over what it could agree to.

After a comprehensive 'repeal and replace' bill failed on the Senate floor, and a straight-up repeal failed too, McConnell and his top lieutenants turned toward the 'skinny repeal.'

It would have been the ticket to negotiations with the House, which passed its own legislation in May.

Vice President Mike Pence arrived at the Capitol late Thursday night, ready to cast a tie-breaking vote. He spoke to McCain on the Senate floor and left before the vote

But that strategy caused consternation among GOP senators after rumors began to surface that the House might just pass the 'skinny bill,' call it a day and move on to other issues like tax reform after frittering away the first six months of Trump's presidency on unsuccessful efforts over health care.

Ryan responded not long after with a far from definitive statement that blamed the Senate for being unable to pass anything, but said, 'if moving forward requires a conference committee, that is something the House is willing to do.'

'The reality, however, is that repealing and replacing Obamacare still ultimately requires the Senate to produce 51 votes for an actual plan,' he said.

The insurance company lobby group, America's Health Insurance Plans, wrote to Senate leaders Thursday saying that ending Obama's requirement that people buy insurance without strengthening insurance markets would produce 'higher premiums, fewer choices for consumers and fewer people covered next year.'

And a bipartisan group of governors including John Kasich of Ohio and Brian Sandoval of Nevada also announced against it.

On their own, the changes in the skinny bill could roil insurance markets. Yet the scenario at hand, with senators trying to pass something while hoping it does not clear the House or become law, was highly unusual.

'We're in the twilight zone of legislating,' said Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri'

Pictured, Pence heading to the Senate Thursday night. The Republican majority in Congress were unnabile to fulfill their political promise to repeal and replace Obamacare

During a press conference on Thursday night, Graham slammed the bill and said: 'The skinny bill as policy is disaster. As a replacement for Obamacare, it is a fraud.'

He added: 'I need assurances from the speaker of the House and his team that if I vote for the skinny bill, then it will not be the final product. I'm not going to vote for a pig in a poke.'

Ryan tried to assuage their concerns, saying: 'If moving forward requires a conference committee, that's something the House is willing to do.'

McCain branded Ryan's response 'insufficient', but the House speaker managed to convince both Graham and Johnson on a conference call to vote in favor of the bill, dubbed the Health Care Freedom Act.

McCain held out on declaring how he would vote, telling reporters to 'watch the show' as reporters and pundits scrutinized his body language on the floor.

At one point, a crowd of Democrats gathered around McCain, and he hugged Senator Dianne Feinstein before he mouthed an emphatic 'F***' during their friendly assembly.

Protesters gathered outside the Capitol Building yelled 'shame' and 'kill the bill' as Pence arrived

On Thursday night, the Congressional Budget Office said 15 million fewer Americans would be uninsured in 2018, with premiums 20percent higher by next year compared to the current law.

The number of uninsured Americans was also expected to rise to 16 million by 2026. The bill would also decrease the deficit by $178.8 billion over the next ten years.

Any Senate legislation would have been enough to kick the issue to a special negotiating committee with the House, which passed its own version in May.

Some of the Republicans hoped the panel would then agree on a new comprehensive health bill.

'I think people would look at it not necessarily based on its content, but as a forcing mechanism to cause the two sides of the building to try to solve it together,' Republican Senator Bob Corker said. 'Thats going to be the last chance.'

Pictured left to right, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Ron Johnson (R-WI) and John McCain (R-AZ) announcing they would not support a 'skinny repeal' of health care

Earlier, the four senators demanded a guarantee from House Speaker Paul Ryan the bill would not be passed as it currently stands

WHAT WAS IN THE HEALTH CARE FREEDOM ACT? The eight-page bill unveiled on Thursday night would have: Repealed the individual mandate, which requires most Americans to have health insurance or face a penalty Repealed the employer mandate for eight years. Under the ACA, most large employers are required to provide insurance for workers Provide flexibility to the states by allowing the Department Health and Human Services to provide waivers faster to states that do not wish to follow the ACA Suspended the 2.3 percent tax on medical-device manufacturers for three years Increased funding to health savings accounts Increased funding for community health centers Defunded Planned Parenthood for one year Advertisement

Trump issued a tweet both Thursday morning and night urging Republican Senators to help fulfill his campaign promise to undo Obamacare

Despite McConnell's comments about moving on, Ted Cruz said: 'Mark my words, this journey is not yet done'

The effort to pass the 'skinny' bill came after a chaotic two-month push by Senate Republicans to pass their version of legislation that made it out of the Republican-controlled House of Representatives in May.

Members of the party, including President Trump, campaigned on a pledge to repeal and replace what they say is a failing law that allows the government to intrude in people's healthcare decisions.

The discussions came as the Senate rejected 45-55 a straight repeal of Obamacare with a two-year delay in implementation to allow Congress to work out a replacement. Seven Republicans opposed the measure.

The Republicans were: John McCain; Shelley Moore Capito; Susan Collins; Dean Heller; Lisa Murkowski; Rob Portman; and Lamar Alexander.

It was the Senate's second failure in 24 hours to repeal the 2010 law popularly known as Obamacare, which expanded health insurance to about 20 million people, many of them low-income.

Cancer-stricken John McCain voted against full repeal of Obamacare

Republican leaders had tapped a group to craft legislation largely behind closed doors, exposing rifts within the party.

While conservatives said the group's proposals did not go far enough, moderates said they could not support measures estimated to deprive tens of millions of health insurance.

Trump, who has been in office for six months, has come down hard on his fellow Republicans for failing to act on Obamacare, something that he had promised repeatedly in his election campaign last year. Some Senate Republicans were growing uncomfortable with the chaotic debate.

'We've got to have a more organized process,' Johnson said, noting the skinny repeal would simply kick the issue down the road. 'We just don't have the courage and really the intestinal fortitude to suck it up and ... do this right.'
A senior EU leader has claimed Brexit will never happen because 'everyone will lose' if the referendum is delivered.

Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat called on the UK's politicians to call a second referendum to try and overturn last year's historic result.

The controversial intervention comes on the same day as Chancellor Philip Hammond gave more detail on the Government's vision for the transition to full Brexit.

Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat called on the UK's politicians to call a second referendum to try and overturn last year's historic result

Mr Muscat told Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant: 'For the first time, I'm starting to believe that Brexit will not happen.

'I am seeing hopeful signs that indicate things will change. I see encouraging signs that the tide is turning.

'I'm not saying the Brits have made a mistake, but the mood is changing.'

But he claimed there would be no solution to Brexit.

Philip Hammond today admitted it would take years before Britain has new border controls or could enact trade deals after Brexit takes place (file image)

'The referendum was democratic, but has resulted in a situation in which everyone loses,' he said.

Mr Muscat has had the inside track on the first rounds of the EU negotiations as he currently holds the EU's rotating presidency.

He said: 'It would be good if a political leader in the UK stands up and is courageous enough to address this new situation.

'Someone who says: let's put the Brexit end-deal to a popular vote.'

The intervention will infuriate Brexit supporters in Britain already angry at what they see as meddling.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier yesterday claimed the prospects of talks moving on to the next phase in October were diminishing because the UK side was unprepared.

According to briefings from Brussels, he said Britain has 'no position' on the Brexit divorce bill and is unclear in its positions on other crucial issues too.

Brexit Secretary David Davis, pictured with the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels last Thursday. The two side shave clashed over the role of the ECJ after Brexit, with Britain insisting the UK must free itself from meddling EU judges when we quit the bloc

And it has been claimed that there have been no detailed discussions on the Irish border issue - despite two rounds of formal Brexit talks.

Tory MP Jacob Rees Mogg slammed the comments telling the Mail Online 'the EU needs a deal more than we do...they are in real trouble without our money'.

The Conservative MP for North East Somerset, said: 'Well he would say that wouldn't he?

'He is the counter party in the negotiation and wishes to influence the process as much as possible.
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These stunning pictures showing gritty street scenes, dramatic landscapes and human suffering around the world have been included on a shortlist for a prestigious photography award.

The photos are among 100 selected from a total of more than 590,000 submissions vying for top spot at the EyeEm Festival in Berlin, Germany in September.

They include images of the giant, snow-covered Bingham Canyon Mine in Utah, in the US, a lone fishing boat sailing off the coast of Mexico and tents glowing in the dark on the side of a mountain in Japan.

Others show a teenage boy mourning the death of a friend in the Philippines and residents in Dhaka, Bangladesh desperately trying to board a packed train.

Prizes will be handed out for categories including architecture, the great outdoors, photojournalism, portraits and street photography.

Standing room only: MD Enamul Kabir took this picture in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Every year during EID festival, the Islamic holiday marking the end of Ramadan, people leave Dhaka city to see family but due to a shortage of trains there is high demand for spaces. One man can be seen passing a young child out of the window into the arms of a waiting woman

Spectacular: Michael Lynch waited for a snowy day to take this incredible picture of the Bingham Canyon Mine in Utah, America

Guiga Pira's picture is taken from above the Sea of Cortez in Mexico. It was taken while the photographer was living on a ship in Mexico as part of a marine conservation campaign to protect endangered marine life from illegal fishing ships. Drones were used to locate, identify and document illegal fishing activities in a protected area

This image was taken by Tasaki Sato in Nagano, Japan and shows lights glowing in tents perched high on Mount Tsubakurodake

Julie Hrudova's bizarre photo from her 'Leisure' series was taken in Tokyo, Japan and appears to show women wearing protective coats as they enjoy a water-themed rollercoaster ride

Adeolu Osibodu took this image in Ogun State, Nigeria and included it in the series 'Finding Amos'. The self portraits are dedicated to Adeolus grandfather who recently passed away

Joanne Coates took this photo in Orkney, Scotland and included it in a series called 'Greenvoe' which tells the tale of changing island life. In this image, a woman stands in the shallow waters after braving a swim in the sea

Driving force: Scott Firestone was also named among the finalists for this photo of roads and architecture in Chicago, Illinois, USA

Zane Jekabsone's photo, taken in Skogar, Iceland shows an abandoned U.S. Navy Douglas Super DC-3 aircraft. The plane was forced to crash land on the black sand beach of Solheimasandur in 1973

One of the finalists, Jatuporn Pateepaparnee, took this photo in Nonthaburi, Thailand showing someone wearing gloves hurling items in to the back of a truck

Kimberly dela Cruz's photo shows a 16-year-old boy called AJ crouching by a candle in Pasay City, Philippines as he mourns at the crime scene where his neighbour Antonio Perez has been shot by unidentified assailants on January 3, 2017 outside their shanty house. Perez treated AJ like a son, the photographer revealed

David Schulman took this image of three women in Atlanta, Georgia, USA as part of his photo series called 'Nasty Women and Bad Hombres of LA'. He commented that 'post 2016 Presidential Election, the American paradigm has shifted in such a way to dangerously empower sexist, racist, and xenophobic factions. This project attempts to peacefully and principally counter this darkening storm by presenting the enduring light reflected by many Nasty Women and Bad Hombres of Los Angeles'

Daren Mauree's photo, takenn in Port-Louis, Mauritius, shows a boat named 'GRIFFON' on fire April 19 this year. The blaze started when some men were renovating the boat and their welding equipment hit a gas pipe. One man died in the inferno

Claudia Solano's image shows Santiago Calatravas City of Art and Sciences in Valencia, Spain. The photo is among the many finalists in the competition

Atmospheric: Michael Schauer took this stunning image in Stokknes, Iceland. It shows the mountains Vestrahorn and Eytrahorn cradling a beach of black sand, created by never ending waves and winds. He used a drone to capture the landscape in its full glory

Pau Buscato's picture, taken in London, shows birds painted on to barriers at a building site. It is part of his series called Taken 'Hopscotch'

Ramin Mazur's atmospheric picture taken in Rezina in Moldova shows a performance of Hamlet within a jail. Moldova has one of the highest inmates per capita in Europe, including the highest rate of the long term convicted

Ritesh Shukla's photograph, taken in Hanumanganj, India, shows Rupesh Kumar, who weighs just over three stone and has aged eight times faster than normal due to his rare condition, Hutchison-Gilford progeria. Rupesh, from Hanumanganj in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, began to show signs of the condition as a young boy. Most people suffering from the condition die by the time they reach 13-15, but Rupesh has made it to 21. Rupesh's parents have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for help and are still waiting for a reply, the photographer said
A woman in China who had an abortion was shocked to find that the midwife had 'saved' the child and sold him to another family.

In April 2013, 18-year-old Lili from Inner Mongolia found out she was pregnant and didn't tell anyone until she reached 35 weeks.

Accompanied by her brother, she underwent an abortion which she was told was successful. However some three days later she was told by police that the child had been saved by a nurse.

In April 2013, 18-year-old Lili from Inner Mongolia found out she was pregnant (File photo)

The maternity nurse Liang Xiaohua confessed that she felt the fetus had the possibility of surviving (File photo)

The procedure went smoothly and when it came to pay the costs of the procedure, Lili also paid for the 20 yuan (2.27) disposal fee of the fetus, reports Sina.

The maternity nurse Liang Xiaohua confessed that she felt the fetus had the possibility of surviving.

Liang Xiaohua said that she heard the child crying and took it out from the plastic bag to rescue. She attached the baby to oxygen and gave it water while she hid it in a cupboard.

The nurse was overheard calling someone and asking if they wanted a child and telling them that she did not know if it was a boy or a girl.

She sold it to her cousin who took the child to her home.

Local villagers became suspicious of the cousin and informed police of the baby.

Some three days later, Lili found out that the baby had not died during the abortion and that the child had been sold.

The nurse was overheard calling someone and asking if they wanted a child (File photo)

Some three days later, Lili found out that the baby was still alive (File photo)

Lili asked the police about the child's whereabouts but would not reveal where it was. She claimed that officers then became unresponsive.

Lili visited multiple Health Bureaus and Family Planning Bureaus however they would not tell her about her child.

Hongshan District Public Security Bureau deputy commander Zhang said he came to the conclusion that the baby was abducted. However a petition would not be filed.

Eventually on January 8, 2014, Liang Xiaohua was arrested on suspicion of child abduction. Lili asked Liang Xiaohua for compensation including medical costs, lawyer's fees and support costs of 1.1 million yuan (124,000).

Liang Xiaohua was sentenced to two years in prison for the abduction of the child. However Lili was not granted compensation.

Lili appealed but had no such luck.

In February 2014, Hongshan District Public Security Bureau deputy commander Zhang and three other members of staff were found guilty for dereliction of duty but were not handed sentences.

The court case was finally closed in May 2017.
A mother has been charged with murder after her baby boy was found rotting in a dumpster in Oklahoma after dying of a meth overdose.

Kathryn Juanita Green, 26, is accused of dumping her baby in the trash bin near her home in Enid just north of Oklahoma City.

The baby's body was found inside a wooden box in the dumpster and was wrapped in a blanket and plastic bag on April 9.

The baby's autopsy report released this week found the boy died of methamphetamine toxicity and the medical examiner has ruled his death a homicide.

Kathryn Juanita Green, 26, (pictured left on Thursday and right in April) was charged with the murder of her newborn after the boy was found dumped in the trash bin near her home in Enid just north of Oklahoma City back in April

Police had been called to investigate reports of an odor when they came across the body.

A neighbor told police that he had thrown the box away at Green's request, but he thought she was joking when she said their was a baby inside, NewsOK reports.

Green was arrested in April after police searched the home where she was living with her three young children. She was arrested on charges of child neglect after officers found her home to be unsanitary and unfit for the children.

The mother was also jailed for meth possession after police said she attempted to conceal meth in her body cavities.

The baby's body was found inside a wooden box in the dumpster (pictured above) and was wrapped in a blanket and plastic bag on April 9

A DNA test later confirmed that Green was the mother of the baby found in the dumpster.

Her charges from the original arrest were amended on Thursday once the medical examiner's report was released.

She is now charged with second-degree murder, unauthorized disposal of a corpse, child neglect, possession of a controlled dangerous substance-meth and obstructing an officer.

Green remains in prison from her original arrest.
Anh Nhu Nguyen, 52, is accused of trying to scam a council and councils out of cash by falsely claiming he lived in Grenfell Tower

A Vietnamese-born man who denies trying to swindle 10,000 worth of cash and goods by falsely claiming he lost his wife and son in the Grenfell Tower fire tried to get a British passport after claiming his old one was lost in the blaze, a court heard today.

Suspected fraudster Anh Nhu Nguyen, 52, allegedly tried to scam a council and charities out of cash, clothing, food and electronic goods by pretending he had lost his home.

Southwark Crown Court heard he posed as a victim of the deadly blaze in North Kensington - which left at least 80 people dead - for nearly two weeks and was put up in a Holiday Inn.

Grey-haired Nguyen, originally from Vietnam, was arrested last month and charged with two counts of fraud by false representation.

And today, the court heard he applied for ID documents in the wake of the disaster, and now faces charges over four passport offences.

Nguyen was refused bail for his own safety - given the public anger over the incident which happened at the west London tower block on June 14.

He still claims he was in the tower block on the night of the fire, and the interviews he gave to the media were true, the court heard.

But he gave three different addresses - two of which do not exist, and a third where someone else was living.

Jonathan Polnay, prosecuting, said: 'In terms of issues, we understand Mr Nguyen will be claiming he was there and the interviews he gave to the press and the media were true.

'Mr Nguyen appears to have given, on the face of it, three different addresses where he claimed he was living at the time.

Southwark Crown Court heard he posed as a victim of the deadly blaze in North Kensington - which left at least 80 people dead

The fire at the tower in North Kensington, London, (pictured) on June 14 left at least 80 people dead

'And obviously it would be, we submit, that if Mr Nguyen is maintaining the claim, he could provide some evidence.

'In the magistrates' court, he gave his address as being in Beckenham.'

Carolina Bracken, defending, agreed evidence should be provided in writing.

Judge Jeffrey Pegden QC gave him seven days to indicate 'the addresses he says he was living at the time of these tragic events'.

Opposing bail, Mr Polnay, said: 'We submit there is a very strong case against this defendant.

'He has given now three addresses within the tower on various occasions  two of which don't exist, and a third which it has been confirmed by a resident that he wasn't there.

'Cell site evidence suggests he wasn't there at the time. And in addition, there are other parts of CCTV evidence, an aspect of the case which support our contention.

'We raise his lack of community ties and immigration status. He made an application, following the fire, for a new passport, claiming the last one was lost in the fire.'

Moving onto his welfare, the prosecutor said: 'There has been a considerable amount of feeling towards this defendant from people we say are genuine victims of the Grenfell tragedy, that somebody has been claiming - although it's only an allegation - that they were involved when they weren't.

Sir Martin Moore-Bick, who is leading the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower disaster, looked at floral tributes as he leaves the Parish of St Clement church after meeting local residents

The huge blaze (pictured) prompted more than 200 firefighters across the capital to rush to the scene to tackle to inferno

'This man is not a suitable candidate for bail.'

Carolina Bracken, defending, said the package of bail conditions put forward were 'robust', but did not read them out in court.

She said: 'It is his contention he is a British citizen. He has had that suitable address where he has been paying rent for a number of years.'

But the judge rejected bail, and said: 'The prosecution suggest he, having asked for his address to be withheld for reasons of his own security, because obviously bad feelings run extremely high in this regard.

'These objections seem to me to be well-founded.'

A trial relating to the two charges his denied on Friday will take place in the week beginning December 4 and is expected to last three to four days.

The first charge alleges he defrauded the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea of money and accommodation between June 17 and 29, by pretending he lived in the tower on the night of the fire.

The second claims that he scammed charities of food, clothing, footwear and electronic equipment between the same dates.

Jonathan Polnay, prosecuting, told an earlier hearing: 'The court will be aware, it's a matter of public record, that there was a fire at Grenfell Tower in west London, in which a large number of people lost their lives.

'A substantial relief effort has been put in place by a number of authorities and charities.

The authorities are still searching the high-rise tower block in a bid to try and find other bodies

Prime Minister Theresa May spoke to Dany Cotton, Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, after the incident

'This defendant attended the Westway Centre, which is a centre set up to assist those who have lost property and family.

'This defendant attended the centre on June 18.'

Nguyen gave his name, date of birth, and said he lived at Grenfell Tower, the prosecutor said.

Mr Polnay went on: 'He said he lost his wife, his child and all of his worldly possessions.

'He was given 100 in cash at that stage. He attended the following day, he repeated that claim and was given 260.

'He was then given by the council accommodation at the Holiday Inn. Current bill, I think, just over 2,000.'

Mr Polnay added: 'This time to apply for the 5,000 made available by central government.

'Police officers were sent because he was being treated as a victim. It was when they spoke to him in more detail, we say, this fraud unravelled.'

The prosecutor added: 'Having regard to the sums involved, we respectfully submit it's a figure approaching 10,000.

'In addition, he was also given food, clothing in quite large amounts by various charities.'

Judge Jeffrey Pegden QC remanded Nguyen, of Beckenham, south east London, in custody.
An octogenarian and her son are being held on a $1million bail in what's believed to have been a murder-for-hire plot in New Hampshire.

Pauline Chase, 83, and Maurice Temple, 63, were arrested Thursday and charged with conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit murder and attempt to commit murder.

The two Plainfield, New Hampshire, residents are scheduled for court appearances Friday after an investigation into their allegedly hiring a man to kill Temple's ex-wife.

Both the mother and son are being held on a $1million bail and are prohibited from having any contact with each other, officials said on Friday.

Pauline Chase, 83, and her son, Maurice Temple, 63, were arrested Thursday and charged with conspiracy to commit murder in a plot to kill Temple's ex-wife. Officials said on Friday they are both being held on a $1million bail

According to court documents obtained by Valley News, Maurice and his mother had 'multiple conversations' with a man, identified as Mark Horne, about killing a woman named Jean Temple.

Authorities said that Maurice was in the room when Chase gave the man about $5,000 cash as a 'down payment' for killing Jean, who was later identified as being Chase's former daughter-in-law.

The mother-and-son duo also offered Horne additional incentives, including property, to carry out Jean's murder, and Maurice repeatedly checked Horne to make sure he wasn't recording their discussions, according to the Boston Globe.

WMUR reports that Maurice and Jean have been fighting over a debt he owes her, stemming from their divorce. In early July, Maurice was arrested and put in jailed after he failed to make court-ordered payments to Jean. Maurice runs an excavation and snowplow business.

The murder-for-hire discussions allegedly took place between June 20 and July 27.

Authorities said that Maurice Temple and his mother tried to hire a local man to kill Maurice's wife, Jean Temple. They offered the man a $5,000 down payment among other incentives

The state police crimes unit, the attorney general's office's drug task force and the Sullivan County attorney's office were involved in the investigation.

Details on the allegations haven't been released.

The Valley News reports Plainfield Police Chief Paul Roberts couldn't comment when asked if a violent act had occurred, but he said that the case is 'still fluid' and he described the investigation as 'active.'

During Friday's arraignments, prosecutors said that Horne himself tipped them off about the murder plot.

Sullivan County Attorney Marc Hathaway told WMUR that prosecutors don't expect to charge anybody besides Chase and her son in the murder-for-hire plot, noting Horne's cooperation.

As the investigation is ongoing, further details of the arrest affidavits are being kept sealed, reports the New Hampshire Union Leader.

A cash-only bail of $1million per person was set for Chase and her son. A condition of bail is that neither of the two can contact either Jean or anybody in her immediate family.

Mother and son are due back in court on August 7 for a probably cause hearing.
An elderly woman with dementia who went missing in Florida was found by a tracking dog within minutes after she bottled her own scent almost three years ago in case something like this ever happened.

The woman, who has not been identified, was reported missing from her home in Sugarmill Woods, north of Tampa, on Tuesday.

Citrus County Sheriff's Office deputy Justin Williams found a scent-preservation kit in the woman's home.

The elderly woman with dementia was reported missing from her home in Sugarmill Woods, Florida on Tuesday. Police tracked her down after finding a scent-preservation kit in her home, which she had bottled on January 19, 2015

It had been bottled on January 19, 2015.

Authorities immediately started searching for the woman by using her scent and the help of sniffer dog K9 Ally.

The woman, who had been missing for two hours, was found five minutes later by the dog.

'K9 Ally and her handler, Deputy Justin Williams successfully tracked a missing endangered elderly woman with dementia,' the sheriff's department said in a Facebook post.

Citrus County Sheriff's Office deputy Justin Williams found the scent kit in the woman's home. Sniffer dog K9 Ally was able to track the woman within five minutes of smelling her scent

K9 Ally was rewarded with a vanilla ice cream cone (above) after locating the woman within minutes on Tuesday

'The woman was returned home safely and K9 Ally was rewarded with a special treat, a tasty vanilla ice cream cone!'

The department said the demand for scent-preservation kits has sky-rocketed since news broke that the woman had been found.

The kits generally include a jar, a gauze pad and tamper-proof tape. People are instructed to swipe the gauze under their arms and bottle it.

It can hold a person's scent for up to seven years.
A notorious gang of Roma cashpoint thieves operating in the centre of tourist Paris is using dead rats to try and distract their victims.

The young criminals - two boys and girl in her teens - were caught on camera as they tried out the scam on Friday morning.

Sidling up behind a woman, they first stood behind her, as they tried to note her pin code, or snatch cash as it was distributed in the French capital.

Sidling up behind a woman, the children first stood behind her, as they tried to note her pin code, or snatch cash as it was distributed in the French capital. Then one of the gang  a boy aged around 12  waived a dead rodent in the womans face (pictured)

Then one of the gang  a boy aged around 12  waived a dead rodent in the womans face, prompting her to scream in shock.

A few seconds later, there was a second approach with the rat, and this time the woman shouted Stop!

As she did so, the unidentified victim was shoved and pushed by the assailants, including the girl, who was wearing a black New York sweatshirt.

It was only when a passerby  a burly man in his 30s  intervened and spoke to the boy with the rat that they finally gave up. It is not thought that the gang got away with any cash on this occasion.

A few seconds later, there was a second approach with the rat, and this time the woman shouted Stop!

But a few minutes later the same trio were back at the same cashpoint trying to rob another victim.

The Mail Online has obtained a second video which shows them pushing and shoving a man wearing a black T-shirt and jeans.

He put himself in front of the Roma and the cash point, but that did not stop the youths manhandling him too. He too managed to send them away empty handed after being pushed around.

The gang is operating with impunity, said an eye-witness. They act as if they own Paris, laughing and joking as they rob anybody they can. They've tried the rat trick on a number of occasions this week.

As they do so, older members of the gang lurk in the background, ready to respond with violence if there is any trouble.

They mainly operate around the cashpoint, which is between Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre museum, and next to a Metro station that they run into once one of their robbery attempts is successful.

Numerous tactics are used to try and distract victims, but the rat method is relatively new.

A few minutes later the same trio were back at the same cashpoint trying to rob another victim

Paris council has been carrying out an extensive programme of rodent control in the area, meaning the bodies of rats who have swallowed pesticide are easily found in bushes and by dustbins.

Police will seldom bother arresting Roma youngsters because they have no papers, and claim they are below the age of criminal responsibility.

When shown the dramatic video, a local officer said: We are doing our best to arrest these criminals. They are very active at the moment.

Charity and human rights groups were furious in 2014 when a leaked police memo called for the systematic eviction of Roma from the centre of the city.

A spokesman for Charity group Catholic Help described the note as a scandal, saying that it stigmatised a poor community and amounted to racial profiling - something which is illegal in secular France.

But other Paris officials argued that Roma are behind most of the street crime in the city, involving themselves in everything from aggressive begging to muggings and burglaries.

Most of the Roma live in shantytowns on the outskirts of Paris, which the last Socialist government regularly tried to destroy.

President Emmanuel Macrons new government has not yet made any effort to deal with lawlessness within the Roma community.

Most of the estimated 20,000 Roma in France are EU citizens with the right to live and work in the country.
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They'll grow up to be kings of the jungle, but for now they're just melting hearts.

Adorable twin white lion cubs were captured as they play fought with each other in their enclosure in Himeji Central Park Zoo, in Japan.

The twins, who were born on May 22 but are yet to be named, jostled and toyed with each but still managed to look absolutely adorable - and nowhere near as fierce as they'd probably like to.

White lions are an extremely rare colour mutation for lions. Ten years ago it was though that the animals couldn't exist in the wild, but there are now estimated to be roughly 300 living all over the world.

Himeji has an impressive record when it comes to the rare creatures. In 2013, three white lion cubs were born at the zoo, making it the first time a white lion had been born at a zoo in western Japan.

White lions are native to only the Greater Timbavati region of South Africa, an area characterised by white sandy riverbeds and long grass scorched pale by the sun.

They are regarded as sacred animals by the people of that region, but after Europeans 'discovered' them in the 1970s, many were taken from the wild to captive breeding and hunting operations, according to the Global White Lion Protection Trust.

In recent years the trust has reintroduced the animals to a nature reserve within Greater Timbavati in an effort to eventually reintroduce the gene to wild lions.

Rawr! The twin pair of white lion cubs have been melting hearts since they were born at Himeji Central Park Zoo in Japan two months ago

The twins, who were born on May 22 but are yet to be named, wowed visitors but probably nowhere near as fierce as they'd like to

Let go of my tail! White lions are an extremely rare colour mutation for lions, and there are estimated to be just 300 living around the world today

The lions are native Greater Timbavati region of South Africa, an area characterised by white sandy riverbeds and long grass scorched pale by the sun

Despite the fact that white lions have been hunted and forcibly removed from their habitat since 1938, there is no special protection status for them

Himeji has an impressive record when it comes to the rare creatures. In 2013, three white lion cubs were born at the zoo

In 2014 the first white lion cubs were born at Kruger National Park in South Africa, which raised hopes the creatures may be able to survive in the long term

Aside from their white fur, there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that white lions are genetically inferior from ordinary lions
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin was forced to scrap a trip to Moldova on Friday after his plane was barred from Romanian and Hungarian airspace.

Rogozin said that he and other Russian officials were traveling on a commercial flight to the Moldovan capital of Chisinau.

But the plane was denied passage over Romania or Hungary, both EU members. It was then forced to land in the Belarusian capital of Minsk because it was running low on fuel.

Rogozine was on a commercial flight with other Russian officials to Moldovoa

The deputy prime minister is one of the most senior Russian officials slapped with an EU visa ban in 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea.

Rogozin told the Interfax news agency that he started using commercial flights after Romanian authorities closed their airspace to his chartered flight in 2014.

Romania's foreign ministry confirmed on Friday that authorities had not allowed Rogozin to enter Romanian airspace.

In an emotional tweet later Friday, Rogozin said the Romanian authorities 'put lives of the passengers, women and children at risk' by forcing the plane to divert.

He issued a warning for the Romanian government: 'Expect a response, scoundrels!'

The Russian airline S7 said: 'Regular flight S7-157 on route from Moscow to Chisinau was prohibited from entering the Romanian airspace by the Romanian air traffic control under the pretext of a sanctioned person being on board.'

Rogozine said that Romanian authorities had put 'the lives of passengers, women and children at risk'

This is not the first time Rogozin and Romania have clashed over flights. In 2014 he was also barred from Romanian airspace - and tweeted that he would return in a TU-160 strategic bomber.

He said at the time: 'Upon U.S. request, Romania has closed its air space for my plane. Ukraine doesn't allow me to pass through again. Next time I'll fly on board TU-160.'

The Romanian foreign ministry responded: 'The threat of using a Russian strategic bomber plane by a Russian deputy prime minister is a very grave statement under the current regional context.'
A clumsy scheme to scam $200,000 out of family members and a church congregation backfired spectacularly on the plotters - a father and his son.

Sung Sub Kim, 47, and his son Gyu Tae, 21, have pleaded guilty to charges relating to the staged kidnapping in January.

Police launched an investigation after the father was found on the street with his hands tied in the Sydney suburb of Strathfield.

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Sung Sub Kim (pictured) and his son have pleaded guilty to charges relating to a fake kidnapping in January

The clumsy criminals targeted family members and the congregation at their church (pictured)

It took investigators only three days to decide that the kidnapping was a plot to con family members and fellow churchgoers out of a small fortune.

The criminal conspiracy unraveled when police saw through the fake photos, messages and recordings the pair had made, A Current Affair reported.

Lawyer Ljupka Subeska called it an extremely unsophisticated attempt to orchestrate a fake kidnapping and extract ransom money.

'There are intelligent, sophisticated criminals who think and plan the commission of an offence - it's evident that these guys are not one of those,' she said.

Pastor Moses Hahn (pictured) said the pair were 'not very smart' and thinks the congregation will find it hard to forgive them

During an earlier court appearance the judge released the son Gyu Tae (pictured) but refused his father bail

Pastor Moses Hahn of the church attended by the accused said his community would find it hard to forgive the men and was not impressed by their efforts.

'They were just not very smart,' he said.

Neighbours confirmed that the father had money troubles, with one stating: 'He had quite a bit of problems, financially ... that was his way out I guess.'

A court heard in January that Sung Sub Kim checked into a Chullora motel during the time he claimed to be kidnapped.

Police (pictured) launched an investigation after Sung Sub Kim, 47, was found with his hands tied on a Strathfield street in January

Both the father and his son (pictured) have pleaded guilty to the charges and will appear in court in August for sentencing

At the time of the kidnap plot the 47-year-old was already on bail for other serious offences, including robbery in company and aggravated break and enter.

Magistrate Chris McRobert refused Mr Kim bail as a result but released his son Gyu Tae, also known as Julian.

Both men were charged with publishing false or misleading material to obtain an advantage and false representation resulting in a police investigation.

The father and son will appear in court again in August for sentencing.
An organization led by the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs announced Friday it was taking a majority stake in The Atlantic, the prestigious 160-year-old magazine.

The Emerson Collective, founded and run by Laurene Powell Jobs, agreed to a deal that includes the flagship magazine, digital properties, the events business, and consulting services.

Atlantic Media chairman David Bradley will continue to hold a minority stake and retain other properties in the group which include the online news site Quartz and National Journal Group.

Laurene Powell Jobs (left) has acquired a majority stake in The Atlantic magazine (right) through her Emerson Collective organization

Bradley will also continue to run The Atlantic for at least the next three to five years, after which Emerson may acquire his stake under the deal, a statement said.

'What a privilege it is to partner with David Bradley and become a steward of The Atlantic, one of the country's most important and enduring journalistic institutions,' said Powell Jobs in the statement.

'The Atlantic was co-founded 160 years ago by a group of abolitionists including Ralph Waldo Emerson, who is a primary inspiration for our own work at Emerson Collective.'

Powell Jobs is the widow of Apple founder Steve Jobs (pictured together in 2010). He died in 2011, leaving her with a $20billion fortune

Bradley said separately in a letter to staff: 'Against the odds, The Atlantic is prospering. While I will stay at the helm some years, the most consequential decision of my career now is behind me: who next will take stewardship of this 160-year-old national treasure? To me, the answer, in the form of Laurene, feels incomparably right.'

Founded in Boston as the Atlantic Monthly, the magazine has been known as a literary and cultural publication. It published writings of Mark Twain as well as Martin Luther King Jr's 1963 defense of civil disobedience in 'Letter from Birmingham Jail.'

Bradley acquired the magazine in 1999 from magnate Mortimer Zuckerman and later moved its headquarters to Washington.

The Emerson Collective created by Powell Jobs, 53, works on education, immigration reform, the environment and other social justice initiatives and has investments in film and television production companies as well as nonprofit journalism organizations.

She and her family have an estimated net worth of some $20 billion, according to Forbes magazine, largely from shares in Apple following the 2011 death of Steve Jobs.

Powell Jobs is latest tech titan to invest in a legacy American publication.

Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos now owns the Washington Post. And Chris Hughes, who helped found Facebook, owned the New Republic from 2012 to 2016.

Even the New York Times has taken money from a billionaire. Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim took out a minority 6.4 per cent stake in the newspaper in 2008, and has increasingly upped his shares over the years. today, he owns 17.4 per cent of the company.
United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. TERRY J. MARTIN, Defendant-Appellant. No. 16-11627 Decided: July 27, 2017

Before ED CARNES, Chief Judge, TJOFLAT, and WILLIAM PRYOR, Circuit Judges.

Terry Martin pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 48 months in prison. He appeals from that sentence, contending that the district court erred in calculating his base offense level under the United States Sentencing Guidelines. He argues that his earlier Florida conviction for felony fleeing to elude should not have counted as a crime of violence under U.S.S.G.  2K2.1(a)(4)(A).

This Court has already held that a conviction for felony fleeing to elude under Fla. Stat.  316.1935(2) qualified as a violent felony under the residual clause of the Armed Career Criminal Act. United States v. Petite, 703 F.3d 1290 (11th Cir. 2013). As we have explained in the past, [i]n determining whether a conviction is a crime of violence under U.S.S.G.  4B1.2, we also rely on cases interpreting the residual clause of the Armed Career Criminal Act, 18 U.S.C.  924(e), because the  4B1.2 definition of crime of violence and [the] ACCA's definition of violent felony are substantially the same. United States v. Chitwood, 676 F.3d 971, 975 n.2 (11th Cir. 2012). And  2K2.1(a)(4)(A) directs district courts to look to  4B1.2 to find the definition of crime of violence as used in that section. U.S.S.G.  2K2.1 cmt. n.1 (2015). So it follows that an offense that is a violent felony under the ACCA is a crime of violence under  2K2.1.

Of course, as Martin points out in his brief, the Supreme Court struck down the residual clause of the ACCA as unconstitutionally vague. Johnson v. United States, 576 U.S. ___, 135 S. Ct. 2551 (2015). Martin argues that Johnson means that the residual clause of the sentencing guideline's definition of crime of violence is also unconstitutionally vague. But the Supreme Court has rejected that argument since Martin filed his brief with this Court. Beckles v. United States, 580 U.S. ___, 137 S. Ct. 886 (2017). As a result, Martin's conviction for felony fleeing to elude remained a crime of violence under the guidelines at the time he was sentenced.

Martin also contends that, because the Sentencing Commission has now amended the guidelines by removing the residual clause from the guidelines' definition of crime of violence, U.S.S.G. App. C amt. 798 (2016), his conviction for felony fleeing to elude can no longer be used to increase his base offense level. But that Amendment had not yet become effective at the time Martin was sentenced. Id. And we typically apply the guidelines as they stood at the time a defendant was sentenced, not as they stand at the time we decide his appeal. United States v. Jerchower, 631 F.3d 1181, 1184 (11th Cir. 2011). We make an exception to that rule for clarifying amendments, id., but removing the residual clause was plainly not a mere clarification of the guidelines  it eliminated an entire class of offenses from the definition of crime of violence.

For all those reasons, the district court did not err by counting Martin's earlier Florida conviction for felony fleeing to elude as a crime of violence.

AFFIRMED.

PER CURIAM:
Mark Meechan, 29, recorded his girlfriend's pug Buddha responding to statements such as 'gas the Jews' and 'Sieg Heil' and put it on the popular video sharing website

A man has denied committing a hate crime by filming his girlfriend's dog giving Nazi salutes and uploading the footage to YouTube.

Mark Meechan, 29, recorded his girlfriend's pug Buddha responding to statements such as 'gas the Jews' and 'Sieg Heil' and put it on the popular video sharing website.

But after complaints about the content, police were called in and Meechan was arrested for allegedly committing a hate crime by uploading the video in April last year.

He denies any wrongdoing and has gone on trial at Airdrie Sheriff Court.

Prosecutors allege Meechan, of Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, communicated material that would cause fear and alarm and stir up hatred on religious grounds by posting a clip which was 'anti-Semitic in nature' to YouTube.

He also faces an alternative charge of posting a video on social media and YouTube which was grossly offensive because it was 'anti-Semitic and racist in nature' and the prosecution claim it was aggravated by religious prejudice.

In evidence, PC Colin Duff, 31, said his investigation led him to believe Meechan was the owner of the 'Count Dankula' YouTube channel which posted the video.

But after complaints about the content, pictured, police were called in and Meechan was arrested for allegedly committing a hate crime by uploading the video in April last year

He also played the video of the dog in court and explained that it was still widely available to users and continued to rack up thousands of hits a day.

The clip has now been viewed more than 2.8 million times.

Meechan is heard saying in the video he only got the dog to do it to annoy his girlfriend Suzanne Kelly, 29.

At the start of the clip he says: 'My girlfriend is always ranting and raving about how cute and adorable her wee dog is so I thought I would turn him into the least cute thing I could think of which is a Nazi.'

Meechan denies any wrongdoing over the video, pictured, and has gone on trial at Airdrie Sheriff Court

Meechan(left) is heard saying in the video he only got the dog to do it to annoy his girlfriend Suzanne Kelly, 29(right)

In the video the dog is seen perking up when it hears the statements and appears to lift its paw to the 'Sieg Heil' command in the video entitled 'M8 yer dugs a Nazi'.

It is also filmed watching a fiery rally by Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler in the Olympia film which documents the Olympic Games in Berlin held in 1936.

The court was also shown a second video where Meechan apologised for any offence the clips caused.

He says: 'I am not a racist at all, anybody who knows me could tell you that.

'I'm freaked out because everyone's going to actually think that I hate Jews now and I don't at all. I'm kind of panicked about it.

'Honestly, I don't hate anyone, the whole purpose of this was just to annoy my girlfriend.

'I just want everyone to know that I don't wish any ill-will on any race or anything, it's just how shock comedy works.

'It was strictly made to annoy my girlfriend and give my friends something to laugh at.

The court was also shown a second video where Meechan apologised for any offence the clips caused

'I am so sorry to the Jewish community for any offence I have caused them. This was never my intention and I apologise.'

PC Duff added: 'When you look at that Count Dankula channel then you could infer that it belonged to Mr Meechan.

'I believe he used his own details to sign up to that account and I believe he uploaded videos to that account.

'The video M8 yer dugs a Nazi was uploaded to that Count Dankula channel.

'Over 40,000 people now subscribe to that channel which is up from 400 when the video was first published.'

The trial before Sheriff Derek O'Carroll has been adjourned until later this year.
A self-styled horse whisperer who gains the trust of abused and abandoned horses has been spared jail for stalking and a string of assaults.

Roy Paskell, 66, was convicted of attacking his ex-girlfriend on three occasions in February and March at they home they shared with her two small children on the Isle of Sheppey, in Kent.

Paskell, who is now living with his ex-wife Sharon in London, was also convicted of stalking his ex-girlfriend between May and June.

The 66-year-old, who protested his innocence in court, was handed an 84-day suspended sentence.

Roy Paskell, 66, was convicted of attacking his ex-girlfriend on three occasions in February and March at they home they shared with her two small children on the Isle of Sheppey, in Kent

Manjit Tesse, defending, said Paskell got into a relationship with the woman, who is 20 years younger than him, while she was working at his farm four years ago.

Paskell, who has been a horse whisperer for 22 years, ran equestrian centres in Aylesford and Faversham, in Kent.

He began looking after horses when he was made redundant from his City job in 1990.

He was flattered a younger woman had showed interest in him, and ended up moving to her home when his business went under, Maidstone Magistrates' Court heard.

Paskell had heart surgery and a stroke and was cared for by the victim but was verbally and physically abusive to her on an almost daily basis, it was claimed.

He punched her in the arms and legs, pulled her hair and strangled her, receiving a caution for assault in 2015.

But the violence continued and in February he assaulted her twice, leading to her locking him out of the house.

When he couldn't get in he shouted and swore and hit the door with a hammer.

He eventually persuaded her to take him back but on March 15, having drunk two bottles of wine, he pinned her against the fridge by her throat.

She retaliated by pouring a dog bowl over him and he followed her upstairs and punched her in the face in front of her five-year-old daughter.

Paskell was handed an 84-day suspended sentence at Maidstone Magistrates' Court (pictured)

Paskell moved out but he continued to contact the victim, sending her postcards and following her in his car.

On one occasion he followed her to her children's primary school and waited in the car park staring at her.

He was handed an 84-day suspended sentence, a three-month curfew to stay at home from 7pm to 6am, ten days rehabilitation and 735 in costs.

A year-long restraining order was also imposed.
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Intense violence has again erupted in the West Bank after Israeli soldiers shot dead a Palestinian man who ran at them with a knife.

Troops opened fire after the knife attacker ran at them near the Gush Etzion Junction, a busy intersection south of Jerusalem where multiple attacks have taken place over the last two years.

Police later fired tear gas and rubber bullets during protests in the West Bank after angry Palestinians threw fire bombs, rocks and burning tyres at Israeli troops.

The violence comes amid simmering tension over security measures - including metal detectors and surveillance cameras - installed at the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem's Old City.

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Intense violence has again erupted in the West Bank after Israeli soldiers shot dead a Palestinian man wielding a knife. Pictured: A Palestinian man tries to throw a burning tire at Israeli troops

Police later fired tear gas and rubber bullets during protests in the West Bank after angry Palestinians threw fire bombs, rocks and burning tyres

Palestinians burn an Israeli flag in the West Bank city of Bethlehem during clashes with police following Friday prayers

The violence comes amid simmering tension over security measures - including metal detectors and surveillance cameras - installed at the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem's Old City

An undercover member of the Israeli security forces (left) detains a Palestinian protester during clashes in Beit El, on the outskirts of the West Bank city of Bethlehem

Palestinians held mass prayers outside of a sensitive Jerusalem holy site after Israeli police barred men under 50 from entering following two weeks of tensions and deadly unrest. Pictured: Undercover IDF troops detain a Palestinian protester

But despite the unrest, Muslim prayers at the site - holy to both Muslims and Jews - ended peacefully, Israeli police said.

Tensions have been running high at the site since Arab gunmen killed two police officers there on July 14, prompting Israel to install security devices at entrances.

The move outraged Muslims and sparked some of the worst street clashes in years and threatened to draw Israel into conflict with other Arab and Muslim nations.

Firas Dibs, an official from the Jordanian religious body that administers the sacred site, said tens of thousands attended Friday prayers.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said prayers at the Jerusalem shrine ended without incident. There were some sporadic low-level scuffles between Palestinians and Israeli forces nearby but nothing on the scale of recent violence.

Police aim tear gas weapons as protesters gather outside Jerusalem's Old City. Earlier Israeli troops had shot dead a Palestinian man after he ran at them brandishing a knife

Palestinians run from stun grenades thrown by Israeli border police officers during clashes in Jerusalem today

The violence happened amid simmering tensions over security measures at a major Jerusalem shrine

Palestinians threw fire bombs, rocks and rolled burning tires at soldiers who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets at several protests in the West Bank, the military said

Palestinians pray outside temple mountain in the streets on July 28, 2017 in Jerusalem, Israel

A Palestinian was later shot and killed after he ran brandishing a knife at troops in the West Bank, Israel's military said.

It said no soldiers were injured in the incident at the Gush Etzion Junction, a busy intersection south of Jerusalem that has been the site of multiple Palestinian attacks over the past two years when the current round of violence erupted, in part over tensions at the Jerusalem holy site.

Palestinians threw fire bombs, rocks and rolled burning tires at soldiers who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets at several protests in the West Bank, the military said.

Last Friday a Palestinian infiltrated a Jewish settlement in the West Bank and entered a home where he stabbed three people to death and wounded a fourth as they ate the traditional Sabbath meal and celebrated the arrival of a new addition to the family.

Police had barred men under 50 would from the Jerusalem site and braced for violence following security assessments indicting Palestinians had planned protests there. There were no restrictions on women.

Muslims only returned to the site Thursday after about two weeks of praying in the streets nearby to protest new Israeli security measures.

Israeli border guards keep watch as Palestinian Muslim worshippers pray outside Jerusalem's Old City today

Palestinians argue with Israeli Border Police (right) and riot police (centre) as they try to pass a check point and enter the Damascus Gate, one of the main entrances into Jerusalem's Old City

Israel installed metal detectors and cameras at entrances to the holy compound after Arab gunmen shot and killed two police officers from within the site, holy to both Muslims and Jews.

Muslims claimed Israel was trying to expand its control over the site.

Israel denied the allegations insisting the measures were needed to prevent more attacks and were standard procedure at sites around the world.

Four Palestinians have died in the past week and scores injured in violent clashes with Israeli security forces over the holy site.

The fate of the shrine is an emotional issue at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Even the smallest perceived change to delicate arrangements there sparks tensions.

Under intense pressure, Israel removed the metal detectors this week and said it planned to install sophisticated security cameras instead.

Jews revere the hilltop compound as the Temple Mount, site of the two Jewish biblical temples. It is the holiest site in Judaism and the nearby Western Wall, a remnant of one of the temples, is the holiest place where Jews can pray.

Jews revere the hilltop compound as the Temple Mount, site of the two Jewish biblical temples. It is the holiest site in Judaism and the nearby Western Wall, a remnant of one of the temples, is the holiest place where Jews can pray

The walled compound is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. It is Islam's third-holiest site after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. Muslims believe the site marks the spot where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.

Israel has been coping with a wave of Palestinian violence that erupted in 2015 over tensions at the Jerusalem holy site. Attacks at times were a daily occurrence.

Since then, Palestinians killed 48 Israelis, two visiting Americans and a British tourist in stabbings, shootings and car-ramming attacks targeting civilians and soldiers.

In that time, Israeli forces killed over 256 Palestinians, most said by Israel to be attackers.

Israel blames the violence on incitement by Palestinian religious and political leaders compounded on social media sites that glorify violence and encourage attacks. Palestinians say attacks stems from anger and frustration at decades of Israeli rule in territories they claim for a state.
A man wielding a large kitchen knife killed one and wounded four others after storming into a supermarket in the German city of Hamburg.

The attacker is reported to have screamed 'Allahu Akbar' before running into the Edeka shop where he stabbed one person and slashed at four others while trying to flee.

He was pursued by passers-by who wrestled him to the ground and called the police, who later arrested him.

One officer said there was 'no valid information on the motive of the attacker' who has yet to be identified.

German daily Bild published a photo of the attacker in the back of a police car with a white, blood-soaked bag over his head.

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A knife-wielding man has killed one and injured several others after going on a stabbing rampage through a German supermarket this afternoon

Heavily armed police have locked the area down and an air ambulance helicopter was seen on the road outside

Police investigators work at the crime scene after a knife attack in a supermarket in Hamburg, Germany

Security forces and ambulances descended on the scene after the a knife attack in a supermarket in Hamburg

A female witness claimed the assailant ran out of the shop with his hands in the air while yelling 'Allahu Akbar', though police have not confirmed this.

The woman, who was queuing for the till when the rampage began told NTV she was 'afraid of dying'.

'The man has suddenly struck out on customers, there was one dead and several injured,' another witness told Bild.

Hamburg police confirmed he was the only attacker, tweeting: 'The first reports about a possible motive of a robbery have not been confirmed.'

Police have blocked off the lively and diverse high street in the north-east port city which hosted the G20 summit of world leaders in early July.

Anti-terror police have also been deployed to the scene while homicide investigators scour the area for evidence and clues.

A police officer walks past crime scene after a knife attack in a supermarket in Hamburg, Germany

There was no information immediately available about the dead person but police disclosed one of the four injured was in a serious condition.

A major manhunt was executed and 30 minutes later, photos emerged of a suspect in the back of a police car.

He is understood to have suffered minor injuries as he was being held by bystanders.

Germany has been on high alert about the threat of a jihadist attack, especially since last December's truck rampage through a Berlin Christmas market that killed 12 people.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the carnage in which a Tunisian rejected asylum seeker and ex-convict, Anis Amri, 24, ploughed the stolen truck through a crowd.

It was Germany's deadliest attack by an Islamist militant, but not the first.

Heavily armed officers have locked the area down and police helicopters have been seen above the crime scene

A motive for the attack, which left one dead and four others injured, has not been established

Hamburg police (forensic team pictured) said on Twitter that there was only one attacker

Armed police have been pictured on the scene having cordoned off the area. A fire fighter was pictured accompanying an elderly woman from the scene

The attacker ran into an Edeka shop in the northern city of Hamburg before knifing customers and going on the run

Hamburg police said on Twitter that there was only one attacker and that the motive for the incident in Hamburg's Barmbek district wasn't immediately clear

Hamburg police said on Twitter that the motive for the incident in Hamburg's Barmbek district wasn't immediately clear

In 2016, the IS group also claimed a suicide bomb attack in the southern city of Ansbach which wounded 15 victims, and an Afghan man's axe rampage on a train in Bavaria that hurt five, before the perpetrator was shot dead by police.

Public fears about more extremist violence have grown amid Germany's mass influx of refugees and migrants, mostly from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan as well as several African countries.

More than one million asylum seekers have arrived in Germany since Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the country's borders in 2015.

Germany's domestic intelligence service estimates there are about 10,000 radical Islamists in the country, including 1,600 who are considered potentially violent.

In one case of a homegrown attacker, a German teenager identified as 16-year-old Safia S. was in January sentenced to six years of juvenile detention for stabbing a police officer in 2016 'to support the Islamic State group'.

Lockdown: Heavily armed police stand outside a Lidl supermarket in the shopping area

Police said that 'initial reports about robbery as a possible motive so far have not been confirmed'

Police swooped to arrest a suspect after witnesses followed the attacker and called raised the alarm

Authorities were also investigating an IS claim of the stabbing death of a teenage boy in Hamburg last October.

The 16-year-old boy was fatally wounded in the knife assault on the banks of the Alster river but a 15-year-old girl who was with him escaped unharmed after the attacker shoved her into the water.

Germany is a target for jihadist groups, particularly because of its reconnaissance and refuelling missions to support the coalition fighting IS in Iraq and Syria, and because it has deployed troops in Afghanistan since 2001.
A fugitive Louisiana inmate took an assistant warden's teenage step-daughter hostage and fatally stabbed her before he was shot dead in a standoff with police.

Amanda Leigh Carney, 19, was killed near the David Wade Correctional Center in Homer on Thursday afternoon by escaped inmate Deltra Henderson.

The 39-year-old inmate was reported missing from the prison at about 1.40pm after he walked away from his work assignment.

Amanda, who is the step-daughter of assistant warden James Arnold, was abducted by the inmate.

Amanda Leigh Carney, 19, was killed near the David Wade Correctional Center in Homer, Louisiana on Thursday afternoon by escaped inmate Deltra Henderson

The teenager lived on the grounds of the prison with her family, KTBS reports.

She graduated from Summerfield High School in May and was due to attend Southern Arkansas University in the coming weeks to study nursing.

Deltra Henderson, 39, was reported missing from the prison at about 1.40pm after he walked away from his work assignment

The girl's mother, Andrea Bell, also works at the prison.

Henderson had taken Amanda hostage in a car he had stolen from the prison grounds. He crashed the car soon after in a remote area north of the prison and fled the area.

Amanda's body was found by police in the wooded area near the crash site. It is not clear at what point in the afternoon she was stabbed to death.

Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office say Henderson then stole another vehicle before crashing it again.

Officers found Henderson hiding in a home on prison property later in the afternoon and surrounded the building.

The inmate had found a firearm inside the home and opened fire on the officers as they approached.

Henderson, who had barricaded himself inside the trailer, was killed when authorities fired back.

Amanda had graduated from Summerfield High School in May and was due to attend Southern Arkansas University in the coming weeks to study nursing

Officers found Henderson hiding in this trailer home (above) on prison property later in the afternoon and surrounded the building. The inmate was killed in a shootout with police

Inmate Deltra Henderson, 39, was shot dead by police on Thursday after he was reported missing from the David Wade Correctional Center in Louisiana at about 1.40pm

He had been at the prison since 2001 on convictions of attempted armed robbery, aggravated burglary and cocaine distribution.

He had a good time release date of March 28, 2025.

Amanda's high school is set to hold a vigil for her at some point next week.

'There's no words to express the sorrow in our hearts today,' Summerfield High Principal Shane Lee said, according to KSLA.

'We lost one of our own. A young lady that we cherish. A lady that excelled in academics, athletics, and was a true role model to fellow classmates. Please be in prayer for the Summerfield School community, her family, and Claiborne Parish.'

Henderson stole a car but crashed it not far from the David Wade Correctional Center complex

He is suspected of taking the assistant warden's teenage step-daughter hostage and stabbing her to death. Her body was found in a wooded area

A team of grief counselors were sent to the prison on Friday to give counseling to staff, relatives, and offenders following the ordeal.

'Our hearts hurt today as we grieve, and mourn the loss of one of our own,' said James M. Le Blanc of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

'This is a dark day for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of this young lady, David Wade staff, and all those affected by this tragedy.

I am extremely proud of our staff for their outstanding dedication and professionalism as well as their strength and rapid response in handling this tragic situation. We're thankful for our law enforcement partners, Louisiana State Police and the Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office, for their tremendous response and support.'

Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation into the incident.
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California officials are concerned that a large 'green spot' on the Oroville Dam may mean that it is leaking roughly five months after it overflowed due to the spillway failing.

The Oroville Dam Advisory Group, a 15 member team at UC-Berkeley researching what caused the spillway crisis as part of the Center for Catastrophic Risk Management, have spent months researching the green spot located on the southern end of the dam.

Risk management expert Robert Bea, who has been recognized by the U.S. Senate for his review of disaster management following Hurricane Katrina and the devastating BP oil spill, co-authored a 124-page report about the spot.

He wrote that the documented images of wet spots and vegetation near the left abutment on the backside of the structure suggest that it could be facing a breach danger from a slow motion leakage failure.

The green spot has been discussed at community meetings over the last few months where officials with California's Department of Water Resources (DWR) have stated it is due to rain, vegetation, or is a natural spring, according to The Mercury News.

But Bea disagrees with DWR officials about the green spot and said those claims are problematic, as the green area has been present during the drought and not just wet periods.

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California officials are concerned that a large 'green spot' (circled above red) on the Oroville Dam may mean that it is leaking roughly five months after it overflowed due to the spillway failing

The Oroville Dam Advisory Group, a 15 member team at UC-Berkeley researching what caused the spillway crisis as part of the Center for Catastrophic Risk Management, have spent months researching the green spot (circled above in March) located on the southern end of the dam and think it could be caused due to it leaking

Risk management expert Robert Bea wrote the 124-page report on the group's findings about the green spot. They believe that possible cracks in the dam are leaking and that the green spot is from the wet area as it's on a flat slope

They believe that the persistent 'wet area' is from seepage within the backside of the dam. The green spot is located near Brad Freeman Trail on the dam

In the report, Bea wrote that the documented images of wet spots and vegetation near the left abutment on the backside of the structure suggest that it could be facing a breach danger from a slow motion leakage failure

He explained that if it was caused by rain, it shouldn't just be concentrated in one spot of the dam. There should be other green spots all over the Oroville Dam, the report notes.

'The consequences of not getting the right answer are very high,' Bea told the newspaper. 'I don't think anyone should encourage a casual approach.'

Bea also refuted the DWR's claim that the spot is a natural spring and said the vegetation does not follow a normal path, as streams don't go uphill.

The report states that the spot is expanding in a 'near perfect' horizontal direction.

'So why are reputable DWR engineers and representatives giving answers that are easily refuted?' the report questions. 'Worse, these answers infer a demonstration of a lack of engineering competency.'

Bea told the Mercury News that the DWR needs to take the issue seriously and fix the Oroville Dam's out-of-commission internal piezometers, which measure the pressure of water, begin testing the wet spot and analyze the results.

He refuted claims from the Department of Water Resources saying that it's 'a natural spring' by asking how water would flow uphill? Bea said that if the spot was caused by rain, it shouldn't just be concentrated in one spot of the dam. There should be other green spots all over the Oroville Dam

Bea told the Mercury News that the DWR needs to take the issue seriously and fix the Oroville Dam's out-of-commission internal piezometers, which measure the pressure of water, begin testing the wet spot and analyze the results

The new report comes as officials in California are working to figure out what caused the dam's spillway to fail in February. The dam is pictured above on July 23

He said that based upon the information that is available, 'there is a reason to worry that the wet spot indicates it could be caused by something called differential settlement, which would likely lead to a failure of the structure,' the newspaper reported.

Differential settlement can happen when the foundation shifts under the soil, but the foundation settles unequally causing cracks to be created.

'And water likes cracks,' Bea told the Mercury News.

Bea and his team at Berkeley are worried that if uncontrolled seepage is actually occurring in the Oroville Dam, it could be in danger of breach.

Crews are working on the nation's tallest dam up until November 1 when the construction work has to conclude (pictured above in February)

Another independent group is currently analyzing why the spillway failed in February and that report will be released in the fall. The spillway is pictured above when it failed in February

Inspection records show that the DWR drilled the spot in 2016, and Bea questions why the state organization would excavate if it knew 100 percent that the spot was being caused from rainfall.

In response to the lengthy report from Berkeley, Erin Mellon with the Natural Resources Agency maintained that the green spot is being caused by rain.

'These green spots were first noticed just after construction of the dam when there wasn't even water in the reservoir,' Mellon told the Mercury News.

'The preliminary finding from DWR's inspections and studies show that this is an area that collects water from rainfall, causing vegetation to grow.

The February crisis at the dam was sparked when authorities stopped allowing water down the main spillway to investigate a large hole caused by erosion (left). All of the surplus lake water was sent to an emergency spillway (right picture, top left) which wasn't equipped to handle it

Pictured above is high veleocity water from Lake Oroville flows out of the damaged primary spillway back in February

'However, DWR will continue to work with regulating agencies to completely resolve this issue.'

Mellon said that the organization is working on a preliminary report to explain the green spot and that it will eventually be made public.

Another independent group is currently analyzing why the spillway failed in February and that report will be released in the fall.

DWR has until November 1 for this season's construction work to conclude on the spillway.
The 'regional caliphate' Islamic State is building in the Philippines poses a serious threat to Australia, Attorney-General George Brandis has warned.

Indonesia and Australia are co-hosting a summit with four neighbouring nations to tackle the bloody siege that has entered its third month on Marawi island.

Fears are mounting that battle-hardened jihadists will find a foothold in the war-torn city after losing ground in the Middle East.

A blast is seen after a Philippines army aircraft released a bomb during an airstrike as government troops continue their assault against ISIS jihadists

According to Indonesia's counter-terrorism agencies, there are 510 Indonesian ISIS supporters in Syria and Iraq.

'We expect important outcomes tomorrow, which will serve what binds us all together and that is the desire to keep our people safe,' Mr Brandis told reporters on Friday.

They are also set to discuss combating the use of encrypted communications and social media to spread extremists' ideology.

The meet will address tracking fighters' movements, disrupting networks and adopting a more integrated regional approach to border management.

Experts say the success of the insurgency has become a beacon for extremism in the region

More than 500 people have been killed, including 45 civilians and 105 government troops, throughout the bloody siege

Fears are held that would-be terrorists from Australia and other nations could beef up the ranks of four Islamist groups waging the insurgency.

Officials from Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Brunei will also attend the meeting.

At least 70 militants remain holed up in the battle-ravaged debris of Marawi, despite daily pummeling by planes and artillery.

More than 500 people have been killed, including 45 civilians and 105 government troops.

Soldiers seize captured ISIS flags while clearing a city street of militants in Marawi

An armored carrier moves amongst stuck vehicles of residents fleeing Marawi asthe blood insurgency rages on

Chair In Global Islamic Politics at Deakin University in Melbourne, Greg Barton, said the siege lays bare 'intelligence failure in not recognising how serious the threat was'.

'It has inspired young extremists from around the region to want to join,' the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict said in a report on Friday.

They warned the fighting had 'lifted the prestige of the Philippine fighters in the eyes of ISIS Central'.
A teenager was killed playing Russian roulette with two friends on a camping trip in Idaho, prosecutors have claimed.

The body of Tim Reeves was found in woodland last week and two school friends have appeared in court.

It is alleged the 18-year-old died instantly as a result of a shot fired by Keagan Tennant, 17.

At the time he died, Reeves was pointing a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver at Tennant, while the latter had a .30-06 rifle, court documents claim.

Accused: Keagan Tennant (left) and Matthew McKetta (right) face a string of charges following Reeves' death

After the shooting, an unnamed witness - who said he was unarmed - claimed Tennant fired more shots at him, shouting: 'Everyone needs to die, no witnesses.'

The guns belonged to the adopted father of Matthew McKetta, who has also appeared in court over the death.

Reeves used racial slurs before the fatal shot was fired, a witness told the court, the Lewiston Tribune reports.

It has been alleged that Tennant and McKetta - who was not present at the time of the killing - dumped Reeves' body in nearby woods.

Tennant has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, attempted murder, principal to robbery, principal failure to notify coroner or law enforcement of death, conspiracy to commit failure to notify coroner or law enforcement of death, alteration or concealment of evidence, as well as conspiracy to commit destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence.

If convicted he could face 60 years to life in jail.

McKetta is accused of principal to robbery, principal failure to notify coroner or law enforcement of death, conspiracy to commit failure to notify coroner or law enforcement of death, principal to destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence; and conspiracy to commit destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence.
It was labeled one of the spectacular heists in Germany's history.

But now police in Berlin say they may have finally recovered the solid Queen Elizabeth II coin - in the shape of a melted-down gold bar.

The coin, which was worth an estimated 3.3million and weighed 221lbs, was stolen from the Bode Museum in Berlin on 27 March.

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The coin, also known as the Big Maple Leaf, was worth 3.3million and weighed 221lbs

The thieves were thought to have loaded the coin onto a wheelbarrow, and carted it out of the building and along the tracks of the nearby Spree river.

It's believed the gang had an inside man at the museum, which allowed them to get past the coin's bullet-proof glass casing.

Now German police have arrested four young men, aged between 18 and 20, after armed raids on an Arab mafia family - believed to be from Lebanon.

Armed officers in balaclavas raided a property in the Neukoelln area of Berlin, earlier in July.

Earlier this month police launched a series of raids on the Neukoelln area of Berlin

One of the suspects is believed to be a former museum supervisor, and the others were linked to another Arab clan suspected of being involved with other thefts.

Berlin Police had complained that they had suffered several problems cooperating with Lebanese authorities to get more information about the family.

CCTV footage captured the gang as they fled from the museum in Berlin, but they were able to conceal their identities

Prosecutor Martina Lamb described how she believed the men had, with the help of someone who worked at the museum, used a ladder, wheelbarrow and rope to extract the coin and escape with it.

Police have also said they believed the robbers had broken in through a window at the museum.

The coin, 53 centimetres (20 inches)in diameter and 3 centimetres thick, even made it into the Guinness Book of Records for its unrivalled degree of purity. It was lent to the Bode Museum in December 2010.

One suspect is believed to be a former museum supervisor, who might have served as the gang's 'inside man'

Carsten Pfohl, of the regional crime office, said: 'Unfortunately, we assume that it has been at least partly, if not completely, broken down.'

One police source said criminals may have added copper while melting down the gold, so as to completely obscure its traces.

The Bode has one of the world's largest coin collections with more than 540,000 items.
A missile fired from North Korea has landed in Japan's territorial waters, the country's government has confirmed.

The intercontinental ballistic missile landed in the Sea of Japan in the Japanese Exclusive Economic Zone.

The Zone stretches 200 nautical miles (230 miles) from the country's coast.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the launch showed the threat to his country was 'grave and real'.

He added that there was a need for Japan, the US, South Korea, China and Russia to increase pressure on North Korea over its missile programme.

A new Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report says North Korea could produce nuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) as soon as 2018 - not the 2020 previously expected North Korea's Hwasong-14 ICBM launch is pictured from July 4

Pictured: What officials believe to have been the route taken by the missile after it was launched from North Korea

The missile launch came just after Japan had announced it would increase its sanctions on North Korea.

The Japanese government has established an emergency participation team with members of relevant ministries and agencies.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said that a North Korean missile flew for about 45 minutes and appeared to have landed in Japanese waters, adding Japan 'absolutely cannot tolerate North Korea's repeated provocations'.

Suga added that the missile launch was unacceptable and in clear violation of United Nations resolutions, and said Japan had protested in the strongest possible terms.

The Japanese government has established an emergency participation team with members of relevant ministries and agencies. Pictured: A North Korean inter-continental ballistic rocket Hwasong-14 being prepared before a test launch on July 4

A Japanese defence official said the missile could have flown at an altitude of more than 3,000km after being launched from northern Jangang province in North Korea at 11.41pm.

It is believed to have covered a distance of 1,000km.

Prime Minister Abe said that a meeting of the National Security Council would be convened and that Japan would take every necessary step to ensure the safety of its citizens.

'Before midnight North Korea launched a flying body that is considered a missile, it could potentially land in Japan's exclusive economic zones, and a sailing warning was issued,' a government official told NHK.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Saturday that a North Korean missile flew for about 45 minutes and appeared to have landed in Japanese waters, adding Japan 'absolutely cannot tolerate North Korea's repeated provocations'

In Washington, a Pentagon spokesman, Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, confirmed that a launch of a ballistic missile from North Korea had been detected.

'We are assessing and will have more information soon,' he said.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK said the coast guard issued safety warnings to aircraft and ships.

The launch comes just weeks after Pyongyang tested an intercontinental rocket capable of hitting parts of the United States.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un inspecting the test-fire of intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14 at an undisclosed location earlier this month

Pictured: The intercontinental missile about to launch in North Korea on July 4

The US military and South Korea had in recent days warned that North Korea appeared to be prepping for another missile test - likely of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), or else an intermediate-range rocket.

Pyongyang triggered global alarm on July 4 when it test-fired its first ICBM, which experts believe could have the potential to reach Alaska.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, who personally oversaw that launch on America's Independence Day, described it as a gift to the "American ba*****s."

The test raised tensions in the region, pitting Washington, Tokyo and Seoul against China, Pyongyang's last remaining major ally

After the test, the United States launched a push at the United Nations for tougher measures against Pyongyang

In all, six sets of UN sanctions have been imposed on North Korea since it first tested an atomic device in 2006, but two resolutions adopted last year significantly toughened the sanctions regime

The test raised tensions in the region, pitting Washington, Tokyo and Seoul against China, Pyongyang's last remaining major ally.

After the test, the United States launched a push at the United Nations for tougher measures against Pyongyang.

In all, six sets of UN sanctions have been imposed on North Korea since it first tested an atomic device in 2006, but two resolutions adopted last year significantly toughened the sanctions regime.
United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit. UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Dominique Robert DOTSON, Defendant-Appellant. No. 16-4605 Decided: July 27, 2017

Before TRAXLER, KING, and THACKER, Circuit Judges. Thomas P. McNamara, Federal Public Defender, Eric J. Brignac, Assistant Federal Public Defender, Raleigh, North Carolina, for Appellant. John Stuart Bruce, United States Attorney, Jennifer P. May-Parker, First Assistant United States Attorney, Kristine L. Fritz, Assistant United States Attorney, Raleigh, North Carolina, for Appellee.

Dominique Robert Dotson pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C.  922(g) (2012). Dotson appeals his 48-month sentence, alleging that it is substantively unreasonable. We affirm.

We review any sentence, within or outside of the [Sentencing] Guidelines range, as a result of a departure or a variance  for reasonableness pursuant to an abuse of discretion standard. United States v. Diosdado-Star, 630 F.3d 359, 365 (4th Cir. 2010) (citing Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 46, 49, 51 (2007); Rita v. United States, 551 U.S. 338, 350, 354-55 (2007)). In assessing substantive reasonableness, we measure the sentence against the statutory sentencing factors while taking into account the totality of the circumstances. United States v. Helton, 782 F.3d 148, 157 (4th Cir. 2015) (alteration and internal quotation marks omitted). A sentence is not unreasonable simply because we might have assigned a different weight to the 18 U.S.C.  3553(a) (2012) factors. Gall, 552 U.S. at 51. Rather, we must defer to the trial court and can reverse a sentence only if it is unreasonable, even if the sentence would not have been our choice. United States v. Evans, 526 F.3d 155, 160 (4th Cir. 2008). While a district court's explanation for the sentence must support the degree of the variance, it need not find extraordinary circumstances to justify a deviation from the Guidelines. United States v. Spencer, 848 F.3d 324, 327 (4th Cir. 2017) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).

At the sentencing hearing the district court calculated Dotson's advisory Guidelines range as 24-30 months of imprisonment. The district court carefully analyzed the  3553(a) factors and found an upward variance sentence of 48 months was warranted. In so resolving, the district court acknowledged the positive influences on Dotson's life but concluded that Dotson's actions did not demonstrate that these influences had improved his conduct or choices. Moreover, the district court expressed concern about Dotson's criminal history and his propensity for violence, and found a need to incapacitate and deter Dotson from further criminal activity. Thus, the court addressed the parties' arguments, listened to Dotson personally, and adequately explained its sentence. Based on a totality of the circumstances, Helton, 782 F.3d at 157, we conclude the sentence is reasonable and the district court did not abuse its discretion by imposing a sentence 18 months over the top of Dotson's advisory sentencing range. Diosdado-Star, 630 F.3d at 365. 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:

Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
Firefighters rescued an Ohio woman from a boa constrictor that was biting her face on Thursday.

The 45-year-old called 911 in a panic around 2pm after a five-and-a-half foot long boa constrictor that she had rescued a day prior had wrapped itself around her neck, was biting her face and wouldn't let go.

'Please hurry,' the frightened woman, who has not been identified, is heard telling a dispatcher. 'He's biting my nose.'

An Ohio woman, 45, called 911 on Thursday around 2pm saying that a boa constrictor (file image) had wrapped itself around her neck and was biting her face. She told a dispatcher that she had rescued two boa constrictors the day before and had nine ball pythons of her own

Rescuers arrived at the woman's home in Sheffield Lake (pictured) to find her lying in the driveway. A firefighter cut off the snake's head with a pocket knife and the woman was taken by ambulance to a hospital for apparent non-life threatening injuries

The woman told the dispatcher during the call she had rescued two boa constrictors on Wednesday and that she owned nine ball pythons.

The dispatcher sent firefighters and police to the woman's home in Sheffield Lake, a community in Lorain County about 25 miles west of Cleveland, but seemed stumped.

'I've never heard of this before,' the dispatcher is heard saying in a recording of the woman's call.

Rescuers arrived within minutes and found the woman lying in the bloodied driveway of her home, the snake holding tightly to her.

A firefighter cut off the snake's head with a pocket knife and the woman was taken by ambulance to a hospital for apparent non-life threatening injuries, reported the Elyria Star-Telegram.

Fire Chief Tim Card said firefighters disposed of the snake in a garbage bin near Sheffield Lake City Hall after it was dead.
A toy boy stole 71,000 from his rich landlord lover and blew it within weeks on a luxury US holiday, a court heard.

He said Mr Royce, 66, who owns homes in upmarket areas across the UK, was a 'rich white man' who often gave him large sums of money and the cash was just another of his gifts.

Jardine continued spending even after he was arrested in the holiday destination, saying: 'I just can't control myself.'

A jury at Blackfriars Crown Court took just one hour and 15 minutes to find Jardine guilty of the theft.

The court heard the couple had known each other for five years after meeting on a gay dating site and Jardine helped Mr Royce to renovate one of his properties in Folkestone by painting the hallway.

Jardine claimed he realised while on his way home that Mr Royce had transferred two lots of 10,000 into his bank account and thought it was unlikely to have been a mistake given that there were two separate transfers.

Giving evidence at an earlier hearing, Jardine said: 'I was in shock and it did take me like a week to actually get used to having money.'

He said he met up with his friend Tanya at the Creams Cafe dessert parlour in Peterborough and she asked him why Mr Royce had given him all the money.

A jury at Blackfriars Crown Court took just one hour and 15 minutes to find Jardine guilty of the theft

Jardine told her that Mr Royce had wanted to help him financially, but that now he actually had the money it was 'kind of a disappointment' and he still felt 'unlovable' even with the money.

He said his mother told him to put the 'life-changing' money into premium bonds.

But Jardine then received a call from Mr Royce asking for the money back.

He said: 'l just thought he was having a tantrum because I didn't go down to see him that weekend.

'If he's a rich white man then I shouldn't give in - it's a gift, it's mine. I still believe it was a gift. This is a joke.'

Jardine likened the situation to someone giving their partner a beautiful engagement ring then asking for it back if the relationship broke down.

Jurors were shown a series of WhatsApp messages between the two men.

Mr Royce once messaged Jardine saying: 'Stick with me and I will make you rich beyond avarice'.

Jardine responded: 'Haha. I don't want money. I just want you.'

Mr Royce said 'something alerted him' regarding his finances and he went to a Halifax branch to get a mini statement printed off.

Mr Royce admitted transferring money to Jardine's account sometimes because of the trips he made to London to stay with him.

He acknowledged his memory was 'terrible', but he said he would certainly remember if he had transferred such a large amount of money into Jardine's account.

Jardine messaged Royce saying: 'Are you sure you didn't put the money into my account?'

Royce replied: 'This is very serious.'

Jardine responded: 'Well how did it get there? The only person who knows your details is you. Are you sure you didn't do it as a kind of gift then forget?'

Following the verdict, the Judge Blacksell QC said: 'I have no doubt that this crosses the custody threshold - the question is whether I suspend it.

'There are unusual features about this. Anyone who spends time with Mr Jardine would realise what his self-justification problems are.

'I am certain Mr Royce was exploiting that. But who does Mr Jardine think he is? He rails about the sentiments of Mr Royce but then does the same.

'I do not find Mr Royce's evidence satisfactory that he had nothing to do with the transfer.'

He told Jardine: 'I wasn't impressed with your conduct or your evidence.

'You said you know you should have paid the money back but you couldn't control yourself. You should be thoroughly ashamed.

'But I extraordinarily find there are some features which I should have a report about.'

Jardine, of Muswell Road, Peterborough, denied theft but was convicted.

He was bailed ahead of sentencing on 1 September while a pre-sentence report is prepared.
A serial stalker who drove his ex-partner to take her own life by bombarding her with abusive voicemails, texts and Facebook messages has been jailed for 10 years after admitting manslaughter.

In what is believed to be a historic legal first, prosecutors brought a charge of unlawful killing against Nicholas Allen, 47, after an inquiry into the suicide of Justene Reece.

Stafford Crown Court was told the 46-year-old victim was found hanged at her home in February after leaving a note saying she had 'run out of fight' following six months of threats from Allen.

Allen pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to charges of manslaughter, coercive behaviour and stalking, accepting that his abuse led to Ms Reece's death.

In what is believed to be a legal first, prosecutors brought a charge of unlawful killing against Nicholas Allen, 47, after an inquiry into the suicide of Justene Reece (right)

The court heard Ms Reece, a Laura Ashley shop assistant, set up home with Allen in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford after meeting him at a scooter club in 2015 in the West Midlands.

At the time, she was living with her husband but left him at the end of the year to be with Allen.

However, within months, the former soldier and mechanic became increasingly obsessive and controlling.

Ms Reece, who had rented a three-bedroom home for her and Allen in Stafford, fled in September 2016 to a Women's Aid refuge in the North East of England.

Allen bombarded her with calls, texts and threats and even turned up at her estranged husband's home.

He began stalking five people close to her to try and track her down.

He was served with a non-molestation order in November 2016, which he promptly breached by setting up a fake Facebook page and contacting Ms Reece again. He was arrested, but the following month Ms Reece was forced to hire a solicitor after Allen refused to leave their rented home.

A diary chronicling Ms Reece's torment at Allen's hands and her inability to cope with his hate campaign was discovered after the 47-year-old's death

When she moved back to Stafford at the start of the year, Allen tracked her down and banged on her windows until she agreed to go to a pub with him, where he begged her to rekindle their relationship while threatening her.

In February, Ms Reece took her own life at a property in Stafford. After her death, a diary chronicling her torment at Allen's hands and her inability to cope with his hate campaign was discovered.

After learning of his ex-partner's suicide, Allen conducted an internet search to establish whether he could be held legally responsible for the death.

Imposing a 15-year extended sentence which includes an extra five-year period on licence, the Recorder of Stafford, Judge Michael Chambers QC, said Allen's 'disturbing' conduct had been truly appalling.

The judge told Allen: 'You clearly caused her to lose her life and before that to experience, over a protracted period of time, what must have been a living nightmare.

'It is not suggested that you intended at any time that she should die but clearly you intended that she should suffer serious psychological harm.

'She committed suicide as a direct result of your sustained and determined criminal actions - actions which you clearly knew were having a profound effect upon her.'

The court heard Allen, of no fixed address, made around 3,500 attempts to contact Ms Reece after they broke up.

The court heard Allen, of no fixed address, made around 3,500 attempts to contact Ms Reece after they broke up

Prosecutor Andrew Smith QC told the court Allen had numerous previous convictions for offences committed against a string of women dating back to December 1998.

The offences included making threats to kill, an attack on a former partner who was head-butted, breaking her nose, and a threat to set fire to a harassment victim's father's house.

Defence barrister Neil Mercer, mitigating, said Allen had shown remorse and was being treated at a therapeutic unit while on remand.

Commenting on the 'exceptional' case, Hannah Sidaway, a Senior Crown Prosecutor at the Complex Casework Unit of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'Allen subjected Justene and those close to her to a sustained campaign of torment until she was unable to endure his behaviour any longer.

'There is no doubt he ultimately caused her to take her own life.

'This case illustrates the devastating effect that stalking can have on victims. It reaches into every aspect of their lives, causing acute distress and leaving them, and often their families, living in fear.'

In a statement released by Staffordshire Police, the victim's family said: 'As a result of Allen's actions we saw a dramatic transformation in Justene's personality and health. She changed from a very bubbly and loving person to someone who was timid, afraid, lethargic, and frightened to leave the house.

'This was shocking to us all. We take some small comfort in the fact Nick Allen has now been convicted and sentenced for his actions.'
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The UK will be battered by heavy rain and thundery storms this weekend as the British summer remains a damp washout.

Most parts of Britain will be unsettled with showers or longer spells of rain breaking up the short sunny intervals with the north and Scotland seeing temperatures drop to 14 degrees.

On Sunday, thunder will hit the UK with the Met Office warning that 'any part of the UK' is likely to see a storm.

It comes as blustery showers will continue across Scotland and Northern Ireland this evening while strong winds and heavy rain will affect other parts in the north.

Two women in Liverpool were forced to put their coats over their heads as the rain came down in the city centre on Friday

One woman in Liverpool city centre desperately tried to use her umbrella to shield herself from the blistery winds and rain

By Sunday, the UK will see heavy rain showers and there is a risk that any part of the country will see a thunderstorm over the weekend

A three-day forecast shows that by Sunday the UK will be affected by showers as the British summer continues to be a washout

Tomorrow will see a 'bright start for many' before the rain returns and becomes 'heavy and persistent'.

And today, two women in Liverpool were spotted using their coats to shield themselves from the rain as locals were in a hurry to use their umbrellas during a downpour.

After the thunderstoms predicted for Sunday, there will be fewer showers on Monday and Tuesday as the UK will see drier and brighter spells.

Nicola Maxey, a Met Office spokeswoman, told MailOnline: 'In the south there will be rain this evening that will gradually clear as we go through to Saturday.

Your browser does not support the <code>iframe</code> HTML tag. Try viewing this in a modern browser like Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Internet Explorer 9 or later.

Most parts of the UK have enjoyed some sunny spells but the weekend is expected to be damp. Pictured here, lavender fields in Hitchin, Hertfordshire

There were blue skies over Hitchin in Hertfordshire on Friday afternoon (pictured), but that is set to change as most parts of the UK will be hit with thundery showers

Clouds were forming in the sky above a sunflower field in Hitchin on Friday as the south is likely to be hit with heavy showers on Friday evening

'As we go into Sunday, it will remain unsettled because there will be sunny spells and showers for the north.

'As you go further south, again there will be showers and sunny spells but also thundery storms for most parts of the UK.

'There is a risk that any part of the UK will see a thunderstom this weekend.'
A disgraced former priest convicted of repeatedly raping a boy in the 1980s was released from prison on Friday after serving a 12-year sentence.

Massachusetts prison officials say Paul Shanley, 86, was released from the Old Colony Correctional Center in Bridgewater on Friday. They did not provide an exact time.

Convicted in 2005, Shanley's crimes were finally brought to light after The Boston Globe's Spotlight team published an in-depth report in 2002 on pedophile priests the Catholic Church was helping to protect.

Paul Shanley (pictured), 86, was released from prison Friday after serving a 12-year sentence

He was convicted in 2005 of raping a boy 30 years earlier while preaching in Massachusetts (Pictured: Shanley Feb 1974)

The report led to thousands of accusations from alleged victims, providing evidence that the abuse spanned over decades.

It was later discovered that senior Church members helped cover-up the scandal and shuffled abusive priests from parish to parish.

Originally believed to be only a few isolated cases, the Spotlight investigation sparked an international crisis within the Church, with victims coming forward from numerous countries across the world.

The Church ultimately paid out billions in costs and settlements.

Bernard Law, who was the Archbishop of Boston and had extensive knowledge of the abusive taking place under his leadership, resigned from his post in December 2002.

Shanley's victim stepped forward following a report by The Boston Globe exposed pedophile priests within the Catholic Church (Pictured: The Boston Globe June 2017)

A movie titled 'Spotlight' on The Boston Globe's effort won the Academy Award in 2015 (Pictured: Cast of the film 'Spotlight')

The report by the Spotlight team led to thousands of accusations against priests within the Church, providing evidence that the abuse spanned over decades (Pictured: Spotlight team)

Soon after, he was appointed by Pope John Paul II the Archpriest of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, where he resides today.

Shanleys accuser, then a 27-year-old firefighter, said the now defrocked priest began abusing him when he was six-years-old.

The man said as the abuse scandal unfolded in the Archdiocese of Boston during the early 2000s, those painful memories returned, spurring him to come forward.

In 2015, a motion picture titled 'Spotlight' about the Boston Globe's efforts to expose the priests and the Church's attempt to cover it up won the Academy Award.

Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who represented a number of men in their case against the Boston Archdioceses, said his clients are upset that Shanley is being released.

'Unfortunately, there is no mechanism in place which will prevent Paul Shanley from sexually abusing once again,' Garabedian said, according to USA Today.

When it comes to a sexual abuser abusing an innocent child, the abuser can be 35 or 95  theres no age limit.'

It was later learned that senior members of the Church knew of the abuse and helped cover it up by shuffling abusers from parish to parish (Pictured: Bernard Law December 2002)

Days before his was released, another alleged victim of the Shanely was interviewed by The New York Times, who described the priest as 'a sexual predator plus,' recalling how he took advantage a young man in need of help.

John Harris claims that in 1979, after struggling with depression and alcohol abuse, he reached out to Shanley for help.

'He raped me, under the pretense of helping me,' Harris, now 59, told the Times on Wednesday.

The state's sex offender registry lists Shanley as a Level 3 offender, meaning he is most likely to re-offend. The registry says Shanley will be living in an apartment in Ware, a town of about 10,000 residents about 65 miles (105 kilometers) west of Boston.

State law prohibits people from using information in the registry to harass people.

Abuse victims also say they're concerned Shanley, who isn't required to wear an electronic monitoring device, will not have enough supervision.

Shanley's lawyer says he's served his time and is not dangerous.

A protest was planned outside the Bridgewater prison Friday.

According to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, 911 new accusations against 463 priests emerged in 2016. Of those, at least 43 priests were defrocked from the Church and another 111 were suspended.
A bikie has been rushed to hospital after he was shot in the chest on Friday night.

The man was part of a motorcycle convoy ridging on the Bolte Bridge in Melbourne's inner city when he suffered a gunshot wound about 9pm.

He is understood to be linked to the Bandidos, the Herald Sun reported.

A bikie has reportedly been shot was part on a motorcycle convoy on Melbourne's Bolte Bridge (pictured)

The publication reported one man was taken to the Alfred Hospital while it understood another with shrapnel wounds went to the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

City-bound lanes of the bridge were shut down for a number of hours as police arrived on scene and launched an investigation.

About a dozen police cars were called in while another crime scene was set-up on the corner of Flinders and William streets in Melbourne's CBD.

No arrests have been made and police have said investigations remain ongoing.

They have confirmed a motorbike rider had injuries consistent to a gunshot wound.
A girl who received an unwanted picture of a man's penis tracked his mom down to reveal his son's antics.

Madison Kohn, 20, a student at Arizona State University warned clearly on her Tinder dating app profile that if anyone sent her explicit photographs, she would pass them on to their mothers.

And that's exactly what she did when a man decided to test her boundaries.

Boy I hope you know that girls are better that the FBI when it comes to stalking 

Madison Kohn's Tinder bio reads: 'If you send me d**k pics I will send them to your mom. 'That being said I'm pretty chill, are you?'

The student's Tinder bio reads: 'If you send me d**k pics I will send them to your mom.

'That being said I'm pretty chill, are you?'

Having ignored the warning and tracked her down in social media, the man - who MailOnline is not naming - messaged her on Instagram before sending the lews photograph.

He said he couldn't sleep because of Ms Kohn, then sent her a picture of his penis before calling her 'amazing'.

The man decided to test her boundaries and tracked her down on Instagram to send her the picture

True to her word, she took to social media to find his mother.

Having done so through Facebook, she screenshotted the message her son had sent and wrote: 'Hi, I see that your son is XX.

'I have never talked to him but he has sent me this picture through Instagram after discovering my profile.

'Can you please tell him not to send unsolicited pictures to women?

'I did not ask for it.'
The leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice party has accused Germany of 'rejecting' its World War II responsibilities.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who has made several controversial remarks about Warsaw's neighbour, went as far as to suggest Berlin should pay reparations.

'We are talking about huge sums and also the fact that the Germans have for years rejected their responsibility for World War II,' said Kaczynski.

The politician made his comments during a talk late on Thursday, attended by Catholic radio station Radio Maryja.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who has made several controversial remarks about Warsaw's neighbour, went as far as to suggest Berlin should pay reparations. File photo

'We are talking about huge sums and also the fact that the Germans have for years rejected their responsibility for World War II,' said Kaczynski. File photo

WHAT ARE THE NEW LAWS THAT THE PEOPLE OF POLAND ARE OPPOSED TO? The three reforms would give the justice minister and MPs much broader powers and have alarmed the US and EU. Reform one requires all Supreme Court judges to step down and gives the justice minister the power to decide who should stay on

Reform two gives politicians control over who sits on the National Judiciary Council which nominates judges

Reform three gives the justice minister the right to select and dismiss judges in the lower courts Advertisement

One of Kaczynski's chief bugbears is the recently opened Museum of the Second World War in the port city of Gdansk.

He described the museum as 'nothing other than a kind of present' from European Council president, former Polish premier and Gdansk native Donald Tusk to German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

'It is a museum which subscribes to German historic policy,' Kaczynski insisted.

The museum has made waves in that it offers visitors a view of World War II which the nationalist government feels is not Polish enough and does not highlight patriotic resistence to Nazi occupation.

It comes after the ruling party's leader slammed President Andrzej Duda for committing to veto controversial judicial reforms.

Demonstrations have taken place across the country in retaliation to the three new judicial reforms. Anti-government protesters are pictured in front of the Supreme Court

One of the reforms requires all Supreme Court judges to step down and gives the justice minister the power to decide who should stay on

It comes after the ruling party's leader slammed President Andrzej Duda for committing to veto controversial judicial reforms.

'As president I don't feel this law would strengthen a sense of justice,' Mr Duda addressed the country in television broadcast earlier this week.

'These laws must be amended.'

While President Duda vetoed two laws, he passed a third that allows the justice minister to name the head of Poland's lower courts.

The second Reform would give politicians control over who sits on the National Judiciary Council which nominates judges

The third gives the justice minister the right to select and dismiss judges in the lower court

Anti-government protesters raise candles and placards reading "Constitution", as they gather in front of the Supreme Court in Warsaw

The president also opposed the strengthened role of the Justice Minister who, in Poland, also serves as the attorney general

It followed weeks of protests across Poland's major cities who are against the proposed changes to the judiciary.

It comes after President Duda said he would veto two of the laws

The country had been faced with sanctions being imposed by the European Commission if the reforms were not scrapped.

Donald Tusk, the European Council President and a former Polish prime minister, warned of a 'black scenario that could ultimately lead to the marginalisation of Poland in Europe'.

Poland's right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) government  of which President Duda is a former member  strongly refuted allegations that the reforms would move towards authoritarian rule.

It added that it was disappointed with President Duda's veto, who last week stepped in to find a compromise.

It proposed that the government's bid to push through its nominees for the National Judiciary Council be watered down, by requiring the support of another party.

Poland's right-wing Law and Justice government  of which President Duda is a former member  has strongly refuted allegations that the reforms would move towards authoritarian rule.

Polish democracy icon and ex-President Lech Walesa addresses a large crowd of anti-government protesters in Gdansk, Poland, on Saturday

During Thursday's talk with Radio Maryja, Mr Kaczynski added that the president had made 'a very serious mistake'.

'This means there will be a reform, a radical reform,' said Kaczynski. 'Partial reform wont change anything.'

Kaczynski added 'we want to restore a moral order'.
A county corrections deputy is accused of grabbing a female inmate and ejaculating all over her while she was in custody.

Christopher Allen North, 29, was booked on suspicion of taking indecent liberties with the use of force in Vancouver, Washington, where he works as a deputy in the Clark County Jail.

North, who has been working at the jail since January 2015, was supervising the transfer of a female prisoner on July 11 when the alleged incident took place.

The prisoner had arrived in Clark County the previous day for an overnight stay in transit between two other Washington jurisdictions, according to court documents.

Christopher Allen North, 29, was booked on suspicion of taking indecent liberties with the use of force in Vancouver, Washington, where he works as a deputy in the Clark County Jail

North is seen in court on Thursday. 'I've been dealt some pretty hard cards, and I'm ready to be a man about what happened and I'd like to be able to get out,' he told the judge

North brought the prisoner into a changing room with no security cameras to change back into her street clothes for transport at around 4am. The room has one door and a small hatch leading to the property room, for passing items to prisoners, investigators said.

The woman, who is not being identified as the victim of an alleged sex crime, said that North opened the hatch and peeped in while she was changing into her yoga pants and tank top.

A few minutes later, he told the woman that she would be held in the changing room until transport, claiming that the normal holding cell was full.

The wait lasted about two hours, during which time North struck up a conversation with the woman about the tattoos on her neck, forearm, and back, investigators said.

North then lifted up his own shirt to show her the tattoos on his back and left arm, the woman told investigators.

The deputy then 'told her he was going to "jerk off" when he got home from work,' investigators wrote in an affidavit.

North has been working at the Clark County Jail (pictured) since January 2015. He was supervising the transfer of a female prisoner on July 11 when the alleged incident took place

The woman said she noticed North's pants were unzipped through the property room door and told him so, but he put a finger to his lips as if motioning her to be quiet and began masturbating.

He then entered the room through the other door and grabbed her around the waist, ejaculating onto her chest, shirt and pants, she told investigators.

The woman, fearing repercussions, was silent about the alleged encounter until the transfer was complete, and then came forward to deputies in another county.

A presumptive test for semen on the woman's clothes was positive, but DNA results from the stains are still pending.

North, who initially denied any untoward contact, changed his story after he was told of the forensic testing, investigators said.

The deputy then claimed that he had taken the woman's clothes from the property room and ejaculated on them in the parking lot while she was in custody, and then returned them to the jail.

North, seen Thursday in court, initially denied any untoward contact, but changed his story after he was told of the forensic testing, investigators said

Bail was set at $50,000 in a Thursday hearing, and North has been on paid administrative leave since July 13.

Television cameras were present at the hearing, at which the Judge offered North the opportunity to speak.

'I would just like to say that I am a zero threat to anybody,' North said.

'I've been dealt some pretty hard cards, and I'm ready to be a man about what happened and I'd like to be able to get out.'

'I know I have some underlying issues from serving in the Marine Corps overseas. I just want to be home with my family,' he said.

The next hearing in the case is set for August 10.
Luke Howes, 21, died after being struck by the train in Ascot in November 2015

A crystal meth addict killed himself after fleeing his family's 1.6 million home and running in front of a train while being chased by police.

Luke Howes, 21, died instantly after being struck by the train near his house in Ascot, Berkshire, in November 2015.

The former Bournemouth University student had been discharged from hospital after a drug overdose just days earlier, despite his parents pleading with staff to keep him in, an inquest heard.

Luke, the son of a pharmaceutical boss, started smoking cannabis aged 15 while he was a student at the exclusive Charters School in Ascot.

His mental health deteriorated when he turned to harder drugs including ecstasy and crystal meth.

His mother Lydia Howes told the coroner he was awarded a place at Bournemouth University to study technology but he continued to take drugs.

Following a drug overdose at the family home on November 8, 2015, Luke was admitted to Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, which discharged him three days later.

When he returned home on November 11 Luke continued to display erratic behaviour, leading to a 999 call from his concerned mother.

When four officers arrived at the family home he jumped from his bedroom window and ran to a nearby railway line.

Luke was diagnosed with paranoia in September 2013 and then drug dependency in December 2013.

After overdosing in March 2014, he was diagnosed with mental disorder, behavioural disorder and psychotic disorder due to drug use.

When four officers arrived at the family home in Ascot (pictured), he jumped from his bedroom window and ran to a nearby railway line

Lydia Howes told the inquest: 'He told me he was addicted to crystal meth in September 2013 after we picked him up from university. He was never able to return to university.'

Mrs Howes said her son should never have been released from Frimley Park Hospital.

'I instructed the paramedics that he needed to be watched by security 24/7 because he would abscond from hospital,' she said.

'I don't know if anyone here knows what it is like to take a psychotic person to hospital but it is very difficult.'

Luke Howes' family have criticised his care

The day before his death, Mrs Howes said she had a meeting with two psychiatric nurses and told them her son needed urgent inpatient psychiatric treatment.

After the 10-day inquest the jury concluded he intended to kill himself when he jumped in front of a train, despite being chased to the station by police.

A post mortem examination had found the cause of his death was multiple injuries.

Speaking outside the inquest Mrs Howes said her son was let down by the care he was given.

'I am exhausted and emotional,' she said. 'He started university in September 2013 but we had to bring him home because he was so sick.

'They kept his place open, it is really sad actually, his friends and flatmates kept asking of him but he was just too sick to return.'

Mr Howes' friend Tom Martin's was also killed by a train near Ascot station in 2011, and an inquest heard he may have been suffering with undiagnosed psychosis.

Mrs Howes added: 'From the family's view he did not get the help he so desperately needed from the Berkshire Mental Health trust.

'We battled and battled from 2013, writing letters, but nothing is going to change. I don't think Luke will be the last boy to die like this.

'He was taking crystal meth before starting university. He got it off the dark web. He was very IT savvy. It's a horrific drug.

'They start out taking drugs at 15 thinking they are adults and know everything about it but they don't at all.'
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. OREGON BUREAU OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIES, ex rel Fair Housing Council of Oregon, Plaintiff-Appellee, FAIR HOUSING COUNCIL OF OREGON, Intervenor-Plaintiff-Appellee, v. CHANDLER APARTMENTS, LLC, FKA L&T Chandler, LLC, an Oregon limited liability company; et al., Defendants-Appellants, 1031, INC., a Nevada corporation, Defendant. No. 15-35604 Decided: July 26, 2017

Before: BERZON, WATFORD, and OWENS, Circuit Judges.

MEMORANDUM*

Defendants-Appellants Chandler Apartments, LLC, 1031, Inc., and James Tarantino (collectively, Chandler Apartments) appeal from the district court's grant of summary judgment to Plaintiffs-Appellees Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) and Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO) on their claims of housing discrimination under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and its Oregon state law equivalent. As the parties are familiar with the facts, we do not recount them here. We affirm.

Chandler Apartments argues that plaintiffs have not proved the elements of a claim under the FHA and Or. Rev. Stat.  659A.145(2)(g).

To prevail on a claim under 42 U.S.C.  3604(f)(3), a plaintiff must prove all of the following elements: (1) that the plaintiff or his associate is handicapped within the meaning of 42 U.S.C.  3602(h); (2) that the defendant knew or should reasonably be expected to know of the handicap; (3) that accommodation of the handicap may be necessary to afford the handicapped person an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the dwelling; (4) that the accommodation is reasonable; and (5) that defendant refused to make the requested accommodation.

Dubois v. Ass'n of Apartment Owners of 2987 Kalakaua, 453 F.3d 1175, 1179 (9th Cir. 2006). Chandler Apartments challenges each of these elements as factual conclusions that are in dispute.

Chandler Apartments first argues that plaintiffs' claims do not satisfy the first element of an FHA claim  that the plaintiff or his associate is handicapped within the meaning of 42 U.S.C.  3602(h)  because no plaintiff was disabled. FHCO and BOLI both have standing to sue under the FHA even though the testers they used were not actually disabled. FHCO suffered injuries through the frustration of their organizational mission and diversion of resources. Fair Hous. Council of San Fernando Valley v. Roommate.com, LLC, 666 F.3d 1216, 1219 (9th Cir. 2012). In her uncontested declaration attached to the motion for summary judgment, the Executive Director of FHCO, Pegge McGuire, stated that FHCO assigned testers to assess compliance with fair housing laws at Chandler Apartments. Thus, FHCO diverted resources independent of litigation costs. See id. BOLI has Article III standing as an executive agency whose purpose is vindicating the public interest. Consumer Fin. Prot. Bureau v. Gordon, 819 F.3d 1179, 1187 (9th Cir. 2016). Accordingly, FHCO and BOLI's claims survive because they suffered sufficient injury to have standing to bring a claim under the FHA.

Chandler Apartments next appears to argue that plaintiffs cannot meet the second element of an FHA claim because Chandler Apartments had no reason to know that the testers were requesting disability accommodations for service animals. Chandler Apartments reasonably should have known that the testers were requesting disability accommodation. Tester A said to Lyons: Just so you know, I have a therapy animal. Tester B said to Lyons: I should probably let you know that I have an assistance dog and mentioned that she had a note from a doctor. In addition, as the district court stated, Lyons's declaration makes clear he understood the requests related to reasonable accommodations for service animals, not pets.  Furthermore, a prospective tenant who requests accommodation for a service animal need not affirmatively identify his or her disability to trigger FHA protection. See HUD, FHEO Notice: FHEO-2013-01, at 3 (Apr. 25, 2013), available at http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=servanimals_ntcfheo2013-01.pdf. Accordingly, Chandler Apartments could reasonably be expected to know that the callers were handicapped and were requesting disability accommodations.

Finally, plaintiffs met the fifth element of an FHA claim because Chandler Apartments refused to grant the requested disability accommodation. Chandler Apartments did not reach out to the prospective tenants to determine whether [the] requested accommodation is reasonable  [and] reasonably related to the claimed handicap. Instead Chandler Apartments, via Lyons, heard that prospective tenants wanted to keep a service dog or therapy dog and immediately denied them the accommodation.

Accordingly, the district court did not err in holding that there is no genuine issue of material fact about whether Chandler Apartments violated the FHA and Or. Rev. Stat.  659A.145(2)(g) and properly granted summary judgment to plaintiff.

AFFIRMED.

FOOTNOTES

. The only distinction the parties offer between the elements of a claim under the FHA and the equivalent Oregon statute is that the claims under the Oregon statute include [a]ssisting, inducing, and inciting Defendants' agents and employees to discriminate against applicants for tenancy[.] As Chandler Apartments has conceded liability for the actions of its agents and employees, the claims under both statutes are addressed in the context of the FHA.

. The third and fourth elements of an FHA claim  that the disability accommodation is necessary to afford the handicapped person an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the dwelling and that the accommodation is reasonable  need not be reached because, as discussed below, Chandler Apartments never even inquired into whether the requested accommodations were necessary or reasonable before denying them.
Roderick Geronimo pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Thursday related to the 2012 death of his mother, Gertrudes Alwardt

A Vermont man who told police he attacked and killed his 82-year-old mother because he believed she was possessed by Satan has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Roderick Geronimo, of East Poultney, entered the plea Thursday in the 2012 death of his mother, Gertrudes Alwardt, The Rutland Herald reported.

Police say 55-year-old Geronimo violently pushed a table into her and hit her over the head with wine decanters before pouring water into her mouth to 'cast the devil out' at their home on July 2, 2012.

Alwardt died of blunt force trauma to the head and torso.

Authorities had arrived to the home in 2012 when they were notified that the elderly woman had fallen.

A police detective who spoke to the woman's son at the scene asked him if he had hurt his mother.

Police say 55-year-old Geronimo violently pushed a table into her and hit her over the head with wine decanters before pouring water into her mouth to 'cast the devil out' at their home on July 2, 2012. He will be sentenced back at Rutland criminal court (file above) in November

'He replied, 'Yes, I think I did.' (Police) asked a second time, he said, 'Yes, I think I killed my mother,' a court affidavit states.

The document also states that Geronimo 'whispered into a recording device that he killed his mother because she was evil and that God had told him to do it.'

Geronimo told police that he was using marijuana and taking antidepressants at the time of his mother's death.

Both prosecution and defense attorneys agreed that he was suffering a psychotic episode at the time.

'There's some disagreement as to whether that was caused by the stress of caring for his mother and his religious  being told by God to do it  or drug, marijuana-induced,' prosecutor Peter Bevere said according to the Herald.

The defense and prosecution agreed that Geronimo was suffering a psychotic episode at the time, and his charge was reduced from murder.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 28. Geronimo faces one to 15 years in prison.
An independent review into building regulations and fire safety has been announced after the Grenfell Tower blaze exposed widespread risks in high-rise buildings.

The Department for Communities and Local Government said last month's inferno 'raised serious questions' about fire safety, centred on the use of flammable cladding in tower blocks

The probe is to be led by Dame Judith Hackitt and will report to Communities Secretary Sajid Javid and Home Secretary Amber Rudd, the Government said.

Mr Javid said: 'It's clear we need to urgently look at building regulations and fire safety.

Grenfell Tower will probably be brought down by the end of next year - and will be wrapped to preserve it until then

'This independent review will ensure we can swiftly make any necessary improvements. Government is determined to make sure that we learn the lessons from the Grenfell Tower fire, and to ensure nothing like it can happen again.'

The development comes as it was revealed 82 towers failed a new fire safety test which scrutinises the combination of cladding and insulation.

Of those towers, 47 are owned or managed by a local authority or housing association.

It is the first raft of more comprehensive assessments following a wave of tests which saw hundreds of cladding samples fail standards for flammability in recent months.

The so-called 'whole system' tests simulated tall buildings and tested the insulation and cladding materials in conjunction to see how they reacted to different types of fire, the Government said.

Experts have previously flagged concerns that building regulations are unclear on the use of combustible cladding, which paved the way to their use by contractors.

Dame Judith will aim to publish a final report by spring 2018 and an interim report before the close of the year, according to the announcement.

Dozens of tower blocks across the UK have failed new stricter fire safety tests and some of the buildings are believed to be council high-rises in Salford (pictured)

The scope of the probe is to be set by this summer, the Government said, after the terms of reference for the Grenfell Tower public inquiry are established.

She said: 'I am honoured to be asked by Government to lead this important independent review. This review will look at Building Regulations and fire safety to see what changes can be made for the future to make these more effective.

'I am keen to engage widely with industry and the public to inform the recommendations from the review. I want the recommendations to lead to any necessary improvements in the system being made.'

Any recommendations will be acted on 'swiftly' by the Government, the DCLG said.

The forthcoming probe will have a particular focus on high-rise residential buildings, the DCLG said.

Among the other issues set to be examined are the regulations relating to fire safety in the construction, design and management of buildings.

Compliance and enforcement issues will also be looked at, as well as international regulation and experience in the area, it was announced.

Prince Harry yesterday made a private visit to meet British Red Cross volunteers helping to sort through the large number of donations made to the victims of the Grenfell Tower block fire as t emerged other blocks are still failing fire tests

To inform the review, the Buildings Regulations Advisory Committee, which advises the Government on regulatory issues, will be consulted, along with the public, MPs and the construction, housing and fire sectors.

It is suspected that a combination of flammable cladding and insulation fitted during the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower fuelled the deadly spread of the blaze.

Nine blocks in Salford are currently having their cladding system removed and replaced, the city council said yesterday in response to news it had failed the latest test.

Deputy Mayor Councillor John Merry said: 'We had prepared in advance for the test results and Pendleton Together, which is responsible for managing the Pendleton blocks, is already undertaking works to remove and replace the cladding system.

'We are focusing on doing what it takes to make the buildings safe and decisive steps have been taken to progress a permanent solution.'

The tests have been carried out at the Building Research Establishment and were ordered amid concern material used on hundreds of buildings was similar to that of Grenfell Tower.

The deadly blaze ripped through the 24-storey block of flats in Kensington, west London on June 14

It is expected that any fire-proofing measures required in tower blocks will be funded by its owner, not the Government.

Yesterday, Prince Harry helped sort British Red Cross donations for Grenfell Tower survivors.

A devastating fire ripped through the 24-storey building in west London on June 14, killing at least 80 people.

Police have found 'reasonable grounds' to consider corporate manslaughter charges over the Grenfell inferno, it emerged last night.

In a letter to survivors, officers said Kensington and Chelsea council and the tenant management association that ran the tower 'may have committed the offence'.

The dramatic development means town hall chiefs face police interviews over accusations they ignored repeated safety warnings.

A residents' group had predicted it would take a catastrophe to end 'the dangerous living conditions and neglect of health and safety'.

Cheap combustible cladding installed on the 24-storey tower during refurbishment last year has been widely blamed for the fire's rapid spread.

The speed of the police announcement  just six weeks after the tragedy  shows the pressure on senior officers to hold those responsible to account

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell was accused of using the tragedy for party gain when he said the 80 victims were 'murdered by political decisions'.

The authorities have also been criticised for their slow response to the tragedy  with comparisons made to the Hillsborough disaster and that three-decade fight for justice.

Corporate manslaughter charges are brought against organisations alone and individuals cannot be arrested. It is punishable by an unlimited fine.

In the letter to survivors, released last night, Scotland Yard said: 'There are reasonable grounds to suspect that each organisation may have committed the offence of corporate manslaughter.

Police have found 'reasonable grounds' to consider corporate manslaughter charges over the Grenfell inferno, it emerged

'In due course, a senior representative of each corporation will be formally interviewed by police in relation to the potential offence.' Police said they would continue to investigate whether other crimes were committed  either by organisations or individuals.

Officials such as company directors can be charged and prosecuted under health and safety laws, including manslaughter by gross negligence, which can carry an 18-year jail sentence.

David Duckenfield, the South Yorkshire police officer who was in charge of the Hillsborough stadium in 1989, has been charged with this offence.

Police refused to reveal who would be interviewed as part of the corporate manslaughter investigation.

Grenfell Tower will probably be razed to the ground by the end of next year and its scorched remains will be covered in a giant protective wrap within weeks, it was revealed today.
The man they were supposed to arrest, Samuel Pearman, lived across the street

Attorneys of the family of a Mississippi man who was shot dead by police after serving an arrest warrant at the wrong address say bullets were fired through a closed door.

Officers in Southaven, on the outskirts of Memphis, were looking to arrest Samuel Pearman on a warrant for domestic violence on Sunday night.

But the cops ended up killing Ismael Lopez, 41, who lives in the house opposite, as well as shooting his dog Coco after apparently calling at the wrong house.

Police say that Lopez cracked the door and flashed a gun on them but lawyers say they have photos which prove there is no way this is the case.

Attorneys for the family of Ismael Lopez, 41 (pictured), say police shot through a closed door when Lopez was killed on Sunday night. Police were supposed to be raiding the house of Samuel Pearman who lives across the street

Police say Lopez's dog attacked them and he ignored orders to put down a gun when he (pictured) answered the door

One photo shows bullets that went through the door (pictured), hit a back wall and went out the back of the house. The legal team believe the bullets came at an angle as police stood to the side of the door

'You can track the trace of the bullets. Three bullets went into that door and the door was shut when those bullets went into the door. There is no way the door was cracked open and someone was there' family attorney Murray Wells told reporters (pictured, door)

One photo shows bullets that went through the door, hit a back wall and went out the back of the house. The legal team believe the bullets came at an angle as police stood to the side of the door, reported WREG.

Another shows the spot were Lopez's body was found, the only place in the home blood was found, according to lawyers.

'You can track the trace of the bullets. Three bullets went into that door and the door was shut when those bullets went into the door,' family attorney Murray Wells told reporters.

'That's what our investigative team has concluded, that it was direct line. There were three bullets. There is no way the door was cracked open and someone was there.'

Court documents show that Pearman lived at 5878 Surrey Lane, which is the address listed on the warrant.

But Lopez was shot dead in the doorway of 5881 Surrey Lane, which is the house directly opposite.

Pearman (pictured) was wanted over allegations he assaulted a woman earlier that night. He was arrested this week

DeSoto County Prosecutor John Champion said officers were executing a warrant when a pit bull dog charged at them, causing them to open fire.

Champion said the officers then saw a gun being pointed out of the house and started shouting 'drop your weapon'.

When that did not happen multiple shots were fired at the doorway, fatally wounding Lopez, Champion claimed.

He added that it was 'possible' the officers responded to the wrong address, and confirmed that Lopez's name was not the one listed on the warrant.

Lopez's wife, who was not named, contested the police version of events - saying her husband was not holding a gun and did not even have time to open his front door before being shot.

Relating her story through family friend Jordan Castillo, she said she was sitting with Lopez on the night he died when a commotion was heard outside.

She said Lopez got up and she heard his footsteps walk to the front door and the doorknob turn, but 'it was just gunshots from there', the New York Post reports.

Lopez, an auto mechanic who is originally from Mexico, had been a resident of the neighborhood for 13 years. His family have started a GoFundMe campaign so his body can be taken back to his home country and buried.

Officers shot Lopez dead in the doorway of his home (left), saying he ignored orders to drop a gun. His wife claims he was unarmed. Court documents show police were actually supposed to be raiding the house opposite (right)

DeSoto County Prosecutor John Champion said it is 'possible' that police targeted the wrong house (pictured, Pearman's house on left and Lopez's house on right)

The officer who fired the fatal shots has been placed on administrative leave while an investigation into the shooting is carried out.

Pearman was due to be picked up by officers after allegedly assaulting a women in front of her four-year-old daughter at a gas station earlier that evening.

The woman had asked Pearman to pay for her gas because she had forgotten her purse, at which point he started choking her and threatened to 'smash your face in', the police report says.

He fled the scene as the woman called the cops, which led to officers being sent to his address later that night.

Pearman remained at large following the shooting, but US Marshals took him into custody after finding him at a family member's home. His bond was set at $10,000

He appeared in court Thursday on domestic violence charges. His next court date is August 10.
A rare pedigree cat is feared to have been stolen just weeks after his owners were forced to knock down his luxury 2,500 'catio' home.

Xander, an Abyssinian, went missing on July 17 after his owners were forced to demolish the 6ft 6ins structure at his home in Islington, north London.

But now his owner, Claire Patel, believes Xander has been snatched after a neighbour spotted two men picking him up in nearby Bennett Court playground at about midday before he disappeared.

Xander, an Abyssinian, went missing on July 17 from his Islington home, according to his owners

Claire Patel hired a carpenter to build the deluxe bespoke structure so that shy Xander could enjoy the great outdoors in safety and style

The neighbour claimed they put Xander back down after they realised they were being watched.

Ms Patel told the Islington Gazette: 'We've dropped about 1,000 leaflets throughout the area now.

'We're doing all we can to find our cat and bring him back home.

'We have another cat who was so distressed at being on his own that we got Xander to keep him company.

'He's just sitting there now, looking really upset.'

Ms Patel said: 'We have another cat who was so distressed at being on his own that we got Xander to keep him company' (Pictured are the two cats nuzzling)

Ms Patel hired a carpenter to build the deluxe bespoke structure so that shy Xander could enjoy the great outdoors in safety and style.

But after putting up the wooden frame, which also boasted ornamental plants and wicker cushions, they were told they needed permission by the council.

Ms Patel said: 'We built our cat a "catio" enclosure to keep Xander safe.

'But the council made us remove it, despite it not overlooking anyone or blocking any light.

After putting up the 6ft 6ins wooden frame, which also boasted ornamental plants and wicker cushions, they were told they needed permission by the council

'Our neighbours either side of us and below us had no problem with it.

'We pleaded with [the council] to come and look at it but they refused and just threatened us with a fine.'

Islington Council, however, insists it wrote to Ms Patel asking to visit in both November and March but received no reply.

An council spokesman said: 'A complaint about this cat enclosure was made to the council last October.

'Its size, design and location on the first floor meant it required planning permission, which the owner had not applied for.

'Current guidelines on acceptable development are available on our website and we advised the owner that this enclosure would be unlikely to be granted permission.

'We advised them to remove it.'
President Trump hailed Homeland Security Sec. John Kelly as one of his 'great stars' Friday  after a report said he wanted 'a general' to serve as White House chief of staff.

'I want to congratulate John Kelly who has done an incredible job of secretary of Homeland Security,' Trump told a New York crowd at an event about a crackdown on the MS-13 gang.

'Incredible,' he continued to gush about Kelly. 'One of our real stars. Truly one of our stars. John Kelly is one of our great stars,' he added for emphasis. 'You know the borders down 78 per cent,' Trump said.

President Trump is telling people he wants 'a general' to take charge of the operation as chief of staff

Amid another explosion of infighting on his White House staff, Trump is telling people he wants 'a general' to take charge of the operation as chief of staff.

The White House refused to say Thursday that Trump had confidence in chief of staff Reince Priebus, who was the subject of profanity laced comments by new communications director Anthony Scaramucci.

Trump has openly told people he has lost faith in Priebus, the New York Times reported, and has spoken about wanting 'a general' as chief of staff.

Priebus, the former Republican National Committee chair, has managed to hang on despite months of criticism on the job.

CNN reported that the former Republican Natinal Committee chair's' 189 tenure was the shortest in modern presidential history.

In one signal, as Trump boarded Air Force One Friday for a trip to New York, both Priebus and Scaramucci came along. Scaramucci was spotted carrying a bag.

Anthony Scaramucci in an interview suggested that his relationship with Chief of Staff Reince Priebus (pictured) was brotherly, then mentioned the Biblical brothers Cain and Abel. Cain murdered Abel

President Trump said Gen. John Kelly has 'done an incredible job of secretary of Homeland Security'

The joint trip involving the bitter rivals came just hours after publication in the New Yorker of Scaramucci's extraordinary attack on Priebus, where he called him a 'f****** paranoid schizophrenic', and accused Steve Bannon of 'sucking his own c***'.

In a phone call with New Yorker reporter Ryan Lizza late on Wednesday night, a 'worked up' Scaramucci took aim at the White House Chief of Staff, accusing him of leaking information to the press about him, and Chief Strategist.

The Mooch, as he has become known, accused Priebus of leaking word of a dinner he had Wednesday night with President Trump and Fox news host Sean Hannity, along with former Fox News president Bill Shine and first lady Melania Trump.

'Oh, Bill Shine is coming in. Let me leak the f***ing thing and see if I can c**k-block these people the way I c**k-blocked Scaramucci for six months,' he said, in reference to the months he was kept out of the White House, reportedly by Priebus, after having sold his company.

White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci turned on the journalist who published his foul-mouthed rant against senior White House officials on Thursday

US President Donald Trump speaks witih Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly (R) during the US Coast Guard Academy Commencemnet Ceremony in New London, Connecticut, May 17, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus (L), Homeland Security Secreary John Kelly (C), and Transporation Secretary Elaine Chao attend U.S. President Donald Trump address a joint session of the U.S. Congress on February 28, 2017 in the House chamber

He also went after senior strategist Stephen Bannon, accusing him of trying to build up his own image at the expense of President Trump.

'I'm not Steve Bannon, I'm not trying to suck my own c**k,' he said. 'I'm not trying to build my own brand off the f***ing strength of the President. I'm here to serve the country,' Scaramucci said.

Kelly spent four decades in the Marines, retiring in 2016.

His role has involved him in some of the flash points of early Trump administration policy, including a travel ban, a border wall, and other immigration enforcement issues.

In April, he said during a George Washington University speech that critics in Congress should 'shut up' if they don't like the laws his team enforces.

'If lawmakers do not like the laws they've passed and we are charged to enforce  then they should have the courage and skill to change the laws. Otherwise they should shut up and support the men and women on the front lines,' the Washington Times reported.

US Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly testifies during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, June 6, 2017

Last month, he touted the arrest of 66,000 illegal immigrants, going after Congress again as he backed up his troubled agency. 'DHS does not make the laws. Congress does, and we will enforce the laws that are passed by Congress, and I am offended when members of this institution [the House of Representatives] exert pressure and often threaten me and my officers to ignore the laws they make and I am sworn to uphold,' Kelly said.

He told CNN in April that so-called DREAMers brought here illegally as children would not be a deportation priority.

'My organization has not targeted these so-called DREAMers, DACA, and we have many, many more important criminals to go after and get rid of, and not the DACAs,' he said, referencing another program dealing with parents of children who are U.S. citizens.
A teenage driver accused of causing a crash that killed her younger sister while livestreaming on Instagram cried in court Friday as a California judge refused to lower her bail.

Obdulia Sanchez, wearing yellow jail garb, sobbed as she entered the Merced County courtroom, and a bailiff handed her tissues.

Merced County Superior Court Judge David Moranda said it was on probation officers' recommendations, and that Sanchez had a prior reckless driving case as a juvenile that her $560,000 bail not be reduced.

The 18-year-old woman, who is from Stockton, is accused of driving drunk July 21 when she flipped her car and killing her sister, Jacqueline Sanchez, who was not wearing a seat belt, authorities said.

Defense attorney Ramnik Samrao asked the judge to either lower the bail or allow his client to go free pending the case.

Scroll down for video

Obdulia Sanchez, an 18-year-old driver accused of causing a crash that killed her younger sister while livestreaming on Instagram, cried in court Friday as a California judge refused to lower her bail

Sanchez, wearing yellow jail garb, sobbed as she entered the Merced County courtroom, and a bailiff handed her tissues.

Merced County Superior Court Judge David Moranda said it was on probation officers' recommendations, and that Sanchez (above on Wednesday) had a prior reckless driving case as a juvenile that her $560,000 bail not be reduced

He said that she has lived in group homes and has no way of raising that large sum.

'That's just absurd to believe that she would be able to do that,' Samrao said outside the courtroom. 'I think this bail is excessive for her and it should have been reduced.'

Prosecutors say the video, which includes images of the 18-year-old bouncing to music while in the driver's seat and taking her hands from the steering wheel, will be a key piece of evidence in the case.

Sanchez has pleaded not guilty to six felony counts that include gross vehicular manslaughter and drunken driving resulting in injuries.

She could spend more than 13 years in state prison if convicted of all the charges.

Authorities say the Stockton woman was driving one week ago when the car veered onto the shoulder of a road about 75 miles northwest of Fresno.

Sanchez, from Stockton, (right) has been charged with manslaughter and a DUI after she crashed killing her sister, Jacqueline Sanchez (left)

The car rolled over a barbed wire fence and onto a field in Los Banos, about 120 miles southeast of San Francisco, on last Friday

'I killed my sister.' Obdulia speaks directly to the camera before the crash, with a passenger visible in the background, left, and, right, keeps filming after the crash

She overcorrected, causing the vehicle to swerve and overturn into a field, ejecting and killing her 14-year-old sister, Jacqueline Sanchez, authorities say.

Before the entering the courtroom, Nicandro Sanchez said that he feels he has lost two daughters.

'Now I don't have my daughters - the young one, and the other one I lost too because (she is) in jail,' the father said.

He spoke briefly on his daughter's behalf in court, saying through a Spanish interpreter that he had no hard feelings against her.

'We're asking that she be returned home or to the home where she was being taken care,' he said.

Samrao said that the video does not show his client calling for help immediately after the crash, refuting claims that she didn't try to assist her dying sister.

The driver filmed herself singing and gesturing to the camera before the deadly crash

Jacqueline Sanchez was not wearing a safety belt when she was killed in the crash last Friday

After a gap in the livestreamed video, Sanchez is seen leaning over the girl's body, saying she was sorry.

She said she expected to spend the rest of her life in prison but doesn't care.

'This is the last thing I wanted to happen, OK? ... Rest in peace, sweetie,' the teen says. 'If you don't survive, I'm so (expletive) sorry.'

Samrao said the teen believes she killed her sister. However, the court hasn't yet determined whether Sanchez committed any crimes, he said.

Merced County Chief Deputy District Attorney Harold Nutt has called the behavior displayed on the video 'disturbing and shocking.'

He said the judge's decision to retain the bail was appropriate.

'I think she is a danger to society,' Nutt said in court.

Jacqueline's (right) girlfriend Manuela Seja, (left) who was also in the car, says she isn't 'mad' at the driver

The heartbroken teen said they had started off as friends but romance had blossomed around seven months ago (Manuela and Jacqueline are pictured together)

'She doesn't have a stable home environment or a stable place to go to.'

Obdulia's younger sister Evelyn Sanchez, 12, told KTLX that a tire blew out and there was nothing her 18-year-old sister could do.

The California Highway Patrol couldn't confirm if a blown tire caused the crash but charges reveal Obdulia was drinking at the time, according to police.

Investigators are also working on a warrant to get all cellphones that were inside the car at the time of the crash.

Evelyn said the family spoke to Obdulia and that the teenager told them she wishes she had been the one who died.

Obdulia has more than 7,400 followers on Facebook and Instagram. It is not clear if her Instagram profile photo (right) shows her injuries from the recent deadly crash

She said that her older sister 'has done a lot of stuff' but didn't elaborate.

Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke said Jacqueline was not wearing a seatbelt when the car crashed and rolled on Henry Miller Road at about 6.45pm last Friday.

The 14-year-old was thrown through the back window of the car, authorities said.

Her girlfriend Seja, who was in the backseat with her, was thrown from the car.

Authorities say Obdulia was detained at the scene after allegedly becoming combative with officers after the crash. She was screaming that her sister was dead as officers tried to calm her down and lead her into an ambulance, the Fresno Bee reported.

Their family says that Jacqueline was supposed to celebrate her Quinceanera (15th birthday) on Sunday.

Family members have started a GoFundMe Page for Jacqueline's funeral expenses.

In four days, more than $11,000 of the $15,000 goal has been raised.
A 25-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter after leaving his eight-month-old son to die in 109-degree heat inside his trailer with no air conditioning, police say.

William Francis Hendrickson's baby, William Francis Hendrickson IV, died Thursday after Largo police officers and paramedics were unable to revive him, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

The baby's body temperature was 105.6 degrees, as he was found lifeless inside of a playpen in the mobile home's bedroom.

The boy's two-year-old sister suffered from dehydration and was hospitalized.

Authorities at the scene found the temperatures inside the mobile home's bedroom to be 109 degrees at the time of the baby's death, as there was no air conditioning.

William Francis Hendrickson (left in arrest photo), 25, has been charged with manslaughter after leaving his eight-month-old son (right at birth) to die in 109-degree heat inside his Florida trailer, police say

The baby's (above) body temperature was 105.6 degrees, as he was found lifeless inside of a playpen in the mobile home's bedroom. The boy's two-year-old sister suffered dehydration and was hospitalized

Largo police officers were assisting Pineallas County Child Protection investigators with a welfare check on the two children at the King's Manor Estates mobile home park Thursday at the time of the tragic incident.

The 25-year-old father was cautioned by social services not to leave the kids inside of the extremely hot bedroom, the Times reported.

Hendrickson told officials with the agency at the time that he had 'no where else to go' after his girlfriend and the children's mother, Elizabeth Michelle Rutenbeck, was arrested the week before.

Rutenbeck was arrested on misdemeanor battery charges related to an incident with his mother.

The children's mother, Elizabeth Michelle Rutenbeck (left), was arrested the week before and is being held in jail with no bail on battery charges. The 25-year-old father was cautioned by social services not to leave his son (right) and daugtherinside of the extremely hot bedroom

Hendrickson (above) was arrested Thursday evening and charged with aggravated manslaughter and child neglect. He is being held on $150,000 bond.

'He kept the children confined in the bedroom with him to avoid his live-in parents,' police wrote in an affidavit, the newspaper reported.

Hendrickson was arrested Thursday evening and charged with aggravated manslaughter and child neglect. He is being held on $150,000 bond.

Rutenbeck allegedly tried to force her way into Hendrickson's mother's bedroom in the mobile home on Saturday, the newspaper reported.

'The defendant then pushed through the victim to get an Xbox from inside the victim's room,' the police report states.

The 24-year-old mother was then booked into the Pineallas County jail; since she was on probation for felony charges of grand theft, she is being held without bail.
A majority of Americans believe that transgender individuals should be allowed to serve in the military, according to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released on Friday.

The poll, conducted between July 26 and July 28, suggested that the country largely disagrees with President Donald Trump's announcement this week that he will ban transgender personnel from the armed forces.

When asked to weigh in on the debate, 58 percent of adults agreed with the statement: 'Transgender people should be allowed to serve in the military'.

Twenty-seven percent said they should not while the rest answered 'don't know'.

Democrats mostly supported military service by transgender Americans while Republicans were more evenly split.

A new poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos showed that the majority of Americans - 58 percent - support transgender military service as protests break out across the country protesting President Trump's ban (Pictured, protests in San Francisco's Castro District on Wednesday)

Democrats mostly supported military service by transgender Americans while Republicans were more evenly split (Pictured, Nick Rondoletto, left, and Doug Thorogood, a couple from San Francisco, wave a rainbow flag and hold a sign against a proposed ban of transgendered people in the military at a protest in San Francisco on Wednesday)

When asked about the impact on military capabilities, 14 percent said prohibiting transgender service members made the military 'more capable' while 43 percent said 'no impact' and 22 percent said 'less capable' (Demonstrators gather to protest the ban at the White House on Wednesday)

Among Republicans, 32 percent said transgender Americans should be allowed to serve, while 49 percent said they should not. Another 19 percent of Republicans said they don't know.

The public was also divided over the impact of banning transgender service members. Some 32 percent said it would 'hurt morale' in the military while 17 percent said it would 'improve morale'.

Another 33 percent felt it would 'have no impact' and the rest said they don't know.

When asked about the impact on military capabilities, 14 percent said prohibiting transgender service members made the military 'more capable' while 43 percent said 'no impact', 22 percent said 'less capable' and the rest said they don't know.

The president's announcement, made in posts on his Twitter account, surprised many senior military officers and appeared to preempt an ongoing Pentagon review into its inclusion of transgender service members.

The United States' top military officer, Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, said the military will not alter its current policies until it receives additional guidance from Trump's secretary of defense.

President Trump announced the ban in a series of tweets on Wednesday morning, citing 'cost' and 'disruption' as the reasons (Pictured, Trumps walks to Marine One while departing from the White House to Beaver, West Virginia, on Monday)

One of Trumps's explanations for the ban was the 'cost burden'. But financial reports showed that out of $6.7billion spent on healthcare, transgender-related healthcare equated to just $8.4million. Meanwhile, $84.24million is spent on erectile dysfunction

Roger Kaikko, 61, a Trump voter near Cleveland, Ohio, who took the poll, said he disagrees with the president.

'Even the president shouldn't be able to take rights away from some people just because he may not like them,' Kaikko said.

'They're people too. Unless they're causing problems, they should serve just like anybody else.'

The Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll was conducted online in English across the United States. It gathered responses from 1,249 adults including 533 Democrats and 434 Republicans.
Residents of one northern California neighborhood were surprised to discovered Thursday morning that their town had been covered in pink flame retardant.

According to CBS San Francisco, a Cal Fire air tanker flying to the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport dropped an estimated 100 gallons of the liquid on about a dozen homes and cars in the 300 block of Decanter Circle in southwest Windsor.

The neighborhood lies directly within a flight path of the airport, according to local authorities.

Residents of the northern California town of Windsor discovered that their town was covered in pink flame retardant Thursday (Pictured)

The neighborhood lies directly within a flight path of a nearby fire

Windsor police Sgt. Andy Cash said residents of Windsor found the situation humorous, joking about free car washes and oddly colored sidewalks.

Local authorities said that the plane was either on the way to, or returning from, a nearby fire in Petaluma when the incident occurred.

Windsor fire fighters later helped residents clean up the retardant from their vehicles and remove it from the streets.

Town of Windsor employees also arrived to make sure the pink liquid didn't seep into the community's waterways.

California wild fires are notoriously ferocious during the summer, with Cal Fire air tankers on the front line of fighting the blazes.

The pink flame retardant, known as Phos-Chek, is routinely used during wild fire season in California and is made of 85 per cent.

Police said that local residents found the situation humorous and joked they got a free car wash out of the situation

More than 100 gallons of the liquid dropped on about a dozen homes in the 300 block of Decanter Circle

The pink flame retardant, known as Phos-Chek, is routinely used to battle wildfires that run roughshod over California in the summer
The United States imposed sanctions on Friday on six subsidiaries of a company key to Iran's ballistic missile program, citing continued 'provocative actions' like Tehran's launch of a rocket capable of putting a satellite into orbit.

The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on six Iranian firms owned or controlled by the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group.

The move enables the US government to block any company property under its jurisdiction and prevents US citizens from doing business with the firms.

'These sanctions ... underscore the United States deep concerns with Irans continued development and testing of ballistic missiles and other provocative behavior,' Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said in a statement.

'The US government will continue to aggressively counter Irans ballistic missile-related activity, whether it be a provocative space launch ... or likely support to Yemeni Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia such as occurred this past weekend,' Mnuchin said.

Simorgh rocket is launched and tested at the Imam Khomeini Space Center, Iran, in this handout photo released by Tasnim News Agency on Thursday. The US says Iranian tests of rockets capable of putting satellites into space constitute 'provocative actions'

The Treasury move was announced just hours after the US Senate voted almost unanimously to impose new sanctions on Iran, Russia and North Korea. Iranian women are seen carrying portraits of Supreme Leader Ayatollah during an anti-Israel demonstration in Tehran on Friday

The six Shahid Hemmat units targeted by the US sanctions manufacture missile components, missile airframes, liquid-propellant ballistic missile engines, liquid propellant, guidance and control systems.

They also do missile-related research and maintenance.

The Treasury move was announced just hours after the US Senate voted almost unanimously to impose new sanctions on Iran, Russia and North Korea.

The measure put President Donald Trump, who has sought better ties with Russia, in a tough position, forcing him to either sign the bill into law or anger his party by vetoing it.

The sanctions in that bill also target Iran's missile development programs as well as human rights abuses.

The State Department charged on Thursday that Iran's test of the satellite launch vehicle was a violation of UN Security Council resolutions as well as the spirit of the multinational Iran nuclear deal, under which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear programs in exchange for a lifting of some economic sanctions.

The US government says space launches help a country develop technologies closely related to those of an international ballistic missile.

The Trump administration certified Iran as being in compliance with the nuclear deal last week, even though Trump has called the agreement negotiated by his Democratic predecessor 'the worst deal ever.'

The Republican president issued a veiled threat against Iran earlier this week, warning Tehran to adhere to the terms of the nuclear accord or face 'big, big problems.'

He said in a speech in Ohio that the deal had 'emboldened' Iran and added 'that won't take place much longer.'
Camden Roberts died in 2015, one of two infants to die unexpectedly in the care of Gage and Debra Roberts

A husband and wife have been charged in the death of their second child, who died similarly to their first.

Police made the arrest just hours after the birth of the couple's third child, perhaps fearing for the child's safety.

Gage and Debra Roberts, both 22, were arrested last week in Bakersfield, California, where they have been charged with second-degree murder and willful cruelty to a child in their second child's death.

The arrest comes over a year after the death of that infant boy, 18-day-old Crimson, who was found dead in the motel room where the couple was living, on April 24, 2016.

First responders on the scene said they found the newborn receiving CPR from a maid at the motel while the mother and father stood by.

Father Gage was wet and wearing a towel, according to investigators.

He explained in a recent interview with KGET that he'd awoken to find the boy unconscious, splashed water on the infant's face, and then panicked.

Gage Roberts is seen in court on Thursday. Both he and his wife Debra are charged with second-degree murder and willful cruelty to a child in their second child's death

First responders said they found the newborn receiving CPR from a maid at the motel where the couple were living (pictured) while the mother and father stood by

'I remember waking up, realizing that he was gone, and I tried CPR-that didn't work, and I realized that wasn't going to work, so I kind of freaked out a little bit, so I took a shower,' Gage said.

The parents said they had been sleeping in the bed with the infant with the child face up, but investigators say the physical evidence doesn't support that, without offering additional details.

Police said that the couple were homeless and had been receiving assistance from the Mormon Church, but that the church cut them off the day before young Crimson died.

Less than a year earlier, their first child, Camden, had died unexpectedly at six months old in Topeka, Kansas, where the couple were then living.

The medical examiner determined the cause of that death, on November 11, 2015, to be Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS.

In an interview with a local broadcast outlet, Gage denied he had harmed either of his children

Police in Topeka are now reexamining that case to see if criminal charges are warranted.

Investigators said the two deaths were 'strikingly similar' in court documents.

Under police interrogation, the mother Debra said that she suspected her husband had killed both children, and admitted she had done nothing to protect them.

Her husband responded to that claim in an interview with local broadcasters: 'When there's a lot of pressure on one person, the first thing they're gonna do is deflect it in any way possible.'

In court, Gage expressed dismay at the possibility of having to testify against his wife if she turned state's witness against him, saying he would forgo his right to an attorney if that were the case.

Asked point-blank by a reporter if he had harmed either child, Gage said 'No. If I had then I would've disappeared.'

Roberts said that Debra gave birth to the couple's third child, a baby boy, just hours before the pair were arrested last Friday.
The State Department splashed out over $100,000 on car rentals during First Daughter Tiffany Trump's recent vacation in Italy.

Federal records show that three separate payments in the amounts of $54,694.84, $39,188.64 and $23,605.96 were made on July 18 in Rome.

That was two days before Tiffany and Marla disembarked in Portofino after almost two weeks spent cruising up the coast of Italy.

The women then enjoyed a few days in the northern port city before heading to their final destination of Rome on Sunday.

Best of all, Marla and Tiffany were able to do all this without breaking the bank.

The Roman hotel of President Trump's second wife appeared to be comped or at the very least discounted, while the ladies' two weeks on the Tyrrhenian Sea were spent as guests on the yacht of their friend Chahrazad Rizk.

Mother and daughter also got a big assist from American taxpayers too, who footed the $117,489.44 fee for the car rentals that transported the two women and Secret Service agents around the European nation.

Serve and protect: Official government records show three payments were made by the State Department to a car rental agency in Rome on July 18 totaling $117,489.44 (Tiffany disembarks from the Mirage IV on July 21)

Best of friends: The First Daughter and her mother Marla Maples were guests of their good friend Chahrazad Rizk, who is the founder of TEC Interior Design, on Mirage IV (Tiffany and Marla in Rome earlier this week)

Thifty ladies: Once in Rome, Marla stayed in a reduced-rate hotel suite at the Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel & Spa, which she posted photos of to Instagram (above)

That fee pales in comparison to the money spent on car rentals back in May when President Trump visited Rome and Vatican City with First Lady Melania and First Daughter Ivanka.

For that trip, the State Department paid $802,335.68 to the same car rental company when President Trump arrived on May 25 before making an additional three payments on May 27, the day the group departed the country.

Those payments were in the amounts of $904,895.69, $81,476.48 and $168,241.88, bringing the grand total spent on rentals cars to $1,956,949.73 for that 48-hour trip.

The agents came in two days before Tiffany docked to prepare to meet her in Portofino, with the First Daughter needing a larger detail as she toured the foreign city.

A group of agents could be seen in photos walking her off the yacht in Portofino, with the no-fuss Tiffany insisting on carrying her own bag.

Once in Rome, Tiffany and Marla even took some time to stop by the Pantheon, causing far less of a scene than the one created when Ivanka and Jared visited back in May, shutting down the square outside so that they could pull right up to the door of the famed temple.

A picture of the two was posted to Instagram by Marla, who wrote: 'Yesterday .... at last #Rome with my girl/'

Marla also posted a photo of her accommodations in the city to Instagram on Friday, giving her followers a well-curated look at the Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel & Spa.

There was a beautiful interior photo of her and daughter Tiffany inside the hotel's marble lobby as well as an exterior shot with the owner that had easy-to-read signage for the hotel over her shoulder.

The third and final photo was taken on the outdoor patio atop the hotel, which offered a view of Vatican City's famed St Peter's Basilica in the distance.

Tourists: Marla and Tiffany posed for a photo at the Partheon over the weekend in Rome (above)

Disruptors: The Partheon became a blocked-off nightmare for tourists when Jared and Ivanka visited in May (above)

Over-the-top: The costs for Tiffany's rentals pale in comparison to the $1,956,949.73 that was spent at the same agency back in May during President Trump's 48-hour trip to Italy (above)

Last weekend in #Rome Sharing time with family, old friends & new at the magical #ParcoDeiPrincipi. You can even see the #Vatican on the final photo from our balcony. #Nature and the ancient city together, wrote Marla on the post.

And while there was no '#ad' attached at the end of the text, both the look and feel of the post made it seem as though Marla might have been getting a discount on her lodging in exchange for some love on social media.

It is unclear if Tiffany stayed with her mother or at the US Embassy, where members of the First Family tend to stay during visits to Rome.

The Embassy previously hosted President Trump and Tiffany's sister Ivanka back in May when they traveled to Rome on the administration's first overseas trip.
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Treasured family photos tell the story of Charlie Gard's short life and his parents' unwavering fight to save him.

Charlie's parents Connie Yates and Chris Gard have shared numerous pictures of their little boy as they battled in court to have him taken to the US for treatment.

Charlie was born on August 4 last year and died on July 28, a week before his first birthday. His mother said: 'Our beautiful little boy has gone, we are so proud of you Charlie.'

The heartbreaking photos show the 11-month-old transform from a healthy newborn into a child hooked up to life support machines at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

He was diagnosed with a rare strain of mitochondrial depletion syndrome, one of only 16 known cases, at just eight weeks old.

Doctors at GOSH said life support treatment should end and Charlie should be allowed to die with dignity.

His parents undertook a protracted legal battle, which saw them argue that their son's life should be prolonged, in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court - all of which ruled life support treatment should end.

Judges at the European Court of Human Rights refused to intervene in the case - and the couple said they had been denied their final wish to be able to take their son home to die.

Mr Gard gave an emotional speech on the steps of the High Court when he said: 'Mummy and Daddy love you so much Charlie, we always have and we always will and we are so sorry that we couldn't save you.'

Chris Gard kisses Connie Yates' bump in 2016 as the couple looked forward to the birth of their first child Charlie

Charlie is born on August 4 and is soon happily snuggling up to Dad  whose eyes are red from shedding tears of joy

This poignant footage shows Charlie Gard in the weeks before it emerged he was suffering from a devastating illness

Charlie's parents said they believed their son might have been saved if experimental therapy had been tried sooner. They celebrated his two-week birthday in August last year

A picture of health. For the first few weeks Charlie seemed a normal baby, but then Connie noticed something was not right and the nightmare began

Little Charlie's face lights up with wonder as he stares up at Chris, who looks at his baby son with that mixture of pride and love all new parents know

September and the diagnosis is devastating: a rare strain of mitochondrial depletion syndrome, one of only 16 known cases - he was in hospital at eight weeks

Charlie was just the 16th person in the world to be diagnosed with mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome

On April 11, the judge ruled that doctors were permitted to switch the machines off, to which Charlie's heartbroken mother screamed 'no' when the verdict was announced

As lawyers and doctors continue to argue, devastated Connie is left to face the fact that she may have to let Charlie go

The last picture, taken on July 14. 'We will let our son go and be with the angels,' said Charlie's parents in a moving statement as they accepted they would

Footage emerged showing Charlie 'having a picnic' outside Great Ormond Street Hospital. Charlie was not allowed to leave hospital but did get to go on the roof with his parents (pictured)

But final scans show there is no hope. Chris and Connie give up their battle in court. 'A window of opportunity has been missed,' says their lawyer

As summer 2017 arrives, there is a brief reprieve for Charlie as scientists come up with new evidence and the High Court invites American specialist Dr Michio Hirano to examine him

Connie Yates and Chris Gard announced their son Charlie's death on July 28

The couple paid tribute to their 'absolute warrior' less than a fortnight before his first birthday on the steps of the High Court

Supporters of the family of British baby Charlie Gard hold placards and signs of support outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London

While he was being treated in hospital, they raised a staggering 1.4million thanks to the help of those who were known as the so-called 'Charlie's Army

Connie Yates and Chris Gard fought a lengthy and emotional legal battle to take their severely ill baby son to the US for treatment. Charlie is pictured in GOSH ready with his passport.

Doctors there said they wanted the boy, who was then 10 months old, to be able to 'die with dignity' but his mother quickly found an American doctor who was willing to offer her son a trial therapy

The couple, from Bedfont, west London, ended their legal battle on July 24, in what they called the 'most painful of decisions'
A polygamist Mormon enclave on the Arizona-Utah border is seeing more and more children being born with an extremely rare disorder that causes severe mental and physical retardation.

Dr. Theodore Tarby, who specialized in rare childhood diseases, first discovered the problem in 1990, when a woman in the community brought her 10-year-old son to him.

The boy had unusual facial features, such as a prominent forehead, low-set ears, widely-spaced eyes and a small jaw. He was also severely physically and mentally disabled.

Dr. Tarby was stumped as to what condition the boy had until he sent a urine sample out for analysis.

Fumarase deficiency, an extremely rare disease, has become increasingly common in the fundamentalist Mormon enclave on the Arizona-Utah border (above)

Fumarase deficiency has become a common disease in the community, because of inbreeding and polygamy. Above, young girls in the commonity in 2004

That test came back position for fumarase deficiency, an extremely rare disorder that impacts the metabolism.

Fumarase deficiency happens when a person lacks the enzyme fumarase which helps drive energy to cells. It has the most severe impact on the brain, which takes up about 20 per cent of the body's energy.

Children who have it are missing parts of their brain, can't sit or stand without help, and often suffer from seizures. Their language skills are minimal and their IQ is usually around 25.

At that time, Dr. Tarby believed there were only 13 cases in the world, making the odds of having it about one in 400 million. But he soon discovered that his patient's sister, who was believed to suffer from cerebal palsy, also had the disease.

Dr. Tarby started working with the community after that and diagnosed eight more cases, in children ranging in age from 20 months to 12 years old.

All of the patients had the same facial characteristics, and most couldn't walk or even sit up.

Researchers found that the likelihood of having the disease was over one million times the global average.

The reason for this? Polygamy and the gradual inbreeding over generations.

The faulty gene traces back to one of the community's two founders Joseph Smith Jessop (seated, center right), and his first wife Martha Moore Yeates (seated center left). It's now estimated that 75 to 80 per cent of the community are related by blood to either Jessop or the other founder, John Y. Barlow

The polygamist twin cities of Hilldale and Colorado City were founded in the 1930s by two men, John Y. Barlow and Joseph Smith Jessop.

The two men had become pariahs by the main Mormon church, which outlawed polygamy in 1904. They moved to Hilldale/Colorado City to set up their own community where they could continue to practice plural marriage.

The group was then, and is now, very insular. New people are not welcomed into the community, and in fact, young boys are often kicked out so that a select few men can have an excess of wives.

That means that the gene pool is small. In other words, most of the people who are in the community are related to each other.

'With polygymy youre decreasing the overall genetic diversity because a few men are having a disproportionate impact on the next generation,' Mark Stoneking, a geneticist at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, in Germany, told the BBC. 'Random genetic mutations become more important.'

And that's a problem when it comes to recessive diseases like fumarase deficiency.

It's an exceptionally rare disease because it's recessive, meaning that in order to get it, both parents need to carry the gene.

The chances of that happening almost anywhere else in the world is extremely rare. But in the FLDS community in Hilldale and Colorado City, relatives marrying each other is a common occurrence.

It's said that 75 to 80 per cent of the population at the population in the community are blood related to one of the founders, either Barlow or Jessop.

The defective gene is traced all the way back to Jessop himself, and his first wife, Martha Yeates. Those who are descendants of Barlow are also likely to inherit the gene too, since he took one of Jessop and Martha's daughters as a bride.

And it's only going to get worse as the practice of polygamy continues, since a single man with the gene can pass it on to dozens of children and possibly hundreds of grandchildren by marrying multiple wives.

It's now estimated that thousands of people in the 7,700-person community have the gene.

Dr. Tarby told Time magazine in 2008 that the community doesn't believe that inbreeding and polygamy is making the issue worse.

'They have their mythology about the condition. They think it's something in the water, or something in the air,' he said.

Before he retired, he said he addressed FLDS leaders about measures they could take to stop the spread of the disease.

He said they should bar marriage between two people that have the recessive gene or ask the couple not to have children. If an already married couple have a child that presents the disease, they should discontinue having children in the future or undergo testing during pregnancy and abort any fetus that tests positive for the gene. The group refused to follow this advice

'It's not something they are willing to do,' Tarby said.
President Donald Trump paraphrased a Rolling Stones song that is a staple at his campaign rallies as he processed the stunning defeat of an Obamacare repeal bill, telling a New York crowd, 'You can't have everything  boy, oh boy.'

Trump sounded the note of acceptance as he told police officers on Long Island that the Senate 'should have' passed a partial Obamacare repeal  after his own efforts to push it through lobbying, online pleading, and pressure tactics failed.

'They should have approved health care last night. But you cant have everything  boy, oh boy,' the president said.

'BOY, OH BOY': President Trump lamented the Senate's failure to pass an Obamacare repeal bill Friday

Trump, who had pleaded with Republicans to go ahead and vote, and whose administration months ago went all-in to try to get the House to pass a repeal, seemed to say the vote came too early.

'You know I said from the beginning, let Obamacare implode and then do it. I turned out to be right. Let Obamacare implode,' Trump said.

He acknowledged that Republicans have been campaigning on a repeal for years, without effect.

'Theyve been working on that one for seven years can you believe that? The swamp. But well get it done,' Trump said, with no further road map after the defeat of three separate versions of Obamacare repeal legislation.

He frequently refers to draining the political swamp in Washington.

'We're gonna get it done,' he added.

'Well get it done,' Trump said, with no further road map after the defeat of three separate versions of Obamacare repeal legislation

The Stones' 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' is a staple at Trump campaign rallies.

Trump started the day Friday blaming the Senate rules for the GOP's inability to pass a promised Obamacare repeal  even though party leaders brought up the bill on a fast-track procedure and still fell short of a majority.

The president repeated his call for ending the legislative filibuster on Twitter Friday morning, just hours after his party suffered a humiliating defeat and failed to pass even a 'skinny bill' to get rid of parts of Obamacare.

Three Republicans, including cancer-stricken Sen. John McCain, joined Democrats to oppose the GOP plan, which was released just hours before the vote.

'If Republicans are going to pass great future legislation in the Senate, they must immediately go to a 51 vote majority, not senseless 60,' Trump wrote in the first of a series of tweets.

High drama for the maverick: Senator John McCain leaves the the Senate chamber at the U.S. Capitol after voting against his own party

'Even though parts of healthcare could pass at 51, some really good things need 60. So many great future bills & budgets need 60 votes....' he added.

Republican leaders brought up Obamacare repeal legislation using special 'reconciliation' procedures, which would have allowed legislation to clear on a simple majority vote.

It wouldn't have wiped away the entire bill, but could have rendered it virtually unworkable by ripping out an employee and employer mandate and gutting revenue provisions and insurance subsidies  if Republicans could have mustered a majority for a bill.

The purpose of the procedure, with its drawbacks of not being able to strike all policy aspects of the law, was to deny Democrats the ability to lead a filibuster of the legislation.

As the debate wore on, GOP repeal efforts became highly unpopular, and the Obamacare law, which had a rough debut when it got rolled, out grew in popularity.

McCain,who lived up to his reputation as a political maverick as he dramatically voted 'no' to reject the repeal of Obamacare on a night of high suspense in the U.S. Capitol, cited the closed process used to design the legislation.

President Trump renewed his call to change Senate rules, even though GOP leaders failed to pass Obamacare under a special fast-track procedure they designed

President Trump renewed his call to change Senate rules, even though GOP leaders failed to pass Obamacare under a special fast-track procedure they designed

The vote occurred at 1:30 am, there were no hearings on the bill, and the vote happened just two hours after the legislation got a budget score from a nonpartisan budget office.

Even some proponents of the 'skinny bill' said they didn't it to be enacted, and merely supported it as a way to hopefully start a conference committee with the House. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who voted for the bill, nevertheless called it a 'fraud.'

With the vote stalled going late into the morning, McCain walked onto the Senate floor just before 2am to point his finger downwards and said 'nay' to audible gasps from fellow lawmakers.

In doing so, the 80-year old former POW dealt a dramatic blow to the GOP's seven-year long quest to strike down Obamacare.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer blasted Trump's analysis at a Friday morning press conference.

'This morning, Donald Trump pulled away from the bipartisanship that John McCain and so many senators felt last night by saying we should change the rules and got to 51,' Schumer told reporters.

'Hello? He had 51. He only needed 51 in the health care bill and couldnt do it. So Let him turn around too. Let him und that the only way we get major things done in American in the Congress and particularly in the Senate is bipartisan. And I hope he changes but his analysis is based on fluff. Because he had the 51 votes already with reconciliation and he couldnt get it done.'

Schumer added: 'I just dont get it.'

Killing the so-called 'skinny repeal' dead 51-49, McCain, who flew to Washington after surgery and his recent diagnosis of an aggressive form of brain cancer, was joined by fellow GOP rebels, Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins.

On leaving the Capitol, McCain was asked by reporters why he decided to vote against the bill.

He replied, 'Because it was the right thing to do.'

He later issued a statement.

'From the beginning, I have believed that Obamacare should be repealed and replaced with a solution that increases competition, lowers costs, and improves care for the American people,' said McCain.

'The so-called 'skinny repeal' amendment the Senate voted on today would not accomplish those goals.'

Trump responded on Twitter: '3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!'

The dramatic vote stunned observers, and sent the GOP's improvisational plans to cobble together an Obamacare repeal into a tailspin. This is clearly a disappointing moment, said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

Party leaders had finalized the bill over a Republican lunch, and only released the bill at 10 pm Thursday night, casting aside GOP complaints about the need for regular order and a deliberative process from the Democratic push to enact Obamacare.

Even as the vote approached, numerous Republicans acknowledged that the 'skinny bill' was far from imperfect, and were voting for it only as a way to move forward toward a conference with the House  which would have kicked off another negotiation.

'Right thing to do': John McCain told reporters outside the Senate chamber that voting against the 'Skinny Repeal' was the only course of action he felt able to take

President Donald Trump blamed the 51 senators who voted down the 'skinny' Obamacare repeal bill for 'letting the American people down' around 2.30am Friday

Leaving the Capitol early Friday, McCain is pursued by reporters after casting a 'no' vote

'This is clearly a disappointing moment,' said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. 'I regret that our efforts were not enough, this time.'

'It's time to move on,' he said.

McConnell put the health bill on hold and announced that the Senate would move onto other legislation next week.

The key vote to defeat the measure was cast by McCain who returned to the Senate this week after receiving a diagnosis of brain cancer.

In an impassioned speech the day he returned, McCain had called for bipartisanship on major issues of national concern, and a return to the 'regular order' of legislating by committee.

The move came despite intense White House lobbying. President Trump personally called McCain Thursday night, Politico reported, after having hailed him for his return to Washington. McCain provided a critical vote to move to consider the bill.

Vice President Mike Pence, who was on hand in case needed to break a tie, was seen trying to work over McCain, but it didn't work.

'Watch the show,' McCain said before the vote occurred, in a hint of the drama he would set off about 1:30 am.

One person he tipped off was Senate Democratic leader Sen. Charles Schumer.

'I knew it when he walked on the floor,' Schumer said afterward, the Washington Post reported.

Three Republicans joined with all Democrats to reject the amendment, which would have repealed a mandate that most individuals get health insurance and suspended a requirement that large companies provide coverage to their employees.

It would have also delayed a tax on medical devices and denied funding to Planned Parenthood for a year.

Senator Ted Cruz, R-Tx., speaks with reporters after the failure of the 'skinny repeal' health care bill on Capitol Hill in Washington. He said it was 'not the end of the journey' and that he would continue to fight

John McCain told reporters to 'watch the show' ahead of the vote. Tension mounted on the floor as the vote was stalled for more than an hour

McCain, who spoke to Pence on the floor, later hugged Sen. Dianne Feinstein (in purple) (D-CA) while surrounded by a group of Democrats (above)

Senator Susan Collins, R-Me., walks to the Senate chamber at Capitol Hill for all-night voting

Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., leaves the senate chamber accompanied by his staff after the senate voted down republican efforts to repeal The Affordable Care Act 49-51 with three Republican senators voting against the bill with the Democrats

Senator Ted Cruz leaves the Senate Chamber cutting a dejected figure after the Senate failed to pass a measure to repeal Obamacare

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wi., speaks about healthcare at his final weekly press conference before The House of Representatives begins its summer recess on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 27

The final vote was 49-51. Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine joined McCain in voting no.

The amendment was a last resort for Senate Republicans to pass something - anything - to trigger negotiations with the House.

'It's time to turn the page,' said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of New York. 'We are not celebrating. We are relieved.'

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price said in a statement the Trump administration would pursue its health care goals through regulation.

'This effort will continue,' Price said.

Ted Cruz, a hardline conservative who had previously warned the bill might not properly derail Obamacare, told reporters: 'Mark my words, this journey is not yet done.

'For seven years Republicans have campaigned on one central message that we would repeal the trainwreck that is Obamacare,.

'The losers tonight are the people who believed in the democratic process, believe that actually when candidates run and say: 'I will fight to repeal Obamacare' that that actually means they will fight to repeal Obamacare.'

Buoyed by a signal from House Speaker Paul Ryan, McConnell had introduced a pared-down health care bill late Thursday that he hoped would keep alive Republican ambitions to repeal 'Obamacare.'

JOHN MCCAIN's FULL STATEMENT John McCain at a news conference ahead of the Obamacare vote From the beginning, I have believed that Obamacare should be repealed and replaced with a solution that increases competition, lowers costs, and improves care for the American people. The so-called 'skinny repeal' amendment the Senate voted on today would not accomplish those goals. While the amendment would have repealed some of Obamacare's most burdensome regulations, it offered no replacement to actually reform our health care system and deliver affordable, quality health care to our citizens. The Speaker's statement that the House would be 'willing' to go to conference does not ease my concern that this shell of a bill could be taken up and passed at any time. I've stated time and time again that one of the major failures of Obamacare was that it was rammed through Congress by Democrats on a strict-party line basis without a single Republican vote. We should not make the mistakes of the past that has led to Obamacare's collapse, including in my home state of Arizona where premiums are skyrocketing and health care providers are fleeing the marketplace. We must now return to the correct way of legislating and send the bill back to committee, hold hearings, receive input from both sides of aisle, heed the recommendations of nation's governors, and produce a bill that finally delivers affordable health care for the American people. We must do the hard work our citizens expect of us and deserve. Advertisement

Senator Susan Collins was one of three Republicans to vote against the measure. She is pictured in the center all smiles before heading into the chamber

Principles: Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Susan Collins also voted against the repeal

Republican Sens. John McCain, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins voted against the 'skinny' Obamacare repeal bill, killing Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's last ditch efforts

McConnell had called his measure the Health Care Freedom Act.

It was not intended to become law, but to open a path for a House-Senate conference committee to try to work out comprehensive legislation Congress could pass and send to Trump.

So what happens next? Now the bill still has more than the required 50 Senators on board, the House must trash out what the final legislation will look like. This usually happens with those sitting meeting for a conference and would be compromised of members from both the House and the Senate. Once this is is done and is approved by both chambers, it is sent to Donald Trump's desk at the White House for him to sign it to law. The aim is for this to be done by the end of the week, according to Senator Mitch McConnell, who said: 'This is just the beginning. We're not out here to spike the football.' Advertisement

The measure would have repealed the unpopular Affordable Care Act requirement that most people have health insurance or risk a fine from the IRS. A similar requirement on larger employers would be suspended for eight years.

Additionally it would have denied funding to Planned Parenthood for a year, and suspended for three years a tax on medical device manufacturers.

States could seek waivers from consumer protections in the Obama-era law, and individuals could increase the amount they contribute to tax-sheltered health savings accounts for medical expenses.

Ryan seemingly opened a path for McConnell earlier Thursday evening by signaling a willingness to negotiate a more comprehensive bill with the Senate.

Some Republican senators had been concerned that the House would simply pass the 'skinny bill' and send it to Trump.

That would have sent a shock wave through health insurance markets, spiking premiums.

Minority Leader Chuck Schumer then took the floor after the vote and called for a bipartisan effort to make improvements to the existing law

Ryan sent senators a statement saying that if 'moving forward' requires talks with the Senate, the House would be 'willing' to do so.

But shortly afterward, his words received varied responses from three GOP senators who'd insisted on a clear commitment from Ryan.

'Not sufficient,' said McCain, who returned to the Capitol Tuesday. The 80-year-old McCain had been home in Arizona trying to decide on treatment options for brain cancer.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., initially said 'not yet' when asked if he was ready to vote for the scaled-back Senate bill.

But later, he told reporters that Ryan had assured him and others in a phone conversation that the House would hold talks with the Senate.

'I feel comfortable personally. I know Paul; he's a man of his word,' said Graham.

The convoluted developments played out as a divided Senate debated legislation to repeal and replace the Obama-era law.

With Democrats unanimously opposed, the slender 51-49 GOP majority was divided among itself over what it could agree to.

After a comprehensive 'repeal and replace' bill failed on the Senate floor, and a straight-up repeal failed too, McConnell and his top lieutenants turned toward the 'skinny repeal.'

It would have been the ticket to negotiations with the House, which passed its own legislation in May.

Vice President Mike Pence arrived at the Capitol late Thursday night, ready to cast a tie-breaking vote. He spoke to McCain on the Senate floor and left before the vote

But that strategy caused consternation among GOP senators after rumors began to surface that the House might just pass the 'skinny bill,' call it a day and move on to other issues like tax reform after frittering away the first six months of Trump's presidency on unsuccessful efforts over health care.

Ryan responded not long after with a far from definitive statement that blamed the Senate for being unable to pass anything, but said, 'if moving forward requires a conference committee, that is something the House is willing to do.'

'The reality, however, is that repealing and replacing Obamacare still ultimately requires the Senate to produce 51 votes for an actual plan,' he said.

The insurance company lobby group, America's Health Insurance Plans, wrote to Senate leaders Thursday saying that ending Obama's requirement that people buy insurance without strengthening insurance markets would produce 'higher premiums, fewer choices for consumers and fewer people covered next year.'

And a bipartisan group of governors including John Kasich of Ohio and Brian Sandoval of Nevada also announced against it.

On their own, the changes in the skinny bill could roil insurance markets. Yet the scenario at hand, with senators trying to pass something while hoping it does not clear the House or become law, was highly unusual.

'We're in the twilight zone of legislating,' said Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri'

Pictured, Pence heading to the Senate Thursday night. The Republican majority in Congress were unnabile to fulfill their political promise to repeal and replace Obamacare

During a press conference on Thursday night, Graham slammed the bill and said: 'The skinny bill as policy is disaster. As a replacement for Obamacare, it is a fraud.'

He added: 'I need assurances from the speaker of the House and his team that if I vote for the skinny bill, then it will not be the final product. I'm not going to vote for a pig in a poke.'

Ryan tried to assuage their concerns, saying: 'If moving forward requires a conference committee, that's something the House is willing to do.'

McCain branded Ryan's response 'insufficient', but the House speaker managed to convince both Graham and Johnson on a conference call to vote in favor of the bill, dubbed the Health Care Freedom Act.

McCain held out on declaring how he would vote, telling reporters to 'watch the show' as reporters and pundits scrutinized his body language on the floor.

At one point, a crowd of Democrats gathered around McCain, and he hugged Senator Dianne Feinstein before he mouthed an emphatic 'F***' during their friendly assembly.

Protesters gathered outside the Capitol Building yelled 'shame' and 'kill the bill' as Pence arrived

On Thursday night, the Congressional Budget Office said 15 million fewer Americans would be uninsured in 2018, with premiums 20percent higher by next year compared to the current law.

The number of uninsured Americans was also expected to rise to 16 million by 2026. The bill would also decrease the deficit by $178.8 billion over the next ten years.

Any Senate legislation would have been enough to kick the issue to a special negotiating committee with the House, which passed its own version in May.

Some of the Republicans hoped the panel would then agree on a new comprehensive health bill.

'I think people would look at it not necessarily based on its content, but as a forcing mechanism to cause the two sides of the building to try to solve it together,' Republican Senator Bob Corker said. 'Thats going to be the last chance.'

Pictured left to right, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Ron Johnson (R-WI) and John McCain (R-AZ) announcing they would not support a 'skinny repeal' of health care

Earlier, the four senators demanded a guarantee from House Speaker Paul Ryan the bill would not be passed as it currently stands

WHAT WAS IN THE HEALTH CARE FREEDOM ACT? The eight-page bill unveiled on Thursday night would have: Repealed the individual mandate, which requires most Americans to have health insurance or face a penalty Repealed the employer mandate for eight years. Under the ACA, most large employers are required to provide insurance for workers Provide flexibility to the states by allowing the Department Health and Human Services to provide waivers faster to states that do not wish to follow the ACA Suspended the 2.3 percent tax on medical-device manufacturers for three years Increased funding to health savings accounts Increased funding for community health centers Defunded Planned Parenthood for one year Advertisement

Trump issued a tweet both Thursday morning and night urging Republican Senators to help fulfill his campaign promise to undo Obamacare

Despite McConnell's comments about moving on, Ted Cruz said: 'Mark my words, this journey is not yet done'

The effort to pass the 'skinny' bill came after a chaotic two-month push by Senate Republicans to pass their version of legislation that made it out of the Republican-controlled House of Representatives in May.

Members of the party, including President Trump, campaigned on a pledge to repeal and replace what they say is a failing law that allows the government to intrude in people's healthcare decisions.

The discussions came as the Senate rejected 45-55 a straight repeal of Obamacare with a two-year delay in implementation to allow Congress to work out a replacement. Seven Republicans opposed the measure.

The Republicans were: John McCain; Shelley Moore Capito; Susan Collins; Dean Heller; Lisa Murkowski; Rob Portman; and Lamar Alexander.

It was the Senate's second failure in 24 hours to repeal the 2010 law popularly known as Obamacare, which expanded health insurance to about 20 million people, many of them low-income.

Cancer-stricken John McCain voted against full repeal of Obamacare

Republican leaders had tapped a group to craft legislation largely behind closed doors, exposing rifts within the party.

While conservatives said the group's proposals did not go far enough, moderates said they could not support measures estimated to deprive tens of millions of health insurance.

Trump, who has been in office for six months, has come down hard on his fellow Republicans for failing to act on Obamacare, something that he had promised repeatedly in his election campaign last year. Some Senate Republicans were growing uncomfortable with the chaotic debate.

'We've got to have a more organized process,' Johnson said, noting the skinny repeal would simply kick the issue down the road. 'We just don't have the courage and really the intestinal fortitude to suck it up and ... do this right.'
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Diane Abbott has defended the 'understandable anger and upset' of a furious mob of rioters who lit bonfires and hurled petrol bombs at officers in Dalston, east London, last night.

The Shadow Home Secretary made the remarks after violence marred a protest over the death of a black father'who was wrestled to the ground by police in Hackney last week.

Demonstrators last night barricaded part of Kingsland Road - close to where Rashan Charles died last week following a struggle with a police officer - with wheelie bins, mattresses and household debris.

But speaking at a vigil in Dalston today, Mrs Abbott urged protesters to heed the wishes of Mr Charles' family who have called for peace following his death.

Standing alongside the 20-year-old's grieving father Esa (right), Diane Abbott (left), said: 'That is the call that every parent dreads. The call that tells you that your young child has died in those sorts of circumstances'

A large crowd gathered for speeches outside Stoke Newington Police Station early this afternoon, with Stafford Scott speaking on behalf of Esa Charles, the father of Rashan

One protester held a sign saying: 'Jail killer police, a badge is not a licence to kill. Justice 4 Rashan. Movement for justice by any means necessary'

Standing alongside the 20-year-old's grieving father Esa, she said: 'That is the call that every parent dreads. The call that tells you that your young child has died in those sorts of circumstances.

'I have been in contact with the police from the beginning but I thought it important to come here today to publicly show my support as a member of the community, as a mother and as your member of parliament.'

The Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP continued: 'Violence is not the answer but I am here to assure the parents and assure the community that I will stand by the parents in their fight for the truth.

'Most of us will have seen the video and there are questions to be answered and I will not rest until those questions are answered.'

A furious mob has lit bonfires and hurled petrol bombs at officers in Dalston, east London, after a protest over the death of a black father 'who was wrestled to the ground by police' turned violent

Riot police at a protest in Kingsland Road in east London, where people gathered in response to the death of 20-year-old Rashan Charles

Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott, pictured, earlier told MailOnline: 'The anger and upset at the death of Rashan Charles is understandable. But Rashan's family have explicitly spoken out against hostile actions. We must respect their wishes and any protests must be peaceful'

Mr Charles died after he was chased by an officer who attempted to remove an object from his throat, according to an initial probe by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Footage on social media appeared to show at least one police officer attempting to restrain the 20-year-old in a shop close to where the protest is being held.

His death has sparked fury in the local community with Ms Abbott earlier telling MailOnline: that the 'anger and upset' at the death of Mr Charles was 'understandable'.

She added: 'But Rashan's family have explicitly spoken out against hostile actions. We must respect their wishes and any protests must be peaceful.'

Mr Charles' father was joined by the family of Edson Da Costa who died last month - six days after being detained by police - for a vigil organised by Stand Up To Racism.

Stafford Scott, who stood next to Mr Charles and spoke on behalf of the family, directly addressed the young people who protested the night before, and said that they understand their anger and frustration.

At the scene this morning well-wishers stopped at an impromptu memorial to Mr Charles that has been set up on the street

Police were also patrolling through Dalston this morning and were spotted taking notes as they surveyed the scene of last night's riots

Among the tributes was one which read: 'Rest easy young King. Love Kay x'

He said: 'Don't feel that the family don't feel that anger and that frustration too. But what the family knows is that taking it to the streets doesn't give you justice.'

Mr Scott said the family have found the best legal support they can and are now asking the community to 'support them in their struggle' but with 'peace on the streets'.

'No justice, no peace doesn't mean violence - it means we will not watch this in silence,' he added on their behalf.

As violent riots erupted last night, dramatic video showed more than a dozen officers retreating from protesters who launched objects at them.

They were also seen clinging to the front of a truck which ploughed through bins that had been set up as a barricade.

The violence has drawn parallels with the London riots in 2011, which were sparked by the police shooting of 29-year-old Mark Duggan in Tottenham.

As darkness fell, youths were seen setting fire to mattresses in the middle of the road and pelting police vans with objects.

Riot officers and police dogs were deployed to neutralise the violence in east London. Unverified footage on social media appeared to show at least one police officer attempting to restrain Mr Charles, who later died in hospital, in a shop close to where the protest was held today

The footage that sparked the riots: An officer appears to restrain Mr Charles on the floor of the shop, in Kingsland Road, east London, at 1.45am last Saturday

Riot police on horseback rush to where several youths protesting Mr Charles' death lit mattresses and wheelie bins in the middle of the road

The windows of several shops in Kingsland High Street were smashed as the violence extended beyond Dalston Kingsland Station.

With the aftermath of the riot cleared up this morning, a friend of Mr Charles' family told MailOnline that they had been left 'stricken with grief'.

Flowers have been left outside Yours Locally, the shop where the incident happened last weekend.

A Black Lives Matter placard lay outside, along with a photo of Rashan Charles with the words 'enough is enough' and 'it could be you next' on it.

And as night descended, worrying videos showed youths setting fire to mattresses in the middle of the road and pelting police vans with objects

Protesters take to the streets of Dalston, east London, and clash with police following the death of Rashan Charles

Protesters (pictured) take to the streets of Dalston and clash with police following the death of Rashan Charles

Two police officers were seen walking down Kingsland Road taking notes in pocket books.

Amid the chaos last night, local businesses, bars and restaurants pulled down their shutters - locking customers inside - as youths rode through the flame-lit streets on bicycles.

But today, convenience store Yours Locally closed ahead of the demonstration at Stoke Newington Police station out of respect for Mr Charles' grieving family.

Shopkeeper Okkas Tapki, 47, from nearby Haggerston, said: 'We have spoken to the family because they are our customers - his mum and dad.

'He was always coming to the shop. I knew him as a customer.'

The windows of several shops in Kingsland High Street were smashed as the violence extended beyond Dalston Kingsland Station

As night descended, police in riot gear confronted the protesters who had been setting fire to objects on the streets

Dramatic footage on on social media showed more than a dozen officers retreating from a crowd of demonstrators who launched objects at them

Discussing the protests, he said: 'I think it's important when they have a demonstration they respect other people, and respect all the shops here in the street.'

Father-of-one John Mullen, 32, who lives in Hackney Central, said: 'I can totally understand why the protests took place. You can also appreciate why they sometimes spill over into unfortunate incidents.

'My understanding is there has been three such incidents involving the deaths of young men at the hands of the police, that didn't really get reported as they should. So I can appreciate the community's anger.'

A large crowd gathered for speeches outside Stoke Newington Police Station early this afternoon, with Stafford Scott speaking on behalf of Esa Charles, the father of Rashan.

A lorry attempts to drive through makeshift road blocks at a protest in Kingsland Road in east London, where people gathered in response to the death of Rashan Charles

He said: 'Don't feel that the family don't feel that anger, and that frustration too. 'But what the family knows is that taking it to the streets doesn't give you justice.

'No justice, no peace doesn't mean violence - it means we will not watch this in silence.'

Afterwards, groups of community members and activists stood outside the police station with two officers stationed outside the front doors while a further four were in front of steel barriers.

A heated debate took place outside the station as a group of young men questioned two police liaison officers about stop and search tactics.

Tributes to Mr Charles were left at the scene of the riots, left. Pictured right, police officers on patrol in Hackney this morning

A local woman leaves a tribute to Mr Charles among flowers and candles that have been placed at the side of the road by well-wishers in Dalston

One officer said: 'I am not here to have a conversation about what is right and wrong about the police today.

'I am here to try and facilitate a peaceful demonstration which you are absolutely entitled to have.'

A young man said: 'Are you allowed to put somebody in a headlock? That's what happened in the video.'

The policeman replied: 'If you are trying to do something to potentially save someone's life.'

Officers on horses and others in riot vans were deployed as the police tried to contain the disorder and break up groups of protesters

The windows of several shops in Kingsland High Street were smashed as the violence extended beyond Dalston Kingsland Station

It is in sharp contrast to the events of last night, when officers on horses and others in riot vans were deployed as the police tried to contain the disorder and break up groups of protesters.

Several bins were set on fire before a mattress, thrown on top of the bonfire, sent plumes of black smoke spiraling into the dark sky above.

Helicopters could be heard circling above as protesters launched fireworks at riot officers and police dogs.

Scotland Yard said 'a number of items including bottles' were thrown at officers attending a 'planned protest' near Middleton Road at 3.40pm on Friday.

A local Tesco express in Dlaston locked several customers in the store as riot police clashed with protesters outside

Riot police at a protest in Kingsland Road in east London, where people gathered in response to the death of Rashan Charles

Protesters angry at the death of a black man 'who was wrestled to the ground by police' barricaded a London road and threw bottles at officers

Protesters told pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists not to travel through the barricade as shattered glass was strewn across the road.

One police officer sustained an injury to his eye but remains fit for duty. A member of the public was also knocked from his bicycle and assaulted as he attempted to pass through the protest and a number of parked vehicles were damaged.

Detective Superintendent Claire Crawley, from Hackney Borough, said: 'The disorder of last night was separate from the peaceful protest at Stoke Newington Police Station that was held earlier that day.

'Thankfully, nobody was seriously injured, but there was inconvenience to local residents and road users and damage caused to vehicles, a cash machine and a number of windows.

'We will always support the right to lawful protest but behaviour such as that seen last night cannot be tolerated.'

The police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), is investigating the events leading up to the death of Mr Charles, whose passing sparked protests in east London

A man appears to set fire to an object on the streets of east London after a protest over Mr Charles' death turned violent

Signs attached to traffic lights and lamp posts amid the violent protests bore pictures of Mr Charles alongside the words: 'Enough is enough'

It comes just days after as many as 150 people chanting 'no justice, no peace' while holding Black Lives Matters placards brought traffic to a standstill outside east London's Stoke Newington Police Station.

The vigil was organised by Stand Up To Racism, with campaigners saying they are 'enormously concerned and angered' over his death.

The crowd, which was made up of people from different races and ages, listened to speeches about alleged police brutality as uniformed officers looked on.

Rashan's father Esa Charles said at the time: 'I'm a father but my son was killed in the hands of police. Me and my family are grieving over this.

'I thank everyone for their support, it's a comfort to us to read your messages. We are seeking justice on this but I want everybody to be peaceful. This is not something we are going to take into our own hands.'

Dramatic footage showed protesters, who took to the streets over Mr Charles' death, setting fire to a mattress in the middle of the road

Shattered glass littered the roads in east London where a handful of protesters are holding Black Lives Matter placards

Scotland Yard said 'a number of items including bottles' were thrown at officers attending a 'planned protest' near Middleton Road

Police officers could no longer be seen at the site of the clashes this evening but dozens of protesters, some masked, are still lining the streets

The IPCC said in a statement on Friday: 'We understand the concerns raised following Rashan's death.

'We will independently examine the circumstances of this incident, we will follow the evidence, we will consider whether there is an indication there may have been misconduct or criminality.'

The IPCC added that it would 'seek to answer the questions that Rashan's family and the community of Hackney understandably have'.
An 80-year-old man who assaulted a police officer after he stopped him from approaching kidnap victim Elizabeth Smart with a knife was sentenced to 12-years in prison.

Claude F. Hudson, who had been representing himself throughout the proceedings, told a judge on Thursday: 'I don't think I should be locked up at all, your honor.'

Hudson indicated that he would appeal the sentence following the ruling.

Claude Hudson, 80, (left) is accused of punching a police officer who stopped him from approaching kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart (right) with a knife

Hudson was convicted in June in Vigo Superior Court following an attack on ISU Police Capt. Ian Loomis.

The officer had stopped Hudson from approaching Smart during a book-signing event at Indiana State University while he was grasping a knife.

Hudson was swiftly arrested and charged with battery after he punched Loomis in the midsection.

Hudson sat in the front row of Smart's talk, and was later spotted fiddling with a 3-inch pocket knife, using it to open a tea bag wrapping and 'just acting so peculiar,' ISU Police Chief Joseph Newport said.

Smart was just 14 in 2002 when she was snatched from her bedroom in Salt Lake City, Utah and held captive for nine months, during which she was repeatedly raped.

Hudson was sitting in the front row during Smart's talk at the Indiana State University (general view) on Wednesday and was seen fiddling with a knife

Hudson was sitting in the front row during Smart's talk before he concealed the knife and started to walk 'in a dedicated and determined fashion' past 100 people who were waiting to have their books signed, Newport said.

An officer stepped between Hudson and Smart, and the 80-year-old struck the officer twice in his midsection, Newport said.

Hudson, of Terre Haute, Indiana, was arrested and pleaded not guilty to a battery charge earlier this year.

The police chief said Hudson was a frequent visitor to Indiana State University and that investigators have found no connection between Hudson and Smart.

Hudson has a history of arrests, and records show he was convicted of attempted murder in 1991, CBS reported.

Smart issued a statement through her representative Thursday, saying she 'is grateful for law enforcement and Indiana State University's quick response and that the event and her work continued undeterred.'

Smart (pictured after she was found) hit headlines after she disappeared from her bedroom in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2002 at the age of 14

Mitchell (left) was sentenced to life in prison in May 2011, and his wife Wanda Barzee (right) was sentenced to 15 years for her role in the kidnapping of the girl

Smart hit headlines after she disappeared from her bedroom in 2002 at the age of 14. Despite a nationwide search for the teen, she was not found for nine months.

Within hours of the kidnapping, she testified, she was stripped of her red pajamas, draped in white, religious robes and forced into a polygamous marriage with Brian David Mitchell.

She was tethered to a metal cable strung between two trees and subjected to near-daily rapes while being forced to use alcohol and drugs.

She described the horrific events as her 'nine months of hell', during which she was forced to live homeless, dress in disguises and stay quiet or lie about her identity if ever approached by strangers or police.

Mitchell was sentenced to serve life in prison in May 2011, and his wife Wanda Barzee was sentenced to 15 years in a Texas federal prison hospital for her role in the kidnapping of the girl.

Since Smart was returned to her family, she has become an advocate against abuse and pornography.
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His battle for survival captured hearts around the world.

But little Charlie Gard lost his fight for life on Friday exactly a week before his first birthday.

Our beautiful little boy has gone, said his heartbroken parents. We are so proud of you Charlie. The desperately ill baby had survived three plans for his life support to be removed.

This evening his breathing tube was withdrawn at a hospice. His death ends months of turmoil and court drama in which Chris Gard and Connie Yates fought for treatment they hoped would save him.

And they spent the last days of their sons life in a failed attempt to bring him home for their final goodbyes.

Precious moment: A previously unseen picture of Charlie Gard shows the then healthy newborn sleeping next to his napping mother Connie Yates, 31, just hours after his birth on August 4 last year

Before his devastating illness: Charlie was born 8lb 3oz. Yesterday his breathing tube was withdrawn at a hospice

Following the announcement of his death just after 6pm, tributes came in from around the world. Theresa May said she was deeply saddened and US vice-president Mike Pence expressed his regret. RIP Charlie Gard was trending on social media.

Pope Francis, who had offered medical help at the Vatican hospital, tweeted: I entrust little Charlie to the Father and pray for his parents and all those who loved him.

Charlie was being treated at Great Ormond Street, which had insisted he could not be looked after at home in his final days.

The hospital also opposed his parents plan for an extended time in a hospice. A High Court judge agreed  to the anger of Miss Yates, 31.

She said: We just want some peace with our son, no hospital, no lawyers, no courts, no media  just quality time with Charlie away from everything to say goodbye to him in the most loving way. Weve had no control over our sons life and no control over our sons death.

The case attracted huge attention with supporters calling themselves Charlies Army helping raise 1.35million in crowdfunding and turning up outside court.

Vowing to do whatever it took to keep their son alive, Miss Yates and Mr Gard tirelessly attended court hearings from April to July.

Miss Yates wore a heart-shaped necklace bearing her sons name while Mr Gard, 33, clutched Charlies toy monkey throughout.

Donald Trump weighed in, expressing his support for the family.

Charlie, who is only the 16th person in the world to have his rare form of the genetic condition mitochondrial depletion syndrome, spent most of his short life in hospital.

Charlie, who is only the 16th person in the world to have his rare form of the genetic condition mitochondrial depletion syndrome, spent most of his short life in hospital

Vowing to do whatever it took to keep their son alive, Miss Yates and Mr Gard tirelessly attended court hearings from April to July

The case attracted huge attention with supporters calling themselves Charlies Army helping raise 1.35million in crowdfunding and turning up outside court

The condition causes progressive muscle weakness and brain damage but his parents believed doctors in America might have been able to save him thanks to a non-invasive experimental treatment known as nucleoside bypass therapy.

Last night, a Great Ormond Street Hospital spokesman said: Everyone at Great Ormond Street Hospital sends their heartfelt condolences to Charlies parents and loved ones at this very sad time.

Emotional footage, released by the family days before his death, showed the little boy celebrating his two-week birthday with his parents as his mother giggled in the background.

In the video, he is seen grasping a birthday card as he wriggles around on a changing mat at his parents home in Bedfont, west London. Within weeks of the footage being filmed, the couple noticed Charlie was unable to lift his head and support himself.

Our beautiful little boy has gone, said his heartbroken parents. We are so proud of you Charlie

After medical tests, they discovered that he suffered from a rare genetic condition which doctors at Great Ormond Street said they would not be able to cure.

Miss Yates and Mr Gard always maintained they might be able to save their son, who they described as perfectly healthy when he was born, if they could fly him to the US for treatment. But doctors at Great Ormond Street said the experimental treatment would not help him and could cause significant harm.

Charlies parents have been in and out of the courts for months, pleading for officials to let them save their son. But last week, they admitted a recent MRI scan on his body showed it was now too late for any treatment.

On Monday, the couple reduced the High Court to tears when they revealed their decision to let him go.

Miss Yates held the court spellbound reading a statement of raw emotion, which Mr Gard repeated outside court and had to hold back tears as he said of Charlie: We are so sorry that we couldnt save you.

Describing the end of their battle for their absolute warrior son as the most painful of decisions, Mr Gard went on: Mummy and Daddy love you so much Charlie, we always have and we always will and we are so sorry that we couldnt save you.

Miss Yates and Mr Gard attacked Great Ormond Street for wasting time rather than letting them try the therapy.

Miss Yates said: Had Charlie been given the treatment sooner, he would have had the potential to be a normal, healthy little boy.

Their final wish was for Charlie to be treated at home and when this was denied, they asked if he could be taken to a hospice for a week instead. But Great Ormond Street insisted there was simply no way Charlie could spend any significant time outside an intensive care facility  despite nurses at the hospital offering to work 12-hour shifts on their days off to facilitate the couples wish.

The disputes went through the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. All ruled treatment should end so Charlie could die with dignity.
A New York man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for killing the 82-year-old grandmother who helped raise him.

Kenneth Weber was sentenced Friday in Binghamton court, where he pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the killing of Saundra Stabler, the Press & Sun-Bulletin reports.

The 31-year-old killed Stabler by pushing her down the stairs of her Vestal home in January 2015.

31-year-old Kenneth Weber (pictured) was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Friday

Weber was convicted of manslaughter following the death of his grandmother, Saundra Stabler (Pictured: Stabler)

He rolled up her body in a rug and left it off a back road in neighboring Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. Police found her body a few days later.

Officials say Stabler helped raise her grandson when his parents no longer could.

He shook his head when asked if he wanted to speak before he was sentenced.

But special prosecutor for the case, Ben Bergman, offered a stinging rebuke of Weber.

'It takes a special kind of sociopath to throw your grandmother down the stairs. You let her die," Bergman said.

'You rolled up her body in a rug, tossed her in your car, drove her an hour away and threw her body away like garbage.'

The court heard that Weber rolled his grandmother's body in a carpet and dumped it in an isolated area in Pennsylvania (Pictured: Stabler on the right)

Stabler'z disappearance was first reported as a missing person by Weber in January 2015.

But after Vestal police interviewed Weber, the grandson led police to the spot where he dumped her body.

Police initially came up empty, according to The Press & Sun, but were successful in detecting Stabler's remains after conducting multiple searches.

Stabler's two sons Kurt and Jon Weber, Kenneth's uncles, spoke outside the courtroom Friday, emoting fondly over their late mother's memory, describing her as a talented artist and devout Christian.

But the uncles struck a different tone inside the court just moments earlier.

'You lied to her, used her and stole from her,' Kurt Weber said following his nephew's sentencing, adding 'You took us from her.'

Members of Stabler's family later thanked Vestal police, saying they went 'beyond the paycheck' in an effort to deliver justice for Saundra Stabler.
Former Chief of Staff Reince Priebus appeared on Wolf Blitzer's The Situation Room insisting he was the one who handed in his resignation to President Donald Trump while repeating his support for General John Kelly, who will take his place.

After the infighting in Trump's administration was laid bare in an explosive interview from his new communications director Anthony Scaramucci, Trump announced a shake-up in the White House on Friday.

'I am pleased to inform you that I have just named General/Secretary John F Kelly as White House Chief of Staff. He is a Great American,' Trump wrote on Twitter.

Just two hours after the announcement, Priebus appeared on CNN, painting a rosy picture of his relationships with both Trump and Kelly.

He told Blitzer: 'This is not a situation where there's a lot of ill will feelings. This is good for the president, I think it's smart for him to pick General Kelly, and I think things are going to be run very well.'

Scaramucci sunk his claws in Priebus on Wednesday, branding him 'a f***ing paranoid schizophrenic' in a conversation with the New Yorker's Ryan Lizza.

Trump, who reportedly 'loved' the expletive-filled rant, was said to be unhappy about Priebus' unwillingness to fight back, according to an adviser who spoke to the Wall Street Journal.

Former Chief of Staff Reince Priebus appeared on Wolf Blitzer's The Situation Room insisting he was the one who handed in his resignation to President Donald Trump on Thursday

Priebus told CNN's Wolf Blitzer: 'I think [Trump] was right to hit the reset button, and I think it's something the White House needs. It's healthy and I support him'

President Trump announced Friday that he has named Homeland Security secretary John Kelly (pictured center in January) to be White House chief of staff

Both Scaramucci and Reince were aboard Air Force One with Trump before he announced the staff change in three tweets on Friday.

While it remains unclear whether it was precisely the moment he tweeted the stunning announcement, Trump was seen tapping away at his phone while he stood in the doorway of Air Force One.

After lauding Kelly, Trump wrote: 'I would like to thank Reince Priebus for his service and dedication to his country. We accomplished a lot together and I am proud of him!'

As Trump returned to Joint Base Andrews from a trip to New York, he told reporters: 'Reince is a good man. John Kelly will do a fantastic job. General Kelly has been a star, done an incredible job thus far  respected by everybody. He's a great, great American. Reince is a good man.'

Priebus then appeared on CNN, saying both he and Trump had an open line of communication.

He said: 'We talked about it yesterday. I resigned and he accepted....He wanted to go in a different direction and I support him in that.

'I think he was right to hit the reset button, and I think it's something the White House needs. It's healthy and I support him.'

Priebus went on to say: 'I'm always going to be a Trump fan. I look forward to helping him achieve his goals and his agenda for the American people.'

When Blitzer pressed him about why the president wanted a new chief of staff, Priebus said: 'I'm not going to get into that personal stuff. The president is a professional and I'm a professional. And professional people don't discuss private matters in public.'

And when he was asked about Scaramucci's searing comments, Priebus said: 'I'm not going to respond to it, I'm not going to get in the mud.'

Kelly starts Monday, the White House said, in a rapid turnaround that saw the embattled Priebus making an exit six months into the job.

While it remains unclear whether it was precisely the moment he tweeted the stunning announcement, Trump was seen tapping away at his phone in the doorway of Air Force One

Trump tweeted Friday afternoon that he had named John Kelly as White House chief of staff, and thanked prior chief Reince Priebus for his service

It was the second Friday shakeup in as many weeks. Last Friday, beleaguered press secretary Sean Spicer resigned on the day he learned Trump had hired Scaramucci.

Spicer is being succeeded by deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Huckabee Sanders told reporters roughly an hour after Trump sent his surprise tweet that Scaramucci's arrival was not related to Priebus' departure.

The president and Priebus had been talking about this change for two weeks, she said told a throng of journalists staking out her office.

'We all serve at the pleasure of the President,' she told DailyMail.com. 'In terms of timing I know everybody's got a lot of questions on that.'

She did not respond to a question from a journalist about the exact timing of Priebus' exit, which came a day, almost to the hour, after Scaramucci got caught excoriating the White House chief of staff.

'They've been talking about it for a while,' she told a reporter who wanted to know when Kelly was offered the job.

On Wednesday night, Scaramucci unloaded on Priebus, calling him a 'f****** paranoid schizophrenic' in a late-night phone interview with the New Yorker.

Trump tweeted Friday afternoon that he had named John Kelly as White House chief of staff, and thanked prior chief Reince Priebus for his service

Priebus resigned on Thursday, CNN reported  the same day the epic profanity-laden call became public.

Trump bragged that Kelly was one of his 'great stars' Friday during speech in New York, in a preview of the decision after a report said he wanted 'a general' to serve as White House chief of staff.

He had flown to the event aboard Air Force One on a flight that included both Priebus and Scaramucci, who is said to have called his nemesis 'Reince Penis' and 'Rancid Penis' according to an adviser who spoke to the Huffington Post.

Trump lavished praise on Kelly, a retired four-star general, who's been leading his charge to rid the country of violent, illegal immigrants during his remarks.

'I want to congratulate John Kelly who has done an incredible job of secretary of Homeland Security,' Trump told a New York crowd at an event about a crackdown on the MS-13 gang.

'Incredible,' he said as he continued to gush about Kelly. 'One of our real stars. Truly one of our stars. John Kelly is one of our great stars,' he added for emphasis. 'You know the borders down 78 per cent,' Trump said.

Anthony Scaramucci in an interview suggested that his relationship with Chief of Staff Reince Priebus (pictured) was brotherly, then mentioned the Biblical brothers Cain and Abel. Cain murdered Abel

Back at the White House, Huckabee Sanders told reporters staked out near her office, 'You guys have heard the news.'

'John Kelly, just a quick statement on him. John Kelly is one of the true stars of the administration. He's helped seal the border and reduce illegal immigration by 70 percent. He's respected by everyone, especially the people at the Department of Homeland Security. The entire administration loves him and no one is comparable.'

Continuing to read from a piece of paper, she said, 'He will start Monday morning and there will also be a cabinet meeting following his swearing in that morning.

'The president thanks Reince Priebus for his service. They accomplished a lot together. He was loyal in his service to the president, and the president thanks him and his family for their great service to the country, and he will always be a member of the Trump team.'

Thursday, as Priebus took on water, one White House official predicted the former Republican National Committee chairman would not last.

The president misses the campaign, the person said, and the people who were in his orbit then.

WHO IS RETIRED GENERAL JOHN F. KELLY? Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly has been toughened by war and tragedy Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly has been toughened by war and tragedy. The veteran of three tours in Iraq has a new mission: to steady the roiling Trump administration - and quiet the friendly fire - as White House chief of staff. The battle-hardened commander is expected to bring a background of military discipline and order to his new duties. Kelly retired in 2016 as head of US Southern Command before joining the Trump Cabinet. As Homeland Security secretary, Kelly took the lead on some of Trump's most controversial policies, including his executive orders suspending the admission of refugees and temporarily barring visitors from several Muslim-majority nations. Kelly joined the Marine Corps in 1970, carving out a reputation as a highly respected but often outspoken commander who could roil debate and issue unpopular directives on issues ranging from women in combat to the treatment of detainees at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detention center. He was the fifth person to lead the Department of Homeland Security, which includes agencies that protect the president, respond to disasters, enforce immigration laws, protect America's coastlines and secure air travel. Kelly was the highest-ranking officer to lose a child in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan. Kelly's son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Kelly, was killed in November 2010 in Afghanistan. He retired from the military last year, wrapping up a three-year post as head of US Southern Command. Kelly (pictured earlier in July) was the fifth person to lead the Department of Homeland Security, which includes agencies that protect the president, respond to disasters, enforce immigration laws, protect America's coastlines and secure air travel In his final Pentagon news conference, Kelly spoke about the loss of his son - a topic he didn't often discuss publicly. 'To lose a child is - I can't imagine anything worse than that,' he said. But, he added, 'when you lose one in combat - in my opinion - there's a pride that goes with it, that he didn't have to be there doing what he was doing. He wanted to be there. He volunteered'. Kelly said he gets 'occasional letters from Gold Star families who are asking, 'Was it worth it?' And I always go back with this: It doesn't matter. That's not our question to ask as parents. That young person thought it was worth it, and that's the only opinion that counts.' President Donald Trump tweeted that Kelly is 'a true star' of the administration. He has been serving as the secretary of homeland security. Advertisement

Priebus hailed from the establishment wing of the party. So did Spicer, who had been Priebus' spokesman and then chief strategist, at the RNC.

And when the men came into the White House they filled mid and lower level positions with their own people instead of Trump loyalists.

CNN reported that the former Republican National Committee chair's' 189-day tenure was the shortest in modern presidential history.

One of Priebus' few remaining allies, Speaker Paul Ryan, resorted to football aphorisms to hail his fellow Wisconsinite.

'Reince Priebus has left it all out on the field, for our party and our country. Here is a guy from Kenosha, Wisconsin who revitalized the Republican National Committee and became White House chief of staff. He has served the president and the American people capably and passionately. He has achieved so much, and he has done it all with class. I could not be more proud to call Reince a dear friend,' Ryan said.

'I congratulate Secretary Kelly on his appointment, and look forward to working with him to advance our agenda.'

BETTER CHECK TWITTER: White House Director of Social Media Dan Scavino, left, walks with former White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus steps off Air Force One as they arrive Friday, July 28, 2017, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. President Trump announced on Twitter that he had named Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly as his new White House chief of staff

THE SPICE WAS RIGHT: Priebus' replacement came a week after White House press secretary Sean Spicer announced his resignation, after learning that Anthony Scaramucci was coming on as White House communications director

Amid the explosion of infighting on his White House staff, Trump had been telling people he wanted 'a general' to take charge of the operation as chief of staff.

The White House refused to say Thursday that Trump had confidence in Priebus, even after the New Yorker revealed that he was the subject of profanity laced comments by Scaramucci.

Huckabee Sanders wouldn't go into the details of the process that lead to Priebus' exit on Thursday but said: 'Look I think the President has been clear about his agenda since he started running for President and that certainly hasn't changed.'

Trump has openly told people he has lost faith in Priebus, the New York Times reported Thursday, and has spoken about wanting 'a general' as chief of staff.

Priebus, the former Republican National Committee chair, had managed to hang on despite months of criticism on the job.

Trump also named generals to other prominent positions, installing Gen. John Mattis to run the Pentagon.

There were only hints of a staff shakeup as Trump boarded Air Force One Friday for a trip to New York. Both Priebus and Scaramucci came along. Scaramucci was spotted carrying a bag.

'STARS' IN ALIGNMENT: President Trump said Gen. John Kelly has 'done an incredible job of secretary of Homeland Security' and called him one of the 'great stars'

IS THIS WORTH A RETWEET? White House Director of Social Media Dan Scavino, left, walks with former White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus as they step off Air Force One as they arrives Friday, July 28, 2017, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. Trump says Homeland Secretary Secretary John Kelly is his new White House chief of staff

BACKSEAT DRIVER: Reince Priebus arrives at Joint Base Andrews from a trip to Ronkonkoma, New York with U.S. President Donald Trump in Clinton, Maryland, U.S., July 28, 2017

IT WAS A NICE RIDE: Reporters attempt to talk with Reince Priebus as he leaves the Joint Base Andrews after arriving from a trip to Ronkonkoma, New York with U.S. President Donald Trump, in Clinton, Maryland, U.S., July 28, 2017

The joint trip involving the bitter rivals came just hours after publication in the New Yorker of Scaramucci's extraordinary attack on Priebus, where he called him a 'f****** paranoid schizophrenic', and accused Steve Bannon of 'sucking his own c***'.

In a phone call with New Yorker reporter Ryan Lizza late on Wednesday night, a 'worked up' Scaramucci took aim at the White House Chief of Staff, accusing him of leaking information to the press about him, and Chief Strategist.

The Mooch, as he has become known, accused Priebus of leaking word of a dinner he had Wednesday night with President Trump and Fox news host Sean Hannity, along with former Fox News president Bill Shine and first lady Melania Trump.

'Oh, Bill Shine is coming in. Let me leak the f***ing thing and see if I can c**k-block these people the way I c**k-blocked Scaramucci for six months,' he said, in reference to the months he was kept out of the White House, reportedly by Priebus, after having sold his company.

'John Kelly will do a fantastic job. General Kelly has been a star, done an incredible job thus far  respected by everybody'

White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci turned on the journalist who published his foul-mouthed rant against senior White House officials on Thursday

US President Donald Trump speaks witih Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly (R) during the US Coast Guard Academy Commencemnet Ceremony in New London, Connecticut, May 17, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus (L), Homeland Security Secreary John Kelly (C), and Transporation Secretary Elaine Chao attend U.S. President Donald Trump address a joint session of the U.S. Congress on February 28, 2017 in the House chamber

He also went after senior strategist Stephen Bannon, accusing him of trying to build up his own image at the expense of President Trump.

'I'm not Steve Bannon, I'm not trying to suck my own c**k,' he said. 'I'm not trying to build my own brand off the f***ing strength of the President. I'm here to serve the country,' Scaramucci said.

Kelly spent four decades in the Marines, retiring in 2016.

His role has involved him in some of the flash points of early Trump administration policy, including a travel ban, a border wall, and other immigration enforcement issues.

In April, he said during a George Washington University speech that critics in Congress should 'shut up' if they don't like the laws his team enforces.

'If lawmakers do not like the laws they've passed and we are charged to enforce  then they should have the courage and skill to change the laws. Otherwise they should shut up and support the men and women on the front lines,' the Washington Times reported.

US Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly testifies during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, June 6, 2017

Last month, he touted the arrest of 66,000 illegal immigrants, going after Congress again as he backed up his troubled agency. 'DHS does not make the laws. Congress does, and we will enforce the laws that are passed by Congress, and I am offended when members of this institution [the House of Representatives] exert pressure and often threaten me and my officers to ignore the laws they make and I am sworn to uphold,' Kelly said.

He told CNN in April that so-called DREAMers brought here illegally as children would not be a deportation priority.

'My organization has not targeted these so-called DREAMers, DACA, and we have many, many more important criminals to go after and get rid of, and not the DACAs,' he said, referencing another program dealing with parents of children who are U.S. citizens.
Jacky Stanley, 51, was sentenced on Friday in Kingston, New York

A former employee of a traumatic brain injury rehabilitation clinic has been sentenced to 46 years for sexually abusing patients at the facility, some within hours of intake.

Jacky Stanley, 51, was sentenced on Friday in Kingston, New York on 24 counts related to six victims at the Northeast Center for Rehabilitation and Traumatic Brain Injury in the Hudson Valley.

Two said he performed oral sex on them, while the rest said he had rubbed or touched their genitals.

Stanley was a neighborhood counselor at the facility.

The jury heard that one male patient awoke to find Stanley performing oral sex on him, and that Stanley threatened one victim and the victim's family to keep them silent.

Some patients were sexually abused just hours after arriving at the facility, the jury heard.

Stanley was a neighborhood counselor at the Northeast Center for Rehabilitation and Traumatic Brain Injury in the Hudson Valley, where he abused at least six patients

A jury convicted him in May after hearing testimony from victims, who were admitted between July 2014 and February 2015, but without forensic evidence or corroborating witnesses.

He was acquitted of four of the most serious counts of predatory sexual act and three counts of first-degree criminal sex act.

In finding Stanley not guilty of first-degree criminal sex act, the jurors rejected the prosecutions claim that Stanley performed oral sex on two of the men by forcible compulsion.

The third first-degree criminal sex act count alleged that one victim was physically incapable of resisting the oral sex.

Stanley was convicted on lesser counts related to all six victims, however.

He steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout the trial.

New York's Democratic Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the sentence Friday.

'These were heinous acts of abuse targeting residents already suffering from traumatic, life-changing injuries,' said Schneiderman.

Stanley's attorney declined to comment on the sentence.
An obstetrician helped deliver her patient's baby just before she gave birth to her own daughter.

Dr Amanda Hess, 38, from Frankfort, Kentucky, was getting ready to give birth to her second child on Sunday when she overheard nurses preparing Leah Halliday Johnson, who needed immediate help because the baby was in distress.

The doctor on-call at the Frankfort Regional Medical Center had just left, so Hess decided to step in.

'I put on some boots over my flip flops and found another gown to cover myself up and did put my stuff to deliver on and delivered a baby,' Hess told WLEX-18.

Dr Amanda Hess, 38, from Frankfort, Kentucky, helped deliver a patient's baby before giving birth to her second child, Ellen Joyce, (both pictured)

Hess was getting ready to give birth to her second child on Sunday when she overheard nurses preparing Leah Halliday Johnson, who needed immediate help because the baby was in distress, so she stepped in. Halliday Johnson and her newborn daughter are pictured

Halliday Johnson said she didn't even realize that Hess was in labor.

'She was definitely in doctor mode,' Halliday Johnson told NBC News.

'My husband noticed something was going on because she had on a hospital gown, but I didnt notice that because I was on the delivery table. I was in my own world there.'

Soon after Halliday Johnson's baby girl was delivered, Hess' contractions started.

'I had actually taken a call the day before, so I thought really that I was working up to the last minute. But this was literally 'til the last second,' she told WLEX-18.

Hess told the outlet she also helped while she was giving birth to a baby girl named Ellen Joyce. Now she is on her well-earned maternity leave.

Hess (pictured) said: 'I had actually taken a call the day before, so I thought really that I was working up to the last minute. But this was literally 'til the last second.' Minutes after Halliday Johnson's daughter was delivered, Hess' contractions started

'Shes definitely earned her time off,' Halliday Johnson told NBC News.

'I appreciate what she did for my family, and it speaks a lot to who she is as a woman and a mother as well as a doctor.

'It makes you feel better, bringing a baby girl into the world, knowing there are women like her willing to step up like that.'

Dr Hala Sabry, who founded the nonprofit Physician Moms Group, posted the incredible story on Facebook.

She said in the post: 'Doctor moms consistently take care of their own families as well as their patients and their respective families all the time. Great job, Dr Hess! Now enjoy your maternity leave!'
Dr Todd Graham, 56, (pictured) was fatally shot in Mishawaka, Indiana, on Wednesday

A man turned a gun on himself after police claim he shot dead a doctor who wouldn't prescribe his wife opioids.

Michael Jarvis, 48, gunned down Dr Todd Graham, 56, in what Indiana officials are describing as a targeted attack on Wednesday.

Jarvis allegedly became upset when Graham wouldn't prescribe his wife opioid painkillers and then later returned to St Joseph Rehabilitation Institute in Mishawaka.

During the confrontation in the center's parking lot, Jarvis shot Graham twice in the head before fleeing the scene and turning the gun on himself, police said.

The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon after Jarvis and his wife Petra visited Graham at the medical center, reported the South Bend Tribune.

Petra was reportedly a new patient of Graham's and took Jarvis with her to the appointment, looking for a remedy for her pain.

Graham allegedly informed the couple that although Petra did suffer from pain he would not prescribe an opioid painkiller.

Police claim Michael Jarvis, 48, gunned Graham down at the St Joseph Rehabilitation Institute's parking lot (pictured). Jarvis allegedly became upset when Graham wouldn't prescribe his wife opioids

St. Joseph County Prosecutor Ken Cotter said at a news conference: 'He did what we ask our doctors to do. Don't over-prescribe opioids.'

Jarvis returned to the center, allegedly without his wife's knowledge, and approached Graham in the parking lot.

He then told two witnesses nearby to leave before shooting Graham twice, police said.

Authorities said Jarvis then fled the scene and drove to his friend's house, mentioning 'that he was no longer going to be around', Cotter said.

The friend phoned police out of concern for Jarvis' safety but the man took his own life before police arrived.

St. Joseph County Prosecutor Ken Cotter said at a news conference of Dr Graham: 'He did what we ask our doctors to do. Don't over-prescribe opioids'

Cotter added to WSBT 22: 'Make no mistake, this was a person who made a choice to kill Dr. Graham. This is not a fallout from an opioid epidemic or opioid problems.

'This was a person who made that choice.'

Police added that they fear if Jarvis had made his way inside the hospital, it could have turned into a mass shooting.

Health agencies have been continually warning of the opioid epidemic that is currently sweeping the nation.

Nearly 1.3 million Americans were hospitalized for opioid-related issues, and there was an overall 64 percent increase for inpatient stays and a 99 percent increase for emergency room treatment compared to rates from 2005.

These alarming numbers are contributing factors to the overdose epidemic, which is now the leading cause of death for people under the age of 50 in the US.


After a meal with her boyfriend and drinks at a leaving party, the 26-year-old office worker called it a night. It was only 10.30pm, but she had to be in work early the next day so, using her smartphone, she summoned a cab via the Uber app. It was a decision she would live to regret.

Her driver, an Eritrean refugee who had been working for Uber for only three weeks, quickly made her feel uneasy.

You are very pretty, said Samson Haile, 32. He then asked if she had a boyfriend, before announcing: I want to have sex with you.

Next, he grabbed her leg, moving his hand up her thigh. Terrified, the woman screamed and jumped out of the Toyota Prius, fleeing into the London night.

Between February 2015 and February 2016, there were 32 sexual assault claims made against Uber drivers in London. In the past 12 months to February 2017, that figure rose to 48 alleged offences. Pictured: A file image of a woman in the back of a taxi

Hours later, Haile was at it again, telling a female passenger: I want to sleep in your bed. As luck would have it, she was an undercover policewoman and Haile would subsequently be arrested and linked to the first attack.

Some might dismiss it as a relatively minor incident, but its impact would be immense.

I have suffered from repeated flashbacks relating to the incident, the victim revealed in a statement read out in court in 2015, when Haile was jailed for eight months.

I feel helpless, isolated and vulnerable, and the incident has made me lonely. I now dont like being in a vehicle with a man I dont know. I had to move since the cab journey because I was so worried the man knew where I lived. I am haunted by the what if? scenarios.

Pictured left: Samson Haile, 32, who sexually assaulted a female customer in the back of his cab. He was jailed for eight months. Right: Jahir Hussain, who was jailed for 12 years for attacks on three separate women in London. He groped two and raped the third, cutting off their underwear with a knife after they fell asleep in the back of his cab.

Earlier this month, a different court was hearing another case involving an Uber driver. This time, Jahir Hussain was jailed for 12 years for attacks on three separate women in London. He groped two and raped the third, cutting off their underwear with a knife after they fell asleep in the back of his cab.

A spokesman said Ubers thoughts were with the victims, but added: While these attacks did not take place on a trip booked through our app, we were still able to support the police in bringing this man to justice.

Little wonder there are growing concerns that Ubers aggressive expansion could be jeopardising passenger safety. MPs and unions are warning that new drivers are exploiting legislative loopholes to sidestep measures intended to safeguard the public, such as installing CCTV cameras in the back of cabs.

Questions have also been raised about whether pressure on Uber drivers to maximise their earnings is leading to them lending their vehicles to other drivers  so passengers have no idea who may be driving them home late at night.

Some will see such criticisms as sour grapes, whipped up by those who lost out after the Californian company launched its services in London in 2012.

The firm runs a smartphone app that allows users to hail a minicab at the tap of a screen using location software in the passenger and drivers phones.

The firm runs a smartphone app (pictured) that allows users to hail a minicab at the tap of a screen using location software in the passenger and drivers phones

A nearby driver is summoned, making it quicker, easier and cheaper than booking a minicab or hailing a taxi.

The app is connected to the passengers credit card, with journeys charged per mile and minute. Prices vary according to demand, with Uber taking a percentage of the fare and the majority going to the driver.

It is a huge hit. In London, the number of Uber vehicles exceeds the 24,000 black cabs, and it boasts more than 40,000 drivers across the 40 UK towns and cities it operates in.

But behind its rapid spread lie a number of controversies.

These include allegations that Uber enjoyed close ties with former Prime Minister David Cameron and his government.

This newspaper has highlighted claims that Downing Street is said to have orchestrated a lobbying campaign to get Boris Johnson, then London Mayor, to protect the company from onerous regulation. This was after Rachel Whetstone, Camerons close friend and the wife of his former adviser Steve Hilton, became Ubers head of policy and communications. She has since quit.

Behind Uber's rapid spread lie a number of controversies. These include allegations it enjoyed close ties with former Prime Minister David Cameron (pictured) and his government

Then, last October, Uber lost a landmark employment tribunal which ruled that its drivers should be classed as workers, rather than as self-employed.

The ruling, which Uber is appealing, could leave the company open to claims from its drivers, who are not entitled to holiday pay, pensions or working time controls.

But the issue of passenger safety refuses to go away.

New figures, obtained by the Daily Mail via a Freedom of Information request, suggest the number of sex attacks involving Uber drivers in London could now be running at one a week, having increased by 50 per cent in a year.

Between February 2015 and February 2016, there were 32 sexual assault claims made against Uber drivers in London. In the past 12 months to February 2017, that figure rose to 48 alleged offences.

But there is a caveat. The latest data released by the Metropolitan Police includes all instances where an Uber driver was named as a suspect in a reported sexual offence or where they were mentioned in such a crime report.

Scotland Yard says it is possible some accused drivers could have been incorrectly identified as working for Uber, or were not working for Uber at the time of the alleged offence.

It also made the point that not all complaints result in charges being brought.

During 2015, Transport for London recorded 136 reported offences of rape and sexual assault against drivers of taxis and private hire vehicles in the capital.

Owing to various reasons, such as lack of evidence or the victims reluctance to prosecute, in 2015, just 28 licensed drivers ended up in court.

Of these, only eight have so far been convicted of sexual assault. None of that number was a black cab driver. How many worked for Uber is unclear  but, as we have seen, its drivers have been convicted of a number of attacks and many people believe there are plenty of reasons to be concerned about Ubers operation.

This is just the tip of the iceberg  we believe sexual assaults like these are hugely under-reported, says Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association and a vocal opponent of Uber. Weve had numerous reports from our customers that theyve been assaulted in an Uber, most are gropes or inappropriate behaviour.

This newspaper has highlighted claims that Downing Street is said to have orchestrated a lobbying campaign to get Boris Johnson (pictured), then London Mayor, to protect Uber from onerous regulation

He believes one of the biggest issues is that Uber drivers are under such pressure to earn a living that they may choose to illegally rent out their vehicles to other drivers.

Those drivers will be not only uninsured, but unlicensed, too, and could pose an unknown threat to the passenger.

Uber drivers often hire the car they work in and have to make 350 to 400 a week before they have earned a penny, says Mr McNamara. Earning 6 or 7 an hour, they have to work four or five days to cover their hire costs, petrol and insurance, so many will go to someone they know and say: You take the car around when Im not using it.

That way, they reduce their costs by a third or a half. But it means anyone could be behind the wheel  you never know who is driving the car.

Uber refutes these claims, saying the way the company operates is designed with passenger safety at its forefront.

When people book through Uber, they get a photo and the name of their driver, as well as the model of car and registration number, said a spokesman.

Every trip is also GPS-tracked and recorded. In London, all licensed private-hire drivers must also wear their photo identification badges while driving.

While complaints of this nature are incredibly rare, if a driver is found to have allowed a third party to use their app they are immediately stopped from using Uber and reported to the regulator as this is a serious offence which would see them lose their licence and livelihood.

In order to get a licence, Uber drivers, like the drivers of black cabs, must apply to a licensing authority. In London, this is TfL.

All drivers will go through a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check which will flag up any previous convictions. The local authority then decides whether it will give the driver a licence.

But different authorities have different criteria  such as the need for child safety awareness training or the insistence on the installation of CCTV cameras  and following deregulation of the industry in 2015, drivers who are granted a licence by one authority have the right to work wherever they like.

Pictured: Hundreds of London cab drivers protest against Uber along Whitehall in central London earlier in the year

Known as cross-border hiring, it means a licence granted in London by TfL allows the driver to work anywhere, and he or she need only comply with the regulations in London, rather than those of the city they may actually work in.

Further, the enforcement authorities in any given city has powers only over taxis it licensed, so it cannot carry out checks on vehicles or drivers that have been licensed elsewhere.

In January, Southend council learned that two private-hire cab drivers it had stripped of licences (for sharing penalty points with other drivers to avoid disqualification) were working in the area after applying for new private-hire vehicle licences from TfL.

Nasser Hussain, 60, and Nisar Abbas, 37, were each jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty to ten counts of perverting the course of justice in 2010, prior to the launch of Uber.

We removed these people from the road, but we now find we are impotent to protect the public, said Tony Cox, Southend councils cabinet member for transport. Uber is sticking two fingers up at licensing authorities like ours.

The ability to work wherever they like applies to all taxis and private-hire vehicles, but the rate at which Uber is recruiting has brought the issue into sharp focus.

In Southampton, taxis and private-hire vehicles licensed by the council are required to have digital CCTV cameras fitted at a cost of 700 per tamper-proof unit. But in recent months, the city has been flooded with Uber drivers licensed elsewhere.

Out of approximately 180 Uber cars, it is claimed at least 160 are registered outside Southampton.

There is similar concern in York. As few as a dozen Uber drivers are licensed by York council, but hundreds are said to arrive from surrounding areas every weekend to take advantage of the increased demand.

Police in the city are investigating the late-night sexual assault of a woman by a 60-year-old Uber driver. It has since emerged the driver was licensed in Bradford.

(A spokesman for Uber said that while the driver had been working for the firm earlier in the night, the allegation did not relate to a trip booked through the app.)

Perhaps most worrying is the situation in Rotherham. There, tough licensing requirements  including enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks and cameras in vehicles  were introduced after the scandal that saw private-hire taxis used in the sexual exploitation of children. But drivers have evaded the requirements by registering outside the town.

Last week, a report by a cross-party Parliamentary group called on the Government to act.

Passenger safety is being put at risk because minicab drivers and operators are using loopholes in the law and a patchwork quilt of different safety standards across the country to flout rules introduced by local authorities to keep their residents safe, said Wes Streeting, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Taxis and Labour MP for Ilford North.

He wants a law to be introduced whereby a taxi journey must begin or end in the licensing authority where the licence was issued.

Uber points out the problems of cross-border hiring are not specific to its drivers, and apply to any taxi or minicab driver.

A spokesman added: We proactively encourage drivers to apply for a licence in the region they plan to do most of their driving. In the absence of a national licensing database, Uber recently introduced a new process that helps to improve transparency and consistent application of council licensing decisions.

We work with local councils to check whether drivers they have refused to give a licence to have been licensed elsewhere. Uber partners only with licensed private-hire drivers and, while councils can have different policies, the fundamentals are the same.
South Korea launched interceptor rockets built to down North Korea's missiles just hours after Kim Jong-un issued a 'stern warning' to the US saying he could hit New York.

The North Korean leader said Saturday the second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile on Friday demonstrated his country can hit the US mainland.

Had it been fired at a standard trajectory, the rocket could have reached Los Angeles, Denver and Chicago and would have even had New York and Boston within its sights, according to analysts.

In response, South Korea and the US teamed up to fire their anti-missile defence system, which would be deployed should Kim Jong-un attempt to fire a nuclear weapon over the Pacific.

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Trump said the weapons and tests 'further isolate North Korea, weaken its economy, and deprive its people.' He vowed to 'take all necessary steps' to ensure the security of the U.S. and its allies. Pictured: Today US and South Korea's response to Kim's launch today

In a show of force against the dictator and his military, the United States and South Korea held a joint missile exercise in response. Pictured: South Korea's Hyunmu-2 Missile System and US Army Tactical Missile System firing missiles into the East Sea

The US and South Korea fired missiles into the East Sea from an undisclosed location on South Korea's east coast during a South Korea-US joint missile drill aimed to counter North Korea's ICBM test (pictured)

Kim expressed 'great satisfaction' after the Hwasong-14 missile reached a height of 2,314 miles and traveled 620 miles before accurately landing in waters off Japan.

The test was aimed at confirming the maximum range and other technical aspects of the missile it says was capable of delivering a 'large-sized, heavy nuclear warhead.'

Pyongyang's continuing development of nuclear weapons is a growing cause of concern for leaders in the United States, South Korea and Japan.

In a show of force against the dictator and his military, the United States and South Korea held the joint missile exercise in response.

South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo called for the deployment of the strategic US military assets  which usually means stealth bombers and aircraft carriers  as well as additional launchers of an advanced US anti-missile system.

Donald Trump released a statement yesterday after the missile launch, saying: 'North Koreas test launch yesterday of another intercontinental ballistic missilethe second such test in less than a monthis only the latest reckless and dangerous action by the North Korean regime.

'The United States condemns this test and rejects the regimes claim that these testsand these weaponsensure North Koreas security. In reality, they have the opposite effect.

'By threatening the world, these weapons and tests further isolate North Korea, weaken its economy, and deprive its people.

'The United States will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and protect our allies in the region.'

North Korea now has the capability to reach Los Angeles and Chicago with its missiles, experts claimed on Friday, following the country's second ICBM launch of the month

Kim Jong-Un is reportedly greatly satisfied with the successful launch that was meant to give the United States a 'stern warning', according to reports on Saturday

Meanwhile the Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the missile, launched late Friday night, flew for about 45 minutes  about five minutes longer than the first.

The rocket was launched on very high trajectory, which limited the distance it traveled, and landed west of Japan's island of Hokkaido.

Although Kim Jong-un hasn't expressed a strong desire to attack mainland Europe, the new analysis would suggest London, Paris, Berlin and Rome are all within range although the missiles would have to soar above land as opposed to the Pacific and negotiate the earth's rotation.

David Wright from the Union of Concerned Scientists said: 'Based on current information, Fridays missile test by North Korea could easily reach the US West Coast and a number of major US cities.'

How far would missile have to travel from Pyongyang to reach the US and Europe? US Naval Base in Guam: 2,114 miles Hawaii: 4,727 miles San Francisco: 5,588 miles Los Angeles: 5,935 miles New York: 6,783 miles Washington, DC: 6,857 miles Rome: 5,449 miles Paris: 5,446 miles London: 5,379 miles Berlin: 4,926 miles Advertisement

The ICBM was launched at a lofted trajectory allowing it to fall in the Sea of Japan with a ground range of around 600 miles.

Reports suggest the maximum altitude of the launch was 2,300 miles and that it flew for 47 minutes.

Mr Wright added: 'If those numbers are correct, the missile flown on a standard trajectory the missile would have a range 10,400 km (6,500 miles), not taking into account the Earths rotation.

'However, the rotation of the Earth increases the range of missiles fired eastward, depending on their direction.

'It is important to keep in mind that we do not know the mass of the payload the missile carried on this test.

'If it was lighter than the actual warhead the missile would carry, the ranges would be shorter than those estimated above.'

The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KNCA) made the report of Kim's pleasure of the successful launch.

North Korea launched a missile that came 'threateningly' close to Japan on Friday night, which has prompted the country's prime minster to admonish the isolated nation.

Analysts had estimated that North Korea's first ICBM on July 4 could have reached Alaska, and said that the latest missile appeared to extend that range significantly.

Immediately after the launch, US and South Korean forces conducted live-fire exercises.

North Korea launched a missile (pictured) that came 'threateningly' close to Japan on Friday night, which has prompted the country's prime minster to admonish North Korea

North Koreans watch a news broadcast on a missile launch in Pyongyang on Saturday

North Korean citizens cheered as they watched the country's second successful launch of an ICBM this month

The KCNA quoted Kim as saying that the launch reaffirmed the reliability of the country's ICBM system and an ability to fire at 'random regions and locations at random times' with the 'entire' US mainland now within range.

The agency said that the test confirmed important features of the missile system, such as the proper separation of the warhead and controlling its movement and detonation after atmospheric re-entry.

Kim said the launch sent a 'serious warning' to the United States, which has been 'meaninglessly blowing its trumpet' with threats of war and stronger sanctions, the KCNA said.

The North Korean flight data was similar to assessments by the United States, South Korea and Japan.

David Wright, a physicist and co-director of the global security program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said that if reports of the missile's maximum altitude and flight time are correct, it would have a theoretical range of at least 6,500 miles.

That means it could have reached Los Angeles, Denver or Chicago, depending on variables such as the size and weight of the warhead that would be carried atop such a missile in an actual attack.

Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-14 is pictured during its second test-fire in this undated picture provided by KCNA in Pyongyang

An expert said if reports of the missile's maximum altitude and flight time are correct, it would have a theoretical range of at least 6,500 miles, which could reach Chicago

The nightmare scenario for the Pentagon is a missile capability that puts the East Coast - Washington DC and New York City - within range.

Some experts fear that North Korea may be even able to do that, reported Vox.

President Donald Trump issued a statement condemning the missile test as a threat to the world, and rejecting North Korea's claim that nuclear weapons ensure its security. 'In reality, they have the opposite effect,' he said.

Trump said the weapons and tests 'further isolate North Korea, weaken its economy, and deprive its people.' He vowed to 'take all necessary steps' to ensure the security of the US and its allies.

Washington and its allies have watched with growing concern as Pyongyang has made significant progress toward its goal of having all of the US within range of its missiles to counter what it labels as US aggression.

While there are hurdles, including building nuclear warheads to fit on those missiles and ensuring reliability, many analysts have been surprised by how quickly Kim Jong-un has developed North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

This comes despite several rounds of UN Security Council sanctions that have squeezed the impoverished country's economy.

Trump has said he will not allow North Korea to obtain an ICBM that can deliver a nuclear warhead.

But this week, the Defense Intelligence Agency reportedly concluded that the North will have a reliable ICBM capable of carrying a nuclear weapon as early as next year, in an assessment that trimmed two years from the agency's earlier estimate.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (pictured) called North Korea's missile launch a 'serious and real threat' to the country's security

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un inspecting the test-fire of intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14 at an undisclosed location earlier this month

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the launch a 'serious and real threat' to the country's security.

Suga, the Japanese spokesman, said Japan has lodged a strong protest with North Korea. 'North Korea's repeated provocative acts absolutely cannot be accepted,' he said.

The French Foreign Ministry condemned the launch and called for 'strong and additional sanctions' by the United Nations and European Union.

'Only maximal diplomatic pressure might bring North Korea to the negotiating table,' the ministry said in a statement.

And the country's UN Ambassador Francois Delattre said: 'This is a 4G threat - global, grave, given and growing.

'That's why we call for a firm and quick reaction including the adoption of strong additional sanctions by the Security Council.'

Pictured: What officials believe to have been the route taken by the missile after it was launched from North Korea

A spokesman for Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that Dunford met at the Pentagon with the commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, Adm. Harry Harris, to discuss U.S. military options in light of North Korea's missile test.

The spokesman, Navy Capt. Greg Hicks, said Dunford and Harris placed a phone call to Dunford's South Korean counterpart, Gen. Lee Sun Jin. Dunford and Harris 'expressed the ironclad commitment to the U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance,' Hicks said, referring to the U.S. defense treaty that obliges the U.S. to defend South Korea.

Abe, too, said Japan would cooperate closely with the U.S., South Korea and other nations to step up pressure on North Korea to halt its missile programs.

The Hwasong 14 ICBM test-fired earlier this month was also launched at a very steep angle, a technique called lofting, and reached a height of more than 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles) before splashing down in the ocean 930 kilometers (580 miles) away. Analysts said that missile could be capable of reaching most of Alaska or possibly Hawaii if fired in an attacking trajectory.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile was launched from North Korea's northern Jagang province near the border with China. President Moon Jae-in presided over an emergency meeting of the National Security Council, which called for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council and stronger sanctions on North Korea.

July 27 is a major national holiday in North Korea called Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War Day, marking the day when the armistice was signed ending the 1950-53 Korean War. That armistice is yet to be replaced with a peace treaty, leaving the Korean Peninsula technically in a state of war.

In spite of the surge of launches, there is some skepticism surrounding figures coming from North Korea.

Just this week, Kim Jong-un's flagship intercontinental ballistic missiles were branded too small to hit the US with a meaningful payload, according to a team of experts.

After striking fear around the world with the rocket launch on July 4 after a string of similar operations, it appears North Korea's nuclear threat may not be not all it seems.

Scientists analysing the potential threat of the ICBMs said the missiles would be effectively useless even if they managed to reach America.

Ralph Savelsberg and James Kiessling, writing in Breaking Defense, looked at the KN-14 or the Hwasong-14 - North Korea's flagship missile.

At full range, they said the ICBM's accuracy was so bad that it would only be able to land around 19 miles from its intended target.

The authors said: 'Capabilities exceed the arbitrary 5,500 km range value, but its not really a useful ICBM.

'Its too small and too close to zero payload at useful ranges.'

This means the rocket might be able to travel thousands of miles, but once it got to the end of its journey it would be rendered useless.
A British tourist dodged death by a millimetre when he was speared in the throat by a swordfish.

Retired postman Alan Pope was in a boat preparing for a snorkelling trip in Indonesia when the fish leapt from the ocean and stabbed him in the neck.

The impact threw the 57-year-old to the floor of the boat and snapped the tip of the fishs long bill  leaving six inches in his neck and blood gushing from the wound.

Cheating death: Alan and Sharon Pope (pictured) on their trip around Indonesia. They were travelling to the sun-soaked island as part of their retirement when the scare happened

The bill  about the same size, shape and sharpness of a kitchen knife  narrowly missed all the major arteries in his neck.

His wife Sharon said: I thought hed been shot. I heard this thud and saw him on the floor of the boat with a hole in his neck, like a bullet circle. Then he started coughing and spitting up blood.

It was so close to his jugular and carotid arteries that it took 36 hours, and three hospitals, before doctors dared remove it because of the risks of the surgery.

Mr Pope and his wife did not see the swordfish, but locals said it probably bounced back into the water. It may have been a young one  the remains of its bill had teeth, and swordfish lose their teeth once their bodies grow beyond 3ft.

The bill  about the same size, shape and sharpness of a kitchen knife  narrowly missed all the major arteries in his neck

The Popes, from Northampton, were off the island of Lembongan when the incident occurred. We hired a little wooden private charter boat to take us out; it was just me, my wife and the man in charge of the boat, said Mr Pope.

The water was quite choppy, but we got about half an hour out to sea when I felt this whack on the side of my head. It knocked me off my feet. I wasnt sure what had happened, and then I felt this tickling in the back of my throat.

He had to endure a 30-minute boat ride to shore trying to stem the blood. He said: The beak missed my jugular by a millimetre. The doctors said that if the surgery had gone wrong I could have bled out in three minutes.

Mrs Pope, 55, a former school attendance officer, added: It was a really scary experience but he was such a Trojan. He never complained. Hes a very lucky man.

Staff at the tiny medical centre removed the top half of the bill from his neck; the other half was too deeply embedded for them to safely reach it.

The couple were visiting Bali as part of their plan to travel around the world in retirement. They had been looking forward to their snorkelling trip at the spot which was recommended as one of the best places to see manta rays.

Staff at the tiny medical centre removed the top half of the bill from his neck; the other half was too deeply embedded for them to safely reach it.

Mr Pope said: Taking out that half was the worst thing they could do  they should have left it in. Someone then told us we had to go back to Bali to a proper hospital. So we rushed back to our hotel, threw everything in a bag and had to get a boat to the mainland  all while I had a swordfish beak stuck in my throat. Even after the couple arrived in Bali, they had to visit two hospitals because doctors were not sure how to safely remove the rest of the bill. Mr Pope said that despite an X-ray at the first hospital confirming the bill lodged in his throat, he was then sent 40 minutes away to a second hospital for a CT scan.

A swordfish (pictured) was so close to Mr Pope's jugular and carotid arteries that it took 36 hours, and three hospitals, before doctors dared remove it because of the risks of the surgery

He said: The beak was right in the middle of a fork between two main arteries. It was not until 36 hours after the incident, and after a three-and-a-half hour operation, that the bill was removed.

After a few days recovering, the couple flew to Australia. Mr Pope took the swordfish bill home with him  and has since had a tattoo of a swordfish done on his arm.
A 72-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of shooting his 28-year-old wife in the head because she allegedly told him he didn't satisfy her financially or sexually.

Clarence White is accused of shooting his spouse Dominique at their home in the Bronx Thursday morning, leaving her in critical condition.

They had been arguing before the gun was fired, the New York Daily News reports.

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Clarence White was charged with attempted murder, assault and criminal use of a firearm

The shooting happened at 8.40am, and a neighbor of the couple, who have been married for three years and have a young daughter, told the newspaper: 'It was a normal argument. He went inside and she followed him.'

White told police the two had been arguing in the hours before the shooting, sources told the NY Daily News.

They had suffered money problems since White had lost his job recently and during the argument, his wife had told him to pack his bags and leave.

He found a gun and put it in his pocket, but tried to reconcile with her when she told him he didn't satisfy her sexually or financially.

Police sources told the Daily News that White claimed he just wanted to scare her and didn't mean to shoot her.

Officers found a 22-caliber handgun at the address and White was charged with attempted murder, assault and criminal use of a firearm.

His wife was taken to Jacobi Medical Center where she remained in critical but stable condition on Friday.

While some neighbors described the couple as quiet, the New York Daily News reports that police had been called to previous arguments at the address.

Officers were last called to the home on May 24.
A teenage clothing brand has been labelled irresponsible for its one size fits all policy.

Most of the tags on Brandy Melvilles range simply say one size  and the garments are invariably very small.

When measured, some of the clothes are equivalent to as small as UK size 2.

Under fire: A Brandy Melville store(pictured) in London. The store has been blasted for its unrealistic clothing, with some sizes as small as UK size 2

Several of the labels skirts, trousers and jeans have waist measurements of just 23 or 24 inches. A 23-inch waist is a healthy size for a six to eight-year-old girl, while a 24-inch waist is UK size 4.

The average dress size for women in the UK is 16, with a 34 inch waist. Disturbingly, some girls say the firms size policy has encouraged them to lose weight. One tweeted: I think the only reason I want to lose weight is so I can shop at Brandy Melville.

Another wrote: I need to lose weight ... all the clothes from Brandy Melville are one size ... I want to lose weight to be able to wear Brandy Melville dresses. One added: Nothing makes me want to be skinny more than the fact that everything at Brandy Melville comes in one size aka tiny.

The Mails size 8 model was unable to fit into any of the labels garments and could not pull up a denim skirt past her thighs. Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb, a former minister for mental health, said: I am deeply concerned about such an approach to retail for this age group.

Tight squeeze : A size 8 model struggles to get into the label skirts. Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb, a former minister for mental health, said: I am deeply concerned about such an approach to retail for this age group

It is highly irresponsible and potentially dangerous.

He added: All retailers must demonstrate a sense of responsibility given the widespread concerns about mental ill health, anxiety and distress amongst young people.

Denise Hatton, chief executive of YMCA England and Wales, added: Its disturbing that Brandy Melville appears to only offer around a UK size 4 waist on some of their products. By only selling one size it reinforces the notion that there is an ideal body type.

Our research shows that body image is something that particularly affects the impressionable age group that Brandy Melvilles clothing targets. Brandy Melville, whose prices start from 10 for a top to 38 for a denim jacket, is popular with teenage girls across the UK. Gordon Ramsays daughter Holly, 17, works in one of the Italian brands five London stores. The first branch opened in the US in 2009 and it now has 135 shops worldwide.

It also has 6.3million followers on its Instagram accounts.

Shopper Nicola Chalcraft, 46, said she has concerns about her 17-year-old daughter going to the body shaming store.

Outside the Kings Road branch in London, she said: The clothing is very small for teenagers and not all teenagers are size zero, are they?

I worry about my daughter looking in there. Theyve got nice stuff but you walk in there and walk back out as the stuff is very, very small. Its body shaming.

Size 8 English literature student Lucy Farrelly, 18, said she felt ashamed when she had to ask a shop assistant for a dress in a bigger size. She said: I felt judged by it, I felt you had to fit the clothes rather than the other way round.

Brandy Melville did not respond to a request for comment last night.
At its simplest, it was a conflict between diligent, caring, but highly trained doctors informed by clinical science, and two heartbroken parents who simply refused to give up hope.

But if it sounds clearly defined, it wasnt. And the reason so many of us were drawn in wasnt to take sides, but because what was at stake encapsulated a question we find almost impossible to face: who should choose when to start a life, and when to end it?

Yes, of course, there were the grandstanders and zealots who piled in for their own ends, those who Mr Justice Francis, the judge who heard the legal arguments for and against Charlies continued existence, said know almost nothing about this case, but who feel entitled to express an opinion.

Their darling boy: British baby Charlie Gard pictured before he fell ill

Principal among them were the legions of the self-styled Charlies Army (motto on social media: If he is still fighting, were still fighting).

They gathered with their banners describing doctors as liars and child-killers outside first the High Court in March, then the Court of Appeal in May, and finally the Supreme Court in early June, as the couples plea to be allowed to take Charlie to America for experimental treatment was examined and rejected.

Day by day they maintained a vigil against Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), but so virulent did they eventually become in their anti-expert view of the world that Connie and Chris felt moved this week  on the day they announced they were abandoning their fight  to disown them.

At the opposite end of the spectrum were representatives of the medical establishment, some of whom in defending their GOSH colleagues epitomised the unbending we-know-better approach that can alienate so many of us.

Supporters of the family of Charlie hold placards and signs of support outside the Royal Courts of Justice

Then there were those who  uninvited  chose to add their tuppenceworth to the debate for their own reasons: Pope Francis and Donald Trump encouraged Connie and Chris to defy GOSH. Some pro-life Republican Congressmen even made Charlie a U.S. citizen to encourage his journey there for experimental treatment, while American pro-life campaigner the Rev Patrick Mahoney, who served a prison term for taking his protest outside abortion clinics too far, pitched up in London, claiming to be a spokesman for Connie and Chris, with a hotline to the White House.

All of which was a colossal distraction. This wasnt, for most of us, a battle between the State, the courts and parents as to who has the final say over what happens to their children. Nor did it fit neatly into the anti-abortion/pro-life crusade that so disfigures politics in the States and elsewhere.

Instead it was, for me at least, about who plays God in matters of life and death now that a secular, sceptical Western society has relegated religion to the margins.

What the case of Charlie Gard revealed is that we have yet to discover anything remotely satisfying to put in Gods place.

For those who loudly put their faith in science, trusting only what can be proved under a microscope, what we heard in court shows that it provides us with precious few absolutes.

Take one poignant example. In January, after an the MRI scan of Charlies brain, Connie remembers being informed that it was that of a relatively normal child of his age. What one paediatrician subsequently pointed out was that a normal scan does not mean that a brain is working normally.

'What the case of Charlie Gard revealed is that we have yet to discover anything remotely satisfying to put in Gods place'

Not much clarity there. Science has its limits. It may be able to provide more tangible evidence than religion, with its talk of a creator God and a host of heavenly angels awaiting us, but it still fails to address the sense that many of us have that we just know there is more to life than what we see in front of us.

So, where else do we turn in such hard cases? Politicians are, of course, too discredited to offer any moral or ethical guidance. Which leaves us with the imperfect stage of a law court.

Ask any lawyer if they would take issues in their private lives before a court, and they will tell you no. Life doesnt fit neatly into right and wrong, guilty or innocent.

The discomfiture of Judge Francis at being asked to play God in Charlies case was palpable. He tried to square the circle by saying he was guided by facts, not feelings in reaching his decision.

And while it sounds reasonable enough, it falls short as an infallible measurement of what is in anyones best interests.

To explain why, try taking whatever life dilemma you may be facing, and make two columns of pros and cons to determine which course of action to adopt. There will inevitably be factors in both columns that could swing the decision one way or the other.

It all comes down to where you place the greatest emphasis at that moment. And that is down to something other than science.

Matters of life and death bring that into sharp focus. I used to be content, as a lifelong Catholic, to leave such questions to God.

I remain unhappy at sciences apparently value-free drive to play an ever larger role, from interfering in the creation of human beings in test tubes, to the facilitation of judgments as to which lives are of more worth than others (for example, the new test for Downs syndrome which leads to the default position for those affected being aborted).

Charlie Gard's parents Connie Yates and Chris Gard

And I also used to be pretty resistant to assisted suicide  the demand that we all be able to choose the moment of our death. But my fixed position was found wanting when I went, in 2011, to visit a man called Tony Nicklinson at his home in Melksham, Wiltshire, and was confronted by the appalling human reality of the issue.

Tony had locked-in syndrome. He couldnt move and this once active, gregarious man had lost the power of speech.

But he was still sufficiently eloquent, using a letter board, to explain to me why he was fighting through the courts so that when he decided he could no longer bear to go on living, he could be assured of medical assistance in bringing his life to an end.

This is a secular issue, he spelled out. Why should I, as an atheist, be bound by laws based on those [religious] beliefs? I confess I didnt have an answer.

Ultimately, the courts found against him. Tony starved himself to death the following year. Those who have subsequently taken up his fight have so far been equally unsuccessful in progressing a cause I now know has some merit. My old certainties have gone.

I have followed their cases with the same anxiety, guilt and fascination that I watched Charlie Gards parents work their way these past months from the High Court to the European Court of Human Rights.

On a human level, I would challenge any parent to look at the picture, released last week, of Chris Gard leaning over Charlies cot, with all those tubes that were keeping his son alive, and holding a tiny finger, and not cry. I did, hopeless, impotent tears.

When a friends beloved only child committed suicide recently aged 18, I sat with her at her kitchen table and found myself saying those cliched words: I cant begin to imagine what you are going through. She looked me straight back in the eyes and replied: Youre a parent. You can, but you just dont want to.

Charlie Gards case was so compelling because it made us imagine. It made us weep. And on a much deeper, philosophical and ethical level, it challenged us unavoidably to reflect long and hard about those questions of life and death, the limits of science and the sheer force of human determination and spirit, and question whether there is anything more going on than what we can see and evidence around us.

I might not have agreed with the trip to the U.S. for treatment that Connie and Chris wanted to make in their determination to save Charlie, but I would still have chipped in to the fund they established to make it possible.

It is, I know, a hopelessly muddled position, but also an honest and human one that acknowledges the complexities of this case, and doesnt try to solve them with a flawed, cut- and-dry formula.

Rather like the approach of the GOSH nurses, who most likely agreed with their medical colleagues that the time to let Charlie go had come, but who this week had volunteered to work 12-hour shifts on their days off at the hospice where Charlie was to be taken, to allow his parents that extra time with him they so craved.

Like them, I salute the courage of Connie and Chris and I hope their sons life will inspire research into treatments that might spare others the agony and the grief his parents must now live with.

RIP Charlie Gard.

PETER STANFORD is a former editor of the Catholic Herald.
Humans will live in cities on Mars within 50 to 100 years, but it will be a 'really s**it place to be', according to physicist Brian Cox.

Speaking to MailOnline, the scientists from Oldham said that despite its difficulties, moving to hellish planets such as Mars may be inevitable if we're to survive.

Professor Cox, best known for presenting Stargazing Live and Wonders of the Universe, says he's confident we'll land on red planet within a decade.

But he says we should not get too excited as it is little more than a 'barren rock', which pales in comparison to our 'wonderful, beautiful' planet.

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Professor Brian Cox is less than enthusiastic about Martian life: 'Mars will be a really s**t place to be. It's a barren rock!', he told MailOnline

LIFE ON MARS Researchers from the University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow, Poland believe we may have to take more drastic steps - including modifications to the body and mind - if we are ever to succeed in visiting our inhospitable neighbour. The unique environment could force rapid evolutionary changes creating a whole new species, experts claim. Electronic devices to enhance the senses and drugs to dull panic and other emotional responses may be needed to successfully complete the trip to Mars. Any humans who choose to stay and colonise the planet will be faced with other challenges, including the risk of inbreeding. Colonists may quickly - in scientific terms - evolve into a separate species, with darker skin and thickened bones. Advertisement

Professor Cox, who has just published 'Universal: A Journey Through The Cosmos' with Manchester University physicist Professor Jeff Forshaw, told MailOnline that 'in the very near future' we will be a civilisation stretched across many planets.

Mars may the first world we colonise - perhaps out of necessity rather than choice - but life there would be bleak.

''Mars will be a really s**t place to be. It's a barren rock!', said Professor Cox.

Professor Cox has previously compared Earth explorers of the red planet to 'Pilgrims sailing to the New World' who will be exposed to high levels of radiation.

He believes individuals in their teens could be the first to live on Mars, with families following in a few generations time, commenting that life will initially be very difficult.

Research by Polish scientists earlier this year found that colonists may even evolve into a separate species.

The would develop darker skin through eating foods like bright yellow and orange goods like squash and carrots which contain carotenoid pigments.

Human bones may also thicken to cope with reduced levels of gravity.

Martian civilisations will be hit with around six times the amount of radiation that we have on Earth and a population of 500 people would be needed to establish a large enough colony to avoid inbreeding.

Pictured is an artist's impression of life on Mars. Professor Cox believes colonising the planet will happen in the next 50 or 100 year

Although Professor Cox might not want to move to Mars himself, he believes we may not have a choice in the future.

Moving to Mars, he says, it is important for our species if our efforts to save life on Earth fail.

He has previously said that climate change, asteroids and artificial intelligence threaten our continued existence on Earth.

'They're trying to make us a multi-planet species which raises prosperity and also increases our chances of survival', he said.

Professor Cox believes Elon Musk is leading efforts in this area.

Musk, the SpaceX billionaire has ambitious plans to establish humanity's first colony on Mars within our lifetime and wants to create the first 'Interplanetary Transport System'.

The entrepreneur aims to get the price down of the ticket down to the cost of an average house in the US - or around $200,000 (157,000).

'Musk wants to land human beings on Mars in a decade and that's a first step in colonising the planet of course which would happen in 50 or 100 years in the future if all goes well - that's what I would imagine', Professor Cox said.

Professor Brian Cox (left), who has just published 'Universal: A Journey Through The Cosmos' with Manchester University physicist Professor Jeff Forshaw (right) told Mailonline that 'in the very near future' we will be a civilisation stretched across many planets

Professor Cox and Professor Forshaw say that politicians should start thinking more like scientists.

'What the book tries to argue is the fact that the future of human civilisation comes from rational human thought that's the most important thing we can do', Professor Forshaw said.

He noted that talking about the future of our civilisation is all reliant on the fact we are able to think clearly about how the universe works and value nature and discovery.

The pair have just published 'Universal: A Journey Through The Cosmos' with Penguin

'We can get to the bottom of things but you've got to be rigorous with dates and really be prepared to accept you are wrong', said Professor Forshaw.

'Understanding the universe is a brilliant demonstration of how far you can get when you take tiny steps', he said.

'We're all on one planet but we don't have to compete on this planet', said Professor Cox.

'That's what's exciting for the next generation of rockets is they're opening up a new frontier and every time you open up a new frontier our civilisation is all the better for that.

Elon Musk says that SpaceX will target Mars for colonisation over other planets in the solar system as it is the most similar to Earth.

'Musk has stated he wants to potentially begin the colonisation of Mars within the decade and you think well that's crazy but then everything Elon Musk has said he'd do he's done', said Professor Cox.

'He has re-usable rockets that go to the space station and come back which has cut the cost of launching things into space by 90 per cent or more.

'Jeff Bezos is another one who has a rocket company and they are some of the most powerful and successful entrepreneurs in the world', he said.

The pair also said that politicians should start thinking more like scientists.

'What the book tries to argue is the fact that the future of human civilisation comes from rational human thought that's the most important thing we can do', Professor Forshaw said.

He noted that talking about the future of our civilisation is all reliant on the fact we are able to think clearly about how the universe works and value nature and discovery.

'That's the message of the book', Professor Forshaw said.
The large home at 326 S. Crest Road on Missionary Ridge was sold at auction Saturday for $621,000.





Realtor Henry Glascock of the Henry B. Glascock Co., which handled the auction, said the purchasers were a Dalton couple.





The sale of the roughly century-old home had brought much interest, with dozens of people attending several open houses leading up to the auction.





The home had been lived in for a number of years by two generations of the Sam Campbell family of MoonPie snack fame.Other families had also lived in it.





In recent years, it was resided in by Fred and Misty Hanzelik. Mr. Hanzelik, a well-known local attorney, died in 2014.





In December, the larger Hutcheson home just south on South Crest Road was sold at auction for $1 million to Glenn and Tracey Boyd of Dalton, Ga. That home had been owned by the Dr. Dennis Stohler family in recent decades.




Stereotypes and media accounts would have you believe that women struggle more with work-family conflicts than men do.

But new research has shown that women and men report similar levels of this struggle - in terms of both work life interfering with family, and family interfering with work.

The study also revealed that men and women reported similar levels of work-family conflict regardless of the level of gender equality in their country.

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The researchers spent several years examining more than 350 studies conducted over three decades, which included more than 250,000 participants from across the world

WHAT THEY FOUND The study, led by a researcher at the University of Georgia, was a meta-analysis: When data from multiple studies is combined to learn more about a specific area of research. The researchers spent several years examining more than 350 studies conducted over three decades, which included more than 250,000 participants from across the world. The researchers also looked at ratings of gender equality in the countries where the studies were conducted, and were surprised to find that men and women reported similar levels of work-family conflict regardless of the gender equality levels of that country. While some minor differences were found between men and women when the data were divided into sub-groups, none of them were large. Mothers said they felt slightly greater family interference with work than fathers, as did women in couples were both partners were earners. By contrast, men in dual-earning couples said they felt slightly highers levels of work interference with family, which women also reported when the sub-group was restricted to men and women in the same occupations. Advertisement

The study, led by a researcher at the University of Georgia, was a meta-analysis - when data from multiple studies is combined to learn more about a specific area of research.

The researchers spent several years examining more than 350 studies conducted over three decades, where half were published decades ago, and half were published in 2010 or later.

These studies included more than 250,000 participants from across the world.

'We essentially found very little evidence of differences between women and men as far as the level of work-family conflict they report,'said Dr Kirsten Shockley, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Georgia and the lead author of the study.

'This is quite contrary to the common public perception.

'The way this issue is presented in the media frames the way we think about it, and it creates a perpetual cycle.

'Women hear that other women are struggling with this issue, so they expect they will experience greater work-family conflict.

'There also is some socialization for it being OK for women to talk more about it than men.'

Previous research has found that men often don't feel comfortable discussing work-family concerns because of fears of being stigmatized, threats to their masculinity or negative career repercussions.

However, men may feel more comfortable discussing those conflicts in anonymous confidential surveys, such as those used in the studies analyzed.

'I do think it's harming men, who are silently struggling and are experiencing the same amount of work-family conflict, but no one is acknowledging it,' said Dr Shockley.

In recent years, men have increasingly become primary caregivers for young children, and father are spending more time caring for their children and completing chores on average, however, women still spend more time on both.

According to the researchers, a Pew Researcher Center study found that fathers were as likely as mothers to say that parenting was very important to their identity, but women may also face career penalties because of stereotypes that they're more family-oriented and less committed to their careers than men.

Mothers said they felt slightly greater family interference with work than fathers, as did women in couples were both partners were earners

About half of all the studies analyzed in the meta-analysis were conducted in the US, and the remainder were spread across countries in Europe and Asia.

The researchers also looked at ratings of gender equality in the countries where the studies were conducted, and were surprised to find that men and women reported similar levels of work-family conflict regardless of the gender equality levels of that country.

However, not many of these work-family conflict studies have been conducted in the Middle East, where gender inequality is common and could lead to different findings.

While some minor differences were found between men and women when the data were divided into sub-groups, none of them were large.

Because a father's traditional role has been that of the primary breadwinner, men may feel like they're fulfilling their responsibilities, leading to less guilt

Mothers said they felt slightly greater family interference with work than fathers, as did women in couples were both partners were earners.

By contrast, men in dual-earning couples said they felt slightly highers levels of work interference with family, which women also reported when the sub-group was restricted to men and women in the same occupations.

It's possible that men and women experience the same level of work-family conflict but may perceive it differently.

Women may feel guiltier about work interference with family because of traditional expectations that mothers are childrearers, however, Dr Shockley says there's been little research on this.

Because a father's traditional role has been that of the primary breadwinner, men may feel like they're fulfilling their responsibilities, leading to less guilt.

However, these gender roles are changing in the US as more women are entering the workforce and men have assume more responsibility rearing children.

The researchers say that company and government policies should provide greater support for work-family policies that benefit men and women, such as flexible work arrangements, child care support and both paid maternity and paternity leave.

Women may feel guiltier about work interference with family because of traditional expectations that mothers are childrearers

Only 9 per cent of workplaces in the US offer paid paternity leave, compared to 21 per cent for maternity leave.

The US, Suriname and Papua New Guinea are the only countries that don't guarantee any paid maternity or paternity leave, and in the US, father take only one day of paternity leave on average, paid or unpaid, for every month of maternity leave mothers take.

96 percent of fathers take two weeks of leave or less for paternity leave.

Increased paternity leave could improve mothers' well-being, and father-infant bonding has long-term positive benefits for children as well as an equal division of labor between spouses, Shockley said.
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A stunning new image of Jupiters tumultuous Great Red Spot has revealed what it might be like to glimpse the biggest storm in our solar system up close.

The image shows a natural colour rendition of the massive storm, based on data from the Juno spacecrafts seventh close flyby of the planet, simulating how it would be seen by the human eye.

Juno captured the view from about 8,648 miles (13,917 kilometers) above the cloud tops using its JunoCam imager.

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A stunning new image of Jupiters tumultuous Great Red Spot has revealed what it might be like to glimpse the biggest storm in our solar system up close. The image shows a natural colour rendition of the massive storm

WHAT IS THE GREAT RED SPOT? The so-called 'Great Red Spot' is a violent storm, which in the late 1800s was estimated to be about 25,000 miles (about 40,000 km) in diameter  wide enough for three Earths to fit side by side. The biggest in the solar system, it appears as a deep red orb surrounded by layers of pale yellow, orange and white. Winds inside the storm have been measured at several hundreds of miles per hour, Nasa astronomers said. Advertisement

The new image was processed by citizen scientist Bjorn Jonsson, according to NASA, using data from Junos July 10 close approach.

This true-color image offers a natural color rendition of what the Great Red Spot and surrounding areas would look like to human eyes from Junos position, NASA explains.

The tumultuous atmospheric zones in and around the Great Red Spot are clearly visible.

Just weeks ago, the space agency released the first images from the probe's historic flyby of the 'Great Red Spot.'

The probe, which has been monitoring Jupiter's surface for just over a year, passed about 5,600 miles (9,000 kilometres) above the Great Red Spot.

The first three unprocessed 'raw' images were revealed by NASA as a taste of the images to come, and space enthusiasts soon tweaked them to produce stunning images.

This is an early processed version of an image created by Gerald Eichstadt, using NASA's raw data. It gives an unprecedented glimpse into the gigantic red spot of Jupiter

Another of Jason Major's processed images, showing the cloud detail inside the gigantic storm (right)

'Raw images from the Juno spacecraft's flyby of Jupiters Great Red Spot are back on Earth,' NASA said as it revealed the images.

'We invite the public to act as a virtual imaging team, from identifying features of interest to sharing the finished images online.'

NASA is currently processing the images itself, and more are expected to be unveiled over the coming days.

'After JunoCam data arrives on Earth, members of the public can process the images to create color pictures,' it said.

'The public also helps determine which points on the planet will be photographed.'

Experts have predict that the views of the storm will be breathtaking.

The data collection of the Great Red Spot is part of Juno's sixth flyby over Jupiter's mysterious cloud tops.

Tom Momary posted this version of the image, titled 'Peering into the Great Red Spot...color enhancements and vibrance, to bring out detail'

Perijove (the point at which an orbit comes closest to Jupiter's center) was this morning at 02:55 BST (21:55 EDT yesterday evening).

At the time of perijove, Juno was about 2,200 miles (3,500 kilometers) above the planet's cloud tops.

Eleven minutes and 33 seconds later, Juno covered another 24,713 miles (39,771 kilometers) and was directly above the Great Red Spot.

The spacecraft passed about 5,600 miles (9,000 kilometers) above the Giant Red Spot clouds.

All eight of the spacecraft's instruments as well as its imager, JunoCam, were on during the flyby.

'My latest Jupiter flyby is complete!' said a post on the @NASAJuno Twitter account.

'All science instruments and JunoCam were operating to collect data.'

'Raw images will be posted in (the) coming days,' the space agency said.

Juno launched on August 5, 2011, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and has been orbiting Jupiter for just over one year.

Although NASA posted the 'raw' files online (see below) internet users soon enhanced them. This image was posted by Jason Major, who tweeted 'They're here! My first processed raw map-projected image of #Jupiter's Great Red Spot from @NASAJuno's P7 flyover on July 10-11 #GRSflyover'

The data collection of the Great Red Spot was part of Juno's sixth flyby over Jupiter's mysterious cloud tops.

Perijove (the point at which an orbit comes closest to Jupiter's centre) was this morning at 02:55 BST (21:55 EDT yesterday evening).

At the time of perijove, Juno was about 2,200 miles (3,500 kilometers) above the planet's cloud tops.

Eleven minutes and 33 seconds later, Juno covered another 24,713 miles (39,771 kilometers) and was directly above the Great Red Spot.

The spacecraft passed about 5,600 miles (9,000 kilometers) above the Giant Red Spot clouds.

All eight of the spacecraft's instruments as well as its imager, JunoCam, were on during the flyby.

The three raw images posted by NASA. It said it was hoping the public would 'act as a virtual imaging team, from identifying features of interest'. The so-called 'Great Red Spot' is a violent storm, which in the late 1800s was estimated to be about 25,000 miles (about 40,000 km) in diameter  wide enough for three Earths to fit side by side. The biggest in the solar system, it appears as a deep red orb surrounded by layers of pale yellow, orange and white. Winds inside the storm have been measured at several hundreds of miles per hour, NASA astronomers said.

The fly-by comes just days after Juno celebrated its first anniversary in Jupiter's orbit.

'Jupiter's mysterious Great Red Spot is probably the best-known feature of Jupiter,' said Scott Bolton, principal investigator of Juno from the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio.

'This monumental storm has raged on the solar system's biggest planet for centuries.

'Now, Juno and her cloud-penetrating science instruments will dive in to see how deep the roots of this storm go, and help us understand how this giant storm works and what makes it so special.'

Trapped between two jet streams, the Great Red Spot is an anticyclone swirling around a centre of high atmospheric pressure that makes it rotate in the opposite sense of hurricanes on Earth. Nasa's Juno spacecraft passed about 5,600 miles (9,000 kilometers) above the Giant Red Spot clouds

On July 4, Juno logged exactly one year in Jupiter orbit, and has chalked up about 71 million miles (114.5 million kilometers) in orbit around the giant planet.

'The success of science collection at Jupiter is a testament to the dedication, creativity and technical abilities of the Nasa-Juno team,' said Rick Nybakken, project manager for Juno from Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

'Each new orbit brings us closer to the heart of Jupiter's radiation belt, but so far the spacecraft has weathered the storm of electrons surrounding Jupiter better than we could have ever imagined.'

During its mission of exploration, Juno soars low over the planet's cloud tops - as close as about 2,100 miles (3,400 kilometers).

During these flybys, Juno is probing beneath the obscuring cloud cover of Jupiter and studying its auroras to learn more about the planet's origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere.

Early results from Nasa's Juno mission portray the largest planet in our solar system as a turbulent world, with an intriguingly complex interior structure, energetic polar aurora, and huge polar cyclones.

The image of a crescent Jupiter and the iconic Great Red Spot was created by a citizen scientist (Roman Tkachenko) using data from Juno's JunoCam instrument, Nasa said.

The stunning image reveals the iconic great red spot, alongside a series of storms shaped like white ovals, known informally as the 'string of pearls'. It was taken on December 11, 2016 as the Juno spacecraft performed its third close flyby of Jupiter

The image was taken on December 11, 2016 as the Juno spacecraft performed its third close flyby of Jupiter.

At the time the image was taken, the spacecraft was about 285,100 miles (458,800 kilometers) from the planet.

Astronomers recently revealed that Jupiter's 'red spot' storm, the biggest in the solar system, is shrinking.

The so-called 'Great Red Spot' is a violent storm, which in the late 1800s was estimated to be about 25,000 miles (about 40,000 km) in diameter  wide enough for three Earths to fit side by side.

The biggest in the solar system, it appears as a deep red orb surrounded by layers of pale yellow, orange and white.

Winds inside the storm have been measured at several hundreds of miles per hour, Nasa astronomers said.

Nasa revealed the find alongside stunning new maps of the planet which are the first in an annual series of 'weather maps' designed to spot changes.

Already, the Jupiter images have revealed a rare wave just north of the planet's equator and a unique filamentary feature in the core of the Great Red Spot not seen previously.

The movement of Jupiter's clouds can be seen by comparing the first map to the second one. Zooming in on the Great Red Spot at blue (left) and red (right) wavelengths reveals a unique filamentary feature not previously seen (Credits: Nasa/ESA/Goddard/UCBerkeley/JPL-Caltech/STScI)

HOW DID JUNO TAKE THE IMAGES? Juno's main camera, JunoCam, captured images of the Great Red Spot, and will send them back to Earth by July 14, according to Scott Bolton, a planetary scientist at the Southwest Research Institute and the Juno mission's leader. Mr Bolton said: 'Juno and her cloud-penetrating science instruments will dive in to see how deep the roots of this storm go, and help us understand how this giant storm works and what makes it so special.' But taking images of the Great Red Spot isn't as simple as pointing and shooting. To capture the storm in detail, Juno must fly close to the storm - around 5,600 miles (9,000 kilometers) above the Giant Red Spot clouds. Juno also flies at staggering speeds of 34 miles/second making taking steady photos a challenge. Advertisement

'Every time we look at Jupiter, we get tantalizing hints that something really exciting is going on,' said Amy Simon, a planetary scientist at Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

'This time is no exception.'

Collecting these yearly images will help current and future scientists see how these giant worlds change over time.

This sequence of enhanced-color images shows how quickly the viewing geometry changes for Nasa's Juno spacecraft as it swoops by Jupiter. The images were obtained by JunoCam. Once every 53 days the Juno spacecraft swings close to Jupiter, speeding over its clouds

The observations are designed to capture a broad range of features, including winds, clouds, storms and atmospheric chemistry.

Ms Simon and her colleagues produced two global maps of Jupiter from observations made using Hubble's high-performance Wide Field Camera 3.

The two maps represent nearly back-to-back rotations of the planet, making it possible to determine the speeds of Jupiter's winds.

The new images confirm that the Great Red Spot continues to shrink and become more circular, as it has been doing for years.

The long axis of this characteristic storm is about 150 miles (240 kilometers) shorter now than it was in 2014.

Recently, the storm had been shrinking at a faster-than-usual rate, but the latest change is consistent with the long-term trend.

The Great Red Spot remains more orange than red these days, and its core, which typically has more intense color, is less distinct than it used to be.

An unusual wispy filament is seen, spanning almost the entire width of the vortex.

This filamentary streamer rotates and twists throughout the 10-hour span of the Great Red Spot image sequence, getting distorted by winds blowing at 330 miles per hour (150 meters per second) or even greater speeds.

In Jupiter's North Equatorial Belt, the researchers found an elusive wave that had been spotted on the planet only once before, decades earlier, by Voyager 2.

NASA'S JUNO MISSION The Juno probe reached Jupiter last year after a five-year, 1.8 billion-mile journey from Earth. Following a successful braking manoeuvre, it has now entered into a long polar orbit flying to within 3,100 miles (5,000 km) of the planet's swirling cloud tops. The probe will skim to within just 4,200 km of the planet's clouds once a fortnight - too close to provide global coverage in a single image. No previous spacecraft has orbited so close to Jupiter, although two others have been sent plunging to their destruction through its atmosphere. To complete its risky mission Juno will have to survive a circuit-frying radiation storm generated by Jupiter's powerful magnetic field. The maelstrom of high energy particles travelling at nearly the speed of light is the harshest radiation environment in the Solar System. To cope with the conditions, the spacecraft is protected with special radiation-hardened wiring and sensor shielding. Its all-important 'brain' - the spacecraft's flight computer - is housed in an armoured vault made of titanium and weighing almost 400 pounds (172kg). Juno is in a harsh radiation environment, so its delicate electronics are housed in a special titanium vault. Eventually, Juno will succumb to the intense radiation and will be commanded to plunge into Jupiter's atmosphere to avoid any collision with the planet's moons. Pictured is a 1/5 scale model size of the solar-powered Juno spacecraft Advertisement

In those images, the wave is barely visible, and nothing like it was seen again, until the current wave was found traveling at about 16 degrees north latitude, in a region dotted with cyclones and anticyclones.

Similar waves  called baroclinic waves  sometimes appear in Earth's atmosphere where cyclones are forming.

'Until now, we thought the wave seen by Voyager 2 might have been a fluke,' said co-author Glenn Orton of Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

'As it turns out, it's just rare!'

The wave may originate in a clear layer beneath the clouds, only becoming visible when it propagates up into the cloud deck, according to the researchers.
Communication problems while travelling abroad could become a thing of the past, thanks to an incredible new gadget.

Timekettle's WT2 Bluetooth headset promises to translate conversations in near real time so that you're never left lost in translation.

A Kickstarter campaign launching next month could help to bring the tool to mass market, although a price has yet to be revealed.

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Communication problems while travelling abroad could become a thing of the past, thanks to an incredible new gadget. Timekettle's WT2 Bluetooth headset (pictured) could help to break down language barriers for holidaymakers and businesses.

HOW DOES IT WORK? The WT2 system is made up of a pair of headsets which connect to an iOS app. As soon as the charging case is opened, the headsets automatically pair with the iPhone or iPad. As one person speaks, their sentence is sent through the headset to the smartphone where it is translated to the desired language and spoken into the earpiece worn by the second person. There is a short delay of around three seconds, but the firm hopes to reduce this to as little as one second. Currently, it can translate from Mandarin Chinese to English, but more languages are expected to be added. Advertisement

The WT2 comprises a pair of headsets which connect to an iOS app that conducts the translation work.

As soon as the charging case that holds the headsets is opened, they automatically pair with the iPhone or iPad.

As one person speaks, their sentence is sent through the headset to the smartphone.

It is then translated into the desired language and spoken into the earpiece worn by the second person.

There is a short delay of around three seconds, but the firm hopes to reduce this to as little as one second.

Currently, it can translate from Mandarin Chinese to English, but more languages are expected to be added.

On its website, TimeKettle said: '"Peel" the Charging Box, "Share" one with someone, the two translating earphones are with each other and the App via Dual Bluetooth.

'Then, start talking.

'I speak in Chinese, then you hear in English.

'You speak in English, I hear you in Chinese.'

As one person speaks, their sentence is sent through the headset (pictured) to the app. It is then translated into the desired language and spoken into the earpiece worn by the second person

There is a short delay, but the firm hopes to reduce this to as little as one second. A Kickstarter campaign launching next month could help to bring the tool to mass market

The WT2 comprises a pair of headsets which connect to an iOS app that conducts the translation work. As soon as the charging case that holds the headsets is opened (pictured), they automatically pair with the iPhone or iPad

Futuristic devices that can allow translation of speech have long been the preserve of science fiction, from the universal translators of the Star Trek franchise to Douglas Adams' babel fish in The Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy.

And a number of companies have launched similar efforts in recent years.

One such firm is Lingmo International, a technology start-up based in West Gosford, Australia, which unveiled its One2One earpiece at the United Nations Artificial Intelligence for Good Summit in Geneva in June.

Currently the WT2 (pictured) can translate from Mandarin Chinese to English, but more languages are expected to be added

The incredible earpiece, which is powered by IBM Watson's artificial intelligence system, will hit global markets next month

The device supports translations across eight languages  English, Japanese, French, Italian, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German and Chinese.

And unlike most translation devices, the One2One does not rely on either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity, which can often slow down the translation process.
Religious people's minds are dominated by emotion and not analytical thinking which makes them cling to their views - even when evidence proves them wrong - a study claims.

Such 'Emotional resonance' can make individuals hold on to their faith.

Meanwhile, militant atheists are completely negative about religion because they have analytical brains, according to researchers.

The study warned that untempered empathy can be dangerous.

It can result in terrorists who believe they are being highly moral and some Trump supporters who emotionally support him without taking into account the facts, researchers claimed.

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The study found individuals hold on to their faith because they have 'emotional resonance' while militant atheists are negative about religion because they have analytical brains (stock)

BRAIN NETWORKS Researchers say the study supports earlier work which shows people have two brain networks - one for empathy and one for analytic thinking. These two networks are in tension with each other. In healthy people their thought process switches between the two - choosing to use the appropriate network depending on the issues they are considering. In someone who is militantly religious, the empathetic network dominates while in the nonreligious dogmatist's mind the analytical network rules. Although the study looks at the difference between the worldview of people who are religious and non-religious dogmatists, it could apply to any strongly held core beliefs. These could be eating habits - whether to be vegan, vegetarian or omnivore - or to political opinions and beliefs about climate change. Advertisement

'Emotional resonance helps religious people to feel more certain - the more moral correctness they see in something, the more it affirms their thinking,' said Anthony Jack, associate professor of philosophy and co-author of the research.

'In contrast, moral concerns make nonreligious people feel less certain.'

Researchers say people have two brain networks - one for empathy and one for analytic thinking.

These two networks are in tension with each other.

In healthy people their thought process switches between the two - choosing to use the appropriate network depending on the issues they are considering.

In someone who is militantly religious, the empathetic network dominates while in the nonreligious dogmatist's mind the analytical network rules.

Appealing to a militant religious person's sense of moral concern and an anti-religious person's unemotional logic may increase the chance of them listening to your message.

Although the study looks at the difference between the worldview of people who are religious and non-religious dogmatists, it could apply to any strongly held core beliefs.

These could be eating habits - whether to be vegan, vegetarian or omnivore - or to political opinions and beliefs about climate change.

'Terrorists, within their bubble, believe it's a highly moral thing they're doing. They believe they are righting wrongs and protecting something sacred', Dr Jack said.

'With all this talk about fake news, the Trump administration, by emotionally resonating with people, appeals to members of its base while ignoring facts', he said.

Trump's base includes a large percentage of self-declared religious men and women, researchers noted.

Militant atheists cannot see positives in religion because they only see that it contradicts their scientific, analytic approach to life, the study found (stock image)

WHAT DID THEY DO? 209 participants identified as Christian, 153 as nonreligious, nine Jewish, five Buddhist, four Hindu, one Muslim and 24 another religion. Each completed tests assessing dogmatism, empathetic concern and aspects of analytical reasoning. The results showed religious participants as a whole had a higher level of dogmatism, empathetic concern and pro-social intentions, while the nonreligious performed better on the measure of analytic reasoning. Decreasing empathy among the nonreligious corresponded to increasing dogmatism. Advertisement

On the other hand, militant atheists cannot see positives in religion because they only see that it contradicts their scientific, analytic approach to life.

The study might explain why extreme perspectives on religion, politics and more are becoming more prevalent in society.

'It suggests that religious individuals may cling to certain beliefs, especially those which seem at odds with analytic reasoning, because those beliefs resonate with their moral sentiments,' said Jared Friedman, a PhD student at Case Western Reserve University.

The studies, based on more than 900 people, found some similarities between strongly religious and non-religious people.

In both groups the most dogmatic are less adept at analytical thinking, and also less likely to look at issues from other's perspectives.

209 participants identified as Christian, 153 as nonreligious, nine Jewish, five Buddhist, four Hindu, one Muslim and 24 another religion.

Each completed tests assessing dogmatism, empathetic concern and aspects of analytical reasoning.

The results showed religious participants as a whole had a higher level of dogmatism, empathetic concern and pro-social intentions, while the nonreligious performed better on the measure of analytic reasoning.

Decreasing empathy among the nonreligious corresponded to increasing dogmatism.
The sun could be much bigger than we think, Nasa scientists have claimed.

Researchers studying the shadows cast during a solar eclipse believe they have found evidence suggesting our star has a far larger radius than previously believed.

And this year's historic solar eclipse, which falls on August 21, could prove that we've been underestimating the size of the sun for almost 200 years, the researchers said.

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Researchers believe they have found evidence suggesting our star has a far larger radius than previously believed (pictured is a stock image of a solar eclipse)

IS THE SUN BIGGER THAN WE THINK? Researchers studying the shadows cast during a solar eclipse believe they have found evidence suggesting our star has a far larger radius than previously believed. Xavier Jubier, a researcher that creates detailed models of solar and lunar eclipses for Google Maps, said his observations suggest the sun is bigger than we think. As part of his work, he predicts where the shadow created by a solar eclipse will fall on Earth. He noticed that something was wrong with the sun's measurements while he was comparing his previous eclipse predictions with photos taken during historical solar eclipses. Mr Jubier was able to match the location of the photographs to that predicted by his models - but only if he scaled by the sun's radius by a few hundred kilometres. 'For me, something was wrong somewhere, but that's all I could say,' Mr Jubier told Space.com. Advertisement

In 1891, a German astronomer known as Arthur Auwers was the first to estimate the size of the sun.

Based on the star's photosphere, the body of the sun whose wavelengths are visible to the naked eye, he calculated that the sun had a radius of 432,470 miles (696,000km).

This benchmark figure was widely used until 2015, when the International Astronomical Union updated this figure to 432,280 miles (695,700km) based on data from solar-observing satellites.

But now a growing number of scientists have claimed that both of these estimates are too small.

Xavier Jubier, a researcher from Antony in France who creates detailed models of solar and lunar eclipses for Google Maps, said his observations suggest the sun is bigger than we think.

As part of his work, he predicts where the shadow created by a solar eclipse will fall on Earth.

He noticed that something was wrong with the sun's measurements while he was comparing his previous eclipse predictions with photos taken during historical solar eclipses.

Mr Jubier was able to match the location of the photographs to that predicted by his models - but only if he scaled by the sun's radius by a few hundred kilometres.

'For me, something was wrong somewhere, but that's all I could say,' Mr Jubier told Space.com.

And Ernie Wright, a researcher from Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, who also creates precise models of solar eclipses, found himself in a similar dilemma to Mr Jubier.

He too found that he could only make his models match reality if he increased the size of the sun in his calculations.

The sun could be much bigger than we think, Nasa scientists have claimed. Pictured is sun with active regions combined to look something like a jack-o-lanterns face

The researchers hope this year's upcoming eclipse, which will likely be the most-watched solar eclipse in history, will provide a chance for scientists to verify the size of the sun.

A group of scientists plan to study the eclipses' 'contact time', the time when the moon will cover the sun for a given location, to help them figure out the star's size.

Normally, researchers use the radius of the sun to predict the length of contact time during an eclipse - and it is believed that these calculations could be reversed to help scientists predict the size of the sun.

AUGUST 21ST'S HISTORIC SOLAR ECLIPSE The total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 will cross the continental United States beginning in Oregon and ending in South Carolina. While a total solar eclipse occurred over the continental US in 1979, the last time one such event spanned the country coast to coast was in 1918. In that event, the the path of totality entered through the southwest corner of Washington and passed over Denver, Colorado, Jackson, Mississippi, and Orlando, Florida before exiting the country at the Atlantic coast of Florida. This year, the path of totality will cross through 14 states, with the path of totality stretching from Lincoln Beach, Oregon, to Charleston, South Carolina. If you're not in the 70-mile-wide path of totality, don't fret; as the eclipse will be partially visible across all of North America, and even in parts of South America, Africa, and Europe, according to NASA. Advertisement

'If we can measure contact times accurately, everything else being the same, the only thing that can change is the solar radius,' Luca Quaglia, a physicist and eclipse researcher from the American Astronomical Society, told Space.com.

'We can actually compute the solar radius that way.'

The team plan to to use 'flash spectrum' photography, which uses a textured grating over a camera to split incoming wavelengths of light.

By doing this, they can easily determine the precise moment contact time is initiated during the eclipse, they said.

And by combining this information with accurate time stamps, they will be able to make an accurate prediction of the size of the sun, they claimed.

'The more observations we have the better even if they are not providing the kind of quality we expected to get,' Mr Jubier said.

'Time will tell what we can make of all this.'
The oldest complete section of wooden railway in the world has gone on display to the public for the first time following a three-year restoration project.

The rare 18th century waggonway, which was used by horse-drawn carts to transport coal without getting stuck in mud, was unearthed in 2013 and has been undergoing preservation treatment since.

Known as the Willington Waggonway, the railway was discovered underneath the former Neptune Shipyard in Newcastle during an archaeological dig.

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The oldest complete section of wooden railway (pictured) in the world has gone on display to the public for the first time following a three-year restoration project

Archaeologists quickly realised that the discovery was of international significance as it was the most complete and best-preserved section of early wooden railway to have been found anywhere in the world.

The waggonway is made up of a heavy duty 'main way' with two sets of rails laid on top of each other to preserve their longevity, with a loop from the main line descending into a dip.

That depression would have been filled with water where coal wagons' wooden rails were rested to stop them drying out and cracking.

The rare 18th century waggonway, which was used by horse-drawn carts to transport coal, was unearthed in 2013 and has been undergoing preservation treatment since

The rails on the Newcastle waggonway were made of wood, four or five inches thick and five or six inches broad. Pictured are the original beams

Some of the timbers are now being exhibited at the Stephenson Railway Museum, in Wallsend, North Tyneside

In the middle of the loop is a stone elevation where the horse pulling the waggon would have stood.

The railway was used to transport waggons of coal from pit to port in the 1700s.

Coal was first carried by pack-horse or ox cart, but this process was slow and largely inefficient as carts would get stuck on muddy roads.

The rails on the Newcastle waggonway were made of wood, four or five inches thick and five or six inches broad.

WHAT WAS THE WAGGONWAY USED FOR? A waggonway was a timber track used for transporting coal in the late 18th and early 19th centuries (pictured is an artist's illustration) A waggonway was a timber track used for transporting coal in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The waggonway is made up of a heavy duty 'main way' with two sets of rails laid on top of each other to preserve their longevity, with a loop from the main line descending into a dip. That depression would have been filled with water where coal wagons' wooden rails were rested to stop them drying out and cracking. In the middle of the loop is a stone elevation where the horse pulling the waggon would have stood. They were an ingenious solution to a problem facing coal barons in Northumberland and Durham - namely, how to efficiently get coal from pit-head to port. Coal was first carried by pack-horse or ox cart, but this process was slow and largely inefficient . The rails on the Newcastle waggonway were made of wood, four or five inches thick and five or six inches broad. The smooth and level surface of the tracks made it easier for the horses to carry loads of coal away from the pits. And where possible, the waggonway would slope gently downhill so that the wagons could roll under their own weight. The driver sitting on the back would control the brake while the horse trotted behind on a tether. After the contents were emptied, the horse would pull the empty cart back up the slope. Advertisement

The railway was discovered underneath the former Neptune Shipyard in Newcastle during an archaeological dig

The smooth and level surface of the tracks made it easier for the horses to carry loads of coal away from the pits.

And where possible, the waggonway would slope gently downhill so that the wagons could roll under their own weight.

In the late 18th century, hundreds of waggons ran from collieries to wharves on the Tyne, where coal would be loaded onto brigs for transport to London and abroad.

The Willington waggonway took in collieries at Willington Quay and Bigges Main on the edge of Wallsend, according to researchers.

In 1801, the Killingworth waggonway, for which the first locomotives were built, joined the Willington line.

The first locomotives were built by George Stephenson, the English civil engineer who is largely considered the 'father of railways'.

Stephenson and his son Robert built locomotives at their works in South Street in Newcastle to fit the Willington gauge, which was 4ft 8in wide (around 142cm).

This became the standard width for railways throughout Britain and much of the world, firmly linking the old waggonway to the development of modern railways.

Wooden waggonways were replaced by iron rails by 1825 when Stephenson argued that steam-powered trains could carry 50 times more coal.

Following the discovery of the railway, the timbers were sent to York Archaeological Trust for conservation treatment.

The majority of timbers have now completed the preservation process and have been taken to the Regional Museum Store at Beamish where they will be analysed and further research undertaken over the next few months.

The rail lines, believed to be constructed in 1785, were built to what became knew as the international 'standard' gauge

The majority of timbers have now completed the preservation process and have been taken to the Regional Museum Store at Beamish

WHY WAS THE WAGGONWAY REPLACED WITH METAL RAILS? After the industrial revolution it became common to cover wooden waggonways with a flat iron strip in order to extend their life and reduce friction. This also meant the rail could be renewed after it was worn. It then became possible to cover the cross pieces with sleepers or earth that protected them from wear from the horses' feet. After the industrial revolution it became common to cover wooden waggonways with a flat iron strip (pictured is an artist's illustration) The iron rail then caused more wear on the wooden wagon wheels so iron wheels were introduced in the 18th Century. On the tramway, horses could take two tons. However, the iron coating often buckled under the weight so rails made entirely of iron were then invented. In 1804 Richard Trevithick recorded the first use of self-propelled steam power on a railway near Merthyr Tydfil. However, it was initially more expensive than using horses and rails designed for smaller loads often broke under the additional weight. In 1812, the Middleton Railway successfully used twin cylinder steam locomotives. In 1921, a waggonway that would connect mines in West Durham, Darlington and the River Tees was proposed. But the 'Father of Railways' George Stephenson argued that horse waggonways were no longer good enough and said that steam-powered railway would carry 50 times as much coal - and he was right. Soon after the completion of the Stockton and Darlington railway in 1825 railways horse draw waggonways became obsolete as the cost of coal transport fell rapidly and spread across the country. Advertisement

Pictured is an illustration of the waggonway. The driver would steer while the horse trotted behind. After the contents were emptied, the horse would pull the cart back up the slope

The timbers are now being exhibited at the Stephenson Railway Museum, in Wallsend, North Tyneside, for the first time as part of the national Festival of Archeology - which is celebrated between 15-30 of July.

Ian Panter, head of conservation, York Archaeological Trust said: 'The conservation of the waggonway timbers has been a challenge, not because the wood was very decayed, but the opposite.

'Many of the timbers were very well preserved but with with pockets of more decay.

'This type of wood always represents a challenge but one which we relished getting to grips with.

'It is good to see something dating to the early stages of the industrial revolution being conserved, and this makes a refreshing change from the very ancient timbers that we're usually involved with.

Ian Panter, head of conservation, York Archaeological Trust said the 200-year-old timbers have are very well preserved but have pockets of decay

'Having personally been involved with the Lambton trackway, of similar date which was reburied, it is a step forward that something as important as the waggonway is being preserved for future generations.'

Dominique Bell, project co-ordinator of the Willington Waggonway Research Programme, said: 'It is wonderful to have the remains of the Willington Waggonway back in the North East and preserved for future generations.

'The Willington Waggonway is an incredibly important and rare find which is enhancing our understanding of the North East's industrial heritage and the development of the modern railways we use today all over the world.

'I'm very much looking forward to talking to visitors at Stephenson Railway Museum about the project.'
Humans aren't very good at recognizing upside down faces - but then again, neither are fish.

Researchers have discovered that the Japanese rice fish struggles to recognize inverted faces, just like humans.

But the fish don't struggle recognizing faces when they're orientated the right way up, suggesting that these fish developed a brain pathway for face recognition, just like humans have.

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Can you recongize who's face this is? Humans read the face as a whole, rather than look at parts of the face, which is why it's harder to recognize a face when it's upside-down

Humans don't struggle with identifying objects, such as a sofa, not matter what way up they are.

However, this is different for faces.

The right way up, Kim Kardashian is instantly recognizable

While it's easier to spot the difference between two faces that are similar if they're orientate the right way up, the same isn't true if they're upside down.

'This is because we have a specific brain area for processing faces, and when the face is upside down, we process the image through object processing pathways, and not the face-processing pathways any more,' Dr Mu-Yun Wang, a researcher at the University of Tokyo and the co-author of the study, told New Scientist.

Humans read the face as a whole, rather than look at parts of the face, which is why it's harder to recognize a face when it's upside-down.

Researchers used to think that this effect only occurred in mammals, but now it's also been observed in the Japanese rice fish - also called the medaka (Oryzias latipe).

HOW THEY DID THE EXPERIMENT To find out how medaka fish identify each others, Dr Wang and his co-author Dr Hideaki Takeuchi conducted an experiment where the first allowed a female to familiarize herself with a male, because females tend to mate faster with familiar males. Then, the researchers disguised the male in various ways. First, the used a near transparent film to mask either the face, body or tail to see if the female would still recognize the male. It was only when the male's face was covered that the female reacted in a way that suggested she didn't recognize the fish. To see how well medaka recognize upside-down faces, the researchers used a prism to invert the face of a male vertically (right) or horizontally (left), and tested how the female reacted in both cases The researchers also painted a pattern on a male medakas face or tail using a black marker, and the fish could still recognize each other. To see how well medaka recognize upside-down faces, the researchers used a prism to invert the face of a male vertically or horizontally, and tested how the female reacted in both cases. The fish couldn't recognize vertically inverted faces, but they could identify horizontally inverted faces and vertically inverted objects. Advertisement

Native to East Asia, the Japanese rice fish reaches about 3.2 centimeters in length and is commonly found in ponds, paddy fields and in the small flows of plain.

According to the researchers, previous research has shown that some fish species can distinguish between individuals.

The researchers also painted a pattern on a male medakas face or tail using a black marker, and the fish could still recognize each other

For example, female medaka fish prefer males they have seen before to strangers, but until known, researchers didn't know they could recognize individual faces, nor how they distinguish a specific male from many others.

To find out how medaka fish identify each others, Dr Wang and his co-author Dr Hideaki Takeuchi conducted an experiment where the first allowed a female to familiarize herself with a male, because females tend to mate faster with familiar males.

Then, the researchers disguised the male in various ways.

First, the used a near transparent film to mask either the face, body or tail to see if the female would still recognize the male.

It was only when the male's face was covered that the female reacted in a way that suggested she didn't recognize the fish.

The researchers also painted a pattern on a male medakas face or tail using a black marker, and the fish could still recognize each other.

Humans read the face as a whole, rather than look at parts of the face, which is why it's harder to recognize a face when it's upside-down. Researchers used to think that this effect only occurred in mammals, but now it's been observed in the Japanese rice fish (Oryzias latipe). Pictured is a photoshopped, vertically inverted Japanese rice fish facing another

To see how well medaka recognize upside-down faces, the researchers used a prism to invert the face of a male vertically or horizontally, and tested how the female reacted in both cases.

The fish couldn't recognize vertically inverted faces, but they could identify horizontally inverted faces and vertically inverted objects.

'It appears that in the process of evolving specialized face-recognition abilities to quickly and accurately extract important information, there has been a trade-off where face-like images in unexpected orientations become especially difficult to process,' Dr Michael Sheehan, a behavioral ecology researchers at Cornell University, told New Scientist.
SpaceXs massive Falcon Heavy rocket, projected to be the most powerful operational rocket in the world, is set to launch this November, according to Elon Musk.

The SpaceX CEO tweeted the new schedule Thursday night, following up on claims made this past June which first revealed the unmanned launch could happen in the next few months.

Falcon Heavy has seen numerous setbacks over the years, but recent progress now suggests it could finally be on track for its highly-anticipated debut.

Musk also shared a sneak peak at the setup underway at the Tesla factory in Fremont, California, ahead of the Model 3 handover party set to kick off tonight.

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SpaceXs massive Falcon Heavy rocket, projected to be the most powerful operational rocket in the world, is set to launch this November, according to Elon Musk. A concept photo is pictured

THE FALCON HEAVY Height: 70 meters (229.6 feet) Stages: 2 Boosters: 2 Cores: 3 Engines: 27 Payload to LEO: 63,800kg (140,660 lb) Payload to Mars: 16,800kg (37,040 lb) Total width: 12.2m (39.9 ft) Mass: 1,420,788kg (3,125,735 lb) Total thrust at lift-off: 22,819 kilonewtons (5.13 million pounds) Advertisement

Falcon Heavy maiden launch this November, Musk wrote on social media Thursday night, alongside a concept photo of the powerful three-core rocket.

The firm has teased the megarocket since 2011, and had originally planned to achieve its maiden flight in 2013, but faced several challenges that forced SpaceX to push back the date.

Falcon Heavy will combine three Falcon 9 nine-engine cores, to generate over 5 million pounds of thrust at liftoff  or, the equivalent of eighteen 747 aircraft.

While no one will be aboard its initial flights, the Falcon Heavy could one day bring private citizens to space in Musks radical Interplanetary Transport System.

And, the first passengers will need to be courageous, Musk warned at the International Space Station (ISS) Research & Development Conference in Washington last week.

He admitted that there is a 'good chance' that its unmanned maiden flight will end in disaster.

'There's a lot of risk associated with Falcon Heavy, real good chance that that vehicle does not make it to orbit,' he said.

'Major pucker factor, really, is like the only way to describe it.'

When the time does come to add passengers, he says theres 'no question, whoever's on the first flight, brave.'

Just hours after the tweet about his megarocket, Musk turned the attention back to Teslas much-awaited affordable car, the Model 3.

The SpaceX CEO tweeted the new schedule Thursday night, following up on claims made this past June which first revealed the launch could happen in the next few months

Musk also shared a sneak peak at the setup underway at the Tesla factory in Fremont, California, ahead of the Model 3 handover party set to kick off Friday night

The $35,000 electric sedan is set to make its debut at a handover party Friday night, when the first 30 customers  likely all Tesla employees  will receive their vehicles.

Setting up for Model 3 handover tomorrow night, Musk wrote on Thursday.

A video shared at the same time shows crew at work under bright red lights, beside a massive Tesla 3 backdrop.

The event is scheduled to begin Friday at 8:45 p.m. PT (11:45 ET).

The vehicles began production just this month, after passing key regulatory tests ahead of schedule.

TESLA'S MODEL 3 The first models of the 35,000 (27,000) electric vehicle begin production this week. The five-seat sedan will travel 215 miles (133 kilometres) on a single charge. It will be sporty, accelerating from zero to 60mph in under six seconds. The car has no traditional dashboard, but instead a computer monitor in the centre of the car which shows details about the car and its route. It will be controlled via a touchscreen and each side of the steering wheel will have a single scroll button. The California-based company aims to make 5,000 Model 3 sedans per week by the end of this year and 10,000 per week in 2018. The California-based company aims to make 5,000 Model 3 sedans per week by the end of this year and 10,000 per week in 2018 Advertisement

At the time, Musk estimated the firm could reach 20,000 Model 3 cars per month by December.

Last month, Elon Musk shared a glimpse at what goes on inside the Falcon Factory, where SpaceXs powerful rockets are born.

A stunning fly-through video shows different stages of work on the massive boosters, revealing a look at everything from the Merlin engines to what its like inside the cavity of an unfinished Falcon 9.

The footage came just days after Musk announced the aggressive timeline for the completion and launch of a Falcon Heavy rocket, and the steady hum of machinery can be heard as employees work to bring the firms space-faring visions to life.

The $35,000 electric sedan is set to make its debut at a handover party Friday night, when the first 30 customers  likely all Tesla employees  will receive their vehicles

The vehicles began productionjust this month, after passing key regulatory tests ahead of schedule

Musk shared the video on Instagram, writing, Flying through the Falcon Factory.

Components from several Falcon 9 rockets can be seen, with numerous first stage cylinders seen lying throughout the factory floor.

The video even shows employees working inside the massive structures, putting into perspective just how enormous they truly are.

At the beginning of June, Musk revealed on Twitter that SpaceX is now targeting two to three months for the arrival of all Falcon Heavy cores to Cape Canaveral.

And, he said the launch should come a month after that.

The firm boasts that the Falcon Heavy will be the worlds most powerful rocket when completed.

It will be equipped with three cores, making for a total of 27 Merlin engines to generate 5.13 million pounds of thrust at lift-off.

According to SpaceX, it will be able to carry more than 140,000 pounds of payload to low-Earth orbit, making it the most powerful operational rocket in the world by a factor of two.

SpaceX recently fired one of the three boosters that will form its 'megarocket', called Falcon Heavy.

The video reveals a look at everything from the Merlin engines to what its like inside the cavity of an unfinished Falcon 9

THE REUSABLE ROCKET RACE SpaceX made history in March when it achieved the first-ever reuse of an orbital-class booster, which CEO Elon Musk had deemed a huge revolution for spaceflight Reusable rockets would cut costs and waste in the space industry, which currently loses millions of dollars in jettisoned machinery after each launch. Russia, Japan and the European Space Agency are also developing similar technology and are in testing stages. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.com and owner of The Washington Post newspaper, said last month that Blue Origin expects to begin crewed test flights of the New Shepard, the company's flagship rocket, next year and begin flying paying passengers as early as 2018. The Indian space agency also hopes to develop its own frugal shuttle, as it seeks to cash in on a huge and lucrative demand from other countries to send up their satellites, after a successful test launch last month. Advertisement

The static fire test in McGregor, TX is a major step towards bringing the worlds most powerful rocket a step closer to its maiden launch.

Elon Musk took to Twitter to hail the success, saying 'Falcon Heavy is this times three. One way or another, launch is guaranteed to be exciting ...'

In a conference following the successful launch of a re-used Falcon 9 rocket in March, Musk revealed some of the difficulties theyd faced along the way.

At first it sounded easy. We'll just take two first stages and use them as strap-on boosters, Musk said.

'It was actually shockingly difficult to go from single core to a triple-core vehicle.'
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While most Americans will be happy with a ground-based view of next month's eclipse, for two NASA pilots, it will be an altogether more impressive display.

The space agency has revealed it will send two modified military jet bombers laden with sensors to chase the eclipse across the country.

Twin telescopes mounted on the noses of the planes will capture the clearest images of the Sun's outer atmosphere  the corona  to date and the first-ever thermal images of Mercury, revealing how temperature varies across the planet's surface.

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Twin telescopes mounted on the noses of the WB-57F research jets will capture the clearest images of the Sun's corona and the first-ever thermal images of Mercury (artists impression pictured)

VULCANOID HUNTING The total solar eclipse provides a rare opportunity for scientists to study the Sun, particularly its atmosphere. As the Moon completely covers the Sun and perfectly blocks its light during an eclipse, the typically faint corona is easily seen against the dark sky. The images of the corona will also allow the team to search for a hypothesized family of asteroids called vulcanoids. Its thought these objects orbit between the Sun and Mercury, and are leftover from the formation of the solar system. If discovered, vulcanoids could change what scientists understand about planet formation. Advertisement

For most viewers, the Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse will last less than two and half minutes, but for NASA's two teams, the eclipse will last over seven minutes as they chase the shadow of the moon.

Amir Caspi of the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and his team will use two of NASA's WB-57F research jets to chase the darkness across America on Aug. 21.

'These could well turn out to be the best ever observations of high frequency phenomena in the corona,' says Dan Seaton, co-investigator of the project and researcher at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado.

'Extending the observing time and going to very high altitude might allow us to see a few events or track waves that would be essentially invisible in just two minutes of observations from the ground.'

The total solar eclipse provides a rare opportunity for scientists to study the Sun, particularly its atmosphere.

As the Moon completely covers the Sun and perfectly blocks its light during an eclipse, the typically faint corona is easily seen against the dark sky.

NASA is funding 11 science projects across America for scientists to take advantage of the unique astronomical event to learn more about the Sun and its effects on Earth's upper atmosphere.

The corona is heated to millions of degrees, yet the lower atmospheric layers like the photosphere  the visible surface of the Sun  are only heated to a few thousand degrees.

Scientists aren't sure how this inversion happens.

One theory proposes that magnetic waves called Alfven waves steadily convey energy into the Sun's outer atmosphere, where it is then dissipated as heat.

Alternatively, micro explosions, termed nanoflares - too small and frequent to detect individually, but with a large collective effect - might release heat into the corona.

THE MARTIN B-57 CANBERRA A U.S. Air Force Martin B-57A Canberra in flight over Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Maryland (USA), in 1953. The Martin B-57 Canberra is an American-built, twinjet tactical bomber and reconnaissance aircraft that entered service with the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1953, and is a licensed version of the British English Electric developed by English Electric during the mid-to-late 1940s in response to a 1944 Air Ministry requirement for a successor to the wartime de Havilland Mosquito fast-bomber. The B-57 Canberra holds the distinction of being the first jet bomber in U.S. service to drop bombs during combat, and was used extensively during the Vietnam War in a bombing capacity. Several versions were produced, and served as high-altitude aerial reconnaissance platforms, and electronic warfare aircraft. The B-57 Canberra was also sold to export customers abroad, further combat use was seen by the Pakistani Air Force during the Second Kashmir War and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas is the home of the NASA WB-57 High Altitude Research Program. Three fully operational WB-57 aircraft are based near JSC at Ellington Field. The aircraft have been flying research missions since the early 1960's, and continue to be an asset to the scientific community with professional, reliable, customer-oriented service designed to meet all scientific objectives. Advertisement

Due to technological limitations, no one has yet directly seen nanoflares, but the high-resolution and high-speed images to be taken from the WB-57F jets might reveal their effects on the corona.

The high-definition pictures, captured 30 times per second, will be analyzed for wave motion in the corona to see if waves move towards or away from the surface of the Sun, and with what strengths and sizes.

'We see the evidence of nanoflare heating, but we don't know where they occur,' Caspi said. 'If they occur higher up in the corona, we might expect to see waves moving downwards, as the little explosions occur and collectively reconfigure the magnetic fields.'

NASA'S 50,000 FOOT ECLIPSE CHASING MISSION The two planes will observe the total eclipse for about three and a half minutes each as they fly over Missouri, Illinois and Tennessee The two planes, launching from Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston will observe the total eclipse for about three and a half minutes each as they fly over Missouri, Illinois and Tennessee. By flying high in the stratosphere, observations taken with onboard telescopes will avoid looking through the majority of Earth's atmosphere, greatly improving image quality. At the planes' cruising altitude of 50,000 feet, the sky is 20-30 times darker than as seen from the ground, and there is much less atmospheric turbulence, allowing fine structures and motions in the Sun's corona to be visible. Images of the Sun will primarily be captured at visible light wavelengths, specifically the green light given off by highly ionized iron, superheated by the corona. This light is best for showing the fine structures in the Sun's outer atmosphere. These images are complementary to space-based telescopes, like NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, which takes images primarily in ultraviolet light and does not have the capacity for the high-speed imagery that can be captured aboard the WB-57F. Advertisement

In this way, nanoflares may also be the missing link responsible for untangling the chaotic mess of magnetic field lines on the surface of the Sun, explaining why the corona has neat loops and smooth fans of magnetic fields.

The direction and nature of the waves observed will also help distinguish between competing models of coronal heating.

Observations of Mercury will also be taken a half-hour before and after totality, when the sky is still relatively dark. These images, taken in the infrared, will be the first attempt to map the variation of temperature across the surface of the planet.

Mercury rotates much slower than Earth  one Mercurial day is approximately 59 Earth days  so the night side cools to a few hundred degrees below zero while the dayside bakes at a toasty 800 F.

The images will show how quickly the surface cools, allowing scientists to know what the soil is made of and how dense it is.

These results will give scientists insight into how Mercury and other rocky planets may have formed.

The images of the corona will also allow the team to search for a hypothesized family of asteroids called vulcanoids.

Its thought these objects orbit between the Sun and Mercury, and are leftover from the formation of the solar system.

If discovered, vulcanoids could change what scientists understand about planet formation.

During the Aug. 21 eclipse, the moon will pass between the sun and Earth, blocking the face of the sun and leaving only its outer atmosphere, or corona, visible in the sky.

It is the first coast-to-coast total eclipse since 1918 - and NASA has created a pair of eclipse posters to celebrate the occasion.

To celebrate the upcoming eclipse, NASA has also created these retro posters to mark the occasion,. which can be downloaded for free online here

Weather permitting, astronomy enthusiasts can watch as the moon's 70-mile (113-km) wide shadow crosses the country, starting at 10:15 a.m. PDT (1715 GMT) around Lincoln Beach, Oregon, and ending at 2:49 p.m. EDT (1849 GMT) in McClellanville, South Carolina.

The space agency said viewers around the world will be provided a wealth of images captured before, during, and after the eclipse by 11 spacecraft, at least three NASA aircraft, more than 50 high-altitude balloons, and the astronauts aboard the International Space Station  each offering a unique vantage point for the celestial event.

NASA spacecraft capturing the event include: NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, which will turn toward Earth to track the shadow of the moon on our planet; a host of Earth-observing spacecraft, which can both observe the shadow of the moon and measure how it affects Earth's weather; and a fleet of solar observing spacecraft.

A HISTORIC ECLIPSE The total solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017 will cross the continental United States beginning in Oregon and ending in South Carolina. While a total solar eclipse occurred over the continental US in 1979, the last time one such event spanned the country coast to coast was in 1918. In that event, the the path of totality entered through the southwest corner of Washington and passed over Denver, Colorado, Jackson, Mississippi, and Orlando, Florida before exiting the country at the Atlantic coast of Florida. This year, the path of totality will cross through 14 states, with the path of totality stretching from Lincoln Beach, Oregon, to Charleston, South Carolina. Advertisement

In addition, NASA Television will air a multi-hour show, Eclipse Across America: Through the Eyes of NASA, with unprecedented live video of the celestial event, along with coverage of activities in parks, libraries, stadiums, festivals and museums across the nation, and on social media.

'Never before will a celestial event be viewed by so many and explored from so many vantage points  from space, from the air, and from the ground,' said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington.

'With our fellow agencies and a host of scientific organizations, NASA will continue to amplify one key message: Take time to experience the Aug. 21 eclipse, but experience it safely.'

Coast to coast, from Oregon to South Carolina, 14 states will  over a span of almost two hours  experience more than two minutes of darkness in the middle of the day.

When the moon completely blocks the sun, day will turn into night and make visible the otherwise hidden solar corona, the sun's atmosphere. Bright stars and planets also will become visible.

Using specialized solar viewing glasses or other equipment, all of North America will be able to view at least a partial eclipse lasting two to four hours.

Total solar eclipses occur somewhere on Earth every year or so, but most cast their shadow over oceans or remote land.

The last time a part of the contiguous U.S. saw a total eclipse was in 1979.

All of North America will experience a partial eclipse, though the difference between a full and partial eclipse is 'literally the difference between night and day,' said astronomer Rick Fienberg of the American Astronomical Society.

He noted that even a 99 percent eclipse will not reveal the sun's corona.

And during a total eclipse, the temperature drops and the horizon is ringed by the colors of sunset.

'The sky gets deep twilight blue and bright stars and planets come out,' Fienberg said.

'Animals and birds behave strangely, like it's the end of the day.'

More than 12 million Americans live in the path of the full eclipse, said astronomer Angela Speck, who heads the society's eclipse public outreach campaign.

The entire U.S. population, except for northern Maine, lives within 900 miles of the full eclipse's path.

Travel groups and many scientists will be heading to Oregon's northwest desert, which has the best odds of favorable weather for viewing, according to the website eclipsophile.com.

Experts caution that the only safe time to look at the sun without special eclipse glasses is during totality when the surface of the sun is completely blocked by the moon.

Earlier this month a new interactive tool aims to show hopefuls exactly where and when to best see the phenomenon, whether you're viewing it from home or traveling long distance to catch a glimpse.

The simulator from the Eclipse Megamovie 2017 project reveals the path of the sun on August 21, starting in the hours leading up to the total eclipse, to the point when the moon passes directly in front.

To use the tool, type in the name of your city and drag the circle on the timebar to watch how the sun moves across the sky over the course of the day. The simulator indicates what time the total eclipse will be visible, or the partial eclipse for those outside the path of totality

This image of the moon crossing in front of the sun was captured on Jan. 30, 2014, by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory observing an eclipse from its vantage point in space.

For locations within the path of totality, the simulator indicates what time the total eclipse will hit.

If you're not in the 70-mile-wide path of totality, don't fret; as the simulator shows, other locations across the US will still see a partial eclipse.

This is indicated on the timebar as well, and will be visible all across North America, and even in parts of South America, Africa, and Europe, according to NASA.

The total solar eclipse will pass from coast-to-coast through the continental US, for the first time in nearly a century.

The August 21 event will be visible to millions of people as it crosses through 14 states, with the path of totality stretching from Lincoln Beach, Oregon, to Charleston, South Carolina.

During this time, the sun will be completely blocked by the moon, leaving only the 'pearly white rays' of its elusive corona visible to the naked eye  but, even in areas set to experience the longest duration of totality, the sun will only be fully covered for less than three minutes.

Scientists have long been preparing for the August 2017 event, which will offer a rare glimpse at the sun's outer atmosphere, known as the corona.

This feature is invisible to the naked eye except during a total solar eclipse. To view it otherwise, scientists must use a telescope known as a coronagraph.
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They're built to be unsinkable.

But even the most robust ships in the world have been known to lose their battle against the mighty ocean when conditions get bad enough.

Fishing boats regularly face the wrath of the sea, as photos here display. One shows a Scottish vessel in the North Sea caught in mountainous 30ft waves, and another reveals a fishing boat in the Irish Sea that had to summon the Royal Navy after getting into trouble amid a storm.

Cruise ships occasionally find themselves in tumultuous situations too.

In 2010, an Antarctic cruise liner with 88 passengers and 77 crew members aboard sustained serious damage after being battered by brutal waves and 55 mph winds when it was north east of the South Shetland Islands on its way to Argentina.

These stomach-churning shots, rounded up from around the world and stretching from the 1920s onwards, capture the sheer power of the waters that cover more than 70 per cent of our planet.

Unforgiving seas: The New Zealand Defence Force's HMNZS Wellington encountered rough conditions in the Ross Sea, also en-route to Antarctica, during a three week deployment into the lower Southern Ocean

Nope: This French fishing vessel was floundering amid furious waves during a storm in the Irish Sea, with spray enveloping the entire vessel

Rescue: As a result of the storm, a Royal Navy crew had to rush to the aid of a fisherman who was injured during the tossing and turning

Hunting for cod: Elsewhere in the North Sea, this Harvester fishing boat was caught in mountainous 30ft waves in 2012, but it was just another day for the crew - men from Peterhead in Scotland, who've been at it for the last 400 years

Blockbuster-worthy: David Lyons' black and white image of this ferry leaving Newhaven harbour, East Sussex, in a violent storm won a prize in the 2013 Landscape Photographer Of The Year Awards

Sea sick: In 2010, this Antarctic cruise ship with 88 passengers and 77 crew members aboard sustained damage after being battered by brutal waves and 55 mph winds when it was north east of the South Shetland Islands on its way to Argentina

Crash: Drake Passage, the ocean corridor between Argentina and Antarctica, is infamous as being the roughest sea in the world, seen here crashing over the bow of a different ship

Washing machine: This dramatic photo captures exactly what it was like to be on board a ship being battered by strong waves as Storm Gertrude caused chaos across Britain in Febraury 2016

Ploughing on: A DFDS Ferry being smacked by waves as she arrived at the Port of Dover in Kent - the result of Storm Imogen in 2016

Lean in: This photo was taken in 1958 aboard the German cargo ship MS Sabine Howaldt, during a North Atlantic winter storm

Hard at work: In 1920, this moment was captured on board the Garthsnaid, with sailors frantically securing a section of the foresail which had come free from the gaskets in heavy weather on the way from Iquique, Chile, to Maputo Bay, Mozambique

Thrown around: Pictured (left) a boat searching for a ship in the rain close to the port of Houston, Texas, and (right) an unidentified ship gushing water amid tumultous conditions

On a mission: A lifeboat in action in Newhaven, East Sussex, which provides rescue services on the English Channel coast

Choppy: In New Zealand, the inter-island Kaitaki ferry hit heavy seas as it left Wellington harbour on its way to Picton in 2006, battling gale force winds and 40ft waves

Tragedy: The cargo ship Porvenir I seen during violent winds that caused strong swells off the coast of Chile in 2005. Three crew members could not be rescued after falling overboard

Thick fog: Inky blue waves chuck a fishing boat to its side in the North Sea on the Norwegian continental shelf as birds circle the skies

Wall of spray: Waves crash against the coal freighter Pasha Bulker close to Australia's Newcastle Port in 2007 during a storm that caused flooding and land slippages, and halted most rail deliveries from mines

Rocky ride: A supply boat seen leaving Aberdeen, Scotland, on a stormy day despite the frothy waves that lap the jetty

In 2012, the captain of the HMS Bounty, a replica of a 18th-century ship, sailed straight into the path of Hurricane Sandy. One member of the 16-person crew died after it sunk off North Carolina's Outer Banks
Ballast Point To Open Brewery, Restaurant & Rooftop Bar In Fulton Market District

By Stephen Gossett in Food on Jul 27, 2017 7:48PM



Ballast Point

Chicago's crowded beer scene will soon make room for a familiar name from the West Coast. San Diego-based Ballast Point announced on Thursday plans for a new multi-use facility Fulton Market.

Slated to open early in 2018, the 12,000-square-foot space will include a "research and development" brewery, taproom restaurant and rooftop bar, according to the company.

Drinkers can expect to see a handful of limited-edition, Chicago-only beers, plus Ballast Point's regular roster. The brewery is probably most well known for their IPA (not surprising from a California brewer), the flagship Sculpin IPAa 7 percent ABV, 70 IBU number that leans on the floral, fruity end of the IPA spectrum.

Ballast Point has six tasting rooms in California and a brewery and tasting room in Virginia. This will be their first move into the Midwest. The Tribune reports that the Chicago brewery will take root on Green Street in a former pork processing plantwhich is pretty much the cycle of Fulton Market these days.

Ballast Point started out in 1996 and ran as an independent brewer until beverage titan Constellation Brands, Inc. (Corona, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo, PacAfico,) acquired the brand in 2015 for a whopping $1 billion, looking to beef up the craft end of its portfolio. Constellation also has offices in downtown Chicago.

This post has been updated.
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If you've ever dreamed of happening upon a deserted island, the latest King Kong movie might make you think again.

Set on the mysterious Skull Island in the South Pacific, the new release - starring Tom Hiddleston and Samuel L. Jackson and now out on DVD - serves as a cautionary tale about navigating uncharted territories. But thankfully, in real life, remote islands tend not to be home to gigantic ape-like monsters.

In case the movie has given you a yearning to set sail and explore mysterious and exotic realms, MailOnline Travel reveals eight uninhabited islands you can visit. Some harbour luscious tropical vegetation and dreamy beaches, others are harsh and inhospitable - but there's something extraordinary about them all.

Jaco Island, East Timor

Sacred: Uninhabited Jaco Island is considered sacred by the Timorese - no one is even allowed to camp here

Considered sacred by the Timorese, because it marks the spot where the Banda Sea and the Timor Sea meet, no one lives on Jaco Island and no camping is allowed. However, local fishermen will give curious tourists a lift over for the day.

Visitors are drawn to the 4.2 square foot island, east of East Timor, for the white sand beaches and clean, clear waters that surround it, but also because it promises silence and solitude.

Jaco Island is a bird-watcher's dream with species including the streak-breasted honeyeater living in the tropical paradise.

Mu Ko Ang Thong, Thailand

Otherworldly: Mu Ko Ang Thong, Thailand, consists of 42 islands covering 63 square miles

This marine national park in the Gulf of Thailand consists of 42 islands covering 63 square miles.

The Unesco World Heritage Site is uninhabited, but a tourist favourite - with visitors arriving by boat to snorkel, swim and sunbathe in emerald-green lagoons. The more energetic explorer is likely to climb to the top of Koh Wua Ta Lap, which offers breathtaking panoramic views of the region.

Unlike many of the world's other uninhabited islands, visitors can camp here on an island so diminutive you can walk the perimeter in about 10 minutes. Needless to say, waking up at Mo Ko Ang Thong is a rare treat.

Local wildlife includes black tip reef sharks and rays.

Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Cocos Island in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Costa Rica is popular with treasure hunters, each convinced they will happen upon bounty left by pirates

Scuba divers travel days by boat to reach Cocos Island, 340 miles to the west of Costa Rica, in the Pacific Ocean.

The only human inhabitants are park rangers, who must grant permission to would-be visitors drawn not only by the diving opportunities but by the tropical environment that is home to waterfalls, birds and luscious vegetation.

It's not only the natural bounty that draws visitors to Cocos Island. Pirates are said to have buried gold and jewellery here - making it popular for treasure hunters.

Aldabra, Seychelles

Aldabra tortoises are huge and roam the atoll freely, searching for food and charming the tourists

This raised coral atoll is one of the most remote islands in the Indian Ocean and is almost untouched by humans.

It is, however, home to the largest giant tortoise population in the world: the animals roam freely across the island, digging for food and charming visitors.

Visitors must be given permission to travel to the 21-mile-long islands, which circle a lagoon and consist of limestone uplands, sand dunes and beaches based on the remains of a coral reef.



Tetepare Island, Solomon Islands

Tetepare Island in the South Pacific is so unspoilt that scientists are still discovering new species here

Tetepare Island is the largest uninhabited island on the South Pacific - covering 46 square miles.

It hasn't always been unoccupied: the original tribes of Tetepare abandoned their homes here around 150 years ago in a mass exodus, thought to be caused by a variety of issues including widespread disease and headhunting.

However, the island remains so unspoilt that scientists are still discovering new species in the rainforests, coral reefs and marine life that call Tetepare home.

Visitors are welcome to stay in solar-powered ecofriendly leafhouses - and all guided activities including turtle tagging and crocodile spotting, are free.

Rudolf Island, Russia

Rudolf Island is almost entirely glaciated and comprises the northernmost point of Russia

Discovered in 1874 on the Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition, Crown Prince Rudolf Island (to use its full name), is a bleak landscape that comprises the northernmost point of Russia and Europe.

Part of the Franz Josef Archipelago, Rudolf island is almost entirely glaciated.

Rudolf Island is inhabited only by Russian military personnel and is hardly an environment suitable for tourists - unless of course you are a seasoned explorer, because the island has served as a staging area for numerous polar expeditions.

St Kilda, Scotland

St Kilda, 40 miles west of the Outer Hebrides, is occupied by volunteers during the summer months, many of whom work towards restoring the islands' ancient cleitan - stone bothies - and other historical structures

Despite its isolation, St Kilda and the islands that comprise it, offer a rich history to visitors.

If you thought the Outer Hebrides was remote, consider that the archipelago of St Kilda is located 40 miles further west.

Despite its isolation, St Kilda and the islands that comprise it, offer a rich history to visitors. The earliest written records of island life date from the Late Middle Ages, although there is archaeological evidence that places humans here since prehistoric times.

The island is only inhabited by military personnel, although each summer groups of volunteers arrive to help conserve and restore some of the islands' unique buildings.

There are known to be 1,260 cleitan - small stone bothies for storage - in St Kilda, but many are in poor states of repair.

Antipodes Islands, New Zealand

The Antipodes Islands boast a variety of bird species, but the area is so protected there is no access to the general public without entry permits

Tour operators must seek entry permits for every would-be visitor on board their vessels

Around 460 miles south west of New Zealand, in sub-Antarctic waters, are the Antipodes Islands, which are so inhospitable there is no access to the general public.

Instead tour operators must seek entry permits for every would-be visitor on board their vessels.

The islands boast a variety of bird species - including erect-crested and rock hopper penguins. However, mice were introduced by humans to the islands in the middle of last century and bred quickly, compromising the existing native flora and fauna.

The Million Dollar Mouse project aims to eradicate the pests from the Antipodes to ensure the islands' indigenous species are to thrive.
She touched down in London earlier this year from Canada and cropped up as the arch-nemesis of Liv Bentley on Made In Chelsea.

But Mimi Bouchard has insisted the drama with Liv - that centered around hunky co-star Fredrik Ferrier - is all in the past, and that there's a whole new love triangle to contend with during this summer's MIC: Ibiza (which kicks off next week).

Speaking to MailOnline exclusively, Mimi, 21, said of the new episodes: 'I've only done two seasons but this is the best of the two.'

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'You get closer when you're on holiday!' Made In Chelsea's Mimi Bouchard sizzles on the sand in bikini-clad photoshoot... as she teases ANOTHER 'love triangle' on MIC: Ibiza

Referring to her rocky start in season 13, she mused: 'I think in the last season I came on strong, I came on with a bang. I'm the same again this time but less so.

'And there's a potential love interest. There's a kind of a love triangle.'

Mimi's remarks coincide with co-star and fellow newbie Harry Baron, who also mentioned the 'triangle' in a separate interview.

'Last year there was a lot of drama. But expect worse,' he promised. 'There's been a love triangle. It's been exciting but funny too.'

Fresh drama: Mimi has insisted the drama with Liv - that centered around hunky co-star Fredrik - is all in the past, and that there's a whole new love triangle to contend with during this summer's MIC: Ibiza

A tangled web: Rumour has it that Mimi will be indulging in a dalliance with Harry, who has a drink thrown in his face in the trailer after a furious argument with Emily Blackwell. Yet Mimi has been seen in the same trailer for the show flirting with Sam Thompson, who is on a break from his relationship with Tiff Watson

Lovers tiff: Mimi has cleared the air with Liv [C] but there are rumours of a love triangle with Harry [R] and Emily [L]

This would suggest Mimi will be indulging in a dalliance with Harry, who has a drink thrown in his face in the trailer after a furious argument with Emily Blackwell.

Yet Mimi has been seen in the same trailer for the show flirting with Sam Thompson, who is on a break from his relationship with Tiff Watson.

No stranger to love triangles, Mimi revealed that the situation between her and Liv is water under the bridge.

Off to a rocky start: Referring to her season 13 debut, she mused - 'I think in the last season I came on strong, I came on with a bang. I'm the same again this time but less so'

'Liv and I are fine now. Last season a lot happened, but that's all in the past now,' she said. 'We are like a big family but I have seen a new side to everyone. I mean, there's always a lot of drama within a family isn't there? There's always going to be one or two people you don't like.'

She also teased another connection, but insisted it wasn't a romantic one: 'I've been hanging out with Alex Mytton a lot. I guess you get closer when you all live together.'

Alex is supposedly seeing Kate Moss' half-sister Lottie, although rumour has it they have broken up, despite her nipping out to Ibiza to be with him and watch from the sidelines as he films.

It's complicated: Mimi's remarks coincide with co-star and fellow newbie Harry, who also mentioned the 'triangle' in a separate interview

Intense: In somewhat moodier shots, the Canadian can be seen in the darkness on the beach, after sundown, in a slinky, mesh, backless beach dress, which she teased one of her shoulders with sultrily

Could this be the aforementioned love triangle Mimi and Harry have referred to?

Mimi has also been posing up a storm for a new photoshoot, which she in fact shot during the start of the British heat wave, before her trip to Ibiza, on a beach in Cornwall no less.

Mimi posed kneeling in the sand in a pink and jade bikini, flaunting her taut stomach and gazing sultrily down the camera lens.

The MIC star let her dark blonde locks fall in waves around her shoulders as she posed in the sun, before swapping the two-piece for a single bathing suit, in similar pinks and blues.

Perky: The reality personality sported a sexy netted ensemble on the beach shoot

Pouty: Gazing sultrily down the camera lens, the MIC star let her dark blonde locks fall in waves around her shoulders as she posed

In somewhat moodier shots, the Canadian can be seen in the darkness on the beach, after sundown, in a slinky, mesh, backless beach dress, which she teased one of her shoulders with sultrily.

The perky reality personality also swapped the sexy netted ensemble for a clean cut white crop top, with a cut-off ruffled midriff and semi-sheer, lacy trousers.

Finishing off the look, Mimi wrapped an oversized denim jacket around her for the last shot.

Made In Chelsea: Ibiza starts on E4 on July 31.
Six-years ago, AFL star Jarrad McVeigh and his wife Clementine found out that their four-week-old baby Luella had died.

On Wednesday, Clementine, who is weeks away from giving birth for a third time, shared an emotional tribute to Luella on what would have been her 6th birthday.

'She is the constant reminder of how precious life is,' the 34-year-old wrote, alongside one of the few snaps the couple has of their firstborn.

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'She is the constant reminder of how precious life is': On Wednesday, Clementine McVeigh shared an emotional tribute to 'angel baby' Luella on what would have been her 6th birthday

'She changed our life forever': Six-years ago, AFL star Jarrad McVeigh and his wife Clementine found out that their 4-week-old baby Luella had died from heart complications

Continuing the sobering, heartfelt message, she stated: '"THEY SAY" Things happen for a reason.. Im not sure how I feel about that!'

'But what I do know is that when she came into our world she changed our life forever.'

For four-weeks, former Sydney Swans captain Jarrad and loving wife Clementine were blessed with Luella's presence, who was born with a serious heart condition.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Clementine added: 'by sharing out story I know it helps other people that are going through the same kind of loss.'

Sobering: Continuing her Instagram tribute, Clementine, 34, wrote: 'She made me the person I am today.. She taught me the true meaning of Love, compassion, gratitude and kindness'

'She made me the person I am today.. She taught me the true meaning of Love, compassion, gratitude and kindness,' her mother continued Wednesday.

'Not a day goes by when I don't feel her in my heart... The comfort I have is knowing I'm not the only one in this world going through heartache.'

The model reminded Instagram followers that her tribute wasn't for sympathy, but rather to show solidarity with all parents who have lost a child.

Solidarity: In solidarity with others who have experienced her pain, she added: 'Their hearts weren't strong enough to keep beating but they will for ever keep beating through our own hearts and spread love and kindness'

Clementine then added an extra message of support for babies lost due to heart-complications.

She wrote: 'Their hearts weren't strong enough to keep beating but they will for ever keep beating through our own hearts and spread love and kindness.'

'Luella Paloma 25.7.2011-24.8.2011 #myangel #myheart.'

Mother-to-be: The model is currently 31-weeks pregnant with the couple's third child

Respect: During a game against Geelong, two months after Luella's death, the entire Sydney Swans team wore black armbands to pay respects to their absent co-captain

During a game against Geelong, two months after Luella's death, the entire Sydney Swans team wore black armbands to pay respects to their absent co-captain.

Clementine fell pregnant again two months after Luella's death, and the couple's second daughter, Lolita-Luella McVeigh, was born on 8 July 2012.
Lisa Vanderpump says she's 'disappointed' that a dog rescuer she tried to help is now accusing her and husband Ken Todd of stiffing her out of a $32,000 deal.

The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star tells DailyMail.com that she and Ken had given Lizzie Scherer money last year to help cover rent and bills after her Saving Spot rescue in LA had got into financial difficulties.

'We gave her $40,000 out of the goodness of our hearts. We were going to merge with her,' Lisa explained.

Speaking out: Lisa Vanderpump tells DailyMail.com she and husband Ken Todd, pictured Wednesday in Beverly hIlls, gave Saving Spot rescue in LA $40,000 after claims the celebrity couple reneged on deal with the shelter

She confirmed that there was a memo of understanding between them but after doing due diligence, it became clear that they were not going to be able to do business together.

'When we found out she didnt have her 501 (c) 93) any more and hadnt filed tax returns, we didnt pursue,' Lisa, a high profile animal welfare activist, told DailyMail.com Wednesday.

Were disappointed shes making these false allegations. Weve put it in our lawyers hands.

Failed business deal: Dog rescuer Lizzie Scherer has claimed Lisa and Ken, right, stiffed her for $32,000 after walking away from an agreement to pay the rent and bills for her shelter

Not above board: In May 2016, Lisa says she helped out the rescue as she considered establishing a shelter but walked away from the deal after discovering Saving Spot had lost its 501 (c) (3) status and had not filed tax returns

Doing her own thing: The British reality star went on to establish, with husband Ken, The Vanderpump Dog Foundation which has, to date, adopted out 135 dogs

After the idea of merging with Saving Spot fell apart, Lisa and Ken established their own charitable rescue organization, The Vanderpump Dog Foundation. The nonprofit has to date adopted out 135 dogs.

Executive director of the foundation, John Sessa, told DailyMail.com that the allegations being made by Scherer are upsetting.

'Its been a very unpleasant experience for Ken and Lisa who were just trying to help her,' he said.

PageSix.com first reported Scherer's claims that the celebrity couple 'actively came after my rescue, and ruined me.'

'Unpleasant experience': Lisa and Ken have placed the matter of Scherer's 'false allegations' in their lawyer's hands and say Scherer has breached a confidentiality agreement she signed

Support system: The British couple, who've been married since 1982, showed their affection for each other in the midst of adversity

Scherer alleged to the New York Post's gossip site: '[Ken] was looking for a space to lease. We signed a [memo] saying that he would pay my rent for the next three years...and offer me an employment contract as part of that deal. He then didn't pay rent and said he'd pay one month's rent as long as I signed [a nondisclosure agreement] and let them out [of deal],' Scherer alleged.

An investigation by local LA TV news channel CBS2 in April revealed that Saving Spots tax-exempt status from the IRS was revoked in 2015 for failing to file tax returns. The state attorney generals office also suspended its nonprofit status for failing to file paperwork making it illegal for it to transact business in California.

Saving Spot charity head Ira DeWitt told PageSix.com that mistakes had been made and that the organization's nonprofit status has now been reinstated.

However, the rescue is still expected to close due to lack of finances, the report said.

Celebrity support: Ellen DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi hosted a fundraiser for Saving Spot in 2013; the following year Scherer was forced to apologize to the couple after falsely claiming they'd failed to show up to the 2014 fundraiser due to 'a big fight'

Back in 2013, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi headlined an annual fundraiser for Saving Spot and were among its celebrity supporters that also included Octavia Spencer, Aaron Sorkin and Allison Janney, as THR.com reported at the time.

However, Scherer was forced to issue an apology to the couple the following year after claiming they had failed to show up to the 2014 fundraiser, leaving attendees disappointed, because 'they'd had a big fight.'

As E! News reported, Scherer issued a statement saying she regretted making false statements, adding: 'Ellen and Portia have been very supportive of Saving Spot in the past. They never agreed to attend this year's benefit, and they were not absent due to an argument on their way to the event. The entire scenario was fabricated. There was no such fight, and Ellen and Portia never planned to attend the benefit.'

Meanwhile, The Vanderpump Dog Foundation offers adoptions, groomers, a cafe with doggy biscuits, and their own line of pooch products at their store-front shelter in West Hollywood.
Anthony LaPaglia confirmed his engagement to Alexandra Henkel in April but his brother Jonathan claimed he had no idea about the upcoming nuptials.

Speaking with Stav, Abby & Matt with Osher on the Hit 105 radio network, the Australian Survivor host cursed when asked about the impending nuptials.

'S**t is he getting married? Really? I have been on the island. I should pay a little more attention to social media,' he said.

No idea? Anthony LaPaglia confirmed his engagement to Alexandra Henkel in April but his brother Jonathan claims he had no idea about the upcoming nuptials

When told of the thirty-year age gap between Anthony, 58 and Alexandra, 28, Jonathan appeared shocked.

He went on: 'Shut the front door? She's thirty years younger? Bloody hell. I haven't seen him a while, he must be doing something right.'

Abby Coleman said the hosts were 'fifty-fifty' on whether or not the TV host was actually joking, but he didn't let up, insisting until the conclusion of the interview that he had no idea a wedding was coming up.

'Am I going to be a groomsman at his wedding? I didn't even know he was getting married,' Jonathan concluded.

In April, Anthony and Alexandra confirmed they are engaged to be married.

Speaking with Stav, Abby & Matt with Osher on the Hit 101.9 radio network, the Australian Survivor host cursed when asked about the impending nuptials: 'S**t is he getting married? Really? I have been on the island. I should pay a little more attention to social media,' he said

Alexandra couldn't contain her excitement as she flaunted her giant diamond sparkler at the YSL Beauty Club Takes Over Melbourne event.

Anthony called it quits with his wife-of-17-years Gia Carides in March 2015, and announced he was dating Alexandra three months later.

Anthony and Gia put their exclusive Brentwood family home on the market for $15 million after separating, and now share custody of 15-year-old daughter Bridget.

Older: When told of the thirty-year age gap between Anthony, 58 and Alexandra, 28, Jonathan appeared shocked. He went on: 'Shut the front door? She's thirty years younger? Bloody hell. I haven't seen him a while, he must be doing something right'

Last year, the television actor spoke to The Herald Sun about his split, saying: 'People say "It's failed"... My attitude is that it didn't.

'Twenty years is a long time for any relationship and so many positive and great things came out of it  my daughter being one of them.'
Details of BBC's new take on Bake Off, The Big Family Cooking Showdown, have been revealed, after it was announced in March that then hit baking show was moving to Channel 4.

It has been revealed that 16 families of various backgrounds will go head-to-head on the new programme, fronted by Zoe Ball and Nadiya Hussain, in a bid to find the best 'foodie family' in the UK throughout the 12 part series with eight weekly heats.

News of show comes after it was revealed in May that Zoe was forced to pull out of filming for the final of the show just days after the death of her boyfriend Billy Yates.

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The stars: Details of BBC's new take on Bake Off, The Big Family Cooking Showdown, have been revealed, after it was revealed in March the baking show was moving to Channel 4

The show also features Michelin-starred Georgio Locatelli and renowned cookery teacher Rosemary Shrager as judges grilling the families.

As Bake Off prepares to return in September, The Big Family Cooking Showdown will test the group in three rounds - with each task providing trying challenges for the various groups.

The first in the three sees two families challenged to feed four people in 75 minutes with a budget of 10, while round two means the groups will prepare a main course a dessert from their own homes - again in 90 minutes.

Finally the families are given 135 minutes to create a spectacular starter and main course in the impress the neighbours round.

Judging: The show also features Michelin-starred Georgio Locatelli and renowned cookery teacher Rosemary Shrager as judges grilling the families

The stars: As Bake Off prepares to return in September, The Big Family Cooking Showdown will test the group in three rounds - with each task providing trying challenges for the various groups

Zoe told The Mirror: 'Its time to celebrate passionate foodie families all over the country and this series will show us home cooking at its best.'

The Bournemouth based Bellamy family are led by 48-year-old mum Mojgan, who sought asylum from Iran to Britain in her teens. The glamorous wedding dress shop owner admits she 'always cooks in heels'. She is mother to the show's youngest contestants - Ocean, 19, and Faith, 15.

The Codougans originally come from St Vincent in the Caribbean and now moved to Northamptonshire. They plan to work from the recipes passed through the generations.

Essex's Hilliard family, includes mum Jeanne, 61 and daughter's Katie, 34, and Charlotte, 29. Katie was diagnosed with cancer aged 23, after which she became vegan when she began researching foods to help fight the disease.

Charlie, 32, and brother Archie, 23, are joining their sister-in-law Anna to compete for the Herberts. Anna's husband, the eldest sibling Tom, will not be participating but boasts a wildly successful career as one half of chefs The Fabulous Baker Brothers.

Trio: The Bournemouth based Bellamy family are led by 48-year-old mum Mojgan, who sought asylum from Iran to Britain in her teens. The glamorous wedding dress shop owner admits she 'always cooks in heels'. She is mother to the show's youngest contestants - Ocean, 19, and Faith, 15

The show will then be taken to Wiltshire, where the Massaccesi family will bring flavours from all over the glove with Irish mum Teresa and Italian dad Giordano, who met met in Bermuda, where their daughter Niamh was born, bringing some international flavour.

Gay couple Sam, 37, and David, 46, will join the latter's 17-year-old daughter Ellie in competing on the show. Their plush kitchen will undoubtedly catapult them into the forefront of the competition, as David said: 'Weve got three stoves, eleven ranges and probably every gadget and gizmo under the sun'.

The show's eldest contestant is Swedish grandmother Torun, 86, while the rest of the Marks family comprises of her daughter Jessica, 55, and Oskar - her 29-year-old grandson.

African family the Rignalls are led by mum Jassi, 65, who grew up in Zambia and Kenya and will compete alongside her niece Sunita, 38, and daughter Usha, 33.

The Marks clan: The show's eldest contestant is Swedish grandmother Torun, 86, while the rest of the Marks family comprises of her daughter Jessica, 55, and Oskar - her 29-year-old grandson

Mahmoud Ayoubis, hails from Syria before moving his family to Essex in Nineties. The patriarch is hoping to win with his Arabic recipes as he competes with daughters Mirna, 26, and Lydia, 21.

Zakila Karim, 48, uses Moroccan influences, while her 18-year-old niece Sumiya loves making Korean food. They will compete alongside Kakila's sister-in-law Rizwana.

The latest news about the show comes after it was revealed that grieving Zoe missed the last episode of the show after Yates was tragically found dead at his home in Putney earlier this year.

A source told The Sun: 'Everyone understands Zoe's predicament and there's real sympathy for her. But her absence in the final is a blow for the debut series.'

Here come the girls: Zakila Karim, 48, uses Moroccan influences, while her 18-year-old niece Sumiya loves making Korean food. They will compete alongside Kakila's sister-in-law Rizwana

The Big Family Cooking Showdown will go directly up against Channel 4's reincarnation of The Great British Bake Off when it hits TV screens in autumn on BBC Two.

Throwing baking to the wayside and opening the spectrum up much wider, the latest foodie series will pit families against one another, rather than individuals, and feature all types of cooking methods.

Locatelli, 53, and Shrager, 66, are taking over from Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry and decide which families will be whittled down through a series of challenges.

Earlier this year, a devastated Zoe took to social media to thank her fans for their 'kind messages' and continued support,re-tweeting a message from her management company.

Breaking her silence: It has been revealed that 16 families of various backgrounds will go head-to-head on the new programme, fronted by Zoe Ball and Nadiya Hussain, in a bid to find the best 'foodie family' in the UK throughout the 12 part series with eight weekly heats

The post read: 'On behalf of Zoe Ball, we would like to thank everyone for the kind messages and support during a very difficult time'

Mental health Awareness Week: The presenter also re-tweeted a message from food blogger Jack Monroe about mental health and suicide prevention

The post reads: 'On behalf of Zoe Ball, we would like to thank everyone for the kind messages and support during a very difficult time.'

Zoe was met with an influx of support from her followers, who urged her to stay strong. The presenter also re-tweeted a message from food blogger Jack Monroe about mental health and suicide prevention.

It read: 'You don't have to 'man up' - the biggest killer of men under 45 is suicide. The strongest thing to do is talk. #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek'.

It has been reported that Zoe's tragic boyfriend fell victim to a jailed accountant who left his clients with huge tax bills.

Billy is said to have hired Christopher Lunn, who was jailed for five years in 2016 and had stars such as Sadie Frost and Fiona Bruce among his clientele.

Lunn filled out inflated fees and expenses on tax returns in order to reduce taxable profits, but often left his customers with huge bills to front.

Tragic: Zoe revealed she was in a relationship with 40-year-old cameraman Billy Yates (pictured together in February) after she split from husband DJ Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, last September
A week ago, she spent a couple of nights partying up a storm in New York with Scott Disick.

But at an event Wednesday night in LA, teen actress Bella Thorne insisted she and the 34-year-old self-confessed 'sex addict' and ex of Kourtney Kardashian are just friends.

'We are,' the 19-year-old told UsWeekly. 'I think well be friends for a long time, honestly.'

Party girl: Teen actress Bella Thorne has insisted again that she and Kourtney Kardashian's hard-partying ex Scott Disick are 'just friends'

Bella and Scott were first spotted hanging out and partying together in Cannes in May.

She was just one of a string of beauties the reality star, who styles himself 'Lord', hit on while on his South Of France getaway.

In June, they held hands as they headed to Lane Del Rey's birthday party in Hollywood before going onto a private bash in Beverly Hills.

And on July 17 and 18, the pair reunited in the Big Apple, enjoying dinner out together and clubbing two nights running.

They like to hang out together: Bella, 19, pictured hand-in-hand with Scott, 34, in Hollywood in June, told UsWeekly that she thinks they will 'be friends for a long time'

Just friends: Bella, who has dated Gregg Sulkin and Tyler Posey, told Jenny McCarthy on her SiriusXM show this month that she and Scott had 'never' been together 'sexually'

He's a dad: Self-confessed 'sex addict' Scott shares three young children with his reality star ex Kourtney

Scott, who has had multiple stints in rehab, has three children with his ex Kourtney Kardashian; Mason, seven, Penelope, four, and Reign, two.

Bella told Jenny McCarthy earlier this month during an appearance on her SiriusXM show that she and Scott had 'never' been together 'sexually.'

The actress has previously dated actors Gregg Sulkin and Tyler Posey, and told UsWeekly she is now 'starting to date' someone new, but wouldn't reveal who that is.

Likes attention: Bell stepped out Wednesday in LA wearing a white lace bra that left little to the imagination. She added a white windbreaker, dark blue Daisy Dukes and red fishnets

She hit up the iGo.Live app launch Wednesday night wearing a white lace bra that left little to the imagination.

She added a white windbreaker, dark blue Daisy Dukes and red fishnets, completing her look with white ankle boots with the word 'fragile' written on them in red ink.

Bella wore a red beanie over her dyed pink hair and sported quirky white-framed shades.

Rock on! Bella threw up devil horns and stuck out her tongue before hopping into her ride

Out and about: Disick was spotted out in Beverly Hills on Thursday

'
Top Of The Lake: China Girl

Rating:

Inside The London Fire Brigade

Rating:

Actress Elisabeth Moss made the naive mistake, before the launch of her fantasy drama The Handmaids Tale earlier this year, of describing herself as a human being first, and a woman second.

Its not a feminist story, she said. Its a human story, because womens rights are human rights.

Uproar ensued. Moss was pilloried and vilified by angry feminists, which was ironic: in The Handmaids Tale, she plays a slave-woman who risks public execution if she speaks out of turn.

No such danger with her latest work, Top Of The Lake: China Girl (BBC2). No one has any rights in the bleakly surreal detective drama, and most characters have forgotten what it is to be human.

Elizabeth Moss, pictured, stars in Top of the Lake: China Girl (BBC2) as Detective Robin Griffin. Plagued by nightmares after a case which ended with her shooting her police boss, she goes home to Sydney and starts stalking the family that adopted her daughter 17 years ago, writes Christopher Stevens

Even Moss, as Detective Robin Griffin, is a mess. Plagued by nightmares after a case which ended with her shooting her police boss, she goes home to Sydney and starts stalking the family that adopted her daughter 17 years ago  a child born after she was raped.

TYRANT OF THE NIGHT Comic Adil Ray discovered on Who Do You Think You Are? (BBC1) that he was descended from an African king who liked to pluck out the eyes of his drummers. What would the Musicians Union say? Advertisement

She hasnt been back a week before she discovers a body washed up in a suitcase, a victim of people traffickers who run a sex ring.

If this is what modern Australia is really like, the sterile, fascist world of the Handmaids is a holiday camp. Nicole Kidman plays a feminist academic whose obnoxious teenage daughter despises her.

Nicole is magnificently shallow and conceited, but wins our sympathy as she flinches under verbal lashes from her selfish child.

Top Of The Lakes writer and director Jane Campion is never scared of colossal coincidences, so heres where your head might start to spin.

Nicoles teenage brat Mary (Alice Englert) is actually adopted  and her birth mother, of course, is Detective Robin. Kidman and Moss havent met yet, but when they do its bound to be explosive.

An East European druggie and failed academic called Alexander is the nastiest villain, so skin-crawlingly unpleasant youll want to take a shower every time he appears. Gwendoline Christie, the warrior giantess from Game Of Thrones, is Robins protegee.

The cast of Top of the Lake is excellent, writes Christopher Stevens, but the outstanding attraction is Elizabeth Moss, pictured, who has the ability to project her thoughts and emotions

Its unlikely, depressing, bitter and instantly addictive. The Beeb has uploaded all six episodes to iPlayer, and the temptation to spend the weekend binge-watching will overwhelm many viewers.

The cast is excellent, but the outstanding attraction is Moss, who has the ability to project her thoughts and emotions as if they were running across the screen in luminous captions. In the States, shes known as the Queen of Peak TV: this is why.

Raw emotion was on display, too, from men not accustomed to shows of sentiment, on Inside The London Fire Brigade (ITV). Officers who fought to rescue people trapped in the Grenfell Tower blaze last month choked up with tears, describing their haunting memories.

Inside The London Fire Brigade (ITV), pictured, is given 5 stars in Christopher Stevens review, filled with raw emotion from men perhaps not accustomed to showing sentiment

Officers who fought to rescue people trapped in the Grenfell Tower blaze last month choked up with tears during the show, pictured, describing their haunting memories of the tragedy and others like it

I could see faces at the window, said one. There were firefighters who were exhausted but wanted to get back inside there and rescue more. This documentary, the first of three, conveyed the heroism of the fire crews without exploiting their trauma or encroaching on the grief of the bereaved families.

It trod a careful balance  on the one side it risked being mawkish, on the other ghoulish, but it avoided both.

There was a reminder, too, that danger and tragedy are ever-present in a firemans life, as the brigade responded to the Croydon tram crash last year in which seven people died.

However highly we respected our firefighters already, this programme can only have increased our national sense of gratitude for their bravery.
Newsnight host Emily Maitlis has asked male colleagues to speak publicly in their support

The scandalous revelations about the BBCs gender pay gap are proof of what I, as a former agent to some of the best-known names in television, have known for years: that the Corporation has long been ruled by misogynists  men who, despite their politically correct musings on equality, still regard women as inferior broadcasters.

Thats why I was delighted to see some of the best women in the business taking action this week with a letter to the Director-General, Tony Hall, demanding parity with male broadcasters.

Newsnight host Emily Maitlis, a signatory to the letter, has gone further, asking male colleagues to speak publicly in their support.

Good for her. It was an outrageous humiliation for her to discover last week that, at 46 and a stalwart of BBC current affairs output, her salary of under 150,000 was considerably inferior to those of some of her less experienced and less capable peers.

But sexism is something she knows all about. I used to be her agent and at the start of her career I approached one of the main news and current affairs bosses at the BBC and told him about this fantastic talent, a young woman broadcaster who spoke five languages and who, I believed, could succeed anywhere on the network.

He told me shed never get a job in his department while he was in charge.

That turned out to be true  we had to wait for a regime change before Emily got her chance.

A letter has been written to the BBC's Director-General, Tony Hall, demanding parity with male broadcasters

That animosity was entirely because Emily was a woman, and not the right sort of woman. The BBC, you see, is very happy to hire female glamour and sex appeal, but its much harder for a woman to make her mark through sheer ability and professionalism.

Emily has revealed that a BBC manager once advised her to go on Strictly Come Dancing if she wanted her career to progress. I thought he was joking, she said.

He wasnt  he was advising her to follow in the nifty footsteps of Natasha Kaplinsky, an exemplar of the power of glamour and how it boosts your worth to the BBC.

When I negotiated Natashas deal to join BBC Breakfast, I knew she was being paid less than her male colleagues. But she was getting her big break, the job that would make her a household name. The big bucks would follow.

Not that presenters can be relied on to know where to find fame and fortune. When Natasha was invited to compete in the first series of Strictly, she turned it down. I pleaded with her to reconsider.

I am a serious journalist, she insisted. I told her that in my book, youre not a serious journalist until youve been shot in the backside in a war zone. She reconsidered... and won the first Strictly in 2004. After that, she had her choice of programmes.

When I negotiated Natashas Kaplinsky's deal to join BBC Breakfast, I knew she was being paid less than her male colleagues

The formidable Kate Adie said this week, for the BBC its now all about fame, glamour, publicity, celebrity

That, you see, is the kind of woman male BBC bosses prefer  not those professionals who simply play it straight, such as Maitlis, or Sarah Montague of the Today programme, or Jane Garvey of Womans Hour, but those who also embrace the more frivolous side of things.

As the formidable Kate Adie said this week, for the BBC its now all about fame, glamour, publicity, celebrity.

Of course, some women play into that stereotype. When Claudia Winkleman first came to me, she enjoyed a rapid rise due in part to her quirky personality and, I think, her industry background.

Her mother is Eve Pollard, a former Sunday newspaper editor, and one of her sisters is married to a minor royal. The BBC loves that aura of showbiz/media dazzle.

Within a couple of years, wed landed roles for her on half a dozen shows, so I was taken aback when she announced she was leaving my agency. I got the impression it was because shed attended two premieres that week and not one paparazzo had taken her photograph. Other girls were getting snapped  why wasnt she?

I explained that she was a respected presenter, not an airhead who needed to flash her curves on a red carpet.

Today she apparently conforms exactly to what females should, in the Beebs eyes, be, so no wonder she is its most highly paid woman.

When Claudia Winkleman first came to me, she enjoyed a rapid rise due in part to her quirky personality and, I think, her industry background

When the BBC suits are negotiating a stars contract, they will try any trick to save money. And thats understandable  its the licence-payers cash, after all. With a woman, they will play on her insecurities.

Over an expensive dinner at a London restaurant, I once told the then Programme Controller that he was treating my client, the late Jill Dando, shamefully.

That kind of tough talking is usual in pay negotiations, but Jill was sitting next to me. She shrank down in her seat and afterwards protested: Dont you think you went too far?

I didnt think Id gone half far enough. Jill was beloved by millions, yet the Beeb was stringing her along with half-promises of daytime shows that would never get made. I could find her a far better deal on a commercial channel.

But Jill was loyal and the BBC exploited that. She couldnt imagine defecting and she was penalised for it.

I once told the then Programme Controller that he was treating my client, the late Jill Dando, shamefully

She should have threatened to walk out. Goodness knows, I urged her to. There are certain stars the Beeb believes it must keep at any cost, and Jill was surely one of them.

Another is Nicky Campbell. In 2008, when the BBC was desperate to entice some of its biggest names  many of whom were reluctant  to broadcast from its new MediaCity in Salford Quays, I discovered they would pay almost any sum to secure Nickys services on the Radio 5 Live breakfast show.

I kept waiting for someone to call our bluff and say who else can give you such a prestigious radio show? but they never did.

So we took the money. As Liz Taylor said when she was offered a million dollars for a movie: Theyre fools to pay me so much... and Id be a bigger fool to turn it down.

The BBC has some male stars, though, whose pay is so inflated even Liz Taylor would feel embarrassed. What does Gary Lineker do thats worth nearly 2 million a year?

So now we all know what a duplicitous, hypocritical organisation the BBC really is, will things change? Despite Tony Halls promise to go further and faster on equal pay, I dont believe it will. For the Corporation to start paying all its female stars in line with their male counterparts would be impractically expensive  and I havent heard many of the men offering to take a pay cut.

What does Gary Lineker (pictured presenting Match Of The Day) do thats worth nearly 2million a year?

Some years ago, while negotiating a contract for the female half of a daytime news double act, I dropped a bombshell: my client was rejecting the deal, I said, because her male co-presenter had been offered twice as much. Jaws dropped. How could I make such an outrageous claim?

When I pointed out that I represented both presenters, the BBC department head rose to his feet in outrage. How dare you use that information? he shouted.

The truth is that many of us in the business have long known the dirty secret of the gender pay divide  though not Emily Maitliss agent, apparently. Last week he tweeted that it was madness she earned so much less than some of her colleagues.

Well, if he didnt know, then he should have.
Kelsey Grammer has been reeled in to make his London theatre debut in the premiere of American musical Big Fish

Kelsey Grammer, who starred in TV classics Cheers and Frasier, has been reeled in to make his London theatre debut in the premiere of American musical Big Fish.

I can carry a tune, Grammer said with a chuckle, adding how he started singing in his school choir. It proved advantageous for me for the future, said the star who went on to appear in the musicals La Cage Aux Folles and Finding Neverland in New York.

He agreed to do Big Fish after meeting director Nigel Harman at The Savoys American Bar. I said: What the hell  Ill give it a try.

The show is based on Daniel Wallaces 1998 novel and Tim Burtons 2003 film that starred Albert Finney and Ewan McGregor as the older and younger versions of Edward Bloom, a travelling salesman who knows how to spin a tall tale into a whopper.

Blooms son, Will, further embellishes his fathers exploits, having him grapple with a catfish as big as a man, extricate a child from the jaws of a monster dog and cut giants down to size. But essentially, the story is about a father and son who dont get to know each other until the former is on his deathbed in hospital.

Grammer told me he first heard about Big Fish from Hugh Jackman when they were on Broadway some years ago.

I thought at the time that would make a helluva musical. So when it resurfaced in my life, I said: Im doing that.

He told me hes committed to being ensconced in England for some time and will be bringing his British-born wife Kayte and their children here.

Ill be here a week or two without the family, then theyll be over. Kayte, of course, has an English life, though shes now an American citizen, the 62-year-old said.

The Juilliard-trained actor has long cherished the idea of treading the boards in London. There was talk of him doing a revamped Finding Neverland, but that show is a long way off.

In any event, hes giving his all to Big Fish, even though its probably costing him money. Hell be paid a basic Equity fee, around 550 a week (maybe a little more), though hell receive something per diem for his accommodation.

In the swim: Jamie Muscato (pictured) plays the younger Edward Bloom

On any given project, you never really know whats going to happen, he told me. Sometimes something can be great, sometimes it falls apart and sometimes its better than your expectations. Of Big Fish, he added: I think theres a great human story here.

On Broadway, Big Fish was an extravaganza, though Harmans production at The Other Palace  Andrew Lloyd Webbers venue for experimenting with musicals  will be more intimate and humble. Harman has worked with John August, who wrote the shows book, and Andrew Lippa (music/lyrics) on giving Big Fish a bit of a gutting. Our approach has been humanity, not special effects, Harman stressed.

He called Grammer a proper theatre animal who can command the stage. Jamie Muscato plays the younger Edward Bloom, with Matt Seadon-Young as Will.

Frances McNamee, Laura Baldwin, Forbes Masson, Landi Oshinowo, George Ure, Jonathan Stewart and Gemma McMeel are also in the company. The show initially runs at The Other Palace from November 1 to December 31. Priority tickets are on sale today, general sales from Monday (theotherpalace.co.uk, 020 7087 7900).

Fame is Frankie's flame

Frances Ruffelle (or Frankie to her friends) has this thing about Georgie Fame and Yeh, Yeh, his 1965 hit with the Blue Flames.

Ruffelle loves the song, she told me, because it was released in the year of her birth, and marks her own life story from heartbreak to empowerment.

She calls her cabaret show I Say Yeh-Yeh and will duet the number with Craig Bierko, the U.S. actor she calls her bloke, at the Pizza Express Live in Holborn, London, on September 3.

Frances Ruffelle (or Frankie to her friends) has this thing about Georgie Fame and Yeh, Yeh, his 1965 hit with the Blue Flames

Shell also perform the song Best Friend with Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, from Michael John LaChiusas The Wild Party, which they appeared in at the Other Palace.

She told me the I Say Yeh-Yeh show is bookended with tunes from Les Miserables and shell sing Lun Vers Lautre: It was the original song written for Eponine [the part Frances created], but it never made the British production. It was the first music played to me when I was the only member of the show who had been cast, and I have always loved it.

The set will also feature songs associated with chanteuse Edith Piaf.

Phil Davis will play Ebenezer Scrooge

Phil Davis, who has featured in two series of Poldark as well as ITVs Whitechapel, will play Scrooge in David Edgars adaptation of A Christmas Carol.

Rachel Kavanaugh will direct for the RSC and the show will run at Stratfords Royal Shakespeare Theatre from November 27.

Dickens himself will make an appearance in the shape of actor Nicholas Bishop. Gerard Carey takes the role of Bob Cratchit with Emma Pallant as Mrs Cratchit.

Ive lost track of the hundreds of TV dramas, plays and films Davis has made, but I always recall meeting him on the West London set of Franc Roddams 1979 film Quadrophenia, and, of course, all of those Mike Leigh movies.
A Premier Financier Of The Alt-Right Descends From A Chicago Textile Magnate

By Stephen Gossett in News on Jul 27, 2017 9:33PM



An alt-right supporter demonstrates in Saint Paul, Minnesota / Wikipedia

For some Chicagoans, the Regnery surname might ring a bellperhaps an alarm bell. The late William H. Regnery, Sr. built a fortune in the Chicago textile industry, but he made a more infamous mark as one of the founders of the America First Committee, the locally headquartered organization committed to keeping U.S. forces from fighting Nazi Germany (and whose name was notably echoed in one of President Donald Trump's slogans). Now seven decades later, Regnery's grandson, William H. Regnery II, has emerged as one of the chief financier's of the "alt-right" movement he helped foment.

The fact that Regnerywho advocates for a white-only "ethnostate"proffers racist views and has supports the growth of white nationalism isn't a revelation. Regnery founded the notoriously secretive Charles Martel Societynamed after a Frankish military leader who battled invading Muslims in Western Europewhich he dubbed the "home of Western Nationalism," according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. And he founded the white-supremacist think tank National Policy Institute in 2005.

The NPI's prominence of course skyrocketed last year alongside that of Richard Spencer, the fashy-sporting poster child of the alt-right. (Spencer and Regnery speak at least weekly, according to Mother Jones. "I dont think I would do a big thing without consulting him," Spencer told the magazine.) Regnery's press aversion runs completely opposite of Spencer's limelight-courting, but a recent Buzzfeed investigation shines a light on just how much financial influence Regnery, who has since relocated to Boca Raton from Illinois, hold: the old-money investor shelled out more than $550,000 to the alt-right groups between 2001 and 2015.

The figure underscores how, even as the alt-right heyday flourished in the anonymous, organic corners of Reddit and 8chan's /pol/ trolldom, there was a huge cash investment being poured into the ideology as well.

You can read Buzzfeed's profile, which amazingly includes on-the-record quotes from the publicity-shy Regnery here.
Social media makes it difficult to remain authentic, according to Keke Palmer.

And the actress believes the Kardashians should shoulder much of the blame.

Speaking to Yahoo Beauty, the Scream Queens star said the internet has become so judgmental that people will either beat trolls to the punch and put themselves down, or conform to the societal version of perfection so that nobody can criticize.

'You can be profitable for not being who you truly are': Keke Palmer has slammed Kylie Jenner for caving to societal pressure to 'make herself beautiful'

'In the sense of the Kardashians, its like Im going to show you so much perfect and be everything a woman should be or everything a man would like or love,' she said. 'And Im going to be exactly that so you cant bully me anymore.'

'Specifically in the situation with Kylie, where youve had a young girl people have seen on television since she was a kid and they literally told her she was so ugly  the ugly person in the family.

'She went and did apparently everything the world deems as beautiful. The even crazier part is that everybody loves her for it.'

The 23-year-old said young girls and boys of her generation are being shown that if you do everything that society wants you to be, not only will you be praised for it but you will make money for it.

 Slide me  Before and after: The 23-year-old said Kylie was told she was 'the ugly one', and so 'went and did apparently everything the world deems as beautiful' (Kylie in 2013, L, and 2015, R)

Counter: The said the Kardashian approach to countering criticism was to 'show you so much perfect and be everything a woman should be or everything a man would like or love' (Kylie in 2013, L, and 2017, R)

Extrene curves: Kylie has been accused of surgically enhancing her figure but denies it

'You can be profitable for not being who you truly are,' she added.

'Thats the thing we really have to be careful of and why Im so honest about everything Im going through  whether thats sadness, happiness, depression, anger, boredom, whatever it may be. We all go through it.'

Keke, who started her professional career at the age of ten with a role in Barbershop 2 playing Queen Latifah's niece, believes she has figured out the secret to her career longevity so far.

'I havent been lying to myself or pretending to be happy when I wasnt happy or sad when I wasnt sad,' she said.

Keke recently joined the cast of Berlin Station for its second season; she joined fellow newcomer Ashley Judd at the Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel to discuss the show on Tuesday.

New show: Keke recently joined the cast of Berlin Station for its second season; she joined fellow newcomer Ashley Judd at the Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel to discuss the show on Tuesday
Lisa Wilkinson described her cameo alongside Karl Stefanovic in Sharknado 5 as 'horrifically bad' but the franchise's star Tara Reid thinks the pair did a splendid job.

During Tara's appearance on the Today show on Friday, host Karl quipped: 'You know, Lisa and I were fortunate enough to be a part of Sharknado 5'.

The 41-year-old actress replied: 'I know, congratulations! You guys did a great job, bravo.'

Good work: Lisa Wilkinson described her cameo alongside Karl Stefanovic in Sharknado 5 as 'horrifically bad' but the franchise's star Tara Reid thinks the pair did a splendid job

Co-host Lisa Wilkinson then asked: 'How do you think we're cutting it as Hollywood stars so far, Tara?'

'I love it! You guys should keep coming back for Sharknado, you were great,' Tara insisted.

The hosts had previously shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the filming of their a cameo scene for the horror flick, in which they play newsreaders covering freak weather conditions.

'Well move over Robert Denero and Cate Blanchett,' said Karl, before unveiling the news of his Hollywood debut.

Keep at it! During Tara's appearance on the Today show on Friday, host Karl quipped: 'You know, Lisa and I were fortunate enough to be a part of Sharknado 5'

'You won't believe how horrifically bad we are,' laughed Lisa.

'It was only a matter of time before Hollywood came knocking,' she later added.

At one stage in the scene, Lisa broke into giggles as Karl pretended to spasm uncontrollably at the sight of the flying sharks.

Fun times: The hosts had previously shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the filming of their a cameo scene for the horror flick, in which they play newsreaders

Director Anthony C Ferrante also joked about Karl and Lisa's acting skills, telling the cameras: '(Karl and Lisa are) playing themselves, so if they can't play themselves I think we're going to be in very big trouble.'

Sharknado 5 will see the return of stars Ian Ziering and Tara Ried as they play shark-fighting married couple Fin Shepard and April Wexler.
Her pregnancy was only made public last week.

And now Mindy Kaling has made her first appearance since the big revelation, as she participated in the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The 38-year-old comedienne was on hand to discuss the final season of her show The Mindy Project.

Glowing! Mindy Kaling has made her first appearance since the big pregnancy revelation, as she participated in the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour in Los Angeles on Thursday

For the event, the expecting mother didn't seem to display any form of baby bump in her black knee-length number.

The dress, which featured an interesting swooping neckline, as well as sheer sleeves, did still flatter her curves.

Large metal rivets provided an interesting detail on the garment's border and around a hip pocket.

Some interesting black strappy heels completed her chic outfit.

Nothing yet: For the event, the expecting mother didn't seem to display any form of baby bump in her black knee-length number (picturd with Executive producer Matt Warburton)

Silky: Her raven tresses were parted on the left and thrown over her left shoulder

Accessories included earrings, a silver bracelet on her right wrist and a sizable rock on her ring finger, though she has refused to comment on its significance.

Her raven tresses were parted on the left and thrown over her left shoulder.

Subtle blush, a smoky eye and bright crimson lipstick ensured the actress was ready for her turn in front of the cameras.

Exquisite: Subtle blush, a smoky eye and bright crimson lipstick ensured the actress was ready for her turn in front of the cameras

Meanwhile, People has reported that Mindy is remaining tight-lipped when it comes to the identity of the father.

A source told the weekly: 'She is not telling anyone, not even close friends, who the father is.'

The insider adds that Mindy is not dating anyone at the moment, it remains a mystery but regardless the star seems to be delighted by the news.

The source added: 'She just started telling her friends she is pregnant.'
They recently returned from their romantic babymoon to Hawaii.

And on Friday, former Bachelor star Sam Wood, took to Instagram to show he was getting prepped to welcome his first child with Snezana Markoski .

Looking as if he was in training, the dad-to-be still ensured he was looking on top form, sporting his bulging biceps.

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On Friday, Sam Wood was seen training for his new arrival, posing with a Baby Bjorn

'#gettingready #ourhouseisturningpink,' he captioned the picture.

Looking excited, Sam was seen gripping onto a Baby Bjorn that was perfectly fitted on him.

Flexing his guns, the star wore a white singlet that matched the baby carrier.

Still looking good! Looking as if he was in training for his first child with Snezana Markoski, the first time dad still ensured he was looking good, sporting his bulging biceps

Before returning to reality, Sam and Snezana spent a week in Maui, Hawaii.

Sharing a series of loved up shots, the pair seemed to be enjoying their alone time before the baby's arrival.

Snezana is assumed to be seven months along with the new addition expected to arrive in October.

Bumping along: Snezana is assumed to be seven months along with the new addition expected to arrive in October

Not long now: The couple who first fell in love on the 2015 season of The Bachelor, announced they were expecting a daughter in May this year

The couple who first fell in love on the 2015 season of The Bachelor, announced they were expecting a daughter in May this year.

After getting engaged in December 2015, they had planned to have a European wedding mid-2017 however have since postponed the nuptials until after the baby is born.

Snezana is already mother to Eve, 12, from a previous relationship.
She's the American actress, who's been enjoying the single life for three years.

And Tara Reid says years in Hollywood has completely turned her off dating fellow actors, calling them 'crazy' and self-obsessed during an interview with The Kyle and Jackie O show on Friday.

The 41-year-old, whose career spans three decades, said even Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt doesn't appeal to her when asked if she would ever consider a romance with the newly-single actor.

No actors allowed! Tara Reid says years in Hollywood has completely turned her off dating fellow actors, calling them 'crazy' and self-obsessed during an interview with The Kyle and Jackie O show on Friday. The 41-year-old, whose career spans three decades, said even Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt doesn't appeal to her. The actress is pictured in Hollywood on July 17 2017)

'I think I'd have to leave Brad Pitt alone, enough kids, enough craziness,' she said.

'I don't like date actors 'cause they're crazy... most actors are... I think we're all a little crazy. You start out a little crazy to have the imagination of it but then the business has to make you crazy for sure.'

She added: 'When you're getting ready for a red carpet event and they're looking at themselves more than they're looking at you ... it's really hard to meet people, LA's kind of like a lonely unsocial town believe it or not.'

Candid: 'I don't like date actors 'cause they're crazy... most actors are... I think we're all a little crazy. You start out a little crazy to have the imagination of it but then the business has to make you crazy for sure'

The Sharknado 5 star, who was once engaged to Carson Daly, was most recently linked to reality star Dean May - with the pair appearing on Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars last year.

However, the couple were infamously kicked off the show after admitting they faked their relationship for cash.

'We're just friends. We're not having a relationship,' Dean said.

Showmance: The Sharknado 5 star, who was once engaged to Carson Daly, was most recently linked to reality star Dean May (pictured - with the pair appearing on Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars last year. The pair are pictured in West Hollywood on July 1, 2008

Never married: Prior to her showmance with Dean, the New Jersey-native was involved with Bulgarian financier Zachary Kehayov (pictured in 2011). Months after claiming they got married in a whirlwind elopement in Greece, the actress confirmed their 'wedding' was not actually legal

Split: She also dated Israeli musician Erez Eisen in 2013, although they split one year later

Tara shot back: 'I did it for you because you said, 'I just wanna make a little bit of money, and I wouldn't mind the fame.''

Prior to her showmance with Dean, the New Jersey-native was involved with Bulgarian financier Zachary Kehayov.

Months after claiming they got married in a whirlwind elopement in Greece, the actress confirmed their 'wedding' was not actually legal.

She also dated Israeli musician Erez Eisen in 2013, although they split one year later.
She decided to split with her Married At First Sight 'husband' earlier this month.

And Sharon Marsh has opened up about her unexpected breakup with Nick Furphy, the duo being the only surviving couple from the reality experiment.

The 32-year-old spoke with Whimn about leaving her hometown of Perth to be with Nick in Melbourne, only to return to the west coast single and 'a mess'.

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Tough: Married At First Sight star Sharon Marsh has opened up about her unexpected breakup with Nick Furphy

'It wasn't easy moving back to Perth, I shut down my business and rented out my house to move to Melbourne,' she explained.

'It's not like I could just move back to Perth and step back into the life that I left behind,' she continued. 'My life is a mess! But it's okay!'

The stunning blonde described how she 'nearly had a breakdown' making the decision to leave her beau, with whom she recently got matching tattoos.

'It was stressful because we care about each other so much and we wanted the happy ending so bad,' she detailed

'It was stressful because we care about each other so much and we wanted the happy ending so bad,' she detailed.

Sharon expressed to New Idea she felt a deep inkling something wasn't right in the relationship when she moved to Melbourne to be with Nick.

'I love Nick, but after moving to Melbourne eight weeks ago to be with him, I soon realised I'm not in love with him,' she revealed.

'I love Nick, but after moving to Melbourne eight weeks ago to be with him, I soon realised I'm not in love with him,' she revealed

'I told him I wanted to feel more,' she added.

Melbourne carpenter Nick, 30, was left heartbroken by Sharon's confession and said he was devastated when she told him.

'I started to shake and couldn't believe what I was hearing. I fell hard and fast and gave it my all,' he offered.
His comedy catchphrase is 'pretty good.'

But Larry David struggled to curb his enthusiasm as he declared he is 'very happy' to have discovered he is the long-lost cousin of socialist firebrand Bernie Sanders.

The politician rode a populist wave before being beaten off by Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination last year.

Feeling pretty good: Larry David declared he is 'very happy' to have discovered he is the cousin of socialist firebrand Bernie Sanders

Speaking at a TCA summer press tour event, he said: 'I was very happy about that. I thought there must have been some connection.'

Larry, 70, performed a number of well-received skits where he impersonated the Vermont senator on Saturday Night Live during his tilt to become president.

The Seinfeld creator made the discovery a long lost relative of Bernie Sanders while filming a forthcoming episode of Finding Your Roots.

He said that as he took part in recording the PBS show he learned he is a 'third cousin or something' of his fellow New Yorker.

Indeed they were even both born in the Brooklyn area of the Big Apple.

Family resemblance: Fans have long thought Larry and the politician look alike

So close: Bernie was ultimately beaten off by Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination last year

Larry has been compared to Bernie for years, and he ultimately turned it to his advantage by portraying the socialist in several skits during the 2015-2016 presidential election cycle on Saturday Night Live.

But the comedian, who is returning to screens in a new series of Curb Your Enthusiasm on HBO in October, is not the only prominent relative of the failed presidential candidate.

For his brother, who in an hilarious twist is also called Larry, is the health spokesman of the Green Party of England and Wales.

However he has not had anywhere near the electoral success of his sibling, as he garnered a woeful 1,363 votes when he stood as his party's candidate at the Witney by-election, just 3.54 per cent of the total vote.

He made his run for office following former Prime Minister David Cameron's resignation as an MP in September 2016.
Lauren Goodger has shared a seven-year-old throwback snap, with a caption stating she was 'not allowed out' at the time.

The 30-year-old former TOWIE star appeared to be hinting at her nine-year relationship with former fiance Mark Wright, who she has frequently blasted for being controlling while reminiscing about their romance - much to his chagrin.

In the image, Lauren looked incredibly youthful as she cosied up to a male pal, while she added a caption on the shot reading: 'back in the day when I wasn't aloud out but my mates had my back London days 23/24 whoop love to my London boys'. [sic]

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Way back when: Lauren Goodger has shared a seven-year-old throwback snap, with a caption stating she was 'not allowed out' at the time

Lauren dated Mark through her teenage years before starring in TOWIE in its 2010 inauguration, when they were in one of their many 'off' stages, with the first episode seeing her birthday ruined by Mark cosying up to flame Sam Faiers.

As time wore on, the couple's convoluted romance captivated viewers with Mark devastating Lauren on a number of occasions when he enjoyed flings with both Sam and Lucy Mecklenburgh - leading to constant rows within the group before the couple finally split in 2012.

In her 2013 autobiography, Secrets Of An Essex Girl, Lauren, who is now dating jailbird Joey Morrisson, lambasted Mark for being 'controlling' - leading to many fans suggesting she was talking about her ex in the comments.

Users penned: 'I read ur book i related to it been in a controlling relationship i recognised that you were in one as soon i saw u on telly even tho it took a while for others to see. U should be proud of urself xxx...

Happier days: The 30-year-old former TOWIE star appeared to be hinting at her nine-year relationship with former fiance Mark Wright, who she has frequently blasted for being controlling while reminiscing about their romance - much to his chagrin

'There's always one d**khead that feels the need to be nasty!! @laurenrosegoodger you look amazing and should be proud of yourself for finally getting rid of that p***k mark! Shame on him for treating you like s**t!'

Despite her supporters, some fans were not so forthcoming as one user wrote: 'Omg stop going on about ur old relationship it ended years ago embarrassing'.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Mark and Lauren for comment.

One memorable scene in TOWIE's second season, saw Lauren unleash a tangent on Mark after he hosted a summer pool party for their friends, in his days as a club promoter, yet he banned Lauren from the bash.

The ladies: Lauren dated Mark from her teenage years before starring in TOWIE in its 2010 inauguration, when they were in one of their many 'off' stages, with the first episode seeing her birthday ruined by Mark cosying up to Sam Faiers

Troubles: As time wore on, the couple's convoluted romance captivated viewers with Mark devastating Lauren on a number of occasions when he enjoyed flings with both Sam and Lucy Mecklenburgh (pictured) - leading to constant rows within the group before they finally split in 2012

He insisted Alan Sugar 'wouldn't let his wife in the boardroom', so Lauren was left at home while Mark's former flames Lucy and Sam partied at the bash, alongside Lauren's elder sister Nicola.

Breaking the rules of not attending, Lauren arrived much to Mark's anger before she launched a rant which he insisted was 'embarrassing him'.

She said: 'What am I doing? I'll tell you something I've been indoors by myself. everyone's here in relationships and I'm your fiance. Working!? My sister's been texting me saying he's with this girl and this girl in the pool.

'You're the biggest mug in the area. You've got the best girl and I'm so loyal and faithful to you, how dare you treat me like a piece of s**t. What have you done wrong? Are you satisfied with keeping me indoors all day? How do you feel? Do you think I'm not gonna get bored of you?'

Way back when: Breaking the rules of not attending, Lauren arrived much to Mark's anger before she launched a rant which he insisted was 'embarrassing him' (TOWIE cast in 2011)

Mark hit back saying: 'Once again this is why you don't come to my work, look what you've done? Look at all these people who won't come to my party anymore because of you. Look, listen to this. You've turned up here, doing exactly what (I thought).

'This is my business. You f**king walked in here making yourself look like an idiot in front of everyone even my mum. This is why you're not coming to my parties no more.'

Lauren hit back saying: 'I've been sitting in doors all day upset crying and you've been here partying with girls you've been with', before Mark said: 'You're the person I'm going to spend the rest of my life with you know that. I love you to bits. Whose bed am i getting into?'

Hard times: Lauren hit back saying: 'I've been sitting in doors all day upset crying and you've been here partying with girls you've been with', before Mark said: 'You're the person I'm going to spend the rest of my life with you know that. I love you to bits. Whose bed am i getting into?'

Shortly before shoving him in the pool, Lauren said: 'Oh it's such a good life. Being with Mark Wright sitting at home waiting for him. You don't realise how s**t it is. It's boring and s**t. You're the biggest mug. Now, shut your face!'

In 2015, Mark hit out at Lauren on Twitter for discussing their relationship when he was happily married to Michelle, who he married that year.

He penned: 'Endless mentions RE: me and us is embarrassing. I really thought after lawyers being involved and polite pleas to stop mentioning me she... would stop. Maybe not.

'It's hurtful to think one person needs to mention YOU every week to earn a living. Being married to another woman almost makes it unfair!!

Happy now: In 2015, Mark hit out at Lauren on Twitter for discussing their relationship when he was happily married to Michelle, who he married that year

'If you're reading this, please PLEASE respect my wife and STOP. Everyone has a past, get over it!! I really didn't want to have to do this but enough is enough. I wish you well but leave me, my life and my wife out it . I'm sure there is other ways to make money'.

In yet another blow, earlier this month, Lauren alleged she was ejected from Essex eatery Sheesh to 'make way' for her former fiance after which she claimed she was made to 'felt like a criminal' by 'two burly bouncers'.

Earlier in the month, Lauren unleashed a scathing Twitter tirade as she Mark continued to bash her former lover - who she has held accountable for getting her kicked out of the hotspot.

The reality sensation revealed in a defiant interview that she 'felt like a criminal' after 'two burly bouncers' told her it was 'best she leave as Mark was on his way.'

Following the incident, Sheesh released a statement reading: 'She was asked to leave because she never had a booking.

'She walked into the restaurant and sat on someones table she didnt know so she could talk to her two friends on the table opposite. We do not accept this behaviour at Sheesh. Mark Wright has never asked me to remove Lauren.'
She's the Bachelor bride-to-be who's just returned home from a European summer vacation.

And on Friday, Anna Heinrich, 30, showed she wasn't ready to ditch the warm-weather attire just yet.

Flashing glimpses of her engagement ring, she cut a stylish figure in a tight pink frock in attendance at David Jones' Spring-Summer 2017 cocktail brunch in Sydney.

Pink perfection! On Friday, Anna Heinrich flashed her engagement ring and cut a stylish figure in a tight pink frock at David Jones' Spring-Summer 2017 cocktail brunch in Sydney

Anna's enviable frame was accentuated by the tight By Johnny dress, which featured a ruffled statement sleeve.

The blonde beauty was seen looking elegant as she posed for cameras on the top level of the retail giant's Elizabeth Street store.

She wore nude, open-toed Tony Bianco stiletto heels, adding even more class to the ensemble with gold hoop earrings and a bold, yet simple makeup palette.

The diamond sparkler, given to her by The Bachelor season one fiance Tim Robards, was on full display.

Making a statement! The Bachelor star's enviable frame was accentuated by the tight By Johnny dress, with a ruffled statement sleeve, and stylish Tony Bianco heels

On Instagram, Anna shared a black-and-white picture of her outfit, writing in the caption: 'A beautiful and delicious morning... Dressing like it's summer.'

The classy event featured a cocktail brunch spread, and was thrown to celebrate the new stable of international brands to feature in David Jones' new season.

Personal trainer Tim didn't make it out to the event, but had recently enjoyed a loved-up European getaway with his bride-to-be.

All class! She added even more class to the ensemble with gold hoop earrings and a bold, yet simple makeup palette

A delight! The classy event featured a cocktail brunch spread, and was thrown to celebrate the new stable of international brands to feature in David Jones' new season

On their holiday, the couple enjoyed time in the Greek Islands, as well as France and Italy.

Anna frequently took to Instagram to flaunt her ample assets in stunning swimwear throughout their trip.

The couple announced their engagement at the end of May, having first met on The Bachelor Australia in 2013.
Mild winter weather at the premiere of Velvet on Thursday saw celebs stripping down.

Real Housewives Of Sydney star Krissy Marsh, 45, put on a busty display as she flaunted extreme cleavage in an off-the-shoulder gown.

She co-stars, and the likes of The Morning Show's Kylie Gillies to celebrate the Cabaret show's opening at the Roslyn Packer Theatre in Walsh Bay.

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Busting out! Real Housewives Of Sydney's Krissy Marsh put on a busty display alongside cast-mates at the star-studded premiere of musical Velvet in Sydney on Thursday

Bubbly! The 45-year-old She livened-up the red carpet with a bubbly energy, seen flaunting her slender frame in a side profile

Double Bay socialite Krissy dialed back the clock, as her ample cleavage spilled out of a white full-length gown.

She livened-up the red carpet with a bubbly energy, seen flaunting her slender frame in a side profile.

Thanks to her nude stiletto heels, she towered over her Real Housewives co-stars Melissa Tkautz, Victoria Rees and Athena X Levendi.

Athena looked like a veritable Yin to Krissy's Yang, putting on a similarly busty display, but in an all-black ensemble.

On high ground! Thanks to her nude stiletto heels, she towered over her Real Housewives co-stars Melissa Tkautz and Victoria Rees

Yin-Yang! Fellow castmate Athena X Levendi was also in attendance, looking like the Yin to Krissy's Yang, putting on a similarly busty display, but in an all-black ensemble

Foxy! Co-star Victoria was seen with a controversial fox fur around her neck, paired with a black pantsuit and ruffled green top

Feeling blue! Melissa went the much-more traditional route in a tight, midi length navy gown, posing for a group shot with her cast mates

She competed for attention with her strapless top, completing her raunchy look with silky blazer draped over her shoulders, and a stylish Chanel bag.

Co-star Victoria was seen with a controversial fox fur around her neck, paired with a black pantsuit and ruffled green top.

Melissa went the much-more traditional route in a tight, midi length navy gown, posing for a group shot with her cast mates.

Winter warmers! Morning Show star Kylie Gillies kept warm in an elegant green turtleneck and high-waisted black pants, seen posing confidently on the red carpet

Support network! Songstress Deni Hines showed-up to support her mother Marcia, who is part of Velvet's cast

Morning Show star Kylie Gillies kept warm in an elegant green turtleneck and high-waisted black pants, seen posing confidently on the red carpet.

Songstress Deni Hines showed-up to support her mother Marcia, who is part of Velvet's cast.

She wore a pinstripe button-down top, styling her hair in lavish braids as she cuddled-up to financier husband Daniel Moses.
Trump Rips Chicago (Again) In Latest Spin On Magic Cop Who Can Fix Crime In 'Days' [Updated]

By Stephen Gossett in News on Jul 28, 2017 8:40PM



Getty Images / Photo: Chip Somodevilla

For the second time in four days, President Donald Trump has pitched his go-to Chicago-jab rhetorical question to a large audience. "What the hell is going on in Chicago?" Trump asked at a speech to law enforcement in Long Island on Friday. He also put a new spin on his old solve-Chicago's-crime-in-a-week tale.

Trump was in the New York suburb to deliver a fever-pitched speech about law and order and immigration that railed against the MS-13, an LA-based gang with connections to El Salvador and Honduras.

"Maybe I should send you guys to Chicago," Trump added to the officers at Suffolk County Community College, according to a tweet from Toronto Star reporter Daniel Dale.

Trump to cops on Long Island: What the hell is going on in Chicago? Maybe I should send you guys to Chicago.  Daniel Dale (@ddale8) July 28, 2017



Trump then apparently revisited his fuzzy anecdote from last year about an unnamed Chicago police official that, according to the president, told him violence could be stopped in one weekalthough that timeline was shortened to just "a few days" in Friday's re-telling, according to Dale's tweets. Then-candidate Trump in August told Bill O'Reilly that he had met with "very top police" and that unspecified "tough police tactics" were the key.

Trump is telling a story about how an unnamed Chicago guy told him their crime problem could be solved in "a couple days."  Daniel Dale (@ddale8) July 28, 2017 A year ago, Trump said the Chicago guy told him he could solve the crime problem in "one week." In today's version, it was "a couple days."  Daniel Dale (@ddale8) July 28, 2017

Trump said the mystery man"a rough cookie"-was an officer in a motorcycle detail, according to a transcript:



"But this one guy was impressive. He was a rough cookie and really respected guy. I could see he was respected. And he said, All right, come on, get over here. Get over here. Hes got to get to work. Get over here. And I said, So let me tell  youre from Chicago? Yes, sir. I said, What the hell is going on? And he said, Its a problem; it can be straightened out. I said, How long would it take you to straighten out this problem? He said, If you gave me the authority, a couple of days. (Laughter.) I really mean it. I said, You really think so? He said, A couple of days. We know all the bad ones. We know them all. And he said, the officers  you guys, you know all the bad ones in your area. You know them by their names. He said, We know them all. A couple of days.

Trump said he got the officer's card and delivered it to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and "never heard" back. (Mayoral spokesman Adam Collins told the Tribune no such exchange ever happened.)

Trump has wondered aloud about what the hell is going on here on several occasions. We got the presidential dump last Tuesday, when Trump asked the question at a campaign-style event in Youngstown, Ohio. "Better tell that mayor to get tough because it's not working what they're doing," he added. (Rahm's retort: "It's not about being tough; it's about being smart and strategic.") Before that, Trump flogged his favorite diss question at a rally on June 21, again according to Dale, resident scrivener of executive Chicago bashings.

The president: "What the hell is going on in Chicago?"  Daniel Dale (@ddale8) June 22, 2017



Assorted digs at Chicago from president and the Trump White House extend far back from there.

You can find detailed coverage of the speech here. "We will find you, we will arrest you, we will jail you and we will deport you," he said, referring to undocumented immigrants, according to the Washington Post. He seemed to call for rougher handling of suspects by police, conjuring up memories of the late Freddie Gray, according to the AP.

This post has been updated.
She's always been close to her mother.

And Lily Collins, 28, continued to deepen that bond when she took her mother with her to shop for some furniture in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The To The Bone star recently returned to her hometown after a trip to New York City where she was promoting her new film The Last Tycoon.

Close! Lily Collins, 28, got in a little mother-daughter time when she took her mom with her to shop for some furniture in Los Angeles on Thursday

The gorgeous brunette dressed casually in roomy high rise jeans and a light burnt orange tank top.

She wore her dark hair, which has grown quite a bit since she last cut it off, in a straight style around her shoulders.

The daughter of Phil Collins had a large shoulder bag with her that perfectly coordinated her outfit.

She opted for big sunglasses and appeared to wear little makeup on her pretty complexion.

Casual day: The gorgeous brunette dressed casually in roomy high rise jeans and a light burnt orange tank top

The Snow White actress finished off her look with gladiator-inspired sandals and a large gold bracelet.

Lily's mother Jill Tavelman, an American socialite, also appeared casual for the outing, wearing black jeans and a baggy striped black and grey T-shirt.

He blonde hair was wore in its natural curl around her head.

She wore sunglasses similar to her daughter and opted for long silver necklaces to dress it up.

Growing it out: She wore her dark hair, which has grown quite a bit since she last cut it off, in a straight style around her shoulders

The star, who dropped 20 pounds to star in the Netflix film To The Bone, has been open about her own struggle with anorexia as a result of her parent's divorce.

She believes her own battle began due to stress at school and the emotional turmoil when her father divorced Lily's stepmother, his third wife Orianne, in 2008.

'There was a terrible disconnect that grew between us,' she later explained. 'Many of my deepest insecurities stem from my issues with my dad.'

The daughter of Phil Collins had a large shoulder bag with her that perfectly coordinated her outfit

Same style: Lily's mother Jill Tavelman, an American socialite, also appeared casual for the outing, wearing black jeans and a baggy striped black and grey T-shirt

It brought back memories of Collins' bitter break-up with Lily's mother, his American second wife Jill Tavelman, in 1996, when Lily was seven years old.

Jill was awarded a 17 million settlement and three years later, in 1999, Phil married Swiss-born Orianne Cevey.

Lily, who went to school in Los Angeles, lived with Jill after the divorce and her relationship with her father remained strained. When she heard that his marriage to Orianne was also in trouble, she became anorexic and bulimic.

She gorged on junk food, then forced herself to throw up, causing her hair to fall out and her nails to become brittle.

Tough project: The star, who dropped 20 pounds to star in the Netflix film To The Bone, has been open about her own struggle with anorexia as a result of her parent's divorce

Although she had to lose weight to film To The Bone, the actress looks like she has gained it back and appears healthy and happy

'My throat burned and my oesophagus ached,' she has explained. 'My periods stopped for two years and my life was out of control. I was terrified I had ruined my chances of ever having kids.'

She seems to have won the battle with her eating disorder, although she is still thin having lost the weight for her Netflix film.

Her mother Jill didn't wanted Lily to accept the role in the first place, afraid that it would trigger her eating disorder again.

Lily stars as a woman who struggles with an eating disorder before getting help

The film stirred up a lot of controversy, with some accusing it of playing into stereotypes and glamorizing the disease

Concerned: Her mother Jill didn't wanted Lily to accept the role in the first place, afraid that it would trigger her eating disorder again

The first time her mother saw the film, Lily says, 'she was a bit in shock. The second time I looked over at the end and she was sobbing  it really hit her hard.

'I never wanted her to feel responsible; she's like my best friend. When she saw the movie, I think she recognised so much of me in Ellen.'

She is anxious to emphasis that nobody put any pressure on her to lose weight for the film.
The Sandlot star Mike Vitar was sued Thursday by a man beaten and choked during a 2015 Halloween attack as new video of the assault was released.

The 38-year-old actor turned firefighter was sued in Los Angeles County Superior Court along with four others for the near-fatal assault of Samuel Chang.

Vitar in January pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge in a plea deal.

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New video: The Sandlot star Mike Vitar was shown in new video participating in a 2015 Halloween attack of a man who sued him Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court

The civil lawsuit accused Vitar, fellow city firefighter Eric Carpenter and three others of assault, battery and false imprisonment.

The lawsuit stated that Chang, 24, was visiting his grandmother in the Chatsworth area before the incident occurred.

After handing out candy at her home, Chang was wandering around the neighborhood passing out treats.

Cult classic: Vitar is shown as Benny 'The Jet' Rodriguez in a 1993 still from The Sandlot

Not breathing; Vitar applied CPR once it became clear that Chang was not breathing

Chang passed a house where Carpenter was hosting a Halloween party and the defendants ordered him to stop passing out candy and leave the area, the lawsuit said.

Carpenter, who was wearing a He-Man costume, along with Vitar and others chased Chang down the street, according to the complaint.

Vitar could be seen in a video telling Chang to go away.

Halloween costumes: Eric Carpenter was dressed in a He-Man costume during the incident

Chang was tackled, beaten and choked as part of the incident was recorded by the wife of one of the defendants.

The law firm of Taylor & Ring representing Chang released six videos showing Chang being confronted, chased and choked out by Carpenter and later being treated by paramedics.

'Not a good idea, Eric. Not a good idea,' someone could be heard telling Carpenter during the assault.

Go away: Vitar was seen in a video telling Samuel Chang to leave the neighborhood

Vitar, who played Benny 'The Jet' Rodriguez in The Sandlot, also was shown holding Chang down.

The videos showed Carpenter applying a chokehold for several minutes until Chang passed out.

Vitar was seen in a video asking for emergency care equipment and starting CPR once it became clear that Chang wasn't breathing.

Choked out: Carpenter was seen in video applying a chokehold against Chang as Vitar and others held him down

Chang 'went into cardiac arrest, stopped breathing, and no longer had a pulse,' according to the lawsuit.

He was hospitalized for two weeks in intensive care with a traumatic brain injury and kidney failure, the complaint said.

'Its a miracle I didn't file a wrongful death case today. This is one of the most horrific events I have seen in my long career representing victims,' said Chang's attorney David Ring in a statement.

City firefighter: The actor turned firefighter is shown in a Facebook posting

Carpenter was given a plea deal by prosectors to a misdemeanor charge with no jail time and was suspended for six months without pay from the fire department.

Vitar also took a plea deal to a misdemeanor assault charge and was suspended for six months, too.

Carpenter and Vitar could have lost their jobs if convicted of felonies.

Ring alleged that Carpenter received preferential treatment from the Los Angeles County distric attorney's office, but his attorney denies it, according to an article Thursday by the Los Angeles Times.

Coming of age: Patrick Renna, Grant Gelt, Chauncey Leopardi, Vitar, Victor Dimattia, Marty York, Brandon Adams, Tom Guiry and Shane Obedzinski are shown in a promo for The Sandlot

Carpenter's lawyer, Michael Goldstein, according to his own website, served as campaign finance director for District Attorney Jackie Lacey when she was elected in 2012.

'I think it raises the appearance of impropriety,' Ring told the LA Times.

The district attorney's office and Goldstein denied that his connections with Lacey influenced the plea deal.

The civil lawsuit also alleged intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.

Court documents said Chang was seeking an award for damages, punitive damages against the defendants and lawsuit costs.
They have 25 Oscar nominations between them.

And - unbelievably - Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep have just been pictured filming together for the first time ever.

The two screen icons were captured in New York on Wednesday filming a scene for their upcoming movie, The Papers.

At last: Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep have just been pictured filming together for the first time ever

In the Steven Spielberg-directed drama, Hanks plays the legendary former Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee.

Streep meanwhile plays Washington Post publisher Katharine 'Kay' Graham, the country's fist female publisher.

Based on true events, in centers on the newspaper's battle to publish the infamous Pentagon Papers, which ultimately exposed how the US government had secretly stepped up its actions in the Vietnam War.

For their fist time sharing a screen, Streep and Hanks took part in a protest scene on the steps of Columbia University in Manhattan's Upper West Side.

Fight the power: The two screen icons were captured in New York on Wednesday filming a protest scene for their upcoming movie, The Papers

Paper man: In the Steven Spielberg-directed drama, Hanks plays the legendary former Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee

Cover up: Based on true events, in centers on the newspaper's battle to publish the infamous Pentagon Papers, which ultimately exposed how the US government had secretly stepped up its actions in the Vietnam War

They were surrounded by a thronging crowd, as well as huge green screens which will later help transport the scene to 1970s Washington via digital effects.

While they've never appeared on screen together, the duo have worked together before.

Hanks was a producer on the 2006 animated film The Ant Bully, which Meryl provided a voice for, and they also both appeared as themselves in the 2015 documentary about writer/filmmaker Nora Ephron, Everything Is Copy.

Team: While they've never appeared on screen together, the duo have worked together before

Behind the scenes: Hanks was a producer on the 2006 animated film The Ant Bully, which Meryl provided a voice for, and they also both appeared as themselves in the 2015 documentary about writer/filmmaker Nora Ephron, Everything Is Copy

Knows the ropes: While The Papers will be the fifth collaboration between Hanks and Spielberg, it will be Streep's first with the directer, besides providing the voice of the Blue Mecha at the end of 2001's A.I. Artificial Intelligence

Hanks was also a producer on Meryl's 2008 smash Mamma Mia; his wife Rita Wilson was instrumental in creating the big screen version after being blown away by the play in London.

While The Papers will be the fifth collaboration between Hanks and Spielberg, it will be Streep's first with the directer, besides providing the voice of the Blue Mecha at the end of 2001's A.I. Artificial Intelligence.

The film is set to hit theatres on January 12, 2018.

Matching: The two-time Academy Award winner is playing the legendary editor, who passed away in 2014
She's quickly becoming an international fashion maven.

And Lily Collins once again proved her style bona fides when she traipsed down the red carpet for The Last Tycoon premiere in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The 28-year-old daughter of superstar musician Phil Collins looked stunning for the screening.

Icon in the making: Lily Collins once again proved her style bona fides when she traipsed down the red carpet for The Last Tycoon premiere in Los Angeles on Thursday

The Mirror Mirror actress wowed in an eye-catching gown which fell all the way to the floor.

A lack of straps exposed her bare shoulders, while a ruffled skirt segment was splashed with an asymmetrical pattern of crimson and white.

Red pointed-toe pumps completed her effortlessly chic outfit.

Of course the brunette beauty's locks were meticulously coiffed, and sported a part on the left.

Seriously stylish: The Mirror Mirror actress wowed in an eye-catching gown which fell all the way to the floor

Alluring: A lack of straps exposed her bare shoulders, while a ruffled skirt segment was splashed with an asymmetrical pattern of crimson and white

Perfection: Of course the brunette beauty's locks were meticulously coiffed, and sported a part on the left

Her make-up was exquisite and featured subtle blush, pale rose lipstick and a sympathetically-colored eye shadow.

Co-star Kelsey Grammer, 62, looked dashing in a black suit with a white button down shirt, though his daughter Greer, 25, definitely stole the show.

She opted for a mesmerizing black and gold garment with a mesh hem.

Upstaged: Co-star Kelsey Grammer, 62, looked dashing in a black suit with a white button down shirt, though his daughter Greer, 25, definitely stole the show

Snazzy: As usual, Matt Bomer, 39, who also stars in the historical drama, cut a dapper silhouette in a navy three-piece suit paired with black oxfords and a black tie

As usual, Matt Bomer, 39, who also stars in the historical drama, cut a dapper silhouette in a navy three-piece suit paired with black oxfords and a black tie.

Of course more celebs were on hand for the celebration as well.

Hart of Dixie's Jaime King, 38, turned quite a few heads thanks to her white, translucent lacy blouse.

Flashing some flesh: Hart of Dixie's Jaime King, 38, turned quite a few heads thanks to her white, translucent lacy blouse

Classic: Grey's Anatomy vet Ellen Pompeo, 47, looked laid back in an airy white dress with full sleeves and splits at the front and on either side of the legs

Friends? Television vets Ellen and Jaime posed for a few snaps together on the red carpet

Fresh: Robin Williams actress daughter Zelda Williams, 27, looked delightful in a blue and red pattern strapless dress which revealed her leather strappy heels

The high-collared top revealed a white bralet as well as a generous amount of skin.

A pair of very wide-leg black trousers and some white pointed toe heels completed her eclectic ensemble.

Grey's Anatomy vet Ellen Pompeo, 47, looked laid back in an airy white dress with full sleeves and splits at the front and on either side of the legs.

Some massive hoop earrings and a thin black leather belt rounded out her summery look.

Formal: U.K.-born Revenge star Ashley Madekwe, 33, opted for a powder blue double breasted suit for the evening

Disco-ready? Lynn Collins, 40, who is not actually related to Lily, sparkled in a gold and silver jumpsuit under a white blazer

Robin Williams actress daughter Zelda Williams, 27, looked delightful in a blue and red pattern strapless dress which revealed her leather strappy heels.

U.K.-born Revenge star Ashley Madekwe, 33, opted for a powder blue double breasted suit for the evening.

Lynn Collins, 40, who is not actually related to Lily, sparkled in a gold and silver jumpsuit under a white blazer.
She revealed she was pregnant with her fourth child earlier this month.

And Lindy Klim debuted a new 'lob' haircut on Friday, right before she jetted off to Europe with fiance Adam Ellis for a possible 'babymoon'.

The 39-year-old looked stunning in the snap, which she shared to her Instagram stories from Xiang Hair salon in Melbourne.

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Fresh start: Lindy Klim debuted a new 'lob' haircut on Friday, right before she jetted off to Europe with fiance Adam Ellis for a possible 'babymoon'

The former model posed for a selfie in a chic black dress as she showed off her hair, which was cut in an elongated long bob.

She looked into the mirror and gave a slight smile as she held up her phone with one hand and rested the other on her hip.

The Balinese princess visited the salon prior to joining Adam on a flight to Europe later that day, which she also captured for social media.

Lovebirds: The Balinese princess visited the salon prior to joining Adam on a flight to Europe later that day, which she also captured for social media

'The peanuts first trip to London,' she captioned the snap and added the Instagram handle of Adam's mother, Naida Ellis.

'Where are we going?' she asked her fiance as they settled into what appeared to be business class plane seats.

'We're going to Greece,' he replied as he attempted to fix his seat belt.

Stunner! The former model revealed she was pregnant with her fourth child earlier this month

'But first we're seeing Ma and Pa in London,' she added, in reference to his UK-based parents.

Lindy, who was married to swimmer Michael Klim for almost a decade until last year, recently revealed she was expecting a fourth child with Adam.

She shares three children with Michael - Stella, 11, Rocco, nine, and Frankie, six.
She has been enjoying a luxurious Bahamas getaway with fellow reality star Lisa Clark this week.

But Lisa Hyde, 27, suffered a less-than-relaxing experience this Friday when she suffered a panic attack while swimming with sharks.

Taking to Instagram, the former Bachelor contestant uploaded a photo of herself wading in the shallows with a circle of dolphins alongside the caption: 'Swimming with [shark emoji] until they got way too close and I had a panic attack.'

Risky: Lisa Hyde, 27, suffered a less-than-relaxing experience this Friday when she suffered a panic attack while swimming with sharks

Wearing a blue two-piece Lisa looked stunning as she frolicked in the water.

She and Lisa Clark arrived at the picturesque location yesterday and have been taking to their Instagram accounts to share their enviable vacation shots.

On Thursday, the former Bachelor contestant showcased her lean and toned physique in a black low back one-piece.

Girls vacation! Ticking swimming with sharks off her bucket list, the 27-year-old was joined by her namesake and Big Brother reality star Lisa Clark

Stunner! On Thursday, the former Bachelor contestant showcased her lean and toned physique in a black low back one-piece

'The most magical place in the world...Bahamas,' she captioned stunning shot.

Staying at the luxurious Atlantis Paradise Island, the two friends seemed to have had their breath taken away.

'Couldn't wipe the smile of our faces, the colours of the water were insanely pretty. I've seen a few places around the world, this was certainly the best!'

Adventures: Staying at the luxurious Atlantis Paradise Island, the two friends seemed to have had their breath taken away

Reflecting: 'Couldn't wipe the smile of our faces, the colours of the water were insanely pretty. I've seen a few places around the world, this was certainly the best!'

She added the hashtags: #bahamas and #bucketlist.

And it was't just the former love seeker reflecting on the beauty, with the travel writer also putting pen to paper.

'I've had such as epic time exploring the Bahamas with my girl @lisahyde. Reminds you of just how small you really are in this big, beautiful world. Work hard so you can explore, and do it often.'
It has been claimed cracks are appearing in their fairytale romance.

But Bachelor star Nick Viall and fiancee Vanessa Grimaldi put on a united front as they joined the stars at Clayton and Ellen Kershaw's Ping Pong 4 Purpose charity bash in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Relations between the couple seemed cordial as they cuddled up on the pre-event red carpet at Dodger Stadium.

United front: Bachelor star Nick Viall and fiancee Vanessa Grimaldi posed together at a charity table tennis event in LA on Thursday

The 36-year-old reality television personality had dressed to impress, gambling with double denim by wearing a matching jacket and jeans along with red trainers.

Teacher Vanessa, 29, wore an icy smile as she stood next to her man, and looked good in a leather jacket, jeans and casual shoes.

Jimmy Kimmel was serving as master of ceremonies at the tournament.

And he looked like he was having a great time as he showed off his wife Molly McNearney and their three-year-old adorable daughter Jane.

Better half: Vanessa looked in fine form indeed in a tight top and leather jacket

Taking a gamble: Nick wore double denim amid claims their relationship is under strain

Lovely pair: Becca Tilley and Jana Kramer added some much-needed glamour to proceedings

The Kershaw's Challenge Impact Award honoured the Magic Johnson Foundation for its longstanding charitable work.

And Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic himself was on hand to pick up the prestigious paperweight on the Foundation's behalf.

Other big names in attendance at the event included actor Jason Bateman, jolly comic Jack Black, dancer Derek Hough and Sixth Sense star Haley Joel Osment.

Despite their reported troubles Bachelor star Nick could not stop smiling while shopping in Venice, California with his fiancee on Monday

Almost famous: Reality favourites Dean Unglert and Ashley Iaconetti were also there

Taking the plunge: She gave fellow attendees something to smile about in a revealing top

Stars of the show: Jimmy Kimmel held daughter Jane as he posed with wife Molly McNearney, Ellen Kershaw and Clayton Kershaw

The happy outing came hot on the heels of the ABC alum's solo lunch with former Bachelor In Paradise castmate Ashley Iaconetti last week.

While Vanessa was noticeably absent from her fiance's meal with the 29-year-old, he looked at her lovingly during their Monday outing.

last week, the brunette was nowhere to be seen when he stepped out to grab a bite with another woman in West Hollywood.

The Wisconsin native joined fellow Bachelor In Paradise contestant Ashley Iaconetti at Joan's On Third, where they chatted away.

Dopey and bashful: Jimmy gave a slack-jawed grin as his little girl hid her face

The tall guys: Haley Joel Osment measured up to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Eric Christian Olsen

The start of something beautiful: Jason Bateman stared at Justin Theroux as they held hands

While they both appeared on BIP's third season, they never had a romantic connection on the show.

Last month, Us Weekly reported that Nick's romance with Vanessa was anything but paradise.

An eyewitness revealed they 'looked miserable' on a flight to Los Angeles after celebrating the wedding of friends Evan Bass and Carly Waddell in Mexico.

The little queen's speech: MC Jimmy held the mic to his daughter's mouth

Gripped: Jimmy looked like he was enraptured in the farcical tournament taking place

Heavy forehand: Jolly Jack Black put his weight into it as he played a shot

'They didnt exchange five words the entire flight. They were angled completely away from each other,' the onlooker said.

But the lovebirds are doing their best to put those rocky relationship rumors to rest.

The TV personality shared a sweet shot of his future wife sitting on his lap during a different wedding earlier this month.

And this week, Vanessa posted a picture while she and her shirtless fiance enjoyed the California weather.

Where's Ben? Casey Affleck teamed up for a spot of doubles with Luke Walton

Master Bateman: Jason looked like an old hand as he played an effortless drop shot

Just Magic: Johnson looked like he had no idea what to do with his Kershaw's Challenge Impact Award
In previous biopics, he has transformed into Prince Philip and author Christopher Isherwood.

And Matt Smith looked miles away from his usual dapper image as he donned a bouffant wig and silk dressing gown to play legendary '80s photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.

The actor, 34, was spotted leaning over a New York fire escape with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth as he chanelled the artist who provoked scandal with his depiction of S&M culture.

New look: Matt Smith looked miles away from his usual dapper image as he donned a revealing silk dressing gown to play legendary New York photographer Robert Mapplethorpe in a biopic

Matt wore a floating black dressing gown, which grazed his knees, with the sleeves partially rolled up.

He wore a leather cuff on his left wrist and accessorised his look with a black choker, which was wrapped several times around his neck.

He stood on the fire escape in a pair of black loafer slippers and appeared to be talking to someone below.

While he usually wears his hair in a floppy quiff, Matt donned a curly bouffant wig in order to play the groundbreaking artist.

Groundbreaking: Robert was a leading photographer in the 1970s and '80s who provoked scandal with his depiction of S&M culture in New York

Edgy: Matt, who shot to fame as the 11th Doctor, leaned over a New York fire escape with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth and spoke to someone below

Strike a pose: Matt wore a black leather cuff on his left wrist and accessorised with a black choker, which was wrapped several times around his neck

Baring all: The actor stood on the fire escape in a pair of loafer slippers as he stretched out his arms

In another scene the actor was seen on the streets of the Big Apple in a lime green shirt and distressed jeans.

Wearing a white T-shirt and a necklace with a ring tied at the end, Matt carried a sheaf of letters in one hand as he walked down the road.

His look was completed with a pair of brown suede boots, with a slight heel, as he was pictured sprinting around a corner.

Big hair, don't care: Matt wore a large brown wig, styled in a bouffant '80s fashion, as he filmed his scenes

Brooding: The actor, who currently plays Prince Philip in The Crown, sat on the steps of the fire escape and peered down at the street below

Having a natter: Matt chatted with director Ondi Tominer in between takes of the film

Matt was also spotted without his retro hairpiece on as he prepared to film a scene.

The actor stood by the side of the road in a wig cap and chatted to production staff ahead of filming.

He wore a blue and white striped T-shirt, with a pair of blue joggers and white sneakers.

Striking likeness: Matt looks very similar to photographer Robert, who shares the same chiselled features

Getting ready: Matt rolled up the sleeves of his green shirt, which he wore with a white T-shirt and a necklace with a ring attached to it

Strutting his stuff: Matt wore a pair of distressed jeans with a thick belt as he filmed scenes for the biopic

The film about the life of Mapplethorpe does not have a release date yet, but is slated to be shown in cinemas in 2018.

The biopic documents the life of the great New York photographer, who pushed the narrative of sexuality throughout his photos.

Making waves in the 1970s and '80s, Robert - who once dated Patti Smith - became a target for politicians who branded his form of gay S&M photography as obscene and repulsive.

Busy: Both the actor and director looked slightly stressed as they got ready to film the scene

Running off: Matt walked past a table piled with books as he chanelled the legendary photographer

Light fingered: Matt was acting in a scene where the photographer steals some papers from a street vendor

On your marks: The actor suddenly dashed away in his suede brown boots

Did he get away: Matt ran around a corner at the end of the high-octane moment

In the past: Pictured in 1986, Photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and artist Keith Haring attend The Tunnel (Nightclub) grand opening celebration in New York

He was widely known for his explicit X Portfolio - which captured the truth of the human frame like that of classic sculpture - and was far from the stereotypical tortured artist but rather an ambitious figure who reportedly craved fame and money.

In the 2016 documentary Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures, a friend described him as: 'He wanted to be a legend.'

Robert passed away in 1989, aged 42, from Aids-related complications, but before his heartbreaking end, he managed to change the focus of photography and leave a lasting legacy behind him.

A picture paints a thousand words: Robert posed alongside his exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London (Pictured in 1983)

Before the magic: Matt was pictured without his wig on as he waited for production to get going
They sent the rumour mill into overdrive after she was spotted wearing a glittering diamond on her ring finger earlier this week.

And Millie Mackintosh seemed to be lapping up the attention surrounding her latest relationship development as she posed topless on a luxury yacht in Mykonos on Thursday, just hours after claims of an engagement emerged.

Looking out towards the ocean, the former Made In Chelsea star, 28, showcased her golden Grecian tan and peachy posterior in red and white star-print bikini bottoms as boyfriend Hugo Taylor, 31, snapped away on his camera phone.

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Celebrating something? Millie Mackintosh was lapping up attention as she posed topless on a yacht in Mykonos on Thursday amid claims of an engagement to boyfriend Hugo Taylor

What a dazzler! The fashion designer, 28, inadvertently offered fans another glimpse at her glittering new band when she was pictured applying sun cream during her yacht day

The couple - who flew out to the Greek island to celebrate Millie's 28th birthday earlier this week - certainly seemed to be celebrating as they enjoyed a lavish day out with L'O Yachting Mykonos.

Posting snaps of a sumptuous spread on board their private vessel, the pair looked as though they were making the most of their sun-soaked day at sea.

Millie continued to play coy on social media, hiding her ring finger at any given opportunity after being spotted wearing a dazzling sparkler on the beach on Wednesday, before declaring she'd had the 'best birthday ever' on social media.

But the fashion designer inadvertently offered fans another glimpse at her glittering new band when she was pictured applying sun cream during her yacht day.

Keeping coy: Going make-up free and wearing her light brunette locks scraped back from her face, the reality star ensured all eyes were on her brand new prize possession

Ringing in the changes? Millie accessorised her new bling with gold hoop earrings and gold body jewellery with star detail to match her bikini

Style queen: The fashionista later threw on an elegant white kaftan-style dress with pink embroidered detailing, which she teamed with a chic sun-hat and oversized shades

Time to celebrate! Joining Hugo for a bite to eat, Millie looked happy and relaxed as she enjoyed her day on-board a yacht with her shirtless man

Going make-up free and wearing her light brunette locks scraped back from her face, the reality star ensured all eyes were on her brand new prize possession.

Millie accessorised her new bling with gold hoop earrings and gold body jewellery with star detail to match her bikini.

The fashionista later threw on an elegant white kaftan-style dress with pink embroidered detailing, which she teamed with a chic sun-hat and oversized shades.

Joining Hugo for a bite to eat, Millie looked happy and relaxed as she enjoyed her day on-board a yacht with her shirtless man.

Rekindled romance: Millie and Hugo confirmed their reunion in May 2016 after previously dating back in 2011 when they met on E4 reality show, Made In Chelsea

No expense spared! The genetically-blessed couple seemed to be splashing the cash as they celebrate the latest development in their romance

Fun in the sun: Millie proved hard work pays off as she flaunted her toned and tanned figure in an eye-catching red and white star-print bikini

Not a care in the world! Hugo looked cool in a backwards cap and stylish shades as he chilled out on-board the luxury yacht

Representatives for both Millie and Hugo declined to comment on engagement speculation when approached by MailOnline.

The couple went public with their rekindled romance in May 2016 when they travelled to the Monaco Grand Prix for Hugo's 30th birthday celebrations - the same week that Millie's divorce from rapper ex Professor Green, 33, was finalised.

They previously dated back in 2011 when they met on E4 reality show, Made In Chelsea.

But the union was not to last and ended rather dramatically when Millie discovered Hugo had cheated on her with her friend, Rosie Fortescue.

Sealed with a kiss: The couple certainly seemed to be celebrating as they enjoyed a lavish day out with L'O Yachting Mykonos

Plenty to smile about: Sunglasses entrepreneur Hugo, 31, looked like the cat that got the cream as he enjoyed a Grecian break to celebrate Millie's 28th birthday

Sea-ze the day! The former Made In Chelsea star showcased her golden Grecian tan in a red and white star-print bikini as boyfriend Hugo snapped away on his camera phone.

Hiding something? Millie continued to play coy on social media, hiding her ring finger at any given opportunity after being spotted wearing a dazzling sparkler

At the time, Millie claimed she would always love Hugo, saying in an interview: 'I loved him - those feelings dont disappear  but I just always have to remind myself why were not together.'

'I do think that, for the rest of my life, every time I see him, Ill get that feeling in my stomach. I dont think I could ever not get that butterfly feeling

Millie and Professor Green, real name Stephen Manderson, announced their split in February 2016 after just over four years together.

In a statement released at the time, they said: 'It is a mutual decision, we still care deeply about each other and would like it to be known that it is on amicable terms and we wish each other well.'

Tasty treats: Posting snaps of a sumptuous spread on board their private vessel, the pair looked as though they were making the most of their sun-soaked day at sea

Sparkler: The couple sent the rumour mill into overdrive after Millie was spotted wearing a glittering diamond on her ring finger earlier this week

Lucky lady: The fashion designer was spotted wearing a dazzling sparkler on the beach on Wednesday

Their two-and-a-half-year marriage was dissolved in just 30 seconds in May 2016.

They were granted a decree nisi at Central London Family Court, with Millie citing 'unreasonable behaviour' as the reason for their split.

Millie and Stephen started dating in November 2011 after the rapper saw her on the cover of men's magazine FHM.

The rapper contacted Millie through her agent and they had their first date at the Groucho Club in Soho.

They went public at the BRIT Awards in February 2012, with Stephen proposing on holiday in Paris just over a year later in 2013.

Fun in the sun: The former reality star showcased her gym-honed figure in a barely-there white bikini as she kicked off her birthday week by posted a swimsuit snap

Bikini babe: The brunette looked happy and relaxed as she took some time out from her busy work schedule to enjoy a week of fun in the sun with her man

The couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at Babington House in Frome, Somerset, in September 2013.

Earlier this year, Pro Green lashed out at Millie in his new track Eye On The Door, rapping about their lack of sex life, drug use and hinting that cheating was to blame for their split.

But in spite of his very public bashing of his ex-wife, the musician admitted that splitting from Millie felt like experiencing a death.

He told the i newspaper earlier this month: 'Of course whether youre happy somethings finished or not, it doesnt change the fact that it does still feel like theres been a death.

'An energy thats always been in your presence is suddenly no longer there and youre an idiot if you think thats not going to affect you.'

Coy: Millie noticeably disguised her ring finger as she tucked into a delicious dinner on Wednesday night, telling her followers she'd had the 'best birthday ever' on social media

Loved up: The couple went public in May 2016 when they travelled to the Monaco Grand Prix for Hugo's 30th birthday celebrations (pictured) - the same week Millie's divorce was finalised

The rapper has since moved on with model Fae Williams.

Millie discussed her divorce with Pro Green in the August issue of Red magazine, insisting it was completely amicable, despite the fact she ripped up her wedding dress and wore it as a blood-stained Halloween outfit last year.

She said: 'We just agreed to separate with kindness and as friends. You see so many people tear each other apart and if you support each other through it, remain dignified, that's really the way to do it.

'I'm a positive person and if it's not working then you move on. Everyone deserves to be happy.'

The ex factor: Millie tied the knot with rapper ex-husband Professor Green, 33, in a lavish ceremony at Babington House in Frome, Somerset, in September 2013

Wedding bells? Millie and Hugo's wedding will mark the second time the socialite has walked down the aisle, but it'll be Hugo's first experience of tying the knot

Captain Millie! At one point, it looked as though Millie was giving the captain a helping hand in guiding the yacht into the shore

The socialite also admitted her relationship with Hugo is completely different to when they dated during their Made In Chelsea years.

She told Red : 'I'm really happy and we have fun. Our relationship is a totally different thing now.

'We've known each other for ten years and dated when we were much younger [but] it was a different thing, a whirlwind.

'It was definitely weird dating someone when there was a camera there, but only there for half of what was going on.'

And Millie even hinted that she is eyeing a family with Hugo in the future, adding: 'I'd definitely like two kids, but I'm happy to be the baby-sitter for now.

'I'm a godmother and have three pregnant friends. I'm enjoying seeing them go through it.'

Red hot: Millie showcased her toned and tanned abs in a frilly scarlet two-piece as she sipped a green juice poolside at Kensho Boutique Hotel & Suites on Friday
He's the Hollywood star who found fame later in life thanks to his role in cult television series Breaking Bad.

And Bryan Cranston has now weighed in on the gender divide and double standards in the film industry, saying it 'eats women up in their twenties and spits them out in their thirties'.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Friday, the screen star, 61, stated that while he was happy to achieve success with the show in his fifties he knows it is 'a lot more difficult for women' to do the same thing.

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Hollywood sexism: Bryan Cranston weighed in on the gender divide and double standards in the film industry during an appearance on Good Morning Britain on Friday

He explained: 'It's great for me. I can't complain about it but I think honestly there's probably a double standard to that.

'Theres an old phrase that said Hollywood eats up women in their twenties and spits them out in their thirties, because its so harsh.'

The Godzilla star admitted that the industry 'loves youth and beauty', with men finding it easier to continue their careers later in life.

Ageism: The screen star, 61, stated that while he was happy to achieve success with the show in his fifties he knows it is 'a lot more difficult for women'

Supporter: Nicole Kidman (pictured with Big Little Lies co-star Reese Witherspoon) is one of many women who have spoken about such sexism in Hollywood

Discrepancy: Robin Wright, 51, has revealed shock at finding out she was getting paid less than her House Of Cards co-star Kevin Spacey, 57 - despite being told they were on equal salaries

Bryan added: 'Hollywood loves youth and beauty, but its harder for a woman.'

Elaborating on the divide, the Malcolm in the Middle actor said that when a man gets older 'he's getting dignified,' while ageing is seen as bad for female stars.

'A woman getting older now is unfortunate.'

Australian actress Nicole Kidman, who stars with the Tony Award winner in the upcoming remake of The Intouchables, is one of many women who have spoken about such sexism in Hollywood.

'Obviously we need to create more opportunities, its not an even playing field,' she said at the Women in Film's Crystal and Lucy Awards in 2015.

Outraged: The Godzilla star admitted that Hollywood 'loves youth and beauty', with men finding it easier to continue their careers later in life

Finding it easier: Bryan said that he can't complain about his success, but that 'Theres a phrase that said Hollywood eats up women in their twenties and spits them out in their thirties.'

Promotion: Bryan joined the hosts of Good Morning Britain to discuss his upcoming film Wakefield, which sees him play a man who suffers a nervous breakdown

Robin Wright, 51, has also revealed her shock at finding out she was getting paid less than her House Of Cards co-star Kevin Spacey, 57 - despite being told they were on equal salaries.

The acclaimed actress, who plays steely, vindictive First Lady Claire Underwood on the popular drama series, discussed the need to 'investigate' after the salary discrepancies came to light.

'I was told that I was getting equal pay and I believed them, and I found out recently that its not true... so thats something to investigate,' she said in an interview with THE EDIT magazine.

Potty mouth! Bryan also let a swear word accidentally slip out just minutes into his live morning TV interview

'Claire and Francis are equivalent as far as their power, their union and the plot. I may not have as many scenes or words as Francis, but Claire doesnt need to verbalise as much. Francis is an orator, a poet, a demonstrator.

'Claire is an [ego] that sits in the back and directs him, but they are partners on the same plane,' she continued to relay reasons why their roles were equal.

Bryan also let a swear word accidentally slip out just minutes into his morning TV interview.

Asked whether obsessed fans often approached him to discuss his role in Breaking Bad, he said the greetings didn't often go as expected.

Slip-up: It came as he was asked whether obsessed fans often approached him to discuss his role in Breaking Bad

Explaining himself: Bryan said people often mentioned his other work, claiming 'No, some people come up to me and say "I've seen your work and youve done loads and loads of s***e,'

He explained: 'No, some people come up to me and say "I've seen your work and youve done loads and loads of s***e, but now youve done Breaking Bad and other things" those people you just have to dismiss.

The Trumbo star also discussed the success of Breaking Bad, describing the moment he knew the series had become something special.

'I think it was when the traffic signs that had arrows of where were supposed to park our cars when were on location were being stolen.

'It had this effect on people, Ive had many fathers saying Ive been able to watch this with my kids. It was a gift. Breaking Bad was so well written.'

Bryan's new film, Wakefield, is far removed from his Breaking Bad days, telling the story of a man who has a nervous breakdown and disappears to a neighbouring attic where he watches his family's life play out without him.

Cult following: The Trumbo star also discussed the success of Breaking Bad, describing the moment he knew the series had become something special
They have been posting a series of loved up snaps since their return from the Love Island villa, and look perfectly suited to one another.

But fans have been left scratching their heads after one particularly cute selfie of Camilla Thurlow and Jamie Jewitt was removed by Instagram for being reported as 'offensive'.

The shocking move - which seems unnecessary given the innocent nature of the smiling photo - has led to some fans to joke that 'Craig and Jonny reported it'.

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Confusion: Fans have been left scratching their heads after one particularly cute selfie of Camilla Thurlow and Jamie Jewitt was removed by Instagram for being reported as 'offensive', leading to some declaring that 'Craig and Jonny reported it'

Jonny Mitchell was memorably paired up with Camilla for a fair time on the ITV2 dating show, and the pair were seemingly happy until a debate about feminism scuppered their glittering future.

Jonny then went after newbie Tyla Carr, appearing to break Camilla's heart in the process, after complaining that she had been reluctant to move things quickly in the bedroom department.

Craig Lawson was then dropped into the villa as part of the 'stick or twist challenge', and appeared to take it upon himself to be Camilla's knight in shining armour.

However, after fellow islanders - and viewers - thought that his fervent proclamations of affection for Camilla were false, he was also given the boot after a few short days.

Former flames: Jonny Mitchell was memorably paired up with Camilla for a fair time on the ITV2 dating show, while Craig Lawson was given the snub after being too fervent in his declarations of affection for the Scottish beauty

Jamie had originally posted the sweet photo of the pair on Thursday, with the affectionate caption 'travelling with this little tinker #bringonthehaggis', much to Jamilla fans' delight.

Perplexed at the photo's removal, Jamie then reposted the snap, penning: 'Hey guys, I woke up this morning and this photo had been deleted by instagram for not suiting the community?!? Can you guys see anything wrong with it? I'm baffled, so here it is again...'

Also confused by the overzealous removal, fans contributed their theories to the photo's removal.

'Craig n jonny reported it... Whaaat??! Bizarre... Probs Craig and Jonnny ahah... Johnny and Craig's reported it ahahaha... NONE of us reported this, pretty sure of it. I'm starting to think it's *J or C* if u know what I mean' [sic].

Perplexed: Jamie had originally posted the sweet photo of the pair on Thursday, with the affectionate caption 'travelling with this little tinker #bringonthehaggis', much to Jamilla fans' delight

Accusations: Also confused by the overzealous removal, fans contributed their theories to the photo's removal

Too cute: Jamilla have been going from strength to strength since leaving the Love Island villa, documenting their trips to see each other's families on Instagram

Meanwhile, Jonny has been keen to show that he has moved on from the Scottish beauty, enthusiastically documenting a romantic getaway with ex-islander Chyna Ellis on his social media accounts.

He was also spotted partying at Gabetto in Camden, London in the early hours of Friday morning, wearing an edgy leather jacket.

It appeared to be something of a Love Island lads' night, as Sam Gowland also joined the Essex businessman for a night of high jinks.

Not bothered: Meanwhile, Jonny has been keen to show that he has moved on from the Scottish beauty, enthusiastically documenting a romantic getaway with ex-islander Chyna Ellis on his social media accounts

Edgy: He was also spotted partying at Gabetto in Camden, London in the early hours of Friday morning, wearing an edgy leather jacket

Boys will be boys: It appeared to be something of a Love Island lads' night, as Sam Gowland also joined the Essex businessman for a night of high jinks

Looking good: The pair had dressed to impress for the occasion, and looked happy as they posed for photos together, enjoying their new found throes of fame

The pair had dressed to impress for the occasion, and looked happy as they posed for photos together, enjoying their new found throes of fame.

Jonny and Chyna's new found romance appears to be going strong, after the pair were spotted at several press events together.

It came hot on the heels of a romantic getaway to Budapest, with the pair both documenting the break with a flurry of loved-up snaps on Instagram over the weekend.

Moving on: Jonny and Chyna's new found romance appears to be going strong, after the pair were spotted at several press events together

In a series of cosy posts, Jonny chronicled their pricey romantic endeavours, which included lavish meals and 'naughty penthouse views.'

The pair looked every inch the smitten lovebirds as they embarked on the eye-wateringly pricey date.

'What a weekend! Cherry on the cake was having this amazing girl with me for it!' Jonny wrote alongside a final snap from the trip, which depicted Chyna sitting on the reality star's lap.

Tyla who? It came hot on the heels of a romantic getaway to Budapest, with Jonny and Chyna both documenting the break with a flurry of loved-up snaps on Instagram over the weekend
She recently hit back after she was 'body shamed' for being 'scarily skinny'.

But Tara Reid gave her haters an eyeful as she rocked a very racy ensemble when she attended Art With A Cause event in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Leaving little to the imagination, the American Pie actress, 41, dared to flaunt her ample cleavage when she went braless in a sheer metallic mini dress.

Wow: Tara Reid, 41, showcased her envy-inducing body confidence in a racy ensemble when she attended Art with a Cause in Los Angeles, California on Thursday evening

The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant flashed a glimpse of her slim physique and skimpy thong in the daring attire.

Tara also put her pins on parade in the thigh-skimming number, teamed with sky-scraper high stilettos.

For drama, the reality star scraped her golden locks back into a ponytail and completed her look with heavy make-up.

The Urban Legend starlet accessorised with a few bangles for a hint of classic Hollywood glamour and a chic handbag for her essentials.

Leaving little to the imagination: The American Pie actress, 41, dared to flaunt her ample cleavage when she went braless in a sheer metallic mini dress

Tara defiantly stepped out after she hit back at critics who 'bodyshamed' her last week.

She told E! news: 'I've definitely felt bullying in my life. People always say I don't eat. I eat all the time.

'They call me scary skinny. You're my friend; everyone knows I eat more than anyone. I'm just a thin girl.'

For drama: The reality star scraped her golden locks back into a ponytail and completed her look with heavy makeup

Tara was propelled to stardom in 1998 cult classic The Big Lebowski where she played trophy wife Bunny before securing a major role in the American Pie franchise.

The actress is now promoting her latest flick, Worthless, which follows the consequences of bullying.

Tara, who has spent just shy of two decades in the spotlight, revealed the part struck a chord with her.

She added: 'The body shaming that is going on right now is to a degree that is so bad for girls and I really relate to that and I understand that so this movie meant a lot to me.'


He's known for keeping his toned physique in check with strenuous workouts.

And Mark Wright, 30, was up to his usual tricks as he was spotted leaving a sweaty Barry's Bootcamp gym class in Los Angeles on Thursday looking a little puffed out.

Wearing a white T-shirt, which showed off his rippling torso, the hunk appeared to put his latest drama with ex Lauren Goodger, 30, behind him.

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Hot stuff: Mark Wright, 30, was spotted keeping his sizzlign physique in check leaving a Barry's Bootcamp gym class in Los Angeles on Thursday

Mark attempted to go incognito as he shrouded his face with a grey towel, and spoke on the phone while looking rather despondent.

Flashing his toned pins in a pair of loose-fitting shorts, the former TOWIE star defiantly ignored Lauren's latest Instagram post, which eagle-eyed fans thought was throwing shade at the hunk.

In the image, Lauren looked incredibly youthful as she cosied up to a male pal, while she added a caption on the shot reading: 'back in the day when I wasn't aloud out but my mates had my back London days 23/24 whoop love to my London boys'. [sic]

Way back when: Lauren Goodger shared a seven-year-old throwback snap, with a caption stating she was 'not allowed out' at the time

Defiant: Flashing his toned pins in a pair of loose-fitting shorts, the former TOWIE star defiantly ignored Lauren's latest Instagram post, which eagle-eyed fans thought was throwing shade at the hunk

The 30-year-old former TOWIE star appeared to be hinting at her nine-year relationship with former fiance Mark, who she has frequently blasted for being controlling while reminiscing about their romance - much to his chagrin.

Lauren dated Mark through her teenage years before starring in TOWIE in its 2010 inauguration, when they were in one of their many 'off' stages, with the first episode seeing her birthday ruined by Mark cosying up to flame Sam Faiers.

As time wore on, the couple's convoluted romance captivated viewers with Mark devastating Lauren on a number of occasions when he enjoyed flings with both Sam and Lucy Mecklenburgh - leading to constant rows within the group before the couple finally split in 2012.

Happier days: The 30-year-old former TOWIE star appeared to be hinting at her nine-year relationship with former fiance Mark Wright, who she has frequently blasted for being controlling while reminiscing about their romance - much to his chagrin

In her 2013 autobiography, Secrets Of An Essex Girl, Lauren, who is now dating jailbird Joey Morrisson, lambasted Mark for being 'controlling' - leading to many fans suggesting she was talking about her ex in the comments.

Users penned: 'I read ur book i related to it been in a controlling relationship i recognised that you were in one as soon i saw u on telly even tho it took a while for others to see. U should be proud of urself xxx...

'There's always one d**khead that feels the need to be nasty!! @laurenrosegoodger you look amazing and should be proud of yourself for finally getting rid of that p***k mark! Shame on him for treating you like s**t!'

Despite her supporters, some fans were not so forthcoming as one user wrote: 'Omg stop going on about ur old relationship it ended years ago embarrassing'.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Mark and Lauren for comment.

One memorable scene in TOWIE's second season, saw Lauren unleash a tangent on Mark after he hosted a summer pool party for their friends, in his days as a club promoter, yet he banned Lauren from the bash.

The ladies: Lauren dated Mark from her teenage years before starring in TOWIE in its 2010 inauguration, when they were in one of their many 'off' stages, with the first episode seeing her birthday ruined by Mark cosying up to Sam Faiers

Troubles: As time wore on, the couple's convoluted romance captivated viewers with Mark devastating Lauren on a number of occasions when he enjoyed flings with both Sam and Lucy Mecklenburgh (pictured) - leading to constant rows within the group before they finally split in 2012

He insisted Alan Sugar 'wouldn't let his wife in the boardroom', so Lauren was left at home while Mark's former flames Lucy and Sam partied at the bash, alongside Lauren's elder sister Nicola.

Breaking the rules of not attending, Lauren arrived much to Mark's anger before she launched a rant which he insisted was 'embarrassing him'.

She said: 'What am I doing? I'll tell you something I've been indoors by myself. everyone's here in relationships and I'm your fiance. Working!? My sister's been texting me saying he's with this girl and this girl in the pool.

'You're the biggest mug in the area. You've got the best girl and I'm so loyal and faithful to you, how dare you treat me like a piece of s**t. What have you done wrong? Are you satisfied with keeping me indoors all day? How do you feel? Do you think I'm not gonna get bored of you?'

Way back when: Breaking the rules of not attending, Lauren arrived much to Mark's anger before she launched a rant which he insisted was 'embarrassing him' (TOWIE cast in 2011)

Mark hit back saying: 'Once again this is why you don't come to my work, look what you've done? Look at all these people who won't come to my party anymore because of you. Look, listen to this. You've turned up here, doing exactly what (I thought).

'This is my business. You f**king walked in here making yourself look like an idiot in front of everyone even my mum. This is why you're not coming to my parties no more.'

Lauren hit back saying: 'I've been sitting in doors all day upset crying and you've been here partying with girls you've been with', before Mark said: 'You're the person I'm going to spend the rest of my life with you know that. I love you to bits. Whose bed am i getting into?'

Hard times: Lauren hit back saying: 'I've been sitting in doors all day upset crying and you've been here partying with girls you've been with', before Mark said: 'You're the person I'm going to spend the rest of my life with you know that. I love you to bits. Whose bed am i getting into?'

Shortly before shoving him in the pool, Lauren said: 'Oh it's such a good life. Being with Mark Wright sitting at home waiting for him. You don't realise how s**t it is. It's boring and s**t. You're the biggest mug. Now, shut your face!'

In 2015, Mark hit out at Lauren on Twitter for discussing their relationship when he was happily married to Michelle, who he married that year.

He penned: 'Endless mentions RE: me and us is embarrassing. I really thought after lawyers being involved and polite pleas to stop mentioning me she... would stop. Maybe not.

'It's hurtful to think one person needs to mention YOU every week to earn a living. Being married to another woman almost makes it unfair!!

Happy now: In 2015, Mark hit out at Lauren on Twitter for discussing their relationship when he was happily married to Michelle, who he married that year

'If you're reading this, please PLEASE respect my wife and STOP. Everyone has a past, get over it!! I really didn't want to have to do this but enough is enough. I wish you well but leave me, my life and my wife out it . I'm sure there is other ways to make money'.

In yet another blow, earlier this month, Lauren alleged she was ejected from Essex eatery Sheesh to 'make way' for her former fiance after which she claimed she was made to 'felt like a criminal' by 'two burly bouncers'.

Earlier in the month, Lauren unleashed a scathing Twitter tirade as she Mark continued to bash her former lover - who she has held accountable for getting her kicked out of the hotspot.

The reality sensation revealed in a defiant interview that she 'felt like a criminal' after 'two burly bouncers' told her it was 'best she leave as Mark was on his way.'

Following the incident, Sheesh released a statement reading: 'She was asked to leave because she never had a booking.

'She walked into the restaurant and sat on someones table she didnt know so she could talk to her two friends on the table opposite. We do not accept this behaviour at Sheesh. Mark Wright has never asked me to remove Lauren.'
She was reportedly let off the hook after his team intervened when she was arrested after breaking into his home in April.

But Drake may now be regretting that move, after the persistent fan allegedly returned to his home this week.

Nicknamed the 'thirsty thief' after previously only helping herself to refreshments from his fridge, she reportedly was forcibly removed this time.

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She's back! Drake may now be regretting letting a fan off the hook for breaking into his home in April, after she allegedly returned to his home this week

According to TMZ the 24-year-old woman returned on Thursday, claiming she was on the list- despite Drake once again being away while his home is undergoing extensive renovations.

However the security guard was not to be convinced, and called the police when she refused to leave.

Unfortunately the super fan became even more persistent, allegedly 'spitting at three deputies before being blasted with pepper spray'.

She was then reportedly arrested her for 'trespassing and assault on a police officer'.

'She spat at three deputies before being blasted with pepper spray'. Nicknamed the 'thirsty thief' after previously only helping herself to refreshments from his fridge, she reportedly was forcibly removed this time

MailOnline has contacted Drake's representative for comment.

In April the rapper was given his first unwanted surprise when the thirsty fan broke into his lavish Los Angeles home.

TMZ claimed a member of his entourage was confronted by the 24-year old woman after entering the $7.7 million property, dubbed YOLO Estate by the Canadian rapper, at 10:30pm on April 3.

The fan was understood to be wearing a hooded top owned by Drake, 30, when she was found in one of the home's six bedrooms.

Unwanted surprise: TMZ claim a member of his entourage was confronted by the 24-year old woman after entering the $7.7 million property (pictured), dubbed YOLO Estate by the Canadian rapper for the first time on April 3

But instead of using the Hidden Hills' property's numerous accoutrements, amongst them a 25-seat theatre, a games room, spa, wine cellar and enormous outdoor pool complete with 80-foot waterslide, she only took advantage of the fridge.

It's understood the fan, who insisted she had permission to enter the gated home, claimed she only helped herself to the rapper's assortment of chilled soft drinks and mineral water.

LAPD officers were called and the woman, who is yet to be identified, was charged with a felony burglary and taken into custody.

It is yet to be established how she gained access to the gated home, or indeed how long she was inside before being discovered.

Drake originally purchased his Los Angeles home for $7.7 million from Saddle Ranch Chop House owner Larry Pollack in 2012.

Speaking to Rolling Stone, the Hotline Bling rapper admitted he had his heart set on the house years before he actually bought it.

Harmless: But instead of using the Hidden Hills' property's numerous accoutrements, amongst them a 25-seat theatre (pictured), the intruder claims she only took advantage of the fridge

'I was like, 'What are the world's craziest residential pools?' and when I searched online, this came up,' he explained. 'This house was the desktop image on my computer years before I bought it.'

But while it sits in an exclusive and highly sought after area, he admitted to having previous issues with fans intent on snatching a piece of its valuable memorabilia.

'Originally, I had a sign outside that said the YOLO estate,' he said. 'But it got stolen three times, and it was getting a bit costly to replace it, so I just changed it to the street number. I love that some kid has that sign in his bedroom.'

According to property records Drake has since putt the Hidden Hills estate back on the market for close to $20 million.

Stunning: Speaking to Rolling Stone , the Hotline Bling rapper admitted he had his heart set on the house years before he actually bought it
With a recent appearance in a mainstream music video her young daughter already appears to be following in her successful footsteps.

But blossoming careers were put to one side as Courteney Cox enjoyed some quality time with her only child, 13-year old Coco Arquette, at Disneyland on Thursday.

The former Friends star, 53, received an affectionate kiss from the teenager as they took in a series of rides at the hugely popular theme park in Anaheim, California.

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Close: Courteney Cox received an affectionate kiss from the teenager as they took in a series of rides at the hugely popular theme park in Anaheim, California

Courteney looked typically stylish in a breezy emerald green summer dress and seasonal sandals while making her way across the venue with her daughter.

With temperatures soaring the American star kept her eyes shielded behind a pair of heavily tinted sunglasses, while her brunette hair was naturally styled with a simple centre parting.

In keeping with her low-key look she opted for limited make-up ahead of her Disneyland appearance.

Mother and daughter: Blossoming careers were put to one side as Courteney enjoyed some quality time with her only child, 13-year old Coco at Disneyland on Thursday.

Strolling alongside her mother, Coco - Courteney's only child with actor David Arquette - sported a simple white crop top and cut-off denim shorts.

The pair were stepping out just three months after Coco followed in her mother's footsteps by starring in a music video.

The teenager featured in a promo from the Los Angeles-based indie star MONOGEM, paralleling Courteney's burst on the scene when Bruce Springsteen famously summoned her up on stage with a 'Hey baby!' in a concert video for his 1984 classic, Dancing in the Dark.

Stylish: Courteney looked typically stylish in a breezy emerald green summer dress and seasonal sandals while making her way across the venue with her daughter

The video was Springsteen's first to get heavy airplay on MTV and introduced him to a new, mostly younger audience.

It also helped Courteney's career, with the actress going on to land a part in Family Ties shortly after.

She went on to become one of the biggest TV stars in the 90s playing Monica Gellar on Friends. Courteney and Coco's father David Arquette married in 1999 and had Coco in 2004.
He has already been slated for a successful modelling career, having recently been named the new face of Topman.

And Lennon Gallagher, 17, proved his talents extend well beyond posing for the camera as he appeared to be acting alongside his mother, Patsy Kensit, at a London park on Tuesday.

The teen - whose father is Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher - looked the spitting image of his musician father as he shot scenes alongside a Japanese film crew.

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Talented teen: Lennon Gallagher, 17, proved his talents extend well beyond posing for the camera as he appeared to be acting alongside his mother, Patsy Kensit, at a London park on Tuesday

While it's unclear exactly what the mother-son duo are working on, Patsy - who has been in the acting business for more than four decades - was pictured sleeping on a park bench.

Showcasing his style prowess, Lennon oozed cool in a white T-shirt, layered beneath an over-sized red shirt and jacket.

He finished the look with skinny jeans and Converse and wore his bluntly cut dark locks in an unkempt style for a rugged finish.

Stylish display: Former Holby City star Patsy looked fashion savvy in a white T-shirt and ankle-grazer jeans, which she finished with a military-inspired statement jacket

Seeing double! The teen - whose father is Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher - looked the spitting image of his musician father as he shot scenes alongside a Japanese film crew

With his pensive stare, hazy green eyes and thick brows, it's not hard to notice Lennon's uncanny resemblance to his rocker father.

Former Holby City star Patsy looked equally fashion savvy in a white T-shirt and ankle-grazer jeans, which she finished with a military-inspired statement jacket.

Patsy and Wonderwall hitmaker Liam had a five-year relationship, which ended in 2000, three years after they tied the knot.

In her autobiography, Absolute Beginner, Patsy opened up about her rollercoaster marriage to the star.

Secret project: While it's unclear exactly what the mother-son duo are working on, Patsy - who has been in the acting business for more than four decades - was pictured sleeping on a park bench

She knows her stuff! Pasty has been in the acting business for more than four decades, with her career starting when she was just a child

The tumultuous relationship survived a road rage incident, a child conceived by another woman just months after their marriage and Liam's legendary womanising as his band became one of the biggest music names in the world.

Patsy conceded that her rocker husband was simply intoxicating to other women.

She wrote: 'I knew full well the temptation that was thrown his way and inevitably it caused huge problems between us.

'When he wasn't on tour we were joined at the hip and he always wanted to be with me - even if I was going to the supermarket for a pink of milk.'
She recently posted a photo with a snide comment alluding to her 'controlling' ex-fiance, Mark Wright.

But Lauren Goodger, 30, appeared to make a statement showing that she was back on top, as she stepped out with her hair in rollers after leaving a salon appointment in Essex on Thursday.

The former TOWIE star wore a grey T-shirt, emblazoned with 'BOSS LADY', showing onlookers she meant business as she embarked on various errands.

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Statement: Lauren Goodger, 30, appeared to make a statement showing that she was back on top, as she stepped out with her hair in rollers after leaving a salon appointment in Essex on Thursday

Clinging to her ample bosom, she paired the T-shirt with black leggings, which highlighted her toned pins.

The star appeared to be in high spirits as she clutched her phone, and decided to kill two birds with one stone, juggling her busy schedule with prerequisite pampering by wearing her hair in rollers while completing her other tasks for the day.

The beauty sported minimal make up, showing off her glowing complexion, but ensured that she had accentuated her signature groomed brows.

Showing them who's boss: The former TOWIE star wore a grey T-shirt, emblazoned with 'BOSS LADY', showing onlookers she meant business as she embarked on various errands

All-black everything: Clinging to her ample bosom, she paired the T-shirt with black leggings, which highlighted her toned pins

As she left the salon, clutching a large bottle of water, Lauren displayed her toned derriere with the figure-hugging leggings.

Lauren kept comfortable in a pair of black trainers, and slipped a pair of aviator sunglasses over her visage.

Striding along the road, the star looked healthier than ever, and her brunette tresses looked enviably glossy after her pampering session.

Work it: As she left the salon, clutching a large bottle of water, Lauren displayed her toned derriere with the figure-hugging leggings

Groomed: Striding along the road, the star looked healthier than ever, and her brunette tresses looked enviably glossy after her pampering session

Looking good: She slung a beige handbag over her arm, and ensured that her plump pout took centre stage with a slick of dusty pink lipstick

Busy bee: The star appeared to be in high spirits as she clutched her phone, and decided to kill two birds with one stone, juggling her busy schedule with prerequisite pampering by wearing her hair in rollers while completing her other tasks for the day

Au natural: The beauty sported minimal make up, showing off her glowing complexion, but ensured that she had accentuated her signature groomed brows

New chapter: With her face set in determination, Lauren's 'boss lady' T-shirt clearly signified a new chapter in her life as she embraces life with her jailbird beau Joey Morrison

She slung a beige handbag over her arm, and ensured that her plump pout took centre stage with a slick of dusty pink lipstick.

With her face set in determination, Lauren's 'boss lady' T-shirt clearly signified a new chapter in her life as she embraces life with her jailbird beau Joey Morrison.

She recently got a sparkling ring engraved with Joey's name, fuelling rumours of an engagement, but these claims were quickly quashed by her representatives.

Going strong: She recently got a sparkling ring engraved with Joey's name, fuelling rumours of an engagement, but these claims were quickly quashed by her representatives

Happy: The star is more loved up than ever with her jailbird beau

Spilling the tea! Lauren sipped on a hot beverage while having her hair seen to by professionals

Deep in scrolling: Lauren appeared to be trawling through Instagram

Relaxing: She looked totally at ease as she enjoyed her beverage

A source previously told The Mirror: 'Lauren is head over heels for Joey, she knows it's hard for him being in jail while she's on the outside so having his name tattooed on her wrist was the only way she could think to show him how serious she is about him.'

Lauren has previously said she wants to tie the knot with Joey, who is currently doing time in prison for drug related crimes.

Goodger slammed claims she is set to marry her boyfriend behind bars, insisting she will wait until he is out so they can plan a big family wedding.

The star discussed her romance in her new! magazine column, saying: 'I want a big wedding with all my friends and family there, and that won't happen until Joey's out full-time.'

Making her mark: A source previously told The Mirror : 'Lauren is head over heels for Joey, she knows it's hard for him being in jail while she's on the outside so having his name tattooed on her wrist was the only way she could think to show him how serious she is about him'

Exciting: Goodger slammed claims she is set to marry her boyfriend behind bars, insisting she will wait until he is out so they can plan a big family wedding

Throwing shade: Lauren has seemingly made a dig at her ex, Mark Wright

Lauren Goodger has shared a seven-year-old throwback snap, with a caption stating she was 'not allowed out' at the time.

The 30-year-old former TOWIE star appeared to be hinting at her nine-year relationship with former fiance Mark Wright, who she has frequently blasted for being controlling while reminiscing about their romance - much to his chagrin.

In the image, Lauren looked incredibly youthful as she cosied up to a male pal, while she added a caption on the shot reading: 'back in the day when I wasn't aloud out but my mates had my back London days 23/24 whoop love to my London boys'. [sic]

Way back when: Lauren Goodger has shared a seven-year-old throwback snap, with a caption stating she was 'not allowed out' at the time

Lauren dated Mark through her teenage years before starring in TOWIE in its 2010 inauguration, when they were in one of their many 'off' stages, with the first episode seeing her birthday ruined by Mark cosying up to flame Sam Faiers.

As time wore on, the couple's convoluted romance captivated viewers with Mark devastating Lauren on a number of occasions when he enjoyed flings with both Sam and Lucy Mecklenburgh - leading to constant rows within the group before the couple finally split in 2012.

In her 2013 autobiography, Secrets Of An Essex Girl, Lauren, who is now dating jailbird Joey Morrisson, lambasted Mark for being 'controlling' - leading to many fans suggesting she was talking about her ex in the comments.

Users penned: 'I read ur book i related to it been in a controlling relationship i recognised that you were in one as soon i saw u on telly even tho it took a while for others to see. U should be proud of urself xxx...

Happier days: The 30-year-old former TOWIE star appeared to be hinting at her nine-year relationship with former fiance Mark Wright, who she has frequently blasted for being controlling while reminiscing about their romance - much to his chagrin

'There's always one d**khead that feels the need to be nasty!! @laurenrosegoodger you look amazing and should be proud of yourself for finally getting rid of that p***k mark! Shame on him for treating you like s**t!'

Despite her supporters, some fans were not so forthcoming as one user wrote: 'Omg stop going on about ur old relationship it ended years ago embarrassing'.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Mark and Lauren for comment.

One memorable scene in TOWIE's second season, saw Lauren unleash a tangent on Mark after he hosted a summer pool party for their friends, in his days as a club promoter, yet he banned Lauren from the bash.

The ladies: Lauren dated Mark from her teenage years before starring in TOWIE in its 2010 inauguration, when they were in one of their many 'off' stages, with the first episode seeing her birthday ruined by Mark cosying up to Sam Faiers

Troubles: As time wore on, the couple's convoluted romance captivated viewers with Mark devastating Lauren on a number of occasions when he enjoyed flings with both Sam and Lucy Mecklenburgh (pictured) - leading to constant rows within the group before they finally split in 2012

He insisted Alan Sugar 'wouldn't let his wife in the boardroom', so Lauren was left at home while Mark's former flames Lucy and Sam partied at the bash, alongside Lauren's elder sister Nicola.

Breaking the rules of not attending, Lauren arrived much to Mark's anger before she launched a rant which he insisted was 'embarrassing him'.

She said: 'What am I doing? I'll tell you something I've been indoors by myself. everyone's here in relationships and I'm your fiance. Working!? My sister's been texting me saying he's with this girl and this girl in the pool.

'You're the biggest mug in the area. You've got the best girl and I'm so loyal and faithful to you, how dare you treat me like a piece of s**t. What have you done wrong? Are you satisfied with keeping me indoors all day? How do you feel? Do you think I'm not gonna get bored of you?'

Way back when: Breaking the rules of not attending, Lauren arrived much to Mark's anger before she launched a rant which he insisted was 'embarrassing him' (TOWIE cast in 2011)

Mark hit back saying: 'Once again this is why you don't come to my work, look what you've done? Look at all these people who won't come to my party anymore because of you. Look, listen to this. You've turned up here, doing exactly what (I thought).

'This is my business. You f**king walked in here making yourself look like an idiot in front of everyone even my mum. This is why you're not coming to my parties no more.'

Lauren hit back saying: 'I've been sitting in doors all day upset crying and you've been here partying with girls you've been with', before Mark said: 'You're the person I'm going to spend the rest of my life with you know that. I love you to bits. Whose bed am i getting into?'

Hard times: Lauren hit back saying: 'I've been sitting in doors all day upset crying and you've been here partying with girls you've been with', before Mark said: 'You're the person I'm going to spend the rest of my life with you know that. I love you to bits. Whose bed am i getting into?'

Shortly before shoving him in the pool, Lauren said: 'Oh it's such a good life. Being with Mark Wright sitting at home waiting for him. You don't realise how s**t it is. It's boring and s**t. You're the biggest mug. Now, shut your face!'

In 2015, Mark hit out at Lauren on Twitter for discussing their relationship when he was happily married to Michelle, who he married that year.

He penned: 'Endless mentions RE: me and us is embarrassing. I really thought after lawyers being involved and polite pleas to stop mentioning me she... would stop. Maybe not.

'It's hurtful to think one person needs to mention YOU every week to earn a living. Being married to another woman almost makes it unfair!!

Happy now: In 2015, Mark hit out at Lauren on Twitter for discussing their relationship when he was happily married to Michelle, who he married that year

'If you're reading this, please PLEASE respect my wife and STOP. Everyone has a past, get over it!! I really didn't want to have to do this but enough is enough. I wish you well but leave me, my life and my wife out it . I'm sure there is other ways to make money'.

In yet another blow, earlier this month, Lauren alleged she was ejected from Essex eatery Sheesh to 'make way' for her former fiance after which she claimed she was made to 'felt like a criminal' by 'two burly bouncers'.

Earlier in the month, Lauren unleashed a scathing Twitter tirade as she Mark continued to bash her former lover - who she has held accountable for getting her kicked out of the hotspot.

The reality sensation revealed in a defiant interview that she 'felt like a criminal' after 'two burly bouncers' told her it was 'best she leave as Mark was on his way.'

Following the incident, Sheesh released a statement reading: 'She was asked to leave because she never had a booking.

'She walked into the restaurant and sat on someones table she didnt know so she could talk to her two friends on the table opposite. We do not accept this behaviour at Sheesh. Mark Wright has never asked me to remove Lauren.'
They've worked hard to piece their marriage back together after she discovered he had been sleeping with two of her best friends in 2014.

And Katie Price and husband Kieran Hayler seem to have finally put his cheating scandal behind them as they renewed their vows on the beaches of the Maldives earlier this year.

Footage taken from her new reality series My Crazy Life, shows the couple seemingly starting afresh with their romantic nuptials, which take place as the sun sets on the idyllic location.

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Starting anew: Katie Price and husband Kieran Hayler seem to have finally put his cheating scandal behind them as they renewed their vows on the beaches of the Maldives earlier this year

Flanked by their two children Bunny, two, and Jett, three, as well as Princess, 10, and Junior, 12 - who she shares with ex-husband Peter Andre - and 15-year-old son Harvey, the pair look ready to put the past firmly behind them.

Gazing into his wife's eyes, Kieran tells her: 'Kate, we have had so many memories together. These four years we have together, have been the best of my life

'The family we have built together has made me more mature. You know you can trust me more than ever. I love you with all my heart.'

Moving on: Footage taken from her new reality series My Crazy Life, shows the couple seemingly starting afresh with their romantic nuptials, which take place as the sun sets on the idyllic location

Stronger than ever: Flanked by their two children Bunny, two, and Jett, three, as well as Princess, 10, and Junior, 12 - who she shares with ex-husband Peter Andre - and 15-year-old son Harvey, the pair look ready to put the past firmly behind them

Reciprocating his kind words, Katie retorts: 'You are the only man who has properly respected and loved me...

'Even if I don't show it, I appreciate everything you do for your family. I love you with all my heart and soul.'

Katie's son Junior later revealed that Kieran, 30, was behind the vow renewal, admitting his mum was smitten with the idea.

Smitten: Gazing into his wife's eyes, Kieran tells her: 'Kate, we have had so many memories together. These four years we have together, have been the best of my life'

Opening up: Reciprocating his kind words, Katie retorts: 'You are the only man who has properly respected and loved me...'

Breathtaking: The couple renewed their vows on a beach littered with rose petals

'Kieran organised everything he was a true gentleman to mum. She loved it,' he enthused.

Explaining his decision, Kieran quipped: 'It was my way of saying get that wedding ring back on your finger...

'She's mine. There's no p**sing off anywhere now.'

The spouses came close to calling time on their marriage in 2014, when Katie learned that he had slept with her maid of honour Jane Pountney, 52, and her friend Chrissy Thomas, 44.

After a tumultuous few months, Katie boldly decided to give their marriage another try, though the decision was seemingly not an easy one.

Seal of approval: Katie's son Junior later revealed that Kieran, 30, was behind the vow renewal, admitting his mum was smitten with the idea
She is the quintessential California girl.

And on Friday, AnnaLynne McCord was glamorous at The Awakening Sea book launch in Malibu.

The event was in honor of the first part of the fiction series, which tells of a father trying to mend his relationship with his daughter after his wife and son die.

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Pure beauty: On Friday, AnnaLynne McCord, 30, was casually glamorous at The Awakening Sea book launch in Malibu

The 30-year-old was styled in a Wild Fox Couture animal-print maxi.

The former 90210 star accessorized with a large, medallion necklace, thin bracelets and rings.

AnnaLynne wore her blonde hair down and in its natural curls.

The star accentuated her stunning eyes with dark liner and downplayed her lips with a neutral pink color.

Hear her roar: The actress was styled in a Wild Fox Couture animal-print maxi

It's all in the details: The former 90210 star accessorized with a large, medallion necklace, thin bracelets and rings

Ladies launch: Joining the Atlanta, Georgia native was fellow actress Kim DeJesus, 35, who tucked in a striped spaghetti strap top into a pair of skinny jeans

Kids again: The ladies shared a smile as they carried a collection of stuffed sharks and turtles

Joining the Atlanta, Georgia native was fellow actress Kim DeJesus, 35, who tucked in a striped spaghetti strap top into a pair of skinny jeans.

Marine 3: Homefront star Ashley Bell, 31, was very Old Hollywood in a white dress and nude heels. Her hair featured a curly, side style and for make-up, the beauty chose a classic red lip.

Step Up: All In actress Briana Evigan, 30, was a bohemian beauty in a rustic colored drape dress and suede strappy heels.

Make It Or Break It star Cassie Scerbo, 27, was dressed similarly to Brianna in a long, navy gown and platform heels.

Vintage-like: Marine 3: Homefront star Ashley Bell, 31, was very Old Hollywood in a white dress and nude heels. Her hair featured a curly, side style and for make-up, the beauty chose a classic red lip

Mesmerizing: Step Up: All In actress Briana Evigan, 30, was a bohemian beauty in a rustic colored drape dress and suede strappy heels

Blonde beauty: Make It Or Break It star Cassie Scerbo, 27, was dressed similarly to Brianna in a long, navy gown and platform heels

AnnaLynne has two films in the works.

Next month, The Transporter 2 talent will star in 68 Kill, a movie about a girlfriend who recruits her boyfriend to steal money from her sugar daddy.

Then, the humanitarian will join model Charlotte McKinney in the crime drama, First We Take Brooklyn. The movie tells of 'an ex-felon joins an Israeli crime syndicate in Brooklyn,' according to IMDB.
She's eight months pregnant with her second child.

And Kimberly Wyatt looked positively blooming as she attended The Hunting Of The Snark play at Vaudeville Theatre in London on Friday.

The former Pussycat Doll, 35, was joined by husband Max Rogers and their adorable two-year-old daughter Willow.

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Expectant mama! Kimberly Wyatt looked positively blooming as she attended The Hunting Of The Snark play at Vaudeville Theatre in London on Friday

Putting on a relaxed display, Kimberly slipped into a black Bardot dress, cradling her snug bump.

Teaming it with black leggings and wearing her hair in a high bun, she beamed as she posed with her dapper beau.

And their tot looked adorable, putting on a stylish display in a pink jacket, grey princess frock and matching angel wing embellished trainers.

Family fun! The former Pussycat Doll, 35, was joined by husband Max Rogers and their adorable two-year-old daughter Willow

In May Kimberly revealed that her first pregnancy didn't prepare her at all for her second foray into motherhood, as she's been battling with extreme morning sickness.

Speaking on Wednesday's episode of Lorraine, the 35-year-old former Pussycat Dolls star admitted: 'The first few months were crazy.'

Explaining that there was nothing to worry about now, she said: 'I'm 24 weeks and everythings great. The first few months were crazy and the sickness was terrible.

From the time I work up to the time I went to bed, but youve just got to do it!

'Its crazy how pregnancies are so different, I didnt really get much morning sickness at all with the first one.'

Maternity chic: Putting on a relaxed display, Kimberly slipped into a black Bardot dress, cradling her snug bump

Kimberly - who shares daughter Willow with her beloved husband Max Rogers - also spoke about their first born, admitting the time had flown by.

'My little girl is two and a half it goes so quick!' she reasoned. 'Shes the cutest thing.'

Kimberly and Max delightedly shared their baby news on Easter Sunday as the songstress took to Instagram to type: 'There's a little bun-ny in the oven Happy Easter!', which garnered 5,000 likes in just a few hours.

The stunner got engaged to Max in September 2013 after two years of dating, and they married in February 2014 before welcoming their first child in December.
She had previously spoken of her hopes to start a family with her jailbird beau on his release from prison.

But Lauren Goodger is now 'questioning' her relationship with boyfriend Joey Morrison, admitting she is finding it difficult to maintain their romance while he is serving time in prison.

The former TOWIE star, 30, admitted she 'needs time' to decided whether their relationship is 'worth it', after denying the latest split rumours surrounding the pair.

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All over: Lauren Goodger, 30, has denied reports she and boyfriend Joey Morrison have split, but has admitted she is now 'questioning' their romance

Sources had claimed that Lauren has reportedly split with Joey, telling friends that she is now 'single' again following their 15-month relationship coming to and end.

The reality star was said to have informed her pals of her break up during a night out in London to support Vicky Pattison at the launch of her latest collection with Ann Summers.

However, a representative for Lauren denied that she and Joey have called it quits, telling MailOnline: 'Lauren and Joey haven't officially broken up, but Lauren is questioning her relationship and having doubts.

'It's not easy being with someone who is in prison especially with all the scrutiny and speculation.'

'It wasn't exactly the perfect relationship': Joey is currently serving time in prison as part of a 16 year violent drugs-related prison sentence - he is due for early release next year

They added: 'She loves Joey deeply but she needs time to work out if this relationship has legs and whether it will all be worth it in the end.'

Their comment comes after a source claimed to The Sun that Lauren had confirmed she and Joey are no longer an item.

'She said she is finished with Joey and that the relationship is over,' the insider told the paper.

'It didn't really come as a shock to anyone because people know it wasn't exactly the perfect relationship for her to be in.

'In fact, we're completely relieved it's over,' they added, suggesting Lauren was moving on from her heartbreak and appeared to be 'back to her usual self' as she partied with former I'm A Celebrity winner Vicky and her fellow TOWIE stars Ferne McCann and Danielle Armstrong at the lingerie event.

Moving on? According to The Sun, the former TOWIE star had shared news she is single while attending Vicky Pattison's Ann Summers launch on Thursday evening

Reports of her 'split' with Joey comes just days after it was claimed the couple had been embroiled in a heated argument during a prison visit Lauren had made to see her former flame.

A source previously claimed to The Sun that while Lauren is 'completely in love' with Joey she had become 'frustrated' with the circumstances of their relationship and it led to a 'furious argument' between the pair.

For over a year, Lauren has been forced to visit Joey in prison, as he has been in the midst of serving a 16 year violent drugs-related prison sentence.

He was convicted of a string of offences, including possession of a firearm, kidnapping, blackmail and actual bodily harm, and is due for a 2018 release.

Heartbroken: She was seen looking downcast as she spoke on the phone while leaving the launch on Thursday evening

Taking her mind off it: Inside the event, Lauren appeared happy to party with her girl pals despite her romance woes

It's not the first time the pair have found themselves at the centre of speculation they have split, as Lauren was forced to address reports of a break up back in May.

At the time, she shut down such claims and insisted she and Joey were very much together as just a month before, they had celebrated their first anniversary together.

She tweeted: 'No We have not split it was our year anniversary last month And I'm keeping my relationship private for now Thanks x (sic)'

Lauren had spoken of her hopes to settle down with Joey following his release from prison and expressed her desire for the pair to start a family together.

'LG is back': Lauren cryptically suggested she was back to her self while partying with Danielle Armstrong (above) at the event

Welcome distraction: As she shared snaps alongside her former TOWIE co-stars Danielle and Ferne, along with Vicky and Casey Batchelor, Lauren added that she was 'so glad' to be out with her pals

The reality star had appeared on Channel 5's In Therapy and confessed: 'I think [Joey] will be a good dad... people are saying wait until he's out.

'I want to get married and have children. I want a beautiful household with lots of love and affection. I want to have quite a few children, four... as many as I can.'

A friend of hers then revealed that Lauren had planned to fall pregnant during Joey's day release, adding: 'She is so desperate to start a family and she loves him so much she doesnt care how it happens as long as it happens.'

As reports of her split with Joey emerged, Lauren was seen surrounding herself with her girl pals during her night out in London.

Plans: Lauren had spoken of her hopes to settle down with Joey following his release from prison and expressed her desire for the pair to start a family together on Channel 5's In Therapy

Brushing off her heartbreak: She hasn't yet addressed the speculation herself on social media, instead choosing to share pictures of herself and her friends online instead

She hasn't yet addressed the speculation herself on social media, instead choosing to share pictures of herself and her friends online instead.

Although, as she shared snaps alongside her former co-stars Danielle and Ferne, along with Vicky and Casey Batchelor, Lauren cryptically added that she was 'so glad' to have seen them on Thursday evening.

She also continuously remarked in several of her posts that 'LG is back'.

The split will come as a devastating blow for Lauren, as in recent weeks she has found herself locked in a bitter feud with her former fiance Mark Wright.

Tension: The split will come as a devastating blow for Lauren, as in recent weeks she has found herself locked in a bitter feud with her former fiance Mark Wright

Tensions grew between the pair following her accusations that the Take Me Out: The Gossip presenter had her 'removed' from Essex hotspot Sheesh, Chigwell - a claim that Mark has vehemently denied.

She went on to explosively accuse her ex of seeing her at 'the same time' he began dating his now wife Michelle Keegan - Mark insisted there was no truth in this - and appeared to take a snide swipe at the former TOWIE star on Instagram recently.

Sharing a throwback photo of herself during a night out when she was in her early twenties, Lauren remarked: 'Back in the day when I wasn't aloud out but my mates had my back London days 23/24 whoop love to my London boys.'

Taking a swipe: She appeared to hit out at the former TOWIE star on Instagram recently, sharing a throwback picture of herself back when, she claims, she was 'wasn't allowed out' while dating ex Mark

Her comment come after Lauren has frequently blasted Mark for being 'controlling' while reminiscing about their romance - much to his chagrin.

MailOnline have previously reached out to a representative for Mark.

She dated Mark through her teenage years before starring in TOWIE in its 2010 inauguration, when they were in one of their many 'off' stages, with the first episode seeing her birthday ruined by Mark cosying up to flame Sam Faiers.

As time wore on, the couple's convoluted romance captivated viewers with Mark devastating Lauren on a number of occasions when he enjoyed flings with both Sam and Lucy Mecklenburgh - leading to constant rows within the group before the couple finally split in 2012.
She is well known for her sensationally youthful good looks.

And Monica Bellucci once again proved she is defying her 52 years as she attended the super glamorous 69th Monaco Red Cross Ball Gala at Sporting Monte-Carlo alongside a bevy of other chic guests on Friday.

The Bond girl was a vision in a floor-sweeping skirt and top combo with a sheer base and a plunging neckline which gave a cheeky hint of her bra underneath, as she appeared at the event after discussing her approach to aging in a recent interview.

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Sheer delight: Monica Bellucci once again proved she is defying her 52 years as she attended the super glamorous 69th Monaco Red Cross Ball Gala at Sporting Monte-Carlo alongside a bevy of other chic guests on Friday

Monica is famed for her stunning good looks as illustrated with her chic ensemble on Friday, which helped make the most of every inch of her incredible frame.

While the look was volumunious, it still did the trick in displaying her curves with the thick, scalloped belt cinching in her tiny waist to perfection.

The billowing sheer skirt added drama to the already gothic look while her plunging shirt added a cheeky detail to the ensemble.

Giving a nod to her A-list status, the brunette beauty wore a string of dazzling diamond to provide a further element of glamour.

Glow girl: The Bond girl was a vision in a floor-sweeping skirt and top combo with a sheer base and a plunging neckline which gave a cheeky hint of her bra underneath, as she appeared at the event after discussing her approach to aging in a recent interview

Cheeky! The stunning star flashed her bra from underneath her plunging shirt

Out and a pout: She sported her favoured make-up look complete with a smouldering smokey eye paired with a muted glossy lip

Chic: Monica is famed for her stunning good looks as illustrated with her chic ensemble on Friday, which helped make the most of every inch of her incredible frame

She sported her favoured make-up look complete with a smouldering smokey eye paired with a muted glossy lip.

Accessorising flawlessly, she sported a chic clutch bag with glitter worked through while boosting her already staggering height with a pair of Louboutin heels.

With her age-defying looks, it is clear to see that curiosity springs as to how she manages to stay so young - a secret she divulged to The Telegraph.

She said: 'I do Pilates and swim, but I dont wake up at six and go to the gym. Forget it! It is not a matter of age, it is a matter of energy. The body gets older but the soul younger, You can be old at just 20'.

A vision: Giving a nod to her A-list status, the brunette beauty wore a string of dazzling diamond to provide a further element of glamour

Joining her at the bash was Charlene, Princess of Monaco and her husband Prince Albert II, with both the couple looking dashing in chic ensembles.

The daring royal wore a futuristic dress with a nipped in waist and bust-boosting bustier to make the most of her eye-popping cleavage.

She wore her locks in a spikey blonde crop while making her make-up a feature of the look with a dramatic smokey eye smudged in a smouldering style.

Silver stunner: Joining her at the bash was Charlene, Princess of Monaco and her husband Prince Albert II, with both the couple looking dashing in chic ensembles

Silver sensation: The daring royal wore a futuristic dress with a nipped in waist and bust-boosting bustier to make the most of her eye-popping cleavage

Lily white: Victoria Silvstedt, 42, looked radiant as she sashayed into the Red Cross Gala in Monaco on Friday.

Stunning: The striking blonde donned pearl earrings in keeping with her lily white ensemble stood in front of a stunning bouquet of the bloom

Successful career: Since her career rocketed, she has modeled for some of the world's most prestigious fashion houses, including Chanel, Dior and Valentino

Suit up! Billy Zane arrived in a classically tailored tux with a pair of dark rimmed frames resting above his brow

Lady in red: Monika Bacardi poses in a flowing red floor length gown with a pair of chunky platform heals

Entrance: Prince's Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene arriving at the lavish gala

Gifts: The Princess of Monaco was presented with a bouquet of white and red roses

Chic: Pilot Bertrand Piccard arrives with his wife Michele at the gala

Chic: Isabell Kristensen poses as she arrives in a flowing peach gown

Entrance: Prince's Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene arriving at the lavish gala

Sequined: The Princess of Monaco once again pushed the fashion boundaries in a futuristic silver gown

Immaculately tailored: Prince Albert looked exceedingly dapper in his white tux formals

A good cause: The gala was in honour of the charity organisation that provides relief work across the globe

Formalities: The royal couple stopped briefly to talk to guests at the lavish event

Chic: French actor Francois Cluzet arriving with his wife Narjiss for the elegant ball
She is not your typical royal - often opting risque ensembles to spectacular effect.

And Charlene, Princess of Monaco once again pushed the fashion boundaries on Friday as she oozed glamour at the 69th Monaco Red Cross Ball Gala at Sporting Monte-Carlo - as she ensured she stole the show.

The 39-year-old beauty was joined by her handsome husband Prince Albert II, who looked dashing in a white blazer with a red bowtie, while she wore a sensational silver jumpsuit with a nipped in waist and boned corset.

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Silver stunner: Joining her at the bash was Charlene, Princess of Monaco and her husband Prince Albert II, with both the couple looking dashing in chic ensembles

Princess Charlene wore the futuristic one-piece with aplomb, as the nipped in waist and bust-boosting bustier made the most of her eye-popping cleavage.

While many guests opted for a safe style, the silver number was dazzling with a heavy sequinned adornments covering the entire top.

She wore her locks in a spikey blonde crop while allowing her make-up to be a feature of the look with a dramatic smokey eye smudged in a smouldering style.

Naturally as a royal, she was clad with jewels including a dazzling pair of diamond earrings which coordinated with her gown.

Silver sensation: The 39-year-old beauty was joined by her handsome husband Prince Albert II, who looked dashing in a white blazer with a red bowtie, while she wore a sensational silver jumpsuit with a nipped in waist and boned corset

Dazzling: The stunning star looked chic in her silver ensemble which made the most of her figure

Hold me close: Naturally as a royal, she was clad with jewels including a dazzling pair of diamond earrings which coordinated with her one-piece

Sexy stuff: The stunning star was coiffed to perfection for the bash

Joining the couple was Monica Bellucci, who is well known for her sensationally youthful good looks, as she once again proved she is defying her 52 years at the bash.

The Bond girl was a vision in a floor-sweeping skirt and top combo with a sheer base and a plunging neckline which gave a cheeky hint of her bra underneath, as she appeared at the event after discussing her approach to aging in a recent interview.

Monica is famed for her stunning good looks as illustrated with her chic ensemble on Friday, which helped make the most of every inch of her incredible frame.

Hold me close: Despite gracing many red carpets, the couple still held hands in a supportive fashion

Picture perfect: The pair complemented each other in their formal attire for the exclusive ball

Fashion forward: The royal's eye-catching jumpsuit featured intricate waterfall sequin detailing

All that glitters: Her grey chiffon look accentuated her lean physique as she entered the gala

Picture perfect: The regal duo made sure to command attention in their striking formal wear

Dance to it: The two appeared to be in jovial spirits as they took to the dancefloor in the midst of the gala

Camera ready: Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco posed with film star Monica Bellucci

Sheer delight: Joining the couple was Monica Bellucci, who is well known for her sensationally youthful good looks, as she once again proved she is defying her 52 years at the bash

While the look was volumunious, it still did the trick in displaying her curves with the thick, scalloped belt cinching in her tiny waist to perfection.

The billowing sheer skirt added drama to the already gothic look while her plunging shirt added a cheeky detail to the ensemble.

Giving a nod to her A-list status, the brunette beauty wore a string of dazzling diamond to provide a further element of glamour.

Glow girl: While the look was volumunious, it still did the trick in displaying her curves with the thick, scalloped belt cinching in her tiny waist to perfection

Cheeky! The stunning star flashed her bra from underneath her plunging shirt

Out and a pout: She sported her favoured make-up look complete with a smouldering smokey eye paired with a muted glossy lip

Chic: Monica is famed for her stunning good looks as illustrated with her chic ensemble on Friday, which helped make the most of every inch of her incredible frame

She sported her favoured make-up look complete with a smouldering smokey eye paired with a muted glossy lip.

Accessorising flawlessly, she sported a chic clutch bag with glitter worked through while boosting her already staggering height with a pair of Louboutin heels.

With her age-defying looks, it is clear to see that curiosity springs as to how she manages to stay so young - a secret she divulged to The Telegraph.

A vision: Giving a nod to her A-list status, the brunette beauty wore a string of dazzling diamond to provide a further element of glamour

Happy couple: Four time Tour De France winner Christopher Froome and wife Michelle Cound looked glamorous at the bash

Dazzling: Christopher looked sharp in a tux making a change from the cycling jersey that he donned ascending Alpes d'Huez during the Tour while wife Michelle Cound looked pretty in gold

She said: 'I do Pilates and swim, but I dont wake up at six and go to the gym. Forget it! It is not a matter of age, it is a matter of energy. The body gets older but the soul younger, You can be old at just 20'.

Cyclist Christopher Froome and wife Michelle Cound looked glamorous at the bash as the stunning blonde sported a dazzling gold gown with a plunging neckline.

Swedish model Victoria Silvstedt, 42, was a vision in a dazzling white gown with cut-out details which showed off her unsupported assets.

All white? Swedish model Victoria Silvstedt, 42, was a vision in a dazzling white gown with cut-out details which showed off her unsupported assets

Braless beauty: The blonde beauty looked sensational in her gown which boasted a cheeky peephole

Successful career: Since her career rocketed, she has modeled for some of the world's most prestigious fashion houses, including Chanel, Dior and Valentino

Lady in red: Monika Bacardi poses in a flowing red floor length gown with a pair of chunky platform heals

Suit up! Billy Zane arrived in a classically tailored tux with a pair of dark rimmed frames resting above his brow

Entrance: Prince's Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene arriving at the lavish gala

Sequined: The Princess of Monaco once again pushed the fashion boundaries in a futuristic silver gown

Immaculately tailored: Prince Albert looked exceedingly dapper in his white tux formals

A good cause: The gala was in honour of the charity organisation that provides relief work across the globe

Formalities: The royal couple stopped briefly to talk to guests at the lavish event

Gifts: The Princess of Monaco was presented with a bouquet of white and red roses

Chic: Pilot Bertrand Piccard arrives with his wife Michele at the gala

Chic: Isabell Kristensen poses as she arrives in a flowing peach gown adding an ornate butterfly ring

Hand in hand: The Princess cut an elegant figure in her shimmering floor length gown
Rachel Lindsay bailed on her own engagement party.

On Friday, the lawyer's Bachelor Nation girl squad hit the beach in Punta Cana to celebrate her upcoming nuptials.

But the Bachelorette was nowhere to be seen, with a source telling E! News that the bride-to-be didn't even make her flight on Thursday.

Where's Rachel?: Rachel Lindsay bailed on her own engagement party (pictured July 2017)

Party on: The Bachelorette missed her flight for the Punta Cana getaway planned in honor of her pending nuptials

The reality star's Bachelor besties Raven Gates, Astrid Loch, Danielle Lombard, Alexis Waters, Jasmine Goode, and Sarah Vendal are enjoying some fun in the sun at Hard Rock Punta Cana in honor of Rachel's future wedding.

'She somehow didn't make it on her flight yesterday,' the insider explained.

'No one has any idea what's going on. She was supposed to be there. It's her trip. But at the last minute she didn't show up,' the confidante continued.

In the Texas native's absence, the other girls have been living it up in the Dominican Republic, sharing sunny snaps on Instagram.

Girl group: The lawyer would have joined her Bachelor Nation besties at Hard Rock Punta Cana

Having fun without her: L-R Raven Gates, Alexis Waters, Astrid Loch, Danielle Lombard, Jasmine Goode and Sarah Vendal

Party time! The ladies posed in their bikinis despite the guest of honor not being with them

In the caption of one sandy shot, Alexis teased the guest of honor's blatant absence.

'Celebrating @therachlindsay engagement without @therachlindsay #hardrockpuntacana,' she wrote.

With or without Rachel, the girls will enjoy an all-inclusive stay at the resort, including free alcohol, over a dozen pools, and nine eateries, according to E!.

'No one has any idea what's going on': The ABC alum was a no-show at the airport (pictured July 2017)

But the getaway in paradise isn't only a girls' trip.

'Jack Stone, Adam Gottschalk, and Iggy Rodriguez are coming to meet up with the girls later in the weekend,' the source said, adding that will be a girls-only trip for the first two days.

The girl group is celebrating the stunner's upcoming wedding a few weeks shy of The Bachelorette season finale.

Who will she choose?: Rachel's remaining suitors are Bryan Abasolo (left), Eric Bigger (center), and Peter Krauss (right)

On August 7, Rachel will select which of the remaining three suitors she'd like to spend the rest of her life with.

Bryan Abasolo, Eric Bigger, and Peter Krauss are still in the running for the beauty's heart.

And even though she wasn't joining her gal pals in Punta Cana on Friday, Rachel did show up last weekend to ring in Raven's birthday.

The lovely ladies dressed to impress while attending the brunette's big bash at Avenue in Los Angeles.

'Birthday Weekend with my girls,' Raven captioned a group shot.
A general view shows the newsroom at the headquarters of the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera satellite news channel in Doha 14 November 2006

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he wants to expel Qatari broadcaster Al-Jazeera from Israel amid tensions over a sensitive Jerusalem holy site.

"The Al-Jazeera channel continues to incite violence around the Temple Mount," Netanyahu wrote in a Facebook post late Wednesday, referring to the Haram al-Sharif compound in Jerusalem, known to Jews as the Temple Mount.

"I have appealed to law enforcement agencies several times to close the Al-Jazeera office in Jerusalem. If this is not possible because of legal interpretation, I am going to seek to have the necessary legislation adopted to expel Al-Jazeera from Israel."

Israel has regularly accused Al-Jazeera of bias in its coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Al-Jazeera condemned what it called "arbitrary accusations and hostile statements."

It added the network would "take all necessary legal measures in case they act on their threat," saying its coverage was professional and objective.

Protests and deadly unrest have erupted in the days since new security measures, including metal detectors, were installed at the holy site, which includes Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock.

Israel removed the remaining new security measures on Thursday and Palestinians announced they would end a boycott of the site.

Muslims had been refusing to enter the site and prayed in the streets outside for more than a week after Israel installed the new security measures at the compound.

The Israeli measures followed an attack that killed two policemen on July 14.

Palestinians view the security move as Israel asserting further control over the site.

Israeli authorities said the metal detectors were needed because the July 14 attackers smuggled guns into the compound and emerged from it to attack the officers.

Netanyahu's remarks come as Gulf states seek Al-Jazeera's closure.

Regional kingpin Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt broke ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of fostering extremism and later issuing 13 demands, including Al-Jazeera's closure.

Netanyahu has sought to improve ties with countries in the region, where it is heavily criticised over its 50-year occupation of Palestinian territory.

Egypt and Jordan are currently the only two Arab countries with peace treaties with Israel.

The prime minister has also faced backlash among Israelis for his decision to install the metal detectors after the attack at such an ultra-sensitive site, with many calling it a miscalculation from which he was forced to back down.

Netanyahu heads what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israeli history.

He has frequently criticised the news media, accusing it of seeking to undermine his government.
Iraqi civil defence and rescue workers search for the bodies of victims under the rubble of buildings in western Mosul's Zanjili district on July 26, 2017

In Mosul, the missing are everywhere, their families hunting through the ruined Iraqi city for traces of lost husbands and wives, parents and children, brothers and sisters.

Squatting on the edge of a crater under the burning sun of an Iraqi summer, Khaled Fizaali watches as a digger of the Civil Defence service pulls up a jumble of iron bars, concrete and wood.

The smell of decay rises as the excavator reveals human remains and Fizaali quickly descends from his perch of rubble in west Mosul.

But it's not his wife Sarah, 31, or his seven-year-old girl Touqa, who he has been desperate to find for the last two months.

"It's a neighbour, I recognise the clothes," he says. "I know they're under there. My brother was with them when it was bombed."

Nineteen members of Fizaali's family died in the May 19 air strike on the building, where jihadist fighters had taken up positions on the roof. Only his brother survived.

Seventeen bodies were found in a first search a month ago, including the remains of Fizaali's 10-year-old son.

Fizaali has no illusions; his wife and daughter are dead.

A picture taken on July 26, 2017 shows damaged buildings in front of a mosque in west Mosul

"But what's important for me is to find their bodies, this would bring me peace. I could visit them when I wanted to. When I go to my son's grave, I feel calmer."

It took more than eight months of heavy fighting, air strikes and shelling to dislodge the Islamic State group from Mosul, Iraq's second largest city and once the jihadists' biggest urban bastion.

In the process significant parts of the city, and especially west Mosul's Old City, were pulverised, leaving months of work ahead for Civil Defence workers to clear out the debris and search for the many still missing.

- A skull from the rubble -

There are likely still hundreds, possibly even thousands, of bodies left to find.

"We don't have any estimates," says Major Rabia Ibrahim Hassan of the Civil Defence, as his team works in the rubble nearby.

Iraqi civil defence and rescue workers rest as they search for the bodies of victims under the rubble of buildings in western Mosul's Zanjili district on July 26, 2017

"We can't know, because IS moved people from house to house to use them as human shields. People still come to us today to tell us they think they have loved ones buried in this or that place."

A few minutes later his men pull up a skull, which like the other remains that they find will be sent to the forensic department of the Al-Salam hospital in Mosul's Wadi Hajar district.

Every day "no less than 30 or 40 bodies" arrive at the hospital, according to Dhiyaeddin Shamseddin, the deputy head of the service. In the last month, 850 bodies have passed through, of which 180 have not been identified.

A few dozen people arrive every day to enquire about lost friends and family, he says, like Zahraa and Hajar Nashwan who came to ask about their big brother Ahmed. They have had no news of him since their home was bombed two months ago.

"We made it out alive but we feel like we died," says Zahraa, the older of the two.

"People say that even if you lose all your money and possessions, it's not so bad, the important thing is that you still have the people you love. But we've lost both."

Hajar, 18, says they have done all they can to find their brother.

"We searched in the rubble, we went to the checkpoints, we went to the camp (for the displaced) at Hamam al-Halil, we found nothing," she says. "I don't know if we will know some day. It will be up to God."

A child's shoe lies in the rubble as Iraqi civil defence search and rescue workers search for the bodies of victims under the remains of buildings in western Mosul's Zanjili district on July 26, 2017

But for those spending their days searching the devastated streets of Mosul, there's always some hope.

"The other day we found eight people who survived in a cave under the rubble for 25 days," Hassan of the Civil Defence says.
The headquarters of British American Tobacco in central London

British American Tobacco, fresh from its takeover of US peer Reynolds, reported on Thursday sliding first-half net profits, but sales jumped on the back of the Brexit-hit pound.

Profit after tax slid 15 percent to 2.3 billion ($3.0 billion, 2.6 billion euros) in the six months to June 30 from a year earlier, the maker of Lucky Strike cigarettes said in a results statement.

BAT, whose cigarette brands include also Dunhill and Kent, added that sales leapt 15.7 percent to 7.71 billion in the reporting period.

Sterling has slumped in value since the June 2016 referendum in favour of Britain leaving the European Union. That has made BAT's products more attractive for US buyers.

"The performance of the group in the first six months of the year is in line with expectations and demonstrates the good organic progress we are making," BAT chief executive Nicandro Durante said in the earnings statement.

"The relative weakness of sterling led to a significant tailwind on our reported results, with revenue 15.7-percent higher."

BAT paid almost $50 billion (47 billion euros) for control of Reynolds American in a move that targets the lucrative United States market and the fast-growing e-cigarette sector.

"As a result of the deal, the enlarged group has a balanced presence in high growth emerging markets and high profitability developed markets, combined with direct access to the attractive US market," noted Durante on Thursday.

The transaction, which completed earlier this week, added cigarette brands including Camel and Newport to BAT's portfolio.
performs a prayer in gratitude to God near the Dome of the Rock in the Haram al-Sharif compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, in the Old City of Jerusalem on July 27, 2017, as Palestinians ended an almost two-week boycott

Palestinians ended a boycott and entered a sensitive Jerusalem holy site for the first time in two weeks Thursday after Israel removed controversial security measures there, potentially ending a crisis that sparked deadly unrest.

AFP journalists saw thousands of worshippers streaming into the Haram al-Sharif compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, for afternoon prayers. The site includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock.

Some cried as they entered while others shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest).

A last-minute confrontation threatened to derail the planned end of the boycott as Israeli police were keeping one of the gates leading to the holy site closed.

The gate is where two Israeli policemen were killed on July 14, prompting the new security measures.

Police later opened the gate and Palestinians stuck to their plan to end the boycott.

A tense standoff had been underway between Israel and Muslim worshippers at the holy site despite the removal of metal detectors on Tuesday.

Newly installed railings and scaffolding where cameras were previously mounted were also cleared early Thursday, after which police said all new security measures had now been removed.

Muslims had refused to enter the compound and prayed in the streets outside after Israel installed the new security measures.

Palestinians viewed the move as Israel asserting further control.

In response to the removal of the security measures, Muslim authorities called on worshippers to return.

Israeli authorities said the metal detectors were needed because the July 14 attackers smuggled guns into the compound and emerged from it to attack the officers.

Deadly unrest erupted in the days after the new measures were introduced, with clashes breaking out around the compound and in the occupied West Bank, leaving five Palestinians dead.

A Palestinian also broke into a home in a Jewish settlement in the West Bank last week and stabbed four Israelis, killing three of them.
Halliburton will pay nearly $30 million in fines and other fees to resolve a bribery case involving Angola's state oil company

Oil field services giant Halliburton will pay nearly $30 million to resolve allegations of bribery in Angola, US regulators announced Thursday.

Former Halliburton vice president Jeannot Lorenz also agreed to pay a $75,000 fine for falsifying the company's books and circumventing internal controls, the Securities and Exchange Commission said in a statement.

Lorenz steered $13 million in contracts to a local company owned by a former Halliburton employee with ties to an official at the Angolan state oil company Sonangol.

The official then approved lucrative contracts for Halliburton, bringing in profits of $14 million for the Houston-based company, the SEC said.

In settling the case, Halliburton agreed to surrender the profits, with $1.2 million in interest, and to pay another $14 million in fines.

The Justice Department, which also enforces US foreign bribery laws, will take no action in this case, Halliburton said in a statement.

The company said the investigation began in late 2010 when the company itself received an anonymous tip.

"Halliburton promptly reported the allegation to the Department of Justice, conducted a thorough internal investigation and cooperated with investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the DOJ."

Halliburton settled the matter without admitting or denying wrongdoing, a common practice in civil enforcement matters, but has agreed to hire an outside consultant to oversee the company's anti-corruption practices in Africa.

The US is the leading enforcer of laws which criminalize paying bribes to foreign officials to win business. But more than 40 developed and middle-income countries have adopted an international treaty requiring that they do likewise.
The inmate sentenced this week for threatening to kill Barack Obama was already in prison when he made the threats

A 32-year-old prison inmate and Muslim convert from Massachusetts has been sentenced to three years behind bars for threatening to kill then Barack Obama when US president, prosecutors announced.

Alex Hernandez was sentenced Wednesday by federal judge Indira Talwani to 37 months, to be served concurrently with a five-to-eight-year term he is already serving for drugs and firearms offenses.

He pleaded guilty in May to one count of threatening to kill and inflict bodily harm on the then commander-in-chief.

Federal agents were tipped off in 2015 that Hernandez wanted to kill Obama and obtain false travel documents to flee the country afterwards, prosecutors said.

In a subsequent sting operation within the prison where he was jailed, he allegedly told an undercover agent he wanted to attack the White House and was studying how to make explosives to "create chaos" around government buildings.

Prosecutors quoted Hernandez as saying that he wanted to target Obama because "he's the one that gives the orders."

He allegedly justified the would-be attack by saying his "brothers" were fighting for "the caliphate in the Middle East" and griped that the US government was "painting it like they are the bad guys."

Obama, a Democrat, left office in January 2017 after eight years as America's first black president. He was replaced by Donald Trump, the New York billionaire turned Republican politician.
A Syrian child walks out of damaged building after an air strike on the rebel-held town of Arbin, east of the capital, on July 22.

Nearly three months after Russia, Iran and Turkey reached a deal on de-escalating the war in Syria, hundreds of thousands of civilians have yet to receive desperately needed aid, a senior UN official said Thursday.

The agreement by Syrian allies Russia and Iran, along with Turkey, which backs opposition groups, was to establish safe zones to ease fighting and allow deliveries of aid to Syrians, now in their seventh year of war.

In July, not a single aid convoy was allowed to reach civilians in the 11 besieged areas, UN deputy aid chief Ursula Mueller told the Security Council.

While the fighting has eased in Daraa governorate and other areas, "the humanitarian and protection situation remains extremely difficult for civilians in many parts of the country," Mueller said.

Military operations have restarted in rebel-held eastern Ghouta, near Damascus, and in the capital's Jobar neighbourhood, among other areas, she said.

In Idlib, infighting among opposition and rebel groups have forced some aid agencies to suspend their work.

Mueller accused the Syrian government of blocking aid convoys but said armed groups were also obstructing access, especially in Idlib and the eastern governorates of Syria.

"This means that, despite reductions in violence, we have not been able to noticeably increase our reach," said Mueller, the UN assistant secretary-general for humanitarian affairs.

Over the past two months, just over a third of the one million Syrians living in besieged and hard-to-reach areas received aid, Mueller said.

Britain, France and other countries that make up the international humanitarian task force for Syria have written to the Security Council to express their concern about the failure to ramp up aid deliveries.

British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said that in the last three months only two areas besieged by Syrian forces have received aid.

"We are not asking for humanitarian access as a favour. We are asking for it, because it's a legal and moral obligation," Rycroft told reporters.

Syrian Ambassador Bashar Jaafari said Islamist armed groups were to blame for blocking aid deliveries and rejected UN accusations that the government was uncooperative.

"These reports are used to slander the Syrian government, to apply pressure on the Syrian government and its allies in the fight against terrorism," Jaafari told the council.

He charged that aid convoys "often go to armed terrorist groups instead of reaching the Syrian people who need them."

- Trapped in Raqa -

An estimated 20,000 to 50,000 people remain trapped in Raqa as a US-backed alliance battles to oust the Islamic State group from the northern city.

"There is no way for them to get out," said Mueller, citing the danger of mines, unexploded ordnance, shelling, snipers and airstrikes.

Syrians clear up the rubble of their houses that were destroyed during clashes on the outskirts of Raqa on July 19, 2017

Dozens of civilians have been killed and injured by airstrikes and shelling in July and over 30,000 people have been displaced since July 1, she said.

Over 200,000 Syrians have fled fighting in Raqa since April 1, according to UN figures.

A polio vaccination campaign was launched this week in Raqa targeting 450,000 children in Raqa and Deir Ezzor. So far 27 polio cases have been confirmed.

More than 330,000 people have lost their lives in Syria since the country's conflict broke out in March 2011 with anti-government protests.
US President Donald Trump never misses a chance to make a political statement, even in front of thousands of Boy Scouts

A top leader of the Boy Scouts of America apologized on Thursday for the political nature of a controversial speech that President Donald Trump delivered to a scouts gathering earlier this week.

"I want to extend my sincere apologies to those in our Scouting family who were offended by the political rhetoric that was inserted into the jamboree," Michael Surbaugh, chief scout executive for the Boy Scouts, said in a statement.

"That was never our intent."

Trump addressed tens of thousands of boy scouts at their National Jamboree in West Virginia on Monday night, delivering a highly partisan speech that has been widely criticized.

Trump attacked the "fake news" media, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and other favorite targets during his address.

The Boy Scouts organization's Facebook page was deluged Tuesday with comments critical of the president's appearance.

Surbaugh, in his statement, said it is a long-standing tradition to invite the sitting US president to visit the scouting jamboree.

"It is in no way an endorsement of any person, party or policies," he said. "For years, people have called upon us to take a position on political issues, and we have steadfastly remained non-partisan and refused to comment on political matters.

"We sincerely regret that politics were inserted into the Scouting program," he said.
Martin Shkreli, the former Turing Pharmaceuticals executive who became known as "Pharma Bro," faces up to 20 years in prison in convicted of securities fraud

Closing arguments got underway Thursday in the securities fraud trial of Martin Shkreli, a former hedge fund manager and pharmaceutical executive label "The Most Hated Man in America."

The 34-year-old, who hunched over in his chair and fiddled with his hair, risks being jailed for up to 20 years if convicted of lying to investors and running a Ponzi-like scheme across multiple firms.

Shkreli allegedly stole $11 million in stock from his first pharmaceutical company Retrophin to pay off investors who lost money in two of his hedge funds.

Federal prosecutor Alixandra Smith spent nearly four hours painstakingly reviewing evidence presented at the month-long trial and walking jurors through testimony from investors in minute detail.

Shkreli declined to testify and his lawyers -- led by star defense attorney Ben Brafman, whose roster of famous clients include disgraced former IMF boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn -- called no witnesses.

"There's just really overwhelming evidence the defendant lied to investors," Smith, an assistant US attorney, told the jury.

"We have shown the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt on all eight of the crimes on which he has been charged," she finished.

Smith said the defendant lied to investors for years, chopping and changing his story depending on what he thought they wanted to hear.

To one investor out of whom he was trying to get $1 million, he allegedly lied about graduating from Columbia University.

To another, he claimed to have been too poor to graduate.

To a third, he claimed to have dropped out of college "just like Steve Jobs," Smith said.

- Jury to deliberate -

Federal Judge Kiyo Matsumoto is expected to instruct the jury after closing arguments, making it likely that the 12-member panel will start deliberations on Friday at the federal court in Brooklyn, New York.

The defense was to deliver its summation later Thursday.

Shkreli is charged with securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy for orchestrating three inter-related schemes to defraud investors and misappropriate assets.

Brafman has argued his client was sidelined from the company not because of corruption but because he did not fit the image of a corporate CEO.

Shkreli, the ex-boss of Turing Pharmaceuticals, is best known for increasing the price of HIV drug Daraprim from $13.50 a pill to $750 overnight, earning him the label "the most hated man in America."

While that incident has nothing to do with his securities fraud trial, his notoriety was such that proceedings were initially delayed over difficulties in finding an impartial jury.

Shkreli smirked through a congressional hearing that scrutinized his actions in 2016, and has since earned a reputation for an extravagant, self-publicizing lifestyle.

He resigned from Turing shortly after his indictment in December 2015, after which he was released from prison on bond.

His Twitter account was suspended in January after he was accused of harassing a journalist, though he contended he was banned for his support of President Donald Trump.

Shortly after Trump's election victory, Shkreli leaked a one-of-a-kind album by Wu-Tang Clan, which he bought for $2 million with the stipulation that he doesn't release it commercially for 88 years.
"It's impossible to endlessly tolerate this kind of insolence towards our country," Russian President Vladimir Putin said of US sactions

The US Senate on Thursday passed bipartisan sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea, sending the package to President Donald Trump, who must decide whether to accept the tough approach to Moscow or veto the measure.

The sanctions, which were approved on a 98-2 Senate vote and overwhelmingly passed the House on Tuesday, are sure to antagonize the Kremlin as well as European nations fearing their companies will be penalized.

The measure, which notably constrains Trump's ability to waive the penalties, is aimed at penalizing the Kremlin for meddling in the 2016 US presidential election and Russia's annexation of Crimea.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the bill would address the failure so far to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin for what he described as a "stunning breach" of a sovereign nation's elections.

"That all changes today," he said.

Senator John McCain, who chairs the Armed Services Committee and is a long-time harsh critic of Moscow, applauded the measure that "finally holds Russia accountable for its brazen attack" on US elections.

"The Senate's overwhelming vote today sends an important message that America will not tolerate attacks on our democracy or national security interests," he said.

But the bill could end up penalizing European firms that contribute to the development of Russia's energy sector.

New sanctions against Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which stands accused of supporting terrorism, and North Korea, for its missile tests, are also included in the bill.

Key among the provisions is one that handcuffs the US president by complicating any of the leader's unilateral efforts to ease penalties against Moscow in the future -- effectively placing him under Congress's watch.

Trump has faced accusations that his administration had sought to reassure Moscow that sanctions imposed near the end of the Obama administration could be lifted under a new presidency.

Initially, Trump resisted the sanctions legislation. But faced with near-total consensus among Republican and Democratic lawmakers, the White House blinked, saying this week that Trump was "reviewing" the bill.

US lawmakers, including Republican leaders, have remained wary of the intentions of the billionaire businessman-turned-president -- who has called for better relations with Moscow -- regarding a relaxation of pressure on Putin.

But even if Trump were to veto the legislation, Congress would likely be able to overcome such a blockage with a two-thirds majority in each chamber.

Putin himself lashed out at the US sanctions effort on Thursday, warning that Russia would ultimately have to retaliate.

"We are behaving in a very restrained and patient way, but at some moment we will need to respond," Putin said at a news conference after talks with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto.

"It's impossible to endlessly tolerate this kind of insolence towards our country," he added.

Several European nations, including Germany, are livid because the new law would allow punishing companies working on pipelines from Russia, for example by limiting their access to US banks.
President Donald Trump's latest tweets came as Attorney General Jeff Sessions made a "routine" visit to the White House

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Thursday called a barrage of criticism from President Donald Trump "hurtful" -- but vowed to remain in his post.

The president has launched a series of attacks against his top law enforcement official in recent days, furious at Sessions for recusing himself from a probe into alleged Russian ties to Trump's election campaign.

Sessions has remained largely silent in response but, in an interview with Fox News during a visit to El Salvador, he admitted to being stung by the president's comments.

"It is kind of hurtful, but the president of the United States is a strong leader," said Sessions, a former senator from Alabama who was one of the first senior politicians to endorse Trump.

Sessions said that Trump's overwhelming desire was for "all of us to do our jobs. That's what I intend to do."

The attorney general stepped away in March from overseeing the FBI-led Russia probe after it emerged he had not disclosed during his Senate confirmation hearing that he met twice with the Russian ambassador to Washington.

In an interview with The New York Times last week, Trump said he would never have appointed Sessions had he known he would recuse himself from the Russia probe.

He later called him out on Twitter, saying he had been "VERY weak" for failing to open a criminal investigation into his defeated election rival Hillary Clinton.

The attacks, widely seen as designed to force Sessions into resigning, have upset leading figures in Trump's Republican Party, who have sprung to the attorney general's defense.

"If Jeff Sessions is fired, there will be holy hell to pay," Republican Senator Lindsey Graham warned Thursday.
The iPod shuffle and nano were unveiled by late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs

Touch became the last iPod standing on Thursday as Apple removed nano and shuffle stand-alone digital music players from its lineup.

Late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs introduced the devices some 12 years ago with his legendary showmanship flare, and the small, easy to operate players helped the company revolutionize how music was sold.

Apple confirmed to AFP that it is no longer selling nano and shuffle, and the MP3 players vanished from the Apple website.

"Today, we are simplifying our iPod lineup with two models of iPod touch now with double the capacity starting at just $199 and we are discontinuing the iPod shuffle and iPod nano," the company said in an email.

Industry trackers and California-based Apple itself have long acknowledged that the do-it-all iPhone would eat away at sales of one-trick devices such as iPod MP3 players, so the farewell was met more with nostalgia than surprise.

The trend toward streaming music services, including the launch of one by Apple, has made devices designed just for carrying digital tunes around less enticing for consumers.

Shuffle devices about the size of matchbooks and featuring click-wheels for control but no screens debuted in early 2005, with Jobs touting that they let people carry broad libraries of music right in their pockets.

The small gadgets became popular with runners and others involved in physically active endeavors due to the ease with which they could be toted.

The iPod nano also hit the market in 2005, featuring click wheels and screens that improved the ability to select songs. Nano devices evolved with subsequent models, leading to one with a multi-touch screen and the look of an iPhone.

Neither the shuffle nor the nano linked to the internet, instead relying on downloading music from Apple online shop iTunes through computers.

Three years ago Apple discontinued the last version of the original iPod Classic, introduced in October of 2001.

The remaining products in the line are iPod touch models boasting much larger storage capacity and the ability to link wirelessly to internet hotspots for online content such as music streamed from services such as Apple Music.
Former president Abdoulaye Wade recently returned to Senegal from France to campaign ahead of Sunday's legislative election

Senegal, known for its stability and strong civil society, is one of the few African nations not to have suffered a coup since independence in 1960.

The former French colony has been headed since 2012 by President Macky Sall, and holds legislative elections on Sunday.

Here are five things to know about the west African, Muslim-majority nation of 15.4 million people.

- Political stability -

Senegal gained independence on April 4, 1960, when Leopold Sedar Senghor became president.

Senghor resigned voluntarily in 1980 to be replaced by his Prime Minister Abdou Diouf, who was confirmed president in 1983, and re-elected in 1988 and 1993.

In 2000, Diouf was defeated by Abdoulaye Wade of the liberal Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS. The first time in 40 years the socialists had lost power, the transition was hailed as a model of democracy in Africa.

Wade was re-elected in February 2007, but beaten five years later by his former prime minister Sall following an electoral campaign tainted by violence.

Sall opened a probe into the previous administration and several leading figures, including Wade's son Karim, were put on trial.

Karim, sentenced to six years in prison in 2015 for corruption but pardoned in 2016, accused Sall of trying to eliminate him from the 2019 presidential race.

Another opposition leader, Dakar's popular mayor Khalifa Sall, was arrested more than four months ago on corruption charges and is campaigning for the legislative elections from jail.

Wade has returned from France to campaign for the elections, in which he is also standing on a different opposition list.

- Mainly agricultural -

Fishing is Senegal's largest source of income, followed by tourism. Agriculture includes peanut production -- in decline over the past few years -- millet, sorghum and cotton.

Major oil and gas finds off the coast are yet to be extracted but could in the future offer a new revenue stream to the state.

Most of the population lives below the poverty threshold and there is a high unemployment rate among young people.

Remittances from the large diaspora in Europe, notably France, Italy and Spain, contribute to purchasing power.

Income per capita came to $980 in 2015 according to the World Bank.

- Religious tolerance -

Senegal is 95 percent Muslim and dominated by moderate Sufi brotherhoods. It is known for its religious tolerance.

Spared by the jihadist attacks that have hit neighbours such as Mali, the authorities have stepped up security at hotels and administrative buildings since January 2016.

Senegal, on the west coast of Africa, is bordered by Mauritania, Mali, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. Gambia forms a narrow enclave extending inland along the river of the same name.

- Goree: slave memorial -

Goree Island, four kilometres off Dakar, was one of the earliest European settlements in western Africa. For two and a half centuries it served as an outpost for slave and other trading serving the American continent.

Severa buildings from this period, including the House of Slaves, have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978.

The island is visited every year by thousands of tourists, especially African-Americans.

- Conflict in Casamance -

In Casamance, a southern region dependent on agriculture and tourism, the Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces (MFDC) has been fighting for independence since 1982.

The region, separated from the rest of Senegal by The Gambia, is the site of west Africa's longest-running conflict, though violence is rare today despite the absence of a definitive peace deal.
Tomomi Inada, a close confidante of Abe who shares his staunchly nationalist views, was appointed defence minister in August 2016, a time when she was touted as a possible future prime minister

Hawkish Japanese defence minister Tomomi Inada on Friday announced her resignation over a long-brewing scandal involving the handling of military documents, in a political blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

"I decided to resign as defence minister," Inada told a press conference at the defence ministry. "I submitted my resignation to the prime minister and it was accepted."

Inada, a close confidante of Abe who shares his staunchly nationalist views, was appointed defence minister in August 2016, a time when she was touted as a possible future prime minister.

But her nearly year-long stint has been characterised by repeated controversy, including increasing criticism of the ministry's handling of log reports filed by Japanese peacekeepers in South Sudan showing worsening security.

Abe, who became prime minister for a second time in December 2012 with a vow to rejuvenate Japan's economy, has seen his popularity plummet in recent weeks due to scandals and gaffes by members of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), including Inada.

Abe immediately apologised to the nation after Inada's resignation.

"I apologise from the bottom of my heart to the people for this situation in which a minister resigns," he told reporters.
A Shiite Huthi rebel stands on a vehicle mounted with a machine-gun during a gathering to mobilise more fighters to battlefronts to fight Yemeni pro-government forces, in the capital Sanaa, in June 2017

A ballistic missile fired by Yemeni rebels was shot down late Thursday close to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, a month before the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Islam's holiest site, the Arab military coalition fighting in Yemen said.

The missile was intercepted 69 kilometres (43 miles) south of the city in western Saudi Arabia, the coalition said in a statement, calling it "a desperate attempt by Shiite Huthi rebels to disrupt Hajj", which begins at the end of August.

Occasional ballistic missile attacks, as well as more frequent short-range rocket fire over the southern border, have in the past been conducted after coalition air strikes against the rebels in Yemen and is not the first time rebels have fired in the direction of Mecca.

In October they launched one of their longest-range strikes against Saudi Arabia, firing a ballistic missile that was brought down near the holy city, an attack condemned by Riyadh's Gulf allies.

But the new attack is thought to pose a threat ahead of Hajj, when some two million faithful from across the world will visit the site.

Map of Saudi Arabia locating Mecca. A ballistic missile fired by Yemeni rebels was shot down late Thursday close to Mecca, according to the Arab military coalition fighting in Yemen.

The Huthi rebels and their allies, former members of Yemen's security forces linked to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, began retaliatory attacks against the kingdom two years ago.

The Saudi-lead coalition intervened in the country in March 2015 to support President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, who says the rebels are supported by its regional arch-rival Iran.

The war has killed more than 8,000 people and wounded 44,500 since Saudi Arabia and its allies joined the conflict.

Nearly two million Yemeni children are "acutely malnourished" and a "vicious combination" of war, hunger and cholera have left the country in desperate need of aid, the United Nations warned this week.

The alarm was raised at the end of a two-day visit by the directors of the World Health Organization, the UN Children's Fund and the World Food Programme to Yemen, which has seen more than 8,000 people killed and 44,500 wounded since March 2015.

- 'Continued arms trafficking' -

The Arab coalition said the new missile strike was proof of "continued arms trafficking (for the benefit of the rebels) at the port of Hodeida" on the Red sea.

"The missiles continue to be smuggled in due to a lack of controls at the port of Hodeida," it said in the statement.

It said permits given by the Arab coalition for the delivery of humanitarian aid and commercial cargo were being abused at the port.

The Arab coalition has consistently accused the Huthi rebels of trafficking weapons, a claim they deny.

Hodeida is the main entry point for crucial humanitarian assistance to the north of the country and to the capital Sanaa, which is under rebel control.

The coalition wants to place the port under its control or that of the UN, which rejects the idea, fearing complications for the arrival of aid.

In the southern part of the country, which was taken over by the rebels in the summer of 2015, aid passes through the port of Aden.
Teaching young people in Rwanda about the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, which the capital Kigali marks with a Flame of Remembrance memorial, is a difficult task in a country where some 800,000 people were killed

"Who can tell us what the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi was all about?" teacher Josephat Arinetwe asks his pupils as he chalks the question on the blackboard.

The class of Rwandan teenagers stare back at him until, upon further prompting, one mumbles: "the massive killing of people."

Slowly Arinetwe draws out more details, scrawling on the board the official definition, that the genocide was "the careful and systematic extinction of innocent Tutsis and moderate Hutus who did not concur with the prevailing extremist politics."

At the leafy highschool in Kigali, a generation born after the genocide is learning both how ethnic divisions led to the slaughter, and how to forget them -- a crucial pillar of government efforts to foster unity and reconciliation.

"Hutu, Tutsi, Twa ... in my class I don't even know who is who," said soft-spoken Clarisse Uwineza, 18. "I am just Rwandan."

It is a sentiment repeated by many of her classmates, who from a young age have had "Rwandanness" drummed into them.

However, some researchers say these students merely parrot what they have been taught to say in history classes that offer a narrow version of the country's painful past, preventing debates about ethnicity and the genocide.

"There is one official history in the country from which no deviation is permitted," said Elisabeth King, a researcher who in 2014 authored the book "From Classrooms to Conflict in Rwanda".

"While students are being taught that they need to say they are ethnically blind, their lived reality is that ethnicity still structures access to power and sometimes still structures their daily life," King told AFP.

- An impossible country? -

In the wake of the genocide in which some 800,000 mainly minority Tutsi were killed in 100 days, author Philip Gourevitch described Rwanda -- blood-soaked and traumatised to the core -- as an "impossible country".

The pragmatic response to this by President Paul Kagame, who is seeking a third term in office on August 4, was: "People are not inherently bad. But they can be made bad, and they can be taught to be good."

History classes were suspended as the country set about rewriting its past.

"Before the genocide, education highlighted the differences between Rwandans," said Jean-Damascene Gasanabo, head of the Research and Documentation Center on Genocide.

He said textbooks described Tutsis as "foreign invaders" from Ethiopia while highlighting how to physically distinguish between Hutus and Tutsis.

Teachers would ask Tutsi students to stand up to be identified and counted.

Since the end of the genocide mentioning ethnicity has become taboo.

School textbooks now describe what King calls a factually incorrect "pre-colonial golden age" in which there were no conflicts between Hutu and Tutsi, blaming the very creation of these tribes on missionaries and Belgian colonisers.

- Jailed for saying the wrong thing -

The latest overhaul of Rwanda's curriculum, introduced in 2016, makes genocide studies a cross-disciplinary subject, meaning it is not only taught in history classes but can be introduced as a topic of discussion in other subjects.

It also highlights the use of critical thinking.

However, King says this is not possible in a country where "genocide ideology" laws have instilled a climate of fear in which few oppose the official narrative.

"We can't divorce the education system from a very authoritarian government in a context in which people feel that they can get thrown in jail for saying the wrong thing," said King.

Under Kagame, Rwanda has been praised for its economic turnaround and stability in the 23 years after the genocide. However, rights groups regularly criticise a lack of freedom of expression and muzzling of the opposition.

King accuses the government of selectively highlighting some communities' memories of the violence, while repressing those of others.

Any mention of killings of Hutus before, during and after the genocide at the hands of the now ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front whose military campaign brought an end to the killing, is enough to land one in jail.

Opposition leader Victoire Ingabire, seen ahead of her appeal against a 15-year prison term, was jailed among other things for calling for perpetrators of crimes against the Hutu majority also to be pursued

Opposition figure Victoire Ingabire is currently serving a 15-year jail term for, among other alleged crimes, calling in 2010 for perpetrators of crimes against the Hutu majority also to be pursued.

"This means Hutus feel left out of history and people told me they thought this was hindering reconciliation, if they too weren't allowed to share," said King.

- Comparing the incomparable -

Fidele Ndayisaba of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) denied that Hutu memories were being ignored and that this was hindering reconciliation.

"You cannot compare the incomparable," he said, referring to the deaths of Hutus at the hands of the RPF after the genocide.

"No one is stopping families from remembering their own who were killed in one way or the other, but putting them on the same level is to deny the genocide."

The NURC estimates that reconciliation stands at 92.5 percent.

This year, just before the period of genocide commemorations, several cows belonging to Tutsis were butchered with machetes.

Opposition Democratic Green Party candidate Frank Habineza, is of mixed ethnicity and is taking legal action against a Twitter user who called him a "mountain gorilla" -- which he says refers to what are seen as Hutu physical characteristics.

And in the run up to the election, opposition candidate Frank Habineza, who is of mixed ethnicity, pressed charges against a Twitter user who called him a "mountain gorilla" -- which with great discomfort he admits refers to what are seen as Hutu physical characteristics.
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Moscow negatively viewed a the newly released U.S. draft bill on sanctions against Russia, Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Russian media reported on Saturday, citing the Kremlin.

"Extremely negatively," Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov was quoted by Sputnik news agency as saying when asked about the Kremlin's take on the draft bill.

U.S. Republicans and Democrats have reached agreement on a bill that allows new sanctions against Russia, Iran and the DPRK, leading congressional Democrats said on Saturday.

The bill reportedly allows sanctions against Russia for its alleged intervention in Ukraine and meddling in the U.S. presidential election, which Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly denied in public.

Seen as a follow-up to new U.S. sanctions against Russia and Iran announced in June, the bill will be put to a vote at the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday.
The state of California has positioned itself at the forefront in the fight against carbon emissions despite President Donald Trump's decision to rollback legislation enacted by his predecessor Barack Obama and to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord in June

Known for its bouts of heavy smog , the city of Los Angeles on Thursday announced plans to have a fleet of fully electric, zero-emissions buses by 2030.

Authorities in the US metropolis said the project, which involves the purchase of 2,200 vehicles, would cost some $1 billion over the next ten years.

"Today's vote represents an enormous investment in the future of a healthy and prosperous Los Angeles," said Hilda Solis, a Metro Board Member.

The current fleet operates on compressed natural gas (CNG), seen as the most environmentally-friendly option when the buses were purchased in the 1990s.

A CNG coalition had previously protested the transition, arguing that, while the goals were worthy, electric buses were not yet a reliable technology.

The state of California has positioned itself at the forefront in the fight against carbon emissions despite President Donald Trump's decision to rollback legislation enacted by his predecessor Barack Obama and to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord in June.
People gather before giving alms to Buddhist monks in front of a photograph of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok on July 28, 2017

Monks gathered for a mass alms-giving ceremony and glittering commemorative stamps were issued on Friday as Thais marked the 65th birthday of King Maha Vajiralongkorn -- his first as monarch of the politically febrile nation.

Vajiralongkorn took the throne late last year after the death of his deeply revered father, Bhumibol Adulyadej, who built up a cult-like following during his 70-year reign.

Thailand is still mourning Bhumibol's death and Friday's celebrations were muted compared to the parades and other festivities that marked the late king's birthdays.

It was not clear whether Vajiralongkorn was in his kingdom for his birthday or abroad, where he spends much of his time.

He did not attend an early morning religious ceremony outside Bangkok's Royal Plaza, where more than 600 Buddhist monks lined up to receive alms from junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha and other officials.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-O-Cha (C) gives alms to Buddhist monks to celebrate the birthday of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn

In other parts of the capital local businesses erected portraits of the new king while well-wishers lined up to get special edition postage stamps of the monarch.

"The first day of the sales of the first stamp in the reign of King Rama X (Vajiralongkorn)...was met with huge public interest," Thailand's postal service said in a statement.

Royal affairs are highly sensitive in Thailand, where the monarchy has limited power on paper but wields vast influence behind the scenes.

The institution is protected from criticism by a severe defamation law that has been aggressively enforced by the ultra-royalist junta and landed offenders decades in jail.

The opacity of palace affairs -- and curbs on scrutinising the institution -- make it difficult to parse the new king's relationship with the military and other key powerbrokers.

But he has already asserted himself with several moves that consolidate his control over the palace bureaucracy and reduce government oversight.

Earlier this month Vajiralongkorn was granted power to appoint all members of a body that oversees the palace's multi-billion dollar financial portfolio.

Buddhist monks walk past an image of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej during celebrations for his son

The committee was previously headed by the finance minister.

Under the new king's direction, the junta has also removed constitutional provisions that require him to appoint a regent when overseas or have all royal decrees countersigned by a government official.

In May Vajiralongkorn took direct control of five state agencies overseeing palace affairs and security that were previously run by the government or military.
The vast underwater 'lost continent' of Zealandia extends from New Zealand north to New Caledonia and west towards the east coast of Australia

Scientists are attempting to unlock the secrets of the "lost continent" of Zealandia, setting sail Friday to investigate the huge underwater landmass east of Australia that has never been properly studied.

Zealandia, which is mostly submerged beneath the South Pacific, was once part of the Gondwana super-continent but broke away some 75 million years ago.

In a paper published in the Geological Society of America's Journal GSA Today in February, researchers made the case that it should be considered a new continent.

They said it was a distinct geological entity that met all the criteria applied to Earth's other continents, including elevation above the surrounding area, distinctive geology, a well-defined area and a crust much thicker than that found on the ocean floor.

Covering five million square kilometres (1.9 million square miles), it extends from south of New Zealand northward to New Caledonia and west to the Kenn Plateau off Australia's east.

Drill ship Joides Resolution will recover sediments and rocks lying deep beneath the sea bed in a bid to discover how the region has behaved over the past tens of millions of years.

The recovered cores will be studied onboard, allowing scientists to address issues such as oceanographic history, extreme climates, sub-seafloor life, plate tectonics and earthquake-generating zones.

Zealandia 'new continent'

Co-chief scientist Jerry Dickens, from Rice University in Texas, said the region was a vital area to study changes in global climate.

"As Australia moved north and the Tasman Sea developed, global circulation patterns changed and water depths over Zealandia fluctuated," he said.

"This region was important in influencing global changes."

Australian National University's Neville Exon said the two-month expedition, setting out Friday from Townsville, would also help better understand major changes in the global tectonic configuration that started about 53 million years ago.

This is around the time that the Pacific "Ring of Fire", a hotspot for volcanoes and earthquakes, came into existence.

In the February scientific paper, lead author Nick Mortimer said experts had been gathering data to make the case for Zealandia being a continent for more than 20 years.

But their efforts had been frustrated because most of it was hidden beneath the waves.

"If we could pull the plug on the oceans, it would be clear to everybody that we have mountain chains and a big, high-standing continent," he said at the time.
Tomomi Inada, a close confidante of Abe who shares his staunchly nationalist views, was appointed defence minister in August 2016, a time when she was touted as a possible future prime minister

Japan's hawkish defence minister resigned Friday over a long-brewing scandal involving the handling of military documents, in a major political blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Abe, who has seen his popularity plummet in recent weeks over several controversies, apologised for the saga.

"I apologise from the bottom of my heart to the people for this situation in which a minister resigns," Abe told reporters after Tomomi Inada quit.

Abe added he "must seriously accept the people's severe criticism".

Inada's nearly year-long stint was characterised by controversy, but she resigned over criticism of her ministry's handling of log reports filed by Japanese peacekeepers in South Sudan showing worsening security.

Inada told a press conference where she announced her resignation: "I feel a keen responsibility."

The prime minister this week dodged opposition questioning in parliament over claims of favouritism in a business deal, an accusation he has vigorously denied.

His government's public support ratings have fallen precipitously over the summer, with voters punishing the LDP in local Tokyo elections early this month.

The party suffered a drubbing in the vote for Tokyo's municipal assembly that media and analysts chalked up to a growing perception of "arrogance" on the part of his government.

It lost more than half its seats, with the result seen as a bellwether for national political sentiment.

The chief of staff of Japan's Ground Self-Defence Force, the army, also resigned, as did the top ranking civil servant in the defence ministry.

The shakeup in the top echelon of Japan's defence establishment comes as the country remains on alert over possible further North Korean missile launches.

Abe said that Fumio Kishida, the foreign minister, will also serve as interim defence chief until a replacement for Tomomi Inada is named.

"We have not a moment to lose in security issues," the prime minister said.

Abe, who became prime minister for a second time in December 2012 with a vow to rejuvenate Japan's economy, will reportedly revamp his cabinet next week in a bid to reboot the government, but he faces an uphill climb.

- 'Heavy blow to Abe' -

"Inada's resignation has dealt a heavy blow to Abe," said Shinichi Nishikawa, professor of political science at Meiji University.

"Three months ago, Abe was expected to stay in power until 2021 but the situation has changed greatly," Nishikawa told AFP. "He used to face no rivals within the LDP but his position now appears shaken."

Inada, a close confidante of Abe who shares his staunchly nationalist views, was appointed defence minister in August 2016, a time when she was touted as a possible future leader.

During her tenure, Inada delighted conservatives but drew domestic and international criticism in December when she prayed at a controversial war shrine in Tokyo -- the day after accompanying Abe on a symbolic visit of reconciliation to Pearl Harbor in the United States.

Yasukuni Shrine honours millions of mostly Japanese war dead, but is contentious for lionising senior military and political figures convicted of war crimes by an international tribunal.
Sri Lanka's Dilruwan Perera scored 90 not out by lunch on the third day of the first Test against India in Galle on July 28, 2017

Dilruwan Perera struck a defiant 90 not out as Sri Lanka tottered to 289-8 at lunch on the third day of the first Test against India at Galle on Friday.

Lahiru Kumara (two) was the other not out batsman, with the hosts needing 111 runs to avoid a follow-on after India made 600 in their first innings, their biggest total in Sri Lanka.

Angelo Mathews was the only other batsman who impressed, making a fine 83 off 130 balls.

The hosts are down to 10 men with all-rounder Asela Gunaratne ruled out of the match and the rest of the series due to a broken thumb.
Sri Lankan batsman Dilruwan Perera on his way to a defiant 90 in the third day of the first Test against India

Sri Lanka had their backs against the wall despite a defiant 90 not out by Dilruwan Perera on the third day of the first Test against India in Galle on Friday.

Perera rallied the lower order to take the hosts to 289-8 at lunch, still 111 runs short of the follow-on target after India made 600 in their first innings, their biggest total in Sri Lanka.

The 35-year-old right-hander showed both caution and aggression during his 126-ball knock, hitting four sixes and 10 fours to rattle the opposition bowlers.

Perera was particularly harsh on Ravichandran Ashwin, hitting the ace spinner for a six and a four in the same over.

Former Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews (83) also impressed before being caught off Ravindra Jadeja who troubled the batsmen often with his guile.

Perera was adjudged leg before wicket off Jadeja but the decision was reversed after TV replays showed the ball would have gone over the middle stump.

Sri Lankan skipper Rangana Herath (nine) was not so lucky though.

Herath tried to go for a reverse-sweep but the ball brushed his glove on its way to Ajinkya Rahane at first slip. Although he asked for a review, the decision was upheld by the third umpire.

Debutant Hardik Pandya claimed his maiden Test wicket when he shattered the stumps of Nuwan Pradeep to reduce the hosts to 280-8.

Sri Lanka are down to 10 men after all-rounder Asela Gunaratne was ruled out of the match and the rest of the series with a broken thumb.
Pakistan's Supreme Court on Friday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over long-running corruption allegations, a highly anticipated decision that forces him out of office.

"He is disqualified as a member of the parliament so he has ceased to be holding the office of Prime Minister," Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan told the packed courtroom.

The court also asked the national anti-corruption bureau to launch a further probe into the allegations against Sharif, which stem from the Panama Papers leak last year linking the premier's family to lucrative offshore businesses.

No Pakistani prime minister has ever completed a full five-year term.

Most have seen their tenures cut short by the powerful military or interference from the Supreme Court. Others have been ousted by their own party, forced to resign -- or been assassinated.

It is the second time in Pakistan's 70-year history that the Supreme Court has disqualified a sitting prime minister.

In 2012 then-prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to reopen a corruption case against the sitting president Asif Ali Zardari.

The Supreme Court's unceremonious end to Sharif's tenure represents a record third time he has been ousted as leader before completing his term.

In 1993 he was sacked by the then-president over graft allegations, while in 1999 he was ousted in a military coup.
Nawaz Sharif is now expected to oversee the nomination of his successor who will then be rubber stamped in a parliamentary vote, where his party and coalition partners command a 209-seat majority in the 342-seat house

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been ousted from power by the Supreme Court, an unceremonious end to his third term in power ahead of general elections next year.

No Pakistani prime minister has ever completed a full five-year term.

Most have seen their tenures cut short by the powerful military or by the Supreme Court. Others have been ousted by their own party, forced to resign -- or been assassinated.

What happens now Sharif has been disqualified?

Although Sharif has been disqualified as prime minister, he remains the head of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the largest party in the National Assembly.

As such, Sharif will oversee the nomination of his successor who will then be rubber stamped in a parliamentary vote, where his party and coalition partners command a 209-seat majority in the 342-seat house.

The opposition is also expected to field a candidate for the premiership, though the nominee has almost no chance of getting sufficient votes.

The vote will likely happen in a matter of days -- if not hours -- of Sharif's disqualification.

Is there any precedent for this?

Yes, in 2012 then-prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to reopen a corruption case against the sitting president Asif Ali Zardari.

After Gilani was ousted by the Supreme Court, President Zardari, the then-head of the ruling Pakistan People's Party, led the negotiations to find a consensus candidate for the premiership.

Following three days of intense horse-trading within the fractious coalition government, PPP-loyalist Raja Pervaiz Ashraf -- a controversial choice also marred by corruption allegations -- was eventually elected prime minister by the National Assembly.

Could the court's decision be challenged?

In theory, yes -- but it is highly unlikely.

Sharif's legal team could file a review petition but only on very limited grounds, such as a mistake in the judgement.

"The Supreme Court is the interpreter and final arbiter of what the constitution means, so if the Supreme Court says that's how it's supposed to be done then for all practical purposes that is what it is," said constitutional lawyer Yasser Latif Hamdani.

Could an early election be called?

An early election is unlikely because according to the constitution it can only be called by the president on the advice of the prime minister, meaning a successor to Sharif would have to be chosen first.

Elections are currently due in 2018.

Could the military take over (again)?

The military has been in charge of Pakistan for half of its 70-year history, but few expect the army to make an explicit bid for power again.

The military already exerts control over foreign policy and defence, leading to accusations from some that it is carrying out a "creeping coup".

"The military doesn't need to take over because it already enjoys so many trappings of power from behind the scenes," said Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program at the Washington, DC-based Wilson Centre.

In addition, Kugelman points out, public opinion in Pakistan does not favour a return to martial law.

"There is also simply not as much of an appetite in Pakistan for military rule as there was in previous years. That's important for the military because the military is very concerned about its image and public opinion towards the army," Kugelman said.
Officially the snake charmers' profession is banned in India, but its devotees were at the centre of prayers and milk blessings offered to cobras and other deadly serpents in an annual tribute on Friday.

The country's 800,000 charmers and their young apprentices come to the fore each year for the centuries-old Nag Panchami festival, celebrated in honour of a serpent god prominent in Hindu mythology.

Children sat cross legged at temples in Allahabad and other cities around the country with elongated cobras and pythons wrapped around their necks.

Milk is poured on the snakes' faces as the charmers play music

Many play with the snakes as though they are toys - in traditional snake charmer villages, like Kapari in Uttar Pradesh state, children are taught the art from a young age to avoid fear.

Milk - a traditional tribute - is poured on the snakes' faces, as the charmers play music. Rice and flowers are also offered to the reptiles.

The charmers who pretend to hypnotise their animals for tourists outside monuments and in the streets say they earn as little as 200 rupees ($3) a day - not enough to keep their family, or feed their snakes.

Children play with the snakes as though they are toys, having been taught the art from a young age to avoid fear

In doing so, they are risking arrest. The practice was banned under wildlife legislation implemented in 2002.

Many legends in Hindu mythology give importance to the worship of snakes. Stories such as that of Sarpa Satra, the snake sacrifice where a young Brahmin stops the yagna (sacrifice).

Animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has called for an end to the 'cruel' practice.

PETA says snakes are captured in suffocating bags, kept in tiny boxes and forced to drink milk.

India's 800,000 snake charmers and their young apprentices come to the fore each year for the centuries-old Nag Panchami festival

The group says snakes' fangs are often violently torn out, and many snakes' mouths are sewn shut to avoid bites.

But while authorities have tried to discourage the shows, the charmers say it is impossible to completely stop them.

'There is nothing else for us to do,' said Vikas Penna, a charmer in his 30s. 'What do you want me to do, become a rickshaw driver?'
A week old baby boy in India survived several hours in a grave after being buried alive by his teenage rape victim mother, police said on Friday.

Cries heard by villagers produced the miracle rescue of the infant now recovering in hospital in the central state of Madhya Pradesh.

The 16-year-old mother buried the boy in a graveyard in an attempt 'to get rid of him' a few days after secretly giving birth at her parents' house in Barwani district, a police official said.

Sexual assaults in rural India are often concealed because of the social stigma and women are often blamed in the aftermath

The identities of the mother and child are being kept secret.

Children playing nearby reported hearing muffled cries and raised the alarm on July 3. The baby was found under about 10 inches (25 centimetres) of mud, reports said.

The infant had been bitten by insects and was suffering from cold but was getting better and would be transferred to a state children's home, officials said.

'The victim decided to get rid of the child and buried him in a pit near her parents' home,' Barwani police chief Prashant Khare told AFP.

She later returned to her in-laws home in neighbouring Maharashtra state, the officer said.

Police said the mother could face attempted manslaughter charges.

The girl claimed she conceived after being sexually assaulted by a local teenager. A 17-year-old youth was arrested on rape charges on Thursday.

The girl's parents had forced her to marry in an attempt to cover up the assault but her husband refused to accept the child.

Any sex with a person aged below 18 is considered rape in India.

Sexual assaults in rural India are often concealed because of the social stigma. Women are often blamed in the aftermath of sex crimes.

India has a grim record of sexual assaults on minors with 20,000 cases of rape or sexual assault reported in 2015, according to government data.
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Iran's President Rouhani said Wednesday Iran would respond in kind to any breach of the nuclear deal by the U.S. after its House of Representatives passed a new sanctions bill, state broadcaster IRIB reported.

The Iranian parliament's national security and foreign affairs committee said it would hold an extraordinary session to discuss its response.

The parliament voted earlier this month to fast-track a bill introduced in June that would increase funds for Iran's missile programme and Revolutionary Guards.

The U.S. House passed a new sanctions bill on Tuesday targeting Iran's Revolutionary Guards, as well as Russia and North Korea.

Iran's deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the bill was "very clearly a hostile measure" even if it was only "a compilation of previous U.S. sanctions in the non-nuclear fields."
Yang Qingpei murdered his parents and, fearing he would be discovered, then killed 17 of his neighbours and fled to Yunnan's provincial capital Kunming

A Chinese man who massacred 19 people with a pickaxe including children and his parents was handed the death sentence Friday, a court in southwest Yunnan province said.

Yang Qingpei murdered his parents on September 28 last year when they refused to give him money, the Qujing City Intermediate People's Court said on its official microblog account.

Fearing he would be discovered, he then killed 17 of his neighbours, including three children, and fled to Yunnan's provincial capital Kunming.

He pleaded guilty and apologised to the relatives of his victims at the start of his trial on July 19.

The court ruling also condemned Yang's "particularly cruel" modus operandi and "evil plot".

Yang, who was born in 1989, accepted the death sentence and said he would not appeal.
Virtual reality games usually promise shoot 'em up adventures, but today in Hong Kong, lovelorn tech fans are donning the headsets to go on imaginary dates.

The city's annual Ani-Com and Games fair sees thousands queue to try out the latest consoles or buy up comic book collectibles, often dressed up as their favourite characters.

But for those who had spent too long alone in their rooms, a new VR smartphone app offered some romantic solace.

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Virtual reality games usually promise shoot 'em up adventures, but today in Hong Kong, lovelorn tech fans are donning the headsets to go on imaginary dates

HOW DOES IT WORK? Virtual reality games usually promise shoot 'em up adventures, but today in Hong Kong, lovelorn tech fans are donning the headsets to go on imaginary dates. Users can choose between four female models and spend a vacation with them in either Japan or Thailand, joining them on trips to cafes, hot springs and karaoke. They slot their phones into a plastic headset and are then immersed on a date, during which they can choose options for activities. Advertisement

Users slot their phones into a plastic headset and are then immersed on a date, during which they can choose options for activities.

They can choose between four female models and spend a vacation with them in either Japan or Thailand, joining them on trips to cafes, hot springs and karaoke.

Promoters of the Hong Kong-made app, which is known by its Cantonese name 'leoi yau' or 'VR travel friend', said it was to help what they called 'Otakus' to practise their dating skills.

The name is a Japanese term for obsessive manga or anime fans.

'We want to allow more people to try out what it's like to date a girl because there are a lot of Otakus who don't know how to communicate with girls,' Margaret Ming, the app's communication officer, said.

A video game player tries on virtual goggles at an exhibitor's booth during the Ani-Com and Games Hong Kong fair

'This game can teach them how to get to know girls,' Ms Ming said, adding that there is some flirting involved in the story arcs with the models.

Student Wong Wing-yeung, 14, said he enjoyed trying out the app at the fair as it could be hard to interact with the opposite sex in real life.

'Maybe it can help those who are shy with girls,' he said.

Die-hard comic fans posed with life-size ultra-realistic models of Wonder Woman, Thor and the Hulk at the stall for Hot Toys, a local firm famous for its figurines

The app is free, while the plastic headset and magazine introducing the women to date cost HK$48 (4.58/$6).

The show at the city's harbourside convention centre is one of the biggest of its kind in Asia and was packed with teenagers, many of them in coloured wigs and costumes mimicking their favourite Japanese comic book heroes.

Die-hard comic fans posed with life-size ultra-realistic models of Wonder Woman, Thor and the Hulk at the stall for Hot Toys, a local firm famous for its figurines.

Others posed for selfies with people dressed as Star Wars stormtroopers.
A Rastafarian mural in Shashamane, Ethiopia

Ethiopia's foreign ministry said Friday it will issue identification cards to Rastafarians, granting rights to a community that has long complained of living in limbo in their "promised land".

Rastafarians began immigrating to Ethiopia in the 1950s after Emperor Haile Selassie, whom they consider their messiah, set aside 500 acres (1,200 hectares) of land in the southern city of Shashamane for descendants of African slaves seeking to return "home".

But the community shrank after Haile Selassie's overthrow and eventual murder in the 1970s.

These days, the Rastafarian community in Shashamane numbers in the hundreds, but the religion's adherents complain that they can't own property, send their children to university or work because they're not Ethiopian citizens.

Many have also turned their backs on their home countries by not renewing their passports, leaving them stateless.

Foreign ministry spokesman Meles Alem told AFP Rastafarians will now be eligible to receive ID cards that will allow them to reside and have most legal rights in the country.

However, while this card allows them residency they are still not considered citizens.

"There were questions for them to recognise their presence in the country, so that is what the government did," Meles said.

Under the revised guidelines, the cards will also be available to foreigners who have contributed to the country's development and to Israelis of Ethiopian descent, Meles said.
Sri Lanka's government has approved the sale of a 70 percent stake in a loss-making but strategically-placed deep sea harbour to China for $1.12 billion

Sri Lanka will proceed with the billion-dollar sale of a deep sea port to China despite protests in an effort to slash its foreign debt, the prime minister said Friday.

Hambantota port straddles the world's busiest east-west shipping route and several countries, including neighbouring India, had raised concerns China could use it for its own military needs.

The port, built in 2010 with a massive loan from China and named after former president Mahinda Rajapakse, has failed to generate enough business to even pay staff salaries.

Port workers had called for a strike Friday to protest the deal, but cancelled it after the government used tough laws to outlaw industrial action.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the government would sign off Saturday on the $1.12 billion deal with China Merchants Port Holdings to jointly manage the facility.

Cash from the Chinese firm's majority stake will be used to repay part of the island nation's huge foreign debt, he said.

An opposition faction loyal to Rajapakse scuttled a parliamentary debate on the sale Friday, calling it a move to privatise the country's assets.

The port has racked up losses of $300 million in the last six years, Wickremesinghe said. In addition state-run Sri Lanka Port Authority pays more than $60 million annually to service its debt pile.

"We now have a deal without the debt," Wickremesinghe told reporters in Colombo.

Colombo said earlier this week that Sri Lanka's navy will be responsible for the security of the port and no foreign navy will be allowed to use it as a base.
Two tigers were among the animals evacuated from Syria's Magic World zoo in an initial operation last week

An international animal welfare charity was on Friday completing the evacuation of a dozen animals stranded in a neglected zoo in the conflict-torn Aleppo province of northern Syria.

The Four Paws group was seeking to move two lions and two domestic dogs from the "Magic World" zoo and amusement park in Syria over the border into Turkey and then to an animal protection centre in the north of the country, a spokesman for the charity told AFP.

The convoy with the animals crossed the Syria-Turkey border late Friday and was now on their way to the animal protection facility in Karacabey, outside the northwestern Turkish city of Bursa, said spokesman Martin Bauer.

In an initial operation, Four Paws said it had on July 21 evacuated nine animals -- three lions, two tigers, two Asian black bears and two hyenas -- from the "neglected" Magic World.

After a one-day journey, they arrived safely at their new home, the animal protection facility in Karacabey.

"The nine animals currently treated in Karacabey are doing fine. The last years have taken quite a toll on them but they're on their way to recovery," said Bauer.

The Four Paws charity said recent years in Syria had "taken quite a toll" on the animals

He confirmed that with the evacuation of the last four animals Friday "there will be no more animals left at the zoo in the Magic World amusement park".

Once all the rescued animals are out of Syria, the organisation will decide where their final homes should be, partially based on their health.

"Four Paws has some very good options with its own animal sanctuaries, including in Jordan, South Africa and the Netherlands," said the charity's veterinarian and head of the mission Amir Khalil.

"We will individually decide which place is most suitable for each animal."
There are growing signs that US President Donald Trump's threats and barbs to keep Republicans in line are losing their potency

Donald Trump suffered yet another humiliating blow Friday as a small group of Republican rebels dealt him a stinging legislative defeat on health care, adding to the woes of a White House riven by vicious infighting.

The billionaire president lashed out at Republican senators who defied his threats and barbs to vote against health care reform, which experts predicted would have left millions more Americans without coverage.

"3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!" Trump tweeted after the dramatic vote in the early hours of Friday.

The party rebellion -- led by Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and John McCain -- is a deeply ominous sign for Trump, whose political brand is defined by his dealmaking acumen and a take-no-prisoners approach to politics.

For months, Trump has kept skeptical Republicans in line with an implicit threat that he would turn his diehard supporters against them.

Republican lawmakers had privately worried that even an angry tweet against them could spell disaster at the next election.

But there are growing signs those threats are losing potency, when Republicans not only killed efforts to dismantle Obamacare, but joined Democrats in supporting a new sanctions regime against Russia.

- To veto or not to veto? -

The sanctions bill -- which also includes measures targeted at North Korea and Iran -- is designed to restrict Trump's ability to lift punitive measures on Moscow.

Trump now faces a choice between swallowing a bill he deeply opposed and refusing to do so -- a move that would intensify suspicions about his attitude to Russia and likely bring a humiliating veto override.

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller is the special counsel leading the federal Russian investigation

Trump's administration and his presidential campaign are under investigation by a special prosecutor and several Congressional committees over whether they colluded with Moscow to tilt the 2016 presidential election.

The new sanctions appear to have thwarted Trump's efforts to build better relations with Russia.

Russia's foreign ministry on Friday announced countermeasures, ordering Washington to reduce its diplomatic staff and seizing two US facilities.

Moscow ordered the US to reduce its diplomatic presence in Russia to 455 diplomats and staff and also barred it from using a Moscow summer house and storage facility.

Moscow complained that the "new sanctions bill showed with all clarity that relations with Russia have fallen hostage to the domestic political struggle in the US."

- Infighting -

White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, communications director Anthony Scaramucci and chief of staff Reince Priebus are at the center of White House infighting

If the view from Trump's White House looks bleak, the view inside is no better.

This week saw top staff in open warfare with each other, as they fought to get Trump's ear.

White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci launched a searing foul-mouthed attack on his most senior colleagues.

In an eye-watering exchange with a New Yorker reporter, the fast-talking Scaramucci described chief of staff Reince Priebus as a "paranoid schizophrenic" and chief White House strategist Steve Bannon as trying to build his own brand off Trump.

Scaramucci, a millionaire New York financier, arrived at the White House vowing to serve Trump's interest and right a badly faltering administration.

He did not apologize for the tirade, but said he would try to clean up his language in the future.

"I sometimes use colorful language. I will refrain in this arena but not give up the passionate fight for @realDonaldTrump's agenda," he tweeted.

On Friday, Trump will try to turn the page with a trip to the New York suburbs to talk about his administration's battle against the violent street gang MS-13.

He also will likely be cheered by data showing the US economy gathered speed in the second quarter, with gross domestic product up 2.6 percent in the April-June period.
ExxonMobil's profits doubled in the second quarter but missed expectations amid lower production, while Chevron beat expectations as production increased

US petroleum giants ExxonMobil and Chevron reported big jumps in second-quarter profits Friday, the latest boost from a recovery in oil prices that still feels shaky to many industry officials.

Exxon's profit for the quarter ending June 30 nearly doubled to $3.4 billion, while Chevron nabbed $1.5 billion in earnings, up from a $1.5 billion loss in the year-ago period.

The big improvement in profits came on the heels of a recovery in oil prices in the wake of agreements by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to limit production. Oil prices in the second quarter were about 15 percent above the level in the comparable 2016 quarter.

"These solid results across our businesses were driven by higher commodity prices and a continued focus on operations and business fundamentals," Exxon chief executive Darren Woods said.

Other factors included better refining margins, higher natural gas prices and a restrained approach to capital spending.

Chevron chief executive John Watson said, "Second quarter results improved substantially from a year ago."

"We're delivering higher production with lower capital and operating expenditures."

Despite the big jump, Exxon's profits missed Wall Street expectations. Analysts also hit the company for a one percent drop in oil and gas production compared with the year-ago period.

By contrast, Chevron's earnings bested analyst expectations and reflected a 10 percent increase in oil and gas production amid solid output at its Gorgon LNG project in Australia and its shale properties in Texas.

In morning trading, Exxon dropped 3.0 percent, while Chevron gained 2.1 percent.

- Cautious on investment -

Oil producers have been cautious in boosting investment, in part because of worries that oil prices could retreat again amid surging US shale production.

Oil services companies that reported earnings over the last week said US upstream investment remains solid, but international capital spending continues to lag.

Halliburton chief executive Jeffrey Allen Miller said aggressive drilling in North America boosted its US business, but the international market is likely to "move sideways" in part because of uncertainty about oil prices.

"Our international customers need confidence in commodity prices in order to overcome the duration risk in their projects," Miller said.

US oil output has risen more than 10 percent from a year ago to 9.4 million barrels per day, according to data from the US Energy Information Administration.

Schlumberger chief executive Paal Kibsgaard said investors have been "spooked" into thinking production in the United States "will flood the markets and leave inventory levels elevated for the foreseeable future."

John Hess, chief executive of midsized US oil company Hess, said he planned to trim $100 million from 2017 capital spending to $2.15 billion, citing "the current low price environment."
This picture taken on July 4, 2017 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on July 5, 2017 shows the successful test-fire of the intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14 at an undisclosed location

Kim Jong-Un boasted of North Korea's ability to strike any target in the US after a second ICBM test that weapons experts said Saturday could even bring New York into range -- in a potent challenge to President Donald Trump.

China condemned the test but US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Beijing and Moscow bore "unique responsibility" for the growing threat posed by the reclusive North.

Under Kim's leadership North Korea has accelerated its drive towards a credible nuclear strike capability, in defiance of international condemnation and multiple sets of UN sanctions.

Kim said the test "is meant to send a grave warning to the US" and demonstrated the North's ability to launch "at any place and time," the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

The "leader said proudly the test also confirmed all the US mainland is within our striking range," it said.

Trump denounced the launch as "reckless and dangerous" and rejected Pyongyang's claims that such tests helped ensure its security.

"The United States will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and protect our allies in the region."

Weapons experts said the altitude and flight time of Friday's missile suggested it was significantly more powerful than the July 4 test, with a theoretical range of around 10,000 kilometres (6,200 miles) meaning it might be able to reach east coast US cities like New York, depending on the payload size.

"North Korea seems to have made a logical step forward, as it tries to perfect the technologies to build and field an operationally-viable ICBM that can threaten the mainland United States," said Michael Elleman, missile defence specialist at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.

- 'Growing threat' -

Kim Dong-Yub, a defence analyst at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University, said the North may have succeeded in miniaturising warheads down to 750 kilograms (1,650 pounds).

"If the missile carries a 750 kg payload, its range could be 10,000 kilometres. Taking into account the Earth's rotation, it means it could reach not only the western cities but New York and Washington as well," he told AFP.

Tillerson said Pyongyang's main ally Beijing, together with Moscow, bore responsibility for the growing threat from Pyongyang.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un said the missile test confirmed the US mainland is within range and 'is meant to send a grave warning to the US'

"As the principal economic enablers of North Korea's nuclear weapon and ballistic missile development programme, China and Russia bear unique and special responsibility for this growing threat to regional and global stability," he said.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said he held telephone talks with Tillerson and agreed on the need to put "the heaviest possible pressure" on North Korea.

"We confirmed that we will closely cooperate in adopting a fresh UNSC (UN Security Council) resolution, including severe measures, and working on China and Russia," Kishida told reporters.

In a standard response to the test, Beijing urged restraint by all sides, after the US and South Korea conducted a live-fire exercise using surface-to-surface missiles.

The heads of the US and South Korean militaries also discussed "military response options" after North Korea's launch, the Pentagon said.

South Korea said the test had prompted it to speed up deployment of a US missile defence system, despite consistent protests from China that the programme would destabilise the region.

"The THAAD (missile defence) system deployment cannot solve South Korea's security concerns, nor can it solve the problems facing the Korean peninsula," China's ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement Saturday.

North Korea's unrelenting pursuit of its missile and nuclear programmes poses a thorny policy challenge for Trump, who is at loggerheads with Beijing over how to handle Kim's regime.

Trump has repeatedly urged China to rein in its recalcitrant neighbour, but Beijing insists dialogue is the only practical way forward.

- 'Time for Trump to focus' -

Joel Wit, a senior fellow at the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University and an expert on the North's nuclear weapons programme, said Friday's launch confirmed time was running out for Washington to find a way out of a pressing security crisis.

"Another North Korean test of what appears to be a missile that can reach the United States further emphasises the need for the Trump administration to focus like a laser on this increasingly dangerous situation," Wit said on the institute's 38 North website.

The US and South Korean militaries conduct a live-fire exercise using surface-to-surface missiles in response to the latest test

The North's July 4 test triggered global alarm, with experts saying the missile had a theoretical range to reach Alaska.

There remain doubts whether the North can miniaturise a nuclear weapon to fit a missile nose cone, or if it has mastered the technology needed for the projectile to survive re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.

But since Kim came to power there has been a series of technical advances, including three nuclear tests and a string of missile launches.

In all, six sets of UN sanctions have been imposed on North Korea since it first tested an atomic device in 2006, but two resolutions adopted last year significantly toughened the sanctions regime.
Dozens of South African female miners were suspended after refusing to be strip-searched in efforts to stop workers delivering food to illegal miners, a practice that even the mine's owner has called "deplorable"

A South African mine suspended dozens of women on Friday after they refused to strip as part of measures to stop workers delivering food to illegal miners, their union said.

The women who refused the intimate inspection were "assaulted and handcuffed using cable ties as if they are criminals", the National Union of Miners said in a statement that claimed 52 women were suspended.

Mine owner Sibanye Gold confirmed that it had suspended a number of female employees for "allegedly attempting to assist illegal miners", but put the figure at 45.

"It is unacceptable and deplorable what these male security officers are doing at Sibanye Gold Cooke Operations," it added referring to the mine in Westonaria, southwest of Johannesburg.

"This is the worst violation of their human rights and degrading to their dignity."

Since January, 665 illegal miners have been arrested at the mine, and 123 employees have been suspended for smuggling food and other contraband to the illicit miners, the company said in a statement.

In June the NUM and Sibanye Gold signed a deal banning workers from taking food into the shafts in an effort to combat illegal mining.

"Clothing is searched for food items in the presence of the employee and two protection services employees," Sibanye said.

"Female employees are searched by females and the male employees are searched by males."

Thousands of illegal miners operate in South Africa, often drawn from neighbouring Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Lesotho, risking their lives mostly in disused mines in the hope of retrieving small amounts of gold residue to sell on the black market.

Gold mining was South Africa's life-blood for centuries and helped the country become the most developed economy in Africa but production has dwindled in recent years as reserves are exhausted.
A picture released by Iran's Defence Ministry on July 27, 2017 shows a Simorgh (Phoenix) satellite rocket at its launch site at an undisclosed location in Iran

The United States on Friday imposed new sanctions targeting Iran's ballistic missile program, one day after Tehran tested a satellite-launch rocket -- an act that Washington had called "provocative."

The US Treasury singled out six companies owned or controlled by Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG), which it said was central to the Islamic republic's missile program, freezing their US assets and barring US citizens from dealing with them.

Foreign financial institutions could face punitive measures if they deal with the sanctioned entities, it added.

SHIG was already under UN, US and European Union sanctions.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the sanctions "underscore the United States' deep concerns with Iran's continued development and testing of ballistic missiles and other provocative behavior."

He warned that Washington would "continue to aggressively counter Iran's ballistic missile-related activity, whether it be a provocative space launch, its development of threatening ballistic missile systems, or likely support to Yemeni Huthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia such as occurred this past weekend."

According to the Treasury, "space launch vehicles use technologies that are closely related to those of an intercontinental ballistic missile and this launch represents a threatening step by Iran."

Iranian state television broadcast footage of the takeoff from the Imam Khomeini space center, named after the late founder of the Islamic republic, in Semnan province in the east of the country.

The report said the launch vehicle, named Simorgh after a bird in Iranian mythology, was capable of propelling a satellite weighing 250 kilograms (550 pounds) to an altitude of 500 kilometers (300 miles) above earth.

Western states suspect Iran of developing the technology capable of launching long-range ballistic missiles with conventional or nuclear payloads, a charge denied by Tehran, which insists its space program has purely peaceful aims.

Tensions have mounted between Washington and Tehran since US President Donald Trump took office six months ago.
US President Donald Trump says "animals" in gangs like MS-13 have "butchered" little girls, and transformed peaceful areas into "blood-stained killing fields"

President Donald Trump traveled to a crime-afflicted New York town Friday, seeking to magnify the threat from Latino gangs and encouraging police to dole out rough justice.

On a visit to Long Island, Trump described an urban hell where "animals" in gangs like MS-13 have "butchered" little girls, and "transformed peaceful parks and beautiful, quiet neighborhoods into blood-stained killing fields."

"They kidnap. They extort. They rape and they rob. They prey on children. They shouldn't be here. They stomp on their victims. They beat them with clubs. They slash them with machetes. And they stab them with knives," Trump said, using language unusual for a US president.

The gang, which is largely Salvadoran, has killed 17 people here over the past year and a half.

Trump has seized on the uptick in violence as evidence for the need for his restrictive immigration policies and less humane policing.

Some, but not all, gang members are illegal immigrants. Others are legal residents.

Flanked by uniformed police officers, Trump appeared to encourage them to abuse gang members taken into custody.

Trump asked them to "please don't be too nice" to "thugs," suggesting they be "thrown" into the back of police cars.

He also suggested that police should not place their hands protectively on detainees heads as they enter the vehicle. "You can take the hand away, okay?"

Hundreds of anti-Trump protesters waving flags and banners rallied Friday outside the community college where Trump spoke.

"Trump's visit here is an attempt to generalize violence and associate it with all Latinos. It is a pretext for winning votes, a way of promoting his racism," said Edwin Avila, a 44-year-old Salvadoran who has lived in Brentwood for 20 years.

On the other side of the street, several dozen Trump supporters insulted the protesters and chanted, "Eight more years."
There are growing signs that US President Donald Trump's threats and barbs to keep Republicans in line are losing their potency

US President Donald Trump ousted his beleaguered chief of staff Reince Priebus on Friday, replacing him with Homeland Security Secretary and former general John Kelly after vicious White House infighting spilled into the open.

Only hours after a humiliating defeat on health care reform had underlined his tenuous control over his party in Congress, Trump announced a second shakeup of his inner circle in barely a week.

Since entering the White House six months ago, Trump has parted company with his national security advisor, deputy national security advisor, FBI director, press secretary, communications director, acting attorney general, deputy chief of staff and now chief of staff, a turnover of top officials that is unparalleled in US political history.

Priebus has been under fire for months, seeing one White House ally after another resign or leave, culminating in the departure of press secretary Sean Spicer a week ago.

His exit appeared inevitable when Trump did not intervene as his new communications director Anthony Scaramucci publicly described Priebus as a "paranoid schizophrenic" in a foul-mouthed tirade that also saw him savage another top Trump aide.

Trump announced the switch on Twitter as he landed in Washington after a day trip, on which he was accompanied by both Priebus and Scaramucci.

"I am pleased to inform you that I have just named General/Secretary John F Kelly as White House Chief of Staff," Trump tweeted.

"He is a Great American... and a Great Leader. John has also done a spectacular job at Homeland Security. He has been a true star of my Administration."

As the tweet began to reverberate around Washington, Priebus exited Air Force One into the pouring rain and loaded into a black suburban with senior White House aides Steven Miller and Dan Scavino.

Moments later, Miller and Scavino got out and entered another van. Priebus's vehicle then left the presidential motorcade.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said discussions about Priebus's departure had been taking place for weeks.

Priebus later said he resigned on Thursday, but referring to his departure admitted that he and Trump "talked all the time about this subject."

- New law and order focus? -

Kelly will be sworn in to his new post Monday.

His Department of Homeland Security is responsible for enforcing border security and has taken a tough line on immigrants inside the United States.

The move likely signals a greater focus on law and order issues and will put further strain on relations between Trump and the Republican establishment.

Both Priebus and Spicer were part of the Republican National Committee, and the bridge that linked the party to Trump.

"I think we've still got a good relationship, we're going to continue working with the party," said Sanders, trying to discount notions of a rift.

The announcement of Priebus's departure came after three Republican senators defied White House pressure to vote against health care reforms, which experts predicted would have left millions more Americans without coverage.

The party rebellion -- led by Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and John McCain -- is a deeply ominous sign for Trump, whose political brand is defined by his dealmaking acumen and a take-no-prisoners approach to politics.

There are growing signs that Trump's threats against skeptical Republicans are losing potency, when Republicans not only killed efforts to dismantle Obamacare, but joined Democrats in supporting a new sanctions regime against Russia.

The sanctions bill -- which also includes measures targeting North Korea and Iran -- is designed to restrict Trump's ability to lift punitive measures on Moscow.

Trump now faces a choice between swallowing a bill he deeply opposed and refusing to do so -- a move that would intensify suspicions about his attitude to Russia and likely bring a humiliating veto override.

- Infighting -

White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, communications director Anthony Scaramucci and chief of staff Reince Priebus are at the center of White House infighting

The grim news from Congress came as an outburst from Scaramucci highlighted divisions within the Trump administration.

In an eye-watering exchange with a New Yorker reporter published late Thursday, Scaramucci described Priebus as a "paranoid schizophrenic" and chief White House strategist Steve Bannon as trying to build his own brand off Trump.

Scaramucci, a millionaire New York financier who is going through a divorce, arrived at the White House vowing to serve Trump's interest and right a badly faltering administration.

He did not apologize for the tirade, but said he would try to clean up his language in the future.

"I sometimes use colorful language. I will refrain in this arena but not give up the passionate fight for @realDonaldTrump's agenda," he tweeted.
US Chief of Staff John Kelly looks on as US President Donald Trump meets with North Korean defectors in the Oval Office

Retired Marine Corps general John Kelly was brought in as US President Donald Trump's chief of staff to bring order to what was seen as a White House in disarray.

Sixteen months later, Kelly is gone amid reports that his relationship with the volatile Trump had deteriorated to such an extent they were no longer on speaking terms.

On Saturday Trump told reporters that Kelly, 68, would be leaving at the end of the year and "I appreciate his service very much."

Four months earlier, the chief of staff had said he expected to remain in the White House through Trump's 2020 reelection campaign.

Although Kelly is credited with bringing some discipline to the Oval Office, his tenure was hardly smooth.

Kelly was serving as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security when he was brought in on July 31, 2017 to replace Reince Priebus as White House chief of staff.

Kelly took over a White House plagued by political intrigue and allegations of election collusion with Russia.

Priebus, a former chairman of the Republican Party, was ousted just days after Trump ignored his wishes and named Wall Street financier Anthony Scaramucci to be White House communications director.

Kelly was also not enamored with Scaramucci and "The Mooch," as he is known, was shown the door after an ill-advised profane interview with The New Yorker.

Next to go was Steve Bannon, the White House chief strategist who helped get Trump elected but clashed repeatedly with other top aides to the president.

At the same time as he was cleaning house, Kelly also imposed himself as a strict gatekeeper to the Oval Office, reportedly insisting that even Trump's daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner, both of whom have senior White House roles, go through him.

But Kelly's authority as the White House gatekeeper did not last long as tensions rose with a president who bristles at being controlled.

Rumors of Kelly's imminent departure surfaced repeatedly over the past few months and CNN reported on Friday that he and Trump "have stopped speaking in recent days."

Kelly's first brush with controversy came in October of last year when he described a congresswoman from Florida as an "empty barrel."

- 'Too lazy' -

Several of Kelly's statements on immigration also raised eyebrows.

John Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, was named by President Donald Trump to be his new chief of staff in July 2017

In January, he claimed to a group of Democratic members of Congress that Trump's views on building the US-Mexico border wall had "evolved" but the president came out the very next day and said this was not true.

In an interview, Kelly said some young immigrants were "too lazy" to sign up for a program that would shield them from deportation.

Kelly also came in for criticism over his handling of the case of Rob Porter, who worked at Trump's right hand despite accusations of abuse by his two former wives, which ultimately forced Porter's resignation.

Announcing Kelly's appointment, Trump praised the veteran of more than 40 years in the Marine Corps as a "Great American and a Great Leader."

Kelly capped his military career as head of the US Southern Command, an assignment that immersed him in border security issues and counter-drug operations in the Caribbean and Central and South America.

That experience prepared him to take charge of Homeland Security, a sprawling bureaucracy responsible for border protection and internal threats.

At Homeland Security, Kelly was pivotal in the effort to carry out Trump's election promises to build a wall on the Mexican border, deport undocumented immigrants and tighten visa screening for potential extremists.

The blunt-talking Kelly is close to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, also a retired Marine Corps general. Kelly served as Mattis's top aide in the 2003 assault on Baghdad that crushed Saddam Hussein's army.

- Lost own son in Afghanistan -

He is further shaped by the experience of having his own son, also a Marine, die in battle. Lieutenant Robert Michael Kelly was killed in Afghanistan in 2010.

A native of Boston, Kelly enlisted in the Marines when he was 20, spent two years in an infantry company, and then left to go to university.

After graduating he rejoined the Corps and rose steadily through the ranks.

In the late 1990s, he was the Marine Corps commandant's liaison to the House of Representatives, the first of two such stints that exposed him to the political give-and-take between the military and legislators.
A US M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System fires an MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile into the East Sea from an undisclosed location on South Korea's east coast during a drill on July 5, 2017

The US and South Korean militaries conducted a live-fire exercise using surface-to-surface missiles in response to North Korea's test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, the US Army said Friday.

The joint exercise, which occurred Saturday morning South Korea time, came shortly after officials said that the heads of the US and South Korean militaries had discussed "military response options" after North Korea's launch.

In a statement, the Army said the exercise involved the surface-to-surface Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and South Korea's Hyunmoo Missile II.

The systems "fired missiles into territorial waters of South Korea along the East Coast July 5," the Army said.

"The ATACMS can be rapidly deployed and engaged and provides deep-strike precision capability, enabling the ROK-US alliance to engage a full array of time-critical targets under all weather conditions."

The US and South Korean militaries conducted similar exercises after North Korea's first test of an ICBM on July 4.

Immediately after Friday's ICBM test, General Joe Dunford, who is Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Admiral Harry Harris, who heads the US military's Pacific Command, spoke with South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, General Lee Sun Jin.

"During the call, Dunford and Harris expressed the ironclad commitment to the US-Republic of Korea alliance," Dunford spokesman Captain Greg Hicks said in a statement.

"The three leaders also discussed military response options."

While the Pentagon has long planned for the possibility of conflict with North Korea, the blunt language in the statement marked a departure from previous public reactions to missile tests.

Those earlier reactions typically decried the tests but did not emphasize military options.

It was the first time Dunford, who has been in his position for two years, had issued a statement raising military options, though he has discussed the topic in public conversations.

Pentagon chief Jim Mattis, who is currently on vacation, slammed North Korea's first test launch of an ICBM on July 4 as a "provocation," but stressed then that the United States seeks a diplomatic solution to the standoff.

"We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation," Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said.
BERLIN (AP) - The partners of two human rights activists jailed in Turkey appealed for their release on Wednesday, rejecting the terrorism accusations against the men as the German and Swedish governments protested to Turkey against their imprisonment.

Peter Steudtner of Germany and Ali Gharavi of Sweden were arrested July 5 during a raid on a Turkish hotel where they were teaching a digital security workshop. They were among six activists, including Amnesty International's Turkey director Idil Eser, who were then jailed last week for allegedly aiding an unspecified armed terror group.

"We want them out," Laressa Dickey, the wife of Gharavi, told The Associated Press in Berlin. She was accompanied by Steudtner's partner, Magdalena Freudenschuss, who said she didn't understand why the men were charged with terrorism.

Magdalena Freudenschuss, left, partner of Peter Steudtner and Laressa Dickey, wife of Swedish activist Ali Gharavi talk prior to an interview with the Associated Press in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, July 26, 2017. Steudtner of Germany and Gharavi of Sweden were arrested July 5 during a raid on a hotel where they were attending a digital security workshop. They were among six activists, also including Amnesty International's Turkey director Idil Eser, who were then jailed last week for allegedly aiding an unspecified armed terror group. (AP Photo/Ferdinand Ostrop)

"They are very caring people who help others. Not knowing when Ali and Peter will be released scares us and makes us angry," Freudenschuss said.

They said they are not allowed to talk to the men, who are sharing a room in Maltepe prison in Istanbul. However, they can send them notes via their lawyers and said that considering the circumstances, the jailed activists are doing OK.

Steudtner, his partner and their two children are based in Berlin, while Gharavi and Dickey, who is American, divide their time between Berlin and Kalmar, Sweden.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer told reporters that Germany and Sweden made a joint complaint to Turkey on Wednesday, saying that the two governments don't understand why the men were jailed and "expect that they at least now be told in substantiated terms what they are accused of."

Gharavi, 50, and Steudtner, 45, both have been accused of aiding an armed terrorist group, without further details. Steudtner has also been called a spy by the Turkish side.

Both women rejected the accusations sharply. They said their partners had given the workshop on digital security several times together in different places.

Steudtner's imprisonment has sent already strained German-Turkish ties to a new low. The German government last week told citizens to exercise caution when traveling to Turkey and threatened to withhold backing for investments there.

German-Turkish relations had been souring for over a year, particularly since last July's coup attempt in Turkey. Twenty-two German citizens have been taken into custody in the ensuing crackdown. Nine are currently in jail, including Steudtner and journalists Deniz Yucel and Mesale Tolu.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that his country would continue "to breathe down the neck of agents who run around freely" in Turkey.

The activists were teaching a five-day digital security workshop for fellow rights campaigners at a hotel on the island of Buyukada, off Istanbul when police raided the site and detained them.

Dickey said that her husband initially wasn't getting the medical care he needed, and was also suffering from anxiety. But he was better since he was taken to a different prison. She didn't elaborate on his medical needs.

Freudenschuss said she has been getting support from friends and the Berlin church community that Steudtner is active in. She has been asking herself constantly since the arrest: "When is this going to be over?"

Berlin's Gethsemane Church has started holding a daily prayer service every night in support of Steudtner and the other men who are still in jail.

Both women would like to visit the men in Turkey, but said the German and American embassies in Turkey were still assessing whether it is safe enough for them to travel there.

Freudenschuss and Dickey vowed to continue fighting for the pair's release.

"We're channeling our anger into the determination to get them out," Dickey said.

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Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.
NEW YORK (AP) - Amazon plans to make thousands of job offers in just one day as it holds a giant job fair next week at nearly a dozen warehouses across the U.S.

Those offered jobs on the spot will pack or sort boxes and help ship them to customers. Nearly 40,000 of the 50,000 jobs will be full time. Most of these jobs will count toward Amazon's previously announced goal of adding 100,000 full-time workers by the middle of next year.

The hiring spree is yet another sign of Amazon's massive growth at a time when traditional retailers are closing stores and cutting jobs.

FILE - In this Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, file photo, Mark Oldenburg processes outgoing orders at Amazon.com's fulfillment center in DuPont, Wash. On Wednesday, July 26, 2017, Amazon said that it's looking to fill more than 50,000 positions across its U.S. fulfillment network. It's planning to make thousands of job offers on the spot during its first Jobs Day on Aug. 2, where potential employees will have a chance to see what it's like to work at Amazon by visiting one of 10 participating fulfillment centers. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

PREPARING FOR THE HOLIDAYS

It's also a way for Amazon to lock in employees before the start of the busy holiday shopping season, when other retailers look to hire seasonal workers. Retailers are facing a tighter job market; the nation's unemployment rate is 4.4 percent, near a 16-year low.

Same-day job offers, like Amazon is promising, are "extremely unusual," said Andrew Chamberlain, the chief economist at job site Glassdoor.

He said a shortage of workers, plus Amazon's rapid growth, is likely why the company is trying to scoop up workers quickly.

"There are just not as many available bodies," Chamberlain said. "It can be a real challenge to hire."

LABOR GROWTH

Amazon has long been known for investing the money it makes back into its businesses. Part of that involves opening new warehouses, or fulfillment centers, and filling them with employees. Consequently, Amazon has often reported quarterly losses , even as revenue grows.

The number of full-time and part-time workers at Amazon has swelled from 56,000 at the end of 2011 to more than 340,000 last year. In roughly the same period, the number of people employed by the parent company of Sears and Kmart has been slashed in half to about 140,000 workers.

Amazon plans to expand further: It recently announced a $13.7 billion deal to buy organic grocer Whole Foods, it added Sears' Kenmore appliances to its website and it's rolling out its own ready-to-cook meal kits, competing with companies such as Blue Apron.

THE DETAILS

Amazon's stock increased $12.93, or 1 percent, to close at $1,052.80 Wednesday, after Amazon announced its plans.

Amazon.com Inc. said its jobs offer health insurance, disability insurance, retirement savings plans and company stock. Pay differs based on location, according to job postings on Amazon's site. It is offering a starting rate of $13 an hour for a full-time job in Baltimore and $12.25 an hour for a similar position in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

The job fair will take place next Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon local time and will include tours and sessions with company representatives. Job prospects will also be introduced to robots and other automation technology Amazon uses at its warehouse operations.

The event will take place at 10 Amazon shipping sites. Besides Baltimore and Kenosha, they are Chattanooga, Tennessee; Etna, Ohio; Fall River, Massachusetts; Hebron, Kentucky; Kent, Washington; Robbinsville, New Jersey; Romeoville, Illinois and Whitestown, Indiana. Amazon will also hold events for part-time positions in Oklahoma City and Buffalo, New York.

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AP writer Michelle Chapman in Newark, New Jersey, contributed to this story.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The Latest on the death of a mentally ill man who was shocked with a stun gun a dozen times in Nebraska (all times local):

1:10 p.m.

An attorney for one of two Omaha police officers facing assault charges in the stun gun-related death of a mentally ill Oklahoma man says his client "feels awful" about the fatal encounter.

Matthew Burns, an attorney for former officer Scotty Payne, said his client is hoping that bail is set low enough that he can be released on Friday, when he's set to turn himself in to police.

Douglas County prosecutor Don Kleine announced Wednesday that he will charge Payne with second-degree assault and charge former officer Ryan McClarty with misdemeanor assault in the June 5 death of Zachary Bearheels.

Burns said Payne is "not a bad person. He didn't set out that day to go to work with the intent to hurt anyone."

An attorney for McClarty did not immediately return a message Wednesday seeking comment.

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12:40 p.m.

Police cruiser video of an altercation between Omaha police officers and a mentally ill man who subsequently died shows the Oklahoma man being shocked repeatedly with a stun gun and being punched in the face even as he was lying on the ground and not resisting.

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine showed parts of the video Wednesday at a news conference where he also announced assault charges against two fired officers in the June 5 death of 29-year-old Zachary Bearheels. Kleine says the video shows Scotty Payne shocking Bearheels outside an Omaha convenience store a dozen times. The video also shows Ryan McClarty repeatedly punching Bearheels in the face, even after Bearheels appeared to be unconscious.

Both police officers were fired from the Omaha Police Department earlier this month. Two other officers on the scene - Jennifer Strudl and Makyla Mead - were placed on administrative leave following Bearheels' death.

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11:40 a.m.

A Nebraska prosecutor says he didn't charge two Omaha officers with murder or manslaughter in the death of a mentally ill man who died after being shocked a dozen times with a stun gun because he doesn't think there's evidence to support those charges.

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine announced Wednesday that he had charged former officers Scotty Payne and Ryan McClarty with assault in the June 5 death of 29-year-old Zachary Bearheels. The Oklahoma man was also punched and dragged by the officers.

Kleine says there's no evidence that the officers intentionally killed Bearheels. Kleine also cited an autopsy report that said Bearheels died of "excited delirium," but couldn't say that the shocks or punching of Bearheels caused his death.

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10:20 a.m.

A Nebraska prosecutor says he will charge two Omaha police officers with assault in the death last month of a mentally ill man who was shocked with a stun gun a dozen times.

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine made the announcement Wednesday in the case of two former officers who confronted 29-year-old Zachary Bearheels on June 5 at an Omaha convenience store. Officials say Bearheels died after being shocked 12 times with a Taser, punched and dragged by his hair by the officers.

Scotty Payne and Ryan McClarty were fired from the Omaha Police Department this month based on the recommendation of police Chief Todd Schmaderer.

Kleine says he's charging Payne with second-degree assault, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. He says he's charging McClarty with third-degree assault, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison.

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9:30 a.m.

A prosecutor plans to reveal the findings of an investigation into the death of a mentally ill Nebraska man whom police officers beat, dragged and shocked with a stun gun a dozen times.

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine is expected to disclose Wednesday whether his office will charge the two former Omaha officers who confronted 29-year-old Zachary Bearheels on June 5 at an Omaha convenience store.

The Omaha Police Department fired the officers, Scotty Payne and Ryan McClarty, earlier this month on the recommendation of Police Chief Todd Schmaderer.

Officials say Bearheels died after the officers shocked him 12 times with a Taser, punched him and dragged him by his hair.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Latest on police body camera policy changes in aftermath of officer shooting of unarmed Australian woman (all times local):

10:50 a.m.

Minneapolis officials say they'll require police officers to turn on their body cameras when responding to all calls and whenever they initiate traffic stops or take other actions.

Acting Police Chief Medaria Arradondo (meh-DAIR'-ee-uh air-ah-DON'-do) told reporters Wednesday that the change will take effect Saturday.

The change follows the shooting by Officer Mohamed Noor of 40-year-old Justine Damond, who had called 911 to report hearing a possible sexual assault behind her home. Officer Matthew Harrity told investigators he was startled by a loud noise right before Damond approached their squad SUV and Noor shot her. Neither officer's body camera was running.

The chief says further changes to the policy are possible. The police department is preparing to install equipment in squad cars that will switch on body cameras automatically. But that system is a couple months from being implemented.

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9:25 a.m.

Minneapolis officials are planning changes to the police department's policy on body cameras following the shooting by an officer of an unarmed Australian woman this month.

Mayor Betsy Hodges and Acting Police Chief Medaria Arradondo (meh-DAIR'-ee-uh air-ah-DON'-do) will announce the changes at a news conference at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

The changes follow the shooting by Officer Mohamed Noor of 40-year-old Justine Damond, who had called 911 to report hearing a possible sexual assault behind her home. Officer Matthew Harrity told investigators he was startled by a loud noise right before Damond approached their squad SUV, and that Noor shot her through the driver's-side window.

Neither had a body camera running at the time. Hodges has said officers should turn them on whenever they respond to a call.
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - The Latest on the deaths of 10 people whose bodies were found in a sweltering tractor-trailer in a Walmart parking lot in San Antonio (all times local):

4 p.m.

The top Mexican diplomatic official in San Antonio says relatives of some of the passengers of a tractor-trailer packed with immigrants that was found in San Antonio didn't know their family members had left for the United States.

James Mathew Bradley Jr., left, arrives at the federal courthouse for a hearing, Monday, July 24, 2017, in San Antonio. Bradley was arrested in connection with the deaths of multiple people packed into a broiling tractor-trailer. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Ten immigrants who were on the trailer found Sunday in a Walmart parking lot have died. Dozens of others were injured. Most of the known passengers were from Mexico, including seven of the dead.

Reyna Torres Mendivil, the Mexican consul general for San Antonio, said Wednesday that government authorities are still working to notify families of the dead and injured.

Torres said Mexican authorities were helping passengers' relatives reach San Antonio. She said U.S. immigration authorities had assured her any relatives escorted by consular officials to visit still-hospitalized passengers would not be questioned about their legal status.

Twelve people remained hospitalized as of early Wednesday afternoon.

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3:10 p.m.

Officials say a 34-year-old Mexican citizen is among 10 immigrants who died after being inside a sweltering tractor-trailer found in San Antonio.

A spokesman for the Mexican town of Palo Alto, Aguascalientes, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Jose Rodriguez Aspeitia had worked in construction there. The spokesman says Aspeitia had apparently previously spent time in the United States before returning to the town of 6,000 and setting out on his most recent trip north.

Aspeitia was rescued from the tractor-trailer, but later died at a hospital.

A spokeswoman for the Mexican consulate in San Antonio says that Aspeitia was among seven Mexican citizens who died.

An Aguascalientes state government official at the consulate told AP that Aspeitia's family is driving north to San Antonio, hoping to cross the border on humanitarian grounds.

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1:55 p.m.

A detention hearing has been canceled for a truck driver charged in the deaths of 10 immigrants found inside his sweltering tractor-trailer in San Antonio.

Federal court records in San Antonio show the hearing that was originally set for Thursday was waived and a new hearing was set for Aug. 23. That's when trucker James Matthew Bradley Jr. is expected to a give video deposition.

The 60-year-old faces charges of illegally transporting immigrants for financial gain, resulting in death. He could face the death penalty if convicted. Authorities allege he drove a trailer full of immigrants from South Texas that was discovered in the parking lot of a Walmart early Sunday morning. Authorities suspect he may be part of a larger organization involved in human smuggling.

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1:30 p.m.

Officials say a 19-year-old Guatemalan citizen who was among 10 immigrants who died after riding in the back of a sweltering tractor-trailer had graduated from high school in Virginia and was recently deported from the U.S. after legal trouble.

Guatemalan diplomat Cristy Andrino told The Associated Press that Frank Guisseppe Fuentes immigrated to the United States as a child. She said he died while trying to get to Maryland, where he has family. The tractor-trailer with the immigrants was found Sunday outside a San Antonio Walmart.

A spokesman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says Fuentes was protected from deportation for a time under President Barack Obama's Deferred Actions for Childhood Arrival Program. But his protected status expired in June 2016.

A spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says Fuentes was a suspected gang member who was deported in March after being convicted of assault and battery by a mob.

A spokesman for Fairfax County Schools says Fuentes graduated from J.E.B. Stuart High School in 2015.

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1 a.m.

A Texas congressman says a truck that carried dozens of immigrants passed through a Border Patrol checkpoint about two hours before it was discovered outside a San Antonio Walmart. Ten people found in the rig died.

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar told The Associated Press on Tuesday that authorities informed him that the truck James Matthew Bradley Jr. is charged with driving cleared the checkpoint near Laredo around 10 p.m. Saturday. Police arrived at the Walmart parking lot at 12:23 a.m. Sunday.

Cuellar says he's unsure whether immigrants crossing into the U.S. illegally boarded the truck before or after it passed the checkpoint.

A Guatemalan diplomat on Tuesday identified one of the migrants who died as 19-year-old Frank Guisseppe Fuentes. Cristy Andrino says Fuentes was headed to rejoin his family in Maryland.

A bottle of water, flowers, candles, and stuffed animals help form a makeshift memorial in the parking lot of a Walmart store near the site where authorities Sunday discovered a tractor-trailer packed with immigrants outside a Walmart in San Antonio, Monday, July 24, 2017. Several people died and others hospitalized after being crammed into a sweltering tractor-trailer in the midsummer Texas heat, according to authorities in what they described as an immigrant-smuggling attempt gone wrong. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Shoppers pass a group visiting a make-shift memorial in the parking lot of a Walmart store near the site where authorities Sunday discovered a tractor-trailer packed with immigrants outside a Walmart in San Antonio, Monday, July 24, 2017. Several people died and others hospitalized after being crammed into a sweltering tractor-trailer in the midsummer Texas heat, according to authorities in what they described as an immigrant-smuggling attempt gone wrong. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Flowers, candles, and stuffed animals help form a makeshift memorial in the parking lot of a Walmart store near the site where authorities Sunday discovered a tractor-trailer packed with immigrants outside a Walmart in San Antonio, Monday, July 24, 2017. Several people died and others hospitalized after being crammed into a sweltering tractor-trailer in the midsummer Texas heat, according to authorities in what they described as an immigrant-smuggling attempt gone wrong. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A group visits a makeshift memorial in the parking lot of a Walmart store near the site where authorities Sunday discovered a tractor-trailer packed with immigrants outside a Walmart in San Antonio, Monday, July 24, 2017. Several people died and others hospitalized after being crammed into a sweltering tractor-trailer in the midsummer Texas heat, according to authorities in what they described as an immigrant-smuggling attempt gone wrong. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump's decision to ban transgender service in the armed forces drove a wedge through military veterans in Congress, with one camp standing squarely behind the commander in chief and the other decrying his order as an ugly attack on dedicated troops.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., a former Army helicopter pilot who lost her legs and partial use of her right arm during the Iraq war, called Trump's announcement discriminatory.

"When my Black Hawk helicopter was shot down in Iraq, I didn't care if the American troops risking their lives to help save me were gay, straight, transgender or anything else," she said. "All that mattered was they didn't leave me behind."

Rep. Joe Kennedy, D-Mass., speaks in support of transgender members of the military, Wednesday, July 26, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington, after President Donald Trump said he wants transgender people barred from serving in the U.S. military "in any capacity," citing "tremendous medical costs and disruption." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Duckworth said if a person's willing to risk their life as a member of the armed forces "and you can do the job, you should be able to serve - no matter your gender identity, sexual orientation or race."

But Rep. Steve Russell, R-Okla., applauded Trump for reversing an Obama administration directive issued in 2016 that allowed transgender service members to serve openly in the armed forces.

Russell, a retired Army officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said Trump prevented the "implementation of a policy that does not enhance readiness, forces all Americans to spend taxes on unnecessary elective surgeries, and would force many military physicians, leaders, and counselors to violate rights of conscience protected under the 1st Amendment."

Trump's tweets announcing the ban came as the administration and House GOP leaders were trying to work out a problem involving medical costs for service members seeking to transition to another gender while serving in the military, an issue that had created problems for a sweeping spending bill.

Social conservatives, led by Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo., were pressing for an amendment to the spending bill blocking funding for such costs, including reassignment surgery. The House narrowly defeated Hartzler's measure earlier this month, yet she and other conservatives were trying to revive it. That sparked a battle with Republican moderates who had threatened to block the House from turning to the spending bill.

According to a senior Republican aide, House leaders were taken by surprise when Trump announced the broader ban; they had been pressing for a more narrow response. The aide spoke on condition of anonymity because the individual was not authorized to publicly discuss internal talks.

In the Senate, John McCain, R-Ariz., a Navy pilot during the Vietnam war, blasted Trump's decision and criticized the president for making the announcement over Twitter.

"There is no reason to force service members who are able to fight, train, and deploy to leave the military - regardless of their gender identity," said McCain, who spent more than five years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam.

Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., a former Marine who served three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, supported Trump.

"National security should trump social experimentation, always," Hunter said. "It's about time that a decision is made to restore the warrior culture and allow the U.S. military to get back to business."

Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., echoed Hunter's remarks.

"I think back to my days in the military and wonder how it would work," Inhofe, an Army veteran, said of the intensely close living and working quarters that service members inhabit.

"It's a housing problem. There are other problems," Inhofe said. "Those of us who have been in the service can see that it would be a difficult thing to deal with."

But Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., called Trump's transgender ban "a divisive political move" and a "retreat in the march toward equality."

Reed, a West Point graduate who later served in the 82nd Airborne Division, added that Trump announced the ban on the anniversary of President Harry Truman's order desegregating the U.S. military.

"This discriminatory policy denies Americans, no matter how skilled and qualified they are, the opportunity to serve," said Reed, the top ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee.

Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., a brigadier general in the Pennsylvania National Guard and an Iraq war veteran, said he didn't support an outright ban on transgender troops. But current Pentagon policies are "insufficient to address the pragmatic and logistical issues surrounding service of transgender individuals," according to Perry.

"Military decisions must continue to be based on combat readiness and national security alone," he said.

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Associated Press writer Andrew Taylor contributed to this report.

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Contact Richard Lardner on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rplardner

People hold up "equality flags" on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 26, 2017, during an event held by Rep. Joe Kennedy, D-Mass., in support of transgender members of the military, in response to President Donald Trump's declaration that he wants transgender people barred from serving in the U.S. military "in any capacity," citing "tremendous medical costs and disruption." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
NEW YORK (AP) - Goldman Sachs is looking to lend wealthy investors up to $25 million, using their stocks and bonds as collateral.

The investment bank announced a partnership Thursday with Fidelity Investments under which it will offer investors loans starting at $75,000. The loans will be backed by the stocks and bonds the investors hold in Fidelity-held brokerage accounts. US Bank is also participating as a lender.

A number of Wall Street brokerage houses offer these kinds of loans, which can be a way for investors to get cash without selling investments. For example, a wealthy customer looking to buy a house may use his or her assets to make an all-cash offer on a house in order to be more competitive, and then later refinance the loan with a mortgage.

It's become a growing business for Wall Street firms, as trading revenue has declined due to the rise of discount brokerage houses and other cheaper forms of investing. Morgan Stanley said last week that lending in its wealth management division grew 6 percent from a year earlier.

The Goldman and US Bank loans will be through a network of 3,500 wealth management firms that use Fidelity as a clearinghouse for their clients' assets, not through Fidelity's retail branches. These are not 401(k) loans, and are largely aimed at wealthy customers.

While the loans may start with a wealth adviser, and are using the assets held by Fidelity, the money for the loan is ultimately coming from Goldman Sachs and US Bank.
MILAN (AP) - Fiat Chrysler's CEO is expressing "disgust" at the conduct of former FCA employees now indicted in the United States for misappropriating funds and funneling gifts and cash to union officials.

Sergio Marchionne addressed the alleged conspiracy in a letter to company employees on Thursday, the day after two former employees were charged with looting a training center for blue-collar workers and giving $1.2 million in various forms to the UAW leader, his wife and other senior union officials.

Marchionne said former employees facing charges "used those funds to enrich themselves and their families at the expense of their fellow employees."

He also said the conduct had no bearing on union contracts "but rather involved two bad actors, who apparently saw an opportunity to misappropriate funds entrusted to their control."
ROME (AP) - Sending Italian naval units to help Libya's coast guard could prove to be a "turning point" in efforts to stop traffickers from sending hundreds of thousands of migrants toward Italy's southern shores, Premier Paolo Gentiloni said Thursday.

With the foundering of a European Union plan to redistribute thousands of migrants rescued at sea and brought to Italy, Gentiloni said his center-left government would brief lawmakers next week about Libya's request for Italian navy vessels to patrol its Mediterranean shores.

Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Serraj, who leads a U.N.-backed unity government based in Tripoli, met in Rome with the Italian leader on Wednesday and asked for the assistance. Gentiloni said his government was working out the details of a proposed naval mission.

A man reacts during an Italian Police blitz outside Milan's main train station, Italy, Wednesday, July 26, 2017. Authorities have detained several dozen people in response to an increasing public security issue as the city deals with a new wave of migrants. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

"The request that came to us from the Tripoli government for collaboration and assistance for the Libyan coast guard can be a turning point in handling the situation," Gentiloni said. "The fact that the Libyan authorities ask Italy to collaborate, and not to substitute, (in the role of) fighting traffickers is important."

The premier noted that Italy already has furnished Libya's coast guard with speedboats and training aimed at improving Libya's own patrols. Traffickers, exploiting widespread lawlessness in the violence-wracked, fractured north African nation, have sent hundreds of thousands of migrants in unseaworthy smuggling boats toward Italy over the last few years.

Military ships from European nations, vessels organized by aid organizations and commercial cargo frequently pick up men, women and children making the perilous Mediterranean Sea crossing. Lately, most of those rescued at sea have been economic migrants from African nations unlikely to win asylum.

Italy has acknowledged the problem of might happen to migrants who are prevented from reaching Italy and returned to Libya. Rescued migrants have told Italian authorities and humanitarian organizations about torture, rape, forced labor, beatings and other atrocities they suffered in Libyan camps while awaiting their turn to be smuggled out by sea.

The Italian government's strategy foresees international organizations on the ground helping to guarantee the proper treatment of those forced to return to Libya and their eventual repatriation to their homelands. However, organizations that work with refugees have expressed doubts that Libya's deteriorated security situation would allow them to properly carry out such a humanitarian mission.

Analysts have said that some of the very militias that support Serraj and help him hold on to power in western Libya also profit from trafficking, complicating chances for the success of anti-trafficking patrols. Meanwhile, long stretches of Libya's coastline are not under the control of Serraj's supporters.

Lawmakers from Italy's far-left parties might balk at approving a naval mission to Libya. But any lack in their support could be compensated by center-right opposition lawmakers who have been demanding more vigorous efforts to stem the flow of migrants to Italy.

"I am certain of the results with the vote of Parliament," Gentiloni said.

Italy's next general election is scheduled to take place in less than a year.

Libya also was on the radar Thursday of French President Emmanuel Macron, who raised the idea of establishing "hotspots" there, as well as in Niger and Chad, where people hoping to migrate to Europe could be screened for asylum eligibility.

"The idea is to create hotspots in Libya so people avoid taking crazy risks when they are not all eligible for asylum," Macron was quoted by French reporters as saying on the sidelines of a visit to a refugee center in Orleans.

Macron's office later downplayed the remark.

An official in the presidential entourage said Macron had also stated that creating such "advance points" would hinge on security conditions in the target African countries. The work would be overseen by French and international organizations, according to the official, who could not be named in keeping with French presidential policy.

France's European Affairs minister, Nathalie Loiseau, said in Rome on Thursday that France is investigating "if and how" to create such "hotspots."

During a speech to a group of new citizens in Orleans, Macron said France also wants to create ways for Africans to make asylum requests "on African soil" so they do not attempt the dangerous trip to Europe to seek asylum that for many "from the start is impossible to attain." He did not elaborate.

"Today, as I speak to you, between 800,000 and one million women and men are waiting in camps in Libya," Macron said.

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Elaine Ganley in Paris contributed.

Italian Police check people during a blitz outside Milan's main train station, Italy, Wednesday, July 26, 2017. Authorities have detained several dozen people in response to an increasing public security issue as the city deals with a new wave of migrants. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Italian Police check people during a blitz outside Milan's main train station, Italy, Wednesday, July 26, 2017. Authorities have detained several dozen people in response to an increasing public security issue as the city deals with a new wave of migrants. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

A plain clothes policeman, right, chases a man during a blitz outside Milan's main train station, Italy, Wednesday, July 26, 2017. Authorities have detained several dozen people in response to an increasing public security issue as the city deals with a new wave of migrants. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Italian Police check people during a blitz outside Milan's main train station, Italy, Wednesday, July 26, 2017. Authorities have detained several dozen people in response to an increasing public security issue as the city deals with a new wave of migrants. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

FILE - In this Monday, May 29, 2017 file photo, Syrian women with their children speak, at the refugee camp of Ritsona about 86 kilometers (53 miles) north of Athens. The European Commission announced on Thursday, July 27, 2017 a euro209 million-euro ($243 million) package includes a 151 million-euro program to help refugee families rent accommodation in Greek cities and provide them with money in an effort to help them move out of refugee camps. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris, File)

FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016 file photo, a boy uses his cell phone as the other members of his family sit inside a giant tent at a refugee camp in the western Athens' suburb of Schisto.The European Commission announced on Thursday, July 27, 2017 a euro209 million ($243 million) package includes a 151 million-euro program to help refugee families rent accommodation in Greek cities and provide them with money in an effort to help them move out of refugee camps. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis, File)

French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he delivers a speech during a citizenship ceremony in Orleans, central France, Thursday, July 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool)

Mayor of Orleans Olivier Carre, left, French President Emmanuel Macron, center, pose for a group photo with people who become French citizen during a citizenship ceremony in Orleans, central France, Thursday, July 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool)

Zhou El Wafi, center, reacts as she becomes a French citizen while French President Emmanuel Macron, left, and French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb stands next to her during a citizenship ceremony in Orleans, central France, Thursday, July 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool)
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The Latest on a federal court hearing on when North Carolina must redraw legislative districts (all times local):

2:15 p.m.

A federal judge says North Carolina's GOP lawmakers have not taken their duty to redraw illegally race-based districts seriously enough.

U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles is a member of a three-judge panel considering the timetable for when North Carolina must redraw its legislative districts.

At a hearing Thursday, Eagles noted that legislative leaders have known since August 2016 that nearly 30 districts were considered illegal racial gerrymanders. The U.S. Supreme court agreed this summer that the districts need to be redrawn.

Eagles told a lawyer for GOP legislative leaders: "You don't seem serious. What's our assurance that you are serious about remedying this?"

Phillip Strach, an attorney for the legislative leaders, responded that the legislature has begun holding hearings and soliciting public input for the new maps.

The judges said they would issue a ruling later.

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5:30 a.m.

Judges deciding when North Carolina must redraw its state legislative districts are set to hear from voting rights activists calling for special elections and Republican lawmakers urging a slower pace.

A panel of three federal judges will hear their cases Thursday in Greensboro.

Districts must be redrawn after the federal court ruled 28 House and Senate districts are illegally race-based. That ruling was upheld earlier this year by the U.S. Supreme Court, which returned the case to U.S. District Court to decide the next steps.

The plaintiffs are seeking a special election before next year's legislative session, while GOP lawmakers argue they should have until later this year to draw new maps for use in 2018's regularly scheduled elections.
ERIE, Pa. (AP) - GE Transportation plans to end most locomotive production at its century-old plant in northwestern Pennsylvania, eliminating about 575 jobs.

GoErie.com reports (http://bit.ly/2tMbvDb ) the work is being transferred by the end of 2018 to Fort Worth, Texas, where workers aren't union members.

The Lawrence Park Township plant, just outside Erie, currently employs more than 2,500 workers. Locomotive prototypes will still be produced there.

Richard Simpson, a GE Transportation executive, says the company has to put work at its most competitive location, which doesn't include Erie.

He says about 225 workers at the Fort Worth plant will be recalled and as many as 200 other jobs will be created elsewhere.

Scott Slawson, the president of the Local 506 of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, calls the cuts "union busting" and says the company simply wants to pay the lowest wages possible.

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Information from: Erie Times-News, http://www.goerie.com
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Five baby flamingos have hatched at California zoo after an 18-year drought of the spindly-legged chicks.

The Sacramento Bee reports Thursday (http://bit.ly/2v2OQS8 ) that the eggs hatched between June 28 and July 18.

Sacramento Zoo spokeswoman Tonja Candelaria said the birds are finicky and that a number of factors may have resulted in the baby gap and sudden laying of eggs this season.

In this Tuesday, July 25, 2017 photo provided by the Sacramento Zoo, are four of five baby flamingos that were born recently at the zoo in Sacramento, Calif. After an 18-year drought of the spindly-legged creatures the eggs were hatched between June 28 and July 18. Zoo spokeswoman Tonja Candelaria said the birds are finicky and that a number of factors may have resulted in the baby gap and sudden laying of eggs this season. (Tonja Candelaria/Sacramento Zoo via AP)

The American flamingo is native to South America and the Caribbean. Adult flamingos are pink, but the chicks are downy white. Pigments in their aquatic food give the birds their pink coloration.

The chicks need daily walks to strengthen their legs. Eventually, they will join the others at the zoo lake, which is already home to 36 adult American flamingos.

The Sacramento Zoo has had American flamingos since 1966.

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Information from: The Sacramento Bee, http://www.sacbee.com
NEW YORK (AP) - It's easy to get lulled by the gentle and seemingly unstoppable ride higher that investors have been enjoying with almost all their funds. But it can't last forever.

Greg Davis, the new chief investment officer at investing giant Vanguard, isn't predicting when the next downturn for stocks will happen, but he says investors need to be ready for it given how expensive the market has become. So if swelling stock prices mean they make up a much bigger part of your portfolio than before, and you wouldn't be able to stomach a 10 percent drop without panicking, consider paring back on them.

The largest mutual fund by assets, Vanguard's Total Stock Market Index fund, has already returned 11.4 percent so far in 2017, for example. That's close to its best performance for any of the past three full years.

This photo provided by Vanguard shows Greg Davis, Vanguard's chief investment officer. Davis isn't predicting when the next downturn for stocks will happen, but he says investors need to be ready for it given how expensive the market has become. (Carlos Alejandro/Courtesy of Vanguard via AP)

In his role, Davis oversees more than $3.8 trillion in assets, including the stock index funds that made Vanguard famous and bond funds run by managers looking to beat the market. That's close to the size of Germany's economy. Davis is no stranger at Vanguard. He previously oversaw its bond investments.

Davis recently talked about his outlook for markets and fund investing. Answers have been edited for clarity and length.

Q: Nearly every investment is going up, from stocks in the U.S. to bonds from emerging markets to stocks in Europe. Is it worrisome that everything is doing so well at the same time?

A: I don't see that as worrisome, those things being in sync. The bigger concern is that valuations have gotten a bit stretched, on the equity side as well as the fixed-income side. That's a bigger concern to me than all these things moving in tandem. Much of that can be attributed to the very loose monetary policy from central banks around the world. That's put a very strong bid across these markets.

So it's not a surprise, but there is a need for caution and a need for customers to be comfortable with the amount of risk in their portfolios. It's something they should be looking at. You can never predict when a downturn will come, but it will eventually come, and investors need to make sure they're not too far ahead of their skis.

Q: Conventional wisdom says that the U.S. stock market is more overvalued than in Europe and other countries. Do you agree?

A: If you look at Europe, those markets look a bit more attractive than the U.S. market. The way we would talk to investors is: You want to be diversified around the globe. You want to have the diversification so that if there is a downturn in the market, you don't do inappropriate things at inappropriate times.

Q: "Inappropriate things" means selling low whenever stocks take their next tumble?

A: Absolutely.

Q: And when you're telling people to "stay diversified," that sounds like shorthand for making sure you have enough bonds in your portfolio to ease the sting of any downturn for stocks. Can bonds still be that stabilizer if yields are so low?

A: If you go back and look at the worst months for the equity markets, high-quality bonds provided a strong ballast to an investor's portfolio. If you're in one of those environments where U.S. stocks go down 6 percent, you typically have high-quality bonds showing slightly positive returns.

It's an asset class that's not expected to go down, even in a low-rate environment. After the "Brexit" vote, even when yields (on European bonds) were negative, high-quality bonds still held up even as equities sold off. Bonds have historically done their job, even when they're yielding low amounts or even negative yields.

Q: Investors seem to be throwing in the towel on funds run by stock pickers, and they're choosing index funds instead. Do you think index funds will continue to be the overwhelming favorite for where investors put their new dollars?

A: Our view is that investors are clearly voting that paying high costs in an environment where returns are expected to be muted are not the best option for them, and we're seeing them move to lower-cost funds. If you have a higher cost structure, it's harder for you to outperform your market. And if you do, you have to take on substantially more risk to achieve those returns.

Any manager in our complex is low-cost by nature. We've seen significant inflows into our active funds as well.

Q: Do you think the industry could ever get to a point where someone offers a fund with zero fees, to be a loss leader and bring in customers for their other funds?

A: You already have people doing loss-leader strategies now. You have companies adding new funds that are clones of existing funds that are at a lower price to try to be a loss leader. The reality is you have to look at the entire complex and ask if it's enduring.

The industry broadly is still too-high cost, across the board. There's still opportunity for many prices to go down.
SAN DIEGO (AP) - The Latest on a California prosecutor and son of a Watergate figure facing child pornography charges (all times local):

1 p.m.

A California deputy attorney general who's the son of Watergate burglar G. Gordon Liddy has pleaded not guilty to possessing child pornography.

Raymond Liddy entered the plea Tuesday in San Diego and is free on bond. He's been placed on administrative leave.

Liddy, who's 53, has been a state prosecutor since 2008.

The San Diego Union-Tribune (http://bit.ly/2v19O4l) says the investigation began with tips to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children from two internet service providers, who said a user had uploaded what appeared to be child porn.

Investigators say they tracked the activity to Liddy's home in Coronado.

Liddy's father was convicted of burglary and other crimes for arranging the burglary of Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972, which eventually led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.

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12:36 a.m.

A California deputy attorney general has been charged in San Diego with possession of child pornography.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports Raymond Joseph Liddy pleaded not guilty and was released on $100,000 bond. The attorney general's office said Wednesday it is aware of the matter and that the 53-year-old Liddy was placed on administrative leave.

The newspaper reported that the complaint said an electronic service provider sent a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in January that a user had uploaded an image that appeared to be child porn. A month later another provider sent a similar tip to the organization.

Local and federal authorities said they traced the activity to Liddy's home, where a search uncovered photos on a computer and thumb drive of minors engaged in sexual conduct.

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Information from: The San Diego Union-Tribune, http://www.utsandiego.com
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Owners of an Oklahoma hotel and other businesses engaged in a human trafficking scheme that lured workers from the Philippines promising good wages but instead paid them less than the minimum wage, according to a lawsuit.

Three Filipino workers brought to Clinton, Oklahoma, about 80 miles (128 kilometers) west of Oklahoma City, paid thousands of dollars in recruiting fees to cover visa-related costs that should be incurred by sponsoring U.S. employers, according to the complaint filed Wednesday in federal court. The lawsuit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups, says the immigrants were threatened with physical harm when they complained that their compensation didn't meet contractual obligations. It also seeks class-action status.

Walter and Carolyn Schumacher, who are married and own a Holiday Inn Express, a steakhouse and a waterpark in Clinton, deny the allegations, their attorney said Thursday. "Mr. and Mrs. Schumacher are heartsick about these allegations," Kevin Donelson said.

He said he believes the allegations will be proven false once the case is resolved.

An FBI spokeswoman and an Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman said they were not aware of the case, but would not be able to comment on whether an investigation is underway. A U.S. Department of Labor spokesman said he was not aware of an investigation into the case.

Donelson said neither he nor the Schumachers have been contacted by any federal agency or prosecutor about an investigation.

Nonprofit law firm the Equal Justice Center and employee rights group Legal Aid at Work joined the ACLU of Oklahoma in filing the lawsuit. It seeks an unspecified amount in punitive and compensatory damages for the workers because it alleges they were paid less than their contract allows and less than the federal minimum wage.

The lawsuit contends that from 2008-14, the Schumachers' companies applied to the federal Department of Labor to employ more than 100 foreign workers.

It alleges that workers recruited for housekeeping jobs at the hotel were paid $4.25 per room cleaned. Servers at the steakhouse made $2 per hour plus tips, and housekeepers and servers at the waterpark made $1 to $2 per hour less than promised. Low pay and short workweeks meant the immigrants couldn't repay debts they incurred just to get to the U.S., the lawsuit says.

One plaintiff worked at the hotel, one at both the hotel and the steakhouse, and one at the waterpark, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit says Walter Schumacher intimidated employees by saying he was carrying a gun when he picked them up from the airport. The filing also claims that although the Schumachers promised they would pay for roundtrip airfare to and from the Philippines, Walter Schumacher said the only way he would send anyone back was "in a box."

Donelson said the Schumachers deny "the substance of the allegations and what took place."

Brady Henderson, an ACLU lawyer, said the public often thinks of human trafficking in the form of sex work.

"It has a lot more elements of indentured servitude or slavery than they realize," Henderson said. "Most people probably don't realize how prevalent it is, potentially in their own communities."

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in June there are 20 million victims of human trafficking around the world.

___

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UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The U.N. Security Council has welcomed this week's meeting of rival Libyan leaders and is urging all Libyans to support a negotiated political solution, national reconciliation and an immediate cease-fire.

French President Emmanuel Marcron hosted a meeting Tuesday at which Libyan President Fayez Al Sarraj and military leader Gen. Khalifa Haftar committed themselves to a cease-fire. They also agreed to work toward presidential and parliamentary elections and to find a roadmap for securing their lawless country against terrorism and trafficking.

The Security Council underscored the importance of the U.N.'s central role in facilitating a Libyan-led political dialogue and welcomed new U.N. envoy Ghassan Salame. It said in a statement Thursday that it looks forward "to supporting his efforts to facilitate a political solution in Libya."
WASHINGTON (AP) - In Washington, leaks don't just come from the pipes.

It's leaks of information that have the White House in a tizzy, and they come from sources all over town - Congress, federal agencies and lobbyists among them.

Oh, and the White House itself.

FILE - In this July 26, 2017 file photo, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus talks with White House senior adviser Jared Kushner in the East Room of the White House in Washington. New White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci went after Priebus Thursday, July 27, 2017, as a suspected "leaker" within the West Wing in a pull-no-punches interview that laid bare the personality clashes and internal turmoil of Donald Trump's presidency. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

President Donald Trump has railed against leaks, many of them damaging to him and the administration, ever since he took office.

His new communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, on Thursday spoke on CNN about "good leaks and bad leaks" and "nefarious, unnecessary, backstabbing, palace intrigue-like leaks."

Some leaks are illegal disclosures of classified information. Some are perfectly legal trial balloons floated to test public reaction to an idea before it's formally announced. Still others amount to plain old "He did what?" gossip.

One of the "leaks" that appeared to set off Scaramucci wasn't a leak at all, but simply the release of public information.

And then there are disclosures used like a "shiv" in the ribs, in the words of counselor Kellyanne Conway.

A taste of a whole menu of leaks:

GOOD LEAKS AND BAD

Just like beauty, whether a leak is seen as good or bad rests with the beholder. The individual who wants to get the information out to the public will consider the leak to be good. But the person who ends up exposed won't likely agree.

Take James Comey, the FBI director whom Trump fired in May because of the Russia investigation. Comey had a friend reveal to The New York Times the contents of memos Comey had written after several one-on-one meetings with Trump. In the notes, Comey said Trump had asked him to drop the FBI investigation into activities by former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Comey copped to releasing the information in sworn testimony to Congress in June, saying he put the information out through an intermediary to achieve an end: the appointment of a special counsel to oversee the investigation. Trump castigated Comey as "a leaker."

During his CNN interview, Scaramucci groused that details of his White House dinner with Trump and some of Scaramucci's former colleagues at Fox News Channel had become public.

"I can't have a couple of friends up from "Fox & Friends" and Sean Hannity, who's one of my closest friends, dinner with the president and his first lady without it being leaked in seven minutes," he said. "It's absolutely, completely and totally reprehensible."

CLASSIFIED INFO

It is against the law to disclose classified information, which generally is understood to mean material that could harm U.S. national security interests, either at home or abroad. Such information could include documents or details about protected intelligence or U.S. military operations. Scaramucci, in a since-deleted tweet, suggested that the release of his financial disclosure form could be prosecuted as a felony. But it turned out the document had been released in response to a public records request.

TRIAL BALLOON

These types of leaks are done to gauge the reaction, from the public or lawmakers or others, to policy proposals. Think early word on a budget proposal or the like to see if something is likely to fly or get shot down.

SHIV

Conway told Fox News Channel on Thursday that "there are leaks and then there are people using the press to shiv each other in the ribs," which she said is "different than a leak." A shiv could describe what Scaramucci did to White House chief of staff Reince Priebus on Thursday by daring Priebus during a CNN interview to publicly deny that he's a "leaker." Scaramucci had suggested in his tweet that Priebus had engineered the release of Scaramucci's financial disclosure form. He also suggested it was a felony leak

PLAIN OLD GOSSIP

Gossip floats around Washington just like the trial balloons, but gossip isn't the same as a leak. People see things and then spread the juicy details around Washington. In that sense, this town is not unlike any other town where gossip is a hot commodity.

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Follow Darlene Superville on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dsupervilleap
HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) - The Latest on the execution scheduled in Texas for a man who killed a San Antonio woman in 2004 (all times local):

9:30 p.m.

A Texas prisoner has been executed for killing a San Antonio woman after breaking into her apartment more than 13 years ago.

This undated photo provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shows TaiChin Preyor. Texas' highest criminal court and a federal judge have refused to stop this week's scheduled execution of Preyor, the convicted killer of a woman in San Antonio in 2004. Preyor is set for lethal injection Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Huntsville, for killing 24-year-old Jami Tackett during a break-in at her apartment. Tackett is described in court documents as a drug dealer and the 46-year-old Preyor as a customer and dealer. (Texas Department of Criminal Justice via AP)

Forty-six-year-old TaiChin Preyor was put to death Thursday evening after his attorneys failed to convince courts that he had deficient legal help during earlier stages of his appeals and that he deserved a reprieve so his case could be reviewed more fairly.

After the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his final appeal, he was taken to the death chamber in Huntsville, Texas, for lethal injection.

Preyor was convicted in the February 2004 slaying of 24-year-old Jami Tackett, who court records identified as Preyor's drug supplier. She was stabbed and her throat was cut.

Preyor's execution was Texas' fifth this year and the 16th nationally.

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8:30 p.m.

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from a Texas death row inmate set to die for breaking into a 24-year-old San Antonio woman's apartment and fatally slashing her more than 13 years ago.

A brief order from the high court clears the way for the Thursday evening lethal injection of 46-year-old TaiChin Preyor.

Preyor's attorneys went to the Supreme Court after a federal appeals court similarly rejected arguments that deficient legal help during earlier stages of his appeals tainted his case, amounted to a fraud on the courts and that he should be spared from lethal injection so his appeals can be reviewed more fairly.

The court's order came about 2  hours after a six-hour execution window opened at 6 p.m. CDT as specified in the execution warrant. Texas prison officials refrain from carrying punishments while an appeal is pending.

Preyor was convicted of the slaying of Jami Tackett, who court records identified as Preyor's drug supplier.

He'd be the fifth inmate put to death in Texas this year and the 16th nationally.

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1 p.m.

A federal appeals court has refused to block the scheduled execution of a Texas prisoner who killed a San Antonio woman more than 13 years ago.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected an appeal from lawyers for 46-year-old TaiChin Preyor. The attorneys contend he received deficient legal help during earlier stages of his appeals and he deserves a reprieve so his appeals can be reviewed more fairly.

His lawyers say they'll now take their appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Preyor would be the fifth Texas inmate put to death this year and the 16th nationally if his lethal injection is carried out Thursday evening.

He was convicted of breaking into the San Antonio apartment of 24-year-old Jami Tackett in February 2004 and fatally slashing her. Court documents show she was his drug supplier.

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12:15 a.m.

Attorneys for a condemned killer of a San Antonio woman argue that deficient legal help during earlier stages of his appeals tainted his case.

They say Texas death row inmate TaiChin Preyor should be spared from being executed Thursday so his appeals can be reviewed more fairly.

Preyor is set for lethal injection for fatally slashing 24-year-old Jami Tackett in 2004. She's identified in court documents as his drug supplier.

Preyor's lawyers want a federal appeals court to stop the execution, which would be Texas' fifth this year. They argue an inexperienced California attorney who handled earlier federal appeals in his case was "utterly unqualified" and that her use of a disbarred lawyer for guidance perpetrated a fraud on the courts.

State attorneys say the late appeals are legally improper.
DETROIT (AP) - The U.S. government's auto safety agency has expanded an investigation into complaints of exhaust fumes inside Ford Explorer SUVs, adding two model years and nearly 400,000 vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Thursday night that the probe now covers more than 1.3 million Explorers from the 2011 through 2017 model years. The agency made the move after finding more than 2,700 complaints of exhaust odors in the passenger compartment and fears of carbon monoxide in an investigation that it started a year ago. Among the complaints were three crashes and 41 injuries, mostly loss of consciousness, nausea and headaches.

Many of the complaints came from police departments, which use the Police Interceptor version of the Explorer in patrol fleets. Police complaints included two crashes with injuries and another injury allegation due to carbon monoxide exposure.

On Thursday night, the agency said it had upgraded the probe from an investigation to an engineering analysis, a step closer to a recall. That could mean high costs for Ford down the road if it has to do a recall.

Company spokeswoman Elizabeth Weigandt said Thursday night that Ford has a team working with police, customers and NHTSA to investigate the reports and solve problems. Customers with concerns can call a dedicated hotline at (888) 260-5575 or visit their local dealer.

NHTSA also said it will examine Explorer Police Interceptors used by the Austin, Texas, Police Department. The Austin American-Statesman reported this week that the city installed carbon monoxide alarms in its 400 Explorers and parked 60 of them when the alarms activated. The alarms were installed after officers reported becoming sick while in the vehicles. The city could end up parking its entire fleet.

A total of 791 people have complained to the government about the fumes, while Ford has received more than 2,000 complaints and warranty claims.

In the documents, NHTSA said it tested multiple vehicles at its Ohio research center, and it has made field inspections of police vehicles involved in crashes. As of Thursday, the agency has found no evidence or data to support claims that injuries or crash allegations were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. But the agency said it has early tests that suggest carbon monoxide levels may be higher in certain driving conditions "although the significance and effect of those levels remains under evaluation."

The agency also said that through cooperation with police departments, it has learned that the Police Interceptor version of the Explorer is experiencing exhaust manifold cracks that are hard to detect and may explain exhaust odors. Investigators will evaluate the cause, frequency and safety consequences of the cracks, and whether Explorers used by civilians are experiencing cracked manifolds, the agency said.
Governor Chris Christie says public outcry over his decision to lounge with his family on a public beach that was closed during New Jersey's government shutdown 'upset his children more than anything else' since he's been in office.

The two-term Republican governor made the comments Thursday night during his regular radio call-in show on 101.5 FM.

Christie was photographed over the Fourth of July weekend by NJ.com at Island Beach State Park, where the state provides a summer home to the governor.

The governor had closed down all non-essential state functions - including Island Beach State Park - while the Senate struggled through a budget standoff.

But that didn't stop him from brazenly using the empty sands of the park, which houses the governor's summer mansion - or flying there in a taxpayer-funded helicopter.

Governor Chris Christie says public outcry over his decision to lounge with his family on a public beach that was closed during New Jersey's government shutdown 'upset his children more than anything else' since he's been in office

The governor had closed down all non-essential state functions - including Island Beach State Park, seen towards the top of the photo - while the New Jersey State Senate struggled through a budget standoff

He said during Thursday's radio show that his family was hurt by the backlash and 'they don't understand people's unfairness and, quite frankly, their ignorance.'

The shutdown was lifted just before the Fourth of July holiday.

Christie was already at record low approval ratings when New Jersey constituents saw the photograph from July 1.

The shocking aerial picture shows how Independence Day Weekend was ruined for thousands who were forced to cram onto town-owned beaches while Christie, 54, took a whole ten miles of state-run shore for himself.

When confronted by the photos of himself on the beach, taken by NJ Advance Media for the Newark Star-Ledger, Christie tried to dismiss the reports, sarcastically calling it 'great bit of journalism.'

Christie said that he had announced his intention to vacation at the governor's mansion regardless of whether the state could agree on a budget, so he was just keeping good on that promise.

'[The Star-Ledger] actually caught a politician being where he said he was going to be with the people he said he was going to be with, his wife and children and their friends,' he told Fox 5.

He said during Thursday's radio show that his family was hurt by the backlash and 'they don't understand people's unfairness and, quite frankly, their ignorance.' Christie is seen above doing his radio show on February 3, 2014

'I am sure they will get a Pulitzer for this one. They caught me doing what I said I was going to do with the people I said I was going to be with.'

He added: 'The governor has two residences in New Jersey. One down at the beach, at Island Beach State Park, and one at Drumthwacket, which also is in Princeton.'

'The governor is allowed to go to his residences and I'm at my residences. I'll tell you this, I said last Monday, a week ago today, that no matter what happens, we were coming here as a family this weekend.'

To add insult to injury, when Christie left the beach he headed back to Trenton in a state helicopter to hold a news conference about the government shutdown, where he told reporters with no irony that he 'didn't get any sun today'.

When these pictures - which show Christie sprawled out on a sun chair in shorts and T-shirt - revealed that claim to be an outright lie, his spokesman claimed that the governor takes sun-screen seriously and that he meant that his baseball hat had protected him.

'Yes, the governor was on the beach briefly today talking to his wife and family before heading into the office,' the spokesman, Brian Murray, told NJ.com. 'He did not get any sun. He had a baseball hat on.'
TOKYO (AP) - Japan's beleaguered defense minister resigned Friday over an alleged cover-up of military documents from U.N. peacekeeping operations, the latest blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's scandal-ridden government.

Tomomi Inada denied, however, that she herself took part in the alleged cover-up. Abe said he accepted her resignation and assigned Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida to take on the defense portfolio for now.

The Defense Ministry was conducting an internal investigation following accusation that it concealed parts of a daily log of activities by Japanese U.N. peacekeepers in South Sudan that referred to dangers faced by the troops in Africa's conflict zone.

In this June 3, 2017, file photo, Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada speaks at the second plenary session at the 2017 International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-la Dialogue, an annual defense and security forum in Asia, in Singapore. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair)

Inada announced her resignation as she announced the investigation results, which she said showed "serious" mishandlings of official documents in violation of the information disclosure law and suggesting to the public a lack of governance. The probe showed no evidence that she gave prior consent to the officials' plan to conceal the document, she said.

"As defense minister, whose job is to oversee the organization, I feel serious responsibility over this," she said. "I'm stepping down as defense minister."

The popularity of Abe's administration has plunged over a series of recent scandals, including accusations of misuse of power and cronyism.

Abe is expected to reshuffle his Cabinet next week in a bid to regain public support, but has been criticized for defending Inada for too long. Opposition lawmakers plan to grill Abe over his appointment of Inada, who had little expertise in national security.

In the alleged cover-up, defense officials had reportedly tried to conceal logs containing references to worsening safety in the area where Japanese peacekeeping troops were repairing roads. Defense officials initially denied a public information disclosure request, saying the documents had been destroyed, but a subsequent probe in March found that the data actually existed.

A whistleblower recently said that Inada had approved a plan to reject the request despite knowing the documents existed. Inada has denied she gave consent.

Inada, a lawyer, has come under fire for an election campaign speech in which she sought support for a ruling party candidate on behalf of her ministry and military troops, a possible violation of a law requiring political neutrality for government employees. She has also been criticized for links to an ultra-nationalist school operator now under criminal investigation for an allegedly fraudulent state land transaction.

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TORONTO (AP) - About 700 ground crew workers went on strike Thursday night at Toronto's airport, the busiest airline hub in Canada.

The unionized workers at Pearson International Airport walked out Thursday night after rejecting a contract offer from Swissport, a company that services 30 airlines at the airport including Sunwing, Air Transat, Air France and British Airways.

The members of Teamsters Local 419 include baggage handlers, cargo handlers, cabin cleaners and other ground staff as well as some employees who tow planes. The union says 95 percent voted against the contract proposal. Its leaders said the strikers would not try to hamper passengers.

"We're hoping to have little or no impact on the public, Local 419 vice president Harjinder Badial told reporters after the vote.

It was unclear if the strike would have any effect on operations at the airport, but the Greater Toronto Airports Authority said it had a contingency plan for dealing with a strike but provided no details.

Air Transat and British Airways said they had plans to avoid flight delays or cancellations.

The union said Swissport was trying to impose a three-year wage freeze on the majority of the workers, require staff to work a minimum of 30 hours a week to qualify for full benefits, and have the right to change schedules with 96 hours advance notice.

Pierre Payette, Swissport Canada's vice president of operations, said the company had bargained in good faith.
MOSCOW (AP) - Pyotr Levashov appeared to be just another comfortable member of Russia's rising middle-class - an IT entrepreneur with a taste for upmarket restaurants, Thai massages and foreign travel.

Then police raided his vacation rental in Barcelona, marching him out in handcuffs to face charges of being one of the world's most notorious spam lords.

Levashov's April 7 arrest was one in a series of American-initiated operations over the past year to seize alleged Russian cybercriminals outside their homeland, which has no extradition agreement with the United States.

FILE - In this Wednesday, July 26, 2017 file photo, alleged hacker Pyotr Levashov, speaks during a hearing to consider his extradition to the United States, at the National Court in Madrid. The U.S. has orchestrated the arrest of five alleged Russian cybercriminals across Europe in the past nine months. The operations come at a fraught moment in relations between Russia and the U.S., where politicians are grappling with the allegation that Kremlin hackers intervened in the 2016 election. (Luca Piergiovanni/Pool Photo via AP, File)

They come at a fraught moment in relations between Moscow and Washington, where politicians are grappling with the allegation that Kremlin hackers intervened in the U.S. election to help President Donald Trump. Through their lawyers, several defendants have suggested their arrests are linked to the election turmoil. Experts say that's possible, though an Associated Press review of the cases found no firm evidence to back the claim.

"There is a big hunt underway," said Andrei Soldatov, an expert on the Russian security services and co-author of "Red Web," a book about Russian attempts to control the internet. He said the recent burst of arrests made it look like the United States was "trying to understand what's going on with a very complicated world of Russian hacking and a very complicated relationship between Russian hackers and Russian secret services."

But Soldatov didn't rule out another possible explanation: The imprisoned Russians may be falsely tying their arrests to Trump's election in a bid to sow confusion and politicize their cases.

"It's a very big question," he said.

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"HE GOT TO EVERY MAILBOX THERE EVER WAS"

At least five Russians have been picked up in Europe as part of U.S. cybercrime prosecutions in the last nine months.

Evgeny Nikulin, 29, was arrested in a restaurant in Prague in October, accused of hacking into LinkedIn and Dropbox around the time that tens of millions of users there were compromised; Stanislav Lisov, 31, the alleged developer of the NeverQuest financial data-stealing software, was detained at Barcelona's airport during his honeymoon in January; and Yury Martyshev, 35, accused of helping run a service that let cybercriminals test-drive their malicious software, was recently extradited to the U.S. after being pulled off a train at the Russia-Latvia border in April. On Tuesday, Alexander Vinnik, 38, was arrested at his hotel in Greece on charges of running a money laundering ring for hackers that processed billions of dollars in digital currency.

Levashov, who made his first court appearance in Madrid for a brief hearing Wednesday, is easily the best known of the five. The 36-year-old is charged with fraud and unauthorized interception of electronic communications, but his spamming career is said to stretch back to the turn of the millennium, when the business of stuffing email inboxes full of pitches for cut-price pills and penny stocks was still largely unregulated.

Court documents trace how Levashov, using the alias Peter Severa, teamed up in 2005 with Alan Ralsky, an American bulk email baron once dubbed the "King of Spam."

Ralsky described the Russian as a master of his trade.

"He made me look like an amateur," Ralsky said in a recent interview. "He got to every mailbox there ever was."

Spammers can make a lot renting out their services to those peddling grey market pharmaceuticals or pornography. Ralsky said Levashov was pulling in "more money than you could shake a stick at" and traveled widely, saying he remembered getting vacation snaps of the Russian enjoying himself at a fishing cabin in Finland or the famously expensive Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai.

By then, Levashov had crossed American law enforcement's radar.

In 2007, he was indicted under his Severa alias as part of the case where Ralsky and several associates pleaded guilty to charges including wire fraud and mail fraud. Two years later, American authorities identified Levashov by name as the operator of the "Storm" botnet, a massive network of compromised, spam-spewing computers.

In the Russian hacker community, Levashov's profile was rising too. In online forums, he promoted the idea of collaborating with Russia's spy services, according to Soldatov, the Russian intelligence expert, who said Levashov spearheaded an effort to knock out websites linked to Islamist insurgencies in southern Russia.

"He was the first Russian hacker known to have brought the FSB into the circle of the Russian hacking community," Soldatov said, referring to Russia's domestic spy agency. "His idea was to make it more patriotic."

When Levashov was finally caught, his wife Maria drew international attention when she was quoted as saying the arrest was "linked to Trump's win." But in a conversation with The Associated Press in Madrid on Wednesday, she pulled back from those comments.

"I think there are some political reasons in this case, but I'm not sure," she said. "I don't have any evidence."

Levashov's lawyer, Margarita Repina, offered a similar qualification to her assertion that U.S. officials were "just taking hackers with any excuse to see if any of them admits involvement in the Trump issue."

"This is just an opinion," she said. "We have no evidence."

Legal documents suggest the latest effort to catch Levashov began well before the election. In a sworn declaration, FBI Agent Elliott Petersen said he began tracking Kelihos, the latest incarnation of Levashov's alleged spam botnet operation, more than two years ago.

The former spam king was also skeptical that Levashov's arrest was linked to the vote.

"They've been after him for a long time," Ralsky said.

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"THERE IS A CHESS GAME THAT ESCAPES US"

Levashov wouldn't be alone in floating thinly supported claims that his prosecution is related to the 2016 election. Lisov was also arrested in Barcelona and spent a month as Levashov's cellmate in Madrid. His attorney, Juan Manuel Arroyo, told an extradition hearing last week that there was "a game of chess that escapes us" between Moscow and Washington. Arroyo suggested that the American extradition request was "not normal."

A Spanish court document seen by AP suggests Lisov has been sought by the U.S. since Aug. 5, 2015, undermining the idea of an election link. Arroyo says he disputes the existence of any such request.

Nikulin, who is the subject of a conflicting extradition request from Russia, has been the most explicit. He told a judge in Prague that he was twice taken out of prison and offered a pardon, U.S. citizenship and refuge for his parents if he confessed to having "hacked the Democratic Party" on the Russian government's orders, an apparent reference to the embarrassing leak of Democratic National Committee emails in the heat of the U.S. race.

Nikulin said he rejected the offer, and his lawyer Vladimir Makeev later wrote a rambling letter warning Trump that the bureau was railroading Nikulin to undermine his presidency.

In an interview at his office in Moscow, Makeev said his client was being pressured by "certain unscrupulous representatives of the FBI that wish to have an impeachment carried out on president of the United States."

There's little evidence for the inflammatory claim.

Nikulin was in fact questioned in the presence of an FBI agent from the bureau's San Francisco office, according to a Russian-language legal document which Makeev shared with AP.

But there's no indication the agent - who was one of 10 officials, translators and defense lawyers listed as being present at the interrogation - ever discussed the election or made Nikulin an offer, much less of citizenship. The FBI would not make the agent available for an interview but a law enforcement official said no such deal was ever discussed. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Martyshev's attorney did not return messages seeking comment, but the Russian pleaded not guilty to all charges at a court hearing in Alexandria earlier this month.

Levashov may soon be joining him in America. His extradition to the United States seems a foregone conclusion, according to Repina, his attorney. She argued that would hardly be fair given that, in Russia, the spamming he's alleged to have carried out may not even be a crime.

"In his country, Levashov has legal businesses and a family that he needs to provide for," she said. "He is a patriot."

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Satter reported from Paris. Parra reported from Madrid. Diego Torres in Madrid, Ahmad Katib in Moscow, Eric Tucker in Washington and Karel Janicek in Prague contributed to this report.

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Online:

Makeev's letter to Trump and a Russian-language document about Nikulin's interrogation are available here: https://www.documentcloud.org/search/projectid:34623-Russian-Hackers

FILE - In this Thursday, July 20, 2017 file photo, Russian computer programmer Stanislav Lisov attends a court hearing at the Spanish National Court in Madrid, on extradition request to the U.S. for alleged crimes related to the 'NeverQuest' malicious software, which syphoned 855,000 U.S. dollars (743,000 euros) from bank clients in the country. The U.S. has orchestrated the arrest of five alleged Russian cybercriminals across Europe in the past nine months. The operations come at a fraught moment in relations between Russia and the U.S., where politicians are grappling with the allegation that Kremlin hackers intervened in the 2016 election. (Luca Piergiovanni/Pool via AP, file)

FILE - In this Thursday, July 20, 2017 file photo, Russian computer programmer Stanislav Lisov attends a court hearing at the Spanish National Court in Madrid, on extradition request to the U.S. for alleged crimes related to the 'NeverQuest' malicious software, which syphoned 855,000 U.S. dollars (743,000 euros) from bank clients in the country. The U.S. has orchestrated the arrest of five alleged Russian cybercriminals across Europe in the past nine months. The operations come at a fraught moment in relations between Russia and the U.S., where politicians are grappling with the allegation that Kremlin hackers intervened in the 2016 election. (Luca Piergiovanni/Pool via AP, file)

In this screen grab taken from video on Thursday, July 20, 2017, Russian computer programmer Stanislav Lisov attends a court hearing at the Spanish National Court in Madrid, on extradition request to the U.S. for alleged crimes related to the 'NeverQuest' malicious software, which syphoned 855,000 U.S. dollars (743,000 euros) from bank clients in the country. The U.S. has orchestrated the arrest of five alleged Russian cybercriminals across Europe in the past nine months. The operations come at a fraught moment in relations between Russia and the U.S., where politicians are grappling with the allegation that Kremlin hackers intervened in the 2016 election. (AP)

FILE - In this Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013 file photo, Andrei Soldatov, an expert on the Russian security services and co-author of "Red Web", speaks to The Associated Press during an interview in Moscow, Russia. The U.S. has orchestrated the arrest of five alleged Russian cybercriminals across Europe in the past nine months. The operations come at a fraught moment in relations between Russia and the U.S., where politicians are grappling with the allegation that Kremlin hackers intervened in the 2016 election. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

In this photo taken on Monday, July 24, 2017, a car passes the building of the Federal Security Service (FSB, Soviet KGB successor) in Lubyanskaya Square in Moscow, Russia. The U.S. has orchestrated the arrest of five alleged Russian cybercriminals across Europe in the past nine months. The operations come at a fraught moment in relations between Russia and the U.S., where politicians are grappling with the allegation that Kremlin hackers intervened in the 2016 election. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

In this July 24, 2017 photo, archived versions of two Russian anti-terrorism websites on a computer screen are photographed, in Paris. The now-defunct websites were the brainchild of alleged hacker Pyotr Levashov, according to Andrei Soldatov, an expert on the Russian security services. The U.S. has orchestrated the arrest of five alleged Russian cybercriminals across Europe in the past nine months. The operations come at a fraught moment in relations between Russia and the U.S., where politicians are grappling with the allegation that Kremlin hackers intervened in the 2016 election. (AP Photo/Raphael Satter)

In this photo taken on Monday, July 24, 2017, people walk along Nevsky prospect, the central avenue in St.Petersburg, Russia. The U.S. has orchestrated the arrest of five alleged Russian cybercriminals across Europe in the past nine months. The operations come at a fraught moment in relations between Russia and the U.S., where politicians are grappling with the allegation that Kremlin hackers intervened in the 2016 election. (AP Photo/Yevgeny Kurskov)

In this photo, taken on Monday, July 24, 2017, people look at their cell phones while standing at a corner of Nevsky prospect, the central avenue in St.Petersburg, Russia. The U.S. has orchestrated the arrest of five alleged Russian cybercriminals across Europe in the past nine months. The operations come at a fraught moment in relations between Russia and the U.S., where politicians are grappling with the allegation that Kremlin hackers intervened in the 2016 election. (AP Photo/Yevgeny Kurskov)

In this Tuesday, July 25, 2017 photo, a copy of the letter written by Russian lawyer Vladimir Makeev to U.S. President Donald Trump lies on a computer screen showing archive Youtube footage dated Monday, Aug. 2, 2015 featuring suspected hacker Yevgeny Nikulin after a Lamborghini Huracan race outside Moscow, Russia. The U.S. has orchestrated the arrest of five alleged Russian cybercriminals across Europe in the past nine months. The operations come at a fraught moment in relations between Russia and the U.S., where politicians are grappling with the allegation that Kremlin hackers intervened in the 2016 election. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

In this Tuesday, July 25, 2017 photo, a tablet shows archive Youtube footage dated Monday, Aug. 2, 2015 featuring Yevgeny Nikulin after a Lamborghini Huracan race outside Moscow, Russia. The U.S. has orchestrated the arrest of five alleged Russian cybercriminals across Europe in the past nine months. The operations come at a fraught moment in relations between Russia and the U.S., where politicians are grappling with the allegation that Kremlin hackers intervened in the 2016 election. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

In this photo taken on Monday, July 24, 2017, Vladimir Makeev, attorney to alleged hacker Yevgeny Nikulin and a member of Moscow City Bar Association speaks to the Associated Press in Moscow, Russia. The U.S. has orchestrated the arrest of five alleged Russian cybercriminals across Europe in the past nine months. The operations come at a fraught moment in relations between Russia and the U.S., where politicians are grappling with the allegation that Kremlin hackers intervened in the 2016 election. (AP Photo/Ahmad Katib)

FILE - In this Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2015 file photo, the J. Edgar Hoover Building, The Federal Bureau of Investigation headquarters, in Washington. The U.S. has orchestrated the arrest of five alleged Russian cybercriminals across Europe in the past nine months. The operations come at a fraught moment in relations between Russia and the U.S., where politicians are grappling with the allegation that Kremlin hackers intervened in the 2016 election. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Another senator's right to sit in the Australian Parliament was under a cloud on Friday over a constitutional prohibition on dual citizens being lawmakers that has already ousted two senators in two weeks and threatens a third.

Sen. Malcolm Roberts revealed Thursday he only received written confirmation that he was not a British citizen five months after he was elected in July last year as a representative of the anti-immigration, anti-Muslim One Nation party.

If Roberts were a dual citizen when he was elected, High Court precedent suggests he was ineligible to stand. He could be forced repay his salary and be fined for each day he spent as a senator.

A spate of recent political casualties of a contentious section of the constitution has frightened political parties and threatens to alter the balance of the disparate senate where no party holds a majority.

Roberts was born in India in 1955 to an Australian mother and Welsh father. He moved to Australia as a child and said never believed he was anything but Australian. But Roberts said he repeatedly asked the British government for confirmation that he was not a dual citizen before he nominated for election.

Roberts has refused to release the documents confirming he was not a British citizen, which he said he received in December.

But he said he had legal advice that he would survive any court challenge to his eligibility.

"I've taken all steps that I reasonably believe necessary," Roberts told Sky News television.

The High Court has ruled that dual citizens can run for Parliament if they have taken all reasonable steps to renounce the second nationality. This applies to cases involving countries that don't allow their nationals to renounce their citizenship.

The focus was shone on lawmakers' eligibility when a lawyer decided to investigate whether two New Zealand-born senators elected a year ago had renounced their New Zealand citizenship.

One of them, Greens party co-deputy leader, Scott Ludlam, had not. He resigned on July 14.

Four days later, the Greens' other co-deputy leader, Larissa Waters, resigned after discovering she was a citizen of her birth country, Canada.

Australian-born government senator Matt Canavan resigned from Cabinet this week but has decided to fight to stay in Parliament after discovering he is Italian.

Canavan said his Australian-born mother, who had Italian parents, had signed her son up to become Italian when she applied to an Italian consulate for citizenship in 2006.

Canavan said he had not been aware that an application for dual citizenship had been made on his behalf.

The High Court will rule on whether he is eligible to remain in the Senate, and perhaps clarify the rules around citizenship.

Senior government Minister Chris Pyne said on Friday the idea that Canavan could be made a citizen of another country without his knowledge and without signing any application as a 25-year-old "is quite frankly entering the theatre of the absurd."

"On that basis, (President) Kim Jong Un could make us all citizens of North Korea and we'd all have to resign," Pyne told Nine Network television.

The Greens have called for an independent audit of all 226 federal lawmakers to ensure that they were all lawfully elected.

The uncertainty has raised questions about whether the eligibility section of the constitution penned in the 19th century is still relevant in an increasingly multicultural country. Australia has always been a migrant nation and has a higher proportion of overseas-born citizens than the United States.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - A government official says Afghan security forces have driven Taliban fighters from Taywara District in western Ghor province.

Abdul Hai Khateby, provincial governor spokesman, says fighting raged for two days before Afghan soldiers drove them from the district center on Friday.

Khateby says 13 Taliban were killed in fighting. There were no Afghan forces casualties.

Residents who had fled their homes also began returning to the district capital, Khateby said.

The Taliban had driven government forces from the district center earlier this week.

Provincial Police Chief Mohammad Mustafa Moseni says they left behind several mines, which demining teams have already begun to clear.
BERLIN (AP) - Credit Suisse says its second-quarter earnings were up 78 percent as its wealth management business reports a strong inflow of new assets.

The Swiss bank said Friday that net profit for the April-June period was up to 303 million francs ($316 million) from 170 million francs a year earlier. Operating expenses were lower and the company said it's on track to meet its full-year cost target.

Credit Suisse said its wealth management division saw a 12 percent increase in net new assets over the year's first half to 22.8 billion, the strongest showing in six years.

For the first half, the bank reported net earnings of 899 million francs. That compares with a net loss of 132 million francs in the first six months of last year.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - As pressure on North Korea grows over its nuclear weapons program, America's most valued Arab allies host thousands of its laborers whose wages help Pyongyang evade sanctions and build the missiles now threatening the U.S. and its Asian partners, officials and analysts say.

From state-run restaurants to construction sites, North Korean workers in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates face conditions akin to forced labor while being spied on by planted intelligence officers, eating little food and suffering physical abuse, authorities say. Hundreds more North Korean workers may be coming to the UAE, home to a crucial military base, while laborers remain in the other countries.

North Korean laborers even have worked on an expansion of a military base in the UAE home to U.S. forces fighting the Islamic State group, two officials familiar with Pyongyang's tactics told The Associated Press. A UAE company also was accused by the U.S. of trying to buy nearly $100 million of North Korean arms, while the nation previously purchased ballistic missiles from the North.

In this Tuesday, July 25, 2017 photo, a waitress sings at the Pyongyang Okryu-Gwan North Korean Restaurant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. From state-run restaurants to construction sites, North Korean workers in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates face conditions akin to forced labor while being spied on by planted intelligence officers, eating little food and suffering physical abuse, authorities say. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

Emirati officials, who are now relying on South Korean expertise to build the first nuclear power plant on the Arabian Peninsula, did not respond to requests for comment.

"To put it fairly simply - an isolated country like North Korea is always seeking hard currency," said Giorgio Cafiero, the CEO of the Washington-based political risk consultancy Gulf State Analytics. "The Gulf is a place that the North Koreans see as a very reliable place to make the money."

Longstanding international concerns over North Korea's nuclear weapons program have intensified under leader Kim Jong Un, whose country conducted two nuclear tests last year and launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile July 4.

Facing U.S. and international sanctions, North Korea has relied on its overseas laborers as a way to get cash. Figures vary on how much North Korea earns annually from its workers. A 2015 U.N. report suggested that the more than 50,000 North Koreans working overseas earned Pyongyang between $1.2 billion and $2.3 billion a year. Other estimates put earnings in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

The major markets for North Korean workers are China and Russia, but the Gulf also hosts thousands.

"The reason why some Middle East countries like to hire North Korean workers is because first of all, their turnover rate is really low, meaning North Korean workers don't run away and they are there for at least three years," said Go Myong-Hyun, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. "At the same time, they're cheap."

They also face threats, abuse and constant surveillance, according to the U.N., Go and other experts. Workers are "forced to work sometimes up to 20 hours per day, without only one or two rest days per month," the U.N. has said.

Across the Gulf, some 6,000 North Koreans work, two officials familiar with Pyongyang's tactics told the AP. Kuwait is home to some 2,500, while the UAE accounts for as many as 1,500 North Koreans and 2,000 work in 2022 FIFA World Cup host Qatar, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential intelligence reports.

For those working in the Gulf, most earn around $1,000 a month, with about half being kept by the North Korean government and another $300 going toward construction company managers, the officials said. That leaves workers receiving $200 for working straight through an entire month, they said.

Even $200 a month can go a long way in North Korea, where the per-capita income is estimated at just $1,700 a year.

Cafiero said some work for firms run by the North Korean military, working only at night to avoid contact with the outside world, especially South Koreans, out of fear workers may be tempted to defect. Such defections do happen, like in the case of Lim Il, a North Korean who worked in Kuwait City for five months before defecting to South Korea in 1997.

Lim said he was angry to learn Indonesian and Bangladeshi workers earned $450 to $750 per month in Kuwait; he was promised $120 a month that he never received. That was after he bribed North Korean officials with liquor and cigarettes to get a highly sought-after overseas job.

"Under North Koreans' point of view, I was among a small group of selected people. But under a point of view here, I was a slave," Lim told the AP last year.

In the UAE, known for the glittering skyscrapers and chic nightlife of Dubai, eight North Korean workers typically live together in only a 21-square-meter (69-square-foot) space and eat little food, the two officials said. Despite strict restrictions, one North Korean was so hungry in recent years he slipped away from his minders to a Dubai grocery where he was arrested for shoplifting, the officials said. Another North Korea worker fell from a construction site in 2016 and died, they said.

North Korea also operates three Korean restaurants in the UAE - two in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi - out of an estimated 130 it runs around the world, the officials said. But the restaurants, like others around the world, sit largely empty. South Koreans had been among their biggest customers, but after a North Korean nuclear test in January 2016 and further missile launches, Seoul told its citizens not to patronize them .

The two officials said another 1,000 North Korean workers will arrive in the UAE in the coming months.

Typically, those in construction work as subcontractors, with those commissioning the projects sometimes unaware they have North Koreans working on site, the officials said.

They suggest that may have been the case when North Korean workers took part in a recent expansion of the UAE's Al-Dhafra Air Base, a major Emirati military installation outside Abu Dhabi and home to some of the 5,000 American troops stationed in the country. From that base, drones and fighter jets fly missions over Iraq and Syria targeting the Islamic State group.

Maj. Josh T. Jacques, a spokesman for the U.S. military's Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, said its policies do "not allow for the admittance or contracting of North Korean nationals and other countries of interest at any U.S. military installation."

"We are not aware of any North Korean laborers at Al-Dhafra Air Base and we would certainly be concerned if there were," he told the AP.

Go, the researcher, said North Koreans working as laborers haven't been known to engage in espionage.

"They try to keep a low profile most of the time," he said. "They are there for business, to make money. They aren't there to create mayhem and that for sure is going to interrupt their money-making opportunities."

South Korean officials said they believe some 60,000 North Korean laborers work around the world, but declined to specifically discuss workers in the Persian Gulf.

While hosting North Korean workers, Emirati officials now rely on Seoul to build the $20 billion Barakah nuclear power plant. The first of its four reactors, being built in the UAE's western deserts near its border with Saudi Arabia, is scheduled to come online in 2018.

Meanwhile, America and others have been pushing its Gulf partners to limit their exposure to North Korea. A bill passed Tuesday by the House of Representatives includes limits on the use of overseas North Korean labor.

In Oman, the sultanate expelled 300 North Koreans working in the country in December, according to South Korea. Some 80 are believed to remain. In Qatar, the U.N. said one construction company there dismissed 90 North Korean workers in May 2015 over abuse and labor law violations that included an incident that killed one laborer.

North Korea's sole embassy for the region is in Kuwait City, where authorities in 2016 stopped direct flights by the country's state-run Air Koryo and ceased issuing new worker visas. That drew praise from then-U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who thanked Kuwait's ruler for take steps to stop "an illegal and illegitimate regime in North Korea."

North Korean Embassy officials in Kuwait City did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Authorities in Kuwait did not respond to requests for comment. Oman's Embassy in Washington simply said "it's the first time we hear of" the North Korean workers being expelled from the sultanate, without answering any questions.

In a statement to the AP on Friday, Qatar acknowledged "a few companies" had contracted North Korean workers, but that it stopped issuing visas to them in 2015. Qatar said "less than 1,000 remain" in the country and their visas will not be renewed.

"Qatar is in compliance with all U.N. sanctions against North Korea," the statement said. "There have never been workers from North Korea working on any World Cup construction sites."

North Korea has complicated history with the Persian Gulf dating back to its training of communist fighters in Oman's Dhofar rebellion that began in the 1960s. UAE forces intercepted a cache of banned rocket-propelled grenades and other arms from North Korea heading for Iran in 2009.

By the late 1980s, North Korea had begun selling locally made Scud ballistic missiles from Soviet designs. Iran and Yemen were among its clients, as was the emirate of Dubai in the UAE, according to a 1991 CIA analysis . In 1999, the Emirati military also purchased some 30 Scud missiles from Pyongyang, according to a 2008 U.S. diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks.

U.S. officials also warned the UAE about efforts by a Dubai-based company to buy almost $100 million in machine guns, rifles and rockets from North Korea, according to a copy of an undated U.S. diplomatic message to the UAE obtained by the AP. In a response to questions from the U.N., Emirati officials said in January 2016 the sale never went through.

Today, Gulf nations keep their ties with North Korea largely quiet while supplying oil and natural gas crucial to the economies of Pyongyang adversaries South Korea and Japan. Given that, as well as their close defense ties to the U.S., Gulf nations likely would side against North Korea if given a firm enough push, Cafiero said.

"The United States has already put pressure on the (Gulf) countries to distance themselves from the North Koreans. I would imagine the Trump administration is going to continue such efforts," he said. "The Arab Gulf states would have a lot to lose if there was a conflict."

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Associated Press writer Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, contributed to this report.

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Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at https://twitter.com/jongambrellAP. His work can be found at http://apne.ws/2galNpz.

In this Tuesday, July 25, 2017 photo, a customer leaves the Pyongyang Okryu-Gwan North Korean Restaurant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. From state-run restaurants to construction sites, North Korean workers in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates face conditions akin to forced labor while being spied on by planted intelligence officers, eating little food and suffering physical abuse, authorities say. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

In this Tuesday, July 25, 2017 photo, waitresses sing at the Pyongyang Okryu-Gwan North Korean Restaurant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. From state-run restaurants to construction sites, North Korean workers in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates face conditions akin to forced labor while being spied on by planted intelligence officers, eating little food and suffering physical abuse, authorities say. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

In this Tuesday, July 25, 2017 photo, waitresses sing at the Pyongyang Okryu-Gwan North Korean Restaurant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. From state-run restaurants to construction sites, North Korean workers in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates face conditions akin to forced labor while being spied on by planted intelligence officers, eating little food and suffering physical abuse, authorities say. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

FILE- In this Saturday, April 15, 2017, file photo, soldiers march across Kim Il Sung Square during a military parade in Pyongyang, North Korea to celebrate the 105th birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung, the country's late founder and grandfather of current ruler Kim Jong Un. Thousands of North Korean laborers work in four U.S.-allied nations in the Persian Gulf, earning hard currency for Pyongyang despite international sanctions as pressure grows over its nuclear weapons program. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E, File)

FILE - In this Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017 file Photo, North Korean factory workers are silhouetted at the Pyongyang 326 Electric Wire Factory in Pyongyang, North Korea. Thousands of North Korean laborers work in four U.S.-allied nations in the Persian Gulf, earning hard currency for Pyongyang despite international sanctions as pressure grows over its nuclear weapons program. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E, File)

In this Tuesday, July 25, 2017 photo, waitresses perform a short play at the Pyongyang Okryu-Gwan North Korean Restaurant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. From state-run restaurants to construction sites, North Korean workers in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates face conditions akin to forced labor while being spied on by planted intelligence officers, eating little food and suffering physical abuse, authorities say. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A California appeals court judge temporarily blocked a Los Angeles natural gas storage facility Friday from reopening a year and a half after a major blowout spewed methane that drove thousands of families from their homes.

The order late in the day by Associate Justice Lamar Baker of the 2nd District Court of Appeal came after Los Angeles County lawyers unsuccessfully tried to get a lower court to stop Southern California Gas Co. from resuming operations at Aliso Canyon.

State regulators last week gave approval to allow the company to pump gas into underground storage wells after an overhaul and rigorous testing. The county said it feared operations would resume Saturday.

FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2015, file pool photo, crews work on a relief well at the Aliso Canyon facility above the Porter Ranch area of Los Angeles. A California judge denied a motion to halt the reopening of the massive natural gas storage facility in Los Angeles County that has been offline since a major blowout. Lawyers for the county had asked Superior Court Judge John Wiley to stop Southern California Gas Co. from restarting operations at Aliso Canyon because of earthquake risks. The judge tentatively ruled against the county on Friday, July 28, 2017, according to court filings made public before a hearing. He made the ruling final during the hearing. (Dean Musgrove /Los Angeles Daily News via AP, Pool, File)

The facility above the San Fernando Valley has been largely out of commission since an old well failed in October 2015, unleashing methane for nearly four months and leading 8,000 families to evacuate.

The utility said in response late Friday that it has met and sometimes exceeded the state's safety requirements for the field, and that "unnecessary delays will challenge our ability to meet" the inventory requirements regulators are asking for to avoid an energy shortage.

The appeals court gave the parties until 6 p.m. Saturday to file arguments. The judge can then extend the temporary stay, or lift it.

The blowout released the largest-known amount of climate-changing methane in U.S. history and led to widespread complaints of nosebleeds, nausea, headaches and symptoms that persisted even after the leak was capped last year.

The county's effort to keep the facility closed hinges on a claim that the state's extensive safety review had not taken into account the risk of an earthquake from a fault that runs through the field.

In rejecting the county's petition earlier in the day, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge John Wiley said he didn't have authority to overturn orders by the California Public Utilities Commission.

"So what's my power?" Wiley said. "Zero. I have zero power. Because in the 1950s the Legislature said, 'Hands off. The PUC owns this problem.'"

County lawyer Skip Miller disagreed and said the county would file a last-minute request for a stay with the higher court.

"I think your honor is just dead-bang wrong," Miller told the judge. "This is super important to the county of LA and the 30,000 people who live out there."

The county's appeal said it needed to block operations because it was notified the company planned to resume operations Saturday, and if that happened its legal bid would be moot.

Chris Gilbride, a SoCalGas spokesman, said the utility has a few steps to complete before it can resume storing gas and wasn't sure when it would restart.

The state allowed SoCalGas to resume limited operations last week under stricter rules put into effect after the blowout. Fewer than half the 114 wells in the field have passed tests that would allow them to be used.

The county, however, said the state's review didn't adequately address the threat of a strong quake rumbling across the Santa Susana Mountains where the field is located.

"That's a recipe for disaster," Miller said. "We think they're jumping the gun."

The county's legal filing included emails and a declaration from a former SoCalGas manager who raised concerns several years ago about the danger. Jim Mansdorfer, who managed the company's gas storage wells for years, said the Santa Susana fault could rupture all wells and release gas at 100 to 1,000 times the rate of the 2015 blowout.

In response, the state said the facility has likely undergone more scrutiny from a regulatory agency than any facility in the U.S. and the county didn't have a valid claim but could appeal to regulators.

The county's claims are based on "the vague possibility of a future, hypothetical catastrophic earthquake," the state said.

"Fearmongering and heated rhetoric aside, the county fails to allege a legal or factual basis upon which relief, let alone emergency relief, may be granted," Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Rosenfeld said.

SoCalGas echoed the state's arguments in a legal filing. In a letter to politicians and policymakers Monday, it said the county's claims were "baseless and wrong."

The company said it didn't agree with Mansdorfer's opinion, but it had forwarded his concerns to regulators.

While the company and the state have deemed the facility necessary for home heating and to fuel gas-fired power plants, Southern California has avoided predictions of blackouts over the past year while the facility was closed.

Many residents want to see Aliso Canyon permanently shuttered. They have held boisterous protests at the facility's gate, at public meetings and demonstrated in red T-shirts Friday that said "Shut it down."

"It's very scary," Porter Ranch resident Richard Mathews said after the hearing. "So many people are feeling such terrible symptoms from this. People are still getting sick, and if they start the injections, if they increase the pressure 60 percent as expected, it increases the risk to all of us enormously."
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump will sign a package of stiff financial sanctions against Russia that passed Congress with overwhelming support, the White House said Friday. Moscow has already responded, ordering a reduction in the number of U.S. diplomats in Russia and closing the U.S. Embassy's recreation retreat.

Trump's willingness to support the measure is a remarkable acknowledgement that he has yet to sell his party on his hopes for forging a warmer relationship with Moscow. His vow to extend a hand of cooperation to Russian President Vladimir Putin has been met with resistance as skeptical lawmakers look to limit the president's leeway to go easy on Moscow over its meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

The Senate passed the bill, 98-2, two days after the House pushed the measure through by an overwhelming margin, 419-3. Both were veto-proof numbers.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, July 27, 2017. The Senate voted decisively to approve a new package of stiff financial sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea, sending the popular bill to President Donald Trump for his signature after weeks of intense negotiations. The legislation is aimed at punishing Moscow for meddling in the 2016 presidential election and its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria, where the Kremlin has backed President Bashar Assad. McCain said the bill's passage was long overdue, a jab at Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress. McCain, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, has called Putin a murderer and a thug.(AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

The White House initially wavered on whether the president would sign the measure into law. But in a statement late Friday, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump had "reviewed the final version and, based on its responsiveness to his negotiations, approves the bill and intends to sign it."

Never in doubt was a cornerstone of the legislation that bars Trump from easing or waiving the additional penalties on Russia unless Congress agrees. The provisions were included to assuage concerns among lawmakers that the president's push for better relations with Moscow might lead him to relax the penalties without first securing concessions from the Kremlin.

The legislation is aimed at punishing Moscow for interfering in the 2016 presidential election and for its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria, where the Kremlin has backed President Bashar Assad. It also imposes financial sanctions against Iran and North Korea.

Before Trump's decision to sign the bill into law, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said the bill's passage was long overdue, a jab at Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress. McCain, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, has called Putin a murderer and a thug.

"Over the last eight months what price has Russia paid for attacking our elections?" McCain asked. "Very little."

Russia's Foreign Ministry on Friday said it is ordering the U.S. Embassy in Russia to reduce the number of its diplomats by Sept. 1. Russia will also close down the embassy's recreational retreat on the outskirts of Moscow as well as warehouse facilities.

Meanwhile, some European countries expressed concerns that the measures targeting Russia's energy sector would harm its businesses involved in piping Russian natural gas. Germany's foreign minister said his country wouldn't accept the U.S. sanctions against Russia being applied to European companies.

A spokesman for the European Commission said Friday that European officials will be watching the U.S. effort closely, vowing to "remain vigilant."

Trump had privately expressed frustration over Congress' ability to limit or override the power of the president on national security matters, according to Trump administration officials and advisers. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal White House deliberations.

But faced with heavy bipartisan support for the bill in the House and Senate, the president had little choice but to sign the bill into law. Trump's communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, had suggested Thursday that Trump might veto the bill and "negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians."

But Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said that would be a serious mistake and called Scaramucci's remark an "off-handed comment." If Trump rejected the bill, Corker said, Congress would overrule him.

"I cannot imagine anybody is seriously thinking about vetoing this bill," said Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "It's not good for any president - and most governors don't like to veto things that are going to be overridden. It shows a diminishment of their authority. I just don't think that's a good way to start off as president."

Still, signing a bill that penalizes Russia's election interference marks a significant shift for Trump. He's repeatedly cast doubt on the conclusion of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia sought to tip the election in his favor. And he's blasted as a "witch hunt" investigations into the extent of Russia's interference and whether the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow.

The 184-page bill seeks to hit Putin and the oligarchs close to him by targeting Russian corruption, human rights abusers, and crucial sectors of the Russian economy, including weapons sales and energy exports.

The bill underwent revisions to address concerns voiced by American oil and natural gas companies that sanctions specific to Russia's energy sector could backfire on them to Moscow's benefit. The bill raised the threshold for when U.S. firms would be prohibited from being part of energy projects that also included Russian businesses.

Lawmakers said they also made adjustments so the sanctions on Russia's energy sector didn't undercut the ability of U.S. allies in Europe to get access to oil and gas resources outside of Russia.

The North Korea sanctions are intended to thwart Pyongyang's ambition for nuclear weapons by cutting off access to the cash the reclusive nation needs to follow through with its plans. The bill prohibits ships owned by North Korea or by countries that refuse to comply with U.N. resolutions against it from operating in American waters or docking at U.S. ports. Goods produced by North Korea's forced labor would be prohibited from entering the United States, according to the bill.

The sanctions package imposes mandatory penalties 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.

Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rand Paul, R-Ky., voted against the sanctions bill.

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Contact Richard Lardner on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rplardner
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - New Zealand will appeal World Rugby's ruling that All Blacks center Sonny Bill Williams won't complete a disciplinary suspension in time to play next month's Bledisloe Cup test against Australia.

Williams was suspended for four matches after being sent off during the second test against the British and Irish Lions on July 1 for a dangerous shoulder charge on Lions winger Anthony Watson. He was only the third All Black to be sent off in a test match and the first in 50 years.

Williams missed the third test against the Lions, a Super Rugby match for the Auckland-based Blues and will sit out a match for his Counties-Manukau province. But a World Rugby judicial panel has ruled an All Blacks warmup match - proposed by New Zealand as the fourth match of Williams' suspension - is not acceptable.

The panel, which included two former Wallabies, said the match between the All Blacks and the Counties and Taranaki provinces was not "meaningful."

In a statement Friday, New Zealand rugby said it would ask World Rugby's appeals committee to review the decision which will see Williams complete his suspension on Aug. 20, the day after the Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney.

"Sonny Bill Williams has appealed the World Rugby judicial committee's decision not to include the All Blacks match on 11 August (a split game of 40 minutes each against Counties Manukau and Taranaki) in the four-week suspension given to Williams following a hearing into the red card he received in the second test against the touring British & Irish Lions," the statement said. "As the matter will now be decided by an appeal committee, no further comment will be made at this time."
WASHINGTON (AP) - The resounding Senate crash of the seven-year Republican drive to scrap the Obama health care law incited GOP finger-pointing Friday but left the party with wounded leaders and no evident pathway forward on an issue that won't go away.

In an astonishing cliff-hanger, the GOP-run Senate voted 51-49 to reject Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's last ditch attempt to sustain their drive to dismantle President Barack Obama's health care overhaul with a starkly trimmed-down bill. The vote, which concluded shortly before 2 a.m. EDT, was a blistering defeat for President Donald Trump and McConnell, R-Ky., who've made uprooting the statute a top priority.

"They should have approved health care last night," Trump said Friday during a speech in Brentwood, New York. "But you can't have everything," he added, seemingly shrugging off one of his biggest legislative setbacks.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. leaves the Senate chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, July 27, 2017, after a vote as the Republican majority in Congress remains stymied by their inability to fulfill their political promise to repeal and replace "Obamacare" because of opposition and wavering within the GOP ranks. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Trump reiterated his threat to "let Obamacare implode," an outcome he could hasten by steps like halting federal payments to help insurers reduce out-of-pocket costs for lower-earning consumers.

Senate Democrats were joined in opposition by three Republicans - Maine's Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Arizona's John McCain. The 80-year-old McCain, just diagnosed with brain cancer, had returned to the Capitol three days earlier to provide a vote that temporarily kept the measure alive, only to deliver the coup de grace Friday.

"3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down," Trump tweeted Friday. He tweeted later that the Senate needed a rules change to "immediately go to a 51 vote majority, not senseless 60," even though on the crucial vote a simple majority of 51 votes, including a tie-breaker by Vice President Mike Pence, was all that was needed.

"Hello, he only needed 51 in the health care bill and couldn't do it," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., helpfully reminded reporters.

Earlier in the week, Republican defections sank two broad GOP efforts to scrap the 2010 law. One would have erased Obama's statute and replaced it with a more constricted government health care role, and the other would have annulled the law and given Congress two years to replace it.

The measure that fell Friday was narrower and included a repeal of Obama's unpopular tax penalties on people who don't buy policies and on employers who don't offer coverage to workers. McConnell designed it as a legislative vehicle the Senate could approve and begin talks with the House on a compromise, final bill.

But the week's setbacks highlighted how, despite years of trying, GOP leaders haven't resolved internal battles between conservatives seeking to erase Obama's law and moderates leery of tossing millions of voters off of coverage.

"It's time to move on," McConnell said after the defeat.

Friday morning, House leaders resorted to singer Gordon Lightfoot to point fingers. They opened a House GOP meeting by playing "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," a ballad about the 1975 sinking of a freighter in Lake Superior. Lawmakers said leaders assured them it was meant as a reference to the Senate's flop.

The House approved its health care measure in May, after its own tribulations.

In a statement, Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., pointedly said "the House delivered a bill."

He added, "I encourage the Senate to continue working toward a real solution that keeps our promise."

Conservative Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., running for a Senate seat, faulted McConnell for not crafting a plan that could pass. He said if McConnell abandons the health care drive, "he should resign from leadership."

One moderate Republican said Trump shared responsibility.

"One of the failures was the president never laid out a plan or his core principles and never sold them to the American people," said Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa. "Outsourced the whole issue to Congress."

In statements Friday, McCain said the Senate bill didn't lower costs or improve care and called the chamber's inability to craft wide-ranging legislation "inexcusable." He said Democrats and Republicans should write a bill together and "stop the political gamesmanship."

Lawmakers spoke of two possible but difficult routes forward.

In one, balking GOP senators could be won over by new proposals from leaders or cave under pressure from angry constituents demanding they fulfill the party's pledge to tear down Obama's law. But both of those dynamics have been in play all year without producing results.

In the other, there would be a limited bipartisan effort to address the insurance market's short-term concerns. That would provide money to insurers to help them subsidize some customers and prevent companies from driving up premiums or abandoning regions.

Schumer said he hoped the two parties could "work together to make the system better" by stabilizing marketplaces.

But many conservatives oppose such payments and consider them insurance industry bailouts, raising questions about whether Congress could approve such a package.

McConnell said it was time for Democrats "to tell us what they have in mind." But saying he was backed by most Republicans, he added, "Bailing out insurance companies, with no thought of any kind of reform, is not something I want to be part of."

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Associated Press writers Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar and Stephen Ohlemacher contributed to this report.
MILAN (AP) - Italian oil and gas company Eni returned to second-quarter profits as it ramped up new production in three regions amid ongoing pricing volatility.

Eni said Friday it earned 18 million euros ($21 million) in the period, compared with a 446 million-euro loss a year earlier.

The start-up of offshore projects in Ghana, Angola and Indonesia contributed to a 3 percent production increase to 1.77 million barrels a day of oil and natural gas. That was offset by OPEC production cuts, price effects and lower production in mature fields.

Eni noted that most of its first-half profits of 983 million euros were achieved in the first quarter when benchmark oil prices were up 30 percent. The second quarter was affected by "uncertainties about the timing of recovery in market fundamentals."
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Indonesia's state watchdog said Friday the execution last year of a Nigerian man for drug offenses should not have been carried out and was the result of institutional negligence.

Humphrey Jefferson was among four men executed by firing squad at Nusa Kambangan prison island last July 29. Ten others were also due to be executed at the same time but were given a reprieve at the last moment without explanation.

Ombudsman Ninik Rahayu said the execution should not have been carried out while Jefferson's request for clemency was still underway. That it occurred was negligent, discriminatory and showed "maladministration" by the Attorney General's Office, which oversees executions, she said.

Lawyer Ricky Gunawan said the Ombudsman's report "confirms our allegations that the Attorney General's Office did violate the law."

Rahayu also blamed the Central Jakarta District Court for not conveying Jefferson's second request for judicial review to the Supreme Court and recommended it should be investigated by the higher court.

The Attorney General's Office has 60 days to respond. The Ombudsman's report can be sent to parliament and President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.

Indonesia has harsh penalties for drug crimes and traffickers can receive the death penalty. More than 150 people are on death row, mostly for drug crimes.

A total of 18 people convicted of drug-related crimes, mostly foreigners, have been executed since Jokowi took office in late 2014. In interviews with foreign media in the past year, he has said Indonesians could be open to ending capital punishment in the future but he has not announced any steps in that direction.
BERLIN (AP) - A court opened the door on Friday for possible bans on older diesel cars in the German city of Stuttgart, a major auto industry center, upholding a complaint by an environmental group.

The city's administrative court ordered the state government in Baden-Wuerttemberg to rework a plan to improve the air quality in Stuttgart, saying that it wouldn't bring improvements sufficiently fast, news agency dpa reported.

The state has been trying to avoid unpopular bans on diesel cars thanks to automakers' pledges to retrofit vehicles. But judge Wolfgang Kern said that a year-round ban would the most effective way of keeping to permitted nitrogen dioxide levels, which Stuttgart often exceeds.

Alexander Dobrindt, German Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, briefs the media during a news conference at his ministry in Berlin, Thursday, July 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The Environmental Action Germany group challenged a clean air plan for Stuttgart that is due to take effect in January.

Friday's ruling leaves open whether, when and how diesel models might be banned. But it increases pressure on German politicians at a time when diesel is under intense scrutiny.

The industry is currently looking for a way out of persistent troubles over excessive diesel emissions, and the government is hosting a meeting with auto bosses next week to discuss ways to reduce them.

In Berlin, federal Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt said that "blanket driving bans are the wrong political way."

"It is not our job to ensure that drivers of vehicles that bought them in good faith now have a driving ban imposed on them," he said. "There will have to be a package of measures for cities in the future."

Dobrindt acknowledged that "diesel is a transitional technology." But the German government is reluctant to follow Britain and others in setting a date from which the sale of new cars using diesel and gasoline will be banned.
MILAN (AP) - Italy's parliament on Friday gave final approval to making a slate of childhood vaccinations mandatory for school children up to age 16, a move aimed at countering an anti-vaccine trend that officials have attributed to misinformation.

The packet approved Friday was hotly contested in Italy, where the number of children being vaccinated has sunk since mandatory inoculations were dropped for school admissions nearly 20 years ago.

Health Minister Beatrice Lorenzin hailed the 296-92 vote with 15 abstentions as providing "a shield for our children against very serious diseases that are still among us."

An anti-vaccine protestor shouts slogans outside the Italian lower chamber in Rome, Friday, July 28, 2017. Italy's parliament on Friday gave final approval to making a slate of childhood vaccinations mandatory for school children up to age 16 - a move aimed at countering an anti-vaccine trend that officials have attributed to misinformation. (Giuseppe Lami/ANSA via AP)

But the sharp tones of the debate before the vote didn't dissipate. Noisy protesters gathered outside parliament with signs: "Don't touch our children," and shouted at lawmakers as they passed by. A top health official in Liguria, Sonia Viale, was quoted as saying the measure marked "a return to fascism," drawing rebukes.

During the vaccine debate, Italian health officials confronted a measles outbreak that drew a U.S. travel warning and a scandal in northern Italy that involved a nurse who claimed for years to have vaccinated children but had not.

Earlier this week, Italy's highest court issued a ruling that found no connection between childhood vaccines and autism, as alleged by a parent seeking legal relief. The correlation has been widely dismissed by the scientific community.

Not only in Italy, but around Europe and the United States, parental fears about vaccines' safety have caused tens of thousands of parents to avoid vaccinating their children. World Health Organization says measles killed 35 children across Europe in the last year, calling it "an unacceptable tragedy" and noting the disease is preventable with a vaccine.

Under Italy's new requirements, parents must present proof of vaccinations to gain admission into preschools, while parents of children of mandatory school age face fines of up to 500 euros ($588) for noncompliance. The requirements cover 10 vaccinations, including diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and chicken pox.

Officials dropped two diseases from the initial list of 12, meningococcal B and meningococcal C.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Federal charges have been filed in Nebraska against a man suspected of being the "AK-47 bandit," accused of robbing banks in five states.

Richard Gathercole is accused of interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle and stolen firearms in a complaint filed Thursday in federal court in Lincoln. His attorney didn't immediately return a call Friday from The Associated Press.

FBI officials believe Gathercole is "the AK-47 bandit," who's robbed banks in California, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska and Washington.

FILE - This undated file booking photo provided by the FBI shows Richard Gathercole of Roundup, Mont. Gathercole, dubbed the "AK-47 bandit," and suspected of bank robberies in five states, pleaded not guilty Monday, July 24, 2017, to unrelated charges in Nebraska. Gathercole entered the pleas in Dawson County District Court in Lexington, Neb., to two counts of possessing stolen firearms and one of theft or receiving stolen property, court records said. (FBI via AP, File)

Court documents say Gathercole was arrested June 20 near Lexington, Nebraska. A sheriff's deputy had spotted a pickup there that Kansas authorities had reported stolen by a man who fired at but missed a state trooper.

A Nebraska prosecutor says state charges were dropped Thursday because of near duplication with the federal counts.
BERLIN (AP) - The Latest on the attack at a supermarket in Hamburg (all times local):

5:10 p.m.

German police says there was definitely only one attacker with a knife who went into a supermarket in Hamburg and stabbed several people.

An elderly woman is accompanied by a firefighter after a knife attack at a supermarket in Hamburg, Germany, 28 July 2017. German police say one person died after a man with a knife attacked several people. The attacker was arrested. (Paul Weidenbaum/dpa via AP)

German police say one person has died in the Friday afternoon attack and several people have suffered stab wounds. They said on Twitter that they don't have information on the assailant's motive or on the exact number of victims.

They added that "initial reports about robbery as a possible motive so far have not been confirmed."

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4:35 p.m.

German police say one person has died after a man with a knife attacked several people at a supermarket in Hamburg.

The assailant entered the supermarket in the Barmbek district on Friday afternoon and stabbed customers before fleeing, police said. Witnesses followed him and alerted police, who arrested him near the scene.

Police said several people suffered stab wounds and one of the victims was fatally wounded.

Police officers secure the area after a knife attack at a supermarket in Hamburg, Germany, Friday, July 28, 2017. German police say one person died and several people suffered stab wounds. (Paul Weidenbaum/dpa via AP)
BERLIN (AP) - A man armed with a kitchen knife fatally stabbed one person at a supermarket Friday in the northern German city of Hamburg and six others were injured as he fled, police said. He was overpowered and arrested.

The suspect is a 26-year-old who was born in the United Arab Emirates, police said, though they were still working to establish his nationality. Hamburg's mayor said that the man had apparently sought shelter in Germany and that authorities had been unable to deport him because he had no papers.

The assailant entered the supermarket in Hamburg's Barmbek district Friday afternoon and stabbed one man, who died at the scene. Police said the victim is believed to be a 50-year-old German.

Police officers secure the area after a knife attack at a supermarket in Hamburg, Germany, Friday, July 28, 2017. German police say one person died and several people suffered stab wounds. (Paul Weidenbaum/dpa via AP)

After the assailant fled, he wounded a woman and four men with his knife before being overwhelmed by passers-by, police said. A fifth man was hurt while helping overpower the attacker, who was slightly injured, police said. Officers then arrested the assailant.

The wounded people, some of whom were seriously hurt, were taken to hospitals, authorities said.

Barmbek is in northeastern Hamburg, away from the downtown district.

Police said that they were "investigating in every direction." The news agency dpa quoted two witnesses at a nearby bakery as saying they heard the assailant shout "Allahu akbar!" as he held up the knife, but police did not confirm the report.

"Allahu akbar" means "God is great" in Arabic and has been used by Islamic extremists when carrying out violent acts.

Mayor Olaf Scholz said the assailant was a foreigner who was supposed to leave Germany but couldn't be deported because he had no papers, dpa reported.

"It makes me all the more angry that the perpetrator is apparently someone who sought protection here in Germany and then turned his hatred against us," Scholz said.

In December, a Tunisian whose asylum application had been rejected drove a truck into a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people.

Police officers are securing evidence in front of the supermarket in Hamburg, Germany, Friday, July 28, 2017, where a man with a knife fatally stabbed one person and wounded four others as he fled, police said. He was then arrested. (Markus Scholz/dpa via AP)

An elderly woman is accompanied by a firefighter after a knife attack at a supermarket in Hamburg, Germany, 28 July 2017. German police say one person died after a man with a knife attacked several people. The attacker was arrested. (Paul Weidenbaum/dpa via AP)

Police officers secure the area after a knife attack at a supermarket in Hamburg, Germany, Friday, July 28, 2017. German police say one person died and several people suffered stab wounds. (Paul Weidenbaum/dpa via AP)

Police officers secure the area after a knife attack at a supermarket in Hamburg, Germany, Friday, July 28, 2017. German police say one person died and several people suffered stab wounds. (Markus Scholz/dpa via AP)

A police officer is securing evidence in front of the supermarket in Hamburg, Germany, Friday, July 28, 2017, where a man with a knife fatally stabbed one person and wounded four others as he fled, police said. He was then arrested. (Markus Scholz/dpa via AP)
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) - The leader of a far-right party with seats in the Slovak parliament has been charged with crimes related to the use of neo-Nazi symbols, police said Friday.

Marian Kotleba, head of the People's Party Our Slovakia, has been charged, according to police spokesman Martin Waldl.

He gave no other details, but police said in May they were opening an investigation into whether the party gave financial gifts of 1,488 euros to several poor families in March. The number 1,488 has a symbolic meaning for neo-Nazis.

FILE - In this file photo taken on Sunday, March 6, 2016 of Marian Kotleba the extreme right Kotleba People's Party Our Slovakia as he arrives for a television debate after Saturday's parliamentary elections in Bratislava, Slovakia. Police say Friday, July 28, 2017, that the leader of a far-right party with seats in the Slovak parliament has been charged with the use of neo-Nazi symbols.(Vaclav Salek/CTK via AP, File)

Kotleba openly admires the country's World War II-era Nazi puppet state. His party has 14 lawmakers in the 150-seat parliament.

Separately, Slovakia's prosecutor general also asked the Supreme Court in May to ban the party. That decision is still pending.
PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Saturday the second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile demonstrated his country can hit the U.S. mainland, hours after the launch left analysts concluding that a wide swath of the United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of North Korean weapons.

The Korean Central News Agency said that Kim expressed "great satisfaction" after the Hwasong-14 missile reached a maximum height of 3,725 kilometers (2,314 miles) and traveled 998 kilometers (620 miles) before accurately landing in waters off Japan. The agency said that the test was aimed at confirming the maximum range and other technical aspects of the missile it says was capable of delivering a "large-sized, heavy nuclear warhead."

Analysts had estimated that the North's first ICBM on July 4 could have reached Alaska, and said that the latest missile appeared to extend that range significantly.

People react while watching a news broadcast on a missile launch in Pyongyang, North Korea, Saturday, July 29, 2017. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Saturday the second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile demonstrated his country can hit the U.S. mainland, hours after the launch left analysts concluding that a wide swath of the United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of North Korean weapons. (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin)

Immediately after the launch, U.S. and South Korean forces conducted live-fire exercises. South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo called for the deployment of strategic U.S. military assets - which usually means stealth bombers and aircraft carriers - as well as additional launchers of an advanced U.S. anti-missile system.

Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the missile, launched late Friday night, flew for about 45 minutes - about five minutes longer than the first. The missile was launched on very high trajectory, which limited the distance it traveled, and landed west of Japan's island of Hokkaido.

The KCNA quoted Kim as saying that the launch reaffirmed the reliability of the country's ICBM system and an ability to fire at "random regions and locations at random times" with the "entire" U.S. mainland now within range. The agency said that the test confirmed important features of the missile system, such as the proper separation of the warhead and controlling its movement and detonation after atmospheric re-entry.

Kim said the launch sent a "serious warning" to the United States, which has been "meaninglessly blowing its trumpet" with threats of war and stronger sanctions, the KCNA said.

On the streets of Pyongyang, North Koreans welcomed the news of their country's latest missile test while state media broadcast images of a projectile launched into the night sky. Kim Jong Un was seen in the company of military commanders near a mobile missile launcher.

"I feel really confident. From now on, we will develop and have the strongest weapons, strategic weapons, so we can safeguard our sovereignty and independence, so that we can end up winning against the imperialists and against America," said Pak Gi Nam, a student. It is normal for North Koreans talking in front of TV cameras to stick to the official version of events.

The North Korean flight data was similar to assessments by the United States, South Korea and Japan.

David Wright, a physicist and co-director of the global security program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said that if reports of the missile's maximum altitude and flight time are correct, it would have a theoretical range of at least 10,400 kilometers (about 6,500 miles). That means it could have reached Los Angeles, Denver or Chicago, depending on variables such as the size and weight of the warhead that would be carried atop such a missile in an actual attack.

President Donald Trump issued a statement condemning the missile test as a threat to the world, and rejecting North Korea's claim that nuclear weapons ensure its security. "In reality, they have the opposite effect," he said.

Trump said the weapons and tests "further isolate North Korea, weaken its economy, and deprive its people." He vowed to "take all necessary steps" to ensure the security of the U.S. and its allies.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said he told U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in a phone call that the second missile test greatly increased the threat from Pyongyang. He said two sides agreed to consider all means necessary to exert the utmost pressure on North Korea. They reiterated calls for new sanctions and to work closely together with South Korea along with efforts by China and Russia.

China, meanwhile, urged its ally North Korea to abide by U.N. Security Council resolutions and halt any moves that could escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Washington and its allies have watched with growing concern as Pyongyang has made significant progress toward its goal of having all of the U.S. within range of its missiles to counter what it labels as U.S. aggression. There are other hurdles, including building nuclear warheads to fit on those missiles and ensuring reliability. But many analysts have been surprised by how quickly leader Kim Jong Un has developed North Korea's nuclear and missile programs despite several rounds of U.N. Security Council sanctions that have squeezed the impoverished country's economy.

Trump has said he will not allow North Korea to obtain an ICBM that can deliver a nuclear warhead. But this week, the Defense Intelligence Agency reportedly concluded that the North will have a reliable ICBM capable of carrying a nuclear weapon as early as next year, in an assessment that trimmed two years from the agency's earlier estimate.

The French Foreign Ministry condemned the launch and called for "strong and additional sanctions" by the United Nations and European Union. "Only maximal diplomatic pressure might bring North Korea to the negotiating table," the ministry said in a statement.

"This is a 4G threat: global, grave, given and growing," France's U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre told The Associated Press. That's why we call for a firm and quick reaction including the adoption of strong additional sanctions by the Security Council."

A spokesman for Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that Dunford met at the Pentagon with the commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, Adm. Harry Harris, to discuss U.S. military options in light of North Korea's missile test.

The spokesman, Navy Capt. Greg Hicks, said Dunford and Harris placed a phone call to Dunford's South Korean counterpart, Gen. Lee Sun Jin. Dunford and Harris "expressed the ironclad commitment to the U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance," Hicks said, referring to the U.S. defense treaty that obliges the U.S. to defend South Korea.

Abe, too, said Japan would cooperate closely with the U.S., South Korea and other nations to step up pressure on North Korea to halt its missile programs.

The Hwasong 14 ICBM test-fired earlier this month was also launched at a very steep angle, a technique called lofting, and reached a height of more than 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles) before splashing down in the ocean 930 kilometers (580 miles) away. Analysts said that missile could be capable of reaching most of Alaska or possibly Hawaii if fired in an attacking trajectory.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile was launched from North Korea's northern Jagang province near the border with China. President Moon Jae-in presided over an emergency meeting of the National Security Council, which called for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council and stronger sanctions on North Korea.

July 27 is a major national holiday in North Korea called Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War Day, marking the day when the armistice was signed ending the 1950-53 Korean War. That armistice is yet to be replaced with a peace treaty, leaving the Korean Peninsula technically in a state of war.

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Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo. Associated Press writers Robert Burns and Darlene Superville in Washington, Kim Tong-hyung and Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, Edith Lederer at the United Nations and Elaine Ganley in Paris contributed to this report.

People watch a news broadcast on a missile launch in Pyongyang, North Korea, Saturday, July 29, 2017. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Saturday the second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile demonstrated his country can hit the U.S. mainland, hours after the launch left analysts concluding that a wide swath of the United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of North Korean weapons. (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin)

A man walks in front of a public TV screen broadcasting news of North Korea's test-firing of its second intercontinental ballistic missile, in Tokyo Saturday, July 29, 2017. North Korea on Friday test-fired its second intercontinental ballistic missile, which flew longer and higher than the first according to its wary neighbors, leading analysts to conclude that a wide swath of the U.S., including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now within range of Pyongyang's weapons. The ticker above reads: "North Korea fired ICBM missile." (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

People sit in front of a TV screen showing a news program reporting about North Korea's missile firing, at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, July 29, 2017. North Korea on Friday test-fired its second intercontinental ballistic missile, which flew longer and higher than the first according to its wary neighbors, leading analysts to conclude that a wide swath of the U.S., including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now within range of Pyongyang's weapons. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

A TV news program shows a file image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, July 29, 2017. North Korea on Friday test-fired its second intercontinental ballistic missile, which flew longer and higher than the first according to its wary neighbors, leading analysts to conclude that a wide swath of the U.S., including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now within range of Pyongyang's weapons. The signs read: "North Korea launched a missile at midnight." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

People watch a news broadcast on a missile launch in Pyongyang, North Korea, Saturday, July 29, 2017. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Saturday the second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile demonstrated his country can hit the U.S. mainland, hours after the launch left analysts concluding that a wide swath of the United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of North Korean weapons. (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin)

People watch a TV news program showing a file image of a missile being test-launched by North Korea, at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, July 29, 2017. North Korea on Friday test-fired its second intercontinental ballistic missile, which flew longer and higher than the first according to its wary neighbors, leading analysts to conclude that a wide swath of the U.S., including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now within range of Pyongyang's weapons. The signs read: "The deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system called THAAD." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, U.S. Army Tactical Missile System fires a missile during the combined military exercise between the U.S. and South Korea against North Korea at an undisclosed location in South Korea, Saturday, July 29, 2017. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Saturday the second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile demonstrated his country can hit the U.S. mainland, hours after the launch left analysts concluding that a wide swath of the United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of North Korean weapons. (South Korea Defense Ministry via AP)

In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, South Korea's Hyunmoo II Missile system fires a missile during the combined military exercise between the U.S. and South Korea against North Korea at an undisclosed location in South Korea, Saturday, July 29, 2017. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Saturday the second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile demonstrated his country can hit the U.S. mainland, hours after the launch left analysts concluding that a wide swath of the United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of North Korean weapons. (South Korea Defense Ministry via AP)

In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, South Korea's Hyunmoo II Missile system fires missiles during the combined military exercise between the U.S. and South Korea against North Korea at an undisclosed location in South Korea, Saturday, July 29, 2017. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Saturday the second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile demonstrated his country can hit the U.S. mainland, hours after the launch left analysts concluding that a wide swath of the United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of North Korean weapons. (South Korea Defense Ministry via AP)

In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, South Korea's Hyunmoo II Missile system fire missiles during the combined military exercise between the U.S. and South Korea against North Korea at an undisclosed location in South Korea, Saturday, July 29, 2017. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Saturday the second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile demonstrated his country can hit the U.S. mainland, hours after the launch left analysts concluding that a wide swath of the United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of North Korean weapons. (South Korea Defense Ministry via AP)

In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, South Korea's Hyunmoo II Missile system, left, and U.S. Army Tactical Missile System, right, fire missiles during the combined military exercise between the two countries against North Korea at an undisclosed location in South Korea, Saturday, July 29, 2017. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Saturday the second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile demonstrated his country can hit the U.S. mainland, hours after the launch left analysts concluding that a wide swath of the United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of North Korean weapons. (South Korea Defense Ministry via AP)

In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, U.S. Army Tactical Missile System fires a missile during the combined military exercise between the U.S. and South Korea against North Korea at an undisclosed location in South Korea, Saturday, July 29, 2017. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Saturday the second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile demonstrated his country can hit the U.S. mainland, hours after the launch left analysts concluding that a wide swath of the United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of North Korean weapons. (South Korea Defense Ministry via AP)

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, center, presides over a meeting of the National Security Council at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, early Saturday, July 29, 2017. North Korea test-fired on Friday what the U.S. believes was its second intercontinental ballistic missile, which flew longer and higher than its first ICBM launched earlier this month, officials said. (Yonhap via AP)

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, right, speaks as he presides over a meeting of the National Security Council at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, early Saturday, July 29, 2017. North Korea test-fired on Friday what the U.S. believes was its second intercontinental ballistic missile, which flew longer and higher than its first ICBM launched earlier this month, officials said. (Yonhap via AP)

South Korean President Moon Jae-in speaks as he presides over a meeting of the National Security Council at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, early Saturday, July 29, 2017. North Korea test-fired on Friday what the U.S. believes was its second intercontinental ballistic missile, which flew longer and higher than its first ICBM launched earlier this month, officials said. (Yonhap via AP)

People watch a news broadcast on a missile launch in Pyongyang, North Korea, Saturday, July 29, 2017. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Saturday the second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile demonstrated his country can hit the U.S. mainland, hours after the launch left analysts concluding that a wide swath of the United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of North Korean weapons. (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin)

People react while watching a news broadcast on a missile launch in Pyongyang, North Korea, Saturday, July 29, 2017. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Saturday the second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile demonstrated his country can hit the U.S. mainland, hours after the launch left analysts concluding that a wide swath of the United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of North Korean weapons. (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - An appeals court panel lifted an order Friday blocking restrictions on how the abortion pill is administered in Arkansas, saying a judge didn't estimate how many women would be burdened by the law's requirements.

A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis vacated U.S. District Court Judge Kristine Baker's preliminary injunction against the 2015 law. The measure requires doctors providing the pill to maintain a contract with another physician with admitting privileges at a hospital who agrees to handle any complications.

The panel sent the case back to Baker and said the judge should look into the number of women who would be unduly burdened by the requirement and whether it amounts to a "large fraction" of women seeking the abortion pill in Arkansas.

"The court correctly held that individuals for whom the contract-physician requirement was an actual, rather than an irrelevant, restriction were women seeking medication abortions in Arkansas. Nonetheless, it did not define or estimate the number of women who would be unduly burdened by the contract-physician requirement," the 8th Circuit panel wrote. "Instead, it focused on amorphous groups of women to reach its conclusion that the Act was facially unconstitutional."

Planned Parenthood has said it will no longer be able to offer the abortion pill at its Little Rock and Fayetteville health centers if the law takes effect; it does not offer surgical abortions at those clinics. The other abortion provider in the state would be able to offer only surgical abortions.

Officials with Planned Parenthood Great Plains, which had sued over the restrictions, said they were reviewing the ruling and did not have an immediate comment.

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, a Republican, described the legislation as a "common sense law" that protects women's health.

"The injunction was vacated because Planned Parenthood failed to show that the state law is a substantial obstacle, preventing most women from having access to abortion services," she said in a statement.

The decision came as Baker is weighing whether to block four new Arkansas abortion laws, three of which are set to take effect next week. The laws being challenged include a ban on a common second-trimester abortion procedure and part of a measure prohibiting doctors from performing abortions based solely on whether the mother wants a boy or a girl.

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Follow Andrew DeMillo on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ademillo
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - An ethics watchdog group filed a complaint asking for an investigation into Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt's frequent flights to his home state of Oklahoma at taxpayer expense.

The group American Oversight sent a letter Thursday to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel asking for an investigation into whether Pruitt violated federal rules by using government resources to travel to Oklahoma for "personal or political reasons."

"The Trump administration is seeking to cut EPA's budget by 31%, putting Americans' health and safety at risk," American Oversight Executive Director Austin Evers, who was a lawyer for the State Department under President Barack Obama, said in a written statement. "At the same time, Pruitt is spending scarce taxpayer dollars to fuel his personal ambition for higher office."

FILE - In this June 2, 2017, file photo, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt speaks to the media during the daily briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington. An ethics watchdog group on Thursday, July 27, 2017, filed a complaint asking for an investigation into Pruitt's frequent flights to his home state of Oklahoma at taxpayer expense. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

Pruitt's expense reports from March, April and May were released following a Freedom of Information request filed by Environmental Integrity Project, a nonprofit watchdog group. The records show Pruitt traveled home at least 10 times, typically leaving Washington on Fridays and returning on Mondays. Pruitt was either in Oklahoma or on trips that included stops there for nearly half of the days encompassed in the three-month period, costing more than $15,000.

Pruitt was in Oklahoma again on Thursday visiting with the editorial board of The Oklahoman newspaper and with a group of ranchers in the Oklahoma Panhandle. Oklahoma City television station KOKH reported that Pruitt said the criticism of his travel was an unfair attack by his opponents.

"The folks talking about this, one, their facts are wrong and that's not a surprise, but it's an alt-EPA," Pruitt said.

A Pruitt spokeswoman told the TV station the environmental watchdog group inaccurately calculated his travel days on Friday and Monday as days missed from work.
RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - A fire official says multiple people are unaccounted after a fire destroyed a mobile home in western South Dakota.

Rapid City Fire Lt. Jim Bussell says he believes several people were in the home when the fire broke out early Friday, but he wouldn't specify how many.

Bussell says firefighters are moving slowly as they search the home because of concerns about the stability of the structure. The fire damaged a second home at the B & J Mobile Home Park in Rapid City and ignited a small grass fire.

Firefighters say they found the mobile home engulfed in flames when they arrived about 5 a.m.
MOSCOW (AP) - Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin had to scrap a trip to Moldova on Friday after his plane was barred from entering Romanian and Hungarian airspace.

Rogozin told Russian news agencies that he and other Russian officials were traveling on a commercial flight to the Moldovan capital of Chisinau when the plane was denied passage over Romania or Hungary, both European Union members. It had to land in the Belarusian capital of Minsk because it was running out of fuel.

The deputy prime minister is one of the most senior Russian officials slapped with an EU visa ban in 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea.

FILE - This is a Tuesday, April 5, 2016 file photo of Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin attends a meeting of a committee on preparations for Victory Day in WWII, which Russia celebrates on May 9, in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. Rogozin said that he had to scrap a trip to Moldova after his plane was barred from entering Romanian and Hungarian airspace. Rogozin said in comments to Russian news agencies on Friday July 28, 2017, that he and other Russian officials were traveling on a commercial flight to the Moldovan capital Chisinau when the plane was denied passage over Romania or Hungary. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, pool)

Rogozin told the Interfax news agency that he started using commercial flights after Romanian authorities closed their airspace to his chartered flight in 2014.

Romania's foreign ministry confirmed on Friday that authorities had not allowed Rogozin to enter the country's airspace.

In a tweet later Friday, Rogozin said Romanian authorities "put lives of the passengers, women and children at risk" by forcing the plane to divert. He issued a warning for the Romanian government: "You wait for an answer, bastards!"

Moldova's pro-Russian President Igor Dodon, who was to meet Rogozin on Friday in Chisinau, reacted angrily.

"We are watching an unprecedented Russia-phobic show, which is designed to destroy Moldovan-Russian relations," Dodon said.

Opposition activists had gathered at the Chisinau airport earlier Friday to protest Rogozin's visit.

Russia's Foreign Ministry on Friday presented Romania's envoy to Russia with a note of protest, urging an investigation into the incident and arguing that it put the lives of those onboard at risk.

"Moscow is treating the incident as a deliberate provocation, which seriously damages the bilateral relations," the ministry said, urging Romania to investigate the incident.

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Associated Press writer Alison Mutler in Bucharest, Romania contributed.
LONDON (AP) - Charlie Gard, the terminally ill British baby at the center of a legal and ethical battle that attracted the attention of Pope Francis and U.S. President Donald Trump, died Friday. He was one week shy of his first birthday.

Charlie suffered from a rare genetic disease, mitochondrial depletion syndrome, which left him brain damaged and unable to move his limbs or breathe unaided.

A family spokeswoman, Alison Smith-Squire, confirmed Charlie's death on Friday, a day after a judge ordered that he be taken to a hospice for his final hours.

FILE - In this file photo dated Monday, July 24, 2017, Chris Gard, the father of critically ill baby Charlie Gard reads a statement next to mother Connie Yates, right, at the end of their case at the High Court in London. British media are reporting a family announcement that 11-month old Charlie Gard, has died Friday July 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, FILE)

"Our beautiful little boy has gone, we're so proud of him," his mother Connie Yates said in a statement.

Charlie's parents raised more than 1.3 million pounds ($1.7 million) to take him to the United States for an experimental medical therapy they believed could prolong his life. But Charlie's doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London objected, saying the treatment wouldn't help and might cause him to suffer.

The dispute ended up in court.

Charlie's case became a flashpoint for debates on the rights of both children and parents, on health-care funding, medical interventions, the responsibilities of hospitals and medical workers and the role of the state.

After months of legal battles, High Court judge Nicholas Francis ruled Thursday that Charlie should be transferred to a hospice and taken off life support after his parents and the hospital failed to agree on an end-of-life care plan for the infant.

Under British law, it is common for courts to intervene when parents and doctors disagree on the treatment of a child. In such cases, the rights of the child take primacy over the parents' right to decide what's best for their offspring. The principle applies even in cases where parents have an alternative point of view, such as when religious beliefs prohibit blood transfusions.

The case made it all the way to Britain's Supreme Court as Charlie's parents refused to accept decisions by a series of judges who backed Great Ormond Street. But the Supreme Court agreed with the lower courts, saying it was in Charlie's best interests that he be allowed to die.

Offers of help for Charlie came from Dr. Michio Hirano, a neurology expert at New York's Columbia Medical Center and from the Vatican's Babino Gesu pediatric hospital. Both said an experimental treatment known as nucleoside therapy had a chance of helping Charlie.

Great Ormond Street Hospital disagreed. It said the proposed treatment had never been tried on a human with Charlie's condition and no tests had ever been done on mice to see whether it would work on a patient like Charlie.

The case caught the attention of Trump and the pope after the European Court of Human Rights refused to intervene. The two leaders sent tweets of support for Charlie and his parents, triggering a surge of grassroots action, including a number of U.S. right-to-life activists who flew to London to support Charlie's parents.

The hospital, Britain's premier children's hospital, reported that its doctors and nurses were receiving serious threats over Charlie's case. London police were investigating.

On Friday night, the hospital offered its condolences to Charlie's family.

"Everyone at Great Ormond Street Hospital sends their heartfelt condolences to Charlie's parents and loved-ones at this very sad time," the hospital said in a statement.

Following news of Charlie's death, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence posted on Facebook: "Saddened to hear of the passing of Charlie Gard. Karen & I offer our prayers & condolences to his loving parents during this difficult time."

The intervention of two of the world's most powerful men made the case a talking point for the planet. Images of Charlie hooked to a tube while dozing peacefully in a star-flecked navy blue onesie graced websites, newspapers and television news programs.

Medical ethicist Arthur Caplan said the Charlie Gard case shows how the medical profession is struggling to adjust to the age of social media, which puts the general public in the middle of decisions that in the past would have been private issues for doctors and the family.

"I do think that in an era of social media, it is possible to rally huge numbers of people to your cause," said Caplan, of New York University's Langone Medical Center. "The medical ethics have not caught up."

The heated commentary prompted Judge Francis to criticize the effects of social media and those "who know almost nothing about this case but who feel entitled to express opinions."

In the end, the increased attention did little for Charlie.

His parents gave up their legal battle on Monday after scans showed that Charlie's muscles had deteriorated so much that the damage was irreversible.

"Mummy and Daddy love you so much Charlie, we always have and we always will and we are so sorry that we couldn't save you," his parents wrote when they announced their decision. "We had the chance but we weren't allowed to give you that chance.

"Sweet dreams baby. Sleep tight, our beautiful little boy."
BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (AP) - Talking tough on illegal immigration and violent crime, President Donald Trump appeared Friday to advocate rougher treatment of people in police custody, speaking dismissively of the police practice of shielding the heads of handcuffed suspects as they are being placed in patrol cars.

"Don't be too nice," Trump told law enforcement officers in Suffolk County, New York, during a visit to highlight his administration's efforts to crack down on the street gang known as MS-13. The violent international group has terrorized communities on Long Island and in other parts of the country.

The president urged Congress to find money to pay for 10,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers "so that we can eliminate MS-13."

President Donald Trump waves before boarding Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Friday, July 28, 2017, on his way to Brentwood, N.Y. for a speech to law enforcement officials on the street gang MS-13. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump said his administration is removing these gang members from the United States but said, "We'd like to get them out a lot faster and when you see ... these thugs being thrown into the back of the paddy wagon, you just see them thrown in, rough, I said, 'Please don't be too nice.'"

Trump then spoke dismissively of the practice by which arresting officers shield the heads of handcuffed suspects as they are placed in police cars.

"I said, 'You could take the hand away, OK,'" he said, drawing applause from many in the audience, which included federal and law enforcement personnel from the New York-New Jersey area.

The Suffolk County Police Department said in a statement after Trump's speech that it has strict rules and procedures about how prisoners should be handled. "Violations of those rules and procedures are treated extremely seriously. As a department, we do not and will not tolerate roughing up of prisoners."

The former chief of the Suffolk County Police Department, James Burke, was sentenced to nearly four years in prison last November for beating a handcuffed man in an interrogation room.

Trump talks regularly about cracking down on MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha. The gang is believed to have originated in immigrant communities in Los Angeles in the 1980s and then entrenched itself in Central America when its leaders were deported. It is known for violent tactics that include torturing victims and hacking them with machetes. Authorities estimate the group has tens of thousands of members across Central America and in many U.S. states.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has instructed the Justice Department's law enforcement agencies and federal prosecutors to prioritize the prosecution of MS-13 members, as directed by an executive order Trump signed in February.

Since the beginning of 2017, the Department of Homeland Security's investigative unit has arrested 3,311 gang members nationwide during targeted operations, said Tom Homan, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agency could not provide similar numbers for 2016.

Trump's visit to his home state of New York came as Sessions was in El Salvador to increase international cooperation against the gang. But the president did not mention Sessions in his remarks - his latest slight against the man he's been publicly fuming at for recusing himself from all matters related to Russian election meddling.

Trump's comments about the treatment of people in police custody resurrected memories of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old Baltimore man who was shackled but alive when he was put into a Baltimore police van in April 2015. Gray left the vehicle with severe neck injuries, and his subsequent death spawned rioting. Six officers were charged initially, but prosecutors in July 2016 dropped all remaining charges after acquittals and a hung jury.

Gray's family agreed in September 2015 to a $6.4 million settlement with Baltimore.

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Superville reported from Washington.

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Follow Colvin on Twitter at https://twitter.com/colvinj

FILE - In this April 19, 2017 file photo, the casket of Justin Llivicura, 16, is carried from St. Joseph the Worker Church after Llivicura's funeral in East Patchogue, N.Y. Llivicura was one of four young men found slain in a suspected MS-13 gang killing in a park in Central Islip, N.Y., on April 12. President Donald Trump is scheduled travel to New York on Friday, July 28, to meet with law enforcement on Long Island and discuss the MS-13 street gang. His administration has made MS-13 a symbol of the need for stricter immigration laws. (AP Photo/Frank Eltman, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) - The missile launched Friday by North Korea was an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, the Pentagon said, marking the second time this month Kim Jong Un has demonstrated a theoretical capability of striking a portion of U.S. territory.

The missile was launched on a lofted, or heightened, trajectory that limited the distance it traveled, but data collected by U.S. radars, satellites and other sensors showed that it was theoretically capable of traveling at least 5,500 kilometers on a normal trajectory. That is the minimum distance to be classified by the U.S. as an ICBM.

President Donald Trump has said he will not allow North Korea to obtain an ICBM that can deliver a nuclear warhead.

"We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile, as had been expected," a Pentagon spokesman, Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, said. He said it was estimated to have traveled about 1,000 kilometers, or 620 miles, before landing in the Sea of Japan.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command determined the missile did not pose a threat to North America, he said.

On July 4, North Korea launched a ballistic missile that was the judged by the U.S. to be of ICBM range -- the first of its kind for North Korea. Private analysts estimated that if it had been launched on a normal trajectory, it could have reached parts of Alaska.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The Latest on a former Omaha police officer charged in the death of a mentally ill man (all times local):

4:30 p.m.

An attorney for a former Omaha police officer charged in the death of a mentally ill man is questioning prosecutors' assertions that the man was shocked a dozen times with a police stun gun.

Former Omaha police officer Scotty Payne makes his first appearance in court Friday, July 28, 2017, in Omaha, Neb. Payne faces charges of second-degree assault related to the custody death of Zachary Bearheels. (Sarah Hoffman/The World-Herald via AP)

Defense attorney Steve Lefler is representing former officer Scotty Payne, who is charged with second-degree felony assault in the case.

Lefler says investigators came up with the number of shocks after an audit of Payne's Taser showed it was activated 12 times during a June 5 altercation with Zachary Bearheels, who later died.

Lefler says he doesn't know whether the stun gun's probes made sufficient contact with Bearheels to say the man was shocked 12 times.

Lefler's comments came Friday after Payne turned himself in for a court hearing before posting bail.

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1:15 p.m.

A judge has set bail at $25,000 for a former Omaha police officer charged with felony assault in the death of a mentally ill man whom he is accused of shocking a dozen times with a stun gun.

Scotty Payne appeared in an Omaha jailhouse courtroom Friday for his first hearing on the charge, just hours after turning himself in to authorities as arranged by officials and Payne's attorneys. He wore a yellow jail jumpsuit.

He can be released if he posts $2,500, or 10 percent of the bail.

Payne's preliminary hearing on the charge was set for Sept. 11. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Earlier this week, prosecutors announced charges against Payne and former officer Ryan McClarty in a June 5 altercation that led to the death of 29-year-old Zachary Bearheels at an Omaha convenience store.

Police cruiser video shows Payne repeatedly using a stun gun on Bearheels and McClarty repeatedly punching Bearheels in the face. McClarty has been ticketed for misdemeanor assault in the case.

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10:25 a.m.

A former Omaha police officer has surrendered to face a felony assault charge in the death of a mentally ill man whom he is accused of shocking with a stun gun a dozen times.

Douglas County Jail officials say Scott Payne surrendered around 5 a.m. Friday. His bond hearing is scheduled for the afternoon.

Police cruiser video shows Payne using a stun gun June 5 to shock 29-year-old Zachary Bearheels at an Omaha convenience store. Officer Ryan McClarty is seen punching Bearheels. Some of the blows came after Bearheels was on the ground and not resisting.

Prosecutors say McClarty has been ticketed for misdemeanor assault.

Police have said Bearheels was acting erratically and fought officers' efforts to take him into custody. He was pronounced dead later at a hospital.

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This story has been corrected to show the officer has been accused of shocking a mentally ill man a dozen times, an allegation his attorneys have questioned.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - A judge sentenced a Tennessee man to 25 years in federal prison Friday on charges connected to the fatal shooting of a police officer in 2015.

U.S. District Judge Sheryl Lipman sentenced Tremaine Wilbourn, 31, during a hearing in Memphis federal court.

Authorities said Wilbourn shot and killed Memphis Police Officer Sean Bolton while Bolton tried to detain him in August 2015. Bolton, who was white, is one of four police officers to be fatally shot in Memphis since July 2011. Wilbourn is black.

Prosecutors said Wilbourn used a gun while committing a carjacking as he tried to escape after the shooting. He pleaded guilty in April to carjacking, possessing a firearm during and in relation to the carjacking and felony possession of ammunition.

Wilbourn, of Memphis, pleaded guilty to the three charges under a deal with prosecutors that allowed him to avoid a federal trial. If the case had gone to trial, prosecutors planned to present witnesses who allegedly saw Wilbourn kill Bolton with a pistol and recover spent shell casings at the shooting scene, court documents showed.

Wilbourn still faces a first-degree murder charge in state court. State prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty if he is convicted. No trial date has been set.

Police said the 33-year-old Bolton, who had served in Iraq, interrupted a drug deal taking place inside a car in a residential neighborhood in Memphis. Wilbourn - who was a passenger in the car - exited the vehicle, and he and Bolton got into a physical struggle. Wilbourn took out a gun and shot Bolton, police said. An autopsy report shows Bolton was shot eight times.

In court documents, prosecutors said Wilbourn carjacked a vehicle from Desric Ivory a few minutes after the shooting, telling Ivory that "he needed the car because he had just shot a police officer."

Wilbourn led officers on an intense, two-day manhunt before turning himself in to U.S. marshals. At the time of the shooting, Wilbourn was on probation after serving prison time for armed bank robbery. The judge sentenced him to more than two years in prison for the probation violation.

Wilbourn declined to comment during the sentencing hearing. During his plea hearing in April, Wilbourn acknowledged carjacking Ivory and using a weapon while doing it. But he did not say he killed Bolton.

His lawyer, Andre Mathis, said Friday that Wilbourn wished things would have gone differently.

"It's something that he thinks about all the time," Mathis said.

Lipman said the death of anyone, including a police officer, is a serious matter that "can't be overstated." Bolton's family declined comment after the hearing.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The Latest on the killing of a Utah woman aboard a cruise ship (all times local):

10:40 a.m.

A neighbor of a 39-year-old Utah woman killed aboard an Alaska cruise says it's completely out of character for the woman's husband to be accused of such violence.

Passengers of the Emerald Princess cruise ship disembark on Wednesday, July 26, 2017, in Juneau, Alaska, hours after arriving at port. A domestic dispute aboard the cruise ship led to the death of a 39-year-old Utah woman, and the FBI is investigating what happened in U.S. waters off Alaska, the agency said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Dana Nicholls told The Associated Press that he has lived near Kristy and Kenneth Manzanares for about 10 years and they appeared to be the perfect family. He says they were celebrating their wedding anniversary on the cruise this week.

Kristy Manzanares was found dead in a blood-splattered cabin Tuesday night. Her husband has been charged with murder. The FBI says he told an acquaintance he did it because she laughed at him.

Nicholls has set up an online fundraising page for the couple's three daughters, saying they're just like his children.

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11:20 p.m.

A Utah real estate agent killed on an Alaska cruise is being remembered by her employer as a trusted adviser and valued sales associate.

Kristy Manzanares was found dead in a blood-splattered cabin Tuesday night on the Emerald Princess. Her husband, Kenneth Manzanares, has been charged with murder.

She worked for Summit Sotheby's International Realty in St. George, Utah.

A statement from the company Thursday said the 39-year-old was a dedicated and loving mother who would juggle her professional schedule to make sure her children were the top priority.

Kenneth Manzanares made his initial court appearance Thursday, where he was appointed a federal public defender.

An FBI complaint says Manzanares told a man who went into the room that his wife would not stop laughing at him.

The Emerald Princess cruise ship is docked in Juneau, Alaska, Wednesday, July 26, 2017. The FBI is investigating the domestic dispute death of a Utah woman on board the ship, which was traveling in U.S. waters outside Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Yellowstone National Park's superintendent says he's taking action against as many as 10 employees following a sex harassment investigation.

Similar problems have surfaced at some of the nation's other premier parks and among senior leadership in the Interior Department. A look at some of the allegations and what's happened as a result:

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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

ALLEGATION: A six-month investigation by the Department of Interior's Office of Inspector General that concluded in March found male supervisors and staff in the maintenance division created a work environment that included unwelcome and inappropriate comments and actions toward women.

FALLOUT: Superintendent Dan Wenk says that by early August, he'll discipline as many as 10 workers with potential penalties ranging from letters of counseling or reprimand to firing. Yellowstone also plans to adopt a new alcohol policy to curb after-hours drinking at remote work locations and to audit employee use of government-issued charge cards.

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YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

ALLEGATION: Claims by dozens of employees that former Yosemite Superintendent Don Neubacher had created a toxic work environment were revealed last September during congressional hearings examining widespread reports of misconduct in the park system. An investigation by the Interior Department's inspector general released in April said dozens of employees reported witnessing Neubacher undermine the competence or performance of employees, ridiculing ideas as "dopey" or "stupid" or saying they would make park managers "look like bozos." The report also said Neubacher had showed bias against women.

FALLOUT: Neubacher retired in September. He denied harassing employees or creating a hostile work environment.

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GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

ALLEGATION: A January 2016 report by the inspector general said male employees at the Grand Canyon preyed on female colleagues during what could be weeks-long trips on the Colorado River. Investigators said the men demanded sex and retaliated against women who refused and that former Superintendent Dave Uberuaga and his deputy failed to properly investigate or report allegations of misconduct.

FALLOUT: Uberuaga retired in June 2016 after declining an offer to transfer to another position with the park service in Washington, D.C. The park unit that ran river trips was dismantled and some of its duties contracted out. Employees presented a plan to reinstate the unit earlier this month that includes a proposal for a new operations manager to oversee the unit and report directly to the superintendent.

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CANAVERAL NATIONAL SEASHORE

ALLEGATION: Investigators found Canaveral's chief ranger, Edwin Correa, sexually harassed three employees over five years. He agreed to perform 50 hours of community service and write an apology letter to resolve a misdemeanor charge after he was accused of kissing and touching another ranger against her will, the Dayton Beach News-Journal reported on June 1.

FALLOUT: Correa was no longer an employee of the park service as of May 12, the agency said Friday.

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INTERIOR DEPARTMENT LAW ENFORCEMENT CHIEF

ALLEGATION: An inspector general's investigation released in February said Interior Department Director of Law Enforcement and Security Tim Lynn acted inappropriately toward at least six female employees by touching and hugging them and making flirtatious remarks. At least one employee said Lynn retaliated against her. Lynn acknowledged some of the allegations but said he had not meant to make the women uncomfortable.

FALLOUT: Lynn retired in April after the results of investigation were made public.
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Russia's new envoy to the United Nations took up his post Friday warning that the world is being confronted by "unprecedented threats and challenges" and declaring that combatting terrorism is a top priority.

Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said that as a permanent member of the Security Council, Russia "will continue contributing constructively to addressing those challenges, together with the international community."

"And we reaffirm our commitment to promoting peace, development and human rights," he said during a ceremony at which he presented his credentials to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Russia's new ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Alekseevich Nebenzia, right, presents his credentials to U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, at United Nations headquarters, Friday, July 28, 2017. (Eskinder Debebe/United Nations via AP)

Nebenzia, a deputy foreign minister since 2013, replaced Vitaly Churkin who died in February. He previously was an adviser to Russia's U.N. delegation and deputy Russian representative at the U.N. office in Geneva.

Guterres called Churkin "one of the most brilliant diplomats ever" and stressed the importance of "effective cooperation" between the U.N. and Russia.

Nebenzia said the United Nations is the only universal international organization and the only place that gives all nations their own "legal voice."

After a private meeting with Guterres, he went to a General Assembly open meeting on combatting terrorism. He said "it is symbolic" that his first statement after presenting his credentials would be to the 193-member assembly, "the most representative body of our organization."

Nebenzia said terrorist incidents in Russia and elsewhere "show that the modern world needs everyone to work together."

Last month, the General Assembly voted to establish a new United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office and Guterres appointed a veteran Russian diplomat who has dealt with the issue, Vladimir Voronkov, to head it.

Nebenzia said the U.N. must play "the central coordinating role" in combatting terrorism. He added that reforms planned by Guterres should provide "significant results in improving the legal basis of counter-terrorism operations and will allow for targeted technical support to countries in need."

The Russian ambassador called for stepped up efforts to eliminate the conditions that lead to terrorism and said the most important tasks today are "to combat foreign terrorist fighters, to combat financing for terrorism and the spread of its ideology, including through the use of modern technology."
PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) - The Latest on North Korea's launch of its second intercontinental ballistic missile (all times local):

3:55 p.m.

South Korea says it plans to hold talks with the United States on increasing the warhead limit for South Korean missiles following North Korea's second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

This Friday, July 28, 2017, photo distributed by the North Korean government on Saturday, July 29, 2017, shows what was said to be the launch of a Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile at an undisclosed location in North Korea. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Saturday the second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile demonstrated his country can hit the U.S. mainland, hours after the launch left analysts concluding that a wide swath of the United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of North Korean weapons. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

South Korean President Moon Jae-in's chief secretary Yoon Young-chan said Saturday that Washington accepted Seoul's proposal for talks on revising a bilateral "guideline" that limits the development of South Korean missiles.

He says both sides plan to sit down as soon as possible.

Yoon says Seoul wants to propose increasing the current warhead limit of its missiles from 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) to a ton.

He didn't say whether South Korea also plans to talk about increasing the range of its missiles, which is currently at 800 kilometers (500 miles) following the last agreement in 2012.

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11:55 a.m.

Japan's foreign minister says he and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will work closely with South Korea on a new U.N. Security Council resolution that includes more stringent measures against North Korea following its second test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Kyodo News service says Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida held telephone talks with Tillerson hours after Pyongyang's latest launch of a missile that analysts say is capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.

Kishida told reporters he and Tillerson agreed that they "absolutely cannot tolerate" North Korean provocations, including the launching of Friday's missile, which fell into Japan's 200-mile exclusive economic zone. He says they also agreed to make appeals to China and Russia.

Tillerson also spoke by phone with his South Korean counterpart.

China, meanwhile, urged its ally North Korea to abide by the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and halt any moves that could escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

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10 a.m.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says Washington will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea, and calls on China and Russia to do more to curb the growing threat to regional and global stability posed by Pyongyang's missiles.

Hours after North Korea's second test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile that's capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, Tillerson said in a statement the firing is a blatant violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions that reflect the will of the international community.

He says: "All nations should take a strong public stance against North Korea by maintaining and strengthening U.N. sanctions to ensure North Korea will face consequences for its relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them."

Tillerson also says Russia and China are "the principal economic enablers of North Korea's nuclear weapon and ballistic missile development program" and bear "unique and special responsibility for this growing threat to regional and global stability."

He says the U.S. seeks the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the end to belligerent actions by North Korea.

He says Washington "will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea nor abandon our commitment to our allies and partners in the region."

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9:50 a.m.

South Korea says it will deploy strategic U.S. military assets to the Korean Peninsula and consider placing additional launchers of an advanced U.S. anti-missile system on its soil following North Korea's second test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The latest measures were announced by South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo on Saturday, hours after the launch left analysts concluding that the mainland U.S. was now within range of North Korean weapons.

Song told reporters in Seoul he will discuss with U.S. military commanders in South Korea temporarily placing additional THAAD launchers. There are currently two THAAD launchers operational in the South and one THAAD battery consists of six.

Song did not specify what the strategic assets are, but they usually refer to U.S. stealth bombers and aircraft carriers.

Immediately after the launch late Friday evening, U.S. and South Korean forces conducted a live-fire exercise Saturday morning during which they fired missiles off South Korea's east coast.

The drill involved the surface-to-surface Army Tactical Missile System and South Korea's Hyunmoo Missile II.

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8:50 a.m.

North Korea says leader Kim Jong Un observed the country's second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile and said that the launch demonstrated an ability to conduct a surprise attack on the U.S. mainland.

Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency said Saturday that Kim expressed "great satisfaction" after the Hwasong-14 missile reached a maximum height of 3,725 kilometers (2,314 miles) and traveled 998 kilometers (620 miles) from the launch point before landing in waters near Japan.

The North Korean flight data was similar to the assessments by South Korea, Japan and the United States.

Analysts say the data suggests that a wide swath of the U.S., including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now within range of Pyongyang's weapons.

North Korea first test-launched the Hwasong-14 on July 4.

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7:40 a.m.

President Donald Trump is condemning North Korea's test of its second intercontinental ballistic missile as a threat to the world.

Trump says these tests further isolate North Korea, weaken its economy and deprive its people. Trump says the U.S. will take all "necessary steps" to protect the homeland and well as U.S. allies in the region, including Japan and South Korea.

Officials say the missile that North Korea test-fired on Friday flew longer and higher than the first one.

Trump says North Korea's actions are "reckless and dangerous."

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6:50 a.m.

U.S. and South Korean forces have conducted joint live-fire exercises in response to North Korea's 2nd launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The U.S. 8th Army said Saturday's training event by its troops and the South Korean army was conducted to demonstrate their "precision firing capability" and "exercise assets countering North Korea's missile launch" late Friday. The 8th Army says the exercise used the Army Tactical Missile System and South Korea's Hyunmoo Missile II.

The ICBM launched Friday flew longer than any North Korean missile before it, and experts say a large portion of the U.S. is now within range of Pyongyang's arsenal.

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5:30 a.m.

North Korea's latest intercontinental ballistic missile test has been condemned by France, which is calling for "strong and additional sanctions" by the United Nations and European Union.

The ICBM launched Friday was North Korea's second, and flew longer than the first one did. Experts say the test puts much of the U.S. within the North's range.

The Foreign Ministry's strongly worded statement says the test is a "new grave violation" of U.N. Security Council resolutions and a "major step in the illegal development" of North Korean missiles. France says the continued development of the missile program is a "growing threat and unacceptable to all."

The statement says, "Only maximal diplomatic pressure might bring North Korea to the negotiating table," and calls for a united effort to that end.

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3:20 a.m.

A private analyst who closely watches North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs says that if reports about the country's second intercontinental ballistic missile launch are accurate, the projectile would be powerful enough to reach a wide swath of the United States.

North Korea launched the missile at a steep trajectory late Friday night. Japanese officials said it flew about five minutes longer than the North's first ICBM, launched July 4.

David Wright, a physicist and co-director of the global security program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said in Washington on Friday that if reports of the missile's maximum altitude and flight time are correct, it would have a theoretical range of at least 10,400 kilometers (about 6,500 miles). That means it could have reached Los Angeles, Denver and Chicago.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House sits two miles from the U.S. Capitol, but this week, it might as well have been a world away.

In Congress, Republicans labored around the clock in an ultimately futile bid to overhaul the nation's health care system. At the White House, officials labored to keep their jobs amid a highly public - and at times, shockingly vulgar - feud between President Donald Trump's senior advisers that culminated with Friday's firing of chief of staff Reince Priebus.

Rarely has the gap between the priorities of a president and lawmakers in his own party been so stark. By week's end, Trump had become largely irrelevant as Republicans' tried to fulfill a seven-year promise to voters on health care. Trump's involvement was mainly limited to the occasional tweet. At a closed-door meeting of the House Republican caucus Friday, at least one lawmaker bemoaned the impact of the White House's internal drama.

The Capitol is seen during a heavy rain in Washington, Friday, July 28, 2017. The White House and the Capitol sit two miles apart, but this week, they might as well have been two worlds away. Republicans labored over health care while White House officials labored to save their jobs amid a public - and sometimes shockingly vulgar - feud between senior staff. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

"That which is weird is getting weirder at the White House," Rep. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., said after the meeting. "Let's break through this stuff, let's produce results. The internal White House warfare is in fact an impediment to doing so."

The Pennsylvania Avenue divide stretched beyond the health care debacle this week. When the president issued a surprise edict-by-tweet banning transgender people from the military, several high-profile GOP senators rejected the decision. When Trump mused about firing Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Republican lawmakers quickly took Sessions' side.

Trump's flirtation with firing Sessions produced more blowback from Republicans than nearly any other matter this year. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said there would be "holy hell" to pay if Trump took that provocative step. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., said that if Trump was thinking about using a procedural move to temporarily replace Sessions without Senate confirmation, he should "forget about it."

Peter Wehner, a Trump critic who worked in three Republican administrations, said the GOP was moving into "uncharted territory" with a president who should be an ally, but often isn't.

"They have to embrace reality and begin to try to build a fence around him," Wehner said.

Some congressional Republicans have privately discussed the risks of continuing to stand with a president who sometimes appears to have no real loyalty to the party. But even at the end of a wild week, none expressed that sentiment publicly.

House members headed out of town for the August recess. And a dejected Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell simply said it was time to "move on" from health care.

Again, working off a different script, the president spent Friday touting his administration's efforts to combat the street gang MS-13, an issue that has become something of a pet project for his administration. He largely shrugged off the health care defeat.

"They should have approved health care last night," he said. "But you can't have everything."

The relationship between Trump and the Republican Party has been complicated from the start. Trump, a former Democrat, was initially viewed as a sideshow by mainstream Republicans when he jumped in the 2016 Republican race and then as an anchor that was expected to drag others in the party down. After his surprise victory, the party and the president formed an uneasy alliance.

For most Republicans, the main factor in their relationship with Trump is the party's prospects in next year's midterm elections. Trump's job approval rating is at a feeble 37 percent, according to the most recent Gallup tracking poll, but still at 86 percent among Republican voters.

But one Republican congressional aide said the party's biggest fear is heading into midterms with no significant legislative accomplishments that can be wielded as the explanation for why more traditional lawmakers have aligned themselves with a most unconventional president. The aide was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and insisted on anonymity.

Trump did little this week to ease those fears. Instead, he appeared to be the driving force behind a stunning public feud between his new communications director Anthony Scaramucci and Priebus, the embattled chief of staff.

On Thursday morning, as Republican senators began the most crucial day in their efforts to pass a health care bill, Scaramucci spent the morning on CNN accusing Priebus of orchestrating leaks. "The fish stinks from the head down," Scaramucci declared in an interview he said was authorized by the president.

Hours later, as Republican leaders tried to cobble together votes for a scaled back bill, the New Yorker published a vulgar screed from Scaramucci aimed at both Priebus and Steve Bannon, Trump's senior adviser. There was no condemnation from the president.

On Friday afternoon, just as Air Force One touched back down in Washington, Trump tweeted that he was naming Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly as his chief of staff, ousting Priebus after six months.

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Follow Julie Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC and http://twitter.com/stephenatAP
LOS BANOS, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on a California teen charged in a fatal crash that was livestreamed on Instagram (all times local):

2:30 p.m.

Authorities say a teen driver in California charged in a fatal crash she recorded live on Instagram kicked, spit and hurled racial slurs at first responders on the scene.

Police reports in the court file of 18-year-old Obdulia Sanchez describe the behavior.

Authorites say Sanchez recorded herself driving and causing a rollover crash one week ago northwest of Fresno that killed her 14-year-old sister, Jacqueline.

Police say that after the accident, she kicked a paramedic in the face, so they strapped her to a gurney for everybody's safety.

She's pleaded not guilty to six felony counts, including drunken driving and gross vehicular manslaughter.

Public defender Ramnik Samrao explained his client's behavior, saying she was emotional and fighting to be near her dead sister.

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10:30 a.m.

A teenage driver accused of causing a crash that killed her younger sister while livestreaming on Instagram will remain in jail after a California judge refused to lower bail.

Eighteen-year-old Obdulia Sanchez, wearing yellow jail garb, wiped tears from her face during a court hearing Friday.

Authorities say Sanchez was livestreaming herself driving and then lost control of a car that rolled northwest of Fresno. Her 14-year-old sister, Jacqueline, was thrown from the vehicle and died.

Nicandro Sanchez spoke on his daughter's behalf in court.

Obdulia Sanchez has pleaded not guilty to charges that include gross vehicular manslaughter and drunken driving.

Merced County prosecutor Harold Nutt called the driver's behavior shocking and stupid.

The video shows Sanchez saying she will go to prison for killing her sister.
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - A Pennsylvania man arrested last year outside New York City with a vehicle full of weapons for an alleged drug rescue plans to plead guilty.

A person with direct knowledge of the case tells The Associated Press John Cramsey will plead guilty Monday. The source wasn't authorized to speak publicly because details of the plea agreement were still being worked out Friday.

Cramsey and two associates were arrested outside the Holland Tunnel in June 2016. They told authorities they were on their way to rescue a teenager from a drug den.

Police recovered weapons including a semi-automatic military-style rifle, a shotgun and five handguns, along with other tactical gear.

Dean Smith and Kimberly Arendt, who were accompanying Cramsey, made deals with prosecutors earlier this year to avoid a trial.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - A Kenyan lawmaker has been charged in a Nairobi court with inciting his constituents to violence and racial contempt.

Mathew Lempurkel is accused of calling for the forceful eviction of white landowners if opposition leader Raila Odinga wins the general election Aug. 8. Lempurkel is a member of Odinga's party and represents the Laikipia North constituency.

Lempurkel denied the charges Friday but said he could not comment further when quizzed by journalists outside court.

Hundreds of seminomadic herders invaded ranches in Laikipia seeking to save their animals from a prolonged drought that was declared a national disaster. However, they have stayed on after seasonal rains arrived and are claiming ownership, saying the lands belonged to their ancestors. Many of the ranches are owned by whites.
OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP) - Officials say a seaplane hit a "large wave" and overturned while trying to take off near a huge aviation convention in eastern Wisconsin, killing one person from Minnesota and critically injuring another.

The six-seat Lake Renegade was going about 80 mph when it crashed into Lake Winnebago late Thursday, said Dick Knapinski, spokesman for the Experimental Aircraft Association.

Authorities say two people were trapped inside the plane when it flipped in choppy waters while another was able to escape.

Investigator Dan Baker of the National Transportation Safety Board says one victim died Friday while another remained in critical condition. Baker says the third was released from the hospital.

Winnebago County Chief Deputy Coroner Chris Shea says the woman who died was a passenger. Her name was not released.

The weeklong fly-in attracts 550,000 people from more than 80 countries to Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
SPARTA, Tenn. (AP) - A Tennessee judge's plan to encourage birth control among prisoners once they are released has sputtered, only two months into the program.

General Sessions Judge Sam Benningfield was offering sentence reductions for men who got free vasectomies and women who agreed to receive free Nexplanon implants, which prevent pregnancy for up to four years.

But the plan introduced in May was unpopular with the State Health Department, the American Civil Liberties Union and some lawmakers. The Health Department notified the court this month that the state would no longer offer free birth control or vasectomies to White County inmates, news outlets reported.

Benningfield reversed his order on Wednesday. He said the 32 women and 38 men who agreed to birth control would still receive 30 days of jail credit, regardless of whether they had undergone the procedure.

"I did not change my mind," Benningfield said in a statement. "The health department succumbed to the pressure and withdrew their offer of services. I had nothing to offer so rescinded the order. I bet they didn't tell that part."

Benningfield had said he wanted to help repeat offenders after prison.

"So I hope to encourage them to at some point finally take personal responsibility and give them a chance, when they do get out, not to be burdened again with additional children," he said.

State Senate Democratic leader Lee Harris of Memphis said in a statement the new order still promises a reduced sentence for showing a commitment to avoid having a child.

"What's contemplated in the first order and this latest one is equally ghastly," the statement said. "Defendants should not have to bargain away their right to have children to win favor in Tennessee courtrooms."

The ACLU of Tennessee said in a statement that the right to choose whether to have children is protected by the Constitution.

"The judge's order crossed a constitutional line and we are pleased that he rescinded it," Executive Director Hedy Weinberg said.
MILLS RIVER, N.C. (AP) - The search has expanded for a North Carolina man thought to have been kidnapped by a suspect who eluded officers for six days as they searched a national forest.

Henderson County sheriff's spokeswoman Allison Nock said Friday that the search for 68-year-old Thomas Bryson of Mills River has expanded to other counties along the Blue Ridge Parkway in western North Carolina and into eastern Tennessee.

Bryson has been missing since Wednesday. Investigators think he was abducted by 39-year-old Phillip Michael Stroupe II of Waynesville. Stroupe was arrested Thursday in McDowell County while driving Bryson's truck.

This booking photo provided by McDowell County Sheriffs Office shows Phillip Michael Stroupe II, Thursday, July 27, 2017. Having brought a rugged, six-day North Carolina manhunt to an end, authorities are now desperately searching for the missing owner of the stolen truck the captured fugitive, Stroupe, was driving. Stroupe was arrested after a two-county chase at 1:30 a.m. Thursday, on U.S. Highway 70, west of Marion, about 50 miles away. (McDowell County Sheriffs Office via AP)

The search for Stroupe, who faces multiple charges, closed parts of the Pisgah National Forest for several days.

Stroupe is jailed on a $2 million bond.
An appeals court panel said Friday that federal officials must reconsider their decision not to regulate the size of airline seats as a safety issue.

One of the judges called it "the Case of the Incredible Shrinking Airline Seat."

The Flyers Rights passenger group challenged the Federal Aviation Administration in court after the agency rejected its request to write rules governing seat size and the distance between rows of seats.

On Friday, a three-judge panel for the federal appeals court in Washington said the FAA had relied on outdated or irrelevant tests and studies before deciding that seat spacing was a matter of comfort, not safety.

The judges sent the issue back to the FAA. They said the agency must come up with a better-reasoned response to the group's safety concerns.

"We applaud the court's decision, and the path to larger seats has suddenly become a bit wider," said Kendall Creighton, a spokeswoman for Flyers Rights.

The passenger group says small seats that are bunched too close together slow down emergency evacuations and raise the danger of travelers developing vein clots.

FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said the agency was considering the ruling and its next steps. He said the FAA considers the spacing between seat rows when testing to make sure that airliners can be evacuated safely.

The airline industry has long opposed the regulation of seat size. Its main U.S. trade group, Airlines for America, declined to comment on the ruling.

Airlines have steadily reduced the space between rows to squeeze in extra seats and make more money. On discount carrier Spirit Airlines, the distance between the headrest of one seat and that of the seat in front of it - a distance called "pitch" - is 28 inches (71 centimeters), which, after accounting for the seat itself, leaves little legroom for the average passenger.

This year, news leaked that American Airlines planned to order new Boeing 737 jets with just 29 inches (74 centimeters) of pitch in the last three rows to make room for an extra row of premium-priced seats toward the front of the plane.

American Airlines CEO Doug Parker said Friday that after objections from customers and flight attendants, the airline backed off. Those rows will have 30 inches (76 centimeters) of pitch - still a tighter fit than the airline's current planes.

Flyers Rights said that the average seat has gotten narrower too - from 18.5 inches (47 centimeters) a decade ago to about 17 inches (43 centimeters). The group got the judges' attention.

"This is the Case of the Incredible Shrinking Airline Seat," Judge Patricia Millett wrote in her ruling. "As many have no doubt noticed, aircraft seats and the spacing between them have been getting smaller and smaller, while American passengers have been growing in size."

The issue could wind up in Congress. Some lawmakers have proposed legislation to regulate seat size.

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David Koenig can be reached at http://twitter.com/airlinewriter
Experts will be called in to launch a major assessment of migration from the European Union as the Government steps up its efforts to devise a post-Brexit immigration system.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd will commission the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to carry out a detailed analysis of the role of EU nationals in the UK economy and society.

The in-depth study will focus on patterns of migration from Europe, considering factors including regional distribution, skill levels and seasonal workers.

(PA Graphics)

Writing in the Financial Times, Ms Rudd said any new post-Brexit immigration system must work in everyones interest.

She said: Put simply, the UK must remain a hub for international talent. We must keep attracting the brightest and best migrants from around the world.

I want to reassure all those who have outlined their views  that the Government is listening and that we share their desire to continue to welcome those who help make the UK such a prosperous place to live.

Border control

Advisers will be tasked with examining issues such as the economic and social costs and benefits of EU migration, and the potential impact of any fall in arrivals from the bloc.

The committee will be asked to report back by September next year  seven months before the scheduled date for Britains formal departure in March 2019.

It will be invited to produce interim reports before giving its final findings, as officials attempt to draw up a regime that incorporates an end to free movement while ensuring any fall in overseas labour does not damage the economy.

Writing to Professor Alan Manning, chairman of the MAC, the Home Secretary will say that under a future system we will be able to apply different immigration rules and requirements according to the UKs economic and social needs.

The MAC study will focus on patterns of migration from Europe (Jane Barlow/PA)

The MAC will be asked to examine:

:: The current patterns of European Economic Area (EEA) migration, including which sectors are most reliant on EU labour;

:: The economic and social costs and benefits of EU migration to the UK economy;

:: The potential impact of a reduction in EU migration and the ways in which both business and the Government could adjust to this change;

:: The current impact of immigration, from both EU and non-EU countries, on the competitiveness of UK industry and skills and training;

:: Whether there is any evidence that the availability of unskilled labour has led to low UK investment in certain sectors;

:: If there are advantages to focusing migrant labour on high-skilled jobs.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd

Josh Hardie, deputy director general of business organisation the CBI, welcomed the move as a sensible first step, saying the review will be vital to address longer-term questions.

Official statistics show net long-term migration for EU citizens  the balance between arrivals and departures  was running at an estimated 133,000 last year, a fall of more than a quarter on 2015.

Overall international net migration, including from outside the EU, was also down at 248,000 in 2016, although the measure remains well above the Governments target of below 100,000.
The number of cars built in the UK last month fell by almost 14% as the industry continued to be affected by uncertainty over Brexit, new figures reveal.

Almost 137,000 cars left production lines, 13.7% down on June last year, amid a decline in demand for cars in this country.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported that exports were driving production, with almost four out of five British cars shipped overseas in the first half of the year, the highest for five years.

The number of cars built in UK last month fell amid Brexit uncertainty

NEW: Overall commercial vehicle production falls in first half of 2017 despite strong export growth https://t.co/UuEkhEziqK pic.twitter.com/s2o42nGoKv  SMMT (@SMMT) July 27, 2017

The number of cars built in the first half of the year was down by 2.9% to 866,656, with home demand down by 9.5% following a long period of record growth.

A study for the SMMT showed that the ambition of building two million cars in 2020 will now be missed.

Despite uncertainty in the industry, production is forecast to rally for the rest of the year as new and updated models are launched.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: World-class engineering, productivity, strong government collaboration and massive investment in the past few years have helped UK automotive become a global success story.

Car industry risks missing 2020 target of 2m vehicles a year https://t.co/J91w9wF88V via @FT  SMMT (@SMMT) July 27, 2017

At the heart of this has been the free and frictionless trade weve enjoyed with the EU, by far our biggest customer and supplier, but Brexit uncertainty is not helping investment and growth is stalling.

The Government has been in listening mode but now it must put on the table the concrete plans that will assure the future competitiveness of the sector.

Investors need certainty so, at the very least, the UK must seek an interim deal which maintains single market and customs union membership until we have in place the complex new agreement sought with the EU.

Mr Hawes said things had changed for the industry since the EU referendum, describing the year so far as turbulent.

The EU remained the biggest region for exports, with a share of 54% so far this year, down by 7.9% on a year ago, with the United States second at 15%, up by more than a third.

Almost 684k British-built cars exported in the first half of 2017, here are our biggest markets #ukmfg https://t.co/HqJFLIvSup pic.twitter.com/xoQXc4ga24  SMMT (@SMMT) July 27, 2017

The next biggest overseas markets were Germany, Italy and China.

Investment in the UK by car firms last year totalled 1.66 billion but was only 322 million in the first six months of 2017.

Mr Hawes said it was clear that firms were waiting for clarity on future trading arrangements, adding: Our industry depends on trade with Europe.

Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke said: The Brexit effect is now real and is biting into an important UK manufacturing sector, our world-class car industry. Government must hear the alarm bells ringing and take action.

Not only are consumers shying away from buying cars because of the massive economic uncertainty we are in, the industry is also putting a brake on investment until they hear from government that our existing friction-free trading arrangements will be secure once we are out of the European Union.
Three trials are anticipated for the six men facing charges relating to the Hillsborough disaster, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.

The CPS issued an update on proceedings following its announcement last month that match commander David Duckenfield, 72, would face charges along with five others.

An application to lift a stay imposed after a prosecution of Duckenfield in 2000 will have to be approved by a High Court judge before the retired chief superintendent can appear in court charged with the manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 of the 96 victims of the 1989 disaster.

Update on Hillsborough prosecutions: https://t.co/Vu9viZU5f2  Crown Prosecution Service (@CPSUK) July 27, 2017

Former Sheffield Wednesday safety officer Graham Mackrell, retired South Yorkshire Police officers Donald Denton, Alan Foster and Sir Norman Bettison and former force solicitor Peter Metcalf are due to appear at Warrington Magistrates Court on August 9.

A CPS spokesman said three separate trials were anticipated if the application to lift the stay was successful and the defendants pleaded not guilty.

He said Duckenfield was expected to stand trial along with Mackrell, who is charged with two offences involving the stadium safety certificate and a health and safety offence.

Metcalf, Denton and Foster, all charged with doing acts intending to pervert the course of justice related to the amending of police officers statements, would be expected to stand trial together.

David Duckenfield was match commissioner for the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Sheffield Wednesday

The spokesman said a third trial was anticipated for former Merseyside and West Yorkshire chief constable Bettison, 61, who is charged with two offences of misconduct in a public office following statements he made about the disaster in 1998 and 2012.

The decision on trials would be subject to representations by the defendants.

If the cases are sent to crown court by magistrates, a further hearing is expected to be held at Preston Crown Court on September 6.

The venue for potential trials has not yet been decided.

Sir Norman Bettison, 61, who is charged with two offences of misconduct in a public office

The CPS said counsel Richard Matthews QC and Christine Agnew QC had been instructed to prosecute cases against Duckenfield and Mackrell.

Sarah Whitehouse QC and Mark Weekes will prosecute cases against the other defendants.

Ninety-six Liverpool fans were crushed to death in pens at the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough Stadium on April 15 1989, as their FA Cup semi-final cup-tie began against Nottingham Forest.

Last month the CPS said there would be no manslaughter prosecution over the death of the 96th casualty, Anthony Bland, as he died almost four years later, and under the law in 1989 his death is now out of time to be prosecuted.
Irish police have been asked to interview self-confessed IRA bomber Michael Hayes by lawyers acting for the Birmingham pub bombings inquests.

Mr Hayes, 69, recently told a BBC interview that he accepted collective responsibility for the 1974 double bombing but did not know who planted the devices which killed 21 people.

A pre-inquest review in Birmingham on Thursday was told by lawyers for coroner Peter Thornton QC that a request to the Irish gardai to interview Mr Hayes had been made.

Birmingham pub bombings (PA)

Peter Skelton QC, counsel to the inquests, added: Were discussing our involvement in any interview with West Midlands Police.

The force also confirmed in the hearing that it was also considering an application for My Hayes to be interviewed.

Footage of the interview has already been requested.

The news came as the campaign group Justice4the21, whose work brought about the fresh inquests, announced it is boycotting the hearings.

In a statement, campaigners said they will no longer participate after Mr Thornton ruled out naming alleged suspects in evidence at the inquest.

The Justice4the21 campaign group (Richard Vernalls/PA)

Lawyers for 10 families, in a joint statement, said they would try to crowd-fund a judicial review of the coroners ruling on what is known as the perpetrator issue.

The legal team representing the family of brothers Eugene and Desmond Reilly were present for the latest inquest review hearing.

Also present was the youngest victim Jane Daviss brother Brian Davis, from Ilkley, near Leeds.

He spoke of his dismay the other families had decided not to attend but understood why.

How can Gov (past/present) claim UK is Equal & Democratic when families are fighting the very establishment that is meant to protect us?  Justice4the21 (@Justice4the21) July 27, 2017

Mr Davis, who left Birmingham in the 1980s, absolutely welcomed the decision to ask Irish police to interview Mr Hayes.

He told the coroner: It seems bizarre to me that journalists and serving MPs can track down these people and name them publicly, on TV, but the police and judiciary fail to be able to do the same thing.

Heather Williams, barrister for the Reilly brothers loved ones, said her instructing solicitors had not had advance notice of the other families decision not to attend.

Eugene Thomas Reilly, 23, (PA)

Speaking at the hearing, which began an hour later than planned after news of the relatives boycott was digested, Mr Thornton said the door will always be open.

He added: Clearly the inquest into the deaths of the 21 who died on November 21 1974 will proceed in any event.

I have a public duty to conduct them and was appointed by the Lord Chief Justice to do so.

Concluding the hearing, Mr Thornton said it was unlikely the inquests will commence until certainly December, maybe later  maybe substantially later  I just cannot say at the moment.

He said the inquests would have to await the outcome of the judicial review application process.
Arsene Wenger has confirmed Alexis Sanchez will begin training on Sunday as the Arsenal striker looks to find full fitness ahead of the start of the Premier League season.

Sanchez and Shkodran Mustafi are both behind most of their team-mates in their pre-season preparations after the pairs involvement in the Confederations Cup.

Uncertainty has surrounded Sanchezs future this summer, with the Chilean yet to sign an extension to his current contract, which is due to expire next year.

Shkodran Mustafi and Alexis Sanchez

When will we see @Alexis_Sanchez back at the training ground? Here's the answer...https://t.co/YBbqoeCCnB  Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 27, 2017

Wenger, however, indicated his star player will resume training as normal this weekend while the rest of the Arsenal team play in the Emirates Cup.

Alexis and Mustafi, their first training session will be on Sunday, the day we play against Sevilla, Wenger said.

They are practising on the day, yes. First of all you make a really good check up of where they are, how much they have worked during their break.

The boys have been hard at work in training ahead of the #EmiratesCup



Who are you most looking forward to watching at the weekend? pic.twitter.com/Oqi0TfQwrN  Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 27, 2017

Arsenal go up against Benfica on Saturday and then Sevilla on Sunday before turning their attention to the FA Community Shield final against Chelsea a week later.

The Gunners league opener comes at home to Leicester on August 11 and Wenger admits both Sanchez and Mustafi will have to be eased back in over the next fortnight.

Once you know where you stand, they need an adjusted programme and to see how quickly you can fit them in again, Wenger said.

Taking it back to the 2017 @EmiratesFACup Final to see @aaronramsey secure a record breaking 13th Cup win for the Gunners. #TBT pic.twitter.com/diYQTaMzen  Wembley Stadium (@wembleystadium) July 20, 2017

Of course it depends as well on what is the need in the squad, what is their quality.

All of these things together make your decision. Do you put them on the bench when they are not ready [to start]?

It is easier to put a striker on the bench than a defender sometimes because in a short period they can make an impact. Well see.
Theresa May is facing a fresh Brexit challenge amid reports that Dublin wants the Irish Sea to be the countrys border with the UK.

Irelands new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is unconvinced by the UKs plans to introduce a high-tech land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic after Brexit, according to The Times.

It comes after Home Secretary Amber Rudd pledged there would be no cliff-edge on freedom of movement after Brexit, as she outlined an implementation period where EU nationals could register to come and work in the UK.

The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic is one of the key issues that needs to be resolved by the UK and the EU before talks begin on a new trade deal.

New Taoiseach Leo Varadkar met Theresa May in June

British ministers had proposed using measures like surveillance cameras to allow free movement between the north and south of the island.

However, sources have told The Times that Mr Varadkar thinks these plans could jeopardise the peace process in Ireland and restrict movement between the two countries.

He is said to want customs and immigration checks moved away from the land border to ports and airports - effectively drawing a new border in the Irish Sea.

Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney, speaking at a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers last week, said: What we do not want to pretend is that we can solve the problems of the border on the island of Ireland through technical solutions like cameras and pre-registration and so on. That is not going to work.

Min @simoncoveney on the conclusion of the second round of Brexit negotiations. Full statement at: https://t.co/Gy4rDDScNp pic.twitter.com/SzdSnDlKSd  Irish Foreign Ministry (@dfatirl) July 20, 2017

He added: Any barrier or border on the island of Ireland in my view risks undermining a very hard-won peace process and all of the parties in Northern Ireland, whether they are unionist or nationalist, recognise we want to keep the free movement of people and goods and services and livelihoods.

Such a suggestion is likely to anger the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which supports the Tories at Westminster through a confidence and supply arrangement.

The DUP has previously rejected calls for a special status for Northern Ireland after Brexit, while it is also at loggerheads with Sinn Fein after the collapse of the Northern Ireland executive.

The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic is one of the key issues that needs to be resolved (PA)

DUP MP Ian Paisley tweeted: 1 of 2 things will now happen 1. A very hard border 2. Ireland will wise up and leave the EU.

DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson ruled out the idea of a border running along the Irish Sea.

He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: There is no way that the DUP would go for an option that creates a border between one part of the United Kingdom and the other. Dublin really needs to understand that that proposition is absurd and unconstitutional.
The Duke of Cambridge flew a critically-injured pedestrian to hospital on his final shift as an air ambulance pilot.

The woman, in her 50s, had been reported missing when she was struck by a marked police van in Hethel, about eight miles south-west of Norwich.

Officers were responding to a 999 call relating to concerns for the safety of the woman, Norfolk Police said.

The Duke of Cambridge starts his final shift with the East Anglian Air Ambulance

Williams East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) crew was called to the scene at 11.13pm on Thursday and the critical care team treated her at the scene for complex serious head injuries.

The woman was then taken by air ambulance to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, where she remains in a life-threatening condition, the East of England Ambulance Service said.

A mile-long stretch of the B1135 Wymondham Road in Hethel, home of Lotus Cars, remained closed on Friday as the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigated.

Find out more about The Duke of Cambridge's last day with @EastAngliAirAmb : https://t.co/kkntJCpglM pic.twitter.com/mSB8mvQAOW  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 27, 2017

The rural road has farmers fields on either side.

The woman was struck at around 10.20pm on Thursday and nobody else was injured.

A Norfolk Police spokesman said: In accordance with normal procedure, Norfolk Police has referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

The Duke said he is proud to have served with @EastAngliAirAmb and thanked the local community- he will carry the experiences with him. pic.twitter.com/V3ZQonPXl0  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 27, 2017

An air ambulance spokesman said: The EAAA crew, which last night included William, attended an incident south of Norwich which involved a road traffic collision-related injury, and a patient was treated at scene for severe head injuries then treated at Addenbrookes Hospital.

The air ambulance returned to its Cambridge base at 1.30am, at the end of Williams final shift.

The Duke announced in January that he would be ending his career with EAAA and has clocked up more than two years flying medical crews to emergencies.

The Duke of Cambridge on leaving @EastAngliAirAmb: pic.twitter.com/ch30YfS1OU  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 27, 2017

He joined EAAA as a pilot in March 2015 and, after completing an initial period of job- specific training involving simulator, aircraft and in-flight skills, he began piloting his first operational missions in July 2015.

Throughout his service, William has been based at Cambridge Airport, as part of a team including specialist doctors, critical care paramedics and pilots providing emergency medical services across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

A statement issued by Kensington Palace earlier this year said William and Kate wanted, as they had in previous years, to increase their official duties on behalf of the Queen and their charity work, which would mean more time in London.
Celtic have been fined just over 20,000 by UEFA for crowd offences in their home Champions League qualifier against Linfield.

The Scottish champions were fined 23,000 euros (20,616) over illicit banner and blocked stairways charges.

UEFA said the first charge related to a banner portraying a person in a paramilitary uniform.

Celtic had already taken action themselves following their 4-0 win on July 19, condemning the banner display and closing a 900-capacity area of the safe-standing section of their stadium for the goalless third qualifying round first leg against Rosenborg on Wednesday.

#Breaking UEFA fines Celtic 23,000 euros (20,600) for "illicit banner" and "blocked stairways" during Champions League qualifier v Linfield pic.twitter.com/Rl3OG5Hlgi  PA Dugout (@PAdugout) July 28, 2017

The Parkhead club explained they were closing the :Green Brigade section for two matches after serious incidents of unsafe behaviour at their previous two home games.

The ultras-style group had previously fallen foul of the club with a pyrotechnic display during the last home game of last season against Hearts.

Manager Brendan Rodgers described the political element of the banners as unacceptable and admitted he was saddened by the display, which also featured his name and image alongside words and imagery associated with the Northern Irish Troubles.

Police in riot gear monitoring Linfield supporters following the UEFA Champions League first leg against Celtic at Windsor Park (Liam McBurney/PA)

UEFA has now fined Celtic 11 times in less than six years over fan-behaviour issues ranging from pro-IRA chants to fireworks, crowd disturbances and other illicit banner charges.

The European governing body also announced that proceedings over a separate kit infringement offence had been closed. That charge was a minor issue relating to the display of their sponsors logo on substitutes bibs, which is prohibited in UEFAs regulations.

The disciplinary hearing came a week after striker Leigh Griffiths was banned for the Rosenborg first leg for provoking supporters after the opening match against Linfield on July 14.

The Scotland forward, who would have missed this weeks game anyway with a calf strain, tied a Celtic scarf to a Windsor Park goalpost after his sides 2-0 win.
The UK has eased a ban on carrying large electronic devices in aircraft cabins on flights from one of six countries subject to the restrictions.

Since March passengers have been stopped from taking laptops and tablets in their hand baggage on inbound flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

But the Department for Transport (DfT) has lifted the ban for all flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen and some flights from Istanbul Ataturk and Izmir.

Govt is lifting restrictions on carrying electronic devices in the cabin on some UK bound flights from Turkey https://t.co/ofxm7zQqiM pic.twitter.com/3WcsxHZeBd  Department for Transport (@transportgovuk) July 28, 2017

The original restrictions remain in place elsewhere but these will be lifted once the Government has verified that additional security checks are in place, according to the DfT.Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: The safety and security of the travelling public is always my top priority.

Having looked carefully at the changes introduced in March, and working with our international partners and the industry on tough additional security measures, we can now lift the ban on electronic devices in the cabin on a small number of UK-bound flights from Istanbul and Izmir.

The remaining restrictions will be lifted only when we are satisfied it is safe and proportionate to do so.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has lifted the ban for all flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen and some flights from Istanbul Ataturk and Izmir (Joe Giddens/PA)

The UK will not hesitate to put in place effective and robust security measures wherever we believe these are needed to protect passengers, and we keep them under constant review.

The ban covers devices larger than a typical smartphone and means gadgets such as iPads and Kindles must go in the luggage holds of aircraft.

This theoretically stops terrorists on affected flights physically triggering a bomb concealed in these devices.

The restrictions were originally announced a day after the US unveiled similar measures for flights originating from a longer list of eight mainly Muslim countries.

EasyJet announced that it plans to lift restrictions and implement new security measures on its flights from the Turkish airports of Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman and Izmir next week.

EasyJet plans to lift restrictions and implement new security measures on its flights from the Turkish airports of Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman and Izmir next week (Gareth Fuller/PA)

A spokeswoman for the Luton-based carrier said: Once we have a date we will contact customers travelling on these routes to inform them.

She added: We continue to work with the UK Government with regards to our flights from Hurghada (Egypt) to the UK.
By Karolina Tagaris

ATHENS, July 27 (Reuters) - The European Commission will give Greece 209 million euros ($245 million) in new emergency aid to help refugees stranded in the country rent homes and pay for basics with a cash card, the Commission said on Thursday.

About 62,000 refugees and migrants, mainly Syrians, Afghans and Iraqis headed to northern Europe, have been stranded in Greece since European countries closed their borders in March last year. Most live in overcrowded camps marred by violence.

The scheme, announced with UNHCR, the U.N. refugee agency, will provide 22,000 rented homes in cities and towns on mainland Greece and some 2,000 places on Greek islands.

It will increase the number of refugees living in rented apartments in Greece to as many as 30,000 by the end of 2017, the Commission said.

"Our new funding is a game changer on how we deliver aid to improve people's lives," said Christos Stylianides, the EU's commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management.

"The aim of these new projects is to get refugees out of the camps and into everyday accommodation and help them have more secure and normal lives," he said.

Part of the aid will provide refugees with a card with a set monthly cash allocation to help them pay for basic needs such as food, medicine and public transportation.

Thursday's funding more than doubles the EU's emergency support to Greece to a total of 401 million euros.

Nearly 11,000 refugees and migrants have crossed to Greece from Turkey this year, down from 173,000 in 2016 and just a fraction of the nearly 1 million arrivals in 2015.

But a steady flow of about 100 a day continues to weigh on overwhelmed facilities. On the islands, "the situation has become a bit more tense," UNHCR Greece representative Philippe Leclerc said. He called for more transfers to the mainland.

"That's why the accommodation program is important," he said.

Humanitarian groups in Greece, including Save the Children and Medecins Sans Frontieres, are worried that conditions could deteriorate further when the state assumes full management and coordination of services on the islands from August.

"Without a clear transition plan, gaps in services will likely occur and men, women and children may be put at greater risk, without the health, legal and other services and safety they need and have the right to," seven organisations said in a joint statement this month. ($1 = 0.8531 euros) (Reporting by Karolina Tagaris; Editing by Larry King)
By Michele Kambas and Ece Toksabay

ATHENS, July 27 (Reuters) - A ship an anti-migrant group planned to use as part of its campaign to protect Europe from mass migration was detained in Cyprus and then turned away with its crew, after discrepancies emerged in the status of a group of Sri Lankans on board.

Members of the Identarian movement, which says it wants to protect Europe's identity from mass immigration, last week said they had chartered the C-Star which would set sail towards the Libyan coast to monitor humanitarian operations there.

But the vessel was impounded en route to Italy in Cyprus, because of conflicting accounts of whether Sri Lankans were trainees or migrants, several Turkish Cypriot sources said.

Its crew was later deported on board the vessel, Turkish Cypriot human rights activist Murat Kanatli said. Turkish Cypriot authorities were not immediately available for comment.

Five Sri Lankans on board have since sought asylum, human rights activists said. They were granted a 10-day visa, Kanatli added.

At the port of Famagusta, Turkish Cypriot authorities were told that the 20 Sri Lankans had ended their training period and would be returning to Sri Lanka via Ercan airport in northern Cyprus.

But Faika Deniz Pasha, an associate of the Refugee Rights Association in Northern Cyprus told Reuters, that at the airport the Sri Lankans said they had paid money to be taken to Italy.

"They said they were not seamen and had paid something like 10,000 euros," she said.

Fifteen of them had left, but five said they did not wish to return to Sri Lanka and had asked for asylum, said Pasha, who said she was present at some of the encounters.

The Identarian movement, which calls its project 'Defend Europe', disputed that version of accounts.

It said NGOs had approached the trainees and 'offered them to stay in Europe and apply for asylum, in exchange for promises and money'.

"Fifteen apprentices refused, five accepted this act of bribery and are now making false accusations against the owner of the ship," it said in a statement.

The trainees were supposed to disembark in Egypt, but it was 'ultimately impossible', it said, without stating the reason.

The Identarian movement is tapping into growing unease, particularly in Italy, over immigration from North Africa.

Cyprus, an island about 100 km (60 miles) at its closest point from war-ravaged Syria, has barely been affected by the hundreds of thousands on the move over the past three years. (Editing by Richard Balmforth)
By Jarrett Renshaw and Chris Prentice

NEW YORK, July 27 (Reuters) - CVR Refining racked up its highest-ever bill to meet U.S. biofuel standards during the second quarter, putting it on track to pay a record amount in 2017, the company said in an earnings call on Thursday.

The refiner, which is majority-held by billionaire investor Carl Icahn, said it paid $106 million to meet the U.S. biofuel regulations in the quarter, far surpassing its previous quarterly record of $65.5 million in 2013, according to a Reuters analysis.

The company now expects to pay $200 million to $250 million in biofuels costs in 2017, up from its previous forecast of $170 million. CVR held a record $205.9 million in outstanding biofuel obligations in 2016, but it deferred most of those costs into this year in hopes that the cost of the credits at the heart of controversial program would fall.

The U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency, requires biofuels, such as ethanol, to be blended into the nations gasoline and diesel. Fuel importers and refiners have the responsibility to blend the renewable fuels or purchase credits from others that have.

A Reuters review of securities filings earlier this year showed that CVR had accumulated a large short position in biofuels blending credits, called Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs). The short position meant the company would have been in a strong position to profit if RIN prices fell.

Renewable fuel credits have been hovering at 80 cents each in recent days, up signficantly from this year's low of 34 cents hit in March.

CBR's short position helped yield a rare, though modest, profit in the first quarter as prices for the renewable fuel credits tumbled amid news that Icahn - by then an informal adviser for President Donald Trump - pushed for market-moving changes to the controversial program.

Icahn's actions have drawn the ire of several Democratic senators, who called on U.S. regulators to examine whether he was benefiting from his informal role with the White House.

Jack Lipinski, the chief executive of CVR, has been among the most hardened critics of the U.S. biofuel policy, calling it "stupid" and prone to market manipulation that benefits traders and big oil companies at the expense of smaller refiners.

Lipinski was asked in Thursday's call to provide some more details on the company current credit short position. He declined, saying he would answer that question "when Chevron, Exxon and when the traders that are manipulating the RINs market open up their books and say what they're doing."

(Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw and Chris Prentice; Editing by Leslie Adler)
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, July 27 (Reuters) - At least 30 people including civilians and members of the military have died after an attempted rescue of an oil exploration team kidnapped by suspected Boko Haram militants in northeast Nigeria, officials told Reuters on Thursday.

The team searching for oil in Nigeria's conflict-ridden northeast was made up of members from the state oil firm and university researchers and staff, while the attempted rescue was carried out by military personnel and vigilantes.

The military said a day earlier that it had recovered the bodies of nine soldiers and a civilian during its rescue of staff from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) who were on the survey team.

The total number of military personnel killed was 12, said one military source in Nigeria's northeast, who declined to be identified because the source was not authorised to speak to media.

The military's statement on Wednesday did not refer to team members from the University of Maiduguri, which contributed staff including geologists to the team surveying in the Lake Chad Basin region.

A spokesman at the university, Deputy Director of Information Ahmed Mohammed, said on Thursday two university academics and at least one driver were among at least five dead.

Four others staff members from the university are missing, he said.

Sixteen members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were also killed, Bunu Bakar, secretary of the armed vigilante group, told Reuters.

Nigeria's oil minister said he was awaiting official confirmation from military authorities on the kidnapping and attempted rescue of people including NNPC staff, declining to comment on the death toll.

A military spokesman did not reply to phone calls and text messages requesting comment.

Nigerian Minister of Defence Mansur Ali blamed the summer wet season for the spike in attacks in the northeast and the loss of control of territory that the army clawed back from Boko Haram last year.

"We cannot dominate the environment like what we do during the dry season, but effort is geared towards regaining back our areas," he told reporters in Abuja after an emergency meeting with Nigeria's acting president and military chiefs.

Northeastern Nigeria has been wracked for eight years by an Islamist insurgency that has killed at least 20,000 people and forced some 2.7 million to flee their homes.

The NNPC, which contracted university staff, has for more than a year surveyed what it says may be vast oil reserves in the Lake Chad Basin. It is aiming to reduce its reliance on the southern Niger Delta energy hub, which last year was hit by militant attacks on oil facilities.

Nigeria's government and military have repeatedly said Boko Haram is on the verge of defeat. In December, President Muhammadu Buhari said the group's last stronghold, an enclave in the Sambisa forest, had fallen.

But insurgents have launched attacks with renewed zeal in the past few months.

The latest attack brought the death toll in Maiduguri and its environs since early June to at least 92. Seventeen people were killed in the city in one week this month.

($1 = 304.7000 naira) (Reporting by Ahmed Kingimi and Lanre Ola in Maiduguri and Alexis Akwagyiram in Lagos; Additional reporting by Camillus Eboh, Paul Carsten and Felix Onuah in Abuja; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Peter Cooney)
PRAGUE, July 28 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Czech financial markets on Friday. ALL TIMES GMT (Czech Republic: GMT + 2 hours) =========================ECONOMIC DATA========================== Real-time economic data releases.................... Summary of economic data and forecasts........... Recently released economic data.................. Previous stories on Czech data............. **For a schedule of corporate and economic events: http://emea1.apps.cp.thomsonreuters.com/Apps/CountryWeb/#/2E/events-overview =========================NEWS=================================== O2: Czech telecoms group O2 Czech Republic posted a higher-than-expected 3 percent rise in second-quarter net profit on Friday, lifted by higher revenue in television, mobile data and its Slovak market. Story: Related stories: FOOD: European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Thursday that apparently identical food products should not be sold with inferior ingredients in eastern Europe, siding with those who say the practice amounts to discrimination. Story: Related stories: CENBANK: Six out of seven Czech central bank board members will attend an Aug. 3 policy meeting, with only Vice-Governor Mojmir Hampl missing, the bank said on Thursday. Story: Related stories: CEE MARKETS: The zloty eased on Thursday, under pressure from political tension over Poland's reforms of its judiciary, while more dovish than expected comments from the U.S. Federal Reserve underpinned most Central European currencies. Demand stayed strong at an auction of Czech 8-week Treasury bills, showing foreign investors remained interested in Czech debt markets before large redemptions in short-term bills in the coming months, which some analysts said was a risk to the crown. Story: Related stories: ---------------------- MARKET SNAPSHOT ------------------------ Index/Crown Currency Latest Prev Pct change Pct change close on day in 2017 vs Euro 26.046 26.035 -0.04 3.56 vs Dollar 22.255 22.255 0 13.23 Czech Equities 1,014.89 1,014.89 0.3 10.12 U.S. Equities 21,796.55 21,711.01 0.39 10.29 Pvs close or current levels vs prior domestic close at 1500 GMT ======================PRESS DIGEST============================ LABOUR: The two biggest business associations have spoken with the state about programs to bring in Serbs to help fill gaps in a labour shortage for employers. A program for Ukrainians has seen 8,000 come to work in the country in the past year. Hospodarske Noviny, page 1 SKODA: Revenue at Skoda Auto, the Czech unit of Volkswagen , rose 22 percent to 8.7 billion euros in the first half, boosting operating profit by a quarter to 860 million euros. Hospodarske Noviny, page 13 (Reuters has not verified the stories, nor does it vouch for their accuracy.) For real-time stock market index quotes click in brackets: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX For updates on CEE currencies TOP NEWS -- Emerging markets Prague Newsroom: +420 224 190 477 E-mail: prague.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com ($1 = 22.3630 Czech crowns) (Reporting by Prague Newsroom)
By Helen Reid

LONDON, July 28 (Reuters) - Britain's major share index slipped, heading for a weaker finish to the week after corporate earnings drove big swings in individual stocks, with BT Friday's biggest faller.

The FTSE 100 fell 0.6 percent, although it outperformed the broader European market. It was heading for a loss of 0.7 percent on the week, its first in a month.

After wild stock moves from pharmaceuticals companies AstraZeneca and Indivior on Thursday, trading was more muted, although Astra's dramatic 15 percent drop helped put blue-chips on track for a weekly fall.

"We have had an awful lot of results and on the whole we have been pleasantly surprised they've not been weaker," Eric Moore, UK Equity Income fund manager at Miton Group, said.

"The VIX (volatility index) tells us volatility is low, but if you look at the way shares have reacted on a daily basis after updates, it feels quite volatile," said Moore.

The top faller on Friday was telecoms operator BT, down 4.3 percent after its first quarter profit was dented by settlements for an Italian accounting scandal, with government regulation also a concern for investors.

"There's a lot going on in terms of regulatory review. The multi-million dollar question is how much will BT have to spend in capex on broadband investment in the UK, and what return will they be allowed to make from that," Moore said.

Barclays shares see-sawed before settling up 0.6 percent after the bank reported a 1.2 billion pound first-half loss following a 2.5 billion pound hit from the sale of its Africa business.

"The shares are trading on 0.74 times tangible book, which is not hugely demanding, However, for a business making a return on total equity of 6 percent this remains far from attractive," KBW analyst Edward Firth said.

Meanwhile, British Airways owner IAG gained 1.3 percent, among the only blue-chips to climb, after reporting better than expected second-quarter profits despite a massive power outage grounding some flights in May.

Alcoholic beverages firm Diageo added to Thursday's strong gains after robust results and was up 2.1 percent.

Mid-caps underperformed, down 1 percent. Valve maker Rotork dropped 5.2 percent after the company said CEO Peter France was resigning.

"Rotork is a very high quality, well-loved company and this will leave people scratching their heads," said Moore.

Materials firm Morgan Advanced jumped 3.4 percent to the top of the mid-cap index after its half-year results.

Investors were looking ahead to next week's results which would help paint a picture of the health of the UK economy, with HSBC and the major listed supermarkets due to report.

"There's parts of the market that investors are more worried about, like retailers and consumer stocks, that haven't reported yet," Moore said.

"UK consumer confidence data today was pretty horrid," he said in reference to a survey on Friday showing British consumer morale has sunk back to depths hit just after last year's Brexit vote. (Reporting by Helen Reid; editing by Alexander Smith)
A popular Chippewa Falls historical site is being brought to life as a fictional lumber barons mansion in an upcoming film.

The Lumber Baron, written and directed by Chippewa Valley historical scholar Karen Hurd, is expected to debut as early as 2018. Based on Hurds fascination with the Chippewa Falls lumber boom, the feature-length film explores the tale of Daniel Rimsdale, who returns to Chippewa Falls to salvage his fathers lumber business. The character is entangled in a hunt for hidden treasure inside a mansion along the way.

That mansion is heavily inspired by Chippewa Falls Cook-Rutledge Mansion, Hurd said. The mansion at 505 W. Grand Ave. is serving as the primary set location during filming until the shoot wraps up in August.

The decision to use the Cook-Rutledge has special significance. The red-brick mansion housed a real-life lumber baron, Edward Rutledge, from 1887 to 1911.

Hurd said the building inspired the entire project from the beginning. I knew general outline of story, but didnt have a location yet, she remembered. When I toured the Cook-Rutledge, I ended up writing the film specifically with that location in mind.

Kyle Robl, president of the Cook-Rutledge Board of Directors, is optimistic that the film will funnel more tour traffic to the house. Wed love for something like this to renew peoples interest in historic houses, but specifically this one. This house is a reminder of why people came to this area in the first place, Roble said.

Hurd, a self-professed Chippewa Valley history buff, is preserving every historical detail she can find in the film. The lumber era put the Chippewa area on the map, she said, but shes surprised that a movie has not yet been made telling the story of the Wisconsin lumber boom. Every word, every prop, every costume. Everything is downright the way it was in 1910, she said of the setting of the film.

The film created opportunities for plenty of local talent. We have a ton of lumberjack (extras), Hurd laughs. You cant put just two lumberjacks in a bunkhouse. The place was crawling with them.

The films director, crew and several starring actors hail from the Midwest. A former UW-Eau Claire professor and award-winning composer, Dr. Ethan Wickman, wrote the score, and the music will be recorded by local musicians.

But without the Cook-Rutledge, Hurd says, the film may never have come alive.

I want the people of Chippewa Valley to say, thats my town, she said. Characters refer to the Chippewa River and the town by name. In one of the last lines of the film, the characters raise a toast to the Chippewa Valley. A toast to the Valley! That will resonate.

The Lumber Baron is directed by Barry Andersson and written and produced by Karen Hurd of Scene & Hurd Productions. Hurd expects the film to be sold to a distributor after production finishes in 2018. The Lumber Baron may be available in theaters or online at a future date.

This story was updated on July 31, 2017. The first version of this story incorrectly spelled the last name of the president of the Cook-Rutledge Board of Directors; the story has been updated with the correct spelling.
PARIS, July 28 (Reuters) - French construction group Vinci said on Friday that its Qatar business had seen no disruption at this stage after Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain severed relations with Qatar last month.

Vinci operates in Qatar through its 49 percent-owned Qatari unit QDVC. It also counts the wealthy Arab state as its third-largest shareholder, with a stake of nearly 4 percent, according to Reuters data.

"For the moment, no disruption. Our projects are not disturbed. Qatar is rather looking for friends and this facilitates discussions on some projects," Chief Executive Xavier Huillard told an interim results news conference.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain cut relations with Qatar on June 5, accusing the major gas-exporting Gulf state of financing terrorism and cozying up to their arch-rival Iran. Doha denies the charges. (Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)
By Eric Onstad

LONDON, July 28 (Reuters) - Nickel prices hit a 3-1/2 month peak on Friday as investors shifted from zinc after a build-up in zinc inventories indicated that shortages had eased.

Rising physical demand from top consumer China also helped lift nickel.

Both metals are mainly used in the steel sector with zinc needed for galvanising and nickel a key ingredient in stainless steel.

"Traders are seeing a weakening scenario for zinc because the market is not as tight as people expected, while it's looking a bit more positive for nickel with Shanghai premiums rising," said Gianclaudio Torlizzi, partner at consultancy T-Commodity in Milan.

"After the very good run that zinc had in June, there's probably some profit taking and nickel is benefiting from a combination of short covering and some new long exposure."

Benchmark London Metal Exchange nickel closed 0.7 percent higher at $10,200 a tonne after touching $10,290, the highest since April 6. Nickel gained 7.1 percent on the week.

NICKEL PREMIUMS: Tight supply pushed up nickel full-plate premiums in Shanghai to $200-$210 a tonne this week from $180-$200 last week, Metal Bulletin reported, the highest since it began nickel premium assessments in 2011. http://bit.ly/2uEJCeZ

ZINC STOCKS: On-warrant LME zinc inventories - those not earmarked for delivery and therefore available to investors - jumped 17 percent to 146,125 tonnes on Friday, having more than doubled in a little over two weeks. <MZNSTX-TOTAL>

Zinc inventories on the Shanghai Futures Exchange climbed 8.3 percent to 78,320 tonnes over the past week.

ZINC PRICE: Three-month LME zinc finished down 0.9 percent at $2,776 a tonne after climbing 18 percent from June 7 until Wednesday, when it touched $2,857. It gained around 1 percent this week.

COPPER: Three-month LME copper ended down 0.1 percent at $6,325 a tonne, but gained 5.4 percent on the week, the biggest weekly rise since February, while Comex September copper fell 0.1 percent to $2.88 a lb.

"Copper prices are in pursuit of breaking trend line resistance and moving to the 38.2 percent Fibonacci retracement area of about $3.00," Paul Ciana, technical analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch said in a note.

"A weekly close above the trend line at $2.86 confirms the uptrend is alive and well for another 5 percent trend higher."

TIN: LME tin dipped 0.3 percent to close at $20,600 a tonne after hitting a six-month high for the second straight day after reports of smelter shutdowns in Yunnan province in China, the world's largest tin producer.

"China's largest tin deposits are in this province. However, if production is stopped for only a short time, the effects on tin supply should be limited and the price (would) correct again," Commerzbank said in a note.

PRICES: Aluminium finished down 1.6 percent at $1,907 a tonne and lead rose 0.5 percent to end at $2,320.

(Reporting by Eric Onstad; Editing by Susan Thomas and Susan Fenton)
By Gabriela Baczynska and Agnieszka Barteczko

BRUSSELS/WARSAW, July 28 (Reuters) - The European Union's top court ordered Poland on Friday to immediately halt large-scale logging in an ancient protected forest, one of many cases that has pitted the nationalist, eurosceptic government in Warsaw against the bloc.

The EU's executive Commission earlier this year sued Poland at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) over logging in the Bialowieza forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Straddling the border between Poland and Belarus, it is one of Europe's last primeval forests and home to its largest herd of European bison as well as unique birds and insects.

In an interim decision, the ECJ said the logging should stop immediately as it could cause "serious and irreversible damage" to the forest. The main case filed by the Commission against Warsaw at the ECJ could take years to conclude.

The Commission has said the logging violates the bloc's wildlife protection laws. Poland's environment ministry, which declined to comment on the ECJ announcement, says it is needed to protect the forest from an invasion of beetles.

The ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) has also tripled the quota of wood that can be harvested in Bialowieza.

Environmentalists say the vast majority of trees felled so far were not affected by the beetles. They have been holding regular protests to try to halt the logging and UNESCO has also appealed to Poland stop cutting down the trees.

BEETLES AND POLITICS

"If Polish authorities do not respect the (ECJ) decision, it will be in serious conflict with EU law," said Agata Szafraniuk, a lawyer at ClientEarth, an environmentalist group.

Poland's Environment Minister Jan Szyszko - who enjoys the backing of forester and hunting lobbies - was quoted as saying on Friday that more than one million trees must be cut down in Bialowieza this year because of the beetle invasion.

As well as stoking tensions with Brussels, the issue has deeply divided Poles - as have other moves by PiS, including its tightening of control over state media and the courts and its refusal to host any refugees who arrive in the EU.

A local group of nationalist activists in Bialowieza has called the environmentalists "green terrorists" and has vowed to confront them, prompting Krzysztof Cibor of Greenpeace to say: "The defenders in the Bialowieza forest are vigilant, but we all hope that nothing bad will happen."

Environmentalists say Szyszko's real motives are political and economic because increased logging brings more revenues to the local community, one of the poorest in Poland, helping to boost support for PiS.

"Around half of the wood sold was from trees more than 100 years old," said another green group, Wild Poland Foundation.

Plans several years ago to extend the protected area of the forest ran into stiff local opposition.

Szyszko is a powerful figure in the PiS government because of his close links to the ultra-Catholic broadcasting network of a politically influential priest, Father Tadeusz Rydzyk.

PiS has built an increasingly close alliance with Rydzyk, who encourages his followers to back the party in return for financial grants for his various business projects.

Poland still has several days to react to the ECJ interim decision.

Should Poland lose the main case at the ECJ, it could be fined a lump sum of more than 4 million euros and possible daily penalties of up to 300,000 euros for every day in which Warsaw fails to adhere to the court's decision. (Additional reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek; Editing by Gareth Jones)
ABIDJAN, July 28 (Reuters) - Ivory Coast has seized three tonnes of pangolin scales and arrested eight people for trading the valuable armour of the world's most trafficked animal, a police chief said.

The small, armadillo-like mammal lives in forests in Ivory Coast and other West African countries. Global trade in pangolin scales is banned under a U.N. convention, but they are prized in some Asian countries for their use in traditional medicines.

Ivory Coast authorities apprehended the traffickers as they were preparing to deliver the pangolin scales to a Chinese client, the head of the anti-trafficking unit, Thimotee Gnahore, told reporters late on Thursday.

The haul was worth approximately 45 million CFA francs ($80,000) and was the largest ever seized in the West African country, he said.

Anti-trafficking network EAGLE estimated that more than 4,000 pangolins had been killed to produce that amount of scales.

"Investigations continue because behind this operation there are suppliers on the ground who massacre these animals, and then there are the people for whom these scales are important," said Gnahore.

Pangolins are hunted for their meat as well as for the plate-like scales that cover their bodies. ($1 = 562.1200 CFA francs) (Reporting by Loucoumane Coulibaly; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Gareth Jones)
By Umberto Bacchi

LONDON, July 28 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A new technique using artificial intelligence to predict where deforestation is most likely to occur could help the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) preserve its shrinking rainforest and cut carbon emissions, researchers have said.

Congo's rainforest, the world's second-largest after the Amazon, is under pressure from farms, mines, logging and infrastructure development, scientists say.

Protecting forests is widely seen as one of the cheapest and most effective ways to reduce the emissions driving global warming.

But conservation efforts in DRC have suffered from a lack of precise data on which areas of the country's vast territory are most at risk of losing their pristine vegetation, said Thomas Maschler, a researcher at the World Resources Institute (WRI).

"We don't have fine-grain information on what is actually happening on the ground," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

To address the problem Maschler and other scientists at the Washington-based WRI used a computer algorithm based on machine learning, a type of artificial intelligence.

The computer was fed inputs, including satellite derived data, detailing how the landscape in a number of regions, accounting for almost a fifth of the country, had changed between 2000 and 2014.

The programme was asked to use the information to analyse links between deforestation and the factors driving it, such as proximity to roads or settlements, and to produce a detailed map forecasting future losses.

Overall the application predicted that woods covering an area roughly the size of Luxembourg would be cut down by 2025 - releasing 205 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere.

The study improved on earlier predictions that could only forecast average deforestation levels in DRC over large swathes of land, said Maschler.

"Now, we can say: 'actually the corridor along the road between these two villages is at risk'," Maschler said by phone late on Thursday.

The analysis will allow conservation groups to better decide where to focus their efforts and help the government shape its land use and climate change policy, said scientist Elizabeth Goldman who co-authored the research.

The DRC has pledged to restore 3 million hectares (11,583 square miles) of forest to reduce carbon emissions under the 2015 Paris Agreement, she said.

But Goldman said the benefits of doing that would be outweighed by more than six times by simply cutting predicted forest losses by 10 percent. (Reporting by Umberto Bacchi @UmbertoBacchi, Editing by Emma Batha. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights, climate change and resilience. Visit http://news.trust.org)
By Heba Kanso

BEIRUT, July 28 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Middle Eastern countries should follow Tunisia's example and immediately repeal laws that let rapists off the hook if they marry their victims, human rights groups said on Friday.

Tunisia passed a law on Wednesday to protect women against violence, which included removing an article allowing a rapist to escape punishment if he married his victim.

"Tunisia sends a message to the rest of the region that they should follow suit," said Rothna Begum, Middle East women's rights researcher at Human Rights Watch.

"These provisions ... are a relic of the past and the Middle East and North Africa need to ... leave it in the past," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Campaigners have said such laws condemn girls to a lifetime of sexual violence and domestic abuse at the hands of their rapist.

Countries with similar provisions include Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Syria and the Palestinian Territories, according to Equality Now, a global legal advocacy organisation.

"This article is a violation of girls' and women's rights ... it's crazy we have such laws in our countries while we are in 2017," said Suad Abu-Dayyeh, Equality Now's Middle East consultant.

Jordan's parliament will vote on Sunday on whether to scrap its marriage loophole. Bahrain and Lebanon are also discussing amending or abolishing similar provisions.

Jordanian parliamentarian Wafa Bani Mustafa said parents often agreed to such marriages to minimise "family shame", but she said no girl should be "presented as a gift" to her rapist.

She said it was crucial to end impunity for rapists and to protect their victims who are mostly under 18.

In Lebanon, rights group Abaad is campaigning against the country's law with billboards of women in bloodied and torn wedding gowns. The caption reads: "A white dress doesn't cover up rape."

In April campaigners hung white wedding dresses from nooses on Beirut's popular seafront.

"It's a slap in the face ... If you survive a rape then you have to survive it again and again and again," Abaad programme manager Roula Masri previously told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Some countries in the region have already closed their loopholes. Egypt repealed its law in 1999, and Morocco overhauled its law in 2014 following the suicide of a 16-year-old girl and the attempted suicide of a 15-year-old who were forced to marry their rapists.

Such laws also exist in several countries outside the Middle East including the Philippines and Tajikistan, according to Equality Now. (Reporting by Heba Kanso @hebakanso, Editing by Emma Batha. Please credit Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, womens rights, trafficking, property rights, and climate change. Visit www.trust.org)
BRASILIA, July 28 (Reuters) - Shareholders of a company set up to run Brazil's Viracopos airport have decided to return the concession to the government to seek other bidders in a new auction, they said on Friday, citing unexpectedly low passenger traffic.

ABV SA, which won the concession in 2012, said in a statement that shareholders had agreed to authorize its executive to start negotiating a retendering of the concession.

ABV has invested 3 billion reais ($954 million) in a new terminal but passenger traffic is only 52 percent of projections, it said. The airport was projected to serve 17.9 million passengers in 2016, but only had 9.3 million travelers.

The airport serves the city of Campinas in Sao Paulo state and is an important cargo hub, shipping 166,000 tonnes of freight in 2016, although that is only 40 percent of the initial plan.

"The concession will be returned to the government and put up for auction again," ABV spokeswoman Deyse Ribeiro said by telephone.

"ABV believes retendering the concession is the best alternative to maintain the quality and continuity of the services for users," the company said.

ABV will continue to operate the airport until the new tender is complete.

The airport is 51 percent privately owned, with Triunfo Participacoes and Brazilian builder UTC each holding 45 percent of that stake, while France's Egis Airport Operation owns 10 percent. State airport administrator Infraero owns the remaining 49 percent public stake.

Triunfo is in the process of restructuring its debt, while UTC has been caught up in the Car Wash corruption scandal.

Triunfo and a pool of about 20 banks agreed on terms to restructure 2.1 billion real ($672.6 million) of debt, giving the Brazilian infrastructure firm a lifeline to finalize projects and downsize gradually, Reuters reported on June 22.

($1 = 3.1440 reais) (Reporting by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Daniel Flynn and Richard Chang)
UNITED NATIONS, July 28 (Reuters) - Ivanka Trump, U.S. President Donald Trump's daughter and informal adviser, met with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for lunch at U.N. headquarters in New York on Friday to discuss women's economic empowerment.

Her visit to the United Nations came as the president has been pushing to slash funding for the world body. Ivanka Trump is seen as an important influence on her father, and her husband, Jared Kushner, is a top adviser to him.

Ivanka Trump said Guterres asked her to lunch after they both attended the World Bank launch of a loan program during the G20 in Germany earlier this month. That program was aimed at providing more than $1 billion for women entrepreneurs in developing countries.

In a post on Facebook, she said Guterres' invitation was "to discuss women's economic empowerment, entrepreneurship and workforce development."

"I look forward to continuing this important dialogue about skills training in the modern economy and working together to economically empower women globally," she said.

A White House official said Ivanka Trump was coordinating her conversations with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.

Ivanka Trump, who ran an eponymous clothing and jewelry business before taking a job at the White House, has made women's issues one of her signature policy areas.

The United Nations had no immediate comment on Friday's lunch.

The United States is the biggest U.N. contributor, providing 22 percent of the $5.4 billion biennial core budget and 28.5 percent of its $7.3 billion peacekeeping budget. These assessed contributions are agreed by the 193-member General Assembly.

Ultimately the U.S. Congress will decide how much money is available for U.N. funding. Republicans, who control both houses, and Democrats have said they do not support drastic cuts proposed by the president, who has called the U.S. share of the U.N. budget unfair. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols at the United Nations and Steve Holland in Washington)
By John Lloyd

July 28 (Reuters) - Poland is in an uproar. The decision of its ruling Law and Justice Party to bring the judiciary under political control has been partially blocked by President Andrezj Duda after large street demonstrations in most major cities.

But this is not a government that brooks denial. The Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, responding on Wednesday to a complaint against the bill filed by the European Union, said the government wouldnt succumb to "blackmail, threats and intimidation." "No threats will stand in our way. We wont let anyone from the outside treat us this way," he told reporters.

"Outside" in this instance is a Union whose democratic and civic norms Poland enthusiastically embraced when it joined the EU in 2004 with nine other states, eight of which were formerly Communist-ruled. "Outside" is a Union which, in 2015, pumped in EUR13.4bn ($14.2bn) to its economy, by some way the largest subsidy to any EU member.

Over the 13 years of its membership, Poland has received some EUR150bn. "What we are witnessing," writes the Polish-Nigerian commentator Remi Adekoya, "is, without doubt, one of the largest wealth transfers between nations in modern history."

"Outside" is a Western world where the rule of laws must take precedence over the rule of leaders. Where the divisions of ethnicity must no longer be a matter of discrimination or prejudice.

"Outside" is also globalization, the complex networks of trade agreements, transnational corporate production and overarching financial, political and legal institutions. And "outside" has been suffused, since the collapse of Soviet communism in 1991, with a broadly liberal ideology which stresses openness, multiculturalism and constant willingness to change.

The current Polish government is against most of that. And why should it not be? So is the leader of the Western world.

President Donald Trump, in a speech in Warsaw early this month, forbore to mention the justice law, instead sharing distaste for the news media with President Duda and lamenting the decline of Europe, implicitly exempting Poland from that decline. Home again, Trump signalled that he remains a reactionary by banning transgender people from the military. He had already shown his belief that government was all about him by attacking Attorney General Jeff Sessions for recusing himself from an investigation about alleged Russian involvement in the 2016 election - as by law Sessions had to - and in doing so, being "unfair" to the president.

A shift is taking place in politics and society worldwide, and no-one can know how far it will go. The release from communism in the early 1990s was expected by many - including me, then a correspondent in Eastern Europe - to result in a stable embrace of liberal democratic norms by the former communist countries, including Russia itself.

That was a liberal illusion. It is now being proven wrong, most starkly in Russia, but also in Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and possibly - after the coming October election - in the Czech Republic. The opposite of communism, in these countries, is not now liberal democracy, but semi-authoritarian nationalism. That had been a discreet component of communism; it has flourished much more openly since communism collapsed. As the European Council president Donald Tusk (a former Prime Minister of Poland) put it - "Poland is moving us back, in time and space, to the East."

But it isnt just the East. Trump is a standing affront to the ideals and practices of democratic statehood, which have had the adherence, more or less, of liberals, conservatives and social democrats in the post-war West. Under his giant shadow, movements of both the far left and right have become less inhibited about their distaste for political establishments they see as moribund, even illegitimate.

The far left showed one version of this at the G-20 summit in Hamburg earlier this month. German Chancellor Angela Merkel chose Hamburg for its radical, open culture - only to have parts of the city trashed and burned by mainly young, often masked demonstrators. A Syrian bystander, who had arrived 18 months before as a refugee, told a reporter, "I can't believe my eyes. They have such a beautiful country and they're destroying it."

The protesters destroyed more than Hamburgs shops (and put more than 200 of the 20,000 police deployed in hospital). As the veteran German journalist, Josef Joffe put it, the 'anti-capitalist demonstrations are "the postmodern version of Romes bread and circuses - almost no risk and lots of fun. And selfies."

On the right, ideologists like Trumps senior adviser Steve Bannon embrace the most lurid themes and practices of tabloid journalism, especially in representing immigrants as criminal and lazy, the state as oppressive and mainstream politicians as corrupt, in order to cement a bloc of the public behind a right-wing program. According to the journalist Ian Birell, Trump is now a role model for authoritarian leaders in Liberia, Rwanda and Cambodia. When Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was asked in an interview about nepotism, by employing her sons in her administration, she shot back: "My sons? Ask Trump!"

A large part of the Western public is indeed justified in disappointment with and fear of what they see as the effects of liberal globalization. Wages have stagnated, rapid change has favored the elites and the wealthy and skills which gave shape to lives, even communities, are now captured by increasingly intelligent machines. But, as both Americans and Poles are discovering, the "cure" from the far right is worse.

The extremes wish to make sure that the center will not hold. Theres a fight on between the nationalist and the globalist visions which, even after the defeat of the far right in France and the Netherlands, remains intense. Moderate liberalism, after years of easy assumption that its bases were secure, now must show itself capable of mind-to-mind combat. (Reporting by John Lloyd)
99X Technology held Sri Lankas first-ever technical meetup on the open source web framework Serverless earlier this month. The event saw some awesome cutting-edge globally trending tech insights shared with an eager audience.

Serverless: A new technological trend that has been changing the way developers think about writing web applications. Its a free and open source web framework that has been gaining popularity globally in recent times. The meetup last week was to bring to the Sri Lankan IT community the new developments surrounding the Serverless framework, which is also gaining traction fast locally.

The speakers featured a mix of the local and global, with sessions by Serverless Inc. Lead Front-End Engineer Nik Graf and 99X Technology Associate Technical Architect Ashan Fernando, and the Meetup was seen as a great way of bringing together people with shared interests in open source technologies and frameworks.

Held at 99X Technology, the Meetup kicked off with Serverless Inc.s Nik Graf who conducted a remote session from Vienna, Austria, delivering an insightful introduction to Serverless Architecture, exploring the benefits and challenges associated with using it. In addition to being the perfect icebreaker for professionals who were new to the framework, the session gave other participants the vital opportunity to clarify issues they had faced while using Serverless in their work.

Ashan Fernando from 99X Technology reached out in his session to the participants who had already started using Serverless in their work, by relating his personal experiences with which the audience connected well. The session grew to an interactive forum with great takeaways for the Sri Lankan IT community.

Given the welcome by the local IT community and embracing of the concept of this gathering, it was decided by 99X Technology to proceed with more meetups of this nature with a view of powering knowledge sharing across the industry. Being a thought leader in the local IT sphere, many more events are lined up by 99X Technology for the coming months with international speakers.
UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank had a two-part pitch for Foxconn executives when she chatted with them during a dinner at the governors mansion earlier this month.

First: Her university could play an important role in training the workers who would fill Foxconns facility, Blank told them. And second: Its status as a research powerhouse  particularly in medicine and engineering  could boost the companys ambitions in the field of medical imaging.

Now that Wisconsin has succeeded in wooing Foxconn, Blank and others are working to do something similar by developing research partnerships with the Taiwanese electronics giant that could pour new funding into UW-Madison.

My main message was: There is a world-class university in Madison, Wisconsin, Blank told the Wisconsin State Journal, recounting her informal talks with Foxconn officials. If you came to this state, there are many ways in which we can help you do your work even better.

There is much UW-Madison does not yet know about what Foxconns plans  which call for a $10 billion investment and a massive plant somewhere in southeastern Wisconsin where up to 13,000 workers will assemble liquid-crystal display panels  will mean for the university.

Gov. Scott Walker told WTMJ-AM on Thursday that institutions will need to start training people now for jobs at the facility, which is scheduled to open in 2020 and will be aided by a state incentive package worth up to $3 billion.

Were going to start doing programs specifically targeted towards getting the workforce theyre going to need, Walker said.

Wisconsin Technical College System spokesman Conor Smyth said the schools that surround the area where the facility is expected to go  Gateway, Blackhawk, Waukesha County and Milwaukee Area technical colleges  already offer advanced manufacturing programs.

Smyth said he expects the colleges will use those programs as a foundation, and supplement them with courses tailored to Foxconns needs. Technical colleges regularly work with businesses to develop curriculum to train prospective employees.

In talks with Foxconn executives and state officials, Smyth said, The discussion was really about, Are we ready? And the answer was that we were.

Blank said UW-Madison officials will need to know more about Foxconns plans to determine what new courses or programs will have to be developed.

Thats the next round of conversations, she said.

UW will face competition

for research funds

Blank said there are good prospects for collaboration between the company and UW-Madison, as well as other engineering programs at UWs Platteville and Milwaukee campuses.

Much like the competition between states for the new Foxconn facility, though, Blank acknowledged UW-Madison will have to convince company officials that it deserves those research partnerships over other institutions.

They could go to any university across the country and create collaborations if they wanted to, she said.

Along with the benefit of being geographically close to the proposed plant site, connections between Foxconn and UW-Madisons Carbone Cancer Center could give the university a leg up.

Foxconn and its CEO, Terry Gou, have been major donors to National Taiwan University and its cancer center. That center is led by Dr. Ann-Lii Cheng, who studied at UW-Madison for two years at the same time as Dr. Howard Bailey, who now runs the Carbone Cancer Center. The two are still friends and colleagues, said Susan Lampert Smith, a spokeswoman for the center.

Officials from Foxconns medical group met with Bailey and other Carbone researchers on July 11 to discuss collaborations that would benefit both institutions, Smith said. Cheng also joined Gou for a tour of Wisconsin and other states earlier this summer.

In another connection, Doug Albregts, CEO of the television maker Sharp, which Foxconn acquired last year, is a UW-Madison alumnus.

They have a strong interest in imaging devices and we have a very, very strong group in that area, Blank said. The opportunities for research collaborations with the medical school and the engineering school are very strong.
Over 10,300 schools, including National, Provincial and Semi-Govt. schools across the country would be closed for educational activities today as a part of extensive three-day dengue prevention campaign, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said.

Minister Kariyawasam said he had instructed the officials that all schools should be closed for educational activities today.

He said two circulars have been issued in this regard. One circular was issued to close the schools for education purposes on Friday in order to conduct the campaign. The second circular that was issued instructing the principals to organize a dengue prevention campaign each Sunday during the August school vacation.

Principals have also been instructed to clean the school premises during the last two days prior to the schools reopen.

Accordingly, the students have been permitted to come to schools today clad in decent clothes which is appropriate for cleaning activities, the Minister said. Also the Ministry had discussed with the three armed forces and they had assured to provide their support for the dengue prevention campaigns. The cleaning activities in schools should be done as Shramadana.

Minister Kariyawasam requested all principals, teachers, parents, past pupils associations and the people of the area to assist the students to help clean the premises.

Moreover, the ministry has said that they were unable to intervene the International School Management, but said it would be appreciable if they too take part in this prevention activities to safeguard the children of their schools. (Chaturanga Pradeep)
Barcelona, (Daily Mail), 28 July 2017 - At least 48 people have been injured in a train crash in Barcelona.



Five of the wounded, including the train driver, are said to be in a serious condition.

The shocking accident happened just after 7am local time on Friday at Barcelonas Franca train station, one of the busiest in the city. The front of the train was badly damaged after it smashed into a buffer as it arrived from the village of San Vicente Calders around 50 miles away. The accident coincided with the beginning of a national rail strike.



Hundreds of trains were cancelled after trade union members promised to stop working between midnight and 11pm Friday.



Local reports said at least 18 people had been taken to hospital.Witnesses said a block of metal that formed part of the buffer ended up more than six feet inside the front carriage. Firefighters rushed to the scene along with police and paramedics. The area where the accident happened has been cordoned off. The conductor was reported to be in a state of shock afterwards.
My husband, Selavarasa Jayanthan (39) from Jaffna, was never a member of the LTTE. It is a rumour to say that he was a former combatant. My husband fired unintentionally, the wife of the main suspect said.

Two people were arrested in connections with the shooting incident targeting Jaffna High Court Judge, M. Elancheliyan at the Nallur South Road on July 22.

The main suspect surrendered on Tuesday morning and made his statement to the Police.

"After consuming liquor with some people in my house at Nallur on Saturday, we came to the Temple Road Junction on the Point Pedro Road. At that moment my cousin pointed at a Police Officer coming on a motorcycle and challenged me to shoot him, grabbing his pistol if I had the guts. Hearing this I grabbed the pistol at once from the Police Officer which went off accidentally," the suspect said.

Following that, brandishing the pistol, I once again stopped a scooter that was coming in that direction and taking it by force, I went through the Adiyapatham Road to Kalviyankadu area and from there I went to Ariyalai.

After abandoning the scooter behind the Peychchi Amman temple, I went to my maternal aunts' house in Thirunagar.

I told my aunt that I had hit a Police Officer in my drunken state and that the Police were searching for me. I changed my clothes there and went to the Kombayanmanal cemetery, where I spent the night.

I spent the following day at a relative's house in Navanthurai. That night, I went to my uncle's place at Koddady. My uncle who had come to know the incident at Nallur, advised me to surrender to the Police. So I went with my uncle, surrendered to the Police and made my statement, he said.

The Police, after obtaining the statement from the suspect, took the suspect to his maternal aunt's house at Thirunagar in the Police vehicle with his face covered with a black cloth.

There the Police recovered the clothes worn by the suspect during the shooting.

The suspect was produced before the Jaffna Magistrate at his official residence on Tuesday. He was ordered to be remanded till August 8. (By M.Rosanth)
From left: Sanjay Tiwari, Piramal Glass Ceylon PLC, Vice President ILCCI, Tilak De Zoysa,Carson Cumberbatch PLC, Committee Member of ILCCI, T. S. Sandhu, High Commissioner for India in Sri Lanka and the Chief Guest, Vish Govindasamy, Watawala Plantations PLC, President ILCCI, Romesh David, John Keells Holdings PLC, Vice President ILCCI and Ayoni Waniganayake, Senior Assistant Secretary General, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce

The Ninth Annual General meeting of the Indo Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ILCCI) was held recently at Taj Samudra Colombo.



Speaking atthe occasion, Chief Guest at the Occasion, High Commissioner of India, T. S. Sandhu said, Economic relations, have become an important element, in any bilateral relations today. However old the ties are, however strong the civilizational links are, to use Prime Minister Modis terminology, in his address to Ceylon Chambers, in March 2015, economic cooperation, is often the locomotive that gives it momentum.



The High Commissioner also stated that the MoU singed for cooperation in joint economic projects in April this year identifies specific projects in sectors such as energy, power, roads, ports, railways etc. He said India is closely working with Sri Lankan authorities for timely implementation of these projects. He also pointed out that Indias development partnership with Sri Lanka currently stands at US $ 2.6 billion and ready to strengthen further, based on Sri Lankas needs.



The Group Managing Director of Watawala Plantations Vish Govindasamy was reelected as the President of the Ceylon Chamber led Indo Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ILCCI) at its 9th Annual General Meeting. Addressing the membership at the AGM, Vish Govindasamy stated, India is Sri Lankas third largest export destination.

In 2016, total exports to India declined to US dollars 554 million from US dollars 643 million in 2015. It is also significant to note that Sri Lankas exports to India under the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA), saw a decline in 2016, being US$ 375 million compared to US$ 407 million in 2015. He further stated that it is being envisaged that greater trade openness would enable export growth and diversification of Sri Lankas economy.



Romesh David, The President  Transportation Group of John Keells Holdings PLC was re-elected as Vice President of ILCCI, whilst Sanjay Tiwari, President/ Executive Directorof Piramal Glass Ceylon PLC was newly elected as the 2ndVice President. Mano Selvanathan, Group Director of Carson Cumberbatch PLC remains as the Immediate Past President.



The current Committee of ILCCI comprises of, Associated Motorways, Carson Cumberbatch PLC Citihealth Imports (Pvt) Ltd,ICICI Bank,Lanka IOC PLC, Tata Communications Lanka Ltd. along with the Director General of the Department of Commerceand the First Secretary of Economic and Commercial of the Indian High Commission.



The ILCCI, is registered under the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce functions as the Secretariat of the ILCCI.
Aries (Mesha):



A good time professionally and financially, cordial relations with relatives, brothers and sisters, Influence, wealth and comforts are held out by Venus in your 3rd House. However, mental unrest and blood-related disease, heart and digestive troubles are likely to be caused by the Sun  Mars combination in the 4th House. You are likely to incur the displeasure of your spouse and children due to the adverse influence of Mercury now in your 5th House. Monetary gains from speculation and gaming activity are indicated for those running the Rahu Maha Dasa.



Taurus (Vrushabha):



Students would do well in their studies. Venus in your 2nd House continues to hold out benefits like marital happiness, wealth, general prosperity and even patronage from rulers. Meanwhile, Sun  Mars combination in your 3rd House assures good health, increased power and influence and happiness from brothers in addition to enhanced wealth and influence. Mercury in your 4th House assures relief from mental worries, welcome family reunions and an increase in income.



Gemini (Mithuna):



Material and sensual pleasures, marital happiness and peace and harmony in the family are among the benefits held out by Venus in the 1st House. However, the unfavourable Sun -Mars combination in the 2nd House can cause a drop in your income, eye trouble, and domestic problems, involvement in disputes and attempts to bring you into disrepute and intrigues by enemies. Saturn now in your 6th House is quite auspicious for you. You are assured of increased wealth and improved health as a result.



Cancer (Kataka):



Venus in your 12th House indicates heavy expenditures after an initial rise in your income. A theft in the house is a possibility. However, marital happiness is assured. Sun  Mars combination in your 1st House can affect your general health by causing an excess in Pitta (bile). Meanwhile, though Mars in your 1st House makes you energetic, could cause blood-related disease. Long stay-planets Rahu in the 2nd, Jupiter in the 3rd and Saturn in the 5th House indicate an unfavourable time marked by obstacles, heavy expenditures and events that could cause immense grief.



Leo (Sinha):



A good social time, monetary gains, relief from debts, a good reputation and general happiness are assured by Venus in the 11th House. However, Sun -Mars combination in the 12th House holds out unfavourable results such as poor health, disrepute, heavy expenses, eye disease and mental worries. Mercury in the 1st House is a warning for you to keep wicked and malicious persons at arms length.



Virgo (Kanya):



Venus transit in your 10th House could cause you mental unrest, financial problems and disrepute due to manipulations by enemies. Sun  Mars combination in your 11th House heralds a very favourable time for you as it holds out satisfaction from your career, patronage from VIPs in addition to enhanced returns from business and other economic activity. Mercury in the 12th House indicates heavy expenditures and bids by enemies to humiliate you. Rahu in the 12th House is favourable for foreign travel.



Libra (Thula):



Venus gochara in the 9th House assures comforts and luxuries, auspicious events at home, general prosperity and gainful distant, possibly foreign travel. Sun -Mars combination in the 10th House brings fame and bright career prospects for natives running favourable Dasas. Saturn now in the 2nd House being the Yogakaraka may produce beneficial effects such as increased wealth and happiness in the family. Jupiter in the 12th House is likely to keep you away from your spouse and children.



Scorpio (Vrushika):



Physical comforts, acquisition of lands and property and matrimonial prospects are held out by Venus in your 8th House. Sun -Mars combination in the 9th House though favourable for religious and spiritual activity could cause humiliation and loss of wealth and status. You have to be braced for setbacks and disappointments resulting from unforeseen impediments. You have come again under Ashtamaya Shani Erashtaka with retrograde Saturn entering your Lagna again.



Sagittarius (Dhanu):



Venus in your 7th House is a warning for you to brace for a period of trouble from women and financial difficulties as well. Sun -Mars combination in the 8th House could cause blood-related disease in addition to loss of wealth, assaults on honour and even emergency surgical treatment. You are temporarily relieved of the direct impact of Jamma Shani Erashtaka as Saturn has moved into your 12th House.



Capricorn (Makara):



Poor health and troubles from females are indicated by Venus in your 6th House. Meanwhile, Sun  Mars combination in the 7th House holds out a brief unfavourable spell marked by ill health, an unhappy married life, loss of wealth and disputes with partners. Lagnadhipati Saturn in your 11th House, however, assures you of a sound financial position and enhanced comforts. Jupiter in the 9th House is a great redeeming feature as he holds out general prosperity and gainful foreign or distant travel.



Aquarius (Kumbha):



Venus in the 5th House heralds an auspicious time for artistes in general and those engaged in modelling and acting in particular. Marital happiness is also assured. Sun  Mars combination in the 6th House holds out good health, increased wealth, power and influence, success in contests and competitions and a whip hand over enemies and rivals. Those running the Maha Dasa of Saturn could look forward to a rise in career.



Pisces (Meena):



Enhanced returns from agricultural pursuits, happiness from children and peace and harmony in the family are indicated by Venus in your 4th House. Poor health and monetary problems will begin troubling you due to the adverse influence of Sun and Mars in your 5th House. Events that could mar your marital happiness are also a possibility. Jupiter continuing transit in the 7th House assures you of a comfortable living.
Kia Motors Corporation Regional HQ/ Asia Deputy General Manager H. M. Sun and Kia Motors (Lanka) Limited Managing Director Mahen Thambiah with some of the Korean students at the symbolic presentation of Kias contribution towards the construction of the pre-school building

Children of the Dikkowita area in Hendala have received a new purpose-built pre-school thanks to the generosity of a group of Korean students and funding support from Korean car maker Kia.

The group of 100 Korean students engaged in the project under the Happy Move Global Youth Programme, a worldwide CSR initiative conceptualised and financially supported by Kia Motors.

The Korean volunteers were joined by three Sri Lankan college students to help build the 2,112 square foot preschool comprising of five rooms of 422 square feet each. Kia Motors donated Rs.15 million (US$100,000) towards the construction.



In addition, Kia also provided airfare, accommodation and logistics for the 100 Korean student volunteers that participated in the construction of the floor and walls of the building, helping move cement, sand, rocks and bricks. The students also contributed towards the community by getting involved with the neighbourhood children through painting, making toys and playing games.

Besides facilitating the education of young children, the new preschool will also serve a centre for after-school programmes such as teaching English, painting and music.



The centre is to be managed Korea Food for the Hungry International (KFHI) and is intended to benefit underprivileged families of the neighbourhood. The preschool and the afterschool programmes will initially educate a total of 80 students, but the KFHI will work to increase the number of beneficiaries thereafter.



Speaking at the handing over ceremony of the preschool, graced by representatives from Kia Motors Korea and Sri Lanka, Kia Motors (Lanka) Managing Director Mahen Thambiah said: Including Sri Lanka in the Happy Move Global Youth Programme this is year is very encouraging and epitomises our social responsibility beyond building environment-friendly vehicles.



The summer of 2017 marked the 19th edition of the Happy Move Global Youth Programme. Korean student volunteers travelled to Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam and Cambodia under the programme this year to participate in community projects.



The ethos of the Happy Move Global Youth Programme revolves around raising young people to be future leaders, fostering the exchange of cultures by creating co-working opportunities between Korean and international youths, and contributing towards the international community

at large.



This programme has been held twice annually for the past 10 years and grants Korean students the opportunity to volunteer in 21 countries including China, India, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Taiwan, Hungary, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Laos, Tanzania, Malawi, Ghana, Malaysia, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Cambodia. A total of 8,500 Korean students have volunteered under the Happy Move Global Youth Programme to date.



While residing in these countries for approximately a month and a half, the students volunteer to build local schools, houses and community centres in lesser privileged neighbourhoods, raise environment awareness in the local communities, teach traffic safety, basic engineering and hygiene, and introduce traditional Korean culture to the communities they work with.
ISLAMABAD/KARACHI

The Supreme Court on Friday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from holding public office in a landmark decision on the Panama Papers case.



Shortly after, the PM House issued a notification saying that Nawaz Sharif, despite having strong reservations on the SCs verdict, has stepped down from his post as the premier. Reacting to the courts order, a PML-N spokesperson said that the party will utilise all legal and constitutional means to contest the verdict.



The decision brings Sharifs third term in power to an unceremonious end, roughly one year before the scheduled general elections which would have seen him become the first Pakistani prime minister to complete a full five-year term. It is unclear at the moment who will be appointed to take over the post till the next general elections, which are scheduled for 2018.



The Supreme Court said the ECP should de-seat the PM for not disclosing his role in the Dubai-based Capital FZE company in his nomination papers, saying that this meant he was not honest.

Justice Khan, who had headed the apex courts implementation bench announced that the larger bench had unanimously deemed PM Sharif unfit for holding office and would also order an accountability court to open references against him and his family.



The judges ruled that he had been dishonest to parliament and the courts, and could not be deemed fit for his office.
he most peaceful countries in the world are Iceland, Portugal, Austria, New Zealand and Denmark, according to the new Global Peace Index, in a new 136-page report, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace in Sydney, Australia. The most violent are Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and South Sudan.

Seen from a spaceship the most violent ones appear more or less clustered in a corner of the earth. Its not that the rest of the globe is at peace but even where there is fighting there is not the wholesale destruction of cities that we see every day on TV, as, for example, when the cameras follow the multi-sided civil war in Syria. Indeed, violence away from these five countries is localised. Nowhere else does it consume whole societies. The fickle eye of television needs to show more peace and less conflict if it is to project a balanced picture.

There is spasmodic fighting in the Congo, Mali, Nigeria and Somalia in Africa. In Asia there are the Muslim rebellions in Kashmir, southern Thailand, the Philippines and Myanmar. Israel and the Palestinians may appear to edge to the brink of war from time to time but the heavy violence when it comes dissipates these days after a week or two. There is no permanent Intifada which at one time looked likely. In the Americas, both North and South, and the Caribbean there is no widespread fighting to speak of. There is the appalling gang violence in El Salvador, the astronomical murder rate in Honduras and, alongside the truce, still some pockets of guerrilla fighting in Colombia. Overall, South America is the most improved part of the world.

"The world over there is a lessening in political terror- such things as extra-judicial killings, imprisonment without trial and torture- except in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and the Middle East"



In the US the murder rates and organised criminality are unacceptably high, even though in most big cities- Chicago is the biggest exception-the murder rate has declined over the last decade, probably because of better policing and the spread over the last 30 years in the availability of abortions to poor women who dont have the wherewithal or the stable family life to bring up their sons to be non-violent.

The European Union is the most peaceful region in the world, although there are countries- Poland is the worst- where the intensity of organised internal conflict and the likelihood of violent demonstrations suggest the danger of a falling-back.

This grand peace has a lot to do with the profound desire to avoid another world war. During the twentieth century Europe was the most violent part of the world- not surprising since war has been practised over the millennia, more than any other part of the world. The other factor that gives peace such deep foundations is the European Union. It was ex British Prime Minister David Cameron who warned during the foolish Brexit campaign that a leave vote might lead to war in Europe again. This may be overstating it but it wasnt as ridiculous an observation as many have made out.

The world over there is a lessening in political terror- such things as extra-judicial killings, imprisonment without trial and torture- except in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and the Middle East.

"In most of the world violent crime has decreased, as has the number of homicides. Military expenditure as a percentage of national income has gone down. In the US, under President Barack Obama, US military operations abroad were significantly wound down"



Last year deaths from terrorism decreased by 10%. This is the most important trend of all, one that has been almost totally ignored by the worlds media, although in fairness where terrorism has increased it is in the parts of the world with the most powerful and far-reaching media- Europe and North America- which inevitably focus on the terrorism at home. Still, as is wittily but truthfully said, the locals are more likely to be killed by falling off a ladder or babies drowning in the bath than by a terrorist attack. Deaths caused by terrorism in Western countries account for less than 2% of all deaths from terrorism worldwide.

In most of the world violent crime has decreased, as has the number of homicides. Military expenditure as a percentage of national income has gone down. In the US, under President Barack Obama, US military operations abroad were significantly wound down.

South America is the continent that in recent years has exhibited the most positive changes. Argentina, Peru, Paraguay and Guyana have led the way. Eight of the eleven countries in South America have improved their levels of peace.

In contrast, in Africa political instability, after years of improvement, has got worse. In Asia, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan, the latter long riven by the violence of Muslim extremists, have improved their level of peacefulness.

In sum, if one excludes the Middle East, South Sudan and Afghanistan, the world is as peaceful as it was a decade ago. The Cassandras have it wrong. We are not living in the best of times- that was the period immediately following on the end of the Cold War. But we are certainly a long, long, way from the worst of times.



For 17 years, the writer has been a foreign affairs columnist for the International Herald Tribune/New York Times.
(c) 2017, The Washington Post  Samantha Schmidt  Jul 27, 2017 - The extended family members all lived within yards of each other, in a small village in Pakistans Punjab.A daughter of the family, around the age of 12 or 13, was cutting the grass in nearby fields on July 16 when a teenage boy covered her with a cloth and raped her. The boy was a 16-year-old relative of hers.



The familys elders gathered in shock and anguish, seeking to resolve what had happened.

But mourning soon led to vengeance. The elders - who effectively served as the village council - decided that justice should be served as revenge. They instructed the victims brother, who is about 16, to rape the teenage sister of the attacker in return for his crime, Ahsan Younis, head of the Multan city police, told The Washington Post.
Todays Parliament session was adjourned till August 4 by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya a short while ago following a tense situation between MPs of the government and the opposition during the vote session on provisions related to the Essential Services Gazette.

The debate on the Hambantota Port deal which was scheduled to be taken up today was also postponed.
Judicial Watch Files Three Lawsuits for Info on FBI Acting Director Andrew McCabe First lawsuit seeks communications between FBI and McCabe concerning "ethical issues" involving wife's political campaign; second seeks McCabe communications with Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe; third seeks McCabe travel vouchers



Contact: Jill Farrell, Judicial Watch, 202-646-5172



WASHINGTON, July 28, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- Judicial Watch today announced that it filed three separate Freedom of Information (FOIA) lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Justice seeking records for current FBI Acting Director Andrew McCabe relating to his political activities, travel vouchers, and employment status. The first two lawsuits specifically seek records of McCabe's political activities involving his wife's failed campaign for political office and interactions with Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe.



The first FOIA lawsuit, filed on July 24 (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. 1:17-cv-01494)), seeks the following: Any and all records of communication between FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe and other FBI or Department of Justice ("DOJ") officials regarding, concerning or relating to ethical issues concerning the involvement of Andrew McCabe and/or his wife, Dr. Jill McCabe, in political campaigns;



Any and all records related to ethical guidance concerning political activities provided to Deputy Director McCabe by FBI and/or DOJ officials or elements. The second Judicial Watch FOIA lawsuit, filed on July 26, seeks communication records between then-Deputy Director McCabe and Gov. Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and the Democratic Party of Virginia (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. 1:17-cv-01495)), including: Any and all records of communication between Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe and any of the following individuals:



Any official within the office of the Governor of Virginia, including but not limited to Governor Terry McAuliffe;

Any official, representative or employee with the Democratic National Committee;

Any official, representative or employee with the Democratic Party of Virginia.

In 2015, a political action committee run by McAuliffe, a close friend and political supporter of Bill and Hillary Clinton, donated nearly $500,000 to Jill McCabe, wife of McCabe, who was then running for the Virginia State Senate. Also, the Virginia Democratic Party, over which McAuliffe had significant influence, donated an additional $207,788 to the Jill McCabe campaign. In July 2015, Andrew McCabe was in charge of the FBI's Washington, DC, field office, which provided personnel resources to the Clinton email probe.



The Hatch Act prohibits FBI employees from engaging "in political activity in concert with a political party, a candidate for partisan political office, or a partisan political group."



The third FOIA lawsuit, also filed by Judicial Watch on July 26 (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. 1:17-cv-01493)), seeks the following: Any and all Standard Forms 50 and 52 (i.e., SF-50s and SF-52s) for FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe;



Any and all requests for approvals of travel submitted by FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe;



Any and all travel vouchers and accompanying receipts and related documentation submitted by FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe;



Any and all calendar entries for FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. MORE: www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-files-three-lawsuits-info-fbi-acting-director-andrew-mccabe/

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Sri Lanka to sign deal after addressing security concerns

Prime Minister says deal will help ease debt burden

Marxist JVP ask for public consultation before signing the deal

Sri Lanka will finally sign a US$1.1 billion deal today to lease the southern Hambantota port to China, after several months of delay caused by local protests and claims by opposing politicians that this would threaten national security.



Located near the main shipping route from Asia to Europe and likely to play a key role in Chinas Belt and Road initiative, the Hambantota port has been mired in controversy since state-run China Merchants Port Holdings, that built it for US$1.5 billion, signed an agreement taking an 80 percent stake.



The pact signed last year sparked widespread public anger as Chinese control of the port, which included a plan for a 99-year lease of 15,000 acres (23 sq miles) to develop an industrial zone next door, raised fears the port could be used for Chinese naval vessels.



To help ease these concerns, Sri Lankas Cabinet approved earlier this week a revised deal to cut the Chinese firms stake to 70 percent and assured the port would not be used for military purposes. We will sign the Hambantota agreement tomorrow. We are giving the country a better deal without any implications on security, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the United National Party, told reporters yesterday.



The deal will also help Sri Lanka manage its foreign debt better, he added. Sri Lankas total external debts stood at Rs.4.08 trillion (US$26.52 billion) as of end-March. The previous government led by Mahinda Rajapaksa had borrowed more than US$6 billion from China.



This agreement is related to long-term economy and national security. So this deal needs to be discussed in the parliament and among the public. You should not rush to sign this without any consultation, Aunra Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peremuna, told reporters in Colombo.

The Hambantota port deal was scheduled to be debated yesterday, but the parliament was adjourned to Aug. 4 after the opposition disrupted proceedings over a trade union action.



Government and diplomatic sources told Reuters that the United States, India and Japan have raised concerns over possible military activities by China in Hambantota port.



Indias concerns come after increased outreach by Beijing to Indias neighbours, including Nepal and Bangladesh, and Chinas ongoing development of the Port of Gwadar in Pakistan, said Shailesh Kumar, Eurasias senior analyst for Asia.



However, the revised deal approved by Colombo seeks to allay these concerns by providing for the formation of two companies to split the operations of the port. Sri Lanka will have a major stake in the firm dealing with security, while China will run the other company that will be in charge of business.

-REUTERS
The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) today urged Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to prove the governments attempt to solve the issues regarding the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) controversy through actions and not by talk.

GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge told a news conference that even though they had made many attempts to discuss these issues with President Maithripala Sirisena, the Prime Minister and several ministers, those discussions turned futile due to the intervention of an invisible force.

We have called off our recent strike following a discussion held with Law and Order Minister Sagala Rathnayaka and he had assured us of releasing the university students who were arrested on baseless charges. Those students were to be released yesterday but it has been disrupted due to the absence of the Attorney General in courts, he said.

He said there was no use of carrying out discussions and arriving at conclusions in such a manner and added that it could be considered as a huge issue. He also said therefore the Executive Committee of the GMOA had decided not to take part in any discussions in formation of minimum standards to medical education.

He said even though the Prime Minister had advised his secretary to conduct immediate necessities to standardize the medical education, the other related authorities including legal institutes were not in support to carry on it.

The government should reveal this invisible force behind these incidents, whose intervention which has caused contradictions of the agreements arrived by the government and us. We would not take apart in any discussion until the government reveals this force that was sabotaging these proceedings, he said. (Kalathma Jayawardhane)

Video by Buddhi
The Supreme Court yesterday ordered the officers of Terrorists Investigation Department (TID) to hand over the premises they are occupying in Wellawatte to the owners within 8 weeks.

Court delivered its judgment on the fundamental rights petition of two expatriate Sri Lankans who are residents of Switzerland complaining of the alleged unlawful occupation of their own premises at Wellawatte by officers of the Terrorists Investigation Department.

Justice B.P.Aluvihara with Chief Justice Priyasath Dep and Justice Anil Gooneratne agreeing in his judgment held that the petitioners fundametal right to equality has been violated by the TID and awarded Rs 500,000 to the petitioners as compensation.

The court also ordered for the payment to the Petitioners as costs.

The Court declared that the amended Emergency Regulations was ultra vires and null and void.

Petitioners Shanmugam Sivarajah Nagarajah and Sivarajah Sarojini Devi cited OIC of the TID, its Director, DIG of the TID, Inspector Abdeen and Subair of the TID, IGP, Secretary and Additional Secretary to the Defence Ministry, Lalith Weeratunge who was the Secretary to the former President and the Attorney General as Respondents.

Valarmathy Sundaralingam, who is the Power of Attorney Holder for the Petitioners Shanmugam Sivarajah and Sivarajah Sarojini Devi filed a Counter Affidavit on behalf of the Petitioners.

She stated one Sivapragasam Vijayanesan who was the cousin of the 2nd Petitioner Sarojini Devi facilitated the purchase on behalf of the Petitioner and initially was in occupation of the said premises.

The Petitioner Sivarajah left the country as a refugee due to the conditions that prevailed in the country.

Valarmathy in her affidavit stated the said Vijayanesan was entrusted with the said property on trust and he acted on the petitioners behalf on entering in to agreements with person for the lease of the house informally namely to the Centre for Health. Later she said Vijayanesan had migrated to Australia in 2008.

She pointed out it is mysterious as to how the 1st Respondent OIC and his officers would conclude that the said property had been used to commit offences and/or illegal activities and then take action to release the employees who were arrested from the said Centre who would have been part of the said illegal activities.

The female officers of the TID commenced occupying the said premises on July 26, 2009 and the purported order made by the Defence Minister was made in December 2009 and the same had been communicated to the IGP only on December 28 of 2009, she pointed out. The OIC of the TID failed to explain the manner in which the said female officers were authorized to lodge in the said premises and if it was done under authority, there would have been some form of documentation authorizing them to occupy, she alleged.

She stated she lived in the said premises with her elderly relative and his younger daughter. Although the 1st floor is occupied by female police officers, occasionally men visited the premises even at night and whereby they were compelled to keep the gates of the said premises opened even at night.

Both parties had earlier informed Court that they were attempting to settle the matter and the Court granted time for settlement.

The Court had granted leave to proceed with this rights petition for the alleged infringement of their fundamental right to equality.

Saliya Peiris instructed by Gowry Shangary Thavarasha appeared for the Petitioners. ( S.S.Selvanayagam)
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court that it was in the process of identifying the individual in the vehicle which had followed Wasim Thajudeens vehicle at the time of the incident.

When Additional Magistrate Jeyaram Trotsky enquired into the progress of the investigation, Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Dilan Ratnayake informed court that CID is in the process of tracking the phone calls made by the victim before his death.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) also informed court that they had concluded the investigation on former Chief Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) Prof. Ananda Samarasekara and that the report had been submitted to court last month. The SLMC stated that it had found the former Chief JMO guilty of three of the five charges filed against him.

The SLMC further said that it had concluded investigations on two other JMOs, Shiyantha Amararatne and C. K. Rajaguru on two charges related to the missing body parts of the slain former Havelocks ruggerite and found both were not guilty.

Meanwhile, the DSG said the SLMC and the CID were collaborating on investigations related to the former Chief JMO and would report to the court if there were grounds to arrest Prof. Samarasekara.

On September 21, 2016, the CID informed court that several body parts of Wasim Thajudeen were missing and were allegedly removed from the mortuary coolers at the Colombo JMO office to 'SAITM' in Malabe.

The CID also sought to extend the period allowed to continue investigations. The Additional Magistrate fixed the case for August 24 for the next hearing. (Yoshitha Perera)

Video by Courts Prasanna
By Tim Ross

U.K. Prime Minister Theresa Mays director of strategy resigned, leaving the British government without the author of her Brexit vision at a critical time in negotiations with the European Union.

Chris Wilkins will leave his post in Mays office -10 Downing Street- on Wednesday.



The departure means that May has lost both her top strategists in the wake of last months general election. Nick Timothy, her co-chief of staff, quit the day after Mays Conservatives were stripped of their parliamentary majority in the poll. He and Wilkins wrote the Brexit speech in January in which she set out her plan to take the U.K. out of the single market and customs union.



Wilkins, who informed May of his decision last week, said he intends to work in the private sector as a communications consultant.

(c) 2017, Bloomberg  Jul 27, 2017
CARACAS AFP July28, 2017- Venezuela careened towards a showdown on its streets Friday between anti-government protesters and security forces, raising international alarm at worsening deadly unrest and prompting the United States to order the families of embassy staff out.



The opposition called fresh nationwide demonstrations to defy a new government ban on rallies ahead of a controversial vote Sunday to elect a body to rewrite the constitution.



Four months of protests against unpopular leftist President Nicolas Maduro have already claimed 112 lives, according to prosecutors --seven of them during a two-day general strike that ended Thursday.

Tensions have been heightened by a decree from Maduro banning protests and warning that anyone who marches against the Constituent Assembly risks up to 10 years in prison.



The opposition coalition, shot back with a tweet saying the regime declared we cant demonstrate... We will respond with the TAKING OF VENEZUELA.
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The Supreme Court of Pakistans verdict is out. Nawaz Sharif has followed the Pakistani tradition of vacating the prime ministers chair before completing his term. He has been replaced by his brother Shahbaz Sharif, who till now was the chief minister of Punjab.

Interestingly, Shahbaz has been replaced by his son, ensuring the family remains in control. Shahbaz will only take over after 45 days, once he wins elections to parliament, till then there would be an officiating prime minister.

Interestingly, contrary to most claims, Nawaz has not been charged directly with cases relating to the Panama Papers, but for hiding details about his employment in the Dubai-based Capital FZE company, when he filed his nomination papers in 2013, for not justifying source of funds for his property in London and for the purchase of two companies.

It again brings to fore the words of a small-time politician in Pakistan, Javed Hashmi, who stated that "while politicians are being held accountable, army chiefs and the judiciary are not".

This decision has created instability in Pakistan. The stock market has begun tumbling, protestors have taken to the streets, security is high and the opposition is braying for blood.

The decision has indicted Nawazs entire family, thereby ensuring that his heir apparent, Maryam Nawaz, is also out of the picture. Clearly a planned move to remove the entire family from the political scene. This action could not have been of the judiciary alone, but would have the backing of the army chief.

Turmoil would only increase in the coming days. The opposition would demand early elections, well before the judgment on Nawaz is delivered by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). This would ensure that the family is kept away from the political scene and the public with fresh memories could vote the party out.

The way things appear to be moving in Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif and his family would fade into the sunset in Dubai or London, akin to Pervez Musharraf. (Credit: Reuters file photo)

Imran Khan, the armys pet, would lead the charge, certain to have the backing of the army.

The army, though controls the nation from behind the throne, however, was being affected as Nawaz was difficult to manoeuvre. He had to go to enable them to continue pushing their terror factory agenda. Pressure was mounting from all directions, the US was threatening to enhance cross-border strikes onto the Taliban and Haqqani network, camps and hideouts, India was retaliating with full-measure on the LoC, infiltrators were being culled on entering, separatists hands were being tied in knots by the NIA and Iran had begun firing across the border. The Pakistani army was being compelled to change strategy, and Nawaz was the "main block".

A missing link in the entire case appears to have been the Kulbhushan Jadhav episode in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The government accepted the courts jurisdiction in the case, which it could have questioned and then nominated a firm, which had represented India before in the same court and lost. Further Pakistans preparations were seen to be incomplete, due to which they lost the appeal. The blame was on the government, not the army.

However, it was the army which was embarrassed as it has kept Jadhav hidden from even the government.

The only commonality between the army and Nawaz Sharif was China, where both met eye to eye. It is only the Chinese support that has kept the nation ticking, despite a failing economy. They have provided Pakistan with diplomatic support by preventing Hafiz Saeed being declared a global terrorist, who is the protege of the deep state. The nation needs China to survive.

In the days ahead, as internal confusion reigns supreme, the army would tighten its hold over the polity. Shahbaz, though claiming to have better relations with the army, had irked them on earlier occasions when he refused to permit them to launch anti-terror operations in Punjab and questioned the head of their Inter Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), something that created a major furore between the army and the state, known as the Dawn (newspaper) Leaks. It led to the resignation of the information minister.

For India, despite rhetoric, nothing much would change. The Pakistani army cannot change its policies on its terror factories. It may change tack and enhance violations, for which we are prepared and would retaliate appropriately. It may enhance infiltration, for which we are again ready and prepared to cull those seeking to enter. It cannot change any situation for the separatists as it is beyond them.

Power may make them bold, but also make them foolhardy. Pakistan should remember, every time it has attempted something new, it has hurt them more.

The way things appear to be moving in Pakistan, Nawaz and his family would fade into the sunset in Dubai or London, akin to Pervez Musharraf, while his brothers future would be decided with time.
Christian Doctors Association Lauds Appointment of Sam Brownback as Religious Freedom Ambassador Contact: Margie Shealy,

Christian Medical Association,

423-341-4254



WASHINGTON, July 28, 2017 /



CMA Vice President for Government Relations Jonathan Imbody said, "Having worked for many years with Gov. Brownback when he served as a US Senator from 1996-2011, I saw up close his commitment to the unalienable right of every person to worship, serve and honor God according to conscience.



"As a person of deep faith who respects persons of all faiths and persuasions, Gov. Brownback brings to this role an empathy, understanding and passion that will advance religious freedom abroad and also serve as an example at home, where religious freedom faces new and significant challenges. This appointment is a tremendous encouragement for religious freedom advocates everywhere, and most importantly, serves as a signal of new hope for persons of faith enduring persecution and oppression."



The Pew Research Foundation has



Through the Christian Medical Association, Mr. Imbody directs Freedom2Care, which focuses on freedoms of faith, conscience and speech in the US.



Share Tweet Contact: Margie Shealy,423-341-4254WASHINGTON, July 28, 2017 / Christian Newswire / -- The 18,000-member Christian Medical Association (CMA, www.cmda.org ) today hailed as a "signal of new hope for persons of faith enduring persecution and oppression" the presidential appointment of Samuel Brownback of Kansas to be Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, Department of State. Mr. Brownback has been Governor of Kansas since 2011.CMA Vice President for Government Relations Jonathan Imbody said, "Having worked for many years with Gov. Brownback when he served as a US Senator from 1996-2011, I saw up close his commitment to the unalienable right of every person to worship, serve and honor God according to conscience."As a person of deep faith who respects persons of all faiths and persuasions, Gov. Brownback brings to this role an empathy, understanding and passion that will advance religious freedom abroad and also serve as an example at home, where religious freedom faces new and significant challenges. This appointment is a tremendous encouragement for religious freedom advocates everywhere, and most importantly, serves as a signal of new hope for persons of faith enduring persecution and oppression."The Pew Research Foundation has charted an increase globally in "government restrictions on religion and social hostilities involving religion." The Foundation noted "increases in mob violence related to religion, individuals being assaulted or displaced due to their faith, and incidents where violence was used to enforce religious norms."Through the Christian Medical Association, Mr. Imbody directs Freedom2Care, which focuses on freedoms of faith, conscience and speech in the US.
Holdover Bureaucrats Undermine Trump Administration Progress Contact: Jim Jacobson,



FRONT ROYAL, Va., July 28, 2017 /



Sign the petition



It is vitally important to the future of millions of persecuted Christians that this is stopped.



Richard Visek, who was appointed by President Obama as head of the State Department's Office of Legal Adviser in October 2016, is behind the decision to remove the word "genocide" from official documents, according to Nina Shea, the international human rights lawyer who directs the Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom.



These actions guarantee that the Obama-era policies, which contrived to exclude Iraq's Christian and other minority religious populations from key U.S. aid programs, will remain in place.



As noted by CFI president Jim Jacobson, "There are backdoor bureaucrats seeking to undermine new policies and progress. Obama holdovers in the Trump Administration are trying to remove any trace of the word "genocide" when referring to cases of the treatment of persecuted Christians by ISIS. This would cause persecuted Christians from ISIS-affected nations to be technically ineligible for asylum, and safety, in the United States."



What You Can Do



Sign the petition to help allow millions of Christians the possibility of safe asylum.



Christian Freedom International is a non-denominational 501c3 human rights organization for religious liberty providing real solutions to conditions of human misery caused by religious persecution.



If you haven't already done so, we invite you to learn more about the tragedy of Christian persecution  and how you can help  by visiting CFI's website at

Share Tweet Contact: Jim Jacobson, Christian Freedom International , 800-323-2273FRONT ROYAL, Va., July 28, 2017 / Christian Newswire / -- The U.S. State Department's top lawyers are systematically removing the word "genocide" to describe the Islamic State's mass slaughter of Christians, Yazidis, and other ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria from official documents and speeches before they are delivered, according to human rights activists and attorneys familiar with the policies.It is vitally important to the future of millions of persecuted Christians that this is stopped.Richard Visek, who was appointed by President Obama as head of the State Department's Office of Legal Adviser in October 2016, is behind the decision to remove the word "genocide" from official documents, according to Nina Shea, the international human rights lawyer who directs the Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom.These actions guarantee that the Obama-era policies, which contrived to exclude Iraq's Christian and other minority religious populations from key U.S. aid programs, will remain in place.As noted by CFI president Jim Jacobson, "There are backdoor bureaucrats seeking to undermine new policies and progress. Obama holdovers in the Trump Administration are trying to remove any trace of the word "genocide" when referring to cases of the treatment of persecuted Christians by ISIS. This would cause persecuted Christians from ISIS-affected nations to be technically ineligible for asylum, and safety, in the United States."What You Can DoChristian Freedom International is a non-denominational 501c3 human rights organization for religious liberty providing real solutions to conditions of human misery caused by religious persecution.If you haven't already done so, we invite you to learn more about the tragedy of Christian persecution  and how you can help  by visiting CFI's website at www.christianfreedom.org , or calling 800.323.2273.
Kinpo to Open 4th Plant in Philippines Published: 28 July 2017 by Chelsey Drysdale by Chelsey Drysdale

TAIPEI  Kinpo Electronics plans to invest $30 million in its fourth plant in the Philippines, and is expected to double its workforce to 15,000 workers there, according to published reports.

Kinpo plans to produce electronics parts it supplies to branded mobile phone manufacturers, including Xiaomi.



The firm is reportedly eyeing 30 hectares (300,000 m2) in the southern region of the Philippines.



The firm is expected to invest in its three existing plants there as well.



CalComp Electronics is a Kinpo subsidiary.





Register now for PCB West the Silicon Valley's largest PCB industry trade show: pcbwest.com! Now with full-day electronics assembly tutorials!






In secret, behind locked gates, our Nation's Oldest City dumped a landfill in a lake (Old City Reservoir), while emitting sewage in our rivers and salt marsh. Organized citizens exposed and defeated pollution, racism and cronyism. We elected a new Mayor. We're transforming our City -- advanced citizenship. Ask questions. Make disclosures. Demand answers. Be involved. Expect democracy. Report and expose corruption. Smile! Help enact a St. Augustine National Park and Seashore. We shall overcome!
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WARM SPRINGS  Virginia Sen. Creigh Deeds has narrowed the scope of a lawsuit in which he blames a breakdown in the states mental health system for the suicide of his son.

At the request of Deeds attorney, a judge in Bath County Circuit Court granted a non-suit Thursday that removes the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services from the $6 million wrongful death lawsuit.

Still remaining as defendants are the Rockbridge Area Community Services Board and one of its caseworkers  accused in the lawsuit of not working hard enough to place Deeds son in a psychiatric facility as his deteriorating mental health pushed him closer to a deadly end.

Unable to find an empty hospital bed for Austin Gus Deeds, the agency released him from emergency custody on Nov. 18, 2013. The troubled 24-year-old returned to his Millboro home, where the next morning he stabbed his father 13 times before shooting himself to death.

It later turned out that at least five facilities in the region had room to admit a new patient, but were never contacted by Michael Gentry, the caseworker whose job was to find Gus Deeds a safe place for treatment.

Virginias mental health care system failed my son, Deeds, D-Bath County, said in a statement after his lawsuit was filed in November 2015.

The senators attorney, John Lichtenstein of Roanoke, said Thursday that when it comes to the Commonwealth, Creighs goal was always constructive change that would keep this from happening to anyone else.

It is in that spirit that we have come together voluntarily with the department to begin to take those steps.

A non-suit is a legal move that allows the plaintiff to withdraw a lawsuit before a final decision by a judge or jury. A lawsuit can be refiled within six months of a non-suit; if not, the case is forever closed.

Lichtensteins request for a non-suit was approved by retired Circuit Court Judge Paul Sheridan, who also heard arguments Thursday in the portion of the case that remains.

Rosalie Pemberton Fessier, who represents Gentry and his employer, the Rockbridge Area Community Services board, contends that her clients should be protected by sovereign immunity, the legal doctrine that generally shields public agencies and officials against lawsuits stemming from their performance of a governmental function.

We believe the court can find as a matter of law in our favor, Fessier said.

But arguments on whether the lawsuit should be dismissed were put off until October after Lichtenstein objected to Fessiers plans to present evidence Thursday. Fessier had intended to have an official of a local mental health agency testify about its general responsibilities in providing emergency mental health services.

Those are factual issues that should be heard by a jury, Lichtenstein said.

Sheridan agreed to hold a hearing on Oct. 18, at which point he will hear testimony from witnesses and additional arguments from the attorneys.

In court papers, Fessier listed a number of reasons for sovereign immunity, among them: Protecting the public purse, providing for smooth application of government, and eliminating public inconveniences and dangers that might spring from officials being fearful to act under the threat of vexatious litigation.

Under Virginia law, the protection of sovereign immunity does not apply if there is evidence of gross negligence.

In making an argument for gross negligence, Lichtenstein wrote in court papers that Gentry and the community services board were well aware of Gus Deeds struggles with mental illness, his prior suicide attempts, and his deep opposition to being committed in a psychiatric hospital.

Even after determining that Deeds met the criteria for involuntary treatment in a secure setting  posing a threat to himself and others  the defendants resorted to the practice of streeting, or returning dangerously mentally ill patients back to the community, the lawsuit alleges.

As Gentrys inadequate search for an empty bed was nearing an end, he received a call from Gus Deeds mother, begging that her son not be released. Gentry brushed off Pamela Miller Mayhews concerns that her son would kill Creigh Deeds and then himself if he was not hospitalized, the lawsuit contends.

Before the states Department of Behavioral Health was removed as a defendant, its lawyers pointed that Gentry did take steps to help Gus Deeds  evaluating him, talking to his family members and a physician, and calling or faxing at least seven facilities in search of an available bed.

Gentry is no longer an employee of the Rockbridge Area Community Services Board; he left the agency for reasons unrelated to the lawsuit, Fessier said.
Reva Juanita Brown of Stanardsville, Va. passed away at the Laurels of Charlottesville while surrounded by her family on Wednesday, July 18, 2017. She was born on February 21, 1935, in Albemarle County to the late Robert and Reva Frazier. She retired from the Charlottesville Police Dept. as a Traffic Control Officer. She was a very strong and loving woman who loved to spend time with her family and friends. She was proceded in death by her husband of 60 years, William Brown; a daughter, Donna Highlander, wife of Walter Highlander of Ruckersville ; her sons, James Harlow, husband of Debra Harlow of South Boston, John Harlow, husband of Mildred Harlow of Charlottesville, and Charles Brown, husband of Gayle Brown of South Boston. She is survived by her children, Dan Brown and his wife, Charletta of Richmond, Kathy Harlow and her husband, Mike of Palmyra, Ed Harlow and his wife, Elaine of Richmond, Darlene Harlow and husband, Bruce of New Canton, and Robin Norford and her husband, Alan of Keswick. She had 21 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren; a sister and best friend, Gertrude Houchens and her husband, Kent of Greenwood; a brother, Robert Frazier and his wife, Sue of Free Union; two special friends, Mary Young of Charlottesville and Ella Mae Shifflett of Louisa; and her cat, "Fat Cat". Although her family is heartbroken and she will be greatly missed, we will pull from the strength instilled in us by her example. Until we are with you again. We love you Momma! A memorial service will be held at the Evergreen Church of the Brethren, Dyke, Va. on Saturday, August 5, 2017, at 2 p.m. The repass will be held a the Dyke Volunteer Fire Dept. immediately following the service.
Mumbai: Ride-hailing app Ola finds itself in troubles as a complaint has been lodged against its subsidiary Qarth Technologies for Aadhaar data theft from the website of Unique Identification Authority of India.

According to a report on ibtimes.com, Qarth is a Bengaluru-based private company that offers multi-bank payment service. Ola had acquired it last year, the report said.

Ashok Lenin (Deputy Director, UIDAI Regional Office Bengaluru) filed the complaint with High Grounds police station on July 26 under sections 37 and 38 of Aadhaar Act.

Apart from that, case was also registered under sections 65 and 66 of the Information Technology Act and sections 120B, 468 and 271 of the Indian Penal Code, the report added.

However, the case was later transferred to the Cyber Crime investigation cell of Bengaluru police. Ola that is Indian counterpart of Uber has denied the allegation and clarified that it was not involved in any kind of data theft and that it did not have any knowledge of the FIR.

Lenin in his complaint against Ola said, "Qarth workers have developed an app and accessed details on Aadhaar website without authentication and provided the same as e-KYC details. The Data theft started on January 1 and went on until July 26."

He went on to say that the accused has joined hands with miscreants in leaking the Aadhaar information and illegally using the same, according to the report. The High Grounds police have also invoked section 38 against the company for accessing the Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR) without authorisation.

Under this section, perpetrators are punishable with a term imprisonment up to three years along with a capital penalty of Rs 10 lakh, the report explained.
Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal said the government has set up a panel to look into various aspects, including usage, of crypto currencies like bitcoins.

New Delhi: The government has set up a panel to look into various aspects, including usage, of crypto currencies like bitcoins, Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal said on Friday.

The inter-ministerial panel held a meeting recently, he said. "The stakeholders consultation is on. Once, it is finalised we would be in a position to inform," Meghwal said on the sidelines of a CII event here.

RBI Governor Urjit Patel, earlier in July, had informed a parliamentary panel that it is keeping a close watch on transactions involving crypto currencies.

The government has been debating issues concerning bitcoins and sought public opinion on allowing virtual currencies a few months ago. The circulation of such currencies have been a cause of concern among central bankers the world over for quite a while now.

In March, the Finance Ministry had constituted an Inter-Disciplinary Committee to take stock of the present status of Virtual Currencies (VCs) both in India and globally and suggest measures for dealing with such currencies.

Bitcoins were in news recently after a massive global ransomware attack WannaCry hit systems in over 100 countries. The cyber criminals demanded a fee of about USD 300 in crypto currencies like bitcoin for unlocking affected devices.

On Goods and Services Tax, Meghwal said, government is keeping a watch on impact of GST on prices of various commodities. A team of 180 officials and 30 ministers are monitoring the price impact. "They are getting feedback from various districts and towns and also trying to assess what kind of procedural difficulties business are facing. Procedural issues are sorted out by tax authorities while issues related with taxes will be taken up in the GST Council meeting scheduled for August 5," he said.

Meghwal also said that the government has saved Rs 57,000 crore by weeding out corruption from various schemes through the use of technology. "This is the first government which has been able to check corruption and plug the leakage through the use of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT)," he said.
Mumbai: In the aftermath of demonetisation, the Income Tax department is leaving no stone unturned to increase the tax revenue and widen the tax base as only 3.7 crore taxpayers had filed their returns in 2015-16 assessment year.

The I-T department led by Central Board of Direct Taxes is closely watching quantum of income declared after note ban and also checking bank accounts for any discrepancy.

The latest in I-T department's attempt towards putting an end to black money is 'Project Insight'. According to a report on Bloomberg, the tax authorities have been working on the project for past seven years and have spent Rs 1,000 crore on it.

The tax authorities would be monitoring social media like Facebook and Instagram to close in on taxpayers who go on holidays, foreign trips, stay in costlier hotels to assess any tax evasion. The posts or pictures on these social networks would also come under tax scanner.

It has been noted that while the economy is witnessing a fast-paced growth and peoples' incomes also going up, growth in tax revenues has remained standstill. With an aim to increase number of taxpayers and also enhance the tax base, the government has started this new project.

The report adds that the initiative looks to match residents spending patterns with income declarations, Bloomberg cited people familiar with the matter as saying. With this, for tax authorities closing in on tax evaders would be much easier.

Apart from that, tax sleuths can identify and locate taxpayers who file too little returns and that too without raiding their premises. As present, raiding a tax evader's premises is a general practice to unearth unaccounted wealth.

India has a population of 1.3 billion people of which a slightly more than 3 per cent or 3.7 crore people filed their income tax returns in the 2016-17 assessment year. Besides, around 2 crore Indians flew abroad during the same year, the report added.

On average, 2.6 crore cars were sold during the period under consideration. Besides, 1.72 lakh people declared that there income for the year was more than 50 lakh.

"Data analytics is the way forward for tax administrations across the world," Bloomberg quoted Amit Maheshwari, managing partner at accountancy firm Ashok Maheshwary and Associates near New Delhi, as saying.. "This will also put an end to harassment by tax officials as there will be no public interface. Perceived randomness in scrutiny will come to an end."
Actor Inder Kumar a known face in Bollywood who has done more than 20 films breathed his last on early Friday morning.

The actor suffered a massive heart attack at his residence in Andheris Four Bungalows at around 2 am. The news came as a shock to the industry as the 44-year-old actor seemed absolutely fit and healthy and also has been busy shooting for his projects.

He was known for his films including Kahi Pyar Na Ho Jaaye, Jaani Dushman, Wanted etc.

He was last seen in the 2011 film Yeh Dooriyan, and was currently shooting for his next film Phati Paid Hai Yaar which was based on the strugglers in Bollywood.

Unfortunately, the actor also had a controversial past in 2014 when he was accused and arrested in a rape case. His cremation took place on Friday evening in Mumbai.
In the cult TV series 'Friends', Reese Witherspoon played the role of Jennifer Aniston's younger sister.

Mumbai: 'Friends' siblings Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon are all set to co-star in a new TV series.

The two have signed on to star in an upcoming series that dramatizes the morning show scene in New York City, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The series is being spearheaded by former HBO head of drama Michael Ellenberg and his production company Media Res.

It is expected to be taken out to premium cable outlets like HBO and streaming services including Netflix. Given the stars attached, it is expected to draw significant interest from multiple bidders.
Veteran filmmaker/actor Bhagyaraj recently lashed out at actress Iniya, who did not turn up for the audio launch event of her upcoming flick Sathura Adi 3500.

The horror thriller is directed by debutant Joyson and has Nikhil Mohan in the lead with Iniya playing the central character and veteran actor Rahman in a key role.

Speaking at the event, Bhagyaraj said, Even an actress like Meghna Mukesh, who has done a single song in the movie, is present here. By not attending the audio function, it is a loss only for her and not for the crew. It is the responsibility of every artiste to attend promotional activities.

Director Rahul, who is presenting the movie, also seemed upset with Iniya. He said, Despite the film being a female-centric one, Iniya did not even pick up the call when we called her. This irresponsible behaviour is unacceptable. Iniya is accountable to for a proper answer for her non-appearance to the films producer JSK Gopi.
Hyderabad: Telangana State is using Chenchu trackers to collect seeds for Haritha Haram. But, 300 Chenchu trackers in the Andhra side of the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve are working for tiger conservation. However, no tiger conservation initiatives have been taken up despite dwindling tiger population in Telangana. Tigers coming from Maharasthra are also vanishing and only one is found in Kawal now.

According to wild life experts, tigers have inceased in the neighbouring states of Maharashtra, which recorded 190 tigers in 2014, up from 103 tigers in 2006. Karnataka recorded 406 tigers in 2014 up from 290 in 2006. However, AP/TS have shown a steady decline in tiger populations. Heavily forested districts such as Warangal, Khammam, East/West Godavari, and Vishakapatnam have hardly any tigers left.

The tiger habitat in AP and Telangana once extended to about 40,000 sq km. This has shrunk to about 22,000 sq km. AP is doing better with about 50-60 tigers in the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR). There are 15-20 tigers in the whole of Telangana.

Hyderabad Tiger Conservation Society founder Imran Siddique said, Adilabad district is contiguous with Maharashtra but we are continually losing tigers that cross over to Adilabad. At least 10 tigers have moved in to Adilabad and two could reach Kawal, but complete apathy has ensured that we lost all but one tiger. A rare possibility is that they have gone back to Maharashtra but that is unlikely due to overcrowding of tigers there.

He said that in the Eastern Ghats, the forests of Papikonda, Gudem Maripakhala, starting from Bhadralachallam and extending to Vishakapatnam are perhaps amongst the largest forest blocks in India, but extensive hunting, Maoist presence and encroachments of forests have wiped out tiger and other wildlife populations.

Camera traps or CCTV cameras are used to track tiger populations in conjunction with direct spotting, pug marks collection, scat and cattle kill. There are not enough camera traps sometimes to cover the area. Mr Siddique said that no technology can substitute for foot patrols. Chenchus know the forest well as they are born there and dwell there and are of great use to forest officials. Tiger trackers and anti-poaching teams work on informed intelligence based on patrols that cover the entire area, he said.

Good news is that tigers have managed to colonise Kadapa. They may have moved from Gundlabrameshwara Wildlife Sanctuary to Proddatur Division to Kadapa Division, which is the extended core of NSTR and at least two in Lankamalleshwara Wildlife Sanctuary.

Numbers dont lie
Hyderabad: On Thursday, at around 10 am, while collecting waste near the Vajpayee Nagar railway gate in Neredmet, a 58-year-old rag picker came across a heavy white opaque plastic bag containing Rs 16 lakh in demonetised currency notes.

Startled by the sudden discovery and fearful of its likely consequences, the rag picker Chanda Gangubai, the wife of late Chanda Singh, approached the cops and handed over the plastic bag to them. Gangubai, a resident of Vajpayee Nagar herself, usually collects wastes from the area to make a living. The currency notes were found in a white plastic bag and were in Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations of banned currency notes. They were old notes and not newly printed, said SI Srinivas Rao of Neredmet. Although there are no CCTV cameras in that area police officials are enquiring with locals for clues regarding the bag owner.

There is a CCTV camera near the rail track but it does not cover the area where the stash was found. We are checking if anything suspicious was seen by anyone, added the SI.

Police booked a case under Section 102 (Power of police officer to seize certain property) of CrPC and Section 7 of the Cessation of Liabilities Act and launched an investigation.
Hyderabad: An IBM employee Ektha Negi who was arrested for the possession of Ganja and later released on bail by the KPHB police, claimed that she had been framed. 22 year-old Negi who is working as Network Administrator in IBM says her career and life are at stake due to the case and because she had believed strangers who later became her flatmates. She refused the allegations that she used drugs.

Negi said, I am a topper at Bhratiya Vidya-peeth in Pune and have worked hard to get into the top company. There is an FB page called Flats and Flatmates, Hyderabad Chapter where a post was put up. Two girls got in touch with me and bec-ame my flatmates. I came from night duty and was asleep and my roommate opened the door with a key. The police found a container with ganja and arre-sted me, one of my roommates and three boys who are friends.

She said the police didnt speak in English and made her sign on several documents. Initially they didnt allow me to call my parents. Later, I could only call my mother and father who are living in Mumbai. The police rel-eased my pictures which are being circulated on the internet. My company has served me a notice. Why are the police not arresting the drug peddlers and targeting only users? The Malaysian Town-ship Association has now asked her to leave .

Police said she confessed that she took ganja on her birthday. I was not given 41 Crpc notice prior to the arrest, Negi added.
Bhopal: An alleged minor rape survivor in a Madhya Pradesh district buried her week-old baby boy alive to save her marriage, an investigation by the police has revealed on Friday.

The infant, buried below ten inches in the ground close to her village in Barwani district was discovered by children who were playing in the area.

The children raised alarm after hearing cries of the baby, which attracted attention of the locals. They rushed to the spot and rescued the infant.

The toddler was in a bad state when he was brought out of the pit. He was covered with a layer of mud, the investigating officer told this newspaper.

His face was covered with mud making him difficult to breath. He also suffered injuries on his face from insects in the ground after lying buried for about ten hours, the police officer said.

Later, the police identified that the boys mother is a 16-year-old tribal girl  an alleged rape victim.

She has recently been married to a local from a nearby village in the neighbouring state of Maharashtra. She was pregnant when she got married. Her parents wanted to conceal her pregnancy to save her marriage and brought her back home for delivery. Later, they buried the kid to get rid of him, police said.

The man accused of raping her, a 17-year-old neighbour of hers, was arrested on Thursday.

The infant is recoering in the hospital. We are going to register a case of attempt to murder against the mother, police said.
The government officials later saved Durai by putting off the fire. He was taken to the Pennagaram government hospital.

Krishnagiri: Angered over government taking over a piece of government land which was in his familys possession for many decades, a youth self immolated himself in the presence of government officers in Dharmapuri district.

On Wednesday, the Pennagaram tahsildar Sethulingam and others went to uphill Mallaiyoor village in Pennagaram taluk in Dharmapuri to take over the government land in possession of 55-year-old Gopal for many decades.

The proposal for taking over the land was approv-ed by the district administration to provide a burial ground facility, a lon-g-pending demand of the local villagers.

Gopal and his relatives on seeing the officials coming towards the land with JCB machines created a ruckus with an intention to prevent the officials from performing their duties.

Meanwhile, his 25-year-old elder son Durai came to the spot with a plastic can filled with kerosene and set himself ablaze.

The government officials later saved Durai by putting off the fire. He was taken to the Pennagaram government hospital.

Later, Durai was shifted to a private hospital in Bengaluru, where he died in early hours of Thursday.
MYSURU: Farmers led by JD (S) legislator of KR Nagar, Sa Ra Mahesh, continued their protest for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday demanding release of water for irrigation despite an assurance by deputy commissioner D Randeep that a decision on the issue would be taken by Cauvery advisory committee on Friday.

Mr Randeep made the plea during his visit to CADA Office, the venue of protest by farmers, today. Water, however, continued to flow to Tamil Nadu though the level of water in KRS was low while it was ten feet short of the full capacity in Kabini.

Kodagu recorded 6.6 mm rainfall on Thursday. Since January to July 27, it has recorded 1192.98 mm as against 1140.43 mm during the corresponding period last year.

At KRS, the inflow was 6177 cusecs, while the outflow to the canal leading to Tamil Nadu was 4058 cusecs. Water level in the reservoir stood at 89.40 feet as against its maximum capacity of 124.80 feet on Thursday. At Kabini, the inflow was 4210 cusecs, while 6000 cusecs was released to the canal leading to Tamil Nadu.
A top police official said that the Kolkata Police Special Task Force is probing the matter. (Photo: File/Representational)

Kolkata: Days after riots broke out in West Bengals Baduria, in North 24 Parganas, in July, over a youths alleged inflammatory post on Facebook that hurt sentiments of the Muslim minority community, a Kashmiri man staying in Kolkata was detained for a similar cause.

The Kashmiri youth had allegedly posted anti-national remarks on his Facebook wall, the police said on Thursday.

Arshad in his early 30s, was staying at a guest house in south Kolkata's Anwar Shah Road area and was detained by the Lake Police Station after local residents complained about his anti-national posts on Facebook, the police said.

"Arshad has been coming to the city for the last 12 years for his garment business. Every time he used to stay at this particular guest house and became friends with some locals who noticed his activities on Facebook and informed us," a senior officer of Lake Police Station said.

Arshad's posts started appearing after India lost to Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final in June, he said adding, the youth came to the city a couple of days back, when some local residents caught hold of him and handed him over to the police.

"We are running a check on whether this person has links with any terror outfit or not. We are also scanning his activities on social networking sites," the officer said.

The Kolkata Police Special Task Force (STF) is also probing the matter, he said.

In contrast, West Bengals Basirhat, an area close to the Indo-Bangla border, became a hotbed of communal clashes after the accused had posted objectionable remarks on Facebook on July 2, 2017.

Although the accused fled at night, he was later arrested by the police from a paddy field the next morning. The accused was remanded by the Basirhat Sub-Division Court to police custody for four days.

But the public anger continued as many roads were blocked and several houses were torched by the demonstrators. The Centre deployed paramilitary forces while Rapid Action Force (RAF) teams of Kolkata Police tried to bring the violence-hit area under control.

Security forces barred ministers and administrators from entering Basirhat. Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah had constituted a three-member-committee to probe the state of affairs in Basirhat but Central security personnel prohibited them from entering the region as well.
Former Deputy CM of Bihar Tejaswi Yadav said, "Nitish ji is sitting in the lap of BJP and RSS which has disappointed the people of Bihar. The public feels betrayal." (Photo: File | PTI)

Patna: Former deputy chief minister Tejaswi Yadav on Friday said the mandate which was handed over by the people of Bihar in 2015 elections was for the grand alliance, adding that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had insulted that mandate.

"It is a murder of democracy. People of Bihar had given mandate in 2015 not for the BJP but for the grand alliance. He (Nitish) along with the saffron party has insulted the mandate," Tejaswi said.

He further assured that public will teach them a lesson.

"We asked several questions in assembly today, but BJP and Nitish Kumar had no answers to them. When they couldn't answer my questions in Assembly, then how will they answer to the people?" he questioned.

Tejaswi added the entire disturbing series of events had been planned in advance by the saffron party.

"Nitish ji is sitting in the lap of BJP and RSS which has disappointed the people of Bihar. The public feels betrayal. If he had to ultimately go to the BJP then did he change four parties in four years," he asserted.

Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar has won the floor test with 131 votes in favour against 108.

The Chief Minister was faced vote of confidence in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, to prove his majority to form the state government.

The BJP and Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) had issued whip to their legislators to vote in favour of the trust vote.

The RJD and the Congress had also issued a similar whip to their legislators.

Nitish led JD(U)-NDA government had a support of 132 MLAs.

According to the communique issued from the Raj Bhawan, Nitish had claimed the support of 131 members, including the BJP, two independents and legislators of BJP allies Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM)-Secular and Rashtriya Lok Samata party (RLSP).

Opposition RJD has 80 MLAs, the Congress 27 and the CPI(ML) 3.

On Thursday, Nitish and BJP leader Sushil Modi were sworn-in as Bihar Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister respectively, and former has been asked to prove his majority on the floor by Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.

Nitish, on July 26 resigned as Bihar Chief Minister citing political differences with former ally, Lalu Prasad Yadav led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), over corruption charges against the RJD supremo's son Tejaswi Yadav.

He, however, on Thursday, took oath as Bihar Chief Minister for the sixth time, marking a historic transition of the state from a Grand Alliance government to an NDA regime.
Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Chief Minister of Bihar on Thursday. (Photo: File)

Patna: Politics in Bihar is gaining all attention for a month now. Sworn in for the sixth time on Thursday, in a little over 12 hours of his resignation, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will face a trust vote in the Assembly on Friday.

The session has commenced from 11 am.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLAs were seen protesting outside the assembly where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi have arrived for the floor test.

RJD MLAs protest outside Bihar Assembly ahead of CM Nitish Kumar floor test. (Photo: ANI | Twitter)

The special session has been convened for the newly formed NDA government to prove majority on the floor of the house, Assembly speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said.

In the 243-member assembly, Nitish Kumar needs the support of 122 members for a majority.

Nitish Kumar has the support of 132 MLAs which include 71 from his party JD(U) besides 53 of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 2 MLAs each from Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) 1 and 3 independents.

Also Read: Nitish Kumar back as Bihar CM, BJP's Sushil Modi his deputy again

Keeping in view that RJD, headed by Lalu Prasad Yadav, may create ruckus during the session, the speaker is said to have directed marshals to make proper arrangements to control the situation if it goes out of hand, a source said.

Nitish Kumar joined hands with BJP and was sworn in as the chief minister on Thursday. BJP leader Sushil Modi was sworn in as the deputy chief minister, a post he had held before from 2005 to 2013.

Earlier, former Deputy Chief Minister and RJD supremo Lalu Yadav's son Tejaswi Yadav had hinted that his party will not let the house function smoothly as RJD which is the largest party with 80 seats has not been given a chance to form the government in Bihar.

Tejaswi Yadav told reporters in Patna that his party RJD has the support of 27 Congress party MLAs, 2 legislators of CPI (ML) and several independents. He also said a large number of JD(U) legislators were also planning to support the grand secular alliance.

We deserve a chance to prove majority on the floor of the house, we have enough support to form a government in Bihar. Some of JD(U) MLAs also want to support the grand secular alliance, Tejaswi Yadav said.

Nitish Kumar had resigned from his post on Wednesday claiming that corruption charges against Lalu Yadav and his son Tejaswi were the main reason behind his decision to leave the Grand Secular Alliance.

RJD Chief Lalu Yadav, who returned from Ranchi Thursday evening, chaired a meeting of legislators and party workers at his residence where it was decided to oppose each and every move of Nitish Kumar and the BJP.

Speaking on the issue after the meeting RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha told in Patna that "the party is gearing up to fight a long battle against the communal forces and since Nitish Kumar has broken gathbandhan (alliance) rules our workers will expose him. We are going to start out fight from Friday."

RJD Chief Lalu Yadav raised questions on Nitish Kumars sudden decision to quit the alliance. He said the whole resignation drama was scripted by the BJP.

I fail to understand why Nitish Kumar decided to resign without consulting anyone, what was my sons crime, The RJD Chief said.

He also hinted that he may challenge the matter in the Supreme Court. RJD sources said Yadav is consulting legal experts and file a case soon.
The delegation also questioned the constitutionality of leaders of various political parties continuing to occupy top positions even after their conviction in criminal cases. (Photo: File)

New Delhi/Chennai: The Supreme Court on Friday rejected the Public-Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Tamil Nadu unit convener, to bar VK Sasikala from acting as All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) General Secretary.

While dismissing the plea filed by Vasigaran, the apex court observed it could not order the Chief Minister and ministers not to seek advice from a convicted person, adding it's the decision of the politicians.

Earlier in April, AAP's Tamil Nadu wing urged the Election Commission to "review" Sasikala's position as the interim General Secretary of the AIADMK even after her conviction in a disproportionate assets case.

A delegation of the party submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission, urging the poll watchdog to evaluate the constitutionality of Sasikala's position in the ruling party in Tamil Nadu by taking into consideration the Supreme Court ruling in the Lily Thomas case.

"The general secretary is the head of the AIADMK and the current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (Edappadi K Palanisamy) as well as other ministers belong to her (Sasikala's) camp (within the AIADMK). We would like the Election Commision to see how a convict can hold such a position," Vasigaran said in a statement.

The delegation also questioned the constitutionality of leaders of various political parties continuing to occupy top positions even after their conviction in criminal cases.
The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a plea seeking its nod to terminate 32-week-old pregnancy of a 10-year-old rape survivor. (File photo)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday declined 10-year-old rape survivor's plea, seeking termination of 32-week pregnancy after a medical board informed it that abortion at this stage would put the life of the girl, from Chandigarh, at grave risk.

The apex court, however, asked the doctors at the government hospital in Chandigarh to give the girl the best treatment.

The medical board, through the Member-Secretary of the Legal Services Authority of Chandigarh, submitted a report to the SC bench on Friday in a sealed cover. The report said that the girl should continue with the pregnancy till delivery.

Acting on a writ petition filed by an advocate, Alakh Alok Srivastava, a bench of Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud had on July 24 asked a medical board to examine the girl.

Advocate Srivastava approached the Supreme Court after doctors refused to terminate the minor girl's pregnancy. The girl was repeatedly raped and impregnated by her own uncle.

The rape survivors parents, who are poor, had earlier approached the Chandigarh District Court for permission to terminate the pregnancy, but the trial court dismissed their plea on July 18.

Termination of pregnancy beyond the 20 weeks period is an offence in India, punishable with punishment ranging from three to seven years.

Meanwhile, Srivastava pointed out to the apex court that there is an urgent need for it to frame appropriate guidelines for setting up a permanent mechanism and for constituting permanent medical boards in each district for termination of pregnancies beyond 20 weeks in the exceptional cases, particularly involving child rape survivors.

Taking note of the submissions, the Supreme Court bench asked the Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the Centre, to consider enacting a law for setting up a permanent medical board at each government hospital in the country.

Meanwhile, another bench of Justices Dipak Misra and AM Kanwilkar permitted termination of 24-week pregnancy of a girl in Mumbai after a team of doctors pointed out that the foetus was suffering from abnormalities in the brain and it would be dangerous for both the mother and the child if pregnancy was continued.
Ahmedabad: Tension continues to simmer for Congress in Gujarat as the party lost six MLAs in just two days.

Three more have filed their resignations to Gujarat Assembly Speaker Ramanbhai Vora on Friday.

Ramsinh Parmar stepped down after Mansingh Chouhan and Chhanabhai Chaudhary resigned earlier on Friday.

On Thursday three Congress MLAs from Gujarat had resigned and joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The resignation is seen as a major blow to Congress ahead of the Rajya Sabha election.

The resignation of three more MLAs on Friday has reduced Congress's tally to 51 in the 182-seat Assembly.

The MLAs who have tendered their resignation on Thursday are considered close to former Opposition leader Shankarsinh Vaghela who has also resigned from the Assembly.

On Thursday Balwantsinh Rajput (who was also the chief whip), Tejashreeben Patel and Prahlad Patel had resigned.

The development came at a time when the Congress has fielded its senior leader Ahmed Patel as its candidate for the Upper House in the election scheduled for August 8.

The Congress nominee can sail through if he musters the support of 47 MLAs and the party is able to guard against further desertions from its legislative arm.

The presidential election had seen cross-voting by Congress legislators as the Opposition candidate Meira Kumar could garner votes of only 49 legislators against the Congress's strength of 57 in the Assembly then.

The setback for the Congress comes almost a week after Vaghela left the party and also resigned as the Leader of Opposition. However, he continues to be an MLA.

Ahmed Patel, political secretary of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, on Wednesday filed his nomination papers from Gujarat for the Rajya Sabha polls.

Of the total 11 Rajya Sabha members from the state, the term of three of them  Smriti Irani, Dilipbhai Pandya (both BJP) and Ahmed Patel is ending on August 18.

BJP President Amit Shah and Union Minister Smriti Irani have filed their nomination on Friday and will contest for Rajya Sabha elections from Gujarat.

Currently, Shah is an MLA from Gujarat's Naranpura constituency.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao made it clear on Friday that the government would not arrest film personalities in drugs cases. The investigation team would consider them as victims.

The NDPS Act says that addicts are also accused and can be held liable, but Mr Rao asked officials not to go after film personalities.

Mr Rao told a review meeting of top officials that the excise enforcement department had identified 12 persons from Tollywood. We dont consider them as accused persons as they are just victims. Trafficking and selling of drugs is a crime but consuming it is not, he said.

By questioning these persons, the investigation agency will get information on peddlers and suppliers, he said.

Film actors are victims, wont be arrested: KCR

Based on their statements, the SIT will be able to make arrests and conduct raids, he said.

So far, the investigation has revealed that cine persons were only using drugs and not selling them. If it is proved that they are selling drugs, well register cases against them. Not only the people from Tollywood but we also consider drug addicts from all sectors as victims, he said.

The Chief Minister was speaking at a review on the ongoing drug cases with Director General of Police Anurag Sharma, Hyderabad police commissioner M. Mahender Reddy, prohibition and excise commissioner Dr R.V. Chandravadan, Intelligence IG Naveen Chand, security IG Mrugesh Kumar Singh, director of excise enforcement Dr Akun Sabharwal, joint commissioners of police Shahnawaz Qasim (Cyberabad) and Tarun Joshi (Rachakonda).

The Chief Minister also explained to the officials that the Special Task Force had arrested 22 persons including two foreign nationals in connection with the drug cases. We are just utilising statements of drug addicts as clues in nabbing the prime accused. We have identified that the drug racketeers are obtaining drugs from Portugal, Nigeria, the Netherlands, Colombia and other countries. We have names of some key persons that are involved in drug trafficking.

Mr Rao said: We are not targeting the cine industry only. There is no truth of drug culture in the information technology sector.

He said the state government had targeted the drug culture in its initial stages and was working to control it in Hyderabad. The allegations being circulated that drugs are on the rise in Hyderabad are false. Telangana state is in the top position in financial growth, development and law and order and the government is concentrating on eliminating social disorders, he said.

Our goal is to close all routes for drugs from the entry points into TS. Telangana state is not in the list of the heavy drug usage states in the country. Even in the list of cities, Hyderabad does not figure. Our aim is to close the businesses of drugs, illicit liquor, hookah, gambling, eve-teasing, adulteration, fake products and social disorders, said Mr Rao.
Hyderabad: A police complaint has been filed against the executive officer Srinivasa Rao and staff of the Bhadrachalam gram panchayat for the alleged mass killing of about 50 dogs and 300 pigs near the temple town.

The complainant, Voice of Hyderabad Animals Welfare Society, alleged that the officials violated rules and had committed contempt of a Supreme Court order against mass killing of animals. The police didn't take up the case as the alleged incident happened on the AP-TS border.

On July 23 and July 25, the complainant, the eyewitnesses, and other local volunteers infor-med the Bhadrachalam police about the mass killing and filed a complaint but the sub-inspector refused to accept it, alleged the society that is based in Malkajgiri.

Mass killing of animals is a punishable offence under Sections 428, 429, 201 of the IPC and Prevention of Cruelty towards Animals Act. The killing of dogs was planned by higher officials and executed by the staff on the town outskirts, it alleged.

Ms Sanjana Sen of the society said, The incident took place on the border of AP and TS. We have evidence to say that they are killed on the TS side. We are working to ensure that an FIR is issued as some of the mandals fall in AP and one in TS.
The Sitarama project is considered to be one of the key irrigation projects because there is plenty of water available in the Godavari.

Khammam: To meet the ever-increasing demand for water for irrigation, the state government is increasing the capacity of ongoing irrigation projects. The Godavari river has been identified as one of the major sources of water to satisfy the needs of Telangana.

The capacity of the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project has been enhanced from 50,000 million cubic feet to 70.4 tmc ft. The area which the dam will irrigate, spread across the districts of Khammam, Bhadradri-Kothagudem and Mahbubabad, has increased from 5.48 lakh acres to 9.36 lakh acres.

Khammam and Bhadrachalam districts are the major beneficiaries of the redesign. About 7 lakh acres across the two districts will be irrigated as per the revised designs.

The Sitarama project is considered to be one of the key irrigation projects because there is plenty of water available in the Godavari.

The state has enough power to be allocated to the lifting of water from the river. The government aims at to supply water from the project to irrigate at least one lakh acres of land by the Kharif season of 2018.

An Expert Appraisal Committee met in Delhi and granted permission for the increase in project capacity. With this, the cost of the project has increased to Rs 9,000 crore.

The first phase of the project will be broken down into eight packages. The length of the main canal is 39.9 km, and the tender process for its construction has been completed.

The first package, that involves the construction of 10.8 km of the main canal, will cost Rs 1,446 crore.

Around 22 km of the canal will be constructed in the second package, and 7 km in the third.

The government does not wish to publicise the increase in capacity out of fear of eliciting complaints from other states. They say that Telangana has no option but to lift water from the Godavari, which is what it is doing.
A veterinary doctor treats a rabbit at the government hospital in Old City on Thursday.

Hyderabad: The Government Veterinary Hospital, which is the oldest in the city, awaits modernisation.

According to historians, the hospital was started during the Nizams rule along with Osmania General Hospital, the Government Nizamia (Tibbi) General Hospital, and the Government Homeopathy Hospital.

Mr M.A. Qayyum, a historian, says, The hospital was started with the intention of attending to the medical needs of animals, including the royal horses, elephants and camels.

The hospital was initially established at the Madina Building, as were Osmania General Hospital and the Government Nizamia (Tibbi) General Hospital. Dr M.A. Rahman, a former superintendent of the hospital, said, The superintendent level rank was adopted as the Nizam wanted all hospitals to be headed by senior doctors who could run them effectively.

The hospital moved several locations before occupying its permanent place at Chandrayangutta. The hospital is now centrally located and thus accessible to the Old City.

A view of the Government Veterinary Hospital.

Hospital superintendent Dr M.A. Saboor said, Every day around 30 pet dogs are brought here for treatment. We give what treatment we can, and refer complicated cases to the hospitals in Seetarambagh or Narayanguda, which have better facilities.

The staff attends to 150 to 200 animals every day, including goats, horses, buffaloes, ducks, pigeons and hens.

However, the facility is riddled with problems including shortage of medicines, absence of facilities such as X-ray machines, and ill-equipped laboratories.

As it is the only veterinary hospital in Old City, people from areas as far as Edi Bazaar, Rein Bazaar, Kishan Bagh, Misrigunj, Shaheenagar, and Hafeez Babanagar bring their pets for treatment. The stress on the hospital will reduce if dispensaries are introduced at Chandulal Baradari, Edi Bazaar and Pathergatti.

Mr Shakeelullah Baig, a businessman from Edi Bazaar, said, Though the animals are treated for free, we spend a huge amount on transporting them to the hospital. At times we are asked to buy the medicines from outside. People want the facilities at the hospital to improve so that their pets have access to better healthcare.

Mr Fahad Bin Abdul Samad, MIM corporator from Uppuguda, said he would bring this issue to the notice of his party floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi and ensure that facilities at the hospital are improved.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Friday accused the BJP-RSS of unleashing violence to divert the attention of people from the multi crore medical college scam involving top leaders. At a press conference, Mr Kodiyeri said the MCI scam was only the tip of the iceberg. There are reports about hawala transactions involving party leaders and bribery even for army postings. BJP workers were held recently for printing fake notes of Rs 2000 denomination. He said the partys image had taken a hit following the cases of corruption and it was desperate to deflect the issue.

The manner in which the attacks were carried out clearly pointed to a conspiracy. It was BJP which started the attacks leading to a chain of incidents in city and other parts of the district, he said. Mr Kodiyeri said the houses, vehicle and other property of Chala block president S. Unni, CPM chala area commite secretary S. A. Sunder, council Razia, district committee member S. Pushpalatha, Karmana Hari and councillor I. P. Binu were damaged in the attacks carried out late last night. There was a plan to attack AKG Centre. However, owing to police presence, they abandoned the plan.

The CPM state secretary alleged that the attack on the house of his son Bineesh Kodiyeri was with the intention of targeting him. "The BJP RSS people know that I often stay here, he added. The CPM state secretary alleged that the violence had been planned by the state leadership with the blessings of BJP national leaders. There is a clear pattern of targeting CPM across the country. RSS activists barged into AKG Bhavan in Delhi with the intention of attacking party general secretary Sitaram Yechury, he said.

Mr Kodiyeri said CPM had lost 13 of its comrades after the LDF came to power in May 2016. Scores of houses had been attacked by the RSS in various parts of the state. The CPM state secretary said the all party meeting convened by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan had decided against attacks on houses and party offices. "It was the BJP which first violated this agreement and targeted party offices. The CPM state secretary said there was a clear attempt to create disturbance in the state and unleash propaganda about breakdown of law and order. He alleged that RSS activists from outside were also camping in the district to create trouble. Kodiyeri said the CPM would cooperate with all initiatives taken to restore peace.
Chennai: Hailing the European Union Court of Justice verdict lifting the ban on LTTE, leaders including PMK founder S. Ramadoss and MDMK general secretary Vaiko, besides other Tiger supporters demanded that the ban be lifted in India too. The leaders and pro-Tiger outfits argued that the reasons cited by the European court to lift the ban is applicable for the ban in India too.

Welcoming the judgment, Ramadoss said this would enable the functioning of Tigers in 26 countries of Europe. Hailing the judgment as 'historical', he said the verdict would enable mobilising support for the struggle of Eelam Tamils for their rights and power.

The judgment would also pave way for breaking the LTTE ban in Canada and United Stattes and the actions of Tamils throughout the world could be taken forward without obstacles, Ramadoss said.

Vaiko described the verdict as a turning point in the history of Tamil Eelam and said it would open the gates for demanding justice for Lankan Tamils in United Nations Human Rights Council and general assembly. It gives hope that those who indulged in 'genocide of Tamils' could be brought to book and a referendum for Tamil Eelam could be held. Sri Lankan government was unable to show that LTTE indulged in terrorist activities after 2009, Vaiko added.

Expressing happiness over the judgment, VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan said inclusion of LTTE in the list of banned organizations was a set back to the Tigers. Tamils throughout the world were unable to mobilise funds and people support for the LTTE after the ban. Describing the Tamil Eelam liberation struggle as a fight for freedom of a nationality.

Thamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi leader T. Velmurugan welcomed the judgment and said the verdict would pave way to establish that LTTE was a freedom fighting movement and they are not terrorists.

He said the LTTE ban in India should be lifted to enable the activities of those supporting the struggle of Lankan Tamils and working for in the political sphere of Tamil Nadu.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala will move the Supreme Court against the medical college scam involving the BJP national leaders. He has approached the AICC seeking its support for his move as he has alleged that it is a Rs 1,000-crore scandal. He had said earlier that the centre had granted recognition to 70 medical colleges with each college giving a bribe of Rs 13.5 crore to the middlemen in the BJP. The term of Lodha commission ended on May 15. The order for sanction of the colleges was issued on May 31. So a Supreme Court judge should probe the scam to bring out the truth, said Mr Chennithala. He will be assisted by Mr T. Asif Ali, former director-general of prosecution.

However, a section of Congress leaders has opposed his move saying he should have organised a protest march to the BJP office first. Chennithala takes a soft stand towards the BJP. His present move is to hog the headlines. Instead, he has to stop the BJP strides in the state, said a KPCC general secretary. Those close to Mr Chennithala are not worried about the huge amount needed to pursue the case in the Supreme Court. Former KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran had to seek financial support from business people for the cases he had slapped against the LDF government, sources said.
Hyderabad: NDAs Vice-Presidential candidate M. Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said that he would quit public life in January 2020 and retire to his village to do public service.

His term as Vice-President will last till August 2022. Mr Naidu turns 70 on July 1, 2019. Long back I had taken a decision to quit politics in January 2020 and go back to my native village and take up some social service activities, he said. He said that this decision had been informed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was speaking at a Meet and Greet programme at Hyderabad on Friday.

Painful to leave mother-BJP

Mr Venkaiah Naidu said he was certain that Narendra Modi would continue as Prime Minister after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He said that BJP was like his mother and it was very painful for him to leave the party.

Mr Venkaiah Naidu said that BJP had made him AP state president at a young age and later when he became Union minister, the party had made him its national president. He said in the 1983 Assembly elections, he had been elected from the BJP.

After the elections, the then Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao had invited him to join the Telugu Desam and promised to give him a Cabinet berth but he had rejected the offer.

He said that in his long political life he had never faced any pressure from family members. He said he had asked his children to stay away from politics.

Reacting to Congress leader Jairam Rameshs allegations about favouring his children, Mr Venkaiah Naidu said that he had never interfered in his childrens businesses.

He said that such allegations were inescapable in public life. Condemning the allegations Mr Venkaiah Naidu said, Those who are in mud, they cannot bear to see somebody wearing a white shirt and dhoti.
Dilution is the essence of cleanliness

A little water clears us of the deed

The oceans swell with the burden of godliness

Diffusion of entropy none can impede.

From Khaddi Boli to Hyperbole by Bachchoo

Dear Suchitra,

I read with some alarm a report of a couple of tweets you sent, presumably to followers. I didnt receive them as the only twitter I know is the dawn chorus of birds at 4.45 outside my London window. Or perhaps you posted the comments about the disturbance you say you suffered from the call of the early morning azaan, on Facebook  which I dont do, being closer to Facelift. My alarm is caused by the fact that the newspapers, and the subsequent Internet links to their reports, are read by millions of people, which might easily include some mad mullahs and fundos opposed to the freedom of expression of the likes of ourselves. So the purpose of this open letter is partly to urge an old friend to be cautious and partly to join the debate you seem to have initiated with your posts. What you said was you returned home at 4.45 in the morning (none of my business, but what the hell were you doing at 4.45 am and if it was a public rave send me the address!) and were disturbed in some way by what you call an ear-shattering lowlife call to prayer. You refer to it, quite strongly, as imposed religiosity. You werent asleep when the muezzin got on his microphone, but of course might be on subsequent nights and would then, if you were a light-ish sleeper, be disturbed by the amplified call.

If you were a Muslim you would know that the call is designed to do precisely that  to wake up the believers and get them to address their obeisance to God alone, darkness and the early hour notwithstanding. Every religion is associated in some way with sounds. Christianity and Hinduism have their bells. Hinduism and Jainism pronounce devotion through cymbals. Various sects of Buddhists use wind instruments in worship, while the animists blow conches and digeridoos. I suppose that in the early days of adherent Islam, when the muezzin mounted the minaret and his voice wafted across the empty sands to wake the sojourners in the oasis and call them to prayer, there was not much that you, or your equivalent talent of the time, could object to. No, the villain is not the injunction to the mullah to call people to an awareness of their worshiping duties. The villain, I submit, is technology. In all sorts of ways technology, from primitive times, with the invention of the bagpipe (and the instruments used by the naankhatai band) and later on with the proliferation of amplifiers and loudspeakers has contributed to what we used to call a damned racket but must now be known by its politically-correct appellation as noise pollution. You must have heard about the generational-long protests against the hums and buzzes that aircraft make. The project to build an extra runway at one of Londons airports has been a subject of debate in three British general and byelections and has cost MPs their parliamentary seats.

Your protest, dear Suchitra, should be against loudspeakers and not be expressed, especially in these times, when some would say India is struggling to define its soul, in terms that vilifies any religious practice. I am sure the unamplified dulcet tones of a mullah crying awake my little ones and fill the cup of piety, will only help rather than hinder your dreams. My second cousin thrice removed (yes, yes, each time by the police!) Rustum Immoralearningswalla writes to me saying that when he was on his mistress vast animal farm in Canada, he was woken each morning by the harmonious mooing of hundreds of cows asking before dawn for their breakfast. Cho chweet! I must confess that I too have objections to particular forms of pollution. Lets start with sound because you initiated it. As I drive around London, or indeed anywhere in Britain, and get caught in parallel or stagnant traffic, my peace is very often invaded by the booming bass sounds of some Rap or other unpleasant contemporary music blaring through the radio of a car beside, behind or in front of mine. Sometimes it feels like a harmonic earthquake and is the more intrusive if the driver of the sound-bomb has all his or her car windows open to demonstrate a rebellious disregard for public manners. My only form of retaliation is to tune my car radio to Classic FM, a popular station which relentlessly plays Rachmaninov or Sibelius and sometimes high opera, to turn the volume full blast, wind the windows down and give the sound-bombwalla a taste of an alternative musical tradition.

I have no way of knowing if lessons have been learnt, but I have received very dirty looks before the rap-merchant, unsure of my rights to pollute the ether in this way, presses the accelerator. I wind the windows up and turn my radio down.

What I absolutely know, Suchitra, is that you are not falling into the lazy pursuit of the nasty, though limited, public mood that haunts contemporary India. You genuinely object to a racket that disturbs the ether. I know that you would send the same message or post if Hindu temples began clanging amplified bells at 4.45 in the morning (but tell me honestly what were you doing getting home at that hour?). Still, the advice I am compelled to give is watch the language! India is going through an unworthy phase in which innocent people from a majminority (new word!) religion are being victimised. Make it very clear that you object to sound pollution and turn your wrath on amplification, not even seemingly on Islam. These are delicate times Suchitra, so tread cautiously, watch your words and carry a big stick.

Your friend always,

Farrukh
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was forced out of office in a soft coup on Friday, highlighting once again how tentative democratic values are in that country. The background was Panama Papers in which Mr Sharifs children and a close aide were held guilty of possessing properties in London through secret offshore accounts managed by third parties. A five-member Supreme Court bench unanimously decided to disqualify the PM after what was evidently a sham investigation by a specially constituted joint investigation team  in which an ISI officer was represented alongside one from military intelligence  whose findings were forwarded to the National Accountability Bureau. There was no trial. This is certainly strange business.

In a fundamental sense, Mr Sharif was pushed out for not honouring his oath of office to defend the Constitution. But did the apex court bench adhere to its own role under the Constitution, which enjoins that no one can be held guilty unless guilt is established through a fair trial? Corruption in high places is common not only in the poorer parts of the world but also in some G-7 countries. The judicial system must help by transparently fighting it. The trouble with Pakistan is that its higher judiciary tends to go with those in authority. Also, in Pakistan, the trend has been for the armed forces to oust a civilian leader by bringing charges of corruption  when death sentence is not issued  and replace him with another civilian, who might be similarly treated if he does not fall in line. In the event directly military rule replaces civilian rule, the generals too rake it in. No one has the courage to bring a case of corruption against them. The men in khaki leave only when they want to leave.

In Westminster-style democracy, which Pakistan claims to be, a PM should be ousted only on Parliament floor, but this is not a preferred method in Pakistan. There is no open, transparent, judicial trial either. This is why it is safe to call the resignation of Mr Sharif a camouflaged coup. This particular Pakistani leader has been PM three times and not once has he been permitted to complete a full term. They might as well ban him from contesting again. India-Pakistan terms have been at a low ebb. They can get much worse, and we should remain ready to meet politico-military eventualities, meaning heightened terrorism and intervention in Kashmir. It doesnt matter which civilian leader is made to replace Mr Sharif.
Indias Prime Minister has set a world record for hugging global leaders. That much is true. But beyond those highly embarrassing international photo-ops, Modijis warm embrace has also been extended to desi politicos. With Nitish Kumar in the bag, Mr Modis jadoo ki jhappi demonstrates just how irresistible he is. The day he manages to hug Mamata Banerjee. And win her over, even his most strident critics will be forced to bow down and say, You are the boss of bosses. Tussi God ho! How does he do it? Those who have deconstructed the Nitish Kumar model of cooperation, insist this was no call of the conscience as Mr Kumar disingenuously claims (what conscience?). This was a planned strategy, meticulously timed and perfectly executed. In any case, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Mr Kumar were the ultimate odd couple to begin with! Kahan Lalu aur kahan Nitish? There are theories galore about the latest bromance between Mr Modi and Mr Kumar, but leave that for now. Political jugaad and convenient setting aside, my own feelings are a little hatt ke.

Remember the time Mr Kumar was being aggressively pushed as the future Prime Minister of India? His articulate propagandists were relentlessly at it, sending out material to hand-picked media, listing Mr Kumars many triumphs and achievements. He was projected as a hot-shot, dynamic leader with a squeaky clean track record. An urbane and sophisticated man with a grand vision for Bihar. And India, of course. The positioning was impeccable! Even I fell for the Nitish narrative! Compared to the rest, Mr Kumar seemed like the perfect candidate to lead the nation into a golden, efficient, techno-savvy future. But that was before the Modi tidal wave swept everything and everyone else aside. But knowing Mr Modis far-sightedness, Im pretty sure, the thought or slightest hint of Nitish as PM registered big with him and his close associates. Mr Kumar was the only possible rival left. He had to be either co-opted or decimated. Well, we now know that Mr Modi and his band of merry men shrewdly decided to co-opt... and then decimate. What that suggests is obvious  once you get your biggest rival into your den, he poses zero threat. A Nitish on the opponents team is far more worrying. Jhakaas reasoning.

Whats in it for Mr Kumar, now that he is the boss of Bihar? How soon will the witch-hunts begin? Who will be the first hit? Going after Lalu and Co. is a bit of a joke. Their history is known to all. Lets drop the meaningless Bada Bhai and Chhota Bhai nonsense. In politics, there are no genuine bhais. Unless, the bhais belong to the underworld. In which case, they become invaluable. Mr Kumar has his job cut out for him. Though, playing anybodys puppet is not really his style. Bihar is a behemoth, uncontrollable and unruly. My driver is from Bihar. I love to listen to his take on whats going on back home. He is remarkably astute, even if he happens to be an illiterate angootha chhap. He had high hopes for Bihar and Mr Kumar 10 years ago. Today, he is a cynical and disillusioned man. His village remains backward, minus basic civic amenities. He has little hope for his two sons getting ahead in life. They are healthy, strapping boys, with a basic education and big dreams to get into the Army or the police force. My driver tells me they dont stand a chance even though they meet all the criteria. But why is that? Where will I get Rs 30 lakhs from? That is what is demanded while filling up the forms.

Will Mr Kumar change that sad reality? He shakes his head. He was an honest man once. Now, we hear all sorts of stories. There is no hope for Bihar. We are doomed to stay backward. Will Mr Kumar pay heed to such voices of desperation and defeat? Or will he be preoccupied hanging on to his seat? Mr Modi is known to extract a huge price for such favours. What is that price? Perhaps that Mr Kumar gives up any prime ministerial ambitions right here, right now, and makes his peace with this job. As for the open-mouthed Indian watching this circus in stupefied silence, what else is new? Mr Modis sweep is almost total. And it only goes to prove how unmotivated, unprepared and uninformed the Congress is at this crucial juncture. 2019 elections are all but sewn up by Mr Modi. The rest are like a rag tag army of discards, unable to take on the challenge. Mr Modi, putting out a tweet, congratulating Mr Kumar is but one more example of how deftly and seamlessly the coup was orchestrated. It was so obvious what was being plotted when Mr Kumar backed and applauded Mr Modis demonetisation and GST launch. This weeks drama was merely a formality, after the deal was cut. The big talk about their joint fight against corruption is a monumental joke. Nobody but nobody can win the corruption battle in India. As for Bihars future, Ill get a far more truthful and accurate picture from the man from Bihar who works with us. He never wants to go back. If he can, he wants to bring his sons to Maharashtra! I laugh when he says that. What on earth gives him the idea life in my state is less filthy, less corrupt? At the end of the day, all politicos in India are versions of Mr Kumar.
On July 13, a day before Bastille Day, during a press conference jointly addressed by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Paris, the two nations announced their intention to cooperate for the development of a future combat aircraft, which could one day replace the Rafale of Dassault Aviations and the Eurofighter/Typhoon. Mr Macron asserted that road maps and joint investment opportunities in 18 areas were discussed with Ms Merkel; it included a fifth-generation fighter plane. The young French President added that this would help reduce duplication and enable the European nations to more effectively pursue export opportunities. Apart from the fighter plane, European nations have agreed to further develop the Airbus Helicopters Tiger attack rotorcraft and complete work on a medium-altitude, long-endurance Eurodrone unmanned vehicle as well as military satellites. Mr Macron said: It is a deep revolution  but we are not scared of revolutions when they are conducted in peaceful manner. According to Flight Global, the French President described the venture as part of a broader integration of several European partners for the development, deployment and export of combat equipment.

Airbus Defence and Space, which works on the Eurofighter, welcomed the announcement to jointly develop a next-generation fighter jet. A communique added: Strengthening the Franco-German axis will help to safeguard critically needed European defence capabilities in the future. On June 9, Fernando Alonso, the head of Airbus Groups military aircraft division had affirmed: We have to do this in Europe. Theres no place to do two or three different systems. It would not be the first time that Europeans try to collaborate in the field of defence R&D and production, though the outcome has not always been up to the mark. Soon after the World War II, a man had a revolutionary proposal: to unite the enemies of yesterday, France and Germany, by bringing them to work together. Jean Monnet, the father of Europe wrote: the course of events must be altered. To do this, mens attitudes must be changed. Words are not enough. Monnet thought that since Germany and France had to rebuild their industry, it was bound to revive the old rivalry. Monnets idea was to reverse the problem  what had been the seed of war must become the seed of unity  his proposal was therefore to create a high authority which could manage the resources in coal and steel for both nations. This was the birth of the European Coal and Steel Community, the embryo of the European Economic Community (EEC) and later the European Union.

But it is not always easy. Francisco Duarte in The Inquisitr quotes the case of the joint design for the main battle tank for the France and German armies in 1957. He says: After some years of development and construction of opposing prototypes, one of the German proposals was chosen. Even before the decision was taken, relations started to go sour with other Nato partners, which, among other developments, meant a split in the project for a European tank. The Germans would eventually create the Leopard 1, while the French pursued their own concepts, leading to the unveiling of the AMX-30. Hopefully it will be different this time. More recently, we have the example of the UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle) developed by Dassault Aviation of France as the prime contractor. The nEUROn European drone project perfectly reflects the original European spirit though ironically, Germany is not directly associated. Six European countries have decided to build an UCAV as a technology demonstrator. This European programme has been designed to pool the skills and know-how of Alenia Aermacchi (Italy), Saab (Sweden), EADS-CASA (Spain), HAI (Greece), RUAG (Switzerland) and Thales (France) to produce the drone of the future.

With a length of 10 metres, a wingspan of 12.5 metres and an empty weight of five tonnes, the aircraft is powered by a Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour engine. It was French President Jacques Chirac who unveiled the Dassault-led nEUROn project in June 2005; it marked the beginning of the six-nation research programme to build a technical demonstrator. The project crossed a major milestone on December 2012 when the UCAV had its first successful flight from Istres airbase, near Marseille in South France. Flight trials in France to evaluate its stealth characteristics were successfully completed in March 2015. It was followed by sensor evaluation trials in Italy, which were completed on August 2015. In July 2016, extensive stealth and detection tests were conducted with the nEUROn and the Charles de Gaulle carrier group. In November 2014, a two-year feasibility study was started by the French and British governments. It could lead to a programme combining the experience of the BAE Systems Taranis and nEUROn programs into a Future Combat Air System. One of the most interesting aspects of the project is the close collaboration between different European partners.

Monnet had prophesied: Europe will be built through concrete realisations, creating at first a de facto solidarity. For him, it was essential to develop habits of cooperation among nations which had so far only known relationships based on power. Dassault Aviation is the master builder, responsible for the overall architecture and design, flight control system, global testing (static and flight), elements of stealth, final assembly, integration of systems and testing. NEUROn is undoubtedly an extraordinary technological challenge for the European companies involved. But let us come back to the development of a fifth-generation combat aircraft. India has tried to work with the Russians. The project is not doing well. Franz-Stefan Gady wrote in the Diplomat an article entitled: India, Russia 5th Generation Fighter Jet Deal is Lost: The transfer of sensitive defence technology from Russia to India has been one of the most contentious issues between the two sides right from the start. Gady commented: India wants a guarantee that it will be able to upgrade the fighter jet in the future without Russian support, which would require Moscow sharing source codes (sensitive computer code that controls the fighter jets various systems  the key to an aircrafts electronic brains).

Recently, Sergei Chemezov, the CEO of Rostec, the Russian state corporation which develops and promotes hi-tech defence and civilian products worldwide refused to speak about the future aircraft, which was not mentioned in the Saint Petersburg Declaration (A vision for the 21st century), when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Russia in early June. Delays are said to have been caused because New Delhi and Moscow disagree on over many fundamental aspects such as work and cost share, aircraft technology or numbers of aircraft to be ordered by India. A question, though presently theoretical, could be raised, why cant India join the European project? Europe will require a market for its fifth generation aircraft; in the coming decades, India will need hundreds of planes, having to cope with two fronts. Mr Modi has developed an excellent rapport with Mr Macron and Ms Merkel; it would make economic and strategic sense for India to partner Europe. It could be good for the European industries as well, as they would get crucial financial support and a market. It is worth thinking about such far-away possibility; it could be a win-win deal for India too as Delhi would be involved in the project from the conception.
Since May, the world has been rocked by two major international cyber-attacks - the ransomware WannaCry and a likely state-sponsored attack called NotPetya that spread out of Ukraine. (Representational image)

Against a backdrop of cyber-attacks that amount to full-fledged sabotage, Facebook chief security officer Alex Stamos brought a sobering message to the hackers and security experts assembled at the Black Hat conference in Las Vegas. In effect, he said, it's time to grow up.

Too many security researchers, he suggested, are focused on "really sexy, difficult problems" that don't address the common vulnerabilities that allow malware attacks to wreak havoc. And too many security-minded hackers seem intent on demonstrating newly discovered hacks, such as making an ATM spit out cash or taking remote control of an Internet-controlled car, rather than shoring up more mundane defenses.

While part of that reflects the healthy intellectual curiosity of hackers, it's also driven by marketing and economic incentives, Stamos said. "I appreciate the showmanship, but we need a little more thoughtfulness, a little less showmanship in our field," he told reporters after his speech.

Global attacks, serious damage

Since May, the world has been rocked by two major international cyber-attacks - the ransomware WannaCry and a likely state-sponsored attack called NotPetya that spread out of Ukraine. Those and other recent digital assaults have paralysed hospitals, disrupted commerce, caused blackouts and interfered with national elections.

Stamos himself was formerly the chief security officer at Yahoo, which last year disclosed breaches of more than a billion user accounts that dated back to 2013 and 2014.

Black Hat, now in its 20th year, has matured since what Stamos, a longtime attendee of the computer security conference, described as its "edgy and transgressive" early days. It has grown more professional and corporate over time.

Stamos called for a culture change among hackers and more emphasis on defense - and basic digital hygiene - over the thrilling hunt for undiscovered vulnerabilities. And he called for diversifying an industry that skews white and male, and generally showing more empathy for the people whom security professionals are tasked to protect.

"It's unfair for us to say that users should be better," said Stamos, challenging his profession to find better ways to help people solve the most common vulnerabilities, such as reuse of passwords , email phishing attempts , and not updating devices to patch bugs.

Building a wall, metaphorically

Stamos announced that Facebook is investing $1 million (roughly Rs. 6.4 crores) to encourage defensive security research through an upcoming contest.

He also revealed the company will contribute $500,000 to a Harvard University-based bipartisan election-security project. That effort will be co-led by former presidential campaign officials for Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Mitt Romney. Facebook and its rival Google will help create an information-sharing and analysis hub that Stamos said could help local officials and campaigns prevent attacks.

Stamos isn't the only one calling for a broader focus on defensive techniques.

"We should celebrate defense," said conference attendee Amit Yoran, CEO of Columbia, Maryland-based security firm Tenable, and a former cyber-security official during the administration of President George W. Bush. "We focus on the threat of the day, the attack of the day, instead of focusing on the foundational issues."

But some attendees - Stamos among them - also point out that the bug-squashing hacker ethos still plays an important foundational role in helping to understand what needs to be fixed.

"Every single hacker is going to start by attacking and trying to hack things," said Jaime Blasco, a chief scientist at San Mateo, California-based Alienvault, who has been trying to compromise systems since he was a 12-year-old growing up in Spain. "I don't think it's bad. If you want to be a good defender, you have to understand hackers, and you have to have been one of them to know what you're dealing with."

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Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio has tabled a proposal to the Ministry of Human Development regarding its plans to offer free Wi-Fi facility to about 38,000 colleges across India, reported the Hindustan Times. The proposal aims to provide free internet connection to students for educational purposes.

Interestingly, a couple of months ago, HRD minister Prakash Javadker had announced that 38 universities would be made Wi-Fi enabled by August 31, this year. A month later, ministry received a proposal from Reliance Jio, expressing its interest in the plan.

In the proposal submitted to the ministry, Reliance Jio has expressed its desire of deploying free Wi-Fi hotspots in college campuses (technical or non-technical).

According to sources cited in the report, the HRD ministry is currently examining the proposal and is yet to come to any decision. It further quotes officials saying that its a first-of-its-kind proposal which needs to go through a transparent tender process first for fair chance.

Through this free access to Wi-Fi, all students will be able to get internet connection and use educational resources such as online courses available on SWAYAM platform through the National Knowledge Network. The company plans to create hotspots for this, a source told HT.

Though they (Reliance) are not charging us any money for this project, we cant approve it without giving a fair chance to others. A tender will be floated so that it is a fair and transparent process, the source added.

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The chip business was Samsung's top earner as profit rose to a record KRW 8 trillion from KRW 2.6 trillion in the second quarter of 2016. (Representational image)

Samsung Electronics on Thursday said it expected the memory chip boom to continue in the current quarter, after reporting a record operating profit for the three months through June.

The world's biggest maker of memory chips, smartphones and television sets is widely expected to break profit records for the full year, as better-than-forecast performance in its mobile business lifted quarterly operating profit slightly above its early-July guidance, analysts said.

The company on Thursday also announced its third share buyback of the year, at KRW 1.7 trillion ($1.53 billion or rougly Rs. 9,802 crores) worth of common shares, as part of the KRW 9.3 trillion (roughly Rs. 53,629 crores) annual total that Samsung promised in January. It also announced the cancellation of KRW 2 trillion worth of its own shares.

"Looking ahead to the third quarter, the company expects favourable semiconductor conditions to continue, although overall earnings may slightly decline quarter-on-quarter as earnings weaken for the display panel and mobile businesses," Asia's third most-valuable company by market value said in a statement.

Analysts nevertheless forecast third-quarter earnings to exceed the second quarter on the strength of the so-called memory chip super-cycle.

"We think more than KRW 15 trillion (in third-quarter profit) is more than possible," said analyst Greg Roh at HMC Investment & Securities.

"The mobile business might be slightly weaker in the third quarter because the second quarter was so strong, but the expected sales from OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display supply to Apple is seen to be reflected in earnings starting in the third quarter."

Operating profit rose 72.7 per cent in the second quarter from the same period a year earlier, to KRW 14.1 trillion (roughly Rs. 81,294 crores), Samsung said in a regulatory filing. That compared with KRW 14 trillion estimated in July.

Revenue rose 19.8 per cent to KRW 61 trillion (roughly Rs. 3,51,780 crores), also in line with its earlier estimate.

The chip business was Samsung's top earner as profit rose to a record KRW 8 trillion from KRW 2.6 trillion in the second quarter of 2016. Client demand for more powerful devices and supply constraints are pushing up prices of both DRAM and NAND memory chips, widening profit margins.

The mobile division, which competes with Apple, reported a profit of KRW 4.1 trillion, a decline from KRW 4.3 trillion a year prior.

Some analysts and fund managers said sales of Samsung's new flagship Galaxy S8 smartphone have not exceeded those of the Galaxy S7 by as much as the market had expected. But Koh Dong-jin, head of the firm's mobile communications business, has said cumulative sales of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ handsets from April is 15 per cent higher than those of its predecessor.

The record earnings come as the firm's Vice Chairman Jay Y. Lee is in detention while on trial for his alleged role in a corruption scandal involving former president Park Geun-hye. He has denied wrongdoing.

The lower court ruling is widely expected to come before Lee's current detention period ends on August 27, a Seoul court spokesman said.

Samsung Electronics shares were up 0.9 per cent as of 0055 GMT, while the Kospi benchmark share price index was up 0.2 per cent.

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"A big offensive by manufacturers" would lead to a 40 per cent increase by 2030. (Representational image)

Technological advances mean fossil fuel in cars could be phased out within decades but switching to electric carries its own environmental and economic concerns as more and more countries announce radical plans.

Britain on Wednesday said it would "end the sale of all conventional petrol and diesel cars" by 2040, following similar proposals by France earlier this month to reduce nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution.

China issued plans last year requiring that 12 per cent of cars sold be battery-powered or plug-in hybrids by 2020, while India has said it wants to replace all vehicles with electric vehicles by 2030.

Norway hopes to end sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2025, and other countries such as Sweden and Denmark and Finland have expressed similar ambitions to phase out fossil fuel engines.

"Given the rate of improvement in battery and electric vehicle technology over the last ten years, by 2040 small combustion engines in private cars could well have disappeared without any government intervention," said Alastair Lewis, professor of atmospheric chemistry at the University of York.

"Nonetheless this is highly symbolic since it signals to both the public and to manufacturers that there is no turning back from electrification," he added.

Stefan Bratzel, director of the Center of Automotive Management (CAM), said that last year proved to be a "tipping point", shifting political will into concrete commitments.

He highlighted the emissions scandal, where manufacturers of mainly diesel cars were found to have cheated on environmental tests.

Local and national environmental targets and the progress made by China in developing electric cars are also forces propelling the move away from hydrocarbons.

A 'bold bet'

But Flavien Neuvy, economist at French automobile anlaysts Observatoire Cetelem, said it would be a "bold bet" to suggest that the roads will be filled with only electric cars by 2040.

"To say that we forbid combustion engines in 2040 assumes that we already know which will be the most efficient technology in 2040," he told AFP.

"It's a bold bet because the combustion engine, from an environmental point of view, may become more favourable, as can be seen with cars that can now travel 100km on 2 litres of fuel".

He also believes that the electric car "will be much more efficient than today", and that an improvement from the current average range of 250-300km to 400-500km would be "enough" to make them viable.

"But in reality, there are many other fuels, such as gas, hydrogen, and manufacturers are investing heavily in the self-drive car," he added.

Cost is also an issue, with electric cars currently selling for thousands of dollars more than their fossil-fueled counterparts.

The fashion for diesel cars in Britain was fueled by government incentives to reduce carbon emissions, but only worsened NO2 levels on a more local level.

Infrastructure overhaul

A switch to electric cars could also have negative environmental side effects, according to the experts.

Neuvy questioned how the extra electricity would be produced, whether there were enough resources to produce electric batteries, how many charging points would be needed and how the cars would be recycled.

Britain currently has around 4,500 public charging points, catering for around 110,000 plug-in cars currently on the streets out of a total of 36.7 million vehicles registered in Britain.

A study last month by IVL, the Swedish Environment Institute, found that production of a large battery currently results in the emission of up to 17.5 tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to around 700 hours of driving in a standard car.

Another stumbling block could be the vast infrastructure costs associated with providing recharge points on public highways, although Britain's plan promises to install charge points at motorway service areas and large fuel retailers.

British car manufacturing lobby group the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) also warned that an outright ban "risked undermining the current market for new cars", pointing out that the sector employed 800,000 workers.

But for now, the momentum appears to be strong, particularly if oil prices rise again.

CAM predicts that new registrations of electric cars in the world will increase by between 2.5 and 6 per cent by 2020. "A big offensive by manufacturers" would then lead to a 40 per cent increase by 2030.

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Square dance at local VFW

COLUMBUS -- Harolds Squares Square Dance Club of Columbus will have its regular dance 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 30 at the VFW Hall.

The caller/cuer for the dance will be Dean Dederman from Norfolk. A meal will be served after the dance. Spectators are welcome to stop by and see what square-dancing is all about. There will be no more lessons before the dance.

For more information, contact Bob or Rayetta Williams at 402-564-5502.

Nursing class at Central CC

COLUMBUS -- Registration is open for a nursing assistant class that will be held Aug. 23 through Sept. 22 at Central Community College-Columbus.

Students must attend a mandatory orientation session, but because the curriculum is offered in an individualized format, theyll be able to attend class during the hours most convenient to them. The lab will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The class is limited to the first 15 individuals who register. The cost is $395, which includes in-state tuition, fees and books.

For more information or to register, contact the CCC Extended Learning Services Office at 402-562-1225; toll-free at 1-877-222-0780, ext. 1225; or email brendasmejkal@cccneb.edu.

Confined space training offered

COLUMBUS -- A confined space training program will be offered 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 17 in the West Education Center, Room 176, at Central Community College-Columbus.

The program will cover safety and communication equipment; the role of entrants, attendants and supervisors; atmospheric monitoring; signs, symptoms and consequences of exposure; evacuation requirements, emergency procedures and rescue methods.

Class size is limited so preregistration is required by Aug. 10 to reserve a space. The cost is $95.

For more information or to preregister, contact Sue Baer at 402-562-1425; toll-free at 1-877-222-0780, ext. 1425; or email sbaer@cccneb.edu.

Ricketts watching eclipse at Carhenge

LINCOLN (AP)  Gov. Pete Ricketts plans to watch next month's solar eclipse from one of Nebraska's quirkiest roadside attractions.

Ricketts said Thursday he will travel to Carhenge near Alliance to view the eclipse on Aug. 21.

Alliance is one of several Nebraska communities hosting viewing events because of its location. Viewers in the area will experience a total solar eclipse, in which the moon completely obscures the sun's light for a few minutes.

Ricketts says he chose the site because eclipses are mystical events, and he thinks of Carhenge as one of the state's most mystical sites. Carhenge is a replica of England's Stonehenge, formed out of vintage American automobiles.
Deputies are not saying if this was a hate crime or not, but members of the Sikh community say this would not be the first, it said (Representational image)

Two Sikh Americans have been killed in two separate incidents in one week in California, according to community organisations and media reports.

Subag Singh, 68, was found dead in a canal after he went missing in the morning of June 23. His body had injuries. California law enforcement officials from Fresno county have said that they were trying to find out who was responsible for the killing of the elderly Sikh American.

Deputies found his body with visible trauma in a canal on McCall and Jensen. Investigators are trying to piece together what led up to the body being found in a canal, Fox26 said in a report. Deputies are not saying if this was a hate crime or not, but members of the Sikh community say this would not be the first, it said.

In a separate incident, Simranjit Singh, 20, of Elk Grove was shot dead on July 25 outside a gas station where he worked. According to Sacramento Bee, he was shot dead by men who had earlier assaulted his co-worker. It is unclear if either of the crimes were racially motivated, police said.
Xi, also the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a two-day workshop attended by provincial and ministerial officials. (Photo: File)

Beijing: China has reached a turning point in history as it is becoming rich and powerful, President Xi Jinping has said, terming his five-year tenure ending this year as extraordinary.

Xi, bracing for his second term, told officials that over the five years, the partys central leadership solved many challenging problems which (the ruling Communist Party of China) wanted to solve for a long time but could not, and achieved many things it wanted to achieve in the past but did not manage to achieve.

The Chinese nation has achieved the historic leap of rising to our feet, getting rich and getting powerful, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post quoted him as saying.

Xi, also the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a two-day workshop attended by provincial and ministerial officials.

Over a million officials were reported to have been punished in the massive anti-corruption drive launched by him since he took over the leadership in 2013.

Xi said the upcoming 19th National Congress of the CPC, which was expected to confirm a second five year term for him, is a key meeting at a crucial time for the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The meeting also comes when Chinas endeavour to build a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way has entered the decisive stage, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Xi as saying.

Chen Daoyin, an associate professor at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, said Xis remarks were a signal that he had placed himself on par with late leaders Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.

Maos era of founding the modern communist China was when the Chinese nation rose to its feet, and Dengs reform and opening up policies helped the economy take off, and Xi sees himself as bringing China all the way to becoming powerful. Now it is his era, Chen said.

Analysts said the meeting was also a call for senior officials to pledge political loyalty to Xi as the congress approached.

Many of the officials at the seminar would attend the 19th party congress as delegates and cast votes, Chen said. They will have to be politically reliable and choose the right team, he said.

Wu Qiang, a former politics lecturer at Tsinghua University in Beijing, said the strictly arranged and controlled seminar served as a warning to all officials to toe the line.

Every official is supposed to declare his or her position and pledge loyalty after the session. The leaders need to make sure the voting result (at the congress) wont look embarrassing, he said.
Japan's Defense Minister Tomomi Inada pauses during a press conference on her resignation of minister at Defense Ministry in Tokyo. Inada has resigned over an alleged cover-up of military documents from U.N. peacekeeping operations. (Photo: AP)

Tokyo: Japans hawkish defence minister on Friday said she had resigned over a long-brewing scandal involving the handling of military documents, in a political blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Abe, who has seen his popularity plummet in recent weeks over a series of controversies, immediately apologised to the nation over the saga.

I decided to resign as defence minister, Tomomi Inada told a press conference. I submitted my resignation to the prime minister and it was accepted.

Inada, a close confidante of Abe who shares his staunchly nationalist views, was appointed defence minister in August 2016, a time when she was touted as a possible future leader.

But her nearly year-long stint has been characterised by repeated controversy, including increasing criticism of the ministrys handling of log reports filed by Japanese peacekeepers in South Sudan showing worsening security.

Abe, who became prime minister for a second time in December 2012 with a vow to rejuvenate Japans economy, has been hit by scandals and gaffes involving members of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

I apologise from the bottom of my heart to the people for this situation in which a minister resigns, Abe said after the resignation.

All responsibilities lie with me, the prime minister, in the appointment of cabinet ministers, Abe said, adding he must seriously accept the peoples severe criticism.

The most recent setback to the prime minister has been claims he showed favouritism to a friend in a business deal, an accusation he has vigorously denied.

His governments public support ratings have fallen precipitously over the summer, with voters punishing the LDP in local Tokyo elections early this month.

The party suffered a drubbing in the vote for Tokyos municipal assembly that media and analysts chalked up to a growing perception of arrogance on the part of his government.

It lost more than half of its seats, with the result seen as a bellwether for national political sentiment. Abe will reportedly revamp his cabinet next week in a bid to reboot his government.

During her tenure, Inada delighted conservatives but drew domestic and international criticism in December when she prayed at a controversial war shrine in Tokyo the day after accompanying Abe on a symbolic visit of reconciliation to Pearl Harbor in the United States.

Yasukuni Shrine honours millions of mostly Japanese war dead, but is contentious for lionising senior military and political figures convicted of war crimes by an international tribunal.

Days before the Tokyo election Inada called on voters to support the LDP in the name of her ministry and the military.

The comments drew widespread condemnation, forcing Inada to retract her remarks, which were seen as a key reason for her partys unprecedentedly bad drubbing in the poll.
Savonlinna: Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Moscow will ultimately have to respond to sanctions imposed by the United States that he condemned as insolent towards Russia.

"We are behaving in a very restrained and patient way, but at some moment we will need to respond," Putin said at a news conference after talks with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto.

He complained that "it's impossible to endlessly tolerate this kind of insolence towards our country," referring to tougher US sanctions that were backed by the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

"This practice is unacceptable -- it destroys internatioanl relations and international law," Putin said of sanctions.

Nevertheless he did not give any detail on what Russia's response could be, saying simply: "we will see," adding that he had not seen the final version of the US sanctions bill.

The US legislation is aimed at punishing the Kremlin for allegedly meddling in the 2016 US presidential election, and Russia's annexation of Crimea.

It is expected to be passed by the Senate, after which US President Donald Trump will face the tricky choice of whether to veto the legislation.

The Russian strongman criticised the probe into Russian meddling in the US presidential election, saying that he "does not see this as an investigation."

Instead he said, the probe bears witness to a "rise in anti-Russian hysteria" in Washington.

At the same time he said he regretted Russia's worsening relations with the United States.

"In answer to your question on whether I regret the worsening of relations with the US, I can give a direct answer: of course, we do regret it very much," he told a journalist.

"It's a great pity that Russian-US relations are being sacrificed to resolve questions of domestic politics," Putin said, specifying that "in this case, it is the battle between President Trump and his political opponents."

The two countries acting in agreement "could solve very acute problems much more effectively that concern the people both of Russia and the US," Putin said, specifying the "settlement of acute international crises (and) the fight with terrorism."

He said he hoped "today's state of affairs will end at some point and we will move on to a new quality of relations, we will strengthen them and build them up in the interests of the peoples of the US and Russia."
The four accuse Qatar of supporting terror groups and also of maintaining close relations with Shiite power Iran  Saudi Arabia's nemesis. (Photo: AP)

Doha: Qatar's foreign minister on Thursday accused Gulf neighbors and Egypt of "stubbornness" in their ongoing diplomatic dispute and said the United Nations should step in to help resolve the crisis.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York to discuss tensions after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut ties with Qatar on June 5.

The four countries accuse Qatar of backing extremism and have imposed sanctions against Doha in what the foreign minister said was a "serious violation of international law."

"There is a role for the Security Council and for the General Assembly and all the United Nations mechanisms, because of course the violations have continued," the foreign minister told reporters after his meeting with Guterres.

"We are seeing from the other side of the conflict this stubbornness without even taking any forthcoming step to solve this problem," he said.

Last month Al-Thani met with several Security Council members to lobby for support, but the council and Guterres have repeatedly stressed that a solution should be found among regional partners.

Kuwait has been trying to mediate the crisis and several top Western diplomats have toured the region to try to defuse the row, including US Secretary of States Rex Tillerson.

"This is the right place where we have to start to seek all our options in order to find a legal solution," said the foreign minister.

"Qatar has already stated more than ten times that we want to solve this issue by dialogue, and we are not willing to escalate, and they need to retreat from all their illegal actions," he said.

The crisis between the regional allies is the worst to hit the Gulf in decades.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia and its allies unveiled a "terrorist" blacklist of 18 organizations and individuals suspected of links to Islamist extremism tied to Qatar.

The countries have demanded that Qatar break its longstanding ties with the Muslim Brotherhood -- blacklisted as a terror group by the four governments, although not by the international community.

They also demanded that it close broadcasting giant Al-Jazeera and a Turkish military base, and fall in line with Saudi-led policy in the region, particularly towards Iran.

Qatar has dismissed the demands as a violation of its sovereignty and has received significant support from its ally Turkey.
Iran claims to show the launching of Simorgh satellite-carrying rocket in an undisclosed location (Photo: AP)

Tehran: Iran successfully launched its most advanced satellite-carrying rocket into space, the country's state media reported Thursday, in what is likely the most significant step yet for the launch vehicle.

A confirmed launch of the "Simorgh" rocket would mark another step forward for the Islamic Republic's young space program, but is likely to raise alarm among its adversaries, who fear the same technology could be used to produce long-range missiles.

The US State Department called the launch "provocative."

Iranian state television said the rocket, whose name means "phoenix" in Persian, is capable of carrying a satellite weighing 250 kilograms (550 pounds). The report did not elaborate on the rocket's payload. Other state-linked agencies including the semi-official Fars news agency also described the launch as successful.

Media reports did not say when the launch took place at the Imam Khomeini National Space Station in Semnan, some 220 kilometers (138 miles) east of Tehran.

Iran frequently announces technological breakthroughs that are difficult to independently verify. It has carried out multiple tests of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles as well as other domestically produced weapons over the years.

The Simorgh is a two-stage rocket first revealed in 2010. It is larger than an earlier model known as the Safir, or "ambassador," that Iran has used to launch satellites on previous occasions.

The launch comes as the United States has criticized Iran's ballistic missile tests, which American officials argue violate the spirit of the 2015 nuclear deal that Iran struck with world powers. Under the agreement, which does not expressly prohibit missile tests, Iran agreed to limit its uranium enrichment program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. The US said Thursday that such a rocket is inherently designed to be able to carry a nuclear warhead.

Iran has pursued a satellite launch program for years. The US and its allies worry that the same technology could be used to develop long-range missiles.

The country has sent several short-lived satellites into orbit over the past decade, and in 2013 launched a monkey into space. But it recently abandoned plans to potentially send humans into orbit, saying in late May that the cost of doing so was prohibitive.

The US National Air and Space Intelligence Center said in a report released last month that the Simorgh could act as a test bed for developing the technologies needed to produce an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM.

"Tehran's desire to have a strategic counter to the United States could drive it to field an ICBM. Progress in Iran's space program could shorten a pathway to an ICBM because space launch vehicles (SLV) use inherently similar technologies," the report said.

Iran's satellite-launch program falls under the responsibility of the defense ministry, which has denied that the space program is a cover for weapons development.

The head of Iran's space agency in October expressed for the first time interest in cooperating with NASA. Iran has offered to share its scientific findings and satellite data with other countries.

Iran's most recent known successful satellite rocket launch was in February 2015, when it put an imaging satellite known as "Fajr" into orbit. That launch happened while Iran was negotiating the nuclear deal.

It is believed to have carried out at least a partial test of the Simorgh rocket last year, though the exact details of that attempt were never made public.

Iran's decision to announce the rocket launch now likely serves as a test of America's reaction, said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior Iran analyst with the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a conservative think tank long critical of the nuclear deal.

Taleblu said the launch announced Thursday had implications not only on Iran's ability to launch satellites, but also in possibly building intercontinental ballistic missiles.

If Iran begins working on heat shields and other technology allowing for a rocket's payload to re-enter Earth's atmosphere, that would be a major warning sign, he said.

"This will take time, but the Iranian ballistic missile, nuclear, and space program shows that slow and steady always wins the race," Taleblu said.

Asked about the Iran missile tests, China's UN Ambassador Liu Jieyi, the current president of the UN Security Council, said that it was not "within the scope" of the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers.

"I think what's important is that the agreement continues to be implemented and all the sides make constructive efforts to resolve whatever issues that still exist, and to completely and comprehensively implement the agreement," Liu told reporters at UN headquarters in New York.
Beijing: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi on Thursday discussed "major problems" in bilateral ties, the foreign ministry here said after the first high-level meeting between India and China since the military standoff erupted in the Sikkim sector on June 16.

The Chinese foreign ministry, in a brief readout on Doval-Yang meeting, said Yang "elaborated China's position on bilateral issues and major problems", which is being seen as an apparent reference to the standoff in the Dokalam area.

China's state-run Xinhua news agency also reported that Yang met separately with Doval and his other counterparts from South Africa and Brazil.

Though there were no direct references to the Sikkim standoff in the Xinhua report, it said the talks between Doval and Yang included bilateral relations, international and regional issues and multilateral affairs.

Though China had maintained that there wont be a meaningful dialogue without the unconditional withdrawal of Indian troops, India has been maintaining that the unilateral action by China to build a road in the area was altering the status quo and had serious security implications for India.

India has also been pitching for diplomatic solution to resolve the standoff but sought simultaneous withdrawal of troops of both the sides from the tri-junction with Bhutan.

However, the Chinese official media has been carrying a blistering campaign accusing India of trespassing into the Chinese territory.

Doval arrived here yesterday to take part in the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) NSAs meeting being hosted by Yang, who, like Doval, is the Special Representative for India-China boundary talks.

His visit has raised expectations about the likelihood of India and China finding a way-out of the over the month-long standoff.

While the media had no access to Friday meetings, it will be allowed to cover tomorrows joint meeting of the NSAs of the five-member bloc.

Doval, along with other heads of the delegations, will also call on Chinese President Xi Jinping tomorrow evening.

About the BRICS NSAs meeting, the Chinese foreign ministry on Monday said that the meeting on security issues is a major platform for BRICS countries to discuss and conduct cooperation in politics and security fields.

"It bears great significance for these countries to strengthen strategic communication, enhance political mutual trust and elevate their impact on global affairs."

As agreed by all parties, those at the meeting will discuss on topics including global governance, anti-terrorism, internet security and energy security, as well as major international and regional hot spot issues and national security and development, Lu said.

The military standoff began on June 16 when Chinese troops attempted to lay a road in the Dokalam area. Doka La is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Dokalam, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region. India and China share a 220-km-long border in Sikkim section.
Islamabad: Nawaz Sharif on Friday stepped down as the Prime Minister of Pakistan soon after the Supreme Court disqualified him over long-running corruption allegations.

A spokesman for Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the premier has stepped down despite having reservations about the court order that disqualified him from serving.

In a brief statement, Sharif's office said "Sharif relinquished his charge as prime minister after learning that the Supreme Court disqualified him because of corruption allegations".

The statement claims that justice has not been done with Sharif, but the prime minister stepped down to show his respect for the judiciary and rule of law.

"He is disqualified as a member of the parliament so he has ceased to be holding the office of Prime Minister," Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan told the packed courtroom.

Along with the Pakistan premier, the apex court also disqualified Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in Panama graft case.

The court also asked the national anti-corruption bureau to launch a further probe into the allegations against Sharif, which stem from the Panama Papers leak last year linking the premier's family to lucrative offshore businesses.

No Pakistani prime minister has ever completed a full five-year term.

#WATCH: Scenes outside Supreme Court of Pakistan after Nawaz Sharif's disqualification as PM; 'Go Nawaz Go' slogans raised #PanamaVerdict pic.twitter.com/S5f1wR0bi2  ANI (@ANI_news) July 28, 2017

Most have seen their tenures cut short by the powerful military or interference from the Supreme Court. Others have been ousted by their own party, forced to resign -- or been assassinated.

It is the second time in Pakistan's 70-year history that the Supreme Court has disqualified a sitting prime minister.

In 2012 then-prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to reopen a corruption case against the sitting president Asif Ali Zardari.

The Supreme Court's unceremonious end to Sharif's tenure represents a record third time he has been ousted as leader before completing his term.

In 1993 he was sacked by the then-president over graft allegations, while in 1999 he was ousted in a military coup.
Islamabad: Pakistans powerful Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan today said that he would resign and quit politics after the Supreme Court judgement on the Panamagate case on Friday in which embattled Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family have been named for alleged corruption.

His announcement, which comes a day before the verdict in the high-profile case, stunned his supporters and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party.

Khan expressed serious disappointment over the way he was kept away from Sharif by his rivals.

"I have decided to resign from the cabinet and Parliament after the (Panama) decision, whether it is in favour of the prime minister or against him," he told reporters.

Khan, who has 33 years of association with Sharif, did not target the prime minister but criticised some of the party leaders who have been speaking against him (Khan) in presence of Sharif with an objective to create differences.

"I had no one-to-one meeting with the prime minister during the last about six weeks," Khan said as he complained that he was kept out of the crucial consultations on the Panama case which now hangs over Sharifs head like a sword.

Khan, known as a hardcore ideologue within the party, rejected the impression that he may join a new party, saying he can not even think of joining any other political outfit.

Speaking on civil-military relations, Khan said he had "never compromised on civilian supremacy" even though he had strong ties with the military.

"Ask any military or intelligence leader if I have ever attempted to undermine the government for political gain," said Khan whose grandfather, father, elder brother, nephews and several other relatives have been in army.

He said that he always supported civilian supremacy over armed forces and occasionally ran into troubles for criticising senior generals.

He also ruled out speculation that he was hoping to become the prime minister in case Sharif was disqualified.

"I am not in this race," Khan said.

Khan, respected for his outspokenness, puts Sharif in an awkward situation at a time when he is passing through the toughest time of his political career.

Sharif critics are using the press conference to portray that demise of PML-N had started even before the court verdict.

"It shows the internal rift in the party," said Skeikh Rashid Ahmad, a former associate of Sharif and now his fierce critic.

Earlier, Sharifs younger brother and Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Khan for the second time today in as many days to win him back but failed.

A six-member joint investigation team (JIT) set up by the court to investigate the charges the 67-year-old Sharif and his family submitted its report to the court on July 10. It has said the lifestyle of Sharif and his children were beyond their known sources of income, and recommended filing of a new corruption case against them.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval today called on BRICS countries to show leadership on issues of regional and global importance, including countering terrorism.



Speaking at the meeting of NSAs from BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), Doval said, "We should hold a BRICS forum to discuss security issues that impact global peace and stability."



He said the five-member bloc of emerging countries needs to "show leadership in countering terrorism".



In his brief opening remarks at the meeting hosted by his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi, Doval said BRICS countries also should take leadership role on strategic issues of regional and global importance specially in the areas where they have "consensus".



There was no reference to the ongoing Doklam standoff in his speech. Yang and Doval are Special Representatives for the India-China boundary talks. The two officials held a separate meeting yesterday to discuss bilateral issues.



During that meeting, they were understood to have discussed the standoff between the troops of both the countries at Doklam area in the Sikkim section.



Earlier, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the 7th meeting of 'BRICS High Representatives for Security Issues' is a major platform for BRICS countries to discuss and carry out cooperation in the political security field.



The meeting aims to enhance strategic communication, political mutual trust and international influence of BRICS countries, it said.



The meeting will focus on global governance, counter- terrorism, cyber security and energy security, international and regional hotspots, and national security and development, it said.
Ex-minister Moola Mukesh Gouds son Moola Vikram Goud was shot by unknown persons at his home in Banjara Hills during the wee hours on Friday. However, Goud who suffered bullet injuries is safe and recovering at Apollo hospitals.



According to police, unknown persons opened fire on him at around 3.30am and three rounds of bullets injured his right shoulder and spinal cord.



He was shifted to Jubilee Hills Apollo hospital where doctors declared that he is out of danger. Doctors removed three bullets from his body.



Police said that the reasons behind the firing were not known but, they are verifying CCTV footages to nab accused persons. Clues team visited the spot in Gayatri Hills near Hafeez Baba Nagar in Banjara Hills.



According to Vikram's wife Shefali, the couple woke up at around 2.30 am to attend a religious programme. She heard shots immediately after her husband went down the stairs to ground floor.



West Zone DCP A. Venkateswarlu visited Apollo hospital and enquired about the incident with local police and the family members of Vikram Goud.



Moola Mukesh Goud served the united Andhra Pradesh as B.C. Welfare Minister and looked after other portfolios. Mr Vikram is an active leader in youth congress as well as an upcoming politician. He contested as corporator earlier but, failed.




Militants opened fire at a police station in Shopian district and shot at a policeman in Kulgam district of Kashmir late last night, police said today.



Constable Salim Yousuf was shot at and injured by militants inside his residence at Yamrach in Kulgam district last night, a police official said.



He said the injured policeman was rushed to district hospital Anantnag where doctors referred him to a hospital here for specialised treatment.



In another incident, militants opened fire on police station Shopian last night. The cops on sentry duty retaliated, forcing the militants to flee from the spot, the official said adding no one was hurt in the brief exchange of fire.



Earlier yesterday, militants had opened fire on a patrol party of army at Mantribugh in Shopian but there were no casualties reported in the incident.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday won the trust vote with 131 MLAs supporting the confidence motion while 108 legislators from the RJD-led Opposition voting against it.



With the BJP-led NDA, having 58 MLAs in its kitty, it was a smooth sail for Nitish whose JD (U)s strength in the Assembly is 71, including the Speaker.



Two members of the RJD-led Opposition could not vote. While Sudarshan of Congress was disallowed due to late arrival, RJD MLA Raj Ballabh Yadav could not participate in the proceedings due to his incarceration.



Interestingly, Chief Minister Nitish and his deputy Sushil Modi could not participate in the voting process, since both of them are members of the Legislative Council.



The trust vote was necessitated after Nitish resigned as Chief Minister on Thursday, only to form another Government with the help of NDA, barely hours after quitting as leader of the Grand Alliance.



Charging Nitish with showing utter disregard to the mandate he got in 2015, Tejashwi said, If you wanted to join hands with BJP, why did you seek votes two years back lambasting Narendra Modi? You have deceived all of us as well as the Bihar electorate. As part of Champaran Satyagrah centenary celebrations, you took out padyatra with Hey Ram supporters, and within months joined the flock of those who chant Jai Sri Ram. If you have the guts, go to the peoples court. You will get a befitting reply, said Tejashwi, in his new role as Leader of the Opposition, while participating in the debate.



The House proceedings were, however, not telecast apprehending trouble in the Assembly.



Nitish retorted Tejashwi and said no body needs to lecture him about secularism. In the name of upholding secularism, I cannot allow someone to indulge in loot and rampant corruption, replied Nitish without taking anyones name. Whatever step I have taken is in the best interest of Bihar which needs fast development to catch up with other developed States, the CM added.



Later after winning the trust vote, Sushil Modi said, There was an unnatural alliance earlier, which has now died a natural death.



The RJD, meanwhile, has moved Patna High Court to protest Governors decision to invite Nitish to form the Government despite the RJD being the single largest party. The HC will hear the PIL on Monday, said RJD legislator Bhai Birendra.
A Jodhpur-bound Jet Airways flight from here carrying 167 passengers and crew members on board suffered a bird hit prior to landing, forcing the pilot to abort the landing and instead do a go-around.

The aircraft landed safely, Jet Airways said.



Jet Airways flight 9W 412 from Mumbai to Jodhpur, suffered a bird hit during landing at Jodhpur Airport, the airline said in a statement.



"As a precautionary measure, the captain decided to abort the landing and carry out a go-around. There were 167 guests and crew on board the Boeing 737-800 flight," it said.



Later, all the passengers were deplaned and transported to the terminal building.



The aircraft is being inspected by the Jet Airways engineering staff (for any damage), the statement added.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah, Union minister Smriti Irani and turncoat and former chief whip of Congress in Gujarat legislative Assembly Balwantsinh Rajput, on Friday filed the nominations to August 8 Rajya Sabha polls amidst rising political turmoil in Opposition Congress in Gujarat.



On the day three BJP members filed their nominations in Gandhinagar, the crisis in Gujarat Congress deepened, with three more senior legislators and original Congressmen calling it quits from the party. This has seen the total number of legislators in 182-member Gujarat Assembly from 57 to 51.



While it was three North Gujarat legislators who quit BJP and joined BJP, it was turn of three legislators from Central Gujarat - Vansda legislator Chhanabhai Chaudhury, Thasra legislator Ramsinh Parmar and Balasinor legislator Mansinh Chauhan to put in their papers from Congress and quit as legislators by submitting their resignations to Speaker Ramanlal Vora.



The worry for Congress does not end here as more legislators are expected to follow suit of their partymen and move out in the coming few days. Figures of upto 16 more legislators seeking to end their association with Congress were doing rounds in the corridors of power in the state.



This has disturbed the arithmetic for Rajya Sabha polls in the state, especially for Ahmed Patel, the senior Congressman and political secretary of Sonia Gandhi. Patel is seeking fifth term to the Upper House from the state and requires at least 46 first preference votes to make it. BJP, including one dissident legislator Nalin Kotadia, has 122 members, while Congress, including Vaghela, officially now has 51 legislators. If BJP is able to wean away half a dozen legislators more, it may be the end of an era for Ahmed Patel. We are not targeting Ahmed Patel but our aim is CongressMukt Bharat. Sonia Gandhi runs her party affairs through Ahmed Patel, Amit Thacker, a BJP leader, said.



Vaghela has already quit the party and announced that he would vote for Patel on July 21 but later threatened to put in his papers if Congress in-charge Ashok Gehlot did not withdraw his statement against him. Gehlot had said that Vaghela had quit the party under pressure as CBI and ED had raided his residence.



Congress leader Randeep Surjewala called the entire episode to be akin to Divide and Rule policy of British. The new British rulers seem to believe in Divide and remain Arrogant. Indian democracy is passing through the most critical time in its history, Surjewala told reporters, alleging horse trading by BJP.



The Congress in the state too was seen trying to carry on damage control and were huddled in multiple meetings. They even had formed three informal panels in Rajkot, Anand and Surat to keep their flock together.



Several Congress legislators, including nine from Saurashtra and four from tribal belt in South Gujarat, came out in open to address media alleging pressure and that they were being lured with money and offer to fight Assembly polls as BJP legislators. Some of them claimed that this was being done on behalf of Shankarsinh Vaghela and BJP chief Amit Shah.



This, even as Congress found it difficult to trace some of its legislators since first three legislators left the party on Thursday.
The Rajya Sabha proceedings were washed out today amid ruckus as Congress members indulged in vociferous sloganeering through the day to protest the alleged abduction of their MLA by policemen in Gujarat and their BJP MPs charging them with defaming the state.



The House witnessed repeated adjournments right from the word go, as noisy scenes over the issue disrupted the Question Hour, the Zero Hour and later the private members' and official legislative business.





When the House met at 2.30 pm after four adjournments in the pre-lunch session, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi demanded that the Opposition should tender an apology to Gujarat for tarnishing its image.



The Congress MPs were alleging that the Gujarat policemen had abducted its MLA in the state with a view to influence the upcoming elections to the Upper House.



"This morning during the Zero Hour and Question Hour, Leader of the Opposition (Ghulam Nabi Azad) and Anand Sharma had made objectionable statements to defame Gujarat. They said Gujarat which was earlier a safe haven for state encounters has witnessed kidnapping of an MLA for stealing of votes. The Leader of the Opposition, Chief Whip (in Gujarat) ... have deserted the (Congress) party, MLAs are quitting...," Naqvi said asking the opposition to apologise to Gujarat.



Asking the Congress members to indulge in "self introspection", he said despite getting (politically) battered, the party has not realised the gravity (Inka band- baaja baj chuka hai, aur uske baad bhi inko ehsaas nahin hai).



As BJP members were on their feet and raised slogans like 'shame-shame' to taunt the Congress, Naqvi said the people of Gujarat have been "deeply hurt by this conspiracy" and the Congress should apologise to them. He also claimed that the Gujarat elections will be held in a fair and free atmosphere.



The Congress members trooped into the Well raising slogans like "stop murder of democracy".

In a bid to run the House, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien asked the Congress members whether they wanted to apologise for "what you said in the morning". However, he did not get any response from them.



Kurien also asked the ruling party members to help in running the House.



Irked at not getting any response from either side, Kurien repeatedly warned that he would be forced to adjourn the House. "Both sides are not cooperating. Both sides are shouting. They are creating problems...I will have to adjourn the House. This is the time for Private Members' business and if the members do not cooperate, I will be forced to adjourn."



"I am helpless," the Deputy Chairman said before adjourning the House for the day.



Congress members had earlier repeatedly trooped into the Well raising anti-government slogans and charging the BJP with "stealing" MLAs to help its candidates win the Rajya Sabha polls, forcing brief adjournments one after the other.



The House was adjourned twice during Zero Hour after it had assembled for the day and then twice again during the Question Hour till 2.30 PM.



Soon after the House assembled, Kurien first adjourned the proceedings for 10 minutes as Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and Congress' deputy leader Anand Sharma, raised the issue and the party members stormed the Well raising slogans.



Similar scenes were witnessed when the House met again, forcing Kurien to adjourn the proceedings till noon. A repeat of the protests saw Chairman Hamid Ansari to adjourn the House for 15 minutes after it reassembled.



As there was no let-up in the opposition protests, the House was again adjourned till 1430 hours, with Chairman Ansari saying the deputy chairman has said that matters relating to elections are dealt by the concerned agencies.



Raising the issue, Azad said three Congress MLAs who had resigned from the party and one of them was immediately named as the BJP candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls.



He said Punabhai Gamit, MLA from reserved constituency of Vyara, after attending district Congress executive committee, had gone for a cup of tea to another MLA's house when district superintendent of police "abducted" him.



Azad alleged that the police officer told the MLA that Congress has decided not to give him a ticket for the upcoming assembly polls. So he should leave the party and join the BJP and he would arrange his meeting with the BJP president and get him the ticket, he claimed.



He said the police officer who had picked up the Congress MLA was the one who was arrested in a fake encounter case. The legislator managed to flee when he asked the police officer to allow him to get a changeover of clothes, he claimed.



"You are stealing MLAs by using the police (to garner votes)," Azad said, adding "You should be ashamed."



The charge was vehemently denied by Naqvi, saying "this is wrong. The Election Commission is conducting free and fair elections."



Earlier, Sharma had raised the issue through a point of order saying the Constitution was being violated by the ruling BJP which was using the police to "abduct" MLAs.



"They are stealing MLAs," he said, adding that it must be guaranteed that the biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha are free and fair and the "abducted" MLAs released.



Union Minister Parshottam Rupala also sought to counter the charge saying it was an internal matter of the Congress whose MLAs, including the leader of the party in the Gujarat assembly, were deserting it.



"Why are you complaining here," he said, adding "You are not taking care of your own house and are accusing us. Your own people are leaving you".



Naqvi said it is the Election Commission's responsibility to hold free and fair elections. "If they have a complaint, they should go to Election Commission. Rajya Sabha is not the place to protest."



"You have to protect the Constitution ... Voters are being kidnapped where do we go," Azad said.

Kurien said the Chair has nothing to do with elections. "If what has been narrated has happened, solution lies elsewhere. You can approach police, you can approach election commission and seek remedy. I have no remedy for this."



He asked protesting members to return to their seats but his pleas went unheeded. "What is the use of obstructing," he asked before adjourning the proceedings for 10 minutes.



When the House reassembled, Anand Sharma again raised the issue of abduction. To this, Kurein asked what could he do.



Azad suggested that the Chair could give a direction to the Election Commission to ensure fair election. He said the officer involved in the incident should be removed.



Kurien, however, said the Election Commission "does not require a direction from the Chair" to conduct free and fair election, as it is bound to do so and "they are doing it. ... If you have a complaint, approach Election Commission."



During the Question Hour, Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) said incidents like abduction of an MLA by a police officer was not acceptable and sought the Chair's protection to save democracy.



Naqvi also took pot-shots at the main opposition party, sarcastically saying they would now demand a direction to the Surpreme Court as several of their members were "involved in corruption" cases.
Upholding the appointment of T K Rajendran as DGP, the Madras High Court on Friday issued a direction to Tamil Nadu government to appoint an investigation committee to monitor the probe into the gutkha scam.



The court order came against the backdrop of a PIL challenging the appointment of Rajendran as DGP on his retirement day and subsequent extension of his services in the same post for two more years.



The petition, which was filed by Madurai-based trade union leader K Kathiresan, also claimed that the gutkha scam had taken place when Rajendran was serving as Chennai city police commissioner between October 2015 and September 2016.



When the case came up for hearing at Madurai bench of Madras High Court, Justice K K Sasidharan and Justice G R Swaminathan said that documents seized by the IT department, which hinted Rajendran's alleged involvement in the scam, were not sufficient to deny appointment to him as DGP.



However, justices issued orders to chief secretary to appoint a vigilance commissioner with independent charge, who will head the investigation committee, within two weeks.



Gutkha scam surfaced after IT sleuths seized a document from a gutkha producer in Chennai, which revealed that more than Rs 35 crore was bribed to a minister and top police officials to sell the banned product in the State.


The issue of singing of Vande Mataram continued to rock the Maharashtra legislature on Friday with BJP lashing out MLAs  Abu Asim Azmi of Samajwadi Party and Waris Pathan of Owaisi brothers-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen.



Inside the Vidhan Bhavan complex, BJP MLA Raj Purohit and Pathan had heated arguments. Is desh me rehna hoga to Vande Mataram kahnahoga (if you want to stay in this country you would have to say Vande Mataram)else go to Pakistan, said Purohit, an MLA from Colaba, who is a former minister.



I would say Hindustan zindabadI would say Jai Hind.but I would never say Vande Mataram, Pathan said responding to him during the verbal dual in presence of TV cameras. I will continue to protest and I woiuld not leave the country, he said.



BJP MLA from Dhule, Anil Gote raised the issue in the Assembly saying that statements have been made in the Vidhan Bhavan complex and an explanation needs to be sought from the members who have opposed singing of Vande Mataram.



Azmi then reiterated his stand on the issue. "Islam doesn't allow me worshiping anybody other than the almighty Allah. Vande Mataram talks of worshiping the motherland and hence no pious Muslim can sing the patriotic song," he said, adding that it was unfortunate that someones love for motherland is being gauged by singing of a song.



He then went on the site how Hindus and Muslims had fought together for Independence.



Veteran BJP leader and former revenue minister Eknath Khadse, however, was on his feet and sought to answer Azmi. If for freedom struggle we said Jai Hind together, if we sang Vande Mataram together,where is the objection, he said, adding that it was lying saying  Ma tujhesalaam.


Accused of betrayal, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today hit back at the RJD and Congress saying he cannot be with people who were using secularism to hide their "sins" and wealth earned through corrupt means.





"The mandate is to serve the people and not to profit (Mandate janta ki seva ke liye tha, na ki rajbhog, mewa ke liye). The people's court is the biggest court and it is my duty to serve them but I can't serve one family," Kumar said in his 10-minute speech in Bihar Assembly in support of confidence motion moved by him for his new government with the NDA.



He won the trust vote comfortably with 131 votes against the opposition's 108.



"People should not teach me lessons on secularism. Secularism is something that can be practised. I cannot be with such people who indulge in committing sins besides amassing property through corrupt means in the garb of secularism," Kumar said in a dig at RJD president Lalu Prasad.



The JD(U) leader launched the scathing counter after Lalu's son Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, while initiating the debate as the leader of the opposition in the Assembly, came down heavily on Nitish Kumar, frequently using the word "dhokha" (betrayal) for him for walking out of the grand alliance.



An unfazed Nitish Kumar said, he followed 'gatbandhan dharma (coalition ethics) and tried to run the government to fulfil the commitment of serving the people.



"I asked him (Tejashwi) to explain the accusations of graft against him but he was not in a position to furnish reply", he said narrating the events that preceded his quitting the grand alliance comprising the JD(U), RJD and Congress from which he walked away on July 26.



He said that it had become difficult for him to run the government and decided to part ways with the RJD.



"I took the decision in the best interest of Bihar and its development.... Now there is the rule of the NDA both at the Centre and in Bihar and the state will touch new heights of development," the CM said.



Apparently referring to the RJD and its leaders, Kumar said these people "live in arrogance and delusion" and asserted he would continue to show mirror to them both inside the House and outside.



On the Congress, whose leader Rahul Gandhi attacked him for ending the grand alliance, Kumar, without taking any names, said during 2015 poll Lalu Prasad was not ready to give them more than 15-20 seats in the alliance and it was he who helped them to contest 40 seats out of which they won 27.



Earlier, Tejashwi hit out at Kumar, alleging that the CM had used him as an excuse to join hands with the BJP again.



"Nitish Kumar could not muster courage to dismiss me because we have self respect," he said.

"Nitish Kumar made me a pawn (mohra) for his image building in politics... the entire episode (of seeking my resignation) was just an excuse by the CM to side with the BJP," he said.



He claimed that Kumar, whom he referred as his "guru" and "chacha" (uncle), cannot win elections on his own and cited 1995 Assembly polls and 2014 Lok Sabha polls when JD(U) got seven and two seats respectively.



Stating that the CM did not seek his resignation even once, Yadav said that he would have given it a thought had the CM asked him to quit.



"Why did he join hands with us? Was he (Nitish) not aware that there are corruption charges on RJD and Lalu Prasad," he said.



On accusation that Lalu Prasad's "putra moh" (love for his son) led to the collapse of the government, Tejashwi Yadav said "had it been 'Putra moh' I would have been the CM... government collapsed die to 'Bhai moh' (affection for brother)."



In political circle, Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar are known as "Bade Bhai" (Lalu) and "Chote Bhai" (Nitish).



Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi in his speech hailed Nitish Kumar for taking a call "on corruption of Lalu Prasad and his family".



"The mandate to the Grand Alliance in 2015 was against corruption and for good governance and not for accumulating benami property through illegal means," he said.



"Good governance was not possible in the earlier government with people like Mohammad Shahabuddin and Raj Ballabh Yadav of RJD around," he said.



The BJP's Nand Kishore Yadav, Sadanand Singh (Congress) and Mahboob Alam (CPI-ML) also spoke during the trust vote debate.
Samajwadi Party (SP) on Friday dropped hints that it was not averse to joining hands with the BSP to form a grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh to ''thwart'' the BJP from forming a government after 2019 Lok Sabha polls.



Senior SP leader Shivpal Singh Yadav said in Azamgarh, the Lok Sabha constituency of SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav, that the country needed a ''secular government''.



''Mayawati (BSP supremo) can not fight the BJP on her own,'' Shivpal said. He, however, did not reveal if Congress would also be part of a possible grand alliance in UP.



He said that the next Lok Sabha polls were still two years away. ''We have plenty of time to deliberate on the issue (grand alliance),'' he remarked.



Shivpal's remarks assume significance as he was considered to be close to Mulayam. ''The remarks show that Mulayam has also agreed to join hands with BSP,'' said a senior SP leader here.



SP supremo Akhilesh Yadav has already made it clear that he will have no problems in allying with the BSP and Congress to take on the BJP in 2019.



''One can imagine the fate of BJP if SP, Congress and BSP join hands in UP,'' he had said while making a speech in the UP state legislative council a couple of days back.



SP leaders here said that the efforts to form a grand alliance should continue. ''We must prove that Nitish Kumar's departure from our ranks has no impact on the alliance efforts,'' the SP leader added.



Whether a grand alliance in UP could be in the offing would be clear from the forthcoming Lok Sabha by-polls at Phulpur and Gorakhpur seats. The two seats, which were held by UP deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and chief minister Yogi Adityanath, would fall vacant after their resignations.



A section of the SP, BSP and Congress leaderships has floated the idea of presenting a united front to BJP in the by-polls.


The Department of Telecom is planning to bring out the draft of the new telecom policy by the year end as the government has started discussion with stakeholders.



"We're expecting the draft of the new telecom policy to be out by December, the working groups are being created as we speak," Telecom secretary Aruna Sundararajan said here on Friday.



The department is also started the process of setting up working groups to assist to frame new policy as the government plans to take the views of all stakeholders, including public.



The DoT last week held first round of discussions with operators, industry associations, infrastructure providers and research organisations on issues related to ease of doing business, regulatory framework, spectrum framework, security requirements for telecom networks, and even manufacturing and exports.



Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha earlier said the proposed policy will focus on next-generation technologies like 5G, internet for all, artificial intelligence, and Internet of Things (IoT), skills development, security and related sectors.



The inter ministerial group set up by the DOT to discuss financial stress in the telecom sector is expected to submit a report. The new policy will also incorporate some of the suggestions made by the group, the Minister had said.



At present, National Telecom Policy 2012 is in force which has paved way for delinking of spectrum from licence, sharing and trading of spectrum, increase in broadband speed, blacklisting of stolen mobile phones, among others.



However, the ministry is yet to meet certain targets like 2 megabits per second (Mbps) broadband speed for consumers and more importantly, empowering consumers by bringing their disputes with service providers under the jurisdiction of consumer forums.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today batted for revival of talks with Pakistan for resolving the Kashmir issue but said the neighbour's positive contribution is very necessary to "open closed roads" in the state.



Speaking at a public event here, she also said that the recent NIA raids and arrest of separatists leaders in the Kashmir Valley was a temporary measure and not a solution to address the real problem.



"The PDP-BJP alliance has been on the belief and hope that we will be able to revive the magic of (former Prime Minister Atal Bihari) Vajpayee ji's time... Vajpayee ji did it," she said in her keynote address at the 'Understanding Kashmir' session hosted by social group BRIEF.



Citing the Lahore declaration in which Pakistan had assured that it will not allow its land to be used against anti-India activities, Mehbooba said, "We have to revive that... in spite of Kargil and attack on the Parliament house...



"We have had some setbacks but we need to revive it, if we want that the closed roads in Jammu and Kashmir open, then Pakistan's positive contribution is very necessary," she said.



She said the idea of 'azadi' in the minds of people of the state needs to be replaced with something else and drew attention to the 2005 working groups constituted to address the internal dimensions of the Kashmir issue.



"The working group reports (on Kashmir) have been thrown in the waste basket. We are not doing anything about that," she said.



When asked about the recent crackdown of the National Investigation Agency against separatist leaders in the Kashmir Valley, Mehbooba said such acts do not give a long-lasting solution.



"Whatever happened with the NIA is an administrative measure. Such measures can just contain a situation, they don't address the real problem," she said.



She said such crackdowns have not resolved the problem, adding "So we need to address the problem and real problem is still there."



While Mehbooba lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she, at the same time, urged the Centre to do more to ease the situation in her state.





"I feel Modiji is the man of the moment and he has the potential to rise and become the man of history. His leadership is an asset which needs to be harnessed... and take Kashmir out of this present mess," she said.



She expressed her sadness and concern over the tinkering with the Article 35A, that accords special rights and privileges to the natives of Jammu & Kashmir, and that its constitutional validity has been challenged in the Supreme Court by way of a PIL.



"Who is doing it? Why are they doing it?... The separatists' agenda is different and it is totally secession. But you are weakening those powers which are Indian and trust India and participate in elections (by challenging the Article 35A)," she said and warned if there is an alteration in the special status of the state there could be a revolt.



"If any attempt is made... India will not get a shoulder to carry its national flag in the state," she said.

"This is one of the problem," she said stressing that both the articles 370 and 35A are very dear to the state and they help preserve her state's unique identity.



The chief minister was critical of some television news channel anchors saying that they were trying to project Kashmir in a bad light.



"I am sorry to say that this India, that the anchors are trying to project, is not what India is about and that is not the India I know," she said as she stated that few channels were showing Kashmiris in a "bad light."



She said when she sees the retired 'beard-wallahs' from the other side (Pakistan) and 'mooch-wallahs' from this side screaming at the top of their lungs on television news channels, she feels they are taking out their "frustrations" about so many wars that the two countries saw.



"I see that their eyes are bulging out, so much anger and some time they sweat too. I don't want to be associated with this type of India or Pakistan...," she said.



Mehbooba said she wants to see an India which feels the pain of Kashmir.



"I want to see that India which accepted us on our conditions. We are a diverse state with all kinds of multi- diversity of religion and every thing... sometimes they talk about our flag, sometimes about Article 370," she said.
Union minister and LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan today described Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's decision of aligning with the NDA as "better late than never".



The Nitish Kumar-led NDA government today secured 131 votes against the opposition's 108 during the floor test in the Bihar Assembly.



"I would term the decision (Nitish aligning with NDA) as better late than never, rather I would say that it is a good decision indeed," he told reporters here.



Kumar was sworn in as the chief minister yesterday, as he returned to the NDA after four years. The day earlier, he had resigned as the chief minister, with the JD(U) breaking ranks with its allies -- Lalu Yadav's RJD and the Congress.



Taking about the recent controversy in which Tejashwi Yadav was embroiled, Paswan said Kumar had two options before him -- he could have dismissed Tejashwi, the deputy chief minister in the erstwhile Grand Alliance government or dissolved the cabinet.



But he (Kumar) played a "master stroke" by resigning, the LJP chief said.





"Kumar has now joined hands with his natural ally by breaking his unnatural alliance with Lalu Prasad," Paswan told reporters.



"Ever since the Grand Alliance government was formed in Bihar, I had been maintaining that it would not last even for two-and-a-half years. Now my prediction has come true," he added.



Expressing happiness over the NDA winning the trust vote in the Assembly today, the Union minister said that a "new era" has begun in the state where development would take a front seat.



Paswan, who met Nitish Kumar here after a long time, greeted him for forming government and winning the trust vote.



He also requested the chief minister to put law and order, development and eradication of corruption in the foreground of his agenda for governance.



With the NDA government both at the Centre and in Bihar, the state would witness rapid all-round development, he said.



Asked whether his LJP would join the Nitish cabinet, Paswan hinted that his party may join the coalition government.



The ostensible reason for Kumar to quit was his falling out with Deputy Chief Minister Yashaswi Yadav, the son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad. Yadav is facing corruption charges but had refused to step down despite Kumar's exhortations.



"In the circumstances that prevail in Bihar, it became difficult to run the grand alliance government," Kumar had said after submitting his resignation to Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi on July 26.
BJP president Amit Shah will pep up Yogi government during his three day tour of Uttar Pradesh that begins from Saturday. Shah is expected to push the state government to further improve law and order situation to win over perception that the BJP government was moving towards ending the jungle raj - a phrase the party had used extensively in assembly polls to target Samajwadi Party regime.



In fact, in his Thursday's speech in the UP assembly, chief minister Yogi Adityanath had stated that no riots have taken place since the BJP came to power and even incidents of crimes have come down.



On his landing in Lucknow in the morning, Shah will interact with party leaders drawn from the centre, its district units and different cells to take a feedback on the governance and implementation of various welfare schemes of the centre. The party chief will take a meeting of state ministers to enhance coordination for speedy delivery mechanism as the Yogi government's performance will be tested in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The UP visit is part of Shah's 110 days long country wide tour which he has been undertaking to consolidate and expand outreach in different states.



He will have lunch with representatives of deprived social backgrounds to send a message that the party cares of poor who voted in large numbers for the BJP in the assembly polls.



Shah has kept a separate meeting with NDA allies, including Apna Dal and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party, for smooth running of coalition government given that partner Om Prakash Rajbhar had recently threatened to give his ministerial post after his wish of having bureaucrats of his choice in his native district was turned down. Adityanath had to intervene to sort out the differences with Rajbhar.



On Sunday, the BJP chief will examine a power point presentation by the party's core group on the issues that are confronting the regime, said the party in an official statement. He will engage intellectuals and address a press conference as he has done during his earlier trips to states.
Congress and BJP workers today clashed in front of a cinema hall in Indore which was screening Madhur Bhandarkar's film 'Indu Sarkar', based on the Emergency imposed by the Indira Gandhi government in 1975.



Police used canes to disperse the BJP and Congress workers who came to blows near Indore's Sapna-Sangeeta cinema hall, where the movie was being shown.



An official from Indore's Bhanwarkua police station said the BJP and Congress workers shouted slogans and made advances against each other, forcing the police to use canes to disperse them.



The Congress activists alleged that Bhandarkar distorted facts and the film seeks to tarnish the image of the party among the people of the country. On the other hand, the BJP workers claimed the Congress was trying to suppress the freedom of expression.



Meanwhile in Bhopal, the BJP urged its workers and the public to watch the film, which released today.

"The country passed through a bad phase during the Emergency. The BJP workers as well as common citizens should watch the film to know what happened during the Emergency," state BJP media in-charge Lokendra Parashar told PTI.



The democratic system had collapsed during that 21-month-long period in 1975-77 and the BJP workers should know about it so that such a thing does not happen again, he said.



However, state Congress spokesman K K Mishra claimed the film is "fully sponsored" and seeks to tarnish the image of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.



BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, in a tweet, said he is going to watch the political thriller with his family members in Indore. He also urged his supporters to watch the movie, which stars Kirti Kulhari, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Anupam Kher, Tota Roy Chowdhury and Supriya Vinod.
Congress on Friday sought to revive the Panama Papers issue involving allegations of offshore assets owned by the son of Chhatisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh.



After the disqualification of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by the Supreme Court, the Congress said the Chhatisgarh Chief Minister should resign using the same yardstick.



What ever is happening in Islamabad should also happen 1000s of kilometers away in Chhatisgarh, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi told reporters here.



Last year, the Congress had demanded a probe into the alleged offshore financial investments of Abhishek Singh, BJP Lok Sabha member and the son of Raman Singh.



The Congress had accused the the NDA government of ignoring the investigations of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) about the alleged serious fraud, holding of off-shore assets and money laundering in off-shore accounts through fictitious companies by Abhishek Singh.



In the neighbouring country, which we do not consider as fully democratic, if its prime minister resigns, then using the same yardstick the Chhatisgarh chief minister should also resign as the same report (Panama Papers) also carried the name of his son, Singhvi said.



He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched a campaign against RJD chief Lalu Prasad and other leaders. But have you heard any action in Chhatisgarh, Singhvi asked.



Investigation cannot be selective or opportunistic. Action was taken against Lalu Prasad, you made him into an example, Singhvi said.




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.
Grab, the ride-hailing company competing with Uber in Southeast Asia, will further enhance its investment in Bengaluru technology centre. It recently raised $2 billion from Didi and SoftBank.



The Singapore-headquartered company opened its technology centre in Bengaluru in March last year. Grab has R&D centres located in Beijing, Jakarta, Vietnam, Singapore and Seattle.



According to sources, the company is operating with around 25 engineering team along with FreeCharge, another SoftBank investee company in payment space. The company has Raghuram Trikutam as Head of Engineering, Mobile Payments and Ruchika Sharma as Head of Human Resources, said the source.



Grab has recruited majority of its people from FreeCharge. Trikutam also worked with FreeCharge as AVP Engineering for 2 years 11 months.



Arul Kumaravel, who is Grab Vice President, Engineering and located in Singapore, during the inauguration of the R&D centre said Bengaluru has established itself as the Silicon Valley of India and one of the global hubs in mobile technology.



We are excited to extend our relentless search for global tech talent to this dynamic market. It will further expand our prowess in paymnent space, Kumaravel said during the inauguration.



According to officials from Grab, the company wanted to expand its team size to 200 so that it can focus on developing new payments technologies for GrabPay, its digital payments platform. The company believes that it will deepen financial inclusion and increase access to mobile payments across Southeast Asia.



To strengthen its payment business, Grab invested $100 million in offline payment startup Kudo. Grab also depended on Go-Jek for payment which received $1.2 billion investment from Tencent in last May. The company was depending on AliPay for payment solution.


China and India have jockeyed for centuries over the Himalayas. The Chinese military invaded Tibet in 1950. India granted asylum to the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, in 1959. Three years later, the two countries fought a border war. Now they are in a standoff over an area disputed by China and Bhutan, the Himalayan kingdom whose claim is supported by India.



The two countries latest struggle is over which one will be able to formally tie the ancient practice of Tibetan medicine to its national patrimony. The prize: international cachet and the possibility of significant commercial rewards.



In March, China filed paperwork asking the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) to recognise medicinal bathing, one of many practices of sowa rigpa, the Tibetan name for this type of medicine, as part of its intangible cultural heritage. The Unescos website indicates that the request will be considered next year. India filed its own bid  for the entire sowa rigpa tradition  around the same time.



If China is applying, of course India can also apply, said Geshe Ngawang Samten, the vice chancellor of the Central University of Tibetan Studies in Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh). This is Indian culture as well. Tibetans who live in exile and Western anthropologists who study Tibetan medicine said that it was difficult to predict what tangible effects Unesco recognition might have on the field.



Recognition could be beneficial, they said, if it led to greater access to medical care for rural Tibetans, recruitment of more Tibetan medical practitioners for high-level advisory roles or laws to regulate the production of pharmaceuticals.



The worry, however, is that Unesco recognition could lift the industrys commercial development without addressing some of its underlying problems, such as the watering-down of traditional medicinal formulas and the over-harvesting of ingredients in the wild.



The founding text of Tibetan medicine is for the whole world to enjoy, said Tashi Tsering Phuri, the director of the Tibetan Medical and Astro-Science Institute in Dharamsala, the city that serves as the seat of the Tibetan government in exile and the residence of the Dalai Lama.It should not be a bone of contention between two big nations.



Sowa rigpa is practiced in China, India and neighbouring countries including Bhutan, Mongolia and Nepal. The name is often translated into English as the science of healing, and the present form of the disciplines founding text, The Four Tantras, is attributed by many Western scholars to a 12th-century Tibetan physician, with antecedents stretching to the eighth century or earlier.



As late as the early 1990s, there was no discernible competition between China and India to claim Tibetan medicine as cultural patrimony, Western scholars say. But about 20 years ago, they say, people began to recognise its potential commercial value.



Stephan Kloos, a medical anthropologist at the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna, said his preliminary calculations suggested that the industrys value could be approaching $1 billion. Even non-Tibetans in India were beginning to see sowa rigpa as a business opportunity, he said.



But this same economic potential concerns experts who say the industry, which has traditionally relied on the gathering of wild plants and animals in mountainous areas, is not built for economies of scale.



Sienna Radha Craig, an associate professor of anthropology at Dartmouth College and an expert on Tibetan medicine, said one possibility was that the Unesco recognition could stimulate the industrys growth without the proper environmental safeguards. In India, China and Nepal, the effort to expand the industry far outstrips serious cultivation and conservation, Craig said, adding, at a certain point that becomes completely untenable.



In 2010, India recognised sowa rigpa as an Indian medicinal system. India notes on a government website that while there are various schools of thought about the origin of this medical tradition, most of its theory and practice is similar to that of ayurveda, an Indian tradition that India says first came to Tibet in the third century.



Western scholars say there are clear historical links between ayurvedic and Tibetan medical traditions. But Indias recent application for Unesco recognition prompted rebuttals from Chinese experts. In April, the state-run newspaper Global Times quoted Qin Yongzhang, an ethnologist at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, as saying, The truth is that Tibetan medicine not only originated but has developed in China.



Chinas recent Unesco application said that Tibetan hot-spring and herbal-bath therapies  known as lum medicinal bathing  were developed by the Tibetan people and are popular across much of western China, including the Tibet Autonomous Region.



A Unesco designation would raise awareness of the bathing tradition among the Chinese population, while encouraging dialogue on health and respect for nature among different ethnic groups, the application said.



Claim silly



Robert Thurman, a professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist studies at Columbia University, said that because China forcibly owned most of the Tibetan Plateau, an area that he said had many mineral springs, its Unesco application made some sense. But to claim that somehow China has been the origin of the tradition is, frankly, just silly, Thurman wrote in an email.



A woman who answered the phone at the office of Chinas Unesco Commission, who would not give her name, said that the government was working on its Unesco paperwork and that all related information was confidential. It said it could not comment on files it was processing. A spokesman in Bangkok, Noel Boivin, said in an email that the agency encouraged multinational intangible cultural heritage nominations.



In interviews, two prominent Tibetans took a mixed view of the Unesco process and said that Tibetans had no easy options to safeguard their cultural heritage. Of Chinas Unesco bid, Tsering Woeser, a Tibetan writer who lives in Beijing, said it was a shame to see that Tibetan people are once again represented without our consent.



However, she said, if you do not take advantage of funds and opportunities, Tibetan medicine, together with much of traditional Tibetan culture, will gradually disappear.



Dr Tashi Rabten, a Tibetan physician in Nyack, New York, said that the overall effect could be positive, regardless of which country filed the application, but only if the Unesco designation clearly recognised that the tradition belonged to Tibetans  and no one else.



Kloos, the medical anthropologist in Vienna, said that countries where sowa rigpa was practiced should work together if their goal was to have it recognised internationally. But politics creep in, he said, even though it should really only be about medical considerations.



International New York Times


Since June 16, the India-China-Bhutan trijunction area has witnessed a military standoff between the Indian and Chinese troops, after Bhutan raised objections to a Chinese road construction effort.



The territorial dispute resolution here is a complicated task as each party refers to various points in history when conventions and treaties were signed including with the British Raj. Nevertheless, the mood in India and China is, by and large, determined by the media coverage of the issue that in turn has been a driver of nationalistic fervour.



The incumbent governments of India and China are little representations of popular political parties, but a show of powerful leaders embarked on a path to create history. The Narendra Modi wave of 2014 unsurprisingly led to a host of developments that focused on posturing the prime minister as a vanguard of Indian nationalism.



With Modi a year in power, the Indian Army commandos went on a hot-pursuit into Myanmar downing Naga militants. After the second year, surgical strikes were launched across the Line of Control targeting terrorist launchpads. Exceptional was the governments public approval of these operations that only buttressed the popular belief that Modi stood by Indian nationalism better than his predecessors.



Chinese scholar Zheng Wang proclaims that US President Donald Trumps slogan Make America Great Again, is the same as Xi Jinpings realising the great rejuvenation of the Chi-

nese nation. Ever since Xis arri-

val to power, China has witnessed a steady rise in its nationalistic passion, aimed at revision of world order, underscoring Chi-

nas revival of its ancient glory. The Belt and Road Initiative is, hence, perceived as Xis pet project. Also, China has been aggressive in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and the Sino-Indian border being the latest of all.



Beyond Bhutans concerns, the military standoff has deeper roots in Indias annoyance in the Chinese nationalist calculus. Indias denouncement of the BRI summit in May, supported by Bhu-

tan, seems to have irked the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) elite. The Indo-US-Japan alliance, as John Garver argues, has only added to the aggravation. This dent on Chinese nationalism is conveyed better by none other than the Chinese media, which is the mouthpiece of the CPC.



The Chinese state-owned Global Times has taken an aggressive stance vis-a-vis India by reminiscing the 1962 war. Former intelligence analyst Jayadeva Ranade, analysing over 20 GT articles published since the standoff, outlines the nature of the threat that China is contemplating.



It includes a wide array: from de-recognition of Sikkim, fomenting insurgency in the North East to active involvement in Kashmir at the behest of Pakistan. The medias resolve in agitating the Indian public opinion through persistent calls for war preparations is overwhelming.



The media has approached the Doklam standoff with standard reportage instead of prying to prick Indian nationalist sentiments. One reason may be that the mammoth trade relationship between India and China; inclusion of Bhutan and historic complications in the dispute has made a degree of expertise necessary to make comments.



Chickens neck



Even in the visual media, news anchors have avoided provoking militaristic nationalism - a stark difference with the Pakistani question. One of the reasons for anxiety among security analysts is the possibility of Chinese targeting the Chickens neck  the Siliguri region - that can cut off the entire N-E from mainland India. From a military consideration this is greater than the cross-border terrorist threat, yet medias drive of Indian nationalism is largely Pakistan-oriented.



Consider the example of one of the most watched Indian English news channel, renowned for its culture of noisy debates and declared nationalistic bias. Even as the standoff continued, the hosts were busy exchanging rants with Pakistani military guests in pursuit of TRP.



The leadership in New Delhi has been open to experimenting with nationalism - as visible in chest thumping proclamations following the hot-pursuit in Myanmar and the surgical strikes. Despite best intentions of raising troop morale, however, there seems to have been a realisation that secrecy works better than openness in matters of national security.



Here, the Indian medias rep-

ortage of the theatre developments and government positi-

ons on the issue is by far unanimous. On the one hand, political leadership has placed a premium on negotiations to settle the dispute through peaceful means. On the other, reports show military preparations on the Indian side, should a contingency occur. Timely release of the CAG report on shortage of ammunition also denotes a disinterest in flaring unwanted nationalism.



Both Xi and Modi are on a thrust to create history. Modis persona as a bold revisionist has allowed open shifts in foreign policies towards the US, Israel and Japan. Xi, on the other hand, nurtures a China Dream. It is a strange blend of national interest, nationalism and personal glory. In so far as this case goes, Indias firm conviction of cause, pursuance of diplomacy and silent military preparation is ideal. Appreciatively, the opposition also seems to be in favour of it.



(The writer is a Research Scholar, School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi)


A 28-year-old man from Assam was arrested on Thursday night for murdering his nephew who worked at Imperial Hotel.



Mithudas, the maternal uncle of Saurabh, is suspected to have smashed the latters head with a wooden club on June 20 over a financial dispute, the jurisdictional Byatarayanapura police said.



Mithudas and Saurabh worked in the same restaurant and were put up in Haleguddadahalli, Mysuru Road, along with other employees. Mithudas had fled to Assam after the murder and came back only after a month.


A 45-year-old history-sheeter was chased and hacked to death by a gang in Tavarekere, off Magadi Road, on Friday morning.



Nagaraj, a resident of Honnaganahatti, had a history sheet at Tavarekere police station.



Nagaraj was recently released from jail. Police said the gang attacked Nagaraj with lethal weapons, even as he tried to escape. The Tavarekere police have registered a case and are investigating.
The Rs 70 lakh jewellery heist in Bommanahalli, south Bengaluru, on June 29 was the handiwork of an inter-state gang of six burglars, three of whom have been apprehended by the police. The suspects had rented a house and burrowed a hole into its wall to gain entry into the store.



The arrested suspects were identified as Pradeep Dilip Molle (27), a resident of Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Praful Chandrakant Shinde (35), a native of Solapur, Maharashtra, and Gaurang Mandal (37), from Sahibganj, Jharkhand. Three other members of the gang are still on the run.



The meticulously planned heist was masterminded by Shinde, who once worked as an autorickshaw driver in Mumbai, ferrying female artistes to pubs and dance bars in the Maximum City. He developed contacts and bought a flat in Mumbai on loan. To repay the loan, he planned the heist and roped in four of his friends, the police said.



Shinde was the first to arrive in Bengaluru and rented a house in Bilekahalli. Two other suspects  Molle, who was running a chaat shop in Mumbai, and Mansur Sheikh, a native of West Bengal  joined him. The trio starting looking out for jewellery stores they could easily target. They decided to target Pawan Jewellers and Bankers  located on Begur Main Road in Hongasandra  as a house located behind it was available for rent.



The suspects came up with an ingenious plot to pull off the heist. They contacted the homeowner named Odesha and sought to rent the house. They told him they were working at the Madiwala market. Odesha agreed to rent the house and took Rs 25,000 as security deposit.



Shinde and Molle then roped in three more friends, including Mandal, a professional gas welder. Police havent identified the other two suspects. Once they got together, the suspects started burrowing a hole into the wall adjoining the store. The breakthrough came on the intervening night of June 28 and 29 when they entered the store and made off with gold and silver jewellery worth Rs 70 lakh. Mandal, the gas welder, also broke open the iron safe and wiped out its contents. The gang then escaped to Kolhapur and buried the booty in the cow shed of Molles house.



The Bommnahalli police swung into action after the store owner filed a complaint. Investigators reviewed the footage of CCTV cameras installed in the store and the nearby area. In one footage, Shinde is seen walking with a man. The house owner identified him as Raju, a local resident. Police picked up Raju for questioning. He told them he knew Shinde since the time he was living in Bilekahalli.



Police formed different teams and sent them to Maharashtra, Bihar and Jharkhand and made the arrests. The booty was recovered later.



Police Commissioner Praveen Sood praised his men for solving the crime and has announced a cash reward for them.
Builders are scrambling to sign up on the Karnataka Real Estate Regulatory Authoritys website.



They say the July 31 deadline is way too short, given that the site (http://rera.karnataka.gov.in) became functional only on Tuesday. The Real Estate Regulation Act came into force on May 1 and was notified by Karnataka on July 10.



The law allows a three-month window for builders to register, but Karnataka has not specified a date.

The government has been silent, and we are awaiting clarity, said Vishwa Prathap Desu, senior vice president (marketing and sales), Brigade Group.



Shantanu Mazumder, senior branch director, Knight Frank (property consultants), said, There is confusion over the start of the period, given that the Act was implemented on May 1 and notified only on July 10.



Under the new law, developers and real estate agents who dont comply can be jailed or penalised by up to 10% of the project value.



While RERA is the best thing to happen to the industry in many ways, it is a little unfair that only estate agents have been brought into the ambit, whereas architects, engineers, vendors and the like have been excluded, Farook Mahmood, FIABCI world president, said. FIABCI describes itself as an international real estate federation.



Mahmood said a fine of 10% for estate agents is more than they earn. This has to be rationalised, he urged.



Bringing another aspect into perspective, Suresh Hari, secretary of Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India, Bengaluru, said, A concern for the industry is that sanctioning authorities have not been included in the Act. If permissions are delayed by local planning bodies and the power, water and fire departments, it will be difficult to maintain deadlines.



He said all stakeholders must be on board to avoid litigation. Desu of the Brigade Group observed, We presume the authorities will comply, considering they are government bodies. Having said that, I believe they should have been brought under RERA.



No dilution

A majority of developers come under the regulations of the Act, industry insiders said. They are keen to allay buyers fears that the law has been diluted to exclude projects that are 60% complete. In fact, only projects with 60% registered sales are excluded, they said.


A faction of Kannada Rakshana Vedike (KRV) on Friday staged a protest against use of Hindi in Namma Metro signages even as the state government wrote to the Centre to put an end to the issue.



Several protesters led by KRV faction leader Shivaramegowda burnt a copy of a signage with station names in Hindi near Kempegowda Metro Station. The protesters shouted slogans against Hindi imposition and urged the government to ensure the language is not imposed on people.



Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) managing director Pradeep Singh Kharola said the opposition to use of Hindi in Namma Metro has already been communicated to the state government and the Centre.



I have spoken to the protesters and received a request seeking removal of Hindi. The matter has been communicated to the state and central governments. We will work as per their directions, he said.



Security was heightened in the Majestic area as the protesters first shouted slogans near Sangolli Rayanna statue before moving to the Metro station. There was minor disruption in traffic but the police managed to fix it in a short time.



The protest came on a day when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wrote to the Centre making the states stand against unnecessary use of Hindi.



The opposition to Hindi imposition, which was voiced back in 2011, saw a revival after a massive online campaign by Banavasi Balaga, an association of people working for primacy of Kannada in various establishments, including public transport, in the state.
With seven cities in Karnataka, including Bengaluru, drawing up ambitious plans to use technology in governance under the Smart Cities Mission, the state government has formed a six-member panel comprising experts to ensure they are not just fancy announcements.



Belagavi, Davangere, Hubballi-Dharwad, Shivamogga, Mangaluru, Tumakuru and Bengaluru have been chosen under the Centres Smart Cities Mission and each will get up to Rs 500 crore.



These cities have announced smart parking, smart water metres, app-based citizen service delivery, public Wi-FI connectivity and other such technology-based projects. All of them will now need approval by a technical committee under the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC), the nodal agency for the Smart City project.



The committee comprises sustainability expert Prof T V Ramachandra from the Indian Institute of Science, geographical information systems (GIS) expert S Rajagopalan from IIIT Bangalore (IIITB), C-DAC principal technical officer Annarao Kulkarni along with three government officials.



According to a government order issued by the Urban Development Department, the committee will have the authority to vet the concepts, review detailed project reports and accord technical sanction to them.



We will push for technology that really enables good governance without letting the government to just sleep over it, said Prof Ramachandra, an ecologist who is at the forefront of the campaign to save lakes.



The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), for instance, has proposed 50 smart card-enabled public bicycle sharing points, 30 e-rickshaw stands, 35 e-toilets, water ATMs, 420 sensor-based smart dustbins and 50 designated vending kiosks - all connected to 1,250 smart telecom towers that will double up as streetlight poles. The city, like others chosen under the Smart City project, will get Wi-Fi connectivity.



Our focus in the committee will be to make sure these technology projects are sustainable. Specifically, we will look at economic feasibility, environment friendliness and socio-cultural acceptability, said IIITBs Rajagopalan.



The panel is also expected to be mindful of past failures, especially with free Wi-Fi in public areas. A pilot of Wi-Fi hotspots in Bengaluru in 2014, including over a dozen access points on MG Road and Brigade Road, failed to take off because it was not feasible. It was under-designed because of which internet speed was very slow. Also, like in most places around the world, public Wi-Fi has to be paid for by the municipality and authorities have to choose the right funding model, Rajagopalan said.


Principal of Baldwin Girls High School resigned on Friday following a day-long protest by the staff, who accused her of harassment and rude behaviour.



Sources said Saloni Rakesh Ratnam handed over her resignation to Bishop N L Karkare at about 2.30 am on Friday. Staffers of the school resorted to protest after their colleague Sunita Behra suffered a stroke while being questioned by the principal two days ago.



The protest was the result of our pent up anger. The principal was very rude. She dumped all the administrative work on us and harassed us by name calling. We were never given an opportunity to explain our point in any given situation, a staffer said.



The staffer said Sunita was recovering at Seeta Bhateeja hospital. Two more teachers, Pushpa and Cecelia Savio, who collapsed during the questioning by the principal, have completely recovered, the staffer added.



Management intervenes

We are happy that the management has intervened and resolved the issue. We have no problems to work now, the staffer added.



Sources said Shaila John Wesley, manager of the school, has taken over the role of principal until further orders from the Bishop.
The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) has inducted two new members to its board of directors: BIAL's former chief executive officer Marcel Hungerbuehler and Hari Marar. Marar will now be the executive director and president, BIAL.



At the board meeting held on Thursday, Harsha Raghavan was named the managing director. Reconstitution of the board follows acquisition of the residual 10% stake of GVK in BIAL by FIH Mauritius Investments Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fairfax India Holdings Corporation.



An official BIAL release said, the board, under the stewardship of its chairman Subhash Chandra Khuntia (IAS), Chief Secretary, government of Karnataka, will work towards the speedy implementation of crucial capacity-expansion projects.



Hungerbuehler and Marar, both aviation experts, with a deep understanding and knowledge of airport operations and development, will spearhead the establishment of the Fairfax Centre of Aviation Excellence at the Kempegowda International Airport, the release said.



The board's priority will be construction of the second runway and terminal, and other associated projects, said Marar. Bengaluru airport continues to see fantastic growth in passenger volumes  more than 20% at the close of the FY 2017. We are now in a unique position to be able to ensure that we deliver to Bengaluru and its people an airport of which that they can truly be proud of.


Insiders caused the Aadhaar data leak earlier this week, police and Aadhaar sources said on Friday.



Earlier in the day, the case was transferred from High Grounds police station to the cyber crime police station. The leak came to light when an app offered e-KYC certificates, allegedly by accessing an Aadhaar database without authorisation. KYC is an acronym for know your customer.



Qarth Technologies, the company that developed the app, is based in Indiranagar. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) had on Wednesday lodged a complaint against two of its own authentication service agencies (ASUs), and Qarth Technologies. The complaint mentions an authentication user agency (AUA) and a KYC user agency (KUA) but does not name them.



Confidentiality clause



The UIDAI said it had issued detailed instructions addressed to all such agencies to ensure the security of the authentication process. An official source said the agencies were mandated with maintaining the confidentiality of Aadhaar details.



According to the UIDAI framework, an AUA/KUA may be a government, public, private legal agency registered in India.



The Aadhaar Act of 2016 stipulates that a registered authentication agency cannot allow another to perform authentication. That requires the sharing of a licence key, which is illegal.

The agencies cannot forward authentication requests either as that would involve using personal identity data captu-red by an unaudited application. Even for a sub-AUA, separate licence key is used, a source said.



Developer accused



The FIR registered at the High Grounds police station names mobile app developer Abhinav Srivastava as the prime accused, followed by two others, an AUA and a KUA. Sources said since no sharing of information is allowed without the use of the licence key, investigation would revolve around finding out which insider leaked the information.



It looks like some agencies have shared information illegally in connivance with Abhinav Srivastava, a police source said. About 400 AUAs and KUAs are operational across the country. An AUA is an entity engaged in providing Aadhaar-enabled services to Aadhaar holders, using authentication as facilitated by an Authentication Service Agency (ASA).


Indrani Mukerjea, former media personality and a key accused in the murder of her daughter Sheena, set out looking for a good place days before the killing where she would dispose of her body, a Mumbai court was told on Friday.



Shaymvar Rai, a former driver of Indrani, who was made an approver in the case in June last year, said she also wanted to kill Mikhail, Sheenas brother.



During his examination, Rai said in March 2012, Indrani, who was then abroad, told him through online video chat application Skype that she wanted to kill Sheena and Mikhail, her two kids from an earlier relationship.



Indrani said she will take care of my kids, their education and familys medical expenses, and assured that I will have a permanent job, Rai claimed.



The crime unfolds

In April 2012, Indrani asked him to find places around Lonavla and Mumbai for dumping the bodies of Mikhail and Sheena after the murder, Rai said.



The next day he picked up Indrani from airport, and on the way home she told him that she wanted to kill Sheena and Mikhail in two days.



Indrani went with him to look for places to dump the bodies. At a spot near Khandala (near Lonavla) she said, This place will be good for Mikhail.



Good place

After seeing another spot in Khopoli she said it would be good for Sheena, Rai claimed. Then she spoke to husband Peter Mukerjea over phone in English, Rai said, adding she said it was a good place.



On April 24, 2012, the day Sheena was murdered, Indrani bought six bottles of medicines, one of vodka and two small water bottles. On reaching home, she asked Rai to add the medicines to the liquor and water bottles. It was Indrani who gave the drug-laced water to Sheena when she arrived that evening, Rai said.



As they were moving in the Bandra-Pali Hill area, Sheena was sitting in the car with eyes closed. Indrani asked me to stop the car and Khanna (Sanjeev Khanna, Indranis former husband, a co-accused) got up and sat on the rear seat (next to Sheena and Indrani), Rai said.



He then saw Khanna grab Sheenas hair and Indrani strangle her. Indrani asked Rai to cover Sheenas mouth. The body was taken home and kept in the garage, he said.



On April 25, Indrani, Rai and Khanna drove towards Pen (in Raigad district) with Sheenas body. On the way, Rai said, Indrani tidied Sheenas hair and applied lipstick. The body was taken to a spot near Pen where Khanna poured petrol on it and Indrani set it on fire, he said.
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A national screening programme to identify diabetic retinopathy has halved the proportion of people with diabetes who go blind or suffer severe sight loss.

The screening programme was launched in 2007, and new research shows that in just eight years the number of new certifications for severe sight impairment have fallen from 31.3 to 15.8 per 100,000 people.

The screening also led to the sight of 22 people being saved and 339 fewer new cases of all levels of sight loss from any cause combined in 2014-15, compared with 2007-08.

People with diabetes aged 12 years and over are offered annual screening for diabetic retinopathy, which develops as a result of uncontrolled blood glucose levels and can lead to blindness without proper interventio, but 20 per cent of those eligible do not take it up.

Dr Quentin Sandifer, medical director of Public Health Wales, said: We would encourage people living with diabetes to take up the offer when they receive their invitation.

This is a great example of the NHS working together to improve outcomes for our population and is especially impressive as sight loss has reduced even through the number of people diagnosed with diabetes in Wales has increased over this time.

Professor David Owens, from the Diabetes Research Unit Cymru at Swansea University, said diabetes patients are expected to double in the next 25 years.

He added: The essence of the screening is diagnosing it early before it has a huge impact on vision and it can be treated relatively simply and successfully.

If you have long-term diabetes  high blood sugar for a very long time  you will have damage to the small blood vessels at the back of the eye which supply all the blood and nutrition to the retina, which is essential.

The research has been published in the British Medical Journal.
As per a new report, The Korean tech company is in talks with OEMs to bring its NFC-enabled payments service to non-Samsung premium Android smartphones.

Samsung Pay might soon be headed to non-Samsung Android smartphones. The company is believed to be in talks with other OEMs for integrating its NFC-based payments system in non-Samsung premium devices.

As per the report, Samsung is discussing the expansion of Samsung Pay internally. The Korean tech company recently brought its payments service to its mid-range smartphones in the form of Samsung Pay Mini. The stripped down version of Samsung Pay offers support for UPI and Paytm, and unlike its full version, does not give users the ability to add debit/credit cards as payment methods. Both Samsung Pay and Samsung Pay Mini are compatible with with Point of Sale (PoS) terminals.

Samsung had hinted at the availability of Samsung Pay and Samsung Pay Mini on other Android smartphones when it launched the Galaxy J7 Max in India. Currently, the full version of Samsung Pay is available in India on the Galaxy S8+, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S6 edge+, Note 5, Galaxy A7 (2017), Galaxy A5 (2017), A5 (2016), A7 (2016), Galaxy A9 Pro and Galaxy J7 Pro. On the other hand Samsung Pay Mini is available on the Galaxy J7 Max, Galaxy On Max, Galaxy J7 Prime, Galaxy On Nxt and Galaxy J7 2016.

While Samsung has clearly demarcated different territories for Samsung Pay and Samsung Pay Mini, the report suggest that the company may be looking to bring the full-fledged payments app to its mid-to-low range devices as well.

If other OEMs have to integrate Samsung Pay into their smartphones, they will also have to upgrade their hardware to support the same. It is not yet clear how Samsung plans to convince manufacturers to do so, but more details are sure to emerge soon.
Smartphone usage in India has ballooned to a point where almost everyone who has on online presence uses the device. Most of these devices are powered by chipsets made by a handful of companies. Some of the biggest names include - Qualcomm, Apple and MediaTek, but Samsung with its Exynos and Huawei with its HiSilicon are catching up quick. Amidst this, Chinese chip-maker Spreadtrum has been doing relatively well powering feature phone and budget friendly smartphones. The company was among the top ranks when 3G was prevalent in India, but with changing times, goals and expectations need to change.

To find out what Spreadtrum is up to, we talked to Neeraj Sharma, Spreadtrum Communications Head of India Operations on the subject. An Engineer at heart, Sharma has a penchant for mobile processors and thus knows the nuances of the current smartphone ecosystem. He told us that we can expect dual camera phones under Rs 10,000, 4G feature phones and a working 5G network by 2018 from the company. Below are the edited excerpts of our interactions with Sharma.

Digit: What is your main focus area right now? Is it 4G smartphones or TD/CDMA?

Sharma: TD/CMDA was a 3G standard for China. But that market is now over as now everyone including them have shifted to 4G. Currently, 4G has been our key area of focus right from 2013-14. We havent invested too much time in the feature phone segment as that is already our forte. Our last feature phone chip released back in 2013, but now we are bringing out a replacement.

Digit: Do you think that the Feature Phone market is slowly coming to an end?

Sharma: I would say that the feature phones are on a downward trend, but it will take more time. While the market share of feature phone is going down, the numbers are pretty stable. Still, smartphones are growing at a good pace and will be the dominant communication device in the future. That being said, feature phones will continue to sell in India for at least a couple more years, reasons for which are many, which is why we are focussing on the 4G feature phones as well.

Digit: How long do you think it will take people to shift from feature phones to smartphones?

Sharma: Smartphones are already picking up the pace, but if I take a guess, feature phones will remain in the market till 2019.

Digit: Is Spreadtrum currently focusing on smartphones or feature phones, or is it a balance between the two?

Sharma: We are definitely focussing more towards smartphones, but this year we have focussed a lot on 4G feature phone. We actually started promoting this concept last year in April and we got a some positive response. This makes a lot of sense for a service provider like Reliance Jio which has a pure LTE network. So, if they want to cater to the feature phone subscriber base, they need to have We are definitely focussing more towards smartphones, but this year we have focussed a lot on 4G feature phone. We actually started promoting this concept last year in April and we got a some positive response. This makes a lot of sense for a service provider like Reliance Jio which has a pure LTE network. So, if they want to cater to the feature phone subscriber base, they need to have VoLTE 4G feature phones . Once this product is ready, there can be some iterations happening here and we dont expect the technology to evolve further, but it would still require some processing.

Digit: You talked about launching 4G feature phones. Who are your partners right now and whats the technology like?

Sharma: As soon as you shift to 4G, data speeds will increase. Once the data speeds are there and the first thing that comes to my mind is audio streaming. If you see worldwide trends, people are moving from storing songs to streaming. So, with 4G feature phones the consumer will not have to go to a shop to get songs downloaded and transferred in their phones. The second application will be video streaming. We are bringing out the technology and it is now up to the developers and phone makers to make use of it in the best way possible. This technology is for the people who are living and rural areas and are still unable to shift, where the speed of smartphone conversion is still slow. So, we have worked hard to bring all the 4G features in a small and restrictive, feature form factor to enable that consumer.

Digit: In India Spreadtrum is generally recognised with feature phones and budget smartphones. Where does the company stand today and what are you doing to change that?

Sharma: We have been working in the smartphone market since 2013 and we have been fairly successful. In fact, today Samsungs 3G portfolio is completely powered by Spreadtrum processors. So, you see even with Qualcomm and MediaTek in the picture we were able to create that space. With our 4G portfolio we provide features like VoLTE and other features across the range. After some time, almost every portfolio will have dual camera support. Our strategy is to bring the high end features to the masses, to make them part of mainstream.

We have a good ecosystem in China and now we have a big team in India as well. This year, there is big push towards payments, security because of de-monetization and Aadhaar. So, we are trying to find better features to give us an edge here. For example, from next generation onwards we will bring Iris scanner as part of our turnkey solution. This would make the job for OEMs that much easier, reducing the time-to-market of a product.

Digit: Do you think your strength lies in the sub-10,000 rupee segment or do you wish to enter in a new segment?

Sharma: Our strength does lie in this segment. But we dont want to limit ourselves at all. This year we have an Octa-core SoC which is a high end chipset and it will feature in our new high-end smartphones. But still we wish to maintain our position in the sub-12,000 rupee segment. We have plans to bring smartphone with dual camera phones under Rs 12,000 or even under Rs 10,000.

Digit: What can you tell us about the Intel partnership you announced this MWC?

Sharma: We call this new processor as IA. So, we had two chipsets and we are going to announce another chipset next month. So, one of these is a high-end chipset and the other one is more mid-end. While bringing the more powerful IA to India will take some time, you may see smartphones powered by the less powerful version in second half of this year.

Digit: What are your thoughts on 5G and how ready is Spreadtrum?

Sharma: We plan to launch 5G in China by 2018. India will be there when the market will be ready. We are conducting the trials with operators in China. We are planning to bring 5G first in China.

Digit: Your also have research centre here in India, what value does that add to the companys portfolio?

Sharma: One of our very core team is the Camera team, which takes care of the major developments that take place in terms of Cameras. Then we have a team working on Android, research from which is implemented in the overseas market as well and then we have a field testing team for 4G among other things. We also have a small PS team which provides support to our partners.

Our key team is the Hardware team. The goal with this actually is to design in India rather than make in India. We call it design in India and not make in India because making chipsets in India is still 20-25 years away. For companies like Samsung , we did most of the stuff from the Noida centre. So, in future when people can sign direct license agreement with us, then they can do the design here. They come to our labs, put their PCBs to test, debug the issues quickly with our expertise. We are working towards setting up an Audio Testing Lab as well and today we are at stage where we can start designing in India. Its still a long road ahead.

Digit: How important or relevant is India for your future plans?

Sharma: If things are working well in India, they can easily work anywhere else. We are testing all our technologies in India. A lot of this research helps us put together plans for other regions of the world, like currently we will be looking at launches in South Asia. Our 9832 series chipsets will be enhanced according to the operator requirement and will be launched in Q3. And then we will launch our Intel chipset in August. We have lined up some more launches for Q1 next year.

Digit: We have seen new players emerging in the SoC segment like Samsung, Xiaomi and Huawei. Are you planning to do go down the same road?

Sharma: Yes, we will have our own CPU in future, but that is the most I can tell you today.
The new plan from Vodafone is applicable for new prepaid customers who have a new 4G prepaid SIM card. The plan gives users 1GB 4G data per day for 70 days. Old Vodafone customers get similar benefits with 56 days of validity for Rs 346. The Rs 346 plan o

In an effort to take on Reliance Jio and possibly get some new customers, Vodafone has launched a new First Recharge Coupon (FRC) 244 plan for new prepaid customers. The plan offers 1GB of 4G data per day for 70 days, and as the name of the plan suggests, it is priced at Rs 244. As mentioned above, the plan is available for new Vodafone prepaid customers only. The Rs 244 plan offers customers 70GB of 4G data, with 1GB cap per day, and unlimited calls both local and STD but restricted within the Vodafone network. Customers should remember that the plan is valid for 70 days for new customers only and the price of the plan may vary based on the region you are in. From the second recharge, the validity of the plan changes to 35 days.

Vodafone has plans for its older customers as well. The operator is offering the same benefits with a 56-day validity for Rs 346 only. The Rs 346 plan offers unlimited voice calling to any network, but it really isnt unlimited. Just like data, there is a daily cap. Voice calls will be limited to 300 minutes per day and 1,200 minutes per week in the Rs 346 plan.

If you think the Vodafone plan looks attractive, we would like to direct your attention to the Rs 309 plan offered by Reliance Jio. The plan offers 1GB data per day at 4G speeds post which speeds reduced to 128kbps. The Jio plan also offers users unlimited voice calls to any network both local and STD. Airtel also recently announced a data benifit scheme for its postpaid users. Airtel Postpaid users can now carry forward their data from one billing cycle to the next. The Airtel postpaid data carry-forward scheme will start from August 1.

When Reliance Jio entered the market, they disrupted the telecom business and forced existing players like Vodafone, Airtel and Idea to rethink their strategy. Recently Reliance Jio announced their JioPhone which aims to take on the feature phone market and offer them benefits that are enjoyed by Reliance Jios 4G customers. You can check out details of the Jio Phone here.
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Federal agents seized 277 pounds of marijuana hidden in rail cars used to transport Ford and Lincoln vehicles recently imported from Mexico.

According to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the marijuana was found a day earlier by employees at the Ford Rail Distribution Facility in the Detroit suburb of Woodhaven. Some 200 vehicles were then searched by Federal, state and local officials.

No arrests were made.

ICE offered no details about the place of origin of the rail shipment in Mexico or the place where the cars were produced.

According to ICE, Ford was cooperating fully with the investigation.

Authorities had, earlier this month, said over 400 pounds (181 kilograms) of marijuana was found in 15 new cars made in Mexico and shipped to Ohio and Pennsylvania for sale.

Earlier this month, 15 Ford Fusions made in Mexico were found to contain drugs concealed in spare tire wells, when they arrived in northeast Ohio. The marijuana recovered from the cars was estimated to be worth $1 million. In a similar incident in March, in Minnesota, involving cars made in Mexico, police discovered seven Ford Fusions with marijuana stashed where the spare tire was supposed to be.

''We are taking this very seriously,'' Ford spokeswoman Kelli Felker said in an email yesterday. ''We are working closely with a number of law enforcement agencies on this investigation, including the FBI, Customs, Department of Homeland Security and local police. We cannot comment further as this is an active investigation.''
The Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicines new class of first-year students got its first taste of serving the community by working together Friday to prepare 1,760 backpacks full of school supplies for children at high poverty schools.

The new students were divided into teams and tasked with packing the backpacks, which are bound for Faine Elementary School, Girard Elementary School, Grandview Elementary School and Slingluff Elementary School.

Sarah Senn said the backpacks will provide students at these schools with important supplies their parents may be unable to afford. Senn said a similar event last year prompted many thank-you notes from students.

Senn said new ACOM students benefit from the exercise because it teaches them teambuilding skills. Senn said ACOM has emphasized teamwork in recent years, partnering with institutions that train nurses for interprofessional events. Senn said young doctors need to form effective teams to work well professionally.

Michael Fernandez is a Dothan native who chose ACOM for medical school. Fernandez said he is glad his first week in school involves an activity intended to benefit children from low-income families.

It reminds you why were here, he said. The essence of being a physician is service.

Aerial Petty, also a first-year student, said she also liked the service-oriented lesson. Petty said learning to work with other medical professionals was a critical skill for aspiring physicians.

You cant do anything alone, she said. Everything you do you have to do as a team.
Donald Clay has made campaign contributions for the past couple of years  a few dollars here and there. While hes supported candidates financially, hes been unable to support them with his vote until now.

Clay lost his right to vote after being convicted of a drug-related felony in 1984. Clay was injured while serving in the military and became addicted to painkillers, which led to trouble with the law. Clay later turned his life around, but years of staying on the straight and narrow made no difference as the law stripped most convicted felons of their voting rights.

When a man changes his life and gets back into society, he begins to want to participate in things like politics, church and the community again, he said. Taking care of his family, putting food on the table, voting  its what a man is supposed to do.

Recent legislation has cleared a path for many convicted felons to vote again. The new law clearly defines crimes of moral turpitude that strip a person's right to vote. Thanks to the new law, Clay can now vote.

Kenneth Glasgow, who helped lead the effort to change the law regarding felons voting rights, helped Clay and Ian Palmer register to vote Thursday.

Palmer was convicted of drug offenses in the early 2000s. Palmer said he regretted losing his right to vote as a consequence of his criminal offenses.

You dont realize the blessings that you have being free and having the privilege to vote, he said.

Glasgow has encountered criticism for his drive to restore voting rights to felons, being accused of trying to register more Democrats and African American voters. Glasgow said hes working to help all disenfranchised voters, whether theyre white or black, Republican or Democrat.

Both Clay and Palmer and Republicans.

I wish I could have voted for Trump this time around, Palmer said.

Glasgow said, This is a bi-partisan effort. Its about right and wrong, not black or white.
Citing a potential for election fraud related activities, Alabamas Secretary of State announced Friday he will send a team of staff members from his office to keep watch over Dothans municipal elections Tuesday.

Dothans last municipal election in 2013 resulted in the absentee ballot fraud convictions of four people connected to the campaign of District 2 Commissioner Amos Newsome.

We dont want that to occur again and we will not allow it to occur on our watch, Secretary of State John Merrill told the Dothan Eagle Friday.

Merrill said the team is coming at the request of City officials.

Concerns have been raised about a disproportionately high number of absentee ballots requested and turned in from District 1. Incumbent commissioner Kevin Dorsey recently said he welcomed oversight from the State to head off potential election fraud.

City officials made the Secretary of States office aware of absentee ballot concerns a few weeks ago. When asked if he believed absentee ballot fraud is occurring in the 2017 election cycle in Dothan, Merrill declined to elaborate.

That isnt something I can comment on, Merrill said. I cant comment without undermining a future investigation or indictment.

Merrill said he also could not comment on whether a current investigation is underway related to election fraud.

Merrill said his staff members Tuesday will be in Dothan to observe and respond to any concerns.

They will be mobile, visiting different locations throughout the city, Merrill said. We just want to put ourselves in a more visible location to let the people of Dothan know we are concerned about the integrity of the election process and to let people feel comfortable knowing the election is being held in a fair manner.

This is not a witch hunt, Merrill said. We just want to make sure it is easy to vote and hard to cheat.

Voters across six Dothan districts will vote Tuesday to elect a new mayor and school board chairman. There are also contested city commission and school board races in a handful of districts.
Germany's federal motor transport authority, the KBA (Kraftfahrtbundesamt), has placed a registration ban on the Porsche Cayenne Diesel due to the discovery of what it describes as suspect emission manipulation software.

The ban, confirmed by German transport minister Alexander Dobrindt on Thursday, comes after KBA testing revealed the two Porsche models are fitted with software that manipulates CO2 emissions by switching to a so-called warm-up strategy mode when it detects they are undergoing testing on a rolling road  the process providing them with a lower CO2 rating than that achieved otherwise.

The Cayenne Diesel is powered an Audi-developed and produced turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine  the same unit used by Audi in a raft of different models, including the A4, A6, A8, Q5 and Q7. It is also used in the smaller Porsche Macan S Diesel and by parent company Volkswagen in the Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI.

In the Cayenne Diesel, the Audi V6 diesel develops 193kW and is claimed to return 6.6L/100km on the combined European consumption test cycle for average CO2 emissions of 173g/km.

As well as placing an immediate ban on the registration of the Cayenne Diesel, the KBA has also ordered a recall of up to 22,000 vehicles already sold in Germany.

The Cayenne registration ban comes after tensions between Porsche and Audi were strained following comments made by Porsche union boss, Uwe Hueck, on Monday.

In a pointed attack on Volkswagen sister company Audi, Porsches Hueck said: We feel deceived by Audi. The supervisory board should fire the management."

Porsche reacted to the German government ban with the following statement: "Porsche has detected irregularities in the engine control software during internal investigations and has actively pointed this out to the KBA (Kraftfahrtbundesamt), German Federal Motor Transport Authority. The irregularities are not related to the transmission control software. Corrections by means of a software update within the scope of a recall were agreed with the authority."

"Regardless of the recall, Porsche continues to carry out internal audits on its vehicles and derive optimizations from them. Furthermore, the company is still in close contact with the authorities, in particular the German Federal Motor Transport Authority, on all current matters."
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The National Transport Authority has banned popular app Uber from using private cars for passengers in Ireland.

The decision was made after a pilot-programme tested in Limerick was described as "undesirable".

While Uber still operates in Ireland, but much like rival app MyTaxi (formerly Halo), it can only book registered taxis and limousines.

This is contrary to Uber's typical operational model in other countries, where private cars are used by drivers, offering lower prices to customers.



The National Transport Authority offered Uber a statement which told them that operating unlicensed cars for hire in Ireland was illegal.

"Notwithstanding the above legislative position, it should be stated that the NTA is unsupportive of this proposal.

"Operating parallel regulated and non-regulated regimes, even on a pilot basis is undesirable in our view and can only serve to undermine the regulated transport system . . . the issue of unfair competition arises.

"This is not an approach which could be supported by the NTA."

Although extremely popular in several countries worldwide, Uber has been stopped by other European countries for similar reasons.

France and Spain are two of the biggest countries that have blocked the app, while the UK and US are two of the biggest countries to the app's success.
Reports that funding for an Ardee By-Pass had been approved, are incorrect, according to clarification received by Louth Fianna Fail TD, Declan Breathnach.

Deputy Breathnach sought clarification on the funding of the Ardee By-Pass from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), who responded to the TD 10 days ago.

Deputy Breathnach said:

Only 10 days ago I received a letter from TII in response to a representation I made seeking funding for the Ardee By-Pass.

'In that letter dated 18th July it stated that the Governments Capital Investment Plan (CIP) provides the financial and strategic framework for TIIs activities during the period from 2016 to 2021.

'It stated in the letter thatthe Ardee Bypass was not included amongst those projects which were identified for development during the period of the plan.

'Following reports in local media outlets where Councillors Kevin Callan and Jim Tenaty confirmed that Minister Ross had announced funding for the Ardee By-Pass I sought clarification from TII and from the Ministers office.

'I have learned that an amount of 250,000 has been allocated to appoint consultants to finalise contract documents. This is the only funding that has been announced and I have received confirmation of this from both TII and the Department today.

'While I welcome this funding which is a clear indication that the development will go ahead at some stage in the future, the main funding for the development of the By-Pass has not yet been allocated', said Deputy Breathnach.

'It was also confirmed to me today that some immediate measures are being considered to increase safety on the N2 between Ardee and Castleblayney which is very welcome in light of the recent tragic fatalities on this stretch of road.'
Richard Branson is right about many thingsbut hes wrong about attitude. One of his famous observations was that you can learn expertise and gain experience but attitude is inherent. In other words, you cant train for attitudes  you hire attitudes.

I believe that view is now defunct. By failing to train for attitude, organisations miss out on an opportunity to improve their people, leaving them underemployed. This not only has a negative effect on the individual, but also means an organisation is not achieving the best when it comes to productivity, their ability to compete and, thus, their bottom line.

How people feel about the world, including those around them, has a greater impact on their quality of life than any other single factor. Much of our happiness is determined by the attitudes and choices we make and adopting a growth mindset helps people to become flexible, positive and motivated.

Ive seen distinct changes in people whove undergone training to build a positive attitude. This includes people who initially saw only insurmountable problems but who now offer up solutions; people who used to withdraw and stay home sick after conflict but now work to maintain a positive frame of mind; and people who used to do the bare minimum but are now energised to go the extra mile.

The more someone fosters a growth mindset, the more they will focus on lifes possibilities, be motivated to learn and be open to taking on new ideas or challenging beliefs. In turn, their attitude will be stronger, as will their resilience, and they will be happier.

Research by Stanford University Professor Carol Dweck on the growth mindset shows that our intelligence is malleable  we can actually boost our brains capacity to learn and solve problems.

The bridge yet to come

She advocates the bridge to yet which recognises that people are on a learning curve. Rather than failing to pass a test, she says theyre not there yet. She says rewarding the effort, strategy and process increases confidence and creates sustained learning and perseverance.

A lot of people when given a task will say I cant do that or I am not good at that. Theyre displaying what Carol Dweck calls a fixed mindset that sees no opportunity for growth. If you just add yet, you are open to the possibilities of learning something.

University of California psychology professor Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky argues that 50% of happiness is from genetics, 10% from differences in lifes circumstances, and 40% percent from intentional activities. That theory offers scope to manage your own happiness.

So how do you train for attitude? Cancer charity Camp Quality found the answers in a program developed by its then CEO Simon Rountree to enhance organisational culture.

Based on global research from the likes of Professors Dweck and Lyubormirsky, the program improved business outcomes by giving people self-management tools to change the way they approach their work and lives..

With respect to attitude, the program identified the following four self-management tools:

1. Complete the Circle

This is really good for procrastinators and people who start a task but get distracted. Its a simple case of whatever you start, you finish  no matter how long the project or task takes. Depending on its complexity, if you need help, you must get buy-in from others to complete the circle.

The point is you never leave anything unfinished. Before they know it, people have 10 unfinished jobs that theyre trying to work on. Research shows that human beings are not hard-wired to multi-task. So, complete one task and then focus on the next.

2. CvS to BvS

This is from Michael Hewitt-Gleesons School of Thinking and his cvs2bvs equation about escaping from your Current View of the Situation (cvs) and searching for a Better View of the Situation (bvs).

Hewitt-Gleeson is the father of 10x thinking i.e. improving a process 10 times over not 10%. It could be that the accounts department has a problem of people not getting their invoices done so they can be sent out on time. Using the cvs2bvs tool, a meeting is called that anyone from the CEO to the receptionist can attend. But they must each bring 10 better views of the current situation and they must have them in writing.

The cvs2bvs equation is about building innovation within your people and your organisation. Innovation only comes about when youve got the right attitude. Anyone with a poor attitude does not contribute to innovation.

3. 3Ss

This simple tool encourages people to Smile, Say thanks and Set an intention to do something good for somebody else each day. These are the foundation blocks of a good attitude. Research shows that smiling has physiological benefits as it helps release endorphins. Being pessimistic depletes you of happiness but showing gratitude and making choices to do positive things increases happiness; it goes to Sonja Lyubomirskys 40% of happiness coming from intentional activities.

4. Possibilities

Draw a noughts and crosses game and fill the boxes with numbers 1 to 9. If you were to move the numbers around, how many moves would it take before you ran out of possibilities? Some people think its a small number; in fact there are more than 320,000 possibilities.

Camp Quality posted the noughts and crosses symbol at every work station as a reminder to people that there are always possibilities. We shouldnt get to the point of thinking there is nothing more we can do. It just means we havent thought of all the possibilities.

The bottom line

These are just four ways that you can train for attitude.

Within most Australian workplaces there are people whose attitude is either good, mediocre or poor. Fortunately, organisational leaders have the ability to influence this.

If you train for attitude, employees are likely to show not only more productivity but also more gratitude. As Richard Branson also says: Train people well enough so they can leave; treat them well enough so they dont want to.

About the author

Paul Findlay is Managing Director of PDT an Australian-owned international professional development training company operating in 10 countries. PDT delivers Camp Qualitys ORANGES program to corporate and government workplaces.
Each legislative session thousands of bills and amendments are introduced in the Pennsylvania Legislature. Only a fraction become law, and an even smaller portion receive wide media coverage.

These bills impact the lives of people living in Pennsylvania every day.

Each week The Sentinel will highlight one bill that has not received widespread attention.

About the bill

For many youngsters, recess is the highlight of school days. Its a time to get out of the classroom and just play.

But the carefree time spent outdoors at recess and other school events is not without its dangers, and schools in Pennsylvania are at a disadvantage in dealing with them, according to Rep. Harold English, R-Allegheny County.

The danger English speaks of is harmful exposure to the suns ultraviolet radiation.

Staff at Pennsylvania schools are only allowed to administer sunscreen to students if the school has received parental permission and a doctors note because sunscreen is considered an over-the-counter medication by the Food and Drug Administration, according to English.

Just like Neosporin, students must have a doctors order, not just their parents permission, and the sunscreen has to be administered by a nurse, English wrote in a co-sponsorship letter. Kids cant even bring sunscreen to school and apply it themselves.

English has introduced House Bill 1228 to remedy the access to sunscreen.

HB 1228 would allow students, during school hours or at a school-sponsored activity, to apply a topical sunscreen product without a physicians note or prescription if the product is approved by the FDA for over-the-counter use and allow school personnel to assist the students with parental permission.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes that school policies that prohibit hats or student possession of sunscreen can create barriers to the use of important sun protection methods, English wrote. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends educating children, adolescents and young adults on the dangers of sun exposure to reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Englishs bill would also allow the outdoor use by students of sun-protective clothing, including, but not limited to, hats.
Sir Suma Chakrabarti meets officials and business leaders

Opportunities to further increase cooperation with China were the focus of a visit to Beijing and Shanghai by the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Sir Suma Chakrabarti met one of the countrys Vice Premiers, Ma Kai, as well as Governor Zhou Xiaochuan of the Peoples Bank of China.

There were also talks with the Vice Minister of Finance, Shi Yaobin and many other senior officials from several ministries. During the meeting with Vice Premier Ma, the EBRD President thanked China for its intensive engagement with the Bank since becoming a member in January 2016.

He said the country was already making a large contribution to the EBRD. President Chakrabarti also emphasised the hopes that he and the Bank placed on further enhancing cooperation with China. During that discussion and many others, including with the Silk Road Fund, he underlined that the Bank was a natural partner for China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which reaches into many EBRD countries of operations.

The President stressed that the Bank has the expertise and knowledge to deepen cooperation with the private sector and to support the partnership along the route of the BRI. He told a seminar in Beijing on Cooperation between China and the EBRD along the Belt and Road Initiative that Chinese membership of the Bank was a win-win-win scenario.

It was, he said, A win for Chinese companies as they invest in the BRI and the EBRD regions, in many cases one and the same thing. A win for those regions themselves as China becomes an ever more important source of finance for them. And a win for the EBRD, as we benefit from having such an economic giant as a shareholder.

It was a message that President Chakrabarti repeated in meetings with Chinese companies and commercial banks. During a business development event at the China International Contractors Association, he said that the EBRD was keen to work with more private Chinese companies and entrepreneurs.

The importance of partnership with other development banks was also highlighted during the visit. In Beijing, he met the President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Jin Liqun, and, in Shanghai, President K. V. Kamath of the New Development Bank. The EBRD has partnered on one project already with the AIIB and is offering to help both institutions build their capacity.
Bill Schuette hasnt filed paperwork to run for governor in Michigan yet but there are plenty of signs that hes going to. For instance, he has already raised nearly $1.6 million.

But the clearest evidence is that the man who has spent millions upon millions of our tax dollars to promote his extremist conservative views has finally started doing his damn job. Hes spent the past 7 years fighting marriage equality and trying to stop environmental clean ups in other states and supporting Arizonas racist Papers, please law and fighting against adoption rights for LGBTQ couples and trying to overturn the Affordable Care Act and working to kneecap workers unions and working to keep our odious and anti-democratic Emergency Manager law in place and supporting Hobby Lobby when they tried to prevent their employees from getting contraception paid for by their health insurance and shielding big pharmaceutical companies from the harm their drugs do by supporting an drug maker immunity law. (I documented this all HERE.)

But now  NOW!  our AG has actually started to do what the voters of Michigan elected him to do: protect citizens against crime and negligence. First it was going after members of Gov. Rick Snyders administration in the Flint Water Crisis, a crass exploitation of a human-caused catastrophe to distance himself from Snyders political toxicity.

Now hes going after those who neglected elderly retired veterans at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans:

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced criminal charges Monday against 11 former caregivers at the state-run Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, alleging they falsified records to cover up neglect at the facility. Schuettes office also investigated several complaints of alleged resident mistreatment but said there was not sufficient evidence to pursue more serious vulnerable adult abuse charges against any workers at the veterans home. The attorney general launched the probe in May 2016 following a scathing state audit that revealed a troubling pattern of mismanagement at the Grand Rapids facility, which prompted a state government overhaul of how nursing care is provided to Michigan veterans.

Its good that hes doing this. VERY good. Its also many years too late. Heres Democratic House Rep. Winnie Brinks:

Gov. Rick Snyder and Attorney General Bill Schuette have known about the appalling conditions at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans since 2013. I implored the governor to open an investigation then, but he wouldnt take action, and so our veterans needlessly suffered for four years, which is inexcusable.

And heres Democratic House Leader Tim Greimel:

Bill Schuette did absolutely nothing until apparently he wants to run for governor, and now all of a sudden he wants to grandstand on the issue.

Schuette stood by why these men and women suffered, doing nothing to stop it or to punish those responsible. Now that its politically expedient, hes Schuette on Duty.

And let us not forget, this is the classic example of how privatizing essential government services to a for-profit corporation harms people, in this case vulnerable elderly heroes. Heres what I wrote in 2016 in a piece titled Mistreatment of elderly veterans result of privatizing government services to for-profit group with no background in healthcare:

The fact is that the Snyder administration attempted to carve $4 million of annual costs out of a single healthcare facility for military veterans and, in the process of awarding the work to a company with no background in providing healthcare, the veterans suffered. Not surprisingly, J2S Group has high turnover and trouble maintaining a full staff. Thats what happens when you pay people poorly and overwork them, all in the name of corporate profits. J2S Group claims they never run short staffed and are passionate about not only supplying the right number of staff but providing a quality of staff that result in an exceptional work environment. They may be passionate about that but they have clearly proven to be incapable of achieving it. The real question here is how J2S Group secured the contract in the first place. How did a company founded by two college drop outs with no background whatsoever in providing healthcare services end up with a lucrative state government contract to care for elderly, disable military veterans? And how is it that, after years and years of proven malfeasance and inadequacy, they have kept their contract and continue to profit from taxpayer dollars?

If you think that Bill Schuette would reverse the Republican agenda that includes privatizing every government service that isnt nailed down, you are sadly mistaken. He is a tea partiers tea partier and a corporate shill to boot. If he becomes governor of Michigan. It wont just be bad.

It will be worse.
A grand jury in the Northern District of California indicted a Russian man for running a massive money laundering operation through the BTC-e bitcoin exchange, a group of federal officials announced Wednesday.

The exchange allegedly received up to US$4 billion in proceeds from various criminal activities, including the 2014 hack of the Mt. Gox bitcoin exchange.

The suspect, 37-year-old Alexander Vinnik, was arrested Tuesday by Greek authorities, and charges in an unsealed indictment were released the following day.

Vinnik was visiting Greece, and U.S. officials were working with Greek authorities on the case, a source familiar with the case told the E-Commerce Times.

Vinnik was charged with operating an unlicensed money service business, conspiracy to commit money laundering, 17 counts of money laundering, and two counts of unlawful monetary transactions.

He faces 20 years in prison and $500,000 in fines on each of the money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering charges; 10 years in prison and $500,000 in fines on the monetary transactions charges; and five years on the money service charges.

The company, BTC-e, was assessed a $110 million fine, and Vinnik personally was fined $12 million by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a Treasury Department branch that investigates money laundering and other financial crimes.

Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin provide people around the world with new and innovative ways of engaging in legitimate commerce, said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California Bryan Stretch. As this case demonstrates, however, just as new computer technologies continue to change the way we engage each other and experience the world, so too will criminals subvert these new technologies for their own nefarious purposes.

Birth of an Empire

BTC-e, founded in 2011, grew into one of the worlds largest digital currency exchanges, with more than 700,000 users worldwide. It relied heavily on criminal money laundering for much of its business, according to the indictment.

Vinnik owned and operated various bitcoin accounts and was the owner of Canton Business Corp., the shell company that operated BTC-e, federal officials said.

There were numerous accounts based in the U.S. and specifically in northern California, according to court documents, but they did not indicate who the account holders were or whether the transactions were of a criminal nature or legitimate.

The company received billions in proceeds from numerous criminal activities, based on the indictment, including the hack of Mt. Gox, a Tokyo-based bitcoin exchange that collapsed in 2014 after intruders stole $460 million from it. The former head of that firm, Mark Karpeles, is on trial in Japan.

Vinnik failed to register the BTC-e exchange with the Treasury Department, officials said.

He allegedly used it, along with his now defunct San Francisco-based bitcoin exchange Tradehill, to launder funds from the Mt. Gox incident and other operations.

The BTC-e website states that the company is registered in Bulgaria but organized according to the laws of Cyprus, officials said.

The firm maintained a base of operations in the Seychelles, and had registered Web domains in Singapore, the British Virgin Islands, France and New Zealand.

The grand jury named Vinnik as one of numerous known and unknown people who facilitated the illegal money laundering, according to the indictment.

Solve the Riddle?

The arrest of Vinnik adds a new twist to the case against Karpeles, the former head of Mt. Gox, said Mark Nunnikhoven, vice president of cloud research at Trend Micro.

Anyone can see money move from point A to point B  but unless A and B say who they are, they remain anonymous, he told the E-Commerce Times. In this case, law enforcement is trying to decode a chain that starts with Mt. Gox (A) and ends somewhere (Z). The DoJ is hinting that Mr. Vinnik is in that chain somewhere, which may be a key piece of the puzzle.

The repercussions may extend far beyond Mt. Gox and Karpeles, however.

Stories like these dont help the bitcoin or blockchain market in terms of reputation, said Jessica Groopman, principal analyst at Tractica.

Bitcoin was born of individuals intending to securely conduct transactions while circumventing centralized authorities, she told the E-Commerce Times.

However, the market has bifurcated significantly since early days  now financial services firms and governments are leading in, or at least heavily influencing research, development, and design of blockchain structures, Groopman pointed out.

There have been reputation problems since the early days, as bitcoin has been associated with Silk Road, cybercrime, and the dark Web. The arrest of Alexander Vinnik only resurfaces and reinforces these negative associations, she observed.

This is only exacerbated in light of broader American media coverage of alleged political investigations around money laundering and Russia, noted Groopman. Whether or not this specific case indicates insecurity in bitcoin or the market is less a matter of how it will be perceived, and surely this does not help bitcoins public image.
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PHILADELPHIA  The mayor of Pennsylvanias third-largest city pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal corruption charges that officials likened to putting a for-sale sign on his office while promising political favors to deep-pocketed donors.

Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski denied accusations that he accepted more than $150,000 in campaign contributions in exchange for city business at his first appearance in federal court in Philadelphia after being charged with multiple counts of bribery and fraud.

The three-term Democrat will remain free but cannot travel outside the area without official consent. Pawlowskis lawyer said his client is ready to fight the charges and will continue to seek a fourth term in office. A trial date has not been set.

Prosecutors allege Pawlowski attempted to steer lucrative city contracts for jobs such as streetlight upgrades, a cybersecurity deal and other work to donors who showered him with gifts and cash between 2012 and 2015.

He allegedly tried to hide his actions by deleting emails between himself and his donors. He also had his office swept for listening devices he believed were installed by law enforcement, according to the indictment.

Pawlowski once complained to a representative of a law firm that had received nearly $2 million in legal fees from Allentown that the firm hadnt given him enough money and then personally solicited more cash from one of the attorneys, according to the indictment.

In another instance, prosecutors said he accepted a dinner at a steakhouse, tickets to a 2014 Philadelphia Eagles playoff game and campaign contributions from a company bidding on a city contract.

Pawlowski, who took office in 2006, has said he wont comment on the charges beyond a statement he read at a press conference Wednesday and posted online.

Im disappointed about the filing of these allegations against me. But I want to make it clear to everyone, I have done nothing wrong, he said in the statement.

The former mayor of Reading also was indicted this week, accused of shaking down businesses for campaign contributions in return for city work. Vaughn Spencer is due in court Tuesday. He plans to fight the charges, his lawyer said.

The federal investigation of the two city governments began in 2013 and previously led to charges against lower-ranking city officials and contractors. It became public in 2015 when FBI agents raided both city halls as well as the homes of Pawlowski and Spencer.
Considered to be the Ten Best UFO Photos Ever Taken I am sure that we could add more pictures to this list but these are considered ten o...
On both the state and national levels, controversies over school funding have loomed large in conversations about the future of K-12 education. In addition to several recent high-stakes showdowns between governors and legislatures over school funding and a rash of state-level lawsuits aimed at funding formulas , the debate over what the Every Student Succeeds Act says about the use of Title I funding aimed at disadvantaged students has raged since the laws inception. With ESSA going into full effect this fall, school funding debates will undoubtedly garner even more attention. Meanwhile, stark disparities remain in how state funding formulas serve (or, in some cases, arguably underserve) their poorest districts.

What do all these conversations end up meaning for students? Is the United States on the right track in how the country approaches funding education? Five education policy experts and practitioners weigh in.

Public School Funding a National Disgrace

By David G. Sciarra

More than 60 years since Brown v. Board of Education, public school funding continues to be unfair and inequitable in most states, shortchanging the nations 50 million public school students.

Unlike in many other nations, public education in the United States is a state and local matter. State and local funding accounts for approximately 90 percent of all education funding in public schools. But unfair school funding remains entrenched in many states, impeding efforts to improve outcomes for students, especially poor children, English-language learners, and students with disabilities.

The deplorable condition of state public school finance is laid bare in the National Report Card, Is School Funding Fair? released early this year by my organization, the Education Law Center. The report analyzes both the level of funding for all students in each state and whether funding increases in districts with high enrollments of poor students.

Here are some key takeaways from the National Report Card:

 A wide gulf remains in how much states invest in public education, ranging from $18,165 per pupil in New York to a low of $5,838 in Idaho, when adjusted for regional differences. Most states also fail to allocate more funding to high-poverty districts.

 Twenty-one states, including Arizona, Illinois, and Virginia, have regressive school funding, which means they provide less funding to their high-need districts.

 Fifteen states, including California, Michigan, and South Carolina, have flat funding, failing to allocate additional funds to address the academic, social, and health needs of students in their poorest schools.

 Four other states, notably Colorado and Tennessee, do send modestly more funds to poor schools, but rank poorly in overall spending.

 Very few states, including Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New Jersey, have a school funding system that can be considered fair, with high funding overall and increased funding for student poverty.

 Nevada is the nations most unfair state, with low spending and less money for a burgeoning population of poor students and English-language learners.

The sad fact is that most states still fund schools according to how much states are willing to spend."

 Some states with unfair finance systems, such as Colorado, Florida, and Texas, have economies that can support greater investment, but the state legislatures are simply unwilling to do so.

This isnt just about dollars. The level of funding determines whether effective teachers, Advanced Placement classes, guidance counselors, extra learning time, preschool programs, and other essential resources are available in the nations classrooms.

The sad fact is that most states still fund schools according to how much states are willing to spend, usually based on last years budget, and then distribute funding to satisfy the demands of powerful political constituencies. Only a handful have enacted finance reforms driven by the actual cost of basic education resources.

In many states, elected officials continue to resist school funding reform, even in the face of court orders, and governors in some states are fighting funding lawsuits rather than using the courts to leverage legislative action.

It is not an overstatement to say that unfair school funding is our biggest obstacle to advancing equal opportunity and improved outcomes, especially for vulnerable children. Its time to put this issue at the top of the national education agenda.

David G. Sciarra is the executive director of the Education Law Center and a co-author of the National Report Card.

A Little Transparency Goes a Long Way. Maybe.

By Karen Hawley Miles & Jonathan Travers

In the deep, dark recesses of the Every Student Succeeds Act fine print rests a brief provision requiring districts and states to report per-pupil expenditures at the school level. While that might not seem like a big ask, most states and districts dont do it now, and we know from years of working with districts, that it isnt as easy as it sounds to do well.

Schools serving students with greater needs require more, and sometimes different, resourcespeople, time, and moneyto reach the same high standards. To create financial transparency that informs smart resource-allocation decisions and also advances equity and excellence, states must take a deliberate approach to presenting informative and consistent data in context. This requires states to go beyond the numbers to highlight the drivers of difference. We see three key success factors for districts and states to make the most of ESSAs new requirement:

1. Report school-level spending accurately.

Accurate reporting sounds simple enough, but many districts report only about half of all funds that go to the school level. Services that play out in schools, like custodial services or special education teachers or benefits for employees who work in schools, are often accounted for at the district level, in one big, lump sum. To provide an accurate picture that the public can compare across districts, states need to work with local education leaders to define a methodology that reflects what actually happens in schools.

2. Provide information to make sense of differences across schools.

Even with consistent, accurate per-pupil numbers, stakeholders need context to make sense of differences. Per-pupil spending varies widely across schools for both strategic and nonstrategic reasons. Interpreting these differences will require data on spending drivers such as concentration of student need, school size, and teacher experience.

3. Place school spending in the context of a broader equity and excellence strategy.

Equity and excellence arent just about how much schools spend, but about how well."

Equity and excellence arent just about how much schools spend but also about how well. Indeed, our experience working at Education Resource Strategies has shown that, above a certain baseline, there too often is little correlation between per-pupil spending and student success. To effectively address equity, district reporting must also include metrics that are strongly related to practices that help all students reach higher learning outcomes. What percentage of teachers in a school are highly effective, and how does that align with student needs? Are courses rigorous? Do students and staff feel safe and supported? By providing that context, families and other stakeholders will be able to better connect allocation of resources and student outcomes, and leaders can target action.

The clock is ticking. Designing methodology and reporting structures that provide per-pupil-spending information that is accurate, contextualized, and clearly communicated in place takes time. And the U.S. Department of Education is asking for this to be included in 2018-19 school report cards. Getting this wrong could lead to decisions that work against equity and excellence. Getting it right could provide valuable guidance to help ensure schools are organizing their people, time, and money so that every school succeeds for every student.

Karen Hawley Miles is the CEO of Education Resource Strategies, a nonprofit organization that works with large urban school systems to improve student learning. Jonathan Travers is a partner at ERS.

Poverty Creates Extra Challenges; It Demands Extra Resources

By Morgan Showalter

They could have shot him in the leg, one of my students exclaimed.

Yeah, whyd they have to kill him? another student responded.

We needed to address what was on everybodys mind. The media had not identified him yet, but we knew he was one of ours. Everyone in the room knew him, this young man shot by the police while he was actively shooting somebody else. Trying to make sense of the situation, one of my students tied the event to the ideas of fate and karma, which we had been exploring through reading Hamlet. The lesson had begun, but tragically it had already started the night before.

This event from my school day shows us that an entire classroom can be immersed in the consequences of poverty, urban blight, and the lure of criminal activity. It shows us that the proximity of violence and death warrant additional resources in an educational environment, such as targeted health and psychological services.

Fortunately, in my home state, some of those solutions are already in place.

In our current educational funding model in Maryland, extra dollars are allocated to areas in greater need as identified by such factors as high concentrations of poverty and regional issues that would make it difficult to attract teachers. Additionally, jurisdictions lacking in local resources contribute proportionately less to their overall per-pupil expenditures while the state takes on the majority of the remainder.

The proximity of violence and death warrant additional resources in an educational environment."

The wisdom of this approach is reinforced by research from the National Center for Education and the Economy along with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in their support for targeted funding systems that provide more support to students that need it the most. As well, they suggest that the most talented teachers are assigned to those students. In the United States, we often do the opposite.

The example from my classroom illustrates problems that stem from poverty.

According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, the child-poverty rate in major American cities increased from 19.9 percent in 2013 to 30.6 percent in 2016. In Maryland, 45 percent of children qualified for free and reduced-price lunches in 2016. Yet, countries with comparative levels of poverty, such as Singapore and Canada, handily outperform our students. So what is the difference?

High-performing countries realize that there are correlations between academic success and providing supports that allow students to be prepared for school in early childhood, along with consistently and adequately providing for the health of all family members.

In the United State we must acknowledge the interconnectedness of the societal woes that plague our most challenged communities, including the decline of manufacturing jobs, food insecurity, drug abuse, historical housing segregation, and mental-health issues. In education, we must continue the targeting of funds for concentrations of poverty as well as for innovative models that deliver on the promise of a free and equitable education for allsuch as community schools, whole-child education, and wraparound services.

There are too many stories like the one I shared. It is time we changed this narrative.

Morgan Showalter is a high school special education teacher in the Baltimore school district. He is the appointee of the Baltimore Teachers Union to the Maryland Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Education.

In Education, Follow the Money

By Mike Magee

In the Watergate movie All the Presidents Men, the secret source Deep Throat whispers some now-legendary wisdom: Follow the money.

The line encapsulates an important fact: If you want to know the truth, you have to know where the money is going.

Thats especially true in education, where the hot-button issues of funding fairness are deeply connected to questions of justice and opportunity. Variations in wealth and tax basesand choices by leadershave profound consequences for school funding. Public systems are charged with ensuring fairness and opportunity, but it is not often clear which systems, schools, and classrooms are getting what. And too often, the most vulnerable students lose out.

The good news is that under the Every Student Succeeds Act, following the money is going to get a lot easier. The law puts us on a better track and brings greater transparencya level of transparency that is going to create some hard but healthy conversations to advance school equity.

Some spending inequities are actually deliberate and strategic."

The challenge is clear. Students living in poverty and students of color are less than half as likely to be proficient in 4th grade math as their peers. And yet, across the country, we seriously underfund the schools and teachers serving those very students.

On average, high-poverty districts get about $1,200 per student less than low-poverty districts each year, and districts with the most students of color get about $2,000 per student less than districts with the least. Whats more, within districts, the schools that need the most often get even less.

Yet even the people running these systems lack insight into those differences, because they themselves lack the tools to follow the money. The education leaders I work with are deeply passionate about serving all kids, and especially those who need the most support, but obsolete data and finance systems make spending patterns opaque.

Enter ESSA, which requires states and districts to report per-pupil expenditures down to the school level starting in the 2017-18 school year. This exciting change also brings anxiety and challenges because the shift requires expertise, money, and time.

At Chiefs for Change, weve set up a network where leading education chiefs can share ideas and offer models for the country. We believe financial transparency, beyond just compliance with the law, will provide fair and strong support of underserved kids.

Our research has found that higher spending does not necessarily mean better services for students. The school may be smaller, the needs of its student population may be greater, or it may have a broader grade configuration. Some spending inequities are actually deliberate and strategic. For example, smaller schools may be more expensive to operate, but having a greater number of them allows more kids to attend school in their neighborhood.

This isnt about limiting options; its about understanding the trade-offs and making clear-eyed, equitable decisions.

Because equity isnt the same as equality. All schools dont get the same thing when you distribute dollars based on need. But when we make these decisions transparent, we ultimately have a better shot of making them according to shared values.

Forcing important conversations wont make the decisions easy. But it will make them better.

Mike Magee is CEO of Chiefs for Change, a nonprofit that supports state and district education leaders.
A new class of future leaders in and out of the United States military walked across the stage Friday as part of the 2017 distance education graduating class at the U.S. Army War College.

Theoretically, we are the ones who will sit now and help write our nations national strategic plans, Pennsylvania Army National Guard Lt. Col. John Pippy, a 2017 graduate, said. Now, we look at the strategic level.  What do we want to be in 2035 and the people who write those plans, the majority of them  90 some percent  will have gone through this school.

While the outside may see the War College as a place where military members go to learn how to best use land power and position tanks, Pippy said it is much more about guiding U.S. military policy strategically into the future.

Pippy said he took classes in strategic communications to fulfill his elective credits of his masters degree.

I actually just got back from a deployment (in the Middle East), Pippy said. One thing I noticed a tremendous lack of is that we dont tell our story well.  How do we tell that story not only about the war fighter and what we do but also about the other positive things that we do, and do it in a way that we dont unintentionally offend our partners?

Pippy and other members of the Army were joined by members of the other branches of military as well as Department of Defense and congressional employees in their studies.

Pennsylvania Army National Guard Lt. Col. Patrick Monahan said this helped provide a better perspective on all of the decisions that go into planning for the military.

Leadership is about relationships, Monahan said. Everything a leader does. Everything that we do  everything boils down to people.

Monahan said the program also brought in civilian members and members of local, state and federal governments to broaden students horizons.

It doesnt just temper, but it causes us to challenge our own perspective and maybe learn a new perspective on a host of issues, he said.

For Sean Snyder, legislative director for U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, spending two years conversing and learning with members of the U.S. military brought a fresh look at how to shape policy from Congress.

While I feel that Ive had a good understanding and grasp of the rationale for a lot of the policy recommendations and why the Army and the other armed forces do what they do, I thought this would be a great opportunity to shorten that proverbial distance between the Pentagon and the Hill, Snyder said. I think it was a great opportunity to get firsthand integration and communication with the men and women who are definitely going to be the future leaders of our Army.
ILDEX Indonesia holds kick-off gathering

Press release

As an organizer of ILDEX Indonesia 2017, PT. Permata Kreasi Media along with VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific, Co., Ltd. held an ILDEX Indonesia Kick-Off and Gathering 2017, as well as discussions with "Enhancing the Competitiveness of Animal Protein In the Hyper-Competition Era" as a main theme, at the Ibis Hotel, Jakarta (18/7).



The Kick-Off is carried out in order of ILDEX Indonesia 2017, which will be held in October 18th-20th, 2017 at Jakarta International Expo, Kemayoran, Jakarta. Participants of the Kick-Off are stakeholders in livestock, consisting of government, associations, business actors, and farmers. Dr. Ir. Arief Daryanto and Dr. Erwidodo came as the speakers and moderated by Prof. Dr. Ir. Muladno, MSA.

Director of PT. Permata Kreasi Media, Fitri Nursanti Poernomo, said that ILDEX Indonesia 2017 is held by various party. The third exhibition of ILDEX Indonesia is expected to improve the quality of livestock industry in Indonesia.

Meanwhile Nino Gruettke, Managing Director of VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific, Co., Ltd. Said that Asian countries that have rapid economic growth and monitored by global investors are Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia. Upon that countries there is Indonesia. "That's why we put our focus specifically in this country," he explained. In ILDEX Indonesia 2017, said Nino, in addition to more international (this exhibition is followed by 250 leading companies from 27 countries plus pavilion from China and South Korea.), it will also featured by three industrial zones, covering feeding and animal health; feed milling and agricultural equipment; and genetic, breeding, and processing.

"The exhibitors are increased by 22% from the previous edition and now 80% of booths are sold out. At this moment of ILDEX, several companies increased their exhibition area by 50%, as well as many new companies. We are targeting 8,000 visitors will be presented in this exhibition," Nino said.

He explained that there are many benefits to be gained for the participants as well as visitors in this edition of ILDEX. This exhibition is not only offering the latest livestock innovations for the upstream to the downstream sector, but ILDEX Indonesia 2017 also is a very potential in terms of business. "Many international companies are joining, both new and who have participated in the last edition," he said.

Director General of Livestock and Animal Heatlh, I Ketut Diarmita, represented by Fadjar Sumping Tjatur Rasa, said in his welcome speech that he glad for the holding of ILDEX Indonesia 2017. Livestock sub-sectors still plays an important role for the development process in Indonesia, especially in rural areas. "Livestock contributes 1.62% to the national gross domestic product in 2016. In addition, the livestock sub-sector role in providing animal food consumption tends to increase," he said.

Juan Permata Adoe, the Deputy Chairman of The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) Strategic Food Industry Sector, mentioned that increasing the productivity farmers by 60%, will meet the domestic demand. Thus, it is very important to find solutions that can benefit all stakeholders.

"If domestic demand is met, Indonesia has a great potential to become a net exporter of agricultural products, supplying more than 130 million tons to global market. Therefore, the government needs to implement synergistic policies in order to generate sustainable growth and profitable income for all sectors, covering farmers, private sector, and government," he explained.

Arief Daryanto, Economic Expert of the Livestock Industry from Business School of Bogor Agricultural University, there are six things that became the key to success in competing in the livestock sector. First, the existence of an appropriate climate that makes the cost of cage management becomes cheaper. Second, low labor cost. Third, the strong support of corn and local soybean production is abundant. Fourth, the existence of contract farming between core companies and plasma farmers (can use cooperative schemes). Fifth, the existence of large companies with good management, modern equipment, innovative and market driven (market driven), Sixth, the existence of a conducive investment climate.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigns

Published: July 28, 2017

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has resigned from his post after the Supreme Court disqualified him in the Panama Papers case. This is the third time Nawaz Sharif has been unable to complete his term in the chief executives office.

In a landmark judgment, a five Judge bench of Pakistan Supreme Court unanimously ruled to register a case against Nawaz Sharif and his family guilty of money laundering.

Pakistan SC Ruling

Prime Minister had been dishonest to Parliament and the courts, in not disclosing his employment in a Dubai-based company in his 2013 nomination papers, and thus, could not be deemed fit for his office.

It ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file a reference in an accountability court in six weeks and the case must be completed within six months. It also directed the Election Commission of Pakistan to issue a notification declaring the Prime Ministers disqualification.

Background

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter and two sons were engulfed by corruption charges as pointed in Panama Paper leaks. The scandal had revealed that Nawaz Sharifs sons, Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz and his daughter Maryam Nawaz owned offshore companies illegally which managed their familys properties.

Panama Paper leaks

The Panama Papers are an unprecedented leak of 11.5 million files from the database of the worlds fourth biggest offshore law firm, Mossack Fonseca based in Panama. The records were obtained from an anonymous source by the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, which shared them with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

The documents had leaked the myriad ways in which the rich can exploit secretive offshore tax regimes. The leaks disclosed 12 national leaders among 143 politicians, their families and close associates from around the world known using these offshore tax havens.

Key Facts

No democratically-elected Prime Minister of Pakistan has managed to complete a full term in office in the nations 70-year history. Only one Pakistani government has completed its full term, but it had two prime ministers. Besides, Pakistan also has witnessed three successful coups and spent more than half of its time under military rule.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2017

Topics: International  Nawaz Sharif  Persons in News

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To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of whats happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. We welcome your comments. The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020.
A tell-all manuscript written from prison by a Cape Girardeau man who murdered his wife did not prompt an additional federal charge, prosecutors said in court filings this week.

The federal investigation was instead driven by local officials dissatisfaction with James Clay Wallers 20-year-prison term and a desire to protect the citizens from a dangerous, sociopathic and narcissistic murderer, prosecutors wrote.

The disappearance of Jacque Sue Waller on June 1, 2011, attracted national attention, in part because the body of the mother of 5-year-old triplets wasnt found until two years later, when Waller pointed investigators to where he buried her as part of a plea deal that earned him 20 years in prison on a second-degree murder charge.

Wallers lawyer, John Lynch, sought in June to have a judge dismiss Wallers 2016 indictment on an interstate domestic violence charge. Lynch said that prosecutors are guilty of double jeopardy  trying to give Waller more time for the same crime. Waller believes the discovery of the manuscript infuriated FBI agents, who asked federal prosecutors to charge Waller, Lynch wrote. Lynch also is asking a judge to throw out statements Waller made during his confession and the search for his wifes body.

While saying that the actual author was someone else and the manuscript was in bad taste (perhaps an understatement), Lynch wrote that prosecution would also be a violation of Wallers free speech rights. Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Ferrell responded in a 381-page filing Monday that Waller was warned that his guilty plea wouldnt prevent a federal charge or a charge in Illinois, where his wifes body was buried.

Ferrells response, filed Monday, includes new details about the case, as well as copies of the manuscript and Wallers confessions to fellow inmates  evidence they will seek to use against him in court. That manuscript has now been sealed from public view.

Ferrell acknowledged that Wallers prison term left investigators, Jacque Wallers relatives and even the judge frustrated and unsatisfied.

Cape Girardeau County Sheriff John Jordan wrote in a letter to the Justice Department that Waller ransomed the return of his wifes body for the deal. Circuit Judge Benjamin F. Lewis in his own letter called Waller a killer who is completely without a conscience, the filing says.

The deputy attorney general approved moving forward, the filing says. The FBI and others then sought evidence independent of his confession, and in early 2016 found inmates to whom hed confessed, heard about the manuscript, and eventually tracked it down, the filing says.

Waller, now 46, was indicted in May 2016. The additional charge could mean a life term and prevent Waller from profiting from any book.

In the 182-page manuscript, Waller says that his love for his children and his unwillingness to be separated from them through divorce drove him to commit the murder.

Waller claims that he first thought about killing his wife in June 2010 when she said she might take the children away. The couple was discussing divorce after Wallers wife found out about an affair.

Waller surveyed a 15-mile area along the Mississippi River in a helicopter, picked a sandy spot on Devils Island in Illinois northeast of Cape Girardeau and dug a grave. That night, however, he resolved to fix the marriage, the manuscript says.

But counseling failed.

Waller says that he strangled his wife at his home before taking her to the island and burying her in another grave he had dug the day before.

He mocks investigators, saying he left breadcrumbs to steer them astray, including fish blood on his truck and in a relatives boat.

But he says a pastors jail visits helped him find faith and realize that he would never be forgiven if he didnt reveal the location of his wifes body. He said he originally sought a plea deal that would have meant 10 years in prison, but prosecutors refused to go lower than 20. Waller also included family photos and letters to his children.

He also betrays the confidences of alleged lovers and those to whom he hinted about his role in the crime, or to whom he outright confessed, and says he might have killed two sheriffs officers at one point if a pistol had been within reach.

In handwritten notes, Waller says he wants his name and the names of others changed, then crosses that out. He says he wants the book to go into local schools and libraries. He also writes that he may get some pen pals out of the project.

Its not clear how many of the claims in the manuscript are true. His description of the murder in the manuscript, and in his 2013 guilty plea, are contradicted by an autopsy, Ferrells filing says.

Lynch declined to comment Wednesday, other than to say, Mr. Waller looks forward to his day in court.

Jacque's sister, Cheryl Brenneke, said that she had not seen the manuscript. Asked about his motivation for writing it, she said, Clays motivation for everything is money. Money, money money. And attention.
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Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Canada Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cuba, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Dominican Republic Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Haiti, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Jamaica Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Mexico, United Mexican States Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu US Virgin Islands Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
Three candidates for Commissioners seat

Three candidates will contest an election to fill the vacant seat on Castletown Town Commissioners next month.

The local authority confirmed it will go to the polls after multiple candidates came forward.

Local authority worker Jamie Charles Fredric Horton, civil servant Pamela Jayne Rice and Julie Bareham, who is retired, will contest the vacancy.

The polls will open on August 17th from 8am to 8pm.
Cities across India have seen a continuous growth in the number of impoverished women and children seeking employment as domestic workers. Till the early 1990s, domestic workers consisted largely of local labour. However, in the post-liberalisation era, the domestic workers are mostly migrant labourers. Absorbed initially as construction workers in the cities, many of them subsequently turn to domestic work. Slums that come up near posh housing societies in big cities are now overflowing with predominantly interstate migrant labour. In the DelhiNational Capital Region, a large number of such domestic workers are from impoverished sections of Bengal, Assam and Jharkhand.

In mid-July, this otherwise docile workforce showed remarkable collective zeal against their wealthy employers in Noida. The ugly underbelly of rampant exploitation of domestic workers, and the huge cleavage between their interests and those of their employers was laid bare for all to see when domestic workers began an agitation outside a high-rise residential complex, the Mahagun Moderne, in Noidas Sector 78. The incident that occurred on 12 July also revealed the sickening nexus between the police, employers, and right-wing politicians who extended support to the employers without batting an eyelid. Within hours, the struggle against a gender crime and a pertinent labour issue was given a communal colour, with the accused employers and their sympathisers identifying the protesting workers as Bangladeshis.
Hi,



Im a spanish architect working in Vienna, and I want to move to Istanbul. My girlfriend lives there. I speak Spanish, english and german, but no turkish for the moment. I have lots of questions, but it would be great if you could help me with this:



1.- honestly, is it possible to find a job as an architect if I dont speak turkish and dont have turkish nationality?



2.- According to my research, first I should find a job offer, and then apply for a work permit, work visa, and finally a residence permit. The application process will take at least 90 days. Can I try to start to apply for the residence permit and work permit before I get a Job offer so that I can start to work as soon as possible, and not wait 90 days?



Thanks a lot for your help
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I started thinking about the war on cash recently over a giant plate of hot buttery pancakes with syrup.

You see, I spent part of my summer vacation in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, which some think of as the jumping-off point to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but I prefer to think of it as the Pancake House capital of the world.

Anyway, my family and I enjoyed a meal at the oldest pancake house in Gatlinburg, and lo and behold, when I went to pay, they only accepted cash.

One of the great benefits of visiting a cash-only pancake restaurant with your children is they might ask, why only cash? And that, my friends, is what you call an opportune teachable moment to explain tax evasion and money laundering to your 7- and 12 year olds:

Sometimes, dear, a nice pancake restaurant likes to underreport its sales, which allows them to underreport profits, which allows them to pay less in federal income tax.

Or, Sweet child, sometimes bad men with profits from illegal businesses like to launder their money by teaming up with a restaurant, which traditionally has a lot of cash transactions.

You see, sweet pea, credit cards create a reportable electronic record and therefore less wiggle room to make up however much in legitimate profit a restaurant owner might want. More all-cash transactions means more room to cheat The Man. Pass the syrup when youre done, love.

I should point out that even as I explained money laundering and tax evasion to my preteen children, I have no specific reason to think anything untoward happens at the specific restaurant we visited, only that it provided a nice learning opportunity to go with the meal because of its unusual cash-only policy. And the pancakes were simply delicious.

Of course, the pendulum between a cash-only and cashless society is swinging steadily toward cashless. Despite the benefits for a restaurant in an all-cash world, were more likely these days to pay with credit cards, Apple Pay, PayPal, Venmo, Google Wallet, Chase QuickPay, Square or anyone of a dozen online and mobile payment forms.

I remember just a decade ago one of my smart-ass friends used to ask, Do you accept cash?  just to get a rise out of the checkout clerk. With the swift evolution of technology, and ubiquity of plastic and electronic transfers, however, that question becomes less goofy every year.

Airlines first began refusing cash in favor of plastic in 2009, for both convenience and safety. Flight attendants presumably save time and hassle by not fishing around for exact change for our snack boxes and in-flight headphones.

Credit card companies have a clear vested interest in the payments war between cash and credit. Card companies such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express charge venders hefty fees on transactions while charging consumers high rates of interest if we carry a monthly balance.

Earlier this month, Visa launched a direct assault on the use of cash, offering some restaurants a $10,000 incentive to go cashless. The restaurants in this trial only qualify for the $10,000 payment if they refuse to accept cash from customers.

A business accepting credit cards pays an average of 2 percent in fees for credit card payments  an expensive proposition  in addition to losing the flexibility of avoiding the tax man by reporting lower sales. Maybe $10,000 will be enough of an incentive from Visa to overcome these hurdles? Somehow I doubt that would be enough to entice my favorite pancake place in Gatlinburg.

While credit card companies have a clear stake in the move toward a cashless society, so do governments. The government of India last November instituted a sudden assault on cash transactions, specifically to combat tax evasion and money laundering, by banning the use of high denomination bills, which included the 500 rupee and 1,000 rupee bills.

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.

People and businesses who trafficked in bills with a face value at and above 500 rupees, or $7.70 dollars, probably are doing it to underreport income or to engage in illegal business, according to the governments theory.

The war on cash quickly hurt the Indian economy, and by June the government began to reissue and authorize larger cash denominations.

In the U.S., the government phased out high-denomination bills of $500, $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000 back in 1969, as they realized these bills were rarely used, except by tax evaders and criminals. Last year prominent Harvard economist Kenneth Rogoff urged banishing the $100 bill in his book The Curse of Cash, saying it was most useful to criminals.

Despite Rogoffs encouragements, cash seems unlikely to go away anytime soon. Its still just too darn convenient. Im sympathetic to the idea that where you fall on the cash vs. cashless spectrum of preference might have something to do with how much you want to hide from the government.

On the other hand, a certain type of skeptic believes the move to cashless transactions foretells a more authoritarian society, one less free from the prying eyes of big government in league with big banks. the war on cash, in that alternative view, is really a war on privacy. They have a point as well.

As for myself, of course I use electronic transfer services, credit and debit cards, and have happily experimented with money-transfer mobile payment apps. For small in-person payments, I tend to pay for everything with $2 bills, $1 coins and Kennedy half-dollars, just to mess with merchants.

Michael Taylor is a columnist for the Express-News, a former Goldman Sachs bond salesman and writes the Bankers-Anonymous.com finance blog.

michael@michaelthesmart money.com or @Michael_Taylor
San Antonio-based refiner Valero Energy Corp.s second-quarter earnings fell 32.7 percent after a power outage took the companys refinery in Benicia, California offline for a month, the company said Thursday.

Valero earned $548 million in the three months ended June 30, or $1.23 per share, down from $814 million or $1.74 a share during the same period last year. The results beat Wall Street expectations. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg predicted the company would make $1.11 a share.

With continued focus on safe and reliable operations, we delivered another quarter of solid operating and financial performance, CEO Joe Gorder said in a news release announcing the companys results. Were encouraged by resilient product demand and the bullish trend in product inventory draws.

The sudden loss of power at the Benicia refinery in May resulted in a temporary shutdown and unplanned maintenance, costing the company more than $100 million, which equates to about 16 cents per share, CFO Mike Ciskowski told analysts on a conference call announcing the earnings. It also forced the facility to burn or flare petrochemicals under emergency shutdown procedures, which led to sanctions by a local regulator for safety violations, the company previously said.

Valero has sued Pacific Gas and Electric for the power outage for more than $75 million.

The sudden loss of power put the refinerys employees and the neighboring community at risk of explosions, fires, and serious injury or death, Valero said in its lawsuit.

Earnings were also reduced by the $461 million Valero spent on capital investments during the quarter, including $346 million to repurchase its own stock and $63 million on turnaround projects. That brings the total amount of capital investments to $1.1 billion for the year. The company said it expects the Diamond pipeline and the Wilmington cogeneration plant to be operational by the end of the year.

The company said it is hopeful that it can make progress with Donald Trumps administration, which includes Secretary of Energy Rick Perry and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, who are seen as friendly to the energy industry.

Were pleased with the emphasis President Trump and his administration have placed on the energy sector and their willingness to discuss the issues, Gorder said during a conference call.

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.

One of the specific areas Valero has been looking for relief from the federal government is the renewable volume obligation determined by the EPA. The company wants the obligation, which Valero fulfills by buying Renweable Identification Numbers, or RINs, to shift to retailers instead of refiners.

Valero reported that biofuel blending requirements cost $255 million in the second quarter, up $82 million from the same time period last year largely due to increased RIN costs. This brings total biofuel blending costs to $401 million for the first half of 2017. Valero spent $750 million on this sector in 2016.

We remain hopeful that point of obligation is dealt with properly, and we also are hopeful that the EPA uses its authority to adjust the RVOs to be sure that the blend wall doesnt become a chronic problem going forward, Gorder said.

JPound@express-news.net
Californias insurance commissioner isnt backing off from requiring San Antonios USAA and other insurers to report their fossil fuel investments, despite threats of being sued by Republican officials in 13 states  including Texas.

My reply to the threats of suit by these 12 oil and coal states attorneys general and governor is simple: Bring it on, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said during a news conference Thursday. We will not be deterred by threats of lawsuits from oil and coal states where its politically popular to deny or ignore climate change, or climate change-related risk.

The 13 Republicans  including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton  last month signed a letter demanding that Jones, a Democrat, stop requiring insurance companies to disclose their fossil fuel investments and to sign a pledge to divest from the coal industry.

RELATED: California's climate risk database draws ire from Texas AG Paxton

Paxtons office did not respond to a request for comment. He said last month that Jones requirements were misguided and politically driven.

Jones introduced a climate change database initiative last year to track insurers investments in oil, gas, thermal coal and utilities.

Theres a risk that investments in these assets will decline in value, much as weve seen with regard to coal investments, due to government policies limiting the use of carbon, market forces and the decisions to reduce the burning of carbon and fossil fuels, Jones said.

Four USAA insurance companies were included in the database with about $4.5 billion in combined coal, oil and gas investments. A questionnaire included in the database shows the USAA companies indicated they do did intend to divest their fossil fuel investments in 2016 or in the first half of 2017.

The USAA companies also refused to swear off new investments in thermal coal enterprises or corporate and municipally owned utilities.

RELATED: USAA touches off Twitter firestorm after yanking Hannity ads

USAA makes prudent investments across a diverse portfolio, company spokesman Matt Hartwig said in an email last month. Our investment strategy is designed to ensure we can meet our members needs, and those of the organization, today and in the future.

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.

Insurance companies dont face any consequences from the California Department of Insurance for not divesting their fossil fuel investments, it has said. The request was for insurers to voluntarily divest.

Joining Paxton in the signing the letter to Jones were attorneys general from Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming. Kentucky Gov. Matt Blevin also signed it.

pdanner@express-news.net
For those who lamented the fact that the resignation of White House press secretary Sean Spicer meant the loss of Melissa McCarthy's beloved and hilarious portrayal on Saturday Night Live, Comedy Central wants you to know it's here for you.



On Thursday's episode of The President Show, the network introduced viewers to "The Mooch," a parody of new communications director Anthony Scaramucci played by Sex And The City's Mario Cantone.



The President Show is hosted by Anthony Atamanuik, who plays President Trump in the most outlandish way possible. During the opening segment of the show, Atamanuik as Trump introduced his new communications director.

"I'd like to introduce you to my favorite new team member who I will eventually betray, Anthony Scaramucci!" he said.

The two characters then engaged in a love fest where they declared their unwavering adoration for each other before Scaramucci stepped to the lectern to address a mock press corps.

"I'm going to fire so many people," he said. "I don't know who it's going to be, Reince, but I'm going to get to the bottom of the leaks in the White House. Do you hear me, Reince?"

Cantone was drawing material from Scaramucci's real-life war with White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, whom Scaramucci believes has been plotting against him.

Scaramucci has claimed Priebus had been leaking confidential information to the media. Those feelings intensified after a reporter from The New Yorker tweeted that Scaramucci was having dinner at the White House with President Trump, the First Lady, Sean Hannity, and the former Fox News executive Bill Shine. Scaramucci asked the reporter, Ryan Lizza, where he'd gotten that information and after Lizza declined to reveal his source, Scaramucci immediately concluded it was Priebus and went on a profanity-laced tirade.

"They'll all be fired by me," he told the magazine. "I fired one guy the other day. I have three to four people I'll fire tomorrow. I'll get to the person who leaked that to you. Reince Priebusif you want to leak somethinghe'll be asked to resign very shortly." The issue, he said, was that he believed Priebus had been worried about the dinner because he hadn't been invited. "Reince is a (expletive) paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac," Scaramucci said. He channeled Priebus as he spoke: " 'Oh, Bill Shine is coming in. Let me leak the (expletive) thing and see if I can (expletive)-block these people the way I (expletive)-blocked Scaramucci for six months.'"

Needless to say, Cantone should have a lot of material with which to work as he continues his role as Scaramucci for Comedy Central. As for Saturday Night Live, there's no word on who will portray the new communications director (Aidy Bryant will portray Sarah Huckabee Sanders) when the show returns with new episodes in the fall. However, it will be hard to top McCarthy, who we can all hope will make a farewell "Spicey" appearance before the character is retired.
If discretion is the better part of valor, then Los Ajos is about as valorous as they come, hidden behind smoked glass doors in a nondescript strip mall with nothing except the swishy garlic logo on the front door to suggest theres even a restaurant in this space at all.

Walk through that door  as inscrutable as mirrored sunglasses  and into a world of mylar banners, pumpkin-colored walls, soft Mexican pop and more people than youd imagine could fit so stealthily into a room so long and narrow that its distant horizon looks like an optical illusion.
He has been cited by Rush Limbaugh, quoted in the New York Times, featured at Real Clear Politics and Lucianne.com and interviewed on radio, TV and in social media.





Inducted into the Philadelphia Public Relations Hall of Fame, for many years he served as a Lecturer in Corporate Communication at Penn State University. A former President of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) he has lectured at Rowan University, Temple University, The College of New Jersey and Arcadia University. He has conducted workshops on public relations for thousands of participants throughout the nation and has taught countless others the art of public speaking. He has also advised numerous lawyers, judges, public officials and political candidates.





Cirucci is a prolific writer and his op-ed pieces have appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier-Post and other publications.



A native of Camden NJ, Cirucci is a former President of the Philadelphia chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Cirucci served as Associate Executive Director of the Philadelphia Bar Association for nearly 30 years. He served as Chair of Penn State University's Professional Advisory Board for the Corporate Communication major at Penn State Abington and on the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Judicial Selection Commission.



He received his MA degree from Rowan University and his BA from Villanova University. He has been named a Distinguished Alumnus of Rowan's public relations program and received the E. A. "Wally" Richter Leadership Award, the highest honor from the National Association of Bar Executives' Communications Section. He has also been honored by numerous other local, state and national groups.









Cirucci's passions include politics, the popular culture, books and authors, art, communication, music, theatre, movies, dining and travel. In his hometown of Camden, Cirucci taught fifth grade at the Ulysses Wiggins Elementary School named for the founder of the Camden NAACP. There he was one of the first teachers in the country to teach African-American history to inner city students. He later served as editor of a local weekly newspaper, as Assistant to the Township Manager of Cherry Hill Township and as Associate Director of Communications at the New Jersey State Bar Association.

He's Dan Cirucci, the founder and editor-in chief of the Dan Cirucci Blog, Matt Rooney's sidekick on Save Jersey's videocasts and one of the most widely honored public relations professionals in his field. He's also been a public relations consultant to numerous organizations and individuals and hosted The Advocates on RVN-TV.
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PALO ALTO EL LLANO, Mexico  Jose Rodriguez Azpeitia was in his hometown less than a year before he joined several other men leaving this small agricultural town in central Mexico for what they hoped would be well-paying jobs in the U.S.

Rodriguez had lived in the U.S. for 20 years, working construction in North Carolina. He married Patricia Briones, a woman he knew from Palo Alto el Llano, and they lived in a trailer with their five children, ages 7 to 15, all U.S. citizens.

Then last year, Rodriguez was deported and Briones moved back here with their children to join him.

He struggled to find work in this town of about 5,000, and when he did it paid $70 or $80 for a six-day week, Briones said. So earlier this month he decided to go back to his construction job, hoping to work for a year and send money back to his family.

I told Jose, Im waiting here for you, Briones said. She didnt want to bring the family back with him because its very dangerous.

Early this week, she heard from her sister-in-law, whos married to one of the men who joined Rodriguez on the journey north, that something had gone wrong. Her sister-in-laws brother had survived, but she came by only to tell me that he had an accident. He couldnt breathe because the trailer was so close, Briones said.

Word of the tragedy spread quickly through a small town that has a history of sending its sons to the U.S. to work. The men from Palo Alto el Llano had been in the back of a semi-trailer driving from Laredo to San Antonio. As many as 100 were stuffed inside without air conditioning or vents to breathe.

By the time police were called to the trailer in a South Side Walmart parking lot early Sunday, eight of the immigrants were dead. Two more died at a hospital. On Tuesday, government officials told Briones her husband was among them. He was 38.

Now Im here at my moms house, Briones said. I dont want to go to my house. Its sad and its hard  because we have five children and Jose was the one who worked.

At least seven of those in the trailer were from this community near Aguascalientes, the capital of the Mexican state with the same name. At least three more were from a nearby town.

An affidavit by an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement described a harrowing journey as the smugglers loaded people into a trailer that soon became overheated. The survivors said some in the trailer fainted while others huddled around a small air hole.

The truck driver, James Matthew Bradley Jr., is in jail on charges of illegally transporting undocumented immigrants. At least 14 of the people found in the trailer are in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, and some are being held as potential witnesses.

Approximately nine patients remain hospitalized, including three patients in the Baptist Health System and two patients at Brooke Army Medical Center. Four patients remain at University Hospital, where their conditions have changed from good to critical to fair to critical, the hospital said. Southwest General Hospital has not responded to requests regarding the status of patients in their facility.

jbuch@express-news.net

Staff Writer Emily Eaton contributed to this report.
If you think its hot now, San Antonio, just wait until the weekend.

Forecasters are predicting temperatures will climb even higher into the triple digits by Saturday, when the high could reach 105 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures have been 100 degrees or above every day since July 20.

Theres a large ridge of high pressure really across all of the Southern and Western U.S., NWS meteorologist Eric Platt said. Thats whats helping to bring the heat.

Saturdays high could break a 71-year-old record. Platt said the highest temperature recorded in San Antonio for July 29 was 103 degrees in 1946.

The heat and lack of rainfall are also drying out the region. San Antonio has received only 0.15 inches of rain so far in July, according to NWS data.

Most of Bexar County and its neighboring counties to the northeast are now in moderate drought, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map.

On Tuesday, Bexar County commissioners voted to institute a ban on open burning, citing 650 grass fires so far this year.

Outdoor watering remains restricted to once a week as the Edwards Aquifer pool below San Antonio continues dropping. The level of the J-17 monitoring well reached 654.5 feet above mean sea level Tuesday.

Temperatures could ease slightly to 99 degrees by Monday, according to the NWS, which is predicting scattered thunderstorms across South Central Texas on Sunday and Monday.

Catholic Charities is asking for more donations of 20-inch box fans to help the elderly residents who dont have air conditioning. Fans can be donated at any San Antonio fire station.

To avoid overheating: drink plenty of fluids, wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing, get out of the sun as often as possible, use sunscreen and gradually acclimate to the heat.

BGibbons@express-news.net

Twitter: @bgibbs
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AUSTIN  Texas lawmakers sounded off on several pet peeves Thursday on the House floor as the chamber began passing bills demanded by Gov. Greg Abbott.

Some voiced frustration at the creation of new abortion laws. For others, it was muddy politics involved in the battle over tree trimming. And for a few lawmakers in the back of the room, the venting was over the House speaker.

The 150-member House began pushing through multiple bills that answer the governors 20-item special session call that drew members back to Austin this month. The House gave the initial OK to a bill that would fund the extension of the Texas Medical Board and tentative approval to two bills on the governors conservative to-do list.

Among them was House Bill 13, which requires additional reporting on abortion complications. After testy debate by Democrats challenging the need for the new rules, the Republican-controlled House voted 97-46 to give the bill initial approval.

If passed into law, abortion providers would be required to report within three business days if their patients have complications related to ending their pregnancy. Hospitals or clinics that did not perform the abortion would have 30 days to report.

The legislation would require the health care providers to tell the state when the abortion was performed, what kind of procedure was used, what the gestational age was, the date the complication was diagnosed and a description of the complication. The bill would also require detailed reporting about the mother such as her date of birth, race, martial status, and state and county of residence, along with the date of her last menstrual cycle and her history of past abortions and live births.

Critics say the legislation creates an onerous and unnecessary bureaucracy for abortion providers in the states quest to limit the procedure. Supporters contend that the bill would help compile statistics on abortion complications to better understand the health and safety risks of the procedure.

Failure to report the information to the state would result in a $500 fine for each violation, with a third violation that would give the state cause to revoke or suspend the physicians of health facilitys licensing.

Why would we single out one medical procedure to be reported every 72 hours when the others are reported every six months, asked Rep. Donna Howard, an Austin Democrat and opponent of the bill.

Lawmakers also voted in favor of legislation that takes a whack at local tree-trimming ordinances.

House Bill 7, which passed 132-11, is identical to a measure Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, passed with nearly unanimous support in the regular legislative session. The bill requires the approximately 50 local municipalities that impose tree mitigation fees to allow people to apply for a credit to offset the fee for tree planting.

The governor vetoed that bill after it passed during the regular session, and he said it didnt go far enough to stop local governments from micromanaging property owners.

Ive had enough of the cities telling what people can and cant do in their daily lives, Rep. Larry Phillips, a Sherman Republican, said on the House floor before saying he would vote for the bill. I dont think it goes far enough.

Rep. Matt Schaefer, a Republican from Tyler, also voted for the bill, saying it was a step in the right direction.

Schaefer was one of about 50 conservative Republicans at a Monday meeting with Abbott pushing members to sign on as supporters of his preferred legislation by Friday. Phelans tree bill, Schaefer recalled, was not the bill the governor wants.

Tension between factions of Republicans in the Legislature has been an issue all year in the Texas Capitol. Schaefer, chairman of the 12-member Freedom Caucus in the House, said dynamics of the special session are no different as conservative members try to push the governors agenda through the more moderate House.

Were on a pace to leave conservative priorities unfinished, said Schaefer who blamed House Speaker Joe Straus, a San Antonio Republican, for a lack of progress on the governors agenda. Its very clear the speaker is sending a message to Gov. Abbott that his conservative agenda doesnt line up with his.

The Senate has rushed to pass 18 bills  some in the middle of the night  pertaining to the governors 20 priority issues in less than 10 days. Straus said early in the session that this isnt a race, and he vowed that the House would act deliberately.

Texas House committees are focused on doing whats in the best interest of Texas, and thats why they have spent all week working on bills, listening to the public and building consensus, said Jason Embry, Straus spokesman.

The House will continue to focus on substance, and Speaker Straus is grateful for the committee chairmen and House members who are hard at work trying to get the details right.

andrea.zelinski@chron.com
A San Antonio man was executed Thursday night for killing a woman in 2004 after a last-minute request for a stay to the Supreme Court was rejected.

TaiChin Preyor, 46, had been on death row for 13 years after a Bexar County jury convicted him of killing Jami Tackett, 24, in a drug-related attack.

Preyor was pronounced dead at 9:22 p.m., about 20 minutes after a lethal dose of Pentobarbital was sent through the veins of both of his arms.

In a brief final statement, Preyor said, First and foremost, Id like to say, Justice has never advanced by taking a human life, by Coretta Scott King. Lastly, to my wife and to my kids, I love yall forever and always. Thats it.

Neither Preyors nor Tacketts relatives were present for the execution, just four journalists and some corrections officers.

Preyor is the fifth inmate to be executed in Texas this year, and the 16th nationally, according to data provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Earlier Thursday, Cate Stetson, an attorney representing Preyor said via email that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals denied an appeal and stay for her client, just hours before he was to be executed.

Preyors lawyers had argued that his appeals should be reviewed more fairly because poor legal representation had tainted his case.

After that bid was rejected, Stetson then filed a petition seeking a stay from the nations highest court. That request to Justice Samuel Alito was denied some time after 8 p.m.

On Feb. 26, 2004, Preyor said he went to Tacketts Southeast Side apartment to buy drugs and that he defended himself when attacked by Tackett and her friend, Jason Garza, 20. Preyor told police he poked Tackett with a knife to defend himself.

Preyor was arrested in the parking lot of the Grove Park Apartments in the 2500 block of Goliad Road near Interstate 37 South after he returned to the scene to look for his car keys, according to court documents. He had been covered in Tacketts blood.

Tackett, whose throat was slashed, was found when her neighbors heard her screams.

Prosecutors told the Bexar County jury that heard the case that Tackett also suffered defensive wounds to her hand and forearm and had cuts on her face and abdomen.

Defense attorneys argued that Preyor went to Tackett's house to buy drugs from her and that she and Garza attacked Preyor when he arrived, and intended to rob him. He told police that he pulled a knife and "poked" Tackett with the weapon in an attempt to defend himself.

Witnesses testified during the trial that Tacketts throat and windpipe were severed, and that she bled to death in her apartment. Neighbors heard the screams, and Garza, who was wounded in the attack, managed to escape and call 911. Preyor left the scene. He was arrested when he returned to get his keys.
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Officials from University Health System and UT Health San Antonio plan to build a $390 million Women & Childrens Inpatient Tower next to an existing tower on the South Texas Medical Center campus.

With the added space, UHS would increase the number of patients served and consolidate services for women and children that are now spread out at various buildings. It will do it all without raising taxes, officials said.

The facility will meet the demand of a growing metropolis while it addresses a long-standing problem  attracting and retaining highly trained childrens specialists in a city that has struggled to build a top-flight, freestanding childrens hospital, officials said.

The new tower will enable us to attract pediatric subspecialists and make sure that we retain these folks, so they dont leave after they complete their fellowships, said UHS spokeswoman Leni Kirkman.

Speaking to the Express-News Editorial Board, George B. Hernandez Jr., president and CEO of UHS, said the tower could open in 2022, pending approval of Commissioners Court, which is expected by early August.

We didnt really have the funds and the bandwidth to do this (before), but now is the right time, Hernandez said. This wont be a freestanding childrens hospital, but its going to be a game-changer.

To pay for the new tower, to be built on top of the hospitals original parking garage, UHS will use $82 million of its cash reserves and $308 million in certificates of obligation, a form of debt that governments use, without voter approval, for certain projects.

The facility will house 250 inpatient rooms for women and children, along with labor and delivery and womens operating rooms. It will include an existing and expanded Level IV neonatal intensive care unit, as well as a dedicated pediatric emergency department.

The project also includes a new outpatient heart and vascular center, along with advanced endoscopy services, in 43,000 square feet of what had been deliberately unused space in the adjoining Sky Tower, which opened in 2014.

County Judge Nelson Wolff said the growing population of San Antonio, as well as zooming growth in adjacent counties, means the time is ripe for the new tower.

And we have confidence that the hospital district has the ability to do this job, he said.

Presently, the hospitals womens inpatient facilities are housed in an almost-50-year-old building, with substandard amenities for patients and families, Hernandez said. The present neonatal care is overcrowded; inpatient childrens rooms are housed on the adult floor of the Sky Tower.

Weve outgrown the (womens) building, and this will allow us to serve patients even better, said Dr. Kristen Plastino, professor of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at UT Health and president of the medical and dental staff at UHS.

The consolidation will open up 72 adult beds currently used for pediatrics in the Sky Tower, Hernandez said. The new tower will dedicate space about equally between womens and childrens services, although the exact layout is still in the works, he said.

University Hospital serves the countys indigent and uninsured population, as well as paying patients. Its a Level I trauma center for adult care and the only Level I pediatric trauma center in South Texas

Childrens hospital debate

Over the years, the major health care systems in San Antonio have started  and abandoned  plans to partner and create a freestanding childrens hospital.

In the early 1990s, the Santa Rosa system and Methodist Hospital teamed up to create a stand-alone childrens hospital, but that goal fell apart over conflicts about where it should be located.

In 2011, two of the citys largest nonprofit health care providers  UHS and Christus Santa Rosa  entered into a partnership to build a joint childrens hospital. But those plans dissolved a year later over difficulties in merging a public and private system.

Soon after, a plan surfaced to bring Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia  one of the premier childrens facilities in the nation  to San Antonio. But that dream, too, went away.

Five years ago, Christus Santa Rosa Health System turned its downtown hospital into a $135 million independent childrens hospital, renamed Childrens Hospital of San Antonio. The three other hospital systems have their own pediatric programs as well.

The Christus facility uses faculty affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

The new UHS tower will support faculty and training programs at UT Health San Antonio and the School of Medicine, one of five schools within UT Health San Antonio that provides doctors who practice within University Health System.

The need for a single, comprehensive childrens hospital has to do in part with patient volume, studies have shown. With four competing, separate pediatric programs operating in San Antonio, patients are spread too thin across a fragmented system, experts said.

Not only are services duplicated, the lack of enough patients with complex medical needs means pediatric subspecialists arent able to maintain their levels of expertise. This, in turn, means San Antonio struggles to attract these highly trained physicians, who instead opt to practice in other cities with first-rate childrens hospitals.

Most major metropolitan cities in the nation have freestanding childrens hospitals, including Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, El Paso, Austin and Corpus Christi.

MStoeltje@express-news.net
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A proposal from City Councilman Roberto Trevino to permanently paint a rainbow crosswalk on Main Avenue in recognition of San Antonios commitment to the LGBT community is facing opposition as it heads next week into the powerful Governance Committee.

In June, Trevino filed a Council Consideration Request to create a Pride Crosswalk at Main and East Evergreen avenues.

The Main Street Strip has been the center of the (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community in San Antonio for decades, he wrote in the CCR. It is the home to many LGBT-owned businesses and the site of the annual Pride Parade. The addition of this crosswalk will affirm San Antonio is a place of acceptance and equality.

The crosswalk will provide pedestrian safety while promoting a message of inclusion and tolerance.

But Mike Frisbie, director of the citys Transportation and Capital Improvements Department, is expected to not recommend Trevinos request, suggesting that it would be unsafe.

He declined to comment prior to the committee meeting, but Trevino said Frisbie has cited concerns about safety, specifically that pedestrians wanting to take photos at the crosswalk would pose a danger.

Deputy City Manager Peter Zanoni said Frisbie, as the citys engineer, follows best practices for traffic safety and has expressed concern that the crosswalk could pose a danger for pedestrians who might attempt to take selfies with it.

However, the city managers office, Zanoni said, will recommend that the city proceed with the pride-themed crosswalk as a pilot program. Some nine other U.S. cities, including Houston and Atlanta, have similar crosswalks, and Zanoni said that based on initial city research, theres yet to be a safety issue at any of the existing ones.

Its not uncommon for the city to proceed with such endeavors under the auspices of a pilot program, which tends to give officials flexibility to pull back in the future or ease into a new policy.

Trevino said Frisbie is part of a national traffic engineer organization and that several of his peers have similar concerns.

To say its a traffic distraction seems odd, Trevino said. Certainly, I respect the professional assessment Mike Frisbie has in terms of traffic  he is a traffic engineer. But this is more than that.

The councilman said he believes that he has the needed support from the Governance Committee to move the matter forward and that the crosswalk would send a positive message about San Antonio.

We think its important. We think its a good statement, he said. We think it will add vibrancy and color to the fabric of our community.

Councilman Clayton Perry has queried his District 10 constituents about their take on the proposal, asking them to respond to a survey. He said Thursday that hes yet to reach an opinion on the issue. But Councilman Greg Brockhouse appears poised to oppose the proposal.

We have so many more pressing issues in our city than painting crosswalks, he said. We need to focus on the basic needs and core requirements now. Instead of painting crosswalks, we should be building crosswalks around school zones, hiring more police officers and fixing our crumbling infrastructure.

Brockhouse said that while he wont condone the use of taxpayer dollars on themed crosswalks, hes open to the idea if any group meeting criteria established by the council has the same opportunity to have one  as long as they pay for the installation and maintenance without spending taxpayer dollars.

JBaugh@express-news.net

Twitter: @jbaugh
A San Antonio man was executed Thursday night for killing a woman in 2004 after a last-minute request for a stay to the Supreme Court was rejected.

TaiChin Preyor, 46, had been on death row for 13 years after a Bexar County jury convicted him of killing Jami Tackett, 24, in a drug-related attack.

Preyor was pronounced dead at 9:22 p.m., about 20 minutes after a lethal dose of Pentobarbital was sent through the veins of both of his arms.

In a brief final statement, Preyor said, First and foremost, Id like to say, Justice has never advanced by taking a human life, by Coretta Scott King. Lastly, to my wife and to my kids, I love yall forever and always. Thats it.

Neither Preyors nor Tacketts relatives were present for the execution, just four journalists and some corrections officers.

Preyor is the fifth inmate to be executed in Texas this year, and the 16th nationally, according to data provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Earlier Thursday, Cate Stetson, an attorney representing Preyor said via email that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals denied an appeal and stay for her client, just hours before he was to be executed.

Preyors lawyers had argued that his appeals should be reviewed more fairly because poor legal representation had tainted his case.

After that bid was rejected, Stetson then filed a petition seeking a stay from the nations highest court. That request to Justice Samuel Alito was denied some time after 8 p.m.

On Feb. 26, 2004, Preyor said he went to Tacketts Southeast Side apartment to buy drugs and that he defended himself when attacked by Tackett and her friend, Jason Garza, 20. Preyor told police he poked Tackett with a knife to defend himself.

Preyor was arrested in the parking lot of the Grove Park Apartments in the 2500 block of Goliad Road near Interstate 37 South after he returned to the scene to look for his car keys, according to court documents. He had been covered in Tacketts blood.

Tackett, whose throat was slashed, was found when her neighbors heard her screams.

Prosecutors told the Bexar County jury that heard the case that Tackett also suffered defensive wounds to her hand and forearm and had cuts on her face and abdomen.

Defense attorneys argued that Preyor went to Tackett's house to buy drugs from her and that she and Garza attacked Preyor when he arrived, and intended to rob him. He told police that he pulled a knife and "poked" Tackett with the weapon in an attempt to defend himself.

Witnesses testified during the trial that Tacketts throat and windpipe were severed, and that she bled to death in her apartment. Neighbors heard the screams, and Garza, who was wounded in the attack, managed to escape and call 911. Preyor left the scene. He was arrested when he returned to get his keys.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

ezavala@express-news.net

Twitter: @elizabeth2863
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will face trial in December for the first of three criminal charges, a Houston judge ruled Thursday.

Jury selection will begin Dec. 1 and testimony will start Dec. 11 for the count of failing to register as an investment adviser with the state. Paxton, who was indicted in 2015, also faces two first-degree felony charges of securities fraud.

The hearing Thursday was the second in the case for state District Judge Robert Johnson of the 177th Criminal Court, a freshman jurist assigned to oversee Paxtons case after it was moved from the attorney generals home of Collin County.

Paxtons trial was originally scheduled for May, then moved to September. Both those dates were scrapped amid upheaval over where the trial should be held and whether the visiting judge would remain at the bench.

The three special prosecutors building a case against Paxton want the judge to delay the trial until a tangential case holding up their pay is settled. Johnson was set to consider those arguments after getting up to speed on the history on the case.

In court Thursday, special prosecutors Kent Schaffer and Brian Wice agreed to give defense attorneys the names of witnesses who appeared before the grand jury that indicted Paxton.

Other issues will be resolved at a pretrial hearing scheduled by Johnson for Nov. 2.

Paxton attorney Dan Cogdell showed confidence in prevailing in the case, noting that prosecutors had the burden to prove the charge and that the defense team believes the case wont take long to try.

We think the case is shorter than they think it is, Cogdell said.

Schaffer shot back: The punishment phase could last longer.

Paxton, a lawyer and former state legislator who won a four-year term in 2014, is planning to run for re-election. The filing deadline for the 2018 elections is Dec. 11  the trials scheduled start date. If found guilty, he faces up to 99 years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.

A federal court dismissed similar charges brought against the high-profile Republican earlier this year.

There was no mention Thursday of the unresolved issue of compensation for the special prosecutors; Collin County has indicated it no longer will pay for the prosecution.
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WASHINGTON  Senate Republicans suffered a dramatic failure early today in their bid to advance a scaled-back plan to overhaul the Affordable Care Act, throwing into question whether they can actually repeal the 2010 health law.

Their latest effort to redraw the ACA failed after Sen. John McCains decision to side with a couple other Republicans against President Donald Trump and GOP leaders.

The Arizona Republican, diagnosed with brain cancer last week, returned to Washington on Tuesday and delivered a stirring address calling for a bipartisan approach to overhauling the ACA, a process that may have compelled McCain to cast his no vote.

The vote was 49-51.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., had hoped to approve the new, narrower rewrite of the health law at some point today, after facing dozens amendments from Democrats. But the GOP defections left McConnell without a clear bill to push.

McCain had been seeking an iron-clad guarantee from House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., that, if the Senate approved this proposal, the House would not move to quickly approve the bill in its current form and instead engage in a broad House-Senate negotiation for a broader rollback of the law.

Ryan issued a statement intended to assuage the concerns of McCain and two others, Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Ron Johnson, Wis., but the 2008 presidential nominee deemed the speakers statement as insufficient.

The standoff between the two chambers highlighted the extent to which Republicans have still not reached a consensus on how to rewrite President Barack Obamas 2010 health care law and the degree to which Republicans are repeating many of the same back-room maneuvers that Democrats used seven years ago to approve the ACA.

McConnells draft rattled both moderates  Sens. Susan Collins, Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, Alaska, were the other Republican votes in opposition  and Republicans who wanted a more robust uprooting of the existing law.

Im not going to tell people back in South Carolina that this product actually replaces Obamacare, because it does not, it is a fraud, Graham said at a Thursday evening news conference with McCain and Johnson at his side.

And while GOP senators insisted the bill they were considering would not make it into law, if enacted it would make sweeping changes to health coverage as well as medical treatment in the United States.

It would eliminate enforcement of the ACAs requirement that Americans obtain insurance or pay a tax penalty, and suspend for eight years enforcing the mandate that companies employing 50 or more workers provide coverage.

The measure also would eliminate funding for preventive health care provided under the 2010 law and prohibit Medicaid beneficiaries from being reimbursed for Planned Parenthood services for one year. Instead, the federal funding that would have gone to Planned Parenthood would go to community health centers. It would end a 2.3 percent tax on medical device manufacturers for three years.

And it would empower federal officials under an existing waiver program to give states wide latitude in how they allocate their Medicaid funding, potentially pooling that money with other programs such as one that helps lower-income Americans buy private insurance. It also would increase the limit on contributions to tax-exempt health savings accounts for three years.

After weeks of secretive negotiations, McConnell unveiled this draft only a couple of hours before what was expected to be a cliffhanger vote early Friday.

Shortly after it was introduced, the Congressional Budget Office issued an estimate finding that 16 million people would lose coverage and that premiums would rise roughly 20 percent a year between 2018 to 2026 compared to current law if Republicans enacted the pared-down bill.

Sara Rosenbaum, a health law and policy professor at George Washington University, said the bill would make enormous changes to private and public insurance.

Translating their pledge to repeal what they derisively call Obamacare into a law has proved embarrassingly difficult for Republicans. First, the House took an extra six weeks to pass its version of the bill in early May. Most Republicans agreed that the measure was flawed  Trump later called it mean for how it would deny insurance to 23 million people  and hoped the Senate would craft a better bill.

But McConnells closed-door negotiations ended in gridlock, leaving him to pull together this skinny repeal of the ACA, just to keep alive negotiations with the House to come up with a different plan later this summer.

Im not going to tell people back in South Carolina that this product actually replaces Obamacare, because it does not; it is a fraud, Graham said at a Thursday evening news conference with McCain and Johnson at his side.

Major insurers warned that the proposal could destabilize the individual insurance market. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association criticized it Wednesday, and on Thursday the industrys largest trade group suggested it was unacceptable.

We would oppose an approach that eliminates the individual coverage requirement, does not offer continuous coverage solutions, and does not include measures to immediately stabilize the individual market, Americas Health Insurance Plans wrote in a letter to Senate leaders.

Senate Republicans, however, framed the bill as just a vehicle to keep alive their ACA repeal efforts.

My sense is people arent so much focused on the substance as they are this being the lifeline to get to a conference and expanding the bill, said Sen. Bob Corker, Tenn.

Before Ryan issued his statement, the prospect of an immediate up-or-down vote in the House raised alarms in the Senate. House Republican leaders had instructed their members not to leave town for their monthlong summer recess just yet.

While McConnell has led the negotiations over health care legislation for weeks, Trump has sought to drum up support by pressing wavering Republicans.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke called Murkowski and Sen. Dan Sullivan, also an Alaska Republican, separately Wednesday to warn them that the administration may change its position on several issues, according to people briefed on the conversations, given Murkowskis vote against proceeding with health care legislation this week.

Since Trump took office, Interior has indicated that it is open to constructing a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge while expanding energy exploration elsewhere in Alaska. But now these policy shifts may be in jeopardy.

From my perspective, the sooner we can get back to that kind of cooperation between the administration and (Murkowski) the better for Alaska and the better for the country, he said.

Sullivan said he is not telling Murkowski how to respond.

The Alaska Dispatch News first reported the calls; Interior officials did not respond to a request for comment.
A blog about life under, and resisting, a dictatorship
Jenn Riesman started cooking when she was just a child alongside her mother. The locally recognized pastry chef has since gone on to help open the Hotel Emma kitchen, build her own cake creations and is now helping with the renovation of the Fairmont Hotels restaurant.

Reisman grew up outside Rockwell, Texas, making mud cakes as a young girl and decorating them with leaves and foliage. She found her passion for pastries and decorating as a young woman and went on to get her technical degree in pastries.

I was always interested in cooking as a kid. I love to cook, Riesman said. I went to a baking and pastry tech program in Little Rock, Ark. I got my tech certificate after a year-and-a-half and Ive been doing that ever since.

Riesman moved to San Antonio in 2009 to work at the Omni La Mansion before moving to Austin, where she worked at La Condesa. Riesman worked her way up to sous-chef, before taking a job at a bakery for a 6-month stint.

RELATED: How one S.A. chef became Cured.

By Lindsey Gawlik/San Antonio Express-News

She then accepted a offer from a friend to move to Virginia before deciding to return to San Antonio and accept an offer to be Hotel Emmas first executive pastry chef.

I got to see it go from a construction site to the jittery preopenings and the random electrical things, Riesman said. I mean, we went through those growing pains and to see the hotel in its first year of operating.

Riesman is currently working with the Silo Elevated Cuisine restaurant group to help them redesign the menu of the Fairmont Hotels restaurant. She is also working toward opening her own small cake-decorating business.

To see more of Riesmans cakes, follow her on Instagram at @jennriesman. If you would like to reach out to her to request a custom cake, email her at jennriesmancakes@gmail.com.

Check out more stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things at http://www.expressnews.com/this-is-sa/.
By Kaite Pratt | University of Kentucky Agricultural Communications Specialist/Writer

Lexington, Ky.  Researchers in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment invited prospective students to the university recently as part of UK Ag Biotech Day.

The day was created by a team of UK scientists to help show the students and their parents the types of ongoing studies and lab interests at the university and to dispel some myths about biotechnology in agriculture.

Hopefully, our event let students see what biotechnology is by meeting some UK scientists. I think people are surprised to learn about the diversity of different applications and tools geared at improving peoples lives, said Ellen Crocker, a postdoctoral scholar in the UK Department of Forestry and Natural Resources and one of the event organizers. The other event organizers were Paul Vincelli, Lou Hirsch, Carol Hanley and Esther Edwards.

Student groups toured seven UK labs, many of which were affiliated with the colleges agricultural and medical biotechnology undergraduate degree program. Labs ranged from forest health to entomology to soil microbiology. Many of the labs offered hands-on activities for students.

Its an opportunity that Sharyn Perry, UK associate professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, wishes she had growing up. Perry was one of the researchers that donated her time and lab resources for the event.

I was always signing up for the science camps and they were always getting canceled, she said. I like working with these groups. I like their enthusiasm and their excitement.

Ashley Burns is a senior animal sciences major at Western Kentucky University. She came to the day because shes exploring graduate school options.

I found it interesting because it showed different topics and other programs besides just food agriculture, like forestry and other natural resources conservation efforts, she said.
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When most people consider how many migrants have entered Europe in recent years, they probably assume that the whole continent is a beacon of tolerance and love for foreigners who are seeking a better way of life. But a more accurate picture of Europe would suggest that the only thing most Europeans are tolerant of, is their corrupt governments who arent willing to close the borders. That tolerance is quickly wearing thin however, as most Westerners reject the migrants, who are burdening the social fabric of their communities.



Which would explain a recent incident in the French town of Semeac, where the government recently bought a hotel in the hopes of turning it into a migrant shelter.



Protesters in a town in southwest France have built a nearly-two-metre-high wall around the entrance to a disused hotel to try to prevent it being turned into a migrant shelter.



Working under cover of darkness, a few dozen residents of Semeac in the Pyrenees mountains erected a wall 18 metres (60 feet) long and 1.8 metres high barring access to the Formule 1 hotel, a spokesman for the group confirmed.



We not against taking in migrants, Laurent Teixeira told AFP. But you have to take account of the citizens.



The locals are frustrated with the government for not being transparent with the public, and not really having a plan for the migrants. The French government is currently under pressure to establish as many shelters as they can, in anticipation of another spike in migration later this summer.



Teixeira accused the authorities of failing to consult residents about the project to turn the former budget hotel into a shelter for up to 85 migrants.



Nothing is planned for the migrants daily life, he said, arguing that schools and other public services in the town of 5,000 people would be unable to cope with the newcomers.



Protester Hugo Lacoue, a tobacconist, said he was opposed to migrants being hosted in a suburban neighbourhood.



But its safe to say that those arent the only reasons why these French villagers are concerned about the migrant shelter. The politically correct media in that country probably wouldnt publish the fears that are really on the minds of these people.
Eva Longoria has hailed her husband Jose Baston as the "best human being" in her life.

Eva Longoria (c) Instagram

The 42-year-old actress tied the knot with her 49-year-old spouse last year and the star has taken to social media to gush about her "partner in crime", although he "hates" it when his wife posts anything about him on her various sites.

Alongside a picture of the happy couple laughing at a table as they sit beside one another, which has been edited with a black and white filter and shared on Eva's Instagram account, she wrote: "My partner in crime! He hates when I post pics of him, but my husband is the best human being I know. (sic)."

The former 'Desperate Housewives' star - who portrayed Gabrielle Solis in the popular American TV series - has admitted she "loves each moment" she shares with her other half, whether they are simply laughing together or travelling across the globe with one another.

She continued: "We travel the world together, we laugh together, we love each moment together in pure joy. (sic)."

And the dark-haired beauty believes Jose was born to bring "love and happiness" to her.

She concluded her heartfelt post: "You are my angel Pepe Baston, put on this earth to fill my heart with love and happiness. Te amo vida mia! (sic)."

This sweet outburst of affection comes shortly after the pair celebrated their one year wedding anniversary in May, which saw them soak up the sun in Spain's hotspots, included Marbella, Ibiza.

Rhe pair have recently jetted off to Venice in Italy and Eva has documented her travels on the photo-sharing site, which has seen her enjoy Italian cuisine, sip on red wine whilst in the city and visit various art galleries.

Alongside a photograph of Eva posing next to a statue of a horse and a young girl, she wrote: "Art! #LaBiennaleDiVenezia (sic)."
Deborah Byrne and Suzette Das, better known as Irish music duo Hvmmingbyrd are gearing up for the release of their brand new single Gozo, which will be available to stream and download from August 4. Ahead of release, we got to chat with the pair about their sound, inspirations, ambitions and the future

Hvmmingbyrd return with their new single 'Gozo'

For those who may be new to your music, how best would you describe your sound?

We describe our sound as fusing warm sensual vocals, electronic pulses and shimmering pop melodies with heartfelt lyricism.

What challenges have you faced in the music industry so far?

Ireland is a small place and the music industry is even smaller, so just like for musicians everywhere, making a living via recording and performing is a challenge  we are trying to be creative in finding all the ways possible. We are also an independent act so at the moment we probably only get to spend about 30% of our time on the creative side and the rest on social media, management, PR, bookings and administration which can be Interesting!

How difficult would you say this career path is in terms of making a name for yourself?

It certainly has its challenges, but if youre determined and patient, a lot is achievable with a thoughtful sound. We have been very fortunate in how weve been received in our home country of Ireland, and in our brief ventures beyond.

For our first single If Love Was Enough, we spent 20 days in studio on it as it was our first song and we were relatively new to production. But we are so glad we did, as there is nothing as valuable as bursting onto the scene with a song thats fresh and has a unique quality to make your mark, no matter how small the mark is! We put the singles achievements down to the weeks we spent on the writing and production, but also to the subsequent mailing and networking. The music video featured NBC The Night Shift star Eoin Macken which certainly helped, and the song itself received a lot of media attention and some sync opportunities. We also really appreciated the generosity of the Irish and UK media who gave us a chance as new artists.

How important is it for you to have creative control over the work you produce?

As self-confessed control freaks, it is super important! Since beginning to dip our toe into production, we have always been determined to produce our own music. We co-produced our last few tracks with Aisling Jarvis who is also our engineer  she makes great creative contributions whilst remaining very respectful of our vision for our music which we really appreciate and benefit from. Im not sure we would ever be willing to fully let go of control but co-producing with the right person can be a lot of fun.

Where do you draw influence and inspiration from for your work?

We draw on both of our various musical backgrounds of folk, pop, classical and jazz. Both of us grew up singing in choirs and congregational singing so harmonies are central to every song we do. We are both converts to electronic music so there are splashes of electronica throughout our music too.

If you could collaborate with anybody going forward, who would you choose and why?

Daft Punk! We probably have too mellow a sound for them, but they are probably our number one inspiration on the electronic side of things. Bon Iver would also be a dream to co-produce with. Maggie Rogers looks like a fun artist to tour with.

Tell us a random, funny fact about you that not many people know.

Hvmmingbyrd, founded by Deborah, enjoyed a brief stint as a five-piece folk band! When transitioning into becoming a full-time band became untenable for the band members, Hvmmingbyrd re-formed and re-branded and Deborah began collaborating with Suzette.

Do you have definitive aims or goals for your career?

We would like to establish ourselves as quality songwriters and producers and to collaborate with interesting people. We would also be interested in writing and producing with/for other artists too. As performers, our dream would be to perform in a concert hall with an orchestra and a choir to really combine a lush, harmonic, acoustic sound with our electronica.

Where do you hope to be this time next year?

Apart from a brief stint in Sweden, we have been gigging mainly in Ireland until now. We hope to tour the UK next year and do a gig or two on mainland Europe.

What should we expect from you in the coming weeks and months?

We are heading on a national tour at the end of August and will be performing in London for the first time by the end of the year, so we are excited about that!

by Daniel Falconer for www.femalefirst.co.uk

find me on and follow me on


Ive gone from being a model to landing one of the best films ever made to launch a newcomer to being written off as a non-performer and then changing that narrative.



Depression has taught me that life is fragile. So i value my time with my family and loved ones.

Catch Deepika on Lux presents Femina Unstoppables #IAmMoreThanYouCanSee series on www.femina.in. Excerpt from the interview:

Those are the words of 31-year-old Deepika Padukone who has not only achieved the Bollywood dream but crushed and reinvented it with the sheer dint of will. I just make sure I give my best to whatever Im doing, says the actor who completes 10 years in the film industry and has earned a spot in Hollywood after the success of her American film, xXx: The Return of Xander Cage. But no amount of fame and fortune gives her more satisfaction than spending time with her family and loved ones. Even though starting her own family is not on the agenda, she has given it some thought. Padukone shares that and dishes on milestones over this conversation.Extremely eventful and exciting. Some experiences stand out a little more than others, but overall its been an exciting and joyful year.Its a bit premature to say anything right now. For me, xXx: The Return of Xander Cage was an amazing experience both professionally and personally. I stepped out of my comfort zoneand it added a lot of value to my life. So it would be greatif it happens again.Yes, but frankly, I never thought of xXx in that way. I signed the film for the experience, and for the value that experience was going to bring to my professional and personal journey as an actor.What I loved about xXx was how well my character was written. I genuinely missed seeing strong, well-written characters for women in action franchise films. Serena Unger was not the quintessential damsel in distress. She is a thrill-seeking woman, who is intelligent and can stand up for herself. I believe shes a representation of todays women in so many waysand thats why it was so relatable for me. To be very honest, its a lot of hard work to break into any market. So acceptance anywhere in the world is always a great feeling.Things will always happen in a way that theyre meant to. I fully commit to the film Im working on, and will never worry about what I'm losing out on while I'm working on one.I have become fearless over the years. Im not scared to take risks anymore.I appreciate when people cite that example of me being a successful model-turned-actor because I have a problem with stereotypes. Like, why cant models be actors? Success has meant different things to me at different stages of my life. Few years ago, maybe success meant making my own money or being wealthy. Before that, maybe success meant successful films. Today, Ive reached a place where if Im not happy, Im not successful. If I cannot spend quality time with my parents (Prakash and Ujjala Padukone) and sister (Anisha), Im not successful. Having said that, I do not take my success for granted. Ive gone from being a model to landing one of the best films ever made to launch a newcomer (Farah Khans Om Shanti Om) to being written off as a non-performer and then changing that narrative. Peace of mind in whatever I do is what success means to me today.There is nothing more satisfying when Im sitting around with my relatives and family or friends, and then someone remarks, You havent changed one bit. You are exactly the same! Earlier in June, my parents and I visited a family friend we hadnt seen in a while. After our routine of greeting them, sitting around their home, conversations and eating a meal with them, one of them pointed out that nothing has changed and we had exactly the same evening nearly 15 years ago. My instant reaction was, Thank you. And then I saw my parents smile at each other. I hope one day I can be that (happy) parent to my children.My parents will disown me if that happens. My sister and I have great role models in our parents. Everyone talks about my fathers achievements and success as a badminton player, but today I realise what a solid support my mother has been for him (that allowed him) to go out and follow his dreams and for all of us too. So I would attribute it to my upbringing.I took out time to celebrate my fathers birthday on June 10. A couple of years ago, I would just wish him and speak to him on the phone. But today I realise its important for me to spend as much time with them as possible. They were also moving into a new home; so for three days we were packing, carrying boxes and cleaning up. So we spent most part of my fathers birthday unpacking, and decided to go for a family dinner in the evening. And then, like true Bangaloreans, we were in bed by 10 pm.My family life is very important.Romantic relationships are fragile; they need to be nurtured, they need time and space to breathe, and they need to be protected.Im more than happy to lend my support as long as there are tangible results. I didnt just talk about my depression, I also set up a foundation that is working in the area of mental health. Im hoping to see some good results like a happier country, a positive environment everywhere and lesser suicides.Depression has taught me that life is fragile. So I value my time with my family and loved ones. As far as having my own family is concerned, I feel I was born to be a mother. I was very naughty between the age of one and five, but the moment my sister was born, the mother in me came out. I have always dreamed of having children. And I know Im going to have many.I consider it an achievement to be associated with Lux. Brands like Lux stand for so much more like empowering women.Errikos Andreou/DEU Creative Management
Muncih (ots) - The Munich based tech-start-up SONO MOTORS presented an innovative and cost-efficient electric vehicle with solar integration, suitable for everyday use.With a range of 250km, price of 16,000 euros (battery excluded) and integrated mobility applications, the vehicle is especially appealing to families and city commuters.The battery will be available for a monthly rent or one-time purchase. At current prices, the battery will cost less than 4,000 euros.In summer 2016, Sono Motors initiated a campaign on Indiegogo and experienced an overwhelming support.For the development and production of the vehicle, Sono cooperates with well-known contract manufacturers and system suppliers across Europe.SONO MOTORS requires 5,000 reservations to start serial production on time, during Q2 of 2019. 1,500 reservations were acquired before the presentation of the SION.One of the highlights of the SION is the self-charging function called viSono. Integrated solar cells generate electricity that is fed directly into the battery. This way up to an additional 30km per day will be made available.Another unique feature is the biSono. This allows the operator to extract electricity from the battery and make it available to other users. Thus, the Sion becomes a mobile power station.Sono Motors is supported by notable investors, who share the vision of the founders.After the release event on July 27th, Sono Motors will start a test drive tour through Europe.Kick-off will take place on August 18th in Munich and continues through at least 12 cities and 7 countries; people can test and experience the Sion during the tour.www.sonomotors.comOriginaltext: Sono Motors GmbH digital press kits: http://www.presseportal.de/nr/127439 press kits via RSS: http://www.presseportal.de/rss/pm_127439.rss2Information and scheduling agreement: navina.pernsteiner@sonomotors.com Phone: +49-89-45205818
ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR -- (Marketwired) -- 07/27/17 -- The Board of Directors of Fortis Inc. ("Fortis" or the "Corporation") (TSX: FTS)(NYSE: FTS) has declared the following dividends:

1. $0.3063 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "F" of the Corporation, payable on September 1, 2017 to the Shareholders of Record at the close of business on August 21, 2017; 2. $0.2427 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "G" of the Corporation, payable on September 1, 2017 to the Shareholders of Record at the close of business on August 21, 2017; 3. $0.15625 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "H" of the Corporation, payable on September 1, 2017 to the Shareholders of Record at the close of business on August 21, 2017; 4. $0.123625 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "I" of the Corporation, payable on September 1, 2017 to the Shareholders of Record at the close of business on August 21, 2017; 5. $0.2969 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "J" of the Corporation, payable on September 1, 2017 to the Shareholders of Record at the close of business on August 21, 2017; 6. $0.2500 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "K" of the Corporation, payable on September 1, 2017 to the Shareholders of Record at the close of business on August 21, 2017; 7. $0.25625 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "M" of the Corporation, payable on September 1, 2017 to the Shareholders of Record at the close of business on August 21, 2017; and 8. $0.40 per share on the issued and outstanding fully paid Common Shares of the Corporation, payable on September 1, 2017 to the Common Shareholders of record at the close of business on August 21, 2017.

The Corporation has designated the common share dividend and preference share dividends as eligible dividends for federal and provincial dividend tax credit purposes.

About Fortis

Fortis is a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry with total assets of approximately C$48 billion as of March 31, 2017. The Corporation's 8,000 employees serve utility customers in five Canadian provinces, nine U.S. states and three Caribbean countries.

Fortis shares are listed on the TSX and NYSE and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com, www.sedar.com, or www.sec.gov.

Contacts:

Ms. Janet Craig

Vice President, Investor Relations

Fortis Inc.

709.737.2900




Joint Operations Center



NEC Seiichiro Toda s-toda@cj.jp.nec.com +81-3-3798-6511

TOKYO, July 28, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) today announced that it has provided an advanced surveillance system for cities utilizing facial recognition to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, in cooperation with Capital Systems LLC, a leading system developer. The system began operation in June of this year, and works in combination with 400 CCTV surveillance cameras installed in Georgia's major cities, including the capital, Tbilisi.http://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_NECJointOperationsCenter.jpgJoint Operations CenterThe system utilizes NeoFace Watch, NEC's real-time facial recognition software for video, featuring the world's highest recognition precision(1). It checks images captured by CCTV cameras against pictures of suspects and others registered in a watch list, making it possible to identify figures rapidly and accurately.This system was introduced as part of Georgia's "Safe City, Safe Region, Safe Country" program aiming to improve public safety. Georgia also plans to install tens of thousands of additional cameras nationwide in the future."By offering city surveillance systems that are enhanced with facial recognition technology, we are contributing to proactive crime prevention and efficient criminal investigations," said Tomoki Naka, Managing Director, NEC Telecommunication and Information Technology. "NEC is committed to providing valuable solutions for society, and we will continue proposing innovative new solutions using face recognition, both in Georgia and around the world."(1) NEC's Video Face Recognition Technology Ranks First in NIST Testinghttp://www.nec.com/en/press/201703/global_20170316_01.htmlAbout NEC CorporationNEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the company's experience and global resources, NEC's advanced technologies meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses and society. For more information, visit NEC at http://www.nec.com.Based on its Mid-term Management Plan 2015, the NEC Group globally provides "Solutions for Society" that promote the safety, security, efficiency and equality of society. Under the company's corporate message of "Orchestrating a brighter world," NEC aims to help solve a wide range of challenging issues and to create new social value for the changing world of tomorrow. For more information, please visit http://www.nec.com/en/global/about/solutionsforsociety/message.html.Source: NEC CorporationContact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
V22 plc

("V22" or the "Company")

Receipt of Planning Permission for New Project

V22 is delighted to announce that a group company has received planning permission from Newham Council for Silvertown Studios, London's largest workspace for artists, makers and creators at Silvertown, Royal Docks.

Silvertown Studios will comprise up to 200 purpose-built structures and shipping containers repurposed as workspace and studios, exhibition and community spaces, as well as maker/show space and pop-up retail for London's creative community. The new community will be set within a section of a 62-acre Silvertown site that will be delivered in the later stages of the ongoing wider Silvertown development.

Silvertown Studios will be delivered by V22 Silvertown Studios Ltd ("V22 Silvertown Studios") in partnership with the landowners - the Greater London Authority ("GLA"), and The Silvertown Partnership ("TSP") who are responsible for delivering the wider Silvertown regeneration project. V22 Silvertown Studios is 15% owned by V22 and 36% owned by the Group's wholly owned subsidiary V22 London Ltd. The remaining 49% of V22 Silvertown Studios is owned by a private investor.

The wider 3.5 billion Silvertown regeneration project will be ground-breaking in its approach to supporting entrepreneurs and growing businesses, and this approach starts with Silvertown Studios.

Tara Cranswick Chairperson of V22 commented: "This is a hugely exciting opportunity to deliver affordable workspace in London and be part of a growing community of artists and creative businesses in the Royal Docks. We very much look forward to welcoming our friends and shareholders, artists, entrepreneurs, local residents and businesses to become part of building and enjoying Silvertown Studios."

Olaide Oboh, Head of External Relations at The Silvertown Partnership, said: "We are excited to partner with V22 and the GLA to deliver Silvertown Studios, which will provide London's artists with a place to make, show and share. These much-needed studio and exhibition spaces at genuinely affordable rateswill help to establish a creative community which can thrive and grow as we bring forward the development of Silvertown".

The Directors of V22 plc accept responsibility for this announcement.

--Ends--

ENQUIRIES:

V22 PLC

Stephen Corran

Tel: +44 16 2467 6716

Email: stephencorran@bridgewaters.co.im

PETERHOUSE CORPORATE FINANCE LIMITED

Fungai Ndoro and Mark Anwyl

Tel: +44 20 7469 0930
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.


MUNICH (dpa-AFX) - Gas and engineering company Linde Group (LDE.L, LNAGF.PK) reported that its Group operating profit from continuing operations for the first six months of 2017 rose by 4.3 percent to 2.123 billion euros from last year's 2.036 billion euros.



Earnings per share from continuing operations before special items was 3.81 euros up from 3.53 euros last year. Earnings per share from continuing operations was 3.17 euros, compared to 3.37 euros in the prior year.



'We are pleased with our performance and will meet our forecast for the full year,' said Professor Dr Aldo Belloni, Chief Executive Officer of Linde AG.



Group revenue from continuing operations rose in the first half of 2017 by 4.7 percent to 8.653 billion euros, compared to 8.264 billion euros last year. The main factors contributing to this increase were ongoing stable trends in the EMEA and Asia/Pacific segments and higher revenue in the Engineering Division.



After adjusting for exchange rate effects, Group revenue was 2.8 percent higher than in the prior-year period.



During the financial year, Linde is continuing to implement long-term efficiency improvement measures across the Group through its Focus and LIFT programmes. By the end of 2017, the LIFT programme is expected to have incurred total costs of around 400 million euros, which will be classified as special items.



The Group expects to achieve an increase in revenue after adjusting for exchange rate effects in the 2017 financial year of 3 percent, although the challenging market environment could result in a decrease of up to 3 percent. After adjusting for exchange rate effects, operating profit in 2017 should be on a par with or up to 7 percent higher than the figure achieved in 2016.



In the Gases Division, Linde is aiming to generate currency-adjusted revenue in the 2017 financial year which is up to 3 percent higher than in 2016, although the challenging market environment could result in a decrease of up to 2 percent. After adjusting for exchange rate effects, operating profit is expected to be on a par with or up to 6 percent higher than in 2016.



In the Engineering Division, Linde expects to generate revenue in the 2017 financial year of between 2.0 billion euros and 2.4 billion euros and an operating margin of around 8 percent.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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Technavio market research analysts forecast the manned security services market in Europe to grow at a CAGR of more than 7% during the forecast period, according to their latest report.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171010006420/en/

Technavio has published a new report on the manned security services market in Europe from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire)

The report segments the manned security services market in Europe by end-user (commercial buildings, industrial buildings, and residential buildings) and by geography (the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and others including, Greece, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and Denmark).

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

Technavio analysts highlight the following three market drivers that are contributing to the growth of the manned security services market in Europe:

Manned security services: a highly competitive sector

Manned security services ensure better homeland security and citizens' protection

Increasing tourism and rise in urbanization

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.

Manned security services: a highly competitive sector

The proliferation in the number of security service providing companies operating in the European region is attributed to the growth of the manned security services market. These services are labor intensive and are governed by different parameters such as working hours, training of guards, and wages given to the manned guards. Because of rapid infrastructure development, the manned security services market has grown tremendously, thus propagating the rise of many private security services companies in Europe. With competition in the market reaching its peak, the vendors are delivering services at low costs and providing manned guarding at a negotiable price based on the needs of clients.

According to Sushmit Chakraborty, a lead analyst at Technavio for automation research, "The cost reduction efforts undertaken by the vendors are facilitating the formation of long-term contract agreements between the service provider and end-user. Following this approach, the security companies have to cut down cost on some of the important parameters such as security weapons provided to guards or mobile patrolling of facilities. However, the number of service contracts increases due to the reduced cost of services."

Manned security services ensure better homeland security and citizens' protection

The insufficient availability of mobile police forces to efficiently manage all the political, economic, social, and operational issues across Europe is fueling the demand for manned security services in the region. The manned security services are cost-effective and more efficient as compared to hiring government security workforce. These services also help in safeguarding buildings in remote areas against any economic, social, and political disturbances, where police force cannot reach frequently. Manned security services are multi-layered and can be carried out in different ways. The process includes a screening of footfalls and keeping an eye on the activities happening around an infrastructure.

"Manned security services are used for protecting vulnerable construction sites and several public areas. The primary duty of these guards is to protect the property and the welfare of people, safeguard citizens from various unforeseen mishaps and activities, and respond to any undesirable activity taking place inside or outside the infrastructure," says Sushmit.

Increasing tourism and rise in urbanization

Europe attracts a high number of tourists due to its picturesque landscape and natural terrain. The increasing tourism industry is making it highly essential to avoid entry of anti-social elements into the country. The demand for manned security personnel is on the rise to keep a check on criminals entering any part of the country. Moreover, high economic development of the region in terms of the commercial, industrial, and residential sector has aggravated the need for proper surveillance and patrolling services round the clock in Europe.

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About Technavio

Technaviois 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/20171010006420/en/

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www.technavio.com
Dow Jones received a payment from EQS/DGAP to publish this press release.

EQS-News / 19/01/2018 / 12:12 UTC+8 *Kerry Logistics Named Outstanding Global 3PL at Quamnet Outstanding Enterprise Awards 2017* Hong Kong, 19 January 2018 Kerry Logistics Network Limited ('Kerry Logistics'; Stock Code 0636.HK) has won the Outstanding Global 3PL Award at the Quamnet Outstanding Enterprise Awards ('QOEA') 2017 in Hong Kong on 18 January 2018. This is the third consecutive year Kerry Logistics was honoured at the QOEA. The company was named Outstanding Global Logistics Network and Outstanding Logistics Solution Provider in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Organised by Quamnet, a leading financial website in Hong Kong, the QOEA is in its ninth edition this year. With this year's theme 'Dedication to Achievement', it aims to recognise enterprises with innovative idea, remarkable capability, and commitment to sustainable development. The judging committee formed by the Quamnet editorial team, Quam research team, and independent financial analysts selected winners based on eight criteria including excellent products and services, brand reputation, philosophy of operation, marketing strategies, sustainable development strategies, accomplishments, corporate social responsibility, and unique business philosophy. The accolade also highlighted Kerry Logistics' ongoing expansion as a global 3PL and commitment to providing best-in-class supply chain solutions to customers across the globe. "We are thrilled to garner this prestigious award that recognises our efforts worldwide," said Samuel Lau, Deputy Managing Director - Integrated Logistics, Kerry Logistics. "The win is an endorsement of our continued endeavours to strengthen our Eurasian overland transportation services with land-bridge connectivity to provide new and innovative options to international customers. We are dedicated to achieving sustainable development with innovation and our logistics service capability that encompasses sea, air, road, and rail freight worldwide. We would like to express our gratitude towards our customers and partners, and the esteemed judging panel, to whom we are thankful for awarding us for the third year running." With the strongest network in Asia, Kerry Logistics continued to adhere to the global development strategy of capturing opportunities brought forth by China's Belt and Road initiative. The acquisition of new subsidiary Globalink Logistics in the first half of 2017 added momentum to Kerry Logistics' strategic plan to become the preeminent global 3PL with solid presence from China to Central Asia and Western Europe. -End- *About Quamnet Outstanding Enterprise Awards* Instituted in 2009, QOEA is organised by Quamnet, a leading financial website in Hong Kong, to identify and praise the excellent performance of Hong Kong enterprises. It has developed into an annual event with wide recognition and support from independent investors, media and industries. *About Kerry Logistics Network Limited (Stock Code 0636.HK)* Kerry Logistics is an Asia-based, global 3PL with the strongest network in Asia. Its core competency is providing highly customised solutions to multinational corporations and international brands to enhance their supply chain efficiency, reduce overall costs and improve response time to market. It currently has more than 1,000 service points in 51 countries and territories, and is managing 48 million sq ft of land and logistics facilities worldwide, providing customers with high reliability and flexibility to support their expansion and long-term growth. Kerry Logistics Network Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and is a selected Member of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index Series 2017-2018. Document: http://n.eqs.com/c/fncls.ssp?u=NRFGRSJAKM [1] Document title: KL Named Outstanding Global 3PL at QOEA 2017_EN_FINAL 19/01/2018 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com 1: http://public-cockpit.eqs.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=fee22798888f1ab4f4fa92da923598e3&application_id=646669&site_id=vwd&application_name=news

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 18, 2018 23:13 ET (04:13 GMT)


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Iron Mountain Inc. (IRM), a storage and information management services company, Friday said it has agreed to purchase MAG Datacenters, LLC, which operates Fortrust, a private data center businesses for total consideration of approximately $128 million.



The company expects earnings per share dilution of $0.01 to $0.02 in 2017 and for the acquisition to be accretive in 2019 following integration. The transaction is expected to deliver more than 9 megawatts of existing data center capacity and provide expansion capability for an additional 7 MW.



The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and anticipated to be completed prior to the end of the third quarter.



The company intends to fund the purchase with a combination of approximately $73.5 million from a private placement of stock to the seller and $54.5 million in cash.



Iron Mountain projects a stabilized return of in the mid teens following build-out and lease-up of the expansion capacity.



Fortrust is a Denver -based provider of multi-tenant data center space in the Colorado/Mountain region. At June 30, 2017, Fortrust's data center operations comprised a state-of-the-art facility totaling 210,000 square feet of spacee. The existing space provides approximately 9 MW of power capacity, 75 percent of which is leased to a diversified base of 250 customers.



The acquisition will provide Iron Mountain with expansion potential.



Mark Kidd, senior vice president and general manager, Iron Mountain Data Centers, said, 'With this acquisition - our first in the data center business - we are expanding our network to better serve target customers for whom our reputation for enhanced security, customer service and compliance are important factors in data center selection. This acquisition, together with Phase I of our Northern Virginia campus, will bring total capacity to more than 30 MW with the ability to expand to more than 70 MW across our data center properties.'



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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PUNE, India, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The report "Oxygen Scavengers Market by Type (Metallic, and Non-Metallic), End-use Industry (Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Power, Oil & Gas, Chemical, Pulp & Paper), and Region - Global Forecast to 2022" published by MarketsandMarkets', the market was valued at USD 1.80 Billion in 2016 and is projected to reach USD 2.41 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2017 to 2022.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 )



Browse 65 Market Data Tables and 33 Figures spread through 127 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Oxygen Scavengers Market - Global Forecast to 2022"

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/oxygen-scavenger-market-101926191.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report

The increasing demand for high-quality packaged food is one the major drivers for the growth of oxygen scavengers market. Factors, such as increasing disposable income and changing lifestyle of the middle-class population in emerging countries are expected to fuel the demand for packaged food. This increase in demand is consequently expected to drive the growth of the oxygen scavengers market in the coming years. The growing awareness regarding the reduction of food wastage and the increased demand for advanced packaging among consumers are expected to further aid the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Speak to Analyst @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=101926191

Based on type, the metallic segment is projected to be a larger segment of the market during the forecast period.

Based on type, the metallic segment is projected to be a larger segment of the oxygen scavengers market during the forecast period. Iron oxide is widely used as an oxygen scavenger in the food & beverage and pharmaceutical industries, owing to its ease of handling and faster reaction, as compared to non-metallic oxygen scavengers, such as ascorbic acids, glucose oxidase. Sulfites are majorly used in the water treatment application, as they are comparatively less expensive than non-metallic scavengers.

The food & beverage segment of the market is projected to the largest segment of the market from 2017 to 2022.

The food & beverage segment is expected to be the largest segment of the oxygen scavengers market during the forecast period. These scavengers are used to extend the shelf life and maintain the natural efficacy of food products. Oxygen scavengers protect food products against oxygen degradation, thus increasing the shelf life, customer acceptability, and safety of the food products. The use of oxygen scavengers in packaging eliminates the need for preservatives, thereby improving the quality of product offered to the consumer.

The Asia Pacific oxygen scavengers market is projected to witness the highest growth from 2017 to 2022.

The Asia Pacific Oxygen Scavengers Market is projected to witness the highest growth in the coming years, owing to factors such as increasing demand for packaged food and growing urbanization in the region. China, Japan, India, and South Korea are some of the key countries in the region contributing to the growth of the oxygen scavengers market in Asia Pacific.

Request for Sample Pages @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsample.asp?id=101926191

Some of the key players in the oxygen scavengers market are Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company (Japan), BASF SE (Germany), Ecolab Inc. (US), Clariant Ltd. (Switzerland), and Kemira OYJ (Finland). New product developments/product showcases and mergers & acquisitions were the major growth strategies adopted by the market players between 2012 and 2017 to cater to the demand for oxygen scavengers in emerging economies.

Browse Related Reports:

Water Treatment Chemicals Market by Type (Corrosion Inhibitors, Scale Inhibitors, Coagulants & Flocculants, Biocides & Disinfectants), by Application (Municipal Water Treatment, Power Generation, Chemical, Oil & Gas, Metal & Mining) - Global Forecast to 2020

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/water-treatment-342.html

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GREENWOOD VILLAGE, COLORADO -- (Marketwired) -- 07/28/17 -- AZARGA URANIUM CORP. (TSX: AZZ)(FRANKFURT: P8AA)(OTC PINK: PWURF) ("Azarga Uranium" or the "Company") has closed a non-brokered private placement of $1.14 million through the issuance of 4,391,938 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.26 per Unit (the "Financing").

Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one-half of one Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). One Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Share of the Company at a price of $0.36 per Share for a period of three years from the closing of the Financing. The Shares issued in connection with the Financing are subject to a four-month and a day hold period. The Financing is subject to the final approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange.

In connection with the Financing, the Company paid cash finder's fees of $35,880 and issued 138,000 Share purchase warrants to finders (the "Finder Warrants"). The Finder Warrants have the same terms and conditions as the Warrants issued to subscribers under the Financing.

In addition, to facilitate the closing of the Financing, an insider of the Company sold 1,000,000 freely tradable common shares of the Company to an arm's length third party and subscribed for 1,000,000 Units in the Financing (the "Transaction"). The issuance of the Warrants to the insider pertaining to the Transaction is subject to disinterested shareholder approval, in addition to the final approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange.

About Azarga Uranium Corp.

Azarga Uranium is an integrated uranium exploration and development company that controls six uranium projects, deposits and prospects in the United States of America (South Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado) and the Kyrgyz Republic. The Dewey Burdock in-situ recovery uranium project in South Dakota (the "Project"), which is the Company's initial development priority, has received its Nuclear Regulatory Commission License and draft Class III and Class V Underground Injection Control ("UIC") permits from the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and the Company is in the process of completing other major regulatory permit approvals necessary for the construction of the Project, including the final Class III and Class V UIC permits from the EPA.

For more information please visit www.azargauranium.com.

Follow us on Twitter at @AzargaUranium.

E-mail: info@azargauranium.com

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding its disclosure and amendments thereto. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Company's continued efforts to obtain all major regulatory permit approvals necessary for the construction of the Project, including the final Class III and Class V UIC permits from the EPA and the Company's ability to obtain final approval of the Financing from the Toronto Stock Exchange. 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. 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. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including without limitation: (1) the risk that the Company does not obtain all major regulatory permit approvals necessary for construction of the Project, including the final Class III and Class V UIC permits from the EPA, (2) the risk that the Company does not receive final approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange for the Financing, (3) the risk that such statements may prove to be inaccurate and (4) other factors beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Additional information about these and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties are set out in the "Risks and Uncertainties" section in the Company's most recent MD&A filed with Canadian security regulators.

The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this News Release.

Contacts:

Azarga Uranium Corp

Blake Steele

President and CFO

+1 303 790-7528

info@azargauranium.com

www.azargauranium.com




28 July 2017

Doriemus PLC

("Doriemus" or the "Company")

Result of General Meeting and Total Voting Rights

Doriemus PLC (NEX:DOR), the London traded UK focused oil and gas exploration and production investment company, announces that at the General Meeting of the Company held today at the offices of Hill Dickinson LLP, The Broadgate Tower, 8th Floor, 20 Primrose Street, London, EC2A 2EW, all resolutions were duly passed.

The 14,383,428,279 ordinary shares of 0.001 pence each ("Existing Ordinary Shares") that are in issue have today been approved for consolidation into 35,958,570 ordinary shares of 0.4 pence each ("New Ordinary Shares"). Such New Ordinary Shares will have the same rights and be subject to the same restrictions (save as to par value) as the Existing Ordinary Shares. As mentioned in the Notice of General Meeting, the Company undertook the consolidation principally to facilitate the cross listing of the Company's shares on the Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX").

The new ISIN for the New Ordinary Shares is GB00BDBSCX03.

For further details of timing of crediting the New Ordinary Shares to CREST and posting of new share certificates, please refer back to the notice of General Meeting at the following link: http://www.doriemus.co.uk/corporate-documents/.

The new Investing Policy was also approved and accordingly the Company's investment strategy is as follows:

"The investment objective of the Company is to provide Shareholders with an attractive total return achieved primarily through capital appreciation. Further, the Directors intend to take an active approach to investments made by the Company and to adhere to the following guidelines:

a) Geographic focus: While the Company's principal focus is on projects or businesses with part or whole connection or relationship to Europe the Company will also consider projects or businesses in the Asia Pacific Region.

b) Sector focus: The Company intends to invest in, or acquire, companies or projects within the oil and gas sector with the potential for growth if the Board considers that there is an opportunity to generate an attractive return for Shareholders. The Directors believe that opportunities exist to create value for Shareholders through a properly executed, acquisition led strategy in the oil and gas sector.

c) Types of investment and control of investments: In selecting investment opportunities in line with the Investing Policy, the Board will focus on companies, projects, businesses, joint ventures or production agreements that are available at attractive valuations and hold opportunities to unlock embedded value. Where appropriate, the Board may seek to invest in businesses where they can add their expertise to the management of the business and to utilise their significant industry relationships and access to finance. The ability to work alongside a strong management team to maximise returns through revenue growth will be something the Board will focus upon initially. The Company's interest in a proposed investment or acquisition (as the case may be) may range from a minority position to full ownership. Additionally, the proposed investments:

i. may be in either quoted or unquoted companies;

ii. may be made in companies, partnerships, equity, debt or other loan structures, joint ventures or direct or indirect interests in assets or projects; and

iii. may be made by direct investment or acquisition.

d) Investment number and size: Taking into account the Company's available resources, there is no limit on the number or size of investments which the Company may make. Accordingly, the Company's financial resources may be invested in a number of propositions or in just one investment, which may be deemed to be a Reverse Takeover under the NEX Rules or the rules of another stock exchange as the case may be. Therefore, there shall be no restriction on the amount of such available financial resources the Company may invest in any one investment. Any transaction constituting a Reverse Takeover under the NEX Rules will also require Shareholder approval and re-admission to the NEX Growth Market of the enlarged entity under NEX Rule 60."

Total Voting Rights

In accordance with the Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules, the Company hereby announces that it has 35,958,570 ordinary shares of 0.4p each in issue, each share carrying the right to one vote. The Company does not hold any ordinary shares in treasury.

The above figure of 35,958,570 ordinary shares may be used by shareholders in the Company as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

The directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

-ENDS-

For further additional information, please contact:
NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 07/28/17 -- NetworkNewsWire ("NNW"), a multifaceted financial news and publishing company, today announces the publication of an editorial featuring Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQB: LXRP), a client of NNW that develops and out-licenses its proprietary technology for improved taste, rapidity, and delivery of bioactive compounds, including cannabinoids.

The publication, entitled, "Biotech Players Lead the Growth Charge in the Legal Cannabis Market," discusses five companies that are targeting areas of unmet medical need through cannabis-based therapies.

To view the full publication, visit: https://www.networknewswire.com/biotech-players-lead-growth-charge-legal-cannabis-market/

"Food bioscience company Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (OTCQB: LXRP) (CSE: LXX), for instance, enjoys a unique position in this sub-sector. As the only publicly traded company with a cannabis-based intellectual portfolio that includes NSAIDs, nicotine and vitamins, Lexaria has multiple patents pending in over 40 countries, and it recently received its first patents in the U.S. and Australia relating to edible forms of cannabinoids (http://nnw.fm/e8LvY).

"Lexaria Energy products also utilize the company's patented infusion technology to deliver federally legal hemp oil ingredients inside nutritious and tasty formulations that are free of the bitter taste typically associated with hemp. Products in this line include the Lexaria Energy Bar, a hemp oil-infused protein bar. Other nutritious products are in development for the Lexaria Energy line, with a focus on ensuring responsible production techniques and gluten-free formulations."

About Lexaria

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. has developed and out-licenses its disruptive technology that promotes healthier ingestion methods, lower overall dosing and higher effectiveness of lipophilic active molecules. Lexaria has multiple patents pending in over 40 countries around the world and was granted its first patents in the USA and in Australia related to edible forms of cannabinoids. Lexaria's technology provides increases in intestinal absorption rates; more rapid delivery to the bloodstream; and important taste-masking benefits, for orally administered bioactive molecules including cannabinoids, vitamins, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), nicotine and other molecules. For more information, visit www.lexariabioscience.com.

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) NetworkNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. NNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today's market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company's SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

NNW Contact:



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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Portland General Electric Co. or PGE (POR) announced Friday the appointment of Maria Pope as president and Chief Executive Officer. Pope succeeds Jim Piro, president and CEO, who has notified the board of directors on July 26 of his decision to retire from the company on December 31. Pope will assume the role of company president on October 1 and the role of CEO and member of the board of directors effective January 1, 2018. Pope is currently the senior vice president of Power Supply, Operations and Resource Strategy. She joined the company in 2009 as senior vice president of Finance, CFO and treasurer after having served several years on the PGE Board of Directors. Prior to joining PGE, Pope served as the CFO for Mentor Graphics and held a variety of leadership positions at Pope & Talbot and Levi Strauss & Co. Piro, who joined PGE in 1980 as an engineer, has more than 40 years' experience in the energy industry, 37 years with PGE. Pope said, 'I'm honored to be selected to carry on PGE's proud 128-year tradition of service and commitment to Oregon. As our industry undergoes a period of rapid transformation and technological advances, our customers can depend on PGE to continue to serve them well and lead the way toward a clean energy future.' 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.
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA -- (Marketwired) -- 07/28/17 -- Corridor Resources Inc. (TSX: CDH) ("Corridor") announced today that it has reached a settlement agreement with the Government of Quebec that facilitates an end to its participation in oil and gas exploration on Anticosti Island.

By way of background, on April 1, 2014, Corridor, Petrolia Inc., Ressources Quebec, a subsidiary of Investissement Quebec, an affiliate of the Government of Quebec, and Maurel & Prom S.A., through its subsidiary, Saint-Aubin E&P Quebec Inc., formed Anticosti Hydrocarbons L.P. as a joint venture to pursue hydrocarbon exploration and development on Anticosti Island. Corridor holds a 21.67% interest in Anticosti Hydrocarbons L.P.

Pursuant to the settlement agreement, Corridor has agreed to proceed with the cessation of all hydrocarbon exploration activities on Anticosti Island, and to cooperate with the Government of Quebec in giving effect to the cessation of all such exploration activities. In consideration for, amongst other things, the prejudice suffered by Corridor in connection with its interests in Anticosti Hydrocarbons L.P., the Government of Quebec has agreed to pay $19.5 million to Corridor. The Government of Quebec has also agreed to reimburse Corridor for any further amounts expended prior to its departure from Anticosti Island, and to assume all abandonment and reclamation obligations of Corridor in respect of three Anticosti wells in which Corridor has an interest outside of Anticosti Hydrocarbons L.P.

In early 2017, with the support of the Government of Quebec, the Municipality of Anticosti Island filed an application proposing the inclusion of Anticosti Island on Canada's Tentative List for World Heritage Sites under UNESCO's Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritages. Corridor has subsequently been advised that the Government of Quebec intends to prohibit future exploration work relating to hydrocarbons and underground reservoirs on Anticosti Island. In Corridor's view, these actions will result in an end to the project and the business of Anticosti Hydrocarbons L.P. Notwithstanding our continued commitment to and belief in the project, given the position of the Government of Quebec and the lack of viable alternatives available to Corridor, negotiating a settlement was considered to be in the best interest of our shareholders.

Corridor is a Canadian junior resource company engaged in the exploration for and development and production of petroleum and natural gas onshore in New Brunswick and offshore in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Corridor currently has natural gas production and reserves in the McCully Field near Sussex, New Brunswick. In addition, Corridor has a shale gas prospect in New Brunswick and an offshore conventional hydrocarbon prospect in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Contacts:

Steve Moran

President and CEO

Corridor Resources Inc.

(902) 429-4511

(902) 429-0209 (FAX)

www.corridor.ca




Dear Annie: We belong to a private club. The club policy allows a member to sponsor a nonmember so that the nonmember can have an event at the club. However, in the event payment is not received from the nonmember for any reason, the member must pay the bill in full. Last year, our longtime friends Bob and Deborah asked us to sponsor a baby shower for their daughter at our club. Bob and Deb stated that they would pay for the event in full. We agreed. At the end of the event, they paid as promised.

Bob and Deb have since moved to Florida. But this year, they asked us to host the wedding reception for their daughter at our club. Bob initially said it would be handled just like the baby shower. We agreed. Later, we learned that Bob and Deborah were not going to pay for the reception  that it was up to their daughter and future son-in-law to figure that out. We have no idea about the income, debt or finances of this young couple and dont know how realistic it is that theyll be able to afford all of this.

Meanwhile, the reception grew to 230 invitees. Because of the change in circumstances as to who would be paying and the size of the event, we asked Bob and Deborah to sign a promissory note to guarantee they would pay for this event if the couple were not to pay. To our surprise, Bob and Deb refused to sign any guarantee agreement, saying that they are on a fixed income and that we should trust the newlyweds to pay.

We then contacted the daughter and asked that the couple either obtain a letter of credit from their bank or prepay for the reception. She and her fiance declined to do either. Bob and Deborah now say that we are insulting and rude for not trusting their daughter and her fiance to pay and that we are putting money over friendship. Are we being insulting and rude to our friends and their daughter?

 Looking for an Answer in Illinois

Dear Looking: Your friends are declining to sign a promissory note. With an expense as large as a 230-person wedding, that would cause anyones eyebrows to rise. I find it highly suspect that Bob and Deborah rebuffed your request with the excuse that theyre on a fixed income  as if you and your wife are Mr. and Mrs. Moneybags and shouldnt worry so much about being stuck with the bill.

To be fair to the young couple, talk to them directly about your concerns. Perhaps the young mans family would be willing to sign the promissory note. If not, no problem; there are thousands of other venues they can choose from for their wedding reception.Dear Annie: I just read the letter from Tossing and Turning, who was concerned about downsizing her possessions as she gets older, and I want to share an invaluable resource for every senior. No matter where the senior lives in the USA, he or she has a local Area Agency on Aging. Visit the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging website (https://www.n4a.org) and enter your ZIP code. The information and assistance team at the AAA will have answers to many questions and will guide seniors and caregivers through the programs and resources available in the community.

 Sherri

Dear Sherri: Ive just visited the website, and it seems to be a fantastic resource. Thanks for providing this information.
MetalNRG PLC

('MetalNRG' or the 'Company')

Result of AGM

28 July 2017

MetalNRG plc (LON:MNRG), the natural resource investing company quoted on the NEX Exchange Growth Market in London, is pleased to announce that at the AGM of the Company held today all resolutions were passed.



Paul Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of MetalNRG PLC, made the following statement at the AGM:

"MetalNRG has entered a highly proactive phase in its development and our focus at present is the continuing acquisition of interests in the cobalt sector.



With the initial acquisitions announced in Australia and the United States we are building a geographically diversified cobalt vehicle which we trust will attract increasing interest from investors wishing to have cobalt exposure in their natural resource portfolios.



The board anticipates releasing further updates to the market in the near future with regard to additional acquisitions and progress on the ground across our existing cobalt interests."



The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

Contact Details:

METALNRG PLC

Paul Johnson (Chief Executive Officer) +44 (0) 7766 465617



NEX Exchange Corporate Adviser

PETERHOUSE CORPORATE FINANCE LIMITED

Guy Miller/Mark Anwyl +44 (0) 20 7469 0930





Corporate Broker

S I CAPITAL

Nick Emerson/Andy Thacker +44 (0) 1483 413500









Notes for Editors:

MetalNRG is quoted on the NEX Exchange Growth Market in London with the stock code MNRG and is a natural resource investing company.

NEX Exchange:

Investors wishing to consider trading in NEX Exchange quoted shares can access this market from numerous brokers, a full list of which can be accessed through the following link:

www.nexexchange.com/for-investors/find-a-broker/

The list accessed through the link above includes certain brokers offering online trading of NEX Exchange quoted shares.

The Investing Policy of the Company is as follows:

The Company's proposed new Investing Policy is to invest in and/or acquire companies and/or projects within the natural resources and/or energy sector with potential for growth and value creation, over the medium to long term. The Company will also consider opportunities in other related sectors if the Board considers there is an opportunity to generate an attractive return for Shareholders. This will include natural resource technologies and fintech opportunities offering leverage to resource identification, processing, recording, storage and trading businesses.

Where appropriate, the Board may seek to invest in businesses where it may influence the business at a board level, add their expertise to the management of the business, and utilise their significant industry relationships.

The Company's interests in a proposed investment and/or acquisition may range from a minority position to full ownership and may comprise one investment or multiple investments. The proposed investments may be in either quoted or unquoted companies; be made by direct acquisitions or farm-ins; and may be in companies, partnerships, earn-in joint ventures, debt or other loan structures, joint ventures or direct or indirect interests in assets or projects.

The Board may focus on investments where intrinsic value can be achieved from the restructuring of investments or merger of complementary businesses. The Board expects that investments will typically be held for the medium to long term, although short term disposal of assets cannot be ruled out if there is an opportunity to generate an attractive return for Shareholders. The Board will place no minimum or maximum limit on the length of time that any investment may be held. The Company may be both an active and a passive investor depending on the nature of the individual opportunity.

Where the Company builds a portfolio of related assets it is possible that there may be cross-holdings between such assets. The Company does not currently intend to fund any investments with debt or other borrowings, but may do so if appropriate. Investments in early stage assets are expected to be mainly in the form of equity, with debt potentially being raised later to fund the development of such assets. Investments in later stage assets are more likely to include an element of debt to equity gearing. The Board may also offer new Ordinary Shares by way of consideration as well as cash, thereby helping to preserve the Company's cash for working capital and as a reserve against unforeseen contingencies including, for example, delays in collecting accounts receivable, unexpected changes in the economic environment and operational problems.

The Board will conduct initial due diligence appraisals of potential business or projects and, where they believe further investigation is warranted, intend to appoint appropriately qualified persons to assist. The Proposed Board believes its expertise will enable it to determine quickly which opportunities could be viable and so progress quickly to formal due diligence. The Company will not have a separate investment manager. The Company proposes to carry out a comprehensive and thorough project review process in which all material aspects of a potential project or business will be subject to rigorous due diligence, as appropriate.
CRESCO, PA -- (Marketwired) -- 07/28/17 -- NSAV Holding, Inc. (OTC: NSAV), a medical cannabis technology and software company, announced today that the Company's current financial statements will be completed next week. This will enable NSAV to be a current SEC reporting company in short order. The Company believes that this will greatly enhance shareholder value and substantially improve the Company's image in the financial markets and the investment community. Management believes being a current SEC reporting company will also be of great assistance in the Company's continued growth and open doors in the areas of mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures. NSAV and its management realize that this process has taken far longer than anyone could have anticipated, but assures all of its shareholders that the Company is in the homestretch and fully committed to the completion of its current financial statements.

James Tilton, president of NSAV, stated, "There can be no overstating the importance and value of being an SEC reporting company. In today's competitive market, there is just no other way. All of our loyal shareholders know how difficult this process has been and what we inherited from the previous management. After years of obscurity and with the help of our dedicated team and the patience and support of our shareholders, NSAV came back to life on March 1, 2017 and despite some bumps and bruises along the way, is still standing and I believe, has an exciting future ahead. I am proud and deeply honored that you have allowed me to be a part of history in the making."

NSAV's vision is the establishment of a fully integrated technology company that provides turnkey technological solutions to the legal medical cannabis and hemp industries, as well as other areas of the medical industry. Over time, the Company plans to provide a wide range of services such as software solutions, e-commerce, advisory services, financial services, patents and trademarks and information technology.

For further information please contact NSAV at 1 (570- 595-2432) or info@nsavholdinginc.com

The NSAV corporate website can be accessed at http://nsavholdinginc.com

The NSAV Twitter account can be accessed at https://twitter.com/NSAV_MJTechCo

The NSAV Facebook account can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/NSAVHolding/

This press release contains certain 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, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the ability of NSAV Holding, Inc. to accomplish its stated plan of business. NSAV Holding, Inc. believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward- looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by NSAV Holding, Inc. or any other person.

NSAV

1 (570- 595-2432)

info@nsavholdinginc.com






MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - Legislation enacting a package of sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea is headed to President Donald Trump's desk after being overwhelmingly approved by the Senate on Thursday.



The Senate voted 98 to 2 in favor of the bill, with only Senators Rand Paul, R-Ken., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., voting against the legislation.



The vote in the Senate comes after the House passed the bill by 419 to 3 on Tuesday, reflecting strong bipartisan support.



The bill includes a provision that would allow Congress to block any attempt by Trump to ease or waive the sanctions against Russia.



The inclusion of the provision has led to some speculation that Trump might veto the legislation, with the White House thus far non-committal on whether the president will sign the bill.



In an interview on CNN on Thursday, White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci said Trump 'may sign the sanctions exactly the way they are, or he may veto the sanctions and negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians.'



Lawmakers are skeptical that Trump will veto the bill, noting that the overwhelming votes in favor of the legislation suggest the veto could be overridden.



Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said he has recently spoken with Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and received no indication that a veto was likely.



'It's just not a good way to start a presidency to veto something and then be soundly overridden,' Corker told reporters. 'It wouldn't be something I would do, but they may choose to do it.'



Corker said the legislation sends a strong signal to Iran, Russia and North Korea that the U.S. will stand firm and united in the face of their destabilizing behavior.



A day after the vote in the Senate, the Kremlin retaliated by ordering Washington to downsize its diplomatic staff in Russia and barring the use of some properties used by U.S. diplomats.



In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry also warned, 'Any new unilateral actions by the U.S. authorities to reduce the number of our diplomats in the United States will be met with a mirror response.'



(Photo: Kremlin.ru)



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SEATTLE (dpa-AFX) - Starbucks will close all its 379 Teavana stores over the coming year, with the coffee giant saying that the stores have been 'persistently underperforming.' The move will impact about 3,300 employees.



Starbucks said that following a strategic review of the principally mall-based Teavana retail store business, it concluded that the underperformance was likely to continue despite efforts to reverse the trend through creative merchandising and new store designs.



The company made the announcement while reporting its third-quarter financial results on Thursday.



The majority of the Teavana stores will close by Spring 2018. The approximately 3,300 partners impacted by these closures will receive opportunities to apply for positions at Starbucks stores, as Starbucks said it remains on track to create 240,000 new jobs globally and 68,000 in the U.S. over the next five years.



Starbucks noted that the wider third-quarter operating loss in its 'All other segments' was primarily due to the goodwill and asset impairment charges as a result of the company's strategy to focus on Teavana tea within Starbucks stores.



In September 2016, Starbucks had said it launched its new tea line Teavana in the whole Asia region after it was introduced in China.



Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water and the tea industry is worth $125 billion.



Starbucks also said Thursday that it plans to consolidate its business operations across Mainland China by acquiring the remaining 50 percent share of Shanghai Starbucks Coffee Corporation that it did not already own from JV partners Uni-President Enterprises Corporation or UPSC and President Chain Store Corporation or PCSC.



Through this $1.3 billion acquisition, the largest single acquisition in the company's history, Starbucks will assume 100 percent ownership of approximately 1,300 Starbucks stores in 25 cities in the Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces.



Concurrently, UPEC and PCSC will acquire Starbucks 50 percent interest in President Starbucks Coffee Taiwan Limited and assume 100 percent ownership of Starbucks operations in Taiwan for about $175 million.



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CAMBRIDGE, England, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Mission critical part of the process to safeguard communications in the quantum computing age developed by Cambridge Quantum Computing

Background

The generation of random numbers and sequences is a critical part of numerous computational processes that are vital across the world and across industries. Generating random numbers is the most critical aspect for any secure communications using quantum computing or quantum technological platforms - by definition, quantum keys cannot be developed without a secure source of true, device independent randomness.

Until now, classical random number generators are entirely deterministic. Even the most sophisticated method or programme for generating randomness relies on a pre-set algorithm or series of algorithms. Consequently, this output cannot be trusted without further assumptions that in turn undermine the process.

Since it is not possible to create randomness out of nothing random numbers generated by any sort of software are vulnerable to hacking or repetition.

Quantum mechanics is intrinsically probabilistic and therefore allows for the generation of randomness (for example sending a photon through a beam-splitter and measuring in which arm it ends up). However even here one must trust that the quantum devices are operating, as they should. True certifiable randomness requires a protocol that is device independent.

Cambridge Quantum Computing ("CQC") has answered a question that has challenged researchers for decades - is there a way of generating randomness in a device-independent and certifiable way?

Cambridge Quantum Computing ' s Invention

As recent headlines from around the world including China and Russia reinforce the inevitable move from digital to quantum-based communications, the very foundations of our encryption systems will need reviewing.

The most critical component in any quantum technology or quantum computing based communications methodology is the ability to generate random numbers. All quantum key distributions will require such basic ingredients.

There has, until now, been no true "certified" randomness in the world, and even primitive quantum mechanical based random number generators are not device independent or certified. Cambridge Quantum Computing has invented a certified true randomness generation protocol that is device independent.

The protocol, which the company refer to as "RNG", was invented by CQC's scientists Fernando Brandao (currently at Caltech) and Simone Severini (currently at UCL), and has been one of the core projects of Cambridge Quantum Computing.

The company said "Having spent a number of years perfecting the research basis for RNG, we are in the early stages of commercialising this essential technology that in many ways has for decades been the 'holy grail' for quantum communications."

The company continued, "For the first time in human history we have the ability to generate and use certified true randomness. CQC's protocol allows scaled use that will be the embedded key for all future quantum communications where randomness is required to be guaranteed and to be device independent. Applications ranging from national security to finance, and including communications from embedded devices and the 'internet of things' to basic fintech effectiveness will require RNG. In fact anyone who uses Monte-Carlo simulations will also require certified true randomness and will ultimately have to migrate from pseudo-random generating methods to secure truly random generators that are device independent"

About Cambridge Quantum Computing

Based in Cambridge and London, and with offices in Hong Kong and a presence in the United States, CQC is the leading independent quantum algorithm and quantum software company. In addition to the randomness protocol CQC has created a unique compiler (named "t|ket>") for quantum processors. CQC is also active in creating quantum algorithms that will drive value from early stage quantum processor with "shallow" circuits and has a focus here in two areas - firstly the analysis of complex time series and secondly on quantum chemistry.

More information can be found at http://www.cambridgequantum.com

Contacts:Ilyas Khan, CEO, +44-203-301-9333
LONDON, ENGLAND / ACCESSWIRE / July 28, 2017 / Gabriel Resources Ltd. ("Gabriel" or the "Company") announces the publication of its Second Quarter Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis Report for the period ended June 30, 2017.

Summary

The Company's core focus is the progression of its arbitration case against Romania before the World Bank's International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes ("ICSID") in accordance with the provisions of the Canada-Romania and UK-Romania bilateral investment treaties for the promotion and protection of foreign investment (together the "Treaties") to which Romania is a party ("ICSID Arbitration").

On June 30, 2017 Gabriel filed its memorial on the merits and quantum of its claims ("Memorial") which seeks compensation for all of the losses it has incurred as a result of Romania's breaches of the Treaties in an amount equivalent to $5.7 billion[1].

Gabriel's Romanian subsidiary, Ro?ia Montana Gold Corporation S.A. ("RMGC"), remains subject to investigations by the Romanian National Agency for Fiscal Administration ("ANAF") which Gabriel considers are abusive in scope and duration and were initiated by the Romanian authorities solely in retaliation for the filing of the ICSID Arbitration.

One such ANAF investigation relates to a re-run of a previously quashed value added tax ("VAT") assessment relating to amounts claimed by RMGC in the period 2011 to 2016. On July 5, 2017 RMGC was served with a decision by ANAF assessing a VAT liability in the principal amount of approximately of RON 27m ($8.6m)[2], which does not include any penalties or fines ("VAT Assessment"). RMGC intends to challenge this decision as fundamentally flawed, unlawful and abusive.

As at June 30, 2017, the Company held $46.3 million of cash and cash equivalents.

The net loss for the second quarter of 2017 was $13.7 million (Q1 2017:$9.3 million).

Jonathan Henry, Gabriel's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated:

"The Memorial details the strong factual and legal arguments supporting Gabriel's claims against the Romanian State and the significant quantum of damages sustained as a consequence of Romania's unlawful acts. Romania continues to demonstrate its bad faith against Gabriel and RMGC through ongoing discriminatory, abusive and retaliatory activities such as the VAT Assessment, which is without merit."

Further information and commentary on the operations and results of the Company in the second quarter of 2017 is given below. The Company has filed its Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion & Analysis on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and each is available for review on the Company's website at www.gabrielresources.com.

Footnotes:

[1] The claim, based on a damages assessment performed by an independent expert, seeks compensation in the amount of US$4.4 billion, the Canadian dollar equivalent uses the closing foreign exchange rate on June 27.

[2] Assumes the July 5, 2017 Bank of Romania exchange rate of RON 3.13 to the $.

[3] For the purposes of this release the Ro?ia Montana gold and silver project (the "Ro?ia Montana Project") and the prospective gold, silver and porphyry copper deposits in the neighbouring Bucium concession area are referred to collectively as the "Projects".

For information on this press release, please contact:

Jonathan Henry

President & Chief Executive Officer

Mobile: +44 7798 801783

jh@gabrielresources.com

Max Vaughan

Chief Financial Officer

Mobile: +44 7823 885503

max.vaughan@gabrielresources.com

Richard Brown

Chief Commercial Officer

Mobile: +44 7748 760276

richard.brown@gabrielresources.com

Further Information

Status of the ICSID Arbitration

The ICSID Arbitration seeks compensation for all of the losses and damages suffered by the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Gabriel Resources (Jersey) Ltd. (together "Claimants"), resulting from the Romanian State's wrongful conduct and its breaches of the Treaties' protections against expropriation, unfair and inequitable treatment and discrimination in respect the Projects[3] and related licenses. As a consequence of Romania's acts and inactions, the Project has been stymied, depriving the Claimants of the use, benefit and entire value of their property rights which have effectively been taken without compensation in contravention of the applicable legal and administrative processes and requirements.

The Claimants submitted their Memorial on June 30, 2017. The Memorial filing is scheduled to be followed by the following key submissions:

Romania to file its response to the Memorial ("Counter-Memorial") by February 15, 2018.



The Claimants to file their 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 claims before the tribunal appointed to hear and determine the ICSID Arbitration ("Tribunal") is currently scheduled to occur in Washington D.C. from September 9 to 20, 2019.

Certain procedural orders and decisions of the Tribunal, together with certain of the principal submissions filed by the parties during the ICSID Arbitration, have and will continue to be published on the ICSID website at the following location: https://icsid.worldbank.org/en/Pages/cases/casedetail.aspx?CaseNo=ARB/15/31. The Memorial is subject to the confidentiality provisions of Procedural Order No.3 which can be found on the ICSID website. Gabriel anticipates that the Memorial will be published on the ICSID website in due course in accordance with those provisions and the determination of the Tribunal as appropriate.

RMGC Investigations

On July 5, 2017, RMGC received the VAT Assessment from ANAF demanding the repayment of VAT deductions claimed by RMGC in the period July 2011 to January 2016 in the amount of RON 27m (approximately $8.6m), which does not include any penalties or fines likely to be levied. The VAT Assessment is due for payment on August 5, 2017 although RMGC has until August 21, 2017 to make an administrative appeal to ANAF, which it fully intends to pursue. The Company believes the ANAF findings are fundamentally flawed and an abusive retaliation to the ICSID Arbitration. The Company also believes that the procedure followed by ANAF to arrive at the VAT Assessment was improper and unlawful and that the VAT Assessment conflicts with Romanian fiscal laws as well as the mandatory applicable principles of EU law. The Company intends to use all legal avenues to challenge the VAT Assessment and to fully protect its rights and assets.

In parallel with the VAT Assessment, and for almost two years to date, a separate directorate of ANAF has continued to pursue an ad hoc investigation of a broad range of operational activities and transactions of RMGC and a number of its suppliers, consultants and advisors over an extensive period spanning 1997 to 2016 (the "ANAF Investigation"). Gabriel still awaits formal indication of the grounds for the ANAF Investigation and believes that the breadth and depth of ANAF's demands are intentionally abusive, and that it has been initiated in an attempt to intimidate and harm RMGC and the Claimants in view of the dispute with the Romanian State and the Claimants' filing of the ICSID Arbitration, evidencing further the discriminatory acts and bad faith conduct of the Romanian authorities.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

The Company's average monthly cash usage during Q2 2017 was $3.0 million, including costs in respect of the ICSID Arbitration (Q1 2017 monthly average: $1.7 million, Q4 2016 monthly average: $2.1 million). At the end of Q2 2017, accruals for costs in respect of the ICSID Arbitration amounted to $7.1 million (Q1 2017: $4.6 million, Q4 2016: $1.9 million). For the remainder of 2017 the Company expects the cost for the ICSID Arbitration to reduce.

Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2017 amounted to $46.3 million.

Financial Performance

The net loss for the second quarter of 2017 was $13.7 million, an increase from a loss of $9.3 million in the prior quarter and a loss of $8.9 million in the corresponding period in 2016, primarily due to incremental legal and other advisory costs pursuant to the ICSID Arbitration. In addition, in Q2 2016 there was a charge for debt extinguishment of $4.4 million, a non-cash expense arising following the restructuring of convertible notes issued in 2014 with no corresponding charge in the six-month period to June 2017. Accreted finance charges of $3.4 million on the convertible notes in issue are reflected in the loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 (Q2 2016: $1.3 million).

Project Development (including Permitting and Litigation)

In the context of the above disclosures concerning the development of the Project and the ICSID Arbitration now being the core focus of Gabriel, and the group of companies of which it is parent ("Group"), readers are advised to refer to the Annual Information Form of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2016 ("AIF") published on March 29, 2017, a copy of which is filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, for information relating to the status of the Project, RMGC's exploitation license in Romania, the Group's exploration and development activities in Romania, the Project approval and permitting process, and reported gold and silver resources and reserves. Except as disclosed in the Company's public filings thereafter, there has been no material change in the information therein from the date of publication of the AIF to the date of this press release.

About Gabriel

Gabriel is a Toronto Stock Exchange listed Canadian resource company. The Company's principal focus has been the exploration and development of the Ro?ia Montana gold and silver project in Romania. The 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 Project is held by Ro?ia 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 Ro?ia Montana S.A., a Romanian state-owned mining company. It is anticipated that the Project would bring over US$24 billion (at US$1,200/oz gold) to Romania as potential direct and indirect contribution to GDP and generate 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 Project. Despite the Company's fulfilment of its legal obligations and its development of the Project as a high-quality, sustainable and environmentally-responsible mining project, using best available techniques, Romania has blocked and prevented implementation of the Project without due process and without compensation.Accordingly, the Company's current core focus is the ICSID Arbitration. For more information please visit the Company's website at www.gabrielresources.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" (also referred to as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of the Company's operating environment. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements.

In this press release, forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies that may cause the Company's actual financial results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied herein. Some of the material factors or assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the uncertainties associated with: the ICSID Arbitration, actions by the Romanian Government, conditions or events impacting the Company's ability to fund its operations or service its debt, exploration, development and operation of mining properties and the overall impact of misjudgments made in good faith in the course of preparing forward-looking information.

Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors including those set out below, that may never materialize, prove incorrect or materialize other than as currently contemplated which could cause the Company's results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "expects", "is expected", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", "potential", "possible" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events, conditions or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Numerous factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation:

the duration, required disclosure, costs, process and outcome of the ICSID Arbitration against Romania;

changes in the liquidity and capital resources of Gabriel, and the Group;

access to funding to support the Group's continued ICSID Arbitration and/or operating activities in the future;

equity dilution resulting from the conversion or exercise of existing securities in part or in whole to Common Shares;

the ability of the Company to maintain a continued listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange or any regulated public market for trading securities;

the impact on business strategy and its implementation in Romania of: unforeseen historic acts of corruption, uncertain fiscal investigations; uncertain legal enforcement both for and against the Group and political and social instability;

regulatory, political and economic risks associated with operating in a foreign jurisdiction including changes in laws, governments and legal regimes and interpretation of existing and future fiscal and other legislation ;

volatility of currency exchange rates, metal prices and metal production;

the availability and continued participation in operational or other matters pertaining to the Group of certain key employees and consultants; and

risks normally incident to the exploration, development and operation of mining properties.

This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements.

Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and investors should not infer that there has been no change in the Company's affairs since the date of this press release that would warrant any modification of any forward-looking statement made in this document, other documents periodically filed with or furnished to the relevant securities regulators or documents presented on the Company's website. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements or the foregoing list of assumptions or factors, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, subject to the Company's disclosure obligations under applicable Canadian securities regulations. Investors are urged to read the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulatory agencies including Gabriel's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2016, which can be viewed online at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE: Gabriel Resources Ltd.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 28, 2017) - Hi Ho Silver Resources Inc. (CSE: HHS) (FSE: H9T) ("Hi Ho" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it is completing a non-brokered private placement of 750,000 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.10 per Unit, for gross proceeds of $75,000 (the "Private Placement"). Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each a "Unit Warrant"). Each Unit Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional Share at an exercise price of $0.30 per Share for a term of one year from the closing date of the Private Placement. The net proceeds from the Private Placement will be used by the Company for general working capital purposes.

The Company also announces that it will issue an aggregate of 460,000 Shares, at a deemed price of $0.10 per Share, and 460,000 common share purchase warrants (the "Services Warrants") to directors and officers of the Company pursuant to the terms of certain securities for services agreements. The Services Warrants will be exercisable to acquire an additional Share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.30 per Share for a period of two years after issuance.

Additionally, the Company will issue an aggregate of 3,405,350 Shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.10 per Share in settlement of outstanding debts of the Company of $340,535 owing to a former officer of the Company.

All securities referenced herein will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day following issuance pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, William Jorgenson, CEO and Chairman.

For further information please contact:

Bill Jorgenson

Chief Executive Officer

Hi Ho Silver Resources Inc.

(778) 989-0770

Forward-Looking Statement Cautions:

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to, among other things, the Company's plans with respect to the issuances of securities described herein, and the use of proceeds therefrom. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of risk factors relating to the Company and its plans, and their potential effects.


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - After seeing considerable volatility early in the session, treasuries moved modestly higher over the course of the trading day on Friday.



Bond prices hovered in positive territory in the afternoon after bouncing back and forth across the unchanged line in early trading. As a result, the yield on the benchmark ten-year note, which moves opposite of its price, fell by 2.1 basis points to 2.289 percent.



The higher close by treasuries may partly reflect concerns about news the U.S. detected an intercontinental ballistic missile launch out of North Korea.



The Defense Department said the missile was launched from Mupyong-ni and traveled about 1,000 kilometers before splashing down in the Sea of Japan.



The volatility seen earlier in the day came as traders digested a Commerce Department report showing economic activity increased in line with economist estimates in the second quarter.



The report said real gross domestic product climbed by 2.6 percent in the second quarter after rising by a downwardly revised 1.2 percent in the first quarter.



Economists had expected GDP to increase by 2.6 percent in the second quarter compared to the 1.4 percent growth that had been reported for the previous quarter.



A separate report from the University of Michigan showed consumer sentiment deteriorated by slightly less than initially estimated in the month of July.



The report said the consumer sentiment index for July was upwardly revised to 93.4 from the preliminary reading of 93.1. Economists had expected the index to be unrevised.



Despite the unexpected upward revision, the consumer sentiment index is still down from the final June reading of 95.1.



Economic data is likely to continue to attract attention next week, with the closely watched monthly jobs report due next Friday.



Traders are also likely to keep an eye on reports on personal income and spending, manufacturing and service sector activity, and international trade.



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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 28, 2017 / Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Flowserve Corporation ("Flowserve" or the "Company") (NYSE: FLS). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 9980.

The investigation concerns whether Flowserve Corporation and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here to join a class action]

On July 27, 2017, post-market, Flowserve announced financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2017 and a full-year outlook that fell significantly below estimates. The Company also advised investors that "certain immaterial accounting errors were identified in prior period financial statements for the period beginning in 2013 through the first quarter of 2017, which occurred primarily at two non-U.S. sites, and principally involved certain inventory and accounts receivable balances" and that Flowserve "has determined to amend its 2016 Form 10-K and the March 31, 2017 Form 10-Q to reflect the revisions." In addition, Flowserve advised investors that it "has determined material weakness existed in its internal control structure at year-end 2016 and continued through the end of the 2017 second quarter. The company intends to institute remediation plans as a result of these errors. The cumulative effect of the changes to retained earnings as of March 31, 2017 was a reduction of approximately $30 million."

On this news, Flowserve's share price has fallen as much as $6.12, or 13.2%, during intraday trading on July 28, 2017.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Florida, and Los Angeles, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com.

SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 07/28/17 -- Petrolia Inc. (TSX VENTURE: PEA) wishes to comment on the adoption of a ministerial decree by the Quebec government that now prohibits the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas on Anticosti Island. Petrolia also wishes to make some observations concerning the declaration by the same government that it had reached agreements with the other companies involved in Hydrocarbures Anticosti S.E.C. (hereafter "HASEC") or holding exploratory rights on Anticosti Island.

The ministerial decree

Petrolia reminds that it was at the request of the Gouvernement of Quebec that it partnered with HASEC in 2014 and that it transferred its licenses in order to explore for oil resources on the Island, in the collective interest of Quebeckers. The decision by the same government today to prohibit the oil exploration on the Island must be approached and considered bearing this historical fact in mind.

Moreover, despite the ministerial decree and the announcement of agreements with other companies, this does not put an end to the contractual agreements that led to the creation of HASEC. To terminate the agreements entered into in good faith in 2014 and formalized by decree, the unanimous agreement of the partners is required, as stipulated in the aforementioned agreements.

It is in this context that Petrolia began and is currently continuing its negotiations with the Quebec government. In this respect, it is important to remember that Petrolia holds 21.7 % of HASEC and that to date, all of the studies conducted have been very positive regarding the oil and gas potential on Anticosti Island.

"Although we are deeply disappointed with this turn of events, we are still convinced, even more so than in 2014, of the potential and the importance of the Anticosti project for Quebec and for the Company. However, at the request of the Government of Quebec, we are pursuing negotiations in good faith. For us, Anticosti is and will always be a project with great economic potential likely to generate significant benefits for Quebec," said Martin Belanger, interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Petrolia.

Announcement of agreements with some companies

The fact that the Government of Quebec has announced that it has reached agreements with some companies, including the French company Maurel & Prom, does not in any way change the status or rights of Petrolia.

As the only Quebec company involved in HASEC and in this oil exploration project initiated by the Government of Quebec, Petrolia is in a unique position compared to the other companies involved. Notably, it was assigned, by contract, the responsibility of acting as the project operator, which is to say that it was entrusted with carrying out and completing the exploration phase.

It is notably on the basis of this agreement and the substantial benefits resulting from it, as well as on the value that was attributed to its licenses in the context of the creation of HASEC that Petrolia accepted to partner with the Quebec government in this large exploration project.

In these circumstances, it is clear that the Government of Quebec cannot treat Petrolia in the same way as the foreign companies with which it partnered in 2014. The differences of status, interest, involvement and responsibility are obvious, manifest and known by all.

About Petrolia

Petrolia is a junior oil and gas exploration company which owns interests in oil and gas licences covering 16,000 km2 (4 million acres), which represents almost 23% of the Quebec Territory under lease. The closing of a partnership on Anticosti Island has led to the creation of Anticosti Hydrocarbons L.P., a limited partnership in which Petrolia holds a 21.7% interest. In order to carry out the project's operations, Petrolia Anticosti Inc., a subsidiary of Petrolia, was designated project operator. Petrolia is a Quebec company whose objective is to develop oil from here, by the people here, for here. Petrolia has 97,049,881 shares issued and outstanding.

Disclaimer

Certain statements made herein may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or the future economic performance of Petrolia and carry known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may appreciably affect their results, economic performance or accomplishments when considered in light of the content or implications or statements made by Petrolia. Actual events or results could be significantly different. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Petrolia disclaims any intention or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

Martin Belanger, Ing. P.

President & Chief Executive Officer

418 657-1966

www.petrolia-inc.com




Water temperatures at area lakes are climbing and with the afternoon surface water temperatures at both South Fork and Wildhorse well into the 70s, anglers need to change their tactics. Often the key to catching fish is not just the time of day (early in the morning when it is not as hot) but also depth and the type of presentation. Now is the time to fish the thermocline that we talked about last week.

When fighting the fish in a reservoir they end up in the warmer, less oxygenated surface waters. The stress from the exertion of fighting the line, combined with the stress due to lack of oxygen and the heat, doesnt allow them to recover and many of those fish die even if released. So please limit your catch and release fishing to the cooler parts of the day (early morning) and land the fish quickly if you are going to release it.

If you catch a fish during the heat of the day, either use heavy enough tackle to get it into the boat quickly, so it can be released quickly or keep the fish. The chances that a fish will survive during this period drop to almost none. So even though you may feel good about releasing it, you are just wasting the resource.

The best time to fish if you are a catch and release angler is early in the morning. If after trying to revive a fish before releasing and it doesnt aggressively swim from your hand, you should probably keep it.

WILDHORSE

There is road construction on SR-225 between milepost 37 and Lone Mountain Station. During the week drivers can expect up to a 30 minute delays, though on the weekends this shouldnt be a problem. With surface water temperatures well above 70 degrees, trout fishing is slowing down and anglers are having their best luck early in the morning before it gets too hot or by fishing in deeper water.

Fishing has been productive for boaters who are fishing between 16 and 18 feet deep. Fishing from shore in the canyon that leads to the dam where the water gets deep quickly has been productive. Bait fishermen should use the usual worms or PowerBait for trout. Sherbet PowerBait seems to be the ticket, though other colors will still work. Fly rodders should be trying chironomids, hares ears, PTs, damselfly nymphs, damsel adults, mayflies and wooly buggers.

The campground and fish cleaning station are open and on a first come, first served basis. Wildhorse has been stocked with approximately 80,000 trout this year.

SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR

There is road construction south of the state park headquarters so those wanting to access the west side of the lake will need to go in through Twin Bridges. Expect this to continue throughout the summer.

Very little change in fishing conditions here. The surface water temperatures have climbed into the 70s, there is lots of algae and trout fishing has slowed considerably due to this. Even boaters dont seem to be having a lot of luck for trout. The trout being caught are averaging between 13 and 17 inches with an occasional 20 inch fish being caught.

JIGGS/ZUNINO RESERVOIR

The water is turbid with algae and shore fishermen dont appear to be faring as well as boaters or float tube anglers as the edges are getting weedy and the fish are hanging in the deeper, cooler water. Remember this is a wakeless water so go slow. It is difficult to launch much more than a small rowboat or car topper due to water and shore conditions.

Small spinners, PowerBait or worms should all work. While fly rodders should be using chironomids, hares ears, small nymphs and wooly buggers. Jiggs was stocked with approximately 2000 catchable trout this spring. Please return any black bass back to the lake to help with rebuilding the bass fishery here.

WILSON RESERVOIR

The road to Wilson has been graded and tout fishing here has been good and bass fishing is picking up. The lake is no longer spilling over the spillway but Wilson has the best water quality of the larger reservoirs in eastern Nevada with little algae growth. Trout were averaging 13 to 16 inches in the lake. Expect similar conditions to South Fork and anglers should use the same presentations.

RUBY LAKE NWR

Bass fishing is improving with the hot weather and anglers report good fishing for keeper bass. With water levels up the bass are spread out more so anglers need to move until they find them. Dark plastic four to six inch grubs with sparkles in them seem to be the presentation of choice. Colors include blue, dark red, dark green, purple and motor oil.

Fishing in the ditch for trout is fair. Fly rodders should try the usual assortment of nymphs under an indicator as well as wooly, seal and crystal buggers. Scuds, midges, and small Blue Winged Olives are all worth a try. Of course the usual small hares ears, PTs, copper Johns and buggers are all staples in the ditch. Spin fishermen should try small minnow imitators and gold spinners. The collection ditch is artificial lures and flies only and no wading is allowed. Boaters need to be aware of the afternoon winds which may make getting back to the boat ramps difficult.

JAKES CREEK/BOIES

The weeds have come on and shore anglers are finding it difficult to fish from shore, so if you have a float tube, canoe or other small vessel, it will definitely help. Trout fishing has been fair, while bass fishing has been good. Worms and PowerBait are popular here as are black or olive woolly buggers, prince nymphs, PTs and hares ears.

COLD CREEK RESERVOIR

Fishing is fair for trout and fair to good for bass. There continues to be a morning mayfly hatch so BWOs, PMDs, hares ears, Adams and Griffiths gnats are all worth a try for fly fishermen.

CAVE LAKE:

Same bat channel, same bat station. Fishing has been good for 10 to 12 inch fish using worms or cheese baits under a bobber. Small spinners in black and gold or green and gold have been effective.

COMINS LAKE

Surface water temperatures are in the 70s and trout fishing is slowing down. Fish the deeper water. Shore anglers arent doing as well as boaters. The usual PowerBait and worms should work, while small spinners and minnow imitations can be productive. Fly fishermen should be switching to damselfly and mayfly patterns in addition to the usual assortment of chironomid patterns and buggers.

ILLIPAH

The water level has dropped considerably and the old dam is above the water. Just like the rest of the eastern Nevada reservoirs, the trout fishing has slowed as they move into the deeper cooler water. The usual worms, PowerBait or mealworms should all work. Small spinners and spoons should be good for spin fishermen. The usual black and olive wooly buggers, small chironomids, hares ears and pheasant tail nymphs are good starting points for fly rodders. The trick is to get any of the presentations deep into the water column. Illipah was stocked with approximately 18,000 fish this spring.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR

Fishing for keeper crappie has been fair to good with the fish starting to move a bit deeper onto structure, though it is closer to fair than good. The road is rough so care should be taken driving here. Anglers report catching crappie in the rocks, fishing a small white plastic grub underneath a bobber. Crappie like structure, so look for submerged brush, willows and rocks.

ANGEL LAKE

The water level is still up, making shore access difficult in many areas due to brush. If you have a float tube, kayak or canoe it will definitely help out. Bait anglers have seen fishing slow as aquatic insects are coming out, though fly fishermen are finding fishing very good. Fly rodders have had success using small elk hair caddis, hopper or stimulator with an olive or peacock soft hackle dropper below though any dropper fly with green or peacock herl will work. Small spinners and rooster tails should also be effective, just give them enough time to sink to the level the fish are at. Spin anglers can put a fly behind a bobber for casting and have better luck that way. The creek below the lake is fishing well.

ALPINE LAKES

Most of the trails can be hiked though anglers may still have to cross a snow bank or two. The lakes are ice free and fishing is good at most of them. The same presentations and techniques that work at Angel all work well up here. Remember the further you get from the trailhead, there is less fishing pressure therefore the better the fishing is.

STREAMS

Area streams are at or near normal flows making for good fishing. Not only that, but hoppers are out and this is the time of year to hit our creeks for some great dry fly action. Just be on the lookout for snakes. Lamoille Creek is finally flowing at a normal 45 cfs as of this past Thursday. Streams in northern Elko County are flowing close to normal.


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - North Korea has test fired another intercontinental ballistic missile, the U.S. Department of Defense said in a statement on Friday.



The Defense Department said it detected and tracked a single North Korea intercontinental ballistic missile launch at about 10:41 a.m. ET.



The missile was launched from Mupyong-ni and traveled about 1,000 kilometers before splashing down in the Sea of Japan, the Defense Department added.



Defense Department spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis said the North American Aerospace Defense Command determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America.



'Our commitment to the defense of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, remains ironclad,' Davis said. 'We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation.'



The latest missile launch by North Korea comes after the communist nation also test fired an ICBM earlier this month.



In a statement on the test, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said North Korea's pursuit of nuclear-capable ICBMs poses clear and immediate danger to U.S. national security.



'We take this threat very seriously,' Ryan said. 'That's why, earlier this week, a bipartisan majority of the House voted to sanction North Korea.'



'These expansive sanctions directly target Pyongyang's ability to threaten the United States and our allies,' he added. 'The Kim regime needs to pay for its actions.'



The House and Senate have overwhelmingly approved legislation enacting sanctions on North Korea as well as Russia and Iran.



The bill includes a provision that would allow Congress to block any attempt by President Donald Trump to ease or waive the sanctions against Russia.



The inclusion of the provision has led to some speculation that Trump might veto the legislation, with the White House thus far non-committal on whether the president will sign the bill.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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ARNPRIOR, ONTARIO / ACCESSWIRE / July 28, 2017 / Plaintree Systems Inc. ("Plaintree" or "Company") (OTC PINK: PTEEF) (CNSX: NPT) announces that it will not be able to file its annual financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2017 and interim financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, and accompanying Management's Discussion and Analysis and related CEO and CFO Certifications of Annual and Interim Filings, within the period prescribed for the filing of such documents under Parts 4 and 5 of National Instrument 51-102 respecting Continuous Disclosure Obligations and pursuant to Regulation 52-109 respecting Certification of Disclosure in Issuers' Annual and Interim Filings, namely, with respect to the annual financial statements, within 120 days of year-end, being July 31, 2017; and with respect to the interim financial statements, within 60 days of quarter end, being August 29, 2017 (collectively the annual financial statements and interim statements referred to above shall be referred to as the "Financial Statements").

The Company is currently not in a position to timely file its Financial Statements primarily as a result of its inability to commence its audit due to limited resources due to a business slow down experienced in the last 2 quarters of fiscal 2017. This issue has now been rectified and the audit of the 2017 annual statements is expected to commence the audit of the 2017 annual statements on or about July 17, 2017 is expected to commence the audit of the 2017 annual statements on or about July 17, 2017.

The Company's Board of Directors and its management will be working expeditiously with the Company's auditors to meet the Company's obligations relating to the filing of the Financial Statements. The Company expects to file the Financial Statements on or before September 30, 2017.

As a result of the postponement in the filing of its Financial Statements, the Company has made an application to the Ontario Securities Commission (the "OSC") for a management cease trade order (the "MCTO"), which would restrict all trading in securities of the Company, whether direct or indirect, by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The MCTO would not affect the ability of shareholders who are not insiders of the Company to trade their securities. There is no certainty that the MCTO will be granted. If the MCTO is not issued by the OSC, the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities could issue a general cease trade order against the Company for failure to file the Financial Statements within the prescribed time period as early as July 31, 2017.

The Company confirms that it intends to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines found at sections 9 and 10 of Policy Statement 12-203 respecting Management Cease Trade Orders, for so long as it remains in default as a result of the late filing of the Financial Statements. During the period of default, Plaintree will issue bi-weekly default status reports in the form of further press releases, which will also be filed on SEDAR. The Company confirms that there are no insolvency proceedings against it as of the date of this press release.

The Company has not taken any steps towards any insolvency proceeding and the Company has no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed as of the date of this press release.

About Plaintree Systems Inc.

Plaintree has two diversified product lines consisting of Specialty Structures and Electronics. The Specialty Structures Division includes the former Triodetic Group with over 40 years of experience, is a design/build manufacturer of steel, aluminum and stainless steel specialty structures such as commercial domes, free form structures, barrel vaults, space frames and industrial dome coverings, Spotton Corporation, a design and manufacturer of high end custom hydraulic and pneumatic valves and cylinders and the recently acquired Madawaska Doors, a design and manufacturer of premium solid wood doors. The Electronics Division includes the legacy Hypernetics, Summit Aerospace USA Inc. and Plaintree free space optics (FSO) businesses. Plaintree's FSO systems transmit data at high speeds using beams of light instead of traditional radio frequency which can suffer from congestion. Hypernetics was established in 1972 and is a manufacturer of avionic components for various applications including aircraft antiskid braking, aircraft instrument indicators, solenoids, high purity valves and permanent magnet alternators. Summit Aerospace USA Inc. provides high precision machining to the aerospace and defense markets. Our facility includes 5 axis CNC precision machining of complex castings and large ring parts such as turbine and assembly shrouds as well as assembly & pressure seals. Summit will support requirements from concept, prototype and throughout production.

Plaintree's shares are traded under the symbol "NPT". Shareholders and Investors can access Company information on CSE's website and receive full Company disclosure monthly. For more information on Plaintree or to receive stock quotes, complete with trading summaries, bid size and ask price, brokerage house participation, insider reports, news releases, disclosure information, and CSE and SEDAR filings, visit the CSE website at www.cnsx.ca or the Company's website at www.plaintree.com.

Plaintree is publicly traded in Canada on the CSE (NPT) with 12,925,253 common shares and 18,325 class A preferred shares outstanding.

This press release may include statements that are forward-looking and based on current expectations. The actual results of the company may differ materially from current expectations. The business of the company is subject to many risks and uncertainties, including changes in markets for the company's products, delays in product development and introduction to manufacturing and intense competition. For a more detailed discussion of the risks and uncertainties related to the company's business, please refer to documents filed by the company with the Canadian regulatory authorities, including the annual report of the Company for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 and related management discussion and analysis. Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

For further information: (613) 623-3434 x2261

SOURCE: Plaintree Systems Inc.
GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS -- (Marketwired) -- 07/28/17 -- Tethys Petroleum Limited ("Tethys" or "the Company") (TSX: TPL) today announced its unaudited results for the quarter ended June 30, 2017.

Q2 Financial Highlights

(all figures reported in USD unless stated otherwise. 2016 amounts are for the quarter ended June 30, 2016)

-- Oil and gas sales and other revenues decreased by 19% to USD2.9 million from USD3.5 million, however, net revenues increased by 2% to USD2.9 million from USD2.8 million because there were no sales expenses in the current quarter following termination of the previous marketing agreement in late 2016; -- Revenues in the current period were impacted by lower production volumes as a result of the natural decline from existing wells and a lower gas sales price. This was partly offset by a slightly higher oil price; -- Gas produced from January to the end of May 2017 was sold in the quarter i.e. representing five months' worth of production. The comparable period in 2016 includes sales of three months' gas produced in Q2 2016 when revenue was recognised evenly under an annual sales contract; -- The loss of USD3.9 million was lower than the Q2 2016 loss of USD4.9 million due mainly to the absence of restructuring costs and lower finance costs, partly offset by a higher non-cash tax charge; -- Adjusted EBITDA improved marginally to negative USD0.2 million from negative USD0.4 million mainly due to the absence of restructuring costs in the current quarter; -- Net debt increased as a result of working capital loans received from Olisol Petroleum Limited during 2016 which were expected to be converted into ordinary shares of the Company or repaid from the proceeds of the investment agreement, however, Olisol failed to complete the transaction.

Operational Highlights

Oil

-- Oil production in Q2 2017 averaged 752 bopd compared with 965 bopd in Q2 2016, reflecting a natural decline in overall production. The ESP installed in early June has produced up to 2,483 bopd although some downtime due to generator issues meant it was not on production consistently throughout June; -- Oil production cost per barrel in Q2 2017 reduced to USD6.34 compared with USD7.73 in Q2 2016, despite the lower production volume as a result of ongoing cost optimisation; -- Oil prices averaged USD7.91 in the quarter compared with USD6.96 bbl in Q2 2016, an increase of 14%, reflecting slightly better contract terms from the customer and a stronger Kazakhstan Tenge.

Gas

-- Current quarter gross gas production averaged 2,104 boe/d compared with 2,312 boe/d in Q2 2016, reflecting a natural decline in overall production. Some downtime with the compressors also impacted production volumes; -- Gas production cost per Mcm in the current quarter decreased to USD16.68 compared with USD16.84 in Q2 2016, due to the timing of recognition of some costs although were higher for the half year reflecting the decrease in gas production and non-variable costs of production. Costs were also higher in USD from the strengthening of the Kazakhstan Tenge; -- Gas was sold at a net price equivalent to USD45.33 per Mcm for the quarter compared with USD62.61 in Q2 2016.

Q2 Significant Events and Transactions

-- On March 29, 2017 the Company announced a new shallow gas well drilling programme and said that it hoped to commence drilling in early May. The tender was awarded to drilling company Great Wall and contracts were signed on April 28, 2017. Drilling operations were delayed from the original planned date, however, whilst the Company renegotiated some of the contractual terms, including the price, with the outcome being a price reduction achieved of around 12 percent. The cost of the drilling programme is approximately USD5.1 million (USD5.7m including recoverable VAT) at the current exchange rate with most of the payments deferred until 2018 when the Company expects to be able to pay from increased production. Great Wall is now fully engaged, has mobilised, delivered equipment to the drilling site and commenced drilling operations which are expected to be completed in November. Wells are typically 650m and take up to 14 days to drill with testing usually taking up to 10 days post completion. No results of testing are available at this time. The initial plan was for a ten well drilling programme. Additionally, the Company would work over three existing wells and tie in two wells drilled but not tied into production. Because drilling has begun later than originally intended, discussions are now underway to modify the programme. This would involve reducing the number of wells drilled in 2017 from ten to eight, obtaining and interpreting new seismic then drilling the two wells not drilled in 2017 in early 2018 based on the new data and adding 2-3 additional wells. This would result in a 4-5 well drilling program in 2018 with the intention of maintaining and improving shallow gas production on a continuing basis. While these are Tethys' current intentions and plans, all plans are subject to unforeseen circumstances (such as those experienced to date) that will naturally arise and which may lead to further revisions; -- The Company successfully completed the installation of an Electrical Submersible Pump ("ESP") in its main oil producing well, AKD-01. The ESP has been operating as expected although some periods of downtime have been experienced due to issues with generators and the availability of trucking, in part due to extreme weather conditions. AKD-01 was therefore not on production throughout the whole of June and July although these issues have now been overcome and current production from the well is circa 2,100 bopd with an approximate 55% water-cut; -- On June 23, 2017 the Company held its AGM and announced that all resolutions put to shareholders at the meeting were passed on a poll at the meeting, including over 99% of all votes cast in favour of the re- election of the current board members; -- In June, the Company completed the relocation of its main administrative office in Kazakhstan from Almaty to Aktobe where it already had an office. Tethys' field operations and exploration acreage are both in the Aktobe region in the west of Kazakhstan and Aktobe is the main regional centre. The Company expects to achieve annualized cost savings of at least USD600,000 from amalgamating the two offices; -- The cancellation of the standard listing of the Company's ordinary shares from the Official List of the UKLA and trading in the shares on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, which was announced in March took effect on May 2, 2017. This followed a determination by the Company that the costs of maintaining a dual listing on the London and Toronto stock exchanges was unnecessarily expensive for a company of Tethys' size. The shares will continue to trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange; -- The Company has previously had two share registers, a register maintained by Capita Asset Services in the UK and a register maintained by TSX Trust Company in Canada. The shareholdings on the Capita register in the UK were transferred to the TSX Trust register in Canada following the Company's Annual General Meeting on June 23, 2017 which will result in further cost savings for the Company; -- The Company has arranged for TSX Trust to provide shareholders with access to Direct Registration Service (DRS), the global standard for securities ownership in which securities are owned, recorded and transferred electronically. Shareholders who wish to use DRS will still have all the same rights and privileges as previously, without the necessity of having a physical share certificate, although a physical certificate can still be issued on request. Information for shareholders who wish to transfer their shares to DRS is available on the Company's website. No action is required to be taken by Tethys shareholders unless they wish to use the DRS service.

Significant events and transactions subsequent to the period end

-- Tethys and its partner in Georgia, Georgia Oil and Gas Limited ("GOG"), have proposed to the State Agency of Oil and Gas in the Ministry of Energy of Georgia ("the Agency") to amend the existing minimum work programmes for License Blocks XI(M) and XI(N) to allow further time to evaluate, through additional geological studies, the possibility of running 2D seismic surveys on the license areas or, alternatively, to relinquish the licenses and terminate the PSCs without application of any sanctions or penalties. The Agency has responded positively to the proposals and confirmed in writing that it has commenced the legal process to review and amend the PSCs. Tethys and GOG also notified the Agency of their decision to relinquish License Block XI(A) and terminate the PSC as work performed to date indicates it has low prospectivity and Tethys and GOG do not wish to commit further investment to it.

The full Q2 results, together with Management's Discussion and Analysis, have been filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Copies of the filed documents may be obtained via SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on the Tethys website at www.tethyspetroleum.com. The summary financial statements are attached to this press release.

The Company's Q2 2017 financial statements are prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

A barrel of oil equivalent ("boe") conversion ratio of 6,000 cubic feet (169.9 cubic metres) of natural gas = 1 barrel of oil has been used and is based on the standard energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

Disclaimer

Some of the statements in this document are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the intent, belief and current expectations of the Company or its officers with respect to the potential that exists in both exploration and in discovered deposits in Central Asia and the Caspian Region, the annualized savings from the relocation of its Kazakhstan office to Aktobe, the cost, timing, payment for and outcome of the shallow gas well drilling program and the whether the Agency in Georgia will approve the proposed work programme amendments. When used in this document, the words "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "may," "will," "should" and similar expressions, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are not promises or guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those suggested by any such statements including risks and uncertainties with respect to the potential that exists in both exploration and in discovered deposits in Central Asia and the Caspian Region, the annualized savings from the relocation of its Kazakhstan office to Aktobe, the cost, timing, payment for and outcome of the shallow gas well drilling program and the whether the Agency in Georgia will approve the proposed work programme amendments.

No part of this announcement constitutes, or shall be taken to constitute, an invitation or inducement to invest in the Company or any other entity, and shareholders of the Company are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Save as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake to update or change any forward-looking statements to reflect events occurring after the date of this announcement.

See our Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2016 for a description of risks and uncertainties relevant to our business, including our exploration activities.

See also notes 10 and 14 of our June 30, 2017 Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the status of loan restructuring and an update on litigations, claims and assessments involving the Company and its subsidiaries.

About Tethys

Tethys is focused on oil and gas exploration and production activities in Central Asia and the Caspian Region. This highly prolific oil and gas area is rapidly developing and Tethys believes that significant potential exists in both exploration and in discovered deposits.

Tethys Petroleum Limited Consolidated Statement of Financial Position (unaudited) (in thousands of US dollars) As at June 30, December 31, 2017 2016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Non-current assets Intangible assets 42,836 42,732 Property, plant and equipment 99,069 103,115 Restricted cash 2,156 2,238 Investment in joint arrangements 4 4 Trade and other receivables 1,326 1,237 Deferred tax 95 208 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 145,486 149,534 Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 817 449 Trade and other receivables 6,980 6,532 Inventories 611 676 Restricted cash 7 2,713 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8,415 10,370 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total assets 153,901 159,904 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Non-current liabilities Trade and other payables 24 44 Financial liabilities - borrowings 6,789 - Deferred tax 11,172 11,913 Provisions 944 910 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18,929 12,867 Current liabilities Financial liabilities - borrowings 26,950 33,249 Current taxation 560 522 Trade and other payables 22,396 19,838 Provisions 26 200 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 49,932 53,809 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total liabilities 68,861 66,676 Equity Share capital 5,081 5,081 Share premium 358,444 358,444 Other reserves 43,755 43,648 Accumulated deficit (328,336) (320,041) Non-controlling interest 6,096 6,096 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total equity 85,040 93,228 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total equity and liabilities 153,901 159,904 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tethys Petroleum Limited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited) (in thousands of US dollars except per share information) Three months ended Six months ended June 30 June 30 2017 2016 2017 2016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales and other revenues 2,855 3,529 3,335 6,984 Sales expenses - (733) - (1,467) Production expenses (1,513) (1,328) (2,108) (2,524) Depreciation, depletion and amortisation (2,503) (2,927) (5,070) (5,783) Administrative expenses (1,392) (1,230) (2,566) (3,025) Restructuring costs 17 (676) (101) (1,423) Share based payments (51) (81) (107) (163) Profit on sale of fixed assets - - - 10 Foreign exchange (loss)/gain (153) 50 (171) 123 Fair value gain on derivative financial instrument - 65 - 269 Finance costs (977) (2,012) (2,080) (3,942) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (6,572) (8,872) (12,203) (17,925) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loss before tax from continuing operations (3,717) (5,343) (8,868) (10,941) Taxation (188) 409 573 330 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loss from continuing operations and total comprehensive income (3,905) (4,934) (8,295) (10,611) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loss and total comprehensive income attributable to: (3,905) (4,934) s(8,295) (10,611) Shareholders (3,905) (4,776) (8,295) (10,453) Non-controlling interest - (158) - (158) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loss and total comprehensive income for the year (3,905) (4,934) (8,295) (10,611) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loss per share attributable to shareholders: Basic and diluted - from continuing operations (USD) (0.01) (0.01) (0.02) (0.03) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tethys Petroleum Limited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) (in thousands of US dollars) Three months ended Six months ended June 30 June 30 2017 2016 2017 2016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flow from operating activities Loss before tax from continuing operations (3,717) (5,343) (8,868) (10,941) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjustments for: Share based payments 51 81 107 163 Net finance cost 977 2,012 2,080 3,942 Depreciation, depletion and amortisation 2,503 2,927 5,070 5,783 Profit on sale of fixed assets - - - (10) Fair value gain on derivative financial instruments - (65) - (269) Net unrealised foreign exchange gain 51 (293) 67 (357) Movement in provisions (155) (845) (275) (1,636) Net change in working capital 2,342 (79) 2,531 (216) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash generated from/(used in) operating activities 2,052 (1,605) 712 (3,541) Corporation tax paid (10) (21) (18) (21) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities 2,042 (1,626) 694 (3,562) Cash flow from investing activities Expenditure on exploration and evaluation assets (51) (177) (104) (455) Expenditure on property, plant and equipment (58) (165) (1,004) (281) Proceeds from sale of fixed assets - 33 - 33 Movement in restricted cash 108 (3) 2,788 148 Movement in advances to construction contractors 14 (203) - (199) Movement in value added tax receivable (343) 206 (42) 428 Net change in working capital (214) 61 (228) 39 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash generated (used in)/generated from investing activities (544) (248) 1,410 (287) Cash flow from financing activities Proceeds from issuance of borrowings, net of issue costs - 1,500 - 3,500 Repayment of borrowings (502) (234) (744) (574) Interest paid on borrowings (134) (544) (754) (1,713) Movement in other non-current liabilities - (21) (21) (68) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash (used in)/generated from financing activities (636) 701 (1,519) 1,145 Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (114) 740 (217) 132 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 748 (433) 368 (2,572) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year 69 1,133 449 3,272 Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year 817 700 817 700 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Contacts:

Tethys Petroleum

info@tethyspetroleum.com

http://www.tethyspetroleum.com




WASHINGTON, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The US Government has agreed to settle Gilbert Chagoury's pending lawsuit. Mr. Chagoury filed the lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Columbia in September of 2016, seeking to hold the government responsible for leaks of false information about Mr. Chagoury, allegedly from government files. The lawsuit charged that the leaks caused great damage to his reputation and property and denied his Constitutional right to due process.

As the complaint made clear, despite his well-known love of the United States and his numerous, generous charitable contributions over 35 years of visiting America, Gilbert Chagoury was denied a visa by the United States Department of State in 2015. This decision was based on false information. Anonymous employees of the US Government then leaked information to the media about the denial of Mr. Chagoury's visa application, including the false information that led to the visa denial. The resulting reputational harm made it difficult for Mr. Chagoury to do business in the United States.

Today, in settling with Mr. Chagoury, the US Government stipulates that Mr. Chagoury does not now and never has appeared on the specially designated nationals (SDN) list and therefore the government has not blocked his assets. The government further acknowledges that no US financial institutions are precluded from conducting business with Mr. Chagoury.

In settling with Mr. Chagoury, the US Government also recognized that unauthorized leaks to the media may violate federal law and could be subject to different types of punishment or disciplinary action.

"I am pleased that the US Government has officially recognized that I am not and have never been on the SDN list, and that this matter that began due to someone spreading false and injurious information about me is finally closed," Chagoury said. "As I have often said, I have loved America my whole life because it was the land of freedom and justice. I started coming to the United States over 35 years ago and have done everything I can to help America over my long career. I hope that this agreement with the government will help me repair my reputation and will allow me to move forward from this unfortunate episode."

Contact: Mark Corallo

703-838-9705
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 28, 2017 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation ("Booz Allen" or the "Company") (NYSE: BAH) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, is on behalf of a class consisting of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Booz Allen's securities, seeking to recover compensable damages caused by defendants' violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

If you are a shareholder who purchased Booz Allen securities between May 19, 2016 and June 15, 2017, both dates inclusive, you have until August 18, 2017 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll free, ext. 9980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and number of shares purchased.

[Click here to join this class action]

Booz Allen is an American management consulting firm. The Company purports to provide management and technology consulting, engineering, analytics, digital, mission operations, and cyber solutions to governments, corporations, and not-for-profit organizations in the United States and internationally. At all relevant times, Booz Allen has derived substantially all of its revenues from services provided to the U.S. government.

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operational and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Booz Allen engaged in improper accounting practices in its contracts with the U.S. government; (ii) consequently, the Company's revenues derived from services provided to the U.S. government were inflated and unsustainable; (iii) discovery of the foregoing conduct would subject the Company to heightened regulatory scrutiny, potential criminal sanctions, and jeopardize its business relationship with the U.S. government; and (iv) as a result of the foregoing, Booz Allen's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On June 15, 2017, post-market, Booz Allen disclosed that on June 7, 2017, the Company's subsidiary Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. "was informed that the U.S. Department of Justice is conducting a civil and criminal investigation relating to certain elements of [its] cost accounting and indirect cost charging practices with the U.S. government."

On this news, Booz Allen's share price fell $7.43, or 18.89%, to close at $31.90 on June 16, 2017.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Florida, and Los Angeles, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the Dean of the Class Action Bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com.

SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/17 -- International Wastewater Systems Inc. has announced a name change to Sharc International Systems Inc. and a share consolidation of its issued and outstanding common shares on a one (1) post consolidation share for each three point five (3.5) pre-consolidation common shares. Fractional common shares that are less than one-half of a common share must be cancelled and each fractional common share that is at least one-half of a common share must be changed to one whole common share.

As a result, the outstanding shares of the company will be reduced to approximately 28,319,258.

The shares will begin trading under the new name and symbol on September 11, 2017.

Please note that all open orders will be cancelled at the end of business on September 8, 2017. Dealers are reminded to re-enter their orders taking into account the share consolidation.

Trading on a Consolidated Basis: September 11, 2017 Record Date: September 12, 2017 NEW SYMBOL: SHRC NEW CUSIP: 81948A 10 2 NEW ISIN: CA 81948A 10 2 1

Contacts:

Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE)

Listings

(416) 367-7340

Listings@thecse.com

www.thecse.com




Blue Lake Capital, a Shangai, China-based venture capital firm, is seeking to raise $200m for its second fund.

Per an SEC filing, Blue Lake Capital Fund II, L.P. has not raised funds, yet.

Led by Ray Hu, Alex Yin, Wei Haitao, Zhu Chen, Chen Haohui, Zhang Yifan, and Patrick Jiang, Blue Lake Capital looks for entrepreneurs with an ambition to build companies that change peoples lives via consumer Internet and enterprise solutions. The firm makes investments ranging from $1m to $15m.

The portfolio includes Momenta, Cloud Helios, 5 Miles, Emie, etc.

FinSMEs

28/07/2017
Perkbox, a London, UK-based digital employee engagement platform, raised a further $8.6m in venture capital funding.

Draper Esprit (AIM: GROW, ESM: GRW) increased its equity stake in Perkbox and has now invested over $12.0m.

The company intends to use the funds to expand in the UK and internationally.

Founded in 2015 by Saurav Chopra, CEO, Perkbox provides small and large companies with a digital employee engagement platform to retain and motivate employees and retain customers.

The company, which now has over 165 employees, counts Holland and Barrett, AXA, Le Pain Quotidien, Deliveroo, Worldpay, BlaBlaCar, among its customers.

Perkbox opened a new office in Sheffield, UK, last February.

FinSMEs

28/07/2017
Push Doctor, a Manchester, UK-based digital health provider, raised $26.1M in a Series B funding.

The round was led by Accelerated Digital Ventures (ADV) and Draper Esprit with participation from Oxford Capital, Partech Ventures and Seventure Partners.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and bring new complementary products and services to market.

Led by founder and CEO Eren Ozagir, and Matt Elcock, CTO, Push Doctor provides a digital health consumer platform connecting patients to a network of thousands of UK qualified GPs, giving them access to a doctor in six minutes on any device.

The service currently has over 7,000 GMC registered UK General Practitioners available and connects patients to these for secure online video consultations.

FinSMEs

28/07/2017
The European Investment Fund (EIF) and Springrowth SGR SpA has signed an agreement to subscribe 50m in the Fondo di credito diversificato per le imprese (Diversified Enterprises Credit Fund).

Diversified Enterprises Credit Fund is an alternative investment fund (closed-end alternative investment fund, reserved for professional investors) registered in Italy, with a fundraising target of 500m.

Pursuing a strategy focused on risk mitigation based on significant portfolio diversification, the vehicle aims to originate at least 100 investments both medium to long-term loans, and corporate bonds (including mini-bonds) with a focus on Italian SMEs.

Founded in 2016 and based in Milan, Springrowth is an independent asset management company led by Massimo Di Carlo, CEO, Alfonso Querejeta, Chairman, Gianluca Oricchio, Alessandro Ravogli, and Carlo Bonomi.

FinSMEs

28/07/2017
Dear Doctor: After becoming ill with bronchitis a few months ago, I was told to take 100 milligrams of the antibiotic doxycycline hyclate twice a day. Since then, Ive been unable to taste or smell anything. Is there anything I can do, or will my senses of smell and taste return on their own?

Dear Reader: The question is whether your loss of taste and smell is related to doxycycline, the illness or both. Doxycycline is a common antibiotic prescribed for bronchitis and skin infections. The first drug in this class, tetracycline, can, on rare occasion, induce taste and smell changes, with research showing that the drug can alter the taste perception of potassium chloride. Other mechanisms also appear to be involved in this loss of taste, however, such as changes in the mouths bacterial population that can ultimately lead to periodontal disease or to fungal infections within the mouth. Further, the medication itself can bind to the taste receptors.

Reports suggest that doxycycline also can lead to a loss of taste and smell. Patients who have experienced this say the loss of taste or smell occurred hours  or even up to 17 days  after starting the medication. If your symptoms are related to the medication, it may take months for your taste and smell to come back.

That said, there may be ways to improve those senses in the meantime. First, assess whether you have any lingering symptoms from your prior infection; persistent nasal or sinus inflammation could lead to a loss of smell, as could swelling within the nose related to allergies or other causes. Treating this inflammation could hasten the return of your sense of smell. If you have such a condition, your doctor should evaluate the problem; the likely recommendation would be nasal sprays, antihistamines or a specific sinus infection treatment.

Note that smoking can worsen ones taste and smell, so stopping smoking would be of benefit.

As for the sense of taste, that can be affected by a condition known as dry mouth or by a dental infection. Dry mouth occurs when your salivary glands dont produce enough saliva, whether due to injury or the autoimmune disorder Sjogrens syndrome. Artificial saliva preparations sold over the counter can help improve the sense of taste in these situations. If you have a dental infection, obviously, you should see your dentist.

Drugs other than antibiotics can also affect these particular two senses. Some blood pressure medications, for example, can affect smell, and intranasal zinc preparations can cause a complete loss of smell. (The FDA has warned against the use of these products.)

As for illness, its possible that the earlier illness was a virus, not a bacterial infection, and such illness can itself lead to the loss of taste and smell. If so, time is the greatest healer.
New Delhi: The government on Thursday told a group of Members of Parliament (MPs) that it has no plans to make Aadhaar number mandatory for booking air tickets.

At a meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on home affairs, headed by P Chidambaram, top officials said no decision has been taken by the government in this regard, an MP who attended the meeting told PTI.

The parliamentarians were assured by the officials, led by Union home secretary-designate Rajiv Gauba, that Aadhaar data is safe and there is no chance of it falling in wrong hands as the main server is placed in a foolproof system.

The queries by members of the panel were answered by the representatives of the home ministry and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the nodal authority for Aadhaar in the country.

Apart from Aadhaar, the panel also discussed various national security issues, officials said.

When the MPs asked why the government was linking Aadhaar number with banks, mobile connections, welfare schemes, they said that the decision had been taken by the political executive and they were not in a position to answer it.

Asked how citizen's privacy would be protected when the Aadhaar data is collected by private entities, the officials said the entire software is handled by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and there was no chance of falling the Aadhaar data in wrong hands, another MP said.

The officials told the lawmakers that a final decision on the privacy issues related to Aadhaar would be taken only after a verdict of the Supreme Court, which is hearing a case related to privacy.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos on Thursday became the world's richest person, as a jump in the share price of the US tech giant enabled him to overtake Microsoft founder Bill Gates, AFP reported showing.

Forbes magazine said its real-time tracking of personal fortunes showed Bezos with a net worth of $90.5 billion, ahead of the $90 billion for Gates early Thursday.

A few hours later, though, Bezos had slipped back to second place as Amazon shares pared their gains. The shares fell after the company reported a profit slump, as its rapid, costly expansion into new shopping categories and countries showed no sign of slowing, according to Reuters.

The world's largest online retailer posted second-quarter revenue of $38 billion, up 25 percent from a year earlier. Seattle-based Amazon posted a 77 percent drop in quarterly income, and even said it could lose up to $400 million in operating profit during the current quarter. Beyond reflecting retail's notoriously thin margins, the forecast signaled Amazon would invest heavily to maintain its dominance.

Shares - up nearly 40 percent this year - fell 3.2 percent to $1,012.68 in after-hours trading, according to Reuters.

Bezos owns around 17 percent of the equity of Amazon, which has been expanding from its original mission as an online retailer to a diversified tech firm in cloud computing, online video, computer hardware and artificial intelligence.

The company also recently announced plans to acquire US grocer Whole Foods, which could help Amazon expand in that sector.

Amazon shares were up 1.7 percent at $1,070.72 and have risen some 24 percent over the past four months, adding some $17 billion to the net worth of the 53-year-old Bezos.

According to Forbes, Gates has been the richest person in the magazine's annual rankings in March for the past four years and for 18 of the past 22 years. Mexican telecom magnate Carlos Slim overtook Gates from 2010 to 2013.

Among the billionaires gaining ground is Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who has an estimated worth of some $71.3 billion according to the real-time Forbes estimate.

Bezos vs Trump

While most of Bezos's wealth is in Amazon, he also owns the private space firm Blue Origin and the Washington Post newspaper.

Forbes pointed out that Gates could have been considerably wealthier, having given away more than $30 billion to philanthropic causes over the years.

Bezos has given an estimated $100 million, but recently asked users on Twitter for ideas for charitable donations which could have an impact on the world.

The billionaire notably opposed Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, but after the election appeared to give the new president a boost by announcing Amazon would add 100,000 new US jobs over 18 months.

Trump however has not spared Bezos's ventures from criticism, apparently renewing claims that he purchased the newspaper to divert attention from regulators away from Amazon.

"So many stories about me in the @washingtonpost are Fake News," Trump tweeted this week.

"Is Fake News Washington Post being used as a lobbyist weapon against Congress to keep Politicians from looking into Amazon no-tax monopoly?"

Bezos appeared intent on spending more time in the US capital, purchasing what is likely the city's largest private residence for $23 million.

Under Bezos's ownership, the Washington Post reported it was profitable in 2016, after making a series of investments in new technology and personnel.

With Amazon, Bezos is known for taking a long view. The company lost money for many years and still delivers thinner profits than many of its peers, plowing money into new investments.

(With inputs from Reuters, AFP)
New Delhi: Government auditor CAG on Friday expressed doubts over possibility of public sector banks raising about Rs 1 lakh crore from market by 2019 even as the finance ministry asserted that the large ones will succeed in tapping funds.

The Indradhanush plan (2015-19) envisage that the PSBs would raise Rs 1.1 lakh crore over 2015-19 from the market along with capital infusion of Rs 70,000 crore by the government to meet their assessed capital requirement of Rs 1.8 lakh crore under the global risk norms Basel III.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), in its report tabled in Parliament, said that so far (January 2015  March 2017), PSBs could only raise Rs 7,726 crore from the market which "raises doubts on the possibility of raising the balance, amounting to over a lakh crore from the market by 2019".

The Department of Financial Services (DFC), the report said, had informed the CAG in June 2017 that the market scenario was "quite upbeat" especially the banking stocks.

It added that stronger and bigger PSBs were nearing their 52 weeks high in stock markets and were at their highest levels in the last few years.

While the Bankex had gone down, the bigger few PSBs were doing well and their share prices were nearing 52 week high.

"DFS also replied that bigger banks, which would need nearly 60-70 percent of the capital requirement, would be in a position to raise equity from the markets in next two years," the report said.

The CAG further said there is a significant gap between book value and market value of PSB shares, with most PSBs having a lower market value, which may come in their way approaching the market for additional capital funds.

The government, as the majority shareholder, has infused capital of Rs 1,18,724 crore from 2008-09 to 2016-17 in the PSBs for meeting their capital adequacy requirements based on their performance.
Mumbai: India's falling trade deficit is giving the world's second-biggest gold consumer room to lower its import duty on bullion, a commerce ministry official said on Thursday.

A reduction in import duty would make gold cheaper in the local market and could boost demand, supporting global prices now trading near their highest in six weeks. Spot gold prices are rebounding this month after posting their first monthly loss for 2017 in June.

A lower import duty would also help in curbing gold smuggling, which the industry says is likely to rise after the hike in sales tax on gold jewellery from 1 July.

"Now the current account deficit is improving and this decision (to reduce import duty) should be taken into the budget," Manoj Dwivedi, a joint secretary at India's commerce ministry said on the sidelines of a conference.

The commerce ministry is recommending a reduction in the gold import duty to the finance ministry, Dwivedi said, although it was not clear how soon a decrease could be enacted.

A finance ministry spokesman declined to comment on the matter.

India raised import duties on gold to 10 percent in a series of hikes to August 2013, looking to curb demand to narrow a gaping current account deficit.

India's trade deficit narrowed more-than-expected to $12.96 billion in June as gold imports nearly halved from a month earlier.

The commerce ministry has "been saying the ideal rate for the industry would be 2 percent. It can be brought down in a phased manner or in one go," Dwivedi said.

Gold smuggling has been rife since India raised the import duty on the metal. The World Gold Council estimates that up to 120 tonnes of gold was smuggled into India in 2016.

India's legal imports typically stand at around 800 tonnes a year, with gold and gold jewellery used as religious donations, and wedding and holiday gifts, or as investments that can be readily turned into cash.
New Delhi: The government collected a total Rs 2,35,307.75 crore last fiscal by way of a host of cesses, including those of education, Swachh Bharat, Krishi Kalyan and other surcharges, Parliament was informed on Friday.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Finance Santosh Kumar Gangwar said the total revenue generated from education, Swachh Bharat, Krishi Kalyan and other cesses and surcharges in 2016-17 under direct tax was Rs 46,939.17 crore.

The amount generated from the aforesaid cesses and surcharges under the indirect tax category stood at Rs 1,88,368.58 crore last fiscal.

In the Budget 2015-16, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had proposed to levy a Swachh Bharat cess of up to 2 percent 'on all or certain services, if need arises'. The cess kicked in from 15 November, 2015.

Also, to a separate query, Gangwar said that till mid-June 2017, 413 benami transactions were identified since coming into effect of the amended Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 2016.

"Provisional attachment of properties under the Act was made in 233 cases. Value of properties under the attachment is Rs 813 crore," the minister said.

The benami properties attached include deposits in bank accounts, jewellery, immovable properties and the like, he added.

The Benami Transaction (Prohibition) Act, 1988, was comprehensively amended through the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amended Act, 2016, to provide for an effective regime for prohibition of such transactions. The amended Act came into effect from 1 November, 2016.

To another query, the minister said the Enforcement Directorate has registered 2,349 cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), conducted 736 searches and issued 789 provisional orders attaching property worth of RS 2,299 crore. It has arrested 130 persons and filed 370 prosecution complaints till June 30, 2017, under the PMLA.

As on 12 July, 2017, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has removed 1,62,618 companies from the Register of Companies by following the due process under the Section 248 of the Companies Act, 2013, Gangwar replied to a separate question.
New Delhi: India's nationwide Goods and Services Tax (GST) was meant to unify the $2 trillion economy and make it easier for companies to transact across state borders. Nearly a month on, many are finding that doing business is more complicated than ever.

Ambiguous rules under the new, multi-rate sales tax that went into effect on 1 July have left firms confused on how to price their products. The tax's complex structure - four main rates ranging from 5 to 28 percent - has hurt sales and risks denting economic growth and government revenues in the months ahead.

Airlines, for example, are uncertain whether to tax premium economy seats as economy or business class - at rates of 5 percent or 12 percent, respectively. Auto repair shops face a similar quandary as GST rates vary for different jobs.

"People are either overcharging or undercharging for their work," said Surinder Paul, who runs one workshop in South Delhi.

Even computer maker HP Inc, which is marketing a laptop product to help small businesses comply with the new tax, is seeking clarity.

Under the GST, desktops and laptops are taxed at 18 percent, while multi-function printers and monitors attract a 28 percent charge.

"Monitors, CPUs and other parts of a computer are imported as a single unit," said Poonam Madan, a tax official at HP. "What rate do we charge - 18 or 28 percent?"

Billed as India's biggest tax reform since independence in 1947, the GST replaced more than a dozen federal and state levies and was meant to unify the country into a single market.

While teething troubles were expected, the ensuing chaos has some officials worrying about the repercussions for Asia's third-largest economy. Annual growth slowed in the January-March quarter to 6.1 percent, its weakest pace in more than two years.

If growth slows further, federal finances would face pressure. A big test will come in September, when a grace period on filing complete monthly GST returns ends.

A survey by tax software provider Tally Solutions found that more than 40 percent of small businesses were still not up to speed on how the GST works and two-thirds hadn't yet installed compliance software.

Tax crash course

New Delhi has launched an active outreach programme to educate companies and explain different provisions of the new tax. The exercise has also become a crash course for tax officials in the anomalies of the new tax structure.

Officials have discovered that holiday tour operators are charging the new tax not only for services provided in India but also for those offered abroad.

While vegetable seeds remain tax exempt, paddy, cereal and corn seeds now attract 5 percent tax. This has hit sales at companies such as Monsanto, whose local seed merchants have no experience of paying tax.

"Our sales are getting hammered at a time when they would normally be booming," Arindam Lahiri, Monsanto's taxation lead in Asia & Africa, told Reuters. "This anomaly needs to be fixed urgently."

Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia, overseeing the GST rollout, tweeted this week that nearly 8 million businesses were enrolled to pay the tax and the transition "is going on smoothly". He did not respond to a request for comment.

But for some companies it has been anything but smooth.

Tobacco firms such as ITC Ltd were blindsided by further rule changes after the GST went into effect. These firms lost more than $7 billion in stock market value last week after the government suddenly hiked cigarette taxes.

New Delhi's rationale for the increase was that the GST had unintentionally handed tobacco companies a windfall profit.

Adding to the pain, a couple of Indian states raised local taxes or imposed new levies in a challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'one nation, one tax' mantra.

The GST was originally expected to boost India's economic growth by as much as 2 percentage points. But a convoluted structure has made many economists mark down their expectations.

If anything, growth dividends are expected to accrue only over time, and not even the government's chief economic adviser, Arvind Subramanian, is daring to estimate its near-term impact.

"GST in its current form fails to harmonise tax rates across products or enhance ease of doing business significantly," analysts at Jefferies said in a note.
New Delhi: The e-commerce segment in India is growing and is likely to touch US $33 billion this fiscal, the Parliament was informed on Friday.

In the 2016-17 fiscal, the online market had grown by 19 percent, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs C R Chaudhary said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

"India's e-commerce market is estimated to be US $33 billion in the financial year 2017," he said, quoting industry body NASSCOM's latest estimates.

On consumer complaints, the minister said that as many as 28,770 complaints were registered against the segment on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) last fiscal.

Around 11,596 complaints were related to non-refund of payment while the rest were about defective products delivery, deficient services and poor quality/fake products, he added.

"The complaints are forwarded to the companies concerned for resolution," he said.

If consumer complaints are not resolved and if there is no response from the company, then consumers are advised to approach appropriate consumer forum, he added.

At present, there is a three-tier quasi-judicial mechanism in place for redressal of consumer grievances at district, state and national level.

To protect consumer interest, he said, the government has made several provisions to strengthen the consumer grievance redressal mechanism in a bill which was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August 2015.
New Delhi: FMCG major Marico on Friday said its wholly-owned subsidiary Marico South Africa has acquired hair styling brand Isoplus for 75 million South African Rand (over Rs 36 crore) from JM Products Pty.

The acquisition will strengthen Marico's portfolio to make it a complete ethnic hair care player in that country.

"Marico South Africa Pty Ltd (MSA) on Friday announced the acquisition of business including intellectual property rights of Isoplus from JM Products Pty Ltd and Mary L Harris," its owner, Marico said in a statement.

JM Products is an African-American owned company that manufactures hair care products in South Africa.

Commenting on the deal, Marico MD and CEO Saugata Gupta said: "This bolt-on acquisition plugs a critical gap in Marico's portfolio in the ethnic care space in South Africa"

The acquisition includes manufacturing facilities, working capital and all intellectual property rights owned by JM Products and Mary L Harris.

"This strategic buyout will enable MSA to become a full spectrum ethnic hair care company in South Africa," Marico said.

Marico is currently present in South Africa through brands like Caivil, Black Chic, Hercules, Medi-pac, among others.

"The strength of the brand Isoplus, coupled with years of sales and marketing expertise developed within, will enable us to grow both -- the category and our presence in the category in the long run," MSA MD and Business Head John Mason said.
ELKO The BLM is planning to gather more than 6,000 horses off the range between Wells and Ely this fall  the biggest roundup in years.

The agency is seeking public comments on an environmental assessment to remove horses from within and outside the Antelope and Triple B wild horse complexes to reduce overpopulation and help prevent further damage to herd health and rangeland resources.

The BLM estimates the herds in this area of Elko and White Pine counties are more than four times the target population size.

The agency is proposing to remove 6,737 of the estimated horse population of approximately 7,739, which does not include new foals born this year. The combined appropriate management level in the two herd areas is 899-1,678 horses.

The proposed roundup comes more than a year after Nevadas BLM chief and Gov. Brian Sandoval called for the removal of 4,000 horses from the region.

The BLM says removing the excess animals would enable the agency to improve vegetation, habitat, and watershed health. Removing excess animals would also continue to make significant progress toward achieving the Standards for Rangeland Health identified by the Northeastern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council, the BLM stated.

Some horses would be released back into the complexes, which cover more than 3.8 million acres between U.S. Highway 93 and the Utah border. Fertility control treatments, sex ratio adjustments and management of a portion of the male population as non-reproducing geldings would be addressed in the EA.

Interested individuals should mail written comments to the BLM Elko District Office, 3900 Idaho Street, Elko, NV 89801 Attn: Marc Jackson, Wells Field Manager. Comments may also be provided through blm_nv_eldowellshorsegathers@blm.gov.
Mumbai: The Securities Appellate Tribunal on Friday rejected Sahara's plea against a Sebi order cancelling its mutual fund licence, but granted the company six weeks' time to approach the Supreme Court.

Sebi had ordered cancellation of 'certificate of registration' of Sahara Mutual Fund in July 2015, while barring the fund house from taking any further subscription from investors, after the regulator found the group was "no longer fit and proper to carry on the business of mutual fund".

Sebi also ordered transfer of the business to another asset management company, to be followed by re-constitution of its board of trustees, failing which Sahara Mutual Fund was asked to redeem units allotted to all investors and thereafter wind up the operations.

After hearing Sahara's plea against these directions, the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) on Friday upheld Sebi's order saying it found "no merit in the appeal".

After the order was pronounced by the SAT, the counsel for the appellants made an oral appeal for staying the operation of the order for a period of six weeks to enable the appellants to approach the Supreme Court.

"Accordingly, six weeks stay is granted," the SAT said in its 21-page order.

As per the latest data published by the mutual fund industry body AMFI (Association of Mutual Funds in India), Sahara Mutual Fund had average asset under management of about Rs 67 crore as on June-end 2017.

The Sebi order followed findings by the regulator that Sahara India Financial Corporation Ltd (sponsor for mutual fund) was not a 'fit and proper person' because its Promoter-Director was not 'fit and proper' and hence Sahara MF and Sahara Asset Management Company were no longer 'fit and proper' to carry on the business of mutual fund.

"The present appeal before us is regarding the fit and proper status of a Promoter/Director of Sahara Sponsor who holds about 80 percent of its capital and who controls all Sahara Group Companies and hence on the fit and proper status of Sahara Sponsor to continue as Sponsor of a mutual fund in the context of Sebi/Supreme Court orders against (Subrata Roy) Sahara and two Sahara Group Companies," the SAT observed.

It noted that the mutual fund regulations state that the sponsor company as well as its key managerial persons or key person who controls the company is to be fit and proper.

The Tribunal said the law empowers Sebi to take actions in the interest of protecting investors and hence lifting the corporate veil to the extent to identify who controls a regulated entity cannot be faulted.

"Without such a power, Sebi will be a mute spectator to many of the corporate misdeeds which may jeopardise the interests of investors. Given the mandate of Sebi to protect the interests of the investors in the securities market, Sebi is statutorily empowered to lift the corporate veil and find out the truth whenever interests of the investors are affected or likely to be affected," it said.

It also referred to Sebi having itself found that two Sahara group firms and its directors were not conducting their business as per rules of public issue and were restrained from associating themselves with any listed company or company which intends to raise money from the public.

"It was also found that one of the Promoters/Directors is prima facie holding absolute control over the group companies," SAT said.

The Tribunal also referred to its earlier order in Financial Technologies India Ltd versus Sebi case, upholding a Sebi order that found the appellant firm and directors were not 'fit and proper' solely based on the decision of the erstwhile regulator Forward Markets Commission.

The SAT also said that subsequent to Sebi order against Sahara Mutual Fund, the RBI had cancelled the certificate of registration granted to the Sahara sponsor to carry on the activities of NBFC and also initiated steps to wind up the Sahara sponsor under the RBI Act, while Allahabad High Court restrained the company from alienating its assets.
Indu Sarkar is Madhur Bhandarkars cleverly titled film on the 1975-77 period when then prime minister Indira Gandhi got President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed to declare a state of Emergency across the country, allowing her, in effect, to be a Constitutional dictator. It is one of the most dismal phases in Indias post-Independence history, marked by the imprisonment of all Indiras political opponents, a clamp-down on free speech and the press, and several human rights violations including, most famously, a programme of forced mass sterilisation of men across age groups.

With the Emergency in the foreground, Bhandarkar brings to us the story of the titular protagonist (played by Kirti Kulhari), an orphan in Delhi who has spent her entire life trying to overcome a congenital stammer. Teenaged and surnameless, Indu wants nothing more than to be a good wife to some man some day. On the eve of the Emergency, she meets a Bengali named Navin Sarkar (Tota Roy Choudhury), a government official whose star is rising due to his known proximity to a prominent Congress politician. Indu and Navin marry, and she lives out an opinionless existence as his servile spouse until one day during the Emergency, she happens to venture into Turkman Gate area in Delhi, where the police are engaged in a street battle with residents opposing the bulldozing of their houses by the sarkar (government).

Indu is fictional but the police firing on civilians during the Turkman Gate slum demolition is very much a part of recorded history. Our heroines life changes forever when she brings home two children whose parents go missing in the melee that day.

There is rich irony in the fact that some Muslims believe Turkman Gate exemplified Indiras son Sanjay Gandhis anti-Muslim agenda (read Turkman Gate relives Emergency horror, The Times of India, June 2015, and John Dayal and Ajoy Boses book For Reasons of State: Delhi Under the Emergency, excerpted on The Wire in June 2015). The irony comes from the fact that Congress has always positioned itself as a secular party, and is currently at loggerheads with the ruling BJP, which makes no bones about its majoritarian, anti-minority agenda.

Bhandarkar  a committed admirer of the BJP  is clearly conscious of the parallels, which should explain why he completely excludes Sanjays wife Maneka Gandhi from Indu Sarkar. No doubt, portraying Maneka in the film would have been most inconvenient, considering that she was reportedly constantly by Sanjays side through the Emergency, yet she is a Union Minister in the present BJP government and her son Feroz Varun Gandhi is also a BJP member.

If Bhandarkar had had the courage to reference Maneka in his film, he could have made a cutting statement on how, at least in the context of the Congress' attacks on minorities during the Emergency and the BJP's anti-minorityism since its inception in the 1980s, these parties are two sides of the same coin.

He does not. Instead, he chooses to appease the present establishment, erasing Maneka from the Emergency and showing Sanjay throughout the film in the company of other known figures from that period: prototypes of his real-life shadows Rukhsana Sultana, VC Shukla and Jagdish Tytler among others. (Sanjay, oddly enough, is named Chief and not Sanjay here, Sultanas surname is only mentioned in passing, the others are not named but each is styled to resemble the person they are obviously based on.)

The writer-directors lack of academic objectivity is his films Achilles heel. Still, Indu Sarkar is interesting in certain ways. The leading lady, for one, is a telling metaphor for the voiceless who find their voice when faced with extreme injustice. The talented and underrated Kulhari, who was brilliant in last years Pink, lends relatable sensitivity to Indu. Neil Nitin Mukesh manages to extract something out of his role, even though Sanjay Gandhi is written here with no nuance and no graph whatsoever. Mukeshs styling as Sanjay is remarkable. Seeing him on screen is almost like seeing the late politicians doppelganger.

With the benefit of a better-developed part, Tota Roy Choudhury is notable as Indus authoritarian husband, as is Satyajeet Sharma playing the Minister Om Nath. (Note: Choudhury's name is misspelt in the credits as "Totaroy Chaudhary").

These positives, however, are overshadowed by Indu Sarkars political iffiness and often shallow writing. For one, apart from Indu, Navin and Om Nath, the rest are all cardboard cutouts and hangers-on. In choosing to downplay the other Indu, namely Indira (and by that I mean not just her fleeting appearance in Indu Sarkar but also in what appears to be her limited role in the goings on), Bhandarkar unwittingly lays almost the entire blame for Emergency atrocities on Sanjay. The character played by Anupam Kher, leader of a group of non-violent, anti-Emergency activists, is clearly an allusion to Jayaprakash Narayan  in Indu Sarkar the great man is reduced to a one-line concept.

In failing to rein in his biases, the director has missed an opportunity with Indu Sarkar. The Case of the Missing Maneka is one of many questionable choices he makes here. By casually setting the films first mass sterilisation scene in a largely Muslim area, he appears to be wordlessly pandering to the prevailing Hum paanch, hamare pachchees (We five, our 25) prejudice against the Muslim community in the country.

Bhandarkar, who once made that lovely Chandni Bar (2001) with Tabu, has delivered a qualitative downslide post-Fashion in 2008. His Heroine (2012) was steeped in cliches, and 2015s Calendar Girls was both crass and regressive. To be fair, Indu Sarkars writing (story and screenplay by Anil Pandey and Bhandarkar, dialogues by Sanjay Chhel) is more mature than those last two films. We are certainly spared his by-now-predictable template (such as satellite scenes in which household help and others from less advantaged economic classes discuss their bosses, a stereotypical gay supporting character, etc), which is a huge relief.

However, better does not mean good. While Indu Sarkars narrative is more engaging than Bhandarkars recent works, it is still inadequate.

At one point, an important character in Indu Sarkar reminds a lawyer that she is anti-government, not anti-national, deshdrohi nahin, sarkar virodhi. It is a comment perfectly suited to the Emergency, while also mirroring present-day India where anyone who questions the ruling party, the prime minister or the government is labelled anti-national by their supporters, and where several commentators have spoken of the country being in a state of undeclared Emergency. Imagine how beautifully that statement could have been used to remind us that humanity repeats the mistakes of the past because we ignore our history. For that to happen though, Indu Sarkar required writing of greater depth and analysis, with less political selectiveness. As things stand, it is a matter-of-fact narration of certain events, with very little layering, elevated by good acting. We know the Emergency happened. Can you provide us with insights that go beyond mere facts? And if you cannot, what is the point?

To say that Indu Sarkar is better than Heroine and Calendar Girls is hardly a compliment to the man who made Chandni Bar and Page 3.
The anticipation keeps building, as more details emerge about the 25th film in the James Bond franchise. Amidst rumours of Daniel Craig being cast in the lead role yet again, we now have a clearer idea of who may direct this film.

Previously, it was said that Christopher Nolan was being considered, but now, Deadline reports that Yann Demange, Denis Villeneuve and David Mackenzie are the front runners for this position.

French director Yann Demange is best known for helming two TV series Dead Set and Top Boy, as well as the 2014 film '71. His upcoming project is White Boy Rick, a crime drama which stars Matthew McConaughey. Denis Villeneuve's Sicario and Arrival made waves at the Academy Awards, and David Mackenzie's Hell or High Water premiered at the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival.

The previous Bond films featuring Daniel Craig were directed by Martin Campbell, Marc Forster and Sam Mendes. The upcoming one will be written by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, the writers of Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre.

This James Bond film is slated to release on 8 November 2019, which means that it will clash with an untitled Disney film.

The film is also on the lookout for a new distributor, as its deal with Sony has ended. It is being speculated that Warner Bros is likely to distribute it, reports Variety.

The first film in the James Bond franchise was released in 1962. These films are based on the book series written by Ian Fleming. Apart from Daniel Craig, six other actors have played the role of the British spy.
Its the film posters on the walls of director Tigmanshu Dhulias office that catch your attention when you enter. Deciphering the man becomes easier once you've gone through these  a black and white poster of Martin Scorseses Taxi Driver at the entrance, one of Paul Newman inside. A framed poster of Bandit Queen is in the passageway, on the way to the pantry.

The man himself seems tense and exhausted  an expected part of having a film release. The film in question is Raag Desh  about the trials of soldiers of the Indian National Army (INA) during World War II, by the British, at Red Fort. So does the title give an accurative picture about the film? It could be misleading, but the poster too is saying something," says Tigmanshu. "When Dabangg had released, half the people who heard of it had no clue what it actually meant. People start getting a hang of things during the promotional phase. The Red Fort trial was also the last push we gave to the Britishers. We were looking for an appropriate title and then I came across this classical Indian raga called Desh Raag, and thus the title, he explains.

Tigmanshu got the idea to make a film on the subject from Gurdeep Singh Sappal, CEO of Rajya Sabha TV. Apart from the Red Fort trial, he had also suggested films on Sardar Patel and Subhash Chandra Bose. While Shyam Benegal had already brought Bose alive on celluloid, a film on Sardar Patel did not excite Tigmanshu, as Sardar by Ketan Mehta was also his first film as an assistant director. Tigmanshu felt he never would have stumbled on the idea for Raag Desh in the regular Bollywood set-up.

Not that Tigmanshu's previous films have tread 'typical Bollywood' turf.

With films like Haasil, Paan Singh Tomar and Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster, Tigmanshu established his credentials as a filmmaker who knew and understood the hinterland of India. With a dearth of good directors in the industry, Tigmanshu could have easily worked with A-listers, but never ventured beyond Irrfan Khan and Saif Ali Khan. So did he never approach popular actors in the past? Of course I did. I do think of working with the popular lot, but I cannot trail them. I find it difficult to trail a star, ask for appointments to meet them and then eventually being told to come the next day and the day after, and so on so forth. I cant do these things. I did not do these things even when I was new to the industry. No one can be bigger than me in my film. If things are falling within the purview of my terms and conditions then I am okay with it, says Tigmanshu, adding that he has an issue with the coterie that comes along with a big star. Stars are willing to work with the third and fourth assistants of the 'big' directors of the industry. They work in such films for some other reason and its not because of the film. It's difficult for me to be in sync with such people.

As Tigmanshu's aide brings in tea and snacks, the conversation veers towards the small screen. The West has been witnessing a crossover of known names from the cinema fraternity towards TV and web. Martin Scorsese, Steven Soderbergh and David Fincher have worked on TV projects  will Bollywood see a similar trend? Definitely yes, and the foremost reason would be the cost of ticket pricing," replies Tigmanshu. "In a few years from now, theatres will screen only VFX-heavy films. A certain segment of writers who believe and specialise in the genre of dramas and thrillers are opposed to this new trend. They decided that they would do things for TV and web. British TV was always superior to American TV but after this migration, the level of American TV has risen significantly. Here too, similar things will happen and Baahubali has sort of initiated (it). In the future, only big films will run in theatres and the rest will go to web. Does Tigmanshu see himself joining the bandwagon? I will rule the web world, if I get the opportunity! I will be the Karan Johar of the web, he says.

Among all his films, Bullet Raja is the one that's sort of a black patch on Tigmanshu's career. He recalls that he decided to make the film under the influence of two his favourite filmmakers, Vijay Anand and Raj Khosla, who played with all possible genres. According to Tigmanshu, the presentation of the film went for a toss and it went against his image. Had Bullet Raja carried the name of some other director, the film would not have been panned so much, he says.

Not many know that this alumnus of the National School of Drama, in the initial days of his career, assisted stalwarts like Shekhar Kapur and Mani Ratnam. While he did the casting for Bandit Queen, he also wrote the dialogues for Dil Se, apart from selling a railway ticket to Shah Rukh Khan in a scene. Does he miss the filmmakers he worked with? I dont miss them but I do look forward to their work. I often get to meet Shekhar ji. Most of the times he drops by my office unannounced, Tigmanshu says.

After having wowed audiences with his strong performance in Anurag Kashyaps Gangs of Wasseypur, the director will face the camera once again for Aanand L Rais film, in which he is slated to play the role of Shah Rukhs father. With his NSD degree and acting chops, why is Tigmanshu so camera shy? I have certain rules for acting in films. No one can touch me and no one can slap me in a film. I have no issues if someone kills me with a bullet  as we all saw in GoW. These are my small set of rules. If I take a liking to a role, I will do it free of charge.

The final question for Tigmanshu can only relate to Irrfan Khan. Is there any project cooking between the duo? Tigmanshu shares that hey have been working on an idea, then adds: With Irrfan, I have reached such a stage that I cant do (just) any film with him. Our combination is almost like a franchise and I dont want to disturb it.
Hyderabad: Leading Telugu actor Ravi Teja on Friday appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Hyderabad drug racket.

The actor reached Abkari Bhavan, the office of the Prohibition and Excise Department of Telangana, around 10 am.

A four-member team of SIT officials began questioning the actor with regard to the racket busted in July.

Like other actors grilled over last two weeks, Ravi would be questioned about his alleged links with the accused arrested in the case.

Popularly known as 'mass Maharaja' in film circles, Ravi will also be asked if he is addicted to drugs.

He was summoned for questioning after his contact number was found in the call data of Calvin Mascrenhas and Zeeshan Ali, the two key accused arrested in the case.

Last week, Ravi's mother denied the allegations that he uses drugs.

He is the ninth Tollywood celebrity to be questioned in the case. The SIT questioned actresses Charmme Kaur and Mumaith Khan over the last two days.
Off late, producing films has become as big a business as acting in Bollywood, with various actors running their own production houses. Anushka Sharma, Priyanka Chopra, Sonam Kapoor  all these women produce film, apart from managing a full-fledged acting career.

The latest actor to express interest in production is Katrina Kaif. As per a DNA interview, the actress is considering foraying into the field of production soon.

Production houses are also giving actors the opportunity to star in films of their choice. Anushka and brother Karnesh Sharma's Clean Slate films has been consistently churning out refreshing, women-centric films  NH10, Phillauri and the upcoming horror flick Pari, which looks equally promising.

For Kaif, the prerequisite for opening a banner is having people one can put their trust in. She says she will need assistance with the logistical aspects of opening a production company, however, she is not rushing into things just yet.

On the kind of films she would like to make, she maintains she does not believe in categorising movies. "A film is a film and it connects with you or it doesnt," says Kaif in the same DNA interview. The actress was last seen in Anurag Basu's adventure comedy Jagga Jasoos, alongside Ranbir Kapoor.

In the past, there were reports of the actress buying the rights to a French film. She clarified that she tried to buy the rights of He Loves Me...He Loves Me Not. However, things did not work out the way she would have wanted them to.
Akshay Kumar is making sure he taps every opportunity to promote in the run up to the release of Toilet: Ek Prem Katha. Kumar will be seen alongside Bhumi Pednekar in the Shree Narayan Singh's directorial.

According to Mumbai Mirror, Kumar revealed that the original title of the film was Sandas: Ek Prem Katha, at a recent promotional event.

The actor recently met with the clean-up marshals of Mumbai as part of a promotional event for his upcoming film. Apart from praising the workers, he also intently listened to their problems.

Toilet: Ek Prem Katha is the story about a woman who leaves her husband because of the absence of a toilet in the house.

Despite picking a subject that has been largely unexplored in Bollywood and using the film as a social corrective, the actor revealed that the script was lying around for about four years.

After facing multiple rejections, the film is here and is creating a lot of buzz. Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Sawchh Bharat Abhiyan, the film urges everyone to take charge and not wait for others to bring about changes in the country.

Toilet: Ek Prem Katha will hit the screens on 11 August.
Bengaluru: A city-based advocate has lodged a complaint with the anti-corruption bureau urging it to initiate probe into various jail irregularities, including the Rs 2 crore paid in bribe by AIADMK (Amma) general secretary VK Sasikala for preferential treatment in prison.

"I have lodged a complaint with the ACB, urging it to initiate inquiry into the irregularities including Rs 2 crore exchanging hands to provide special facilities to Sasikala, inside Parapanna Agrahara Central Prison," S Nataraj Sharma told PTI in Bengaluru.

The onus is now on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, whose brainchild the ACB is, to initiate inquiry by lodging an FIR against corrupt officials who have been named in former deputy inspector general (prisons) D Roopa's report, Sharma said.

However, he added that if the ACB does not initiate inquiry he would move the High Court seeking judicial inquiry into the episode.

He also termed as "incomprehensible" the reason for former Karnataka director general of police (prisons) HN Sathyanarayana Rao serving a notice on Roopa seeking a public apology.

"It is out of comprehension, why should Rao, in a hurry, serve a legal notice to Roopa? He could have waited for Vinay Kumar's report," he said.

"You (D Roopa) are required to get an apology duly published in all leading newspapers in the next three days, failing which I will be constrained to initiate appropriate legal proceedings both civil and criminal against you to recover damages from you and the same is quantified as Rs 50 crore tentatively," Rao had said in the notice.

Rao also had said he would be approaching the income tax department to find out the "trail of Rs 2 crore".

The Karnataka government had shunted out Roopa on 17 July.

Roopa, in an audio clip sent to PTI on Wednesday, said she had "done her duty".

Further, Sharma urged the ACB to take a lead from a confessional statement made by Australia-based NRI VC Prakash to the Delhi Police in connection with the election commission bribery case.

Prakash had confessed that he had helped arranging meetings between the AIADMK party leaders, including deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran and Sasikala, inside Parapana Agrahara prison as he "knew some jail officials".

The confessional statement of Prakash says, "Mallikarjun (a close aide of Dinakaran) also asked me to help organise their meetings with Sasikala lodged in Bangalore jail as I knew some jail officials."

Prakash, who was till recently holding a minister of state rank in the government, also had confessed that he had helped Mallikarjun, to send Rs 2 crore to Delhi.

Sharma also urged the ACB to investigate into the reason for Roopa to release photographs of alleged irregularities to media before reaching it to the higher officer or the government.

"Was there any threat to her to do so?" he asked.

Sharma also urged the ACB to investigate into Roopa's charge that about 18 out of 28 inmates were proved using ganja in prison on her inspection.
Beijing: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi on Thursday discussed "major problems" in bilateral ties, the foreign ministry in Beijing said after the first high-level meeting between India and China since the military standoff erupted in the Sikkim sector on 16 June.

The Chinese foreign ministry, in a brief readout on Doval-Yang meeting, said Yang "elaborated China's position on bilateral issues and major problems", which is being seen as an apparent reference to the standoff in the Doka La area.

China's state-run Xinhua news agency also reported that Yang met separately with Doval and his other counterparts from South Africa and Brazil. Though there were no direct reference to the Sikkim standoff in the Xinhua report, it said the talks between Doval and Yang included bilateral relations, international and regional issues and multilateral affairs.

Though China had maintained that there won't be a meaningful dialogue without the unconditional withdrawal of Indian troops, India has been maintaining that the unilateral action by China to build a road in the area was altering the status quo and had serious security implications for India.

India has also been pitching for a diplomatic solution to resolve the standoff but sought simultaneous withdrawal of troops of both the sides from the tri-junction with Bhutan. However, the Chinese official media has been carrying a blistering campaign accusing India of trespassing into the Chinese territory.

Doval arrived in Beijing on Wednesday to take part in the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) NSAs meeting being hosted by Yang, who, like Doval, is the Special Representative for India-China boundary talks. His visit has raised expectations about the likelihood of India and China finding a way-out of the over the month-long standoff.

While the media had no access to Thursday's meetings, it will be allowed to cover Friday's joint meeting of the NSAs of the five-member bloc.

Doval, along with other heads of the delegations, will also call on Chinese President Xi Jinping Friday evening.

About the BRICS NSAs meeting, the Chinese foreign ministry on Monday said that the meeting on security issues is a major platform for BRICS countries to discuss and conduct cooperation in politics and security fields. "It bears great significance for these countries to strengthen strategic communication, enhance political mutual trust and elevate their impact on global affairs."

As agreed by all parties, those at the meeting will discuss on topics including global governance, anti-terrorism, internet security and energy security, as well as major international and regional hot spot issues and national security and development, Lu said.

The military standoff began on 16 June when Chinese troops attempted to lay a road in the Dokalam area. Doka La is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Dokalam, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region.

India and China share a 220-km-long border in Sikkim section.
New Delhi: National auditor CAG has said a 30 percent failure rate was found in the surface-to-air missiles Akash during testing and held that such deficiencies posed an operational risk during hostilities.

In a report tabled in the Lok Sabha on Friday, the Comptroller and Auditor General said the strategic missile system procured from the state-run Bharat Electronics Ltd was deficient in quality. The missiles were to be deployed on the China border.

The report said missile systems were to be installed at the six designated sites between 2013 and 2015. But till date, none of the missile systems procured at a cost of Rs 3,619 crore has been installed due to delay in execution of civil works at the sites concerned.

The CAG did not mention the name of the strategic missile but sources said the auditor was referring to the Akash missiles.

"Out of 80 missiles received up to November 2014, 20 missiles were test fired during April-November 2014. Six of these missiles that is 30 per cent, failed the test," the CAG said in the report.

The auditor said as the failure rate of the sample tested was as high as 30 percent, action needs to be taken to establish the reliability of factory acceptance test of the remaining missiles.

Preliminary failure analysis report, the CAG said, revealed that the missiles fell short of the target and had lower than the required velocity. There was also malfunctioning of critical units.

"Two missiles had failed to take off because the booster nozzle had failed. These deficiencies posed an operational risk during hostilities," the CAG said.

In view of the threat perception, the government had approved the induction of the strategic missile in the Northeast sector to provide the necessary deterrence and counter possible threat from China.

The CAG said failure analysis of the first three failed missiles was completed in August 2014 while that of another three missiles was completed in May 2016.

"IAF replied that action for replacement of the failed missiles was being undertaken. IAF also stated that BEL had replaced the three failed missiles in January 2016 and the remaining three missiles were yet to be replaced.

"Audit is of the view that it is not just a matter of replacing the missiles that failed in the test. As the failure rate of the sample tested was as high as 30 percent, action needs to be taken to establish the reliability of the balance 'Z' missiles," the CAG said.

The CAG was also not ready to accept Indian Air Force's argument that the delay in commissioning of missile system was not attributable to non-availability of infrastructure, but the delay by BEL in the supply of maintenance spares and completion of acceptance checks of missiles.

The auditor said the defence ministry may review the quality of the factory acceptance test (FAT) of the missiles so as to enhance the reliability of FAT.

"The quality of strategic missiles also needs improvement so as to bring down failure rate. The ministry needs to ensure better synchronisation of the various activities and agencies involved in such strategically important projects to ensure their timely completion," it said.

The CAG also slammed IAF over procurement of autopilots.

"Against the requirement of 108 autopilots projected by IAF in 1997 for 108 Jaguar aircraft, only 35 autopilots were procured between 2006 and 2008 through a contract concluded in August 1999," it said.

The CAG said repeat contract for 95 autopilots could be concluded only by March 2014 and that out of 35 autopilots procured earlier, only 18 autopilots could be integrated on the Jaguar aircraft as of March 2017.

"The integrated autopilots were also functioning sub optimally due to malfunctioning of their vital component," the CAG observed.

It said 30 autopilots received through the repeat contract are yet to be integrated and thus, the flying aid capability envisaged by IAF for the Jaguar Aircraft in 1997 remains largely unrealised even after 20 years.

The auditor also slammed IAF for the delay in servicing and repair of IL fleet of aircraft.

"This was in turn largely attributable to poor availability of spares and delay by IAF in signing maintenance support contract with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)," it observed.

The CAG also criticised IAF for "irregular" availing of LTC by officers during their private visits to foreign countries.

"Officers in IAF were taking approvals from competent authority to proceed abroad on leave on personal grounds. However, though they visited foreign destinations during the sanctioned leave, they were allowed claim for Leave Travel Concession (LTC) for cities in India, which they did not visit," the CAG said.

It said permissions of LTC for journeys to foreign destination and payments of Rs 82.58 lakh by the respective authorities were irregular and in gross violation of the provision of LTC contained in defence travel regulations.
Jammu: Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat will arrive in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday to visit forward positions on the Line of Control (LoC), Defence Ministry officials said.

General Rawat would also chair a security review meeting here.

"After chairing the security review meeting, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is likely to visit some forward locations on the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts," the officials said.

The Indian and Pakistani Army have been engaging each other in frequent firing exchanges on the LoC in these two districts.

Although the LoC has remained calm for the last four days, India has blamed Pakistan for unprovoked, indiscriminate shelling and firing in the districts often targeting civilian facilities, including schools and villages.
Jammu: Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday arrived in Jammu to review the security situation and operational preparedness of the armed forces posted in Jammu and Kashmir and along the Line of Control.

The army chief has flown to forward areas along the LoC in Rajouri-Poonch belt where he will review the security situation in the wake of recent heavy shelling by the Pakistan Army.

"Gen Rawat landed in Jammu on Friday morning for a security review meeting and a visit to forward areas along the LoC", a senior Army official told PTI.

"The purpose of the Army chief's visit was to review the security situation and operational preparedness along the LoC", he said.

Rawat will also be briefed about the situation along the LoC in the wake of reports of infiltrations and ceasefire violations.

His visit assumes significance as 11 people, including nine soldiers, were killed in border skirmishes this month along the LoC.

The repeated skirmishes saw over 4,000 residents of border villages move to government camps at safer places in the Jammu and Kashmir district.
The office-bearers of the Bhim Army gheraoed the office of the district magistrate alleging that the dalit outfit's founder Chandrasekhar was assaulted inside a jail here.

They also submitted a memorandum to administrative officials on Thursday and demanded necessary action and an unbiased investigation into their charges. The mother of Bhim Army's district unit president Kamal Walia said if "innocent people" of the Dalit outfit were attacked they would not sit silent.

The office-bearers sought an early resolution of the issue and warned of launching a stir if their demands were not met.

Chandrashekhar, a lawyer by profession, was arrested on 8 June by the Special Task Force of Uttar Pradesh Police from Himachal Pradesh's Dalhousie in connection with his alleged role in the violence in Saharanpur.

He had shot to limelight after holding a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against violence on Dalits in Saharanpur.

Earlier, two members of the Bhim Army were arrested in Saharanpur for their alleged involvement in the Ramnagar caste violence on 9 May after a person was killed and several others were injured in a clash between Dalits and Thakurs at Shabbirpur village on 5 May.

About a dozen police vehicles were set ablaze and 12 policemen were injured in subsequent violence on 9 May.
New Delhi: A BJP member in the Lok Sabha on Friday demanded amendment in the dowry law, dubbing it as "legal terrorism" and claiming that it has become a tool for harassment of men.

Raising the issue in the Zero Hour, Anshul Verma said over 27 lakh persons have been arrested between 1998-2015 in such cases and these include minors.

He sought amendments to Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code under which a man and his family can be summarily arrested when a complaint of cruelty is lodged by the wife.

The Supreme Court and high courts have also said that the law has been misused, he said, claiming that many men have committed suicide and become 'shadi ke shaheed' (martyrs of marriage).

"The shortcomings of the law should be addressed. A men's cell should also be opened. Pro-woman must not be anti-man," he said.

Among other issues, Dhananjay Mahadik (NCP) said the imposition of GST on idols has made them expensive and demanded that they be exempted from the tax. With the Ganesh festival approaching in Maharashtra, he said a decision needed to be taken immediately.

Bharti Shiyal (BJP) sought daily flights between Bhavnagar and Mumbai, while Jagdambika Pal (BJP) highlighted the plight of 'Shiksha Mitra' in Uttar Pradesh following an adverse Supreme Court order.
Ahmedabad: Heavy rains pounded Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar districts on Friday, disrupting rail and road traffic, even as people dissatisfied with relief measures clashed with police in Arvalli district.

Swirling floodwaters washed a part of a railway line, leading to suspension of 36 trains from the Ahmedabad division of Western Railway. Six trains were diverted, one was rescheduled and 14 were short-terminated, railway officials said.

State administration officials said 54,517 people have been shifted to safer places over the last one week due to flooding of low-lying areas.

Ahmedabad gauged over 200 millimeter of rainfall in 24 hours till 6 pm on Thursday, forcing relocation of more than 10,000 people even as the Sabarmati river swelled due to the release of water from the Dharoi dam and the Vasna barrage, district collector Avantika Singh said.

Several localities in the city were waterlogged. The administration announced that schools and colleges will remain closed on Friday too.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani toured affected areas in the city in a boat to take stock of the situation.

Army personnel have so far rescued 1,925 people, mainly in the worst-affected region of Deesa in Banaskantha district, a defence release said.

"In addition, more than 390 engineers of the Indian Army are using assault boats to traverse the inundated areas, while more than 28 army medical and veterinary teams are providing immediate first aid to the affected persons and animals", it said.

Gandhinagar and Kheda also received heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours. Kalol in Gandhinagar tehsil received 255 millimeter of rainfall between 8 am and 4 pm.
New Delhi: A JNU student has alleged he was beaten up at the Rajiv Chowk metro station here by a few personnel of the CISF and told he would be "sent to Pakistan", a charge rejected by the paramilitary force.

In a Facebook post, Aman Sinha, 22, who is pursuing a Master's degree, said the incident happened on Thursday evening and alleged the involvement of CISF personnel posted at the security check point of the station.



Sinha, who was sporting a beard, claimed that the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel got enraged when he "defied" their instructions to take off his earphones, which is a laid down protocol that passengers are expected to follow.

It was followed by a heated argument, he said.

"Then another CISF person came and said you are spoiling the name of the nation, 'Pakistan bhejenge tum Mussalay ko aaj.' (You Muslim, we will banish you to Pakistan today).

They dragged me to the security office through the very long passage where there was no CCTV and no public.

"They started abusing my mother and sister, thrashing and beating me very badly, saying that 'public k samne humara nam kharab kar diya'. I tried to record it which they later made me delete it threw away my phone," he alleged.

When contacted, the CISF said the student was only asked to write an apology letter for his behaviour with the security personnel, and was neither "manhandled" nor "thrashed."

"He started yelling and arguing with constables Shoeb and PC Bisht who were on duty after he was asked to remove the ear phones, which is a normal security drill in the Delhi Metro. He was unwilling and used abusive language after which he was taken to the metro control room," a senior CISF officer said.

He added that Sinha was taken to the control room of the station where he tendered an apology in writing. As per CCTV records, the officer said, the entire episode lasted about 30 minutes and the student was then allowed to go.
New Delhi: JNU students union president Mohit Kumar Pandey retorted to BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi's statements and said if she and her party were ready to take oath for stopping mob lynching incidents.

"Will @M_Lekhi take oath that there will be no mob lynching and she and her party will not tolerate hate mongering. This will bring peace," Pandey said in a tweet.

Supporting the JNU Vice Chancellor's idea to procure and install a tank on the varsity campus, Lekhi on Thursday said in Lok Sabha that JNU students must take an oath to protect the country's pride and nationality.

She also alleged that anti-India slogans were raised on the JNU campus, which was run by tax-payer's money.

Responding to it, Pandey, in another tweet, said, "Will @M_Lekhi take oath that her govt will provide education, employment and health for all. This will really contribute to our nation."

Taking note of BJP leaders welcoming the V-C's request to install a tank in the campus, JNUSU wondered if the V-C was a member of the saffron party.

JNU V-C M Jagadesh Kumar had on Sunday during celebration of Kargil Vijay Diwas sought a decommissioned tank to be installed on the campus to recognise and respect sacrifices of its alumnus who have received degrees.
Militants opened fire at a police station in Shopian district and shot at a policeman in Kulgam district of Kashmir late Thursday night, police said on Friday .

Constable Salim Yousuf was shot at and injured by militants inside his residence at Yamrach in Kulgam district Thursday night, a police official said.

He said the injured policeman was rushed to district hospital Anantnag where doctors referred him to a hospital here for specialised treatment. In another incident, militants opened fire on police station Shopian on Thursday night.

The cops on sentry duty retaliated, forcing the militants to flee from the spot, the official said adding no one was hurt in the brief exchange of fire.

Earlier on Thursday, militants had opened fire on a patrol party of army at Mantribugh in Shopian but there were no casualties reported in the incident
Angry CPI-M activists stoned the BJP headquarters here in Kerala on Friday prompting a similar attack from the latter within hours.

The BJP-RSS and CPI-M animosity in the state took a turn for the worse as both parties resorted to violence.

Hours after the Left party's attack, BJP workers stoned the residence of Communist Party of India-Marxist's state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's son.

According to visuals released by the state BJP headquarters, around 1.40 a.m. few persons arrived at the Bharatiya Janata Party's office.

They smashed the window panes of around six vehicles parked inside the compound, including one that belonged to the party's state chief Kummanem Rajasehekeran.

"This is a planned attack and it was unleashed by the CPI-M after coming to know that our state President was staying overnight at the office," party General Secretary M.T. Ramesh told the media.

BJP's lone legislator O. Rajagopal told the media that the visuals showed the role of local CPI-M councillor I.P. Binu in the attacks.

Around 3.40 a.m., unidentified persons stoned the residence of Bineesh Kodiyeri, Balakrishnan's son.

"I was on my way back from Kannur, when I got this news. I was in the train," the CPI-M Secretary said.

Balakrishnan said he generally stays in the party apartment but "at times I stay with my son and may be the BJP and RSS activists thought I was staying there last night and hence unleashed the attack".

"Only if a probe is launched will one know whether 'they' had planned to attack that place, too," Balakrishnan said, adding: "We condemn this attack as we do not subscribe to any such attacks."

There has been sporadic clashes here between the two groups in the past two weeks.

The clashes had all begun when the student wings of these two political parties clashed in two colleges here earlier.

Later the youth wings of both parties flexed muscles against each other.

On Thursday there were skirmishes between the workers of these parties at a few places in the city and its suburbs.

The police decided to strengthen security around both party offices.
Kolkata: Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that the state was reeling under a "man-made" flood situation as she blamed the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for releasing more water leading to the deluge.

At least 16 people have died, while nearly 20 lakh affected by the floods in over 160 villages in the state.

"There has been good rainfall this season, but this flood has not happened because of rain . This is a man-made flood", Banerjee told reporters after taking stock of the situation at Udaynarayanpur block in Howrah district.

The chief minister, who also visited Amta in Howrah and Khanakul in Hooghly district, said that her requests to the Centre for dredging the DVC barrages were "not addressed" and because of it, "Bengal has been suffering every year during the monsoon".

"I think the Centre must carry out an immediate reform of DVC. I have been raising this issue of water release by DVC since 2012. But no action has been taken. I cannot do anything more than apologising to the people of my state. But I can assure them that the state government will help them as per its capacity. They do not have to worry about that", Banerjee said.

"The Centre must carry out reforms of the (DVC) barrages, otherwise the problem will not be solved. They can carry out the work in phases, bringing permanent relief to the people", she said.

The TMC supremo, who was accompanied by state Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim, Chief Secretary Malay Dey, Home Secretary Atri Bhattacharya and principal secretary of disaster management department during her visit to Amta, said that the state government will continue monitoring the situation till October.

She said that the state has taken up a Rs 2,000 crore project with the World Bank to reform the lower basin of Damodar river.

"This will take two more years and after its completion, we will be able to address the flood situation in Burdwan, Hooghly, Howrah and Midnapore districts", she said.

The flood casualty has been due to heavy rains lashing the state since Saturday last week and the water released from DVC barrages, a senior officer at the state secretariat said.

In the last 24 hours, over four lakh people in the state have been affected because of the inundation, while 2,301 people were evacuated and 2,02,957 hectares of agricultural land submerged, the official said.

Around 7,868 houses were entirely destroyed and 44,361 houses partially damaged in the calamity, he said.

According to a senior official at the state agriculture department, over 69,391 hectares out of 2,74,174 hectares of agricultural land in the state where seedlings were planted went under the flood water. A total of 2,49,473 hectares out of 6,41,348 hectares of land where seeds were sowed were submerged.

The state government has started supplying dry food and water pouches to around 162 relief camps spread in 12 flood-affected districts of the state, the official added.
The Vice President of the United States and the GOPs first runner-up for President of the United States are huge gets for the unannounced Republican candidate for governor in 2018.

Indeed, Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt recently announced that both Veep Mike Pence and Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz will be headlining his Morning in Nevada PACs annual Basque Fry fundraising event in northern Nevada on August 26.

And if thats not enough to demonstrate Laxalts deep connections to the conservative power players in DC, Matt Schlapp, Chairman of the American Conservative Union, will also be speaking at the event  which has already pre-sold over 1,000 tickets.

Alliance with Pence, Cruz and Schlapp is an unmistakable signal to movement conservatives that Laxalts the horse they should hitch their wagon to in next years gubernatorial race. Not just because hes a conservative, but because hes the best  probably only  chance conservatives have to win.

And that race is for all the marbles. Do or die. Heres why 

Incumbent RINO Gov. Brian Sandoval has been a philosophical disaster. Hes destroyed the GOPs limited government brand  first by stupidly expanding Medicaid, then shoving the largest tax hike in state history down our throats, and finally killing Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), the most innovative school choice program in the nation.

And because conservatives gained control of the Nevada Republican Central Committee shortly after his bait-and-switch election in 2010, Sandoval and his inner circle of political hacks have done everything in their power to emasculate the party and bleed it dry by strong-arming donors into withholding their financial support.

Sandoval has also littered his administration with mushy establishment moderates who react to conservative policies the way vampires react to sunlight. Indeed, the only significant conservative appointed to the Sandoval administration, School Superintendant Jim Guthrie, lasted less than a year on the job before being forced out.

Lastly, Sandoval has supported mushy moderate GOP candidates and has actively worked to defeat conservative candidates, including incumbents. As a result, there are only two or three reliable conservatives in the state Senate and just a half-dozen or so in the state Assembly.

The end of the Sandoval Error cant come soon enough for conservatives.

With Laxalt, conservatives will get a true conservative in the chief executives office. Who will appoint conservatives in his administration. Who will appoint conservative judges. Who will work with conservative members of the Nevada Republican Party.

Who will support and help raise money for conservative legislative candidates. Who will fund ESAs. Who will restrain government spending. Who will oppose tax hikes. Who will block sanctuary cities. Who will fight for states rights.

But maybe most importantly: Will make sure legislative Democrats dont wipe Republicans permanently off the legislative electoral map when redistricting raises its ugly head once again in the 2021 session.

Thats not been talked about much  yet. But it better be. Because if Laxalt doesnt win the governors race in 2018, Nevada conservatives might want to start packing up and looking for an escape route to Idaho!
New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti Friday batted for revival of talks with Pakistan for resolving the Kashmir issue but said the neighbour's positive contribution is very necessary to "open closed roads" in the state.

Speaking at a public event in New Delhi, she also said that the recent NIA raids and arrest of separatists leaders in the Kashmir Valley was a temporary measure and not a solution to address the real problem.

"The PDP-BJP alliance has been on the belief and hope that we will be able to revive the magic of (former Prime Minister Atal Bihari) Vajpayee ji's time... Vajpayee ji did it," she said in her keynote address at the 'Understanding Kashmir' session hosted by social group BRIEF.

Citing the Lahore declaration in which Pakistan had assured that it will not allow its land to be used against anti-India activities, Mehbooba said, "We have to revive that... in spite of Kargil and attack on the Parliament house... We have had some setbacks but we need to revive it, if we want that the closed roads in Jammu and Kashmir open, then Pakistan's positive contribution is very necessary," she said.

She added that the idea of 'azadi' in the minds of people of the state needs to be replaced with something else. Mufti then drew attention to the 2005 working groups constituted to address the internal dimensions of the Kashmir issue.

"The working group reports (on Kashmir) have been thrown in the waste basket. We are not doing anything about that," she said.

When asked about the recent crackdown of the National Investigation Agency against separatist leaders in the Kashmir Valley, Mehbooba said such acts do not give a long-lasting solution. "Whatever happened with the NIA is an administrative measure. Such measures can just contain a situation, they don't address the real problem," she said.

She said such crackdowns have not resolved the problem, adding "So we need to address the problem and real problem is still there." While Mehbooba lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she, at the same time, urged the Centre to do more to ease the situation in her state.

"I feel Modiji is the man of the moment and he has the potential to rise and become the man of history. His leadership is an asset which needs to be harnessed... and take Kashmir out of this present mess," she said.

Furthermore, she expressed her sadness and concern over the tinkering with the Article 35A, that accords special rights and privileges to the natives of Jammu & Kashmir, and that its constitutional validity has been challenged in the Supreme Court by way of a PIL.

"Who is doing it? Why are they doing it?... The separatists' agenda is different and it is totally secession. But you are weakening those powers which are Indian and trust India and participate in elections (by challenging the Article 35A)," she said.

The chief minister warned if there is an alteration in the special status of the state, there could be a revolt. "If any attempt is made... India will not get a shoulder to carry its national flag in the state," she said.

"This is one of the problem," she said stressing that both the articles 370 and 35A are very dear to the state and they help preserve her state's unique identity.

The chief minister was critical of some television news channel anchors saying that they were trying to project Kashmir in a bad light. "I am sorry to say that this India, that the anchors are trying to project, is not what India is about and that is not the India I know," she said as she stated that few channels were showing Kashmiris in a "bad light."

She said when she sees the retired 'beard-wallahs' from the other side (Pakistan) and 'mooch-wallahs' from this side screaming at the top of their lungs on television news channels, she feels they are taking out their "frustrations" about so many wars that the two countries saw.

"I see that their eyes are bulging out, so much anger and some time they sweat too. I don't want to be associated with this type of India or Pakistan...," she said.

Mehbooba said she wants to see an India which feels the pain of Kashmir. "I want to see that India which accepted us on our conditions. We are a diverse state with all kinds of multi-diversity of religion and every thing... sometimes they talk about our flag, sometimes about Article 370," she said.
Mumbai: The credibility of Mumbai University (MU), which is the oldest university in the state, is at stake yet again because of the faux pas over online assessment that has delayed declaration of results. The mess is a result of lack of vision by boisterous decision-makers, shortcomings in the system, staff crunch and political nonchalance.

MU is racing against time to deliver the results of over 400 examinations held in March and April this year.

The deadline set by Chancellor C Vidyasagar Rao is 31 July and for the MU it is an uphill task. In all probabilities, the deadline is likely to be missed, given the situation prevailing in the university.

The delay in declaration of results within the stipulated period has affected students seeking admissions to higher education, especially those aspiring to study in foreign universities. The MU is now struggling to issue provisional certificates for such students based on performance in earlier semesters as an ad hoc measure, which will tarnish its image in the international arena.

The root cause of the delay is the digital assessment of answer sheets that included on-screen marking of answer papers already scanned and uploaded on a common digital platform. The assessed ones were to be rated and results uploaded by examiners. The intention was to enhance transparency to curb malpractices and deliver prompt results.

However, the decision-makers did not take into consideration the possible practical hitches. For instance, tenders for appointing an agency to set up the online system were floated in February, for examinations to be conducted in March and April. Evoking no response as desired by the MU, the tenders were re-invited in the middle of March, and for the third time in April. The agency was finalised in the last week of April and assessment began in the first week of May.

One of the major errors by the boisterous vice-chancellor and his staff was the poor assessment of grass root realities. Answer sheets had to be transported to examination centre that took a couple of days, the answer sheets had to be scanned and uploaded requiring time and then the actual online assessment had to begin. The MU officials did not take into consideration the staff crunch. Over the years, since 1985 the number of colleges affiliated to MU has gone up to 748 and the staff, even the non-teaching staff is not adequate to handle the increasing workload. There was ad-hocism even in key positions like the registrar and the controller of examinations.

Besides, examiners were a demoralised lot, still waiting for their remuneration for assessing papers last year. There were intermittent glitches like the server of the online assessment setup crashing, thereby denying access to examiners. Against this backdrop, the Chancellor of the University and Governor of Maharashtra Vidyasagar Rao rapped the vice-chancellor and issued a diktat that the MU must stick to its deadline of 31 July, rejecting a plea to extend it by a week. The jittery officials declared that colleges would observe noninstructional days for four days to facilitate the online assessment process in order to meet the deadline. The MU has been under a cloud for years for malpractices in examinations and appointment of its top officials. The ongoing crisis will further tarnish its credibility.

It is not just the officials who are responsible for the mess, but political interests, too, play a crucial role. The appointment of the vice-chancellor, for instance, has not been without controversies involving politicians. For instance, the tenure of former vice-chancellor Rajan Velukar had been mired in controversy and litigation over his eligibility for the post.

Ironically, it is not just politicians who are interested in interfering in high academic appointments, but even academic elites, before and after being appointed in high positions, like to hobnob with politicians. Whether it was Velukar meeting the then Congress minister Narayan Rane, or the incumbent vice-chancellor Sanjay Deshmukh rushing to meet Maharashtra Navnirman chief Raj Thackeray at the latters residence soon after his appointment, the mutual affection transcends political hues and the spectrum of faculties.

In the current mess, the heir apparent of Shiv Sena, Aditya Thackeray has demanded the removal of the vice-chancellor and also the education minister, Vinod Tawde of the BJP. Aditya, incidentally, had succeeded in pressurising the MU in removing Rohington Mistrys book Such a Long Journey from the curriculum seven years ago as it had some alleged critical reference to Sena chief Bal Thackeray.

Reacting to Adityas demand, Tawde has snapped that the minister of state for higher and technical education is Shiv Senas Ravindra Waikar, and that probably Aditya was referring to Waikar. The hostility between the Sena and the BJP on various issues of governance is getting surreal, as they continue to remain united in the alliance ruling the state and the country as partners of Hindutva brigade. Neither the Sena walks out of power, nor the BJP sacks them from the alliance.

The detractors of the vice-chancellor are now demanding his head, while his supporters are shifting the blame to the lack of infrastructure and the staff for the mess. In the process, students are the worst hit. The situation may reach a flash point if students organisations decide to hit the streets on the issue.
Beijing: India's national security advisor Ajit Doval along with top security officials of the BRICS countries held their annual security dialogue in Beijing on Friday to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism, cyber and energy security.

The meeting of NSAs from BRICS  Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa  is hosted by China's state councillor Yang Jiechi.

Doval and Yang, who are Special Representatives of India-China border, on Thursday held a separate meeting to discuss bilateral issues, during which they were also understood to have discussed the standoff between the troops of the both the countries at the Dokalam area in Sikkim section.

The military standoff began on 16 June when Chinese troops attempted to lay a road in the Dokalam area. Doka La is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Dokalam, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region.

India and China share a 220-km-long border in Sikkim section.

Besides Doval and Yang, Friday's meeting is attended by Minister of State Security David Mahlobo of South Africa, Minister Sergio Etchegoyen of the Office of Institutional Security of the Presidency of Brazil, Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev of Russia.

The NSAs meeting was held ahead of the 2017 BRICS Summit to be held in Fujian province's Xiamen city from 3 to 5 September.

Earlier, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the seventh Meeting of BRICS High Representatives for Security Issues is a major platform for BRICS countries to discuss and carry out cooperation in the political security field.

The meeting aims to enhance strategic communication, political mutual trust and international influence of BRICS countries, it said.

The meeting will focus on global governance, counter-terrorism, cyber security and energy security, international and regional hotspots, and national security and development, the ministry added.

The BRICS countries  Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa  are home to 42 percent of the world's population. Their total share in the global economy has risen from 12 percent to 23 percent in the past decade, while contributing more than half of global growth.
New Delhi: External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday directed the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to issue a visa to a Pakistani national for medical treatment in India.

Swaraj's direction to India's High Commissioner in Pakistan Gautam Bambawale came after a woman  Hijaab Asif  sought the external affairs minister's urgent intervention.

Gautam Bambawale ji - Inhein Indian visa de do. @IndiainPakistan /2 @Hijaab_asif  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 27, 2017

Touched by Swaraj's prompt response, Asif praised Swaraj and even said that Pakistan would have changed had she been the prime minister of her country.

Minutes after Swaraj's tweet to Bambawale, the Indian mission tweeted that it was in touch with the applicant. "Ma'am, we are in touch with the applicant. Rest assured we will follow it up," the Indian High Commission said in a tweet.

Responding to Asif's plea, Swaraj also wondered whether Pakistani prime minister's foreign affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz had refused to issue a recommendation letter for issuance of a visa by India to the patient.

@Hijaab_asif Kya aap jaise serious case mein bhi Sartaj Aziz sahib ne chitthi dene se mana kr diya ? /1  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 27, 2017

The external affairs minister had a few weeks back said that Pakistani nationals seeking visas for medical treatment in India must accompany their visa applications with a recommendation letter by Aziz.

"Dear ma'am, spoke to DHC (Deputy High Commissioner) in Islamabad, told the patient's current condition and he said it's all up to you. If you allow," Asif had tweeted earlier.

The patient is suffering from serious liver ailment and needs urgent treatment in India, she said. After Swaraj's direction to grant a visa to the patient, Asif was effusive in her praise of the external affairs minister.

"@SushmaSwaraj What do I call you? Superwoman? God? No words to describe your generosity! Love you ma'am. Cannot stop praising you in tears!!!," she said.

@SushmaSwaraj what do I call you? Superwoman? God? No words to describe your generosity! Love you maam Can't stop praising you in tears!  Hijaab asif (@Hijaab_asif) July 27, 2017

In another tweet, she said "my heart belongs and beats for you", adding that "Pakistan doesn't deserve her at all". "Lots and Lots of Love and respect from here. Wish you were our prime minister. this country would have changed.
Mumbai: In a dig at the BJP over recent developments in Bihar, the Shiv Sena Friday said it seemed its ally had "made Pakistan happy" by aligning with Nitish Kumar.

The Sena said in an editorial that politics today was "no longer about morals and ideals" and added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah had "snatched away" the Opposition's prime ministerial face.

"Amit Shah had earlier said if Nitish Kumar won, Pakistan would celebrate. So is Pakistan celebrating now," it asked in the editorial in the Sena mouthpiece, Saamana.

It added, "It seems that the BJP itself has made Pakistan happy by collaborating with Nitish". The NDA has got its "old friend" back, it said, but pointed out that Kumar had "splashed a lot of muck" on Modi when he left the NDA.

"Has that muck been washed off now," asked the Sena, a constituent of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and in Maharashtra.

"In just two years, after Modi kept on with his winning spree, Nitish Kumar's conscience once again made him join the NDA fold. Politics is no more about ideals and morals," it said.

The BJP formed a government in Manipur and in Goa despite not having a majority, it said.

"The BJP should ask its conscience if this would have been possible if the party did not have its government in Delhi," the Sena said.

Furthermore, the Sena said that the BJP should "immediately ask" Nitish Kumar to clarify his views on violence by gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes). "Nitish Kumar was the prime ministerial face of the Opposition parties. Modi and Amit Shah have snatched that face away," the Sena added.
New Delhi: The armed forces face a shortage of over 52,000 personnel in the ranks of junior commissioned officers, sailors and airmen, the government said on Friday.

Topping the list is the army with a shortage of 25,472 JCOs and other ranks, which is "nominal" when its total strength is taken into account, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said in a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha.

The navy needs 13,373 more sailors while the air force requires 13,785 airmen, he said in his response.

Replying to another question, the minister said the army has recruited 245 women officers between 2014 and 2016.

The air force has recruited 486 while the navy has taken 135 women officers into service during the same period. He added that women constitute 13 percent of the officers in the air force.

Their proportion is 4.49 percent in the the navy and just 3.64 percent in the army.

Bhamre also stated that there are a large number of unauthorised residential accomodations around ordnance depots in the country.

Uttar Pradesh has nearly 4654 such houses, followed by 483 in Madhya Pradesh, 122 in Maharashtra including some highrises near Mumbai, and 359 in Jammu and Kashmir.

In response to another question, Bhamre highlighted the activities the Indian Navy carries out with other countries and the support it provides to them.

He added that the government is implementing a central scheme  'Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries'  to achieve economic prosperity of the country and fishermen through sustainable utilisation of water resources.
Editor's Note: The nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court will give its verdict regarding the debate on the right to privacy on Thursday. As expected, the arguments are against the recognition of privacy as a fundamental right. In a partly positive development, the counsels for the Centre, who include Attorney-General KK Venugopal, have conceded that some aspects of privacy are a fundamental right. However, it is being sought to restrict privacy to existing fundamental rights, and to deny a general fundamental right to privacy.

At this stage, in view of the concession of the Centre and the various questions posed by the bench to the counsels, the court appears to be leaning towards recognising a right to privacy. However, if the court accepts the Centre's approach, the right to privacy granted will be very restricted.

Is privacy relevant to developing countries?

One of the surprising arguments made against privacy is that this is a claim better suited to developed countries. Privacy, it was argued, is not suitable for a developing country like India where the majority of the masses don't even have access to basic services. For this reason also, judgments and laws established in other countries like America have no applicability in India, where the reality is very different.

Laudatory Aadhaar Act cannot be questioned on privacy claims

For the same reasons, it was argued, a laudatory act like the Aadhaar Act, designed for enabling better delivery of public welfare and social services to the masses, could not be defeated on privacy claims. Several recent Supreme Court judgments supporting the use of Aadhaar, such as those directing the use of Aadhaar for admissions, linking with mobile numbers, etc., were cited in support of this contention.

SC observes privacy not an elitist concern

Both these arguments were not accepted by the Bench. The Bench in this case pointed out that privacy is not an elitist concern, but was of equal concern to the masses. The Bench cited the example of forced sterilization of slum dwellers for population control, a state act which could be controlled perhaps only through a claim of privacy. Further, the bench noted that if privacy was not a fundamental right, then there would be a blanket sanction on anything the state can do.

In fact, even in previous landmark judgments, the Supreme Court had held that privacy was as relevant to an Indian home as to an American one.

Legitimate versus Compelling state interest

A debate also ensued on the extent of validity of state actions which could not be questioned on claims of privacy. The counsels for the Centre suggested the lighter standard of legitimate interest, or a legal or lawful act of the state, as opposed a compelling interest. The Court was not happy with this argument, pointing out that most acts of the state were out of legitimate interest, such as the state controlling crime, but restrictions on the state's power remained, such as an accused's rights under Article 20 (eg.: right against self-incrimination).

Only some aspects of privacy are a fundamental right

Another argument was that privacy is not a homogenous right, and all of its aspects could not be a fundamental right. The Supreme Court responded to this that the issue before it was whether any, even one aspect of privacy could amount to a fundamental right. Moreover, even existing fundamental rights were not without restrictions, so why was privacy any different?

To this, the attorney general conceded that some aspects do deserve protection as a fundamental right. However, this is restricted to those aspects of privacy which can be derived from fundamental rights. For example, the right to bodily integrity which stems from the right to life may be accepted on those grounds, and not as a facet of a right to privacy. Privacy as an independent fundamental right does not exist.

Data given for passports, voter cards, is in the public domain?

On being questioned by the bench on which aspects of privacy deserved protection, it was stated that informational privacy, for example, is not a constitutional guarantee. It was argued that there can be no right to privacy for information already in the public domain. Examples cited were the data disclosed by citizens for voter registration, biometrics for passports, and for property registration.

This is a troubling argument, which seems to consider data given to the government as being in the public domain. For example, people provide their addresses for acquiring a voter card, but this does not thereby mean that the address is in the public domain and can be published on, say the internet.

Similarly, looking at the property registrar, the registrar is open to the public. However, if a data broker preparing a file on an individual for commercial purposes accesses and includes data from such a registrar, it will be a violation of privacy. These are issues which need to be looked into.

Need for robust mechanism to protect Aadhaar like databases

On this, reference was made to census laws, for example, which contain confidentiality provisions. The privacy provisions in the Aadhaar Act were pointed to, but the Judges pointed to their insufficiency. For example, while biometric data is protected, information like medical histories and mobile numbers were not. The judges pointed to the need for a robust mechanism to protect the privacy of such huge databases from persons like commercial service providers, who were likely to spam people with messages and advertisements.

Kharak Singh and MP Sharma cases

On these cases, the main argument made was that they had specifically denied the right to privacy. Moreover, Constituent Assembly while framing the Constitution had denied privacy as a fundamental right. To this, the bench observed that much had changed since the times the Constituent Assembly debated and rejected the right to privacy.

Will privacy be held to be an independent fundamental right?

On the whole, the apex Court appears to be reluctant to completely reject privacy as a fundamental right. If upheld, the main question that will remain will be its recognition as an independent fundamental right or as a right restricted to the protected facets under existing fundamental rights.

(Sources of the arguments- Written Submissions of the counsels at Live Law and live coverage of the case on Twitter handles of Prasanna S and SFLC).
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New Delhi: The sources who gave the government confidence of not abandoning the search for 39 Indians abducted in Iraq include a "head of state and a foreign minister of another country," external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

She, however, refused to disclose the identity of the sources, citing "diplomatic confidentiality".

Making a statement in response to Zero Hour mention on the issue raised by Pratap Singh Bajwa (Cong) on 19 July, Swaraj vehemently denied that she ever misled Parliament or the country on the fate of the people abducted three years back.

She said she has all through maintained that there is no proof of the abducted Indians being alive or dead.

And in absence of "solid proof", it is a "sin" at personal level and irresponsible act on the part of the government to declare them dead, the minister said. She asked, "Why should I apologise? That I did not declare them dead?"

Opposition Congress, however, tried to corner her by saying the government has been changing goal posts all through and she has to give "one proof" for believing they are alive.

"I have said in Parliament and outside that I have no evidence of their being alive or dead," Swaraj said, adding in absence of any solid evidence or proof she cannot presume them dead.

"We are not sitting idle. All countries which can help have been asked for help," she said and added, "Why will I mislead? What will I gain? What will I gain, what will my government gain by misleading?"

Bajwa countered Swaraj's assertion, asking what would Harjit Masih, one of the abducted Indians who had escaped, gain by claiming that he had witnessed the 39 being shot dead.

Responding to this, the minister said she was first to speak to Masih after he called up on but did not provide convincing reply how he was able to escape from the IS captivity.

Also, family of one of the abducted persons had received a call from the captors, saying the captive was alive, she said.

The minister threw a challenge to the Congress leader, saying if he was convinced that the Indians are dead, he can call up the families and tell them that.

Swaraj said she had never stated that the 39 Indians are alive and that she will ensure they come back home safe.

She said she had in the past told the Parliament that in absence of a proof, the option before the government was to abandon search or continue its efforts to locate them.

"I had asked for permission of House (to continue efforts to locate them) and had not just taken it in confidence," she said, claiming the members had given their consent by thumping of desk or nodding.

The minister said her deputy VK Singh had travelled to Iraq on the very next day Islamic State (IS) was overthrown from Mosul on 9 July this year.

Senior Iraqi officials told him that they had information of the Indians being picked up from Mosul airfield three years back and after holding them in captivity for some time, they were made to work in a hospital and then in agriculture field.

Thereafter they were in early 2016 shifted to the prison at Badush, some 30-km away of Mosul town, she said.

"That is the last known location," she said, adding she had informed the families of the victims about the same.

Countering the Congress charge, she said this government knows how to protect its people. "Relief for stranded person abroad is one tweet away," she said, adding 80,000 people have been helped by her ministry in last three years.

These are onces for whom the government paid air-tickets and does not include the numbers who were helped but had paid for their own ticket, she said.

"This government's credibility cannot be questioned relating to protection of its citizens," she said. Swaraj said the day evidence is available, she will inform Parliament without delay and if Parliament is not in session, she would take to the twitter in 10 minutes to make the news public.

"Without evidence I will not declare them dead," she asserted. Bajwa asked why the government was not believing the version of Harjit Masih and sought to know the 5-6 sources she keeps quoting for her statement.

He said upon the fall of Mosul, it was said that the Indians are in the prison at Badush but that jail was demolished three months back. "They have misled the Parliament. They have misled the country," he said. "Give one proof how do you say they are alive."

He said an all-party delegation should be sent to Iraq to get the first hand account.

Swaraj said he asked Masih how did he survive but he did not give a convincing answer. "He wants to mislead how he came out (of IS captivity)."

She said the Congress was using the issue as a political agenda. "There is a difference between information and proof. There is no proof," she said. I have said there is no solid proof of their being alive or dead."
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External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday said she would not declare the 39 Indians missing in Iraq as dead till she has concrete evidence to that effect.

"I repeat, I will not declare them (the missing Indians) dead until we have concrete evidence to that effect," she told Rajya Sabha.

The Minister said that she "never said in Parliament or outside that they are alive, as being claimed by some Congress MPs".

There were some sharp exchanges between the Minister and Congress members Pratap Singh Bajwa and Ambika Soni as the latter accused the government of "shifting goal posts" and demanded to know why she was not trusting the word of Harjit Masih, one of the 40 Indians captured by the Islamic State in Iraq in June 2014, who claimed that the rest of the group had been shot dead.

"Why would Harjit Masih tell a lie? What would he get out of it?" Bajwa asked.

"I have reasons to not trust Harjit Masih. I was the first one to speak with him when he first contacted Indian authorities soon after the incident. I repeatedly asked him over phone as to how he survived when the rest were shot dead according to him. But he kept saying he did not know," Sushma Swaraj said.

"Secondly, the family of Nishan Singh, one of the missing persons, says they spoke with him on June 17 (2014). How is this possible when Harjit claims they were killed on 15 June ?" she said.

Congress MPs Bajwa and Soni demanded to know what the Minister's sources were on whose basis she was claiming that the missing persons may be alive.

Sushma Swaraj said she cannot disclose sources on the floor of the House as it may put their lives in danger.

"Bajwaji if you have the nerve to tell the families of the missing persons that they are dead, you do it. I cannot do it. I will keep searching for them until I get concrete proof that they are dead," Sushma Swaraj said.

She said that according to the information that has been received, the group was caught at the Mosul airfield, and taken to a jail, after which they were put to construction work, and then farming, before being taken to Badush jail in 2016. But after that there has been no contact.

The Minister said that all the information was culled from different sources and there was no evidence to support any of the claims.

Following reports in the media that the Badush jail building had been demolished, the Minister was blamed for misleading the nation on the 39 Indians.
While we can be hugely critical of the Indian politician per se, we have to acknowledge that external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj tries and is by far the finest feather in the Narendra Modi cap. Her latest crusade to find the 39 missing Indians taken into slave labour in 2014 in Badush near Mosul, deserves applause.

The moment the town was recaptured by government forces she swung into action, so there's no point asking why we waited for three years. There was no access to the region and no one to negotiate with. The Islamic State was unlikely to have responded after it took control of the area, and it is unfortunate there has been no indication of the whereabouts of the missing Indians for the past year.

The proposed visit by currently low profile and non-controversial Minister of State of External Affairs and former army chief VK Singh to Mosul is welcome even though it is a moot point he will find much success. The Iraqis are ready to help which is good but their reach is limited. The IS would have taken this free labour deeper into its territory to exploit them. We know for sure they are not in Badush jail where it was suspected they were housed. Situated 25 kilometres from Mosul central, the jail was razed in the fighting. No one is there.

Also the IS is not so kindly as to feed 39 Indians and spend money on them without making them work. If they are alive, they are in backbreaking slave labour and being abused. Lets not have any doubts about that.

The ransom is huge for the safe return of Indians who, lured by good money, take a leap against the orders of the Indian embasies in various Middle Eastern countries. Besides, it has to be negotiated in a clutch of hours, or, the window closes.

Three years creates severe doubt. Many companies have done business in Iraq, and despite cautions, individuals do take the risk of going over to the other side. There are routes which are semi-underground and people often volunteer. Their life insurance runs into a princely sum and the 'togetherness' gives them a feeling of confidence that nothing will go wrong. Besides, the hazard pay makes it 'worthwhile'.

Unfortunately, for these 39 Indian men it went horribly wrong and one can only imagine their plight and the distress their families have been forced to undergo in the these past three years. There is very little data on who they are and whether they together or separate and how did they reach Iraq. But, they were congregated at the airport and were probably flying out when the facility was overrun by IS.

We do not know if there are more Indians in the swathes of territory occupied by IS, but is a very likely possibility. The workforce traffic was quite intense three years ago.

If Swaraj's initiative manages to pull it off and these men are found, we would be delighted to build a statue for her. Full marks for giving it your best shot. However, if one is chary about the result, it's only because Indians are not IS' favourite people and IS is not known for benevolence. Irrespective of the results, at least, there will be the comfort of closure for the 39 affected families.
New Delhi: A team of NIA officials along with experts from CFSL, Chandigarh visited Friday the Uttar Pradesh Assembly hall in Lucknow where a dangerous explosive was found, an agency spokesperson said in Delhi.

The official said the National Investigation Agency (NIA) team made a thorough assessment of the from where the suspected explosive PETN was found.

"The team was accompanied by the NIA explosive expert and the forensic experts from the CFSL, Chandigarh," he said in a statement in Delhi.

The team had discussions with officials of the home department, the state assembly, police and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Uttar Pradesh on various aspects of the alleged recovery of PETN, it said.

The NIA had registered a case on 26 July to probe the recovery of explosives in the Uttar Pradesh assembly earlier this month.

The Union home ministry had ordered the NIA to take up the case.

The ministry's decision came after it received a report and recommendation from the Uttar Pradesh government on the recovery of PETN from the Assembly premises.

About 150 grams of PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate) explosive was found wrapped in a paper close to the seat of the Leader of the Opposition, Ram Govind Choudhary, in the Assembly on 12 July.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had described it as a "dangerous terror conspiracy" and recommended a probe into the incident by the NIA.
Hyderabad: Amid questions raised over the business practices of his family members, NDA's vice-presidential nominee M Venkaiah Naidu Friday said he felt anguished by the allegations and maintained that he never interfered with the business of his children.

Naidu, who was speaking at an event organised by his well-wishers to 'meet and greet him', however, said that such allegations were "inescapable in public life".

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had recently alleged that in July 2014, the Telangana government had placed an order of Rs 271 crore without inviting tenders for the purchase of vehicles for the police from two car dealers  Harsha Toyota owned by Naidu's son and Himanshu Motors owned by Telangana chief minister's son.

Ramesh had also alleged that on 20 June, the Telangana government issued a "secret order" exempting the Swarna Bharat Trust of Naidu's daughter from paying development charge of more than Rs 2 crore to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority.

"I have no knowledge on the business of my son. I don't know the intricacies. They gave a big statement that Telangana government had purchased this number of vehicles from Harsha Toyota," Naidu said. "Those who are in mud, they cannot see somebody wearing a white shirt and dhoti. They try to stick (mud) on others. Then I asked for the first time (about the business)", he said.

Naidu said he was told that the government gives order to companies for the purchase of vehicles and that the company in turn gives commission to the dealers.

"I was surprised then. Those who have seen me for so long; those (party leaders) in Delhi might not know. Those here should have told them. That's how I maintained," he said.

Naidu said he had told his children not to get into politics and that he would not interfere in their business.

"I did not interfere in any way in the business of my son any day," he said.

Concerning questions over the trust run by his daughter, Naidu said it has been functioning for the last 16 years and that it does not accept funds from government.

"They (the trust) don't take funding from government. They offer training by working with banks. They have not accepted foreign contribution at all. Even a single rupee," he said. "I asked yesterday (about the matter). (They) said we don't take foreign contributions and we felt, what will happen if notice is given as they will cancel because we don't take (foreign contributions)," he said.

The Union home ministry has given notices to 18 lakh people all over the country, including 5,900 companies for taking foreign contributions, seeking details as part of Modi government's efforts to cleanse the system, he said.

Notices are issued routinely for details and that they have also been sent to Indira Gandhi Pratishtan, he said. Stating that he felt anguished over the charges, Naidu said such things are inescapable in public life.
New Delhi: With Iraq assuring all cooperation in tracing the 39 missing Indians, Minister of State for External Affairs, VK Singh is to travel to Badush near Mosul, which was freed from Islamic State control earlier this month, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.

During a meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj reiterated India's request for tracing the 39 Indians who were abducted in Mosul in June 2014 and for Iraq's continued assistance in this regard.

"The Iraqi Foreign Minister assured cooperation in all earnestness from the Iraqi side and informed the External Affairs Minister of the efforts being undertaken", the statement said. Sushma Swaraj requested the Iraqi minister to facilitate the visit of Singh to Badush.

The development comes as Sushma Swaraj on Thursday told Parliament that she would not declare the 39 Indians as dead till she has concrete evidence to that effect.

"I repeat, I will not declare them (the missing Indians) dead until we have concrete evidence to that effect", she told Rajya Sabha.

The minister said that she "never said in Parliament or outside that they are alive, as being claimed by some Congress MPs".

She said that according to the information that has been received, the group was caught at the Mosul airfield, and taken to a jail, after which they were put to construction work, and then farming, before being taken to Badush jail in 2016. But after that there has been no contact.

The Minister said that all the information was culled from different sources and there was no evidence to support any of the claims.

Following reports in the media that the Badush jail building had been demolished, the Minister was blamed for misleading the nation on the 39 Indians.

VK Singh had visited Iraq earlier this month after Iraqi forces aided by an international coalition liberated Mosul on 9 July after 266 days of fierce battles, ending three years of Islamic State rule.

Singh first went to Erbil and then on 12 July visited the Kurdih Pershmerga frontline in Mosul area to seek information about the missing Indians.

At his weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Thursday, external affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said that Singh's visit to Badush will be useful only when there is more information.

Sushma Swaraj also congratulated al-Jaafari over the liberation of Mosul.

She also thanked Iraq "for contributing significantly to India's energy security, being the second-largest supplier of crude oil to us".

On his part, al-Jaafari appreciated India's steadfast support to Iraq during its difficult times, including through capacity-building under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.

"He highlighted that India continued to welcome Iraqi nationals, especially for higher studies and medical treatment", the statement said.

The Iraqi foreign minister also invited Indian companies to participate in the reconstruction and rebuilding of Iraq, which Sushma Swaraj welcomed.
Kolkata: An Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter was pressed into service to rescue 150 persons stuck in floods in West Bengal's West Midnapore district on Friday but could not extricate them as the stranded persons were not willing to leave their home and get airborne, a Defence Ministry official said.

The persons are marooned at Pratappur village in West Midnapore's Ghatal block.

"A request from the state government for rescue of about 150 stranded people at the village of Pratappur in West Midnapore was received by the Station Commander of Air Force Station Barakpore, Group Captain AS Parandekar at about 3.45 pm. The Indian Air Force acted with alacrity and one Mi17 V5 helicopter with the necessary rescue spent was airborne from the air base at 1620 hrs," the Defence spokesperson said.

Stating that the call was made to the IAF as the National Disaster Response Force personnel failed to convince the stranded people to get down from the roof, he said they were also unwilling to get airborne leaving the safety of their houses in spite of multiple attempts by the IAF personnel to build confidence in them.

"By the time the helicopter arrived, the people, probably realising that water levels were not rising any further and that it would be perhaps safer to take the boat than to get airborne, were not ready to board the helicopter," he claimed.

"To build their confidence, the pilots did winch up one policeman and one local from that area, but since no one was forthcoming to board the helicopter, the aircraft landed back at Barakpore at 6.40 pm," the officer said.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, however, said the people trapped in the flood could not be rescued on Friday as the helicopter could not get down close enough to the roof due to lots of trees in the vicinity.

"They (IAF) came with ladder and other necessary equipment but could not complete the rescue operation as there were a lots of trees around the house," she claimed.

Terming the victim's unwillingness to leave their house as a "sentimental issue", Banerjee said they would carry on with the rescue operation on Saturday.

At least 16 persons have died and two million people affected in the floods covering 104 blocks in 11 districts of the state.

Heavy monsoon rains and release of excess water from the Damodar Valley Corporation reservoirs have caused the floods, according to the state government.

According to an official, 45,000 persons are still living in relief camps.
Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has formally named the Outer Wheeler island in Bhadrak district as APJ Abdul Kalam Island as a tribute to the former president on his second death anniversary on Thursday.

The revenue and disaster management department on Tuesday issued a gazette notification after obtaining no objection certificate from the ministry of home affairs, said revenue and disaster management minister Maheswar Mohanty.

Mohanty on Thursday handed over a copy of the gazette notification to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who had earlier announced to name the Wheeler Island after Kalam.

Patnaik paid tribute to Kalam at a function on the occasion of the former president's second death anniversary. He recalled Kalam's emotional attachment with the

interim test range at Chandipur in Balasore district and Wheeler Island in Bhadrak district.

Kalam had spent most of his time in these two places as part of his efforts to develop missiles for the protection of the country, the chief minister said after paying floral tributes
Lucknow: Some people are "allergic" to the name of Lord Ram and they should take a lesson from Indonesia, an Islamic nation "proud of the traditions" of the deity, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday.

Adityanath was speaking during the budget discussion at the Legislative Council, where he alleged that Ayodhya, believed to be the birthplace of Ram, had been discriminated against.

"Our government has started the renovation of ghats there. We are going to make a Ram Museum there. We have also decided to connect Ayodhya with Sitamadhi with a four-lane road under Ramayan circuit," he said.

In present times, Uttar Pradesh does not need socialism (Samajwadi), but nationalism (Rashtrawad), he asserted. "Equality is sign of rashtrawad."

The chief minister said the BJP government is working towards development without discrimination on the basis of religion or caste.

"Some persons have allergy with the name of Lord Ram despite the fact that after death 'Ram naam satya' is chanted. But then also they say why to take the name of Ayodhya.

"You go to the Muslim country, Indonesia, and see that they are proud of the traditions of Ram. Those who have allergy with the name of Ram should take a lesson from them," the chief minister said.

Adityanath said the Samajwadi Party claims to follow the ideology of Ram Manohar Lohia. "His name also has Ram. But instead of feeling proud of the traditions of Ram, they feel ashamed."

During the chief minister's speech, the entire opposition including SP, Congress and BSP were not present in the House.

In their absence, Appropriation and other Bills were unanimously passed in the House.
First it was Ram Bilas Paswan and now it's Nitish Kumar. The shift in the trajectories followed by these two illustrious leaders from Bihar is sufficient to mark the change in Indias political canvas.

The commonalities between the political stances and careers of both the leaders are striking. Both were ardent followers of the legendary Jay Prakash Narayan and both went on to become national leaders with formidable auras irrespective of their hold of the political ground from which they emerge. But most importantly, both the leaders who flaunted their secular credentials from a high moral ground, were once strident critics of Narendra Modi and his politics.

Political stories narrated by them saw dramatic changes in the recent times. Leader of the Lok Janashakti Party, Paswan left NDA during Gujarat riots in 2002, but re-joined just before the 2014 General Election to Lok Sabha, and is now the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in Prime Minister Narendra Modis cabinet. On the other hand Bihar chief minister and JD(U) leader Nitish, who snapped his 17-year-old alliance with NDA to protest Narendra Modis elevation as the prime ministerial candidate of the BJP in 2013, has now dumped his alliance with Lalu Prasad Yadav-led Rashtriya Janata Dal in Bihar to be a BJP-supported chief minister.

It would be an understatement to say that Paswan and Nitish's re-joining NDA merely proves right the proverbial saying that 'there is no permanent friend or foe in politics'. For both the leaders have been seen as those who stood by their carefully crafted public images even at the cost of political inconveniences in the past and are not known as turncoats. The shift in their trajectories cannot be narrowed down as cases of political convenience alone. Rather, it has to be seen in the light of the change in the nations mood that has now translated to change in the political canvas of India.

In the recent past, both leaders took drastic political decisions in their careers for their cherished idea of secularism. These were pivotal decisions as they re-asserted the idea of secularism which not only them but millions of Indians have received as political conditioning.

In 2002, Paswan parted ways with the ruling NDA on the face of Gujarat riots. After resigning from the post of Union Minister of Coals and Mines, he was candid enough to let the then-prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee know that he and his MPs would vote against the government in the Oppositions censure motion on the Gujarat situation in the Lok Sabha next day.

Paswan would cling to this stance even after a decade. When Modi the then chief minister of Gujarat delivered the Independence Day speech at Bhuj on 15 August, 2013, parallel to then prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh's speech in Red Fort, Paswan named it a condemnable act that weakened democracy of India.

He also accused the media of giving too much importance to Modi and said that the electronic media treated the (then) Gujarat chief ministers speech in Bhuj as if it was something very important for the country".

He also lambasted the BJP as Bharat Jalao Party.

Nitish has also been known for his overtly drastic moves which were seen as directly attempted against Modi.

It was Narendra Modis elevation as the prime ministerial candidate of BJP that led Kumar to break alliance with NDA in 2013. He also sacked 11 BJP ministers in Bihar cabinet and decided to seek a trust vote on the floor of the Assembly.

Without naming Modi, Nitish at that time attempted to negate the then Gujarat chief minister's prospects as a prime minister. His conditions were clear, a leader can only be one who is comfortable with the Islamic skull cap and the Hindu tika. Jise topi bhi pahenna hoga tika bhi lagana hoga, he had said.

Negating the Gujarat model of development, Nitish asked, What kind of development is this where malnutrition is an issue and people dont get drinking water. The creation of infrastructure and putting of industries is fine but human index should also be looked at.

Prior to that, his bitterness towards Modi was so high that he had even refused to accept flood relief money for Bihar from Gujarat in 2008. The money was returned with interest as reported by The Times of India.

Nitishs adherence to his anti-Modi stance made many imagine him as the face of a possible anti-BJP alliance in the 2019 General Elections to Lok Sabha.

Be it Paswan or Nitish, defying all speculations both joined the Modi-led NDA.

In 2014, Paswan justified his re-joining NDA by saying, This is the era of development and the primary focus should be on providing jobs to youths. Whenever elections are near these so-called secular parties come forward to chant secularism."

As for Nitish, the Bihar chief minister cited his stand against bhrastachaar or corruption as the reason of his snapping ties with RJD and that of re-joining NDA.

The fact that two stalwarts of secularism and strident critics of Modi have re-joined NDA and accepted Modi's leadership on the grounds of development and politics against graft, shows that Indias political canvas has changed unrecognisably. Their return to the NDA fold will be seen as a counter to the accusations of non-inclusiveness often levelled against the present regime by the Opposition.
Ahmedabad: In another jolt to the Congress in Gujarat, three party MLAs considered close to Shankarsinh Vaghela on Thursday quit and joined the BJP, which quickly declared one of them its candidate for next month's Rajya Sabha polls against Congress veteran Ahmed Patel.

The resignation of Balwantsinh Rajput, the party's chief whip in the Assembly, Tejashreeben Patel and Prahlad Patel reduced the Congress's tally to 54 in the 182-seat assembly. Rajput, Tejashreeben Patel and Prahlad Patel resigned from the House and also all party posts. They later drove to the BJP office in Gandhinagar and joined the saffron party in the presence of its president Amit Shah.

Shah and Union minister Smriti Irani are the other two BJP candidates for the August 8 RS elections. Of the total 11 Rajya Sabha members from the state, the term of three  Irani and Dilipbhai Pandya (both BJP) and Ahmed Patel  is ending on 18 August.

The Congress has re-nominated Ahmed Patel, political secretary to party president Sonia Gandhi. The 67-year-old Congressman filed his nomination papers on Wednesday.

Rajput represented Siddhapur seat in Patan district, while Tejashreeben Patel was elected from Viramgam in Ahmedabad district. Prahlad Patel was elected from Vijapur in Mehasana district.

Earlier in the day, they submitted their resignation letters to Assembly Speaker Ramanlal Vora at Gandhinagar. "Balwantsinh Rajput, Tejashreeben Patel and Prahlad Patel have given their resignation as sitting MLAs of their respective seats. They now cease to be the members the Legislative Assembly," Vora told PTI.

The trio cannot vote in the Rajya Sabha polls now, he said. The development came on the day when Shah was in Gandhinagar to attend a meeting of party MLAs called to chalk out the strategy for the Rajya Sabha polls.

"I welcome all three MLAs into the BJP fold. I called Rajput and invited him to join the party upon learning that he, along with two other MLAs, has resigned. I welcome all of them into the BJP," Gujarat BJP chief Jitu Vaghani told reporters.

Within hours of Rajput's induction, the BJP, seeking to queer the pitch for Ahmed Patel, fielded Rajput as its third candidate from Gujarat, hoping to cut into the votes of the Congress nominee.

Rajput's son is the husband of Vaghela's granddaughter. The latest setback for the Congress comes almost a week after Vaghela left the party and also resigned as the Leader of Opposition. However, he continues to be an MLA.

The Congress nominee can sail through if he musters the support of 47 MLAs and the party is able to further desertions from its legislative arm. Congress, the main opposition party in the Gujarat Assembly, also has the support of two NCP legislators and the lone JD(U) MLA.

The presidential election had seen cross-voting by Congress MLAs as the joint opposition candidate Meira Kumar could garner votes of only 49 legislators against the party's then strength of 57 in the Assembly.

Talking to media after joining the BJP, Rajput blamed the Congress leadership for his decision to exit. "Though I worked with dedication for the Congress over

the last 35 years, I was very upset because of infighting and groupism in the party. Fingers were also raised at me over my integrity owing to my relation with Vaghela. I realised if I have to work for development, I have to leave the Congress," said Rajput.

Tejashreeben Patel also slammed the Congress, saying the party appears clueless about how to prepare and win the upcoming assembly polls in Gujarat.

Instead of focusing on winning the upcoming Assembly polls, Congress leaders were day-dreaming about getting important posts. It was very difficult for me to be in that party, she said.

Prahlad Patel said he has joined the ruling BJP in the interest of his constituents. He said BJP ministers always reacted positively to the development proposals he presented before them. I realised that if I join the ruling party, I can do more for the people, he said.
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It is hardly a secret that the Opposition is in disarray as the BJP has worked its way to governments all across India. Currently, the BJP-led NDA holds power in no less than 18 states. As the Opposition loses power in one state after another, one place where it is still relevant is in the Upper House where the BJP is still a minority. While there have been accusations against the government of using the money bill route to bypass Rajya Sabha, it still clearly regards the upper chamber as important. This was evidenced by the fact that it will soon send its foremost political operative to bolster its strength in Rajya Sabha.

Amit Shah, the 52-year-old BJP president has been instrumental in the party's expansion across India. A five-time MLA from Gujarat, this will be Shah's first stint in Parliament. This is not too uncommon in the BJP as Nitin Gadkari became an MP from Nagpur in 2014 only after his term as party president ended. Rajnath Singh too was not an MP during his first term but entered Parliament only in 2009 from Ghaziabad, according to The Economic Times.

Livemint has reported that senior leaders of the BJP see this move as ensuring that Shah will be directly involved in policy making and work for the people by representing a state.

This shift in roles is not an insignificant one as while Shah was earlier heavily involved in ensuring that the BJP won state after state, now he could be actively involved in the day-to-day running of the nation. Arun Jaitley holds the position of Leader in the House but his hands are quite full with the finance and defence portfolios. After M Venkaiah Naidu's departure from the House, the BJP leadership in the House is stretched rather thin. Having Shah in the House will relieve Jaitley of some responsibility and allow the party to rally around Shah.

According to The Free Press Journal, the BJP has not done too well in attracting the smaller parties to its fold as they have gravitated towards the Opposition. Jaitley has been able to do little about it but Shah with his sharp political acumen might just be the man to turn the tide and cobble together an alliance of sorts to ease BJP's work in the Rajya Sabha.

Or might the move mean the exact opposite of the scheme outlined above? Could Shah have been drafted into Parliament to become part of Modi's cabinet? Depending on who you choose to believe, Shah could either take over as home minister or the defence minister. A cabinet reshuffle would also certainly make sense as Naidu is no longer in the party and Anil Dave, the former environment minister has passed away. Add to that the fact that Manohar Parrikar was never quite replaced as defence minister and it is clear that the cabinet could certainly use some reinforcements.

There is also a school of thought  put forward by NDTV  which believes that Shah might not want to give up the second-most powerful position as the kingmaker, to become just one of many ministers. He might instead use the public pulpit provided by Rajya Sabha to build a national profile for himself as a hardline BJP leader who can take on the Opposition with aggression and expertise. This course of action will let the BJP keep him as party president as its 'one man, one post' rule will not allow Shah to be both a minister and the party head.

The Modi-Shah duo's decisions have been difficult to foretell as we saw with the left-field pick of Ram Nath Kovind as the NDA's presidential candidate. It is however clear that their political acumen is sharper than anybody's in the business as most of their decisions have yielded benefits for the BJP. The BJP's supporters should then rest easy as having Shah in the Rajya Sabha can only lead to gains for the party. NDTV frames the BJP's mission as thus: it seeks to be the dominant pole of Indian polity and ensure that it has a stake and a presence in all parts of India. Shah's position in Rajya Sabha will allow the BJP to wage war at the final frontier against the Opposition and no longer be reliant on using money bills to pass through its agenda through the legislature.
Just like development cannot be an alibi for Hindutva politics, secularism cannot be the pretext for corruption and mal-administration. The political scenario in India is at a crossroads whereby the choice is between two terrifyingly exclusivist alternatives; development-masking-Hindutva and secularism-masking-corruption. Such is the state of affairs in the country, that in the battle of turf between two extreme ideologies, social harmony and economic progress appear as if pitted against each other, and when faced with a choice, the masses have increasingly chosen the latter over the former.

The latest U-turn by Nitish Kumar in Bihar, marking the beginning of an end for a potential Mahagadhbandhan of 2019, is also indicative of the larger shift in the narrative of Indian politics which has seemingly moved beyond the politics of mandir-masjid and mandal-kamandal, to the politics of ek bharat-swacch bharat. The credit for this humungous shift goes to the BJP that has been able to successfully cash in on the anti-elite sentiment in the country. The swacchta abhiyan launched by Narendra Modi-led NDA government with its social overtones and political undertones has been able to provide a sheen of corruption free governance to the partys overarching goal of promoting Hindutva. Interestingly, the BJP has been able to re-create its image from a party of the petty bourgeoisie including the upper middle class and the traders to a party of the poor and the outclassed. The grander narratives associated with economic initiatives such as demonetisation, GST and electoral funding reforms, are all targeted at consolidating a voter base that was earlier outside its purview.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis personal adulation of Bhimrao Ambedkar, which included a symbolic naming of numerous government schemes after him (the popular Bharat Interface for Money, also known as the BHIM app, being a case in point), in addition to the election of Dalit leader Ram Nath Kovind as president, have worked for creating grander pro-Dalit narratives for the BJP. Therefore, by positioning itself as a pro-poor, pro-Dalit party, the BJP has been able to create a broader version of Hindutva which is more encompassing and accommodative towards the socially outcasts and economically marginalised. The link between poverty and caste has been exploited well by the BJP, given that most of its economic initiatives have been launched with a pro-poor face. In promulgating the politics of caste and class, the BJP has therefore created linkages between development and Hindutva, such that its economic manoeuvres provide a push to its social agendas. It is this successful exploitation of the caste-class politics which has propelled the BJP as a party of the masses such that in almost all the elections held after its victory in 2014, the BJP has been able to garner the largest share of votes and converted them into successful political mandates.

With Nitish Kumar re-joining the NDA camp, the Opposition has lost out on a potential anti-Modi face for the 2019 elections. While the immediate brunt of Nitishs decision will be borne by Lalu Prasads RJD in Bihar, the long term impact of Nitishs ghar wapasi will be felt by the Congress which faces a nation-wide decimation, given the lack of a credible national leadership. What is more worrisome for the Indian democracy is that the Opposition has been unable to find a counter to BJPs grander narratives of development-masking-Hindutva politics. The pitch for secular politics has not been able to cover for the fact that the Opposition is still relying on its old tainted leadership to counter the new form of forces unleashed by the BJP.

As the Opposition continues to face rout in regional elections, the parties have found themselves increasingly reluctant to do away with the old order, led by the older elite. By raking up corruption as a major political issue, the BJP has been able to capture the imagination of the masses, a point that has been tragically missed by the opposition ranks. While Bihar 2015 could have been an important turning point for the opposition, the continuing practice of corruption, nepotism and mal-administration has led us to Bihar 2017, which has effectively reversed any progress made on the front of the Mahagathbandhan.

The lack of a genuine political opposition to the NDA in 2019 is problematic for two reasons. Firstly, as has been witnessed in the last three years, the BJP has been unwilling to rein in its fringe which has gone on a rampage against beef eating Muslims. Therefore, while there has been a consolidation of the Hindu society, the polarisation of the Hindus and the Muslims has sharpened the divide. Secondly, there has been a concerted attack by the ruling government on the spaces of dissent in the country, under the garb of nationalism. Lack of a genuine political opposition in Parliament will further shrink the space for dissent by the civil society. Much to the chagrin of many, the blame for the political rout of the old elite, however, can be placed squarely on their own shoulders. The reluctance to give way to a new political order, both within the individual parties and in the larger political space has created a situation wherein the opposition clearly appears less democratic and more elitist than the ruling BJP.

The BJPs emphasis on inner-party democracy has resonated well with the masses who have come to value democratic participation in the political process and economic freedom over other socio-political freedoms. The Oppositions continued reliance on lineages and dynasties has worked to alienate a large section of the masses who see the old order as a symbol of mass corruption and loot. The wider debate over the issue of nepotism has penetrated deep within the psyche of the common man who views dynastic politics as antithetical to the ethos of democracy and therefore a vote for BJP is essentially a vote against dynastic politics and political patronage.

The states where the BJP hasnt been able to capture the imagination of the voters are essentially the states where the ruling government is not viewed as dynastic or elitist. This is the reason why Mamata Banerjee continues to do well in West Bengal, Kerala is still predominantly a Left bastion, Chandrababu Naidu is still an icon of Andhra Pradeshs development while Captain Amarinder Singhs non-dynastic brand of governance has worked to trump the Akalis in Punjab. In the case of every state, the vote by the masses has essentially been a vote against dynastic succession and political snobbery. The Oppositions continued reliance on la familas and tainted old guards, therefore, hasnt helped their political cause.

The amalgamation of class and caste has therefore led to a tectonic shift in the politics of this country. To counter the BJPs political manoeuvres, the Opposition will, therefore, need to shed some old habits, discard the old order and replace the old guards. Unless there is a major restructuring in the ranks of the Opposition, it will be difficult for them to work on issues that can truly resonate with the demands of the restructured electorate.
In what may come as a solid blow to the Congress in Gujarat, three more Congress MLAs  Mansingh Chouhan, Chhanabhai Chaudhary and Ramsinh Parmar  resigned. The legislators handed over their resignation to the Assembly Speaker Ramanlal Vora.

#Gujarat: Two more Congress MLAs Mansingh Chouhan and Chhanabhai Chaudhary resigned. handed over their resignation to the assembly speaker.  ANI (@ANI_news) July 28, 2017

I have received resignation of five MLAs so far: Ramanlal Vora, Speaker of Gujarat Assembly pic.twitter.com/F4aIWGPKNS  ANI (@ANI_news) July 28, 2017

Gujarat Congress MLA Ramsinh Parmar submits his resignation to Assembly Speaker.  ANI (@ANI_news) July 28, 2017

With the resignation of Chouhan, Parmar and Choudhary, the total number of resignations in Gujarat Congress in the past 24 hours has reached six. On Thursday, three party MLAs considered close to Shankarsinh Vaghela quit and joined the BJP, which quickly declared one of them its candidate for next month's Rajya Sabha polls against Congress veteran Ahmed Patel. The resignation of Balwantsinh Rajput, the party's chief whip in the Assembly, Tejashreeben Patel and Prahlad Patel reduced the Congress's tally to 54 in the 182-seat assembly. The situation is quite precarious for Congress' Ahmed Patel. The leader needs 47 votes to win the state Rajya Sabha elections and after losing the five MLAs, the number of MLAs supporting Patel stands at 51. Considering that Vaghela and his son both will not vote for Patel, only three more Congress MLAs need to quit the party or cross-vote and it will be endgame for Patel. News18 also reported that at least 16 MLAs from Gujarat Congress might quit ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections.

#BREAKING -- Up to 16 Gujarat Congress MLAs to quit ahead of Rajya Sabha polls, @MeghdootS with more details pic.twitter.com/okCfSmKHa2  News18 (@CNNnews18) July 28, 2017

Meanwhile, former Congress MLA Tejashree Patel said that the key is to work for the development of the state and its people. "...shaasak paksh mein rahenge toh aur bhi kaam karenge (Will get to do more work if we are in the ruling government)," she was quoted as saying by ANI.

Vikaas ka kaam aur logon ki sewa karni hai, shaasak paksh mein rahenge toh aur bhi kaam karenge:Tejashree Patel,Frmr Cong MLA who joined BJP pic.twitter.com/DbvetLSxQ3  ANI (@ANI_news) July 28, 2017

Sab vidhayak apne khsetra mein naraz the,sangathan mein koi kaam nahi karta tha,ek strong neta nahi tha:T Patel,Frmr Cong MLA who joined BJP  ANI (@ANI_news) July 28, 2017

Rajput, Tejashreeben Patel and Prahlad Patel resigned from the House and also all party posts. They later drove to the BJP office in Gandhinagar and joined the saffron party in the presence of its president Amit Shah. Shah and Union minister Smriti Irani are the other two BJP candidates for the 8 August Rajya Sabha elections.

Of the total 11 Rajya Sabha members from the state, the term of three  Irani and Dilipbhai Pandya (both BJP) and Ahmed Patel  is ending on 18 August. The Congress has re-nominated Ahmed Patel, political secretary to party president Sonia Gandhi. The 67-year-old Congressman filed his nomination papers yesterday.

Rajput represented Siddhapur seat in Patan district, while Tejashreeben Patel was elected from Viramgam in Ahmedabad district. Prahlad Patel was elected from Vijapur in Mehasana district.

Earlier in the day, they submitted their resignation letters to Assembly Speaker Ramanlal Vora at Gandhinagar. "Balwantsinh Rajput, Tejashreeben Patel and Prahlad Patel have given their resignation as sitting MLAs of their respective seats. They now cease to be the members the Legislative Assembly," Vora told PTI.

The trio cannot vote in the Rajya Sabha polls now, he said.

The development came on the day when Shah was in Gandhinagar to attend a meeting of party MLAs called to chalk out the strategy for the Rajya Sabha polls.

"I welcome all three MLAs into the BJP fold. I called Rajput and invited him to join the party upon learning that he, along with two other MLAs, has resigned. I welcome all of them into the BJP," Gujarat BJP chief Jitu Vaghani told reporters.

Within hours of Rajput's induction, the BJP, seeking to queer the pitch for Ahmed Patel, fielded Rajput as its third candidate from Gujarat, hoping to cut into the votes of the Congress nominee.

Rajput's son is the husband of Vaghela's granddaughter.

The latest setback for the Congress comes almost a week after Vaghela left the party and also resigned as the Leader of Opposition. However, he continues to be an MLA.

The Congress nominee can sail through if he musters the support of 47 MLAs and the party is able to further desertions from its legislative arm. Congress, the main opposition party in the Gujarat Assembly, also has the support of two NCP legislators and the lone JD(U) MLA.

The presidential election had seen cross-voting by Congress MLAs as the joint opposition candidate Meira Kumar could garner votes of only 49 legislators against the party's then strength of 57 in the Assembly.

Talking to media after joining the BJP, Rajput blamed the Congress leadership for his decision to exit.

"Though I worked with dedication for the Congress over the last 35 years, I was very upset because of infighting and groupism in the party. Fingers were also raised at me over my integrity owing to my relation with Vaghela. I realised if I have to work for development, I have to leave the Congress," said Rajput.

Tejashreeben Patel also slammed the Congress, saying the party appears clueless about how to prepare and win the upcoming assembly polls in Gujarat.

Instead of focusing on winning the upcoming Assembly polls, Congress leaders were day-dreaming about getting important posts. It was very difficult for me to be in that party, she said.

Prahlad Patel said he has joined the ruling BJP in the interest of his constituents.

He said BJP ministers always reacted positively to the development proposals he presented before them. I realised that if I join the ruling party, I can do more for the people, he said.
Nitish Kumar's masterstroke move to resign as Chief Minister of Bihar only to comeback and reclaim his seat will impressively work in his favour, as he is about to face the floor test in Bihar Assembly on Friday.

Hours after Nitish broke off JD(U) alliance with RJD and the Congress, and tendered his resignation, the JD(U)chief had BJP backing him to form the new government in Bihar. Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi had then given Nitish two days to prove majority in the Bihar Assembly. However, BJP's support is enough for Nitish's JD(U) to come to power again in Bihar.

Even though the idea of having a new Bihar government has not gone down well, either with the RJD, the Lalu Prasad Yadav family in particular, there is nothing any of them can do about it to, at least in terms of affecting the trust vote.

On Wednesday, Tejashwi had told that being the largest party in the House, RJD would also seek time from the governor to stake claim to form the government. However, with the trust vote all set to happen on Friday, it is highly unlikely that the RJD can appeal to the Governor at this point.

The JD(U)-BJP combination has enough numbers in the Bihar Assembly to prove its majority, seven more than required. While, JDU has 71 seats in the Assembly, BJP has 53. Together, the JD(U) and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have 129 MLAs in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, while the magic figure is of 122.

With RJD's 80 MLAs, even if it tries to form alliance with Congress, which has 27 MLAs, and CPI(ML), which has three, their number would only add up to 110. This is not clearly not enough to form the government.

However, the RJD is rooting for conscience votes after JD(U) MPs Ali Anwar, Sharad Yadav and Veerendra Kumar established their negative reservations over Nitish's move to join ranks with the BJP. There are six Muslim and 11 Yadav MLAs within the JD(U), which the RJD is banking on, though Hindustan Times said that there are reports that these MLAs have submitted letters of support individually to the party.

The Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP), Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM) and Communist Party of India (MarxistLeninist) (CPI(ML)) have two, one, and one seats respectively. Although the NDA has 58 members in the Bihar House, the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) is not very keen on supporting Nitish.

The four independent MLAs in the state Assembly may or may not favour the coalition which enjoys majority support. However, they cannot affect the result as much as to cost Nitish his dear seat.

Meanwhile, there is also a likelihood of Nitish's support getting a boost in the Assembly. According to sources close to CNN News18, more than half of Congress' MLAs might vote for JD(U) on Friday. If that happens, Friday's floor test could also affect the Congress-RJD relationship, much to the delight of the NDA.
Thiruvananthapuram: A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state office was attacked allegedly by CPM activists in Thiruvananthapuram early on Friday.

Vehicles parked in the office complex were damaged in the attack as some men pelted stones, police said.

Local BJP workers have alleged that activists of CPI (M) were behind the attack.

A case has been registered and investigation is underway, police said.

BJP Kerala president Kummanom Rajasekharan was in the building during the incident, party sources said. Six cars including that of the state president were damaged, they added.
Panaji: Goa former chief minister Pratapsingh Rane on Friday said that he will not campaign against his son and current health minister in the BJP-led coalition government, Vishwajit Rane, in the upcoming assembly by-election, dealing a setback to the Congress.

"Family is more important than politics," Rane told IANS on the sidelines of the ongoing monsoon session of the Goa assembly.

"There are many instances in India where members of the same family have contested on different party tickets," the former Speaker and Goa's longest serving Congress legislator said.

His son Vishwajit won from the Valpoi assembly constituency earlier this year on a Congress ticket, but later switched over to the Bharatiya Janata Party and joined the coalition cabinet as Health Minister, resulting in by-election in Valpoi.

Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar said the party respects Rane's decision. "It is a personal matter. We do not want to force him to campaign," Kavlekar said.

BJP spokesperson Michael Lobo said that the party was confident of victory, irrespective of whether Pratapsingh Rane campaigns or not.

"Vishwajit has a good connect with the people. Whether his father campaigns against him or not is irrespective," Lobo said.

Goa will see two by-elections in August in Valpoi and in the Panaji assembly constituency, where Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar  who is still a Rajya Sabha member from Uttar Pradesh  is expected to contest from.
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N itish Kumar on his way to meet Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi after meeting with Lalu Prasad Yadav

There are questions of what happens if he resigns? Will there be a JDU-BJP alliance?- CNN News-18

BJP is planning a meeting at 7 pm on whether they would support Nitish or not

Nitish Kumar took the first step by resigning and this could mean a bigger merger between Nitish and BJP. The BJP core committee meeting will reveal more details as to whether BJP would help to support the government from outside. -CNN-News18

Sushil Modi had given enough indications that BJP is ready to back Nitish Kumar

Nitish says he has submitted his resignation to the governor and has quit in the interest of Bihar. He also says that they never expected anyone's resignation.

The two leaders, Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav, had been at loggerheads ever since the CBI launched raids against Lalu's son and family. While the chief minister Nitish always demanded the Deputy CM of Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav, to resign, RJD supremo Lalu always maintained that there was no possibility of his son resigning from the post of Bihar deputy chief minister.

He, however, didn't refute the speculations of forming next government. He said that whatever that will be required for Bihar will be done.

"I am not blaming anyone. But for me. I have done as much as it was possible. I thank everyone. The 20 months were not easy. I have run the govt for its 1/3rd period. I have faced many difficulties. But I always kept development in mind," Nitish Kumar said.

With the resignation of Nitish Kumar, there is the possibility of new political realignment in the state

Now that Nitish Kumar has resigned, the question is what could be his next move

Even as NDA remains locked in a core committee meeting on Wednesday to discuss Bihar developments, prime minister Narendra Modi took just 20 minutes in welcoming Kumar's move. Modi's congratulatory message, thanking Nitish for his "move to join the fight against corruption", clears the routes for Kumar to join hands. It remains to be seen what form will BJP's support take, whether from outside or part of the cabinet, but there's no doubt that Nitish's ghar wapsi to NDA is imminent.

The fast-paced events would put even Christopher Nolan's scripts to shame but amid the resignation drama in Bihar, it seems fairly certain now that Nitish Kumar may return to the NDA fold. Nitish, shortly after tendering his resignation to the governor, met the media for an impromptu press conference outside Raj Bhavan and said a decision will be taken in Bihar's interest.

However Modi didn't clarify whether BJP will actually be part of the next govt, or offer outside suppor to JD(U).

BJP is likely to support Nitish Kumar in forming the next government in Bihar. Speaking with mediapersons on Wednesday, BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said that the BJP is not in favour of mid-term elections. "We don't want mid-term polls. We are happy that Bihar CM didn't compromise on issue of corruption and didn't kneel down before RJD. We welcome Nitish Kumar's decision,"he said.

"We had discussion with Nitish Kumar. There are several misinformation about the case in public domain. We can't go to the public with that information. If we do, the agencies will plug those loopholes. We will say everything when the agencies ask the questions," he added.

The RJD leader also reminded Nitish Kumar about his pledge to make an RSS-free India, and never to join BJP.

"I still have chara ghotala case agaisnt me. There is court conviction in the case, and an appeal has been made. Nitish Kumar knew about the corruption allegations against me," Lalu Prasad Yadav said.

Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan on Wednesday welcomed Nitish Kumar's decision to resign as Chief Minister of Bihar, saying it was a move against corruption, reports IANS. "When the (coalition) government was formed, I had said it would not last for more than two and a half years," Paswan tweeted.

Addressing a gathering of media persons, the BJP said that it welcomes Nitish Kumar's battle against corruption. "A three-member committee of the BJP will report of its views on the Bihar situation. We are committed to development in Bihar," the party said.

The resignation might be 'sushashan babu's' last-ditch attempt to save what little is left of his political capital.

There were enough indications for some time now that the strains in the Bihar Mahagathbandhan were taking a heavy toll on Kumar who was running out of options even as Lalu and his son, Tejashwi Yadav, Bihar's deputy chief minister, dug in their heels. Pushed to a corner, Nitish chose probity over power but this decision may not be enough in dispelling the notion that he has already compromised his "incorruptible and clean" image by deciding to tie up with Lalu in 2015.

In his fist comments since tendering the resignation as Bihar chief minister, Nitish Kumar quoted Mahatma Gandhi in saying that the world has enough for everyone's needs but not for their greed. It is was an obvious reference to Lalu Prasad Yadav's corrupt empire that threatened to wipe out Nitish's political capital by way of association.

Will divorce from Lalu Yadav be enough to save Nitish Kumar's image?

Better to resign than to rub shoulder with the corrupt: Vasundhara Raje | CNN-News18

Nitish Kumar did not inform Rahul Gandhi about his intention to resign: sources | ANI

While Nitish's decision comes as a shock, recent reports of Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad facing an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for amassing benami properties had not come as a shock to many in the state, who have long suffered the goonda raj that prevailed in Bihar when RJD was in power.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar's resignation on Wednesday lays bare the spectre of corruption looming large in the form of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members.

"There was no need of Tejashwi's resignation as CBI action was politically motivated and orchestrated by BJP central leadership", he added.

Lalu Yadav hit back at Nitish Kumar's comment on zero tolerance against corruption stating that Nitish Kumar was aware of the corruption allegations against him while forming the alliance. Speaking about his son and Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu said that the deputy chief minister of Bihar was ready to go to public on 27 August, the day the RJD has called an anti-BJP rally in Patna.

Tejashwi Yadav was ready to go public about corruption allegations on 27 August: Lalu Yadav

Jharkhand chief minister Raghubar Das congratulated Nitish Kumar for his decision to end the Mahagathbandhan government following corruption allegations against Lalu Prasad Yadav family including deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav. "The country is fighting against corruption. The courageous steps of Nitish Kumar will take Bihar forward. It's everybody's responsibility to fight against corruption," he tweeted on Wednesday.

One doesn't know what transpired in the meeting but Nitish's frustration with Rahul's inaction was evident and this may have played no small part in pushing him over the brink. This is a deeper defeat for Congress than is immediately apparent because the fading grand old party loses one more chance to remain in power in one of the key states in the Hindi heartland. Contrast Rahul with prime minister Narendra Modi, who wasted no time in extending a hand of support towards Nitish, eyes firmly set on the future.

The developments in Bihar reflect poorly on Congress and its vice-president's leadership qualities. Soon after emerging from Raj Bhavan on Wednesday evening, Nitish Kumar claimed that he had done everything he could to save the alliance, including meeting Rahul Gandhi over the deadlock that arose out of Tejashwi Yadav's decision to stay put. It was sufficient hint that Rahul Gandhi, in his capacity as Congress vice-president and a partner in the Mahagathbandhan, could have done more. Perhaps impress upon Lalu Yadav that his son must step down in the larger interest of sustaining the Opposition as a viable political force.

Nitish Kumar thanks Narendra Modi for supporting his decision to resign as Bihar CM

Watching the Bihar developments unfold, it is difficult to avoid the impression that Nitish Kumar and BJP played out an intricately detailed, perfectly laid-out script. Consider the moves which started not on Wednesday but a day before when Nitish, unlike any other Opposition leaders except Sonia Gandhi, got a first-row seat during Ram Nath Kovind's swearing-in as 14th President of India. Mamata Banerjee was seated in the last row while Arvind Kejriwal was left high and dry. On Wednesday, minutes after Nitish had resigned as Bihar chief minister, Narendra Modi sent out two tweets to congratulate him. Simultaneously, BJP's state unit went into a core committee meeting while another meeting was going on in New Delhi. Shortly thereafter, BJP announced unconditional support to Nitish while he thanked prime minisiter on Twitter. Minutes later, all 53 BJP MLAs walked over to 1, Anne Marg, the official residence of the chief minister, and announced their support. The latest CNN News18 reports say that Nitish could stake claim for forming the government on Wednesday night itself. Janata Dal (United) has 71 MLAs. NDA's 58 seats give Nitish enough numbers to form the government. One could say that it stretches credulity to think that there is no premeditation in these turn of events. It's one more indication of how nimble-footed BJP is under the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duopoly.

JD (U) leader KC Tyagi said the decision of forming the Grand Alliance government in Bihar was "a mistake" and ruled out any possibility of patch-up with the RJD. Speaking to reporters after Lalu Prasad Yadav addressed the media in Patna, Tyagi said: "After such allegations, there is no point of going along with them. They (RJD) are now untouchable for us." The JD-U spokesperson said that Nitish Kumar had never used harsh language against Lalu Prasad Yadav but the latter "used disrespectful words" for the JD-U president. "It is shameful. We regret our decision to run the government with such person (Lalu Prasad) for 20 months.

Nitish Kumar to take oath as chief minister of Bihar at 5 pm on Thursday, reports ANI

10 am: Shivanand Tiwari's sharp criticism of Nitish Kumar after meeting Lalu Prasad Yadav was one of the earliest signs of split in Mahagathbandhan

He also said that they have given 10 am as the time for swearing-in, which initially was 5 pm.

According to reports, Nitish and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushil Modi will take oath as Bihar Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister respectively on Thursday at 10 am. Modi confirmed the time and said that they had submitted a letter, with support of 132 MLAs.

After the stunning political manoeuvre of former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Prasad tweeted late on Wednesday night slamming Nitish for pre-poning his swearing-in ceremony.

"Each development seemed planned. It was all pre-decided. Why was everything done in such rush? His resignation, followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) backing him, and staking claim to form government within hours of resignation, proves it," Tejashwi said, after meeting the Governor.

Tagging Nitish Kumar's resignation and the developments following it as pre-planned, Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday said that they have requested Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi to stall the swearing-in ceremony and give the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) a chance to prove majority on the floor.

The deputy chief minister of Bihar Tejashwi Prasad was livid when the time of swearing-in was changed from 5 pm to 10 am. An angry Tejashwi, in a series of tweets, charged Nitish of pretending to be "honest and moral."

Reiterating his party's stand, Tejashwi said, he was only an excuse for Nitish to join hands with the BJP. "Tejashwi ek bahaana tha, case, investigation ek bahana tha, inko (Nitish) BJP ke sath jana tha (I was an excuse, the investigation was an excuse. He just wanted to go with BJP)," Tejashwi told ANI.

Tripathi had earlier invited Tejashwi Yadav and five other RJD MLAs for discussion.

RJD offices offices across all districts in Bihar will hold protest march at 12 pm on Thursday, RJD leader Ram Chandra Purve told ANI. Party leaders and Lalu loyalists are livid after Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi for pre-poning the swearing-in ceremony of Nitish at 10 am on Thursday.

The numbers are, however, stacked against him. The JD(U) and NDA allies together have 129 MLAs in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, seven more than the magic figure of 122. support.

"Have sought appointment with the governor. Will stake claim to form government as the the single largest party. Will also get the support of JD(U) MLAs who have won after defeating BJP candidates," Tejashwi tweeted.

The JD(U)-BJP combine may have the numbers in the Bihar Assembly to prove its majority, but RJD appeared in no mood to give up without a fight, with Tejashwi Yadav saying he would stake claim to form the next government.

Modi later told journalists that a list of 132 MLAs supporting the alliance was submitted to the governor who has invited Kumar to form the government. These include 71 of JD(U), BJP 53, RLSP 2, LJP 2, HAM 1 and three Independents.

After the meeting, Kumar, accompanied by senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi drove to Raj Bhavan to stake claim to form the government.

But in a series of fast-paced developments that unfolded over the next few hours it became clear that Kumar was going to be the ultimate winner. First, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him for his "honesty" in standing up to corruption. Then the BJP said it would support him, and its legislators met Kumar's JD(U) MLAs.

In what will be remembered as one of the quickest political developments and manoeuvering, Nitish Kumar quit as Bihar chief minister on Wednesday only to stage a dramatic comeback. "In the circumstances that prevail in Bihar, it became difficult to run the grand alliance government," Kumar told reporters outside Raj Bhavan after submitting his resignation to Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi.

RECAP How Nitish stunned Bihar | Tejashwi says RJD will stake claim to government too

In one of the first negative reaction coming from the JD(U) camp, MP Ali Anwar on Thursday told ANI, "Nitishji has taken the decision of going with BJP because his conscience allowed him. Mine does not. My conscience does not allow me to support his move."

He also threatened of protests across the state against Kumar "who will find it difficult to move around". Tejashwi claimed he had support of most JD(U) MLAs. "I'm confident that most JD(U) MLAs who are committed to social justice will vote against the government in the floor-test," he said. He said the governor told him that he has already invited Kumar for taking oath and it is not possible to take back the invitation letter.

He said the people of Bihar had given the grand alliance the mandate to run its government for 5 years which Kumar "betrayed".

"RJD being the single largest party should have been invited to form the government. We are taking legal advice and will move court against the governor's decision," he told reporters after the meeting.

After Kumar's meeting with the governor late last night, Tejashwi, accompanied by some RJD MLAs and leaders, marched to the Raj Bhawan to meet Tripathi.

Kumar has been asked by the governor to prove his majority in the Assembly within two days of taking oath at 10 am today.

Tejashwi Yadav met Bihar Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi to register protest over Nitish Kumar being invited to form his government ahead of RJD, which is the single largest party in the state Assembly.

In June, Nitish decided to back Ram Nath Kovind for president and called to inform Sonia and Lalu that he was doing so because he shared a great rapport with Kovind.

In another move that raised eyebrows, at the end of September, Nitish broke with his comrades and praised the Centre's surgical strikes

In January 2016, RJD national vice-president Raghuvansh Prasad Singh hit out at the chief minister, blaming him for the state's deteriorating security situation.

Nitish and lalu together may have managed to stop the BJP juggernaut but theirs was an uncomfortable alliance. Here are a few instnaces, when the alliance was rocked in the past.

Take a look back at last night's developments that say the political turf in Bihar change completely.

It all started after news channels reported that the strain in ties within the Mahagathbandhan has reached a point where the beleaguered allies were not even having a joint legislators meet ahead of the Bihar Assembly's Monsoon Session, which was scheduled to begin on Friday.

Wednesday evening saw the metamorphosis of Bihar political crisis, with Nitish Kumar tendering his resignation merely an hour after Lalu Prasad Yadav reasserted that their was no bitterness in the alliance. In a span of less then five hours, Nitish desecrated the Bihar Grand Alliance, and made a dramatic return with the support of former ally, Bharatiya Janata Party.

While on one hand, Tejashwi will march to the governor's house with all RJD MLAs, RJD supporters will block Mahatma Gandhi Setu. RJD offices across Bihar will also hold protests at 12pm, News 18 reported.

RJD supporters have started gathering at Rabri Devi's residence in Patna as the party leaders have given clear indications that they are not going to take "the betrayal" lying low.

Congress legislative meet will take place at 2 pm today. Congress leader CP Joshi will be attending the meet.

On Wednesday, just before Nitish was to meet his legislative members, MLA Poonam Devi, who is also from the Yadav community, openly said that he would defend Tejashwi in the meeting. Out of the 71 JD(U) MLAs, 18 of them are Muslims or Yadavs. Both communities have always supported Lalu.

Bijendra Yadav, MLA and commerce minister in Nitish's cabinet, warned the JD(U) chief against joining hands with the BJP. He said, "Nitishji, (the) people of Bihar have elected you and Lalu both. Any attempt to scuttle the alliance would have serious repercussions."

In a meeting held to discuss the land graft case involving Lalu Prasad's son and Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, against whom CBI has filed an FIR in a land graft case, many JD(U) leaders voiced their concerns amid opposition from some party men.

After resigning from the post of chief minister, Nitish Kumar's biggest challenge would be to keep his own party united. Leaders from Congress and RJD have already started criticising his move, alleging that the JD(U) leader always intended to join hands with BJP.

Preparations underway as Nitish Kumar all set to be sworn in as the Bihar Chief Minister for the 6th time today

While RJD has 80 MLAs, even if it tries to form alliance with Congress, which has 27 MLAs, and CPI-ML, which has three, their number would only add up to 110. There are four independent MLAs who are likely to throw their weight behind the coalition which enjoys majority support.

The JD(U)-BJP combination has the numbers in the Bihar Assembly to prove its majority. Together, the JD(U) and NDA allies have 129 MLAs in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, seven more than the magic figure of 122.

With BJP's backing, Nitish intends to stake claim to form the government. On Thursday, he will take oath as Bihar chief minister to return to his seat, while BJP's Sushil Kumar Modi will also swear-in, but as the deputy chief minister to replace Tejashwi Yadav. Even though Nitish's masterstroke has not gone down well with Tejashwi, there is nothing that the RJD supremo's son can do about it.

Nitish Kumar's resignation on Wednesday witnessed several seasoned journalists and political analysts hailing the former chief minister as an "opportunist". Rajdeep Sardesai marvelled at Nitish's political manoeuvering where he passed off an opportunistic decision as a "moral dilemma."

BJP leader Sushil Modi will be sworn-in as the deputy chief minister of Bihar today at 10 am

Kumar's decision to resign as Bihar's chief minister, though understandable, is shocking. It smacks not just of hypocrisy but also of opportunism on steroids. That he decided to quit as Bihar's chief minister and then return within a few hours with the support of the BJP points at a scripted drama whose denouement was decided in consultation with his one time rivals to the detriment of his current allies.

Several decades later, when the history of Indian politics is written, the current chapter of politics is revisited in the light of facts  not fiction or hyperbole  Kumar would be mentioned in a footnote as someone who promised greatness but embraced opportunism, bringing about his own political demise.

Nitish Kumar has made a historical blunder by cosying up to the BJP. While the entire country was looking up to him to lead an anti-BJP alliance in the 2019 elections, he has chosen to betray his own destiny by becoming a minion of India's ruling clique, giving up the opportunity to become the leader of its opposition and a possible shot at greatness.

Kumar will be sworn-in at 10am along with BJP leader Sushil Modi who wil lbe his new deputy, replacing Lalu Prasad Yadavs son Tejashwi Yadav who has been accused of corruption. Nitish changed the political equation in Bihar when he resigned on Wednesday evening, citing the failure of his Mahagathbandhan allies  the RJD and the Congress  to act on demands of Tejashwis resignation.

The political landscape of Bihar changed in a matter of hours when Nitish formally staked claim to form the government with the backing of the BJP, marking his return to the NDA fold.

Meanwhile, a trust vote will be held in the Bihar Assembly on Saturday. Nitish Kumar, whose JD(U) has 71 MLAs, should have no problem crossing the majority mark given the NDA support.

Former JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav is unhappy with Nitish Kumar decision to break away from the Mahagathbandhan and ally with the BJP again, reports CNN-News18. Political Editor Marya Shakil reported that Yadav was probably not even kept in the loop ahead of Nitish's big decision.

A more compelling platform has emerged in its place. Championed by BJP, the magnetism of 'anti-corruption' as a political slogan is evident. So strong is its appeal that from Ram Vilas Paswan to Nitish Kumar, all self-styled champions of 'secularism' are reneging on their stated positions on 'communalism' and joining hands with BJP under the 'anti-corruption' umbrella. Politics follows the power principle, not moral codes. Suddenly, Narendra Modi and BJP are no longer political untouchables, but the fulcrum around which national politics revolves.

A plethora of narratives emerged from the potboiler, none as striking as the futility of 'secularism' as a political platform. When Nitish Kumar walked over to the BJP ditching his 'grand alliance' with RJD and Congress, the death knell for 'secularism' as a political slogan was well and truly sounded. It has now become a corrupted, discredited word  a totem for everything between Congress-style mediocrity to RJD-style corruption.

Amid a fast-paced turn of events that would put even Christopher Nolan's movies to shame, Bihar's ex-chief minister Nitish Kumar is slated to be sworn in as the state's next chief minister at 10 am on Thursday morning. The evening that started with the JD(U) chief tendering his resignation from the chief minister's post and dealing a fatal blow to the Mahagathbandhan, ended with him firmly in the driver's seat, poised to return as chief minister this time with NDA's support. It was easier perhaps to keep track of the wickets that fell during India's last 10 overs against England in the final of ICC Women's World Cup last Sunday.

BJP's Sushil Modi reaches Raj Bhavan in Patna. Leader set to be sworn in as Bihar Deputy Chief Minister.

Nitish Kumar reaches Raj Bhawan in Patna, to be sworn in as Bihar Chief Minister shortly.

This is the sixth time that Nitish has taken oath as the chief minister in the last 12 years.

Patna's Raj Bhavan echoed with chants of "Nitish Kumar Zindabad" as Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi administered oath to Nitish Kumar as the chief minister and Sushil Kumar Modi as the deputy chief minister of Bihar.

Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi sworn in as Chief Minister and Deputy CM of Bihar respectively, at Raj Bhawan in Patna

- Congress legislative meet will take place at 2 pm today. Congress leader CP Joshi will be attending the meet.

- RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, however, told supporters to postpone the protests without citing any reasons.

- RJD party offices across all districts in Bihar had planned protests across the state. However, after Section 144 was imposed outside Raj Bhavan in Patna, reports said that the protests have been put on hold

Now, that Nitish Kumar's oath-taking ceremony is over and the JD(U) leader is back in the NDA fold, the rest of the day is expected to be packed with press conferences, party meetings and planned protests across Bihar.

Speaking to reporters, Rahul further said that he knew that Nitish would jump ships for the past three-fourt months. "I knew this will happen. There is no credibility in politics, people will do anything for selfish reasons," Rahul added.

In a first reaction that came from the Congress leadership, vice-president Rahul Gandhi slammed chief minister Nitish Kumar and said that the JD(U) cheated Congress and the people of Bihar. "His mandate was anti-communal. He (Nitish) promised the people of Bihar that he will not join hands with the communal, divisive powers in the country. Nitish Kumar has cheated us," Rahul said.

Prime Minister tweeted after the JD(U) chief was sworn in as the chief minister of Bihar on Thursday. "Looking forward to working together for Bihars progress & prosperity," Modi tweeted.

In a series of tweets a little after Nitish Kumar was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar, former deputy chief minister Tejashwi tweeted out saying, "I entered in government with a clean slate with a keen desire of writing a positive story for people of Bihar, only to find an opportunist rival!" Tejashwi further said that despite "past baggage", it did not stop him in carrying out the duties in the "role of DyCM!"

On asking what he has to say about Rahul Gandhi's "cheating" jibe, Nitish said, "I will respond to Rahul Gandhi in a proper way."

After being sworn-in as the chief minister, Nitish Kumar said that his decision is in Bihar's interest and its developments. Speaking to reporters outside the Raj Bhavan in Patna, Nitish said that whatever was happening in Bihar was not good for the state's development.

Quitting RJD coalition was for Bihar's progress; will respond to Rahul Gandhi in a proper manner: Nitish Kumar

JUST IN: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's first cabinet meeting to take place at 11:30 am

"Conspiratorial treachery & rank political opportunism is the real DNA," the grand old party said of its former ally.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala took potshots at newly sworn-in Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, alleging that he has unsatiable 'lust for power'.

"They (BJP) wanted to pin the blame on Tejashwi. They were afraid that Tejashwi would come up as a worthy opponent in 2019. This is a conspiracy by Amit Shah and Narendra Modi. This is nothing but political vendetta."

Lalu Prasad Yadav is in Ranchi for hearing in the fodder scam case. "I am a man of principles. How will Nitish show his face to the people of Bihar? He used to swear that he will not return to BJP. This is a huge betrayal for the people of Bihar and for us."

How will Nitish show his face to people of Bihar, asks Lalu Prasad Yadav

Political parties across the country were shocked when the bihar chief minister resigned on Wednesday.

In a jolt to Lalu Prasad Yadav and the Grand Alliance, Nitish Kumar on Wednesday tenderd his resignation merely an hour after Lalu reasserted that their was no bitterness in the alliance.

On 22 February 2015, Nitish took oath as the Bihar chief minister for the fourth time. Nitish had succeeded Jitan Ram Manjhi, who had resigned from his office on 20 February, 2015.

Presiding over the top most post in the state, Nitish Kumar on 26 November 2010 became Bihar chief minister for the second consecutive time.

On 24 November, 2005, Nitish staged a comeback as state chief minister with the support of BJP.

On 3 March, 2000 the then Samata Party leader Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Bihar chief minister.

Nitish Kumar has been sworn in as Bihar chief minister for the sixth time in 12 years. The Janata Dal (United) chief, in a surprising move, deserted the Grand Alliance and is all set to form the government in Bihar with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The resignation might be 'sushashan babu's' last-ditch attempt to save what little is left of his political capital.

There were enough indications for some time now that the strains of the alliance was taking heavy toll on Kumar who was running out of options even as Lalu and his son, Tejasvi, Bihar's deputy CM, dug in their heels. Pushed to a corner, Nitish chose probity over power but this decision may not be enough in dispelling the notion that he has already compromised his "incorruptible and clean" image by deciding to tie up with Lalu in 2015.

In his first comments since tendering the resignation as Bihar chief minister , Nitish Kumar quoted Mahatma Gandhi in saying that the world has enough for everyone's needs but not for their greed. It is was an obvious reference to Lalu Prasad Yadav's corrupt empire that threatened to wipe out Nitish's political capital by way of association.

Will divorce from Lalu be enough to save Nitish's image?

Perhaps impress upon Lalu Yadav that his son must step down in larger interest of sustaining the Opposition as a viable political force. One doesn't know what transpired in the meeting but Nitish's frustration with Rahul's inaction was evident and this may have played no small part in pushing him over the brink. This is a deeper defeat for Congress than is immediately apparent because the fading GoP loses one more chance to remain in power in one of the key states in Hindi heartland. Contrast the leaden-footed Rahul Gandhi with PM Modi, who wasted no time in extending a hand of support towards Nitish, eyes firmly set on future.

It was hint enough that Rahul Gandhi, in his capacity as Congress vice-president and a partner in the mahagathbandhan, could have done more.

The developments in Bihar reflect poorly on Congress and its vice president's leadership qualities. Soon after emerging from Raj Bhavan on Wednesday evening, Nitish Kumar claimed that he had done everything he could to save the alliance, including meeting Rahul Gandhi over the deadlock that arose out of Tejashwi Yadav's decision to stay put.

Reacting to Rahul Gandhis allegation of Nitish Kumars betrayal, JD (U) leader KC Tyagi said, "Rahul has disappointed JD(U). Congress' approach towards corruption is anyway not great and that's why they had expected Nitish Kumar to overlook Tejashwis blatant corruption. But JD (U) and Nitish Kumar have always come down heavily on all those involved in corrupution."

"We have Mayawati, Akhilesh, Mamata... we will get them all together. So what if Nitish has gone to BJP?"

Addressing a press conference after Nitish was sworn-in as the chief minister, Lalu recounted everything that transpired between the JD(U) and the RJD leader. Lalu concluded the press conference by saying that the Opposition, which is being dubbed faceless, has many capable leaders even now.

After Tejashwi's march failed to stop the inevitable and Nitish Kumar was sworn-in on Thursday at 10 am as the Chief Minister of Bihar, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad's son tweeted out his rage to slam his former ally-turned 'opportunistic rival' Nitish Kumar.

"Ache din are in store for Bihar. RJD is itself responsible for the breaking of Grand Alliance," Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Modi told ANI

The Janata Dal (United) in Kerala announced it was severing ties with Nitish Kumar. The JD(U) Kerala's chief, MP Veerendra Kumar, a Rajya Sabha member, told reporters here that he was even ready to resign from the Upper House in his fight against "fascist forces".

"Nitish Kumar has cheated the people of Bihar. I charge that he (Nitish Kumar) colluded with BJP to file CBI cases against me and my family," Lalu Prasad told after appearing before a CBI court in a fodder scam case.

"Lalu considered him as brother. We are not afraid of anybody. We will teach Nitish Kumar, BJP and JD(U) a lesson," Rabri Devi told India Today.

The SR Bommai case verdict stated that the largest party should be invited to form government.

RJD is consulting legal experts and might approach the Supreme Court as the verdict in the SR Bommai case has not been followed while inviting Nitish Kumar to form government in Bihar.

"Nitish Kumar had never compromised on certain issues. Narendra Modi and Nitish share a chemistry (on zero toleration against corruption). They' ve become icons of good governance. The Grand Alliance was unnatural. I know Nitish. Anti-Congressism is in his blood," Sushil Modi tells CNN News18.

"To decimate democracy and denigrate people's mandate has become the accepted way forward for the ruling BJP," Congress' Randeep S Surjewala said in a statement. He said that every "political and democratic principle was murdered" in Bihar because of the forming of the BJP-JD(U) government.

Because of this difference, BJP was able to grab power in five out of the ten states (including Uttar Pradesh) and union territory that witnessed elections after Bihar.

In a way, Bihar polls turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the BJP and would ultimately point out a key difference between the ruling party and the Opposition: BJP learnt from its mistakes.

While Kumar seems to have shared a love-hate relationship with Lalu, his ties with Modi have only continued to bloom since last year. Despite the fact that Modi and his elevation as the prime ministerial candidate of the NDA in 2014 were the primary reasons behind Kumar's resentment, the bonhomie between the two leaders in recent time is something which can never be matched by Lalu.

Between Modi's warmth and Lalu's passive hostility, the choice for Nitish Kumar was inevitable

After reports that an unhappy Sharad Yadav has got in touch with the Congress and even met Rahul Gandhi, Union minister Arun Jaitley will meet Yadav, according to News18.

Under Lalu, Bihar was so mired in crime and corruption  often by the politicians themselves  that the byword it became Jungle Raj. And when Lalu was an accused in the fodder scam, he simply handed over the levers of power to his wife Rabri Devi. It was business as usual.

IBN reported that the government cars of Tejashwi yadav have been withdrawn following the swearing-in of the new government in Bihar.

The House had to be adjourned for 25 minutes, just five minutes after it met for the day at 11 am.

Proceedings of the Lok Sabha were disrupted on Thursday as some Opposition parties created uproar over the political developments in Bihar and some other issues.

According to News18, Sharad Yadav is meeting rebel JD(U) MPs Ali Anwar and Veerendra Kumar in Delhi.

The Bihar Grand Alliance has always laboured over the often patchy relationship between Nitish Kumar and the BJP. The occasional camaraderie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nitish had often rocked the coalition boat, with speculations rife that the Bihar chief minister is cosying up with the saffron party to get rid of Lalu Prasad Yadav.

The return of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) fold will strengthen, in every likelihood, Prime Minister Narendra Modis campaign for a renewed mandate in the 2019 General Elections to Lok Sabha. However, in the process, Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will have to pay a price for Nitishs return. Its onward march in Bihar is going to be arrested, thereby impacting its long-term prospects in one of the more politically significant states of the country.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi will travel to Delhi after the floor test, reports CNN News18. Modi will decide the names of ministers in the Bihar Legislative Assembly with central leaders. The floor test will be held on Friday at 11 am.

Veerendra Kumar said he expected JD-U senior leader Sharad Yadav and its MLAs in Bihar not to accept Nitish Kumar's decision. "I call upon Sharad Yadav and JD-U MLAs to say that we won't accept it."

"We are not accepting the JD(U) joining the NDA and our relations with Nitish Kumar have ended. It's shocking that Nitish Kumar has joined the NDA. We all thought that he will fight the fascist tendencies but he has now become a part of it."

"Whatever the price, we're ready to pay," he said.

The Janata Dal(United)(JD(U) unit in Kerala on Thursday opposed Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar for tying up with the BJP and announced it was severing ties with him. The chief of the party's Kerala unit, MP Veerendra Kumar, a Rajya Sabha member, told reporters in Delhi that he was even ready to quit the Upper House to pursue his fight against "fascist forces".

Sushil Kumar Modi took oath as the deputy chief minister, the post he occupied before Nitish Kumar ended their alliance in 2013. "The JD(U)-BJP alliance had earlier taken Bihar to new heights... At the time, people used to take pride in saying 'I am a Bihari'. In the last 20 months something went wrong. But now the JD(U)-BJP alliance will again take Bihar to newer heights," the deputy chief minister said.

In the 243-member Assembly, Nitish Kumar needs the support of 122 members for a majority. The Chief Minister's party has 71 legislators, the BJP 53. BJP allies have 5 seats  Ram Vilas Paswan's LJP has 2 seats, RLSP has 2 seats and HAM has 1. There are 4 Independents and 4 CPI-ML lawmakers. Between them, the RJD and Congress have 107 seats.

According to vote share BJP has been the states most popular party and no more than 17 voters chose to vote only for JD(U), according to IndiaSpend analysis of electoral results over six elections since 2004.

Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar, is a very popular leader in that state. Do actual voters in Bihar think the same? Not according to our analysis. JD(U) has only been above the Congress in electoral popularity.

However, in a surprise move, Nitish has announced that he will keep his word on supporting Opposition vice-presidential candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi and not NDA's Venkaiah Naidu. The move seems to be aimed at dampening Opposition's 'opportunist' label on himself, as Kumar seeks to convey that he indeed listens to his conscience voice in decission making.

Back-stabber, cheater, crooked politician, opportunist, Bhasmasur: These were all monikers awarded to Nitish Kumar by frenemies, who he recently dumped to join NDA.

Predictability definitely doesn't seem to be a characteristics of Nitish's political decisions.

Despite realigned friendships, Nitish Kumar to vote for Gopalkrishna Gandhi, not Venkaiah Naidu in V-P polls

Apparently, the widespread sentiment amid party's local leaders is that the central leadership didn't do enough to save the alliance even though it had ample opportunities.

Bihar Congress MLAs are in huddle ahead of Nitish Kumar's floor test in Assembly. Media reports suggest that as many as 10 MLAs may defect to the JD(U) amid growing resentment against the Congress top leadership, India Today reported. CNN-News 18 quoted sources claiming that several Congress MLAs could vote in favour of the new NDA government.

The secular image which he has fostered through the months might not resonate with the Modi and Amit Shah-led BJP. By jumping on the BJP bandwagon yet again and breaking an alliance which was considered as a marriage of equals, Nitish will now have to play second-fiddle to the BJP and demonstrate a greater readiness to accept its terms and conditions than he did before.

After days of speculations, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar has embraced the once estranged ally BJP, marking his Ghar Vapasi to NDA.

In-post Vajpayee BJP, will Bihar CM be able to blend in with Narendra Modi's ideology?

The RJD too, on the other claimed support of Left MLAs and independents. Moreover, the party is also "banking on conscience vote of six Muslim and 11 Yadav MLAs within the JD(U)," Hindustan Times reported.

Amid reports of widespread resentment in Bihar Congress, CNN-News18 reported that several Congress MLAs may vote for JD(U).

- News reports say that dissent within Congress is brewing as local leaders blame Rahul Gandhi for not doing enough. Several MLAs may cross-vote in favour of Nitish.

- Sharad Yadav reportedly unhappy with Nitish's decision. He met Rahul Gandhi on Thursday and met JD(U) leaders, reportedly unhappy with the new alliance.

- Unrest boils in JD(U) ranks with several leaders openly declaring discontent over Nitish's decision to join forces with 'communal BJP.

- The 'reunited' NDA claims to have the support of 132 legislators in the 243-member assembly. Nitish Kumar needs 122 votes to win today's trust vote.

- Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar will take the floor test today at 11 am.

RJD has appealed to the Muslim and Yadav MLAs from BJP and JD(U) to vote listening to the call of their conscience. The party has warned the NDA of a stormy Assembly session, claiming that they won't let a governent that had 'murdered the mandate' function in the House.

Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi also reached the Assembly, who were booed at by the Opposition MLAs.

Former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav today hit out at Nitish Kumar calling him a snake who betrayed his party's trust and used them to gain power. RJD MLAs also held protests outside the Vidhansabha, with placards reading "Murderers of democracy".

While JD(U)+NDA is expected to sail through the trust vote as they claim to have the support of 132 MLAs, discontent among JD(U) cannot be ruled out. RJD has also appealed to the Muslim and Yadav MLAs from BJP and JD(U) to vote listening to the call of their conscience. The party has warned the NDA of a stormy Assembly session, claiming that they won't let a governent that had 'murdered the mandate' function in the House.

Firing fresh salvos at his erstwhile ally and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav today claimed that people hav suffered greatly under Nitish Raj. He said that Nitish couldn't dare to sack me even with a 'greedy BJP' behind him.

"Nitish is still my uncle. I would have even considered resigning if he would have asked. But he had preplanned everything and was just waiting to betray us," Tejashwi said.

Tejashwi Yadav is taking on Nitish Kumar in the Bihar Assembly ahead of the floor test.

Could have considered resigning if Nitish Kumar would have asked: Tejashwi

Tejashwi Yadav alleged that Nitish Kumar was in cahoots with the BJP since months while he was only used as a pawn and an excuse to justify the flip-flop. He said that how was it possible that Narendra Modi tweeted so quickly when the prime minister doesn't seem to be so quick in responding to other political matters.

Sushil Kumar Modi too is facing cases, why did Nitish side with him: Tejashwi Yadav

"Everyone can see how he switched sides. Earlier he used to speak of Sangh-mukt Bharat and now he is the chief minister of the Sangh. He has changed his stand from 'Hey Ram' to 'Jai Shri Ram'." He also told reporters that he would raise the issue inside the House. He accused the BJP of corruption charges.

"He cheated and betrayed the people of the state who gave him massive mandate. He played dirty politics. He just looked for an excuse to defame us and join the NDA", Tejashwi Yadav said before entering the House.

Nitish Kumar should feel ashamed that he is sitting near Sushil Modi, says Tejashwi Yadav

You conduct 'Champaran Yatra' and then sit in the lap of Mahatma Gandhi's killers: Tejashwi Yadav

"If Lalu Prasad didnt have putra moh, Abdul Bari Siddiqui would have been Bihar deputy chief minister," Yadav said.

Hitting back at Tejashwi Yadav, Yadav reminded Tejashwi that he was not the deputy chief minister due to his calibre, but due to Lalu's 'putra moh'.

From a saap (snake) to dhokebaaz (deciever), Nitish Kumar has been called names and taunted for his political volte-face by the Opposition. However, the Bihar Chief Minister has maintained his calm, without showing any signs of retort. Nitish is known to speak with carefully chosen words and avoid making personal attacks.

"They protected Shahabuddin, the never explained corruption cases agaist them. The coallition broke because of their corruption not because of me," Nitish said.

After Tejashwi Yadav's livid speech, Nitish Kumar rose to address the House. He said that he tried very hard to run a government but RJD never followed the coallition dharma.

Power given to serve people, not to amass wealth: Nitish Kumar's barbs on RJD corruption charges

Not sparing the ertwhile junior partner in alliance, Nitish Kumar said that given the Congress' party's situation in the country, they would not have had got 15 seats in any coallition. "I gave them 40 seats," Nitish said.

Congress would not have got 15 seats; I gave them 40: Nitish Kumar

"My decision to quit was taken in the interest of Bihar. We had the mandate to serve the people, not one particular family," Nitish said.

Decided to quit in interest of Bihar; mandate was to serve people not one family

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar won the trust vote with the support of 131 MLAs against Opposition's 108 votes. 122 votes were needed to cross the half-way mark in the 243-member Assembly.

"I should ththankful to RJD and Congress. I wouldn't have been here if Tejashwi Yadv would have resigned. The mandate was not for corruption and building 26 benami properties in 26 years." said Sushil Kumar Modi.

Nitish Kumar did all the drama to sit in the lap of RSS-BJP: Tejashwi Yadav

Tejashwi Yadav blamed Nitish Kumar for bringing insatbility to Bihar. He said that if Nitish had to make the government with BJP's support why did he waste so much time and public funds on election.

Bihar had to see four governments in four years, only because of one man: Tejashwi Yadav

Tejashwi was just an excuse, Nitish plotted to bring down government: Tejashwi Yadav

Tejashwi said that the people of the Bihar are feeling cheated, adding that RJD will take the fight to every village. He said, "I asked many questions to the CM but he had no answers. Will he now pass a law with the BJP that every person who has an FIR should resign from public office? Will he bring liquor ban across the nation" Tejashwi asked. He said that Sushil Modi too had a case against him, how is it that he is fit to be deputy chief minister in Nitish's eye then.

Tejashwi Yadav questions Nitish Modi's intention, says Sushil Modi too has FIR against him

"An unnatural alliance died natural death," Sushil Modi said as he lauded Nitish for not 'bending the knee' to keep the alliance alive. He said that the RJD was seeking vote through secret ballot but if that would have happened "then at least 10-12 people from RJD would have crossed over to our side," Modi said.

At least 10 RJD MLAs would have voted for us if there was secret ballot: Sushil Modi

Nitish Kumar did all the drama to sit in the lap of RSS-BJP: Tejashwi Yadav

Tejashwi Yadav blamed Nitish Kumar for bringing insatbility to Bihar. He said that if Nitish had to make the government with BJP's support why did he waste so much time and public funds on election.

Bihar had to see four governments in four years, only because of one man: Tejashwi Yadav

Tejashwi was just an excuse, Nitish plotted to bring down government: Tejashwi Yadav

Tejashwi said that the people of the Bihar are feeling cheated, adding that RJD will take the fight to every village. He said, "I asked many questions to the CM but he had no answers. Will he now pass a law with the BJP that every person who has an FIR should resign from public office? Will he bring liquor ban across the nation" Tejashwi asked. He said that Sushil Modi too had a case against him, how is it that he is fit to be deputy chief minister in Nitish's eye then.

Tejashwi Yadav questions Nitish Modi's intention, says Sushil Modi too has FIR against him

People of Bihar will teach them a lesson; when they couldn't answer my questions in assembly, then how will they answer the people?:Tejashwi pic.twitter.com/1057HXIRUJ

"An unnatural alliance died natural death," Sushil Modi said as he lauded Nitish for not 'bending the knee' to keep the alliance alive. He said that the RJD was seeking vote through secret ballot but if that would have happened "then at least 10-12 people from RJD would have crossed over to our side," Modi said.

At least 10 RJD MLAs would have voted for us if there was secret ballot: Sushil Modi

Exactly....this time he joined within minutes. He has done this 6 times in last 12 years https://t.co/7knq7h7X1A

Tejashwi Yadav pulls out old Sushil Modi, Nitish Kumar tweets to take a dig in NDA govt

Back as Bihar chief minister for the sixth time, Nitish Kumar on Thursday defended his decision to ally with BJP, insisting it was made in the interest of the state.

He refused to join issue with Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, who accused him of having returned to "communal forces" for "selfish" political motives, saying he would respond those attacking him at the "right time".

"I took the decision to form the new government in the interest of Bihar ... I am committed to the development of Bihar," Nitish told reporters after taking oath.

Nitish is facing a barrage of criticism from RJD chief Lalu Prasad and a host of leaders of the erstwhile Grand Alliance for dumping the coalition and joining hands with NDA to form the government.

He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for greeting him after taking oath.

"There will be no compromise on corruption," an official statement quoted Nitish as saying.

"I am confident that the pace of progress of the state will gain fresh momentum with assistance from the Centre," he added.

Meanwhile, JD(U) leaders came down heavily on Lalu for attacking Nitish in connection with a murder case registered with Pandarak police station in Patna district in 1991.

JD(U) general secretary R C P Singh, senior leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lallan and Neeraj Kumar held a press conference to hit out at Prasad, who had yesterday referred to a pending case against Nitish as a counterattack after he walked out of the grand alliance.

During the 1991 Lok Sabha polls, a person named Sitaram Singh was killed at a polling station at Pandarak and Nitish was made an accused. Nitish had mentioned the case in his affidavit while contesting the Legislative council election, Prasad had said, claiming a court in Barh had taken cognizance of the charges against in 2009 and that the case was still alive in the Patna High Court.

Lallan Singh said Lalu was in the habit of speaking "half truths" and "twisting facts".

Giving details of the status of the case, he said five people were accused in it. Lalu Prasad was then the Bihar chief minister. Police had probed the case, and on January 31, 1993, a charge sheet was filed against three accused -Dilip Singh, Yogendra Yadav and Baudhu Yadav. Nitish was found innocent.

A Barh court had on 5 August, 2008, exonerated Nitish and taken cognisance against the three other accused. It had given time to three complainants to file their objection if any but they had not filed anything against Nitish, he said.

Yogendra Yadav, who was among three charge-sheeted, had challenged it in Patna High Court which had stayed the case in the Barh court on April 22, 2009.

"A man Ashok Kumar Singh, who is neither a complainant nor a witness in the case, had on January 20, 2009 filed a case in the court of additional chief judicial magistrate of Barh to register his protest against Nitish being exonerated. The Barh ACJM in violation of the Patna high court's stay took cognisance of the case on August 20, 2009 and issued summons to Nitish Kumar," Lallan Singh said.

Nitish had in turn challenged the ACJM Barh order in Patna HC which had on September 8, 2009 once again passed the order to stay the legal proceedings and instructed ACJM Barh to explain the reasons for the violation.

The Barh ACJM's reply was not accepted by the HC, which asked him to file another and the case is now pending before it, he said.

"Ashok Singh had recorded his statement under section 164 (made before an metropolitan or judicial magistrate whether or not he has jurisdiction in the case) that his signature was forcibly taken on a blank piece of paper to file a case against Nitish's acquittal," Singh claimed.

"Everything is in the public domain," he said.
Did Gujarat Congress just underestimate the power and crafty political sense of its former leader Shankersinh Vaghela?

The 77-year-old former chief minister and Union minister who quit the party a week ago gave no hint of his future plans but the exodus of Congress MLAs  five as on Friday  did shake up the party leadership, which is now paratrooping leaders from Delhi and conducting a show of strength while charging the BJP of horse trading. The resignations have also threatened Sonia Gandhi-confidante Ahmed Patel's chances to retain his Rajya Sabha seat and remain politically relevant.

Two decades ago, it was Vaghela who was instrumental in breaking away from the ruling BJP, then led by chief Minister Keshubhai Patel, and form his own government with the help of Congress. Known as the Hajuria Khajuria movement, Congress might have forgotten it and let go of Vaghela and in the process cause its destruction, but BJP probably did not want to forget the bitter experience it had because of this man.

Vaghela might not be a big political gainer in the forthcoming Assembly election, but he will definitely be a spoiler. So, while he might continue to be an independent or the third front, he might just end up damaging the prospects of the already dwindling Congress base. Congress has been out of power for over two decades now. The exodus of senior leaders from the party is not only going to demotivate the party workers in an election year, it will also ensure a weak Opposition campaign. And if Amit Shah, BJPs party president, has his way, he will ensure that the BJP achieves the target of 150 seats.

If sources in BJP are to be believed at least half a dozen more leaders of Congress might be on their way out. The three leaders who quit on Thursday will give BJP an advantage in the North Gujarat region where it was losing support due to the Patidaar agitation. The two leaders  Tejashri Patel and PI Patel  belong to the North Gujarat region, and their joining BJP might just ignite the party's hopes in this region.

Meanwhile, a badgered Congress, which is already facing infighting and exodus, must just be left with senior leaders battling to save their own seats rather than leaders who would guide the party and party workers towards a better performance in the upcoming Assembly poll. Interestingly, political analysts point out that the Congress had too many issues to counter BJP during the upcoming Assembly election such as the Patidaar anger, the non-performance of BJP leaders in several parts of the state and agitated farmers.

However, political analyst Vishnu Pandya, who at one time had closely worked with Vagehla says that Congress is still struggling to form a poll strategy. "Vagehla's exit has ensured that Congress continues with its internal battle. In an election year, while the BJP is already on an election mode with Amit Shah taking the centre stage and Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking the Gujarat route almost every month, the Congress is still to come with a strategy, forget the issues they want to take up," he said.
Disruption may be witnessed on the tenth day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament as the Opposition is likely to raise Bihar's political crisis and the issue of mob lynchings in both the Houses of Parliament. Both the issues disrupted the Lok Sabha proceedings in the initial hours of the ninth day.

Mob lynching was raised on Thursday as the Lok Sabha witnessed protest-filled proceedings after the Opposition demanded a debate on the contentious issue. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said a decision on the debate would be taken at the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee. Later, the House was briefly adjourned after it met at 11 am.

When it met again, the Question Hour was resumed amid sloganeering by Congress MPs, who were standing near the Speaker's podium. After the Question Hour, the Speaker allowed opposition members to speak on the issue. She said she was not against the debate.

However, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said two notices were submitted for the debate. "You are ready (for debate) but government is not ready," Kharge said.

The first notice was issued under rule 193, for a short duration discussion, and later again the opposition submitted notices under adjournment motion as it was not taken up. When we met you I was very happy when you said you are ready for the debate, and we should convince the government side..." Kharge added.

Proceedings of the Lower House were also disrupted as some Opposition parties created uproar over the political developments in Bihar. On Thursday, as soon as the House took up the Question Hour, Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav of RJD raised the issue of JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar leaving the 'grand alliance' with RJD and Congress to form a new government with the BJP.

Shouting from his bench in the front row, Yadav dubbed it as "murder of democracy". Nitish will be proving his majority on the floor of the Assembly on Friday, a day after he took oath as the chief minister for the sixth time on Thursday.

Rajya Sabha

In the Rajya Sabha, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said India is committed to address all outstanding issues with Pakistan, including Kashmir, but the onus is on that country to create an atmosphere conducive for bilateral talks.

"India is committed to address all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, bilaterally and through peaceful means in accordance with the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration. Such a dialogue to be meaningful necessarily requires an atmosphere free of terror, hostility and violence," Swaraj told the Rajya Sabha.

On the issue of the 39 missing Indians, Swaraj said she would not declare the 39 Indians missing in Iraq as dead till she has concrete evidence to that effect. "I repeat, I will not declare them (the missing Indians) dead until we have concrete evidence to that effect," she told Rajya Sabha.

The Upper House on Thursday witnessed heated exchanges between treasury benches and Congress members as three BJP lawmakers, including Subramanian Swamy, raised the issue of Samjhauta Express train blast of 2005. Referring to a video of purported narco-test related to the train blast being shown on a TV channel, Shiv Pratap Shukla (BJP) said the blast took place because of involvement of Pakistan.

However, a section of Rajya Sabha members belonging to the Congress, DMK, TMC and CPI staged a demonstration in Parliament, demanding exemptions to Tamil Nadu from the purview of the NEET exam.

Nevertheless, after lunch, the session went smoothly in both the Houses. with few meaningful discussions.

On Friday, the Lok Sabha is expected to debate over a series of bills while in the Rajya Sabha, Rajeev Chandrasekhar is expected to table a private member bill to declare Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism.

With inputs from agencies

Click here for LIVE updates on Monsoon Session of the Parliament
New Delhi: Following repeated adjournments earlier on, the Rajya Sabha was on Friday adjourned for the day soon after it met after lunch, amid a ruckus by Opposition and treasury benches.

As soon as the house reconvened at 2.30 pm, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi demanded an apology from Congress members for "maligning the image of Gujarat and defaming its people" in the morning.

"During the Zero Hour and the Question Hour, Congress members said some very objectionable things. They called Gujarat a hub of fake encounters and now a hub of stealing MLAs," Naqvi said.

"The Leader of Opposition (Ghulam Nabi Azad) should apologise for trying to malign Gujarat's image and defaming the people of Gujarat. There is resentment among Gujarat's people as their state is being maligned in this house," he said.

The minister also asked the Chair to expunge the relevant remarks from the proceedings.

"They must apologise," he said.

Senior Congress leader BK Hariprasad alleged that the Prime Minister's Office was "directly involved" in Gujarat's developments.

BJP members objected loudly and trooped into the aisle, demanding an apology from the Congress members. Both sides raised slogans and demanded apology from the other.

Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien then adjourned the house for the day amid the ruckus.

The house earlier saw repeated adjournments on the issue of Congress legislators from Gujarat resigning and joining the state's ruling BJP. The Congress members accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of high-handedness to "steal" its Assembly members.
Stock markets should be happy to see Nitish Kumar jumping back into the NDA court in the middle of the match.

Unless Nitish plans to return to the Opposition, the 2019 Lok Sabha election will be a walkover for the saffron team and Rahul Gandhi is incapable of cutting short Narendra Modi's victory march. First, for foreign investors looking at India, this may be good news. The return of Modi in 2019 will mean a continuity of key policies initiated by the NDA government, and a stable and predictable political environment at the Centre. It means a lot for the moneybags.

Secondly, the anti-corruption drive will continue. One major takeaway from Modis three years of rule is that there have been no corruption cases involving Central ministers. This is a relief since the UPA regime was infamous for back-to-back scams and corruption cases involving allies that put India on the back foot globally. Modi has embarked on a battle against corruption cases involving politicians, money-launderers and crony capitalists. By giving investigators a free hand to chase the corrupt, the Modi government has sent out a strong signal to the political-corporate nexus that has played a significant role in damaging the economy.

The work of this nexus can be felt in most of the ills that the economy is facing now  high bank bad loans, the consequent reluctance of banks to take fresh investment commitments and cases of missing government funds intended for public projects. Modis return will give hope to investors that clean-up process will continue and that there arent any hidden pits in the Indian economy.

Modi's idea of "cooperative federalism" will work more smoothly as BJP slowly spreads its power across more states or secures significant say in the state governments. The BJP and its allies now rule over 70 percent of the country's population and its alliance is in power in seven of the 12 states that send 20 or more MPs to the Lok Sabha. Even regional parties such as the AIADMK and BJD have been favourably disposed to the saffron camp. The influence of the Congress, meanwhile, has been reduced to just one big state: Karnataka.



The implementation of key initiatives such as Goods and Services Tax (GST), labour reforms, the Aadhaar programme, fight against bad loans, major divestment initiatives including those in sick PSUs such as Air India, will see continuity if the BJP returns to power.

Stock markets have always loved Modi. Ever since he came to power through a landslide victory in May 2014, the BSE Sensex has gained over 30 percent while Nifty has jumped by 36 percent. Foreign Institutional Investors have been net buyers (around $23 billion). In fact, stock markets began to have a great run ever since Modi was named the NDA's prime ministerial candidate.

Ever since the 2014 General Election, there has been no turning back for the former Gujarat chief minister.

The record victory in Uttar Pradesh and just-executed political sabotage in Bihar have been major moves for the saffron cadre. The Opposition dream of a 'Mahagathbandhan' as a counter to the BJP's victory march in 2019 has fallen flat with Nitish's googly. With this, the Congress-led Opposition faces the serious problem of not having a credible face to show as its prime ministerial candidate for 2019. The developments of the past week offer what looks like a near-walkover for Modi in the 2019 election.

However, the other side of the story is that India is moving towards a situation where, for all intents and purposes, there is no strong political Opposition on the national-level to question Modis policies. As CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said, the BJP seems to be targetting an Opposition-mukt Bharat rather than a Congress-mukt Bharat. This isn't a good scenario either as the disappearance of voices to question the government's actions and wrong policies is dangerous.

The Congress is shattered, the Left has become redundant fighting an identity crisis and regional satraps are fighting for their very survival  in most cases, haunted by the ghost of their own past deeds. There is virtually no Opposition in India to challenge Modis policies. This is not good news for any democracy, as it is vital to have a powerful Opposition that can scrutinise and question the governments steps. Once again, the independent media will have to take up the role of principal scrutiniser.
After days of speculations, marred by offensive statements from both sides of the political spectrum, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar ended the political slugfest by announcing his resignation as the chief minister of the Bihar Grand Alliance only to take oath the very next day as the chief minister of the JD(U)-BJP combine. BJP embracing the once estranged leader back has been drubbed as "homecoming" or Ghar Wapsi for Nitish.

It is an interesting choice of phrase because Ghar Wapsi has communal overtones and associating it with Nitish, who has projected himself as a leader who cannot compromise with secularism, seems to portend his future in the newly formed alliance in Bihar.

While Nitish may have joined the BJP again, he has in no uncertain terms joined the post-2014 saffron party. The BJP prior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sudden rise to power and the BJP after the Modi wave has swept the country is so different that Nitish might find it difficult to blend in again and enjoy the same power that he once wielded.

The secular image which he has fostered through the months might not resonate with the Modi and Amit Shah-led BJP. By jumping on the BJP bandwagon yet again and breaking an alliance which was considered as a marriage of equals, Nitish will now have to play second-fiddle to the BJP and demonstrate a greater readiness to accept its terms and conditions than he did before.

The alliance now is between a man - who's political ambitions have spurred him to break the mahagathbandhan in which he was considered a significant player - and the saffron party which rules over two-third of the country. While the Lalu-Nitish alliance was termed 'unholy', this unequal match is no better.

Prior to 2015, Nitish called the shots in the BJP-JD(U) alliance in Bihar. He also enjoyed a cosy relationship with the BJP leadership. He was adored and admired for his no-nonsense image and administrative efficiency right from the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee down to the last person in the BJP.

The reason he chose to quit the warm alliance with the BJP was the elevation of Modi as the prime ministerial candidate in 2014. Nitish had expected Modi to face resistance at every step of his way. He had termed Modi as no less than Adolf Hitler and attacked him vehemently for playing politics of communalism, as News18 reported.

However, after the grand mandate given to Modi in the 2014 general election and with his rising fan following, the BJP became synonymous with Modi and Amit Shah, who has been pulling the strings to ensure this upward trajectory in BJPs growth.

Under the powerful leadership of Modi and Shah, BJP is on the verge of conquering the entire country and needless to say, the expansion plan also includes Bihar. BJP seems to have sensed Nitish's desperation to break away from Lalu and the countless corruption cases against him. By giving this opportunity to the JD(U) leader, who might have to accept BJPs interference now.

It remains to be seen how Nitish, who climbed the political ladder on the plank of secularism and probity, will conform his ideology with the BJP and its close associate, the Sangh.

On several occasions, Nitish called for a Sangh-Mukt Bharat in 2016. "To make India Sangh-free, all parties must come together (Sangh-mukt Bharat banane ke liye sabhi gair BJP parties ko ek hona hoga (to usher in a Sangh-free India all non-BJP parties have to come together)," the JD(U) chief said.

Cracks have already started to surface with the three Muslim MLAs of the JD(U)-RJD combine feeling cheated. The Hindustan Times quoted a local Muslim leader as saying, "We feel cheated and it goes without saying that these three MLAs are under tremendous pressure from their voters."

Infact, Bihar's Muslims voted overwhelmingly for Nitish because of his hard stance against Modi. Lalu managed to hold together his support base of the Muslims and the Yadavs and ensured that they voted for the Grand Alliance. With Lalu out of the fold and Nitish embracing a party which is largely considered anti-Muslim, it is only a matter of time before the secular image of the JD(U) leader is tainted.

Muslims of Bihar would feel disappointed if the Grand Alliance is called off because they voted for the Hindu candidates fielded by the JD(U)-RJD-Congress alliance in the hope for a secular government in Bihar, according to National Herald.

It might also become a point of friction between him and some of the aggressive advocates of Hindutva.

Until now, the incidents of cow vigilantism hasn't tarnished Bihar but with the BJP coming back in power in the state, the situation is likely to exacerbate.

According to an IndiaSpend report, 86 percent of Indians killed in cow-related violence were Muslims and 97 percent of these attacks were reported after Modi government came to power. The new alliance might embolden the cow vigilantes in Bihar, who somewhat feel a sense of protection if the BJP is in power in the state.

The encouragement that a BJP government might provide to these cow "protectors" is also a matter of concern for the Dalits, who are considered 'soft targets'. Dalits and Mahadalits form the basis of Nitishs successful social engineering in the state and any shift in loyalty in the votebank may affect his future prospects, according to DailyO.

These unspoken elements to an alliance with the BJP might prove counterproductive for Nitish and he may have exposed himself to heavy political risks by aligning with the BJP. It remains to be seen if he will get distracted with the ideology that the BJP has propagated in recent months or remain firm in his agenda of developing the state and being a leader of all sections.
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"As far as the armed forces are concerned, they are fully equipped to deal with any situation and any shortage is being addressed," said Defence Minister Arun Jaitley in the Lok Sabha.

Ironically and hilariously enough, soon after Yechury finished his statements, Opposition leaders  instead of discussing the issue  began shouting again.

"If this is the temple of democracy, how can we not discuss this issue?" he said.

"I am requesting you as the Chairman to direct the government to look into this issue," CPM's Sitaram Yechury said in the Rajya Sabha.

If Rajya Sabha is the temple of democracy, how can we not discuss this issue (of alleged abduction of Gujarat Congress leader): Yechury

This is the fourth time the Upper House was adjourned today.

After four adjournments, the Upper House is back in session with revised list of businesses.

Opposition members began sloganeering in the Rajya Sabha when the Upper House resumed at 2.30. Congress members had earlier alleged that some Congress MLAs were abducted by Gujarat Police. Meanwhile, BJP members also started sloganeering, demanding apology from the Opposition, saying they have iinsulted Gujarat. Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien has warned that if sloganeering doesn't stop the House may be adjourned for the fifth time.

Members of both Congress and BJP sparred again in the afternoon after Rajya Sabha resumed at 2.30 pm on Friday. After several requests of the Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien went unnoticed, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day. It will resume at 11 am on 31 July.

Addressing the chair, BJP MLA from Vishakhapatnam, Hari Babu Kambhambpati, asked for a level playing field between private institutes and IIMs. He also sought information on govt's plan to create financing agency for higher education, and expedite the process. Kambhambpati also suggested that every IIM should have an incubation centres to promote new ideas.

"All the IIMs will have their own unique identity. Bihar's population is over 11 crore and only one IIM has been built in Bodh Gaya. There is a need to make the Bodh Gaya IIM independent. There are about 10,000 seats in all the IIMs and there is a need to double this number too," said Kaushalendra Kumar.

Need to double the number of seats in IIMs: Kaushalendra Kumar of JD(U)

It is likely that the Opposition will disrupt the Parliament proceedings on Day 10 of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament on issues like rise in the mob lynchings and the political developments in Bihar.

Proceedings of the Lok Sabha were disrupted on Thursday as some opposition parties created uproar over the political developments in Bihar and some other issues.

The House had to be adjourned for 25 minutes, just five minutes after it met for the day at 11 am. As soon as the House took up the Question Hour, Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav (RJD) raised the issue of JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar leaving the Grand Alliance and forming a new government with the BJP.

Shouting from his bench in the front row, he dubbed it as "murder of democracy".

Kumar resigned as Bihar chief minister on Wednesday evening, dumping the Mahagathbandhan which also included the RJD and the Congress.

Subsequently, he firmed up an alliance with the BJP and formed a new government with its support on Thursday morning.

Congress members trooped into the well of the House, demanding revocation of the suspension of six of its members.

They carried placards which read: "End discrimination, give justice madam Speaker" and "take back suspension (of six party MPs)."

The Congress members were also demanding initiating discussion on "mob lynchings".

In the Rajya Sabha, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said that India is committed to address all outstanding issues with Pakistan, including Kashmir, but the onus is on that country to create an atmosphere conducive for bilateral talks.

"India is committed to address all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, bilaterally and through peaceful means in accordance with the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration. Such a dialogue to be meaningful necessarily requires an atmosphere free of terror, hostility and violence," Sushma Swaraj told the Rajya Sabha.

"The (Indian) government's consistent policy has been that it desires good neighbourly relations with Pakistan... (but) the onus is on Pakistan to create a conducive atmosphere for a constructive and substantive comprehensive bilateral dialogue," the minister added.

Swaraj said India's "principled and consistent" position has been that the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the Indian Union and that a part of the state is under "forcible and illegal occupation of Pakistan".

In a written reply to another question, the minister denied relations with Pakistan were tense in the last three years.

"It is not true that bilateral relations between India and Pakistan have been very tense during the last three years. In fact, during 2014 and 2015, there was considerable improvement in bilateral relations," she said.

Swaraj said during her December 2015 visit to Islamabad, both sides agreed to a meeting at the foreign secretaries level to work out the modalities for a comprehensive dialogue.

With input from agencies
New Delhi: Opposition Congress on Friday created an uproar in the Rajya Sabha, forcing four adjournments in quick succession, alleging that the Gujarat police had abducted its MLA in the state with a view to influence the upcoming elections to the Upper House.

Congress members trooped into the Well of the House raising anti-government slogans and charging the BJP with "stealing" MLAs to help its candidates win the Rajya Sabha polls, forcing brief adjournments one after the other.

Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien first adjourned the proceedings for 10 minutes soon after the House assembled as Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma, raised the issue and party members stormed the Well raising slogans.

Similar scenes were witnessed when the House met again, forcing Kurien to adjourn the proceedings till 12 pm. A repeat of the protests saw Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourning the House again after it reassembled at noon.

As there was no let-up in the opposition protests, the House was again adjourned till 2.30 pm.

Azad said he was not raising the issue of three Congress MLAs who had resigned from the party and one of them being immediately named as the BJP candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls.

He said Punabhai Gamit, MLA from reserved constituency of Vyara, after attending district Congress executive committee, had gone for tea to another MLA's house when district superintendent of police "abducted" him.

The police officer, he alleged, told the MLA that Congress has decided not to give him a ticket for the upcoming assembly elections and he should leave the party and join BJP and he would arrange his meeting with the BJP president and get him the ticket.

Azad alleged that the police officer who picked the Congress MLA up was the one who was arrested in a fake encounter case. The MLA managed to flee when he asked the police officer to allow him to get a changeover of clothes, he claimed.

"You are stealing MLAs by using the police (to garner votes)," Azad said, adding "You should be ashamed."

Earlier, Sharma had raised the issue through a point of order saying the Constitution was being violated by the ruling BJP which was using the police to "abduct" MLAs.

"They are stealing MLAs," he said, adding that it must be guaranteed that the biennial elections to Rajya Sabha are free and fair and MLAs are released.

Union Minister Parshottam Rupala sought to counter the charge saying it was an internal matter of the Congress whose MLAs, including the leader of the party in the state assembly, were deserting it. "Why are you complaining here," he said.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said it is the Election Commission's responsibility to hold free and fair elections. "If they have a complaint, they should go to Election Commission. Rajya Sabha is not the place to protest."

Congress is not able "to keep its house in order", Naqvi said, prompting the opposition party MPs to troop into the Well shouting slogans.

"You have to protect the Constitution ... Voters are being kidnapped where do we go," Azad said.

Kurien said the Chair has nothing to do with elections. "If what has been narrated has happened, solution lies elsewhere. You can approach police, you can approach election commission and seek remedy. I have no remedy for this," he said.

He asked protesting members to return to their seats but his pleas went unheeded. "What is the use of obstructing," he asked before adjourning the proceedings for 10 minutes.

When the House reassembled, Anand Sharma (Congress) again raised the issue of abduction.

To this, Kurien asked what he could do.

Azad suggested that the Chair can give a direction to the Election Commission to ensure fair election. He said the officer involved in the incident should be removed.

Kurien, however, said the Election Commission "does not require a direction from the Chair" to conduct free and fair election, as it is bound to do so and "they are doing it".

"If you have a complaint, approach Election Commission," he said.

As Congress members trooped into the Well and started slogan-shouting, Naqvi took pot-shots at the main opposition party saying they would also demand a direction to the Surpreme Court as several of their members are involved in "corruption" cases.

Congress would also seek direction to Election Commission as they are losing the elections, the minister added.

Kurien asked agitated Congress members to return to their seats so that Zero Hour business could be taken.

However, Congress members kept shouting slogans from the well. Kurien adjourned the House till noon.

When the House met at noon, Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the proceedings, first briefly for 15 minutes and then till 2.30 pm.
New Delhi: The Congress on Friday accused the BJP of horse-trading in Gujarat and using "money, muscle and state power" to engineer defections ahead of the crucial Rajya Sabha polls.

Stating that the party is keeping all options open, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi warned the MLAs of serious consequences of the anti-defection law that can lead to disqualification from contesting elections up to six years.

He recalled court judgements that termed defections a constitutional sin and unprincipled defections a social evil.

"Crores of rupees have been spent in horse-trading in Gujarat by the BJP. You have seen this naked drama...The policy of the BJP in Gujarat is  by hook or by crook, come to power by breaking all laws," he said.

The comments come after six Congress MLAs quit the party ahead of the crucial Rajya Sabha elections for three seats that may alter the result. The party had 57 MLAs in the 182-member Assembly.

While Amit Shah and Smriti Irani have been fielded by the BJP, the Congress has again fielded Ahmed Patel, the political secretary of Sonia Gandhi, for the third seat and the defections may have a bearing on the election for this seat.

Singhvi said, "The anti-defection law is supreme and repeatedly the Supreme Court has called defections a constitutional sin."

He alleged that Congress Gujarat MLA Punabhai Gamit was offered Rs 10 crore by the BJP. Singhvi also accused the BJP of adopting unlawful measures with the use of money and power to force the Congress MLAs to switch sides and quit the assembly.

"If the MLAs think they cannot come under the anti-defection law, they are mistaken. If found guilty under the law, they face future disqualification of six years," he said.

He added that the Prevention of Corruption Act says any person receiving any gratification for doing something in return is corruption.

Asked what options does the Congress have now, the Congress leader said, "we have all our options open", an indication that the Congress may move the court.

Singhvi accused the BJP of engineering defections by using "money, muscle and state power" and subverting the authority of elected governments, adding "this has become the hallmark of the ruling party".

On Nitish Kumar switching sides, the Congress leader said it is like number portability where the chief minister is the same and only the service provider has changed from the RJD to the BJP.

"It's chief minister portability," he said.
Patna: Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) legislators staged protests outside the Bihar Assembly on Friday ahead of the floor test of the Nitish Kumar government and described him as the "Chief Minister of the Sangh".

Nitish Kumar along with the BJP formed the new government on Thursday after dumping the RJD-Congress' Grand Alliance on Wednesday.

Shouting slogans and carrying placards, the Rashtriya Janata Dal legislators stood at the main entrance of the assembly, protesting against Nitish Kumar.

Former deputy chief minister Tejaswi Yadav also joined them.

He accused Nitish Kumar of cheating the people of Bihar and called him "Chief Minister of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)".

"He cheated and betrayed the people of the state who gave him massive mandate. He played dirty politics. He just looked for an excuse to defame us and join the NDA", Tejashwi Yadav said before entering the House.

"Everyone can see how he switched sides. Earlier he used to speak of Sangh-mukt Bharat and now he is the chief minister of the Sangh. He has changed his stand from 'Hey Ram' to 'Jai Shri Ram'." He also told reporters that he would raise the issue inside the House. He accused the BJP of corruption charges.

Some RJD legislators shouted slogans like "Nitish Kumar hai hai", "Nitish Kumar dhokhebaaz (unreliable)".

According to party leaders, RJD planned to stage protest inside the state assembly and will walk out before Nitish Kumar proved his majority on the floor of the house.
Patna: After the new Bihar government won the trust vote in the Assembly on Friday, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said the "unnatural Grand Alliance died naturally" and praised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for not bowing before RJD chief Lalu Prasad.

"We are happy that the government of Janata Dal-United and the Bharatiya Janata Party passed the floor test in the house today (Friday)," Sushil Modi told reporters after coming out of the Assembly in Patna.

He said Nitish Kumar took the decision (to break away from the erstwhile Grand Alliance) at the "right time" as he didn't compromise on corruption. "He didn't bow in front of Lalu Prasad," the state BJP leader said.

He claimed the JD(U)'s alliance with the BJP will run smoothly for the next 40 months and the new government will work to take Bihar to new heights in development.

Attacking the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) over moving the Patna High Court, Sushil Modi said Nitish Kumar had already told the governor about the support of 131 assembly members to his government and hence there was no need for the governor to invite the RJD to form the government.

"If they had the majority, why didn't they pass the floor test?" he said.

"The floor test proved that the government has the majority. It (Grand Alliance) was an unnatural alliance which died naturally," he added.

Sushil Modi said Nitish Kumar had earlier urged the RJD leaders to put their version on the corruption charges before the public, but they didn't come forward as they didn't have any answers.

Nitish Kumar on Wednesday resigned as the Chief Minister of the Grand Alliance government  comprising the Janata Dal-United, the RJD, and the Congress  and joined hands with the National Democratic Alliance and took oath of office the next day.

Targeting Lalu Prasad's younger son Tejashwi Yadav, Sushil Modi  who was Deputy Chief Minister earlier too to Nitish Kumar in the JD(U)-BJP alliance regime  said: "In the assembly today, Tejashwi didn't speak a single word on charges of over benami properties worth Rs 1,000 crore against him."

"The people of Bihar want to know how the 28-year-old son of Lalu Prasad amassed so much property," the BJP leader said.
Patna: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who on Friday took over as Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, accused Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of using him as a pawn to go over to the BJP.

You can watch Tejashwi Yadav's speech in the Bihar Assembly here:

"You (Nitish Kumar) used me as a pawn to go over to the BJP. You have gone from saying 'He Ram' (in consternation) when you saw the BJP, to saying 'Jai Shri Ram'," Tejashwi Yadav, who was the state's deputy chief minister till Wednesday evening, said in his over 40-minute speech in the Assembly.

Tejashwi Yadav also accused the Janata Dal (United) president of "insulting" the mandate of the people time and again. "In 2013, he dumped the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and expelled the BJP ministers from his cabinet, and now again he has repeated it. The JD(U) and BJP-led NDA joining hands to form the government is an insult to democracy," he said.

He said the Grand Alliance of JD(U), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and and Congress was given the mandate of five years by the people in the 2015 Assembly elections, and it was against the BJP.

Tejashwi Yadav said it was Nitish Kumar who had called for making a "sangh mukt" (RSS free) India but had himself bowed down before the RSS. "Nitish Kumar was with the BJP earlier too, but this time he has proved he is anti-backward classes and anti-Dalit by rejoining them."

He reminded Nitish Kumar that in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the JD(U) had managed to win only two seats thanks to the RJD, and the RJD won four seats despite the BJP wave.

Tejashwi Yadav said Nitish Kumar had never discussed his resignation with him over corruption charges. "If he had, I would have thought about it. I was taking legal opinion and I told him so. Nitish Kumar is still my uncle, but he betrayed me. If Nitish had asked me to resign, I would have thought about it," he said.

He charged that BJP leader Sushil Modi is also facing cases. "So why did he take oath (as Deputy Chief Minister). Why was the timing of the oath-taking ceremony changed? How did Narendra Modi tweet so quickly on Nitish Kumar's resignation?," he asked. The RJD has alleged that Nitish Kumar's quitting the Grand Alliance to join the BJP soon after was all "pre-planned".

Tejashwi Yadav also questioned how and why Prime Minister Modi welcomed Nitish Kumar's decision to resign on Wednesday night and later also congratulated the latter on joining the battle against corruption.

He denied his father and RJD chief Lalu Prasad was favouring him in any way, "or else I would have been the chief minister".

"My father was not in Putra moh, he was in Bhai moh (favouring a brother) that's why he (Nitish Kumar) was elected as the Chief Minister," Tejashwi Yadav said.

"Everything from the resignation of Nitish Kumar and BJP's support to him was planned. The way in which he (Nitish Kumar) gave his resignation was saddening," Tejashwi Yadav said.

Attacking the Bihar chief minister further, Tejashwi Yadav said, "Why was he silent during the CBI raids?"

"When the raids were carried out at our premises he fell ill and when (opposition Presidential candidate) Meira Kumarji came to Patna, he went to Rajgir," he remarked.

Nitish Kumar on Wednesday resigned as the Grand Alliance Chief Minister and again took oath on Thursday with the support of BJP.
Beijing: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval along with other top security officials of the BRICS nations on Friday called on Chinese president Xi Jinping in Beijing, who praised their efforts in enhancing mutual trust and cooperation despite the vast geographical distance among the member nations..

The meeting comes amid a standoff between China and India in the Doka La area in the Sikkim sector.

After day-long deliberations over improving cooperation in a number of areas, the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) NSAs met Xi and interacted with him.

Xi, in his address to the BRICS NSAs, praised them for building a mutual trust and cooperation among the member nations.

"Every minister has done a great job for improving our mutual trust and security cooperation. I sincerely thank for all your efforts," said Xi, who is heading the BRICS group this year, about the deliberations by the NSAs on Friday on host of security related issues.

"I think the meeting was carried out well. In order to promote the strategic mutual trust of the BRICS countries, security cooperation, all of you have made a lot of effort," he said.

The BRICS cooperation has 10 years of history and the five-member group of emerging countries have carried on meaningful cooperation despite geographical distance and different political systems establishing a new type of international relations, the Chinese president said.

He also said that while the starting point of BRICS cooperation is in the economic and financial field in its first decade, in view of the complex international political and economic security situation, the member countries should expand cooperation with more people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges and coordinate on security issues.

The BRICS NSAs meeting focussed on global governance, counter-terrorism, cyber security and energy security, international and regional hotspots, and national security and development.

China on Thursday acknowledged that Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi met on the sidelines of the BRICS NSAs meet during which they discussed "major problems" in bilateral ties. However, China made no mention of the Doka La standoff.

Since the standoff began on 16 June, China has been maintaining that there will not be a meaningful dialogue without the unconditional withdrawal of Indian troops.

In Friday's meetings, there were no hand shakes in front of the media between Chinese officials and the BRICS NSAs.
And, three voted No.

In the dead of night, while America slept, Sen. John McCain, (R-Ariz), 80, recently diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour and publicly insulted by Donald Trump for not playing ball, skewered the US Presidents most ambitious legislative agenda of repealing Americas first black Presidents most enduring legacy on healthcare.

The final vote was 49-51 with 3 of Trump's own party gutting the move. Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine joined McCain in voting no.

Link: How #SkinnyRepeal was gutted - full voting session on video

Reporters chased McCain as he walked slowly out of the Capitol after a suspense-filled night. An 80 year old former POW stole the show that the Trump White House desperately wanted to win.

Trump vented on Twitter early morning Friday: "3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!

On the same platform, McCain said the Obamacare repeal bill "fell short of our promise to repeal & replace Obamacare w/ meaningful reform," and "I hope we can rely on humility, cooperation & dependence on each other to better serve the people who elected us.

Heres what was tucked away inside the #SkinnyRepeal. In a line, premiums (which have already gone through the roof) would have spiked 20% and 15 million more people would be uninsured next year than under the present Obamacare system. This number would balloon to 16 million or more in the next decade.

McCain released this statement soon after the repeal effort was gutted - basically rejecting any methods that attempt to push through legislation without getting inputs from both sides and following due process.

"From the beginning, I have believed that Obamacare should be repealed and replaced with a solution that increases competition, lowers costs, and improves care for the American people. The so-called "skinny repeal" amendment the Senate voted on today would not accomplish those goals. While the amendment would have repealed some of Obamacare's most burdensome regulations, it offered no replacement to actually reform our health care system and deliver affordable, quality health care to our citizens. The Speaker's statement that the House would be "willing" to go to conference does not ease my concern that this shell of a bill could be taken up and passed at any time.

I've stated time and time again that one of the major failures of Obamacare was that it was rammed through Congress by Democrats on a strict-party line basis without a single Republican vote. We should not make the mistakes of the past that has led to Obamacare's collapse, including in my home state of Arizona where premiums are skyrocketing and health care providers are fleeing the marketplace. We must now return to the correct way of legislating and send the bill back to committee, hold hearings, receive input from both sides of aisle, heed the recommendations of nation's governors, and produce a bill that finally delivers affordable health care for the American people. We must do the hard work our citizens expect of us and deserve.

In the best of times, aggressive brain tumours like the one McCain has been diagnosed with are tough to beat back. Fourteen months is an average time span patients are given and therefore, the irony of this McCain moment is lost on nobody.

Its not everyday that you actually hear the collective gasp of politicians thats audible on national live television. Its the most tweeted, most headlined moment of the #SkinnyRepeal midnight show.

The Washington Post has a blow by blow account of how egos clashed and ideologies collided to dump Trumps agenda.

Democrats look positively giddy (several audibly gasp, while others clap). Schumer immediately waves at his caucus to stop celebrating, the Post reports.

It took a Republican to say no to Trumps pet plan. That the no came from a man diagnosed with a brain tumour is lethal.

Thats as far as the legislation goes.

For Trumps politics though, theres no looking back.

Even in the demise of Obamacares repeal, Republicans hog the headlines. With every passing day, the resistance is fading. Democratic Party? Who leads it anymore is unclear.

For readers from India who follow politics closely, the Trump map continues to expand across America just as the BJP is gaining ground across India. Yes, differences exist but directionally, it's the same thing. Modi's wins are both legislative and electoral, Trump is making little headway in legislation but his vote bank, by multiple accounts, remains strong. Both in the US and India, as of now, the Opposition has completely lost the plot.
New York: Defeated Democratic White House hopeful Hillary Clinton promises to let her guard down and explain what happened in her shock electoral defeat to Donald Trump, including the mistakes she made, in a book to be published in September.

Publishers Simon and Schuster revealed on Wednesday that the previously unnamed tome would be entitled "What Happened" and would be the former secretary of state's "most personal memoir yet."

"In the past, for reasons I try to explain, I've often felt I had to be careful in public, like I was up on a wire without a net. Now I'm letting my guard down", writes Clinton in the introduction.

Her publishers said the book would reveal what Clinton thought and felt during the bruising 2016 campaign that saw her make history as the first US woman to win the presidential nomination from a major party.

It will describe "what it was like" to run against Trump, "the mistakes she made, how she has coped with a shocking and devastating loss, and how she found the strength to pick herself back up", they said in an announcement ahead of the 12 September release date.

Clinton would take the reader "inside the intense personal experience" of an election "marked by rage, sexism, exhilarating highs and infuriating lows, stranger-than-fiction twists, Russian interference, and an opponent who broke all the rules", Simon and Schuster added.

The tome will also see Clinton double down on her belief that Russian interference cost her the White House.

Clinton has repeatedly blamed her loss on Russian cyberattacks and has alleged that associates of Trump likely had a hand in the effort.

She also says then-FBI director James Comey dealt her campaign a severe blow when  just days before the November election  he briefly revisited an inquiry into the scandal over her use of private email while at the State Department.

"Hillary shows just how dangerous the forces are that shaped the outcome, and why Americans need to understand them to protect our values and our democracy in the future", Simon and Schuster said.

Clinton is the author of five previous books, most recently "Hard Choices" published in 2014, as well as "An Invitation to the White House" and "It Takes a Village," all published by Simon and Schuster.
Tokyo: Japan's hawkish defence minister on Friday said she had resigned over a long-brewing scandal involving the handling of military documents, in a political blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Abe, who has seen his popularity plummet in recent weeks over a series of controversies, immediately apologised to the nation over the saga.

"I decided to resign as defence minister", Tomomi Inada told a press conference. "I submitted my resignation to the prime minister and it was accepted."

Inada, a close confidante of Abe who shares his staunchly nationalist views, was appointed defence minister in August 2016, a time when she was touted as a possible future leader.

But her nearly year-long stint has been characterised by repeated controversy, including increasing criticism of the ministry's handling of log reports filed by Japanese peacekeepers in South Sudan showing worsening security.

Abe, who became prime minister for a second time in December 2012 with a vow to rejuvenate Japan's economy, has been hit by scandals and gaffes involving members of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

"I apologise from the bottom of my heart to the people for this situation in which a minister resigns", Abe told reporters after the resignation.

"All responsibilities lie with me, the prime minister, in the appointment of cabinet ministers," Abe said, adding he "must seriously accept the people's severe criticism".

The most recent setback to the prime minister has been claims he showed favouritism to a friend in a business deal, an accusation he has vigorously denied.

Severe criticism

His government's public support ratings have fallen precipitously over the summer, with voters punishing the LDP in local Tokyo elections early this month.

The party suffered a drubbing in the vote for Tokyo's municipal assembly that media and analysts chalked up to a growing perception of "arrogance" on the part of his government.

It lost more than half of its seats, with the result seen as a bellwether for national political sentiment.

Abe will reportedly revamp his cabinet next week in a bid to reboot his government.

During her tenure, Inada delighted conservatives but drew domestic and international criticism in December when she prayed at a controversial war shrine in Tokyo -- the day after accompanying Abe on a symbolic visit of reconciliation to Pearl Harbor in the United States.

Yasukuni Shrine honours millions of mostly Japanese war dead, but is contentious for lionising senior military and political figures convicted of war crimes by an international tribunal.

Days before the Tokyo election Inada called on voters to support the LDP in the name of her ministry and the military.

The comments drew widespread condemnation, forcing Inada to retract her remarks, which were seen as a key reason for her party's unprecedentedly bad drubbing in the poll.
Nawaz Sharif may be on his way back to Pakistan next month after three years of self-exile in London Nawaz Sharif has been living in self-imposed exile in the UK since 2019. Former prime minister Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government cancelled Sharifs diplomatic passport after he was declared a proclaimed offender by a Pakistani court on corruption charges
What does Nawaz Sharifs dismissal as prime minister of Pakistan means for the country's polity? Symbolically, a lot. While technically speaking Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) will continue to retain power, had Sharif completed the tenure, he would have become the only Pakistani Prime Minister to successfully complete his two terms. But there ends the significance of Nawaz Sharifs government, or, for that matter, any civilian government in Pakistan.

In reality, over the last four years, the Pakistan Army had concisely taken steps to weaken the civilian regime to the point of the latter becoming a mere rubber stamp.

The Pakistan Army has generally retained its primacy in foreign and defence policies of Pakistan. But that's not all. While over the last few years, the Sharif government got embroiled in one political and corruption controversy after another, the Army steadfastly strengthened its grip over Pakistan's polity, economy and society.

This was quite a change for Pakistan's army generals, who had faced a decline in stature and influence after a series of incidents in 2011  the Raymond Davis incident in Lahore, Osama bin Laden raid in Abbottabad and the NATO bombing of a Pakistan Army checkpost in Mohamand Agency  had raised questions over the capability of Pakistan Army to defend Pakistan's territorial integrity and sovereignty, in essence, its existence.

But Pakistan's then army chiefs  General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Raheel Sharif  managed to sail through those difficult times and revive the armys image and standing in the eyes of the ordinary Pakistani civilian. Their efforts received a compliment with politicians getting involved in scores of allegations of corruption and nepotism.

While Sharifs government managed to survive, it had to pay the price in the form of ceding space to the army on crucial policy issues including the China Pakistan Economic Corridor where Armys Fauji Foundation is expected to mint more money than any other Pakistani business.

Sharif always has had a tenuous relationship with the army chiefs that he appointed  remember one General Parvez Musharraf who had overthrown him in his coup  but the fact that he managed to sail through General Kayani and Sharif, had offered him a unique chance to become the only civilian prime minister to complete his terms. But his past has now caught up with him.

While the current situation may be enticing for some generals to make a case for military takeover to safeguard national interests, the international isolation which Pakistan currently faces, means that any prospect of a military coup will end up doing more harm than good.

This becomes even more difficult as the army's challenges are getting complicated by increasingly resilient factions of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTB). The TTB continues to carry out periodic mass-casualty attacks despite Pakistan Army's media wing, Inter-Services Public Relation's self-proclaimed successes in the 'Zarb-e-Azb'. These domestic challenges before Pakistan Army is, in turn, linked to the country's entangled relations with its neighbours on western and eastern borders, particularly on the western border where relations between Islamabad and Kabul have reached their nadir. On the other hand, Pakistans relations with the United States are already in a tumultuous phase with funding cuts announced recently by the Pentagon. So, there are more challenges for the army than getting involved in another controversy.

To be sure, the Pakistan Army will be clear in sending out the message to the general population that it remains a clean institution (at least on the face of it) and behind the curtains working out an alternative political arrangement so that Pakistans political vulnerabilities are not exploited by its adversaries, creating more challenges for the generals.
On 24 July, a suicide attack killed 26 people, including nine policemen, in Pakistan's city of Lahore. The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing, stating that it used a 'motorcycle bomb' to target law enforcement officials. Whereas, the preliminary investigation suggested that the motorcycle was not used in the attack and it was allegedly the first assault by the new Taliban Special Group (TSG), which comprises of trained suicide bombers (fidayeen commandos). This was the fourth terror incident in Lahore in last seven months. Earlier incidents include attacks on a census team, local protestors and a local market. These incidents show prevalent inconsistencies in Pakistan's security policies. Moreover, the timing of the attack is significant considering ongoing political and security developments in the country.

First, the Lahore attack comes at a crucial time when the ruling Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) is facing an imminent political crisis with the disqualification of prime minister Nawaz Sharif after the Panama Papers corruption case verdict. However, some reactions on the incident alleged that it was a deliberate attack to distract attention from the Panama case proceedings. Those remarks did not find much traction as the incident puts the spotlight on the government's inability to stop sporadic terror attacks in the country. More importantly, the incident raises serious questions on the government's security policy (both at the Centre and the state), which has been criticised for being lackadaisical in structurally implementing security reforms such as National Action Plan (NAP), which was introduced after the Peshawar school attack in December 2014.

Second, any attack in Pakistan's Punjab province is politically significant as it is the home turf of the ruling PML-N. While other provinces have witnessed regular terror-related incidents, Punjab has largely remained safe despite the presence of various extremist outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, among others. Notwithstanding the fact that Lahore has witnessed deadly attacks in the recent past to bring into question the capabilities of the PML-N leadership; the latest incident is even more significant as it took place close to the provincial Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif's house in Lahore. This suggests that there are some gaping holes in the government's overall security apparatus.

Consequently, the worsening security situation in Punjab (and across the country) and the alleged corruption charges on the Sharif family may negatively impact the PML-N's political fortunes in the 2018 general elections. Furthermore, it seems unlikely that the Sharif government will take any substantial step to strengthen its security policy due to the ongoing political quagmire.

Third, the Lahore bombing came days after the military announced Operation Khyber-IV to "wipe out terrorists" in the Rajgal Valley of Khyber Agency in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). As the military offensive intensifies in the country's western region, the terror outfits will look to target metropolitan cities to seek revenge from the State. Evidently, the level of terrorist violence has come down compared to previous years in Pakistan. But the latest attack implies that terror groups are capable of launching spectacular strikes despite the ongoing counterterrorism offensive such as Radd-ul-Fasaad (elimination of discord) or Zarb-e-Azb (sharp and cutting strike) in the past.

Fourth, the incident signals the TTP's presence in Pakistan's interior provinces, contrary to reports of its elimination which both the civilian and military leaderships have regularly claimed. Whereas, the security agencies have warned of such attacks in the province. While continuing with the propaganda of blaming neighbouring countries, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa targeted "regional actors and hostile agencies" for the internal security mess in Pakistan. Clearly, the security establishment in Pakistan is facing the heat both domestically and internationally to stop the widespread scourge of terrorism. But it appears blaming Research and Analysis Wing (RA&W) and Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS) for terror incidents has become part of the Pakistani establishment's narrative, especially after the arrest of former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav and the so-called 'surrender' of the former Jamaat-ur-Ahrar (JuA) spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan.

Fifth, these attacks may continue to take place in the future as the terrorist threat can't be eradicated completely in Pakistan. However, what is more dangerous for Pakistan is the existing binaries such as the 'good' and 'bad' terrorists and overarching politico-religious objectives which ultimately hinder implementation of security reforms. Coincidentally, on the same day of the Lahore blast, a suicide attacker detonated a car bomb in Kabul, killing up to 35 people. The apparent similarities between the attacks and the fact that they were carried out by the Taliban(s) (TTP and Afghan Taliban) indicate how closely interlinked the issue of terrorism is in both countries.

Pakistan is largely to be blamed for the present security situation in the region due to its regurgitating use of terrorism as a foreign policy tool to fulfil its strategic imperatives in the neighbourhood. While the Trump Administration has been pressing Islamabad to fulfil its commitments to target the Afghan-centric outfits on its territory, even going to the extent of blocking the yearly military reimbursements of $350 million, Pakistan seems unwilling to take affirmative actions against the Taliban or the Haqqani Network.

Lastly, the Lahore attack was the latest in a series of violent acts against personnel of local law enforcement agencies. In recent incidents, security personnel have been targeted in Quetta, Karachi, Dera Ghazi Khan, Lahore, among other major cities. This trend continues unabated as certain terror outfits, such as Jamaat-ur-Ahrar (JuA) under the 'Operation Ghazi', have vowed to target the government and security agencies across the country. Additionally, rampant politicisation of police by the political parties and lack of basic reforms are few causes for the poor standards of policing across all provinces, which make them vulnerable to terror attacks.

The civilian and military leaderships have been attempting to bring normalcy in Pakistan through variegated political and security efforts. Still, as previous episodes of extremist violence have indicated, terror outfits are capable of exploiting unexpected political scenario and selective security approach through slow but recurring sporadic attacks. Amid growing political uncertainty and ousting of Sharif, the timing and environment are conducive for the extremist groups to increase their activities across Pakistan. Meanwhile, the military will continue its counterterrorism offensive in security sensitive areas. Whereas, in all these developments, some pivotal security issues may remain neglected until political stability comes in Islamabad.

The author is a researcher at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS), New Delhi.
Pakistan's Supreme Court on Friday ordered Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to step down and ruled that graft cases be filed against him and his children over the Panama Papers scandal.

It is the third time the 67-year-old veteran politician's term as premier has been cut short.

As the unanimous verdict by the five-judge bench was read out by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan inside the packed courtroom 1 of the Supreme Court, a large number of opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers celebrated outside.

The prime minister was disqualified from holding his office as the judges ruled that he had been dishonest to Parliament and the courts and could not be deemed fit for his office.

Here are excerpts from the Supreme Court judgement entailing the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister of Pakistan:

As a sequel to what has been discussed in paragraphs 13 above, the following declaration and direction is issued:- i) It is hereby declared that having failed to disclose his un-withdrawn receivables constituting assets from Capital FZE, Jebel Ali, UAE in his nomination papers filed for the General Elections held in 2013 in terms of Section 12(2)(f) of the Representation of the People Act, 1976 (ROPA), and having furnished a false declaration under solemn affirmation respondent No. 1 Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is not honest in terms of Section 99(f) of ROPA and Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, therefore, he is disqualified to be a Member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament); ii) The Election Commission of Pakistan shall issue a notification disqualifying respondent No. 1 Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif from being a Member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) with immediate effect, whereafter he shall cease to be the Prime Minister of Pakistan; and iii) The President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is required to take all necessary steps under the Constitution to ensure continuation of the democratic process.

You can also read the entire judgement below:

The entire text has been taken exactly as posted by the official website of the Pakistan Supreme Court and has not been edited by Firstpost.
Islamabad: Opposition party politicians were elated as the Pakistan Supreme Court disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a landmark decision on Friday in the Panama Papers case, the media reported.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, while addressing the press soon after the judgement, said: "It's a historic day, let's strengthen Pakistan, let's get rid of terrorism from the country."

Dawn news quoted him as also saying: "Let us take this moment to express gratitude to the armed forces, police and other law enforcement agencies. We should also thank the JIT (Joint Investigative Team) members for not succumbing to the enormous pressure and serving the cause of justice."

The apex court in April had declared there was "insufficient evidence" to oust Sharif over the graft allegations engulfing his family, and ordered a six-member JIT to probe the matter.

The team of civilian and military investigators found there was a "significant disparity" between the Sharif family's income and lifestyle, in its scathing report, the paper said.

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said: "All the opposition parties played their part in this, but the credit does go to PTI and Imran Khan for taking this issue to court and fighting this long legal battle."

The leader of the Jamaat-i-Islami, Sirajul Haq said, "We are very weak but on 24 August, 2016, I became the first petitioner. People made fun of me but today we are leaving with success in the Supreme Court. I want to congratulate the apex court, journalists, lawyers and political workers who supported us."

In an unanimous decision, the apex court judges ruled that the prime minister had been dishonest to Parliament and the courts and could not be deemed fit to hold office.

Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, who headed the implementation bench, said all material collected by the Joint Investigation Team would be sent to an accountability court. He said cases should be opened against Maryam Nawaz (Sharif's daughter), Captain Muhammad Safdar (Maryam's husband), Hassan and Hussain Nawaz (Sharif's sons) as well as Prime Minister Sharif and a judgement should be announced within 30 days.

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Washington: Dealing a serious blow to President Donald Trump's agenda, the Senate early on Friday rejected a measure to repeal parts of former president Barack Obama's health care law after a night of high suspense in the US Capitol.

Unable to pass even a so-called "skinny repeal," it was unclear if Senate Republicans could advance any health bill despite seven years of promises to repeal Obamacare.

A key vote to defeat the measure was cast by Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, who returned to the Senate this week after receiving a diagnosis of brain cancer. In an impassioned speech the day he returned, McCain had called for bipartisanship on major issues of national concern, and a return to the "regular order" of legislating by committee.

Three Republicans joined with all Democrats to reject the amendment, which would have repealed a mandate that most individuals get health insurance and suspended a requirement that large companies provide coverage to their employees. It would have also delayed a tax on medical devices and denied funding to Planned Parenthood for a year.

The final vote was 49-51. Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine joined McCain in voting now. The amendment was a last resort for Senate Republicans to pass something  anything  to trigger negotiations with the House.

"This is clearly a disappointing moment," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky. He put the health care bill on hold. Buoyed by a signal from House Speaker Paul Ryan, McConnell had introduced a pared-down health care bill late on Thursday that he hoped would keep alive Republican ambitions to repeal Obamacare. "It's time to turn the page," said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of New York. "We are not celebrating. We are relieved." McConnell had called his measure the Health Care Freedom Act. It was not intended to become law, but to open a path for a House-Senate conference committee to try to work out comprehensive legislation Congress could pass and send to Trump.

The measure would have repealed the unpopular Affordable Care Act requiring most people to have health insurance or risk a fine from the IRS. A similar requirement on larger employers would be suspended for eight years.

Additionally it would have denied funding to Planned Parenthood for a year, and suspended for three years a tax on medical device manufacturers. States could seek waivers from consumer protections in the Obama-era law, and individuals could increase the amount they contribute to tax-sheltered health savings accounts for medical expenses. Republican Paul Ryan from Wisconsin seemingly opened a path for McConnell earlier on Thursday evening by signaling a willingness to negotiate a more comprehensive bill with the Senate. Some Republican senators had been concerned that the House would simply pass the "skinny bill" and send it to Trump. That would have sent a shock wave through health insurance markets, spiking premiums.

Ryan sent senators a statement saying that if "moving forward" requires talks with the Senate, the House would be "willing" to do so. But shortly afterward, his words received varied responses from three GOP senators who'd insisted on a clear commitment from Ryan. It was not immediately clear whether the manoeuvre would succeed.

"Not sufficient," said McCain, who returned to the Capitol on Tuesday to provide a pivotal vote that allowed the Senate to begin debating the health care bill, a paramount priority for Trump and the GOP. The 80-year-old McCain had been home in Arizona trying to decide on treatment options for brain cancer.

Senator Lindsey Graham, initially said "not yet" when asked if he was ready to vote for the scaled-back Senate bill. But later, he told reporters that Ryan had assured him and others in a phone conversation that the House would hold talks with the Senate.

"I feel comfortable personally. I know Paul; he's a man of his word," said Graham. "Let's see how everything turns out here, guys," Senator Ron Johnson told reporters. The convoluted developments played out as a divided Senate debated legislation to repeal and replace the Obama-era law. With Democrats unanimously opposed, the slender 52-48 GOP majority was divided among itself over what it could agree to.

After a comprehensive bill failed on the Senate floor, and a straight-up repeal failed too, McConnell and his top lieutenants turned toward a lowest-common-denominator solution known as "skinny repeal."

It would have been the ticket to negotiations with the House, which passed its own legislation in May. But that strategy caused consternation among GOP senators after rumors began to surface that the House might just pass the "skinny bill," call it a day and move on to other issues like tax reform after frittering away the first six months of Trump's presidency on unsuccessful efforts over health care.

Ryan responded not long after with a discursive and far from definitive statement that blamed the Senate for being unable to pass anything, but said, "if moving forward requires a conference committee, that is something the House is willing to do."

"The reality, however, is that repealing and replacing Obamacare still ultimately requires the Senate to produce 51 votes for an actual plan," he said. But leaders encountered problems. The Senate parliamentarian advised that the waiver language violated chamber rules, meaning Democrats could block it. The insurance company lobby group, America's Health Insurance Plans, wrote to Senate leaders Thursday saying that ending Obama's requirement that people buy insurance without strengthening insurance markets would produce "higher premiums, fewer choices for consumers and fewer people covered next year."

And a bipartisan group of governors including John Kasich of Ohio and Brian Sandoval of Nevada also announced against it. On their own, the changes in the skinny bill could roil insurance markets. Yet the scenario at hand, with senators trying to pass something while hoping it does not clear the House or become law, was highly unusual. "We're in the twilight zone of legislating," said Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri.
Washington: The Senate has voted decisively to approve a new package of stiff financial sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea, sending the popular bill to President Donald Trump for his signature after weeks of intense negotiations.

Never in doubt, however, was a cornerstone of the legislation that bars Trump from easing or waiving the additional penalties on Russia unless Congress agrees. The provisions were included to assuage concerns among lawmakers that the president's push for better relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin might lead him to relax the penalties without first securing concessions from the Kremlin.

The Senate passed the bill on Thursday, 98-2, two days after the House pushed the measure through by an overwhelming margin, 419-3. Both are veto proof numbers as the White House has wavered on whether the president would sign the measure into law. The legislation is aimed at punishing Moscow for meddling in the 2016 presidential election and its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria, where the Kremlin has backed President Bashar Assad.

Senator John McCain said the bill's passage was long overdue, a jab at Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress. McCain, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, has called Putin a murderer and a thug. "Over the last eight months what price has Russia paid for attacking our elections?" McCain asked. "Very little." Trump had privately expressed frustration over Congress' ability to limit or override the power of the president on national security matters, according to Trump administration officials and advisers. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal White House deliberations.

But faced with heavy bipartisan support for the bill in the House and Senate, the president has little choice but to sign the bill into law. Trump's communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, suggested earlier on Thursday on CNN's New Day that Trump might veto the bill and "negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians."

Senator Bob Corker said that that would be a serious mistake and called Scaramucci's remark an "off-handed comment." If Trump rejected the bill, Corker said, Congress would overrule him. "I cannot imagine anybody is seriously thinking about vetoing this bill," said Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "It's not good for any president  and most governors don't like to veto things that are going to be overridden. It shows a diminishment of their authority. I just don't think that's a good way to start off as president."

Still, signing a bill that penalises Russia's election interference would mark a significant shift for Trump. He's repeatedly cast doubt on the conclusion of US intelligence agencies that Russia sought to tip the election in his favour. And he's blasted as a "witch hunt" investigations into the extent of Russia's interference and whether the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow.

The 184-page bill seeks to hit Putin and the oligarchs close to him by targeting Russian corruption, human rights abusers, and crucial sectors of the Russian economy, including weapons sales and energy exports.

The bill underwent revisions to address concerns voiced by American oil and natural gas companies that sanctions specific to Russia's energy sector could backfire on them to Moscow's benefit. The bill raised the threshold for when US firms would be prohibited from being part of energy projects that also included Russian businesses. Lawmakers said they also made adjustments so the sanctions on Russia's energy sector didn't undercut the ability of US allies in Europe to get access to oil and gas resources outside of Russia.

The North Korea sanctions are intended to thwart Pyongyang's ambition for nuclear weapons by cutting off access to the cash the reclusive nation needs to follow through with its plans. The bill prohibits ships owned by North Korea or by countries that refuse to comply with UN resolutions against it from operating in American waters or docking at US ports. Goods produced by North Korea's forced labour would be prohibited from entering the United States, according to the bill.

The sanctions package imposes mandatory penalties 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.

Senators Bernie Sanders and Rand Paul voted against the sanctions bill.
United Nations: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the government in the Maldives to lift a blockade of parliament and refrain from all acts that result in the harassment and intimidation of lawmakers, civil society and the media.

The UN chief's remarks came amid the ongoing political turmoil in the Maldives where soldiers have barred the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) from entering the parliament complex.

Lawmakers who tried to enter the compound were hit with pepper spray and forcibly evicted.

Guterres voiced concern over "gradual erosion of basic democratic norms and principles" in the country and has urged a dialogue.

He called on the government in Maldives "to uphold the constitutionally guaranteed rights of speech and assembly".

According to a statement issued by a UN spokesman, the Secretary-General urged the government to refrain from all acts that result in the harassment and intimidation of Members of Parliament, political parties, civil society and the media.

The UN Chief "encourages effective dialogue and consultations on political issues", the statement said.

India has reacted cautiously to the developments in its neighbouring country, saying it wishes to see a stable and peaceful Maldives in which aspirations of the people are fulfilled.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay also said India remained committed to provide unstinted support for stability, development and democracy in Maldives.

"Maldives is very important neighbour of ours. It is part of SAARC...We attach the highest importance to our relations with Maldives..India wishes to see a stable, prosperous and peaceful Maldives in which aspirations of people of Maldives are fulfilled, Baglay said in New Delhi.
Washington: On Friday, the US said it is looking forward to a "smooth" political transition in Pakistan as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stepped down after the Supreme Court disqualified him for dishonesty over the Panama Papers scandal.

"We look forward to a smooth transition as Pakistan's parliament selects the next prime minister, a State Department official said when asked about the disqualification of Sharif for dishonesty.

The official, however, described Sharif's resignation as Pakistan's internal matter.

Sharif's resignation comes at a time when Pakistan's relations with the US is under strain after the Trump administration blocked $350 million coalition support funds the the country for failing to act against the dreaded Haqqani terror network.

Pakistan-based Haqqani network is blamed for a number of high-profile attacks on US and Western interests in war-torn Afghanistan.

It is the third time that the 67-year-old veteran politician's term as premier has been cut short.

The much-awaited verdict plunged Pakistan into a political crisis at a time when the country is facing a brittle economy and a surge in militancy.

The court disqualified Sharif under Article 62 and 63 of Pakistan's Constitution.

The articles state that a member of Parliament should be "truthful" and "righteous".

Though there was no official announcement, Geo News reported that after a consultative session of the PML-N, Shehbaz Sharif has emerged as the most likely candidate to be the next Prime Minister of Pakistan after an interim premier has served a 45-day period.
In heavy rain, North Koreans put down their umbrellas to bow before the mausoleum of founder Kim Il Sung and his son on Thursday as the country marked the end of the Korean War, which it calls Victory Day.

There had been widespread speculation in US and South Korean intelligence circles that the North might choose to mark the anniversary with a fresh missile launch, following its first successful test earlier this month of an intercontinental ballistic missile that experts judged capable of reaching Alaska or Hawaii. As of late Thursday, no such launch had materialised and, in Pyongyang, the day was given over to memorialising the ruling Kim dynasty as the defenders of the nation. "Our country is ever-victorious because we have the greatest leaders in the world," said Hong Yong-Dok, who was at the Kumsusan Palace with his granddaughters.

The Korean people had suffered at the hands of "US imperialists for ages, and even my parents were killed by them in the Korean war. So we must teach our descendants to take revenge on the US imperialists," he told AFP. July 27, 1953 marks the signing of the armistice between China, North Korea, and US-backed United Nations forces that had fought each other to a stalemate over three years.

Nonetheless the North  whose invasion of the South started the war, despite its insistence that it was invaded by the United States  regards itself as having won what it calls the Fatherland Liberation War. The conflict left the peninsula devastated, with the South's capital Seoul changing hands four times. Korea has been divided ever since, with the now democratic South emerging from the wreckage to enjoy an economic boom that has propelled it to become Asia's fourth-largest economy.

In the absence of a peace treaty the two sides are technically still at war, and under the Kim family dynasty, now in its third generation in leader Kim Jong-Un, the North has embraced an "army first" policy. It has developed nuclear weapons, detonating five devices so far, and celebrated the recent ICBM test as a giant leap forward in its development of a credible delivery system to threaten the US mainland. The North occasionally times its missile firings to coincide with significant anniversaries, leading to habitual speculation of an imminent test before each one.

'Moved to tears'

Inside the Kumsusan Palace, a sprawling complex of colonnaded marble chambers and chandeliers, Kim and his son and successor Kim Jong-Il lie in state. Their embalmed bodies rest in glass coffins on biers in separate halls suffused with dim red light, soldiers standing guard in each corner as a steady stream of visitors bows before them three times. "I was moved to tears when I met the great leaders," retired financial official Ri Sun-Gyong, 71, said afterwards, her voice trembling with emotion. "I always miss them." Ordinary North Koreans normally only express officially-approved sentiments when talking to international media.

Geopolitical tensions have mounted in recent months over the North's weapons ambitions, which have seen it subjected to multiple rounds of United Nations sanctions, and Washington was expected later Thursday to formally declare a ban on US citizens visiting the country. North Korean newspapers carried a commentary saying America's "final ruin" was "already sealed" and it had "only one way out" -- "to withdraw the anachronistic hostile policy toward the DPRK and kneel and apologise before its army and people".

Despite his death in 1994, Kim Il-Sung remains Eternal President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as the North is officially known, while Kim Jong-Il  who died in 2011 - is Eternal General-Secretary of the ruling Workers' Party. Pyongyang resident Kim Un-Sil, 40, took her seven-year-old son to Mansu Hill in the centre of the city, where giant statues of the two men look out over the capital, to pay their respects. "I just wanted to tell my son, the new generation, that our Korean history is the history of victory," she said.
Chinas Tencent is in talks with homegrown cab aggregator Ola for a fresh round of funding worth $400 million, according to a latest report from the Economic Times. Citing four people aware of the development, ET stated that Tencent executives met with Olas management team to discuss funding.

The funding from Tencent will help Ola fight against rival Uber which has been pretty aggressive in the country. Ola has been raising funds since the beginning of this year. The company secured $100 million (Rs. 670 crores) funding from Falcon Edge, Ratan Tata in May and $50 million funding from New York-based hedge fund Tekne Capital in June which took Olas valuation to $3.65 billion from $3.5 billion in February. Ola has a presence in 110 Indian cities compared to Ubers operations in 29.

Meanwhile, Southeast Asias top ride-hailing service Grab recently secured a whopping $2.5 billion to compete with Uber.

Source
TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  Iran successfully launched its most advanced satellite-carrying rocket into space, the country's state media reported Thursday, in what is likely the most significant step yet for the launch vehicle.

A confirmed launch of the "Simorgh" rocket would mark another step forward for the Islamic Republic's young space program, but is likely to raise alarm among its adversaries, who fear the same technology could be used to produce long-range missiles.

The U.S. State Department called the launch "provocative."

Iranian state television said the rocket, whose name means "phoenix" in Persian, is capable of carrying a satellite weighing 250 kilograms (550 pounds). The report did not elaborate on the rocket's payload. Other state-linked agencies including the semi-official Fars news agency also described the launch as successful.

Media reports did not say when the launch took place at the Imam Khomeini National Space Station in Semnan, some 220 kilometers (138 miles) east of Tehran.

Iran frequently announces technological breakthroughs that are difficult to independently verify. It has carried out multiple tests of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles as well as other domestically produced weapons over the years.

The Simorgh is a two-stage rocket first revealed in 2010. It is larger than an earlier model known as the Safir, or "ambassador," that Iran has used to launch satellites on previous occasions.

The launch comes as the United States has criticized Iran's ballistic missile tests, which American officials argue violate the spirit of the 2015 nuclear deal that Iran struck with world powers. Under the agreement, which does not expressly prohibit missile tests, Iran agreed to limit its uranium enrichment program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. The U.S. said Thursday that such a rocket is inherently designed to be able to carry a nuclear warhead.

Iran has pursued a satellite launch program for years. The U.S. and its allies worry that the same technology could be used to develop long-range missiles.

The country has sent several short-lived satellites into orbit over the past decade, and in 2013 launched a monkey into space. But it recently abandoned plans to potentially send humans into orbit, saying in late May that the cost of doing so was prohibitive.

The U.S. National Air and Space Intelligence Center said in a report released last month that the Simorgh could act as a test bed for developing the technologies needed to produce an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM.

"Tehran's desire to have a strategic counter to the United States could drive it to field an ICBM. Progress in Iran's space program could shorten a pathway to an ICBM because space launch vehicles (SLV) use inherently similar technologies," the report said.

Iran's satellite-launch program falls under the responsibility of the defense ministry, which has denied that the space program is a cover for weapons development.

The head of Iran's space agency in October expressed for the first time interest in cooperating with NASA. Iran has offered to share its scientific findings and satellite data with other countries.

Iran's most recent known successful satellite rocket launch was in February 2015, when it put an imaging satellite known as "Fajr" into orbit. That launch happened while Iran was negotiating the nuclear deal.

It is believed to have carried out at least a partial test of the Simorgh rocket last year, though the exact details of that attempt were never made public.

Iran's decision to announce the rocket launch now likely serves as a test of America's reaction, said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior Iran analyst with the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a conservative think tank long critical of the nuclear deal.

Taleblu said the launch announced Thursday had implications not only on Iran's ability to launch satellites, but also in possibly building intercontinental ballistic missiles.

If Iran begins working on heat shields and other technology allowing for a rocket's payload to re-enter Earth's atmosphere, that would be a major warning sign, he said.

"This will take time, but the Iranian ballistic missile, nuclear, and space program shows that slow and steady always wins the race," Taleblu said.

Asked about the Iran missile tests, China's U.N. Ambassador Liu Jieyi, the current president of the U.N. Security Council, said that it was not "within the scope" of the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers.

"I think what's important is that the agreement continues to be implemented and all the sides make constructive efforts to resolve whatever issues that still exist, and to completely and comprehensively implement the agreement," Liu told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York.

___

Associated Press writer Amir Vahdat reported this story in Tehran and AP writer Adam Schreck reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. AP writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker on Friday signed a bill raising the tax on retail sales of recreational marijuana to 20 percent, up from the 12 percent rate proposed in a successful 2016 ballot initiative.

The state is one of eight in the United States to have legalized use of the drug by adults 21 and older. Marijuana possession was legalized on Dec. 15, 2016, but retail sales of the drug remain illegal until Jan. 1, 2018, a delay intended to give state and local authorities time to decide how to regulate the trade.

Baker, a Republican, opposed legalization as did several senior state officials, and he voiced concern about the future after signing the law.

"I don't support this. I worry terribly about what the consequences will be," Baker told reporters. "We appreciate the careful consideration the legislature took to balance input from lawmakers, educators, public safety officials and public health professionals, while honoring the will of the voters regarding the adult use of marijuana."

The law also allows cities and towns to ban or limit marijuana sales and creates a five-member Cannabis Control Commission with responsibility for overseeing the sale of recreational and medical marijuana.

The measure approved by voters called for legal retail sales of the drug to begin on July 1, but state legislators pushed that date back by six months to allow time to develop regulations. Legalization backers, who had protested the delay, called on state officials to move quickly in appointing the new control commission.

"The state will benefit greatly from the tax revenues and jobs created by the new industry, and we are confident lawmakers will secure appropriate funding to get the regulatory system up and running on the current timeline," said Jim Borghesani, a spokesman for Regulate Mass, which supported the ballot initiative.

(Reporting by Scott Malone; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
Tobacco stocks are plummeting on Friday after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a new regulatory plan to protect consumers that includes cutting nicotine levels in cigarettes to non-addictive levels.

Shares of Altria Group (NYSE:MO), which manufactures well-known cigarette brands like Marlboro and Parliament, are down about 9% in early trading Friday, marking the worst day for the companys stock since the 2008 financial crisis, according to FOX Business Charles Brady. Other tobacco companies, including British American Tobacco (NYSE:BTI) and Universal Corp (NYSE:UVV) were also down.

The FDA says the plan is essential to lessen the impact of tobacco use, which causes more than 480,000 deaths annually, according to the organization. With nearly 90% of smokers starting the habit before the age of 18, officials argue that lower nicotine levels in cigarettes will lessen the risk of addiction and make it easier to quit smoking.

The overwhelming amount of death and disease attributable to tobacco is caused by addiction to cigarettes  the only legal consumer product that, when used as intended, will kill half of all long-term users, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said in a statement. Unless we change course, 5.6 million young people alive today will die prematurely later in life from tobacco use.

Tobacco use is responsible for nearly $300 billion in health care costs and lost productivity each year, according to FDA statistics. The FDA said it also would examine the role menthol and other flavors play in tobacco use and encourage the development of innovative tobacco products that may be less dangerous than cigarettes.

The agency said it would issue guidance on its new policies shortly.
The U.S. government's auto safety agency has expanded an investigation into complaints of exhaust fumes inside Ford Explorer SUVs, adding two model years and nearly 400,000 vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Thursday night that the probe now covers more than 1.3 million Explorers from the 2011 through 2017 model years. The agency made the move after finding more than 2,700 complaints of exhaust odors in the passenger compartment and fears of carbon monoxide in an investigation that it started a year ago. Among the complaints were three crashes and 41 injuries, mostly loss of consciousness, nausea and headaches.

Many of the complaints came from police departments, which use the Police Interceptor version of the Explorer in patrol fleets. Police complaints included two crashes with injuries and another injury allegation due to carbon monoxide exposure.

On Thursday night, the agency said it had upgraded the probe from an investigation to an engineering analysis, a step closer to a recall. That could mean high costs for Ford down the road if it has to do a recall.

Company spokeswoman Elizabeth Weigandt said Thursday night that Ford has a team working with police, customers and NHTSA to investigate the reports and solve problems. Customers with concerns can call a dedicated hotline at (888) 260-5575 or visit their local dealer.

NHTSA also said it will examine Explorer Police Interceptors used by the Austin, Texas, Police Department. The Austin American-Statesman reported this week that the city installed carbon monoxide alarms in its 400 Explorers and parked 60 of them when the alarms activated. The alarms were installed after officers reported becoming sick while in the vehicles. The city could end up parking its entire fleet.

A total of 791 people have complained to the government about the fumes, while Ford has received more than 2,000 complaints and warranty claims.

In the documents, NHTSA said it tested multiple vehicles at its Ohio research center, and it has made field inspections of police vehicles involved in crashes. As of Thursday, the agency has found no evidence or data to support claims that injuries or crash allegations were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. But the agency said it has early tests that suggest carbon monoxide levels may be higher in certain driving conditions "although the significance and effect of those levels remains under evaluation."

The agency also said that through cooperation with police departments, it has learned that the Police Interceptor version of the Explorer is experiencing exhaust manifold cracks that are hard to detect and may explain exhaust odors. Investigators will evaluate the cause, frequency and safety consequences of the cracks, and whether Explorers used by civilians are experiencing cracked manifolds, the agency said.
Over the course of my roughly 25 years in the workforce, I've worked at some tremendous places and at a few that left a lot to be desired.

It's not always easy to spot a bad workplace before you take a job, but it should become evident pretty quickly once you are on board. That unfortunately means that you'll only realize your mistake after you have made it -- but all is not lost.

Think of a job in a bad workplace as a means to an end. It may not be the situation you want to work in, but the experience you gain still counts. It's also important to remember that just because many, if not most, employees have a bad experience at a company, that doesn't mean that you will too.

Still, if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it's usually a duck. Below are five signs: When more than one is true at any workplace, that suggests that the company is not a great place to work.

The turnover is high

If a company runs through employees quickly, that's generally a sign that people don't want to work there. As a rule, if the average worker stays less than a year it should raise a red flag. In addition, when a business has few long-term employees below the upper levels, that's an important sign it's not a great place to work.

People are afraid of the boss

There's a difference between having a healthy fear of the boss simply because he or she is in charge, and actually being afraid. If employees are clearly worried that any little thing might set the boss off in a rage, that's a black mark against a company. You should also take note of coworkers worrying that they will be fired for minor transgressions or even for routine mistakes.

Everyone leaves exactly at quitting time

At a good company, workers arrive early and are not desperate to leave exactly at quitting time. Even in a situation where employees punch a clock and get paid hourly, if they like the job, they don't make a special effort to be present only the minimum amount of time required.

People working only their mandated hours is an even bigger red flag in an office situation where employees are paid an annual salary. At a happy office, salaried employees don't drop their pens or stop typing mid-word when the clock ticks to the hour that the workday technically ends.

Coworkers don't socialize

Happy people talk to each other. Even if work hours are mostly business, a pleasant office houses workers who chat during coffee breaks or over lunch. If employees keep mostly to themselves and barely exchange pleasantries, it's likely because they don't enjoy working there. Not everyone needs to be best friends or to hang out after work, but an office full of people who treat each other like strangers certainly hints at a bad workplace.

It's all take, no give

If a job regularly asks you to go above and beyond but offers nothing in return, you have probably picked a bad place to work. It's not a case of direct quid pro quo, but there should be reasonable give and take.

For example, if your boss regularly asks you to stay late to finish, but won't let you leave a little early every now and then for legitimate reasons, then you probably are in a bad workplace. The same is true when it comes to working weekends or being asked to be flexible, but not receiving any flexibility in return.

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The airline industry has seen unprecedented success in recent years, and that has prompted many airlines to make major capital commitments to update their aging fleets. With its emphasis on smaller regional jet aircraft, Embraer (NYSE: ERJ) has done a good job of picking up its fair share of demand. Yet the stock has gotten hit hard by weak economic conditions in its home country of Brazil, and shareholders have wondered if they should give up hope that the aircraft manufacturer will be able to catch up with much better performance from larger industry peers.

Coming into the jet maker's second-quarter financial report, Embraer investors wanted to see big gains in sales and a turnaround on the bottom line. Embraer posted much better performance than most had expected, and unexpectedly large numbers of jet deliveries in the commercial segment pointed to the potential for a strong rebound for the rest of the year. Let's look more closely at Embraer and its latest results.

Embraer powers higher

Embraer's second-quarter results were a welcome turnaround from sluggish conditions earlier in the year. Revenue soared almost 30% to $1.77 billion, easily crushing the $1.6 billion in sales that most investors were looking to see. Adjusted net income nearly tripled from year-ago levels to $123 million, and that resulted in adjusted earnings of $0.67 per share, well above the consensus forecast for $0.50 per share among those following the stock.

Looking more closely at the numbers, Embraer enjoyed success throughout its business. The commercial aviation segment posted a 27% revenue gain, while the defense and security segment did even better, with gains of almost 60%. The executive jets division lagged behind but still saw sales pick up by 16% from year-ago levels.

On the delivery front, the quarter was a good one. Embraer delivered 35 commercial aircraft during the quarter, nearly doubling what it accomplished in the first quarter of 2017. E-175 regional jets made up 31 of the planes delivered, with two E-190 and two E-195 models also sent to customers. Executive jet deliveries also picked up sequentially, even though they were down slightly from the year-ago quarter. A big boost in large business jets, which doubled from the first quarter, helped to drive numbers higher for the unit overall. The first delivery of the Phenom 100 EV aircraft was a milestone for Embraer. The only downside was a drop in backlog to $18.5 billion, which was well below the corresponding figure of $21.9 billion this time last year.

What's ahead for Embraer?

Embraer has high hopes for the future. At the recent Paris Air Show, the company debuted several new aircraft, including flights of its E195-E2 next-generation commercial jet and its KC-390 multimission transport plane. Embraer also highlighted its Legacy 450 mid-to-light business jet in Paris, and the company got more than 50 commitments in Paris, including 18 firm orders for E-175, E-190, and E-195-E2 model planes.

Embraer also made progress beyond the aircraft business. The company launched a Brazilian satellite successfully in May, and it's working in partnership with several other companies to help come up with air traffic control radar solutions to improve reliability and boost capacity of the aging air traffic control system.

What was slightly surprising was that even with the solid performance, Embraer didn't boost its outlook on either the financial or delivery count fronts. The aircraft manufacturer repeated its call for 97 to 102 commercial jet deliveries and 105 to 125 executive jet deliveries. Between 70 and 80 of those executive aircraft should be light jets, with the other 35 to 45 being large jets.

Shares didn't make big moves based on the news, and the stock was almost unchanged at midday following the announcement. The company has done a great job of recovering from a slow start to the year, and Embraer has even more room to fly the quarters to come.

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A Utah couple was celebrating their wedding anniversary aboard an Alaska cruise when the husband was found covered in blood next to his wife's lifeless body, a frenzy of violence that a neighbor called completely out of character.

Dana Nicholls told The Associated Press on Friday that he has lived near Kristy and Kenneth Manzanares, both 39, for about 10 years and they appeared to be the perfect family. The couple, who have three daughters, booked the weeklong cruise to celebrate the milestone in their marriage, he said.

Kristy Manzanares was found dead in a blood-splattered cabin Tuesday night. Her husband has been charged with murder after he was discovered with blood on his hands and clothes, and with blood spread throughout the cabin on the Princess Cruises ship, according to a criminal complaint.

Even in hindsight, there was never any warning signs, no police at their home, Nicholls said.

"Everybody thinks that there's a big path that leads to something like this  and absolutely nothing. Just absolutely nothing," Nicholls said in a phone interview from Santa Clara, Utah.

The FBI said a man and other people went into the couple's room on the ship before medical workers and security officers arrived and saw Kristy on the floor covered in blood, according to court documents. She had a severe head wound, but the agency has not revealed other details about her death.

The man asked Manzanares what happened, and the suspect said, "She would not stop laughing at me," according to an FBI criminal complaint. Manzanares then grabbed his wife's body and tried to drag her to the balcony, but the man stopped him, the agency said. A security officer handcuffed Manzanares in a nearby cabin.

Nicholls has set up an online fundraising page for the couple's three daughters. Like Kristy Manzanares, Nicholls works in real estate. Kenneth Manzanares works in auto sales and insurance, Nicholls said.

Nicolls said his goal is to help the couple's daughters with whatever they may need, including funeral expenses. He said two of them are teenagers and one is a young adult.

"Their children are like my children," he said. "They're part of the family."

He also said he does not want the world to see Kenneth as a monster.

"He was not a bad person any little bit, as far as we know," Nicolls said. "Everybody has probably issues behind closed doors that nobody knows about, but these people were the perfect American family."

___

Follow Rachel D'Oro at https://twitter.com/rdoro .
The Latest on the fight over reopening a Southern California gas storage facility (all times local):

7:30 p.m.

A California utility is voicing its disagreement with a court that blocked the restart of a Los Angeles gas storage facility that was closed by a major blowout.

Southern California Gas Co. said late Friday that unnecessary delays will challenge its ability to meet natural gas inventories directed by state regulators to avoid an energy crisis.

The utility says it has met and in many cases exceeded the safety requirements the state laid out for the Aliso Canyon facility.

A state appeals court temporarily blocked the restart of the facility just a few hours after a county court refused to.

The facility was shut down for 18 months following a four-month blowout that spewed methane and forced thousands of families from their homes.

___

6:30 p.m.

A California appeals court has temporarily halted the restart of a Los Angeles gas storage facility that was closed by a major blowout.

The 2nd District Court of Appeal issued a stay late Friday that prevents Southern California Gas Co. from pumping gas into its Aliso Canyon facility.

State regulators gave approval last week to resume operations after an extensive overhaul and testing.

But Los Angeles County lawyers moved to block the restart Friday. They say a state safety review didn't account for earthquake risks.

The appeal was filed after a lower court judge said state law prevented him from overruling the California Public Utilities Commission.

The facility was shut down for 18 months following a four-month blowout that spewed methane and forced thousands of families from their homes.

___

5: 58 p.m.

Los Angeles County lawyers have filed an appeal to block restarting a gas storage facility that was closed by a major blowout.

An appeal filed Friday came after a lower court judge rejected a request to halt operations at Southern California Gas Co.'s Aliso Canyon facility.

State regulators gave approval last week to pump gas into underground wells after an extensive overhaul and testing.

County lawyers say a state safety review didn't account for earthquake risks and a court order is necessary because the facility could restart Saturday.

The facility was shut down for 18 months following a four-month blowout that spewed methane and forced thousands of families from their homes.

Superior Court Judge John Wiley says state laws prevented him from overruling the California Public Utilities Commission.

___

2:10 p.m.

A California judge has denied a motion to stop the reopening of a gas storage facility in Los Angeles County that has been offline since a major blowout.

Lawyers for the county had asked Superior Court Judge John Wiley to stop Southern California Gas Co. from restarting operations at Aliso Canyon because of earthquake risks. The judge tentatively ruled against the county on Friday, according to court filings made public before a hearing. He made the ruling final during the hearing.

Last week state regulators gave approval to pump gas into underground storage wells after an overhaul.

Wiley says state laws prevent the court from overruling an order by the California Public Utilities Commission. .

The site has been largely out of commission since a 2015 blowout spewed methane for months and drove residents from 8,000 homes.

Residents want to see the facility permanently shuttered.

The state says the facility is safe and quake fears are overblown.

___

1:30 p.m.

A California judge has tentatively denied a motion to stop the reopening of a gas storage facility in Los Angeles County that has been offline since a major blowout.

Lawyers for the county had asked Superior Court Judge John Wiley to stop Southern California Gas Co. from restarting operations at Aliso Canyon because of earthquake risks. The judge tentatively ruled against the county on Friday, according to court filings made public before a hearing.

Last week state regulators gave approval to pump gas into underground storage wells after an overhaul.

Wiley says state laws prevent the court from overruling an order by the California Public Utilities Commission. .

The site has been largely out of commission since a 2015 blowout spewed methane for months and drove residents from 8,000 homes.

Residents want to see the facility permanently shuttered.

The state says the facility is safe and quake fears are overblown.

___

12:30 a.m.

The fight over reopening a massive gas storage facility that has been crippled since a major blowout is heading to court.

Lawyers for Los Angeles County will ask a Superior Court judge Friday to stop Southern California Gas Co. from restarting operations at Aliso Canyon because of earthquake risks.

The measure comes just a week after state regulators gave approval to pump gas into underground storage wells after an overhaul and extensive testing.

The storage site above the San Fernando Valley has been largely out of commission since an October 2015 well blowout spewed methane for nearly four months and drove residents from 8,000 homes.

Residents who complained of health woes want to see the facility permanently shuttered.

The state says the facility is safe and quake fears are overblown.
Oil ended its strongest week this year with a surge on Friday, built on receding fears of oversupply, as U.S. crude came within striking distance of $50 a barrel for the first time since the end of May.

Traders attributed the activity to short-covering of previous bearish bets as oil finished higher in every session this week. U.S. crude settled at $49.71 a barrel, up 67 cents, or 1.4 percent, and on the week gained nearly 9 percent.

The market was bolstered by bigger-than-expected inventory drawdowns on Wednesday and signals from Saudi Arabia that the world's biggest oil producer would further reduce output in August.

"The bullish inventory report this week has helped confirm the declining trajectory of global inventories," said Sarp Ozkan, analyst at Drillinginfo.com. That, along with Saudi Arabia reducing exports, has "buoyed the expectations of continued inventory normalization."

U.S. crude and gasoline inventories fell much more steeply than expected in the latest week, while U.S. refineries processed an average of almost 17.3 million barrels of crude per day last week, up 620,000 bpd from the same week in 2016.

Brent crude futures settled at $52.52 a barrel, up 2 percent, or $1.03 a barrel, after reaching a two-month high of $52.68 a barrel earlier in the day.

The gains in Brent pushed the difference between the two benchmarks to the widest in two months.

September Brent was now priced higher than October, meaning the front of the curve has flipped into backwardation.

Short covering in the September contract contributed to the rally in the front-month spread, traders said. Physical markets have firmed due in large part to very strong refining margins.

"Both markets are seeing a strong move in spreads through most of 2017 and 2018 due to shorts covering into heavy producer flow," said Scott Shelton, broker at ICAP in Durham, North Carolina.

"Overall, I think the bullish demand story is taking the headlines away from the supply story as products are strong globally when refinery runs are maxed and that implies that current demand expectations could be significantly below reality."

U.S. oil drillers added two rigs in the most recent week, the third week of gains, raising the overall rig count to 766. For the month, 10 oil rigs have been added, the fewest for a month since May 2016.

Royal Dutch Shell Plc extended its force majeure on exports of Nigeria's Bonny Light crudeoil to cover the outage of the Trans Niger pipeline, the company said on Friday, providing further support to Brent crude.

On Sunday, Venezuela is due to hold a vote that would allow President Nicolas Maduro's ruling party to rewrite the constitution in a controversial move that critics have said is a plan establish a dictatorship. The United States is considering sanctions against the oil exporter that could raise certain oil prices.

(Additional reporting by Karolin Schaps in London, Jane Chung in Seoul; Editing by David Gregorio and Toni Reinhold)
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE: PEB) closed the sale of another hotel during the quarter bringing its total to nine hotels since beginning its strategic disposition plan. However, with fewer hotels generating revenue, it's causing the company's financial results to decline, which was the case again during the second quarter.

Pebblebrook results: The raw numbers

What happened with Pebblebrook this quarter?

Pebblebrook's results continue to fall along with its property count:

While Same-Property Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) slipped from the year-ago quarter, that was due to an anticipated weakness in San Francisco after the city's largest convention center closed for renovations. Further, Same-Property RevPAR was in the middle of the company's $216 to $220 guidance range, and if it weren't for the weakness in San Fransisco, it would have been up 2% versus last year.

Those weaker room rates, when combined with the income loss from the hotels it sold over the past year drove the decline in AFFO. That said, it was above the high end of its $45.7 million to $48.8 million guidance range thanks to solid demand across many of its markets as well as higher-than-expected non-room revenue and lower expenses.

Those same factors helped pushed AFFO per share above the company's $0.65 to $0.70 guidance range. Another factor boosting the per share results was the company's stock repurchase plan. During the quarter, the company bought back 1.1 million shares at an average price of $29.80 per share, pushing its year-to-date total to 3.2 million shares for $93.3 million. Meanwhile, the company's board authorized an additional $100 million for the repurchase program, giving it $156.7 million left to spend.

One of the reasons the board increased the repurchase authorization is due to the close of the sale of Dumont NYC for $118 million during the quarter as well as a parking garage at its Revere Hotel Boston Common for $95 million. That brought its total sales up to $676.8 million, which is in the middle of its $500 million to $1 billion disposition goal. Given the current discount between its stock price and what hotel assets fetch in the private market, the company plans to continue opportunistically selling assets and take advantage of that disconnect.

What management had to say

CEO Jon Bortz, commented on the company's second-quarter results, saying that:

As Bortz notes, the company's hotels are performing well despite several headwinds. However, it remains concerned with softer business travel spending, which will likely mute demand for hotel rooms in the coming quarters.

Looking forward

That said, despite those weaker business travel trends, the company is boosting its full-year guidance. Pebblebrook now sees AFFO coming in between $171.7 million to $177.7 million, which is up from its prior range of $167.2 million to $176.5 million. Meanwhile, it sees AFFO per share between $2.45 to $2.53, which is an improvement from its previous range of $2.37 to $2.50 per share, due in part to the expectation of a lower share count thanks to its repurchase program.

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The U.S. government on Friday gave companies an extra year to comply with an Obama-era regulation meant to crack down on corporations that try to minimize their U.S. tax bills by shifting profits abroad to countries with lower tax rates.

The regulation, known in corporate tax circles as the "385 rule," is intended to combat a tax-avoidance technique called earnings-stripping, in which multinational corporations transfer taxable income from a U.S. subsidiary to a foreign affiliate in the guise of tax-deductible interest payments on internal debt.

The rule, which Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is now reviewing as part of the Trump administration's push for deregulation, seeks to eliminate the incentive for earnings-stripping by reclassifying certain loans as equity under Section 385 of the U.S. tax code.

The change converts tax-deductible interest payments employed by the schemes into taxable stock dividends.

Finalized last October, the regulation required corporations to file documentation on their internal loans with the IRS by a January 2018 deadline. In a public notice issued on Friday, the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service pushed the deadline back to January 2019.

(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Bernard Orr)
During an interview on FOX Business, House speaker Paul Ryan told Maria Bartiromo, even though the border adjustment tax is no longer on the table, Republicans have found common ground on tax reform.

"What I and other House leaders who have been pushing the Border Adjustment I still think itas the way to go. I think thatas the right kind of tax reform plan," Ryan said on Friday. "But if itas going to stop us getting to consensus to get tax reform done, then we donat want that to happen."

He said tax reform is critical to economic growth and three percent growth is achievable through lower tax rates and a territorial system.

"You canat get to three percent growth, in my opinion, without tax reform. That is why this is so important. Thatas why we all agree," he said.

Ryan sees an opportunity to raise revenues by broadening the tax base.

"We believe we need to clear out loopholes and deductions, carve-outs, special interest giveaways, so that we can lower tax rates for everybody across the board; for businesses, for families," he said.

For families, that means prioritizing things like charities, retirement savings and mortgages but also raising the standard deduction.

"We also think by raising the standard exemption for families, we can dramatically simplify the code. Most people donat even have to itemize their deductions; they can have a postcard-type tax form," he said.

For businesses, implementing a territorial system would bring two to three trillion dollars back into the U.S.

"Our corporate rate is 35 percent. The top past three tax rates, 44.6 percent and the average tax rate on businesses in the industrialized world, 22.5 percent. That is making us absolutely uncompetitive. We know we have to get those rates down," he said.
U.S. Representative John Delaney became the first Democrat to formally enter the 2020 presidential campaign to challenge Republican President Donald Trump - more than 1,100 days before the election.

The current administration is making us less prosperous and less secure, the healthcare debacle being the most recent example of their brand of destructive partisanship, Delaney said in a statement announcing his candidacy.

Delaney represents a Maryland district that includes some Washington suburbs.

Traditionally, candidates begin formally announcing their intentions to run for president after the midterm elections, which take place in the middle of the incumbent president's term. The next midterm election will be in November 2018.

Trump formally filed to run for re-election the day after he took office in January.

(Reporting by Ginger Gibson; Editing by Toni Reinhold)
After Republicans in the Senate failed to reach an agreement on an ObamaCare repeal measure Thursday night, Americans might be the real losers when they revisit the Affordable Care Act insurance exchanges this fall.

Due to continued uncertainty over the extension of funding for cost-sharing reduction subsidies, or discounted care provided to low-income individuals, insurers may have to hike prices or drop out of the marketplace altogether.

Some congressional bills that aimed to dismantle the Affordable Care Act would have continued those payments, but that latest push fell apart early Friday morning in a narrow Senate vote.

Now insurers  and customers  are wondering what happens next. Without the subsidies, estimated at $7 billion a year, insurers would either charge much more for coverage, or decide not to offer coverage at all.

President Donald Trump has declined to guarantee payments, and has floated the idea of letting the law fail.

Late Thursday, a final vote to pass a skinny repeal of President Obamas signature health care law failed after three GOP senators voted the measure down. Earlier in the week, votes on a repeal and replace plan and a more complete repeal bill also failed.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said Friday he was frustrated with the Senates inability to agree on a proposal.

While the House delivered a bill to repeal and replace ObamaCare, unfortunately the Senate was unable to reach a consensus. I am disappointed and frustrated, but we should not give up. I encourage the Senate to continue working toward a real solution that keeps our promise, the Speaker of the House said in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Congress overwhelmingly passed new sanctions against Russia Thursday, giving lawmakers the power to block President Trump from easing those sanctions against Moscow.

The legislation was first passed by the House with a 419-3 vote and sailed through a 98-2 vote in the Senate. Congress sent the Russian sanction bill to the presidentas desk, but the question remains if President Trump sign it.

In an interview with FOX Businessa Liz Claman, Hermitage Capital CEO Bill Browder said Trump has no other choice to sign the Russian sanctions bill.

aEither if [Trump] vetoes it or if he just leaves it, it will become law and so I canat imagine from a political standpoint that he would want to have egg on his face on this thing so I think he will sign it,a he said.

White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci suggested in a television interview that Trump may veto the bill and be tougher on Russia than Congress.

a[Scaramucci] has been one week on the job. He probably doesnat know exactly where the president is on this particular piece of legislation,a Browder said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin retaliated by cutting the number of U.S. diplomats allowed in Russia and said it was seizing two U.S. diplomatic properties in Moscow.

Browder helped convince Congress that these sanctions are necessary by testifying on Capitol Hill in front of Senate Judiciary Committee.

aVladimir Putin I believe to be the richest man in the world. I believe he is worth $200 billion that money is held all of the world in banks in America and all over. The purpose of Putinas regime has been to commit terrible crimes in order to get that money,a he told the committee on Thursday.

Browder once ran one of the largest foreign investment fund in Russian companies from 1996 to 2006.
President Donald Trump visited Long Island, New York, on Friday, where local law enforcement, with the support of federal agencies, has begun to make progress in the fight against the violent street gang MS-13.

"It is the policy of this administration to dismantle ... and eradicate MS-13," Trump said Friday. "One by one we're liberating our American towns."

Still, some law enforcement specialists caution the progress the president hailed could be temporary, and that this will be a battle that is won over the long-term.

MS-13 is nowhere out in the force that they used to be, Michael Balboni, founder of securities firm Redland Strategies and former homeland security advisor for New York State, told FOX Business. [Law enforcement is] driving them underground, which is probably a good thing and a bad thing  One day theyre going to come back.

Recent attention focused on MS-13, which has been reinforced by the president and his administration, has helped local communities obtain additional resources in their battle against the street gang, Balboni said. While MS-13 has been on one of its most deadly tears through Long Island since it took root there about 30 years ago, perception is that the tides are turning. Earlier this month, more than 15 suspected gang members were arrested, some of whom are believed to be connected to the violent deaths of four individuals in April.

Balboni said President Trumps visit to the region is an important step, but the complex underground world that MS-13 thrives in has an elaborate history that has proven difficult to stamp out.

Its about sustainability  for the safety of the people, you cant walk away from this, he said.

MS-13, a group that was started by Central American immigrants in Los Angeles in the 1980s, is known for its ruthless and violent tactics  notably using machetes to hack victims. Most of the founding members were from El Salvador and fled to the U.S. during the countrys civil war that lasted 12 years, from 1980-92. Since then the gangs membership has ballooned to at least 10,000 members in the United States and more than 30,000 worldwide, according to the FBI and Treasury Department.

For years, MS-13 flourished by feeding off of immigrant communities that have suffered in silence, according to Balboni. The perpetuation of that process had made this a really challenging effort for law enforcement, he said.

Unlike other gangs, MS-13 is not particularly well-funded or organized. It traditionally resorts to theft, human trafficking, sex trafficking, selling drugs and extortion for financing, as previously reported by FOX Business. However, on Long Island the group has fostered an underground economy that law enforcement officials have largely been unable to reach over the past 20 to 30 years.

This is a really difficult thing to pry out into the open, Balboni said, adding that Trumps visit to Long Island shows real leadership on this issue.

On Thursday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions flew to El Salvador to tackle MS-13 at its source. Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) told FOX Business the administration has been coordinating with officials in the Central American country in order to combat the threat across multiple fronts. The Department of Justice applauded the arrests of more than 100 MS-13 members in El Salvador Thursday.
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Critics everywhere look forward to the annual Television Critics Association summer press tour to get an idea of what the TV landscape will look like in the fall. However, this year theyll have to do without producers from AMCs The Walking Dead as theyll be busy attending the funeral of a friend to the show.

According to The Wrap, AMC released a statement to the press apologizing for the fact that no one from The Walking Dead would be in attendance and offered to facilitate interviews at a later date. However, those behind the show thought it was a much better use of their time to attend the funeral of stuntman John Bernecker, who died earlier this month after an on-set accident.

WALKING DEAD STUNTMAN DEATH: JOHN BERNECKER TRIED TO GRAB ONTO RAILING

We wanted to make you aware that, unfortunately, we will no longer be able to present our panel with The Walking Dead executive producers, a statement from AMC read. The panel conflicts with the funeral services of our stuntman John Bernecker, which Scott Gimple and some of the other EPs will be attending.

As The Hollywood Reporter notes, in addition to Gimple, creator Robert Kirkman was supposed to be there along with executive producers Gale Anne Hurd, Dave Alpert and Greg Nicotero. However, its unclear if all of them are planning to attend the funeral.

WALKING DEAD COMIC CON PANEL PAYS TRIBUTE TO DEPARTED STUNTMAN AHEAD OF SEASON 8 TRAILER DEBUT

Fortunately, the TCA press tour comes just after the San Diego Comic Con, where The Walking Dead not only gave some hints about what to expect in Season 8 and the 100th episode, but debuted the new trailer for the upcoming season as well.

Its also worth noting that the group came close to canceling its Hall H panel at the event, but instead opted to eulogize Bernecker in front of fans before debuting the trailer that they said he, and everyone else there, had worked so hard on.
"Golden Girls" writer Stan Zimmerman confirmed to Fox News that a new series inspired by the classic sitcom is in the works featuring four older gay men living together.

The Golden Girls, which stared Rue McClanahan, Betty White, Bea Arthur, and Estelle Getty, aired from 1985 until 1992. Throughout its run, it racked up 68 Emmy nominations and 11 wins.

10 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT 'THE GOLDEN GIRLS'

It is not a rumor, Zimmerman told Fox News in an email. [Golden Girls writer] James Berg and I did write a pilot script called Silver Foxes. It is NOT a reboot of The Golden Girls. But it is inspired by the show, a show that we were lucky enough to have written on during the first season of the show.

Zimmerman added a private reading of the script took place in his living room with George Takei, Leslie Jordan, Bruce Vilanch, and Todd Sherry as the foursome.

It also featured Daniele Gaither and former "Saturday Night Live" castmate Cheri Oteri as the power lesbian couple who live next door, as well as Melissa Peterman as a woman who runs a retirement home where Leslie Jordan resides until the guys find out he has to go back in the closet.

Unlike the original, which took place in Miami, Silver Foxes would be based in Palm Springs.

BETTY WHITE AND CARL REINER REMINISCE OVER 70 YEARS IN HOLLYWOOD ON THE 'YOUNG & HUNGRY' SET

Zimmerman also revealed hes hoping to get the last living Golden Girl to join as a special guest.

We did create a one line role for Betty White to play, he said. Our fingers are crossed.

However, Zimmerman said that despite the all-star cast, as well as having two original writers on board, hes having trouble finding a network to pick up the series.

Unfortunately, we cannot get one network executive to read it, he explained. Our even a producer to pass it to them. We have found ageism and homophobia alive and well in Hollywood. Hopefully a groundswell of support from the viewing public will get an outlet like Hulu or Amazon to make it.
Princess Diana was reportedly at her wits end when she decided to put her trust in a British journalist to tell her heart-wrenching story that involved a reported secret battle with bulimia, suicide attempts and a husband who couldnt give up his mistress.

Andrew Morton penned the 1992 biography Diana: Her Story, which was based on the secretly recorded conversations between the princess and her friend, James Colthurst, before her divorce from Prince Charles in 1996. And even 20 years later, after her death at 36 in a 1997 car crash in Paris, Morton still wonders why she chose him.

Its a question that's always perplexed me, the 64-year-old told Fox News. [But] she knew I was sympathetic to her. She knew I was writing a biography on her. She knew I knew some of her friends She tested me out with a couple of stories to see how Id do And the fact that I was independent of newspapers, of television meant that I could do her bidding And I think all of those factors came together, with a deep desire to tell her story.

Morton recalled his experience in TLCs upcoming documentary Princess Diana: Tragedy or Treason? It is one of several specials airing to coincide with August 31, the date of Dianas passing. He explained questions for the royal were written out and then given to Colthurst, who reportedly passed them on to Diana. She would then record her responses and the tapes were used to help Morton write his book.

It was a sign at that time [of] this desperation to get the story out, explained Morton. I asked her [why] and she just felt the public didnt really know who she was. They were responding to a two-dimensional image. This kind of media cut-out she felt like she was enduring a lonely miserable life inside the palace and outside, she was adored It was incredibly frustrating as far as she was concerned because everyone still believed in the fairy tale. And she knew it was a nightmare.

Even before Diana married Prince Charles in a televised wedding that attracted about 750 million viewers worldwide in 1981, she long suspected he was having an ongoing affair with his ex-girlfriend Camilla Parker Bowles, Morton said.

Here is Prince Charles telling Diana that hes going to give a bracelet to his old lover just before the wedding, said Morton. Just a few days before the wedding. And then keeps pictures of Camilla in his diary on their honeymoon. What woman is not going to be incensed by this crass and insensitive behavior? Diana was very suspicious of Charles relationship with Camilla right from the get-go. And who could blame her? He left her behind, but the fact that hes been [currently] married for 12 years to Camilla shows that he still had plenty of love in his heart for his former mistress.

When it came to Charles loving Diana, Morton seemed unsure.

Diana said to me that when he asked her to marry him she said, Oh yes, yes I will. I love you so much. And Prince Charles, even in the privacy of that moment, said, Whatever love means. And he gave that famous television interview, whatever love means. So you have to ask yourself, did he really have any kind of genuine feeling for Diana or was she, as she felt herself, a sacrificial lambproducing an heir and a spare and then being discarded?

Morton added Diana quietly endured the collapsing marriage and constant attempts to fit in with the royal family because she was struggling with an eating disorder, as well as the pressures that came with a high-profile role, where every public engagement was scrutinized by the press. Somehow, he claimed, she continued to hope things would get better with time.

[Diana] was hoping she would come to terms with this new life and move on, he said. But she realized she was living this lie seemingly the wife of Prince Charles. And yet you got Prince Charles, who was effectively with another mans wife at Highgrove, their country estate, while she languished alone at Kensington Palace.

There was also one memory in Mortons book that he insisted left her in tears, which hinted she was also suffering from depression.

It was a chapter where she was talking about what she called the dark ages and how worthless she felt, he explained.

However, Diana found a sense of happiness in her marriage with the birth of her two sons. The former couple welcomed Prince William in 1982, followed by Prince Harry in 1984. Morton claimed that while Diana was pregnant with Harry, she and Charles experienced an intimate connection, one that involved him reportedly writing love notes to his wife. But after Harry was born, the relationship soured until they finally divorced.

But even while Diana coped with the end of her marriage, she relied on her sons for support.

As the boys got older and became like her counselors and friends as sons, she began to enjoy life a lot more, said Morton. Diana was very protective of William and Harry. [If] you ever criticized the boys... she would be on you like a tigress. She was the only one who could criticize those two. Of course, she indulged them She wanted to be a full hands-on parent herself. And interestingly, Prince William recently said the same about his own children, George and Charlotte. He wants them to enjoy a relatively normal upbringing.

The sons would tragically lose their mother when William was 15 and Harry 12. TLCs documentary explores the many conspiracy theories of what really caused Dianas sudden death, but Morton said the explanation is a simple one.

Well, I think the paparazzi followed her all of her adult life, so they contributed to her death, he said. [But] it wasnt their fault. It was the fact that she was being driven too fast by a man who was found with drugs and drink. Its the banality of her death which I think most people cant come to terms with.

But two decades later, Morton said theres still plenty to discover and appreciate about the peoples princess.

I think what I did realize was that she left an awful lot of her life in compartments, he explained. And you felt like you knew her, but you didnt. You knew a bit of her She was a mysterious woman as well as being a compassionate woman.

"Princess Diana: Tragedy or Treason?" premieres July 31 at 8 p.m.
A womans tweet about her young cousins transformation from a malnourished infant born addicted to opioids, to a healthy toddler, has inspired others to share similar stories about siblings and relatives. Blaine Hamilton, whose parents are in the process of formally adopting her cousin, Coleman, told Buzzfeed that the family is awestruck by the support theyve received on Twitter.

Hamilton, of Alvord, Texas, told the news outlet that Coleman is her first cousin on her mothers side, and that he has been living with them for 15 months. After the family was granted guardianship of him, Hamilton shared a series of photos that documented his struggle with pyloric stenosis, a stomach condition, and his ensuing months of recovery.

HUNDREDS GIVE TEARFUL FAREWELL TO HEROIC WAR DOG

Born w/ drug addicts as parents, neglected & weighing below birth wt @ 2 months old.. then my family took him n & look @ him now #FinallyOurs, Hamilton tweeted on July 20.

He was malnourished and exposed to harmful drugs, Hamiltons mother, Kaysi, whose brother is Colemans father, told Buzzfeed. He was taken by care flight to a childrens hospital at 8 weeks old.

While acknowledging that welcoming an infant into their home was a difficult transition, the family is grateful that Coleman will grow up surrounded by biological family members, and thankful to their community who helped provide baby supplies.

TEXAS OFFICER CELEBRATES 1ST BIRTHDAY OF TODDLER HE HELPED DELIVER

We were overwhelmed about starting over, but we knew it was the right decision for our family, Kaysi told Buzzfeed.

Hamiltons July 20 tweet about Coleman has been applauded by thousands, receiving more than 128,000 retweets and over 538,000 favorites. People began responding to the tweet with videos of their own featuring other children who were born addicted to opioids. Hamilton told Buzzfeed that the experience has been life-changing.
Strangers helped bring a severely ill Maryland woman home from Alaska after a GoFundMe page raised more than $61,000 to pay for a medical flight. Nancy Greathouse, 71, was on a two-week cruise with her husband in April, when she suffered a respiratory crisis and had to be medically evacuated from the ship to a hospital in Juneau, Alaska.

According to the GoFundMe page, doctors were unable to treat Greathouse and she was transferred to Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage, where she was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis and placed in the critical care unit for 20 days.

MOM DIES AFTER GIVING BIRTH TO TWINS FOLLOWING DAD'S GUNSHOT DEATH

Myasthenia is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles that control breathing and moving parts of the body, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH). There is no known cure, although treatment may help control symptoms.

The fundraising page described her condition as terminal, and while she was taken off the ventilator, doctors did not consider her stable enough to fly commercial.

Mom Nancy wants to come home to Maryland; she does not want to die in Alaska, a post on the page said. Mom Nancy has almost used up all her Medicare supplemental insurance money to cover her medical stay in Alaska. She needs to be transferred home before July 27th, 2017 to avoid using up her Medicare lifetime benefit.

BOY'S TRANSFORMATION FROM DRUG-ADDICTED NEWBORN TO HEALTHY TODDLER GOES VIRAL

A local church reached out to Alaska Dispatch News to arrange a possible interview, which helped the fundraising efforts gain traction.

It happened so quickly; it was a huge surprise, Fresia Kelley, Greathouses daughter-in-law, told Alaska Dispatch News.

A July 27 post on the GoFundMe page announced Greathouses arrival in Maryland.

Yesterday, I took off work and got to spend the day with Mom Nancy, her son, Daniel, wrote Friday. Thank you to all those who donated, whether big or small, you have been a blessing to our family that has made this reunion possible. Thank you for all the prayers and encouraging words we appreciate it.
It was just another night taking the trash to the curb in Chandler, Arizona, until Thomas Jay suddenly felt a pinch followed by the "most excruciating pain" of his life.

He swatted off what looked like "a cross between a scorpion and a spider," per Fox 10, and in just a few hours a tiny circle transformed into bruises covering his entire arm.

BOY'S TRANSFORMATION FROM DRUG-ADDICTED NEWBORN TO HEALTHY TODDLER GOES VIRAL

Jay was transferred between multiple hospitals until he reached one with a toxicology department as doctors scrambled to diagnose the problem. For now, a few weeks after the bite or sting, he is stable as they await biopsy results, reports azfamily.com.

Jay and his wife, Dee Petrov, say the care has been excellent, and that they've received a lot of support through their community and now on GoFundMe.

(Commenters there are offering theories about the mystery bug.) They've also decided to enroll Jay in a case study, and to devote any funds raised above their $10,000 target toward research and education.

MOM DIES AFTER GIVING BIRTH TO TWINS FOLLOWING DAD'S GUNSHOT DEATH

"Even though they may not be able to figure out what it was, they might be able to help other individuals as they learn from this situation," he says.

(A spider temporarily paralyzed one woman's arm after biting her.)

This article originally appeared on Newser: Mystery Bug Bite Lands Man in Hospital
Concerned parents are blasting discount fashion chain Primark for selling padded bras to children.

The controversial bras are branded My First Bra and are assumed to be targeted toward girls ages seven through 13.

GIRLS AS YOUNG AS NINE REQUESTING LABIAPLASTY

One woman took to Twitter to express her concern, arguing that the bras are sexualizing children.

This isnt the first time the company has been called out for this issue. Another person noticed the same thing last year with a similar bra.

However, not everyone agrees that Primark has done something wrong. Some people feel that the bras arent an issue, pointing out that everyone develops differently. Another Twitter user noted that they dont even appear to have much padding.



FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

A spokesperson for Primark told Cosmo U.K. that allegations of the bras being padded are incorrect.

We would like to be absolutely clear that these bras are molded, not padded. My first bra ranges are designed and constructed purely for support, comfort, and modesty and adhere to the BRCs childrenswear guidelines. There is no enhancement. This type of molded bra is extremely common, and selling them is entirely normal practice on the high street.
The battle over the future of Obamacare has dominated headlines in Capital Hill the past few weeks.

But one of the biggest political myths in the debate is that if is someone doesnt have health insurance, he or she cant get access to basic care in the United States.

Another false assertion: If Republicans ever get around to doing something about Obamacare, many people will find themselves in dire straits. One of Bernie Sanders favorite talking points is that thousands of Americans will die if the GOP has its way.

SENATE BLOCKS PROPOSAL TO REPEAL AND REPLACE OBAMACARE

But there is already a health care safety net available to anybody regardless of ability to pay. There are 1,300 Federally Qualified Health Centers serving at least 24 million people a year. These centers offer medical care on a sliding fee scale, based on income, and are heavily dependent on Medicare and Medicaid  and theyve been around for decades.

In fact, many of the same Democrats who helped create and fund these safety net clinics are now acting as though they dont exist.

Fox News went to a FQHC in upstate New York called the Chautauqua Center, in the town of Dunkirk, about an hour southwest of Buffalo. The tidy clinic inside the towns municipal building was bustling with patients, including Jorge Rivera, who agreed to tell us his story of drug addiction, imprisonment, and ultimately salvation, in his view, at the hands of Chautauquas medical staff.

If I won't be in the clinic, I'd be on drugs  heroin, cocaine, crack, whatever  or I'd be dead right now, Rivera told Fox News.

REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED AGAINST OBAMACARE 'STRAIGHT REPEAL'

Rivera hasnt held a steady job since 1987, but hes had access to FQHC since 1989. Thats when Congressional Democrats placed them into a budget reconciliation bill signed by Republican President George H.W. Bush.

FQHCs have expanded quickly since then, and got a big boost from Obamacare because patients like Rivera were able to get taxpayer subsidized health insurance, and that meant a steadier revenue stream for clinics like the one in Chautauqua. The ACA also increased funding for the clinics from 2010 to 2015.

Clinic CEO Mike Pease said while he is pleased with the money Obamacare provides, there are other health care issues that need to be addressed. For example, he said, like a nationwide doctor shortage.

We can't get physicians here. We fixed part of the healthcare system potentially, but we still have a problem with access issues, he said. We still have a problem with lack of specialists. We still have a problem.

Given the uncertainty of D.C.s plans for Obamacare, Pease met with his local Congressman, Tom Reed (R-NY), to find out about the future of the clinics.

Reed said Republicans plan on sticking by FQHCs and the safety net they provide.

We're going to stand with you, it's a win-win. You're better quality, lower costs and doing it in a better way, Reed said.

Many Republicans see little choice but to support and even expand the clinics.

I would make an argument that you can spend your Medicaid dollars more wisely by spending money on these types of centers and expanding access to them, said attorney Chris Condeluci, who was a GOP Congressional negotiator on Obamacare, these health centers, should they be expanded for people lopped off the rolls, would be an efficient way to make tax dollars go further.

Some Republican leaders say it makes sense to take federal money from Planned Parenthood and divert it to these centers  an idea that appeals to the GOPs conservative base.

For every Planned Parenthood, there are 20 federal community health centers, said House Speaker Paul Ryan, Theyre vastly bigger in network, there are so many more of them, and they provide these kinds of services without all of the controversy surrounding this [abortion] issue.

Not all conservatives agree. Some argue that the goal should be to cut taxpayer funding for health care, while at the same time introducing more scaled down policies  and more choice  while allowing health insurers to compete across state lines to ultimately drive down costs.

Arent we trying to move away from the safety net? asked Dr. John OShea, Senior Fellow at the right-leaning Heritage Foundation, If these health centers are seeing patients that are insured but they cant pay their copays and their deductibles, a key question is what is the expansion in coverage actually doing?

OShea believes whats happening is taxpayers are paying twice, once for the clinic and the next to subsidize the health insurance.

But Rep. Reed and other Republicans on Capitol Hill see FQHCs as a bipartisan creation that pre-dates Obamacare, and could be even more important if Obamacare is ever repealed.

It's just a misrepresentation of the priority that we have as Republicans, said Reed, saying that we don't care about poor people. That's just not the case.
The title of Hillary Clinton's memoir on her failed 2016 campaign for the White House has at long last finally been revealed, ending the suspense for left-wing policy wonks. Hillary has officially gone from "What difference does it make" to What Happened.

What Happened will chronicle what Hillary was thinking and feeling during one of the most controversial and unpredictable presidential elections in history, according to the synopsis released by the publisher.

The publisher goes on to breathlessly describe the tell-all: Now free from running, Hillary takes you inside the intense personal experience of becoming the first woman nominated for president by a major party in an election marked by rage, sexism, exhilarating highs and infuriating lows, stranger-than-fiction twists, Russian interference and an opponent who broke all the rules.

Thats right. Hillary Clinton wants to convince you she believes in rules. Sources who claim to have spoken to her people about the book say its a bombshell and say she blames her historic election loss on former FBI Director James Comey and, of course, the Russians. Will Hillary tell us the Russians parked a supersonic stealth submarine in Lake Michigan and cloaked the entire state of Wisconsin for over 100 days, preventing her from visiting the state once?

What Happened is Hillarys hubris, accompanied by a bubbling distrust among the public over the enshrined Hollywood-media complex. She underestimated an opponent she herself wanted to face off against and was a terrible candidate. That cost her a place in history.

Hillary definitely wont tell you what really happened. Valid concerns were raised about her health after she collapsed at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, an event that she at first attempted to shield from the media. It only became a full-blown scandal when a private citizen with a video camera caught the whole thing and broadcast it on Twitter.

Hillary also wont tell you that her campaign strategy was, in many ways, just plain dumb.

And she wont tell you that Donald Trump simply outworked her by campaigning at a ratio of almost 2 to 1 in battleground states, as reported by NBC News shortly after the election.

Over the final 100 days of the election, Trump made a total of 133 visits to Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan and Wisconsin, NBC reported. Over the same time period, Hillary Clinton visited the first five of those states a total of 87 times. She never traveled to Wisconsin during the 102 days between the convention and the election.

What Hillary Clinton also wont tell you is that Donald Trump was carried to the White House by 218 counties across the Rust Belt of the United States that had previously voted for Barack Obamas message of hope and change.

After eight years, many Obama voters were left without hope. Nothing had changed for the better. Voters were now strapped with a financial catastrophe in ObamaCare and some fell victim to a ravaging epidemic of opioid addiction. Hillary Clinton was more interested in appearing with millionaire celebrities, while telling coal miners she was going to put them out of work.

Hillary may tell you that James Comeys letter to Congress on Oct. 28,, which addressed the prior unknown existence of emails discovered on a laptop belonging to her aide Huma Abedin and Abedins then-husband Anthony Weiner (as part of an FBI investigation into Weiners underage sexting scandal), cost her the election. What Hillary wont tell you is that just four days prior, news hit that ObamaCare premiums in 2017 would spike over 22 percent

The Comey letter certainly had an impact on voters, but it was prompted by a self-inflicted wound to a badly managed campaign and an email scandal that could have been avoided. However, when news of ObamaCare premiums once again spiking hit, Hillary was left flat-footed and without an answer.

Hillary probably wont tell you about her former position that the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal was the gold standard in such agreements, as she did in her previous memoir. That left her open to a policy attack from Trumps sweet spot, which left her speechless on a debate stage, other than to say that Donald Trump called a beauty queen fat 20 years ago.

Hillarys support and then opposition to the TPP agreement was emblematic of her many flips and flops over the course of 25 years. These went from violent crime and bringing super predators to heel, to DOMA, DADT, RFRA and other acronyms that her husband signed into law that she no longer claimed to support.

Hillary wont tell you that she had the lowest approval ratings of any presidential candidate in the history of the United States not named Donald Trump, but still was defeated by Trump.

What Happened is Hillarys hubris, accompanied by a bubbling distrust among the public over the enshrined Hollywood-media complex. She underestimated an opponent she herself wanted to face off against and was a terrible candidate. That cost her a place in history.

Youre not going to get the real story of What Happened from Hillary Clinton, because Hillary Clinton is what happened. Youre going to hear Russia, Russia, Russia. You can save the $25 and hear the same thing every day on CNN for free.
While there are plenty of critics of President Trumps approach and style, many of his foreign policy decisions have been strong and decisive and stand in stark contrast to those of the Obama administration.

The Trump White House relishes American exceptionalism and enjoys promoting Western values. It clearly understands that there is no such thing as leading from behind when it comes to tackling the most pressing international security issues.

One clear difference can be seen with how the two administrations have gone after ISIS. After withdrawing all U.S. troops from Iraq and naively referring to the terror group as a JV team, President Obama found himself scrambling for a new strategy and was forced to send thousands of American soldiers back to the war-torn nation.

When President Trump became commander in chief, he decided to take a new approach and unleashed the generals to crush the enemy. From dropping the largest non-nuclear bomb in our arsenal to hit ISIS tunnels in Afghanistan to the American-backed liberation of Mosul in Iraq, President Trump is making good on his word to go on offense in the war on terror and destroy ISIS.

An America First foreign policy should not be confused or conflated with promotion of an isolationist view. Instead, it is a way to unite our allies to pursue common goals that are American priorities.

Another contrast has come from how each president has handled Syria. President Obama chose to draw an imaginary red line as a stern warning to stop Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from using chemical weapons. Ignoring this warning, the Assad regime used chemical weapons in August of 2013, killing an estimated 1,400 people, many of them children. Team Obama then walked away from its red line and left Assad unpunished. Sadly, chemical attacks continued.

Testing a new White House, Assad used chemical weapons again in April and President Trump responded by hitting a Syrian airfield used in the attack with 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles. A new standard was set; tyrannical dictators cannot use weapons of mass destruction without serious repercussions.

In President Obamas first year in office he canceled a missile defense shield that was set to be stationed in Poland and the Czech Republic. This was part of his failed reset policy to warm relations with Russia and the beginning of his outreach to Iran. Ironically, by the end of his second term, President Obama was sanctioning Russia for invading Ukraine and meddling with our presidential election. And President Obama was defending a disastrous nuclear deal with Tehran.

Conversely, President Trump has tightened sanctions on Iran and deployed the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system in South Korea to protect that nation, Japan and others in the region from North Koreas growing missile and nuclear program.

The regime in North Korea is racing to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles that can deliver a nuclear weapon to our homeland. The deployment of THAAD is one of several decisions to demonstrate that the era of strategic patience is over.

The Trump administration has also taken other actions to bolster the defense of our allies around the world.

A newly signed $110 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia will help an important regional partner upgrade its military, act as a check on Iran and defeat Islamist extremism while creating American jobs. More recently, the Trump administration announced a $1.3 billion arms deal with Taiwan, an island democracy and ally under constant threat from China.

None of these developments was welcomed by Russia, North Korea, China or Iran. However, it was very important to send a new signal to the rest of the world: America will no longer sacrifice the security of our allies to placate the wishes of our adversaries.

The Trump administrations notable actions have not simply been relegated to deals or deployments. It has also requested a $54 billion increase in military spending, conducted aggressive counterterrorism operations, and routinely called for each NATO member countries to spend 2 percent of its GDP on national defense.

All this is important, because unmatched military power is not just a necessary asset to winning wars  it is a key to preventing wars.

In May I led a congressional delegation and met with security officials in France, Poland, Estonia, and Ukraine. The topics of our meetings included counterterrorism, cybersecurity, missile defense and NATO, and varied with each stop. There was a consistent theme throughout: American leadership and strong allies are needed to defeat our most serious threats.

Under President Obama, many allies did not trust us, and enemies did not fear us. President Trump has clearly reversed that course.

President Trump repaired strained relations with Israel, our great friend that was embarrassed by the Obama administration at the U.N. Security Council in December. Our new president called for the United States to stand with the Cuban people and not the oppressive Castro regime. And President Trumps impressive national security team is not only embracing, but strengthening our leadership role on the international stage.

An America First foreign policy should not be confused or conflated with promotion of an isolationist view. Instead, it is a way to unite our allies to pursue common goals that are American priorities.

I may not agree with President Trump on each and every issue, but his administration has clearly demonstrated that the world can be a much more peaceful and prosperous place when America leads from the front.
If President Trump wants to fulfill his repeated promise to end ObamaCare, his best course of action is a radical change in tactics that would hit members of Congress where it hurts  in their wallets. The 55-45 vote Wednesday by the Senate rejecting a straight repeal of ObamaCare makes it clear that the president needs to try something new.

With a mere stroke of his pen, President Trump could end the exemption that President Obama gave members of Congress and their staffs that makes them the only participants in the ObamaCare exchanges to receive generous subsidies from their employer (the American people) to pay for their health insurance. Nothing would better focus Congress attention on changing ObamaCare than being trapped in it just like other Americans.

When Vice President Pence was asked about the special exemption for Congress by Fox News "Tucker Carlson Tonight" on Wednesday, he lamented that it was pretty typical for there to be one set of rules for the American people and another for the political class here in our nations capital. But he wouldnt be pinned down over whether the Trump administration would act: It would be (President Trumps) decision to rescind that special treatment for members of Congress and their staffs, he told Carlson

Well, its about time. Ending the special perk funded by taxpayers may represent the only leverage President Trump has to fulfill his promise to repeal ObamaCare.

Ending the special perk funded by taxpayers may represent the only leverage President Trump has to fulfill his promise to repeal ObamaCare.

Back in 2009, when ObamaCare was being debated, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) was able to insert a provision requiring all members of Congress and their staffs to get insurance through the ObamaCare health exchanges.

The more that Congress experiences the laws it passes, the better, said Grassley.

Although his amendment was watered down to exclude committee staff, it still applies to members of Congress and their personal staffs. Most employment lawyers interpreted that to mean that the taxpayer-funded federal health insurance subsidies dispensed to members of Congress and their personal staffs  which now range from $6,000 to $12,000 a year and cover about 70 percent of the cost of insurance premiums  would have to end.

Democratic and Republican staffers alike were furious, and along with members of Congress applied behind-the-scenes pressure on the White House. During a congressional recess in August 2013, President Obama personally ordered the Office of Personnel Management, which supervises federal employment issues, to interpret the law so as to retain the generous congressional benefits. This overturned the intent of the provision Grassley added to the law.

OPM had previously balked at issuing such a ruling. Even without OPM, Congress could have voted to restore the subsidies or ordered a pay raise to compensate for the loss of benefits, but that would have been a messy public process, which everyone wanted to avoid.

Former Republican Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana says the OPM ruling removed the sting of ObamaCare from Congress. He led a fight until his retirement from the Senate this year to wipe out any special treatment for Congress.

The Congressional Leadership Empire decided to strike back at Vitter. Politico reported in 2013 that several Democratic senators asked staff to draft legislation that would deny federal health subsidies to anyone who voted for the Vitter bill, even if it didnt become law. Naturally, the bill went nowhere.

Vitter believed his approach would be the best way to get the attention of Congress. Many Americans are seeing their health coverage dropped by employers, and they are then forced into the exchanges, he told me in 2013. If Congress is forced into them on the same terms, it will be more likely to fix ObamaCares problems for others.

Polls taken by Independent Womens Voice, a free market group, find that 94 percent of voters think Congress shouldnt be exempted from the insurance provisions of ObamaCare. Most voters blame both parties equally for the exemption, which means Republicans will also be hurt politically if it stands.

The president should announce that he is instructing OPM to end the exemption and subsidies for Congress, IWV president Heather Higgins wrote in Mondays Wall Street Journal.

If the president does this, hed have huge negotiating leverage. He would align the interests of the ruling class with those of his voters, forcing Congress to act. He might even get some Democratic votes.
North Korea once again launched a missile Friday, advancing its quest to develop the ability to hit the U.S. mainland with a nuclear warhead.

The launch made it feel like the world is living through an updated version of the 1993 film Groundhog Day  North Korean style. But rather than being a fantasy-comedy about a man reliving the same day over and over, as was the original film starring Bill Murray, the 2017 reboot is a real-life horror story that could end with the deaths of millions of people in a nuclear war.

We all know the drill by now: North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, the portly Pariah of Pyongyang, fires off a test missile or detonates a nuclear bomb and boasts about how he will soon be able to mount a nuclear warhead on a missile that could reach America. The media covers it all. Talking heads like yours truly go on TV and write op-eds to explain the danger we are all facing, while suggesting ways to avert disaster.

Rinse and repeat. Over and over the cycle of more provocations by North Korea churns -- and nothing ever happens to halt it. The North Koreans learn from each test and gets closer and closer to being able to attack our country with nuclear weapons. Democratic and Republican presidents talk tough but do little.

Clearly, the time for action is now, and the Trump administration seems committed to a much tougher approach than the failed strategic patience policy of President Obama. Thats reassuring because if we do nothing  again  other nations, such as Iran, will get the impression that they too can join the nuclear club and build intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMS) with no repercussions. Heck, Pyongyang could even speed the process along directly. There could be many more North Koreas in our future.

As I see it, we must take several strong actions in order to stop or at least slow North Koreas quest for a nuclear missile that can hit America. And there are two things we must avoid.

First, we need to do everything we can to hurt Pyongyangs ability to fund its missile and nuclear programs. That means full enforcement of all existing economic sanctions. The Trump administration must go after any nation, company, financial intuitions or individuals helping North Korea evade sanctions, because such evasion enables Kim to fund his military machine.

This will require putting intense pressure on China, which is clearly helping its communist ally and trading partner evade the collective punishment of the international community. Its time to name, shame, and sanction those responsible for Chinese actions that directly or indirectly help North Korea gain weapons that can kill millions. President Trump should impose harsh sanctions on such Chinese firms and individuals, ratcheting the pressure up over time if they persist in their illegal efforts. This will drive a simple point home: we wont tolerate this anymore.

Second, its time to employ cyber warfare on steroids against North Korea. We have an idea, thanks to recent reports, that the Obama administration started such efforts. The Trump administration should not only expand these programs but do everything it can to disable every computer, nuclear centrifuge, missile guidance system, and command and control node in North Korea that has any connection to the rogue nations nuclear program.

Third, we need to dramatically increase our missile defense capabilities in Northeast Asia. Washington must work with South Korea to not only retain its recent deployment of the American THAAD missile defense system but to expand the system. Japan must add THAAD missile defenses as well. Then we need to push South Korea and Japan to link these new systems together. Only a joint effort can help negate North Koreas growing capabilities and show Dictator Kim we mean business.

Fourth, we must ensure that our homeland is protected from North Koreas growing nuclear missile capabilities. We should expand dramatically the amount of ground-based interceptors in Alaska to ensure that if North Korea did the unthinkable and attacked us with ICBMS we could destroy such missiles in the air.

We must also discuss what we should not do. For those who are calling for unilateral military action now to once and for all eliminate the North Korean nuclear threat, I would ask you to take a second look. To fully rid the planet of this threat, U.S. air and naval power would have to mass in Asia for months in order to bring to bear enough conventional firepower to have a shot at such a goal. North Korea would have every incentive to strike first, before our forces reached full strength.

If we did launch a preemptive attack we would need to take out every single nuclear missile or warhead in North Korea. If we didnt, Kim Jong Un would almost certainly retaliate with what he had left against Seoul, Tokyo or maybe even a U.S. base in Asia or the city of Honolulu. Oh, and by the way, even if we did knock out all of Kims nukes, Pyongyang could still counterattack with chemical and biological weapons in devastating fashion or decide to launch a massive artillery strike on the South Korean capital of Seoul, setting off a mass panic and a catastrophic death toll.

On the flipside, there are those who want to negotiate with North Korea. Up until recently, I was one of them. However, you cant negotiate with those who murder Americans or who hold them hostage, as North Korea does. President Trump should rule out any negotiations. To do so otherwise only invites North Korea to take us for fools time and time again.

The Trump administration has done a brave thing: naming North Korea its greatest national security challenge. It should be commended for doing what many past administrations would not. But now comes the hard part  moving from words to deeds. The cost of inaction is simply too great to wait and do nothing but talk.

Groundhog Day was a funny movie. But we cant afford to repeat our mistakes in dealing with North Korea as if we were trapped in an endlessly replaying time loop like the one in the film. If we fail to act, there will be nothing funny about the ending of our confrontation with Kim Jong Un.
Sound bites are funny things. Just ask a politician whos uttered something stupid in front of a Smartphone, and lived to regret it. But heres a sound bite that grabs your attention: Oh, Allah, liberate the Al-Aqsa mosque from the filth of the Jews.... Oh, Allah, count them one by one and annihilate them down to the very last one.

Those words, separated by two sentences, were spoken this month by Ammar Shahin, the imam of the Islamic Center at Davis, California. It represented about two minutes of his 52-minute khutbah, or sermon.

When it went up on the mosques YouTube page, there was, understandably, vehement denunciation from people who accused him of calling for genocide.

The Al-Aqsa mosque is a holy site for both Jews and Muslims in East Jerusalem.

Hate speech is hate speech. It shouldnt be camouflaged by calls to God to do what, clearly, God wouldnt want us to do.

Earlier this month, after two Israeli soldiers were shot to death near the mosque, Israel installed electronic scanners that visitors were required to pass through. Muslim leaders deemed this an insult to their faith and organized protests. This week, Israel removed the scanners.

Shahin told the Washington Post he was calling for the annihilation only of the Jews who were at Al-Aqsa.

So what? If that isnt hate speech, what is? Would a call to eliminate only Muslims who hate America be acceptable under those rules?

Thats when funny things started to happen. Arab scholars claimed that Shahins words were mistranslated by MEMRI, the Middle East Media Research Institute, a not-for-profit group that tracks hate speech in the Middle East and posts videos on its website.

Bellwether asked an Arabic speaker to listen to Shahins remarks. The verdict: he called for the death of the Jews.

Other apologists said the words had to be put in context. Only two minutes of the khutbah called for people to be annihilated. They also noted that the imam was angry.

Then the capper: as a result of the public outcry about the sermon, Muslims in Davis were afraid they might be targeted for violence.

On Friday, Shahin, sounding like a naughty schoolboy in the principals office, told a news conference in Davis, I am deeply sorry for the pain I have caused.

Islam gets away with everything, says Nonie Darwish, who was born Muslim but converted to Christianity after 9/11. Along with her apostasy, her book, "Wholly Different: Why I chose biblical values over Islamic values," won her death threats from Muslims.

She adds: The preachers who make these statements about Jews try to cover up their meaning by saying theyre just using the words of the Prophet Muhammed, and no one can criticize what Muhammed said. And to quote Muhammed is pure Islam. They know that and use it.

Steven Stalinsky, MEMRIs executive director, says this kind of shell-game hate speech goes on all the time.

He spoke in English and then he goes into Arabic, Stalinsky told me about Shahin.

Then people say, It was in reaction to something Israel did, so that justifies it. But in the sermon he didnt mention exterminating Israelis. He said Jews.

Stalinsky also notes that Shahin had delivered a similar sermon a week earlier, also posted on YouTube.

Hate speech is hate speech. It shouldnt be camouflaged by calls to God to do what, clearly, God wouldnt want us to do. And it shouldnt be tolerated by any faith.
If any head of state is facing a political choice between the noose and the firing squad, it is Nicolas Maduro, the brutal, bumbling president of Venezuela who has led his country down the path to chaos and misery. For him, the end is near.

Maduro was never more than a pale imitation of Hugo Chavez, the Marxist Svengali who ran the country until his death in 2013. Lacking the charisma and bravado of the former general, Maduro nonetheless tried to expand Chavezs loony vision of Bolivarian revolution, marked by nationalization of private companies, alliances with rogues like Iran and North Korea, and a steady theft of the individual rights of Venezuelans.

This weekend, Maduro will attempt his most audacious power grab: a nationwide election to form a so-called National Constituent Assembly, which Maduro has ensured will be comprised of supporters of his rotting regime. The assemblys chore: rewrite the constitution to give Maduro unlimited authority forever.

The countrys growing and increasingly determined opposition has warned Maduro to cancel the vote, yet he appears determined to follow through on his plan. But heres the rub: if he carries out the vote, the opposition has promised to shut down the country with protests, which of late have become lethal events, further enraging the population. If he caves and cancels, he looks weak, which for desperate dictators can be fatal. Either way, Maduro loses.

Venezuela is the 21st centurys freshest example of the failure of socialist cant to fit into the real world. Invoking Bolivar, Fidel Castro, Marx and Lenin these days is like trying to get people to pay for dial-up internet service. Venezuelans know theyre being had, and theyve had enough.

Venezuela is the 21st centurys freshest example of the failure of socialist cant to fit into the real world. Invoking Bolivar, Fidel Castro, Marx and Lenin these days is like trying to get people to pay for dial-up internet service. Venezuelans know theyre being had, and theyve had enough.

President Trump is doing his part to ruin Maduros weekend. The U.S. has imposed economic sanctions on a dozen Maduro supporters, freezing their assets in America and banning them from entering the country. More efforts could follow, including new cuts to the amount of oil the U.S. imports from crude-rich Venezuela. As a precaution, the State Department ordered relatives of U.S. diplomats in Caracas to leave the country.

Trump, who likes to talk tough, should be prepared to follow through on his threat to take further action against Maduro, who he called a bad leader who dreams of being a dictator.

Memo to White House: Maduro already is one. The question is how much longer hell last. For a once-proud country thats been turned into socialist cinders, the sooner Maduro goes, the better. Trump should do everything possible to make that happen.
In this era of harsh political divisions and fake news, disagreement seems to be at an all-time high and it can be easy to overlook some of the worlds most pressing conflicts. Right now, people in parts of Africa and Yemen are suffering from a massive hunger crisis and yet most Americans are totally unaware of it. The statistics are staggering: 20 million people are at risk of famine, 600,000 children are at risk of death before Thanksgiving and the United Nations is calling this the worst humanitarian emergency since World War II.

America has a tradition of helping those who need it most. Absent any divisiveness, the bright side is that here is finally an issue on which we can all agree  and a problem we can constructively address. Americans can come together on preventing cataclysmic starvation in the developing world.

As President Ronald Reagan said during a famine in the 1980s, A hungry child knows no politics  and this describes our governments stance ever since, regardless of which party controls the White House and Congress. USAID is the worlds largest provider of food assistance, not just contributing U.S.-grown food but also cash for locally-procured food, to help people help themselves. The Global Food Security Act had bipartisan passage through both houses of Congress in 2016.

Even now, with the partisan divide at its deepest in 25 years, Congress has appropriated nearly $1 billion for emergency famine relief for South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, and Nigeria. Clearly hunger is an issue that unifies government officials on both side of the aisle. And that gives us hope that food aid will be sustained in the new Administrations foreign assistance budget, continuing Americas leadership in alleviating global hunger.

The hunger crisis is also unifying the international aid community. In an unprecedented move, eight of the largest humanitarian organizationswho usually compete for charitable donationshave joined forces as the Global Emergency Response Coalition. Weve come together to show that a crisis of historic proportions require a new way of working, to eliminate confusion and provide Americans an easy way to help with confidencethe America Takes Action campaign. Unlike so many of the complex issues that confound us today this is a problem where we as Americans can make a life-saving difference for millions of children and families.

With unity in the public and non-profit sectors, what is missing is an outpouring of support from compassionate Americans focused on the vital effort to keep children alive and help them recover. Weve seen firsthand the toll of severe malnutrition on children  a 4-year-old girl in Somalia who weighs whats typical for a 4-month-old; babies in South Sudan who are too weak to cry. Chronic hunger also haunts children later in life. Stunting makes a 13-year-old girl in Kenya look closer to five, and the invisible effects on brain development and the immune system may be permanent. A generation of children stunted from malnutrition grows up to be a less productive and more impoverished generation of adults, which experts say can reduce the GDP of a country as much as 12 percent. The far-reaching effects of hunger and famine today is continued fragility in the world beyond our borders.

As real as this hunger crisis is, its eclipsed in the news by events in Washington. But wouldnt we all welcome the chance to press pause on our national bickering and come together to save lives? Consensus already exists that when it comes to hungerpeople are more important than politics. And that is something we can build on.
Newly appointed White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci is using vulgar language to lash out against Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and make fun of Senior Adviser Steve Bannon in a new interview.

In a story published by the New Yorker on Thursday evening, Scaramucci asks writer Ryan Lizza to reveal who leaked the details of a dinner the president attended to him. He goes on to accuse Priebus of leaking.

Reince is a f---ing paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac, Scaramucci said during a Wednesday night phone call.

He also told Lizza: I fired one guy the other day. I have three to four people Ill fire tomorrow. Ill get to the person who leaked that to you. Reince Priebusif you want to leak somethinghell be asked to resign very shortly.

Impersonating Priebus, Scaramucci told Lizza: Let me leak the f---ing thing and see if I can c----block these people the way I c----blocked Scaramucci for six months.

Scaramucci also claimed that unlike Bannon, he isnt interested in boosting his profile in the media.

Im not Steve Bannon, Im not trying to suck my own c---, he said. Im not trying to build my own brand off the f---ing strength of the president. Im here to serve the country.

He also accused Priebus of leaking his publicly-available financial disclosure form to the press.

Ive called the FBI and the Department of Justice, Scaramucci said.

Scaramucci told Lizza he believed Priebus would resign soon and vowed to keep cracking down on leakers.

What I want to do is I want to f---ing kill all the leakers and I want to get the presidents agenda on track so we can succeed for the American people, he said.

Lizza said Scaramucci, speaking of Priebus, ended the phone call by saying he needed to go so he could start tweeting some s--- to make this guy crazy.

Scaramucci didnt deny the comments in a Thursday tweet.

I sometimes use colorful language, he said. I will refrain in this arena but not give up the passionate fight for @realDonaldTrump's agenda.

Later on Thursday Scaramucci tweeted that he "made a mistake in trusting in a reporter. It won't happen again."

"Its not a matter of trust," Lizza said on CNN, "its a matter of we as journalists trying to explain who these people are to the American people and when you do an on the record interview with someone, its standard operating procedure that the interview gets reported."

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, speaking to reporters at the White House after the story was released, wouldnt say if President Trump had read the story.

Appearing on Fox News The Story with Martha MacCallum on Thursday night, Sanders then defended Scaramucci by saying he gets passionate about his job.

This is a guy who sometimes uses colorful  and in many circles, probably not appropriate  language. And hes very passionate about the president, the presidents agenda and I think he may have let that get the best of him in that conversation, she said.

But the comments have spooked some of his co-workers. Speaking to Fox News, one White House official expressed concern.

This is getting out of hand. I am honestly getting concerned for my safety in the office tomorrow. This type of behavior is unbelievable. Working in the White House and something like that is said, it is a disgrace, the official said.

Fox News Serafin Gomez contributed to this report.
An ex-cheerleader and a county prosecutor in Florida are calling it quits -- partly because she's a fan of President Trump, and he isn't.

Dave Aronberg, 46, a Palm Beach County State Attorney, and his wife, Lynn, said in a press release Thursday that she is amicably divorcing her husband due to her feeling increasingly isolated in the marriage.

Thats due, in part, to the fact that Lynn is a staunch Republican and supporter of President Trump, unlike her husband.

FEMALE STUDENT: THE LEFT MADE ME A TRUMP SUPPORTER

Adding to their opposing political positions, children were a concern in the marriage, according to the release, the Palm Beach Post reported.

The 37-year-old former Miami Dolphins cheerleader and public relations consultant said she's getting a $100,000 settlement, including a new BMW and $40,000 in cash.

Dave Aronberg is a former state senator who was elected to his current office in 2012. His spokesman said Aronberg had no comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The State Department Thursday ordered relatives of American diplomats to leave Venezuela ahead of an election that could end in the rewriting of that country's constitution.

The department said it was also allowing U.S. government workers to depart the embassy in Caracas and limiting the movement of those who stay. An updated travel warning also urges American citizens not to travel to Venezuela due to social unrest and violence.

The ordered departure comes three days before President Nicolas Maduro's government plans to hold a vote for an assembly tasked with overhauling the country's charter. Maduro's opposition says the election rules are rigged to strengthen his hold on power.

The U.S. has been urging Maduro to cancel the vote and threatened more sanctions if occurs.

More than 100 people have died over four months of anti-government protests that began when Venezuela's Supreme Court stripped the opposition-controlled National Assembly of its remaining powers.

The official death count by the county's chief prosecutor has been highly politicized, with the opposition and other government agencies reporting varying tolls and causes of death that focus blame on the other side.

The oil-rich South American country, which Thursday was in the second day of a two-day general strike that shuttered businesses nationwide, has also seen thousands of injuries and arrests.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The head of the Senate Judiciary Committee has turned the tables, yet again, on Democrats going after President Trump's associates over foreign ties by reintroducing a key player from the Clinton email scandal and questioning whether he made similar missteps.

Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, raised the case of Clinton confidant Sidney Blumenthal in hearings this week. He asked why Blumenthal did not register as a foreign agent while working as an off-the-books intelligence resource for then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, while simultaneously working on behalf of a foreign entitya political party in the country of Georgia.

If the Justice Department thought Mr. Blumenthals activities on behalf of foreign interests did not require registration under the law, it should say so, Grassley said.

Blumenthal, who served as a senior adviser to former President Bill Clinton between 1997 and 2001, reportedly was prohibited by the Obama administration from taking a job with Clintons State Department. Blumenthal, instead, sent Clinton guidance on sensitive diplomatic matters, most notably intelligence information about Libya around the time of the 2012 attack in Benghazi that killed four Americans.

Those memos emerged as part of the release of documents from Clinton's private email system.

But Grassley raised concerns during hearings Wednesday and Thursday regarding enforcement of the Foreign Agent Registration Act.

Grassley suggested Trump associates -- like former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and former national security adviser Michael Flynn -- faced a double standard, considering both had to retroactively register as foreign agents. Blumenthal did not.

MANAFORT REGISTERS AS FOREIGN AGENT

In an April 2015 letter to then Attorney General Holder, I wrote about Sidney Blumenthals efforts to influence U.S. policy by leveraging his close relationship with Secretary Clinton, Grassley said, detailing Blumenthals relationship with Clinton. Mr. Blumenthal repeatedly sent Secretary Clinton intelligence memos and at one point Secretary Clinton told him to keep them coming. News articles reported that Mr. Blumenthal transmitted documentation to Secretary Clinton on behalf of the Georgian Dream, a political party in the country of Georgia.

FARA requires individuals to register with the Justice Department if they act, even through an intermediary, as an agent, representative, employee or servant or in any other capacity at the behest of a foreign actor to engage with a U.S. official.

Grassley said that the Justice Department never explained why it did not require Blumenthal and his partner, John Kornblum, to register under FARA.

The Justice Department did not respond to Fox News request for comment on why Blumenthal was not required to register.

Grassley said if Blumenthal did the right thing by not registering, the Department should explain why.

FIRM BEHIND ANTI-TRUMP DOSSIER ALSO WORKED FOR RUSSIA, SENATE WITNESS SAYS

Grassley said the Justice Departments response to his 2015 request might help others to understand whether they are supposed to register or not.

Particularly when the Trump administration has required Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn to retroactively register under the law, Grassley said. Indeed, the Trump administration also required Paul Manafort, the Podesta Group and Mercury LLC to register for their actions on behalf of the Ukrainian government.

Blumenthal was a leading figure in the early days of the Clinton email scandal. His AOL account was hacked by the Romanian hacker Guccifer in 2013, revealing he was communicating with Clinton on a domain discovered as Clintons private email server, ultimately setting off the chain of events to follow Clinton for the next four years.

A source close to the Judiciary Committee told Fox News there are not plans to bring Blumenthal before the committee at this time.

Blumenthal did not respond to Fox News request for comment.

Grassley also has raised questions over other Democrat-linked FARA concernsincluding whether the Justice Department was investigating Alexandra Chalupa, a Ukrainian-American DNC consultant who allegedly had meetings at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, D.C., to discuss incriminating information about Trump campaign officials.

Grassley wrote a letter this week to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein over deficient enforcement of FARA and asked why the Justice Department did not require Chalupa to register.

TRUMP'S NOT ALONE: CONGRESS DIGGING INTO DNC-UKRAINE CONNECTION

Chalupas actions appear to show that she was simultaneously working on behalf of a foreign government, Ukraine, and on behalf of the DNC and Clinton campaign, in an effort to influence not only the U.S. voting population but U.S. government officials, Grassley wrote to Rosenstein this week, claiming that if that were the case, Chalupa would have been required to register under FARA.

Chalupas attorney said the law is inapplicable to Chalupas actions, and described the attack on her activities as nothing more than continued anti-immigrant, anti-ethnic rhetoric.

EDITORS NOTE: A week after the publication of this article, Blumenthal sent a letter to Grassley disputing his hearing comments and accusing him of lying about his supposed work with a foreign political party.
Conservative lawmakers still are holding out hope that Congress can strike a deal to repeal ObamaCare after the latest plan failed in the Senate, as Republican leaders signal they are ready to move on and focus on tax reform.

Senate Republicans have spent the summer repeatedly -- yet unsuccessfully -- trying to pass legislation that eliminates or overhauls former President Barack Obamas 2010 health care law.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had hoped to pass a skinny repeal measure late Thursday. But when the vote finally took place early Friday morning, three Republicans -- John McCain of Arizona, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska -- joined with Democrats in opposition, killing the plan.

Speaking on the floor after the vote, McConnell lamented its failure and called it a disappointing moment.

Its time to move on, he said.

MCCAIN, PLAYING THE MAVERICK, VOTES NO ON REPEAL

Across the Capitol, House Speaker Paul Ryan said Friday he was disappointed and frustrated and encouraged the Senate to keep working toward health care. But he said the House will focus on other issues.

At the top of that list is cutting taxes for middle class families and fixing our broken tax code, he said.

'I'm optimistic we can still get it done.'  House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows

During a speech Friday in Brentwood, N.Y., President Trump said: They should have approved health care last night, but you can't have everything."

I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implodeI turned out to be right," Trump said. "Let ObamaCare implode.

McCain, whose vote sank the Republican bill, spoke to Fox News as he and his wife, Cindy, left the Russell Senate Office Building in the rain on Friday afternoon.

You always have concerns about an important vote like that, he said.

The Arizona senator, who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer, rushed back to Washington this week to help Republicans pass a procedural hurdle to consider the bill. But he opposed the repeal measure itself, saying he has concerns with the quick process in which it was considered.

McCain said in a Friday statement he wants to see the Senate start fresh on health care and return to regular order, where both parties work together to craft legislation.

I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to trust each other, stop the political gamesmanship, and put the health care needs of the American people first, McCain said. We can do this.

Meanwhile, House conservatives on Friday encouraged Republicans not to let up on their plans for a repeal of the health care law just yet.

House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows said Republicans need to keep working a perfect bill that they could consider in a couple weeks.

I'm optimistic we can still get it done, Meadows, a North Carolina Republican, said on Fox & Friends Friday. People are losing faith but were going to stay in.

The House passed its own version repealing and replacing the law in May. But Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, another conservative member of the House Freedom Caucus, suggested on Fox & Friends that the House also pass a clean repeal bill like the one the Senate considered.

That may give more pressure and motivation for the Senate to do the right thing and come together, he said.

After the failed vote, Trump took aim at lawmakers, like McCain, who voted against the bill.

3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down, the president tweeted.

The president on Friday also called for the Senate to do away with the legislative filibuster and make it so all legislation could pass with 51 votes.

The Senate's latest health care bill still would not have passed, though, as it failed 51-49. The bill also was considered under special rules that required only a simple majority, and not 60 votes, to advance.

If Republicans are going to pass great future legislation in the Senate, they must immediately go to a 51 vote majority, not senseless 60..., Trump tweeted.

Fox News Peter Doocy and Serafin Gomez contributed to this report.


Gen. John F. Kelly, the retired four-star Marine general sworn in Monday as White House chief of staff, has new orders from the commander-in-chief: Instill discipline in a White House plagued by leaks and infighting.

Kelly, an Irish Catholic, had a brief stint as secretary of Homeland Security. Before he headed DHS, he had recently ended a long and distinguished career in the military.

Last February, he retired after serving four decades in the Marines. His last post was as head of the U.S. Southern Command, which oversees Latin America and the Caribbean.

"I have been fortunate to have served my country for more than 45 years - first as a Marine and then as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security," Kelly said in a statement Friday. "I am honored to be asked to serve as the chief of staff to the president of the United States."

In a tweet late Friday, Trump tweeted that Kelly "has been a true star of my administration."

He is a great American and a great leader, Trump said.

Kelly, who vehemently defended Trumps travel ban, has grown close with the president the past few months.

The Washington Post said Trump is drawn to the discipline that Kelly and his other advisers who are former military officers bring to their roles.

He is also allegedly close to both White House chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon, and liked by Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Hes described as low-key and a good collaborator.

His selection Friday was greeted with praise on Capitol Hill.

Secretary Kelly is one of the strongest and most natural leaders Ive ever known, said South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has sparred with the president in the past. As a Marine Corps officer, he instilled loyalty, respect and admiration from all who served under him.

Speaking to reporters, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders cited Kellys role at the Department of Homeland Security in working to reduce illegal immigration.

He has helped seal the border and reduced illegal immigration by 70 percent, Sanders said. He is respected by everyone, especially the people at the Department of Homeland Security.

A profile in the Boston Globe when he was chosen by Trump to head DHS mentioned a powerful speech he delivered in Massachusetts honoring service members in the state killed since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

He spoke to the crowd but never mentioned that his own son was killed in Afghanistan three weeks prior.

"He was probably torn up inside," Chris Lessard, a Newton firefighter and Marine veteran, told the Globe. "That was my first impression of General John Kelly. Could you find a classier person? He's a great man."
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says public outcry over his decision to lounge with his family on a public beach that was closed during the state's government shutdown "upset his children more than anything else" since he's been in office.

The two-term Republican governor made the comments Thursday night during his regular radio call-in show on New Jersey's WKXW-FM radio.

Christie was photographed over Fourth of July weekend by NJ.com at Island Beach State Park, where the state provides a summer home to the governor. Christie ordered the shutdown of nonessential state government, including state beaches and parks, amid a budget impasse.

He said during Thursday's radio show that his family was hurt by the backlash and "they don't understand people's unfairness and, quite frankly, their ignorance."

Christie was blistered online and in the real world after he was photographed with his family soaking up the sun on a beach that he had closed to the public over the holiday weekend.

He has been lambasted as selfish and arrogant, and jokesters online inserted the picture of him in sandals, shorts and a T-shirt into various photos and movie and TV scenes since he was spotted on the beach.

Tell Gov. Christie: Get the hell off Island Beach State Park, read a banner carried by a plane flying up and down the New Jersey coast during the holiday weekend, mocking the time the tough-talking governor told people to get the hell off the beach during a hurricane in 2011.

Christie defended his visit at the time to the shore while the public was denied access, saying that he had previously announced his plans to vacation at the state-owned governors beach house and that the media had simply caught a politician keeping his word.

Christie also said his son apologized to him for inviting his friends to the house and getting him all this heat, to which Christie said his son never has to apologize and he has no regrets about spending time with his family.

This is who I am, and Ive never pretended to be anything other than that, he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
The next presidential election is still 1,194 days away, but President Trump already has his first challenger in the 2020 race.

I'm running for President, Maryland Democratic Rep. John Delaney tweeted Friday.

Delaney, a wealthy former bank executive who represents Marylands sixth district in the Washington suburbs but is not known nationally, was elected to Congress in 2012.

In a Washington Post opinion piece announcing his run for the Democratic nomination, Delaney cited the Democratic Partys recent electoral failures and called for a different approach -- one thats focused on the facts and the future.

Delaney had considered challenging Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan in the states upcoming gubernatorial race, but Hogan remains popular.

The congressman insisted Friday he is serious about his White House campaign. The Democratic lawmaker said he will not be running for re-election to his congressional seat.

To do this work with the commitment it deserves, I will not be running for reelection to the House of Representatives, Delaney said.

No games, no cat-and-mouse, no backup plan at the 11th hour if a focus group goes badly, he added.

DEMOCRAT PILE-ON: HUNDREDS OF CHALLENGERS ALREADY FILING TO TAKE ON REPUBLICANS

Delaney, who is socially liberal, emphasized his pro-business views in his announcement.

We need to encourage a more just and inclusive form of capitalism and reduce barriers to small-business formation, start-ups, job creation, investment and growth, Delaney said.

No other major candidates, in either the Republican or Democratic Party, have yet announced plans to run in 2020. Midterm elections wont take place until November 2018.

But several Senate Democrats, including California's Kamala Harris and Massachusetts' Elizabeth Warren, are seen as possible contenders.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Democratic socialist who energized young liberals during the 2016 Democratic primary, also hasnt ruled out another campaign. And 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton has not faded into the political background, either, set to release a book about the past election titled What Happened.
Nearly two-dozen Republicans are calling on the Trump Justice Department to appoint a second special counsel to investigate the raft of 2016 campaign controversies involving Hillary Clinton and the Obama administration, warning these questions cannot be allowed to die on the vine amid the Russia probe firestorm.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., and GOP committee colleagues made the request in a letter Thursday to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

The American public has a right to know the facts  all of them  surrounding the election and its aftermath, they wrote. We urge you to appoint a second special counsel to ensure these troubling, unanswered questions are not relegated to the dustbin of history.

'I dont think that the crimes of the prior administration, of Hillary Clinton, the collusion with James Comey and Loretta Lynch should be forgotten just because Hillary Clinton lost the election'  Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., to 'Fox & Friends'

The lawmakers want an entirely separate special counsel probe from the one Robert Mueller is leading into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible coordination with Trump associates. The crux of their argument is that numerous unanswered questions remain from the 2016 campaign cycle that have been pushed aside amid the intense Russia focus.

OBAMA OFFICIAL MADE 'HUNDREDS OF UNMASKING REQUESTS,' GOP CHAIRMAN SAYS

They delivered an extensive, 14-point request for what a second special counsel should cover, including:

Allegations that former Attorney General Loretta Lynch instructed then-FBI Director James Comey to downplay the nature of the Clinton email probe

The FBI and DOJs decisions in the course of the email probe, including controversial immunity deals with Clinton aide Cheryl Mills and others

The State Departments involvement in deciding which Clinton emails to make public

Disclosures in WikiLeaks-released emails regarding the Clinton Foundation and, according to the letter, its potentially unlawful international dealings

Connections between Clinton officials and foreign entities including Russia and Ukraine

Revelations in hacked Democratic National Committee emails about inappropriate coordination between the DNC and Clinton campaign against Bernie Sanders Democratic primary campaign

The unmasking of Americans in intelligence documents and potentially related leaks of classified information

Comeys admitted leak of details of his conversations with President Trump

The FBIs reliance on controversial firm Fusion GPS, which was involved in the questionable anti-Trump dossier

Our call for a special counsel is not made lightly, the lawmakers wrote. We have no interest in engendering more bad feelings and less confidence in the process or governmental institutions by the American people. Rather, our call is made on their behalf. It is meant to determine whether the criminal prosecution of any individual is warranted based on the solemn obligation to follow the facts wherever they lead and applying the law to those facts.

The push comes as Sessions comes under tremendous pressure from Trump to revisit 2016 controversies concerning Clinton and Democratic officials. The president has publicly pilloried the attorney general over his decision in March to recuse himself from the Russia probe, which led to the appointment of Mueller whom Trump has also criticized.

Sessions told Fox News Tucker Carlson that the criticism has been kind of hurtful but defended his recusal and insisted he would stay on the job as long as the president allows.

Democrats have blasted the periodic GOP efforts to bring back these 2016 controversies, and maintain that Russias interference in the campaign is a more pressing matter. Following Trumps criticism last week of both Sessions and Mueller, top House Intelligence Committee Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, of California, defended the importance of the current special counsel investigation.

"There is no doubt that Mueller has the authority to investigate anything that arises from his investigation into the Trump campaign's ties to Russia, including financial links, and this is spelled out in the order from the Deputy Attorney General and the law that governs the powers of the Special Counsel, he said in a statement, while also urging Trump to rule out categorically the prospect of using pardons to undermine that probe.

But aside from Republican frustration over the evolving and intensifying Russia probe, recent developments have fueled their interest in revisiting 2016s other controversies. Comeys Capitol Hill testimony in June included a startling allegation that Lynch told him to refer to the Clinton email investigation as a matter, which Comey said made him queasy.

FIRM BEHIND ANTI-TRUMP DOSSIER ALSO WORKED FOR RUSSIA, WITNESS SAYS

The Fusion GPS firm also came under renewed criticism this week when a Senate hearing witness alleged the same firm was connected to Russia-backed efforts to fight U.S. sanctions on the country.

House Judiciary Republicans voted earlier this week to call an investigation into Comeys handling of the Clinton email probe.

One of those lawmakers, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., told Fox & Friends on Friday that there seems to be a double standard in justice.

I dont think that the crimes of the prior administration, of Hillary Clinton, the collusion with James Comey and Loretta Lynch should be forgotten just because Hillary Clinton lost the election, he said.
Newly hired White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci has certainly made his mark in Washington -- and on the internet.

The Moochs interview with the New Yorker on Thursday, in which he demanded that Ryan Lizza tell him who leaked the details of a dinner that President Trump attended the previous night, left Twitter in a frenzy over the shock and vulgarity of his vitriol.

In typical meme-worthy fashion, some of the tweets made light of the situation.

Some mentioned his Italian-American heritage, debating whether Scaramucci had brought honor or shame to people who share his ethnicity.

Others used the social media platform to come to Scaramuccis defense.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions, in an interview Thursday with Fox News Tucker Carlson, stood firmly by his recusal from the FBIs Russia investigation  saying he made the right decision, despite the criticism he faces from President Trump.

Speaking with "Tucker Carlson Tonight" in El Salvador, Sessions admitted Trumps criticism has been "kind of hurtful," but insisted he would continue in the job unless Trump fired him.

"I serve at the pleasure of the president," Sessions said. "If he wants to make a change, he can certainly do so and I would be glad to yield in that circumstance, no doubt about it."

Trump has repeatedly slammed Sessions in media interviews and on Twitter over the attorney general's decision in March to recuse himself from the FBI's investigation into Russian activities during last year's election campaign.

"I understand [Trumps] feelings about it, because this has been a big distraction for him," Sessions told Tucker Carlson. "[But] Im confident I made the right decision. The decision is consistent with the rule of law. An attorney general who doesnt follow the law is not very effective in leading the Department of Justice."

Sessions was in San Salvador Thursday as part of a two-day trip meant to bolster cooperation with the Central American nation in the fight against the MS-13 street gang, which the attorney general has described as a top security threat to the United States.

"I do believe that we are making tremendous progress," said Sessions. "We had a 25 percent increase in prosecution of criminals with guns just this last quarter, the first real quarter that Ive been in office  Weve achieved, in many ways, more than I thought at this point in time."

Sessions pointed out that despite the rift over his recusal, he and Trump share "a common interest" in cracking down on crime and illegal immigration.

"I believe that I understand [Trumps] mission. I understand his goals," the attorney general said. "Thats why I supported him for president. I share his beliefs that weve got to do more about crime, more about illegal immigration, more about gangs and violence and its an honor and a pleasure to be able to lead that effort."

Sessions also told Carlson that the Justice Department would step up its investigation and prosecution of what he called criminal leaks after a series of reports detailing the progress of the Russia investigation and disclosing sensitive national security information.

"It cannot continue. Some people need to go to jail," warned Sessions, who vowed, "If we can make cases, they are going to jail  The president has every right to ask the Department of Justice to be more aggressive in that, and we intend to."
Standing Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh city Party Committee Tat Thanh Cang addresses the meeting. (Photo: voh.com.vn)

Attending the meeting, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh city Party Committee Tat Thanh Cang said that the relationship between Vietnam and Laos was tempered thousands of years ago during the two nations history of national founding and protection, especially after the relationship established by President Ho Chi Minh and President Cayson Phomvihan, and being fostered by ensuing generations of the two countries Party and State leaders as well as the two peoples, becoming an invaluable asset of the two countries.

We pledge to maintain and protect the special relationship between the two countries like protecting our eyes; determine together with the Lao Party, State and people to deepen the relationship, considering it an invaluable asset which will be passed to the next generations, he said.

On the same day, Ho Chi Minh citys working delegation to Laos attended the Savannakhet - Ho Chi Minh city friendship exhibition fair 2017.

So far, Vietnamese businesses have set up 430 projects worth over USD5.1 billion in Laos, ranking 2nd among 52 countries and territories investing in Laos.

Earlier, the delegation paid homage at President Ho Chi Minh Statue and laid a wreath at President Cayson Phomvihan Statue./.
Senate Republicans failed to pass Majority Leader Mitch McConnells proposed skinny repeal amendment in a vote Friday morning, signaling what could be the end to any hopes of repealing and replacing ObamaCare.

As the clock neared 2 a.m. ET, the amendment proposal failed, 51-49, with Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joining Democrats in voting no.

It is time to move on, McConnell said after the vote.

Added Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.: "We are not celebrating. We are relieved."

Shortly after, President Trump took to Twitter to express his disapointment in the three Republicans who voted against the amendment, saying they "let the American people down."

"3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!" Trump tweeted.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Republicans will now have to work on improving the current health care legislation alongside their Democratic counterparts

"The American people have spoken loud and clear against the higher costs and monstrous cruelty of Trumpcare," Pelosi said.

The decision came after House Speaker Paul Ryan honored Republican senators request that the body vote on a vehicle to continue moving forward with discussions to repeal and replace the health care legislation through a conference committee.

Senators have made clear that this is an effort to keep the process alive, not to make law. If moving forward requires a conference committee, that is something the House is willing to do, Ryan said in a statement Thursday night.

Despite Ryans assurance that the bill would go to committee, McCain said he was skeptical that the House would take the bill and approve it as is, so he voted no, dooming the "skinny repeal" after his triumphant return to Washington this week following a brain cancer diagnosis and surgery.



"We must now return to the correct way of legislating and send the bill back to committee, hold hearings, receive input from both sides of the aisle, heed the recommendations of the nation's governors, and produce a bill that finally delivers affordable health care for the American people," McCain said in a statement.

After McConnell's pared-down ObamaCare bill failed to receive enough votes early Friday, he took to the podium and delivered a somber message on the Senate floor.

This is clearly a disappointing moment. From skyrocketing costs to plummeting choices and collapsing markets, our constituents have suffered through an awful lot under ObamaCare, McConnell said. We thought they deserved better. It's why I, and many of my colleagues, did as we promised and voted to repeal this failed law. We told our constituents we would vote that way. When the moment came, most of us did. We kept our commitments."

So yes, this is a disappointment, a disappointment indeed, he added.

However, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said he hasn't lost faith in the GOP's promise to ultimately repeal and replace ObamaCare, and believes "in time, we will honor our promise."

Cruz added that the focus needs to shift to lowering premiums in order to reach the majority.

Failure to pass the amendment underscored the ongoing struggle within the Republican Party between moderates and conservatives who cant seem to reach a consensus on their efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, the 2010 law that is considered the signature legislation of President Barack Obamas presidency.

The GOP will now have to grapple with the real possibility of failing to deliver a full repeal and replace of the law, something the party has been promising its supporters for more than seven years.

Fox News Chad Pergram contributed to this report.
President Trump sounded the alarm Friday over the violence being inflicted on American neighborhoods by MS-13, vowing to liberate our towns from the murderous gang's grip as part of an escalating crackdown by his administration.

The defeat of the latest ObamaCare repeal bill in his rearview, Trump traveled to Long Island to talk about the gang's atrocities and rally support for his immigration enforcement policies.

[MS-13 has] transformed peaceful parks and beautiful quiet neighborhoods into blood-stained killing fields. Theyre animals. We cannot tolerate as a society the spilling of innocent, young, wonderful vibrant people, Trump said.

The president spoke in blunt language to describe the brutality of MS-13 gang members, who have murdered 17 people in Long Island since Jan. 16. The gang, which has Central American ties, is also active in the Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles areas.

"We cannot accept this violence one day more," Trump said.

As he did throughout the 2016 political campaign, Trump also railed against timid politicians who have failed to enforce immigration laws and looked the other way as violent gangs crossed the border.

SESSIONS, IN EL SALVADOR, TALKS TO FOX NEWS

They are there right now because of weak political leadership ... and in many cases police who are not allowed to do their job because they have a pathetic mayor or a mayor who does not know whats going on, Trump said.

After noting the gang members prefer knives over guns because victims experience more suffering, Trump delivered a message to members.

We will find you, we will arrest you, we will jail you and we will deport you, Trump said to applause from the audience of law enforcement officials. He vowed to "destroy the vile criminal cartel, MS-13, and many other gangs."

The visit came after the Senate early Friday morning narrowly defeated the latest ObamaCare replacement bill, in a blow to one of Trump's top campaign promises. But the president brushed off the loss and called on Congress to meet his spending demands to hire as many as 10,000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and 5,000 new Customs and Border Patrol officers.

The administration also is pushing to boost funding for more administrative law judges and to begin building the border wall.

The House this week voted to allocate $1.6 billion for a border wall.

Trumps speech coincided with an announcement on Friday that two MS-13 gang members had been arrested in connection with the May murder of a man in Queens.

In June, New York State and federal law enforcement officials disclosed that as part of Operation Matador -- a joint federal-state initiative -- a total of 45 individuals with confirmed gang affiliations were arrested, including 39 affiliated with MS-13.

With Trump in MS-13s domestic epicenter, Attorney General Jeff Sessions was delivering the administrations message in El Salvador, where the violent gang is rooted.

MS-13 is based here in El Salvador, but its tentacles reach across Central America, Europe, and through 40 U.S. states, and to within yards of the U.S. Capitol, he said in remarks to graduates of the International Law Enforcement Academy.

The administration has taken an aggressive approach toward combating gangs, including establishing a Department of Justice Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety in February. A month later, Sessions issued a memo to all federal prosecutors placing a priority on prosecuting violent criminals.

Sessions was in the country to highlight joint efforts that have contributed to the arrest of 113 suspected MS-13 gang members. According to the Justice Department, an additional 593 gang members were charged Thursday, including many MS-13 members.
Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking has once again opened up about his fears and warned the world to be hesitant about making contact with alien life.

He said planet Gliese 832c potentially had alien life but said humans needed to be wary.

One day, we might receive a signal from a planet like this, but we should be wary of answering back, he in the documentary, Stephen Hawkings Favourite Places.

Meeting an advanced civilisation could be like Native Americans encountering Columbus. That didnt turn out so well.

He claimed alien life could be "rapacious marauders roaming the cosmos in search of resources to plunder, and planets to conquer and colonise.

His fears have not changed since he first spoke out about it on the Discovery Channel in 2010.

He said as he grew older he became more convinced humans were not alone.

After a lifetime of wondering, I am helping to lead a new global effort to find out, he said.

Planet Gliese 832c has five times the mass of earth and a similar temperature.

Its been described as an inhabitable super earth, thats 16 light-years from our planet.

A light-year is about 9.5 trillion kilometres, which sounds like a lot, but in the perspective of space its not that far.

Mr Hawking has also warned earth could become as hot as Venus as a result of climate change.

He told the BBC climate change could turn the planet into a hothouse, and Trumps decision to pull out of the Paris Climate agreement to reduce CO2 levels could accelerate the threat.

We are close to the tipping point, where global warming becomes irreversible, he said.

Trumps action could push the earth over the brink, to become like Venus, with a temperature of 250C, and raining sulfuric acid.

Hawking also said humans may have to consider life on a planet elsewhere because of the destruction of earth due to climate change.

Live Science reports experts dont believe earth could hit those extreme temperatures because it is further away from the sun than Venus and doesnt have a carbon dioxide atmosphere as thick.

Pennsylvania State University climate scientist Michael Man said: Hawking is taking some rhetorical license here.

Earth is further away form the sun than Venus and likely cannot experience a runaway greenhouse effect in the same sense as Venus  ie a literal boiling away of the oceans. However Hawkings larger point  that we could render the planet largely inhabitable for human civilisation if we do not act to avert dangerous climate change  is certainly valid.

This story originally appeared in news.com.au
For years, China has considered the South China Sea part of its territory, despite international tribunal rulings stating otherwise. Needless to say, staking claim to these international waters has created quite the rift with the international community -- namely the United States. Adding fuel to this fire, China has now unveiled and tested a new fleet of the highly advanced underwater drones with potential military capacities.

These so-called glider drones, known as "Haiya" -- meaning "sea wings" in Mandarin -- are more durable and more energy efficient than previous iterations. Most importantly, these latest drones are capable of instantly relaying underwater data to the military -- a technological achievement the US has yet to accomplish. China claims it has successfully released 12 of these state-of-the-art drones into the farthest reaches of the South China Sea -- to allegedly collect environmental data.

During tests in March of this year, the gliders reportedly dove to a depth of nearly 21,000 feet (almost four miles), shattering the previous world record dive of 16,964 feet held by the US. In 2014, utilizing a new battery and special pressure-resistant coating, a underwater drone controlled by the Chinese broke a world record by traveling 635 miles without stopping over the course of 30 days.

The deployment of these submarine drones is just the latest move in China's ongoing effort to control the South China Sea. The Chinese military has built artificial islands in the region, complete with communications systems and potentially even missile launchers. In 2016, the Chinese even captured a US underwater dronein international waters.Covering a total area of nearly 1,500,000 square miles, the South China Sea is the largest sea in the Western Pacific region. As such, if an all-out war were to break out in the area, there's a huge amount of territory to cover. And with a maximum depth of 16,457 feet along the China Sea Basin, any subsurface advantage could be decisive for militaries involved.

As noted previously, these unmanned drone tests were considered environmental missions, and the Haiya were not carrying weapons at the time. However, these gliders could be easily be used to detect, monitor, and potentially even "catch" US underwater assets (namely submarines) in the South China Sea. Stay tuned for all of the latest, "environmental testing" in the Pacific powder keg.
NASA Astronaut and Marine Corps Col. Randy Bresnik will join his record-breaking colleague Peggy Whitson on the International Space Station Friday.

Bresnik, who flew combat missions as a Marine pilot during Operation Iraqi Freedom, blasted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 11:41 a.m. ET. Cosmonaut Sergey Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos and Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency are accompanying Bresnik on the six-hour trip aboard a Soyuz MS-05 spacecraft.

The trio will spend more than four months together on the ISS before returning to Earth in December. NASA says that Bresnik will perform a host of experiments in space, which include investigating how microgravity affects stem cells and the factors that govern stem cell activity.

TRUMP MAKES SPACE CALL TO RECORD-BREAKING NASA ASTRONAUT PEGGY WHITSON



Bresnik, like his fellow crewmembers, will also see the Great American Solar Eclipse a total of three times, Space.com reports. With the space station orbiting Earth every 92 minutes, ISS crew will get multiple chances to catch the four-hour eclipse on Aug. 21.

The veteran, who was selected as an astronaut in May 2004, is making his second trip to the ISS and his first long-duration mission. In 2009, he flew aboard space shuttle Atlantis to the station.

Bresnik, Ryazanskiy and Nespoli are expected to reach the space station at 6 p.m. ET.

NASA ENGINEERS TEST ENGINE FOR WORLDS MOST POWERFUL ROCKET

In April, Whitson clinched the record for most days in space by an American when she clocked up a cumulative 534 days. This is Whitsons third long-duration stay on the International Space Station  she will have spent more than 650 days in space by the time she returns to Earth in September.

No stranger to records, Whitson became the first woman to command the International Space Station in 2008, and on April 9 2017 became the first woman to command it twice. In March, she also clinched the record for most spacewalks by a female.

In addition to Whitson, Bresnik will also join fellow NASA astronaut Jack Fischer on the ISS.

ASTRONAUT HABITAT FOR MARS MISSIONS COULD BE MADE FROM RECYCLED SPACE SHUTTLE PARTS

U.S. Air Force Col. Fischer arrived at the ISS in April and is scheduled to return to Earth in September.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
Leonardo DiCaprio is best known for his acting repertoire, but its his off-screen work that may leave the most lasting mark on the earth.

For years, DiCaprio has been on the forefront of the environmental movement, often appearing in documentaries and even starting the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, which is dedicated to the long-term health and well-being of the Earths inhabitants.

And while DiCaprio has long been celebrated for his conservation work, there is one area where he is criticized more than any other: his use of private planes to attend environmental galas.

In his 2016 Oscar acceptance speech, DiCaprio said: "Climate change is real, it is happening right now. It is the most urgent threat facing our entire species, and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating. We need to support leaders around the world who do not speak for the big polluters, but who speak for all of humanity, for the indigenous people of the world, for the billions and billions of underprivileged people out there who would be most affected by this."

However, as The Daily Mail noted, the actor/environmentalist also flew from Los Angeles to New York City six times in six weeks on a private plane in 2014, racking up some serious carbon miles, and making him one of those big polluters he mentioned in his speech.

As Forbes calculated, if DiCaprio took commercial flights for all of his travels in 2014, hed be responsible for 44 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, or more than twice the yearly amount of the average American citizen.

But now, to offset his carbon footprint  and perhaps to offset some of the criticism hes endured  DiCaprio says he will fly commercial to his foundations fourth annual awards gala in St. Tropez. There, he will also dine on a sustainably sourced pescatarian meal, according to W Magazine.

DiCaprio, however, isnt alone in taking the blame for Carbon emissions. As New York Magazine recently reminded us, every round-trip ticket on flights from New York to London  costs the Arctic three more square meters of ice.
A judge has ordered Baylor University to turn over to plaintiffs' attorneys records of all cases of sexual assault and harassment since 2003 in a lawsuit against the nation's largest Baptist school.

A group of women is suing Baylor, claiming the school in Texas mishandled or ignored claims of sexual assault for years. Baylor officials wanted to provide the court with a summary of cases. They cited privacy concerns for students not part of the lawsuit.

U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman in Waco said Wednesday that the assault reports will be covered by a protective order against public release.

Pitman said Baylor would not have to turn over documents it provided to the Big 12, investigators for the NCAA and a state criminal probe.
A North Dakota woman who threatened some Muslim women in a Walmart parking lot met with two of them Thursday and all "expressed their sincere regrets" about the incident and apologized, Fargo's police chief said Thursday.

Police Chief David Todd posted a photo on Facebook Thursday of Amber Hensley of Mapleton with her arms around Leyla Hassan and Sarah Hassan, with Todd in the background.

Todd said the women "have come together and talked through this incident."

"We have some ugliness in our community that needs to be addressed and worked on," Todd said. "However, perhaps we can all take a lesson from what was an ugly unfortunate interaction and how even despite words being said that cannot be taken back, forgiveness and understanding can still be achieved."

Hensley had said she was upset that the car the Muslim women were in was parked too close to her car in a Walmart parking lot in Fargo. One of the Muslim women recorded video of Hensley shouting "We're going to kill all of you" and posted it on Facebook Tuesday night.

Hensley told KVRR-TV in a Facebook message that she lost her cool and wished she could take her comments back. In her apology she said one of the women she yelled at insulted Jesus, but Sarah Hassan told The Forum of Fargo that did not happen.

A partner at Horab & Wentz, the Fargo accounting firm where Hensley worked as a part-time secretary, confirms that she has since been fired. Deputy Fargo Police Chief Joe Anderson earlier told KFGO-AM that police were investigating the confrontation.

The three women in the car are originally from Somalia and live in the Fargo area. The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has invited Hensley to meet with the Fargo Muslim community.

___

Corrects that woman shown threatening the Muslim women in the video is from North Dakota, not Minnesota.
An Indiana volunteer police lieutenant responding to a traffic accident was gunned down Thursday by one of the injured occupants of an overturned car, officials said.

The officer was identified as Lt. Aaron Allan, 38, a six-year veteran of the Southport Police Department who had 20 years of law enforcement experience. Allan was the department's officer of the year in 2015 and was known by his nickname, "Teddy Bear," The Washington Post reported.

"It is with a heavy heart that I say this afternoon we lost a brother, Lt. Aaron Allan," SPD Chief Thomas Vaughn said. "Lieutenant Allan was a hard worker, and today was no different. He responded to a crash with urgency to preserve life. Tragically, his was lost."

Jason Brown, 28, was one of two suspects taken into custody in the shooting and is facing a preliminary murder charge, according to a police report obtained by FOX59. Though a motive was not immediately disclosed, Hendricks County court records reviewed by The Indianapolis Star showed Brown had been convicted of misdemeanor marijuana possession in 2014 and was sentenced to 30 days in jail. The Indianapolis native, who remained hospitalized Friday in good condition, also had been issued three traffic tickets in Marion County and another in Greene County since 2009.

Allan was a member of the department's robust volunteer service, who work "with full police powers but without pay," according to the Indy Star.

NEW YORK CITY COP 'ASSASSINATED' IN THE BRONX

On Thursday, Allan, who had reportedly dreamed of becoming an officer since he was 5 years old, was called to a seemingly innocuous car accident in southern Marion County around 3 p.m.

Allan was at the scene with a second officer, from the Homecroft Police Department, and an off-duty Johnson County Sheriff's deputy. When Allan approached the flipped car, one of the two occupants started shooting, officials said.

The Homecroft officer and off-duty deputy returned fire, hitting the shooter, police said.

We heard a lot of sirens. We were unsure what was going on, witness Ciarra Williams told FOX 59. Others pedestrians near the scene reported being startled by the sound of gunshots.

INDIANAPOLIS DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF DIES FROM INJURIES SUFFERED IN CAR CRASH

Betsy Strohm, a resident of the Southport neighborhood, called the shooting death "devastating."

"This never should happen to any police officer, especially when they're giving their time to help our community," Strohm told the Indy Star. "This is very, very sad."

Today, Lt. Aaron Allan was doing what officers do each day: responding to the scene of an accident to help someone in their time of need, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett tweeted. His death is a shocking and tragic reminder of the difficult, often dangerous work of police officers across Marion County.

Allan was the second Indiana police officer to die Thursday.

Deputy Chief James "Jim" Waters, 48, died after he was involved in a serious car crash during the weekend. Waters was traveling eastbound on the interstate when a semi hit his vehicle from behind, fire officials told FOX 59.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman (Source: VNA)



The PM hailed the outcomes of the fifth meeting of the Vietnam - Malaysia Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific, and Technological Cooperation, as the two sides reviewed the cooperation in politics, trade, investment, national defence - security, agro-forestry and discussed measures for existing issues, and promotion of multi-dimensional cooperation. The meeting was co-chaired by the Malaysian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

Malaysia is the seventh biggest trade partner and investor of Vietnam, having a trade value with Vietnam worth USD8.4 billion in 2016 and a total investment of USD12 billion as of May, 2017, PM Phuc said. He, however, noted that these figures have yet to match with the two nations cooperation potential.

He urged the two sides to join hands in conducting activities to mark the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2018, soon start negotiations and signing of cooperation agreements on anti-human trafficking, extradition, transfer of sentenced persons, search and rescue at sea, and boost labour and tourism links and people-to people exchange.

Vietnam has created all favourable conditions for Malaysian investors in Vietnam, he reiterated.

Welcoming Malaysias stance on the East Sea issues, PM Phuc underscored the spirit of building the East Sea a region of peace, friendship, aviation and maritime freedom, and settling disputes peacefully on the basis of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982 (UNCLOS).

For his part, the Malaysian Foreign Minister pledged that Malaysia will cooperate with Vietnam to take full advantage of each nations market.

Malaysia will also work closely with Vietnam in international and regional issues of common interests, including the East Sea ones, Minister Anifah Aman said, affirming that Malaysia supports settling disputes with respect to the international law, including the UNCLOS 1982.

He affirmed that Prime Minister Najib Razak will attend the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in the central city of Da Nang in November./.
Two Mexican nationals were found guilty for the 2011 murder of U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE) Special Agent Jaime J. Zapata on Thursday.

Jose Manuel Garcia-Sota and Jesus Ivan Quezada-Pina had been charged with murder, attempted murder and a weapons charge in connection to the death.

Zapata, 32, was killed in February 2011 near San Luis Potosi, Mexico when he was attacked by members of the Zetas drug cartel.

The two defendants are among nine men implicated in an ambush which left Zapata dead and his fellow ICE agent, Victor Avila, seriously injured.

NEW EVIDENCE: ICE AGENT WHO SURVIVED 2011 AMBUSH CALLS FOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION

Garcia and Quezeda-Pina were found guilty of felony murder and other crimes in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The attack on Zapata and Avila, Mexican authorities said, was an issue of mistaken identity, The Brownsville Herald reported.

Earlier this month Avila urged two congressional committees with oversight to investigate after new evidence in the incident surfaced.

"Id like the Homeland Security Committee and the Senate Homeland Security Committee to hopefully hold congressional hearings on this matter, to have the individuals surrounding this whole assignment be brought in and questioned as to what happened and why they made these decisions," Avila said.

Fox News Jake Gibson and Catherine Herridge contributed to this report.
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It was no laughing matter.

A Hollis, Maine, man allegedly wore a clown mask this week while walking around with a machete duct-taped to the spot where his arm had been amputated.

Corey Berry, 31, was first spotted in Hollis, with residents contacting police at about 6 p.m. Tuesday, but then he headed into the woods, the Portland Press-Herald reported. He was taken into custody after re-emerging in Waterboro later that same night.

Police say Berry was intoxicated but cooperative. He told officers that he was copying previous clown sightings as a prank.

CREEPY CLOWN, SNAKE MENACING CHILDREN IN NORTH DAKOTA, POLICE SAY

Maine State Police Trooper Adam Schmidt told the paper that Berry was trying to prank a man who has children. "I asked 'How old are the other man's children?' and he said less than 7 years old," the trooper recalled.

Berry was charged with criminal threatening. He was released after posting $200 bail.

Bob Rousseau told the newspaper that Berry is "a pretty good neighbor."

"He's a hard worker, so I doubt he finds time to drink and act foolish," he added.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A woman has been arrested in Puerto Rico and charged in her baby's fatal fentanyl overdose in Florida last year.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that 26-year-old Caroline Quiles Sanchez was arrested Wednesday in Gurabo, a small town southeast of San Juan. She faces a manslaughter charge in central Florida.

A Kissimmee police report says a member of the infant's household was using prescription fentanyl patches for pain relief. Investigators believe Quiles Sanchez used a patch to give 3-month-old Danuel Otrtiz a lethal dose of the synthetic opioid in July 2016. Police say the child's age made accidental ingestion unlikely.

Quiles Sanchez had been living in Puerto Rico since shortly after the child's death.

Quiles Sanchez wasn't immediately booked into a Florida jail. It wasn't known if she had an attorney.

___

Information from: Orlando Sentinel, http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
Two Houston police officers serving on a DWI task force were knocked off a freeway and fell nearly 20 feet early Friday morning when a suspected drunk driver reportedly struck a stopped vehicle and then careened towards the cops.

The officers, who werent immediately identified, didnt suffer serious injuries, KTRK reported. Investigators said the 25-year-old female driver smelled of alcohol and authorities were investigating the incident as a DWI.

Officials said firefighters screamed a warning to the officers as the car drove towards them. One of the officers fell from the freeway ledge, while the other officer jumped out of the way and also went over the ledge. He clung to the side before eventually letting go and plunging to the ground, KTRK reported.

You've got essentially a 3,000, 4,000, 10,000-pound weapon coming straight at these officers, HPD Sgt. Thomas Fendia told The Houston Chronicle. There's absolutely nothing they can doit's a scary situation. It really is.

Both cops landed on their backs in a grassy area 16 feet below the freeway. Neither officer suffered any broken bones in the fall.
A Canada companys controversial bid to prospect for gold near Yellowstone National Park has won approval from Montana regulators despite local opposition.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality granted Vancouver-based Lucky Minerals a license Wednesday to drill exploration holes for gold and other metals in the Absaroka Mountains, 12 miles east of the town of Emigrant and approximately 20 miles northeast of Yellowstone.

We took a hard look at the comments received and the issues identified, the agencys director, Tom Livers, said. Ultimately, the company has agreed to mitigations beyond what is required in statute.

Nearly 4,000 individuals, organizations and agencies submitted comments with many opposed to Lucky Mines' application, according to Mining.com.

Opponents fear the mining operation could harm the local tourism industry and pollute the nearby Yellowstone River, according to the news outlet.

Legislation proposed by U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., would bar future mining claims on 30,000 acres of public lands outside Yellowstone. The Obama administration imposed a two-year ban on those lands last November.

Lucky Minerals proposal is on private land, but officials say it might not be economically viable without mining on adjacent public lands.

A representative of conservation group Yellowstone Gateway Business Coalition told NBC Montana the group worries the project may one day expand onto public land.

A Lucky Mines vice president, Shaun Dykes, told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle that theres more work to do before the company begins drilling, but hes happy theyve gotten past this first step.

Thats one hurdle done, he told the paper.

Lucky Mines will be required to post a cash bond before it can begin drilling.

The gulch where Lucky Mines wants to drill was mined in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the paper reported. Companies have been back sporadically in the past few decades.

Lucky Mines believes it will be successful in finding gold because it plans to drill deeper than other companies have, the paper reported.

The price of gold was about $1,267 per ounce the other day. Gold set a record of around $1,900 an ounce in 2011.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The House on Friday strongly backed a sweeping intelligence authorization bill that supports critical national security programs, including those addressing counterterrorism and cyberattacks, and takes a tacit swipe at President Donald Trump.

The vote was 380-35 for the bill that sets spending levels for national intelligence programs slightly below the amount sought by President Donald Trump. The amount is not disclosed.

The bill reflects tensions over Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election and the disclosure of classified information. It requires the intelligence community to provide reports to Congress regarding future threats to federal elections and Russia's effort to influence foreign elections. It also requires reports on investigations stemming from the leak of classified information.

Democrats had previously blocked passage of the bill under a process that did not allow for an extended debate. Still, the bill was considered non-controversial and committee leaders from both parties encouraged colleagues to support it.

The bill included a proposal from Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla, stemming from Trump's meeting in May with Russian officials in which he shared intelligence about an Islamic State threat involving laptops carried on airplanes.

The bill states that it's the sense of Congress that agencies should submit prompt, written notification to the intelligence committees after becoming aware that an individual in the executive branch has disclosed classified information outside established channels to an official of North Korea, Iran, China, Russia or Cuba.

"Our partners might decide to stop sharing critical intelligence with us if they lose confidence in our capacity to keep it confidential," Murphy said.

Democrats used the debate to renew their push for an outside, independent commission to review how to prevent Russia and others from meddling in future elections. So far, Republicans haven't backed them up.

"Our election systems are part of the critical infrastructure for our country, some of the most critical infrastructure of our democracy itself. We must protect it," said Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
An inmate who escaped from a Louisiana prison on Thursday is reportedly suspected of murdering the assistant wardens daughter before he was shot dead by police.

The Louisiana Department of Corrections said 39-year-old Deltra Henderson vanished from the David Wade Correctional Center in Claiborne Parish on Thursday afternoon. Henderson stole a car and crashed it not far from the prison complex, according to USA Today.

TEXAS EXECUTES MAN FOR KILLING WOMAN IN 2004

Republican State Sen. Mike Walsworth, State Police Col. Kevin Reeves and Rep. Jack McFarland confirmed Hendersons escape and said the inmate killed a person while he was on the run -- but the name of the victim wasn't released.

Officials said they found Henderson hiding in a home on prison property later Thursday afternoon and officers surrounded the building. Henderson opened fire, and officers shot back, killing him.

INDIANA POLICE OFFICER DUBBED TEDDY BEAR GUNNED DOWN AFTER RESPONDING TO CAR CRASH

Henderson had been at the prison since 2001 after he was convicted for attempted armed robbery, aggravated burglary and cocaine distribution. His release date was set for March 28, 2025.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
North Carolina police are looking for a man suspected of killing two Charlotte residents Thursday morning.

A manhunt is now underway for Vurnel Smith Jr., 40.

Police were alerted to the killings by an injured woman who drove herself to the hospital and told police there might be other victims. When police began investigating, they found a dead body in the trunk of the car. Investigators are working to identify the deceased male found in the trunk.

The woman led investigators to the home of Jacquline Gordon-White, who police said was dead when they arrived at the scene.

Police with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department are asking the public to call 911 if they see the suspect or his vehicle.

Smith is a 65 black male and weighs approximately 230lbs. The CMPD tweeted he was last seen driving a black 2017 Honda with PAS-9116 North Carolina plates.
Many visitors to the annual Vietnam Medi Pharm Expo (Source: CPV)

The event will be held by Vietnam National Trade Fair & Advertising JSC (Vinexad) and HCM city Medical Equipment Association. It is expected to draw the participation of 250 businesses, including giant corporations and leading global companies from 22 countries and territories such as the US, Germany, France, Russia, Turkey, the Republic of Korea, Japan, and China.

Products on display will include medical and laboratory equipment and health care products; pharmaceuticals, functional foods, cosmetics, cosmetic equipment; machinery for processing and packaging pharmaceutical products; dental equipment; and ophthalmic equipment.

During the event, there will be a seminar on Vietnamese pharmacy and medicine market - current regulations and policies; workshops by companies participating in the exhibition; and a program for foreign businesses to visit a large hospital in the city in order to get an overview of the medical examination and treatment needs of local residents./.
A Mississippi man who has been in jail for 11 years without a trial for the alleged murder of his father soon will be released.

Police say Steven Jessie Harris was arrested in October 2005 for the murder of his father, Malichi Randle. He was indicted with 11 different counts including murder in 2006, but a later ruling declared him incompetent to stand trial after he was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott says Harris at the time went on a crime spree shooting his father and cars. He also allegedly carjacked and stabbed a driver. Deputies pursued Harris and the spree ended in a shootout with police injuring three deputies, according to police.

Scott says Harris spent much of the past 11 years in the Clay County Jail in-between medical evaluations.

Hes right back on the streets, Scott told Fox News. Theres no justice at all for the victims in this thing. The criminal courts and law enforcement [have] no jurisdiction over him at this point.

Harris lawyer Carlos Moore says his clients rights were violated and is working on a lawsuit against Clay County for damages. Moore took over Harris' case last year after being approached by his brother.

You have a constitutional right to speedy trial, there shouldnt be any cruel or unusual punishment, Moore said. Its very cruel and unusual to lock somebody up and throw away the key for 11 years without a trial. You have a fourth amendment right to no unreasonable searches and seizures. There were several constitutional rights that were violated.

Moore notes that charges theoretically could be brought back against Harris if his mental state changes in the future but says he doesnt see that happening. Charges levied against Harris were dismissed due to his mental status and he is expected to be released soon.



The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A teenage driver accused of causing a crash that killed her younger sister while livestreaming on Instagram will remain in jail after a California judge on Friday refused to lower bail.

Obdulia Sanchez, wearing yellow jail garb, sobbed as she entered the Merced County courtroom, and a bailiff handed her tissues.

Bail remains set at $560,000. Merced County Superior Court Judge David Moranda said it was on probation officers' recommendations, and that Sanchez had a prior reckless driving case as a juvenile.

Defense attorney Ramnik Samrao asked the judge to either lower the bail or allow his client to go free pending the case. He said that she has lived in group homes and has no way of raising that large sum.

"That's just absurd to believe that she would be able to do that," Samrao said outside the courtroom. "I think this bail is excessive for her, and it should have been reduced."

Prosecutors say the video, which includes images of the 18-year-old bouncing to music while in the driver's seat and taking her hands from the steering wheel, will be a key piece of evidence in the case.

Sanchez has pleaded not guilty to six felony counts that include gross vehicular manslaughter and drunken driving resulting in injuries. She could spend more than 13 years in state prison if convicted of all the charges.

Authorities say the Stockton woman was driving one week ago when the car veered onto the shoulder of a road about 75 miles (121 kilometers) northwest of Fresno.

She overcorrected, causing the vehicle to swerve and overturn into a field, ejecting and killing her 14-year-old sister, Jacqueline Sanchez, authorities say.

Obdulia Sanchez also spit and hurled racial slurs at first responders on the scene, kicking a paramedic in the face, so they strapped her to a gurney, say police reports in her court file.

An officer reported that she gave off a strong smell of alcohol and refused an alcohol screening, so officers obtained her medical records from the hospital where she was treated, showing she was legally drunk, the police reports say.

Before entering the courtroom, Nicandro Sanchez said that he feels he has lost two daughters. "Now I don't have my daughters  the young one, and the other one I lost too because (she is) in jail," the father said in English.

He spoke briefly on his daughter's behalf in court, saying through a Spanish interpreter that he had no hard feelings against her. "We're asking that she be returned home or to the home where she was being taken care of," he said.

Samrao said that the video does not show his client calling for help immediately after the crash, refuting claims that she didn't try to assist her dying sister.

The attorney explained his client's belligerent behavior toward first responders as her emotional reaction to being pulled away from her dead sister.

After a gap in the livestreamed video, Sanchez is seen leaning over the girl's body, saying she was sorry. She said she expected to spend the rest of her life in prison but doesn't care.

"This is the last thing I wanted to happen, OK? ... Rest in peace, sweetie," the teen says. "If you don't survive, I'm so (expletive) sorry."

Samrao said the teen believes she killed her sister. However, the court hasn't yet determined whether Sanchez committed any crimes, he said.

Merced County Chief Deputy District Attorney Harold Nutt has called the behavior displayed on the video "disturbing and shocking." He said the judge's decision to retain the bail was appropriate.

"I think she is a danger to society," Nutt said in court. "She doesn't have a stable home environment or a stable place to go to."
One of President Trumps main goals in office is to combat the notoriously violent MS-13 gang.

The gang, responsible for dozens of gruesome deaths throughout the U.S., was designated a priority last year by the Department of Justices Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. Prosecutors are able to pursue any legal avenue to target MS-13, according to Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Read on for a look at the gang and the Trump administrations fight against it.

What is MS-13?

MS-13 was started by Central American immigrants, mainly from El Salvador, in Los Angeles in the 1980s. It has expanded since to include Hondurans, Guatemalans, Mexicans and other Central and South Americans.

MS-13s motto is mata, viola, controla  which means "kill, rape, control," according to Robert Hur, an official with the Justice Department.

They seek to live up to this motto through truly shocking acts of violence designed to instill fear: vicious machete attacks, execution-style gunshots, gang rape and human trafficking.

Gang members perpetuate a number of various criminal acts, according to the FBI, including: murder, rape, home invasions, kidnapping, carjacking and robbery. The FBI said most of the crimes are carried out against members of rival gangs, but often innocent people are hurt as well.

Is it a big threat?

MS-13 recruits are middle- and high-school students, predominantly in immigrant communities, who are said to risk violent retribution if they leave.

Authorities estimate the group has tens of thousands of members across several Central American countries and many U.S. states. MS-13's presence is higher in the western and northeastern parts of the U.S., according to the FBI.

OFFICIALS DETAIL BEST WAYS TO COMBAT MS-13

The gang is believed to be behind at least 25 killings on Long Island in the past two years. Many teenagers on Long Island have been held on gang accusations, swept up in various federal investigations.

What has the Trump administration said about MS-13?

Trump called on Congress to finally close the deadly loopholes that have allowed MS-13 members into the U.S. during his first State of the Union address. He also acknowledged parents of MS-13 victims  some of whom were guests of the White House for the speech  and said the country is praying for you.

Trump has often blamed the Obama administration for the rise of MS-13 across the country. The gang was sanctioned as a transnational criminal organization by the Treasury Department in 2012.

Trump's Justice and Homeland Security Departments have made targeting the gang a top priority. Sessions instructed his department's law enforcement agencies and federal prosecutors across the country to prioritize MS-13 members prosecution, as directed by an executive order Trump signed in February 2017.

The classification of MS-13 allows some local police departments to tap into federal money to help with investigations. Suffolk County was granted $500,000 by the federal government.

Trump has used the word "animals" to describe members of MS-13, and says he will continue to use the term when speaking about members of the gang.



In July 2017, Trump visited Brentwood, N.Y., a town that has experienced firsthand the tragedy caused by MS-13, and pledged to push Congress for additional federal immigration agents to crack down on gang members who are in the country illegally. He is back on Long Island in May 2018 to hold a roundtable discussion on gang violence.

What are some of MS-13s more notable killings?

-Two teenage girls from Brentwood, N.Y. were found dead after being brutally beaten and cut in September 2016. Kayla Cuevas, 16, was targeted by gang members and her friend, 15-year-old Nisa Mickens, tried to scare off the attackers, WPIX-TV reported.

-The remains of Oscar Acosta, a 19-year-old high school senior, were found in a wooded area in Brentwood in September 2016. Acosta, who had been missing for months, came to the U.S. from El Salvador and had told his mother he was worried about gangs, she told WNBC-TV.

-The remains of Miguel Garcia-Moran were found in the same area as Acostas in September 2016. He was 15 years old at the time of his death and had been missing since February. Police said he was the victim of a homicidal beating.

-Damaris Reyes Rivas, 15, was killed in January 2017 and found one month later buried under railroad ties. The teenager, from Gaithersburg, Maryland, was stabbed multiple times by MS-13 gang members who filmed the brutal attack. Venus Romero Iraheta, who was 17 at the time of the attack, pleaded guilty in 2018 to the murder. She told Reyes Rivas dont forget my name during the slaying, Iraheta told investigators.

-Police in Nassau County charged Kevin Granados-Coreas, 19, and Carlos Portillo, 22, with second-degree murder in the killing of Julio Cesar Gonzales-Espantzay. Police said MS-13 gang members lured the 19-year-old with the promise of marijuana and sex before they hacked him to death in a park. Gonzales-Espantzay was not a gang member, police said.

-Prosecutors said Christian Villagran Morales was stabbed more than 153 times in a Maryland park. Juan Gutierrez-Vazquez took part in the 2016 killing, holding down the victim while other gang members took turns stabbing him, prosecutors said. Gutierrez-Vazquez pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Vanesa Alvarado, who was accused of luring Morales to the park, was also sentenced to 40 years in jail.

-The bodies of four young men, ranging in ages from 16 to 20, were found in April 2017 in a park in Central Islip, N.Y. Police said all had signs of significant trauma. Justin Llivicura, 16; Michael Lopez Banegas, 20; Jefferson Villalobos, 18; and Jorge Tigre, 18; were reportedly lured to the park by two women associated with MS-13 before they were ambushed by more than a dozen gang members armed with wooden clubs and machetes.

-Angel Soler was 15 years old when he went missing in July 2017. His body was found a few months later in the Roosevelt hamlet of Long Island, police said. Soler was hacked to death with a machete as he was attacked by a group of people, police said. Several MS-13 members have been indicted or charged in connection to his murder.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Nepal's prime minister has added 19 new ministers to the Cabinet, giving some stability to his coalition government nearly two months after assuming office.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was elected last month but has run the government with only eight Cabinet ministers because the coalition partners could not agree on how many ministries each party should receive.

The new ministers took their oaths of office Wednesday administrated by President Bidhya Devi Bhadari.

Deuba is Nepal's 10th prime minister in 11 years.
A female tourist was bitten by a shark this week, according to authorities in the Bahamas.

The woman was snorkeling when she was bitten on her ankle and foot on Thursday, and was hospitalized. Her condition wasn't immediately clear.

Assistant Police Commissioner Stephen Dean said that he did not have further details. Dean did not immediately reply to a message seeking comment from Fox News.

PREVENTING SHARK ATTACKS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Several attacks have occurred in recent years across the Bahamas, where bull and tiger sharks are present.

Just last month, a North Carolina mother of three lost part of her arm to a shark bite. In that incident, cruise ship passenger Tiffany Johnson was snorkeling when she came across the shark.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The two remaining members of the "Axis of Evil" launched rockets on back-to-back days, with Iran and North Korea blatantly flouting international resolve as each took significant steps toward developing their own nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles.

North Korea on Friday for the second time this month successfully launched an ICBM into space and had its re-entry vehicle splash down. Friday's rocket landed in the Sea of Japan, about 600 miles from the launch pad; however, U.S. officials were still assessing the missile's apex, which more accurately determines how far away the rocket could strike.

On Thursday, Iran launched its own rocket -- based off a North Korean design -- towards space. The Islamic Republic said the launch was a success, but U.S. assessments pegged the Iranian posture as propaganda. Officials believe the Iranian rocket suffered a "catastrophic failure" and likely blew up.

Neither missile posed an imminent threat to North America, however, the North Korea launch drew a swift response from the Pentagon.

"Our commitment to the defense of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, remains ironclad," spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis said. "We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation."



While North Korea is actively and openly engaged in trying to perfect its ICBM technology so the rocket could one day be topped with a nuke and potentially launched at foes around the globe, Iran's program is far more secretive.

Following the landmark Iran nuke deal signed two years ago and championed by the Obama administration, Iran's development of a nuclear bomb was believed to have been pushed back significantly. But officials believe Thursday's launch of a space vehicle carrying a satellite payload was merely a test of technology that could be easily adapted to an ICBM.

The Trump administration, which has railed against the Obama-brokered nuclear deal, moved on Friday to impose additional sanctions on Iran due to the -- ultimately unsuccessful -- rocket test.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the sanctions illustrated deep U.S. concerns about Irans missile testing and other actions. He said the U.S. would continue countering Irans ballistic missile program -- including the provocative space launch.

The U.S. has said the launch flouted a United Nations Security Council resolution because the technology is inherently designed to be able to carry a nuclear payload.

The North Korean launch had been expected by U.S. analysts, who initially believed the launch date would be Thursday -- the 64th anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended fighting in the Korean war. But bad weather apparently scuttled the launch and it was moved back one day.

Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A much-hyped Tehran space launch turned out to be a dud, as the Iranian Simorgh rocket suffered a "catastrophic failure" shortly after liftoff on Thursday and likely blew up before it reached space, two U.S. officials told Fox News.

On Thursday, U.S. Strategic Command, which monitors launches around the world, could only confirm a satellite was not deployed from the rocket. But fresh intelligence assessments on Friday confirmed yet another failure by the Islamic Republic in its mission to place an operational satellite into orbit --something Tehran has never done before, despite repeated attempts over the past few years.

Officials have long been concerned the technology used to put a satellite into space could also be repurposed to make a long-range ballistic missile capable of one day potentially hitting the U.S. The Simorgh rocket is based on a North Korean design.

Iran's state media on Thursday claimed the launch was successful, but U.S. spy agencies quickly determined that assessment was more propaganda than fact.



But even though it failed, Iran's attempted rocket launch succeeded in violating United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

Critics of the UN resolution -- which went into effect days after the landmark Iran nuclear agreement two years ago -- say the language is purposefully weak, however, and does not forbid Iran from carrying out such tests. The resolution states Iran is merely "called upon" not to conduct such rocket and missile tests.

"We would consider that a violation of UNSCR 2231," Nauert said flatly. "We consider that to be continued ballistic missile development."
The Latest on developments at a contested shrine in Jerusalem (all times local):

11 a.m.

Jordan's attorney general has filed murder charges against an Israeli embassy guard in the shooting deaths of two Jordanians.

The guard left for Israel after the shooting, under the protection of diplomatic immunity.

State media said Friday that Attorney General Akram Masaadeh charged the guard with two counts of murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

The reports say Masaadeh called for the guard to be tried in Israel, and that Jordan would relay such a demand through diplomatic channels.

Israel's prime minister welcomed the guard like a hero, suggesting a trial is unlikely.

Jordanian authorities have said the guard opened fire Sunday after a 16-year-old attacked him with a screw driver during a furniture delivery to the embassy. A Jordanian standing near the teen was also killed.

___

8:20 a.m.

Israeli police say men under the age of 50 will be barred from a major Jerusalem shrine at the center of recent tensions.

Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says the move comes after security assessments show Palestinians plan protests at the holy compound Friday. The site is sacred to both Muslims and Jews.

Rosenfeld says some Palestinians barricaded themselves inside Al-Aqsa Mosque overnight in order to join protests later. Police removed them after they refused to leave, he said.

Friday prayers are the highlight of the Muslim religious week. Thousands of Muslims from around Israel and Palestinian areas typically worship at the holy compound in Jerusalem's Old City.

Muslims returned to pray at the site Thursday after Israel removed security devices at the entrances.
North Koreas nuclear program has put the world on high alert, and it is driving more and more Americans to go underground.

The Pentagon confirmed that Thursday night the Kim Jong Un regime fired an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile that appears to have landed in the waters within a couple hundred miles of Japans coast.

As North Korea conducts more frequent missile tests nervous people in the U.S. and elsewhere are doing something about it, purchasing underground bomb shelters to protect themselves.

Recent reports show that citizens of Japan have been rushing to buy bomb shelters after North Korea tested another intercontinental ballistic missile three weeks ago. Japan hasnt gotten along with the hermit kingdom for decades and is well within range of an attack -- Tokyo is just 800 miles away -- yet something about these new threats seems to have people there more on edge.

We offer both simple and luxurious bunkers, but rest assured that they all offer the same level of protection.  Gary Lynch, Rising S Bunkers

Indeed, a Japanese company, Earth Shift, that builds shelters to protect families from natural disasters told Fox News that most of their clients now are people concerned about an attack.

The amount of inquiry that we receive in a month has been increased, the company said in an email. It was about one to five times in a month, but after North Korea evolution [was] picked up [by the] media, we receive around 50 times in a month.

One American underground shelter manufacturer located in Texas, Rising S Company, has seen an astronomical uptick in our sales for Japan, according to General Manager, Gary Lynch. In the past two weeks, nearly 90% of our calls are from this region and all have the same concern, he told Fox News. That concern, he says, is North Korea.

Rising S builds shelters that range in size--from a 96-square-foot abode for two to the massive 'Aristocrat' which can sleep 44 people, includes 10 individual master bedrooms and is priced at over $8 million. Lynch said in Japan, where space is tight, the more popular shelters are the smaller ones.

The companys bunkers are designed to last forever and are able to hold a year's worth of food per resident. Lynch said Rising S tries to make their shelters feel more like a home. If people are more comfortable inside their shelter, then they are more likely to use it and not have a problem waiting out the dangerous elements that could loom outside, he said.

"Built in America, installed worldwide," Lynch said. We offer both simple and luxurious bunkers, but rest assured that they all offer the same level of protection. He said that he sells in many countries where people fear their neighboring countries and even their own governments, like Venezuela.

Right now, though it is all about North Korea.

North Korea has been a threat for quite some time now, but our previous administration chose to ignore the warning signs and pretend they did not exist, Lynch told Fox News. Now that Trump has taken office we are seeing this threat being addressed and it is causing tensions not only in that region but for the U.S. mainland as well.

Just this week a leading North Korea expert told Fox News that Pyongyang is a year and a half away from creating a nuclear missile capable of reaching the United States.

That concerns Lynchs clientele in this country. All of our recent calls from the west coast are showing this as their biggest concern, he said.

A Rising S client from the San Francisco Bay area, who asked to remain anonymous, said she considered purchasing a bomb shelter for a long time.

But today, she said, there is a sense of urgency now because of what is going on in the world today.

Asked about North Korea, she said she believe the tensions in the region surrounding North Korea are at the highest levels since the Korean War.

Although they have acted out in the past they did not have ICBMs capable of hitting the United States, she said. Being a resident of the San Francisco Bay area, we could potentially be a target.

She said she knows others just as concerned as she is about North Korea.

There are a few who thought I was crazy three months ago when I purchased my bomb shelter from Rising S Company, but those same people are now either purchasing one or have plans to do so, she said.

Another Rising S client from Northern California who asked not to be identified told Fox News she purchased shelter just recently.

I love it, she told Fox News. I feel so much safer.

She said she wanted a shelter for a number of reasons and North Korea was one of them.

North Korea could really f*** us up, she said.

As Hawaii confronts the threat from North Korea, the states Emergency Management Agency says it is prepared.

Preparedness = An informed public (including visitors) that know what to expect and what to do  for all hazards, agency head Vern Miyagi told Fox News in an email.

He attached a document to the email showing that his agency is taking steps to be prepared, including updating the siren warning system.

In conjunction with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and other state and federal agencies, prepare a planning scenario focused on a 15-kiloton nuclear weapon detonated 1,000 feet above the city of Honolulu, the document says.

Miyagi attached another agency document that advises citizens what to do in the event of an attack.

If you are indoors, stay indoors well away from windows, it says. If you are outdoors, seek immediate shelter in a building preferably a concrete structure.

The advisory also recommends remaining sheltered until you are told it is safe to leave or two weeks (14 days) have passed, whichever comes first.

Two weeks after a nuclear blast in a concrete structure above ground, or in a bomb shelter underground, is advice that everyone we spoke with said hopefully will never need to be taken.

Additional Reporting: Kristine Kotta & Rebecca Kesten
A protester lit himself on fire Friday outside the Sydney headquarters of Australias Department of Immigration, New South Wales authorities said.

Police at the scene initially tried to negotiate with the man, who was believed to be about 30 years old. But he poured gasoline on his body and lit himself on fire.

Officers quickly ran over and sprayed him with a fire extinguisher.

According to police Superintendent David Donohue, the man was deeply disturbed and upset and would have killed himself if police hadnt intervened, the Guardian reported.

The man was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. His nationality was not immediately disclosed, and it was not clear whether he was a legal immigrant or an asylum seeker.

Im not at liberty to discuss what his issues were, but he was protesting the Department of Immigration, Donohue said at a news conference.

Last year, a Somali refugee lit herself on fire while in immigration detention in Nauru  an island nation in Micronesia -- and an Iranian refugee died following a similar incident while protesting during a U.N. trip to the island, the Guardian reported.
It is not a bad thing for us, that the route known as the Goldene Strae or the Golden Road as we will get to know it- has escaped the attention of so many. It has been spared being overrun by hordes of tourists and as you will discover the
Russian President Vladimir Putin finally took his revenge on Friday, responding to a months-old censure from the Obama administration and new Congressional sanctions by closing down several American facilities in Russia and ordering a reduction in the number of U.S. diplomats allowed in the country.

Following the U.S. Senate's approval on Thursday of fresh, sweeping sanctions against Russia, the country's Foreign Ministry ordered a reduction in the number of U.S. diplomats in Russia by Sept. 1 and said it was closing down a U.S. recreation retreat outside Moscow as well as warehouse facilities.

The Kremlin said the number of U.S. diplomats was being cut to 455, however, it wasn't immediately clear how many U.S. diplomats currently serve in Russia, thus it's not known how big of a reduction Putin actually ordered.

The new Russian Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, told Fox News on Friday that Putin felt it was finally time to respond to the United States.

"It was a reaction, which was delayed for very considerable time, for half a year in the hope the current administration wouldnt do the damage the Obama administration did," Nebenzia said. "Weve been robbed of our own compounds here, absolutely illegally, and our diplomats were sent out.

"In diplomacy you know there is real reciprocity, which is sometimes is nicknamed tit-for-tat, and weve been restrained and calm and polite long enough. And we were warning our American counterparts that we would be obliged to do so if there is no progress on that issue, and there is no progress on that issue. The time has come that we had to do it."

Congress' package of stiff financial sanctions, which also punished Iran and North Korea, still needs to be signed by President Trump, which is no sure bet. The legislation bars Trump from easing or waiving the penalties on Russia unless Congress agrees.

However, even if Trump were to veto the sanctions, it's likely Congress could override the president and push the package through. The Senate passed the bill, 98-2, two days after the House approved the measure by an overwhelming margin, 419-3.

The legislation is aimed at punishing Moscow for its alleged role in meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and for the Kremlin's military aggression in Ukraine and Syria, where the Putin's intervention has helped prop up the beleaguered government of President Bashar Assad.

Russia's Foreign Ministry dismissed the new sanctions as "creating unfair competitive advantages for the U.S. economy."



"This kind of blackmail aimed at restricting the cooperation between Russia and other nations is a threat for many countries and global businesses," the statement said.



The 184-page bill seeks to hit Putin and the oligarchs close to him by targeting Russian corruption, human rights abusers and crucial sectors of the Russian economy, including weapons sales and energy exports.

The bill underwent revisions to address concerns voiced by American oil and natural gas companies, who argued that sanctions specific to Russia's energy sector could backfire on them, and work to Moscow's benefit. The bill raised the threshold for when U.S. firms would be prohibited from being part of energy projects that also included Russian businesses.

Lawmakers said they also made adjustments so the sanctions on Russia's energy sector didn't undercut the ability of U.S. allies in Europe to get access to oil and gas resources outside of Russia.

Russia's response to the sanctions mirrors moves made by outgoing President Barack Obama last December to expel 35 Russian diplomats and shut down two Russian estates in the U.S. as punishment for alleged election meddling. At the time, with a new president set to take over, Putin said he would not immediately retaliate, wanting to see if relations improved under Trump.

But Trump hasn't moved to undo Obama's expulsions and closings, and with Congress acting on additional punitive measures, Moscow acted. The Kremlin said it would cut the U.S. diplomatic corps even further if the U.S. decided to expel more Russian diplomats to continue the tit-for-tat.



The Kremlin had previously said that it would not impose any sanctions on the U.S. until and if Trump signed the sanctions bill.

Fox News' Ben Evansky and The Associated Press contributed reporting to this story.
The United States on Friday imposed new ballistic missile sanctions on Iran, a day after the Islamic Republic launched a rocket towards space.

Though the flight ultimately wasn't successful, officials told Fox News, Iran's rocket is thought to be a step toward developing an intercontinental ballistic missile that could one day carry a nuclear weapon.

The sanctions announced on Friday target six Iranian subsidiaries of the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group. The Treasury Department said that group is central to Irans ballistic missiles program.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the sanctions illustrate deep U.S. concerns about Irans missile testing and other actions. He said the U.S. would continue countering Irans ballistic missile program -- including Thursdays provocative space launch.

The U.S. has said the launch flouted a United Nations Security Council resolution because the technology is inherently designed to be able to carry a nuclear payload.

The sanctions come as the Trump administration continues debating its Iran policy and whether to scrap the 2015 nuclear deal.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
New U.K. Treasury chief Jeremy Hunt has reversed most of an economic package announced by the government just weeks ago, including a planned cut in income taxes. Hunt said Monday he was scrapping almost all the tax cuts announced last month by the Conservative government of Prime Minister Liz Truss, and also signaled that public spending cuts are on the way. It was a bid to soothe turbulent financial markets spooked by fears of excessive government borrowing. The move raises questions about how long the beleaguered prime minister can stay in office, though Truss insisted she has no plans to quit. She vowed to lead the Conservatives into the next general election, but many in the party want her gone.
The Sound of Music said auf wiedersehen a few weeks ago, but the Kennedy Centers love affair with Rodgers and Hammerstein continues with Bartlett Shers sumptuous staging of The King and I.

This Tony-winning revival came from the Lincoln Center Theater, which saw many a king, from Ken Watanabe and Daniel Dae Kim to Hoon Lee and Jose Llana. It also gave Broadway darling Kelli OHara, who played Anna, her first Tony.

D.C. audiences are in for a royal treat with Llana reprising his portrayal of the stubborn monarch, and the fact that hes a hometown boy from Northern Virginia makes the whole performance even more special. His theatrical career comes full circle with this showhis first Broadway role was Lun Tha, the doomed young man in love with one of the kings many wives.

Set in 19th-century Bangkok, The King and I tells the story of the ruler of Siam, King Mongkrut, and how his perspective changes with the arrival of British schoolteacher Anna Leonowens, who is brought in to give his children a Western education.

The recent widow and her young son, Louis, open the show with dramatic flair, standing on the deck of an enormous boat on the famous Chao Phraya river with smoke billowing about against a reddish-orange sky. This is just the first of many breathtaking moments in this gorgeously mounted production, designed by Michael Yeargan.

Anna learns that the king has 67 childrenhe started late, he tells her. It doesnt take long for the children to like their new teacherthey simply adore Anna. The one holdout is the Prince Chulalongkorn, the heir to the throne and who later became known as Rama V, the countrys modernizing monarch. The look on the kids' faces when they see how small Siam is on the classroom's world map is precious. The children in this production are numerous and as expected, adorable.

Anna and the king constantly battle with each other, from his broken promise of separate housing for her family, to the schoolteacher's penchant for speaking her mind in a culture where women rarely raise their voices. Soon, these two strong-willed individuals from vastly different backgrounds come to learn from, and eventually care for, one another.

Llana and Laura Michelle Kelly are paired beautifully, and share a strong chemistry. There's an energy in their performances, whether they're at each other's throats or simply allowing themselves to listen. On top of a powerful singing voice, Llana has a commanding presence and terrific comedic timing (his facial expressions are a hoot). And Kelly is absolutely sublime with a performance that combines beauty, strength and grace.

Their grand "Shall We Dance?" scene is deservedly iconic. Wearing one of Catherine Zuber's mountainous ball gowns, Kelly and Llana seem to float across stage. It's a dance that you just wish went on forever.

This musical is rich with culture and vibrant colors; the traditional dress of the royal wives and the costumes and headresses worn during The Small House of Uncle Thomas drama, performed before the king and his guests, are particularly exquisite. With the ballet inspired by Uncle Toms Cabin," Tuptimthe rebellious new bride and Lun Tha's lovenarrates a story that blatantly parallels her own situation.

Lady Thiang may not be as vocal as Anna or Tuptim, but shes strong in her own way. Joan Almedilla brings a quiet strength to her role as the fiercely devoted head wife and mother to the crown prince. Lady Thiang shares her thoughts about her husband in Something Wonderful, a brief but beautiful song.

Rodgers and Hammersteins soaring melodies elevate the story about two cultures coming together and learning from one another in this timeless tale. A gem of a production, "The King and I" shows that these classic musicals are worth getting to know again.
Televisions are the design worlds version of a Rorschach test. To take it, just ask yourself this question: Does a television hung above a fireplace mantel make you want to settle in with a bowl of popcorn  or scream?

If you fall in with the primal screamers, you might be a woman (designers find that men tend to focus on TVs and electronics in the home, while women focus on how to hide them) or a design nerd, or you might just be someone who isnt attuned to the nuances of The Great British Baking Show. The reasons not important. What is important is making sure youre not looking at a shiny black box in the middle of your living room that makes you want to scream.

Weirdly, one form of relief comes from Samsung, the people who are responsible for a lot of the giant black boxes hanging on living room walls. Earlier this year, the company announced The Frame, a television designed specifically to not look like a television. Instead, it masquerades as framed artwork.

Recently released in the U.S., The Frame has a charcoal black edge that looks like a sleek, modern frame for artwork. (Frames in walnut, beige wood or white are sold separately.) And it comes with an art mode that allows you to program artwork or photos (choose from a free offering of 100 pieces, ranging from nature photos to modern drawings, or purchase additional options, or use your own image) to remain on the screen when youre not watching TV.

You can even choose a matte color and layout to give your artwork that custom framing look. Sure, its expensive (about $2,000 for the 55-inch model, samsung.com) but its all in the name of fooling the eye, and soothing that savage design beastwhile not giving up Game of Thrones.
Jason Souzas efforts to help orphans in Kenya has grown from collecting shoes and buying goats and chickens to providing them an entirely new place to live.

But the Fredericksburg defense contractor, who travels with co-workers to war-torn parts of the world to teach others how to disarm explosive ordnance, says the impact his team has had on the children pales in comparison to the impact the kids have had on them.

I would have to say [its] changed our lives, Souza wrote in an email.

And, with donations received after The Free LanceStars July 6 story, the project has moved forward faster than expected. Workers have almost completed a common building, where kids can get out of the desert sun and gather for meals, and have started a second building that will be used as a dorm.

Free LanceStar readers have been amazing, wrote a grateful Souza. The kids love what we are doing and really look forward to moving into the new compound.

OF SHOES AND THORNS

Souza is a director with PAE, an American company with workers on all seven continents and an office in Massaponax. On his first trip to Archers Post in Kenya, he saw children walking barefoot over lava rock and thorns so thick they cut into his military boots.

They didnt have a choice. There werent any shoes.

He wanted to help them, so he checked with family members back in the states. Last fall, Fredericksburg residents collected shoes and clothing for the children, and the PAE workers also bought them mattresses and mosquito netting.

Souza learned the back story on the orphanagethat the Mama Wachiras Childrens Home started in 1980 and continued to take in youngsters even after founder Noel Muriithi was killed by an improvised explosive device in 2008.

Muriithis daughter, Eva Wachiras, continues his work, but doesnt ask for handouts. Only after the Americans pressed her about what she and the children needed did she request help. She wanted to find ways her group, which consists of about 30 orphans, could sustain themselves. So, the defense contractors raised money to buy the orphanage chickens and goats.

But that still wasnt enough.

HOW NICE IT IS

When Souza and others saw the smiles on the faces of the children, who wanted nothing more than for the workers to spend time with them, the men decided to give them a better place to live and study. Souza started a Go Fund Me page that has raised more than $17,000. Its address is gofundme.com/kenya-orphanage-sustainable-food.

The project also is on Facebook under the name, EOD Vets Partnership with Mama Wachiras Childrens Home. All the PAE workers served in the military, just as Souza did, disposing of unexploded ordnance.

The Americans have hired local contractors to do some of the labor and have gotten voluntary help from the Kenyan Defense Forces, the military people the contractors are there to train.

Since we started the building, we are seeing more and more little huts popping up around the site, Souza wrote. It looks like the police want to build a compound next to the new home. They have made comments about how nice it is and how they appreciate our efforts to help the kids.

ANOTHER CONNECTION

Souzas team also hopes to partner with the Samburu Project, a nonprofit thats worked since 2005 to drill 84 wells and bring water to more than 80,000 people in Samburu, Kenya.

The Fredericksburg area has another connection to Samburu. In 2000, Fredericksburg Academy student Christina Morin, then 17, was on vacation in northern Kenya when she met members of the Samburu tribe. She was teaching an art class to Kenyan children when she heard about hardships they faced from two years of drought.

She was amazed by their talent and eventually sold their drawings as note cards back in Fredericksburg. One thing led to another and she started a nonprofit business, also called The Samburu Project, and raised money to feed the children and buy cows for their families.

The current Samburu Project, which isnt related to Morins art project, focuses on providing basic needs just as Souzas team is doing.

The lack of access to clean water is an unimaginable and extraordinary problem, one that keeps the Samburu people in a hopeless cycle of poverty, states the projects website. With 84 wells and counting, The Samburu Project offers a simple solution to that extraordinary problem.

A HAPPY ENDING?

Usually, when Souza is assigned to a mission, he and other members of his group complete their work then go back to their hotel rooms. In Kenya, theyve spent many off-duty hours working with locals on building the new compound.

Jason said its really brought up the morale of that group, said Souzas wife, Beth.

Its also made a difference in the life of the former soldier, who spent 15 years disarming bombs. Hes looking into ways to support the orphanage, long after the Americans have finished their mission. And hes thinking about organizing a walk in Fredericksburg to benefit the project because so many people have expressed interest in it.

Its fun to see him so happy, she said.
The death of a Warrenton CVS manager whose body was found outside the drug store Wednesday night is now being treated as a homicide with a gun, according to a Friday statement from Warrenton Police.

Rex Max Olsen, 64, of Reva, was found dead about 10:35 p.m. near a dumpster on the side of the store on Blackwell Drive.

After a review of the preliminary investigation and consultation with the Fauquier County Office of the Commonwealths Attorney, the Deceased Person investigation has been reclassified as a homicide investigation, according to Fridays release from police.

Autopsy results are pending.

A task force consisting of personnel from the Commonwealths Attorneys Office, Warrenton Police Department, Fauquier County Sheriffs Office and the Virginia State Police has been formed to combine resources and facilitate the investigation.

Information will be made available only after consultation with, and under the authority of, the Commonwealths Attorneys Office, authorities say.

The Warrenton Police Department initially advised that there was no evidence of a threat to the general public, but encouraged citizens to always be mindful of their surroundings and personal safety.

This continues to be the case, according to the statement from Warrenton Police Chief Louis Battle.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Warrenton Police Department Sgt. Tim Carter at 540/428-9591 or tcarter@warrentonva.gov.
An 18-year-old woman who was shot in the head at a playground in the Mayfield neighborhood remained in critical condition Friday as Fredericksburg police police offered a reward for information leading to the shooter.

Police responded to the park on Tyler Street after a call of shots being fired came in at 8:50 p.m. Thursday, according to Police Department spokeswoman Sarah Kirkpatrick. Patrol officers found the woman suffering from the bullet wound to the head.

Emergency crews took her to Mary Washington Hospital, where police said she remained in critical condition Friday morning.

Police said the woman was in a covered pavilion in the park when she was shot. The suspect, who police described only as a black male, fled on foot. Police did not provide any information about a possible motive.

Investigators continue to search for clues and asked anyone with information to contact police immediately. Police said they are offering a reward for information leading to a conviction, but did not specify how much.

Anyone with information can contact police at 373-3122. To make an anonymous tip, send a text to 847-411 and text FPDtip followed by your tip. Tips can also be sent by using a free FPD Tip app available for Android and iPhones.
An emergency bridge repair in Spotsylvania County is causing traffic backups on Interstate 95 north.

The Virginia Department of Transportation says it has closed two lanes of I-95 northbound at mile marker 121 so workers can repair a steel plate that came loose on the bridge over the Ni River. The bridge is is just north of Exit 118 for State Route 606 and Thornburg.

Crews are on the scene to make the emergency repairs and secure the steel plate, but VDOT says the work could take several hours.

Virginia State Police is helping direct traffic. Motorists are advised to use U.S. 1 (Jefferson Davis Highway) as an alternate route.

Crews have been working overnight for several weeks on the Ni River Bridge as part of a bridge rehabilitation project, but VDOT says they were not working when the steel plate came loose.

Check back for updates, or drivers can call 511 Virginia for the latest information on the emergency lane closures.
Bill Botts stayed up past midnight to watch the drama unfold early Friday morning on C-SPAN.

In what Botts considers a signature moment for U.S. Sen. John McCain, the Arizona Republican killed the proposed skinny repeal of the Affordable Care Act by voting no with a thumbs down. He joined two other GOP senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, along with 48 Democrats, in opposing the billdealing a blow to Republican President Donald Trumps agenda.

I just hope its a turning point for the Senate and for the country in terms of working together on health care, said Botts, a Fredericksburg resident who opposed GOP proposals to repeal Obamacare.

He has a vested interest in the health care debate, having helped more than 1,000 residents sign up for Affordable Care Act coverage as a volunteer navigator. Botts acknowledged that the law is not perfect, but pointed out what he called several obvious improvements. He cited U.S. Sen. Tim Kaines proposal for a reinsurance program that would help offset higher-than-expected insurance claims for companies in the state and federal marketplaces.

Meanwhile, Republican Reps. Rob Wittman and Dave Brat, both of whom represent the Fredericksburg region, signaled their continued desire to repeal the law despite the setback.

A Wittman spokesman said in an email that the congressman hopes Congress can pass a bill to replace Obamacare with patient/provider-centered reforms that improve health care outcomes for Virginians.

Brat, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, stated that we havent given up. He panned the failed skinny repeal bill as more of a marketing statement than a health care plan, saying the proposal left the vast majority of Obamacare intact.

Weve talked and talked and talked about votes and parliamentary procedure and typical D.C. bubble-talk, but we have failed to talk about how we get to a free-market health care system where patients, not insurance companies, are empowered to make health care decisions, Brat stated.

Trump also tweeted Friday, As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!

On the other side of the aisle, Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, said Congress was able to stop a bill that would have robbed health care from millions of people. He urged Congress to let the public into the process.

Tonight we put people over politics, and going forward we all need to work together to improve health care for all Americans, he said.

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, DVa., this month introduced what he called legislative fixes to the Affordable Care Act. One of the proposals would encourage states such as Virginia to reconsider Medicaid expansion under Obamacare by guaranteeing them federal matching dollars.

Botts said some Obamacare enrollees dislike the law because they do not qualify for tax credits to reduce monthly premiums. It created a little bit of class envy or class tension because theyd say, These people who arent as successful as me  theyre getting help and Im not, and thats not fair, he said.

Congress could increase the income threshold for the tax credits, though Republican leaders favoring less government would probably not be high on that idea, he said.

Despite Fridays outcome, Botts said he is still concerned Trump will try to sabotage the law. Im fearful of that, and whether hes going to be vindictive, he said. Obviously, thats not smart on any levelmorally, ethically or even politically.
FALLS CHURCH, Va. - The Fairfax County School Board voted Thursday night to rebrand a school named for a Confederate general, ending an era for J.E.B. Stuart High and beginning a new legacy for the school in Falls Church.

The board approved 7 to 2, with two abstentions, to change the name during a raucous meeting that included an appearance by Civil War reenactors dressed in Confederate garb and Union army fatigues. The school board spent more than 2 1/2 hours discussing the measure before voting an hour shy of midnight.

The board's approval on the matter marks the end of a year-long debate about the future of the school named in 1958 amid stalled integration efforts in honor of the Confederate officer who died of wounds suffered in battle.

"It was not appropriate for this board to name a school for J.E.B. Stuart in 1958," said school board member Ryan McElveen. "It would not be appropriate for this board to name a school for J.E.B. Stuart today; and it is time for the Fairfax County School Board to do as we teach our students - learn from the mistakes of history, do our best to correct them, and move on."

In the time that it took the local government body to come to its decision, South Carolina lawmakers voted to remove the Confederate flag from the statehouse grounds in 2015 and the New Orleans mayor and city council ordered in 2017 that fourstatues commemorating the Confederacy be taken down.

Yet the Fairfax County board on Thursday night nearly approved a motion to delay the name-change altogether, failing in a 6-to-5 vote.

In the end, the board passed a motion, brought by Sandy Evans, that proposes - "in a spirit of compromise," Evans said - removing the initials "J.E.B." and renaming the school simply "Stuart High."

In addition, the board did not take any action to rename a number of other schools in the county also named for prominent Confederates, including Robert E. Lee High, Lanier Middle and Sangster Elementary.

The effort to rename the high school began two years ago as part of a student-led campaign and received a boost from an online petition that received 35,000 signatures. The petition, started by Oscar winners Bruce Cohen and Julianne Moore - who met at J.E.B. Stuart in the 1970s - brought Hollywood flair to the simmering debate about the legacy of the high school's rebel namesake.

The high school is one of the most diverse in Fairfax, with more than 78 percent of the school's 2,130 students being either Hispanic, black, Asian or multiracial, while whites comprise 22 percent.

To examine the issue, the board last summer created an ad hoc committee to review the issue. But the committee members ultimately could not agree on a path forward and submitted competing recommendations to the board.

The divisive and protracted debate came to a head Thursday at the school board meeting. County residents who live in the neighborhood surrounding the school offered impassioned calls for the school to be rebranded. "Keepers" argued that the efforts to change the name represented a whitewashing of history.

Ultimately, in passing the motion, the board sent the matter to the office of Superintendent Scott Brabrand, who must organize meetings with the community to settle on possible names for the school. The board will then reconvene before 2019 to vote on the new name.
Get all of this week's H.S. football coverage in one place and be ready for this week's action... Schedule, last week's results and story links, Fans' Choice Poll, stat leaders & standings, Player of the Week, link to this week's game previews and more...
This past weekend, the U.S. Navy officially welcomed the worlds newest and largest commissioned warship to the fleet just one day before it welcomed the worlds oldest and smallest commissioned warship back to the fleet.

On Saturday, President Trump commissioned the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford at Naval Station Norfolk. American steel and American hands have constructed a 100,000-ton message to the world: American might is second to none, Trump told the gathered crowd of dignitaries.

The new aircraft carrier is mighty indeed. She is 1,106 feet long, has a permanent crew of more than 2,600, and will carry more than 75 aircraft. She is propelled by two state-of-the-art nuclear reactors.

Susan Ford Bales, daughter of the late President Gerald Ford, issued the call to the ships crew to man our ship and bring her to life. Few sights are more thrilling than watching a ship come alive as officers and sailors run aboard and man her rails while the national ensign waves smartly overhead.

Few sights, that is, except perhaps the sight late Sunday night of a newly restored USS Constitution being floated off her blocks at the historic Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston and returned to Boston Harbor. The frigate was first commissioned 220 years ago on Oct. 1, 1797.

American hands and American materials also constructed Old Ironsides. But thats about where the comparison between the two ships ends. Built in Boston, the Constitution is made of American live oak. Her copper bolts and plates were supplied by Paul Revere. She is propelled by 32 sails and the wind. At 204 feet, she has a displacement of about 2,200 tons.

While her size may seem paltry, dont let that fool you for a second. Her deeds, her crews and her captains are legend. One of the Navys first ships, Old Ironsides saw action in the First Barbary War against North African pirates. She sank numerous gunboats and captured the guns at Tripoli Harbor during a battle. During the War of 1812, the Constitution defeated six ships of the British Royal Navy. Her exploits led to global acknowledgment that the United States was a rising world power.

New and old, both of these warships will have active roles to play in the Navy. The USS Ford will be used to send 100,000 tons of diplomacy to hot spots across the globe. Old Ironsides will remain in Boston, participating in historical and ceremonial missions. But dont be misled by her sedentary lifestyle. She holds a record that no other vessel in the fleet can claim: She is the only active, commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy to have actually sunk another ship in battle.

The Richmond TimesDispatch
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WREN RYAN CLARY Free Access Zach and Erica Clary of Gaffney announce the birth of their daughter, Wren Ryan Clary, born August 17, 2022. Wren has a sister, Reese. Grandparents are Eric and Teresa Bennett...

Fresh fruit and veggies for Thanksgiving Free Access Families can receive a box of fresh fruits and vegetables just in time for the Thanksgiving holidays. FoodShare Cherokee provides opportunities for all residents to order fresh food boxes every...

Museum, Limestone collaborating on textile history program Free Access The Cherokee County Museum is partnering with Limestone Universitys communications class and local educator Tim Lipsey to conduct a history program on textiles. If you or your family has worked...
Story Highlights 34% in U.S. identify as socially conservative vs. 30% as socially liberal

Social liberalism has gained since 2001, while conservatism has waned

White, college-educated, older Democrats drive leftward shift

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Gallup's annual measurement of how Americans describe their views on social issues finds social liberals nearly tying with social conservatives for the fifth straight year. This is a change from 2001 through 2012 when social conservatives had the clear lead, including by 17-percentage-point margins in 2009 and 2010.

In Gallup's latest update, conducted May 3-7, 34% of Americans describe their views as conservative or very conservative while 30% identify as liberal or very liberal. Another 34% call themselves moderate and 2% are unsure. Gallup measures Americans' ideology on social issues annually as part of its Values and Beliefs survey, conducted each May.

Democrats' Fueling Rise in Social Liberalism

The increase in social liberalism has not been universal, but has occurred mainly among Democrats. The percentage of Democrats describing themselves as socially liberal increased fairly steadily from 36% in 2001 to 53% 2015 where it has since held.

By contrast, Republicans' propensity to identify as socially liberal has hardly changed, consistently registering around 10%.

In order to see whether the liberal shift in Democrats' social views is universal within the Democratic ranks, or limited to certain subgroups, Gallup has grouped its annual data into four time periods, allowing for larger sample sizes to evaluate the trends in Democratic subgroups. The earliest time period is from 2001 through 2005 when an average 37% of Democrats identified as socially liberal. The most recent period is from 2015 to 2017 when the figure held at 53%.

As shown in the accompanying table, social liberalism has risen among all major demographic subgroups of Democrats, as well as in the four main regions of the country. However, there are some notable differences:

After expressing similar views as Democratic men about their social ideology in all three time periods between 2001 and 2014, Democratic women grew more likely to identify as socially liberal in the last three years. Still, at least half of both groups are now socially liberal: 55% of women and 50% of men.

Older Democrats have shifted much more strongly toward social liberalism than have younger Democrats. As a result, after being far less liberal than younger adults in the early 2000s, those 55 and older are now about as liberal as those 35 to 54 (50% and 48%, respectively), although neither of the two older groups are as liberal as those 18 to 34 (61%).

Democratic college graduates have traditionally been more liberal than Democrats without a college degree. However, the gap has widened since the early 2000s as college graduates have grown 18 percentage points more likely to identify as socially liberal compared with a 12-point increase among non-college grads. As of 2015-2017, 71% of college graduates are socially liberal vs. 44% of non-college graduates.

Most of the increase in social liberalism among Democrats since the early 2000s has occurred among non-Hispanic whites. Whereas just 39% of white Democrats said they were liberal on social issues back in 2001-2005, that has risen to 61% since 2015-2017. By contrast, Blacks' views have hardly changed: 34% in the 2001-2005 period vs. 37% in 2015-2017. Thus, the overall gap in self-identification as socially liberal between whites and blacks has widened from five points in the earliest time period to 24 points most recently.

In the early 2000s Democrats in the West were significantly more likely than Democrats in the other regions to identify as liberal. However, since then the rest of the country has largely caught up while Western Democrats' views have grown only a bit more liberal.

Democrats' Views on Social Issues -- % Liberal 2015-2017 2011-2014 2006-2010 2001-2005 Change % % % % pct. pts. Gender Men 50 48 43 38 12 Women 55 47 41 37 19 Age 18 to 34 61 54 51 47 13 35 to 54 48 46 44 40 8 55 and older 50 43 34 26 25 Education College graduate 71 65 57 52 18 Non-college graduate 44 40 35 32 12 Race Non-Hispanic white 61 54 45 39 22 Non-Hispanic black 37 38 29 34 3 Location East 56 52 46 39 17 Midwest 53 47 39 33 20 South 49 42 35 31 18 West 56 51 51 49 7 Based on Democrats/Democratic leaners Gallup

Implications

The increase in social liberalism in the U.S. seen since the early 2000s is the result of increasing liberalism among Democrats, and particularly among white, more-educated and older Democrats. The changes by age mean that various age groups of Democrats are now in greater political alignment. However, the changes by education and race have widened the divide on social issues between Democrats with and without college degrees, as well as between white and black Democrats.

This doesn't necessarily mean Democrats are at odds with each other. Indeed, despite the widening gaps along race and education lines, 89% of Democrats supported the Democratic Party's nominee for president in 2016. However, as Democratic leaders debate how to redefine the party post-President Barack Obama these data suggest that moving any further to the left on social issues could risk alienating Democrats with lower levels of education.

Those are the kinds of voters President Donald Trump might try to attract in a second-term bid, particularly if his GOP base is faltering. On the other hand, with most of these lesser-educated Democrats describing themselves as moderate on social issues rather than conservative, that would be a hard sell.

Historical data are available in Gallup Analytics.
The scandal around the plans of the largest European low cost airline  Ryanair  to enter the Ukrainian market is the airline's method to enter new markets.

An Interfax-Ukraine correspondent has reported that UIA President Yuriy Miroshnykov said this at a press conference in Kyiv on Thursday.

"I have feeling based on studying experience of Ryaniar and its operations at other airports: this is its method to enter the market of any country  scandals and pressure on society, which allows achieving the approval of own conditions and then  operations. I have an impression that something unique in the practice of this airline is happening in Ukraine now," he said.

Miroshnykov said that the entire process of entering the Ukrainian market is ultimatum demands the airline puts forward both to Ukrainian economic entities and other entities.

"I do not know if they achieve the goal mentioned in the memorandum signed with [Infrastructure] Minister Volodymyr Omelyan. I think they would not. I hope that the company will be satisfied with the normal conditions of Ukrainian airports," he said.
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The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has decided to invest $15 million in the direct investment fund to support small and medium-size enterprises (SME) in Ukraine, Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has said.

"The International Finance Corporation has decided to invest $15 million in the direct investment fund to support SME in Ukraine. I am sure that this step would give a new incentive to develop to Ukrainian businessmen and the economy," he wrote on his Facebook page on Friday.

He said that assistance to legal business for the sake of the economic growth is a priority for the government.

"Businessmen create the national product and push the economy forward," the prime minister said.
The Benton Barber Shop has been in business since 1925. But the current owner is retiring today, closing the doors of the 92-year-old downtown Corvallis business.

Id like to see another barber shop come into it, owner Les Sherman said Thursday. Its just been here so long. Id hate to see a legacy disappear.

The 63-year-old Gates resident has been cutting hair for 40 years. After receiving his barbering license from Salem Barber College in 1977, he worked in the state capital for many years.

I always had an interest in barbering, Sherman said. I had two uncles who were barbers.

In 1990, the owner of the Benton Barber Shop, which is inside the Benton Plaza, asked Sherman if hed take over.

I didnt know a lot of the history right away, he said. I thought it was kind of cool to be part of a legacy, to be able to come into a shop that had existed for as long as it had.

The 260-square foot shop features remnants of the past. Three scenes from a mural that previously hung in the Top Rail Corral tavern are now prominently displayed above a mirror in the barbershop. The scenes, which were painted by John Slater in the 1970s, depict the Benton Hotel as it looked in 1924, Second Street circa 1910 and a bar scene with cowboys.

A shoe shining chair used to sit in the corner of the shop. But around 2000, Sherman sold the chair to a man who had previously shined shoes in the barbershop. The chair is now in the possession of the Benton County Historical Society, Sherman said.

The shop, which has two barber chairs and two shampooing bowls, has modern elements. An iHome speaker played the Beatles Let It Be. Sherman used Paul Mitchell products while cutting Steve Nevilles hair.

He does a good haircut, but I also really enjoy spending my time with him, Neville said.

A retired physician, Neville has been having his hair cut at the Benton Barber Shop since he moved to Corvallis in 1979.

Ive been coming here for years, back when I still had hair, he said.

Neville said hell miss catching up with Sherman about mutual friends.

Were gonna miss him, he said.

Sherman said the barbershop has long been a gathering place for local people. But it has also drawn in more college-aged men as traditional barbering has made a comeback throughout the country, he said. Younger men lately have shown an interest in full-service salons that offer shaving.

Sherman also has set himself apart from other salons by being appointment-only.

Thats different than a walk-in shop, he said. Hopefully, I take a little more time with them when I do that.

Sherman has added his personal touch to the historical business. A plaque that reads Wishin I was Fishin hangs on the mirror above one of the shampooing bowls. Dozens of family photos are tacked nearby.

Dan Seaton said he enjoys looking through the window at the bustle outside the courthouse while Sherman cuts his hair. Seaton, a pilot, lives in Tennessee, but he grew up in Corvallis and visits Sherman for a haircut whenever he returns to see family.

They catch up on how their families are doing, and Seaton asks Sherman for a fishing report.

Its just a neat place, Seaton said.

Sherman cut Seaton's fathers hair for many years before the man passed away in February. Seaton brought his 13-year-old son to the barbershop during a recent visit to Corvallis.

So hes done all three generations, he said.

Seaton said hes sad to see Sherman leave.

Ill probably follow the barber chairs wherever they go, he said. Sherman plans to sell the chairs to Brett Alpert, owner of City Barber Shop.
Kings Valley Charter School will weigh the benefits and drawbacks of changing its district boundary to become part of the Falls City School District, officials said.

On Sunday, about 30 people attended a meeting at the school to discuss the potential change. No decision was made, but input was gathered from parents and community members, said Jamon Ellingson, Kings Valley Charter School executive director.

Its interesting. Youre getting different perspectives, Ellingson said.

Should I stay or should I go? Both sides were represented, added Sally Lammers, Kings Valley Charter School board chairwoman.

It was really more about people asking questions so that all of us involved could make a more educated decision about it, she said.

The next step will be another meeting sometime in mid-August, Lammers said. A final determination could be made at that meeting.

The charter school currently is sponsored by the Philomath School District, but the two entities have had a contentious relationship.

We do not believe the Philomath School District has our kids best needs at heart, said Beth Hoinacki, Kings Valley Charter School board member, in an interview last week.

The proposed change stems from problems the charter school and the Philomath School District have had in the past. The charter school sued the school district in 2012, claiming that the district withheld some state money that the school was owed.

The district responded by filing its own legal action. The district accused the school of violating its charter by contracting with People Sustaining Kings Valley, a nonprofit, to hire teachers outside the state system to avoiding paying into the Public Employees Retirement System. The district issued a notice of termination to the school.

The entities reached an agreement in late 2012, calling for the charter school to withdraw the lawsuit and for the district to rescind the notice of intent to terminate the charter. The groups also agreed to a 50/50 split of rural school money for the duration of the charter, which was extended by 10 years as part of the agreement.

But Hoinacki said the Philomath School District still is withholding too much of the state money it is entitled to for being a remote school. This affects the long-term stability of the school by impacting teacher retention and program development, she said.

In early 2016, the charter school started thinking about changing its sponsorship to the Falls City School District. Hoinacki said transferring the schools sponsorship to Falls City through a district boundary change would increase the charters budget by up to $300,000.

The charter schools budget for the 2017-18 school year is estimated at $1.9 million, Hoinacki said. The school has about 200 students.

Lammers said that many community members identify with Philomath and have had lifelong or even multiple generations of participation with that district and greater area.

Falls City, she added, has indicated it would allow Kings Valley area residents to continue to attend Philomath schools if they choose.

Other residents were concerned about a district change negatively impacting property values.

Rick Wells, a Philomath School District board member, said he is fine with the charter schools possible sponsorship change. But he expressed concerns about how the new boundary line would be drawn and the effects it could have on the Philomath School Districts tax base.

Lammers said that Kings Valley Charter School isnt cutting off communications with Philomath. They have a brand new school board. They have new people on there who can create a whole new atmosphere, she added.
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

TUESDAY, JULY 25

ARSON: 10:49 a.m., 200 block of Southwest Sixth Street, Corvallis. Police responded to Beaver Bowls after an employee reported a fire outside the business. Officers extinguished the fire. Police reviewed video surveillance, which showed a woman lighting the grass next to a power pole on fire. Officers identified the woman as Teri-Lyn Walker, 38, of Corvallis, whom they arrested for second-degree arson.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26

AUTO BURGLARY: 8:24 p.m., 600 block of Northwest 21st Street, Corvallis. Police responded to a report of car prowling. Officers determined Lauren Nicole Sangiovanni, 23, of Corvallis, and Corey Andrew Jackson, 26, of Corvallis, had broken into a persons car. Police searched the suspects and found heroin in Sangiovannis purse and methamphetamine in Jacksons backpack. Both were arrested and taken to the Benton County Jail on charges of drug possession and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle.

BURGLARY: 8:27 a.m., 5000 block of Northwest Foothill Place, Corvallis. A couple reported finding an unknown man in their home earlier in the morning. The husband confronted the man and he fled. Nothing was taken from the home but the burglar had unplugged the couples computer tower and gone through some Pokemon cards. The suspect has not been identified.

Benton County Sheriffs Office

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26

MARINE ASSIST: 5:28 p.m., Willamette River and Milepost 146, Corvallis. Deputies responded in the patrol boat to assist a man whose boat was stuck on a gravel bar.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) is investigating about 400 corruption cases, which the judiciary branch is not ready to consider, Director of the NABU Artem Sytnyk has said.

"On average, there are about 400 cases. And now we have 620 employees out of 700 possible employees. In the near future, several detectives will be appointed. Every day investigative actions are conducted. This process is gaining momentum rapidly, since we are constantly increasing the number of people, and these people are constantly providing internal communication and, accordingly, our resources are constantly growing with new investigations. But these cases are sabotaged at courts," he said in an interview with Channel 5 on Thursday evening.

At the same time, Sytnyk said that the courts sabotage consideration of the corruption case on the Odesa Portside Plant.

"Everyone knows the situation with Odesa Portside Plant - one of the largest strategic enterprises is now on the verge of bankruptcy. We have been investigating and continue investigating several cases of corruption schemes at this enterprise, and one case was sent to court. What does the court do? Firstly, it turns consideration of this case into the secrecy procedure for unknown reasons, in a closed mode. Secondly, I learnt that the acting head of the Odesa Portside Plant wrote: "we have no complaints to these people who stole UAH 300 million - this is one of many schemes of this plant." Therefore, how is it possible to save a strategic enterprise when we conduct arrests, investigate these cases, and the courts simply sabotage these cases," he said.

Sytnyk said that today the judicial branch of power is not ready to consider corruption cases. He noted the need to create an anti-corruption court.
Governors Who Visited Buhari in London All Smiles As They Arrive Nigeria (Photos)

kacylee at 28-07-2017 09:18 AM (5 years ago) (f)

State governors who visited Buhari in London alongside his official photographer, Bayo Omoboriowo have landed in the country safely.

State governors who visited Buhari in London alongside his official photographer, Bayo Omoboriowo have landed in the country safely.

7 governors who travelled to London to visit Nigerias ailing President, Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday have returned after meeting with him at the Abuja House.



They were welcomed by their aides and supporters at the airport with journalist lurking around for brief interviews.



Pictures of the State governors of the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress with Buhari littered the social media space yesterday thereby quelling rumours that the President was dead.



The governors were led by Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara and included governors of Ebonyi, Kano, Benue, Akwa Ibom, and Oyo.



The visit comes a few days after some APC leaders and governors visited the president on Sunday.



Mr. Buhari had on that July 23 met with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some governors elected on the partys platform.



See photos:













7 governors who travelled to London to visit Nigerias ailing President, Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday have returned after meeting with him at the Abuja House.They were welcomed by their aides and supporters at the airport with journalist lurking around for brief interviews.Pictures of the State governors of the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress with Buhari littered the social media space yesterday thereby quelling rumours that the President was dead.The governors were led by Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara and included governors of Ebonyi, Kano, Benue, Akwa Ibom, and Oyo.The visit comes a few days after some APC leaders and governors visited the president on Sunday.Mr. Buhari had on that July 23 met with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some governors elected on the partys platform.See photos:

Post Reply I have been reporting for several years now and I am very interested in visual news reportage with strong inclusion of photos and video multimedia. Posted: at 28-07-2017 09:18 AM (5 years ago) | Addicted Hero

tegonwa at 28-07-2017 09:37 AM (5 years ago)

(m) Why Would They Not Be All Smiles When They Had A Swell Time With The Fast Recuperating Man Of The Moment, President Buhari.I Hope They Tell Nigerians Every Detail Of PMB's Health Condition Without Exaggeration Or Dishonesty.Hopeful Of This And Not Hopeless. Posted: at 28-07-2017 09:37 AM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac Why Would They Not Be All Smiles When They Had A Swell Time With The Fast Recuperating Man Of The Moment, President Buhari.I Hope They Tell Nigerians Every Detail Of PMB's Health Condition Without Exaggeration Or Dishonesty.Hopeful Of This And Not Hopeless. Reply

Bebold at 28-07-2017 09:51 AM (5 years ago)

(m) People that just made money just by visiting BUhari so why won't they smile Posted: at 28-07-2017 09:51 AM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac People that just made money just by visiting BUhari so why won't they smile Reply

Patrioti at 28-07-2017 10:01 AM (5 years ago)

(m) They have succeeded to use Buhari's illness to form another secret cult in both parties and keep the masses who voted them in dark. Very soon, Nigerians will occupy the National Assembly to force the needed change. Posted: at 28-07-2017 10:01 AM (5 years ago) | Upcoming They have succeeded to use Buhari's illness to form another secret cult in both parties and keep the masses who voted them in dark. Very soon, Nigerians will occupy the National Assembly to force the needed change. Reply

ruthie at 28-07-2017 12:20 PM (5 years ago)

(f) I WONDER WHAT THEY ARE ALL SAYING! Posted: at 28-07-2017 12:20 PM (5 years ago) | Hero I WONDER WHAT THEY ARE ALL SAYING! Reply

christianity at 28-07-2017 01:35 PM (5 years ago)

(m) y wont they be smilling when they have gone to drop their loots all in the name of seeing a ghost president.tthccheewww Posted: at 28-07-2017 01:35 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac y wont they be smilling when they have gone to drop their loots all in the name of seeing a ghost president.tthccheewww Reply

jereva at 28-07-2017 02:28 PM (5 years ago)

(m) Posted: at 28-07-2017 02:28 PM (5 years ago) | Upcoming hmmm Reply

gogoman at 28-07-2017 03:17 PM (5 years ago)

(m) WHY THAT ONE STILL WEARING JACKET AND IT EVEN SUMMER LOL Posted: at 28-07-2017 03:17 PM (5 years ago) | Addicted Hero WHY THAT ONE STILL WEARING JACKET AND IT EVEN SUMMER LOL Reply

emydaddy at 28-07-2017 03:41 PM (5 years ago)

(m) The person on jacket is too local for wearing jacket This is Summer and not Winter Posted: at 28-07-2017 03:41 PM (5 years ago) | Upcoming Reply

pricklong at 28-07-2017 04:39 PM (5 years ago)

(m) JUST TO VISI THE PRESIDENT IN LONDON THEY HAVE SPEND NIGERIA MONEY 4 BILLION NAIRA Posted: at 28-07-2017 04:39 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac JUST TO VISI THE PRESIDENT IN LONDON THEY HAVE SPEND NIGERIA MONEY 4 BILLION NAIRA Reply
Mr Ideal Nigeria, Prince Ehirim Caught Stealing Photo After He Photoshop Himself Inside Audi A8L Car

felicilin at 28-07-2017 02:33 PM (5 years ago) (f)

Mr Ideal Nigeria 2016 Prince Ehirim has been caught doing what Oge Okoye knows how best to do: steal photos online.

Mr Ideal Nigeria 2016 Prince Ehirim has been caught doing what Oge Okoye knows how best to do: steal photos online. Prince was caught after he photoshopped himself Into the 2018 Audi A8 to Deceive His Unsuspecting Followers

Winner of 2016 Mr Ideal Nigeria, Ehirim has been dragged around social media and called many names after he was caught hands down by his unsuspecting followers.

Nigerian celebrities live fake lives and constantly deceive their fans by posting fake photos of bags, cars and even dogs while quoting huge sums they purportedly spent acquiring the items.

Recently, Oge Okoye was disgraced online after she was caught with the photo of dogs belonging to American reality star Kenya Moore which she passed as her own dogs.















Prince was caught after he photoshopped himself Into the 2018 Audi A8 to Deceive His Unsuspecting FollowersWinner of 2016 Mr Ideal Nigeria, Ehirim has been dragged around social media and called many names after he was caught hands down by his unsuspecting followers.Nigerian celebrities live fake lives and constantly deceive their fans by posting fake photos of bags, cars and even dogs while quoting huge sums they purportedly spent acquiring the items.Recently, Oge Okoye was disgraced online after she was caught with the photo of dogs belonging to American reality star Kenya Moore which she passed as her own dogs.

Post Reply Posted: at 28-07-2017 02:33 PM (5 years ago) | Hero

tegonwa at 28-07-2017 02:39 PM (5 years ago)

(m) Who Is This Creature?And He Was Caught Stealing Nothing But A Photo In Order To Enhance His Fake Life?Too Hopeless.Foolishly Hopeless! Posted: at 28-07-2017 02:39 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac Who Is This Creature?And He Was Caught Stealing Nothing But A Photo In Order To Enhance His Fake Life?Too Hopeless.Foolishly Hopeless! Reply

ruthie at 28-07-2017 03:27 PM (5 years ago)

(f) DONT MIND THE FOOL WHO DISGRACED HIMSELF....YEYEBRITIES LIVING FAKE LIVES SINCE B.C Posted: at 28-07-2017 03:27 PM (5 years ago) | Hero DONT MIND THE FOOL WHO DISGRACED HIMSELF....YEYEBRITIES LIVING FAKE LIVES SINCE B.C Reply

Mykie010 at 28-07-2017 03:43 PM (5 years ago)

(m) Quote from: ruthie on 28-07-2017 03:27 PM DONT MIND THE FOOL WHO DISGRACED HIMSELF....YEYEBRITIES LIVING FAKE LIVES SINCE B.C

. You are a very jealous fellow,I have never seen someone as stupid as u are Posted: at 28-07-2017 03:43 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac . You are a very jealous fellow,I have never seen someone as stupid as u are Reply

elaw16 at 28-07-2017 04:05 PM (5 years ago)

(m) Quote from: Mykie010 on 28-07-2017 03:43 PM . You are a very jealous fellow,I have never seen someone as stupid as u are

How is she a jealous fellow, did u even read the headline at all b4 jumping to make any comment, som1 stole somebody else's picture to look rich and u r here defending him Posted: at 28-07-2017 04:05 PM (5 years ago) | Newbie How is she a jealous fellow, did u even read the headline at all b4 jumping to make any comment, som1 stole somebody else's picture to look rich and u r here defending him Reply

benosky4 at 28-07-2017 04:42 PM (5 years ago)

(m) TWIMC

Who he Epp? #MyVerdict. Posted: at 28-07-2017 04:42 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac TWIMCWho he Epp? Reply

kacylee at 28-07-2017 06:36 PM (5 years ago)

(f) hahaaaaa sharp guy him too want to feel among I have been reporting for several years now and I am very interested in visual news reportage with strong inclusion of photos and video multimedia. Posted: at 28-07-2017 06:36 PM (5 years ago) | Addicted Hero hahaaaaa sharp guy him too want to feel among Reply

Haso112 at 29-07-2017 12:59 AM (5 years ago)

(m) Quote from: elaw16 on 28-07-2017 04:05 PM How is she a jealous fellow, did u even read the headline at all b4 jumping to make any comment, som1 stole somebody else's picture to look rich and u r here defending him



HE'S NOT DEFENDING HIM, HE'S DISPLAYING HIS IGNORANCE, I THINK HE'S GOT A CRUSH ON RUTHIE..... Posted: at 29-07-2017 12:59 AM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac HE'S NOT DEFENDING HIM, HE'S DISPLAYING HIS IGNORANCE, I THINK HE'S GOT A CRUSH ON RUTHIE..... Reply

Starnixx at 29-07-2017 04:43 PM (5 years ago)

(m) that how go the catch them one by one oo liars Posted: at 29-07-2017 04:43 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac that how go the catch them one by one oo liars Reply
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.
Electric power supply to Crimea from Russia via energy bridge over Kerch Strait halted due to accident

The supply of electric power to Crimea via the energy bridge over the Kerch Strait has been halted due to an accident, the region's Energy Minister Vadim Belik said.

"Four lines of the energy bridge are not working at the moment. The reasons are now being determined," Belik told Interfax by phone.

The minister said the supply of electricity to Crimea was halted after an accident warning system went off on the routes leading to the energy bridge over the Kerch Strait on the Krasnodar side of the strait.

There is currently no power supply in central Simferopol. Electric-powered transport and traffic lights are not working in the city.
Fear of Chinese Spies Halts Australia-Solomons Cable Project

Sputnik News

22:57 27.07.2017(updated 23:00 27.07.2017)

A project to build a 4,000-kilometer underwater cable connecting Sydney and the Solomon Islands came to a screeching halt following the Australian Secret Intelligence Service's warning to the Solomons Islands prime minister that the Chinese firm contracted to do the work, Huawei, allows Chinese spies access to conduct cyberattacks.

During a June visit to the Solomons, ASIS head Nick Warner informed Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare of his concerns about the use of Huawei as a contractor. Huawei's ability to securely install the cable came into question as a result of "backdoors" found in the firm's products.

"It is no secret that China is very active in intelligence activities directed against us," Defence Secretary Dennis Richardson said in his final speech before retiring in May.

Honiara gave contract rights to Shenzhen-based telecom giant Huawei in mid-2016, though a US-UK firm was initially awarded contract rights following "a competitive tender process," the Sydney Morning Herald reported. The US-UK company had full permission from Canberra's Attorney General to carry out the work. Huawei has yet to be granted such a permit. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) promptly pulled its financing of the project after the US-UK firm was snubbed.

In April, the Solomon Star reported that the Public Accounts Committee had called for a probe regarding alleged promises made by Huawei to Prime Minister Sogavare to contribute $40 million to Sogavare's next election campaign.

In 2012, the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) barred Huawei from bidding on the contract for Australia's $38 billion National Broadband Network due to national security concerns.

Security risks stemming from "backdoors" have emerged as an issue in the US as well. Google, for instance, refuses to put "backdoors" into its platform, Alphabet Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt said during an April 2014 seminar at the Cato Institute in Washington. While "backdoors" might be useful to Washington's robust national security apparatus, that same loophole would leave Google products vulnerable to hostile cyber agents.

Honiara is relying on the submerged cable to modernize its technology sector. The island nation currently relies on satellites for all its internet access.

Australian Foreign Minister Julia Bishop told Fairfax Media on Wednesday that "Australia is strongly supportive of economic growth for the development and prosperity of Solomon Islands, including an undersea cable to provide the improved internet access that the business sector needs to generate jobs and growth."

The Solomon Islands Submarine Cable Company said that it is "working on the submission of a Permitted Zone Permit through the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to complete their permits to land the cable in Australia," following media reports that the deal might go cold.

"Discussions with ACMA are on-going at the moment," the company told the Solomon Star, adding, "SISCC remains committed to delivering fast reliable fiber optic internet services to the Solomon Islands as soon as possible."

Huawei International, the Solomon Islands government and the Solomon Island Submarine Cable Company signed a memorandum of understanding on June 28, 2017.

 Sputnik

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U.S., Coalition Continue Strikes Against ISIS in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 27, 2017  U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 22 strikes consisting of 35 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 18 strikes consisting of 21 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed an ISIS financial exchange facility and a vehicle-borne-bomb factory.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed three ISIS wellheads.

-- Near Raqqa, 12 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed five vehicles, four fighting positions, three supply caches, a command-and-control node and an ISIS communications facility.

-- Near Shadaddi, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

Officials also provided details today on 16 previous strikes in Syria for which the information was unavailable in time for yesterday's report:

-- A July 20 strike near Raqqa destroyed six fighting positions and suppressed a mortar team.

-- A July 21 strike near Raqqa destroyed 14 fighting positions and suppressed a mortar team.

-- Two July 23 strikes near Raqqa damaged nine fighting positions.

-- Twelve July 25 strikes near Raqqa engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed five mortar positions, a vehicle-borne-bomb storage facility, a vehicle-borne bomb and ISIS equipment.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of 14 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Mosul, a strike illuminated an area.

-- Near Qaim, a strike destroyed an ISIS weapons cache.

-- Near Rawah, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a malfunctioning piece of coalition equipment and a vehicle.

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.

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Coalition Announces Death of ISIS Leaders

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 27, 2017  Coalition airstrikes killed several senior Islamic State of Iraq and Syria propagandists and facilitators in Iraq and Syria, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials announced today.

"The removal of these key ISIS leaders disrupts ISIS's propaganda production, distribution, and the ability to fund ISIS' terrorist activities," officials said.

CJTF-OIR officials announced the deaths of the following ISIS terrorists:

-- Abu Sulayman al-Iraqi, a senior ISIS propaganda official, was killed by a coalition airstrike near Mosul, Iraq, in early July. Al-Iraqi provided strategic guidance and production oversight for ISIS propaganda that recruited, indoctrinated and directed terrorists around the world.

-- Bassam al-Jayfus, who handled ISIS funds for terror attacks, was killed by a coalition airstrike in Mayadin, Syria, July 18, 2017. His death causes a disruption to ISIS's multinational money laundering network, which is used to pay for foreign terrorist fighters as well as terror plotting and attacks throughout the world.

-- Rayaan Meshaal, a senior ISIS media official, was killed between May 25-27 by a coalition airstrike conducted near Mayadin, Syria. Meshaal was the head and founder of Amaq, ISIS's official propaganda media outlet. Meshaal oversaw, authorized and disseminated ISIS digital propaganda to instigate and direct terror and recruit foreign terrorist fighters.

-- Abu-Khattab al-Rawi, an ISIS media emir, was killed by a coalition airstrike in Ba'aj, Iraq, May 17, 2017. His death was announced by U.S. Central Command on May 26, 2017.

-- Abu-Sayf al-'Isawi, an ISIS media emir, was killed by a coalition airstrike in al-Qa'im, Iraq, April 27, 2017.

-- Abu Ali al-Janubi, ISIS's senior media director, was killed by a coalition airstrike in Mayadin, Syria, April 16, 2017.

-- Ibrahim al-Ansari, an ISIS propaganda official, was killed by a coalition airstrike in Qaim, Iraq, March 25, 2017. His death was announced by CJTF-OIR officials on March 31, 2017.

The deaths of these terrorists eliminates senior leaders and facilitators with extensive experience and training, task force officials said, and degrades the ability of ISIS to plan and conduct attacks on civilian targets in Iraq and Syria, as well throughout the region and in the West.

"The coalition will continue to exert pressure on ISIS senior leaders and associates across multiple networks in order to degrade, disrupt, and dismantle ISIS structures and remove the extremist terrorists throughout Iraq and Syria," officials said.

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U.S., European Partners Participate in Novo Selo Training Exercise

By Rick Docksai DoD News, Defense Media Activity

NOVO SELO, Bulgaria, July 27, 2017  As an Army tank specialist, Pfc. Brody Henscheid of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, has been in many drills with other U.S. tank crews.

But this week, Henscheid and his comrades were training here for the first time alongside tank crews from the country of Georgia. Henscheid and other U.S. Army troops got a firsthand test of how well they and armed forces from Georgia and other European nations could transcend cultural, organizational, and technical differences to work together in a crisis.

'Great Training'

"It's been a lot of fun, and a lot of great training in cohesion and in working better with other forces," Henscheid said. "The Georgians' style is similar to ours. Their equipment is very similar to ours. The language barrier is the only difference."

Henscheid and his tank crew were participating in a combined arms live-fire exercise at Bulgaria's Novo Selo Training Area with forces from Georgia, Bulgaria, and Greece. The exercise was a component of Saber Guardian 2017, a 25,000-participant multinational training exercise that the United States and 21 other nations held July 11-20 at locations throughout Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary.

Novo Selo's Saber Guardian 17 activities commenced July 11 and culminated with Eagle Sentinel, four days of live-fire exercises. On July 20, military leaders and news media convened at the base to watch a live-fire demonstration. Bulgarian helicopters raked the ground with gunfire before Georgian infantry rushed the area and made forcible entries into an array of mock buildings. Bulgarian artillery lobbed explosive projectiles while Bulgarian, Greek, and U.S. tanks and armored vehicles patrolled the sidelines, guns drawn and prepared to unleash firepower support.

"This exercise has been a terrific example of Bulgaria providing great host-nation support, with airfields, training, movement along highways, and river crossings -- assets essential for us to be effective as an alliance," Army Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, commander of U.S. Army Europe, said at a news conference before the July 20 event.

"The Bulgarian Ministry allows us to train in a realistic way, with aircraft flying low, and to mix all the capabilities. It is very important," Hodges said.

Eagle Sentinel is one of numerous training exercises that took place July 11-20 in Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary as part of Saber Guardian 2017, an annual multinational training exercise that USAREUR and its European military partners hold as part of the U.S. European Command's Joint Exercise Program.

The Saber Guardian exercise has been held since 2013, but it and other joint exercises took on a significantly higher level of importance following a NATO summit in Warsaw, Poland, in July 2016. During that summit, NATO nations signed an agreement calling for transitioning NATO's defense forces to a deterrence posture that would dissuade regional adversaries from aggression.

"This exercise is a manifestation of the agreement of 28 nations of NATO last summer to have a tailored forward presence in the black sea region, and of the commitment of the United States to the stability of Europe," Hodges said.

Saber Guardian and other exercises in the region enable those units that provide the forward presence, and their host nations, to improve a range of combat-related capabilities together, but especially the abilities to mobilize quickly and to coordinate effectively with each other, said Army Brig. Gen. Timothy Daugherty, USAREUR's deputy chief of staff for operations. He said showing that NATO forces can amass a strong force in little time will enable it to not only defend its members against aggressive adversaries -- it may deter those adversaries from launching any attacks in the first place.

"You have to have the mobile ability to quickly move from one location to another one, to make it costly for any enemy to gain that foothold. That's really what a lot of these exercises are about," Daugherty said. "If you do that, then it makes it very costly for someone to gain that foothold."

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Sustaining the victory in Mosul

By Staff Sgt. Dalton SmithJuly 27, 2017

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait -- During a three-year occupation of Mosul, Iraq, ISIS terrorized tens of thousands of Iraqi men, women and children, while also destroying many of the city's religious and cultural treasures, including the al-Nuri Mosque. In the fight against ISIS and for the liberation of Mosul, the Army Reserve's 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) has been spearheading the sustainment effort.

The 316th ESC, operating as the forward Operational Command Post (OCP) for the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), is serving as the single sustainment headquarters supporting all operations in the U.S. Central Command's Area of Responsibility. The 316th, based out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, deployed forward to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait in December 2016 and has been arming, fueling and feeding the warfighter in support of operations in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Kuwait and other countries in the USCENTCOM AOR.

Specifically, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria, the 316th ESC has coordinated the delivery of more than 22 million rounds of ammunition, 7.5 million pounds of food, 3 million gallons of fuel, 1,000 vehicles, 400 million gallons of water and 13,000 weapons in support of military and humanitarian operations. Getting these vital supplies forward over the last nine months has required more than 1,200 convoys, 2,000 flights and 20 airdrops.

"The Soldiers of the Support Operations (SPO) section is proud to be participating with our coalition partners in the battle against ISIS," said Col. Kurt Chebatoris, officer in charge of SPO for the 316th ESC. "The logistics challenges require a total team effort across the enterprise to ensure the fight at the front, in places like Mosul and Raqqah, is logistically supported in such a manner as to ensure victory."

Sustainment operations in the USCENTCOM AOR are also a great example of the Army's Total Force policy. The 316th ESC, a USAR ESC, has units from all components aligned under their Command and Control, to include an Army Reserve Brigade, an Army National Guard Brigade, and an Active Component Brigade, with multiple Active, Guard and Reserve units operating in the ESC footprint.

"Total Force policy is alive and well in the USCENTCOM AOR. We could not execute sustainment operations in this theater without all three components - the US Army Reserve, the Army National Guard, and the Active Component. We are all one team!" said Brig. Gen. Robert D. Harter, commanding general of the 316th ESC, deputy commanding general of the 1st TSC-OCP.

The 369th Sustainment Brigade, a National Guard unit based in Harlem, New York City, was instrumental in executing theater sustainment in support of all operations in Kuwait, Iraq and Syria. And the 300th Sustainment Brigade (also known as Task Force Stallion), an Army Reserve unit from Grand Prairie, Texas, has the mission to assist the Iraqi Army with logistics and sustainment training.

"The Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command (CJFLCC) commander often stated that we are executing as a team of teams in our mission role supporting the Iraqi Army to defeat ISIS. Every team member is important and so is their contribution in their role as members of the team. Therefore, each individual team member made a difference in contributing to the Iraqi Army's victory in Mosul," said Col. Gerald Gafford, commander of 300th SB.

The 300th Sustainment Brigade played a critical role in the Mosul victory. Based out of Camp Taji, near Baghdad, they trained Iraqi Army leaders and Soldiers on best practices for maintaining and fixing equipment so that it could be returned to the fight. In many cases, the 300th Soldiers worked side by side with their Iraqi counterparts, repairing weapons, Humvees and engineer equipment. This equipment was key to the Iraqi victory in Mosul.

While ISIS has been defeated in Mosul, the threat they pose remains in other areas of Iraq. The coalition will stand side-by-side with the Iraqi government and its people until ISIS is defeated and all Iraqis are liberated and security is restored, said Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force -- Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR).

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U.S. Department of Defense

Press Operations

News Transcript

Presenter: Colonel Ryan Dillon, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve Spokesman; Major Adrian Rankine-Galloway, Pentagon Spokesman July 27, 2017

Department of Defense Press Briefing by Colonel Dillon via teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq

MAJOR ADRIAN RANKINE-GALLOWAY: Good morning, everyone.

Joining us today is Colonel Ryan Dillon, the spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve.

Before we get started, Colonel Dillon, how do you hear me?

COLONEL RYAN DILLON: I can hear you pretty well, Adrian. Thanks.

How me?

MAJ. RANKINE-GALLOWAY: Sir, we hear you very well.

And with that, we'll get started with your opening statements, and then go to questions. Over to you, sir.

COL. DILLON: All right, sounds good. Thanks. Thanks, Adrian.

Good morning, everyone.

First off, it was great seeing all of you and meeting many of you for the first time when I was back in D.C. with the Iraqi delegation a couple weeks ago.

So, let's go ahead and get started. We'll begin in Syria and then we'll move to Iraq.

Today marks day 53 of operations to defeat ISIS in Raqqa. About 45 percent of the city is under control of the Syrian Democratic Forces. The SDF have cleared about nine square miles of terrain this past week as they fought against stiff, sporadic resistance from ISIS entrenched in the city.

On the western axis, the SDF took control of a series of multi-story buildings that allowed them to provide over-watch and push further into the city's center.

On the eastern axis, the SDF made incremental gains south of the main road that runs east to west in the city.

Currently, the distance between the east and west SDF axes is less than a half a mile. And once they link up, the SDF will have full control of southern Raqqa. And south of the Euphrates River, the SDF continue to isolate Raqqa and reinforce their positions.

In southern Syria, the Shuhada Al-Qaryatayn, commonly referred to as the Shook, one of our partner forces there, unilaterally, without U.S. or coalition permission or coordination, conducted patrols outside of the agreed upon de-escalation zone and engaged in activities not focused on fighting ISIS. The coalition only supports partner forces committed to fighting ISIS.

The Shook have been important partners in the fight against ISIS in southern Syria. However, the coalition will no longer support their operations. The coalition will support and train and advise and assist and accompany vetted partner forces in southern Syria that wish to defeat ISIS.

Moving to Iraq, the Iraqi Security Forces control all parts of Mosul and continue to conduct detailed clearance operations to look for any ISIS fighters in hiding and identify explosive devices that could threaten friendly forces or civilians.

Iraqi army, emergency response division, counterterrorism service, and federal police forces maintain their sectors of Mosul until the hold forces take over and secure the area. There have been no strikes by the coalition in Mosul for nearly two weeks now. There have only been a handful of direct fire engagements by the ISF in Mosul over the last week.

And for the first time since operations to liberate Mosul began in October 2016, Tuesday marked the first day there were no ISF casualties in Mosul. These are all indicators to the improving security situation there.

There have been consistent reporting of alleged law of armed conflict violations recently. The coalition does not condone any violation of the laws of armed conflict. And while we cannot verify the authenticity of the reports, any violation of the law of armed conflict is unacceptable and should be investigated in a transparent manner.

We meet routinely with our partner forces to advise them on the expectations for thorough and transparent investigations, accountability for anyone found responsible for abuses, and public disclosure of findings and actions taken. The coalition has gathered alleged LOAC violations from various sources, from traditional and social media, from international organization reports, and reports from coalition members.

We pass all allegations of abuse that come to our attention to the government of Iraq. Prime Minister Abadi has stated that everyone will abide by the law; that he has a zero tolerance policy for any improper action by the Iraqi security forces. The government of Iraq has investigated previous allegations and they have taken action. And we have encouraged them to present the facts of these investigations to the public.

Lastly, I would like to discuss how the combined joint task force and the greater coalition are countering ISIS propaganda efforts. We have said several times that we will not allow ISIS sanctuary. When known, we will degrade ISIS's ability to conduct battlefield operations; to inspire, plan, finance and direct terror attacks; and recruit and move terrorist fighters.

In recent months, the coalition has targeted and killed several senior ISIS propagandists and facilitators in Iraq and Syria. The removal of these key ISIS leaders disrupts ISIS's propaganda production, distribution and the ability to fund their activities.

Abu Sulayman al-Iraqi, a senior ISIS propaganda official, was killed by a coalition airstrike near Mosul in early July. Al-Iraqi provide strategic guidance and production oversight for ISIS propaganda which recruited, indoctrinated and directed terrorists around the world.

Ibrahim al-Ansari, an ISIS propaganda official, was killed on March 25th in al-Qaim, Iraq. Abu Ali al-Janubi, an ISIS senior media director, was killed April 16th in Mayadin, Syria. Abu-Sayf al-'Isawi, an ISIS media emir, was killed April 27th in al-Qaim, Iraq.

Abu-Khattab al-Rawi, an ISIS media emir, was killed May 17th in Ba'aj, Iraq. And Rayaan Meshaal, ISIS senior media official, was killed by the coalition airstrike conducted near Mayadin, Syria, between May 25th and May 27th. Meshaal was the head and founder of the Amaq, ISIS's official propaganda media outlet. He oversaw, authorized and disseminated ISIS digital propaganda to instigate and direct terror and recruit foreign terrorist fighters.

And lastly, Bassam al-Jayfus, who handled ISIS funds for terror attacks, was killed by a coalition airstrike on July 18th in Mayadin, Syria. His death disrupts ISIS's multinational money laundering and movement network, which is used to pay for foreign terrorist fighters, as well as plotting attacks throughout the world.

While the CJTF, the coalition -- the military component -- conducts these operations, the greater coalition of 73 international partners has collectively blunted the edge of terrorist propaganda. ISIS's online supporters are dwindling, with counter-ISIS content outnumbering pro-ISIS content across the world.

In May, there was a 92 percent decrease in global shares of ISIS video content on Twitter. In April, ISIS propaganda production dropped to its lowest point in over six months, a 75 percent reduction in ISIS's monthly output in 2016. And the global coalition launched a new campaign called #takedaeshdown, to inform social media users of how to report ISIS extremist content to platform owners, and adding pressure on these owners to act and remove its content.

ISIS is losing on every front -- on the battlefield, in recruiting, in social media, and generating money. And they will continue to lose with the pressure put on by our partners in Iraq and Syria. And just to let you know, with all the names that I just provided on those propagandists that we killed, after the conclusion of this briefing, that will be a press release by CJTF-OIR with all those names, so you don't have to worry about writing them down.

And with that, I'll now stop and take your questions.

MAJ. RANKINE-GALLOWAY: Thank you, sir.

The first question will go to Kasim Ileri from Anadolu.

Q: Thanks, Colonel, for doing this. I actually have several questions.

Does the U.S. or coalition have -- have a rapid -- (inaudible) -- force inside Syria in support of the SDF?

COL. DILLON: First off, Kasim, I don't know that question. And I did receive your query last night, and we are running that down. We will have an answer to you by close of business today.

Q: And also, on Twitter, we see that ISIS shoot down some -- actually one R220 drone of SDF, allegedly. Are you aware that the SDF has those drones? Or do you know or did you support -- provide to them? Can you tackle this question?

COL. DILLON: Kasim, I have not seen or heard of that report that you are referring to. I know that we do use unmanned aerial surveillance devices to provide intelligence and what is going on with ISIS activity in Iraq and Syria. I am not tracking the particular instance that you are talking about.

But I will also say that there are measures -- countermeasures for UAS devices that -- that are in areas throughout Iraq and Syria where we are providing support to our partner forces.

Q: (inaudible) SDF have drones or unmanned aircraft, do you know?

COL. DILLON: I do not know what kind that they have.

We know that it is pretty -- it was relatively easy to get drones and to use them throughout the battlefield. We've seen that both from the enemy and from partner forces. But bottom line is I don't know what type and what kind they use.

MAJ. RANKINE-GALLOWAY: Next, we have Tara Copp from Military Times.

Q: Hey, Colonel. Good to see you again.

I have a couple questions.

Earlier, in -- in your prepared remarks, you said that the coalition will no longer support operations of a specific group in southern Syria. Could you elaborate on that a little bit? What was the group? What were the violations? What led to this decision?

COL. DILLON: All right.

So, first, I won't try to spell the -- the name of the group. But it is commonly known as the -- the Shook. And they're one of the partner forces that we were working with in and out of the At Tanf area in southern Syrian.

We have made it very clear time and again that our goal in Syria and Iraq is to fight ISIS and fight ISIS only. And our partner forces, we've asked them, you know, to be committed to that same mission.

And we had an element, a partner force that we were working with, who wanted to pursue other objectives, and those objectives were not consistent with defeating ISIS.

So, we have since talked with them and made them know that we cannot support them if they want to pursue objectives other than defeating ISIS. And so, that's exactly what we've done. And we are no longer going to support this particular group because that is -- that is what they want to do.

Q: Sure. A couple additional questions on that.

The background of the group, any sort of descriptors of Kurdish fighters, the size of the group, how long had U.S. -- how long has the U.S. been partnering with this particular group? And then, were they -- were they targeting regime forces? Is that why there's a -- a break in that relationship?

COL. DILLON: All right, so on a couple of those questions.

They are native from the area in and around southern Syria, around the Hamad Desert area.

Not going to give the number of the element, nor the number of -- well, I won't give the -- the number of the -- how many there are.

What I will also say is that that group did -- I -- I'll just say that they pursued other objectives that were not consistent with fighting ISIS. And, you know -- you know, fighting the regime could be one of those objectives.

Q: Can you provide their background at all?

COL. DILLON: I don't know what you mean by "their background." Can you elaborate your -- on that particular question, please?

Q: Was this is a Kurdish group? What kind of group?

COL. DILLON: Oh. No. They were not a Kurdish group. They were from the area in and around the Hamad Desert area, not far from the At Tanf garrison.

MAJ. RANKINE-GALLOWAY: Next to Elizabeth McLaughlin from ABC.

Q: Hi, Colonel. Thank you for doing this.

Are you aware of any instances in which American transgender service members have ever impacted battlefield readiness or the lethality of the force?

COL. DILLON: I -- I don't know that. And anything that has to do with the -- the transgender piece, I'll refer you back to the Pentagon for -- for anything to address on that.

MAJ. RANKINE-GALLOWAY: Next to Joe Tabet from Al Hurra.

Q: Thank you, Major.

Colonel Dillon, I want to go back to what you called the Shook-- the group Shuhada Al-Qaryatayn. Could you confirm if -- at first, if the coalition warned the Shook before they conducted the -- before they have conducted their attack on the Syrian regime? Was there any warning?

COL. DILLON: The -- our partner forces -- so warning, I will say that our partner forces know and have made a commitment to fight ISIS, and they are partnered with us as a part of the 1209 Program to do just that.

So they knew prior to going out and -- and pursuing these other objectives what the repercussions could have been.

Q: Could -- could you confirm is the Shook still or left At Tanf area? Because they used to be part of the -- of the -- of the partner forces in the Tanf area. Are they still there, or they have left?

COL. DILLON: No, we -- they are still there. We're in the process of ceasing our support, and -- and receiving the equipment that we provided to them, you know, for the fight against ISIS.

Q: Will you be asking them to leave?

COL. DILLON: I'm sorry about that. Please say that again.

Q: I said, will the coalition ask them, ask the Shook to leave?

COL. DILLON: I don't want to get into too many details.

Again, we are still working -- not working with them, but we're in the process of ceasing our support. And what happens after that is something that I'm not ready to discuss right now.

Q: Thank you, sir.

MAJ. RANKINE-GALLOWAY: Next to Ryan Browne from CNN.

Q: Hi, Colonel. Thank you for doing this.

I had a -- a question on Mosul.

You mentioned it's the first day that an Iraqi Security Force member not suffered a casualty. Has the U.S. begun shifting its advisory -- or the coalition begun shifting its advisory presence out of Mosul? I know there's a lot of back-clearing work to be done. Have they started drawing down on the number of advisers in the area to reposition them elsewhere, or are you kind of maintaining the same level advisory effort that had been going on during the actual battle?

COL. DILLON: Yeah, on -- on that particular question, I don't know, you know, if we have begun, you know, transition yet.

I know from reading the transcript and listening to Colonel Work last week, is that one of the things that we do not want to do is have the Iraqi Security Forces have to wait on us. So, as they develop their plan and their -- for the operations on where to go next, and when they make that transition, we will be ready to be right there to advise them all along.

Q: And -- and just one quick one on the At Tanf situation. We talked about this, I think, when you were here.

I guess, can you help -- there doesn't seem to be a lot of fighting, actually, that those groups at At Tanf are doing against ISIS. Has there been any major engagements or any engagements at all between the groups we're backing in that area with ISIS fighters? Or is the regime still kind of positions itself between those groups and ISIS? Are they kind of still blocking that -- that access to ISIS territory?

COL. DILLON: There have been ISIS incursions, you know, both, you know, in and around that area within this -- since January, within the last few months.

Excuse me.

And also we know that the regime has also, you know, run into ISIS, you know, fighters where they are operating. So, there still is ISIS presence in that area, in southern Syria, moving towards Abu Kamal area. I hope that answers your question. If not, follow up, please.

Q: Alright. Thank you, Colonel.

MAJ. RANKINE-GALLOWAY: Zach Biggs, Janes.

Q: Thanks. Colonel, a few things.

First, you mentioned the 75 percent reduction in propaganda over the last six months out of ISIS. Can you give us a sense as to what the metric is that's being used to measure that drop? Is that just, you know, social media? Is it in terms of the number of personnel they have working in media? What's the measurement?

COL. DILLON: Yes, Zach. So, with those figures that I have presented, I talk much about the military efforts and, you know, killing many of the propagandists. I will follow up with you after this on the background of how the greater coalition, who is working out of London, came to that information. I'm about one layer deep on what I presented to you, but that is the greater coalition. I can point you in the right direction. I will link up with you after this and make sure you have a good contact.

Q: Thank you.

And the second thing, I know you said that you're not going to address the transgender policy issue that came out yesterday. But do you have a sense or a number as to how many trans service members there currently are participating in OIR? And can you give us any detail? Have they been told anything about policy issues yesterday? Not the policy itself, but have they been informed about anything related to the policy?

COL. DILLON: Yeah, Zach, on that, number one, I don't know how many, and I don't know if they have been told.

MAJ. RANKINE-GALLOWAY: Now to Carla Babb, Voice of America.

Q: Thanks, Colonel, for doing this.

Just to confirm on At Tanf and the situation with the Shook. Can you confirm that some of those are part of the VSO? Or that all of those are part of the VSO, the vetted Syrian opposition? And I believe some of those trained in Jordan, correct?

COL. DILLON: They are part of the vetted Syrian opposition. This was one of those groups that fell underneath that. And I don't know the answer to your second question about where they were trained. You know, they were a partner force of ours, and we can no longer support them because they don't want to fight ISIS.

Q: And one quick follow, a separate question. Some of those forces in Al Tanf, as has been explained to me, some of them are from the Abu Kamal-Mayadin area. Is there any plan in place to get them to where they can defend their homeland? Because right now, as Ryan was explaining, the Syrian troops are kind of in between you guys and that area.

COL. DILLON: Yes. You're absolutely right, and some of those vetted Syrian opposition forces that we still train are from -- are indigenous to areas along the middle Euphrates River valley. And, you know, can we leave on trucks and go straight across to Abu Kamal and Mayadin and Deir ez-Zoir without running into the regime? Likely not.

But as far as any future plans on getting them into the fight, we will address that and we believe that there will be an opportunity to use them in the fight against ISIS in the middle Euphrates River valley when needed.

MAJ. RANKINE-GALLOWAY: Back to Ryan from CNN.

Q: Hey, Colonel, just a real quick follow-up.

You mentioned -- I just want to follow -- you mentioned retrieving the equipment that had been provided. Can you give us a little bit on what kind of equipment that is? And are you confident that this group who wants to conduct independent operations is going to willingly give up the weapons it has?

COL. DILLON: Ryan, like I said, those discussions with the Shook leadership and our forces there are still going on. I'm not going to be able to tell you by serial number or even if we're going to -- not even if, but the types of weapons and equipment that we're going to receive back from them, meaning, you know, is it going to be small arms? Is it going to be all the vehicles? Is it going to be all their uniforms?

I don't know that answer for you right now, but we are going to, you know, retrieve some of the equipment that we provided them to fight ISIS.

Q: Thank you.

MAJ. RANKINE-GALLOWAY: To Kasim from Anadolu.

Q: Colonel, back to the U.S. forces inside Syria. We know that when the deployment happened among the forces deployed to Syria, there were engineering folks as well. So, can you say that the SDF forces are embedded? Or did these engineering folks are embedded within the SDF elements? And what kind of engineering things do they train the SDF forces with?

COL. DILLON: Kasim, sorry I didn't catch you. It was broken up a little bit there. I don't know if you can move closer to the microphone, please.

Q: So, among the U.S. forces -- Can you hear me right now, Colonel?

COL. DILLON: Okay.

Q: So, among the U.S. forces inside Syria, there are engineering folks. Those who are dealing with engineering things. And the question is: Are they embedded within the Syrian Democratic Forces? Or -- and what kind of training are they providing -- are they providing to the SDF?

COL. DILLON: Yeah, I -- I can tell you, I know that there are counter-IED training that we are providing and making sure that our partner force in Raqqa can face some of these threats that they are facing right now. There have been several IEDs, and that was well known. So, I don't know specifically which unit you are talking about. I know that we have our advisers that are with the Syrian Democratic Forces advising, assisting and accompanying.

But I won't get down into are they engineers, are they in J-TACS, are they -- whoever they are. You know, we're not going to talk about specifically who is embedded with them. But we are making sure that they can -- are ready to face and mitigate the threats that they face. And IED is one of those.

MAJ. RANKINE-GALLOWAY: Okay. Next to Lucas Tomlinson from Fox News.

Q: Colonel, what can you tell us about the Raqqa fight compared to the Mosul fight? How is it different? What are the challenges in Raqqa? Is it going easier than the Mosul fight?

Thank you.

COL. DILLON: Yeah, thanks, Lucas.

I -- I think that it is -- it's fair to say that the fight in Raqqa is more similar to the fight in East Mosul than in West Mosul.

You know, the -- the infrastructure and the spacing of the -- the buildings -- you don't have quite the congested and very tight confines of the old city of West Mosul like you do in Raqqa, at least not at that magnitude. You know, obviously Raqqa is much smaller than Mosul as well.

But there still are a lot of those challenges that the Iraqi Security Forces faced in Mosul, with the vehicle-borne IEDs, with the -- the use of the human element and the population to shield and that ISIS is using that we saw in Mosul that we are seeing in Raqqa.

So, I -- I would also, you know, take account the -- how quickly that the Syrian Democratic Forces were able to make it immediately into the city, but there have been some stiff resistance since making it to, like, the ancient wall area as we've gotten closer into the city center.

Hope that answers your question.

Q: It does.

And how many ISIS fighters remain inside Raqqa right now?

COL. DILLON: We estimate less than 2,000 ISIS fighters still remain in Raqqa.

Q: And finally, whose idea was it to add the word Democratic to Syrian Democratic Forces?

COL. DILLON: I don't know. You'd -- you would have to ask them, Lucas.

Q: Finally, are -- is Google, Yahoo, Facebook -- are they helping in this counter-ISIS narrative? And is -- are they part of the team that helps get this 75 percent reduction in ISIS propaganda in the last six months, or any other help from the tech sector?

Thanks.

COL. DILLON: Yeah, I know that I personally have read open accounts of several platforms that are working to remove extremist content from their -- their sites.

But as far as the specifics, I can't say, you know, every single one that has or has not. But like I told Zach, I will be happy to refer you to our global coalition team up in London to delve into that answer for you a little bit more -- a little bit more.

MAJ. RANKINE-GALLOWAY: Now Anya, from CBS.

Q: Yes, sir. I had two questions. One is, I'm following up on the previous one right there.

How concerned are you that as -- that -- that these groups are going to start going underground and be harder to track, using other types of apps and communications for their propaganda?

COL. DILLON: So, can -- explain that -- if you can just elaborate on that a little bit more. What do you mean by "going underground"?

Q: I guess as -- as the more public platforms are shut down, as you -- as you were saying, using more secure -- secure ways of distributing their propaganda. Is that a larger concern? And do you guys have, sort of, a plan to deal with those issues?

COL. DILLON: Yeah, I -- as far as, you know, whether or not they are going to go further underground, I can just tell you that, you know, if we are able to reduce their ability to -- to inspire and to recruit other, you know, people who want to join their ranks, then that is success.

If they go underground, that means there are fewer people that they can reach. But as far as the specifics of that and how to address it, I would again, you know, like the others, refer you to our colleagues up in London who are really taking that global threat of ISIS, you know, propaganda and are weaving it throughout the entire world to defeat ISIS propaganda efforts.

Q: Yes, sir. Oh, I have one more. And I apologize. I know you said you really were referring the transgender issue to back here. On the ground, though, in a general sense, do you guys have a message for folks who might be serving on the ground who might be affected by this? Have you put a message out to the troops who are serving and might be concerned about this and assuage any concerns that they may have?

COL. DILLON: We have not put anything out. We're going to await direction from the Pentagon on steps to move forward.

Q: Thank you, sir.

MAJ. RANKINE-GALLOWAY: Now to Elizabeth from ABC.

Q: Hi. One more question. So, I wanted to follow up about this idea of the police in the box and border guards in the box that you had addressed several weeks ago. I think there were 100 that had been purchased, and 50 had started going out. Can you tell us a little bit about the effectiveness of those? Have they been successful in countering any skirmishes that could have come up? And what's your assessment of will more be purchased? Anything else you can tell us about that.

COL. DILLON: Elizabeth, that is the one thing I did not follow up on -- not the one thing, but, you know, I don't have an answer on that. I actually wrote that down to see how many have been distributed and I'll follow up on the use of those. I don't have an answer for you right now. I will have to follow up with you on that afterwards, though. Sorry about that.

Q: Appreciate it. Thank you.

MAJ. RANKINE-GALLOWAY: Now to Carla from Voice of America.

Q: Hey, Colonel. Sorry. One quick follow, since you gave the number in Raqqa. Do you have an estimate of the overall ISIS fighters that are in Iraq and Syria now? We haven't gotten an update in a while.

COL. DILLON: Okay. You're going to make me do public math here, which I don't really like to do, but I'll break it down for you this way. I'll say that there are 5,000 to 10,000 ISIS fighters that we assess are -- that we estimate are in the middle Euphrates River valley area. I already told you Raqqa, less than 2,000. And I think that -- and then in Al-Qaim, we estimate about 1,000.

I don't know if that answers your question. Those are the main ones that I'm tracking right now.

Q: What about Tal Afar?

COL. DILLON: In Tal Afar, less than 1,000.

(CROSSTALK)

MAJ. RANKINE-GALLOWAY: Sir, we lost your audio. The group asked about Hawija, if you have an estimate for the number of ISIS remaining in Hawija?

COL. DILLON: Yes. Yeah, it must have cut off when I said that: less than 1,000 in Hawija as well. So just to take stock in everything again, about 1,000 Al-Qaim; less than 1,000 in Tal Afar and Hawija. So 1,000 each, excuse me; about 2,000, less than 2,000 in Raqqa, and 5,000 to 10,000 in the MERV.

MAJ. RANKINE-GALLOWAY: Ma'am, go ahead.

Q: Hi -- (inaudible) -- Turkey.

Last week, there was an expression of discontent by the Pentagon on the report by Anadolu Agency showing the U.S. bases in Syria. Do you still have the same concerns? Or are you satisfied with the Turkish government's statements that they were -- they were not the source of the leak? What do you make of the -- the position of the Turkish government?

Thank you.

COL. DILLON: Yeah, you know, while we -- we cannot confirm that there is -- we don't know who provided this information to the Anadolu Agency, but it would be concerning if it came from a NATO ally.

So, you know, we have expressed our concerns. We're going to continue to -- to operate, you know, throughout northern Syria in the way that we have. And we do have force protection measures that allow us to continue to focus on fighting ISIS in northern Syria.

MAJ. RANKINE-GALLOWAY: All right, with that -- oh, sir, in the back. Oh, excuse me, ma'am. Sorry. Sorry.

(Laughter.)

Q: You're good, you're good.

Thank you, sir.

I'm wondering if you'd speak to, before severing, or this ongoing severing of ties with the Shook, when's the last time that the coalition broke ties with a member of -- or a group under the umbrella of the vetted Syrian opposition? Has this happened before, and if so, when -- when did it happen?

COL. DILLON: Yeah, you know, we asked that question as well, and, you know, from -- we have not had an -- an incident like this, so -- where we have had to cut ties with a vetted Syrian opposition group. This is the first time.

Q: Thank you.

MAJ. RANKINE-GALLOWAY: And with that, are there any more questions? All right, thank you.

Sir, do you have any closing remarks for the group?

COL. DILLON: I do not. Thanks, Adrian.

Thanks, everybody. And we'll see you next week.

http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/1260398/

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Nasrollah: Arsal operation going on till total purge

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, July 27, IRNA -- Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrollah said live on Almenar TV on Wednesday that the Asral operation will continue until total purge of the area from Takfiri terrorists and added that he won't respond US President Donald Trump's remarks so that the Lebanese mission in the States doesn't face any trouble.

Focusing on Arsal battle in his speech, Hezbollah secretary general indicated that the goal of the battle in Arsal, Lebanon, and Flita outskirts in Syria was to push out the armed terrorists from areas.

He noted that the battle was delayed since 2015, and was needed to be done. The area had become a shelter for the terrorist.

He added that some people might have a different idea about the event who are respected, while stressing that it had got nothing to do with Iran.

'We have been preparing for this battle since last spring. When spring arrived, the preparations took off and we had to choose whether to initiate with it before or after the month of Ramadan. And finally we agreed on after Ramadan."

Nasrollah stated that the area there is witnessing the toughest fights its size is 100 km2 over which Nosra Front had control. In the area, there are high mountains, and barren valleys."

Fighting in those mountains, valleys and hills is most difficult, he said.

Saying that there was no element of surprise involved because there had been some negotiations for peace before, he added a precise war plan was finalized by experience commanders.

Nasrollah indicated, "In Flita outskirts there was a joint battle along with the Syrian Army. We fought side by side, and we both offered martyrs. On the Lebanese side, what the Lebanese Army did in Arsal and its outskirts was essential for this victory, as it targeted terrorists.'

He added that the terrorists intended to enter the city to exploit it, while noting that Nosra Front didn't face safe from the rear are anymore, so it had no choice but to combat the Resistance.

Hezbollah secretary general noted the Ahl al-Sham did the right thing and the way was opened for them to go to the refugee camps to be with their families.

He added that Nosra Front leaders arrogantly did not accept the advice.

He pointed out that Daesh (ISIS) won't accept them either, because Nosra Front should accept Daesh's allegiance, and they won't accept to obey Abubakr al-Baqdadi.

He said that with the help of the Army Arsal stayed safe and secure, stressing that "when the battle is over we are ready to hand in all the locations to the Army and the people of Arsal can return to their towns safely. We will not allow anyone to come near the refugee camps or attack them."

Nasrollah asked everyone not to put a time frame for the operation, pointing out while the battle is approaching the end, there is no rush to finish the operation. He added that passage of time is to his camp's benefit as they are not in a hurry to safeguard their brothers' lives.

Nasrollah announced that the victory belonged to Christians and Muslims. 'In the battle against terrorism we are performing our duty and we do not expect gratitude and appreciation from anyone." he stated.

Hezbollah Secretary General thanked the families of martyrs and of the wounded in all the fields and also saluted the Palestinian people who are defending Al-Aqsa mosque and drawing the path to a new victory, while imposing their will on the Zionists.

Nasrollah appreciated the Yemeni Leader Abdul Malek Al-Huthi for his support to the resistance in Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine, and greeted the Lebanese Army on its anniversary, assuring, "It is a partner and the axis of the golden equation 'Army-People-Resistance'".

Commenting on Trump's remarks, he said he would not respond Trump's remarks so that the Lebanese mission in the US did not face any trouble.

In the Tuesday meeting with Lebanese Prime minister Saad Hariri, Trump had called Hezbollah a terrorist group that is a threat to Lebanon and the whole region.

9417**1420

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'Up-Gunned ESG' Concept Moves Forward in Talisman Saber 17

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170727-08

Release Date: 7/27/2017 9:45:00 AM

From Expeditionary Strike Group 7 Public Affairs

CORAL SEA (NNS) -- Flanked by a U.S. destroyer and four Australian frigates, the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group successfully executed elements of the 'Up-Gunned ESG' concept while participating in more than two weeks of live action training as part of Talisman Saber 2017.

The Field Training Exercise (FTX) component of TS17 tested a combined and joint forces' ability to respond to a crisis situation. Amphibious forces played a critical role in seizing objectives ashore that allowed a land force led by Australian Army's 3rd Brigade to deliver stability further.

Throughout the exercise, the combined U.S.-Australia-New Zealand amphibious force defended against opposing exercise forces in the air, surface, and undersea domains while providing combat power against both those forces and opposing forces ashore. The scenarios allowed the ESG to flex its sensors, weapons, and maneuverability; attaining sea control and project power ashore.

"Australia has become one of our most capable amphibious allies in the region. Together we showed during Talisman Saber 17 that we are ready to fight our way into the littorals and simultaneously control the seas and land," said Rear Adm. Marc Dalton, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7 and commander of the combined amphibious force for the exercise. "I couldn't be more proud of our combined team. We integrated our warfare commanders, ships and embarked ground forces to take the fight to the opposing forces successfully."

Talisman Saber is a biennial exercise that unites more than 33,000 U.S. and Australian personnel to build on partnerships, interoperability and the ability to respond to contingencies in the region. The exercise also doubled as ESG 7's certification exercise to remain the Navy's only forward-deployed certified expeditionary strike group staff.

The myriad of maritime threats put ESG watchstanders to the test. Sailors manning watch stations in their unit's combat information center (CIC) had to remain vigilant in using pre-planned responses and stimulating employment of weapons systems in defense of the ships at sea. As some watchstanders worked to determine a sub's location, others were coordinating attacks to destroy opposition surface ships.

The Royal Australian Navy Fleet Battle Staff embarked the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) to perform duties as the Sea Combat Commander, managing U.S. and Australian surface forces, multi-mission helicopters, and shore-based maritime patrol aircraft to take control of the surface and undersea from opposing ships and submarines.

While the Fleet Battle Staff was on Bonhomme Richard, the Adelaide-class guided-missile frigate HMAS Darwin (FFG 04) was in charge of the air defense of the ESG, keenly monitoring the skies and directing surface-to-air fires when needed.

Both Australian-led warfare areas were critical to the survivability of the force.

"It was professionally and personally rewarding to be a part of something like this, where we could feel so integrated and part of a fantastic team to accomplish the mission," said Lt. Cmdr. Aaron Scott, future operations officer for the Fleet Battle Staff. "The grouping of Australian frigates alongside the USS Sterrett allowed us to fold in tenets of distributed lethality, effectively using a number of sensors and weapons to protect the force. It was impressive to see how we were able to leverage each other's capabilities to achieve a combined effect."

Talisman Saber was also the venue for testing capabilities across a broad spectrum.

To add increased capability, the Bonhomme Richard embarked MH-60Rs Sea Hawk helicopters assigned to the "Saberhawks" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77 who are deployed with the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 77). While the concept has been used in exercises like Rim of the Pacific, it was the first time MH-60Rs were embarked on Bonhomme Richard in the Forward Deployed Naval Force.

MH-60Rs provide long-range surface search and undersea search capabilities, as well as offensive firepower within the Up-Gunned ESG concept.

"It was great to work with a coalition partner and practice these skill sets," said Cmdr. Newt McKissick, executive officer of the "Saberhawks." "It was also a rewarding experience to partner with the Marine Corps and contribute Navy air capability."

The exercise was also an opportunity for the ESG to conduct its primary mission: launching Marines ashore. A wave of landing craft and U.S. Marine Corps aircraft transported 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines and equipment to landing zones at various junctures in the exercise. MEU Marines trained with the Australian Army within the framework of crisis response once ashore.

The expeditious offload of Marines ashore demonstrated ship-to-shore amphibious capability.

"Amphibious forces remain the heart of the ESG and our Sailors, ships and landing craft personnel did an amazing job off-loading the Marines safely and efficiently," said Capt. George Doyon, commander, Amphibious Squadron 11, who commanded the amphibious operations for the strike group. "This exercise has challenged and made us better. I am confident we could stand together with Australia to respond to a contingency."

The U.S.-Australia-New Zealand amphibious force is the aggregate of a U.S.-led expeditionary strike group, an Australian-led amphibious task group, and a number of Australian and U.S. escort ships. The Royal Australian Navy amphibious assault ship HMAS Canberra (L02) has been serving as the amphibious assault ship counterpart to Bonhomme Richard.

The U.S. contribution to the expeditionary strike group consisted of USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), USS Green Bay (LPD 20); USS Ashland (LSD 48); USS Sterett (DDG 104); Naval Beach Unit 7, Sea Helicopter Combat Squadron (HSC) 25; Tactical Squadron (TACRON) 12; and the embarked 31st MEU. MEU personnel include nearly 2,300 Marines from Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, Combat Logistics Battalion 31, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced) and Marine Attack Squadron 311.

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Technical consultations on the resumption of the operations of the Uzhgorod airport will continue.

The press service of the State Aviation Service of Ukraine reported that the issue was discussed by its representatives at a meeting with representatives of the Ukrainian State Air Traffic Services Enterprise (UkSATSE) and local authorities of Zakarpattia region on July 25.

The sides exchanged views on the necessity of certifying the Ukrainian provider of air navigation services in line with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) rules. The situation is linked to the fact that Slovakia, which air space is crossed by planes when they take off and land the Yuzhgorod airport, is a member of the European Union (EU) and sticks to the EASA rules.

The details of the certification will be discussed further in the near future.

As reported, on June 16, 2016, the agreement between the governments of Ukraine and Slovakia on the transfer of responsibility for the servicing of air traffic and operating the Uzhgorod airport expired. It was decided to fly using the visual flight rules as a transitive option.
UNITAS 2017 Concludes in Peru

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170727-04

Release Date: 7/27/2017 9:19:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bill Dodge, UNITAS 2017 Public Affairs

LIMA, Peru (NNS) -- After two weeks of multinational exercises and events at-sea and in port, UNITAS 2017 concluded with a debrief and closing ceremony held on the oceanfront July 26, in Lima, Peru.

During the 58th iteration of the longest running multinational naval exercise, host nation Peru welcomed personnel from 19 participating nations to conduct exercises designed to develop and enhance strong and lasting relationships between participants.

"This being my fifth time attending UNITAS, I feel that we've interacted better, our communication and partnerships are stronger and we are showing that the area here is important and our relationships are important," said Capt. Errin Armstrong, commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40.

Participating nations utilized 30 vessels, 28 aircraft as well as several submarines and amphibious vehicles to complete six live-fire exercises and 37 combined maritime events during UNITAS 2017. Sailors and marines also participated in a community relations project assisting schools and a hospital a northern Peruvian area affected heavily by recent flooding.

"I want to thank and congratulate all who have participated in UNITAS 2017 for the work you have done," said Peruvian Rear Adm. Alberto Alcala, commander, Surface Force Peru. "To the young men and women involved in thank you for your professionalism and leadership, I hope this is an opportunity you will never forget."

During the closing ceremony, Rear Adm. Linda R. Wackerman addressed the audience and handed out awards to representatives from each of the 19 participating nations.

"Today we celebrate the completion of UNITAS 2017," said Wackerman. "I am incredibly honored to be here today and proud of the exceptional work of the participants, not a single detail was overlooked."

Wackerman continued her remarks by commending the sophistication of the exercise and its participants in a world that is increasingly interconnected. She stressed the importance of continuing to develop relationships with partner nations.

"UNITAS provides the ability to foster partnerships with other nations that will have positive repercussions for years to come," said Wackerman. "Bravo zulu to all, shipmates."

The closing ceremony ended with Rear Adm. Alena presenting Colombian navy Capt. William Suescun with a flag designating the South American country, Peru's neighbors to the north, as hosts of UNITAS 2018.

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GHWB Arrives in Portsmouth, England

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170727-03

Release Date: 7/27/2017 8:52:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Mario Coto, USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, England (NNS) -- The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) (GHWB) arrived in Portsmouth, England, for a scheduled port visit, July 27.

Nearly 5,000 GHWB and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 Sailors will have the opportunity to visit the historic port, and take advantage of tours offered by the ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) program.

"Visiting Portsmouth is definitely one the highlights of this deployment," said Command Master Chief Huben Phillips, GHWB's command master chief. "I know the Sailors are excited to immerse themselves in English culture, try local food, and enjoy the hard-earned and well-deserved opportunity to explore the rich history of Portsmouth and London."

This port visit precedes the ship's participation in the multinational exercise Saxon Warrior '17 along with elements from the United Kingdom and other North American Treaty Organization (NATO) members. The exercise is designed to develop theater-specific combat skills, as well as enhance cooperation between allies.

"After completing our mission, we are taking time to visit one of our greatest allies," said Capt. Will Pennington, GHWB's commanding officer. "I think it speaks volumes about our Navy and our nation that we are stopping to help our ally get back in the carrier strike group business. The U.K.'s support, and our teamwork together, has been crucial to protecting the freedoms of both nations. This port visit and the upcoming exercise show the strength of our relationship and that it will still carry on into the future."

For many GHWB Sailors, this will be the first time visiting the United Kingdom.

"I'm really excited for this port visit," said Operations Specialist 3rd Class Taylor Brickles. "Ever since I joined the Navy three and a half years ago, it's been the dream port visit that I've been looking forward to."

The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests.

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Hezbollah discovers Nusra Front mass grave on border with Syria

Iran Press TV

Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:1PM

The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement says its fighters have found a mass grave containing the bodies of slain members of the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham  previously known as the Nusra Front  militant group.

The media bureau of Hezbollah announced on Thursday that resistance fighters had made the discovery on the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal, located 124 kilometers northeast of the capital Beirut. It said the extremists had been killed during intense clashes with Hezbollah members over the past few days and that their bodies were buried by their fellow comrades.

The statement came as a ceasefire reportedly took effect on the Lebanese side of the border with Syria near Arsal.

Lebanon-based al-Manar television network and the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reported that the ceasefire took effect at 6:00 a.m. local time (0300 GMT) on Thursday, and halted fighting on all fronts in the Jurud Arsal area.

Under the deal, the remaining Fateh al-Sham terrorists will withdraw to Syria's militant-held northwestern province of Idlib.

Hezbollah launched a major push on July 21 to clear both sides of Lebanon's border with Syria from "armed terrorists."

In August 2014, the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and Daesh terrorist groups overran Arsal, killing a number of Lebanese forces. They took 30 soldiers hostage, most of whom have been released.

Since then, Hezbollah and the Lebanese military have been defending Lebanon on the country's northeastern frontier against foreign-backed terrorist groups from neighboring Syria.

Hezbollah fighters have fended off several Daesh attacks inside Lebanon. They have also been providing assistance to Syrian army forces to counter the ongoing foreign-sponsored militancy.

The movement has accused Israel of supporting Takfiri terrorists operating in the Middle East.

Israel, which continues to occupy Lebanon's Shebaa Farms and Syria's Golan Heights, is widely reported to be offering medical help to Takfiri terrorists injured in Syria. In December 2015, British newspaper the Daily Mail said Israel had saved the lives of more than 2,000 Takfiri militants since 2013.

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Catalonia adopts measure to make secession easier

Iran Press TV

Thu Jul 27, 2017 10:16AM

Catalonian lawmakers have approved reforms that would make it easier for the wealthy region to secede from Spain following an upcoming independence referendum.

The reforms, approved by a 72-63 vote on Wednesday, will allow Catalonia to declare independence within 48 hours if voters choose to split from Spain in a referendum scheduled to be held on October 1.

The new decision makes it easier for any piece of legislation in Catalonia to be adopted quickly, with fewer checks and balances.

The government in Madrid is categorically opposed to the independence bid. It called the Wednesday Catalonian parliament vote "illegal," reiterating previous remarks that the independence referendum threatened Spain's unity.

Tensions further deepened between Barcelona and Madrid on Friday, when the Spanish government told Catalonian authorities that they would lose access to some public funds if they were found to be using state money to organize the referendum.

"Not one euro of Catalan money will go to an illegal referendum that is desired by a handful of people," Spanish government spokesman Inigo Mendez de Vigo said. Catalonian authorities will be obliged to provide weekly accounts to show that no money is being used to stage the independence vote, he added.

Leaders in Catalonia have pledged to go ahead with the referendum despite threats.

"The Spanish government is imposing excessive demands on the public services of Catalonia simply because of the opinions of the government of the Generalitat. We will not submit to this fear," the regional Catalonian government said.

It has repeatedly attempted to gain outright independence from Spain but has failed due to the division among the 7.5 million residents of the region.

Back in November 2014, a symbolic referendum on independence was held in Catalonia. The vote went ahead despite fierce opposition by the central Spanish government, which considered it illegal. More than 80 percent of the 2.3 million people who cast ballots backed independence for Catalonia, according to regional officials.

Many in the wealthy region, which provides almost a fifth of the Spanish economic output, wish for greater autonomy from Madrid, arguing that Spain's recent economic downturn is making Catalans pay more taxes to the central government to subsidize poorer regions.

The highly-industrialized region has its own language and customs.

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Ceasefire takes effect on Lebanese-Syrian border: Reports

Iran Press TV

Thu Jul 27, 2017 5:58AM

A ceasefire has reportedly taken effect on the Lebanese side of the border with Syria near the town of Arsal, where Hezbollah resistance fighters have been combating Takfiri militants over the past week.

Lebanon-based al-Manar television network and the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reported on Thursday that the ceasefire in the Juroud Arsal area came into force at 0300 GMT and halted fighting on all fronts.

The NNA said the truce was part of a deal brokered by Lebanon's general security agency chief, Major General Abbas Ibrahim.

Under the agreement, the report said, the remaining al-Nusra terrorists would withdraw from the region to Syria's Idlib Province, parts of which are controlled by Takfiri militants.

It added that Ibrahim was expected to release a statement on the deal later on Thursday.

Hezbollah launched a major push last Friday to clear both sides of Lebanon's border with Syria from "armed terrorists." Lebanon's army has not formally declared its role in the operation, but has shelled terrorist positions in the area.

On Tuesday, the resistance group's media bureau announced in a statement that its battle to eliminate members of the Takfiri Jabhat Fatah al-Sham  previously known as the Nusra Front  militant group from the Syria-Lebanon border is 85 percent complete.

Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah also said Wednesday that the operation to recapture the border area from Nusra was almost complete, and that nearly 100 percent of the territories that used to be controlled by the Takfiri terrorists were now liberated.

In August 2014, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and Daesh terrorist groups overran Arsal, killing a number of Lebanese forces. They took 30 soldiers hostage, most of whom have been released.

Since then, Hezbollah and the Lebanese military have been defending Lebanon on the country's northeastern frontier against foreign-backed terrorist groups operating in neighboring Syria.

Hezbollah fighters have fended off several Daesh attacks inside Lebanon. They have also been providing assistance to Syrian army forces to counter the ongoing foreign-sponsored militancy.

The movement has accused Israel of supporting Takfiri terrorists operating in the Middle East.

Israel, which continues to occupy Lebanon's Shebaa Farms and Syria's Golan Heights, is widely reported to be offering medical help to Takfiri terrorists injured in Syria. In December 2015, British newspaper the Daily Mail said Israel had saved the lives of more than 2,000 Takfiri militants since 2013.

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Maduro censures new US sanctions on Venezuela as 'illegal'

Iran Press TV

Thu Jul 27, 2017 5:57AM

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has denounced as "illegal" the new economic sanctions leveled by the United States against Venezuelan officials over a controversial government plan for rewriting the constitution.

"Who do these imperialists in the United States think they are? The government of the world?" Maduro said in a speech on Wednesday, after the White House imposed sanctions against 13 current and former Venezuelan officials.

He called the sanctions "illegal, insolent, and unprecedented."

Among the Venezuelan individuals targeted with the sanctions were army and police chiefs, the national director of elections, and a vice president for the state oil company PDVSA.

The US government warned that the sanctions were just a start, and the White House was readying tougher measures against anyone supporting Maduro.

The sanctions are supposed to be punishment for Maduro's plan to hold elections for a controversial new congress that will have the power to rewrite the constitution and override the current opposition-led legislature.

The opposition has been pressuring the Venezuelan president to revoke the decision to hold the vote on July 30. The opposition has boycotted the election and says convening the planned 545-seat Constituent Assembly would institutionalize autocracy in the country.

Maduro, however, has touted the planned rewriting of the constitution as necessary for resolving the widening political crisis in the country, saying that the reforms would also help the nation through the current economic crisis.

Meanwhile, the opposition has called for a two-day nationwide strike starting on Wednesday. It was not clear how many people had heeded the call.

Anti-government protesters on the streets have also been staging mass rallies and blocking roads with trash cans and makeshift barricades.

Thousands of Venezuelans have also crossed the border into neighboring Colombia in the run-up to the Sunday vote, during which more violence is expected.

Prosecutors said at least one protester was killed during a rally in the western state of Merida, the latest in a death toll that has now hit 104 in the four month of political unrest in the oil-rich country.

Maduro has repeatedly blamed the crisis on the United States, saying Washington has incited the opposition.

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Yemen grappling with 'vicious' combination of worst crises: UN

Iran Press TV

Thu Jul 27, 2017 5:17AM

The United Nations has warned that the catastrophic situation in Yemen is turning into a combination of the world's worst humanitarian crises amid almost daily Saudi bombardment of the impoverished Arab nation.

In a joint statement on Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Program (WFP) said Yemen is grappling with "the world's worst cholera outbreak in the midst of the world's largest humanitarian crisis."

"In the last three months alone, 400,000 cases of suspected cholera and nearly 1,900 associated deaths have been recorded. Vital health, water and sanitation facilities have been crippled by more than 2 years of hostilities, and created the ideal conditions for diseases to spread," the statement said.

"The country is on the brink of famine, with over 60 per cent of the population not knowing where their next meal will come from. Nearly 2 million Yemeni children are acutely malnourished. Malnutrition makes them more susceptible to cholera; diseases create more malnutrition. A vicious combination," the statement added.

The executive directors of the WHO, UNICEF and the WFP arrived in Yemen on Monday, visiting the southern province of Aden and the country's capital, Sana'a.

The UN top officials also met the self-styled prime minister, Ahmed bin Dagher, for talks on international aid delivery and ways to contain "the cholera epidemic which has spread to all provinces."

The officials pointed to their observations during the visits, including hospitalized children "who can barely gather the strength to breathe" and the vital infrastructure, such as health and water facilities, which have been damaged or destroyed.

"More than 30,000 health workers have not been paid their salaries in more than 10 months, but many still report for duty. We have asked the Yemeni authorities to pay these health workers urgently because, without them, we fear that people who would otherwise have survived may die," the statement said.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection that is spread through contaminated food or water. It can be effectively treated with the immediate replacement of lost fluids and salts, but without treatment it can be fatal.

The disease first became epidemic in Yemen last October and spread until December, when it dwindled. The second outbreak began in the Arabian Peninsula country in late April.

Meanwhile, nearly 3.3 million Yemeni people, including 2.1 million children, are currently suffering from acute malnutrition.

"The situation remains dire. Thousands are falling sick every day. Sustained efforts are required to stop the spread of disease. Nearly 80 percent of Yemen's children need immediate humanitarian assistance," the UN statement noted.

The UN officials urged Yemeni leaders to find "a peaceful political solution to the conflict" and called on the international community to "redouble its support for the people of Yemen."

"If we fail to do so, the catastrophe we have seen unfolding before our eyes will not only continue to claim lives but will scar future generations and the country for years to come," the statement pointed out.

Since March 2015, Yemen has been under relentless airstrikes by Saudi fighter jets as part of a brutal campaign against the country in an attempt to crush the Houthi Ansarullah movement and reinstall the former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, a staunch ally of Riyadh.

The campaign has seriously damaged the country's infrastructure. Local Yemeni sources have put the death toll from the Saudi war at over 12,000, including many women and children.

Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement has been running state affairs since 2014, when Hadi resigned and fled to Riyadh before returning to Aden. The movement has also been defending the country against the Saudi-led war on the country.

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Qatar Ready for Talks After Arab States Reply to US Settlement Proposal  Doha

Sputnik News

16:17 27.07.2017(updated 16:19 27.07.2017)

Qatar is ready to discuss the time and location of possible negotiations with the blockading Arab states after their response to US settlement initiatives voiced by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Earlier in July, Tillerson made a Middle East trip and held talks to representatives of Qatar and Arab states locked in a diplomatic row with Doha. Following the trip Tillerson said that the United States supported the mediation efforts made by Kuwait, adding that Washington could make some proposals on crisis settlement. The US initiative reportedly implies laying the ground for direct talks between parties of the crisis, counterterrorism measures as well as easing tensions by suspending hostile media campaigns.

"Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that the United States wants to end the Gulf crisis and there is no response from the siege countries to the American proposals to resolve it  Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani stressed that the US proposals must be first responded to before any talk about setting a date or place for dialogue," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement referring to Al-Thani's remarks to the Al Jazeera broadcaster.

The minister pointed out that Qatar appreciated the diplomatic efforts made by Kuwait as well as by Russia and the United States.

"The siege countries, the foreign minister said, are required to respond to the American proposals so that to discuss the issue of dialogue to resolve the crisis and that Qatar's position is advanced ahead of the position of the siege countries, adding that there may be pressure in the coming days on these countries," the statement said without going into details about the possible pressure.

On June 5, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates broke off diplomatic relations and communication with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and interfering in their internal affairs. The Maldives, Mauritius, and Mauritania followed suite, while Jordan and Djibouti reduced the level of their diplomatic missions in Qatar.

In late June, Kuwait, acting as a mediator in the crisis, handed over to Doha the ultimatum of the four Arab states with 13 demands, including the requests to severe Qatar's relations with Iran, close Turkey's military base in Qatar and shut down the Al Jazeera TV channel, as well as to end support for the Muslim Brotherhood, a terrorist organization banned in Russia.

On July 5, the four Arab states confirmed Doha's refusal to comply with their demands and expressed regret over such a position.

 Sputnik

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Maduro Accuses World Media of Spreading Fake News on Venezuela

Sputnik News

14:47 27.07.2017

World media outlets have been disseminating misinformation about the situation in Venezuela, an act which can only be interpreted as a form of harassment against the deeply unsettled nation, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro said Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  In early May, Maduro announced his decision to convene the National Constituent Assembly in a bid to amend the acting constitution. The opposition regarded the president's decision as an attempted coup, resulting in an escalation of already fraught tensions. The elections of the members of the Constitutional Assembly are scheduled for Sunday.

"Venezuela is being exposed to bullying by the world media besieging [the country]. [They] spread lots of false versions, lots of lies. This is what we call 'fake news' today, isn't it? The era of post-truth [has come]," Maduro told the RT broadcaster.

The president also added that the world TV and press engaged in a mass attack against Venezuela on a daily basis.

"Venezuela has its constitution, the world has to know that. It may as well be one of the few constitutions in the world that comprises efficient principles of original constituent power. It endows the president and other authorities, including the people, with the right to convene a National Constituent Assembly," Maduro added.

Venezuela has been in the grip of sweeping anti-Maduro street protests since late March, when the government attempted to deprive Congress of its legislative functions in favor of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, the country's highest court of law. Though the action was almost immediately reversed, the civil unrest continued to gain momentum, leading to over 100 people being killed and hundreds arrested so far.

 Sputnik

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China Won't Get Port for Naval Base, Sri Lanka Assures India

Sputnik News

12:35 27.07.2017

China will not be able to use the Hambantota port in southern Sri Lanka as a naval base and limit its presence to commercial activities as part of a revised agreement approved by the Sri Lankan government on Tuesday, allaying strategic concerns raised by India.

New Delhi (Sputnik)  As part of the revised pact, the Sri Lankan government has limited the role of the Chinese to just commercial operations, while retaining oversight of security operations at the port. The earlier terms of the agreement had sparked a controversy and protests in the island nation.

"Some [diplomatic] missions here were worried that the port would be used as a military naval base. As per the revised agreement, Sri Lanka will manage the port security. Our foreign policy today is reaching out to everyone and not giving special treatment to anyone," The Hindu quoted Mahinda Samarasinghe, Sri Lankan Ports Minister, as saying.

The strategically located port was built with Chinese loans in 2010 during President Mahinda Rajapaksa's tenure. In 2016, the Maithripala Sirisena-Ranil Wickremesinghe government decided to sell 80% stake in the port to the state-run China Merchants Port Holdings in order to service the massive $8 billion debt the island nation owes to China.

Hambantota port is part of China's maritime silk route across Asia connecting it with Europe at a key junction in the Indian Ocean.

What, however, raised alarm bells in New Delhi as well as the US and Japan was a Chinese submarine docking in Colombo, where another Chinese firm is building a $1.4 billion port city on reclaimed land, according to Reuters.

India has been closely watching the developments in Sri Lanka thereafter, including raising its strategic concerns. In May this year, Sri Lanka refused a Chinese request to allow the docking of a submarine.

But less than a fortnight later, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe attended the Belt and Road Initiative in Beijing in May, which India boycotted.

Indian experts say while Sri Lanka has heeded New Delhi's concerns, the Chinese influence in the island is not over. A large section of its political class harbors anti-India sentiments and view China as a balancing factor.

"India enjoys close people-to-people contact and religious and historical connections, but China has expanded its political and commercial influence. New Delhi needs to keep Rajapaksa at bay. He continues to enjoy popularity and that has to be kept in mind," Major General Vinod Saighal (Retd.) told Sputnik.

 Sputnik

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The sixth round of negotiations on the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and Israel ended in Kyiv on Friday, July 28, the Economic Development and Trade Ministry of Ukraine reported.

"During the talks, the sides noted significant progress in coordinating the draft text of the Agreement, in particular, they worked through and virtually completed the discussion of the main provisions: institutional, general and final provisions, customs procedures, rules of origin, dispute settlement, etc. In addition, the delegations continued to discuss the access to commodity markets and determined the needed reduction in customs tariffs for sensitive goods, in particular in the agricultural sector," the report said.

"Our position has been formed taking into account the results of the consultations with industrial and business associations, it is important that free trade agreements create new opportunities for Ukrainian exporters, therefore it is necessary to provide duty-free access to as many agricultural and industrial goods as possible to the Israeli market," said Deputy Economy Minister  Ukraine's Trade Representative Natalia Mykolska, who chairs the Ukrainian delegation at the talks.

This has been the third meeting of delegations in 2017. The next round of talks will be held in Israel.
Security Council extends mandate of UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus

27 July 2017  The Security Council today renewed the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Cyprus for six months, until 31 January 2018, following the recent failure to reach a settlement to the longstanding conflict between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots on the Mediterranean island.

In a resolution adopted unanimously, the 15-member body also requested the Secretary-General to conduct a strategic review of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and report back within four months.

Welcoming the progress made in the peace process since February 2014 and noting the outcome of the recent Conference on Cyprus, the Council encouraged the two sides and all involved participants to sustain their commitment to a settlement under UN auspices.

Despite hopes for a comprehensive settlement, the UN-facilitated conference held from 28 June to 7 July in the Swiss town of Crans-Montana concluded without an agreement. While expressing his disappointment, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that initiatives can still be pursued and developed in order to address the outstanding issues.

Further in the resolution, the Council urged the two sides to implement confidence-building measures that can contribute to a conducive environment for a settlement.

UNFICYP was originally set up by the Council in 1964 to prevent further fighting between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

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Top US General: No Changes Yet on Transgender Policy

By Carla Babb July 27, 2017

The U.S. military's top general says there has been no change yet to the military's policy on transgender personnel, despite President Donald Trump's announcement on Twitter that they will be banned from serving "in any capacity."

"There will be no modifications to the current policy until the President's direction has been received by the Secretary of Defense [Jim Mattis] and the Secretary has issued implementation guidance," the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford, wrote in a memo obtained by VOA.

The chairman's spokesman, Navy Capt. Greg Hicks, told VOA that Dunford had sent out the note Thursday morning. The note was addressed to the military's service chiefs, commanders and enlisted military leaders.

"In the meantime, we will continue to treat all of our personnel with respect," Dunford added.

Meanwhile, a statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Dana W. White on transgender policy was issued. "The Department of Defense is awaiting formal guidance from the White House as a follow-up to the commander-in-chief's announcement on military service by transgender personnel. We will provide detailed guidance to the department in the near future for how this policy change will be implemented. The department will continue to focus on our mission of defending our nation and on-going operations against our foes, while ensuring all service members are treated with respect."

Trump made his transgender policy announcement Wednesday in a string of Twitter comments. Trump said he was ordering the armed forces to stop allowing transgender individuals to serve after consulting generals and military experts.

"Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail," Trump tweeted.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said later that Trump will "have to work together" with the Defense Department to "lawfully determine" the fate of transgender service personnel who are already in the military. According to research by the RAND Corporation, the U.S. military has about 4,000 transgender people currently serving.

Sanders rebuffed reporters' inquiries suggesting that Trump had broken an election campaign vow to support the transgender community. The president felt his decision was "the best one for the military," she said.

Previous policy

In June 2016, then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the Pentagon was ending what he said were policies that discriminated against transgender people, and would start by revoking a rule that transgender people could be involuntarily discharged from military service.

Under Carter's order, the military had planned to start allowing transgender people to enlist this year, provided they had been "stable" in their preferred gender for 18 months.

Ahead of Trump's announcement, Mattis said recently the Pentagon would delay Carter's order through the remainder of 2017 in order to review the impact of the shift.

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Palestinians Clash With Israeli Soldiers at Holy Site After Security Measures Lifted

By Robert Berger July 27, 2017

Israeli police and Palestinian worshippers clashed Thursday outside a revered holy site in the Old City within Jerusalem after Israel removed the final elements of security measures it installed there earlier this month.

Palestinians threw rocks at Israeli police, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets, as they were stationed at the gates to the site, Israeli police said.

According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, at least 37 Palestinians were hurt in the confrontation, including some who were hit by rubber bullets or beaten. Several of those injured suffered broken bones, the group said.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had called on Muslims to return to the Mosque of Al-Aqsa to pray, after Israel dismantled the last of controversial new security measures that were set up two weeks ago.

After Arab gunmen fatally shot two Israeli police officers, Israel installed metal detectors, security cameras and railings at the site, located on a compound known to Jews as the Temple Mount. The measures, however, sparked Palestinian riots.

Palestinians described the measures as humiliating to Muslims and accused Israel of trying to seize control of the third holiest place in Islam. They refused to enter the mosque through Israeli security and held tense prayer protests on the streets.

Mohammed Hussein, the mufti or Muslim spiritual leader of Jerusalem, said Israel's removal of the security devices is satisfactory. Islamic leaders declared victory, saying the Israeli occupation could not break the will of the Palestinian people.

On Friday, tens of thousands of Palestinians are expected to gather at the Al-Aqsa Mosque for prayers on the Muslim Sabbath. Thousands of Israeli police and soldiers will be deployed to keep order.

Jerusalem Police Chief Yoram Halevy urged Palestinians to keep the peace, warning that there will be a harsh response to any outbreak of violence.

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3 Killed as Venezuela Anti-Maduro Strike Enters 2nd Day

By VOA News July 27, 2017

A nationwide general strike in Venezuela entered its second day Thursday as street protests left three people dead in the ongoing showdown to protest the socialist government of President Nicolas Maduro.

State prosecutors said one man was shot dead in western Venezuela, while a 14-year-old boy was killed during clashes in the capital, Caracas. Details about the third person's death were not released.

Millions of workers stayed home Wednesday, leaving streets and highways clear of traffic and scores of businesses closed. Some protesters threw up roadblocks in neighborhoods to keep people from getting to work, leading to deadly confrontations with security forces. The nationwide strike is aimed at forcing Maduro to cancel a vote on creation of a Constituent Assembly that would be tasked with rewriting the constitution.

Maduro has scheduled the vote for this Sunday for the assembly to restore order in Venezuela, where more than 100 people have been killed in almost daily violent clashes between protesters and security forces since April.

Opposition leaders say Maduro intends to assume more authoritarian powers once a constitutional assembly acceptable to him is chosen.

Leopoldo Lopez, an opposition leader, called on Venezuelans Wednesday to continue peaceful street protests, and encouraged the military to ignore government orders to clamp down on activists.

A planned protest march Friday in the capital, Caracas, will follow the 48-hour walkout.

US sanctions

Meanwhile, the United States announced new sanctions Wednesday against 13 individuals connected to the Venezuelan government and state oil company, in an further effort to pressure Maduro to call off Sunday's vote.

A senior Trump administration official said the individuals targeted include high-ranking current and former officials connected to the Maduro regime, including two Cabinet ministers, the national elections director, the vice president of finance for state-run oil company PDVSA, and the country's army and police chiefs, among others.

In a statement accompanying the sanctions announcement, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said further sanctions are possible after the election Maduro called.

"Anyone elected to the National Constituent Assembly should know that their role in undermining democratic processes and institutions in Venezuela could expose them to potential U.S. sanctions," he said.

Maduro undeterred

The protests at home and backlash from abroad have not deterred Maduro from forging ahead with his plans. The president has followed through on his vow to arrest any new Supreme Court judges appointed by the opposition-dominated National Assembly, with three judges detained by intelligence forces since Saturday.

The protests were sparked by growing anger over Venezuela's crumbling economy. Once rich with oil, the nation's revenues have tumbled following the sharp drop in global energy prices; corruption by government officials also is seen as a factor in the economic decline.

Food stocks across the country have dwindled or disappeared, forcing many Venezuelans to cross into neighboring Brazil and Colombia to buy food.

Maduro blames his country's woes on the United States. He has warned the Organization of American States not to intervene in Venezuela, saying that would surely bring on civil war.

VOA Spanish Service correspondent Alvaro Algarra contributed to this report from Caracas.

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Wife of Zimbabwe Leader Says Mugabe Should Name Successor

By Blessing Zulu July 27, 2017

Zimbabwe's first lady has urged 93-year-old President Robert Mugabe to name his choice for a successor.

Grace Mugabe, who is widely thought to harbor presidential ambitions, made her comments Thursday while addressing the ZANU-PF party's women's league in Harare.

According a report from the state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, the first lady, 52, said "there is nothing wrong with Comrade Mugabe naming his successor," adding the move would enable all party members to rally behind one candidate.

ZBC reported that the first lady also said "the president has the right to be involved in naming his successor," and that "the president's word is final."

President Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, has so far refused to say who should replace him, despite increasing divisions in his party.

On his birthday in February, he told ZBC, "If I feel that I can't do it anymore, I'll say so to my party so that they relieve me. But for now, I think, I can't say so. The majority of the people feel that there is no replacement, actually  no successor who to them is acceptable, as acceptable as I am."

Factionalism

Last year, ZANU-PF confirmed Mugabe would be its presidential candidate for the 2018 elections. But given his age, factions are jostling for the top spot within the party.

There are two camps openly vying for the presidency: Generation 40 and Team Lacoste. Generation 40  which refers to the party's young Turks  is allied with Grace Mugabe. Team Lacoste backs Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, 75, who is widely known as "the Crocodile."

President Mugabe has acknowledged the existence of the two rival camps and their feuding and has ordered them to "stop it." But the infighting has only worsened with reports of his deteriorating health and age. Mugabe has traveled to Singapore three times this year for what his office says are "routine medical checkups."

Last month, Higher Education Minister Jonathan Moyo endorsed Defense Minister Sydney Sekeramayi to succeed the president. The endorsement drew a strong rebuke from the army chief, General Constantino Guveya Chiwenga, who labeled Moyo "an enemy of the state."

Dumisani Muleya, editor of the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper, told VOA Zimbabwe the first lady might be paving the way for Sekeramayi.

"I think what she is trying to do now, realizing that Mugabe is increasingly getting frail, largely because of old age and health complications, she wants to be a catalyst to the process to resolve the succession conundrum. ... Our understanding is that she wants Mugabe to put in a process that will support Defense Minister Sydney Sekeramayi to take over," Muleya said.

That move would be opposed by many veterans of Zimbabwe's independence war, who say Mnangagwa is the natural successor to Mugabe because he is a veteran of the war and is the second most senior ZANU-PF leader, after the longtime president.

Party constitution

ZANU-PF deputy legal affairs secretary Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana said the party's constitution is clear on the issue of succession, and it does not give the president the power to anoint a successor.

"Ordinarily, we hold our congress every five years and the last congress was held in 2014, so the next one will be held in 2019," he told VOA. "In the event if a vacancy arises in between those congresses, a special congress will be called within three months of the event, and then those who are interested in succeeding will have to file nominations, and then they will be elected in the special congress."

Mangwana said the president has no veto powers in the matter.

"No, he has no say whatsoever," he said. "Anyone who wants to become president must submit his or her nomination. They stand up and say, 'I want to lead this party.' And anyone who wants to contest them can contest them. So, the president has one vote, like any other member of the party." he said.

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European Court of Justice's Decision on Hamas

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

July 27, 2017

The United States welcomes the July 26, decision by the European Court of Justice to retain the European Union's proscription of Hamas as a terrorist organization. Hamas, a U.S. Department of State-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), remains engaged in terrorist activity. Hamas's election of Yehya Sinwar as their political leader in Gaza earlier this year illustrates that the organization remains a terrorist threat. Sinwar is a hardline military commander who was designated by the State Department as an SDGT under executive order 13224 in 2015.

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Iran successfully launches Simorgh satellite carrier

Iran Press TV

Thu Jul 27, 2017 12:33PM

Iran has successfully launched its domestically-manufactured Simorgh carrier, whose mission is to put Iranian satellites into the orbit.

According to Tasnim news agency, the launch was carried out by Imam Khomeini Space Center.

The report added that Simorgh satellite carrier is able to put satellites weighing as much as 250 kilograms at an orbit about 500 kilometers above the Earth's surface.

The report said Imam Khomeini Space Center is responsible for all operations related to satellite carriers, including preparation, launch, control and steering.

Iran's Imam Khomeini Space Center conforms to the latest international standards and after final phase of its development, the base will be able to meet all the country's needs at Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

The launch signals official inauguration of Imam Khomeini Space Center.

In December last year, Iran's minister of information and communications technology said the country was planning to send a new domestically-manufactured satellite into space by the past Iranian calendar year (ending on March 20, 2017).

Mahmoud Vaezi added that Iran planned to send two more satellites into space by the end of the next Iranian calendar year (which ends on March 20, 2018).

The three satellites have been manufactured by young Iranian experts in research centers at the country's universities, the minister said.

He also noted that Iran was about to sign a contract with a Russian company on the manufacture of a remote-sensing satellite.

Vaezi's remarks came after head of the Iranian Space Agency (ISA) Mohsen Bahrami said in October 2016 that the country was planning to send three home-made satellites into space.

Speaking to reporters on the occasion of World Space Week, Bahrami said Sharif Sat would be put into orbit by the end of the last Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2017).

He added that Amirkabir and Nahid I satellites would be put into space during the next Iranian calendar year, noting that the preparation process for domestically-manufactured Sadr satellite was also underway.

The ISA chief stated that Sharif Sat was a remote-sensing satellite and Nahid I was a communications satellites.

Iran launched its first locally-built satellite, Omid (Hope), in 2009. The country also sent its first bio-capsule containing living creatures into space in February 2010, using Kavoshgar-3 (Explorer-3) carrier.

Iran also placed the domestically-made Fajr (Dawn) satellite into orbit in February 2015. The satellite is capable of taking and transmitting high-quality and accurate pictures to stations on earth.

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Simorgh-3 Space Launch Vehicle

The 2.5 meter first stage of the Simorgh is somewhat larger than the 2.2 meter diameter KN-22 / Hwasong 15 ICBM. The first stage of the Iranian vehicle appears to have four thrust chambers, while the North Korean vehicle appears to have only two, so they are not indentical. The difference between a military missile and a civilian space launcher is attitude, not altitude. UNSCR 2231 calls on Iran to refrain from conducting activities related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches. Space launch vehicles use technology that is very similar to that used for ballistic missiles, in particular for intercontinental ballistic missiles. Even a failed space launch attempt, involving the failure of an upper stage, would provide an opportunity to test and perfect the lower stages of a rocket intended to carry a nuclear warhead. A failed space launch attempt might also be s successful missile flight test.

The first stage of the Simorgh-3 space launch vehicle is nearly identical with North Korea's Taep'o-dong 2 (TD-2). A number of arguments have been adduced to dispute this connection, but they are no better than spurious quibles. As in the past, North Korea is evading a purported missile test moratorium by testing missiles in Iran.

On 09 February 2020 Iran attempted to launch a domestically-built satellite - which failed, however, to reach orbit. The launch of the satellite happened at 7:15pm local time at Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Iran's Semnan province, some 230km (145 miles) southeast of the capital, Tehran. State television said, however, that a Simorgh rocket could not put the Zafar 1 communications satellite into orbit due to a low speed. "Stage-1 and stage-2 motors of the carrier functioned properly and the satellite was successfully detached from its carrier, but at the end of its path it did not reach the required speed for being put in the orbit," Ahmad Hosseini, spokesman for the defence ministry's space programme, told state television.

Tehran appears to have attempted a second satellite launch despite US criticism that Iran's space program is helping the country develop ballistic missiles, satellite images suggest, according to The Times of Israel. Iran has not yet confirmed conducting such a launch. The Times of Israel reported 07 February 2019 that images released by the Colorado-based company DigitalGlobe show a rocket at the Imam Khomeini Space Center in Iran's Semnan Province on 5 February. According to the DigitalGlobe, the images suggest Iran used a Safir, or "ambassador" rocket in the launch. Images from 6 February show the rocket was gone and with what appears to be burn marks on the launch pad.

Iran attempted on 15 January 2019 to launch Payam satellite into orbit but the rockets third stage failed to provide enough speed to reach the orbit.

Origin Iran Possessed by Iran Class Space launch vehicle (SLV) Basing Land-based Length 27 m Diameter 2.0-2.3 m (first-stage), 1.25 m (second-stage) Launch weight 70,000-87,000 kg Payload 250 kg satellite Propulsion Two-stage, liquid propellant Range 500 km altitude (low-orbit) SOURCE

Iran was preparing to launch an observation satellite from the Khomeini Space Center in Samanan, the (ImageSat International ISI reported, based on satellite images taken on 11 January 2019. The missile carrying the satellite called the Satellite Vehicle Launcher was already in the assembly site. It also appeared that the launch site itself was already ready for the missile and launcher to be transferred from the assembly site.

CNN had released satellite images indicating that Iran was preparing to launch a satellite into space. The imagery showed activity at the Khomeini Space Center, and according to experts in the field, this is similar to the operation that was carried out before the launch of the previous satellite two years ago. It should be noted that intelligence agencies had no indication that the launching was for military purposes.

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei admitted on the same day that "American sanctions are putting pressure on Iran and its citizens." "The Americans happily declare that these are unprecedented sanctions," Khamenei added. "They are indeed unprecedented - and so will the American defeat, with the help of God."

France called on Iran to immediately cease all activities related to ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Iranian President Hassan Rowhani announcedthat Iranian missiles would soon be able to carry a satellite into space. "France reminds us that Iran's missile program is against the Security Council resolution," French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Agnes von der Mohl said. "We call on Iran to immediately cease all nuclear-related activities, including testing of ballistic missile technology." Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasami called on France not to repeat these statements and claimed that the Iranian plan was for defense purposes and did not violate UN resolutions.

The United States condemned the preparations for the launch of the satellite because the missile's launch violated the UN's restrictions on the development of advanced missiles.

Iran successfully launched its domestically-manufactured Simorgh space launch vehicle carrier, whose mission is to put Iranian satellites into the orbit. The Simorgh satellite carrier is able to put satellites weighing as much as 250 kilograms at an orbit about 500 kilometers above the Earths surface. The first stage clearly has 4 Verniers and 4 main thrust chambers, like DPRK Unha-3.

US official confirmed Iran launched rocket with satellite toward outer space at roughly 5:30 am et/2:00 pm local. Jul 27, 2017. The launch was carried out by Imam Khomeini Space Center. The Imam Khomeini Space Center is responsible for all operations related to satellite carriers, including preparation, launch, control and steering. Iran's Imam Khomeini Space Center conforms to the latest international standards and after final phase of its development, the base will be able to meet all the countrys needs at Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The launch signalled the official inauguration of Imam Khomeini Space Center.

 C. P. Vick 2010 All Rights Reserved )Senior Technical & Space Policy Analyst, Globalsecurity.org9-1, 2010,3-29, & 12-7-2013

The Simorgh-3 displayed two stage and future three stage Simorgh-3, 4 IRILV is a continuation of the Scud-D / No-dong-A, No-dong-B and Shahab-5 / 6 / Taepo-dong-2B / Unha-2 missile design and propulsion systems technology jointly developed by Iran and North Korea. It utilizes a new generation of liquid rocket engines developed from the No-dong-A that was subsequently flight tested under the series known as the Shahab-3A, 3B, 3C & Safir IRILV flight vehicles. Iran displayed Simorgh-3 in it's mock-up form on its Space Technology Day 2/3/2010. It had some obvious design errors especially in the first stage fins position (45 degrees out) as well as not giving its true height and diameters as displayed. The displayed model was not the suggested 2.27 meter height. The fins could very well be eliminated from the final design all together in the future because North Korea has demonstrated this viability. It's launch pad was said to be in the planning stage in early May 2010 with the suitable site identified among several available. This strongly indicated that its construction has not started in spite of some European suggestions to the contrary. It also revealed indirectly on June 8, 2010 that the Simorgh-3 IRILV Booster is expected to fly in 2012.

The block-II Simorgh which may become the Sepehr booster may utilize four Shahab-3 liquid propellant or a clustered of 6-8 solid motor Fateh-110 (Victorious-110; also known as the NP-110) as strap-on boosters

Suggested Simorgh-3 Block-1, Simorgh-4 Block-II IRISLV-X? Data Simorgh-4 IRILV {Phoenix-3}, Block-II, Unha-2/Taepo-dong-2 or three stage Simorgh-3? Height overall 25.97 meters with two stages and 27.2 meters three-four stages Height 1st. stage 17.8 meters with its overlapping inter stage and second stage greater than 8.158 meters Diameter 1st. stage 2.48 meters Diameter 2nd. stage 1.5 meters Launch Mass overall two stages 85 tonnes 1 St. Launch Thrust SL Suggested 143 tonnes from Iran. 128 tonnes f + 4 Vernier's 15 tonnes f each = 188 tonnes f sea level or 142 tonnes + 4 Vernier's 15 tonnes f each =202 tonnes f sea level 2 nd. Stage Thrust 7.2 tonnes f vacuum with two thrust chambers set on swivel gimbals mounts and one auxiliary pump engine from No-dong-B. Control engines thrust 15 tonnes f vacuum. Propellants = Oxidizer AK-27I 27% N2O4 + 73% HNO3 with Iodium inhibitor Nitrogen Tetroxide & Nitric Acid Propellants = Fuel TM-185 20% Gasoline, 80% Kerosene or UDMH? Payload capacity 100 kilograms to 500 kilometer LEO orbit and with the Block-II 700 & 1,000 kilometers orbit with the three, four stage Block-II Bus third fourth stage becomes possible for relative small mass satellites. This Kick-Motor BUS third stage with 100 kilograms of solid propellant & fourth stage can also accommodate small mass 35,786 kilometer GTO equatorial satellite launches with strap-on boosters added. Thus the Toloo and Zafar satellites become possible. Iran is planning on 1 tonne satellites in the 2016-2020 five year plan.

Tonne's = metric tons.

This basic minimum Simorgh-3 booster represents a serious growth potential launch vehicle design concept derived from the Taepo-dong-2B first stage and the No-dong-B derived 1.35 meter diameter Safir IRILV as its second stage. At this early stage in its development it is apparent that the displayed mock-up may not be so reliable in its design details. Only time will address this issue and show its probable resemblance to the Unha-2 booster heritage.

Speculation on Growth Potential Sigmorgh-3 Systems Design

The potential evolution of the Simorgh Family of boosters leading to possible manned spaceflight and a full range ICBM development would be consistent with previous development s in other countries.

Beyond the display of the two stage Simorgh-3 block-1, a second variant Simorgh-3/Block-II is expected to be a three stage variant based on the solid motor third stage of the Unha-2 launch vehicle.

Simorgh-4/5 IRILV {Phoenix-3}, Block-II

That could be followed by the replacement of the Simorgh-3s second stage with a Unha-2/No-dong-B second stage 1.5 meter diameter along with the Unha-2 1.35 meter diameter third stage would constitute the Taepo-dong-2B booster design a limited range ICBM. Below one sees the overall relationship to the Simorgh systems.

Comparisons North Korean (DPRK) and Iranian ballistic missiles & Space boosters through 2013



Unha-2, Taep'o-dong-2B Final design Unha-2, Taep'o-dong-2B Final design

Simorgh-5/6 IRILV {Phoenix-3}, Block-III

After that a further design development could potentially lead to a full range ICBM and manned spaceflight system payload with a new second and third stage of constant diameter design like its first stage.

Two and Three Stage Space Boosters

Iran is moving forward with the development of not merely two stage boosters ballistic missile but is as previously predicted headed for the development of three stage boosters for space application leading the ballistic missile program developments. The three stage system is to place satellites in 1,000 kilometers orbit. Previously they orbited satellites to 250 kilometers and plan to place them in 700 kilometer orbits in 2011. It was also indicated that with in five to six years Iran would be placing telecommunications satellites into 35,000 kilometer geostationary orbit.

Simorgh-6/7 IRILV {Phoenix-3}, Block-IV

Beyond this lies the potential for a two first stage strap-on booster configuration with the constant diameter three stage core that could constitute a much larger performance triple barrel heavy booster design based on the Simorgh-5/6 concept as developed in the west under various launch vehicle programs that never made it past the concept stage. Only time will tell what form the future Iranian space program launch vehicle will evolve.

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China's high sea military drills are routine: spokesperson

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 21:06, July 27, 2017

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force has entered a stage of carrying out systematic, routine and actual combat drills on the high seas, air force spokesperson Shen Jinke said Thursday.

The air force has dealt with various disturbances and tested its blue water war capabilities since it started carrying out routine drills on the high seas three years ago, Shen told a news briefing on "Army Games 2017" in Wuhan, capital city of central China's Hubei Province.

Stating that China's high-sea drills have increased in frequency over the past three years, Shen said the recent flight of various warplanes over the Bashi Channel and Miyako Strait has tested the air force's actual combat capabilities on the high seas.

The spokesperson said such drills accord with international laws and practice. They are legitimate, reasonable and justified, he said.

The drills are not meant to target any countries or regions, but are the requirement of China's military and national defense building, Shen said.

The air force aims to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the interests of the country's air safety through carrying out actual combat drills, he said.

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No sign detected of DPRK's missile test-launch: S. Korean military

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:26, July 27, 2017

South Korea's military said Thursday that no immediate sign has been detected of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s test-launch of another ballistic missile to mark the 64th anniversary of the armistice agreement that ended the 1950-53 Korean War.

A senior official with South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) told a regular briefing of the defense ministry that no immediate sign has been spotted yet of the DPRK's missile launch.

The official said the South Korean military was closely monitoring and trailing moves of the DPRK forces through the combined U.S.-South Korea surveillance assets to prepare for possible DPRK provocations.

The comments came amid global media speculations that Pyongyang had made preparations for the test-firings of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).

On July 4, the DPRK announced a successful test-launch of an ICBM, dubbed Hwasong-14, which flew around 930 km and was lofted as high as about 2,800 km.

South Korea's military cast doubts on whether Pyongyang mastered the ICBM technology, saying the reentry vehicle development had yet to be demonstrated. The military called the Hwasong-14 a ballistic missile of intercontinental range.

The reentry technology is an essential part of the ICBM development as it allows the missile to pass through upper atmosphere without any damage to warhead.

Expectations had run high among local and global media outlets for Pyongyang to test-fire another intercontinental-range ballistic missile to validate its reentry technology on or around July 27 that marks the 64th anniversary of the armistice agreement.

The Korean Peninsula is technically in a state of war as the three-year Korean War ended in armistice in 1953, not a peace treaty.

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Members of the European Commission (EC) agreed at their last meeting to keep an eye on the United States' decision regarding sanctions against Russia, EC spokesman Alexander Winterstein said.

The EC is following the current situation and the whole process very carefully, and will be closely watching the practical implementation of the law, Winterstein said at a briefing in Brussels on Friday.

Vigilance is the EC's motto of the day, he said.

Asked what its attitude was towards Donald Trump possibly vetoing the sanctions bill, the EC said that Brussels does not interfere in the U.S. legislative process.

At this stage it is premature to speculate regarding what will happen in the future, Winterstein said. We shall wait and see and remain vigilant, he said.
'Destiny of Ultimate Demise': Pyongyang Threatens Washington to Back Off

Sputnik News

21:57 27.07.2017(updated 23:00 27.07.2017)

As North and South Korea commemorated the 64th anniversary of the truce that effectively ended the Korean War, Pyongyang called on the US to end its aggression against the communist nation.

Stretching from 1950 to 1953, the Korean War didn't end in a peace treaty, but a truce, an event that Rodong Sinmun, official newspaper of the Central Committee of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party of Korea, considers a victory.

In a commentary, the paper said, "There is only one way out for the US. That is to withdraw the anachronistic hostile policy toward North Korea and kneel and apologize to its army and people," Yonhap News Agency reported, suggesting that the North's strategic position has shifted given the progress of its missile and nuclear programs.

A prime example of this is the landmark intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test the North conducted on July 4, a move that triggered almost instant international outcry and rebuke.

The paper also said that if the US doesn't drop its aggressive stance toward the North, it will be "impossible to escape from its predefined destiny of ultimate demise," according to Korea Joongang Daily.

Pyongyang's penchant for timing such statements to coincide with important political events has led some to speculate that another ballistic missile launch may be forthcoming.

US Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley told the National Press Club on Thursday that issues with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) should be addressed quickly, as the window of opportunity to act was growing slimmer and slimmer.

He warned, "We are trying wide variety of methods [to address the issue]  However, time is running out a bit. North Korea is extremely dangerous and gets more dangerous as the weeks go by."

The North maintains that the development of its nuclear weapons program is aimed chiefly at fending off aggression from Washington.

"There are no imminent signs of a North Korean missile launch," South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman Roh Jae-chun said on Thursday. However, authorities in Seoul point out that the reclusive nation can conduct another launch nearly anytime and anywhere it pleases.

If the North does conduct another test it could pour cold water on efforts by liberal South Korean President Moon Jae-in to engage in diplomatic talks as Washington seeks to intensify sanctions against the DPRK.

One South Korean government official said, "Our stance toward the pursuit of dialogue remains firm. We are also closely monitoring possible provocations by the North."

Seoul has also offered to hold inter-military talks with Pyongyang to help soothe tensions at the border, and Red Cross talks on August 1 so that families broken up by war can be reunited.

North Korea has not officially responded to these offers, though last week Rodong Sinmun called the overture "nonsense."

 Sputnik

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Increasing Alarm: North Korea's Ballistic Missiles Could Reach US by 2018

Sputnik News

18:49 27.07.2017(updated 18:51 27.07.2017)

North Korea will need only a year to create an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the US. According to the sources of the US publications, this conclusion was reached by the intelligence community of the country. Previously, it was believed that the DPRK will be able to achieve such results no earlier than 2020.

The reason for the new forecast was the recent tests, which demonstrated that in theory a North Korean missile could already hit targets as far as in Alaska.

North Korea will be able to create an intercontinental ballistic missile as early as 2018. This was reported by The Washington Post and The New York Times with reference to sources in the US intelligence.

According to the sources of the publications, the new assessment is based on recent tests of North Korean weapons; specifically the launching of ballistic missile Hwaseong-14 on July 4.

In the Pentagon it is assumed that the leader of the DPRK Kim Jong-un will receive a reliable intercontinental ballistic missile with nuclear weapons in 2018.

"North Korea's plan is running faster than we expected. We did not think that the ICBM will be tested in July, "said one official familiar with the assessment of the US Department of Defense's Intelligence Department (RUMO).

In light of these developments, the US is becoming seriously concerned. Recently it was reported that the residents of Hawaii are preparing for a nuclear strike.

A special educational program is being carried out based on a scenario in which over Honolulu at an altitude of more than 0.3 km an explosion of a nuclear charge of 15 kilotons takes place.

To prepare for such incidents, the US authorities also intend to create a more modern system of warning about the attack.

Ticket into the "nuclear club"

In an official statement, the head of the Department of National Intelligence for East Asia, Scott Bray said that North Korea's recent test of an intercontinental-range ballistic missile was not a surprise.

"This test and its impact on our assessments highlight the threat that North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs pose to the United States, to our allies in the region and to the whole world," Bray said.

According to the New York Times if the DPRK can really prepare an ICBM capable of reaching the US by 2018, this will happen before the modernization of the US anti-missile defense system.

"The danger is that the time to make a decision is significantly reduced due to the presence of weapons from North Korea, and an escalation of the conflict can occur at any second," the Washington Post quotes John Wolfsthal, the former senior director of the Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Agency, as saying.

The head of the National Survey of the United States, Daniel Coates, also said that the DPRK is becoming a member of the club of nations with nuclear weapons.

Coats said: "Well, they've got some work to do to, I think, get through the club door, but they are very persistent in achieving that goal and we see a lot of research probably gained by each launch that they do whether it fails or succeeds."

On high alert

In a classified briefing for all the members of the chamber, the House Armed Services Committee said that North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile development is a risk that grows each day.

The briefing team included Rob Soofer, deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy; Air Force Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves, director of the Missile Defense Agency; and representatives from the DIA and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center.

"The apparent success of the July Fourth test is an alarming development as North Korea accelerates its pursuit of being able to hold the United States at risk with nuclear weapons," Committee Chairman Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, said after the classified briefing, "I have grown increasingly alarmed that North Korea is acting with a greater sense of urgency than we are."

 Sputnik

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UN expert urges two Koreas to discuss human rights

27 July 2017  The proposed resumption of dialogue between the two Koreas is an opportunity to discuss and improve the human rights situation in the North, a United Nations expert has said at the end of his second visit to the South.

The Republic of Korea's new President has proposed the resumption of dialogue with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on military and humanitarian issues.

"While I welcome the initiative by the administration of President Moon Jae-in to resume dialogue, it is important that that engagement serves as a platform for North Korea to discuss ways to improve human rights," said Tomas Ojea Quintana, the Special Rapporteur on human rights in DPRK.

During his five-day mission to Seoul, from 17 to 21 July, the Special Rapporteur met senior Government officials as well as representatives of civil society and other groups. His requests for access to the North have not been granted.

The Special Rapporteur reiterated his deep concern about human rights violations in the North, including allegations of arbitrary detention, human trafficking and enforced disappearances, as well as sexual and gender-based violence against women detained in holding centres in the border areas.

"The information I have been receiving points to different violations that continue to affect the lives of ordinary North Koreans and even foreigners," he said.

Pyongyang has recently rejected a call by Seoul to resume family reunions, which have not been held for two years, after DPRK resumed nuclear tests and long-range missile launches.

The Special Rapporteur met with a man who wishes to return to DPRK where his wife and son live, despite the risk of being punished for leaving for ROK three years ago.

"If anything, these cases highlight the complexity of the family separation issue that started 70 years ago, and the fact that it continues to take new forms and affect people in the Korean peninsula in profound ways," he said.

The expert highlighted a surge in the number of Koreans from the North caught in China. They are detained or sent back. Usually harsh labour sentences await them upon their return.

"North Koreans who leave their country are caught in a horrendous cycle of physical and psychological violence, and I received information that some take their own lives when they find out that they are scheduled for repatriation," said Mr. Ojea Quintana.

The expert noted that China has a responsibility to abide by the principle of non-refoulement in international law. "I appeal to the Government of China to halt the policy, protect those in custody and engage with my mandate and with relevant UN agencies to think of alternatives," he stressed.

The Special Rapporteur will report his findings and recommendations to the UN General Assembly in October 2017.

Special Rapporteurs and independent experts are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.

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North Korean Development, Shortages Go Hand in Hand

By Brian Padden July 27, 2017

What may seem like conflicting reports  that North Korea's economy is growing while its people also face severe food shortages because of drought  underline the sharp divisions that exist in one of the world most isolated and repressive states.

"We have to understand that North Korea is a very unequal society," said Go Myong-Hyun, a North Korea economic analyst with the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul.

Growing economy

According to the Bank of Korea in Seoul, the North's economy grew last year by 3.9 percent, its fastest pace in 17 years despite international sanctions imposed for its nuclear and missile programs. Exports to China of coal and other minerals accounted for much of the increase.

However, this year China imported 54 percent less coal from North Korea. In March, Beijing banned further coal imports in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's demand that China take stronger measures to restrain the Kim Jong Un government.

The Korea International Trade Association on Wednesday also reported that China's exports to North Korea grew nearly 20 percent in the first half of the year, totaling $1.66 billion in outgoing trade. China's exports of jet fuel to North Korea, while banned under U.N. sanctions, increased by 18 percent, and exports of mobile phones surged more than 90 percent.

The increased trade has disproportionately benefited a relatively small number of political and military elites that support the Kim government. They are reportedly provided with housing, prestigious jobs, and can afford to vacation at the Masikryong Ski Resort, built in 2013, dine at upscale restaurants in Pyongyang and buy international selections of alcohol and designer clothing.

A small number of elites even have unfettered internet access, including social media accounts such as Facebook and shopping sites like Amazon and Alibaba, while most North Koreans are prohibited from any contact with the outside world, according to Recorded Future, a security analysis company.

Edge of poverty

The vast majority of North Korea's population of 25 million live in poverty, and according to a United Nations report this year, "chronic food insecurity, early childhood malnutrition and nutrition insecurity" continue to be widespread in the country, which ranks 98th out of 118 nations in the 2016 Global Hunger Index.

The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently issued a report warning that this year North Korea could experience one of the worst droughts since 2001.

"Immediate interventions are needed to support affected farmers and prevent undesirable coping strategies for the most vulnerable, such as reducing daily food intakes," said Vincent Martin, FAO representative in China and North Korea in a statement.

Mitigating circumstances

For many, talk of food shortages in North Korea brings to mind the famines in the 1990s known as the "arduous march" that killed more than 3 million people. But analysts say conditions today are different and the likelihood of widespread starvation is very low.

North Korea has experienced other significant droughts (2012 and 2014) and floods (2006, 2007, 2012 and 2016) that affected food supplies but did not lead to widespread starvation.

Stephan Haggard, a North Korea analyst and visiting fellow at Peterson Institute for International Economics, recently wrote, "The FAO report has a somewhat alarmist tone, and the weather could still turn around." Last week the Korean Peninsula experienced significant rainfall, and three typhoons are reportedly developing in the region.

Agriculture reforms permitting North Korean farmers to keep a percentage of what they produce and allowing families to cultivate small plots of land for private use have made people less reliant on inefficient government farming practices and more able to endure times of scarcity.

Politics of food

Sending food aid to an adversarial nation spending billions of dollars to build nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missiles, in defiance of U.N. resolutions banning such development, is also a controversial issue. Go said the Kim Jong Un government could divert about $300 million from its nuclear program to import food to make up for any drought shortages.

"If they really wanted to fill the gap by importing food from outside, they could spend that amount of money easily, but they don't do it because they can always have access to the NGOs (nongovernment organizations) and international organizations ready to provide them with free food assistance," Go said.

In addition, there are concerns that North Korean officials could monetize food aid by selling it on the black market or exporting it to China.

Youmi Kim in Seoul contributed to this report.

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Iranian parliament body to meet on US threats against nuclear deal: MP

Iran Press TV

Thu Jul 27, 2017 10:0AM

A key Iranian parliamentary committee is to convene an extraordinary session later this week to discuss the measures to be taken in the face of possible US threats against the 2015 nuclear deal, a senior legislator says.

In a Wednesday interview with IRNA, Chairman of Majlis Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy Alaeddin Boroujerdi pointed to the lawmakers' efforts to give an appropriate response to hostile US moves and threats against the deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Actions (JCPOA).

Boroujerdi noted that several parliamentary meetings have so far been held the issue, adding that ways to counter future US measures against the JCPOA have been drawn up in an "initial bill."

The bill is mainly aimed at giving a "crushing response" to Washington, he added.

"On Saturday (July 29, 2017)an extraordinary meeting will be convened with the presence of all the members of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee in this respect," he said.

The lawmaker argued that the JCPOA cannot be violated as it enjoys "strong international support" and added that other members of the UN Security Council oppose Washington's "acts of sabotage."

On Tuesday, the Republican-controlled US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to impose new sanctions against Iran, Russia and North Korea.

The bill, which must be passed by the US Senate before it can be sent to the White House for President Donald Trump to veto or sign it into law, targets North Korea and Iran over their ballistic missile programs as well as Russia concerning its alleged meddling in the 2016 US election and the reintegration of the Black Sea Crimean Peninsula.

Iran has repeatedly argued that the new US sanctions against Iran are in violation of both the letter and spirit of the JCPOA.

"With any uncalculated measure, the Americans further isolate themselves," he said.

On Thursday, Ali Akbar Velayati, a member of Iran's JCPOA supervisory body, warned that Tehran is considering "all options on the table" against the US.

"We have all the options before us, and will make appropriate and firm decisions," Velayati said in a TV talks show.

"We have a free hand in different areas, in a way that we could take actions indicative of our growing nuclear power without violating the JCPOA," he added.

The Iranian official noted that the US will not be able to revive its "waning influence in the region" through such threats.

On Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani denounced the US House of Representatives' fresh sanctions against Iran, saying the Islamic Republic would "definitely" give a proportionate response to the hostile move.

The draft sanctions law comes while the Trump administration only recently certified to Congress for a second time since taking office in January that Iran was complying with the nuclear accord.

The JCPOA was inked between Iran and the P5+1 countries  namely the US, Russia, China, France, Britain, and Germany  in July 2015 and took effect in January 2016.

Under the deal, which was later endorsed by a UN Security Council resolution, limits were put on Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for the removal of all nuclear-related bans imposed on the Islamic Republic, among other things.

The Trump administration, which took over in January 2017, one year after the JCPOA came into force, has however slapped sanctions on Iran in violation of the nuclear deal.

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In Mosul and beyond, sustained efforts needed to support millions of displaced Iraqis - UN official

26 July 2017  Witnessing "complete devastation" in districts of Mosul, a senior United Nations relief official visiting Iraq lauded the massive humanitarian effort under way while indicating that the crisis is "far from over," including for millions of Iraqis displaced throughout the country.

"I commend the achievements of the humanitarian operation in Iraq and wish to highlight the impressive national response," said Ursula Mueller, Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator in a press statement.

"One of the things that impressed me the most was the exceptional level of cooperation between national counterparts, UN agencies and front-line NGOs [non-governmental organizations]," she added.

From 24 and 26 July, Ms. Mueller met with senior officials and ministers from the Iraqi Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, as well as members of the international and humanitarian communities.

She saw first-hand the complete devastation of districts in western Mosul's old city. "I saw homes and entire neighbourhoods destroyed; no doubt, countless tragedies remain untold among the rubble," she explained.

With almost one million people fleeing Mosul, humanitarians' "worst-case" estimates were surpassed.

Despite escalating needs, humanitarians adjusted their response and kept pace  with emergency sites and camps built in record time; over 18,000 people treated at trauma stabilization points near the front lines; and a quarter of a million adults and children received psychological first aid and psychosocial support.

The deputy UN relief coordinator also pointed out that beyond Mosul, sustained efforts are also needed to support the millions of Iraqis displaced across the country.

"Hundreds of thousands of people will try to return home in the coming months, and must do so in a safe, voluntary and dignified manner," she emphasized. "Others will be unable to return home for some time due to the levels of destruction and contamination by explosive hazards in their communities."

Ms. Mueller also met with representatives from the Yazidi community and visited displaced communities.

"Protection remains a top priority for minority groups in Iraq. The targeting of women  regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation  with rape, enslavement and other forms of violence, is a particularly disturbing feature of this crisis," asserted Ms. Mueller.

A key take-away from the visit was that "the humanitarian crisis there is far from over."

"Families lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods," she continued. "I urge the international community to maintain its full commitment to supporting humanitarian assistance in Iraq, and I pledge that the United Nations will continue to stand with and support the Iraqi people."

While Ms. Mueller thanked the international community and donors for generously providing 3.5 million highly vulnerable Iraqis with assistance so far this year, she emphasized that the $985 million funding requirement for Iraq's 2017 humanitarian operations is not yet half met.

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Rights Group Alleges US-Trained Iraqi Troops Executed Dozens of Prisoners in Mosul

By VOA News July 27, 2017

An Iraqi army division trained by the U.S. military allegedly assassinated several dozen prisoners in the final days of battle to recapture Mosul's Old City from Islamic State, according to Human Rights Watch.

The rights group, in a report issued Thursday, is urging the U.S. to end support for the Iraqi army's 16th Division pending a probe into what it believes are war crimes.

"The U.S. military should find out why a force that it trained and supported is committing ghastly war crimes," said Human Rights Watch Middle East director Sarah Leah Whitson. "U.S. taxpayer dollars should be helping to curtail abuses, not enable them."

The watchdog said the alleged executions were witnessed by two international observers. The observers said they saw a group of Iraqi soldiers who identified themselves as members of the 16th Division take four naked men down an alley and then heard gunshots. The observers said the soldiers informed them the prisoners were IS fighters.

As the observers were leaving the area, one of them told Human Rights bodies of a number of naked men were seen lying in a doorway.

IS lost control of the Old City after nine months of fighting with Iraqi forces who are supported by a U.S.-led coalition. Fighting in the area continued for several days after Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over IS on July 10. Videos were distributed showing Iraqi troops beating unarmed men and killing one by pushing him off a cliff.

Iraq has vowed to investigate earlier allegations of abuses and to take appropriate action against those responsible.

Iraqi government spokespeople have not responded to these latest allegations.

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Japan's defense minister to resign on Friday: NHK

Iran Press TV

Thu Jul 27, 2017 2:11PM

Japan's Defense Minister Tomomi Inada is hours away from resigning, local media say, as pressure mounts on the embattled minister over the suspected cover-up of information related to a United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

National broadcaster NHK has revealed Tomomi's plans to step down although the office of the minister on Thursday declined to comment on the report.

The NHK has said that Tomomi will resign Friday after the publication of the results of an investigation into media reports that the minister knew about efforts by senior defense officials to cover up information about worsening security situation in South Sudan, where Japanese troops were deployed to serve in the UN-led mission in the war-torn country.

The broadcaster said Inada, who had initially denied she consented to hiding the logs on South Sudan, will take responsibility for the scandal after resigning.

The defense minister is a close associate of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Experts say a series of missteps by her has seriously damaged Abe's popularity and the prime minister was planning to replace Inada in a cabinet reshuffle, which is reportedly planned for early next month.

Japan's Kyodo news agency said former defense officials, including Itsunori Onodera, who served as defense minister for nearly two years from 2012, are among Abe's main candidates to replace Inada. They said Abe's policy was to appoint someone who had already served in the post so that he could project an image of stability amid numerous scandals his cabinet is involved in.

Japan's Defense Ministry also declined from confirming reports that General Toshiya Okabe, chief of staff of the Ground Self Defense Forces, has decided to resign over the cover-up scandal.

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Putin Vows To 'Retaliate' If U.S. Moves Ahead With 'Boorish' New Sanctions

RFE/RL July 27, 2017

Russian President Vladimir Putin has lashed out at U.S. attempts to impose stricter sanctions on Moscow, saying his country was ready to "retaliate" if Washington moved ahead with the plan being put forward by Congress.

Putin, speaking at a news conference on July 27 during a visit to Finland, said Russia was "exercising restraint and patience but, at some moment, we'll have to retaliate."

"It's impossible to endlessly tolerate this boorishness toward our country," Putin told reporters.

Putin's comments came after Republicans in the U.S. Congress said on July 26 they had reached agreement on a bill that would impose new sanctions on Moscow and would prevent President Donald Trump from easing punitive measures without congressional approval.

The bill has wide bipartisan support in the House and Senate. It would require Trump's signature, but a veto by the president could theoretically be overridden by Congress.

The U.S. administration has sent conflicting signals as to whether Trump would sign the bill. The president has said he opposes moves that would tie his hands in dealing with Russia and his ability to adjust sanctions should conditions require it.

White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci on July 27 said Trump "may sign the sanctions exactly the way they are, or he may veto the sanctions and negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians."

Trump's presidency has been clouded by allegations that Russia meddled in the election on his behalf.

The Justice Department and Congress are conducting separate investigations into Moscow's alleged interference and whether there was any collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia, which denies the allegations.

It was not immediately clear when the new legislation, which also includes sanctions against North Korea and Iran, would be formally approved by both houses of Congress and sent to Trump, as some politicians said it still required fine-tuning.

The bill would introduce new financial sanctions and enshrine into law a series of sanctions imposed by former President Barack Obama over Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and its aggression in Ukraine, where Moscow seized the Crimean Peninsula in March 2014 and backs separatists in a war that has killed more than 10,000 people in the country's east.

In anticipation of its passage, Putin intensified his complaints about the U.S. move, threatening retaliation without being specific.

"When will our response follow? What will it be? That will depend on the final version of the draft law which is now being debated in the U.S. Senate," he said in Finland.

He also referred to the ongoing diplomatic dispute between Moscow and Washington that began in December when Obama ordered the seizure of Russian diplomatic property in the United States and the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats.

"This goes beyond all reasonable bounds," Putin said. "And now these sanctions -- they are also absolutely unlawful from the point of view of international law."

"It's very sad that U.S.-Russian relations are being sacrificed to resolve internal policy issues in the U.S.," the Russian president said.

"It's a pity, because acting together we could be solving jointly the most acute problems that worry the peoples of Russia and the United States much more efficiently," he added.

Putin said, though, that Russia had "many friends" in the United States and that he hoped disputes between the two countries would eventually be solved.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, Politico, dpa, and New York Times

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-congress- reaches-deal-clearing-way- russian-sanctions-iran-north-korea- legislation-corker/28642272.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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White House Hints Trump Could Veto Russia Sanctions

By Michael Bowman July 27, 2017

The White House Thursday broached the possibility that President Donald Trump could veto new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea, prompting sharp criticism from U.S. lawmakers of both political parties.

"He may sign the sanctions exactly the way they are, or he may veto the sanctions and negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians," White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci told CNN.

Even the hint of a veto brought swift reaction from Capitol Hill.

"I think that would be a very bad mistake," Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, told VOA. "What would be better is if they [White House officials] worked with us on the legislation."

"This [sanctions bill] gives the president a stronger hand in dealing with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin," said the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Ben Cardin of Maryland. "If he vetoes it, it means he doesn't want a stronger hand in dealing with Mr. Putin."

"It's hard to understand what comes out of the White House," Cardin added.

"Congress has the power to override [a veto], and he would be overridden," said New Jersey Democratic Senator Bob Menendez.

'Laughable'

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer derided as "laughable" Scaramucci's assertion that Trump could negotiate even tougher sanctions against Russia.

"I'm a New Yorker too," Schumer said, adding, "And I know bull when I hear it."

The House of Representatives approved the sanctions bill Tuesday by a vote of 419-3. A similarly lopsided vote is expected in the Senate.

The bill seeks to impose an economic cost on Moscow, Tehran, and Pyongyang for an array of activities to which Washington objects, and gives Congress the power to block any presidential move to suspend the punitive measures.

During weeks of negotiations, the Trump administration initially pushed back at what it saw as an attempt to limit the executive branch's ability to unilaterally ease sanctions, making the case that it limits U.S. leverage in attempts to impact Russian behavior and build a better relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

That concern seemed to have been resolved at the start of the week, when the White House voiced backing for the legislation

"The president very much supports sanctions on those countries and wants to make sure that those remain, but at the same time wants to make sure that we get good deals. Those two things are both very important for the president," White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters Monday.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Wednesday that Moscow would likely retaliate against the United States if the sanctions are imposed.

According to state-run Russian media, Ryabkov warned that the new sanctions will scuttle any chance of improved relations between Moscow and Washington. He also said that Russia had previously warned the Trump administration it would mount a response if U.S. lawmakers passed the bill.

VOA's Katherine Gypson contributed to this report.

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Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's decision to deprive former Georgian President and former head of the Odesa regional administration Mikheil Saakashvili of Ukrainian citizenship manifests his determination to dispose of opponents and retain power, leader of the Ukrainian Batkivshchyna association Yulia Tymoshenko said.

"The revocation of Saakashvili's Ukrainian citizenship is dirty politics, which the incumbent administration led by President Petro Poroshenko is carrying out in relation to its opponents. Poroshenko's only goal is to stay in power at any circumstances," Tymoshenko said in a statement circulated on Thursday.

Instead of fighting corruption, Poroshenko "has deprived Saakashvili of Ukrainian citizenship based on political motives, tarnishing the reputation of the president of Ukraine and the entire state," she said.

"Whom else will President Petro Poroshenko rid of citizenship? Or whom will he decide to throw behind bars or strip of property? And for how long will he be able to pretend at meetings with Western partners that 'everything is OK, and we are pursuing reforms'?" Tymoshenko said.

Poroshenko's decisions "dishonor Ukraine in the eyes of the entire world and should be properly assessed by the international community," she said.

Tymoshenko also vowed that her team will withstand "all attacks by the authorities."

The Ukrainian State Migration Service reported on July 26 that President Poroshenko had issued a decree revoking Saakashvili's Ukrainian citizenship.
US Senate Approves Russia Sanctions, Sends Bill to Trump

By VOA News July 27, 2017

U.S. lawmakers have approved a bill imposing new sanctions in Russia, Iran and North Korea, which will now be sent to President Donald Trump for approval.

Senators overwhelmingly approved the bill Thursday with a vote of 98-2, a day after the House and Senate agreed on the terms.

Sen. Bob Corker announced the deal in a statement late Wednesday, saying it came after discussions with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

The House has already passed the bill with a vote of 419-3.

Corker had earlier objected to including the North Korean sanctions, initially favoring to address that issue in a separate bill. But he dropped those objections and said the House of Representatives would work on enhancing the North Korea language.

Lawmakers pushed for more Russia sanctions in response to Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Russian President Vladimir Putin denies the charges and objects to the passage of new sanctions against his country. He has threatened to retaliate, although he has not yet said how.

The bill is designed to affect a wide range of Russian industries, hitting the country squarely in the pocketbook.

Presidential objections

Trump objects to the sanctions, but the bill has enough support in both houses to override a presidential veto. He particularly objects to a passage barring presidential interference aimed at easing the sanctions.

The White House has been lobbying for weeks for a bill with a lighter impact.

The European Union has also expressed concern about the new sanctions, saying they could have an impact on the European energy sector.

During weeks of negotiations, the Trump administration pushed back at what it saw as attempt to limit the executive branch's ability to unilaterally ease sanctions, making the case that it limits U.S. leverage in attempts to impact Russian behavior and build a better relationship with Putin. The White House has now expressed support.

"The president very much supports sanctions on those countries and wants to make sure that those remain. But at the same time, [he] wants to make sure that we get good deals. Those two things are both very important for the president," White House deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters on Monday.

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Wednesday that Moscow would likely retaliate against the United States if the sanctions are imposed.

According to state-run Russian media, Ryabkov warned the new sanctions will scuttle any chance of improved relations between Moscow and Washington. He also stated that Russia had previously warned the Trump administration it would mount a response if U.S. lawmakers passed the bill.

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are already praising the group effort to pass the bill quickly. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce said in a statement: "I am pleased the Senate has acted overwhelmingly to give the administration much-needed economic and political leverage to address threats from Iran, Russia, and North Korea. This bipartisan bill is about keeping America safe, and I urge the president to sign it into law."

Senator Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and a member of the Senate Banking Committee said, "This bill passed with overwhelming majorities in both the Senate and the House, sending a strong message to Vladimir Putin that attacks on our democracy will not be tolerated. President Trump should sign this bill as soon as it hits his desk. Otherwise, he risks encouraging Russia's interference in future elections."

VOA's Michael Bowman and Katherine Gypson contributed to this report.

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HRW urges Riyadh to clarify deposed crown prince's status

Iran Press TV

Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:55PM

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Saudi Arabia to clarify whether restrictions are imposed on recently-deposed crown prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud's freedom of movement.

The rights organization made the request on Thursday in a letter addressed to Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.

"Reports that Mohammad bin Nayef is under a travel ban and home detention without due process are bitterly ironic given his role in imposing similar arbitrary restrictions on thousands of Saudis," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at HRW.

She was referring to the rampant use of travel bans and detentions against Saudis under the prince's tenure as an interior minister.

"The Saudi government needs to call a halt to officials' arbitrary abuses of power," she added.

Last month, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud appointed his son Mohammed bin Salman as crown prince - replacing bin Nayef, as first in line to the throne.

The summary removal of bin Nayef raised eyebrows inside and outside the kingdom, with several observers saying the incident amounted to a palace "coup."

Last week, a source close to Saudi Arabia's rulers told Reuters that bin Nayef was dismissed by the royal family "in the higher interests of the state" because he was incapacitated by morphine and cocaine addiction, often falling asleep at public events.

The prince's addiction was said to be a legacy of a botched attack against him in 2009 that left shrapnel in his body.

Sources close to bin Nayef said he has been confined to his palace in the city of Jeddah since he was removed from power.

There are reports suggesting that the Saudi king was determined to elevate his son to be heir to the throne and used bin Nayef's alleged drug problem as a pretext to push him aside.

Some analysts said bin Nayef was forced to make way for Salman's rise to power under a carefully planned plot.

"Not only was bin Nayef unceremoniously dumped to make way for the ailing king's younger son; not only were his bodyguards, advisers and mobile phones taken away from him until he was forced to resign and filmed giving an oath of allegiance to his younger cousin; not only has he been de facto under house arrest . to add insult to injury, there followed a media campaign defaming him as a morphine addict," British analyst David Hearst wrote in an article for the Middel East Eye news portal.

Meanwhile, a well-known Saudi whistleblower, known on Twitter as @mujtahidd, predicted that King Salman would renounce power in favor of his son.

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UN should act on inhumane militant siege of al-Foua, Kefraya: Syria

Iran Press TV

Thu Jul 27, 2017 5:31PM

Damascus has written to the United Nations, calling for an immediate action to end the plight of thousands of people holed up in the militant-besieged Shia-majority towns of Kefraya and al-Foua.

In two letters addressed to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the world body's Security Council, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates complained on Thursday that terrorists have for several years blocked humanitarian aid delivers to the towns, both in Idlib Province, under the "deafening silence" of UN human rights officials and bodies.

"The catastrophic situation of more than 7,000 Syrian civilians trapped in an area of no more than 10 square kilometers has become a disgrace to humanity and the Western countries that have turned their back on the suffering of those civilians, most of them women and children, who lack the basic livelihood needs, including food and medicine and clean drinking water," the ministry said.

The daily water share for each family living in the besieged towns is only a half cubic meter while they are grappling with a lack of fuel, it added.

The Foreign Ministry further said that Syrian children and women have been deprived of the basic medical care, especially vaccines against communicable and noncommunicable diseases.

"The so-called international community has left the people of Kefraya and al-Foua at the mercy of armed terrorist organizations operating in the countryside of Idlib with the support of well-known regimes and governments," it pointed out.

Terrorist groups are using the "stifling siege and the policy of starvation" to "exterminate" Syrians, the ministry said, urging a swift UN action to deliver food and medical supplies to the affected towns.

Syrian army forces and allied fighters have been fighting different foreign-backed terrorist groups wreaking havoc in the Arab country since 2011.

Over the past few months, the Takfiri elements have increased their acts of violence in Syria in revenge for the blows they have been suffering on the ground.

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US-backed forces capture half of Syria's Raqqah

Iran Press TV

Thu Jul 27, 2017 1:2PM

The so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed group of mostly Kurdish forces, says it has wrested control over half of the Syrian city of Raqqah, the de facto capital of the Daesh terrorist group in the Arab country.

Mustafa Bali, the director of the SDF media center, announced on Thursday that the group currently holds half of Raqqah.

The neighborhoods of Nazlet Shehadeh and Panorama Square, both situated in Raqqah's southwest, were the most important areas liberated over the days, he added.

The official, however, noted that due to Daesh counterattacks, sleeper cells and tunnels, the SDF advance "was not easy, we have casualties and martyrs."

Additionally, the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that the SDF was now in control of half of Raqqah.

The London-based monitoring group also said that 29 people, including eight children, lost their lives in US airstrikes on the city on Wednesday.

Daesh captured Raqqah in July 2014 and declared the city its stronghold in Syria. The SDF launched its assault on Raqqah on June 6.

Nazreen Abdullah, of the Kurdish Women's Protection Units, the all-female brigade of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), told The Associated Press that the pace of the Raqqah operation had slowed because of massive amounts of explosives laid by Daesh militants.

The Takfiri elements have stepped up their attacks against the SDF as they become more surrounded, she pointed out.

"Raqqah has become a booby trapped city and this shows their (Daesh) weakness," Abdullah said. "They are also using civilians as human shields and this is slowing the push as well."

The SDF, which includes the YPJ, has fully captured eight neighborhoods since the beginning of the Raqqah operation, she concluded.

Clashes in Hama

Separately on Thursday, Syrian army soldiers clashed with terrorists in the west-central Hama Province and killed a number of them.

A military source told Syria's official SANA news agency that Syrian troops had foiled an infiltration attempt by Daesh-affiliated militants into Hama's eastern countryside, killing all terrorists, and seizing their arms and equipment.

According to SANA, a Syrian army unit engaged in violent clashes with members of the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham Takfiri terrorist group, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, who attacked military posts in Hama's southeastern countryside.

Over the past few months, Syrian forces have made sweeping gains against Takfiri elements who have lately increased their acts of violence across the country following a series of defeats on the ground.

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Syrian Army Recaptures Terrain on Lebanese Border From al-Nusra Terrorists

Sputnik News

19:42 27.07.2017(updated 22:13 27.07.2017)

The Syrian Army, together with Hezbollah, won the battle against al-Nusra Front and freed the mountainous area around the town of Fleita near Jurud Arsal on the eastern slopes of the Calamun mountain near the Syrian-Lebanon border.

The success of the Syrian Army and its allies is explained by the high speed of the operation, good maneuverability and the poorly organized defense of the terrorists.

The features of the mountainous terrain with its large number of heights and hidden paths were taken into account, as well.

A field commander of the Syrian Army told Sputnik, "It took 24 hours in total to break the terrorists' defense and knock them off their positions."

As a result, the enemy's forces suffered heavy losses and lost control over the strategic routes connecting Arsal and Jurud-Fleita, through which weapons from Lebanon were supplied into Syria, the source said.

Since the beginning of the counterterrorist operation in this region, the Syrian Army has taken control of 36 square kilometers of territory, eliminating more than 70 al-Nusra fighters.

The Jurud Arsal's topography is tough and the battle against al-Nusra Front was a challenging one, according to an anonymous source.

"Al-Nusra was entrenched in its hilltops and valleys, turning these areas into combat facilities that even airplanes couldn't reach," the source added.

Jurud Arsal, which is a mountainous area around the Lebanese border town of Arsal, is mostly barren, but it is home to tens of thousands of Syrian refugees who live in and around the town, some in camps.

 Sputnik

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UN: As Many as 50,000 Civilians Still Trapped in Syria's Raqqa

By Margaret Besheer July 27, 2017

The United Nations estimated Thursday that 20,000 to 50,000 civilians remained trapped in the Syrian city of Raqqa, the site of heavy fighting as U.S.-backed local forces seek to defeat Islamic State militants in their self-declared capital.

U.N. deputy humanitarian chief Ursula Mueller told the Security Council, "Their situation is perilous. There is no way for them to get out."

Mueller said the heavy fighting and airstrikes had killed or injured dozens of civilians and had displaced more than 30,000 people in July.

The Syrian Democratic Forces, a group of Kurdish, Arab and Christian fighters, began their offensive to liberate the city June 6. They have received air and ground support from the U.S.-led coalition.

"Civilian movement out of the city remains extremely difficult due to the presence of mines and other unexploded ordnance, as well as shelling, sniper activities and airstrikes," Mueller said during a video briefing from Amman, Jordan.

"The U.N. and its partners are responding to those who have been displaced and we are ready to provide support in Raqqa city, as soon as access and security conditions allow," she said.

In its monthly report on the humanitarian situation in Syria, the U.N. said the situation inside the city was "reportedly dire." Civilians continue to be killed by air and ground strikes, food and medicine shortages persist, and markets and bakeries remain closed.

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Turkey sacks two MPs over alleged PKK links

Iran Press TV

Thu Jul 27, 2017 4:13PM

The Turkish parliament has dismissed two pro-Kurdish lawmakers from their legislative position over government allegations that their Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) is affiliated with a local militant group.

The move to strip parliament members Tugba Hezar and Faysal Sariyildiz of their parliamentary status was pronounced in the parliament on Thursday after an appeal for their dismissal was submitted and voted on.

The appeal backed government insistence that HDP is linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a group engaged in an armed insurgency against Ankara in the nation's predominantly Kurdish southeast since the 1980s.

"This will go down as a battle for democracy, and in yours as a black stain. We will continue to make politics, whether in jail or in parliament," said HDP legislator Filiz Kerestecioglu in defiance to the move.

The two legislators were removed on grounds of "discontinuity," or missing general assembly meetings, further reducing the parliamentary presence of the HDP  the second-largest opposition party in the Turkish general assembly  to 55 in the 550-member legislature.

This is while the HDP, which denies direct links to the PKK, had 59 lawmakers elected to parliament in the November 2015 general election but has since lost four members.

Another HDP lawmaker, Nursel Aydogan, was also dismissed from the Turkish assembly back in May on alleged criminal charges, including membership in a terrorist organization.

The parliament further stripped in February one of the HDP's two leaders, Figen Yuksekdag, of her membership. Her co-leader Selahattin Demirtas was then imprisoned, and Yuksekdag was subsequently replaced as co-chair.

The development on Thursday took place amid increasing concerns among opposition parties, human rights groups as well as Ankara's Western allies that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is using the crackdown on suspected backers of last year's failed military coup to suppress all dissent across the country.

Nearly 50,000 people have been detained since the unsuccessful coup, in addition to more than 150,000 dismissed or suspended from the nation's military, civil service and private sector.

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UK to send warship to South China Sea, raising tensions with Beijing

Iran Press TV

Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:53PM

Britain plans to send a warship to the disputed South China Sea next year at a time of rising tensions between China and the US, a move likely to anger Beijing.

The UK would increase in presence in the waters after it sent four combat aircraft for joint exercises with Japan in the region last year, British Defense Minister Michael Fallon said Thursday.

"We hope to send a warship to region next year. We have not finalized exactly where that deployment will take place but we won't be constrained by China from sailing through the South China Sea," Fallon told Reuters.

"We flew RAF Typhoons through the South China Sea last October and we will exercise that right whenever we next have the opportunity to do so, whenever we have ships or planes in the region," he added.

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also said Thursday that Britain plans to sail two new aircraft carriers through contested Asian waters.

"One of the first things we will do with the two new colossal aircraft carriers that we have just built is send them on a freedom of navigation operation to this area," he said in Sydney following a joint meeting between British and Australian foreign and defense ministers.

HMS Queen Elizabeth, the largest ship ever built for the Royal Navy, is due to come into service in 2020. HMS Prince of Wales will enter service in 2023.

The presence of a British vessel threatens to stoke tensions with China. Beijing has repeatedly denounced efforts by countries from outside the region to get involved in the South China Sea dispute.

Earlier this month, the US sent two bombers over the region, coming just a few months after it sent a warship to carry out a maneuvering drill within 12 nautical miles of one of China's artificial islands.

China has repeatedly warned the United States against naval patrols in the South China Sea.

The US has long sought to limit China's growing maritime influence in the sea, over most of which Beijing claims sovereignty.

The South China Sea is the subject of a territorial dispute between China and Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei.

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UK to Send Brand New Ships to Disputed South China Sea for Drills

Sputnik News

16:34 27.07.2017(updated 18:55 27.07.2017)

The United Kingdom will send two aircraft carriers on freedom of navigation exercises in the disputed South China Sea, UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  According to the media outlet, UK's modern HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier is the largest ship built for the UK Royal Navy and it is currently undergoing tests.

The vessel should be accepted by the navy by the end of 2017. The second ship, the HMS Prince of Wales, is currently being fitted out in a Scottish shipyard.

"One of the first things we will do with the two new colossal aircraft carriers that we have just built is send them on a freedom of navigation operation to this area to vindicate our belief in the rules-based international system and in the freedom of navigation through those waterways which are absolutely vital for world trade," Johnson said during his visit to Sydney as quoted by The Guardian newspaper.

The South China Sea area is a disputed region claimed by Brunei, China, Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam, as it is believed that it has vast energy resources. China claims 90 percent of the area and has repeatedly said that all of the country's activities in the region are China's sovereign right. China also constructs artificial islands and enhances its military presence in the sea.

 Sputnik

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Saakashvili Lashes Out, Says He Will Fight To Return To Ukraine

RFE/RL July 27, 2017

Mikheil Saakashvili, the former Georgian president and Odesa regional governor who has been stripped of his Ukrainian citizenship, is vowing to resist what he called the "cowardly" move and to "continue fighting for a real European Ukraine."

In a video statement posted on Facebook on July 27, Saakashvili lashed out at President Petro Poroshenko and charged that he was facing the same ill-treatment from the government that countless citizens of Ukraine face every day.

"I am a simple Ukrainian," Saakashvili said. "Today they are trying to do to me what prosecutors or bureaucrats do to ordinary Ukrainians: spitting on their rights."

Poroshenko's office confirmed to RFE/RL that Saakashvili's citizenship has been revoked, saying that it was done at the request of the Migration Service. It declined to give the reason, saying the information was personal and would not be made public.

A liberal lawmaker from Poroshenko's faction in parliament, Serhiy Leshchenko, said it appeared the president's intention was to force Saakashvili to stay out of Ukraine and seek refuge in the United States.

That "will never happen," Saakashvili, who had written in Facebook on July 25 that he was in the United States, said in the video. "I will fight for my legal right to return to Ukraine."

'Cowardly' Move

Saakashvili said it was "cowardly" of Poroshenko to strip him of his citizenship when he was out of the country. He added that the decision came after the opposition party he leads, the Movement Of New Forces, announced plans to organize street protests against the government in the autumn.

"As soon as those in power realized that the opposition is unifying in order to come out into the streets this fall and put an end to their oligarchic pact, their fear overcame their reason," Saakashvili said.

He said that by annulling his citizenship, Poroshenko "signed off on his own demise." He accused the president of trying to maintain grip on power "by all possible means" and warned that Poroshenko could share the fate of his predecessor Viktor Yanukovych, who was toppled by pro-European protests in February 2014 and fled to Russia.

Saakashvili, 49, is an adamantly pro-Western reformist who was swept to power in Georgia by the peaceful Rose Revolution protests of 2003 and served two terms as president in 2004-2013. His popularity declined in his later years in office, in part because of a five-day war with Russia during which Moscow's forces drove deep into the South Caucasus country, and his long-ruling party was voted out of power in a 2012 parliamentary election.

Saakashvili was stripped of his Georgian citizenship in 2015, after Poroshenko appointed him as governor of Ukraine's Odesa region -- a post that required him to take Ukrainian citizenship. Georgia is seeking his extradition to face charges -- which he says are politically motivated -- connected to the violent dispersal of protests and a raid on a private television station.

'No Matter What!'

He resigned as Odesa governor in November 2016, complaining of official obstruction of anticorruption efforts, accusing Poroshenko of dishonesty, and charging that the central government was sabotaging crucial reforms.

"I obtained Ukrainian citizenship to fight for reforms, to fight for a successful future for Ukraine, on which the future of my native Georgia depends as well," Saakashvili said in the video statement.

"Every day that I have had a Ukrainian...passport I have worked so that Ukraine could win and become a real European country," he said. "I am more Ukrainian than the majority of today's [Ukrainian] lawmakers. I love Ukraine with all my heart and I will continue fighting here, in our Ukraine, no matter what!"

On July 26, reports in Ukraine cited officials in the Migration Service as saying that Saakashvili's citizenship was revoked because, when he filled out application forms to obtain citizenship in 2015, he did not say that a probe was launched against him in Georgia.

Saakashvili dismissed that explanation, saying that no country including Ukraine has officially accepted the charges filed against him in Tbilisi.

On July 27, some 400 members of Saakashvili's Movement Of New Forces and its supporters protested on Independence Square in Kyiv against the move.

Without citizenship, Saakashvili cannot seek political office in Ukraine, where his party is calling for early parliamentary elections and a presidential vote is to be held in March 2019.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/saakashvili- lashes-oout-ukrainian-citizenship- seeks-return/28642979.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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The holy procession through the center of Kyiv organized by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) to commemorate the Baptism of Rus has ended. It was conducted without incident.

The Kyiv-based Interfax-Ukraine news agency said participants walked to Volodymyrsky Mount along Hrushevskoho and Mazepy Streets to Kyiv Pechersk Lavra Monastery, where church service will be held all night.

Hundreds of police guarded the religious procession.

Emergency medical workers said no marchers fell ill or sought assistance by 15.00.

"A middle-aged gentleman asked that we measure his blood pressure is all," a medical services representative said.
Danville Police Department Officer Evan Wilson has been identified as the officer who used his firearm in a standoff early Monday morning, authorities stated Thursday afternoon.

Wilson fired an undisclosed number of shots at Keith Elson Davis, 36, who was suspected of threatening his wife and 12-year-old son at 109 Lawson St.

Wilson has been with the Danville Police Department for eight years, with six years of experience on the departments SWAT team, according to a Danville police news release.

For Mondays confrontation, Wilson was the point man for a team of SWAT officers who confronted Davis after he brandished a firearm and refused to drop it, the release stated.

It is the departments policy to wait three days before releasing the name of an officer involving in a shooting.

Danville Police Department Lt. Mike Wallace said Thursday afternoon the number of shots Wilson fired is part of the investigation and would not release the detail.

Wallace also added Davis condition is stable and he is communicating.

At 5:35 p.m. Sunday, Danville police officers responded to 109 Lawson St. for a report of a domestic disturbance.

Eva Davis told a 911 dispatcher she was talking to her husband who was armed and threatening to kill himself, according to a news release.

The wife did not know where her husband was, and officers tried locating him through his cellphone.

While officers were looking for Keith, Keith was looking for his wife and son  breaking into his own house and chasing them while carrying a handgun, according to authorities.

Once that happened, the officers backed off and called for assistance to include SWAT and crisis intervention negotiators, the release stated.

Keith climbed on top of the roof and a three-hour standoff between him and police began.

Negiotators tried to de-escalate the situation and get Keith to surrender peacefully, but he refused. Keith even put the gun in his mouth and threatened either he or an officer would shoot him.

At 12:55 a.m. Monday, Keith jumped from the main roof to a lower-level roof on the residence, where officers used a Taser without success.

Keith crawled through a window into the residence, while SWAT simultaneously made entry into the residence and confronted Keith Davis, who had a gun in his hand according to the release.

A second Taser was deployed without success and when Davis made threatening moves with the gun, Wilson fired his handgun multiple times at Davis.

Wilson is an officer who has been given numerous awards from the Danville Police Department, including a lifesaving award in 2012 and a medal of valor in 2013 from the department and the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police.

The medal of valor was rewarded to Wilson after he rescued a family from being held hostage by an intruder armed with a shotgun.

Charges for Davis from the incident with his wife and child are still pending.
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Over the past day, the militants have fired on Ukrainian army positions 22 times, resulting in the wounding of five Ukrainian servicemen and one killed military man, the press center of the ATO headquarters reported.

"Over the past day, illegal armed formations violated the ceasefire regime 22 times, as a result of five of our defenders were injured and one was killed. In turn, the ATO forces applied weapons 12 times in response," the report says on Facebook page on Friday morning.

In the Luhansk sector, the militants fired small arms and grenade launchers on the Ukrainian positions in the villages of Krymske, Novozvanivka and Novotoshkivske. The invaders also used 120mm and 82mm mortars in the vicinity of the town of Popasna, as well as infantry fighting vehicles on the village of Troyitske.

In the Mariupol sector, the Ukrainian fortified positions in the villages of Pavlopil and Vodiane came under enemy's mortar fire in the evening. In addition, the militants opened fire from grenade launchers and small arms three times on the village of Talakivka.

At about 20:00 Kyiv time, the Russian occupation forces started firing mortars, grenade launchers, and heavy machine guns for about 90 minutes on the Ukrainian fortified positions near the town of Avdiyivka, which is in the Donetsk sector. As a result of this shelling, one Ukrainian soldier was wounded.
Florida state Rep. Rep. David Richardson, who uses a provision in state law that lets lawmakers inspect prisons and has found many inmates without toilet paper. He has complained to the state but has yet to see a change in policy.
Considering The Parallels

Betting that thin is in  and might be the only way forward  Senate Republicans are eyeing a skinny repeal that rolls back an unpopular portion of the federal health law. But experts warn that the idea has been tried before, and with little success.Senators are reportedly considering a narrow bill that would eliminate the Affordable Care Acts individual mandate, which assesses a tax on Americans who dont have insurance, along with penalties for employers with 50 or more workers who fail to offer health coverage.Details arent clear, but it appears that  at least initially  the rest of the 2010 health law would remain, including the rule that says insurers must cover people with preexisting medical problems.In remarks on the Senate floor Wednesday, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said that we just heard from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office that under such a plan  16 million Americans would lose their health insurance, and millions more would pay a 20 percent increase in their premiums. A bipartisan group of 10 governors  including Ohios John Kasich and Nevadas Brian Sandoval  signed a letter echoing these concerns and urging the Senate to reject it.But earlier in the day, some Republicans saw this concept as a means to advance the debate.We need an outcome, and if a so-called skinny repeal is the first step, thats a good first step, said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).Based on published reports, several Republican senators, including Dean Heller of Nevada and Jeff Flake of Arizona, appear to back this approach. It is, at least for now, being viewed as a step along the way to Republican health reform.I think that most people would understand that what youre really voting on is trying to keep the conversation alive, said Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn. Its not the policy itself  its about trying to create a bigger discussion about repeal between the House and Senate.But what if, during these strange legislative times, the skinny repeal were passed by the Senate and then became law? States experiences with insurance market reforms and rollbacks highlight the possible trouble spots.By the late 1990s, states such as Washington, Kentucky and Massachusetts felt a backlash from the coverage requirement rules they previously put on the individual market. When some of the rules were repealed, things went badly, said Mark Hall, director of the health law and policy program at Wake Forest University.Premiums rose and insurers fled, leaving consumers who buy their own coverage, because they dont get it through their jobs, with fewer choices and higher prices.Thats because  like the Senate plan  the states generally kept popular parts of their laws, including protections for people with preexisting conditions. At the same time, they didnt include mandates that consumers carry coverage.That goes to a basic concept about any kind insurance: People who dont file claims in any given year subsidize those who do. Also, those healthy people are less likely to sign up, insurers said, leaving them with only the more costly policyholders.Bottomline: Insurers end up less willing to participate in the market, said Hall.Its not an exact comparison, though, he added, because the current federal health law offers something most states did not: significant subsidies to help some people buy coverage, which could blunt the effect of not having a mandate.During the debate that led to passage of the federal ACA, insurers flat-out said the plan would fail without an individual mandate. On Wednesday, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association weighed in again, saying that if there is no longer a coverage requirement, there should be strong incentives for people to obtain health insurance and keep it year-round.About 6.5 million Americans reported owing penalties for not having coverage in 2015.Polls consistently show, though, that the individual mandate is unpopular with the public. Indeed, when asked about nine provisions in the ACA, registered voters in a recent Politico/Morning Consult poll said they want the Senate to keep eight, rejecting only the individual mandate.Even though the mandates penalty is often criticized as not strong enough, removing it would still affect the individual market.Insurers would react conservatively and increase rates substantially to cover their risk, said insurance industry consultant Robert Laszewski.Thats what happened after Washington state lawmakers rolled back rules in 1995 legislation. Insurers requested significant rate increases, which were then rejected by the states insurance commissioner. By 1998, the states largest insurer  Premera Blue Cross  said it was losing so much money that it would stop selling new individual policies, precipitating a sense of crisis, according to a study published in 2000 in the Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law.When one pulled out, the others followed, said current Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, who was then a regional director in the federal department of Health and Human Services.The states individual market was volatile and difficult for years after. Insurers did come back, but won a concession: For a time, the insurance commissioner lost the power to reject rate increases. Kreidler, first elected in 2000, won the authority back.Predicting the effect of removing the individual mandate is difficult, although he expects the impact would be modest, at least initially. Subsidies that help people purchase insurance coverage  if they remain as they are under current law  could help blunt the impact. But if those subsidies are reduced  or other changes are made that further drive healthy people out of the market  the impact could be greater.Few markets can go bad on you as fast as a health insurance market, said Kreidler.As for employers, dropping the requirement that those with 50 or more workers offer health insurance or face a financial penalty could mean some workers would lose coverage, but their jobs might be more secure, said Joe Antos, at the American Enterprise Institute.Thats because the requirement meant that some smaller firms didnt hire people or give workers more than 30 hours a week  the minimum needed under the ACA to be considered a full-time worker who qualified for health insurance.The individual mandate, he added, may not be as much of a factor in getting people to enroll in coverage as some think because the Trump administration has indicated it might not enforce it anyway  and the penalty amount is far less than most people would have to pay for health insurance.However, the individual market could be roiled by other factors, Antos said.The real impact would come if feds stopped promoting enrollment and did other things to make the exchanges [ the state and federal markets through which insurance is offered ] work more poorly.
New Jersey agreed to put in place new rules regarding quarantines after a nurse who was quarantined in 2014 after working in Sierra Leone during the deadly Ebola outbreak filed a lawsuit against the state, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey.In addition to procedural protections, the changes will ensure that a person is quarantined only when it's medically necessary, under the settlement, which was announced Thursday by the ACLU and private attorneys for Kaci Hickox.Hickox was working with Doctors Without Borders in the west African nation during the Ebola outbreak. She was stopped when she arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport on Oct. 24, 2014, and quarantined. She later tested negative for Ebola and was allowed to go to Maine, where she lived at the time. She now lives in Oregon."We've achieved what was needed: procedures that will ensure that no one will have to go through what I experienced in New Jersey, and that no one will be quarantined unless it is medically necessary to do so," said Hickox. "The settlement upholds the principles and values of liberty and due process."
The issue of the deprivation of Mikheil Saakashvili of Ukrainian citizenship is a prerogative of Ukraine and such issues should be resolved according to the principle of supremacy of law, U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly said.

Any person who can find himself in such situation should resolve this issue legally with assistance from competent lawyers as it is a legal issue and it should be resolved in accordance with the principle of supremacy of law, the ambassador said.

Kelly told reporters on Friday he cannot comment on the deprivation of Mikheil Saakashvili of Ukrainian citizenship. As to the position of the United States, Kelly said this issue is regarded from the point of view of international obligations and international law.

As to specific actions, it is an issue that needs to be resolved by the Ukrainian state, the ambassador said.
and Andrew Freedman is taking another meeting. For once, its at his home office in Denver. Since February, work has taken him to Boston; Chicago; Oakland, Calif.; Sacramento, Calif.; Tallahassee, Fla.; New York City; and Washington, D.C. Like every meeting for Freedman these days, this ones about marijuana.For nearly three years, Freedman worked for Colorado as the worlds first and only state marijuana czar, a temporary position created to help Colorado implement regulations around medical and recreational marijuana. Now hes taking what he learned from that experience and using it for a new consulting business.The office of Freedman & Koski is a condo in a converted church near Denvers Five Points neighborhood. The conference room doubles as Freedmans living room, which is also his dining room. It has a giant stained glass window. Freedman has been pining for a whiteboard where he and his business partner, Lewis Koski, can conduct their weekly strategy meetings, but there isnt a practical place to put one.The first meeting of the day is with a potential client, David Sutton, who is developing a new line of medical marijuana products for temporary pain relief. Sutton hopes Freedman will join his companys board of directors. They both grew up in Denver and know each other from elementary school, but only reconnected recently. Sutton is pulling demo products from his bag and explaining to Koski how customers would apply a THC-infused lotion on the skin. It doesnt get you high. Its relaxing when you put it on a pulse point, Sutton says. I dont know if you have any pain where you can No, thank you, Koski interrupts, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. He smiles. Its a friendly but stern rejection. He doesnt try marijuana products.Koski is the former director of the marijuana enforcement division within the Colorado Department of Revenue. Before he was a regulator, he was a police officer in suburban Arvada, northwest of Denver. Although he and Freedman helped make legal marijuana a reality in Colorado, they are not advocates for legalization and, as a rule, do not take clients who make money from growing or selling marijuana. Ask about their personal experience with the drug, and they decline to comment. They wont even disclose how they voted on Amendment 64, the ballot measure that brought legalized recreational marijuana to Colorado in 2012. Not even my wife knows, Koski says.After the meeting, Freedman and Koski agree that they cant take Sutton on as a client. With opportunities like that, weve probably turned down a lot of work, Koski says. Though they market themselves as experts in marijuana policy, they want to maintain a regulators distance from the industry itself. Were a good-government company, Koski explains. We want to do everything we can to protect public health and public safety with the cards were dealt.Freedman is quick to point out that they arent lobbyists, and none of the three founding partners (the third is John Hudak, an academic researcher at the Brookings Institution) has taken a public position for or against legalization. But once voters have decided to legalize marijuana, Freedman says, were the technocrats who make it happen.Theres increasing demand for that kind of technocratic expertise. Support for legalizing both medical and recreational marijuana has increased over the past two decades. National polling from Gallup shows that 60 percent of Americans now think the use of marijuana should be made legal, up from 25 percent in the mid-1990s. In the past five years, voters in Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington state have approved the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes, with a retail market that is -- or soon will be -- taxed and regulated. Twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia also allow for state-regulated dispensaries of medical marijuana. An estimated 65 million Americans, about one-fifth of the countrys population, now live in states with some form of legalization. With the likely expansion of it in more states, annual marijuana sales in North America are projected to grow from $6.7 billion last year to more than $20 billion by 2021.But this is also a period of uncertainty for the marijuana industry. Under the Obama administration, the U.S. Department of Justice signaled that it wouldnt use its limited resources to prosecute people and businesses that complied with state marijuana laws, so long as they met certain federal criteria such as keeping marijuana out of the hands of minors. But President Trumps administration has cast doubt on whether the federal government will maintain its hands-off approach. As a candidate, Trump sent mixed messages about his position on legal marijuana, calling it bad but also suggesting it was an issue best left up to states. Trumps attorney general, Jeff Sessions, is a longtime critic of states that legalized marijuana. In February, White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters to expect ramped up enforcement of federal marijuana laws.Meanwhile, in states where marijuana ballot measures have already passed, many governors and their counterparts at the local level are becoming the reluctant stewards of a policy they once opposed. But after voters approve a marijuana measure, officials look for advice from the few places with some experience in taxing and regulating legal marijuana. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper says his office has fielded calls from more than 25 states asking for guidance. When he read Freedmans pitch for a consulting firm aimed at meeting that demand, Hickenlooper encouraged him to pursue the idea. This is going to be one of the great social experiments of the 21st century, and its going to require taking all of the experience and the knowledge that we create, and building upon that, he says. Citing Freedmans prior role as a convener across agencies and businesses, and among legislators and other outside interest groups, Hickenlooper says Freedman is uniquely suited to provide insights about the implementation details. His understanding of the process and how it works would be invaluable to other states.Freedman, 34, hadnt planned on becoming the worlds first marijuana czar. About seven years ago, he graduated from Harvard Law School and had a job lined up with a private law firm in Washington, D.C. But the job didnt start right away, so Freedman was toying with the idea of spending those few months learning to surf in Australia. The year after undergrad, he had managed to pack in a lot: teaching English in India, working at a peace camp in Israel and volunteering at a womens rights center in Thailand. But his older brother talked him out of embarking on yet another international adventure and persuaded him to instead work on Hickenloopers first campaign for governor.Following the gubernatorial race, he became chief of staff for then-Lt. Gov. Joseph Garcia before spearheading an ill-fated ballot measure that sought to raise billions in new tax dollars for public education. Despite several years in state government, Freedman was a novice on marijuana policy when Hickenloopers chief of staff recruited him to be the director of marijuana coordination. He was so unfamiliar with the industry that he hadnt been to a grow facility until he visited one on the job. In a way, that lack of experience was an asset. The governors chief of staff told Freedman the state needed someone who was seen as neutral on the question of legalization.Though Freedmans official title was never marijuana czar, the term quickly became shorthand for what he did. In one TV interview, a local anchor pushed Freedman on the term. We are working very hard not to be called that, Freedman said, in a futile effort to distance himself from the title. As he sees it, policy czars, as a rule, lack authority. And drug czars in particular are meant to be adversaries of illicit substance use. By contrast, Freedman did have authority -- he spoke for the governor -- and he didnt see himself as an antagonist to the marijuana industry. His role was to help in setting up rules for legitimate businesses and customers to safely use a legal product. The anchor called him the pot czar anyway, and it stuck.The title may help Freedman and Koski market their new business. While other states have tapped someone to oversee marijuana regulation and enforcement, Colorado is the only one to have created a special position in the governors office for coordinating policy across executive agencies and the legislature. Freedman will also go down as the last marijuana czar in Colorado. Because most of the initial implementation details have been settled, Hickenlooper, with Freedmans support, asked the legislature to sunset the czar position in June.Although states have plenty of pro- and anti-legalization advocates, not many people can claim firsthand experience in developing and implementing policy. In addition to their insights from Colorados rollout, Freedman and Koski also draw from the expertise of Hudak, their third founding partner, who recently published a book on the history of marijuana policy. As a result, in their first five months of business they have already won contracts with Florida, Los Angeles County and Ohio.Public officials will be hungry for advice, says Beau Kilmer, a drug policy researcher with the RAND Corp., because there isnt a playbook for overseeing a legal marijuana retail market. Early adopters are still learning from their own experiences. We still dont know the best way to regulate and tax marijuana, he says. In 2015, Kilmer co-authored a report for the state of Vermont on the potential benefits and costs of legalizing marijuana, illustrating the many paths that the state could take and the tradeoffs officials will need to consider. For example, some states may decide to prioritize the elimination of a black market, with looser regulations and fewer protections for public health; others may choose heavier taxes and regulations in an effort to protect public health. So much comes down to your personal values, Kilmer says, and your preferences for risk.Whatever choices state and local governments make, theyll want expert counsel in thinking through competing interests, and he predicts an increasing number of private firms will try to provide those services. Its a growing industry, Kilmer says. No pun intended.to emulate what worked in Colorado, the consulting business also gives Freedman an opportunity to address misgivings he has about how his own state handled the marijuana rollout. He can fix what he saw as loopholes, and apply some lessons learned.For example, in the first year of legalization in Colorado, customers -- especially out-of-state tourists and first-time users -- didnt have enough guidance on recreational products. Children and adults alike were ending up in the emergency room after consuming unsafe concentrations of THC. One visiting college student from Wyoming jumped out of his hotel room after consuming some especially potent pot cookies.columnist Maureen Dowd highlighted the plight of uninformed consumers when she wrote about her own experience underestimating the potency of edibles.Over time, the legislature made tweaks in the law to address some early oversights. Packaging for marijuana products now must have a universal THC diamond symbol, along with a warning that the edibles are for adults over 21 years old and should be kept out of childrens reach. In an effort to make edible gummies look less like candy for children, the state has banned gummies in the shape of a fruit, animal or human. Chocolate bars now have to be divided in to squares with equal doses of 10 milligrams of THC, an amount thats considered safe to consume in one sitting.Freedman also would have liked to see the state put in place public information and youth prevention campaigns before retail stores opened. Today, the state Department of Transportation runs television ads urging residents not to drive while high. Giant billboards warn against using marijuana while pregnant or during breastfeeding. But the state didnt launch those public health and safety campaigns until they could be funded with revenues from retail marijuana sales. That meant residents were buying legal marijuana for eight months before the earmarked money was available for public awareness campaigns.Another insight from the Colorado experience is that states need to collect better baseline data. For the most part, Colorado officials dont have precise information about how expanded access to legal marijuana has affected the health and safety of residents. For example, before legalization the state didnt require schools to document when they suspended students for marijuana use; instead, the older data only show that suspensions were related to some kind of drug use. When the state examined last years newer, more precise data, they discovered that roughly two-thirds of student drug suspensions involved marijuana. While they can monitor marijuana suspensions going forward, theyll never know if an increase occurred because of legalization.The state faces similar problems in measuring the impact of the policy on driving under the influence of marijuana. Before legalization, Colorado didnt have statewide standards for what constituted driving while high. Now the standard is set at five nanograms of active THC per milliliter of blood. Law enforcement has also received training on identifying and charging impaired drivers, so its likely that the marijuana DUI arrests have gone up. But its difficult to know how much.States seem likely to accept most of these good-government recommendations, but Freedman does have at least one controversial idea hes floating with his government clients: He doesnt think surplus revenue from marijuana sales ought to fund schools. In Colorado, the constitutional amendment legalizing recreational marijuana set aside roughly $40 million a year for public school construction projects around the state. That may sound like a lot of money, but its dwarfed by the current demand for school infrastructure funding in the state, which is roughly $2.8 billion. Freedman worries that the average voter in Colorado is now reluctant to approve funding increases for education because the linking of marijuana revenue to education was so well publicized. I think that it sets education back, he says. Theyre more likely to believe marijuana can save education, and it cant.States would be better off, he says, using marijuana tax revenues in areas that might see a bigger return on investment. Before he left his job with the state, Freedman helped pitch the Colorado Legislature on the idea that surplus marijuana revenue -- in addition to the money already going to school construction -- ought to support affordable housing for the homeless. The result was roughly $15 million next year for housing and support services.There was one last loophole in Colorados marijuana laws that Freedman wanted to address before he stepped down from his post. The state already had strict regulations for licensed businesses selling marijuana, but it also allowed people to grow up to 99 plants for personal use, so long as they had a note from their doctor. The law allowed people to ask others to assist in growing marijuana plants for medical purposes. No other state allows caregivers or patients to grow more than 16 plants at home. The fact that Colorado had much looser regulations around homegrown medical marijuana had an unintended consequence: Organized crime syndicates were growing large amounts of marijuana in their backyards and then shipping it out of Colorado to sell in other states. Freedman saw it as the Achilles heel of the states regulatory system, and he spent the better part of three years working with law enforcement, legislators, marijuana lobbyists, patients and caregivers to address it.Four separate attempts to close the loophole through legislation had failed. Patients and caregivers had fought any regulations that impeded their legitimate use of homegrown medical marijuana. It had become my white whale, Freedman says.Though Freedman officially launched his firm this January, he stayed on with the governors office for four months on a part-time basis to usher through one last set of bills that might finally address the gray market. Legislators took up the bills in March, and passed them unanimously. The new laws limit the number of homegrown plants to 12, down from 99, but patients and caregivers can appeal to their local governments to receive individual exemptions. The legislature also allocated $6 million a year in grant funds for local law enforcement to find and shut down illegal grow operations.At the bill signing in June, marijuana business owners, public health advocates, police, patients and caregivers all came to celebrate. It was a diverse set of groups who often lobbied on opposite sides of an issue. As people gathered, Freedman circled the room, shaking hands and smiling. It was his victory lap.Hickenlooper called the bills an unlikely compromise that was emblematic of the way Freedman coordinated across government and private stakeholders for his three years as marijuana czar. He was able to build relationships with conflicting interests, Hickenlooper says, and persuade the larger community to support changes that protected public health and safety. One of the [areas] where Andrew exceeded expectations was to help advise this incipient marijuana industry that they needed to be good citizens, that they needed to care about public welfare.
THRIVING

SURVIVING

The nation's capital may be mired in turmoil these days, but for many governors, the political landscape is somewhat less daunting. That certainly holds true in states with rookie governors -- those elected for the first time in November 2016 or elevated to the office in 2017.As in the past, we'll assess these governors' first six or so months on the job, based on our discussions with political experts in each state, and sort them into three main categories: thriving, surviving or struggling.The good news for rookie governors is that none of them, in our view, belong in the "struggling" category. Even the weakest-performing governors these days are surviving.This seems to align with the results of the most recent survey of gubernatorial approval ratings, released earlier this month by Morning Consult. It found that 36 governors had an approval rating higher than their disapproval rating by double digits. By contrast, five governors had disapproval ratings that exceeded approval ratings by double digits.We set aside two rookie governors whose short tenures have made it too early to assess how they're doing: Alabama's Kay Ivey and Iowa's Kim Reynolds.Ivey, a Republican, ascended from the lieutenant governorship in April after the resignation of her scandal-plagued predecessor, Robert Bentley. Observers say she's been a pragmatist so far, mainly trying to steady the ship.Reynolds, also a Republican, took office in May, after GOP Gov. Terry Branstad became the U.S. ambassador to China. She hasn't had much time yet to put her stamp on the office, though Iowa is currently facing a budget shortfall and how she handles it will be her first big test. Reynolds is facing a pitched battle with Democrats, who have produced a large field of candidates determined to oust her in 2018.Now, let's get to it. Note that governors within each category are listed alphabetically by state.While Holcomb won a competitive race in 2016 by a larger-than-expected margin, he came into office as something of a mystery. Holcomb had worked closely with both of the previous two Republican governors, so observers wondered which one he would be most like: the economic conservative Mitch Daniels or the socially conservative Mike Pence?So far, Holcomb has been more like Daniels. Observers credit him with bringing strong appointees into his administration and for taking an active yet unpretentious role in shaping legislation. He helped enact a 10-year road funding and maintenance plan, and he's prioritized some long-lagging concerns, such as information technology modernization.What's more, Holcomb has First Dog Henry Holcomb helping to soften his image.Sununu, a Republican, won the governorship even as his state voted to elect Democrats Hillary Clinton for president and Maggie Hassan for the U.S. Senate. Perhaps that's why Sununu has taken a pragmatic, technocratic approach in office.That was on display early this year when he faced resistance on the state budget from a caucus of conservative House members. Sununu was able to work with legislators to get a Senate-written budget passed and signed.But his biggest achievement so far has been the passage of a bill to partially fund all-day kindergarten, which conservative Republicans opposed but the public favored.Sununu also signed a bill to decriminalize marijuana. Meanwhile, his standing has been boosted by the state's 2.9 percent unemployment rate, which is tied for fourth-best in the nation.Burgum, a successful businessman and political novice, was the upset winner in the 2016 Republican primary before cruising to an easy general election victory in this solidly Republican state. But Burgum entered office at a challenging time.First, the collapse in oil prices hit North Dakota's finances especially hard. Meanwhile, protesters of the Dakota Access Pipeline, citing environmental and cultural concerns, were camped out for months in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. Burgum, a pipeline supporter, offered protesters a rhetorical olive branch before the project was approved; after they left the protest site, Burgum was involved in a significant cleanup effort.On the fiscal front, Burgum, who declined to take a salary, shored up state finances by pushing for and winning cuts to the general fund to the tune of $1.7 billion, or about 28 percent. "Not since the Dust Bowl have North Dakotans seen their state's day-to-day operating fund shrink by such magnitude," Burgum wrote in an op-ed.He also spearheaded an effort to redirect funds from corrections to drug rehab. "We need to start treating addiction like the chronic disease it is," he said in his State of the State address.Scott, who was elected as a moderate Republican, has drawn a bright line with his opposition to President Trump on health care, immigration and environmental issues -- a necessity in Vermont, one of the nation's bluest states.He's considered accessible and relatable, which has no doubt helped him work with the Democratic-controlled legislature. (It helps that there are enough Republicans to sustain Scott's vetoes.)Scott, as he'd indicated during the campaign, has hewed close to the ideological center, often taking the edge off Democratic initiatives. For example, he vetoed the budget the legislature sent him, arguing that savings from teacher health plans should be passed on to taxpayers. Ultimately, the two sides reached a compromise.Carney, who succeeded two-term Democratic Gov. Jack Markell, spent the first six months in office battling over a state budget to address a $400 million shortfall.After fights within the Democratic Party and between Democrats and Republicans, the legislature passed and Carney signed a bipartisan budget that included revenue increases and spending cuts. Republicans agreed to drop a demand that Democrats accept a three-year suspension of "prevailing wage" rules for construction projects by counties, cities and schools. For their part, Democrats dropped a request to increase state income taxes.Beyond this, Carney hasn't faced major problems, but walking into a budget crisis at the start of a term isn't exactly ideal.Greitens, a military veteran, rolled to a somewhat unexpected victory with the help of a strong tide in the state for Trump. He succeeded centrist Democrat Jay Nixon, who had spent two terms trying to foil the GOP-controlled legislature.Having a Republican in the governor's office has enabled the GOP supermajority to finally pass some long-delayed conservative initiatives, including curbs on labor-union power and cuts to the budget for education and other programs.But the governor, taking more of an outsider approach to governance, has alienated even some within his own party. He's sparred with GOP lawmakers over ethics reform, and he has irked some with an aversion to transparency with the media and a sometimes confrontational approach.Cooper won his place in the governor's mansion by narrowly ousting GOP incumbent Pat McCrory, who, pressed by a fiercely conservative Republican legislature, had enacted a sweeping and controversial agenda. The fact that the GOP continues to control the legislature has made Cooper's job harder than anyone else's on this list.Cooper's big accomplishment has been lifting H.B. 2, the so-called bathroom bill targeting transgender individuals. The repeal has cleared the way for businesses and sporting events to enter the state. However, the new legislation left in place limitations on local anti-discrimination ordinances until 2020 -- a bitter pill for H.B. 2's opponents.Meanwhile, the GOP passed a state budget over Cooper's veto, ignoring his calls for higher spending on education and social programs. Cooper has also been forced to wage court battles against the legislature's efforts to strip his powers A silver lining: A recent Elon College poll found Cooper with higher popularity than the legislature.McMaster was elevated from lieutenant governor in January after Nikki Haley was confirmed as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Some in the state had hoped that McMaster would usher in a less-confrontational era of relations with the legislature, and to an extent, that has happened. But he has also issued about $55 million in budget vetoes, and blocked a gasoline tax that was ultimately overridden with bipartisan support. McMaster was able to reach a later deal with legislators that paired a gas tax increase with a reduction in the state income tax.Unlike other rookie governors, McMaster has to worry about re-election in 2018; he faces multiple challengers in the GOP primary.Justice beat the odds by winning the governorship in a state that overwhelmingly voted against his party's presidential nominee. But as a larger-than-life, outspoken billionaire, Justice actually shared many characteristics with Trump and aligned himself with the president politically on issues such as energy production.Justice didn't shy away from proposing revenue hikes to fill a budget gap. He pushed legislators to increase some highway tolls, the gasoline tax and motor vehicle fees as well as levy a new tax on sugary drinks. When the legislature approved a budget he didn't like, Justice presented them with an actual plate of bull feces.In the end, though, he let the budget measure become law without his signature in order to avoid a government shutdown. Justice is continuing to push for a "Save Our State" (S.O.S) plan that includes big investments in road construction.
Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer sat in a hospital room in Overland Park on July 3, waiting to see if he'd get a call because someone was a bit too careless with fireworks.Colyer, a 57-year-old plastic surgeon, was on call at Overland Park Regional Medical Center the day before Independence Day, ready to deal with a medical crisis at any second. It's a situation that parallels his current position as lieutenant governor.Three weeks later, President Donald Trump named Colyer's boss, Gov. Sam Brownback, the next ambassador at-large for international religious freedom, effectively making Colyer the governor in waiting. The U.S. Senate must confirm Brownback, so it's not clear when Colyer would take over."The reason I'm a doctor and the reason I'm lieutenant governor is to make a difference in people's lives. And for me when I'm a doctor, I can work one-on-one with a person. It affects their physical and social side," said Colyer, who lives in Overland Park. "When you're a lieutenant governor, you're having to look at, 'What's that bigger picture?' "Colyer has played a quiet but significant role in the Brownback administration since being elected to the position in 2010 after a stint in the Kansas Legislature.Colyer served as the primary architect of KanCare, the state's privatized Medicaid system, and has been the main voice in the administration urging against expanding the program under the Affordable Care Act."I've had a big influence on a lot of major decisions," Colyer said about his role in the administration. "It hasn't been, you're just waiting around twiddling your thumbs."His elevation to governor comes only two years after he was the subject of a federal grand jury investigation that stemmed from questions about a $500,000 loan he repeatedly made to Brownback's 2014 re-election campaign.The U.S. attorney's office, which usually does not comment on investigations, took the unusual step of confirming no charges would be filed against Colyer in June 2015 after the Brownback administration had announced it.Colyer has resisted answering questions about the investigation in the years that have followed, but it's a question that will likely dog him if he enters the race for governor, which already includes conservative firebrand Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach.Brownback said Thursday that he doesn't know the time frame for a confirmation vote for his nomination, so when Colyer will take over as governor is unclear.But they've already been discussing the transition process, Brownback said."Jeff's his own man, his own person," Brownback said. "He's an accomplished physician. ... He's really highly qualified on health care issues, which will be a big issue depending on what the president and Congress does on health care."Lawmakers of both parties, however, have been salivating for months at the prospect of Colyer's elevation to the post, hoping that it will give them a chance to reset the relationship with the executive branch, which became increasingly fraught in the final years of Brownback's governorship."I think that we can just shake all of that off and continue anew," said Rep. Stephanie Clayton, an Overland Park Republican who often clashed with Brownback's office.Clayton said Colyer has treated her with "decency and respect" despite their political differences in the past and that she's optimistic this will give the state a chance to move forward in a positive direction.Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat who served with Colyer in the state Senate, predicted that Colyer will be more willing to compromise on policy than Brownback."I don't know if he is as ideologically locked into things as Brownback is. I don't think ideology is what really drives him," Hensley said. "I don't know if he's what I would call a 'true believer' like Sam Brownback."House Speaker Ron Ryckman, an Olathe Republican, said Colyer is still very much in line with Brownback ideologically, but that he'll bring a fresh perspective to the position because of his experience as a doctor and a humanitarian.Colyer has volunteered as a doctor in war zones around the globe as part of the International Medical Corps. His most recent trip was to the Central African Republic last year, where he treated refugees who were fleeing Boko Haram for gunshot wounds and other injuries.Sen. Rob Olson, an Olathe Republican who sat next to Colyer in the Kansas House, said that "a lot of times, he would leave on a Friday and fly somewhere and do free surgeries and then come back."Colyer's patients closer to home revere him.For his interview with The Star earlier this month, Colyer invited Scarlett Alex, a 24-year-old teacher from Overland Park, a patient whom Colyer has treated since she was 10."I was born with a birth defect. ... The right side of my face didn't grow correctly, and that's where Dr. Colyer comes in," Alex said."He's just a big part of my life. He changed my life in such a big way. ... He had a part in shaping how I feel about myself and the way I look," said Alex, who shared a dance with Colyer at her wedding last year."I spent a lot of time in a room like this getting prepped and ready going back to surgery, and you always came and said hi, to relieve my fears ... like nothing big was going on," she said, turning to Colyer remembering her multiple surgeries."I followed her through school and what she was doing in college. ... We got to go through a lot of things together," Colyer said.Colyer said when he meets with patients, or parents when he's treating children, he'll take them through a goal-setting process and explain to them that "there's not a perfect route, and so we're there for them to help them in the long run."He said it's similar to the goal-setting process that policymakers have to go through in Topeka."It's that same idea of where do we want to be in 2025? ... How do we move our state forward? I want Kansas to be where her future is, where my daughters' futures are," he said.Colyer, who earned his medical degree at the University of Kansas, has spent most of his adult life in Johnson County after stints at Georgetown University and a fellowship in the Reagan White House, but he grew up in western Kansas.He points to the Sternberg Museum of Natural History in his hometown of Hays as where his interest in science started that eventually caused him to pursue a career in medicine."He was someone that everyone, I think, thought would kind of go on to big and impressive things," said Mark Tallman, the lobbyist for the Kansas Association of School Boards, who went to high school with Colyer and worked with him on the high school debate team.Patrick Miller, a political scientist at the University of Kansas, said Colyer is "not a very known quantity to most people, in terms of who he is, what his brand is, what he stands for."But that unknown nature, Miller said, gives Colyer an opportunity to develop his brand in the next year."I think it will be interesting to see. Is he just going to be Sam Brownback's mini-me, and support Brownback's policies and dig in on that, or will he choose to modify and go in a different direction?" Miller said.Olson expects Colyer to distinguish himself from Brownback in the coming months."A lot of people are going to wonder what kind of governor he'll be, if he'll be the same as Brownback, or if he'll be different," Olson said. "... He's been in the shadow of Brownback, and I think he will do some things different and I think he'll probably surprise some people."The night Trump was elected president, Colyer found himself on stage in a crowded ballroom at a Republican watch party in Overland Park, struggling to keep the audience's attention and be heard over loud conversations as the election results came in."We all know that the country is divided," Colyer said at the start of his speech, "and we know that the country has had a lot of problems and there's a lot of division."The country faced something like that once before, Colyer said, back in the Civil War. But Bleeding Kansas became part of the solution of the new America, he said."And I think all of us here believe that Kansas is part of the new solution for America."And believe me, the rest of the world is watching what goes on in Kansas," Colyer said to a small round of applause.
After weeks of legal battles and bipartisan pushback from top election officials nationwide, President Donald Trump's voter fraud commission has renewed a message for the states: It's safe to pass along your data about voters."Individuals' voter registration records will be kept confidential and secure throughout the duration of the commission's existence," Kris Kobach, vice chairman of the commission, wrote in a letter sent late Wednesday to all 50 secretaries of state.Even so, by Thursday, much of the criticism that greeted an earlier request from the commission was repeated by election officials and activists, who have expressed concerns about privacy and have called the panel both a sham created by an insecure president and a tool to suppress votes.Trump _ without evidence _ has repeatedly alleged that 3 million to 5 million illegal votes were cast in last year's presidential election. (Trump prevailed in the Electoral College, while Democrat Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by about 3 million votes.)The letter from Kobach is the second in less than a month requesting that secretaries of state submit voter data to the so-called Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity.On June 28, Kobach, a Republican who as Kansas' secretary of state has helped create some of the strictest voter ID laws in the country, wrote to top election officials requesting, among other things, names, addresses and the last four digits of Social Security numbers.In the days after Kobach's June 28 letter, 21 states and the District of Columbia declined to provide any data, according to a tally by the Brennan Center for Justice, a public policy institute that focuses on, among other things, voting rights.Other states, citing local laws, agreed to provide some, but not all of the data requested. States have been especially cool to providing even a portion of a person's Social Security number.On Thursday, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said his position of not releasing information on his state's nearly 4 million voters has not changed."I have serious doubts about the commission's credibility and trustworthiness, and I fear it risks becoming a partisan tool to shut out millions of eligible American voters," Simon, a Democrat, said.In recent weeks, a flurry of lawsuits surrounding privacy issues have ensued. This week a federal court ruled against the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a public interest research group that had sought a temporary restraining order to block the commission's request for data.At its core, the court rejected arguments that the commission's request for certain voter data violated Americans' privacy and that the commission did not follow constitutional proceeding. The research group has appealed the ruling.Kobach has said the commission aims to improve voting systems and ensure the integrity of elections. Critics have questioned the commission's purpose as studies have consistently shown that voter fraud is almost nonexistent.Fear of how the commission might use voter data is already prompting some people to take their names off voter rolls.Amber McReynolds, director of elections for the city and county of Denver, said that her office has been flooded with calls and emails from concerned voters and that it has seen an uptick in voter registration withdrawals in recent weeks.Since Kobach's original letter, McReynolds said, nearly 1,000 people _ out of about 600,000 registered voters in Denver County _ had withdrawn their registration."Normally, we see four or five in a given week," she said. "It's now been hundreds in a week. ... That's concerning."Tiffany Quay Tyson, 48, is a writer who lives in Denver and was among those to reach out to McReynolds' office. Tyson did not withdraw her registration but did say she was concerned about the commission."I can't really see why the commission would need things like Social Security numbers or addresses," she said.In Colorado, nearly 4,000 people statewide have canceled their voter registrations since Kobach's June 28 letter. Last week, Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, citing this figure, wrote to the commission calling for it to disband."This commission was formed as a result of delusion, conspiracy theories and truly 'fake news,' " Bennet wrote. "But it is having a very real and dramatically chilling effect on voter participation."Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams, a Republican, said he will give some information to the commission _ such as party affiliation, full name, address, year of birth and vote history _ because the data are already publicly available."It's my hope that citizens who withdrew their registration will re-register, particularly once they realize that no confidential information will be provided and that the parties and presidential candidates already have the same publicly available information from the 2016 election cycle," he said Thursday.Kobach's commission _ a bipartisan group that consists of about a dozen current and former secretaries of state, clerks and recorders and judges _ held its first meeting July 19 in Washington, D.C. The panel plans to continue gathering in the months ahead and is scheduled to send a written report to Trump sometime next year.
President Donald Trump isn't going to just let go of Sen. Lisa Murkowski's no vote Tuesday against debating Obamacare repeal.Early Wednesday, Trump took to Twitter to express displeasure with Murkowski's vote. By that afternoon, each of Alaska's two Republican senators had received a phone call from Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke letting them know the vote had put Alaska's future with the administration in jeopardy.The response follows Trump's no-holds-barred style of governing, even when it comes to his own party. It is his first strike of retaliation against Murkowski, however, despite her tendency to stray from the party line and the president's priorities.Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan said the call from Zinke heralded a "troubling message.""I'm not going to go into the details, but I fear that the strong economic growth, pro-energy, pro-mining, pro-jobs and personnel from Alaska who are part of those policies are going to stop," Sullivan said."I tried to push back on behalf of all Alaskans.  We're facing some difficult times and there's a lot of enthusiasm for the policies that Secretary Zinke and the president have been talking about with regard to our economy. But the message was pretty clear," Sullivan said. The Interior secretary also contacted Murkowski, he said.Murkowski was not available for comment. Spokespeople from the White House and the Interior Department did not respond to inquiries.Sullivan said the Interior secretary was clear that his message was in response to the no vote Murkowski cast Tuesday on the motion to proceed with debate on the House-passed health care legislation.Efforts and issues on the line include nominations of Alaskans to Interior posts, an effort to build a road out of King Cove through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, and future opportunities to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and expand drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, among other regulatory issues that are a priority for Murkowski and Sullivan.Sullivan said he had discussed the calls with Murkowski, and his concerns remain.Murkowski and Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins voted at odds with their fellow Republicans on Tuesday to begin floor debate on legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The vote was on the House-passed health care bill, rather than the Senate legislation that has faltered in fits and starts in recent weeks.Murkowski said she felt the effort was rushed and did not adhere to an open and transparent legislative process.Much remains unknown  how far the White House will go to punish or pressure Murkowski, what exactly the impact will be for Alaska, and just how it will play out.Murkowski chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and has used the position to drive home Alaska priorities, particularly with Interior nominees. She oversees the confirmation process for the Interior Department.On Wednesday, a committee hearing on nominations to the Interior and Energy departments was postponed indefinitely. A reason was not posted.For her part, Murkowski said Tuesday that she was not deeply concerned about pushback from Alaska Republicans about her vote."I base my votes on what I believe is in Alaska's best interest," she said. "So I know that there are those who wish that I would be more in line with following the party platform, but I don't think it should come as any surprise that there have been occasions that I have not followed the lead of the party."Trump has shown a willingness to go after members of his own party when they go against his preferred agenda  an unusual presidential tactic.Last month, Nevada Republican Sen. Dean Heller faced an advertising campaign over his opposition to the health care bill, run by America First Policies, a nonprofit group that backs Trump's agenda.Trump ultimately suspended the advertising campaign after complaints from Republican senators, but kept up pressure on Heller, even saying at a White House meeting with Republicans, "Look, he wants to remain a senator, doesn't he?"Heller is facing a tough race in 2018; Nevada is a swing state.Murkowski, on the other hand, is not. She won her re-election handily in 2016, and does not face re-election until 2022. So a threat to "primary" her over the vote means little at this moment.But Trump made it clear he was unhappy with Murkowski's vote Wednesday morning, taking to Twitter to air his unhappiness."Senator @lisamurkowski of the Great State of Alaska really let the Republicans, and our country, down yesterday. Too bad!" Trump wrote.When asked about the tweet in a hallway interview Wednesday morning, Murkowski told an MSNBC reporter that future elections did not weigh into her decision on health care."We're here to govern. We're here to legislate. We're here to represent the people who sent us here. And so every day shouldn't be about campaigning. Every day shouldn't be about winning elections. How about just doing a little bit of governing around here? That's what I'm here for," she said.Murkowski has been at odds with Trump at times  occasionally refuting his more controversial statements. She took a stronger approach toward the end of the presidential campaign, saying she could not support his candidacy and would write in a vote for someone else.But Trump hasn't struck back at Murkowski in the past. She has been invited to the White House numerous times, and as a potential "swing vote" has repeatedly been seated next to or near the president during negotiations and meetings.It is not clear whether the president offered Murkowski any deal on health care  or any threats prior to her vote.Trump has not tweeted about Murkowski in the past, and rarely about Alaska. He retweeted a "Fox & Friends" story earlier this month about a missile defense test off the coast of Alaska.And in 2014, he tweeted about Russian President Vladimir Putin seizing Alaska, and a follow-up saying Putin wouldn't want the state, because the Environmental Protection Agency would make it impossible for him to drill for oil.
Fred Leeb, the former emergency financial manager for Pontiac, Mich., a financially distressed city that was essentially taken over by the state. Leeb proposes solving cities' economic problems by giving a few billion dollars to the country's top minds to collaborate on a monumental project -- if they agree to live and work in one of America's struggling cities.
GIS - 28 July 2017: Government will continue to spearhead efforts to provide the best medical treatment to the population and bring over foreign doctors and experts for advanced medical cases. Government will continue to spearhead efforts to provide the best medical treatment to the population and bring over foreign doctors and experts for advanced medical cases.

The Minister of Health and Quality of Life, Dr Anwar Husnoo, made this statement today during a visit at the Subramania Bharati Eye Hospital, Moka. He also met two specialists from Pakistan, Professor Wajid Ali Khan, Chief Consultant, Dean of Al Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, and Professor Nadeem Qureshi, Consultant and Head Vitreo Retina Service. Both are currently undertaking delicate operations such as corneal transplants and vitreo retinal surgeries on patients suffering from complicated eye problems.
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 GIS - 28 July 2017: A five-member Indian delegation from the energy sector paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr Ivan Collendavelloo, yesterday at the Sicom Tower in Ebene, to discuss areas of cooperation in the field of energy.

The delegation comprised representatives from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the Central Electricity Authority of India; the Powergrid Corporation of India; the Bureau of Energy Efficiency of India; and the Energy Efficiency Services Ltd.

The visit of the Indian delegation follows that of Mr Collendavelloo to India in May 2017, during which he had discussions with the Minister of State with Independent Charge for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines, Mr Piyush Goyal.

In a statement after the courtesy call, the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that Mauritius and India are ready to move forward with a range of projects to the tune of USD 300 million in the energy sector. Mauritius, he added, will consequently be implementing new projects. As a result of a shortage of local professional engineers, Indian expertise would be welcomed to extend assistance for the various elements of the projects.

The delegation also had working sessions with officials of the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, the Central Electricity Board and the Energy Efficiency Management Office to discuss and assess requirements in terms of training, capacity building, development of regulations and standards, and grid strengthening, amongst others.
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GIS - 28 July 2017: Mauritius has to be proactive in order to face various natural and man-made disasters impeding the protection of cultural heritage at both national and international levels, highlighted the Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun, yesterday in Port-Louis.

The Minister was speaking during a press conference and gave an overview of the challenges and the solutions related to the protection of cultural heritage. A paradigm shift is needed in order to preserve cultural heritage and at the same time, cater for the economic development of the country, he emphasised.

The protection of cultural sites has to be more inclusive so that each and every one contributes in this process by safeguarding the cultural heritage of the country, he stated. To that end, the Minister called upon the private sectors collaboration in helping to preserve our According to Mr Roopun, it is important to safeguard cultural sites in best conditions due to the growth of cultural tourism in Mauritius.The protection of cultural sites has to be more inclusive so that each and every one contributes in this process by safeguarding the cultural heritage of the country, he stated.To that end, the Minister called upon the private sectors collaboration in helping to preserve our cultural sites.

He dwelt on some of the challenges pertaining to the restoration of cultural heritage namely, lack of expertise and technical know-how, costs of maintenance and innovation, and pillage among others. Thus, legal and institutional framework and regular monitoring of cultural and historical sites is necessary, he pointed out.

The Arts and Culture Minister recalled that Budget 2017-2018 makes provision for the preservation and rehabilitation of historical, cultural heritage sites and structures. Among the identified sites are: La Citadelle, Fort Albert, Bain des Negresses and Fort George.
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GIS - 28 July 2017: The Fishermen Welfare Fund awarded scholarships to a total of 49 children of fishermen at a ceremony held at the University of Technology, Mauritius, yesterday in Pointe aux Sables. Each awardee received a certificate from the Minister of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping , Mr Premdut Koonjoo.

Thirty-four scholarships were awarded to post Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) students studying from Form I to Form V and fifteen to post-School Certificate students studying in Lower Six. The post-CPE students will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 350 over a period of five years while those in Lower Six will get Rs 750 monthly over two years. A new category, the post-Graduation, was introduced in January 2017, whereby beneficiaries from this category receive a monthly allowance of Rs 2 000.

The scholarship programme, which is a tool to further democratise access to education for children of fishermen, was introduced in 1990. The objective is to provide financial assistance to children with good academic performance in order to enable them to progress in their studies.

In his address Mr Koonjoo recalled that education is the gateway to the future and to successful careers. While encouraging the children present at the ceremony to aim higher and set ambitious goals, he urged parents to support their wards, show interest in their education and guide them on the right path. The Minister also invited the fishermen community to avail of the various opportunities offered both by the Fund and the government.

The Fishermen Welfare Fund

The Fishermen Welfare Fund, a parastatal body operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping , promotes the betterment of registered fishermen and their families by providing several services namely financial assistance to the fishermen community. Every year, through its educational scheme, the Fund awards scholarships to children of fishermen based on their academic performance. The scholarships cover secondary, tertiary and technical and vocational courses.

A total of 112 scholarships (Mauritius and Rodrigues) spread in four categories, are awarded annually by the Fishermen Welfare Fund. Post-CPE scholarship holders get a monthly financial assistance of Rs 350 over five years while post SC beneficiaries are granted Rs 750 monthly aid over two years. Post-HSC holders receive Rs 1 500 per month and vocational beneficiaries are granted Rs 375 monthly.
At the night into Friday, Ex-Ukrainian Deputy Prosecutor General and a representative of the Rukh Novykh Syl (Movement of New Forces) party David Sakvarelidze returned to Ukraine.

He was greeted by fellow party members and ordinary citizens in Kyiv airport Zhuliany. Video of the meeting was posted on the party's page on Facebook.

"I want to say huge sincere thanks to my friends, like-minded people and all those people who have came to the airport today to support me and our whole team! Thank you for your participation and readiness to continue fighting for the bright future of our beautiful country!" Sakvarelidze wrote on his Facebook page on Friday night.

In addition, he said at the airport that Saakashvili had been wronged, but the ex-president of Georgia intends to return to Ukraine and continue the political struggle.

"Mikheil [Saakashvili] had been treated the way the Ukrainians have been treated for 25 years. They treated him like an ordinary Ukrainian (...) so, I think that this again emphasizes that Mikheil took the right side - the side of ordinary people (...) He remained on our side. Our struggle is underway. We will start our work and quickly return Mikheil to Ukraine just in a few days. Thank you all. It's just the beginning. Together we will win," said the former deputy prosecutor general of Ukraine.

He said that Saakashvili would come to Ukraine with the Ukrainian passport.

"He will be probably met by thousands of times more people than now, since Mikheil does not decide whether to come or not (...) This is decided by the Ukrainian people. If the Ukrainian people decide that he should come, he will come (...). He will arrive with the Ukrainian passport, and will continue fighting until the end, as an ordinary Ukrainian citizen should fight," Sakvarelidze said.

Answering journalists' question about his own situation, the former deputy prosecutor general of Ukraine expressed confidence in his actions.

"Let them decide. I'm not going anywhere. I'm ready for any scenario. We'll take it all manly. Like Ukrainians, like Georgians (...) We'll move on. They won't stop us with a pen and a signature, by means of these decrees," he said.

Earlier, Kyiv airport Zhuliany announced about fire and asked to leave the building waiting for the arrival of David Sakvarelidze.

"At Zhuliany airport, where David Sakvarelidze is due to arrive in 20 minutes, it was announced about fire and asked to leave the building. We came to meet David. We are waiting," the message posted on the party's Facebook page on Friday night, says.

As reported, Sakvarelidze said that he might not be admitted to Ukraine when he would arrive at Zhuliany airport (Kyiv) on Friday night.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS To be eligible for the STiR program's coming expansion, interested cities must RSVP by Aug. 4 by simply filling out a short form. Organizers from the program will then get in touch with further information about the application process, which is slated to run from Aug. 7 through Aug. 31.

In 2018, San Franciscos Startup in Residence (STiR) program, which embeds fledgling technology companies inside government to help solve public-sector problems, is looking to expand into other cites across North America as a non-profit civic tech organization transitions into leading the program.STiR, which began in 2014 in San Francisco, took a year off in 2015, before expanding to four cities in Northern California in 2016 : San Francisco, Oakland, San Leandro and West Sacramento."When we launched this program in 2014, we didnt know where it was going to go," said San Francisco Chief Innovation Officer Jay Nath, who heads the SF Mayors Office of Civic Innovation. "We applied for a federal grant in 2015. That gave us three years to really grow that program regionally and nationally, and weve been able to do that in 2016, grow that program regionally with Oakland, San Leandro and West Sacramento. And now were excited to invite mayors and governors across the U.S. to join the program."To do so, STiR is coordinating with the City Innovate Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to guide local government in creating user-centered tech products. Nath said that group will take a leadership role as STiR expands to as many as 15 cities. While San Francisco will no longer be the sole driving force, Nath toldthat he expects his team to remain heavily involved, as they still have federal funding, a partnership with the U.S. State Department and other resources to contribute.Kamran Saddique, founder and executive director of City Innovate Foundation, said the future of STiR is one of "huge potential," and that disassociating STiR a bit from San Francisco will allow for an increase in the program's scalability."Were just excited that were able to build this ecosystem out with such a great product and project and program that has been delivered by the mayors office," Saddique said. "We thank the mayor of [San Francisco] as well as Jay Nath, whos been running this, in trusting us in taking this forward."The idea behind STiR has been simple yet effective: Connect municipal governments with startups that want to create new technologies aimed at tackling housing, transportation, the environment, public safety and other community challenges. STiR has so far been the work of the San Francisco Mayors Office of Civic Innovation, which has partnered with governments in the other cities.STiRs track record to date is impressive, and past participants have created solutions to help streamline foster care recover from earthquakes and give services to the homeless in real time . In addition to these tangible benefits, STiR also has more abstract benefits for San Francisco and the other participating cities, as it amplifies the Bay Areas role as a pioneering region in civic technology and helps local governments improve upon technological challenges.Nath said now that a non-geographically limited institution is taking a leading role, the STiR program's model will be able to spread faster, improving gov tech nationwide. If the program continues the success it had when it was regional, it could change how startups and government work together, leading to an increase in civic innovations.City, state and county technologists across the country agree that there is a gap that separates startup talents and public-sector work . STiR has been the rare program that has made strides toward bridging this gap. Take for example the story of Binti, a San Francisco-based tech startup that was working to make the adoption process easier for would-be parents. The work Binti did as a 2016 participant in STiR has resulted in that company reshaping the way foster parent applications are handled, stored and referenced all across California, with plans to soon expand to other states. Binti's success, which was made possible by STiR, is evident in its ever-climbing list of government clients.If City Innovate Foundation is able to successfully bring STiR to more cities in other regions, there could be Binti-esque success stories soon popping up across the country."We want people to think that, 'Hey, by working with startups we're going to really shine a spotlight on the innovation that's happening within our city,'" Nath said. "We really want to shift that conversation and build a culture of entrepreneurship in government, and we think that this is a great program to help do that."
Missouris new statewide Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) should be operational later this summer, the states top health official told and will not conflict with the ongoing activation of county PDMPs.Gov. Eric Greitens waded into the statehouse debate that had blocked a statewide PDMP for about 12 years  making Missouri the lone remaining state without its own program  signing Executive Order (EO) 17-18 on Tuesday, July 17 The states PDMP is envisioned as a companion vehicle to expanding local efforts spearheaded by St. Louis County that began earlier this year and already cover the majority of the state, Dr. Randall Williams, director of health and senior services, toldAfter so many years without a way to comprehensively monitor opiates in a state that has roughly 89,000 narcotics prescriptions for every 100,000 residents, Williams said Missouri will focus on doctor shoppers by going to the very source of who theyre shopping with  activating its PDMP in less than two months and potentially serving as an example to other states.State statute forbids Missouri to directly look at patients by using their data, Williams said, so the state is partnering with so-called pharmacy benefit management organization Express Scripts Holding Co. to examine other information.The pharmacy benefit management industry, he said, typically handles prescriptions and pharmaceuticals for insurers. Among its responsibilities, a company might negotiate with the manufacturer of a name-brand drug to obtain a cheaper generic on behalf of an insurer.Something that I think will be a national prototype, how can you pull that together in five weeks, and the answer is Express Scripts, and these prescription drug monitors [that] are already doing this in the private sector. Express Scripts is already doing this for 7 million lives in America, Williams said.The EOs cost to date is $425,000, he said: $250,000 to contract with Express Scripts, and $175,000 to hire four new staffers to scrutinize data the company provides.County efforts, which have expanded to include around 30 counties and more than 60 percent of the states population, are more focused toward patient data. By contrast, the state will work on identifying physicians who may be overprescribing and potentially alerting medical boards or law enforcement.What I saw was that they are able, through sophisticated data analytics, to literally in front of your eyes show you the doctors, dispensers and patients who are of true, high-risk concern for using, misusing or converting from narcotics, Williams said.He described the realization of the possibility in the data from Express Scripts and others as a Eureka moment, and a way to avoid the time demands and paperwork that a traditional PDMP may bring with it.The opioid crisis is the No. 1 public health crisis in America, the state health department director said, so for many of us this is professional as well as personal.Currently neither state nor county PDMPs have sunset clauses after which either would expire, or data purge deadlines, at which point information collected would be eliminated. Both issues were sticking points for members of the state Legislature.State, industry and local officials expressed hope and concern last week following the bills passage. State Rep. Holly Rehder, R-Sikeston, introduced House Bill 90, which would have created a statewide PDMP based on data from prescribing physicians.It ran aground in May, but Rehder, who continues to support efforts to cover the state through county-level PDMPs, toldshes enthusiastic about the governors EO, calling it out-of-the-box thinking for targeting so-called pill mills and doctors who overprescribe.Rehder, whose family members have struggled with addiction, also expressed hope that her fellow legislators may take a somewhat kinder, gentler approach to solving the states drug problem.My hope with future legislative sessions is well see more money toward long-term treatment than prison, said Rehder, pointing out that the state of Tennessee has taken such an approach. Long-term treatment has better outcomes and its less expensive."The Missouri State Medical Association (MSMA) joined other groups in May in withdrawing support from Rehders bill as amended, worried it might restrict county PDMPs if passed.Jeff Howell, MSMA director of government relations, toldshortly after the governors EO that his group was still digesting it, but said the statewide plan appears to be more useful to law enforcement than for patient treatment.We like to think part of the reason to have a PDMP is to have a clinical tool that subscribers can use to treat patients, Howell said.Dr. Sam Page, a St. Louis County Council member who testified in January to a state Senate committee in support of Rehders bill, praised the governor for trying to solve the states opiate and prescription drug problem.But Page also toldthat gaps in the EOs coverage may still remain, and its enforcement could bring unintended consequences.What you dont want to do is have the state kicking down the door of a doctors office where theyre caring for folks who have cancer, Page said.Williams said the state hopes to contract relatively swiftly with two additional pharmacy benefit management organizations, effectively blanketing the state with this type of PDMP coverage.He described it as complementary, adding: I think its two different tools trying to get to the same place, and we support those. Im happy to go speak to any city council that is considering this.
(TNS) -- Maines secretary of state has received another letter from President Trumps voter fraud commission, asking him to turn over personal information from the states voters.Kristen Muszynski, spokeswoman for Secretary of State Matt Dunlap, confirmed that their office received the letter late Wednesday from the commissions vice chairman, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach. He is asking that states turn over personal voter registration data, including names, addresses, party affiliations and voting histories, to the extent allowed by respective state laws.Dunlap, one of four Democrats who serve on the presidents commission, is on vacation this week and unavailable for comment, Muszynski said. But in a press release Thursday afternoon his office said he will delay deciding whether to comply until after the commissions next meeting, tentatively scheduled for mid-September.California Secretary of State Alex Padilla rejected the new request Thursday, saying the commission was a sham and that the new request does nothing to address the fundamental problems with the commissions illegitimate origins, questionable mission or the preconceived and harmful views on voting rights that many of its commissioners have advanced.In June, Kobach requested the data for voters in all 50 states but was rebuffed by 44 of them, some because election officials said fulfilling the request would violate state law, others because they distrusted the motives of the commission, which Trump created via executive order to substantiate his evidence-free claim that he would have won the popular vote had it not been for millions of illegal votes having been cast. Twenty-one of those states and the District of Columbia declined to cooperate altogether. Dunlap initially said he would partially comply with the request, then later changed his position after consultations with Attorney General Janet Mills.Kobachs new request follows Tuesdays ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia denying a privacy advocacy groups request for a temporary restraining order to prevent the commission from receiving the voter information, one of several legal actions filed against it.David Becker, former director of the elections program at the Pew Charitable Trusts and executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research in Washington, D.C., says the Kobachs new letter is less defensible than the previous one that drew bipartisan ire from secretaries of state.When they wrote the first letter they didnt realize he states would have legitimate questions about what they were doing and how they were doing it, Becker says. Now its been a month since the first letter theyve held their first meeting and heard form secretaries of sate from both parties, and yet they are still refusing to provide basic answers to the question they are asking about how this information will be used and protected.In his press statement, Dunlap noted that Kobach did not discuss issuing the letter with commissioners like himself prior to sending it, raising concerns about the process. If were going to act as a commission, we should really be considering the entire request for data as a body, and determining what it is were researching and how to look for it, Dunlap said.Dunlap has been under fire from fellow Democrats for participating in a commission that in its first meeting made clear will focus almost entirely on voter fraud, a problem numerous studies and probes by administrations headed by both parties have shown is vanishingly rare. Dunlap has said he has joined the commission with an open mind and will act as a whistleblower if it engages in partisan shenanigans.Becker said he knows and respects Dunlap but that the time has come for him to reconsider this position, particularly after the first meeting July 19 made clear the group is not interested in real threats to the integrity of US elections, like the infiltration of state election systems by Russia.I think after that meeting you have to really put some thought into whether or not this is a credible operation and especially after this latest letter, he said. At some point he is going to have to make his assessment about how whether or not his continuing participation in this is damaging the very fine reputation he has built up over time.
(TNS) -- Georgia has still not released public voter data to President Donald Trumps national commission on election integrity , with officials saying they have not heard back from the panel over a requirement that it pay a standard $250 fee for the information.Trump convened the commission in May to investigate unsubstantiated claims of millions of illegal votes in last years presidential election, and it made waves last month when it sent letters to all 50 states requesting their voter-roll data, including name, address, date of birth, party affiliation, last four Social Security number digits and voting history.Under state law, some  but not all  of the information requested by Trumps voter fraud panel is already publicly available, but the Georgia Secretary of States Office requires a $250 payment to collect the information and burn it to a data disc. Officials in the office said they are treating the panels request no different than a typical public records request , and are requiring payment of the fee before the state will process the information.State law allows information such as voter names, addresses, race and gender, among other data points, to be included on the list. Georgia will not share information considered private under state law such as registered voters drivers license numbers and Social Security numbers. Since the ballot is secret, there are no records that show who a person voted for in any election.The panel had asked states to hold off on sending anything while a federal judge considered a request for a temporary restraining order against it, but the judge on Monday denied the order. The ruling cleared the way for the panel to resume collecting information.
(TNS) -- PROVIDENCE, R.I.  A report by a conservative research group co-founded by current White House chief strategist Stephen Bannon, and chaired by Republican mega-donor Rebekah Mercer, has identified the potential for voter fraud in 21 states, including Rhode Island.A company owned by two-time Rhode Island gubernatorial candidate Ken Block had a hand in compiling the state-by-state voter data that resulted in the report, titled "America The Vulnerable: The Problem of Duplicate Voting." It said the Government Accountability Institute was unable to obtain voter-roll data in all 50 states, "but nevertheless identified 8,471 potential cases of illegal duplicate voting across 21 states. These instances should be investigated to determine whether two votes were cast by the same person or if identity theft occurred.''The report cites other "irregularities that increase the potential for voter fraud, such as improper voter registration addresses, erroneous voter roll birthdates, and the lack of definitive identification required to vote."Block's company, Simpatico Software Systems, analyzed Rhode Island's general election system as "a manageable test-case for potential voter identity issues."Among the Rhode Island-specific findings: at least 225 of the state's general election voters in 2016 were registered using clearly prohibited addresses.Another finding: More than 30 percent, or 143,111, of the 466,499 votes cast by Rhode Island voters in the 2016 general election were cast by individuals who did not register to vote with either a Social Security number or driver's license number. ... Confirming the identities of some of these voters is impossible.""How can Rhode Island even consider rolling back our Voter ID law," Block asked on Tuesday, "when 30.7 percent of the votes cast in 2016 were cast by voters without identifying information in the voter registration system? Is this an example of legislators acting without the data to make good law, or is this push being made with the full knowledge that so many Rhode Island voters cannot be identified by their data?"Some of the information was extrapolated from Block's findings in Rhode Island, among them: people on voter rolls across Rhode Island who claimed they lived in a UPS store, a U.S. post office, a gas station on Hartford Avenue in Johnston, a cellphone store in a Newport strip mall, and scores of other commercial buildings and vacant lots.After Block turned his findings over over to state election officials, both the state Board of Elections and the secretary of state's office promised to investigate and purge the state's rolls of voters using bogus addresses.Block's inquiry was part of the larger state-by-state voter-roll comparison that his company and Virtual DBS Inc. conducted for the Government Accountability Institute. The study was described this way in the report released on Tuesday:"Using an extremely conservative method of matching names and exact birthdates with other unique identifying information,'' GAI said it identified as many as 45,000 potential duplicate voting matches, and in the process, "more than 15,000 voters who registered to vote using prohibited addresses, such as post office boxes, UPS stores, federal post offices, and public buildings.''Not all were labeled "highly likely,'' or even "likely" cases of voter-fraud, but worthy of further investigation.The report also makes a case for the voter-fraud investigation that President Donald Trump has initiated.Trump's Election Integrity Commission has asked all 50 states for complete voter-roll 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. The executive order followed Trump's unsubstantiated claims that millions of people had voted illegally in the 2016 election.In its own report, the Government Accountability Institute noted: "Elections are sometimes decided by small margins, making voter roll accuracy of paramount importance. Consider the 2000 presidential election between Gov. George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore. More than 105 million votes were cast nationwide, and the outcome was determined by only 537 votes ... [in] the state of Florida."Yet, the report says: "The request for publicly available voter registration data and voter history data from state Secretaries of State has sparked a firestorm of controversy in light of President Trump's claim that he lost the national popular vote in 2016 to Democrat Hillary Clinton due to three million illegal votes.""Many states have resisted the commission's request for data, claiming that it is searching for a voter fraud problem that doesn't exist. Other states have readily complied. "Rhode Island's Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea has said she will "respond only with data that is already publicly available. I will not release Social Security information or any information that was requested ... regarding felony status, military status, or overseas citizen information."
(TNS) -- With help from a couple of federal grants, crews soon will begin installing a new high-speed fiber-optic system at a cost of more than $8 million on the Fond du Lac Reservation.The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa will formally launch the broadband project Thursday with an 11 a.m. groundbreaking at the Sawyer Community Center.Jason Hollinday, the band's planning division director, said the reservation to date seems to have lacked sufficient population density to attract high-speed data service providers."We just felt that these people still need to be able to access the internet, so we started going down this path, working with the USDA and others to try to get these grants," he said.Those efforts yielded two $3 million federal Community Connect grants, and the band is prepared to provide up to another $2.2 million in funding to complete the project. That investment will provide upwards of 900 homes with broadband access for the first time.The band obtained the only two such grants awarded in Minnesota this year.Hollinday said the system  dubbed the Fond du Lac Fiber to the Home initiative  will open new doors to online educational opportunities and provide improved lines of communication. The new network will be used to deliver voice, video and data services."Both for individuals and for the band this could be a big economic development tool for us. It will provide us more opportunities to reach out to the world," he said."It's kind of like back in the '20s and '30s when telephone service and electricity were starting get to rural areas of the United States. This is the next phase  the internet  rural communities all over the state and the country are wanting to do these types of projects. We're hoping to provide a good example of what can be done," Hollinday said.The system is expected to comprise 160 miles of main line plus about 78 more miles of line for household connections.Hollinday said a user rate structure will be developed this fall with an eye toward keeping it competitively priced. Financial assistance will be available for low-income households that qualify.Hollinday described the response to news of the system's pending launch as "overwhelmingly positive."Access will be offered to anyone who lives in the network's roughly 120-square-mile service area, regardless of whether they are band members.
(TNS) - An estimated 85 percent of U.S. fire departments depend on volunteer firefighters, according to the National Fire Protection Association. One of those departments is Dickinson, which wouldn't be able to operate without them.With some volunteers recently moving away, retiring or quitting because of other employment, Dickinson, N.D., Fire Chief Bob Sivak is doing all he can to make sure there are enough firefighters to respond to the needs of the community."We could use four to six volunteers right now," Sivak said said of the shortage.The number of volunteer firefighters has dropped below 30, and that makes Sivak uncomfortable. "We really need to keep our members somewhere above 30," he stressed.The Dickinson Fire Department is a "combination department," meaning it is staffed by a mixture of professional and volunteer staff. The department has about 15 professional staff, including 10 firefighters, to go along with the roughly 30 members of the volunteer staff.The department used to be all volunteer."The Dickinson Fire Department as a volunteer organization goes back 126 years," Sivak said. "(It was) citizens stepping forward in 1891 as volunteer firefighters that made it happen."The department continued as an entirely volunteer force through the mid-1960s, when Dickinson's first fire chief was hired. When Sivak became chief in 2006, there were three full-time positions. Since then, the ranks of Sivak's career staff has grow by about a dozen but his volunteer base has dwindled.Sivak attributed the shortage to a number of factors. One reason is that "the dynamic of Dickinson downtown has changed so dramatically," he said.When all of Dickinson's businesses were in close to each other, downtown firefighters who worked there could run a block or two to the station if there was a call, Sivak saidNow that Dickinson has expanded and is spread out, the demands for firefighters to travel to and from the fire station is greater."That person that was a block away, is now a mile and a half away," Sivak said.A more spread out community, combined with the fact that "people are just busier these days," makes it harder to recruit volunteers, he said.Sivak cited a recent article by Madeline Bodin in Emergency Management arguing that the number of volunteer firefighters have decreased across the United States because of multiple factors including weaker communal ties, increased financial burdens and less work flexibility among millennials.Another reason is that fire departments across the country have had a dramatic increase in the number of calls.Bodin's article said "the nationwide tally of the calls departments respond to each year has tripled in the last 30 years.""When I started as a volunteer 36 years ago, we responded to fires, period," Sivak said.The demands of contemporary fire departments have grown from putting out fires to becoming "all-hazards response organizations," he said.Sivak said firefighters now respond to situations involving hazardous materials, emergency medicine, auto extrication, confined space rescue, high angle rope rescue and diving-water rescue, among other tasks."It's not unusual to be holding a training every night for one of our different tasks," he said.Even with all of these challenges, Sivak assured potential volunteers that the department will invest as much time and resource into them "as they will into us."Those who want to volunteer to be a firefighter can call the department directly or visit dickinsonfire.com. Sivak also invites members of the community to talk with a volunteer, take a look at a training session or attend a meeting to see what is involved.While Sivak isn't sure who said it first, he said he firmly believes: "There is no stronger expression of volunteerism in the United States than the volunteer fire service."2017 the Dickinson Press (Dickinson, N.D.)Visit the Dickinson Press (Dickinson, N.D.) at www.thedickinsonpress.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Although calling the threat still very low, Hawaiis Emergency Management Executive Officer Toby Clairmont said recent classified intelligence suggests that North Korea is in a better position to deliver a nuclear attack on Hawaii than previously thought.The state is unveiling a new education campaign to tell the public about whats been happening behind the scenes during the last several months and to ramp up its response to a nuclear attack.There has been behind-the-scenes preparation since 2009 when North Korea began launching satellites that dropped debris in the Pacific. The public didnt need to know about the preparations until now.Whats changed is weve received some classified intel that were in the loop on that suggests that North Korea could do a better job than most people think, Clairmont said.Hawaii will begin a number of measures to educate and prepare the public, including bringing back the old air raid siren sound to serve in tandem with the current siren that warns of impending tsunami or hurricane.The new siren will debut the first work day in November and will be preceded by radio and television scripts about what residents are about to hear and what to do.Clairmont said a missile could reach Hawaii from North Korea in about 20 minutes. It would take U.S. Pacific Command about five minutes to discern the threat and notify the state. That would activate the siren and a series of other alerts, which would take three or four minutes, giving the public about 12 to 15 minutes to react.In addition to the siren, mass notification via Emergency Alert System (EAS), Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), radio, television and cellphones will be deployed in 17 different languages. Because of the threat of tsunami and hurricanes, the infrastructure is in place.The four counties have mass notification systems that residents can opt into like Nixle and Blackboard, but the state wants to notify everyone where they stand, Clairmont said.When someone gets off a plane, their cellphone will receive the WEA message and weve included the visitor industry in this initiative, he said. All hotels have info about hurricanes and tsunamis, and they will be adding this content. So no matter where you come from, the moment you turn on your cellphone, the service provider in Hawaii, there are several and all are tied to WEA, will transmit the message.The appropriate reaction to a possible nuclear attack is to shelter in place. If at home, get to the middle of the house or down to the basement. If outside, find the nearest, most substantial building, such as a parking structure or multi-structure concrete building and get near the center of it.A month ago, the state revised its guidance on the personal survival kit. It now recommends having enough food and water for 14 days instead of seven. Since 99 percent of food products come through the harbor, a problem with the supply chain could take up to two weeks to fix. Also, 14 days is a magic number for most fallout, and would decay during that period.The plan has been developing for several months, and the state is about to embark on a public education campaign. One of the things the Governor (David Ige) feels strongly about is transparency, Clairmont said. Weve done the work and its time to tell the public. Were developing brochures, Web pages, PSAs, community outreach, talking to businesses and groups.Schools have already been preparing for hurricanes and other potential disasters, doing lockdowns and this threat will fold right into that preparedness.
(TNS) -- CLEVELAND, Ohio - Meeting of the Minds, which invites sustainability and technology leaders to discuss solutions to urban problems, will hold its annual summit in Cleveland in October.The organization, based in San Francisco, expects as many as 400 "opinion-shapers, policy-makers, leading thinkers and innovators" from more than 20 countries to attend sessions at the Global Center for Health Innovation Oct. 23-25.Officials, including County Executive Armond Budish, attended last year's summit and pitched the city for the 2017 meeting.Lev Gonick, co-founder and chief executive of DigitalC , a nonprofit trying to help Cleveland connect and compute, was also instrumental in attracting the summit. His company is the local partner."Cleveland is an excellent choice for the annual summit because it knows how to build economic clusters and is embarking on an exciting new urban revitalization and smart city strategy across an ecosystem of partners from technology, public sector, philanthropy, academic, and community organizations," said Meeting of the Minds executive director Jessie Feller Hahn. "Cleveland is not only home to major healthcare systems such as the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and MetroHealth but Ohio is also the third largest modern manufacturing state in the country."Budish gave a presentation last year at the summit in Richmond, California. Conversations between Cuyahoga County public officials and event organizers before, during, and after the summit led to a January site visit and selection of Cleveland and the Global Center for the 2017 summit."Hosting this event for innovation leaders around the globe will further enhance our standing as center for innovative leadership," Budish said in a statement. "Much has already been accomplished but, similar to other cities and counties around the world, there are major challenges ahead - challenges we are tackling head on."Meeting of the Minds focuses on urban solutions in eight areas: environment, economy, technology, governance, society, resources, infrastructure and mobility.Through its blog, magazine, monthly webinars, monthly meetups, workshops, roundtables, and the annual summit, Meeting of the Minds invites leaders from the public, private, non-profit, academic and philanthropic sectors to identify innovations that can be scaled, replicated and transferred from city-to-city and across sectors.
(TNS) -- Cape Anns three state lawmakers are stepping up their call for the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority's (MBTA) management board to not only take a fresh look at its planned monopole Wi-Fi project but to pull back the existing contract if it cannot protect communities from potential negative impacts.A letter authored by state Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, and signed Thursday by state representatives Brad Hill, R-Ipswich, and Ann-Margaret Ferrante, D-Gloucester, targets the MBTAs contract with communications company inMOTION Wireless Inc. The company was hired to deliver Wi-Fi service to commuter rail riders by installing 320 monopole towers  each 74 feet high  along the North of Boston rail lines.The plan includes placing up to eight poles in Gloucester, five in Manchester and two in Rockport, and the agency has a contract with InMOTION signed in July 2014, with state and federal permits for the project already granted. But residents and local officials have cried foul over not being notified of the projects, initially set to begin by the end of this month.The MBTAs Fiscal and Management Control Board, however, called for a review of the project in late June. The states congressional delegation  including Congressman Seth Moulton, whose district includes all of Cape Ann and other parts of the North Shore  sent a letter Monday to the Federal Communications Commission asking regulators to carefully examine the project and how installing the poles could impact the historic and cultural character of cities and towns along the route.The letter sent by Tarr to Joseph Aiello, who chairs the MBTA control board, raises the ante by calling for an entirely new request for proposals if community concerns cannot be addressed.First and foremost, we request that you take every available action to prevent harm to the communities scheduled to host towers, the letter reads. If you conclude that your ability to protect these communities is limited or impeded by the terms of the current license, then we request that you pursue termination of that license and the release of a new request for proposals (RFP) for the provision of WiFi service to MBTA riders in a cost-effective, technologically advanced manner that does not adversely affect communities and individuals (along) commuter rail lines.T leaders should take every available action to prevent harm to communities where monopole towers have been scheduled, Tarr said. I know that once these towers are installed they will leave permanent impacts on the landscape, (and) if protections cant be secured from the existing terms, then they should consider issuing requests for new proposals.Of the towers targeted for Cape Ann, five would be placed in West Gloucester alone  though none would be installed in historic areas or in the citys downtown. The closest to the city center would be along the rail bed just south of the Route 128 Extension overpass as it crosses the tracks just north of Gloucester Avenue.Alan MacMillan, a Rockport resident who formerly worked as an MBTA locomotive engineer but has been critical of the agencys handling of several issues, says he thinks concerns over the monopoles are overblown.People need to get a grip, said MacMillan, who serves on Rockports Conservation Commission. He noted all of the utility poles that have long been in place and that residents pass by without noticing.Look, Im not a fan of the MBTA  I think it often stands for Money Being Thrown Away or More Broken Trains Again, he said. But they do already have state and federal permits, and I would bet that, if (the monopoles) are built, within a month, 99 percent of the complaints will disappear.He added that Rockports conservation panel heard a presentation from MBTA representatives earlier this year, and said that the poles slated for that community should not be within sight of a public roadway, unless curious visitors venture into the woods.We didnt think it was any big deal, he said.But Hill, whose district includes the town of Manchester and spans parts of both the Rockport and Newburyport branch rail lines, said thats not the case everywhere.We know that many of these towers are scheduled to be put close to homes and historic districts without consultation and with minimal communication, he said. Local leaders, private citizens and even MBTA officials have found too many gaps in what we should know about these plans.
Acting Health Minister of Ukraine Ulana Suprun has urged patients to inform the Health Ministry about the cases of no information about availability of budget procured medicines at hospitals.

"There is a requirement: each hospital and any other healthcare institution are to present a list of medicines they have. You [patients] should see them. If there are no lists of medicines, you are obliged to demand them from the chief medical officers. If they refuse presenting them, you can write about it on our website or call the hotline from August 15," she said at a press conference in Kyiv on Thursday.

Suprun said that by the end of August there will be many medicines supplied to hospitals.
Many young people looking to make their mark in the workforce are drawn to the allure of a company like Google, where they feel their ideas and creativity would be nurtured. Those same young people tend to view government work quite differently.LaVonda Bonnard, a business analyst at a healthcare consulting firm, told us that while the prospect of government work is appealing, it doesn't compare favorably to the private sector when it comes to innovation."I get the impression that I can go to Google, throw out an idea and theyll actually listen to it, and maybe even vet it out and examine it, whereas the government, not so much," Bonnard said.State chief information officers weren't surprised by government's reputation where innovation is concerned. Utah CIO Mike Hussey pointed to the sloths at the DMV depicted in the movieas a commonly held stereotype . But it's one that he and other public-sector technology leaders are actively working against."Id like to think that were different," Hussey said. "We look at some of the things that were pushing the envelope on and I think we are both working with the private sector and understanding technologies that are coming out, and were right up there in lockstep with them."Delaware CIO James Collins chimed in on the topic too, providing evidence that the state can put what recent graduates in computer science fields have just learned in the classroom to use."We're working with some of the most modern technology that's out there, so if you come work with us, you're working with mobile-enabled platforms, you're working with commercial cloud, you're working with infrastructure as code, you're working with the most up-to-date infrastructure from a networking or compute standpoint," he said. "So yeah, we do still have mainframe and other things like that, but we're at the other end of the spectrum as well."
(TNS) -- Minneapolis police officers must turn on their body cameras when responding to any call, traffic stop or self-initiated activity, Acting Police Chief Medaria Arradondo announced Wednesday, in a key change to city policy in the wake of Justine Damond's shooting death."What good is a camera if it is not being used when it may be needed the most?" Arradondo said at a Wednesday news conference, where he and Mayor Betsy Hodges acknowledged some officers have not been using their cameras enough.In the eight months the equipment has been in use, officers have been allowed broad discretion on when to turn on the cameras.The new policy, effective Saturday, will require officers to turn on the cameras in any encounter with the public, heeding an until-now disregarded 2015 recommendation from the Police Conduct Oversight Commission that police officer discretion on use of the cameras be all but eliminated.Within about two months, police officials said, the cameras will activate automatically whenever an officer activates his or her squad car's lights. Installation of that technology is underway, taking about two hours per squad car. The Minneapolis Police Department has about 200 squad cars."We are not casting judgment on a single officer, nor are we looking at a single event; we are responding to our communities and to recent ongoing assessment," Arradondo said. "This policy enhancement has been in process for a few months now and many officers are using their cameras a lot and as they're intended to be used. But there are some officers who are not using them nearly enough."The July 15 shooting of Damond by Officer Mohamed Noor was not captured on video because neither Noor or his partner, officer Matthew Harrity, had turned on his body camera, and the squad car's dashboard camera was also not running. The incident has drawn international attention and sharp criticism of Minneapolis Police, and led to the resignation of police Chief Janee Harteau on Friday.There have also been persistent questions about why the officers' body cameras weren't turned on. Last week, Mayor Betsy Hodges said in an online statement that she expects officers to turn on their cameras as soon as they begin responding to a call. She also called for an independent audit.Minneapolis City Council members will be briefed on an upcoming audit of the program at a 1:30 p.m. meeting Wednesday.State law requires law enforcement agencies that use body cameras to arrange for an independent audit every two years, starting in 2018.Teresa Nelson, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota, said the less discretion officers have about turning on the cameras, the better."What we have asked for is a policy that requires activation before any citizen encounter," she said. "And the reason for that is, if we have policies when the officers are only capturing footage when they want to have the cameras on, then it becomes solely a tool for police surveillance. But when you have more mandatory policies and more footage, it becomes more useful for transparency and accountability for the officers.In Burnsville, the first Minnesota city to equip its police officers with body cameras, the police department has done internal audits to measure body camera use, said police Chief Eric Gieseke.The department's policy is similar to others around the state, and generally requires officers to turn on their body cameras when an interaction, such as a traffic stop, field interview or enforcement action begins.In the seven years since the department started using body cameras, there have been a few occasions where officers didn't record an incident, Gieseke said. In the beginning, he said, the cameras were a tough sell for some officers -- but over time, usage has improved and officers often turn on the cameras even when they're not required to."It's so beneficial in resolving complaints -- even complaints of a small nature," Gieseke said. "It really sold itself over the years."In Minneapolis, officers must upload the video at the end of their shift. The policy requires that body camera video be retained for at least seven years if an officer uses force or someone is arrested or receives a misdemeanor citation. Officers who fail to follow the department's policy are subject to "the full range of discipline," Arradondo said, including firing."We need to build and regain our community's trust. That is my charge and I've expressed that to all of our officers; that body worn cameras are a tool. It's not everything but it's a tool," Arradondo said,. "As I've told officers, we give them equipment to do their jobs. The one thing we cannot equip them with is the benefit of the doubt."
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(TNS)  Fellow travelers, lets get something straight.It remains legal in Washington state to drink coffee and drive.Just make sure to stay in your lane.Many people are understandably confused about the new distracted-driving law that took effect Sunday All nonemergency use of a handheld device, and all watching of video even in dash-mounted devices, is a primary traffic offense, meaning police can pull you over and write a $136 ticket. Drivers are allowed to initiate apps with the minimal use of a finger for devices in a dashboard cradle or those built into the car.Some law-enforcement agencies are writing citations immediately, while the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the Seattle Police Department declared a grace period to educate drivers before issuing tickets. They will issue verbal warnings until January.The confusion comes from a section of the Driving Under the Influence of Electronics Act (DUI-E) that was added to treat non-electronic distractions as a secondary offense. That means an officer can write an extra $99 ticket if youve been pulled over for a primary violation, such as speeding or tailgating.Specific driver distractions are undefined, but lawmakers and police officials have mentioned eating or drinking, applying mascara, reading a book, or having a dog on your lap.WSP Trooper Heather Axtman, who patrols Snohomish County and areas north, said shes been deluged with questions on Twitter and from acquaintances who fear theyll be stopped and ticketed for drinking their morning coffee while driving to work.And a story in USA Today about the Washington law said drivers will have to put down their coffee.That isnt completely accurate.If your Big Mac drops ketchup on the front of your shirt and you run a red light, or drive onto the shoulder, or commit any other traffic offense like driving outside your lane or following too close, or your water spills all over your car and youre more concerned about the spilled drink than the road, then a secondary ticket can be issued, Axtman said.But I firmly believe the majority of the public can sip their latte while driving down the road, safely, she said.Still, some people think government is overreaching.By Wednesday, more than 30,000 people had signed an online Change.org petition urging the state to rewrite the distracted-driving law, to drop the section on non-electronic distractions.As a working citizen and many others who commute long hours of driving throughout the State of Washington, I feel eating, drinking, and or grooming should be a citizens right when behind the wheel, the petition says.Talk-show host Jason Rantz, at KIRO 97.3, blogged that , I wont follow the distracted driving law because it treats drivers like children. Rantz said he can safely text in Mercer Street gridlock, or when the Fremont Bridge opens for boat passage.A few opponents of the law, notably Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, have argued police should target actual driving violations, not a technology.Some people wonder about arbitrary or unequal enforcement . Unlike a speeding ticket based on radar or a breathalyzer test for drunken driving, distraction cases hinge mainly on the officers word.On the other hand, troopers have no trouble seeing clear-cut violations.Merging into Interstate 90 at Eastgate on Wednesday morning, Trooper Marcus Sanchez said he hasnt seen a difference in how people drive since the law went into effect on Sunday. As of midweek, he had issued about eight verbal warnings for DUI-E.He spotted three illegal cellphone users during a two-hour ride-along with a reporter on Wednesday.He pulled over a woman holding a cellphone below her chin, in speaker mode, at the ramp from northbound Interstate 405 to westbound Highway 520. That would have been legal a week ago, under the old law. She was given an information card and a verbal warning. Sanchez then stopped a blue pickup whose driver held the phone near his head, then shifted it to his lap. He also got a card and a warning.Another driver was texting at the Coal Creek Parkway onramp to southbound I-405. The car took so long to reach the freeway due to heavy traffic, Sanchez got tired of waiting. He accelerated his black, unmarked Dodge patrol car into the mainline, looking for other violators.He passed a woman writing on a piece of paper atop her dashboard, while driving uphill on I-90 toward Eastgate. That would be a secondary violation, but Sanchez didnt stop her, because her red Mini Cooper was otherwise traveling legally.Under the old law, Sanchez chose not to cite about half the motorists he pulled over for texting or having a cellphone at the ear. People could offer many excuses or exemptions, and the old law didnt cover social media, navigation apps and photo sharing.But Sanchez predicted fewer warnings and more fines under the new law, once WSPs grace period ends in January. Violations will be simpler to prove. Police need only to see an electronic device in a drivers hand.
Jolyon Palmer says he is keeping his Renault seat for the rest of 2017.

Former F1 star Robert Kubica is in Hungary this weekend, where after the race he will test Renault's 2017 car at the circuit near Budapest.

It has raised speculation to fever-pitch that Renault intends to dump struggling Briton Palmer during the summer break.

But Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul has been quoted as saying that Palmer will in fact be racing at Spa in August.

"It is not foreseen that there will be a change in our position in the short term," he is quoted by the German broadcaster RTL.

"And even if the test for Robert goes well, it does not mean we automatically choose him for 2018," Abiteboul added.

And Palmer said in Hungary that Abiteboul has also assured him personally that his seat is safe for now.

"My boss has told me they're not planning on putting Kubica in the car," he said.

"He (Abiteboul) called me to tell me Robert is testing, which is fine. I can understand why. I lose a (test) day but I get a longer holiday and I come back refreshed for Spa," Palmer added.

(GMM)
Sauber looks set to stick with Ferrari power for 2018.

Following a period of speculation, the Swiss team's new boss Frederic Vasseur confirmed in Hungary that he has called off the planned customer engine deal with Honda.

It is former Renault chief Vasseur's first race in Sauber colours.

"He has some really good ideas about how to structure the team for the future," said driver Marcus Ericsson, who is closely linked with Sauber's owners.

In a statement, Vasseur said the 2018 Honda deal has been called off for "strategic reasons".

"We came to the point where it was better for both sides to end the negotiations," the Frenchman later told reporters. "We did it very honestly and with respect to Honda."

And Honda's Masashi Yamamoto told Blick newspaper: "We wanted to be with Sauber in 2018, but after discussions with management, we agreed to end the project because of different views of the future."

Currently, Sauber is struggling for performance with the year-old customer Ferrari engine.

Staying with Ferrari in 2018 would be the simplest solution for Sauber, especially as Mercedes and Renault already have several customers apiece.

"Yes, there are FIA regulations but it's still our task to choose our supplier of engines. Don't worry, this will be done soon," Vasseur said.

As for why Honda is out of the running, he explained: "We have a very difficult situation in terms of performance, and we do not know what will happen with Honda's contract with McLaren, which also complicates our situation."

Vasseur said a decision this weekend is possible.

It is believed the talks with Ferrari are about upgrading the customer deal so that Sauber receives the 2018 engine next year.

"This season has been difficult for the team and having last year's engine makes it more difficult," Vasseur admitted.

"When you start a season with last year's engine, it's very difficult to motivate everyone."

(GMM)
Former Uzbek president's daughter Gulnara Karimova charged with six counts of crime, taken into custody

Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of the former president of Uzbekistan, has been charged with six counts of crime, the Uzbek Prosecutor General's Office said.

"Gulnara Karimova was charged with several counts of crime (enshrined by Articles168, 178, 182, 189, 228 and 243) of the Criminal Code," the Uzbek Prosecutor General's Office said in a report posted on its website on Friday. "She has been taken into custody," the report said.

The charges against Karimova are based on the evidence gathered in the case, including the testimonies by members of an organized group, witnesses, victims, and materials of probes into the work of 14 firms and 16 offshore companies controlled by the organized group, seized written and physical evidence, and expert findings, the Uzbek Prosecutor General's Office said.

"In the course of international cooperation, investigative bodies' decisions were sent to the relevant authorities of foreign countries to seize the said assets of the organized criminal group. Operational and investigative actions now continue to determine other assets of the organized criminal group and return them to Uzbekistan," the report said.

It was determined during the investigation that Karimova directly abetted the criminal activities of an organized group, the report said.

The Tashkent region's court for criminal cases on August 21, 2015 found Karimova guilty of the charges and sentenced her to five years of freedom restriction.
Poroshenko welcomes adoption of new sanctions package against Russia by U.S. Senate

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has welcomed the adoption by the United States Congress of a new package of sanctions against Russia.

"Grateful for the support by the U.S. Congress of a new package of sanctions against Russia. This is a resolute message of unity and solidarity in support of Ukraine by the American parliament," Poroshenko wrote on his Facebook page on Friday.

"I believe in the U.S. unwavering position as regards fair and inevitable punishment of the aggressor!" he said.

As reported, on Tuesday, the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress voted for a bill providing for additional sanctions against Russia, as well as sanctions against Iran and the DPRK. In fact, it deprives the president of the opportunity to independently abolish anti-Russian sanctions.

"Some 419 congressmen voted "for", three opposed. Voting took place according to a procedure providing for the support of at least two thirds of the members of the Chamber (290 out of 435).
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that the completed tender for staffing the new Supreme Court is the start of a renewed system of justice. He called on Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine deputies to make the necessary changes to procedural codes during their next week of plenary sessions scheduled for September 2017.

"A unique competition has just ended for forming the new Supreme Court of Ukraine. There were many things that were done during it "for the first time." This gives me weighty grounds to request several minutes of your attention, in order that I may explain to you the importance of this process," Poroshenko said on Friday in Kyiv. The text of his remarks is posted on the president's official website.

According to the president, for the first time in Ukraine the composition of the court was established by an open, transparent tender, during which seven applicants competed for one seat.

Poroshenko said 120 finalists had already completed all stages of the competition and that Ukraine's High Justice Council would vet them during the course of a month.

"On the basis of the High Court of Justice's decision, a presidential decree will be drafted," Poroshenko said.

"In order for the Supreme Court to begin work as soon as possible, I request that deputies during their first week of plenary sessions adopt all necessary measures to procedural codes," he said.
Assistant to Ukrainian Deputy Interior Minister Vadym Troyan has been detained on a bribe, he acted in collusion with a representative of the Azov public corps, the Dzerkalo Tyzhnia.Ukraine (ZN.UA) website reported, citing sources in a joint investigation group of the Security Service Ukraine and the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine.

According to the publication, investigators are checking the involvement of the detained Azov member in last year's attack on cash-in-transit couriers of Oschadbank in Zaporizhia.

The Prosecutor General's Office announced earlier on July 28 an assistant to an official of the Interior Ministry was apprehended when he was receiving a bribe of UAH 1.5 million.

Later this day, some media reported that this was Vadym Troyan himself. Half an hour later, this information was refuted.

However, ZN.UA sources do not rule out Troyan was present at the meeting where the money exchanged hands.

The website of the Interior Ministry reported Troyan is currently on vacation, and has recently participated in investigative actions in one of the criminal proceedings. "He hasn't been notified about any suspicions against him," the ministry said.
An exclusive interview of Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze with the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency.Summits are a high-level working tool. They are to sum up intermediate results, outline certain plans. This is what exactly happened at the 19th Ukraine-EU summit in Kyiv. We had much to present, as we'd been doing a lot of work in advance for several years. The work yielded results just before the summit. In particular, we are talking about granting visa-free travel for Ukrainians as a result of fulfilling our obligations, the final ratification by the Netherlands of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU, and, accordingly, the completion by all EU institutions of the ratification procedures  all this makes it possible for the Agreement to enter into force in a full-fledged mode from September 1, 2017. In general, this is the recognition of the progress Ukraine has achieved in many areas of reform. We also discussed plans for the future. For example, an agreement has been reached that we must develop a joint road map for the implementation of the Association Agreement. The government has already taken certain steps in that direction. Also, issues relevant both to the EU and Ukraine were raised: our common stand and coordination of cyber security efforts, counteraction to information threats, coordination of work in strategic communications. We also discussed issues that may have a direct impact on citizens, in particular, joint border and customs control. Although the border with the EU has ceased to be a barrier to our citizens, it still creates queues that could be avoided if our procedures were more synchronized with the EU. The issue of joining the pan-European airspace has long been discussed, but now it does not depend on Ukraine's position at all, but it is related to disagreement between Britain and Spain over Gibraltar and on Brexit. At the same time, we have assurances from the European side that they are ready to meet us halfway even there is no concrete solution to the situation.Yes, Ukraine's entry into the emerging digital market of the EU was discussed. This means our country is already at the current stage involved in shaping the vision of how these processes should develop. We also discussed Ukraine's energy independence and the energy future of the EU, Ukraine's participation in the integrated energy system of Europe. Of course, we raised the issue of the Nord Stream 2 construction. To hear the views of the EU side on the further development of this situation was important to us. There is hope that it is the position of the European Council on this issue that will be decisive, as well as the fact that our comment about the political, rather than economic basis of this project will be taken into account.The interest that really exists can become a reality after unbundling, i.e. splitting gas production, transportation and sale, has been implemented by NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine.Unfortunately, there was no consensus among the European countries on the final wording for the declaration to be adopted. But the absence of the declaration is not a tragedy at all, because we have a protocol of the joint summit and there are developments in priority areas for cooperation. At the same time, the main principles of our relations with the European Union, which give us tasks for today, are contained in a legally binding document  the Association Agreement. These are the directions we could follow. Nothing more important could be provided by the declaration. It is a pity we haven't got it, but it's not a problem.It was difficult for the Netherlands to agree with such wording.Yes, this is the case, and the Agreement does not have the clause that Ukraine could automatically obtain such status. At the same time, it says that the European Union welcomes the European aspirations of Ukraine. The agreement has been ratified and is a binding document for all EU countries, and even if some countries now want to "play around with the wording," this will not work out, as the Agreement stipulates all the wordings. We orient ourselves towards this Agreement. Any statement of the summit will not have more weight than the Agreement.The full entry of the Association Agreement into force gives us full opportunities for full-fledged work within all the bilateral structures of the association. They already work, but after September 1, our negotiations within such bilateral structures can concentrate, if necessary, on clarifying or adjusting the amendments to the agreement. We can also bring some or other directions of our cooperation in line with the schedules we are moving along.From the legal point of view, the Agreement could continue to operate in a limited mode for good. Now we will have the legal framework and increased responsibility of the parties for the fulfillment of the terms of the Agreement. As we move towards the adaptation of our legislation to the European one, we also expect that our partners in the EU will be ready to provide technical, expert, financial support for the implementation of certain tasks of the Agreement.An overwhelming majority of the measures that we need to take under the Agreement go through the parliament very slowly. Here we are talking about a thorough review of the widely practiced but not always transparent rules. For example, we should conduct deregulation, but this is about the abolition of obsolete Soviet regulations, while the EU rules imply just regulation. Thus, there is a certain conflict, when society might interpret the introduction of regulations as a potential source of corruption. Often this is manipulated, and such a perception is an obstacle.The energy sector. I am talking about the adoption of bills on gas market, electricity market and the work on relevant bylaws. I am glad that there has been some progress in passing certain draft laws, which have been developed and improved for several years, in particular those on commercial metering of heat and water supply, on energy efficiency of buildings and on the Energy Efficiency Fund. Important steps have been made in reforming phytosanitary control. The bill on food products safety, which is aimed at creating a system of controlling cattle fodder, conditions livestock is kept in, up to controlling the quality of products of food and processing industry, has been adopted. Now we need to pass many bylaws. Progress has also been made in ecological matters, in particular in environmental impact assessment. However, so far our citizens, who do not always have enough money to buy essentials, often don't realize that these essentials should be safe and of good quality. I could also mention many anti-corruption steps, but these were taken as part of the implementation of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan.I have to admit there are several areas where we haven't made any progress, namely, bringing our customs legislation closer to European standards, in intellectual property protection, and in transport. As for the transport sector, there are many issues with sea shipments and automobile transport. The bills which were sent to parliament by the previous government and then re-submitted by us were sadly turned down by lawmakers. Some of those bills deal with the safety of passenger transportation, which concerns many citizens. We also still need to pass a bill on the authorized economic operator, which has been returned by parliament back to government, though it could have been improved and submitted for a second reading.There are problems in all the ministries. We are lagging behind the implementation plan for the Association Agreement in virtually every area. In some more, and in others less. For example, the regional development, construction, housing and utility services minister and his team together with other government agencies have gotten laws through parliament. But there are ministries where progress is less evident, though there is willingness to push the European integration agenda through the Rada, as in the case of the Infrastructure Ministry. The Finance Ministry and government as a whole have been successful in switching for the first time to planning the budget for three-year periods as was required by the agreement. I believe this is revolutionary for Ukraine.In late May, the Cabinet passed a resolution to launch an electronic system that would ensure the uninterrupted implementation of the agreement and monitoring over the execution of the designated tasks. In addition, they decided to create a system of approval of translation of European legal acts in order for us to efficiently bring our legislation in line with the European one. We are updating our governmental plan of the implementation of the Association Agreement in order to adopt it at a Cabinet meeting and then to introduce it into the monitoring system in order to keep track of its implementation. We want to agree this plan with parliament. Several years ago the Rada passed the plan of legislative coverage of the Association Agreement. Some of the identified tasks have been fulfilled, but now this plan needs to be updated. The parliament has publicly pledged to do certain work.The government doesn't have any staff translators who specialize in European legislative acts. However, employees of the government office for European and Euro-Atlantic integration can work with translators from the Association FOR YOU project which is being implemented by the EU using its own funds. At present, under a resolution passed by the Cabinet of Ministers the government committee will be able to approve such translations as official ones and make them open for public.The list, which Ukraine agreed upon when making a deal on the macro-financial assistance, includes a number of steps starting from creation of conditions under which it would be impossible to violate the obligations of Ukraine in the free trade area with the EU (such as a moratorium on the sale of round wood or the introduction of additional export duties), ending with the creation of an automated system of preliminary verification by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) of electronic declarations using access to all registries, including those of the State Fiscal Service.The NACP already has access to the registries, however they are provided only after relevant requests. In order to make this issue automated, it is necessary to make changes to laws, and we'll start working with lawmakers on this matter in fall. At the same time, the NACP still needs to hold preparations for launching the operation of such an electronic system and have an opportunity to hold preliminary automatic checks of declarations.Yes, there is such a requirement. The Social Policy Ministry was able to establish the system, to re-register and verify identities of all the IDPs. Payments are carried out monthly, as required. The information about the payments is submitted weekly to the EU.Is the EU satisfied with the resolution of this matter?I believe here we have a constructive cooperation. There are some problems with the electronic registry of IDPs, because the requirement description for its developer was prepared not by the Social Policy Ministry, but by the International Organization for Migration, while the system itself was developed by the Miranda company, which also worked on the electronic declaration system. There are also some issues regarding the banking sector.Ukraine has a large share of unreturned loans. We need to create an open registry of unreturned loans. This is also a requirement for getting the macro-financial assistance. There are many tasks and they are diverse. On June 14, consultations chaired by Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman were held, which addressed the execution of these tasks. They are being implemented already.The European Union is ready to work with us over a systemic approach to forest conservation, the functioning of the forestry sector, control over illegal forest clearing, and the development of our woodworking industry. We agreed with the EU about active cooperation at the expert level in order to gain a final understanding of the solution of this issue.Only after developing a joint position. And there is not much time, since parliament is now on vacation, not the government.As for scrap metal the situation is as follows: even during the period when the additional duty of EUR 30 per tonne is in effect, scrap metal was exported to the EU at the duty of EUR 9.50 per tonne in line with the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement.The increased duty did not apply earlier and would not apply now, as the Association Agreement is an international agreement and it is more important from the point of view of legal efficacy. Thus, the bill does not violate free trade requirements.Yes, the law applies to other countries, except the EU. This principle of the supremacy of the Association Agreement could not be applied, since here it is a question of a moratorium, and not increased duties.If Ukraine does not fulfill these conditions before the end of October in a format acceptable to our partners, at least for some issues to be at the final stage, we will not be able to receive the last tranche of macro-financial assistance. This assistance program from the EU ends on 4 January 2018, and if Ukraine does not have time, it will be necessary to conduct new negotiations.It's too early to talk about this. We have several spheres of negotiations on assistance to Ukraine from the EU and its structures. We would like not to receive loans as assistance. We put on the issue of irrevocable grant assistance on the agenda in some spheres where we can speak about possible common money spending supervision tools. But it is necessary to take into account that our need for external loans depends on the success of our economy and, if the economy develops, the need for credit funds will also decrease.Both the EU and the IMF are absolutely unambiguous about the fulfillment of our tasks and this process is synchronized.These are the main tasks for us - agreeing on road maps for liberalizing the access of our services to the EU market and vice versa. It is necessary to agree on road maps for telecom, postal, financial services, and transportation by sea.One of the tasks we set is the start of a dialog on Ukraine's joining the Schengen zone. This is the next ambitious task that we set and would like to begin discussing this issue. Regarding work, it seems to me that here we must concentrate our efforts on creating opportunities for our citizens at home. We have no task now to start negotiations specifically regarding the employment of Ukrainians in the EU. After all, if now our citizens are invited to work somewhere, they are free to do this, simply by obtaining permission and a visa.The signing or entry into force of the Association Agreement is not in and of itself a reason for investment. This is a definite signal for investors, but significant work is needed to improve the investment climate. A few years ago we took the 153rd place in the Doing Business ranking, and now we are the 80th in this ranking. Deregulation and the automatic refund of VAT payments should result in something. And at the end of the year, when the new rating of Doing Business will appear, I'm sure, we will see that Ukraine has climbed a few steps up and this is an important signal for business. I think many people will agree with me that as long as we do not have new courts that are always guided by the rule of law, business will not have enough security to work in Ukraine. At the same time, we have increased the inflow of foreign direct investment, although not on the scale that we would like. Without transparent rules and the ability to defend ourselves in court, we can not count on a massive influx of foreign investment.There is a ministry or agency on the part of Ukraine in each trust fund, which performs the coordination function. At the moment Ukraine, namely the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) as the agency responsible for cooperation with this fund, should assess the country's needs in the field of cyber security. We've approached the end of the first stage of the fund's work. During the meeting of the Ukraine-NATO commission on July 10, the allies expressed their readiness to move to the second stage of the fund's operation. This means that together with them we can, on the basis of an analysis of the threats faced, identify the needs, and then the country responsible for this fund (Romania) will coordinate with other countries to implement the jointly identified task. We now need to clearly define what we need to strengthen cyber security. Then we will calculate how much is needed and will collect it among the member countries of the organization.Obviously, it is in our own interests to make an assessment quickly, and then jointly with Romania to negotiate the allocation of funds for these purposes. It's difficult to talk about terms, as we understand that the sooner the better. At the first stage, all this took a year, now some things must go faster, because the mechanism has already been developed. In addition, guaranteeing security in cyberspace is a vital issue for us and we will try to do everything as quickly as possible. I think NATO members will do the same. But it's not a matter of weeks.I can name the total amount that was accumulated in the trust fund  EUR 1.05 million. These funds have been spent, but they also include payment for the services of experts who conducted the required analysis.Ukraine and NATO are actively cooperating in the field of cyber security. And there is a mutual interest in the exchange of experience, for example, with NATO countries for the improvement of defense systems. The NATO headquarters invited our experts in this field to visit it to learn more about the cyber defense system and exchange experience.
Nancy MacLean, a historian who studies social movements in the American South, stumbled on to what may well become her most important work.

She was reading an article about the battle against school desegregation in Virginia when a footnote led her to economist James McGill Buchanan and ultimately to the realization that she was watching a social movement play out in stealth mode.

In her book, Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Rights Stealth Plan for America, MacLean documents how Charles Koch weaponized and monetized Buchanans ideas and tactics through a vast network of university think tanks and political action groups in an effort to gain control of government and permanently change the rules that give all people a voice in democracy.

A staunch Libertarian and Nobel-prize winning economist, Buchanan was influential in an early movement to privatize Virginia schools as a defense against desegregation. His philosophy prized personal freedom over public good and discredited the idea that any politician truly acted in the public interest.

The Buchanan version of a public-choice economics was always distinctive, MacLean told an audience in Raleigh Wednesday at a luncheon held by NC Policy Watch, a progressive news and commentary outlet. He had a distinct ideological commitment to, in his words, tear down the idea of public interest that was dominant in the mid-century ... and ultimately alter the Constitution and policy so as to constrict what the majority could do with their government.

Adherents to this philosophy, funded by Koch, took control of the Republican Party, used its deep pockets to install Republicans in power and used the threat of primary challenges to keep sitting Republicans from bucking their policy agenda.

That agenda includes killing off unions, removing regulations, suppressing the vote, privatizing everything from schools and highways to Medicare and Social Security and infiltrating the judiciary to alter the Constitution and lock in those changes permanently, MacLean said.

After MacLean moved to North Carolina in 2010, the year Republicans took over the legislature, she began to see Buchanans strategies unfolding in real time. For me, as I was reading these publications on James Buchanan, these abstract ideas I had been reading about were suddenly becoming real and frightening in North Carolina, MacLean said. I saw the North Carolina General Assembly changing the rules on every front. One of the things Buchanan had urged was breaking up collective power, making it impossible for citizens to affect the political process. So the GOP went after labor unions, showed hostility to public education at all levels, rolled back environmental regulations ... and refused to participate in Medicaid expansion.

She said she continues to be unsettled as she watches the Republican majorities in Raleigh and Washington applying Buchanans ideas, which are grounded in Libertarian ethics.

The Libertarian morality says it would be better to have people die from lack of health insurance than to receive it from government, MacLean said. That is what they really mean when they talk about personal responsibility: that you should be on your own and provide for all of your own needs. If you fail to save for all of your future needs and your childrens needs ... you deserve your fate, and your fate will be an instruction for others.

Key to Buchanans strategy was masking its real intent, Mac-Lean said. Faced with popular support for programs such as Social Security, Buchanan realized he would have to find a way to turn voters against the programs that benefit them by portraying those programs as unreliable and unfair.

Buchanans strategy also relies on what he called the rational ignorance of voters, the idea that voters would not bother to learn all the complexities of the political process, MacLean said. When you dont know all the rules, you dont always notice when theyre being changed.

The cause is operating the way it is because they are a permanent minority, and they will never win as long as they are honest about what they are doing, MacLean said. Nobody wants to be dominated.

Far beyond advocating a belief system in the marketplace of ideas, this stealth movement to limit democracy has been a carefully executed strategy unfolding for decades, MacLean said.

While researching Buchanan, MacLean found a pile of his personal papers that exposed how Charles Koch built a base camp at George Mason University to train and deploy adherents to this philosophy.

Once I got home with the hundreds and hundreds of documents and put them together with his (Buchanans) published work and other sources, I found myself piecing together this puzzle that sometimes literally nauseated me in its scope, its audacity, its funding and number of people who had worked on this project, MacLean said.

MacLean is not a fire-breathing liberal or a wide-eyed conspiracy theorist. She is an award-winning author and acclaimed historian who serves as the William H. Chafe Professor of History and Public Policy at Duke University.

Her book provides the answer to what so many residents of previously progressive North Carolina have been asking since 2010: How did we get here?

We need to understand and defend the democracy our founders intended in order to answer a more important question: How do we get back?
GREENSBORO  The Bellemeade parking deck soon will have a new look.

In August, contemporary artist Daas will be in the city to paint two large-scale murals on the north and south walls of the deck at 220 N. Greene St.

The city will host a free block party for residents to watch Daas complete the murals from 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 17, on Bellemeade Street between Elm and Greene streets. The event will feature live music, street art and food trucks.

Daas is an American artist based in Kyoto, Japan, and Clearwater, Fla. His work and murals have been exhibited worldwide in China, Japan, Nepal, Jordan, Canada, Dominican Republic and the United States.

He produces images that combine representational, cubist and abstract elements resulting in recognizable forms such as humans, animals and insects.

Often times, I will find inspiration by referencing the crease patterns found in origami, studying the variations of textures and hues in the layers of old aged walls around historic sites in Nara, Japan, as well as the often-sporadic placement of colors in the environment, such as road signs, stained glass windows, neon lights and the standout colors of clothing worn by people in crowds, he says on his website.

The 80-foot murals were one of the Participatory Budgeting Cycle One projects approved by District 3 residents. The city has budgeted $30,000 for the project.

The city solicited mural artists to submit designs.

Daass work was chosen by selection committee members Liz Busch of the Art Alliance, Altina Layman and Victoria Ball of the Greensboro Cultural Center Advisory Council, Stephen Turner of Capitol Associates, Cheryl Stewart from the Public Art Endowment of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, and Phillip Marsh, a participatory budgeting delegate and creative director at Rockers Print Shop.

Marsh, who was part of the participatory budgeting arts and culture committee, said that delegates wanted to introduce art that was accessible to the community.

Art stimulates growth as a catalyst or supplement to any community and creates community pride that all citizens of any economic background feel gratified to call that community home, Marsh said in a news release. When artwork on an international level is produced in your community it serves two purposes: to create community pride and to serve as a marketing tool that this city is forward-thinking.
Activities

Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Carolina has awarded a grant of $2,500 to the Communities In Schools of High Point Be Fit Program that will be used to implement 18 Be Fit sessions in six Title 1 schools in High Point.

Local Triad McDonalds Owner Jackie King wrote a letter of recommendation on behalf of Communities In Schools of High Point Be Fit Program, to assist the organization in its application request through the Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Carolina. Because of Kings support, the Communities In Schools Be Fit Program was provided this grant to assist their efforts this year.

***

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina and McDonalds restaurants in the Triad are collectively distributing 35,944 Happy Meals, with a monetary value of more than $125,000, to local children this summer.

The two organizations partnered for the third annual Buy One Share One Happy Meal Campaign, which took place each Monday during the month of June. This program recognizes the food insecurity needs of the local community, which elevate during the summer months. For every Happy Meal purchased during the campaign, a Happy Meal, in turn, is allocated to a child in need at one of 27 summer meal sites sponsored by Second Harvest Food Bank.

Last year, 30,833 Happy Meals were donated to local children. This years initiative was able to surpass that thanks to an increasing amount of support from local community members, including the High Point Police Department..

***

Flow Buick-GMC of Greensboro has donated $3,000 to Greensboro Urban Ministry to support the nonprofits Finding the Way Home series, a video collection of client stories that seek to show the complex nature of homelessness and poverty.

The sponsored videos share the stories of two military veterans, N.C. A&T student Angel Baptist and Guilford County minister Jerry Hunt.

The videos, produced by Swiftwater Media, help both Greensboro Urban Ministry clients as well as the general community, said Lane Harvey Brown, GUM director of development and communications.

Its inspiring for our clients to see how far theyve come, Brown said.
On Tuesday, August 1, at 11.00, the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency's press center will host a press conference entitled "Consulting Market in Ukraine's Real Estate" on the results of work of the Ukrainian Trade Guild (UTG) company for 12 months. Trends and forecasts of the development of residential and commercial real estate in Ukraine for the near future." The participants will include head of the consulting department of the UTG company Rostyslav Symonov, deputy head of the consulting department of the UTG company Kostiantyn Oleinyk, customer relations director of the UTG company Zhana Rzhanova (8/5a Reitarska Street). Registration is required by phone: (050) 740 1063, (067) 216 4343, (044) 537 2364 or at: ak@utg.kiev.ua, pr@utg.kiev.ua.
EDEN  A fine gray powder still clings to your shoes at the site of one of the nations worst coal ash spills, but its the last remnant of an ash storage pond now being emptied into a hilltop landfill a few hundred yards away.

Two years from now, Duke Energys coal ash site beside the Dan River will be empty and the landfill on the hill will be full and capped with layers of plastic and dirt. That will be the end of a five-year story that began one cold February day in 2014 when a broken pipe underneath an ash basin at the retired Duke Energy power station dumped tons of the cloudy waste into the river.

Duke Energy received approval in May from state officials to start using the new, lined landfill on the property that was home to the coal-fired Dan River Steam Station, which was demolished in 2016 in after the 39,000-ton spill.

The new landfill is part of the Charlotte-based utilitys plan to comply with a North Carolina law  triggered by the spill  that requires the Dan River ash ponds to be closed by August 2019.

On Thursday, company officials conducted a media tour of the landfill, which is lined with clay and designed to catch and direct water runoff into a pipe that sends it to Eden for treatment.

Duke Energy billed the tour as a showcase of the utilitys past, present and future. In addition to the landfill, the site contains a natural gas-fired plant that replaced the coal-fired one.

Crews on Thursday were dumping ash excavated from now-dry riverside ponds, 40 tons at a time, into the landfills 5.1-acre section. A second, 7.4-acre section is graded and ready to receive coal ash, and crews are grading the landfills final 11-acre section.

Coal ash is not considered a hazardous substance, but it does contain trace amounts of arsenic and other chemicals that can be harmful in concentrated amounts. The ash can be used in cement, concrete and other building materials.

After the new law was passed in late 2014, Duke Energy hauled away some ash by rail to a lined landfill in Virginia.

Some of the remaining ash  88,000 tons  is being sold to a Roanoke, Va., cement company.

The rest will go into the Dan River landfill.

Jeff Brooks, a Duke Energy spokesman who conducted the tour, picked up a clump of ash from the landfills first cell and it broke apart like moist dirt.

Duke Energy makes sure the ash contains some moisture to keep it from creating dust clouds before the layers of capping material are applied.

Duke Energy Carolinas, the company division that serves Greensboro, plans to ask for a rate increase in August to help pay for its ongoing ash-containment programs.

In June, its other North Carolina division, Duke Energy Progress, filed a request with the N.C. Utilities Commission to increase its rates by 14.9 percent to pay for cleaning up coal ash pits and building more natural gas plants.

For now, the Dan River site continues to be transformed.

The site where the pipe broke has been excavated and the pipe itself has been filled with concrete.

And now that the coal-fired station has been demolished, crews are filling in its concrete basement area with dirt. Grass will be planted. And soon, the old brick building  a throwback to another era  will be gone without a trace.
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Thanks to Sens. Burr and Tillis, 1,348,300 North Carolinians are at risk of losing coverage. Thats more than 13 percent of our population. And 638,900 will lose Medicaid coverage, including 32,500 senior, 29,900 people with disabilities, 148,900 children and 26,000 veterans.

Most North Carolina voters oppose repeal. But Burr and Tillis ignored us. And if either one of them wouldve had the fortitude to stand up to Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell and vote in the best interest of North Carolinians, the vote to proceed would have failed, the Affordable Care Act would be safe, and hardworking Tar Heel families could rest a little easier knowing they and their loved ones are still covered.
GREENWICH  Although the Board of Selectmen approved the Greenwich Harbor Management Plan without any debate July 13, an official with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said this week revisions still are necessary before it can be approved by the state.

Problems that remain include inconsistencies within the document and the need for clarification in some sections of the relative authority of the Harbor Management Commission, selectmen, state harbormaster and the state.

Hopefully we are on the last lap, DEEP Coastal Planner John Gaucher said Thursday. I hope we can just, with a bit of writing back, say, Look, here are the sections we need to address again. Bring the electronic file and we will make the edits together. No more back and forth.

As an example of a change that needs to be made, he pointed to one section that determines how the Harbor Management Commission can review a harbormasters decisions. The passage references another section of the document in which all mention of the harbormaster position had been edited out.

Another section states town ordinances regarding harbors and harbor management can be amended the same way the Harbor Management Plan is updated  through a string of approvals by the HMC, BOS, to the state and then to the Representative Town Meeting.

But, according to state statutes, there are some regulations, for example regarding buoys and speed limits, that wouldnt follow that process.

So the (DEEP) Boating Division has 60 days and either agree, and whatever (the town) propose(s) can be adopted, or they won't, Gaucher said. So basically Boating Division has the final say.

Reached this week, Harbor Commission Chairman Bruce Angiolillo, who had just returned from a trip, said he had not been made aware of the need for changes.

I havent heard about that, he said. We have the states word that all matters of any substantive nature have been resolved.

And DEEP has confirmed that the small changes necessary can be easily done in one last meeting with the town officials.

The coastal planner said that his only authority is to ensure the plans content doesnt violate the Connecticut General Statutes. Any conflicts with legality or judgment, he said, isnt for him to determine.

That's local control, said Gaucher, and with experience you might find out you did great  or that maybe we should have done it a little bit differently.

We don't review strategy, he said, but its got to be consistent with the various state policies that apply to it, and that's what we have to focus in on ... Pretty soon we can hand it off to the RTM, so hopefully that would be the next step.

And if its approved, then I can step away.

E: JTuriano@greenwichtime.com; T: @jturianoGT; IG: @greenwichgreen
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GREENWICH  The Greenwich Fire Department welcomed five new recruits to its ranks Friday morning as it said good-bye to five retiring service members.

The new recruits are replacing vacancies left by the retirements of Fire Marshal Shawn McDonnell, Lt. Jim Freebairn, Firefighter Rick Magalnick, Firefighter Ray Little and Firefighter Rick Petrizzi.

Fire Chief Peter Siecenski called the new personnel the cream of the crop at a swearing-in ceremony at fire headquarters, as he offered praise to the departing group. He said the outgoing firefighters had a combined total of 120 years of service, and they had responded to 500,000 calls for help.

We lose a great deal of talent, efficiency and expertise, he said.

The chief said he was impressed with the new recruits, who were selected from 20 applicants.

The new firefighters are:

*Stephen Brennan. A former police lieutenant in Wilton, Brennan holds a masters degree in criminal justice. He has put in eight years as a volunteer with the Trumbull Fire Department, and he is a master scuba diver and instructor.

*Connor Johnson. A former Eagle Scout, Johnson earned a bachelors degree in fire science and administration. He was a former firefighter in Cromwell and has also worked as an emergency medical technician. Johnson was also a volunteer firefighter in Harwinton.

*Peter Purcell. A Greenwich native, Purcell was in the National Guard and deployed to Afghanistan as a combat medic. He is a certified EMT and worked as a medical assistant and personal trainer.

*Nicholas Salvador. Salvador is a UConn graduate, studying occupational health. A volunteer in the Somers, N.Y., fire department, he also has EMT certification.

*Brian Stevens. Working as a plumber, Stevens has been a volunteer firefighter in Seymour for seven years. He has EMT certification and also earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a young man.

The new firefighters are set to undergo three weeks of in-house training in Greenwich, then 15 weeks at the Connecticut Fire Academy in Windsor Locks.

First Selectman Peter Tesei said the new arrivals would be taking part in a organization that sets high standards.

We take great pride in our fire department, said Tesei. Its one of the premiere fire departments in the country.

Purcell, a Greenwich High School graduate, called the swearing-in ceremony the culmination of a long-held dream.

Im super-excited, he said, moments after his firefighters badge was pinned to the lapel of his suit. Ive been trying for 11 years to get here. Its been my first choice.

Purcell said he was always drawn to a career in public service. Ive always wanted to serve, thats what brought me to the military. After that, I knew I wanted to serve again, he said.

Fire Marshal Shawn McDonnell has been in the post since 2014. The department will pick a new fire marshal from the four current deputies in the department.

rmarchant@greenwichtime.com
New challenges for Ukraine that bring tectonic changes to the world economy and politics will become the main focus of the fourth Kyiv International Economic Forum. On October 6-7, 2017 the 4th Kyiv International Economic Forum (KIEF), one of the largest business events in the country, will took place in the capital of Ukraine. For the fourth year in a row the Forum will bring together renowned foreign and Ukrainian economists, visionaries, reformers, politicians and businessmen to discuss the critical issues of Ukrainian economy. Given the steady increase in the number of participants and speakers, this year KIEF will change its location for a more spacious Parkovyi Congress and Exhibition Center. The keynote of KIEF 2017 will be the challenges of the new economic reality for Ukraine that is an integral member of the world community. It will focus on three global trends that have threatened the orderly course of events in the world politics, business and almost everyones life. The first trends harbingers were the US election results and Brexit. They have shown that the countries, which were the drivers of globalization, begin changing the vector of their development to the opposite one  protecting their economies, developing their own industries and creating new jobs inside the countries. Technological advances have led to the second trend  an unpredictably rapid development of the digital economy. Companies involved in this sector receive huge financial and information resources and become more powerful and influential than some countries. The third trend is the so-called inclusive globalization. Due to the development of the digital economy, small and medium businesses get the opportunity to become global. Its impact on the global economy becomes more pronounced. This trend offers new opportunities for the development of Ukrainian small and medium businesses, which can be integrated into international value added networks. The new economic reality makes companies and the state refuse from the inefficient solutions and seek new answers to global issues. Will the countries be able to duly react to changes in order to prevent destructive crises? How to effectively use available resources and new technologies for development? Actually, what to expect for the world and Ukraine in the future? What should our country do first to improve its position in the global market? The leading economists, businessmen and politicians will try to answer all these questions at KIEF 2017, comments Yurii Pivovarov, Head of the Organizing Committee of Kyiv International Economic Forum. During the event, both guests and participants will be able to communicate directly with renowned economists and influential representatives of public and financial sectors. KIEF 2017 will feature representatives of the government of Ukraine and other countries, members of the European Commission, top managers of EBRD and EIB, owners of companies and CEOs of corporations. The Forum will consist of 20 panel discussions and 10 round tables, during which issues of cooperation and investment in such sectors as high tech, construction, agroindustrial complex, energy efficiency and engineering will be discussed. The Forums highlight will be an interactive display area of domestic and foreign high-tech projects. The first KIEF held in 2014 presented the overall vision for the modernization of Ukraine's economy. The tools to help Ukraine make an economic breakthrough were identified at the second KIEF in 2015, where world-renowned economists recommended Ukraine to purposefully manage the economy through the BusinessGovernmentSociety triangle, and not leave it to the mercy of the free market. The 3rd KIEF in October 2016, attended by 85 speakers from 20 countries, 190 mass media representatives and more than 800 guests, was devoted to strategic questions: how to attract investment to our country for Ukraine to participate in the global Fourth Industrial Revolution? Please, follow the news on the Forum's website and on the official Facebook page . Kyiv International Economic Forum (KIEF) is a permanently operating venue for the formation of Ukrainian economic development strategy. It is aimed to set up a dialogue between experts, businesses and government, borrowing the best international practices, creating a road map for the development and promotion of the conversion of ideas into the real action. forumkyiv.org/en
J: How old are you?

L: 78.

J: And where are you from?

L: Peru. From a place, its a department, called Ancash. Here you say state, we say department. We lived in a city where you could look out and see all of the mountains, the Cordillera Blanca.

J: When did you come to the U.S.?

L: I came here 15 years ago.

J: Did you come to Greenwich?

L: No, I went with the intention of going to Boston, but I had some nieces and nephews studying here in Norwalk so I went to see them ... Then went to Boston. I have an aunt in Boston  then I went to a hospital, Wellesley, so they could look at my hip because I had the idea that they could operate on my hip. They did X-rays and when they showed me  it was like a horror film. My hip was terrible. I had fallen when I was 8 years old, and then my hip stayed fractured and dislocated. Its possible the X-ray in Lima wasnt clear or something, or that my parents didnt have the money to do the operation. I yelled so much at the hospital that I didnt want to go back, it hurt so much, and (my parents) said, She doesnt want to go back. So I stayed like this, but I could walk. I just didnt walk much so it didnt hurt. When I became an adult, I went myself to Lima and for another X-ray, and the doctor couldnt find the X-ray, and I had to do another appointment (there). In this time, to go to Lima, you had to take all day. I had to ask for three days off from my job: one day to go there, one day for the hospital, and one day to return. It was very difficult. I remember going six times and I grew tired, so I didnt go anymore. But when I went to Wellesley it seemed even more distant from me than ever. The doctor, he spoke to me with compassion. He said, I can do the surgery for you with no cost, but you have to pay for the hospitalization. It was $100,000. It was a quantity I could not imagine. I told my aunt we should go. So I returned to see my (family) in Norwalk and said I would save the money by working. I was working as a housekeeper, but my hip began to hurt. It wasnt for me.

J: Because you move so much?

L: Yes, and with all the movement, you need your hips ... for everything. But I was just working. I went to work for an Argentinian family, and they were very kind and respectful to me. They loved me very much, but they had to leave after nine months because they went to Argentina, so I kept trying to save money. Then my nieces and nephews went to Trumbull, and it was too far ... so I was looking on the computer for a place to stay, but they were all apartments and I couldnt find anything here, Bridgeport, Norwalk, anywhere, because I was working little. I continued to work and then one day I became deaf. I couldnt hear, and my friend said, Lets go to the hospital now! So we went to the hospital down the Post Road in Norwalk because I thought it would be less expensive. I told them about my hip. They did blood tests and everything; they said that I had high blood pressure and gave me some pills and I began to hear again.

J: Because it lowered the blood pressure.

L: Yes, but then they said I should go to Greenwich because they didnt have a specialist for bones in Norwalk. I didnt want to go to Greenwich because I thought it would be too expensive. I said, Take me to Bridgeport. I wouldnt be able to pay in Greenwich, but they said no. It resulted in me being asked everything, everything  all the dates of everything (that had happened to me, and the hospital) said they would do the operation for free, and they operated on me. The money I had been saving, I use that money now to live. I am healing, I do physical therapy.

J: Everything is paid?

L: Yes, they paid for it all. I didnt have insurance  When I came here to the U.S., I realized that the best people I have ever met (in this country) were those in Greenwich. And the people at St. Catherines Church of Siena, they have helped me too. They gave me strength and I went to a friends house, near the Hyatt, and my friends from the church helped me there. I am so grateful for all of this. For me it has been something that I could have never hoped for. The Holy Spirit has blessed me, and in many ways (I have been blessed) like this. How did I get to Greenwich? I couldnt have imagined looking for a place to live here. But I can pay for what I need with what I have saved.

J: Now where do you live?

L: Alone, in Riverside. Ive been there five years. Its almost exactly by Exit 5, by McDonalds and the shopping plaza. Wescott Street is the name of the street.

J: This story is ... a story of hope, and after all this time waiting and waiting.

L: I was going to leave last April because I had nothing to do, and I was going to give up. It costs so much money to live here in the U.S. I was desperate and I said I would just leave. To be here is to work and if I could only work little, where would this money come from? But I am now healing. In September, I have my follow-up meeting with my doctor to check up on prescriptions and everything.

J: This September.

L: Yes, to see how Ive progressed.

J: When did you have the surgery?

L: Feb. 6. And it was perfect. The whole world asks me who operated on me because I am walking so well. This makes me happy. If someone asks about problems with knee or hip, they ask me who operated on me. His name is Dr. Hughes, Peter Hughes.

This interview has been translated from Spanish, and the Spanish version will be made available at www.greenwichtime.com

Esta entrevista esta traducida del espanol original al ingles para el periodico. La version original, en el espanol se puede encontrar en el sitio web www.greenwichtime.com

E: JTuriano@greenwichtime.com; T: @jturianoGT; IG: greenwichgreen
The lawsuit filed by Googles Waymo self-driving car company is heating up for Uber. Waymo attorneys recently filed court documents that suggest Uber knew that Anthony Levandowski had brought trade secrets with him to Uber when he left Waymo. Levandowski was fired by Uber in May.

This unfolding public drama doesnt just impact the companies involved; it has implications for the future of the autonomous vehicle industry and technology companies and leadership in general. Insider theft allegations highlight a serious problem for U.S. companies that are creating technology that will drive business, run governments and be used by billions of people in the future. This case should be a wake-up call to all companies working on cutting edge technology. Its clear the potential for IP theft from insiders with their own agenda is only going to grow.

Related: How Small-Business Owners Can Patent a Great Idea

1. The stakes are huge.

All these tech companies are sitting on the secret sauce for companies of the future -- not just self-driving cars, but drones, robots, bio-engineering. Those inventions wont just deliver the next big company; they will create great economic growth and determine global economic dominance for countries.

Tech is already dominating the landscape. Right now, the combined market worth of the top five technology companies (Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Facebook) is about $3.03 trillion, representing about 16 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product and putting it in seventh place among countries, between France and India. Separately, Gartner predicts global IT spending will reach $3.5 trillion this year. No doubt, this trend will continue and technology companies will be a hotbed of groundbreaking technology for the foreseeable future.

The intense competition among technology companies puts every company at risk, and if this could happen to Google, it could happen to any company. Even for Google this is a big misstep, if the allegations are true. The company apparently didnt notice anything was amiss until a third party tipped it off via email. So, how can tech companies avoid being the next Waymo (assuming the IP theft accusations turn out to be true)?

Related: 5 Situations That Require a Non-Disclosure Agreement

2. Theres much that Silicon Valley can learn from Wall Street.

Tech companies should follow the model set by the financial industry, which is subject to regulations that require strict monitoring to prevent insider trading and stock manipulation. With financial firms, the risk is that fraud can affect markets and ultimately impact global economies. If the U.S. government considers these financial institutions too big to fail because of the repercussions that could be felt across industries around the world, I would argue that given the rapid innovation and growing market caps of tech companies, they too are too big to fail.

Im not suggesting that government regulation is needed. In fact, I think tech companies can do it more effectively on their own, just like theyve addressed other market opportunities. If not, government may step in to protect sensitive data upon which industries -- and the U.S. economy -- may one day rely.

Related: 5 Lessons About Partnership Learned Watching the Uber-Waymo Meltdown

3. Security practices should be truly egalitarian.

Technology companies turn talented programmers and visionaries into rockstars who are often given special treatment. These big hires are likely to be spared the level of security scrutiny that most employees are subjected to and yet they also have access to some of the biggest secrets. Meanwhile, they are most likely to fly the coop to start their own companies or to be lured away by competitors. And they may have more of a sense of ownership over their creations and thus feel entitled to take information with them. Strong internal security policies should be applied evenly across the organization, requiring the CEO on down to use strong passwords and monitoring the access and use of sensitive data.

Related: 2 Arguably Avoidable Things Led to the Huge Lawsuit Between Alphabet and Uber

4. A cultural shift is required.

There also needs to be a radical cultural shift that leads to changes in practices and mindset. Its unclear what Google practices are with regard to insider threats. The company has an open culture, both literally and figuratively, which enables it to innovate. But, has that openness seeped into internal operations? Apple, meanwhile, has built its business -- and its internal development processes and culture -- on a strong foundation of secrecy. At Apple, different teams dont know what other teams are working on, prototypes have tracking technology on them and security teams are on alert constantly. Tech companies may want to borrow a page from Apples playbook.

Of course, critical to any insider threat program is having in place strong policies and practices to prevent IP theft. Security teams need tools that will allow them to easily notice patterns that indicate suspicious activity, such as employees accessing data they arent approved to view, or downloading thousands of files onto a hard drive or other external storage source. They need strict internal procedures with regard to who has access to the information and who it can be shared with. And, of course, any employee monitoring policy should be transparent to employees so they know up front what activities and data are being closely watched and why.

There will no doubt be more allegations of insider theft of trade secrets among technology companies because of the sheer velocity and volume of IP being created. Tech executives, who will be closely watching the Uber-Waymo case, would be smart to take heed, not only to protect their own business, but also the industry at large.

Related:

4 Reasons Why the Uber-Waymo Lawsuit Is a Huge Wake Up Call for the $3.5-Trillion Tech Industry

Investing in Cybersecurity is No More an Option for Businesses. Here's Why

Is Every Idea an Intellectual Property?



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


An interesting revelation comes today regarding Nokia, both old and new. About 500 design patents have been transferred from Microsoft Mobile to HMD Global. The former is the company that made the Microsoft and Nokia branded Windows handsets following the acquisition by Microsoft of Nokia's smartphone division many years ago. The latter is the company currently holding the exclusive license to use the Nokia name for smartphones. HMD Global has already launched the Nokia 3, 5, and 6, and will unveil the flagship Nokia 8 next month.

This top of the line offering may have something rather unexpected under its sleeve: the famous Lumia Camera UI, long hailed by many as one of the most intuitive in the business. This was created by 'old' Nokia for its Windows phones, and the design patent for that UI is one of the 500 transferred to HMD Global.

On the other hand, the trademarks for PureView, ClearBlack, and PureMotion are still registered to Microsoft. So don't expect any of those to show up in a Nokia smartphone in the near future. From the key co-brands of Nokias past for now we'll have to make do with seeing Zeiss on the Nokia 8. At the moment, Microsoft Mobile still has about 200 design patents and it's unclear whether some or all of those are to be transferred to HMD too.

Source
Samsung hasn't always been timely with security updates for its older smartphones, but things have changed recently. Case in point: a couple of devices that are roughly two years old are now receiving the July security update - and we're still in July, mind you. We're talking about the Galaxy S6 edge and Galaxy S6 edge+. Sure, Google makes a point of sending these out at the beginning of each month, but we really can't fault Samsung too much on this one.

The update for the S6 edge is currently rolling out to unlocked units in the Netherlands as build G925FXXS5EQG1. It should make its way to other European countries soon. On the other hand, for the S6 edge+ only the Vodafone-branded model is getting the new software at the moment, with the new build number being G928FXXS3CQG8. Obviously this too will reach other versions of the phone across the continent in due course.

The July security update includes 65 separate fixes from Google, as well as 16 patches from Samsung for its own software additions on top of Android. As usual, it's strongly recommended to apply such updates as soon as possible.

Source (in Dutch) | Via
Here is some great news for those in Malaysia: The Xiaomi Mi 6, along with the Mi Max 2, are both going to be available for pre-sale starting at 12PM on July 31. Xiaomi has posted the official news on its Malaysian Facebook page.

The banner doesnt mention any specific pricing or release date, though the proof can be found on one of the retailers websites. Lazadas Malaysian page shows the Mi Max 2 as Coming soon with an ETA date between Aug 5 and Aug 10, this listing is with a third-party seller. The price of the Mi Max 2 will be RM 1,199, according to this seller.

While the Mi Max 2 appeared on Lazadas website, there was no sign of the Mi 6. But thanks to a Facebook commenter, it looks like Lazada did have the Mi 6 listed but then later took it down. That listing showed the Mi 6 starting at RM 1,899 for the 6GB RAM + 64GB storage variant.

Wed assume both devices will arrive to Malaysia at the same time, so it looks like an August 5 - August 10 release date is entirely possible for the Mi 6.

Thanks for the tip!

Source
Tumi has collaborated with Samsung to release a Tumi edition of the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier. The most notable differences are: a custom-made Tumi watchface that is preloaded on the wearable, and a TUMI watch band made from Italian canvas.

While not the most elegant material out there, the canvas watch band changes the overall look and feel of the smartwatch. The band is earl grey-colored which matches the tone of the Fronteir pretty nicely.

The band also has a stainless steel fastening buckle. Samsung also says the canvas band is also resilient against the elements, so feel free to use it while hiking through the dirt or biking through the desert.

The Gear S3 Frontier Tumi edition is $449 in stores, $100 more than the standard Frontier version. Though, Best Buy is currently selling the Frontier for $299.

Source




Haiti - Politics : In the South Moise seeks synergy between the state and the private sector





On Thursday at Anse-a-Veau, President Jovenel Moise, accompanied, among others, by Deputy Wilner Guervil, in the presence of the main authorities of the department, met some few entrepreneurs from the Nippes department about arrangements to increase their activities economic.



This meeting was an opportunity for the Head of State to remind entrepreneurs of the need to get involved in the steps initiated by his administration in the department of Nippes.



President Moses also took the opportunity to reassure the business community of the Nippes of its full support for the development process of this region. "The synergy between the State and the private business sector is fundamental for development throughout the country," said the Head of State, who recalled the establishment through the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) of an affordable credit system in the agribusiness sector for the benefit of entrepreneurs throughout the country.



HL/ S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





15,000 temporary US work visas

Robert Hannan, the Consul General of the United States in Haiti, informs the US will grant 15,000 temporary visas to citizens who will work on US territory. He pointed out that only US employers are allowed to initiate the process in favor of beneficiaries, which will have nothing to pay.



Privert will be protected like all citizens

Following the reaction of former President Privery who fears for his life https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21636-haiti-security-former-president-privert-feared-for-his-life.html Ronsard St-Cyr, Secretary of State for Public Security, assured that the Government will ensure the security of the former president as it must do for all citizens.



NOTICE to Haitians in DR

The Consulate General of Haiti in Higuey calls the compatriots of the eastern zone of the Dominican Republic in particular to the caution before the broadcast on the social networks of audio and video messages that convey false information. The Consulate condemns such practices and reminds the public that the Government of Haiti has official channels to spread its messages to the population. In the event of an emergency, the Consulate demand to call 24/7 the mobile consular brigades at the following numbers: 829-726-5891 / 849-269-9173



102nd anniversary of US occupation

This July 28th brings back the 102nd anniversary of the beginning of the American occupation. A coalition of civil society organizations announced the holding of a People's Court in several departments to condemn the crimes committed by the occupiers during public hearings.



Tourism : Strengthening of Haiti-Mexico ties

On Thursday, Colombe Emilie Jessy Menos, the Minister of Tourism received the Ambassador of Mexico to Haiti, Luis Alvarado. The exchanges focused in particular on the strengthening of the cooperation between Haiti and Mexico in the tourism sector. Haiti is expected to attend the "Cancun 2017 Forum on Investment in Tourism" to continue discussions.



Meeting of the Superior Council of Public Administration and Service

Thursday afternoon, the First Meeting of the Superior Council of Public Administration and Service was held at the official residence of the Prime Minister in Musseau. Among the points on the agenda were: the state of advancement of the recruitment of the body of State administrators; The status of priority dossiers (roadmap and scoreboard); of grievances of civil servant, the Presentation of the structures of the Council and of the National School of Administration and Public Policy (ENAPP).



HL/ HaitiLibre


















By William Schwartz | Published on 2017/07/27

Unfortunately, Seon-woo ends up being saved by dumb luck. This ends up being a decent predictor for the remainder of "Criminal Minds", which is less about characterization and more about sticking closely to the crime procedural format of the original American drama. Any ambiguity Hyeon-joon previously expressed about criminal profiling is largely glossed over, since by the end he's just a normal uncritical team member.

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I'm also disappointed by how not just Hyeon-joon, but also Seon-woo end up having the most boring possible motivation. They're sad because people they cared about were hurt by criminals and now they want to stop crime themselves. Yawn. I prefer Han (played by Go Yoon), who's into detective work because he's an autistic nerd who likes overanalyzing things, and Na-hwang (played by Yoo Sun) who likes having a job with enough authority that she can make comically loud fashion choices.

But really, my main issue with "Criminal Minds" taking more influence from its American progenitor is because of the villains. Criminal profiling relies a lot on simplified Freudian psychology, which means taking individual traumatic events and then inflating them beyond proportion so that characters with maybe one or two clear personality traits become comically evil supervillains. The explanation Gi-hyeong gives for why the serial killer murders women is just horribly mundane. And it doesn't explain what the deal was with the huge box and the timer, which were the main interesting aspects of the crime I wanted an explanation for.

The most convincing moment of profiling doesn't even come from the main case at all, but from when Hyeon-joon comes back to the police station. That was a genuinely interesting example of cold reading, because it fairly convincingly extrapolates a plausible explanation from limited details. That the perpetrator in question was just a normal hustler, rather than a wide-eyed over-emoting psychopath only enhanced that plausibility.

My harshness, of course, does need to come with the caveat that my issues tend to be endemic to this style of crime drama in general. "Criminal Minds" isn't really any worse than the genre standards in this regard, although it's not improving either. Well, I guess it does have the advantage of crazy cliffhangers that at minimum make me curious about the next case. Although, really, I do hope they explain where the gun came from. I know that in the United States you can buy those thing s in every corner drug store but in South Korea they're a little harder to come by.

Review by William Schwartz

"Criminal Minds" is directed by Lee Jeong-hyo and Yang Yoon-ho, written by Hong Seung-hyeon and features Son Hyun-joo, Lee Joon-gi, Moon Chae-won, Lee Sun-bin, Yoo Sun and Go Yoon.
Published on 2017/07/27 | Source

"When Kim Eun-sook and Lee Byung-hun come together..."

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Hit writer Kim Eun-sook and Hollywood actor Lee Byung-hun are coming together.

Writer Kim who has presented Song Joong-ki and Gong Yoo with life characters in "Descendants of the Sun" and "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" is expected to do the same to Lee Byung-hun. We take a look at "Mr. Sunshine" starring Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri and Yoo Yeon-seok.

First of all, "Mr. Sunshine" is based in the 1900s, a turbulent era of our history. Like previously mentioned, this history wasn't recorded but it is about the nameless fighters that we should remember.

Writer Kim is drawing young romance and love on a sheet of confusing and scathing background of modern history. Men and women born in slave, butcher and noblemen families overcome their social statuses and fall in love.

This is the first drama in 9 years Lee Byung-hun has decided to star in since "IRIS". He takes on the role of Choi Yoo-jin, born to a slave, watching his parents get killed and becoming an American Officer. He stood torn between the country he was born in and the country he grew up in but in the end, his birth country orders him to return to the Josun where he meets a woman that will change his life. Lee Byung-hun's performance and fluent English speaking skills will come together to create the character of Choi Yoo-jin.

The woman that changes Choi Yoo-jin's life if Kim Tae-ri. She starred in Park Chan-wook's "The Handmaiden" as a servant and this time she plays the part of an elegant lady born to a nobleman.

Her role of Ko Ae-sin was born in a noble family but she's full of passion and desire. Instead of drinking coffee or getting dressed in Western clothes, she took interest in guns and Choi Yoo-jin.

Kim Tae-ri's performance with writer Kim Eun-sook is highly looked forward to and many wonder if she can become the next Kim Go-eun, another one of Kim Eun-sook's creations. "Mr. Sunshine" is Kim Tae-ri's first drama since her debut.

Yoo Yeon-seok stars in "Mr. Sunshine" as Koo Dong-mae, who loves Ko Ae-sin. He was born to a butcher's family and abandoned the Josun on his own but he risks everything on Ko Ae-sin who took to him as a human being unlike others who saw him as no better than a pig or cow.

Yoo Yeon-seok recalls "Answer Me 1994". He played Chil-bong, a tall and handsome, pure-hearted man who only had eyes for one woman.

"Mr. Sunshine" is a collaboration between writer Kim Eun-sook and director Lee Eung-bok. Other casts are Byun Yo-han, Jo Woo-jin and Kim Byung-chul.
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By Lily Lee | Published on 2017/07/27 | Source



Movie "Monstrum" shot the last scene of the movie after 3 months of filming.

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On the 27th, according to Kidarient Corp., the movie "Monstrum" finished up their shooting on the 21st in Yangpyeong County.

"Monstrum" is about a mysterious beast-like object appearing in Joseon era, threatening the country, and moreover, the King of Joseon. As the danger approach closely, Yoon-gyeom gets called to investigate this strange object and find a way to defeat it. The story of this strange object is actually recorded in the historical documents from the Joseon era, and the movie got its inspiration from this document.

For the cast, Kim Myung-min, Lee Kyung-young, Park Hee-soon, Park Sung-woong, Kim In-kwon, Lee Hyeri and Choi Wooshik appears in the movie.

Since the movie is a historical fiction, the cast and staffs traveled to several different mountains and outdoors of many regions. Even in the blazing summer heat, the crew cheered each others on and filmed the movie in harmony and laughter.

As the youngest and the life of the party, Lee Hyeri kept on smiling and endured to the end. On the last day of the shooting, she finally let her tears drop, for the handwork they have all put in to this movie and in realization of the movie being over where she has to say good bye to everyone she's gotten so attached to in the past 3 months.

Actor Kim Myung-min commented, "Last 3 months, we fought hard against the strange object. This will be a legendary historical movie you've never experienced before, so, expect great things!" and actor Lee Kyung-young followed, "I'm so happy. I want to thank all the cast and the staffs for putting their hard work into this movie even in this summer heat".

Park Hee-soon shared, "We filmed diligently. It was a long time shooting, but I'm happy to see that everyone was safe and everything went well". Park Sung-woong also commented, "It was exhausting but it was such an honor to work with wonderful staffs and wonderful fellow actors".

As everyone shared their feelings of the shooting on the last day, Kim In-kwon shared, "It was draining but so worth it. I'll remember everyone, all the staffs and the actors whom I shared this wonderful experience with. I won't ever be able to forget my character, Seong-han.

Lee Hyeri shared her feelings as well, "Finally the shooting of my very first movie has finished! I'm so excited to see the complete version of the movie and I hope it has a good outcome as much as we put a lot of effort into making a good movie".

Actor Choi Wooshik said, "It was so hot and exhausting filming this movie, but it was so much fun. I spent the last three months as my character, Propagandist Heo. I will feel empty hearted starting tomorrow without my character".

Lastly, Director Heo Jong-ho shared his remarks, "I'm so glad the shooting was safely done without any accidents or harms. I hope that the viewers will feel that "Monstrum" was made with our sweats and tremendous effort, and have the movie remembered as a good work".

"Monstrum" will be released in 2018.

By. Lily Lee
Published on 2017/07/28 | Source

Added episode 17 captures for the Korean drama "Queen for 7 Days" (2017)

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Directed by Lee Jung-seob

Written by Choi Jin-yeong

Network : KBS

With Park Min-young, Yeon Woo-jin, Lee Dong-gun, Jang Hyun-sung, Kang Shin-il, Son Eun-seo,...

20 episodes - Wed, Thu 22:00

Synopsis

A period drama about Queen Dangyeong who was on the throne for 7 days before she was disposed.

Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2017/05/31

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The last reindeer herders in China: Ewenki people in Auluguya

(The Ewenkis is showing tourists the reindeer)

Auluguyas Ewenki people attended the Ninth Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities in Inner Mongolia. When they showed up with their reindeers, the crowd went wild, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Most of the Ewenki people lived a nomadic lifestyle before they moved to Genhe in 2003, about 100 kilometers away from Chinas North Pole in Mohe County.

Because they herd reindeers, Ewenki people don't have a fixed address. They usually make simple tents with pine wood, which they call "Zuoluozi. The umbrella-shaped surface of Zuoluozi is made from birch bark in the summer months and deerskin in the winter months.

There are only 308 Ewenki hunters in China, with about 1,200 reindeers. Reindeers used to be the only means of transport for the Ewenki people and are called forest boats.

The reindeer is my closest partner as well as the spirit of the forest, said Gu Gejun, a traditional Ewenki hunter. In recent years, Gu and others like him have been encouraged to live on tourism instead of hunting.

We are making souvenirs based on our reindeer culture, said Gu. The handicrafts made of birch bark or reindeer antlers attract a lot of tourists.
After nearly 40 years of reform and opening up, China's social productivity has increased significantly, President Xi Jinping said at a high-level workshop in preparation for the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at the workshop attended by provincial and ministerial officials on Wednesday and Thursday.

Getting hold of some important points to boost the entire work is a requirement of materialist dialectics, and also the method the CPC has long advocated and used, said Xi.

Since the reform and opening up nearly 40 years ago, the people's living standards have been greatly improved, and their desire for a better life is ever stronger, he said.

Therefore, the people's demands are increasingly diversified: from better education to higher incomes, from more stable jobs to more reliable social insurance, higher quality of medical services, more comfortable living conditions, more beautiful environment and richer cultural life, Xi said.p China began reform and opening up in 1978. Last year, the proportion of China's GDP in the world economy stood at about 15 percent, GDP per capita reached 53,980 yuan (8,011 U.S. dollars), and the number of rural people living in poverty dropped to 43.35 million.
One problem with the recent 457 visa changes is that they are 2% practical, 98% political, according to Petra Playfair, CEO of Playfair Visa and Migration Services.



Playfair told HRD that the announcements were made without legislation which is very uncommon in immigration.



Immigration normally goes through checks and balances that allow for the transition requirements to be in writing, said Playfair.



Therefore, a decision could be made by an HR manager whether to progress on a certain pathway or whether there will be no pathway at all.



So its hard to determine in the long term when the legislation comes into effect, whether it will be watered down from the media messaging or whether it wont be.



Playfair added that the 457 visa is probably the only subclass of visa that most Australians have ever even heard about.



There are more than 30 types of visa classes and many of them are very popular ways of obtaining pathways for employment with companies, but nobody knows the numbers, she said.



We also heard the 457 is being abolished  its not being abolished.



Its this rationale which you must put Australians first, but we are effectively still talking rhetoric.



Playfair said the main changes that are being made are that its more expensive, its more onerous, and it will be slower or more difficult to obtain a pathway for permanent residence.



But does replacing training requirements with a foreign worker levy impact Australias ability to attract and retain international talent?



It shouldnt impact it much, said Playfair.



If you are replacing a training requirement with a foreign worker levy you are effectively adding a $1200 fee per annum for small and medium businesses and an $1800 fee per annum for larger businesses.



But that shouldnt in itself significantly impact their ability to attract and retain talent.



However, Playfair said a higher cost for visas always has a negative impact, particularly smaller businesses which might think twice before sponsoring if there is a larger fee involved.



When I say its a cost to business, what that means is that you have to have a staff turnover because staff will be allowed to come for two years on a visa (not four years) and then have an extension for a further two years, she said.



They wont be allowed to continue on temporary visas after that. So that will require a turnover of staff.



Playfair added that the Federal Government is disempowering employers by saying look, you cant provide your own internal training satisfactorily so we are just going to charge you a fee to do the training for you.



And that fee goes back to national coffers effectively, she said.



Its stated that its going to be used for new apprenticeships and training of Australians in targeted occupations which government will determine by its own research.



But we all know that employers provide in-house training at a much more sophisticated level and a much more targeted level now than can be provided through government or educational institutions.



In-house training over the last 20 or 30 years has become far more important for many employers than external training by educational institutions or public institutions.


Consider a situation where an employer makes a drafting mistake on an employee's contract, like adding an extra zero to their salary. Trent Sebbens, Partner at Ashurst, discusses what employers should be aware of if such a scenario eventuated.



It is critical that an employment contract accurately capture in writing the terms and conditions of employment agreed between the employer and employee. The starting point is that a party will be bound by the terms of a contract, irrespective of whether they read or understood them. There are, of course, exceptions to this. It sometimes happens that an employment contract contains errors. Whether an employer is required to honour a term in a contract containing an error will depend on the circumstances that led to the error.



The law of contracts concerning "mistakes" applies to employment contracts. There are two primary categories of mistakes:

 "common mistake" - where the employer and the employee are in agreement about the terms of the contract, but the written document does not express the agreement correctly; and

 "unilateral mistake" - where one party mistakenly believes the agreement has been accurately recorded in the written document, while the other party knows of the mistake and acts unconscionably in relation to it.



A typographical error not identified by the parties prior to signing, such as adding an extra zero on the salary amount, would be an example of a "common mistake".



Rectification  common mistake



A court has power to grant "rectification" of a contract so that it properly reflects the common intention of the parties.



An employer seeking to rectify a contract will need to prove to the court that:

(a) the parties had agreed to the term prior to recording the agreement in writing

(a) the parties in preparing the employment contract did not correctly express their agreement in the terms of the written document

(b) during the time after the term was agreed until the time it was put in writing, it was the continuing intention of the parties that the term was as agreed; and

(c) if rectified in the way sought, the written contract would give effect to the common intention of the parties.



An employer claiming that there has been an error in the written terms of the contract will bear the burden of proving the error. The employer will need to demonstrate, in particular, what was the common intention of the parties.



This may be able to be established by pre-contractual correspondence and evidence of the responsible officers involved in negotiating and entering into the contract.



Most importantly, the court will be need to be satisfied that the objective common intention of the employer and employee endured for the time from agreement of the term, through to the time of both parties signing the written contract. Where there is a simple error in recording the terms, and the mistake is obvious, the court will likely be satisfied by tracing through the pre-contract communications to the mistaken term. Where there is a real dispute between the parties about the alleged mistake, obtaining rectification will be more difficult. It will simply not be available if there was no common intention.



Unilateral mistake



Rectification may also be available for "unilateral mistake", however there is a heavy burden to obtain rectification in those circumstances.



The party seeking relief will need to establish that one party knew of the other's mistake, and the party who knew of the mistake engaged in some form of unconscionable conduct (such as not drawing the error to the attention of the mistaken party, or consciously intending to deceive the other party). Proving these elements in order to obtain rectification is difficult.



Alternatives to rectification



For simple errors, the most efficient and practical way to deal with them may be to bring the mistake to the attention of the employee and attempt to reach agreement to correct the mistake in the written document. This approach would avoid unnecessary time and costs involved in formal dispute resolution processes.



It is also possible that errors are able to be resolved by a proper construction of the terms of the agreement when read as a whole. In those cases, no rectification would be required and a court could simply determine the proper meaning of the term.



To avoid being caught in a conundrum of "that's what it says, but not what we meant", it is critical that the agreed terms and conditions are carefully recorded in writing with a close eye on the details  so that an extra zero does not become a costly mistake.



This article was contributed by Trent Sebbens, Partner at Ashurst





This story originally ran on July 28, 2017


(Bloomberg) Jack Meyer, the investor who built a multibillion-dollar hedge fund firm after more than quadrupling Harvard Universitys endowment, cut his workforce this year as assets declined, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. Convexity Capital Management eliminated 15 information-technology positions in the first half after dismissing 10 back-office staffers in 2016, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the matter is private. The company now has 67 employees.

To read this article:
China releases four of six Japanese detained for 'illegal surveying'

Chinese authorities said Thursday that four of the six Japanese citizens detained in March for "illegal activities" have been released.

Two others are still being held for accusations of stealing China's classified information and breaking the country's security law and counter-espionage law, officials said.

Hua Chunying, spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, said at a press conference on May 22 that China had investigated six Japanese citizens under suspicion of illegal activities and had notified the Japanese consulate in China in accordance with the China-Japan Consular Agreement.

The six Japanese were either employed by NC Geophysical Survey Co. or He Yuan Hot Spring Development Consultant Co.

The two still under investigation are the heads of the two companies.

Officials said the six had conducted illegal surveying activities in Penglai, East China's Shandong Province and Wuzhi Mountain in Sanya, South China's Hainan Province in March, without any official registration, qualification or permit. They were found with radioactive gamma measuring devices in violation of China's Surveying and Mapping Law and Mineral Resources Law, officials said.

Investigations show that the two companies had conducted illegal surveys in China more than 30 times in the past 10 years.

One of the company's head had illegally surveyed Mount Huangshan in March 2016. The suspect told authorities he was "searching for hot springs."

Investigators discovered classified materials on the suspects' laptops, USB drives and other devices, including more than 80 maps. Two of the suspects are accused of stealing and holding China's classified information, the officials said.
We believe its a valued contributor to stability in Northern Europe. And were ready to continue our dialogue with Finland and other willing states on issues related to improving security in the Baltic Sea, he stated in a joint press conference with President Sauli Niinisto in Savonlinna, Eastern Finland, on Thursday.

Niinisto commented on the issue by estimating that Finland has no need to balance itself between Russia and the United States.

Finland is naturally developing relations with its neighbouring countries. Well have good and stable relations also going forward. On the other hand, were developing our relations with the European Union and the United States. Its not about balancing but, I think, an order of sorts thatd be good for everyone around the globe in understanding each other, he said.

Niinisto and Putin on Thursday met already for the third time in the past year to discuss a number of issues ranging from bilateral relations, environmental concerns, the situation in Ukraine and the security situation in the Baltic Sea Region.

Niinisto, for example, drew attention to the necessity to reduce soot and black carbon emissions in the Arctic Region. Finland, he promised, will make an irresistible proposition on gas flaring  an issue that has come to the fore during its chairmanship of the Arctic Council. Preventing black carbon emissions in the region wouldnt impact the economic interests anyone may have, he reminded.

We also talked about the situation in Ukraine, which has not improved. Itd still be important to first reach a truce and take small steps forward with, for example, the release of prisoners, added Niinisto.

Putin responded by stating that he was pleased to hear new ideas about developing environmental protection in the Arctic Region. Finland and Russia together can accomplish a lot in the region, he estimated before also calling attention to the rapid recovery of trade and co-operation in energy and environmental issues between the two countries.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Michael Klimentyev  Sputnik/Lehtikuva

Source: Uusi Suomi
A father was arrested after arguing with his son following a Kings Of Leon concert in Dublin, a court was told.

Gregory McMahon (42) refused to move on when gardai came across the pair rowing on a street after the 3Arena event.

His son co-operated but McMahon did not.

It showed that "wisdom doesn't always come with age", Dublin District Court heard.

McMahon, of Cluain Na Laoi, Kilkishen, Co Clare, admitted threatening, abusive and in- sulting behaviour.

He also admitted failing to follow the directions of a garda.

Judge Michael Walsh struck the charges out after McMahon made a 300 charity donation.

The court was told that McMahon was acting aggressively when gardai came across him on the quays after the concert.

Drink

He was asked to leave the area but failed to do so and was arrested and taken to Pearse Street Garda Station.

Judge Walsh asked what words the accused had used.

A garda replied that Mc- Mahon had been "very loudly" arguing with his son and would not leave the area when directed.

The son was co-operative but McMahon was not and was arrested.

"Wisdom doesn't always come with age," said McMahon's lawyer.

"He should have followed the example of his son."

McMahon, who was self-employed, had too much to drink at the concert.

He and his son returned home together after the in-cident.

McMahon had a previously unblemished record, his lawyer added, asking Judge Walsh to leave him without a criminal record.

The money was paid to the Capuchin Day Centre and the judge struck out the case.
A man who threatened to kill a woman after kicking in her front door threw potted plants at her window, it is alleged.

Robert Butler (29) is facing trial for burglary.

A judge decided the case was too serious to be dealt with at Dublin District Court and adjourned it for the preparation of a book of evidence.

Mr Butler, of Brookwood Road, Artane, is accused of entering the woman's house in Brookwood Road with intent to steal her mobile phone.

He is also charged with damaging a phone.

Forensic

Outlining the allegations, a garda sergeant said the prosecution maintained that Mr Butler and another person threatened to kill the woman after kicking in her front door.

They left by the back door and threw potted plants at the window, it was alleged.

Judge Anthony Halpin refused jurisdiction to deal with the case in the district court.

The defence had asked for forensic evidence to be disclosed, but Judge Halpin said this could be included in the book of evidence.

He remanded the defendant on continuing bail to appear in court again in September.
A former stockbroker who sexually assaulted three women in Dublin city centre while high on a party drug has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Ryan Lee Thomas (25) was under the influence of GBL when he attacked the young women in separate incidents over an hour-and-a-half last December 30.

Thomas, of Albert College Grove, Glasnevin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three counts of sexual assault and two counts of possessing a controlled drug.

A Welshman who lived in Australia for some time, Thomas has 10 previous convictions in Melbourne for sexual offending while under the influence of the same drug, the court heard.

Gda John Carroll told a hearing earlier this month that Thomas was at a house party in Lower Gardiner Street when he approached a young woman and told her: "You're f**king beautiful."

He then hugged her and tried to kiss her, before she pushed him away.

Thomas then followed the woman into a bedroom, grabbed her buttocks and breast and thrust himself against her, telling her: "You're coming home with me tonight."

The woman pushed him away again and Thomas was asked to leave the party.

Shortly afterwards, a 19-year-old woman was walking along Lower Gardiner Street when Thomas appeared in front of her and grabbed her breasts.

As she tried to run away from him, he grabbed her buttocks and followed her to an apartment building door.

She screamed and he told her to "shut the f**k up" before a passing delivery man intervened and Thomas fled.

Gardai were called and the woman agreed to go with them in a car to see if they could identify her assailant.

Depression

They then spotted Thomas on O'Connell Street with his arms around another woman.

The third victim told gardai she was in town with her boyfriend. When he went to buy cigarettes, the woman was approached by Thomas, who asked her for a light and then a hug, saying: "It's Christmas."

He then leaned in to hug her before grabbing her vagina and buttocks.

The woman fought him off and tried to walk away, but Thomas followed her. He was arrested shortly afterwards.

In a victim impact statement which she read out in court, the woman said she had been sexually abused as a child and the attack had brought it all back.

She cried as she described how she suffered from depression and was withdrawn.

She said it negatively impacted on her relationship with her boyfriend and she now found it extremely hard to trust people.

"I own my body. How dare you?" she said to Thomas.

The court heard that when questioned, Thomas made some admissions to possessing GBL but said he could not remember the events of that night.

More GBL was found in his home the following day after gardai searched it. He told them he had ordered it online for about 90.

Defence barrister Cathal McGreal said Thomas wished to apologise to his victims.

He said Thomas had a normal upbringing and a good education, including an honours degree in economics. He previously worked in stockbroking and fraud detection.
The court heard Margaret Fitzpatrick is now housebound following a long period in hospital. Photo: Collins

A 79-year-old woman who fell and fractured her spine when left alone and sedated in a hospital recovery unit has been awarded 58,500 damages in the Circuit Civil Court.

Judge James O'Donohoe told barrister Matthew Jolley, counsel for Margaret Fitzpatrick, that his client was no longer the woman she was before falling after an uneventful endoscopic investigation at the Mater Hospital.

Mr Jolley had earlier told the court that in April 2015 Ms Fitzpatrick had walked unaided into the Mater but was now housebound following a long period in hospital.

"Instead of going home following a successful gastroscopy she had to be detained for almost a month in the Mater before transfer to the Orthopaedic Hospital in Clontarf for another three months," he said.

Morphine

Ms Fitzpatrick, of Casement Drive, Finglas, Dublin, had previously given evidence from her wheelchair but was not in court to hear the reserved judgment.

Her daughter Michelle had earlier told the court that her mother had been totally independent before the fall.

"I feared for her life when she was in Clontarf Hospital and I took her out of it," she said. "She had been on morphine and I feared she might have a stroke."

Judge O'Donohoe said Ms Fitzpatrick's initial procedure had a good outcome but "tragically things changed for the worse".

He said that while coming out of sedation and having been given tea and toast in the day ward she attempted to put on her shoes at her bedside and fell and fractured her spine.

She was X-rayed and detained in hospital for some days before being discharged to the Orthopaedic Hospital.

Judge O'Donohoe said Ms Fitzpatrick had a myriad of medical problems which necessitated hospitalisation in November 2014 after a fall at home rendered her at risk from further falls.

He had heard on behalf of the hospital that before her endoscopy there had been no indication of special monitoring beyond the usual practice.

"The usual nursing care practice required in these particular circumstances was to have the Mater Hospital falls prevention plan implemented," the judge said.

"There is no indication that the prevention plan was implemented and applied in Ms Fitzpatrick's case."

The judge said Ms Fitzpatrick had sued the Mater Hospital, alleging negligence for failure in its management of her, given her medical history.

On the expert evidence tendered on behalf of Ms Fitzpatrick he found that the Mater had failed to adhere to its own falls prevention policy.

"What speaks volumes to this court is that the ward nurse who attended the plaintiff was not called to give evidence," he said.

Staff nurse Sean Connolly had told the court he had not personally dealt with Ms Fitzpatrick and had been at the nurse station when he heard a shout for help. He found her lying on the floor.

Nurse Connolly said she had been wearing both of her slippers and had one of her slippered feet partly in a boot.

Horrific

He agreed with Mr Jolley that Ms Fitzpatrick's attempt to do this suggested she had not fully recovered from the sedation.

Judge O'Donohoe said Ms Fitzpatrick suffered a horrific injury and now needed to use a lumbar brace and Zimmer frame for walking.

"She is a remarkable woman and clearly very resilient, but put simply she is not the woman she was according to her daughter who gave evidence," he said.

Barrister Paul McGinn, who appeared for the Mater, was granted a stay pending an appeal to the High Court but was told that because of Ms Fitzpatrick's age there would have to be a pay-out of 30,000.
Gay Traveller Michael Connors was jailed for five months

A burglar caught after he stole cash from a charity shop had had a "very hard" life as a gay Traveller, a court heard.

Michael Connors (25) was jailed for five months after a judge said the crime was "reprehensible" and a prison sentence was "long overdue" for him.

Connors, of St Mary's Close, Belgard Road, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to burglary at the St Vincent de Paul shop, Clondalkin, on March 21 last year.

Sgt Maria Callaghan told Blanchardstown District Court the accused went into the shop with another person and a child and entered the staff office on three occasions without permission, taking 200 in cash.

Connors was identified on CCTV and subsequently arrested.

He was detained and made full admissions to the gardai. The money was not recovered.

Negative

The court heard the defendant had 33 convictions for theft and motoring offences. He had previously been given the benefit of the Probation Act, community service and a suspended sentence.

His previous cases had been dealt with in court, including Tullamore, Bray and in the UK.

Connors had a "negative past history" but was now fully engaged with the Probation Service, his barrister Alan Delaney said.

He added that Connors had a "very hard" life as a gay Traveller. His family had disowned him, but his father had now finally accepted him.

Connors had taken on a "high-profile" job in which he needed to drive.

He had been abusing alcohol and drugs at the time of the offence.

Mr Delaney asked the judge to allow the accused to continue to deal with the Probation Service.

Sentencing him, Judge Mc- Hugh said the jail term was "well overdue".

"This is absolutely reprehensible," the judge said of the theft.

"He has received the indulgence of the court on previous occasions."
The family of Dermot Byrne at his funeral in Swords. Photo: Collins

A dad-of-three battered to death in the street has been laid to rest - remembered as a kind, hard-working person who put others first.

Dermot Byrne (56) was attacked on July 16 as he made his way home in Swords after a night out.

His body was found by a passer-by, and although emergency crews battled to save his life, his injuries were too grave.

Yesterday mourners packed St Colmcille's Church in his home town to say their goodbyes. There were so many that crowds gathered in the car park when the church filled up to listen to the service on loudspeakers.

Symbols

As Dermot's coffin was brought in behind a lone piper, a walking guard of honour was formed on each side of the hearse by members of the Irish Blackball Association and St Colmcille's GAA Club.

Expand Close The remains of Dermot Byrne leave St Colmcille's Church in Swords. Photo: Collins / Facebook

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Whatsapp The remains of Dermot Byrne leave St Colmcille's Church in Swords. Photo: Collins

Mementos at the altar included his pool cue, cigarettes and Zippo lighter, brought by his daughter Shawna; a Dublin jersey and match tickets presented by his daughter Emma, and some of his favourite CDs - including the music of David Bowie, Led Zeppelin and Aslan, brought by his daughter Rebecca.

Fr Paul Thornton told the mourners that what everyone woke up to on July 16 was news of "a brutal and callous killing that left a man dead on the streets of our town".

"This act of violence doesn't just affect us today, it's part of the viciousness that eats away at the fabric of our society and removes from us that which we value - respect for one another, and the freedom to be able to walk through our town without fear," he said.Dermot worked in a bicycle sales and distribution company with his brothers. He was described as caring, a man who would do anything for people if they were stuck.

"He put others before himself," said Fr Thornton.

There were smiles amid the tears too, when Fr Thornton told how Dermot could give celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay a run for his money. Daughter Shawna spoke emotionally at the end of the Mass, and how at her 21st when she was just about to blow the candles out on her cake her dad could not be found. Then after a brief search he was discovered downstairs playing pool.

"When we told him to come up he actually turned around and said 'can I finish this game first?'," Shawna said with a smile.

Dermot's brother Paul also spoke with emotion about the family's love for him and expressed their gratitude to the emergency services and gardai.

He had his own memories of Dermot as a child and growing up and how Dermot would look out for his younger brother.

After Mass Dermot's remains were taken to Dardistown Cemetery for burial.

One man has been arrested and charged with his murder and is before the courts.
A set of commemorative coins will be issued by the People's Bank of China on July 31 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the founding of People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Ten coins, including two gold coins and one gold and silver coin, will be included in the set. A total of 250 million sets will be made and issued.

The two gold coins are valued at 800 yuan and 100 yuan, and the gold and silver coin is valued at 10 yuan. The other seven coins are silver and valued between 300 and 5 yuan, according to banks website.

All carry China's national emblem on the front and each has a different PLA theme on the back. The most expensive cointhe 800 yuan gold coinshows PLA soldiers and armed police officers in a flood rescue scene. The six silver coins show images of a soldier and typical service weapons.

August 1, 2017, marks the 90th anniversary of the PLAs founding.
UPDATED

BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn.  After firing his attorneys last week at the outset of his trial on murder charges, a Bristol, Tennessee, man has a new trial date.

Robert Seth Denton, who is accused of fatally shooting his mother, stepfather and grandmother in front of six children in August 2015, is scheduled to appear in Criminal Court in Blountville on April 23, according to Sullivan County District Attorney General Barry Staubus. Two weeks have been allotted for the trial.

His new attorney is Ricky Curtis.

Last Monday was supposed to be the first day of Dentons original trial. Following a 30-minute break from jury selection, Dentons court-appointed attorney, Douglas Payne, told Criminal Court Judge Jim Goodwin that he and Louis Ricker had been discharged under Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 8, which governs rules of professional conduct. Denton was represented pro bono by Ricker.

The reason for the firings is confidential.

Jury selection had been going on for several hours. All potential jurors were discharged from the case. A new panel of jurors will be called.

In the shooting, Dentons mother, 39-year-old Toshya Millhorn, and her mother, 57-year-old Lena Rose, died at the scene. Dentons stepfather, James Millhorn, 36, died at the hospital.

Denton has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault and one count of reckless endangerment. The aggravated assault and reckless endangerment charges stem from the children, ages 2 to 12, who were in the home during the shooting. Five were the Millhorns children. The sixth was a friend of one of the children.

Denton pleaded not guilty to all of the charges in February 2016.

Staubus is seeking life without the possibility of parole.

A trial date has been set for the Bristol, Tennessee, man charged in the death of three family members who fired his attorneys last week as jury selection was underway.

Robert Seth Denton's trial is scheduled for April 23, 2018, according to Sullivan County District Attorney General Barry Staubus.

His new attorney is Ricky Curtis.

Denton is accused of fatally shooting his shooting his mother, stepfather and grandmother in front of six children in August 2015.
MEADOWVIEW, Va.Two people were arrested Wednesday after the Washington County Sheriff's Office received a call about a suspicious vehicle near Emory & Henry College.

Sheriff Fred Newman said the incident occurred on Oxford Avenue in Meadowview. The sheriff said deputies found two men asleep in a 2004 Chevrolet pickup. A lever-action, high-powered rifle with a scope was also seen lying beside the driver's right leg, the sheriff said.

A K-9 deputy was deployed to the scene and his K-9 alerted on the vehicle. During the search, a substance believed to be methamphetamine was located inside the vehicle, Newman said.

Joseph Hunter Hayden Boyd, 25, of Glade Spring, Virginia, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of brass knuckles. Austin Wayne Helton, 19, of Abingdon, Virginia, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine while in possession of a firearm.

Both men are being held at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Abingdon without bail.
After Parrott's lead disappears, Trone takes 6th District race

Republican state Del. Neil Parrott conceded on Friday after close race. Trone to return as congressman for 6th District.
Chinas games market sees sales volume of almost $15 billion in first half of year

Sales volume of Chinas games market reached 99.78 billion yuan ($14.8 billion) in the first half of 2017, increasing 26.7% year-on-year, said a report on the countrys gaming industry.

The report was jointly issued by Chinas Game Publishers Association Publications Committee, CNG, and International Data Corporation on July 26.

According to the report, the industrys half-year incremental revenue of 21.03 billion yuan is the highest among those achieved since 2009.

Though China now has 507 million game players, the growth rate of the population slowed in the first half of this year, suggesting that the Chinese gaming industry is gradually losing its influence among that demographic and the scale of users has stabilized.

The report says that the revenue of the mobile gaming sector is still growing and accounted for 56.3% of the total gaming revenue.

Meanwhile, China saw 435 million mobile game users in the first 6 months of 2017, a 7.5% increase year-on-year. Though the growth rate of the population has slowed, mobile gaming is still the largest market segment of the industry, thanks to the popularization of smart phones and products such as movies and TV dramas.

In the first half of the year, the actual sales revenue of the top-10 mobile games in the Chinese market accounted for 54.9% of the total income of Chinas mobile gaming sector, revealing a more concentrated market.

In addition, the e-sports market continues to develop. Effective sales reached 35.99 billion yuan, up 43.2% compared with the same period of last year. The mobile e-sports sector surged 100.6% to 17.65 billion yuan, accounting for nearly a third of all mobile gaming revenue.
During Israel's 2014 war in Gaza, Israeli army Capt. Libby Weiss was the first to bring foreign reporters into the Hamas tunnels discovered linking Gaza to Israel.

TEL AVIV-Capt. Libby Weiss spent most of the summer of 2014 in a Hamas tunnel, and she wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else.

Israel's military captured the tunnel, which extended from Gaza into Israel near Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha, during Operation Protective Edge against Hamas in Gaza. As a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, Weiss was tasked with showing the tunnel to journalists, and she was the first to bring foreign reporters into the claustrophobic space.

Her inaugural tour went to Jodi Rudoren of The New York Times and CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer.

"It was really chilling to be inside there," Weiss said. "There were empty potato chip bags and water bottles strewn about on the ground. It made you realize just how close the enemy was."

For the past six years, Weiss has been on call 24/7 for journalists from all over the world. Reporters turn to her when they want to film Israeli soldiers in action or need a quick comment from the IDF on breaking news.

On Aug. 17, Weiss finally will be turning off her army-issued phone. At 29, she is stepping down from her post and retiring from the military.

Weiss is not your typical Israeli soldier. Born in the United States and raised in Portland, Oregon, she moved to Israel in her early 20s and enlisted in the army soon afterward. She didn't have to join up-at the ripe old age of 23, Weiss could have skipped military service-but the thought of foregoing army service didn't even occur to her.

"There was never any doubt in my mind that I wanted to serve," Weiss said "I saw it as the basic responsibility of anyone who is a citizen, and it was also a way from me to adopt my Israeli identity."

She has worked in the IDF Spokesperson's Unit for practically her whole military career. Since March, Weiss has headed the international social media department, overseeing a team of 14 enlisted soldiers and one junior officer who produces viral content in English, Spanish and French. Their mission: tell the story of Israel's army, and promote a positive image of an army that is often condemned by critics overseas.

Working in a nondescript building in central Tel Aviv, the soldiers sit hunched over a bank of computers editing video footage shot in the field and uploading posts to the IDF blog and the army's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat accounts. Most of the soldiers in the division are immigrants -- from North America, South America and France

Weiss got her start in the unit's foreign press branch, doing media tracking and crisis management. Though she initially signed on for only a year and a half of service, she was soon hooked.

"I was fascinated by the work and understood its importance from Day 1," she said. "I didn't have to think twice about staying on and taking leadership roles."

Soon she was named head of the North American media department, where she spent four years. She quickly worked her way up to the rank of captain.

With her phone constantly ringing, no day was ever routine. Weiss always kept her field uniform and safety equipment at the ready in her car.

Sometimes her work took her overseas. After the 2013 Philippines typhoon and the 2015 Nepal earthquake, Weiss deployed with the IDF disaster relief delegations to those countries.

"Every time disaster struck across the world, Libby was my clear choice for deployment because I could count on her completely," said former IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, Weiss' boss and mentor for much of her time in the army.

On assignment abroad, Weiss witnessed some horrific sights -- and some miracles. In Nepal, she saw a teenage boy trapped for many days under rubble pulled out alive and brought for treatment at the IDF field hospital.

"He survived on a bottle of ghee, or clarified butter, that happened to be in an air pocket with him," Weiss recalled.

In the Philippines, Weiss was present for the birth of the first baby born in the IDF field hospital there. His parents named him Israel.

"I became quite friendly with the family, and we are still in touch," she said.

Of all her army experiences, Israel's war with Hamas in 2014 was the most challenging and demanding. Suddenly, Weiss found herself dealing with hundreds of journalists a day rather than with dozens. She did on-camera interviews 10, 20, sometimes 30 times a day. Often they were interrupted by air-raid sirens that sent Weiss and the reporters jumping into ditches to take cover from incoming rockets.

Weiss said the war tested her ability to separate the personal from the professional.

"When you are an Israeli citizen and there is a war, you feel involved. It's here in your backyard. Then add to that being in a military uniform," she said.

"You are exposed and you know about troop movements and military plans before they are carried out, and you find out details that are life changing for people, like when a soldier is killed. It warrants an emotional response on all levels, but as a professional you can't have that."

Growing up as the youngest daughter of Israeli-born parents in Oregon, Weiss never imagined she'd become an IDF officer. And she didn't know she would live in Israel.

"I don't know if I ever saw myself, at least back as a teenager, immigrating to Israel," Weiss said. "But we definitely felt connected to Israel. It was part of our identity. I attended a Jewish day school and my parents spoke to us in Hebrew at home. We saw ourselves as Israeli Americans, and we were certainly Zionists."

After graduating from Northwestern University in 2010 with a degree in political science, Weiss spent a year participating in the Israel Government Fellows, a selective MASA Israel program run by the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem.

Midway through the year, Weiss decided to make Israel her permanent home, and officially made aliyah once the program ended. Because she was an Israeli citizen from birth due to her parents, all she needed to do to immigrate was go to the Interior Ministry, show her Israeli passport and receive an Israeli identity card.

"Here I was making the biggest decision I had made thus far, and maybe the biggest I will ever make, and it took me 15 minutes and was the least painful bureaucratic process I had experienced in Israel," Weiss recalled.

Nevertheless, Weiss feels she missed out on the powerful emotional experience that most North American immigrants get by taking an aliyah flight organized by Nefesh B'Nefesh alongside dozens of other new immigrants with a one-way ticket to the Jewish state.

"I think I would have enjoyed the significance of deplaning and having the community that welcomes you the minute you touch Israeli soil," she said. "That underscores and reinforces what a big decision it is, that you are now joining-or rejoining-the Israeli people"

Nefesh B'Nefesh honored Weiss last month with its 2017 Bonei Zion Young Leadership Award. She also received numerous other awards during her military career, including the prestigious Presidential Award of Excellence in 2014.

Weiss' parents and older siblings all still live in the United States. They say they are proud of Weiss.

"Once Libby moved to Israel, it didn't really surprise us that much that she joined the military," said her brother, Gil, a Chicago physician. "She had a strong sense of wanting to do what was required of her peers and to carry out that responsibility."

Satellite image of the area from Gaza to Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha, where the Hamas tunnels extended.

Now that she's leaving the military, Weiss plans to take some time off and then go into business. She completed the Kellogg-Recanati International Executive MBA program at Tel Aviv University while in the military.

As she begins this next life chapter, Weiss says she has no regrets-either about her time in the army or her decision to move to Israel.

"I see myself as both American and Israeli, and I am appreciative of both countries," she said.

This article was sponsored by and produced in partnership with Nefesh B'Nefesh, which in cooperation with Israel's Ministry of Aliyah, The Jewish Agency, KKL and JNF-USA is minimizing the professional, logistical and social obstacles of aliyah, and has brought over 50,000 olim from North America and the United Kingdom over the last 15 years. This article was produced by JTA's native content team.
(JTA)-Renting a house in the Italian countryside and eating loads of pasta is about as blissful a vacation as they come.

For the three Anati brothers, however, such a trip is a reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust.

Yet the brothers-Bubi, 77; Andrea, 85; and Emmanuel, 88-did just that in 2013, precisely with the aim of reconnecting with their past.

The Anatis were raised in an upper-class family in Florence. In 1942, just before the deportations of Florentine Jews to Auschwitz began, the family escaped the city. They fled from village to village and eventually settled in a forest near Villa a Sesta, a town some 50 miles from Florence. With the help of locals, their father dug a cave-and the family lived underground, literally, for several months during the winter of 1944 until the end of the war.

The family then moved to Israel, where the brothers have lived ever since.

"Shalom Italia," an hourlong documentary directed by Tamar Tal Anati (Bubi's daughter-in-law) aired Monday night, July 24, on the PBS series "Point of View." It follows the brothers' return to Italy in an attempt to find the cave and seek some closure about those dark years. The affable trio treks through the forest, meets with members of a family that helped them survive and, since this is Italy, eats plenty of pasta along the way.

The true joy of this sweet film, however, is the authentic camaraderie of the brothers and their cultivated passion for Italian culture. Bubi, who worked for years at Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science, is the youngest and most earnest. He's the guiding force behind the trip because locating the cave was something he had wanted to do for years.

Andrea, an oceanic physics researcher, is a whimsical goof-he frequently whistles, hums and introduces himself to strangers-in great physical shape for an octogenarian.

Emmanuel-his brothers affectionately call him "Meme" (pronounced "may-may"), and sometimes "Meme mio," or "my Meme"-is an internationally renowned archaeologist. He is the most serious of the three and has no desire to relive his Holocaust memories, having long pushed them out of his mind. But Meme agrees to the trip to satisfy Bubi.

On screen, the brothers' personalities don't exactly clash-they do, however, lightly bump up against one another. They bicker over which room to eat dinner in, when to leave the rented house in the morning and which path to take to find the cave in the forest. But the banter is more endearing than whiny. One particularly humorous debate occurs over whether the brothers brought toy bows and arrows with them when they fled Florence-Andrea insists they did, Meme calls him ridiculous.

In spite of its charm, "Shalom Italia" does not glaze over the serious history underpinning the story. The film's lighthearted tone goes hand in hand with the brothers' ghosts from the war. They have interesting conversations about the nature of memory over mouthwatering meals, which include salami, mozzarella, tomatoes, prosciutto and pasta with pesto.

In one memorable scene, Andrea says he remembers their years on the run fondly-for him it was an adventurous time that brought together the entire family.

"We lived in the woods, played Robin Hood and collected mushrooms," he says. "I had fun during the Holocaust."

Meme ruffles at the remark, saying that while Andrea enjoyed his youth, he was forced to grow up quickly.

At another point, Bubi says he cannot eat or even get close to sardines. He realizes that he feels this way because the family ate sardines during the war.

Ultimately the film is a testament to how memories are filtered through our attitudes and experiences, even the desires of those around us.

"It was very interesting to see that when you confront someone else, your memory starts to change," Tamar Tal Anati told JTA from her home in Tel Aviv. "[And] to see how memory reconstructs itself."

Tal Anati had been married to Bubi's son for years, but was not aware that her father-in-law and his brothers were Holocaust survivors. When Bubi told her about the planned trip to the Italian countryside-and she learned of the cave and the reason for the journey-she felt compelled to film it.

"I was fascinated by the fact that each one of them has a completely different memory of the same event," she said. "And I was curious to see how they would deal with the physical and mental challenge of this journey."

Tal Anati noted that for decades, the brothers did not even think of themselves as true Shoah survivors. But since the filming of "Shalom Italia," which helped them reckon with the memories of that long-ago winter, they do now

"Our character and the way we see life is the result of the memories we hold," she said. "And once these memories change, we change."

"Shalom Italia" will stream online at pov.org from July 24 through Aug. 26.
Roy "Bubba" Segars, second from right, and Jacob "Booby" Daube, far right, posing during the 1973 Yom Kippur War at the Tel Nof air base in Israel.

TEL AVIV (JTA)-The arrival of U.S. fighter jets in Israel, part of a month-long arms drop, was critical to turning the tide of the Yom Kippur War in favor of the Jewish state.

But for the American pilots who volunteered to deliver the aircraft, it was just another mission.

Alan Chesterman, part of a U.S. Navy squadron that flew a handful of the jets, said he had little knowledge of Israel or its security situation when he landed here in October 1973.

"We knew we were flying into a combat zone, but we didn't know anything about it," he said. "It was more like I'm young, adventurous and fearless-you might say young and stupid. I just lived to fly."

Chesterman, 72, was one of two pilots who reunited last week with some of the Israelis to whom they handed the Douglas A-4 Skyhawks. Along with nine other American pilots and their wives, they took a VIP tour of Israel to see what has become of the country since they helped to fend off the surprise onslaught by its Arab neighbors 44 years ago.

Since landing June 24 at Ben Gurion Airport on commercial flights, the Americans have been traveling around the country and receiving briefings from top military officials.

On June 28, they visited the Tel Nof air base, where they exchanged war stories with more than a dozen Israeli pilots who flew the American Skyhawks. They also re-created a photograph that several of them, including retired U.S. fighter pilot Roy "Bubba" Segars, 76, and former Israeli airman Jacob "Booby" Daube, had taken together during the war.

The following day, the American pilots attended a flight course completion ceremony at the Hatzerim Air Force base, where they heard addresses from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin.

Rami Lothan, 65, an Israeli Air Force pilot who greeted the Americans in 1973 and flew one of the Skyhawks in the war, participated in a flight show at the event, flying a propeller-driven training plane. He helped organize and host the trip after meeting members of the group at flight shows in the United States.

Lothan said that in the midst of the Yom Kippur War -- a coalition of Arab armies led by Egypt and Syria caught Israel unprepared on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar-the Israeli pilots had not been able to appreciate the arrival of the Americans, who at the time were still fighting the Vietnam War. This week's visit, he said, has been an opportunity to reflect.

"I don't think we had enough time to sit down and appreciate what was happening. Whatever we could fly, whatever could carry bombs, we flew it," he said. "But seeing these guys; it's like lost brothers. I can admire pilots who don't have any connection to the Middle East, and they just completed tours in Vietnam, and they all volunteered to come here and help us out."

Chesterman recalled that he was stationed at the naval air base in Southern California when the squadron skipper asked for volunteers for a dangerous and unspecified mission. Nearly all the pilots raised their hands. Over the course of two days they made their way to Israel, stopping several times along the way, including in Spain, the only European country that would have them en route to Israel.

Segars, the other pilot from the mission now in Israel, fired some rounds toward Libya on the way.

Although the Americans were only in Israel for a few hours, Chesterman gathered that the country was fully mobilized for war. He recalled seeing the wife and children of a soldier camped in a tent along the runway of the air base with their clothes drying on an air defense battery.

"That's when it hit me: I think they're not just fighting for territory. They're literally fighting for their lives," Chesterman said. "The whole family was basically called up for active duty and was there for the duration. We don't have to do it that way in the United States."

Chesterman said the Israelis welcomed the American pilots with a friendly meal on base, during which he and his fellow pilots "did our best to drink all their booze." One of the Israeli pilots who had been drinking with them suddenly excused himself, saying he needed to return to the war. Only then did the Americans realize he had been drinking iced tea, not beer.

Retired U.S. fighter pilot Roy "Bubba" Segars, left, and retired Israeli fighter pilot Jacob "Booby" Daube holding a photo they took together during the 1973 Yom Kippur War at the same Tel Nof air base in Israel, June 28, 2017.

Segars-the pilot who "fired at Muammar Gaddafi," as Chesterman put it-earnestly tried to convince the Israelis to let him join the battle. But the several beers he had just downed "disabused him of opportunity to go fight in someone else's war," Chesterman said.

Until recently, Chesterman had been afraid to return to Israel because he thought it was unsafe. But this was his second trip to the county in the past two years, and he said he has learned to take comfort in the fact that "the good guys have all the guns."

Chesterman also has gained an appreciation for the role he played in helping Israel at a moment of profound crisis and what the country has become.

"I'm completely impressed by the way the Israelis conduct themselves," he said. "They are proud of their country. It's so young, with so many smart people and technology, but also has so much history. It's an incredible place.

"If it weren't for my kids and grandkids back in the States, Israel would be at the top of my list of places to live."
A Palestinian terrorist fatally stabbed an Israeli father and two of his adult children last Friday night in the Samaria community of Halamish, amid escalating tension over Jerusalem's Temple Mount.

The terror attack in Halamish came on the heels of a Palestinian-incited "day of rage," in which riots erupted after Friday prayers in response to the installation of metal detectors at the entrance gates to the Temple Mount. Israel bolstered security following the July 14 Arab terror attack that killed two Israeli Druze policemen near the holy site.

Several hours before initiating Friday night's attack, 19-year-old Palestinian terrorist Omar al-Abed wrote on Facebook, "There is no life after what is seen in [the Temple Mount compound's] Al-Aqsa [mosque]." Abed added, "All I have is a sharpened knife, and it responds to the call of Al-Aqsa... God will take revenge on you."

The Jordanian-run Islamic Waqf, which administers the Temple Mount, is not "addressing Israel's security needs, or that the metal detectors were installed as a result of terrorism coming out of the Temple Mount plaza," said Dan Diker, director of the Political Warfare project at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (JCPA).

Waqf officials are "expressing their sense of humiliation from having to go through these unilaterally imposed Israeli security measures, and they see this as a fundamental breaking of the status quo" at the holy site, Diker told JNS.org, adding, "If they perceive that their Islamic sense of honor is being crossed, it is a very difficult challenge [for Israel] to confront and overcome."

At the same time, Diker said the current tension surrounding the Temple Mount "does not necessarily mean we are going towards a full-blown conflagration," and that a further escalation in violence is "not self-evident."

'Scenes of a bloodbath'

The three victims in Friday night's Halamish terror attack were Yosef Salomon, 70, his daughter Chaya, 46, and his son Elad, 36. Yosef's wife, Tova, 68, was wounded and rushed to Jerusalem's Shaare Zedek Medical Center, where she underwent surgery Saturday morning.

The Palestinian terrorist, Abed, knocked on the door and burst into the Salomon family's home as they gathered around the table for a festive Shabbat meal, celebrating the birth of a new grandson. As Abed entered, armed with a knife, Elad's wife rushed a group of children to safety in a nearby room, holding the door shut while calling the police. The terrorist stabbed four members of the family before a neighbor, who overheard screaming, ran over and shot him.

"The scenes of a bloodbath that greeted us when we arrived on Saturday evening at the Salomon home shocked us all to the core-even the most veteran ZAKA volunteers," Yehuda Meshi Zahav, chairman of the ZAKA emergency response group, told JNS.org. "It was painstaking work to gather up so much blood, but we were determined to finish so that the victims could be buried as soon as possible, in keeping with Jewish law."

Israel makes 'preventive efforts' as tension escalates

Abed, who was treated for his wounds at Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva, is in the Israeli defense establishment's custody. He was arrested several months ago by Palestinian Authority security forces on suspicion of plotting terror attacks. An Israeli military official said the terrorist's parents were known supporters of the Palestinian terror group Hamas.

Early Saturday morning, IDF troops raided the Abed family home in the village of Kaubar, searching for weapons and additional suspects. The IDF surveyed the home for demolition and arrested the terrorist's brother, 21-year-old Monir al-Abed, on suspicion of aiding Omar in the attack.

Further, the IDF and Israel's Shin Bet security agency arrested 29 Hamas members, including some of the terror group's senior officials, in overnight raids in the disputed territories.

"The wave of detentions...was part of the preventive efforts of the Shin Bet security service and the Israel Defense Forces against the terrorist organizations, particularly during the past week and due to the tension surrounding the Temple Mount and the unrest in the area," the Shin Bet said.

Deteriorating Israeli-Palestinian relations

When news of the Halamish terror attack reached Hamas-controlled Gaza, jubilant Palestinians took to the streets to celebrate and hand out sweets. Hamas praised the "heroic" attack, while Palestinians in Gaza fired a rocket at the Israeli city of Ashkelon early Sunday morning. The rocket "exploded mid-air" and caused no injuries or damage, the IDF said.

Elad Salomon, 36, (r) was also murdered. His wife, Michal, (l) saved 5 children by locking them in a room and calling for help. She's now a widow and a hero.

Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, meanwhile, announced the cancellation of security coordination with Israel as part of a general freeze in communication with the Jewish state. It was the first freeze of Israel-PA security cooperation announced by Abbas since he assumed office in 2005.

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Israel will manage without coordinating security with the PA, slammed Abbas for failing to condemn Friday night's terror attack. "He's not a partner, he's not looking for peace," Lieberman said of Abbas, Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

Regarding the current escalation of Israeli-Palestinian tension, the JCPA's Diker said, "Any time you have terror attacks against Israel, which puts Israel in the position of having to defend itself in terms of passive and active measures, it always looks like things are escalating."

"We've learned from experience," he said, "that these things don't necessarily indicate that there's going to be a major war."
The Japanese government said on Friday it will impose emergency tariffs from August on frozen beef from the United States and some other regions.

Tariffs on frozen beef from the affected regions will be raised from the current 38.5 percent to 50 percent from August 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018, according to the government.

The so-called safeguard mechanism, aimed at protecting Japanese cattle farmers, was triggered by a surge in frozen beef imports in the April to June quarter which, according to government data, reached 89,253 tons, up 17.1 percent from a year earlier.

Under World Trade Organization rules, Japan is allowed to activate the safeguard mechanism when the volume of beef import grows more than 17 percent from a year earlier on a quarterly basis.

As Australian beef is exempted from the emergency measure due to a bilateral free trade agreement, the U.S., as the second largest supplier of frozen beef to Japan following Australia, is to be the major country affected by the tariff hike.

U.S. Meat Export Federation President Philip Seng reportedly said that the tariff hike "will not only have negative implications for U.S. beef producers, but will also have a significant impact on the Japanese food-service industry."

Japan's farm minister Yuji Yamamoto told reporters on Friday that the measures would only have "limited effects" on ordinary consumers as frozen beef affected by the emergency measure accounts for only 20 percent of Japan's total beef imports.

Japan's deputy prime minister Taro Aso said that he is ready to discuss the emergency measure at an economic dialogue with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence scheduled later this year.
(JNS.org)-Vice President Mike Pence said Monday that relocating the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem is only a matter of time.

"I promise you that the day will come when President Donald Trump moves the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. It is not a question of if, it is only when," Pence told the 12th annual Christians United for Israel summit in Washington, D.C.

Pence said he and Trump "stand without apology for Israel today," and touted the president's trip to Israel in May.

"Standing in Jerusalem, in that ancient and holy city, our president declared for all the world to hear that under his leadership, the United States of America 'will always stand with Israel,'" said Pence.

Trump signed a waiver June 1 to keep the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv, avoiding a move to Jerusalem for an additional six months. Since Congress passed legislation in 1995 authorizing the relocation of the embassy to Jerusalem, every sitting president has signed successive six-month waivers delaying the move, citing national security concerns.
(JNS.org) Anti-Israel demonstrations were held across the Muslim world Thursday and Friday to protest Israel's decision to implement metal detectors at the Temple Mount, following the July 14 terror attack that killed two Israeli police officers near the holy site.

In Jordan's capital of Amman Friday, thousands of protesters organized by Islamist groups took to the streets to decry the security measures.

"With our soul, with our blood, we will sacrifice ourselves for you, Al-Aqsa," they chanted, AFP reported. "We will go to Al-Aqsa in our millions as martyrs."

Jordan, one of two Arab countries that have peace treaties with Israel, is the custodian of the Old City of Jerusalem's Muslim holy sites, including the Temple Mount, through the Islamic Waqf.

In Istanbul Thursday night, Turkish Islamists protested outside of the Neve Shalom synagogue with signs denouncing Israel as a "terrorist state."

"Israel has banned Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa mosque for many years," said local Islamist leader Kursat Mican, the Hurriyet Daily News reported. "It has not stopped at that and now it is harassing our Palestinian brothers by putting X-ray devices at the entrances to our sanctuary. Our brothers are not able to pray at the Al-Aqsa mosque. This is limiting to freedom of religion, faith and worship."

The Turkish Chief Rabbinate Foundation condemned the protest and urged authorities to take action.

"We are condemning the provocative act in front of the Neve Shalom synagogue and expecting related authorities to do what's necessary," the foundation posted on Twitter.

Other protests against Israel were held in the Lebanese city of Beirut and the Malaysian city of Kuala Lumpur.
Israeli security officers stand near a newly installed metal detector (left) at one of the entrance gates to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, July 17, 2017.

The Israeli government reopened the Temple Mount complex to Muslims and members of other faiths Sunday with strict new security measures, in the wake of last Friday's attack near the flashpoint holy site, in which Arab terrorists killed two Israeli Druze police officers.

Israeli defense experts who specialize in understanding radical Islamic culture stress that such attacks are likely to occur again.

"For many years, there has been the motivation to create an apocalypse between Islam and Judaism on the basis of the Al-Aqsa mosque (the name of the mosque on the Temple Mount plaza). Sheikh Raed Salah (the head of the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel) is very bold in using this argument day and night," Reuven Berko, a former colonel in the Israel Police and former adviser on Arab affairs for the Jerusalem Police Department, told JNS.org.

Islamic leaders have called on Muslims "to reject and boycott all the Israeli aggression measures," claiming the changes violate a long-held status quo between the Islamic Waqf, which administers the site itself, and Israel, which controls access to the Temple Mount.

After metal detectors were installed at the entrance gates to the Temple Mount, Sheikh Omar Kiswani, director of the Al-Aqsa mosque, told Israeli media, "We reject the changes imposed by the Israeli government. We will not enter through these metal detectors."

Unholy act at a holy site?

"Radical Muslims do not give a damn about the fact that a site is holy-even to themselves. They have a long track record of using holy sites of all faiths as arenas to promote their radical agenda, across the Middle East," Berko said.

Berko suggested that future incidents on the Temple Mount are likely due to ongoing "incitement and the circumstances which support and encourage using weapons, killing innocent people and creating chaos." He noted that the terrorists, who came from the Israeli Arab town of Umm al-Fahm, were incited by radicals like Salah, who are affiliated with Hamas and were "raised on the same petri dish" as the global movement of Islamic State and other Muslim terror groups.

There have been numerous cases of weapons stockpiling on the Temple Mount in recent years, with multiple incidents of stone-throwing and firebombing. Last Friday's attack was the first major incident in recent years involving automatic weapons.

"Many times within the Al-Aqsa mosque, we discovered several hiding places, stockpiled with means to kill," Berko said, referring to his time with the Israel Police.

According to Dr. Mordechai Kedar-a researcher at Bar-Ilan University's Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies and a leading scholar on Arab culture, who served for 25 years within the IDF's military intelligence units-the Temple Mount has long been a source of radical Islamic incitement against Israel and the U.S.

"There are hundreds of recordings of sermons from the Temple Mount, replete with violence, replete with incitement against the Jews, against Israel. And unfortunately, Israel just lets it go," Kedar told JNS.org.

Kedar said the violence stems "from an ideological imperative to prevent Israeli sovereignty," noting that in Muslim doctrine, Islam "cannot exist side by side" with another religion, and that "within Islam there is only the concept of one religion being dominant over the other."

"Muslims do not want Jews in the land of Israel, especially in Jerusalem, and particularly on the Temple Mount. Islam, as a religion, cannot accept a Jewish state. They view Judaism as a threat on Islam," said Kedar, adding that while murderous acts are considered unholy to Jews and Westerners, acts of martyrdom can be considered holy in Islamic culture.

Determination to prevent future attacks

Understanding Islamic culture and using it to develop sound policies is a key to preventing further violence, according to both Berko and Kedar.

"They are violent, but if they face an iron wall, they will retreat-once they understand that they cannot defeat us," Kedar said. "And this is now left for the state of Israel, to decide whether Israel will succumb to the dictates of Islam, or not. The more determined Israel is in this regard, the better the chances that this round of violence will be short, and on low gear."

For more than a decade, worshippers or tourists wishing to visit the adjacent Western Wall-a site revered by Jews in absence of full permission to enter and pray on the Temple Mount-have been forced to pass through metal detectors, despite the fact that there have been no recently recorded incidents of Jews seeking to commit acts of terror at the site. Now these same measures are being installed on the Temple Mount, where tens of thousands of Arabs can gather to pray on Fridays and during the month of Ramadan.

Berko noted that recommendations for stricter security measures at the Temple Mount were presented in 2014, "but they were not implemented." He stressed the sensitivities Israel must contend with when dealing with Jordan, which controls the Islamic Waqf; the Palestinians, many of whom are employed by the Waqf; and Muslims who pray on the site.

Muslims with a stake in the issue object to the stricter security measure, Berko said, "because they are afraid. They view this move not as a step to protect their own prayers, or to protect the mosque, but rather they treat it as an attempt by Israel to control Al-Aqsa."

In addition to the new metal detectors, Berko said Israel must strengthen the powers of police around the Temple Mount, improve surveillance, and strengthen coordination between the police and the Shin Bet security agency to gather better intelligence on attacks before they occur.

"The only ones that can prevent Al-Aqsa from turning into a base for terror operations," he said, "are the Israeli police."
JERUSALEM (JTA)-When Nedal Sader first heard the crackle of automatic weapon fire Friday morning, he couldn't believe it was coming from the Temple Mount.

As a Muslim, he regarded the complex just outside his apartment as a sacred and peaceful place. He prayed there nearly every week.

But as a seasoned first responder, he knew what gunshots sounded like echoing off the stones of the Old City. He finished dressing, threw on his medic's jacket and raced to the scene.

Sader, a 37-year-old nurse and father of five, was the first medical professional to arrive at the Temple Mount following the attack in which two Israeli Druze police officers were shot dead. The three Arab-Israeli gunmen were then killed by police on the scene.

Amid the carnage at the politically and religiously fraught complex, Sader said he simply tried to save whomever he could.

"It doesn't matter who the person is," said Sader, a Muslim volunteer with United Hatzalah, the Orthodox Jewish-run ambulance service. "Whoever needs help most gets help first."

Sader joined the mostly haredi rescue service in 2012, soon after his father died of a heart attack while waiting for an ambulance. He said he hoped to improve emergency medical care in the Arab quarter of the Old City, which like other Arab neighborhoods in eastern Jerusalem has long suffered from lack of services. It is illegal for Jewish medics to enter Arab villages or neighborhoods without a police escort because of security concerns.

"I had to do something," he said. "I didn't want the same thing to happen to anyone else in my neighborhood or in Israel."

United Hatzalah has about 300 Muslim, Druze and Christian volunteer EMTs, paramedics and doctors, who account for about 10 percent of the total, according to spokesman Raphael Poch. He said the organization began recruiting Muslims to serve their own neighborhoods about a decade ago.

"We formed the organization to respond in every community in Israel," Poch said. "Because we're community based, that means engaging Muslim volunteers."

Sader said that in the past five years, he has responded to seven major Palestinian attacks in the Old City, often on a motor scooter provided by United Hatzalah. When responding to calls, Sader said, he leaves on his helmet and sometimes his sunglasses to avoid being identified as Arab. He also tries not to speak much.

"I don't want to deal with being seen. Some Arabs might get upset. Some Jews might get upset," he said. "I focus on helping people. That's what's important."

After Friday's attack, police officers on the Temple Mount saw Sader coming and urged him to treat their fallen comrades. But he had to wait for a moment until the attackers-later identified as cousins from northern Israel-were subdued.

The first casualty Sader came upon was one of the slain officers, whom he quickly determined was beyond help. Moving southward, he passed the bodies of two of the attackers and saw the third prone on the ground, surrounded by police. The officers directed him to the second fallen officer and, finding no pulse, he began CPR.

Soon thereafter, the subdued gunman leapt up and attacked the officers surrounding him with a knife-a moment that was caught on video. The resulting hail of police bullets, which killed the attacker, whizzed around Sader as he applied compression with the help of another officer. Still, he continued for about 15 minutes, until an ambulance arrived. But the officer was never revived.

When it comes to the tensions on the Temple Mount, Sader said both Arabs and Jews are to blame. The former site of the ancient Jewish temple is the holiest in Judaism. Meanwhile, two Arab prayer sites, the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa mosque, make it among the most important places in Islam as well.

Since Israel captured the Temple Mount from Jordan in the 1967 Six-Day War, the site has become a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some Jews, mostly from the Orthodox national religious community, never accepted Israel's decision to keep the mount an exclusively Muslim prayer site after the war. Although Israel insists it has no plans to change the status quo, Palestinian suspicions to the contrary helped fuel the first and second intifadas, or uprisings, and the wave of stabbings and car-ramming attacks that started in October 2015.

Sader, who like most Palestinian residents of eastern Jerusalem has opted not to pursue Israeli citizenship, said violence is unacceptable in such a religious place. But as is common in the Arab world, he denied historic or religious claims by Jews to the mount and said he opposed allowing Jewish prayer and new security measures introduced since the attack.

He did seem to concede the Western Wall to the Jews.

"I respect the Kotel and other holy places, and I think people should respect our holy place," he said, using the Hebrew term for the Western Wall.

On Friday night, Sader headed to his paid job. He worked a 24-hour shift at the Terem medical clinic in the mostly haredi West Bank settlement of Beitar Illit He said he respects religious Jews and their customs, and does not openly smoke or speak on his cellphone during his breaks on Shabbat, when Orthodox Jews eschew such activities.

Typically, Sader said, he can get some sleep on the Shabbat shift. But this time he found himself pacing the halls all night, even when there were no patients to care for.

"After a day like that, you can't sleep," he said. "But I'm OK now. We're used to stuff like this. It wears off after a little while."
Is a "mobilized faction" in the American Jewish community attempting to "censor" dovish views? The president of The Forward newspaper thinks so, but other editors and leaders of some left-of-center Jewish organizations see things differently.

The dispute arises from the July 12 episode of the Jewish Broadcasting Service (JBS) television series "L'Chayim," which featured a panel discussion on freedom of speech in the Jewish community.

At the center of the discussion was The Forward's decision to publish a full-page ad in its June 2 edition from Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), supporting imprisoned Palestinian terrorist Marwan Barghouti.

At the time, The Forward's publisher, Rachel Fishman Feddersen, said she decided to run the ad because "mass media itself is on the firing line, and freedom of expression is under pressure from our own government." In the July 12 television segment, however, The Forward's president, Samuel Norich, offered a different explanation. He said freedom of speech is "endangered" because "there is a mobilized faction in the Jewish community that is seeking to censor."

Asked by JNS.org to identify the individuals or organizations to whom he was referring, Norich responded, "I have no further comment."

Editors deny censorship

"I don't feel pressured or censored," Rob Golub, editor of the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, told JNS.org. "I don't think any alleged restriction of points of view can even be much of a meaningful problem in the media today. There's all the opinion you could ever want on Twitter. Nobody is sitting around thinking to themselves, 'Darn, I only wish in 2017 I could get access to more opinions.'"

"Is [Norich] suggesting there is a group who have formally joined forces to silence the Jewish press?" asked Judie Jacobson, editor-in-chief of the Connecticut Jewish Ledger. "If so, he needs to 'out' that group. Name them. Shame them... It is incumbent upon him to be more specific."

Hillel Goldberg, executive editor of Colorado's Intermountain Jewish News; Mordecai Specktor, publisher and editor of Minnesota's American Jewish World; and David Ben-Hooren, publisher of New York's The Jewish Voice, all likewise told JNS.org that no factions in the Jewish community have attempted to censor their newspapers.

"This idea that there is some force trying to censor the Jewish media or community is all in the minds of The Forward's editors," Ben-Hooren said. "It's not reality."

Some left-of-center Jewish organizations likewise report no efforts to silence them. Ori Nir, a spokesman for Americans for Peace Now, said there have been no attempts to prevent officials of his organization from publishing articles or speaking in public forums, nor any pressure on newspapers to reject the group's advertisements. He said there have been instances in which editors turned down APN's op-eds because they were deemed "too sensitive" or "too controversial," although many other newspapers have published them.

Controversy over boycotting Israelis

Partners for Progressive Israel, the U.S. affiliate of Israel's left-wing Meretz political party, has encountered some "attempts to silence us," according to Dr. Maya Haber, PPI's director of programming and strategy. She cited the fact that PPI's Detroit chapter has not been allowed to participate in that community's Walk for Israel for the past several years. Organizers of the event said PPI was excluded because it promotes the boycott of Israelis who reside beyond the pre-1967 lines.

Haber also said, "Our views are seldom taken into account even by organizations in which we are represented." But Haber, like The Forward's Norich, declined requests from JNS.org to name the organizations she is accusing.

Granate Sosnoff, communications strategist for JVP, the group at the center of the original controversy over The Forward, told JNS.org there have been no attempts to interfere with her group's activities or publications.

"This does not mean that ongoing attempts to silence us by intimidation and other means do not occur," she said, pointing to anonymous posters that recently appeared in the neighborhood where JVP Executive Director Rebecca Vilkomerson resides. The unsigned posters criticized JVP for working with American Muslims for Palestine, a group the Anti-Defamation League says "has at times provided a platform for anti-Semitism."

Former Union of Reform Judaism President Rabbi Eric Yoffie, who was part of the July 12 JBS panel, said he has received harassing emails in response to some of his articles, but "they come from individuals, not organizations, and they don't bother me."

"Generally speaking, I believe that we are blessed with a lively and open discussion in the American Jewish community, and I don't see much evidence that freedom of speech is endangered in any way," Yoffie said.

Scanned copy of The Forward print edition The paid advertisement supporting Palestinian terrorist Marwan Barghouti that was published last month in The Forward.

Another participant in the JBS television discussion, Amanda Berman, director of legal affairs at The Lawfare Project, told JNS.org there is "a censorship problem related to Jewish and pro-Israel advocacy, but Sam Norich's position on that problem is entirely inverted." She pointed to recent instances in which pro-Israel speakers and events on college campuses have been disrupted or shut down "by raging mobs chanting genocidal slogans and expletives." Instead of focusing on such activities, The Forward "has now set a precedent [by publishing the Barghouti advertisement] that its pages are a welcome place for terrorists aiming to perpetuate genocidal viewpoints and outright lies," Berman said.

"No one silenced The Forward," said New York University legal scholar Thane Rosenbaum, who also took part in the July 12 JBS panel discussion. "They made this decision without anyone's help. If they were a true Jewish news source, they would have practiced self-censorship, and not given voice and moral support to a killer of Jews."
There is a broad consensus among American Jewish leaders in support of Israel's use of metal detectors to intercept terrorists on Jerusalem's Temple Mount.

The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations "supports taking the necessary and appropriate steps to assure security for all and to protect the sanctity of these holy sites," the umbrella group's executive vice chairman and CEO, Malcolm Hoenlein, told JNS.org.

Herbert Block, executive director of the American Zionist Movement, said, "If the authorities responsible for security feel certain measures are necessary to meet their responsibility to protect those who visit for prayer or as respectful visitors, it is no different than security considerations at the Vatican, at the [U.S.] Capitol or any other significant location where public access is permitted under applicable law."

"In a world where security measures are being enhanced in major gathering places, it's only surprising that the Temple Mount didn't have such measures until now," American Jewish Committee CEO David Harris told JNS.org. "The terror attack last week, in which two Israelis were killed, is a tragic reminder of why metal detectors are needed for the safety of all visitors and personnel."

The World Jewish Congress (WJC) and B'nai B'rith International are taking similar positions.

"It is not the presence of metal detectors that leads to violence, rather the unrelenting incitement to violence on the part of the Palestinian Authority that does not cease," said Betty Ehrenberg, the WJC's executive director for North America. "In the interest of protecting the safety and security of all visitors to the Temple Mount and in keeping the peace at the holy site, the metal detectors need to remain in place, as they are at the Western Wall and in many sensitive and holy places around the world, including Mecca and the Vatican."

B'nai B'rith International said in a statement provided to JNS.org that the Israeli government "cannot look the other way in the face of acts of violence, especially in light of the killings of its police officers. Metal detectors are one way, used globally, to keep the public safe. There may be other methods, as well, but doing nothing is not an option."

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism has not taken a position on the issue, but several prominent Conservative rabbis are speaking out in favor of the metal detectors.

Writing from Israel, Rabbi Neil Cooper of Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El, near Philadelphia, pointed out that not only do many Israeli malls and restaurants have metal detectors, but in addition, "When one enters the Western Wall Plaza, one is required to pass through metal detectors. It is expected, anticipated and reasonable." Cooper said he was surprised to learn that metal detectors have not been used on the Temple Mount until now.

"It should be welcomed by everyone who abhors violence and will impede those desiring to harm others," he said.

Rabbi Joel Meyers, executive vice president emeritus of Conservative Judaism's Rabbinical Assembly, noted, "Most of us in the United States go through metal detectors daily in order to enter public buildings and most Israelis go through metal detectors to even enter a shopping mall, so if needed to help security on the Temple Mount, there should be no discussion."

Among dovish groups, Dr. Michael Koplow, policy director of the Israel Policy Forum (IPF), told JNS.org, "IPF's position is that metal detectors at the entrances to the Temple Mount are a commonsense and relatively unobtrusive way to protect the safety of both Jews and Muslims on the Temple Mount and its environs, and that erecting them does not alter the site's status quo."

Americans for Peace Now agreed that "security measures are obviously necessary at this spot," although the organization added that it "reserves judgment on the specifics of the security tools utilized in Jerusalem's Holy Basin."
Jared Kushner says Russia charges ridicule Trump voters

WASHINGTON (JTA)In a rare public statement, Jared Kushner insisted he did not collude with Russia and said the query into suspicions of a relationship between Russia and Donald Trumps presidential election campaign ridiculed Trump voters.

Let me very clear, I did not collude with Russia, nor did I know of anyone else in the campaign who did so, Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and a top aide, said Monday, reading a prepared statement after appearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee in a closed session.

Kushner is in the spotlight because of revelations in recent weeks that he attended a June 9, 2016, meeting organized by his brother-in-law, Donald Trump Jr., who took the meeting believing it would be with a Russian government lawyer who had incriminating intelligence on Trumps rival, Hillary Clinton. Also under review are reports that Kushner, like his father-in-law in the real estate business, owes money to Russian lenders.

I had no improper contacts, he said. I have not relied on Russian funds for my businesses and I have been fully transparent in providing all requested information.

Kushner suggested the investigation was a means of undercutting Trumps election.

Donald Trump had a better message and ran a smarter campaign, and that is why he won, Kushner said. Suggesting otherwise ridicules those who voted for him.

Kushner said he remained committed to his work, citing among his many assignments bringing peace to the Middle East.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to work on important matters such as Middle East peace and reinvigorating Americas innovative spirit, he said.

Israeli Embassy guard in Jordan kills assailant, bystander after being stabbed with screwdriver

(JTA)An Israeli Embassy guard in Amman, Jordan, killed his 17-year-old assailant and a bystander after being stabbed in the chest with a screwdriver.

The attacker reportedly entered the home of an embassy official on Sunday evening to replace the furniture when he saw the security guard and stabbed him. The guard then pulled out his firearm and shot the attacker in the chest.

Reports said the owner of the residential building used by the embassy was hit with a stray bullet and killed.

Jordanian police are demanding to question the guard, while relatives of the stabber are calling for the death penalty.

The Israeli Embassy has refused to release the guard to the Jordanians for questioning, saying he has immunity. Jordan, meanwhile, refuses to allow the guard to leave the country.

The Israeli diplomatic team remains confined to the embassy compound, despite plans to evacuate the embassy staff and return them to Israel, Haaretz reported.

The Foreign Ministry told the Israeli media that it considers the incident to be a terror attack and related to the current Temple Mount crisis.

The father of the teen assailant reportedly told a Jordanian television station that he does not believe his son intended to attack an Israeli. However, he also said, I consider my son to be a martyr for Allah.

Thousands of Jordanians demonstrated against Israel in Amman on Friday over the installation of metal detectors at the Temple Mount. Among the chants heard at the demonstration was How beautiful it is to kill soldiers in Jerusalem, Ynet reported. The Jordan-based Islamic Waqf is the administrator of the Temple Mount.

Jordan allows Israeli Embassy employees, including guard who killed attacker, to return to Israel

JERUSALEM (JTA)The members of Israels diplomatic mission in Amman, Jordan, including a security guard who shot and killed his teenage assailant and a bystander, are back in Israel.

The embassy employees, who had been confined to the embassy compound all day Monday following the stabbing attack Sunday evening by a 17-year-old and subsequent shooting, returned late Monday through the Allenby Bridge.

In a statement issued shortly after 11 p.m. Monday, the Israeli Prime Ministers Office said their return was made possible by the close cooperation that took place in the last 24 hours between Israel and Jordan.

The head of the Israel Security Agency, or Shin Bet, Nadav Argaman, traveled Monday to Jordan in an effort to diffuse the crisis.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jordans King Abdullah spoke that afternoon by telephone. Abdullah told Netanyahu to remove the metal detectors placed at the entrances to the Temple Mount used by Muslim worshippers, put into place after three Arab-Israelis killed two Druze-Israeli police officers in a July 14 terrorist attack near the Al-Aqsa mosque.

Israels Security Cabinet met for several hours Monday evening in an effort to resolve the crisis over security measures on the Temple Mount and the escalating diplomatic crisis with Jordan.

In the attack Sunday, the assailant entered a residential building occupied by the embassy to install furniture and stabbed the Israeli guard with a screwdriver. The guard shot and killed the assailant. The buildings owner, who was standing nearby, was killed after being hit by a stray bullet.

Jordanian police had demanded to question the guard, while relatives of the stabber called for the death penalty. The embassy refused to turn the guard over to the Jordanians for questioning, saying he had immunity.

Jordanian security forces reportedly held mobs of protesters who had gathered at the embassy at bay following the incident.

The Israeli media reported that the government is considering removing the metal detectors and replacing them with high-tech security cameras, and is aiming to make the changes before Friday, the busiest day at the site for Muslim prayers.

The cameras reportedly would be located a distance away from the gates into the site, so as not to offend the worshippers, who have been protesting the metal detectors by refusing to enter the sites and holding worship services at the gates, leading to clashes with Israeli security forces that have killed at least five Muslims.

BDS activists reportedly prevented from boarding flight to Israel

(JTA)Five members of an interfaith delegation to Israel were prevented from boarding their flight from Washington, D.C., due to their activism on behalf of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.

The Jewish Voice for Peace organization said in a statement Monday that the delegation tried to check into its Lufthansa flight at Dulles International Airport, only to be told that the Israeli government had ordered the airline not to let the five passengers aboard.

In March, the Israeli parliament, or Knesset, amended the Law of Entry to prevent leaders of the BDS movement from being allowed into Israel. The amendment applies to organizations that take consistent and significant action against Israel through BDS, as well as the leadership and senior activists of those groups.

Lufthansa spokesman Tal Muscal confirmed that the delegation members were not allowed to fly per the Israeli governments request. Lufthansa was not made aware of the reason for the order.

Muscal said the airline must obey government requests like these to block passengers from boarding flights.

We dont know who these people are, Muscal told JTA. We have no information as to why the Israeli government does not want them to enter. We simply have to abide by the rules and regulations of every country in which we operate.

The Israeli Prime Ministers Office declined to comment on the report.

Three of the activists were from JVP, including a rabbi. The other two delegation members prevented from boarding the flight were Rick Ufford Chase of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship in Rockland County, New York, and Shakeel Syed, a national board member with American Muslims for Palestine in Los Angeles.

The other 18 participants with the Interfaith Network for Justice in Palestine delegation arrived Monday morning in Israel and were allowed to enter after several hours of detention and questioning, according to JVP.

JVP states on its website that it supports boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel.

Israel denied me the ability to travel there because of my work for justice for Palestinians, even though Im Jewish and a rabbi, Rabbi Alissa Wise said in the JVP statement. Im heartbroken and outraged. This is yet another demonstration that democracy and tolerance in Israel only extends to those who fall in line with its increasingly repressive policies against Palestinians.

Syed said in the statement that he had his boarding pass in hand when the Lufthansa representative informed me that they had a direct order from Israeli immigration authorities to not allow us to board the plane. Furthermore, they refused to even show us the Israeli order.

JVP said it is believed to be the first time that the amendment has been enforced before passengers boarded their flights to Israel and the first time that Israel has denied entry to Jews, including a rabbi, for their support of BDS.

Following the passage of the Entry Law amendment, several groups that promote BDS planned to organize delegations to come to Israel and test the boundaries of the amendment.

An anti-BDS bill making its way through Congress would expand existing law that bans boycotts imposed by foreign governments to include those imposed by international organizations like the European Union and the United Nations.

Second anti-Israel protest staged outside Istanbul synagogue

(JTA)For the second time in less than a week, protesters demonstrated against Israel outside a synagogue in Istanbul over Israels decision to put up metal detectors at the entrance to the Temple Mount.

The latest incident reported in the Turkish media occurred Saturday outside the Ahrida Synagogue on the European side of the Turkish capital, in the north of the neighborhood of Fatih, which is a stronghold of the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist movements in Turkey.

Responding to the Turkish Jewish communitys protests, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yldrm said in a statement Sunday to the media that while limiting Muslims access to Al-Aqsa mosque for whatever reason is an unacceptable mistake that Turkey expects Israel to undo immediately, the Turkish government does not agree with actions actions outside places of worship of Jewish citizens.

Yldrm said the government expects on all citizens exercise self restraint. The short statement did not say what would happen to those who do live up to the governments expectation.

Israel installed the security devices at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, at the site the Muslims call Haram al Sharif, in response to a July 14 terrorist attack near the Al-Aqsa mosque that killed two Israeli police officers.

At the Ahrida Synagogue, which is one of the countrys oldest, at least 29 men gathered carrying signs with anti-Israel slogans and a cardboard structure meant to symbolize an X-ray machine, the Haberler news website reported.

On Thursday, protesters showed up at the Neve Shalom synagogue in Istanbul, where they kicked the front door and hurled objects at it. Leaders of Turkish Jews condemned the targeting of synagogues to protest Israels actions. Following the July 14 attack, Israel temporarily limited access to the holy site for men under 50 and placed metal detectors at the entrance to the site.

Synagogues, which have been targeted by Islamists and other terrorists in Turkey in the past, are heavily guarded in Istanbul by police. To enter Istanbuls main synagogues, including Neve Shalom, visitors must obtain the permission of the Jewish community prior to arriving there. The fact that demonstrators were able to gather outside the synagogues and stage protests there is highly unusual for Istanbul.

In the aftermath of the officers slaying, in which the three Arab-Israeli terrorists were shot dead by police, several Palestinians died in riots over the past week and three Jews were murdered in the West Bank settlement of Halamish inside their home by a Palestinian terrorist.

On Sunday, a security officer at the Israeli Embassy in Aman, Jordan, killed a man that Israels Foreign Ministry said had come to carry out a terrorist attack at the compound Approximately 30 people were besieged in the embassy on Monday due to the Jordanian authorities desire to detain and question embassy staff, who have diplomatic immunity under international treaties.

Jason Greenblatt, Trumps envoy, heads to Israel to help reduce Temple Mount tensions

WASHINGTON (JTA)Jason Greenblatt, President Donald Trumps special envoy for international relations, is headed to Israel in a bid to help reduce tensions as Jerusalems Temple Mount remains a flashpoint and after a Palestinian terrorist killed three Israelis from the same family in a West Bank stabbing attack.

President Trump and his administration are closely following unfolding events in the region, a senior administration official told JTA on Sunday night, speaking on condition of anonymity and reporting Greenblatts departure.

The United States utterly condemns the recent terrorist violence, including the horrific attack Friday night that killed three people at their Shabbat dinner table in Halamish, and sends condolences to the families of the innocent victims, the official said. We are engaged in discussions with the relevant parties and are committed to finding a resolution to the ongoing security issues.

Greenblatt would closely coordinate with the National Security Council and with Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law who is a top aide and is charged with renewing Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, the official said.

Yosef Salomon, 70, and his children Chaya, 46, and Elad, 36, were killed by a 19-year-old Palestinian attacker from a nearby village who entered the home in the Halamish settlement and began stabbing the family members. They had gathered at the Salomon home to celebrate the birth of a baby to another of the senior Salomons sons. His wife, Tovah, 68, was injured in the attack.

Thousands attended the funerals on Sunday afternoon at the cemetery in the central Israeli city of Modiin.

The area around the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism and also the location of the Haram A-Sharif, the third holiest site in Islam, has been riven with tensions since July 14 when three Arab-Israelis shot and killed two Israeli police officers at the holy site before they were shot to death.

Israeli authorities installed metal detectors at the site in the wake of the attack and since then, Muslims have refused to enter the Temple Mount, instead praying outside of its gates, leading to clashes and the deaths of at least five Palestinians in recent days.

Arab-Israeli man stabbed by Palestinian assailant

JERUSALEM (JTA)An Arab-Israeli man was stabbed several times in the neck by a Palestinian assailant in the central Israel city of Petach Tikvah.

The 32-year-old victim in the Monday morning attack was taken to a local hospital with moderate wounds, Israel Police said. He is an Egged bus driver who was on a break getting a cup of coffee.

Civilian bystanders stopped the attacker, 21, from the West Bank Palestinian city of Qalqilya and in Israel illegally, while he was fleeing the scene and wrestled him to the ground, according to the Israel Police. He was arrested and taken for questioning.

The attacker, who has not been named, was previously jailed in Israel for activity against the state, The Times of Israel reported, citing the Israel Security Agency, or Shin Bet. Israel Police said they are treating the incident as a nationalistic attack on an Israeli target.

The Palestinian assailant told investigators that I did it for Al Aqsa, according to reports, referring to the mosque on the Temple Mount, or what the Muslims call Haram al Sharif.

There have been several terror attacks by Palestinians and Arabs against Israeli targets since the July 14 attack on the Temple Mount that left two Druze-Israeli security guards dead and led to the installation of metal detectors at Muslim entrances to the holy site. Muslims have been killed in clashes with Israeli police over the installation of the security devices.

Israeli tank fires on Hamas post in Gaza in retaliatory strike

JERUSALEM (JTA)An Israeli army tank attacked a Hamas post in the southern Gaza Strip in response to rockets fired on southern Israel.

The Israeli attack came early Monday morning after two rocket attacks Sunday on Israelin the morning and late evening. Both rockets fell in open areas and did not cause any damage, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

The Code Red siren alerts were not sounded since both rockets were heading toward unpopulated areas.

There were no reports on damages or casualties in the retaliatory attack.

New Jersey town orders religious boundary taken down

(JTA)A town in New Jersey has ordered an Orthodox Jewish organization to take down its eruv, or religious boundary, by early next month.

Mahwah, which is located across the New York state border, told the South Monsey Eruv Fund to remove the white plastic piping from utility poles that it uses for the symbolically enclosed area by Aug. 4. An eruv allows observant Jews to carry objects and push strollers outside of their homes on Shabbat.

The Orthodox community told The Associated Press that it had been given permission to hang the piping by the utility company But town officials said the piping is banned because it is considered signage.

More than 1,200 people have signed an online petition calling for the eruv to be taken down. Many of the dozens of comments accompanying the petition, titled Protect the Quality of our Community in Mahwah, refer to these people and express concerns about falling property values. Most of them are anonymous.

I dont want these rude, nasty, dirty people who think they can do what they want in our nice town, one of the comments reads.

Another says: I do not want the town of Mahwah to turn into an undesirable place to live. These people do not assimilate with other people outside their community. I do not want them controlling our school board and siphoning funds for their yeshivas. Also, they buy houses which they claim is for religious purposes and do not pay taxes. They should stay where they are and leave our town alone.

New York Times names David Halbfinger new Jerusalem bureau chief

(JTA)The New York Times has named David Halbfinger, its deputy national editor, to serve as the newspapers Jerusalem bureau chief.

Halbfinger, a 20-year veteran of the Times, has served as a reporter for the metro, national and culture sections. He also covered John Kerrys presidential run in 2004.

The Times announcement called the Israel post one of the scrutinized (and most prestigious) jobs in journalism.

He has written hard-hitting investigations of corrupt public officials and businessmen, murderous prison guards, law-breaking Hollywood moguls, roamed his native Long Island, the Bronx, and eight states in the South, left a big mark in New Jersey, covered John Kerrys presidential run and helped lead the politics team in New York, Times International Editor Michael Slackman and Deputy International Editor Greg Winter said in the announcement of Halbfingers appointment.

On Twitter, Halbfinger said the new job was A dream fulfilled. He will begin work after Labor Day. His wife and three children will move to Jerusalem in August.

The family are members of Congregation Shomrei Emunah in Montclair, New Jersey. The synagogue is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

Halbfinger succeeds Ian Fisher, who took the position in January after Peter Baker, who had served there for one year, left to cover Donald Trumps presidency in Washington, D.C. Fisher, who has been at the Times for 28 years, will spend the next year with his family in Italy, according to the newspaper.
Shirin Musa handing out fliers in Rotterdam featuring images from the poster campaign on free choice of partners, May 25, 2017.

AMSTERDAM (JTA)-In a country where sex toys are displayed in shop windows and television commercials often feature nudity, a picture of a clothed, heterosexual couple kissing may not seem like the stuff of scandal.

But precisely such an image-part of a poster campaign celebrating diversity in the Netherlands-has triggered acrimonious debate, charges of racism, acts of vandalism and even threats by those who found it offensive.

The reason: The women pictured in a series of posters were wearing Muslim headscarves, including one woman who was shown kissing a man wearing a kippah.

To some of the detractors, the poster campaign was a provocation designed to upset the sensibilities of Dutch Muslims and other non-white minorities. But to campaign supporters, including some prominent members of the Dutch Jewish community, it was an important statement about the need to counter radicalism and coercion in the Netherlands' growing Muslim minority.

Initiated by a Muslim activist for women's rights, Shirin Musa, the posters are part of a municipal initiative in support of women, mostly Muslim, who face abuse if they choose spouses their communities disapprove of. Bearing the slogan "In the Netherlands, you choose your own partner," the posters were placed in bus stops and on signposts across Rotterdam. Supporters of the initiative also handed out fliers with the images on the streets.

The campaign features four couples locking lips against a background featuring the port city's iconic Erasmus Bridge: the Jewish-Muslim couple; a Muslim woman kissing a blond man; two women, one in a South Asian dress; and a black man with a woman who appears to be of South Asian descent. (Leefbaar Rotterdam, the rightist faction that led the municipally sponsored campaign, did not immediately answer JTA's query as to whether the people in the posters were real-life couples or actors posing as lovers.)

The campaign is in support of "women with an immigrant background from patriarchal communities," Musa said in an interview on Dutch television last month. Such women, she said, are subjected to violence and coercion over their choice of romantic partners.

Citing a 2014 study by the Verwey Jonker Institue, a social policy research group, Dutch officials say there are between 600 and 1,900 victims of forced marriage in the Netherlands. The report also describes wives who are held captive or abandoned.

Virtually all of the major media in the Netherlands have reported on the controversy around the poster campaign. On the prime-time talk show "Pauw," the head of the Dutch Labour Party, Lodweijk Asscher, praised the campaign as "beautiful."

But the posters triggered a backlash among some Muslims, including within Asscher's own party. One of Labour's representatives on the Rotterdam City Council, Fatima Talbi, wrote in an op-ed that she was "furious" about the campaign, which she said treats Muslims as though they are "backward" by turning the matter of forced marriage into "an integration issue."

Tunahan Kuzu, a lawmaker in the Dutch parliament for the radical pro-Islam, pro-immigration party Denk, which in the March elections won three seats in the parliament's lower house, called the campaign "provocative, discriminating and patronizing." Several of the posters were vandalized, hateful rhetoric was directed at their supporters on social media and activists distributing campaign fliers reported threats of violence. Police assigned officers to watch over some of the activists following several incidents.

One man told an activist from Musa's Femme for Freedom organization: "I'm going to thump you on your f***ing head if you give me this flier," Tanya Hoogwerf, a Rotterdam councilwoman, told the PowNed television channel last month.

Two men filmed themselves destroying a poster that was placed on a bus shelter.

"Choose your own freedom, they say," one of the men said. "Rip it all the way out."

Musa Movi, a well-known Muslim comedian, in a video called the campaign's initiators "mosquitoes that you don't see coming, but when they get you-it's over." He then slapped his own neck as one does when killing a mosquito.

The poster featuring the man wearing a kippah was the image that "drew the most attention and criticism" by Muslims, according to Ronny Naftaniel, the executive vice chairman of the Brussels-based CEJI group, a Jewish organization that promotes tolerance in Europe, and a former director of the CIDI Dutch Jewish watchdog on anti-Semitism.

On Maroc.nl, a news site and forum popular with many Dutch Muslims, a moderator called the campaign the work of "racists and feminists who... provoke Muslims during Ramadan with posters of a Jew kissing a Muslim woman."

But, Naftaniel added, Muslim detractors were more likely to focus on the depiction of Muslim women and less on the man wearing a kippah.

"The criticism by Muslims was that the campaign tries to enforce social norms on the Muslim minority," Naftaniel said. "And I think we can debate this issue: Is the campaign saying that it's good if people lose their identity, intermarry into one big mishmash?"

Although the campaign provoked no negative reactions in Jewish public circles, Naftaniel said, "many Dutch Jews would not like to see their child marry a Muslim, though they don't feel the need to say it."

Despite his doubts about how the campaign can be interpreted, Naftaniel ultimately supports its message promoting freedom in choosing romantic partners.

"You can choose someone from a different ethnicity to yours. But you don't have to. And I think the campaign could have been clearer about this distinction," he said.

To Esther Voet, the editor-in-chief of the Dutch Jewish Nieuw Israelietisch Weekblad weekly, the "intensity of opposition that this campaign generated is the best proof of how necessary it is."

It showed that in the Netherlands today, "for many Muslims, seeing a member of their own community kissing a Jew is an image that crosses a line, and that creates resistance," she told JTA. "And that sentiment is precisely at the heart of the reason that this campaign was started in the first place."
It was best not to write about this right away. Need to see how it would percolate. It could have been massive or a momentary blip testing the level of accommodation between Israel, the Palestinians, and other Muslims.

Truth is, that it is still tense, with Friday prayers posing a challenge to all sides.

The initial story made the international news, and monopolized what Israelis were hearing for a day.

Three Israeli Arabs, from the Galilee city of Um al Fahm, exited the Old City from the area of the Temple Mount and shot three policemen. They killed two, who were Druze, one the father of a three week old child, and the other about to become engaged. Then the killers retreated to the Temple Mount, where they exchange gun shots with other police until they were killed.

It was especially dramatic on account of being early Friday morning. On such days, tens of thousands of Muslims come from East Jerusalem, and on tour buses from elsewhere in Israel to spill out from al-Aqsa and nearly fill the platform of the Temple Mount as they pray and listen to a sermon.

The initial response of the police was to close the Temple Mount, even to the head of the Muslim religious authority (Waqf) who asked special permission to enter and say his prayers, and shut the gates of the Old City.

The prime minister announced that Israel would honor the status quo after a short period, and would assure access of Christians and Muslims to their holy places. A Jewish MK repeated his often-heard demand that Jews be allowed to pray on the Temple Mount, but that passed without a response from the PM. Netanyahu also worked the phones with Mahmoud Abbas and King Abdullah of Jordan, asking for cooperation.

Palestinian and Jordanian officials said what was expected, i.e., a condemnation of Israel for closing the Temple Mount, demanding its immediate re-opening, and lamenting the loss of life. Theres been condemnation of Muslim violence on the Temple Mount, or al-Aqsa as they describe it, as well as condemnation of Israels closing the site, then erecting metal-sensing gates, and cameras to monitor the flow inward and what occurs beyond the gates.

Muslims are anything but united on the issue, with differences in expression and demonstrations reflecting the patterns of bloodshed among the movements elsewhere in the Middle East. Palestinians and Israeli Arabs are divided on which militias they support in the chaos.

The Apocalypse hasnt occurred, yet.

Theres been an increase in tension between Muslims and Druze, coming on the heels of two Druze policemen killed while patrolling alongside the Old City.

Let sleeping dogs lie is a decent policy for Israel to follow, except when pushed beyond a point.

We can guess what that point may be, but can never be sure.

Closing the Temple Mount on a Friday morning, and shutting the gates of the Old City were significant messages. The actions not only provided opportunities for security personnel to do what they thought appropriate, but they kept tens of thousands of Muslims from performing their Friday rituals on the Temple Mount. Closing the Old City meant that Arab shopkeepers did no business.

Israel must expect criticism from Muslim regimes, especially those like the Palestinians that are chronically shaky.

Its still not clear if well pass through this without a crisis. Muslims have been more busy living their lives or killing one another than attacking Israel with anything more deadly than verbose threats. There have been protests and low to moderate level violence alongside metal detectors now screening entrances to the Temple Mount, as some Muslims pass routinely through the check points and others object forcefully to their presence.

Among those injured by police use of non-lethal means of crowd control are prominent Muslim clerics.

Muslim religious and Palestinian political figures are trying to make a case against any Israeli inspections of Muslims on the Temple Mount. Some are threatening another intifada.

Commentators include those who chide the cheap politics of fanning the political flames. Muslims at Mecca and Jews at the Western Wall have to pass through checkpoints similar to those now checking Muslims wanting to pray at al-Aqsa.

There are also those who claim that Israel should not have erected the checkpoints without reaching agreement with Muslim leaders.

Security personnel are urging that the prime minister not dig in his heels on the subject of metal detectors. Screening more than one hundred thousand Muslims wanting to pray on a Friday challenges credibility.

Perhaps the process can be altered in exchange from something from the Jordanians and Palestinian leadership.

Assuming Muslim leaders are willing to be identified as flexible with respect to Israels concern for security.

Pessimists are worried about an escalation to serious violence. Friday will be a significant test.

International media have noticed, but not made a big deal about the attack from the Temple Mount or what has occurred subsequently. Its a curious contrast with the chronic concern with a peace process, or the plight of Palestinians without a state. It helps to define the borders between symbolic and practical politics, whats fashionable, or how much people are willing to spend on a distant issue that activists seek to make significant.

Israeli media is sharing Old City developments with several police investigations that may be getting closer to the Prime Minister. Were also reading about the detritus apparent here and elsewhere, i.e., traffic accidents, domestic violence, and unpleasant weather. A couple of items reflect the nature of the Middle East other than Israels conflict with Arabs. A young Christian woman was killed by relatives, seemingly because she threatened the familys honor by falling in love with a Muslim. And a middle-age Arab woman was killed as a feud between families in her village escalated to firearms.

So what else is new?

Comments welcome. Irashark@gmail.com
(JTA)Dear Jewish community,

So you wanna understand Israel-Palestine debates on campus?

The first thing you have to do is stop talking about BDS.

Shocking, right? We try.

But really, the Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment campaign against Israel isnt what Israel conversations on campus are all about these days. Campaigns to pass BDS measures on major campuses are actually in decline, yet somehow they still make up the bulk of Jewish news about students.

The truth is, divestment proposals happen perennially, people freak out for two to three weeks, and then students on all sides return to lives of calculus, life pondering, activism and 3 a.m. pizza.

So if we shouldnt be talking about BDS, what should we be talking about?

Anti-normalization. Because it creates a fascinatingly complex new landscape for Jewish students, who are both on its receiving end and active participants.

If you know what Im talking about, skip this paragraph, wise one. If you dont, anti-normalization is an idea, popular on the left, that some beliefs are so untenable you cannot allow them to be left unprotested and accepted as normal. That means calling attention to their proponents at the very least and having a zero-tolerance policy at most.

The things-not-to-normalize list includes no-brainers like racism, sexism, homophobia and Islamophobia. It also often includes Zionism.

That means pro-Palestinian activism on campus looks different these daysbecause all activism looks different. Instead of boycotts, a more frequent form of campus organizing is protesting at and disrupting Israel-related events.

A brief history: One of the earliest instances of interrupting Zionist speakers on campus happened at the University of California, Irvine, in 2010, when students disrupted a speech by former Israel ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren. In 2015, the same thing happened to former Israeli Supreme Court Chief Justice Aharon Barak at the same school and Israeli philosophy professor Moshe Halbertal at the University of Minnesota. In 2016, it was Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat at San Francisco State University.

What recently happened at the Chicago Dyke March is also a prime example. Women marching with what march organizers saw as Zionist flags could not be allowed to stay because that would be letting Zionism go unchallenged.

What does this mean?

For what its worth, speaker shutdowns and event protests dont make us special. If you follow campus news, these are happening everywhere to all kinds of speakers, from controversial scholar Charles Murray at Middlebury College in Vermont to conservative commentator Anne Coulter and alt-right provocateur (read: troll) Milo Yiannopoulis at the University of California, Berkeley.

But anti-normalization does mean Jewish students, particularly Zionists, are tackling a whole new host of questions on campus: Do left-leaning Zionists have a place on the campus left? And if only non-Zionist Jewish students find acceptance on the left, is the campus left tokenizing Jewish students, deciding whos a good Jew or a bad Jew from outside our community?

What does it mean to Jewish students that Zionist speakers are considered indefensible alongside alt-right speakers? Are Zionist students and pro-Palestinian activists defining Zionism the same way?

Pro-Israel activists, meanwhile, are arguably already engaging in their own form of anti-normalization rhetoric and have been for a long time. One could even argue that Jews were anti-normalization pioneers. When anti-Semitic or anti-Zionist remarks on campus are labeled hate speech, thats our community declaring ideas too unconscionable to be expressed without protest. Jewish outcry over Linda Sarsour speaking at CUNY is only one recent example. Right-wing Jewish organizations, like the AMCHA Initiative or Canary Mission, marked speakers, professors and student leaders as too reprehensible for campus before it was cool.

Whatever term you want to use, this isnt just a leftist movement, and Jewish students across the political spectrum are experiencing it and are a part of it.

We can argue endlessly about whether anti-normalization is good or badand we are. Questions about this concept are at the core of todays most fraught campus debates. Does declaring ideas unredeemable limit free speech? Or does it marginalize systemic societal ills? Who decides the parameters, and when are they too broad?

I cannot answer any of these questions. (Thats a different, much longer article.)

But I can call on our community to recognize them. Its time we see the anti-normalization forest through the BDS trees. Because until we do, were missing out on the juicy stuffthe larger debates happening on campus and the real questions Jewish students are asking themselves.

Sara Weissman, editor@newvoices.org, is the editor in chief of New Voices, where a version of this article originally appeared.
There is an interesting documentary on YouTube about a recent archeological expedition in Iraq and Iranwhat was ancient Persia and before that Babylonia. In ancient texts and evidence in excavations there are stories about Sodom, Gomorrah and the big flood.

That area of Persia/Iran was and is susceptible to flooding. They use round bottom boats of the type described in Torah in the story of Noah. But, there is no history of a great floodplenty of floods, but not one big enough to bring penguins from Antarctica and giraffes from Africa.

A lot of what we read in Torah was written during the Babylonian exile. Not that there is anything wrong with that. But... like the song says The things that youre liable to read in the Bible, they aint necessarily so. Much of our Torah and the New Testament consist of stories to illustrate the existence of a Higher Power and are necessary to get the readers attention.

People need to believe in something greater than themselves to deal with life and what it throws at them. Without Faith, we would as a world, be in even worse shape than we are.

But Faith, like Josephs coat, comes in many colors. At one time it was stone idols and fire. Faith. Without it we would not have electricity, Einsteins theory, automobiles or trips to the moon. No, Faith should never be a problem. Religion on the other hand...

Religious leaders take Faith and fashion it into a regimented program of belief and discipline. Some of them throughout history take off on their own route through Faith to religion. Sometimes, strong leadersup to dictators, use God to tell their followers what God told them or what he meant.

Sometimes, to do this, some religious leaders have to defy reality to keep the Faithful in line. Judaism started with a set of rules that all these millennium later still make incredible sense. The Ten Commandments by themselves set rules that adjusted in their wording to modern situations would make this a most delightful world in which to live.

There is not, nor is there ever, a conflict between Faith and reality. God, whatever or whoever he may be probably has a plan... but we nor any religious leader is prescient enough to know what that is. The problems arise when the people who are appointed or in some cases self-appointed start interpreting Scripture to suit their own purposes and ignore history and science.

Can religion and science exist together? Of course they can! Look at a spider webchimpanzees have 98 percent of our human DNAhow can you not believe that a Higher Power, something beyond our own narrow experience had something to do with that? In1844 when Samuel F.B. Morse sent the first telegraph messagewhat did he transmit? What has God wrought.

I have failed over the years to picture some bearded figure, surrounded by a mystic light sitting on a high throne somewhere up in heaven, handling every little problemnot just on earth but in the billions and billions of stars that you can only see on a clear night away from civilization.

William Shakespeare wrote: There are more things in heaven and earth than are in our philosophy. I believe there is a Higher Power of some kind and perhaps even a grand plan. And, maybe humans are just a teeny part of that plan. If it is a plan for peace and goodwill we certainly are not the answer.

Is there any question that religious wars have killed and are killing more people than all the plagues and floods in history? Every war has started through the will and purpose of some Strong Man. Too many times these tyrants call upon religion to justify their means. Religion, not Faith.

Could we have Faith without religion? Maybe. Probably. But humans tend to question and seek simple answers. Jews? Vey! We are the greatest questioners of all. Go to any city with a solid population of Orthodox Jews. They (we) do not accept the word of any fellow human just because he stands on a pulpit or a speakers podium. Study and discussionokay, argueover Torah is going on as I write and as you read as it has for centuries. Interpretation of Torah or the New Testament is varied and difficult because it should be. It is the reason we have seminaries to train our rabbis and our priests and reverends.

They need that base. That base comes from Human Faith. They read and study and interpret. But when they carry that interpretation to reverse the actual facts of human development, science and evolutionfacts that are more and more indisputable as science gains new insights and modern toolsthey are doing a disservice to their congregation, mankind as a whole and to Godwhomever he may be.
To an objective observer, the crisis that erupted in the aftermath of a bloody terror attack near Jerusalems Temple Mount makes no sense.

Three Arab terrorists used guns they had smuggled up to the compound July 14 to kill two Israeli policemen, both of whom happened to be Druze rather than Jewish. In response, Israeli authorities set up metal detectors to prevent a recurrence of the crime. The response to this from Palestinians was general outrage, violence and a promise of mass riots if the offending machines were not immediately removed. Upon Friday afternoon prayers July 21, with Israel facing the prospect of even more violence that might get out of control, the metal detectors remained in place.

How could putting metal detectors to protect a holy site be considered a casus belli for what might, if the conflict escalated in the way the Muslim rioters promised, lead to a new holy war?

The answer is that this isnt about metal detectors. Its about something much bigger: the right of Jews to be in Jerusalem.

This isnt another variation on the usual theme sounded from Israels critics about the infringement of Palestinian rights. To the contrary, Israel didnt change the status quo at the Temple Mount, which denies Jews the right to pray at the holiest place in Judaism. The Islamic Waqf was left in charge of Jerusalems mosques, including the Temple Mounts Al-Aqsa, inviolate.

Nor was the new security measure discriminatory. Any Jew or non-Jew who wishes to enter the Western Wall plaza below the Temple Mount compound must also pass through security, including metal detectors. The same is true for Muslims who wish to enter the holy places in Mecca during their annual pilgrimages.

So what exactly is this all about?

For a century, Palestinian Arab leaders have been playing the Al-Aqsa is in danger card. The cries that Jews were seeking to destroy the mosques or in some way harm Muslim rights led to a series of pogroms against Jews, including the riots of 1929 in which Jews were massacred in Hebron. But the appeal to holy war isnt only a vestige of the horrors of the distant past and the influence of the Nazi sympathizer Haj Amin al-Husseini, the mufti of Jerusalem who incited those riots.

It was the supposedly moderate Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority (PA), whose inflammatory statements helped incite the so-called stabbing intifada in recent years by also claiming Jews were going to harm the mosques. It was Abbas, not just his Hamas rivals or other violent Islamists, who called on Palestinians to resist the Jewish presence in Jerusalem. It was Abbas who said stinking Jewish feet should not profane the holy places.

Abbass motives were cynical, since he was waving the bloody banner of holy war to compete with his political foes. But the impact of his statements gave the lie to the notionso prevalent on the Jewish leftthat a peace agreement could be easily reached if Israel had the will to try for one. His rhetoric sought to remind Palestinians that the conflict wasnt over borders or settlements, but something far more basic: a religious war that mandates Arab opposition to the Jewish presence.

This is why the PA goes to such trouble to foment fights at United Nations agencies like UNESCO intended to deny Jewish ties or rights to holy places, even those that are self-evidently proof of Jewish history like the Temple Mount and the Western Wall.

This is also why the new security measures are merely the latest pretext for Arab violence intended to make the point that Jews should not merely have no say over the Temple Mount, but have no right to be there at all.

The demonstrations and threats of more violence are just one more power play intended to remind the world that the only solution Palestinians will ultimately accept is one in which the Jews are excluded. So long as this is their goal, it isnt Al-Aqsa that is in danger, but any hope for peace.

Jonathan S. Tobin is opinion editor of JNS.org and a contributing writer for National Review. Follow him on Twitter at: @jonathans_tobin.
Journalists and pro-Israel activists often share a tendency to see current events as the beginning of history. Ive been reminded of this lately by apocalyptic stories regarding anti-Semitism in the United States, the situation on college campuses and American public opinion. Ive been perusing my archives of articles that I and others have written in the past and thought Id share some historical observations in the next few columns to put present concerns in context.

I hear people claiming the situation on campus today is worse than ever, but here are a few examples of what was going on at that time:

At Berkeley, the Muslim Students Association passed out highlights of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. At Arizona State, an Israeli flag was displayed with a swastika in place of the Mogen David. The UCLA black student newspaper printed an anti-Israel article that featured a map of Israel with not only Judea, Samaria and Gaza labeled as occupied, but the entire State of Israel identified as occupied since 1948.

UCLA has a huge Jewish student population, estimated then at about 6,000; nevertheless, attendance at our Israel Action Committee meetings averaged fewer than 10 students. The situation at other campuses was similar, prompting what I later dubbed, the rule of 20, which says that no matter how many Jewish students attend a university, youre unlikely to find more than 20 activists. This has not changed in the last three decades.

Then, as now, I asked, What can we do to motivate Jewish students to become more active on campus?

Many people claim credit for the idea of the Birthright program; I dont, but I did write in that 1986 article: There is no doubt that the single best idea is to get students to Israel. I have yet to meet a student who has come back from Israel unaffected. Students return with a stronger sense of commitment to the State of Israel and to Judaism.

The secret to getting students to Israel, I said, was to make trips affordable. At that time, a yeshiva was offering a program for the bargain price of $450 and received more than 200 applications from just five cities, but could only afford to take 100 students. It took more than a decade, but, thankfully, philanthropists and the government of Israel created Birthright Israel to offer free trips.

I made another suggestion that I dont think anyone has pursued. I argued we should also offer trips to Europe. Many students like to tour Europe during summer break, especially after graduating from college, I noted. They are not interested in going to Israel; they want to go to see the sights of Europe. Many of these students are likely to fit the profile for Birthright and dont apply for whatever reason. Some may be non-Jews. I suggested that the Jewish community create European tours for these students, which go to all the traditional hotspots, but add one additional stopIsrael. Unlike Birthright, the tour would not be free, but students already pay for trips to Europe. Most would never think of adding a stop in Israel, but if it were already part of the tour, why not? Its a lot cheaper to get to Israel from Europe, so the tour price shouldnt be significantly higher.

I also explored the idea of trying to integrate Israel into the Eurail system so that students could use passes to get to Israel inexpensively, perhaps by ship (I used my pass in 1980 to go from Greece to Egypt), and gain free or discounted access to Israeli trains. I dont know if anything like this is possible, but it might be worth revisiting.

Back in 1986, I was also unimpressed with the quality of the material available to students. I argued that we needed to develop information discussing the major issues in a way American students can understand and appreciate. Today, we have a surfeit of material, however, we can still do better. For example, AICEs Jewish Virtual Library offers students everything they need to know on topics from anti-Semitism to Zionism, and has more than 800,000 visitors per month, but it is severely understaffed and underfunded.

AICE also publishes Myths and Facts: A Guide to the Arab-Israeli Conflict, the bible for activists. Myths, then published by AIPAC, helped launch my career as a campus activist when I was an undergrad at UC Santa Barbara searching for answers to Israels detractors. Unfortunately, the book is no longer given to students by AIPAC, as it was in my day, and too few students are familiar with the information it contains.

One last recommendation that I made that has also largely been ignored to the detriment of the cause is to recruit students to become more active in the Jewish community. I observed that students saw the establishment as a plutocracy. If anything, this perception may be worse today. I stand by the suggestion I made at that time: We have to bring college students onto the boards of the various organizations so that they will not only feel like a part of the Jewish community at-large, but will also be able to express the needs and concerns of the campus community directly to the people who can provide the resources needed to fight the war on the campuses.

Dr. Mitchell Bard is the author/editor of 24 books including the 2017 edition of Myths and Facts: A Guide to the Arab-Israeli Conflict, The Arab Lobby, and the novel After Anatevka: Tevye in Palestine.
(JNS.org, and Aish Hatorah Resources)President Macron equated anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism and said Jew-hatred wasnt born with the Vichy regime, nor did it die after the liberation of France.

French President Emmanuel Macron is not the first French president to give a speech at the annual memorial ceremony commemorating the Vel dHiv Roundup in July 1942, when some 13,000 Parisian Jewsa third of them childrenwere rounded up and taken to a local stadium and subsequently expelled to Nazi concentration and death camps. This operation was the first stage in the flagrant murder of a quarter of French Jewry at the time by the Nazis and their French collaborators.

Indeed, it took France decades to contend with its role in the Holocaust. It has been convenient for France to adopt a historical narrative that the entire country was a part of the anti-German underground resistance. It was only 22 years ago that then-French President Jacques Chirac recognized his countrys role in aiding the Nazi extermination machine and officially began revising history. This allowed the public to face the scope of Frances collaboration with the Nazis, as well as the fact that the Germans did not need to prod the French authorities too hard to send tens of thousands of Jews to their deaths.

Senior government officials at the time initiated the purging of France, mostly from foreign Jews. Police officers followed their orders efficiently and zealously. This confrontation with history has not been without opposition, as demonstrated by far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pens recent declarations challenging the French Republics responsibility in the crimes of the Holocaust. As she would have it, the state ceased existing when France fell to Germanythe complicit Vichy government did not represent the real France.

Macrons speech at the Vel DHiv Roundup memorial ceremony is the most important speech ever given by a French president on anti-Semitism. Macron did not stop at completely rejecting the historical opinion espoused by Le PenWe cannot build pride upon a liehe expanded on the matter as it pertains to the past and the present.

In his speech, Macron remarked that the Vichy regimes anti-Semitism did not sprout up out of nowhere, but was rather deeply rooted in the political and social realities of the Third Republic that existed before the Nazi occupation. Anti-Semitism and racism, Macron emphasized, were not born with the Vichy regime, nor did they die with its disappearance after the liberation of France from the German occupation. In a brave step, Macron spoke about the murders of Jews in France in recent years. He also called on the French judicial system to explain why the most recent murder, of 65-year-old Sarah Halimi by a Muslim shouting Allahu akbar, was not recognized as an anti-Semitic hate crime.

Moreover, Macron declared, without embellishing, that anti-Zionism is the new face of anti-Semitism. Macron thus justified his inviting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the memorial ceremony by showing the connection between anti-Semitism and opposing the existence of Israel, the Jewish state.

However, Macrons historic speech contained an especially jarring comparison between the murder of Jews by Muslims and the racism Muslims themselves suffer in France. These are actually two very different phenomena that require different approaches. An attempt to placate the Muslim community and portray it as a victim of modern French society, without calling on this community to combat the radicals within it, is equivalent to the day-to-day silence in the face of racism that Macron himself denounced. Indeed, the modern murderous anti-Semitism in France and Europe is rooted in Islamic circles, and this must be stated clearly, as the president of the Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions did.

Macron has taken it upon himself to bring about an all-encompassing internal reconciliation so that all the French may find their place. This reconciliation necessitates bravely coping with big problems facing immigrant Muslim communities in France and Europe. But it must be stated that those who wish to see us abandon humanity, democracy and liberty all generally come from a specific religious background. Ignoring this fact or denying it will only exacerbate the problem. Internal reconciliation will be facilitated not just by acknowledging that Muslims are victims of European racism, but also by demanding that Muslims take responsibility for the radicalism in their communities and encouraging them to integrate into European societies rather than trying to change them.

Eldad Beck is a prominent Israeli journalist and author. He studied Arabic and Islam at the Sorbonne University in Paris; he was Middle East affairs correspondent of IDF Radio and the newspaper Hadashot, as well as the Paris-based correspondent of IDF Radio, the Jerusalem Report, the Jerusalem Post, and Israels Channel 2.
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Abha Gomes, a 12-year-old history enthusiast and museum buff, was aghast. She is so small. I thought she would at least be bigger than the photo in my history book, Abha said, as she looked intently at an over 4,000-year-old small bronze statue at the National Museums Harappan Civilisation Gallery.

The little girl who mesmerised the young student is the famous Dancing Girl, one of the most stunning artefacts in the world. It was found in Mohenjo-Daro, a prominent site of the Indus Valley Civilisation, in 1926. Though its a small statuette (10.5x5x2.5 cm), the detailing is exquisite: large eyes, flat nose, healthy cheeks, bunched curly hair and a broad forehead. And if you look closely, you will notice that the adornment on the right arm is different from the left.

The Dancing Girl, one of the most stunning artefacts in the world. It was found in Mohenjo-Daro, a prominent site of the Indus Valley Civilisation

No one probably describes the bronze girl better than British archaeologist Mortimer Wheeler: Shes about fifteen years old I should think, not more, but she stands there with bangles all the way up her arm and nothing else on. A girl perfectly, for the moment, perfectly confident of herself and the world. Theres nothing like her, I think, in the world.

A human figurine at the exhibition (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

Her antiquity, however, has not saved her from political-cultural controversies. In the last few months, The Dancing Girl has been centre of two stormy debates: First, a Pakistani lawyer claimed that the statue is the property of the Lahore Museum and should be sent back (since it was discovered in undivided India); and second, a research paper published in Itihaas, a journal of the Indian Council of Historical Research, made a case for Vedic identity of the Indus Valley Civilisation, reiterating the long-standing claim of Right-leaning historians that the Dancing Girl is actually Parvati and several artefacts excavated from Mohenjo-Daro point to Shiva worship.

While the Dancing Girl continues to be one of the best-known artefacts of the Harappan Civilisation Gallery, there are many more interesting objects that visitors must not miss.

A visitor walking past polished stone pillars. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

One of the best ways of exploring the gallery is to join an organised heritage walk, such as the one being conducted today by the Yes Global Institute, a think tank of Yes Bank, and INTACHs Delhi chapter, between 11 am and 1 pm.

We have chosen this gallery because it houses one of the finest collection of artefacts from the civilisation, Adele Newman, who works on fostering cultural partnerships and devising and implementing initiatives for YES Institute, told HT. The response to the event has been very good.

However, even if you dont get a spot in the tour, dont fret.

The Museum has its own audio tour and it is available in Hindi, English, German, French and Japanese.

If you dont have enough time to see the entire Harappan Civilisation Gallery, the most popular gallery in the museum, here are the top four objects that you must not miss at any cost, according to Dr Arvind Rautela, gallery in-charge -- The Dancing Girl, a skeleton that was excavated from Rakhigarhi (Haryana), the Pashupati seal and storage jar (2700-200 BC) from the mature Harappan period.

For those who have a leisurely Saturday at hand, spend some time at the seals section. A remarkable one depicts a man in yogic posture, surrounded by animals. Many of the seals have inscriptions, the characters and symbols in a language that has not yet been deciphered. These seals give useful information about the civilisation of the Indus Valley and can be seen in different geometrical shapes. Then, of course, there are terracotta figurines, a variety of toys, animal-like objects and household implements.

One of the best preserved burials of a middle-aged woman. She is wearing shell bangles on her left hand, the sign of matrimony. (Arun Sharma / HT PHOTO)

The Harappan gallery is a permanent one, which means the displays dont change at regular intervals. But come September, there will be new additions.

There are several missing links in the Harappan gallery but all those gaps will hopefully be filled with the new archaeological remains that the museum has recently found in Kunal, Haryana. They have been sent for carbon dating and will be displayed in the museum soon, BRR Mani, director general, National Museum, told HT.

The artefacts from the Mohenjo-Daro site dominate the gallery. This is because it was such a rich site. But while visiting we must not forget that there were other sites as well, said Nayanjot Lahiri, a historian and archaeologist of ancient India and a professor of history at Ashoka University. There is another important aspect that visitors must not overlook when they visit the gallery: Many of the patterns and designs that we see on the objects in the gallery are still in currency today. For example, the brick size ratio of 1:2:4 can still be found. Or for that matter the jewellery designs. This continuity between the ancient Indus Valley civilisation and modern India is truly fascinating. Isnt that a good enough reason for a weekend visit to the museum?

What: The Harappan Civilisation Gallery

When: Guided walk 11am-1pm today (Museum closed on Mondays and gazetted holidays).

Where: National Museum, Rajpath area, Central Secretariat

Nearest metro stations: Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan

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New Delhi

Unlike his debut film, Company (2002), actor Vivek Oberoi didnt have to prepare much for the role of Kesu Firangi in the popular film Omkara (2006), which was adapted from Shakespeares play, Othello. The story revolved around how a politically minded enforcers [portrayed by Ajay Devgn] misguided trust in his lieutenant [Saif Ali Khan] led him to suspect his wife [portrayed by Kareena Kapoor Khan] of infidelity. As the film celebrates its 11th anniversary today, Vivek talks about the challenges of working in a Vishal Bharadwaj film, his relationship with Ajay and more. Excerpts:

How did you prepare for the role of Kesu Firangi?

I didnt do much for the role. My character had gone to college, and could speak English, so I got away by not learning the typical dialect that Ajay and Saif had to speak in. So from that perspective, it was pretty easy. But it was a challenging role overall aspects. The most difficult thing I had to do in the film was to play the guitar. I didnt know how to play it, so every time we were on the set and I wasnt shooting, I used to practise. Apart from the teacher brought in by Vishal sir, one of the most unexpected teachers I had was Saif. He used to just snatch the guitar from me and start playing, and then later would teach me. He is a fantastic guitarist and a great teacher.

The film is adapted from Shakespeares Othello. How was your character (Kesu) different from Cassios character in the original play?

The play doesnt explain the nature of relationship between Othello and Cassio. In the film, the relationship between Kesu and Omkara or Omi Bhaiya as he calls it is shown beautifully. Vishal Ji explained that relationship better and you could see the mutual trust both characters had for each other. He (Kesu Firangi) is very surprised in the end when he learns that Omi bhaiya thinks I have fallen in love with Dolly bhabhi. You wont find that in the play.

Also Read: 11 years of Omkara: Deepak Dobriyal decided to be jobless for a year after the film

This was your fifth film with Ajay Devgn after you debuted with him in Company. Was it different shooting with him in Omkara?

By the time we shot for Omkara, Ajay had become like an elder brother to me. Between Company and Omkara, I had one film with him every year . For Omkara, I was like his assistant when it came to playing pranks. We played one on Saif, and it was hilarious.

What did you guys do?

When we were shooting for a scene in the Prayag temple in Allahabad, we had heard that a few real bahubalis [UP gangsters] wanted to kidnap us and treat us in their style. So we were shooting the scene in the morning, and luckily me and Ajay were done with our portions, and we were ready to leave on the chopper. Saif was yet to shoot his scenes, and we kept on teasing him for that, saying things like  we are going yaar, our shooting is over or  hope you have enough security around. We had just sat in the chopper, when we later saw Saif bolting towards us after his scene got over. He didnt change, and he was running topless in a dhoti towards the chopper! It was hilarious.

Beedi Jalaile, picturised on you and Bipasha, is still one of the best dance anthems. What are your memories of the song?

I remember that Vishal ji told told Gulzar saab,  maine aapse kuch nai manga, lekin aaj mang raha hun. Mujhe ek hit gaana chaiyeh. Gulzar saab had that typical child like smile on his face, and two minutes later he came up with the lines- beedi jalaile jigar se piya. Jigar ma badi aag hai. Rest is history.

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Bollywood actor Inder Kumar died on Friday after a cardiac arrest. The 44-year-old actor used to be a promising talent during the early 90s. Films like Masoom, Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi and Tirchi Topiwale positioned him in Bollywood for a stars life. However, that never happened.

After some initial flops, Inder Kumar became totally dependent on his relationships with established actors for more roles. And then an accident happened, which completely changed his life.

He was shooting for director Partho Ghoshs film Maseeha when he fell from a moving helicopter. He was doing his own stunts when it happened. He was playing the second fiddle to Sunil Shetty in the film and was determined to make his mark with this film.

He was advised bed rest for three years by the doctors and these years practically sounded a death knell for his career. Inder Kumar narrates the incident to the Times Of India in an interview in 2004. He says, I fell from a helicopter while shooting for the film Masiha and I was bed-ridden for the next three years. With a broken vertebrae, doctors in Mumbai said that my chances of getting back on my feet are slim.

Later, he was arrested for sexually assaulting an aspiring actor. He was interviewed by Mid-Day in 2014 in which he says, When I got arrested, my daughter fell ill. My wife, Pallavi, asked for help to bail me out, but no one came forward.

He elaborates his situation in the same interview, It is difficult for me to get a house on rent now. My stuff is lying in a warehouse and we are living at a friends place. Only one person stood by us, Dolly Bindra, other than her, my wife and I didnt receive a single phone call from anyone in the film industry.

Now when the actor is gone, we can only rue the star he could have been.
Actor Huma Qureshi has had quite a busy year so far. It began with the Akshay Kumar-starrer Jolly LLB 2, which did well at the box-office. After this, she got busy promoting her debut Hollywood film at international film festivals in London. Currently, the actor is looking forward to the release of the film in India.

On her birthday today, asked if there are any special plans in store, she says, Well, since I am busy shooting here and there, and I have been really busy travelling too, so it will be a very low key affair this year, with just family [in Mumbai only].Besides promoting her international project across India, Huma is also busy with the shooting of her Tamil film Kaala Karikalan (in Chennai) where shes paired opposite superstar Rajinikanth.

While all birthdays have been special for Huma, she shares that the most cherished was the one when her brother, actor Saqib Saleem did something special for her in their childhood days. Saqib gave me a handmade card, where he had pasted a picture of the whole family together and wished me happy birthday. For me, it was the cutest thing ever, recalls Huma, adding, Im always up for surprises.

My brother most handsome @saqibsaleem Koi Shaaq??!!!! #Dobaara #Promotions #June2nd A post shared by Huma Qureshi (@iamhumaq) on May 22, 2017 at 1:40pm PDT

About the best birthday present she has got till date, she says, Oh yes, my best birthday gift was when my dad gifted me my first car in college. It was a Maruti Swift. I thought that was the coolest thing ever. It was so much fun, as I could completely show it off to my friends that I have my own car now and not my dads car.

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Although actor Kriti Sanon is just three films old, she has already been directed by some of the best filmmakers and co-starred with actors such as Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. However, it wasnt an easy start for her, considering she had to face some bizarre criticism in the aspiring actor phase.

There were some low phases in my life; there were films offered by big banners, but they were not the best debut projects. So, I had to tell myself that I should be patient and good things will happen to me, says Kriti, who was born and brought up in Delhi and shifted to Mumbai to try her luck in Bollywood.

The actor, who turned 27 on Thursday, adds, There were days when I was annoyed and irritated. On some days, I used to cry, because there was nothing to keep me busy. There were also times when I met a few people who told me that something was not right about me  someone told me, Youre too good-looking. There has to be some sort of imperfection in you to look real on screen. I think I did feel low, but at the same time, I did have people who believed in me a lot. Thats what you need. I think that gave me a little more confidence.

Kriti, who made her debut with Tiger Shroff in Heropanti (2014), went on to star in Dilwale (2015) and this years Raabta. Her personal life made headlines when she was linked up with her Raabta co-star Sushant Singh Rajput. Neither of them has ever accepted it publicly, and Kriti says that negative stories do affect her.

I think Ive made peace with all these rumours, but having said that, Im also human and anything written about me does affect me. Though I know that the news is not true, being written in a negative way does make me feel bad. But its more important to move on from such things and focus on something exciting and positive, says Kriti, who will soon be seen in Bareilly Ki Barfi.

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Shiva Trilogy author Amish Tripathi announced the release of his first non-fiction book, Immortal India, this week.

Tripathi made this announcement during a live Facebook session. He also launched the cover of the upcoming book, which marks his entry into non-fiction.

I am excited to step into the non-fiction genre with Immortal India, and I am eager to see how my readers react to this book, he said during the session.

The book encapsulates my thoughts on various issues confronting India, based on my knowledge and understanding of our mythology, philosophy, history and culture, he said.

The book is a collection of Tripathis essays and speeches. This series of articles is expected to give an insight into the major issues facing the country.

Immortal India will be released on August 21.
Defeated Democratic White House hopeful Hillary Clinton promises to let her guard down and explain what happened in her shock electoral defeat to Donald Trump, including the mistakes she made, in a book to published in September.

Publishers Simon and Schuster revealed on Thursday that the previously unnamed tome would be titled What Happened and would be the former secretary of states most personal memoir yet.

In the past, for reasons I try to explain, Ive often felt I had to be careful in public, like I was up on a wire without a net. Now Im letting my guard down, writes Clinton in the introduction.

Her publishers said the book would reveal what Clinton thought and felt during the bruising 2016 campaign that saw her make history as the first US woman to win the presidential nomination from a major party.

It will describe what it was like to run against Trump, the mistakes she made, how she has coped with a shocking and devastating loss, and how she found the strength to pick herself back up, they said in an announcement ahead of the September 12 release date.

This file photo taken on October 14, 2016, shows former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton arriving at Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington. (AFP)

Clinton would take the reader inside the intense personal experience of an election marked by rage, sexism, exhilarating highs and infuriating lows, stranger-than-fiction twists, Russian interference, and an opponent who broke all the rules, Simon and Schuster added.

The book will also see Clinton double down on her belief that Russian interference cost her the White House.

Clinton has repeatedly blamed her loss on Russian cyberattacks and has alleged that associates of Trump likely had a hand in the effort. She also says then-FBI director James Comey dealt her campaign a severe blow when  just days before the November election  he briefly revisited an inquiry into the scandal over her use of private email while at the State Department.

Hillary shows just how dangerous the forces are that shaped the outcome, and why Americans need to understand them to protect our values and our democracy in the future, Simon and Schuster said.

Trump has recently revived a campaign-era rallying cry that his former rival be prosecuted, setting off alarm bells in Washington and sparking accusations that he is seeking to divert attention from the widening probe into his campaigns alleged ties with Russia.

Clinton is the author of five previous books, most recently Hard Choices published in 2014, as well as An Invitation to the White House and It Takes a Village, all published by Simon and Schuster.

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Fifty-three full-page colour portraits of 54 survivors (including three from India, one from Sri Lanka, eight from the United States, five from Japan, two from Germany  and including seven women) prove the Ukrainian-American photographer Maslovs points:

His collections diversity of subjects and interiors can stimulate and enlighten, and a photograph can encourage intense visual engagement and reflection. His digital Canon images make you want to read and learn about the veterans and their surroundings, and the after you read their oral histories you will want to look at the portraits again.

Lakshman Singh was a grenade specialist and served in Burma. (Sasha Maslov)

Lakshman Singh lives in Pooth Khurd, where he was born in 1914. He joined the military because it was offering good salaries, and he became a grenade specialist who served three tours in Burma. After each tour, we were allowed to have a rest for one to two months. We deserved it after the carnage we had gone through. Besides the anxiety of combat, there was painful famine among British Indian troops. They had deployed us but made no arrangements to feed us!

After we won the war he was promised compensation by the British government. We didnt get anything from them, though. The only pension came late from the Indian government.

Surjan Singh of New Delhi was born in the Capital in 1921 and by age 18 I felt that my best option was to volunteer for the army. It paid 15 rupees a month, which was vital income for my family. His command was British, and we Indians were the lowest rank in the entire Allied Forces.

Deployed to Burma he survived attacks by the Japanese and after 1945 returned to India, where I couldnt get a decent job. I went back to the family farm and lived off my pension from the family farm.

Now I mostly spend time relaxing with family. This life is much better now.

Shiv Dagar was stationed around the Indian-Afghan border. (Sasha Maslov)

Shiv Dagar was born in Samaspur in Kahlsa in 1923 and lives in Delhi. He was stationed around the Indian-Afghani border and frequently attacked by Pathan insurgents. Over half of our platoon was dead at the hands of the Pathan soldiers. Fourteen other people from my home village enlisted with me, and I was the only one who survived.

He says war was a frightening experience. I can remember so many moments of hoping to be home, and luckily I got that wish and have lived a full life.

Sri Lankan JP Jayasekara served with the Signal Corps. (Sasha Maslov)

JP Jayasekara was born in 1921 in Sri Lanka, back then called Ceylon. Ceylon was a poor country with no money to give (the British), we were able to provide the manpower. Forty thousand youths were recruited, most still schoolboys at the time. He served with the Signal Corps, where we had a phone, radio, wireless, and pigeons. After wars end, we had a lot of rolling stones.

He says active and wrote a book about he graves of the perished servicemen in Ceylon  for the tourists who come here to search for graves.

The books opening portrait is an Army Air Corps veteran who became a Broadway dancer, a foolish thing to do. In another, an Italian soldier tells of finding his father in a German prison camp and discovering the two were enemies by politics. Another photograph shows a Japanese kamikaze pilot who admits everyone was brainwashed.

Read more: The forgotten frontier

The wartime experiences resonate. Theres the issue of immigration: A Polish concentration-camp survivor waited five years to get a visa to go to America.

And being a stranger at home: An Austrian who left home at 15 and returned at 28 felt like a foreigner in my own land, a claim todays combat veterans sometimes echo.

But life goes on: A US sailor at Pearl Harbor has no animosity whatsoever. I drive a Japanese car.

Expanded by Huffman from his original review in Military Times publications
Watches are not rocket science. Or are they? Watches are not rocket...

Perhaps you dont have a PhD. Well, thats a shame, because with some watches, youll need one to understand how to tell the time. Perhaps you dont have a PhD. Well,...
Investors in Indian equities are richer by half a trillion dollars since the beginning of the year as optimism in the nations economic growth story and hope of more reforms from the government lift share prices.

Indias overall market capitalisation, or the value of all shares traded in the country, rose by $503.6 billion (Rs3.22 trillion) since the beginning of the year, second only to Hong Kong among emerging markets.

Hong Kong shares gained $752.8 billion in 2017, just behind the US markets $2.38 trillion. Still, among the larger markets Indias growth in percentage terms was the highest at 32.2%.That is almost double the growth in the worlds total market capitalisation.

To be sure, one reason for Indias strong performance among global markets is the rise in the rupee versus the US dollar. Since January, the rupee has gained 5.9% against the greenback, boosting Indias performance when measured in dollar terms.

The fact that overall investor wealth, albeit on paper, grew faster than the benchmark indices shows that the rally in shares has been broad and across sectors and companies. So far this year, the benchmark Sensex and Nifty have gained around 22% each while the BSE small cap index has climbed by nearly a third.

The 32% rise in stock value has boosted the countrys overall market capitalisation beyond $2 trillion. In comparison, Indias gross domestic product for this year is estimated at $2.45 trillion (Rs157 trillion), according to the International Monetary Fund. Or take Indias total commercial bank deposits, which stand at $1.65 trillion (Rs106 trillion).

Indias market capitalisation would be much higher had some companies, which are still not listed on stock exchanges, come to the market, said Pankaj Pandey, head of research at ICICI Securities Ltd.

Indeed, one reason for the boost is new companies coming to the market through initial public offers like Avenue Supermarts Ltd, which runs the D-Mart retail chain. Avenue, which listed in March, has a valuation of Rs 56,077 crore (around $8.7 billion).

However, the biggest increase in shareholder wealth, although notional, has come from some of the oldest and largest blue chip stocks.

Reliance Industries Ltd, Indias most valuable firm, added Rs1.69 trillion in shareholder wealth this year. The companys ambitious $2-trillion investment in telecom markets has been welcomed by investors, who pushed its overall valuation beyond Rs5 trillion, the second company to do so. Last week, the company announced it was targeting the 500-million strong feature phone segment with the launch of its JioPhone, which extended its stock rally this year to 48%.

The other companies in the pecking order which have added maximum shareholder wealth this year include HDFC Bank Ltd and its parent Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd. Overall, eight Indian stocks have added at least Rs50,000 crore in market capitalisation this year.

Anand James, chief market strategist, Geojit Financial Services said, India is seeing a hope-driven rally on expectations of political stability and economic reforms like goods and services tax (GST), which may benefit the country at a later stage.
Coffee mugs and a biryani-filled tiffin box have joined the long list of ways couriers have tried smuggling gold into the country. In another incident, two passengers from Dubai landed at the Chandigarh International Airport, allegedly carrying 350gm of 24-carat gold worth Rs 10 lakh, on Wednesday evening.

Identified as Saleem and Ameer Alan from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, both were carrying tiffin boxes and coffee mugs that contained gold foil. The precious metal was detected when it went through the X-ray machine.

In the last two cases, customs officials caught a Maharashtra man and recovered 407gm of gold from his rectum, followed by a Batala man who was carrying 540gm of gold inside the beading of his suitcase.

Sources said gold foil was found wrapped around the tiffin boxes, covered with white tape on the outside. Customs first got the lead from the tiffin boxes.

They added that the two men later said they were also carrying gold inside the coffee mugs.

An official said, The coffee mugs had an outer plastic layer and an inner body of steel. We broke open the outer layer to find the gold wrapped around the steel.

Saleem was carrying gold worth Rs 4.7 lakh while Ameer was carrying gold over Rs 5 lakh. Both are couriers for a larger gang operating in India. The Chandigarh airport has turned into a soft target ever since an international flight started from here in September 2016.

GOLD WORTH RS 90 LAKH SEIZED SO FAR

Seven cases of gold smuggling have surfaced within 10 months of starting a flight to Dubai. This takes the total amount seized to gold worth Rs 90 lakh. The biggest recovery so far was that of 1.3kg gold worth Rs 37 lakh earlier this year.

The attractive difference in price is fuelling the illegal trade. The airport has become vulnerable as security has been strengthened at airports in bigger cities. The hike on gold duty, too, has increased the profit margin for smugglers. Importing gold from Dubai attracts 36% customs duty. Also, gold from Dubai is purer and has higher market value in the Indian market. The price difference is as high as 15 to 20%.

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Police are investigating how a Bengaluru-based engineer gained access to the Aadhaar database to develop an Android application that seemed to be able to pull out confidential details, bring back into focus concerns over the programmes security.

The Aadhaar project has been criticised for impinging on the right to privacy, and a number of cases where government websites leaked peoples 12-digit ID numbers have mounted worries that flaws could make it vulnerable to abuse and crimes like identity theft.

The engineer, Abhinav Srivastava, has been accused illegally accessing the Aadhaar database and sources say that the way he did it could involve either the collusion of people who had authorised access or a hack.

Srivastava has been booked under sections of the Aadhaar act that outlaws access and distribution of Aadhaar data, and sections of the Information Technology act that deal with hacking.

The USP of his application  named Aadhaar KYC which was taken down from Googles Play store was to provide KYC verification using Aadhaar data.

KYC  know your customer  refers to a process of establishing a persons identity with data such birth date, address and phone numbers, and the application developed by Srivastava appeared to pull those details out using Aadhaar numbers.

An official of the UIDAI at the headquarters in Delhi, speaking on the condition of anonymity, denied that its servers could have been hacked, and suggested the information may have been leaked from the National Informatics Centre, or any of the agencies authorised to provide KYC services.

The UIDAI database is very secure, the official said. This seems to have happened at the level of the Authentication User Agency (AUA) or e-KYC User Agency (KUA).

AUA and KUA refer to agencies  such as those providing rations to access the Aadhaar database so that they can deliver services based on UID verification.

The matter is now with the police and let us wait for the investigation to be completed, the UIDAI official added, declining to comment on how many, if at all, such cases were registered at the national level.

Staff at the regional UIDAI office in Bengaluru, which also houses the technical centre where data from across the country is stored, said this was the first such case in the city.

Generally, we encounter malpractice cases, where some false documents have been submitted. This is the first such technical case, an official said.

Srivastava headed Qarth Technologies, which built a mobile payments app called X-Pay which was acquired by Ola in March 2016. Sources said the app Aadhaar KYC was developed in his personal capacity, and queries on Android application mirroring websites showed that the programme was uploaded using a developer account titled MyGov. Screenshots on the website showed the programme would show Aadhaar enrolment data after taking a persons name and UID number as input. HT Could not verify if this application was the one that triggered the criminal complaint.

MyGov is used as an affix by the government for its digital services.

Srivastavas mobile phone was switched off and attempts to contact him failed.

A statement issued by Ola said: Ola has neither commissioned nor is involved in any such activity. No such complaint has been brought to our notice.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner Praveen Sood said two people had been identified, and no arrests had been made till Thursday evening. The app has been deactivated, he added.

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The Allahabad high court sought to know on Friday during a hearing on the 2007 Gorakhpur riots if a judicial magistrate could proceed with a trial after the state government rejected its sanction to prosecute the accused people.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath is among the accused.

A man was killed and several people were wounded in Gorakhpur after Adityanath, who was then a BJP parliamentarian, allegedly made a provocative speech outside the towns railway station.

The politician, who is also the chief priest of Gorakhnath shrine, was reacting to the fatal stabbing of Raj Kumar Agrahri after clashes broke out between Hindus and Muslims during a Moharram procession.

The courts query came after the governments counsel argued that the petition should be dismissed because police concluded the investigation in April 2015 and their report cleared the accused.

Thereafter, the government refused to allow any prosecution against the litigant.

If the petitioners are unhappy with the police report, they could file objections before the magistrate hearing the case, the counsel said.

Petitioners cannot approach the high court under Article 226 of the Constitution, which allows filing of a writ petition if no alternative remedy is available to an aggrieved person, he said.

Petitioners Parvez Parwaz and Asad Hayat had requested the high court to the transfer the investigation to an independent agency, fearing that the state police might not be impartial in the probe.

Hearing the counsels argument, the division bench of Justice Krishna Murari and Justice Akhilesh Chandra Sharma asked: If sanction for prosecution is refused by the state government, can a judicial magistrate proceed in the case applying his judicial mind on the objections filed before him?

It had another query. If sanction is refused and magistrate cannot proceed then what remedy is left for aggrieved person?

The government counsel then pleaded for time to respond to the question. The court fixed July 31 for the final hearing.

The case is based on a police FIR registered in 2008 in Gorakhpur against Adityanath, then city mayor Anju Chaudhri, then legislator Radha Mohan Agarwal and one more person.
It took less than 15 hours for Nitish Kumar to resign and return as Chief Minister of Bihar with his old partners as his new allies. It took less than two hours for the BJP  which slotted a parliamentary board meeting timed to the exact moment of Nitish Kumars resignation  to welcome him back to the home team. That both sides were playing to a script that had been written well in advance is obvious. But when Rahul Gandhi declares that he knew about this three-four months ago, youve got to hold your head and ask: So, what did do you do about it? Was it denial, defeatism or complacency that kept the Congress from creating an incentive for Nitish Kumar to stay? And what stopped you from taking a more public position, as a coalition partner, against the continuation of Tejashwi Yadav amid pretty serious charges of financial corruption?

Yes, no one really thinks that Nitish Kumars exit was driven by principled opposition to corruption  after all, when he joined hands with Lalu Yadav in 2015, he was already convicted of corruption. It wasnt about secularism back then, as the Congress claimed and it isnt about graft now; it is quite simply politics  and yes, politics is the singular, often brazen, pursuit of power.

As the Modi juggernaut storms its ways across the finishing line to almost reach its destination of a Congress Mukt Bharat, the challenger, left straggling, now seems to be asleep at the wheel.

The truth  as India enters a phase of BJP hegemony  is this: Not only is the Congress, with its present set of weapons and ammunition, not battle-ready to take on the BJP; it isnt even equipped any longer to lead the opposition. The exit of Nitish Kumar proves that the Gandhi family is no longer the pivot around which the non-BJP, non-Congress parties will organise themselves.

Even confronted with an existential crisis the Congress has been laggard; instead of fighting for its life it has betrayed a peculiar and elite smugness. Letting Goa slip when it could have formed the government there; letting Shankersinh Vaghela walk when he was the only candidate with some fight in him in Gujarat, waiting too long to announce Meira Kumar as the Presidential nominee instead of beating the BJP to it, vacationing abroad during key moments of political turmoil and of course the refusal to cede a leadership role to other political leaders  Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee, Nitish Kumar or Naveen Patnaik  all of whom the Congress today needs more than they need it.

Its possible that Nitish would have left them anyway; there were tell-tale signs that he was hedging his bets  qualified support for demonetisation, endorsing the BJPs choice for President but did the Congress pay any attention to the JD (U) statement, when Pavan Verma was authorised to demand a cogent opposition narrative, warning that Modis domination could not be fought in an ad hoc, confused and reactive manner? Yes, people close to Nitish Kumar say what really swung his decision was not so much a calculation that he would never be able to beat Modi and become Prime Minister; but that there was a real danger of losing Bihar in the next election. Apparently, the BJPs win in Uttar Pradesh where the opposition banked on Muslim-Yadav consolidation, but saw forward castes, other backward castes and Dalits join hands to defeat it, was a scenario Nitish feared in Bihar as well if he remained with Lalu Yadav. But whatever were the arithmetical calculations of the chief minister, what deftness or quick thinking did the Congress or Lalu Yadav display? For instance, Rahul Gandhi could have made a public statement demanding the sacking of Tejashwi Yadav or his father could have asked him to step down. That would have at least forced Nitish Kumar to construct an alternative reason for his exit, instead of allowing him to claim the higher moral ground and handing over the state  and the general election of 2019  on a platter to Narendra Modi. Then they could have more effectively taken on Nitishs glaring flip-flops and U-turns on the BJP.

The Congress needs to wake up from its slumber: falling back on the jaded tropes of secularism and betrayal is no longer going to work as a political idea. Taking shield on corruption allegations behind the cloak of inauthentic secularism is cynical politics and its time is up. Especially because that secularism is bent at will and abandoned when necessary. The Congress needs a new slogan and India needs a new opposition.

Barkha Dutt is an award-winning journalist and author

The views expressed are personal

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The old Chinese saying if you go to the mountain often enough, you will meet the tiger holds literally true for the big cat going by its rising population in the country. In Uttarakhand alone, the latest Phase IV survey results of Corbett and Rajaji have projected a sizeable increase in tiger numbers.

But somewhere the tigers poor but equally magnificent cousin the leopard has not got the same attention which the striped cat gets.The Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. In terms of criticality, leopards are next to tigers which are listed as Endangered.

Ironically, the plight of leopards is due to its presence in large numbers, especially in Uttarakhand. The 2008 Census puts leopard population at 2,335 in Utttarakhand.The large population and shrinking habitat has led to an alarming level of human-leopard conflict.

According to the Uttarakhand forest departments statistics,over 604 people were killed in leopard attacks since the states formation in 2000. Over 3,092 were injured in the same period. The situation is severe in fringe areas of forest that are inhabited by people, who are largely dependent on forests for their existence.

Even cities face the threat of leopard attacks in Uttarakhand. In 2015, a leopard killed a girl at the Forest Research Institute which is Dehradun. The presence of leopards is regularly reported in areas of Vasant Vihar, Suddhowala, Balawal among others.

As recently as Thursday, a leopard entered premises of a government school in Pauri on Thursday afternoon. Another leopard attacked a 60-year-old villager in the district.

The forest department started an exercise in 2015 for census but it was done partially owing to wider habitat and lack of coordination. Sadly, nothing has been done for conserving leopards. For us, leopards are equally important like tigers. We will work on better enforcement for its protection and strategy to mitigate conflict, forest minister Harak Singh Rawat told Hindustan Times.

Poaching is the biggest survival threat that the spotted cat faces. Encroachment by humans and fragmentation of formerly connected populations are other challenges confronting the leopard. Before December 2016, the forest department used to either rescue or shoot down leopards which were identified as man-eaters. But after the high court directed the government to stop declaring tigers and leopards as man-eaters, the department rescued old and injured leopards.

On the lines of Maharashtra, Rapid Response Teams operate in division level and Quick Response Teams in village level in Pauri, Almora and Tehri for responding to SOS calls. The teams have just started working. But, the objective of the teams is to provide immediate assistance at the conflict site. Our response teams have started working on ground. We will replicate this model in other divisions as well. chief wildlife warden Digvijay Singh Khati.

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In an extreme form of street crime, three men chased a 20-year-old youth for several hundred metres before beating him to death on the main platform of the busy Adarsh Nagar railway station in north Delhi.

At least 50 passengers and vendors stood and watched as the three men rained punches and kicks on Rahuls head, chest and private parts. The three could have easily gotten away after the murder but for a head constable who decided to take on the killers and nab them.

While Rahul could never live to tell his story, the killers have claimed in police interrogation that they were chasing Rahul as he had allegedly snatched Rs20,000 from one of their hands. No cash, however, was found on Rahuls body or pockets after his murder.

A resident of Jahangirpuri in north Delhi, Rahul worked as a loader at the wholesale vegetable market in Azadpur. His job bringing in very little money, he was in desperate need of money recently. On Thursday afternoon, he met a trucker friend in the vegetable market.

The trucker was carrying Rs 20,000 with him and Rahul saw that. He requested that the money be lent to him for a few days, but the truck driver refused. Suddenly, Rahul snatched the money and ran, said an investigator quoting the killers.

Road rage to fight over food bill: Why Delhi is on short fuse

The trucker allegedly called on his two friends, who too work as loaders, as they began chasing Rahul. What really led to the chase and the murder is entirely based on the claims of the suspects.

In any case, Rahul sprinted from the market with the three men close on his heels. He ran for several hundred metres before scaling a wall to land at the premises of the Adarsh Nagar railway station. He must have thought he was safe amid a large gathering of train passengers, but he was not spared, said an investigator.

Rahul found himself surrounded by the men on platform number 1, barely a few metres from the stations main entrance. The men did not have any weapons on them. They thrashed him. Rahul initially tried to fight back, but collapsed after receiving a few blows, said a railway staffer, who was at the platform at that time.

Not a single passenger dared to take on the killers. But one of them managed to alert a policeman who was deployed at the station. He and a home guard chased the killers and caught them from the station premises itself. They have been arrested and identified as Ravi, Lalit and Rajender.

Police have said they are awaiting the autopsy report to confirm blow to which body part led to Rahuls death. The police continue to investigate if Rahul had actually snatched the money or there was some other motive behind the murder.

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Growing frustrations or a low threshold of anger? What is behind killings at the spur of the moment?

In the last 24 hours, three cases have been reported across Delhi  a 20-year-old beaten to death for not being able to repay a loan of Rs 1,500, a father-son duo shot dead by four men after an argument over the direction of an air cooler in a roadside eatery and a group of five forcing acid down a 17-year-olds throat, after he refused to sell them cottage cheese.

An analysis by Delhi police of the motives behind murders in 2016 revealed that 16.29 per cent of cases were due to sudden provocation or trivial issues, 19.32 per cent due to old enmity, 12.69 per cent related to sexual indulgences, 8.90 per cent due to differences among family members and 8.33 per cent as a result of property disputes and money. Only 7.77 per cent of murders were crime related, police statistics say.

In 2016 a total of 528 cases of murder were reported in comparison to 570 in 2015 and in 2017, 214 murders have been committed till June 15.

Heres a look at some cases in 2016-17 where people lost their lives due to uncontrolled anger

Youth killed for not repaying Rs 1,500

On July 27, 2017, a 20-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death by a group of three men after he reportedly refused to pay Rs 1,500 that he had borrowed from one of them. The youth was allegedly beaten, pushed and kicked in his private parts by the three men on a busy platform in Sabzi Mandi railway station. He succumbed to his injuries.

Father-son shot dead for not turning the air cooler

On July 27, 2017, a father-son duo was shot dead by four men after they had an argument over the direction of an air cooler in a roadside eatery in Najafgarh. Shyam (52) and Mayank (23) owners of the eatery were at the cash counter when four men came on bikes and ordered food. One of them, who was feeling hot, reportedly turned the direction of the air cooler towards his table. When Mayank objected to it saying that the other customers will feel hot, an argument between the men ensued, following which they took out a pistol and shot Mayank in the chest. When his father tried to intervene, he too was shot dead.

Youth stabbed 18 times over serving golguppas

On April 10, 2017, a 24-year-old street vendor was stabbed over 18 times by five men following a brawl over not serving them golgappas in Mangolpuri.

Man run over after an argument over parking

On April 15, 2017, a 39-year-old man was run over before his family members following an argument over parking their vehicle outside his shop in outer Delhi.

Read: Road rage to fight over food bill: Why Delhi is on short fuse

Fearing revenge, woman kills stepson

On July 8, 2016, a woman in Kirari allegedly murdered her eight-year-old stepson, Prince, fearing that he would take revenge against her when he grew up. She confessed to having tortured the boy. The police said that Prince had left his house many times to escape the thrashing from his stepmother. Kajal, 26, wife of scrap dealer Indal Paswan told police when she married Paswan, he had lied to her about his son Prince.

Enjoying rain cost him his life

One July 3, 2016, Radhe Shyam,30, was enjoying the first monsoon showers outside his house in Central Delhis Anand Parbat when he accidentally splashed rain water on two bikers outside his house. Shyam was beaten to death in front of his father. The alleged attackers, Shashi Bhushan, 32, and Pankaj, 30, told police they were drunk when the murder took place.

Man kills son to frame tenant

On March 18, 2016 the body of a 13-year-old Mohit was found in an isolated park at Sunheri Bagh in New Delhi area. Days later, the police arrested the boys father Shanti Prasad, a peon in the ministry of steel, who said he murdered his son to implicate his tenant. Prasad had slit his sons face and stoned him to death outside his tenants flat. He told the police his tenant was not vacating the area.

Teen murders for an iPad

On February 1, 2016, a 17-year-old boy allegedly murdered 68-year-old Mithilesh Jain, a retired military services engineering officer. The teenager murdered the woman for her iPad he wanted to sell to fund his dreams of becoming a dancer by taking part in a reality show.

Why does it happen?

Experts say that people take such drastic steps when they are angry, have problems with impulse control and low threshold for frustrations.

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The Arvind Kejriwal government is not the only one to have had problems with the functioning of the office of the Delhi lieutenant governor.

Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Vijender Gupta has now questioned the city administrators functioning, saying he is unhappy with some of the recent decisions of lieutenant governor Anil Baijal.

Gupta cited at least two decisions  appointment of 30 aldermen in the three municipal corporations and approval of State Naming Authority  to substantiate his point.

I am unhappy with the way the L-G has approved some of the recent decisions of the Aam Aadmi Party government, which has been working in an undemocratic manner and has been undermining the opposition. Being the city administrator, the L-G should ensure that there is balance in representation of the elected representatives in such cases, Gupta said.

The Rohini legislator said he has sought time from the L-G office to raise his concerns and is likely to meet Baijal next week.

Under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 30 people are nominated as aldermen in the municipal bodies  10 each in the three municipal corporations  by the lieutenant governor on the recommendation of the Delhi government. The alderman do not have voting rights but are drawn from various fields and act as experts in the municipal bodies and are entitled to raise civic issues in the house meetings.

Gupta alleged that the Delhi government has recommended names of its party workers for the post instead of experts.

Earlier this week, the Delhi government also constituted the State Naming Authority, which has the mandate to decide on naming, renaming of roads, streets, villages among others, after approval from the lieutenant governor.

While deputy CM Manish Sisodia would chair the authority, the 34 members of the panel also include seven AAP MLAs and officers of the Centre.

The L-G needs to ensure that the government is making appointments in the bodies in a fair manner and give representations to the opposition members as well, Gupta said.

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A group of four youth allegedly forced a 17-year-old to drink acid after he reportedly refused to sell them cottage cheese in southeast Delhis Sangam Vihar area on Tuesday night.

On Monday, Yogesh and his mother Mamta Devi, who run a dairy shop on the ground floor of their house, were at the counter when two youths came to buy cottage cheese around 9pm. When Devi told them the stock was over, the youths reportedly barged inside the shop, insisting that they saw it in the fridge and she cannot refuse to sell it.

I told them that I do not have any left and that they can buy it in the morning once I get the fresh stock but they forcefully entered the shop and started checking the refrigerator, said Devi.

My son asked them to leave the shop. The youths overturned the cupboard and even slapped by son when he tried to intervened. When I raised an alarm, the youths left the shop but threatened to return. They got out of the shop, picked up a knife from the vegetable cart parked in the area and threatened to stab my son. They, however, had to leave as many people had gathered by then, Devi said.

Road rage to fight over food bill: Why Delhi is on short fuse

The next day, the youths reportedly returned to the shop with a group of other men when Yogesh was alone in the shop. They held him inside the shop and forced acid down his throat.

Yogesh was about to draw the shutter and come back home. I was waiting for him when I heard a loud scream. I went to see if he was fine and saw a group of boys running out of the shop, she said.

When I went downstairs, I saw Yogesh vomiting blood. His entire mouth had burnt and he was seething with pain. We rushed him to the hospital. It was later that I found out that they were the same boys who threatened to kill him yesterday, she said.

DCP southeast, Romil Baaniya said, We received a call from the Majeedia Hospital, regarding the admission of Yogesh with acid burns. He was later referred to AIIMS. His sister told us that on the day of incident, three boys, out of them one identified as Golu, poured acid in her brothers mouth. A case of voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons has been registered in the matter. Raids to arrest the youths are on.
The special cell of Delhi Police have arrested Rajesh alias Raje, a close accomplice of Satyawan aka Sonu Dariyapur, who is believed to have been behind the murder of gangster Bhupender alias Monu Dariyapur and two others, including a personal security officer. Monu Dariyapur was gunned down in April this year.

Gangster Monu Dariyapur, his personal security officers  assistant sub-inspector Vijay Kumar and constable Kuldeep  and two others Arun Shastri and Yogesh were attacked in outer Delhis Mianwali Nagar on April 30. Eight armed men had fired indiscriminately at their car killing Monu, Vijay Kumar and Shastri and injuring two others. Monu had sustained over 20 bullets.

Investigations into the triple murders hinted towards the involvement of Monus arch-rival Sonu Dariyapur. Police suspected that Monus marriage to Sonus cousin Rajrani, against her familys wishes, was the prime reason for the killing. It was also learnt that Sonu was assisted by his associate Rajesh Raje and four hitmen during the killing.

PS Kushwah, deputy commissioner of police (special cell), said Raje was arrested on Wednesday from Gokarna cross, Madangiri, Karnataka following a tip-off. Raje is the third person to be arrested in case and carried a reward of R1 lakh. On May 20, one of the other alleged attackers Satish aka Dheela was arrested. On June 8, one Naveen Khatri was held for his alleged role in planning the attack. The prime conspirator, Sonu Dariyapur, is still on the run.

During interrogation, Raje has apparently revealed that he wanted to kill Ramesh Lohar with whom he had a long standing gang rivalry in Haryana. Sonu Dariyapur wanted to kill Monu. When Raje learnt about Sonus plan, he offered his support in killing Monu. Raje and Sonu joined hands to get rid of their rivals and formed a new alliance, said the DCP.

Lohar was associated with gangster Krishan Pehalwan of Delhi. Raje on the other hand was associated with Pehalwans rival gang led by two brothers Anup and Balraj. Raje later joined hands with Sonu after the Anup-Balraj gangs influence weakened after the murder of the brothers.

On March 28, Lohar was attacked in Rohtak Court on the direction of Raje. Lohar escaped but one of his associates, Sanjeet, was killed. Lohar avenged Sanjeets killing with attacks on Rajes associates. Since Raje knew that Lohar was after his life, he joined hands with Sonu to get rid of Lohar. Raje was part of the gang that shot dead Monu and the police personnel, the DSP claimed.
The three-member committee comprising officials from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh government has suggested an action plan for the rehabilitation of the site where the Art of Living organised the World Culture Festival in March 2016.

The plan, however, doesnt mention any timeline within which the rehabilitation work could be completed, nor does it give any estimate of the cost involved.

A seven-member expert committee, which was set up by the National Green Tribunal in 2016, had suggested that it would take at least 10 years and Rs 42 crore to fix the ecological damage.

A parallel report prepared by the NGO, however, claimed that any accidental damage to the ecology of the floodplains has already been restored.

If at all any such accidental damage which would have taken place during the event, in all probability they have already been reversed by natural processes. With the arrival of monsoon in 2016 all the lost plants and animals would have re-colonised the event site, the NGOs report has claimed.

The government plan, which was submitted to the green body on Friday, rejected the suggestions of the expert panel to create wetlands in the floodplains.

Such type of activity will also alter the natural flowing behaviour of the river. Hence, it will not be advisable to create and maintain the wetlands within the floodplain of the river, the government report claims.

Experts such as CR Babu and AK Gosain who comprised the seven-member committee refused to comment saying, All our observations and suggestions were mentioned in the report.

The government instead has proposed to create treatment wetlands to treat the polluted water and catchment wetlands through which purified water could reach the river.

The plan also says that the government would put up fences to stop human interference, plant indigenous trees along the embankments, develop the marshy areas as a green buffer and take help of bio-remedial measures to treat the contaminated water.

The seven-member expert panel had suggested the use of aquatic plants and animals that once used to inhabit the Yamuna floodplains to fix the ecological damage.

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Is it just the stressful city life that is leading to an increase in murders committed on sudden provocation or reasons for such behaviour lie deeper?

Have we as a society grown accustomed to this behaviour of a person hurling abuses when someone overtakes his car while driving or rebuking, thrashing or even killing someone for parking a car at the wrong spot or shooting dead two people for not turning the air cooler towards them?

So much so that these incidents that have now become quotidian, do not evoke any reaction or emotion. Is it really that ordinary? At what stage does anger lead to murder? How it breeds?

Experts say that a persons upbringing, the environment in which he is raised and education plays a very important role in nurturing ones behaviour.

Anger is an emotion that everyone experiences but aggression is behavioural. While raising a kid, parents make a mistake of associating anger with masculinity. If a child is aggressive around his friends, many parents take pride in it and ignore the consequences. They term it as being brave and it reinforces that behaviour in them. If a child is timid, they encourage him to be assertive telling him that he should not behave like a girl, giving them a licence for unruly behaviour. They feel sorry for the child if he is not audacious. Since the child is not outgoing, he does not express anger at that time but it simmers within him which may take any shape later in life, said Rajesh Sagar, professor of psychiatry, AIIMS. He added, Instead of encouraging such behaviour as brave and valiant, it is the societal responsibility of the teachers and parents to make sure that kids head in the right direction.

Criminal psychologist, Rajat Mitra said that as a society we are not taught how to hold back which often leads to these crimes. The sense of holding back and controlling anger in a situation is not developed in our society. This is what needs to be taught by parents, schools, among peers. We are not a society that confines but a one that escalates. When an argument happens it escalates to issues, the threshold is broken and a murder is committed.

Low impulse control and no fear of law too worsen the situation. Most of these people involved in these crimes do not fear consequences and that happens because they feel they will get away. There are so many violations we see in everyday life around which make these people believe that there is no one looking over and that they can get away by committing murder, Mitra said.

In many cases, most parents, who are not sensitive towards their childs behavior, ignore early symptoms of anger that later turn into aggression. It is important to identify these early signs. Ignoring these warning signs can cause problems if not addressed in time. If anger is persistent or is interfering with a persons daily life and if there is a specific pattern, then it should not be dismissed as a kid being obedient or undisciplined. Anger management as a subject is sadly ignored as no one considers aggression or anger some sort of disorder. Families too ignore the signs and keep dealing with the person who often becomes a burden. They do not realise that it can be treated, Sagar said. The families should realise that these are not personality traits but symptoms of a disorder which if goes undiagnosed leads to complicated situations later, he added.

When a child is not taught how to control impulse it leads to behavioural issues. These days values have become relative that absolute. The present generation feels that what seems right is right that also includes murder. In some cases we saw young children justifying violence by making it relative. They said it seemed right at that time. There is no injunction against it, Mitra said.

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The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) remains the favourite among the toppers of the Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced), the entrance test for admission to IITs and other important technology institutes.

Data revealed by Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) shows among the top 500 rankers, 201 chose IIT-B while 137 opted for IIT-Delhi. Among the top 100 rankers, 65 chose IIT-B and 31 preferred IIT-Delhi.

Last year as well, 65 of the top 100 rankers chose IIT-B over other IITs.

Admissions to IITs as well as other government funded technical institutes across the country concluded last week and this year, JoSAA conducted seven rounds of admission. After the first round, IIT-B said 53 of the top 100 rankers made it to the institute. Most of them chose computer science and engineering course, which remains the most popular course year after year, followed by mechanical and chemical engineering.

Thirty-six of top 50 ranks and 53 of top 100 ranks had chosen IIT-B by the end of round one of admission itself. Among the top 36, we also have three girls who have joined the Computer Science and Engineering department, said the press statement released by the institute.

By the end of seven rounds of admission, over 400 seats are still vacant across 23 IITs (including 5 in IIT-B) and more top rankers seem to have opted for the popular institutes, including IIT-B, IIT-Delhi followed by IIT-Madras and IIT-Kanpur.

Computer science has been a popular course for years now, and students flock to IIT-B especially because we have a brilliant set of faculty in this department. Students choose faculty over the brand, said Devang Khakkar, director, IIT-B.

Surprisingly, older IITs including IIT-Kharagpur have not got a single student from the top 100 ranks.

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The residents of Delhi-NCR, especially the young, are ready to celebrate World Nature Conservation Day, today. From collecting seeds, making seed balls to digging pits and burying these seeds, they are doing it all to make the plantation drives a success.

Temperatures are rising across the globe and with the green cover depleting, Delhi-NCR has also experienced the heat. We need more greenery to sustain. Thus, we are planting trees such as peepal, neem and harsingar, says Manish Khurana, from a volunteer group, We Mean to Clean, which conducts plantation drives on weekends. They have planted 350 saplings in certain areas of Janakpuri, Vikaspuri, Keshav Puram and Rani Bagh. The group has also been clearing garbage that hampers the growth of plants.

The efforts of Rotary Club of Gurgaon Cosmopolitan have been unparalleled, too. We plant trees between July and September, and have plans to plant at least 1,000 trees by March 2018. Our first drive was at a government school in Kanhai Village, where we gave a name to each tree and one child took responsibility of every sapling, says Sarvesh Dutt, club secretary.

Youngsters Abhiir Bhalla and Saranya Das Sharma at one of the plantation drives.

Inspired by the PMs Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, two students from Gurgaon have initiated Swachh Chetna  aimed at spreading awareness on environment issues. The duo recently conducted a drive with the help of volunteers at the lawns of Qutab Minar Metro Station, and planted over 50 saplings. Monsoon helps saplings grow faster because winter and summer months are too harsh for the plants, says Saranya Das Sharma, a student of Shri Ram School. They are even planning to spread awareness by performing a nukkad natak (street play).

Students of Heritage School and Manas School recently planted saplings at the Aravalli Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon.

More than 170 students from Heritage School and over 20 students from Manas School, planted 340 saplings at the Aravalli Biodiversity Park recently. We are trying our best to increase the green cover in Gurgaon. These trees will grow on the Aravalli Range and will prevent the hills from turning into a desert, says, Aaliya Ganguly, a 10-year-old student. While residents of Tulip Society have planted 600 trees as part of their initiative  Harit Gurugram  a group of families from Suncity, Gurgaon are crusading the cause of nature conservation and recently buried 250 seed balls, in and around their society.

Resident of Suncity Society in Gurgaon, bury seed balls in and around the society complex.

Theres no need for artificial purifiers if we plant sufficient trees, says an entrepreneur Anju Singh. We, on an individual basis need to organise plantation drives. Whenever I see an empty space, I feel like growing a plant. I planted some neem saplings a few years back, which have grown into big trees now. For the seed balls, we usually use neem seeds since its a robust plant that can grow anywhere. We also use other seeds such as those of amrood (guava), peepal (fig) and bargad (banyan). Weve already collected seeds for the next season and are drying them now, adds Singh.

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A 25-year-old commodity broker, residing in Sector 46, was allegedly sold a stolen Dell laptop worth Rs 49,000 on Paytm website. The police have registered an FIR at Sector 50 station based on the mans complaint.

Gaurav Saroha , the complainant, said he bought the laptop on PayTM in May. PayTM Mall spokesperson said the matter was being investigated and appropriate action will be taken against the seller.

I had ordered the laptop on May 24 for Rs 48,999 and received it on May 29. While activating the new laptop, the Windows operating system stopped installing at the last stage and showed an error message. I gave me an error message every time I tried, Saroha said.

He contacted the Dell customer care. After numerous calls to Dell, I was told that the laptop in question was stolen. They said that since the previous owner had complained to them about the theft, the Windows registration was blocked and the laptop was reported as stolen on all major websites. They also said the warranty had also expired in January, Saroha said. Dell also gave in written to him about laptop being stolen.

Saroha called the Paytm customer care to complain.

After a long hold, the executive asked me to return the laptop. I said I havent placed any return request and just wanted to know how to activate the laptop, Saroha said.

They asked him to contact Dell. Within two days of the call, Paytm sent a delivery executive to my home who said he was there to collect the laptop.

I had not requested any return and I told so to the executive. I contacted my brother, who is a lawyer, Saroha said. His brother was not in the city and returned to Gurgaon this week. They then filed a complaint on Wednesday.

Inspector Surender Phogat, SHO, Sector 50 police station, said though such complaints are usually sent to the cyber cell, this case was different.

Here, the complainant has proof that the laptop was a stolen one. Since it is a case of a stolen laptop being sold, we registered the case against unknown persons, Phogat said.

The FIR has been registered under IPC section 420 (cheating) and 406 (criminal breach of trust).

Paytm Mall spokesperson said, We consider trust to be one of the most important factors for individuals conducting business on our platform. We recently delisted over 85,000 sellers and six logistics partners as they were unable to offer a superior consumer experience. We are already investigating the concern and will ensure necessary support is offered to the customer and appropriate action is taken against the seller.
A 45-year-old man, who had recently joined a television channel, was allegedly shot dead in broad day light at Jharsa road on Friday afternoon.

Around three to four men, reportedly in a Santro car, fired four to five bullets, which hit Surinder Singh Rana in the head and chest, said police. The incident happened opposite the revenue office near Civil Lines around 1.30pm.

A case of murder was registered against four persons, including a woman, on the complaint of Ranas wife at Civil Lines police station, the officials said. A case under section 302 and 34 IPC and Arms act has been registered against four persons, said a police official.

The accused have been identified as Bala Devi, resident of Sukhrali, and her sons Naveen, Sanjay, and Satpal.

Eyewitnesses said that Rana, 45, had purchased liquor from a vend opposite the revenue office, when the assailants came and parked their car in front of his silver Safari car.

The victim came out of the car and spoke with the accused but suddenly gunshots could be heard. When we came out of the shop, we saw him lying in a pool of blood, said an eyewitness.

Eyewitnesses also said there was a heated discussion between the victim and the accused after which the firing took place. However, it is not clear whether the the pistol belonged to Rana or the accused.

The accused were reportedly waiting for him at a snack shop opposite the vend. They later escaped towards Delhi-Gurgaon expressway.

The victim, a resident of Shanti Nagar, was taken to Civil Hospital, Gurgaon, by a traffic police team but was declared brought dead. Ranas car had the sticker of a news channel based in Jammu and Kashmir.

Police found plastic glasses in which he had drank liquor while apparently waiting for the accused. A high definition digital camera fitted with a microphone usually used by television channels was also found on the dashboard.

The police also recovered a camera and photos that were developed recently from a photo studio on Khandsa road.

Several documents, including the firearm licence and cheque books, were also recovered.

As soon as the information of shooting reached police, crime branch officials led by DCP, crime, Sumit Kuhar, and cops from Civil Lines police station reached the spot.

A forensic team has collected evidence and the fingerprints. CCTV footage is being procured from the shops nearby and the culprits will be nabbed soon, said Kuhar.

We are probing the murder from all angles and nothing can be ruled out, added Kuhar.

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The Hurriyat has denounced al-Qaedas announcement declaring militant Zakir Musa as its regional head in Kashmir, and asserted that the freedom movement was local and indigenous.

Terrorism and the freedom movement are poles apart. Our movement is local in nature and indigenous in character, said a joint statement issued by Hurriyat leaders, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik on Friday.

It also said that international terror outfits like ISIS and al-Qaeda are non-existent in the state and there is no role for these groups within our movement.

The statement came a day after Musa was chosen as the head of Ansar Ghazwat-Ul-Hind, according to an announcement made by an al-Qaeda-affiliated propaganda channel.

Musa, one of the most prominent faces of Kashmir militancy, is one of the survivors of the homegrown militants, whose photos were posted on social media two years back by then Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

Wani and several others in the photo were killed by security forces in different operations. Musa, who succeeded Wani, severed ties with the Hizbul after United Jihad Council (UJC) denounced his remarks threatening to behead the separatist leaders.

UJC chief Syed Salahuddin, who controls the Hizbul from beyond the de-factor border in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), had on Thursday denounced the al-Qaedas statement announcing Musa as its regional head.

Referring to Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, the Hurriyat said that al-Qaeda and ISIS are involved in merciless killings, and neither are they fighting against tyrant forces nor have they succeeded in realising Islamic jurisprudence in any part of the world.

The statement also blamed Indian intelligence agencies for being desperate to malign our movement and bring bad name to the freedom struggle in Kashmir.

The statement said that New Delhi is frustrated and has launched a well-planned psychological war against the freedom movement and label it with global terrorism.

Warning people about the deceitful game of the Indian authorities, the leaders said that the nation should follow every programme (of the joint leadership) with persistence and wisdom and asked to exhibit unity among its folds.
The Janata Dal (United) on Friday expressed happiness over Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars victory in floor test and said it was a victory against those who tried to rule in the name of corruption and greed.

It is a debacle of those who were trying to rule in the name of corruption and greed. The truth has won and arrogant people have failed. We only wanted clarification on disproportionate income. We got peoples mandate for good governance. We have cleared the floor test and now will win peoples trust, JD (U) leader KC Tyagi told ANI.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also rejoiced Nitishs victory and said Bihar will now be free from corruption and hooliganism.

Everyone supported us and NDA was intact completely. This is new morning for Bihar which is a positive sign. Now development will take place. Now under Prime Minister Modi supervision Bihar will go far. Now progress will be made. Now corruption free government will be there. There is no place of hooliganism in politics and democracy, BJP leader Ashwini Choubey told ANI.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar won the floor test with 131 of the 243 legislators voting for him.

At least 108 MLAs voted against the motion.

Meanwhile, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) broke out in protests outside the Assembly in protest.

The assembly also witnessed heated argument between Tejashwi and Nitish.

Venting out his anger against Nitish Kumar earlier in the special session, Tejashwi asked him that did he not feel ashamed sitting next to Sushil Modi.

Nitish also hit back at Tejashwi and said he would not support one who indulges in corruption and accumulates income through wrong means.

We were given a mandate to work. We tried to overcome all the problems by respecting the Mahagatbandhan. You (Tejashwi) were not clarifying on the corruption charges. I had only asked your explanation. This government will work and serve the people of Bihar. We will not tolerate corruption and injustice. Secularism is not to hide your corruption and wrongdoings. We will not support the one who will accumulate income through wrong means, Nitish said.

The Chief Minister was facing vote of confidence in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, to prove his majority to form the state government.
Army chief General Bipin Rawat arrived in Jammu on Friday for a two-day visit of forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) where Indian and Pakistani troops have been engaged in skirmishes.

The army chief landed at the technical airport around 10 am on Friday where he was received by Northern army commander Lt Gen Devraj Anbu, 16 Corps GOC Lt Gen AK Sharma and Tiger Division GOC Maj Gen SK Sharma, army sources said.

Gen Rawat, accompanied by the Lt Gen Anbu visited White Knight Corps to review operational preparedness and the prevailing security situation in the Corps Zone, a statement issued by the Army said.

Later, the top officers headed to forward areas in Nowshera, Bhimber Gali (BG) and Krishna Ghati (KG) sectors of Rajouri and Poonch districts in a helicopter. He was briefed in detail on the actions being undertaken to ensure a robust counter-infiltration grid.

Gen Rawat will also be meeting formation commanders to get a detailed feedback from them on the recent skirmishes and the prevailing security scenario on the LoC, the sources said.

Since May 1 this year, both the countries have been trading heavy fire on the de-facto border leaving several soldiers and civilians dead on either side of the divide.

Nine soldiers were among 11 killed while 16 others injured in border skirmishes this month in Rajouri and Poonch districts, south of Pir Panjal range.

More than 4,000 villagers in Nowshera sector were shifted to five relief camps and over 110 livestock fell prey to shelling and firings by the Pakistani army along the LoC in Rajouri district where nearly 35 structures, including over two dozen houses, were damaged.

Gen Rawat will also chair a meeting for review of security with the top commanders at the Northern Command headquarters.

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The Czech foreign minister has called on Egypt to announce the circumstances of an attack on its popular Red Sea resort town of Hurghada which killed a Czech woman and two German tourists two weeks ago.

"We insist on that we need to know what really happened on the beach," minister Lubomir Zaoralek was quoted as saying by the Czech News Agency (CTK) on Friday..

The Czech woman, who was pronounced dead on Thursday, was among the victims of an Egyptian man who fatally stabbed two Germans and wounded four other tourists at a Hurghada resort on July 14. Only life support was keeping her alive in a Cairo hospital ever since.

"We need to know whether this was a terrorist attack and what its background was," Zaoralek said.

The Czech foreign ministry has sent a note to Egypt on Wednesday "due to lacking details of the attack," CTK added.

Egypt said the motive for the attack is still unknown as investigators continue a probe.

The Czech minister said that Cairo should also consider compensating the woman's family in the Czech Republic.

"The situation is exceptional and that is why we have started negotiating with the Egyptian side because it would be strange to tell the family that they should turn to court in a civilian dispute," Zaoralek said.

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A resolution seems to have been brought about in the casteist tension in an Andhra Pradesh village as the Dalits called off their plans for an indefinite fast, with riders, against the social boycott by an upper caste group after the state government intervened.

The matter pertains to the social boycott of the Dalits by upper caste Rajus of the Kshatriya community in West Godavari districts Garagaparry village three months ago following the formers demand for installation of their icon, B R Ambedkars statue on the banks of the village tank.

As a fallout, the Rajus stopped employing the Dalits and cancelled the land leased to them for farming and gave it to others.

As tension ensued, a group of state ministers comprising social welfare minister Nakka Anand Babu, labour and employment minister Pithani Satyanarayana and excise minister Kothapalli Jawahar, along with AP Scheduled Castes Corporation chairman Jupudi Prabhakar Rao visited the village on Tuesday.

Following two days of negotiations, the Rajus agreed to lift the social boycott on Dalits and agreed to take them back into work. They also agreed to the installation of the Ambedkar statue on the banks of the village tank.

The ministers also assured that concrete roads with underground drainage system would be laid in the entire village and an English medium school would be opened.

They also promised to look into the demand of the Dalits for distribution of agriculture lands and house sites to eligible Dalit families.

Though the Dalits called off their plan to launch an indefinite fast, they are sceptical about the governments assurances.

We have not completely withdrawn our agitation. Though the Raju families have agreed to take us back into work, they have not yet returned the lands which we had taken on lease in the past. We want those lands back, G Rajesh, a Dalit youth, who has been leading the agitation for the last three months, told HT.

He asked the government to fulfil its promise of giving two acres of agricultural land to each Dalit family so that they would not have to depend on the Rajus for farming.

The government and the local leaders managed to lure some of our Dalit leaders and forced them to compromise with the upper caste people. But majority of us will not rest till all our demands are fulfilled, Rajesh asserted.

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The Delhi and Uttar Pradesh governments have virtually given a clean chit to the Art of Living Foundation, an NGO led by spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar that was accused of damaging nearly 420 acres of the Yamuna floodplains by hosting a cultural event in 2016.

A three-member committee of officials from both the governments said in a report submitted to the National Green Tribunal on Friday that the site did not show signs of lasting environmental damage, as was reported by a seven-member committee of senior scientists.

The panel with the government members inspected the site on Wednesday.

The land where the function of Art of Living was held is fully covered with grass along with some saplings/seedlings of various tree species. This kind of grass and natural regeneration of seedlings is not possible on compacted soil, the latest report said.

The soil on the eastern bank (where a car-parking was made) was very loose and very healthy crop were standing, it added.

The findings contradict the report of the seven-member panel set up by the green body that included comprising eminent scientists CR Babu, AK Gosain and NK Labhasetwar among others.

They had said that the site was damaged because it was levelled by compacting soil and several water bodies had been filled up.

The NGT had in March 2016 allowed the festival, saying that as the matter was fait accompli, they could not ban it. The three-day World Cultural Festival soon grabbed headlines for allegedly polluting and damaging the Yamuna floodplain ecosystem.

A week ago on July 21, the NGT formed a committee comprising senior officials of the Delhi Development Authority and the chief engineers of the irrigation department of Delhi and UP.

The committee was directed to submit an action plan by July 28.

The latest report also claims, No significant size of wetland or water body was noticed by the committee in the area used by Art of Living. The committee also could not see any heap of debris in the site.

From the images (read Google images) it is evident that no wetland or water body is seen on the site prior to the event, said the report.

In contrast, the seven-member committee had said that the Art of Livings event led to the loss of water bodies, wetlands, floodplain vegetation and biodiversity.

The Art of Living too roped in 15 experts to prepare a report to counter the claims of the seven member expert committee.

The NGOs report had said: If at all any such accidental damage which would have taken place during the event, in all probability they have already been reversed by natural processes. With the arrival of monsoon in 2016 all the lost plants and animals would have re-colonised the event site.

None of the panellists nor any representative from the NGO or the from the government wished to comment on this much hyped legal tussle. The NGT would hear the matter again on August 4.

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The office-bearers of the Bhim Army gheraoed the office of the district magistrate alleging that the outfits founder Chandrasekhar was assaulted inside a jail in Saharanpur.

They also submitted a memorandum to administrative officials on Thursday and demanded necessary action and an unbiased investigation into their charges.

The mother of Bhim Armys district unit president Kamal Walia said if innocent people of the Dalit outfit were attacked they would not sit silent.

The office-bearers sought an early resolution of the issue and warned of launching a stir if their demands were not met.

Chandrashekhar, a lawyer by profession, was arrested on June 8 by the Special Task Force of Uttar Pradesh Police from Himachal Pradeshs Dalhousie in connection with his alleged role in the violence in Saharanpur.

He had shot to limelight after holding a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against violence on Dalits in Saharanpur.

Bhim Sena supporters holding a protest over the arrest of their leader Chandrashekhar and other leaders at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on June 18, 2017. (PTI)

Earlier, two members of the Bhim Army were arrested in Saharanpur for their alleged involvement in the Ramnagar caste violence on May 9 after a person was killed and several others were injured in a clash between Dalits and Thakurs at Shabbirpur village on May 5.

About a dozen police vehicles were set ablaze and 12 policemen were injured in subsequent violence on May 9.
Though Nitish Kumar has switched partners to head a JD (U)-led NDA government in the state, he is set to stand by his promise to support UPAs vice presidential nominee Gopal Krishna Gandhi.

The question has been doing rounds over JD (U)s stand, since Wednesdays political upheaval, in the changed circumstances.

Confirming the development, a senior party leader said Kumar has cleared his stand on the issue, saying the tie-up with BJP has been done in the interest of the state, but the decision to support Gandhi was taken keeping his ability and identity in mind.

The chief minister, who also heads the party, has asked legislators not to mix the two issues.

There is no cause to prompt a change in partys stance, he said, hinting that the fast-paced political development had no bearing on its earlier stand.

Gandhi, it may be recalled, was the first choice of JD(U) for being declared as the presidential face from the Opposition block (UPA), with Kumar himself proposing the name to CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury at a meeting in Chennai coinciding with DMK strongman M Karunanidhis birthday.



As the Congress dragged its feet on the issue, Kumar announced his support to NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind.

While preferring to break ranks with the Opposition over the issue of support to Congress presidential nominee Meira Kumar, Kumar tried to balance his independent decision taking streak by underlining his

support for Gandhi, who was picked up by the Opposition parties as the vice presidential

candidate. Former JD(U) president Sharad Yadav and secretary general KC Tyagi were present during the filing of nomination papers by Gandhi.
Many Congress leaders would recall how party vice president Rahul Gandhi would hail Nitish Kumar and Sheila Dikshit as great chief ministers in internal meetings.

But on Thursday, Gandhi had a bitter tone: People do anything for their selfish motives. There is no principle, no credibility. They can do anything for power.

He was referring to Bihar chief minister and JD (U) leaders move to dump the mahagatbandhan or the grand alliance, of which the Congress was a part, to form a government in the state with the BJPs support.

Kumar snapped ties with the alliance on Wednesday following an impasse with coalition partner Rashtriya Janata Dal over the fate of Lalus son Tejashwi  the states deputy CM who has been accused of corruption.

Soon after resigning as chief minister, Kumar came back at the helm holding BJPs hands, serving a blow to Oppositions plan of forging a Bihar-type grand alliance to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had been nurturing an excellent working relation with her Bihar counterpart. Plans were afoot for joint rallies of different Opposition parties against the Modi government. But the admiration for Nitishs style of governance has suddenly disappeared from her mind. He has been exposed. This is sheer opportunism,  Banerjee said in close quarters.

Within hours after Lalu Prasad lost Kumar in Bihars power game , he found other Opposition parties rallying behind him despite corruption cases against him and his family members.

We are with Lalu ji. These cases are a part of political vendetta, said Banerjee in close quarters.

Some of her party leaders too, are facing graft charges. The Congress and other parties took similar position and the Opposition had demanded a debate on the issue, defending Prasad.

The CPI(M), which usually stays away from stains of corruption, sided with Lalu and slammed Kumar as a rank opportunist. Anyone who supports BJP now backs lynching of minorities, atrocities against Dalits, pushing farmers to suicide and making our youth jobless, announced party general secretary Sitaram Yechury.

Lalu Prasad announced that he would go on with his protest rallies with Mayawati of Bahujan Samaj Party and Mulayam Singh Yadav of Samajwadi Partyindicating further support for him.

Kumars sudden shift to the BJP has not just baffled the Opposition parties, it has angered them.

CPI(M) politburo members recall how they frequently met Kumar whenever they went to Patna. He always complained that we have pushed him to the BJP. But now, when secular parties are united and Kumar is playing an important role, he voluntarily shifted to the other side, said a politburo member.

Naveen Patnaiks BJD, however, took a different stand and said, In politics, ultimately, its not numbers but chemistry that works. Nitish has played a good stroke, said BJDs Lok Sabha floor leader Bhartruhari Mahtab.

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Leader of the opposition in the Bihar assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, on Friday, accused chief minister Nitish Kumar of conspiring to defame him at a young age as a ploy for jettisoning the grand alliance (GA) and switching sides to form a new government with the BJP led NDA.

Yadav, 28, son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad and head of the 80-member RJD legislature party in the assembly, also slammed CM Kumar for insulting the mandate given by the people in the 2015 Bihar assembly poll, which was won by the RJD-JD (U)-Congress alliance.

Tejashwi was deputy CM under Kumar for 20 months before he lost his job when Kumar resigned on Wednesday as chief minister of a GA government and formed a new one with the BJP-led NDA, on Thursday.

Speaking against the motion of confidence in his new government, moved by Kumar in the state assembly, Tejashwi said the CBI FIR against him in the land for railways hotels scam was stage managed to spoil his image and allow a new JD(U)-BJP alliance to take shape.

Tejashwi was named in an FIR filed by the CBI earlier this month as a beneficiary of land given by a private party in lieu of acquiring leases for railways hotels at Ranchi and Puri, during his father, Lalu Prasads tenure as railways minister (2004-09).

I am a 28 year old who cannot be charged with any impropriety as a deputy CM. But I was used as a pawn by you (read Nitish). Nitishji, you had long ago made up your mind to go with the BJP. The demand for my resignation over the CBI FIR was mere drama, he said, amid thunderous applause from the opposition benches.

Tejashwi blamed the CM for what he called a waste of four precious years of Bihar.

In the last four years, Bihar has seen four governments just to suit the whims of an individual (Nitish Kumar), he added, even as he called the new JD(U)-BJP alliance a coalition shaped through manipulation and fraud.

Extolling his own clean image as a minister, Tejashwi said he had blocked avenues of corruption. Where did I go wrong, tell me, he asked.

In the same vein, he rebutted the charge that RJD chief Lalu Prasad had smothered the grand alliance out of love for his son (Putra Moh) by not allowing Tejashwi to resign as deputy CM despite JD (U)s pressure.

The GA has not withered due to Putra Moh. It has broken because of Bhai Moh, he said, implying that CM Kumar had staged the switch over to BJP because of his long association with the saffron party, which he severed in 2013.

The RJD leader said the JD (U)-BJP alliance government, sworn in on Thursday, was an insult to the sentiments of backwards, minorities and other weaker sections who had voted for the grand alliance in the 2015 poll. This is murder of democracy, he said.

He also attacked the BJP, saying, You have forgotten, that despite you having 91 legislators, you were thrown out of government just like a fly out of milk. You were not charged with corruption and were still treated so shabbily. Yet, you are back breaking bread at the same table.

On the demand for his resignation, following the CBI FIR against him, the Yadav scion said he was under the impression that CM Kumar was not keen on his resignation as he never did ask for it. I had asked the CM as to what clarification he needed on the FIR and was ready with my reply, he said.

In his 45 minute speech, Tejashwi called CM Kumars policy of zero tolerance of corruption a farce, asking why he had joined hands with his father and RJD chief Lalu Prasad, in 2015, despite knowing well that he was convicted in a fodder scam case.

Tejashwi asked whether CM Kumar and PM Narendra Modi had taken any decision on framing a law under which any politician holding a constitutional post would have to resign if an FIR was registered against him/her.

You have an FIR in which grave charges under 302 have been applied. Even Sushil Modi has a FIR under section 420, similar to the one against me. So, how is that both of you are now holding top posts? he asked, evoking strong protests from the JD (U) and BJP members.

The RJD leader also took a dig at CMs Kumar initiative to popularise Gandhian principles, saying that it was a farce as the JD (U) president had joined hands with the forces that killed him, referring to Nathuram Godse.

He also dared CM Kumar to show if he had taken a commitment from BJP to accord special status to Bihar or impose prohibition in the entire country, as he had often raised these issues, when he was in the grand alliance.

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The changed colours and contours of Bihar politics were in full display when the Bihar assembly assembled on Friday for the vote of confidence sought by chief minister Nitish Kumar in the new, NDA government he came to head on Thursday.

On the one hand, RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who had served as deputy CM under him for about 20 months before Kumar resigned as CM of a grand alliance government on Wednesday and formed a fresh one with the BJP-led NDA on Thursday, went hammer and tongs against his former boss, in his speech during the vote.

On the other, the BJP members, CM Kumars bitter critics for much of the past four years, since Kumar exited the NDA in June 2013 when the BJP put Narendra Modi in line to be the alliances PM candidate in the 2014 Lok Sabha poll, rose in spirited defence of their prodigal ally.

While Tejashwi, now leader of opposition, termed chacha Nitish's decision to resign and plunge GA into turmoil as premeditated and akin to murder of democracy, BJPs Nand Kishore Yadav jumped in defence of Kumar, hailing his wise and brave decision join forces with the NDA in Bihars larger interest.

Cut to the quick by the opposition allegation he had played a fixed match with the BJP to jettison the grand alliance, an unusually charged up Kumar threatened to expose his detractors, both inside and outside the House. The people are the biggest court. I cannot allow secularism to be used as cover up for corrupt deeds, he said.

Former assembly speaker and senior Congress leader Sadanand Singh said he found it tough to believe that Kumar had switched sides.

Did he not stop even for a moment to think of the GA, which stopped the BJP from taking over Bihar. Did he not remember what he said about the BJP, i.e. he would never again join hands with the party till his last breath? he asked.

Nand Kishore Yadav, who was road construction minister in an earlier NDA government headed by Kumar, said the chief minister did not know that his young deputy had amassed so much of unaccounted wealth. Whenever Kumar has resigned, it has been on the matter of principle. This time is no different, he added.

On Tejaswhis accusations that the mandate of the poor, Dalits and minorities had been hijacked (by Kumars decision to join forces with the NDA),Yadav wondered how thousands of crores of poor peoples money had reached one family.

One thing known about Nitishji is that he cannot compromise on corruption. Had Laluji not been blinded by the love for his son, he would have made senior leader like Abdul Bari Siddiqui the deputy CM, he added.

Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi said it was tough for Kumar to continue as CM amid corruption and crime, which RJD symbolized.

The RJD leadership did not even suspend convicted rx-MP Mohammad Shahabuddin and made him a member of the partys national executive. Another convict , RJD MLA Raj Ballabh Yadav, talked at length with RJD chief. Then, there was benami property slur (on Lalus family members). The mandate was not for such things, he added.

As RJD members tried to shout Modi down, the Speaker intervened to restore order in the house. Modi even thanked the Congress and the RJD for prevailing upon Tejashwi not to resign. But for that, I would not have returned to office in Bihar after four years, he quipped.

The bitterness in the house was all too apparent amidst frequent slogan shouting from the opposition benches and equally vociferous rebuttals by the treasury side. The move of Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary to go in for a voice vote to decide the outcome of the trust vote also came to a nought amid the shouting.

As such the trust vote was settle 131 to 108 votes, through lobby division..

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The Congress on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of horse-trading and misusing money, muscle and state powers after six of its legislators in Gujarat resigned ahead of the August 8 Rajya Sabha poll endangering its lone candidate Ahmed Patels chances.

Balwantsinh Rajput, Tejshree Patel, and Prahlad Patel resigned from the Congress and joined the BJP on Thursday.

On Friday, three more members of legislative assembly, including Manshin Chauhan, Channa Chaudhary, and Ramsinh Parmar, tendered their resignation to assembly Speaker Ramanlal Vora.

Ahmed Patel, Congress president Sonia Gandhis political secretary, will now need at least 45 votes of the 51 Congress MLAs. There are 176 MLAs left in the Gujarat assembly after the six Congress lawmakers resignation.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said his party has asked the Election Commission of India to take a serious note of the development and file a criminal case. He called it a murder of democracy and violation of constitutional law.

The Congress, whose strength in the assembly was reduced to 51 from 57, also alleged three of its MLAs were contacted by a senior police officer, including others, who made an offer to the tune of Rs 5 to 10 crore to deflect.

This election is being contested by BJP chief Amit Shah and Union minister Smriti Irani. Out of hunger for power, though the BJP has the mandate only for two candidates, it has fielded three members this time around, Surjewala told reporters.

#WATCH: Amit Shah, Union minister Smriti Irani & Balwantsinh Rajput filed nomination for Rajya Sabha elections from Gujarat, in Gandhinagar. pic.twitter.com/FZPP5RuUgZ  ANI (@ANI_news) July 28, 2017

The Congress rebel Rajput has filed his nomination as the third candidate of the saffron party.

Vyara MLA Puna Gamit, who was present at the press conference held by Surjewala along with other two MLAs, said he was approached by a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and offered money to resign. He also said that he can make me talk to Amit Shah, Gamit alleged.

Dang MLA Mangal Gavit also claimed a man from the co-operative sector approached him on July 21-22 and offered that the BJP will give him a ticket in the next assembly election and sponsor his poll expenditure. Another MLA Anand Chaudhary also alleged the BJP tried to buy him out.

First, they used IPS officers for fake encounters and now for threatening Congress MLAs, senior Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil said.

Gohil added the MLAs, who have joined the BJP, contacted him and said their freedom was taken away the moment they became the member of the saffron party.

The BJP dismissed all the allegations and blamed the defections on factionalism in the grand old party.

The BJP is not giving them any post or doing a favour. The Congress MLAs are leaving the party in large number due to factionalism and the fact that the party, despite opposition from its members, has repeatedly chosen Ahmed Patel for RS, deputy chief minister Nitin Patel said.
In an apparent effort to persuade Sharad Yadav to break ranks with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury met Janata Dal (United) leader at his Tughlaq Road residence on Friday.

While Yadav is understood to be miffed with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumars decision to align with the BJP, there have been speculations that the NDA camp was considering possibilities of offering him a Union cabinet berth to assuage his feelings.

A JD(U) source said the swiftness with which Kumar sealed the tie-up with the BJP within hours of walking out of the mahagathbandhan of the RJD, JD(U) and the Congress on Wednesday evening, showed that it was a pre-decided deal.

Sharad Yadav had been working to forge a grand alliance of opposition parties at the national level. He feels totally let down by Kumars move, a leader close to him said.

Two Rajya Sabha members, Ali Anwar and M P Veerendra Kumar, have gone on record against Kumars decision. Yadav is the partys leader in the RS where it has 10 MPs.

However, if Yadav does move against Kumar, the road ahead for him remains unclear. Sources said he does not have enough support to split the party and the vote in the Bihar assembly on Friday showed that party MLAs are firmly behind Kumar.

Several groups of university students also met Yadav at his residence, urging him to not join the NDA and be part of a secular grouping.

Senior BJP leader and finance minister Arun Jaitley has also spoken to Yadav in a bid to persuade him to continue to be a part of the NDA. Kumar too had spoken to him on Thursday.

(With PTI inputs)

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The government wants all its diplomatic missions abroad to open centres to promote traditional Indian medicines, yoga and the Indian concept of well being.

The external affairs ministry is working on the missive from the ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (Ayush).

India has 183 diplomatic missions and posts. The centres, which can be opened on premises of the missions, cultural centres they run or any other places identified by embassies, will promote ayurveda, yoga naturopathy, unani, siddha and homoeopathy.

The objective of Ayush Information Cells is to disseminate authentic information about the Ayush system of medicine. There is a lot of interest around the world about them. Now, the plan is to try and have such centres in all Indian missions, said an MEA official. He added, These centres will help those who are interested in getting authentic information and get foreign experts connected with their Indian counterparts.

The Ayush Information Cell will be provided with publicity material consisting of literature in the form of books and CDs.

After the NDA government came to power, the Ayush department was converted into a ministry. Promotion of yoga around the world has remained a key aspect of the governments soft power projection.

To set up such centres, the Ayush ministry will give a one-time grant of 15 lakh and an annual assistance of 5 lakh to run them.

There are now 28 such centres in 25 countries from Central Asia to Latin America.

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Six people were killed and 20 others injured on Friday when a bus collided with a truck on a major highway connecting the capital Cairo with the North Coast, Egypt's state news agency MENA said.

The accident occurred on the Al-Alamein-Wadi Al-Natroun road, northwest of Cairo. The bus was carrying Cairenes to the coast.

Friday's accident is the latest in a series of crashes that occurred on the same road this summer, which is a main route to the coast for holidaymakers from the capital.

Nineteen ambulances were deployed to the crash site, the head of Egypt's ambulance authority, Ahmed El-Ansary, said. Ten of those injured were allowed to leave hospital after their condition improved.

Deadly road crashes take place on a near daily basis in Egypt, which is notorious for poor road safety, badly maintained infrastructure, and loosely enforced traffic regulations.

In 2015, the country saw 25,500 road fatalities, while the total number of car accidents was 14,500, according to a study published by the official statistics body CAPMAS in August 2016.

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Youth Congress leader and son of former Andhra Pradesh minister M Mukesh Goud, M Vikram Goud, was allegedly shot at by unidentified men at his residence in the upscale Banjara Hills area in Hyderabad early on Friday, police said.

According to the police, the incident happened at around 3.30am at Gayatri Hills area when Goud was waiting for his wife Shipali and children inside the hall at his house to go the nearby temple to perform a puja.

The men rushed into the hall, fired at Goud and fled the spot. Shipali, who was getting ready in her bedroom upstairs, rushed down into the hall soon after hearing the gunshots and found her husband lying in a pool of blood.

With the help of the watchman and others, she immediately rushed Goud to Apollo Hospital at Jubilee Hills. He sustained bullet injuries on his right shoulder, stomach and spinal cord. The doctors removed three bullets from his body and declared him out of danger.

Hyderabad West Zone deputy commissioner of police A Venkateswar Rao visited the hospital with the local police and inquired about the incident and also interacted with Gouds family members.

The Banjara Hills police registered an attempt to murder case following a formal complaint from Shipali. We have deputed four teams of police personnel including a clues team along with a dog rushed to the spot and investigation is on, said Rao.

Police said the reasons behind the firing were not known but they were trying to verify the CCTV footage of the building to find out why Goud was shot at and also nab the culprits.

They are also looking into the angle of whether Goud had any family disputes.

The weapon, supposed to be a crude pistol, was seized from Gouds house along with a cartridge. Two empty shells were also recovered.

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The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked the universities across the country to install alarm bells in

hostels to identify troublemakers as part of the anti-ragging measures.

The commission issued a circular on Wednesday, asking all the higher educational institutes to take steps to prevent ragging and warned them of punitive action if they failed to take action against those found guilty.

Any violation of these regulations will be viewed seriously. If an institution fails to take adequate steps to prevent ragging or does not act in accordance with these regulations or fails to punish perpetrators suitably, it will attract punitive action by the UGC, reads the circular issued by Jaspal S Sandhu, secretary, UGC.

So far, as many as 288 ragging-related complaints have been received by the anti-ragging call centre. Last year, the number stood at 515 and in 2015 it was 423.

Most of the complaints have been received from Uttar Pradesh, followed by Madhya Pradesh. Universities have been asked to step up anti-ragging mechanisms by constituting an anti-ragging committee, anti-ragging squad, setting up anti-ragging cell and installing CCTVs.

Some of the measures also include identification of troublemakers and surprise checks in hostels, student accommodations, canteens, recreational rooms, toilets and bus stops. Students in distress can call the national anti-ragging helpline 1800-180-5522 round-the-clock. The commission has also made four short films and a documentary film to counsel students on ill-effects of ragging.
The Government Ayurvedic college here, which was shut in 1981, is all set to be revived, with the Jammu and Kashmir government aiming to start academic activities from the current academic session, state Minister for Health and Medical Education Bali Bhagat said.

According to state heath department officials, the project coming up at an estimated cost of Rs 25.80 crore at Sangani-Akhnoor is at the final stage and likely to be finished during the current fiscal.

Till date, Rs 19 crore stands incurred on various works, they said.

The Government Ayurvedic College in Jammu, the only such institute in the state, was established in 1962. The college was closed in 1981, but the the Government Ayurvedic hospital continues to function.

In view of increasing popularity and demand for AYUSH treatment, the government has decided to give appropriate recognition to this vital area of traditional healthcare, and the academic activities (at the Government Ayurvedic college) will be started from the current session with 50 BAMS seats, Bhagat said.

The minister, who chaired a high-level meeting here yesterday, to discuss the modalities for starting the first batch of the Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) at the college, said issues relating to revival of the college vis-a-vis arrangements of faculty, candidate selection, infrastructural facilities and hostel were discussed.

He directed that all formalities are finalised and bottlenecks cleared at the earliest to ensure starting of the BAMS course from the current academic session itself.

Bhagat is scheduled to meet Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jai Prakash Nadda and high-level functionaries of the AYUSH Ministry on August 2 in Delhi to discuss revival of the college and the ministrys support in the matter, an official spokesperson said.

The minister said the matter with regard to the selection of 50 candidates has been taken up with the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations authorities for starting of first batch of BAMS course in this college from the current session.
The Supreme Court agreed on Friday to hear a petition seeking cancellation of bail granted by the Bombay High Court to Pragya Singh Thakur in the Malegaon blast case and sought a response from investigating agency NIA.

A bench headed by Justice RK Agrawal also asked Thakur to submit her response before the next hearing on August 14. The matter will be heard with Colonel Shrikant Purohits petition for bail in the same case.

The petition, filed by Malegaon resident Nisar Ahmed Bilal, alleged that the high court erred in concluding that there was no prima facie evidence against Thakur. Six people were killed in the blast in 2008.

The HC failed to appreciate ample and exhaustive evidence that unequivocally points to her (Thakurs) involvement as one of the chief conspirators, abettors and perpetrators of the Malegaon blasts. The material on record shows she was in collusion with several co-accused in a criminal conspiracy to carry out the blasts, the petition said.

In April this year, the high court granted bail to Thakur but rejected Purohits plea for release. It held that prima facie there was no case made against her. She was asked to surrender her passport to the NIA and asked not to tamper with evidence.

After taking over the probe from Maharashtra Police, the NIA filed a supplementary chargesheet in May, dropping charges under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against Thakur and five others.

She was charged by the Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad in 2009 which said her motorcycle was used to plant the bomb that killed six and injured many.
West Bengals ruling Trinamool Congress extended its support on Friday to Congress candidate Pradip Bhattacharya for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls, opening up possibilities of a new political alignment in the state.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee earlier on Friday held a meeting with Bhattacharya and leader of opposition Abdul Mannan.

Emerging from the discussions, Bhattacharya said: She announced full support to us. We have to win this election. So she will extend whatever help we need.

Bhattacharya said Banerjee also expressed her views about the national political developments.

She talked about her views on the all India political situation, the direction in which things are moving. I am not in a position to talk about that. I am just a candidate. It is desirable to have discussions on these issues at the national level, said Bhattacharya,

Earlier in the day, Bhattacharya filed his nomination -- the last date for doing so -- for the August 8 polls for six Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal.

Bhattacharya also took potshots at the Left Front, which fielded former city Mayor Bikash Bhattacharya as its candidate.

Those with whom we were in discussions, who had given their word, we had expected their backing and help, said Bhattacharya.

However, Left Front chairman Biman Bose told the media earlier on Friday that the coalition had to take a last-minute decision to field Bikash Bhattacharya after the Congress renominated sitting member Pradip Bhattacharya.

A few months back, there were talks of the Congress supporting CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury, if nominated by the party. However, Yechurys candidature was shot down by his own partys central committee.

We (LF) were trying to zero in on an outstanding personality outside the periphery of party politics as a common candidate acceptable to all quarters (read Congress and LF). We lost two days looking for such a candidate, Bose said.

We had no idea that Pradip Bhattacharya is contesting. That was announced unilaterally by them (Congress). So, we had to hold an emergency meeting and decide our candidate, he added.

As per the West Bengal assembly arithmetic, five Trinamool candidates -- Derek OBrien, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Dola Sen, Manas Bhunia and Santa Chettri -- are expected to sail through on the strength of the partys numbers.

The focus will now be on the sixth seat, for which Pradip Bhattacharya and Bikash Bhattacharya would duel it out.

After losing some of their lawmakers to the Trinamool, the Congress and Communist Party of India-Marxist are left with 36 and 31 legislators respectively.

To win, a candidate needs 42 first preference votes in the 293-member assembly, the electoral college for the Rajya Sabha polls. With the Trinamool now extending support to the Congress, Pradip Bhattacharya looks favourite to make the cut with the help of the surplus votes of the ruling party.

Banerjee, a staunch opponent of the Centres ruling BJP, has been for some time calling for a united fight against the saffron party.

During the July 21 party rally here, Banerjee kept mum on the Congress -- her adversary in the state for the better part of the Trinamool rule, and announced that her party would stand behind all leaders, including Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, to combat the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The Trinamool and the Congress also joined hands during the recent presidential elections. They have again come together for the coming Vice Presidential polls.

The two parties had forged an alliance for the 2009 Lok Sabha and the 2011 state assembly elections, that brought the 34-year Left Front rule to an end.

While the Trinamool joined the Manmohan Singh government at the Centre, the Congress was part of the Mamata Banerjee government.

However, the coalitions both at the Centre and in the state came apart in 2012. Since then, the Congress and the Trinamool have been opponents in the state.

In the assembly polls last year, the Left Front and the Congress had cobbled up an alliance, which, however, came a cropper.

Fridays developments could prove a dampener on any coming together of the two in the near future.
Authorities are asking us to vacate our villages. If we dont, we will be forcibly evicted, says Jagarnath Tikam, who resides in a village on the banks of Narmada river.

His Bagud village in Madhya Pradeshs Barwani district falls upstream of Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada and faces submergence like many others due to the project, especially during heavy rains, as is happening now.

After Supreme Court ordered residents to vacate submerged areas by July 31, district authorities are working on a war footing to evict over 8,000 people in Barwani, Dhar, Khargone and Alirajpur districts who have stayed put.

Tin sheds (10x15 ft), where people will be shifted for three months, are being constructed rapidly at 23 rehabilitation sites. At least 23 of the 367 religious structures in submerged areas have been moved to safer places. Authorities have also sought assistance of 5,000 police personnel for the final eviction.

Of 18,063 project-affected families, 9,316 have shifted to rehabilitation sites and other places. 5,343 families have constructed their houses at the rehabilitation sites. And 8,747 will be shifted if they dont vacate the villages by July 31, Dr Afroz Ahmad, member, Narmada Control Authority (environment and rehabilitation), told HT.

But Tikam and others, backed by the activist group Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), are defiant. We are ready to drown but we will not shift till we get complete relief and rehabilitation, he says.

Villagers stage a demonstration for permanent rehabilitation before evacuation on the banks of Narmada river in Bagud village in Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh. (Mujeeb Faruqui/HT Photo)

Issues of The Affected

Rehabilitation measures have fallen short of expectations and the villagers are staging protests and relay hunger-strike, demanding more.

Ramesh Yadav, a Dhar villager, points out the lack of basic amenities in the temporary tin-sheet sheds. Besides, we have been provided plots (for construction of new houses) 3 km away at Khedi rehabilitation site, which means everyday we will have to walk 6 km to our farms, he rues.

Many villagers claim they were given a paltry compensation for their houses in 2002 and are demanding higher reimbursements.

Ganesh Awasia from Pichhodi village in Barwani, said people in their village have been allotted plots at nine different rehabilitation sites, up to over 15 km away. How can they separate villagers like this? he asked.

In Kadmal, Bajrikeda and Khaperkheda villages of Dhar, people asked why the government did not serve a notice first.

Villagers at Khaperkheda and Kadmal in Dhar say nearly 1,700 acres of farmland will become a taapu (island) when water levels rise and rued the lack of bridges.

Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader Medha Patkar with oustees of Sardar Sarovar Dam being arrested after they stage a demonstration at Madhya Pradesh Assembly for their demands including rehabilitation and compensation in Bhopal. (PTI)

Fight Intensifies

NBA leader Medha Patkar, who started an indefinite fast on Thursday, said the governments list of affected families has flaws. Many families have left decades ago and many have been removed on the grounds of reduced back water level in the past. But they are in the list while many families still living in submergence area have been left out, she said.

NBA also cited an excavation work to highlight the presence of oldest civilization on Narmadas banks. However, the excavation work was stopped to save the Sardar Sarovar project, they alleged.

Minister of state for Narmada Valley Development Lal Singh Arya dismissed it as a rumour spread by NBA.

He also highlighted the generosity of chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, saying 9,242 families are getting Rs 15 lakh even after they were shifted many years ago because of him.

(With inputs from Shruti Tomar)

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Patna Chief minister Nitish Kumar may have to work with a more assertive and aggressive BJP than the party he allied with earlier, when the saffronites readily played second fiddle, experts and political leaders say.

Kumar begins a fresh innings heading an NDA government but the scenario has changed radically despite the fact that the BJP has been reduced to 53 MLAs from the 91 it had in 2010.

For one, the BJPs reach now extends through the length and breath of the country, including Bihars immediate neighbours - Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.

There is no denying the fact that new alliance will be different from what existed in earlier when Kumar was in complete command and things moved in the desired direction, said DM Diwakar, a political scientist from the AN Sinha Institute.

BJP is a force now and you cannot rule out the emergence of Hindu affiliates and more agressiveness, etc., he added.

Kumars ally may also not forget that he has been foraying into neighbouring Jharkhand, and organising rallies for prohibition along with former BJP man and former Jharkhand chief minister Babulal Marandi. This has not gone down well with present Jharkhand CM, Raghubar Das.

Kumar has also been a target of Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath over the BJPs stance on triple talaq. Kumar had countered the jibe, asking Yogi to first enforce prohibition in UP.

Yogi, who visited Bihar recently, had predicted that the so-called grand alliance wont last long.

Nature would not tolerate such an incompatible marriage. There will soon be a cleanliness drive in Bihar, he said at a rally at Darbhanga.

A top BJP leader of Bihar admitted it is not the same old BJP.

Although we are less in number, the fact is that we have our own agenda and will pursue it, the leader said seeking anonymity as he was hopeful of a ministerial berth.

Another BJP leader said for a section in the party leaders, the humiliation meted out twice by Kumar -- cancelling a dinner for BJP leaders and withdrawing from the NDA before 2014 general election  still rankled.

Social scientist Saibal Gupta of the Patna-based Asian Development Research Institute, however, felt things would be smoother for Nitish than it was under GA.

Nitish and Sushil Modi were and are like Siamese twins of Bihar politics, working for probity and development. Had it been some hardcore leaders like Giriraj Singh or others, one could have thought of uneasiness. But the present BJP has given Kumar a free hand, said Gupta.

JD (U) leaders agreed. Sushil Modi, during a joint address of JD (U) and BJP MLAs at the CMs residencemade it clear that the BJP always stands for development with justice and good governance agenda of Nitish Kumar.

He also recalled how PM Modi always admired Kumar for his administrative and governance qualities, said JD (U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar.

On the bureaucratic front, officials are hopeful that the lacklusture culture under the GA rule will be left behind and work will take off now.

His return to NDA will ensure a smooth run in Bihar, said a top bureaucrat.

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Nitish Kumar is CM again as political balance shifts in Bihar, to face trust vote today

Within 18 hours of resigning as Bihar chief minister, Nitish Kumar took oath on Thursday as the head of the government for the sixth time with the BJPs Sushil Kumar Modi as his deputy. He will seek a trust vote on Friday after re-forging a partnership with the BJP, four years after he walked out of the NDA. His surprise resignation sank the three-party grand alliance of his Janata Dal (United), Lalu Prasads Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress that defeated the BJP in the 2015 state elections. Kumars switch upset several leaders of the JD(U) as well. Sharad Yadav, who led the party before Kumar, is also said to be displeased with the chief ministers unilateral decisions. Read the story here.

Lalu Prasad to take fight for Bihar to Supreme Court

The battle for Bihar is expected to reach the Supreme Court but legal experts see little hope for Lalu Prasad, who has said that he will approach the top court against the governors decision to not call his Rashtriya Janata Dal for government formation. Legal experts say there is nothing illegal about the governors action and that he had the prerogative to invite whoever he thought had a better shot at forming government. The idea of a single-largest party comes after election; after a crisis comes the concept of who has the larger and a stable combination  So the governor has the discretion to call on a combination or a party that will enjoy majority on the floor of the house, said senior advocate Rajeev Dhawan. Read the story here.

Rumblings in JD(U) over Nitishs unilateral decisions

A day after Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar aligned forces with the BJP again, rumblings broke out in the Janata Dal (United), with leaders gathering at senior party leader Sharad Yadavs residence to discuss possibilities of an alternative course of action. JD(U) leaders tried to persuade Yadav to take the lead to oppose the several unilateral decisions Kumar had taken without taking the party into confidence, sources said. Sections of party leaders are unhappy with Kumars decision. My individual view is that a decision to align with the BJP violates the mandate of the 2015 assembly elections to keep the BJP out of power in the state, party MP Ali Anwar Ansari told HT. Read the story here.

Met warning for severe weather: Heavy rain, strong winds to hit many states

The India Meteorological Department on Thursday issued warning for severe weather  heavy or extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds  in several parts of the country for five days. The warning is for isolated incidents of severe weather between July 27 and 31. Heavy rain is likely in East Rajasthan, West MP, Gujarat, HP, West Rajasthan, East MP, Saurashtra and Kutch, Madhya Maharashtra, Konkan and Goa. These regions, along with the six northeastern states may experience heavy rainfall on July 30, according to the predictions of IMD. Read the story here.

Flood fury: Centre says 600 dead, denies bias in giving aid, claims states sitting on relief funds

Approximately 600 people have died in floods and landslides across the country this year, and several state governments are yet to fully utilise funds meant for relief and rehabilitation, the Union government said on Thursday, denying charges of bias in how it was offering financial assistance. The governments claim, made by junior home minister Kiren Rijiju in Rajya Sabha, comes after rival parties criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modis decision to give Rs 500 crore for Gujarat, where heavy rain and rising waters left nearly 100 people dead. In addition to Gujarat, Rajasthan, Assam and Odisha are among states badly hit by floods. Read the story here.

No immediate arrests in dowry harassment cases: SC rules to curb misuse of law

A Family Welfare Committee (FWC) in every district will scrutinise dowry harassment cases before local police can arrest the accused, the Supreme Court said on Thursday, laying down a set of guidelines to curb misuse of the law. Indian Penal Codes Section 498A has been criticised for giving disgruntled women a legal option to harass their husbands, and Thursdays orders take forward measures announced by the top court in 2014 when it prohibited automatic arrests. Read the story here.

NSA Doval discusses major problems with top Chinese diplomat meet in Beijing

Indias National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi discussed major problems in bilateral relations during a meeting in Beijing on Thursday, the first substantial contact since the two sides became engaged in a military standoff in Doklam (Donglang) area near the Sikkim border in mid-June. Details of their discussions were not immediately available but a brief readout from the Chinese side said Yang brought up bilateral issues and major problems during the meeting. Doval is in Beijing to attend a two-day BRICS security summit. Read the story here.

3 Gujarat MLAs who quit Congress join BJP in Amit Shahs presence

Three Gujarat Congress legislators tendered their resignation on Thursday and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of Amit Shah in Ahmedabad on Thursday evening. MLAs Balwantsinh Rajput, Tejshree Patel and Prahlad Patel quit the Congress earlier in the evening, threatening Ahmed Patels chances in the Rajya Sabha elections from the western state. Rajput, Congress chief whip in the assembly and a close aide and brother-in-law of former chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela, is also likely to be fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party as the third RS candidate. The BJP has already announced the candidature of party chief Shah and Union textile minister Smriti Irani from Gujarat for the August 8 elections. Read the story here.

Militant leader Zakir Musa named al-Qaeda commander in Kashmir

Zakir Musa, one of the most prominent faces of the Kashmir militancy, has been named by the al-Qaeda as the head of its first branch in the Valley, according to The Guardian. The announcement, made by an al-Qaeda-affiliated propaganda channel, represents the first time a major international militant group has declared its presence in Kashmir, which saw one of its worst periods of violence since the last year. According to the Guardian, the Global Islamic Media Front said the cell will be called Ansar Ghazwat-Ul-Hind and it was set up as a step taken after Burhan Wanis death. Read the story here.

After Trump tweets, top US general says no changes to transgender policy yet

General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a written message on Thursday to military leaders that there has been no change yet to the militarys policy on transgender personnel, despite plans for a ban announced by President Donald Trump. There will be no modifications to the current policy until the Presidents direction has been received by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary has issued implementation guidance, Dunford said in the written message to service chiefs, commanders and senior enlisted leaders. Read the story here.
The Bihar legislative assembly may witness uproarious scenes with Lalu Prasad-led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) firm on disrupting the special sitting as chief minister Nitish Kumar faces trust vote at 11am on Friday. (Live updates)

The RJD feels being the single largest party, with 80 legislators, the governor should have given it a chance rather than asking Kumar to prove his majority on the floor of the House.

If the situation demands, the Speaker could go for a secret ballot. And all political parties have issued whips to their legislators.

Kumar, who resigned on Wednesday evening, within a few hours staked claim to form the next government with the support of 58 National Democratic Alliance (NDA) legislators. In his letter to governor Keshri Nath Tripathi, he claimed to have the support of 131 MLAs. The Janata Dal(United) has 71 MLAs and two of the four independents have already pledged their support to Kumar, taking his numbers to 131.

By simple arithmetic, Kumar needs the support of 122 legislators to cross the half-way mark in the 243-member house and should ideally cruise through.

The RJD, despite being the single largest party, is set to be relegated to the opposition, with the Congress (27) and the CPI-ML (3)  taking its tally to 110, 12 short of the magic figure.

However, the RJD is banking on dissensions within the JD(U) after three of its MPs  Ali Anwar, Sharad Yadav and Veerendra Kumar  expressed their displeasure over Kumar tying up with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA.

The RJD is also banking on conscience vote of six Muslim and 11 Yadav MLAs within the JD(U). The Muslim-Yadav combine is known to be the RJDs vote base though reports from within JD(U) suggested that even these MLAs have submitted letters of support individually.

Senior RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh told television news channels that JD(U) legislators were caged and their cellphones were taken away on Wednesday night so that they could not be contacted before the trust vote. He also claimed many of them would go by their conscience vote against Kumar.

With voices of dissent loud and clear within the JD(U), a meeting of like-minded party leaders was convened at the house of Sharad Yadav in New Delhi on Thursday.

Though Yadav did not appear before the media after the meeting and also abstained from Kumars swearing-in ceremony earlier in the day at the Raj Bhawan in Patna on Thursday, some other MPs such as Anwar and Kumar have been vocal.

It is shocking and we never expected Nitish Kumar to become the chief minister with the support of BJP, Kumar, president of the Kerala state unit of the JD(U), told a TV news channel.

Just as Kumar had heard the voice of his atma (soul) to go with the BJP, his zameer (conscience) did not allow him to support the CM on this move, Anwar, a Rajya Sabha member, told ANI on Thursday.

Sharad, also a Rajya Sabha member, had hit a discordant note barely an hour before Kumar was sworn in as chief minister for the sixth time.

Criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modis farmers crop insurance policy, he tweeted, Fasal Bima Yojana is big failure as farmers are not aware about insurers but premium deducted from their loans, benefit goes to only insurers.

JD(U) leaders, however, said in Patna that hectic talks overnight have sealed their support and avoided a split in the party at the national level.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar comfortably won a trust vote in the assembly on Friday, securing the support of 131 legislators including those of his new ally BJP, but insisted that his change of sides was for sewa and not mewa.

Kumars fresh stint as the chief minister came two days after he surprised his former coalition partners, the RJD and Congress, to part ways and return to the BJP, his former ally with which he ran a previous coalition government till 2013.

To be in power devolves great responsibility to govern, not earn. Yeh sewa ka Avsar hai, na ki mewa ka (It is an opportunity to serve, not profit, he said before seeking the trust vote.

I faced lot of resistance trying to run the government in the best interest of people of Bihar and preserve the mahagathbandhan, but failed due to RJDs attitude, he said.

He, however, added it was the mandate of Bihar and the responsibility to the people.

The RJD-led opposition secured 108 votes. Four legislators did not vote, two on technical grounds and one calling sick. Two of the four independent legislators voted for Kumar in the House of 243.

The RJD and Congress demand for a secret ballot was turned down by speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary.

After the speakers proposal for a voice vote was rejected, a lobby division method was opted for. Legislators went of the House and came back one by one and signed a register indicating their vote, for or against the motion.

Before the vote, opposition leader and former deputy chief minister, Tejashwi Yadav, made an emotional speech, dismissing corruption charges against him were cooked up.

I am young. Only 28. It was my success, which unnerved the JD(U), which plotted for my removal, he said, adding that Kumar was aware of his honesty.

Is there any charge against me in the last 20 months of improriety during my tenure in office?... If it was about corruption, the JD(U) should not have allied with my father, who was facing cases; yet it happened, he said.

There is just an FIR, not a proved case; so where was the question of my resignation? he added referring to the controversry over his refusal to quit that led to Kumar pulling of the grand alliance.

The chief minister never ever asked for my resignation either, he said.

Senior BJP leader, Nand Kishore Yadav, alleged that RJD chief Lalu Prasad ran the government through his son Tejashwi.

Sushil Kumar Modi, the deputy chief minister who replaced Tejashwi, said, I thank the Congress and the RJD for not asking Tejashwi to resign. Had that happened, I would not have been on the right side.

If the RJD insists that the mandate was not followed, it should introspect, whether it was for the likes of Mohammad Shahabuddin and Rajballabh Yadav? It is better now, that the government is in right hands, he said, referring to two controversial aides of Lalu.

The new government will register fresh milestones in successful governance, which was lacking in the last regime due to RJDs intransigence, he added.
A delegation of Russian experts has concluded a three-day inspection of new security measures introduced at Cairo International Airport by saying that many problematic security aspects highlighted earlier this year have been improved, airport security officials said.

The experts, who arrived in Cairo on Monday, examined security measures at the airport's second terminal, which is expected to host flights to and from Moscow in the future. These include measures during pre-flight checks of passengers and luggage, cargo, CCTV cameras and airport staff gates.

"Many of the concerns highlighted in [the] February [check] have been resolved and a report on the matter will be presented to the Russian government," an airport official told Al-Ahram Arabic news website on Friday.

Russia suspended flights with Egypt in late 2015 after a Russian passenger plane crashed in Sinai after taking off from Sharm El-Sheikh. All 224 people on board, mostly Russian nationals, were killed.

A number of other countries also suspended flights after the disaster, which Daesh militants claimed was the result of a bomb they had placed on board the plane. Germany, Poland and Turkey have since resumed flights ; the UK, formerly a major source of tourists to Egypt, has not done so.



In February, Russian parliament speaker Valentina Matvienko said following a security check by Russian experts that Cairo has improved most security aspects for safe flights but that Moscow believes "a few details remain problematic."

Egypt has recently installed new biometric equipment upon request by Russia to control access of airport staff to the runway as well as the baggage and cargo areas.

Russian airport security experts have visited Egypt on at least six occasions since the October 2015 crash to assess the effectiveness of new security measures put in place by the Egyptians to persuade Moscow to resume flights. The latest Russian inspection took place in February.

Russian officials have repeatedly said that they were close to resuming flights to Egypt, but they have not set a specific date.

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The reunion of Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar appeared hurried on Wednesday, but it was in the works for nearly seven months.

Warmth returned to the chilly relationship between the Prime Minister and Bihar chief minister as early as this January.

The two astute politicians met after a long gap at a function in Patna to commemorate the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh. It was January 5 and TV screens flashed images of the two politicians sitting together, smiling at each other and even holding hands at different moments. The bitterness of parting ways and poll campaign was over.

The unease in the relationship between the two leaders was over, a BJP leader said. Over the next months, they remained in touch, directly and through emissaries.

The onstage bonhomie between the two was quite palpable.

Modi praised Nitish for arrangements he made for prakash utsav and going ahead with prohibition despite opposition. Kumar reciprocated by praising Modi for successfully implementing a liquor ban in Gujarat as its chief minister.

The event at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna happened within months of Kumar supporting Modis decision to recall high-value banknotes. He also supported Modi on the military surgical strikes against terrorist hideouts in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Less than a week after this bonhomie blossomed, Kumar had an ice-breaking meeting with a top BJP leader in Patna. They met again in Delhi in February to explore if a reunion can happen and on what terms.

The subsequent months saw Kumar talking of a grand alliance against the BJP, and simultaneously sharing with the BJP leadership his unease about the functioning of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, his alliance partner.

He was jittery over Prasad calling the shots in departments headed by his son, deputy chief minister Tejashwi. This was not acceptable to a leader conscious of his image. A senior Union minister remained in constant touch with Kumar and every move was communicated to Prime Minister Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah.

A dispute between Tejashwi and another minister close to Kumar over a government project in Raxaul was another flashpoint. He was upset over friction between allies on sharing boards and corporation and the Congresss dilly-dally on strategic matters.

Difference over selection of the oppositions candidate for the Presidents post was perhaps the last nail in the grand alliance that he had stitched in Bihar and wanted to replicate nationally.

Congress could not leave its interests behind in a losing battle, a source close to Kumar said. How could he expect the Congress to sacrifice its interests for a far more important battle in 2019?

As Kumar was getting desperate, the BJP swiftly moved in.

State BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi unleashed a campaign against Prasad and his family, accusing them of accumulating wealth disproportionate to their known source of income. Most of it had been in public domain, but it was laced with a few fresh charges. Central agencies raided properties of Prasads relatives and their close aides. This offered Nitish a way out of the grand alliance. Sources said the reunion was planned for a suitable time after Parliaments monsoon session, but the two parties rushed into it after realising that Prasad was trying to poach JD(U) legislators.

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A combative Opposition on Friday staged a walkout in the Uttar Pradesh legislative council as soon as chief minister Yogi Adityanath appeared in the house to reply on budget discussions, protesting police atrocities on shiksha mitras the previous day.

Police on Thursday resorted to baton charge on protesting contractual teachers who were staging demonstrations across the state after the Supreme Court cancelled the appointment of 1.69 lakh shiksha mitras as assistant teachers in government junior schools.

As the CM came to take part in the budget discussions in the council on the concluding day of the session, the opposition members moved out of the house and sat in the central hall, boycotting the proceedings.

Led by the Samajwadi Party, the opposition members earlier sat on a dharna in the well shouting anti-government slogans condemning police action, forcing adjournment of the house for half an hour till 12.30.

The Opposition continued their dharna when the house reassembled again.

A Samajwadi Party MLC told the media informally that they had made up their mind not to allow the CM to speak.

The CM is expected to respond to the charges levelled by the Opposition during the debate.

The ruling BJP is in minority in the 100-member, legislative council, the upper house in the states bicameral legislature.

Leader of the opposition and SP national president Akhilesh Yadav while speaking on the budget on Wednesday had launched a vitriolic attack on the BJP government.

His controversial statement on Chinas war prowess vis a vis Indias had elicited strong criticism from the treasury benches.

Several bills, which were passed by the legislative assembly, the lower house, were later cleared by the council sans the Opposition.
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday directed the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to issue a visa to a Pakistani national for medical treatment in India.

Swarajs direction to Indias High Commissioner in Pakistan Gautam Bambawale came after a woman -- Hijaab Asif -- sought the external affairs ministers urgent intervention.

Touched by Swarajs prompt response, Asif praised Swaraj and even said that Pakistan would have changed had she been the prime minister of her country.

Minutes after Swarajs tweet to Bambawale, the Indian mission tweeted that it was in tough with the applicant.

Maam, we are in touch with the applicant. Rest assured we will follow it up, the Indian High Commission said in a tweet.

Gautam Bambawale ji - Inhein Indian visa de do. @IndiainPakistan /2 @Hijaab_asif  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 27, 2017

Responding to Asifs plea, Swaraj also wondered whether Pakistan Prime Ministers foreign affairs advisor Satraj Aziz had refused to issue a recommendation letter for issuance of a visa by India to the patent.

The External Affairs minister had a few weeks back said that Pakistani nationals seeking visas for medical treatment in India must accompany their visa applications with a recommendation letter by Aziz.

Dear maam, spoke to DHC (Deputy High Commissioner) in Islamabad, told the patients current condition and he said its all up to you. If you allow, Asif had tweeted earlier.

Maam, we are in touch with the applicant. Rest assured we will follow it up.  India in Pakistan (@IndiainPakistan) July 27, 2017

The patient is suffering from serious liver ailment and needs urgent treatment in India, she said.

After Swarajs direction to grant a visa to the patient, Asif was effusive in her praise of the external affairs minister.

@SushmaSwaraj What do I call you? Superwoman? God? No words to describe your generosity! Love you maam. Cannot stop praising you in tears!!!, she said.

In another tweet, she said my heart belongs and beats for you, adding that Pakistan doesnt deserve her at all.

Lots and Lots of Love and respect from here. Wish you were our prime minister. this country would have changed.
The Patna high court on Friday said it would hear on Monday a petition challenging the formation of a new government by Nitish Kumar in Bihar.

Earlier, Jagannath Singh, counsel for petitionersSaroj Yadav, RJD MLA from Barhara in Bhojpur district, and Chandan Vermarequested the court to hear the matter on an urgent basis.

Read more: Nitish 2.0: Bihar CM will have to deal with a more assertive, aggressive BJP

In their petition, Yadav and Verma claimed that the mandate in 2015 assembly elections was for Kumar-led Grand Alliance and against the BJP for five years. The formation of the new JD(U)-BJP government was unconstitutional, they claimed.

The petitioners also said that the RJD, with 80 MLAs, was the single largest party in the assembly and should have been first called to explore the possibility of forming new government after Kumar resigned as chief minister on Wednesday.

Read more: Nitish Kumar is CM again as political balance shifts in Bihar, to face trust vote today

Additional solicitor general SD Sanjay and principal additional advocate general Lalit Kishore said the petition was frivolous. The copy of the petition had been served only on the Union government and not on the Election Commission of India, governors office and the state government, as required, they said.

After hearing the arguments, the bench of chief justice Rajendra Menon and justice Anil Kumar Upadhyay ordered that the matter be listed for hearing on Monday.
Jammu and Kashmir authorities on Friday imposed restrictions on parts of Srinagar as a precautionary measure against protests called by separatists in the city, a police official said.

The curbs were put into place in five police station areas, Nowhatta, Khanyar, MR Gunj, Rainawari and Safakadal, he said.

Separatist groups had earlier this week urged the people to hold peaceful protests after congregational prayers.

Hold peaceful protests after Friday prayers to protest the suspension of life sentences of army soldiers involved in the Machil fake encounter and persecution of pro-freedom leadership, the chairmen of the two factions of the Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and JKLF chief Yasin Malik said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

A military court has reportedly granted bail to and suspended the life sentences of five army men, including two officers, allegedly involved in the killing of three civilians near the Line of Control (LoC) in 2010.
After farrago and webaqoof, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who is known for his impressive vocabulary, has taken to Twitter to define another difficult word snollygoster.

Word of the day! Definition of *snollygoster*. US dialect: a shrewd, unprincipled politician. First Known Use: 1845. Most recent use: 26/7/17, the Congress MP tweeted on Thursday.

Word of the day!

Definition of *snollygoster*

US dialect: a shrewd, unprincipled politician

First Known Use: 1845

Most recent use: 26/7/17  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 27, 2017

The tweet immediately caught the attention of social media users and was retweeted more than 1100 times.

Some were all praises for his linguistic skills, others thought the word was intended as a jibe at Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. The Janata Dal(United) chief broke away from the Mahagathbandhan or the grand alliance with Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress and returned to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) despite being foes for a long time.

Kumars move came after RJD chief Lalu Prasad rejected the demand for his son and deputy chief minister Tejashwis resignation over alleged railway hotel tender scam.

Just retweeting and I feel like I've earned my Wren N Martin Medal.  BeeGorgeous (@BeeGorgeous3) July 27, 2017

Google is busy searching the meaning of 'Snollygoster'   Kabir Khan (@Kabir_TheOne) July 27, 2017

Following you will help me crack CAT with 100 percentile in English. pic.twitter.com/uOoFpwAxke  just_another_indian (@justanotherind3) July 27, 2017

Nitish a Snollygoster is an understatement. He is actively anti-principle, someone for whom principles are seen as a liability. pic.twitter.com/VrAnufYMY0  INC_Tharoorian (@Tharoorian_INC) July 27, 2017

There can not be snollygoster more apt for any other person than Nitish Kumar.We are spellbound with your vocabulbary.

And it's apt use.  Amit Ghosh (@amitghoshspeaks) July 27, 2017

Twitter users first got a taste of Tharoors linguistic prowess when he used an eloquent tweet to slam TV journalist Arnab Goswamis reporting on his wife Sunanda Pushkars death.

Exasperating farrago of distortions, misrepresentations and outright lies being broadcast by an unprincipled showman masquerading as a journalist, he posted in May this year.

Exasperating farrago of distortions, misrepresentations&outright lies being broadcast by an unprincipled showman masquerading as a journalst  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 8, 2017

The effect of his tweet was such that it spiked the Google search results for the word farrago.

Earlier, he gave another sample of his wordplay with the word webaqoof, which was aimed at people who believe everything on the internet without fact-checking.

New Hinglish 21st century dictionary:

*Webaqoof*: "one who believes every claim or allegation on the internet & social media must be true"  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 25, 2017

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Illegal migrants from Bangladesh entering India is a contentious issue between both neighbours. While New Delhi contends large-scale influx from across the border, Dhaka has denied these migrants are their citizens.

There was no such difference though when officials of both nations agreed on Thursday to construct gates along the border to allow free and safe passage for wild elephants.

Setting up of the gates was one of the 18 points of action agreed between both countries at the 2nd Indo-Bangladesh dialogue on trans-boundary conservation of elephants held at Shillong.

Trans-border migration of animals is a natural process. But due to erection of border fences, there have been occasions when elephants have broken barriers to continue on their route. The gates will allow them safe passage, Indias director general of forest Siddhanta Das told HT.

Officials have identified 12 points in Meghalaya and one in Assam along the border, which are used by wild elephants to travel to Bangladesh, where the gates will be constructed.

It is estimated nearly 20 pachyderms from India move to Bangladesh annually around winter and return later.

We will be tracking these animals and use the services of security and forest personnel on both sides of the border to ensure that the elephants dont face any problems, said Das.

Construction of the gates, which would require cutting of border fencing between both countries at some points, is expected to be over before the 3rd round of the dialogue on the issue in Dhaka next year.

Both countries also agreed to discourage and regulate construction of electric fences to protect crops in the areas which fall in the routes taken by the elephants to prevent deaths due to electrocution.

Measures to prevent or bring down incidents of human-elephant conflict while the pachyderms crisscross between both countries, such as setting up warning systems and planting of trees to act as bio-fence, were also discussed.

There are nearly 9,000 wild elephants in the northeast region, around 1800 of them in Meghalaya alone, and sometimes they venture to Bangladesh in search of food or mates.

Last year, a wild elephant was swept away to Bangladesh by the flooded waters of Brahmaputra from Dhubri in Assam. The animal, named Banga Bahadur by people in Bangladesh, died after 50 days of efforts between two countries to bring it back.

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Reaching out to yet another distressed national abroad, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has come to the aid of an Indian hospitalised in France with blood infection, and helped his parents get visas to visit him.

Sardarji - Aapka France ka visa ho gaya hai. Bhagwan kare apka Beta jaldi theek ho jaye (Sardarji, your visas for France have been arranged. I pray to god that your son gets well soon, Sushma Swaraj tweeted addressing the parents of Amrinder Singh.

On Monday, Akali Dal leader and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee general secretary Manjinder S Sirsa had brought Amrinders condition to her notice.

Sardar ji - Aap dono royiye nahin. French Embassy se baat kr ke jaldi apka visa karwane ki koshish karoongi. /1 pic.twitter.com/JU6ghjOnHn  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 24, 2017

The minister then directed the Indian embassy in France to help him. Amrinders family wishes to travel to France to save their sons life as he is battling with blood infection, Sirsa had tweeted.

He had also shared a video by family members of Amrinder who he said was having a tough time in France owing to health problems.

On Friday, Sirsa expressed his gratitude on seeing the ministers message that they have been given visas.

Deep gratitude to @SushmaSwaraj Ji for such swift action for granting visa to parents of Amrinder Singh who is in a France hospital, he tweeted.

Sardarji - Aapka France ka visa ho gaya hai. Bhagwan kare apka Beta jaldi theek ho jaye. pic.twitter.com/JU6ghjOnHn https://t.co/ZJG4sz1rty  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 28, 2017

This case has reaffirmed faith of people in compassionate nature of NDA Govt. @SushmaSwaraj Ji u hv given a new hope to these parents, he stated.
Ticketless travel in trains increased by an alarming 22% in the last three years.

Responding to a written question, minister of state for Railways, Rajen Gohain, told Rajya Sabha that the majority of offenders were from the Northern Railways. Almost 71 lakh passengers travelled without tickets during 2014-2017 from this railway zone. The South Central Railways (70 lakh) took the second spot. Overall, the number of ticketless travellers jumped from 1.66 crore in 2014-15 to 2.03 crore in 2016-17.

Until 2014-15, Railways recovered 25.53 crore from ticketless travellers, said Gohain. Until June this year, 3.32 crore has been recovered travellers.
States with overcrowded prisons may contact Indias youngest state that plans to rent out next year its jail cells at Rs 10,000 a month for each prisoner.

The offer is not for everyone. The jail-share scheme is restricted to convicts of non-grievous and non-serious offences. Tenants cannot be undertrials and hardcore criminals.

Norway, where the crime rate has gone down considerably, started this practice of letting its prisons to neighbouring countries facing space shortage for prisoners. We want to adopt this, director general of prisons VK Singh said on Thursday.

Read more: Tales from former inmates: What life is like in a womens jail in India

Telanganas 50 jails can accommodate 6,848 prisoners. At present, there are 6,063 on the prison rolls. So, theres lodging space for around 800 more.

Singh said the scheme could begin next year after making space for at least 2,000 renter-prisoners.

We arent in a hurry. First we want to stabilise our prisoner strength.

Jails in bigger states are struggling with chronic overcrowding  the result of a slow-moving justice system and years of failure to build new prisons by governments trying to rein in expenses.

States such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh could be potential clients for Telangana, which was carved out of Andhra Pradesh in June 2014.

We plan to charge Rs 10,000 a prisoner a month for their boarding and lodging, security, mulakat (meeting visitors) and training in various job skills, Singh said.

Read more: Byculla jail riot: A reminder that jails in India are hellholes

The prisons department estimates earnings of roughly Rs 25 crore a year from the rental if the government clears the plan.

The money would contribute to making our jails self-reliant, the prisons chief said.

In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh jails, the average daily expenditure on a prisoner is Rs 120, which comes to Rs 43,800 a year. On food alone, the states spend Rs 80 a day on each prisoner every weekday and Rs 100 on Sundays and holidays, when a non-vegetarian fare is served.

A number of reform-oriented programmes such as Maha Parivarthan, Vidya Danam and Unnati brought down the number of jailbirds or repeat-offenders in the past three years, Singh said.

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Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry is to fly to Bahrain on Saturday to take part in a two-day meeting discussing the ongoing Qatar row with his counterparts from the three other Arab states boycotting Doha, the foreign ministry said.

Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE severed diplomatic and transport links with Doha on 5 June, accusing the oil-rich state of supporting terrorism and meddling in their internal affairs, in the region's worst diplomatic dispute in years.

The quartet demand that Doha comply with six principles including commitment to combating terrorism and ending acts of incitement and interference in the internal affairs of other Arab countries.

The demands were announced during a Cairo meeting earlier this month between the foreign ministries of the four Arab states.

That meeting and the upcoming 29-30 July gathering in Bahrain's capital, Manama, aim to "coordinate the stances of the four Arab countries, assert their demands for Qatar and assess [Doha's] commitment to end its support for terrorism and interference in the internal affairs" of other Arab countries, Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said in a statement.

Egyptian officials have vowed they will not compromise on their demands for Doha, which says is committed to fighting terrorism.

Qatar's officials say the blockade by the four Arab states, in which they closed their airspace and waters to Qatari flights and shipping and ordered its citizens to leave, is illegal.

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Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday batted for revival of talks with Pakistan for resolving the Kashmir issue but said the neighbours positive contribution is very necessary to open closed roads in the state.

Speaking at a public event in New Delhi, she said the recent NIA raids and arrest of separatists leaders in the Kashmir Valley was a temporary measure and not a solution to address the real problem.

The PDP-BJP alliance has been on the belief and hope that we will be able to revive the magic of (former Prime Minister Atal Bihari) Vajpayee jis time... Vajpayee ji did it, she said in her keynote address at the Understanding Kashmir session hosted by social group BRIEF.

Citing the Lahore declaration in which Pakistan had assured that it will not allow its land to be used against anti-India activities, Mehbooba said, We have to revive that... in spite of Kargil and attack on the Parliament house...

We have had some setbacks but we need to revive it, if we want that the closed roads in Jammu and Kashmir open, then Pakistans positive contribution is very necessary, she said.

She said the idea of azadi in the minds of people of the state needs to be replaced with something else and drew attention to the 2005 working groups constituted to address the internal dimensions of the Kashmir issue.

The working group reports (on Kashmir) have been thrown in the waste basket. We are not doing anything about that, she said.

When asked about the recent crackdown of the National Investigation Agency against separatist leaders in the Kashmir Valley, Mehbooba said such acts do not give a long-lasting solution.

Whatever happened with the NIA is an administrative measure. Such measures can just contain a situation, they dont address the real problem, she said.

She said such crackdowns have not resolved the problem, adding So we need to address the problem and real problem is still there.

While Mehbooba lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she, at the same time, urged the Centre to do more to ease the situation in her state.

I feel Modiji is the man of the moment and he has the potential to rise and become the man of history. His leadership is an asset which needs to be harnessed... and take Kashmir out of this present mess, she said.

She expressed her sadness and concern over the tinkering with the Article 35A, that accords special rights and privileges to the natives of Jammu and Kashmir, and that its constitutional validity has been challenged in the Supreme Court by way of a PIL.

Who is doing it? Why are they doing it?... The separatists agenda is different and it is totally secession. But you are weakening those powers which are Indian and trust India and participate in elections (by challenging the Article 35A), she said and warned if there is an alteration in the special status of the state there could be a revolt.

If any attempt is made... India will not get a shoulder to carry its national flag in the state, she said.

This is one of the problem, she said stressing that both the articles 370 and 35A are very dear to the state and they help preserve her states unique identity.

The chief minister was critical of some television news channel anchors saying that they were trying to project Kashmir in a bad light.

I am sorry to say that this India, that the anchors are trying to project, is not what India is about and that is not the India I know, she said as she stated that few channels were showing Kashmiris in a bad light.

She said when she sees the retired beard-wallahs from the other side (Pakistan) and mooch-wallahs from this side screaming at the top of their lungs on television news channels, she feels they are taking out their frustrations about so many wars that the two countries saw.

I see that their eyes are bulging out, so much anger and some time they sweat too. I dont want to be associated with this type of India or Pakistan..., she said.

Mehbooba said she wants to see an India which feels the pain of Kashmir.

I want to see that India which accepted us on our conditions. We are a diverse state with all kinds of multi- diversity of religion and every thing... sometimes they talk about our flag, sometimes about Article 370, she said.
Given a choice between private preschools and anganwadi centres and government schools, there is a growing preference for private preschools and schools even in Indian villages, found a Unicef study.

Also, reading, writing and arithmetic defined as 3Rs in the study dont have much benefit in preschool education, as is commonly believed.

The overall picture emerging from the observation of classrooms is not very promising, as the curriculum followed by the government and the private schools focuses on the formal teaching of the 3Rs (reading, writing and arithmetic), with limited emphasis on developmentally appropriate classroom practices. Formal learning and teaching of the 3Rs in preschool was found to have a negative relationship with developmentally appropriate activities, the study points out.

While the study endorses the positive impact of good quality preschool education, however, it also says training module should keep in mind socio-cultural and language background and also needs of special children.

It also highlights how due to shortage of teachers, multi grade situations are very common in government schools, making it difficult for the teacher to address the specific needs of the children. Most schools followed the teaching of the 3Rs through rote and repetition, the other prevalent method being to get children to copy from the blackboard.

Also, there was no interaction between the children and teachers in government schools, which defeats the purpose of teaching.

The study covered about 14,000 during the first round of fieldwork from three states: Assam, Rajasthan and Telangana. This longitudinal study, followed a cohort of children over time  in this case over a period of 4 years, from age 4 to age 8, during which it collected information from learning assessments.

As part of the study villages were randomly sampled in each of the six districts included in the study (two districts per state).

As part of the study 4-year-old children were purposively sampled and followed much more closely, in order to gain a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the quality of the institutions they attended and the social and cognitive outcomes they achieved.

Approximately 70% of sampled children were attending a preschool at age 4.

Most sampled children were attending a preschool at age 4, whether government-run Anganwadis or privately managed preschools.

The preference for private schools was evident even at the preschool level. Despite various incentives being offered by the government system in terms of free mid day meals, uniforms, etc., parental preference was largely for the private sector. Parents were willing to pay fees for what they considered better quality and for English medium education, the study points out.

There were also instances of children moving from preschool to primary grades and back again, and/or moving back and forth between government and private schools.

This state of flux was observed across all three states; it was only by age 8 that primary school enrolment stabilized at over 90% across the sample.

This status is a clear violation of the policy prescriptions for age appropriate enrolment children should participate in a preschool or Anganwadi from age 3 to 6 years The curriculum for Grade 1 is designed with the assumption that children will be over 6 years old...
With organisational changes in the Congress happening in bits and pieces, two recent appointments have caused heartburn among a section in the party.

The appointments of former Karnataka minister Qamrul Islam as secretary in-charge of Kerala and Ruchi Gupta as joint secretary in-charge of the National Students Union of India (NSUI), the students wing of the party, have not gone down well within the rank and file.

Islam, 69, is the oldest office-bearer in the 48-member team of secretaries  generally drawn from the partys lot of young leaders  after 64-year-old Deepak Babaria.

A six-time legislator, Islam was dropped from the Karnataka cabinet in June last year following differences with chief minister Siddaramaiah. Islam had blamed Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader in Lok Sabha, for his exit.

Congress sources said Islam was accommodated in the national team after he threatened to create problems for Kharge and the party in the Gulbarga belt.

The appointments created unrest within Congress, especially among young aspiring members, who say the AICC has become a parking lot for disgruntled leaders.

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Controversial televangelist Zakir Naik has been declared a proclaimed offender and the process to attach his assets has been initiated, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Friday. Two central agencies  the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and NIA  are exploring all legal options against Naik, who has left the country.

Earlier this week, the NIA had obtained an order from the special court in Mumbai to declare Naik a proclaimed offender, and on Friday, the agency moved an application seeking attachment of five of his properties, including his home. However, as the court was on leave, the plea will be heard on Monday.

The agency had on April 20 obtained a non-bailable warrant against Naik in connection with the case registered for allegedly inciting youth to take up terror activities.

The NIA had alleged in its application that Naik has been promoting enmity between different religious groups in India through his public speeches and lectures on various platforms, and inciting Muslim youth and terrorist in India and abroad to commit unlawful activities and terrorist act. These activities of Dr Naik and his associates are causing disaffection against government of India and are prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony among various communities and likely to disturb the public tranquility.

On November 18, 2016, the agency had registered a criminal case against the controversial preacher under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. His organisation, the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), was declared an unlawful association by the government a day before the NIA registered the case.

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Eight students of a private school fell unconscious due to suffocation while travelling in a school bus and were rushed to a hospital in Bharatpur on Friday.

More than 25 students of Montessori Public School were travelling in the 12-seater bus and the incident took place due to the negligence of the school director, Somendra Singh, the police said.

The students were rushed to Mohan Swaroop Moni community health centre in Deeg, where five were discharged after treatment and three, who were critical, were referred to the district womens hospital in Bharatpur.

The bus was overcrowded and carrying students (who were all under 15 years of age) from Khori, Girsay, Bahaj  under Deeg sub-division.

Station house officer of Deeg police Kanheya Lal said that the school bus has been seized and the school director, Somendra Singh, and driver, Bhudev Singh, have been detained. A complaint of negligence has been registered against them.

The school director, Somendra Singh, a resident of Khori village, owns these school cabs.

Community health centre in-charge Dr Man Singh said eight children were hospitalized after they complained of suffocation. Three  Seema Kumari (13), Payal Kumari (12) and Kumkum (12)were referred to a hospital for treatment for respiratory problem.

The department has taken action against schools cab in the district after a few incidents this month. Our department will continue taking legal action against private schools buses, which flout norms. Some school buses were seized which did not have a permit and lacked safety instruments, said transport officer of Bharatpur Nanuram Choyal.

Sub-division magistrate of Deeg Dulichand Meena said that he has directed education and transport department officials to consider action against schools. Police officials were asked to file cases against the bus driver and school director, said Meena.

I am not aware of such an incident. If he is guilty, action will be taken against the school director for negligence, Deeg block education officer Babulal said

On July 13, a student had died and 18 were injured when the school bus they were travelling in overturned after the driver lost control in Sikri. The bus was carrying nearly 50 students.

School cabs  often without an air conditionerovercrowding is a common sight in Bharatpur.

The situation is no different in other parts of the state. Children jostling for space in school vans and auto-rickshaws are also a common sight in the Pink City. The packed vehicles pose threat to the students safety.

In March, the Jaipur traffic police conducted a campaign to stop overcrowding of school vans and auto-rickshaws.
The Rajasthan High Court has directed the state government to pay Rs 3 lakh as compensation to a minor rape victim.

The state is directed to provide compensation to the victim through her mother under the Rajasthan Victim Compensation Scheme, 2011, to the tune of Rs 3 lakh immediately. The state shall also make arrangements for proper medical examination of the victim from time to time at Umaid Hospital, Jodhpur, till the delivery of the child. After the delivery, medical facilities to the victim and her newly born child will also be provided for next two months, the court ordered on Thursday.

The high court had earlier refused the plea of the victim to abort her 26-week-old foetus after a medical report was submitted on July 18.

We had filed a petition in the high court on behalf of the mother of the minor rape victim in which the victim had been requested that she be allowed to terminate her pregnancy and had also sought compensation, said counsel Gokulesh Bohra. On the instructions given by the high court, a medical board examined the victim and submitted its report on July 18.

According to the report, the victim is 26 weeks pregnant and there is a danger to her life if the pregnancy is terminated immediately as she is highly anemia. After considering the opinion of the medical board, the high court had on July 19 declined to allow the victim to terminate her pregnancy.

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act allows a woman to abort her foetus only up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

During the hearing, state additional advocate general Shiv Kumar Vyas told the court that the state government has already floated the Rajasthan Victim Compensation Scheme, 2011, and according to it a rape victim, who is minor, is entitled to get maximum compensation up to Rs 3 lakh.
Signage in Hindi will be dropped from the newly built metro railway network in Karnataka, chief minister Siddaramaiah said in a letter to the central government on Friday amid mounting pressure from pro-Kannada groups.

Signboards at Bengaluru metro stations that use three languages  Kannada, English and Hindi  are viewed as another instance of central government trying to foist their language on the southern state.

Kannada outfits had defaced the Hindi words on metro signboards twice this July.

Siddaramaiah wrote to Union housing and urban affairs Narendra Singh Tomar about the decision to drop Hindi and respect the cultural aspirations and sentiments of the people.

The Centre was informed about the Karnataka official language policy, which allows Kannada and English.

The chief minister reasoned that Karnataka has the right to decide certain policies of metro projects in the state as it is paying more money than the Centre, and has the responsibility to supervise the public transport systems operation and provide security to the network.

Besides, he said it would be practical to use languages that locals can read and Hindi is not commonly understood in Karnataka.

The letter ends with an advice for the central government.

It will be better to follow a persuasive approach rather than a mandatory approach in the matter of the use of Hindi.

Pro-Kannada activists such as Vatal Nagaraj had alleged that Centre was trying to impose Hindi.

Ever since the Narendra Modi government came to power, they have tried to force Hindi on us. This is not the first instance, he said.

He recounted how governor Vajubhai Vala, a former minister in the Gujarat government, addressed a joint session of the state legislature in Hindi. Governors who were not from Karnataka always spoke in English, he said.

Amid the protests, the chairman of the Karnataka Development Authority, SG Siddaramaiah, had asked the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation to explain why Hindi was added to the signboards.

He said Hindi is not the national language, though some people incorrectly promote it that way.

It is an official language like all others. If they want Hindi on signboards here, they must include our languages in places where Hindi is the predominant language.

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The Mamata Banerjee government on Friday sought help from the armed forces for the first time since Tuesday when eight districts in south Bengal were hit by flood.

The air force pressed into service a helicopter to rescue 39 people who were trapped inside a two-storey house at Pratappur village in the Ghatal sub-division of West Midnapore district. Among the marooned villagers were several women and children. This was the tallest structure in the village and people took shelter in it after other houses and huts in the area were either destroyed or inundated, district officials said.

Read: West Bengal flood: More villagers marooned; DVC releases water from dams, toll rises to eight

The district magistrate sought help the Eastern Command when rescue workers failed to reach the house even with speedboats. District officials said the house was in critical condition and might collapse any time.

One Mi17 V5 helicopter of the India Air Force got airborne from Barrackpore in the North 24 Parganas in the afternoon. The rescue operation was in progress till last reports came in, a spokesperson for the Eastern Command told HT.

Amitava Chakrabarty, distaster management officer of Ghatal, said there was no place to land and air force personnel were working on alternative methods of evacuation.

Earlier in the day , state irrigation minister Rajib Banerjee visited Ghatal and surrounding areas.

The overall flood situation in the state improved on Friday since there was no rain in most of the districts and less water was released by the Damodar Valley Corporation from its river dams.
The land agitation at Bhangar in the South 24 Parganas district received a shot in the arm on Thursday when the Calcutta high court granted bail to two top leaders of the movement. They were booked under different sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P)A) which was brought into force by the Centre to curb disruptive activities and terror.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi granted bail to Pradip Singh Thakur and Sharmistha Chowdhury two days after two other senior leaders, Shankar Das and Kushal Debnath (also booked under UA(P)A ), got bail from a court in the South 24-Parganas.

Das and Debnath, who spent 100 days in jail, were released on Wednesday. Thakur and Chowdhury were lodged in jail since February.

Read: Mamata govt transfers Maoists to Kolkata high-security jail after Bhangar agitation

This is a major victory for farmers who are opposed to acquisition of land for a power project. The Mamata Banerjee government tried to crush a democratic movement by slapping anti-terror law against peaceful agitators. We also hope to get the sections of UA(P)A quashed from the charges, said Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, a senior advocate and CPI(M) leader who defended the accused. The UA(P)A is usually used against banned outfits.

With its leaders released on bail, the movement is likely to become a headache for the government all over again. Last week, the district administration said it was ready to hold talks with permanent residents of Bhangar but would not speak to outsiders, indicating that the government was keen to isolate political parties and human rights organisations supporting the movement. Incidentally, only a handful of villagers turned up for the talks.

Villagers pass by damaged police vehicle after a clash in Bhangar (HT File Photo)

The movement continued even after the leaders were arrested. With all of them back, the agitation will surely intensify, Alik Chakraborty, the only leader who managed to evade arrest, told HT over phone.

Villagers who stalled completion of the Power Grid Corporation India Ltd (PGCIL) project citing suspected environmental and health hazard will organise a meeting on July 30. All the leaders are likely to address the gathering.

The Bhangar agitation was launched last year. It was initially spearheaded by Jomi, Jibika, Poribesh O Bastutantra Raksha Committee (JJPOBRC) a body formed to protect land, livelihood, environment and ecosystem. It is the only major land agitation that started after Trinamool Congress came to power.

Read: Mamatas men enforce unwritten blockade on 12 Bengal villages to crush protests

Villagers have alleged that the government concealed information about the project while acquiring land in 2013-14. The power grid uses the SF6 gas insulated switchgear (GIS) technology.

JJPOBRC was formed by Naxalite outfit CPI(ML)(Red Star) but the movement received support from the CPI(M)-led Left Front, Naxalite party CPI(ML)(Liberation), Majdoor Kranti Parishad and Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR).

Work at the power grid stopped in January this year after two villagers fell to bullets fired by unidentified people. Villagers alleged that Trinamool Congress-backed goons opened fire on unarmed people.

Bhangar villagers display police uniforms that were abandoned by unidentified people who shot dead two villagers in January. (HT File Photo)

A solidarity committee is now leading the movement. The police have stopped entering 12 villages where people prevented the authorities from installing towers that connect high-tension electricity cables. Most of the leaders and activists were arrested when they ventured out of Bhangar.

Read: Bhangars Naxalite movement hits Kolkata roads with Left support

Speaking to HT, agitators from Bhangar expressed their concern over increasing attacks by Trinamool-backed goons. Three local organisers, Abdul Mamun, Ahad Ali and Shekh Azam were assaulted by Trinamool-backed goons on Thursday, said Mirza Hasan, spokesperson of JJPOBRC.

Former Trinamool MLA from Bhangar, Arabul Islam, brushed aside the charges. We have not attacked anyone. On the contrary, the agitators are attacking our party workers, Islam told HT. Incidentally, he has been accused of intimidating local farmers from the very day the movement started.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has entrusted Kolkata Mayor and environment minister Sovan Chatterjee with the task of solving the crisis.

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Nitish Kumar won the trust vote in the Bihar legislative assembly on Friday morning, but the West Bengal unit of his party, Janata Dal (United), said it was unhappy with his alliance with the BJP and said he had betrayed the masses.

Though the JD(U) has no elected representative in the Bengal assembly, it is popular among a section of Biharis living in Kolkata and adjoining districts.

JD(U) Bengal president Amitava Dutta said the reunion with the BJP was Kumars personal decision and JD (U) leaders in Bengal and other states were unhappy.

Dutta said Kumar not only betrayed the people of Bihar but also the JD(U) Bengal unit because in 2016, the party contested the assembly polls with support from the Congress, Left and the RJD.

I contested from South Howrah constituency where the Congress, Left Front and RJD workers campaigned for me, he said.
Egypt will witness a drop in temperatures on Saturday, with Cairo set for a high of 34 degrees Celcius and a low of 25, weather forecasters said on Friday.

Egypts Meteorological Authority told state-run news agency MENA that a decline in temperatures is expected nationwide, with high temperatures still expected in Upper Egypt.

Temperatures in the coastal city of Alexandria will range from 30 to 26 degrees Celsius.

The Red Sea resort city of Hurghada will see a high of 40 and a low of 30, while temperatures in Sharm El-Sheikh in South Sinai will range from 40 to 31.

On the Mediterranean Sea, there will be moderate waves, reaching 1.5 to 2 metres in height, while waves on the Red Sea will be between 2 and 2.5 metres.

Egypt has been witnessing hot summer weather in recent weeks.

The meteorological authority generally advises avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun during the summer, especially between 12pm and 3pm.

It also advises people to drink lots of liquids and to do any swimming in the early morning hours or a little before sunset, to avoid intense sun.

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The Uttar Pradesh government has not only failed to enforce road safety measures but has also committed irregularities in the construction of roads, according to a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.

CAG FINDINGS--Sorry State of Affairs Cartel formation/collusive bidding found in a large number of cases. Tendering in road works not competitive. Contractors were to provide insurance cover of Rs 7,535 crore for 2,953 contract bonds. None of the contractors provided insurance cover. Quality testing of road works was not carried out in many divisions. Normal items used in works approved by government were excluded from tendering. Several road construction works executed without tenders and payments were made as extra-items under contracts for other works. The existing framework of rules and procedures have serious gaps and are not consistent with best practices.

Tabled in the state legislative assembly on Thursday, the CAG report -- Performance audit on Contract management in Roads Works (2011-16) -- found irregularities at all stages of tendering process and contract management.

Basic norms for road design and cost estimation were not adhered to, it said.

The road construction was executed by the public works department (PWD) through contractors. During 2011-16, the state government spent Rs 40,854.63 crore on construction and maintenance of various roads, excluding those constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the report said.

About 77% of the fund was utilised on widening/strengthening of existing roads and remaining on construction of new roads, it added.

In another report tabled in the assembly on July 21, the CAG had pointed out how the state government had ignored road safety norms that led to spurt in road accidents.

During the audit, it was found that the tendering process of PWD for road construction lacked transparency and competition.

A large number of contractors who did not meet the minimum technical requirements qualified technical evaluation and there were clear indications of collusive bidding in major contracts in most of the districts, it said.

The CAG said the government instructions to check the use of construction material from illegal mining were not complied with. Concessions and undue benefits to contractors were rampant and there was complete neglect of the need to ensure quality of roads and protect government interest, the report added.

The CAG also found large scale violation of Indian Road Congress specification and norms in design and construction of roads in UP. In 88% of the work, soil testing was not carried out, quality of pavement construction was not assessed and no deflection tests were conducted. Widening of roads was done without conducting traffic census in violation of IRC norms, it said.

Norms were not followed, which made the entire process of road design and cost estimation non-transparent, with the risk of construction of sub-standard roads, incorrect cost estimation, loss to government and undue favour to contractors, the report pointed out.

Road safety audits were not conducted in majority of the roads, it added.

The report said executive engineers exceeded their delegated powers of sanctioning Rs 40 lakh per work and accorded technical sanctions to 215 works worth Rs 217.23 crore in 14 districts.

Read more| Rise in road accidents: Poor implementation of safety norms in UP, says CAG report

In 96 works, tenders were issued by superintending engineers (SEs) before administrative approval or financial sanction by the state government.

In violation of the basic tendering rules, the SEs issued technical sanction for 156 works worth Rs 4,184.74 crore and opened financial bids for 105 works worth Rs 3,333.61 crore.

In 2007, the state government introduced reforms in tendering procedures to increase transparency, competition and check involvement of anti-social elements in tendering process of public works. During audit, the CAG found reforms were not implemented and anti-social elements grabbed contracts.

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In a new twist to the Babri Masjid Ram Janambhoomi issue, the UP Shia Central Waqf Board (UPSCWB) has now decided to stake its claim to the disputed site in Ayodhya. The decision to move court laying claim to the disputed property in the temple town was taken at a two-day meeting of the board, which concluded on Thursday.

The board has authorised me to pursue the case, which we lost in 1945 to Sunni Waqf Board because of the sloppy manner in which it was dealt by our then council, Shia Waqf Board chief Waseem Rizvi told Hindustan Times.

He said both Sunni and Shia Waqf Boards had filed a suit number 29 before the civil judge Faizabad staking claim to the Masjid Mir Baqi aka as Babri Masjid in 1945.

We lost the case as our counsel was not fully conversant with the facts of the case. Before 1945, the mosque was looked after by Shia caretakers. Sunni custodians were appointed only after we lost the court case as proper facts were not forward by our counsel, said Rizvi.

The premise on which the civil judge based his verdict was tarawih (extra prayers offered by Muslims during Ramzan). It was wrongly argued that Shias do not offer tarawih and since this practice was going on in the mosque, it belonged to the Sunnis, he said.

The UPSCW chief said that now that he has been authorised by the board to pursue the matter afresh he would be moving the civil court in Faizabad as well as the Supreme Court in the matter soon.

FIR against minister

In a separate decision, the Shia Waqf Board ordered registration of an FIR against minister of state for Waqf and Haj Mohsin Raza for illegal purchase of waqf property in the state capital.

The board has ordered registration of FIRs in 11 matters related to illegal sale and purchase of waqf properties. Those against whom action has been initiated include Raza and his relatives. A letter is being sent to both district magistrate and SSP Lucknow to register a case against them for illegally purchasing waqf property, said Rizvi.

A case for restoration of waqf property back to the board would be registered and those found guilty could be awarded an imprisonment of three-years.

Both Raza and Rizvi are locked in a battle to gain control of the board. The Yogi government had removed six members of the Shia Waqf Board in June and was planning to dissolve both Shia and Sunni Waqf Boards. But the Allahabad high court struck down its order and reinstated the sacked members on the ground that the members were not provided an opportunity to put forward their views, a clause mandatory in the Waqf Act, 1995.

Board chief Rizvi said the case where registration of FIR against the UP minister had been ordered is related to the property of Waqf Moti Masjid in Hussainabad.

A case against Raza for illegal sale of Waqf property in Unnao is also pending. Raza was removed as the caretaker of this property on Thursday by the board.

The instant case relates to the waqf property he (Raza) bought and has now built his house on in Hussainabad locality, he said. The UPSCWB has nine members, six of who were present at the board meeting which took the decision to proceed against the minister.

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If you can sum up the essence of Uttar Pradesh, its rich history, culture and diversity in a catchy tagline, you stand a chance to win recognition and a cash prize of Rs 25,000.

Rules to remember The tagline should be catchy and should not be more than one line in Hindi or English Participants should upload the tagline in MS Word/ PDF format only. The tagline should be usable on website, mobile app, social media, magazines, commercial, holdings, standees, brochures, leaflets, pamphlets, souvenirs and other publicity and marketing material. All the entries received by department of tourism, Uttar Pradesh, will be assessed for award by a selection committee. Entries will be judged on the basis of elements of creativity, originality, composition, technical excellence, simplicity, artistic merit and visual impact and how well they communicate the theme.

Looking for a tagline that can aptly summarise the states identity, UP tourism department has announced a contest to reposition the state in tourism sector.

Besides the first prize of Rs 25,000, the department has announced Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 for contestants securing second and third position and seven consolation prizes worth Rs 5,000 each.

UP, the most populous state in the country, had earlier the tagline Uttar Pradesh: Amazing heritage, grand experiences for some time. The state is home to important pilgrimage centres of India and has a plethora of unique wildlife in the Terai region.

The state boasts of cultural, religious and heritage tourism assets. It has a unique cuisine which is as diverse as its geography.

Textile, crafts, dance/drama and legacy of musicians of UP add to the exquisiteness of tourism offerings.

The departments dream to help UP become a tourism hub and a leader in promoting sustainable and inclusive development through tourism rides on this contest, said a senior official at tourism department.

The search for a tagline is the beginning of a more aggressive marketing campaign to change the perception about the state, he added.

The official said 883 participants had already submitted entries and the tourism department was anticipating a deluge of suggestions by the last date (August 10) of submission.

Those willing to participate in the contest may log on to the website (www.mygov.in/task/suggest-tagline-department-tourism-government-uttar-pradesh/) and post the tagline.

Kerala was the first Indian state to come up with a tagline Gods Own Country in 1989.

The tagline caught the imagination of tourists and the state became a tourist hotspot in a few years  a feat that UP tourism department is trying to replicate.

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A team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) landed here on Thursday to probe the recovery of PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate) on the assembly premises on July 12.

A Home department officer said NIA would start probe on Friday. IG, NIA, met principal secretary, Home, Arvind Kumar and DGP Sulkhan Singh on Thursday to discuss the investigation carried out by the state police in the case.

Read more| Explosive in UP Assembly: Amid controversy, UP government sticks to PETN claim

The NIA officer also visited the Vidhan Bhawan and discussed with officers deployed for legislative assembly security. As the Budget session of legislative assembly concluded on Thursday, the team will inspect the assembly hall where the suspicious substance was found.

Sources said NIA would record the statement of the SP MLAs Manoj Pandey and Anil Dohre who shared the seat on which the suspicious substance was found. Along with recording the statement of the legislative assembly, secretariat administration staff and policemen NIA will also study the CCTV footage of the assembly that has been collected by UP ATS.

The staff of the state forensic science laboratory who confirmed the powder highly explosive PETN will be also on the radar of the NIA. The UP ATS has now sent the sample to central forensic science laboratory, Hyderabad.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) ordered NIA probe into the recovery of PETN in the assembly.

Read more| Uttar Pradesh: Centre gives go-ahead, NIA to take over PETN case

An FIR was registered with the Hazratganj police station, Lucknow on July 14 regarding the recovery of PETN. NIA will re-register this case at its office in Lucknow accordingly and will start investigation immediately.
The state vigilance department on Thursday booked BJP MLA Anurag Singh and two others in a case of financial bungling of government funds.

It lodged an FIR of forgery and criminal conspiracy against three persons, including Singh, who is also the son of former BJP minister OP Singh and a first time MLA from Chunar constituency of Mirzapur.

Singh as chairman of Sardar Patel Institute of Dental Sciences has been accused of embezzlement of social welfare department funds worth over a crore issued in favour of the institute as a part of the students fees reimbursements.

Read more: Chargesheet filed against 23 in Rs 6.33-crore Bihar NRHM scam

Vigilance inspector, DS Rathore said the FIR had been lodged against the MLA, account manager of the institute, Pankaj Kumar Vyas and accountant Sudhir Sharma with the PGI police station.

Inspector said the open inquiry was initiated by the vigilance department on March 14, 2016 after receiving complaints from nine dental science students of 2008-11 batch. He said the detailed probe revealed that social welfare department released funds for scholarships of these students and ordered not to take fees from them or refund them the fees if already deposited.

He said the institute chairman and his staff allegedly did not refund the fees of students. He said similar complaints were also received in the cases of 12 other reserved category students, which would be included in the FIR.

Read more: NEET candidate booked for submitting forged marksheet

Earlier, a separate FIR of fraud and forgery was also lodged against Singh regarding the dispute over the property related to Dr OP Chaudhary Trust lodged at PGI police station in August 2011. The FIR was lodged by the late Chaudharys wife Ram Dulari for grabbing the trusts property fraudulently.

Initially, the police had submitted the final report in favour of Singh but re-investigation in the case was ordered by the court in May this year.
CROWDFUNDING DOS AND DONTS Do choose a realistic monetary goal Use video to tell the story of your cause, but be honest and accurate. Prepare a list of initial funders and get commitments from them before you go live, so your campaign opens with some momentum. Make sure you get both kinds of supporters  those who will give you funds and those who will share your initiative on their social media pages. Keep thanking funders through the campaign and sharing updates during and after. Dont pick a cause you are not really passionate about because its hard work and you could lose interest midway. If you cant find, in advance, at least five people who will donate to your campaign, dont launch it. Wait. Or reconsider.

(Source: Ranganath Thota, founder and CEO of FuelADream)

No one is too young or inexperienced to make a difference, thats the message teenagers are taking away from their successful crowdfunding initiatives.

Kids typically raise money for two kinds of projects  innovations they want to create, or causes they want to help fund, says Ranganath Thota, founder and CEO of crowdfunding platform FuelADream.

With help from platforms like FuelADream, Ketto and Bitgiving, theyre learning how to use videos to elaborate on their cause, interviewing potential beneficiaries to give potential donors a face to identify with.

Theyre also learning how to raise funds effectively  identifying a first batch of donors before the campaign goes live, for instance, to make sure theres initial momentum, and using parents LinkedIn ids to reach the right audience.

In some cases, theyre helping other children get essential surgery, in others theyre helping an NGO raise rent for its spaces. One teen is creating a home automation system that will allow you to operate light switches remotely, at low cost, when you go out of town. Another has such a successful campaign raising money for musical instruments for underprivileged children that its turned into an annual benefit concert at his school.

Crish Chengappa, 15, raised Rs 2 lakh, enough for five subsidised heart surgeries for children.

Its a good idea for kids to crowdfund for a cause. Thats how they will learn to give back to society. We just have to make sure that they are not too young to be exposed to the online world when they do it, says Varun Sheth, founder and CEO of crowdfunding platform Ketto.

Sometimes, the initiative starts as part of a school social work quota. Sometimes, its the school that introduces the concept of crowdfunding too.

Thats what happened at Delhi Public School (Bangalore North).

I first heard about crowdfunding in February, when I met Mr Thota and invited him to speak at our assembly, says principal Manju Balasubramanyam. At the assembly, a group of students asked if the school could launch a campaign of its own.

Thota put the school in touch with Rotary Indiranagar and the Needy Heart Foundation and thus was born DPS Big Hearts, an online campaign launched in May to raise Rs 16.5 lakh in 60 days to fund heart surgery for needy children. A total of 44 students signed up as campaigners.

Crish Chengappa, 15, brought in the most funds  a whopping Rs 2 lakh, enough for five subsidised surgeries.

Every child raised the targeted Rs 40,000. They and their parents learnt to use social media constructively in the process, Balasubramanyam says.

The school campaign collectively raised 16.9 lakh, enough for 41 surgeries.

For Chengappa, as for many of the other students, their campaigns were proof that they could make an impact.

Some people set up online banking accounts specifically for this campaign. Some went to their banks several times to process payments, as there were tech glitches, Chengappa says. It was really gratifying to see the lengths to which people were going, to help us save a life.

Ive learnt that the possibilities truly are limitless

Ishnoor Singh, 17, raised Rs 76,000 to build an affordable home automation system so people could switch their lights on and off remotely even when out of town. He was inspired by how worried his grandparents would get when they left their Amritsar home to visit him in Gurgaon. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

When 17-year-old Ishnoor Singhs grandparents came to visit from Amritsar, they would constantly worry about the safety of their house. Singh thought they could rest easy if they got a home automation system installed.

So I looked up the options online and found out that the systems available were really expensive and complicated, says the Gurgaon boy. What my grandparents, and many others like them, need is a simple, affordable use system that can help them control their lights remotely.

Since he dreams of being an entrepreneur specialising in affordable tech, he decided to try and create an Android app that would control switches remotely.

It took him six months to create a working model, using off-the-shelf components such as a programming board, wifi module, relays, an adaptor and a breadboard.

Then he needed financial help to build five prototypes for market testing. It was Ishnoors parents who suggested crowdfunding because they wanted him to find out if the idea was worth funding.

I had set a target of Rs 45,000 but within the first 10 days I already had Rs 76,000, he says. I got support from unexpected quarters. Some very senior professionals connected with my father on LinkedIn shared his post and that really helped. A total of 46 people donated.

Singh is now building 20 prototypes instead of five. It will allow me to do more extensive testing, he says. I will be testing among our neighbors, some of the funders, if they are willing, and of course, my grandparents. After leaving it with them for a fortnight, I will document their feedback, the glitches, the failures and possible improvements.

To Ishnoor, the best thing about his crowdfunding experience is that it told him how much people in the real world actually connected with his idea.

What started as a pet project to test my skills is turning into a product that consumers could actually buy, he says. The biggest lesson I have learnt from this experience is that if you dream big and stick to your dreams, the possibilities are truly limitless.

Instruments of change

Varun Jhunjhunwalla, 18, raised Rs 85,000 to buy musical instruments for underprivileged children -- and expanded that campaign into a fundraising concert that has now become an annual event at his Mumbai school. (Aalok Soni / HT Photo)

In his final year at Mumbais Cathedral & John Connon School, Varun Jhunjhunwalla had to pick a social service project.

Music had helped me a lot in dealing with school stress, he says. I knew that children from government schools faced large amounts of pressure both in school and at home. I thought maybe introducing them to music would help, be something creative they could do in their free time.

So he began to volunteer at BPK Sahakari Vidyamandir in December 2015.

But he had a lot of trouble sourcing instruments for these classes. There were days when we had only one set of keyboards and a guitar for the eight students I was teaching. Some students drew piano keys with chalk on the benches to learn the correct finger positions. I got into some trouble with the school the next day because some of them had used permanent marker! he says, laughing.

So he launched a crowdfunding campaign called Songs for Change on Ketto in June 2016, thinking people would donate enough to buy a few instruments for the school.

The campaign met its target of Rs 85,000, but that was just the beginning.

After his crowdfunding target was reached, he approached us and proposed a fundraising concert to raise money for NGOs like Muktangan, which work to promote music among underprivileged children. The idea was welcomed by the school, says Susan Vaidyan, psychology and music teacher at Cathedral. Varun, with the help of other students, organised the event and sold ticketsmostly to their parents and parents friends.

The concert raised close to Rs 3 lakh and has become an annual, student-driven event.

The concert gave underprivileged children from across the city a platform to perform, and with the money we earned we bought guitars, electronic tablas, a harmonium, electronic tanpuras, music books, score sheets and choir costumes, dancing shoes, ukeleles and keyboards that are being distributed across BPK and all the participating NGOs. And theres some money set aside for next years concert, says Jhunjhunwalla, 18.

More students from Cathedral are now volunteering at BPK and Muktangan, offering instruction across a range of instruments.

The idea that will work is the one you implement

Aryaman Shaan was going to volunteer as a tutor, with Mumbai NGO LCCWA. When he realised how much of a problem funds were, the 17-year-old instead launched an on-going online campaign to raise money to pay their rent.

Aryaman Shaan, 17, from Mumbai began volunteering with a local NGO during his summer break last year.

The Logic Centre & Community Welfare Association offers children from local slums free after-school classes and one free meal a day.

I soon realised that funding was a constant challenge, so instead of volunteering there to teach, I decided to raise funds for the NGO, says Shaan, now a Class 12 student.

He weighed different options  organising a fair, trying to get corporate sponsorship etc. I decided to go with crowdfunding because it seemed like the simplest option, he says.

In the week since his campaign went online, it has raised Rs 99,000. The goal is to raise Rs 2.4 lakh over 45 days.

The key to crowdfunding is getting people to connect with your cause, Shaan says. I made several trips to the NGO and spoke to the founders, volunteers and many of the children to understand their issues and struggles.

Shaan then posted pictures and stories detailing some of their struggles, so that the donors could actually get to know some of the people they would be helping.

His parents helped by sharing his campaign link on their social media accounts and inviting their friends to do the same.

The money will be used mainly to pay the rent for the five rooms used by LCCWA.

Rent is our biggest challenge, says Chaitali Gupta, programme cocoordinator and managing committee member. Donors pay for books and the food but the rent is Rs 2.40 lakh a year and we have no steady corporate sponsorships to help us raise this sum. We are grateful to Shaan for trying to help us with this.

Shaan, for his part, says the campaign has taught him that there are a million ideas one can have, but the one that will work is that one that you implement.

This experience has also given me a deeper understanding of just how privileged I am, he adds. And that goodness does exist.

Listening in

Meher Kaur Rikhy, 18, raised Rs 65,000 so a three-year-old could get cochlear-implant surgery.

When Meher Kaur Rikhy was 10, her parents asked if she would like to volunteer, meet and help children less fortunate than herself. She said yes.

Eight years later, and she has completed a successful campaign called IHearU, raising Rs 65,000 for a free cochlear implant surgery for a child whose parents couldnt afford it.

Through the NGO Kids for Kids, where I volunteer, I met Dr Shalabh Sharma, a senior surgeon who does cochlear-implant surgeries free at Gangaram Hospital. He introduced me to children who could benefit from a cochlear implant but could not afford one. One of them was three-year-old Preeksha, says the Gurgaon student.

She then met a five-year old boy named Sumant who had undergone such a surgery. When he told her how he now went to a mainstream school and enjoyed life a lot more, she decided she wanted to help someone have that experience.

She launched her campaign on the crowdfunding platform, Bitgiving, in November.

I chose crowdfunding because I believe there are people out there who want to help, but have not had the right opportunity, she says. I worked to create a buzz around the campaign. I created a video talking to children who had had the surgery. I approached an artist, Sanjay Sharma, whos donated the painting that became the logo of my campaign. I had notebooks printed with this design. Anybody who donated got one of these notebooks as a token of appreciation.

The donors did not disappoint. I had strangers from cities in southern India donating money. I also had donors from the US!

As Dr Sharma puts it: Meher has a kind heart and this shows in her efforts to raise money for another child.

An I for an eye

Sathvik Vudumula raised Rs 2.20 lakh for free cataract surgeries for 100 women in rural Telangana.

Sathvik Vudumula, 18, from Hyderabad generated so much interest with his campaign to fund free cataract surgeries for the elderly last year that it went into Phase 2 and benefited 50% more people than he had originally targeted.

It all started when he began to volunteer with senior citizen NGO HelpAge India and saw old people suffering with vision impairment.

I also met a couple whose children had abandoned them because they were physically impaired and partially blind. This shocked me and I wished do my bit to help, he says.

So he launched Re-vision, a crowdfunding campaign aimed at conducting free cataract surgeries and restoring vision to elderly people who couldnt afford care for themselves.

The idea was to treat 100 women from rural Telengana, with the help of Operation Eyesight Universal [OEU], an international NGO working to eliminate avoidable blindness, Vudumula says.

This would require Rs 2.20 lakh, a sum he ended up raising through crowdfunding.

We organised the surgeries with the help of local hospitals and also documented their reactions after the surgery, which were heart-touching, says Dr Santosh Moses, regional manager for South Asia at OEU. Some said they could now see their grandchildren, others were grateful they could go to the washroom by themselves.

After the first 100 surgeries, though, there were still a lot of requests from the local NGOs. So we ran a second crowdfunding campaign and raised another Rs 1.10 lakh to conduct 50 more cataract surgeries. These funds were raised within three weeks, Vudumula says. My parents friends helped my campaigns gather momentum. I also got some media attention, which enabled me reach my goal through many anonymous contributors across India. In many cases, all it took was the cost of a restaurant dinner, and they could help restore someones eyesight.

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The big, fat Indian wedding is a stellar production. Theres smashing Bollywood music, the most talk-worthy couture, lavish molecular gastronomy menus, celebrity performances and, of course, an ostentatious display of jewellery, fancy cars... and even private helicopters, in some cases. For Delhiites, its that pinnacle event that defines their social status. However, there seems to be a change in the air. Wedding planners in the city say that while the big, fat weddings continue to grow fatter, some young couples are adding a charity angle to their wedding in a bid to contribute to society.

While some are donating excess food and flowers  and, occasionally, even their wedding outfit  to the underprivileged, some are putting together their shagun money to fulfil the wishes of others. There are many couples who get married in a temple and give the money they save to noble causes. They often distribute gourmet food to [the poor] outside the temple. Sometimes, couples also invite children from orphanages to their weddings. Over the past six months, Ive planned many such weddings. The number is certainly on the rise. Many couples also use their shagun money to help acid attack victims through NGOs, says Kiran Sabharwal, 40, wedding planner.

Its not just the couples who are engaging in charity. We, as wedding planners, have an important role to play as well, says Akshat Gupta, 31, wedding planner. We often tie up with caterers and NGOs to ensure that food is not wasted and all the excess food is donated. We also suggest ideas to couples who like to donate.

So, is this trend going to grow bigger? It wont happen overnight, but I think its the way forward. Its the young generation that understands and practises the concept of a sustainable wedding, whereas our mothers and fathers still prefer the big, fat Indian wedding, says Abhishek Kaushik, 31, floral set designer and wedding planner. One of my close friends got married in a temple recently. His parents wanted a big, fat Indian wedding, but he didnt. It was a simple wedding, where all the food was distributed to the poor outside the temple. Also, with the help of caterers, they made sure leftover food was sent to charities.

Himanshu and Pankhuri Saxena donated half of their shagun amount to an NGO.

One of the couples who decided to donate on their big day are Himanshu Saxena, 32, and Pankhuri Saxena, 29. Their idea was to use the occasion of their marriage to help those in need. We tried our best to minimise the exchange of gifts from both ends. We donated half of the shagun amount to an NGO called Zindagi  this gave us a lot of joy. The whole idea of not being not too lavish with the wedding and doing our bit for society brought us closer, says Himanshu.

Aakash Gupta and Runika Gupta donated the excess food from their wedding to orphanages.

Another Delhi couple, Aakash Gupta, 27, and Runika Gupta, 25, who got married early this year, decided to donate their lehenga and sherwani to an NGO, for it to use the clothes for community weddings. Our parents wanted a lavish destination wedding. However, we werent interested, says Aakash. We didnt want to waste money and resources. Ours was a low-key wedding, and we believe if one is in a position to bring some joy into someone elses life, then one should. You only wear your wedding dress once, so why waste when you can donate it? All the excess food from our wedding was also donated to orphanages.

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Berlin Syndrome

Director - Cate Shortland

Cast - Teresa Palmer, Max Riemelt

Rating - 2/5

What happens when you get to know someone? asks Claire, in bed, stroking Andis stubbled face. He gazes at her, lost for a moment, in thought, and replies, You see all their ugliness.

But Claire doesnt know him yet. She met him just two days ago, at a street crossing in Berlin, where, seeing a lost backpacker, he offered directions and strawberries. They hit it off. He asked her to come over, and they drove, their charged journey coming to an end at a rather rough looking neighbourhood. There was graffiti on the walls, reflected in puddles of mud, illuminated by flickering streetlights.

Upstairs, in Andis sparse apartment, theres a futon on the floor, and an impressive rack of books on the wall. Both these bits of information seem to confirm to Claire  and us  what we have been told about Andi: That he is a high school English teacher. No reason to panic.

But there is. When he leaves for work the next day, he forgets to keep the spare key on the dresser like he said he would. Claires locked in. Whats more, she cant manage to get the windows to open. And the day after that, the key he does leave behind turns out to be the wrong one. And the windows, she learns, as she hurls a chair at them, seem to have been reinforced.

Suddenly, our worst fears are confirmed. All that talk about people being ugly on the inside has taken new meaning. His rancid apartment, and his hollow eyes seem to say just one thing: I am a kidnapper, and a creep, and a rapist. You are my prisoner now. No one can hear your cries for help. If you try to escape, I will kill you.

Berlin Syndrome, and most movies about kidnapping, by their very nature, already have the audience on their side  no one enjoys watching innocent young women being held against their wishes by monstrous men. Every time our plucky protagonist attempts an escape, we root for her. Every time she manages to get a message out, or her signals for help are seen, we cheer her on. So now, its up to the movie to build on this already established goodwill.

Berlin Syndrome is rather hit or miss at this task. Obviously, Id never expected it to be anything near as great as Room, that masterpiece which won Brie Larson her Oscar, but to expect it to have the thrills of something like The Disappearance of Alice Creed (starring Gemma Arterton), couldnt be too much to ask, could it?

As it turns out, it could. Not only does Berlin Syndrome go for the emotional punch of Room, it also wants to appeal to B-movie fans by never missing an opportunity to undress Teresa Palmer, and then take Polariods of her against her will.

And then, theres the tricky task of making Stockholm Syndrome seem less off-putting than it always ends up being. As the weeks turn into months, and Claire becomes more accustomed to her life, even as she routinely finds evidence that suggests she isnt the first girl Andis done this with, the plot begins taking needlessly abstract detours. Theres an especially cringe-worthy scene involving an accordion. Dare I say it, even Imtiaz Alis Highway, which has one of the most colossally misguided tones  and third acts  in recent memory, managed to convey the slow psychological paradox of being in a relationship with your kidnapper more palatable.

Teresa Palmer is really good in it though. She does an excellent job of conveying the contrast of emotions raging inside her head  the confusion, the fear, the anger, and the sheer will to survive. Its a performance sorely in need of a more ambitious story.

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The author tweets @RohanNaahar

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Indu Sarkar

Director: Madhur Bhandarkar

Cast: Kriti Kulhari, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Anupam Kher, Tota Roy Chowdhury, Sheeba Chaddha, Ankur Vikal and Zakir Hussain

Rating: 2/5

With the kind of publicity and controversies it attracted, almost everyone knows the basic premise of Madhur Bhandarkars film. Indu Sarkar, that hits theatres on Friday, is a political drama set against the backdrop of the Emergency.

Indu Sarkar opens with the announcement of the Emergency blaring from radio sets and glaring on front pages of newspapers. It then takes us to a fictitious village in Delhi-Haryana border area, Mubipura, where people are gearing up for a wedding. Suddenly, cops reach the place looking for men to be sterilized. When the men try to hide, the cops hunt them down and drag them even as a 70-year-old and a 13-year-old male ask policemen to consider the futility of including them in the government-ordered drive.

Indu Sarkar soon moves to the central character, Indu (Kriti) - an orphan who wants to become a poet but is told she must only dream to become a good wife and make a family. Following the advice, she marries Navin Sarkar (Tota Roy Chowdhury) who dreams of money, power and fame, while Indus dream is only to be a good wife. For almost half of the fiIm, Indu Sarkar remains the story of a docile, humble and meek orphan who surrenders to every whims and fancies of her husband even as she fights her own stammering and a lack of confidence.

How this rather homely woman stumbles upon victims of a police raid in a slum, decides to fight for them and eventually becomes one of the most powerful voices of dissent during the Emergency, form the rest of the narrative.

Neil Nitin Mukesh in a still from the film.

While the film was publicised as a film on Emergency, it actually oscillates between a political drama and a typical Bollywood film about a couple. Unfortunately, the transition between the two narratives is neither smooth nor convincing.

One of the saddest moments in the movie comes when Indu, after she has left her husbands house for the sake of a couple of lost orphan kids, decides to sign the divorce papers Navin sends. When asked why she agreed for the divorce, she says, Saath reh kar acchi biwi nahi ban payi, ho sakta hai alag ho kar sukh de paun. (I could not be a good wife, maybe I can give him some comfort by staying away). As if, all the protest and fight for freedom from a dictatorial government was nothing but a tool to pacify the husband.

The background score of Indu Sarkar is too loud and misplaced. At times when a rather emotional moment is approaching, what you hear is the loud melodramatic sound usually used in Bollywood suspense dramas.

Anupam Kher in a in a still from the film.

Despite having gathered a group of critically appreciated actors, Madhur Bhandarkar fails to make the best use of them. Neil Nitin Mukesh is one of the most wasted talents in the movie. He has given some of his best performances as a mean, high-on-power person but his act as chief in Indu Sarkar appears too superficial. Anupam Kher and Kriti Kulhari take the lead in acting department and stay true to their characters for most of the part. The supporting casts including Sheeba Chaddha, Ankur Vikal and Zakir Hussain, among others appear genuine in their roles.

Neil Nitin Mukesh in a still from the film.

However, the over-dramatic tone of the film kills their performances and leaves us with dialogues like Ek goli ne mere jawan, 6 foot ke bete ko 6 inch ki tasveer bana diya.

Trying to find logic in Indu Sarkar often becomes a task. For example, why does Indu keep roaming around in a rickshaw/auto in the Turkman Gate area every time she needs to witness an eye-opener about the Emergency when she is otherwise driven around in her husbands car? Or, for that matter, why do the protesters (led by Anupam Kher as Nanaji) keep naming each other when they meet inside a cinema hall to avoid getting caught by the cops? Isnt the entire purpose of disguise defeated if they use the real names? What is the reason, do you ask? Well, Bollywood is the only word that comes to our mind.

Kriti Kulhari in a still from the film.

For those interested in the politics of films, there are two ways to look at Madhur Bhandarkars Indu Sarkar.

One is to look it as a propaganda film against the Congress party, aims at showcasing the atrocities inflicted upon various communities during the Emergency. There is a subtle, yet, extremely clear attempt to highlight Muslims forming a major portion of the victims. We have Neil Nitin Mukesh channelling Sanjay Gandhi as the prime ministers son who is only referred to as the chief while the PM is referred to as mummyji. The unofficial ban on Kishore Kumar from radio and television after he refused to sing for Sanjay Gandhi also gets a mention in the film.

On the other hand, you can see Indu Sarkar as a double-edged sword. While it depicts the Emergency and the Gandhi family as the perpetrators of cruelty and injustice inflicted upon the masses, the film actually shows the misuse of power. If Madhur Bhandarkar wanted to patronise the ruling party, the irony of his own film is lost on him. The irony of Indu Sarkar is that it is so indulgent in highlighting the importance of free speech and democracy that you could change a few names, few other situations and it could well have been a film about the crisis India is facing today: People with allegiances to the ruling party exploiting the masses and even politicians at their own will.

So, in the sheer hope that Madhur actually aimed for the latter political purpose, two stars for Indu Sarkar.

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Raag Desh

Cast: Kunal Kapoor, Amit Sadh, Mohit Marwah

Director: Tigmanshu Dhulia

Rating: 3.5/5

In his better films like Haasil and Paan Singh Tomar, Tigmanshu Dhulia ensures he never takes sides. His characters present a narrative and leave it to the audiences to decide if they want to support or oppose their stand. In fact, its his objectivity that makes Rannvijay Singh and Paan Singh (Irrfan in Haasil and Paan Singh Tomar) memorable characters. He operates within the same boundaries in Raag Desh (a classical Hindutsani raga with patriotic sentiments) as well.

We know the story of Subhash Chandra Boses Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj, INA) and how it became a major player in Indias struggle for independence before Boses sudden disappearance from Rangoon. We have also heard the stories of three decorated officers of the INA, Shah Nawaz Khan (Kunal Kapoor), Prem Sehgal (Mohit Marwah) and Gurbaksh Dhillon (Amit Sadh), and how they turned into the symbol of unity in diversity during a court case against the British government two years before the Indian independence.

Watch: Our Facebook Live discussion on Mubarakan, Indu Sarkar and Raag Desh

Raag Desh is a detailed break-down of this famous case which revealed how vulnerable the British regime had become. It was also important because Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi were taking interest in the case. Probably they knew that the trial of three officers will have a favourable impact on Congress demand for complete sovereignty.

Its an interesting premise. The film claims that close to 25 lakh Indians fought for the British Army in the World War Two. Out of these, 40,000 Indians surrendered to Japan after its win over Britain in Burma and nearby areas. The Japanese government later made the Indian troops collaborators in their war against the allied forces. An Indian officer, Mohan Singh, was appointed the incharge of this troop, but later Subhash Chandra Bose (played by Kenny Basumatary) took control and gave birth to the INA.

The actual film begins when trials start and the British regime decides to handle it with an iron fist. Raag Desh finds its flow here and Tigmanshu Dhulia slowly absorbs us into the terrific detailing of the case. Bhula Bhai Desai (Kenneth Desai), a lawyer on the verge of retirement, helps Dhulia in getting the perfect narrative tone for the film.

Disgusted with the Congress which refused to give him a ticket to contest the general elections, Bhula Bhai puts aside his differences with Nehru to plead the case of three men whose patriotism is dependent on one ruling.

However, Bhula Bhai is just a face as many fight in the background. From a former judge to a helpless father, this faceless crowd constitutes people from all walks of life. They all understand the value of the judgement and how it can change the entire discourse.

Dhulia doesnt manipulate the court proceedings to earn our sympathy. After all, its a film with heavy patriotic fervour, nobody would have minded that, but he sticks to the facts and narrates the story of all the major characters from a neutral perspective.

There lies the real beauty of his storytelling as the ambiguity around the lead characters remain till the last moments, and even when it clears you are left with many angles to think about.

In one of the scenes, Gurbaksh Dhillon and Shah Nawaz Khan put words to such sentiments. One of them believes that the outcome of the trial gives the British an edge while the other categorically demonstrates how the heavy public outcry can influence their case.

This isnt the most powerful scene in the film though. Its a conversation between Nehru (Rajesh Khera) and Judge Sehgal (Kanwaljeet Singh) when the latter successfully convinces the former to fight for the three officers inside the court. The dialogues show the directors delicate understanding of the Indian polity and society.

The audience keeps watching everything from a distance when the INA officers disclose their side of the details. It becomes a party to the discussion only when it realises that deciding war crimes is very subjective in nature.

Then there are actors like Kenny Basumatary and Mrudula Murali (Captain Lakshmi Swaminathan) who bring a distinct charm to the film. Basumatarys jovial face while he is weighed against gold makes everything look cheerful.

The back and forth in narration hampers the flow, though. Further, the documentary-like feel hampers the drama to reach its zenith, but these are minor issues and can be easily overlooked.

What matters is Amit Sadh resurfaces as an able actor after a long time. Kunal Kapoors matured take on the life of Shah Nawaz Khan is another plus of Raag Desh. Mohit Marwah also holds his ground and infuses seriousness into the film.

There is a strange thing about patriotic films. You know whats going to happen, but your eyes still get moist when it happens. The same will happen to you as well when Kadam Kadam Badhaaye Jaa will play on the screen. This 137-minute soldier versus traitor story is totally worth your time.

Interact with Rohit Vats at Twitter/@nawabjha

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An Istanbul court on Friday ordered the release of seven suspects in the controversial trial of staff from the Cumhuriyet opposition newspaper but said other prominent defendants should be kept in jail.

The seven, including cartoonist Musa Kart, will be released under judicial supervision, meaning they have to report to the authorities regularly ahead of the next hearing on September 11.

However the judge ordered that four other suspects should remain in custody.

Those to remain in custody are the most prominent defendants in the case -- commentator Kadri Gursel, investigative journalist Ahmet Sik, the paper's editor-in-chief Murat Sabuncu and chief executive Akin Atalay.

Most of the suspects held in the case have already been in prison for more than eight months. If convicted, they face varying terms of up to 43 years in jail.

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Three months after the BMC demolished a contentious 120-year-old cross on Dmonte Street in Bandra (West), residents and Catholic groups said they will file a criminal complaint against the assistant municipal commissioner Sharad Ughade and two engineers of the ward office.

Savio Gonsalves, who lives opposite the shrine, has been the caretaker for 35 years.

It was shocking to see the BMC take the cross down. We got to know about the BMCs plan a night before and we could not do anything, said Gonsalves.

On April 29, the BMC demolished the Dmonte cross.

The Catholic community staged a protest on May 3 outside the ward office. Residents said the cross was legal and was on private property of the owner.

READ: Illegal shed over grotto demolished in Chakala

Godfrey Pimenta, trustee of NGO Watchdog Foundation, said, The BMC had wrongly marked the cross as category B structure. We took the case to court and till now, the BMC has not produced the affidavit in court.

Rita Dsa, head of Bombay Catholic Sabha, said the next hearing for the case in the high court is on August 21. We want the BMC to reinstate the cross. The criminal charge-sheet is for wrongly marking the shrine and demolishing it, said Dsa.

Ughade told HT, The cross was under category B in the 2011 list. We have taken action as per the court order. Officials added that the cross cannot be reinstated.

Of the 38 illegal shrines in Bandra West, only one cross has been demolished. The ward office razed close to four illegal temples on Thursday.
The Mumbai police on Wednesday arrested three people for allegedly kidnapping and robbing a senior citizen at knifepoint in Kanjurmarg earlier this month.

According to the officials, the accused  Mahesh Mohite, 31, alias Maya, Ilahi Shaikh, 32 and Janardhan alias Jana, 35  are residents of Sangharsh nagar in Chandivali.

The incident took place on the night of July 2 in Kanjurmarg when the complainant Sambhaji Ramchandra Gholatkar, 62, was on a night walk.

The accused threatened him with a knife, pushed him into an autorickshaw and took him to Jogeshwari east near the railway station. They robbed him of gold and cash collectively worth Rs1.5 lakh.

The complainant approached the local Kanjurmarg police station and filed an FIR against the accused.

Acting on a tip-off, the unit officials nabbed all three accused from Chandivali area.

During interrogation, the accused confessed they committed the crime. The accused have been handed over to the Kanjurmarg police for further probe.
More than 50,000 students still havent bagged a seat in first year junior college (FYJC) admissions after the third merit list was announced a day early on Friday. Few seats but more takers in the arts stream drove up its cut-off for the third time. While commerce cut-offs too were higher in some colleges, those of science came down by 2%-3%.

Of 98,000 students, who had not secured admissions, 47, 956 were allocated seats in the third round. Commerce stream saw the highest number of allocations (31,745), followed by 12, 285 in science, and a tad more than 3,000 in arts. Around 400 students were chosen for vocational courses.

The cut-off for arts rose to 80% from 78.2% at KJ Somaiya College of Arts and Commerce, Vidyavihar. This is the first time that arts saw its cut-off rise with every list as until last year, the marks used to drop in each round. Sudha Vyas, the colleges principal, said, Arts is in demand this year but there are not enough seats, which is driving up the cut-offs, said Vyas.

A similar phenomenon was observed in other coveted colleges like Ramniwas Ruia, Matunga, saw its arts cut-off shoot up by a few points  from 93.2% to 93.33%. DG Ruparels cut-off increased to 82.83% from 82.6%. Surprisingly, cut-offs in St Xaviers, one of the most sought after colleges in the stream, dropped from 93.8% to 93.5%.

But colleges predicted that the cut-offs for arts may fall in the fourth round after seats reserved for scheduled castes and schedules tribes are merged with the open seats. Right now, arts cut-offs are soaring because there are fewer seats, said Vidyadhar Joshi, principal, Vaze-Kelkar College, Mulund. The number of seats will increase after the unfilled reserved seats are merged with the general category and this will bring down the cut-offs.

Commerce saw the cut-offs rise by a couple of points in Vaze-Kelkar College, Mulund, to 80.4% from the last lists 78.2%. Dips were noticed in Narsee Monjee, Vile Parle (from 91.6% to 91.4%) and Jai Hind, Churchgate (from 89.2% to 89.16%). Whereas, cut-offs remained the same in RA Podar at 91.2% and HR College, Commerce, did not come up with a list as all its seats were filled in the second round.

When it comes to science, the cut-offs saw a substantial fall. At Pace Junior Science College, Andheri, they dropped to 75.4% from 82.33%.

Even in Ruia, the science cut-off dropped to 89% from 90.8% and Sathaye, Vile Parle closed admissions at 84.6%, much lower than its last 87.8%.

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A court order protecting them and several reports pointing out their importance notwithstanding, wetlands across the state continue to be destroyed.

Between 2012 and 2017 alone, 523 cases of wetland destruction were reported, a report compiled by the Mumbai-based NGO Vanashakti revealed at the National Mangrove Conference in Dona Paula, Goa, on Thursday. Ten major cases were reported from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, but the most cases were reported in Thane, at Kalher, Kasheli and Dombivli among other areas.

In Mumbai, the destruction is taking place right under our noses  a 400-acre patch opposite Millat Nagar in Oshiwara-Lonkhandwala, a 15-acre patch at Shivaji Nagar, a 200 acre patch in Charkop and a 10-acre patch in Dahisar.

Why does this matter to you? Wetlands are areas of land covered by water, and apart from being home to several species of plants and animals, they act as a carbon sink by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and cleaning the air you breathe.

READ: Maharashtra government order to save wetlands: List those larger than 2.25ha by September

More than 500 wetland destruction cases were reported in five years. This couldnt have been possible if not for active support from government machinery such as police and revenue department, said Stalin D, director, NGO Vanashakti. The state mangrove cell, meanwhile, has managed to keep the wetlands under their control, relatively safe.

In 2014, the Bombay HC banned reclamation and construction on wetlands after Vanashakti filed a PIL to protect them. Stalin said even during the wetland grievance redressal committee meetings (formed by the state as per HC directions), corporations and revenue departments refused to restore degraded wetlands citing poor funds and lack of places to dump debris from wetlands. Despite several court orders, municipal corporations in Mumbai, Thane, Mira Bhayander and Vasai are ignorant about conserving wetlands, Stalin said. According to the national wetland atlas developed by the Union environment ministry, Maharashtra (spread across 3.07 lakh sqkm) has a wetland cover of just 10,145 sqkm . The Vanashakti data comes a week after HT reported the state had directed every district to document wetlands larger than 2.25 hectares by September, to protect them. Before this directive, the state mapped 320 wetlands in forest areas across 25 districts .

Beefing up security and tightening laws were the only ways to protect wetlands, experts said.

Wetland destruction is a much larger violation than just destroying mangroves, which are a part of wetlands. The state needs to levy stricter fines and soon, said Arvind Untawale, executive secretary of the Mangrove Society of India. The Vanashakti report is an eye-opener to the massive loss already incurred by the state.

Konkan commissioner Jagdish Patil told HT, We are drafting an action plan to protect these sites better. Once collectors submit their wetland lists, the panel will decide a strong action plan.

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Three days before deadline to declare degree college results, MeritTrac, the Bengaluru-based information technology firm carrying out the on-screen assessment of answer sheets, claimed that the University of Mumbai is yet to provide them with a complete list of evaluators causing delay and snags in the assessment process.

The firm said they had requested a consolidated list of all evaluators in a particular format, but the university has not given it yet. University officials, however, denied these allegations and claimed that the firm was handed over the required data at the beginning of the project.

Speaking to HT, Nagendran S, executive vice-president of MeritTrac said to successfully implement on-screen marking process, one requires complete details about all the evaluators, including the subjects they assess. These details were available locally only at colleges and centralised assessment process (CAP) centre. The university didnt have a consolidated list. We are still receiving evaluator data from varsity officials, he said.

Unless and until we get the data in a particular format, we cant generate username and passwords for evaluators. But the list provided by the university was riddled with error, he said.

Rubbishing these claims, Deepak Wasave, in-charge director, board of examination and evaluation at MU, said, On the first day of the project, we gave them a list of around 10,000 evaluators. It was their job to put it in the format they wanted, he said.

Wasave, however, accepted that the varsity kept adding new evaluators to the list.

He also blamed MeritTrac for slow servers, problems in generating OTPs and mix-up of answer sheets at CAP centres. The company denied the responsibility of these issues. There are several factors behind these issues. Sometimes the connectivity of the local area network (LAN) is poor. The generation of OTP also depends on the telecom network. Mix-up of answer sheets occurred due to their mislabelling, said Nagendran.

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As illegal alteration surfaced as the preliminary cause of the Ghatkopar building collapse, which killed 17 people, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) responded saying the residents should have complained about it.

But in cases where residents alerted them about illegal construction and the danger involved, this is how they swiftly they acted  solved 2,482 of the 22,808 complaints, a mere 10%, in 2 years  the data from their complaints portal showed.

A local Shiv Sena worker Sunil Shitap altered the loading beams while renovating his nursing home on the ground floor in Siddhi Sai, the building in Ghatkopar.

The BMC last year launched the portal to help citizens file complaints with the encroachment removal department.

Of the 22,808 complaints registered, the BMC issued notices  the first step in solving the complaint  in 6,803 complaints, while it undertook demolition in 1,283 cases.

A separate RTI application filed in 2016 showed the BMC received 70,000 complaints of illegal construction from 2014 to October 2016, of which 36,000 were awaiting action at the time of getting the response.

The number of complaints was 1,57,317 in 2014, of which 18,578 were to be addressed until October 2016, the reply to the RTI query revealed.

The website allows citizens to file complaints, upload photographs and tag the spot on a map. Once the complaint is registered, citizens get a reference number to track the progress and find out which department is handling the complaint. Civic officials, too, have to upload pictures of action taken at every step.

For instance, if a citizen has complained about illegal encroachments on a footpath, the officials inspecting the stretch have to upload the photo of the footpath after the inspection, attach the geo-coordinates and a photo of the notice sent.

If a matter is in court, the information is updated on the website.

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While actor Sanjay Dutt wanted to join the Army, IIT-Bombay seems to be the ultimate dream of engineering students. There seems to be no end to trouble for Mumbai residents  while Congressmen are disrupting shows of Madhur Bhandarkars Indu Sarkar, based on the Emergency, the BMC is paying no heed to complaints of illegal repairs and construction. But theres some good news, traffic snarls on Mumbai-Pune expressway may become a thing of the past once the authorities get two drones to man the traffic.

Here are our top five picks:

1. After Ghatkopar building collapse, can BMC act on 22,000 other illegal structures in Mumbai, please?

As illegal alteration surfaced as the preliminary cause of the Ghatkopar building collapse, which killed 17 people, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) responded saying the residents should have complained about it. But in cases where residents alerted them about illegal construction and the danger involved, this is how they swiftly they acted  solved 2,482 of the 22,808 complaints, a mere 10%, in 2 years  the data from their complaints portal showed.

2. In pics: This is how Sanjay Dutt spent his time in Punes Yerawada jail

From revealing his desire of wanting to join the Indian Army to writing poems, songs and shayaris  this is how actor Sanjay Dutt spent time in Yerawada jail in Pune, according to the secret files accessed exclusively by HT. During his stay, Dutt was lodged in a barrack of Fansi yard in Yerawada jail, while ex-major Ramesh Upadhyay, an accused in 2008 Malegaon blast case, was kept in one of the barracks in the same yard.

3. Madhur Bhandarkars Indu Sarkar released: Congressmen disrupt shows across Maharashtra

Congress party workers disrupted the screening of Madhur Bhandarkars Indu Sarkar, the film which released today and is based on the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi government in 1975, across the state. The party, however, claimed the protests are spontaneous and its leadership is not against the release of the film.

A protest in Thane. (PRAFUL GANGURDE)

4. IIT Bombay favourite among aspirants; 201 of 500 top JEE rankers select Mumbai institute, 137 Delhi

The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) remains the favourite among the toppers of the Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced), the entrance test for admission to IITs and other important technology institutes. Data revealed by Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) shows among the top 500 rankers, 201 chose IIT-B while 137 opted for IIT-Delhi. Among the top 100 rankers, 65 chose IIT-B and 31 preferred IIT-Delhi.

5. Mumbai-Pune expressway commute to get smoother as 2 drone cameras will handle traffic

Dont be surprised if you spot a drone while travelling on the Mumbai-Pune expressway. The Maharashtra government has allowed the highway police to get two drone cameras to control traffic along the 94-km stretch. The expressway sees major traffic snarls, especially on weekends when a lot of people travel to Lonavala and Khandala. Moreover, an accident or landslide during the rains throws the traffic out of gear for 3-4 hours.
The Maharashtra government on Thursday assured to provide temporary accommodation in the next two days to families who lived in the building that collapsed in Ghatkopar, killing 17 people.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis also promised the residents that while the redevelopment process of Siddhi Sai Housing Society will begin in the next 8-10 days, the government will ensure that the strictest possible action is taken against the main accused Sunil Shitap.

Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Ajoy Mehta constituted a three-member committee headed by additional municipal commissioner Vijay Singhal to probe Tuesdays incident.

On Thursday, residents of the building narrated their ordeal to Fadnavis at Vidhan Bhavan. They told the chief minister that they were left without any belongings, not even clothes, and were forced to seek shelter with relatives or friends.

My parents are staying at a relatives house. They have no clothes We want the government to make arrangements for temporary accommodation until we get our new houses, said Binita Ramchandani.

The resident requested Fadnavis to book Shitap for murder under section 302 of IPC and also expressed fears that if the Shiv Sena leader is released on bail, he might attempt to destroy evidence. Shitap has been currently been booked under sections 304 (causing death by negligence), 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the IPC.

Fadnavis assured the residents that arrangements for their temporary accommodation would be made in the next two days. State housing minister Prakash Mehta, who was also present at the meeting, said: We are planning to provide them accommodation in Ghatkopar itself. The housing department has some vacant flats under the project affected scheme, which will be used for the purpose as a special case.

The chief minister told the residents that he would discuss their demand to book the accused for murder with police officials and check if it was legally tenable. Booking the accused under wrong sections will help them hence we have to be very cautious, Fadnavis told the residents.

He also assured them that he would discuss the buildings redevelopment plan with the civic chief and check if the process can be started in the next one week.

Meanwhile, IAS officer Singhal, who will head the probe panel, will head a three-member committee, also comprising deputy municipal commissioner (improvement) Chandrashekhar Chore and director of BMCs engineering services VP Chitore.

The committee will investigate the cause of the collapse and whether civic officials were aware of the structural changes made on the ground floor of the building. It will also suggest the action to be taken against those responsible for the collapse and recommend measures to ensure that similar mishaps do not occur in the future. The inquiry committee is expected to submit its report in the next 15 days.
After frequent complaints about the free WiFi at suburban train stations, the railway ministrys agency RailTel and Google will conduct a survey.

While commuters have complained about the service, there were also reports that the WiFi was being used by non-commuters and miscreant to watch porn.

The survey is expected to begin from August 1.

On the Central Railway, the survey will be done at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Byculla, Kurla, Thane, Dadar, Vashi and Belapur.

On the Western Railway, the survey will be done at Mumbai Central, Bandra, Andheri and Churchgate stations.

Officials from RailTel and Google will visit these stations and ask commuters for feedback, and the issues they are facing while using the free Wifi at the stations.

The survey is being done to get passengers reactions to the Wifi service available at the stations. Once the survey is over, the recommendations from commuters will be taken into consideration and the necessary changes will be made, said a RailTel official, requesting anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

READ: These are the spots where you can access free WiFi in Mumbai

Frequent complaints regarding misuse of the free WiFi services have been received, particularly at the Mumbai Central station. said Aarti Singh Parihar, Senior Division Commercial Manager, Western Railway.

The Hindustan Times recently reported that the free WiFi had become a headache for railway authorities after they had received constant complaints.

Non-commuters and miscreants were using the facility to watch porn during the night, officials had said.

Officials in the Central Railway have stated that there have been situations where the station masters had to approach the railway police and ask them to ensure the miscreants leave.

Meanwhile, the railway ministry has planned to provide free WiFi services on all suburban stations in the city.

Currently, the stations equipped with WiFi facility include Chembur, Ghatkopar, Kurla, Thane, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Bandra Terminus, Vashi, Kalyan, Panvel, Borivli, Churchgate, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Byculla, Khar Road, Dadar (Central Railway), Dadar (Western Railway), Andheri, Bandra and Mumbai Central.
The Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) newly-forged alliance with Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United) may worsen the already strained ties between the BJP and the Shiv Sena.

Although the Sena has been one of the oldest allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the JD(U)s entry into the fold can reduce Senas importance at the Centre.

Political analyst Deepak Pawar said, In the early days of the government, Nitish Kumar was one of the strongest critics of the prime minister. With this alliance, the BJP has almost wiped out any criticism emanating from the Opposition. The only censures the party now has to tackle is from within the government  the Shiv Sena.

He added that the BJP-JD(U) alliance gives the former an edge over its detractors, especially the Sena which has been vociferous in condemning the government at the state and the Centre.

Rumours are doing rounds that the JD(U) is likely to be given more than a berth in the Modis cabinet next month. The move could annoy the Sena, which has 18 MPs in the Lok Sabha and three in the Rajya Sabha. The JDU has two Lok Sabha and 10 Rajya Sabha MPs. Though the Sena was expecting at least two ministerial berths after the NDA won the 2014 Lok Sabha election, it got only one seat.

Ever since it was reduced to the role of playing second fiddle to the BJP on its home turf, Maharashtra, the Sena has behaved more like an opposition party. It slammed the BJP for being power-hungry and stamping its authority in the country without any principles or ideology. It even accused the BJP of marginalising regional political outfits.

On one hand, the Sena welcomed Nitish Kumar into the NDA fold, on the other, it slammed him for his U-turn and criticised the BJP for smothering the Opposition.

In its partys mouthpiece, Saamana, the Sena questioned whether Kumar joining the NDA would wipe off all the criticism that he had heaped on Modi about not being secular and furthering the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideology.

Politics is no longer about thoughts and ideology. Despite not having a majority, the BJP formed a government in states like Goa and Manipur. Would this have been possible without a huge mandate at the Centre? The BJP must introspect, reads the editorial.

The party said that the Opposition is the countrys and democracys real soul. Nitish Kumar was the face for the prime ministerial seat from this united opposition. Modi and Amit Shah snatched away this face, the Sena said.

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A man killed one person and wounded four others in a knife attack at a supermarket in the German city of Hamburg Friday before being detained by police.

"There is no valid information yet on the motive" of the man, who "entered a supermarket and suddenly began attacking customers", said police.

German daily Bild published a picture of the attacker in the back of a police car with a white, blood-soaked bag over his head, and reported that he cried "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) in the supermarket.

This account was not immediately confirmed by police.

The suspect, who has not yet been identified, fled the supermarket after the attack.

But witnesses gave chase and overpowered the man, who was slightly injured.

"It was definitely a sole attacker. The first reports about a possible motive of a robbery have not been confirmed," Hamburg police tweeted.

Police have blocked off the area, in the northeast of the port city, Germany's second largest and host of the G20 summit of world leaders in early July.

Anti-terror police have also been deployed to the scene, according to Bild.

Germany has been on high alert about the threat of a jihadist attack, especially since last December's truck rampage through a Berlin Christmas market that claimed 12 lives.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the carnage in which a Tunisian rejected asylum seeker and ex-convict, Anis Amri, 24, ploughed the stolen truck through a crowd.

It was Germany's deadliest attack by Islamic militants, but not the first.

In 2016, the IS group also claimed a bomb attack in the southern city of Ansbach which wounded 15 people and killed the Syrian attacker, and an Afghan man's axe rampage on a train in Bavaria that wounded five, before the perpetrator was shot dead by police.

In both of these cases, the attackers had been asylum seekers. But prosecutors think they were radicalised in Germany and not deployed from abroad to commit the attacks, like the jihadists behind the November 2015 Paris attacks were.

Germany's domestic intelligence service estimates there are about 10,000 radical Islamists in the country, including 1,600 who are considered potentially violent.

Public fears about more extremist violence have grown amid Germany's mass influx of refugees and migrants, mostly from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan as well as several African countries.

Chancellor Angela Merkel opened Germany's borders in 2015, bringing more than one million asylum seekers to Germany since.

Germany is a target for jihadist groups, particularly because of its reconnaissance and refuelling missions to support the coalition fighting IS in Iraq and Syria, and because it has deployed troops in Afghanistan since 2001.

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Twelve-year-old Aarey resident Aniket Dileep Page was attacked by a leopard near the Aarey pump house at Film City around 5.30pm on Friday.

This is the fifth incident of a leopard attack at Aarey over the past five months. The forest department set up two cages on Thursday at two separate locations  near Film City and at the Aarey helipad  to trap the leopard. After Fridays incident, another trap cage will be set up on Saturday morning.

According to the forest department, Page, a resident of Maroshipada, was injured on the back of his neck and on his thighs. Page and five other teenagers were headed to the pump house to wash their clothes. On their way back, as his friends walked ahead, Page bent down to scratch his leg, said Sameer Inamdar, forest officer, Mumbai range.

Suddenly, the leopard leaped and got a hold of him. The other boys shouted loudly and this startled the leopard, which left Page and ran off.

READ: One leopard behind attacks on four children in Mumbais Aarey Colony? Experts think so

Page was rushed to Hindu Hruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Care Municipal Hospital at Jogeshwari.

Doctors said he is out of danger. He got nine stitches and has been kept under observation till Saturday, said Inamdar.

The incident comes less than a week after two-year-old Vihaan Nilesh Garuda, the son a Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) staffer Nilesh Garuda, was attacked and killed by the same leopard close to Film City.

On May 29, a four-year-old boy, a resident of Royal Palms in Aarey Colony, Goregaon, was attacked by a leopard. On March 17, a three-year-old boy was attacked near Khadakpada.

Forest department officials said even after increasing the patrolling in the area, the attacks were taking place. We have activated the two trap cages and expect the leopard should be trapped within the next few days. Its roaming around the trap cage but refusing to enter it, said Santosh Kank, range forest officer, Mumbai forest range. He added another trap cage will be installed near the pump house.

We have understood its route and laid food at the trap cage to lure it, said Kank, adding they had images of the animal after setting up 15 camera traps and studying its rosette pattern.

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The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is back with its campaign against shops displaying Gujarati signboards.

On Friday, MNS workers protested against two shops in Prabhadevi that had Gujarati signboards.

While one of the owners removed the board, in the other case, it was removed forcibly by MNS workers.

MNS leader Santosh Dhuri said it was a protest against the new trend to belittle Marathi.

We will not allow anyone to sideline Marathi language. This Gujarati signboards is a new trend and we will not allow it, said Dhuri.

The shopkeepers tried to defend themselves saying they were catering to their Gujarati clients.

MNS workers however shouted them down. They have clients even from South India, so will they install signboards in Kannada and Tamil? This is just an attempt to thrust Gujarati language on us, he said.

In 2008, MNS started a campaign for enforcing Marathi signboards across Mumbai. The campaign was halted after the intervention of Bombay High Court.

Read: MNS Raj Thackeray turns 49, stares at bleak future in Maharashtra politics

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After demands by legislators, the state government is considering reserving seats in colleges for students who live close to them.

Saying that junior college students were forced to travel longer distances despite having many colleges near their homes, legislators from all parties on Thursday demanded that a few seats be reserved in colleges for students living in the vicinity. The state education department said it will hold a meeting with elected representatives and stakeholders to consider admitting students in colleges near their homes and request the Bombay high court to amend the existing rules.

Legislators said since online admissions were based on the marks student secure, students from Colaba and Fort are made to travel as far as Borivli or Ghatkopar and students in Ghatkopar get admission in Goregaon colleges.

Colabas BJP MLA Raj Purohit said it was unfair for students living in south Mumbai, which has the most colleges, as they are forced to travel to suburban colleges because of their marks.

Congress Aslam Shaikh and Shiv Senas Sunil Prabhu supported Purohit and said a certain amount of seats should be reserved for students living nearby.

Education minister Vinod Tawde said the department would convene a meeting of all stakeholders and legislators to discuss the issue. Admission norms are based on merit and the marks obtained by students. The procedure we follow has been approved by the Bombay high court. We are positive about changing the norms to allow students to bag seats in colleges near them, he said.

BJPs Sunil Deshmukh, however, opposed the demand and said admissions should be granted based on merit and that would be unjust for high-scorers as they could be denied admission to good colleges.

While updating legislators about this years junior college admissions, Tawde said, About 2.68 lakh students in Mumbai have sought admissions in FYJC and the government has made arrangements for 15,000 more seats. The students faced difficulties after the website crashed. About 10,000 students changed their minds after filing the forms and figuring in the first list. This too inconvenienced other students.

He added, When we conducted a survey to study the reasons behind students such decisions, we found that students were in two minds about admissions owing to the absence of counselling.
The Maharashtra government on Friday admitted that an investigation into the death of Byculla jail inmate Manjula Shetye revealed her death was a result of an assault and not an accidental fall as claimed by the jail authorities.

There were 17 injury marks on her body and there is no doubt that her death was caused by staff assault. As per eye witnesses accounts, she was taken to the office of the jail authorities after which doors and windows were closed. We have got the CCTV footage, Patil said.

The revelation came after the Bombay high court pulled up the crime branch police for shoddy probe a few days ago.

Patil also declared suspension of Dr Vishwas Roke of JJ hospital, who issued death information certificate claiming it was a result of a fall.

Read: Mumbai: Woman convict dies after jailors insert lathi into private parts

The post-mortem report revealed Shetye died after being beaten up, said Patil in the lower house, adding no one will be spared by the government.

The issue was raised in the lower house through a calling-attention motion by NCP legislators Jayant Patil, Ajit Pawar and others.

Shetye died at JJ Hospital on June 23 after being allegedly beaten up by Byculla jail officials and staff over a dispute on two eggs and five loaves of bread.

A 20-member women Parliamentary Empowerment of Women Committee visited Byculla jail on July 24 to interact with inmates and enquired about the death.

Read: Mumbai inmate murder: Manjula Shetye was dragged towards barrack, CCTV footage shows

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A man accused of molesting at least 20 women in the Bandra-Khar region over the past month was arrested on Thursday.

The police said Jibran Safi Sayyed, 28, worked in the garment business. They said he had been arrested before in 2011 for kidnapping and raping a woman and was out on bail.

The Mumbai crime branch swung into action after two women, in separate incidents, reported being molested while they were out for a walk. They filed complaints at the Khar police station.

Both women said a man on a maroon Activa scooter molested them.

In the first case, a 21-year-old woman who works in a private firm was molested when she was out on a morning walk around 6am on June 29.

She told the police she was attacked at Nargis Dutt Road in Pali hill.

READ: Mumbai police look for bike used by man who molested women in Bandra and Khar

In the second case, the woman had gone for an evening walk around 7pm on July 1, near Rizvi College at Carter Road when she was targeted.

The crime branchs unit 9 then started an inquiry in both cases and checked CCTV cameras in the areas where the attacks took place.

We found a clear picture of Sayyed in the cameras with his Maroon Activa, near Ambedkar chowk, which is a few meters from where the incident took place, said a crime branch officer. The Activas headlight was on. There was no registration number on the bike, said the official, adding that they noticed two small fog lights were fitted below the headlight and that there was no side mirror .

During the probe, a team led by police inspector Mahesh Desai and assistant inspector Nitin Patil found 122 maroon Activas were registered to addresses in Khar and Bandra area.

The team visited Sayyeds house and found a scooter matching the one they saw in the CCTV footage.

Sayyed was taken into custody and during interrogation, he confessed that he only targeted women during their morning and evening walks.

He said he had molested at least 6 to 7 women near the Mount Mary church, four women at carter road and five women in Bandstand in Bandra (West), said an officer.

As of now, only two victims have come forward and reported the attacks at the Khar police station.

Sayyed lives in Navpada in Bandra (East) with his wife and parents. The police said he Sayyed lurked around small lanes and only targeted women who used such lanes on thier morning and evening walks.
Dont be surprised if you spot a drone while travelling on the Mumbai-Pune expressway.

The Maharashtra government has allowed the highway police to get two drone cameras to control traffic along the 94-km stretch.

The expressway sees major traffic snarls, especially on weekends when a lot of people travel to Lonavala and Khandala. Moreover, an accident or landslide during the rains throws the traffic out of gear for 3-4 hours.

The expressway has three lanes on each side.

The long wait July 13: A trailer toppled near Khandala, leaving motorists stuck June 26: A trailer broke down near Lonavala, leading to a pile-up April 14: The three-day weekend led to traffic snarls on the Mumbai-Pune expressway DANGEROUS DRIVE 4,634 accidents witnessed on the stretch between 2010 and 2016 1,323 died in those accidents ACCIDENT-PRONE AREAS According to the state highway traffic officials, areas such as Lonavala, Khandala, Urse toll naka, Rasayani, Khopoli, Khalapur, Panvel and ghat sections see maximum accidents The area of Valvan bridge near Lonavala saw two accidents in the past week Ghat area also reports the maximum number of traffic jams for various reasons

The first lane (the one adjacent to the divider) is for overtaking. The second lane is for light vehicles and the third for buses and other heavy vehicles. However, most motorists dont follow the rules, crashing into vehicles that lead to traffic snarls.

The pile-up pushes traffic even on the old Pune Mumbai highway and adjacent areas of Navi Mumbai.

A senior police officer said drone cameras could improve their response time.

Vijay Patil, superintendent of police, highway safety patrol, confirmed they were in the process of procuring two drones. The police have given specifications for quotations, but the actual purchase will take a while, said sources.

The move comes after a drone camera was tested on the expressway in August 2016 to check traffic violations. Forty-one people were fined for lane-cutting and speeding as part of the drive.

In a report to be submitted to the government soon, the state highway authorities pointed out the loopholes in the drone-monitoring exercise.

They said the camera installed on a device to capture images could not take images during heavy rain, leading to accidents. The report said the drone cameras can produce good results at a height of 30m.

Read: Accidents down, but fatalities up by 28% on Mumbai-Pune Expressway in 2016

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As there are indications that University of Mumbai may miss the July 31 deadline set by Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao to declare examination results, vice-chancellor Sanjay Deshmukh may lose his job.

With legislators from both houses clamouring for Deshmukhs dismissal on Friday, state education minister Vinod Tawde said he will personally meet Rao, who is also MUs chancellor, and convey the houses sentiments.

Tawde told the state assembly that the government plans to probe the V-Cs role in the inordinate delay in declaring results. Tenders for assessment of answer papers were issued only after examinations got over. We will investigate the manner in which the online system was put in place, said Tawde.

Tawdes statement also indicated that the BJP government was finding it difficult to defend Deshmukh. The government is facing more flak as colleges had to be shut for days to let teaching staff assess papers.

While the state does not plan on sending any formal recommendation to the governor for action against Deshmukh, senior state officials said Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016 provides the Rao with enough grounds to dismiss him .

As per the Act, a universitys board of examinations has to strive to declare results of every examination within 30 days of the exam and even if extended, the period should not cross 45 days. A senior state official said in the universitys case, of the total 477 examinations conducted, the results of 427 have been delayed beyond 45 days with some delayed even by up to 60 days. There are grounds to take action against Deshmukh. The university has delayed nearly 90% of results beyond the stipulated time frame, the official added.

However, Deshmukhs ouster could come after the results are declared. The government is also worried since more controversies could come out of papers being assessed in a hurry. We have told university officials to ensure that the assessment is done in a proper manner even if it takes few more days to declare results,Tawde said.

Planning error

Sources from the state education department said while the government will probe the process, it is evident that the planning was inadequate. Unlike other universities in the state that are adopting online assessment gradually, MU introduced it for all its exams this summer. Many evaluators could not download papers owing to insufficient bandwidth. In some cases, evaluators of a particular subject got answer papers of another subject or in a different language.

Speaking in the assembly, minister of state for higher education Ravindra Waikar said, Members of the managing committee (of the university) were apprehensive if the online system could be implemented in just three months. The V-C assured them that it would be smooth and also took responsibility for it.

The Universities Act prescribes certain situations in which the chancellor may consider removing the V-C. These include refusal to carry out provisions of the Act, breaching any term of service, abusing his powers, or him being the V-C is detrimental to the interests of the university. The governor will examine Deshmukhs case and take a decision, a state official said. Since any delay in declaration of results would affect the future of students and cause serious unrest in their minds, the governor has asked Deshmukh to augment a system to declare results on time,said a statement issued by Raj Bhavan on July 24.
The Maharashtra government will soon make it mandatory for black-and-yellow taxis and autorickshaws to install global positioning system(GPS) for the safety of passengers, said Ranjit Patil, minister of state for home, in the legislative assembly on Friday.

Autorickshaws and conventional taxis will have to install GPS system on the lines of app-based aggregators such as Ola and Uber, Patil said.

The issue was raised by the leader of the opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil in the assembly through a calling attention motion. He said that the safety of passengers has become cause for concern and the government needed to ensure black-and-yellow taxis and autorickshaws had devices that can help track them.

Congress legislators Vijay Wadettiwar, Amit Deshmukh and others also raised the issue of hardship faced by passengers of autos and black-and-yellow taxis in Mumbai and its neighbouring areas such as Thane and Kalyan-Dombivli.

While issuing new permits,the state government had inserted a condition that the owners had to install GPS in taxis and autorickshaws whenever it asked them to do so.

READ

Maharashtra RTOs update their software, auto and taxi drivers cant apply for multiple permits

Maharashtra government announces mobile app for booking taxis and autos

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From revealing his desire of wanting to join the Indian Army to writing poems, songs and shayaris  this is how actor Sanjay Dutt spent time in Yerawada jail in Pune, according to the secret files accessed exclusively by HT.

During his stay, Dutt was lodged in a barrack of Fansi yard in Yerawada jail, while ex-major Ramesh Upadhyay, an accused in 2008 Malegaon blast case, was kept in one of the barracks in the same yard.

The two exchanged notes, expressing their fears and desire to be free.

Here are some of the notes they exchanged:

Read: Meet Pradeep Bhalekar, the vada-pav seller who challenged Sanjay Dutts release

Upadhyays son Vishal said the two are fond of each other. The two were hardly allowed to meet but they kept in touch with each other with small notes and letters, Vishal said.

Their equation goes back to the time when Sanjay Dutts father Sunil was alive. Upadhyay met the senior Dutt during the 1992 Mumbai riots.

My father was posted in Kalina. He met Sunil Dutt during the riots. Sanjay used to accompany them to riot-affected areas, said Vishal.

My father held several events where Sunil Dutt was the chief guest. My father has great respect for Sanjay, as he did not hesitate to confess and didnt retract his stand.

The Supreme Court on March 21, 2013 sent Dutt to five years in jail in connection with the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case. Dutt was released on February 25 last year.

Dutt got out of jail on furlough or parole at least on six occasions, spending 164 days outside.

The Maharashtra government, in response to a PIL questioning his early release on grounds of good conduct, on Thursday said he could be sent back to jail if anything is wrong with remission of his sentence.

Read: Paroles, furloughs: How Sanjay Dutt walked in and out of jail in 5 yrs

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Former chief minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan sought state housing minister Prakash Mehtas resignation for allegedly tweaking rules for a slum redevelopment project at Tardeo in the developers favour.

Chavan also asked chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to initiate a probe into the matter, as orders issued by Mehta were allegedly approved by Fadnavis. Mehta has been accused of issuing orders to the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) on June 21, asking it to tweak the original order permitting the developer to utilise the floor space index (FSI).

He allegedly asked the SRA to give permission to the builder to use the additional FSI for another project meant for project-affected people (PAP) in the same area. This would have given the developer additional 71,822 square feet.

However, the chief minister revoked the alleged changes approved by Mehta and asked additional chief secretary (housing) Sanjay Kumar to submit a report on the files cleared by Vishwas Patil, the then SRA chief.

Raising the issue through a debate in the assembly, Chavan said, How come the housing minister, having no powers, can issue such an order to the SRA, an independent authority and also mention that the chief minister was informed about his decision? He added, The chief minister has already denied having any knowledge of the incident. He should take this seriously and must initiate a probe into the matter. The housing minister should resign until the probe is completed as his integrity is now in question.

Fadnavis reply is expected on Monday.

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The White House has received a bill that would ramp up sanctions against Russia, which President Donald Trump must now sign into law or veto.

The sanctions bill was received by the White House at 1:53 pm (1753 GMT), a US government source told AFP.

Trump has given no firm indication about whether he will sign the bipartisan measure.

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The Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) newly-forged alliance with Nitish Kumars Janata Dal United JD(U) may worsen the already choppy relations between the BJP and the Shiv Sena, as the tie-up makes the BJP stronger with a significant regional party on its side, and expands its presence to yet another large state.

Even as the Shiv Sena has been one of the oldest allies within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the partys significance in the BJP-led government at the Centre may shrink with the presence of one more strong regional political party in the fold who the BJP has to keep happy for helping it gain power in Bihar.

Political analyst Deepak Pawar said, In the early days of the government, Nitish Kumar was one of the prime ministers strongest critics. With this alliance, the BJP has managed to nearly wipe out strong criticism from the opposition. The only censures it has to tackle are from within the government, from the Shiv Sena.

Pawar said the BJP-JD(U) alliance may not directly impact the Shiv Sena, but it does give the BJP an edge over its detractors with the Sena being one of the most vociferous ones at the moment.

After graft charges against Rashtriya Janata Dals (RJD) Tejashwi Yadav, Bihars former deputy chief minister, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar resigned and toppled the RJD-JD(U)-Congress government, only to be given support by the BJP to form a new one in the state.

Read: Highlights | Nitishs alliance with BJP upsets some in JD(U), CM to seek floor test

Following the alliance in Bihar, there are also talks of the JD (U) being included in Modis cabinet next month with a possibility of giving the party more than one ministerial berth, a move that is likely to rile up the Shiv Sena. The Sena has 18 Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha and three in the Rajya Sabha, while the JD(U) has two Lok Sabha and 10 Rajya Sabha MPs. Even as the Shiv Sena was expecting at least two ministerial spots when Modi formed his cabinet in 2014, the party only got one.

Having become a junior partner of the BJP in its own home turf, the Shiv Sena has been donning the role of an opposition within the government criticising the BJP on a range of issues. The Sena has also slammed the BJP for being power-hungry and stamping its presence across the country without any principles or ideology, and marginalising regional political outfits in the bargain.

The Shiv Sena said it is happy that Nitish Kumar has returned to the NDA, but also slammed it as a U-turn by the politician and criticised the BJP for trying to throttle the opposition.

In an editorial in the partys mouthpiece Saamana, the Sena questioned if Kumars joining the NDA will suddenly wipe out all the criticism that he had heaped on Modi about the leader not being secular and driving the agenda of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Politics is no longer about thoughts and ideology. Despite not having a majority, the BJP formed a government in states like Goa and Manipur. Would this have been possible without a huge mandate at the Centre? The BJP should pose this question to its inner soul, the Sena said in the editorial. The party added, the opposition is the countrys and democracys real soul.

Nitish Kumar was the face for the prime ministerial seat from this united opposition. Modi and Amit Shah snatched this very face away, the Sena said.
There will be traffic restrictions in Marol till July 31 owing to the construction of a Metro-3 station there.

The Mumbai traffic police has advised motorists to plan their commutes according to the restrictions, which include one-ways, no-entries, diversions and no-parking areas.

An order was issued on Friday by Sanjay Jadhav, who is the deputy commissioner (traffic), western suburbs.

According to the order, the route from Marol Naka to Lok Bharti junction will be one-way while there will be no entry to the Marol-Maroshi Road from Lok Bharti junction towards Marol naka.

For motorists plying on Marol-Maroshi Road towards Marol Naka, traffic will be diverted from Lok Bharti Junction towards Lok Bharti Road and right on to Makwana Road and then towards Andheri-Kurla Road.

Meanwhile, there will be no right turns between Metro One pier nos. 280 and 281.

There will be no entry for vehicles from Andheri-Kurla Road towards Makwana Road.

Motorists will not be allowed to park their vehicles at Marol-Maroshi Road, Military Road, Lok Bharti junction, Makwana Road, LG Road and Sagbaug Road.

There is also no right turn for traffic on Mapkhan Nagar Road and Marol Village Road towards Marol Naka junction.

The 33.5-km underground Metro-3 line will connect Colaba-Bandra-Seepz and the estimated cost of the project is Rs23,136 crore.
Legislators from the state were on Thursday involved in a row over making Vande Mataram mandatory in educational institutions in Maharashtra, in the wake of a recent Madras high court order.

While BJP legislator Raj Purohit demanded that students in schools and colleges made to compulsorily sing the national song, Waris Pathan of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Abu Asim Azmi of Samajwadi Party (SP) said such a move was against their religion.

The row further intensified when Shiv Sena minister Diwakar Raote advised those opposed to the demand to shift to Pakistan.

Referring to a recent Madras high court order, Purohit told mediapersons that he would give a letter to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to make singing Vande Mataram compulsory in all schools, colleges and government offices. He said the demand would be raised in the Assembly, too, at an appropriate time.

Read: Vande Mataram must be sung in schools, offices to instill patriotism: Madras HC

Reacting Purohits demand, Pathan said even if he was held at a gunpoint, he would not sing Vande Mataram. Our religion does not allow us to worship anything else but Allah. We respect the Constitution of India, which does not have any compulsory provision of singing the national song,

he told mediapersons. Pathan found support from Azmi. It is against the teaching of our religion and no Muslim will sing it, said Azmi

Raote waded into the controversy, saying those who do not want to worship their motherland should shift to Pakistan. Vande Mataram denotes independence of the country, and if anybody has issues with it, they should shift to Pakistan. I do not understand why they have such affection for Pakistan, he told mediapersons.
The Gautam Budh Nagar district administration and the police on Friday lodged an FIR against 20 farmers for blocking the passage of Haldia Express train on the Delhi-Howrah railway line that passes through Greater Noida.

Farmers sat on a protest at Bodaki village along Delhi-Howrah line, thereby blocking trains.

Farmers have been protesting near Bil Akbarpur village for the last four months demanding increased compensation for their agricultural land earmarked for 135km Eastern Peripheral Expressway. They decided to the block railway line after the administration forcibly removed them from the Eastern Peripheral Expressway site.

The expressway is meant to decongest Delhi with an aim to reduce air pollution in Delhi-NCR. The Supreme Court, in 2006, had directed the Centre to build the expressway as soon as possible. The National Highways Authority of India said 17km of the expressway falls in 39 villages of Greater Noida.

Farmers are demanding that instead of the Rs 3,640 per square metre compensation that they were promised, the district administration should pay them four times the prevailing circle rate. This roughly works out to Rs 7,000 per sqm.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate this EPE on August 15 and the district administration is under pressure to settle farmer disputes. (HT Photo)

The Eastern Peripheral Expressway is a project of national importance as the Supreme Court has ordered its construction. Farmers should fight for increased compensation at the right platform instead of blocking trains or protesting at the expressway site. If anyone disturbs law and order, we will take action, said BN Singh, district magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate this EPE on August 15 and the district administration is under pressure to settle farmer disputes. However, farmers are angry with the administration for filing an FIR and forcibly removing them from the EPE site.

This is a democratic country and we have every right to protest. We were peacefully protesting in Bil Akbarpur. Why did the administration and police remove us? And now they are putting pressure on us to snatch our land. The UP government has paid Rs 17,000 per sqm as compensation in nearby Ghaziabad villages. In some cases, it has paid Rs 6,300 per sqm as compensation. Why should we give our land for Rs 3,640 per sqm? said Sunil Fauji, a farmer leader named in the FIR.

The Gautam Budh Nagar district administration and the police on Friday lodged an FIR against 20 farmers for blocking the passage of Haldia Express train on the Delhi-Howrah railway line that passes through Greater Noida.**Photo recieved on July 28.2017. (Please check with Charmaine Edwards for details)

The land compensation rate should be uniform for all EPE farmers or they should acquire land under the 2013 Land Acquisition Act, he said.

In 2006, the district administration had paid Rs 1,700 per sqm to farmers, who willingly gave their land for the project. Later, in 2016, then district magistrate NP Singh increased the compensation to Rs 3,500 per sqm. Now, DM BN Singh has decided to award Rs 3,640 per sqm, including Rs 5 lakh to each farmer family.

A majority of farmers are willing to give their land for Rs 3,640 per sqm. But a few farmers, nurturing political ambitions, are provoking others. These leaders do not have land in these 39 villages, the DM claimed.

Construction work on the EPE in Panipat, Faridabad and Ghaziabad and other areas, except Gautam Budh Nagar, is on in full swing.

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The Ghaziabad police on Friday said that the senior superintendent of police, Meerut, will conduct an inquiry into the alleged live encounter carried out by the personnel and officers from the special operations group (SOG) on the night of July 20. The inquiry is being monitored by the office of UP director general of police.

HN Singh, SSP Ghaziabad on Friday said, An initial inquiry was conducted by Ghaziabad superintendent of police (traffic) and the inquiry is now assigned to SSP, Meerut.

A team of SOG personnel, which is under the direct supervision of Akash Tomar, SP (city), is alleged to have carried out a live encounter in the presence of media.

I am yet to see the order for transfer of inquiry to SSP, Meerut. However, it may be due to an assistant superintendent of police conducting an inquiry. A lower-level officer or equivalent cannot conduct the inquiry. It has to be conducted by a higher ranked officer, said Prashant Kumar, additional director general (Meerut zone).

The UP additional director general (law and order) had taken cognizance of the live encounter and sought a preliminary report from SSP, Ghaziabad. During the operation, the Ghaziabad police claimed the arrest of Deepak Sharma around 9.30pm, on whom the Andhra Pradesh police have set a reward of Rs25,000. He was also allegedly involved in a robbery in Ghaziabad.

However, FIR number 1069/2017, lodged by Ghaziabad police at Kavi Nagar police station, states that Sharma was arrested at noon from Lak village in Muzaffarnagar earlier on the same day. He was later brought to Ghaziabad, after which the police recovered a pistol, live cartridges and Rs35,000 from the house of his accomplice, Happy.

The videos show a team of Ghaziabad police flagging down a bike near Kamla Nehru Nagar, firing multiple shots in the air and nabbing one of the fleeing bikers after a foot chase. The entire sequence of events was captured by a group of media persons who were present at the scene beforehand, leading to claims from some quarters that the event might have been staged.

The live encounter also got a widespread media coverage.

However, the matter snowballed into a controversy when later it was later found that Sharma was arrested from Muzaffarnagar and already under police custody at the time of the live encounter.

Shyam Narayan Singh, SP (traffic), said that he recorded the statements of only four to five personnel, as others did not turn up for the initial inquiry.

We are seeking original videos of the operation as the television channels showed only a part of it. The personnel are seen in the news but we have not come to a conclusion yet. Now, the inquiry will be conducted by SSP, Meerut who is a higher ranked officer, Singh said.

Following the live encounter, Tomar had also arrived at the spot and took part in a combing operation to trace the second absconding accused. Tomar had broadcasted a message around 10.30pm on July 20 about two criminals on a bike opening fire on a police team in Kamla Nehru Nagar.

Gzb. Ps Kavinagar, encounter between police and criminals in Kamla Nehru Nagar. There was 2 criminals on bike fired on police team. 7 to 8 round firing between police and criminals. One arrested, 1 pistol and bike recovered. Combing is continue for other criminal (sic), Tomar had posted on WhatsApp around 10.30pm on July 20.

An hour later, he also posted the picture of arrested accused, Deepak.

Tomar said, I was given the information and immediately went to the spot. Later, through media reports, I came to know that there were other angles to the story than what was claimed by the team.

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The Ghaziabad district health department is scouting for pregnant women who can act as mukhbirs (informers) and play a crucial role in cracking down on sex determination centres across Uttar Pradesh.

The women can help identify on such centres and lead decoy operations. There are incentives in three phases, starting from the point where the FIR is lodged to the stage where the court pronounces a judgment.

The mukhbir initiative was launched by chief minister Yogi Adityanath to improve the states skewed sex ratio.

We need help from women who are four months pregnant and can help us get information about the sex determination centres. They can be accompanied by family members or relatives. The accompanying person will also be eligible for the incentive, said Dr NK Gupta, chief medical officer, Ghaziabad.

The women used as a decoy will be eligible for an incentive of Rs 1 lakh under three installments. The first installment of Rs 30,000 will be given when she conducts a sex determination test and shares the information, which will be verified by officials.

For the woman to be eligible for the first instalment, she will have to give an undertaking that she will not abort the child if it is found to be a girl. This becomes mandatory to protect the unborn child. The information about the informer and the operation will be kept secret, Gupta added.

If it is found that the informers are making it a means to earn money or giving wrong information, they would be blacklisted, Gupta said.

The second installment of Rs 30,000 will be paid after the woman gives her statement before the court. The balance amount of Rs 40,000 will be paid up once the court pronounces its judgment.

The person accompanying the informer woman to the illegal sex-determination centre will be paid Rs 10,000 each as first and second installments and Rs 20,000 in the third stage.

The person could be her husband, a family member or a relative.

In Ghaziabad, officials of the Haryana health department successfully conducted several decoy operations, using pregnant women, to unearth illegal sex-determination centres in Ghaziabad.

Such operations were carried out in June at Loni and also at Nandgram in July earlier this month.

The officials said the scheme was launched under the Pre-Conception Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique (PCPNDT) Act. District and state level committees will monitor the progress on a regular basis.

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As the Supreme Court hears a petition on allowing a 30-week (8-month) pregnant 10-year-old rape victim to abort on Friday, the filer of the plea, Delhi-based lawyer Alakh Alok Srivastava, 33, said he felt liable, as a member of the civil society, to attempt to save a life.

A chance reading of papers on a Chandigarh court refusing permission to abort a 10-year-old rape victims 8-month (30-week) pregnancy led to the petition. Anyone would feel disturbed reading something like that. It was heart-wrenching, Srivastava told HT over phone.

A gold medallist in PG diploma in labour laws from the Indian Law Institute, Delhi,Srivastava has filed numerous public interest litigations (PILs) and done legal work pro bono (without fee) for the underprivileged.

In his petition, Srivastava quotes the Sarmishtha Chakrabortty Vs Union of India and Ors, wherein the SC had  only on July 3  allowed the medical termination of 27-week pregnancy.

Many cases of MTP (Medical Termination of Pregnancy) Act have been brought to the SC wherein the apex court has granted relief by allowing termination of pregnancy. As a member of a society that couldnt protect a 10-year-old, I felt liable, he added. He claims many lawyers are not aware of the correct position of the law in such sensitive cases.

The SC in a couple of judgments  one of them being The Chairman, Railway Board & Ors Vs Chandrima Das and Ors  has held that anyone can espouse the cause of a rape survivor or child rape survivors in any court of law and that the local courts wont be questioned.

On rehabilitation for minor rape victims

Srivastava feels there is a strong need for a permanent medical board to deal with such cases in each district in the country. Two weeks have already passed since this case came to the publics notice. To avoid putting the family under this undue strain, the judicial magistrate should have the option to approach the medical board rather reaching out to new experts or hospitals each time, Srivatsava said.

He added the advancements in medical technology had made it possible for the government to intervene and amend the MTP Act so that the termination of pregnancy is allowed in certain cases, keeping the safety of minors in mind. It is allowed in few countries so we should also look at such solutions. This case is a precedent, he said.

He added he would pay to ensure that the best possible facilities were provided to the rape survivor at Chandigarhs PGI, regardless of what the SC decided on Friday.

Who is the petitioner?

Born and brought up in Delhi, Alakh Alok Srivastava, 33, is a gold medalist in PG diploma in labour laws from the Indian Law Institute, Delhi, and did his LLB from Campus Law Centre, Delhi University. Before joining the Supreme Court in 2012, he worked as a law officer with the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL). He has also worked with the additional solicitor general of India in 2013-14 before starting independent practice.

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Breaking a record set in 2006, the city saw a 121 mm deluge on Thursday in a maniac 6 hours from 8am to 2pm throwing life out of gear completely in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula, with a boy losing his life. Even the Panchkula-Yamuna Nagar national highway that is under construction got washed away at four places.

Ironically, till Thursday, the tricitys rainfall this monsoon was less than half the normal it should have got.

A 5-year-old boy Vivek died after getting electrocuted to death near his house in Sector 20, Panchkula. He was playing in rain outside his house, when he got in touch with electricity current flowing in water from a nearby transformer. He was taken to General Hospital, Sector 6, Panchkula, where doctors declared him brought dead. The victims grandather Gautam Prasad is a former councillor of Panchkula local body.

The situation in the adjoining city of Panchkula, Haryana, wasnt any better. (Sant Arora/HT )

TRAFFIC CHAOS

Traffic remained out of gear in Chandigarh and office goers had a harrowing time driving through the nearly choked rotaries of Chandigarh. Almost all traffic lights stopped working. Traffic cops were seen at few rotaries and lights points but were of little help.

TREES UPROOTED IN SECTORS 24 AND 11

On Thursday, two trees were uprooted in Sectors 24 and 11. In Sector 11, tree fell on the car and damaged it. The rain also clogged traffic on highways between Chandigarh-Ludhiana at Kharar and Chandigarh-Delhi at Zirakpur. At the airport, there were no cancellations, but a few flights got delayed .

IN MOHALI, TRAFFIC COPS ON VIP DUTY

In Mohali, traffic cops were deployed on VIP duty at Kiratpur Sahib for the visit of state chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh to immerse the ashes of his late mother Mohinder Kaur

Traffic was blocked at various points including Phase 4, Airport Road, Sector 71,Phase 3B1 and 3B2 and near the Radha Soami Satsang Beas Light point. Over 40 cops from Mohali were deployed on the CMs route.

The roads all around the city were clogged with nearly 3 feet of water, making it impossible to move around. Not enough cops were on duty to help the public, said Ketan Sharma. Phase 5, Phase 6, Phase 1 and Sohana Landran also saw jams.
Despite the previous SAD-BJP governments claim that the Punjab Police is a capable force to handle the probe into the Dinanagar terror attack, cops have failed to get any headway in the case even two years later.

Three Pakistan-based terrorists had killed seven people, including three policemen, in Dinanagar on July 27, 2015.

However, the investigations so far have failed to get any clue in the attack that the Punjab Police had claimed was carried out by terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba at the behest of Pakistan.

Apart from its failure to clinch evidence of any terror groups role, the Punjab Police have even failed to trace the starting location of the GPS devices used by the terrorists to reach their target.

We have written several reminders to Garmin to get details about the GPS devices, but the US-based company has not replied to any. Our investigations are halted because the probe cannot move in any direction until we are able to find the locations used by terrorists to enter India before carrying out the attack in Dinanagar, said a senior officer from Gurdaspur, who is involved in the probe.

Dinanagar assistant superintendent of police (ASP) Varun Sharma also told Hindustan Times that repeated reminders have been sent to Garmin in this regard.

THE PROBE IS ON

When contacted, Gurdaspur SSP Bhupinderjit Singh Virk said, The probe is on and bulletins are being sent from time to time to the seniors supervising the probe.

Superintendent of police (SP) Baljeet Singh, two home guard jawans and four civilians were killed and 19 others were injured in the Dinanagar attack. The three terrorists first attacked a private bus and later took control of the Dinanagar police station in the early morning on July 27, 2015.

Till now, the only evidence the Punjab Police have to prove that the terrorists were from Pakistan is the Made in Pakistan tag found on the gloves of a terrorist.

After a few days of the incident, though the police had claimed to have gathered evidence to prove the hand of Pakistan-based terrorist organisations in the attack, the matter was never taken up seriously with Pakistan by India.

Just after the attack, the Punjab government refused to hand over the probe to National Investigation Agency (NIA), claiming that the state police were capable enough to probe the matter.

The entire police operation to flush out the terrorists was led by then director general of police (DGP) Sumedh Singh Saini. Even as the army was called in Dinanagar, it was not involved in the operation.

BIG FAILURE

The mere claim that the company that manufactured GPS devices has not replied to the queries of the Punjab Police cannot be the excuse behind the failure to make any headway in the probe. Its a big failure of our force. First, the move not to involve NIA in the probe into the terrorist attack and now the sluggish investigations are enough to indicate that there is something which the Punjab Police are not keen to reveal, said a retired DGP, while talking to HT.

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Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday put brakes on the much touted Metro rail project for Chandigarh and asked officers of UT administration to look for alternative models of transport. The issue came up for discussion during home ministers advisory committee meeting held in New Delhi.

Senior officer of urban development ministry explained that metro is not viable in Chandigarh, keeping in view the size of the city.

Even, UT adviser, Parimal Rai, who was also present at the meeting, said, Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) is asking for 200 acre land, which we do not have. Moreover, it is a project worth Rs 14,000 crore and financially it is not feasible. Also, neither Punjab nor Haryana have given their consent in writing.

On this home minster asked officers to look for alternate models such as buying more buses or some other options. Another member of the committee, Surinder Bahga said, The Metro project will not be financially viable till 2051, in view of inadequate projected peak-hour, peak-direction traffic (PHPDT). For Chandigarh Metro project, the cross system of network being proposed by the DMRC report is not suitable for Chandigarh region.

It means the transport needs to be used by 40,000-70,000 passengers at the peak hour in peak traffic to ensure viability, which is expected to be achieved only in 2051.

Moreover, this is one of the most inefficient mass rapid transport system (MRTS) systems in the world. This type of network has hardly been used in any major city of the world, said Bahga.

Kher had opposed the project

Member of Parliament (MP) Kirron Kher had already opposed the project as she said, City does not need Metro link as residents do not want city to be uprooted. Also, it involves huge budget and it is not a financially viable project. The MP had said the solution to the problem of increasing vehicles is a ring road.

Huge budget on project

UT adviser Parimal Rai in the meeting said Union ministry of urban development will provide 50% funds for the project, the rest will be borne by the UT. The estimated cost of the project has jumped from Rs 10,900 crore to Rs 14,000 crore in the past seven years and UT does not have the funds.

Project was already under doubt

Though the work on the first phase was scheduled to begin from 2013, but due to the delay the cost of the project has escalated. According to the revised detailed project report prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the project will cost Rs 13,600 crore and Chandigarhs share will be around Rs 5,000 crore.

The total length of the Metro project covering Chandigarh, SAS Nagar and Panchkula is 37.57km. The major portion of the two corridors falls in Chandigarh. The relatively low population of the city and the financial cost have been an issue since the beginning.

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The heads of the US and South Korean militaries discussed "military response options" after North Korea test launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, the Pentagon said Friday.

General Joe Dunford, who is Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Admiral Harry Harris, who heads the US military's Pacific Command, spoke with South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, General Lee Sun Jin.

"During the call, Dunford and Harris expressed the ironclad commitment to the US-Republic of Korea alliance," Dunford spokesman Captain Greg Hicks said in a statement.

"The three leaders also discussed military response options."

While the Pentagon has long planned for the possibility of conflict with North Korea, the blunt language in the statement marked a departure from previous public reactions to missile tests.

Those earlier reactions typically decried the tests but did not emphasize military options.

Pentagon chief Jim Mattis, who is currently on vacation, slammed North Korea's first test launch of an ICBM on July 4 as a "provocation," but stressed then that the United States seeks a diplomatic solution to the standoff.

Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said Friday: "We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation."

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After an all-India tour to promote their latest film, VIP 2, Bollywood actor Kajol and director Soundarya Rajinikanth are in Malaysia to spread the word about the comedy-drama.

Kajol and Soundarya have shared a photograph with the first lady of Malaysia, Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, on their Instagram and Twitter pages.

Malaysia has a sizeable Tamil population and Indian films are in demand among the expatriates.

VIP 2 also marks the return of Kajol, 42, to Tamil screen after 20 years.

She was last seen in Minsaara Kanavu  the Tamil original of the Bollywood film Sapnay -- in 1997.

I remember, when I did Sapnay, every night I would sit and study my Tamil script along with my assistant for two hours, FirstPost quoted her as saying.

I had not studied so much even for my tenth ICSE exams, and after that I decided no more other-language films that I dont understand, she added.

The actor also revealed how Dhanush lied to her regarding VIP 2 as he told her that 50% of the dialogues of the film would be in English.

One more for the women's club.....with the 1st lady of Malaysia Datin Paduka Rosmah Mansor. A post shared by Kajol Devgan (@kajol) on Jul 27, 2017 at 2:15am PDT

If I have to put it in kind words like Dhanush, it would be that he didnt lie to me and just changed his maths a little bit but then I would say that he is bad in maths, she said in a lighter vein.

Kajol also revealed initially she was apprehensive about the language, wondering whether she would be able to speak it or not.

Speaking about her comeback, she said, I have received the warmest welcome from all my fans and friends for making a comeback after so long and this makes me feel better.

VIP 2 also stars Amala Paul, Vivek, Samuthirakani, Saranya Ponvannan and Monal Gajjar.

The release date of VIP 2, which is a sequel to a 2014 film of the same name, is yet to be declared.

(With ANI inputs)

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Recent media reports suggested that Akshara Haasan - younger daughter of Kamal Haasan - has changed her religion and converted to Buddhism.Responding to these rumours, Kamal tweeted a sweet message for Akshara on Twitter .

The 62-year-old actor wrote, Hi. Akshu. Have you changed your religion? Love you, even if you have. Love unlike religion is unconditional. Enjoy life . Love- Your Bapu.

Hi. Akshu. Have you changed your religeon? Love you, even if you have. Love unlike religeon is unconditional. Enjoy life . Love- Your Bapu  Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) July 28, 2017

Akshara gave a convincing reply and wrote, Hi bapuji. No, still an atheist. Although I agree with budhism as it is a way of life and in an individuals way of life. Love from your daughter akshu.

Hi bapuji. No, still an atheist. Although i agree with budhism as it is a way of life and in an individuals way of life.  Kutty Haasan (@aksharahaasan1) July 28, 2017

Love from your daughter akshu.  Kutty Haasan (@aksharahaasan1) July 28, 2017

There were many rumours which were also doing rounds that the young actress has converted to Buddhism owing to her beliefs in the principles of the religion.

Although the conversation looks to be on a lighter note, fans of the Haasan family seem to have taken it very seriously and messages regarding Akshara and Kamal are being posted frequently.

On the professional front, Kamal Haasan is currently busy shooting for the reality show Tamil Bigg Boss while Akshara Haasan will be next seen in Vivegam which will mark her debut in Tamil cinema.

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The Kerala High Court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of an aide of Malayalam actor Dileep, arrested in connection with a case of plotting the abduction and sexual assault of a noted South Indian actress in February this year.

Actor Dileep, arrested in connection with the abduction and assault of a popular Malayalam actress, being produced in a court in Kochi on Friday. (PTI)

Rejecting the plea of Dileeps aide Sunilraj AS, alias Appunni, Justice Sunil Thomas said that the complicity of the accused in the conspiracy can be revealed only after the interrogation by police investigating the case.

The Court, however, directed that Appunni should not be harassed mentally or physically and that he can voluntarily surrender before the police investigation.

Appunni had told the court that there have been fanciful reports about his role in the case and repeated assertions by the media that he would be arrested and arrayed as an accused. He had said he had received telephone calls from one Vishnu, allegedly on behalf of Pulsar Suni, the prime accused in the case.

Appunni had also said he had been repeatedly interrogated by the Special Investigation Team probing the case but that no incriminating evidence was found against him. He had said he apprehended that he would be intimidated and tortured if taken into police custody.

The Kerala High Court had earlier rejected the bail plea of Dileep, observing that prima facie there was material to suspect his involvement in the crime.

Dileep, charged under various sections of the IPC, including one for hatching criminal conspiracy for abduction and assault of the actress in a moving car on February 17, is currently lodged in a jail in his home town Aluva.

The actress, who has worked in Tamil and Telugu films, was abducted and molested inside her car for two hours by the accused, who had forced their way into the vehicle and later escaped.

Six persons, including Pulsar Suni, have so far been arrested in connection with the incident.

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If youre a Vijay fan, you have every reason to celebrate that the actors upcoming Tamil release Mersal is making waves at the box-office even before its release. With its pre-release business going through the roof, the film has set very high expectations from the trade and audiences alike. After selling its theatrical rights across the length and breadth of the country for record price, the makers of the film sold Kerala theatrical rights to Global United Media (GUM), the distributors of Baahubali 1 & 2, for a whopping price of Rs 7 crore, making it the biggest buy for a Vijay starrer.

The film marks the second time collaboration of Vijay and director Atlee after last years Theri. Vijay plays triple role in Mersal, bankrolled by Sri Thenandal Studios and has music by AR Rahman. According to reliable sources, he will be seen as a panchayat head, a doctor and a magician. The actors comic timing will be brought forth on screen through the magicians role. His portions are intended to evoke laughter and lighten up the mood. In the films first poster, released recently, Vijay can be seen as the panchayat head, sporting a twirled mustache, and this role will be seen in the period portion. There is Jallikattu reference in this poster and it could be perceived that the film may address the recent Jallikattu row in Tamil Nadu. Vijay is seen as a magician in the second poster and although it wasnt as well received as the first, fans still celebrated both the posters.

The film also stars Kajal Aggarwal, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Nithya Menen as Vijays love interests. Actor-filmmaker SJ Suryah is playing the antagonist and since his terrific performance in last years Iraivi, audiences are keenly looking forward to see him lock horns with Vijay. Double Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman is composing the music.

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In December last year, her boyfriend popped the big question to her and this time, it was Aashka Goradia who went down on one knee for him. The television actor and her fiance Brent Goble got engaged again on Thursday in a traditional Indian ceremony surrounded by friends and family.

Her colleagues from Naagin and friends Mouni Roy and Sana Khan were also present to cheer her on. Mouni posted several pictures and videos from the night.

#mouniroy #aashkagoradia #sanakhan  @imouniroy @aashkagoradia @sanakhaan21 @rianni_97 A post shared by Helmah (@helmah_dillah) on Jul 27, 2017 at 9:37am PDT

 @karanvirbohra @bombaysunshine Congratulations @aashkagoradia @ibrentgoble #karanvirbohra#teejaysidhu#aashkagoradia #brentgoble A post shared by Karanvir Bohra FC(dec 2014) (@kvbian_forever) on Jul 27, 2017 at 1:10pm PDT

Mouni with Sana Khan at #AashkaGoradia's Mehendi A post shared by Tasnim  (@tasnim6990) on Jul 27, 2017 at 8:52pm PDT

Aashka wore a navy blue suit with a floral dupatta that she paired with a chunky kundan necklace. She also got henna designs made on her hands of a bride and a groom.

The actor proposed to her fiance with a diamond ring and he kissed her forehead as the wedding party cheered in unison.

The couple announced that they will tie the knot in December this year. I dont have any wedding jitters. To say the least, I cant wait to get married to Brent. It would be so much fun, Aashka had said earlier this month in an interview to Hindustan Times. Though wedding preparation have already started from her familys side, Aashka is yet to make plans for her big day.

I love you @ibrentgoble 1800 843 2205 Please send in your votes Just missed calls... pleaseeeee  #nachbaliye8 #dancingcouples @starplus A post shared by Aashka Goradia (@aashkagoradia) on May 28, 2017 at 11:51am PDT

I will be the bride, who starts getting wedding ideas as the day draws nearer. Right now, I dont know what I want. There is so much going on at the moment. My house is being renovated in Ahmedabad and I need to go there to make sure things are done smoothly, she says. [Also], when I start planning my wedding, I will have to do it in a way that my American guests (from Brents side) get to understand all the traditions. They are keen on knowing everything about it, adds Aashka.

Aashka and Brent also participated in the latest season of couple dance reality show Nach Baliye.

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Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court on Friday. Following is the chronology of the Panamagate scandal. (Live updates)

April 4, 2016: The International Consortium of Investigative Journalism publishes the Panama Papers, exposing tax evasion by the worlds elite through off-shore accounts and shell companies. The documents include names of Sharifs family.

April 5, 2016: Sharif sets up a judicial committee to investigate the allegations, denies charges.

April 26, 2016: Opposition parties reject the judicial commission set up by the government.

November 1, 2016: The Supreme Court decides to pursue a case related to Nawaz Sharif.

November 7, 2016: PML-N submits Qatari princes letter to the Supreme Court containing information about the London flats that were at the centre of the Panama Papers scandal.

January 6, 2017: Sharifs daughter Maryam Nawaz submits details of assets after the Supreme Court resumes hearing.

April 20, 2017: SC orders formation of a JIT with a split 3-2 verdict to probe the corruption charges against Sharif.

May 5, 2017: SC formally constitutes the JIT.

May 22, 2017: The JIT presents its first bi-weekly report to the SC in two volumes.

May 24, 2017: The JIT sends questionnaires to Sharif and his two sons - Hussain and Hassan.

May 28, 2017: Sharifs elder son, Hussain, appears before the JIT, claims it did not provide him any questionnaire.

May 30, 2017: Hussain appears before JIT for the second time.

June 13, 2017: The JIT submits report to the SC on obstructions to its work, blames government institutions for creating impediments in the collection of evidence.

June 15, 2017: Sharif appears before the JIT for questioning, becoming the first sitting Pakistan prime minister to appear before any investigating agency.

June 17, 2017: Sharifs younger brother and Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif questioned by JIT.

July 5, 2017: Sharifs daughter Maryam appears before JIT.

July 7, 2017: Former Qatari premier Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani sends a letter to the JIT, asking it to record his statement at his palace before submitting its final report to the SC.

July 8, 2017: PML-N says will reject any JIT report without Qatari ex-premiers statement.

July 10, 2017: The JIT submits final report to the SC.

July 21, 2017: The three-judge bench Supreme Court bench hearing the case reserves decision.

July 28, 2017: The five-member SC bench unanimously rules against Sharif, disqualifying him from the office.
BRICS countries should take the lead role in countering global terrorism and address also regional issues, national security adviser Ajit Doval said on Friday, as security heads of the five-nation grouping met in the backdrop of a military standoff between India and China.

The crisis was sparked off in May after India send in troops to the Donglang area  also called Doklam which China claims is its territory. Bhutan too claims the area. China has insisted on withdrawal of Indian troops for starting talks to defuse tensions.

While standoffs between the neighbours  which share a nearly 3,500 km border  are not uncommon, the Sikkim face-off is one of the longest in recent times.

In his opening remarks, Doval stressed on BRICS countries stand on counter-terrorism and the importance of discussing security-related issues among the five members.

BRICS has grown in global significance over the years. It is natural we should hold a BRICS forum to discuss security issues that impact global peace and stability, he told his counterparts from Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa at the seventh such summit.

Dovals bilateral meeting with state councilor Yang Jiechi in Beijing on Thursday was closely tracked but whether their conversation begun a resolution, or at least an easing, of the standoff remains to be seen.

Later on the Friday, he and the other NSAs will call on President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People.

A brief statement on Thursdays meeting between Doval and Yang, put out by the official news agency Xinhua indicated that the standoff was indeed discussed.

Chinese state councillor Yang Jiechi Thursday met separately with senior security representatives from South Africa, Brazil and India, the statement said.

Yang also separately exchanged views with the three senior representatives on bilateral relations, international and regional issues and multilateral affairs, and set forth Chinas position on bilateral issues and major problems, it added.

Chinese experts have given enough indications that Doval-Yang talks will not yield any result if India doesnt withdraw its troops.

Once the Indian army pulls out, the tension will be quickly reduced. This time, China and its top leaders feel humiliated badly by Indias adventurism and invasion, said Hu Shisheng, director of the Institute of South and Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations,

How can China withdraw? It (the standoff) is in Chinese territory according to the 1890 treaty (signed between Chinas Qing dynasty and British India), Hu said.

Jin Canrong, associate dean of the Department of International Studies at the Renmin University of China, described Indias act as blackmail.

Indias behaviour is like blackmail to some extent as it knows China will hold the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which is a key political event, Jin told the nationalistic Global Times.

The NSAs meeting will be followed by the 2017 BRICS Summit in Xiamen city from September 3 to 5. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the meeting.

The BRICS countries are home to 42 per cent of the worlds population. Their total share in the global economy has risen from 12 per cent to 23 per cent in the past decade, while contributing more than half of global growth.

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In a fresh instance of infighting among the US Presidents top advisers, a senior White House official has gone on a profanity-laden rant calling a colleague a f paranoid schizophrenic and accusing another of trying to s (his) own ., roughly translating to advancing his own agenda.

The official, President Trumps newly named communications director Anthony Scaramucci, expressed some remorse hours after his rant went public in a report in The New Yorker, and vowed to restrain himself in the future, but did not offer an apology to the colleagues he had trashed.

He used the paranoid invective for White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, who he believes conspired to prevent him from joining the Trump administration for the first six months despite the Presidents obvious desire to have him on board and was trying to discredit him now that he was there.

And the colleague Scaramucci accused of trying sexual gymnastic to convey he was advancing his own agenda was chief strategist Stephen Bannon, the man said to be behind Trumps hyper-nationalistic and isolationist vision and moves such as the abrogation of the Paris Climate Accord.

Neither official had reacted publicly, but Scaramuccis sensational rant, that dominated TV news cycles and online chatter, laid bare once again the intrigue and vicious infighting that has gripped the Trump White House from the start, involving the competing power centers created by the President.

Scaramucci, a New York financier who has been in his new job for less than a week, initiated the interview in a call Wednesday night to a reporter of The New Yorker, trying to get from him his source for his tweet about a dinner Trump had with Fox news anchor Sean Hannity and a few others.

Who leaked that to you? he had asked, kicking off the call.

The reporter refused to divulge his source, of course, but that didnt stop Scaramucci from assuming it was Priebus, a rival. Ill get to the person who leaked that to you. Reince Priebusif you want to leak somethinghell be asked to resign very shortly, he reportedly said and added, Reince is a f paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac. He went to accuse Priebus of blocking him from joining the administration in language just as salty as the rest of it.

The newest member of the Trump team then sought to portray himself different from the others, who, he believed, craved media attention. Im not Steve Bannon, Im not trying to s my own . (and) Im not trying to build my own brand off the fucking strength of the President. Im here to serve the country.

Scaramucci is on a mission to root out leaks that Trump and like-minded officials tend to believe are at an unprecedented scale and are behind the negative perception of the President and his tenure so far  he is polling at a historic low of around 38%  and told the New Yorker reporter he will deal with the leakers.

In fact, he told the New Yorker reporter, Theyll all be fired by me. I fired one guy the other day (a junior member of the White House team of spokespersons). I have three to four people Ill fire tomorrow. Ill get to the person who leaked that to you.

What I want to do, he went on, is I want to f kill all the leakers and I want to get the Presidents agenda on track so we can succeed for the American people.
Britain plans to send a warship to the disputed South China Sea next year to conduct freedom of navigation exercises, Defence Minister Michael Fallon said on Thursday, a move likely to anger Beijing.

Britain would increase its presence in the waters after it sent four British fighter planes for joint exercises with Japan in the region last year, he said.

China claims most of the energy-rich sea where neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.

We hope to send a warship to region next year. We have not finalised exactly where that deployment will take place but we wont be constrained by China from sailing through the South China Sea, Fallon told Reuters. We have the right of freedom of navigation and we will exercise it.

The presence of a British vessel threatens to stoke tensions, escalated by Chinas naval build-up and its increasingly assertive stance.

The comments by Fallon came after Britains Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the countrys two new aircraft carriers would be sent to the region.

Johnson did not specify where exactly the vessels would be sent once operational in 2020, though the presence of such firepower will likely heighten tensions in the region.

Speaking in Beijing on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said none of the recent comments playing up tension in the South China Sea were made by regional countries.

Countries in the region are working together to safeguard and promote regional peace and prosperity, yet we see other countries who insist on stirring up trouble while the situation is trending towards calm in the South China Sea, he told a daily news briefing.

Chinas construction of islands and military facilities in the South China Sea has stoked international condemnation, amid concern Beijing is seeking to restrict free movement and extend its strategic reach.

Construction is shown on Fiery Cross Reef, in the Spratly Islands, the disputed South China Sea in this June 16, 2017 satellite image released by CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) to Reuters on June 29, 2017. (CSIS/AMTI/Digital Globe)

Britains move could also upset ties between London and Beijing, undermining efforts to shore up what the two governments have called a golden era in their relationship as Britain heads towards a divorce with the European Union.

We flew RAF Typhoons through the South China Sea last October and we will exercise that right whenever we next have the opportunity to do so, whenever we have ships or planes in the region, Fallon said.

The United States estimates Beijing has added more than 3,200 acres (1,300 hectares) on seven features in the South China Sea over the past three years, building runways, ports, aircraft hangars and communications equipment.

To counter the perceived Chinese aggression, the United States has conducted regular freedom of navigation exercises that have angered Beijing.

Earlier this month, the United States sent two bombers over the region, coming just a few months after it sent a warship to carry out a manoeuvring drill within 12 nautical miles of one of Chinas artificial islands.

China has repeatedly denounced efforts by countries from outside the region to get involved in the South China Sea dispute.

The South China Sea is expected to dominate a regional security meeting in Manila next week, where Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.

Meeting ASEAN diplomats in Beijing on Wednesday, Wang told them both sides must exclude disturbances on the South China Sea issue, and maintain positive momentum, Chinas Foreign Ministry said.
Egyptian and Romanian ministers signed four memorandums of understanding in several fields, including economic and agricultural issues, on Friday.

Egypt's Investment and International Cooperation Minister Sahar Nasr signed memorandums that related to science, agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises, water resources and irrigation, alongside her Romanian counterparts.

The minister also witnessed the signing of a MOU between Romania's Constanta Port and Alexandria Port Authority, a statement from the ministry read.

The memorandums were signed in Bucharest, during the second round of meetings of the joint Egyptian-Romanian ministerial committee for economic cooperation.

Nasr asserted the importance of the committees meetings, which have not been held since 2010.

She highlighted the importance of continued rounds to accomplish a major leap forward in the history of relations between the two countries, according to the statement.

On Friday, Nasr said that Romanian investments in Egypt amount for about $88 million, invested in 60 companies in several fields including tourism, industry, services, information technology, banking, and agriculture.

According to the statement, Egyptian investments in Romania, which include investment in the food and drink sector and in real estate, total $100 million.

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A 29-year-old British hacker-for-hire was convicted by a German court on Friday after he confessed to unleashing a cyber attack that knocked out the internet for around 1 million Deutsche Telekom customers.

The regional court in Cologne handed the man, named only as Daniel K., a suspended sentence of a year and eight months for attempted commercial computer sabotage. The maximum sentence was up to 10 years, and prosecutors had asked for two years.

The convicted hacker, who used the online alias Spiderman, among other names, also faces criminal charges in Britain, where authorities have requested his extradition.

Last November, the man used a variant of the malicious Mirai botnet code to attack internet routers and turn them into remotely controlled bots for mounting large-scale attacks that disrupted websites and computer systems, police have said.

The botnet, once launched, spread out of control around the world, knocking out internet router equipment at up to a dozen telecom operators around the world, with Germanys Deutsche Telekom far and away the hardest hit.

British police arrested Daniel K. in February at Luton airport, north of London, on a request from Germanys Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) to charge him with selling his botnet to online criminals. He was sent to Germany for trial.

Deutsche Telekom, Germanys largest telecom company, had said the attack caused internet outages for as many as 900,000 of its customers, or about 4.5% of its 20 million fixed-line customers, but that it was thwarted before it could spread.

Still, the attacks knocked out internet service for affected customers for several hours and in some cases several days.

The malicious code exploited unprotected ports which allow network technicians to fix customers routers from afar, but which can also expose the equipment to outside attack. Both the attack and the rapid recovery from it exploited this feature.

One out of every two companies in Germany has been the victim of cyber attacks over the last two years, according to a study by the countrys digital trade group Bitkom published this month.
China has reached a turning point in history as it is becoming rich and powerful, President Xi Jinping has said, terming his five-year tenure ending this year as extraordinary.

Xi, bracing for his second term, told officials that over the five years, the partys central leadership... solved many challenging problems which (the ruling Communist Party of China) wanted to solve for a long time but could not, and achieved many things it wanted to achieve in the past but did not manage to achieve.

The Chinese nation... has achieved the historic leap of rising to our feet, getting rich and getting powerful, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post quoted him as saying.

Xi, also the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a two-day workshop attended by provincial and ministerial officials.

Over a million officials were reported to have been punished in the massive anti-corruption drive launched by him since he took over the leadership in 2013.

Xi said the upcoming 19th National Congress of the CPC, which was expected to confirm a second five year term for him, is a key meeting at a crucial time for the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The meeting also comes when Chinas endeavour to build a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way has entered the decisive stage, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Xi as saying.

Chen Daoyin, an associate professor at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, said Xis remarks were a signal that he had placed himself on par with late leaders Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.

Maos era of founding the modern communist China was when the Chinese nation rose to its feet, and Dengs reform and opening up policies helped the economy take off, and Xi sees himself as bringing China all the way to becoming powerful. Now it is his era, Chen told the Post.

Analysts said the meeting was also a call for senior officials to pledge political loyalty to Xi as the congress approached.

Many of the officials at the seminar would attend the 19th party congress as delegates and cast votes, Chen said.

They will have to be politically reliable and choose the right team, he said.

Wu Qiang, a former politics lecturer at Tsinghua University in Beijing, said the strictly arranged and controlled seminar served as a warning to all officials to toe the line.

Every official is supposed to declare his or her position and pledge loyalty after the session. The leaders need to make sure the voting result (at the congress) wont look embarrassing, he said.
China has closed off a swath of ocean off its east coast for military activities, but has said little about what the exercises entail.

A notice from the government of the eastern port city of Lianyungang says a roughly 40,000-square-kilometer (15,000-square-mile) section of the Yellow Sea was off-limits to commercial shipping from Thursday through Saturday.

The notice sourced to the Peoples Liberation Army says only that large-scale military activities are being held between Lianyungang in Jiangsu province and the Shandong province port of Qingdao that is home to the navys North Sea Fleet.

The exercises come days ahead of commemorations of the PLAs 90th anniversary, specifics of which have not yet been announced.

China has lately stepped-up navy exercises conducted further from home ports, including those involving its sole operating aircraft carrier and its battle group. On Thursday, the Chinese and Russian navies were wrapping up an initial set of drills in the Baltic Sea near St. Petersburg.

The eight-day Joint Sea 2017 exercises include the Chinese missile destroyer Hefei and missile frigate Yuncheng and were focused on joint rescue missions and ensuring maritime economic activities, Chinas official Xinhua News Agency reported.
President Xi Jinping on Friday called for more cooperation among the BRICS countries on economics, finance and security at a meeting of security heads of the five-nation grouping, including Indias national security adviser Ajit Doval, in the backdrop of a military standoff on the Sino-India border.

Xi said the five countries were faced with a complex international political and economic security situation and the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) should communicate more on financial cooperation, cultural exchanges and security issues.

Xi said the five countries have done a lot to promote cooperation on security issues.

Earlier in the day, Doval said BRICS countries should take the lead role in countering global terrorism and address also regional issues at the formal opening of the 7th meeting of the security heads of the group.

Dovals visit to Beijing has been under the cloud of the military impasse in the Donglang and the focus has been on whether his meetings with the Chinese leadership would begin the process of resolving the logjam near the Sikkim border.

The crisis was sparked off in June after India sent troops to the Donglang area  also called Doklam  which China claims is its territory. Bhutan too claims the area. China has insisted on withdrawal of Indian troops for starting talks to defuse tensions.

While standoffs between the neighbours  which share a nearly 3,500 km border  are not uncommon, the Sikkim face-off is one of the longest in recent times.

In his opening remarks at the summit on Friday morning, Doval stressed on BRICS countries stand on counter-terrorism and the importance of discussing security-related issues among the five members.

BRICS has grown in global significance over the years. It is natural we should hold a BRICS forum to discuss security issues that impact global peace and stability, he told his counterparts from Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa at the seventh such summit.

Dovals bilateral meeting with state councilor Yang Jiechi in Beijing on Thursday was closely tracked but whether their conversation began a resolution or at least an easing of the standoff remains to be seen.

A brief statement on Thursdays meeting between Doval and Yang put out by the official news agency Xinhua indicated that the standoff was indeed discussed.

Chinese state councilor Yang Jiechi Thursday met separately with senior security representatives from South Africa, Brazil and India, the statement said.

Yang also separately exchanged views with the three senior representatives on bilateral relations, international and regional issues and multilateral affairs, and set forth Chinas position on bilateral issues and major problems, it added.

Chinese experts have given enough indications that Doval-Yang talks will not yield any result if India doesnt withdraw its troops.

Once the Indian army pulls out, the tension will be quickly reduced. This time, China and its top leaders feel humiliated badly by Indias adventurism and invasion, said Hu Shisheng, director of the Institute of South and Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.

How can China withdraw? It (the standoff) is in Chinese territory according to the 1890 treaty (signed between Chinas Qing dynasty and British India), Hu said.

Jin Canrong, associate dean of the department of International Studies at the Renmin University of China, described Indias act as blackmail.

Indias behaviour is like blackmail to some extent as it knows China will hold the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which is a key political event, Jin told the nationalistic Global Times.

The NSAs meeting will be followed by the 2017 BRICS Summit in Xiamen city from September 3 to 5. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the meeting.

The BRICS countries are home to 42 per cent of the worlds population. Their total share in the global economy has risen from 12 per cent to 23 per cent in the past decade, while contributing more than half of global growth.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday became the second world leader to be affected by the Panama Papers leak, after Icelands prime minister Sigmundur Davi Gunnlaugsson stepped down last year over charges of graft.

Sharif was disqualified from office for life by the Supreme Court following an investigation into his familys wealth, almost a year before his term was to end and ahead of the general elections scheduled in 2018.

The verdict was handed down unanimously by a five-member bench in a case connected to allegations stemming from disclosures in the so-called Panama Papers last year that said his familys wealth was more than his known sources of income. The top court also ordered criminal cases be opened against Sharif and his family.

Heres a look at how the Panama Papers brought down Sharif:

Men look at a television screen displaying the coverage of Pakistan's Supreme Court's decision on disqualifying Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, at a barber shop in Karachi, Pakistan July 28, 2017. (Reuters)

What are the Panama Papers?

A major expose in April 2016 sent shockwaves through the top offices of the nations named in the Panama Papers, triggering a series of probes across the globe.

The leak was the result of an effort of over 100 media groups, who published an extensive report of probe into dubious offshore financial deals of prominent people across the globe who used tax havens to hide their wealth.

The documents were leaked from Mossack Fonseca  a Panamanian law firm  by an anonymous source to German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung, who then shared it with media worldwide by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

The people it allegedly exposed ranged from political leaders such as Sharif, Russian President Vladimir Putin, President of Argentina, Icelands Prime Minister and the King of Saudi Arabia as well as 500 Indians including Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

The documents, from around 214,000 offshore entities covering almost 40 years, show how the company helped its clients launder money, dodge sanctions and evade tax.

Sharif familys case

The leak linked Sharifs family to lucrative offshore businesses. Three of Sharifs four children  Maryam and his sons Hasan and Hussein  were implicated in the papers.

At the heart of the case is the legitimacy of the funds used by the Sharif family to purchase several high-end London properties via offshore companies.

The PML-N insists the wealth was acquired legally through Sharif family businesses in Pakistan and the Gulf.

Investigation

Pakistans top court took up the case in October 2016 on petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Awami Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami and reserved the verdict in February after conducting hearings on a daily basis.

In April, the Supreme Court declared there was insufficient evidence to oust Sharif and set up a six-member team to probe the allegations. The investigation concluded a significant disparity existed between Sharif and familys declared wealth and its known sources of income. The team submitted its report to the court on July 10.

It recommended the filing of a new corruption case against them.

The findings sparked an uproar, including the claim that documents regarding Maryam and her link to some of the familys London properties were falsified dated 2006, but typed in Microsofts Calibri font, which was not released for commercial use until 2007.

The Sharifs and their allies consistently rejected the claims against them, with his ruling PML-N party this month dismissing the investigation teams report as trash.

Sharif and corruption

Sharif has been ousted over corruption allegations once before when he was sacked by the countrys then-president during the first of his three terms as prime minister in 1993.

There is a precedent for the Supreme Court to oust a sitting prime minister: In 2012 then-premier Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to reopen a corruption case against president Asif Ali Zardari.

Sharif has never completed a term as a prime minister, having been removed in his second term by a military coup in 1999.
Israeli police said they would bar men under 50 from Friday Muslim prayers at a sensitive Jerusalem holy site after clashes erupted as Palestinians ended a boycott of the compound the previous day.

Security assessments were made and there are indications that disturbances and demonstrations will take place today, police said in a statement of the Haram al-Sharif compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount.

Only men over the age of 50 will be permitted and women of all ages are permitted. A number of roads around the Old City will be limited to access and all necessary security measures are being taken to prevent and to respond to any outbreak of violence.

The site includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock.

On Thursday, Palestinians ended a boycott of the site over new Israeli security measures there and entered for the first time in two weeks.

Thousands of worshippers streamed into the site on Thursday afternoon. Clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians erupted soon after, with the Palestinian Red Crescent reporting around 100 people wounded.

Palestinians had decided to end their boycott of the site after Israel removed the new security measures, including metal detectors, installed after an attack nearby killed two policemen on July 14.
Japan will impose additional sanctions on North Korea for its weapons programmes, foreign minister Fumio Kishida said on Friday, just hours after the US Senate also voted for new sanctions on the secretive state.

US media reported this week that the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Pentagon spy agency, had assessed that North Korea would be able to field a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by next year, earlier than previously thought.

Kishida told reporters that given the increasing threat posed by North Koreas missiles and the fact that no concrete proposals have been made to resolve the issue of Japanese abducted decades ago by agents from the North, the steps had to be taken.

Given that we cant expect meaningful dialogue, pressure on them is essential, he said.

Japan will be taking steps to freeze the assets of five groups, including two from China, as well as nine individuals, Kishida said, but did not give further details.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference that the groups had engaged in activities prohibited by a UN Security council resolution.

Kishida said Japan had been in contact with key allies such as the United States and South Korea, but gave no further details.

The US Senate voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to slap new sanctions on North Korea, Iran and Russia, including seeking to punish foreign banks that do business with North Korea.

North Korea has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs and the Security Council has ratcheted up the measures in response to five nuclear weapons tests and a series of missile launches.

The United States is seeking further sanctions after North Korea tested a missile this month that was believed to be an ICBM.
Japans hawkish defence minister on Friday said she had resigned over a long-brewing scandal involving the handling of military documents, in a political blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Abe, who has seen his popularity plummet in recent weeks over a series of controversies, immediately apologised to the nation over the saga.

I decided to resign as defence minister, Tomomi Inada told a press conference. I submitted my resignation to the prime minister and it was accepted.

Inada, a close confidante of Abe who shares his staunchly nationalist views, was appointed defence minister in August 2016, a time when she was touted as a possible future leader.

But her nearly year-long stint has been characterised by repeated controversy, including increasing criticism of the ministrys handling of log reports filed by Japanese peacekeepers in South Sudan showing worsening security.

Abe, who became prime minister for a second time in December 2012 with a vow to rejuvenate Japans economy, has been hit by scandals and gaffes involving members of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

I apologise from the bottom of my heart to the people for this situation in which a minister resigns, Abe told reporters after the resignation.

All responsibilities lie with me, the prime minister, in the appointment of cabinet ministers, Abe said, adding he must seriously accept the peoples severe criticism.

The most recent setback to the prime minister has been claims he showed favouritism to a friend in a business deal, an accusation he has vigorously denied.

Severe criticism

His governments public support ratings have fallen precipitously over the summer, with voters punishing the LDP in local Tokyo elections early this month.

The party suffered a drubbing in the vote for Tokyos municipal assembly that media and analysts chalked up to a growing perception of arrogance on the part of his government.

It lost more than half of its seats, with the result seen as a bellwether for national political sentiment.

Abe will reportedly revamp his cabinet next week in a bid to reboot his government.

During her tenure, Inada delighted conservatives but drew domestic and international criticism in December when she prayed at a controversial war shrine in Tokyo -- the day after accompanying Abe on a symbolic visit of reconciliation to Pearl Harbor in the United States.

Yasukuni Shrine honours millions of mostly Japanese war dead, but is contentious for lionising senior military and political figures convicted of war crimes by an international tribunal.

Days before the Tokyo election Inada called on voters to support the LDP in the name of her ministry and the military.

The comments drew widespread condemnation, forcing Inada to retract her remarks, which were seen as a key reason for her partys unprecedentedly bad drubbing in the poll.

mis/kgo/tm
A woman trying to burn a bug inside her apartments bedroom in the US started a fire which resulted in the evacuation of people from the building and an estimated $140,000 damage to the property.

The incident took place at an apartment complex in Topeka, Kansas, with Topeka Fire Marshal Mike Martin saying that an investigation determined the blaze occurred in the master bedroom of an apartment.

The cause was listed as being accidental, resulting from an occupant trying to kill a bug with a lighter, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported.

Ausha Scott said she was inside the apartment unit at the time of the fire with her mother, Monique Quarles, and 2- year-old child, Avionna Scott-Quarles.

Quarles said the blaze started on Monday after she tried to burn a bug that was found in the units master bedroom with a flip-style lighter that malfunctioned.

Quarles said she had picked up the first bug, put it in her hand and lit it on fire.

She said she and her daughter then looked under the mattress to see if there were any other bugs. They then found what Quarles said was a medium-sized bug.

When I grabbed the bug and I had it, I went to light it and then the lighter started sparking, so these sparks then went onto the box springs, Quarles said. The sparks just started flying on it and inside of it.

The flames and heavy smoke led to the evacuation of the three-floor building.

By the time the smoke had cleared, Topeka Fire Department officials estimated $140,000 in damage had occurred.

No serious injuries were reported in the blaze.

Multiple fire companies responded to the two-alarm blaze and remained on the scene for about six hours, clearing the scene.

Quarles said her daughter saw the fire, then ran into the kitchen to get water to put it out.

As shes coming, Im going. By the time I came back, I was really seeing fire in there, so I knew we really shouldnt keep trying to put it out. I said, Get out, get the baby, call 911. And thats what we did, she said.

Authorities said everyone was out of the building by the time firefighters arrived on the scene.
Pakistans Supreme Court on Friday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after an investigative panel concluded his familys assets exceeded their income, effectively ousting him from office and barring him from electoral politics for five years.

In a unanimous decision by a five-judge bench, the Supreme Court also referred all corruption charges against Sharif and his three children, including heir apparent Maryam Nawaz, to an accountability or anti-graft court.

The verdict is expected to exacerbate the political uncertainty prevailing in Pakistan since the Panama Papers leaks revealed the Sharif family had allegedly used offshore companies to acquire foreign assets worth millions of dollars, including expensive flats in a posh London neighbourhood.

The Supreme Court also disqualified finance minister Ishaq Dar, a top leader of the ruling PML-N who is related to Sharif by marriage, and Captain Mohammad Safdar, the husband of Maryam Nawaz, from their seats in Parliament.

The verdict was announced shortly after noon on Friday. Soon after, there was uproar in the court complex as supporters of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party started shouting slogans against Sharif.

Earlier, Sharif had said he would accept the Supreme Courts decision.

Sharif, serving his third term as premier, has not been able to complete any of his terms. He was earlier sacked by the president for alleged corruption and was ousted in a 1999 military coup by Pervez Musharraf.

Read| Nawaz Sharif under fire: Is Pakistans history of regime change repeating itself?
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been ousted from power by the Supreme Court, an unceremonious end to his third term in power ahead of general elections next year.

No Pakistani prime minister has ever completed a full five-year term.

Most have seen their tenures cut short by the powerful military or by the Supreme Court. Others have been ousted by their own party, forced to resign -- or been assassinated.

What happens now Sharif has been disqualified?

Although Sharif has been disqualified as prime minister, he remains the head of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the largest party in the National Assembly.

As such, Sharif will oversee the nomination of his successor who will then be rubber stamped in a parliamentary vote, where his party and coalition partners command a 209-seat majority in the 342-seat house.

The opposition is also expected to field a candidate for the premiership, though the nominee has almost no chance of getting sufficient votes.

The vote will likely happen in a matter of days -- if not hours -- of Sharifs disqualification.

Is there any precedent for this?

Yes, in 2012 then-prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to reopen a corruption case against the sitting president Asif Ali Zardari.

After Gilani was ousted by the Supreme Court, President Zardari, the then-head of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party, led the negotiations to find a consensus candidate for the premiership.

Following three days of intense horse-trading within the fractious coalition government, PPP-loyalist Raja Pervaiz Ashraf -- a controversial choice also marred by corruption allegations -- was eventually elected prime minister by the National Assembly.

Could the courts decision be challenged?

In theory, yes -- but it is highly unlikely.

Sharifs legal team could file a review petition but only on very limited grounds, such as a mistake in the judgement.

The Supreme Court is the interpreter and final arbiter of what the constitution means, so if the Supreme Court says thats how its supposed to be done then for all practical purposes that is what it is, said constitutional lawyer Yasser Latif Hamdani.

Could an early election be called?

An early election is unlikely because according to the constitution it can only be called by the president on the advice of the prime minister, meaning a successor to Sharif would have to be chosen first.

Elections are currently due in 2018.

Could the military take over (again)?

The military has been in charge of Pakistan for half of its 70-year history, but few expect the army to make an explicit bid for power again.

The military already exerts control over foreign policy and defence, leading to accusations from some that it is carrying out a creeping coup.

The military doesnt need to take over because it already enjoys so many trappings of power from behind the scenes, said Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program at the Washington, DC-based Wilson Centre.

In addition, Kugelman points out, public opinion in Pakistan does not favour a return to martial law.

There is also simply not as much of an appetite in Pakistan for military rule as there was in previous years. Thats important for the military because the military is very concerned about its image and public opinion towards the army, Kugelman said.
Pakistan on Friday was waiting with bated breath for the Supreme Courts verdict in the Panama Papers case, which will decide the fate of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after he and his three children were accused of corruption and living beyond their means.

If the Supreme Court finds him or his family guilty of corruption as charged by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) earlier this month, Sharif, who is serving his third term as premier, will have to step down. He was unable to complete both his earlier terms, being removed once for corruption and ousted during the second stint in a military coup.

An expanded bench of the apex court will give its decision at 11.30 am Pakistan time during a special sitting. The decision will be announced in Courtroom No 1 by a five-judge bench.

The verdict will not only decide the fate of Sharif but is also likely to shape Pakistans political future, local observers said.

In its report, which was leaked to media, the JIT alleged Sharifs family accumulated wealth far beyond its means and that his children, including heir-apparent Maryam Sharif, signed falsified documents. The Sharif family was also accused of using offshore companies to buy luxury flats in a posh London neighbourhood.

Pakistani paramilitary soldiers and policemen cordon off the main entrance of the Supreme Court building during a hearing on the Panama Papers case in Islamabad on July 28, 2017. (AFP Photo)

Sharif and his ruling PML-N party have dismissed the allegations. He was also questioned by the JIT, the first time a premier has appeared before an investigation agency.

We are looking at three possibilities: holding Sharif guilty and hence he being asked to step down, ordering further investigations through government agencies, or Sharif being cleared of the charges, said analyst Wusatullah Khan, who added that Sharif being let off without any action is very unlikely.

The bench is headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who had commenced his dissenting note in an April 20 judgement with a quote from Mario Puzos novel The Godfather and declared Sharif disqualified for not being honest to the nation.

Khosa had directed the Election Commission to issue a notification for Sharifs disqualification, an opinion that was endorsed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed.

But the majority judgement by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijazul Ahsan had given Sharif and his children an opportunity to explain their position before the JIT, which included two representatives from the powerful Military Intelligence and Inter-Services Intelligence agencies.

Later, a three-judge bench oversaw the working of the JIT, which submitted its damning report after a two-month probe.

If Sharif is asked to step down, Pakistan will be headed by a Sharif nominee till elections are held in 2018. There has also been speculation that Sharif could order early elections as the PML-N continues to be the countrys most powerful political force. The PML-N is also expected to benefit in a snap poll from a sympathy wave for Sharif in the event of a guilty verdict from the top court.
Pakistans Supreme Court on Friday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the Panama Papers scandal after an investigative panel concluded his familys assets exceeded their income, effectively ousting him from office and barring him from electoral politics for at least five years.

In a unanimous decision by a five-judge bench, the Supreme Court also referred all corruption charges against Sharif and his three children, including heir apparent Maryam Nawaz, to an accountability or anti-graft court.

Below are the live updates:

4:45: Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf calls it a historic day for Pakistan on the Panama Paper verdict. I am in complete support with this verdict, he said to a local news channel.

4:15: Hoping that the SC judgement will have effect on many others, Imran stated that he can now see several looters behind bars.

4:07: Imran Khan, chairman of Tehreek-e-Insaaf also the petitioner in the case thanks the judiciary for bringing back faith in justice. The entire nation is celebrating, this is the time we need to move forward like other nations.

4:00: PML-N party members meeting after the Panama verdict.

Another elected Prime Minister sent home, but only to see him return with greater force & support & soonest Insha'Allah. Stay strong PMLN.  Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 28, 2017

2:30pm: Ruling party Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) members say Sharifs days are not over. This is a difficult time for the PML-N. But the power to make party decisions will remain with Nawaz Sharif, the Dawn quoted Punjab province Law Minister Rana Sanaullah as saying.

2:10pm: In a brief statement, Sharifs office said Sharif relinquished his charge as prime minister after learning that the Supreme Court disqualified him because of corruption allegations.

2:00pm: Sharif resigns as PM after Supreme Court order to disqualify him

1:56pm: Other names doing the rounds for the post of PM are current Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and defence minister Khawaja Asif.

1:55pm: Pakistani media reports say businessman Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who is also PML-N lawmaker, is among those tipped to replace Sharif as PM.

1:45pm: The Supreme Courts unceremonious end to Sharifs tenure represents a record third time he has been ousted as leader before completing his term.

Supporters of ousted Pakistani Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif shout slogans against opposition leader Imran Khan, head of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party, after a Supreme Court verdict that ousted Sharif in Islamabad on July 28, 2017. Pakistan's Supreme Court on July 28 disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from public office over long-running corruption allegations, a decision that ousts him from the premiership for the third time in a chequered political career. / AFP PHOTO / AAMIR QURESHI (AFP)

1:28pm: Announcing the verdict, judge Ejaz Afzal Khan said, He is no more eligible to be an honest member of the parliament, and he ceases to be holding the office of prime minister.

1:24pm: SC has directed the National Accountability Bureau, Pakistans main anti-corruption watchdog, to file a case against Sharif and his children in an anti-corruption court within 6 weeks and that the trial should be completed in 6 months

1:23pm: Pakistani media reports SC has disqualified Nawaz Sharif from electoral politics for life

1:15pm: The Supreme Court also disqualified finance minister Ishaq Dar, a top leader of the ruling PML-N who is related to Sharif by marriage, and Captain Mohammad Safdar, the husband of Maryam Nawaz, from their seats in Parliament.
Qatar refuses to bow to Saudi-led demands to outsource its foreign policy to resolve the Gulf crisis, its government spokesman has said.

Sheikh Saif bin Ahmed Al-Thani, who holds ministerial rank, accused Dohas adversaries in the crisis - Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt - of meddling in Qatars internal affairs.

Whats behind this crisis of course is Qatari sovereignty and independence to put it very simply. It is about... outsourcing our foreign policy so that decisions are not made in Qatar, and that is something that will never be acceptable, he told AFP in an interview.

Sheikh Saif said the Saudi-led bloc had laid down a new ultimatum on Tuesday by publishing a list of individuals and terrorist entities allegedly linked to Doha.

This list, its still an ultimatum, its still something that is stalling resolving the crisis, the official said.

However, we have said it from the start, we are open to dialogue, we are open to negotiating... The first step should be lifting the illegal blockade.

In the regions worst diplomatic crisis in years, Riyadh and allies have been boycotting Doha since June 5.

They have sealed the emirates only land border, ordered its citizens to leave, and closed their airspace and waters to Qatari flights and shipping.

They are demanding that Qatar break its longstanding ties with the Muslim Brotherhood, blacklisted as a terror group by the four governments although not by the international community.

They also want Doha to close broadcasting giant Al- Jazeera and a Turkish military base, and to fall in line with Saudi-led policy in the region, particularly towards Iran.

Sheikh Saif insisted that this crisis was again triggered by them not by us.

Qatar was prepared to discuss anything openly as long as it does not impinge on the countrys sovereignty and independence, he said.
Sri Lanka will finally sign a $1.1 billion deal on Saturday to lease the southern Hambantota port to China, after several months of delay caused by local protests and claims by opposing politicians that this would threaten national security.

Located near the main shipping route from Asia to Europe and likely to play a key role in Chinas Belt and Road initiative, the Hambantota port has been mired in controversy since state-run China Merchants Port Holdings, that built it for $1.5 billion, signed an agreement taking an 80% stake.

The pact signed last year sparked widespread public anger as Chinese control of the port, which included a plan for a 99-year lease of 15,000 acres (23 sq miles) to develop an industrial zone next door, raised fears the port could be used for Chinese naval vessels.

To help ease these concerns, Sri Lankas cabinet approved earlier this week a revised deal to cut the Chinese firms stake to 70%and assured the port would not be used for military purposes.

We will sign the Hambantota agreement tomorrow. We are giving the country a better deal without any implications on security, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the United National Party, told reporters on Friday.

The deal will also help Sri Lanka manage its foreign debt better, he added. Sri Lankas total external debts stood at Rs 4.08 trillion ($26.52 billion) as of end-March. The previous government led by Mahinda Rajapaksa had borrowed more than $6 billion from China.

This agreement is related to long-term economy and national security. So this deal needs to be discussed in the parliament and among the public. You should not rush to sign this without any consultation, Aunra Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peremuna, told reporters in Colombo.

The Hambantota port deal was scheduled to be debated on Friday, but the parliament was adjourned to Aug. 4 after the opposition disrupted proceedings over a trade union action.

Government and diplomatic sources told Reuters that the United States, India and Japan have raised concerns over possible military activities by China in Hambantota port.

Indias concerns come after increased outreach by Beijing to Indias neighbours, including Nepal and Bangladesh, and Chinas ongoing development of the Port of Gwadar in Pakistan, said Shailesh Kumar, Eurasias senior analyst for Asia.

However, the revised deal approved by Colombo seeks to allay these concerns by providing for the formation of two companies to split the operations of the port. Sri Lanka will have a major stake in the firm dealing with security, while China will run the other company that will be in charge of business.
North Korea fired a ballistic missile Friday night which flew longer than any of its previous missiles and landed in the ocean off Japan, according to officials from Japan, South Korea and the United States.

We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile, as had been expected, Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said.

The missile was launched from Mupyong-ni and traveled about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) before splashing down in the Sea of Japan. We are working with our interagency partners on a more detailed assessment.

Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the missile launched Friday flew for about 45 minutes  about five minutes longer than the ICBM on July 4  and landed west of Japans island of Hokkaido.

Suga said officials are analyzing whether it was an ICBM. He said Japan has lodged a strong protest with North Korea over the launch.

North Koreas repeated provocative acts absolutely cannot be accepted, he said.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Saturday that in the wake of North Koreas latest missile launch, just before midnight, there was no avoiding increasing pressure on the reclusive state.

The missile launch came just after Japan had announced it would increase its sanctions on North Korea.

Abe said the missile launch, a rare late night launch, clearly showed the threat that North Korea poses to Japan.
Two Sikh Americans have been killed in two separate incidents in one week in California, according to community organisations and media reports.

Subag Singh, 68, was found dead in a canal after he went missing in the morning of June 23. His body had injuries.

California law enforcement officials from Fresno county have said that they were trying to find out who was responsible for the killing of the elderly Sikh American.

Deputies found his body with visible trauma in a canal on McCall and Jensen. Investigators are trying to piece together what led up to the body being found in a canal, Fox26 news said in a report.

Deputies are not saying if this was a hate crime or not, but members of the Sikh community say this would not be the first, it said.

Honestly, we are very hurt, it just hurts us. And it just we then, think what else do we need to do, Gurdeep Shergill, a local community leader, was quoted as saying.

In a separate incident, Simranjit Singh, 20, of Elk Grove was shot dead on July 25 outside a gas station where he worked.

According to Sacramento Bee news, he was shot dead by men who had earlier assaulted his co-worker.

At this point in both investigations, it is unclear if either of these crimes were racially motivated but we are working with both local and federal laws enforcement authorities to ensure these murders are thoroughly investigated and that the local jurisdictions are treating the cases with the utmost importance, said Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund (SALDEF).

These attacks are inexcusable and we offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of Subag Singh and Simranjit Singh.

We call upon local and federal law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate these heinous crimes and classify them as hate incidents if hate is show to be a motive, SALDEF executive director Baldev Singh said.

There have been a number of attacks targeting Indian- Americans and Sikhs in the recent months in the US.

In March, a 39-year-old Sikh man was shot in the arm outside his home in Kent, Washington, by a partially-masked gunman who shouted go back to your own country.

In February, 32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed when a US Navy veteran opened fire at him and his friend Alok Madasani, yelling get out of my country.
A ballistic missile fired by Yemeni rebels was shot down late Thursday close to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, a month before the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Islams holiest site, the Arab military coalition fighting in Yemen said.

The missile was intercepted 69 kilometres (43 miles) south of the city in western Saudi Arabia, the coalition said in a statement, calling it a desperate attempt by Shiite Huthi rebels to disrupt Hajj, which begins at the end of August.

Occasional ballistic missile attacks, as well as more frequent short-range rocket fire over the southern border, have in the past been conducted after coalition air strikes against the rebels in Yemen and is not the first time rebels have fired in the direction of Mecca.

In October they launched one of their longest-range strikes against Saudi Arabia, firing a ballistic missile that was brought down near the holy city, an attack condemned by Riyadhs Gulf allies.

But the new attack is thought to pose a threat ahead of Hajj, when some two million faithful from across the world will visit the site.

The Huthi rebels and their allies, former members of Yemens security forces linked to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, began retaliatory attacks against the kingdom two years ago.

The Saudi-lead coalition intervened in the country in March 2015 to support President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, who says the rebels are supported by its regional arch-rival Iran.

The war has killed more than 8,000 people and wounded 44,500 since Saudi Arabia and its allies joined the conflict.

Nearly two million Yemeni children are acutely malnourished and a vicious combination of war, hunger and cholera have left the country in desperate need of aid, the United Nations warned this week.

The alarm was raised at the end of a two-day visit by the directors of the World Health Organization, the UN Childrens Fund and the World Food Programme to Yemen, which has seen more than 8,000 people killed and 44,500 wounded since March 2015.

Continued arms trafficking

The Arab coalition said the new missile strike was proof of continued arms trafficking (for the benefit of the rebels) at the port of Hodeida on the Red sea.

The missiles continue to be smuggled in due to a lack of controls at the port of Hodeida, it said in the statement.

It said permits given by the Arab coalition for the delivery of humanitarian aid and commercial cargo were being abused at the port.

The Arab coalition has consistently accused the Huthi rebels of trafficking weapons, a claim they deny.

Hodeida is the main entry point for crucial humanitarian assistance to the north of the country and to the capital Sanaa, which is under rebel control.

The coalition wants to place the port under its control or that of the UN, which rejects the idea, fearing complications for the arrival of aid.

In the southern part of the country, which was taken over by the rebels in the summer of 2015, aid passes through the port of Aden.
F or extra room in your home, and sometimes a great terrace, too, going up into the roof space is generally a cost-effective idea. You can usually do it if you either own the house, or the top floor plus rights to the roof space  as long as theres enough head height up there.

Listed homes are more difficult to get consent for but not always impossible. Youll need a structural engineer to make sure the building can support the extra weight. They can also calculate structural changes to make sure that it does, if required.

Permitted development rules make a loft conversion much easier (because you dont need planning permission), but youll still need a completion certificate to show that the work complies with building regulations.

This is issued by your local councils building control department. In some cases your project might fall outside permitted development, in which case you will have to go through the planning process before work starts.

A loft extension is almost always faster and cheaper than digging out a basement, which will include excavating and underpinning. And unlike a basement, the work can sometimes be done while you are still in residence.

Once finished, the extra light and views a loft offers are a bonus. You may also be able to improve your homes overall insulation while you are at it.

Plenty of companies specialise in loft conversions but all architects can design one  and come up with innovative ideas. Using an architect makes particular sense if you combine extending upwards with other changes to your home (new stairs, for example).

WHAT IS PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT?

A loft conversion usually comes under permitted development (ie, you dont need planning permission) but special rules govern conservation areas and listed buildings. To stay within the rules you need to ensure:

The existing roof height wont be raised and the front of the building wont be significantly altered (the back usually can be changed but check your local councils rules).

No more than 50 cubic metres is being added to a detached or semi-detached house, and only 40 to a terrace house. This includes any previous loft additions.

There is 2.1 metres of head-height in a good part of the main area. This is sensible, but it doesnt stop you putting a loo or bathroom under a sloping eave  ie, where less headroom is needed.

If you want a balcony or terrace, you will need planning permission.

You obtain a completion certificate from your council after the work is done to show your new loft complies with building regulations and fire-safety rules. Your architect can arrange all this. Visit planningportal.co.uk for more details.

Here are three great London projects that show some of the things you can do with a loft extension:

ISLINGTON

In a square in an Islington conservation area, a couple owned an end-of-terrace flat on the first floor of a Victorian building with a pitched roof. They had existing planning permission to go up into the loft and create a space topped with a flat roof. The couple asked award-winning Ferhan Azman to come up with an interesting design.

Graceful: the main bedroom with generous terrace / Ben Blossom

Usually, you cant change the front at all but we were able to put in skylights that are completely invisible from the street. We tucked a bathroom under the eaves, where you need less head-height. Its open at both ends via sliding pocket doors, a bit like a train carriage, says Azman.

The double-end bathroom Is inspired, and while the main room only has 2.2m head-height, at the back a huge Crittall window creates massive views and a sense of space, hugely increased by a generous terrace as well. The whole new suite is lined out in birch ply, which looks graceful and light, isnt too expensive and smells good. The couple got an extra 375sq ft of space in total. Azman says that a similar project should cost 100,000-150,000 plus fees.

Architect: Ferhan Azman

DULWICH

A couple with a growing family and an ornately fronted four-bedroom Edwardian terrace house in Dulwich, south London, wanted an unusual and calm new space with a more contemporary vibe to escape up to.

Prize winner: this took the best interior design gong at the Dont Move, Improve! awards / Jim Stephenson

They were open-minded about the design so their architect, Helena Rivera, suggested a dramatic row of three dormer windows at the back, framed in black aluminium and clad in vertically pleated zinc. We didnt want to do a standard box added to the roof  they dont age gracefully. Instead, we designed something wide and light and Scandi, says Rivera.

The dormers are only 25cm apart, so construction had to be meticulous. Inside, the new space is fairly minimal, with great views.

The architect designed free-standing furniture to divide the three areas of the new space  a bedroom, bathroom and a large wardrobe. This new floor of 660sq ft was finished off with a deceptively simple bespoke oak staircase.

The loft was finished in 2016, the build took just 16 weeks following meticulous preparation, plus nine weeks with the planners to get a certificate.

Rivera adds: All projects are different but a loft conversion usually costs 2,500-3,000 a square metre, with VAT and fees on top.

Architect: Helena Rivera

TUFNELL PARK

A Japanese flat-owner asked architect Simon Astridge what he could do with what he calls a rundown, derelict granny flat on the top floor of a three-floor Victorian terrace in a conservation area in Tufnell Park, with right to the attic space.

Japanese style: Cornish clay smoothed on the ceiling contrasts with the exposed brickwork / Nicholas Worley

Local rules meant that any dormer at the back could only go across twothirds of the total width, and had to be sash windows rather than sliding ones.

Astridge designed an amazing living room in this new top section, with a side kitchen area. What makes it extra-special is the natural, unpainted clay used to line it  traditional in Japan and called Arakabe. Layers of hand-dug Cornish clay were smoothed over ceiling and walls, complementing the exposed brick behind the kitchen area.

Altogether it makes a really serene space with a beautiful soft natural colour. In this project, which won best interior design in this years Dont Move, Improve awards, the bathroom is on the floor below, along with a small terrace. The owner got a lovely 350sq ft new room.

Astridge reckons that a similar project would cost upwards of 100,000, including fees.

Architect: Simon Astridge
News, events, history, and other mid-week tidbits.

Tuesday, October 25, 4:30  7 p.m.

Orr Area EMS Open House

Brats and burgers will be served. Event includes a new ambulance tour and blood pressure screenings. For more info: 218-780-3798.

Orr Fire Hall

4540 Lake St., Orr

Tuesday, October 25, 12  6 p.m.

Essentia Health Job Fair

Talent recruiters and department managers will be on-site at Essentia Health-Virginia. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to attendnurses, nursing and clinical assistants, surgery technicians, radiology technicians, respiratory therapists, human resource professionals, and those interested in environmental services or nutrition services. Essentia staff will greet candidates, conduct an initial screening and filter them to appropriate hiring managers for interviews. Select candidates will be verbally offered a position before leaving. Candidates are asked to bring a resume, but its not required. Attire is business casual. For more info: www.essentiacareers.org.

901 9th St. N., Virginia
Albert Hammond, the father of Albert Hammond Jr., has revealed that The Strokes are working on a new album with Rick Ruben.

In a new interview with The West Australian , Albert Hammond, the father of Albert Hammond Jr., has revealed that The Strokes are working on a new album with Rick Rubin.

Albert Hammond broke the news by saying: Theyre making a new album now with a great producer called Rick Rubin. Hammond continued, I speak to my son every day, and he says that theyre so happy.

It seems like Albert Hammond Jr. might want to get his dad to sign some sort of Non-Disclosure Agreement, because this is not the first time that Albert Hammond has been the first to break the news about the New York rockers.

Back in 2012, it was Albert Hammond who revealed that the band was working on the album that would eventually become 2013s Comedown Machine.

So far, there has been no confirmation from The Strokes management.

While you are waiting on that, I am sure that Albert Hammond will be willing to tell you whatever stories you want to hear. If you ask nicely, Albert Hammond might break out his album of embarrassing baby photos.

Thanks, dad.
Two Houston energy services companies, Technip FMC and National Oilwell Varco, cut at least 2,500 jobs over the past six months as the offshore drilling sector in which they specialize still waits for a recovery.

The job cuts helped TechnipFMC post a small profit in the second quarter of the year and National Oilwell Varco to narrow its losses. But they were also a reminder that even as the productive Permian Basin in West Texas booms, low oil prices continue to weigh on higher cost segments of the industry, particularly offshore drilling.

"The big reason the offshore services are having so much trouble is because the exploration and production companies are spending most of their money in lower cost areas, especially the Permian Basin," said Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates in Houston. "The pain is likely to continue for the rest of the year."

Oil prices have rallied this week on hopes the global oil glut is draining, settling above $49 a barrel in New York on Thursday after dipping as low as $43 a barrel in recent weeks. Energy analysts and executives had expected higher prices by this time of the year, generally in the $55 a barrel range, and several companies have said they will cut their spending to adjust to the lower-for-longer environment.

The Houston independent ConocoPhillips, for example, said Thursday that it would trim $200 million from its $5 billion budget because of low oil prices. Earlier in the week, Anadarko Petroleum Corp. of The Woodlands said it plans to curb planned capital spending by about $300 million this year. Lower spending ultimately translates into fewer jobs, according to analysts.

TechnipFMC's job cuts have come as the firm continues to combine the operations of its predecessor firms, Paris-based Technip and FMC Technologies of Houston, which merged in January. Technip said Thursday that it cut its global workforce by more than 1,000 people from April to June, although the company did not disclose how many layoffs occurred in Houston.

The company now has about 40,000 employees; at the peak of the oil boom in 2014, the two companies had combined employment of more than 60,000.

National Oilwell Varco, which specializes in rig manufacturing, said Thursday that it has cut about 1,500 jobs since the beginning of the year, bringing its global workforce to about 35,000 from more than 60,000 at the peak of the oil boom in 2014. The company did not disclose how many of jobs were eliminated in Houston, but about one-fourth of its workers are based here.

The company's Houston employment has fallen to about 8,000 from 12,000 since 2014.

While the job cuts continue to hurt, the industry remains better off than last year, when prices fell as low as $26 a barrel, and layoffs came in the tens of thousands.

As offshore drilling continues to struggle, National Oilwell Varco has shifted its focus toward onshore oil fields and customers. Clay Williams, the company's CEO, said efficiency gains and rising demand have returned the company to "acceptable levels of financial performance."

The company reported that its second quarter sales increased 2 percent from a year earlier to $1.76 billion as it increased business in booming Texas shale plays, narrowing its loss to $75 million from a loss of $217 million in the second quarter of 2016.

TechnipFMC, which maintains headquarters in both Houston and Paris, reported a second-quarter profit of $165 million, after a loss of $19 million in the first quarter, which because of an accounting error was initially reported as a profit of $191 million. TechnipFMC CEO Doug Pferdehirt blamed weakness in internal controls over financial reporting after the merger, which he assured analysts has since been corrected.

The merger combined Technip's expertise in engineering and construction with FMC's specialty of underwater equipment and systems. The goal was to offer nearly all the planning, equipment and construction work needed for offshore oil and gas projects, creating efficiencies for producers counting every dollar.

Still, Pferdehirt, who is Houston-based, acknowledged "the market is not getting any easier."

Bill Herbert, a senior energy analyst at Piper Jaffray & Co. in Houston, said in an analyst note that given the tough offshore market conditions, TechnipFMC's profits were "exceedingly impressive."

TechnipFMC found profits in offshore liquefied natural gas projects, shallow water expansions in the Middle East and onshore drilling and hydraulic fracturing in the United States, a small part of its business.

TechnipFMC recently signed contracts to work on Exxon Mobil's new Liza oil development offshore of Guyana, as well asItaly-based Eni's Coral South LNG project offshore of Mozambique.

Collin Eaton contributed to this report.
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Energy producers and oil equipment suppliers posted mixed earnings results for the second quarter on Thursday, telegraphing early signs of an industry pullback amid anemic oil prices.

Houston's ConocoPhillips became the latest oil producer to plan a spending reduction, following similar announcements by Anadarko Petroleum Corp. in The Woodlands, Norway's Statoil, New York's Hess Corp. and Denver's Whiting Petroleum Corp.

Investors and global market participants have waited to see if oil companies will scale back the ambitious plans they made when crude prices hovered above $50 a barrel. The price has languished below that mark for about two months but settled above $49 a barrel on Thursday.

Still, some oil company executives said they weren't pinning their hopes on a quick oil market recovery. Ben van Beurden, CEO of Royal Dutch Shell, said the company has adopted "a lower forever mindset," trimming costs by $11 billion since 2014, when oil crashed.

ConocoPhillips

The nation's largest independent oil company said it lost $3.4 billion in the second quarter as it wrote off the value of some assets. It plans to cut $200 million from its $5 billion annual spending budget but said it could still boost oil production by 3 percent this year.

The company has struck deals to sell off more than $16 billion in assets this year across in Canada, the Barnett Shale in North Texas, and elsewhere, and it plans to use that cash to pay down its debts and increase shareholder dividends. It cut its debt by $3 billion in the second quarter.

ConocoPhillips' loss of $3.4 billion, or $2.78 a share, in the second quarter widened from its loss of $1.1 billion, or 86 cents a share, in the same period last year. Its quarterly revenue climbed from $5.6 billion to $8.8 billion from a year earlier.

The company recently added a sixth drilling rig to its operations in the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas, and it has decided to extend two rig contracts in the Permian Basin in West Texas through year-end. It's more drilling activity, but "it's actually costing us less money," Al Hirshberg, executive vice president at ConocoPhillips, said in a conference call.

Royal Dutch Shell

The European oil major has reached a record $38 billion in cash coming in from its operations selling oil, gas and petroleum products over the past year, but it said Thursday it would "remain disciplined" as crude prices languish below $50 a barrel.

Shell posted a $1.9 billion profit for the April-June period, up from $239 million this time last year. Its revenue jumped from $58.4 billion to $71.7 billion. And the company raised its oil production from 1.5 million barrels a day to 1.6 million barrels a day.

The company's downstream earnings rose from $1.7 billion to $2.2 billion, amid strengthening sales of oil products and chemicals. Oil and gas production earned $339 million, compared with a loss of $1.3 billion last year.

Van Beurden said Shell would stick to the lower range of its expected capital budget this year, around $25 billion in investments.

"That's affordable," he said, in the "current economic environment."

Patterson-UTI

The Houston drilling and pressure pumping contractor lost $92 million in the second quarter as it paid expenses on a multibillion-dollar acquisition and wrote down the value of some drilling equipment amid upgrades.

Its net loss of $92 million in the second quarter was larger than its loss of $86 million last year. The charges included $51.2 million in merger and integration related expenses and $29 million in a non-cash impairment on equipment.

The number of active rigs Patterson-UTI Energy deployed across the U.S. rose 23 percent to 100 in the April-June period, and it should rise to an average of 162 this month. The company upgraded seven more of its rigs to so-called super-spec status, and it has already contracts for five of those rigs for 18 to 24 months. Across the industry, the company believes there are 465 super-spec rigs - ones with more powerful drilling systems - across the U.S. and that more than 90 percent are currently working in the oil patches.

"Demand for high-spec rigs remains strong, despite moderating oil prices during the second quarter," said Andy Hendricks, chief executive of Patterson-UTI.
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Imagine completing a difficult transplant only to acquire a viral infection that fills your bladder with blood and causes abdominal pain.

Such infections are common among patients with suppressed immune systems, and until recently, doctors could do little about them. But a Houston-based startup will soon supply hundreds of transplant patients across the country with a new immunotherapy treatment for these potentially deadly infections, ameliorating suffering and saving millions in medical costs.

ViraCyte's T-cell therapy has shown amazing promise with five viruses and could potentially treat many more. But getting this revolutionary product from the lab to doctors outside Houston reveals the importance of creating an ecosystem that nurtures companies like ViraCyte and shows how a stronger system is needed in Houston.

The basic research that led to ViraCyte began more than 20 years ago with funding from the National Institutes of Health, said Ann Leen, an immunology professor at Baylor College of Medicine and the chief scientific officer at ViraCyte. Since then, researchers have worked to harness the body's natural defense system against viral infections, focusing primarily on those that afflict vulnerable transplant patients.

"What we've been doing in the lab is figuring out where this cell therapy could work, against what viruses, and figuring out how healthy people control different viruses," Leen said. "And then figuring out how can we create an immune response in the lab."

A healthy person's immune system has cells that fight viruses. ViraCyte identifies the parts of a virus that trigger these protective cells to act. They then mix those bits with parts of a healthy person's blood to grow protective cells in the lab.

"It's almost like gardening," Leen said.

A few years ago, researchers could grow protective cells in three months to help one person fight one virus. That kind of research is typically done at research centers like Baylor College of Medicine using state, federal and private grant money.

But a three-month process to help a single person with a single virus is not commercially viable. Leen knew she needed to develop an off-the-shelf, easy-to-manufacture therapy that could help almost any patient. Coming up with a commercial therapy, though, is beyond the purview of academia, and many promising ideas never make it past this stage because researchers don't have the financial support, the expertise or the business knowledge to form a company.

"We can accommodate our own patients, and we've done that for many years, but there are many patients across the country and worldwide," Leen said. "It's hard to get funding to continue to provide that to patients because there is little research to do. We had to move to the next stage."

That's when Leen and her co-founders started ViraCyte. Using their own money, and with help from family and friends, Leen and her team applied for more grant funding and applied to business incubators to help build a company and to offer a commercial therapy.

JLABS, a medical technology incubator in the Texas Medical Center sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, accepted ViraCyte, offering office and laboratory space as well as business advice.

"It was important to be in the Medical Center, but to have a separate footprint outside of academia," Leen said. "Before JLABS, there were not a lot of options within the Medical Center."

ViraCyte has made major strides and licensed the intellectual property from Baylor. The company has developed Viralym-M, an off-the-shelf treatment that can help almost all transplant patients fight the five most common viruses that infect them.

The company is moving Viralym-M into Phase III clinical studies at health centers across the U.S., the most crucial step in the Food and Drug Administration approval process. Dr. Bilal Omer, a pediatric oncologist at the Baylor College of Medicine who led the successful Phase II study, said the treatment is already savings lives.

"For the first time, we have a treatment where you can go to a freezer, take out some cells, you infuse these cells, and the patient often improves within a few days. Sometimes within a week the patient is back to baseline, feeling good," he said. "I'm getting daily emails from all over the country asking if they can get these cells."

Meanwhile, ViraCyte has reduced the cost of growing the cells to $100,000 for 300 doses. While expensive, the therapy is cheaper than patients spending weeks or months in the hospital at $8,000 a day. Despite the progress, the company will need to raise money for commercial production and to develop cells to treat more viruses, such as HIV, hepatitis or even Zika.

"We've started looking at new targets," Leen said.

ViraCyte could not have happened without financial backers, professional advisers and JLABS, Leen said, but Medical Center researchers still need more such programs that help researchers turn their ideas into companies, and that means more investments and business expertise.

"There are so many things going on in the Medical Center that are really ready for prime time, but people just don't quite know how to move forward," she said.

Houston needs a complete ecosystem beginning with academic research institutions leading to business incubators and angel investors and venture capitalists. For this, we need business leaders and corporations to put as much attention into science as they do into oil and gas.

The life sciences offer an opportunity to diversify Houston's economy - if we create the right environment.
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Dallas-based Tradition Senior Living is bringing its brand of high-end rental communities for seniors to Houston with a big project near the Texas Medical Center and is scouting a second site in the Memorial/Tanglewood area.

A long-vacant tract along Buffalo Speedway inside Loop 610 is being transformed into the Tradition-Buffalo Speedway, consisting of 316 units with landscaped courtyards, underground parking and a dog park.

The residences, opening in late 2018, will come with such amenities as housekeeping, transportation to doctor appointments and grocery stores, exercise classes and a variety of on-site restaurants.

"We think we've put together a culture that people like," company founder Jonathan Perlman Sr. said.

"We've had people from Houston move to Dallas to be near their adult children. They encouraged us. They thought it would be successful in Houston."

The project on nearly 8 acres at 9339 Buffalo Speedway will consist of a 222-unit independent living building with four and five stories. It will connect with a three-story, 94-unit assisted-living/memory-care building next door, with amenities such as an indoor pool, fitness center, salon and movie theater between.

Apartments on the upper floors, as well as dining at The Tradition Club, will offer views of downtown and the Texas Medical Center, Perlman said. An on-site sales office will open in September.

Tradition Senior Living designs, builds and manages its properties. Its two campuses in Dallas contain a combined 639 units.

The Houston project could draw residents in their 50s and up from nearby neighborhoods such as Braes Heights, Knollwood Village, Meyerland and West University.

"We feel that Buffalo Speedway is very comparable to our Dallas locations with comparable neighborhoods around it," Perlman said, "plus the huge amenity of the Medical Center, Rice University just up the street and the Museum District."

Tradition Senior Living, which purchased the 12-acre tract last year, is selling more than 4 acres along Main Street to an apartment developer, Perlman said.

Rents are projected to start at $3,500 and include breakfast at the cafe plus $400 in credits at various dining facilities on campus. It also covers water and electricity.

The project is among a growing number of developments that cater to an aging population. Currently, 15 percent of the nation's population is 65 or older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That share is projected to grow to nearly a quarter of the population by 2060.

In other area developments, Bridgewood Property Co. purchased a 1-acre tract at Kelvin and Robinhood as the future site of the 17-story Village of Southampton independent-living, assisted-living and memory-care facility. Brazos Presbyterian Homes recently added the 14-story Brazos Towers at Bayou Manor to its 7-acre campus at 4141 S. Braeswood.
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A luxury homebuilder whose work last year was featured in a well-known builder showcase has been charged with tampering with a government document in relation to a residence under construction in the upscale Bellaire neighborhood.

The charge, a second-degree felony, was brought by the Harris County District Attorney's Office after a city building official discovered what he believed to be a forged certificate showing the home had passed an inspection.

Roy Gabbay, 36, founder of RG Homes, has had a number of complaints from customers who contend their new homes had leaks, cracks, mold and other serious construction defects, according to recent Chronicle interviews with homeowners.

Several of those homeowners are in or have filed for arbitration with the builder. Another has filed a lawsuit.

Contacted by the Chronicle on Wednesday about the complaints, Gabbay said his attorney advised him not to comment because of the arbitration. He referred to websites that defend his company's position on two separate customers' complaints.

A day later, he defended himself against the criminal allegation and said the document in question is legitimate. He blamed misunderstandings involving his building superintendent, the engineering company and the city official.

NEW: Bellaire builder charged with felony has ties to investment company

"I hope it means finally our voices will be heard," said Paul Smith, who hired RG Homes in 2015 to build a new house on a lot he and his wife owned in Bellaire.

Harris County valued the couple's home at $1.6 million this year, but after they protested based on repairs and construction defects the appraisal was lowered to $1.2 million.

City withholds report

In November, the Smiths and eight other owners of RG Homes called a meeting with Bellaire officials, including Mayor Andrew Friedberg and City Manager Paul Hofmann, to make them aware of construction, financial and other problems they said they were having with the builder.

The officials pledged to get an independent third-party review of the city's inspection processes and procedures to see if changes were needed.

The results of that review, according to the city, were that no further action was needed and that the matter be concluded.

The homeowners have made several requests for a copy of the report, but the city has declined to release it.

Friedberg said in an email Thursday that the review was presented to City Council in an executive session in January and is "legally privileged." He reiterated, "the executive session concluded with no further action taken on the matter."

Assistant district attorney Valerie Turner, chief of the consumer fraud section, said the criminal case filed this week is unusual because most contractor and builder complaints come from individual consumers. This case was presented by Bellaire police.

"We see complaints for all types whether it's a handyman who works in the neighborhood or builders with very expensive homes," she said.

In a news release issued Thursday, the Bellaire Police Department said its Detectives Unit is investigating and no further information would be released.

The district attorney's office alleges in a criminal complaint that Gabbay committed the offense, tampering with a government document with intent to defraud or harm another, on July 19 at Bellaire's Building and Permits office.

Has previous charge

City building official William Davidson noticed that an RG Homes property under construction at 4530 Elm St. was missing a "Certificate for Crawlspace Wood Framing Inspection" from city files, according to the criminal complaint. Such work done incorrectly on the first floor of a house causes damage to the entire home, it says.

The official said he contacted Gabbay, who responded by emailing him a document showing the inspection was completed by Concept Engineers on Oct. 27, 2016. Knowing about complaints from other residents, the document says, Davidson contacted the engineering firm to verify the validity of the document and was told by the president of Concept Engineers that the company had done no inspection to the house on the date specified and verified the certificate was forged.

The criminal complaint further says the home failed a July 14 Crawlspace Wood Framing Inspection by Concept Engineers.

Gabbay said Thursday that construction on the home began in April and it passed the crawlspace inspection in October. He said his superintendent called for a new crawlspace inspection because "we didn't realize" one had already been done. He blamed the July 14 failure on the fact that Concept Engineers had changed some of the construction drawings in the meantime.

He said he received a letter just this week from a different structural engineer showing it passed an inspection "based on the original design."

A criminal history check on Gabbay showed a previous charge for Forgery of Financial Instrument that he received deferred adjudication on, according to the complaint.

The RG Homes website that Gabbay referred the Chronicle to notes 15 "recently completed" homes, most of which are in Bellaire.

One of those properties is Gabbay's own home, which is for sale.

For sale signs removed

An agent with John Daugherty Realtors has been listing the house, for $1.475 million, as well as the house on Elm Street tied to the felony charge. That one, priced at $1.745 million, is under contract to a buyer.

John Daugherty said his agency began the process of terminating its contract to sell Gabbay's home on Thursday. The company's for-sale signs have been removed from both properties, he said.

One of the homes featured on the builder's website, a house at 4532 Elm St., is accompanied by accolades from a the 2016 Spring Bellaire Showcase: "Best Master Suite," "Best Kitchen," "Best of Show" and "People's Choice Award."

But more than a year after the house sold to a family who moved here from the East Coast, the home's bright stucco facade is now covered in signs reading "Fix my home" and "Nightmare on Elm Street."

Owner Jim Rowe and his family moved out of the house after discovering leaks, cracks, mold and other problems with the construction. They have filed for arbitration.

In response to Rowe's complaints, the builder posted a statement on a website called 4532ElmTheTruth.com, where he defends the work and says the owners moved in without the builder's approval. The builder calls the owners "unreasonable" and says they have gone on a "personal crusade to try and ruin the Builders reputation and credentials in the City of Bellaire."

A similar site was set up to respond to complaints from another former customer with a home on Birch Street in Bellaire.

Another homeowner, Minh Ly of Hedwig Village, filed suit against RG Homes in March, claiming breach of contract, violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, misrepresentation and negligence.

According to that lawsuit, the builder engaged in a series of "unfair and deceptive accounting practices," including filing duplicate invoices, charging the homeowner for items that weren't used on the property and for items that were not costs of construction, along with other accounting mistakes.

Ly was able to sue RG Homes because his initial contract did not contain an arbitration clause as the others did.

On July 3, RG's attorney filed a general denial with the court.
The '80s are back, baby - the fashions, the tunes, the Russian spies.

The Cold War is so hot right now, and action thriller "Atomic Blonde" is here to capitalize on that moment. Charlize Theron stars as the titular blonde in this violently stylish spy flick, doing her own version of "John Wick" as a taciturn secret agent with a very impressive set of skills. Directed by former stunt man and "Wick" co-director David Leitch, "Atomic Blonde" is a cool bit of eye candy with incredible stunts and a killer soundtrack, even though it falters on the story itself.

"Atomic Blonde," adapted by Kurt Johnstad from the graphic novel "The Coldest City" by Antony Johnston, is a harmonious marriage of material and star. Theron is perfect for the role as the frigid, butt-kicking MI-6 agent Lorraine Broughton, dispatched to Berlin for a dangerous mission in the shadow of the falling Berlin Wall in November 1989. Though the film claims it's not the story of the Berlin Wall, it couldn't be the story that it is without it. It offers a frenzied political backdrop, a ticking clock and a robust sense of energy and urgency to "Atomic Blonde."

Broughton has been sent to Berlin to retrieve microfilm with a list of foreign agents working in the region. It was taken from the body of a dead British agent by the KGB operative who murdered him, and could now be for sale to the highest bidder. Broughton is to connect with British agent Percival (James McAvoy), who has "gone native" in the underground club culture of East Berlin, and secure the list at all costs. Along the way, there are complications that take the form of tricky Russian agents, compromised identities, sexy French spies (Sofia Boutella) and a colleague gone rogue.

"Atomic Blonde" is a film about the power to be found in crafting images and telling stories. It's self-consciously a movie about the movies. Take, for instance, a scene where Broughton makes mince meat of a Russian henchman's face behind the screen of a movie theater playing Andrei Tarkovsky's "Stalker." Eventually, she bursts right through the screen, in the ultimate fourth wall break.

Leitch pays tribute to Tarkovsky's signature long takes with a brutal, insane fight scene, filmed in one, long, unbroken shot extending at least 10 minutes. It goes up and down stairwells, in and out of apartments, into cars crashing and reversing down streets. It's a remarkable feat of fight choreography, performance by Theron and physical endurance on the part of the camera operator. It's also the one fight not soundtracked to an '80s pop hit, just heavy breathing and crunching bones.

Unfortunately, "Atomic Blonde" fumbles its own tale. After a brisk, efficient, uber-cool first hour, all New Wave tunes and sexy neon lighting, the second hour drags into dullness. The narrative momentum is squandered and lost, and none of the coldly delivered speeches pack any dramatic punch. A plot twist is telegraphed too early, bungled and then over-explained, while another goes by without any context whatsoever.

It's a shame, because "Atomic Blonde" is a visual delight. It's not that it's all style, no substance. But it doesn't seem to know what to do with its substance, and ultimately, "Atomic Blonde" becomes a film that's all dressed up with just nowhere to go.
A suspect was arrested Thursday after robbing a jewelry store with two other men and exchanging gunfire with the store owner earlier this week, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

Cortez Harris is charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon after robbing Your Jeweler's store in the 12100 block of Jones. Harris, Jeremy Gomez and Michael Mitchell entered the store around 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday and demanded merchandise and cash. The armed men also began beating the 66-year-old store owner.
The sun sets, and it takes three steps from the roadside to be absorbed into a wall of green. Birdsong falls into the air like liquid silver, haunting and exquisitely garbled. The twitters, trills and creaks weave in with the feathery ferns and towering kauri trees of the Waipoua Forest, the largest remaining tract of native forest in the Northland.

Anywhere else, I'd have my eyes firmly fixed on the trail ahead, wary for snakes or dangerous critters. But I'm in New Zealand, and there are none. So, my head is angled up into the green canopy, where shafts of the day's last minutes of sunlight create a kaleidoscope effect - a swirl of emerald, azure and gold.

The Northland is known as the birthplace of New Zealand. It was here in Hokianga where Kupe, the first Polynesian explorer to reach New Zealand, landed his waka (oceangoing canoe). It was here in Russell that the country's first seaport and first British settlement were established, and in nearby Okiato was New Zealand's first capital. The Treaty of Waitangi, signed here in Waitangi, resulted in the declaration of British sovereignty over New Zealand and is the country's founding document.

The cultural history in this distinctive and beautiful region at the far northern edge of the North Island - from the kauri forests to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, from the colonial buildings and whaling history in Russell to the spot that separates the Pacific Ocean from the Tasman Sea where Maori spirits are believed to leap to the water to return to their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki - offers a deeper understanding of its complex past.

More Information If you go GETTING THERE Nonstop flights from Houston to Auckland on Air New Zealand cost about $1,600 and can take up to 15 hours. Other flights require at least one connection. From Auckland, flights to Kerikeri take less than an hour; driving takes about 3.5 hours. WHERE TO STAY Kauri Cliffs: 139 Tepene Tablelands Road, Matauri Bay; kauricliffs.com. Luxurious Northland home base on the dramatic coastline of Matauri Bay, with rolling farmland and quiet, pristine private beaches. Room rates start at about $1,124 per night and include daily breakfast, evening cocktails, canapes and a nightly gourmet dinner. The Waterfront Suites, Bay of Islands: 100 Marsden Road, Paihia; heritagehotels.co.nz/hotels/the- waterfront-suites-bay-of-islands. These all-suite apartments allow ample room for families in a convenient location just steps from Paihia activities and the Russell ferry. Room rates start at about $124 per night. WHERE TO EAT Food at Wharepuke: 190 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri; foodatwharepuke.co.nz. Dine among the subtropical gardens of Wharepuke from a menu featuring European- and Thai-inspired cuisine. Prices range from about $10-$29. Hone's Garden: 10 York St., Russell; facebook.com/HonesGarden. Another garden spot to enjoy in good weather, this restaurant serves wraps, salads, fish and chips, and wood-fired pizzas - along with local wines and Northland craft beers. Prices range from about $10-$19. Provenir: 130 Marsden Road, Paihia; paihiabeach.co.nz/provenir_restaurant.htm. At this fine-dining restaurant, pair incredible views of the Bay of Islands with dishes focused on seasonal New Zealand ingredients. Main courses range about $25-$29. WHAT TO DO Footprints Waipoua: 334 State Highway 12, Omapere; footprintswaipoua.co.nz. On the Twilight Encounter tour, visit the majestic kauri trees of the Waipoua Forest with a Maori guide and learn about the culture's deep spiritual respect for these ancient giants. Tour: about $69 per adult, $25 per child. Waitangi Treaty Grounds: 1 Tau Henare Drive, Waitangi; waitangi.org.nz. New Zealand's most important historic site is where the country's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed in 1840 - by Maori chiefs and representatives of the British Crown. Day pass: $29 per adult, free for children. The Maori Hangi & Concert experience is about $80 per adult and $36 per child. Sand Safaris: 36 Wireless Road, Kaitaia; sandsafaris.co.nz. This daylong guided bus tour of the Aupouri Peninsula, 90-Mile Beach and Cape Reinga includes frequent stops and lunch. Tour: about $36 per adult, $22 per child. Sources: Tourism New Zealand: newzealand.com; Northland New Zealand: northlandnz.com SIDE TRIP A straight line cutting along the west coast of Northland and flanking the Aupouri Forest, 90-Mile Beach (which is only 55 miles) is known for spectacular sunsets, a great left-hand surf break and towering sand dunes. Don't bring your rental car along on a tour of 90-Mile Beach because rental companies won't allow their cars on the sand, mostly for safety reasons. The beach is safe to drive only at specific times of the tides, and if you time it wrong, you may become very uncomfortably acquainted with the Tasman Sea and lose that rental car. The best bet for visiting 90-Mile Beach is on a bus tour that leaves from neighboring Kaitaia. The daylong tour includes plenty of stops along the way, including the Te Paki Sand Dunes, Cape Reinga and Tapotupotu Bay, and even provides lunch on a beach. Thrill seekers get to try their hand at sand surfing on the Te Paki Sand Dunes. The sand formations, vegetation and continually moving sand seems like a desert destination instead of an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Tours provide boards, and all you have to do is hike to the top of a dune, get on and fly down the mountains of golden sand. - J.K.R. See More Collapse

History and legend are bountiful in the rural Northland, and the region sometimes goes by the nickname Te Hiku o Te Ika, "the tail of the fish," referring to the legend that New Zealand was fished from the sea by the demigod Maui.

It's a place where you're not at all surprised that the gates to the magical forest never close.

B B B

The ancient green world of majestic trees in the Waipoua Forest begins to get dark quickly once the sun goes down. After the bird symphony, all I hear are my footsteps on the path amid the living entities that were mature trees before any human came to the shores of New Zealand.

Kauri are among the world's mightiest trees, growing to more than 164 feet tall, with trunk girths up to 54 feet, and living for more than 2,000 years. Kauri forests once blanketed the top of the country from the Far North of Northland to Te Kauri, south of Auckland, and were common when the first people arrived around 1,000 years ago.

"I am a seed; despite being small, I am of great value," says Teresa, my Maori guide. "That's something we were told as kids, and when you look at the kauri seed and the eventual size of the kauri tree, you understand."

She hands me a winged, brown kauri seed, which is tiny in my palm.

Looking up at Te Matua Ngahere, the "Father of the Forest," estimated to be nearly 3,000 years old, it's difficult to imagine that the immense tree was once only a small seed. It seems comfortably appropriate that Teresa refers to the kauri as "he." The colossal beings that surround us in the forest reach their branches like outstretched arms into the space above my head, as if they're welcoming us to their domain.

Approaching both Te Matua Ngahere and Tane Mahuta, the two largest kauri in New Zealand, Teresa greets the trees with haunting waiata (sacred chants) that illustrate the deep spiritual respect the Maori hold for the giants still growing in the forest. In the waning twilight, I gaze at the Tane Mahuta, the "Lord of the Forest," which stands about 169 feet tall and is about 2,500 years old.

In the blazing light of day, the majestic kauri would be equally awe-inspiring, but now, as night nears, I can't help but feel humbled at the foot of this great elder of the Northland.

B B B

Early Maori migrations settled throughout the Northland, including the subtropical Bay of Islands, with its turquoise water and nearly 150 islands that today lure those on holiday. The Russell pier juts out from the Strand into Pomare Bay, a deepwater harbor that Capt. James Cook once declared a "most noble anchorage." But the village quickly became a magnet for rough elements during the height of the whaling industry, and grog shops and brothels did a roaring trade when sailors were on shore leave, earning the town the nickname "the hellhole of the Pacific."

I walk past a tattoo shop conveniently located less than a block from the pier, and in the short time it takes me to self-tour the tiny downtown where the streets retain their original layout and names from 1843, I count maybe two bars, a liquor store and no brothels.

On the outdoor patio of the Duke of Marlborough Hotel (which began life in 1827 as Johnny Johnston's Grog Shop), families lunch on fish and chips while kids pedal along the Strand on bicycles, weaving in and out of meandering vacationers. A hellhole no more.

Not far from Russell is Waitangi, the site of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 between the British Crown and more than 500 Maori chiefs, establishing New Zealand as a British colony. At the newly opened Museum of Waitangi, I wander among the artifacts in the permanent exhibition, but am drawn back to the interactive display of New Zealand's founding document, which was written and translated in less than a week.

Next to me, a teenager proudly points to where his ancestor signed the treaty, his family crowded around the display, poking fingers at the digital copy of the historic document. Outside, across the Treaty Grounds with panoramic views of the Bay of Islands, visitors hang out between the Treaty House and carved meeting house, awaiting a cultural performance.

I hurry down the path to have some time alone with Ngatokimatawhaorua, the world's largest ceremonial war canoe, made from three kauri trees. My fingers trace the carving that lines the waka's sides, in hopes of feeling the kauri wood beneath the red lacquer.

B B B

For Maori, Te Rerenga Wairua is the most spiritually significant place in New Zealand. After death, all Maori spirits travel up the coast and over this windswept vista of the most northwestern corner of the country, down the roots of the lone pohutukawa tree at Te Rerenga Wairua, into the sea and to Manawatawhi ("last breath") in the Three Kings Islands. From there, they say a final farewell to family and tribe before returning to Hawaiki, the land of their ancestors.

The point, also known as Cape Reinga, marks the separation of the Tasman Sea from the Pacific Ocean. I lean into the wind to watch the swirl of currents where the two great waters collide in whirlpools that look like those that dance in the wake of a boat.

Walking around the lighthouse and the crowd of visitors posing at the signpost that proclaims the distances to Tokyo, Sydney, Vancouver, Los Angeles, London and the South Pole, I scan the bluffs to find the lone pohutukawa tree. It takes maybe two seconds. There is only one perfectly placed ancient tree, said to be more than 800 years old, clinging to the rock.

If I were a Maori spirit, I'd want to travel here, too - among the shades of aqua ocean currents and whistling wind at the grassy, green end of the world. And while I love the ocean, I wouldn't jump. I'd be the sole spirit clinging to the Northland, refusing to leave this heart-achingly beautiful region.

Surely, fodder for another legend.
Palliative care is often misunderstood. It provides care for the patient as a whole person and works to address suffering of the body, mind and spirit. The goal is to enhance quality of life at all times during a serious or life-threatening illness.

This large task is accomplished by an interdisciplinary team that can involve physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, chaplains, bereavement specialists and other health professionals. We can assist patients with the management of pain and other challenging symptoms that often accompany serious or life-limiting illnesses, including emotional, psychological and spiritual distress. We can help patients and their families think through some of the big decisions that arise in the course of care of a serious illness, using a "hope for the best, prepare for everything" mentality.

And, yes, we can also help care for patients at the end of their lives, doing our utmost to ensure that our patients die with dignity and with as little suffering as possible.

GRAY MATTERS: Two Texas counties. In one, you'll live almost a decade longer.

Ideally, these discussions begin long before individuals reach the point of crisis in their health. That's why we were concerned about a recent article on palliative care. The article is a well-written piece of narrative medicine that discusses one family's heartbreak at the end of a life while highlighting a young physician's realization of the benefits of palliative care.

But palliative care could have been incorporated into the patient's plan earlier. Not until the patient had "hours to days" left to live did his medical team say, "We'd recommend palliative care at this point."

While we are extremely glad the patient received palliative care at the end of his life, we are concerned that stories such as this contribute to the all-too-common misconception that palliative care is only appropriate for patients at the very end.

The belief that palliative care is only for those "people we can't fix" tragically limits the opportunity for large swaths of the population with serious or life-limiting illnesses to benefit from "whole-person care" at much earlier stages in the illness trajectory. It is worth stating clearly that in contrast to the commonly held perception that palliative care is used to "usher [patients] toward death," our goal at every step is to maximize quality of life and minimize suffering.

It is also worth stating that at no point do palliative care physicians use treatments to hasten death. In fact, a 2012 study of patients with lung cancer who received palliative care alongside conventional cancer therapy demonstrated not only improvements in quality of life, but also increased survival.

GRAY MATTERS: Why our mental health matters, too

At the end of the article, the author writes, "Seeing palliative care as a victory would have been unthinkable for me just a few years ago." While we are extremely glad to know that this physician-in-training has learned some of palliative care's value, we are hesitant to describe palliative care, or any sphere of medicine, as "a victory."

It can be tempting to frame healthcare as a perennial battle against disease with a series of victories and defeats against a relentless foe. This view can be inspiring to those who label themselves as "fighters" and whom, when illness is defeated, we label "survivors."

However, what does it imply for those in whom a disease cannot be eradicated? Or those who opt for time at home with their family receiving care that prioritizes comfort rather than pursue another round of aggressive therapy that may be futile and replete with side effects?

In the end, we are all humans trying to help each other live the best lives possible, consistent with the goals we choose for ourselves. In palliative care, this is our North Star, the guiding principle around which we care for patients and their families.

Jared Rubenstein, MD (@DrJRubenstein), practices pediatric palliative care at Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine. Daniel Mahoney, MD (@DanielMahoneyMD), practices pediatric palliative care at Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine.

Bookmark Gray Matters. It can help patients and their families think through some of the big decisions.
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When President Donald Trump tweeted Wednesday that he'd ban transgender people from the military, plenty of LGBT activists and allies were outraged and dismayed.

But for Staff Sgt. Jamie Hash, the president's tweets were personal.

Hash, a manpower analyst at Randolph Air Force Base outside San Antonio, is transgender and has spent the past year - her sixth on active duty - living and working as a woman. Now she's wondering what will happen to her career.

"I joined the Air Force to make a difference, serve my country, and to be a part of something bigger than myself," said Hash, 29. She has previously been stationed at a base in North Carolina and deployed to southwest Asia.

Though she hasn't heard anything directly about her standing, Hash said she's "saddened and surprised" that her military career might end abruptly because of a sudden policy change.

Trump tweeted Wednesday that transgender people would not be allowed to serve in the military.

On Thursday, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff sent a message to military command saying there would be no change in policy until they had received direction from the Secretary of Defense.

When Hash enlisted in the Air Force, she was male. About nine months ago, she started hormone replacement therapy to transition.

In June, she was able to change her name and gender marker in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, which has allowed her to operate as a woman in the military  adhering to female standards for dress, fitness and facility use.

RELATED: Trump's military ban stuns transgender veterans, advocates

Trump's tweets Wednesday cited "tremendous medical costs" as one of the reasons for banning transgender people from serving in the military.

While Hash is eligible for medical benefits, the government hasn't paid for everything. Hash says she paid out of pocket for a couple of facial feminization procedures done by a civilian surgeon because the surgery was considered elective or cosmetic.

Trump's other reason for the policy change: the "disruption that transgender in the military would entail." Hash says her transition hasn't been disruptive  in fact, it has brought her unit closer together. In the past few months, she's held transgender training sessions across the installation.

"My unit has been incredibly supportive since I came out to them at the end of last summer," she said. In her life at Randolph now, "I am a military member who just happens to be transgender."

Until she gets official guidance on the new policy, Hash said she's going to keep serving her country.

"I am so grateful for the one year I have had to serve openly and authentically," she said. "It has been the best year of my life."
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A Houston member of the MS-13 gang has been charged with murder in two counties amid a growing focus on the brutal Salvadoran gang that Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo called "the worst of the worst."

Douglas Alexander Herrera-Hernandez, 20, faces charges of capital murder in Fort Bend County and murder in Harris County.

He landed Wednesday on Texas DPS's list of most wanted fugitives, along with Carlos Alberto Gonzalez-Barahona, 26, also believed to be an MS-13 gang member.

MOST WANTED: Police are searching for two suspected MS-13 members from Houston

Herrera-Hernandez is accused of killing a 16-year-old boy who is believed to have witnessed several MS-13-related murders, according to a news released from the Houston Police Department. The teen was found dead in June 2016 at Buffalo Run Park in Missouri City.

Story continues below...

He is also accused of killing another documented MS-13 gang member, Kevin Alvarez, 26, on July 9 outside a southeast Houston apartment complex, according to sworn statements from Houston police officers.

Alvarez was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds about 10 p.m. in the walkway between several units of an apartment complex at 265 El Dorado.

A witness said Herrera-Hernandez frequented the apartments to buy drugs. The witness said he heard gunshots and saw Herrera-Hernandez fire at Alvarez, according to court records.

The Houston Police Department is focusing increased attention on local gangs. Acevedo announced in June he planned to form a specialized unit to combat violent crime, and he spoke Wednesday on National Public Radio about the notoriously violent MS-13.

MOST DANGEROUS: Texas gang threat led by Tango Blast; Aryan Circle downgraded

Citing the atrocities committed by the gang's members, Acevedo called MS-13 a "transnational terrorist organization."

"They are brutal," Acevedo said to NPR. "They're ruthless. They will kill without blinking an eye."

The department's ramped up enforcement of violent crime follows a nationwide anti-gang operation that led to 207 people arrested in the Houston region, the highest number of any region in the country.

MS-13, which originated in El Salvador before spreading to California and then Texas, poses additional risks. The Texas Department of Public Safety warned in January of the potential dangers transnational like MS-13 bring: a connection to drug cartels, criminal activity that spans the border and high levels of violence.

Herrera-Hernandez was still on the run as of Thursday, according to court documents.

MAPPED: Where Texas' most dangerous gangs hold sway

He is believed to be traveling with his girlfriend, Josselin Leyhmar Romero Flores, 19, and the couple's infant, said Wendell Gilbert, an officer with HPD's homicide division.

Herrera-Hernandez is from El Salvador and has been in the U.S. without documentation, Gilbert said.

Police are unsure if he has fled Texas.

But, "we're not ruling out that he's still here in Houston," Gilbert added.

HPD, the Texas Departments of Public Safety, the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are all helping with the manhunt.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 for information that leads to Herrera-Hernandez's arrest. Anyone with information can call HPD's homicide division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
A Harris County judge ruled Thursday that Houston rapper Z-Ro can have no contact with his rapper ex-girlfriend after hearing allegations that the rapper beat her while brandishing a handgun at his Katy-area home in April.

State District Judge George Powell agreed to a motion for emergency protection and a no-contact order as conditions of bail for the well-known rapper, whose real name is Joseph Wayne McVey.

McVey, 40, is free on a $50,000 bond after being arrested Wednesday on a charge of aggravated assault of a family member. He appeared before the judge in a black T-shirt and khaki cargo pants as prosecutors laid out the allegations against him.

After the brief hearing, his attorney, Charles Adams, said McVey is a close personal friend.

"He is one of the nicest, sweetest people I know," Adams told reporters. "I'm shocked by these allegations."

Ex also a rapper

During the hearing, Adams told the judge that McVey's girlfriend has initiated contact with the rapper many times in the three months between the alleged incident in April and her report to the police on Tuesday.

"She continues to initiate contact with my client," Adams told the judge as he protested the no-contact order. "Both of them were on my radio show together since this allegedly happened."

The judge cautioned McVey that if he has any contact - such as calls, texts, messages or in person - his bail could be revoked.

His ex-girlfriend, Brittany Bullock, who goes by the stage name Just Brittany, told police McVey slapped her, punched and dragged her for an hour and a half. She said she was assaulted so many times "she eventually got sick and threw up."

Bullock backed up her claim with a 20-minute audio recording of the alleged assault.

It was April 29 when the couple had a miscommunication about a dinner date, and Bullock went to the rapper's home near West Side Forest in the Katy area.

When she arrived, there was an altercation in which McVey allegedly began to assault her while holding a pistol. At one point, Bullock asked to go to the bathroom, where she began recording with her phone. The alleged assault continued once she left the bathroom.

Investigators said they could hear McVey say "you're dead" in the recording as well as sounds that appeared to be slapping, court records show. Police also heard Bullock say, "Why did you just push me?" and "get your (expletive) hands from around my neck."

Past collaborations

They also heard Bullock crying and asking McVey to stop.

Bullock called the Harris County Sheriff's Office about 11:40 p.m. Tuesday to report the assault, almost three months later. It was not clear in court records why there was such a delayed outcry.

Z-Ro and Just Brittany have collaborated in the past. She appeared in a music video with McVey in December.
Missouri City street named after first leader of the KKK Area African-Americans live with many reminders of the Confederacy

Missouri City street named after first leader of the KKK Area African-Americans live with many reminders of the Confederacy

Gabrielle Scott grew up in a Missouri City neighborhood with modest-sized homes, lofty oak trees and manicured lawns.

Her street is filled with people from different backgrounds, old and young, and the neighbors are friendly. Gabrielle, who is 16, has fond memories of her childhood.

There has only ever been one problem.

She lives on a street named after the first leader of the Ku Klux Klan.

"It's kind of amazing you live on a street that was founded by your enemy," said Gabrielle, who is African-American.

She said she, her mother and her grandmother often think about and discuss Bedford Forrest Drive. Each has found a way of dealing with it.

Gabrielle sees it as a blessing. "It kind of shows (people) who are against us that anyone can do anything."

***

Missouri City's Bedford Forrest isn't the only nod to the past in Texas. Dozens of streets in Houston pay homage to the Confederacy or the Civil War. Hundreds of schools, buildings and statues across the country also honor that history. But many of those monuments and memorials became forever tainted two summers ago, after Dylann Roof opened fire at an African-American church in Charleston, S.C., killing nine people. Roof wrapped his white supremacist ideals in the Confederate flag.

That flag was removed from South Carolina's statehouse grounds shortly after the shooting, and an urgent push began to take other symbols down across the country.

"It's hypocritical for us to readily accept streets and subdivisions named for Civil War Confederate heroes whose ideas and doctrines are totally opposed to citizens in Missouri City," Councilman Don Smith said. less "It's hypocritical for us to readily accept streets and subdivisions named for Civil War Confederate heroes whose ideas and doctrines are totally opposed to citizens in Missouri City," Councilman Don Smith ... more Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Staff Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Staff Image 1 of / 2 Caption Close Missouri City street named after first leader of the KKK 1 / 2 Back to Gallery

New Orleans removed a statue of Robert E. Lee, the final of four Confederate-inspired monuments, in May.

"These statues are not just stone and metal. They are not just innocent remembrances of a benign history," Mayor Mitch Landrieu said in a rousing speech. "These monuments purposefully celebrate a fictional, sanitized Confederacy; ignoring the death, ignoring the enslavement and the terror that it actually stood for."

Here in Houston, the fourth-largest and most diverse city in the nation, the public school district decided last year to rename eight schools with Confederate ties, at a cost of $1.2 million.

Earlier this year, City Council members changed the name of Dowling Street, named after Confederate officer Richard "Dick" Dowling, to Emancipation Avenue.

In June, passionate protesters showed up at the statue of Sam Houston in Hermann Park after news reports swirled about a group coming to advocate for its removal. No such proposal had been made, but protestors felt a line had to be drawn.

"Erasing history for the sake of political correctness or to make somebody feel better, it's not just stupid, but it's dangerous," said David Amad, an organizer of the demonstration at Hermann Park.

Yet the momentum has been largely one-sided around the country.

Gerald Horne, John J. and Rebecca Moores chair of history and African-American Studies at the University of Houston, doesn't think men on the wrong side of history deserve a platform.

"Why should traitors be honored?" Horne said. "It really makes no sense, and it really needs to stop."

***

Gwendolyn Scott, Gabrielle's grandmother, went looking for a new home in 1989.

Her husband, Wilford, was set to work for Dow Chemical in Freeport, but Scott wanted to live closer to Houston, for a better chance at getting a job.

Missouri City was an easy compromise.

Finding a neighborhood to build a house in was the tricky part.

Scott, now 67, remembers briefly considering Sienna Plantation, but she bristled at the name and the history - it was originally a sugar and cotton plantation.

She and her husband then explored a neighborhood close by, a subdivision called Vicksburg Village of Shiloh.

There was no escaping the echoes of the Civil War, with streets named for battles and leaders, like Confederate Court and Cumberland Drive.

Scott found a place to live on Bedford Forrest.

A former teacher and librarian, she pressed the salesman from Perry Homes about the origin of the street name.

"Do you know who Bedford Forrest was?" she asked the young white man.

"Was he a general?" he asked.

Scott explained that Nathan Bedford Forrest was the original grand wizard of the KKK. She told him about his leadership during the battle of Fort Pillow in Tennessee, where African-American soldiers were slaughtered.

The salesperson did not know anything about the general, Scott said, and he didn't seem to care.

A manager eventually explained to Scott that the name "doesn't mean anything now."

Scott reasoned with herself about the neighborhood. It was a nice cul-de-sac for her middle school-age son and daughter to grow up on.

But the name bothered her.

As they moved into the home in March 1990, Scott thought about complaining to City Council.

"I wanted to make trouble about the name, but then I didn't want to, because I didn't think it would do any good," she said.

Instead, she decided she would educate her neighbors.

"It started not to bother me, you know?" Scott explained. And in a way, she started to feel empowered, as if her presence on that street was a statement against racism.

One neighbor gave her a biography of Forrest that she said tried to paint a rosier picture of him.

Similarly, John Wyeth in "Lieu of Lieutenant" describes how Forrest, a wealthy Tennessee plantation owner, was kind to his slaves, clothing them and trying his best to not separate families.

Historians also say Forrest distanced himself from the KKK in later years. Others argue that he wasn't the first grand wizard.

But to Scott, no book or atonement was going to make her see him any differently.

"In my mind, there's no such thing as a good slave master."

***

The Vicksburg community was envisioned in 1984 by developers, with apartments, condominiums and offices, based on records from the Fort Bend County Clerk's office.

Samuel Yager, who was in charge of land development for General Homes, the now-defunct company that developed the neighborhood, said he doesn't remember why they focused on the Civil War.

"I think the first subdivision I developed I cared about the names," Yager said. "After that, I let somebody else do it. It was just a pain in the rear."

But he doesn't believe there was any intent to make a statement.

Yager, who started his own development company after leaving General Homes in 1989, said land planners typically choose a theme - like flowers or birds - when developing a neighborhood.

Then the street names are based around the theme.

Eventually, street names have to be approved by the city's engineering department, to avoid duplications.

More than 70,000 people make up growing Missouri City, a suburb southwest of Houston. African-Americans are the majority of the population at 40.6 percent, according to data provided by the Fort Bend Economic Development Council.

The neighborhood around Bedford Forrest Drive mirrors that diversity.

Councilman Don Smith, who is African American and was unaware of the street name in his district, said the city's diversity makes neighborhoods like Vicksburg and Sienna Plantation stand out all the more.

He said if a citizen brought up changing the name, he would consider it.

"It's hypocritical for us to readily accept streets and subdivisions named after Civil War Confederate heroes whose ideas and doctrines are totally opposed to citizens in Missouri City," Smith said.

Missouri City adopted an ordinance on July 3 for residents who want to change a street name. It was created after controversy developed late last year around changing Orchard Street to Ruben Davis Drive, for a longtime Fort Bend County constable who died last October.

Under the ordinance, a person can submit an application to the public works department to either change or rename a street, but the name can be denied for several reasons. Among them: "If the proposed name demeans, intimidates or maliciously portrays any gender, racial or ethnic group or other protected class."

But the people on Bedford Forrest have become accustomed to the name on address labels and driver's licenses. Many neighbors said they feel indifferent to it.

"Nobody seems to care," said Ken Manuel on a Saturday earlier this year. Manuel, who is white and in his 60s, has lived on the street for 25 years.

He said he has had good neighbors and liked raising his two children next to people who didn't look like him.

"As far as the street name goes," he said, "I think if they mind it that much, then they wouldn't have moved here."

***

Andie Scott has made peace with the street where she lives. She was an eighth-grader when she watched her mother question that Perry Homes salesperson. The 41-year-old now works as a financial analyst; she purchased the home in 2012 from her parents.

Scott participates in the community's Facebook page, where families invite other families to events like ballet recitals.

She likes the neighborhood garage sales held twice a year and how people participate in National Night Out.

She has made Bedford Forrest her own. Hatred is not the only feeling it inspires.

"You use situations such as this and take it to a different place," she said. "Use it to fuel your own motivation and perseverance - that there are people out there who don't want me to succeed simply because of the color of my skin, but despite them, and because of them, I will. "

Joseph Ralph Gallo, an African-American neighbor, lives on the corner and must glance at the street sign every time he steps outside.

"That sign makes me realize why I have to carry on," he said.

Gwendolyn Scott now lives in East Texas, but still occasionally visits the neighborhood.

She simmers, even now, over the sign and other salutes to that time in history.

They remind her of slave auctions, of people being beaten and killed.

"I see all the inhumanity," she said.

As for Forrest, she is glad there are black people living on the street that bears his name.

And she hopes, "if there is an afterlife, that he's roasting in the flames."
AUSTIN - Texas lawmakers sounded off on several pet peeves Thursday on the House floor as the chamber began passing bills demanded by Gov. Greg Abbott.

For some, they voiced frustration at the creation of new abortion laws. For others, it was the muddy politics involved in the battle over tree trimming. And for a few lawmakers in the back of the room, the venting was over the House speaker himself.

The 150-member Texas House began pushing through multiple bills that answer the governor's 20-item special session call that drew members back to Austin this month, giving the initial OK to a bill that would fund the extension of the Texas Medical Board and tentative approval to two bills on the governor's conservative to-do list.

Among them was House Bill 13, which requires additional reporting on abortion complications. After testy debate by Democrats challenging the need for the new rules, the Republican-controlled House voted 97-46 to give the bill initial approval.

If passed into law, abortion providers would be required to report within three business days if their patients have complications related to ending their pregnancy. Hospitals or clinics that did not perform the abortion would have 30 days to report.

Doctors, hospitals face fines

The legislation would require the health care providers to tell the state when the abortion was performed, what kind of procedure was used, what the gestational age was, the date the complication was diagnosed and a description of the complication. The bill would also require detailed reporting about the mother such as her date of birth, race, martial status, state and county of residence, along with the date of her last menstrual cycle, and her history of past abortions and live births.

Critics say the legislation creates an onerous and unnecessary bureaucracy for abortion providers in the state's quest to limit the safe procedure. Supporters contend the bill would help compile statistics on abortion complications to better understand the health and safety risks of the procedure.

Failure to report the information to the state would result in a $500 fine for each violation, with a third violation giving the state cause to revoke or suspend the physician's or health facility's licensing.

"Why would we single out one medical procedure" to be reported every 72 hours when the others are reported every six months, asked Rep. Donna Howard, an Austin Democrat and opponent of the bill.

Lawmakers also voted in favor of legislation that takes a whack at local tree trimming ordinances.

House Bill 7, which passed 132-11, is identical to a measure Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, passed with nearly unanimous support in the regular legislative session. The bill requires the approximately 50 local municipalities that impose tree mitigation fees to allow people to apply for a credit to offset the fee for tree planting.

The governor vetoed that bill after it passed during the regular session, and said it didn't go far enough to stop local governments from micromanaging property owners.

"I've had enough of the cities telling what people can and can't do in their daily lives," Rep. Larry Phillips, a Sherman Republican said on the House floor before saying he would vote for the bill. "I don't think it goes far enough."

Rep. Matt Schaefer, a Republican from Tyler, also voted for the bill, saying it was a step in the right direction.

Straus under scrutiny

Schaefer was one of about 50 conservative Republicans at a Monday meeting with Abbott pushing members to sign on as supporters of his preferred legislation by Friday. Phelan's tree bill, Schaefer recalled, was not the bill the governor wants.

Tension between factions of Republicans in the Legislature have been an issue all year in the Texas Capitol. Schaefer, chairman of the 12-member Freedom Caucus in the House, said dynamics of the special session are no different as conservative members try to push the governor's agenda through the more moderate House.

"We're on a pace to leave conservative priorities unfinished," said Schaefer, who blamed House Speaker Joe Straus, a San Antonio Republican, for a lack of progress on the governor's agenda. "It's very clear the speaker is sending a message to Gov. Abbott that his conservative agenda doesn't line up with his."

The Senate has rushed to pass 18 bills - some in the middle of the night - pertaining to the governor's 20 priority issues in less than 10 days. Straus said early in the session "this isn't a race," and vowed the House would act deliberately.

"Texas House committees are focused on doing what's in the best interest of Texas, and that's why they have spent all week working on bills, listening to the public, and building consensus," said Jason Embry, Straus' spokesman.

"The House will continue to focus on substance, and Speaker Straus is grateful for the committee chairmen and House members who are hard at work trying to get the details right."
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will face trial in December for the first of three criminal charges, a Houston judge ruled Thursday.

Jury selection will begin Dec. 1 and testimony will start Dec. 11 for the count of failing to register as an investment adviser with the state. Paxton, who was indicted in 2015, also faces two first-degree felony charges of securities fraud.

The hearing Thursday was the second in the case for state District Judge Robert Johnson of the 177th Criminal Court, a freshman jurist assigned to oversee Paxton's case after it was moved from the attorney general's home of Collin County.

Paxton's trial was originally scheduled for May, then moved to September. Both those dates were scrapped amid upheaval over where the trial should be held and whether the visiting judge would remain at the bench.

The three special prosecutors building a case against Paxton want the judge to delay the trial until a tangential case holding up their pay is settled. Johnson was set to consider those arguments after getting up to speed on the case.

In court Thursday, special prosecutors Kent Schaffer and Brian Wice agreed to give defense attorneys the names of witnesses who appeared before the grand jury that indicted Paxton.

Other issues will be resolved at a pretrial hearing scheduled on Nov. 2.

Paxton attorney Dan Cogdell showed confidence in prevailing in the case quickly, noting that prosecutors have the burden to prove the charge.

"We think the case is shorter than they think it is," Cogdell said.

Schaffer shot back: "The punishment phase could last longer."

Paxton, a lawyer and former state legislator who won a four-year term in 2014, is planning to run for re-election. The filing deadline for the 2018 elections is Dec. 11  the trial's scheduled start date. If found guilty, Paxton faces fines and up to 99 years in prison.

A federal court dismissed similar charges brought against the high-profile Republican earlier this year.

There was no mention Thursday of the unresolved issue of compensation for the special prosecutors; Collin County has indicated it no longer will pay for the prosecution.
RAJA PUR, Pakistan - Police on Thursday arrested the head of a village council in central Pakistan for allegedly sanctioning the rape of a teenage girl, a police spokeswoman said, as Amnesty International urged for a ban on such village councils that incite crimes against women.

In multiple raids over two days, police also arrested 23 councilmen over the same case, according to the spokeswoman, Shabina Kareem.

The suspects all attended a July meeting in which council chief Saeed Patwari allegedly gave Mohammad Ashfaq permission to rape a 17-year-old girl to avenge the rape of his 13-year-old sister by another man, Omar Wadda. The 17-year-old is Wadda's sister.

Such "honor" crimes are still common in some rural Pakistani areas.

A village council in 2002 ordered the "honor" gang rape of Mukhtar Mai, a young woman who took her rapists to court. That case gathered international prominence, and she later opened a school for rural girls.

In this latest case, a regional police chief and some other officers were fired for their belated response after the first rape took place in the village of Raja Pur, near the city of Multan, on July 16. The second rape followed two days later.

"We will do justice with the both victims," said Shahbaz Sharif, the chief minister of Punjab province, during a visit to Multan.

Kareem, the police spokeswoman, said Ashfaq was still at large but Wadda has been arrested and charged with raping Ashfaq's sister.

Residents in Raja Pur stepped forward with shocking details about the council meeting and how the case of the rape was common knowledge.

Mohammad Bilal, a cousin of the 17-year-old rape victim, described how the council declined the family's request to turn to the police, instead seeking to do justice in line with traditions of the village - and order the second rape.

Bilal said some women from Wadda's family were present when the council met.

The incident angered domestic and international human right activists.

Tahira Abdullah, a top human rights activist, condemned the rapes and said that what the council did was illegal. She demanded stern action against all who sanction such crimes.
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RAQQA, Syria - Heavy fighting broke out Thursday as U.S.-backed Syrian fighters captured almost half of the Islamic State group's de facto capital of Raqqa, but the push into the city in northern Syria slowed because of stiff resistance and large amounts of explosives planted by the extremists, a spokeswoman for the fighters and monitors said.

The assault on Raqqa by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led fighting coalition, began June 6, backed by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes and U.S. troops advising the local forces.

Since then, the SDF has made steady advances from the eastern and western sides of the city, reaching the walled old quarter.

The fall of Raqqa, the extremist group's self-proclaimed capital, would be a huge loss for ISIS, which earlier this month lost the Iraqi city of Mosul. But much tougher fighting still lies ahead.

Army Col. Ryan Dillon, spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group, said 45 percent of Raqqa was under the control of the SDF.

'Sporadic resistance'

In a series of tweets, he said the SDF cleared about 9 square miles of terrain this past week fighting against "stiff, sporadic resistance" from ISIS militants entrenched in Raqqa.

Commanders on the western Raqqa front line said there were about 800 meters left before SDF forces moving from east and west would connect - tightening the noose on ISIS.

The battlefield Thursday was busy with hundreds of SDF fighters taking cover inside destroyed buildings less than 500 meters from ISIS combatants. SDF troops lobbed dozens of mortar shells at the militants, who sent out armed drones above the SDF forces

Meanwhile, senior U.N. humanitarian official Ursula Mueller told the U.N. Security Council by video from Jordan on Thursday that an estimated 20,000 to 50,000 people remained in Raqqa.

She said the city was encircled and "there is no way for them to get out."

Since April 1, over 200,000 people have fled their homes in the area around Raqqa, she said. The figure includes more than 30,000 displaced just this month as U.S.-backed Syrian fighters try to oust the extremists.

Nisreen Abdullah, the Kurdish spokeswoman, told the Associated Press that the pace of the advance into Raqqa had slowed because of huge amounts of explosives laid by ISIS fighters.

As the extremists become more surrounded, they have increased their suicide attacks on fighters of the SDF, she added.

"Raqqa has become a booby-trapped city, and this shows their (ISIS') weakness," said Abdullah, of the Women's Protection Units or YPJ, speaking from northern Syria. "They are also using civilians as human shields and this is slowing the push as well."

Many casualties

She said the Syrian Democratic Forces, which includes the Kurdish YPJ women fighters, now controls 45 percent of Raqqa. She added that since the offensive began, SDF fighters have fully captured eight neighborhoods.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also said SDF fighters control half of Raqqa. The attacks on the city have claimed many casualties among the tens of thousands of civilians who are still trapped in areas controlled by ISIS.
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Gov. Greg Abbott has targeted the power of Texas cities in the special legislative session he has called this month, but so far has not responded to requests from the mayors of three of the state's four largest municipalities seeking to discuss their concerns.

Abbott included more than 20 items on his call for a special session that started July 18, including measures aimed at reining in local governments and their regulations. Those targets include annexation rules, ordinances to protect trees, local government permitting regulations and limits on local government property tax collections.

A day after the governor launched the special session accusing regulation-happy cities of undermining the "Texas brand," 18 mayors asked the governor for a meeting to discuss their concerns. Abbott scheduled meetings with 10 of the mayors, mostly from small cities, within a week and has since set a meeting next week with the mayors of Dallas and Fort Worth, a spokeswoman for Dallas mayor Mike Rawlings said.

Abbott aides said Friday they are working to schedule meetings with all 18 mayors, but the leaders of staunchly Democratic Houston, San Antonio and Austin said they had heard nothing from the Republican governor's office as of Friday afternoon.

Asked about his lack of a meeting invite after Wednesday's council meeting, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner grinned and said he was sure he had been left out due to a lack of space in the governor's office.

"We have a lot of work to do and, hopefully, the decisions that are made during the special session will not unduly affect or negatively impact the cites in the state," Turner said. "The cities represent the engine of this state. You cannot turn off the engines and still expect the state to flourish."

Jason Stanford, spokesman for Austin Mayor Steve Adler, took a more direct stance.

"Austin and Texas' biggest cities are where Texas' economy is growing fastest and where most Texans live and work," he said. "If you hurt these cities, Texas bleeds. If you help these cities thrive, Texas gets stronger. Refusing even to meet with these mayors is cutting off your nose to spite the state."

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg's spokesman Bruce Davidson said his city had not heard from Abbott's office as of midday Friday.

"Mayor Nirenberg would still appreciate the opportunity to meet with the governor to discuss the city's views," Davidson said.

Abbott thus far has met with the mayors of Galveston, Corpus Christi, San Marcos, Amarillo, El Paso, Lubbock, Arlington, Frisco, Irving and McKinney.

Bennett Sandlin, director of the Texas Municipal League, expressed optimism about the intergovernmental talks.

"We were concerned that cities seemed to be the target of this special session call, and I've heard good reports from the mayors that have had these meetings so far, that the governor was knowledgeable about the differences between Texas cities and the role that cities play in economic development," Sandlin said. "We hope to build on that."

Mike Ward contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON - Remember this day, July 28, 2017. The day Donald Trump became a lame duck president. More significantly, the day the Tea Party revolution ended and Washington began the return to "regular order."

The coup de grace came at 1:30 a.m. on the Senate floor as John McCain became the third Republican to break ranks and defeat the third and final attempt to repeal Obamacare, which embodied the Democrats' promise that all American could - and should - have health insurance at a price they could afford. It was, as Tea Party Republicans had warned, another expensive government entitlement that, once granted, could never be taken away. Now John McCain had acknowledged that political reality.

Although it appeared to fall short by a single vote in the Senate, that was always going to be the margin of defeat for the seven-year effort to repeal Obamacare that had become the centerpiece of the Tea Party revolt. There were as many as 10 Republicans who had acknowledged that proposal cobbled together at the last minute by the Republican leadership was so bad that, earlier in the day, they had demanded assurances from the House of Representatives that it would never become law.

It was left to McCain, however, to do the deed so the others could protect themselves from the retribution of party leaders or the wrath of party Tea Party voters in the next Republican primary. Having just been diagnosed with brain cancer, the senior senator from Arizona had achieved that state of political liberation where he no longer had to worry about such things.

McCain was joined in his "no" vote by Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who earlier in the week had received a call from the secretary of the Interior warning that the administration would drop its support for expanded energy drilling and road construction in Alaska if she dared to defy the president and Republican leadership on the crucial vote. Murkowski did not take well to being muscled in that ham-handed fashion. As chair of the two relevant committees, she announced that she was indefinitely postponing sessions to consider nominations to Interior's top positions and to mark up its 2018 appropriations.

The collapse of the Obamacare repeal effort was hardly the only evidence of the waning influence of Trump and his Tea Party supporters.

In the hours before the vote, the attorney general of the United States had defiantly declared he had no intention of acceding to White House requests that he resign and dared the president to fire him.

"If he wants to make a change, he can certainly do so," Jeff Sessions told Fox News. The Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, urged on by several Republican colleagues, had already warned the Republican president that anyone appointed to replace Sessions would not receive a confirmation hearing. And senators of both parties had indicated that they would use parliamentary slight of hand to keep the Senate in formal session through the normal summer recess to prevent Trump from replacing Sessions with a recess appointment.

Earlier in the day, military and civilian leaders at the Pentagon indicated they would "study" what to do about transgender members of the armed forces after the commander in chief had tweeted that they would no longer be allowed to serve.

And at the White House, the long-running tong war among members of the president's top staff finally broke out into the open, as the new communications chief let loose with a profanity-laced rant against a chief of staff whom he characterized as a paranoid schizophrenic leaker and chief strategist who spent his days engaged in political self-fellatio.

Hoping to demonstrate, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that the business of government was proceeding apace, the White House and the Republican leadership of the House and Senate issued a five-paragraph "statement of principles" for a long-promised reform of the tax code. Months in the making, the statement was a nothing-burger of political and economic platitudes that failed to resolve the central challenge of reducing tax rates without reducing tax revenue and exploding the federal deficit.

This is a Waterloo moment for Trump, the Tea Party and their alliance. They have been stopped in their tracks not only by Democratic opposition, but because of a mutiny within their own ranks. Although never particularly liked or respected, it is now clear that they are no longer feared. The bankruptcy of their ideas and their incompetence has been exposed. Their momentum has been dissipated. Their rejection of political norms has itself been scorned. Our long national nightmare may finally be coming to an end.

---

Pearlstein is a Washington Post business and economics writer. He is also Robinson Professor of Public Affairs at George Mason University.
"Texas is being California-ized and you may not even be noticing it!"

Gov. Greg Abbott issued that dire warning about left coast influence insidiously invading our state shortly before he took office. So it's especially noteworthy that his current special session of the Legislature has produced a couple of bills that seem like they're straight out of a playbook showing how California degenerated into an ungovernable mess.

State lawmakers are pushing legislation requiring that two routine functions of local government - raising taxes and annexing territory - go on the ballot for voter approval. The idea of citizens voting on workaday government matters has a certain populist appeal. But just as California's referendum system has rendered it dysfunctional, forcing issues like these on the ballot is a bad idea for Texas.

One of these proposals, Senate Bill 6, would require a public vote before Texas' largest cities could annex new territory. The other, Senate Bill 1, would require local governments to hold a referendum if their property tax revenues surpass certain thresholds, sort of like speed limits on tax collections. Big cities like Houston would have to go to voters if their tax revenues rose more than 4 percent; smaller governments that collect less than $20 million would have to hold a referendum if their revenues rose more than 8 percent.

Once again, these bills are examples of how state elected officials who call themselves conservative are usurping the authority of local governments. But beyond that hypocrisy, this idea of forcing local governments to put more and more issues on the ballot is poor public policy.

There's a reason our forefathers bequeathed us a tradition of representative government. We citizens generally don't have the time or the inclination to research every contract and every issue that appears on a city council agenda. We elect mayors, city councils, county judges and commissioners to develop expertise on those matters and judge them on our behalf. Holding referendums on routine government functions puts voters in the position of giving simple, yes or no, answers to sometimes complicated public policy questions. And yes, that includes issues involving tax revenues and expanding city limits.

Don't think for a minute that referendum results are always an accurate reflection of public opinion. They're generally low turnout elections, so their outcomes are more likely to be a measure of which side has the more energized base of voters. It's a safe bet that tax issues and municipal annexations are more likely to agitate opponents than attract supporters. So forcing those matters onto the ballot represents yet another way state elected officials are trying to gum up the works of local government.

Californians have learned the hard way that throwing too many things on the ballot is a lousy idea, an exercise in extreme democracy that's created chaos. In a way, our Founding Fathers debated the merits and disadvantages of this issue two centuries ago. Shortly after the Constitutional Convention adjourned in Philadelphia, legend has it someone asked Benjamin Franklin what sort of government would rule the new nation.

"A republic, madam, if you can keep it," Franklin responded.

Our representative governments are republics, not direct democracies. Our supposedly conservative state elected leaders shouldn't force local governments to hold referendums on routine municipal issues. We don't need California-style government in Texas.
It is hard to know whether Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is crazy or stupid or both, but he has made his oil-rich country into the quintessential banana republic and appears likely now to complete its ruin economically and politically.

With polls showing almost 90 percent of the Venezuelan people wanting him and his United Socialist Party gone, Maduro instead is holding a "Constituent Assembly" on Sunday to elect a rump government that is likely to disband the current opposition-led National Assembly and write a new constitution institutionalizing socialism and extending Maduro's rule, currently set to end in 2019.

Venezuela has the world's largest oil reserves, but there are severe shortages of food and medicines, public health is suffering, the currency is virtually worthless and there are daily major anti-government demonstrations.

More than 100 people have been killed by police and military fighting to contain the protests, which government opponents have vowed to step up ahead of the coming vote. They also will boycott the plebiscite.

In sum, the situation is disastrous and getting more dangerous by the day. It is feared that a major blood bath will occur very soon unless something changes.

Much of the world - with notable exceptions including China and Russia - has condemned Maduro and called for sanity, which has been a waste of breath because Maduro says everything is the result of a U.S. conspiracy.

But it is clear that an international attempt must be made to save Venezuela from itself. It is not clear what can be done.

On Wednesday, the U.S. fired a warning shot by issuing economic and travel sanctions against 13 present and former Venezuelan officials.

President Donald Trump has threatened "strong and swift economic sanctions" that according to news reports could include the prohibition of transactions in U.S. dollars by Venezuela's state-run oil company PDVSA or a ban on U.S purchases of Venezuelan oil, which total about 700,000 barrels a day, much of it by Texas companies.

Both would further damage Venezuela's staggering economy, but Maduro opponents say they also would add to the Venezuelan people's suffering and give Maduro more ammunition to blame the country's problems on the U.S. They argue, too, that it would threaten a growing international consensus against Maduro.

We have argued before and will do so again for a regional diplomatic initiative, as Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski suggested recently, to try to resolve the situation without further violence.

The U.S. has learned the hard way that unilateral sanctions can be problematic - witness our long, failed trade embargo against Cuba, Venezuela's socialist friend.

Instead, the U.S. needs to give full support to a regional effort, use its wealth and weight behind the scenes and hold in reserve the decision on whether to impose sanctions.

It should start by doing what it hasn't done sufficiently so far - get strongly behind an effort led by Organization of American States Secretary General Luis Almagro for the hemispheric organization to put political pressure on Venezuela.

Our Secretary of State Rex Tillerson didn't even bother to show up at a recent OAS meeting of foreign ministers that fell just short of the unanimous vote needed to officially condemn Venezuela. U.S. lobbying might have changed the outcome, observers said.

We won't drone on about the Trump administration's mistakes, but it was a serious missed opportunity that we can only hope will come again - and very soon because things are coming to a head in Venezuela.
Unwise gunplay

Regarding "Robbery suspect wounded in leg in Third Ward" (Page A3, Thursday), people probably will cheer the Wingstop restaurant employee who shot a robber as he was escaping, but I don't see much to cheer about.

At that point, the employee was clearly not in danger; the robber was leaving. Firing a bullet in the city, you never know where it may end up. With a slight change in aim, it could have missed the robber, crossed the street and hit someone inside a building.

And finally, if the robber had been killed, robbery is not a capital offense. We do not put people to death for robbery, and this is not the Wild West.

Alan Jackson, Houston

Health care and fairness

Regarding "Senate rejects broad health plan" (Page A1, Wednesday), I have a very simple solution to what seems to be a major problem for our U.S. Congress concerning the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare.

Just give the American people the very same health care plan that covers our House and Senate members, family and staff.

And while they are at it, they can put themselves on the same Social Security plan that most of us are saddled with.

Gene Sims, Pearland

Never-ending taxation

Regarding "State must fix property appraisal system" (Page A11, Tuesday), I have recently come from my annual visit to Harris County Appraisal District.

The past two years, my property taxes have gone up 10 percent each year, which is the maximum allowed on my homestead.

But the taxes have gone up an incredible 36 percent on my rental property in the same time period.

The system favors the county, with the Appraisal Review Board being paid by HCAD, so it is in the interests of the ARB to serve the county interests.

Even Gov. Greg Abbott said in his op-ed that something is wrong with the current system ("Local property tax burden is crushing the Texas dream," Page A17, Wednesday).

For us older folks on a fixed income, this system puts an unfair burden on us with the annual property increases.

A mandatory cap needs to be put into law to end this form of unfair and never-ending taxation.

Richard L. Ray, Houston

Senate perseverance

Regarding "Senate rejects broad health plan" (Page A1, Wednesday), I firmly believe that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's relentless efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act have nothing to do with anything other than his desire to fulfill his promise made at the beginning of President Obama's first term, that Obama would be a one-term president and that none of his proposed legislation would come to fruition.

McConnell, R-Ky., failed on both counts so far, but look for him to persevere in attempting to repeal Obama's signature legislation, regardless of the cost, both financial and physical, to the citizens of the United States.

Marilyn Mounger, Conroe
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Five years ago when I was jobless, penniless and living off my girlfriend's wages, I was offered the chance to work for a new tech startup in exchange for bitcoin. I kindly declined. At the time I had no idea what bitcoin was or how/if I could spend it. I decided not to give up my creative dreams and continue making my way as a struggling writer and filmmaker.

I'd almost forgotten about that strange job offer until a few days ago when I came across the story of a very lucky Norwegian man named Kristoffer Koch. Koch had invested 150 kroner (roughly 22) in 5,000 bitcoins in 2009 and forgot about them shortly afterwards. Three years later he logged in to his account and discovered that's he was almost a millionaire, amassing $886,000. He subsequently withdrew a fifth of his earnings and purchased a flat in central Oslo.

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In April 2013 the value of bitcoin peaked at $266 before crashing due to the seizure of the Silk Road online drugs marketplace. Had Koch withdrawn his money then he would have gained millionaire status ($1,330,000). During the following years the value of bitcoin fluctuated; however, it has always remained a savvy investment for those early backers. And while it's still unstable, analysts state that even at its highest point, it has been no way near its cap. Some experts even believe that the value of an individual bitcoin could reach $100,000 within the next ten years! -- although this is highly unlikely. To put that into perspective, Koch's initial $22 investment would be worth $500,000,000...

We've all had at least one of those "what if I..." moments in our lives, a choice that could have changed our path for good, leading to an extremely prosperous future. Ever since I read the story of Koch I've wondered just how much I could be worth now if I took a chance and said yes to working for that little tech starup. Now, whenever I browse the web for the latest cryptocurrency news, I'm reminded that the value of Ethereum is going up... again, I wonder...

But there are still many crypto-critics out there, those who don't believe digital currencies will ever overtake hard cash. For my own sanity I'd like to believe them -- I really don't want another "what if I" moment! But on the surface it seems as though physical money has been dying for a long time. And with bitcoin proving all the critics wrong, perhaps we're closer to a full-blown cash extinction than we think.

The Countries Leading the Cashless Race

Living in Sweden over the last five years I've seen the rapid decline of "hard cash" first hand. During the last three months alone there has been two occasions when I've withdrawn money from an ATM, and then been told, "We don't accept cash" when trying to use it at the checkout, once in a clothing store, another in a restaurant. I was even more taken aback a few weeks ago when I gave a Swedish friend a 100 kroner note, only to have him carefully examine it and say "I haven't seen this note before" despite the new prints being released almost a year ago. Over here, not having the app Swish is akin to living off the grid. I've since, with some reluctance, made the transition.

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While the Swedes are leading the cashless race, the Danish are also making great strides towards having a cashless society, last year announcing that they're getting rid of obligations for stores to accept cash payments. Now over half the population use MobilePay on a day-to-day basis. Even the Americans aren't far behind. Wells Fargo, Chase and Citibank have already started installing fingerprint ATM machines, and it won't be long until card readers boast the same tech -- yet another stepping stone.

The Retailers Leading the Cashless Race

Earlier this year, Coin Geek conducted an experiment where they sent financial directors of 20 top online retail brands a request to accept bitcoin. While most of them answered "No", AirBnb and Laurence Tosi took up the offer, with the former stating that they're soon to add a "Bitcoin Accepted Here" logo to their website. Although this may not seem like a massive stride forward, these are two brands that wouldn't have taken the offer seriously one year ago. Additionally, many other big retail chains, such as Starbucks, Subway, Dell, Expedia, Overstock and Microsoft, are already on board with bitcoin.

Amazon have also been the first major retailer to brake the checkout-less barrier by opening a store in Seattle where customers scan their phones at the door and use the Amazon Go application to complete purchases -- sensors fitted around the store track what customers pick up and put back. Other retail chains are tipped to follow the example in the not-so-distant future.
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You know when you read a headline and you just have to click on it, like 'Sheffield Man 'Cuts Off Toe With Bolt Cutters And Eats It' or 'Pensioner's Giant Cock Has Become A Tourist Attraction In Fife', well this happened to me the other day. It wasn't quite so graphic as those two examples, but it still made me go 'huh?'

It was quite simply: 'A Natural Honey That Not Only Kills Bacteria But Even 'Superbugs'.

I'm not a naturalist by nature, I believe in the powers of modern medicine and openly scoff at those who chow down on herbal supplements. But seriously? The greatest scientists in the world can't find a cure for the MRSA superbug, but mother nature, using bees, has? This required further investigation.

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Sure I've heard of drinking lemon and honey when you have a sore throat and obviously eating a teaspoon of honey will give you an energy boost like no other (you are after all just consuming sugar). But I'm not an advocate of eating unnecessary amounts of sugar (see former posts for more details). I believe less is definitely more when it comes to the white stuff, so I just didn't know what to do with the information that manuka honey is not only good for you, but one should be encouraged to enjoy 1-2 tsp a day. That goes against everything I stand for. And then there's the statement that honey kills the MRSA bacteria. Surely this is one step too far.

How wrong I was. Honey contains a naturally-occurring, active agent that is thought to support good health. But it is a very fragile agent, easily destroyed by heat and light, hence why unrefined honey is hailed as the best there is. Well, unrefined honey has just been trumped. Turns out manuka honey contains an extra active ingredient that with stands the rigour of heat and light.

This 'super' honey has long been used by the Maori of New Zealand as their go-to superfood for healing the body inside and out. Manuka honey's power lies in its UMF (Unique Manuka Factor - no I'm not kidding), a scale that was created to measure the antibacterial strength of the honey. In order for the honey to be effective it has to have a score higher than 10 (the highest grades of 16 being used in the medical field).

How do you harness manuka honey's powers?

1. Eat it (on toast or neat).

2. Drink it (in tea).

3. Spread it on wounds.

According to doctors, thanks to the honey's high sugar content (about the only time doctors will ever say that), it creates a waterless environment, and without water, bacteria can't survive.

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How does manuka honey beat the MRSA superbug?

So here it is - bacteria are one of the most resilient organisms on our little green planet and they are constantly evolving to become resistant to modern antibiotics. As a result pharmaceutical companies are looking to alternative medicines to help them out and that's where the manuka honey comes in. The European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases has published a study, which shows that using manuka honey to fight infections caused by bacteria is highly effective, including the MRSA bacteria. The manuka honey actually causes multi-system failure in the bacteria, rendering them unable to form a resistance against it.
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There are pillars of smoke climbing over Dunkirk. There are people who have fled war on ramshackle boats, there is pain and there is death.

The scene is not May 1940 but April 2017 in the Grande-Synthe refugee camp by Dunkirk. Hundreds went missing after a night of fire. A year earlier I spoke to an aid worker who said his charity were banned from erecting better structures than flimsy wooden shacks.

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The British tabloid press frame these people as an invasion more akin to the Wehrmacht than to the Dunkirk survivors now immortalised in Christopher Nolan's new blockbuster. They did the same in 1938; the Mail warned of German Jews "pouring" in through the "back door", and Spanish children brought here were the lucky ones not left fending for themselves in the Basque mountains (even though the Kindertransport is an argument deployed by refugee advocates now.) Nigel Farage has harnessed the Dunkirk legacy and yoked it to his narrow agenda.

But Dunkirk is more than a simple patriotic war story; it is a strange tale and the place it holds in our wartime mythology deserves examination. There are no shortage of British victories in the war to be lionised. Yet the tanks that pushed Rommel from Africa, the battleships protecting Atlantic convoys, even the D-Day landers, are squeezed from prominence by a romantic fixation on the defeats and near-misses of 1940: the Blitz, the Battle of Britain, and the Dunkirk fishing boats.

Why celebrate a military defeat that required the strongest navy on Earth to corral fishermen in order to stop the British Expeditionary Force's annihilation? Why celebrate an event that left a few fighter squadrons defending the mainland before the carpet bombing of our cities? Perhaps it's a national obstreperousness that likes to focus on when Britain stood alone, not having to acknowledge their later dependence on American paratroopers and Soviet tanks.

It's possible that this fixation is something more, a desperate yearning to be the underdog. The underdog is not a role Britain gets to play - it had an empire that outgunned all opponents while pillaging and subjugating its way around the world.

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Dunkirk provides an escape route to a different Britishness. It's palatable to the Mail because it's draped in Churchill memorabilia, but it speaks to something deeper than wartime kitsch. It's about the courage and solidarity of ordinary people, and their ability to succeed where the powerful fall short.

In observers it sparked a strange sentimentality - American author Gallico's contemporary novella, The Snow Goosehttps://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/dec/19/winter-reads-snow-goose-paul-gallico, begins with the kindness displayed by a little girl toward a wounded goose on the Essex marshes and closes with the kindness of a lonely artist in a lighthouse toward soldiers trapped on the beaches; compassion that ultimately costs his life. Gallico appreciated that this was more than a simple battle story.

Nolan's film captures the sense of "miracle" at Dunkirk. The language of the battle is steeped in apotheosis; salvation and deliverance. But it's not Mons in WWI, where soldiers told tales of angels protecting them above. The real life plot twist is that the miracle is granted by ordinary men and women coming together. It is a rare war story where warriors are not the agents, but helpless subjects rescued by civilians. It upends everything we believe about war and that is what makes it such a compelling tale.

Nolan (and also Hans Zimmer, who has scored some of the most raw and honest portraits of WWII in Band of Brothers and The Pacific) understand this to an extent The long, languid, graceful shots juxtaposed with jarring cuts and screeching gunfire are all set to an eerie score that lends the film an otherworldly sense. It's part action film and part arthouse, the kind of account that could only be provided with sufficient distance from the war. The recitation of Churchill's speech at the end comes across incongruously: it is stirring, but remains insufficient.

But the retelling of Dunkirk falls short, for Nolan is an uncompromising reactionary. He's most recently known for The Dark Knight Rises and its mawkish scenes of police saving us from pastiches of revolutionaries (released in the US during the Occupy movement). His subject the triumph of the little people - but if there is a theme to his work, it's that "the people" can never be trusted. Here we still see far more soldiers than we do boat people.

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In real life, a beleaguered government didn't have that luxury of mistrusting the masses; they mobilised them to the point where they had a known Communist militant advising on the creation of the Home Guard. Dunkirk began a wartime Britain where rationing levelled class divides, where the progressive Beveridge Report became one of the most circulated documents among soldiers, and where after the war people decided that the horrors of mass unemployment and crippling medical bills would be consigned to history with V2 rockets and blackout curtains. It marked a change in how we saw the world.

That history is now bitterly contested. On one hand the postwar government was far from perfect. Often memories of it skim over the troublesome bits and whitewash the racial diversity of the period. Meanwhile hardline conservatives invoke the Blitz Spirit mythology for their own ends - there's a short road from the little people to Little England. It's a road eagerly taken by Nigel Farage, who tells "youngsters" to watch Dunkirk and absorb his interpretation. Opposing talking heads in The Guardian have joined the fray, comparing the threat of Brexit to Dunkirk. Comparing historic battles to random current events is pointless, but it's true that the film is set against a question mark over national identity.

In it we find few answers, but more contested ground. As Jeremy Corbyn understands when he uses the Glasto stage to quote Shelley's poem about the Peterloo massacre (also the subject of a forthcoming film), every plan for the future needs a past to draw on. Those who say there is an archetypally British radical tradition in our history from the Diggers to Dunkirk are stretching it. But Dunkirk is still our story - a strange, multi-layered and defiant story - and is worth preserving for radicals as much as for anyone.
The weather in Lesvos is improving, the sea is calmer and clearer, and so the number of migrants making the perilous Mediterranean crossing to Europe is increasing. So are the deaths. So far 2,365 people have perished since January this year.

Here we go again.

With no let-up in the Syrian war; and fighting, human rights abuses and extreme poverty elsewhere people will continue to seek sanctuary and a better life, even if it means taking huge risks. It is a human instinct.

As images of crowded boats and seas are again splashed over front pages, I joined Rise, a network of European refugee-led organisations on a fact-finding mission to the Greek island of Lesvos. We were keen to see for ourselves the impact of the 2016 EU-Turkey Deal, which aims to discourage migrants from making the sea crossing to Europe. In return, Turkey receives aid and political concessions.

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Migrants (a term I am using to include refugees) who travel via Turkey to Greece will be sent back to Turkey if they do not apply for asylum or their claim is rejected. It is unclear who makes these decisions and on what grounds.

The deal also specifies that for every Syrian migrant sent back to Turkey, one Syrian already in Turkey will be resettled in the EU. The main aim of the 1:1 scheme is to discourage people from coming to Europe, although there is a limit to the number of those allowed in for resettlement.

Some 2,300 experts, including security and immigration officials and translators, were sent to Greece to help enforce the deal.

The deal is inhumane and against international protection conventions. It discriminates against certain nationalities such as Syrians and Afghans whose asylum applications in Greece are dealt with on the basis that Turkey is a 'safe third country' and therefore are refused.

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And it doesn't work. In Lesvos, tourist postcards have given way to images of boats and dinghies crashing onto the shores and spilling desperate survivors and human bodies onto beaches. Overwhelmed by the human tragedy unfolding before their eyes, the island's residents got their feet wet and rushed to the rescue.

The harbour in front of the Blue Sea hotel in Mytilene, the island's capital, is where the large passenger ferry to and from Turkey docks, alongside the ships of Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency tasked with protecting the EU's external borders. Frontex's website defines the organisation's responsibilities as "coordinating and organising joint operations and rapid border interventions to assist Member States at the external borders."

Those on the ground have a simpler interpretation of Frontex's role: keeping migrants out of Europe.

Turkey is visible from the island. I am told the quickest journey takes 20 minutes, but it's not an option for most of the migrants using the 'Turkey route'. With Frontex policing the sea, desperate migrants are damned whichever course of action they choose: staying put in a place where they struggle to survive, or taking greater risks and ending up at the mercy of smugglers.

A young Syrian asylum seeker outside the Moria, the biggest migrants' camp on the island, told me: "It took 21 attempts to get here, because of the harsh treatment of the Turkish coastguards, who imprisoned, beat and tortured me. In the final attempt, the captain abandoned the boat and we were forced to take control and make our own way. I spent all my savings only to face deportation back to Turkey. After facing a dangerous journey by sea, and after suffering torture at the hands of the Turkish coastguards, who shot at us in the dinghy, the coastguards cut the dinghy in half in the middle of the sea. People fell into the water. Thank God, I was lucky, but my friends drowned. My wife and mother are still in Syria waiting for me to help them out of the country."

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Asked what would he like to do now, he replied: "Nobody wants to stay in Greece. The Greeks themselves are leaving because they cannot find work. How are we supposed to find any work? If we try to go to Athens we are caught and returned here. This is now a prison. They've brought more machinery to make the camp bigger to keep us here."

Other asylum seekers were terrified of being sent back to Turkey because of the brutality of the police there and because they don't know what will happen to them if returned.

An Iraqi who has spent a year at the Moria camp says: "There is no justice here: they give one person a status and refuse 50 who they detain and deport. As we speak, there are five Iraqis in detention. The situation in the camp is bad, food is poor, and the money they give us is too little to survive on."

Our group also visited the Pipka solidarity camp, a childrens' summer camp before volunteers and NGOs turned it into an open refugee camp for vulnerable groups, such as people with disability, illness, and pregnant women.

All migrants at Pipka and on the island have arrived from Turkey by sea. A female asylum seeker told our group, at a briefing organised by Amnesty: "We are ready to die when we take that boat. You have to be on that boat to understand what's it like to make that journey."

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Another African asylum seeker explained that "it is not a boat: within an hour the water starts coming on board. If you are lucky, the rescue will see you. We have a lot of unaccompanied minors but no education on the island. We are making a lot of demonstrations because of the situation in the camps."

There are up to 4,000 asylum seekers in Lesvos, 2,000 of whom are in the Moria camp, which is a mixture of an open reception and detention centre. Migrants in Lesvos are mainly from Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia, Congo and Cameroon.

Staff and volunteers at the camps reported an increase in suicide attempts, self-harm, psychotic attacks, hepatitis and other physical and mental health problems among migrants in Lesvos. Residents at the Pipka camp include babies, cancer patients, HIV and heart patients as well as victims of torture. "Everyone is entitled to healthcare but the healthcare system is collapsing in Greece - long waits, very few medical staff and so on", a nurse at the camp explained.

A Syrian asylum seeker at Pipka told me of his concerns and fears for his elderly unwell mother. They have been on the island for nearly a year and feel trapped. "I can cope with all the hardship; I am a man I can take it. But I am very worried about my mother. She has already been through a lot. The uncertainty is torture. I do not understand what is the point of sending Syrians back to Turkey only to replace them with Syrians from there. We cannot survive in Turkey."

There are no reports from Turkish NGOs on what happens to people who are returned. NGOs say it is difficult to take legal action against the EU-Turkey Deal. From August 2017, EU funding will go directly to the Greek authorities rather than to the NGOs. Greek NGOs have started to feel the pinch and are reducing staff and services and are worried about the future of their operations.

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The EU-Turkey Deal punishes those who have made the risky journey in search of safety and a better life. Sending Syrians and others back to Turkey is sending a train passenger back to the station from which they set out when they have almost reached their destination - except that there are no ticket machines at the station: they have been sealed off as the EU shuts all legal routes.

A policeman says: "We have nothing against these people [the migrants], but they are asking too much of us, we cannot give them what they are asking for, and Europe will not drop the Dublin Regulation which also returns refugees to the country where they first touched land]. We are in this sad situation."

Before entering the small airport building to leave I took a last look at the sparkling sea and spotted a deflated dinghy on the pebbles.
A total of 24,000 of these mailers were sent to homes and businesses in Pittsfield.

Boston Nonprofit Sets Crosshairs on Farley-Bouvier In Mailer

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  A Boston-based advocacy group has taken aim at state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.

Residents throughout the city received a mailing recently calling on residents to call the Pittsfield Democrat and have her switch positions on a recent vote to increase stipends for lawmakers in leadership. It was sent out by the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, a non-profit that says its goal is to advocate for "fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability in state government."

"The reason for our mailer into Pittsfield is very simple, MassFiscal wants to make sure folks know how their lawmaker votes in Boston. This year has been tough on the taxpayer, given January's enormous legislative pay grab, out-of-control MassHealth spending, and the backroom deal making that makes it all possible," said spokesman Paul D. Craney.

The mailer particularly took aim at Farley-Bouvier's vote on the $18 million compensation package that raised the pay for those in leadership positions, but not the base pay of other lawmakers. The mailer reads, "Have you ever received a 40 percent pay raise? Or a $20,000 expense allowance?"

Farley-Bouvier said she found the mailer to be "disheartening" and untrue. She says the mailer implied that she received a 40 percent pay raise.

"I was disappointed and disheartened by them. To know that somebody was willing to distort the truth so badly and malign my name is disheartening," Farley-Bouvier said. "They clearly have a lot of money to spend and they weren't particularly interested in giving my constituents the truth."

Farley-Bouvier is just one of 10 lawmakers to be targeted with the campaign. The others include Brian Murray, Joan Meschino, Alice Peisch, Cory Atkins, Mark Cusack, Natalie Higgins, Paul McMurtry, Ann-Margaret Ferrante, and Harold Naughton.

Craney wrote that the bill included increases that were "shockingly large."

"The annual salary of the Speaker of the House increased from $102,279.44 to $157,547.97; that of the Senate President grew from $89,779.44 to 162,547.97.The dust hasn't settled on what this massive shady pay grab will cost taxpayers, but early estimates hover around $18 million dollars. That's the same amount lawmakers claimed they needed last July when they voted to eliminate the popular and traditional sales-tax-free weekend," Craney wrote.

"The bill was passed with an emergency preamble attached and the lawmakers received retroactive pay. Members of the judiciary were included among employees who received a pay bump. The judiciary is a protected class among state workers, and a little-known statute protecting them also protects the entire pay-raise package from citizen repeal."

Farley-Bouvier said her pay didn't increase that much. The pay for legislators is determined by the governor and a formula based on the state's median household income. She said she did receive a small pay increase this year, but that was because the median income had increased and had nothing to do with the vote.

"They implied that I got a 40 percent raise. I didn't get a 40 percent raise. The raise I got was something done by statute and the governor has complete control over it," she said.

"The vote had to do with the leadership stipends and I was not in leadership when I took the vote. The one thing that did change after the vote was that I was promoted to a vice chair so I get a $5,000 stipend. But that isn't anywhere close to 40 percent."

Farley-Bouvier said the vote to raise the salaries of those in leadership and constitutional officers such as judges was based on a 2014 advisory commission report out of Boston University. The 3rd Berkshire representative said the pay hadn't increased in 30 years and she knows of staff members who were getting paid more than the speaker.

"I learned about the issues around the pay compensation, did my research, and took a vote that I would take again," Farley-Bouvier said.

Mass Fiscal Alliance, however, says the commission was funded and appointed by the state and not other input was sought  creating an "echo chamber" among lawmakers.

"During the voting session, the Legislature did not deliberate on how to pay for the $18 million raise. They held no public forums for hashing out competing ideas. Instead, they relied on the recommendations of a commission, a commission appointed and funded by the legislature. Only the echo chamber that is the Beacon Hill establishment would pass a measure with no regard for the needs of the taxpayer," Craney wrote.

"Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance is concerned that politicians like Rep. Bouvier are telling a different story in their communities about the processes on Beacon Hill. We want to remove the spin and provide the facts around the vote."

A second issue Mass Fiscal Alliance goes after is the change to the per diem travel expenses.

"The implications of the raise are bigger and broader than the shock of the initial sticker price. Because the bill converts lawmaker's per diem travel reimbursements from one kind of payment to another, that travel money is now included in retirement calculations," Craney wrote.

"On her first significant vote of this legislative session, Rep. Bouvier joined the Beacon Hill establishment to award herself a pay raise, a larger expense account, retroactive pay, and a boosted pension."

Farley-Bouvier said she doesn't like the way per diems were changed, despite seeing about a $2,000 boost in those expenses. The vote eliminates the per diem funds for travel and stipends for offices and then provides a flat $20,000 for those who live outside of 50 miles from Boston and $15,000 for those inside.

"The people who live out here in the Berkshires did not make out well at all. We are being treated exactly the same as if you lived in Worcester," Farley-Bouvier said.

She said her office and travel allocation had been $18,000 a year while her expenses itemized out to $24,000 per year  the difference coming from her salary or campaign funds.

"My expenses for the office and my travel are about $24,000 and I don't live high off the hog," Farley-Bouvier said. "I live and I travel modestly. I have to take my salary and/or campaign funds to supplement my travel expenses."

The mailer brings bigger concerns for Farley-Bouvier when it comes to the organization's first foray into Berkshire County. The group has been around for a number of years and has traditionally targeted Democrats, but not in the western part of the state.

Additionally, Farley-Bouvier said the first few targets of the recent mailers were all women, and there is still a disproportionate number of women being targeted. She is the only woman legislator from Western Mass to be targeted.

"While they've been around for four to five years, they have never come into Berkshire County before. Nobody from this group is from Berkshire County," she said.

"They are a very secretive, dark money group. This is the kind of stuff we see in national politics. They don't disclose their donors. It doesn't matter what your voting record is, they only attack Democrats and they call themselves a non-partisan group."

It isn't clear how Mass Fiscal Alliance is funded. The company is not considered a political action committee and is not subject to open book laws. Last year, Craney told State House News that the organization had no intent in revealing its donor list.
BRPC Executive Director Nathaniel Karns outlined the concerns raised after months of review with the Regional Issues Committee.

BRPC Weighs in on State's Plan to Overhaul Land Use Regs

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  BRPC supports the state's push to overhaul land use regulations. But, the specifics in the bills from the House and Senate have raised some concern.

For months, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's regional issues committee has been pouring over the details of the massive omnibus bills. Two bills are going through the legislative process now  one from the House and one from the Senate  with similar changes to zoning and other land use regulations.

"This topic of land use legislation in Massachusetts, this very antiquated state, has been a legislative topic for almost as long as I've been here," Executive Director Nathaniel Karns said Thursday. "But there seems to be renewed effort in both the House and the Senate to take these up."

The bills are at least 50 pages each and delve into detailed requirements. The planning commission is sending letters to lawmakers outlining its objections to various aspects, and support for others.

One particular objection is in the Senate bill, but not in the House, which calls for a certification program for municipalities. Should towns adopt certain zoning or other land use regulations, those communities would have an advantage for competitive state grants. Karns said with many of the small, rural Berkshire towns, they simply don't have the manpower and resources to overhaul their zoning.

"It is going to be very affluent communities in the eastern part of the state," Karns said of who would ultimately benefit from a certification process.

Sheffield's BRPC representative Rene Wood likened it to an "unfunded mandate" and voiced her objection to the provision. Williamstown representative Roger Bolton echoed the sentiment.

"These sound to me like unfunded mandates, including the certification because if you don't do that, then you are disadvantaged," Wood said.

BRPC cited 22 specific areas in the bills that could be improved, or supported as is, to help Berkshire County. The issues range significantly from housing to appeals to master planning.

"These bills are being considered in two different committees. When they are still in committee we really need to address letters to the committee chair they are in front of," Karns said.

One such provision is a rule that makes it so homes in single-family zoning districts are allowed to build secondary units without a special permit. BRPC would like towns to have the ability to require that at least the dwelling be owner-occupied, to set limits on the percentage of those units in town, and to exempt towns that already have at least 5 percent multi-family units.

That provision isn't expected to impact much of the Berkshires because of a secondary provision in it that if home values are declining in a town, that community is exempt. Karns said only three towns in Berkshire County have shown rising home values in the last five years.

A similar provision is an automatic approval for the construction of multi-family residences by right. BRPC is looking to add language that allows communities to set "reasonable site requirements while not allowing them to prohibit multi-family development."

"Both bills give a provision that a community that doesn't have water or sewer, or is rural, may apply for a waiver," Karns said, adding that just about all of Berkshire County falls under the definition of rural.

BRPC would like a clause that towns with less than 250 people per square mile don't have to even go through the process of applying for a waiver, and just be given one automatically.

The group also raised a question about grandfathering clauses. The bills would make it so that when a community publishes its decision to move forward with a zoning law, that's when new projects are no longer grandfathered.

Karns said right now, "once the publication of the zoning change has been made, whoever wants to get whatever they want done under the old provisions, rushes in with an application." The organization supports making that process cleaner. However, it raises questions about what happens if the proposed zoning change fails.

"Especially given the length of time that a zoning amendment takes to be approved from public notice to final legislative vote, this could be a considerable delay for the project proponent," Karns wrote in the letter to lawmakers. "We suggest that a reasonable approach may be to provide a reasonably limited amount of time for the zoning amendment to receive legislative consideration or otherwise the proposed project proceeds under the zoning in existence when the permit was applied for."

The organization also supports language changes to the site plan review authority, which reviews proposed projects. However, the new law limits the impacts those boards can review to 300 feet, which BRPC feels is too small given questions about noise and lighting.

For neighbors who want to appeal a zoning rule, the proposed law calls for a $15,000 cash bond. Karns said that is a burden for any group of neighbors opposing development in their area if it is low income.

"If you are in a relatively low-income area and you want to appeal the decision of the zoning board, coming up with a $15,000 cash bond ... might be pretty darn hard," Karns said. "There is an environmental justice issue here over that kind of thing."

As for master plans, Karns said the proposed law has "wholesale changes in the language" which he fears will "lead to fewer communities even trying to develop these important documents." The requirements have a mix of mandatory and voluntary items, complicating the process for what tends to be volunteer planning boards. Some of the voluntary aspects Karns feels should be mandatory, such as transportation planning.

BRPC opposes a change that allows those who feel they were victims of discriminatory land use practices be able to appeal to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. Karn said while BRPC certainly doesn't support discriminatory land use practices, MCAD isn't the right place to handle that.

"The MCAD is very problematic. The process they use and the backlog of cases means that if a community ended up being found to have discriminated, it will take 8-10 years to make that finding and in the meantime, whatever the penalty was that was assessed would have incurred interest the entire period of time," Karns said. "[The provision] is one of the little sections that is buried in here but once you get in the meat of it, it can be very problematic for communities."

BRPC's five-page letter also picks apart at some other changes to zoning laws and will be sent to numerous legislators and other stakeholders such as the Massachusetts Municipal Association. It also cited efforts it supports such as expanding Smart Growth or form-based zoning and loosening standards for granting variances.

While BRPC does ultimately support the lawmaker's efforts, it also hopes the state will provide funding to towns to implement it.

"Many of the new zoning and master plan requirements will take considerable resources to accomplish the needed changes to local zoning bylaws and ordinances and to bring master plans into compliance with the much more rigorous stipulations contained in this bill," Karns wrote.

"Even communities with a planner (which is only five of 32 Berkshire municipalities) the major changes required will overwhelm their existing resources. Many of our communities are at or close to their levy ceilings and do not have the funding necessary to accomplish this without taking away from other very pressing needs."
Lisa Blackmer, a North Adams city councilor, launches her campaign for the Democratic nomination for state representative. Jennifer Breen, a local attorney and former councilor, introduced Blackmer. About 30 people attended the event, at which Blackmer spoke about education, funding for cities and towns, and fulfilling the late Rep. Gailanne Cariddi's priorities. PreviousNext

Blackmer Kicks Off Campaign for Legislature



Blackmer is one of five candidates so far announced for the 1st Berkshire seat. ADAMS, Mass.  It was not quite Christmas in July, but it was a tale of Yuletide sacrifice and hope that Lisa Blackmer used to kick off her campaign in the special election to fill the vacant 1st Berkshire District seat in the House of Representatives.

Before a group of about 30 well-wishers at the Bounti-Fare Restaurant, Blackmer on Thursday recalled how as a child growing up in Williamsburg, she was stunned when her classmates started to believe there was no Santa Claus.

"I said, 'My parents don't have any money. My dad's not working. My mom's taking care of us. They don't have money, but I have this bear that Santa brought me last year,' " Blackmer said. "I convinced the whole class that there really was a Santa Claus.

"Years later, I found out my mom made the bear."

It was a lesson in generosity that Blackmer took to heart.

"Taking care of people and creating an environment where we can all succeed is something that's deeply ingrained in me," she said.

Her friend and former colleague on the North Adams City Council, Jennifer Breen, praised Blackmer for her work as a civil servant and a volunteer.

"Lisa has walked the walk," Breen said. "She has volunteered for just about every single thing in this city. She has volunteered for the [Fall Foliage] Parade every year, rain or shine  mostly rain  she's always there with her clipboard. She has volunteered for everybody else, for every woman in this community.

"I think this is her time. She has paid her dues."

Breen was one of several current or former North Adams officials on hand for Blackmer's kickoff event. Among those in the crowd were Councilors Wayne Wilkinson, Keith Bona and Benjamin Lamb, School Committee member Tara Jacobs, and North Adams mayoral candidate Thomas Bernard.

Also in attendance were Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts President James Birge and Antoinette Cariddi, whose sister, Gailanne, died in June while serving her fourth term as the 1st Berkshire state representative.

Blackmer is one of four announced candidates on the Democratic side for the office; hoping to join her on the Oct. 10 primary are John Barrett III, Stephanie Bosley and Kevin Towle. One Republican has announced for the race, which ultimately will be decided in a Nov. 7 special election.

The 1st Berkshire District includes Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, Hancock, Lanesborough, New Ashford, North Adams and Williamstown.

Blackmer pledged to continue Cariddi's legislative agenda, including a bill requiring community hospitals to conduct a yearly public meeting, creating a cultural corridor from Williamstown to North Adams, anti-idling legislation and "do not call requirements and compliance."

"That's been one of Gail's things for as long as I've known Gail, so I would continue all of those efforts," Blackmer said.

"I will continue Gail's commitments to the economy, to schools, to the environment, but most importantly, I will continue her work for you, the people of Northern Berkshire," Blackmer said.

Blackmer also laid out some of her own priorities, including a focus on health care that was one of a couple of applause lines in her 10-minute speech.

"I believe all Americans  rich and poor, young and old  should have access to great health care and not be stuck in a dead-end job or go bankrupt because they got sick," she said. "If the Republicans in Washington insist on kicking people off the Affordable Care Act, I will continue to work for a Medicare for all system in Massachusetts and show the rest of the country how it's done."

On education, she promised to fight for reforms to the commonwealth's "outdated and inadequate" foundation aid formula that does not take into account the needs of rural cities and towns. And she said the region needs stronger public transportation, both in the form of passenger rail service to the east and an enhanced Berkshire Regional Transit Authority.

"Our cities and towns need every last penny they can get from the state," Blackmer said. "Our dwindling populations and tax bases create a struggle for many of our Northern Berkshire towns. We are having difficulties providing needed services for our residents.

"I will make sure that everything we are due from Beacon Hill comes home, and I will push to maintain and increase our local funding, including school funding, regional transportation and Chapter 90 roads."

Blackmer praised the work of the Berkshire County Education Task Force and pushed for regional cooperation more generally as a solution for some of the fiscal problems facing Berkshire County municipalities.

"We can't let 'the right' brand us as tax-and-spend Democrats," she said. "There are logical ways to save the taxpayer money, without harming local services. Sharing services and personnel  some of the examples that already exist include the veterans' agent, the animal control officer that North Adams and Adams are sharing right now and Gail's proposed regional disability commission."

And one more project that could strengthen the ties between communities in the 1st Berkshire District drew another spontaneous round of applause for Blackmer on Thursday evening.

"We will finish the bike path and name it after Gail," Blackmer said.
Ed Carson will feature a digitally enhanced series of his original acrylic paintings related to a popular children's game, tic-tac-toe.

Three Artists Exhibiting at Tunnel City Coffee

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  In continuing its support of local art, Tunnel City Coffee on Spring Street hosts Northern Berkshire artists and friends Ghetta Hirsch, Ed Carson and Sharon Carson for a group show exhibiting through September.



Their collective works include monoprints, oils on canvas and digital art, among others. The show can been seen during regular daily business hours, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the art is available for purchase.



Hirsch is an oil painter who uses vibrant colors, shapes and textures to convey what she sees in her visual and artistic exploration. Her creative process is directly inspired by meditative and reflective moments in front of a landscape.Her work reflects New England locales, from Pontoosuc Lake, to purple fields of loosestrife, to the many mountain ranges of Massachusetts.



"When I paint I tune into the visual flow before me, reducing it to an arrangement of color waves," Hirsch writes in her artist statement. "My eyes see continuous pathways and I follow them with my brushes."



While Hirsch's flowing landscapes are captured by eyes in galleries all over the Berkshires, she said she's looking forward to showcasing her art in her hometown coffee shop  "a bustling meetinghouse."



"Tunnel City is one of those places where students, professors, parents, Berkshires tourists meet and relax," she said. "It encourages artists and I am honored to show my art in such an important social environment as I love Williamstown and consider that Tunnel City and the 'place' for all to meet. It is so alive at all times!"



Ed Carson will feature a digitally enhanced series of his original acrylic paintings related to a popular children's game, tic-tac-toe. Experimenting only with color variations, pattern and space, Carson limits the elements to x's, o's and lines.
Gov. Charlie Baker signed the bill on Friday.

Governor Signs Re-Written Marijuana Bill

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Gov. Charlie Baker signed updated marijuana regulations into law Friday.

Voters had passed the legalization of recreational use of marijuana in November and since then lawmakers have been reworking the law, which included a six-month delay. After negotiations between the House and Senate, the Legislature passed changes to the citizen's referendum on July 20, which was then signed on Friday.

"We appreciate the careful consideration the Legislature took to balance input from lawmakers, educators, public safety officials and public health professionals while honoring the will of the voters regarding the adult use of marijuana," Gov. Charlie Baker said in a release issued Friday.

"We look forward to appointing members of the Cannabis Control Commission and the Cannabis Advisory Board to join us in working with Treasurer Goldberg, Attorney General Healey, local officials, law enforcement and all other stakeholders involved to implement the enhanced law safely and responsibly throughout the Commonwealth."

Locally, one particular change in the legislation that'll impact the Berkshires is that the law passed by voters did not classify marijuana cultivation as an agricultural use and now is. State Sen. Adam Hinds said agriculture is an area where the Berkshires has an "advantage" because of the number of farmers and open space. The bill signed by governor now allows for local farmers to grow marijuana and hemp.

"That's an industry that has been suffering," Hinds said of farming in general.

The Pittsfield Democrat said he had filed amendments to the law to "break down the barriers" holding farmers back. His amendments include leveling the playing field for the cultivation of hemp and lowering some of the fees a farmer would have to pay in order to get the licenses required. The bill calls for a sliding scale for licensing based on the size of the farm.

"Folks who were already participating in the medical marijuana field we able to cross the starting line two years ahead," Hinds said. "We wanted to make sure cultivators here could participate without barriers."

State Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli said as the debate over the bill rolled out over the last eight to 10 months, a local farmer had really shown him the benefits of hemp as both a product but also an economic opportunity.

"[The new bill] considers marijuana as an agricultural product. So that allows farmers to get into that business," Pignatelli said.

Farley-Bouvier also praised that change, allowing a new industry to grow. In the Berkshires, with lots of open space, there is an economic opportunity for local farmers to get into that market.

Another sticking point in the law was the amount the product should be taxed. Friday's bill ups the amount of tax on the product from 12 percent on the referendum to 20 percent. That includes increasing the local tax from 2 percent to 3 percent.

"Pittsfield will be able to pass regulations and collect revenue," said state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield.

The level of tax had been of much debate. Lawmakers were trying to find a balance of receiving enough revenue from it while being low enough to discourage black market sales. The compromised position has a 10.75 percent state excise tax, 6.25 percent state sales tax, and a 3 percent tax from the local communities. There is also an optional impact fee which could be negotiated by a host community, which is capped at 3 percent.

"It was difficult to take the lead from other states because as this bill was in Conference Committee other states were altering their tax rates," Hinds said, expecting that finding the exact balance may take some more tinkering over time.

Farley-Bouvier feels the 20 percent is the right amount. She said there will be required labs to test marijuana products and she wants those to be well run, and the 20 percent tax is enough to do that, she said.

Pignatelli still remains concerned that it could be too much.

"I personally think the tax rate it a bit high. We can't tax our way out of this ... we have to remain competitive [to drive out the black market]," Pignatelli said.

The Lenox Democrat has been the most vocally locally against marijuana, opposing the ballot question. But he said the changes to the bill alleviates some of his concerns, particularly when it comes to edibles and packaging.

"I'm not a big fan of marijuana but this respects the will of the voters," Pignatelli said.

He next wants to roll out a larger education program to help families understand the negative effects of marijuana. He doesn't want to see children feeling that smoking marijuana is a good thing.

"It is getting into schools and getting kids to understand marijuana usage and getting families to understand it," Pignatelli said.

The marijuana industry will be governed by a five-member Cannabis Control Commission, under state Treasurer Deborah Goldberg's office, and a 25-member Cannabis Advisory Board with five appointees from the each the governor, treasurer, and attorney general. The rest will be ex-officio appointees with relevant knowledge. On Friday Goldberg appointed Norton Arbelaez, Dr. Alan Balsam, Michael Dundas, Jaime Lewis, and Shanel Lindsay to the advisory board.

The Cannabis Control Commission will be charged with overseeing applications and licensing processes and create rules for implementation and enforcement of adult-use marijuana. That includes oversight of testing laboratories to ensure marijuana establishments are meeting requirements for purity. It also oversees standards for packaging.

"We're not advertising on Saturday morning cartoons for marijuana," Farley-Bouvier said, praising the regulations in the new bill which limits companies from advertising the product to markets where the 85 percent of the audience is over the age of 21.

The law also bans retail shops near schools, edibles cannot resemble non-marijuana food products currently sold, and labeling must indicate that the product contains marijuana the amount of THC in it. Farley-Bouvier likened the restriction to those on medical marijuana, where laws require that the prescription medicine looks like prescription medicine.

Hinds said some of the revenue the state gets will go toward substance abuse services, awareness campaigns, and restorative justice programs. He added there is a piece of "social justice" in that communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs have a greater opportunity to benefit from the revenues.

The senator also said there is a provision allowing those who were convicted of a marijuana crime in the past, which wouldn't be illegal now, those records can be sealed.

The law signed on Friday also gives cities and towns the ability to ban or limit the development of marijuana establishments. For the towns in the state which voted against the ballot question, elected officials can ban facilities from town. For towns where the majority voted for it, then a townwide vote is needed to ban establishments.

For adults, the bill allows for those over the age of 21 to possess up to one ounce in public and 10 ounces at home. Individuals can also grow up to 12 plants or 10 ounces in their homes.

"This bill reflects a commitment to legalizing adult-use marijuana while upholding our duty to ensure safety and effective management," said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo in a statement last week. "In addition to the rigorous product testing and security measures, I believe that the independence of the Cannabis Control Commission will allow this new industry to be implemented in a safe manner that works for all residents, not just the marijuana industry."

Lawmakers had come to the agreement after a six-month delay. Retail shops were supposed to be opening in January of 2018, but lawmakers pushed that back in order to complete the bill, appoint the Cannabis Control Commission, and get regulations in place before applications were approved. Pignatelli said there is "no doubt" that the delay helped create a better bill.

"I think it was a good delay and a better bill because of it," Pignatelli said.

Farley-Bouvier said even with the delay, the Legislature moved "lightning quick" with it.

"Legislation takes time. In the world of the Legislature, this moved in a lightening quick manner," Farley-Bouvier said.
Williams Professor Wins Grants to Study Evolutionary Genetics

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  Two grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) will support ongoing research by Luana Maroja, associate professor of biology at Williams College, into evolutionary genetics. The grants, totaling $137,315, were recently approved by the NSF.



The grants will support two projects Maroja is working on related to speciation and genetics. The first grant, for $91,173, will support collaborative research Maroja and her students are undertaking with Cornell University on the importance of sex chromosomes in speciation, specifically looking at whether genes that do not transfer genetic information from one species to another during hybridization are concentrated on the X chromosome. The project will provide important insights into the genomic architecture of speciation, the role of the X chromosome in reproductive isolation and divergent adaptation, and will contribute to ongoing debates about how differentiation accumulates in genomes over time.



As part of the project, Maroja and her students will develop evolution workshops aimed to help educate middle and high school students.


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It's about to get a lot more expensive to play PlayStation online.

Sony has announced that it will increase the price of its Plus membership  required to play the console over the internet  significantly next month.

And the price rise will happen automatically unless people go through a complicated process to cancel it.

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. 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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 hikes apply differently according to how people pay for their membership: the yearly price is increasing from 39.99 to 49.99, and the monthly one will rise from 5.99 to 6.99. Similar price rises will happen to those that pay in euros.

The change will go into effect at midnight on 31 August, and every charge after that will be increased.

Sony notes that people can buy extra memberships at this price now, which will be added onto their existing membership. So even if an annual membership isn't due to expire until 2018, for instance, a subscriber can buy another year and delay the price until that is finished.

The only way to get out of the price hike permanently is to cancel the PlayStation Plus membership. That's done by heading to the account settings and turning off auto-renew  that must be done at least 48 hours before the next payment is due, or it will go through at the increased price.

Sony has provided useful links to cancel an account or to check the next renewal date.

The increases are happening across Europe, making it less likely that it is being done because of currency fluctuations.
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[This article was originally published in 2017]

Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara, credited with building the foundations of Japanese medicine and helping make Japan the world leader in longevity, often practised what he preached.

The physician, chairman emeritus of St. Luke's International University, and honorary president of St. Luke's International Hospital recommended several basic guidelines for living a long, healthy life in an interview with Japan Times journalist Judit Kawaguchi.

Among them: Don't retire. And if you must, retire much later than age 65.

In the interview he explained that the retirement age in Japan was set at 65 years old back when the average life expectancy was 68. Now, people are living much longer  the average life expectancy in Japan as of 2015 was almost 84 years  and so they should be retiring much later in life too.

Until a few months before his death on 18 July in Tokyo, The New York Times reports, Hinohara continued to treat patients, kept an appointment book with space for five more years, and worked up to 18 hours a day. He was 105 years old.

"He believed that life is all about contribution, so he had this incredible drive to help people, to wake up early in the morning and do something wonderful for other people," Kawaguchi, who considered Hinohara her mentor, told the BBC. "This is what was driving him and what kept him living."

"He always had today's goals, tomorrow's, and the next five years'," she said.

Hinohara's other guidelines for living well included:

Worry less about eating well or getting more sleep, and have fun.

(Getty Images (Getty Images)

"We all remember how as children, when we were having fun, we often forgot to eat or sleep. I believe that we can keep that attitude as adults, too. It's best not to tire the body with too many rules such as lunchtime and bedtime."

If you want to live long, don't be overweight.

(Getty Images/iStockphoto (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

"For breakfast I drink coffee, a glass of milk, and some orange juice with a tablespoon of olive oil in it. Olive oil is great for the arteries and keeps my skin healthy. Lunch is milk and a few cookies, or nothing when I am too busy to eat. I never get hungry because I focus on my work. Dinner is veggies, a bit of fish and rice, and, twice a week, 100 grams of lean meat."

Don't blindly follow what your doctor says.

Picture: (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

"When a doctor recommends you take a test or have some surgery, ask whether the doctor would suggest that his or her spouse or children go through such a procedure. Contrary to popular belief, doctors can't cure everyone. So why cause unnecessary pain with surgery? I think music and animal therapy can help more than most doctors imagine."

To conquer pain, have fun.

Picture: (Getty Images) (Getty)

"Pain is mysterious, and having fun is the best way to forget it. If a child has a toothache, and you start playing a game together, he or she immediately forgets the pain. Hospitals must cater to the basic need of patients: We all want to have fun. At St. Luke's we have music and animal therapies, and art classes."

Always take the stairs and carry your own belongings.

(Chris McGrath/Getty (Chris McGrath/Getty)

"I take two stairs at a time, to get my muscles moving."

Read the original article on Business Insider UK.  2017. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter.
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An IT meltdown that grounded flights and scuppered thousands of customers travel plans in May, cost British Airways parent company about 58m, less than the groups chief executive originally feared.

International Consolidated Airlines Group on Friday said that the compensation fees and baggage claims related to operational disruption, due to the massive power failure over the second May bank holiday, had cost 65m. Originally, IAG chief executive Willie Walsh had reportedly estimated that the figure would be closer to 80m.

British Airways was forced to cancel about 800 flights from Gatwick and Heathrow as a result of the failure, stranding approximately 75,000 passengers.

Recommended British Airways profits soar despite cabin crew strike

IAG commissioned an independent review into the incident but reports in early June suggested that it had been caused by human error.

Several airlines have been hit by computer glitches over the last year, but analysts at the time said the duration and scale of BAs outage was unusual.

In August last year, Delta Air Lines cancelled and delayed thousands of flights after an outage hit its computer systems. Earlier in May, Germanys Lufthansa and Air France suffered a global system outage that briefly prevented them from boarding passengers.

Separately on Friday, IAG reported operating profits before exceptional items had risen by 37 per cent to 973m during the first half of the year.

The group also includes Aer Lingus, Iberia, Vueling and Level  the new low-cost, long-haul venture that began flying in June from Barcelona to Los Angeles, Oakland, Buenos Aires and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
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A rally in e-retail behemoth Amazons share price on Thursday propelled founder Jeff Bezos to the top of a list of the worlds richest individualsfor less than a day.

Mr Bezos, who is also chairman and chief executive of the Seattle-based company, was worth almost $91bn (70bn) after Amazons share price rose more than 1 per cent in morning trading in New York.

That put his fortune ahead of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates'. The latter has a net worth of around $90.7bn and has been at the top of Bloombergs rich list since 2013.

But Mr Bezos slipped back into second place later in the day.

Recommended Amazon and Starbucks take reputation hit from tax avoidance publicity

Amazon is due to report quarterly earnings later on Thursday.

Amazons share price has endured a meteoric rise in recent years, surpassing the $1,000 apiece mark, partially helped by its Prime shopping club, media streaming services and the launch of products like the Alexa home assistant.

Back in April, the company reported that net sales rose 23 per cent to $35.7bn for the first quarter of 2017.

On Thursday, analysts and investors will particularly be monitoring the performance of the companys cloud-computing division, Amazon Web Services, which accounts for about 10 per cent of revenue, as well as how Prime has progressed.

Mr Bezos, who founded the company in 1994, owns around 17 per cent of Amazons shares. Theyve gained around 40 per cent in value so far in 2017 helping Mr Bezoss net worth increase by over $24bn.
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The privatisation of an NHS staffing agency that manages more than 90,000 people is being pushed through behind closed doors and must be investigated, Labour has said.

The party is calling for an inquiry into why Jeremy Hunt is selling NHS Professionals (NHSP), a recruitment company owned by the Department of Health that saves the health service 70m a year by supplying hospital staff to fill last-minute rota gaps more cheaply than private firms.

Around six corporations are believed to have put in their final offers for a majority stake in the agency, which Mr Hunt first announced would be privatised last November.

Shadow health minister Justin Madders has asked the National Audit Office to look into why this sale is taking place when NHSP has been shown to be cost-effective.

Mr Madders urged the watchdog to examine the business case put forward by Mr Hunt for the privatisation of a successful organisation and to ascertain whether better value for taxpayer could be achieved by keeping the organisation in the public sector.

On the Governments own estimates NHSP saves the taxpayer around 70m a year by organising last-minute or replacement staffing for NHS trusts in England, and ensuring hospitals dont have to rely on expensive private agencies, he wrote.

Hospital trusts are under pressure to reduce expenditure on locum doctors, nurses and other temporary workers after the NHS spent over 3bn on agency staff in 2014-15.

 Nurses protest at Department of Health over pay cap

The cost of agency workers in the NHS has doubled in the last three years, continued the message addressed to the watchdogs chief, Sir Amyas Morse.

Nurses hired through private sector companies are 15 to 30 per cent more expensive than through NHSP, with a significant proportion of that extra cost going directly to those companies rather than the staff supplied.

It was recently revealed that one in 30 locum doctors earns 120 an hour  believed to be the highest rates since pay caps were introduced for agency staff working in the NHS in an attempt to drive down costs.

Between October and December last year, NHS hospitals reportedly breached hourly pay limits for temporary doctors for 80 per cent of shifts they worked, up from 64 per cent in the three months previously.

In the vast majority (86 per cent) of cases, staff vacancy was the reason for booking a locum doctor, compared with 1.6 per cent for sickness and 0.5 per cent for maternity and paternity leave.

NHSP was created in 2010 and is used by dozens of NHS trusts in England. It employs about 500 people and manages tens of thousands of temporary staff.

The Government announced plans to sell around 75 per cent of the business and withhold the rest, with the option to sell the remainder within five years.

Private recruitment firm Staffline has confirmed it is one of the companies to have put forward a bid to buy the agency. A decision on which bid is successful is expected to be made when Parliament returns after summer recess.

Since the sale was announced, Government ministers have repeatedly refused to answer questions about the reasons for the sale, citing commercial sensitivity, wrote Mr Madders.

At a time when the Government says it wants to cut back the use of temporary workers it is very hard to believe that any investment and expansion of NHSP could not be carried out effectively in public hands.

He added: Purchasing shares back at an additional cost to the taxpayer, following presumably a period during which NHSP have been generating excess profit from the taxpayer seems to create a double benefit to the private sector and a double risk to the taxpayer which needs to be examined.

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

NHS staff vacancies have risen by more than 10 per cent in the last year, official figures have shown, with more than 86,000 vacancies advertised in the first quarter of this year.

Nearly 40 per cent of these empty positions in March 2017 were for nursing and midwifery positions, with the average role in these fields only drawing three applications.

The Royal College of Nursing has blamed low pay, pressure and training costs for staffing levels, which they say are reaching crisis point.
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A spongy crystal that can turn thin air into fuel by extracting carbon dioxide has been developed by scientists.

The researcher said the light-activated material was a critical step towards making a high-value fuel while at the same time reducing the amount of the greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.

It works by turning carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, which can be turned into a useful source of energy.

There is increasing concern that the world will not be able to restrict global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius  the target set out in the Paris Agreement on climate change to avoid the more dangerous effects.

This has prompted scientists around the world to try to develop cost-effective ways of removing carbon from the atmosphere.

Professor Haimei Zheng, one of the researchers behind the new material, of the US Energy Department and the University of California, Berkeley, said: The world right now is in need of innovative ways to create alternatives to fossil fuels, and to stem the levels of excessive carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Converting carbon dioxide to fuels using solar energy is a global research endeavour.

The spongy nickel-organic photocatalyst we demonstrated here is a critical step toward practical production of high-value multi-carbon fuels using solar energy.

She said their technique produced almost 100 per cent pure carbon monoxide, with no other gases like hydrogen and methane detected. Thats a big deal. In carbon dioxide reduction, you want to come away with one product, not a mix of different things. Complete suppression of the competing hydrogen evolution during a photocatalytic carbon-dioxide-to-carbon-monoxide conversion had not been achieved before our work.

The nickel-organic photocatalyst used in the process is said to have similar properties to metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs, which have been hailed as potential wonder materials.

Science news in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Science news in pictures Science news in pictures Pluto has 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen Pluto has a 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen that is doing strange things to its surface, Nasa has found. The mysterious core seems to be the cause of features on its surface that have fascinated scientists since they were spotted by Nasa's New Horizons mission. "Before New Horizons, everyone thought Pluto was going to be a netball - completely flat, almost no diversity," said Tanguy Bertrand, an astrophysicist and planetary scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center and the lead author on the new study. "But it's completely different. It has a lot of different landscapes and we are trying to understand what's going on there." Getty Science news in pictures Over 400 species discovered this year by Natural History Museum The ancient invertabrate worm-like species rhenopyrgus viviani (pictured) is one of over 400 species previously unknown to science that were discovered by experts at the Natural History Museum this year PA Science news in pictures Jackdaws can identify 'dangerous' humans Jackdaws can identify dangerous humans from listening to each others warning calls, scientists say. The highly social birds will also remember that person if they come near their nests again, according to researchers from the University of Exeter. In the study, a person unknown to the wild jackdaws approached their nest. At the same time scientists played a recording of a warning call (threatening) or contact calls (non-threatening). The next time jackdaws saw this same person, the birds that had previously heard the warning call were defensive and returned to their nests more than twice as quickly on average. Getty Science news in pictures Turtle embryos influence sex by shaking The sex of the turtle is determined by the temperatures at which they are incubated. Warm temperatures favour females. But by wiggling around the egg, embryos can find the Goldilocks Zone which means they are able to shield themselves against extreme thermal conditions and produce a balanced sex ratio, according to the new study published in Current Biology journal Ye et al/Current Biology Science news in pictures Elephant poaching rates drop in Africa African elephant poaching rates have dropped by 60 per cent in six years, an international study has found. It is thought the decline could be associated with the ivory trade ban introduced in China in 2017. Reuters Science news in pictures Ancient four-legged whale discovered in Peru Scientists have identified a four-legged creature with webbed feet to be an ancestor of the whale. Fossils unearthed in Peru have led scientists to conclude that the enormous creatures that traverse the planets oceans today are descended from small hoofed ancestors that lived in south Asia 50 million years ago A. Gennari Science news in pictures Animal with transient anus discovered A scientist has stumbled upon a creature with a transient anus that appears only when it is needed, before vanishing completely. Dr Sidney Tamm of the Marine Biological Laboratory could not initially find any trace of an anus on the species. However, as the animal gets full, a pore opens up to dispose of waste Steven G Johnson Science news in pictures Giant bee spotted Feared extinct, the Wallace's Giant bee has been spotted for the first time in nearly 40 years. An international team of conservationists spotted the bee, that is four times the size of a typical honeybee, on an expedition to a group of Indonesian Islands Clay Bolt Science news in pictures New mammal species found inside crocodile Fossilised bones digested by crocodiles have revealed the existence of three new mammal species that roamed the Cayman Islands 300 years ago. The bones belonged to two large rodent species and a small shrew-like animal New Mexico Museum of Natural History Science news in pictures Fabric that changes according to temperature created Scientists at the University of Maryland have created a fabric that adapts to heat, expanding to allow more heat to escape the body when warm and compacting to retain more heat when cold Faye Levine, University of Maryland Science news in pictures Baby mice tears could be used in pest control A study from the University of Tokyo has found that the tears of baby mice cause female mice to be less interested in the sexual advances of males Getty Science news in pictures Final warning to limit "climate catastrophe" The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a report which projects the impact of a rise in global temperatures of 1.5 degrees Celsius and warns against a higher increase Getty Science news in pictures Nobel prize for evolution chemists The nobel prize for chemistry has been awarded to three chemists working with evolution. Frances Smith is being awarded the prize for her work on directing the evolution of enzymes, while Gregory Winter and George Smith take the prize for their work on phage display of peptides and antibodies Getty/AFP Science news in pictures Nobel prize for laser physicists The nobel prize for physics has been awarded to three physicists working with lasers. Arthur Ashkin (L) was awarded for his "optical tweezers" which use lasers to grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells. Donna Strickland and Gerard Mourou were jointly awarded the prize for developing chirped-pulse amplification of lasers Reuters/AP Science news in pictures Discovery of a new species of dinosaur The Ledumahadi Mafube roamed around 200 million years ago in what is now South Africa. Recently discovered by a team of international scientists, it was the largest land animal of its time, weighing 12 tons and standing at 13 feet. In Sesotho, the South African language of the region in which the dinosaur was discovered, its name means "a giant thunderclap at dawn" Viktor Radermacher / SWNS Science news in pictures Birth of a planet Scientists have witnessed the birth of a planet for the first time ever. This spectacular image from the SPHERE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope is the first clear image of a planet caught in the very act of formation around the dwarf star PDS 70. The planet stands clearly out, visible as a bright point to the right of the center of the image, which is blacked out by the coronagraph mask used to block the blinding light of the central star. ESO/A. Muller et al Science news in pictures New human organ discovered that was previously missed by scientists Layers long thought to be dense, connective tissue are actually a series of fluid-filled compartments researchers have termed the interstitium. These compartments are found beneath the skin, as well as lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels and muscles, and join together to form a network supported by a mesh of strong, flexible proteins Getty Science news in pictures Previously unknown society lived in Amazon rainforest before Europeans arrived, say archaeologists Working in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, a team led by archaeologists at the University of Exeter unearthed hundreds of villages hidden in the depths of the rainforest. These excavations included evidence of fortifications and mysterious earthworks called geoglyphs Jose Iriarte Science news in pictures One in 10 people have traces of cocaine or heroin on fingerprints, study finds More than one in 10 people were found to have traces of class A drugs on their fingers by scientists developing a new fingerprint-based drug test. Using sensitive analysis of the chemical composition of sweat, researchers were able to tell the difference between those who had been directly exposed to heroin and cocaine, and those who had encountered it indirectly. Getty Science news in pictures Nasa releases stunning images of Jupiter's great red spot The storm bigger than the Earth, has been swhirling for 350 years. The image's colours have been enhanced after it was sent back to Earth. Pictures by: Tom Momary

MOFs are a sophisticated blend of metal and carbon capable of soaking up poisonous gases, creating water from the driest of air, and storing the next generation of hydrogen fuel.

The research was described in a paper in the journal Science Advances.
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An investigation is underway after police shot a charity founder in the chest in Birmingham.

Sharif Cousins, a former gang member who served time in prison before starting the New Day Foundation, is fighting for his life in hospital.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission said it was carrying out a thorough, independent investigation into the incident in Frankley, Birmingham on Wednesday night.

Residents told the Birmingham Mail they heard shouting and a gunshot ring out before looking outside to see Hereford Close teeming with police as a helicopter circled overhead.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said a man in his early forties, identified locally as Mr Cousins, was shot by an armed officer and taken to hospital.

His condition was described as critical and stable after undergoing surgery at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where he is understood to remain in an induced coma with his family at his side.

 Man dies after being chased and arrested by London police

The IPCC said armed police were deployed to the area at around 9pm in response to intelligence received relating to firearms offences.

We have gathered police body-worn video which captured footage of the incident, and this will be reviewed, a spokesperson added, saying investigators were carrying out house-to-house enquiries.

A police firearm has been secured. There is early evidence to indicate a single shot was fired by one police officer.

A 21-year-old man was arrested for suspected firearms offences following the incident, while two other men, aged 17 and 20, and a 53-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of drugs offences.

Mr Cousins LinkedIn page lists him as director of the New Day Foundation, stating its aim to unite communities starting with my own in Birmingham.

He set up the charity in 2011, after serving almost 14 years in prison including an eight-year term for firearms offences and intent to endanger life as a member of the notorious Burger Bar Boys.

The gang, taking their name from a cafe where they were based, were locked in a violent feud with rivals the Johnson Crew in the late 1990s and 2000s that sparked a series of shootings amid a turf war over drug dealing and extortion.

In an interview with the BBC in 2013, Mr Cousins said he realised during his time in prison that he didnt want to be part of the problem anymore.

It would have been easier to go back to gang life but I want to make a difference to the place where I live, he added, saying he started the New Day Foundation to help persuade young people not to get sucked in to gang culture.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters

The Foundations website no longer works and official social media accounts have not been active since 2013.

We will be carrying out a thorough, independent investigation into this serious incident, as is appropriate when police use potentially lethal force, said Derrick Campbell, commissioner of the IPCC.

We are making contact with the mans family and will ensure they are updated on the progress of our investigation.

The West Midlands police and crime commissioner, David Jamieson, said it was the first police shooting in the county since 2000, with the last fatal shooting 20 years ago.

To put this in context, this is extremely rare, for officers to open fire, he told local radio.

Figures released by the IPCC this week showed British police fatally shot a record number of people in the past year, with six people killed in the 12 months to March  including the Westminster attacker Khalid Masood.
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The Government has been accused of leaving Britain reliant on the goodwill of others for its security as figures revealed Nato allies deployed almost 40 planes to a key airbase.

Tobias Ellwood, the minister for defence, said 37 maritime patrol aircraft - including planes from the US, Germany and France - were temporarily deployed to RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland last year.

The number of aircraft from Nato states at the base has increased by 76 per cent from 21 in 2015, according figures revealed in answer to a written parliamentary question from the Shadow Defence Secretary, Nia Griffith.

Maritime patrol aircraft are designed to undertake long journeys over water, on missions including reconnaissance and search and rescue.

The UK used Nimrod planes for the task for decades, but a project to replace its ageing fleet was scrapped by the Coalition in 2010 amid delays and rising costs in a decision Labour said now looks downright reckless.

"As an island nation, the ability to patrol our own shores and protect our key military assets is absolutely essential, Ms Griffith said.

"As Labour said at the time, the Tories' decision in 2010 to cut up our Nimrod aircraft and sell them for scrap was a serious mistake. It now looks downright reckless."

A Nimrod plane awaiting scrappage (PA)

She added: "These figures highlight the extent to which we are now reliant on the goodwill of others to keep Britain safe. We are thankful for our allies' support but this level of dependence is simply unacceptable.

Everywhere you look right now - whether it is the shrinking of the Army, the loss of key capabilities or the failure to deliver a national shipbuilding strategy - the damage the Tories are doing to our armed forces is undermining our national security.

Mr Ellwood said the US had temporarily deployed 20 maritime patrol aircraft to RAF Lossiemouth during 2016, while Canada had deployed eight, France five, Germany three and Norway one.

Recommended Royal Navy relied on Nato to protect British waters 20 times last year

Conservative ministers blamed the previous Labour government for the failure of the Nimrod project in 2010, as MRA4 aircraft in development were dismantled for scrap amid anger from pilots and workers.

Liam Fox, then the Defence Secretary, said the programme was almost 800m over budget and running seven years late when the new Government took office.

The decision to scrap the Nimrod MRA4 programme was one of the most difficult we had to take, he wrote in The Telegraph.

The single MRA4 aircraft that had been delivered to the RAF was so riddled with flaws it could not pass its flight tests, it was simply unsafe to fly.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 12 November 2022 The City of London Pride Group take part in the parade during the Lord Mayor's Show PA UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA 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 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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

Mr Fox claimed the money and time needed to rectify all problems was prohibitive, and the cost of sustaining even the fleet over the next ten years would be 2bn, adding: We took the decision not to throw good money after bad.

That scrappage programme itself cost 200m, angering campaigners who battled to save the new Nimrods.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has since confirmed a deal to purchase nine P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft to be based at RAF Lossiemouth.

Due to arrive in 2019, officials said they will play a vital role in protecting the UKs nuclear deterrent and two new aircraft carriers, as well as carrying out rescues and maritime patrol missions tracking hostile submarines.

In the meantime, British pilots are training in American P-8s and other Nato aircraft in Scotland, which are mainly used in exercises that make up 80 per cent of flights.

A spokesperson for the MoD said that although the number of foreign planes had increased, operational flights in 2016 were less frequent than the previous year.

In 2010 there was a 38bn black hole in the defence budget and difficult decisions had to be made, including scrapping Nimrod which was nine years late, 800m over budget, and had failed to produce one plane that was safe to fly, he added.

We work closely with our Nato allies on security in the North Atlantic and have robust force protection measures in place for our assets which we continually review.

We are investing in maritime patrol aircraft as part of our 178bn equipment plan, with the first of our nine P-8 aircraft set to be delivered in 2019 as planned.


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A Scottish soldier who lost both his legs while serving for the British Army in Afghanistan has been told he can no longer continue to receive specialist treatment in England.

Lance Corporal Callum Brown said staff at the Queen Elizabeth Birmingham Trust hospital, which houses experts in amputee and veteran care, said NHS England could no longer provide funding.

The 28-year-old, from the west coast Scottish town of Ayr, was injured by a bomb blast during a tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2011 and airlifted home.

However, during his latest visit to the hospital, he told the Daily Record: When I was down there, a senior member of staff told me that he was ashamed to say that they could no longer treat me there.

He said it was because the English NHS would no longer foot the bill for me there since I wasnt from England.

I am sitting here without my legs because I fought for this country. This is the ultimate slap in the face. I am still in shock and can barely get my head around it.

The soldier, who said he remained in constant pain, had been forced to conduct his wedding to then girlfriend Laura Taylor at the hospital as a result of his poor health.

NHS sources told The Independent that in cases where a patient is not residing in England, but in another UK country, hospitals are required to apply for funding from that country.

A statement from the NHS trust that runs the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham said it had arranged for two more follow-up appointments for Mr Brown in order to determine the effectiveness of his latest cycle of treatment.

If he needs further treatment within the Trust we would need to seek pre-approved funding from NHS Scotland, the trust said.

Mr Brown has previously admitted to breaking the law and taking cannabis, which he insists helps with the pain, exacerbated by the fact that he has no skin on his posterior.

I shouldnt have to be a criminal to get something that eases my pain and makes life easier.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA

He fears that if he isnt given the specialist treatment at Queen Elizabeth  which has experts specific to his injuries  he might end up dead.

He added: We are supposed to be living in the United Kingdom; it feels more like the disunited kingdom.
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A community radio station has had its licence revoked after broadcasting 25 hours of lectures by an al-Qaeda recruiter.

Sheffield-based Iman FM claimed its staff were not aware of the background of American hate preacher Anwar al-Awlaki, who was killed by a US drone strike in Yemen in 2011.

The station broadcast a series of his lectures entitled The Life of Mohammed throughout the holy month of Ramadan in June, sparking complaints to broadcast regulator Ofcom.

The watchdog said the content, including calls for virtuous jihad and anti-Semitic statements, was in serious breach of the broadcasting code amounting to hate speech, justifying terrorism, inciting violence and encouraging crime.

Ofcom suspended Iman FMs licence on 4 July and took representations from the owners of the station, which has been broadcasting since October 2014.

Ofcom has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to revoke the licensees Broadcasting Act licence, and that the licensee is unfit to hold a broadcast licence, a spokesperson said.

Anwar al-Awlaki was killed by a US drone strike because of his alleged connections to al-Qaeda in Yemen (AP)

The service has been off-air since 4 July and will not be reinstated.

Its investigation found al-Awlakis lectures included a direct call to action to members of the Muslim community to prepare for and carry out violent action against non-Muslim people and statements clearly condoning and encouraging acts of crime, terrorism or violent behaviour.

Ofcom cited passages including one alluding to supposed Jewish prejudice and arrogance towards the Arabs and elites, as well as the preacher calling for fighting of disbelievers or financing jihadis and their families.

Iman FM also broadcast parts of al-Awlakis tirades that took aim at the mainstream media and Western society, which Ofcom said aimed to undermine social cohesion.

While we acknowledge that as a community radio station, Iman FM has a relatively small footprint, broadcasting to the Muslim community in Sheffield, this does not lessen the seriousness of this breach or the potential harm or offence contained within these lectures, the watchdog found.

Iman FM made a formal submission claiming that its management and volunteers were not aware of the background of the preacher and had no knowledge of him being proscribed by the United Nations and that if known, they would not have broadcast the recordings.

But Ofcom said the show more tab on the YouTube page they were taken from detailed al-Awlakis identity, arrest and subsequent death.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA 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

Iman FM submitted that the lectures were broadcast due to recklessness, but not deliberate intent, adding that they were taken off air and sparked a review of its content policy, an on-air apology and review show condemning al-Awlaki.

The radio stations website remains online, including a mission statement describing its purpose to equip the generation towards a cohesive society.

Haras Rafiq, CEO of the Quilliam counter-extremism group, has accused Ofcom of failing to properly regulate Islamic radio stations and television channels.

Speaking to The Independent before the ruling on Iman FM, he said the outlets are used by charities to raise millions of pounds during Ramadan.

A recent investigation by the Home Office found people in the UK were giving hundreds of thousands of pounds a year to Islamist extremists  sometimes unwittingly  in donations.

Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, said: Some Islamic organisations of extremist concern portray themselves as charities to increase their credibility and to take advantage of Islams emphasis on charity.

Some are purposefully vague about their activities and their charitable status.

The full classified report was withheld, with no individuals, organisations or foreign countries identified in a short summary revealed by the Home Office.

The decision, citing personal information and national security reasons, sparked outrage from critics who said the public had a right to know who was funding extremism and how to avoid funding them.
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A physics teacher who lost her job after having sex with a pupil in an airplane toilet was set up because she is good looking, according to her brother.

Eleanor Wilson was banned from the profession after a disciplinary panel found she engaged in oral sex and sexual intercourse with a sixth-form student on the way back from a school trip to Geneva.

Ms Wilson denies any inappropriate conduct claiming the pair simply hugged on occasion but now her brother, Jethro Wilson, has claimed she is the victim of lads pestering her because she is a young teacher.

He also denies she was dismissed from the Bristol school, which has not been named to protect the child, claiming she left voluntarily because of all the hassle she was getting from the younger students.

A student can easily say one thing that has ruined a teachers career. She has worked seven years for it and to suddenly out of the blue stop because of lads pestering her because she is a young teacher, he told the MailOnline.

She mutually left the school but nothing sexually happened with the student and for it to come out that it was on the plane was a bit bizarre really.

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 conduct tribunal heard Ms Wilson had allowed pupils over the age of 18 to have a drink in a bar in Switzerland on the way back from a school visit to see the Hadron Collider in 2015.

On the plane, she entered the toilet, kissed and engaged in a sex act and intercourse with the teenager, the panel heard.

The teacher, from west Yorkshire, later continued the relationship, messaging the teenager and meeting outside of school, according to evidence presented at the tribunal.

The National College for Teaching and Leadership panel said at the hearing they found the pupils version of events to be credible.

Polly OMalley, chairman of the professional conduct panel, said at the time: There was evidence that the teachers actions were deliberate and continued for a significant length of time despite her understanding that her behaviour was inappropriate.

There was no evidence to suggest that the teacher was acting under duress.

It comes as Avon and Somerset Police said enquiries were ongoing into the case after the 28-year-old voluntarily presented herself for interview in 2016.

Ms Wilson is now believed to be in the Royal Navy.
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Undercover police officers have been deployed to spy on more than 1,000 groups, political organisations and gangs, an inquiry into the shadowy operations has found.

The figure, disclosed for the first time in an email to lawyers representing targeted activists, could rise dramatically as investigations continue to gather responses from police forces across the UK, The Independent understands.

The Undercover Policing Inquiry (UPI) is investigating serious and widespread concerns about the behaviour and the use of undercover police officers stretching back to 1968.

It was established in 2015 by Theresa May, then the Home Secretary, amid public outrage over accusations that officers took fake identities from dead children, had relationships with campaigners and fathered children while undercover.

High-profile cases include that of Mark Kennedy, who spent years posing as an activist known as Mark Stone to infiltrate environmental campaigns.

Other targeted groups include anti-war activists, animal rights organisations, the far-right and far-left, and anti-racism campaigners.

As well as political organisations, it emerged in 2014 that an undercover officer spied on the grieving family of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence.

A spokesperson for the inquiry said the names of all groups infiltrated would be published in due course, unless they were the subject of a successful application for a restriction order.

It is being headed by judge Sir John Mitting, who this week replaced Pitchford after he had to step down from the role following his diagnosis with motor neurone disease.

Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, said: It is important that the inquirys work continues without delay.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA 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

The inquiry has not yet heard any evidence, amid pushes by police forces for hearings to be held in private and the identities of officers involved to be withheld.

Sir Christopher said the Metropolitan Polices incompetence and failure to plan for and anticipate the work involved were to blame for delays in April, while campaigners have accused forces of attempting to sabotage the probe.

Scotland Yard said it was working tirelessly to assess the risks of disclosing names from its disbanded Special Demonstration Squad and applied to be allowed until October to finish the work.

Representative Jonathan Hall QC said the Met had 100 people working on the inquiry, which is expected to cost it at least 15m.

It is not to conceal or delay, it is to ensure proper, informed, robust decisions are made, he added.

In a report to mark two years since the inquiry commenced, Sir John emphasised that it was wholly independent of the police and would be rigorous, objective and open where possible.

We believe these investigations will reveal both creditable and discreditable conduct in undercover operations within police in forces across England and Wales, the judge added, saying public hearings were expected to start in 2019.

The secret work of public servants and interferences with the private lives of members of the public will both form a key part of our investigations.
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The Home Office unlawfully locked a woman up in a freezing punishment room for 28 hours at a detention centre when she had committed no crime, a court has ruled.

The Kenyan asylum seeker, who is claiming asylum on the basis of her sexuality, was held in a room that had no bedding and just a rusty toilet at the Yarls Wood Immigration Removal Centre in September last year.

Segregation is permitted in immigration detention under certain circumstances, but after 24 hours of locking someone in a cell on their own, the Home Secretary has to authorise any further period of being held in isolation. In the case of this woman, no such authorisation was sought despite the fact she was held for a total of 28 hours.

The court case marks the first time segregation in detention has been challenged. Between 1,200 and 4,800 detainees are placed in segregation each year, according to research by charity Medical Justice  many of whom have committed no crime.

The woman said she was held in segregation because she had previously refused to go quietly with Home Office escorts when they had tried to forcibly remove her from the UK, due to the fact that her asylum claim was still ongoing.

I refused to go with the escorts because my immigration case was still going through the courts and no final decision had been made, she told the Guardian.

The staff said I was not compliant. There was no bedding and just a rusty toilet in the cell they put me in. I was freezing cold.

When asked about the court case, she said: I was anxious too but I had my lawyers behind me so I began the case against the Home Office while I was still locked up.

I wasnt just doing it for myself but for thousands of other immigration detainees who are also placed in segregation, often without good reason.

The womans solicitor, Lewis Kett of Duncan Lewis Solicitors, told The Independent the ruling was a breakthrough in the sense that it was the first time segregation in detention had been challenged.

This is the first time that segregation in immigration detention has been found to be unlawful. There has been case law on segregation in the prison and hospital contexts, but this is the first time its occurred in an immigration context. Its a breakthrough in that sense, he said.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 12 November 2022 The City of London Pride Group take part in the parade during the Lord Mayor's Show PA UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA 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

Medical Justice, which observes the treatment of people in detention centres, describes the use of segregation on detainees as one of the most severe and dangerous sanctions that can be imposed on detainees, saying it can have a devastating impact on mental and physical health.

A Home Office spokesperson said: Detention is an important part of our immigration system, helping to ensure that those with no right to remain in the UK are returned to their home country if they will not leave voluntarily.

We will now consider our next steps following todays ruling.
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EU citizens moving to the UK will have to register with the Home Office after free movement ends in 2019, the Home Secretary has said, as she again indicated a Brexit implementation phase.

Amber Rudd's comments came after immigration minister Brandon Lewis said earlier in the day the Government was very clear that the free movement of labour would end after Brexit.

Ms Rudd, along with the Chancellor Philip Hammond and other soft Brexit advocates, has been keen to reassure the business community there will not be a cliff edge Brexit which would threaten labour flows.

A transitionary period of up to four years after the UK leaves the EU is expected to see EU nationals register to work in the country, despite the strong will of many Eurosceptic MPs to reduce immigration from the bloc.

While free movement would, in principle, have ended, the practice is expected to be similar to the current situation until after the end of the transition period.

Speaking on a visit to Scotland on Thursday, after Mr Lewis appeared to have contradicted her previous statements, Ms Rudd said: There will be an implementation phase when new EU workers will need to register their details.

The Home Secretary wrote to the Migration Advisory Committee on Wednesday asking them to assess the role migrants play in the British economy.

 Boris Johnson didn't know about the major report into impact of Brexit

Ms Rudd said: As part of a smooth and orderly transition as we leave the EU, the second phase of our immigration proposals is based on a temporary implementation period to ensure there is no cliff-edge on the UKs departure for employers or individuals.

During this period there will also be a straightforward system for the registration and documentation of new arrivals.

But Mr Lewiss comments were more stark and made no mention of allowances for a transition phase.

He said freedom of movement was one of the "core principles" of the EU, and that a new immigration system would be in place when Britain formally departs the union.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Free movement of labour ends when we leave the European Union in the spring of 2019 - we're very clear about that."

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 12 November 2022 The City of London Pride Group take part in the parade during the Lord Mayor's Show PA UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA 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

Asked why free trade and single market access would not also end then, Mr Lewis said: "There's a period of negotiation we're going through with the European Union at the moment, but we're very clear that free movement ends - it's part of the core principles, the four key principles, of the European Union - when we leave."

Pressed on whether it was a red line to end free movement in March 2019, he said: "It's a simple matter of fact that the four key principles of the European Union include free movement - we won't be a member of the European Union when we leave."

Additional reporting by agencies.
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Chancellor Philip Hammond has said that he wants a transition period after Britain leaves the European Union, during which time EU nationals will still be free to come to the UK and work, as long as they register with authorities first.

Mr Hammond said the UK would leave the customs union and the single market on 29 March 2019 but that there was broad agreement in the Cabinet that a transitional arrangement would need to be put in place to avoid a Brexit cliff edge.

With the Prime Minister away on holiday, the Chancellor spelled out for the first time what a transitional period with the EU might look like, and that the Government would be seeking one.

We need to deliver for the British people, business as usual, life as normal, the Chancellor told the BBCs Today programme.

I hope we will be able to agree a transition which means goods will be able to flow across the border between the UK and the EU in much the way they do now.

He added: It will be some time before we are able to introduce full migration controls between the UK and the European Union. We have to put in place new infrastructure, new IT systems, new people. The Home Secretary and the Prime Minister have been clear this will take a while to put in place.

Mr Hammond said the transition period would be expected to come to an end in time for the 2022 election.

There will be a process between the date we leave the European Union and the date on which the new treaty-based arrangements between the UK and the European Union which we hope and expect to negotiate come into force, he said.

I cant tell you a precise period of time because we havent had that discussion yet. It will be driven by technical considerations; how long it will take us to put the necessary arrangements in place. People have talked about a year, two years, maybe three years.

I think there is a broad consensus that this process has to be completed by the scheduled time of the next general election, which is in June 2022, so a period of at the most three years in order to put these new arrangements in place and move us on a steady path without cliff edges from where we are today to the new long-term relationship with the European Union.

Mr Hammond refused to confirm or deny reports that he had told business leaders the UK would seek a three-year transitional deal, described as an off-the-shelf arrangement similar to the European Economic Area (EEA) arrangements the EU has in place with Norway.

Mr Hammond said that the UK wanted to avoid the cliff edge scenario in which trading arrangements and other arrangements currently guaranteed by EU membership suddenly ceased to be, with nothing in their place.

The day after we leave the EU people want to know that French and Spanish products will be on the supermarket shelves. If they want to go on holiday they want to know they can get on a plane and fly to their destination, that businesses can buy the components they need to protect jobs and prosperity.

I can envisage a situation where we start immediately after our exit from the European Union with many arrangements very similar to how they were before, but moving steadily with the introduction of new systems, which will be our long-term relationship with the European Union.

Mr Hammond acknowledged that all of this has to be negotiated with the European Union. The UK is currently four months in to the formal 24-month negotiating period and is a long way off even beginning the aspects of the negotiations that will deal with the future trading relationship.

Any transitional arrangement would make it essentially impossible for the UK to strike any trade deals with other countries around the world for as long as it was in place, which will irritate many hard Brexiteers, as will the stance on free movement.

Mr Hammond said he recognised that it may take some time to negotiate trade deals with third countries following claims by former EU trade commissioner Karel De Gucht that the UK would not be able to strike a trade deal with the US before it has left the EU or during a transitional period.

He said: We recognise that it will take some time for us to negotiate trade deals with third countries. The important point is that we are able to get started on that process and during a transition period when we would hope to have continued access to the European market.

Immigration minister and Brexiteer Brandon Lewis said on Thursday that free movement would end in March 2019. But Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, later claimed that EU migrants would still be able to come as long as they registered with authorities.

The Chancellor was speaking after reports in the Financial Times that he had told business leaders the UK would seek a three-year transitional arrangement.

Mr Hammond is said to have told business leaders he initially wants an off-the-shelf deal with the EU that would maintain the UKs current trading relationship with the bloc.

According to reports in the Financial Times, this would be followed by a second implementation phase while the final terms of a future trade deal were negotiated.

Allies of Mr Hammond told the newspaper the transition and implementation periods should end by 2022.

Mr Hammond has been an advocate of transitional arrangements between Britains exit from the EU in 2019 and any new trade deal coming into force, an approach that has caused tensions with senior Brexiteers in the Government.

Sources present at a meeting with Mr Hammond and business leaders at Number 11 Downing Street on Monday told the Financial Times the Chancellor was clear there was not enough time to negotiate a new bespoke trade deal before Britains exit in April 2019.

He was very clear these were two different phases, someone at the meeting told the newspaper.

Earlier this week Mr Hammond told ITV he hoped talks on a transitional deal could start in the autumn.
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Kensington councillors involved in the Grenfell Tower refurbishment cannot remain in their roles after police announced they have grounds to suspect the authority of corporate manslaughter, the areas MP has said.

Labour's Emma Dent Coad, who took over the west London seat days before the fire, claimed it was "impossible" for anyone who played a role in authorising the use of flammable cladding to be installed during the works to hold public office.

It comes after police announced there were "reasonable grounds" to suspect Kensington and Chelsea Council (RBKC) and the local authoritys tenant management organisation (TMO) committed corporate manslaughter.

Chiefs from both organisations will be formally interviewed by officers as part of the criminal investigation into the tragedy that claimed at least 80 lives.

But Ms Dent Coad said cabinet members will all be tarred with the same brush, making it impossible for them to remain in office while the investigation is ongoing.

"It changes by the day, we are looking at the taskforce leads who are coming in and what their records are like, but I really don't see how anybody who was anywhere near the actual decision-making process could possibly continue working, any of them at all, she said.

"Cabinet members will all be tarred with the same brush, because the decision went through the cabinet. Anybody else who was around in the KCTMO at that time who was anywhere near that decision, nobody will trust them.

"It would be impossible for them to continue, I don't see anyone can have any trust at all if they were anywhere near that decision."

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

Her concerns were echoed by the local community who said they were pleased by the development but wanted to see a stricter punishment.

Police do not have the power to arrest individuals under the offence of corporate manslaughter, but an individual can face arrest under gross negligence manslaughter charges if a death may have been caused by an act or omission on their part.

Justice4Grenfell said it hoped the development was a "precursor" to individual arrests, adding: "Any arrests made will be seen by all those affected as tangible evidence that they are valued members of society and are being listened to."

Some residents called on the councils board to dismiss anyone involved preemptively on the grounds of gross misconduct.

A letter sent by police to those affected by the tragedy read: We have seized a huge amount of material and taken a large number of witness statements.

After an initial assessment of that information, the officer leading the investigation has today notified Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the Kensington and Chelsea TMO that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that each organisation may have committed the offence of corporate manslaughter under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007.

In due course, a senior representative for each corporation will be formally interviewed by police in relation to the potential offence.

It comes after a number of stakeholders from both RBKC and the TMO resigned in the wake of the tragedy over accusations they ignored a catalogue of warnings over fire safety.

The councils chief executive Nicholas Holgate was the first to step down in the aftermath over the boroughs handling of the fire.

Despite my wish to have continued, in very challenging circumstances, to lead on the executive responsibilities of the council, I have decided that it is better to step down from my role, once an appropriate successor has been appointed, he said in a statement on 21 June.

A week later, TMO leader Robert Black stepped aside to concentrate on assisting with the investigation and inquiry, followed by RBKC leader Nick Paget-Brown and deputy leader Rock Feilding-Mellen just hours later.
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Theresa May is facing tough new demands by the Irish government that could see the Irish Sea become the country's post-Brexit border with the UK, according to reports.

New Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is said to be unconvinced by the British Government's plans to introduce a hi-tech land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after Brexit.

Ministers had proposed using things measures like surveillance cameras to allow free movement between the north and south of the island.

However, according to reports in The Times, Mr Varadkar is said to think these plans could jeopardise the peace process in Ireland and restrict movement between the two countries.

He is said to want customs and immigration checks moved away from the land border to ports and airportseffectively drawing a new border in the Irish Sea.

The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is one of the key issues that needs to be resolved by the UK and the EU before talks begin on a new trade deal.

According to The Times, Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney told a recent meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers: "What we do not want to pretend is that we can solve the problems of the border on the island of Ireland through technical solutions like cameras and pre-registration and so on. That is not going to work.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images

"Any barrier or border on the island of Ireland in my view risks undermining a very hard-won peace process and all of the parties in Northern Ireland, whether they are unionist or nationalist, recognise that we want to keep the free movement of people and goods and services and livelihoods."

Press Association
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The Maltese Prime Minister, and current President of the European Council, Joseph Muscat, has said Brexit "might not happen" and urged UK politicians to fight for a second referendum on the country's exit terms.

Mr Muscat, who is particularly well briefed on the Brexit talks while his country holds the year long rotating presidency of the European council, told a Dutch newspaper he thought the tide could be turning on Brexit.

The will of the people can have disastrous consequences, history teaches us, Mr Muscat said in an interview with De Volkskrant. I could name some examples, but theyre so horrendous theyd raise the wrath of my British friends.

For the first time, Im starting to believe that Brexit will not happen. I am seeing hopeful signs that indicate things will change. I see encouraging signs that the tide is turning.

"Im not saying the Brits have made a mistake, but the mood is changing. People see that their fundamentally valid vote has been given an answer that does not offer a solution.

The referendum was democratic, but has resulted in a situation in which everyone loses. Doubt is creeping in.

"It would be good if a political leader in the UK stands up and is courageous enough to address this new situation. Someone who says: lets put the Brexit end-deal to a popular vote.

Currently, the UK's exit terms will be subject to a vote in the UK Parliament. But if Parliament rejects the terms, it would not keep the UK in the European Union, but merely exit on no deal at all.

Theresa May and the Brexit Secretary, David Davis, have both argued that holding a referendum on a withdrawal agreement would encourage the EU to offer unfavourable terms in a hope of keeping the UK in the EU.

But pro-EU sources point out that would be a considerable risk on Brussels' part too. Unfavourable trading terms are unfavourable for both sides, and if the UK voters accepted them, EU countries would pay a price too.

Mr Muscat also dismissed suggestions the UK was unprepared for the negotiations.

 Michel Barnier seeks clarification over key issues in Brexit talks

"People who say the Brits dont know what they are doing are wrong, he said. I have lived in Britain, I know the British mentality. A non-prepared British government official simply doesnt exist.

The problem isnt that London is prepared badly, but that the EU is prepared extremely well. That much became clear when Michael Barnier asked me, Do you know how many cats and dogs travel from Dover to Calais every year? Do you know whats to be done with the animal passport? Such detail! Thats when I knew: the EU is excellently prepared.
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US political analysts are calling the latest failure to repeal Obamacare in the Senate "the beginning of the unravelling" of Republican support for Donald Trump.

During a panel discussion on the Presidents skinny repeal bill, which was voted down by a thin margin of 51-49 after three GOP rebellions led by Senator John McCain, CNN commentator Margaret Hoover warned that Trump is clearly acting on his own; hes not listening to anybody.

Two other Republicans joined Senator McCain, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, on voting no on a bill that critics had warned would have led to the deaths of 20,000 additional people.

In a statement shortly after the results of the vote were announced, the senator for Arizona said: From the beginning, I have believed that Obamacare should be repealed and replaced with a solution that increases competition, lowers costs, and improves care for the American people. The so-called skinny repeal amendment the Senate voted on today would not accomplish those goals.

While the amendment would have repealed some of Obamacares most burdensome regulations, it offered no replacement to actually reform our health care system and deliver affordable, quality health care to our citizens.

Failure to pass the repeal act demonstrated a haphazard policy-making process on behalf of the White House, Ms Hoover added.

In response to the results, Democrat Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts on CNN encouraged the US president to put aside partisanship and work together with Democrats: We do want to work with Republicans. The Affordable Care Act has to be improvedbut we have to do it on a bipartisan basis and hopefully those millions of Americans can sleep easier tonight knowing their healthcare has not been ripped away from them can now look to democrats and republicans finally coming together to make this healthcare system work better.

The US presidents approval rating has plummeted in the last week following the GOPs disunited front on the topic of Obamacare, as well as the US presidents criticisms following Attorney General Jeff Sessions' decision to recuse himself.

A Reuters poll conducted on the 24 July, less than a week before the vote on Obamacare found that just 35.1 per cent of GOP party members polled approved of the US presidents work. Over half (58.1 per cent) disapproved, and 4.1 per cent had mixed feelings.

Political scientist Matt Glassman echoed these sentiments, telling The New York Times: The current congressional GOP seems less supportive and more constraining of the Potus than basically any in history.

The US president has previously expressed exasperation at his party's lack of support, stating on Twitter that: Its very sad that Republicans, even some that were carried over the line on my back, do very little to protect their President.
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A 98-year-old US science journalist, who has finally decided to retire, has said a generation of Americans are suffering from a major disability in what they can think about and understand.

David Perlman, who has not only won awards but had them named after him, said this was one reason why so many people refused to recognise climate change was real.

Speaking to the website of the Poynter Institute, which trains the media, The San Francisco Chronicle journalist described cuts in science coverage by newspapers as absolutely obscene.

Newspapers, whether online or in print, are a major factor in the ongoing education and awareness of the public, and specifically of a younger generation, he said.

And whether it's online or in print, the idea of failing to cover advances in science ... it creates a generation with a major disability in what they can think about and understand.

This lack of critical thinking was being demonstrated in the US publics reaction to scientific evidence that the world is getting warmer because of greenhouse gas emissions, largely caused by fossil fuels.

A perfect example of that [lack of understanding of science] is the controversy over climate change, global warming and all that that implies, Mr Perlman said.

The failure of people to understand that this is real science, and it's just as scientifically valid as an issue today as is the fact that we're going to have an eclipse of the sun on August 21. That's not a theory  that's going to happen.

And the climate is going to change more, and more and more.

The resistance to an understanding of that I can understand ... which is largely generated by people whose economic interests are threatened by the fact that what's causing the changing climate is, in fact, the increasing emissions of greenhouse gases.

A recent poll by YouGov found 57 per cent of Americans thought that a combination of human activity and natural causes were causing global warming.

According to Nasa and other scientific bodies, greenhouse gas emissions have caused the vast majority of recent warming with the world experiencing three successive, record-breaking hottest years. The natural El Nino weather cycle has had a relatively minor effect.

Mr Perlman said once there had been 50 to 75 pages in newspapers devoted to science across the US but now theres The New York Times on Tuesday with only a few others having anything similar.

I think newspapers have abdicated their responsibility by diminishing the amount of science coverage, Mr Perlman said.

10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Show all 10 1 /10 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A group of emperor penguins face a crack in the sea ice, near McMurdo Station, Antarctica Kira Morris 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Floods destroyed eight bridges and ruined crops such as wheat, maize and peas in the Karimabad valley in northern Pakistan, a mountainous region with many glaciers. In many parts of the world, glaciers have been in retreat, creating dangerously large lakes that can cause devastating flooding when the banks break. Climate change can also increase rainfall in some areas, while bringing drought to others. Hira Ali 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Smoke  filled with the carbon that is driving climate change  drifts across a field in Colombia. Sandra Rondon 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Amid a flood in Islampur, Jamalpur, Bangladesh, a woman on a raft searches for somewhere dry to take shelter. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable places in the world to sea level rise, which is expected to make tens of millions of people homeless by 2050. Probal Rashid 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Sindh province in Pakistan has experienced a grim mix of two consequences of climate change. Because of climate change either we have floods or not enough water to irrigate our crop and feed our animals, says the photographer. Picture clearly indicates that the extreme drought makes wide cracks in clay. Crops are very difficult to grow. Rizwan Dharejo 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Hanna Petursdottir examines a cave inside the Svinafellsjokull glacier in Iceland, which she said had been growing rapidly. Since 2000, the size of glaciers on Iceland has reduced by 12 per cent. Tom Schifanella 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A river once flowed along the depression in the dry earth of this part of Bangladesh, but it has disappeared amid rising temperatures. Abrar Hossain 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A shepherd moves his herd as he looks for green pasture near the village of Sirohi in Rajasthan, northern India. The region has been badly affected by heatwaves and drought, making local people nervous about further predicted increases in temperature. Riddhima Singh Bhati 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A factory in China is shrouded by a haze of air pollution. The World Health Organisation has warned such pollution, much of which is from the fossil fuels that cause climate change, is a public health emergency. Leung Ka Wa 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Water levels in reservoirs, like this one in Gers, France, have been getting perilously low in areas across the world affected by drought, forcing authorities to introduce water restrictions. Mahtuf Ikhsan

Born in 1918, he will be nearly 99 when he leaves the Chronicle in August after nearly 70 years at the paper.

He said he only began thinking about retirement last year, but then thought: What the hell  it was too much fun still working, and I could still write good stories.

It was, I think, a couple of months ago, something like that, that I realised it's really time to stop."
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Some officials at the Pentagon were reportedly concerned Donald Trump was set to declare war on North Korea when he started tweeting about his plans for the military.

There were nine long minutes between Mr Trumps first tweet - announcing he had been consulting with his generals - and the second, in which he said he had decided transgender people could not serve in the military.

During that time, some people were apparently worried Mr Trump had Pyongyang in his sights, rather than the rights of LGBTQ servicemen and women.

At the Pentagon, the first of the three tweets raised fears that the president was getting ready to announce strikes on North Korea or some other military action, BuzzFeed reported.

Many said they were left in suspense for nine minutes, the time between the first and second tweet. Only after the second tweet did military officials receive the news the President was announcing a personnel change on Twitter.

 Sarah Huckabee fails to answer what will happen to transgender people currently serving in military

The news site said Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis is on vacation this week, and officials said he knew Mr Trump was considering the policy change. It said it was unclear if he approved of it.

The news fits with the confused and seemingly shambolic way in which Mr Trump announced his news, the reversal of years of hard-fought progress that had been made by members of the LGBTQ community in regards to the military.

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

Barack Obamas administration had already permitted transgender people already enlisted to serve openly, and was set to allow new transgender recruits to join. The plan was suspended in December.

After Mr Trump announced the news on Twitter, the Pentagon directed all questions on the issue to the White House.

At a briefing, spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders was asked what would happen to those transgender people already serving - an issue Mr Trump did not address in his tweets. She did not have a convincing answer.

She said: Thats something that the Department of Defence and the White House will have to work together as implementation takes place and is done so lawfully.
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Sub-Saharan countries, where up to 10 per cent of the population suffers from AIDS, remain left out of the global HIV response and lack access to medical care, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), has warned.

A lack of awareness and information about HIV amongst the population and a decline in international funding would exacerbate the problem, the aid group said.

On the ground however, MSF said that treatment failure and late diagnosis leading to delayed treatment were the main causes of illness and death.

The findings were presented at the International AIDS Society conference on HIV in Paris.

They showed that in countries like Guinea, Kenya, DRC and Malawi, the mortality rate in MSF hospitals was currently as high as 30 to 40 per cent.

In 2016, two thirds of a total of 1.8 million new infections were developed in the African region, according to the World Health Organisation.

Sophie Spiers, HIV specialist with MSF said awareness needed to be raised at community level on the ground and better care was required for those who have been on treatment for years. Medicine needed to be more accessible, she added.

Health policy advisor Mit Philips also warned that the decline of global political will and funding will mean that patients arriving at hospitals sick with AIDS will have any hope of reprieve snatched away.

In 2016, donor government funding was the lowest since 2010, decreasing $0.5 billion from 2015.

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 his latest budget proposal Donald Trump suggested cutting $1bn (763m) from tis global AIDS programmes.

This represents 17 per cent of the total Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM), according to MSF.

This also represents 11 per cent of the US Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which assists one in four HIV patients globally.

The cuts to GFATM could mean nearly 300,000 additional lives lost per year, and a potential 4.28 million new HIV, TB and malaria infections, MSF warned.

Last year more than one million deaths were attributed to HIV despite treatments being more effective than ever. Three quarters of those deaths were reported in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to UNAIDS agency.
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George Clooney has said he intends to sue a French magazine over illegal paparazzi photographs of his and Amal Clooneys new twins.

The 56-year-old claimed the images of himself, Amal, a high-profile human rights lawyer, and their new children Ella and Alexander, had been taken by photographers who had scaled their fence and climbed a tree to obtain them.

The Paris-based magazine Voici published a series of photographs that showed the Clooneys carrying their children while at their Lake Como estate in Italys Lombardy region. Last month, representatives for the couple confirmed they had become parents after the twins were born in London.

The Clooneys say photographers scaled their fence (Getty)

This morning Amal and George welcomed Ella and Alexander Clooney into their lives, the Clooneys said in a statement at the time.

Ella, Alexander and Amal are all healthy, happy and doing fine. George is sedated and should recover in a few days.

 Amal Clooney urges world leaders not to let Isis get away with genocide in passionate address to UN

But now the couple now says their privacy has been illegally invaded and that the only valid response is legal action.

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

Over the last week, photographers from Voici magazine scaled our fence, climbed our tree and illegally took pictures of of our infants inside our home. Make no mistake the photographers, the agency and the magazine will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, Clooney said in a statement to TMZ. The safety of our children demands it.

The magazine defended its actions and said the decision to run the images was based on the publics affection for the couple.

George and Amal Clooney have been very public personalities for the last few years. The birth of their twins, Ella and Alexander, has also been commented a lot, by themselves and their families, the magazine said in a statement.

The images published in Voici this Friday are a response to a public demand. People love George Clooney and have been following his life story for years now. Those pictures do not put in danger Mr Clooney, his wife or their kids.
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The US and South Korea have said they are considering military responses after the latest test of a intercontinental missile by North Korea.

Officials confirmed that the most recent missile tested by Pyongyang, which was in the air for 45 minutes before apparently landing in the waters of Japans exclusive economic zone, was an ICBM.

Earlier this month, US officials said they believed North Korea had the capability of firing a missile that could reach Alaska. At the same time, reports said US intelligence officials believed North Korea was just one year away from completing a nuclear weapon that could be attached to such a weapon.

 North Korea celebrates rocket launch with massive concert

Reuters said that following North Koreas test, South Korean President Moon Jae-in ordered discussions to be held with the United States on deploying additional anti-missile defence units. Senior US and South Korean military officials also discussed their military options in response to the Norths actions.

The news agency said Marine General Joseph Dunford was joined by the Commander of US Pacific Command, Admiral Harry Harris, when they called General Lee Sun-jin, chairman of the South Korean Joint Chief of Staff.

During the call Dunford and Harris expressed the ironclad commitment to the US-Republic of Korea alliance. The three leaders also discussed military response options, said Captain Greg Hicks, a spokesman for Mr Dunford.

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 Pentagon said the US was aware of the launch of the North Korean missile while it was still in flight. It said it was launched from Mupyong-ni, an arms plant in the far north of North Korea, and travelled about 620 miles before splashing down.

Pentagon spokesman Capt Jeff Davis said in a statement: The North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America.

Japanese officials said they believed the missile flew for 45 minutes and reached an altitude of more than 1,860 miles.

As a result of their launches of ICBM-level missiles, this clearly shows the threat to our nation's safety is severe and real, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said. He said he was was convening Japans National Security Council.

The European Union called the launch an outright violation of international obligations and a serious threat to international peace and security. It urged North Korea to engage in dialogue to pursue denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

Along with North Koreas series of tests of missiles, the US has been sabre-rattling at Pyongang, with Donald Trump insisting that no options were off the table. He has repeatedly asked China to try and use its leverage to force the North to cancel its nuclear weapons programme.
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A high school student who dreamed for years of joining the military and had just enlisted in the Marines was killed when a spinning and swinging thrill ride broke apart and sent several of its passengers tumbling onto the midway at the Ohio State Fair.

The 18-year-old's girlfriend was among seven who were badly injured when the Fire Ball flung riders  some still strapped in their seats  through the air.

A few people on the midway were hit by debris.

The ride's Dutch manufacturer on Thursday told operators of the same attraction at fairs and festivals worldwide to stop using it until more is learned about what caused the malfunction.

Federal and state investigators have begun working to find what caused the wreck on Wednesday, the fair's opening day.

Video taken by a bystander of the swinging, spinning Fire Ball ride in action captured a crashing sound. A section holding four riders came apart, and screams could be heard as at least two people were ejected and plunged toward the ground. Other riders were still in their seats as they fell.

Tyler Jarrell, of Columbus, was thrown about 50 feet (15 meters) and pronounced dead on the midway. The Marine Corps and school officials said Jarrell enlisted last week and was going to begin basic training after his high school graduation next year.

"That was just this past Friday. Then he goes to the state fair and he is involved in this horrible tragedy. It's just devastating," said Capt. Gerard Lennon Jr., a naval science instructor in the Junior ROTC program at Jarrell's high school.

Lennon said the teenager had been interested in going into the service or law enforcement for quite a while.

The injured ranged in age from 14 to 42. At least two were listed in critical condition.

Jarrell's girlfriend, Keziah Lewis, doesn't remember the accident and has pelvis, ankle and rib injuries, her mother told The Columbus Dispatch.

Lewis, a University of Cincinnati student, underwent one surgery and faces a second.

"She kept asking for her boyfriend," Clarissa Williams said. "I had to tell her he was the one who was deceased."

Inspectors looked over the ride while it was assembled and signed off on it hours before it flew apart, according to authorities and records released on Thursday.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich shut down all rides at the fair and ordered them inspected again. He said it was too early to say whether inspectors missed something that led to the tragedy.

"It's a nightmare. It's a terrible situation," he said.

The ride's manufacturer, KMG, said the one at the Ohio fair was built in 1998. Forty-three of the rides, also known as the Afterburner, are in use around the world, 11 of them in the US, according to KMG. None has had a serious malfunction before, the company told the AP.

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. 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The Fire Ball swings 24 riders back and forth like a pendulum 40 feet (12 metres) above the ground while they sit facing each other in four-seat carriages that spin at 13 revolutions a minute, according to the company's website.

Records show that inspections on Fire Ball were up to date and a state permit was issued for the ride on Wednesday, the fair's opening day.

Ohio Department of Agriculture records provided to The Associated Press showed passing marks on inspections of about three dozen items, including possible cracks, brakes, proper assembly and installation.

All rides at the fair are checked several times when they are being set up to ensure the work is done the way the manufacturer intended, said Agriculture Director David Daniels.

Michael Vartorella, Ohio's chief inspector of amusement ride safety, said the Fire Ball was inspected three or four times before the fair opened.

Amusements of America, the company that provides rides to the state fair, said its staff also had inspected the ride before it opened.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is also investigating. It estimates there were 30,900 injuries associated with amusement attractions last year that required an emergency room visit.

It said there have been at least 22 fatalities associated with amusement attractions since 2010.

The Ohio State Fair, which remained open on Thursday, is one of the biggest state fairs in the US, drawing in 900,000 people last year.

"Our hearts are heavy for the families of those involved in last night's tragic accident," fair officials said on Twitter.

Associated Press
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Hundreds of people provided a send-off for a military bomb-sniffer dog who served three tours in Afghanistan and who had to be put down after being diagnosed with terminal bone cancer.

Cena, a 10-year-old black labrador, was cheered and clapped as he was carried aboard USS LST 393, a museum ship in Muskegon, Michigan, where he was put to sleep. The dogs body was then carried off in a coffin draped with a US flag.

The Associated Press said that Cena was a bomb-sniffer for the Marines until his retirement in 2014. The goodbye was organised by his owner, Lance Cpl Jeff DeYoung, who was paired with the dog in 2009 and 2010 while on a combat tour in Afghanistan and who adopted him in 2014. Cena then became Mr DeYoungs service dog to help him with deal with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The labrador was recently diagnosed with terminal bone cancer (AP)

My whole adult life Ive had Cena, Mr DeYoung told the news agency. When I was 19 overseas, learning how to be responsible, I had Cena. And now I'm 27 and I'm having to say goodbye to one of the biggest pieces of my life.

Mr DeYoung said he had carried Cena across rivers and thrown his body over him while under heavy fire from the Taliban in Afghanistan. He said his dog had even kept him warm during freezing nights in the desert and was one of his few sources of comfort when he lost seven friends in three weeks.

Writing on Facebook the night before Cena was to be put down, Mr DeYoung spoke of dreading what he had to do the following morning.

My last night with Cena. Words cannot convey what Im feeling and thinking. I want to run away and not face what I must do, he wrote. But he needs me to be strong and set him free. He has blessed my life with love and admiration, happiness and strength. Because of him I got to have a family. Because of him I was able to live.

 Stars and fans attend Chris Cornell's funeral in Hollywood

As part of the send-off, Mr DeYoung took his dog on a final ride in a topless Jeep that was decorated and named Cancer Response Team.

"It started off with my basically wanting to go to a dealership and wanting to borrow a Jeep for a day and really small to a community tribute or a community parade for him and he's truly deserved it all, said Mr DeYoung.

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 support, all the love people are giving him, he can see it and he can feel it.

Mr DeYoung said he dreaded having to put his dog to sleep (AP)

The ceremony was attended by officials from the US Marine Corps League, Michigan State Police, Muskegon County Sheriffs Office, Muskegon City Police, Muskegon Fire Department and officers from several other departments, including a canine officer named Rex.

There was a three-volley salute with Taps played on a bugle for Cena, who was wearing a decorated blue Marine vest. A GoFundMe page has been set up for donations to help build the dog a headstone.

Mr DeYoung added: Any dog that served overseas deserves exactly what Ive done for Cena, if not more.
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White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci has launched an extraordinary rant towards chief of staff Reince Priebus, calling him a f***** paranoid schizophrenic and claiming he may be asked to resign very shortly.

Mr Scaramucci, who recently took over the communications job in a dramatic White House shakeup, called the New Yorkers Ryan Lizza to vent about persistent leaks from federal employees to the press.

After unsuccessfully demanding the source for one of Mr Lizzas tweets, Mr Scaramucci switched to a different tactic.

 Trump spokesman compares attempt to repeal Obamacare to abolition of slavery

Recommended Trump spokesman compares repealing Obamacare to abolition of slavery

Theyll all be fired by me, he said, referring to the White House communications staff. I fired one guy the other day. I have three to four people Ill fire tomorrow.

Later, Mr Scaramucci insisted Mr Priebus had leaked a story to Mr Lizza as revenge for not being invited to dinner with the President.

Reince is a f****** paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac, Mr Scaramucci said. He channelled Mr Priebus as he spoke - referencing the fact that the White House Chief of Staff was against Mr Scaramucci being appointed at the beginning of the Trump administration: Oh, Bill Shine is coming in Let me leak the f*****g thing and see if I can c***-block these people the way I c***-blocked Scaramucci for six months.

Mr Scaramucci has waged a war against White House leaks since assuming his post. He has repeated his threat to fire all of the communications staff to multiple outlets, and has already followed through with one staffer  former assistant press secretary Michael Short.

After telling Politico of his plans to fire Mr Short in advance, Mr Scaramucci then condemned the press for reporting on it.

This is actually a terrible thing, he told reporters outside the White House. Lets say Im firing Michael Short today. The fact that you guys know about it before he does really upsets me as a human being and as a Roman Catholic.

The Communications Director was particularly incensed by the leak of his financial disclosure, which he deemed a felony, although such documents are made publicly available online once they are vetted by the Office of Government Ethics.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

In a since-deleted tweet, Mr Scaramucci appeared to blame the leak of his financial disclosure on Mr Priebus, writing: In light of the leak of my financial disclosure info which is a felony. I will be contacting @FBI and @The Justice DEpartment #swamp @Reince45.

Mr Scaramucci appeared on CNN to clear up the tweet, calling himself and Mr Priebus brothers.

Some brothers are like Cain and Abel. Other brothers can fight with each other and get along, he said, referencing the Biblical story in which Cain kills his brother Abel.

In his interview with Mr Lizza, however, Mr Scaramucci did not reserve his comments for Mr Priebus alone.

Im not Steve Bannon, Im not trying to suck my own c***, he said of Mr Trumps chief strategist who is said to wield significant influence in the White House. Im not trying to build my own brand off the f****** strength of the President. Im here to serve the country.

Mr Scaramucci later said on Twitter: I sometimes use colorful language. I will refrain in this arena but not give up the passionate fight for @RealDonaldTrump's agenda. #MAGA.
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A Lebanon-born politician from Australia has been denied entry to the US despite having the same visa as the rest of his party.

Khalil Eideh, a Labor MP in Victoria, was stuck in Vancouver after a staff member from United Airlines told him he was not allowed to board a flight to Denver with his fellow politicians.

The group had been in Europe and Canada studying drug laws, and was on its way to the US for the next leg of the trip.

Recommended New visa requirements could push Trump travel ban even further

Sex party MP Fiona Patten, who was travelling with Mr Eideh, wrote on Twitter: It was shocking we had all received the same US visa and were all traveling on official passports.

The United Airlines staff knew he had been denied entry to the US before any of us, Ms Patten told AAP from Denver. He was incredibly upset ... disbelieving.

Ms Patten said Mr Eideh was not told why he wasnt allowed on the plane. The Victorian government has sought an explanation.

The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

The Victorian Government has made representations to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and have asked them to seek an explanation from the US authorities as to why a Victorian Member of Parliament was refused entry to the United States, a government spokesperson told The New Daily.

Mr Eideh was born in Tripoli in Lebanon to Syrian parents who follow the Alawite Islamic faith, according to The Guardian. He moved to Australia in 1970 at the age of 15.

Mr Eideh has previously come under scrutiny for comments he made in the early 2000s in support of Syrias President Bashar al-Assad, who US President Donald Trump has targeted.
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Federal officials should investigate alleged threats made by the White House against Alaska after one of its senators voted against repealing Obamacare, a leading Democrat has claimed.

Lisa Murkowski crossed the floor and voted against her own Republican Party's attempt to reform the Affordable Health Care Act, effectively killing the so-called "skinny" repeal, which would have scaled back some of its more controversial provisions.

It was subsequently alleged that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke called her and fellow Republican senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan. He was said to have told them that if Ms Murkowski voted against the motion, it could mean proposed energy projects destined for the state would have to be scrapped.

 John McCain draws gasps and applause as he votes no on Obamacare repeal

Mr Sullivan, who voted in favour of the bill, told the Alaska Dispatch News: "I'm not going to go into the details, but I fear that the strong economic growth, pro-energy, pro-mining, pro-jobs and personnel from Alaska who are part of those policies are going to stop.

"I tried to push back on behalf of all Alaskans. We're facing some difficult times, but the message was pretty clear.

Alaska is currently seeking federal permission to expand oil drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve but there are fears that this may now be blocked by White House.

Arizona congressman Raul Grijalva said an investigation should be launched into the allegations.

After the bill was eventually voted down by 51 votes to 49 in the Republican-dominated Senate, Donald Trump accused Ms Murkowski and the other Republican Senator's who voted against the reforms, Susan Collins and John McCain of letting down their party and their country on Twitter.

Mr Grijalva, the senior Democrat on the House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources, said he would nonetheless ask the Government Accountability Office, the Interior Departments inspector general or both to investigate the allegations against Mr Zinke.

He said: "Threatening to punish your rivals as political blackmail is something wed see from the Kremlin. Secretary Zinkes willingness to deliver these threats speaks volumes about his ethical standards and demonstrates that Interiors policy positions are up for political grabs, rather than based on science or the public interest.

In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour Show all 39 1 /39 In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud arriving for a reception ahead of a banquet at Murabba Palace in Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud being welcomed at Murabba Palace in Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump with King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during a welcome ceremony with traditional sword dancers at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud with US President Donald J. Trump and wife Melania during a welcome ceremony at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump adjusts the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal, after it was bestowed upon him by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud presents U.S. President Donald Trump with the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 Palestinians print posters depicting US President Donald Trump in preparations for his planned visit, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband White House senior advisor Jared Kushner, before delivering his remarks to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump looks on as U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef exchange a memorandum of understanding Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 First Lady Melania Trump shares a laugh with a child during a visit to the American International School in the Saudi capital Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Israeli soldiers rest during preparations ahead of President Trump's landing in Tel Aviv, Israel Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 First Lady Melania Trump makes her way to board Air Force One in Riyadh as she heads with her husband the US President to Israel Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One for Israel, the next stop in Trump's international tour, at King Khalid International Airport AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Israeli soldiers wait for the arrival ceremony of US President Donald Trump at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive aboard Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod near Tel Aviv, Israel Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump disembark Air Force One on arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump and his wife, US First Lady Melania Trump are welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, in Lod outside Tel Aviv, Israel EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sit during welcome ceremony in Tel Aviv AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US First Lady Melania Trump chats wife Sara Netanyahu as US President Donald Trump chats to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a welcoming ceremony to welcome Trump at Ben Gurion International Airport Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump delivers a speech upon his arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump gestures during a press conference with Israel's President at the President's Residence in Jerusalem Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump watches as First Lady Melania Trump signs the guest book at the President's Residence in Jerusalem Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump walks with first lady Melania Trump in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in Jerusalems Old City Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump stands next to Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz at the plaza in front of the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and White House senior advisor Jared Kushner leave notes at the Western Wall in Jerusalem Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US First Lady Melania Trump touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Ivanka Trump, assistant and daughter of US President Donald J. Trump, touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump arrives in a vehicle to Saint Damaso's Court for a private audience with Pope Francis in Vatican City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis walks past Ivanka Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the occasion of the private audience with President Donald Trump, at the Vatican AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis exchanges gifts with US President Donald Trump during a private audience at the Vatican Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis meets US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania during a private audience at the Vatican Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis with US President Donald J. Trump EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis gets into is car after meeting with US President Donald Trump AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 President Donald Trump and his wife Melania look at the frescoed ceilings during their visit to the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald Trump security vehicles are seen in front of Air Force One before take off from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump wave to reporters before boarding the Air Force One to Brussels, at the end of a 2-day visit to Italy including a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, at Rome's Fiumicino international airport AP

Mr Zinke's office did not respond to requests for comment.

His Interior Department oversees more than 20 percent of federal land, including national parks such as Yosemite, and deals with energy development on public land and offshore areas.

The department deals with policies crucial to Alaska's economy such as oil drilling and control of wildlife areas.

Ms Murkowski, as chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, oversees appropriations and appointee confirmations for the Interior Department.

Separately, Interior Department watchdog group the Western Values Project filed a records request related to Mr Zinke's calls to Ms Murkowski and Mr Sullivan.

Additional reporting by Reuters
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Donald Trump is due to call for more 10,000 immigration officers and the building of his border wall to crack down on a notorious gang operating in New York state.

In an immigration policy speech in Long Island on Friday the President is due to call for 10,000 more Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, the building of his border wall with Mexico, a substantial amount (sic) of legislation to expedite the removal of illegal immigrants from Central America, a bill against sanctuary cities.

He will also call for the passing of the so-called Kates Law  named after Kathryn Steinle, a Californian woman murdered by an illegal immigrant who had previously been deported from the US five times.

These measures are part of his new push to rout out the MS-13 gang  an international criminal gang founded in Los Angeles in the 1980s which has since expanded into several US cities.

On Thursday, he tweeted that the administration was already making big progress against the gang.

The gang has been linked to at least 17 different murders in the Long Island area since January 2016 and last week five members were arrested in connection with the murder of four immigrants in April, the New York Times reported.

An unnamed White House official told The Hill that immigration reform was a priority for the Trump administration and pointed to the quick removal of illegal immigrants who are only suspected of gang membership even if they do not have a criminal record.

In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour Show all 39 1 /39 In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud arriving for a reception ahead of a banquet at Murabba Palace in Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud being welcomed at Murabba Palace in Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump with King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during a welcome ceremony with traditional sword dancers at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud with US President Donald J. Trump and wife Melania during a welcome ceremony at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump adjusts the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal, after it was bestowed upon him by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud presents U.S. President Donald Trump with the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 Palestinians print posters depicting US President Donald Trump in preparations for his planned visit, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband White House senior advisor Jared Kushner, before delivering his remarks to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump looks on as U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef exchange a memorandum of understanding Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 First Lady Melania Trump shares a laugh with a child during a visit to the American International School in the Saudi capital Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Israeli soldiers rest during preparations ahead of President Trump's landing in Tel Aviv, Israel Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 First Lady Melania Trump makes her way to board Air Force One in Riyadh as she heads with her husband the US President to Israel Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One for Israel, the next stop in Trump's international tour, at King Khalid International Airport AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Israeli soldiers wait for the arrival ceremony of US President Donald Trump at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive aboard Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod near Tel Aviv, Israel Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump disembark Air Force One on arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump and his wife, US First Lady Melania Trump are welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, in Lod outside Tel Aviv, Israel EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sit during welcome ceremony in Tel Aviv AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US First Lady Melania Trump chats wife Sara Netanyahu as US President Donald Trump chats to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a welcoming ceremony to welcome Trump at Ben Gurion International Airport Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump delivers a speech upon his arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump gestures during a press conference with Israel's President at the President's Residence in Jerusalem Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump watches as First Lady Melania Trump signs the guest book at the President's Residence in Jerusalem Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump walks with first lady Melania Trump in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in Jerusalems Old City Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump stands next to Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz at the plaza in front of the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and White House senior advisor Jared Kushner leave notes at the Western Wall in Jerusalem Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US First Lady Melania Trump touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Ivanka Trump, assistant and daughter of US President Donald J. Trump, touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump arrives in a vehicle to Saint Damaso's Court for a private audience with Pope Francis in Vatican City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis walks past Ivanka Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the occasion of the private audience with President Donald Trump, at the Vatican AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis exchanges gifts with US President Donald Trump during a private audience at the Vatican Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis meets US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania during a private audience at the Vatican Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis with US President Donald J. Trump EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis gets into is car after meeting with US President Donald Trump AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 President Donald Trump and his wife Melania look at the frescoed ceilings during their visit to the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald Trump security vehicles are seen in front of Air Force One before take off from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump wave to reporters before boarding the Air Force One to Brussels, at the end of a 2-day visit to Italy including a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, at Rome's Fiumicino international airport AP

He said: If you are a gang member you are a priority for removal. Full stop".

He called the policy "politically incorrect but law enforcement-wise very correct."
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When Elaina Odom saw that Donald Trump had announced that the military would no longer allow transgender people to serve in the military, she was devastated.

Less than a year after the Pentagon had announced that people like her  those who identify with a different gender from the one assigned at birth  would be accepted by the military that they had chosen to risk their lives for, the president of the United States had signaled that she and other transgender people in the armed services were, in fact, expendable in the eyes of the military.

It hit hard. I felt like someone had just punched me in the gut that we could so easily be dismissed from our service, Ms Odom told The Independent. That people would think that were that much of a burden. That were a financial burden on the military.

Recommended Military chief says transgender policy will not be changed immediately

Mr Trump announced through several tweets this week that, after having consulted with the US generals and military experts, the United States military would no longer allow transgender people to serve in the armed forces. The surprising announcement came months before his armed forces were required to finish a review of transgender policies in the military. Details around what he meant with his tweets, were scarce.

After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the US Military, Mr Trump wrote. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you.

Sergeant Odom, 30, has been an active duty member of the US Army for 11 years, a time during which she risked her life in Afghanistan, and rerooted her family several times to be stationed all over the world from North Carolina to South Korea and back.

Flying the flag: Why Pride is still relevant Show all 3 1 /3 Flying the flag: Why Pride is still relevant Flying the flag: Why Pride is still relevant 189241.bin AFP/Getty Images Flying the flag: Why Pride is still relevant 189242.bin AFP/Getty Images Flying the flag: Why Pride is still relevant 189243.bin Rex Features

For most of that service, she identified  at least outwardly  as a man. But, she decided to be honest with her self, her colleagues, and the world two years ago. In a massive Facebook post explaining who she was and why she was planning a transition, Ms Odom came out as transgender.

She says that coming out has transformed her life in more ways than the obvious. Once a heavy drinker, she says that being honest about herself has helped her to calm that habit. Once easily upset, she says she has been a more positive person since then.

Ive had a positive mental attitude change, she said. I went from being very negative, to being positive. I actually have gotten to where I dont drink. Im not having as many issues as before.

She says that she hasnt noticed any difference in her workload since coming out  she has always been a busy worker, and her superiors have no issue with taking advantage of that drive  and that many of her colleagues who sought to distance themselves from her after her announcement have lightened up a bit.

And, things were made better by the announcement last year by the Obama administration that transgender people would be catching a break. That announcement signalled that the US military  which has as many as 15,500 transgender soldiers, by some of the larger estimates  would move to consider allowing people who are already transgender to join

But, any added relief that announcement may have provided was dashed by Mr Trumps four tweets. Instead of a sigh of relief that they wont arbitrarily lose their job based upon the fact that they associate with a gender they werent assigned at birth, transgender people in the military are once again on edge. How far does Mr Trump intend to go with his pull back on rights in the military? Will I lose my family? How will I provide for my family if so?

Ms Odom, who is married with three children, notes that the US military hasnt actually received any directives from the White House to change existing transgender policy  a tweet is just a tweet. But, she says shes preparing herself for the worst case scenario from a president who has been all over the map on some issues.

With as long as Ive been in this, Ive learned to expect the unexpected, and prepare for it, she said, when asked if she was worried that openly transgender people would be ejected from the military. Im not going to say thats what is going to happen. I would like to hope for the best, but at the same time I have to prepare for the worst possible outcome.
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Complying with federal ethics rules is demoralising for the good men and women who want to work in the Trump White House, presidential adviser Kellyanne Conway has claimed.

In an interview with Fox & Friends, Ms Conway took issue with the financial disclosure forms required of all top executive branch employees.

"There are so many qualified men and women who wanted to serve this administration and their country who have been completely demoralised and completely disinclined to do so based on the paperwork we have to put forward, Ms Conway said.

The adviser pointed to Anthony Scaramucci, the new White House communications director, who claimed that his financial disclosure forms had been leaked to the press. Copies of the report reveal it was filed on June 23, which means it could be publicly released on July 23  three days before the article about it was published.

Still, Ms Conway said she feared the incident would disincentivise the communications director from serving.

[White House staff] have all complied with those rules, Ms Conway said, but it is really disincentivising good men and women, and I hope it doesn't disincentivise Anthony."

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

According to the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), financial disclosures are required to identify and prevent conflicts of interest in government.

Mr Trumps various disclosure forms, for example, reveal that a large portion of his income comes from his companies with foreign ties. The OGE previously pressed Mr Trump to divest from his companies, in order to keep these ties and others from presenting conflicts of interest.

Mr Trump refused, instead placing his business interests in a blind trust controlled by his sons.

Mr Trumps former OGE Director, Walter Shaub, resigned his position in July, claiming the administration's approach to ethics had made the government close to a laughingstock.

Its hard for the United States to pursue international anti-corruption and ethics initiatives when were not even keeping our own side of the street clean, Mr Shaub told The New York Times.

Responding Ms Conways latest comments on Twitter, Mr Saub wrote: The Administration assures us, ladies and gents, that it fully supports the (horrible, no good, awful, totes demoralizing) ethics program.
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Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has declared that if Donald Trump fires his Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, there will be holy hell to pay.

Over the past week, the President has verbally attacked Mr Sessions, making clear that he is angry with the Attorney General for recusing himself from a probe into possible ties between Trump campaign advisers and the Russian government.

The clashes over the future of Mr Sessions  who landed in El Salvador on Thursday as part of a visit aimed at strengthening cooperation over the fight against street gangs  are just one of a number of clashes within the Trump administration that show little sign of resolution.

Recommended Trump launches major attack on Sessions amid sacking rumours

Mr Sessions has seen his star fall dramatically in the eyes of President Trump in a sign of how quickly reputations can be made and lost within his administration.

The Attorney General has said that he will serve as long as Mr Trump wants him too but has acknowledged that it has not been the "best week" in his relationship with the President.

Speaking to the Associated Press, Mr Sessions said from El Salvador: I serve at the pleasure of the President. I've understood that from the day I took the job."

However, he added that he and Mr Trump have a harmony of values and beliefs.

"The President wants him to do his job, do it properly", the White House Press Secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, said on Thursday, hardly offering a ringing endorsement of Mr Sessions. "He wants him to be tough on the intelligence leaks and he wants him to move forward."

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 White House has said that Mr Trump "likes healthy competition" within his administration, and Mr Trump's new Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci has also wasted no time in going after Chief of Staff Reince Priebus as a suspected leaker inside the West Wing in a pull-no-punches interview that further highlighted the personality clashes and internal turmoil of Mr Trump's presidency.

Mr Scaramucci's appearance on CNNs New Day news programme came after he had mentioned Mr Priebus in an angry tweet about leaks, before deleting said tweet.

The two men have had a fraught relationship since early in the Trump administration, when Mr Scaramucci was unable to get a White House job, with Mr Priebus reportedly not supporting his appointment.

When I put out a tweet and I put Reinces name in a tweet, theyre all making the assumption that its him because journalists know who the leakers are, Mr Scaramucci said. So if Reince wants to explain hes not a leaker, let him do that. But let me tell you about myself. Im a straight shooter, and Ill go right to the heart of the matter.

Mr Scaramucci was brought in help stabilise the White Houses press operations, which had been under fire during the tenure of former Press Secretary Sean Spicer, and has been quick to try and clarify his relationship with Mr Priebus. Other perhaps not in the way that might be expected.

Some brothers are like Cain and Abel, he said, referencing the biblical sons of Adam and Eve  one of which killed the other," he told CNN. Other brothers can fight with each other and get along. I don't know if this is repairable or not. That will be up to the President.

While confrontations between White House staff have mostly been left without comment by those in Congress, Republicans have not taken kindly to the repeated attacks by Mr Trump against Mr Sessions which have fuelled speculation that the Attorney General would be fired or step down.

Charles Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee said in a tweet on Wednesday that if the President fires Mr Sessions, there will be no confirmation hearing for a new Attorney General in 2017.

Everybody in D.C. [should be] warned that the agenda for the judiciary Comm is set for rest of 2017. Judges first subcabinet 2nd / AG no way, he wrote.

Mr Graham told reporters that Mr Trumps effort to basically marginalise and humiliate the Attorney General is not going over well in the Senate or with conservatives, adding that he is 100 per cent behind Mr Sessions.

The President has the right to fire anybody in his cabinet. As a human being, I think he should show some respect for Jeff Sessions as a person, Mr Graham said.

Mr Sessions recusal from the Russia probe ultimately led to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller to lead the investigation following the Presidents firing of FBI Director James Comey.

Mr Trump opposed the appointment of Mr Mueller, who has reportedly now expanded his inquiry to look at a broad range of transactions involving Trump businesses.

As Mr Mueller has continued his investigation into whether Trump campaign advisers colluded with Russians, the President has floated the idea of firing him. Mr Trumps lawyers are also reportedly exploring ways to limit or undercut the inquiry, which the President has denounced as a witch hunt.

Any effort to go after Mueller could be the beginning of the end of the Trump presidency unless Mueller did something wrong, Mr Graham said.

Mr Graham is working on legislation that would block the firing of special counsels without judicial review. Democrats Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said Thursday they are among the senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee who are working with Mr Graham on the effort.

A spokesman for Mr Graham says the senator's still working on the bill, and it's unclear when it will be introduced.

Mr Blumenthal said that the bill might be a committee effort and said that it would protect Mr Mueller and other special counsels. He said firing Mr Mueller would precipitate a firestorm that would be unprecedented in proportions.
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Democrats and a number Republicans are calling for a bipartisan effort to improve the USs healthcare system after the Senates Republican leadership suffered a colossal defeat in their attempts to overhaul Obamacare.

A promise to repeal and replace the healthcare legislation, which was a pillar of former Democratic President Barack Obamas legacy, was central to Donald Trump's presidential campaign. And Mr Trump was quick to express his dismay at the failure of the bill, which still leaves him without a significant legislative win.

Addressing police officers in Brentwood, New York, Mr Trump said: I said from the beginning, let Obamacare implode and then do it [pass legislation]. I turned out to be right. Let Obamacare implode.

Mr Trump, who earlier on Twitter said the three Republicans who voted no let America down, again took aim at those in his own party who failed him. Boy, oh boy, they've been working on that one for seven years, he said. Can you believe that? The swamp. But we'll get it done.

In the early hours of Friday morning, the Senate voted 49-51 against legislation that would have rolled back provisions of the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. The law, passed in 2010, has provided millions of people with health insurance coverage. But Republicans say it has driven up premiums and forced consumers to buy insurance they do not want and cannot afford.

Obamacare was hardly perfect, said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer following the failed repeal vote. It did a lot of good things, but it needs improvement. And I hope one part of turning page is that we go back to regular order, work in the committees together to improve Obamacare.

I hope this is a turning point, he added.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has invited Democrats to share their ideas on how to better the US healthcare system, but expressed scepticism about whether they would provide any useful suggestions. He said he doubted any Republicans would support bailing out insurance companies with no thought of any kind of reform.

Its time for our friends on the other side to tell us what they have in mind, and well see how the American people feel about their ideas, Mr McConnell said on the Senate floor.

During a news conference on Friday, Mr Schumer asserted that there could be bipartisan support for some ideas to help stabilise the individual insurance markets created by Obamacare.

The Democratic leader suggested that Congress should provide money for subsidy payments  known as cost-sharing reduction payments  to health insurance companies, which have been demanding big rate increases or fleeing from Obamacare markets. Making the payments could be key to keeping insurers in the market and preventing spikes in premiums.

While the Trump administration has threatened to cancel those payments to destabilise markets and bring Democrats to the negotiating table on healthcare reform, some powerful Republican legislators have also called for guaranteeing the cost-sharing subsidies.

I hope we can work together in a bipartisan way, and Im optimistic that that can happen, Mr Schumer said.

The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi urged Republicans to establish a process to move forward on improvements to Obamacare.

We call upon the speaker to establish a process  we can go right to the committees  and have the discussion on how we keep America healthy, Ms Pelosi said.

Republican senators John McCain and Susan Collins, both of whom voted to block their party's latest Obamacare repeal plan, have also called for a bipartisan fix for insurance markets.

In a statement explaining why he voted no on Friday morning, Mr McCain said he did not believe in forcing through changes to the healthcare law without at least some support from Democrats.

Ive stated time and time again that one of the major failures of Obamacare was that it was rammed through Congress by Democrats on a strict party-line basis without a single Republican vote, he said. We should not make the mistakes of the past.

But while some senators from both parties appear ready to write a healthcare bill on a bipartisan basis, House Speaker Paul Ryan has said that Republicans should not give up after promising for seven years to repeal and replace Obamacare.

We were sent to Washington to fulfill the pledges we made to our constituents, Mr Ryan said in a statement. While the House delivered a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare, unfortunately the Senate was unable to reach a consensus.

Both Mr McConnell and Mr Ryan have said their respective chambers of Congress will move on from healthcare to different matters for the time being, and it is unclear whether Republican leaders will resuscitate efforts to repeal and replace the ACA.

Meanwhile, Republican congressman Steve King lashed out against Republicans in the Senate who helped defeat the partys legislation, saying in a statement that the ACA is a law that ought not exist, and I will continue to advocate for its complete repeal.

Mr King singled out senators Lisa Murkowski and John McCain, who has diagnosed with brain cancer earlier this week and returned to Washington for the healthcare debate.

Mr King said Mr McCain kept his word when he told the Senate his return would give all of you cause to regret the nice things you said about me.
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The US Senate has voted almost unanimously to slap new sanctions on Russia, putting President Donald Trump in a tough position by forcing him to take a hard line on Moscow or veto the legislation and infuriate his own party.

The vote on Thursday all but dashes Trump's hopes for warmer ties with Moscow as his administration is dogged by congressional and special counsel investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election to sway it in Mr Trump's favour.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has repeatedly denied the conclusions of US intelligence agencies that Moscow interfered using cyber warfare methods, has threatened retaliation against the legislation.

The Senate backed the bill, which also imposes sanctions on Iran and North Korea, by a margin of 98-2 with strong support from Mr Trump's fellow Republicans as well as Democrats.

The bill, which includes a provision that allows Congress to stop any effort by Mr Trump to ease existing sanctions on Russia, will now be sent to the White House for Mr Trump to sign into law or veto.

It is the first major foreign policy legislation approved by Congress under Mr Trump, who has struggled to advance his domestic agenda despite Republicans controlling the Senate and House of Representatives. The strong bipartisan support for the bill was a sharp contrast to the bitter partisan rancour during debate over how to overhaul the US healthcare system.

If Mr Trump chooses to veto it, the bill is expected to garner enough support in both chambers to override his veto and pass it into law. The sanctions measure has already passed the House of Representatives by 419 to 3 votes.

Republicans and Democrats have pushed for more sanctions partly as a response to the election allegations. Mr Trump denies any collusion between his campaign and Moscow.

Senator John McCain, a leading congressional voice calling for a firm line against Russia, said before the vote: "The United States of America needs to send a strong message to Vladimir Putin and any other aggressor that we will not tolerate attacks on our democracy."

Mr Putin said Moscow would only decide on how to retaliate once it had seen the final text of the proposed law.

The bill would affect a range of Russian industries and might further hurt the Russian economy, already weakened by 2014 sanctions imposed after Russia annexed Crime from Ukraine.

Besides angering Moscow, the legislation has upset the European Union, which has said the new sanctions might affect its energy security and prompt it to act, too.

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 legislation also cracks down on Iran and North Korea for activities including their missile development programmes and human rights abuses, including seeking to punish foreign banks that do business with North Korea.

It also imposes restrictions on anyone involved in Iran's ballistic missile program and those who do business with them. The sanctions also apply to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps security force and major economic force.

Earlier on Thursday, a senior White House aide said Mr Trump could veto the pending legislation in order to push for a tougher deal, an idea that drew skepticism in Congress because his administration had spent weeks lobbying for a weaker bill.

"He may sign the sanctions exactly the way they are or he may veto the sanctions and negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians," White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci told CNN.

Earlier on Thursday, Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told reporters: "I would guess that he will sign it."

 Watergate prosecutor: Everything Trump does 'cries out guilt'

The White House said it would comment on the sanctions bill when they get it and have a chance to review it. It was not immediately clear when it would land on Mr Trump's desk.

On Thursday before the Senate vote, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the Trump administration continues to support strong sanctions against Russia, North Korea and Iran, adding "we're going to wait and see what that final legislation looks like and make a decision at that point."

Mr Trump can impose new sanctions at any time through an executive order.

"This bill doesn't preclude him from issuing tougher sanctions. That doesn't make any sense," said Edward Fishman, a former State Department official during the Obama administration who worked on US sanctions policy.

Once Mr Trump receives the bill, if he does not sign it, he has 10 days, excluding Sundays, before he must issue a veto and prevent the bill from becoming law automatically.

If he opts for a veto, the bill can become law anyway if two-thirds of both the House and Senate vote for an override.

Mr Putin said on a visit to Finland on Thursday that Russia was "exercising restraint and patience, but at some moment we'll have to retaliate. It's impossible to endlessly tolerate this boorishness towards our country."

Mr Putin, at a joint news conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, also spoke about Mr Obama's order last December to seize Russian diplomatic property in the United States and to expel 35 Russian diplomats.

"This goes beyond all reasonable bounds," Mr Putin said. "And now these sanctions - they are also absolutely unlawful from the point of view of international law."

Reuters
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North Korea has fired an an intercontinental ballistic missile which may have landed in Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), according to the country's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The zone reaches 200 nautical miles from the country's coast. Mr Abe has called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council.

"I have received information that North Korea once again conducted a missile firing," Mr Abe said. "We will immediately analyze information and do our utmost to protect the safety of the Japanese people."

He called on the US, South Korea, Russia and China to increase pressure on the secretive state over its missile launches, which have defied international rulings.

 Trump on North Korea: There are consequences for their bad behaviour

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Japan "absolutely cannot tolerate" repeated provocations from North Korea, also known as the DPRK.

Soon after reports of the launch emerged from Japan, the Pentagon and South Korean military officials confirmed they detected a ballistic missile launch from North Korea.

On Friday evening, Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said: "The US Department of Defence detected and tracked a single North Korea missile launch today. We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile, as had been expected.

"The missile was launched from Mupyong-ni and travelled about 1,000km before splashing down in the Sea of Japan. We are working with our interagency partners on a more detailed assessment.

"The North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America.

"Our commitment to the defence of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, remains ironclad. We are prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation."

Arms control expert Jeffrey Lewis said the lengthy flight time meant the missile was likely a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), potentially capable of travelling 10,000km and hitting a target in the US.

According to Yonhap news agency, South Korean military officials said the missile was launched from Jagang Province, in the north of the DPRK.

South Korea has also called a national security meeting.

The night time launch of the ICBM was unusual, as most take place around dawn. Dr. John Nilsson-Wright, senior research fellow on Chatham House's Asia programme, told The Independent this could have been to demonstrate the military was capable of launching in varying conditions.

Alternatively, Dr Nilsson-Wright said, "maybe the element of surprise is part of the reason why they wanted to do this".

He added: "I think they've shown that they have the capability, the increased technical sophistication, and I think there will be a lot of anxiety in Seoul and Tokyo."

It comes just one day after the 64th anniversary of the end of the Korean War -- known as Victory Day in the North.

Intelligence officials in both the US and South Korea feared the DPRK could launch a missile to mark the event.

North Korea fired what was believed to be its first ICBM earlier this month.

North Korea, led by unpredictable ruler Kim Jong-un, has fired missiles into the EEZ several times before.

In pictures: North Korea military drill Show all 8 1 /8 In pictures: North Korea military drill In pictures: North Korea military drill North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un watches a military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) is seen in this handout photo by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) is seen in this handout photo by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video

International tensions have been mounting over the nuclear ambitions of North Korea in recent months, and Donald Trump has threatened to "take care" of the unstable situation.

Just yesterday, a senior US military official warned the DPRKs weapons technology was improving faster than expected.

"North Korea is extremely dangerous and more dangerous as the weeks go by, said General Mark Milley, chief of staff of the Army.
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Pakistans Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, has been forced to resign after he was disqualified from office by the countrys top court.

The Supreme Court dismissed Mr Sharif after a damning corruption probe into his family wealth.

The investigative panel claimed his family was unable to account for its vast wealth, leading to the court to order a criminal investigation.

Interestingly the use of a Microsoft font has played a huge role in Mr Sharifs downfall.

The Calibri font was at the heart of the scandal that engulfed Mr Sharif and his daughter, Maryam Sharif, after the 2016 Panama Papers revealed a string of offshore companies linked to the family had been used to purchase a number of luxury properties in London.

Documents submitted in defence of the Sharif family appeared to show that Maryam Sharif was only a trustee of the company that bought the flats.

However, the declaration, dated February 2006, was typed in the Calibri font, which was not introduced until 2007 - raising suspicions that the document may have been forged.

That conclusion was also reached by Pakistani investigators tasked with looking into the case. They dismissed the documents, which were assessed by the Radley Forensic Document Laboratory in London, as falsified.

"He is no more eligible to be an honest member of the parliament, and he ceases to be holding the office of prime minister," Judge Ejaz Afzal Khan said in court.

Mr Sharif, 67, has denied any wrongdoing and has claimed the investigation is biased and inaccurate. His allies have alleged this is just a conspiracy to unseat him.

"This is not accountability, it is revenge," Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq tweeted hours before the verdict was announced. "In an effort dislodge us, the democratic system has been made a target."

The Supreme Court has also reportedly disqualified Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Mr Sharif's former accountant, who had submitted documents to the court in the prime minister's defence.

He has been considered one of the most influential people in Mr Sharif's cabinet and credited with bringing the economy on to a more sure footing after the 2013 balance of payments crisis.

Mr Sharifs ruling PML-N party, which has a majority in the parliament, is now expected to appoint a new prime minister.

The controversial Mr Sharif was in his third stint as Prime Minister and his previous two periods in power were also cut short.

His first term as Prime Minister started in 1990 but he was forced to resign three years later while under pressure from the Pakistan Armed Forces.

Corruption allegations against Mr Sharif date back as early as 1993 when investigations began to look into 13 separate allegations of corruption and money laundering.

The criminal charges against members of the Sharif family were dismissed in the Pakistan High Court after Mr Sharif returned to power in 1997.

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. 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In 1998, The Independent established bank accounts containing five million pounds were set up in the names of three members of a British family from Ilford, Essex.

These deposits were used to raise millions of pounds in loans which, according to documents detailing Pakistan police inquiries, were channelled into Sharif family-owned businesses.

His second term was also cut short after a military coup against him and he was placed on trial for "kidnapping, attempted murder, hijacking and terrorism and corruption".

He was convicted and given a life sentence but after Saudi Arabia intervened, Mr Sharif was placed in exile for ten years.

In 2007 the Supreme Court ruled that Mr Sharif should be allowed to return eventually leading to his victory in the 2013 general elections.
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Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has resigned from his post, his office has said.

The resignation comes hours after the countrys Supreme Court disqualified him over corruption claims against his familys wealth.

The court said Mr Sharif was not fit to hold office and ordered a criminal investigation into him and his family after they could not account for the Sharifs vast wealth.

A spokesman for Mr Sharif said the premier had stepped down despite having reservations about the court order.

The statement claimed justice had not been done, but the Prime Minister stepped down to show his respect for the judiciary and rule of law.

The verdict, delivered by a five-member supreme court, comes after the Panama Papers leak documented the involvement of Mr Sharifs children in the purchase of high-end London properties through offshore companies.

He is no more eligible to be an honest member of the parliament, and he ceases to be holding the office of prime minister, Judge Ejaz Afzal Khan said in court.

Mr Sharif, 67, has denied any wrongdoing and has claimed the investigation is biased and inaccurate. His allies have alleged this is just a conspiracy to unseat him.

He is currently in his third stint as Prime Minister and his previous two periods in power were also cut short.

Mr Sharif faced a military coup in 1999 but came back from exile to win the 2013 general election.

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 is not the only high-profile politician to be disqualified after the investigation. The Supreme Court has also reportedly punished finance minister Ishaq Dar.

Mr Dar, who was Mr Sharifs former accountant, had submitted documents to the court about how the Sharif family obtained their wealth that included a portfolio of upscale London properties.
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Pakistani police have arrested 25 members of an informal village council accused of ordering the rape of a teenage girl as revenge for a sexual assault committed by her brother.

The village elders were detained in multiple raids over two days after allegedly sanctioning the 16-year-old's rape.

The council was called in after a family accused a 16-year-old boy of raping his 12-year-old neighbour earlier this month.

The council ruled the sister of the boy should be handed over to the initial victim's brother to be raped. The punishment was carried out on 17 July after the girl's family handed her over.

Recommended Pakistan council orders rape of girl for crime committed by brother

The rapes took place in Muzaffarabad, a village near the city of Multan in the province of of Punjab. Both rapists have also been arrested.

"A total of 29 people were involved in this ghastly crime, and we have 25 of them in our custody," Multan city police officer Ahsan Younus told Reuters.

Pakistan's Supreme Court has also requested a report on the case, which echoed a notorious case from 2002 in which another teenager was gang-raped on a local council's order.

The new case came to light when both families filed criminal charges with police accusing the other family's son of rape.

Police questioned both families and soon learned the role of the informal village council, Mr Younus said.

"All the village council elders who ordered the revenge rape have been arrested," he added.

People are seen gathered under a tree where a village council ordered to rape a 16-year-old girl (REUTERS)

Both victims and their mothers have been sent to a women's protection centre, he added.

A regional police chief and other officers have been suspended for delaying arrests.

Pakistan has a centuries-old tradition of quick justice handed down by gatherings of local elders, known as jirgas or panchayats, seen by many villagers as preferable to the often cumbersome and corrupt formal legal system.

In most of the country, jirgas are tolerated but not recognised by the formal courts and police.

The jirgas and the practice of "revenge rape" drew international attention in 2002 when a woman was ordered to be gang-raped by a local council for a male relative's alleged crime.

Mukhtaran Mai took the rare step of filing criminal charges against her attackers and six men were convicted and sentenced to death later that year, although five of them were later freed on appeal.

Ms Mai went on to become a high-profile campaigner for women's rights in Pakistan.

"Another tribe court (panchayat) in south Punjab Multan and another girl was raped. We are still in 2002," she tweeted this week.

Nadia Rahman, Amnesty International's campaigner in Pakistan, appealed to authorities in Islamabad to crack down on village councils that issue the punishments.
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A Malaysian MP has claimed women who "refuse" to have sex with their husbands are guilty of emotional and psychological abuse".

In a parliamentary debate about domestic violence laws, Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh also suggested men with wives who "nag" were also victims.

His remarks provoked anger among women's rights campaigners, who accused him of sexism and trivialising abuse.

Malaysian politicians are in the process of reviewing the country's domestic violence laws, which activists hope will offer better protection to women.

Mr Zulkifly, an MP for the ruling right-wing Barisan Nasional party, said men "suffered emotional rather than physical abuse".

"Even though men are said to be physically stronger than women, there are cases where wives hurt or abuse their husbands in an extreme manner," he told parliament.

"Usually, it involves wives cursing their husbands. This is emotional abuse. They insult their husbands and refuse his sexual needs. All these are types of psychological and emotional abuse."

The politician, 58, also linked the debate to Malaysias controversial polygamy laws, which allow Muslim men to marry up to four wives.

Some want to marry more than one but need to get permission from their wives, who disagree and begin nagging," he said.

Marina Mahathir, a Malaysian political campaigner and women's rights activists, said she was "astounded" by the MP's comments.

"A man does not own a womans body when he marries her any more than she owns his," she told Free Malaysia Today.

"To accuse a woman, who is usually the victim of abuse, of abusing her husband by denying him sex is a bit rich. She did not give up her agency or her bodily integrity when she married him."

She added: "With this kind of mindset among our so-called leaders, I fear for our entire country."

Womens Aid Organisation executive director Sumitra Visvanathan said Mr Zulkifly's remarks appeared to be justifying marital rape.

We must continue to call out and challenge these sexist perceptions to uphold decency, equality and respect for womens rights in public discourse, she said.

A spokesperson for Sisters in Islam said she was appalled by the chauvinistic statement.

The injury and harm experienced by domestic violence survivors should never be trivialised in this manner, she added.
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One person has been stabbed to death and six others have been injured after an attack in Hamburg.

The incident occurred in a supermarket in the German city.

The man entered the supermarket and then proceeded to attack people, police said. He stabbed a number of people, one of whom died from their injuries.

(Julien Le Clezio/Twitter (Julien Le Clezio/Twitter)

After that he escaped, but witnesses followed him, overpowered him and alerted the police to his location, and he was arrested shortly afterwards near the crime scene.

One attacker has been arrested. Photos online showed the suspect sitting with a bloody hood over his head in a police car.

Initial reports had suggested that another man was being sought in connection with the attack, but police confirmed that the suspect appeared to be acting alone.

The motive for the attack wasn't immediately clear, police wrote on Twitter. "We have no clear information as to the motive or the number of wounded," Hamburg police said.

The attack happened in the Barmbek district, a suburb outside of the northern port city.

The suspect is a 26-year-old who was born in the United Arab Emirates, police said on Friday evening. They said they are still working to establish his nationality.

News agency dpa quoted two witnesses at a nearby bakery as saying they heard the assailant shout "Allahu akbar!" as he held up the knife, but police did not confirm the report.
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The former Prime Minister of Ireland has rejected the suggestion the country could follow the UK out of the European Union, saying: "We're mad, but we're not that mad."

Bertie Ahern said there was no appetite "to get involved in an act of insanity" to ensure freedom of movement following Brexit.

DUP MP Ian Paisley had claimed Dublin would be forced to choose between a hard border with Northern Ireland or quitting the EU, amid an impasse over the nature of the frontier.

Mr Ahern, Ireland's Taoiseach for 11 years until his resignation in 2008, admitted there was no "easy solution" to the problem.

But he told Sky News: "There's no prospect of the Republic of Ireland leaving the European Union. That's not going to happen. There is no support, thankfully, for us to get involved in an act of insanity."

He added: "We're mad, but we're not that mad. And we're not going to do that now or in the future - and never."

Mr Ahern has previously warned Brexit could pose a threat to Northern Ireland's peace process.

Bertie Ahern said Ireland would 'never' quit the EU (PA)

His latest comments came after Northern Irish MPs vowed to fight Dublin's demands for a sea border with Britain after Brexit.

Ireland's new Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, has also reportedly warned Theresa May a land border could jeopardise the peace process and restrict freedom of movement.

British ministers had proposed using measures like surveillance cameras to allow movement between the north and south of the island.

But Dublin believes a land border would be unworkable, saying border checks should take place at ports and airports, effectively drawing a new frontier in the Irish Sea.

Reacting to reports of the demands, DUP MP Ian Paisley tweeted: "1 of 2 things will now happen 1. A very hard border 2. Ireland will wise up and leave the EU."

His party colleague Jeffrey Donaldson said requiring customs and immigration checks for travel between parts of the UK would be "absurd" and "unconstitutional".

"There is no way that the DUP would go for an option that creates a border between one part of the United Kingdom and the other," he told the BBC's Today programme.

Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney, speaking at a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers last week, said: "What we do not want to pretend is that we can solve the problems of the border on the island of Ireland through technical solutions like cameras and pre-registration and so on. That is not going to work."

He added: "Any barrier or border on the island of Ireland in my view risks undermining a very hard-won peace process and all of the parties in Northern Ireland, whether they are unionist or nationalist, recognise we want to keep the free movement of people and goods and services and livelihoods."
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Russia has ordered America to cut the number of diplomatic staff it has in the country and has seized a dacha compound and warehouse used by US officials in retaliation for new sanctions against Moscow.

Embassy staff must leave the country by 1 September, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, in a move triggered by the US Senates near unanimous vote to slap new sanctions on Russia, further hurting its fragile economy.

The move puts Donald Trump in a tough position by forcing him to take a hard line on Moscow or block the legislation and anger his own Republican Party.

Recommended US senators vote overwhelmingly for new sanctions on Russia

Russias Foreign Ministry also accused Washington of extreme aggression in international affairs.

The US embassy's recreational retreat on the outskirts of Moscow will be closed as well as warehouse facilities.

The number of American diplomats will fall to 455 under the plan, the Foreign Ministry added. It was not immediately clear how many US diplomats now serve in Russia.

Relations between Russia and the United States dropped to a post-Cold War low following Russia's annexation of Crimea and interference in eastern Ukraine in 2014.

Reports of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election have dampened hopes for better ties that the Kremlin pinned on Mr Trump's presidency.

Russian policemen stand guard in front of the US Embassy in Moscow (Getty)

The new package of sanctions aims to hit Vladimir Putin and his inner circle by targeting alleged corrupt officials, human rights abusers and crucial sectors of the Russian economy, including weapons sales and energy exports.

The bill underwent revisions to address concerns voiced by American oil and natural gas companies that sanctions specific to Russia's energy sector could backfire on them.

Russia's Foreign Ministry dismissed the new sanctions as "creating unfair competitive advantages for the US economy.

Recommended White House sanctions Russia over election hacking

"This kind of blackmail aimed at restricting the cooperation between Russia and other nations is a threat for many countries and global businesses," the statement said.

Russia's response mirrors moves by outgoing President Barack Obama last December to expel 35 Russian diplomats and shut down two Russian estates in the US.

Moscow said it would cut the US diplomatic corps even further if the U.S. decides to expel more Russian diplomats.

The Kremlin had previously said that it would not impose any sanctions on the US until Mr Trump signs the bill.

On Thursday the senate backed the sanctions bill, which also imposes sanctions on Iran and North Korea, by a margin of 98-2 with strong support from Mr Trump's fellow Republicans as well as Democrats.

It will now be sent to the White House for Mr Trump to sign into law or veto.

Additional reporting agencies
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A campaign to fund international womens health services in opposition to Donald Trump has raised more than $305m, the Dutch government reports.

Lilianne Ploumen, the Dutch minister for foreign trade and development cooperation, started the She Decides campaign to help provide access to birth control, abortion and women's sexual health programmes in developing countries.

The campaign was launched in January  shortly after Mr Trump banned all aid from the US government to organisations that provide abortions.

The first She Decides conference in March attracted 450 participants from around the world, including politicians, youth leaders, and representatives from various UN agencies and NGOs. The conference raised more than $200m to kick-start the effort.

Since then, Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have all pledged new funding. Rwanda, Chad, South Africa, South Korea, Senegal, Nigeria and Mozambique have signed onto the initiative as "friends".

Announcing the latest fundraising numbers on Friday, Ms Ploumen called it "very good news for millions of women and girls in developing countries.

The donations, she added, "show again that the international community will not abandon women in developing countries and will guarantee their basic right to family planning.

The Mexico City Policy, also known as the global gag rule, bans the US government from funding international organisations that so much as provide information on abortions. The policy was first enacted by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, and has been re-authorised by every Republican President since  including Mr Trump.

Critics of the rule say it penalises organisations that provide life-saving womens health services, such as HIV and cancer prevention. Some also claim the policy is unnecessary, as US law already bars government money from funding abortion directly.

Under President George W Bush, clinics in 20 developing countries lost US-donated contraceptives, and many were forced to reduce services or even shut down, according to Engender Health.

Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights Show all 5 1 /5 Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights REUTERS Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights REUTERS Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights REUTERS Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights REUTERS Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights REUTERS

Mr Trump, however, has chosen to expand the rules reach, asking his Secretary of State to identify an even broader range of programmes that could fall under the ban. The policy will apply to an estimated $8.8bn in international aid, compared to $600m in previous administrations.

Ms Ploumen decried the decision as highly counterproductive.

Slashing these services will actually increase the number of unsafe abortions, she said. This will have catastrophic consequences, as similar measures in the past have shown all too clearly.
The Turkish parliament has approved a series of changes to its bylaws, which critics say aim to further curtail opposition voices.

The amendments cover a range of issues from what the parliament speaker can wear to how long a bill can be debated.

The government insists the changes will render parliament more effective. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is accused of increasing authoritarianism, has long criticized the opposition for allegedly obstructing the work of parliament.

The changes come as Turkey is engaged in an unprecedented crackdown on the alleged perpetrators of last year's failed military coup, which human rights group say has been broadened to include all government opponents.

More than 50,000 people have been arrested and over 110,000 have been fired from their government jobs.


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The US-led coalition fighting Isis has announced the death of the founder of the Amaq news agency, a propaganda wing of the extremist group.

Rayaan Meshaal was killed in a coalition airstrike near Mayadin, Syria, between 25 and 27 May, commanders say. His death was announced along with a number of other Isis propaganda operatives.

Meshaals death was rumoured in late May but this the the first official confirmation from coalition forces.

The Amaq agency is often used to claim responsibility for Isis or Isis-inspired attacks  including those in Manchester and London  and reports on other terrorist activity.

It also spreads spread extremists messages online and is used for recruitment purposes, including of foreign fighters.

Isiss propaganda has been cited as a key factor in the indoctrination and instruction of terrorists around the world.

The statement released by Inherent Resolve, the operational name of the multinational force fighting Isis, also declared the deaths of a number of other senior Isis members.

Abu Sulayman al-Iraqi, Bassam al-Jayfus, Abu-Khattab al-Rawi, Abu-Sayf al-'Isawi, Abu Ali al-Janubi and Ibrahim al-Ansari were all killed by coalition air strikes between April and July, according to the statement.

The deaths of these terrorists eliminates senior leaders and facilitators with extensive experience and training, and degrades ISIS's ability to plan and conduct attacks on civilian targets in Iraq and Syria, as well throughout the region and in the West, the statement said.

It added that the removal of the militants disrupted ISIS's propaganda production, distribution, and funding activities.

Bassam al-Jayfus was said to have handled ISIS funds for terror attacks. The coalition said his death disrupted ISIS's international money laundering network, which funds foreign fighters and attacks.

Abu Sulayman al-Iraqi was another senior Isis propaganda official, who provided strategic guidance and production oversight for the groups notorious media, according to the statement.

In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Show all 11 1 /11 In pictures: Isis' weapons factories In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A mortar round fin manufactured by Isis in Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis rocket components discovered in Gogjali, Mosul, Iraq in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis mortars discovered near Karamlais, Iraq, in November 2016 CAR In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis rocket launch frame in Qaraqosh, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A memo from Isis' COSQC on quality control at a manufacturing facility in Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Electrically-operated initiators manufactured by Isis in forces Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis mortar tubes at a manufacturing facility in Karamlais, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis mortar production facility discovered in Gogjali, Mosul, in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis weapons manufacturing facilities near Mosul in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Stocks of French-manufactured Sorbitol, Latvian potassium nitrate and Lebanese sugar at an Isis weapons factory in Iraq Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A destroyed Isis weapons facility in Qaraqosh, Iraq, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research

He is said to have been killed in an air strike near Mosul, Iraq, earlier in July. The city, held by Isis since 2014, has been the scene of fierce fighting in recent months and Iraqi government troops recently declared victory against Isis in the area.

Senior media director Abu Ali al-Janubi was killed in in Mayadin, Syria in April.

The other dead extremists were also high ranking media personnel. Abu-Khattab al-Rawi was killed in Ba'aj, Iraq, in April and Abu-Sayf al-'Isawi and and Ibrahim al-Ansari died in in al-Qa'im, Iraq in March and April respectively.
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Israel risks sparking a religious war over attempts to increase security at Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, the head of the Arab League has said.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the organisations Secretary-General, said no Muslim in the world would accept tarnishing the Al-Aqsa mosque.

It comes after Israel installed metal detectors and CCTV cameras outside the mosque, which is one of the most sacred Islamic sites but also stands on the holy site that Jews call Temple Mount.

Access to the area is a contentious issue as it falls in occupied East Jerusalem but is managed by neighbouring Jordan.

Israel is playing with fire and will only ignite a religious war and shift the core of the conflict from politics to religion, Mr Aboul Gheit claimed.

"I call on the occupying state to learn the lessons of this crisis and the message it carries, he added.

"Dealing with Islamic sanctities with such imprudence poses a real threat of igniting a religious war, because no Muslim in the world accepts tarnishing Al-Aqsa or its closure in the face of the worshippers or placing it under Israeli control".

Mr Aboul Gheit was speaking during an emergency meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

The new security measures were introduced after two Israeli policemen were shot dead by three Arab-Israeli gunmen on 14 July.

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 move sparked violent clashes between Palestinians and Israelis and led Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority President, to halt security co-operation with Israel.

Israel has now agreed to withdraw the new measures.

After meeting in Cairo, the Arab League issued a statement saying it condemns in the strongest terms Israels plans and policies that aim to Judaize the occupied city of Jerusalem and distort its Arab and Muslim character.

East Jerusalem is the capital of the Palestinian state, the organisation said, expressing its rejection and condemnation of all measures by the occupying force to diminish Palestinian rights of sovereignty over it.

113 people were injured outside the Al-Aqsa mosque on Thursday after Muslims returned to prayers having initially boycotted services because of the new security measures. The sites religious authority encouraged worshippers to attend after saying Israel had removed the controversial new security measures.

Violent clashes broke out as crowds flocked back to afternoon services, and security forces used stun grenades, tear gas and rubber bullets in attempting to control the crowd.
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Israeli police say men under the age of 50 will be barred from a major Jerusalem shrine at the centre of recent tensions.

Authorities were on high alert on Friday ahead of Muslim prayers at the holy site.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld announced the ban, which he said followed security assessments indicting Palestinians planned protests there. There are no restrictions on women.

Recommended Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces at Jerusalem holy site

Mr Rosenfeld said some Palestinians barricaded themselves inside Al-Aqsa Mosque overnight in order to join protests later. Police removed them after they refused to leave, he said.

Friday prayers are the highlight of the Muslim religious week. Thousands of Muslims from around Israel and Palestinian areas typically worship at the holy compound in Jerusalem's Old City.

Tensions have been running high at the site since Arab gunmen killed two police officers on 14 July, prompting Israel to install metal detectors and other security devices.

The move outraged Muslims who claimed Israel was trying to expand its control over the site.

Israel emphatically denied the allegations insisting the security measures were needed to prevent more attacks.

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 issue sparked some of the worst street clashes in years and threatened to draw Israel into conflict with other Arab and Muslim nations.

Under intense pressure, Israel removed the metal detectors and said it planned to install sophisticated security cameras instead.

Muslims had been praying in the streets outside the shrine to protest the security measures since they were installed. They returned to pray at the sacred site on Thursday after Israel removed them.

However, violence resumed as Palestinians gathering for prayers at the compound clashed with police.

Palestinian factions Fatah and the Islamic militant group Hamas both issued calls earlier this week for mass protests on Friday.

AP
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Indian politicians have met to discuss the possibility of introducing a universal basic income (UBI) after a survey suggested it could eradicate the widespread grinding poverty in the country.

Talks were held in Delhi to consider the controversial proposal  which has economists and politicians fiercely divided.

Under UBI, all citizens  regardless of income  are given a basic amount to live on without being taxed, claiming benefits or having to meet other conditions.

Some on the left claim this frees people from poverty, opens up opportunities and can save the state money in the long-term while many on the right argue it increases state dependence and is unaffordable.

More than 80 Indian politicians, academics and experts attended the discussion held by the Institute for Human Development (IHD).

UBI has attracted serious attention in India following the success of recent pilot studies coupled with a widespread view that Indias current system of targeted welfare benefits and price subsidies is wasteful and inefficient.

However, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley recently stated that UBI is not feasible in the country due to political limitations.

Recommended Finnish citizens given universal basic income report lower stress

Those in favour, including Professor Braneb Bardhan of the University of California, Berkeley, told the conference that a UBI of about a thousand rupees (about 15.5 USD or 13.5 EUR) per month is affordable through increasing taxes for the rich and ending certain government subsidies that primarily benefit the better-off.

But he warned that UBI should not replace all current welfare programmes or divert funding from public goods and services.

Critics including Professor Dreze termed the scheme a "trojan horse" which if implemented would be used to rationalise a reduction elsewhere in spending on essential social and economic services.

The conference heard that pilots conducted in rural villages in the state of Madhya Pradesh revealed the provision of UBI led to no increased spending on alcohol or other temptation goods  a common argument against the policy.

Short-term UBI was associated with many positive effects, including better nutrition, a decrease in serious health problems, higher rates of school attendance, lower debt, and greater job opportunities, especially for women, researchers claimed.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 12 November 2022 The City of London Pride Group take part in the parade during the Lord Mayor's Show PA UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA 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 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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. 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With an estimated population of 1.3 billion people,India has a rapidly growing economy, but around 29.5 per cent of people continue to live in poverty, according to a 2014 government report  particularly in rural areas.

Professor Guy Standing, a founding member of the Basic Income Earth Network, told Business Insider UBI trials in India had been remarkably positive, giving people a sense of control over their money, reducing debt and empowering women. 

The concept of UBI received a boost when the government of Finland announced the introduction of a trial involving 2,000 unemployed people last year.

But India could face significant obstacles to implementing UBI which do not exist in Finland due to the vast differences in social and economic context.

The 2017 survey pointed out that India suffers from high levels of corruption, clientelism, rules and red tape which could make delivering UBI difficult.
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A new law passed in Tunisia to crack down on violence against women has been hailed as a landmark of progress by human rights groups.

It also abolishes a controversial clause that allowed rapists to escape punishment if they then marry their victims.

The North African country currently has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the world with research showing nearly half of all women is a victim at some point in their life.

Tunisian womens rights organisations have campaigned for a domestic violence law for decades.

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The Law on Eliminating Violence against Women is the first piece of legislation ever put through by the country's government which recognises domestic abuse as a crime.

The legislation allows women to seek protection from acts of violence committed by their husbands and other relatives and also includes provisions on harassment in public spaces and economic discrimination.

It's a very moving moment and we are proud in Tunisia to have been able to gather around a historic project, said Women's Minister Naziha Laabidi.

The new law, due to come into force next year, recognises physical, moral and sexual violence.

It will allow for the prosecution of abusers and psychological and practical assistance for victims of domestic violence.

Uprising brings joy to Tunisia  and fear to the region's autocrats Show all 8 1 /8 Uprising brings joy to Tunisia  and fear to the region's autocrats Uprising brings joy to Tunisia  and fear to the region's autocrats 535792.bin Reuters Uprising brings joy to Tunisia  and fear to the region's autocrats 535791.bin EPA Uprising brings joy to Tunisia  and fear to the region's autocrats 535790.bin Reuters Uprising brings joy to Tunisia  and fear to the region's autocrats 535564.bin AP Uprising brings joy to Tunisia  and fear to the region's autocrats 535561.bin AP Uprising brings joy to Tunisia  and fear to the region's autocrats 535563.bin GETTY Uprising brings joy to Tunisia  and fear to the region's autocrats 535562.bin GETTY Uprising brings joy to Tunisia  and fear to the region's autocrats 535541.bin AP

Tunisia is seen as a pioneer of women's rights in the Arab world, but human rights groups say women are still discriminated against in all areas of life.

Sayida Ounissi, a government minister from the Islamist Ennahda Party, promised when the bill was introduced that it would redefine the role of the state in protecting women in a country where some still consider domestic violence to be a private matter.

She said: The state is now being pushed to acknowledge that even if you [are violent towards women] behind closed doors, you are accountable to the rest of society for what you are doing because we are together paying the cost of your actions in terms of insecurity, in terms of health, in terms of violence.

More than 30 percent of parliamentarians in Tunisia are women - the highest rate of female representation in any Arab country.

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Amna Guellali, Tunisia office director at Human Rights Watch, welcomed the new law but cautioned that sufficient funding would be required to implement the sweeping reforms.

Tunisian authorities should ensure that there is adequate funding and political will to put the law fully into effect and to eliminate discrimination against women.

While the law requires authorities to refer women to shelters if they are in need, it provides no mechanisms for funding either governmental or nongovernmental shelters.

It also does not set out provisions for the government to provide women with timely financial assistance to meet their needs or assistance in finding long-term accommodation. The law, in sum, does not stipulate how the state will fund the programs and policies it brings into being.

We hope that this precedent that Tunisia is setting will be followed by others, said Ms Guellali. Morocco is also debating a law on domestic violence. Algeria adopted a law last year that criminalises violence against women, but it is below the required standards. So we hope that this precedent from Tunisia and this new law will push the reform agenda for fighting violence against women in the region.
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On the 57th day of industrial action so far this year by some British Airways cabin crew, the airlines parent company reported strong half-year figures. IAGs operating profits before exceptional items rose 37 per cent to 973m (870m) for the first six months of 2017.

The group also includes Aer Lingus, Iberia, Vueling and Level  the new low-cost, long-haul venture that began flying in June from Barcelona to Los Angeles, Oakland, Buenos Aires and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

The improvement was driven by a 4.6 per cent increase in passenger numbers and a load factor improvement from 80 to 81 per cent.

IAG said: Our largest markets, North America and Europe, also performed well and British Airways saw strength in its corporate bookings.

British Airways was by far the biggest contributor to profitability, accounting for 741m. That represents more than 30 per passenger carried between January and June.

The long and bitter dispute involving Mixed Fleet cabin crew belonging to the Unite union at Heathrow was not mentioned in the results. The present stoppages are due to end on 15 August. But cancellations have so far been limited, with Qatar Airways lending planes and crews to BA; the carrier, which owns one-fifth of IAG, is operating about 30 flights a day.

Unites national officer Oliver Richardson said: Its time British Airways started talking about resolving this dispute which will further tarnish its brand.

Iberia grew in Spain in Jerez, Balearics and Canaries, Aer Lingus increased its transatlantic capacity and Vueling grew in Spain  though the budget airline lost 6m.

Willie Walsh, the chief executive of British Airways, said Level was performing well ahead of our expectations.

Weve ordered three additional aircraft and are considering other European bases for the operation, he added.

Level is intended to tackle the challenge posed by Norwegian, which is expanding its transatlantic operations.
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A Jet2 flight from Newcastle to Prague made an emergency landing in Frankfurt yesterday.

Flight 509, which leaves Newcastle at 1435, was due to arrive in Prague at 1750, but was diverted because of what Jet2 says was a technical fault.

Photos from inside the plane show oxygen masks deployed.

Philippa Bell, whose fiance Joe Monkhouse was on the flight, told the Chronicle that an hour into the flight, the pilot shouted emergency over the loudspeaker and the oxygen masks came down.

The plane diverted to Frankfurt. Bell said her fiance had felt his ears popping due to the swift descent and decompression. She said passengers then exited the plane on the runway. All were unharmed.

Jet2 later sent a relief plane to pick them up at Frankfurt and take them to Prague. The flight finally arrived at around 1am.

Journalist and Independent contributor Nick Redmayne was at Prague to catch the return flight back to Newcastle, due to take off at 1835. He told The Independent that passengers for his flight were not told what the matter with the plane was.

I found out on Twitter, he said. There wasnt a lot of information given out. I was sitting in the main area at 6pm, and there was no gate for the flight showing on the screens, so I thought it must be delayed.

Five minutes later, the screen said, More information at 2115.

Redmayne tweeted Jet2, who told him there was a technical fault with the plane. He subsequently received a text saying that his flight had been delayed to 2215.

He said that 90 minutes before the new take-off time, airport staff had still not told the passengers what was going on, but had handed out refreshment vouchers.

Screens at Prague airport showed the flight as delayed (Nick Redmayne)

Jet2 told The Independent in a statement:

Flight LS509 from Newcastle to Prague diverted to Frankfurt due to a technical fault indication. Our flight crew followed procedure and made a controlled descent before landing safely. We would like to apologise to all those customers affected but their safety is always our number one priority.

The spokesperson added that the fault is currently under investigation.

The relief flight was estimated to depart from Frankfurt at 2145 and arrive at Prague at 2250, but in fact it arrived around 1am.

Passengers on the return flight to Newcastle were given free water, tea and coffee, and KitKats. Redmayne says they were thanked for their patience by the crew and informed that their original aircraft had been "diverted to Frankfurt for technical reasons." They were told that the relief aircraft was "released from base" to return them "in a timely manner".

Last week, a Jet2 flight from Ibiza to Leeds made an emergency landing at Barcelona following decompression in the cabin.
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Airline passengers flying on two Turkish carriers to the UK can now take their electronic devices on board, subject to what the Government calls tough additional security measures.

Passengers flying from either of the two Istanbul airports, Ataturk and Sabiha Gokcen, or from Izmir, will now be able to carry laptops, tablets and accessories into the cabin to the UK  but only if they are flying on Turkish Airlines or Pegasus.

Rules banning anything bigger than a mobile phone from the cabin of direct flights to the UK were introduced abruptly in March. They covered flights from six countries, of which Turkey is by far the most important in terms of aviation links. The others were Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.

The prohibition on personal electronic devices (PEDs) was imposed very shortly after the US announced similar bans. The Americans progressively removed the restrictions earlier this month.

The Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, said: Having looked carefully at the changes introduced in March, and working with our international partners and the industry on tough additional security measures, we can now lift the ban on electronic devices in the cabin on a small number of UK-bound flights from Istanbul and Izmir.

The remaining restrictions will be lifted only when we are satisfied it is safe and proportionate to do so.

The new checks include explosive trace detection tests on portable electronic devices, as well as enhanced surveillance.

All other Turkish airports, including Antalya, Bodrum and Dalaman, are still covered by the ban. No UK airlines have seen the rules eased, including on British Airways flights from Istanbul.

A spokesperson for BA said: We are working with the UK Government and the local airport authorities to assess the security requirements in each of the countries where the UK Government restrictions currently apply.

We keep our security policies under constant review and if there are any changes to what items can be taken into the cabin, we will let any affected customers know.

The UK's biggest budget airline, easyJet, said it expects the ban to be lifted on its flights shortly. A spokesperson said the airline plans "to lift the security restrictions on PEDs and implement new additional security measures on its flights from Turkey during the course of next week".

"Once we have a date we will contact customers travelling on these routes to inform them."

The Department for Transport said: These restrictions will be lifted on a case by case basis once the government has verified that additional security measures are in place.
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Syrian troops are now set up in positions on the Lebanese side of the border between the two countries in their battle to destroy al-Qaeda in the towering mountains of Qalamoun. Corpses rot on the mountainsides here as the Lebanese Hezbollah  fighting now inside Syria  prepare for a final struggle against the Islamists, who are today surrounded on a towering black stone peak to the north. From the heights of the Karra mountain, 7,000 feet above the Syrian-Lebanese border, I could see Syrian troops encamped on top of the two mountains  inside Lebanon.

The Syrian commander in Qalamoun, General Median Abad, tells the truth without hesitation. Yes, we have our soldiers at two points inside Lebanon  above the frontier road which Nusrah [al-Qaeda] used to enter the Lebanese town of Ersal. Our men are on the Lebanese mountains of al-Sharqia and al-Valilal. You can see their tents. And sure enough, across the narrow wadi (ravine) which separates us from Lebanon, I can make out the cluster of grey Syrian military tents spread across the top of the two Lebanese hills. The general confirms that he communicates with the Lebanese army  whose tank fire against Nusrah he distantly hears across the valleys  through the Hezbollah, whose forces joined him in attacking al-Karra.

General Median Abad, Syrian commander in Qalamoun (Nelofer Pazira)

Walking around its soaring heights after the battle, which ended only five days ago, is a dizzying experience. The stench of still unburied Isis bodies, the blast of mountain air tearing at the sandbags across the bleak trenches and earthworks erected by Isis before their last stand, and the network of tunnels  dug through the living rock by the Islamist defenders in the vain hope of withstanding Syrian air attacks  show just how fiercely this battle was fought. Not one Isis fighter survived  which tells its own story  although a remarkable video taken by the victors during the struggle shows a Hezbollah guerrilla telling a dying Nusrah man who is covered in blood: God be with you  a remarkable blessing to a dying Sunni from a Shia fighter.

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The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. 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Aboard a pick-up truck, a Syrian officer is opening the khaki body bags of three dead Isis men in a hopeless attempt to identify them. The corpses are swollen in the 46 degree heat, black with corruption, in one case wearing only underclothes. The Syrian troops and Hezbollah fighters watching from a few feet away, many holding their hands to their faces, are unfazed. Theirs was a joint operation against Nusrah  their command centre is in a single storey villa in the village of Fleita  and they say they suffered only wounded in the battle. Doctors on the heights have a medical tent with Iranian Red Crescent printed on the side  but there appear to be no Iranians here.

The Syrian army and the Hezbollah fought for this mountaintop along with the [part-time] national defence forces but it was the Syrian and Hezbollah Special Forces who carried out the battle, 48-year-old General Abad says. For us, Hezbollah is a fighting school. We learned from their experience and we taught each other, we were literally training together as we fought and of course we had our artillery. Syrian army guns and anti-aircraft weapons are spread over the mountains  and one zealous driver has even managed to drive a Russian-made battle tank all the way up thousands of feet of the crumbling rock track to the top of al-Karra.

A Syrian officer identifies three dead Isis fighters in body bags at the captured Qalamoun fortress (Nelofer Pazira)

The Lebanese Hezbollah commander, a short-bearded, grey haired and bespectacled man from southern Lebanon who says he is 37  I know his home town well but suspect he is older than he claims  sat on my right during the soldiers lunch under canvas, a meal somewhat tempered by the bodies a few metres away and the insistence of a Hezbollah intelligence officer who filmed my every mouthful of rice and chicken. What the Hezbollah in Beirut, who know me, will make of this video nonsense I have no idea.

But the Hezbollah and Syrian soldiers sat together around the tent and appeared to know each other well, and the Hezbollah officer and his fighters share the thick and intimidating meta tea  made from Argentinian leaves  which is a mainstay of all Syrian military meals. Several of the Hezbollah men carried new sniper rifles but most were armed with the familiar Kalashnikovs used by the Syrian army. Their light brown kitty-litter camouflage uniforms were quite distinct from the green and brown battledress of the Syrians.

 Isis militants thrown to their deaths in graphic video

To the north stands the last Isis fortress. Its defenders lie under black tents and, just to the south and lower down, their future Hezbollah attackers have spread their white tents on the mountainside. There will be more artillery fire  and more airstrikes  in the next few days, according to General Abad. His mountain eyrie will prove to be a perfect vantage point to watch the attack; al-Karra stands 7,020 feet above sea level  the Israeli emplacements on Mount Herman in the Golan Heights to the south are scarcely 2,000 feet higher, and Abad agrees that the Syrians will never leave al-Karra  which is, of course, just inside Syria, now that they have installed themselves on this peak. Military radio aerials already wave like blown wheat above the rocks.

Across to the south-west I could see the Lebanese town of Ersal  once briefly invaded by Isis and Nusrah. Some of its Lebanese military defenders had their throats cut; others  at least nine  are still held captive somewhere in these mountains, probably on the Lebanese side of the border.

Isis dug deep tunnels into the living rock to defend their mountain fortress (Nelofer Pazira)

Lebanese troops have raided Syrian refugee camps near Ersal. In their most recent operation, two men blew themselves up, but four others then died in Lebanese custody, suffering  according to the army in Beirut  from already existing medical problems. A likely story, as we say, but neither the Lebanese nor the Syrians cared very much.

Nusrah and Isis are now facing total defeat in Qalamoun, and the Syrian army and Hezbollah and the Lebanese army earnestly wish to bring this about. Their elimination will end the Isis threat to the Hezbollahs supply line down the Hermel-Baalbek highway inside Lebanon and restore secure Lebanese sovereignty to the town of Ersal. The Wests diplomats have been observing this last battle from the Lebanese side of the frontier but of course they cannot come to Syria  and apparently do not realise that Syrian troops are inside Lebanese territory, albeit by only a few hundred metres.

The only Western witness to the Syrian side of the mountain conflict is The Independent, and General Median Abad gave a tacticians description of the landscape. To the south, around the towns of Zabadani, Bloudan and Madaya, a ceasefire existed between the Syrians on one side and Nusrah and their allies on the other, reconciliation talks which may hand the towns back to Syrian control. If they are successful  and the imminent attack on Isis from al-Karra proves victorious  then the entire Syrian-Lebanese border will be clear of Islamists who have frequently fled into Lebanon to avoid Syrian capture and used Lebanon as a military supply route  via Ersal  into Syria.

The area around Jurd Ersal  the bare countryside about the town  covers 150 square kilometres of rock, scrub and wind-blasted mountains that lie across both Lebanon and Syria, separated by the narrow dirt frontier track which lies only 500 metres below us.

The narrow frontier road in the valley marks the border between Syria (left) and Lebanon (right of the road) in the Qalamoun battlefield (Nelofer Pazira)

It is a deceptively peaceful trail, drawn  of course  in some French drawing room when the French mandate authorities were dividing up Lebanon from Syria in the early 1920s. It may have made sense in a Paris salon but up on al-Karra, it seems a quixotic creation, full of political and military traps. Perhaps that is what the French intended all those decades ago.

General Abad has a less subtle view of current events. President Bashar al-Assad had early on realised the international plot to destroy Syria and the Hezbollah and the resistance  which is why coordination began between Syria, Iran and the Hezbollah, he explained. Israel was the main supporter of the terrorists, which was why it attacked Syrian and Hezbollah forces  and why Qatar and Saudi Arabia assisted in this conspiracy. We hear Turkish and Saudi and Qatari voices on the terrorist radios, also Afghan voices speaking bad Arabic, the general says. It was after Hezbollahs victory over Israel in Lebanon in 2006 that many people wanted to disarm Hezbollah as part of the project for a new Middle East of [then US Secretary of State] Condoleezza Rice. People in Lebanon were calling for the disarmament and others were trying to take Syria outside the resistance track. But we struggled against this  and can now fight Daesh together.

But Isis will fight back. From their final black mountain stronghold to the north, they are still flying their miniature toy drones southwards towards the Syrian and Hezbollah lines. Further south-east, the Hezbollah and Syrian trucks grind up the mountain road past local farmers and their sons, who are picking fruit from the hanging cherry trees. They hand them to the soldiers as they pass. The government helped them plant these trees  so why did they give their support to Nusrah when it was here? Abad asks cheerlessly.

Yes, the cherries of al-Karra are ripe and sweet  and dangerous.
Ireland will not help Britain design an economic border for Brexiteers, premier Leo Varadkar said.

The Taoiseach declared his opposition to creating such a frontier during a robust intervention in Dublin. He said the onus was on the British government to say how it would work.

The boundary between Northern Ireland and the Republic represents the UK's only land border with an EU country and is a major issue for negotiators in Brussels.

Mr Varadkar said: "What we're not going to do is to design a border for the Brexiteers because they're the ones who want a border.

"It's up to them to say what it is, say how it would work and first of all convince their own people, their own voters that this is actually a good idea.

"As far as this Government is concerned there shouldn't be an economic border. We don't want one."

The Dublin administration is unconvinced by the UK's plans to use technology to maintain the invisible land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

The Times newspaper suggested the Republic's preferred option was for customs and immigration checks to be located at ports and airports instead.

Department of Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney told Irish national broadcaster RTE: " There is no proposal that is suggesting that there be a border in the Irish Sea."

Political leaders in Dublin, London, Belfast and Europe are agreed on the need to avoid a return to the hard border of the Northern Ireland conflict.

Its future is one of the key issues that needs to be resolved by the UK and the EU before talks begin on a new trade deal.

British ministers had proposed using measures such as surveillance cameras to allow free movement between the north and south of the island.

T heresa May's Democratic Unionist Party allies have hit out at any suggestion of a sea border.

The party's leader in the Commons, Nigel Dodds, said such a move would be unacceptable to the DUP, which the Prime Minister relies on to prop up her minority administration in the House of Commons.

A sea border "may give the Republic of Ireland a special economic status within Northern Ireland but the heavy price would be new barriers to trade in the UK" for Northern Irish firms.

He said: "This apparent hardening of attitudes within the Irish Government is untimely and unhelpful.

"The DUP will not tolerate a border on the Irish Sea after Brexit that makes it more difficult to live, work and travel between different parts of the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister has already reiterated this.

"At Westminster we will continue to use the influence of our 10 MPs to ensure that respect for the integrity of the UK remains at the core of the negotiations process."
Panama established diplomatic ties with China in June and broke with Taiwan in a major victory for Beijing, as it lures away the dwindling number of countries that have formal relations with the self-ruled island that China regards as a wayward province.

Panama has opened an embassy in China, the Central American country's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday, deepening its links with the world's No. 2 economy after its diplomatic break with longtime ally Taiwan.

"The opening of the embassy of the Republic of Panama in the People's Republic of China has been done in accordance with the rules that dictate diplomatic relations between the two countries," Panama's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It added that the embassy was already functioning, although an ambassador had yet to be installed.

Panama's business community, which encouraged the embrace of Beijing and helped drive the diplomatic deal, cheered the decision to establish full ties with China, hoping to deepen links with a key customer of the nation's shipping canal.
Simon Coveney, at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Iveagh House on St Stephens Green. Photo: Arthur Carron

FORMER Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said that no realistic solution has been put forward in relation to the border with Northern Ireland and that pigs will fly if Brexit negotiations are wrapped up before Britain is due to leave the EU.

Mr Ahern also said theres no prospect of Ireland leaving the EU saying: were mad but were not that mad.

Unionists have expressed outrage at the suggestion that any customs checks after Brexit would happen at ports and airports between the two islands.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney are unconvinced by the UK's plans to use technology to maintain the soft border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Their preferred option is for customs and immigration checks to be located away from the land border and at ports and airports instead, as reported first in the Irish Independent.

British chancellor Philip Hammond this morning said all sides share an ambition not to reinstate a hard border within Ireland.

Expand Close British Prime Minister Theresa May greets DUP leader Arlene Foster outside 10 Downing Street in London Photo: PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp British Prime Minister Theresa May greets DUP leader Arlene Foster outside 10 Downing Street in London Photo: PA

He said: Thats a very high priority to us because the peace process in Ireland is extremely important to us.

But the answer to how to deliver that cannot be to create a border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Speaking on Sky News, Mr Ahern said he agreed with Mr Hammond in relation to the desire for a seamless border.

We want it like its been now for the last decade or so where theres free movement, where theres no security checks, theres no watch towers, theres no technology, examinations of whats going back and forward and thats the way everybody on the island of Ireland wants it.

The difficulty is as Ive said time out of number  the experts in this area say thats impossible.

He said the expert advice is that there must be customs checks on the border if its to become the frontier between the UK and the EU.

There is no realistic solution that has been put forward yet.

And I really worry that some of the suggestions that have been put out in the last year  from European sources too.

Have they looked at the constitutional position, have they looked at the sheer difficulty of the simplistic thing of saying we want no border and we can do that but its still the land border between the UK and Europe .

I really worry that the issue has not been examined to the extent that it requires looking at the legal and constitutional issues and the trade issues, the ramifications.

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This is one of my criticisms that a year gone by very little has happened on it and I really think we should have been trying to get a hard position negotiated between the Irish government and the UK government and put that position to Europe over the last 12 months.

That as far as I can see has not happened. I think that was a mistake on all sides and we now need to rectify it.

Mr Ahern said that the issue should be fast-tracked during the summer.

Meanwhile he also said that there will have to be a transition phase for Britain leaving the EU.

There is no possibility of this all being wrapped up in a two-year period. Effectively when people come back from holidays in September youre talking about the entire agreement was meant to be finished before it goes to the ratification process by October of next year.

Now definitely pigs will fly if that happens. Its not going to happen. Therell have to be a transition period, two, three, four years.

He said that trade deals all over the world take between five and seven years.

So if everyone even works as hard as theyre committed to doing  and I accept that they are  to try and do it in two years Theres no possibility of it being wrapped up in my view and I think everybody else whos looked at this in a serious way  of it being wrapped up by 2019.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) allies of British Prime Minister Theresa May insist a suggestion from foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney that the Irish Sea effectively become the border with the UK after Brexit should be dismissed out of hand

Mr Coveney and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar are unconvinced by the UK's plans to use technology to maintain the soft border between Northern Ireland and the Republic - which will become the frontier with the European Union after Brexit.

Their preferred option is for customs and immigration checks to be located away from the land border and at ports and airports instead, as reported first in the Irish Independent.

But such a move would be unacceptable to the DUP, which the British Prime Minister relies on to prop up her minority administration in the House of Commons.

DUP chief whip Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said today: "There is no way that the DUP would go for an option that creates a border between one part of the United Kingdom and the other."

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Dublin really needs to understand that that proposition is absurd and unconstitutional."

Mr Coveney set out his post-Brexit vision for an invisible Border with Northern Ireland retaining a connection to the customs union in an interview with the Irish Independent last month.

Mr Coveney said the Government will be pushing for a special deal, with "unique status" for the North to ensure the Border remains as close as possible to the current arrangement.

Asked if this meant it would have to be in the Irish Sea, between the island and Britain, Mr Coveney said: "Not necessarily. We need to talk about whether or not the checks that are necessary can be facilitated a different way, whether that's in airports or ports, and Ireland and the UK working together to facilitate that."

DUP MP Ian Paisley said Dublin's position appeared to leave two alternatives - a "very hard border" or that "Ireland will wise up and leave the EU" itself.

The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic is one of the key issues that needs to be resolved by the UK and the EU before talks begin on a new trade deal.

British ministers had proposed using measures such as surveillance cameras to allow free movement between the north and south of the island.

Mr Varadkar thinks these plans could jeopardise the peace process in Ireland and restrict movement between the two countries.

He is said to want customs and immigration checks moved away from the land border to ports and airports - effectively drawing a new border in the Irish Sea.

Brexit Secretary David Davis has acknowledged that "flexible and imaginative solutions" will be needed to resolve issues around Northern Ireland although he has previously told MPs when asked about an Irish Sea border that "I don't see that would be the solution, to be honest".

Additional reporting from PA
The EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, right, pictured addressing the media after a week of negotiations at the EU headquarters in Brussels. Photo: AP

The EU has reportedly threatened a two-month delay to talks on a post-Brexit trade deal after exit negotiations stalled, in a further blow to British Prime Minister Theresa May.

Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator, made the warning at a private meeting in Brussels with EU ambassadors over the "divorce bill" - a highly contentious issue in the talks.

Mr Barnier reportedly told the ambassadors it was "very unlikely" that "sufficient progress" would be made on the exit talks by October and that the council's judgment on beginning trade talks - Mrs May's priority - could be delayed by two months.

"He said the likelihood of starting the future relationship talks in October appeared to be decreasing," one EU official involved in the talks told Reuters.

"Barnier expressed concerns that sufficient progress in October looked difficult now. Mainly because Britain has no position on finances, but also because they don't have positions on other issues as well. The more they drag on, the less time is left for the second phase and special relationship they want."

Asked about the report, a spokesperson for Mr Barnier declined to comment.

But in a statement, the Department for Exiting the European Union said it had made "good progress on a number of issues".

Meanwhile, EU citizens will still be allowed to come to the UK to live and work after Brexit as long as they register with the Home Office, Amber Rudd has announced.

The British Home Secretary said freedom of movement would officially end in March 2019 when Britain leaves the EU, but revealed plans that suggest the existing immigration regime will remain largely unchanged during the transitional period after Brexit. Government sources conceded the rules governing EU migrants coming to Britain during the transitional period "may look like a similar arrangement" to free movement.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has warned that Ireland will not play any role in creating a border between the North and the Republic.

In a dramatic raising of the Brexit stakes, Mr Varadkar has said it is up to the British government to devise the so-called seamless border  but warned even then Ireland may not accept it.

"There hasnt been an economic border since 1992. As far as this Government is concerned there shouldnt be an economic border.

"We dont want one. Its the United Kingdom, its Britain that has decided to leave and if they want to put forward smart solutions, technological solutions for borders of the future and all of that thats up to them," he said.

"Were not going to be doing that work for them because we dont think there should be an economic border at all. That is our position."

The comments are likely to stun the UK government who have until now been working closely with Dublin to devise what Prime Minister Theresa May has described as a "frictionless border".

It had been suggested that technology could be used to monitor goods crossing between the Republic and Northern Ireland after Brexit  but Mr Varadkar has now rejected this out of hand.

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Asked whether he was concerned that by ratcheting up the rhetoric he could upset the DUP in Northern Ireland or Downing Street, Mr Varadkar bluntly replied: 'I hope there wont be any angry response from anyone. Anger isnt a policy and anger doesnt lead to solutions. But if anyone is angry it should be us.

He said the Good Friday Agreement was written in the context of Britain and Ireland working together within the EU.

It is the British and the Brexiteers who are leaving, so if anyone should be angry its us quite frankly. But were not going to get angry. We are going to try and find solutions that will benefit or at least minimise the damage to relations between Britain and Ireland, to the peace process and to trading links. But what we are not going to do is design a border for the Brexiteers.

They are the ones who want a border, it is up to them to say what it is, to say how it would work and to first of all convince their own people, their own voters, that this is actually a good idea, he said.

The Taoiseach said his government position is very clear, adding: We do not think its in the interests of Northern Ireland or the United Kingdom that there should be an economic border between our two countries or on our island and were not going to be helping them to design some sort of border that we dont believe should exist in the first place.

So let them put forward their proposals as to how they think a border should operate and then well ask them if they really think this is such a good idea because I think it will have a very severe impact on their economy if they decide to go down that route.

Former Ulster Unionist Party first minister David Trimble said Mr Varadkar and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney should "go away" and "calm down".

He said any suggestion that "the border should run down the Irish Sea with Northern Ireland being obviously on the Irish side rather than the British side is something that is completely unacceptable and is simply not going to happen."

He said raising the possibility could do "enormous damage" to the relationship between Dublin and Belfast, which he said had been "quite cordial" since the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr Trimble told Sky News that Ireland joined the EU at the same time as the UK and "should seriously consider following us out".

He added: "I do have to say too, to the new Irish prime minister and the new Irish foreign minister - they should go away, calm down and look carefully at that agreement that we negotiated...

"They need to go back to that and to think carefully about their obligation to abide by that agreement and not be seen to try and undermine it."

In response to Mr Varadkars intervention, a spokesperson for the UK Brexit office said finding a solution to the border question is a top priority, which we want to address early in the negotiations.

We are pleased to have had constructive discussions with the European Commission on this already.

"As we have always been clear, our guiding principle will be to ensure that  as we leave the EU  no new barriers to living and doing business within the UK are created, the spokesperson said.

"We aim to have as frictionless a border as possible between Northern Ireland and the Republic Ireland and we welcome the European Councils recognition that flexible and creative solutions will be required.

"It is our priority to deliver a practical solution, that recognises the unique social, political and economic circumstances of the border."
This week a horse from rural Galway known as Carnesella Lady was central to the latest trail in the ongoing saga of the European wide horsemeat scam.

In 2013, Irish food safety authorities detected beefburgers containing horsemeat. This marked the start of an investigation to find out the origin of the contamination; the anti-inflammatory drug phenylbutazone was found in the meat.

London Crown Court heard how Danish-owned company FlexiFoods would buy horsemeat and beef from suppliers across Europe and have it delivered to a restaurant known as Dinos in Tottenham, north London.

In this case, some of the meat in question was traced back to the Irish hunter Carnesella Lady

How did this happen?

Police in the UK said their 'complex investigation' involved enquiries in Denmark, Ireland, Poland, France, Holland and Italy.

Expand Close Just some of the meat recovered from the supply chain that proved to be a mix of low-quality beef and horsemeat. Image: City of London Police / Facebook

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Whatsapp Just some of the meat recovered from the supply chain that proved to be a mix of low-quality beef and horsemeat. Image: City of London Police

The investigation discovered that during 2012 two men were buying horsemeat from Ireland and sourcing beef from Poland.

This meat was then all delivered to a premises in Tottenham where the mixing of these different meat consignments would take place and also the application of false paperwork and labels to make it look like all the meat was 100pc pure beef.

The disguised products would then be sold on as beef without the buyer being aware of any horse meat having been introduced.

Horse ID found

The plot unravelled in September 2012 when one of the loads ended up in a meat store in Newry, Northern Ireland, and a surprise health inspection by Newry and Mourne District Council later revealed a third of the pallets contained horsemeat.

Horse ID chips, roughly the size of a grain of rice, were also found in the meat.

They belonged to two horses named Trak and Wiktor from the Lodz region of Poland, and a third Irish hunter horse called Carnesella Lady, from rural county Galway.

The horses had all been owned by farmers who sold them on to parties who police said failed to re-register the animals, meaning they could only be traced back to their original owners.

The animals had not been sold for slaughter and there is no suggestion the farmers had any involvement in the conspiracy, police said.

Increased profits

Mixing in cheaper horsemeat to the beef allowed the scammers to increase the profit on each consignment by approximately 40pc. The type of meat in question is known as trimming and is used in products such as minced meat, sausages, pies and ready meals.

Detective Constable Stephen Briars, the officer who led the case for the City of London Polices Fraud Squad said this was a clear case of fraud.

"The fact that the case revolves around meat and the food chain makes no difference to this crime. A lie is a lie whatever the circumstances.

These three men set out to deceive the suppliers, retailers and ultimately the consumer so that they could make more money," he said.

The Irish Department of Agriculture said it does not comment on the detail of its role in investigations which are the subject of court proceedings in this country or elsewhere.

However, it said that Irish authorities were the first to discover and disclose the issue of adulteration of beef with horsemeat; and that was essentially a wakeup call for what turned out to be a pan-European problem.

Spain

Earlier this month a separate investigation Spanish police, in coordination with Europol, dismantled an organised crime group that was trading horsemeat in Europe.

The operation was carried out in coordination with Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland and the UK.

In Spain, 65 people were arrested and charged with crimes such as animal abuse, document forgery, perverting the course of justice, crimes against public health, money laundering and being part of a criminal organisation.

Meat companies, frozen food companies and fast-food companies were affected by the investigation, which led to the identification of a Dutch citizen known in the horsemeat world, who led a European-wide horsemeat trading ring, with crimes against public health, money laundering and being part of a criminal organisation now stacking up against those involved.
The second cut silage is done and dusted for another year thanks to the brilliant sunshine at the start of last week.

I got three samples of grass tested by Teagasc. Sugars were averaging 3.5pc which was ok. Nitrogen levels ranged from below 50 to 250. Below 50 is ideal.

The advice given was that if there was good wilting weather the nitrogen shouldn't be an issue.

The RTE weather forecast at 1pm on Sundays decides a lot of the farm work for the week ahead.

As heavy rain was predicted for last Wednesday, I got a lot of the silage mowed down on Sunday afternoon.

The contractor rowed it up on Monday afternoon and into the pit on Tuesday.

The heavy rain did arrive in this part of the country on Wednesday evening so I was glad to have the silage finished.

Any remaining slurry in the tanks will go to the silage ground. I will spread the fertiliser soon as I am planning to take a third cut, as I haven't many bales made this year yet.

Grass growth is still flying and it's no wonder with the heat and rain coming nicely.

Last week my farm cover was 814. I am stocked at 4.68 LU/Ha and the grass cover/LU is 170. Rotation length is now 25 days. I brought in 3ha of aftergrass four weeks ago and that reduced the stocking rate.

The 90 milking cows are presently producing 22.4litres at 3.90pc butterfat, 3.28pc protein giving 1.66kg MS/cow/day, TBC 5000, SCC 93, therm 100 and lactose 5.03pc. Cows are getting 4kgs of a 14pc protein nut.

Nitrogen in the form of CAN or urea is being spread at 27 units/acre.

The cows were scanned three weeks ago. There were a few cows that needed washing out. Two cows had embryonic deaths that required treatment with Estrumate and washing out. I am planning to take out the bull soon.

The good weather in July allowed me finish off a drainage job on some land that I have leased.

I put in some new drains using 150mm and 75mm drainage pipes.

Some existing drains were cleaned out. I am planning to spray it off with Roundup this week so that I can reseed it.

Most of the old straw bedding from the calf house will be spread on it to be ploughed in. There is about three acres to be done. I am also hoping to reseed a silage field as well. It was last done around 12 years ago. I didn't plough it that time, I burned it off and rotavated it.

It worked out well enough for a number of years but a lot of Italian-like grasses are growing in it now with very little yield.

Recently, I sold five store heifers in the mart. They averaged 390kgs and I got 1.90 per kilo.

I felt they did well as they weren't 'real' beef cattle. I am negotiating at the moment whether to sell off six bulls for shipping to Turkey or in the mart. I was encouraged to see a good demand for the plainer type beef cattle.

The importance of keeping the farmyard tidy and presentable at all times was reinforced recently when I had a visit from a milk powder purchaser.

The purchaser who buys from LacPatrick for the Far East just simply wanted to see where the milk powder originates. He was brought to the milking facilities and all was grand. We then went to the cows.

It was a hot afternoon and most of the cows were lying down chewing their cuds.

By chance as one cow passed by I patted her and at once the visitor remarked that the 'cows were happy'. I sensed from him that he was content to see this and that he too left this Irish dairy farm happy. The sight of cows grazing outdoors is a powerful selling point for our dairy industry.

Another great sight I witnessed last week was a field evening held at my neighbour's farm.

The host family had everything going for them - a beautiful hot evening, terrific animals to judge, a great balance of young and old people.

Finally, we should all be aware this is farm safety week. Let us all keep working to ensure we all farm safely.

Gerard Sherlock farms at Tydavnet, Co Monaghan
The Seoul Central District Court on Thursday ruled that there was insufficient evidence that ex-President Park Geun-hye ordered the blacklisting of thousands of artists and cultural figures considered "hostile" to her administration.

The ruling spells a rare ray of light for Park in the relentless flood of revelations that have left her life and political legacy in tatters.

The court sentenced her former chief of staff Kim Ki-choon, an ancient retainer to the Park family, to three years in jail for compiling the blacklist of almost 10,000 painters, writers, newspaper companies, publishers and movie directors with the aim of sabotaging any state funding they might be entitled to. But it said it was not proven that Kim acted at her orders, although she "may have been briefed" about it.

Park is on trial in a separate court on the same charges because she and Kim were indicted at different times and she faces a mountain of other criminal accusations.
Country of origin labelling must be tightened up as many consumers are unaware where their chicken fillets come from, a producer has warned.

Chicken has surged in popularity, with health-conscious consumers opting for leaner protein now eating around 35kg a person each year.

However, the Irish Farmers' Association's poultry chair Nigel Renaghan said country of origin labelling needed to be extended to chicken sold loose in trays at butcher counters or supermarkets.

Vincent Carton, from Manor Farm chicken processors, which was recently sold to a Swedish company for 70m in cash and shares, said Irish consumers eat parts of four million fresh birds a week.

Mr Carton said his industry figures show 43pc of the fresh chicken comes from Holland. However, the exact origin is not clear to the buyer as they arrive into Holland from other European countries where they are mixed up, sized and placed on trays designed for the hotel and catering industry.

However, Mr Carton said they are often sold off loose on meat counters.

He pointed out the EU has recognised the issue and the Government has shown a willingness to amend regulations, but has yet to do so. Mr Carton said frozen raw chicken from Brazil was often sold into the Chinese takeaway trade, while Thai produce frequently went into pizza toppings.
Richie Boucher is set to be succeeded by HSBC executive Francesca McDonagh. Photo: Bloomberg

Bank of Ireland has reported an underlying profit of 480m for the first six months of this year, rounding off a busy week of results for Irish banks.

Bank of Ireland also reported operating expenses of 881m in the first six months of the year, which are broadly flat in comparison with the first half of 2016.

The bank said its residential mortgage lending in Ireland grew by over 30pc in the first half of 2017, taking its share of new lending to 26pc.

On the bank's balance sheets, there was a 0.5bn increase in core loan books, with customer loans now standing at 76.9bn.

The amount of impaired loans at Bank of Ireland have reduced by 0.8bn during the first half of the year to 5.4bn. This amount is down 65pc from a reported peak in 2013 and account for less than 7pc of customer lending.

Non-performing exposures have also reduced in the first six months of 2017, by 1.3bn to a total of 8.1bn.

The bank reported new corporate lending of 1.9bn in the period.

In all, lending increased by 500m in the period to 76.9bn, meaning loans are now being drawn down or acquired faster than they are being repaid.

Net interest margin (NIM), a key measure of banks' profitability, increased to 2.32pc in the first half of 2017, driven by lower costs. It's the highest for any Irish bank.

Other income of 369m noted in the group's income statement includes sustainable business income of 328m which increased marginally from the last six months in 2016.

Customer deposits of 74.7bn - predominantly retail sourced - account for over 95pc of the group's funding.

Investments in IT infrastructure - the core banking platforms - reached 105m in the first half of the year, with 55m expensed to the income statement.

"Our customer base is growing and customer satisfaction scores are increasing as we invest in our customer propositions, in supporting business growth and in our infrastructure," Richie Boucher, Bank of Ireland, Group CEO, said.

"The transformation of our business, enabled by our technology investments, to efficiently and sustainably align with the way our customers want to engage with us, continues to make progress.

"We are generating capital and increased our fully loaded CET1 ratio to 12.5pc. We expect dividends to re-commence at a modest level in the first half of 2018, in respect of financial year 2017."

Today's figures, from the first half of the year, will be the last set of results issued under departing chief executive Richie Boucher, who steps down in October.

He is set to be succeeded on October 2 by HSBC executive Francesca McDonagh.

On Thursday the High Court cleared the way for Bank of Ireland to resume dividend payments for the first time since the crash.

Davy's analysts believe that the stronger than anticipated FL CET1 of 12.5pc should provide reassurance regarding the bank's ability to recommence dividend payments.
A MINORITY shareholder in a gold mining company has concerns about corporate governance issues including payments of more than 4m to board members over seven years, the High Court has heard.

Patrick O'Sullivan, Howth Road, Dublin, intends to bring proceedings under the Companies Act against Conroy Gold and Natural Resources alleging oppression of him as a shareholder, his counsel Jim O'Callaghan SC said.

The company was established in 1995 by Professor Richard Conroy to find gold deposits in Northern Ireland and Finland and has a nine-member board chaired by Professor Conroy.

Mr O'Sullivan first bought shares in 2009 and now holds a 28pc stake but is not a director. He says he has become frustrated over alleged failure to adhere to "reasonable corporate governance standards, "misallocation of resources", including an "oversized" board, and ratio of board remuneration to operating expenses.

He served a notice in late May to propose resolutions for removal of six directors and their replacement with three different directors to have a more "streamlined" board.

Mr O'Callaghan applied ex parte (one side only represented) to Mr Justice Paul Gilligan on Thursday for interim orders arising from his client's apprehension the board is contemplating measures to dilute the current shareholdings before an extraordinary general meeting on August 4 with a view to defeating his resolutions.

Mr O'Callaghan said letters from William Fry, solicitors for the board, stated his client's concerns were misplaced. The judge said the letters merit clarification. The matter may be resolved on such explanation and, in the circumstances, he would return it to Friday.
Kieran Harte believes the main challenge to Uber in Ireland is that services here have been constrained to entirely working with taxis. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

Uber's operations in Ireland have faced a major setback as the National Transport Authority has said it is unsupportive of the firm's intention to expand here.

Our transport regulations have meant that, for the last three years since Uber began operations in Ireland has been blocked from rolling out the very aspect of its product that had ensured the app's global success, facilitating paid journeys in private cars.

The NTA has sent a letter to the tech company describing their pilot scheme as "undesirable" and in unfair competition with licensed taxis.

It said "operating parallel regulated and non regulated regimes would undermine the regulated transport system".

The boss of the ride-sharing app's Irish arm Kieran Harte said that the decision was "disappointing" but said Uber remained committed to the tech firm's Centre of Excellence in Limerick and its operations in Dublin.

"We are still in conversations with the government about innovating in the sector," he said.

Expand Close Kieran Harte, Uber GM Ireland, Minister for Finance Michael Noonan, Minister for Education Jan OSullivan, Deputy Mayor of Limerick Gerald Mitchell and Uber executive Sean Killeen at the Uber opening in Thomas Street, Limerick. Photo: Brian Gavin / Facebook

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Whatsapp Kieran Harte, Uber GM Ireland, Minister for Finance Michael Noonan, Minister for Education Jan OSullivan, Deputy Mayor of Limerick Gerald Mitchell and Uber executive Sean Killeen at the Uber opening in Thomas Street, Limerick. Photo: Brian Gavin

Headquartered in San Francisco, Uber has been lobbying with the Government and the NTA as regards the current legislation.

In an interview with independent.ie two months ago, the boss of the ride-sharing app's Irish arm Kieran Harte said that he was hopeful of a positive of a response from the NTA.

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"We've sent four submissions to the NTA and we haven't had any responses in writing back from those in the last 18 months. What is it about what Uber is proposing that doesn't work?," he told independent.ie.

''We certainly haven't been told 'No' at any stage. We understand that, at the moment, it comes down to changes in legislation or just a change to the NTA rules; so it is in their remit. We're very hopeful about that."

Mr Harte started off as the General Manager of Ireland, but now looks after Scotland and Wales and parts of the UK as the appetite for business was not evident.

He said that further investment in the new 'centre of excellence' in Limerick Uber opened early 2016 cannot be guaranteed if the full extent of the product offering cannot be rolled out.
Amazon boss Jeff Bezos has passed milestone after milestone this year as the online retailer's value has surged. At the end of July he became the world's richest person, for a brief moment, outstripping rival Bill Gates.

Here are six things you didn't know about Jeff Bezos, now worth around $90.8bn.

His first job was at McDonald's

The Amazon founder has had a long and varied career that started decades ago in a local McDonald's. Bezos, who was born in Albuquerque in 1964, worked at the fast food chain as a teenager, flipping burgers and cleaning up ketchup in a local branch of the restaurant .

He has previously said the work taught him skills not available in school, including responsibility and being serious:

He was an early investor in Google

Despite being one of Amazon's arch rivals now, Bezos is an investor in Google. He was one of the first backers of the search giant, investing $250,000 in 1998.

Back then Google shares were worth $0.04. They are now $966 per share meaning, if Bezos had held onto them all, they would be worth around $6bn.

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He is building a mystery clock in the desert

One of Bezos' more left field ventures is a large mechanical clock being built in the desert that is designed to run for 10,000 years. Bezos has invested around $42m in the Long Now foundation's durable clock, which is being built 500 feet into a mountain in Texas. It is designed to withstand weather erosion, earthquakes and the passing of time. Powered by human winding and solar power Bezos hopes it will outlive the Pyramids and Amazon.

"We humans have become so technologically sophisticated that in certain ways we're dangerous to ourselves," Bezos told the Wall Street Journal in an interview about the clock. "It's going to be increasingly important over time for humanity to take a longer-term view of its future."

Young Bezos is almost unrecognisable

Bezos has somewhat transformed his image compared to the geeky, Silicon Valley worker of the 1990s. While photos of 1990s edition Bezos, fresh from Amazon's IPO, show a scrawny, brown-jumpered look, modern Bezos is something else.

1998: I sell books. 2017: I sell whatever the hell I want. #Heisenberg pic.twitter.com/ic5h9ys5Xq  Paul R Rossi, CFA (@rossifg) July 27, 2017

He owns the 'Amazon Washington Post'

In 2013 Jeff Bezos moved into news, buying the 140-year-old Washington Post for $250m. Since then, the Post has achieved major digital growth.

His stake in the Post has not pleased everyone. In fact, Donald Trump has taken consistent aim at the internet moguls stake in one of the US biggest publications, repeatedly branding it the Amazon Washington Post.

The Amazon Washington Post fabricated the facts on my ending massive, dangerous, and wasteful payments to Syrian rebels fighting Assad.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2017

He starred in the Star Trek Beyond film

Bezos has been a fan of Star Trek since his childhood, even saying the Amazon Alexa AI assistant was inspired by the computer on board the Enterprise.

So Bezos managed to fullfill a childhood dream of appearing science fiction franchise in the latest film Star Trek Beyond. However, his part is easy to miss. In the film, Bezos is heavily made-up as an alien officer of Star Fleet and is only on-screen for a few seconds.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
Barclays has seen half-year profits surge, but said it would have to fork out an extra 700m (782.3m) to meet compensation claims for mis-selling payment protection insurance (PPI).

Group pre-tax profits jumped 13pc to 2.34bn for the six months ending in June, as the lender signalled the end of a major corporate restructure designed to focus on its core UK and US business.

However, the legacy of the PPI scandal continued to affect the bank, with core profit before tax slipping 25pc to 2.98bn in response to the extra PPI provision.

Chief executive Jes Staley said: "Our business is now radically simplified, the restructuring is complete, our capital ratio is within our end-state target range, and, while we are also working to put conduct issues behind us, we can now focus on what matters most to our shareholders: improving group returns."

The second quarter marked a milestone for the bank as it completed "two critically important planks" of its strategy to offload unwanted businesses.

The banking giant said it had driven down its majority shareholding in Barclays Africa Group to the extent where it can now apply for regulatory deconsolidation.

Barclays expects to complete this process next year.

It has also run down its non-core unit ahead of schedule to below 25bn in risk-weighted assets, meaning it could close the operation six months early.

Mr Staley added: "Accomplishing both of these milestones marks an end to the restructuring of the Barclays Group, and brings forward the date when our shareholders can benefit from the full earnings power of this business.

"That power is evident once again in the performance reported today."

However, factoring in a 1.4bn loss on the sale of 33.7pc of Barclays Africa Group and a further 1.1bn charge linked to the disposal, the bank recorded an attributable loss of 1.2bn for the half-year.

This was down from a 1.1bn profit over the same period in 2016.

The results come after a testing first half for Mr Staley, who is facing a regulatory investigation into his conduct after he attempted to identify a whistleblower.

Seperately, Barclays former chief executive and three top bankers have been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud over a June 2008 investor cash-call.

The group, ex-boss John Varley, Roger Jenkins, Thomas Kalaris and Richard Boath, will all stand trial in 2019 over alleged side deals struck at the height of the financial crisis.
Michael Flatley will perform the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis, Co Clare, next month.

The man who revolutionised Irish dancing will take to the Fly Shannon stage in Abbey Street car park on Sunday, August 13.

The American dancer, choreographer, and musician will briefly address the assembled gathering and play the flute with uilleann piper and composer, Gerard Fahy, from Ballinakill, Co Galway. Mr Fahy, who has toured extensively with Flatley and his Lord of the Dance troupe and is composer of his recent hit show 'Dangerous Games', played a major role in securing his eagerly awaited guest appearance for the Fleadh.

"(The Fleadh) is such a great home of traditional music and a place I have very fond memories of, including winning the All-Ireland there many years ago," said Flatley. "It is vitally important for all of us to nurture young talent and encourage young people today to play Irish music."
U.S. President Donald Trump has designated July 27 as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day to mark the ceasefire that halted fighting in 1953.

Trump in a statement on Wednesday said, "On National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, we honor the patriots who defended the Korean Peninsula against the spread of communism in what became the first major conflict of the Cold War."

He vowed never to forget the veterans and urged all Americans to observe the day with "appropriate ceremonies and activities that honor and give thanks" to them.

But Trump added, "North Korea's ballistic and nuclear weapons programs continue to pose grave threats to the United States, and our allies and partners."

"At this moment, more than 28,000 American troops maintain a strong allied presence along the 38th parallel, which separates North and South Korea. These troops, and the rest of our armed forces, help me fulfill my unwavering commitment as president to protecting Americans at home and to steadfastly defending our allies abroad," he said.
Radio boss Dan Healy has insisted RTE is a "tightly-run machine" despite the broadcaster running up a 19.7m deficit last year.

The head of 2FM made his comments following a week of controversy over pay at the state broadcaster.

"We're not all out here drinking lattes and getting taxis - we're a tightly-run machine," Mr Healy told the Herald.

"2FM is run very cost-effectively. Our content is world-class. The content we offer is of huge value.

"We fulfil our public service remit - we connect with people under the age of 30 and we are committed to playing Irish music. We are a service for everyone in Ireland."

Mr Healy and RTE Radio One head Tom McGuire challenged claims that the station's top talent were overpaid, saying pay rates were "decent and fair".

Some of RTE's highest-earners, including Marian Finucane and Joe Duffy, hold prime-time slots on Radio One.

Both presenters were in the top 10 of best-paid in the most recent figures released in 2014. Finucane earned 295,000, while Duffy took home 416,893.

Radio One presenter and Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy was RTE's highest-paid star that year, with an annual pay package of 495,000.

"They earn their money, they work hard. The rates are competent," Mr McGuire said.

Asked if he thought any of the top earners would be willing to take a pay cut in light of the imminent 200-plus voluntary redundancies at the station, he said they had already taken "dramatic pay cuts" in the past and had made huge sacrifices.

Asked about the gender pay gap in RTE, Mr Healy said he could not comment on salary guides, but the station had many strong female voices.

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"RTE will be speaking about the pay gap separately," he said, "but in our daytime schedule there is a 50/50 gender breakdown.

"We sought out people who were good storytellers, the selection wasn't based on gender.

"But it just happened that it turned out that we have a 50/50 breakdown. And we have great emerging female talent coming to the fore like Lottie Ryan.

"We have extremely strong female voices on air and we are a national leader when it comes to giving women a platform.

"We have Jacqui Hurley, Joanne Cantwell, Olivia O'Leary, Marian Richardson, Miriam O'Callaghan and Marian Finucane.

"Look at Newstalk or Today FM - where is their 50/50 gender breakdown?"

Meanwhile, RTE has appointed former Workplace Relations Commission chief Kieran Mulvey to conduct an independent review into the gender pay gap.

RTE made the announcement after the National Union of Journalists called for a detailed pay scale breakdown.

It followed an ad hoc meeting of RTE's NUJ staff yesterday where concerns were voiced.
An elderly woman who fell and fractured her spine when left alone and sedated in a hospital recovery unit has been awarded 58,500 damages.

It happened at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital after an endoscopic investigation, Judge James O'Donohoe heard in the Circuit Civil Court.

Matthew Jolley, counsel for Margaret Fitzpatrick (79), said she walked unaided into the Mater but was now housebound. "Instead of going home following a successful gastroscopy, she had to be detained for almost a month in the Mater before transfer to the Orthopaedic Hospital in Clontarf for another three months," Mr Jolley said.

Ms Fitzpatrick, of Finglas, Dublin, had initially attended court and given evidence from her wheelchair but was not in court yesterday to hear Judge O'Donohoe's reserved judgment. Her daughter Michelle earlier told the court her mother had been totally independent prior to the fall.

Judge O'Donohoe said Ms Fitzpatrick's initial procedure had a good outcome but "tragically things changed for the worse". He said while coming out of the sedation and having been given tea and toast in the day ward, she had attempted to put on her shoes and had fallen.

Judge O'Donohoe said she had myriad medical problems that necessitated hospitalisation in November 2014 after a fall at home, rendering her at risk from further falls. He had heard on behalf of the hospital that prior to her endoscopy there had been no indication for special monitoring beyond the usual nursing practice.

The judge said Ms Fitzpatrick had sued the Mater Hospital for failure in its management of her, given her medical history. On the expert evidence tendered on her behalf, he found the Mater failed to adhere to its own falls prevention policy.

Barrister Paul McGinn, for the Mater, was granted a stay pending consideration of an appeal to the High Court but was told because of Ms Fitzpatrick's age there would have to be a pay-out to her of 30,000.
The Charleton tribunal has completed its first module and will resume on 18 September when it looks at complaints from Garda Keith Harrison.

The tribunal is looking into whether garda whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe was the target of a smear campaign on the direction of senior Garda management.

The first module set out to investigate the creation, distribution and use by TUSLA of a file containing false allegations of sexual abuse against Sgt McCabe that was sent to Gardai in 2013, and whether these false allegations and the file were knowingly used by senior members of gardai to discredit Sgt McCabe.

It also began investigating what knowledge former Commissioner Martin Callinan or current Commissioner Noirin OSullivan or other senior garda members had concerning this false allegation and whether they used it to discredit Sergeant McCabe.

A senior social worker has said he did not notice that an incorrect allegation against Sgt Maurice McCabe which had previously been corrected was repeated in a letter sent to the whistleblower in 2015.

Seamus Deeney, a principal social worker in Cavan Monaghan, said that when he saw a garda notification form about Sgt McCabe in May 2014, he was aware of the name and of the whistleblowing saga that was going on."

An administrative error meant an allegation from an unrelated case was incorrectly added to a file on Sgt McCabe, which was placed on a garda notification form in early May 2014. The DPP had directed no prosecution of Sgt McCabe in 2007 following allegations from Ms D.

Mr Deeney signed off on the garda notification form, and later in the same month, he was informed that an error had been made and incorrect allegations were contained in the notification.

Mr Deeney said he did not recall this ever happening before. In June 2014 an amended garda notification report on Ms D was sent to gardai.

Mr Deeney read the amended report to assure himself the incorrect information had been removed. However, a sentence saying that Sgt McCabe had threatened Ms D's father if she said anything erroneously remained in the report.

"I never picked up on that at the time," Mr Deeney said.

In May 2015, a review of unallocated cases was carried out.

Mr Deeney drew up a five point plan for dealing with the case, beginning with contacting Ms D. However, because she was sitting exams, this did not happen.

Mr Deeney said that although he had seen the amended notification the previous year, he did not notice that a draft letter to Sgt McCabe prepared in 2015 repeated the incorrect allegation.

Mr Deeney was asked by tribunal barrister Pat Marrinan SC if he could offer any excuse for what happened.

"No. Only the busyness of the office and the pressure to get work done," Mr Deeney said.

Linda Dewhirst, who was charged with dealing with notifications between the health services and gardai, said that she forwarded the initial incorrect notification to gardai in May 2014, and a month later, she sent out n amended notification.

Ms Dewhirst said the notification was sent to Bailieboro garda station because Ms D's home address was in the Bailieboro garda district.

Ms Dewhirst said she did not know who Sgt McCabe was when she was handling the notification file in 2014.

Social work team leader Mary Tiernan attended meetings where the original allegations made by Ms D in 2006 were dealt with. In April 2007, when the DPP directed no prosecution, it was agreed that social workers from another district should meet with Sgt McCabe. However, this did not happen, and the case file was closed in October 2007.
A decision to deport a convicted Islamist terrorist must be reconsidered by the Justice Minister following a ruling by the Supreme Court.

Former justice minister Frances Fitzgerald had ordered the deportation of the Algerian, who has been linked to al-Qa'ida. But after a lengthy legal battle the court yesterday quashed a decision by the minister not to revoke the order. It concluded the matter should be considered again by Department of Justice officials, taking into account "up-to-date information" on whether there was a threat the man would be subject to inhuman or degrading treatment if he was to be returned to Algeria.

The man's legal team maintains he is at risk of torture if he is sent home.

In a written judgment, Mr Justice Donal O'Donnell said it was "not sufficiently clear" why the minister came to the conclusion the man could be deported to Algeria without risk of torture or inhuman or degrading treatment.

The judge said that if new Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan decided to go ahead with the deportation following a fresh appraisal of the man's case, the man's legal team can again mount a challenge in the High Court.

Solicitor Gavin Booth, of human rights law firm KRW Law, who represents the Algerian, said it had always been his client's case that he could not be deported without a breach of his rights under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits torture and inhuman treatment.

The 53-year-old man at the centre of the case is currently being held in Cloverhill Prison.

He cannot be named for legal reasons.

The man, linked by French authorities to al-Qa'ida, used his own name and five aliases at various points since arriving in Ireland 20 years ago.

Justice officials have alleged he is involved in terrorism and his activities and associates are of serious concern and contrary to the State's security.

The man was a supporter of the banned political movement Front Islamique du Salut, which sought to establish an Islamic state governed by Sharia law.

He fled Algeria in or around 1994 and was convicted in his absence of murder and formation of a terrorist group.

The man ended up in Ireland in 1997 and gained refugee status in 2000. But he later turned up in France where he was jailed in 2005 for his role in a plot to commit terror offences there and in Spain, Andorra, Ireland and England.

A Paris court heard he had been fundraising for jihadists.

After being released early from a French prison he was refused asylum there and illegally re-entered Ireland in 2009.
A judge has refused to approve a 19,500 settlement offer to a nine-year-old girl whose right nipple was torn on a jagged piece of metal on a restaurant table, and has called for a plastic surgeons report.

Barrister Stephanie OConnell told Judge James ODonohoe in the Circuit Civil Court that the girl was with her mother in Eddie Rockets in Liffey Valley, Clondalkin, Co Dublin, when the incident happened.

The girl, who was just aged six at the time, is not being identified to save her from public embarrassment or potential exposure to bullying remarks at her school.

Ms OConnell, who appeared with Sherlock and Company solicitors for the girl and her mother, said the child had been drawing a picture while seated at a table in Eddie Rockets and had dropped a crayon on the floor.

She bent down to pick it up and on getting back on her seat she caught her chest on a jagged piece of metal protruding from the edge of the table, Ms OConnell told the court.

Ms OConnell said the incident had resulted in a laceration of the girls right nipple. She had been helped by a female member of the restaurants staff who had applied a bandage to the wound.

The court heard that the girl was subsequently taken to her GP for examination and treatment and the wound had been cleaned and dressed. She had received a tetanus injection.

Ms OConnell said the doctor had noted, in a report for the court, that the girl had suffered a laceration to the areola of her right nipple. The wound had left a scar that was visible and raised.

Counsel said that the defendant had made a settlement offer of 19,500 and legal costs but after seeing pictures of the wound Judge ODonohoe said he could not at this stage approve the offer.

He asked Ms OConnell to have the legal firm of Sherlock and Company seek the views of a consultant with regard to a report on the possible need of cosmetic surgery for the girl. He adjourned the application for court approval of the settlement until October.

Through her mother the girl had sued Willowgrove Limited, which trades as Eddie Rockets, for damages up to the full 60,000 jurisdiction of the Circuit Court.
A Paradise City spokesman said on Thursday some 310,000 people had visited the complex, which opened on April 20. It currently runs a casino, hotel and convention center.

Paradise City, a new casino complex near Incheon International Airport, has welcomed over 300,000 visitors for a flutter in the 100 days since it opened.

It aims to attract families by eventually combining gambling facilities with a large shopping mall and other attractions.

The mall, a boutique hotel, a health spa and other facilities will open in the first half of next year.

"Since the first part opened, about 90 percent of hotel rooms have been occupied," said Kye Jung-hyun of Paradise City. "The second part is 55 percent finished. Once it's complete, the complex will emerge as a leading tourist attraction in Northeast Asia."
A WOMAN has lost a High Court action claiming she broke her leg when she fell on a wet floor in a pub.

But 47-year old Samantha Griffin won't have to pay legal costs of the case because of what the judge said was a failure by the pub to disclose that the floor had been replaced before it was examined by engineering experts for both sides in the case.

The floor at the Laurels, Clondalkin, was replaced during renovation works two years ago and this only emerged during cross examination of a witness for the pub.

Mr Justice Bernard Barton said there was no satisfactory explanation given as to why that fact had not been communicated to the court, to the legal teams on both sides, and to the engineers on both sides who had prepared reports for the case.

"What happened in this case is outrageous", he said.

If the matter had not come out during careful cross examination, the court would have been left "proceeding on an entirely false premise". That meant there was the "possibility of wholly unjust result".

Mr Justice Barton said what happened was sufficient for him to depart from the general rule that the losing side pays the costs.

Making an order for costs to Ms Griffin and against the pub owners for the duration of the four day trial, the judge said he took a very dim view of what had happened where the legal teams on both sides and court were " left in the dark" in relation to the replacement of the floor.

He refused a stay on the costs order.

Ms Griffin, of Cherrywood Grove, Clondalkin, Dublin, had sued Bellway Ltd with offices at Lower Camden Street, Dublin trading as The Laurels as a result of the accident on December 7, 2013.

She had claimed there was an alleged failure to properly or adequately maintain the floor and that patrons were allegedly allowed to dance in close proximity to tables containing drinks.

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Bellway denied the claims and said the floor was dry. It also contended Ms Griffin pushed a fellow patron away from her whilst dancing and lost her balance.

Dismissing the action, Mr Justice Barton said in the CCTV footage Ms Griffin can be seen with her hands out to an approaching man who, she said, had said something offensive to her.

The judge said that her backwards fall was a continuation of the "action reaction " sequence after she met the other patron.

Referring to the fact that she said her clothing when she was on the floor was wet, the judge said it was probably from the drink in her own glass which spilled as she tried to save herself.

He was also satisfied the alcohol Ms Griffin had that night "had a significant inebriating effect on her" as she fell when she stepped back from the encounter with the patron.
Annual credit card spending of 10,030 a year at a charity for people with a serious brain conditions included purchases of alcohol, supermarket food, vouchers, and payment of mobile bills, according to an inspector's report.

The credit card was mainly used by Barbara Flynn, the chief executive of the charity Ataxia Ireland, the investigation by the Charities' Regulator revealed.

The organisation was set up to support people with ataxia - a group of disorders that affect co-ordination balance and speech. But the report warned it had weak internal controls over credit cards, expenses and petty cash.

The investigation found two former trustees - Clare and Tim Creedon, who founded the charity in 1980 - were wrongly paid 84,009.

Charity trustees are barred from payments, except for expenses.

Ms Flynn, who is their daughter, did not inform the charity's other trustees about these payments between January 2014 and June 2015.

The investigators discovered other financial management failures at the charity between 2014 and mid-June 2015.

It paid Ms Flynn's employee pension contributions of 38,500 - rather than deducting it from her salary. The same irregularity, involving 900, was found in the case of another employee.

The payments to Mr Creedon amounted to 600 a month while his wife got 330 a month.

Both claimed the payments were for office and administrative work.

They resigned as trustees in June 2015. Payments were made up to March of that year in one case and April 2016 in another.

The investigation found Ms Flynn continued to operate in her role while "in the full knowledge" the payments to her parents contravened Revenue Commissioner rules.

Eight of the nine former charity trustees who served alongside the Creedons on the management committee were not aware of the payments from January 2014 to June 2015. The one trustee who was aware only found out when they quizzed the charity's accountant.

The investigation found the charity had a 52,744 surplus for the year ending 2015 and net assets of 338,482.

The HSE gives funding of around 113,000 a year and the charity also receives money from lottery grants through the Department of Justice as well as fundraising and member contributions.

It has received more than 300,000 in lottery funding since 2011.

The concerns about the finances only came to light through an internal whistleblower and were first revealed on Independent.ie.

Charities Regulator John Farrelly has written to the trustees requiring a series of corrective actions and wants the overpayments to be recovered.

They have been given 21 days to respond to him.

"If we are not satisfied with the response from the charity trustees, we reserve the right to intervene under section 74 of the Charities Act 2009 to ensure the charity is protected," he said. He has the power to apply to the High Court for a range of measures to protect a charity.

The Creedons founded the charity, first called the Friedreich's Ataxia Society, after two of their children were diagnosed with the condition.

The regulator's instructions include:

Develop, document and implement suitable procedures for the recruitment of senior roles;

Implement more formal monitoring and reporting arrangements in respect of the role of the chief executive;

Agree and implement a formal arrangement with the chief executive to recover the overpayment of employee pension contributions.

The charity did not respond to requests yesterday. It is the latest charity to be at the centre of an investigation over irregularities and it follows revelations about Console last year.
A whistleblower who first highlighted financial and governance issues at Ataxia Ireland said it gave him no pleasure to see the publication of a damning report into the charity this week.

However Albert Young, who suffers with the serious neurological condition Friedreich's Ataxia, explained that he doesnt regret his decision to speak out and said it had to be done.

Yesterday it was revealed that Ataxia Ireland paid 84,009 to two former trustees Clare and Tim Creedon who founded the charity in 1980 and are the parents of current CEO Barbara Flynn.

Ataxia is a brain condition which affects co-ordination, balance and speech. In severe cases, ataxia can be fatal in childhood or early adulthood.

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The charity had weak internal financial controls and Ms Flynns pension contribution of E38,500 was paid from funds rather than deducted from her salary.

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The Charities Regulator report also revealed that annual credit card spending of 10,030 at the charity included purchases of alcohol supermarket food, vouchers and payment of mobile phone bills.

Mr Young (54), from Co Wexford, first reported the charity to the HSE in May 2016. At the time he highlighted 28 issues at Ataxia Ireland.

Many of these points were covered in the Charities Regulator report this week.

Mr Young told Independent.ie: "I feel no pleasure in reading this report or the stuff in the media, but it had to be done."

The whistleblower explained that he first became involved with Ataxia Ireland in 2014, despite suffering with the condition for over 40 years.

Mr Young has experience in marketing and along with his wife they ran a number of fundraisers for the charity.

However he became concerned when he noticed that a large number of committee members were leaving the organisation without explanation.

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Later he became concerned about finance issues and moved to distance himself from the Leopardstown based charity.

However he later decided to speak out.

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I could not stay silent and allow funds being donated to the support of members not going to them. There were pensioners giving 50 out of their pension, to support the charity.

I could not walk away for the sake of members who had no idea and were raising funds for the charity.

Mr Young explained that his decision to speak up brought him into conflict with people in the charity.

The way I said, if there is nothing there to find then it will be all fine. I never knew Ms Flynns parents were paid, I never knew about her pension.

The HSE gives funding of around 113,000 a year and the charity also receives money from lottery grants through the Department of Justice as well as fundraising and member contributions.

Expand Close Clare and Tim Creedon, former trustees of Ataxia Ireland. Photo: Paul Sherwood / Facebook

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It has received more than 300,000 in lottery funding since 2011.

Charities Regulator John Farrelly has written to the trustees requiring a series of corrective actions and wants the overpayments to be recovered.

They have been given 21 days to respond to him.

"If we are not satisfied with the response from the charity trustees, we reserve the right to intervene under section 74 of the Charities Act 2009 to ensure the charity is protected," he said. He has the power to apply to the High Court for a range of measures to protect a charity.

Mr Young said he has severed all ties with Ataxia Ireland and he believes the charitys name has been "irrevocably tarnished".

Along with three other people suffering with Friedreich's Ataxia, Mr Young has gone on to set up Ataxia Foundation Ireland.

He said the aims of the new organisation is to support members and their wellbeing.

More details on Ataxia Foundation Ireland can be found at afi.ie
National Maternity Hospital master Dr Rhona Mahony has acknowledged the tragic death of Malak Thawley, saying "every day we deliver women of their babies this awful potential is a possibility".

Dr Mahony, writing in the hospital's annual report, did not refer to Ms Thawley by name but said it is "hard to imagine a more difficult outcome in medicine". Ms Thawley (35) died in Holles Street in May 2016 after a blood vessel was cut during emergency surgery for ectopic pregnancy.

It was the first maternal death at the hospital in more than four years.

Dr Mahony said the hospital delivered 9,037 babies last year - a drop of 3.6pc on 2015. But it was still one of the busiest years in the hospital's history - delivering 25 babies a day.

"On our busiest day, July 26, we delivered 43 babies," she said.

The largest baby weighed 5.7kg (12lbs 9oz) and the lightest just 490g (1lb 3oz). That baby spent nearly six months in the neonatal unit.

She said more than four in 10 women attending the hospital are overweight and nearly half are over the age of 35.

Thirty years ago, the over-35s accounted for just 10pc of mothers.

Older motherhood is associated with a range of adverse outcomes, including miscarriage and complications.

The caesarean section rate remained stable at 26pc.

The major contributor to the rise in recent years has been the number of women presenting who had a previous caesarean section.

There has been a striking increase in pre-labour caesarean sections, which accounts for almost 16pc of deliveries.

Dr Mahony referred to advances in scans, which can identify genetic and other abnormalities in the womb.

"Our patients face very difficult choices and it is impossible not to be moved by the impossibly difficult situations we see every day here," she said.

"In Ireland we are ill-equipped to deal with the rapid development of complex genetic testing that requires sophisticated interpretation."

The hospital ended the year with a surplus of 1.4m, but it laboured under unnecessary cash flow pressures due to the HSE.

The hospital prioritised patient safety over spending cuts, she added.

Dr Mahony said it is unacceptable we have such low numbers of obstetricians.

A total of 30pc of deliveries happen between midnight and 8am.

There should be a consultant on-site during this time.
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has vowed to clamp down on the use of encrypted messaging services by criminals on the back of the terrorist attacks in Manchester and London.

Despite the inevitable resistance from social media giants, Mr Flanagan has insisted that gardai will be given new legal powers to intercept messages sent via the likes of WhatsApp and other instant messaging applications.

On the back of the recent attacks in the UK, Mr Flanagan has asked his officials to consult with internet companies ahead of the planned publication of new laws.

Mr Flanagan's predecessor, Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald, recently said she wants to update legislation that stems from the early eighties and nineties, given the advances that have been made in modern-day communications and social media.

The changes will see gardai given new powers to intercept Facebook and WhatsApp messages, as well as emails, which are being increasingly used by suspected criminals to communicate.

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Government sources say intelligence received by gardai indicates that criminals involved in the Kinahan-Hutch feud are using encrypted messaging services such as WhatsApp and Telegram to communicate.

At this month's summer school in Glenties, the head of security at the European Commission, Julian King, said EU member states will be presented with a series of new legal options in October.

"Encryption is part of all our lives. Unfortunately, it is available to be used by people who want to misuse and cause harm and that's a big problem."

In a statement, a spokesman for Mr Flanagan said: "The need to enhance powers in this regard is absolutely essential given the importance of taking strong action to tackle terrorism and organised crime. Recent events in Manchester and London serve only to remind us of the ongoing need to ensure that the agencies charged with defending the security of this State must have all assistance necessary.

"The powers at issue are widely available in other jurisdictions and the threat we face from organised crime and terrorism requires us to provide a clear and appropriate legal basis for the use of such powers here."
Maeve Devoy is moving back home at the age of 27 while she studies for a masters degree at DCU due to increasing rents and a lack of State support. Photo: Doug OConnor

A novelist who wants to go back into education has said she has "no option" other than to move back home.

Almost 460,000 adults remain living at home with their parents, the latest Census data released yesterday shows.

Maeve Devoy (27), a novelist from Lusk, Co Dublin, told the Irish Independent: "More and more of us are moving home".

Ms Devoy, who has also worked in cafes and hotels, said soaring rents were the reason for her decision to move home this month.

"When I first moved out a few years ago I was paying just 375 and my room was huge," she said.

Ms Devoy moved then from that house just beside Croke Park to another house in the North Strand area of Dublin where she was suddenly paying 500 for a room which she says was "three times as small".

"We didn't even have any heating in that house but we just didn't want to complain," said Ms Devoy.

"It was very hard to find somewhere and we always offered more money and never complained.

Ms Devoy had been living in her last house in Ballybough for three years.

Sharing

She was sharing with two other female friends, and said that they had offered an extra 100 in rent to try to secure the house.

The rent was initially advertised as 1,700 for the three bedrooms - but they ended up paying 600 each when they moved in.

"The landlord actually said there were people offering hundreds more than we offered but went for us because we were three girls sharing together," she said.

Ms Devoy has recently been accepted into a literary studies research masters in DCU and has saved up to pay for that, which she said was a challenge in itself.

She has now been left frustrated by moving farther away from the college by a lack of supports available through State initiatives.

"There just isn't a proper system in place to help people. Only certain people seem to be able to benefit from governmental services," she said.

Ms Devoy said the struggle to find accommodation was something that is often discussed among her circle of friends. "There's actually so many of us now in this situation," she said. "It's gotten to the stage where nobody is complaining anymore, it's kind of just like anything goes."
North Korea on Thursday declined a request from its old South Korean business partner Hyundai Group to visit and commemorate the late company chairman Chung Mong-hun.

The North's Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, an agency dealing with contacts with South Korea, notified Hyundai of the decision by fax. This is the first time the North has rejected Hyundai's request for a memorial service for Chung, who killed himself by jumping out of a window in 2003.

Hyundai executives led by his widow have held a memorial service at the North's Mt. Kumgang resort, which used to be run by subsidiary Hyundai Asan, almost every year since. But last year Hyundai did not make a request because inter-Korean relations were in the freezer after the North's latest nuclear test and the closure of the joint Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex.

Hyundai Group is a separate offshoot of the original conglomerate than the more famous Hyundai Motor.

Hyundai Asan applied for permission to visit the North to the Unification Ministry here on July 19. Two days later, it called and e-mailed the Beijing office of the North Korean committee to say it wants to hold the memorial service at Mt. Kumgang on Aug. 4. The North acknowledged receipt and promised to convey the request to the authorities.

Pyongyang has also snubbed other overtures from the new administration in Seoul and South Korean civic groups in recent weeks.

Hyundai Asan has traditionally served as a bellwether and messenger in contacts with the North, but this time there is clearly no appetite for renewed exchanges.

"Pyongyang is currently in hardline mode against Washington over the nuclear and missile issue and only interested in pressuring Seoul into suspending joint military drills with the U.S.," said Prof. Nam Sung-wook of Korea University.


A man has been rushed to hospital after he was stabbed at the front entrance to a Dublin court house this afternoon.

Gardai were called to the scene after the man, who is in his mid 20s, was knifed outside a sitting of Tallaght District court.

The incident took place at approximately 12.30pm.

A garda spokesman confirmed that a man in his 20s was brought to Tallaght Hospital with "apparent stab wounds".

No arrests were made and an investigation ongoing.

Gardai say they have no update on the condition of the injured party.

It is not clear if the victim or suspected attacker were before the courts today.
RTE's outgoing Morning Ireland presenter, Cathal MacCoille, has broken a seven-year silence to insist that Brian Cowen was "not drunk" during an early-morning radio interview.

After the interview Fine Gael opposition spokesman, Simon Coveney, put out a tweet suggesting the then-Taoiseach was drunk starting a storm of speculation which was soon called "garglegate".

The incident added to the embattled Taoiseachs woes and hastened the fall of his Coalition government.

"God, what an uninspiring interview by Taoiseach this morning. He sounded half way between drunk and hungover and totally disinterested..." the Cork South-Central TD tweeted at the time.

The incident occurred in September 2010 when Brian Cowen was attending a party pre-Dail Fianna Fail seminar in a Galway hotel.

Mr MacCoille, who had his last day as presenter of the flagship early morning news programme 'Morning Ireland' today, has finally commented on it in an interview with the online Irish language magazine Tuarisc.ie.

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Mr MacCoille recalls being in the company of Mr Cowen and then-Gaeltacht Minister, Pat Carey, in the hotel bar around 1am that night. Mr Carey said he was going to bed but Mr Cowen said he would have one or two drinks because he had had a very long day.

The presenter said he was not satisfied with the interview Mr Cowen later did with him after 8am.

He was evasive and things were really bad in the country. He did himself no favours, he was evading questions about the economic crisis which was coming, the RTE presenter said.

The controversy began when Simon Coveney put the question was he drunk or tired? - but he was not drunk, Mr MacCoille insisted.

The presenter said his own view was that Mr Cowen, whose government was floundering amid a major recession, was weary.

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The veteran RTE presenter said he returned to the same hotel in Galway a year later while attending a funeral. He got a taxi back to the railway station and the taxi driver said he had been in that hotel the night before the notorious interview.

The taximan said yer man was jarred and legless. For Mr MacCoille the taximans tale told him people often prefer rumour to truth.

Mr MacCoille said the use of social media was the biggest change he had seen in a long career in journalism. There were advantages to this but there were also big risks of wrong reporting being accepted as fact.

Independent.ie readers react to Brian Cowen's honorary doctorate from NUI
On January 15, 1999, Ireland's then-EU commissioner, Padraig 'Pee' Flynn, went into the national confession box - otherwise known as the 'Late Late Show' - and proceeded to make an utter hames of himself.

His patronising references to property developer Tom Gilmartin were to cause him a heap of tribunal woe soon after. But at the time he mainly enraged the Irish nation by appealing for public understanding over the problems of maintaining three homes, in Brussels, Dublin and Castlebar.

Reality is that, if he were saying such things even five years later, he may have got a far better hearing. By then, many Irish people would have been thinking about the flat in Turkey, and the seaside chalet in Kilkee, along with the main gaff.

Yes, we're talking about the Irish middle classes, the squeezed middle, the coping classes. This is a group of people which to varying degrees lost the run of themselves in the boom, suffered in the recession, and are now fretfully hoping to get their legs under them again.

While battling to get the top job, our newly-minted Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, made it clear he wanted to court their support. He wants to help them, arguing that ultimately they are the engine of the Irish economy. They are the ones who pay the most in taxes and make things happen in the provision of all public services, including welfare.

For daring to say something straight, and speak for a society who have had few champions since the demise of the Progressive Democrats in 2008, Mr Varadkar has taken a deal of stick. Some critics have tried to caricature what he is saying as some hard-right, neo-conservative position.

It might eventually turn out so. But it does not have to be that. Let's give the Taoiseach some time and space and wait and see.

But such talk inevitably leads on to the need to identify who comprises this grouping. Mr Varadkar has spoken of "people who get up early in the morning".

On TV3 on Wednesday night, in conversation with Vincent Browne, he signalled that his main target audience is a deal larger than we might at first have thought. The Taoiseach reflected that 70pc of people feel themselves to be "middle class" - and he would not exclude people on the minimum wage from the middle classes.

Let's be very clear about one thing: class does exist in Ireland. We may be less conscious of it and the growing informality of our culture continues to downplay it. But it continues to be with us.

There was a time when you had to wear a suit to work in an office, have lunch instead of dinner, and draw a salary rather than a wage, before you could be "middle class". Things are not so rigid now; income is by no means the only determinant; and self-perception is a very big part of the dynamic.

This will soon enough come down to a political pitch - not a sociological dichotomy. Let's recall again one of Mr Varadkar's key messages at the first leadership hustings' debate on May 25 last.

He warned his party members that in trying to stand for everyone, the party risked standing for nothing. "Fine Gael will stand for things, and we will know what they are. Everyone might not agree with us, but I will give Fine Gael definition, and with it something to vote for, something to believe in, and with that success at the ballot box."

He said Fine Gael must stand for "middle Ireland, the coping class, the squeezed middle". Those voters "should be our priority".

That was the basis on which he presented as "the best candidate to widen Fine Gael's appeal and to broaden the base of our support".

In what looked like a hint about an upcoming election campaign, Mr Varadkar also said that Fine Gael should leave being all things to all people to Fianna Fail. "Do that and we end up being nothing to anyone."

In fairness to the man, he was wearing his "political party hat" when he uttered those words. As Taoiseach, he has responsibilities to citizens who would never, ever, vote for him.

It does not have to mean that he will ignore or exclude other groups as government head.

But we are entitled to take his statements as a strong indicator of his approach to government.
Former Ulster Unionist Party first minister David Trimble said Mr Varadkar and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney should "go away" and "calm down".

He said any suggestion that "the border should run down the Irish Sea with Northern Ireland being obviously on the Irish side rather than the British side is something that is completely unacceptable and is simply not going to happen."

He said raising the possibility could do "enormous damage" to the relationship between Dublin and Belfast, which he said had been "quite cordial" since the Good Friday Agreement.

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He was speaking after Taoiseach Varadkar said it is up to the British government to devise the so-called seamless border  but warned even then Ireland may not accept it.

He said: "There hasnt been an economic border since 1992. As far as this Government is concerned there shouldnt be an economic border.

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"We dont want one. Its the United Kingdom, its Britain that has decided to leave and if they want to put forward smart solutions, technological solutions for borders of the future and all of that thats up to them.

"Were not going to be doing that work for them because we dont think there should be an economic border at all. That is our position."

Mr Trimble told Sky News that Ireland joined the EU at the same time as the UK and "should seriously consider following us out".

He added: "I do have to say too, to the new Irish prime minister and the new Irish foreign minister - they should go away, calm down and look carefully at that agreement that we negotiated...

"They need to go back to that and to think carefully about their obligation to abide by that agreement and not be seen to try and undermine it."
THE Policing Authority has expressed its "intense frustration" that the Garda probe into how almost a million bogus breath tests were recorded has been delayed.

The remarks came after senior Gardai met with the Authority yesterday where other issues discussed included the controversy over finances at Templemore Training College and the unsuccessful prosecutions in the Jobstown case.

Deputy Commissioner Donall O Cualain filled in for Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan who has taken around five weeks off in annual leave.

A Policing Authority statement said that the matters raised at the meeting are issues that are "impacting on public confidence in the Garda Siochana with implications for the rule of law and Garda morale".

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It also said: "The Authority expressed its intense frustration and impatience that the report in relation to the Mandatory Alcohol Checkpoints and Fixed Charge Penalty Notices... is again delayed."

The Gardai are probing how the bogus breath tests came to be recorded between late 2011 and the end of October 2016, as well as how more than 14,000 motorists ended up being wrongly convicted of traffic offences.

The Authority also said that the absence of a timeline for the completion of a different report on homicide data is "increasingly difficult to understand".

Its statement said that the Garda representatives outlined "practical and governance factors which are affecting finalisation".

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The Dail Public Accounts Committee's recently published report on the financial irregularities at Templemore over several years was also considered at the Authority meeting.

Among its findings, the report criticised Ms O'Sullivan's failure to notify the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) as soon as she became aware of concerns over College finances in the summer of 2015.

The Authority statement said that the PAC report, along with the internal Garda audit report on Templemore, "further elaborate matters of significant concern... in relation to the management of public funds and the governance of the Garda Siochana.

"The Authority considers that the governance failures are very serious and that remedial action ought to have commenced much earlier," it says.

Amid continuing probes into the issues at Templemore, the Authority decided to continue is oversight of the implementation of the recommendations of internal Garda auditors for resolving the issues at the College.

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The Authority also discussed the failed prosecutions in the Jobstown case.

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Last month six men, including Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, were acquitted of the false imprisonment of former Tanaiste Joan Burton and her adviser at a water protest in 2014.

The Authority statement said it is mindful that there are cases still before the courts but said members were keen to understand the full scope of the "lessons-learned" review of the case being undertaken by the Gardai.

"They were reassured to note that the review would encompass the incident on the day, the investigation and the evidence," the statement said.

The Authority also noted the resignation of one of its members, Dr Vicky Conway, who was appointed as a member of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland in May.

She resigned "in order to avoid any perception of conflict of interest" arising from her membership of the Commission which the government set up to conduct a "root and branch" review of policing in the wake of various Gard scandals.
Johnny Redmond of the Strand Bistro at an almost deserted beach at Kilkee. Photo: Eamon Ward

Business owners in the coastal town of Kilkee, Co Clare, have hit out after a discharge of wastewater caused a bacterial risk to swimmers in the sea.

After heavy rain, an Irish Water pumping station discharged the wastewater into the Victoria Stream near the beach, which resulted in the HSE issuing a bathing ban.

With a busy weekend in store for the town with musical festival 'Marquee by the Sea' taking place, local restaurateurs fear the closure will have an impact on business, and some say they are already feeling the effects.

"There's definitely been a drop-off today," said Dan James, owner of O'Shea's Cafe at the beach-side beauty spot.

"The worrying thing is people usually come for the weekend, so if it continues for the weekend, people won't come to Kilkee," he told the Irish Independent.

Johnny Redmond, proprietor of Strand Bistro, also fears that the closure of the beach will be harmful to business.

Another local business owner, Mary Hickey, who runs Pier Restaurant, said the situation was a "disgrace", describing the beach as a "key attraction" to the town.

Fianna Fail TD for Clare Timmy Dooley said the news was a major setback to the community.

Meanwhile, Dublin City Council blamed the closure of Sandymount Strand to swimmers on pollution from animal droppings.
A Kerry woman who emigrated to America in her twenties was awarded her high-school diploma at the age of 107.

Hanna Lovett (107) was born in Kerry in 1910 but left school at a young age before emigrating to New York, where she rebuilt her life.

Lovett eventually settled down in Mattituck, Long Island, where she raised six children with her husband.

According to NewsDay.com, the great-grandmother completed a programme to be qualified to care for newborn babies when she was a young woman, before studying to become a carer. However, it had long been a dream to be awarded her high-school diploma.

Lovett's daughter Ann reached out to the principal of their local Mattituck Junior-Senior High School, who presented the 107-year-old with the honorary degree last month.

The popular granny is even the subject of a memoir by local author Sara Bloom.

According to the publication, principal Shawn Petretti credited Lovett at the ceremony and spoke of her fascinating life.

"We thought it was appropriate because shes lived such a full and fascinating life, even though she had to leave school at such a young age."

"I do believe she fits right in with the class of 2017."
The past, they say, should only be used for reference, not residence. Nostalgia for the way we were is of dubious value in addressing the needs of today. Besides, spend too much time garnering information and the world will have moved on by the time it has been gathered. But today's census reveals some real nuggets on how Ireland is growing and how fast it is changing. It is a country that would have been unrecognisable only a generation ago. It combines evidence and reflects experience charting social contours that until recently seemed inconceivable.

It records a near meltdown of what we termed the "nuclear family". From a total of 1.7 million households, only 31pc were made up of the traditional household type of a married couple with children.

The number of cohabiting couples with children rose by 25.4pc to 75,587. Among these, a single child is more likely. A further 4,226 people indicated that they were in registered same-sex civil partnerships (the first time this category was recorded on an Irish census).

All of this speaks of seismic shifts in the law, attitudes to religion, and hard economic realities - especially in terms of family size.

The revelation that 450,000 adults live with their parents is another arresting new social phenomenon.

It suggests that the gulf in generational inequality between the young and old seems to be widening due to the obstacles in the path of younger people getting their own roof over their heads.

The acute housing shortage and the soaring cost of rents have made this a virtual impossibility.

And it can't be easily fixed in the short-term - as accepted by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

However, the housing crisis must be front and centre in the National Development Plan which Mr Varadkar has promised to deliver this year, setting out capital investment of 80bn for the next decade. There is no optimal family size, and there is no exchange or return with children, but like all previous generations, today's should at least have a choice when it comes to moving on.

Oppressive defamation laws in need of reform

The settlement of an appeal over a 900,000 defamation award in the Supreme Court is to be welcomed.

While individual judgments have yet to be published, the majority of judges felt the 900,000 award was excessive and should be set aside.

The fact this case went on for 17 years highlights the enormous burden of risk carried by newspapers in their day-to-day functions. The evident frustration of Chief Justice Susan Denham on being told how the case had just been settled "10 minutes ago" after 17 years of legal toing and froing will have been shared by many in the media.

In the broader context, high damages for defamation claims invariably have an impact on freedom of expression. That is why adequate and recognisable safeguards must be in place to avoid disproportionate awards. Thanks to the 2009 Defamation Act a judge can give more detailed directions to a jury as to the assessment of damages. But many libel lawyers will still claim some judges do not give sufficiently detailed directions to juries in relation to damages. Clarity and consistency are essential in this area.

Reform of our expensive and oppressive defamation laws is overdue. Inordinate damages awards will have a negative effect on freedom of expression in a democracy. Those who are defamed must be entitled to court awards to compensate for their wrongful loss of reputation, but the award must be reasonable and appropriate.
A Greystones jeweller has collected a top prize as she graduates from the Design and Craft Council of Ireland's Jewellery and Goldsmithing Skills and Design Course.

Cassie McCann was presented with the Course Manager's Award by Eimear Conyard, Jewellery and Goldsmithing Skills and Design Course Manager.

The Wicklow woman was chosen for the award in recognition of 'her overall contribution to the course and the student body, and in particular for the outstanding craftsmanship in her Faberge-style egg which features a hand-carved mermaid and enamelled outer surface' (pictured).

Cassie's work is currently on show at the National Craft Gallery in Kilkenny as part of Lustre, and exhibition of work by the graduates of the course.

Cassie comes from a graphic design background. In 2009, she decided to explore a love of jewellery by attending some short courses and working part-time for AMOC Jewellery in Wicklow.

During the DCCoI programme she completed the GemA Diamond Grading Practical exam as well as a work placement with Liam Costigan Goldsmith and teaching experience at The Jewellery School, Birmingham. Cassie will now continue her training within the trade.
The annual Kilmacanogue Horse Show was an outstanding success at the weekend.

PRO Mary Flynn said despite the fact that the organisers were competing with the Bray Air Display there was a great turnout at the 44th annual show.

'The whole day went off brilliantly for us despite the fact that the Bray Air Display was on. We were lucky too in that we had super weather so that worked in our favour too.

'While we seemed to have less spectators through the gate the number of entries was up on other years. We usually only have one jumping ring but this year we decided to have two and they were both exceptionally busy throughout the day. We had a fantastic course builder called Gerry Traynor come on board and he did an outstanding job complete with artificial trees and mannequins.

'Some of the children who took part was incredibly talented and showed great promise.'

Some of the categories on the day were: hunters and cobs; Connemara working hunter; novice ridden Connemara registered ponies; carriage driving; small riding horse; large riding horse; coloured horse; racehorse to riding horse; pleasure horse; miniature horse classes; brood mare; monkey; Kerry Bog hand; Dressage, performance hunter; dog times; draft working horse; children's classes; photography and art competition and sheep classes.

One of the highlights of the day was the fancy dress competition which was won by a group dressed as The Smurfs. Shepard Donie Anderson delighted the crowds with his sheepdog Jess who herded a drake in expert like fashion.

All the money raised on the day will be used to support a number of charities including Wicklow Hospice, Enniskerry Tidy Towns, Kilmacanogue Senior Citizens, Charabanc, Spinal Injuries Ireland, Cancer Support, DSPCA, Open Door amongst others.

'Last year we raised 8,000', said Mary 'and we hope to top that this year.'
Arklow Library will host a lecture on 'Kate Tyrell, The Lady Mariner' by local man John Mahon on Thursday, August 27.

John is Kate Tyrell's grandson and has published a book on his daring grandmothers' adventures.

This is the story of the extraordinary woman who sailed the Denbigshire Lass.

The maritime world of the 1880s offered vast wealth to some, but to others only unspeakable hardship. Above all, it was a man's world.

But Kate Tyrell rebelled against the strictures of her day. Raised in an Arklow shipping family, she became the owner of the Denbigshire Lass, the first schooner to fly the Irish tricolour in the 1920s.

Often navigating the ship herself, this extraordinary woman took over control of male-dominated shipping world and scandalised society by insisting on keeping her own name in marriage.

Kate Tyrell Lady Mariner' is the gripping story of a ship and the charismatic woman who controlled her in defiance of the customs of her time.

The lecture will be held in Arklow Library on Thursday, August 27 at 7 p.m. No booking necessary, and all are welcome.
Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, and Sir David Attenborough, naturalist and environmental royalty, headed up the celebrity guest list at a function held earlier this month in the Natural History Museum in London to formally install 'Hope', the skeleton of an Irish whale, as the centrepiece of the museum's very extensive exhibits.

The gala launch reception was held ahead of the public opening of the exhibit to the millions of people from all over the world who visit the famous museum. 'Hope', the latest attraction, is the skeleton of a Blue Whale that live-stranded on a sand bank at the mouth of Wexford Harbour on Wednesday, March 25, 1891.

A sub-adult female, estimated to be 10 to 15 years old, measuring 25.2m long and weighing more than an estimated 100t, she belongs to a species that, as far as is known, is the largest animal that ever existed on planet Earth. Without the buoyancy of water to support her massive body the stranded animal was suffocating under her own great weight as the tide ebbed. Ned Wickham, coxswain of the Rosslare lifeboat, put the dying animal out of her agony.

As 'a Fish Royal' the remains were claimed for the Crown and were auctioned. The carcase was sold to William Armstrong, chairman of Wexford Harbour Board at the time, for 111.0.0 for its oil and meat. Some 20 men were employed cutting up the meat for dog food and saving 630 gallons of oil for fuel.

The 4.5-tonne skeleton was purchased by the Natural History Museum in London and is now on display following two years of intensive conservation work on each of its 221 bones.

During the 1800s, the world population of Blue Whales was estimated to number hundreds of thousands of individuals. By 1966, commercial whaling had reduced that number to an estimated maximum of 500 individuals. Whaling was banned to save the species and the population recovered; it is believed the population now numbers more than several thousand individuals, with several hundred in the Atlantic Ocean.

The banning of commercial whaling was a conservation success story so the skeleton of the Wexford whale was named 'Hope' in the hope that her dramatic lunge-feeding dive pose on the ceiling of the revamped Hintze Hall will inspire visitors to seek a more sustainable and responsible relationship with the natural world and a secure future for biodiversity by arresting any whittling away of our amazing shared natural heritage.
The late Valerie Nugent Hayes was a remarkable woman who will be so sadly missed by her heartbroken husband Frank, with whom she shared more than 50 years.

Her absence will also be deeply felt by her children Samantha, Victoria, Byron and Lydia, her grandchildren Sophie and Leila, her brothers, sisters, sister-in-law, her extended family and a wide circle of friends, political comrades and associates.

In an oration to those who gathered recently to celebrate Valerie's life, Frank said that his wife had a 'wonderfully wicked sense of humour'.

'The best jokes, she always held, contained the truth,' he said.

The Humanist ceremony at Collier's in Bray included a personal programme of poems, songs and readings, all significant in some way to Valerie and her memory.

She had asked her beloved family not to grieve for her, but to celebrate the happy life which they had shared, and 'to continue the work she cherished most, scattering love, truth, honesty, integrity, which she did so effortlessly, every day of her life, every step of her journey.'

Frank said that Valerie's greatest gift of all was her ability to create a warm sense of joy in human truth.

'She worked that quiet magic, not just for me, or for our four children and two grandchildren - all of whom made her so proud - but for everyone and anyone who had the sense to listen and learn from her, to follow her example. She had grasped early on that the self-infatuated ego was the biggest barrier to human happiness, and she applied that understanding, that Humanist principle, in every aspect of her life.'

She made a happy home in Greystones, she carried out advanced work with Scientific Philosophy to which she made significant contributions. She worked with disadvantaged children, took up and had a gift for story telling. These were just a handful of the many things that made Valerie such a special person.

She learned to play the violin at the age of 60. The instrument was a gift from Frank, a musician. Valerie's father had played the fiddle, and she had always had a desire to play. She found a wonderful teacher and practiced fastidiously, becoming a beautiful player and putting paid to the idea that it is ever too late to learn to play an instrument.

When Frank and Valerie met, he lived in Ballsbridge and she in Parnell Square. They both went to Blackrock Academy.

'I thought, and still do think, that she was the most beautiful thing I ever saw,' said Frank.

He and a friend were both trying to pluck up the courage to ask her out. The friend got the flu one week and, in his absence, Frank found the courage to do it.

'When I met her that first night, I knew we were going to be soulmates and that was it,' he said. Frank, a piano player, invited Valerie to come and see his band, and they danced at the interval.

'We met as children really,' said Frank. 'We grew together, and we kind of modified each other. We become what she used to call "a pair of binary opposites". That came from her particular ethical disposition, her whole conceptual framework of the world.'

The couple lived together in Dublin before they married. 'It wasn't controversial for us, but for the day it was. We were a little bit alternative. We thought we knew it all of course, as everybody does at that age.'

They both had an interest in philosophy and politics, and they studied community development. She was a scientific philosopher without much time for the mystical philosophy side of things. She was very much a materialist who based her understanding of the world on scientifically verifiable evidence.

She was a member of an international group called the International Friends of Ilyenkov, made up of scholars, researchers and activists reading and exploring the work of oppositional Soviet philosopher E V Ilyenkov to help shed light on today's cultural, philosophical, educational and political challenges.

Their household was very interesting. 'Breakfast time was amazing,' said Valerie's daughter Samantha, who described a lively and ongoing discourse in a happy and open household.

The children's friends were always welcome, and had a friendly ear in Valerie. They had love in their house and they all talked to one another. There were rows, of course, but they would be resolved very quickly. As a mum she was just superb.

Always busy, one of Valerie's roles was as a leader of the Irish Girl Guides. Her daughters were members and they enjoyed a great number of activities and trips together.

Valerie worked in financial control throughout the 1960s, '70s and '80s, then as her family grew she worked part-time doing the same sort of thing.

She worked from the start in administration with the Living Life Counselling Centre when it was founded, and also worked in Greystones Travel.

After that she went back to community work at Little Bray Family Resource centre, first as her profession and after she retired, as a volunteer.

The Hayes family received a package from the Little Bray Family Resource Centre. All of the children she worked with had made cards, writing in them the thing they remember most about her.

Valerie enriched the lives of everyone she met, and played such a huge part in so many people's lives.

'I have been so lucky as a human to find a soul-mate who loved what I loved,' said Frank.
Some 140,000 people flocked to Bray at the weekend to take in the spectacular Bray Air Show.

On Saturday, 50,000 people lined Bray Promenade marvelling at the spectacular aerobatic performances during the first of the two-day Bray Air Display which supported by the Irish Aviation Authority.

Amid glorious sunshine, spectators were treated to a dazzling display of precision perfect manoeuvres from some of the world's most accomplished aerobatic display teams as they looped, twirled and zipped across a picture perfect blue sky.

Headlining Saturday's display were the Royal Jordanian Falcons - one of the world's most experienced and accomplished aerobatic groups. A professional national aerobatic team formed in 1976 at the request of His Majesty the Late King Hussein Bin Talal, the Royal Jordanian Falcons have an international reputation for precision, professionalism and spectacular performance. Flying Extra-300 L aerobatic aircraft the highly skilled team set Bray skies alight with their award-winning performance.

Other display highlights included a very special 74-year-old Catalina Flying Boat and the 'Swedish Air Force Historic Flight' team flying Viggen jets.

Vintage glamour was on display with a British Spitfire and a Seafire as well as a beautiful vintage Aer Lingus aircraft, the DC-3, popular in the 1940s and 50s. Patrouille Tranchant, a Celtic jet team from Brittany in France put four Fouga jets through their paces while Norway was represented by a MiG aircraft as well as a pair of 'Vampires'. Irish aviation was celebrated at the event by the Irish Air Corps and Eddie Goggins aka 'The Flying Dentist'. The Irish Coast Guard also demonstrated a safe water rescue.

A total of 13 acts performed on Saturday while 18 took to the skies on Sunday, when the number of spectators surged to 90,000.

The sun also shone on Sunday which ensured a very festive atmosphere throughout the day.

Headlining Sunday's performances was an F-18 jet from the Spanish air force demonstrating the very best of aerobatic skill and performance. The Royal Jordanian Falcons also wowed the crowd flying Extra-300 L aerobatic aircraft. A little more sedate but equally special were displays of a 74 year old Catalina Flying Boat and a beautiful vintage Aer Lingus DC-3 aircraft resplendent in 1940s livery.

The Irish talent on display again included Eddie Goggins as well as the Irish Air Corps and the Irish Historic Flight Foundation flying Stearman and Chipmunk aircraft. The Irish Coast Guard also demonstrated a safe water rescue and a tribute was paid to the crew of R116 who tragically lost their lives earlier this year.

Performances by international acts included the 'Swedish Air Force Historic Flight' team flying Viggen jets, a British Spitfire and a Seafire and a MiG aircraft as well as a pair of 'Vampires' representing Norway.

A Celtic jet team from Brittany in France, 'Patrouille Tranchant', flying four Fouga jets were one of the highlights following their magnificent fly-over above Croke Park and U2's homecoming gig on Saturday night.

As well as spectacular scenes in the air there was plenty of fun to be had on 'terra firma' where family-fun activity included a food and craft village, a fun fair and live music.

Se Pardy, Bray Air Display Director said: 'Bray Air Display 2017 has been a great success with fantastic public support. Thank you to everyone who came out over the weekend to enjoy the spectacle. Once again we were blessed with glorious sunshine which made the two days even more special. We were delighted to be part of the IAA's 'Aviation Ireland' weekend and look forward to another wonderful display next year.'

Eamonn Brennan, Chief Executive of the Irish Aviation Authority said: 'The Bray Display has been a phenomenal success over the last couple of years. Aviation is a hugely important economic driver for our country and this year under the IAA's 'Aviation Ireland' campaign we supported not just one but two spectacular air shows over the same weekend at Foynes and at Bray, making this year an extra special one for fans of aviation across Ireland. We see this as a great avenue to raise the profile of aviation and to generate an interest in our industry.'

Supported by main sponsors the Irish Aviation Authority, as well as Wicklow County Council and Bray.ie, the award winning Bray Air Display is renowned as one of Europe's best air displays.
Wicklow County Council is in discussions with two Government Departments over the recent High Court ruling relating to Whitestown.

Speaking at Monday's special meeting, Council Chief Executive Bryan Doyle said he was 'very concerned about the nature and possible impact of the cost' of complete clean-up of the site.

'This is a significant judgement with big ramifications for Wicklow County Council,' acknowledged Mr Doyle.

A likely appeal by Brownfield Restoration Ireland Ltd meant Mr Doyle had been legally advised not to discuss any 'specifics' of the case, though he supported fully the request for a special meeting.

'I do have concerns over possible costs. I have no estimates. I have started talks with two Government Departments. In effect, I contacted them. They are aware of the judgements but I have also passed them on to them,' said Mr Doyle.

The Department of the Environment paid for all Wicklow County Council's costs involving Whitestown, apart from the current case.

The council still has a letter from the Department dating back to 2011 committing to paying for any remediation works.

However, changes in Government and in Department Ministers, means the local authority are unsure if that commitment still applies. Mr Doyle appealed for the full backing of the elected members.

'It would be hugely helpful if you supported the Council Executive in asking various Departments to continue with their support for us.' He also said he would try to formulate answers to any questions Councillors wanted to submit to him.
An Arklow man who was charged with the possession of an offensive weapon when he threatened a garda with a kitchen knife sharpener has been spared a prison sentence following the evidence of his mother, which Judge Alan Mitchell said he was 'very impressed' by.

Dylan Keegan of 27 The Green Meadowvale was charged with the offence at his home address on January 29, 2017.

Garda Peter McGinley told the court that on foot of a call to the station, he and three colleagues attended The Green in Meadowvale where he made enquiries and was directed to the home of Dylan Keegan.

He said that the accused's mother June Donnelly came to the door and beckoned the officers in with a hand gesture and said that she did not want her neighbours to see.

The garda gave evidence that Keegan was 'very irate and verbally abusive' and told the gardai to leave his house, that they had no warrant and called them pigs and c***s.

It was outlined that Keegan went into the kitchen and was 'rustling in drawers' before raising the knife sharpener, initially thought to be a machete, by the garda.

He complied with the direction of Garda McGinley to drop the article and to lay down on the ground.

He said that during the incident Keegan 'struck out' at his mother, but Ms Donnelly disputed this and said that her son did not.

Solicitor David Tarrant raised the issue of entry to the house and said that if Ms Donnelly did not officially invite officers in that the arrest was unlawful and therefore so were the charges.

Garda McGinley said that this incident 'goes beyond the warrant' and said that 'if something had happened' that questions would have been asked as to why the gardai did not intervene.

'From her demeanour, she looked in fear - so we could not leave,' he said.

Garda Leanne Kirwan, in evidence said that four officers would not fit into the porch at Ms Donnelly's home and therefore the indication was that they were to go inside the property.

'Her son was getting more and more aggressive, telling her to get the guards out. He kept pushing her and from a guard's view it was like she was afraid of her son,' Garda Kirwan said.

In evidence, Ms Donnelly said that it was the presence of such a large number of gardai which upset her son and that their presence caused him to be agitated.

She said that her son has ADHD and that she knows how to handle his bursts of anger and that she never feels in fear of him.

She added that her son 'had a few drinks' that day and that she was trying to get him to go to bed because ADHD and alcohol do not mix.

Ms Donnelly said that she was taken aback at the number of gardai who turned up at her home.

'I'm not in fear of my son. It was an uncomfortable situation and the excessive presence of gardai did not help the situation,' she said.

The court heard that while Ms Donnelly did not tell the gardai to leave, that by saying she could handle the matter, that was an indication to do so.

As she did not withdraw permission for them to be there at any stage, and they did not act in an oppressive manner, the entry was viewed by the court as being legal.

Judge Mitchell commended Ms Donnelly for her fair evidence and said that ADHD is a 'major challenge for parents who love their children and want to do the best for them but noted that the weapon could have caused serious injury.

Solicitor David Tarrant said that his client moved to Arklow with his family in 2010 to avoid negative influences in Dublin.

Judge Mitchell said that he would have to take the 21 previous convictions into account but expressed the view that nothing would be gained by sending the defendant back to prison. He advised Keegan to take whatever medication his GP feels is appropriate and suggested that an anger management course would be of benefit.

He imposed a four-month sentence, suspended for 18 months in the defendant's own bond of 100.

'Your mother has impressed me and it is clear she loves you very much. I'm giving you some chance so it is up to you if you use it,' Judge Mitchell concluded.
The 32-year-old man accused of murdering Dublin grandmother Patricia O'Connor, whose remains were found scattered across the Wicklow mountains, has been remanded in custody.

Kieran Green, with an address at Mountain View Park in Rathfarnham, Dublin, appeared before Judge Victor Blake at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday. It was his third court appearance in respect of the charge.

Judge Blake remanded Green in continuing custody to appear again at Cloverhill on August 17.

He is charged with the murder of Patricia O'Connor. The killing allegedly took place at Mountain View Park between May 29 and May 30 last. Directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions have been sought.

The remains of Patricia O'Connor were recovered over several days.

On June 15, Green's first court appearance, Det Gda Connolly had said Green was arrested at Bray Garda station at 11.28 a.m. that morning.

He replied 'it was self-defence' to the charge after caution.

He must apply to the High Court for bail on a murder charge and at his first hearing in June he had been remanded in custody to appear with an order for him to get medical attention.

He was also granted legal aid after the district court was told he was on social welfare and has an adult and four children as dependants.

Ms O'Connor (61) was first reported missing on June 2 last.

Later, her remains were discovered scattered in a 30km area across the Wicklow mountains.
Pupils at Greystones Community National School face being educated in the function room at Greystones Rugby Club because of a lack of space at the school.

Deputy Stephen Donnelly said it is paramount that Minister for Education, Richard Bruton, intervene to resolve the situation. He said that while a site has been earmarked for a new school construction is not expected to start until 2018. However he said that he hoped it would be ready to open by September 2018.

The school which first opened its doors in September 2015 has been operating from a series of Portakabins on the grounds of Greystones Rugby Club.

Deputy Donnelly said it had been initially flagged to the KWETB that two additional Portakabins would be needed this September to cope with the increased student population at the school.

However, as of last week, no application had been made by the KWETB, for funding.

Deputy Donnelly said that many parents at the school are opposed to having their children educated in the function room of the club for a variety of reasons.

'Parents are very angry about this. They are appalled that the KWETB let this issue arise when they were warned of the problem last year.

'Some parents are against using the function room for religious reasons while some reasons surround alcohol concerns.'

Deputy Donnelly has been working closely with the parents and school all year to try resolve the issue and raised the issue with Minister Bruton twice recently in addition to making contact with Department officials in Forward Planning Unit.

'As of now there are two new more permanent Portakabins required but these haven't been through Forward Planning and would also need planning permission from Wicklow County Council.

'At that rate they won't be installed in time for September so children will have to be educated in the clubhouse.

'It is completely unacceptable that young children would have their classroom located in a bar. The need for the Portakabins was raised months ago and serious questions need to be asked why it has been left so late. Wicklow County Council is doing everything they can to help, but I cannot understand why the KWETB didn't have this issue sorted out months ago.

'Parents feel they are being stonewalled by the KWETB. There is absolutely no reason for this to be happening.

'There is now no way of getting two semi-permanent Portakabins in place by September so parents want the KWETB or the Department of Education to fund a single temporary portakabin which will house both the affected classes as a bridging gap until the most permanent Portakabins are in place.

'If this were to happen there would be no need to force children to move into a function room. It's a relatively small amount of money needed to solve this problem and I have asked the Minister to make that funding available immediately.'

Deputy Donnelly said that both Wicklow County Council and the Greystones Rugby Club had been very accommodating saying the problem was not of their making.
The campaign to honour one of South Americas most celebrated military seamen is set to come alive in the next few weeks.

Thomas Charles Wright was born at Queensborough on January 22 1799 and entered the naval service at the age of 11, attending college in Portsmouth.

He went on to play a leading role in establishing the new Republic of Ecuador and was its first admiral, and governor of the great port city of Guayaquil from 1835-1845.

It is said his military victories helped end Spanish rule in the country.

In 1972 the republic of Ecuador issued a postage stamp in his honour to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the State, and La Batalla Pinchincha.

But Wright has never been fully recognised in his home town, but 2018 could change that. Its the 150th anniversary of his death and meetings are taking place in Ecuador in August to commence a fundraising campaign to honour Wright in Drogheda.

He has family members, called Wright, living in places such as Quito and Guayaquill.

Noel Bailey is heading up the Wright mission in Drogheda and would love to assist in establishing a true link between Drogheda and Ecuador.

We are looking at home it can be achieved and what form it would take, he stated.

One suggestion is a statue or a commemorative stone - perhaps placed at Donors Green - recognising Wrights life.

It would also be fitting if family members came from Ecuador to meet their Drogheda clan.

A number of them have come over down the years and are really excited about the proposal, Noel adds.
Sligo Live is taking six young trad musicians to Britain's oldest and most prestigious Folk Festival at Cambridge this weekend.

It's in a joint bid with Sligo County Council's Creative Ireland Committee to promote Sligo Music City and Sligo Live.

The musicians, two of whom have Sligo roots, will entertain festival goers Thursday-Sunday with informal open sessions each afternoon and evening. They will also perform on the main stages during the weekend before 14,000-strong crowds.

The six include Sligo flute and low whistle player Tiernan Courell, current Fiddler of Dooney Jason McGuinness from Dromore West, Sligo Sessions regular Richie Delahunty (Banjo and Guitar), Hannah Kelly (Concertina), Donal Linehan (Accordion) and Caoimhe Kilkenny (Fiddle and Bodhran).

Sligo Live Director, Rory O'Connor said: "Our message with these six superb musicians is to convince British music lovers that Sligo is closer to Britain than many would think. We have great music, great people and great fun in a wonderful environment. "

Cambridge Folk Festival Operations Manager, Rebecca Stewart said: "Together with Sligo Live, we brought the informal Irish session to Cambridge last year as an anchor for sessions in the festival bars and cafes. The initiative proved very popular and it reinvigorated one of the most endearing features of Cambridge Folk Festival, the informal jam sessions around the main programme, often continuing into the early mornings."

Sligo Live takes place from 26th to 31st October with 100 indoor gigs this year.
Two stalwarts of the Ballymote business community celebrated 70 years of success between them at a special street party in the town last Friday.

Lavins Outfitters run by John Lavin marked their 60th anniversary in existence while Currids Pharmacy, run by Shane Currid celebrated ten years in business.

The family-owned Lavins opened their doors to the public in 1957 and has served customers from all across the North West ever since.

They survived the recession and extended the premises ten years ago by adding on a new suit department designed by Irish Times Design Shopfitters.

In 2016 Lavins Outfitters won the coveted best Retail Premises in Sligo Award in The Sligo Champion Business Awards.

John and his staff shared the celebrations with their customers with a special sale on the day.

Shane Currid is a native of Ballymote and was proud to move back to his home town in 2007 and open up his own pharmacy there.

Currid's Totalhealth Pharmacy decided to throw a party and arranged a street fiesta last Friday 2-5pm.

There was face painting, DJ Sparks, nibbles, hourly giveaways and discounts of up to 50 per cent on products.

The dual celebration attracted many loyal customers, locals and visitors who were happy to pick up a bargain and entertain their children.
The area at Carraroe Roundabout earmarked for a private hospital. Pic: Carl Brennan

A controversial plan to build a private hospital on the outskirts of Sligo town at Carraroe is back up before Sligo County Planners.

The new owner of the lands, Mr Eoin McGovern, has applied for a five year extension of duration of planning permission.

Planning permission was granted by An Bord Pleanala on appeal in September 2012. That will expire on 4th September.

Sligo County Council originally refused planning for the clinic in December 2010.

The then developers - local solicitor Peter Martin, Summerville Nursing Home owner Mary Gilmartin and developer Noel Elliott - appealed this decision to An Bord Pleanala in January 2011.

The plan is to build a three storey hospital building of almost 13,000sqm, car parking for approximately 240 cars with a link road feeding onto the Oakfield Road/Carraroe Roundabout.

Mr McGovern, said in his recent application that the projected start date of the hospital was "not yet ascertained."

Explaining the reasons why it had not been built in the past five years, Mr McGovern said he bought the property "some time after planning was granted."

Another reason cited was "contracts with other parties needed to carry out development."

He said there were no changes to the Sligo County Development plan that would render the hospital inconsistent with the proper planning and development of the area and added that the hospital was "not inconsistent" with the Sligo Development Plan.

Sligo County Councillors drew strong criticism from Irish Times columnist Fintan O'Toole back in November 2009 for rezoning 16 acres for the hospital, against the recommendations of the then County Manager Hubert Kearns.

The proposed hospital attracted objections from many quarters, both locally and nationally.

In refusing the plan initially, County planners said it conflicted with the route selection process for the City Bypass.

Planners also weren't happy with the "inadequacy and incompleteness" of their archaeology impact assessment.

A partial area of the site flooded during the heavy rains of November 2009.

The public have until 14th of August to make submissions to Sligo County Council.

County Planners are due to make a decision on the hospital by the 4th of September 2017.
The festival culminates in the Wicklow Rowing Club Regatta on bank holiday Monday, August 7

Wicklow Regatta will celebrate its 139th anniversary this year, making it Ireland's oldest festival.

The Singing Pubs competition is already under way, kicking off on Friday last, July 21, in Doyle's of Rathnew and continuing on Sunday in the Woodpecker in Ashford. The competition continues tonight (Wednesday, July 26) in The Bridge Tavern in Wicklow before the action switches to the Rathnew House (Saturday, July 29), Ta Se's in Wicklow (Tuesday, August 1), Whistler's Bar (Wednesday, August 2) and finishing up in Fitz's Bar in Wicklow (Thursday, August 3).

The Wicklow Regatta will include all the old favourites such as Wicklow's Got Talent, golly fishing, pet show, fancy dress, raft race, historical walks and much, much more.

The Regatta Queen Ball will be held in The Grand Hotel on Friday, July 28, at 7.30 p.m. This black-tie event is being held in association with the Wicklow Hospice Foundation as joint beneficiaries.

The always popular Young at Heart dance takes place in the Grand Hotel on Wednesday, August 2,

Music will again be a big feature of the festival. Talented locals The Maguire Family will be playing at a traditional night in the Market Square on Friday, August 4.

There will also be live outdoor music on Saturday, August 5, followed by a Family Hoedown on Sunday and a special performance by The Birds of Olympus in Wicklow (Col) Parish Church.

A spectacular fireworks display will illuminate the night sky above the Black Castle on Sunday, August 6.

The festival then draws to a close on Monday, August 7, with the annual Wicklow Rowing Club Regatta.

The programme, featuring all the Regatta listings and start-times, was launched recently and is now available from Malone's Book Shop, Earls News Agents, Cora's Mini Mart, Flannery's Wicklow Town and in XL Rathnew.
The Black Castle can become a major tourist attraction on a par with Wicklow Gaol with the help of a 10,000 grant to highlight the historic ruins.

Wicklow Tidy Towns, Heritage Officer Deirdre Burns and Professor Graeme Warren, Head of UCD School of Archaeology, are spearheading the project.

The funding will allow for promotional signage, the upgrading of footpaths and an information board displaying how the castle looked in its heyday and its local significance.

Speaking at Monday's meeting of Wicklow Municipal District, Andrew Lawless, Chairman of Wicklow Tidy Towns, said the Black Castle could be the start of a tourism drive highlighting Wicklow town's rich heritage.

He said: 'this is a very important project. If it works, we can do something with the Abbey Grounds and on St Patrick arriving in Wicklow, as well as other projects around the town.'

John Finlay, Chair of Wicklow Historical Society, has also lent his expertise.

'We think the Black Castle have been very difficult to build and it might have taken more than one attempt,' said Mr Lawless.

Experts now think that the castle triangular in shape and that the arch entrance may have been part of a larger, outer wall.

A geo study will be carried out of the area and will be incorporated into a community style day, whereby the community could get involved, see how the survey is carried out and participate in the study.

The volunteers would 'grid' out the whole Black Castle, with metal probes inserted in the ground very few metres to try and determine where the castle extended to underground.

Between five to six volunteers will be sought each day of the study which will take place in October over a five-day period.

PhD student Susan Curran will carry out the main work in relation to organising the study, which should give valuable insight into the scale of the original Black Castle structure.

A drone will also be used to survey the castle from the air.

'Once this survey is complete and we have obtained information from Tadhg O'Keeffe, we can go about designing signage for the castle. We will be availing of the services of artist Uto Hogerzeil , to carry out work for us in relation to the signs. He has done similar works in Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford, among other places,' added Mr Lawless.

Mr Hogerzeil, a historical reconstruction specialist, will then illustrate what the Black Castle looked like in its heyday, giving visitors an idea of its true scale.

Cllr Gail Dunne said: 'I always saw the ruins growing up and was fascinated by them. I think this is a major tourism opportunity. I don't think we have really sold St Patrick arriving in Wicklow to the tourism market.

'Wicklow Gaol attracts around 40,000 visitors a year but I don't think they stay in Wicklow for any length of time. If we have the Black Castle, Wicklow Gaol and the Abbey Grounds then people would start to stay more.'

As member of the Heritage Forum Cllr John Snell said he was looking forward to seeing the completed project.

'The Black Castle is one of my favourite places in the whole of Ireland. It's absolutely beautiful up there and I think people underestimate the amount of people who go up to see the Black Castle.'

District Cathaoirleach Cllr Shay Cullen said: 'there are also other different funding streams available, from the Government as well. This is something we really need to focus on. The opportunities for Wicklow town from a tourism perspective are plentiful.'
Liam Payne has not secretly wed his girlfriend and baby mama Cheryl.

Since welcoming son Bear in March, 23-year-old Liam has seemingly alluded to fact he and Cheryl have tied the knot by calling her his wife on two separate occasions.

The One Direction star has now cleared up any confusion, telling People the couple is yet to say their 'I dos'.

In the U.K., you say the Mrs, he commented. Maybe one day (well get married).

Liam first said the W word while chatting to U.S. radio SiriusXM in May, commenting, I left my wife and child at home and was straight to In-N-Out Burger!"

And last week he again called Cheryl his spouse in an interview with French website On The Move while promoting his solo career.

"To be honest with you I dont know yet what it is like to write while being a father, I have not passed through this experience - I have something that Im preparing with Timbaland and I was writing with Pharrell (Williams) when his wife was pregnant along with my wife for that matter, he said.

Apart from a few Instagram posts, new mum Cheryl, 34, is yet to talk about the romance or their baby son.

As well as countless interviews, Liam has also been updating his social media accounts as he continues to promote debut single Strip That Down featuring Quavo.

But he took a break from selfies on Friday to discuss a much bigger issue, LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer) rights.

Video of the Day

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that men and women are created equal. That they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, the post on Instagram read, with Liam captioning it, Thomas Jefferson #lgbtqrights.

The post comes days after President Donald Trump banned transgender people serving in the military. Lady Gaga, Caitlyn Jenner and Laverne Cox have also spoken out over the controversial policy.
A man (29) has been jailed for six years for plying a 14-year-old girl with alcohol and sexually assaulting her, in a horror attack that he planned with the girl's mother.

Luke Aaron Smith from Auckland, New Zealand, met the teen's mother online and the pair began exchanging sexual messages, according to the New Zealand Herald.

Smith began asking the teen's mum for images of her daughter as well as images of her underwear.

In October 2015, the pair hatched a plan to get the 14-year-old drunk and then Smith would sexually assault her.

According to the Herald, the pair plied the teen with alcohol so she wouldn't remember what happened.

She later became sick and her mother told her to strip down to her underwear and get into the mother's bed.

The girl fell asleep, later waking and vomiting before becoming unconscious again.

The second time she went to sleep Smith started to assault her as her mother watched.

The victim woke up almost immediately after Smith started assaulting her but her mother told her she was having a bad dream.

She asked her mum to "make that man go away".

The pair allegedly planned to assault the girl again, but the teen's mum stopped contacting Smith.

He later pleaded guilty to sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection, sexual conduct with a young person aged under 16 and conspiracy to commit sexual violation of the girl as well as a sexual misconduct charge relating to offending against another victim.

In a victim impact statement read out at Smith's sentencing the victim said her world had been "negatively changed forever" that night.

"At the time, I was shocked, confused, angry and scared ... My trust with my mother was dramatically affected. I felt lost, I began not to feel safe around her, and knowing I would never be able to trust her properly again.

"I was also trying to figure out what I had done to deserve this? And why people like you think it is ok to do this stuff."

The girl was separated from her siblings and put in care.

Smith was jailed and ordered to pay his victim compensation.
A man killed his wife aboard an Alaska cruise and told an acquaintance who walked into the couple's blood-splattered room that he did it because she laughed at him, the FBI has said.

Kenneth Manzanares of Santa Clara, Utah, was charged with murder after he was found with blood on his hands and clothes and with blood spread throughout the cabin on the Princess Cruises ship on Tuesday night, according to a criminal complaint by the FBI's Special Agent Michael Watson.

His wife Kristy, 39, had a severe head wound, but authorities have not released other details in the case, including how many people were travelling with the couple on the 3,400-passenger Emerald Princess that left Seattle on Sunday.

A man and other people went into the room before medics and security officers arrived and saw the woman on the floor covered in blood, according to court documents.

The man asked Manzanares what happened, and the suspect said: "She would not stop laughing at me," according to the FBI complaint.

Manzanares then grabbed his wife's body and tried to drag it to the balcony, but the man stopped him, Mr Watson wrote. The name of the man was not included in the complaint.

A ship security officer handcuffed Manzanares, who was held in a nearby cabin, authorities said.

While the FBI searched him, Manzanares said: "My life is over," the complaint states.

Manzanares, 39, made his first court appearance on Thursday by teleconference from Alaska's capital Juneau, where he is in custody.

He appeared to be crying at times before the hearing and near the start, when US Magistrate Judge Kevin McCoy began speaking.

Manzanares dabbed at his eyes and nose with tissues.

He was wearing an orange jumpsuit during the proceedings, had his ankles shackled and wore slip-on shoes.

Bail has not been set and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for August 10.

Manzanares has no criminal history, according to online Utah court records.

Kristy Manzanares was a trusted adviser and valued sales associate, her employer said in a statement.

"Kristy was a dedicated and loving mother who juggled her business schedule to make her children the top priority," Summit Sotheby's International Realty in St George, Utah, said.

The ship was diverted to Juneau because of the investigation, which the FBI is leading because the death occurred in US waters. The ship docked Wednesday and passengers were kept on board for hours before it departed late that night for the town of Skagway.

California-based Princess Cruises said passengers would receive 150 dollars in on-board credit because of the effect on their holidays.

"You feel sorry for the family, but a lot of people had to wait," said Lloyd Barrows, a passenger from Alberta, Canada.

AP
The United States Senate was due to vote last night on a bill that would impose new sanctions on Russia, legislation that angered Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has threatened to retaliate against the measure.

Senator Mike Enzi said the upper house would vote on the legislation, which also imposes sanctions on Iran and North Korea.

The bill, which was expected to pass, would be the first major foreign policy legislation approved by Congress under US President Donald Trump, who has struggled to advance his domestic agenda despite Republicans controlling the Senate and House of Representatives.

The bill threatens to further derail US-Russian relations, which deteriorated under former President Barack Obama. Mr Trump had hoped to improve ties but his administration has been clouded by investigations of Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election to help Mr Trump. The president denies any collusion between his campaign and Moscow.

The sanctions measure has already passed the House of Representatives by a 419-3. It was expected to garner strong support in the Senate, despite concerns about it from Mr Trump. If the bill passed the Senate, it would be sent to the White House for Trump to sign into law or veto. It was, however, expected to garner enough support to override a Trump veto.

Republicans and Democrats have pushed for more sanctions partly as a response to conclusions by US intelligence agencies that the Kremlin interfered in the election.

Expand Close President Donald Trump awards the Medal of Valour to US Capitol Police Officer Crystal Griner during a ceremony recognizing the first responders to the June 14 shooting involving Congressman Steve Scalise at the White House in Washington. Photo: Reuters/Carlos Barria / Facebook

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Whatsapp President Donald Trump awards the Medal of Valour to US Capitol Police Officer Crystal Griner during a ceremony recognizing the first responders to the June 14 shooting involving Congressman Steve Scalise at the White House in Washington. Photo: Reuters/Carlos Barria

Putin, who has repeatedly denied meddling in the campaign said Moscow would only decide on how to retaliate once it had seen the final text of the proposed law.

The bill would affect a range of Russian industries and might further hurt the Russian economy, already weakened by 2014 sanctions imposed after the Ukraine crisis.

Besides angering Moscow, the proposed legislation has upset the European Union, which has said the new sanctions might affect its energy security and prompt it to act, too.

Earlier yesterday, a senior White House aide said Mr Trump could veto the pending legislation in order to push for a tougher deal, an idea that drew skepticism in Congress because his administration had spent weeks lobbying for a weaker bill.

Mr Trump's concerns include a provision letting Congress stop any effort to ease existing sanctions on Russia. But White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci suggested Mr Trump in fact wanted stronger sanctions.

"He may sign the sanctions exactly the way they are or he may veto the sanctions and negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians," Scaramucci told CNN.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the Trump administration continues to support strong sanctions against Russia, North Korea and Iran, adding "we're going to wait and see what that final legislation looks like and make a decision at that point."

Meanwhile, Americans earning more than $5m (4.3m) a year could face a new 44pc tax rate, under a proposal reportedly being promoted by influential White House adviser Steve Bannon.

Mr Bannon, a former Goldman Sachs banker who is now the chief strategist for Mr Trump, is said to be pressing for the higher tax rate in a bid to provide tax cuts for lower earners.

Three White House sources told online news site 'The Intercept' that Mr Bannon was behind the plan, which would increase the top rate from a current 39.6pc.

Mr Trump has made tax reform one of his priorities, campaigning on a promise to simplify America's byzantine system. A previous plan he floated reduced the number of tax brackets from seven to three, and reduced the top tax rate to 35pc.

A 44pc level, however, is close to that proposed by Mr Trump's presidential rival, Hillary Clinton. It is something Mr Trump could well be considering.

"I have wealthy friends that say to me, 'I don't mind paying more tax'," he said on Tuesday, in an interview with 'The Wall Street Journal'.

"The truth is the people I care most about are the middle-income people in this country who have gotten screwed. And if there's upward revision it's going to be on high-income people." ( Independent News Service and Daily Telegraph London)
An Israeli police officer aims his weapon at Palestinians during clashes at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City (Mahmoud Illean/AP)

An Israeli police officer aims his weapon at Palestinians during clashes at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City (Mahmoud Illean/AP)

More violent clashes have erupted between Israeli security forces and Palestinians outside the Lion's Gate in Jerusalem's Old City, near a flashpoint holy site.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said at least eight people have been injured in a melee that broke out after nightfall on Thursday.

Meanwhile a Palestinian hospital official said a Palestinian man injured in clashes with Israeli troops earlier this week has died of his injuries.

Dr Ahmad Betawi, head of a West Bank hospital, said 26-year-old Mohammed Kanan sustained a head injury when he was struck on Monday by a live bullet in an altercation outside Jerusalem.

At least four other Palestinians have died in the past week in violent clashes with Israeli security forces amid protests over the Jerusalem site that is sacred to both Jews and Muslims.

Earlier, it appeared that calm was restored and President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt said the United States "welcomes the efforts undertaken to de-escalate tensions in Jerusalem today".

Mr Greenblatt said the calm would "create the best opportunity to return to dialogue and the pursuit of peace".

Palestinians had celebrated on Thursday as Israel rolled back security measures and thousands of worshippers heeded a call by Muslim authorities to assemble for prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque for the first time in 11 days.

But as crowds pushed at one of the gates to the compound in the Old City, police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse them, with dozens reported wounded.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered police reinforcements in Jerusalem following the latest unrest, and police were weighing limiting entry of younger men in anticipation of mass protests for Friday prayers - the highlight of the Muslim religious week.

Israeli troops in the West Bank were put on high alert and prepared for more violence on Friday, a military official said.

Tensions have been running high at the site sacred to both Muslims and Jews since three Israeli Arab gunmen killed two police officers on July 14, prompting Israel to install metal detectors and other security devices.

Israel said the measures were needed to prevent more attacks. Palestinians claimed Israel was trying to expand its control over the site, which Israel denied.

The security measures outraged Muslims and triggered protests, and low-level clashes have continued in and around Jerusalem since then, highlighting the deep distrust between Israel and the Palestinians over the holy site.

In protest, Palestinians have prayed in Jerusalem's streets outside the shrine since the July 14 attack.

Israel removed the devices on Thursday and the crisis appeared to be easing as Muslim leaders told the faithful to return to pray at the mosque.

Droves of Palestinians entered for afternoon prayers. A handful scaled the roof of the mosque and planted Palestinian flags above the entrance. Police later removed them.

Just before worship began, police shot tear gas and rubber bullets at the crowd.

The Red Crescent said tensions rose as Israeli troops closed one of the gates to the compound as large numbers of worshippers tried to enter, and that 96 people were wounded in the melee.

Police said officers were struck by stones and responded with riot dispersal methods, and a spokesman said at least two officers were wounded.

Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas both issued calls earlier this week for mass protests on Friday.

The fate of the shrine is an emotional issue at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Even the smallest perceived change to delicate arrangements pertaining to the site sparks tensions.

Jews revere the hilltop compound as the Temple Mount, site of the two Jewish biblical temples.

It is the holiest site in Judaism and the nearby Western Wall, a remnant of one of the temples, is the holiest place where Jews can pray.

The walled compound is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock.

It is Islam's third-holiest site after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. Muslims believe the site marks the spot where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.

AP
Martin A "Marty" Sklar, a right-hand man of Walt Disney and a central figure in the development and expansion of his company's theme parks around the world, has died.

Disneyland spokeswoman Suzi Brown confirmed Mr Sklar's death to the Associated Press. A company statement said he died at his Hollywood Hills home on Thursday aged 83. No details were released about the cause of his death.

"Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy," Mr Sklar said in 2005, reading from a plaque at the front of the park. "That says so much about what Walt intended here," he told the AP.

Mr Sklar had roles in the development of every Disney park, from the original Disneyland in Southern California in 1955 to the Shanghai Disney Resort last year, and was revered by employees as a living link to the founder.

"Everything about Marty was legendary - his achievements, his spirit, his career," Walt Disney Company chief executive Bob Iger said in a statement. "He embodied the very best of Disney, from his bold originality to his joyful optimism and relentless drive for excellence. He was also a powerful connection to Walt himself."

Mr Sklar was still a college student at UCLA when he was hired to create The Disneyland News for the original park and became a full-time Disney employee the following year.

For the next 54 years he led the development and expansion of the company's parks, and was among the first to have the unique-to-Disney title of "Imagineer" when he became the company's chief creative leader for theme parks.

"Marty was one of Walt's most trusted advisers and helped turn his most ambitious dreams into reality," said Bob Weis, current president of Walt Disney Imagineering. "For us, it's hard to imagine a world without Marty, because Marty is synonymous with Imagineering."

Mr Sklar scripted speeches for Walt Disney along with design and marketing materials for the parks and a film showing Disney's vision for Walt Disney World and Epcot in Florida before they were built.

He was a low-key and unimposing figure who condensed Walt Disney's ideas into a widely circulated creed called Mickey's Ten Commandments.

He had a hand in the design of memorable Magic Kingdom attractions such as the The Enchanted Tiki Room, It's A Small World and Space Mountain.

Like most Disney designers he had to face criticism from hardcore fans. He felt the need to respond to complaints when It's A Small World added characters from Disney films to its usual cast of international children.

"We are not trying to turn this classic attraction into a marketing pitch for Disney plush toys," Mr Sklar said at the time. "We are not 'young marketing whizzes' trying to make a name for ourselves."

When the company made over Disneyland's Tomorrowland in 1998, he explained the company's constant intent to forge forward.

"The future is a moving target, and you have to keep aiming at it," he said.

Mr Sklar retired in 2009 but was still a frequent presence and ambassador at Disney events, including the company's D23 Expo earlier this month.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Leah, and son, Howard.

At Disneyland's 50th anniversary in 2005, he summed up his life's work as he walked into the park.

"I think Disneyland is so much about reassuring people the world can be OK, that things can be orderly, that you can speak to a stranger," he told the AP. "All those things that we are losing or have lost in our daily lives."

AP
Demonstrators rally outside the Capitol as the Republican majority in Congress remain unable to fulfil their promise to repeal and replace 'Obamacare' (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

John McCain's vote helped ensure Republicans were unable to fulfil their political promise to repeal and replace Obamacare (AP)

Republican finger-pointing began after the Senate's defeat of efforts to repeal much of the Obama healthcare law in a blow to Donald Trump and congressional leaders.

"They should have approved health care last night," Mr Trump said in Brentwood, New York, where he delivered remarks on gang violence. "But you can't have everything."

The "skinny repeal" bill - erasing parts of former president Barack Obama's law - was rejected on a vote of 51-49.

Though Mr Trump seemed to shrug it off and added that "we're going to get it done," the rejection is one of the worst legislative losses of his presidency.

Earlier on Friday, he tweeted "3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down" after Republican leaders failed to patch up party divisions and win passage for the last-ditch bill.

All Democrats were joined by senators Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and the ailing John McCain.

The 80-year-old Arizona senator made a dramatic return to the Capitol on Tuesday after being diagnosed with brain cancer, when he cast a decisive procedural vote that for a time advanced the legislation.

Following rejection of two broader repeal plans earlier in the week, Friday's vote cast doubt on whether divided Senate Republicans can advance any health bill despite seven years of promises to repeal "Obamacare".

In a statement, Mr McCain called the Senate's inability to craft wide-ranging legislation "inexcusable".

He said lawmakers should write a bill with "input from all of our members, Republicans and Democrats" and "stop the political gamesmanship".

House leaders had no hesitation about blaming the Senate for the collapse of one of the Republicans' paramount priorities.

In a statement, Speaker Paul Ryan pointedly said "the House delivered a bill" and said he was "disappointed and frustrated."

Nearly three months earlier, the House approved its health care package after several embarrassing setbacks.

He added, "But we should not give up. I encourage the Senate to continue working toward a real solution that keeps our promise."

"This is clearly a disappointing moment," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. "I regret that our efforts were not enough this time."

"It's time to move on," he said. Mr McConnell put the health bill on hold and announced that the Senate would move on to other legislation next week.

AP
It is a command that led the leading atheist Richard Dawkins to claim that the God of the Old Testament was a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser  a genocidal  megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.

For God had ordered the Israelites to slaughter the apparently sinful Canaanites, saying: You shall not leave alive anything that breathes. But you shall utterly destroy them. And, according to the Bible, they did just that.

However, a new genetic study has found that the Canaanites actually managed to survive this purge of their traditional homeland, passing on their DNA over the centuries to their numerous descendants in modern-day Lebanon.

Scientists managed to extract enough DNA from the remains of five people  found in the former Canaanite city state of Sidon and dated to about 3,700 years ago  to sequence their entire genome.

They then compared this to 99 modern Lebanese people and discovered they had inherited about 90 per cent of their genetic ancestry from their ancient forebears.

A paper about the study in the American Journal of Human Genetics said that there had been uncertainties about the fate of the Canaanites.

The Bible reports the destruction of the Canaanite cities and the annihilation of its people; if true, the Canaanites could not have directly contributed genetically to present-day populations, the researchers wrote.

However, no archaeological evidence has so far been found to support widespread destruction of Canaanite cities between the Bronze and Iron Ages: cities on the Levant coast such as Sidon and Tyre show continuity of occupation until the present day.

We show that present-day Lebanese derive most of their ancestry from a Canaanite-related population, which therefore implies substantial genetic continuity in the Levant since at least the Bronze Age.

The degree of genetic closeness between the ancient Canaanites and modern Lebanese people was something of a surprise as the area was repeatedly fought over and conquered by various different groups throughout history, although some of them did leave genetic traces that survive to this day.

One of the researchers, Dr Marc Haber, of The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, said: "The present-day Lebanese are likely to be direct descendants of the Canaanites, but they have in addition a small proportion of Eurasian ancestry that may have arrived via conquests by distant populations such as the Assyrians, Persians, or Macedonians.

He added that it had been a pleasant surprise to be able to extract and analyse DNA from human remains that were nearly 4,000 years old, particularly as they were found in a hot environment.

The Canaanites are roundly condemned in the Old Testament  they were the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities destroyed with fire and brimstone directly by God, according to the Book of Genesis.

While the Bible says they were wiped out by the Israelites under Joshua in the land of Canaan, later passages suggest there were at least a few survivors. Some Biblical scholars have argued the passages are hyperbole, but the genetic research would appear to indicate the slaughter was much less extensive than described.

Also known as the Phoenicians, the Canaanites proved to be great seafaring traders and established colonies across the Mediterranean.

They are also credited with inventing the first alphabet, although ironically few written records have survived the passage of time, so accounts describing them largely come from enemies and rivals, such as the Israelites, Egyptians and Greeks.

The researchers said they hoped genetic techniques could help shed more light on the regions history.

Dr Claude Doumet-Serhal, a co-author of the paper and director of the Sidon excavation site in Lebanon, said: For the first time we have genetic evidence for substantial continuity in the region, from the Bronze Age Canaanite population through to the present day.

These results agree with the continuity seen by archaeologists. Collaborations between archaeologists and geneticists greatly enrich both fields of study and can answer questions about ancestry in ways that experts in neither field can answer alone.
US President Donald Trump received a backlash after he appeared to ignore a boy in a wheeelchair.

Trump made a passionate speech at The White House's Blue Room on Monday, appealing for Republican members of the Senate to repeal Obamacare.

Lined up behind him were children, who he dubbed "victims of Obamacare."

At the end of his speech he shook the hands of each of the children and their parents, except for a boy in a wheelchair, who reached up his arm to the outspoken politician twice.

The former Apprentice star quickly came under fire on social media but all is not as it seems.

The full clip shows that Trump made a beeline for the boy when he entered the room and shook his hand fire before he made his speech.
US President Donald Trump would appear to have announced a new Chief of Staff.

Writing on Twitter Trump said: "I am pleased to inform you that I have just named General/Secretary John F Kelly as White House Chief of Staff. He is a Great American and a Great Leader. John has also done a spectacular job at Homeland Security. He has been a true star of my Administration."

Expand Close Former White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus (L) and General John F. Kelly, USMC (Ret.) / Facebook

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Mr Trump went on to confirm that Reince Priebus is no longer in the role.

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"I would like to thank Reince Priebus for his service and dedication to his country. We accomplished a lot together and I am proud of him!"

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Mr Kelly is currently the secretary of homeland security and Mr Trump tweeted that he "has been a true star of my administration".

Mr Priebus travelled with Mr Trump earlier in the day to an appearance in Brentwood, New York, and the president thanked him for his service and "dedication to his country".

Mr Priebus found himself at the centre of a rift with recently appointed Director of Communications Anthony Scaramucci.

Mr Scaramucci blasted Mr Priebus and Trump's chief strategist, Steve Bannon, in an article in The New Yorker based on a telephone conversation on Wednesday night between one of the magazine's correspondents and Mr Scaramucci.

Amid a stream of vulgar language, the former Wall Street financier named to the communications post last Friday called Mr Priebus a "f***ing paranoid schizophrenic" and accused Mr Bannon of trying to build his own brand "off the f***ng strength of the president."
The rifts inside President Donald Trump's White House were on startling display on Thursday, as his new communications director urged Trump's chief of staff to state publicly that he does not leak information to the media.

Anthony Scaramucci, a New York financier who last week became the White House communications chief, also compared his relationship with Trump's chief of staff, Reince Priebus, to a pair of brothers from the Bible, one of whom killed the other.

Expand Close New White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci. Photo: Reuters/Jonathan Ernst / Facebook

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Scaramucci said last week he and Priebus were friends and "a little bit like brothers, where we rough each other up once in a while, which is totally normal for brothers."

On Thursday, Scaramucci said in an interview with CNN: "When I said we were brothers from the podium, that's because we're rough on each other. Some brothers are like Cain and Abel. Other brothers can fight with each other and get along. I don't know if this is repairable or not. That will be up to the president."

Scaramucci appeared to suggest in a Twitter post late on Wednesday that Priebus may have had a hand in what Scaramucci described as a "leak" of his official financial disclosure documents to the U.S. news organization Politico.

Politico said the information was not a leak but was publicly accessible.

"When I put out a tweet and I put Reince's name in a tweet, they're all making the assumption that it's him because journalists know who the leakers are," Scaramucci told CNN on Thursday.

"So if Reince wants to explain he's not a leaker, let him do that," Scaramucci added.

Scaramucci had written earlier on Twitter: "In light of the leak of my financial disclosure info which is a felony. I will be contacting @FBI and the @TheJusticeDept #swamp @Reince45."

Scaramucci's comments illustrated an ongoing power struggle at the highest levels of Trump's staff as the Republican president faces investigations into his election campaign's connections with Russia and with Trump yet to win congressional approval for any major legislation.

Republican U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan defended Priebus after Scaramucci's comments.

"Reince is doing a fantastic job at the White House and I believe he has the president's confidence. If those two gentlemen have differences my advice would be to sit down and settle your differences," Ryan said at a news conference.
Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif has been disqualified by a court (AP/BK Bangash)

Pakistan's prime minister Nawaz Sharif has stepped down after the supreme court disqualified him from holding office over allegations of corruption and ordered criminal charges to be filed against him and his family.

A five-judge panel said in a unanimous decision that Mr Sharif was disqualified for not remaining "truthful and honest" after considering evidence against him.

It also ruled that thrice-elected Mr Sharif could no longer serve as a member of the National Assembly, a powerful lower house of the parliament.

The court directed the country's anti-corruption body to file corruption charges against Mr Sharif, his two sons and daughter in the next six weeks for concealing their assets.

The panel also ordered corruption charges filed against finance minister Ishaq Dar, a close relative of Mr Sharif.

Mr Sharif's party expressed its disappointment over the court order.

Information minister Maryam Aurangzeb said their Pakistan Muslim League ruling party will issue a detailed reaction after consulting Mr Sharif's advisers.

The court asked President Mamnoon Hussain to "ensure continuation of the democratic process".

Mr Hussain is expected to convene the National Assembly once Mr Sharif's ruling party nominates his successor.

After the court's ruling, Mr Sharif consulted party leaders on nominating a candidate to replace him. That person will serve as prime minister until March 2018, when the next general elections will be held.

The supreme court asked the election commission of Pakistan to issue notification of Mr Sharif's removal.

However, Mr Sharif quickly stepped down, saying he did it to show respect for the country's judiciary. In a statement, Mr Sharif's office said justice had not been served.

His resignation has created a murky legal mess with constitutional experts at a loss to explain who is in charge in Pakistan until his successor is nominated. It was not immediately clear when that would be or who it would be.

Legal experts say Mr Sharif will now nominate someone to replace him under constitutional rules. They say Mr Sharif's nominee will be elected by the National Assembly, where the ruling party enjoys a majority.

It is not the first time Pakistan's judiciary has ordered the dismissal of an elected prime minister. In 2012, the court convicted the then-premier Yusuf Raza Gilani in a contempt case, forcing him to step down.

The current case against Mr Sharif and his family dates back to 2016, when documents leaked from a Panama-based law firm indicated that Mr Sharif's sons owned several offshore companies.

Mr Sharif's son Hussain Nawaz at the time acknowledged owning offshore companies but insisted they used legal money to set up businesses abroad.

However, the court-appointed investigators in July concluded a significant disparity existed between the Sharif family's declared wealth and its known sources of income.

Opposition MPs, who petitioned the court for the disqualification of Mr Sharif, welcomed the decision, saying it was a victory for justice.

Opposition leader Imran Khan congratulated the nation over Mr Sharif's removal and announced a celebration of the legal battle against the "corrupt ruling elite" would be held in Islamabad on Sunday.

Sirajul Haq, who heads Pakistan's Jamaat-e-Islami party, told reporters that he had been fighting a legal battle to ensure the accountability of the "corrupt ruling elite".

Mr Sharif's daughter, Maryam Nawaz said in a tweet that the prime minister was sent home, "but only to see him return with greater force".

She asked her party to "stay strong".

AP
North Korea has test-fired its second intercontinental ballistic missile, which flew longer and higher than the first.

Leading analysts said that a wide swathe of the US including Los Angeles and Chicago is now within range of Pyongyang's weapons.

Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the missile, launched late on Friday night, flew for about 45 minutes - about five minutes longer than the ICBM North Korea test-fired on July 4.

"We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile, as had been expected," Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis said in Washington.

The missile was launched on a very high trajectory, which limited the distance it travelled, and landed west of Japan's island of Hokkaido.

Analysts estimated that the missile tested on July 4 could have reached Alaska, and said that the latest missile appeared to extend that range significantly.

David Wright, a physicist and co-director of the global security programme at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said in Washington that if reports of the missile's maximum altitude and flight time are correct, it would have a theoretical range of about 6,500 miles.

That means it could have reached Los Angeles, Denver and Chicago, depending on variables such as the size and weight of the warhead that would be carried on such a missile in an actual attack.

Bruce Klingner, a Korean and Japanese affairs specialist at the Heritage Foundation think tank in Washington, said, "It now appears that a significant portion of the continental United States is within range" of North Korean missiles.

Mr Klingner recently met with North Korean officials to discuss denuclearisation, the think tank said.

Washington and its allies have watched with growing concern as Pyongyang has made significant progress toward its goal of having all of the US within range of its missiles to counter what it labels as US aggression. The progress it has made toward producing nuclear warheads to fit on those missiles is less clear.

President Donald Trump has said he will not allow North Korea to obtain an ICBM that can deliver a nuclear warhead.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the launch a "serious and real threat" to the country's security.

Mr Suga said Japan has lodged a strong protest with North Korea.

"North Korea's repeated provocative acts absolutely cannot be accepted," he said.

Mr Abe said Japan would cooperate closely with the US, South Korea and other nations to step up pressure on North Korea to halt its missile programmes. Repeated rounds of sanctions from the UN Security Council, however, have yet to deter the North.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile reached an estimated height of 2,300 miles before landing at sea about 625 miles away. It appeared to be more advanced than the ICBM North Korea previously launched, it said.

AP
Moscow has ordered a reduction in the number of US diplomats in Russia and will close down an American recreation retreat in response to fresh sanctions from Washington.

This comes after the US senate approved a new package of stiff financial sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea, before sending it to President Donald Trump to sign.

The legislation bars Mr Trump from easing or waiving the penalties on Russia unless congress agrees.

The Russian foreign ministry said that in response it has ordered the US embassy in Russia to reduce the number of its diplomats by September 1.

Russia will also close down the embassy's recreational retreat on the outskirts of Moscow as well as warehouse facilities.

The US legislation is aimed at punishing Moscow for interfering in the 2016 presidential election and for its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria, where the Kremlin has backed President Bashar Assad.

The Russian foreign ministry said the number of US diplomats was being cut to 455.

Relations between Russia and the United States dropped to a post-Cold War low following Russia's annexation of Crimea and interference in eastern Ukraine in 2014.

Reports of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election have dampened hopes for better ties which the Kremlin had pinned on Mr Trump's presidency.

The new package of sanctions aims to hit President Vladimir Putin and his inner circle by targeting alleged corrupt officials, human rights abusers and crucial sectors of the Russian economy, including weapons sales and energy exports.

The bill underwent revisions to address concerns voiced by American oil and natural gas companies that sanctions specific to Russia's energy sector could backfire on them to Moscow's benefit.

Adjustments were made so that the sanctions on Russia's energy sector did not undercut the ability of US allies in Europe to get access to oil and gas resources outside of Russia.

Russia's foreign ministry dismissed the new sanctions as "creating unfair competitive advantages for the US economy".

"This kind of blackmail aimed at restricting the cooperation between Russia and other nations is a threat for many countries and global businesses," the statement said.

Russia's response mirrors moves by outgoing US president Barack Obama last December to expel 35 Russian diplomats and shut down two Russian estates in the US.

Moscow said it would cut the US diplomatic corps even further if the US decides to expel more Russian diplomats.

The Kremlin had previously said that it would not impose any sanctions on the US until Mr Trump signs the bill.
Mr Trump is set to hail his administration's stance on violent crime (AP)

President Donald Trump is heading to Long Island to urge US congress to dedicate more funding to the fight against illegal immigration and violent crime.

Mr Trump is set to speak at Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood, New York, close to where the ultra-violent street gang MS-13 has committed a string of gruesome murders, including the massacre of four young men in April in a Central Islip park.

The US leader is expected to continue his tough talk on immigration and urge congress to dedicate more funding to border enforcement and faster deportations in a speech in front of law enforcement officers and the family members of crime victims.

Mr Trump has made cracking down on MS-13, also called Mara Salvatrucha, a top priority of his administration.

The gang, which is believed to have originated in immigrant communities in Los Angeles in the 1980s and then entrenched itself in Central America when its leaders were deported, is infamous for its violent tactics, including torturing victims and hacking them with machetes.

Its recruits are middle- and high-school students, predominantly in immigrant communities, who are said to risk violent retribution if they leave.

Authorities estimate the group has tens of thousands of members across several Central American countries and many US states.

Mr Trump's justice and homeland security departments have made targeting the gang a top priority.

Attorney general Jeff Sessions has directed his department's law enforcement agencies and federal prosecutors across the country to prioritise their prosecution, as directed by an executive order Mr Trump signed in February, among other measures.

In Ohio this week, Mr Trump told a rally: "We're liberating our towns and we're liberating our cities. Can you believe we have to do that?"

He added that law enforcement agents were rooting out gang members - and "not doing it in a politically correct fashion. We're doing it rough".

He added: "Our guys are rougher than their guys."

Since the beginning of January the department of homeland security's investigative unit has arrested 3,311 gang members across the country in a number of targeted operations, said Tom Homan, the acting director of US immigration and customs enforcement.

Mr Trump's trip comes as attorney general Jeff Sessions is visiting El Salvador as part of a mission to increase international co-operation against the gang.

Mr Sessions met his Salvadoran counterpart and members of an international anti-gang task force.

Congressman Peter King, who represents Brentwood and will travel with the president from Washington, said Mr Trump's appearance would send a signal to communities that have been shaken by the violent killings.

"It's absolutely devastating. And almost all of these killings have occurred in my district, within 20 minutes of my home," he said.

Mr King said the gang is responsible for 17 murders between January 2016 and April 2017 in his district - but that the impact on largely immigrant communities has been larger because of the way the gang kills.

In addition to torturing victims, Mr King said, members have also sent video of gruesome crime scenes to their victims' loved ones.

"This gang's chilling motto is 'mata, viola, controla,'which means 'kill, rape and control'," said Robert Hur, a top official at the justice department.

"They seek to live up to this motto through truly shocking acts of violence designed to instil fear: vicious machete attacks, execution-style gunshots, gang rape and human trafficking."

The Trump administration blames the gang's recent resurgence in certain areas on illegal immigration and believes policies like building a wall along the southern border and cracking down on so-called "sanctuary cities" will eradicate the problem.

Critics see the focus as misplaced and argue resources could be better spent on other enforcement efforts.

AP
The United States has imposed new ballistic missiles sanctions on Iran in response to its launch of a satellite-carrying rocket into space a day earlier.

The sanctions target six Iranian subsidiaries of the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group. The Treasury Department said that group is "central" to Iran's ballistic missiles programme.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the sanctions illustrate deep US concerns about Iran's missile testing and other actions. He said the US will continue countering Iran's ballistic missile programme including Thursday's "provocative space launch".

The US has said that launch flouted a UN Security Council resolution because the technology is inherently designed to be able to carry a nuclear payload.

The sanctions come as the Trump administration continues debating its Iran policy and whether to scrap the 2015 nuclear deal.

AP

"These sanctions target key entities involved in Iran's ballistic missile programme, and underscore the United States' deep concerns with Iran's continued development and testing of ballistic missiles and other provocative behaviour," Mr Mnuchin said.

In another allegation against the US adversary, Mr Mnuchin said that missile attacks on US partner Saudi Arabia over the weekend by Houthi rebels in Yemen had likely come with the support of Iran.

The US has long accused Tehran of shipping weapons to the Houthis, a Shiite group that controls part of Yemen and is being fought by a Saudi-led coalition.

The sanctions come a day after Iran successfully launched its most advanced satellite-carrying rocket into space, in what was a major advancement for the country's space programme.

The Simorgh rocket is capable of carrying a satellite weighing 550 pounds, Iran state television said.

Despite the fact it carried a satellite into space, the US has argued the launch was tantamount to a ballistic missile launch because that type of long-range missile technology is inherently designed to be able to carry a nuclear payload.

The penalties reflect an attempt by President Donald Trump's administration to show it is staying tough on Iran even though he has yet to scrap the 2015 nuclear deal, despite threatening to do so as a candidate.

Mr Trump's administration has also been pushing for inspections of sensitive Iranian military sites where US intelligence agencies believe Iran may be conducting illicit activity prohibited by the nuclear pact.

AP
HARRISBURG- Harrisburg students, families and friends spent 10 days of the summer experiencing parts of the world first-hand, no text books required.

Sixty-seven members of the Harrisburg community traveled to Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy through Education First, a company that offers educational tours all over the world. It was organized by Stephanie Roberts and April Wingler, teachers at Hickory Ridge Middle School, who sent out letters to students they thought would be interested in the trip.

The result was a group of about 40 middle and high school students who traveled with parents, grandparents and friends.

We wanted to pick a trip we thought people would want to go on, but we also were looking for a trip that would really highlight some of what the kids were learning in the classroom, Roberts said. Because as educators we are supposed to promote global learning and awareness of other cultures and to us there is no better way to do that than to actually go and immerse yourself in it.

Heading out on an adventure

Highlights of the Germany portion of the trip was learning about the architecture in Munich and visiting the Dachau concentration camp.

Roberts said visiting the camp was meaningful because the students begin learning about World War II in middle school.

In eighth grade the kids go to Washington D.C. and they go to the Holocaust Museum, and then these kids also got to see a concentration camp, Roberts said. It kind of brings their learning to a complete circle.

Roberts and Wingler said the visit to the camp was very sobering, and the gloomy weather matched the feeling of the morning.

You can literally feel the evil that occurred and it was awful, Roberts said. The kids really appreciated the opportunity to see this and it gave them more of an understanding of what happened more than just reading in a book.

Other trip highlights included a gondola ride in Venice, Italy, a cogwheel train ride in Switzerland and visiting the Black Forest in Germany. There was one day that the group ate breakfast in Germany, lunch in Austria and dinner in Italy.

But the teachers favorite moment of the trip actually happened at the hotel in Switzerland when all of the students gathered together to play volleyball.

It (the hotel) had a volleyball court in the middle and all the kids went out there and spent hours playing volleyball, Wingler said. These were kids that didnt necessarily know each other, so they had a great time and all of the adults said that was one of their favorite parts; just watching them get to know each other better and not just being on their technology. They were having fun and laughing.

They also believe that Switzerland was a favorite among the students because of the scenic views.

Switzerland was definitely one of their favorite places just from talking to them. They loved Switzerland and the cool thing about it was on the way up the mountain you could see snowflakes falling. So it was that cold at the top but when you got down to the bottom we were sweating and it was 80-something degrees. That just goes to show how tall and how high up we were, Wingler said. The views there look almost fake; it looks like a Hollywood backdrop.

Plans for next summer

These teachers have caught the travel bug and are already planning the trip for next summer which will include stops in Barcelona, Rome and Greece.

We added the Barcelona part because so many of the kids now are in Spanish and so it gives them a great opportunity to go to that county and be able to see and hear their language, Wingler said. We are hoping that with as much Spanish as many of them had, they will really be able to communicate, at least in that country.

They are already recruiting and looking for people who might be interested in tagging along. The trip is open to anyone.

If you or someone you know would be interested in attending this trip next summer, visit www.eftours.com/1887015ff for more information. You can also email Stephanie Roberts at stephaniehroberts@hotmail.com.
After working on Hollywood animated projects likeand, Sakshi Verma, Senior Technical Director at DreamWorks Animation, says she feels a "deep sense of gratification" when she thinks about her journey from India to the West.

She has also worked on "Megamind", "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" and "Penguins of Madagascar".

"I have spent most of my career as a technical director and worked on six blockbuster films in multiple departments. I started off as a Junior Technical Director in the modelling department for 'Megamind'," Verma told IANS over phone from Glendale, in Los Angeles County.

She added: "After that, I moved to surfacing department which is responsible for texturing and painting of three-dimensional models and other things like grooming fur/hair on characters. My role as a Technical Director was to develop tools and processes to streamline department workflows..."

Verma has also worked in lighting and compositing department as a Senior Technical Director.

She says "reflecting back on these experiences, I get a deep sense of gratification, having worked on these amazing films".

Verma started out with love for "computer science and mathematics" back in school.

"I followed my passion and pursued an undergraduate degree in Computer Science at BITS Pilani. At BITS, I did courses and projects in Computer Graphics, that sparked off my interest in the field of animation," added Verma, who was born and brought up in Faridabad.
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 | 11-11-2022 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 | 11-11-2022 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 | 11-11-2022 2:00 pm

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Pakistan Supreme Court has disqualified Nawaz Sharif as the Prime Minister of the country.

The verdict of the five-member constitutional bench unanimously took the decision to disqualify Sharif from his post after an investigative panel alleged that his familys wealth was far above their earnings in a scathing corruption report. Read more

1. ISRO Will Launch Even More Rockets From Next Year, New Launch Pad Being Built At Sriharikota

A Second Vehicle Assembly Building (SVAB) is coming up at the Second Launch Pad to overcome the limitation in the number of vehicles that can be assembled and integrated in a year. The building is expected to be completed by the beginning of next year.

In addition, a third launch pad is also in the works. This will further boost ISROs capacity to launch rockets as this pad will be able to host even larger rockets like the upcoming Unified Launch Vehicle family of rockets. Read more

2. Dalit Outfit Seeks Probe Into Alleged Attack On Its Founder Chandrashekhar Inside Jail

Dalit outfit Bhim Army has alleged that its founder Chandrasekhar was assaulted inside a jail.

According to reports, they also submitted a memorandum to administrative officials yesterday and demanded necessary action and an unbiased investigation into their charges. Read more

3. Jaitley Rejects CAG Report In Parliament, Says Forces Are Equipped To Face Any Situation

Amid standoff with China in Doklam and a continuous cease fire violations by Pakistan, defence minister, Arun Jaitley, on Friday informed police that the Indian armed forces are fully equipped to face any contingency.

He was rejecting the recent report by the CAG which said that India has huge shortage of arms and ammunition. Read more

4. People Outraged As Madhya Pradesh Govt Demolishes Gandhi Memorial To 'Relocate' It

The district authorities in Barwani, Madhya Pradesh has dismantled the Gandhi Samadhi, which is located on the banks of River Narmada. According to officials the memorial has been temporarily relocated to relocated to a nearby place.

The memorial which had the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi, his wife Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai was dug up using an excavator. While the urns were taken away a marble plaque inscribed with Mahatma Gandhi's last words was left aside. Read more

5. SC Stops Misuse Of Anti-Dowry Law By Women, No Arrest Can Be Make Until Charges Are Verified

Expressing concern over disgruntled wives misusing the anti-dowry law against their husbands and in-laws, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed that no arrest or coercive action should be taken on such complaints without ascertaining the veracity of allegations.

Acknowledging a growing trend among women involved in marital discord to abuse Section 498A of IPC to rope in their husbands' relatives  including parents, minor children, siblings and grandparents  in criminal cases, a bench of Justices A K Goel and UU Lalit said it was high time such frivolous cases which violated the human rights of innocent was checked. Read more
Most times, its easy enough to know how another person feels based on how their voice sounds, even if you cant see them. You can tell what your pet is feeling based on how they bark or mew, as is the case. But what about other animals?

A new study from researchers in Belgium says you may even be able to tell when a number of other animals from various species are experiencing emotional distress. Its been a common theory for years that you can tell what an animal is feeling by looking at or listening to its cry, as a lot of animal lovers will tell you. Now, theres actual proof of this.

We know animals can decode emotions in other species but the only species that we could rely on have been mammals, study author Piera Filippi from the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium told Gizmodo. In this latest study, Filippi and his team have shown that we can actually grasp the emotional state of nine different species.

For the study 25 English speakers, 25 native Mandarin speakers, and 25 native German speakers listened to the cries of animals from nine different species: the hourglass tree frog, African bush elephant, giant panda, domestic pig, Barbary macaque, American alligator, common raven, black-capped chickadee and other humans. They were then tasked with identifying which animals in each species were emotionally aroused, whether that be angry, excited, or otherwise.

The results showed that, irrespective of the listeners native language, they were able to answer correctly more than 85 percent of the time for all but three of the animal species; the pig, macaque, and raven. Those three instead received correct answer 60 to 70 percent of the time.

It may seem like a whole lot of unnecessary research, but the finding could have a huge impact on our understanding of animal emotions, especially when it comes to its application to AI research. Speech synthesisers making use of this could more accurately depict varying emotional states in digital assistants, or it could even be used in AI applications for animal welfare.

Maybe well even one day have the animal translator collar in the movie Up, so your cat can tell you just how annoying you are as it sits on your chest in the morning demanding its food.
Nigeria is adamant that the sailors should be tried in court. The charges against them will be slapped once they reach the country.
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O Lord our God, help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead; help us to drown the thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded, writhing in pain; help us to lay waste their humble homes with a hurricane of fire; help us to wring the hearts of their unoffending widows with unavailing grief; help us to turn them out roofless with their little children to wander unfriended the wastes of their desolated land in rags and hunger and thirst... From The War Prayer by Mark Twain

July 27, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Now in the summer of our love for the glory and greatness of the Republic, let us recall the soaring words of Mark Twain and his paean to war and its multitude of tender mercies. Let us give thanks to God and his various co-conspirators for making our nation an exceptional font of wisdom, wealth, and weapons. Let us praise the weapons makers with their bottomless thirst for profits and their pledge of allegiance to the continuation of war for which no price is too great to bear, no life too small to incinerate in the blessed pursuit of national security, global hegemony, and unchallenged control of the worlds most vital resources.

Let us bow down before the lords and ladies of the Pentagon and CIA, and their sovereign masters in the White House and legislature whose deep, uncompromising morality is clearly evident in their decision to provide billions of dollars worth of weapons to the enlightened despots of Saudi Arabia. God save King Salman and his ministers of state, presiding over shining seas of petroleum, that gooey lubricant that keeps our engines purring and our economy overflowing with the fruits of capitalist expansion and exploitation.

Now, as the world warms and the seas rise and the gods repose on cloudy cushions of greenhouse gas, let us salute our nations unbreakable bond of fealty to the House of Saud as the keeper of the flames that burn eternally from those precious repositories of oil in the heart of the desert. O Lord, keep those majestic wells pumping, keep the money flowing into the coffers of Raytheon, Textron, General Electric and their brothers in arms, keep our bombs and missiles falling like magical stars on the markets and mosques, villages, farms, and fields of ancient Yemen, the poorest country in the Middle East and Saudi Arabias next-door neighbor. God, give us the strength and resolve to continue to support the Saudi-led coalition in its no-holds-barred onslaught on the people of Yemen and the rebellious fighters in their midst.

Above all, keep our eyes fixed on the endlessly falling cascade of tweets anointing our hands and the phones we hold so dear and dare not lay aside lest we miss the latest chirp or expose ourselves to the bitter winds twisting around us, bearing news of a world of woe. Let us never waver from our sworn duty to pillory Donald Trump at every opportunity and hold his feet to the fire for the crime of colluding with the evil empire. Let us only hear the opprobrium hurled at Trump and his cronies from the high and mighty pulpits of MSNBC and their all-seeing pundits, who see under every rock and stone and in every crevice of the national security state a slimy trace of Russian intrusion.

Grant us, O Lord, the strength to seal our hearts against those who would weaken our resolve with the corrosive acid of compassion. Like brave Ulysses resisting the song of the Sirens, let us not be tempted to heed the cries of those in need in places like Yemen where our largess, our weapons, and our diplomatic support allow the Saudi-led coalition to continue bringing a hurricane of fire to this poor, tortured land.

Thy will be done, O Lord. Thou hast ordained all this suffering, this dying of the flesh and of the spirit, this deliberate infliction of unrelenting pain on the people of Yemen. Truly, what is unfolding in Yemen is the fulfillment of Thy Word, what Thou hast ordained as a sign of Thy presence in the world and of the grace that flows from Thy immaculate heart. Though the people of Yemen cry out for mercy. Though millions of families have lost their homes, their livelihood, their future, their faith in a better life to come. Though famine, pestilence and death stalk the land as the bombing grows more savage with every passing day, this is as it should be, as it was written in the book of time.

O Lord our God, help us to see and accept the absolute necessity of the part we play in delivering unto the people of Yemen the gifts of Thy omniscience, for You alone understand the ultimate rightness of the war and the devastation it has wroughtwith the assistance of our Congress, our President and our military. Help us to set on the path of righteousness those misguided members of our own House of Representatives who have voted to end our participation in Yemens civil war and our support of Saudi Arabia and its God-fearing allies. Surely, these politicos have failed to take the larger view and to grasp the sublime logic behind Thy design for Yemen and the entire Middle East.

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The weeping of orphaned children, the keening of widowed mothersare these not harbingers of greater things to come, a time when peace and plenty shall reign supreme, and the people of Yemen, finally subdued, shall harvest the blessings of Thy bounty. As it was in Iraq, so shall it be in Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, and every other nation in which our men and women in uniform have led the fight against tyranny and strewn the land with the priceless jewels of freedom and democracy.

Help us, O Lord, neither to oppose nor condemn our nations complicity in the destruction of Yemen and the creation of the worlds most severe humanitarian crisis. Help us to carry on with the burden of our daily lives and feel not even a twinge of concern for the innocent victims of our forward-thinking, strategy-minded leaders and their endless war on terror. Let us instead praise the beauty of our weapons and the nobility of our cause. With Thy help, O Lord, we shall succeed in employing the instruments of war to carry out Thy holy plan for peace on Earth.

The biggest fools are those who cannot see the evidence of Thy love for humanity. The arms and munitions we provide for the inspired rulers of Saudi Arabia and their regional partners are most assuredly working to advance Your most beneficent vision of what our race is capable of achieving. Behold the little children in hospital beds or their mothers embrace, their paper-thin bodies shriveling up in the flames of hunger and disease, while planes overhead deliver load after load of pious bombs and shrieking villagers scour the countryside for whatever remains of their loved ones. Is this not proof of Thy sweeping immanence in the affairs of men?
The German People Cannot Ignore the Crimes Committed by Israel?



The German People Cannot Repeat Their Past Disingenuous Claim of "Not Having Known About What Was Happening"



By William Hanna

If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.  George Orwell

July 27, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - With Germany being one of the acknowledged leaders of the European Union, the German people  though still haunted by the spectre of a Nazi past while being blackmailed by a pernicious Holocaust Industry  nonetheless have a responsibility to themselves and the rest of humanity to unconditionally condemn and oppose any racial ideology that asserts its own people are superior and/or Gods chosen. This onerous responsibility has recently become even more pressing as a consequence of the world leadership vacuum created by the United States  an already morally decrepit superpower subservient to the dictates of an Apartheid Jewish State  which recently further diminished its world standing and relinquished any semblance of national character and fortitude by electing a deranged buffoon for President .

In fairness, however, the reality of the U.S. now resembling George Orwells 1984  with a government persecuting individualism and independent thinking as a thoughtcrime to be enforced by a Thought Police [AIPAC]  cannot be blamed entirely on the unstatesmanlike buffoonery of the incumbent President. This is because subservience to the pro-Israel lobby has over a period of many decades become the hallmark of successive U.S. governments as has just occurred with the condemnation of a State Department report blaming Israel for terrorism and claiming that Palestinians rarely incite attacks.

Such U.S. subservience was also confirmed by a group of U.S. Senators who co-sponsored S.720  also known as the Israel Anti-Boycott Act  that would make it a felony for Americans to support the boycott of Israel. This outrageous assault on civil liberties prompted the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to publish a letter from which the following is an excerpt:

The bill seeks to expand the Export Administration Act of 1979 and the Export Import Bank Act of 1945 which, among other things, prohibit U.S. persons from complying with a foreign governments request to boycott a country friendly to the U.S. The bill would amend those laws to bar U.S. persons from supporting boycotts against Israel, including its settlements in the Palestinian Occupied Territories, conducted by international governmental organisations, such as the United Nations and the European Union. It would also broaden the law to include penalties for simply requesting information about such boycotts. Violations would be subject to a minimum civil penalty of $250,000 and a maximum criminal penalty of $1 million and 20 years in prison. We take no position for or against the effort to boycott Israel or any foreign country, for that matter. However, we do assert that the government cannot, consistent with the First Amendment, punish U.S. persons based solely on their expressed political beliefs.

The German people  along with other Europeans including the not-so-independent Brexit British  have also continued to permit their respective governments and corporate media outlets to snuff out any criticism of Israel with even the recently elected President Macron asserting that France would not surrender to anti-Israel rhetoric and that anti-Zionism is a new type of anti-Semitism. So now in our Brave New World condemning the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians by Israeli Jews is anti-Semitic. Whatever happened to Frances national motto of Liberte, egalite, fraternite, ou la Mort (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, or death).

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Though some uncertainty may still exist as to just how much the German people back in Hitlers time knew about the atrocities being perpetrated by the Nazi regime, there can be no doubt whatsoever that todays citizens along with their political and religious leaders have been fully conversant  for almost seven decades  with the recorded and irrefutable evidence of Israels inhumane crimes against the Palestinian people whose children are deliberately targeted with callous disregard for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) which Israel hypocritically signed in July 1990 and ratified in October 1991.

Despite the glaring reality of such evidence, recent German generations  still very much guilt-ridden from endless reminders of the Holocaust  continue apologising for the sins of their forefathers; continue paying vast sums in compensation; continue flagellating themselves with obligatory acts and pronouncements of contrition; continue supporting an Apartheid and virtually rogue Jewish state hell-bent on ethnically cleansing the Palestinian people and stealing their land; and continue to supply Israel with substantially discounted military equipment including three nuclear-capable submarines whose acquisition involved the usual Israeli propensity for subterfuge and corrupt shenanigans. (http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.801881)

Germanys customary adoration, benevolence, and subservience  due to a fundamental German foreign policy conviction that, given the atrocities committed by the Nazis during World War Two, the country should refrain from criticising Israel  is, however, no longer an inevitable certainty because Germans are beginning to realise the importance of not allowing their historical guilt to lead them to accept Israeli government policies that are widely divergent from the aims and values which both countries profess to wholeheartedly embrace.

Yet despite a recent expression of alleged  great concern  over Israeli settlement plans  including Israeli decisions to build settlements inside Palestinian neighbourhoods, in East Jerusalem and around it  from the German Foreign Ministry, the German government like most others in the West has again miserably failed to back such concern with any positive or punitive action. Germanys continuing failure to condemn and take action against blatant Israeli violations constitutes contemptible complicity tantamount to the criminality for which Nazis were made accountable at the Nuremberg Trials.

The German people must therefore by their own example take the lead in helping to disengage Europe from U.S.-led subservience to Israel because it is the height of amoral hypocrisy to wring their hands over past Nazi atrocities while simultaneously tolerating the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people as has been and is still occurring right under their very noses. Furthermore, Europeans must seriously endeavour to regain some degree of self-respect and genuine independence by unconditionally refusing to be blackmailed into silent toleration of Israeli crimes against humanity. They can do that by starting to recognise the spiteful contempt with which Israel regards them as was recently made very apparent with a withering attack by Prime Minister Netanyahu who during closed-door meeting of eastern European leaders in Budapest, arrogantly asserted that the European Union would wither and die if it did not change its policy towards Israel. Which presumably means tolerating Israels criminality with subservient silence.

There are two life-forces in the world I know: Jewish and Gentile, ours and yours . . . I do not believe that the primal difference between gentile and Jew is reconcilable. You and we may come to an understanding, never to a reconciliation. There will be irritation between us as long as we are in intimate contact. For nature and constitution and vision divide us from all of you forever  not a mere conviction, not a mere language, not a mere difference of national or religious allegiance.  Maurice Samuel, You Gentiles

William Hanna is a freelance writer with published books the Hiramic Brotherhood of the Third Temple, The Tragedy of Palestine and its Children, and Hiramic Brotherhood: Ezekiels Temple Prophesy. Purchase information, sample chapters, other articles, videos, and contact details at:

( http://www.hiramicbrotherhood.com/ )

The original source of this article is

Global Research

- Copyright  William Hanna, Global Research, 2017
Mosul's Bloodbath: 'We Killed Everyone - IS, Men, Women, Children'



Iraqi soldiers receive brutal, final order in last days of battle with IS - Kill anything that moves. Results can be found crushed in the rubble



By MEE Contributor

July 27, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - The Iraqi soldier looks out from his tiny three-walled room across a wasteland of rubble that crumbles steeply down to the banks of the Tigris River and contemplates the last days of the savage fight against the Islamic State (IS) group.

"We killed them all," he says quietly. "Daesh, men, women and children. We killed everyone."

What remains of this part of Mosul's Old City, where IS militants made their last stand, and what lies beneath betrays the horrific final days of the battle.

Hundreds of corpses lie half-buried in the broken masonry and rubble that was once a bustling, historic quarter. The stench of decaying flesh, which comes fast in the 50C summer heat, overwhelms the senses.

Feet are the most distinguishable remains; there are many poking from the rubble.

That final killing spree has left its mark, and it is one some appear keen to cover over.

Feet poke from the rubble of the Old City of Mosul (MEE)

Over the last week, armoured bulldozers have trundled back and forth over the crumpled houses, grinding uncounted corpses into the rubble.

But the dead refuse to go away. Rotting body parts glow a reddish-brown amid the pale grey of the undulating heatscape of masonry, dust and broken buildings.

"There are many civilians among the bodies," an Iraqi army major tells MEE. "After liberation was announced, the order was given to kill anything or anyone that moved."

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the major said the orders were wrong, but the military had to follow them.

"It was not the right thing to do," he said. "Most of the Daesh fighters surrendered. They gave themselves up, and we just killed them."

'We make very few arrests'

The major scoffs at claims made by some Iraqi soldiers that the jails in Baghdad were already too full to take any more IS prisoners.

"It's not true, we have plenty of prisons, but now we are not treating the prisoners like we did before," he says. "Earlier in this war, we arrested a lot of Daesh and brought them to the intelligence services. But now, we make very few arrests."

On Monday, several journalists witnessed an IS captive being dragged through the ruined streets of the Old City by special forces soldiers.

The man was bound and had a rope fastened around his neck. The journalists had their memory cards confiscated by soldiers and were ordered to leave.

"There is no law here now," the major said. "Every day, I see that we are doing the same thing as Daesh. People went down to the river to get water because they were dying of thirst and we killed them."

Corpses line the western banks of the Tigris. Killed in air strikes, fighting and executions, or having died of hunger or thirst, some have washed ashore while others float in the blue waters. Some of the bodies are small. They were children.

Footage released on social media on 17 July shows Iraqi helicopters carrying out what are believed to have been some of the last air strikes of the nine-month-long battle for Mosul.

To a soundtrack of cheerful, victorious music, the helicopters target desperate people attempting to escape the Old City by swimming across the wide river.

Nearby, soldiers pose for victory photos before an Iraqi flag, the pole planted atop a pile of rubble and body parts.

They have become inured to the landscape of death over which they move. The brutality of this long conflict and the barbarity of their enemy has taken its toll on the Iraqi armed forces. There is little humanity left.

Soldiers - most with scarves wrapped around their faces to fend off the overpowering stench of death - pick through the rubble and corpses, looking for modest spoils of war. Burned and broken pieces of AK47s, empty magazines, a few tins of ammunition.

Late last week, Iraqi forces were still being attacked by occasional IS militants emerging from the rubble or collapsed buildings to shoot at soldiers or hurl grenades.

On Thursday, a soldier approached what he thought was an IS corpse. The militant was pretending to be dead and shot the soldier at close range with a pistol.

There were still people alive under the rubble on Monday, when four IS members - two foreign fighters and two Iraqis - were found hiding. All four were shot, according to an Iraqi soldier stationed there.

These are likely to be among what soldiers believe are comparatively few survivors, some of whom are still managing to target Iraqi forces from underground hide-outs.

Last Thursday, Iraqi army soldier Haidar said eight tunnels with people inside had been identified by the military, mainly from interviews with women and children who had escaped.

"In our section, there are three. One tunnel has six Iraqi Daesh fighters, in another there are 30, including nine women, and in the third, we do not know the exact number but people coming out tell us there are a lot," he said.

It is not known what became of any of those people - but very few civilians have emerged alive from the ruins since Thursday.

Supplies of food and drinking water are either scarce or non-existent below ground.

Corpses bob in the waters of the Tigris (MEE)

The last civilians to emerge from the rubble resembled concentration-camp victims, many reporting they had not eaten for a fortnight. Some were near death.

Last Wednesday, a starving Yazidi boy, 11, wept in a field hospital where he was treated for extreme dehydration and malnutrition as he described watching four other children die of thirst.

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IS abducted the boy and his 13 year-old sister, who he had not seen for the preceding 30 days, from their home town in Iraq's Sinjar mountain in 2014.

IS massacred thousands of Yazidis - whose ancient faith they decry as devil-worship - and took thousands more women and children into captivity.

"We will give them nothing," Haider said on Thursday. "Yesterday, one of the soldiers relented and bent down to hand a bottle of water into a hole where he thought civilians were trapped and an IS fighter seized the gun from his shoulder. It was an M4 (assault rifle)."

Near the river, bulldozer driver Hussein said that his job was to manoeuvre over the rubble, filling in any suspicious entrance holes to block possible IS activity.

"I fill the holes with rubble so the Daesh can't come out again," he said, adding that he was not sure whether he was burying people alive.

"Some of the tunnels stretch a long way and maybe they can get out some other place. But my job is to make sure they can't come out of these holes again."

Death is everywhere

Even in areas of the Old City that were liberated weeks ago, death still lingers.

Near the remains of the destroyed al-Nuri mosque, the blackened disembodied head of a female IS adherent who blew herself up among fleeing women and children lies beside a crater.

In the dust nearby is a hairbrush, a fashionable handbag, colourful clothing - small things with which people had hoped to escape - and a woman's leg.

A cat steals across a ruined street with a piece of fresh meat hanging from its jaws. It is inevitably human - the only flesh left anywhere in the Old City is that of dead people.

New corpses still appear at different locations across the Old City. Some have clearly been executed, shot in the head at close range.

Many still have ropes trailing from tied hands and feet, indicating that either while dead or alive, they were dragged through the deserted streets. Many have been set on fire to curb the smell of decomposition.

Iraqi forces proudly claim to have killed at least 2,000 IS militants in the last stages of the Old City battle. Many of these were foreign fighters.

No one has offered a figure for the dead civilians - the women and children who could not escape.

The way the bulldozers have churned over the rubble and corpses and then driven back and forth over the terrain means that the real loss of life in the final bloodbath of the Mosul conflict will never be known.

The once-elegant historic Old City of Mosul is now an expansive graveyard - a crumbled flattened monument to one of the most merciless conflicts of the still young 21st century.

This article is available in French on Middle East Eye French edition .

See also US-trained Iraqi army division allegedly executed dozens of men in Mosul's Old City: Human Rights Watch
NYT, Reuters, Economist Journalists Self-censor Reports From Israel By Philip Weiss July 27, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - In the U.S. the Israel lobby is rarely mentioned critically in the mainstream media. But check out this segment on the political show Drum on Australias ABC two days ago: veteran Middle East correspondents Antony Loewenstein and John Lyons describe the relentless pressures from Israel and its lobby on journalists who are critical of Israel. The shows host Ellen Fanning notes that in Lyonss new book ( Balcony Over Jerusalem: A Middle East Memoir) he recalls sitting with a leading correspondent from Agence France-Presse and asking him How many foreign correspondents censor themselves? Lyons: He replied, Everybody, and hes one of the toughest bureau chiefs around. As part of the book I interviewed The New York Times, the Economist, Reuters, AFP, and I found a common trait. Reuters even has their own special words that were allowed to use that wont upset the Israelis. And I went there with the view that Id been in Washington and New York, I would report it as I saw it. But every time I would write about settlements, something thats factual, you get targeted, as a journalist. If you write the truth of what you see in front of you in Israel and the West Bank, you will be savagely targeted. Lyons is a veteran journalist . He served as six years as Jerusalem correspondent for The Australian, and is now the papers associate editor. The targeting isnt just from Israel, but from Israels overseas lobby. Lyons: Well Ive written a chapter in the book called The lobby which is about the Australian lobby essentially, it looks at the various trips that all sorts of politicians and journalists and everybody takes. Relentless caravans coming through Jerusalem, thats the subtle part of it. But I can tellfrom my own experience, inside The Australian, which is a very strongly pro-Israeli newspaper, but my editors, the pressures upon them, which theyve talked about for the book the pressure is, Its made clear that theyre not happy with your performance, and the endless complaints I did a Four Corners report two years or three years ago. And then youre tied up for months and months defending it. In the end we defended every claim Before the Four Corners even went to air, one of the groups in Melbourne was circulating it, this is the complaint link, click on it, and file an automatic complaint to the ABC. So the trips are the subtle part of it! Here is that Four Corners report from 2014 : it documents the fact that the Israeli army is targeting Palestinian boys for arrest and detention, and threatening children with rape, in an effort to make life in the West Bank intolerable for Palestinians. These practices have of course not ended. (And remember that on 60 Minutes five years ago, the late Bob Simon called out Michael Oren for calling higher-ups in an effort to interfere with his report on Christians leaving Palestine.) No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Daily Newsletter Antony Loewenstein is also a veteran journalist. He has published several books on Palestine and other global issues and lately wrapped up a year and a half in Jerusalem. He says: What John says is correct. Ive been writing about it for 15 years. The way it often works is a journalist who is critical Jewish, non-Jewish, Muslim, Palestinian, Christian, whatever if you are critical of the settlements, if you are critical of the occupation, if you are critical of the Israeli government, if you are critical of the way the Israel lobby in Australian in my view perniciously and dishonestly pressures media organizations, ABC and others, and governments, you will be targeted privately or publicly. What about the Palestinian lobby? Fanning asks. Loewenstein: Theres a lobby that exists, it is small but growing. It has influence but its relatively insignificant. Thats more just the nature I think of how political power works in this country. Anyone who spends time in Israel or the West Bank or Gaza, which as John says has been occupied for 50 years  Its now in my view permanent. We have to ask ourselves why so many people in the media and the political elites refuse to say the reality. Occupation that is permanent is something that is ugly There needs to be far more honesty with politicians here and journalists who dont give in to Israel lobby bullying, which happens all the time. Though Loewenstein later observes that public opinion has shifted dramatically, despite the vehemently pro Israel media. And he concludes: The lobby has a right to exist. the point is that groups like AIJAC [Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council] are so belligerent and far right, they are supporting Israeli government policies that are pro settlement, pro occupation, anti-Arab and deeply racist The Israel lobby in Australia has already attacked Loewenstein for his comments on the show. It goes without saying that the Israel lobby will continue to exercise outsize power so long as journalists and politicians refuse to speak about it openly. Thats not happening in the U.S. (P.S. Here is Loewensteins latest, a report on how the 1967 war led to that Permanent Occupation .) Thanks to Ofer Neiman. Philip Weiss is Founder and Co-Editor of www.Mondoweiss.net See also - Al Jazeera slams Netanyahu's threat to shut J'lem bureau as 'vicious attack' The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House.
A Ray of Hope

By Paul Craig Roberts

July 27, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - America has been a discouraging landscape ever since the neoconservatives took over US foreign policy during the Clinton regime and started the two decades of war crimes that define 21st century America and ever since US corporations betrayed the US work force by moving American jobs to Asia.

The outlook became darker when the Obama regime resurrected the Russian Threat and elevated the prospect of military conflict between the nuclear powers.

As Europe is caught in the middle, in normal circumstances European countries would have insisted that Washington cease the gratuitous provocations of Russia. But normal circumstances have not existed. Since the end of WW2, European countries have been vassals without independent economic and foreign policies.

Europe hosts US military bases that threaten Russia. Europe has backed Washingtons wars of aggression against Serbia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Washingtons air attacks on provinces of Pakistan, and Washingtons use of Saudi Arabia to fight its proxy war against Yemen.

Europe has backed Washingtons gratuitous economic sanctions against Iran and Russia, sanctions that have cost Europe much and Washington little.

Accustomed to having its way with Europe, Washington commits Europe without even consulting the vassal governments. Now it seems Washingtons extraordinary arrogance and hubris has resulted in overreach. Confronted with a new round of sanctions against Russia, Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission told Washington that the time has passed when Washington can put its interests first and Europes last.

The new sanctions have devastating economic and political consequences for Europe. Juncker said that if Europes concerns are not taken into account sufficiently, we stand ready to act appropriately within a matter of days.

The German and French foreign ministries added their support to Juncker. The German foreign ministry said: It is not in the Americans right to judge or stipulate which way European companies may engage in cooperation with any third parties  particularly, with Russian energy companies.

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The French foreign ministry said: the sanctions contradict international law due to their extraterritorial reach.

Europe views the sanctions as a tool of US industrial policy that elevates US business interests over Europes business interests.

Lets hope that Washingtons arrogance will not permit Washington to back down and that Europe will give Washington the finger and disengage from the American Empire. Without Europe to host its military bases and to parrot its propaganda, Washingtons ability to threaten Russia would significantly decline. Indeed, a continuation of the hostile threatening attitude toward Russia would leave Washington isolated in the world. No country wants the risk of experiencing nuclear war merely for the sake of Washingtons unilateralism.

Dr. Paul Craig Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy and associate editor of the Wall Street Journal. He was columnist for Business Week, Scripps Howard News Service, and Creators Syndicate. He has had many university appointments. His internet columns have attracted a worldwide following. Roberts' latest books are The Failure of Laissez Faire Capitalism and Economic Dissolution of the West , How America Was Lost , and The Neoconservative Threat to World Order .

The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House.
In Case You Missed It

Hasan Nasrallah: Trump Must Be Thanked For His Stupidity

Video

We should thank Trump for revealing the true face of the racist, cruel, criminal and murderous U.S. government.

Posted July 27, 2017

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Newly Declassified Memos Detail Improper Obama-era NSA Spying

By John Solomon

July 27, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - The National Security Agency and FBI violated specific civil liberty protections during the Obama administration by improperly searching and disseminating raw intelligence on Americans or failing to promptly delete unauthorized intercepts, according to newly declassified memos that provide some of the richest detail to date on the spy agencies ability to obey their own rules.

The memos reviewed by The Hill were publicly released on July 11 through Freedom of Information Act litigation by the American Civil Liberties Union.

They detail specific violations that the NSA or FBI disclosed to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court or the Justice Department's national security division during President Obamas tenure between 2009 and 2016. The intelligence community isn't due to report on compliance issues for 2017, the first year under the Trump administration, until next spring.

The NSA says that the missteps amount to a small number  less than 1 percent  when compared to the hundreds of thousands of specific phone numbers and email addresses the agencies intercepted through the so-called Section 702 warrantless spying program created by Congress in late 2008.

Quite simply, a compliance program that never finds an incident is not a robust compliance program, said Michael Halbig, the NSAs chief spokesman. The National Security Agency has in place a strong compliance program that identifies incidents, reports them to external overseers, and then develops appropriate solutions to remedy any incidents.

But critics say the memos undercut the intelligence communitys claim that it has robust protections for Americans incidentally intercepted under the program.

Americans should be alarmed that the NSA is vacuuming up their emails and phone calls without a warrant, said Patrick Toomey , an ACLU staff attorney in New York who helped pursue the FOIA litigation. The NSA claims it has rules to protect our privacy, but it turns out those rules are weak, full of loopholes, and violated again and again.

Section 702 empowers the NSA to spy on foreign powers and to retain and use certain intercepted data that was incidentally collected on Americans under strict privacy protections. Wrongly collected information is supposed to be immediately destroyed.

The Hill reviewed the new ACLU documents as well as compliance memos released by the NSA inspector general and identified more than 90 incidents where violations specifically cited an impact on Americans. Many incidents involved multiple persons, multiple violations or extended periods of time.

For instance, the government admitted improperly searching the NSAs foreign intercept data on multiple occasions, including one instance in which an analyst ran the same search query about an American every work day for a period between 2013 and 2014.

There also were several instances in which Americans unmasked names were improperly shared inside the intelligence community without being redacted, a violation of the so-called minimization procedures that Obama loosened in 2011 that are supposed to protect Americans' identity from disclosure when they are intercepted without a warrant. Numerous times improperly unmasked information about Americans had to be recalled and purged after the fact, the memos stated.

CIA and FBI received unminimized data from many Section 702-tasked facilities and at times are thus required to conduct similar purges, one report noted.

NSA issued a report which included the name of a United States person whose identity was not foreign intelligence, said one typical incident report from 2015, which said the NSA eventually discovered the error and recalled the information.

Likewise, the FBI disclosed three instances between December 2013 and February 2014 of improper disseminations of U.S. persons identities.



The NSA also admitted it was slow in some cases to notify fellow intelligence agencies when it wrongly disseminated information about Americans. The law requires a notification within five days, but some took as long as 131 business days and the average was 19 days, the memos show.

U.S. intelligence officials directly familiar with the violations told The Hill that the memos confirm that the intelligence agencies have routinely policed, fixed and self-disclosed to the nation's intelligence court thousands of minor procedural and more serious privacy infractions that have impacted both Americans and foreigners alike since the warrantless spying program was created by Congress in late 2008.

Alexander Joel, who leads the Office of Civil Liberties, Privacy and Transparency under the director of national intelligence, said the documents chronicle episodes that have been reported to Congress and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court for years in real time and are a tribute to the multiple layers of oversight inside the intelligence community.

We take every compliance incident very seriously and continually strive to improve compliance through our oversight regime and as evidence by our reporting requirements to the FISC and Congress, he told The Hill. That said, we believe that, particularly when compared with the overall level of activity, the compliance incident rate is very low.

The FBI said it believes it has adequate oversight to protect Americans' privacy, while signaling it will be pushing Congress hard this fall to renew the Section 702 law before it expires.

"The FBIs mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States," the bureau said in a statement to The Hill. "When Congress enacted Section 702, it built in comprehensive oversight and compliance procedures that involve all three branches of government. These procedures are robust and effective in identifying compliance incidents. The documents released on July 11, 2017 clearly show the FBIs extensive efforts to follow the law, and to identify, report, and remedy compliance matters.

"Section 702 is vital to the safety and security of the American people. It is one of the most valuable tools the Intelligence Community has, and therefore, is used with the utmost care by the men and women of the FBI so as to not jeopardize future utility. As such, we continually evaluate our internal policies and procedures to further reduce the number of these compliance matters."

The new documents show that the NSA has, on occasion, exempted itself from its legal obligation to destroy all domestic communications that were improperly intercepted.

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Under the law, the NSA is supposed to destroy any intercept if it determines the data was domestically gathered, meaning someone was intercepted on U.S. soil without a warrant when the agency thought they were still overseas. The NSA, however, has said previously it created destruction waivers to keep such intercepts in certain cases.

The new documents confirm the NSA has in fact issued such waivers and that it uncovered in 2012 a significant violation in which the waivers were improperly used and the infraction was slow to be reported to the court.

In light of related filings being presented to the Court at the same time this incident was discovered and the significance of the incident, DOJ should have reported this incident under the our immediate notification process, then-Assistant Attorney General Lisa Monaco wrote the FISA court in Aug. 28, 2012, about the episode, according to one memo released through FOIA.

The NSA declined to say how often destruction waivers are given. But Joel, of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, said the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court has supervised such waivers and affirmed they are consistent with the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution and the statutory requirements of Section 702.

Other violations cited in the memos:

Numerous overcollection incidents in which the NSA gathered information about foreigners or Americans it wasnt entitled to intercept

Isolated instances in which NSA may not have complied with the documentation requests justifying intercepts or searches of intercepted data.

The misuse of overly broad queries or specific U.S. person terms to search through NSA data.

Failures to timely purge NSA databases of improperly collected intelligence, such as a 2014 incident in which NSA reported a gap in its purge discovery processes.

In annual and quarterly compliance reports that have been released in recent years, U.S. intelligence agencies have estimated the number of Section 702 violations has averaged between 0.3 percent and 0.6 percent of the total number of taskings. A tasking is an intelligence term that reflects a request to intercept a specific phone number or email address.

The NSA now targets more than 100,000 individuals a year under Section 702 for foreign spying, and some individual targets get multiple taskings, officials said.

The actual number of compliance incidents remains classified but from the publicly available data it is irrefutable that the number is in the thousands since Section 702 was fully implemented by 2009, said a senior U.S. official with direct knowledge, who spoke only on condition of anonymity.

The increasing transparency on Section 702 violations is having an impact on both critics and supporters of a law that is up for renewal in Congress at the end of this year. Of concern are the instances in which Americans data is incidentally collected and then misused.

Retired House Intelligence Committee Chairman Pete Hoekstra, a Republican who strongly supported the NSA warrantless spying program when it started under President George W. Bush, said he now fears it has now become too big and intrusive.

If I were still in Congress today, I might vote with the people today to shut the program down or curtail it, Hoekstra, who has been tapped by Trump to be ambassador to the Netherlands, said in an interview.

One percent or less sounds great, but the truth is 1 percent of my credit card charges dont come back wrong every month. And in my mind one percent is pretty sloppy when it can impact Americans privacy.

This article was first published by The Hill -
Trump Faces Down the CIA and Co-Opts the Pentagon on Syria







The crazed, racist, stupid, boorish man in the White House this summer defied the War Party and its corporate media mouthpieces, negotiating a cease-fire with the Russians in several regions of Syria, and possibly ending the CIAs not-so-covert role as Grandmaster of Islamic Jihad. Which makes him less dangerous to the human species than Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.



By Glen Ford

Donald Trump has taken the strangest, messiest route imaginable towards fulfilling his campaign pledge to curtail Washingtons urge to regime change, and to ease tensions with Russia.

July 27, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Its not like Donald Trump to stifle himself, as TVs Archie Bunker used to say, but the president has been relatively subdued about his decision, reportedly made last month, to terminate the CIA program that has armed, trained, directed and protected jihadist fighters in Syria. Trumps uncharacteristic reticence on the matter is understandable, given the agencys homicidal culture and history.

It is also likely that Trumps gaggle of White House generals, led by Secretary of Defense James Mad Dog Mattis and national security advisor H.R. McMaster, have kept the Pentagon in check, preventing a reprise of the mutiny that sabotaged President Obamas cease-fire and intelligence-sharing agreement with Russian forces in Syria, on September 17 of last year. In a blatant rebellion against civilian authority, U.S. warplanes killed 100 Syrian soldiers at Deir Ez-Zor, allowing ISIS to overrun half the city. The next week, with Secretary of Defense Ash Carter at his side, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford told the Senate Armed Services Committee, The U.S. military role will not include intelligence sharing with the Russians." The Pentagon had punked lame duck President Barack Obama and his secretary of state, John Kerry.

Trump this summer defied the War Party and its corporate media mouthpieces, negotiating a cease-fire with the Russians in several regions of Syria.

Donald Trump took note, and surrounded himself with generals before setting foot in the White House, perhaps to shield his presidency from falling prey to its own  Seven Days In May -type scenario. Or, maybe Trump the Bully just likes the company of other crude and stupid men. At any rate, Trump this summer defied the War Party and its corporate media mouthpieces, negotiating a cease-fire with the Russians in several regions of Syria, to be followed by additional truces, and ending the CIAs not-so-covert role as Grandmaster of Islamic Jihad. It seemed...unreal.

Peace-loving people around the world held their breath, waiting for the War Partys revenge. Trump seemed to hold his breath -- and his tongue -- too, playing down the cease-fire arrangement, even as French President Emanuel Macron stood at his side in Paris, July 13, telling the press: No matter who they are, we want to build an inclusive and sustainable political solution. Against that background, I do not require Assads departure. This is no longer a prerequisite for France to work on that, because I can only tell you that, for seven years, we did not have an embassy in Damascus, and still we have no solution.

Trump was remarkably low-key in Paris: "We are working on a second ceasefire in a very rough part of Syria, he said. If we get that and a few more, all of a sudden, you're going to have no bullets firing in Syria, and that is a wonderful thing."

 People around the world held their breath, waiting for the War Partys revenge.

Back in late March, the Trump administration had signaled its abandonment of regime change, with both UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson indicating that Syrian President Assads ouster was no longer a priority for the United States. But, within a week, Trump was hurling Tomahawk missiles at a Syrian airbase, purportedly in retaliation for a chemical weapons incident that only a fool or a U.S. corporate media hack would blame on Syria.

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Then, two months later, on June 26, in a bizarre episode even for Trump, the administration charged the Syria military with preparing to launch another chemical weapons attack , for which the Assad government would pay a heavy price. Strangely, the White House seemed to have failed to notify either the Pentagon or the State Department about the Syria threat, or the proposed retaliation.

Stranger still, Trump issued his weaponized rant during the same period when his administration must have been deeply engaged in negotiations on a cease-fire with the Russians. We at Black Agenda Report wondered whether Trump had gone  play-crazy   acting like an unpredictable maniac in order to terrorize the Russians into forcing some kind of dramatic concessions from their Syrian allies, or risk Armageddon.

 Neither paper is concerned that the CIA project violates international laws against unprovoked attacks on sovereign nations, or that half a million Syrians have died, as a result.

Or, maybe the outburst was prompted by an aborted attempt to scuttle the talks with the Russians. Or, maybe Trump just had to shout the demons out of his system. Who knows?

The demons at the Washington Post and the New York Times have only one explanation for all earthly phenomena, including the termination of the CIAs jihadist overseer duties in Syria: Trump is colluding with the Russians. The Times moaned that the decision is bound to be welcomed by the Russians. The WP whined that the Russian government had long opposed the program, seeing it as an assault on its interests. Neither paper is concerned that the CIA project violates international laws against unprovoked attacks on sovereign nations, as well as U.S. laws against giving material assistance to al Qaida, a prime beneficiary of CIA weapons, or that half a million Syrians have died, as a result.

Despite his apparent vow of semi-silence on the CIA front, Trump could not resist a Twitter retort . The Amazon Washington Post fabricated the facts on my ending massive, dangerous, and wasteful payments to Syrian rebels fighting Assad, he wrote, effectively declassifying the now-defunct (are we sure?) CIA terror campaign.

Donald Trump has taken the strangest, messiest, play-crazy (or just plain crazy) route imaginable towards fulfilling his campaign pledge to curtail Washingtons urge to regime change, and to ease tensions with Russia. His presidency has been six months of pain and confusion.

But, if Hillary Clinton had been elected, we might all be dead.

BAR executive editor Glen Ford can be contacted at Glen.Ford@BlackAgendaReport.com . - Glen Ford's blog
Empire of Whiners

By Pepe Escobar

July 27, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - As a new report by the Army War College tracks the loss of "US primacy" around the world, it prescribes more of the same; propaganda, surveillance and war.

Its public knowledge that from the point of view of the Pentagon, the United States faces five existential threats : Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and terrorism, in that order. Way beyond rhetoric, all Pentagon actions should be understood and analyzed under this framework.

Now global public opinion may have access to an even more intriguing document; a new study by the Army War College titled At Our Own Peril: DoD Risk Assessment in a Post-Primacy World. Readers are actively encouraged to download it and study the fine print.

Researcher Nafeez Ahmed has proposed some helpful decoding of this post-primacy predicament, that took virtually ten months to be put together.

The intellectual firepower concerned involved all sections of the Pentagon scattered around the world, as well as the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the National Intelligence Council, and proverbial neocon-heavy think tanks such as the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the RAND Corporation, and the Institute for the Study of War.

All that for what? To enounce the obvious  that the US has lost its primacy; and to propose more of the same, as in Orwellian surveillance; strategic manipulation of perceptions, a.k.a. propaganda; and a wider and more flexible military, as in more wars.

If this is the best US military intelligence can come up with, peer competitors Russia and China might as well grab a gin and tonic and relax by the pool.

Oh you damn revisionists

The study is a classic piece of myopic Exceptionalism  which might at least allow for some entertaining value if presented with some rhetorical flourish.

Russia and China are duly described as revisionist forces (doesnt that sound like Mao in the 1950s?) which should be prevented from pursuing their own legitimate national interests. Why? Because that represents a threat that undermines US hegemony.

Readers of the study should desist from finding any concrete evidence that both Russia and China pose a serious threat to US national security. They should rely on US corporate media, which blares all these threats 24/7.

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It gets curioser and curioser when it comes to Iran and North Korea  both also demonized non-stop by media and US Think Tankland. The problem is not that they pose a nuclear threat; the problem is they are obstacles to the smooth expansion of the US-led order.

In parallel, what really irks US military intel are murkier, less obvious forms of state-based aggression. As in the threat represented by Sputnik and RT, for instance.

Facts, any real facts that challenge the legitimacy of the hegemon are considered by the study as a major driver of US decline. OK, the Pentagon does not do irony, so dont expect any expert to acknowledge that these real facts simultaneously unmask the Empires actions and debunk its rhetoric.

The studys circular logic is a hostage of  what else  imperial logic; US military power is essentially depicted as a key tool to coerce and force other nations into following the Empires diktats.

Which leads those experts to bomb the concept of defense to smithereens  and turn it into offense; the Empire always reserves itself the right to go heavy metal when it pleases. If any actor questions this sovereign imperial right  for instance, North Korea launching a missile or China creating facts on the South China Sea  this becomes a threat, and it must be eliminated.

Even progressive US analysts still dont get why, after a short 70 years of hegemony, American geopolitical primacy in Eurasia is at an end. As much as the internal war between Trump and the deep state may be accelerating the process, this is still all about the post-9/11 world.

The adventures of the War Party  from Afghanistan and Iraq to Libya and Syria; the US governments astonishing, unpayable debt; the steady erosion of the petrodollar; the inexorable march of Eurasia integration  reflected in US military obsession with the three key vectors, China, Russia and Iran.

These are only some of the factors involved.

Beijing and Moscow dont need to be reminded by studies like this of the real game  as in US proxy wars deployed from Ukraine to the South China Sea with the ultimate target of disrupting the 21st centurys top story; Eurasia connectivity.

Same for Tehran, which identifies very well the multiple machinations, instrumentalizing the GCC petrodollar gang, aimed at perpetuating a Sunni-Shiite fratricidal war.

Which brings us to the next war insistently monopolizing the rumor mill in the Beltway. Were the US government foolish enough to provoke a war against Iran, that would be due to the Exceptionalism mindset; an economy where endless war is the only tool to boost GDP and pay off debts; deep state hegemony; and the eternal Return of the (Neocon) Living Dead inside Think Tankland, the CIA and the Pentagon itself.

Post-primacy? You aint seen nothing yet.

Pepe Escobar is an independent geopolitical analyst.

This article was first published by Sputnik -
Thousands of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) converged Imo State, Owerri from the other four South East and some South South states, calling for the secession of Nigeria.

This is even as a coalition of Imo Council of Youths, One Nigeria Group, Nigeria Youths Unity Group and Youth Assembly of Nigeria have warned the IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu from holding any rallying in the state.

At a press briefing in Owerri on Friday, the coordinators of the various youth bodies, Azunnaya Andrew, Emeka Igwe, GTC Samuel and Jeff Nwoha, said they would resist any activity or programme which seeks to threaten the countrys sovereignty.

Andrew said the youth group which he coordinates was totally against any move which will put to question the unity of the country.

The youth leader said, One Nigeria Group stands for oneness of Nigeria. We totally condemn the pro-Biafra rally, which is going on in Owerri now, and which is being conducted by one Nnamdi Kanu.

Even in the midst of marginalisation, we are supporting the governments of Muhammadu Buhari and Rochas Okorocha. We will not allow them to hold such rally in Imo State again.

On his part, Igwe, who chairs Nigeria Youth Unity Group, said Biafra was not the solution to the problems of Ndigbo.

He said, We are for the unity of Nigeria despite the injustices. We are not ready for war. The event of the Nigeria civil war is still fresh in our minds. These pro-Biafra youths are very inexperienced.

Samuel, who is the speaker of Youth Assembly of Nigeria, said instead of a Sovereign State of Biafra, the youths of the South East were in support of the restructuring of the country.

According to him, These pro-Biafra youths need orientation. What we support is restructuring, not secession. IPOB lacks orientation. Nigerias unity is non-negotiable. No war, no separation.

Nwoha said the youths were in support of Buhari and Okorocha, calling on the government to grant resource control to states, especially oil-bearing communities, adding that the measure will help to calm frayed nerves.

The state commissioner of police, Chris Ezike, who spoke to our correspondent on the phone said the pro-Biafra rally was being closely monitored by his command, assuring residents and visitors of their safety .

As of the time of filing this report, Kanu had yet to arrive, this is even as his multitude of supporters barricaded the Warehouse Junction, causing heavy traffic in the state capital.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC ) has suspended the exploration for crude oil in the Lake Chad Basin, situated in parts of Borno State, following attacks on its workers and some military personnel by the terrorist group, Boko Haram.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, said the exercise had to be put on hold until the military could give the corporation sufficient clearance to resume oil search in the region.

Kachikwu, who commiserated with the families of those killed by the insurgents, however, stated that the corporation got the necessary clearance from security agencies before embarking on the trip that led to the death of scores of persons on Tuesday.

The reality is that anytime the NNPC decides to go into a terrain, it first gets the privilege of security advice and that security advice, I can say, was sufficiently cleared, he said.

He regretted that the team was ambushed by terrorists, but insisted that no work would be done at the site anytime soon.

Kachikwu spoke to journalists at the headquarters of the NNPC in Abuja on Thursday.

The oil found in commercial quantity in neighbouring Chad Republic had encouraged the NNPC, on the orders of President Muhammadu Buhari, to intensify and focus its exploratory work in the inland basin on the Chad Basin and Benue Trough areas.

In November 2016, the corporation resumed exploration activities in Gubio, Magumeri, Monguno, Kukawa, Abadam, Guzamala and Mobar, after getting security advice from the military.

Kachikwu stated that after sufficient advice from the military to resume exploratory activities on the site, which passes through Borno State, the corporation in 2016embarked on the venture despite the risk in order to grow the countrys crude oil reserves.

Certainly, we will not go back unless they (military) give us a clearance, just like we didnt go in before they gave us a clearance, the minister said.

Providing an explanation on how the Tuesday attack happened, Kachikwu stated that the NNPC Frontier Exploration Services and Surface Geochemistry Sampling crew comprising of three consultants attached to the FES and the Integrated Data Services Limited, nine external consultants from the University of Maiduguri, military personnel and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force were ambushed by Boko Haram.

He said the team was returning to Maiduguri after conducting a survey mapping/geological study of parts of the Lake Chad Basin, in preparation for re-entry for seismic activities.

Kachikwu, however, noted that the NNPC had yet to officially confirm reports that the military had rescued its workers who were abducted by Boko Haram.

This was despite statements by the army spokesman, Sani Usman, that all the NNPC workers had been rescued and the corpses of nine soldiers and civilian JTF members retrieved.

The minister said the national oil firm would wait on the military to determine its next move and assured families of the victims that the government would support them.

He stated that the incident had provided the NNPC and the military very useful lessons in future, particularly whenever they prepare to re-enter the exploration site.

Kachikwu said, When incidents happen, they are important for two reasons; for the fact of their occurrence and also important for the lessons that you will take away. Obviously, the lesson for us is that we are going to look at the security apparatus and see whether there is a little bit more we can do.

I know there were over 200 security personnel between the military and other security agencies, they were very well protected. I will imagine that the security operatives will take a second look at what has happened and like the lessons they take from every area where Boko Haram has operated, they will look to see more protection they can put in place.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
The six kidnapped students of the Lagos Model School, Igbonla, Epe have been released after spending 64 days in captivity.

After 64 days in captivity, the six abducted pupils of the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe have regained their freedom.

Although details of their release have not been made public, the kids were released in Ajakpa Community in Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

A senior police officer said the children had been moved to the Ondo State Police Command headquarters in Akure where they are at the moment. THANK GOD.
While the nation is still grappling with various agitations across the country, a coalition of Yoruba groups, Yoruba Liberation Command (YOLICOM), has declared that the Yorubas are set to secede from Nigeria to form Oduduwa Republic.

While speaking on Thursday in Lagos, Opeoluwa Akinola, the spokesperson of the coalition of Yoruba groups, Yoruba Liberation Command (YOLICOM), declared that the Yorubas are set to secede from Nigeria to form Oduduwa Republic, adding that Nigeria is slowing down the progress of the Yorubas, killing and maiming the citizenry for selfish interests.

According to The Independent, Ancient Yoruba warlord, Agbekoya, Oodua Redemption Alliance, among others, who were part of the coalition, also said though they were not agitating for war but they are equal to the task, should there be need.

Akinola stressed that Yorubas were forced by the British into Nigeria in 1914 and the best time for peaceful dissolution, like other countries is now.

Nigeria has become a burden on Yoruba people. We suddenly have been exposed to unimaginable threats of violence, wiping off entire families through clubbing to death, kidnapping of women and adults, savage killings, kidnap of school children and rape of infants.

Stealing of public wealth and the public display of the stolen wealth, with arrogance by the criminals, the complete annihilation and confrontation of the poor people by the Nigerian state and many other ills that were hitherto strange to our long lasting ancient civilisation and values, he said.

He added that the destruction of regional system of government has turned Nigeria into a unitary state dotted with savage vulture of corruption, ineptitude, inefficiency, moral degeneration, death, violence crimes and now violent religious extremism.

The so-called democracy is nothing but the imposition of individual will through an orchestrated mass corruption where the poverty of the voters are exploited for electoral gains by politicians seeking political offices.

Democracy is not about the interest of the few elected people and their cronies. Democracy is now government of the party for the party leaders and by the party members, he said.

Akinola further stated that YOLICOM supports the aspiration of the Igbo nation, irrespective of the unfortunate hate speeches, infantile savage utterances of a certain Nnamdi Kanu, who appears to have singled out Yoruba nation for ridicule and revulsion.

We take solace in the fact that we work with many large-hearted, better-exposed, principled and consciousness Igbo leaders who have richer sense of history and understand better the complex nature of nation building and who also realise the importance of alliances, networking in statesmanship and international friendship and solidarity.

He also said YOLICOM totally rejects the idea of restructuring as proposed by the Nigerian state and the political elite, adding that it is an attempt to restructure Nigeria on their own terms and not on the terms of the people.

Nigeria will never be genuinely restructured by the present crop of political leaders who are themselves beneficiaries of the same skewed system.

Even if the country will be restructured, it will still pass through the National Assembly which was created during the era of military rule of the Fulani to ensure an upper hand for the Fulani North, he added.

One of the speakers, Francis Abayomi, corroborated that Oodua Republic is an alternative to agitation for Nigerias restructuring bid.

We want to be free from generation of bond. We dont want our children to be enslaved any longer. Most of us have spent good time in prison, so no threat can stop our agitation. Yoruba nation has an alternative. We can exist as a distinct nation. We want to ascertain our right to live as a country, he said.
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday in Zurich, Switzerland led a team of the State Executive Committee members to sign an agreement with Buhler AG (Buhler), a leading rice-mill producer in the world, for the acquisition of a 32 tonnes per hour Rice Mill.

The Governor, who spoke shortly after the signing ceremony, said the development was in furtherance of his vision of enhancing food security and creating employment in the State.

It is estimated that the partnership would facilitate the creation of about 200,000 jobs across the agriculture value chain, while it would also bring about the cultivation of 32,000 hectares of farm land to produce rice paddy, equating to an estimated 130million Kg of processed rice per year (an equivalent of 2.6milion 50kg bags of rice).

Speaking further, Governor Ambode said the landmark event also provides the platform for the State to partner with the other South West States in consonance with the regions resolve towards achieving economic integration.

The Governor emphasized that the partnership with Buhler was in sync with his administrations economic agenda of diversification of the nations economy and conservation of foreign currency reserve.

The state of the art rice mill will be sited in Imota, Ikorodu and it requires 32,000 hectares of land for cultivation of rice paddy. This investment is expected to create thousands of jobs in rice value chain. In addition to the current arrangement with Kebbi State, Lagos would go into partnership with neighbouring states, to ensure sustainable inputs for the mill and foster regional economic integration, Governor Ambode said.

According to the agreement, the partnership with Buhler covers supplies and installation of the rice mill, including silos. It also covers maintenance and technical support as well as technical training of Nigerians in the ever growing sub-sector of the Nigerian economy.

The rice mill will be the single largest mill of its kind in Nigeria and is expected to be delivered within twelve months.

Aside Governor Ambode, other members of the States delegation included the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akinyemi Ashade; Special Adviser to the Governor on Overseas Affairs & Investment, Professor Ademola Abass; Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Suarau Oluwatoyin; and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Olayiwole Onasanya.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
A popular Nigerian Disc Jockey, DJ Shabsy, has taken to popular social networking platform, Instagram, and mocked the governor of a state in Nigeria over how he used a seat-belt aboard an airplane suspected to be the presidential jet. A popular Nigerian Disc Jockey, DJ Shabsy, has taken to popular social networking platform, Instagram, and mocked the governor of a state in Nigeria over how he used a seat-belt aboard an airplane suspected to be the presidential jet.

He posted the photo and captioned it; Smh for Nigeria. Whose governor is using airplane seat belt like this?.

As the photo emerged online, it quickly generated mixed reactions and criticisms from Nigerians on social media.

Here are hilarious comments TORI News culled online;
In a show of influence, Nnamdi Kanu has threatened to shutdown government activities in Ebonyi State as he pushes for the Biafra State.

Nnamdi Kanu

Pro  secessionist crusader and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has sensationally declared Ebonyi state, a free Biafran state and vowed to shut down governance in the salt state for three days on his next visit.

Kanu, made the controversial declaration while addressing thousands of Biafra agitators during his tour of Ebonyi state on Monday. I have come to declare Ebonyi a Biafra state and when next I come, I will shut down the state for three days, he declared amidst cheers from his supporters.

During his stop in Enugu, the Abia state born Biafra agitator had declared that the Anambra state governorship election slated for November 18, would not hold unless the federal government organises a referendum for the Igbos on October 1, 2017.

Kanu issued the veiled threat while fielding questions with newsmen at a brief event where he received awards from three Igbo groups- the Eastern Consultative Assembly (ECA), the Igbo Students Association (ISA) and the Igbo Women Assembly (IWA), in Enugu.

Kanu said There will be no election in Anambra state come November 2017 and going forward there wont be any election until they give me date for a referendum. They know what to do; convene a meeting, I will send my rep, give us a date for referendum, that is the only way.



In which part of this earth have you ever found a measure of self-determination to be equated to war except in Nigeria because the political leaders do not understand the difference between self-determination and war?

The Biafra activist, who was released from prison custody on health grounds last June, denied allegations that he was using the illegal Radio Biafra to propagate hate speech.

He argues: Self-determination does not mean hate speech; the status quo can no longer remain. Like my brother Evangelist Eliot Ugochukwu-Uko said, if on or before October 1 nothing happens in terms of substantial restructuring, then there wont be any election; the people will support us.

On oppositions to his call by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other Igbo leaders, Kanu said their stand makes no stand because the people are with us; we have their support 100 percent and come 18th of November 2017, the world will be amazed.

However, while describing Nigeria as a failed state and a zoo, Kanu urged Ebonyians, to boycott the 2019 general election and all subsequent elections in the state by the federal government until the demand for referendum is granted.

Nigeria is a zoo and a dead country that will be buried tomorrow. No one from Ebonyi should vote for Nigeria in 2019, he said.

The tough-talking IPOB leader, who stopped briefly at at Yaweh Church for a brief prayer before proceeding to Abakaliki in a motorcade amidst tight security, assured his supporters that Biafra has come to stay. I will teach our enemies what they do not know. I will teach them that nobody can stop Biafra because Biafra has come to stay, he boasted.

Kanu equally vowed to continue his tour of what he called Biafraland, insisting that nothing will stop him from his secessionist crusade. His words: I will traverse all parts of Biafra land and other areas without anybody stopping me including police and soldiers who are always in the habit of harassing people. I will continue to walk in the midst of these security agents as you can see and nobody will arrest me. They know they cannot stop Biafra.

Earlier in a presentation termed Enugu Declaration, different Igbo groups at the event called on the government not to make further delay towards restructuring the country. The declaration was signed by Dr Alfred Udokwu; South East Elders Union; Rev Fr John Odey, Eastern Consultative Assembly; Bishop Mike Ibenene, South East Christian Network; Chief (Mrs) Maria Okwor:Igbo Women Assembly; Evangelist Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko, Igbo Youth Movement, among others.

They noted that the struggle by the ruling clique to sustain the present centralist federal system imposed on Nigeria by the military was no longer acceptable to Ndigbo.

Their joint statements read in parts: Their arrogance, and ruthlessness has no place in the 21st century. It can only lead to the death of Nigeria. Nigeria must be restructured if Nigeria is to survive, and egalitarianism, equity and merit-based system enthroned.

The groups also declared support for IPOBs planned boycott of Anambra poll; insisting that they will not participate further in any elections whatsoever until Nigeria is restructured to true fiscal federalism anchored on regional autonomy.

The statements read further: We restate that if genuine processes towards restructuring Nigeria are not embarked upon by the federal government on or before the 1st of October 2017, our people will find it extremely difficult to continue to participate in the Nigerian project.

According to the Igbo groups, continuing to vote in elections in what they called dysfunctional land will bedeepening the hole the country has fallen into.

We will no longer vote in any elections whatsoever until Nigeria is restructured. This is the demand, desire and decision of the masses of Eastern Nigeria. We, therefore, conclude, that apart from the political class and their structure and the elite club who live in comfort zones, 99% of our people do not see any benefits of electing leaders the structure makes it impossible to hold accountable.

The imposed unitary structure simply makes it impossible for the hapless electorate to choose their own leaders. Restructure now, or count us out of your elections.
Workers of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has threatened to embark on a strike in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over a dispute with Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).

This was made known after a National Executive Council meeting, Mr Igwe Achese, NUPENG President, said the strike was inevitable because of three billion naira terminal benefits allegedly owed some sacked oil sector workers.

Achese said that those affected were former staff of Seawolf Drilling, an oil servicing firm, in Rivers.

He said the management of AMCOM was being lackadaisical in meeting its obligation of settling the workers.

Achese said more than 300 workers of the oil firm were disengaged unceremoniously in 2013.

The retrenchment of the workers followed the companys indebtedness to a commercial bank to the tune of N25 billion which led to AMCOM taking over the assets and liabilities of Seawolf.

The workers, who are affiliate members of NUPENG, have been asking AMCOM to pay their severance package without success, he said.

Achese said NUPENG had given two weeks grace to the Federal Government and the Ministry of Labour and Employment to intervene.

For the past four years we have been discussing the issue of redundancy and closure of Seawolf, which AMCOM, a federal agency, took over since 2013.

It is very unfortunate to state that workers engaged to a company that AMCOM took over; AMCOM has refused to pay them their terminal benefits since 2013.

Therefore, the union in a very strong resolution, is requesting the Federal Government to prevail on AMCOM to open doors for dialogue to pay these workers of Seawolf which it took over.

Of course, you will agree with me that taking over a company such as the case of AMCOM you are taking both liabilities and assets.

As such we have written series of letters to the Ministry of Petroleum, Ministry of Labour and Employment, to the security agencies and all agencies expected to be notified on this issue.

We are aware that AMCOM instead of paying these workers and negotiating the terminal benefits of these workers has decided to take the matter to court and we have been faced with series of adjournments since 2013.

We, therefore, have no choice as a union but to write an open letter to Mr President and the acting president to take all necessary steps to address the issues of Seawolf and that of Chevron, he said.

Achese said the union had notified the Federal Government in a letter that if it failed to address the issues after two weeks, it would call out its members to withdraw their services in the FCT.

Achese said that it had also directed its members across the country to, in solidarity with the struggle, dress in red and hoist green leaves on their vehicles for the next two weeks.

On restructuring, he said that the campaign for restructuring the country had become necessary.

Achese said that the restructuring must take the form of fiscal federalism such that component states or regions might control their own resources.

On our part as a union, we canvass for true federalism to be adopted in the country, each state or region should be allowed to control their resources through fiscal federalism.

This approach, we believe, will reduce the current agitations just the way the regions of old controlled their local resources which made room for healthy competition and development.

Source:( PM News )
He was reportedly caught on camera as he stole the money belonging to Garda, a cash vault and armored car company.Though $85,900 has been retrieved from a parked vehicle according to Township Police Chief Anthony Manna, however there was no definitive conclusion on what happened to the remaining cash.
The Aflao Circuit Court has sentenced five persons, who robbed two mobile money operators at Dzelukope-Alata in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region of Ghana, to a total of 75 years imprisonment in hard labour, DailyGuide has reported.

This happened after the five accused persons pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit crime and robbery. The court, presided over by His Honour, Ali Baba Abature, also fined the five convicts 500 penalty points each, amounting to about GH6,000 or in default serve additional five years imprisonment in hard labour.

The sentences are to run concurrently. The five convicts were arrested on July 5, 2017 and remanded into police custody by the Aflao Circuit Court on July 7, 2017.

They are 32-year-old fisherman, Agbey Ali, 22-year-old student, Dorkenu Wisdom, 18-year-old tailors apprentice, Seth Gidiglo, 17-year-old unemployed, Eli Dorkenu and 22-year-old student, Bismark Ashiagbor.

A sixth suspect, whose name was given as John, is still at large. The police were alerted by one Mercy Sekle, a 36-year-old business woman, who reported the case to the Police, said the robbery incident happened on July 4, 2017 at about 9pm when the two mobile money operators had closed from work.

The two victims, Kumordzi David Setsofia, 24, and Benjamin Kumordzi, 28, were robbed of a green bag containing an XTG mobile phone valued at GH120.00, MTN Mobile Money Merchant Transaction Book, Invoice Book and cash of GH17,000.

Narrating how the incident happened, Mercy said on the fateful day, the victims, after close of their usual mobile money operations, were heading towards their house at Alata when the incident occurred.

Benjamin Kumordzi was holding a bag containing an amount of GH17,000 and his transaction books while Kumordzi David Setsofia was holding a green bag containing cash of GH1,800, XTG phone valued at GH120 with unspecified amount of electronic money on it, MTN Mobil Money Transaction book and an invoice book.

On their way, the convicts emerged from a corner of a building along the road and asked them to hand over their bags to them, but the victims refused. They pulled out offensive weapons such as knives and scissors to attack the victims.

The victims shouted out for help but the armed robbers collected their bags containing various sums of money and other items and inflicted several wounds on them. The noise attracted some community members who arrested two of the convicts Agbey Ali and Dorkenoo Wisdom and handed them over to the Police.

Upon interrogation, the two admitted the offence and mentioned Seth Gidiglo and Bismark Ashiagbor as their accomplices.

They also revealed that two other guys, whose names they did not know, were involved. On July 5, 2017, the police, acting upon a tip-off, arrested Eli Dorkenoo and Seth Gidiglo at Havedzi Beach. They also admitted the offence in their caution statements.

On that same day, some residents found a green bag containing MTN invoice and MTN merchant transaction book and gave them to the Police. Apart from the bag which belonged to David Kumordzi, they also found a Samsung Grand mobile phone belonging to Wisdom Dorkenoo.
Feeling knowledgeable? I have two different opportunities to put your software development knowledge to work. They could not be more different!

Not-so-serious first. In preparing for this blog, I wasted enough time to become the leader on this interactive game (my initials: JRR). Some of the questions are based on a trivia contest we held at the Supercomputing conference a few years ago. The booth trivia contest was a hit with our audience. Now we can all participate and show off our knowledge in a simple video game. Can you displace me?

Intel

Five Students, nine weeks, and our votes help determine the winner

On the more serious note, my friends at CERN openlab have five brilliant students working on applications as part of their Summer Student Programme. In conjunction with Intel, theyll be giving us an opportunity to review their progress, comment on it, question it, and vote on our favorites. Ill share what I know now  and you can visit this link for updates.

Reinders

The five challenges are:

1. Smash-simulationfifth generation GEANT This project aims to develop faster algorithms for simulating particle-collision events as part of creating a fifth generation of the popular GEANT (GEometry ANd Tracking) software. Physicists widely use a software toolkit called GEANT4. An international team, led by researchers at CERN, is now working to develop a new version of this simulation toolkit, called GeantV. This work is supported by a CERN openlab project with Intel on code modernization. GeantV aims to improve physics accuracy and boost performance.

2. Connecting the dots  can machine learning help?Particle detectors, such as those used at CERN, are designed to recognize different types of charged particles produced by the collisions at the heart of the detector. As the charged particles fly outwards through the various layers of the detector, they leave traces (or hits). This project aims to combine the use of machine-learning techniques to help recognize these hit shapes more efficiently.

3. Cells in the cloud This project aims to adapt the BioDynaMo for running high-performance computing resources over the cloud. It focuses on adding network support for the single-node simulator and prototyping the computation management across many nodes.

4. Disaster reliefHelping computers see objects in UN satellite maps: This project is exploring new approaches to image analysis and automated feature recognition to ease the task of identifying different classes of objects from satellite maps. It will evaluate available machine-learning-based feature-extraction algorithms.

5. IoT at the LHC small computing for the largest science project in the world?: The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) accelerates particles to over 99.9999% of the speed of light. It is the most complex machine ever built, relying on a wide range of industrial control systems for proper functioning. This project will focus on integrating modern systems-on-a-chip devices into the LHC control systems so they will be able to communicate via an overlaying cloud-computing service. A goal is to reduce the network load within the entire control infrastructure and ensure that applications are not disrupted by limited or intermittent network connectivity.

I will post updates as the summer continues  and well all be able to review and vote on our favorites. One of the five students will be selected to showcase the winning project. The winner will be announced at the upcoming Intel HPC Developers Conference on November 11, and will be demonstrated in the days following that at the Supercomputing 2017 conference in Denver.

Additional reading to learn more:

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Dahn Corp., which operates 38 self-storage facilities under the Mini U Storage brand name, has acquired a AAAA Self Storage facility in Virginia Beach, Va., from Wyoming Associates LLC. Built in 2004 on more than 5 acres, the property comprises 57,275 net rentable square feet in 379 units, 147 of which are climate-controlled, according to a press release from SkyView Advisors, the investment-sales and advisory firm that represented the seller in the deal. The facilitys units range from 25 to 800 square feet. It also has one rentable parking space.

This property is a well-located, stabilized storage asset, which attracted numerous regional and national buyers, said Ryan Clark, director of investment sales for SkyView, which specializes in self-storage acquisition, development, facility expansion and renovation, refinancing, and sales. Based in Tampa, the firm also has offices in Cleveland and Milwaukee.

AAAA has five facilities in Virginia Beach, according to its website. The brand is operated through The Nicholson Cos. and affiliate AAAA Self Storage Management Group. The AAAA portfolio of 51 owned and managed properties spans fives states and comprises 3.8 million net rentable square feet.

Based in Irvine, Calif., Dahn Corp. develops and manages self-storage real estate investments through its Dahn America360 LLC division. The company and its affiliates have acquired, developed or sponsored more than 6.5 million square feet of storage under the Mini U Storage brand name. It currently owns 38 facilities comprising nearly 2.6 million net rentable square feet.
Insurance fraud is a serious issue for the industry but with criminal masterminds like these on display, the industry should be more than equipped to meet the challenge.Astonishing footage has emerged of a fake road crash in the UK that could take the title of the worlds worst insurance scam.In the video, captured by a drivers dash cam, a man wheels a scooter out in front of the car, in an attempt to cause an accident.When the car stops in front of the hapless hoaxer, the man reverses his scooter into the car and jumps onto the wind screen in a theatrical performance fooling precisely no-one.The scooter driver has an accomplice on hand to witness the accident but the car driver quickly tells the two scammers that the entire encounter has been captured on film and they make a quick getaway as the car driver calls the police.Ive got a camera. Do you understand you are on video, you complete idiot, the woman says in the footage, posted by the Daily Mail.The Association of British Insurers recently revealed figures that show the insurance industry in the country stops around $40 million (25 million) of fraud each week.It looks like these fraudsters may need to work on their routine the next time they look to cash in.
US underwriter Starr Companies is setting up an insurance subsidiary in Malta, if it is granted a license by the Malta Financial Services Authority.The Insurance Insider reported the firm has chosen Malta as its European Union base for when the UK leaves the bloc. Weve submitted a plan, said Steve Blakey, chief executive of Starr Underwriting Agents Limited and Starr Managing Agents Limited in London, as quoted by the report.According to the report, Blakey had met with the regulatory body in Malta. He said the application is currently going through.Earlier this year the European Commission published its recommendations for Malta, including: Ensure the effective supervision of internationally oriented business by financial institutions licensed in Malta in cooperation with the host supervisors in the countries where they operate.The Commission cited Maltas favourable tax environment as among the factors that make it attractive to a significant number of foreign institutions. However, it described the supervision of the internationally-oriented business as challenging.The financial sector carries out most of its activities outside Malta. The ability of a relatively small supervisory authority to oversee a large system, in particular in the insurance sector but also in banking, is under pressure, said the Commission.
A Pennsylvania insurance agent is looking at felony charges after he allegedly scammed or stole from three different clients.

Timothy Hewitt has been charged with insurance fraud, forgery, theft and unlicensed broker/agent activity by the Northern Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Task Force.



Hewitt allegedly cheated or stole from Diaz Forest Products, Diaz Stone and Pallet and Diaz Manufacturing, according to the Scranton Times-Tribune. Authorities said that Hewitt allowed a workers compensation policy for Diaz Forest Products to lapse, but continues to bill the business for the premium. He also allowed four Diaz Manufacturing policies to lapse despite receiving the full annual premium from the company.



In addition, Hewitt allegedly overbilled Diaz Stone and Pallet $129,650 for four policies in 2016-2017 and attempted to overbill the company $61,390 for four policies in 2017-2018. According to the Times-Tribune, one of those policies had lapsed and wasnt even in effect when Hewitt sent the bill.



Authorities also accused Hewitt of a range of other offenses, including creating insurance cards for uninsured vehicles and issuing certificates of insurance for policies that werent in effect.



Hewitt has denied any wrongdoing, according to the Times-Tribune.




US underwriter Starr Companies is setting up an insurance subsidiary in Malta, if it is granted a license by the Malta Financial Services Authority.



The Insurance Insider reported the firm has chosen Malta as its European Union base for when the UK leaves the bloc. Weve submitted a plan, said Steve Blakey, chief executive of Starr Underwriting Agents Limited and Starr Managing Agents Limited in London, as quoted by the report.



According to the report, Blakey had met with the regulatory body in Malta. He said the application is currently going through.



Earlier this year the European Commission published its recommendations for Malta, including: Ensure the effective supervision of internationally oriented business by financial institutions licensed in Malta in cooperation with the host supervisors in the countries where they operate.



The Commission cited Maltas favourable tax environment as among the factors that make it attractive to a significant number of foreign institutions. However, it described the supervision of the internationally-oriented business as challenging.



The financial sector carries out most of its activities outside Malta. The ability of a relatively small supervisory authority to oversee a large system, in particular in the insurance sector but also in banking, is under pressure, said the Commission.










The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is up for reauthorization in September, but one interest group is urging a significant change.Instead of rebuilding properties in areas prone to repeated flooding, the Natural Resources Defense Council wants the program to encourage homeowners to move to a safer area. According to NRDC spokesperson Rob Moore, for every $100 spent to rebuild flood-damaged homes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) spends only $1.75 to move people to a less flood-prone area.Many of those homeowners would probably prefer to relocate somewhere where flooding is no longer a part of their life, and that would also save the expense of having to rebuild these properties, Moore told radio station WWL AM.Moore said that the Natural Resources Defense Council is proposing that the NFIP give homeowners a guaranteed buyout if they no longer wish to rebuild.The flood insurance program would often get a financial saving for helping people move to higher ground, he said.Moore also told WWL that Congress should also mandate that homeowners be educated about the flooding history of their homes. Currently, he said, they cant access that information.Currently the only people that can get it already must have flood insurance, and that information wont be provided until after they filed their first damage claim, he said. Thats not really the time to inform people that their home repeatedly floods.
Maines top insurance regulator has denied an insurance companys request to adjust its Obamacare offerings for next year.Maine Superintendent Eric Cioppa denied the last-minute request from Maine Community Health Options. Community Health had said that new, low-cost silver Affordable Care Act plans, offered by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, could lure policyholders away. Community Health wanted to make a similar offering.But Cioppa said the insurer missed the deadline  July 14  to make adjustments to its rate request, according to a report by the Portland Press-Herald.Community Health is the states largest ACA insurer with about 35,000 policyholders  about 40% of the market, according to the Press-Herald. The company said that it didnt expect regulators to accept Anthems low-cost plans, but it wanted a chance to change its offerings in the event the plans were accepted.ACA plans are ranked bronze, silver, gold and platinum, depending on the level of coverage. Community Health President and CEO Kevin Lewis said that one new category of silver plans proposed by Anthem was a bronze-level plan that is masquerading as a silver-level plan. The new Anthem plans would be 8% to 12% cheaper than Community Healths least-expensive plans, the Press-Herald reported.
Maribel Arias, a second-generation American from Mexico, was born and raised in California. Now with Chubb , shes helping out the Los Angeles Latino community.Arias, SVP and executive field underwriter for Chubbs North American Commercial Insurance Division, was instrumental in a company initiative in Los Angeles to serve the Hispanic Business Owner community, by better understanding the market, their buying habits, and important community organizations.Working on the Latino business has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career, Arias said. As a Latino  you tend to cover it up a bit, to assimilate, to succeed in the corporate structure that exists. So to be able to really bring that out, and have it supported by the organization you work for  not just in talk, but also in dollars  its extremely rewarding and energizing.I came from a very modest beginning. My parents were first-generation, and I was the first generation to graduate from college, and I feel like Ive been fortunate in the opportunities Ive been given.A graduate of UCLA, Arias gained an internship at Bank of America out of university with the help of INROADS, an organization that seeks to increase workplace diversity by assisting Blacks, Latinos, and Native American students into the ranks of major corporations.After four years at the bank, she moved to Chubb, where she trained as an underwriter working in the P&C middle market. Fast-forward 20 years and Arias jumped at the chance to work in the Los Angeles Latino community.[Now] Im giving other people a leg-up and an opportunity to succeed, she said. I feel like its the best way to give back to the community.According to the US Census Bureau, the number of US residents aged five years and older who spoke Spanish at home rose 120% from 1990-2013, increasing from 17.3 million to 38.4 million. Latino business owners have been a community that may not have been targeted or adequately served in the past, although thats beginning to change.A Chubb subsidiary, Combined Insurance, last year launched a Latino Sales Zone to better understand the Latino market and offer insurance sales in Spanish.Combined Insurance offers an opportunity for agents to engage with members of their communities and provide meaningful services to families and individuals in the language they prefer, Combined sales exec Modesto Flores said. We are building a team of leaders and are hiring insurance agents who represent a new evolution in how our community is served in this industry.
Brokers vs. Carriers on a Classic Soft Market

Chief executive officers of property/casualty insurance brokers and P/C insurance carriers called each other out in June for engaging in activities they said were classic signs of a soft market.

During a session of the S&P Global Ratings Insurance 2017 conference in New York, carrier CEOs attacked brokers for setting up soft market facilities and competitors who give brokers the authority to do so.

We dont need the broker to be underwriting or accepting risk. And I think its a major mistake for the industry for us to delegate that authority to a broker. Its like giving the keys to the inmates, said Tokio Marine HCC Chief Executive Officer Christopher Williams.

That was hardly the most pointed comment to come during the two-day conference. A day later, brokers shot back that a crescendo of carrier complaints about them  and their levels of compensation  were simply typical byproducts of the carriers frustration about the competitive market, and they challenged carriers to manage expenses other than distribution costs.

What history tells us is that the underwriting mind is different than the mind of the broker. The two don't mix.

I recently was part of a panel in London, and people were talking about frictional cost  and both of the insurance company executives [participating] had flown over on their private planes, said Steve DeCarlo, CEO of wholesale broker AmWINS, gearing up for a jab at carriers. When you eliminate your private plane, Ill reduce a little bit of what I make, he said, at other times referring to the five cents out of every premium dollar he makes.

We can have these debates, but Im comfortable that were all in a very competitive environment that doesnt let either the carrier or the retailer get out ahead of itself in terms of making too much money, he said, later joining two retail broker CEOs  Greg Case of Aon and Dan Glaser of Marsh & McLennan Companies  to comment on carrier misstatements about broker facilities and about how these facilities differ from managing general agents.

DeCarlo alluded to the fact that his firm created a facility a few years back for a reduced commission. We worked for no extra money, and we actually tried to reduce the frictional cost because we were given an exclusive, he said, referring to an excess property insurance facility AmWINS put together for investment manager Nephila.

As DeCarlos private plane anecdote suggests, the carrier criticisms of brokers started surfacing well in advance of the S&P conference, with the likes of Chubb CEO Evan Greenberg, Validus Holdings CEO Ed Noonan and Sompo International CEO John Charman offering negative commentary about excessive commission levels of brokers, particularly in the London market, and about broker practices of packaging related risks together for portfolio placements with predesignated panels of carriers.

Referring specifically to Greenberg, Noonan and Charman, who were not present at the S&P conference, Julie Herman, an S&P director and moderator of the panel of broker CEOs, asked Case to talk about broker remuneration trends.

The calculus is a little bit wrong.  This isnt about brokers or carriers. Its about client need and client value, said Case, coming back to an idea that he repeated several times during the session  that there are great opportunities for both brokers and carriers to innovate to address top-of-mind client risks rather than battling against each other.

Going on to address the compensation question directly, Case said, If you look at our yield as a percent of premium placed, thats been relatively stable over that period of time. So, its unclear as to the diagnostic around cost thats being described. But its not coming from Aon, he said, speculating that it isnt coming from Marsh either.

Our focus is about value  delivering value for clients. Our aim is not to be the lowest cost. Our aim is to be the highest value.  Thats what were going to go for in a highly, highly transparent way.

Glaser agreed with DeCarlo and Case. If a broker was earning too much money, the risk is not a carrier. Its another broker who would take the account. Competition works, he said.

He continued: You dont hear much about broker remuneration when rates are rising. Its a function of a soft market environment. I understand the frustration, but I view the environment largely where carriers have more angst versus other carriers than they do versus brokers. Oftentimes I get together with insurance company executives and a quarter of the meeting is spent with them complaining about other insurance companies and what theyre doing, he said, noting that the struggles for carriers to differentiate themselves have become significant.

I remember when I was in the business 15, 20 years ago, there were three or four insurance companies that did environmental insurance. Now thered be 60 or 70, he said, noting similar trends in other product areas that used to be highly specialized, such as reps and warranties insurance.

Like Case, Glaser said long-term broker compensation trends dont support recent carrier criticism. You have to go look at facts, and if you take all the premium that Marsh has against all the revenue that Marsh has, and you look at it over a number of years, it has been relatively stable over long stretches of time. Even in A.M. Best data, over a 30-year period, the total brokerage level versus premiums has been remarkably consistent.

I get the frustration, but I think its largely misplaced, he said. I think its a function of the competitive market environment.

Keep the Pen, Carriers Say

S&P Managing Director Kevin Ahern, moderating a panel of carrier CEOs, asked specifically about broker-led facilities, drawing almost the same words from Williams of Tokio Marine HCC as Glaser would speak a day later.

Theyre a classic sign of a soft market, Williams said. The only way that broker facilities come about is the agreement of reinsurers to delegate authority away. So, we create the problems ourselves, and the obvious way to stop that is to stop reinsurers from giving authorization to some of these facilities.

On both sides  carrier and broker  the executives were careful to point out their need for one another in bringing value to customers.

The broker is an integral part of what we do. They obviously bring expertise to the table. They bring the client to the table. We absolutely need the broker, Williams said.

But we dont need the broker to be underwriting or accepting risk. And I think its a major mistake for the industry  for us  to delegate that authority to a broker.

Constantine (Dinos) Iordanou, chair and CEO of Arch Capital Group, provided some historical analysis to suggest that brokers running underwriting facilities and underwriting management teams running brokers are recipes for disaster. Iordanou offered insurers associated with Alexander Howden and Frank B. Hall to illustrate the former and St. Paul-Minet the latter.

What history tells us is that the underwriting mind is different than the mind of the broker. The two dont mix. If youre a broker, you think differently. If youre an underwriter, you think differently. When you try to cross, disasters do happen.

These days, Iordanou asserted, the broker facilities have gotten to the point that basically, theyre asking underwriters to give [them] the pen.

Brokers dont know how to underwrite independent of saying that somebody else will and were going to follow in their footsteps. And [in] doing that, [the broker] says were going to increase the placement cost significantly because we cant really justify to the client more advisory cost. So, in essence, were trying to hide behind efficiencies, he said, echoing comments made by Greenberg and other carriers not present at the conference.

At the end of the day, were producing a product that is not sustainable in the marketplace, and, in my view, I would never run an underwriting facility that is willing to give its pen to a broker, independent of how much we love them.  At the end of the day, without brokers, we have no business, right? Its our distribution channel. But I strongly believe that the good underwriting companies will keep the underwriting pen within their walls and then continue to negotiate what is a proper compensation for the placement of that business and the advisory function the brokers do on behalf of the client.

Iordanou concluded: In the history [of the business], I have not seen any of these facilities produce profits in the long run. If somebody has one, maybe I missed it. Im on the internet; send me an email. Maybe it was an education I didnt have.

Facilities vs. MGAs

During the broker CEO panel at the conference, MMCs Glaser said that reports he had read about remarks by Williams and Iordanou about facilities suggested that the carriers were misinformed. Theres some level of talking about an MGA and a facility like theyre the same thing. Im not aware  of broker facilities where the pen has been given to the broker and the broker is underwriting the risk and perhaps even taking things on their balance sheet.

Let me make myself perfectly clear as it relates to Marsh & McLennan. In our facilities, we dont want an underwriters pen, we dont want to underwrite on their behalf, and we do not want to put risk on our balance sheet, he said.

An MGA is different. An MGA might be that you have a specialized niche capability where you actually think you can underwrite the risk on behalf of the carrier. We do have some MGA businesses. They are far different than facility businesses, he said, citing Victor O. Schinnerer, a Marsh MGA that has had a relationship on architects and engineers insurance with CNA for 60 years. We do underwriting on their behalf. Thats very different from facilities.

Glaser described four operating principles for facilities:

One, there has to be a tangible and demonstrable client value. The client has to benefit

Two, that has to be the cause of creating the facility in the first place  to benefit the client.

Then, theres got to be some level of sound process in selecting the carriers because typically on a facility, you may get 50 carriers who want to participate, and there may only be five or 10 spots. There has to be a process thats fair and open and transparent in terms of carrier selection.

The fourth thing is there has to be a lot of transparency and disclosure with clients. The clients have the capability of either participating or no participating based upon their own desires.

Glaser attributed the ability to make portfolio placements to increased data analytics and predictive insights. My sense is that in every market environment, some level of facilities will still remain and be effective. The idea that it is brokers underwriting and actually possibly taking risk I think is misunderstood and incorrect.

For his part, DeCarlo noted that his firm has been in the MGA business for years. I started my career in the MGA business, people trusted our underwriting skills, and we made a fee doing them. If thats what people call a facility, there are many of them, its been around for a long time, and the carriers trust these individuals to underwrite.

Like Marsh and Aon, he said AmWINS tries to build capacity through analytics and data for its clients  small retail brokers. We take no balance sheet exposure, so were never in competition with our insurance companies. But there is a level of trust that we can provide the analytics necessary for them to price the product correctly, and we work as a team on that.

Facility is the new buzzword, and it could be defined many, many ways. We have one program where the premium on the dec page is $140 million, and weve been doing that one account for years and years and years. We cover an amazing amount of insureds, and weve done an amazing amount of capital building on that.

Is that a facility? Is that a broker driving price for commission benefit? Or is that a way to solve clients problems?

The client bought it. Theyve been buying it for years; it solves their problems. It allows them to have one claim organization instead of many. It allows them to get one set of wordings instead of many. DeCarlo concluded, The client is demanding these things. People can criticize us for these, but theyve been in the market forever.

Soft markets drive interesting questions, he said.

Topics Carriers Agencies Underwriting Pricing Trends Insurance Wholesale Market
Heavy rains led to flooding Wednesday in some parts of northern Germany, forcing some evacuations and prompting residents to pile sandbags in front of their homes to protect themselves from a swollen river.

The center of the town of Goslar, in the mountainous Harz region of northern Germany, west of Berlin, was closed off and a hotel and a home for the elderly were evacuated as its central market square was flooded.

Elsewhere, streets were flooded and basements had to be pumped dry of water in the Harz region, and two stretches of railway lines were closed.

In nearby Hildesheim, people stacked sand bags along the banks of the swelling Innerste River. The fire department in Hildesheim was ready to evacuate more than 1,000 people from a neighborhood threatened by the flooding, the German news agency dpa reported.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Flood
FM Global, the Johnston, R.I.-based commercial property insurer, has made key changes to its management team, moving Stefano Tranquillo and David M. Johnson into new roles in EMEA/Asia Pacific and the Asia region.

Stefano Tranquillo has been appointed senior vice president, division manager, EMEA/Asia Pacific, and will be based at FM Globals Luxembourg office. Previously, he was senior vice president, division manager, Asia Pacific, based in Singapore. Before that, he was vice president and manager of FM Globals Northern Europe operations. His tenure with the company has included posts in Brazil, Italy and the UK.

Since joining FM Global in 1984 as a loss prevention engineer, Tranquillo has worked in numerous roles, including engineering, underwriting and management. Tranquillo received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College in London, and holds an Associate of the City and Guilds of London Institute (ACGI) certification.

In addition, David M. Johnson has been appointed vice president, regional manager, Asia. Based at FM Globals Singapore office, he will be responsible for helping the company grow its business in the Asia Pacific region and be even better positioned to respond to client needs. He will also be the local liaison for FM Globals new loss prevention training and operations center in Singapore, which is slated to open in early 2019.

Prior to his appointment, Johnson was operations vice president, area manager in Asia overseeing FM Globals client service delivery. His history with the company includes posts in Sweden and the United States. Johnson joined FM Global in 1990 as a loss prevention consultant. He is a graduate of Montana State University, Bozeman, Mont., receiving a bachelor of science in civil engineering.

Source: FM Global
French authorities are close to containing one of the fiercest blazes to break out during four days of wildfires in the countrys southeast that have led to the evacuation of more than 12,000 people.

The fires in Bormes-les-Mimosas calmed Thursday morning because of a drop in winds  but they continue to mark the Var region skyline with dramatic smoke clouds. Firefighters were also battling blazes in nearby Artigues.

Its the most complicated, the most trying stage, said Frederic Marchi-Leccia of the Var fire service Thursday. He said he expected flareups Thursday afternoon due to lack of moisture and a pickup in the wind.

The Var prefecture said that the continuing flames in certain sites in Bormes-les-Mimosas mean it is not yet possible to return to evacuated sites for displaced residents and tourists.

In the meantime, they are being provided refuge by the civil protection authority in makeshift shelters.

A sailing club near Bormes-Les-Mimosas was used as a shelter for some 200 people, including tourists, who were evacuated Wednesday night.

One displaced French camper, Stephanie Reiny, who slept at the sailing club Wednesday night was upbeat on learning that the fire services were making progress in containing the fires.

I will go straight away to the camping site for sure.  Im not scared anymore, she said.

Three thousand firefighters have been deployed to contain the flames that broke out Monday in the southeast of France and Corsica and have consumed 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of vegetation.

There have been no reported casualties in France.

Fires continue elsewhere in Europe.

In Portugal, almost 2,000 firefighters were deployed at six major blazes Thursday.

Officials said that they dont expect a forecast slight drop in temperatures to help extinguish the spate of summer wildfires.

Portugals Civil Protection Agency spokeswoman Patricia Gaspar said continuing strong winds and tinder-dry woodland remain a menace.

The worst-affected areas continued to be in the central region of the country, especially a fire around Serta, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) northeast of Lisbon, is was burning for a fifth day.

Adamson reported from Paris. Barry Hatton in Lisbon contributed to this report

Related:

Raging Wildfires on French Riviera Force Evacuation of 12,000 People

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire France
New Berlin, Wis.-based workers compensation insurance company, United Heartland, has announced its top territory insurance agencies for 2016.

United Heartlands three 2016 Agency of the Territory winners: TIS Insurance Services Inc.  Knoxville, Tenn.; MJ Insurance Inc.  Indianapolis, Ind.; and Holmes Murphy & Associates (HMA)  Kansas City, Mo. M3 Insurance of Madison, Wis., previously was named United Heartlands Agency of the Year.

These agencies support United Heartlands high-touch customer service approach to workers compensation and are valued partners with our organization, United Heartland President Steve Cooper said in the companys announcement. We truly value the strong relationship we have had with these key agency partners and are honored to recognize them as United Heartlands top regional agencies in 2016.

Leading agency partners exhibit outstanding written premium, strong customer retention and a healthy cumulative loss ratio.

Earlier this year, United Heartland announced that it will begin offering workers compensation insurance in Oklahoma. It currently markets its products in 17 core states.

United Heartland is the marketing name for United Wisconsin Insurance Company, a member of AF Group. Insurance policies may be issued by any of the following companies within AF Group: Accident Fund Insurance Company of America, Accident Fund National Insurance Company, Accident Fund General Insurance Company, United Wisconsin Insurance Company, Third Coast Insurance Company or CompWest Insurance Company.

Source: United Heartland

Topics Carriers Agencies Workers' Compensation Wisconsin
A swinging and spinning amusement park ride called the Fire Ball broke apart on the opening day of the Ohio State Fair on Wednesday, hurtling people through the air, killing at least one and injuring seven others.

Three of the injured remained hospitalized in critical condition Wednesday night, authorities said at a late-night news conference.

The fair is about the best things in life, and tonight with this accident it becomes a terrible, terrible tragedy, said Republican Gov. John Kasich.

The man who was killed was one of several people who were thrown when the ride malfunctioned, Columbus Fire Battalion Chief Steve Martin said earlier.

Dramatic video captured by a bystander shows the ride swinging back and forth like a pendulum and spinning in the air when it crashes into something and part of the ride flies off, throwing riders to the ground.

A company providing rides at the fair this year describes the Fire Ball as an aggressive thrill ride.

On its website, Amusements of America says that since its debut in 2002, the Fire Ball has become one of the most popular thrill rides on the AOA Midway. The company description of the ride says it swings riders 40 feet (12 meters) above the midway while spinning them at 13 revolutions per minute.

The company did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.

All of the rides at the fair are checked several times when they are being set up to ensure they are set up the way the manufacturer intended, said Director of Agriculture David Daniels, adding that the Fire Ball passed its inspections.

We started out today with 11 rides that did not open because the inspection work was not done on them, said Daniels. Four rides will not be operating because they do not meet the mechanical test, he said.

Kasich has ordered that all of the rides be shut down until additional safety inspections can be completed.

The fair runs through Aug. 6.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Ohio
Alliant Insurance Services Inc. is using confidential information obtained during a failed bid for Wells Fargo & Co.s commercial insurance business to poach top sales executives, according to a lawsuit filed by a Wells Fargo unit.

The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday in Delawares Court of Chancery, alleges that Alliant launched an aggressive campaign to hire insurance sales executives from Wells Fargo shortly after the bank agreed to sell its business, known as WFIS, to USI Insurance Services in June.

The sale of WFIS, or Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA Inc., is expected to close later this year. The third-largest U.S. bank is focusing on core banking products and services as it tries to recover from a sales scandal last year.

As a result of Alliants actions, WFIS has already suffered and will continue to suffer irreparable harm to its business, revenues, and employee retention at a uniquely vulnerable period of WFIS corporate existence, said the complaint.

Alliant, which is based in Newport Beach, California, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

WFIS is seeking an injunction to prevent Alliant from poaching its executives, disgorgement of any unjustified gains from the recruitment drive and unspecified damages.

Alliant joined the bidding for WFIS earlier this year and signed a non-disclosure agreement, which prevented it from soliciting WFIS staff for 18 months, according to the complaint.

Alliant had access to information about WFIS sales executives, their employment agreements and revenue generated by its 100 largest customers, among other details, according to the lawsuit.

In addition, Alliant in June hired a former WFIS executive vice president who is believed to be using confidential WFIS information to target and solicit top sales producers, according to the lawsuit, which did not identify the executive.

Alliants chairman and chief executive, Tom Corbett, is believed to be meeting with WFIS sales executives and directly participating in the recruitment drive, according to the lawsuit.

(Reporting by Tom Hals; Editing by Dan Grebler)

The case is Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA Inc. v. Alliant Insurance Services Inc., 2017-0540, Delaware Chancery Court (Wilmington).

Related:

Topics Alliant
The Texas Senate has approved a beefed-up texting while driving ban that preempts existing local ordinances against distracted driving in 45 cities statewide.

In May, the Republican-controlled Legislature made Texas one of the countrys last states to outlaw texting while driving. But Gov. Greg Abbott convened a special session and called for superseding a patchwork of previous local rules.

The July 26, 19-12 vote sends the measure to the state House.

The Legislature first approved a statewide texting while driving ban in 2011, but then-Gov. Rick Perry vetoed it.

The issue won momentum after a March church bus crash killed 13 people. Federal investigators say the driver of the pickup truck that hit the bus was checking for a text when the crash occurred.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Texas Personal Auto Politics
North Carolina motorists could be fined at least $400 if they pass a stopped school bus, according to a new law now in effect.

Gov. Roy Cooper on Tuesday signed into law legislation that he suggested while still attorney general. The new law allows counties to adopt ordinances and cite motorists by using cameras installed on the stop-arms of buses. The penalties can rise to $1,000 on a third offense.

Cooper and other supporters of the idea have said the cameras will reduce the number of motorists skirting around the buses and increasing the risks for striking children getting on or getting off.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Personal Auto Education North Carolina
Assistance provided by insurance experts working Floridas Insurance Consumer Helpline led to the recovery of more than $16.6 million during the first half of 2017, according to a statement by Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis.

Helpline experts answered more than 141,000 calls from Floridians during the first six months of the year and aided in the recovery of funds that included insurance claim payments and premium refunds that consumers sought the Department of Financial Services help collecting.

The Insurance Consumer Helpline is a free service offered to all Floridians that assists callers with financial and insurance-related matters including disaster preparation and insurance fraud, as well as questions and complaints regarding auto, home, health, life, and small business insurance.

According to DFS, one such claim related a homeowner after they received payment following Hurricane Matthew. The Pinellas County consumer contacted the helpline when her insurance company denied coverage for additional damage that had been discovered. Even after sending in additional documentation, she was unable to resolve the issue. Upon calling the company, helpline experts were told that a simple processing error was to blame, not a denial. The company promptly processed the claim, paying out an additional $4,700 to the consumer.

Another customer in Brevard County contacted the Helpline when medical claims payments related to treatment for her son never arrived. The company explained to helpline experts that the payments had been processed but the company could not explain why they had not been received. A widespread system error was discovered and the company realized that payment checks for 53 consumers had never been mailed. In total, more than $24,000 in unmailed payments went out to the 53 consumers, including the original caller.

Patronis said calls to the helpline also create a record of complaints on if a company is engaged in a practice that leaves a lot of consumers feeling mistreated. That alerts regulators and gives the public a way to keep track of companies that may be stirring up problems.

Source: Florida Department of Financial Services

Topics Florida
Data analytics firm Verisk Analytics has agreed to acquire G2 Web Services, a provider of merchant risk intelligence for acquirers, commercial banks and other payment system providers.

The purchase price is $112 million, which will be paid in cash to stockholders of G2. The transaction is expected to close during the third quarter.

Bellevue, Washington-based G2 will become part of Argus, a Verisk Analytics business offering merchant and consumer fraud and reputational risk detection services.

The G2 platform helps acquiring banks, payment companies and commercial banks identify, mitigate and monitor payments risk in their merchant and business customer portfolios. G2 has more than a decade of merchant-specific data, which is incorporated in its G2 Merchant Map, a fraud and compliance database.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has fired off a letter to the 12 oil state attorneys general and one governor from states like Texas and Oklahoma over threats to sue him if he did not stop his Climate Risk Carbon Initiative, which asks insurers to voluntarily divest from thermal coal investments and requiring that insurers publicly disclose their investments in coal, oil, gas and utilities.

I am not deterred by your threats, Jones letter to the governor and attorneys general states. We will not stop asking insurance companies to consider climate related risks and in particular we will not stop our Climate Risk Carbon Initiative. Our Climate Risk Carbon Initiative is a sound regulatory endeavor that is grounded in financial risk analysis, consistent with the state-based system of insurance regulation. Sound regulation of the insurance industry includes consideration of climate related risks.

Jones said one of his primary responsibilities includes making sure insurance companies are financially sound and able to deliver on their promises to pay policyholder claims.

That responsibility, coupled with the volatility of carbon-based investments is what Jones said has led him to request insurers to publicly disclose investments that are at risk of becoming stranded assets as governments may increasingly restrict the use of fossil fuels, and consumers and businesses potentially move away from relying on fossil fuels.

Jones noted that the G-20 Financial Stability Board, the Prudential Regulatory Authority of the Bank of England, insurance regulators across the globe, institutional and private investors, and others have called for disclosure by insurers of climate-related risks.

Jones also came under attack from other state insurance commissioners over his initiative. Several insurance commissioners have called the initiative an affront to sound insurance regulation.

His wrote a letter to those commissioners, which states:

While politically popular in your states, denying or ignoring climate change, its impacts and related risks, is contrary to the evidence based approach that lies at the core of our system of state based insurance regulation. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2009 adopted a Climate Risk Disclosure Survey to be administered to insurers for this very reason  that it is important to recognize that there are risks associated with climate change and its impacts which insurers and insurance regulators should consider and address.

Related:

Topics Carriers California Legislation Energy Oil Gas Climate Change
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Learn how much you need to retire comfortably, and how to prepare for the "unexpected." Plan for everything from living expenses, to healthcare, to planning that trip you've always wanted to take.

Letter from The Editor

Our relationship with money has changed.



The pandemic accelerated a lot of those changes, but many of the forces were already set in motion over a decade ago. Investing apps and platforms, zero-commission trading, a historic bull market for stocks coming out of the Great Financial Crisis followed by record-breaking inflation, the emergence of cryptocurrencies, and the evolution of financial planning are just some of the forces that have reshaped the way we think, use, plan, save, and invest our money.

Our notions about retirement have changed, as well.

Younger generations are less likely to work at the same company their entire careers, collect a pension, and ease their way out of the workforce at the age of 65. We are living longer, and we need to be able to afford the lives we want to live when we stop working. For most people, retirement is not their end of work, but the end of being able to depend on a regular paycheck with benefits and a 401(k) match, if we were lucky enough to get one.

While over half of working adults in the U.S. are invested in the stock market, the average 401(k) balance for baby boomers and Generation X is only around $161,000 according to Fidelity. With the cost of living rising higher every year, and questions about the staying power of Social Security, the numbers just don't add up for most people nearing retirement.

There is no magic bullet solution to these problems. There are, however, some fundamental practices and approaches that younger adults and those approaching retirement, can focus on:

Financial awareness: Do you really know what it costs to be you?

Investing appropriately for your age: Are you too risky, or not risky enough, or well-balanced?

Balanced portfolio: Is the 60/40 portfolio still the answer, given the shake-out in the stock market?

Saving and budgeting in a world of rising prices: Inflation is not a bug in the systemit's a feature that we need to accept and incorporate into our personal budgets.

Planning and caring for yourself or family members: The cost of care keeps rising, but few are prepared for those bills when they come due.

Estate planning: If you can and want to pass along your savings to charity or the next generation, are your affairs in order?

Investopedia's special issue on retirement is our first foray into magazine publishing. We are honored to have been a go-to resource for millions of readers for the past 23 years, but we, like you, realize that the game has changed in retirement planning and investing. Therefore, we have dedicated those pages to laying out those changes and offering solutions that can help you change with the times.

Pick up your copy at your nearest retailer or buy now online. We hope you enjoy the issue and learn from it. The first step in financial awareness is to educate yourself, so let those pages help you get on the right path.


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Breaking AI Stock News: Intellagents, a FatBrain AI (OTCQB: LZGI) Company, Announces Hiring of Insurtech Industry Veteran as Chief Revenue Officer

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The head of the Irish Prison Service has defended how Ireland treats its prisoners.

Michael Donnellan was appearing before a UN Committee Against Torture in Geneva where the committee raised concerns about solitary confinement in Irish prisons.
A boy whose skull was fractured when a van reversed over him while he was playing near his home has settled a High Court action over the accident for 200,000, reports Ann OLoughlin.

Thomas David Moran was just 16 months old when he was injured in the accident on the cul-de-sac he lives on at Lyons Lane, Newcastle, Co Dublin.
A former Dublin based Garda, who effectively wrote his own P45 when he leaked highly sensitive personal information, has been fined 3,000, reports Tom Tuite.

Joseph OConnor, 38, from Morrell Grove, Naas, Co. Kildare pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to three counts of illegally disclosing information on three private individuals to others, contrary to the Data Protection Act.

The court heard that one of the data breaches was in connection with a road traffic accident and the offences involved information held on the Garda Pulse system, which Judge Michael Walsh warned should only be used by officers in the course of their normal duties.

OConnor, who had been a member of the force for 11 years, had pleaded guilty on July 11 and the case had been adjourned until Friday for sentencing. He was prosecuted following a probe by Superintendent George Kyne of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Finalising the case, Judge Michael Walsh said the accused was before the court for offences committed between Feb. 20 and Feb 22, 2013, June 11 and June 16, 2011 and June 5 and June 7, 2012.

He said the accused had without authority obtained information on three named people and disclosed it to three other people.

He noted that the accused had pleaded guilty on July 11 when he was first charged. The Director of Public Prosecutions had held that the case should only remain in the district court subject to a guilty plea being entered. He had accepted jurisdiction and noted the information disclosed between Feb. 20 and Feb 22, 2013 was sensitive and related to a road traffic accident.

In one of the other incidents information was disclosed to an individual about another man known to him, he said. Judge Walsh remarked that the data breach in 2012 also involved highly sensitive information.

He said gardai must comply with data protection legislation, and information on individuals must only be used by officers in the normal course of their function. He was satisfied OConnor had breached the Data Protection Act and the code of practice of An Garda Siochana.

He described the charges as particularly serious offences and when he became a Garda, OConnor would have taken an oath to carry out his duties with integrity.

He said he was convicting him and added that he had took into account extensive pleas on OConnors behalf.

He noted OConnor, who was represented by solicitor Liz Hughes, was of previous good character and had unblemished record.

He said that in carrying out the offences he had effectively terminated his own employment, effectively wrote his own P455 and he failed to act in accordance with protocols.

He noted the man has tendered his resignation which saved the expense of disciplinary proceedings and possible termination.

OConnor had lost his career and had co-operated fully with the enquiry, the judge said and he noted it appears the 38-year-old did not benefit from the disclosures. He also noted from the evidence of Superintendent Kyne that the offences did not cause damage or anxiety to the parties involved and the accused comes from a good family with a long history of public service.

He imposed fines of 750, 1,000 and 1,250 in respect of the three offences.

The charges could not have attracted a jail term. The maximum fine that could be imposed in the District Court is 3,000 per offence or a total of 9,000 for the three offences.

Assistant Data Protection Commissioner Tony Delaney was at the court to observe the proceedings today.

Speaking afterwards he said: I welcome the convictions and fines which were imposed today. They send out a strong signal to members of An Garda Siochana and to public servants generally that they will face serious consequences for unlawfully accessing and disclosing personal data which is made available to them in their workplaces solely for the purposes of their official duties.

"I also welcome the fact that this prosecution was brought by An Garda Siochana against one of its own members and I believe that this underlines the seriousness that An Garda Siochana attaches to breaches of data protection law within its ranks.
Update 9.46pm: The Democratic Unionist Party have hit out at any suggestion of a post-Brexit sea border with the UK.

They were responding to comments earlier today from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who declared his opposition to creating such a frontier during a robust intervention in Dublin, saying that the onus was on the British government to say how it would work.

The DUP's leader in the Commons, Nigel Dodds, said such a move would be unacceptable to the DUP, which the Prime Minister relies on to prop up her minority administration in the House of Commons.

A sea border "may give the Republic of Ireland a special economic status within Northern Ireland but the heavy price would be new barriers to trade in the UK" for Northern Irish firms.

He said: "This apparent hardening of attitudes within the Irish Government is untimely and unhelpful.

"The DUP will not tolerate a border on the Irish Sea after Brexit that makes it more difficult to live, work and travel between different parts of the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister has already reiterated this.

"At Westminster we will continue to use the influence of our 10 MPs to ensure that respect for the integrity of the UK remains at the core of the negotiations process."

Former DUP David Trimble warned that Dublin is in danger of undermining the Good Friday Agreement following a spat over the border after Brexit.

He also denied that Ireland is pushing for any potential border to run along the Irish sea - which would mean customs checks between Britain and Northern Ireland.

Mr Trimble said that Leo Varadkar should "go away and calm down".

"By raising this suggestion, then this will do enormous damage to the relationships between Belfast and Dublin, which have been quite cordial since the agreement," he said.

"But if Dublin starts to undermine the essential constitutional basis which is the heart of that agreement, then they are doing themselves a great disservice."

Earlier:

Update 6.21pm: Fianna Fail spokesperson on Brexit Stephen Donnelly has said that any border with Northern Ireland  either physical or electronic  must be avoided in the interests of all of the people living on the island of Ireland.

Responding to Government proposals to move the border to the Irish Sea, Deputy Donnelly said: The solution which Minister Coveney, and now the Taoiseach, has outlined is something which Fianna Fail has been calling for for some time.

In February I, along with Micheal Martin and Darragh OBrien, met with the Northern Secretary James Brokenshire and outlined to him that a frictionless border simply wouldnt work and the border between Ireland and the UK should be the Irish Sea.

He added: The best solution is that the UK remains in the single market and the customs union. While we recognise that the UK government does not share that position, we strongly believe that that option must be kept on the table, with every effort being made by the EU to accommodate that outcome.

Options including moving the border to the Irish Sea and the creation of a special economic zone for Northern Ireland with ongoing links to the EU must be explored in detail.

Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy accused the Irish Government of being too passive in its approach to Brexit and the implications for Ireland.

The Irish Government must be proactive on this issue, which is now the most important challenge facing the island of Ireland, he said.

"They are being far too passive on this issue and suggesting that the British take the lead is an abdication of responsibility.

The Governments refusal to support special designated status within the EU for the North underlines this passive approach.

"Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney need to robustly defend the democratic decision of people in the North to remain within the EU.

They also need to defend the island economy and welfare of our citizens.

"The implications from Brexit for jobs and investment for the island as a whole and especially for the border region and the North are huge.

"It is crucial that the whole island remains within the Single Market and the Customs Union.

Designated special status for the North within the EU offers is the best way to meet these challenges.

"The majority of TDs and the majority of MLAs in the North support special designated status.

"The Irish Government needs now to pursue this objective at EU level.

Earlier:

Update 3pm: The Taoiseach has put it up to the UK by stating the Irish Government is "not going design a border for the Brexiteers", writes Elaine Loughlin, Political Reporter

Leo Varadkar has strongly laid down Ireland's position claiming that an economic border would be bad for both the Republic and Northern Ireland and if Theresa May's Government wish to go down that route it will be "up to them".

"What we are not going to do is design a border for the Brexiteers. They are the ones who want a border, it is up to them to say what it is, to say how it would work and to first of all convince their own people, their own voters, that this is actually a good idea.

"Were not going to be helping them to design some sort of border that we dont believe should exist in the first place."

During a wide-ranging media briefing, Mr Varadkar said he hoped his comments would not ignite an angry response but added that "if anyone is angry it should be us".

"It is the British and the Brexiteers who are leaving, so if anyone should be angry its us quite frankly.

He added: "But were not going to get angry. We are going to try and find solutions that will benefit or at least minimise the damage to relations between Britain and Ireland, to the peace process and to trading links."

The Taoiseach's comments came after Foreign Affairs Minister SImon Coveney suggested that the Irish Sea effectively become the border with the UK after Brexit.

Mr Varadkar said he was "absolutely on the same page when it come to this issue".

Update 2pm: Theresa May's Democratic Unionist Party allies have dismissed any suggestion the Irish Sea can effectively become the border with the UK after Brexit.

The DUP's leader in the Commons, Nigel Dodds, said the party could not tolerate such a move, adding that the Prime Minister had "already reiterated this".

The Irish government is unconvinced by the UK's plans to use technology to maintain the soft border between Northern Ireland and the Republic - which will become the frontier with the European Union after Brexit.

Minister Simon Coveney said the country "can't support proposals resulting in border checkpoints", adding that it was a UK decision to leave the EU and "we need imaginative solutions".

Dublin's preferred option is for customs and immigration checks to be located away from the land border and at ports and airports instead, according to recent reports.

But Mr Dodds said such a move would be unacceptable to the DUP, which the British Prime Minister relies on to prop up her minority administration in the House of Commons.

A sea border "may give the Republic of Ireland a special economic status within Northern Ireland but the heavy price would be new barriers to trade in the UK" for Northern Irish firms.

He said: "This apparent hardening of attitudes within the Irish Government is untimely and unhelpful.

"The DUP will not tolerate a border on the Irish Sea after Brexit that makes it more difficult to live, work and travel between different parts of the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister has already reiterated this.

"At Westminster we will continue to use the influence of our 10 MPs to ensure that respect for the integrity of the UK remains at the core of the negotiations process."

Blaming the row on domestic politics in the Republic of Ireland, he said: "I would strongly urge the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, to rethink his current stance, stop playing to his own audience, and approach all of these issues with a new spirit of co-operation."

Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson said demanded clarification from Dublin: "If this is their position, then it causes a major threat to the Belfast Agreement and would pull it asunder.

"Such an arrangement would totally undermine the principle of consent."

The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic is one of the key issues that needs to be resolved by the UK and the EU before talks begin on a new trade deal.

British ministers had proposed using measures such as surveillance cameras to allow free movement between the north and south of the island.

However, sources have told The Times that Mr Varadkar thinks these plans could jeopardise the peace process and restrict movement between the two countries.

He is said to want customs and immigration checks moved away from the land border to ports and airports - effectively drawing a new border in the Irish Sea.

Brexit Secretary David Davis has acknowledged that "flexible and imaginative" measures will be needed to resolve the Northern Ireland problem although he has previously told MPs when asked about an Irish Sea border that "I don't see that would be the solution, to be honest".

Speaking to the Press Association earlier this week, Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire insisted that "technology does have a role to play" in the future border arrangements.

He said it was important to view "the trading agreements as well as technology as a combined package together as to how we get that constructive agreement that does achieve what we want to achieve - which is that frictionless border between Northern Ireland and Ireland to ensure that we do not see the return to the hard borders of the past".

Update 11.26am Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said it would not be possible to place the border in the Irish Sea.

"At some stages I've said that but it has always been tongue in cheek.

"Firstly you would have to get an agreement by all parties and I do not see unionists parties ever agreeing to that suggestions."

Earlier: Theresa May's Democratic Unionist Party allies have ruled out accepting a suggestion from Dublin which would see the Irish Sea effectively become the border with the UK after Brexit.

The new Irish government under Leo Varadkar is unconvinced by the UK's plans to use technology to maintain the soft border between Northern Ireland and the Republic - which will become the frontier with the European Union after Brexit.

Dublin's preferred option is for customs and immigration checks to be located away from the land border and at ports and airports instead, according to The Times.

But such a move would be unacceptable to the DUP, which the Prime Minister relies on to prop up her minority administration in the House of Commons.

DUP chief whip Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said: "There is no way that the DUP would go for an option that creates a border between one part of the United Kingdom and the other."

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Dublin really needs to understand that that proposition is absurd and unconstitutional."

DUP MP Ian Paisley said Dublin's position appeared to leave two alternatives - a "very hard border" or that "Ireland will wise up and leave the EU" itself.

The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic is one of the key issues that needs to be resolved by the UK and the EU before talks begin on a new trade deal.

British ministers had proposed using measures such as surveillance cameras to allow free movement between the north and south of the island.

However, sources have told The Times that Mr Varadkar thinks these plans could jeopardise the peace process in Ireland and restrict movement between the two countries.

He is said to want customs and immigration checks moved away from the land border to ports and airports - effectively drawing a new border in the Irish Sea.

David Davis

Brexit Secretary David Davis has acknowledged that "flexible and imaginative solutions" will be needed to resolve issues around Northern Ireland although he has previously told MPs when asked about an Irish Sea border that "I don't see that would be the solution, to be honest".

Speaking to the Press Association earlier this week, Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire insisted that "technology does have a role to play" in the future border arrangements.

He said it was important to view "the trading agreements as well as technology as a combined package together as to how we get that constructive agreement that does achieve what we want to achieve - which is that frictionless border between Northern Ireland and Ireland to ensure that we do not see the return to the hard borders of the past".

Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson said moving the border to the middle of the Irish Sea would be totally unacceptable.

"The Irish Government need to make a very clear public statement on their position regarding border arrangements post-Brexit.

"If this is their position, then it causes a major threat to the Belfast Agreement and would pull it asunder.

"Such an arrangement would totally undermine the principle of consent."
A man, believed to be from the Kilmallock area has died after his motorcycle crashed into a van.

The man who is said to be in his 30s was pronounced dead at the scene.
A woman who was raped by a man who purported to come to her aid after she got lost on a night out in Dublin has told a court she is now a broken person, reports Isabel Hayes.

In a victim impact statement read out in the Central Criminal Court today the married mother described how she suffers from panic attacks and depression since she was raped by Mohamed Okda while on a night out in Dublin city in 2014.

My trusting nature and heart has been broken, she said. I am now a broken person...My belief that people are essentially good and my belief in people around me has been damaged.

Okda (30), an Egyptian nation formerly of Coolfin, Rathdowney, Co Laois, was found guilty by a jury of two counts of raping the woman and one count of sexually assaulting her at a flat in Dublin city centre on a date in February, 2014.

The jury took just under three hours to return unanimous guilty verdicts on all counts following a seven-day trial at the Central Criminal Court earlier this month. One of the jurors returned to court today for the sentence hearing. The matter will return to court on October 9.

Garda Mark Mahon told Sean Guerin SC, prosecuting, that the woman travelled to Dublin to enjoy her first night out since the birth of her child. Around 4am she got separated from her friends after she went to an ATM to get money out for a homeless person.

She didnt know the exact address of where she was staying that night and couldnt get through to her friends, the court heard. She was upset and crying when she was approached by Okda, who suggested she come back to his apartment where she could continue to try and contact her friends.

The court heard the woman was drunk and tired at that point. She fell asleep or blacked out on a sofa bed in the apartment and woke up to find Okda touching her.

The woman repeatedly said No and told Okda she had a husband and children, but he kept pushing her back down, telling her: You stay. Its OK.

Gda Mahon said the woman was in fear for her life at this stage, and that although Okda did not make any verbal threats, she was very frightened by the expression on his face.

The woman begged Okda not to kill her before he raped her. When it was over, he told her she could go. The woman ran outside and tried to flag down a number of cars before a taxi stopped and took her to a garda station.

In her victim impact statement, the woman said she tried to seek counselling, but even picking up the phone to arrange appointments brought on a panic attack. She said she now feels like she has no control over her body and she hates looking at herself in the mirror.

She said she was lucky to have a supportive husband and that they were working to repair their relationship in the wake of what happened to her.

My husband has to deal with the trauma of what happened to his wife, she said. She said she had lost friends in the wake of that night as she couldnt bring herself to tell them what happened to her.

I often feel like I cant go on. For the sake of my husband and kids I get up every day and do my best to get on with life.

I didnt walk away unharmed. I was once a happy person who loved to talk to people...Not a day goes by without feeling the weight of that night and what was done to me and what can never be undone.

After she had finished speaking, Mr Justice Michael Moriarty told the woman she was an admirable lady.

You can hold your head high, he told her.

Mr Guerin said Okda has 16 previous convictions in Ireland dating back to 2006, none of which are for a sexual offence. They mostly involve driving offences, public order offences and theft.

He was married to an Irish woman and applied for Irish residency on the basis of that marriage, but the Immigration Service was not satisfied the relationship was still functioning and denied the application.

A deportation order was issued and he then claimed asylum. He has been in custody since he was found guilty.

Ciaran OLoughlin SC, defending, requested that the matter be adjourned until October, when a plea of mitigation and cross-examination of Gda Mahon will take place.
A four-month suspended sentence was imposed on Krystian Warych, of 33 Derrynane Rd, Cork.

Warych, aged 32, pleaded guilty to his part in this crime and another burglary minutes later at the nearby English Market.

Inspector Adrian Gamble outlined the background to the crimes at Cork District Court where Judge Olann Kelleher imposed the suspended jail term.

At 6.50am on March 28, he was seen entering Lafayettes cafe in the Imperial Hotel with another man through an unlocked door while the cafe was closed and in darkness.

They went behind the counter in the cafe and attempted to steal the cash register, damaging it in the process.

Both men left the hotel when challenged by a staff member. Approximately 10 minutes later they entered the English Market through an unlocked door while the arcade was closed at 7am.

While in the English Market, Warych took a bottle of lobster bisque from a display counter at Kay OConnells fishmongers.

He and his accomplice then went behind the counter of OMahonys Butchers and took a backpack and grocery items and took them out of the market.

Warych pleaded guilty to burglaries at the Imperial and OMahonys and theft at OConnells.

Michael Quinlan, solicitor, said Warych was still drunk from the previous night. He said the other man was more heavily involved in the criminal activities.

Judge Kelleher imposed a four-month suspended sentence for the Imperial burglary, 150 hours community service for the burglary at OMahonys, and a 200 fine for the theft from the counter of the fishmonger.
The practice, also known as hazing, includes urinating into kettles, before tricking the young person to make tea, and defecating in the persons bed.

The acts specifically target those just entering prison and are part of initiation practices by other inmates.

The matter was raised by the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice (JCFJ) in its submission to the United Nations Committee Against Torture (UNCAT), which is examining Irelands record in hearings in Geneva.

The Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice has learned that young adults in prison have been engaging in initiations, also referred to as hazing, when another young person arrives into prison, the group said.

Practices include urinating in kettles, before tricking the young person into making a cup of tea, and defecating in a young persons bed.

While this is not degrading treatment enacted by state institutions, it is degrading and an issue that needs to be tackled.

JCFJ deputy director Eoin Carroll told the Irish Examiner: This behaviour is extremely inappropriate and worrying and needs to be challenged by prison authorities who have a duty of care.

He said such juvenile behaviour was still a form of bullying which is meant to intimidate and humiliate the person affected.

He said this practice tied in with the wider issue of the need for special prison arrangements for 18 to 25 year-olds.

While challenging and working to prevent initiations and hazings becoming the norm among young adults in prison, the prison service needs to acknowledge that 18 to 25 year-olds are a distinct group with particular needs  especially in the areas of education and psycho-social development, said Mr Carroll.

He said this could only be achieved by providing dedicated facilities and specially trained staff.

As a society, we no longer accept that children are detained with adults so we should not consider it appropriate to detain young adults, teenagers, with older adults.

Addressing UNCAT, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, David Stanton, said Ireland no longer sent children to adult prisons  but to the Childrens Detention Centre, which had received 56m in capital expenditure.

He said new rules on solitary confinement had been introduced, and that great strides had been made in eliminating slopping out and reducing overcrowding.

The Government was questioned as to the resourcing of prison inspections and the effectiveness and independence of the prison complaints system.
It was feared the machine had been lost to the depths as a previous attempt to raise it from the wreck site off the coast of Co Cork last summer ended in failure when a lift bag punctured.

Heritage Minister Heather Humphreys said the telegraph had been relocated by recreational divers, who marked its position on the seabed.

The telegraph was brought to the surface in good condition on Tuesday under the supervision of an archaeologist from the Departments National Monuments Service (NMS).

The Lusitania, a Cunard British cruise liner that was the largest ship in the world when built, was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of Co Cork on May 7, 1915, with the loss of 1,201 lives. It was en route from New York to Liverpool.

Its wreck, 11 nautical miles off the Old Head of Kinsale, is regarded as a war grave and protected by an Underwater Heritage Order under the National Monuments Acts.

US businessman Gregg Bemis owns the wreck.

Ms Humphreys said: I am happy to confirm that this important piece of the Lusitania has now been recovered from the wreck off the west Cork coast. I understand that the telegraph is undamaged and in excellent condition.

I also understand that the owner of wreck, Gregg Bemis, intends to place the telegraph, and the pedestal successfully recovered last year, on display in a local museum, along with other artefacts he has recovered during earlier dives, which is great news for the local community.

Among the liners 1,266 passengers and 696 crew, there were 129 children, of whom 94 died as the ship, sailing from New York, sank in just 18 minutes.

The cause of a second explosion on the ship, after the torpedo struck, remains a mystery.

Built at the John Brown shipyard on the River Clyde in Scotland, the Lusitania was carrying 159 Americans, of whom 128 were killed. Its sinking has been cited as factor in the US eventual entry into the First World War.

The ships captain, William Turner, who survived after the ship went down, had received messages on the morning of the disaster that there were German submarines in the area and he altered course

Separately, the largest remaining panel fragment from the first-class lounge of the Titanic will return to Britain for the first time since the ship sailed from Southampton in 1912 for a major new exhibition about the history of ocean liners.

It will be one of more than 250 objects, including paintings, sculptures and ship models, that will go on display at the V&As Ocean Liners: Speed & Style exhibition next year.

The wooden panel, which comes from where the Titanic broke in half as it sank, was found floating on the surface of the Atlantic .
The figures, disclosed to RTE under Freedom of Information, shows details of the contract which ran for over six years until May 2017 when it was replaced by a new agreement.

GoSafe was paid a flat rate of almost 45,000 per month, in addition to a rate of 151.79 paid per hour of speed monitoring, and 144.40 for each surveying hour. There were also other costs, including covering staff who had to attend court cases.

GoSafe provides 7,373 hours of speed monitoring each month as well as a minimum of 100 hours of surveying.

Social Democrats co-leader Roisin Shortall said gardai should now release information on other contracts, stating: It is clearly in the public interest for us to know details of contracts with private companies operating services on behalf of the States law enforcement agencies.

Dublin West TD and Justice Committee member, Jack Chambers said the contract details were deeply troubling and added: From the very outset, this information should have been publically available and not hidden or shrouded in secrecy.

His Fianna Fail party colleague, Sligo-Leitrim TD member of the Public Accounts Committee, Marc MacSharry, said the figures were alarming.

He said: I have written to the chairman of the committee to request this be put on the agenda for the autumn.

In 2014, the Department of Justice sought a report from gardai after Judge Patrick Durcan, sitting at Ennis District Court, dismissed 98 speeding cases on the basis that GoSafe staff were unable to demonstrate the requisite legal authority for them to give evidence on behalf of gardai in relation to the cases in court.

The department said it had subsequently received the report from the gardai and that it made clear that such operators appear as witnesses for the prosecution.

The report also set out how the process operates and highlighted individual errors by GoSafe staff (such as respect of scheduling) which occurred in a small number of cases before Judge Durcan, said a department spokesman.
Sports Minister Brendan Griffin confirmed the report of the non-statutory inquiry is due to be made public by mid-August.

The inquiry, chaired by retired High Court judge Carroll Moran and tasked with examining ticketing issues dating back to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, was set up in the wake of last summers Rio de Janeiro ticket-touting scandal which engulfed the Olympic Council of Ireland and its then president Pat Hickey.

The legal team for Mr Hickey is understood to have warned against publication as it might prejudice planned trial proceedings in Brazil.

However, the Government is committed to publishing the report.

Mr Griffin said yesterday that while the document will address key issues, it may not be able to clarify all matters.

I hope it will answer questions that have remained unanswered for many people. Perhaps, there may be questions unanswered for some people as well, he said.

I think everybodys going to have to read it once it is published and see for themselves whats in there.

Im not in a position to disclose any of the information there, Im not sitting at Cabinet so I cant give you any further information in relation to the time period, except that Im sure there is a good reason for it.

In the next fortnight it will be available to everybody.

Asked if there had been any further response from Mr Hickeys legal team over the planned publication, Mr Griffin said: Im not aware of that. He indicated that he did not believe any further correspondence had taken place.
Fianna Fail finance spokesman Michael McGrath made the comment in response to the move by Permanent TSB in recent weeks.

In a move that has been defended by the bank, PTSB has drastically increased the cost of charges on what it described as older legacy current accounts.

The increase was confirmed in letters to customers in recent days, and involves quarterly rises from 12 to 18 and in rare cases from 3.18c to 18.

The bank said the older accounts were out of the sectoral norm and the increases were to bring them into line with the market generally.

A spokesperson said people over the age of 60 can apply for the charge increases to be waived and that affected customers may be able to take steps to reduce or eliminate the charges by maintaining a current account balance, using online banking, and lodging a certain amount each month.

This review does not impact customers who signed up to the former fee-free banking current account which was the key current account offering for a number of years up till 2016, said the spokesperson.

The review does impact older legacy current accounts. PTSB is advising customers that some fees and charges will increase to bring them into line with the market generally.

While the increased charges were approved by the Central Bank and are in line with others offered by rival institutions, Mr McGrath said that customers should make their anger felt.

Customers need to make their voice heard and vote with their feet. There are some good deals out there, the same as with gas and electricity, and they can make their voice heard on this by going elsewhere, he said.

Customers should be aware of ways to lower charges, and in particular I would like to see more people paying for transactions electronically. But nobody wants to see bank increases, from a consumers point of view or elsewhere.
Twenty five years after the adoption of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, on May 9, 1992, the world has yet to implement a treaty that effectively addresses global warming.

Now, following Donald Trumps withdrawal of the United States from the Paris climate agreement, it is time to investigate the delay.

Throughout the 1990s, the American Petroleum Institute (API)  the largest oil-and-gas trade association and lobbying group in the US  relied on economic models created by two economists, Paul Bernstein and W David Montgomery, to argue that pro-climate policies would be devastatingly expensive.

API successfully delayed measures to address climate change.

They used Bernstein and Montgomerys projections to claim that job losses and economic costs would outweigh environmental benefits.

These arguments were used in 1991 to torpedo the idea of carbon-dioxide controls; in 1993, against the Clinton administrations proposed BTU tax (an energy surcharge that would have taxed sources based on their heat and carbon content); in 1996, against the goals of the UN Conference of Parties in Geneva (COP2); in 1997, against the goals of the UN Conference of Parties in Kyoto (COP3); and in 1998, against the Kyoto Protocols implementation.

The APIs lobbying plan was repetitive.

It also worked.

The oil-and-gas industry portrayed the reports it commissioned from Bernstein (who once worked at the Hawaiian Electric Company), and Montgomery (a former deputy assistant secretary for policy in the US Department of Energy), as factual, independent, and products of genuine economic debate.

In the run-up to the 1997 meeting in Kyoto, Japan, for example, the oil company, Mobil, claimed in an advertisement in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times that the cost of limiting emissions could range from $200 to $580 per ton of carbon, based on a study just issued by Charles River Associates. Mobil didnt name who wrote the CRA report (Bernstein and Montgomery were the first two authors) or who funded it (API).

Mobils message was misleading, but was the analysis that Bernstein and Montgomery authored truly flawed? Consider this: they ignored the negative costs of climate change, and suggested that clean energy would never be price-competitive with fossil fuels, which is simply not true.

They assumed the result that they claimed to show.

The oil-and-gas industry was richly rewarded for abusing the public trust.

Americans eventually elected a president, George W Bush, who bought the industrys claims and pulled the US out of the Kyoto Protocol.

Sixteen years later, Trump stood in the White House Rose Garden and announced, with equal sophistry, that the Paris climate agreement would devastate the US economy and cost America some 2.7m jobs, mostly in the construction industry, by 2025.

That accounting, Trump said last month, was according to the National Economic Research Associates.

In case youre wondering, the first two authors of the report Trump cited  just published in March  are Bernstein and Montgomery.

This time, they were hired by the American Council for Capital Formation, a Washington, DC-based think-tank and lobbying group that has a history of commissioning deeply flawed work to challenge climate policy.

Throughout the 1990s, the oil-and-gas industry, and its allies, perfected the art of blocking Americas support for key global climate-change initiatives.

The maestros, it appears, are back, and their repertoire hasnt changed.

It never had to change.

In addition to commissioning studies claiming that climate policies would hurt the US economy, the industry also consistently claims that efforts to address global warming would be uniquely harmful to the US, would not reduce the risks, and might prevent poverty alleviation.

All three of these additional arguments also appear in Trumps announcement on the Paris accord.

When a tortoise is sitting on a post, you know it didnt get there by itself.

The reappearance of the same four arguments, developed a quarter-century ago by an industry that benefits from delaying climate policies  arguments used with great success precisely because their origin and true purpose were hidden from the public  looks a lot like the tortoises four wiggling feet.

If history rhymes, heres what we may expect in the months ahead: industry-sponsored economic studies, flashy online content, think-tank reports, and polished front groups posing as grassroots organisations.

These are time-tested components of the strategy used by the fossil-fuel industry to block, obstruct, and control climate policy.

We must not let the industry continue to obstruct climate policy.

That means following the money that funds the pseudo-science of delay, and exposing the co-opted scholars who feed false images of debate to the public.

The same arguments  and people  used by the fossil fuel industry to block climate policies decades ago are back.

For the sake of humanity, we must not let them succeed again.

Benjamin Franta, a former research fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, is a doctoral student in the history of science at Stanford University, where his research focuses on climate politics and the manipulation of science.

Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2017 - www.project-syndicate.og
Friday, July 28th, 2017 (12:01 am) - Score 3,165

Ultrafast fibre optic ISP Hyperoptic has announced that their 1Gbps Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP/B) broadband network, which is available across parts of 28 UK cities and towns, now covers 350,000 homes and theyve raised another 100m to boost the roll-out. Next stop.. 5 million homes by 2025!

Its sometimes easy to forget that Hyperoptic was originally setup all the way back in 2011 by the team behind another popular ISP (BE Broadband), which occurred at a time when true fibre optic connectivity was still a pipe dream for most of the United Kingdom. Indeed back then most of the country couldnt even access a superfast broadband (24Mbps+) service, let alone the dizzy heights of 1000Mbps.

Nevertheless the ISP was able to succeed by finding a strong niche that focused on connecting their Fibre-to-the-Building / Premises (FTTB/P) network to larger residential (i.e. Multi-Dwelling Units with at least 50 units) and office buildings in dense urban areas, with the first going live around central London. Since then theyve also expanded into some large social housing and new build home developments.

Until today Hyperoptic had previously managed to attract investment worth around 75 million from various private partners and banks, which includes a 21m 8-year loan from the European Investment Bank and around 50m from Quantum Strategic Partners.

As a result of that the ISP quickly grew to reach 35,000 premises passed in February 2014, then 75,000 in October 2014 and 100,000 in February 2015. Until today we havent had any solid updates on their progress, although weve long been told that their target was to reach 500,000 homes and businesses by the end of 2019 (revised from their original 2018 date) and at 350,000 they now seem certain to achieve this.

By comparison the latest injection of 100m stems from a consortium of four major European banks (BNP Paribas, ING, RBS and Dutch investment bank NIBC), which is being managed by LionTree Advisors. The ISP claims that this funding will help to support their ambitious plan to cover 2 million urban homes by 2022 and then 5 million by 2025.

Dana Tobak, CEO of Hyperoptic, told ISPreview.co.uk: We are proud to have created a network of gigabit cities where residents can live and work without connectivity constraints. Through private funding and partnerships with developers, freeholders, and councils we have hugely increased our footprint  but its our customers that have been the biggest catalyst in fuelling our growth. We have a 4* Trustpilot rating; the highest in the industry. Our customers have really supported us by sharing their experiences with their neighbours, family and friends, which has meant that we have been able to expedite our rollouts across urban centres. This new round of funding enables us to offer even more people a credible broadband alternative that is future-proofed for decades to come.

The ISP claims that the new funding will enable them to exponentially expand [their] coverage, to consumers and businesses that have been left neglected by the big players like BT. Openreach is currently consulting on a new plan that could see their own FTTP network expanded, possibly up to 10 million premises by around 2025 (here), and todays announcement will surely add another competitive dynamic to their thoughts (NOTE: Openreachs own 1Gbps products are significantly more expensive than Hyperoptics). Lest we forget that Virgin Medias DOCSIS 3.1 upgrade may also push Gigabit speeds into urban areas.

In order to support the proposed expansion, Hyperoptic has hinted that it may harness some of the Governments new 400m Digital Infrastructure Investment Fund (here) and they also intend to target smaller apartment blocks with just 25 units or more (they may also be able to do even smaller buildings, provided the demand exists and its close enough to their fibre optic network).

Andrew Jones, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said: Full-fibre is the gold standard of broadband connectivity  and through companies like Hyperoptic, our commitment to world-class digital infrastructure for everyone in the UK is already becoming a reality. Were investing over 1 billion in next generation digital communications, including our recently launched 400 million Digital Infrastructure Investment fund, and a five year business rates relief on new full-fibre investment  all of which will stimulate the market, and expand full-fibre networks around the country.

Kamalini Ganguly, Senior Analyst at Ovum, said: It is clear that Hyperoptic has impressed customers in 28 cities across the UK with its symmetrical 100Mbps and 1Gbps broadband services and has rapidly established itself as a leading broadband provider in the nations biggest cities. The additional 100 million funding will enable Hyperoptic to expand its footprint further and provide more competition for bigger providers such as British Telecom and Virgin Media. An increase in competitive broadband choices can only be good for UK consumers.

The huge announcement comes only a couple of weeks after Cityfibre raised an additional 200m of their own and announced a plan to make their 1Gbps FTTP network available to as many as 1 million homes in up to 10 UK cities and towns, with work starting in 2018 (here).

However its worth pointing out that Hyperoptic will also need to raise more funding in order to achieve their longer-term ambitions, although there seems to be plenty of appetite from investors. Competition like this can become a significant driver of future progress, at least with regards to encouraging more full fibre and less part fibre (hybrid fibre) in urban areas.

Hyperoptics 28 UK Cities and Towns

Greater London

Basildon

Birmingham

Bolton

Bradford

Brighton

Bristol

Cardiff

Coventry

Edinburgh

Glasgow

Leeds

Leicester

Liverpool

Luton

Manchester

Newcastle

Nottingham

Preston

Reading

Reigate

Sheffield

Slough

Southamption

Southend-on-Sea

Warrington

Watford

Woking * More will no doubt be added to this over the next few years.

Customers are able to choose from either a broadband and phone bundle or a broadband-only service on a 12 month contract (the latter attracts a 40 one-off connection fee). You can also get a no contract option of both, although this usually costs an extra +2-4 per month.

All of Hyperoptics packages include unlimited usage, 24/7 support, an included wireless router and a dynamic IP address (CGNAT) or 5 for a Static IP.
Cybersecurity Ventures has released its Cybersecurity 500 List for Q2 2017. root9B and Herjavec Group remained number one and two, respectively, from the Q1 cybersecurity listing, but after that, there was a lot of movement in the top 10. Raytheon, for instance, moved into the number three position thanks to a historic cybersecurity deal valued at nearly $1 billion over five years with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. IBM and Cisco both returned to the top 10 after hovering just outside that plateau in February. And KnowBe4 made a huge jump from number 38 in Q1 to six in Q2.

How do companies make significant moves, both up and down, in only a few months?

We look at companies in a few different contexts, explained Steve Morgan, founder and editor-in-chief at the Cybersecurity 500. We are always evaluating revenue growth and market execution. But then we are also looking at what are the biggest challenges and which companies are doing what to help solve them.

Take IBM as an example. It may not be that obvious, Morgan said, but they are throwing a lot of weight behind supporting cybersecurity education at the high school level  which ties directly to the workforce shortage our industry is grappling with.

Morgan emphasized the importance of security awareness training. Spending for security education is expected to reach $10 billion by 2027. Security awareness has evolved from training employees to a discipline that is just as complicated and important as any other in our field, he stated, and this played a role in KnowBe4s jump in the rankings.

KnowBe4 was very surprising, moving up so much, Morgan admitted. While the security awareness market is growing very quickly, it is an established space with dozens of companies who have been in it for years and quite a few new market entrants, he added. They keep doubling revenues and getting as big as they are  I couldnt have expected that theyd grow so much again over the past year. But, given they are in one of the biggest growth markets and have such a visible officer (Kevin Mitnick, chief hacking officer), it makes sense.

Raytheon was another surprising move, especially since their cybersecurity strategy is confusing in the marketplace. Raytheon had acquired Websense and renamed it Forcepoint, which tied in with Raytheon. Just when it seemed like the joint cybersecurity business was stalling, Raytheon signed what may be the largest cybersecurity contract ever. That solidified Raytheons spot as a top company.

Morgan shared his thoughts on some of the other rankings, including the following:

root9B keeps its number-one slot. Morgan credits the companys business model and an outstanding staff. Its a business that has the potential to be a household name. But, Morgan added, the company is also at a point when you have to look at their financials (they are publicly held so the information is available). It has reached the point where leadership needs to execute and help the market understand exactly who its doing business with, what the major wins are, and how to establish the company as a regular competitor amongst the pure-play cyber firms who are more vocal in the media.

BlackBerry is one of those companies really on the bubble right now. Theyve done a remarkable job at repositioning from phones to cyber, Morgan said. Between the rebranding and some very well thought-out acquisitions, it really lifted them up. And they are still there. The next thing is to determine how to accomplish market execution and scaling revenues around a pure-play cybersecurity business. I expect in the next quarter or two  they will surprise us, Morgan added. Its a question of whether well be surprised by them rising or falling. They are another company with an outstanding CEO who is a turnaround specialist and went through this before when has was CEO at Sybase.

Seeing both IBM and Cisco return to the top 10. IBMs corporate performance can be somewhat of a drag on the buzz they are generating in the cybersecurity space, Morgan explained. But to see both of these two companies with $2 billion and cybersecurity businesses each; to continue growing their security revenues is pretty remarkable. The companies also announced a major partnership with each other to help their clients combat cybercrime. The news was very well received by the market, and organizations who do business with both of them. In essence, IBM and Cisco lifted each other up.

FireEye slips. They have a great CEO and strategy, but theyve been struggling to find that tipping point to get them growing again. Big as they are now, its not as easy for them as it was the first 10 years, Morgan said. I thought this may have been the quarter when they might turn the corner. Its only been a year since Kevin Mandia has been CEO. He knows cyber as well as anyone. There have been some rumors about FireEye being an acquisition target. But they are just that, rumors.

Cybersecurity Ventures continuously looks at new companies for inclusion in the Cybersecurity 500, by soliciting feedback from CISOs, IT security practitioners and service providers, and researching hundreds of cybersecurity events and news sources. Will we see dramatic shifts in the list in Q3?

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
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British American Tobacco Plc, in its final report without the infusion of all Reynolds American Inc. revenue, said Thursday it had a 16.3 percent increase in profit to $3.36 billion for the first half of fiscal 2017.

On Tuesday, BAT, the worlds largest publicly traded tobacco manufacturer, completed its $54.4 billion purchase of the 57.8 percent of Reynolds it did not already own.

Reynolds has become BATs largest global subsidiary, with Reynolds shareholders owning 19 percent of BAT. Reynolds is expected to file its final quarterly report in early August. Debra Crew, Reynolds chief executive, joined BATs tobacco management board Thursday.

This is a transformational deal, said BAT Chief Executive Nicandro Durante. We will take the best of the best from both businesses across all areas to create a stronger, more sustainable company.

The London-based company provides financial results twice a year, along with a preliminary outlook a few weeks before the end of each half of the fiscal year.

The performance of the group ... is in line with expectations and demonstrates the good organic progress we are making, Nicandro Durante, BATs chief executive, said in a statement.

The British equivalence of diluted earnings dropped from $1.89 a year ago to $1.60. Adjusted earnings, however, rose from $1.46 to $1.77.

The average earnings forecast was $1.76 by one analyst surveyed by Zacks Investment Research. Analysts typically do not include one-time gains and charges in their forecasts.

Overall, BAT revenue increased 15.7 percent to $10.1 billion.

BAT already had been factoring in its portion of Reynolds revenue that came from its previous 42.2 percent ownership stake. For the first half, Reynolds contributed $726 million, up 26.1 percent from a year ago. The company incurred $35.3 million in financing costs related to the Reynolds transaction.

BATs first-half dividend was 74 cents a share, up 10.1 percent. It is payable Sept. 28. The company is shifting to quarterly dividends at the start of fiscal 2018.

Reynolds shareholders received $29.44 in cash and 0.5260 in new BAT shares  in the form of an American Depository share  for each Reynolds share they own. An ADR is a stock that trades in the U.S., but represents a specified number of shares in a foreign corporation.

BAT said much of its revenue growth was spurred by its global drive brands (Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Rothmans), of which top-selling U.S. menthol brand Newport is expected to join.

BAT now has full global access to Pall Mall, the top-selling U.S. discount brand, and the U.S. market for Camel, the No. 3 domestic brand. Japan Tobacco owns the international rights to Camel.

The combustible business continued to perform well against the backdrop of a strong volume comparator, BAT Chairman Richard Burrows said.

The performance of glo (a heat-not-burn cigarette) continues to exceed expectations, with new market launches showing encouraging early signs, Burrows said. BAT plans to begin selling glo nationwide in Japan in October, along with a recent introduction to the Canadian market in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Burrows touted that with full Reynolds ownership, BAT becomes the worlds largest electronic-cigarette and vaporizer company. It is expected to go global with Vuse, Reynolds top-selling e-cigarette.

The successful completion of the Reynolds acquisition bolsters our leading position in both next-generation products and combustibles, he said. We remain confident of delivering another year of good earnings growth at constant rates of exchange.

BAT has said it has no plans to close or move the head office in Winston-Salem, nor make any significant changes to the current high-quality manufacturing facilities in North Carolina and Tennessee, nor to the trade marketing team. Reynolds has an American Snuff production plant in Tennessee.

Durante has told BAT shareholders the company projects $400 million in cost savings by July 2020.

Reynolds is estimated to have between 2,000 and 2,200 local employees, the majority of whom work at its plant in Tobaccoville, as well as about 5,500 full-time and 50 part-time as of Dec. 31, 2016. The total includes 3,700 Reynolds Tobacco, 500 Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co. Inc. and 600 American Snuff Co. LLC employees. The bulk of the remaining Reynolds Tobacco employees are sales and marketing representatives out in the field serving retail, wholesale and distribution customers, as well as about half of Santa Fes workforce.

Reynolds Tobacco confirmed June 20 that it has offered select production workers a voluntary retirement package. It has not said how many took the package.
BB&T fifth in mortgage servicing survey

BB&T Corp. placed fifth among financial-services companies nationally when it comes to customer satisfaction with mortgage servicing, according to a J.D. Power and Associates study released Thursday.

The bank had a score of 790 out of a possible 1,000 points. The score was 36 points above the industry average and 21 points above the banks own 2016 score.

Quicken Loans again had the top score, this time at 840.

The study measured satisfaction with mortgage lending based on six factors: new customer orientation; billing and payment process; escrow account administration; interaction; mortgage fees; and communications.

Bank of America Corp. and SunTrust Banks Inc. tied for 10th at 767. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. was 17th at 750, while Wells Fargo Home Mortgage was 18th at 745.

This years study finds that mortgage servicer satisfaction has stalled after years of steady improvement, J.D. Power said. Customers have had significant declines in their overall brand perceptions, an indication that customers feel firms are more focused on profit than on their customers.

Richard Craver

American National net income up 4.7 percent in 2Q

American National Bank & Trust Co. reported having a 4.7 percent increase in second-quarter net income to $4.3 million. Diluted earnings were 49 cents, up 2 cents.

The bank, based in Danville, Va., opened a branch in Winston-Salem at 110 Oakwood Drive, Suite 529 in September. It has three branches in Burlington, two in Greensboro and one each in Graham and Mebane. It had $1.76 billion in total assets as of June 30.

Loan revenue rose 12 percent to $13.6 million. It added $350,000 to its loan-loss provision compared with adding $50,000 a year ago.

Jeffrey Haley, the banks president and chief executive, said about half of its loan and deposits growth of the past year came from new markets in Winston-Salem and Roanoke, Va.

Fee revenue slipped 0.5 percent to $3.35 million. Trust fees were down 5.5 percent to $908,000, while mortgage fees rose 26.6 percent to $462,000.

Nonperforming assets were at $5.4 million on June 30, compared with $5.1 million on March 31 and $4.7 million a year ago.

Richard Craver

Starbucks says it will close all its Teavana stores

NEW YORK  Starbucks is shutting down its struggling Teavana chain, and relying on customers who spend more on pricier drinks and food to drive up sales at its namesake coffee stores.

The company reported disappointing global sales growth on Thursday, and said it will close all 379 Teavana locations over the coming year. There is a Teavana store at Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem.

Starbucks had acquired the U.S. mall-based chain in 2012, citing the huge potential for the tea market. But in April, the company said it was reviewing options for the chain.

Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson on Thursday noted declining foot traffic at malls.

The Associated Press

Verizon vendor plans

HQ in Wake County

A Wireless, Verizons largest independent agent by store count, has picked Wake County for its new headquarters and home of support operations. The company will bring 250 jobs to the headquarters over five years and make a $5 million investment.

A Wireless has more than 5,500 employees overall, It has 1,150 retail locations across 46 states.

Richard Craver
Another customer account misstep has rattled Wells Fargo & Co., with the bank disclosing late Thursday that it will pay $80 million to resolve five years worth of overbilling to about 570,000 auto-loan customers.

The loans involved Wells Fargo Dealers Services clients, who the bank said may have been financially harmed due to issues related to auto collateral protection insurance between 2012 and 2017.

The bank will pay $64 million in cash remediation to affected customers, starting in August. It will spend an additional $16 million on account adjustments.

The bank ended the program in September. It does not have a customer breakdown by state or region, spokeswoman Natalie Brown said Friday.

The announcement comes about six weeks after a federal judge gave preliminary approval to a $142 million settlement in the fraudulent customer-accounts scandal that has shadowed Wells Fargo for nearly a year.

At least 1.5 million potentially fraudulent customer checking and 623,000 credit card accounts were opened by branch employees and managers in customers names, primarily in the Los Angeles and Arizona markets.

Chris Marinac, the managing principal with FIG Partners, said the new disclosure is definitely a setback to the intended progress on repairing the brand in my opinion.

I wonder why a dealer wants to send auto loans to Wells Fargo when there are plenty of other banks with superb and ethical lending practices. So Wells has to justify why auto dealers should do business with them, Marinac said.

In the auto-loan dispute, the bank said its contracts require customers to maintain comprehensive and collision physical damage insurance on behalf of the lender throughout the term of the loan.

Collateral-protection insurance is designed to protect the lender against loss or damage to a vehicle that is serving as collateral for securing a loan.

The contract permitted Wells Fargo to purchase collateral-protection insurance from a vendor if there was no evidence the customer already had secured that insurance.

The bank said that in response to customer concerns, it reviewed the collateral-protection insurance program and vendor practices.

Wells Fargo said the review determined that certain external vendor processes and internal controls were inadequate.

For example, some customers may have been charged premiums for collateral-protection insurance even if they were covered by their vehicle insurance. The bank said that in some case, the unnecessary collateral-protection insurance premiums may have contributed to about 20,000 customers going into default with their loans.

We take full responsibility for our failure to appropriately manage the CPI program and are extremely sorry for any harm this caused our customers, who expect and deserve better from us, said Franklin Codel, the head of Wells Fargo Consumer Lending, which includes the Dealer Services unit.

Upon our discovery, we acted swiftly to discontinue the program and immediately develop a plan to make impacted customers whole.

The bank said 490,000 customers had the collateral-protection insurance added to their loans for some or all of the time they had adequate vehicle insurance coverage of their own. The total cost for remediation for those customers is $25 million.

In five states that have specific notification and disclosure requirements, 60,000 customers did not receive complete disclosures from the vendor as required prior to collateral-protection insurance placement. In these cases, even if the insurance was required, customers will receive a refund of premiums, fees and interest. Refunds for this group total $39 million.

The bank said it will work with credit bureaus to correct customers credit records, if applicable.

Tony Plath, a finance professor at UNC Charlotte, said that even though Wells Fargo agreed to pay remediation, this is yet another sign that it just doesnt understand that its corporate culture was, for a substantial period of time, one of corporate self-interest and profit maximization for the bank at the expense of its customers best interests.

Force-placed (collateral protection) car insurance is tremendously overpriced, and hence profitable, from the standpoint of the bank, as well as the insurance underwriter that provides the policy to the lender, Plath said.

One lesson for customers from this issue, he said, is to always maintain full insurance coverage against a vehicle that collateralizes a consumer loan.
WASHINGTON -- Looking, as prudent people are disinclined to do, on the bright side, there are a few vagrant reasons for cheerfulness, beginning with this: Summer love is sprouting like dandelions. To the list of history's sublime romances -- Abelard and Heloise, Romeo and Juliet, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy -- add the torrid affair between Anthony Scaramucci and Donald Trump. The former's sizzling swoon for the latter is the most remarkable public display of hormonal heat since -- here a melancholy thought intrudes -- Jeff Sessions tumbled into love with Trump. Long ago. Last year.

Sessions serves at the pleasure of the president, who does not seem pleased. Still, sympathy for Sessions is in order: What is he to do? If dignity concerned him, he would resign; but if it did, he would not occupy a Trump-bestowed office from which to resign. Such are the conundrums of current politics. Concerning which, there is excessive gloom.

"To see what is in front of one's nose," George Orwell wrote, "needs a constant struggle." An unnoticed reason for cheerfulness is that in one, if only one, particular, Trump is something the nation did not know it needed -- a feeble president whose manner can cure the nation's excessive fixation with the presidency.

Executive power expanded, with only occasional pauses (thank you, Presidents Taft and Coolidge, of blessed memory), throughout the 20th century and has surged in the 21st. After 2001, "The Decider" decided to start a preventive war and to countenance torture prohibited by treaty and statute. His successor had "a pen and a phone," an indifference to the Constitution's Take Care Clause (the president "shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed") and disdain for the separation of powers, for which he was repeatedly rebuked by the Supreme Court.

Fortunately, today's president is so innocent of information that Congress cannot continue deferring to executive policy-making. And because this president has neither a history of party identification nor an understanding of reciprocal loyalty, congressional Republicans are reacquiring a constitutional -- a Madisonian -- ethic. It mandates a prickly defense of institutional interests, placing those interests above devotion to parties that allow themselves to be defined episodically by their presidents.

Furthermore, today's president is doing invaluable damage to Americans' infantilizing assumption that the presidency magically envelops its occupant with a nimbus of seriousness. After the president went to West Virginia to harangue some (probably mystified) Boy Scouts about his magnificence and persecutions, he confessed to Ohioans that Lincoln, but only Lincoln, was more "presidential" than he. So much for the austere and reticent first president, who, when the office was soft wax, tried to fashion a style of dignity compatible with republican simplicity.

Fastidious people who worry that the president's West Virginia and Ohio performances -- the alpha male as crybaby -- diminished the presidency are missing the point, which is: For now, worse is better. Diminution drains this office of the sacerdotal pomposities that have encrusted it. There will be 42 more months of this president's increasingly hilarious-beyond-satire apotheosis of himself, leavened by his incessant whining about his tribulations (What dunce saddled me with this silly attorney general who takes my policy expostulations seriously?). This protracted learning experience, which the public chose to have and which should not be truncated, might whet the public's appetite for an adult president confident enough to wince at, and disdain, the adoration of his most comically groveling hirelings.

Speaking of Scaramucci, and in his defense: His love interest, the president, was elected for his persona rather than his principles. Hence there is a vacuum at the center of the person who is at the center of the country's absurdly president-centric conception of government. Therefore, loyalty inevitably manifests itself as sycophancy. Nevertheless, the smitten Scaramucci is himself evidence of something encouraging: Upward social aspiration is still as American as Jay Gatsby.

When plighting his troth to Trump, Scaramucci repeatedly confessed his "love" for his employer, thereby exceeding Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin's comparatively pallid testimonial to the president's "superhuman" health. Scaramucci grew up in Port Washington, the Long Island community that is East Egg in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby." Gatsby lived in West Egg, yearning to live across the water, where shone the beckoning green light at the end of Daisy's dock. Scaramucci's ascent to a glory surpassing even that available in East Egg shows that the light on the lectern in the White House press room is, at last, something commensurate to his capacity for wonder.
WASHINGTON  Eventually, everyone in this town seems to wind up with the word poor in front of his or her name.

Such a fate is especially likely if one has associated with Donald Trump. As in Poor Attorney General Jeff Sessions. He is latest to the firing line that has included such formerlys as FBI Director James Comey, national security adviser Michael Flynn and acting-Attorney General Sally Yates, as well as the voluntarily resigned  press secretary Sean Spicer and Communications Director Michael Dubke.

Trump has begun making inquiries about firing Sessions, barring a resignation prompted by the presidents tweeted attempts at shaming him into resigning. His crime? A perceived lack of loyalty. Having recused himself from involvement in the FBIs Trump-Russia investigation  and, therefore, from defending the president, as Trump sees it  Sessions is no longer useful. (For the record, Sessions did reportedly offer to resign at one point.)

Speaking of loyalty, Trump offers little of what he expects from others. Way back in early 2016, when few were willing to sidle up to the Republican front-runner, Sessions bet the farm on this reality-show celebrity. He was the first sitting senator to endorse Trump, trading his legacy for the near-certain promise of a top position in the new administration.

Whatever Sessions hopes for the job, Trump apparently assumed that the attorney general would serve at his pleasure, regardless of what inconvenient ethics might preclude Sessions from also acting as the presidents personal defense attorney  that is, should any pre-emptive measures prove inadequate to thwart unwanted scrutiny.

Sessions recusal wasnt only correct but probably unavoidable. It was revealed the day before his announcement that he had twice met with then-Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, in July and September of 2016, despite having said during his confirmation hearing that he hadnt. Like so many others who joined the Trump White House, Sessions seemed to have forgotten the meetings.

Testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Sessions has said that his meetings with Kislyak, come to think of it, were routine and part of his activities as senator, not as campaign operative. Except for the fact that Sessions was part of the campaign at the time of those meetings, theres no reason to doubt him.

Trump seems less bothered that Sessions, Donald Trump Jr. and Jared Kushner all have contradicted his claims that none of his campaign people had ever met with any Russians associated with the government than by the realization that Sessions isnt protecting his backside. To the nations chief executive, the latter spells kaputzkah. In recent tweets, the president called the attorney general beleaguered, accused him of being very weak on Hillary Clinton (why now?), and questioned his competence.

Sure, Trump must know that Sessions vowed during his confirmation hearing that, if confirmed, he would recuse himself from any matters concerning Hillary Clinton. After all, the hearing was televised. But why mention Clinton in this episode of Trumps reality presidency? Because when the heat is on, Trump always sprinkles a little Clinton in the mix. How better to turn his supporters against Sessions and create momentum for him to resign than to remind Republican voters that Sessions let Clinton get away with (fill in the blank).

In the latest in his series of off-the-cuff true confessions, Trump last week told The New York Times that he never would have nominated Sessions as attorney general had he known hed recuse himself. Recall that he also said he fired Comey because of the Russia investigation. Nobody ever accused the president of subtlety. The question now is, whos next?

Well know soon enough, but Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price might want to keep his medical license current. As the Senate was preparing to vote again on the Obamacare repeal bill, Trump said he knew Price, who formerly sat on the House Ways and Means subcommittee on health, would get out there and get those votes.

If not, Trump quipped, Youre fired!

Poor Price.
PHOENIX YOUTH ENSEMBLE: 7 p.m. today and 3 p.m. Saturday at SECCA, 750 Marguerite Drive. $12 advance/$15 door. Organized by Authoring Action. Tickets online at www.authoringaction.org/events.

BEACH MUSIC PARTY: 7-10 p.m. Saturday at Westbend Winery & Brewery, 5394 Williams Road, Lewisville. Gates open at 6 p.m. Party takes place on the front lawn of the Hauser House. $3 per person/$5 per couple. Carolina beach music provided by DJ Fessa John Hook. Catered by Full Moon Oyster Bar & Seafood Restaurant. Call 336-945-9999.

SUMMER ON LIBERTY: 7-10 p.m. Saturday at Liberty and Sixth streets. Phase Band. Free.

IF JFK SURVIVED DALLAS: PRESIDENTIAL REFLECTIONS OF AN ELDER STATESMAN: 3 p.m., and 7 p.m. Saturday at The Arts Place of Stokes, 502 N. Main St., Danbury. Admission is $15, $12 for Stokes Arts members, $10 for students. Purchase in advance by calling 336 593-8159. Visit stokesarts.org for more information.

ANNIE: 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Aug. 4, and 5; 3 p.m. Sunday, and Aug. 6. Stained Glass Playhouse, 4401 Indiana Ave. $17 adults, $14 seniors and teachers, $12 students. Visit stainedglassplayhouse.org/annie.

VFW MEMORIAL HONOR GUARD: Veterans are needed to help render military honors for funerals of veterans of all branches of the military. A chaplain is needed. Uniforms and transportation are provided by the honor guard. Contact Cliff Harris, Quartermaster: 336-403-8756 or clifhar@windstream.net.


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A verbal altercation between two drivers escalated into an unidentified victim's demise during the early morning of Nov. 5 in the 100 block of Kensington Place, in the Kings Grant neighborhood of Summerville off Dorchester Road. Read moreLadson man charged with voluntary man slaughter
[JURIST] A Mendoza court sentenced four former federal judges to life in prison for crimes against humanity carried out during Argentinas 1976-1983 dictatorship. The judges were originally tried [AP report] as accomplices for failure to investigate [Mendoza Post report, in Spanish] the kidnapping, torture and murder of dissenters. The prosecutors eventually charged the judges as principals arguing that the judges inaction on the petitions preceded the disappearance of more than 20 dissidents. The sentence has been applauded by several human rights groups, including the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo [advocacy website], which has advocated for civilian perpetrators being brought to justice for their role during the last dictatorship.

Former participants of former dictatorship of South America have been held accountable for their past crimes in the last decade. In August an Argentine court convicted [JURIST report] military officers of human rights violations during the dictatorship. In May 2016 Argentinas last dictator, Reynaldo Bignone, and other former military officers were sentenced [JURIST report] to prison for their roles in Operation Condor in the 1970s. In February 2016, Frances highest appeals court overtured [JURIST report] a lower court decision to seek the extradition of a former police officer to Argentina for alleged crimes against humanity during the countrys dirty war. In 2014, a Buenos Aires court handed [JURIST report] down a 23-year prison sentence to Bignone, the last Argentinian military president of the countrys dictatorship, for the kidnapping and torture of 32 factory workers.
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) [official website] filed an amicus curiae brief [PDF] on Wednesday urging the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit [official website] to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a man who claims he was fired for his sexual orientation. Donald Zarda alleges that his employment as a skydiving instructor with Altitude Express Inc was terminated [Reuters report] after he told a customer that he was gay. The DOJ argues that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [materials], which bans sexual discrimination in the workplace, does not extend to protect against discrimination of sexual orientation where there is no showing that an employer has treated similarly situated employees of different sexes unequally. The brief contends that discrimination based on sexual orientation does not involve the disparate treatment of men and women because it causes differential treatment of gay and straight employees for men and women alike. Until the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuits recent landmark decision in Hively v. Ivy Tech Community College [JURIST report], there was a settled precedent holding that discrimination based on sexual orientation was not prohibited under Title VII. Additionally, the brief continues,

Against the backdrop of that precedent, Congress neither added sexual orientation as a protected trait nor defined discrimination on the basis of sex to include sexual orientation discriminationnotwithstanding that Congress amended the provisions concerning sex discrimination in other respects and overruled numerous other judicial precedents with which it disagreed. In fact, every Congress from 1974 to the present has declined to enact proposed legislation that would prohibit discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) [advocacy website] called [press release] the move disgraceful and vowed to continue this fight to make clear that discrimination against LGBT people is just another form of sex discrimination that is prohibited under federal civil rights laws.

LGBT protections are still disputed and many rights groups have raised concerns about the future of LGBT rights within the US since the November elections. The Supreme Court of Texas held [JURIST report] earlier this month that the Houstons benefits policy need not extend to same-sex couples In June the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit lifted an injunction [JURIST report] on a Mississippi law that critics say allows individuals, including government employees, to discriminate against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people for religious reasons. Also in June the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit upheld [JURIST report] North Carolinas Senate Bill 2, which allows magistrates to refuse to perform same-sex marriages if doing so would conflict with their religious beliefs. In May the US Supreme Court declined to hear [JURIST report] an appeal challenging Californias 2012 ban on gay conversion therapy. In April the US Department of Justice dropped [JURIST report] a federal lawsuit against the state of North Carolina over a bill requiring transgender people to use the public bathroom associated with their birth gender. In February the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled [JURIST report] that a Fayetteville city ordinance broadening nondiscrimination laws to include sexual orientation or gender identity was invalid under a state statute that prohibited cities from adopting or enforcing ordinances prohibiting discrimination beyond what is barred by state law.
[JURIST] The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Demoractic Peoples Republic of Korea [official website], Tomas Ojea Quintana [official profile], is asking [press release] North and South Korea to open discussions concerning human rights following his second visit to South Korea. Quintana argued the proposed the resumption of communication between the two nations [NYT report] will present an opportunity for more open discussions on not only military issue, but humanitarian ones as well. Quintanas recommendation comes after a five-day trip to South Korea where he met with numerous government officials as well as the leaders of numerous representatives from humanitarian groups. North Korea denied his requests for access to the country. Quintana voiced concern over the increase of North Koreans being found in China to then be deported back to North Korea where they will likely face harsh labor sentences. As a result, Quintana also asked China to stop its policy of deporting North Koreans that are found within their borders. A full report is expected to be presented to the UN General Assembly sometime in October.

North Korea is well known for human rights violations, which has led to frequent sanctions. Last month Quintana urged [JURIST report] the UNHRC and the UN member states to bring human rights violations committed by North Korea before the International Criminal Court and address the grave human rights situation in the country. Earlier that month Freedom House [advocacy website], an independent watchdog organization, released [JURIST report] its 2017 Freedom in the World report, listing North Korea as one of the least-free nations in the world. In January the Obama administration expanded sanctions [JURIST report] against North Korea for alleged human rights violations, adding eight North Korean government officials to the Specially Designated Nationals List. Kim Jong-un and 10 other high ranking officials were placed on the list [JURIST report] in July after the release of the report detailing the human rights violations in the country. In December, the Institute for National Security Strategy released a report [JURIST report] asserting that Kim ordered the executions of 340 people in the five years that he has been in power.
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) has celebrated the start of production of what it claims is the world's first all electric light duty truck, the Fuso eCanter.

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Identify and track the key disruptive trends that are keeping the top digital thought leaders talking through social media analytics Consult this report now to find out how you and your company can benefit from our Explorer platform. The US Electric Vehicles (EV) market has established itself as one to watch. Despite China maintaining the number one spot, the US holds significant standing as one of the major EV markets, with GlobalDatas whitepaper identifying a strong growth trajectory within the forecast period. This report further analyzes the trends, market drivers, and government incentives set to influence and facilitate the market. This report also looks beyond the US and touches on environmental concerns set to drive the EV market worldwide. Want to find out more? This report demonstrates GlobalData Explorers sector analysis capabilities, showing how you can:Consult this report now to find out how you and your company can benefit from our Explorer platform. by GlobalData Enter your details here to receive your free Report. Please enter a work/business email address Country United Kingdom United States Afghanistan Aland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, The Democratic Republic of The Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote D"ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and Mcdonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People"s Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People"s Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon 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 Georgia and The South Sandwich Islands Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand Timor-leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Download free Report By clicking the Download Free Report button, you accept the terms and conditions and acknowledge that your data will be used as described in the GlobalData privacy policy By downloading this Report, you acknowledge that we may share your information with our white paper partners/sponsors who may contact you directly with information on their products and services.



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Fuso, once part of the giant Japanese Mitsubishi group is today a Daimler Trucks Asia brand and Canters for Europe and the US are produced in Tramagal, Portugal.

President and CEO Marc Llistosella said: "[We have] become the first global manufacturer to [series] produce an all electric truck. From now on we can address the growing demand for locally emission free delivery trucks in mega-cities. We already received the first customer orders."

The company will hold the global launch in New York next September.

Last May, MFTBC announced its first commercial customer in Japan: Seven-Eleven will be operating 25 eCanters this year.

Production started at the Kawasaki plant in Japan on 7 July.

"The experiences from this small series in customer hands will also help Fuso for the large scale production in the coming year," the truck maker said.

The eCanter is produced with the conventional light-duty truck at Tramagal plant. The first units will be delivered in Europe and the US within a month.

The Tramagal plant, around 150km north-east of Lisbon, was founded in 1964 as a joint venture between Portugal's Duarte Ferreira and the former French truck manufacturer Berliet. In 1980, the plant began CKD (completely knocked down) kit assembly for Mitsubishi Fuso and since built the Canter and other Fuso vehicles for Portugal. Ten years later, the plant was purchased by Mitsubishi Motors Portugal. In 1996, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation took over the plant as the central production location for the Canter for western Europe. The plant became part of Daimler in 2003 after the automaker acquired the majority share of Mitsubishi Fuso.

The plant covers 160,000 square metres where 400 employees produce trucks for 30 European countries, Israel, Morocco and Turkey. Almost 95% of the vehicles are exported. Since 2012, the plant has also built the Canter Eco Hybrid.
Rescue crews were called to the scene of an accident around 9:24 p.m. after a vehicle struck the southeast side of Verizon at 5110 Second Ave., according to police radio traffic. According to radio traffic, two people were transported to the hospital. The vehicle reportedly struck at least two other vehicles as well.
SUMNER  The Nebraska State Patrol and Dawson County Sheriffs Office are searching for two suspects who led law enforcement on a high-speed chase Thursday afternoon in Dawson County.

According to Nebraska State Patrol communications, a state trooper spotted a vehicle allegedly stolen in Colorado at about 1:30 p.m. on the Lexington Interstate 80 Interchange.

Law enforcement chased the vehicle east on I-80 to Overton where the pursuit went north on several roads, the State Patrol spokesman said. The spokesman would not say the exact speed of the pursuit.

Law enforcement spiked the vehicle. When the tires deflated, a man and woman ran into a cornfield at Roads 444 and 764, southwest of Sumner. The State Patrol searched for the suspects in the field on foot and by airplane, but it ended the search through the corn sometime between 6-7 p.m., a spokesperson said this morning.

Not long after the search ended, at about 7:30 p.m., Dean and Jean Eberle heard a light knock on their back door.

The Eberles, who had a front row seat to the search of the cornfield across the road from their property, were warned earlier in the day by Dawson County Sheriff Gary Reiber and one of his deputies that two fugitives were on the loose in the area.

They asked about if all the vehicles were locked and, yeah, told us to keep in the house, the doors locked, Jean said.

Because of that warning, Jean said, they knew the knock was from the suspects. Dean then called 911, looked out the back window and spotted a woman on their deck and man just beyond the deck.

The man and woman then walked away from the Eberles home to one of the Eberles parked vehicles. At about that time, a deputy pulled into the Eberles driveway and spotted the suspects. They then ran into the trees.

And then, within a very short time, there were multiple law enforcement vehicles (in our yard), Jean said.

Law enforcement also brought with them a K-9 and used an aircraft during the evening, Jean said.

Though a fugitive search isnt something that Jean is accustomed to witnessing, she said she and Dean werent frightened.
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According to The Nation, the children were rescued in Ondo State.

Recall

that the operatives of the Inspector General of Police (IGP)

Intelligence Response Team (IRT), on May 31 arrested three suspected

members of the gang that kidnapped the six pupils.

Officers of the Nigeria Police have Friday rescued the six schoolstudents who were kidnapped Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe,Lagos State.

It was gathered that IRT operatives led by Abba Kyari, an Assistant

Commissioner of Police (ACP) arrested the three suspects who left the

creek and went to Edo State to visit a gang member who was injured

during gun battle with security forces.

Details later
A lawsuit against Wisconsins legislative redistricting process will soon go before the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Federal judges ruled last fall that the boundaries of districts Wisconsin lawmakers had drawn in 2011 were so heavily skewed toward Republicans that they violated the U.S. Constitution. Earlier this summer, the Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments on the case.

Sachin Chedda, the director of the Fair Elections Project, was in Kenosha Thursday night as the featured speaker in a forum about the ongoing litigation.

Our expectation is that our vote is going to count, he said. That expectation wasnt met.

Gerrymandering  the act of manipulating legislative district maps in favor for one party over the other  is the culprit, Chedda said.

In order to attack the problem we need to understand how it happened, Chedda said, and started explaining how legislatures crack and pack districts in one political partys favor.

Cracking happens when the the districts are drawn to dilute the voting power of the opposing partys support across many districts, scattering them across the map so they dont have enough numbers to elect the representative that reflects their views.

Packing happens when a concentrated part of the opposing partys voting power goes into one district to reduce the voting power in other districts, Chedda said.

The result, he said, is the district map decides whats going to happen before Election Day due to manipulated districts.

He spoke of the 2012 election, when former President Barack Obama won re-election.

Nationally, the Democratic Party received 170,000 more assembly votes than the Republican Party. Republicans still won more seats in the legislature that year, Chedda said, and the way the district maps have been drawn is how they did it.

He showed numerous examples of oddly-shaped districts, with skinny lines connecting dissimilar areas.

Thats why were suffering a lawsuit in Wisconsin, he said.

The U.S. Supreme Court is slated to hear arguments in Wisconsins redistricting lawsuit on Oct. 3.

If those opposing the current boundaries are successful, Chedda predicts 40 more lawsuits from states across the U.S. will be filed combating gerrymandering.

Forward Kenosha and the local chapter of Organized For Action, two groups that advocate for progressive change, brought Chedda to Kenosha to educate and update the public on the redistricting litigation.

Jodi Muerhoff, a representative of Forward Kenosha, felt the event was a success and educated community members about the issue. A live stream of the forum can be found at www.forwardkenosha.org.
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Recently in Missouri, a bill was proposed that would ban women on oral contraceptives (OCP) from working. In the world of politics, the use of contraceptives has been discussed ad nauseam, often without medical consideration. As physicians, in order to continue to uphold our Hippocratic Oath: First do no harm, it is imperative that we continue to challenge any law that goes against scientific evidence, and our voices must be heard loudly and often. The oral contraceptive pill has a PR problem, and the pro-life lobby has a great PR machine fueling its cause, often in direct contradiction to scientific evidence.

The OCP issue isnt a liberal vs. conservative issue. It isnt a Republican vs. Democrat issue. It isnt a man vs. woman issue. This is an issue of who should be deciding the medical care that is appropriate for patients. Should it be a physician with years of schooling and training who practices medicine with the sole purpose of providing excellent and educated medical care? Or should medical decisions be left to government lawmakers with no medical training?

Stemming from this, there are two main points that need to be addressed. First, OCPs are not only used for birth control; they serve many other medical purposes. Second, how on earth does stopping someone from taking a pill meant to prevent pregnancy make one pro-life.

Let me elaborate on my first point which directly relates to the OCP PR problem. In the majority of the discussions, the fact that OCPs serve many other medical purposes besides contraception seems to be missing. As a hematologist and oncologist, I see countless women who require iron infusions or blood transfusions because of heavy menstrual losses. In many cases, OCPs are the only medications that are able to decrease the bleeding that will allow these women to live normal lives. Without OCPs, these patients would require ongoing interventions such as multiple doctor visits, regular blood transfusions or regular iron infusions. Why should these women be penalized for having heavy periods simply because they are on a pill that also happens to be a contraceptive?

OCPs are also used to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis and acne to name a few. They provide protection against certain endometrial and ovarian cancers. They are used in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease, and benign breast disease, among other medical problems. By making it more difficult to get medications to regulate periods or treat PCOS, there will be more women facing larger medical bills for other, less effective treatments for very treatable medical conditions. And yes, these drugs can also serve as contraception while treating other diseases. By penalizing women for using OCPs to treat endometriosis or ovarian failure, more women will likely have unnecessary complications from these disorders. These are medical conditions, and the decision as to whether a woman should be on this medication should be made by the patient and her physician, not a blanket law made by individuals who will likely never personally be affected by its implementation.

To solve the OCP PR problem, what if we changed the marketing of these OCPs from contraception to medications for acne treatment, or medication to decrease menstrual bleeding or medication to help with premenstrual symptoms? They could be described as medication to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome or endometriosis. Would the proposed legislations still pass? Would the government still be able to decide what medications should and shouldnt be prescribed to women despite a physicians recommendation? By denying women the right to medications that serve a variety of purposes simply because the drug also happens to be a contraceptive is dangerous.

The next (and more hotly debated) question is this: should OCPs be prescribed to individuals who do intend to use them as contraceptives. This brings me to my next point. The pro-choice vs. anti-choice discussion.

The use of the term pro-life is a medical misnomer and was developed because the anti-choice lobby is actually quite smart and pragmatic. They have marketed themselves as advocates for life but in actuality, they advocate against choice. As any PR or marketing professional knows, the message isnt as important as the catch phrase or the shiny package the product is wrapped up in. By using a name that does not most accurately describes their standpoint, they have marketed themselves as for life. They use verbiage that makes it seem their tenets are solely positive. The anti-choice lobby developed a marketing strategy built on the idea that they are fighting for the little guy without a voice. But who are they actually fighting for if the little guy is an egg that has not yet been fertilized or a fetus that has not yet been conceived? This hypothetical little guy does not actually exist. The real question then becomes, who is actually fighting for the real little guy. Who is fighting for the women who dont have access to these valuable medications? Medical professionals should, and this is why we as physicians need to make our voices heard.

The OCP has a PR problem, and we need to figure out a way to change this. It is imperative in order to protect the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship and to allow us to continue to provide safe and effective health care to all of our patients, regardless of gender.

Shikha Jain is a hematology-oncology physician. She can be reached on Twitter @ShikhaJainMD.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
The greatest value financial advisers offer is the quality of their advice, the way they help their clients manage their emotions and their investment intelligence. Their next greatest value? Helping to reduce internal investment costs without negatively impacting portfolio returns.

Over the past 20 years the financial services industry has experienced a boom in product innovation. Many of these developments provide investors with the ability to greatly improve their long-term performance simply by cutting underlying investment costs. For instance, if you own a large-cap U.S. stock mutual fund, odds are you are paying roughly 1% in internal expenses plus hidden trading costs for the fund  and you may be subject to considerable dividend and capital gains distributions, further reducing your net after-tax return. If, however, you owned any one of the large-cap ETFs (exchange traded funds) that has similar holdings and portfolio characteristics, you would be cutting your internal expenses by over 0.75% while essentially owning the same portfolio.

For illustration purposes, take the Growth Fund of America (ticker: AGTHX), which has over $162 billion in assets and a very reasonable 0.66% expense ratio. This is a solid fund with a decent track record and a terrific investment for smaller accounts (below $50,000) where trading costs and other outside factors can greatly impact performance. Comparing this fund to the iShares S&P US Growth ETF (ticker: IUSG), the informed investor will quickly notice that its 0.05% expense ratio represents a much better value and significant cost savings.

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Both investments have similar return, risk and volatility patterns, which is why I chose to compare them. However, over time  say the past 10 years  the difference in expense ratios compounds significantly, costing the investor thousands of dollars. In this example, the 61 basis points savings in expenses compounded at the net return of 7% by the Growth Fund of America over a decade (according to Morningstar data) for a $100,000 investment amounts to over $13,000 in additional net returns for the investor.

As a financial professional with over 20 years portfolio management experience I have learned that there are very good reasons to own all sorts of products to implement your investment strategy. And while there are bound to be times when selecting a higher-cost investment makes absolute sense (variable annuities immediately come to mind), generally speaking investors are well served to research and select lower-cost investments.

This column is the fourth in a six-part series on investor education.

Column 1  Understanding your goals

Column 2  Why benchmarking to the S&P 500 is not a good strategy

Column 3  Investors: Focus on Cash Flow, Not Returns

Column 4  How much are you paying for your portfolio?

Column 5  5 critical questions to ask your financial advisor

Column 6  Senior Inflation the not so silent retirement killer
After a very strong recovery following an industry-wide inventory buildup in 2014-2015 and again after Indias demonetization in late-2016, the diamond industrys momentum has begun to stall, or perhaps normalize is the proper verbiage.

Here we are little more than half way through 2017, and industry fundamentals are not necessarily negative, but signals are mixed with a subdued tone.

In the industrys largest market, the U.S., retail diamond jewelry demand is somewhat underwhelming as large national retailers have underperformed so far this year despite a resilient economy and a stock market that seems to make new highs daily. In China, the industrys second largest market, demand is improving but the market is not thriving.

Rough prices are higher this year, but polished is flat, if not down in some categories, and there are indications that excess polished inventory is building.

De Beers appears to be attempting to curtail excess supply to the market by continuing to raise rough prices while reducing allocations to clients, while Russian-major ALROSA (RTS: ALRS) is increasing production and supply to clients due to "strong demand."

Demand

U.S. Proxy Signet Jewelers

U.S. end-market demand has been stable at best, with the largest player in the market underperforming as of late. Signet Jewelers (NYSE: SIG) in late-May announced a 8.2% year-over-year decline in same store sales and a 25% decrease in earnings for the three months ending April 30th, after adjusting for the calendar impact of Mothers Day. At the same time the company said that it will be selling its $2 billion customer credit account receivables portfolio, a component of Signet's business that has been concerning to analysts and investors for some time now.

While most of the underperformance has been attributed to a secular decline in U.S. shopping mall traffic, part can be attributed to operational performance, and the later has been recently addressed with store closures, a renewed focus on web, and the company naming a new CEO on July 17th.

Chinese Proxy Chow Tai Fook

In China, market leader Chow Tai Fook (HK: 1929) is showing encouraging signs. In the three months ended June 30th, same store sales were up 11% year-over-year in Mainland China and up 5% in the Hong Kong and Macau market. The figures represent three consecutive quarters of same store sales growth in Mainland, and two in Hong Kong/Macau.

Part of the growth can be attributed to Chinese consumers purchasing more jewelry at home versus abroad. Early last year, the Chinese government took steps to encourage more domestic luxury spending within its borders, which is showing signs of playing out. This development has consequently impacted revenues of downstream participants in the U.S., Europe, and Japan that have generated a significant portion of revenue from Chinese tourists in recent years.

The companys results can also be explained by lower comparables relative to last year. The Greater Chinese market, which includes Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, has been volatile in recent years as it transitions from hyper-growth in the early 2000s. The transition can be seen by the deceleration in the rate of new store openings (see figure below).

Marketing

Given the generational change in consumer preferences for luxury items like diamonds, the upstream segment of the industry came together to create the Diamond Producers Association (DPA) in 2015 with an aim at reestablishing generic diamond marketing. In June, the DPA upped its annual 2017 budget to $57 million from just a fraction of that in 2016, with the majority of the budget directed towards U.S. consumers.

This week De Beers said its 2017 marketing budget would be approximately $140 million including its contribution to the DPA. Since De Beers contribution to the DPA is estimated to be about $20-25 million, the market leader is planning on spending well over $100 million on marketing its De Beers Diamond Jewellers stores and its Forevermark brand. This compares to the ~$200 million that De Beers used to spend annually on its A Diamond is Forever campaign.

Industrial diamonds

Industrial diamonds which represent approximately 20-30% of natural diamond production by volume, but under 10% by value, have increased in price from an average of $6.00/carat in Q4 2016 to $8.50/carat in Q2 2017, according to Russia's ALROSA. In July, De Beers said it saw a modest upturn in demand for industrial diamonds from the oil and gas industry relative to H1 2016, however weaker demand for diamond abrasives used for road and mining applications.

Supply

The Producers

Through June, De Beers sold $2.9 billion of diamonds which is a 3.6% decrease year-over-year, but 16.8% more than the 2015 equivalent. ALROSA has sold $2.5 billion which is down 0.4% versus last year but up 14.8% versus 2015. De Beers and ALROSA currently represent an estimated 39% and 28% of global diamond production by value and 22% and 26% by volume, respectively.

For the producers, the first half of 2017 has been marked by a notable return in demand for lower-quality rough that was severely impacted after the Indian government demonetized its highest denomination bank notes last November. On an investor call in May ALROSA said the monetary reform did not hit (the Indian manufacturers) as hard as expected, so in the last few months they bought everything they (could).

Producers have been unloading excess inventory consisting of primarily lower-quality goods and have seen their average-price-per-carat figures skewed lower so far this year despite raising prices on a like-for-like basis. For example, De Beers has seen over a 20% decrease in average price per carat sold in H1 2017 over H2 2016, but has alluded to a 2-4% increase in their average price index over the same period of time. The Zimnisky Global Rough Diamond Price Index, which attempts to consolidate global rough diamond price data, is up approximately 5% year-to-date.

2017 marks the first full-year of commercial production for two new world-class Canadian mines. However, Gahcho Kue (see image below), estimated to produce 4.2M carats worth in excess of $500 million this year, and Renard, estimated to produce 1.7M carats worth in excess of $200 million, are both off to a disappointing start. Both mines are recovering fewer large stones than anticipated. In addition, the level of florescence of the diamonds produced at Gahcho Kue is restraining prices, and there has been a problem breaking diamonds during processing at Renard.



A haul truck at the Gahcho Kue mine in Canada

Source: DPA

In the case of Gahcho Kue, the underperformance has left 49% owner, Mountain Province Diamonds (TSX: MPVD), unable to fund a cash-reserve account required by its lenders. In May, the company received a waiver but further flexibility may be needed. The stock prices of Mountain Province and Stornoway Diamonds TSX: SWY), the sole owner and operator of Renard, have consequently taken a hit.

Mountain Provinces stock is down 21.8% so far this year, and Stornoway is down 21.9%. However, in the second half of the year both producers stocks could benefit as richer Center-lobe ore is accessed at Gahcho Kues 5034 pipe, and remedies at Renard are under way to address the breakage problem.

Manufacturers have noted a preference for Renard goods over those from Gahcho Kue given the relatively higher clarity and lower fluorescence.

The second-half of 2017 could also benefit Lucara Diamond (TSX: LUC), as the company returns to mining the South-lobe of its 100%-owned Karowe mine in Botswana. Heavy rains, integration of a new mining contractor, and processing plant upgrades have put mining of the South-lobe on hold, which is the portion of Karowe's AK06 kimberlite body from which the Lesedi La Rona was recovered.

Petra Diamonds (LSE: PDL), the London-listed producer with a portfolio of 5 ex-De Beers mines did not deliver on production guidance in the second-half of its fiscal year ending June 30th. In addition, the risk of the company has risen in recent months as political concerns in South Africa and Tanzania escalate, the companys two operating jurisdictions. Petras stock is down 32.9% year-to-date, however the company recently attempted to assuage concerns by reminding investors that production is still set to ramp-up in coming months and the risk of the production miss breaking lender covenants should not present an issue.

On July 17th, Canadian-producer Dominion Diamond (TSX: DDC) reached an agreement to be acquired by a relatively unlikely suitor, the Washington Companies. Privately held Washington is based in the U.S. and holds a multi-billion-dollar portfolio of businesses primarily geared towards global natural resource production and transportation. Dominion will be Washingtons foray into the diamond industry.

With Dominions stock never recovering from the 2007-2009 downturn, in late-2015 increasing impatient investors pressured the company to consider strategic alternatives. However, a year later the stock traded at even lower-lows following a processing plant fire at the Companys majority-owned Ekati mine. In March Washington made a conditional expression of interest for the company, which eventually resulted in the formal bid made in July.

Washington is acquiring Dominion just as production at Ekatis rich Misery Main pipe is ramping up production and demand is returning for lower-quality brown goods, which represent the bulk of the pipes production. However, after Misery Main production concludes around 2020, planned expansion projects at Ekati are arguably marginal at best, and the companys only other mine, a 40% stake in Diavik is approaching the end of its life.

There is no indication that the acquisition will impact supply from Dominions two mines in the near-to-medium term.

The Explorers and Developers

Perhaps the most significant development on the supply side of the industry is the progression of the Luaxe project in Angola. Earlier this year a concession agreement was reached making Angolas government-run mining entity, Endiama, and ALROSA the primary owners. According to ALROSA, the Luele kimberlite pipe on the Luaxe concession is the largest discovered in the past 60 years, with an assessed value of over $35 billion [sic].

The Luele pipe is only 20km away from the world-class Catoca mine, which is also owned by Endiama and ALROSA. Luele diamonds are said to be of similar quality to those of Catoca which are worth about $100/carat, but the ore grade of the Luele deposit is said to be even better than Catoca's. Construction of a standalone plant at Luaxe is still being considered, however initial production of Luele ore may commence as early as 2018 via trucking of ore to the Catoca plant for processing.



The Brauna mine in state of Bahia, Brazil

Source: Lipari Mineracao Ltda

On the junior front, Mountain Province spin-off, Kennady Diamonds (TSX: KDI), continues to progress its Faraday project after reporting in May that the company was in discussions with certain interested parties regarding a potential strategic transaction. The Faraday project could represent a nice compliment to Kennadys further advanced Kelvin project, as both lie in close proximity to Gahcho Kue, and thus both have the potential to be expansion projects for Mountain Province and/or De Beers Canada. An independent diamond valuation of Faraday in due in late summer 2017.

In June, Shore Gold (TSX: SGF) announced that it had entered into an option agreement with Rio Tinto (LSE: RIO), where Rio could earn up to 60% of Shores Star-Orion South project in Saskatchewan over the next 7 years.

Trading over C$7 a share in 2007, Shores stock has been down and side-ways for almost 10 years, most recently trading C$0.29, as the companys cumbersome diamond project has not advanced much over the last decade. Shores Star-Orion South is a world-class project in size but would require well-over $1 billion to build, a substantial undertaking in a Canadian province that has never seen commercial diamond mining before.

Rio, with an $80 billion market cap, is an ideal partner for the project given the company's capacity finance a mine build, but also because of the company's experience with Canadian diamonds (Rio is the 60% owner and operator of Diavik). However, given the structure of the deal, Rio can take their time as the first phase of the option does not expire for 3  years.

On an analyst call in early July, Peregrine Diamonds (TSX: PGD) mentioned that the company had been in later-stage discussions with a strategic partner but a deal was not finalized. In the meantime, the company is moving forward with a C$10M rights offering to fund further development of its 100% owned Chidlak project in Nunavut Canada. Peregrine previously had been involved with majors, BHP Billiton (ASX: BHP) and De Beers Canada, to jointly advance Chidliak, but the former parted ways in 2011 upon exiting the diamond business and the later walked in 2013 as parent Anglo American cut its company-wide exploration budget.

North Arrow Minerals (TSX: NAR) is also advancing a project in Nunavut, spending over C$3 million to mini bulk sample its 100%-owned Naujaat project. In 2015 North Arrow recovered fancy yellow/orange diamonds sampling the project's Q1-4 kimberlite. A larger bulk sample and subsequent diamond valuation is anticipated for 2018.

London-listed Botswana Diamonds (LSE: BOD) discovered a kimberlite in South Africa in close proximity to the formerly producing Helam mine. The discovery will be further sampled to determine if the kimberlite is diamondiferous. Botswana Diamonds has an earn-in arrangement with privately-held Vutomi Mining to explore the area.

In Brazil, Canadian-listed explorer, Five Star Diamonds (TSX: STAR) is mini bulk sampling its 100%-owned Jaibaras project in the north-eastern region of the country. Eight kimberlites at Jaibaras were identified by De Beers in the 1990s and gem-quality macro diamonds have previously been recovered at two of the pipes.

There has been very little diamond activity in Brazil since De Beers and Rio Tinto left the country almost 15 years ago, however, privately-held Lipari Mineracao, is currently producing over 200k carats annually at its Brauna mine (see image above) in the state of Bahia. There has never been a world-class diamond discovery in Brazil, and outside of Brauna, all previous production in the country has been via alluvial mining.

--

All stock price and change figures as of July 25, 2017.

At the time of writing Paul Zimnisky held a long position in Lucara Diamond Corp, Stornoway Diamond Corp, Kennady Diamonds Inc, and a covered-call position in Signet Jewelers Ltd.
SHANGHAI, July 28 (Reuters) - China's Ministry of Finance auctioned 10 billion yuan ($1.48 billion) of 3-month bills in the interbank market on Friday at an average yield of 2.9996 percent, traders said.

The auction yield came in below Thursday's benchmark secondary market yield of 3.0080 percent .

For stories on Chinese debt issues, click on . ($1 = 6.7476 Chinese yuan)

(Reporting by the Shanghai Newsroom; Editing by Sunil Nair)
SINGAPORE, July 28 (Reuters) - Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority released detailed estimates for the change in private home prices in the second quarter of 2017: Quarter-on-quarter, percentage price change: Quarter Q2/2017 Q1/2017 Singapore -0.1 -0.4 private home prices - Rentals of private residential properties fell 0.2 percent, after declining 0.9 percent in the previous quarter.

(Reporting by Masayuki Kitano; Editing by Michael Perry)

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.
LONDON, July 28 (Reuters) - Co-operative Bank said on Friday a British court yesterday granted it the right to hold meetings between Tier 2 noteholders and shareholders to implement a restructuring plan. The British bank said last month that it had agreed a 700 million pound ($915.95 million) financial rescue package with its investors, including hedge funds GoldenTree Asset Management and Silver Point Capital. Co-op Bank announced the details of its restructuring plan, including a timeline of meetings, with the first to be held on Aug. 21 for ordinary shareholders. ($1 = 0.7642 pounds)

(Reporting by Maiya Keidan. Editing by Andrew MacAskill)

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.
SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea fired a ballistic missile on Friday in an unusual late-night test launch from its northern Jangang province that landed in the sea off its east coast, possibly in Japan's exclusive economic zone, South Korea and Japan said.

The launch took place at 11:41 p.m. (1441 GMT), an official at South Korea's Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. The U.S. Defense Department also confirmed the launch as a ballistic missile, saying it was making further assessments.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in called a National Security Council meeting for 1 a.m. Saturday, his office said, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also said a National Security Council meeting would be convened.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said that the North Korean missile flew for about 45 minutes.
The following Spanish stocks may be affected by newspaper reports and other factors on Friday. Reuters has not verified the newspaper reports, and cannot vouch for their accuracy:

SANTANDER Banco Santander posted on Friday a 37 percent increase in second-quarter net profit from a year earlier, in line with analysts' forecasts and boosted by a solid performance in its largest market, Brazil. CAIXABANK Spain's Caixabank posted on Friday a 32 percent rise in first-half net profit to 839 million euros ($981 million), ahead of analysts' forecasts, thanks to the incorporation of Portugal's Banco BPI. SABADELL Spain's Banco Sabadell on Friday posted a 6 percent rise in first-half net profit from a year earlier due to lower provisions, beating a Reuters forecast. BBVA BBVA reported a 1.4 percent fall in quarterly net profit on Thursday as lower lending income in its home market was partially offset by a strong performance in Mexico. ACCIONA Acciona said on Friday that net sales had risen to 3.39 billion euros in the first half from 2.76 billion euros a year ago. CELLNEX Cellnex on Friday reiterated its financial outlook for 2017 and said first half revenue had grown to 379 million euros.

INDRA Indra said on Friday its revenue had risen to 1.38 billion euros in the first half from 1.33 billion euros a year earlier. BME The stock exchange group said on Friday that first half profit was 80.3 million euros, down from 86 million euros a year ago. OHL OHL said its EBITDA was 466 million euros in the first half of 2017, up from 385.4 million euros a year ago. FERROVIAL Ferrovial reported late on Thursday that net profit had risen to 240 million euros in the first half of 2017. TECNICAS REUNIDAS Tecnicas Reunidas said on Friday that first half net sales rose to 2.63 billion euros ($3.08 billion).

MELIA HOTELS The Melia hotel group said late on Thursday that first-half net profit was 60.4 million euros. HISPANIA Hispania's net profit rose to 161.4 million euros in the first half of 2017, the real estate company said on Thursday. VISCOFAN Viscofan said on Thursday that net profit was up 10.5 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2017. For today's European market outlook double click on .EU. For real-time moves on the Spanish blue-chip index IBEX please double click on .IBEX 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 HOT-ES For Spanish language market report double click on .MES For latest Eurostocks report please double click on .EU ($1 = 0.8551 euros)

Keywords: MARKETS SPAIN FACTORS/
COLOMBO, July 28 (Reuters) - The Sri Lankan rupee was steady on Friday as inflows from inward remittances offset importer dollar demand, dealers said.

The spot rupee was trading at 153.74/80 per dollar at 0539 GMT, compared with Thursday's close of 153.75/80.

"The state (banks) demand is there. But with the month end, there are inward remittances," a currency dealer said, requesting anonymity.

Last week, central bank Governor Indrajith Coomaraswamy said the rupee was still "over-valued" and that the monetary authority was buying dollars to avoid any appreciation.

The banking regulator is compelled to buy dollars from the market to meet a reserves target set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under a $1.5 billion, three-year loan programme.

Analysts said a port deal approved by the cabinet on Tuesday helped boost sentiment.

On Tuesday, Sri Lanka's cabinet cleared a revised agreement to lease its Chinese-built southern port of Hambantota, after terms of the first pact sparked widespread public anger in the island nation. The investment is expected to be around $1 billion. Sri Lankan shares were 0.11 percent weaker at 6,661.79 as of 0544 GMT. Turnover was 227.3 million rupees ($1.48 million). ($1 = 153.7000 Sri Lankan rupees)

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)
(Adds more details, background)

By Gabriela Baczynska and Agnieszka Barteczko

BRUSSELS/WARSAW, July 28 (Reuters) - The European Union's top court ordered Poland on Friday to immediately halt large-scale logging in the primeval Bialowieza forest, in an attempt to save the trees as an EU case lodged against Warsaw may take years to conclude.

A spokeswoman for the European Court of Justice (ECJ) gave no immediate reason for the ruling but it follows a legal appeal this month from the European Commission to halt logging at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed forest. The Commission, the EU's executive arm, has said the logging violates the bloc's wildlife protection laws.

Straddling the border between Poland and Belarus, Bialowieza is one of Europe's last ancient forests and home to its largest herd of European bison.

Environmentalists have been holding regular protests to try to halt the logging and UNESCO has also appealed to Poland stop cutting down the trees.

Poland's right-wing, eurosceptic government says logging is needed to protect the forest from beetles and also to safeguard local communities living in the area. It has increased the quota of wood that can be harvested there.

"If Polish authorities do not respect the (ECJ) decision, it will be in serious conflict with EU law," said Agata Szafraniuk, a lawyer at ClientEarth, a green non-governmental organisation.

But Poland's Environment Minister Jan Szyszko - a hunter who enjoys the backing of forester and hunting lobbies - was quoted as saying on Friday that more than one million trees must be cut down in Bialowieza this year because of the beetle invasion.

The main legal case brought by the European Commission against Warsaw over Bialowieza could take months or even years to conclude, hence its appeal to the ECJ for swift interim action.

Should Poland lose the main case at the ECJ, it could be fined a lump sum of more than 4 million euros and possible daily penalties of up to 300,000 euros for every day in which Warsaw fails to adhere to the court's decision.

(Additional reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek; Editing by Gareth Jones)
(Adds details of senior rebel commander defecting)

NAIROBI, July 28 (Reuters) - South Sudan's government said on Friday it had taken the last town before the main rebel base of Pagak, where thousands of civilians have fled to escape fighting near the border with Ethiopia. Mai-wut had been under rebel control since the beginning of the war in late 2013 and is a gateway to the main rebel stronghold of Pagak, which if taken by the government would weaken the rebellion led by former vice president Riek Machar.

In a separate blow to Machar, a senior commander allied to the rebel leader's SPLM-IO group said on Friday he had left to join up with a separate rebel faction, led by General Thomas Cirillo, the most senior officer to defect from President Salva Kiir's army in the last year.

Mai-wut sits along a supply route from Ethiopia to another town, Mathiang, which is adjacent to the Paloch oilfields, the main source of government revenue.

Dickson Gatluak Jock, a spokesman for the forces of South Sudan's First Vice President Taban Deng Gai, who were involved in the fighting, said three government soldiers were killed and five others wounded in capturing Mai-wut.

Jock said they entered the town on Thursday morning after clashing with rebel forces.

"It is under our control. Our forces managed to reach the town around 10 a.m.," he said.

Up to 7000 families have fled to Pagak to escape the fighting since the government launched its offensive earlier this month, said Sarah Nyanath, head of GESSO, a local aid group in the town.

South Sudan descended into civil war in 2013 after Kiir fired Machar as his deputy, unleashing a conflict that has spawned armed factions often following ethnic lines.

Last July, Deng Gai, a former chief opposition negotiator, broke ranks with Machar and joined Kiir with troops allied to him. Jock said on Friday that Deng Gai's forces at Mai-wut were backed by army troops from Paloch and were forced to attack the rebels after they hit government positions near Mai-wut.

A spokesman for the SPLM-IO rebels confirmed the town was no longer under their control.

Machar was further weakened when John Kenyi Loburon, the commander of his forces in South Sudan's Central Equatoria state, which has seen some of the worst fighting in the last year, said he had joined General Cirillo's National Salvation Front rebel group.

He said in a statement that he left because the movement had splintered between Machar and Deng Gai and because Loburon's troops had been sidelined by the top leadership.

Cirillo, who lives in Ethiopia, says his aim is to overthrow Kiir, accusing him of running a tribalist army and government. The fighting in South Sudan has forced millions to flee their homes, split much of the population along ethnic lines, paralysed agriculture and cut oil production.

(Editing by Toby Davis)
By My Pham and Florence Tan

HANOI/SINGAPORE, July 28 (Reuters) - Vietnam plans to spend more than $6 billion to build a strategic petroleum reserve and to expand commercial storage for crude oil and oil products by 2025, according to a document reviewed by Reuters.

The Southeast Asian country joins nations such as China and India in establishing an oil buffer to enhance its energy security as crude imports have jumped while domestic production is on the decline.

Under the plan, Vietnam plans by 2020 to build strategic petroleum reserves of up to 2.2 million cubic metres of crude oil, or about 13.8 million barrels, equivalent to six days of imports. Strategic oil product reserves by 2020 would total 1.8 million cubic metres, or about 11.3 million barrels, equal to 14 days of fuel imports.

Following the approval, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, PetroVietnam and Petrolimex are expected to submit feasibility studies for the projects by September, said a source with knowledge of the matter.

Vietnam's prime minister earlier this month approved a plan to build crude and petroleum stocks of at least 90 days worth of net imports by 2020. However, the projects are likely to take longer than expected to materialise given the track record of refinery construction in Vietnam and the big funding requirements for storage projects, said Sri Paravaikkarasu, Head of East of Suez Research at energy consultancy FGE.

"Ninety days is a big target even for big countries like China and India which rely heavily on imports," she said.

The following table outlines Vietnam's strategic and commercial oil storage plans:

National reserves Timeline 2017-2025 2025-2035

Type Crude oil reserves Oil products reserves Crude oil Oil products

reserves reserves Volume 6 days of net import 14 days of net import 25-30 days of net import

1-1.7 mln tonnes Min 1.2-1.4 mln tonnes

(equivalent 1.4-2.2 (equivalent 1.5-1.8 mln

mln cubic metres) cubic metres) Location locate storage system continue hiring

near or next to oil storehouses at petroleum

refineries depots in areas across

the country

Dung Quat storehouse Quang Ninh, Hai Phong,

(Quang Ngai province), Hanoi, Nghe An, Ha Tinh,

Nghi Son storehouse Da Nang, Binh Dinh,

(Thanh Hoa province), Khanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh

Long Son storehouse city, Vung Tau, Dong

(Vung Tau) Nai, Can Tho, Hau Giang,

Dong Thap, Can Tho Investment $3.7 billion figure

Commercial storage Timeline 2017-2020 2020-2025 2025-2030 2030-2035

Type Petroleum; Expand 30 oil and petroleum storages and build 53 new storages across

the country Volume 35 days of net import

By 2020: min 1.6 mln By 2025: min 2 mln 2.5 mln tonnes 3 mln tonnes

tonnes (equivalent to tonnes (35 days of net (32 days of (31-32 days of

37 days of net import) import) net import) net import) Location 2.3 mln cubic metres 1.7 mln cubic metres

capacity across the capacity across the

country country Investment $3.16 bln figure (Reporting by My Pham in HANOI and Florence Tan in SINGAPORE; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
A guest post by Michael Littlewood:

Superannuation has been a messy political issue for much of the last 40 years. When the government announced in March that the state pension age would increase from 65 to 67 in about 20 years, no-one seriously thought that would park the issue politically in this election year. The government effectively admitted as much when it said that legislation to make the change (and also the change to the residency period) would have to wait until 2018. According to Steven Joyce, Scheduling the legislation in this way gives all political parties the opportunity to discuss their position with the public before it comes before Parliament. (see here)

For me, thats code for Heres a policy that we can give way on in any discussions we have with New Zealand First once the election numbers are in. Because, unsurprisingly, Labour has said that the pension will stay as it is but, more importantly (for pension policy), New Zealand First says the age will be 65, presumably forever. This will probably be one of its bottom lines.

This is all very predictable. Its also an unsatisfactory way of dealing with the issues associated with pension, retirement and saving issues.

The triennial review of retirement income policies by the Retirement Commissioner isnt working and needs to change. The 2016 Review (published in December as a jokey on-line cartoon presentation) was so unsatisfactory that Michael Chamberlain and I decided to write The Missing 2016 Review  building trust for life beyond work (accessible at www.alt-Review.com. We released that last Monday.

We described the Retirement Commissioners report as an evidence-free zone for her 34 recommendations/observations. Our own report tries to set down everything that is known and that might be relevant to a needed national debate on all the issues associated with both public and private provision for retirement. We cite 136 external reports and data sources with 250 footnotes and 265 URLs to take readers directly to online resources and reports.

All this means that we know quite a lot but not nearly enough for the kind of national debate we think is needed. We posed 125 questions under 21 headings that New Zealand must answer. A lot of those cant be discussed without more, better data, some of which will take years to gather.

We identified the nine key issues or reforms that we see as essential to a sustainable, flexible, inclusive retirement income framework. We listed them here in order of significance to us, starting with greater economic growth. None of these key issues rated a mention in the Retirement Commissioners 2016 Review.

We suggest that the political parties could start with agreeing on the need for better data before we start the national discussion New Zealand now needs. That discussion needs to be led by a group that gains everyones confidence by assembling impeccable evidence on things that matter. We cite the Dunedin Multi-Disciplinary Health and Development Study as a model of whats possible.

Once we have that impeccable evidence, the political parties can decide whats important to them, policy-wise. Our experience is that, once we know whats really happening, the answers are usually clear.

Taxpayers currently spend a net $11 bn on New Zealand Superannuation and at least another $800 million on KiwiSaver tax breaks. New Zealand should be at least curious whether taxpayers are getting good value today for that spending.

We think New Zealand has the best state pension in the developed world but our retirement income arrangements can certainly be made better, more flexible and more resilient.

The Missing 2016 Review recommends that New Zealand should aim for a 2020 equivalent of the 1993 Superannuation Accord, supported by a permanent research group. That sounds like a big, hairy, audacious goal but, signing up to that idea shouldnt be too hard for the political parties. Who could possibly object to finding out whats really happening?

The review/reform process we have at the moment is unsatisfactory and needs to change.
Comcast NBCuniversal awards $8,000 in scholarships to eight East Tennessee high school seniors







East Tennessee Comcast Scholarship Winners Devon Williford, Madeline Phillips and Lauren Clayton stand with Mayor Tim Burchett, their parents and counselors as they are honored at a Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship event.



KNOXVILLE  Comcast NBCUniversal today announced that it has awarded approximately $8,000 in scholarships for the 2017-18 school year to eight East Tennessee students as part of its annual Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program. The program, funded by the Comcast Foundation, recognizes the best and brightest high school seniors for their community service, academic performance and leadership skills.



We are pleased to recognize this years Leaders and Achievers Scholarship winners and their commitment to academic excellence and community service, said Doug Guthrie, Comcast Regional Senior Vice President. Today, we celebrate their achievements and we support them as they continue their educational journeys.



Comcast, joined by local community partners and elected officials, recognized the students at a special event held at the Knox County Commission Meeting on Monday, July 24. The recipients each received $1,000 scholarships.



The 2017-18 East Tennessee scholarship recipients are:



Devon Williford, South Doyle High School

Mary Beth Nehls, Christian Academy of Knoxville

Lauren Claxton, West High School

Madeline Phillips, L& N STEM Academy

Mason Rucinski, Knoxville Catholic High School

Natalie Campbell, Bearden High School

Riya Bagi, Farragut High School

Nicholas Gangloff, Halls High School



The Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program provides scholarships to students who strive to achieve their full potential, who are catalysts for positive change in their communities, who are involved in their schools, and who serve as models for their fellow students. The philosophy behind the program is to give young people every opportunity to prepare for the future and to engage them in their communities. The program also demonstrates the importance of civic involvement, and the value placed on civic involvement by the business community.



This year, the program will award more than $2 million in scholarships to more than 2,000 students across the country to help them pursue higher education. Visit here to learn more. Published July 27, 2017
Rural Health Association of Tennessee names new Executive Director





MURFREESBORO, TN - The Board of Directors of the Rural Health Association of Tennessee has appointed Ms. Rebecca Bradley as Executive Director. Bradley will assume her new position effective August 1, 2017.





Rebecca Bradley, new Executive Director of the Rural Health Association of Tennessee.



Bradley is a Partner with AES, LLC and serves as Vice President of Healthcare Consulting Services. She brings with her 14 years of health care and hospital association management experience. Bradley worked diligently from 2004-2016 for the Louisiana Hospital Association to address community needs. During her tenure at the association she also developed the Center for Rural Health Excellence through engaging rural health stakeholders statewide to leverage resources and strengthen Louisianas rural health safety net providers. She negotiated contracts that established a statewide rural health group purchasing network to provide lower cost alternatives to rural standalone facilities and supported lobbying efforts on issues affecting health information technology and rural hospitals at the state and federal legislature.



Bradley also successfully advocated for the enactment of legislation to provide financing mechanism to stabilize hospital share of states $8 billion Medicaid budget through Constitutional Amendments. She assisted in directing improvements to the engagement of grassroots advocacy groups to broaden the effectiveness of healthcare advocacy and hopes to do the same for Tennessee in her new position.



As an experienced rural health non-profit executive, I am compelled to pursue my passion of working for and with the rural healthcare safety net to protect and expand access to necessary healthcare related services in rural Tennessee, Bradley stated. The Rural Health Association of Tennessee is excited to work with Rebecca Bradley as our new Executive Director, said Kathy Atwood, Association President. Her excellent qualifications and varied experiences will propel our association to the next level of services. We are pleased to have us join with us in the fight for quality health care for all rural Tennesseans.



The Rural Health Association of TN is a non-profit organization of more than 600 individuals and organizations, providing meaningful services to the rural healthcare delivery network of Tennessee. For more information, visit www.rhat.org. Published July 27, 2017










The United States should continue to slap sanctions on Chinese banks that support North Korea's nuclear and missile development, a U.S. think tank said Thursday.

The recommendation was made in a report by the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) as Washington moves to impose fresh sanctions on Pyongyang for its defiant pursuit of a nuclear-tipped missile.

The report listed eight ways in which to tighten the screws on the communist regime.

"There are still a number of Chinese banks that transact with North Korean front companies, and it would serve the United States well to impose sanctions on some or all of them," it said. "If an initial salvo of secondary sanctions does not persuade other Chinese banks to cease transactions with North Korean front companies, the United States can impose sanctions on remaining firms with ties to North Korea."

Sanctions have so far led to no change in the North's provocative actions.

In June, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned a Chinese bank suspected of laundering money for North Korea. It also blacklisted a Chinese firm and two Chinese individuals for their ties to the North's missile and nuclear programs.












By Oh Young-jin





U.S. President Trump likes to tweet as a communication tool.

But even in the age of social media, a big U.S. presidential speech can be a tool that tweets can't replace.

Two major speeches, one by John F. Kennedy, the other by Ronald Reagan, played key roles in helping the free world win the Cold War or most of it. JFK uttered "Ich bin ein Berliner" in 1963 to stand pat with the West Germans made anxious by the erection of the Berlin Wall.

Reagan challenged the last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to "tear down that wall" in 1987. The wall went down a few years later, knelling the death toll for communism.

Both speeches were made in Berlin, the heart of the divided Germany at the forefront of the ideological war.

Today, there are few places in the world that need such a speech as Seoul does.

Seoul is only an hour by car from the heavily fortified border where thousands of guns are pointed at North Korea, and thousands at us. The North is offspring that has outlived its ideological father, the Soviet Union, and lives not always harmoniously with its foster mother, China.

The stakes are no smaller in Seoul than in Berlin. The North is in the final stage of making nuclear-tipped inter-continental missiles that can hit the United States, terrorize its neighbors and trigger a third world war. Perhaps the chance of a nuclear war may be higher than during the era of mutually assured destruction.

Then, the U.S. and U.S.S.R got so scared neither would dare to push the button for a first strike. Even without the use of nukes, a pre-emptive strike to castrate the North's nuclear virility could immediately cost the lives of hundreds of thousands.

The problem is the current U.S. President Donald Trump is neither a Reagan nor a JFK.

The U.S. is not what it was then. It is disengaging itself from the rest of the world, tired of playing the same leading role for too long.

The world also is not what it was. Then, it was on the edge of its collective seat not knowing when the next shooting war _ a nuclear one _ would begin.

Perhaps what captures all these changes best was the location of Trump's latest speech in Warsaw.

Berlin is now the capital of unified Germany, no longer needing a speech from a foreign leader in its capital. Also Chancellor Angela Markel believes "Europe belongs to Europeans" and is in no mood to grant Trump such an honor. The Polish capital is different because it still feels Russia breathing down its neck and doesn't feel secure about the emergence of Germany, children of the Nazis.

Trump's speechwriters must have tried hard to minimize the loss of U.S. prestige by speaking not in Berlin but in Warsaw. A hint came when Trump talked about Poland as the geographical center of Europe.

More credit goes to them because the speech was powerful enough to revive the images of an impassioned JFK and an assured Reagan in places throughout. The reason was due in large measure to the tone of good ol' American optimism but, more specifically, for following the habit of the predecessors and laying out the old theme of protecting peace together, not passively but actively.

That same message would have been many times more powerful, if it were made in the heart of Seoul outdoors. The North has threatened to turn the capital of more than 10 million people into a sea of fire. It is not an idle lie because at least 7,000 reloadable and retractable artillery pieces nested in hardened shelters can fire a rain of shells into it. In no time the North will make its weapons of mass destruction sophisticated, inflicting damage many times greater on Seoulites. A counterattack will likely bring the Chinese and potentially the Russians as well into the conflict.

So it is imperative for the American leader to speak. Some may say it would be too big a shoe for Trump. Not really, the president is an institution that can survive the damage done by any one given holder of the office. Besides, the real power lies in its resurgent power when used in the right context.

For the speech to work, there are a couple of conditions.

First, it should be inclusive.

It needs new rules set for engaging China by recognizing it as a growing power and allowing the two to compete without antagonizing each other. The North's nuclear and missile threat may top their list of joint tasks. A declaration of guarantees for the North's continued existence may be offered or assurances for the settlement of unification and other key issues between the two Koreas should be made.

One ideal format of the speech to follow is JFK's 1963 American University commencement speech in which he specifically laid out rules of competition with the Soviet Union.

Second, the protocols would be as important as the content.

President Moon Jae-in should be persuaded to be an enthusiastic host and supporter for the Trump speech. The relationship between Korea and the U.S. should be reset as partners seeking common goals _ lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the region and peaceful unification.

Then, it should be an outdoor speech, not indoors, following the tradition that big speeches are made outdoors.

Of course, there might be protests _ due to Trump's unpopularity and the Koreans' sense of pride _ but there were protests in the lead-up to Reagan's speech. It will require a lot of persuasive efforts but it won't be impossible.

By making a game-changing speech, Trump could have a better chance at his place on the good side of history as the U.S. president who makes America great again. The world would appreciate it.





Oh Young-jin is The Korea Times' chief editorial writer. Contact foolsdie5@ktimes.com and foolsdie@gmail.com.
By Kim Bo-eun

Oyori Asia CEO Lee Ji-hye

In Seoul's quaint neighborhood of Bukchon is a Spanish fine dining restaurant frequented by business tycoons and politicians.

The restaurant Terreno is among Oyori Asia CEO Lee Ji-hye's businesses to help disadvantaged women out of poverty.

"Our mission is to help underprivileged women in Asia become financially independent by learning to work in the dining business," Lee, 43, said in a recent interview with The Korea Times.

"The dining business has relatively low entry barriers as it does not require advanced skills and can provide job stability for the underprivileged."

Oyori Asia also runs Seoul Women's Plaza, a facility for events under a consignment operation.

It offers training opportunities for migrant women, teenagers in orphanages and youth who have dropped out of school.

Oyori Asia hires those who have completed long-term training programs.

All 43 of its employees are regular workers.

Among those who worked and learned at Oyori Asia is a Vietnamese immigrant in her 30s who became a co-founder of Asian Bowl, a restaurant in Jangseungbaegi, southwestern Seoul.

With the help of a community for migrant single moms, the restaurant opened last November. Other migrant women also work there.

"The restaurant makes good pho and business is doing well," Lee said.

Oyori Asia also runs two franchises overseas _ Cafe Mitini in Kathmandu, Nepal, and Oyori the Grill, a restaurant in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

A second Cafe Mitini will open in Kathmandu soon, run by a young Nepalese woman who received training as a barista for four years.

Terreno is funding the opening, and the coffee shop will pay the restaurant back the funds, which will then be invested in opening a third shop.

Oyori Asia trains and hires young women in impoverished conditions who would otherwise end up in human trafficking.

Lee does not have much faith in the system of sending young women in Southeast Asia to Korea as brides to escape poverty.

Many of them have trouble adjusting to life here due to the language barrier and cultural differences. Also, a large number of marriages these women have with Korean men end up in divorce.

"If they become financially independent in their home countries, they won't have to come here," Lee said.

Lee initially worked in IT implementing a system of paid online content.

She recalls "95 percent of the company's sales came from adult content," and this bothered her.

Even though the job paid her well, she realized it wasn't what she wanted to do.

She wanted to do social work. As a woman and working mom, she was able to relate to people like herself and a restaurant is a business relatively easy to start.

Oyori began in 2008 as a small restaurant selling Asian dishes in the Hongdae area.

The idea to open a fine dining restaurant came from Terreno's chef, who has worked with Lee for 10 years.

"I wondered if it would be okay to put myself in a high-end business when I am doing social work," Lee said.

"But the chef said this is what we needed to do if we wanted to raise the workers' wages."

In addition, having work experience at a credited fine dining restaurant benefits the women in terms of credentials.

Terreno made it to one of the top 10 restaurants in Korea in 2016.

Lee is preparing to establish a business in Thailand which enables local entities to learn about Oyori's model of training disadvantaged women to become financially independent in the dining business.
By Yoon Sung-won



Korean conglomerates, including Lotte, Mirae Asset and CJ, are proactively tapping into Vietnam, attracted by the country's rising spending power and property development projects, according to industry sources, Friday.



Expectations are that Korean enterprises will continue boosting their presence in the country thanks to its attractiveness as a promising but less risky market compared to China.



Disillusioned with China, which came up with prolonged retaliatory measures against Korean firms after Seoul agreed to the deployment of a U.S. missile shield, they are turning to alternative destinations and Vietnam has emerged as a top place, according to observers.



Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin went to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City this week and looked around the company's department store, hotel, retail and fast food businesses. Lotte plans to invest 330 billion won in the commercial district of Tay Ho in the Vietnamese capital city to build a shopping center. The mall will include a department store and cinema and is scheduled to be completed by 2020.



Under Shin's drive, Lotte is also pushing to pour in 2 trillion won to build a complex including a department store, shopping mall, hotel and office buildings in the Thu Thiem new urban area of Ho Chi Minh City by 2021. To this end, the conglomerate will establish a Vietnamese subsidiary in the latter half of the year to finalize its "eco smart city" development plan.



Lotte started operating food, retail and services businesses in Vietnam in 1996. The group launched its fast food chain Lotteria in the country in 1998 and has expanded its portfolio to have about 10 Lotte affiliates run businesses there. In September 2014, Lotte opened Lotte Center Hanoi.



Lotte was hit hardest by China's retaliatory moves. As it provided land for the anti-missile system, China has suspended operations of most of Lotte Mart stores in the world's most populous country.



Mirae Asset Group has also aggressively pushed investments in Vietnam's property market under the stewardship of Chairman Park Hyeon-joo since last year.



In April 2016, Mirae Asset invested 400 billion won ($359.38 million) in global investment company AON BGN's acquisition deal of Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower in Vietnam, which is a 72-story skyscraper also known as Keangnam Landmark 72.



The investment comes in response to the chairman's direction to expand the group's business in Vietnam. The entrepreneur's strong determination played a key role in making the decision, according to his aides.



The Korean financial conglomerate is also expanding the scale of its Vietnamese subsidiary.



In June this year, Mirae Asset Daewoo announced that it had completed a capital increase for its local subsidiary in Vietnam by 65 billion won to make its gross capital about 100 billion won.



Expectations are that the company is seeking to diversify its business portfolio from stock brokerage to the investment banking sector.



Earlier in 2016, the chairman pledged to increase capital of overseas subsidiaries of Mirae Asset Daewoo. In line with his promise, the securities enterprise increased the capital of its New York and London units by 200 billion won and 60 billion won, respectively.



CJ Group, which recently saw its Chairman Lee Jae-hyun return after an absence of four years, is also speeding up expansion of its Vietnamese business.



CJ Cheiljedang recently said it will invest 70 billion won to build a food processing plant near Ho Chi Minh. It also plans to establish a research center by next year. The company said the new plan will produce kimchi and frozen food products designed for the Vietnamese and Southeast Asian consumers.



CJ Cheiljedang acquired kimchi manufacturing company Kim&Kim and frozen food maker Cau Tre last year. It also took over fish and poultry processor Minh Dat Food in March this year.




The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed sanctions aimed at deterring North Korea's missile and nuclear development, as part of a package that also targets Russia and Iran.

The bill passed the Senate 98-2, despite objections from President Donald Trump. Two days earlier, the legislation passed the House with overwhelming support of 419-3.

It will now be sent to Trump to sign into law or veto.

The part on North Korea authorizes sanctions on those providing the country with crude oil and other related products.

It prohibits "any ships owned by the government of North Korea or owned or operated on behalf of any country not complying with U.N. Security Council resolutions from operating in United States waters or landing at any U.S. port."

It also bans "goods produced in whole or part by North Korean forced labor from entering the United States and sanctions foreign persons that employ North Koreans who are forced to labor in inhumane conditions and are denied access to wages and benefits."












Song Joong Ki continues to impress Song Hye Kyo and leaving fans in awe and clutching their hearts with all of his romantic gesture and talk about marriage. Now, he recently dedicated something special to Song Hyo Kyo on TV.

Song Joong Ki appeared on a recent airing of 'The Newsroom' on July 27th to discuss his current film 'The Battleship Island.' However, the topic of his marriage came up, as expected, and he was asked quite a few interesting questions.

Toward the end of his interview, the news anchor said, "You were asked to select the closing song for today's show. After pondering for two days, you finally requested the theme song from the classic film 'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.'" Song Joong Ki gave a response that had everyone smiling.

Song Joong Ki responded, "I actually watched the film for the very first time a few months ago. And I thought that it was a very good movie, and the theme song kept playing over and over in my head. To be honest, it also happens to be my girlfriend's favorite song." In honor of their marriage and after the sweet conversation, the show 'Newsroom' ended the broadcast dedicated a special closing song for the Song-Song couple. What do you think of this charming gesture?
#football Injured star Son Heung-min named to S. Korean World Cup squad The injured South Korean football star Son Heung-min was named to the country's World Cup squad Saturday, as the football-crazed nation waits with bated breath to see if the belove...
PRESS RELEASE

UNICEF, WHO, WFP Joint Statement: Yemen Faces the Worst Cholera Outbreak in the World

July 27, 2017 (EIRNS)Devastated by the Saudi-launched war which began in 2015 and continues to this day, Yemen is facing the "worlds worst cholera outbreak," the United Nations declared this month.

Following their recent visit to Yemen, the heads of three major UN agenciesUNICEF, the World Food Program (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO)declared that "This is the worlds worst cholera outbreak in the midst of the worlds largest humanitarian crisis." In the last three months alone, 400,000 cases of suspected cholera and nearly 1,900 associated deaths have been recorded, and if things are not reversed, the number of cholera cases could reach 600,000, they reported, according to Vatican Radio.

In a joint statement, the heads of the three agencies said that thousands are falling sick every day. Sustained efforts are required to stop the spread of disease. Nearly 80% of Yemens children need immediate humanitarian assistance.

"Speaking to Lydia Kane from Sanaa city, Communications Officer Reem Nada spoke about the current situation on the ground. The cholera outbreak is actually compounding a very complex situation in Yemen because already we have malnutrition, we have hunger, 70 million people are suffering, they dont know where their next meal is coming from,"

Vatican Radio reported today.

The heads of the three United Nations agencies are now calling on the international community to redouble its support for the people of Yemen, said Vatican Radio.
PRESS RELEASE

Germans and Austrians Slam Congressional Sanctions Bill

July 27, 2017 (EIRNS)Europeans continue to attack the U.S. Congress for passing new sanctions against Russia as an attack on the European economy. Charging that the sanctions directly undermine European energy policy, the managing director of the German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations (Ost-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft) Michael Harms said that "Washingtons decisions on energy supplies in Europe are unacceptable," and that the latest sanctions passed by U.S. lawmakers threaten "not only the construction of Nord Stream 2, but also other gas pipelines," reported TASS.

"Sanctions remain a brake on cooperation," Harms continued. He cited the European Commission and certain EU member states politicization of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project as unacceptable. "We are categorically against the politicization of Nord Stream 2 by the European Commission and some European countries," Harms told reporters, noting that the pipeline would play a key role in ensuring Europes energy security.

In Austria, Chancellor Christian Kern, a longtime critic of the sanctions regime against Russia, wrote on his Facebook page:

"I consider the U.S. sanctions against Russia absolutely unacceptable. Political interests should not be mixed up with economic ones, to the detriment of employment in the European Union."

Kern said that the issue of EU energy supply "is a matter for Europe."

At this moment, a sanctions bill has been passed by the House of Representatives, but not yet by the Senate. President Trump opposes parts of it; his office says he will decide whether or not to veto it once final legislation reaches his desk. Although it seems very likely that a bill will pass both Houses of Congress with veto-proof majorities in excess of two-thirds, it cannot be excluded that the President could find the votes in one or both Houses to sustain a veto.
In her work and in her life, Janelle Brown sticks close to home. A Bay Area native, she got her bachelors in English at UC Berkeley, then worked as a staff writer for San Francisco-based Wired and Salon.com through the dotcom boom of the 90s. In 2002 she followed the filmmaker she was dating to Los Angeles. Thank God it worked out, she told me. We just celebrated our 12th anniversary.

Brown doesnt roam far afield in her fiction, either. My books tend to be page-turners with dysfunctional family relationships at their hearts, she says with characteristic bluntness. Her first novel, All We Ever Wanted Was Everything, (2008), was a satirical romp through the new-moneyed Silicon Valley suburbs. Her second, This Is Where We Live (2010), was a poignant sendup of Los Angeles hipster culture. In Watch Me Disappear, out now from Spiegel & Grau, Brown returns to Berkeley, where a seemingly happy family has come undone in the wake of a mothers disappearance.

On the umpteenth day of L.A.s latest heat wave, Brown and I fanned ourselves and chatted in the backyard of the comfy-chic Silver Lake home she shares with her husband, their 5-year-old son and their 8-year-old daughter.

Your reading at Skylight Books was packed with your many, many Los Angeles friends and fans. How does living in L.A. affect you as a writer?

There was so much anti-L.A. rhetoric floating around San Francisco, I was afraid I wouldnt find my people here. The opposite turned out to be true. L.A. is a literary city full of smart, interesting people doing smart, interesting things  and doing them from outside the confines of the traditional routes. If you want to be a writer, youre supposed to move to New York, not L.A. So the writers who come here approach their careers from a different direction, and they come together like magnets.

In 2006, the New York Times Style section asked me to write about the literary scene in L.A. They wanted me to find all the juicy catfights: Who hates who? Whos feuding with who? I didnt find any feuds, and they killed the piece. People hating each other is a great narrative, but whats true is that L.A. writers help and support each other. Im part of a vibrant, exciting network of women writers on the east side of town, and our circle keeps getting bigger.

Your first novel was a huge hit. How did that set up the rest of your career?

Everyone told me first novels dont get published. I was thrilled when mine sold to a publisher. I figured if I was lucky a couple of people would read it. Then it became a New York Times bestseller. That was a total surprise. But you dont necessarily get to stay on that train forever. My second book wasnt a bestseller, which is one reason this third novel took me so long. I was trying to figure out whats marketable, which was the wrong way to go.

Watch Me Disappear by Janelle Brown (Spiegel & Grau)

Unlike your first two novels, Watch Me Disappear is a thriller. What made you decide to take that turn?

Some writers sit down with a master plan. It might behoove me to be that writer, but Im not. I learn as I go, which means a lot of what I write ends up in the trash.

Before I started Watch Me Disappear, when I was pregnant with my son, I spent a year working on a dystopian novel. Then I realized there was a glut of dystopian fiction on the market. I walked away from writing for six months. Id show up to pick up my daughter at preschool every day and burst into tears. I thought my career was over. I couldnt sleep. But I stuck it out, and finally I came up with this idea.

The novel evolved a lot. I didnt expect it to be a mystery. I thought it was a meditation on grief, memory, the brain. The first drafts had all these convoluted subplots; too much going on but no focus. I had to do a lot of stripping back the layers to figure out what it could be. I recently reread the hundred pages I sent to a friend. Theres almost nothing in the current book from those hundred pages.

Janelle Brown, second from right, shares the Silver Lake writing space Suite 8 with, from left, Erica Rothschild, Joshua Seumer and Carina Chocano. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

The plot of Watch Me Disappear is not a new one. A woman disappears, like in Gone Girl and Wild. A mother leaves a father to raise his daughter alone, as Lisa did to Nate in Six Feet Under. Was it difficult to lend your own twist to a familiar theme?

It was tricky in the writing; I didnt want it to rip off everything thats already been written. But I also think theres a reason were fascinated by the idea of disappearing. Its the last thing youre supposed to do  one of the great taboos. You dont just ditch the people you love. When someone disappears, the question is, has something horrible been done to her, or has she done something horrible? Either way, its thrilling.

This is the first novel youve written since becoming a mom  and your protagonist, Billie, is a neglectful mother who walks away from her family. Explain, please!

To state the obvious, motherhood is an emotionally and physically challenging role to take on  more so when youre writing a book. My pre-motherhood writing days started at 4 in the afternoon and went on for as long as I wanted. Now my writing day is over at 3:45 when I pick up my kids at school. Its much harder to focus.

Billie became a repository for all the conflicting feelings I have about motherhood. There are moments when your kids are crying downstairs and youre upstairs reading your Twitter feed, or you realize youre trying to mold your children into yourself, and you see that potential within you to be the terrible mother you dont want to be. Ive talked to so many women who have had the thought, I just want to walk away, even though 99.9% of us would never do it. Through Billie, I got to live out that fantasy.

What would be your dream come true for this book?

What gives me the most joy when I publish a book is hearing from readers who say they were affected by it. [Laughs] Oh, and Id also love for it to be a No. 1 New York Times bestseller, and for Oprah to love it, and to have people lining up to tell me how much it meant to them. We all want that, dont we?

Maran is the author, most recently, of the memoir The New Old Me. Shes on Twitter @meredithmaran and in Silver Lake in a 1926 bungalow.
The publishing industry is notoriously slow to embrace change  that is until change, amped up on sales and critical buzz, kicks the door in. In 2014, Jeff VanderMeers Southern Reach trilogy (Annihilation, Authority and Acceptance), released in a dizzying eight-month span, proved that readers had an appetite for genre-bending work delivered on a binge-friendly schedule. Books 2 and 3 made it to the New York Times bestseller list and goosed up sales for previous volumes, positioning VanderMeer as one of the most forward-thinking authors of the decade.

At the helm of this Netflix-inspired strategy was editor Sean McDonald of FSG Originals, a Laguna Beach native who possesses equal parts visionary West Coast spirit and Manhattan-grounded ambition. Launched by McDonald and fellow Farrar, Straus and Giroux editor Emily Bell in 2011, the imprint became a flashpoint where fresh boundary-pushing fiction intersects with healthy sales and new publishing modes.

This summer, riding on the coattails of FSG Originals success, McDonald has launched another imprint, MCD/FSG thats designed as a lab for whats possible at Farrar, Straus and Giroux (owned by Macmillan). In May, MCD/FSG opened shop with a bang: Borne, VanderMeers apocalyptic novel with the titular creature resembling a hybrid of a sea anemone and a squid that eventually transforms 28-year-old protagonist Rachel, received uniformly glowing reviews in the New Yorker, the Guardian, and the L.A. Times.

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In a conversation at the Standard Hotel the month before Borne was released, McDonald was wary about pinning down the type of book that would become MCD/FSGs calling card. While VanderMeers fiction revolves around a biotech-polluted dystopia, others on the imprint, like Omar Robert Hamiltons The City Always Wins, published in June, are firmly anchored in our reality; in this case, the failed revolution in Cairo in 2011. Another book out in June, The Last Kid Left, by Los Angeles author Rosecrans Baldwin, is a crime story that dishes out a critique of our current media.

I want to feel different when I finish a book, either in regards to who I was or how I saw the world.  Sean McDonald

Im excited for the books to come out and define the imprint, not the other way around, McDonald says. But there is one through line that all the books possess  the way they hit McDonald as a reader: I want to feel different when I finish a book, either in regards to who I was or how I saw the world. It doesnt have to be confrontational, it can be subtle and enjoyable, but there needs to be a thrall to the storytelling.

Although hes New York-based, hes making it a point to break MCD out of the Manhattan publishing silo. Former Amazon Publishing head Daphne Durham, who is MCDs executive editor, is based in Seattle, and MCD has many West Coast authors on its list, including Baldwin, the Bay Areas Robin Sloan (Sourdough comes out September) and Los Angeles writer Liska Jacobs, whose debut, Catalina, publishes in November. As we talk, and he mentions the Last Bookstore, Joshuah Bearman and other Angeleno scribes, its obvious that L.A. is one of the literary hubs McDonald is closely watching.

Stephen Sparks, owner of Point Reyes Books in Northern California and contributing editor at LitHub, has often sought out FSG Originals for their new distinct voices. During his time as a bookseller at San Franciscos legendary Green Apple Books, Sparks learned about authors Catherine Lacey (Nobody Is Ever Missing) and Ben Lerner (Leaving the Atocha Station) from FSG Originals.

Theres a daringness to what Sean puts out, and an eclectic quality, Sparks said, adding that he expects to find the same qualities at work with MCD.

Im hoping that MCD becomes a forerunner for other big houses to think of exciting strategies that can help their books build over time.  Sean McDonald

Though McDonalds emphasis is always on the quality of the story and the writing, hes game to explore various publishing formats as a way to generate excitement and rope in new readers. FSG Originals has released digital projects from the likes of Warren Ellis and Aleksandar Hemon, and McDonald will continue playing with digital publishing at MCD. Some works will be stand-alones and others will be companion pieces to traditionally published books. The Strange Bird, for instance, is an e-book novella out Aug. 1 from VanderMeer that adds another prism to the world created in Borne.

Digital publishing is one of many strategies McDonald hopes will engage the online literary community. Another is social media: An under-the-radar book can soar thanks to a handful of tweets from readers with big followings. These are the people, Sparks says, who are often willing to support the weirder books. McDonald has anticipated the power of the tastemaker tweet; his small staff includes a digital marketing head.

Theres been an increasing pressure for books to splash in the first two weeks or so of their launch, Sparks says, but too often that short-changes books that dont have giant marketing budgets, or ones that simply need more time to cut through the static. Im hoping that MCD becomes a forerunner for other big houses to think of exciting strategies that can help their books build over time.

MCD plans to release 20 books a year  no small slate, but manageable enough to feel our way around, McDonald says. I like books that take me on a long, deep trip, and the trip can go anywhere  a heavily surveilled cyberspace, an old New York restaurant, a world ravaged by climate change. Heavy topics, maybe, but the urgency of the prose always feels adventurous. To put that into a readers hands feels like a gift. As long as its fun, McDonald says, Ill keep doing it.

Wappler is a writer in Los Angeles. Her debut novel, Neon Green, came out last summer from Unnamed Press.
The Tesla Model 3 Owners Club is quivering with excitement.

Members are planning what song theyll crank up when driving their new Tesla off the retail lot: Steppenwolfs Magic Carpet Ride, AC/DCs Back in Black, Simon and Garfunkels The Sounds of Silence.

Weve been following the Model 3 program for a long time now, said Trevor Page, founder of the online forum. Friday night, their tension might find release, as Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk hosts a stage show to hand the keys to the first few new Model 3 customers amid great fanfare.

The clubs 7,000 members are not owners yet, but they hope to be soon. Most have put down $1,000 deposits on the car, Teslas long-anticipated mid-market pure-electric sedan.

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Most of our questions will be answered, I hope, Page said.

Those questions include:

*How far will the Model 3 travel between charges?

*What will it cost with options?

*How long will I have to wait to buy mine?

The Model 3 is central to Teslas future and to Musks vision of a humanity-saving alternative energy company that can provide electric cars, solar roofs and home storage batteries in one customer-friendly package.

The cars can be purchased a la carte, of course. The success of the whole venture right now rides on success of the Model 3. The company has a record of missing aggressive production goals. But the Model 3 project is so important to the company, and so many people have been waiting for the car for so long, that any serious delay could endanger the entire effort.

About 30 have been made. The company plans to turn them out by the hundreds of thousands in 2018  slowly ramping up the monthly production output from 100 in August to 20,000 in December.

The company touts the car as an electric sedan loaded with self-driving hardware, with a range of at least 215 miles and a base price of $35,000.

Tesla is likely to offer more powerful, longer range battery packages with the Model 3, as it does for its Model S and Model X luxury cars.

But that would cost extra. So would software needed to make the self-driver sensors work. Plus, other options that may be announced Friday evening.

With options and everything, Im expecting a $50,000 car, said Michael Fazio, 36, a technology consultant who lives in West Hollywood. Thats fine with him. He drives a BMW 340 right now, and sees $50,000 as an affordable price.

The Model S and X are aimed at deep-pocket buyers  with options, they can easily exceed $100,000.

The Model 3 must appeal to everyone from rich people who want to add to their electric car collection to first-time buyers wondering whether they can afford the lease or loan payments.

Artem Biloborodko, 22, is one of the latter. A video producer in Canada, he has been jonesing for a Tesla since high school, when I watched a documentary on Tesla and how it wanted to make affordable cars.

He has put down a $1,000 refundable deposit, one of perhaps 378,000 to do so. (The company stopped publicizing its order count early last year. The current number could be more than that, or less.)

Hes looking forward to the Friday event and the details that might be unveiled. Hes hoping its not just hype.

Musk has said all these things like its going to look like a space ship, maybe Supercharging is going to be free, that [the Model 3] is going to have a solar roof, Biloborodko said. Now hes saying no and no and no, this is not going to happen. Hes asking himself will it really make sense to spend that kind of money?

The car will look like a space ship if that ship has a big iPad-looking screen that replaces all dashboard instrumentation: except for the screen, the dash will be unequipped and unadorned.

Musk did hint last year that its Supercharger charging network would come with the car, at its official unveiling in 2016 he didnt use the word free.

The solar roof, Musk recently declared, is a no-go.

None of that bothers Fazio. Even the plain dash with the touch screen holds a modern-tech appeal for him. Im still on board. Im one of those crazy people who camped out early at the Century City store. I was seventh in line.

That was in March 2016, when Tesla began taking Model 3 deposits and reported that 200,000 people had laid their money down on the first day.

Fazio hopes his camp-out gave him a good spot in line. Hes counting on delivery by April. But I wish they would divulge the order of deposit holders, he said. So far, Tesla has offered buyers no clue how long they might have to wait.

If his car isnt ready then, Im going to have some choices to make, Fazio said. He timed the BMW lease to expire next spring, in anticipation. In L.A., you need a car, he said.

How many deposit holders will remain true and how many will want their money back at this point is unknown, but the ultimate answer may well determine the Model 3s future. The company spends billions in cash and is billions in debt, with new cash provided mostly by fresh equity investments. At some point, Teslas cash flow needs to turn positive and stay that way.

Customers such as Fazio will be key. While like many owners and reviewers, he thinks that BMW is steadily cheapening the interiors on its 3 series year by year, he still loves the way they drive.

He wont buy the Tesla Model 3 without driving one first, he said. I hope there will a few floor models to test drive.

russ.mitchell@latimes.com

Twitter: @russ1mitchell

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For the first time, the federal government is proposing cutting the nicotine level in cigarettes so they arent so addictive.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration chief Scott Gottlieb directed the agencys staff Friday to develop new regulations on nicotine. The FDA has had the power since 2009 to regulate nicotine levels, but so far it hasnt done so.

Stocks of cigarette makers plunged after the announcement.

Gottlieb also said the FDA is giving e-cigarette makers four more years to comply with a review of products already on the market. The agency needs to concentrate on nicotine regulation and not be distracted by the debate on whether e-cigarettes help smokers quit, he said.

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A renewed focus on nicotine can help us to achieve a world where cigarettes no longer addict future generations of our kids, Gottlieb said in a speech to staff in Silver Spring, Md.

Tar and other substances inhaled through smoking make cigarettes deadly, but the nicotine in tobacco is what makes them addictive. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable heart disease, cancer and death in the United States, causing more than 480,000 deaths annually.

Gottlieb said he has asked the FDAs Center for Tobacco Products to explore whether lowering nicotine levels could create a black market for higher-nicotine products and what role e-cigarettes and other forms of nicotine delivery may play in reducing harm from smoking. Battery-powered e-cigarettes turn liquid nicotine into an inhalable vapor.

Gottlieb also wants new rules to address flavored tobacco products and kids.

U.S. smoking rates have been falling for decades. They dropped from about 17% in 2014 to 15% in 2015 and held about steady at that level last year.

The FDA announcement is great news, said Eric Donny, a University of Pittsburgh researcher who has studied what happens when smokers puff on cigarettes with lower levels of nicotine. Donny and other researchers found that reducing nicotine substantially  by about 90%  leads smokers to be less dependent on cigarettes and smoke fewer of them.

There have been concerns that smokers might react to lower nicotine levels by smoking more cigarettes to compensate. But the research shows thats not what happens  not if enough nicotine is taken out, Donny said.

If you just reduce it a little, people might smoke more to make up the difference. They need to reduce it a lot, said Donny, who said regulators should consider a 95% to 97% reduction.

Most of the harm associated with smoking is related not to the nicotine but everything else in the smoke. Reducing nicotine doesnt make a cigarette safe, it just makes it less addictive, said Donny, director of Pitts Center for the Evaluation of Nicotine in Cigarettes.

Additional research is underway to see how often people who smoke lower-nicotine cigarettes switch to e-cigarettes or other, less harmful tobacco products, he said.

Kenneth Warner, a retired University of Michigan public health professor who is a leading authority on smoking and health, said he was pleasantly surprised to learn of the FDA announcement.

If you can separate the nicotine people are craving from the smoke thats killing them, then you may be doing something very important, Warner said.

Matthew Myers, president of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, praised the overall approach, calling it a bold and comprehensive vision. But the e-cigarettes delay is a serious error, he said.

This long delay will allow egregious, kid-friendly e-cigarettes and cigars, in flavors like gummy bear, cherry crush and banana smash, to stay on the market with little public health oversight, Myers said in a statement.

Altria Group, which sells Marlboro and other cigarettes in the U.S., said it would be fully engaged in the FDAs rule-making process. Altria also makes e-cigarettes.

Its important to understand that any proposed rule such as a nicotine product standard must be based on science and evidence, must not lead to unintended consequences and must be technically achievable, the company said in a statement.

Altria shares were down 10.2% at $66.43 around noon Pacific Time. The stock had been down as much as 18.9% shortly after the FDAs announcement.

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UPDATES:

1:15 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with quotes and additional details and background information.

This article was originally published at 11 a.m.
One of the best tools to save for retirement over the last three decades has been the 401(k) and the corporate match free money!  that came with it. In many places, one of the first casualties of the financial crisis was the company match.

Now it seems, the match is roaring back. Many companies are boosting their matches in employee 401(k) plans, according to a report by Vanguard Group, the investment firm with $4.4 trillion under management.

The results of the study, titled How America Saves, were reported in the Wall Street Journal.

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Many firms are using the automatic matches as an inducement for people to save more, creating more peace of mind and loyalty among employees.

Company matches in 401(k)s are on track to hit 4.7% of employee salaries this year, up from 3.9% in 2015 and way up compared with 3% in 2009 in the depths of the financial crisis, according to the 107-page report.

Increasing contributions into your retirement plan, especially when you are younger, is a no-brainer, said Christopher Poch, an advisor with Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management. The more you can save for retirement, and the earlier you start, the better off you will be.

Many companies reduced their 401(k) matches in recent years as a way to save money when earnings dropped after the financial crisis or because of outside forces such as the digital economy, which has wreaked havoc on business models from media to retail.

But as finances stabilized, some firms are increasing their matches. The motives behind the increase in matches vary, but they mostly break down into two groups.

One is competitive factors and one is employers with a high degree of paternalism, said Jean Young, a research analyst at the Vanguard Center for Investor Research. She views paternalism as a sign of a benevolent employer who is nurturing good financial habits of its workers.

Employers use matches as a carrot to woo new employees, especially in the highly competitive technology sector.

We are seeing a higher proportion of tech industry firms providing a match than the broader all-industry average, particularly within the mid-to-larger-size firms, said Aimee DeCamillo, head of T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services. In 2016, we saw almost 81% of tech firms offering a match, compared to slightly less than 75% across all industries.

A generous 401(k) match  or any match  including of up to 6% of a salary is free money. That goes a long way to luring employees and keeping the ones you have.

Microsoft last year boosted its match. Lower-earning employees, those making a (ahem) paltry $80,000 a year, saw their maximum potential match go to $9,000 from $2,400. An employee under 50 who saves the federally allowed limit of $18,000 can now get a Microsoft match of $9,000, boosting their annual tax-sheltered retirement savings to $27,000.

The principal reason was to enhance competitiveness in order to attract, retain and motivate the best talent available, said Fred Thiele, Microsofts general manager of global benefits.

We wanted to encourage greater retirement savings at the lower-income tiers of the company, Thiele said. The goal is to get early-in-career, lower-income savings. When you add the power of compounding and average weighted investment fees of 0.21%, these people are in a much better position later in life.

Some companies use it as a way for current employees to beef up their retirement savings and smooth the path toward an exit. The 401(k) matches also boost morale.

We increased our 401(k) match in honor of our people and their accomplishments, said Scott Scherr, founder and chief executive of Ultimate Software, a human resources software maker in Weston, Fla.

Scherr has been steadily increasing its 401(k) match as a path to reward its 3,700 employees when the company hits its financial goals.

The company said it matches 40% on every $1 that an employee contributes up to the maximum. Ultimate Software is shooting to reach $1 billion in revenue next year. That kind of match keeps people around longer, which also reduces the expense of replacing them.

We hope our employees will commit to us and our customers long term, Scherr said.

The 401(k) match increases come as many employers continue to move away from pensions and other defined-benefit programs. That shift put more responsibility, and risk, on the employees.

The 401(k) has become a cornerstone of the retirement system since Congress passed it into law with the Revenue Act of 1978. The tax-sheltered component allows taxpayers a compelling break on income tax.

Young of Vanguard said in order for people to have sufficient savings for retirement, they have to get two things right: They have to save enough and they need to save appropriately. The most important one of those two things is saving enough.
The Trump administration and congressional Republican leaders have ditched a controversial border-adjusted tax proposal as part of an effort to present a united front for a broad tax overhaul.

But in resolving one divisive issue, their joint statement of tax-reform principles released Thursday raised more questions about what their tax plan would look like, including the size of the cuts they will seek and whether the package would attempt to avoid increasing the federal deficit.

The border tax idea, essentially a consumption tax that exempts profits from exports, was a major part of the plan that House Republican leaders had been pushing for a year. Because it would generate large amounts of money  estimated at more than $1 trillion over the next 10 years  it could help offset deep reductions in the current 35% corporate income tax rate.

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Trump has called for a cut to 15%, and the House GOP plan had envisioned a rate of 20%.

Without the border adjustment, were going to be more in the 25% level, said Marc Goldwein, a senior vice president for the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

The statement Thursday may have acknowledged as much in saying that the goal is to reduce tax rates as much as possible.

At the same time, the statement said there now exists a shared vision for tax reform, noting that the aim would be to protect American jobs and make taxes simpler, fairer and lower for hard-working American families.

Other than dropping the border tax idea, the 594-word statement added little that was new. But it made clear that Republican leaders would seek to lower taxes for small businesses as well as big ones, allow for unprecedented capital expensing and devise a tax system that would encourage U.S. companies to bring back jobs and profits that are parked overseas.

In addition, the statement said they would seek to make the tax changes permanent, and it suggested that Republican leaders would try to pass tax-reform legislation through regular congressional committees this fall.

That could imply that Republicans will not rely on the so-called budget reconciliation process, which would allow them to pass a bill through the Senate with only Republican votes.

Budget reconciliation avoids the need to find 60 votes in the Senate, which would require getting some Democratic votes. But it also imposes certain procedural requirements that the Republicans may prefer to avoid.

The statement was signed by House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), as well as the heads of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn represented the White House.

Congressional Democrats reacted coolly to the statement and warned that the GOP would not be able to succeed on taxes unless they worked cooperatively with them.

Its disappointing that Republicans are moving forward with a rewrite of our tax code by excluding Democrats from the process, said Richard Neal (D-Mass.), ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee.

We all agree that the tax code isnt working for middle-class families, he said. But he added: If Republicans continue this partisan process, they are doomed to repeat the same mistakes they have made trying to upend our healthcare system.

Business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the news that Republican leaders in Congress and the administration were on the same page and would soon begin the work to lower taxes.

For the first time, we are seeing joint efforts and agreement among the administration and House and Senate Republican leadership about the direction that tax reform must take, said Mark A. Weinberger, chair of the Business Roundtables tax and fiscal policy committee.

Big retailers, who, along with oil refiners, were among the biggest opponents of the border-adjusted tax, were thrilled to learn that the proposal was being scrapped.

The border-tax plan is also called a destination-based tax because taxes are determined by where goods and services are sold. Currently companies are taxed on profits, regardless of where goods and services are sold or made.

Under a 20% border-adjusted tax, for example, a company that imports all of its goods would face a 20% tax on sales of those goods in the United States. But an American exporter of goods would be exempt from taxation. A business that produces and sells only in the United States could reduce its tax bite because it would be able to deduct domestic labor expenses.

Trump was lukewarm to the idea. He said it was too complicated, although he liked the prospect that imports would be more expensive and help his goal of reducing the nations trade deficit. Economists said that it would have little effect on the deficit in the long run.

Backers of the border tax liked the tax partly because it would sharply reduce incentives for multinational firms to relocate headquarters outside of the United States, a common practice to shift profits overseas to avoid paying U.S. income taxes.

With that proposal now off the table, it remains to be seen how the tax plan would discourage offshoring and lead to a repatriation of profits to the United States, as well as address the thorniest question of all: how the plan would pay for its tax cuts without causing the deficit to balloon.

Kyle Pomerleau, who directs federal projects at the Tax Foundation, said: Without the border adjustment, lawmakers will need to carefully consider how to design a territorial tax system that eliminates many of the perverse incentives in our current system, but also prevents base erosion.

don.lee@latimes.com

Twitter: @dleelatimes

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A passenger rights group that petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration to stop airlines from further shrinking seats won a court victory Friday.

Although the win by Florida-based Flyersrights.org doesnt mean that airlines are barred from further squeezing passenger space, it opens the door for further review.

Flyersrights.org submitted a request to the FAA in 2015, asking the federal agency to look into creating minimum seat standards to prevent airlines from further reducing legroom and seat width.

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The organization argued that the average seat pitch  the distance between the back of one seat and the back of the next  has shrunk from 35 inches to 31 inches, while the width has shrunk from 18.5 inches to 17 inches in the last decade or so. The group said the shrinking space makes it harder for passengers to exit quickly during an emergency.

The FAA dismissed the petition last year, saying tests have shown that passengers can still escape a plane quickly even with such small seats.

However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on Friday ruled against the FAA, saying that some of the tests cited by the federal agency were outdated and that others were not submitted on the record. The court also noted that the tests did not take into account that passengers have grown larger over the years.

While we do not require much of the agency at this juncture, we do require something, the ruling said. And information critically relied upon by the agency that no one can see does not count.

The ruling requires the FAA to reconsider the petition and that if the request is again rejected, the agency must provide reports and studies to justify the decision.

Paul Hudson, president of Flyersrights.org, said the ruling may force the FAA to take the problem of shrinking seats seriously. I think we are somewhat optimistic, he said.

hugo.martin@latimes.com

Twitter: @hugomartin
Wells Fargo & Co. charged hundreds of thousands of auto-loan borrowers for insurance they did not ask for or need, in some cases causing those customers cars to be repossessed  the latest in a long list of bad practices for which the bank is trying to atone.

An internal bank investigation spurred by customer complaints found that, between 2012 and 2017, about 570,000 borrowers may have been wrongly pushed into these auto insurance policies, the San Francisco bank said in a news release.

Wells Fargo plans to give them $80 million in refunds and compensation.

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The issue centers on so-called collateral-protection insurance policies, which are similar to auto insurance policies commonly taken out by vehicle owners to cover costs of damage to their vehicles.

Wells Fargo and other lenders typically require that auto-loan customers have such policies. Some lenders will buy a policy on customers behalf and pass along the cost if customers do not show they have secured their own auto insurance coverage.

In this case, though, Wells Fargo acknowledged that it improperly bought such policies on behalf of customers who already had their own insurance, and sometimes failed to properly notify those customers that it was doing so.

We take full responsibility for our failure to appropriately manage the [insurance] program and are extremely sorry for any harm this caused our customers, who expect and deserve better from us, Franklin Codel, head of Wells Fargo Consumer Lending, said in a statement. Upon our discovery, we acted swiftly to discontinue the program and immediately develop a plan to make impacted customers whole.

Wells Fargo said it began a review of the insurance policies in July of last year and stopped issuing the policies in September.

The bank made its announcement shortly after the New York Times published an article late Thursday, based on a February report from a consulting firm hired by the bank.

That report found that more than 800,000 customers may have been erroneously charged, but upon further review Wells Fargo concluded fewer customers were affected and would qualify for refunds.

The bank said some customers may already have received refund checks, and all affected customers should be compensated by the end of the year.

Most of them  about 490,000  had their own insurance but were stuck with bank-issued policies as well. They will get refunds totaling $25 million.

In 60,000 other cases, Wells Fargo said it did not follow state notification and disclosure laws. Refunds to those customers will total $39 million.

The bank said some 20,000 customers lost their vehicles because the cost of the unnecessary insurance pushed borrowers into default on their loans. Those customers will get refunds, plus additional payments to compensate them for the loss of their vehicles. The compensation will total $16 million, or an average of $800 per customer.

The payment amount will depend on each customers situation and also will include payment above and beyond the actual financial harm as an expression of our regret for the situation, the bank said in its statement.

The bank will also work with credit bureaus to correct customers credit records. A bank spokeswoman said she did not know, though, whether the bank will take the additional step of compensating borrowers for higher interest rates they might have paid on other types of debt because of damage done to their credit scores.

Thats something the bank agreed to do in a $142-million class-action settlement over its creation of as many as 3.5 million unauthorized checking, savings and credit card accounts. Wells Fargo is still working to regain the publics trust lost after that scandal came to light last year.

In September, the bank agreed to pay $185 million in fines to regulators after acknowledging its workers, trying to meet onerous sales quotas, signed customers up for accounts they never wanted or asked for. The banks practices were first uncovered by a 2013 Los Angeles Times investigation.

The scandal pushed the banks former chairman and chief executive, John Stumpf, to resign last year, led to sweeping changes in how the bank pays its employees and sparked a shareholder revolt that nearly cost some of the banks longtime board members their jobs.

Since then theres been a steady stream of disclosures about additional problematic practices at the bank.

It has faced allegations that workers signed customers up for Prudential insurance policies without authorization, improperly modified mortgages for borrowers in bankruptcy and that it stuck mortgage borrowers with fees that should have been covered by the bank.

Scott Siefers, an analyst at investment bank Sandler ONeill, said theres likely more to come as the bank continues to review its practices and root out problems.

A company of Wells Fargos size and scope and scale, theres just a lot going on, he said. When you have so many things you can look into and youre consciously looking for problems, odds are youre going to find some.

Wells Fargo is the nations third-largest bank by assets, and the largest mortgage lender. It also is a major auto lender, with nearly $58 billion in consumer vehicle loans on its books.

Siefers said the steady trickle of bad news continues to hurt the bank, though he believes its unlikely that another scandal on the scale of the unauthorized accounts matter will surface  or that anything, at this point, could significantly damage the banks already tarnished reputation.

The flow of news is not what you want to see, he said, but how much worse can it get?

Wells Fargo shares closed Friday at $53.30, down 2.6% for the day. Thats more than other bank stocks as measured by the KBW Nasdaq bank index, an industry benchmark that fell 0.3%.

Times staff writer James Rufus Koren contributed to this report.

alexa.dangelo@latimes.com

@andangelo15

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UPDATES:

4:10 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from analyst Scott Siefers and background on Wells Fargos accounts scandal.

This article was originally published at 10 a.m.
Oliver Stones Midnight conversations

Kenneth Turans review of Midnight Return [Telling the Rest of Billy Hayes Story, July 21] blames the filmmakers for supposed mendacity. As the original writer [of Midnight Express], I made it quite clear to Sally Sussman, the director-producer of the documentary, that I based the film on Billy Hayes co-written autobiography and interviews with him at the time. Hayes never revealed any prior drug runs from Turkey, and to the contrary, professed his naivete in these matters. If he had been truthful from the beginning, I would never have taken on the screenplay in the manner that I did. In fact, given the mores of that time, I doubt the film wouldve even been made by Columbia.

Though I wouldve changed some things here and there, Ive come to terms with my experience, and Im very proud of the movie we made based on what we knew then. Ive seen the film screened for different audiences and different generations, and contrary to Mr. Turans dismissal of it as a source of mockery, I find it to be as harrowing an experience as it was intended to be.

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Oliver Stone

Los Angeles

::

Kenneth Turan now writes in his review that Though Midnight Express is nominally a serious film, it was directed in such an over-the-top way  (critic Pauline Kael, not a fan, called it mean-spirited fake-visceral) that its remembered more in the comedy area. I had to laugh, though in great disappointment, while reading this reaction, which appears to be Turans estimation as much as Kaels, to what is actually a fairly classic movie with a fictionalized but very intriguing story arc full of pathos.

Todd Smilovitz

Los Angeles

Black actresses who paved way

I was excited to read Trevell Andersons article [Black, Funny, and Poised to Shake Up Hollywood, July 23] but was left with the feeling you must have been on a tight deadline to explain why you completely skipped over an impressive generation of African American comedians who became household names after Moms Mabley and before Issa Rae. So on behalf of Jasmine Guy, Debra Wilson, Kim Coles, Kim Wayans, Anna Maria Horsford, Holly Robinson Peete, Dawnn Lewis, TKeyah Crystal Keymah, Tisha Campbell, Erika Alexander, Kim Fields, Shirley Hemphill and Vanessa Bell Calloway, I just wanted to remind you there are others (and my list could be longer) who still are considered way beyond sassy and who were barrier breakers in sketch comedy, feature films and sitcoms.

Anne-Marie Johnson

Los Angeles

::

Its about time black women in Hollywood moved to the forefront in comedy. From Moms Mabley to Whoopi Goldberg to Queen Latifah to Issa Rae  you go, girl!

Tanya K. Hart

Los Feliz

Spicy replies to letter to Spicer

Lorraine Alis letter to former Press Secretary Sean Spicer [No Lie, Spicer Made Great TV, July 22] is one more example of her gift for writing satire. I too will miss Melissa McCarthys priceless impersonation of him on SNL.

Bunny Landis

Oceanside

::

What Lorraine Ali doesnt realize and what the L.A. Times editorial staff doesnt realize is that her point of view (your point of view) doesnt necessarily agree with your readers. To write a hit piece about Sean Spicer (whom Im not a fan of) in the Calendar section with such gratuitous, gleeful venom is not journalism, just infantile acting out.

Stan Evans

Glendale

Whither grows Santa Monica

Re: A Grand Bargain and a Model? Santa Monica Finally Attempts to Bridge the Divide Between Affordable Housing and Slow Growth [Christopher Hawthorne, July 23]: I understand that there is no stopping progress, but to a native Angeleno and former longtime resident of these areas, Santa Monica and Venice have become nothing more than destinations for eating and shopping ... period. And you dont need sand and water for that experience.

Lynn Leatart

Sherman Oaks

::

Santa Monica is not just another small city in L.A. County. Its not Ventura or Azusa, Pasadena or L.A. Its a major tourist attraction  an aspect of life here that the article ignores  and the city of Santa Monica has gone out of its way to make it appealing to visitors. During the summer, its a residents nightmare as those tourists (and their cars) descend on the beach and the Promenade.

Peter Altschuler

Santa Monica

Cant expect an Ella replication

Re: They Just Cant Get That Swing Down [Mikael Wood, July 21]: Ella Fitzgerald was a very unique musical talent and personality and performer, which we cannot realistically expect to be duplicated, even by such talented and dedicated artists performing at this beautifully done tribute concert. Of course no one could replicate what Ella did!

Harvey Barkan

Studio City

Lets hear it for sound designer

Mr. Turan, your review of Dunkirk [In Harms Way: Dunkirk puts audiences in the middle of fierce WWII action, July 21] is exceptional, as always. I am curious why you single out for recognition the DP, editor and composer and do not include the sound designer? While every film achieves greatness to one extent or another in some but not all of the crafts and, perhaps, some do not merit special recognition, a film like Dunkirk simply does not survive without extraordinary sound achievement.

Mark Mangini

Sherman Oaks

Enough Wagner for the value

Did I read that right? Dudamel offered a one-hour Wagner program at the Bowl? [Loosening up Wagner: In Gustavo Dudamels Defiant Hands, Fussy Composers Work is at Home in the Bowl, Mark Swed, July 22.] This is a rip-off. Its expensive to go to the Bowl and patrons spend hours getting there and then get a one-hour performance. I have come to be leery of programs that are excerpts. You dont get much, in my opinion.

Margarete OBrien

Manhattan Beach
CBS S.W.A.T. reboot will take on the Trump years, #BlackLivesMatter, says Shemar Moore By Meredith Blake Stephanie Sigman and Shemar Moore (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Dont let the funky theme song or the 70s origins fool you. While technically a remake  of both the original series and the subsequent 2003 film based on it  CBS upcoming cop drama S.W.A.T. is very plugged into the current moment, according to its cast and creators. In the series, former Criminal Minds star Shemar Moore plays a native Angeleno who runs a tactical unit for the LAPD and finds his loyalty torn between his fellow officers and the community in which he was raised. As co-creator Aaron Rahsaan Thomas told reporters Tuesday at the Television Critics Assn. press tour, the series was inspired by his experiences growing up in Kansas City, which have helped him understand both sides of the raging debate over police violence. I grew up in a neighborhood that had a very complicated view towards police officers, said Thomas, who created the series with veteran showrunner Shawn Ryan. On one hand, a 12-year-old kid who was a neighbor of mine was shot and killed by a police officer. On the other hand, another neighbor of mine was an actual police officer. Moore, best known for his long run on the CBS procedural Criminal Minds, noted the diversity of the cast and creative team and added that, while the show is primarily designed to entertain, it will also resonate politically. Were taking on the Trump years, he said. I dont care who you voted for. Its just whats happening today. Its Black Lives Matter. As much as some people dont want to hear it, its All Lives Matter. Its not just black versus blue or black versus white. Its every ethnicity. Its fear. Its racism. Its terrorism. Its subject matter of today. Ryan, who created the groundbreaking drama The Shield, about corrupt Los Angeles police officers, said he was excited about the chance to examine the often charged relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Los Angeles is such a diverse, amazing community, and seeing an officer who kind of lives in the city and sort of sees the people that are being policed as humans and as neighbors and as friends was really important to me. Facebook

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Netflix getting A Little Help from Carol Burnett By Libby Hill What do you get when you pair up a living legend with a bunch of little kids? Comedy gold, if Netflix has its way. The online streaming service announced Monday that comedy icon Carol Burnett will be returning to television with A Little Help With Carol Burnett, an original unscripted series that pairs Burnett with children to tackle lifes dilemmas. Someone once asked me how old I am inside, Burnett said in a statement Monday. I thought about it and came up with, Im about 8. So its going to be a lot of fun playing with kids my age. Kids ages 4 to 8 will join Burnett as celebrities and everyday folks bring their real-life problems to the show to get advice in front of a live studio audience. Were thrilled Carol is bringing her unique sensibilities to Netflix, Bela Bajaria, the services vice president of content acquisition, said in Mondays announcement. Carol is truly a legend in the entertainment industry with unprecedented success and fandom across TV, film and the stage, and we are both honored and excited to work with her. A Little Help With Carol Burnett will be produced by Dick Clark Productions and is the companys first Netflix project. This is the second television project announced this year for Burnett, 84. In February, ABC ordered a pilot for the multi-camera comedy Household Name, starring Burnett, though the series has not been picked up in its current iteration. Debuting in 2018, A Little Help With Carol Burnett will feature 12 half-hour episodes. Facebook

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Ken Burns explains why his Vietnam War documentary is more relevant than ever By Libby Hill Ken Burns in Beverly Hilton on Sunday. (Richard Shotwell / Invision) History doesnt repeat itself, Ken Burns told a room of journalists gathered Sunday at the Television Critics Assn. summer press tour in Beverly Hills Were not condemned to repeat what we dont remember, Burns explained. Its that human nature never changes. Its a curious statement from the storied documentarian, particularly given his latest project, the 18-hour, 10-part documentary series The Vietnam War, directed with Lynn Novick. But just because humanity isnt trapped in a constantly repeating cycle doesnt mean that the echoes of modern strife arent plentiful throughout the upcoming PBS series. This is a story about mass demonstrations all across the country against the current administration, Burns said in response to a question about what the youth of America will find relevant in The Vietnam War. About a White House obsessed with leaks and in disarray because of those leaks, about a president railing against you, the news media, for making up news. Its about asymmetrical warfare, which even the mighty might of the United States Army cant figure out the correct strategy to take, and its about big document drops of classified material thats been hacked, that suddenly is dumped into the public sphere, destabilizing the conventional wisdom about really important topics and accusations that a political campaign reached out to a foreign power at the time of a national election to influence that election. This is the film we started in 2006, and every single one of those points are points about the Vietnam War having nothing to do with today, Burns concluded. By creating a fully-formed picture of Vietnam, Burns hopes to shed light on the rancor and alienation defining this present moment, he explained. For Novick, the thematic relevance only serves to help teachers who have long struggled in tackling the Vietnam War. Weve had great response from teachers already that the Vietnam War is difficult to teach because its controversial and unsettled history and theyre looking forward to using the film in the classroom, Novick said. Those resonances that Ken is talking about, those will be assignments for students. Were not going to have to work very hard with teachers to come up with those themes, and students are curious about whats happening now. The Vietnam War premieres Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. PDT Facebook

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Goodbye, MTV Moonman trophy. Hello, Moon Person By Emily Mae Czachor MTVs token space cadet just scored an identity revamp  and gender didnt make the cut. In a recent interview with the New York Times, MTV President Chris McCarthy said the networks iconic Moonman trophy has been discontinued. From now on, the metallic figurine  whose impenetrably opaque helmet has become the unofficial face of MTVs Video Music Awards  will go by Moon Person instead. Because who knows whats really going on beneath that lacquered astronaut getup, anyway. Why should it be a man? McCarthy told the Times. It could be a man, it could be a woman, it could be transgender, it could be nonconformist. This new development is just the latest installment in MTVs string of efforts to do away with gender norms during its awards proceedings. The network eliminated gender-specific categories at its MTV Movie & TV Awards earlier this year, where all nominees were placed in neutral categories (i.e. best actor in a show, best actor in a movie). And the network isnt going to stop there. McCarthy also announced a new MTV reality series  still in development called We Are They about a group of gender-nonconforming young adults coming of age. With Katy Perry hosting, the VMAs will broadcast from the Forum in Inglewood on Aug. 27. Heres the full list of nominees. Facebook

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Sam Shepard: Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, actor and ... avant-garde drummer? By Randall Roberts Sam Shepard in 2014. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Sam Shepard, whose death at 73 was announced on Monday, will be remembered for his cross-discipline versatility. As a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, he penned classic off-Broadway plays including True West, Buried Child and Fool for Love. An Oscar-nominated actor, he starred in films including Days of Heaven, The Right Stuff, Crimes of the Heart and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. To fans of underground music, however, Shepard served a lesser-known role as the drummer for seminal New York avant-garde folk band the Holy Modal Rounders, with whom he performed on the crucial late 1960s albums Indian War Whoop and The Moray Eels Eat the Holy Modal Rounders. The band is best known for its song If You Want to Be a Bird, which plays during the classic scene in Easy Rider in which Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda and Jack Nicholson roar down the highway on their motorcycles. Thats Shepard playing drums as Rounders founders Peter Stampfel and Steve Weber whoop and yowl. It was in his capacity as a percussionist, in fact, that he drew the attention of a young Patti Smith, who, in her 2010 memoir Just Kids, recounted their first early 70s meeting at seminal music club the Village Gate. Escorted to the club by Todd Rundgren, who had just issued his album Runt, Smith described the Holy Modal Rounders set as like being at an Arabian hoedown with a band of psychedelic hillbillies. I was fixed on the drummer, who seemed as if he was on the lam and had slid behind the drums while cops looked elsewhere. Smith, who at the time was freelancing for Crawdaddy magazine, introduced herself to this drummer, who said his name was Slim Shadow. The two started hanging out, wrote Smith, describing his tales as being even taller than mine. He had an infectious laugh and was rugged, smart, and intuitive. In my mind, he was the fellow with the cowboy mouth. Only later did she learn Slims real identity when a friend pulled her aside after seeing them at a restaurant together. As recounted in Just Kids, Smith wrote that her friend asked, What are you doing with Sam Shepard? Sam Shepard? I said. Oh, no, this guys name is Slim. Honey, dont you know who he is? Hes the drummer for the Holy Modal Rounders. No, corrected her friend, Hes the biggest playwright off-Broadway. He had a play at Lincoln Center. He won five Obies! Once she learned of his reputation and acclaim, Smith and Shepard continued to see each other -- despite his being married at the time -- and eventually collaborated on a play called Cowboy Mouth. Smith described telling him of nervousness at writing for the stage, which she had never done. But Shepard urged her on, Smith wrote, telling her that you cant make a mistake when you improvise. Replied Smith: What if I screw up the rhythm? You cant, Shepard explained. Its like drumming. If you miss a beat, you create another. 7:15 a.m. Updated to correct the title of Smiths memoir, Just Kids, and to identify the Holy Modal Rounders co-founders, Stampfel and Weber. Facebook

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Lady Gaga subpoenaed in producer Dr. Lukes lawsuit against pop singer Kesha By Randall Roberts The ongoing offstage drama between the pop singer Kesha and her former producer Dr. Luke has entangled another platinum superstar: Lady Gaga. On Saturday, attorneys for Dr. Luke, whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald, issued a statement regarding their attempt to depose Lady Gaga about relevant conversations she may have had with Kesha. The artist, who was born Kesha Sebert, is the subject of a defamation suit filed in New York by Dr. Luke stemming from allegations of sexual misconduct, which the producer vigorously denies. The statement reads: Dr. Lukes counsel served a subpoena on Lady Gaga because she has relevant information regarding, among other things, false statements about Dr. Luke made to her by Kesha. This motion has become necessary because Dr. Lukes counsel has not been able to obtain, despite repeated request [sic], a deposition date from Lady Gaga. The protracted legal battle between Dr. Luke, left, and Kesha has brought Lady Gaga into the fray. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) Representatives for Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, said in a statement issued to The Times on Monday morning: As Lady Gagas legal team will present to the court, she has provided all of the relevant information in her possession and is at most an ancillary witness in this process. Dr. Lukes team is attempting to manipulate the truth and draw press attention to their case by exaggerating Lady Gagas role and falsely accusing her of dodging reasonable requests. Among the information Lady Gaga has provided are copies of text messages that were, according to a report on TMZ, heavily redacted. Lady Gaga has been a vocal Kesha supporter. Last year, Gaga wrote about her peers plight in an Instagram post: The very reason women dont speak up for years is the fear that no one will believe them or their abuser has threatened their life or life of their loved ones/livelihood in order to keep their victim quiet and under control. What happened to Kesha has happened to many female artists, including myself, and it will affect her for the rest of her life. The news comes at a particularly crucial moment for Keshas career. On Aug. 11, she will release her highly anticipated new album, Rainbow. The record, featuring songs such as Learn to Let Go, will arrive via Dr. Lukes imprint, Kemosabe, a situation Kesha sought to avoid in a 2014 lawsuit of her own, which she later dropped. Facebook

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Ride on, genius: Celebrities mourn the loss of Sam Shepard By Emily Mae Czachor Acclaimed actor and playwright Sam Shepard died July 27 at age 73. (Charles Sykes / Associated Press) Sam Shepard  Oscar-nominated actor and critically acclaimed playwright, author, screenwriter and director  died on July 27 after suffering complications from ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease). When news of his death broke Monday morning, Twitter erupted with posts to mourn, honor and remember one of show business beloved renaissance men. View Instagram post This story was updated with additional reactions. Facebook

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Macaulay Culkin got his first tattoo with goddaughter Paris Jackson, and its a match By Emily Mae Czachor For Paris Jackson, getting inked is nothing out of the ordinary. With more than 50 tattoos already under her belt, the 19-year-old daughter of late pop king Michael Jackson collects body art like postage stamps. According to E! News, the budding actress got her latest over the weekend: an understated sketch of a red spoon, just below the crook of her left arm. A new tattoo might be old-hat for Jackson, but it wasnt for Macaulay Culkin, Jacksons 36-year-old godfather -- and first-time tattoo patron -- who emerged from West Hollywoods Tattoo Mania with a matching spoon on his own forearm. Though neither Jackson nor Culkin spoke to the meaning of the double-inking, the design is supposedly meant to represent a kind of chronic struggle. And thats not the only news that Culkin made recently. The Internet nearly lost its collective mind last week when a new photo emerged of the Home Alone actor looking healthy and happy. E! News even declared that Culkin definitely just won 2017s greatest makeover. Your eyes aren't deceiving you. Macaulay Culkin definitely just won 2017's greatest makeover (thus far, at least). https://t.co/IdKjxii5KZ pic.twitter.com/SOAuSx57oU  E! News (@enews) July 27, 2017 Facebook

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Alex Jones products are almost as bad as his conspiracy theories, says John Oliver By Meredith Blake Over the last year, conspiracy theorist and influential radio host Alex Jones has come under intense scrutiny for his fringe beliefs, most notably his claim that the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School was a hoax perpetrated by the government. On Sundays Last Week Tonight, John Oliver noted that Jones status as a Sandy Hook truther qualified him for an Easy Pass to hells version of the champagne room. But he spent most of his time on a relatively overlooked aspect of Jones conspiracy empire -- the wide range of products that he sells in order to fund it. According to Oliver, Jones spends nearly a quarter of his airtime plugging InfoWars-branded merchandise, including Wake Up America Patriot coffee to Combat One Tactical Bath Wipes and a powder called Caveman True Paleo (made from chocolate and domesticated bird corpses, Oliver joked). As the comedian pointed out, it just so happens that many of the products Jones sells, often at a significant markup, purport to address the conspiracy theories with equally wild-eyed zeal. Think: water filters to remove chemicals that supposedly turn frogs gay or vitamins to boost your immunity and ward off germs from allegedly disease-ridden refugees. Jones even has his own in-house expert, Dr. Edward Group, with dubious qualifications (and equally questionable hair) to back up his various outlandish claims. InfoWars is essentially a QVC for conspiracy, Oliver argued. So in the spirit of InfoWars, Oliver decided to introduce his own personal care product, John Oliver Moisture-Armored Tactical Assault Wipes, available via Infowipes.com. The price? A mere $1 million. Worth every penny, were sure. You can watch the complete segment here. Facebook

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Vintage Casablanca poster sells for $478,000 By Trevell Anderson How much would someone pay for a vintage movie poster? Well, if that film is Casablanca, one persons answer is $478,000. Thats how much a bidder coughed up Saturday for the only known surviving Italian-issue poster for the 1942 film starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. The poster sold through Heritage Auctions of Dallas. The buyer has just set a world record and acquired what we in the poster collecting world would equate to a masterpiece, said Grey Smith, Heritages director of vintage posters. The stunning artistry put into this poster makes it stand head and shoulders above any paper produced for the film. The poster, measuring 55.5 inches by 78.25 inches, was produced in 1946. The film opened in Italy on Nov. 21 that year, almost four years after its U.S. premiere. Featuring artwork by Luigi Martinati, the poster is considered the best of the pictures numerous advertisements, Smith said. Previous Italian-issue posters for the film have sold for as much as $203,000. A U.S.-issue of the poster has fetched $191,200. The auction featured other rare posters for the film, with a half-sheet going for $65,725, and a postwar Spanish-release poster selling for $35,850. ---------- For the Record An earlier version of this article misstated the purchase price of the Casablanca poster sold Saturday as $487,000. Facebook

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There is no Plan B for public broadcasting without federal funding, PBS president says By Libby Hill Paula Kerger, chief executive of PBS (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images) PBS President and Chief Executive Paula Kerger wasnt pulling any punches Sunday at the Television Critics Assn. summer press tour in Beverly Hills. When people say, What is the Plan B for [loss of federal funding]? There is no Plan B for that, Kerger said of the potential budget crisis public broadcasting faces under the Trump administration. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has been under fire for months, with President Trumps proposed budget axing the institutions $450-million budget. Though its easy to suggest that budget cuts would threaten Big Birds livelihood, the true victims of defunding would be far more human. Kerger explained that of PBS $450-million budget, one-third goes to radio. Of the television budget, most goes to community service grants that local stations use for up to 50% of their operating budgets. PBS itself will not go away. But a number of our stations will. If you are a station for whom 30 or 40 or 50% of your funding is suddenly pulled away, theres no way you can make up that money, Kerger said. You will find big parts of the country that will suddenly be without public broadcasting. The fate of public broadcasting is currently in flux, waiting for the end of Congress August recess for resolution. Currently, the House Appropriations Committee has approved the bulk of the PBS budget, while the House Budget Committee recommended doing away with funding altogether. Budget concerns aside, Kerger also addressed other unresolved PBS matters. The second seat of PBS NewsHour has been vacant since the untimely death of co-host Gwen Ifill in November 2016, leaving Judy Woodruff as the shows sole anchor. We have encouraged [executive producer] Sara Just and Judy Woodruff and the team at NewsHour to take their time and think very carefully about who that right person [to replace Ifill] is, Kerger said. Im hopeful that they will be making an announcement sometime over the next few months of a new anchor. Kerger also announced an upcoming project aimed at inspiring the country to come together in celebration of literature. The Great American Read is an eight-part series launching in spring 2018 that explores the nations 100 best-loved books, chosen by the American people and culminating in the first-ever national vote to choose Americas Best-Loved Book. Facebook

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AMC Visionaries adds Eli Roth, Roots, Gibney for new docu-series By Meredith Woerner Robert Kirkman, left, and Eli Roth at the Television Critics Assn. summer press tour in Beverly Hills. ( Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for AMC) AMC announced several additions to its upcoming Visionaries docu-series Saturday at the Television Critics Assn. summer press tour in Beverly Hills. Writer-director-actor Eli Roth (Cabin Fever, Hostel) will be offering a deeper look into his signature style of genre filmmaking with Eli Roths History of Horror (working title) and Ahmir Questlove Thompson, Tariq Black Thought Trotter (founding members of The Roots) and Alex Gibney (Going Clear, History of the Eagles) will executive produce a series called Rap Yearbook (another working title). The cable network also has three other installments in development: History of Video Games, Outlaws of the Internet, and History of Martial Arts. The new Visionaries members join the previously announced programs Robert Kirkmans Secret History of Comics and James Camerons Story of Science Fiction. Kirkman and Roth were present at the AMC panel with Cameron appearing via satellite to show sneak peeks from the comics and sci-fi iterations of the series. A sizzle reel for the Secret History of Comics utilized plenty of classic panel pages and a sort of motion comic-like animation to illustrate the early days of Marvel Comics, going all the way back to the Stan Lee and Jack Kirby days. But the real treat was a collection of cameos, famous faces opining about their love of the form including Lee himself, J.K. Simmons, Kevin Smith, and Method Man, who earnestly revealed, You have to be born a comic book fan, I think. And there are plenty more talking heads to come, the AMC press release promised Patty Jenkins, Lynda Carter, Famke Janssen, Michelle Rodriguez, and Todd McFarlane. The second clip shared a look at Camerons love letter to science fiction. Today, science fiction is mainstream but it didnt used to be that way, the director explained. When I was a kid science fiction wasnt cool, but I thought it was cool. Cameron wants to focus on closing the gap between current fans knowledge of modern day sci-fi to the pioneering works of literature that inspired the blockbuster offerings of today. The Terminator and Avatar director noted that without Jules Verne and H.G. Wells there would be no Avengers, Star Wars or his own works. The series will be divided by theme -- space travel, time travel etc.-- and include appearances from Paul W. Anderson, Roland Emmerich, Paul Verhoeven, Bryan Singer, Keanu Reeves, Jonathan Nolan, David Gerrold and D.C. Fontana. When asked how their respective series would showcase diversity -- the footage screened was very male-centric -- Kirkman responded that History of Comics would have two episodes devoted to diversity. One will focus on the women who helped Wonder Woman creator William Moulton Marston steer the course of the hugely famous female superhero, and another highlighting people of color titled The Color of Comics. The episode explores the history of black characters, and the lack of black characters in the comic book industry, said Kirkman. which touches on the creation of Black Panther  the Marvel character  and does a really cool focus on this company called Milestone Comics that was founded by a group of African American comic book creators to create characters that appealed to them and represented them, because there was a huge lack of representation in comics even in the 90s. You wouldnt have horror without Mary Shelley and Frankenstein, Roth added. He cited the late George Romero as an example of how he wants to break down the themes within the horror genre. At the height of the civil rights movement [Romero] puts an African American as the lead of Night of the Living Dead and at the end of the movie hes shot by a bunch of rednecks. Not because of the color of his skin, but because they think hes a zombie. But you can read into the implications of that. What [Romero] was doing with using genre to explore racism was so ahead of its time. its just as potent today as it was 50 years ago. Its absolutely something were going to be discussing. Roths urgency to document the horror masters was apparent. It was the death of Scream moviemaker Wes Craven that inspired Roth to get involved in Visionaries. The panel then took a turn for the analytical when the creators were asked how their series would reflect the world today. The fact that dystopian science fiction has come back, especially in television and in movies, is very important, said Cameron. It means that in the age that we live in right now the challenges that face us are technological. Theyre science challenges: climate change, genetics, artificial intelligence, things like that. These are really on our horizon as major, existential threats. The best horror reflects whats going on in our times, said Roth. He used Jordan Peeles Get Out  which addressed modern day racial tensions as a reference. Its no accident that movie coming out right now is making over $200 million at the box office. You can tell its really resonating with people. Bouncing off Camerons dystopia revelation, Roth then turned his lens onto the current political climate, I dont think weve ever seen a cast of characters like this in our White House thats straight out of WWF wrestling in the 80s. When [Anthony Scaramucci] is coming out with things that would make Rowdy Roddy Piper in his heyday blush. This is a farce, is this actually happening? When will we start seeing this dystopian outlook on the current political climate in the movies? Possibly before Roths series, which will air sometime in 2018, after History of Comics and the Story of Science Fiction in 2017. Facebook

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President Trump got a fan letter from a young boy this week. Stephen Colbert introduced another young fan Friday By Greg Braxton Stephen Colbert, host of CBS The Late Show. (Michael Loccisano / Getty Images) White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders took time during a White House briefing this week to read a fan letter to President Trump from a 9-year-old boy named Dylan who has the nickname of Pickle. Sanders read part of the letter to reporters: Youre my favorite President ... I dont know why people dont like you. Sanders interjected, Neither do I, Dylan. The letter continued, You seem really nice. Can we be friends? Sanders assured Pickle that she had spoken directly to Trump about him, and the president would be more than happy to be your friend. Stephen Colbert on Friday brought another young fan of Trumps onstage Friday night to read her own letter during his CBS Late Show. Dear President, my name is Norah, but everybody calls me Mustard, the little girl recited. She continued, Youre my favorite current president. Norah then presented some probing questions to Trump: I was wondering, does the attorney general enjoy your full support? And how do you plan to implement the ban on transgender people currently serving in the military? Will those on active duty be called home? Sounds like a logistical nightmare. She continued, One more thing: Are you a puppet of Vladimir Putin? I love puppets! I made one at camp! Love, Mustard. The Late Show audience cheered. Facebook

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Broadways Great Comet producer apologizes for controversial Mandy Patinkin casting By Nardine Saad (Jeff Schear / Getty Images) The producer behind Broadways struggling musical Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812" has joined the apologetic refrain for the diversity uproar that followed the decision to bring in Mandy Patinkin to replace departing star Okieriete Oak Onaodowan, who is black. The production came under fire this week following its move to replace Onaodowan, who was in the original cast of Hamilton, with Tony Award winner Patinkin in a titular role. As part of our sincere efforts to keep Comet running for the benefit of its cast, creative team, crew, investors and everyone else involved, we arranged for Mandy Patinkin to play Pierre, co-producer Howard Kagan said in an official statement posted Friday on Twitter. Kagan said they had the wrong impression of how Onaodowan felt about Patinkins casting and how it would be received by members of the theater community, which we appreciate is deeply invested in the success of actors of color  as are we  and to whom we are grateful for bringing this to our attention. We regret our mistake deeply, and wish to express our apologies to everyone who felt hurt and betrayed by these actions, he said. The legendary Broadway star dropped out of the musical on Friday after the announcement that he would be replacing the African American star was met with disdain. Patinkin was to join the cast for a limited run from Aug. 15 through Sept. 3, but declined the part because he would never accept a role knowing it would harm another actor. I hear what members of the community have said and I agree with them. I am a huge fan of Oak and I will, therefore, not be appearing in the show, the Homeland alum tweeted. Another tweet on the shows account included an apology to Patinkin for any misunderstanding and said they understood his decision to withdraw from the show. Our deepest apologies. pic.twitter.com/Mks7XLGxbq  The Great Comet (@GreatCometBway) July 28, 2017 pic.twitter.com/vSZk6K2KOV  The Great Comet (@GreatCometBway) July 28, 2017 Onaodowan, who had replaced recording artist Josh Groban in the role of Pierre earlier this month, is scheduled to continue to perform through Aug. 13, after which, he stated Friday on Twitter, he will not return to the show. It is unclear if his decision to leave the production was his own or prompted by other factors. Show creator Dave Malloy, whose musical was inspired by a portion of Leo Tolstoys War and Peace, also apologized Friday on Twitter for how everything went down and missing the racial optics of their casting decision. They had previously asked actress Brittain Ashford to step aside for the casting of better-known singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson during the summer months and they didnt anticipate that Patinkins casting would be viewed differently, Malloy said. Despite 12 Tony Award nominations, Comet only received two wins -- for set and lighting -- at the June ceremony and ticket sales ebbed when Groban departed. Malloy said that sales for shows after Aug. 13, when Michaelsons run would also end, were catastrophically low. So they decided to cast Patinkin, hoping that his star power would help boost sales, because the weird show was in desperate shape and on the brink of closing. Facebook

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Eagles, Doobie Brothers will play Classic Northwest show Sept. 30 in Seattle By Randy Lewis The reconfigured Eagles, shown during a July 15 performance at Dodger Stadium, will continue with a Sept. 30 Classic Northwest concert with the Doobie Brothers in Seattle. (Kevin Mazur / Getty Images) The EaglesClassic music festival series will continue with at least one more stop, this time in Seattle. But unlike the inaugural Classic West bill July 15-16 at Dodger Stadium, which is having a Classic East encore this weekend in New York, the added Classic Northwest show on Sept. 30 will be just a single day and feature the Eagles and Doobie Brothers only. The Classic West and East shows teamed the Eagles, Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers on one day, with Fleetwood Mac, Journey and Earth, Wind & Fire on the second day of each. Tickets for the Classic Northwest bill go on sale Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster. At the outset of the Eagles portion of Classic West on July 15, co-founder Don Henley indicated it was still uncertain how much of a future his long-running band might have absent co-founder Glenn Frey, who died last year at 67. To make the Classic West and East shows possible, the group tapped Freys son, singer-guitarist Deacon Frey, and country music star Vince Gill to handle the lead vocals on the many Eagles songs that were originally sung by Glenn Frey. In case this is our last dance, Henley told the crowd at Dodger Stadium, where he was joined by longtime bandmates Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit, we want to thank all of you in Southern California for all your support. Facebook

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In her new Hulu series, Sarah Silverman wants to love America -- seriously By Greg Braxton Executive producers Amy Zvi, left, and Adam McKay, star/executive producer Sarah Silverman and executive producer Gavin Purcell at Hulus I Love You, America panel at the TCA summer press tour. (Willy Sanjuan / Invision/Associated Press) From her stand-up act to her Comedy Central series to her Twitter account, comic-actress Sarah Silverman has a long history of courting laughs and controversy. Her outspokenness and sometimes absurd, sometimes acerbic views on everything from celebrity to culture to politics, particularly President Trump and his administration, have raised eyebrows. On her upcoming Hulu series, I Love You, America, Silverman is focused more on forming bonds than being provocative. In surveying the current political landscape and the comedy shows that skewer it, Silverman says she wants to reach out to all on the political spectrum. For me, [those shows are] great, but they really connect with more like-minded people. Theyre brilliant. Theyre funny. But Im hoping to, with this show, connect with un-like-minded people, Silverman said Thursday during a panel at the Television Critics Assn.'s summer press tour in Beverly Hills. The mission of the show is that were all the same. But whats important is that its funny. Although the exact format of the show is still being refined, Silverman did reveal some elements, including a monologue, a focus group in the studio and field pieces in which she travels around the country talking to people. For example, Silverman says she plans to go to Slidell, La., to meet a family that says they have never met a Jewish person. I cant help but have preconceived notions. They cant help but have preconceived notions, said Silverman. All I can do is just try to be open and brave and go into the situation. And same for them. Although Silverman and executive producer Adam McKay didnt make any sharp criticisms about Trump at Thursdays session, they did take exception to his attacks against so-called entertainment liberals or the Hollywood elite. What is he talking about? said Silverman. Im from ... New Hampshire. Everybody out here is from somewhere else. The goal of the show will be to seek common ground and understanding, she said: Ultimately were all the same. The thesis of the show is that everybody just wants to be loved. Facebook

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Jerry Seinfeld is Forbes highest-paid comedian; Amy Schumer still only woman to crack the top 10 By Nardine Saad If Jerry Seinfeld is this years king of comedy, then Amy Schumer is the queen. The Comedy Central star once again landed on Forbes list of highest-paid comedians, the financial magazine announced Thursday. She was the first woman comic to crack the top 10 last year and remains the only woman on the list this year. The Trainwreck and Snatched star made an estimated $37.5 million between June 2016 and June 2017 thanks to her Netflix show The Leather Special, her memoir The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo and endorsement deals with Bud Light and Old Navy. That ranked the raunchy comic No. 5 on the list filled with veteran comedy heavyweights. Meanwhile, the Seinfeld and Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee star shot back to the top of the list this year, earning an estimated $69 million. Seinfeld was eclipsed last year by Kevin Hart, who this year dropped to the No. 6 spot with $32.5 million. Chris Rock trailed Seinfeld for the second spot on Forbes list, earning $57 million. His record-breaking $20 million-per-special contract with Netflix paved the way for several comics, including Seinfeld, to cut lucrative deals with the streaming service, which is poised to become the go-to-destination for comedy specials. In addition to touring, those deals significantly padded the incomes of several stars on Forbes list. In the third and fourth spots, funnymen Louis C.K. and Dave Chappelle, who earned $52 million and $47 million, respectively, also made expensive deals with the streaming service to make their millions. To see Forbes complete list, click here. For the record, 10:40 a.m.: A previous headline and version of this story said that Schumer was the first woman to make the top 10 list this year. Schumer was the first woman to make the top 10 last year. Facebook

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American Horror Story: Cult gets sickeningly sweet in official poster By Libby Hill We're just beneath the surface... #AHSCult pic.twitter.com/GvnMD1KieQ  AmericanHorrorStory (@AHSFX) July 27, 2017 What exactly is beneath the surface in American Horror Story: Cult? Bees, apparently. The seventh season of FXs hit horror anthology series is slowly revealing itself via its official Twitter account. On Thursday, the series shared the official poster for the series, and it is super messed up. The poster features a deathly pale woman who happens to be missing the top of her head and, for that matter, her brain. Instead, the inside of her head is a honeycomb, replete with bees and, of course, honey. This is creepy for so many reasons. Here are a few: This poor woman has had the top of her skull removed, bringing to mind that particularly gruesome dinner scene featuring Anthony Hopkins and Ray Liotta in the 2001 film Hannibal. Even more horrifying is that this poor, sweet woman is definitely dressed like a clown. The white makeup, lines through the eyes and exaggerated ruby red lips suggest that AHS: Cult is drawing inspiration from traditional grotesque whiteface clown makeup. Think more Pennywise, less juggalo. (And if none of that is enough to scare you, please enjoy this clown dating site I stumbled across while researching all of this.) FXs American Horror Story: Cult premieres on Sept. 5. Facebook

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Stephen Colbert had some [bleeped] thoughts on Anthony Scaramuccis NSFW rant By Yvonne Villarreal (Richard Boeth / Associated Press) Stephen Colbert took a cue from incoming White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci -- or the Mooch, as hes called -- by giving Thursdays episode of The Late Show a decidedly NSFW vibe. We got an incredible taste of unfiltered Mooch today, Colbert said during his monologue. He was, of course, referring to Scaramuccis disapproving -- and often vulgar -- comments about White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and chief strategist Steve Bannon in a New Yorker article that sent social media tongues wagging Thursday. But to even discuss the matter, Colbert had to issue a warning to CBS censors: Youre going to want to break out the extra bleeps for this one, he said before diving in. (If only we could get our ellipses to put in some overtime!) In his colorful conversation with New Yorker correspondent Ryan Lizza, which took place Wednesday night,Scaramucci was trying to get to the bottom of who leaked that he had dinner at the White House with President Trump, the first lady, Sean Hannity and the former Fox News executive Bill Shine. Scaramucci described Priebus as a  ... paranoid schizophrenic who had blocked him from the White House for six months -- prompting Colbert to break out an impression of Scaramucci. Yes, the guys paranoid, OK? He thinks his own communications director is gonna stab him in the back again, Colbert said with an exaggerated Italian accent. Front stab! he added with a knifing gesture. The New Yorker article also detailed how Scaramucci accused Bannon of seeking to build [his] own brand off the  strength of the president and made some other inflammatory remarks that we cant fully detail. So well let Colbert take it from here. Facebook

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Longtime Disney imagineer Martin Sklar dies at 83 By Richard Verrier (Jae C Hong / Associated Press) Martin Marty Sklar, the pioneering Walt Disney Co. imagineer who played an instrumental role in the design of Disney theme parks, has died, the company announced Thursday night. He was 83. During his 54 years at Disney, Sklar worked closely with Walt Disney and led the creative development of the Burbank companys theme parks, attractions and resorts around the world, including the companys ventures in the cruise business, housing development and the redesign of Times Square in New York. Everything about Marty was legendary  his achievements, his spirit, his career, Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger said in a statement. He embodied the very best of Disney, from his bold originality to his joyful optimism and relentless drive for excellence. He was also a powerful connection to Walt himself. No one was more passionate about Disney than Marty and well miss his enthusiasm, his grace, and his indomitable spirit. Sklar was born in New Brunswick, N.J., and attended UCLA, where he was editor of the Daily Bruin newspaper when he was recruited to create the Disneyland News for Walt Disneys new Anaheim theme park in 1955. After graduating in 1956, he joined Disney full-time and would become Disneys lieutenant. He wrote speeches, marketing materials and a film showcasing Walts vision for Walt Disney World and the Epcot theme park in Florida. READ MORE> Facebook

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Is a happily ever after coming to The Mindy Project? By Yvonne Villarreal The Mindy Project creator/executive producer/star Mindy Kaling with executive producers Matt Warburton, left, and Ike Barinholtz at the shows Television Critics Assn. press tour panel. (Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP) Is there a happily ever after written in the stars for the final season of The Mindy Project? Series creator Mindy Kaling, who also plays the titular heroine at the center of the Hulu comedy, took the stage Thursday at the Television Critics Assn. press tour in Beverly Hills to discuss the shows swan song season. And when asked if Kalings rom-com-obsessed character, Mindy Lahiri, would get her storybook ending, the 38-year-old actress suggested it wouldnt necessarily be in the way viewers expect. I think that all of us would agree that we do have happily ever after, the connotations of it, said Kaling, who was joined onstage by executive producer and showrunner, Matt Warburton, and producer and star Ike Barinholtz (sporting a neck brace from a recent stunt gone wrong). But happily ever after isnt the same as no loose ends, she said. That everything is tied up neatly in a bow is something we arent super interested in. That side of it I think were trying to avoid, Kaling added, while also leaving the audience with the sense of feeling that it was about something and that it really was a project and that she had some growth in the end. And for fans wondering whether or how Danny Castellano (played by Chris Messina) would factor into all that, the season promises to shed some light on that. For the unitiated, Messinas Danny is Mindys former fiance and the father of her child. Messina, who hasnt been a series regular since Season 4, is set to return for multiple episodes. And while the Season 5 finale ended with Mindy marrying boyfriend Ben (Bryan Greenberg), hints were thrown that the new episodes would bring some clarity to the Mindy-Danny relationship. The one thing we can promise the audience is a little bit of clarity about where they stand, Warburton said. Its so great to see him back because weve always known theyre always going to be in each others lives  but its great to actually see what that means this season. Its complicated, added Kaling. Theyre both married to other people, so we went into that season with all of that, which makes things sort of fun and delicious. Other familiar faces set to return for the final season are Mark and Jay Duplass, Adam Pally and Glenn Howerton. Kaling, in discussing the decision to end the series, promised a good finale. The decision to end the show was our decision, and I think thats always very hard, Kaling said. It was like, God, should this be the end? ... I think right now the idea of doing a prequel or something like that just felt  we just have such a good finale. We have such a good finale that weve known about for awhile. The final season of The Mindy Project will start its rollout on Hulu in September. Facebook

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Tiffany Haddish clarifies controversial Bill Cosby remarks: Im not afraid of the Big Bad Wolf By James Reed Actress Tiffany Haddish has clarified her remarks about wanting to work with Bill Cosby. (Christina House / For The Times) A joke that Tiffany Haddish recently told The Los Angeles Times has backfired on the breakout star of the new film Girls Night. Talking to The Times Trevell Anderson, Haddish credited Bill Cosby as a comedy inspiration, seemingly unfazed by the multiple sexual-abuse allegations levied against the beleaguered, 80-year-old TV legend. I still want to work with Bill Cosby, I dont care, she told The Times earlier this month. Ill drink the juice. Ill take a nap. I dont give a damn. But seriously, I would love for him to play my grandfather in something. Her remarks raised eyebrows and ire on social media, with some fans questioning her intentions and a New York magazine story noting that the actress seems to have wandered into problematic fave territory. I've been rooting hard for Tiffany Haddish but I find nothing funny about her making light of Bill Cosby drugging women  Stephanie. (@qsteph) July 26, 2017 Twitter: "We loved Tiffany Haddish in #GirlsTrip. Sweetie is doing amazing!"



Tiffany Haddish: "I'd love to work with Bill Cosby."



Twitter: pic.twitter.com/X23DQWb2wi  hellresidentNY (@hellresidentNY) July 27, 2017 On Thursday, Haddish attempted to clarify those comments while speaking on a panel at the Television Critics Assn.'s summer press tour in Beverly Hills. What I said was a joke, she said, noting that when youre expected to be funny in promotional interviews, there are risks. Youre going to say some bad jokes. Haddish said her point had been that Im not afraid to do anything. Im not afraid of any kind of job. Im not afraid to play any kind of girl as long as it doesnt compromise my morals.... Ive been through things. Ive been victimized, she added. I dont agree with what he did or anything, but, at the end of the day, Im not afraid of the Big Bad Wolf. Thats what I was trying to say, and I was trying to do it in a humorous way. Times staff writer Sarah Rodman contributed to this report. Facebook

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Tracy Morgan thanks God, and Tiffany Haddish reflects on her success at Last O.G. panel at TCA By Sarah Rodman Tracy Morgan, left, Tiffany Haddish and Ryan Gaul of the new TBS comedy The Last O.G. at the TCA press tour in Beverly Hills on Thursday. (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images) Thank God. Thats what Tracy Morgan had to say about what it means for the 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live alum to be returning to TV three years after the devastating accident that put him in a coma and resulted in the death of his friend James Jimmy Mack McNair. The stand-up comic and actor, whose new TBS comedy, The Last O.G. premieres Oct. 24, was full of gratitude and thoughts on starting over during the presentation for the show at the Television Critics Assn. summer press tour Thursday in Beverly Hills. Executive produced by Morgan, Jordan Peele and John Carcieri, The Last O.G. chronicles the adventures of Tray (Morgan). Newly sprung from prison after serving 15 years, he has to acclimate to the changed times, his gentrified Brooklyn neighborhood and his former girlfriend (Tiffany Haddish of Girls Trip) raising the children he didnt know existed with another man. This is a show about humanity, this is a show about second chances, this is a show about redemption, said Morgan, answering a question about whether it would explicitly explore African American issues. I wanted to transcend that... I wanted to deal with humanity. Haddish, naturally, fielded several questions about Girls Trip, the new comedy film that has minted her as a star. I feel like a foster kid whos been in the system for a long time and then turned 16 and somebody adopted them and said, You can go to college and you aint got to pay no school loans or nothing,  she said of how shes been feeling in the wake of the films superb box office. Im happy! Ive been accepted finally after all these years of hard work, blood, sweat and tears. Haddish said she was looking forward to her role in The Last O.G. since its a character who has gone through a transition in her life, just as she herself has. Her fellow cast mates, including Cedric the Entertainer, good-naturedly ribbed her about becoming a diva since shes now a movie star. But Morgan noted seriously that Haddish has been nothing but a pro: She comes to work. Haddish joked: My bank account, it dont show movie star yet. Im waiting on it. They say nine months; its like a baby. Im waiting for the delivery. Morgan said it was important to surround himself with scene stealers such as Haddish and Cedric and was clearly earnest in his appreciation of his collaborators and their sensitivity to his physical needs. They make sure I sit down... they dont ask me, they [say] sit down for a little while. So Im good. Im taken care of by my people, and I love them with my heart. Facebook

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It can be TGIF every day on Hulu: The service lands popular ABC programming block in SVOD deal By Yvonne Villarreal Every day can be Friday in the 90s with help from Hulu. The streaming service announced Thursday it has signed a deal with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution for the exclusive streaming rights to programs that were part of the popular ABC programming block known as TGIF. The announcement was made during the streaming services day of panels at the Television Critics Assn. press tour in Beverly Hills. The shows under the deal include Full House, Family Matters, Perfect Strangers, Step by Step and Hangin With Mr. Cooper. Nabbing the rights to Full House is particularly noteworthy considering Hulus rival Netflixs success with reviving the comedy, which is returning for a third season in September. With the Hulu deal, more than 800 episodes of the five sitcoms from the bygone family friendly lineup will be available beginning Friday, Sept. 29. These shows are more than just beloved hits, they were part of a cultural tradition to tune in every Friday night, said Craig Erwich, Hulus senior vice president of content in a statement. Facebook

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TV Academy announces which awards will be handed out during Primetime, Creative Arts Emmys By Nardine Saad Get your Emmys ballot ready  the Television Academy has announced which categories will be awarded during this years 69th Primetime Emmy Awards and the separate Creative Arts Emmy Awards. The main event will take place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sept. 17 and will be hosted by The Late Show star Stephen Colbert. Prizes will be awarded to comedy and drama series, limited series, reality competition, variety talk and sketch, television movie, acting, directing, and writing during the live telecast on CBS. HBOs Westworld and NBCs Saturday Night Live lead the nominees with 22 nods apiece, a total that includes several below-the-line categories to be doled out at the two Creative Arts Emmys ceremonies the week before. Honoring artistic and technical achievements that could make or break your play-at-home ballot, the Creative Arts Emmys will be held in the same venue on two consecutive nights on Sept. 9 and 10. Theyll be put together for one show, produced by Bob Bain, that will air on FXX on Sept. 16. The first night will cover categories that include animation, choreography, cinematography, costuming, make-up, hairstyling, documentary and nonfiction awards, editing, lighting, sound-mixing, technical direction, variety special and some writing awards. The second night will lean more heavily on front-of-the camera talent, awarding the likes of guest actors and actresses and stunt work, in addition to childrens programs, commercials, main title designs and theme music, music composition and supervision, prosthetic makeup and additional sound and editing categories. For a complete list of this years nominees, click here. Heres the complete list of the awards being handed out during the Primetime Emmys telecast: COMEDY SERIES

DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES

DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES

DIRECTING FOR A LIMITED SERIES, MOVIE OR DRAMATIC SPECIAL

DIRECTING FOR A VARIETY SERIES

DRAMA SERIES

LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE

LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE

LIMITED SERIES

REALITY-COMPETITION PROGRAM

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE

TELEVISION MOVIE

VARIETY SKETCH SERIES

VARIETY TALK SERIES

WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES

WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES

WRITING FOR A LIMITED SERIES, MOVIE OR DRAMATIC SPECIAL

WRITING FOR A VARIETY SERIES Facebook

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Kesha finds redemption in new song: The past cant haunt me if I dont let it By Emily Mae Czachor For Kesha, Learn to Let Go is not just an aptly titled track off her upcoming Rainbow LP. Its become one of my mantras over the last few years, she said in a remarkably uplifting letter that the singer published Thursday to accompany a new video for the song. (This is her new M.O., it would seem.) Learn to Let Go, which Kesha co-wrote alongside her mother, Pebe Sebert, is a heartrending chronicle of redemption. Had a boogeyman under my bed/ Putting crazy thoughts inside my head, she sings, while real home-video footage of a whimsical young Kesha cuts between clips of a grown Kesha frolicking through the forest. The chorus rings like a self-empowered anthem: The past cant haunt me if I dont let it. My mom is always telling me how you have to learn to accept that you cant try to control everything, she wrote in the letter. When you realize that you are not the one in control and you stop holding onto regrets  its liberating. Your past only has as much effect on your future as you want it to, Kesha continued. Its about embracing your past, but not letting it define you. Her new album, Rainbow, will be released Aug. 11. Facebook

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Stephen Colbert to bring animated Trump series to Showtime By Meredith Blake Stephen Colbert has ridden anti-Trump sentiment to the top of the late-night ratings. Now hes riding it all the way to premium cable. On Thursday, Showtime announced it had ordered 10 episodes of an as-yet-untitled animated series featuring cartoon renderings of the president, his family and inner circle. The satirical half-hour series, executive produced by Colbert and The Late Shows show runner Chris Licht, will debut on Showtime this fall. According to the network, turnaround on the series will be quick in order to incorporate current events. Stephen and Chris have an uncanny genius for deconstructing the world of President Trump, and this series opens a new realm for them, Showtime President David Nevins said in a press statement. Tim Luecke, who co-created the animated version of Trump who frequently appears in Late Show bits  including a recent segment from the notorious presidential suite of the Moscow Ritz-Carlton  will serve as lead animator. The announcement caps off a period of good news for Colbert, who racked up six Emmy nominations this month and will be hosting the awards in September. The recently concluded Russia Week, in which the comedian traveled to Moscow and St. Petersburg, brought The Late Show its biggest margin over The Tonight Show since its premiere in 2015. While The Late Show airs on CBS, Colbert has also developed ties with his corporate cousins at Showtime. Many point to his riveting election night special Stephen Colberts Live Election Night Democracys Series Finale, which aired on the premium network, as a turning point after an uneven transition from The Colbert Report. For its part, Showtime has invested heavily in political content over the last 18 months, most notably the documentary series The Circus, from journalists Mark Halperin and John Heilemann. Facebook

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Matt Damon gets punched right in the face in George Clooneys Suburbicon trailer By Nardine Saad  Matt Damon, Oscar Isaac and Julianne Moore star in the trailer for George Clooneys Suburbicon. In George Clooneys latest directorial effort, Suburbicon, the pleasantries of a 1950s town are undone when a home invasion exposes the communitys criminal subculture and racial tensions. And Matt Damons Gardner Lodge gets stuck in the thick of it -- defending his young son, making death threats, killing mobsters and getting popped square in his bespectacled face at the office -- as seen in the first trailer that Paramount unveiled Thursday. Did we mention this is a comedy? The dark, screwball kind from the minds of screenwriters Clooney and frequent collaborators Ethan and Joel Coen and Grant Heslov? Well, it is, in case that wasnt clear from the previous description. These animals took everything from us, a blood-splattered Gardner tells his son Nicky (Noah Jupe) at the dinner table. I have to make decisions like whats best for the family. After Gardners wife is murdered, he invites Auntie Margaret (Julianne Moore) to come live in the manicured suburban community to help with his son. Meanwhile, he gets mixed up with a loan shark that sets him on the warpath of a formidable, coffee-swilling collector named Roger (Oscar Isaac). The film is based on a script that the Coen brothers wrote years ago that Clooney found, and they agreed to have him direct it, according to Moore. Paramount acquired the U.S. rights to the film, billed as a comedy, crime and mystery, at the Berlin Film Festival last year. It will be shown at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and hits theaters on Oct. 27. Facebook

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Woody Allens Wonder Wheel to complete Amazons turn to full-service distribution By Mark Olsen Woody Allen at the American Film Institutes Life Achievement Award tribute to Diane Keaton on June 8, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Christopher Polk / Getty Images for Turner) Thursday it was announced that Woody Allens latest film, Wonder Wheel, will have its world premiere as the closing-night film at this years New York Film Festival. The film stars Kate Winslet, Justin Timberlake, Juno Temple and James Belushi in a story set around Coney Island in the 1950s. But that wasnt the only Allen item of the day. Variety reported that Wonder Wheel will also be the first film fully distributed by Amazon when it opens in theaters on Dec. 1. The company has already made fast inroads to the movie business, winning Academy Awards this year for Manchester by the Sea and The Salesman, but has up to now worked with established distribution partners such as Roadside Attractions or Bleecker Street to help get those movies into theaters. Amazon released Allens 2016 film, Cafe Society, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart and Steve Carell, in partnership with Lionsgate. The online giant also released Allens six-part Crisis in Six Scenes, in which he starred alongside Elaine May and Miley Cyrus, late last year via the Amazon Prime Video streaming service. The move by Amazon is yet another way the company is distinguishing itself in relation to streaming rival Netflix. Where Netflix has been seen as pulling back from theatrical distribution, opting for either extremely limited or no theatrical release at all of its titles to drive viewers to its own platform, this latest push by Amazon renews its commitment to traditional theatrical releases. The New York Film Festival slot for Wonder Wheel gives Amazon the three marquee spots at the showcase. Previously announced, Richard Linklaters Last Flag Flying will open the festival, and Todd Haynes Wonderstruck, which premiered at this years Cannes Film Festival, will show in the centerpiece slot. Other upcoming Amazon titles include Mike Whites Brads Status, starring Ben Stiller, and Luca Guadagninos remake of Suspiria, starring Dakota Johnson. Facebook

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Mick Jagger releases two new, politically charged singles By August Brown (Dave Gatley / Los Angeles Times) Mick Jagger has been looking to the past on recent albums and festival dates. But a pair of urgent new singles are firmly set in the present. On Thursday, the Rolling Stones frontman released two tracks, Gotta Get A Grip and England Lost, that describe, as he put it in a statement, the anxiety, unknowability of the changing political situation in a post-Brexit U.K. The production is resolutely modern, built on programmed drums and clanging guitar noise. The London grime artist Skepta even joins him for a verse on England Lost. Ostensibly, its about seeing an England football team lose, but when I wrote the title I knew it would be about more than just that. Its about a feeling that we are in a difficult moment in our history. Its about the unknowability about where you are and the feeling of insecurity, Jagger said in a statement. Its obviously got a fair amount of humour because I dont like anything too on the nose but its also got a sense of vulnerability of where we are as a country. The Girls actress Jemima Kirke also stars in a new clip for Gotta Get A Grip. The songs are Jaggers first new solo material since 2001s Goddess In the Doorway. Facebook

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Katy Perry to host 2017 MTV Video Music Awards By Libby Hill The MTV Video Music Awards are returning to California and getting a certified California Gurl to host. Katy Perry took to her Twitter feed Thursday to announce her upcoming gig hosting -- and performing -- at the VMAs in August. Ive been training with MTV in zero gravity, eating astronaut ice cream, and Im on a group text with Buzz Aldrin and Neil deGrasse Tyson, Perry said in a statement. Come August 27th, Ill be ready to be your MOONWOMAN! Brace for impact, kids. Perry will kick off the evening as the first announced performer for the ceremony. On Tuesday, Perry earned five VMA nominations for her video contributions over the last year, tying with the Weeknd, with only Kendrick Lamar earning more. Were thrilled to have global phenomenon Katy Perry as the host and a performer at the 2017 VMAs, said Bruce Gillmer, head of music and music talent for Global Entertainment Group, Viacom, in a statement from MTV. She is at the forefront of music culture and the perfect person to anchor this years show, which promises to be one of the most diverse and music-filled in VMA history. The 2017 MTV Video Music Awards will air from the Forum in Inglewood on Aug. 27. Find a full list of nominees here. Introducing your MOONWOMAN. Brace for impact! August 27th on @MTV @VMAs pic.twitter.com/WJsIYq7WiM  KATY PERRY (@katyperry) July 27, 2017 Facebook

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Turns out Larry David and Bernie Sanders are related! By Yvonne Villarreal Turns out Saturday Night Live was on to something when it cast Larry David to play Sen. Bernie Sanders. During his freewheeling appearance Wednesday at the Television Critics Assn. press tour in Beverly Hills to promote the upcoming ninth season of HBOs Curb Your Enthusiasm, David revealed that the resemblance is rooted in reality: Sanders is a distant relative. Hes in the line ... like a third cousin, or something, he said. The genealogical discovery comes courtesy of Davids appearance in an upcoming episode of the PBS series Finding Your Roots. I was very happy about that, David said. I figured there was some connection. David played Sanders on Saturday Night Live through the 2015-16 election cycle and also appeared alongside the senator on the late-night sketch show. Its the kind of family secret that David isnt ashamed to admit. I love Bernie, yes, David said. I love Bernie. Facebook

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Trumps proposed transgender military ban turns late-night into hostile territory By Libby Hill If theres one upside to the Trump administrations early-morning Twitter proclamations, its that it gives late-night shows all day to craft their reactions. Wednesday began with President Trump announcing a ban on transgender individuals serving in the United States military and ended with late-night hosts uniformly blasting the policy decision in hilarious fashion. On The Late Show, Stephen Colbert had plenty to say about Trumps tweets, which ended with an uncharacteristic thank you. Thank you? Colbert responded, shocked, before offering his own profane two-word response to the president. Colbert went on to discuss what he saw as the greatest fallacy of the presidents reasons for banning transgender soldiers: increased medical costs. Though a 2016 study funded by the Pentagon found that military medical spending on transgender soldiers would increase anywhere from $2.4 million to $8.4 million, Colbert wanted to reframe those figures. To put that number in perspective, the military spends five times as much on Viagra, Colbert explained, And if your erection lasts for more than four hours, thats too bad, because youre stuck on a submarine for the next six months. On The Daily Show Trevor Noah had similar concerns about the presidents cost-related excuse, pointing out that taxpayers are paying $60 million for Trump to travel to his various properties throughout his presidency. Noah also pondered which of Trumps generals hed consulted with, given that the Pentagon was unaware of his proclamation, suggesting that perhaps hed spoken with The General Online. Late Night With Seth Meyers also invoked the cartoon general from the car insurance commercials, when Meyers opted to turn discussion of Trumps tweets over to four of his female writers. Today it might be trans people, but tomorrow its gay people, and then the next day its black people, and after that its women, and then its immigrants, the writers pointed out, all of those groups represented between them. On The Tonight Show Jimmy Fallon had the good sense to turn over a portion of his monologue to transgender comedian Patti Harrison, who had plenty to say about Trumps Wednesday announcement. When I saw the headline this morning, at first I just read, Donald Trump bans transgender people, and I was like, Yeah, that sounds like him, Harrison deadpanned. But then I realized it was just in the military and I was shocked, because I assumed he already did that. But it was James Corden who took a completely different take on the transgender military ban, opting for a stylish and heartfelt song and dance, expressing his love and appreciation for the LGBT community. Facebook

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Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are on the road again in new song collaboration By August Brown Ringo Starrs new LP includes a collaboration with fellow former Beatle Paul McCartney. (Ethan Miller / Getty Images) Any time the surviving Beatles reunite on record is a historic occasion. But a new single from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr packs in even more classic-rock star power. Starrs new song Were on the Road Again is one of several collaborations with his former bandmate on his new LP, Give More Love. The song also has guest appearances from Joe Walsh, Edgar Winter and Steve Lukather. Its a slightly goofy ode to life on the road, as Starr boasts that, We play really tight; we play really loud and cheekily references his own song Photograph. The two Beatles last recorded together on Starrs 2010 album, Y Not, and performed McCartneys Queenie Eye at the 2014 Grammys. Starr announced the McCartney studio collaboration back in February, thanking the fellow Beatle in a Twitter post. Thanks for coming over man and playing Great bass. I love you man peace and love.  pic.twitter.com/Z5kpyLLlkO  #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) February 20, 2017 Set for release on Sept. 15, Give More Love will also feature cameos from Peter Frampton, Don Was, Richard Marx and Dave Stewart, among others. You can hear Starrs new track with Paul McCartney via Rolling Stone. Facebook

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Curb Your Enthusiasm returns this fall -- and you can expect a Pirates of the Caribbean vibe? By Yvonne Villarreal Actor-creator-executive producer Larry David speaks at the Curb Your Enthusiasm panel during the Television Critics Assn. summer press tour at the Beverly Hilton. (Chris Pizzello / Invision/AP) Larry David revealed the real reason Curb Your Enthusiasm is at last returning after a six-year hiatus: People wouldnt stop bugging him about it. The Seinfeld co-creator took the stage Wednesday at the Television Critics Assn. press tour in Beverly Hills -- joined by his Curb cohorts Susie Essman, Jeff Garlin and J.B. Smoove and executive producer Jeff Schaffer -- to discuss the shows coming ninth season. So, why bring back the show now after all these years? Im not a misser, David told reporters. I dont really miss things, people that much, but I was missing it. I thought, yeah, what the hell. And I got tired of people asking me if the show was coming back. I couldnt get asked that question anymore and I wasnt ready to say, No, never. The often madcap and sometimes hilariously perplexing 30-minute panel -- led by Davids gruff wit and deadpans -- kicked off with a teaser for the season. There was David in a shower, David talking about constipation, David enduring the displeasure of middle-seat status on a flight. The amount of uncomfortable situations [real Larry David] has been in these last six years, Schaffer said, youre going to see it all. Its like were sitting in the Ft. Knox of awkward. As for TV Larry David, Schaffer said viewers will learn very quickly what hes been up to during the years that have passed. Once the show starts to air, it will be self-evident, he said. It goes to this really strange, fun, crazy place.... And you will never expect where it ends. The trip to that ending begins Oct. 1 when the comedy returns to HBO. The 10-episode season brings back Curb favorites like Cheryl Hines, as well as frequent faces Richard Lewis, Bob Einstein, Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen. And what would a long-awaited return be without some guest stars? Elizabeth Banks, Ed Begley Jr., Carrie Brownstein, Bryan Cranston, Lauren Graham, Jimmy Kimmel, Nick Offerman, Nasim Pedrad and Elizabeth Perkins will get in on the fun. For those who still need something to pin their hopes on about what this season will entail, Garlin offered this absurdly brilliant comparison. It really thematically follows Pirates of the Caribbean. ... Its more like the last one than the first few. Facebook

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At TCA 2017, HBO defends Confederate, announces Jon Stewart special and says Deadwood movie is inching closer By Greg Braxton Casey Bloys, president of HBO programming, addresses reporters at the Television Critics Assn.'s summer press tour at the Beverly Hilton on Wednesday. (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press) HBO, which has the hottest show on television with Game of Thrones, recently came under fire with the announcement of a new series called Confederate from a team that includes Game of Thrones producers D.B. Weiss and David Benioff. The series revolves around events that lead to the Third American Civil War and examines an alternate reality in which the South seceded from the Union and thus, slavery is still legal. Casey Bloys, president of HBO programming, defended the project Wednesday during the premium networks session at the summer edition of the Television Critics Assn. gathering at the Beverly Hilton. Bloys said that, in hindsight, the announcement was mishandled because it lacked the context and the vision that he received from Benioff and Weiss in discussing the series. He admitted it was misguided to believe they could simply announce a series with such a sensitive and volatile subject matter. We could have done a better job with the press release, he said. There was no benefit of context. My hope is people will judge the actual material instead of what it could be or should be or might be, he said. Well rise or fall based on that material. He added that he felt the series, rather than being divisive, would be able to advance the racial discussion. Although the topic is controversial, he said he and the producers of the show all feel this is a risk worth taking. Bloys also stressed that the depiction of slavery would not echo Gone With the Wind and would not include whips and plantations. In other major HBO news, former Daily Show host Jon Stewart will perform a stand-up special at a date and time to be announced, and host the latest Night of Too Many Stars, an all-star benefit for autism. Also, a movie reboot of HBOs western Deadwood is closer to reality. Bloys said the shows creator, David Milch, has completed a script that will please fans of the series while also being accessible to those less familiar with the show. But, he said, reuniting the large cast, which included Timothy Olyphant and Ian McShane, may prove challenging. Facebook

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Two Jon Stewart comedy specials are coming to HBO By Yvonne Villarreal Jon Stewart, seen here presenting at the ESPYS, will return to HBO for his first stand-up special in two decades. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Jon Stewart will headline two stand-up specials for HBO. The news was announced Wednesday at the Television Critics Assn. press tour in Beverly Hills. The former Daily Show host will get a stand-up special  his first since since 1996s Jon Stewart: Unleavened aired on the network. A date and location have not been confirmed. Were excited to bring Jon to the network with this pair of specials, said HBO programming president Casey Bloys in a statement. Weve all missed his uniquely thoughtful brand of humor. Im really thrilled to be able to return to stand-up on HBO, added Stewart in a statement. Theyve always set the standard for great stand-up specials. Plus, I can finally use up the last of the Saddam Hussein jokes left over from my first special. Stewart will also host the latest Night of Too Many Stars, the all-star benefit for Next for Autism, a nonprofit organization focused on people living with autism spectrum disorder. The special will air live this fall and will take place from the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. The specials are part of Stewarts four-year deal with the premium cable network. Facebook

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Angelina Jolie talks about difficult split from Brad Pitt By Nardine Saad A-lister Angelina Jolie is adjusting to the domestic growing pains of life as a single mom  making a proper breakfast, keeping house and picking up dog poop. I never woke up and thought, I really want to live a bold life. I just cant do the other. Its the same as I cant make a casserole. I cannot sit still, she said in a sprawling new interview with Vanity Fair, in which she discussed her high-profile split from actor Brad Pitt. Ive been trying for nine months to be really good at just being a homemaker and picking up dog poop and cleaning dishes and reading bedtime stories. And Im getting better at all three. But now I need to get my boots on and go hang, take a trip, the humanitarian said of her plans to head to Africa for a mission with the preventing Sexual Violence Initiative. Angelina Jolie opens up about putting her family first, life after Brad, health issues & her most personal film yet https://t.co/nKyf4dO8ls pic.twitter.com/WkXCgWR1PV  VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) July 26, 2017 The Oscar-winning actress explained how and when her marriage devolved, though she didnt go into great detail about the breakup for the sake of their six kids. The marriage began suffering in the summer of 2016 while she was in post-production on her fifth directorial effort, First They Killed My Father, a film about Cambodias Khmer Rouge genocide, which hits Netflix in September. Things got bad, Jolie said. I didnt want to use that word. ... Things became difficult. The director became slightly defensive at the mention of the familys globe-trotting lifestyle, which reportedly had been grating on Pitt. "[Our lifestyle] was not in any way a negative, she asserted. That was not the problem. That is and will remain one of the wonderful opportunities we are able to give our children. ... Theyre six very strong-minded, thoughtful, worldly individuals. Im very proud of them. After 12 years together and a few years of marriage, Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt in September 2016. While her ex was couch-surfing, she and the kids spent nine months in a rental property before settling into a six-bedroom, 10-bathroom Los Feliz manse once owned by film legend Cecil B. DeMille. Its just been the hardest time, and were just kind of coming up for air. [This house] is a big jump forward for us, and were all trying to do our best to heal our family. The divorce filing came suddenly for the health of the family on the heels of a spat Pitt had with their 15-year-old son, Maddox. They reached a divorce settlement privately in January after battling publicly for months over custody of the kids. The Oscar-winning producer had been vilified with accusations of child abuse and having an affair with his Allied costar Marion Cotillard. But he arguably won over public opinion with his introspective GQ Style interview in May in which he admitted to sobering up after boozing too much. Last year, Jolie was diagnosed with hypertension and developed Bells palsy when nerve damage caused one side of her face to droop. She took up acupuncture to treat it. Sometimes women in families put themselves last, she said, until it manifests itself in their own health. Thats just the latest in her medical history. Following a preventative double mastectomy in 2013, she had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed in 2015, which sent her into menopause. I cant tell if its menopause or if its just been the year Ive had, she said, quipping about her dry skin and the idea that she could still be considered a sex symbol. I actually feel more of a woman because I feel like Im being smart about my choices, and Im putting my family first, and Im in charge of my life and my health. I think thats what makes a woman complete. For the record, Aug. 4, 12:55 p.m.: A previous version of this story said that First They Killed My Father would hit Netflix this month. It debuts in September. Facebook

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Caitlyn Jenner questions why Trump isnt fighting for transgender service members By James Reed (Taylor Jewell / Invision/Associated Press) There are 15,000 patriotic transgender Americans in the US military fighting for all of us. What happened to your promise to fight for them?  Caitlyn Jenner, tweeting in response to President Trumps transgender military ban announced Wednesday Read More Facebook

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Robert Pattinson confirms hes kind of engaged to singer FKA Twigs By Nardine Saad (Mike Coppola / Getty Images for People) Twilight heartthrob Robert Pattinson says hes kind of " engaged to singer FKA Twigs. The actor addressed the engagement rumors Tuesday in a direct response to shock jock Howard Sterns questioning on Sirius XMs The Howard Stern Show. Youre engaged, right? Stern said after calling the edgy English songstress his fiancee. Yeah, kind of, Pattinson, 31, responded uneasily. The Good Time star, whose relationships have been intensely scrutinized since he dated Twilight co-star Kristen Stewart at the height of the teen vampire frenzy, agreed that hes been a bit protective of his romances. Hes been dating the Water Me singer, real name Tahlia Barnett, since 2014 and theyve been rumored to be engaged since April 2015. Save for public appearances together, Pattinson has kept pretty mum about the relationship. Its one of the most frustrating things in the world because you want to be able to show off a relationship, he told Stern. You kind of get stuck in this position where you have to make decisions whether you want to let the kind of crazy people in. Pattinson was referring to the Twi-hards or, as he called them, a crack troupe of crazies who believe every decision he makes is part of some big conspiracy. To protect [the relationship] you kind of think, I want to create a big boundary between it. But then it makes it difficult for your actual relationship, he said. Additionally, Pattinson also discussed the racial disparagement his fiancee faces on social media for dating him. He tries to tune out the hate when he can, but he isnt always successful. I think its like professional trolls, he said of rude commenters. They get so addicted to kind of just wanting to cause hurt and pain on someone and its just one of the most difficult things to know how to confront. Its a faceless enemy. ... It might seem fake to them, but its definitely real in your life. Pattinson said responding to hate can just be feeding into it. It makes me feel less powerful if youre trying to attack and make it go away. Its like trying to attack a reflection in the water or something. You just look crazy, he said. Facebook

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David Letterman cringes when late-night TV hosts refer to viewers as fans By Emily Mae Czachor A profoundly bearded David Letterman made a rare talk-show appearance Monday -- one of just a handful of public ventures since the end of his run on The Late Show in 2015. Only this time, Letterman arrived as a guest. In an unusual turn of events, the former late-night host played interviewee on the season premiere of stand-up comedian Norm Macdonalds podcast, Norm Macdonald Live. The longtime pals discussed a number of matters, from Lettermans first-ever hosting gig (a game show called Wordbusters) to the time he found himself face to face with Richard Nixon. The two also discussed late-night TVs changing landscape and how Letterman never felt comfortable thinking of himself as the star of his own show. I could not possibly, and still dont, consider myself a star, because I couldnt refer to myself as a star, Letterman said. Johnny Carson was a star, theres no question of that. So for me to adopt that -- Starring Dave Letterman -- that was just ridiculous. In the same way, I always cringe a little when people refer to the folks who watch their show as their fans, Letterman added. I just think thats a little too  you know, you kind of just stepped over the line of basic humility there. Macdonald commented on late-nights packed roster of big-name hosts -- none of whom he finds particularly unique, except Conan OBrien, who he thinks has changed it up a little. On any plans for a late-night return to the host seat, Letterman told fans not to expect too much. Ive done it for 30 years, he said. I dont want to do it anymore. Watch the full episode above (warning: some profanity). Facebook

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Olivia de Havilland, 101, files motion to expedite her Feud lawsuit By Nardine Saad Olivia de Havilland at her Paris home in 2003. (Jean-Marc Giboux / Getty Images) Citing her advanced age, legendary actress Olivia de Havilland has filed a motion in her Feud lawsuit for a preferential trial date this fall. De Havillands attorneys filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, requesting that the jury trial be set in November or no later than 120 days of her motion being granted. The 101-year-old is hoping that a judge will fast track the trial during her Sept. 13 hearing date, which is just days before Feud is expected to be a big winner at the Primetime Emmy Awards. (The miniseries is nominated for 18 awards.) The Gone With the Wind star sued FX and Feud showrunner Ryan Murphy last month over her depiction in the miniseries about rival actresses Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. The two-time Oscar winner, who was played by actress Catherine Zeta-Jones on the show, makes legal claims about violations of her common law and statutory rights of publicity, her right to privacy and unjust enrichment. Based on her unusually advanced age, resulting particular susceptibility to disease, and recurring health issues, there is a substantial likelihood that she, as with anyone at this advanced age, may not survive for any extended period of time, the motion said. It is likely that if a trial preference motion is not granted, Olivia de Havilland will be prejudiced, because on the normal schedule, trial would not be set within the next 120 days. Her team also argued that because she is the sole plaintiff, De Havilland is crucial to the trial. Olivia de Havilland has a substantial interest in the litigation as a whole here as her personal statutory right of publicity cause of action does not survive her death. ... Further, should Olivia de Havilland die before her trial date, she will not be able to enjoy the benefits which she would receive in damages, the motion said. De Havillands June 30 lawsuit said the show damaged her professional reputation for integrity, honesty, generosity, self-sacrifice and dignity. She claimed that FX, Murphy and Fox producers never sought or obtained her permission to be depicted in the series and that Zeta-Jones portrayal of her in an episode about the 1963 Oscars cast her in a false, hurtful and damaging light. The defendants have not yet responded to de Havillands initial filing. According to Deadline, the Paris-based actress will not be attending the September hearing but may return to Hollywood if the trial is expedited to November. Olivia de Havilland 101: Everything you need to know as the movie legend celebrates her 101st birthday Facebook

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Despacitos Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee call out Venezuelan president for using song to push agenda By Nardine Saad Luis Fonsi, left, and Daddy Yankee. (Sergi Alexander / Getty Images) Despacito singers Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee and co-writer Erika Ender have condemned Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro for appropriating their international hit song for political gain. The chart-topping Puerto Rican recording artists and Panamanian songwriter on Monday called out Maduro, currently the subject of violent and sometimes fatal nationwide protests over his policies, for reworking their lyrics to appeal to voters during his weekly television show on Sunday. The revision promoted the leaders plans for a controversial citizens assembly to be elected on July 30 and tasked with rewriting Venezuelas 1999 constitution and bypassing the opposition-led legislature. Our call to the Constituent Assembly only seeks to unite the country ... despacito, Maduros version said. The term despacito means slowly in Spanish and in the original version of the song refers to the singers wooing techniques. Maduros supporters swayed to the remix dressed in matching T-shirts and baseball caps that brandished campaign slogans. the Associated Press said. The president was seen clapping along to the remix while the audience danced, according to the BBC. I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS, Ender wrote in Spanish on Instagram, citing a news story about Maduros use of the song. I cannot see so much pain in people I love so much. Warrior people, people with iron will. Good people, who are fighting for freedom of rights and expression. ... I love Venezuela, a land that has given me true brothers and sisters. Brothers who suffer because of the situation that exists. Ender also lamented seeing the song she co-wrote be used without permission to advertise campaigns linked to a regime that has sowed so much discontent and suffering. View Instagram post On repeated occasions, I have said how much I enjoy the versions of Despacito that have been released on a global level. However there has to be a limit, Fonsi also wrote in Spanish on Instagram. I have never been consulted, nor have I authorized the use of or the change of lyrics of Despacito for political means, much less in the middle of the deplorable situation in a country I love so much, Venezuela. He added that his music is for everyone who wants to listen to it and enjoy it, not to use as propaganda that tries to manipulate the will of the people who are crying out loud for their liberty and a better future. View Instagram post Daddy Yankee took a much more blunt approach in his post, sharing an image of a news article about Maduro with a large red X superimposed on it. What can you expect of a person who has stolen lives from young dreamers and people who are looking for a better future for their children? the reggaeton rapper wrote in Spanish. That you illegally appropriated Despacito does not compare to the crimes you commit and have committed in Venezuela. Your dictatorial regime is a mockery not only for my Venezuelan brothers, but for the whole world. With that nefarious marketing plan, you will only continue to highlight your fascist ideology, which has killed hundreds of heroes and injured more than 2,000. View Instagram post Millions of Venezuelans joined a general strike last week amid economic turmoil and a shortage of food and medicine in the country. Government opponents dealt a symbolic blow on Sunday to Maduro, casting votes in an unofficial referendum that rejected his plan for the constitutional overhaul. The government denounced the opposition balloting as illegal and seditious, according to The Times, but turnout appeared high at thousands of makeshift voting places set up throughout the country and abroad. Facebook

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Netflix invests in Matt Groenings Disenchantment By Libby Hill Matt Groening is ready to take another crack at this television thing. The creator of The Simpsons, which debuts its 29th season on Fox this fall, has a new show courtesy of Netflix. The streaming service provider announced Tuesday that it had ordered 20 episodes of Disenchantment, an adult animated comedy series set in a deteriorating fantasy kingdom. The show centers around a hard-living young princess named Bean, voiced by Abbi Jacobson (Broad City), her elf companion, Elfo (Nat Faxon), and personal demon Luci (Eric Andre). Ultimately, Disenchantment will be about life and death, love and sex, and how to keep laughing in a world full of suffering and idiots, despite what the elders and wizards and other jerks tell you, Groening said in a statement Tuesday. Matt Groenings brilliant work has resonated with generations around the world and we couldnt be happier to work with him on Disenchantment,  Cindy Holland, vice president of original content for Netflix, said in a statement. The series will bear his trademark animation style and biting wit, and we think its a perfect fit for our many Netflix animation fans. The series joins Netflixs Bojack Horseman in aiming for an audience unafraid of exploring the less-savory aspects of adulthood. Disenchantment will premiere on Netflix 10 episodes at a time, beginning in 2018. Facebook

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Broad City stars talk about the decision to bleep President Trumps name on the show By Yvonne Villarreal Abbi Jacobson, left, and Ilana Glazer of the series Broad City speak at the Television Critics Assn. press tour at the Beverly Hilton on Tuesday. (Chris Pizzello / Invision/Associated Press) Broad City creators and stars Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson consider the bleeping out of President Trumps name from the comedys upcoming fourth season a different kind of joke. The two appeared onstage Tuesday at the Television Critics Assn. press tour in Beverly Hills to discuss the new season and how they reworked the show in the wake of Trumps election. We just got to a point where in real life were talking about the current administration, were talking about Trump  and it sounds so gross every day saying it so many 
TCM Big Screen: Fast Times at Ridgemont High Director Amy Heckerlings 1982 feature film debut deftly captured the fun, drama (statutory rape, unplanned pregnancy) and ennui of a group of teenagers at a typical Southern California high school. Adapted by Cameron Crowe from his book of the same name, the film includes early performances from rising stars Jennifer Jason Leigh, Eric Stoltz, Forest Whitaker, Nicolas Cage (as Nicolas Coppola) and Sean Penn as the bodacious, surfer-stoner Jeff Spicoli. AMC, Cinemark, Edwards, Regal and other theaters. July 30 and Aug. 2, 2 and 7 p.m. $12.50. www.fathomevents.com

Nunday Funday: From Convent to Counterculture: Sister Corita and Inquiring Nuns The series closes with three excellent short documentaries. The first two from director Baylis Glascock, We Have No Art (1967) and Marys Day (1964), focus on social justice activist, college professor, and innovative pop artist Corita Kent. Kents bright, graphic silk-screens made her popular with such luminaries as Charles and Ray Eames, Buckminster Fuller, and Alfred Hitchcock. In Inquiring Nuns (1968), filmmaker Gordon Quinn follows two young nuns (still wearing the long habits, wimple, and veil) who interview a wide variety of people on the streets of Chicago simply asking, Are you happy? The score was the first for young composer Philip Glass. Followed by a reception on the patio and a gallery show of Corita Kents art. The Cinefamily, Silent Movie Theater, 611 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 655-2510. July 30, 7 p.m. $12; free for Cinefamily members. www.cinefamily.org

The Lion King Sing-Along One of the best films from the late 20th century Disney animation renaissance, the tale of lion cub Simba, was the studios first animated feature not adapted from an existing story (although there is certainly a nod to Hamlet). Elton John and Tim Rice composed the 1994 films memorable songs (Hakuna Matata anyone?) and the voice talent includes James Earl Jones, Nathan Lane and, memorably, Jeremy Irons as Simbas sinister uncle, Scar. El Capitan, 6838 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, (818) 845-3110. Aug. 4-10, 10 a.m., 1 and 4 p.m. Aug. 11-20, 10 a.m., 1, 4 and 7 p.m. $11-$23. www.elcapitantheatre.com

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Throwback Thursdays: Biker Movies Though director Richard Rushs Hells Angels on Wheels (1967) is thin on plot, it had a few aces up its sleeve in cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs (credited as Leslie Kovacs), lead actor Jack Nicholson, and an air of authenticity because of the presence of some real Angels as extras, including the notorious Sonny Barger serving as a technical adviser. The weekly series includes 1967 Billy Jack vigilante movie The Born Losers (Aug. 10), starring Tom Laughlin as Billy Jack (also directed as T.C. Frank); Dennis Hoppers 1969 classic Easy Rider (Aug. 17), starring Peter Fonda, Hopper and Nicholson; Roger Cormans 1966 The Wild Angels, with Fonda, Nancy Sinatra, and Bruce Dern (Aug. 24); and the late George A. Romeros 1981 bikers-in-armor flick Knightriders (Aug. 31). Laemmle NoHo 7, 5240 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood. Hells Angels on Wheels, Aug. 3, 7:30 p.m. $12; $9 for seniors 62+. www.laemmle.com

San Fernando Valley Summer Drive-In Nights Drive-in movie theaters used to be as quintessential to the Valley as cruising Ventura Boulevard. This new summer series celebrates both the history of drive-ins and films either set and/or filmed in the Valley. The series kicks off with 1982s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Aug. 4) and 1985s Back to the Future (Aug. 5), and continues with 1984s The Karate Kid (Aug. 11) and 1987s La Bamba (Aug. 12), the tragic story of local rocker Ritchie Valens. Lake Balboa Complex, 6335 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys. Fridays and Saturdays, 8:30 p.m. $20 per person or $60 for a carload of four. www.myvalleypass.com

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Room 64 at the Chateau Marmont is possibly the most Instagrammable spot in L.A. Its wrap-around terrace is suspended just below the homes built into the Hollywood Hills, tiny glass boxes that form their own constellation when night falls. Rumor has it Howard Hughes once lived in this two-bedroom penthouse, spying on girls at the pool below, decades before Lindsay Lohan and Lady Gaga crashed here for a slumber party.

Today, however, it is home to the actress Elizabeth Olsen, who has arrived at the hotel with a team of people to help beautify her. High-heeled sandals are lined up on a desk. There are multiple pieces of luggage containing makeup kits. She is wearing borrowed diamonds on her fingers, paging through the room service menu, from which she can order whatever she would like.

Its a scene, no doubt, that would incite lust among her half-a-million Instagram followers. But she doesnt feel like she knows how to do the setting justice. Just this morning, she attempted to photograph her breakfast, but then ended up deleting the image in haste.

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Olsen looks out at the view from Room 64 at the Chateau Marmont. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Im bad at it, she says. Im bad at the lighting. Im bad at the framing. Im bad at the editing. When I look at my food, it looks pretty. When I look at it on a phone, it looks not pretty.

This is not a problem that her character in Ingrid Goes West would have. In the dark comedy -- one of two films the 28-year-old is starring in this August -- Olsen plays Taylor Sloane, a social media influencer who has established a reputation as the quintessential California cool girl. She tools around in a vintage Mercedes, is perennially reading Joan Didions The White Album and spends her weekends at a Joshua Tree abode. When she photographs her breakfast -- avocado toast, obvi -- it always looks pretty.

Matt Spicer, who directed the film, felt certain that Olsen could embody this kind of aspirational figure. Sure, he was a fan of her acting, but hed also noticed how often she popped up on best-dressed lists. She also had proximity to the style world via her sisters, the twins Mary-Kate and Ashley, who run two of their own fashion lines.

She has a natural charm and likability to her, which isnt something you can really teach, he says. Shes one of those girls that other girls look up to. Since we did the movie, I think Ive gained 1,000 Instagram followers that are just Lizzie fan accounts.

And for the most part, it appears that those fans gravitate to Olsen due to who she is off-screen. Even though shes been part of the hugely popular Marvel universe for two years  playing the reality-altering Scarlet Witch in The Avengers and Captain America films  most headlines about her still tend to relate to her style choices. A quick Google search of her name turns up five Daily Mail articles from July alone, nearly all centered on her clothing.

But Olsen has been steadily building up a respectable film resume since emerging as an it girl at the Sundance Film Festival in 2011, where her performance in Martha Marcy May Marlene signaled the arrival of a formidable new young Hollywood talent. A couple years later, she completed her acting studies at New York Universitys Tisch School of the Arts and began taking roles in movies from bigger filmmakers, including Spike Lee (Old Boy) and Gareth Edwards (Godzilla).

Then Marvel came calling -- a huge coup for Olsen, who grew up watching action-heavy flicks from the Indiana Jones and James Bond series with her father in Toluca Lake. But participating in the superhero franchise has also meant turning down a number of projects that could have shown off more of her acting ability -- including a role in Yorgos Lanthimos critically acclaimed The Lobster.

There have been things more in line with the career arc Id like to create that I had to turn down due to scheduling conflicts, she explains. You want to create a personal canon.

 Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen in the trailer for Wind River.

Thats what shes hoping to bolster this month with Ingrid Goes West (Aug. 11) and Wind River, which debuts Aug. 4. The two movies, to put it mildly, are incredibly different. Wind River, which earned filmmaker Taylor Sheridan the top directing prize in the Cannes Film Festivals Un Certain Regard section in May, is a dark murder mystery. Olsen stars opposite her Avengers co-star Jeremy Renner as a rookie FBI agent sent to Wyoming to investigate the death of a local woman on a remote Native American reservation.

The role would require the actress to train with a veteran law enforcement officer and learn how to shoot a gun  opportunities she relished. She was more worried about flying to Park City, Utah, for production, because she hates the cold and high altitude.

So I bold-faced lied to her and said, Were not shooting high and its not cold there, Sheridan recalls with a laugh. I knew it would be, which was one of the things I loved about it  you can see it on her face in the movie that she really doesnt like the cold. But she overcame it.

The director, who nabbed an Oscar nomination for writing Hell or High Water and also scripted Wind River, cast Olsen long before Renner. He says he wanted her from the very, very, very beginning because he responded to an essence of confidence she exuded  a certain kind of toughness. Theres a blue collar element to her, which I mean as a compliment, he explains. Thats how grounded she is, and maybe its because she grew up with [Hollywood], shes able to see it for what it is.

Renner, who plays a local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent who takes Olsens character under his wing, admits he put off reading Sheridans script for months. (Chris Pine was originally cast in the role.) Eventually, the actor decided to sign onto the film because he wanted to work with Lizzie in a different way  in a real way.

Here, I got to observe somebody working in a very different capacity  with more emotional intelligence, not just being in a costume and the whole thing, the actor says. She had to be pretty bad-ass with a handgun, Ill tell you what  and thats coming from a guy who knows how to use a lot of weapons.

Ingrid Goes West, of course, didnt require quite as much prep  though Olsen did start a secret Instagram account, following women like lifestyle guru Jenni Kayne, fashion blogger Aimee Song and Who What Wear founder Hillary Kerr for inspiration. Spicer encouraged her to start posting her own photographs, which she did: one of a crusty baguette with dipping oil, another of some Diptyque candles. (Those first ones were a little bumpy, the director says with a laugh. Like, food that doesnt quite look as appetizing as it should, or sunsets. Very obvious starter photos.)

Then, this winter, Olsen decided to bite the bullet and start her own public page.

I decided to join because I realized I was only taking something away from myself, she explains. Its so funny that people like to pretend that theyre maybe or maybe not getting paid to post something. Financially, its a brilliant opportunity. Like, Id really love to be a brand ambassador. Id love to do a campaign. I think sometimes working with brands or different cosmetic companies  that can help people recognize your face and then they go see your movies. I was only hurting my opportunities by not participating.

Olsen will appear in two movies this August, Wind River and Ingrid Goes West. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

While some young Oscar winners like Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone have held out on joining the platform, it has increasingly become commonplace for even serious actor types  Anne Hathaway, Brie Larson, Shailene Woodley  to open up on social media. Before, Olsen says, she was being old-school about it  something she learned from her sisters, who she acknowledges are notoriously private people. But even they supported her launching an Instagram account. And besides, shes not good at being super mysterious. Shes too chatty for that. Plus, there are plenty of accounts she wants to keep stalking.

There are so many times Ive seen a picture and thought, Oh, God, how do they make those flower arrangements look so great all the time? says Olsen, who recently bought her first home in L.A. and is decorating it with an aesthetic she describes as Diane Keatons Hamptons beach house in Somethings Gotta Give. Or: How expensive are those chairs Im looking at on Pinterest? Did they find them at some place Ive never heard of? How do you have that kind of eye?

amy.kaufman@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter @AmyKinLA
Yvonne Orji is serious about dating.

Im not really looking for anything subpar or shallow, she explained.

This past February, the 33-year-old actress and comedian headlined a TEDx talk in Delaware about her religious upbringing and decision to stay celibate until marriage. But in her professional life, Orji plays the sexually liberated Molly on HBOs Insecure, a high-powered partner at a downtown L.A. law firm who just cant seem to get her dating life to excel the way her career has.

God bless her, she does a lot of good things, Orji said of her character. But she does a lot of just, wrong. She cant help it because its coming from a genuine place.

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Black while funny and female: 18 comedic actresses on working in Hollywood 

The show, whose second season began this month, includes graphic sex scenes (which she had to practice for, the actress admitted in a Breakfast Club interview).

Its funny because everyone is like, Well, you havent had sex, so how do you know? And its like guys, were acting. Also, I have directors screaming directions from the sidelines so, you know, I think we get the shots.

We caught up with Orji to talk virginity, dating and Insecure.

Does it get annoying to constantly be asked about your virginity?

Whats so funny is, I had a meeting with someone on Tuesday and he said, So, youre the face of virginity! And I was like, Thank you? Like, I am a virgin, but theres other things about me. So its not annoying because its a thing that I am, but its just like OK, well what else? I think what could be annoying is when some people are like, In 2017 though? Like, yes guys, in 2017. But I just thought that was hysterical to be called the face of virginity. Not for long, hopefully. Jesus, where he at?

What was it like doing the TEDx talk about dating?

I tried to just give the basic, common-sensical things that I think were established a long time ago in relationships and some way, somehow are no longer valued. Like, you know, respect [Laughs].

I remember talking to old-school African American grandpops and theyre just like, When I saw my wife, I looked up from across the street and I said That girl gon be my wife someday. And weve been married 45 years. Like, what? Thats all it took? Now its like, youre at an event, youre dancing with somebody for two hours and they say, Well, you know. Hopefully Ill see you around. Hopefully youll see me around? You can also just take my number! And actually make plans to see me!

I think the talk was twofold: It was explaining to people why I waited and what worked for me, but then its also saying hey girl, I get it. My 17-year-old self was not trying to be waiting, but I got bamboozled by Jesus. And so if this is not your testimony thats fine, but heres what you can wait for in a relationship that is still equally as important.

Whats dating like in L.A.?

Ha! The end, put a period on it. You know, I hear it works really well for some people, and Im so happy for those folks [Laughs]. I will be very honest. I was so focused on advancing in my career that I didnt have enough emotional capacity for dating. But now, Im actually at a point where life is good. Where I dont have to worry about  like I used to do foodie calls. I know its bad. A foodie call is when youre not necessarily interested in the guy, but youre also very interested in eating that night and times are hard. And so against your better judgment youre just like, You know what, I will go out with you. Its a foodie call. Its very different from a booty call because it really just ends after dinner. And so I would go on these dates that I knew werent going anywhere. One time I remember going on a foodie call and the conversation was so bad that I was like, You know what? Im not that hungry. Im sure I could get tuna for a dollar somewhere.

Watch out for Yvonne Orjis upcoming project First Gen, executive produced by David Oyelowo. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Tell me about portraying such a sexually liberated character.

Its fun living vicariously through Molly. Shes a beautiful mess. She just wants this one thing so bad and its elusive to her how to go about it. Which is fair. You have these women of color who are crushing it, killing it at work. Theyre CEOs and theyre professionals and they know how to get ahead in that realm. Like, OK, if I stay later, if I crush my cases, if I do this, Ill get a promotion. Theres a trajectory for that. But then its like, OK, well, if Im a caring girlfriend, if I get my body right, if I do all the things on the outside and on the inside then that should lead to a relationship, right? But no, when it comes to matters of the heart its not as logical and its not as linear. And so I think thats very frustrating for her.

Actresses Issa Rae from left, Yvonne Orji and Natasha Rothwell on location at the W Hollywood hotel, while filming scenes for HBOs second season of, Insecure. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Whats it like working with Issa Rae and what have you learned from her?

Oh, shes a delight. Issa  shes exactly who you believe she is and probably even better. Shes super gracious, super nice, its like a treat. First season, I was like, Does HBO know theyre paying us to have fun? Like, we get to be friends and they cut us a check for that? Thats great!

Why do black shows like Insecure seem to resonate so well right now?

I think that its great because people from all cultures are kind of receiving the material. black-ish, our show, Atlanta,  there was this study that came out that said these shows are being watched by non-people of color at an equal rate. Which is like, great! Because weve watched shows that didnt have us in them for so long. And the same way that I know what Shabbat is by watching Curb your Enthusiasm, you can know what Juneteenth is by watching Atlanta. I think that makes for better conversations too. In the workplace, in life and among friends.

I also just think it makes for really interesting content. Appointment TV is a thing again. I look forward to Wednesdays because Underground is on and then Shots Fired and then in the summertime youre like oh, Power is coming back on, and now Insecure. Then cut to the fall and you have Atlanta, so you always have stuff to look forward to. But at the same time, who doesnt like House of Cards or who doesnt like Game of Thrones? Those shows arent necessarily populated by people of color, but theyre good, fun content that you can watch. But now theres good, fun content that you can watch where the people on-screen also kind of look like us.

What upcoming projects or plans do you have outside the show?

I still want to do stand-up. Im also writing. I have a show called First Gen that David Oyelowo is executive producing. We released a trailer this time two years ago and it was really the catalyst to where my life is right now. I was going through a really dark time in 2014 and depression was about to set in and it was like, Am I about to go back to Laurel, Maryland? Is that it? Is this where the end of the road is? And I remember that I had started kind of working on this show loosely based on my life about a Nigerian American girl who drops out of med school to be a comedian  I ended up going and getting my masters degree in public health, but the plan was to go to med school  and I was like, You know, weve never seen African represented as like a normalized thing. Its either like Hotel Rwanda or Coming to America. Love both of those movies, but were more than a caricature or war.

OVERTIME:

TV

Chewing Gum right now is hot, its ridiculous. Michaela is such a twisted, beautiful, crazy, lovely mind. I just love that shes just so comfortable making a fool of herself.

MUSIC

Emeli Sande, I know im totally late to her, Ive had her album on repeat and [bursts into song]. Shes phenomenal, but I just got put on to H.E.R. and then Khalid. I just love new, beautiful music. And whos the guy that sings Permission? Ro James.

FILM

Get Out is amazing but keeping it in the Key & Peele family, Keegan-Michael Key did this movie [Dont Think Twice] about improv that was an indie but was so beautiful. Thats one of the ones that I really like. And there was another indie called Meet the Patels. That was just really beautiful and that was like a couple years ago but those are things that stay in my mind like Oh, God, really good content.

sonaiya.kelley@latimes.com

follow me on twitter @sonaiyak

ALSO

Yvonne Orji plans to put the immigrant struggle into a sitcom

Issa Rae is still young, gifted and complicated in HBOs Insecure

About that last scene from the Insecure Season 2 premiere  Issa Rae & Co. break it down
You have managed to land a reservation at Felix Trattoria. You find a parking space on the crowded north end of Abbot Kinney. You ease your way through the clot of Negroni enthusiasts at the bar, check in at the hostess stand, and are led into the airy main dining room, the longtime bistro Joes given a smart face-lift and a vacation in Venice, Italy. Your line of sight, unless you are unlucky enough to face the wall, includes the pasta-fabricating room, a clean, glassed-in space devoted to the production of noodles.

#@&!YOURPASTAMACHINE, reads a sign affixed to a sheet of metal. Even if you have never been to the restaurant, this sign, spelled less euphemistically, probably haunts your Instagram feed.

Evan Funke will probably be in the pasta room for most of your visit, rolling out huge sheets of pasta with a long, wooden dowel, fluffing the edges, dusting them with flour, aiming big electric fans at them to help them dry. In another corner of the room, a cook presses dough around her thumb into Pugliese orecchiette. Funke flips his dough, redusts it, folds it into a plastic sheet. The other cook flicks out twisted Genoese-style trofie. Funke slashes deftly with a long, Damascene-etched blade. You notice a new pile of cavatelli on the opposite counter. You could probably watch this noodle ballet all night.

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A puff of hot sfincione bread lands on your table, lightly crisp on the outside and soft as an angel biscuit, brushed with olive oil, sprinkled with coarse salt, dotted with lightly charred blades of rosemary. If you have arranged it, there may be whipped lardo and herbs, pesto modenese, to smear on your bread. You should be drinking something by now  the wine list is priced a bit high but is rich in the mildly funky Italian wines that go well with Funkes rich, peppery cooking, things like a lovely, deep-orange Oslavje from Friulis Radikon, a Collio Bianco from Edi Keber, or the stunning Macchiona from La Stoppa, near the outskirts of Piacenza, that tastes almost like a fine, old Barolo spiked with Worcestershire sauce. You are in the right place. The people you have brought here are happy.

If you follow restaurants in Los Angeles, you have probably eaten Funkes cooking more than once. He was the chef at Rustic Canyon at the point that it became well known for its produce-centered Mediterranean cooking. He operated a porchetta truck that tantalized the Westside for a bit. He was the chef at Bucato, a restaurant famous for its celebration of fresh pasta, and his style of pasta  unyielding, a bit stiff, stubbornly made by hand  has been quite influential in local Italian kitchens, including some of the best ones.

A temperature-controlled room inside Felix Trattoria in Venice is where the restaurants pasta is handmade. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

He likes butter and rowdy herbs, bitter greens and stinging quantities of black pepper. Meat is his friend  at Felix he is getting his pork from Peads and Barnetts and his steaks from Napas Five Dot Ranch, which raises probably the best grass-fed beef in California. His servers are happy to tell you about the sustainable guanciale he gets from Iowas La Quercia, the provenance of the flour, and the super-nutty five-year Parmigiano-Reggiano.

So you may start out with plates of fried zucchini blossoms stuffed with mozzarella, a salad of sliced chicories sweetened with pine nuts and dates, or sauteed peppers tossed with toasted breadcrumbs and a hint of dried fish roe. The minuscule local shrimp dressed simply with oil, lemon and a few snips of herbs are nice. If theyre on the menu, the baby artichokes fried in the Roman Jewish style, crisp but meltingly tender, flavored with lemon and a bit of fresh mint, may be the best version of the dish Ive ever had in Los Angeles.

Still, youre waiting for the pasta. The tiny stuffed tortellini in light broth are impeccable, singing with the flavors of cured meat and good cheese, and the pappardelle in a classic Bolognese-style meat ragu are correctly thin and springy. Funke is sparing with his sauces in the very best way; the flavors cling to each bite without overwhelming the taste of the noodles themselves. One night, I liked a special of soft, gooey strappatelle, a peasanty bread-dough dumpling from southern Umbria, prepared cacio e pepe, with a mouth-shattering jolt of black pepper and sharp cheese.

Trofie pasta with pesto Genovese and Parmigiano-Reggiano at Felix Trattoria in Venice. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

But Funkes aesthetic, for all of its popularity, may not be your own, especially when he is using his own, freshly made pasta in place of extruded shapes like spaghetti, rigatoni and bigoli that in Italy as in the United States are usually sold dried. I admire his alla gricia, a simple Roman sauce of guanciale, pecorino and lots of black pepper, but the mezze maniche, half-sleeves, are more or less inflexible tubes, hard at the center, that become grainy when you chew them. The rigatoni in an admirable Amatriciana sauce, the orecchiette with a lovely sauce of sausage and sweet broccoli di ciccio, and the thick spaghettone alla Norma with tomatoes and beautifully sauteed eggplant were the same  wet, yet distractingly hard. Funkes pale, cheese-intensive pesto is worthy, but the stiff trofie they coat perhaps less so. The ultrafirm texture is definitely his house style  you could interpret it as an extreme interpretation of what Italians call al dente, cooked to provide resistance to the tooth  and it is consistent, but it also distracts from what should be beautiful cooking.

Should you move past the pasta to the grilled octopus tentacles smeared with herbs, worth it for the crunchy new potatoes alone, or the big pork shoulder chop with peaches, or the magnificent grass-fed bistecca Fiorentina, which may cost $150 but will satiate four? (The half-chicken, cooked into boneless rollatines stuffed with mushrooms, is pretty but bland, the kind of thing you see a lot at too-fancy restaurants in Italy.) Are the tiny grilled red peppers both luscious and sweet? Is the braised fennel crusted with Parmigiano-Reggiano delicious? Will you finish with a tiramisu? Felix is an easy place to be happy.

Felix Trattoria

Evan Funke opens a swank pasta palace in Venice

Location: 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, (424) 387-8622, felixla.com.

Prices: Appetizers $12-$18; pizzas $20-$24; pastas $20-$26; main courses $24-$33 (much more for steaks); desserts $10-$14.

Details: Dinner Sun.-Thurs., 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 5:30 p.m. to midnight. Credit cards accepted. Full bar. Valet and nearby lot parking.

Recommended dishes: Sfincione; fried artichokes; pappardelle; grilled octopus; bistecca alla fiorentina.
The imam at the Davis Islamic Center who recently came under fire for making inflammatory remarks about Jews apologized Friday, saying he let his emotions cloud my better judgment.

I understand that speech like this can encourage others to do hateful and violent acts, Imam Ammar Shahin said during a press conference held by religious leaders. For this I truly apologize.

Shahins July 21 sermon set off a firestorm of criticism after a videotaped excerpt was translated and distributed. In the sermons final prayer, Shahin said in Arabic:

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Oh Allah, liberate the Al Aqsa Mosque from the filth of the Jews  Oh Allah, count them one by one and annihilate them down to the very last one.

Shahins words were roundly criticized by local and national Jewish leaders. A few of them wrote a complaint to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

In an effort to ease tensions Friday, Davis, Calif., Mayor Robb Davis participated in a press conference with a mix of religious leaders, including Shahin, who stepped up to the microphone to issue an apology.

As a religious leader, this has humbled me, Shahin said.

In the days following his sermon, Shahin said he discussed his statements with a number of people within and outside the Muslim community. Thats when he realized the level of harm it has caused.

Indeed, commitment to defending religious rights in Jerusalem should not cause division or fan the flame of anti-Semitism, Shahin said.

Islamic Center officials earlier this week said the imams comments had been taken out of context by Islamophobic news organizations.

Shahins sermon centered on recent turmoil surrounding the Al Aqsa Mosque, in one of Jerusalems holiest sites, revered by Muslims and Jews.

The recent killings of two Israeli police officers and several Muslim worshippers there prompted Israelis to close the hilltop compound for several days, cancel Friday prayers for the first time in decades, and install metal detectors.

The new security measures were seen by many Muslims as an expansion of Israeli control and triggered some of the worst clashes East Jerusalem has seen in years.

Tensions eased greatly on Thursday, however, as Israeli authorities removed the metal detectors and other security restrictions.

In his sermon, spoken in Arabic and English, Shahin spoke of the history of Jerusalem and voiced outrage over events surrounding Al Aqsa Mosque. He encouraged fellow Muslims to rise up and speak out as well.

Moving forward, Shahin said he intends to improve his relationships with leaders of other faiths.

I hope to grow and develop as a more worthy leader in the community, he said.

Rabbi Seth Castleman of Davis thanked Shahin for his words and asked him to follow through with actions. He said he and other Jewish and Muslim religious leaders spent four hours Thursday, looking to hash things out, and they found that we agree far more than we disagree.

Looking at Shahin, Castleman said:

Apologies are only as worthy as the actions that follow, so I call upon you. I implore you to follow those words with actions.

esmeralda.bermudez@latimes.com

@LATBermudez
The second of two men involved in a suspected street race in Hawthorne last year that killed a popular elementary schoolteacher and musician was sentenced Friday to three years of unsupervised probation in a contentious and emotional court hearing.

Family and friends of Benny Golbin, 36, pleaded with the judge to impose a harsher sentence on Anthony Leon Holley.

Lets make a statement now, today, said Golbins stepfather, Stuart Kessel. Not next week, not next month, not next year.

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Holley, 41, agreed to plead guilty to a felony hit-and-run charge as part of a deal in which the count would be reduced to a misdemeanor if he testified against the other defendant, Alfredo Perez Davila, 24.

Though that case never went to trial because Davila pleaded no contest to a charge of gross vehicular manslaughter, Holleys charge was still reduced. Davila was sentenced this month to four years in prison. Originally, both defendants were charged with murder, vehicular manslaughter and engaging in a speed contest.

At Fridays hearing, Golbins wife, Anchesa Bunyasai, placed a black cardboard poster with photographs of her husband in front of the lectern where she spoke. She said she hoped that Holley would reflect on the pictures.

I personally would not call it a car accident any more, she said. It is a murder.

On Jan. 15, 2016, shortly before 1 p.m., Golbin was driving from his job as a music instructor at Children of Promise Preparatory Academy in Inglewood to teach a class in the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District.

Golbin was killed instantly when a silver Chevrolet Colbalt driven by Davila swerved across several lanes, hit the center median and sailed into traffic, striking Golbins Honda CR-V.

The Cobalt rolled over Golbins car, which ripped apart on impact. The Cobalt landed upright, and parts of its transmission were found in Golbins vehicle because of the force of the collision, police said at the time.

Davila was not injured and was arrested at the scene, police said. Davila admitted to police that he had been involved in a street race with another vehicle, according to a probation report.

Holley was driving the second car in the suspected street race and fled the scene in a red Chevrolet Camaro. He later turned himself in.

In addition to his classes at Children of Promise, Golbin taught woodwind ensembles at elementary schools in the Palos Verdes school district, as well as private and group lessons at AMUSE Music Center in Rolling Hills Estates.

Those who knew him described him as a hardworking, beloved teacher who was irreplaceable. A professional saxophonist who performed at home and abroad for more than 15 years, Golbin had recorded a solo jazz album and a holiday album. At the time of his death, he was finishing his fifth album. Golbin was also set to perform internationally in Mexico, Thailand and Europe.

Sheri Kessel, Golbins mother, said during the hearing that Golbin was the last male to carry that name in the family.

The nightmare started January 15, she said through tears. And the nightmare will continue for the rest of my life.

Judge H. Jay Ford III allowed Holley to make a brief statement before the hearing ended.

I just truly know in my heart that I was not racing, he said. Holley gave his deepest condolences to the family.

After the hearing, Holley said in an interview that he was speeding but not racing Davila. He said he was on his way home from visiting his uncle in the hospital that day.

As Golbins family walked out of the courthouse, his wife cried.

This is not what we deserve, she said. It should not have ended like this.

nicole.santacruz@latimes.com

For more crime news, follow @nicolesantacruz on Twitter.

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UPDATES:

6:45 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details from the court hearing.

This article was originally published at 2:40 p.m.
The border wall prototypes that were supposed to be built in June in San Diego have been likely delayed until winter because of complaints about the bidding process, Customs and Border Protection said Thursday.

Two companies that bid on mock-ups of the proposed border wall with Mexico, a keystone of President Trumps campaign, made formal protests after failing to make it to the second round. The Associated Press was the first to report the news.

The Trump administration said the prototypes would be delayed until November in an email to members of Congress earlier in the day, and Customs and Border Protection confirmed that publicly in a statement late Thursday, referring to complaints sent to the Government Accountability Office.

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(Customs and Border Protection) expects GAOs decision on these protests in early October 2017, which would delay construction to late October or early November, which is beyond our original summer 2017 timeline, the agency said in a statement emailed to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The agency also said it was possible to continue reviewing contracts if the protests are resolved earlier.

All was not lost Thursday with the presidents border wall. The House approved an appropriations bill that included $1.6 billion to build 74 miles of wall, including $251 million for 14 miles of fencing in San Diego  separate from the prototypes that received $20 million in funding earlier in the year.

The amendment from Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) was attached to a spending bill for the 2018 fiscal year for the military and veterans in the Rules Committee, meaning it did not need a vote in the full House. The governments fiscal year begins in October.

The Senate still needs to come up with its own funding bill, which will probably lead to a fight in September on the overall budget, including the $1.6 billion for the border wall. But Thursdays vote was significant in that it was the first time Congress had voted to spend taxpayer money on the project.

Trump said during his campaign that Mexico would pay for the wall, but his administration appears to have abandoned that idea.

No contracts have been awarded yet for the prototypes, considered the first step in building the wall. The AP said the companies that protested were Fort Worth-based Parra Group and WNIS, a company not immediately found among lists of previous bidders. The Government Accountability Office has dismissed WNIS protest but is still reviewing Parras complaint.

Parra told the AP it proposed a wall built of solid concrete in some sections and see-through steel mesh in others.

Phillip Molnar writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Benjamin Ramirez smiled and spoke the only English he knew: Thank you very much.

Looking at a group of news cameras and residents, Ramirez kept his smile as he received a check for $1,000 Thursday to help repair his wooden cart and replace the items he lost a week ago when a bearded man pushed his cart over, spilling ears of corn, fruit syrup and chips on a Hollywood street.

Ramirez recorded the July 17 incident on his cellphone. The video went viral on social media this week, unleashing public anger against the man and triggering a wave of support for Ramirez.

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In the video, the bearded man is seen standing several feet from Ramirez. The man is walking his dog with a woman who appears to be his girlfriend. After several exchanges, Ramirez tells the man that he has room to pass.

Move the cart, or Im going to move it myself, the man said in Spanish.

Go ahead, Ramirez said.

The man then hands the leash to the woman and walks toward Ramirez. He held an object in his right hand that Ramirez believed to be a knife. Ramirez said that in self-defense he threw chili powder at the man. Enraged, the man flipped Ramirezs food cart. Ramirez said it was only after speaking to a Los Angeles police detective that he learned the object in the mans hand may have been a stun gun.

Shortly after tossing the chili powder, Ramirez grabbed a metal bar to protect himself, apparently causing the woman to step in and warn him.

Ramirez turned the cellphone on himself.

Im recording this because this ... racist threw my things, he said.

Im not racist, the man said from a distance. Im Argentinian.

Since the video was released Monday, fundraising efforts have sprung up online to help Ramirez and other street vendors who have faced similar losses.

A combined effort by two GoFundMe accounts has raised more than $20,000. A march and rally were also held late Thursday afternoon by Union del Barrio, a nonprofit organization involved in the Los Angeles Street Vendor Campaign. About 200 people participated in the march and rally.

Irrael Trejo, 43, was among the dozens of people who participated in Thursdays march and rally for Benjamin Ramirez, the street vendor who recorded a man tipping over his cart. The rally also called on city officials to legalize street vending. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

In Los Angeles, most street vending is illegal, but spurred by President Trumps tough talk on illegal immigration, city officials moved to decriminalize it this year in order to reduce the risk of deportation for vendors who are living in the country illegally.

At the corner of Romaine Street and El Centro Avenue, where the encounter happened, Ramirez held a large check written to him by Goldrich Kest, a real estate development and management company. As it celebrates 60 years of business, the company decided to launch a 60 Acts of Kindness project.

So far, the company has awarded money to the family of a 4-year-old boy suffering from cancer so that they could go to Legoland. It has donated a wheelchair and helped some of its employees. Ramirez was the eighth person the company has helped.

I saw the story and I just couldnt believe someone could dump someones livelihood like that, said Leslie Suder, the companys director of marketing. So much is going on in the country with so much hate going around, I think this is just really a bright spot that we can bring to Los Angeles.

Imelda Reyes, Ramirezs mother, said she has been overwhelmed by the publics support.

I cant believe the solidarity we have been receiving from everyone, she said. Its also good that this is helping raise awareness and support for other street vendors who have faced similar harassment.

Standing near her husband, who was preparing a Mexican shaved-ice slushy for a customer, Reyes was approached by a tall Argentinian man who wanted to donate money and apologize to the family on behalf of the Argentinian community.

What this Argentinian guy did doesnt represent us, said Federico Rabe, 48. This guy is the worst of our country.

Not far away, Julia Flores stepped out of her apartment and glanced at the crowd gathered at the corner. She said shes happy to see the community coming together for Ramirez.

When youre poor you do whatever it takes to make a living and survive, and thats all that young man was doing, she said. He deserves the help, and what that man did was just wrong.

The Los Angeles Police Department is continuing its investigation into the incident. Det. Warren Eberhardt said the case will eventually be turned over to the district attorney, who will determine if vandalism charges will be made against the man, who police have not identified.

ruben.vives@latimes.com

For more Southern California news, follow @latvives on Twitter.

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The former district attorney of Contra Costa County has been temporarily suspended from practicing law in California, the State Bar announced Friday, after he was convicted of perjury for lying about spending campaign funds on personal expenses.

Mark Peterson is on interim suspension starting Aug. 21 until the State Bar determines if additional discipline is warranted. He pleaded no contest last month to filing a false Campaign Disclosure Statement. The decision could take months.

Peterson was charged with 12 counts of felony perjury and a single count of felony grand theft for allegedly lying on his campaign disclosure forms from 2012 to 2015.

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Prosecutors said hed used more than $66,000 in campaign funds to pay personal bills and to buy jewelry and other items.

In exchange for the no contest plea to the one felony, prosecutors dropped the other charges. He was sentenced to three years informal probation and ordered to serve 250 hours of community service and resigned June 14.

The felony counts came after a county grand jury formally accused the countys top prosecutor of willful or corrupt misconduct and began separate proceedings to remove him from office.

Peterson was fined $45,000 in January after a state investigation disclosed the personal expenditures to the California Fair Political Practices Commission.

According to the FPPC inquiry, Peterson used campaign funds for about 600 personal expenditures totaling $66,372, including groceries, jewelry store bills and movie tickets.

First elected district attorney in 2010, Peterson ran unopposed in 2014. But his political career faltered in December 2016 when questions arose about campaign fund expenditures and withdrawals.

Peterson acknowledged to the FPPC that he used campaign funds for personal expenses when he served as treasurer for his reelection campaign. Peterson has maintained that he borrowed the money with the intention of paying it back. He admitted to the violations and said he was humbled and embarrassed by them.

In levying its January fine, the FPPC ruled that Peterson violated Californias political reform act nine times.

Then in May, a civil grand jury recommended that Peterson be removed from his position. The grand jury found that Peterson had engaged in willful or corrupt misconduct in office.

After the civil grand jury called for his ouster, Contra Costa County prosecutors gave Peterson an overwhelming vote of no confidence.

Every single day the prosecutors in this office work hard to protect the people of this county and get justice for victims of crime, said Aron DeFerrari, president of the Contra Costa County prosecutors union. We have done our jobs in the shadow of Mr. Petersons malfeasance for too long.  As line prosecutors, our efforts to bring justice will never relent, but we are ready to close this chapter in our office history.

Petersons ultimate discipline could include disbarment. The state Supreme Court has the final say on his fate.

joseph.serna@latimes.com

For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter.
A man was found dead in a Hollywood motel room Thursday after an hours-long standoff with Los Angeles police in which gunshots were fired and several streets in the area were closed.

The man appeared to have died from a gunshot wound, but it was not clear whether that came from police or was self-inflicted, LAPD Sgt. Barry Montgomery said.

The standoff began around 11 a.m. at the Motel 6 in the 1700 block of Whitley Avenue, when someone reported an assault with a deadly weapon, Montgomery told reporters at the scene. Witnesses told police they saw a man with a gun, Montgomery said.

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When officers arrived, they contacted the suspect, Montgomery said. At some point, police fired at the man, who then went back into his room and barricaded himself inside.

It was not immediately clear what prompted police to shoot.

The officers called for backup and a SWAT team arrived, Montgomery said. SWAT officers made several attempts to contact the man, without success, he said.

About 3 p.m., police sent a robot to look inside the room and realized the man was unresponsive, Montgomery said. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

No one else was injured during the standoff, Montgomery said.

Coroners investigators will ultimately determine how the man died, Montgomery said. The man, whose name has not been released, was described as in his 40s.

The LAPD is investigating the shooting by police, as is protocol each time an officer fires his or her gun. The shooting will also be reviewed by the civilian Los Angeles Police Commission, its inspector general and the district attorneys office.

kate.mather@latimes.com

@katemather

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The Los Angeles Police Department went on a citywide tactical alert Friday morning after technical issues at a downtown communications center disrupted how officers receive calls for service, officials said.

The glitch meant dispatchers couldnt send calls directly to the computers that are in police cars, said Officer Tony Im, an LAPD spokesman. Those computers typically provide officers with key details about calls for help, including what the reported crime is, where it occurred and descriptions of possible suspects.

The technical problems did not affect 911 calls or police service, Im said. Staff at individual police stations were radioing officers with information about the calls instead.

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The tactical alert, which allows the department to have more officers and resources at the ready, is just a precaution, Im said.

We will still be able to provide the high quality of service that we do on a daily basis, Im said.

kate.mather@latimes.com

@katemather

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One of Robert Dursts closest confidants  who on the previous day gave stunning testimony placing him in Los Angeles at the time his best friend was killed  backed away from that claim under questioning Thursday in Los Angeles.

Emily Altman, who was testifying for a third day, said Wednesday that the New York real estate magnate told her hed been in Los Angeles around the time Susan Berman was murdered. But under cross examination Thursday, she said she didnt know if Durst had been in Los Angeles, or merely in California, or whether shed heard about it from Durst or from her husband.

I really wish I could remember, she said, adding that shed thought about it Wednesday night while alone in her hotel room. Over the course of years, everything got jumbled.

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Durst, 74, is accused of murdering Berman inside her Benedict Canyon home in December 2000. Prosecutors allege the slaying was meant to silence Berman for her knowledge about the 1982 disappearance of his first wife, Kathleen.

The multimillionaire, who was featured in the six-part HBO documentary The Jinx, has pleaded not guilty.

During testimony Wednesday, when Deputy Dist. Atty. John Lewin asked her if she knew from Durst where hed been at the time of Bermans murder, she said she believed hed been in California, but didnt initially clarify where in the state.

The prosecutor then asked, Are you considering at all, Is my answer going to hurt Mr. Durst?  Altman began to cry and told Lewin he was putting her under a lot of pressure. But she insisted she hadnt weighed how her response would affect the outcome for her friend.

Moments later, she said that Durst had, in fact, told her hed been in Los Angeles around the time of the murder.

That striking testimony marked the first time someone had put Durst in Los Angeles during the fateful period. Altman said she believed Durst stayed at the Beverly Hilton hotel, which a prosecutor noted is less than three miles from Bermans home.

But on Thursday, when asked by defense attorney Dick DeGuerin whether she knew if Durst was in Los Angeles at the time, she said, No.

Altman testified Thursday that Kathleens disappearance had a huge impact on her friend. He was crushed, she said. He was devastated.

Suspicion about his involvement in Bermans murder and Kathleens disappearance has worn him down physically, Altman said, adding that she hadnt recognized Durst when she arrived in court Monday.

Its unbelievable, she said, shaking her head. Not the same person.

The witness also testified that Durst told her he liked the movie All Good Things, in which actor Ryan Gosling plays a fictionalized version of Durst. The film character is strongly implicated in the murders of three people and a dog. Asked by Lewin if Durst ever complained about inaccuracies in the film, Altman said the depiction of his treatment of the dog upset him.

Is there any way hed ever kill a dog? the prosecutor asked.

No, Altman said.

Can you say that with more confidence, the prosecutor asked, than hed never kill a human being?

Yes, the witness responded.

Altman  whose husband, Stewart, went to high school with Durst and has represented him in legal matters over the years  also testified that shed given producers of The Jinx a box of materials belonging to Durst. Shed done so, she testified, at Dursts direction. As a consequence, prosecutors have said the materials are not protected by attorney-client privilege. (The HBO documentary focuses on the disappearance of Kathleen, Bermans murder and the death of Morris Black, Dursts neighbor in Galveston, Texas. Durst argued at trial that hed accidentally shot Black in self-defense but admitted dismembering his body. He was acquitted.)

Inside the box Altman gave to the producers was a timeline, which prosecutors refer to as BD Story, using the defendants initials. In the narrative timeline, prepared by Durst for his attorneys before the Galveston trial, the defendant describes feeling numb upon learning in 2000 that police had reopened the investigation into his wifes disappearance.

Theres also an entry for Sept. 28, 2001: Morris removes gun from under yellow jacket, brief struggle, shot. And another from the next day: How carry Morris out of apartment? Too heavy  bought axe. DID IT. Lift body parts into trash bags.

Defense attorneys, as well as Altmans personal attorneys, objected to most of Lewins questions Thursday, often arguing that Altman  by way of her work with her husband  had attorney-client privilege and was exempt from answering. Altman often seemed tense on the witness stand. At one point, she told the prosecutor she felt he was calling her a liar and that she resented it, and later she testified that she felt harassed by him. But a moment of levity came during the hearing. As the prosecutor questioned Altman, Siri on someones iPhone chimed in, saying, Im not sure I understand.

The courtroom erupted in laughter. Divine intervention, a defense attorney quipped. The judge, laughing, added, That is good.

During the hearing, Durst leafed through a stack of papers, including news articles about his court hearings earlier this week.

Altman testified that Durst can be obsessed with his own notoriety, adding that when shes quoted or shown on TV talking about him, Durst often notices and brings it up with her. A prosecutor Thursday played a short clip from a Dateline episode about Durst, featuring Altman, and then played a recorded jail phone call between the two friends in June 2015.

You were great, Durst says, in a gravelly voice. In addition to being great, you looked skinny.

In the recording, Altman cracks up.

In testimony Wednesday, as she had the day before, Altman responded I dont recall to many questions, and often seemed overwhelmed, at times sighing and fighting back tears.

Durst is unlikely to stand trial in the case before 2018. Altman, 68, who will continue testifying Monday, is one of several older witnesses who prosecutors have questioned early, preserving their testimony in case theyre not available for the murder trial.

marisa.gerber@latimes.com

For more news from the Los Angeles County courts, follow me on Twitter: @marisagerber

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This article was originally published at 4:25 p.m.
Citing concerns over surveillance, safety and potential trauma to the public, a majority of Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight commissioners Thursday expressed that they want Sheriff Jim McDonnell to stop flying a drone used in law enforcement operations.

The aircraft was unveiled by the Sheriffs Department in January and has been deployed four times, mostly in search-and-rescue missions. The department has said the 20-inch-long unmanned aircraft system, which cost $10,000, would strictly be used in high-risk tactical operations  such as fires, bomb detection and hostage situations  and not for surveillance.

But activists have warned of possible mission creep, saying theyre worried the drone could be used for random spying on residents and could one day be armed or be deployed as a weapon itself.

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In 2012, the Sheriffs Department used a plane to secretly shoot video footage of the streets of Compton in order to catch criminals. The operation was widely criticized once it was discovered, particularly because community members said they were not informed or consulted about the project.

The Los Angeles Police Department acquired two drones in 2014 but never launched them after protests about potential surveillance uses.

Four of the eight members present at the commissions monthly public meeting Thursday voted against authorizing a set of strict recommendations that would have spelled out how the department should manage its drone program.

One of the recommendations was for McDonnell to explicitly and unequivocally state he would not allow the drone to be armed, and other suggestions called for precise reporting on the use of the device.

The four members voting against the recommendations  which had been prepared by an ad-hoc group of commissioners who spent several weeks studying the drone matter  said at the meeting and afterward that they oppose the departments use of drones altogether.

Some of those members left open the possibility they might consider backing the use of the drone after more careful study and more trust is built up within the communities the Sheriffs Department serves.

A fifth commissioner  Priscilla Ocen, a Loyola Law School professor who served on the drone ad-hoc committee  was not at the meeting but wrote a report issued Thursday explaining her support for grounding the drone.

Several people voiced concerns that the aircraft could someday be armed, as in North Dakota, where police drones with less-than-lethal weapons were legalized. Some also worried that children could be especially frightened of drones.

In communities where the police helicopter is frequently flown, children have expressed the trauma theyve experienced, and now were just going to add to it, said Nadia Khan of the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition.

Yet some at the meeting argued that as long as the drone is used responsibly, the device could yield significant public safety benefits.

The technology will save lives, said Robert Bonner, a former federal judge who serves as the commissions chairman. He slammed his colleagues decision to reject the recommendations as irresponsible, saying it leaves the department to continue using the drone without the oversight bodys guidance.

Some resistance stems from the departments acquisition of the drone without seeking public input first.

Prompted by a recommendation from some of the oversight commissioners, the department created an online survey last month  announced in a press release and on the departments social media pages  asking if respondents supported the use of a drone in certain high-risk operations and for other comments about the aircraft.

Based on 3,054 responses, the department issued a statement Wednesday saying that 89% of the general public favor use of LASDs unmanned aircraft system.

The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department continues to be open to the commissions recommendations and has maintained transparency and a willingness to listen to the public and reassess throughout the process, the department said in a statement. The use of the drone is strictly controlled by detailed policies which are constitutionally and legally sound and are within compliance of all Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

Hamid Khan of the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, who helped lead the campaigns against the LAPDs drones and has been a vocal presence at the Sheriff Civilian Oversight meetings, said he was pleased that a majority of commissioners came out against the use of drones, but said their decision leaves things in limbo because the devices can still be deployed.

maya.lau@latimes.com

Twitter: @mayalau

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10:50 p.m.: This article was updated to note that some of the commissioners who voted against the recommendations left open the possibility that they might consider backing the use of the drone after more careful study and more trust is built up within the communities the Sheriffs Department serves.

This article was originally published at 9:40 p.m.
As he spiraled into obsession, Stanwood Elkus increasingly traced many of his woes to what he called a botched prostate surgery at the Long Beach VA in 1992.

The Lake Elsinore man, who served briefly in the Marine Corps, blamed the operation for diminished sex drive, incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and the loss of a steady girlfriend.

For decades he railed interminably to neighbors and anyone else who would listen. He would show up to urologists offices with a stack of medical records, a litany of angry complaints and a tape recording of an ex-girlfriend discussing his sexual inadequacy.

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His rage focused on Newport Beach urologist Ronald Gilbert, who had seen Elkus at the VA and recommended the surgery but had not performed it himself.

On Jan. 22, 2013, Elkus drove to Gilberts Newport Beach office and made an appointment under a fake name, Allen Gold, then returned for the appointment six days later and shot the doctor to death, prosecutor Matt Murphy told jurors Thursday in opening statements at Elkus trial in Orange County Superior Court in Santa Ana.

Murphy said Elkus shot the doctor 10 times with a .45-caliber Glock 21 he had recently purchased.

Murphy said that in 1992, when Elkus was 54, VA doctors diagnosed him with a urethral stricture and recommended surgery, though soon after the surgery Elkus returned to the hospital and demanded that doctors remove his catheter, against medical advice.

Murphy said Elkus sought out doctors for years, ranted about his medical problems and refused their advice.

This goes on at hospital after hospital, year after year, for decades, Murphy said, adding that Elkus wrote letters to the VA wishing people dead.

Around 2 p.m. on Jan. 28, 2013, Elkus checked in at Gilberts office at Orange Coast Urology under his fake name and was led to an examination room, where he waited for the doctor, the prosecutor said.

Elkus shot the doctor at such close range and with such a powerful gun that many of the 10 bullets passed through him, Murphy said.

He knew exactly what he was doing, Murphy told jurors.

The prosecutor said that Elkus later told police, Ever seen a 75-year-old murderer before? and warned officers about the dangers of urologists and gynecologists.

Elkus called his nephew from a police holding cell, said he had shot a doctor, and tried to have his assets transferred into the name of his sister, the prosecutor said.

Elkus, now 79 and hunched forward in a wheelchair as he sits behind a large Bible at the defense table, faces life in prison without parole if convicted of one count of first-degree murder. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

Elkus defense attorney, Colleen OHara, did not dispute that her client killed the doctor but told jurors that he had experienced a descent into psychosis.

She said he suffered from depression, dementia, impairment of his brains frontal lobes, and brain-damage-related aggression and loss of inhibitions.

He felt that he was pushed to do a surgery that perhaps he didnt need, OHara said of his obsession with the prostate procedure. She said the VA eventually told him that he had never had a urethral stricture and therefore didnt need the surgery, which Elkus believed had been botched.

Through the years, she said, Elkus saw psychologists and sought out religious texts for guidance, including the Bible, the Koran and the Book of Mormon.

He understood that he was going crazy and he was trying to get help, OHara told jurors. He was doing whatever he could to heal his mind.

OHara said Elkus had not intended to harm the doctor when he made the appointment with him on Jan. 22 but had begun taking the antidepressant Lexapro days later, which she said weakened his inhibitions.

She described the drug as the final trigger for what happened in the case, and told jurors that he committed the shooting under involuntary intoxication.

Countering the argument for the defendants mental incapacity, Murphy said Elkus, a retired barber, had lived alone and independently, and handled the rent-collection and maintenance on multiple properties that he owned.

Gemma Robles, who worked as Gilberts medical assistant, testified that Elkus was the first patient after lunch on the day of the shooting. She said she took Elkus vital signs in Exam Room No. 2 and inputted his medical information. He removed three jackets.

Robles said she told him that Dr. Gilbert would be with him soon. He just looked up at me and smiled, she said of Elkus.

Soon afterward she heard a loud banging from the exam room like something was being banged on metal. She hurried to the room and knocked on the door. Elkus opened it. On the floor was the bloodied victim.

The patient just stood in front of me very calmly and said, Im insane, call the police, Robles said.

christopher.goffard@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATChrisGoffard

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For four years, Ashley Gonzalez skimped on sleep, family outings and hanging out with friends to excel at John Marshall High School in Los Angeles. Her work paid off when she achieved her lifelong dream of admission to the University of California.

Then UC Irvine, her campus of choice, abruptly rescinded its acceptance, just two months before the start of the fall quarter.

I felt I was going to pass out. I couldnt stop crying, the 18-year-old said in tears as she recounted her story in an interview.

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Ashley Gonzalezs admission to UC Irvine was rescinded in July, just two months before the fall quarter was set to begin. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

UCIs stated reason for the rescission, Gonzalez said, was that the campus had not received one of two required transcripts on time  though she and her mother say they mailed out both documents in the same envelope two weeks before the July 1 deadline.

Gonzalez, who has filed an appeal, is one of 499 UCI students whose offers of admission have been withdrawn for this fall  290 of them for transcript issues and the rest for poor senior-year grades, according to campus data.

The withdrawals have kicked up a storm of protest on social media, with scores of students expressing outrage and pleading for help on Twitter, Reddit and the UC Irvine Class of 2021 Facebook page. Many insist the rescission notices cited reasons either minor or bogus  or gave no reason at all. They speculated that the campus simply was coming up with excuses to solve a problem after more students than expected said they planned to attend.

UCI overenrolled freshmen, so they might be withdrawing admissions on purpose to kick as many students out, said Emily Roche, 18, who was told her acceptance was canceled because her transcript had not arrived on time.

On Friday, campus spokesman Tom Vasich conceded that the admissions office was more stringent than usual about checking requirements as a result of more students accepted admissions to UCI than it expected.

Thomas A. Parham, vice chancellor of student affairs, wrote a letter to affected students Friday apologizing for the distress caused and urged those who felt they had been treated unfairly to file appeals. He said that all accepted students who met the admission conditions would be allowed to attend and that UCI would not withdraw admission offers because of overenrollment.

I acknowledge that we took a harder line on the terms and conditions this year and we could have managed that process with greater care, sensitivity and clarity about available options, he said in a message sent to all students whose admissions were revoked. For those who felt ignored or mistreated, I sincerely apologize.

Brent Yunek, associate vice chancellor of enrollment services, confirmed that more students signed formal statements of intent to register than anticipated  the share of California freshmen who did so, for instance, rose to 26.4% from 24.6% last year, he said.

Overall, about 7,100 of the 31,103 freshmen offered admission to UC Irvine for this fall accepted it as of May, according to the UC Office of the President. That amounts to 850 more students than UC Irvines planned freshman class of 6,250, though some are expected to decide to enroll elsewhere this fall in what is known as summer melt. Still, in the last two years, the summer drop-off has been only about 250 students.

Yunek said UCI had revoked acceptances only for students who had not met the conditions of their admission contracts. Those conditions include receiving a high school diploma, maintaining a weighted 3.0 senior-year grade-point average with no Ds or Fs in UC-approved courses and meeting deadlines for submitting all official high school and college transcripts and test scores.

Yunek said data for previous years were not immediately available, so he could not say whether this years rescissions were unusually high. All colleges and universities set conditions that admitted students must meet or face rescissions  one reason schools warn against senioritis  and UC campuses vary widely in their cancellations. UCLA revoked seven freshman offers this year and UC San Diego nine. UC Davis has yet to send out rescission notices this year but has averaged about 150 in each of the last two years, a spokeswoman said.

At UC Irvine, admissions officials worked hard to process appeals quickly, Yunek said  and 63 of 295 students who filed them have had their acceptances reinstated so far.

Ashley Gonzalez, right, with her mother, Reyna, would be the first in her family to go to college. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

In any case where weve identified administrative errors on our part, were correcting them, Yunek said. The guiding principle were using now is that were trying not to hold students accountable for situations out of their control.

The executive cabinet of the Associated Students of UC Irvine has rallied behind the students, demanding that officials apologize for any admission errors, provide clear explanations for each rescission, return all related payments and establish a special process for those formerly accepted students who will now wind up at community colleges to transfer to UC Irvine after two years.

A petition stating these demands had been signed by more than 640 students, relatives, alumni and community members as of Thursday afternoon.

We are so sorry that UCI admin has decided to ruin students lives.... They NEED to be held accountable for their actions, and they need to know that we will not just sit back and allow them to take advantage of students, a separate student body statement said.

In his apology Friday, Parham said he has directed the admissions team to step up personal outreach to all students notified of rescissions and has added staff to review appeals and answer phones  noting that an outdated telephone system had contributed to delays.

We are committed to correcting any errors swiftly and providing the help you need in an empathetic and understanding way, he said.

Roche, who graduated this spring with a 4.11 GPA from William S. Hart High School in Newhall, said she learned of her rescission only after seeing the uproar on Facebook and checking her UC Irvine online portal last week. When an admissions officer subsequently told her the campus never received her high school transcript, she got a note from the high school registrar saying that the transcript had been sent on June 20 and appealed the rescission.

Another student said a campus official told him that he had violated a freshman admission requirement but could not tell him which one. He asked to be identified only by his first name, Carson, to avoid jeopardizing future admissions prospects.

Theyre pretty much leaving us in the dark, said the 22-year-old, who had planned to major in neurobiology after completing four years with the U.S. Marine Corps. They seem like a monolithic bureaucracy, and students are completely powerless. When I talk to them, its like talking to a wall.

He said he turned down an offer from UC San Diego and a $30,000 scholarship from UC Santa Cruz in favor of UC Irvine, but those options are no longer available. Hes appealed his rescission but is also making plans to attend Irvine Valley College if that fails.

Allen Chung is one of the lucky ones whose appeal worked. The Loyola High School graduate said he was shocked to receive a rescission notice after he had signed up for orientation, applied for student housing and even bought furniture for his dorm room. After multiple calls to the admission office  recordings asking him to call back later, and 90 minutes spent on hold  he said he finally was told that his transcript was missing a graduation date.

Loyola gave Chung a copy of his transcript, which he said always included the graduation date, along with evidence that it was sent on time and a letter of support from the principal. Chung drove to Irvine last week to deliver the documents personally. He was readmitted two days later.

It was a huge weight off my back seeing my future revived, he said.

Gonzalez, meanwhile, is still awaiting a decision. Her parents are Guatemalan immigrants who never attended high school and work as an auto technician and a housekeeper. She said she has long seen the UC system as her path to a better life and a bigger home for her family.

To try to get to UC Irvine, she earned a 4.0-plus weighted GPA in honors and Advanced Placement classes, mentored younger students and volunteered at an animal shelter and wellness foundation. She said she sometimes studied until 5 a.m. and missed every family party during her junior year.

When her acceptance was rescinded, she said: I thought my future was over. I worked so hard. I felt it wasnt fair.

Asked what she would do if her appeal failed, she was silent as her eyes filled with tears.

Ashley Gonzalez, right, with her mother, Reyna, is one of 499 UCI students whose offers of admission have been withdrawn for this fall. She has filed an appeal. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Dang UCI really "over- enrolled" and took out hundreds of students including my brother out of their system tf  yel (@_maarriell) July 20, 2017

Can't believe UCI did that. They have some nerve to do that to students who's dream is to attend their school. Better have a sort of remedy.  Aqueerius (@mannyslays) July 20, 2017

teresa.watanabe@latimes.com

Twitter: @teresawatanabe

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UPDATES:

2:30 p.m.: This article has been updated with a comment from a UC Irvine spokesman.

12:58 p.m.: This article has been updated with an online statement from UC Irvine.

This article was originally published at 8:05 a.m.
President Trump on Friday called for police and immigration officials to be rough with suspected gang members in order to rid the country of animals he said are terrorizing communities.

Please dont be too nice, Trump said to the applause of police recruits at Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood, a heavily Latino suburb of New York. Like when you guys put somebody in the car and youre protecting their head, you know the way you put their hand so they dont hit their head and theyve just killed somebody  you can take that hand away.

He implied that he was satisfied with rough handling of suspects by the police. When you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon  you just see them thrown in, rough, he said.

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Scoffing at calls for what he describes as political correctness, Trump also renewed his pledges to build a wall along the Mexican border. He accused the Obama administration of admitting criminals into the United States.

The previous administration enacted an open-door policy to illegal immigrants from Central America, he said. As a result MS-13 surged into the country and scoured, just absolutely destroyed, so much in front of it.

He referred to Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, a primarily Salvadoran gang that started in Los Angeles in the 1980s and has spread into other communities. The gang is blamed for 17 killings on New Yorks Long Island since the beginning of last year.

Few communities have suffered worse at the hand of these MS-13 thugs than the people of Long Island, Trump told the recruits. They have transformed peaceful parks and beautiful quiet neighborhoods into bloodstained killing fields. They are animals.

In often graphic detail, Trump spoke of the gangs cruelty to victims: They like to knife them and cut them and watch them die slowly.

The presidents comments come on the heels of a speech he gave earlier in the week in Youngstown, Ohio, in which he also appeared to be endorsing extrajudicial violence by law enforcement.

Although the American public may be inured by now to Trumps unconventional approach, his speech on Long Island drew strong reactions.

Its clear that the way he views things is simple: If youre a person of color, then police can beat you, slam you to the ground, not have any respect for your rights as a human, said Jeff Robinson, a deputy legal director at the American Civil Liberties Union.

Its outrageous.  If youre a person of color in this country, theres every reason to fear for your life, when you hear these comments from a president, Robinson added.

In Los Angeles, one of the civilian commissioners who oversees the police department was quick to note that Trumps remarks stood in stark contrast to the philosophy and rules guiding the LAPD.

What the president recommended would be out of policy in the Los Angeles Police Department, Steve Soboroff said. Its not what policing is about today,

Soboroff stressed that he believed police officers in Los Angeles would act appropriately while making arrests regardless of what the president said.

I have faith that any one of our officers would not take their hand off someone and bang their head into a car because thats what the president of the United States recommended, Soboroff said.

Earlier Thursday, hundreds of demonstrators protested outside the community college located in Brentwood, a suburb of 60,000 people, two-thirds of them Latino. The protesters complained that Trumps anti-immigrant rhetoric and tactics have terrorized the community nearly as much as the gangs.

Trump is preparing for a massive deportation, and he is justifying this by using our Hispanic community in Brentwood as an excuse to help us against MS-13, said Javier Guzman, a 50-year-old activist who was among the protesters.

Some older, more settled Latino immigrants, however, were heartened by Trumps campaign against the gangs.

Everybody is afraid of the gangs, the murders and the killings. Trump will make us feel safer. He is only going after the illegal immigrants and criminals, said Reynaldo Caiaffa, 65, a businessman who was drinking coffee at a Colombian bakery in Brentwood earlier this week.

Brentwood has been terrorized by a string of killings of teens and young adults. Two girls, ages 15 and 16, were killed with machetes last September near an elementary school. Four young men were lured into a park and killed in adjoining Central Islip in April.

The MS-13 gang has recruited from the ranks of young immigrant teenagers from Central America, many of whom were sent to live with relatives in the U.S. because it had become too dangerous for them in their home countries.

These unaccompanied minors make up most of the people arrested for gang violence, as well as the majority of the victims. Few victims have been non-Latino.

Elizabeth Alvarado, 49, a Brentwood woman whose 15-year-old daughter, Nisa Mickens, was killed with a machete last year, said that many of the unaccompanied minors allowed into the United States joined gangs because of lack of supervision.

If they are following the law and on the path to becoming U.S. citizens, it is OK, but many of the children were not monitored, said Alvarado.

The ACLU said said that nine teenagers had been detained on Long Island for wearing T-shirts or caps mistaken for gang colors  in particular the logo of the Chicago Bulls, which uses horns that resemble MS-13 symbols.

These practices are forcing children to fear both the gang and the government, said New York Civil Liberties Union Suffolk County director Irma Solis in a statement. Weve heard from children who are afraid to go to school or go outside their homes because theyre scared they will be picked up by ICE and separated from their loved ones  and all because someone may have misunderstood a T-shirt.

Other lawyers said that some teens had been detained for minor offenses, such as some boys accused of trespassing when they played basketball on school property after hours.

In the previous six weeks,1,400 immigrants in the country illegally had been detained by ICE, according to Trump.

barbara.demick@latimes.com

Twitter: @BarbaraDemick

kurtis.lee@latimes.com

Twitter: @kurtisalee

Demick reported from Brentwood and Lee from Los Angeles. Staff Writer Kate Mather in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

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UPDATES:

4:20 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from Steve Soboroff in Los Angeles.

2:55 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from Jeff Robinson, Javier Guzman and Reynaldo Caiaffa.

This article was originally published at 9 a.m.
After weeks of legal battles and bipartisan pushback from top election officials nationwide, President Trumps voter fraud commission has renewed a message for the states: Its safe to pass along your data about voters.

Individuals voter registration records will be kept confidential and secure throughout the duration of the commissions existence, Kris Kobach, vice chairman of the commission, wrote in a letter sent late Wednesday to all 50 secretaries of state.

Even so, by Thursday, much of the criticism that greeted an earlier request from the commission was repeated by election officials and activists, who have expressed concerns about privacy and have called the panel both a sham created by an insecure president and a tool to suppress votes.

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Trump  without evidence  has repeatedly alleged that 3 million to 5 million illegal votes were cast in last years presidential election. (Trump prevailed in the electoral college, while Democrat Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by about 3 million votes.)

The letter from Kobach is the second in less than a month requesting that secretaries of state submit voter data to the so-called Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity.

On June 28, Kobach, a Republican who as Kansas secretary of state has helped create some of the strictest voter ID laws in the country, wrote to top election officials requesting, among other things, names, addresses and the last four digits of Social Security numbers.

In the days after Kobachs June 28 letter, 21 states and the District of Columbia declined to provide any data, according to a tally by the Brennan Center for Justice, a public policy institute that focuses on, among other things, voting rights.

Other states, citing local laws, agreed to provide some, but not all of the data requested. States have been especially cool to providing even a portion of a persons Social Security number.

On Thursday, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said his position of not releasing information on his states nearly 4 million voters has not changed.

I have serious doubts about the commissions credibility and trustworthiness, and I fear it risks becoming a partisan tool to shut out millions of eligible American voters, Simon, a Democrat, said.

In recent weeks, a flurry of lawsuits surrounding privacy issues have ensued. This week a federal court ruled against the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a public interest research group that had sought a temporary restraining order to block the commissions request for data.

At its core, the court rejected arguments that the commissions request for certain voter data violated Americans privacy and that the commission did not follow constitutional proceeding. The research group has appealed the ruling.

Kobach has said the commission aims to improve voting systems and ensure the integrity of elections. Critics have questioned the commissions purpose as studies have consistently shown that voter fraud is almost nonexistent.

Fear of how the commission might use voter data is already prompting some people to take their names off voter rolls.

Amber McReynolds, director of elections for the city and county of Denver, said that her office has been flooded with calls and emails from concerned voters and that it has seen an uptick in voter registration withdrawals in recent weeks.

Since Kobachs original letter, McReynolds said, nearly 1,000 people  out of about 600,000 registered voters in Denver County  had withdrawn their registration.

Normally, we see four or five in a given week, she said. Its now been hundreds in a week. Thats concerning.

In Colorado, nearly 4,000 people statewide have canceled their voter registrations since Kobachs June 28 letter.

Tiffany Quay Tyson, 48, is a writer who lives in Denver and was among those to reach out to McReynolds office. Tyson did not withdraw her registration but did say she was concerned about the commission.

I cant really see why the commission would need things like Social Security numbers or addresses, she said.

Last week, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, citing this figure, wrote to the commission calling for it to disband.

This commission was formed as a result of delusion, conspiracy theories and truly fake news, Bennet wrote. But it is having a very real and dramatically chilling effect on voter participation.

Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams, a Republican, said he will give some information to the commission  such as party affiliation, full name, address, year of birth and vote history  because the data are already publicly available.

Its my hope that citizens who withdrew their registration will re-register, particularly once they realize that no confidential information will be provided and that the parties and presidential candidates already have the same publicly available information from the 2016 election cycle, he said Thursday.

Kobachs commission  a bipartisan group that consists of about a dozen current and former secretaries of state, clerk and recorders and judges  held its first meeting July 19 in Washington, D.C. The panel plans to continue gathering in the months ahead and is scheduled to send a written report to Trump sometime next year.

kurtis.lee@latimes.com

Twitter: @kurtisalee

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Hundreds of people in Michigan came together to say a tear-filled final goodbye to a cancer-stricken dog who served three tours in Afghanistan with the U.S. Marines.

Cena the 10-year-old black Labrador received a heros farewell Wednesday before being euthanized at the USS LST 393, a museum ship in Muskegon, and carried off in a flag-draped coffin.

Cena, who was recently diagnosed with terminal bone cancer, was a bomb-sniffer for the Marines until his retirement in 2014. The celebration for Cena was organized by his owner, Lance Cpl. Jeff DeYoung, who was paired with the dog in 2009 and 2010 while on a combat tour in Afghanistan and who adopted him in 2014. Cena then became DeYoungs service dog to help him with his post-traumatic stress disorder.

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My whole adult life Ive had Cena, DeYoung said. When I was 19 overseas learning how to be responsible, I had Cena. And now Im 27 and Im having to say goodbye to one of the biggest pieces of my life.

Im having to say goodbye to one of the biggest pieces of my life.  Lance Cpl. Jeff DeYoung

DeYoung said he has carried Cena across rivers and thrown his body over him while under heavy fire from the Taliban. He said Cena kept DeYoungs body warm during cold desert nights, and comforted him when he lost seven friends in three weeks.

As part of the celebration, DeYoung took his dog on one last ride in a topless Jeep that was decorated and named Cancer Response Team.

It started off with my basically wanting to go to a dealership and wanting to borrow a Jeep for a day and really small to a community tribute or a community parade for him and hes truly deserved it all, DeYoung said. The support, all the love people are giving him, he can see it and he can feel it.

Cena, a 10-year-old black Labrador diagnosed with terminal bone cancer, served three tours in Afghanistan with the U.S. Marines. (Joel Bissell / Associated Press)

The ceremony was attended by the U.S. Marine Corps League, Michigan State Police, Muskegon County Sheriffs Office, Muskegon City Police, Muskegon Fire Department and officers from several other departments, including a canine officer named Rex. Attendees gave one final three-volley salute with Taps playing in the background for Cena, who was wearing a decorated blue Marine vest.

Lord, it is with heavy hearts that we are sending another Marine to you today, said chaplain Wesley Spyke as he addressed the crowd in prayer.

A GoFundMe page was set up for donations to help build a headstone for Cena.

Any dog that served overseas deserves exactly what Ive done for Cena, if not more, DeYoung said.
The nations highest-ranking military officer said Thursday that the Pentagon has made no modifications to the Obama-era policy allowing transgender troops to openly serve in the military, a day after President Trump used social media to declare them banned from the armed forces.

Marine Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wrote in a memo to commanders and senior enlisted leaders of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines that the military would continue to treat all of our personnel with respect.

Dunford said Pentagon policy on transgender troops would not change until the White House has issued Trumps directive to Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis through formal channels  not on Twitter  and the secretarys office issues guidance on implementation to the service chiefs.

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The memo voiced neither support for nor opposition to Trumps decision, and appeared intended to calm widespread confusion and concern at the Pentagon, which was blindsided when Trump abruptly declared early Wednesday on Twitter that the military would not accept or allow transgender troops to serve in any capacity.

Dunfords brief memo did not answer the question of when, how and whether the Pentagon would reimpose gender-based discrimination, and what would happen to thousands of transgender troops, including many deployed overseas, now in the armed forces.

Dunfords memo sought to allay those fears, at least for the short term.

There will be no modifications to the current policy until the Presidents direction has been received by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary has issued implementation guidance, he wrote.

In the meantime, we will continue to treat all of our personnel with respect, he added. As importantly, given the current fight and the challenges we face, we will all remain focused on accomplishing our assigned missions.

A change of U.S. military policy is typically subject to months, if not years, of study and legal vetting before its rolled out. In this case, Trump told Mattis on Tuesday, a day before he put out the decision on Twitter.

Army Chief of Staff Mark Milley told reporters Thursday that he learned about Trumps transgender ban on TV.

Pentagon spokeswoman Dana W. White said the Defense Department is still awaiting formal guidance from the White House and would focus on our mission of defending our nation and ongoing operations against our foes, while ensuring all service members are treated with respect.

If implemented, the presidents directive would reverse a year-old policy that allowed transgender soldiers to openly serve for the first time in the active-duty force and the reserves. It also allowed them to seek gender reassignment surgery, hormone therapy and other treatments at military hospitals.

Trumps surprise announcement not only marked a retreat for the Pentagons effort to drop discriminatory hurdles. It was an about-face for Trump, who had repeatedly vowed during the presidential campaign to support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

But the decision appealed to social conservatives, including some House Republicans who were threatening to block a $790-billion defense and security spending bill because it contained money for the Pentagon to pay for medical treatment related to gender transition.

1 / 10 A large crowd rallies against President Trumps ban in the Castro District of San Francisco. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles TImes) 2 / 10 Elissa Barrett, left, and husband Joshua Gershick, a transgender veteran, join a demonstration at the Los Angeles LGBT Center in opposition to Trumps ban. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 10 Demonstrators in San Francisco. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles TImes) 4 / 10 Atlas Winfrey, 25, shouts during a protest against Trumps new policy outside an Army recruiting station on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 10 Demonstrators in San Francisco. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles TImes) 6 / 10 Felix Debs, 30, joins the rally at the Army recruiting station on Wilshire Boulevard. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 10 Transgender Army veteran Tanya Walker speaks to demonstrators in New Yorks Times Square near a military recruitment center. (Spencer Platt / Getty Images) 8 / 10 A message for the president is displayed at the San Francisco protest. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles TImes) 9 / 10 Isabel Cardenas, 79, joins the Wilshire Boulevard rally against Trumps ban. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 10 Nick Rondoletto, left, and Doug Thorogood participate in the San Francisco rally. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles TImes)

Trumps decision went further by appearing to also preempt an ongoing Pentagon study on whether to allow openly transgender people to enlist. The military was expected to begin that process on July 1, but Mattis approved a six-month delay on June 30.

In his tweets, Trump said he had decided to bar transgender troops because the military cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.

Neither claim appeared accurate. The expected medical costs are negligible and transgender troops have served openly for the last year without disruption.

A Rand Corp. study commissioned by the Pentagon last year concluded that allowing transgender troops to serve openly would cost an extra $2.4 million to $8.4 million a year in military healthcare costs, a miniscule fraction of Pentagon spending.

The study also predicted little or no impact on unit cohesion, operational effectiveness or readiness by letting transgender troops openly serve.

Trumps declaration drew rebuke from many war veterans and LGBT advocacy groups, who vowed to challenge the president in federal court if self-identified transgender service members are forced out of the military.

More than 20 years ago, the Supreme Court said the government may not openly discriminate against gays and lesbians. And since then, the courts have repeatedly said the Constitutions guarantee of equal protection of the laws forbids such discrimination.

In the past, Pentagon lawyers had argued that the courts should defer to the military when deciding who could serve in the armed forces. But those arguments would carry little weight now since the Defense Department has encouraged gays, lesbians and transgender Americans to join its ranks.

A legal ban on transgender troops could also be challenged as a violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which forbids employers from discriminating based on race, sex or religion.

But on Wednesday, the Trump administration urged a federal appeals court to rule squarely that this prohibition does not extend to sexual orientation.

Justice Department lawyers argued that Congress has refused to broaden the federal employment law to protect gays and lesbians, although California and more than 20 other states have adopted such anti-discrimination protections.

The Supreme Court is likely to take up the issue in the next year. Though most federal courts have said the 1964 law does not cover sexual orientation, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago recently ruled in favor of a lesbian in a job discrimination case. The high court is likely to weigh in on the disagreement early next year.

william.hennigan@latimes.com

Twitter: @wjhenn

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Seven years ago, the Los Angeles County supervisors were on an environmental-protection roll.

The board voted in 2010 to ban single-use plastic bags in unincorporated county areas, long before the Los Angeles City Council and the state Legislature got their acts together. That board also prohibited the use of expanded polystyrene takeout containers  another form of problematic single-use plastic  in county facilities and asked for a study of a wider ban.

A year later, county officials concluded in a lengthy report that banning food providers in unincorporated areas from handing out polystyrene foam clamshell boxes and cups was both feasible and reasonable. And the supervisors did  nothing.

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It costs local governments millions of dollars to clean up the littered remains of polystyrene cups and boxes.

Officially, L.A. County officials were waiting to see what happened with a proposed statewide ban because they rightly concluded that it was preferable to a patchwork of different rules crisscrossing the state. But when the state bill failed amid intense lobbying by the plastics industry, the board did not take action.

On Tuesday, the supervisors have a chance to rectify this lapse and begin work to ban the polystyrene litter that is despoiling the oceans and waterways. Expanded polystyrene (also called plastic foam, and incorrectly referred to as Styrofoam by many) takeout containers are a particular environmental threat because they dont biodegrade  they break down into small pieces that float in the ocean and get eaten by fish or seabirds. It costs local governments millions of dollars to clean up the littered remains of polystyrene cups and boxes.

Regrettably, actually banning polystyrene isnt on next weeks board agenda. Instead, there is a motion by Supervisor Sheila Kuehl (co-written by Supervisor Janice Hahn) to update the 2011 report and expand its scope to include hard plastic polystyrene takeout ware, such as straws, lids and cutlery. The results would be due in 180 days. Its laudable that Kuehl wants to address all forms of polystyrene litter, but six months? Thats just long enough for people to forget about the issue. Furthermore, the board doesnt have a great track record of following up on reports that it requests.

We dont need another report to know that banning single-use polystyrene plastic is a good idea. But if the board demands one, it might speed things up to examine some of the 100 California cities or counties that already have bans in place. Culver City, for example, did extensive research on both hard and foam polystyrene takeout ware in advance of its City Council voting to ban single-use polystyrene just a few months ago.

California legislators failed the environment earlier this year when they couldnt round up the votes  again  to pass a statewide ban on polystyrene takeout containers. But county supervisors have a chance to step up and become environmental standard-bearers once more.

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President Trumps outrageous claim Wednesday that transgender service members were a burden on the nation was crude and simplistic, and it seemed to catch the Pentagon by surprise.

By contrast, the friend-of-the-court brief filed by Justice Department lawyers in a gay mans employment discrimination lawsuit was detailed and dispassionate. Yet it, too, belies Trumps assurances in last years campaign that he cares about our LGBTQ citizens.

The U.S. government isnt a party to the lawsuit brought by the late Donald Zarda, a skydiving instructor who said he was fired after he revealed that he was gay. He sued his former employer under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination because of sex  which the plaintiff argued covers discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. A lower court judge and an appeals panel disagreed, and now the case is before the full 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.

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As the Supreme Court has recognized, the meaning of sex discrimination can evolve.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission shares Zardas view of the law. But the Trump Justice Department took the contrary position in its brief. Any efforts to amend Title VIIs scope, the brief said, should be directed to Congress rather than the courts.

Its true that in 1964, few if any members of Congress were thinking about discrimination against gay men and lesbians. Its also true that until recently, courts did not interpret sex discrimination to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

But, as the Supreme Court has recognized, the meaning of sex discrimination can evolve. For example, in 1998 the high court ruled in favor of a male oil-rig worker who alleged that he had been the target of sexually oriented touching and rape threats from male co-workers  even though the Congress that enacted Title VII wasnt primarily concerned with male-on-male sexual harassment.

Citing that decision (and others), the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago ruled earlier this year that discrimination on the basis of sex did include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The appeals court explained that, over the years, Title VII has been understood to cover far more than the simple decision of an employer not to hire a woman for Job A, or a man for Job B. For example, the law has been interpreted to forbid hiring decisions based on gender stereotypes. Extending that principle, the 7th Circuit held that refusing to promote the plaintiff in that case because she was a lesbian was punishing her for the ultimate case of failure to conform to the female stereotype.

Ultimately, the Supreme Court must decide whether the 7th Circuits interpretation is correct; we found it persuasive. But the Trump administrations rush to insist that the law doesnt protect gays and lesbians  in a case in which the federal government is not even involved  is deeply disappointing.

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Officials at the University of Southern California are now in full damage-control mode. Facing growing anger that the university ignored or mishandled reports alleging that the former medical school dean took drugs and partied with a circle of criminals and drug abusers, USC President C.L. Max Nikias finally admitted this week that we could have done better.

But even though Nikias has now acknowledged the obvious, its not entirely clear yet that he and other USC leaders are committed to a comprehensive, independent and transparent evaluation of what went wrong.

The full story should have come out last year, after Dr. Carmen A. Puliafito, a powerhouse dean and prolific fundraiser, abruptly resigned in March 2016. But it did not. There was no mention at the time of the resignation that just three weeks earlier, a 21-year-old woman overdosed in his presence in a Pasadena hotel room.

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If Nikias and other USC leaders were indeed ignorant of Puliafitos conduct, they were willfully ignorant.

Shortly after the incident, an anonymous witness called Nikias office and told two employees there about the deans presence at the hotel. The witness also told The Times, prompting a 15-month investigation by reporters that uncovered photos and videos that appear to show Puliafito using methamphetamine and other drugs, as well as apparent breaches of medical ethics.

Yet during that period  even several months after Puliafito resigned  Nikias and other university leaders continued to praise the former dean for helping Keck Medical School rise in national rankings. Puliafito remained on the Keck faculty, continued to accept new patients and represented USC in public as recently as this month, when The Times investigation was published

If Nikias and other USC leaders were indeed ignorant of Puliafitos conduct, they were willfully ignorant. Times reporters made numerous phone calls and sent repeated emails to USC leaders to talk about the allegations  and were repeatedly ignored or rebuffed. They showed up at Nikias office to ask for an interview and were turned away.

A reporter even hand-delivered a letter to Nikias home, asking to discuss the circumstances of Puliafitos resignation. The letter was returned to The Times by courier, along with a letter of complaint from USCs vice president for public relations who said the reporter crossed the line by taking a letter to Nikias house. How, then, can USC leaders be taken seriously when they feign shock and outrage at the Puliafito story?

Nikias announced last week that the university has hired former U.S. Attorney Debra Wong Yang to investigate Puliafitos conduct and the universitys response. But even that decision raised eyebrows  Yang represented USC in a wrongful-death lawsuit in 2012 and taught classes at the law school. Her firm was cited for its fundraising efforts by former USC grads.

Ultimately, the USC Board of Trustees, which is a veritable whos who of power brokers in Los Angeles, will have to sort out what went wrong and why. They ought to do so honestly and transparently.

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President Trumps aides reportedly have begun looking for evidence that the legal team assembled by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III has conflicts of interest. As part of their search, aides are looking at the legal teams political donations. Based on evidence that at least seven of the 15 lawyers have previously given money to Democrats, it appears, the administration is gearing up to make the argument that Muellers team is biased and thus unable to reach impartial legal conclusions.

But its hardly remarkable that most of Muellers investigators appear to be Democratic donors. It would be shocking if they werent.

Justice Department rules prohibit taking political affiliation into account when filling career positions at the agency, including those in the special counsels office. These rules are designed to ensure that legal investigations arent partisan affairs. When the rules were ignored by George W. Bushs Department of Justice, it was a national scandal.

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Political contributions to Democrats are exactly what we would expect from a group of top-tier lawyers.

If Mueller followed the law and hired lawyers without taking their political ideology into account, the odds are that he would hire mostly Democrats. The reason for this is simple: Lawyers tend to be liberal. Our research has shown that 68% of lawyers who have made any political contributions have given more money to Democrats than to Republicans.

This liberal slant is even more extreme among elite lawyers. Of attorneys who graduated from the countrys most selective law schools  the Top 14, as theyre often called  76% of those who make political contributions have given more money to Democrats than to Republicans.

Any employers, therefore, who seek to hire the most qualified attorneys, would typically end up hiring many liberals. Mueller presumably falls into that category.

So does President Trump. The veteran Washington lawyer he hired to represent him in the Russia investigations, Ty Cobb, has donated thousands to Democrats over the past decade, including to Sen. Al Franken, President Obama and Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Consider the law clerks of the U.S. Supreme Court. Every year, the Supreme Court justices all hire four young lawyers to work as their clerks. Since 1960, 70% of the clerks who have made political donations have leaned to the left. And this is despite the fact that  unlike Mueller  Supreme Court justices can and do take ideology into account when hiring clerks. They simply end up hiring a lot of Democratic donors because the justices seek out the countrys most exceptional young lawyers.

That members of Muellers team may have given money to Democrats isnt proof that they are biased against President Trump, either. Many people donate to candidates for a variety of reasons and are still capable of conducting their work fairly.

Plenty of key members of the Trump administration  Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, even Trump himself  have given to Democrats, including to Hillary Clinton. Trump clearly doesnt feel that such donations should bar members of his family from working in the White House. It seems only fair that the same standard be applied to Justice Department employees.

It would be perfectly reasonable to make the case that the nations elite lawyers should include more conservatives. Indeed, in a recent paper, we showed that the legal academy is even more liberal than the legal profession and argued that the ideological imbalance could be a problem.

But when it comes to whether Muellers investigation is biased, this is beside the point. According to the Justice Departments own rules, campaign donations do not create a conflict of interest. Just as importantly, political contributions to Democrats are exactly what we would expect from a group of top-tier lawyers.

Adam Bonica is a professor of political science at Stanford University. Adam Chilton is a professor at University of Chicago Law School. Maya Sen is a professor of public policy at Harvard Universitys John F. Kennedy School of Government.

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Deciding how to give people water to drink and grow food  and to do so without damaging the states economy or the environment  shouldnt have been this hard. For the last dozen years and more, California has been entangled in heated debate over updating the states water system. But now were closing in on a resolution to that question. That, in turn, opens the way to considering future water policy in a very different political landscape.

The states WaterFix plan  the focus of contention  proposes to secure drinking water supplies for 25 million people in Southern California and the Bay Area, and enable farmers to continue providing fresh produce to the rest of the country and the world. To do so, it would replumb the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta with two 35-mile-long tunnels that would serve the dual purpose of protecting the Deltas life-giving wetlands while assuring more reliable water supplies, despite the worsening effects of climate change.

Late last month, two federal fisheries agencies, after reviewing more than 40,000 pages of environmental analysis, concluded the new conveyance wouldnt deepen any harm to the Deltas endangered species and habitat. As the state Department of Water Resources said, thats a momentous step forward.

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To be sure, it will be years before construction gets under way. State and federal regulatory agencies overseeing the effects of the new delivery system could impose so many restrictions that some communities may not be able to afford the water. And the projects opponents, who once touted the federal regulators as the experts who would stop WaterFix cold, are not going away. Theyve already filed suit denouncing the fishery agencies biological analysis as arbitrary, capricious and illegal.

It might enrage environmental, academic and regulatory groups, but why shouldnt Sacramento take a few steps toward encouraging private investment in water?

Nonetheless, the recent progress on WaterFix is real, and its implementation would enable California to look beyond basic supply issues.

For example, policymakers today often echo the United Nations assertion that people have a right to water. But in practice such access is treated only as a goal. Which is it? If access to water is a right  and it should be  then it must be enforceable. Making it so would initiate a revolution in how we think about and address our needs throughout the state.

For example, many small, isolated communities up and down the state currently lack clean water, and WaterFix wont solve that. In a state as sophisticated as California, with its natural and financial resources, this is obscene. But with an enforceable right to water in place, those communities would gain an important leg up in the competition for water.

Such a right might also help to shed some light into the regulatory black box of internal committees and bureaucratic task forces where many of our most important water management decisions are made, often without public oversight.

Opening the decision-making process could help us avoid the familiar, unproductive rhetorical flourishes about fish versus people. More important, giving more than lip service to a right to water can help us do a better job of balancing the equities for all concerned.

On another front, if WaterFix, which has been propelled by Gov. Jerry Brown, succeeds in meeting our supply needs, future governors will be able to take a broader view of all the dimensions of waters importance to our lives  food production, energy, recreation, resource protection, sustainable use and residential and industrial development.

It could even allow us to ask new questions about how we pay for water. Currently, the revenues we generate for water, through rates and fees, taxes and bond sales are allocated among public water agencies, tribal governments and nonprofit organizations that serve the public interest in water education, environmental issues and consumer protection. At the same time, we emphasize the importance of funding individual water-related projects on the basis of their efficiency. But again, which is it? The missions of the conventional triumvirate of service providers were defined in the last century. None of these entities are noted for their efficiency. And all need more meaningful incentives to improve.

The state is home to Silicon Valley, a resource of unprecedented innovation, capital and progressive thinking  and yet California has done little to engage its leaders in the creative disruption of water policy. It might enrage environmental, academic and regulatory groups, but why shouldnt Sacramento take a few steps toward encouraging private investment in water, opening the door to selecting our water policy advisors on the basis of what they can deliver rather than their tax status?

We do not have the luxury of thinking of WaterFix as an end in itself. When implemented it will be an important measure of our progress. But it could also offer a welcome way station where we can catch our breath along the way to something even better.

William Kahrl is the editor of The California Water Atlas and author of Water and Power: The Conflict over Los Angeles Water Supply in the Owens Valley. He served as one of the many consultants who reviewed WaterFix for Californias Natural Resources Agency.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook
Reince Preibuss unceremonious departure from the White House on Friday afternoon wasnt exactly a shocker, given that new communications director Anthony Scaramucci revealed the knife in comments reported Thursday in The New Yorker. But it is remarkable how much turmoil the administration has gone through in just six months. Maybe naming former general and current Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, who has experience managing bureaucracies, as chief of staff can bring some stability and government knowledge to the West Wing. But this administration might already be too far gone to be saved.

The administration is in chaos, in fact, and puts the lie to President Trumps argument that he, as a successful businessman, knows how to get things done, and how to seal deals. Witness the failure to wrestle enough Republican votes to repeal Obamacare early Friday morning  a failure that in the end might be better for the Trump administration given how much blood they would have had on their hands from the suddenly uninsured.

Its worth, noting, too, that as the vote neared, Scaramucci was playing palace intrigue games, rather than becoming the face of an organized campaign to support repeal and replace. So what we have is a new communications director with no apparent skills at handling top-level communications. Vicious gossip and character assassination? Well, hes got that. Its remarkable that through his New Yorker interview Scaramucci managed, at least for a moment, to make Steve Bannon a sympathetic figure.

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A new national motto: In chaos, we trust.

So heres the view from the outside, and three time zones away. Trump is a mean-spirited, disorganized, brutish chief executive who seems to delight in pitting subordinates against one another. If he subscribes to the theory that creative chaos leads to innovation, well, this administration is living proof that at the very least, its a lousy way to run a presidency. Imagine being a West Wing worker this weekend, not knowing if your boss will be the next to be bounced, or how secure your own job can be. Loyalty to country and political principles is admirable; loyalty to a frustrated despot is not, and its remarkable that anyone continues to work for Trump.

That chaos makes it difficult for White House staffers to focus on the tasks, and problems, at hand. North Korea just launched another missile test  is there a strategy beyond blaming China for not reining in North Korea? Russia just retaliated for U.S. sanctions by closing U.S. diplomatic facilities and ordering a cut in staff in the country. Were still waiting for Trumps plans for defeating ISIS  not just driving them out of their strongholds, but defeating the terror network. Trump promised such a plan within 30 days of taking the oath of office; hes five months overdue.

Remember that $1-trillion infrastructure plan? Still waiting. Immigration policy is built out of bluster, with no coherent plan for reforms  just malignant tweets, and roundups of people who dont have permission to be here. There are 11 million such people. Still waiting for a plan. Where are the promised bilateral negotiations with England and Germany? And those bilateral agreements to replace the Trans Pacific Partnership? About the only thing Trump has been effective at is injecting uncertainty into political, economic and legal systems that need stability to be effective.

Granted, not all administrations make significant advances in their first six months. Its also not unusual for an administration to revamp itself and occasionally shake things up. But the dust from the inauguration hadnt settled when the Trump administration began falling apart. Trump fired his inherited FBI director, has since threatened his temporary successor, and has been pressuring his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, an early and stalwart political ally, to resign  more instability that just reinforces the sense that Trump and his campaign holdovers are hiding something.

The only good news arising from this level of White House incompetence is that it makes it all but impossible for Trump to get significant parts of his abhorrent agenda fully formed and proposed, let alone approved. Which gives rise to a new national motto: In chaos, we trust.

Scott.Martelle@LATimes.com

Follow my posts and re-tweets at @smartelle on Twitter
To the editor: Paul Kahns opinion piece is plausible and terrifying. Perhaps we as a nation should work on ways we can change the political conversation so as not to push an unstable narcissistic president over the edge into the abyss of Armageddon. (Re The presidents dangerous endgame, Opinion, July 24)

Samuel Feldman, South Plainfield, New Jersey

To the editor: Kahns article hits the nail on its head with so many hammer blows.

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He explains and expresses beautifully what Ive been thinking about this patently corrupt administration.

The hard part is getting Congress to find the strength to agree to disagree with that which they know is wrong and reject this narcissistic megalomaniac for the good of everyone on Earth.

Lincoln Gable Riley, Los Angeles

To the editor: The good professor has grounds to be concerned that Trump could invoke a nuclear confrontation with North Korea to distract Congress and the public from his crimes, but is wrong on several points.

On a tactical note, he need not fire Rod Rosenstein; he could order Sessions to resign, then appoint an acting AG who would fire Mueller. More fundamentally, he need not bring about the slaughter of South Korea and possibly Japan to avoid impeachment, as there is no appreciable risk of the Republican Congress doing so.

Randall Gellens, San Diego

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
Kamala Harris works to forge relationship with Central Valley

Sen @kamalaharris talking grapes with Fowler Packing Co president Dennis Parnagian in the fields outside metro Fresno pic.twitter.com/smVuRfbSpQ  Cathleen Decker (@cathleendecker) July 5, 2017

The drought may be over in the minds of urban Californians, quite literally washed away by huge accumulations of rain last year that filled reservoirs and left the states mountains covered with snow even now.

But the farmers and others in the Central Valley, veterans of multiple drought-and-flood cycles, know the reprieve is only temporary. On Wednesday they pressed new U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris to work to ensure a more reliable source of water for the nations most bountiful farming region.

This area is drying on the vine, Ryan Jacobsen, executive director of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, told Harris during a roundtable with Central Valley officials.

A long-term solution can only come through federal and state action to protect the areas water supply, he said.

Jason Phillips, chief executive of the Friant Water Authority, said recent rainfall had done little to stem problems caused by nearly a decade of drought.

A canal that runs from Fresno to north of Bakersfield sunk in some places as much as 2 feet in two years, he said, wreaking havoc on a system that operates on the force of gravity.

We cannot get all the water to our growers, he said.

The meeting between Harris and nearly two dozen agriculture and water officials was meant to ease what is typically a fraught relationship between the states Democratic leaders  all of whose power bases are in metropolitan areas  and the mostly Republican Central Valley powers that traditionally look at them with skepticism.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein has worked for two decades to aid the agricultural industry  at the roundtable, several nodded as Harris referred to the senior senator as an incredible warrior for the area.

But Harris predecessor, former Sen. Barbara Boxer, was allied more with environmental groups that have fought dams and other water systems. As a result, she was viewed negatively by many here.

Harris was intent Wednesday on persuading the Central Valley representatives of her interest in places beyond her base in Alameda and San Francisco counties.

They, on the other hand, worked to convince her to be more in the Feinstein mold on issues important to the area  from reliable water to immigration programs to environmental protections that take into consideration the areas needs.

President Trump was highly popular in much of the Central Valley, apart from Fresno County, which leans Democratic because of its metropolitan shadings. But some issues important to the valley cut in politically unorthodox ways.

Republicans here are more concerned than those elsewhere with passing a plan that would give legal status to immigrants, on whom agriculture depends. With undocumented workers worried about deportation, and the border tightening to those not yet here, the labor supply has already shrunk, farmers said.

Theyre out there working, being productive people, said farmer Joe Del Bosque. They work hard for us, and we have nowhere to reach.

Del Bosque said he recently held a training session for new workers. Of the 200 people who showed up, only a handful were born in the United States, he said.

Environmental regulations prized by Democrats elsewhere are often frowned on by some party members here and blamed for the areas water difficulties.

Several of the participants lobbied Harris for her support of dams that have long been under consideration by federal and state officials, particularly the Temperance Flat Dam, which would be constructed on the San Joaquin River.

Harris offered no assurances on the topic to the group on Wednesday. Afterward, speaking to reporters, she also did not take a position.

One of the things that were going to have to figure out ... is what is the right solution for that, she said of a plan to construct the Temperance Flat Dam and several others. Is it going to be about the building of dams? Is it also going to be about looking at  also looking at  other sources of renewable and sustainable reliable sources?

Both sides signaled they did not expect an alliance on all fronts. But Harris said she would serve as an advocate for farmers during the crafting of a new farm bill and other measures before the Senate.

William Bourdeau, executive vice president of the politically influential Harris Farms, told the senator he wished the majority of her supporters who reside in urban areas would have a better understanding of the risks and challenges of farming.

We need somebody to explain the symbiotic relationship we have, he said.

I agree with you completely, she replied.
At 80, Sen. John McCain has seen plenty. So when Vice President Mike Pence approached his Senate desk after midnight, trying to save the Republican healthcare bill from defeat, McCain found himself again at the center of what mattered.

For 20 minutes they engaged. The Senate was supposed to be voting by now, but the bills passage, as Thursday turned to Friday, was suddenly at risk. McCains vote had been unknown, but now it was in doubt. The chamber came to a standstill.

Senators milled about, some Republicans stopping by McCains desk, others staying away, his longtime ally, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), always close by.

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Then, with Pence having ducked out momentarily, McCain abruptly walked across the Senate floor to the Democratic side of the aisle, stunning everyone in the packed chamber. Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York and more than a dozen Democratic senators quickly gathered around.

What McCain told them privately seems obvious now. He would vote against the bill.

Except for a hug from Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, the Democrats did not tip their hand.

Only when the roll call began did it become clear. McCain stepped up to cast his vote  a single down-turned finger  dooming the healthcare bill. Audible gasps filled the galleries, crowded with onlookers.

McCains vote  along with no votes from Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska  did more than shelve the long campaign to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Meet the two female GOP senators who opposed the healthcare bill from the start 

It cracked open a new divide in the Senate, which seems to be split not so much between Republicans and Democrats, but by those senators who want to work together and those stuck in hardened partisan tribes.

I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to trust each other, stop the political gamesmanship, and put the healthcare needs of the American people first, McCain said Friday. We can do this.

Schumer took an even longer view: I hope what John McCain did would be regarded in history as a turning point, where the Senate turned back from its partisanship and started working together.

Schumer was among the few who knew what his old colleague was up to. The Democratic leader had been talking with the Arizona Republican all week  four, five times a day  ever since McCain returned to work after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

Earlier in the week, McCain had dramatically salvaged the stalled GOP bill by voting to begin debate, only to go on to deliver a blistering speech against his own party leaders partisan, closed-door process in crafting it.

Schumer and McCain have been the kind of frenemies who seem like throwbacks to an earlier era of Congress. They worked together on big legislation, including the 2013 immigration overhaul  grand ideas that seem all but impossible in todays Congress.

They had plenty to discuss. About the Senate, about it working again, about working together, and about how this bill was so poor for the American people, Schumer said.

The dramatic turn of events was a notable end to a day like so many others during the Senate Republican effort to repeal Obamacare, lurching in fits and starts before ultimately collapsing.

The current Senate GOP effort to repeal Obamacare is dead. Now what? 

GOP leaders were pushing a so-called skinny repeal bill that they admitted was bad policy, but hoped could then be sent to a conference committee with a more sweeping House repeal plan. In essence, lawmakers were being asked to vote for something few wanted to actually become law.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the skinny bill, if implemented, would leave 16 million more Americans uninsured and cause insurance premiums to spike.

McCain was among four GOP lawmakers who demanded that House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) guarantee that the House would not simply pass the skinny bill and send it to President Trump for his signature. Ryan offered a muted promise, but it did not satisfy McCain.

Usually happy to spar with reporters, McCain ducked into an elevator ahead of the vote without saying a word about which way he was leaning. After the animated conversation with Pence, McCain disappeared to the cloak room for what others assumed was a call from the White House.

Senators wore long faces as votes were cast in favor, some almost sheepishly. Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada, perhaps the most endangered Republican up for reelection next year, barely rose from his desk, the last Republican to vote yes.

This is clearly a disappointing moment, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said after the vote was over, his voice wavering. We worked really hard.

But that moment also was telling, as McConnell turned his back to Democrats and addressed his partys senators.

The body language did not go unnoticed, especially because the Republican majority may not be able to pass a healthcare overhaul or other big legislation, such as tax reform, without bipartisan cooperation.

Then Schumer gave his own speech, offering to turn the page  not just on this issue but on the others that have become stuck in the partisan morass.

Some senators stuck around afterward to share in the moment, crossing the aisle the way McCain did to chat with one another.

Theres a mood right now in the Senate  from McCains comments the other day to Schumers comments tonight  theres a growing sense, Lets get this done, said Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.). This is what democracy is. Its messy.

Trumps response to the failed healthcare bill 

The chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), huddled with his Democratic counterpart, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, talking about the panels next steps, senators said.

Now the hard work begins, said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), who lingered afterward to talk with several Republican colleagues.

Skepticism, though, ran deep, especially among those who have seen this before. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) had tried unsuccessfully to win Democratic support of a healthcare bill he drafted with Collins.

Youd like to say bipartisanship, but I keep coming back to the fact that Cassidy-Collins was written to invite bipartisanship and it was rejected by every single person on their side, he said as he left the Capitol.

Maybe this is what had to happen for there to be bipartisanship. ... So well see.

As the long night came to a close, McConnell announced what the Senate would turn to next -- starting debate on the annual defense bill, a top priority for McCain as chairman of the Armed Services Committee.

But an objection was shouted from the back row. It came not from the other side of the aisle, but from Rand Paul, Kentuckys other Republican senator, a reminder that despite the overtures toward bipartisanship, sometimes the biggest challenges have come from within the GOP.

McCain swiveled to shoot a look at Paul, another longtime sparring partner. Pauls objection meant unexpected hurdles that delayed consideration later Friday of the typically bipartisan bill that McCain, facing cancer treatment, will not be able to stick around to help pass. He starts radiation and chemotherapy back in Arizona on Monday.

But for now, he had done what he could do. McCain brushed past reporters in the halls and the crowd of activists singing in celebration outside the Capitol.

For now, he was heading home.

lisa.mascaro@latimes.com

Twitter: @LisaMascaro

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UPDATES:

12 p.m.: This article was updated with McCains statement about starting cancer treatment.

11:27 a.m.: This article was updated with additional background and reaction.

This article was originally published at 4:50 a.m.
Senators early Friday narrowly rejected a dramatically slimmed-down Obamacare repeal bill, even after being promised by GOP leaders that the measure would never actually become law.

The strategy was a desperate and ultimately unsuccessful gambit by Republican leaders, who had run out of options after failing to persuade their majority to pass legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a promised new healthcare plan.

Instead, they said their so-called skinny repeal bill would only be used as a vehicle to develop a comprehensive package later in consultation with House Republicans, who passed a more sweeping bill in May.

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But three Republicans  Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and John McCain of Arizona  joined all Democrats and independents in voting against the bill in a 51-49 vote.

The tally was delayed for several minutes just before it was set to take place by some dramatic last-minute lobbying of McCain by Vice President Mike Pence and others, but they were unable to sway the lawmaker.

McCain, who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer, had provided the critical last vote needed to begin debate on the measure earlier this week when he flew out from Arizona, where he has been recuperating from surgery to remove a blood clot.

The failure sends Senate GOP leaders back to square one in their bid to roll back the healthcare law.

This is clearly a disappointing moment, said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), challenging Democrats to come up with a better solution to fixing problems with the current law. It is time to move on.

Sen. Charles E. Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, said he looked forward to taking a bipartisan approach to healthcare reform. Its time to turn the page, he said. We are not celebrating. We are relieved.

Shortly after the vote, President Trump responded on Twitter: 3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!

3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017

The bill would have left much of the 2010 law in place and eliminated just a few of its provisions, including its insurance mandates.

According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the bill would would have left 16 million more people uninsured over the next decade and increased insurance premiums by an average of 20% annually over the next decade.

The eight-page Health Care Freedom Act, as the plan is formally known, eliminated the requirement that Americans have health insurance and suspended a requirement that large employers provide insurance to their employees.

It delayed for three years a tax on medical device makers.

Additionally, the legislation made it easier for states to avoid some requirements in the current law and allowed consumers to sock more money away in Health Savings Accounts to pay for insurance premiums.

It also restricted funding to Planned Parenthood by prohibiting federal funding to clinics that provide abortion services, even for non-abortion-related services such as cancer screenings.

Most GOP senators panned the bill. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina had called the plan a fraud, disaster and the dumbest thing in history. Senators said they feared the House might simply pass the skinny bill and send it to President Trump to be signed into law.

He and other senators initially were not satisfied by assurances from House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.), who offered a somewhat qualified promise that the House would not do that.

In the end, however, Graham voted for the measure.

Collins said the promise of a conference with the House was not enough for her vote.

Thats not a great comfort to me, because I believe a conference bill would include the kind of deep cuts to Medicaid that would be very problematic for the people I represented, for rural healthcare providers who are barely hanging on as it is, Collins said.

Staff writer Noam N. Levey contributed to this report.

lisa.mascaro@latimes.com

@LisaMascaro

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UPDATES:

11:35 p.m.: This report has been updated to include President Trumps reaction on Twitter.

The original version of this article was posted at 10:35 p.m.
Donald Trumps White House is currently the definition of chaos. What else would you call it when a presidents incoming communications director calls the chief of staff a paranoid schizophrenic?

In the six months since Trump took office, stranger-than-fiction moments have rewritten the Washington norm. Just when it seemed like nothing could top the ongoing Russia investigation, wiretap accusations against a former president or the firing of an FBI director, the New Yorker published a shocking and detailed account of Anthony Scaramuccis angry late-night phone call to reporter Ryan Lizza. The tirade about Reince Priebus, chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon and White House staff was complete with language too vulgar for this publication to print.

This isnt typical of a presidential administration. But nothing during Trumps six-month presidency has been. New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman seems to agree. She crossed paths with Trump while working for the New York Post and later for the New York Daily News back when he was just a businessman-turned-reality star. She covered him extensively when he was considering a presidential run in 2011. In 2015, she declined to break the news that he was planning to run, waiting instead until the announcement was official. Later that year, Trump singled her out on Twitter, calling her a third rate reporter. Still, hers has remained an interview he covets  hes done at least a dozen with her. And he recently invited her and her colleagues to the White House. As New Yorker editor David Remnick put it, Trump is somehow obsessed with her attention.

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Its safe to say that Haberman understands the inner workings of his dealings better than many covering this administration. A recent podcast she did with Remnick was particularly revelatory. Heres what we learned:

Were not used to a team of the Bloods and Crips, which is essentially what this is in the White House. These are rival gangs.

Trump encourages rivalry (did we mention the war of the worlds between frenemies Scaramucci and Priebus?). Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders referred to it as healthy competition.

Or as Haberman put it, rival gangs. She identified three in the White House as:

National security advisor H.R. McMaster and the National Security Council.

Chief economic advisor Gary Cohn and the National Economic Council, with which Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner is loosely connected.

And a miscellaneous band of brothers made up of Bannon and Priebus.

Its difficult to define who exactly is in these concentric circles. Much like the White House, its complicated.



In reality, this is a man who grew up in Ed Kochs city.

Koch was New York Citys mayor from 1977 to 1989  right around the time that Trump became a billionaire. His you punch me, Ill punch back attitude and liberal style of governing had an effect on Trump. So much so that Haberman thinks Trump fundamentally believes that the role of government is to provide for people and is more of a big government type than many of his supporters realize.

I think he lives at least loosely by the theory that if not all press is good press, that most press is good press.

Trumps got clear opinions of the press. Hes referred to the media as an enemy of the people and has tweeted about the fake news media more than 50 times since taking office. But without the news, Trump would get less public attention  something that energizes him.

For the past 30 to 40 years, Haberman said the press has been Trumps nurturer and validator. Hes pitted gossip magazines against each other, all to drum up more interest in stories about him.

He likes to manipulate the media. Hes a master at it, she noted.

Murdoch has always wanted to be an advisor to a president. He certainly didnt have that with Bill Clinton. And he didnt even have it with Bush.

When Australia voted against Labor Party Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2013, people pointed to Rupert Murdoch as the influencer who drove the votes. After all, the papers owned by his News Corp Australia all backed the Liberal Party winner Tony Abbott.

The media mogul never had that same impact on American politics. But he has always sought to, Haberman said. He finally found a willing recipient in Trump, a president who talks to him often about the economy, news stories and major happenings of the world.

Murdoch isnt Trumps only outside advisor. Haberman also cited three others:  Fox News talk-show host Sean Hannity, Blackstone Group CEO Steve Schwarzman and businessman Ron Lauder. All three have been part of that white male advisory club.

The New York Post is the presidents first read.

This isnt breaking news, but it is an important reminder of how Trump gets his information. The New York Post, Fox and Friends and his own Twitter feed are some of the places that daily shape Trumps perspective.

Kushner has what many people in Trumps orbit have, which is a sense of huge misdirection.

Trumps White House is quick to point fingers when theres trouble in Washington.

Not much reflection on their own actions, Haberman said about how the administration has responded to an investigation like Russia, where leakers and Democrats have been the subject of ongoing White House blame in the seven months since Trump has taken office.

So, what does that have to do with Kushner? Haberman points to history.

His father, Charles Kushner, served 14 months in federal prison after he was convicted in 2005 for tax evasion, witness tampering and illegal campaign contributions.

Haberman said that Kushner still carries a grievance about his fathers prison time, specifically with those who put him behind bars (a list that at one point may have included then- U.S. attorney for New Jersey, Chris Christie, who prosecuted Kushner).

Its understandable that a son would not want to place direct blame on his father, Haberman noted. But Kushners blame game is largely representative of how Trumps White House acts as a whole.

Trumps Oval Office is like Grand Central Station.

About 750,000 people walk through New Yorks Grand Central Station every day. Many tourists and New Yorkers alike come simply to stop and stare and take photos, popping their heads in just to have a look. In Trumps Oval Office there is no shortage of foot traffic. Former FBI Director James Comey even referenced that in his opening Senate intel statement, mentioning the fact that during one of his spontaneous meetings with Trump, Priebus popped his head in the room near the grandfather clock.

This is by design. When Trump took office, the room was redecorated in gold. Chairs were added in front of the presidents Resolute desk. And military flags were placed around the room. Trump likes bringing visitors to the Oval Office and conducting everyday business there. Thats a change from Oval Offices of yesteryear.

Haberman and other outlets often report that Trump spends much of his time watching television. Look to his routine Twitter commentary on reports he sees on Fox &and Friends for proof. But he also spends much of his days interacting, as Haberman put it, with those coming and going from the most talked-about room in the White House.

Trumps been an official Washington politico for less than a year. Hes been a New Yorker for his entire life. Maybe thats why his administration rivals the commotion of New York City.

colleen.shalby@latimes.com

Twitter: @cshalby

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Everything President Trump has tweeted (and what it was about)
His promise to repeal and replace Obamacare has crashed and burned. Tax reform hasnt gotten far, the White House is in disarray, and big plans to rebuild the nations infrastructure have hit a brick wall.

But there is one unimpeachable triumph President Trump can point to: Hes made great again great again.

The 2016 campaign slogan  limned in block letters and emblazoned on countless cherry-red ball caps  has been reimagined, repurposed and cheekily appropriated for countless pitches and commercial products.

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Apart from the now-familiar caps, mercantile options include aprons, beanies, beer cozys, coffee mugs, hoodies, leggings, swimsuits, T-shirts, water bottles and, for the special someone, Donald Trump Make America Great Again Womens Booty Shorts.

But MAGA, as the president short-hands the phrase in Twitter posts, is also popping up in places having little or nothing to do with politics.

Models walk the runway for the Public School collection during New York Fashion Week. (Slaven Vlasic / Getty Images)

On a catwalk at New Yorks Fashion Week. High in the sky, promoting classical music in Phoenix. On the menu at an Italian restaurant in Atlanta.

It went extremely well, Christian Favalli, owner of La Grotta, said of Make Wednesdays great again, last months wine-and-pairings event in Atlantas upscale Buckhead neighborhood. A few customers werent entirely thrilled with the pedigree of the promotion, Favalli said, but everyones damn familiar with it.

Thats what makes the appropriation facile but also risky, according to advertising pros, who suggested the epigram can just as easily offend as entice.

The smallest thing seems to set people off today, said Ross Lowinske, senior vice president at Milwaukee-based ad agency Laughlin Constable, which has done work for McDonalds and Sears Auto Center, among other clients. Simply put, any business, or agency for that matter, that uses this slogan are rather insensitive to current climate.

Political slogans rarely have much life beyond election day. (Reformer with Results, anyone?) Perhaps a handful are remembered by historians and the odd political junkie, for their jaunty charm, Tippecanoe and Tyler Too, or snappy mnemonic, most famously I Like Ike.

But it is something else entirely for a campaign catchphrase to make the leap to public consciousness, much less jingle at the cash register.

Make America Trip Again! Make America Tiki Again!  Examples of two pitches that adapted Trumps slogan

Trump himself came up with the MAGA manifesto, he told the Washington Post, back in November 2012, when few besides himself imagined he might ever seriously vie for the presidency.

I said, That is so good, I wrote it down, he recounted, and had his attorneys patent the phrase for political purposes. (Although, for the record, Ronald Reagan used the slogan Lets Make America Great Again and variants in his winning 1980 presidential campaign. Trump told the Post he was unaware of that provenance.)

Some of the copycatting is overtly political, intended as turnabout or a rejoinder directed at the polarizing president.

When California state Sens. Scott Wiener of San Francisco and Mike McGuire of Healdsburg announced legislation requiring all future presidential and vice presidential candidates make public their tax returns, something Trump refused to do, the two Democrats stated their intention to help make transparency great again.

Designers dressed down the president during the industrys winter fashion week with ball caps  cherry red, bold lettering  reading Make America New York, a reference to the historically welcoming nature of his polyglot hometown.

In central Florida, the Muslim community marked Ramadan in June with a billboard along Interstate 95, stylized in the manner of Trumps campaign ads, reading, Making America Great with love, compassion and mercy.

Everyone in our nation is making America great when we all work together to serve neighbors and solve our problems, said Abdulrauf Khan, a spokesman for the Florida branch of the Islamic Circle of North America, the volunteer organization that sponsored the signs.

But many enterprises having nothing to do with politics  among them a tiki bar in Los Angeles (Make America Tiki Again!), a saloon in Washington (Make Whisk(e)y Great Again!), a psychedelia website (Make America Trip Again!)  know a good commercial tie-in when they see one.

KBAQ, a Phoenix classical music station, launched a billboard campaign the day after Trumps inauguration featuring the venerable Johann Sebastian Bach with headphones clamped over his woolly white mane. The tagline: Make Your Commute Great Again.

Jim Paluzzi, a vice president at Rio Salado College in Tempe, home of the public radio station, said the ad resonated like no other, with remarkable audience recall. We meet members on a pretty regular basis, Paluzzi said. Most of the time youre shocked if they remember anything you did.

He credits the campaign with a rise in the stations listenership, from a 2.2% share of the crowded Phoenix radio market in February to 3.1% in June. Theres no other explanation, Paluzzi said

Advertising professionals, though, arent particularly impressed.

Its a little low-hanging, said Jason Sperling, chief creative developer at RPA, a Santa Monica-based ad agency that has done work for Honda, Farmers Insurance and Southwest Airlines, among other clients. Theres a hollowness at the core of the expression, Sperling suggested, which makes it less a sales pitch than punch line.

Mark Kaminsky, a partner at New Yorks SS+K advertising agency, is no fan either  though it should be noted that, along with such major brands as GM and Starbucks, the agencys clients included both of President Obamas campaigns.

Riffs on MAGA are already so widespread that a client could well pause before locking up their product or image with something so common, derivative and potentially divisive, Kaminsky said. Because it was this particular presidents slogan, a flood of consumers will have a political or moral aversion to it.

Favalli, the owner of Atlantas La Grotta, experienced a bit of that blowback when the make Wednesdays great again promotion was emailed to a database of about 14,000 customers. But it wasnt all that bad, he said, considering Atlanta is such a Democratic stronghold.

His response: Lighten up.

It was very tongue-in-cheek, Favalli said. In the current climate in which we are, you need to hopefully laugh a little. Or else, he added, youre going to want to shoot yourself.

mark.barabak@latimes.com

@markzbarabak

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President Trump ousted his beleaguered chief of staff, Reince Priebus, naming Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly to replace him Friday in the latest White House shake-up as the administration struggles to emerge from bitter staff infighting and a stalled legislative agenda.

Trump announced the abrupt reshuffle in three posts on Twitter hours after the Senate killed his latest plans to rewrite President Obamas signature healthcare law, dealing another harsh blow to the White House.



For the record: An earlier version of this article inaccurately reported that the U.S. Southern Commands responsibilities include Mexico. It focuses on the Caribbean and Central and South America, but not Mexico.

The tweets, sent as Trump was returning on Air Force One with Priebus after a speech on gang violence in New York, caught Capitol Hill and others off guard even though Priebus stature in Trumps inner circle has been in sharp decline for some time.

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In announcing Kellys appointment, Trump called the retired Marine Corps general a Great American who has done a spectacular job at Homeland Security. He has been a true star of my Administration.

I would like to thank Reince Priebus for his service and dedication to his country. We accomplished a lot together and I am proud of him! Trump said in his third tweet.

Priebus submitted his resignation Thursday but Trump waited a day to make the switch, according to a person close to the White House who is familiar with the fast-moving events.

Trump did not say whom he would nominate to replace Kelly to head the Department of Homeland Security, one of the federal governments largest departments. Its agencies are responsible for immigration, border security, counterterrorism and other areas that are administration priorities.

Dave Lapan, a Homeland Security spokesman, said Deputy Secretary Elaine Duke would become acting secretary starting Monday.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House spokeswoman, said that Trump had been in talks with Kelly for a while about moving to the White House. The entire administration loves him and no one is comparable, she added. He will begin on Monday morning and a Cabinet meeting will follow his swearing-in Monday morning.

In a statement, Kelly  who will be the first former general to serve as chief of staff since Alexander Haig under Presidents Nixon and Ford  said he was honored to join the White House. He lavished praise on the Homeland Security Department.

When I left the Marines, I never thought I would find as committed, as professional, as patriotic a group of individuals, Kelly wrote. I was wrong. You accomplish great things everyday defending our nation and I know your exceptional work will continue.

In a separate statement, Priebus thanked Trump for this very special opportunity, adding, I will continue to serve as a strong supporter of the Presidents agenda and policies.

Priebus was an odd fit in the Trump White House from the beginning. He chaired the Republican National Committee before joining the administration of a divisive political leader who campaigned as an outsider and drew broad skepticism from within the GOP establishment.

Trump never forgot how Priebus tried to get him to drop out of the presidential race last fall after the release of the Access Hollywood tape, in which Trump is heard bragging that he could get away with grabbing and kissing women against their will, according to a longtime Republican fundraiser with close ties to the White House.

Trump also believed Priebus was holding back Republican Party money from Trumps campaign, betting that Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton would win in November and the GOP would need the cash to launch a counteroffensive.

He was the guy who begged [Trump] to quit, the fundraiser said. He was the guy who told him he was never going to win.

Trump forgave Priebus when he gave him the job running the West Wing. But he didnt forget.

Trumps unconventional management style made Priebus job running the White House especially difficult. The president allowed multiple aides and others to gain direct access to the Oval Office, diminishing Priebus authority and cutting out the chief of staffs usual role as a gatekeeper and chief counselor.

Priebus was further undermined this week when Trumps incoming communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, openly feuded with him.

In an expletive-laced phone call to a reporter with the New Yorker, Scaramucci suggested that Priebus had leaked information about him. He also called the then-chief of staff a paranoid schizophrenic.

Rather than reprimand Scaramucci or publicly defend Priebus, Trump sat back. The White House spokeswoman declined to say Thursday whether Priebus had the presidents full confidence.

Trump also failed to mention Priebus during one of the White Houses few bright moments in a tumultuous week  an East Room celebration of a deal to bring a production facility and new jobs to Priebus home state of Wisconsin.

Priebus had resisted hiring Scaramucci, a former Wall Street financier, for prior White House positions and tried to prevent him from being named communications director. When Trump did so anyway last Friday, Priebus closest ally, Sean Spicer, resigned as press secretary in protest.

Trump is hoping his new team can help calm a White House that has been beset by infighting and leaks while Trump is consumed with multiple investigations by a special counsel and on Capitol Hill into whether his campaign cooperated with Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

The distractions have contributed to, and been compounded by, Trumps inability to pass major legislation in Congress.

Trumps standing in polls has steadily fallen as the crises have mounted. Several surveys that track his job approval hit new lows this week, including the Rasmussen poll, which Trump used to cite because it showed him doing better than others.

In Survey Monkeys latest polling, which was close to the average of all current surveys, his job approval dropped 3 points this week, to 39%, with 58% disapproving. The biggest declines came among liberal and moderate Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, the survey found.

Trump tends to trust and respect generals and businesspeople who have demonstrated financial success, which could give Kelly a leg up.

But few if any of his top advisors have demonstrated an ability to rein in some of Trumps more impulsive behaviors, including tweets that distract from his agenda or pick fights with allies he needs for his legislative goals.

Scaramuccis rise and Priebus fall could empower Trumps anti-establishment advisors, headed by White House chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon, who had called for a purge of former RNC staffers in the White House.

Many of those staffers were Priebus loyalists, and some of Trumps advisors believed Priebus was working to stall White House initiatives, leak to the media about their rivals and seed agencies with establishment Republicans who opposed aspects of Trumps agenda.

Kelly comes to the job with little experience navigating Congress or electoral politics. The Boston native enlisted in the Marines in 1970 and was discharged as a sergeant in 1972. After he graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1976, he was commissioned a Marine officer, where he worked his way up to the rank of four-star general.

His career has included deployments in Iraq and service as the senior military assistant to two Obama-era Defense secretaries, Robert M. Gates and Leon E. Panetta. He also led U.S. Southern Command, which focuses on the Caribbean and Central and South America.

Kelly held that position for three years, retiring in January 2016. Trump picked him to lead Homeland Security, and the White House has credited him with helping to seal the border and reduce illegal immigration by 70%, although critics say those claims are inflated.

Times staff writers David Lauter and Katherine Skiba contributed to this report.

noah.bierman@latimes.com

Twitter: @noahbierman

brian.bennett@latimes.com

Twitter: @ByBrianBennett

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UPDATES:

6:55 p.m.: This article was updated with changes throughout, including statements from Priebus and Kelly.

2:28 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with additional details and background.

This article was originally published at 2:15 p.m.
In a Washington that has grown demonstrably more testosterone-fueled since President Trumps inauguration, it took two Republican women to secure the end of a long effort to repeal and replace Obamacare.

They were the same two women  Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski  who had been excluded from the 13-member working group drafting the Republican bills.

Nobodys being excluded based upon gender. Everybodys at the table, Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell had said of his all-white-males group.

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In the early hours of Friday morning, the duo was overshadowed by the more dramatic and unexpected no vote from Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

There was reason for the attention lavished on McCain  a war hero and veteran senator returns to the Capitol days after a dire cancer diagnosis. But without both Collins and Murkowskis steadfast opposition, his vote would have been meaningless.

Also largely overlooked: Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono, a Democrat who voted against the bill. Like McCain, she was recently diagnosed with cancer, in her case late-stage kidney cancer.

Social media buzzed Friday with praise for the women senators from many fronts, including from men. But from many women, there was also a sense of familiarity at being ignored or taken for granted.

To a tweet pointing out the GOP senators exclusion at the beginning of the Senates healthcare effort and the attention focused elsewhere during the vote, Shawnda Westly, a Democratic strategist from California, joked: Im so surprised! Said no women ever reading this tweet.

Its been true throughout history that great men make a difference only due to great women, added former California congresswoman Ellen Tauscher.

If there was an edge to a desire for recognition, it may have come from the times. A quarter century removed from the Year of the Woman  the 1992 election that dramatically increased the numbers of female representatives  politics remains difficult to navigate for women.

They are supposed to be strong but not overbearing; professional, but nurturing. Criticisms they offer tend to be judged more harshly than those coming from men, research shows, so the act of seeking and keeping political office is fraught. Their voices are suspect, and their clothing and hairstyles still analyzed.

The numbers of women in high elective office have stalled in recent years; only 21 members of the Senate are female, five of them Republicans.

Women comprise less than a quarter of elected officials in state legislatures, statewide elective office and in the House and Senate, according to figures compiled by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.

In both parties, women have to fight being invisible.

During President Obamas first term, women on his staff invented a system called amplification. If an idea was offered by a woman in a meeting to no notice, another woman would repeat it with credit given to the originator.

The Trump Administration includes some senior women, including the presidents daughter Ivanka, counselor Kellyanne Conway and press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. But the administrations visage has been mostly male, and its attitudes combative.

Signing ceremonies for important measures  including one on abortion  have included only men. A photo of dozens of Trump advisors gathered for a meeting went viral for including only men.

The president had trouble during the campaign with what his aides euphemistically called locker room talk. On Thursday, as the healthcare vote neared, the administration was convulsed by incoming communications director Anthony Scaramuccis vulgar throwdown against his competitors for White House power, which included a sexual reference to White House advisor Steve Bannon.

Kelly Dittmar, an assistant professor of political science at Rutgers, said that women in Congress interviewed for a recent report showed frustration at being sidelined.

Perhaps men are taking more credit or being given more credit, she said. But, she added, most of the women adopted the view that Were really not here to claim credit; were here to get things done.

That seemed to be the case with Murkowski and Collins, both of who came under sharp criticism during the healthcare push.

Neither party has a monopoly on good ideas, and we must work together, Collins said after the vote, a sentiment Murkowski also put forth.

Neither senator mentioned her own gender during the vote or its aftermath, but others cited them as demonstrating the need for different types of legislators.

Every woman has had that experience of being shut out of an important discussion, and then being called out for being too aggressive or ambitious when we edge our foot in the door, Westly said. What we should be talking about is why women are a crucial perspective to the conversation.

Those working to persuade more women to run for office have noted a giant upswing in interest since Trumps election. Most of it, however, has come among Democrats, where women are better represented, if still not anywhere near parity with men.

There was some anticipation, at least, that Collins and Murkowskis role in the healthcare debate would draw notice, particularly among women like them.

I would hope that it does demonstrate the role that women  and in this case more moderate women  can play in elective office, said Dittmar. What we have seen in the last decade or more is a decline in number of moderate Republican women running, and that means that were missing that whole contingent.

For more on politics from Cathleen Decker 

cathleen.decker@latimes.com

Twitter: @cathleendecker

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For six months and change, the Trump administration has careened down a bumpy road, seldom far from a crash. This week, the wheels fell off.

The precise moment could be seen on nationwide television by anyone still awake  1:29 a.m. in Washington, as Sen. John McCain of Arizona walked to the well of the Senate, stood in front of the clerks desk, stretched out his right arm and turned down his thumb, squashing the Republican effort to repeal Obamacare.

For Trump, who had campaigned loudly, but ineffectually, for the repeal, the defeat jeopardized an entire legislative agenda. It came toward the end of a week in which his administration had never felt weaker or more riven with self-defeating factions.

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Good afternoon, Im David Lauter, Washington bureau chief. Welcome to the Friday edition of our Essential Politics newsletter, in which we look at the events of the week in Washington and elsewhere in national politics and highlight some particularly insightful stories.

THE END OF REPEAL?

The collapse of the Republican effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which Noam Levey and Lisa Mascaro have chronicled step by step, unfolded with a dramatic suspense Congress rarely provides.

On Tuesday, with McCain having flown back to Washington and the Senate from Arizona and his treatments for brain cancer, and with Vice President Mike Pence in the presiding officers chair to cast the tie-breaker vote, the Senate voted 51-50 to begin debate on the repeal bill. Among Republicans, only Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted no.

After the vote, McCain spoke briefly, reproaching his fellow senators for excessive partisanship.

Lets return to regular order. Weve been spinning our wheels on too many important issues, he said. Were getting nothing done, my friends. Were getting nothing done. He warned that while he had voted to let the debate start, he would oppose the repeal bill, at least in its current form.

Some called him a voice of conscience, others a hypocrite for denouncing partisanship even as he joined a near party-line vote. Many wondered where he would end up.

Over the next 36 hours, Senate Republicans proved they could not agree on a repeal plan. By votes of 43-57 and 45-55, they rejected the two leading options that Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) had painstakingly negotiated.

One would have repealed the Affordable Care Act, installed a new system and made huge cuts in Medicaid. The other, pushed by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and backed by the network of conservative organizations funded by the wealthy Koch brothers, would have repealed the law in 2020, theoretically giving Congress time to come up with a replacement.

Both would have led to tens of millions of Americans losing healthcare coverage, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

By the time the second plan lost on Wednesday afternoon, McConnell had begun rallying support for a fallback, a so-called skinny repeal that would have eliminated only a few parts of Obamacare, most notably, the mandate that requires people to pay a tax if they dont buy health insurance.

Almost no one liked it. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), for one, called it a fraud, a disaster and the dumbest thing in history. But, he and other Republican senators said, they would vote for it so long as House Speaker Paul Ryan would guarantee that the House wouldnt pass it.

That otherwise bizarre position made sense, they said, if one looked at the skinny repeal not as a potential law, but as the opening gambit for a House-Senate conference committee to develop an alternative.

Ryan provided a written statement, followed by a reassuring telephone conference call. It got Grahams vote.

For McCain, however, it was not enough. When he walked to the Senate floor shortly after midnight, most Republicans thought he was with them, but it soon became apparent he was not. GOP leaders stalled for 45 minutes as they lobbied first him and then Murkowski, to no avail. When the roll was called, both joined Collins in the vote to kill the bill.

All of this likely will be discussed on the Sunday shows, too. Follow our coverage on the Essential Washington blog.

The prospect of repeal isnt dead. Republicans have made it the centerpiece of their campaigns for seven years, so it wont fully die so long as the GOP controls both houses of Congress. But for now, it is seriously stalled. So can Democrats and Republicans turn, instead, to a bipartisan compromise?

There are reforms that both sides almost certainly would find acceptable, but the political pressures pushing them apart are huge.

As Mascaro noted, McConnell, in his remarks after the vote, pointedly turned his back on the Democratic side of the Senate, addressing only his members. And, yet, she also wrote, after that was over, Sens. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and Patty Murray of Washington, the chair and ranking Democrat of the Senate committee with jurisdiction over most healthcare legislation, sat and talked about the next steps.

There are real problems with our healthcare system that are only going to get fixed if we work together, said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), who also stuck around to talk with Republican colleagues.

Now the hard work begins.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR TRUMP

Healthcare repeal was the linchpin of the White House legislative agenda. Without it, the other major elements, including tax reform and the much-delayed infrastructure bill, get harder.

But all week, President Trump seemed oddly sidelined and distracted.

Periodically, Trump would fire off a message on Twitter, to little effect.

Go Republican Senators, Go! Get there after waiting for 7 years. Give America great healthcare! he tweeted as the final vote approached.

Senators largely ignored him.

Some administration efforts were even less productive: On Thursday morning, Alaska news organizations reported that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke had warned the states two senators that Murkowskis opposition to the healthcare bill could endanger federal support for important state projects.

The call and attendant publicity pretty well guaranteed that Murkowski would not bend, even if she had been inclined to.

The net result: The Senate GOP is more deeply divided than ever, senators have seen they can defy the White House and survive, and Republicans find themselves seven months into the legislative session having accomplished almost none of the major work they set out to do.

The House heads off on recess today, the Senate will follow suit in a week or two. When they return, they will have only a short period to pull together and avoid both a government shutdown and a crisis over the federal debt limit.

AN ADMINISTRATION OF FEUDING TRIBES

Rather than focus on healthcare, Trump spent much of the week indulging himself in fits of pique directed at U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions.

In tweets all week, Trump openly taunted the former Alabama senator, who was among the first prominent Republicans to endorse Trump and, for a time, appeared to be the most influential member of his Cabinet.

He called Sessions beleaguered and weak and declared that he was disappointed in him. He, in fact, did everything except the one thing he has clear power to do to a Cabinet officer  fire him.

As Joe Tanfani wrote, Trump seems to blame Sessions for the widening investigation led by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III into Russian efforts to sway the 2016 election.

In Trumps mind, Sessions decision to step aside from overseeing the investigation  a move that career Justice Department ethics lawyers said was obviously required because of his role in the campaign that is under investigation  amounted to a betrayal.

If Trump was hoping the attorney general would pull the pin on himself, he miscalculated. As the week went along, conservatives and Sessions Republican former colleagues increasingly rallied to his side.

Graham warned there would be holy hell to pay if Trump fired Sessions. Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley said there was no way his panel would hold even a hearing this year on any replacement nominee.

Sessions, himself, clearly calculated that if he just avoided taking the bait, Trump would eventually move on to some other target.

It hasnt been the best week  for my relationship with the president, he told the Associated Press in a brief interview during a trip to El Salvador to talk about anti-gang efforts.

But, he added, I share his agenda.

Sessions made efforts all week to demonstrate that. He announced new efforts to withhold some federal money from so-called sanctuary cities. He talked up efforts to crack down on immigrant gangs, notably the Salvadoran MS-13, which Trump plans to highlight in a visit to Long Island, N.Y., today. (Barbara Demick took this look at recent MS-13 murders on Long Island and their political impact.) And his aides let it be known that new efforts against leaks  another Trump preoccupation  were in the works.

And then, just as one might have predicted, Trumps gaze did move elsewhere  this time to a longtime punching bag, his chief of staff, Reince Priebus.

Rather than torment Priebus personally, as he did with Sessions, Trump used his incoming communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, as a cats paw.

But Scaramucci may have prosecuted his brief with a bit too much zeal. First, he fired off a tweet falsely alleging that his personal financial disclosure form had been leaked, for which he blamed Priebus. It wasnt leaked; it became public routinely, as disclosure forms are supposed to.

Then he called into CNNs morning show and held forth for a half hour, comparing his relationship with Priebus to Cain and Abel and comparing the White House staff to a fish that stinks from the head  with the chief of staff, not the president, expressly being the target.

Later, the New Yorker published an account of a phone call Scaramucci had made to the magazines Washington correspondent Ryan Lizza in which he profanely denounced both Priebus and Steve Bannon, the White House strategist, calling the one a paranoid schizophrenic and the other a self-promoter taking advantage of the presidents popularity.

As Noah Bierman and Brian Bennett wrote, the spectacle was vintage Trump  the reality show competition among subordinates that he loves. But the chaos clearly eclipsed the White Houses nominal agenda, blotting out, for example, most attention to an event Trump held in which he hailed an investment in Wisconsin by Foxconn, the high-tech manufacturing company.

Priebus and Bannon opposed Trumps idea of giving Scaramucci the communications directors job. Sean Spicer quit as press secretary rather than work for him. The weeks events started to display what it was that worried them.

Priebus and Sessions are not the only high-level appointees whose tenures may be shorter than expected. This week, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson sought to tamp down speculation that he might resign of out of frustration, Tracy Wilkinson reported.

A TRANSGENDER BAN OR NOT?

In the midst of all that, Trump fired off three tweets in mid-week that seemed to reinstate a ban on transgender Americans serving in the military. As Bill Hennigan reported, the declaration took the Pentagon by surprise, and White House officials were unable to say how it might be implemented.

By the next day, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., was making clear the Pentagon would not implement it any time soon. The Defense Department would await formal, written guidance from the National Security Council, officials said.

And in Congress, a parade of leading Republican senators, including some of the most conservative, said they rejected Trumps idea, suggesting that Congress might move to overturn it before it could take effect.

TYING THE PRESIDENTS HANDS

To cap off the week, the House approved a Senate-passed bill that would prevent Trump from altering a list of sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea.

As Tracy Wilkinson wrote, the bill broke with a longstanding tradition of giving the executive branch wide discretion in carrying out foreign policy. It was a notable sign of the growing willingness of Republican members of Congress to slap down Trump, especially on Russia-related issues.

Scaramucci and other White House officials made a show of saying that Trump might not sign the bill, but given the overwhelming margins by which it passed  98-2 in the Senate, 419-3 in the House  supporters would seem to have the ability to override any veto.

APPEAL TO THE BASE

With his agenda stalled, the Russia investigation spreading and his staff at war with each other, Trumps strategy seems increasingly to appeal only to his core supporters, Bierman wrote.

He has repeatedly played on the resentment that many of his voters feel toward elites, Cathy Decker wrote, putting himself at war at times against the very concept of expertise.

Its a defensive approach, one that could work, if all else fails, to hold the one-third of the Senate needed to defeat an impeachment. But its not an approach likely to right the cart any time soon.

ALL THE PRESIDENTS TWEETS

Twitter has long been Trumps favored means of pushing his message. Were compiling all of Trumps tweets. Its a great resource. Take a look.

LOGISTICS

That wraps up this week. My colleague Christina Bellantoni will be back Monday with the weekday edition of Essential Politics. Until then, keep track of all the developments in national politics and the Trump administration with our Essential Washington blog, at our Politics page and on Twitter @latimespolitics.

Send your comments, suggestions and news tips to politics@latimes.com.

If you like this newsletter, tell your friends to sign up.

David.lauter@latimes.com

@davidlauter
Trump promotes sons Justice with Judge Jeanine interview President Trump promoted via Twitter an interview with his son Eric Trump just before it aired Saturday night on Fox News Justice with Judge Jeanine. Eric Trump on @JudgeJeanine on @FoxNews now!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2018 Eric Trump called into the show to defend his father from criticism prompted by the first government shutdown in more than four years, as well as a series of Womens March events that saw protesters in dozens of cities take to the streets to oppose the presidents policies. .@EricTrump joined me over the phone from Mar-a-Lago ! pic.twitter.com/Hro3TzUW52  Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) January 21, 2018 Speaking to host Jeannine Piro  who is reportedly an old friend of the presidents  Eric Trump offered effusive praise for his father, ticking off glowing statistics to illustrate the strength of the U.S. economy and gains against Islamic State fighters overseas. My fathers working like no ones ever worked before to bring back this country and to fulfill his promise to make America great again, said the executive vice president of the Trump Organization. He also repeated a sentiment recently expressed on Twitter by his father: That Democratic lawmakers forced a government shutdown on the anniversary of the presidents inauguration in a bid to distract from his achievements. You look at this whole government shutdown, and the only reason they want to shut down government is to distract and to stop his momentum, Eric Trump said. I mean, my father has had incredible momentum. Hes gotten more done in one year than arguably any president in history. Facebook

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Trump tweets: a perfect day for all Women to March President Trump hailed the nationwide Womens March gatherings Saturday. On Twitter, the president called it a perfect day for all Women to March, seeming to imply that those taking part were celebrating his administrations accomplishments: Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March. Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months. Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Participants in the marches across the United States were actually seeking to deliver a powerful rebuke to Trumps policies and mount a crucial mobilization for this years midterm elections. But Trump continued to tout his administrations unprecedented success in tweets sent later in the day: Unprecedented success for our Country, in so many ways, since the Election. Record Stock Market, Strong on Military, Crime, Borders, & ISIS, Judicial Strength & Numbers, Lowest Unemployment for Women & ALL, Massive Tax Cuts, end of Individual Mandate - and so much more. Big 2018!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 The Trump Administration has terminated more UNNECESSARY Regulation, in just twelve months, than any other Administration has terminated during their full term in office, no matter what the length. The good news is, THERE IS MUCH MORE TO COME!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2018 In addition to the roll call of major American cities where womens marches took place  including New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Dallas, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta  protesters also raised their voices in suburbs and small towns, reflecting the aim of coalescing a broad-based movement on the anniversary of Trumps inauguration to oppose the presidents stance on immigration, healthcare, racial divides and an array of other issues. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Laura King. Facebook

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Trump calls shutdown a present from Democrats By Associated Press President Trump is blaming Democrats for the government shutdown  tweeting that they wanted to give him a nice present to mark the one-year anniversary of his inauguration: This is the One Year Anniversary of my Presidency and the Democrats wanted to give me a nice present. #DemocratShutdown  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 That comes after Senate Democrats late Friday killed a GOP-written House-passed measure that would have kept agencies functioning for four weeks. Democrats were seeking a stopgap bill of just a few days in hopes that would build pressure on Republicans, and they were opposing a three-week alternative offered by GOP leaders. Democrats have insisted they would back legislation reopening the government once theres a bipartisan agreement to preserve protections against deporting about 700,000 immigrants  known as Dreamers  who arrived in the United States illegally as children. Trump on Saturday accused Democrats of holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration: Democrats are holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration. Cant let that happen!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Democrats are laying fault for the shutdown on Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress and the White House and have struggled with building internal consensus. In a series of tweets hours after the shutdown began, the president tried to make the case for Americans to elect more Republicans to Congress in November in order to power through this mess: Democrats are far more concerned with Illegal Immigrants than they are with our great Military or Safety at our dangerous Southern Border. They could have easily made a deal but decided to play Shutdown politics instead. #WeNeedMoreRepublicansIn18 in order to power through mess!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 He noted that there are 51 Republicans in the 100-member Senate, and it often takes 60 votes to advance legislation: For those asking, the Republicans only have 51 votes in the Senate, and they need 60. That is why we need to win more Republicans in 2018 Election! We can then be even tougher on Crime (and Border), and even better to our Military & Veterans!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 #AMERICA FIRST!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 The stopgap spending measure won 50 votes in the Senate, including five from Democrats. Although the House and Senate were in session Saturday, it was unclear whether lawmakers would take any votes of consequence. Trump had been set to leave Friday afternoon for a fundraiser at his estate in Palm Beach, Fla., where he intended to mark the inauguration anniversary. But he remained in Washington and ended up scrapping his plans to attend the Saturday fundraiser. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweet casts doubt on likelihood of averting shutdown President Trump appeared to cast doubt on the likelihood of reaching a deal to avert a government shutdown Friday night in a tweet. Trump also sought to blame Democrats for what would be the first shutdown since 2013. His message came just hours before the midnight deadline by which lawmakers must pass a measure to fund government agencies, or some operations will cease. Not looking good for our great Military or Safety & Security on the very dangerous Southern Border. Dems want a Shutdown in order to help diminish the great success of the Tax Cuts, and what they are doing for our booming economy.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Despite last-minute negotiations Friday between Trump and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, Congress remained deadlocked over a spending bill and the federal government was headed toward a shutdown at midnight. Senate Democrats  joined by some GOP deficit hawks and immigration allies  were set to filibuster a stopgap funding bill approved by the House on Thursday. A Senate vote was planned for 10 p.m. Eastern, and even White House officials predicted it would fail. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Lisa Mascaro. Facebook

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Trump signs surveillance law after confusing tweets By Associated Press President Trump on Friday signed a bill into law to renew a foreign intelligence surveillance program, announcing his action in the latest in a series of confusing tweets about the spy program: Just signed 702 Bill to reauthorize foreign intelligence collection. This is NOT the same FISA law that was so wrongly abused during the election. I will always do the right thing for our country and put the safety of the American people first!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 19, 2018 Trumps tweet on Jan. 11 created chaos in the House just before it voted to reauthorize what is known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. He linked the intelligence program to a dossier that alleges his presidential campaign had ties to Russia. That caused people to wonder if he didnt support the program that allows U.S. spy agencies to collect intelligence on foreign targets abroad. Trump and other Republicans have alleged that Obama administration officials improperly shared the identities of Trump presidential transition team members mentioned in intelligence reports. Democrats say there is no evidence that happened. Shortly before the House vote, and after conferring with House Speaker Paul Ryan, Trump did an apparent about-face. This vote is about foreign surveillance of foreign bad guys on foreign land, he tweeted. We need it! Get smart! In his tweet announcing that he had just signed the bill, Trump wrote: This is NOT the same FISA law that was so wrongly abused during the election. I will always do the right thing for our country and put the safety of the American people first! There are no obvious links between the dossier Trump spoke of, which includes salacious but unsubstantiated allegations against him, and the reauthorization of the spying program, or between the program and Trumps oft-repeated claims that the Obama administration conducted surveillance on Trump Tower during the presidential campaign. Facebook

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In tweet, Trump suggests that Pennsylvania trip is a political one The White House press office was once again forced to walk back a tweet from President Trump on Thursday morning after he described a trip to Pennsylvania later in the day as a political one  a statement that would force the Republican Party, not taxpayers, to pay for the journey. The White House had said Trump was going to an industrial equipment company outside of Pittsburgh to highlight the good economy and new tax cuts, making it an official, policy-oriented event. It was widely assumed that the trip had a political cast  the area is holding a special election to fill a congressional seat vacated by a Republican who resigned. Trump, by his tweet, seemed to confirm that politics was the whole purpose: Will be going to Pennsylvania today in order to give my total support to RICK SACCONE, running for Congress in a Special Election (March 13). Rick is a great guy. We need more Republicans to continue our already successful agenda!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 Trump later shared via Twitter a pair of video clips of his speech at H&K Equipment, in which he touted the tax cuts he signed into law just before Christmas and tried to turn the conversation back to his accomplishments after weeks dominated by distractions, including questions about his mental health and comments about immigration that some considered racist: Departing Pittsburgh now, where it was my great honor to stand with our incredible workers, and to show the world that AMERICA is back - and we are coming back bigger and better and stronger than ever before! pic.twitter.com/kWPgylqFzj  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 AMERICA will once again be a NATION that thinks big, dreams bigger, and always reaches for the stars. YOU are the ones who will shape Americas destiny. YOU are the ones who will restore our prosperity. And YOU are the ones who are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! #MAGA pic.twitter.com/f2abNK47II  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 The Republican National Committee, rather than the White House, is supposed to pay for political travel so that taxpayers are not financing party activities; for trips that combine policy and politics, parties have split the cost under past presidents. Neither the RNC nor the White House responded to emails sent Thursday asking who would pay. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement later Thursday suggesting that taxpayers would foot the bill. She insisted that Trump would be conducting government business while in Pennsylvania. Read More This post contains reporting from the Associated Press and Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump tweets praise of Bob Dole after awarding him Congressional Gold Medal By Associated Press Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole knew the art of the deal before President Trump published the 1987 book of the same name. The two shared a stage under the Capitol dome Wednesday as Dole, 94, accepted Congress highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, for his World War II service and decades of work in the House and Senate. Trump later praised Dole in a tweet, attaching to his message a video composed of clips from the ceremony: Today, we witnessed an incredible moment in history  the presentation of Congress highest civilian honor to our friend, and true AMERICAN HERO, Bob Dole. #CongressionalGoldMedal pic.twitter.com/qNQqDLRmCk  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2018 At the ceremony, the president saluted Dole as a patriot and gave tribute to Doles struggle as a veteran who worked his way back from a grievous shoulder wound he suffered in Italy. He knows about grit, said Trump. But it was Doles penchant for working across the aisle that earned him his latest award, according to the legislation. Bob Dole was known for his ability to work across the aisle and embrace practical bipartisanship, reads the legislation Trump signed in September. Some of the awards 300 recipients include George Washington and Mother Teresa, according to the Congressional Research Service. Read More Facebook

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Trump touts report that seeks to link terrorism cases with immigration By Joseph Tanfani The Trump administration on Tuesday released a report attempting to link terrorism with migration, arguing that it was evidence of the need to dramatically reshape the nations immigration system. New report from DOJ & DHS shows that nearly 3 in 4 individuals convicted of terrorism-related charges are foreign-born. We have submitted to Congress a list of resources and reforms....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 ....we need to keep America safe, including moving away from a random chain migration and lottery system, to one that is merit-based. https://t.co/7PtoSFK1n2  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The report, ordered by President Trump in an executive order last year, said that 75% of the 549 people convicted of terrorism charges since 9/11 were born outside the U.S. Administration officials called that a sign that the U.S. needs to scrap its policy of family preferences for visas, which they call chain migration, and a diversity visa lottery program. But the report did not specify how many  if any  of the convicted terrorists entered the country through those means. It also did not detail how many of the convictions were related to attacks or plans in the U.S. versus overseas and how many involved people who went to fight overseas for the Islamic State or another terrorist group. Those details were not available, officials said. The report, due last year, is being released in a highly charged moment in the immigration debate, as Trump and some Republicans in Congress seek tough new border and immigration measures in return for a deal protecting the 690,000 people in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Trump also fired off a pair of tweets on the topic earlier Tuesday: We must have Security at our VERY DANGEROUS SOUTHERN BORDER, and we must have a great WALL to help protect us, and to help stop the massive inflow of drugs pouring into our country!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The Democrats want to shut down the Government over Amnesty for all and Border Security. The biggest loser will be our rapidly rebuilding Military, at a time we need it more than ever. We need a merit based system of immigration, and we need it now! No more dangerous Lottery.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The focus of our immigration system should be assimilation, a senior administration official said on Tuesday, speaking on condition that his name not be used. He said the nation should give priority to potential immigrants who speak English, who have an education and those who are committed to supporting our values  not family members of people already here. The official said the timing of the report was coincidental. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets welcome to president of Kazakhstan By Associated Press President Trump said Tuesday that he and the president of Kazakhstan are united in a shared determination to prevent North Korea from threatening the world with nuclear devastation. Trump and President Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed North Korea along with other issues during meetings at the White House. Today, it was my honor to welcome President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan to the @WhiteHouse! pic.twitter.com/TerYFZViax  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 Trump said Kazakhstan, once part of the Soviet Union, is a valued partner in our efforts to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons. Together we are determined to prevent the North Korean regime from threatening the world with nuclear devastation, he said, as both presidents addressed journalists between meetings. Nazarbayev noted that his country once had one of the worlds largest nuclear arsenals but voluntarily gave it up after the Soviet Union collapsed. He said his country is in talks with Iran, which was the focus of a global deal that lifted some economic sanctions in exchange for Irans curbing its nuclear program. Trump has sharply criticized the Iran nuclear deal and threatened last week to pull out soon unless other countries fix what he says are terrible flaws. Read More Facebook

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Trump falsely claims his approval rating among black Americans has doubled By Alex Wigglesworth President Trump lashed out at the news media Tuesday morning in a tweet denouncing the special counsel investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible collusion among members of his campaign team. Do you notice the Fake News Mainstream Media never likes covering the great and record setting economic news, but rather talks about anything negative or that can be turned into the negative. The Russian Collusion Hoax is dead, except as it pertains to the Dems. Public gets it!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 It wasnt immediately clear exactly what prompted the presidents tweet, but it appeared as though he was watching Fox & Friends. A short time later, Trump tweeted a headline from a report that aired during that mornings episode: 90% of Trump 2017 news coverage was negative -and much of it contrived!@foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The segment focused on the latest survey results from conservative watchdog Media Research Center, which purportedly analyzed the evening news broadcasts on ABC, CBS and NBC from Jan. 20 to Dec. 31 and found that 90% of the statements made about Trump were negative. Study: 90% of Trump media coverage in 2017 was negative pic.twitter.com/vbrwup4Drg  FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) January 16, 2018 But believe it or not, through all this negative coverage, they did a survey of 600,000 people about how black America views this president, co-host Brian Kilmeade said. His numbers have actually doubled in approval. Trump highlighted the statement in another tweet: Unemployment for Black Americans is the lowest ever recorded. Trump approval ratings with Black Americans has doubled. Thank you, and it will get even (much) better! @FoxNews  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 But its not true. The claim appears to have originated from a misreading of data from the online polling firm SurveyMonkey, according to factcheck.org. The firm polled 600,000 Americans in 2017 and found that Trumps approval rating among blacks actually dropped from 23% early in his presidency to about 17%, as of the week ending Jan. 3. Some conservative outlets, including Breitbart, produced an average from those and other SurveyMonkey figures and compared them to the scores Trump received from black voters in the 2016 exit polls. That methodology is not sound. And since the statistics measure different things, the comparison is misleading. Facebook

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Trump goes after senator who surfaced his immigration remark By Associated Press President Trump turned his Twitter torment Monday on the Democrat in the room where immigration talks with lawmakers took a famously coarse turn, saying Sen. Richard J. Durbin misrepresented what he had said about African nations and Haiti and, in the process, undermined the trust needed to make a deal. Senator Dicky Durbin totally misrepresented what was said at the DACA meeting, Trump tweeted, using a nickname to needle the Illinois senator. Deals cant get made when there is no trust! Durbin blew DACA and is hurting our Military. Senator Dicky Durbin totally misrepresented what was said at the DACA meeting. Deals cant get made when there is no trust! Durbin blew DACA and is hurting our Military.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 Trump was referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which protects young people who came to the United States illegally as children. Members of Congress from both parties are trying to strike a deal that Trump would support to extend that protection. Trump also cast doubt on the likelihood of reaching an agreement in tweets sent earlier Monday: Statement by me last night in Florida: Honestly, I dont think the Democrats want to make a deal. They talk about DACA, but they dont want to help..We are ready, willing and able to make a deal but they dont want to. They dont want security at the border, they dont want.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 ...to stop drugs, they want to take money away from our military which we cannot do. My standard is very simple, AMERICA FIRST & MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 On a day of remembrance for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Trump spent time at his golf course with no public events, bypassing the acts of service that his predecessors staged in honor of the civil rights leader. Instead, Trump dedicated his weekly address to Kings memory, saying Kings dream and Americas are the same: A world where people are judged by who they are, not how they look or where they come from. That message was a distinct counterpoint to words attributed to Trump by Durbin and others at a meeting last week, when the question of where immigrants come from seemed at the forefront of Trumps concerns. Some participants and others familiar with the conversation said Trump challenged immigration from shithole countries of Africa and disparaged Haiti as well. Without explicitly denying using that word, Trump lashed out at the Democratic senator, who said Trump uttered it on several occasions. Read More Facebook

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Trump thanks pundit for laudatory Fox & Friends spot By Alex Wigglesworth President Trump thanked Fox News personality Stuart Varney after Varney praised Trump during an appearance on Fox & Friends. In a pair of tweets early Sunday, Trump quoted from Varneys commentary, in which he argued that Trump deserves more credit for the booming economy. The pundit, who also hosts a show on Fox Business Network, cited moves by some corporations to raise workers minimum wage or pay out one-time bonuses in response to the GOP tax cuts. President Trump is not getting the credit he deserves for the economy. Tax Cut bonuses to more than 2,000,000 workers. Most explosive Stock Market rally that weve seen in modern times. 18,000 to 26,000 from Election, and grounded in profitability and growth. All Trump, not 0...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2018 ...big unnecessary regulation cuts made it all possible (among many other things). President Trump reversed the policies of President Obama, and reversed our economic decline. Thank you Stuart Varney. @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2018 Varney was reacting to a quote from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), who on Thursday called the bonuses handed down to workers pathetic in comparison to the gains corporations are expected to see from the tax cuts. In terms of the bonus that corporate America received versus the crumbs that they are giving to workers to kind of put the schmooze on is so pathetic, Pelosi told reporters. Its pathetic. Varney shot back Sunday that the bonuses, along with explosive stock market growth, are enriching all Americans. This is a huge shot in the arm, its the result of this tax cut deal and I think President Trump should get the credit for it, he said. .@Varneyco Sets the economic record straight after Nancy Pelosi calls U.S. mass bonuses crumbs pic.twitter.com/BvjIHGm3HE  FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) January 14, 2018 The sweeping tax plan passed last month lowers the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and cuts personal income taxes. Analysts say the benefits will largely flow to corporations and the wealthy, as theyre more likely to be in positions to share in corporate profits. For instance, Wells Fargo & Co., which responded to news of the tax overhaul by announcing it will raise workers pay to at least $15 an hour, also reported that it expects to pay an effective tax rate of 19% this year, down from about 31% in previous years. That should amount to tax savings of more than $3 billion annually. On average, middle-class Americans are expected to see a very small tax cut in the near term and a tax increase after 2025, when all of the tax cuts for individuals expire. The tax cuts for corporations, however, are permanent.  This post contains reporting from Times staff writer James Rufus Koren. Facebook

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Trump touts MLK proclamation in tweet, but ceremony is overshadowed by reports of racist remarks By Associated Press President Trump signed a proclamation Friday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, noting the contributions of a great American hero. Today, it was my great honor to proclaim January 15, 2018, as Martin Luther King Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service activities in honor of Dr. King's life and legacy. pic.twitter.com/samlJsz1Nt  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 Overshadowing the event was mounting backlash from Trumps comments during a private meeting with lawmakers the day before. A short time after the meeting, which was called to discuss a possible immigration deal, reports emerged that Trump had asked participants why the United States should accept immigrants from shithole countries in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. Illinois Sen. Richard Durbin, the Senates second-ranking Democrat, appeared to confirm those reports on Friday. Trump did not respond Friday to several questions about the incident, including whether he actually used vulgar language to describe African nations, or if he is racist. The president said at the White House that love was central to the slain civil rights leader. Trump said the nation celebrates King for standing up for the self-evident truth Americans hold so dear, that no matter what the color of our skin or place of our birth, we are all created equal by God.  This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump criticizes Democrats in tweet calling for stricter immigration rules President Trump hit out at Democrats on Thursday night in a tweet calling for stricter immigration rules. Trump wrote that members of the party seem intent on having people and drugs pour into our country from the border with Mexico: The Democrats seem intent on having people and drugs pour into our country from the Southern Border, risking thousands of lives in the process. It is my duty to protect the lives and safety of all Americans. We must build a Great Wall, think Merit and end Lottery & Chain. USA!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 It wasnt immediately clear exactly what prompted the tweet. Earlier Thursday, Trump rejected a bipartisan compromise to resolve the standoff over so-called Dreamers, young immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children but have temporary permits to work, attend school or serve in the military. The president drew widespread condemnation after reports emerged that he had asked participants in an Oval Office meeting about the proposal why the United States should accept immigrants from shithole countries in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. Read More Facebook

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Trump touts bill aimed at improving border screening for fentanyl By Associated Press President Trump signed legislation Wednesday aimed at giving Customs and Border Protection agents additional screening devices and other tools to stop the flow of illicit drugs. Speaking at a surprise bill-signing ceremony while flanked by members of Congress from both parties in the Oval Office, Trump described the bill as a significant step forward in the fight against powerful opioids such as fentanyl, which he called our new big scourge. He echoed that language Thursday in a tweet: Yesterday, I signed the #INTERDICTAct (H.R. 2142) with bipartisan members of Congress to help end the flow of drugs into our country. Together, we are committed to doing everything we can to combat the deadly scourge of drug addiction and overdose in the United States! pic.twitter.com/ELZvFol5Lo  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2018 The legislation will pay for new portable and fixed chemical screening devices to detect and intercept fentanyl at ports of entry and in the mail, along with other laboratory equipment and personnel, including scientists. Trump has made fighting the opioid epidemic a centerpiece of his administration, though critics say he hasnt dedicated nearly enough money or resources to make a difference. Trump suggested during his remarks on Wednesday that hed like to take a more aggressive approach to the drug crisis  but the countrys not ready for what he has in mind. So were going to sign this. And its a step. And it feels like a very giant step, but unfortunately, its not going to be a giant step, because no matter what you do, this is something that keeps pouring in, he said. And were going to find the answer. There is an answer. I think I actually know the answer, but Im not sure the countrys ready for it yet, he added. Does anybody know what I mean? I think so. Facebook

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Trump applauds news that Toyota-Mazda plant is slated for Alabama By Associated Press Japanese automakers Toyota and Mazda on Wednesday announced plans to build a mammoth, $1.6-billion joint-venture plant in Alabama that will eventually employ about 4,000 people. President Trump lauded the news in a tweet: Cutting taxes and simplifying regulations makes America the place to invest! Great news as Toyota and Mazda announce they are bringing 4,000 JOBS and investing $1.6 BILLION in Alabama, helping to further grow our economy! pic.twitter.com/Kcg8IVH6iA  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Good news: Toyota and Mazda announce giant new Huntsville, Alabama, plant which will produce over 300,000 cars and SUVs a year and employ 4000 people. Companies are coming back to the U.S. in a very big way. Congratulations Alabama!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2018 Several states had competed for the project, which will be able to turn out 300,000 vehicles per year and produce the Toyota Corolla compact car for North America and a new small SUV from Mazda. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and company executives held a news conference to announce that the facility is coming to the Huntsville area not far from the Tennessee line. Production is expected to begin by 2021. The decision to pick Alabama is another example of foreign-based automakers building U.S. factories in the South. To entice manufacturers, Southern states have used a combination of lucrative incentive packages, low-cost labor and a pro-business labor environment, because the United Auto Workers union is stronger in Northern states. Read More Facebook

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Trump highlights call for border wall in tweets on visit with Norways prime minister By Associated Press President Trump praised Norways prime minister in a tweet on Wednesday after Erna Solberg became the first foreign leader to visit with the president in 2018. Today, it was my great honor to welcome Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway to the @WhiteHouse - a great friend and ally of the United States! Joint press conference: https://t.co/qWR1BhfQZI pic.twitter.com/PJvwznjRCO  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Trump also shared via Twitter a video clip of a joint news conference he held with Solberg on Wednesday afternoon. In the clip, Trump responds to a question from a reporter by saying there can be no bipartisan immigration deal absent funding for his long-promised wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been seeking a solution for hundreds of thousands of so-called Dreamers, young people who were brought to the United States as children and are living here illegally. The United States needs the security of the Wall on the Southern Border, which must be part of any DACA approval. The safety and security of our country is #1! pic.twitter.com/4CFzQXb5aS  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 We need the wall for security, we need the wall for safety, we need the wall for stopping the drugs from pouring in, Trump said Wednesday.  Any solution has to include the wall because without the wall, it all doesnt work. On Tuesday, Trump drew widespread attention when he said during a meeting with a bipartisan group of lawmakers that he would be agreeable to signing a stand-alone bill to protect the Dreamers, before moving on to a more comprehensive immigration bill. That contradicted the Republican consensus that Dreamers fate needed to be part of a broader immigration bill that would include some version of Trumps promised border wall and other immigration reforms. Trump backed away from a stand-alone Dreamer bill in subsequent tweets and public comments. Read More This post contains reporting from Los Angeles Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump praises Cabinet in tweet touting meeting By Associated Press President Trump promoted a meeting of his Cabinet on Wednesday, sharing via Twitter a link to a video of the session posted on the White House YouTube account. In his tweet, Trump thanked his Cabinet for working tirelessly on behalf of our country and wrote that the last year has been one of monumental achievement. I want to thank my @Cabinet for working tirelessly on behalf of our country. 2017 was a year of monumental achievement and we look forward to the year ahead. Together, we are delivering results and MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! https://t.co/ptXa1hAPwW pic.twitter.com/yv6RALkQf3  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 The former reality television star continued to dispense accolades at the meeting Wednesday, greeting reporters in the Cabinet Room by saying: Welcome back to the studio. Then he proceeded to relive a Cabinet Room session from the prior day, when he had allowed reporters and TV cameras to stick around for much of his meeting with a bipartisan group of legislators on the thorny issue of immigration. It was a tremendous meeting. Actually, it was reported as incredibly good. And my performance  you know, some of them called it a performance  I consider it work, Trump said. Trump went on to say he had received letters from news anchors calling it one of the greatest meetings theyve ever witnessed. He added that the media will ultimately support Trump in the end, because theyre going to say, if Trump doesnt win in three years, theyre all out of business. Asked for examples of letters received from news anchors, the White House said it had received private communications. It also offered a series of positive on-air comments and tweets from journalists about the unusual access to the meeting. During his remarks, Trump swung from praising his own meeting coverage to telling journalists that they were dependent on his presidency for ratings to threatening a strong look at libel laws. Still, Trump thanked the journalists in front of him, joking: Youve gotten very familiar with this room. I appreciate your nice comments yesterday. Facebook

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Trump blasts DACA ruling in tweet calling courts broken and unfair By Lisa Mascaro President Trump denounced the federal courts Wednesday as broken and unfair after a district judge in San Francisco issued a nationwide injunction keeping protections in place for so-called Dreamers. Trump tweeted: It just shows everyone how broken and unfair our Court System is when the opposing side in a case (such as DACA) always runs to the 9th Circuit and almost always wins before being reversed by higher courts.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 On Tuesday night, U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco temporarily blocked the Trump administrations decision to phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, which has protected from deportation some 700,000 people who came to the country illegally as children. Alsup granted a request by the state of California, the University of California and other plaintiffs to stop Trump from ending DACA on March 5. The administrations decision to end DACA, which was announced in September, was based on a flawed legal analysis, Alsup wrote in his decision. Dreamers would be irreparably harmed if their DACA protections, which allow them to live and work legally in the U.S., were stripped away before the courts had a chance to fully consider their claims, he ruled. The action is the mirror image of a ruling in 2015 by a federal judge in Texas who ruled in favor of that state when it sought to block President Obama from expanding DACA to include the parents of Dreamers. Trump administration officials praised that judicial ruling. By contrast, they sharply criticized Alsups decision. Read More Facebook

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Trump thanks lawmakers for productive immigration meeting, says deal must include border wall President Trump thanked a bipartisan group of lawmakers for participating in a meeting on immigration legislation on Tuesday. Much of the discussion involved so-called Dreamers, an estimated 700,000 young people who were brought to the country illegally as children and are now facing deportation. In a tweet, Trump wrote that there was strong agreement to negotiate a bill to protect Dreamers, as well as put into place some of the reforms favored by Republicans. Thanks to all of the Republican and Democratic lawmakers for todays very productive meeting on immigration reform. There was strong agreement to negotiate a bill that deals with border security, chain migration, lottery and DACA. https://t.co/SdqAQ3aL3z pic.twitter.com/8DYHZHspAy  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 The most notable exchange of the meeting came when Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the San Francisco Democrat, asked Trump whether he would be agreeable to signing a stand-alone bill to protect the Dreamers, before moving on to a more comprehensive immigration bill. Yeah, I would like to do it, Trump responded. The statement drew widespread attention because it contradicted the Republican consensus that Dreamers fate needed to be part of a broader immigration bill that would include some version of Trumps promised border wall and other immigration reforms. Trump later backed away from a stand-alone Dreamer bill, tweeting that a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico must be part of any deal: As I made very clear today, our country needs the security of the Wall on the Southern Border, which must be part of any DACA approval.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Pressure has been mounting for Congress to broker an immigration deal by Jan. 19 as part of a must-pass budget package to fund the government. This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump thanks officers and veterans in tweets President Trump doled out a slew of accolades Tuesday via Twitter. He thanked the nations law enforcement officers, including in his message a hashtag denoting a day of appreciation organized by a national support group for law enforcement families. On behalf of the American people, THANK YOU to our incredible law enforcement officers. As President of the United States - I will fight for you, and I will never, ever let you down. Now, more than ever, we must support the men and women in blue! #LawEnforcementAppreciationDay pic.twitter.com/Qb4uxB4JRm  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 Trump later expressed gratitude for federal immigration agents, in particular: .@ICEgov HSI agents and ERO officers, on behalf of an entire Nation, THANK YOU for what you are doing 24/7/365 to keep fellow Americans SAFE. Everyone is so grateful!#LawEnforcementAppreciationDay

President @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/HXCpTlruVo  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 The president thanked veterans as he cited his administrations efforts to curb the number of veteran suicides by improving mental health treatment for the high-risk group: Today, it was my great honor to sign a new Executive Order to ensure Veterans have the resources they need as they transition back to civilian life. We must ensure that our HEROES are given the care and support they so richly deserve! https://t.co/0MdP9DDIAS pic.twitter.com/LP2a8KCBAp  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 Trumps tweet included photos of the president signing an executive order Tuesday directing the secretaries of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs to develop a plan to provide seamless access to mental health and suicide prevention resources for 12 months for members leaving the armed forces. Also on Tuesday, Trump touted a law he signed the day before designating the birthplace of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. a national historic park: It was my great honor to sign H.R. 267, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Act, which redesignates the Martin Luther King, Junior, National Historic Site in the State of Georgia as the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. https://t.co/Qe0b6HBFTY pic.twitter.com/QTgaqTawPT  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 And he thanked House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) for sharing a video compilation comprised of clips of politicians and commentators praising the GOPs tax cut bill: Thank you @GOPLeader Kevin McCarthy! Couldnt agree w/you more. TOGETHER, we are #MAGA https://t.co/QaxtqpyXTR  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018  This post contains reporting from the Associated Press and Times staff writer Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

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Trump hails tax bill in tweets recapping speech to farmers By Associated Press Connecting with rural Americans, President Trump on Monday hailed his tax overhaul as a victory for family farmers. Farm country is Gods country, Trump told the annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Trump became the first president in a quarter-century to address the federations convention. His Southern swing also included a stop in Atlanta for the national college football championship game. Cant wait to be back in the amazing state of Tennessee to address the 99th American @FarmBureau Federations Annual Convention in Nashville! #AFBF18



On my way now - join me LIVE at 4:00pmE: https://t.co/QaljAqekdD. pic.twitter.com/Wm7Io0hYT8  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Joined by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and a group of Tennessee lawmakers, Trump said most of the benefits of the tax legislation are going to working families, small businesses, and who  the family farmer. The package Trump signed into law last month provides generous tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest Americans, and more modest reductions for middle- and low-income individuals and families. In every decision we make, we are honoring Americas PROUD FARMING LEGACY. Years of crushing taxes, crippling regs, & corrupt politics left our communities hurting, our economy stagnant, & millions of hardworking Americans COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN. But they are not forgotten ANYMORE! pic.twitter.com/MdYS7xnukQ  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 The president vastly inflated the value of the package in his speech, citing a total of $5.5 trillion in tax cuts, with most of those benefits going to working families, small businesses and who? The family farmer. The estimated value of the tax cuts is actually $1.5 trillion for families and businesses because of cuts in deductions and the use of other steps to generate offsetting tax revenue. We have been working every day to DELIVER for Americas Farmers just as they work every day to deliver FOR US. #AFBF18 pic.twitter.com/QDH7fvFkZ7  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 From Nashville, Trump traveled to Atlanta to watch Alabamas Crimson Tide and Georgias Bulldogs face off Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship. We are fighting for our farmers, for our country, and for our GREAT AMERICAN FLAG. We want our flag respected - and we want our NATIONAL ANTHEM respected also! pic.twitter.com/16eOLXg6Fi  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Before departing for the game, Trump referenced his ongoing defense of the American flag and the national anthem, saying there was enough space for people to express their views. We love our flag and we love our anthem, and we want to keep it that way, he said. Facebook

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Trump tweet hails drop in unemployment rate for African Americans By Associated Press President Trump touted a drop in the unemployment rate for African Americans on Monday in a tweet. African American unemployment is the lowest ever recorded in our country. The Hispanic unemployment rate dropped a full point in the last year and is close to the lowest in recorded history. Dems did nothing for you but get your vote! #NeverForget @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 The rate fell to 6.8% in December, the lowest level since the government began tracking such data in 1972. The reasons range from a greater number of black Americans with college degrees to a growing need for employers in a tight job market to widen the pool of people they hire from. Trump also hailed the development via Twitter on Saturday. His latest tweet on the topic came about an hour after it was discussed during an episode of Fox & Friends, according to Mediaite. Facebook

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Trump talks up the economy and dresses down the media in Sunday tweets With President Trump cheering from the sidelines, the White House on Sunday pressed its defense of the presidents fitness to govern, as fired former aide Stephen K. Bannon reversed course and apologized for his role in a new books explosive portrait of Trump. The presidents critics, meanwhile, said Trumps stream of taunts and insults in response to the book  Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, released last week  served only to underscore the authors unsettling portrayal of Trumps year-old presidency, depicting a leader whose own aides consider him childish, ignorant and dangerously erratic. Trump provided more ammunition Sunday morning, as he continued to attack the book via Twitter while preparing to depart Camp David for the White House: Leaving Camp David for the White House. Great meetings with the Cabinet and Military on many very important subjects including Border Security & the desperately needed Wall, the ever increasing Drug and Opioid Problem, Infrastructure, Military, Budget, Trade and DACA.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Ive had to put up with the Fake News from the first day I announced that I would be running for President. Now I have to put up with a Fake Book, written by a totally discredited author. Ronald Reagan had the same problem and handled it well. So will I!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 The most vehement defense of Trump on Sunday came from senior advisor Stephen Miller, a onetime Bannon acolyte who distanced himself from his former mentor. In a combative appearance Sunday on CNNs State of the Union, Miller called the book grotesque and writer Michael Wolff the garbage author of a garbage book. Trump is known to closely monitor aides televised performances in putting forth his case, and he gleefully weighed in within moments of Millers televised clash with host Jake Tapper. CNN has long been a particular target of Trumps ire. Jake Tapper of Fake News CNN just got destroyed in his interview with Stephen Miller of the Trump Administration. Watch the hatred and unfairness of this CNN flunky!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Trumps reaction, however, seemed to bolster Tappers on-air depiction of Miller as using his appearance on the show to play to the president rather than addressing questions put to him. I get it  theres one viewer that you care about, the host said exasperatedly after Miller turned the discussion repeatedly to negative news coverage of the president while deflecting specific queries. Later on Twitter, Trump took up two themes that have been prevalent on his social media feeds recently. The president again went after the news media, tweeting that the recipients of his self-proclaimed most dishonest & corrupt media awards of the year, which he promised earlier in the week to announce on Monday, would actually be revealed the following Wednesday: The Fake News Awards, those going to the most corrupt & biased of the Mainstream Media, will be presented to the losers on Wednesday, January 17th, rather than this coming Monday. The interest in, and importance of, these awards is far greater than anyone could have anticipated!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Trump later lauded a New York Post opinion piece that compared him favorably with his predecessor, President Obama, as well as Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. In quoting the op-ed, Trump initally misspelled consequential as consensual, but he deleted those tweets and re-sent the messages. His is turning out to be an enormously consequential presidency. So much so that, despite my own frustration over his missteps, there has never been a day when I wished Hillary Clinton were president. Not one. Indeed, as Trumps accomplishments accumulate, the mere thought of...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 ...Clinton in the WH, doubling down on Barack Obamas failed policies, washes away any doubts that America made the right choice. This was truly a change election  and the changes Trump is bringing are far-reaching & necessary. Thank you Michael Goodwin! https://t.co/4fHNcx2Ydg  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Trump also continued talking up the economy, which has been enjoying a period of strong gains. The Stock Market has been creating tremendous benefits for our country in the form of not only Record Setting Stock Prices, but present and future Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Seven TRILLION dollars of value created since our big election win!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 In addition to Miller, other senior administration officials made the rounds of Sunday news talk shows to decry the claims made in Wolffs book. CIA Director Mike Pompeo said Wolffs characterization of Trump as averse to digesting classified briefing material was ludicrous, and the ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, insisted that that those around Trump love their country and respect their president. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Laura King. Facebook

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Responding to book that mocks his intelligence, Trump tweets hes like, really smart By Tracy Wilkinson President Trump declared himself a very stable genius on Twitter on Saturday and later in a televised news conference called the author of a book that questioned his mental fitness a fraud. His comments came on a bone-cold day at Camp David during a weekend retreat with top administration officials and Republican congressional leaders strategizing on the years legislative agenda, including matters such as infrastructure, immigration, welfare reform and national security. Now that Russian collusion, after one year of intense study, has proven to be a total hoax on the American public, the Democrats and their lapdogs, the Fake News Mainstream Media, are taking out the old Ronald Reagan playbook and screaming mental stability and intelligence.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 ....Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart. Crooked Hillary Clinton also played these cards very hard and, as everyone knows, went down in flames. I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 ....to President of the United States (on my first try). I think that would qualify as not smart, but genius....and a very stable genius at that!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 Still, Trumps explosive rebuttal to author Michael Wolffs claims not only opened the day, but it also ensured the presidents capability to fill the highest office in the land was a topic that would not go away. In his early-morning tweets, Trump said two of his greatest assets have been mental stability, and being, like, really smart. He noted that his former Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, played these cards [about competence] very hard and, as everyone knows, went down in flames. I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star to President of the United States (on my first try). Read More Facebook

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In morning tweets, Trump touts job numbers and takes digs at news media By Associated Press President Trump used Twitter on Saturday morning to tout a drop in the unemployment rate for African Americans. He also used the tweets as an opportunity to take digs at media outlets whose past coverage he has found to be critical. The African American unemployment rate fell to 6.8%, the lowest rate in 45 years. I am so happy about this News! And, in the Washington Post (of all places), headline states, Trumps first year jobs numbers were very, very good.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 The unemployment rate for African Americans fell to 6.8% in December, the lowest level since the government began tracking such data in 1972. The reasons range from a greater number of black Americans with college degrees to a growing need for employers in a tight job market to widen the pool of people they hire from. Still, the rate for black workers remains well above those for whites and some other groups, something experts attribute in large part to decades of discrimination and disadvantages. Robust job creation has lowered unemployment for all Americans. U.S. employers added nearly 2.1 million jobs in 2017  the seventh straight year that hiring has topped 2 million. In his tweet, Trump praised a report that noted the numbers, touting the fact that it appeared in the Washington Post (of all places). Minutes later, Trump renewed his attack on an ABC News reporter who was suspended last month after filing an erroneous report on Michael Flynn, Trumps former national security advisor. Brian Ross, the reporter who made a fraudulent live newscast about me that drove the Stock Market down 350 points (billions of dollars), was suspended for a month but is now back at ABC NEWS in a lower capacity. He is no longer allowed to report on Trump. Should have been fired!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 The reporter, Brian Ross, was reportedly reassigned within ABC News upon returning from his unpaid suspension. But on Saturday, Trump wrote that he should have been fired. Trumps tweets came hours before he was set to host congressional Republicans and administration officials at Camp David. The meeting scheduled to begin at midmorning Saturday was expected to touch on the budget, infrastructure, immigration, welfare reform and the shape of the midterm election this fall. Facebook

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Trump commends Sen. Rand Paul after he proposes eliminating all U.S. aid to Pakistan President Trump commended Sen. Rand Paul after the Kentucky Republican announced plans to introduce legislation that would eliminate all U.S. aid to Pakistan. Trump tweeted Friday night: Good idea Rand! https://t.co/55sqUDiC0s  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 On Thursday, the Trump administration announced it was suspending security assistance to Islamabad until the country moves aggressively against local militants who have attacked U.S. troops in neighboring Afghanistan. Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration at the apparent inability of Pakistani authorities to rein in militants who cross out of the countrys rugged tribal areas to attack U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Tracy Wilkinson. Facebook

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Trump continues to lash out at Sloppy Steve Bannon in tweets on tell-all book By Associated Press President Trump is praising a major Republican donor family for distancing themselves from his former advisor Steve Bannon. Trump tweeted Friday: The Mercer Family recently dumped the leaker known as Sloppy Steve Bannon. Smart!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Trump has continued to lash out at Bannon over an explosive new book that quoted his former aide as questioning Trumps competence and describing a June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower among Donald Trump Jr., Trump campaign aides and a Russian lawyer as treasonous and unpatriotic. On Thursday, billionaire GOP donor Rebekah Mercer issued a statement distancing her family from Bannon. Mercer is a co-owner of Breitbart, the populist website Bannon helps run. I support President Trump and the platform upon which he was elected, Mercer said. My family and I have not communicated with Steve Bannon in many months and have provided no financial support to his political agenda, nor do we support his recent actions and statements. The book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, quickly shot atop Amazons best-seller list, and the publisher moved up its release date by four days, to Friday. Trump took up the topic again on Twitter on Friday night, denouncing both Bannon and the books author, Michael Wolff, in starkly personal terms: Michael Wolff is a total loser who made up stories in order to sell this really boring and untruthful book. He used Sloppy Steve Bannon, who cried when he got fired and begged for his job. Now Sloppy Steve has been dumped like a dog by almost everyone. Too bad! https://t.co/mEeUhk5ZV9  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 Trumps message linked to a meme depicting a parody book cover titled, Liar and Phony, that featured a photo of Wolff and disparaging quotes about the author. In a tweet sent earlier Friday morning, Trump suggested the book was intended to serve as a distraction from the FBIs investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, which Trump wrote is proving to be a total hoax. Well, now that collusion with Russia is proving to be a total hoax and the only collusion is with Hillary Clinton and the FBI/Russia, the Fake News Media (Mainstream) and this phony new book are hitting out at every new front imaginable. They should try winning an election. Sad!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 That came amid reports that Trump directed his White House counsel to tell Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions to not recuse himself from the Justice Departments Russia investigation. Trumps effort to keep Sessions, a vocal and loyal supporter of his election bid, in charge of an investigation into his campaign offers special counsel Robert Mueller yet another avenue to explore as his prosecutors work to untangle potential evidence of obstruction. Read More Facebook

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Trump praises the economy ahead of meetings at Camp David By Associated Press President Trump is praising the strength of the U.S. economy ahead of meetings at Camp David with congressional Republicans. Trump tweeted early Friday: Dow goes from 18,589 on November 9, 2016, to 25,075 today, for a new all-time Record. Jumped 1000 points in last 5 weeks, Record fastest 1000 point move in history. This is all about the Make America Great Again agenda! Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Six trillion dollars in value created!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 The president also told reporters on the South Lawn that the tax cuts are really kicking in after Congress passed a package of tax cuts at the end of 2017. And the president praised the December jobs report, which found U.S. employers added 148,000 jobs in December and the unemployment rate stayed at 4.1%, the lowest level since 2000. The modest but steady pace of hiring is a reassuring sign for investors who have been buoyed by the just-passed Republican tax plan and have been sending stock market indexes roaring to uncharted heights. The president is meeting with Republican congressional leaders and members of his Cabinet on Friday and Saturday to discuss the 2018 agenda. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets as Dow crashes through 25,000 By Associated Press President Trump dispatched a congratulatory tweet as the Dow Jones industrial average rose above the 25,000-point mark Thursday, just five weeks after its first close above 24,000. Dow just crashes through 25,000. Congrats! Big cuts in unnecessary regulations continuing.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 After the Dow closed above 25,000, Trump shared a graphic depicting the stock indexs record-setting rise. MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/iONbr1DkVk  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Later in the day, the president was back on Twitter, complaining that news outlets had barely covered the stock market milestone. He suggested that the strength of the economy would be the biggest story on earth, had it unfolded during the presidency of his predecessor. The Fake News Media barely mentions the fact that the Stock Market just hit another New Record and that business in the U.S. is booming...but the people know! Can you imagine if O was president and had these numbers - would be biggest story on earth! Dow now over 25,000.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 The Dow broke past 1,000-point barriers in 2017 on its way to a 25% gain for the year, as an eight-year rally since the Great Recession continued to confound skeptics. Strong global economic growth and good prospects for higher company earnings have analysts predicting more gains, although the market may not stay as calm as it has been recently. The Dow has made a rapid trip since it reached 24,000 points Nov. 30, partly on enthusiasm over passage of the Republican-backed tax package, which could boost company profits this year with across-the-board cuts to corporate taxes. Read More Facebook

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Trump reacts to Fire and Fury book in tweet lashing out at author and Sloppy Steve President Trump lashed out at the author of a soon-to-be-released book about the chaotic first year of his presidency Thursday night. In a tweet, Trump called Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, a phony book and claimed that hed never spoken to its author, Michael Wolff. Look at this guys past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve! Trump wrote. He appeared to be referring to former White House chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon, whose stunning criticisms of Trump and his circle figure prominently in the title. I authorized Zero access to White House (actually turned him down many times) for author of phony book! I never spoke to him for book. Full of lies, misrepresentations and sources that dont exist. Look at this guys past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Trumps tweet came hours after he had his lawyer demand that Henry Holt & Co. and Wolff stop publication the book. Instead, the publisher expedited the books release to Friday, four days before it was slated to hit bookstore shelves, in response to unprecedented demand. Published excerpts on Wednesday and Thursday whetted that appetite and roiled Washington. Bannons comments, including that it was treasonous and unpatriotic for Trumps son Donald Trump Jr., son-in-law Jared Kushner and campaign manager Paul Manafort to have met in 2016 with Russians said to have dirt on Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, prompted Trump on Wednesday to rebuke his former advisor, saying Bannon had lost his mind. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writers Brian Bennett and Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

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Trump thanks senators who attended meeting on immigration President Trump tweeted thanks to Republican senators who attended a meeting about possible immigration legislation on Thursday. In his message, Trump also listed his top priorities when it comes to any type of overhaul of the nations immigration system. Thank you to the great Republican Senators who showed up to our mtg on immigration reform. We must BUILD THE WALL, stop illegal immigration, end chain migration & cancel the visa lottery. The current system is unsafe & unfair to the great people of our country - time for change!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Trumps tweet echoed his remarks at the beginning of Thursdays meeting, when he insisted again that constructing a border wall and overhauling two legal immigration programs must be part of any deal with Democrats to protect the so-called Dreamers from deportation. Two-year deportation protections and work permits given under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program begin to expire March 6 under an executive order. Trump announced in September that he was ending the Obama-era program, but told Congress to draft a law to continue protections for people brought to the country illegally as children  a group that has widespread public support. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Brian Bennett. Facebook

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Trump resumes Twitter war against kneeling NFL players President Trump has resumed his Twitter war against NFL players who kneel during the national anthem to protest social injustice and racial inequality. In a tweet early Thursday, Trump replied to a supporter who shared a meme that appears to depict family members lying on the grave of a fallen soldier with the caption: This is why we stand. Show this picture to the NFL players who still kneel! Trump wrote. So beautiful....Show this picture to the NFL players who still kneel! https://t.co/tJLM1tvbvb  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 The president has denounced players who kneel during the anthem in previous tweets. Hes also called for the firing of players who do so. His latest message came amid news that the NFL finished the regular season with TV ratings that fell nearly 10% below the previous season. Analysts attribute the drop to controversies facing the league, as well as changing viewing habits and a possible saturation point in the number of games available. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writers Stephen Battaglio and Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

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Trump credits himself with facilitating talks between North and South Korea By Associated Press President Trump says his tough stance on nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula is helping push North Korea and South Korea to talk. Trump tweeted early Thursday: With all of the failed experts weighing in, does anybody really believe that talks and dialogue would be going on between North and South Korea right now if I wasnt firm, strong and willing to commit our total might against the North. Fools, but talks are a good thing!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 That assertion is in conflict with some of the presidents own statements. Last year, he ridiculed Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for talking about negotiations with the North. This week, Trump seemed open to the possibility of an inter-Korean dialogue after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a rare overture toward South Korea in a New Years Day address. But Trumps ambassador to the United Nations insisted that talks wont be meaningful unless the North is getting rid of its nuclear weapons. The overture about talks came after Trump and Kim traded more bellicose claims about their nuclear weapons. In his New Years Day address, Kim repeated fiery nuclear threats against the United States. Kim said he has a nuclear button on his office desk and warned that the whole territory of the U.S. is within the range of our nuclear strike. Trump mocked that assertion Tuesday evening in a tweet. Facebook

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After disbanding his vote fraud panel, Trump still says voting system is rigged By Brian Bennett One day after disbanding his troubled voter fraud commission without any findings of fraud, President Trump continued to call the U.S. voting system rigged and said states should require that Americans have voter-identification cards. In two tweets on Thursday morning, Trump blamed the commissions failure on the lack of cooperation from mostly Democrat States that refused to hand over voter rolls because they know that many people are voting illegally. However, voting supervisors in Republican-led states refused as well, objecting on privacy and other grounds. Many mostly Democrat States refused to hand over data from the 2016 Election to the Commission On Voter Fraud. They fought hard that the Commission not see their records or methods because they know that many people are voting illegally. System is rigged, must go to Voter I.D.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 As Americans, you need identification, sometimes in a very strong and accurate form, for almost everything you do.....except when it comes to the most important thing, VOTING for the people that run your country. Push hard for Voter Identification!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Despite Trumps assertions, analysts have not found evidence of widespread voter fraud. Trump created the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity in May after alleging, without proof, that millions of illegal votes were cast for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. Trump was elected after winning a majority in the electoral college, but the nationwide count showed Clinton received nearly 3 million more votes. The commission sought personal data on voters across the country and faced mounting lawsuits in recent months over privacy concerns. Read More Facebook

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Trump touts another good day for stocks, credits tax cut By Associated Press President Trump touted another good day for the stock market Wednesday in a tweet. Stock Market had another good day but, now that the Tax Cut Bill has passed, we have tremendous upward potential. Dow just short of 25,000, a number that few thought would be possible this soon into my administration. Also, unemployment went down to 4.1%. Only getting better!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Big gains for technology and healthcare stocks helped U.S. indexes set records again Wednesday. Some analysts attributed the surge to investor enthusiasm for Trumps $1.5-trillion tax cut. All told, Wall Street analysts estimate the tax package should boost earnings for companies in the Standard & Poors 500 index by roughly 8% this year. Thats much more generous than the average tax cut of 1.6% that middle-class families will receive, according to the Tax Policy Center. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 The public has been less enthusiastic about the tax law. A Monmouth University poll last month found that nearly half of Americans disapproved of it, with only 26% in support. Still, as Trump also noted on Twitter, some workers have seen a benefit: So far, dozens of companies have announced bonuses and higher minimum wages as a result of the tax cut. AT&T, Comcast, Bank of America, and American Airlines have all pledged to pay $1,000 bonuses to their employees. Some 40 U.S. companies have responded to President Trumps tax cut and reform victory in Congress last year by handing out bonuses up to $2,000, increases in 401k matches and spending on charity, a much higher number than previously known. https://t.co/bmWrwWzxMR  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Investors also appear less concerned than many politicians about how the additional profits will be used. The Trump administration says it expects companies will plow much of the extra profit back into their businesses, purchasing more software, machinery, and other equipment. Those investments will make workers more productive and provide a key boost to the economys long-run growth. They should also boost wages and salaries for employees. Opponents of the tax law respond that companies are more likely to pass the windfall on to shareholders in the form of higher dividend payments and share buybacks, which raise the price of those shares still in investors hands. Previous cuts in corporate tax rates, in the United States and overseas, havent always led to higher wages. For Wall Street, its all good, at least in the short run. Most analysts take the view that either way, companies and the economy will benefit. Facebook

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Trump reacts to death of Mormon Church president By Associated Press President Trump mourned the death of Mormon Church leader Thomas S. Monson on Wednesday evening. Trump tweeted a link to a statement in which he said that Monson demonstrated wisdom, inspired leadership, and great compassion and delivered a message of optimism, forgiveness, and faith. Melania and I are deeply saddened by the death of Thomas S. Monson, a beloved President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...https://t.co/ETD3fWtfU3  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 A church bishop at the age of 22, Monson became the youngest church apostle ever in 1963 at the age of 36. He served as a counselor for three church presidents before assuming the role of the top leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in February 2008. After a life of church service, Monson died Tuesday at his home in Salt Lake City, according to church spokesman Eric Hawkins. He was 90. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets that Iranian protesters will see great U.S. support at the appropriate time By Associated Press President Trump continued to express support for Irans anti-government protesters on Wednesday. In a tweet, Trump commended the protesters and pledged that the United States will support them at the appropriate time. Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Trumps tweet Wednesday morning came as Iranian Ambassador Gholamali Khoshroo sent a letter to United Nations officials complaining that Washington was intervening in a grotesque way in Irans internal affairs. The President and Vice-President of the United States, in their numerous absurd tweets, incited Iranians to engage in disruptive acts, the ambassador wrote to the U.N. Security Council president and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The U.S. didnt immediately respond to the letter, which maintains that Washington has crossed every limit in flouting rules and principles of international law governing the civilized conduct of international relations. At least 21 people have been killed and hundreds arrested in Iran during a week of anti-government protests and unrest over economic woes and official corruption. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people took part in counter-demonstrations Wednesday backing the clerically overseen government, which has said enemies of Iran are fomenting the protests. Trump has unleashed a series of tweets in recent days backing the protesters, saying Iran is failing at every level and declaring that it is time for change in the Islamic Republic. Facebook

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Trump congratulates Sen. Orrin Hatch upon news of his retirement By Associated Press President Trump congratulated Sen. Orrin Hatch for an absolutely incredible career upon news of Hatchs impending retirement. In a tweet Tuesday afternoon, Trump called Hatch a tremendous supporter and wrote that he will be greatly missed in the Senate. Congratulations to Senator Orrin Hatch on an absolutely incredible career. He has been a tremendous supporter, and I will never forget the (beyond kind) statements he has made about me as President. He is my friend and he will be greatly missed in the U.S. Senate! pic.twitter.com/0VjzLEeHTl  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Hatchs decision to retire from the Senate after four decades lets the Utah Republican walk away at the height of his power after helping to push through an overhaul of the tax code and persuading Trump to downsize two national monuments. Retirement also preserves the 83-year-olds legacy by allowing him to avoid a bruising reelection battle that would have broken his promise not to seek an eighth term. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweet exaggerates progress in improving veterans care By Associated Press President Trump played up tremendous progress in improving care for veterans in his first year on Tuesday in a tweet. His message linked to an Instagram video describing eight accomplishments that show Trump is fighting for our veterans. But it overstates the impact of these steps. We will not rest until all of Americas GREAT VETERANS can receive the care they so richly deserve. Tremendous progress has been made in a short period of time. Keep up the great work @SecShulkin @DeptVetAffairs! https://t.co/ir25vW15hx pic.twitter.com/OtuzIgxMn6  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Of the eight achievements cited, two are ceremonial proclamations recognizing National Veterans and Military Families Month and National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Two are pieces of legislation that extended the troubled Veterans Choice program on a temporary basis. This became necessary because the Trump administration repeatedly miscalculated the amount of taxpayer dollars available to pay for care from private doctors outside the Veterans Affairs system when veterans had to endure long waits for treatment at VA medical centers. The departments poor budget planning caught lawmakers off guard. A fifth claim involves telehealth, a step letting doctors practice medicine across state lines using digital technology. Announced in August, it has yet to take full effect because a proposed VA regulation hasnt been completed. The VA wants authority to practice across state lines to come from legislation, not a regulation. On Wednesday, the Senate approved a telehealth measure that now goes to the House. A sixth claim refers to legislation that streamlines the appeals process for disability compensation claims within the VA. This step has had limited effect so far because it applies to new disability claims, not the 470,000 pending claims. The last two initiatives make it easier for the VA to discipline employees. The department has pointed to more than 1,300 employees who have been fired under Trumps watch. Because their infractions are not detailed in public documents, the effect on veterans care is not fully known. Facebook

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Trump unleashes his first tweetstorm of 2018 By Noah Bierman President Trump clearly didnt resolve to change his Twitter habits this year. With nine disparate tweets over three hours on Tuesday morning, the first working day of 2018, Trump continued to exploit social media to be the most aggressive commentator in chief in American history. For any other president, his posts would have made for a monumental day of (mis-)statements. Yet for Trump, the series  attacks on political foes and media, provocations of foreign leaders and self-praise for events he had nothing to do with  was all but unremarkable. His Twitter barrage  sent between 7:09 a.m. and 10:16 a.m.  reflected a familiar gamut after nearly a year in office: Attacks on political foes: Nearly 14 months after his election, Trump called for the jailing of Huma Abedin, Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid (his misspelling, another occasional feature of Trump tweets). Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid, Huma Abedin, has been accused of disregarding basic security protocols. She put Classified Passwords into the hands of foreign agents. Remember sailors pictures on submarine? Jail! Deep State Justice Dept must finally act? Also on Comey & others  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 In the same tweet, he disparaged the Deep State Justice Dept, headed of course by his appointees, calling on it to act against James B. Comey, the FBI director he fired for investigating the Russia thing. Diplomatic provocations: Trump again called North Korean leader Kim Jong Un Rocket man, ridiculed the volatile nuclear-armed foe for recent military defections and openly speculated about potential talks between North and South Korea. Sanctions and other pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea. Soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea. Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not - we will see!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not  we will see! Trump wrote. Later Tuesday, Trump tweeted: North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Also later Tuesday, Trump tweeted an attack on Pakistan, his second in as many days, and added a new one against Palestinians: It's not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others. As an example, we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 ...peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Undermining media: Trump offered Congratulations! to A.G. Sulzberger, who took over as publisher of the New York Times this week. The Failing New York Times has a new publisher, A.G. Sulzberger. Congratulations! Here is a last chance for the Times to fulfill the vision of its Founder, Adolph Ochs, to give the news impartially, without fear or FAVOR, regardless of party, sect, or interests involved. Get...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 ....impartial journalists of a much higher standard, lose all of your phony and non-existent sources, and treat the President of the United States FAIRLY, so that the next time I (and the people) win, you wont have to write an apology to your readers for a job poorly done! GL  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 But the two-part post was really yet another slam against a perceived media foe: Trump said the paper had a last chance to fulfill its journalistic mission, and accused it of relying on phony sources and substandard reporters  just days after he granted another exclusive interview to the paper. As a bonus, the tweet contained a recycled falsehood, that the paper apologized after the election for reporting on him unfairly. It didnt. Trump later said on Twitter that he would soon announce the most dishonest & corrupt media awards of the year. Stay tuned! I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 oclock. Subjects will cover Dishonesty & Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media. Stay tuned!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 The president also tweeted a quote from Fox Business Networks Lou Dobbs Tonight, which aired a segment praising Trumps first-year accomplishments. Dobbs reportedly joined Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday for a gala to celebrate New Years Eve. President Trump has something now he didnt have a year ago, that is a set of accomplishments that nobody can deny. The accomplishments are there, look at his record, he has had a very significant first year. @LouDobbs Show,David Asman & Ed Rollins  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Taking credit: Trump congratulated himself for policing the border with Mexico, an area where his policies and anti-immigration rhetoric are believed to have had some effect on reducing illegal crossings. Thank you to Brandon Judd of the National Border Patrol Council for your kind words on how well we are doing at the Border. We will be bringing in more & more of your great folks and will build the desperately needed WALL! @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 He took credit for employee bonuses by companies after he signed Republican tax cuts into law last month. Companies are giving big bonuses to their workers because of the Tax Cut Bill. Really great!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 But the jaw-dropper was Trump congratulating himself for planes not crashing. Since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation. Good news - it was just reported that there were Zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 It was the safest year on record worldwide, but the American streak without commercial jet passenger deaths goes back to 2009. Trump, who has promoted deregulation as one of his top accomplishments, has not signed off on any new airline safety regulations. The White House pointed to new security screening of passengers, to electronic devices to prevent terrorist attacks and to Trumps support for privatizing air traffic control  a proposal that has gotten nowhere in Congress. Falsehoods: Trump said President Obama, in brokering the 2015 nuclear arms limitation deal with Iran, foolishly gave money to the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. He didnt. The people of Iran are finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. All of the money that President Obama so foolishly gave them went into terrorism and into their pockets. The people have little food, big inflation and no human rights. The U.S. is watching!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 The nuclear deal, which included major U.S. allies as signators, released Irans own funds that had long been frozen. Trumps art of the deal: When Trump sees a big deal looming, he often blasts the other side  to gain leverage, as hes written. This week he resumes a showdown with Democratic lawmakers over funding the government and immigration protections for so-called Dreamers, who were brought to the country illegally as children. Democrats are doing nothing for DACA - just interested in politics. DACA activists and Hispanics will go hard against Dems, will start falling in love with Republicans and their President! We are about RESULTS.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Trump, who in September ordered a gradual end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, sought to shift blame for the resulting controversy, saying Democrats are doing nothing for DACA and are just interested in politics. Trump has insisted that any help for Dreamers be paired with funding for a border wall and a crackdown on legal immigration. Democrats, and some Republicans, are opposed. Read More Facebook

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In tweet, Trump suggests U.S. will withdraw financial assistance to Pakistan By Shashank Bengali Pakistan lashed out Monday after President Trump accused its leaders of lies & deceit and suggested the United States would withdraw financial assistance to the nuclear-armed nation it once saw as a key ally against terrorism. It was the presidents latest broadside against Pakistan after a speech in August in which he demanded its leaders crack down on the safe havens enjoyed by Taliban militants fighting U.S.-backed forces in neighboring Afghanistan. The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018 U.S. Ambassador David Hale was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to discuss the presidents statement, U.S. Embassy spokesman Richard Snelsire said. Pakistan lodged a strongly worded protest and asked for clarification about Trumps comments, according to two foreign office officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Pakistans prime minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, called a Cabinet meeting for Tuesday and a meeting of the National Security Committee on Wednesday to discuss Trumps New Years Day tweet. Read More Facebook

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Trump continues to tweet in support of Iranian protesters By Laura King President Trump expressed renewed support Sunday for protesters in Iran, declaring that people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. In a tweet from his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, the president said the nationwide economic protests that began on Thursday  and have taken on wider political overtones as they have grown in size  were a signal that Iranians will not take it any longer. Big protests in Iran. The people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. Looks like they will not take it any longer. The USA is watching very closely for human rights violations!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Trump has tweeted about the protests for three days straight as Iranians took to the streets despite a heavy police presence, tear gas and scores of arrests. The defiance gained urgency after two people were reported shot to death in the city of Dorud, about 200 miles southwest of Tehran. As the conflict escalated, Iranian authorities on Sunday slapped a temporary ban on Instagram and the messaging app Telegram, which were widely used to fan protest fervor. Iran, the Number One State of Sponsored Terror with numerous violations of Human Rights occurring on an hourly basis, has now closed down the Internet so that peaceful demonstrators cannot communicate. Not good!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Irans leaders already are casting Trumps increasingly effusive expressions of support for the demonstrators as opportunistic meddling and are painting the demonstrators as foreign pawns, adopting a strategy that some analysts say could jeopardize the legitimacy of the nascent antigovernment protests. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets condolences after Colorado deputies are shot in ambush, one fatally By Associated Press A man fired more than 100 rounds at sheriffs deputies in Colorado early Sunday, killing one and injuring four others, before being fatally shot himself in what authorities called an ambush. Two civilians were also injured. President Trump expressed sorrow, writing on Twitter: My deepest condolences to the victims of the terrible shooting in Douglas County @DCSheriff, and their families. We love our police and law enforcement - God Bless them all! #LESM  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said deputies came under fire almost
Trump called him my African-American. But he has few kind words for the president. By Mark Z. Barabak (Mark Z. Barabak/Los Angeles Times) On the day that changed his life, Gregory Cheadle almost stayed in bed. He was tired  he traveled a lot in his long-shot bid for Congress  but asked himself: How often does a candidate for president come to the far reaches of Northern California? And why pass up a crowd and the chance to hand out more fliers? So Cheadle roused himself that June 2016 morning and secured a spot up close when Donald Trump swooped in for a rally at Reddings municipal airport. It was hot, the atmosphere was loose and Trumps patter seeming more stand-up comedy than campaign spiel. He went into one of those sidelong digressions, about protesters and an African American  great fan, great guy  and, by the way, whatever happened to him? It was then, Cheadle said, he raised his hand and jokingly shouted, Im here. Trump looked and pointed, his voice a throaty rumble. Look at my African-American over here! he exclaimed. Are you the greatest? In the days and weeks that followed Cheadle was attacked on social media and harassed by people who dug up his phone number and email address. For a time he stayed home, too nervous to venture outside. All, he said, because the media portrayed him as something he was not and never has been: a Trump sycophant. Read More Facebook

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Trump quietly signs Russia sanctions bill By Noah Bierman President Trump quietly signed legislation Wednesday that imposes new sanctions on Russia and limits his ability to remove them, according to two White House aides. Trump signed the bill without cameras or an immediate press release. He had opposed imposing new sanctions on Moscow but had little choice after a nearly unanimous Congress approved the bill, guaranteeing they would override a veto. The bill, which also imposes new sanctions on Iran and North Korea, prevents American companies from investing in many energy projects that are funded by Russian government interests. It also prevents Trump from unilaterally lifting the sanctions. It thus marked an unusual move by Congress to tie the presidents hands on foreign policy. Trump did not want to give up that leverage. But the vote in Congress was a strong sign that lawmakers do not trust Trump to stand up to Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom Trump has repeatedly praised, and the widening federal investigation into possible coordination last year between his presidential campaign and Moscow. Passage of the sanctions bill already has sparked a harsh reaction in Moscow. Putin announced last week that the United States would need to shed 755 personnel, including U.S. diplomats, from its embassy and consulates in Russia. President Obama expelled 35 Russian diplomats, said to be spies, from the United States last December. A White House aide said a statement would be issued later Wednesday. Facebook

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Senior GOP senators serve notice: No action on healthcare at this point By David Lauter Trump administration officials continue to push the Senate to take another run at healthcare legislation, but on Monday senior Republican senators pushed back, making clear that theyre done with the topic for now. Theres just too much animosity and were too divided on healthcare, Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), the head of the Senate Finance Committee, said in an interview with Reuters. I think we ought to acknowledge that we can come back to healthcare afterward, but we need to move ahead on tax reform, Hatch said. His remarks were quickly followed by others in GOP leadership positions. I think its time to move on to something else, Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri told CNN. If the question is do I think we should stay on healthcare until we get it done, I think its time to move on to something else. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota also chimed in. Until someone shows us how to get that elusive 50th vote, I think its over, he told reporters. The remarks seemed a coordinated effort to respond to administration officials, including budget director Mick Mulvaney and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, who said over the weekend that they wanted the Senate to keep working on healthcare. Last week, the Senate defeated several different Republican plans to repeal all or part of the Affordable Care Act. The votes made it clear that with unified Democratic opposition to repeal, and divisions among Republicans, the campaign to overturn the law has stalled out, at least for now. Congress faces several other pressing issues that will be demanding lawmakers attention, including deadlines at the end of September to raise the federal debt ceiling and fund government agencies for the coming fiscal year. And the administration is eager to move on tax proposals, with officials rather optimistically saying they hope to see votes by November on a tax package that is not yet written. Facebook

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Good news for Atty. Gen. Sessions: Trump has 100% confidence in Cabinet By Noah Bierman To Q re Sessions, spox Sanders says Trump has 100% confidence in Cabinet. Last wk she wouldn't say if he had it in Sessions. Kelly effect?  Jackie Calmes (@jackiekcalmes) July 31, 2017 President Trump has called Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions beleaguered and even VERY weak, but Sessions seemed to get good news from the White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, on Monday. Trump has 100% confidence in all of his Cabinet secretaries, Sanders said in response to a question about Sessions job status during the daily White House briefing. Last week, when speculation about Sessions was rife, Sanders repeatedly declined opportunities to provide assurances that the attorney general enjoyed the presidents full confidence. Trump himself said time will tell when he was asked last week about Sessions. The willingness to tamp down speculation about Sessions may reflect the arrival Monday of retired Gen. John F. Kelly as the new White House chief of staff. He is tasked with restoring order to the administration. Sanders also batted down reports that the White House was discussing moving Sessions to another post, as secretary of Homeland Security. That job became vacant Monday after Kelly was sworn in as Trumps new chief of staff. Sanders said the White House has had no conversations about any Cabinet members switching jobs. Republican senators have publicly opposed firing Sessions, and a couple have objected to shifting him to another post as well, given that it could appear that Trump is trying to affect the investigations of himself and his campaign in the context of Russias election interference. Trump has said publicly that his frustration with Sessions, once among his closest allies, stems from Sessions decision to recuse himself from the Russia investigation, an act that led to the appointment of a special counsel. Facebook

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Can Trump really cut health insurance payments for members of Congress and their staff? It would be easy By Lisa Mascaro Reeling from the failure to repeal the Affordable Care Act, President Trump now threatens to block federal funding that lawmakers and their staff rely on to help buy health insurance. Trumps threats are not empty. The administration could simply stop the payments -- which are provided to Capitol Hill lawmakers and staff much the way many employers help pay employees monthly insurance premiums -- by dashing off new federal regulation. But the easy attack on lawmakers skims over what many say was a complicated, but fair-minded, compromise made during the Obamacare debates several years ago. Under Obamacare, if lawmakers want insurance through their employer - the federal government - they are required to buy policies through the ACA exchanges. There had been great criticism at the time, largely from opponents of the healthcare bill, that lawmakers and congressional staff should not be exempt from the law. The argument was they should have to live under it. So they did. Usually those buying individual insurance on the exchanges can apply to see if their income and geographic area allow them to qualify for a federal subsidy. For lawmakers, though, that was prohibited. Instead, they get the regular employer contribution they did before, much in the same way other workers do when their companies buy insurance. For federal workers, the government covers about 70% of the costs, about the same paid by employers in the private sector, according to Kaiser Family Foundation. The administration affirmed that federal support for lawmakers and their staffs in an Office of Personnel Management regulation issued in 2013. To cut those funds off, Trump administration could simply reverse course, and issue another regulation changing the rules. Trump appeared ready to do so in a series of weekend tweets. Why should Congress not be paying what public pays, Trump tweeted over the weekend. If a new HealthCare Bill is not approved quickly, BAILOUTS for Insurance Companies and BAILOUTS for Members of Congress will end very soon. But such a move would likely cause an uproar in Congress. Its not just members of Congress, but also their staffs, who would have to pay full price for their insurance. Stopping Trumps action, though, seems tough. It would require Congress to pass legislation ensuring the federal payments would continue to be made. Few lawmakers would likely take up that cause. And even if Congress were able to pass a bill protecting the payments, it seems doubtful Trump at this point would sign it into law. Facebook

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U.S. hits Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with sanctions By Associated Press Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro celebrates the results of Sundays election in Caracas. (Ronaldo Schemidt / AFP/Getty Images) The Trump administration has hit Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with financial sanctions. The move comes after Venezuela held a weekend election that will give Maduros ruling party virtually unlimited power in the South American country. The Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control announced the sanctions against Maduro in a brief statement on Monday, a day after the Venezuelan vote to elect a constituent assembly that will rewrite the constitution. A longer explanation from the White House was also expected. The administration imposed sanctions on more than a dozen senior current and former Venezuelan officials last week, warning the socialist government that new penalties would come if Maduro went ahead with Sundays election for the assembly. Facebook

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Anthony Scaramucci is out as White House communications director By Brian Bennett Anthony Scaramucci, the brash New Yorker who was announced little more than a week ago as President Trumps White House communications director, was ousted Monday before he had even officially taken the job. John F. Kelly, the newly sworn-in White House chief of staff, told Scaramucci around 9:30 a.m. EDT that he was going to be replaced, according to a person close to White House. In a statement officially announcing the move, the White House said Scaramucci felt it was best to give Chief of Staff John Kelly a clean slate and the ability to build his own team. While Scaramuccis time at the center of the presidents circle was short, it was consequential, prompting the resignations of first Sean Spicer as White House press secretary and then Reince Priebus as chief of staff. The most notable firings and resignations in the Trump administration >> A former hedge fund executive on Wall Street, Scaramucci, who enjoyed media attention, also had come on strong stylistically, highlighted by a profane tirade against colleagues Priebus and Trump strategist Steve Bannon in an exchange last week with a New Yorker reporter. The abrupt shift in Scaramuccis status seemed to reflect Kellys mission to bring order to the chain of command within the chaotic administration. In getting Scaramucci to leave, Kelly was undoing Trumps own hiring decision. Scaramucci had told reporters when he was hired that he would be reporting directly to the president at Trumps request, bypassing the normal chain that would have the communications director -- like all staff -- report to the chief of staff. Scaramuccis unusually short tenure reflects a moment of extreme turbulence in the White House, which has been embroiled in infighting as it confronts low poll numbers for the president, a floundering legislative agenda and the investigations involving Russian meddling in last years presidential election. After word spread of Scaramuccis ouster, Spicer, who resigned when Scaramucci took over but was still working in the White House, walked out of his office to a throng of reporters. Is this a surprise party? he asked. UPDATE 12:15 p.m.: This story has been updated throughout with additional details and background. This article was originally published at 11:49 a.m. Facebook

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Trump swears in John Kelly, says ex-secretary of Homeland Security will do an even better job as chief of staff By Noah Bierman President Trump swore in his new chief of staff, John F. Kelly, on Monday morning, formalizing a shake-up in his top ranks that was announced Friday evening with word of the resignation of Reince Priebus. We look forward to - if its possible - an even better job as chief of staff, Trump said to Kelly, formerly the secretary of homeland security. Ill try, sir, Kelly replied. JOHN KELLY is now chief of staff. Sworn in during ceremony in Oval Office minutes ago. pic.twitter.com/dMEQ4rhpFA  Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) July 31, 2017 Trump is hoping that Kelly, a retired general, will retool and bring order to a White House that has struggled with low poll numbers, staff infighting, a faltering legislative agenda and an investigation into Russian election meddling and potential collusion and obstruction of justice. Yet Trump said the administration has done very well after a reporter asked what would be different under Kelly. He cited the unemployment rate, the thriving stock market and unnamed polls that, he said, show high business confidence. Were doing very well. We have a tremendous base, he said.The country is optimistic. And I think the general will just add to it. Trump praised Kellys performance at the Department of Homeland Security, where Kelly focused on immigration issues at the southern border, as record-shattering, with very little controversy. There was no word on whom the president might name to replace Kelly at the department. Trump reportedly has considered moving Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions there from the Justice Department, reflecting his unhappiness with the attorney general, but Republican senators preemptively have signaled their opposition to such a move. Facebook

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Risky investigation, stalled agenda  Trumps in trouble, so heres his strategy By Noah Bierman (Spencer Platt / Getty Images) Hosts of Southern Californias Morning Answer radio show were wrapping up a two-hour live broadcast from a white tent just outside the West Wing last week and marveling at their access to Cabinet secretaries and prominent administration figures. If youre a Trumpkin, host Brian Whitman told his listeners on AM 870, this is like fantasy camp. The White Houses daylong hospitality for Salem Radio Network, a nationwide chain of Christian and conservative stations, underscored President Trumps continued courtship of  and increased dependence on  core supporters as he confronts a stalled agenda and increasingly perilous investigations into whether his campaign colluded with Russia and he subsequently sought to obstruct the inquiries. Read More Facebook

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Obamacare vote isnt the only sign of GOP resistance to Trump By Noah Bierman In the year since Donald Trump won the Republican presidential nomination, party leaders have been reluctant to challenge a man who has formed a tight bond with conservative voters, even when he upset party orthodoxies and norms of presidential behavior. But that reticence is breaking down. A convergence of contentious issues, as well as embarrassing infighting and shake-ups at the White House, have a number of Republicans suddenly in open resistance to Trump on a number of fronts. Read More Facebook

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Trump ousts Reince Priebus as chief of staff in latest White House shake-up By Noah Bierman John Kelly (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump ousted his beleaguered chief of staff, Reince Priebus, naming Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly to replace him Friday in the latest White House shake-up as the administration struggles to emerge from bitter staff infighting and a stalled legislative agenda. Trump announced the abrupt reshuffle in three posts on Twitter hours after the Senate killed his latest plans to rewrite President Obamas signature healthcare law, dealing another harsh blow to the White House. The tweets, sent as Trump was returning on Air Force One with Priebus after a speech on gang violence in New York, caught Capitol Hill and others off guard even though Priebus stature in Trumps inner circle has been in sharp decline for some time. Read More Facebook

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Putins spokesman accuses U.S. of political schizophrenia By Associated Press Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attends a meeting in Moscow on June 21. (Sergei Karpukhin / EPA) Russia urged the United States on Monday to show political will to mend ties even as it ordered sweeping cuts of U.S. embassy personnel unseen since Cold War times. President Vladimir Putins spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said it will take time for the U.S. to recover from what he called political schizophrenia, but added that Russia remains interested in constructive cooperation with the U.S. We are interested in a steady development of our ties and are sorry to note that we are still far from that, he said. Peskovs statement followed Sundays televised comments by Putin, who said the U.S. would have to cut 755 of its embassy and consulate staff in Russia, a massive reduction he described as a response to new U.S. sanctions. The Russian Foreign Ministry had previously said that the U.S. should cut its embassy and consular employees to 455, the number that Russia has in the United States. Along with the caps on embassy personnel announced Friday, it also declared the closure of a U.S. recreational retreat on the outskirts of Moscow and warehouse facilities. Moscows action is the long-expected tit-for-tat response to former President Obamas move to expel 35 Russian diplomats and shut down two Russian recreational retreats in the U.S. over reports of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Facebook

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White House urged to refrain from Obamacare sabotage as Trump mulls subsidy cutoff By Laura King A pair of prominent lawmakers urged President Trump on Sunday not to sabotage the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, in the wake of failed Republican efforts to scrap his predecessors signature legislative achievement. But Trump urged GOP senators to try again to push through some version of repealing and replacing the law, even though Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said last week it was time to move on to other matters. Trump senior advisor Kellyanne Conway said the president would decide in coming days whether to block subsidies that are a crucial component of the existing healthcare law. Hes going to make that decision this week, and thats a decision that only he can make, Conway said on Fox News Sunday. Two of the lawmakers who blocked the Senate GOP repeal plan last week, however, criticized the administrations continued efforts to overturn the law. Sen. Susan Collins, the Maine Republican who steadfastly rejected a series of GOP healthcare measures last week, blamed the Trump administration for encouraging instability in the insurance markets by continuing the uncertainty over whether the subsidies  cost-sharing payments that reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs for poorer Americans  would continue. Im troubled by the uncertainty that has been created by the administration, Collins said on NBCs Meet the Press. She contested Trumps characterization of the payments as an insurance company bailout. Thats not what it is, she said, calling the reduction payments vital assistance to low-income Americans. And Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said further action on healthcare should be done in a bipartisan manner and not rushed. You cannot do major entitlement reform singlehandedly, and you wouldnt do major legislative initiatives singlehandedly, she told reporters in Alaska. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) echoed Collins criticism of Trumps threat to stop making the cost-sharing payments. You know, I really think its incomprehensible that we have a president of the United States who wants to sabotage healthcare in America, make life more difficult for millions of people who are struggling now to get the health insurance they need and to pay for that health insurance, he said on CNNs State of the Union. Prior to heading out for a day at his Virginia golf property, Trump tweeted that Republican senators should press ahead with efforts to scrap Obamacare -- a day after he tauntingly exhorted them not to be quitters in the quest for a legislative victory for him. Don't give up Republican Senators, the World is watching: Repeal & Replace...and go to 51 votes (nuke option), get Cross State Lines & more.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 30, 2017 The White House budget director, Mick Mulvaney, on CNNs State of the Union, said it was official Trump administration policy that the Senate should keep working to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, eschewing an August recess if necessary. Senators, he said, need to stay, they need to work -- they need to pass something. Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, while acknowledging a responsibility to follow the law -- Obamacare -- also signaled that Trump was not accepting defeat in efforts to get rid of the measure. Our goalas well as the presidents goal, is to put in place a law, a system, that actually works for patients, he said on Meet the Press, adding, You cant do that under the current structure. Facebook

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Frustrated in defeat, Trump threatens healthcare of voters  and lawmakers By Joseph Tanfani Frustrated by the failure of the Obamacare repeal in the Senate, President Trump on Saturday threatened to end federal subsidies for healthcare insurance  for Congress as well as the rest of the country. After seven years of "talking" Repeal & Replace, the people of our great country are still being forced to live with imploding ObamaCare!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017 If a new HealthCare Bill is not approved quickly, BAILOUTS for Insurance Companies and BAILOUTS for Members of Congress will end very soon!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017 If a new HealthCare Bill is not approved quickly, BAILOUTS for Insurance Companies and BAILOUTS for Members of Congress will end very soon! Trump tweeted, fuming about Congress failure to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which he said was imploding. Such a move could cause havoc and much higher premiums in insurance markets, since many low- and moderate-income people depend on those subsidies to help cover the cost of their policies. Through a series of administrative maneuvers by Congress and the Obama administration, members and their staffs also benefit from those subsidies. Targeting congressional healthcare might score Trump some populist points with his base, but it would likely come at a cost of poisoning his relationship with Congress. Just making the threat on Saturday highlights how far things have eroded between Trump and top GOP lawmakers. And it comes a day after Trump pushed out former Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, an establishment Republican who was the GOP congressional leaderships trusted liaison in the White House. Trump actually has a jarring amount of leverage over thousands of congressional staff who depend on employer health care contribution. https://t.co/lRPmrmDIJs  Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) July 29, 2017 Trumps longstanding threat to let the health insurance plans fail would come with its own political price. The federal government sends about $600 million a month to insurance companies to help cover the cost, and Trump is threatening to cut that off to allow Obamacare markets to collapse. His goal is to pressure Congress to send him a repeal bill, but so far the strategy has failed. The confidence Trump has expressed that if he followed through with the threat the fallout would land not on him but on Democrats, because they created Obamacare, is not widely shared in Washington. If health care collapses, voters will blame Trump and the GOP.



That's what happens when you control the White House and Congress. pic.twitter.com/iEjEGyapAL  Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) July 29, 2017 Facebook

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Iran condemns new U.S. sanctions, vows to pursue missile program By Ramin Mostaghim Iran defied Washington and condemned new U.S. sanctions over its development of missiles capable of being armed with nuclear warheads. We will continue with full power our missile program, Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi told state television IRIB on Saturday, dismissing new sanctions passed by Congress last week as, hostile, reprehensible and unacceptable. Its ultimately an effort to weaken the nuclear deal, Ghasemi said, adding, The military and missile fields  are our domestic policies and others have no right to intervene or comment on them. Iran had agreed to limit its nuclear activities under the 2015 agreement with the U.S. and other world powers in exchange for sanctions relief. Ghasemi argued Saturday that the U.S. had violated that agreement by linking the missile program to the nuclear deal and restricting Iranian banking activities in the U.S. He argued that Irans latest missile tests dont break the agreement because the weapons are defensive. The new wave of pressure on missile projects in Iran will push the Islamic theocracy into a corner, predicted Iran analyst Hojjat Kalashi in Tehran, noting that the government of President Hassan Rouhani, who was reelected in May, is coping with an economic downturn and may step back from the compromise nuclear deal. The new Iran sanctions bill, which also targets Russia and North Korea, was passed by the House and Senate this week. It would penalize those involved in Irans ballistic missile program as well as those who do business with them, impose an arms embargo on Iran and label its Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps a terrorist group. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders has said President Trump will sign the bill. On Friday, the U.S. was joined by Britain, France and Germany in condemning Irans recent launch of a satellite-carrying rocket and warned that it violated a United Nations resolution implementing the 2015 nuclear deal. In a joint statement, they urged Iran to stop developing missiles and rockets capable of carrying nuclear warheads that have a destabilizing impact on the region. In response to a rocket launch Thursday, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on subsidiaries of an Iranian company involved in Tehrans ballistic missile program. But Nader Karimi Juni, an analyst close to Rouhanis government, said Iranian leaders dont believe the U.N. and European powers will ultimately back the U.S., and so Iran will not compromise on missile projects and will remain defiant. Facebook

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Trump jabs U.S. mayors, who push back, calling president out of touch with cities By Kurtis Lee (Spencer Platt / Getty Images) President Trump wants police to know that he  not mayors  has their back. Ive met police that are great police that arent allowed to do their job because they have a pathetic mayor or a mayor that doesnt know whats going on, Trump said Friday in a speech before police officers in Brentwood, N.Y. The comments from Trump, who in his address highlighted crime in cities like Chicago and Los Angeles, drew applause from some in attendance. In a statement following Trumps remarks, the United States Conference of Mayors, a bipartisan group, released a statement pushing back against the president. The presidents comments today prove how out of touch he is with the realities of life in American cities. Mayors number one priority is  and always will be  the safety and protection of their residents, said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, the groups president. There is no daylight between the mayors of our cities and the uniformed officers who work tirelessly to keep us safe every single day. During the speech Trump called on police and immigration officials to be rough with suspected gang members in cities nationwide. In a recent interview with The Times, former New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who recently launched a $200-million initiative to empower city governments and mayors, stressed the key to good governing is experience as a manager  something, he said, Trump was not. Bloomberg added that the mayors are much more in tune with the needs of residents than the federal government. You got to remember a mayor and the local city council are much closer to the public than the governor and the state legislature, or the president and the federal legislature. So if the public is in favor of something, the local officials know it and they get held responsible, he said. Facebook

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The growing parade of exits under Trump administration By Len de Groot A lot of people have left President Trumps early administration  Chief of Staff Reince Priebus was replaced Friday. The White House communications department has been the scene of many of the recent turnovers as it wrestles to craft a message sometimes at odds with Trumps frequent tweeting. At the National Security Council, there has been a leadership struggle since Michael Flynn resigned in the face of pressure over undisclosed contacts with Russia. One appointee was fired over comments he made at a private function. Others have been removed as Flynns successor, H.R. McMaster, has moved to add loyalists to the council. Here are the most noteworthy departures: Read More Facebook

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Trump urges officers and immigration officials to be rough on animals terrorizing U.S. neighborhoods By Barbara Demick ( (Evan Vucci / Associated Press)) President Trump on Friday called for police and immigration officials to be rough with suspected gang members in order to rid the country of animals he said are terrorizing communities. Please dont be too nice, Trump told police recruits at Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood, a heavily Latino suburb of New York City. Like when you guys put somebody in the car and youre protecting their head, you know the way you put the hand  like, dont hit their head, and theyve just killed somebody?  You can take the hand away. He implied that he was satisfied with rough handling of suspects by the police. When you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon  you just see them thrown in, rough, he said. Scoffing at calls for what he describes as political correctness, Trump also renewed his pledges to build a wall along the Mexican border. He accused the Obama administration of admitting criminals into the United States. Read More Facebook

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Analysis: In a Washington run by men, two overshadowed Republican women make their point on healthcare By Cathleen Decker In a Washington that has grown demonstrably more testosterone-fueled since President Trumps inauguration, it took two Republican women to secure the end of a long effort to repeal and replace Obamacare. They were the same two women  Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski  who had been excluded from the 13-member working group drafting the Republican bills. Nobodys being excluded based upon gender. Everybodys at the table, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had said of his all-white-males group. In the early hours of Friday, the duo was overshadowed by the more dramatic and unexpected no vote from Sen. John McCain of Arizona. There was reason for the attention lavished on McCain  a war hero and veteran senator returns to the Capitol days after a dire cancer diagnosis. But without both Collins and Murkowskis steadfast opposition, his vote would have been meaningless. Also largely overlooked: Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono, a Democrat who like McCain made an arduous trip to Washington despite her recent diagnosis of late-stage kidney cancer. Social media buzzed Friday with praise for the women senators from many fronts, including from men. But from many women, there was also a sense of familiarity at being ignored or taken for granted. Read More Facebook

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Clinton Foundation donor who was denied a visa settles leak case against the U.S. By Joseph Tanfani A billionaire Nigerian businessman and major Clinton Foundation donor banned from entering the U.S. two years ago on terrorism grounds has settled a lawsuit against the U.S. government. Gilbert Chagoury last year sued the FBI and other government agencies in U.S. District Court in Washington, saying he had been damaged by what he described as improper government leaks to the Los Angeles Times. The Times reported last year that Chagoury had been denied a visa to travel to the U.S. in 2015 on suspicion that he had provided aid to terrorist groups. One document, citing unverified information from an unnamed source, said that Chagoury  who is of Lebanese heritage  had funneled funds to Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia and political group designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. Chagoury, an ardent Lakers fan who for decades lived part of the year in Los Angeles, angrily denied that he ever provided funds for terrorism. He said the publicity forced him to sell his Beverly Hills mansion at a loss and caused a bank to close his account. A philanthropist, Vatican ambassador and longtime friend of Bill Clinton, Chagoury once was invited to the White House after contributing to a Democratic get-out-the-vote campaign. He donated at least $1 million to the Clinton Foundation. Emails released last year showed that a Bill Clinton aide pushed Hillary Clintons aides at the State Department to get Chagoury access to top U.S. diplomats. In the settlement filed in court on Friday, the Justice Department said Chagoury has never appeared on the list of Specially Designated Nationals, figures such as terrorists and narcotics traffickers who are generally barred from doing business in the U.S. The government did not grant Chagourys request for a court hearing to dispute the reports that led to his exclusion from the U.S. As I have often said, I have loved America my whole life because it was the land of freedom and justice, he said in a statement, adding that he hopes the agreement will help repair his reputation. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Chagoury, who lives most of the time in Paris, has not applied for another visa, said his spokesman, Mark Corallo. Facebook

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Trump ousts Priebus, announces John Kelly as new chief of staff President Trump announced via Twitter on Friday that he had named retired Gen. John Kelly, head of the Department of Homeland Security, as White House chief of staff, replacing Reince Priebus. I am pleased to inform you that I have just named General/Secretary John F Kelly as White House Chief of Staff. He is a Great American....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017 ...and a Great Leader. John has also done a spectacular job at Homeland Security. He has been a true star of my Administration  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017 I would like to thank Reince Priebus for his service and dedication to his country. We accomplished a lot together and I am proud of him!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017 Read More Facebook

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Rep. John Delaney of Maryland to run for president By Associated Press Rep. John Delaney of Maryland says hes running for president, instead of governor or reelection, in 2018. Delaney, a Democrat, announced his plans in a statement Friday. The politically moderate banking entrepreneur is in his third term in Marylands 6th Congressional District, which includes western Maryland and a large section of Montgomery County, the states largest county. The 54-year-old is worth roughly $90 million and is one of the Houses wealthiest members. He spent about $2 million to help finance his first House race in 2012. His consideration of a possible Maryland gubernatorial bid months ago quickly drew interest in his House seat. Several candidates already have expressed interest in running for the seat. Facebook

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McCain set to head back to Arizona to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments By Kurtis Lee (Shawn Thew / EPA) Sen. John McCain is headed home. Hours after McCain spurned his party and voted in opposition to a GOP measure to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the senators office announced Friday he will return to Arizona to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments for his recent diagnosis of brain cancer. McCain, 80, was found this month to have a brain tumor known as a glioblastoma. He is scheduled to return to Washington in September after his initial treatments. The glioblastoma  an aggressive type of cancer  was discovered when McCain had a blood clot removed from above his left eye. According to the Mayo Clinic, which is overseeing McCains treatment, glioblastoma is difficult to treat. After returning to Washington this week and voting in favor of opening Senate debate on repeal, McCain was among three Republicans early Friday morning to vote in opposition to a so-called skinny bill that would repeal the ACA, known as Obamacare. The move by McCain, who has served in the Senate since 1987, has drawn the ire of members in his own party and some in the right-wing media. Facebook

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McCains surprise vote doomed GOP healthcare bill, but did it open the door for Senate bipartisanship? By Lisa Mascaro Sen. John McCain is usually happy to spar with reporters, but he ducked into an elevator ahead of the Senate healthcare vote late Thursday without saying a word about how he would vote. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, though, already knew the answer. The Democratic leader had been talking with the Arizona Republican all week  four, five times a day  ever since McCain returned to work after being diagnosed with brain cancer. Earlier in the week, McCain had dramatically salvaged the stalled GOP bill by voting to begin debate, only to go on to deliver a blistering speech against his own party leaders partisan, closed-door process in crafting it. Weve been spinning our wheels on too many important issues because we keep trying to find a way to win without help from across the aisle, he told them. Were getting nothing done. Schumer and McCain have been longtime colleagues, a kind of frenemies who seem like throwbacks to an earlier era of Congress. They worked together on big legislation, including the 2013 immigration overhaul  grand ideas that seem all but impossible in todays Congress. They had plenty to discuss. About the Senate, about it working again, about working together, and about how this bill was so poor for the American people, Schumer said. And he knew that, so did half his colleagues, but he had the courage to vote no. The moment stunned the Senate when McCain stepped up to cast his vote  a single down-turned finger  dooming the healthcare bill. Audible gasps filled the galleries, which were packed with onlookers. But his vote  along with no votes from Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska  did more than shelve the long campaign to repeal the Affordable Care Act. It cracked open a new divide in the Senate, which seems to be split not so much between Republicans and Democrats, but by those senators who want to work together versus those stuck in hardened partisan tribes. Read More Facebook

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U.S. hits Iran with more sanctions in response to satellite launch By Associated Press The United States is slapping Iran with new sanctions in response to its launch of a satellite-carrying rocket into space this week. The sanctions target six Iranian subsidiaries of the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group. The Treasury Department says that group is central to Irans ballistic missile program. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says the sanctions illustrate deep U.S. concerns about Irans missile testing and other actions. He says the U.S. will continue countering Irans ballistic missile program, including Thursdays provocative space launch. The U.S. has said that launch flouted a U.N. Security Council resolution because the technology is inherently designed to be able to carry a nuclear payload. The sanctions come as the Trump administration continues debating its Iran policy and whether to scrap the 2015 multilateral deal that limits the development of Irans nuclear capabilities. Facebook

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Political betrayal. McCain vote against Obamacare repeal draws ire from conservative writers By Kurtis Lee (Cliff Owen / AP) Though John McCain was one of three Republicans who helped Democrats squash the legislation to repeal Obamacare, conservative media is homing in on the Arizona senator for spurning his party in the healthcare vote. Here are some of todays headlines: John McCain: Traitor to the conservative cause (Washington Times) McCain, who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer, has been a staunch opponent of Obamacare, but in the end he could not support the so-called skinny repeal measure put forward by his colleagues in the Senate. In this piece, Cheryl K. Chumley, jabs McCain for his vote. For American voters expecting their Republican-dominated House, Senate and White House to honor their years of repeal promises and actually, well, repeal Obamacare, McCains thumbs-down was a face-slap moment that will be remembered in history as a textbook classic case of political betrayal, she writes. McCains odd definition of leading the fight to stop Obamacare (National Review) This article is simple  its a quick compare-and-contrast of McCains recent comments versus his vote on Friday. Last year, during a tough reelection, McCains campaign ran a television ad that boasted the senator is leading the fight to stop Obamacare. But last night his office put out a statement noting the GOP Senate bill did not offer a replacement to actually reform our health care system and deliver affordable, quality health care to our citizens. The author of this piece, Jim Geraghty, concludes: Its very difficult to characterize McCains decision as leading the fight to stop Obamacare. Thats more like leading the fight to keep Obamacare in place while you continue to look for a replacement that you like better. John McCain burns Mitch McConnell sides with Democrats (American Spectator) When McConnell, the majority leader, stood on the Senate floor Friday after the bills failure, he was clearly annoyed. McCains no vote had led to applause moments earlier from Democrats. In a move thats no surprise to anyone, John McCain voted against the embarrassingly named Skinny Repeal, voted against his party (or is it his party?) and voted to keep Obamacare going as is, writes Melissa Mackenzie. Facebook

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Meet the two female GOP senators who opposed the healthcare bill from the start By Kelcey Caulder Sen. John McCain shocked Republicans and Democrats alike with his vote early Friday morning to kill the latest Republican effort to repeal Obamacare. But McCain was not the only Republican to play a role in blocking the final version of the overhaul bill. Two female Republican lawmakers, Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, also voted against the bill. Collins has opposed repeal and replace efforts from the beginning, and Murkowski has also been critical of much of what the Senate Republican leadership has proposed. Collins said it would be a big mistake for Republicans to pass legislation without trying seriously to work with Democrats to reach bipartisan solutions. Instead, she called for both parties to work together to improve the healthcare system. Murkowski and Collins were the first from their party to come out against repealing the ACA without having new, replacement legislation on the table. In statements posted on Twitter, Collins, who voted against the same proposal in 2015, said she did not think it was constructive to repeal the law without a replacement, while Murkowski encouraged senators from both sides of the aisle to work together to address healthcare issues. I will vote no on the motion to proceed to repeal the Affordable Care Act without a replacement. I voted against this same proposal in 2015. pic.twitter.com/Szuke5zYNL  Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) July 18, 2017 My recent statement on the Senate Healthcare Process: pic.twitter.com/j19Ok1KwWw  Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) July 18, 2017 The two senators were also the only Republicans to vote against opening debate on repeal of Obamacare earlier this week. Their opposition to Republican healthcare efforts has drawn a lot of criticism within the party, some of it expressed in vulgar, even violent terms. Georgia Rep. Buddy Carter said in an interview Wednesday with MSNBC: Somebody needs to go over there to that Senate and snatch a knot in their ass. A Texas congressman said the female senators narrowly avoided an Aaron Burr-style showdown with him. President Trump publicly rebuked Murkowski on Twitter for her vote. Senator @lisamurkowski of the Great State of Alaska really let the Republicans, and our country, down yesterday. Too bad!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017 Trump has not criticized Collins by name for her vote, but warned Tuesday at a rally in Ohio that any senator who votes against repeal and replace is telling America that they are fine with the Obamacare nightmare, and I predict theyll have a lot of problems. Facebook

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The current Senate GOP effort to repeal Obamacare is dead. Now what? By Noam N. Levey (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) The sudden collapse of the GOPs Senate campaign to repeal or replace the Affordable Care Act does not mean the issue disappears. Significant problems and challenges remain, particularly for Obamacare insurance marketplaces. The defeat increases the odds that Congress will begin to look at a more limited approach to shore up the current law and stabilize markets. The GOPs repeal effort may return, but in the meantime heres a look at what a temporary fix might look like: Read More Facebook

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Paul Ryan responds to the failure of the GOP healthcare bill By Associated Press House Speaker Paul Ryan said Friday that hes disappointed and frustrated by the failure of Republican healthcare legislation in the Senate. But Ryan said in a statement that we should not give up after promising for years to repeal and replace Obamacare. We were sent to Washington to fulfill the pledges we made to our constituents, the statement said. While the House delivered a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare, unfortunately the Senate was unable to reach a consensus. At the same time, the speaker said that overhauling the tax code is at the top of the Houses list of priorities. He pledged to pursue historic tax reform in the fall. He issued his statement as the House prepared to leave Washington for its annual August recess. The House passed legislation repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act in May. But after a failed vote early Friday in the Senate, its not clear if GOP leaders will be able to resuscitate the efforts. Facebook

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Economic growth rebounded to 2.6% annual rate in second quarter By Jim Puzzanghera The Port of Los Angeles (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) The U.S. economy rebounded this spring after a weak winter, expanding at a solid 2.6% annual rate as consumers picked up their spending pace, the Commerce Department said Friday. Total economic output, also known as gross domestic product, for the April-through-June period was in line with analyst expectations for a bounce-back based in part on pent-up demand. The economic growth rate was more than double the 1.2% pace in the first quarter. That figure was revised down Friday from an earlier estimate of 1.4%. After the winter blues, the economy has rebounded, said Sung Won Sohn, an economist at Cal State Channel Islands. Read More Facebook

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Never mind healthcare. President Trump has made slogans great again By Mark Z. Barabak ( (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)) His promise to repeal and replace Obamacare has crashed and burned. Tax reform hasnt gotten far. The White House is in disarray, and big plans to rebuild the nations infrastructure have hit a brick wall. But there is one unimpeachable triumph President Trump can point to: Hes made great again great again. The Make America Great Again 2016 campaign slogan  limned in block letters and emblazoned on countless cherry-red ball caps  has been reimagined, repurposed and cheekily appropriated for countless pitches and commercial products. Apart from the now-familiar caps, mercantile options include aprons, beanies, beer cozys, coffee mugs, hoodies, leggings, swimsuits, T-shirts, water bottles and, for the special someone, Donald Trump Make America Great Again Womens Booty Shorts. But MAGA, as the president short-hands the phrase in Twitter posts, is also popping up in places having little or nothing to do with politics: on a catwalk at New Yorks Fashion Week, high in the sky promoting classical music in Phoenix, on the menu at an Italian restaurant in Atlanta. Read More Facebook

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If Adam Schiff is Californias next U.S. senator, he might want to thank President Trump By Mark Z. Barabak (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) The road to elected office can be long and winding and is not always paved with the best of intentions. Some politicians  think of the Kennedys or the Bush family  are born to the trade. Others are borne by tragedy. Former Santa Barbara Rep. Lois Capps succeeded her husband when he died of a heart attack. Former New York Rep. Carolyn McCarthy was spurred to run when her husband was killed and her son gravely wounded in a mass shooting on the Long Island Rail Road. Typically, though, the ascension is more methodical, one rung after the next, often with a pinch of right-place, right-time fortune thrown in for good measure. Lately that bit of luck has visited itself on Adam B. Schiff, in the form of Russian meddling and a president who hurls tweets like poison thunderbolts. Read More Facebook

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Kris Kobach says Trumps voter fraud panel will keep voter data secure. Some states arent buying it By Kurtis Lee (Jessica McGowan / Getty Images) After weeks of legal battles and bipartisan pushback from top election officials nationwide, President Trumps voter fraud commission has renewed a message for the states: Its safe to pass along your data about voters. Individuals voter registration records will be kept confidential and secure throughout the duration of the commissions existence, Kris Kobach, vice chairman of the commission, wrote in a letter sent late Wednesday to all 50 secretaries of state. Even so, by Thursday, much of the criticism that greeted an earlier request from the commission was repeated by election officials and activists, who have expressed concerns about privacy and have called the panel both a sham created by an insecure president and a tool to suppress votes. Trump  without evidence  has repeatedly alleged that 3 million to 5 million illegal votes were cast in last years presidential election. (Trump prevailed in the electoral college, while Democrat Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by about 3 million votes.) Read More Facebook

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President Trump said our guys are rougher than the violent gang MS-13. What did he mean? By Brian Bennett (SAUL LOEB / AFP ) When President Trump said this week his administration is going after bloodthirsty criminal gangs like the notoriously violent MS-13, he added a menacing flourish: Our guys are rougher than their guys. The comment raised concerns that Trump was instructing immigration agents to use excessive force when going after suspected gang members. Not so, Trumps top spokeswoman said on Thursday. I think the president means that our guys are going to do whatever it takes to protect Americans, protect American lives, protect our borders, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in response to a question about what Trump meant by rougher. Trump wants people to do their jobs, not go beyond the scope of what they should do, Sanders said. Trumps comment came during a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on Tuesday night. We are throwing MS-13 the hell out of here so fast, he said, boasting that his administration is liberating towns and cities from gangs. And, well, I will just tell you this, were not doing it in a politically correct fashion, Trump added. Were doing it rough. Our guys are rougher than their guys. Trumps comment was meant to boost morale among immigration officers looking to arrest and deport gang members, said one senior administration official, who would speak only without being identified to discuss the presidents thinking. As part of Trumps crackdown on immigrants in the country illegally, he has instructed the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to target a suspected gang member for deportation before that person has been convicted of a crime, said ICE director Thomas Homan. Homan joined Sanders at her daily briefing at the White House. The two spoke to preview the presidents Friday trip to Long Island, N.Y., where he will tout his administrations efforts against MS-13 and other gangs. For Trump, who grew up in Queens, recent headlines about MS-13 violence in central Long Island have hit close to home. In April, four young men were found hacked to death in a park in Central Islip, N.Y., a senior administration official told reporters Thursday night. He is a New Yorker and he knows New York, the administration official said. It is absolutely a personal issue. And he knows whats happening in New York -- and its not just Long Island -- is a tragedy and there are communities like that all across America. Facebook

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Boy Scouts chief apologizes for presidents political rhetoric at national Jamboree. Trump wont By Brian Bennett President Trump wont apologize for a surprisingly political speech this week to Boy Scouts that provoked a backlash for his attacks on his predecessor, his election rival, dissident Republicans and the news media. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders delivered that word on Thursday, just after a top executive of the Boy Scouts of America issued an apology on behalf of the organization for allowing the political rhetoric to occur during Trumps address Monday evening at the National Scout Jamboree held in West Virginia. Michael Surbaugh, the organizations chief executive, in a statement extended his sincere apologies to those in our Scouting family who were offended by the political rhetoric that was inserted into the jamboree. He noted that the groups invitation to the president to speak was in keeping with a long-standing tradition since 1937; eight of 11 incumbent presidents have attended. But, Surbaugh wrote, we have steadfastly remained non-partisan and refused to comment on political matters. We sincerely regret that politics were inserted into the Scouting program. At the White House, however, Sanders indicated that neither she nor Trump saw any reason to apologize, or considered his remarks in any way out of line. I was at that event and I saw nothing but roughly 40,000 to 45,000 Boy Scouts cheering the president on throughout his remarks, Sanders said. I think they were pretty excited that he was there and happy to hear him speak to them, she added. Sanders said she had not seen the statement from the Boy Scouts chief. During his rambling 38-minute speech to the Scouts in Glen Jean, W.Va., Trump criticized Hillary Clinton and President Obama and singled out congressional Republicans who were not in lockstep with him on healthcare. He got much applause and supportive chants from his audience, and even credited the Scouts -- who are too young to vote -- for being among the millions who elected him. But almost immediately, the Boy Scouts organization was inundated with protests from former Scouts, parents and others angered by the presidents partisan words. Facebook

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Trumps words kind of hurtful, Sessions says, but he has no plans to resign By Joseph Tanfani President Trumps scathing criticisms have been kind of hurtful, Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions said Thursday, even as he again signaled that he wants to stay on the job. He wants all of us to do our job, and thats what I intend to do, Sessions said in an interview with Tucker Carlson of Fox News. Separately, Sessions told the Associated Press that it hasnt been my best week  for my relationship with the president. He made the comment in El Salvador, during a visit to highlight joint efforts to take on the MS-13 gang. The attorney general said he hadnt met with Trump but looked forward to talking to him about it. If he wants to make a change, he has every right, Sessions said. I serve at the pleasure of the president. Ive understood that from the day I took the job. But, he said, I believe with great confidence that I understand what is needed in the Department of Justice and what President Trump wants. I share his agenda. The comments were the first this week on the subject from Sessions, who has been subjected to harshly critical tweets from Trump for three days. The president has called him weak and said he wasnt aggressive enough in going after leakers. Last week, after Trump criticized Sessions in a New York Times interview, Sessions told reporters he planned to stay on as long as it was appropriate. Sessions has seemed to redouble his attempts this week to win back the presidents favor. He announced another crackdown on so-called sanctuary cities that dont cooperate with immigration enforcement and on Friday traveled to El Salvador to highlight arrests of MS-13 gang members, both favorite topics of the president. The Justice Department also plans to address leaks next week. Sessions said his department was stepping up leak investigations. Some people need to go to jail, he said. The president has every right to ask the DOJ to be more aggressive on that, and we intend to. On Wednesday evening, after Anthony Scaramucci , Trumps incoming communications director, falsely claimed in a tweet that hed been the victim of a leak, Sessions chief spokeswoman released a statement agreeing that leaks are undermining the government and promising to aggressively pursue leak cases wherever they may lead. Trump has made it clear that he is most angry with Sessions for recusing himself from supervising the ongoing investigation into his administrations ties with Russia. But Sessions defended that decision. I understand his feeling about it because this has been a big distraction for him, he said on Fox. Im confident I made the right decision, the decision thats consistent with the rule of law, and an attorney general who doesnt follow the law is not very effective at leading the Department of Justice, he said. In the interview, Sessions reached back to Trumps campaign slogan to praise the president as a strong leader. He is determined to move this country in the direction that he believes it needs to go to make it great again, he said. Sessions has received considerable support in recent days from conservative Republicans, including many of his former Senate colleagues. On Thursday, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) went to the Senate floor to discourage Trump from moving against Sessions, saying that the Senate would not allow the president to make a recess appointment that would bypass the normal confirmation process. A recess appointment would allow Trump to appoint a person who could serve without confirmation until the start of 2019. Such appointments can only be made if the Senate formally takes a break, which senators of both parties have said they will avoid in order to prevent Trump from avoiding confirmations. If youre thinking of making a recess appointment to push out the attorney general, forget about it, Sasse said. The presidency isnt a bull, and this country isnt a china shop. 1:55 p.m.: This post was updated with additional remarks by Sessions and remarks by Sen. Ben Sasse. 5:50: This post was updated with additional quotes from Sessions interview. Facebook

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For Trump White House, cable television becomes the venue for intramural sniping By Noah Bierman President Trump and his aides love to complain about leaks from within the White House. But on Thursday, the infighting was out in the open. The incoming communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, in a morning phone call broadcast on CNN, compared the West Wing to a fish that stinks from the head down, implying that White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus is responsible for at least some of the leaks. Later, Trump press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders declined to come to Priebuss defense and say whether Trump has full confidence in his chief of staff. Another Trump advisor, Kellyanne Conway, used a prison analogy for the broader backstabbing among aides, telling Fox News that her West Wing colleagues were using the press to shiv each other. While the knifings might suggest a new level of chaos in a White House known for it, the style is all Trump. As a businessman, he has a history of fostering rivalries among his employees. He always did sort of like competition, backstabbing, infighting kind of stuff, said Barbara Res, who spent nearly two decades as a top executive in Trumps real estate business. He set people up to do that. Trump led the charge this week, using his Twitter account and an interview with the Wall Street Journal to ridicule his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, one of Trumps first and most prominent campaign supporters. By Thursday, both Priebus and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson were seeing their fates publicly debated, less than a week after Sean Spicer was forced out as press secretary after months of speculation and presidential slights. The Priebus intrigue was amplified by Scaramucci on Twitter and in the CNN interview. He blamed Priebus for leaking Scaramuccis personal financial disclosure forms -- which are publicly available -- and suggested that Trump encouraged Scaramuccis offensive in a phone conversation the two men had just before the aide dialed into CNN. When Sanders was asked about the Scaramucci-Priebus dustup, she said that the president likes healthy competition on his staff. The president likes that kind of competition and encourages it, Sanders said. The result is a White House that increasingly suggests the presidents former way of life. As the star of a reality TV show, he fomented internal competition and firings among apprentices; their cable television appearances, meanwhile, recall the confessionals familiar to reality show fans, in which characters confide directly to the camera their anger or enmity toward others on the show. The primary attribute for a successful tenure in the Trump White House is masochism, tweeted Rick Wilson, a longtime Republican operative and Trump critic. The repeated evidence of dysfunction and the high level of insecurity among Trumps core aides help explain the White Houses inability to focus on its agenda. Trumps critics voiced suspicions on Twitter that the public staff blow-up was a deliberate distraction from the struggle in Congress to pass a healthcare bill, as well as from the ongoing investigations into potential collusion between his presidential campaign and Russia and the backlash to Trumps surprise Twitter announcement on Wednesday that transgender people will be barred from military service. But those issues also were being heavily covered on cable news. The stories that were overshadowed were those Trump was trying to promote: a deal his administration helped strike with Foxconn to build a production facility in Wisconsin, possibly creating thousands of new jobs, and nascent efforts to craft a tax overhaul plan. Facebook

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Democrats criticize financial industry backgrounds of two Trump bank regulator nominees By Jim Puzzanghera Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) Senate Democrats on Thursday criticized the financial industry backgrounds of President Trumps nominees for two key banking regulatory positions, arguing they would not protect the interests of average Americans. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and others sharply questioned Joseph Otting, the former chief executive of Pasadenas OneWest Bank, and investment fund manager Randal Quarles during a confirmation hearing by the Senate Banking Committee. Trump nominated Otting to be the comptroller of the currency, a powerful regulator of national banks. Quarles has been tapped to be the Federal Reserves vice chairman for supervision, who is in charge of the Feds oversight of the nations largest bank holding companies and other regulatory efforts. The two are expected to be friendlier to the banking industry than recent Democratic appointees. Read More Facebook

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Senator warns Trump there will be holy hell to pay if he fires Sessions By Joseph Tanfani A prominent Republican Senator issued a blunt warning to President Trump not to interfere with the Russia investigation, saying any effort to get rid of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III could be the beginning of the end of the Trump presidency. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told reporters Thursday that there will be holy hell to pay if Trump fires Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, a favorite of conservatives who represented Alabama in the Senate for 20 years. Grahams warning was the sternest yet from Senate Republicans to Trump about the potential consequences of firing either Sessions or Mueller. The chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, Sen. Charles Grassley, (R-Iowa), issued his own warning in a tweet Wednesday night, saying his committee would not take up a nomination of a replacement attorney general this year, which is required before the Senate can vote to confirm. Everybody in D.C. Shld b warned that the agenda for the judiciary Comm is set for rest of 2017. Judges first subcabinet 2nd / AG no way  ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) July 27, 2017 Starting with an interview in the New York Times last week and continuing with a three-day barrage of critical tweets, Trump has raged at Sessions for his decision to recuse himself from supervising the investigation into the Russian attempts to influence the election, and into whether anybody involved in Trumps campaign participated in the scheme. Trump also has bitterly complained about Mueller, whom he has accused of leading a witch hunt, and Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod J. Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller and who is now supervising the probe. Justice Department regulations say that only the attorney general, or in this case Rosenstein acting in his place, can fire the special counsel. If Sessions were gone, Trump could try to appoint a replacement willing to carry out the firing. Graham said he will introduce a bill next week that would require court review if anyone tried to fire a special counsel who was investigating the president. I think Ill get all the Democrats and I hope to get a good number of Republicans, he said, adding that the enacting such a law is not just for Trump but for any future president. We need a check and balance here. Graham said Trumps campaign to marginalize and humiliate the attorney general is not going over well in the Senate or among conservatives. He also said Trump, who has called on Sessions to investigate his former rival Hillary Clinton, has gone way beyond what is acceptable in a rule of law nation. This is not draining the swamp, he said. What hes interjecting is turning democracy upside down..taking 200-year-old concepts that were a nation of laws and not men and trying to turn it upside down. Sen. Graham: "Any effort to go after Mueller could be the beginning of the end of the Trump presidency." https://t.co/6Pd60LrGRU pic.twitter.com/EXBOwBC35C  ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) July 27, 2017 Facebook

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Watch live: White House news briefing with Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders Facebook

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Trump administration threatens to retaliate against Alaska for GOP senators Obamacare repeal vote, news site reports By Noam N. Levey The Trump administration threatened to block federal aid to Alaska in an effort to bully one of the Republican senators opposed to the current Senate GOP push to roll back the Affordable Care Act, according to a report by the Alaska Dispatch News. The news site reports that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on Wednesday called Alaska Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan with a warning that Murkowskis vote had put Alaskas future with the administration in jeopardy. According to the report: Sullivan said the call from Zinke heralded a troubling message. Im not going to go into the details, but I fear that the strong economic growth, pro-energy, pro-mining, pro-jobs and personnel from Alaska who are part of those policies are going to stop, Sullivan said. I tried to push back on behalf of all Alaskans.  Were facing some difficult times and theres a lot of enthusiasm for the policies that Secretary Zinke and the president have been talking about with regard to our economy. But the message was pretty clear, Sullivan said. The threat followed disparaging comments made by the president about Murkowski, including a Twitter attack Wednesday morning Senator @lisamurkowski of the Great State of Alaska really let the Republicans, and our country, down yesterday. Too bad! Trump wrote. Murkowski dismissed the presidents attacks in an interview with MSNBC. Were here to govern. Were here to legislate, she said. Were here to represent the people who sent us here. And so every day shouldnt be about campaigning. Every day shouldnt be about winning elections. How about just doing a little bit of governing around here? Thats what Im here for. Murkowski and Maine Sen. Susan Collins were the only Republicans who voted against a procedural motion Tuesday to begin debating legislation rolling back the 2010 healthcare law, often called Obamacare. Sullivan, also a Republican, voted in favor of advancing the bill. Murkowski has urged a more open process to develop the legislation, which Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) has put together behind closed doors without committee hearings or input from Democrats. A spokeswoman for Zinke did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Facebook

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Iran angered by report that Trump wants additional nuclear inspections By Shashank Bengali Iran responded angrily Thursday to reports that the Trump administration would push for inspections of military facilities to ensure Tehran is complying with the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran will not succumb to further pressure, Hamid Reza Taraghi, a hard-line analyst who is close to Irans leadership, told The Times. Taraghi did not say whether Iran would refuse inspectors access to military facilities but insisted the Islamic Republic was complying with the agreement, which required Iran to shelve its nuclear program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions. President Trump has said he wants to tear up the deal and doesnt believe Iran is complying, although his administration certified it was in a report to Congress this month. The Associated Press reported Thursday that Trump was pushing for inspections of suspicious Iranian military sites, either to prove that Iran was violating the deal or force it to refuse, which could cause the agreement to collapse. Iranian officials have argued in the past that inspections of military sites would be off-limits. But under the agreement it signed with the United States and five other world powers, Iran agreed to the so-called Additional Protocol, which allows U.N. inspectors limited access to any site where illicit nuclear activity is suspected. Taraghi, a former lawmaker, said the Additional Protocol allowed for snap inspections and that international inspectors had installed closed-circuit cameras in all nuclear-related facilities. They have access to everything going on here on the ground, Taraghi said. What else do they want to know? It was not immediately clear what military sites the Trump administration was seeking to have inspected, or whether it had evidence that Iran was breaching the terms of the deal. U.N. inspectors monitoring Irans compliance had not requested access to military facilities as of July 25, according to a paper published Thursday by Mark Fitzpatrick, executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Washington. If US has good evidence of #Iran violations, then an inspection request is warranted, Fitzpatrick tweeted. A request designed to trap Iran into saying no isnt. Facebook

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Top U.S. general says Pentagon will not change policy on transgender troops until White House acts By W.J. Hennigan The nations senior military officer said Thursday that there will be no modifications to Pentagon policies for now despite President Trump social media posts declaring a ban on transgender troops in uniform. Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wrote in a memo to commanders and senior enlisted leaders of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines that the military will continue to treat all of our personnel with respect. Dunford said Pentagon policy on transgender troops would not change until the White House has issued Trumps directive to Secretary of Defense James Mattis through formal channels  not on Twitter  and the secretarys office issues guidance on implementation to the service chiefs. Its unclear when that might happen. The unusual memo appeared intended to calm widespread confusion and concern at the Pentagon, which was blindsided when Trump wrote Wednesday that Pentagon would not accept or allow transgender troops to serve in any capacity. The presidents posts appeared to reverse a year-old Pentagon policy that allowed transgender soldiers to openly serve for the first time, and to seek sex reassignment surgery, hormone therapy and other treatments at military hospitals. Trumps surprise announcement not only marked a retreat for the Pentagon push to bar gender-based discrimination. It also was an about-face for Trump, who had repeatedly vowed his support for the LGBT community during the campaign last year. The posts raised questions about the fate of thousands of transgender service members, including some deployed overseas, and whether they would be kicked out of the military under Trumps directive. Dunfords memo appeared to address those fears, at least for the short term. There will be no modifications to the current policy until the Presidents direction has been received by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary has issued implementation guidance, he wrote. In the meantime, we will continue to treat all of our personnel with respect, he added. As importantly, given the current fight and the challenges we face, we will all remain focused on accomplishing our assigned missions. In his tweets, Trump said he had decided to bar transgender troops because the military cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Experts said neither justification was accurate or fair since the expected medical costs were negligible and transgender troops have been openly serving for the past year without disruption. The sweeping declaration drew rebuke from war veterans and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy groups, who vowed to challenge Trump in federal court if self-identified transgender service members are forced out of the military. VoteVets, a liberal military veterans advocacy group, said Thursday it had collected more than 20,000 signatures from veterans, military families and other supporters to oppose the ban. Facebook

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Analysis: Trumps war against elites and expertise By Cathleen Decker (Saul Loeb / AFP/Getty Images) When President Trump campaigned this spring at the Hermitage, the home of Andrew Jackson, one part of his predecessors approach got a special endorsement. It was during the Revolution that Jackson first confronted and defied an arrogant elite. Does that sound familiar? Trump asked to laughs from his audience. When Trump ally and National Rifle Assn. President Wayne LaPierre teed off six weeks later on Americas greatest domestic threats, he cited not homegrown terrorists but what he termed the three most dangerous voices in America: academic elites, political elites, and media elites. The rhetoric against elites came from two men who would seem to be card-carrying members of the club: LaPierre made more than $5 million in 2015, the most recent year for which his compensation was publicly released. Trump lived before his inauguration in a gold-plated home in the sky above New Yorks Fifth Avenue, a billionaires luxurious domain. Yet for Trump and his allies, a war on elites has been central to the campaign which put him in the presidency and has maintained the loyalty of his core voters. Trump has taken particular aim at entities that could counter his power, which has helped stoke the ardor of his political backers. Read More Facebook

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Top Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway says colleagues using the press to shiv each other By Noah Bierman White House staffers continued their angry campaign against leaks -- and each other -- as top advisor Kellyanne Conway used vivid language in a Fox interview Thursday to denounce colleagues who are using the press to shiv each other in the ribs. The comments came shortly after Anthony Scaramucci, the new White House communications director, delivered his own attack on leakers -- all but blaming Reince Priebus, the White House chief of staff -- in an interview on CNN. If the Trump White House at times resembles a reality show, cable television has become the confessional booth where the players vent their anger at each other. That dynamic was on vivid display Thursday morning. Kellyanne Conway: "Now, there are leaks, and then there are people using the press to shiv each other in the ribs. Thats different." (Fox)  David Wright (@DavidWright_CNN) July 27, 2017 Conway largely backed Scaramucci without explicitly taking sides in his public war against Priebus, whom he publicly suggested leaked Scaramuccis financial disclosure forms to the press. The forms are public and available through a request. We just have to cut down on people thinking its cute and its popular and it somehow enhances their resume and their portfolio for later on to curry favor with folks who are more interested in covering the style and not the substance here, Conway said of those who leak to he press. Asked specifically whether she agrees with Scaramucci that Priebus leaked the financial forms, Conway passed on the opportunity to defend Priebus. Leakers are easier to figure out than many think, she said, perhaps ominously given Scaramuccis threats to fire suspects. This West Wing is a very small place. Facebook

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Warfare in the West Wing breaks into the open as Scaramucci takes aim at Priebus By Brian Bennett A knife fight for control of the West Wing broke into the open Thursday morning as President Trumps new communications director Anthony Scaramucci lashed out at White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus in a televised interview, accusing Priebus of leaking and standing in the way of Trumps agenda. The fish stinks from the head down, I can tell you two fish that dont stink, OK, and thats me and the president, Scaramucci said, calling in to CNNs morning show New Day. I dont like the activity thats going in the White House, he said. Scaramucci, who had said the day he was named to the White House job that he and Priebus were like brothers, drastically amended that in the interview, comparing the two of them to the brothers who, in the Bible, were the characters in the first murder. Some brothers are like Cain and Abel, other brothers can fight with each other and get along. I dont know if this is reparable or not  that will be up to the president, he said. Scaramucci on his relationship with Reince: "Some brothers are like Cain and Abel." Uh, Cain killed Abel. https://t.co/UQ8F9HiXLx  Dan Merica (@merica) July 27, 2017 President Trump has a track record of encouraging rivalries among people who work for him. Scaramucci said he had spoken with Trump for 15 minutes to go over what he was going to say before he called CNN, implying his warning to Priebus carried Trumps backing. Trump, Scaramucci said, has given me his full support and his full blessing. When Scaramucci was hired, Trump told him he would report directly to the president, bypassing the chief of staff, and setting up the clash that played out Thursday on national television. If you want to talk about the chief of staff, we have had odds, we have had differences. When I said we were brothers from the podium, thats because were rough on each other, Scaramucci said. The tension between Scaramucci and Priebus flared after Politico published a story Wednesday about Scaramuccis publicly available financial disclosure form showing he still stands to profit from his stake in an investment firm he founded. The disclosure form was available to the public because Scaramucci had been nominated earlier this year for a job at the Export-Import Bank of the U.S., and the forms become public 30 days after they are filed. But Scaramucci, in a tweet Wednesday night, seemed to imply Priebus had leaked the form to make him look bad, or knew who did, and called for an FBI investigation. He later deleted the tweet, apparently after being informed that the form was not leaked. Over the last five days, Scaramucci said to CNN, he has done a major amount of work interviewing assistants to the president and communications staff. He also had dinner with Trump on Wednesday night in addition to his phone conversation with the president Thursday morning. The two of them want everyone to know we have a very, very good idea of who the leakers are, who the senior leakers are, in the White House, he said. Scaramucci took aim specifically at Priebus for leaking details about internal White House discussions and maneuvers. If Reince wants to explain that hes not a leaker, let him do that, Scaramucci said. Scaramucci appears to be giving voice to Trumps frustration with people in the White House the president believes are slowing down policy efforts, even though Trump has shown a pattern of repeatedly stepping on his own efforts on healthcare, job creation and other initiatives with unplanned tweets on topics such as Russia, transgender troops and unfounded allegations of voter fraud. There are people inside this administration who think its their job to save America from this president, Scaramucci said. Its not their jobs ... to rein him in or do things to him that slow down his agenda. People in the Washington are back-stabbers, Scaramucci said. Im more of a front-stabbing person. Facebook

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Scaramucci tweets, then deletes, confusing statement that referred to information in Politico report as a leak By Colleen Shalby In a now deleted tweet, incoming White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci sent out a confusing statement Wednesday night, addressing information reported earlier by Politico as a leak. The article reported on Scaramuccis financial disclosures. According to Politico, those details had been filed with the Office of Government Ethics, so its unclear what  if anything  was leaked information. Scaramuccis tweet further confused as it ended with White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus Twitter handle. Just before those characters, he noted that he intended to contact the FBI and the Justice Department. Some speculated that Scaramucci was implying that Priebus was behind the leak. But in a new tweet roughly two hours after the original, he tweeted what appeared to be a clarification, correcting a headline of news site Axios. Wrong! Tweet was public notice to leakers that all Sr Adm officials are helping to end illegal leaks, he tweeted, ending it  once again  with Priebus handle. Wrong! Tweet was public notice to leakers that all Sr Adm officials are helping to end illegal leaks. @Reince45 pic.twitter.com/AB0reseuX1  Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) July 27, 2017 Five days ago, Scaramucci, responding to a question about reported tensions between him and the chief of staff, said he and Priebus are a little bit like brothers, where we rough each other up a little, which is totally normal for brothers. 10:15 p.m. PT: This post was originally published at 8:52 p.m. It was updated with information from Scaramuccis new tweet. Facebook

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Senate Judiciary chair fires off warning to Trump about Sessions By David Lauter Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, fired off an unmistakable warning to President Trump on Wednesday evening: Dont even think about trying to get a new attorney general confirmed this year. Trump has been publicly tormenting Jeff Sessions, appearing to want to push the attorney general into stepping down from his job. But in a tweet, Grassley made it clear that if Trump pushed Sessions out, he would have to live with an acting attorney general for a long time. Everybody in D.C. Shld b warned that the agenda for the judiciary Comm is set for rest of 2017. Judges first subcabinet 2nd / AG no way  ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) July 27, 2017 Any nominee for attorney general would have to pass through the Judiciary Committee before getting a confirmation vote, so Grassleys no way would be a formidable barrier. Grassley has been an administration loyalist on nearly all issues so far, but as a veteran senator, he has a strong independent streak and, as previous administrations have found, he can be implacable if angered. His message comes as conservative allies rally support for Sessions. Several other Republican senators have spoken out in favor of the attorney general, a former colleague who was well liked during his years as senator from Alabama. Senate Democrats already have said they would use procedural motions to prevent the Senate from formally going on a recess this summer, blocking Trump from making a recess appointment that would bypass the Senate. Republicans used similar maneuvers to block recess appointments by President Obama. If Sessions were to step down and not be replaced, Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein would become acting attorney general. Trump has been critical of Rosenstein as well as Sessions, so that option presumably would not appeal to him. Facebook

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Under fire from Trump, Sessions should stay focused on his job, White House says By Joseph Tanfani (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) In spite of a daily barrage of Twitter attacks from President Trump, the White House press secretary said Wednesday that Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions should stay focused on performing his duties as the nations top law enforcement officer. You can be disappointed in someone and still want someone to continue to do their job, Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Wednesday, hours after Trump criticized Sessions for the third straight day  this time for not replacing acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe. Sessions was one of Trumps earliest and most loyal supporters, but the relationship has turned icy as Trump continues to seethe about Sessions decision to step aside from supervising the investigation into alleged Russian interference with last years election. Sessions was at the White House for meetings Wednesday, the second time this week hes visited the West Wing, but once again did not see Trump, Sanders said. Sanders did not clear up the main question surrounding Trumps strategy of publicly battering the attorney general: If the president is so unhappy, why doesnt he simply fire Sessions? Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Wednesday that Trumps apparent attempt to humiliate Sessions into quitting was a sign of weakness. To me, weakness is when you play around the edges, and you dont use the power you have, Graham said in an interview on CNN. Sanders said that Trump wants Sessions to continue to lead the Department of Justice. He wants him to focus on things like immigration, leaks and a number of other issues, she said. One of Trumps public complaints has been that Sessions hasnt been aggressive enough in pursuing leakers of classified information. In fact, the Justice Department is expected to announce next week some leak prosecutions. On Tuesday, Sessions also announced new measures to cut off some federal funds to so-called sanctuary cities that dont cooperate with immigration enforcement, another favorite issue for the president. But Sanders added that, at this point, a leak investigation would not salvage Sessions standing with Trump. I dont think thats the nature of the relationship, she said. In two tweets Wednesday morning, Trump criticized Sessions for not replacing McCabe, whose wife ran for office as a Democrat in Virginia in 2015. He suggested that McCabe had a conflict of interest in his duties as deputy director of the FBI during the investigation of Hillary Clintons handling of classified emails as secretary of State, although McCabe did not move into that job until months after his wifes campaign was over. McCabe took over the bureau as acting director when Trump fired James B. Comey in May. Sanders also declined to answer a question on why Trump did not fire McCabe himself, saying only that Trump looked forward to seeing his nominee as FBI director, Christopher Wray, be confirmed by the Senate soon. Facebook

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Trump, on Twitter, announced a ban on transgender service members. Now the military has to figure out what he means By Brian Bennett (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) President Trump surprised even the Pentagon on Wednesday morning by his unexpected announcement, via Twitter, of a ban on transgender service members. The military has not had a chance to decide how to put such a ban into effect, acknowledged Trumps top spokeswoman, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, as she fielded numerous questions on the topic later from White House reporters. Secretary of Defense James Mattis, who was on vacation, wasnt informed until Tuesday that Trump had decided to bar transgender service members from serving in any way. Sometimes you have to make a decision and once he made a decision, he didnt feel it was necessary to hold that decision, Sanders said. The president concluded, based on consultations with his national security team, that allowing transgender individuals to serve erodes military readiness and unit cohesion, she said. White House and Pentagon officials had been discussing details of medical coverage for transgender service members on active duty. But Trump went far beyond that with his series of tweets that the military will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the military. It will be up to the Defense Department to determine the specifics of the policy, including whether active-duty transgender service members will be kicked out of the military, Sanders said. Estimates of the number of current service members who are transgender range from 1,300 to about 16,000. The implementation policy is going to be something that the White House and Department of Defense will have to work together to lawfully determine, Sanders said. I would imagine the Department of Defense will be the lead on that, she added. Trumps tweets overshadowed other announcements he had planned to make Wednesday about adding manufacturing jobs to the economy and donating $100,000 of his second-quarter paycheck to the Department of Education to support science and math education. The president has expressed concerns since this Obama policy came into effect, Sanders said. She added that the president considered allowing transgender people in the ranks is a very expensive and disruptive policy. At one point, an exasp
Some of the stereotypes that prevail in a given geographic area go unrecognized by the people who hold them, and even more often, theyre not acknowledged. But psychologists know that such bias is widespread.

New research finds that when more white people in a community hold African Americans in greater suspicion, that prevailing view may influence police behavior in ways that drive the outsize use of lethal force against African Americans by cops.

Its a finding likely to stir controversy and spark new interest in the phenomenon of implicit bias  the beliefs and prejudices we hold beneath our level of awareness.

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Studied and measured by psychologists since the early 1990s, these unconscious views, which sometimes conflict with the opinions we explicitly embrace, are thought to shape our behavior every day. That influence may be subtle, psychologists say. But its never more powerful than when we are under extreme stress or time pressure, as police officers often are.

In a study published Thursday, a trio of psychologists built a map of the racial bias and stereotypes that prevail among whites across the United States. They gathered individuals answers to a pair of online tests that measure implicit bias and stereotypes about black and white people. The, they arranged them in geographical clusters according to the recorded location of the test-taker.

When the researchers overlaid those maps with their hot spots of white racial bias and presumption of violent intent against African Americans, they discerned a strong correlation with a very different map: one showing where, in the first nine months of 2015, African Americans were killed by police in disproportionate numbers.

The study, published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, was conducted by psychologists Eric Hehman and Jessica K. Flake of Ryerson and York universities, respectively, in Toronto, and by UC Davis social psychologist Jimmy Calanchini.

It relied upon millions of individuals scores on online tests taken between 2003 and 2013. Those quizzes use word associations and time pressure to capture beliefs and associations that people hold and make without always being aware of those biases. The researchers also used a database of people killed by police in the United States (called The Counted) that has been compiled by the the Guardian newspaper since the start of 2015.

Of the two measures of community belief  implicit racial bias and a stereotyped view that black people are more threatening than whites  the latter was a better predictor of disproportionate police killings of black people. When many more white people in a given community revealed in tests that they considered black people more threatening than whites, that community was more likely to have rates of lethal force against black people that were out of proportion to their numbers in the local population.

The idea here is that context influences behavior, Hehman said. Our behavior is shaped not just by our own beliefs, he said, but by beliefs that are dominant in a community.

Were tapping into that and finding the associations, he added.

Researchers have long believed that demographic factors such as poverty, high crime and employment rates, and a preponderance of idle young men are the most powerful drivers of police officers use of lethal force. Because black communities typically have higher rates of all those factors, outsize rates of police killings in those communities are to be expected, many believe.

The new research does not cast doubt on that explanation. But it does offer evidence that a psychological factor  prevailing racial attitudes in a community and police officers embrace of those views  may be a contributor too.

The present research provides evidence that prevailing racial attitudes and beliefs in a region are related to life-or-death decisions that police officers make in the line of duty, the researchers wrote. Other studies have found that an individuals biased racial associations may influence life-or-death decisions. This study, the authors contend, extends that finding to whole communities.

By now, Hehman said, police officers disproportionate use of lethal force against African Americans has been pretty solidly established.

We still dont understand all the factors that are giving rise to this phenomenon, he added. This is really a first step in examining this. Its really been impossible to do this before without data. Hopefully, over time and with more research, we can do better.

melissa.healy@latimes.com

@LATMelissaHealy

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Kate Shindle was performing concerts on a cruise ship in the Bahamas when a theater colleague suggested she see a Broadway musical about the life of a lesbian, with a book and original score by two women.

That year, the actress attended the 2015 Tony Awards and learned more about Fun Home, the musical that received 12 nominations and five awards  the most of any show that year.

I saw the show and thought, I want that job,  Shindle said. I was really determined because this piece of theater was particularly important.

Two years later, Shindle is playing the role she wanted in Fun Homes first national tour, running Aug 1-6 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

The musical is based on author Alison Bechdels 2006 best-selling graphic memoir, which explores her 1970s childhood in rural Pennsylvania.

Audiences follow Alison at three different ages as she explores and unravels the many mysteries of her childhood that connect with her in surprisingly new ways. She focuses on her relationship with her father, Bruce, a funeral director and high school English teacher who obsesses over restoring the familys Victorian house. Bruce, a closeted gay man who struggled with his orientation, committed suicide.

The musical chronicles Alisons own struggle with her sexual identity and coming out to her parents.

Shindle plays Alison during her third stage of life  a grown woman reflecting on the family drama.

Im sensitive to the fact that Alison is an ally to the LBGTQ community, and theres only so much of her life that I can understand, Shindle said. Ive never had that experience, and theres a certain amount that you can understand, and I try to be aware of that.

Of Alison Bechdel, Shindle says, Shes great  nothing but awesome.

Fun Home marks the largest tour Shindle has done.

She was crowned Miss America in 1998, Miss Illinois in 1997 and voted president of the Actors Equity Assn. in May 2015  the youngest person and the third woman to hold the office for the labor union, which represents more than 50,000 actors and stage managers nationwide.

Fun Home is considered groundbreaking, as it not only was the first time a Broadway show had a lesbian leading role, but it also was the first show written exclusively by women to win Best Musical. Playwright and lyricist Lisa Kron and composer and music arranger Jeanine Tesori became the first female writing team to win Best Score.

The show opened on Broadway at the Circle in the Square Theatre, following its sold-out run at The Public Theater and it went on to win Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book, Best Direction and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role at the Tony Awards.

This show is tremendously meaningful to me, Shindle said. Its amazing. Kids will come to the stage door, shaking and crying. They havent seen something that reflects their life. Plenty of people come up and say, Im not gay, my dads not gay, but they can see themselves in it and how it relates to families. Its universal.

If You Go

What: Fun Home

When: Aug. 1 to 6; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday

Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

Cost: Tickets start at $29

Information: (714) 556-2787 or visit scfta.org.

kathleen.luppi@latimes.com

Twitter: @KathleenLuppi
The sixth annual Golden Foodie Awards will recognize the best culinary stars at independent Orange County restaurants with a star-studded event Sept. 24 at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa.

Orange County food enthusiasts are invited to vote using the Golden Foodie website during a three-week period beginning Aug. 5 and ending Aug. 21. Winners will be announced Sept. 24 at the awards gala, which the Los Angeles Times, parent company of TimesOC, is sponsoring.

Categories include Best Bartender of the Year, Best Bar Program, Best Lunch Spot in Orange County and Rising Star Chef of the Year Award. Each of the three weeks, a group of seven or eight categories will come up for voting.

For each category, the individual or restaurant with the most votes at the end of each week wins.

To vote, visit goldenfoodieawards.com/vote.html.

kathleen.luppi@latimes.com

Twitter: @KathleenLuppi
Harry Potter, Junie B. Jones, the three little pigs and other literary characters from more than 400 books were in search of new homes this month as the FirstBook Tesoro club led its first book drive at Tesoro High School in Rancho Santa Margarita to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Southern California.

Tesoro student Sara Kurd-Misto co-founded the club with her school friends after seeing television advertisements for First Book, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit that provides books and educational materials to children in need.

Through the Ronald McDonald House, hundreds of picture books, novels and works of nonfiction the club collected this month will be relayed to children at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo and to Syrian burn victims set to arrive at Shriners Hospital in Pasadena, Sara and her mother, Susan Baaj, said.

Its a cycle  you help someone and then they help others, said Baaj, chairwoman for the Foothill Ranch-based Syrian Institute for Progress, which arranges treatments for Syrian children who have fallen victim to chemical bombs and barrels.

The one-day book drive held this month gathered materials from neighbors, friends, classmates and club members who parted with pieces of their literary collections.

I donated my One Direction books, Sara told her mother as she unloaded some boxes at the drive.

Wow, that is big, Baaj said.

I knew youd be proud, Sara said.

Among the heaps of books were titles like John Greens Paper Towns, C.S. Lewis The Magicians Nephew, and works by Dr. Seuss.

Tesoro student Oksana Aldendeshe dropped off a copy of Jostein Gaarders Sophies World, a philosophy book that reminded the club of when they read it for the Advanced Placement European History class.

The girls giggled and reminisced over a young Justin Bieber after Tesoro student Breeana Warren plucked a paperback copy of Ronny Blooms 2010 book Justin Bieber (Get the Scoop) out of the pile.

Tesoro student Sydney Kim sifted through titles like Junie B. Jones and turned to her twin sister, Taylor Kim, asking, Remember when we were obsessed [by] these?

We were really interested in starting this club because we all have a love for reading and we want to spread our love for that, Sydney said.

Student members in FirstBook Tesoro, which formed this past school year, planned the book drive at the start of summer by deciding who would receive the books and by distributing fliers for the drive on mailboxes and in parks.

During the school year, the club also raised funds for First Book.

What stuck out to me is that some kids dont have books and dont read, Sara said. After doing some research, I found that California has some of the most illiterate cities in the whole United States.

Within the next year, the club plans to host additional book drives and find ways to personally deliver books to children in local areas, including Title I schools.

Alexandra.Chan@latimes.com

Twitter: @AlexandraChan10
Axis Research & Technologies announced the opening of a new medical research and educational facility at its campus on Hale Avenue in Irvine.

The 10,100-square-foot stand-alone training ground for medical device manufacturers, surgeons and hospitals features two private lab suites that simulate an operating room, as well as a 2,200-square-foot multistation bio-skills lab that can accommodate up to 12 stations.

The facility also offers venues and services for seminars, including a 100-seat stadium-style amphitheater.

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Dickeys Barbecue Pit coming to Irvine

Dickeys Barbecue Pit, a Dallas-based chain, is opening a new restaurant in Irvine.

The restaurant, in the Westpark Plaza Shopping Center on Alton Parkway, is slated to open in February. It replaces Gaufree, a waffle sandwich shop.

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Newport company invests in Temecula center

Citivest Commercial Investments LLC recently acquired a major portion of Temecula Town Center for $60 million, according to a news release.

The Newport Beach-based real estate company has 241,980 square feet of the center, including spaces occupied by CVS Pharmacy, HomeGoods, 24 Hour Fitness, Chase Bank and Starbucks.

This is the only center of its type in the area, and is already filled with customers at all times of day, Larry Weese, president of Citivest, said in a statement. Because the center is currently 85% occupied, we are looking forward to the opportunity to attract additional restaurants and other tenants that our visitors will enjoy patronizing.

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Robert Half Legal starts Irvine operation

Robert Half, the worlds largest specialized staffing firm, has opened Robert Half Legal operations at 18200 Von Karman Ave. in Irvine. Robert Half Legal provides temporary and full-time legal professionals for law firms and corporate legal departments.

We see tremendous opportunity in the Orange County market, SunMi Kim, metro market manager for Robert Half Legal, said in a statement. Orange County is a dynamic and economic hub for many corporations and law firms. This means businesses are expanding and need to add staff. We are eager to help companies and law firms augment their teams and assist legal professionals in finding positions tailored to their skills and expertise.

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N.Y. engineering, architecture firm opens Costa Mesa office

APD Engineering and Architecture, a Victor, N.Y.-based firm celebrating its 20th year, has opened a new office in Costa Mesa, according to a news release.

The office in the South Coast Metro district is at 575 Anton Blvd.

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Artisan Outdoor names new chief executive

Artisan Outdoor LLC, an Irvine-based firm specializing in the design, installation and maintenance of outdoor living spaces for luxury homes, has hired Roger Bruce as chief executive.

Roger has more than 20 years of operational and project management experience, having held various positions in the financial, supply chain, manufacturing and high-tech industries.

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Newport credit-tech company hires vice president

NEFT, a Newport Beach-based financial technology company that develops online credit tools and solutions, announced the appointment of William Harvey as vice president and head of product.

The company said Harvey will focus on developing and marketing NEFTs mPowerCredit online platform that is designed to enable consumers to enhance their credit scores in real time.

Before joining NEFT, Harvey was with eBay Enterprise as head of marketing operations.

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New VP will lead Irvine firms commercial banking services

First Foundation Inc., an Irvine-based financial services company, has appointed Michael Berry as senior vice president to lead the companys enhanced commercial banking services.

Berry, an 18-year veteran of the banking industry, previously was a vice president of First Community Bank and vice president of Argent Bank, formerly Sonoma Bank.

He will be joined at First Foundation by Dean Smith, who will serve as vice president, and Nicole Hernandez, who will assist clients in private banking.

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Bank names new executive for online division

Luther Burbank Savings announced that Robert Armstrong has been named senior vice president of its online banking division, splitting his time between the Santa Rosa-based banks Irvine and Solana Beach locations.

Armstrong also has held senior positions with Bank of America, U.S. Bank, San Diego Private Bank and Bank of Internet.

From staff reports
A 28-year-old Marine Corps sergeant who served as a Marine recruiter at Ocean View and Marina high schools was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old Huntington Beach girl.

The girl, a former Marina High student, filed a report in June with Huntington Beach police alleging that a man who worked as a Marine Corps recruiter and high school volunteer sexually assaulted her this past school year.



For the record: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that when an allegation of misconduct is made against a Marine, the Corps waits for law enforcement to complete its investigation before the Corps looks into the situation. In fact, the Corps conducts its investigation while working with local police.

Police arrested Gonzalo Castro of San Clemente on suspicion of sexual assault. He later posted bond and was released, authorities said.

The girl, whom authorities did not identify, told police that she met the man when he volunteered with Marinas track and field team. Police allege the man sexually assaulted her during an off-campus training run.

Castro, who works out of the Marine recruiting office in Costa Mesa, will not interact with any applicants while police investigate the allegations, said Capt. Chad Hill, deputy marketing and public affairs officer for the 12th Marine Corps District.

Hill said that when an allegation of misconduct is made against a Marine, the Corps conducts an internal investigation while working with local law enforcement.

This is an isolated incident and is not indicative of Marines as a whole, Hill said. We take this seriously, and this is not what the Marine Corps is about.

A representative of the Huntington Beach Union High School District could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday.

Detectives are looking for possible additional victims in the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Anthony Pham at (714) 536-5973 or apham@hbpd.org. Anonymous tips may be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS (847-6227).

hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @HannahFryTCN
Monday marks the quiet end for a corner of Eastside Costa Mesa and its culinary history.

Dick Churchs, a classic Americana diner known for its vintage decor and friendly service, is changing owners.

Since March 1981, Irvine residents George and Tracey King have run the place on the corner of Newport Boulevard and Mesa Drive and kept things classic. They say their little restaurant embodied their American dream, but now theyre handing over the keys.

Its time, George, 71, said in an interview on a recent afternoon. He then joked that letting go will help him achieve better blood pressure.

For George in particular, it will be a tender moment. Dick Churchs, founded in 1947, has been not only his family-run business, but the centerpiece of his social life.

On a recent afternoon, the restaurant was sparsely populated. The Kings were conversing with some of their regulars. They are not planning a big goodbye party for the public, but are having a private event for their employees.

Before then, theyre passing out special Dick Churchs coffee mugs that note that the Kings have owned the restaurant since 1981.

Dick Churchs has a long history. It opened in 1947 as Babys Beef Burger, making it among the oldest continually-operating restaurants in Costa Mesa and Orange County.

It has had a few different names , including Buds Drive In and Arts Coffee Shop. It was named Dick Churchs in 1972, reportedly after its owner, Dick Church.

The Kings immigrated to the United States from Taiwan in 1978, partially because they wanted a better education for their oldest son, John, now 48. They also have two younger sons: Hsuan, now 45, and Adam, 37.

George, a veteran of the Taiwanese Navy, first got work as a mechanic at the Chino airport. He also worked a second job as a dishwasher and went up the restaurant ranks to busboy and cook.

The Kings soon realized they needed to own their own business to live the American dream they strived for.

In 1981, they achieved their goal by purchasing Dick Churchs restaurant and later the property itself. Under their ownership, they made more of their food in-house, like pies, muffins, soups and dressing. They also did some remodeling.

But even when running the restaurant and raising three children, the Kings never stopped having side jobs. One of them was selling ornaments at the Orange County Market Place. Tracey, 63, also worked as a real estate agent.

When a portion of the 55 Freeway opened through Costa Mesa in the early 1990s, the Kings saw their business decline dramatically, by as much as 30%. They used to get more drive-by traffic along Newport Boulevard. When the freeway went in, those cars were re-routed, bypassing the boulevard. It made Dick Churchs far more remote.

The Kings realized they needed to supplement their income. So George co-founded KTI Hydraulics, Inc. in Costa Mesa in 1996. The business is now in Santa Ana. He said hes not retiring from it just yet.

When describing how the Kings have run Dick Churchs, Sandy Cotten, a waitress there for 34 years, repeatedly used the word family.

She noted how the Kings often hired siblings. Two of their own boys worked there. One company Christmas card from 1992 had three sisters in it, all Dick Churchs employees. George stood in the back of the pack wearing a Santa hat.

They only hire sisters, Cotten joked.

Dick Churchs new owner, Bodie Rasmussen, who owns the Lost Bean, a Tustin coffeehouse, plans to add more coffee concepts to the restaurant. He takes over Tuesday.

George said he wants to take the vintage cash register with him when he goes.

But hell have mixed emotions that last day. Hell miss the people and employees, but on the other hand, we are happy we finally can be retired. Im happy to still see this place open and employees still working.

bradley.zint@latimes.com

Twitter: @BradleyZint
G Force  a thrill ride that spins and swings riders high above the midway at the Orange County Fair  will remain closed indefinitely, fair officials said Friday.

The OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa closed G Force on Wednesday evening after receiving word that a similar ride called Fire Ball had broken apart at the Ohio State Fair, killing one person and injuring seven.

The same company, KMG, manufactures both Fire Ball and G Force. The ride at the Orange County Fair is owned and operated by Ray Cammack Shows.

OC Fair & Event Center spokeswoman Terry Moore said G Force was inspected Thursday morning and appeared to be in working order.

However, the fair has chosen to keep the ride closed until the manufacturer confirms it is safe. It isnt clear when the attraction will reopen.

We dont want to take any chances, Moore said. Theres no rush to get this ride online.

Moore said operators inspect all rides at the Orange County Fair at least once daily and that the fairgrounds also has an independent inspector check them.

In the Ohio accident, it appears the passenger-carrying gondola detached from the supporting sweep arm, KMG told the Los Angeles Times.

After the accident, the Amusement Ride and Tramway Unit of the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health asked owners of Fire Ball-style attractions in the state to close the rides, pending clearance from manufacturers or state inspectors.

All six have been voluntarily shut down. The rides, which operate under different names, are at the California State Fair in Sacramento, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Californias Great America in Santa Clara, Belmont Park in San Diego and Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park.

Staff writer Luke Money contributed to this report.

hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @HannahFryTCN

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Sean Le grew up watching Food Network shows such as Iron Chef and Good Eats, marveling how the chefs prepared such beautiful dishes while trying to beat the clock and knowing thousands of viewers would watch every move.

On Thursday it was Seans turn to be in the spotlight as he and Mason Partak participated in a cook-off at the Orange County Fair.

About 150 spectators watched Sean, 15, who attends Fountain Valley High, and Mason, 13, who lives in Auburn, Calif., prepare burgers of their choice in 45 minutes.

Both Sean and Mason brought some impressive culinary credentials to the event.

Mason won an episode of the first season of the Food Network show Chopped Junior in 2015. The competition requires contestants to prepare a dish with only a few ingredients and progress through multiple rounds.

Sean, who started cooking when he was 8, was a contestant on the second season of Foxs MasterChef Junior, which includes judges such as the Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay.

Pamela Wnuck, the fairs culinary arts supervisor, said in an email that she selected Sean because of his participation in the fairs culinary arts program.

Wnuck said she saw Mason on Chopped Junior and reached out to his mother, Kathy, on Facebook.

In the future I may have an application process, Wnuck said.

In the televised competitions, chefs can focus solely on the food, with only an occasional question from a moderator.

During Thursdays challenge, Sean and Mason prepared their burgers  both used ground Kobe beef  while answering questions from audience members about certain ingredients and what inspired them to get in the kitchen.

One could tell once the clock started that Sean and Mason had cooked in front of crowds before. They smiled, spoke slowly and looked at the audience when replying to questions.

Sean, whose mother taught him the basics of Vietnamese cooking, tore some shiitake mushrooms by hand, explaining that mushrooms are delicate and susceptible to bruising if one uses a knife to cut them.

Sean decided on a burger with Japanese influences. He sauteed the mushrooms in yuzu  a type of citrus juice  soy sauce and butter.

Sean added soy sauce to his beef patty, which he would top with melted havarti cheese, arugula, the mushrooms and a sea urchin aioli, in which he combined mayonnaise with urchin roe and yuzu.

Mushrooms played a starring role in Masons burger. He added ground mushrooms and chopped portobellos to his beef patty, along with onion and garlic powders.

As he kneaded ingredients into the beef, a spectator asked Mason when he started cooking.

Mason said he started when he was 3, and performed his first cooking demonstration at age 8.

He admitted there were dishes that did not turn out so well, like a Ritz cracker souffle. Masons mother, Kathy, said he has progressed from those days and makes a great rib eye.

Mason sauteed onions and peppers for a topping list that included pepperoncinis, lettuce, chopped bacon and a cheddar crisp.

For the crisp, Mason heated up shredded cheddar cheese in a frying pan until it melted together. He then slid the cheese round out of the pan while still hot onto a plate and let it cool and crisp.

Sean and Mason sauteed their ingredients in pans atop portable electric burners.

Once their burgers were on the plates, it was time for three judges to eat and provide comments, even though there would not be a dedicated winner. Sean and Mason both received a ribbon.

It was a total home run on a bun, fairgoer Mark Warhol said of Masons burger. The burger hit my flavor profile, more traditional influences.

Seans burger was a unique experience. Its hard to compare the two.

Its always nerve-wracking at first because hundreds of people can see you cook, said Sean, who earned a Best of Class award in Sugar Arts at last years O.C. Fair. After the start I felt comfortable and had a really good time.

Its always fun to do live demos, Mason said. Its especially great to get everyone involved and feel the energy and heat in the kitchen. Its a great sensation.

Sean, who works part-time as a prep cook at Newport Beachs True Food Kitchen, and wants to open his own restaurant someday, will return to this years fair at 5 p.m. Aug. 6 to compete in a challenge with renowned pastry chef Stephane Treand.

And on Sunday, Mason will be a contestant on the Food Network show Guys Grocery Games.

bryce.alderton@latimes.com

Twitter: @AldertonBryce

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Making sidewalks contiguous in Newport Heights means the removal of several dozen trees  a change that has some residents unhappy.

Sandy Verkerk, who lives on Riverside Avenue, laments the loss of several towering eucalyptus and other trees along 15th Street as part of a sidewalk project that she said was discussed too quietly.

Most streets in the neighborhood dont have sidewalks, although 15th does on its north side, as well as sporadically on its south.

As a resident, I understand the citys responsibility to care [for] the environment we all love so much, while keeping the residents safe, said Verkerk, who said other neighbors are also upset to see the trees go. However, this latest destruction of the trees and growth along 15th Street for a sidewalk is outrageous and heartbreaking.

Workers started removing the trees this week.

Newport Beach Public Works Director Dave Webb said tree removal will continue into next week, followed by grading for the sidewalks. Workers will begin pouring the sidewalks the week after next, with the project complete before the school year resumes.

In bringing the sidewalk project before the City Council in February, public works staff noted that a planned improvement project involving bike-lane striping yielded more support for sidewalk improvements instead  namely, on the south side of 15th between Irvine and Santa Ana avenues, where gaps have remained for years.

Nearby schools, including Newport Heights Elementary and Ensign Intermediate, also requested fill-ins of the missing sidewalk segments around their campuses, according to a city staff report at the time.

The city rolled the sidewalk improvements into a project to resurface the neighborhood alleys.

It is never easy to remove mature trees, as area residents can develop great fondness for them, but the sidewalk cannot be completed without removing those that would block the path of the sidewalk, said the city report, which estimated that about 35 trees would have to be felled for the sidewalk.

Webb said the city made it clear that trees would be removed for the project. He said he understands that some people think they define the neighborhood, but he said staff was also under clear direction from the City Council to install sidewalks in the interest of safety.

There was some compromise there, he said.

He said the city will plant some replacement trees, although not that same type of eucalyptus.

Verkerk said the sidewalk project is an understandable emotional reaction to the death last year of an 8-year-old boy who was struck by a garbage truck while riding his bicycle home from Newport Heights Elementary School.

She said she is sensitive to the tragedy and suggested that the city work with the schools to promote safe walking and riding practices for children traveling through the streets that dont have sidewalks.

She wondered if there could be an alternative.

This is not the ultimate protection for anyone. Awareness and education is the key for all who travel these streets. Not an all-out assault on the environment, Verkerk said. This is not the answer.

hillary.davis@latimes.com

Twitter: @Daily_PilotHD
Not long after the appointment of a number of new board and commission members, the Glendale City Council voted Tuesday to craft an ordinance that would limit appointees terms to match those of council members.

The suggested ordinance would limit board and commission members to three four-year terms per board or commission. Currently, there is a soft limit of two consecutive four-year terms, but the council is able to appoint persons beyond that limit should it be in the best interest of the city, according to city code.



For the record: A previous version of this story incorrectly referred to the Fair Political Practice Commission as the Federal Political Practice Commission.

The Civil Service Commission is exempt from the two-year term limit, but it would fall under the new restrictions if approved.

Although the new limits would be imposed prospectively and retroactively, the service of those currently serving terms beyond the suggested limit would not be interrupted.

Commissioners should not be in the same position for a long, long time, said Mayor Vartan Gharpetian. I think it creates an uncomfortable situation.

The original proposal was to single out the Civil Service and Design Review commissions for two two-year terms, but after some debate, council members agreed term limits should include all board and commission members to reflect the term limits imposed on council members by voters in April.

Last week, a number of commission and board slots were filled. Councilman Ara Najarian nominated and appointed Zavan Hanessian to the Building and Fire Board of Appeals and reappointed Chris Cragnotti to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Councilman Vrej Agajanian nominated and appointed Ara Aharonian to the Building and Fire Board of Appeals, Ramella Markarian to the Transportation and Parking Commission, Vahik Satoorian to the Planning Commission and former City Council candidate Susan Wolfson to the Parks Recreation and Community Services Commission.

Earlier this month, Ara Kalfayan, Maro Yacoubian, Mark MacCarley, Nichols Doom, Arlene Vidor, Norair Ghazarian and Elena Semerdjian were appointed to various boards and commissions.

However, Agajanians nomination of Roland Kedikian to the Glendale Water & Power Commission on July 11 was postponed until Tuesday because of concerns raised by Najarian that Kedikians participation in a current multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Glendale would interfere with his ability to serve the city.

Najarian also said previous payments made by Kedikian to a television station where Agajanian is president should prevent the appointment because it is a conflict of interest.

Following the July 11 objection by Najarian, City Atty. Mike Garcia consulted with the Fair Political Practice Commission and presented his finding Tuesday that because the position for which Kedikian is nominated provides no monetary compensation, the past donations to Agajanian are not a conflict of interest.

Councilmen Agajanian, Zareh Sinanyan and Mayor Gharpetian voted to confirm Kedikian. Councilwoman Paula Devine abstained.

jeff.landa@latimes.com

Twitter: @JeffLanda
Glendale Community College officials continue to wait to hear from several residents living near the schools Garfield campus about whether they would be interested in selling their properties to the college so it can move forward with an expansion project.

In the meantime, the college contracted last week with Los Angeles-based law firm R. Bruce Tepper to assess environmental impacts related to the possible expansion.

Previously, the school signed a contract with Glendale-based California Eminent Domain Law Group. While the college is contracting with a law firm that deals in eminent domain issues, David Viar, superintendent/president of the college, has said he is hopeful the property owners will not have to be forced to sell.

R. Bruce Teppers services will cost $535 per hour, according to a staff report.

There is a requirement if we do go in that direction [to purchase nearby properties], we need to pursue an environmental review about how that acquisition will impact surrounding communities, said Anthony Culpepper, executive vice president of administrative services for Glendale Community College, in a phone interview Wednesday.

If its determined an environmental review isnt needed, the college will continue with the acquisition process, Culpepper said.

The college has been looking to expand its south Glendale campus by upgrading its infrastructure, classrooms and technology as well as buying nearby properties with funds from Measure GC, a $325-million facilities bond approved by voters last year.

Earlier this year, the college sent letters to 14 owners of properties on the same block as the Garfield campus, gauging their interest in selling to the college.

The properties are located on South Chevy Chase Drive, East Garfield Avenue, South Adams Street and East Acacia Avenue.

Culpepper said they have heard from a couple individuals who asked inquisitive questions, and we havent heard any negative comments.

Asked whether there is a timeline for the Garfield expansion project, Culpepper said college officials dont have a set schedule, but they are aware the bond money must be spent within a three-year time frame.

Earlier this year, Culpepper said via email that the letters sent to residents state that once appraisals have been completed, college officials will consider making offers that are equivalent to the appraisal valuation of the relevant property.

He added, If any of these residential properties are purchased by the college, the college will meet the relocation needs of those who presently reside in the properties.

priscella.vega@latimes.com

Twitter: @vegapriscella
The Los Angeles Times invites you to an afternoon filled with information on travel safety, cool and close-to-home destinations and capturing those vacation memories.

Travel editor Catharine Hamm will be joined Sunday afternoon by retired LAPD Det. Kevin Coffey to talk about travel safety (theyre pictured above). Youll hear Coffey tell her that ignoring his travel advice could have cost her dearly. Find out why on Sunday.

Times staff writer Christopher Reynolds, who developed and wrote most of the entries in the daily California Bucket List online project, will be joined by Laurel Moglen and Julia Posey, authors of 111 Places in Los Angeles That You Must Not Miss, along with California guidebook author Andrew Bender as they talk about hidden gems around the Golden State.

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The event is free, but please register in advance. Come to 145 S. Spring St.  doors open at 12:30  and join in our discussions from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

Hope to see you there.

travel@latimes.com

@latimestravel
The U.S. sanctions bill approved this week in the House of Representatives has European leaders worried about how the bill could affect continental divisions over dependence on Russian oil and gas.

If President Trump signs the bill, it would put into law sanctions approved by President Obama, which were largely created in collaboration with European consultation. But the new bill would expand the list of targeted Russian companies and individuals, particularly in the energy sector. That could subject European companies to U.S. sanctions for doing business with Russian companies on the list, specifically jeopardizing a controversial $10-billion gas pipeline project called Nord Stream 2.

What is Nord Stream 2?

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The Nord Stream 2 pipeline project follows the first Nord Stream project, which was built in 2011 to pump gas from Russias Baltic coast to Germany. The second phase would expand the supply of Russian gas exports to Europe.

The $10-billion pipeline project is the pride of the Kremlin-controlled gas supply company, Gazprom, and was scheduled to be completed and pumping gas directly to Europe by 2019.

The pipeline project is financed partially by a consortium of European investment partners.

The route bypasses Ukraine, where previous disputes between Moscow and Kiev over natural gas prices and transit fees have led to Gazprom shutting down supplies. This has caused stress in Europe, which depends on gas supplies from Russia via Ukraines pipelines.

The Nord Stream 2 project has created rifts among the European Unions 28 members, some of whom fear the completion of the pipeline acts against the EUs goal of diversifying its energy sector away from Moscows exports.

Russia currently supplies a third of Europes natural gas. With the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, that could increase to more than 40%.

Critics of Nord Stream projects say they will allow Gazprom to increase its dominance of Europes energy supply, making energy a geopolitical tool and putting the Kremlin in greater control than some European leaders would prefer.

The pipeline pits the interests of Germany and Austria against Central and Eastern European countries, fracturing the EU at a moment when the bloc is finally gaining traction as a geopolitical actor, wrote Kristine Berzina, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, on Thursday. But by threatening to end the Nord Stream 2 project, the United States is depriving the EU of the opportunity to mature as an energy security actor.

How has Moscow reacted?

The Kremlin was quick to point out that the U.S. sanctions would harm not just Russia, but third parties. Moscow responded by seizing two diplomatic properties and booting several members of the U.S. Embassy staff out of the country.

It goes without saying that we and our European partners attach great importance to finishing these projects, and we will work towards this, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said this week. That is why discussions about sanctions, which could potentially obstruct these projects, are a cause of concern for us.

Last week, the chairman of Gazproms board suggested that the U.S. sanctions could threaten Europes Russian gas supply if Nord Stream 2 were not completed.

In Europe, the regions gas supply is being threatened. Washington pursues purely economic interests by lobbying for American energy companies in Europe, the Gazprom board chairman, Viktor Zubkov, said at a business forum in Vienna last week.

The Kremlins suggestion that Europes supply of Russian gas is under threat because of the U.S. sanctions bill is either empty bluff or dangerous miscalculation, wrote Agnia Grigas, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, in a paper for Yale Universitys Yale Global Online. Grigas is a specialist on energy and security issues in Europe and post-Soviet states.

At the end of the day, the global natural gas markets have transformed with much greater supply and liquidity from booming U.S. natural gas production and rising U.S. liquefied natural gas exports, Grigas said.

On Thursday, the German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations accused the U.S. of using the sanctions bill to stimulate U.S. energy exports to Europe.

How else would the new sanctions bill affect Russias energy sector?

Russias economy is dominated by revenue from its oil and gas sector. Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, economists have warned Russia that if it didnt diversify its economy and distance itself from being a petro state, its economy would falter. Indeed, in 2014 Russias economy was hit by two major factors: a decrease in world oil prices and a package of sanctions placed on Russian companies and individuals in retaliation for Moscows annexation of Crimea and interference in eastern Ukraine.

The 50% drop in global prices of oil, Russias most lucrative export, pushed the economy into recession, from which it has slowly emerged this year.

The harshest sanctions made it difficult for Russian companies to get long-term loans from international lenders. With very few ways to borrow capital for investment, many large infrastructure projects were put on hold while development in other sectors stalled.

Russia responded stoically, saying the self-reliance on its homegrown products would only make it stronger. Major state-controlled energy companies such as Gazprom, Lukoil and Rosneft said they would turn to domestic investors and rely on in-house technology instead of foreign experts.

The new sanctions bill would increase the number of Russian companies and individuals affected, especially targeting the energy sector. The bill would also restrict U.S. investors from buying or facilitating the purchase of Russian assets worth more than $10 million as part of any Russian privatization schemes.

sabra.ayres@latimes.com

Twitter: @sabraayres

Ayres is a special correspondent.
There was a time when Mikheil Saakashvili was seen as the Wests great hope for reform in the former Soviet Union.

But since Thursday, he has had a more pressing problem: He is a man without a country.

He was in New York when he learned that Ukraine, his adoptive home, had stripped him of his citizenship. He had already lost his citizenship in his native Georgia, where he was once president.

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I have only one citizenship, that of Ukraine, and I will not be deprived of it, he said Friday, vowing to return to the country  where until last year he had been the governor of the southern port city of Odessa  and mobilize his supporters.

The Ukrainian migration service said in a statement that the decision was made after it was discovered that Saakashvili had supplied false information about pending corruption charges in Georgia when he filed citizen registration papers in 2015.

But Saakashvili, who has said the charges in Georgia are politically motivated, blamed Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko for the decision to leave him stateless.

Poroshenko decided to deprive me of my citizenship in an underhanded way, while I am out of the country! Saakashvili wrote on his Facebook page.

Saakashvili, 49, was born in Georgia and went on to lead the country in a bloodless Rose Revolution to overthrow a Soviet-era president in 2003. He was elected president the next year and earned a reputation for implementing reforms in Georgia that forced out criminal gangs and corruption.

During his second term, Saakashvili fell out of favor as critics accused him of consolidating his power. He fled the country in 2013, did a stint as a professor at Tufts University in Boston and eventually landed in Ukraine, where the post-Soviet nation was undergoing its own revolution.

Mass street demonstrations in Kiev, Ukraines capital, led to the 2014 ousting of Kremlin-favored President Viktor Yanukovich, who is currently on trial in absentia on corruption-related charges. Russia, angered by pro-Western popular revolt in Ukraine, annexed Crimea in 2014. A war with pro-Russia separatist militias in eastern Ukraine followed.

Poroshenko, who was elected Ukraines president in 2014, invited the Western-educated Saakashvili to become the governor of Odessa, where corruption and criminal gangs were notorious. The two men had been university classmates in Kiev.

Poroshenko granted him Ukrainian citizenship in 2015, prompting Georgia to take away his citizenship.

As Odessa governor, Saakashvili soon ran up against Ukraines entrenched oligarchies, which pushed back on his attempts to break up monopolies.

Saakashvili blamed the government in Kiev for stalling on reforms that were both needed to move the country out of its post-Soviet haze and required by international donors, who were banking on Ukraines pro-Western stance.

Saakashvili announced he was resigning as Odessa governor in November in a fiery speech in which he accused Poroshenko of dishonesty and Ukraines central government of sabotaging his efforts to implement crucial reforms.

How much can you lie and cheat? Saakashvili, looking straight into news cameras, asked the Ukrainian president.

Saakashvili proceeded to start his own political movement of people who opposed Poroshenkos ruling party and advocated for Western standards of rule of law and democracy.

Still, current opinion polls show popular support for Saakashvilis movement at less than 2%.

Saakashvili said the Ukrainian governments move to strip his citizenship is part of a worrying trend in Ukraine.

I am being subjected to the same approaches that are used by Ukraines prosecutors or bureaucrats against regular Ukrainians, whose rights are spat upon, Saakashvili said in a video posted on his Facebook page.

Balazs Jarabik, a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said that by eliminating Saakashvili as an opposition force, Poroshenko is narrowing the competition ahead of the 2019 presidential election.

What Poroshenko is doing is consolidating his power to make sure he is reelected, he said.

A recent opinion poll showed that only 11.6% of voters support Poroshenko, whose office declined to comment Friday.

Though the United States and European leaders have thrown their support behind the democratic and economic reforms Ukraine promised after the 2014 revolt, change has been frustratingly slow for Ukrainians. The average monthly salary still hovers around $263. Corruption still permeates Ukrainian bureaucracy, and oligarchs still dominate the ruling elite.

Poroshenko, himself a tycoon in the candy industry, has blamed the slow progress on the ongoing war in the east, which has claimed more than 10,000 lives, and Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The European Union recently granted visa-free travel to Ukrainians in what many saw as a sign of good faith that Ukraine was committed to democracy.

So far, the West has remained silent on Saakashvili losing his citizenship.

Sergei Solodkyy, an expert on international affairs at the World Policy Institute, a think tank in Kiev, said the move will be seen as a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his government, which has had an extremely contentious relationship with Saakashvili since 2008, when Russia sent troops to back a revolt in northern Georgia.

Saakashvili has been a fierce critic of Putins autocratic style of governing.

Putin was afraid that this virus of democracy would come into Russia [and] would destroy the regime of Putin, Solodkyy said.

sabra.ayres@latimes.com

Twitter: @sabraayres

Ayres is a special correspondent.
North Korea launched its second intercontinental ballistic missile in less than a month on Friday in a test that indicated remarkable technological progress in the isolated nations weapons development, Pentagon officials said.

Although the Pentagon had yet to make final assessments, independent defense analysts said the two-stage missile appeared the most powerful that Pyongyang has ever tested.

They estimated that it flew about 45 minutes and soared about 1,850 miles into space before it crashed down in the Sea of Japan off the coast of Hokkaido, Japans northern island.

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If that trajectory were flattened out, the analysts said, in theory the missile has the capability for the first time to threaten California and beyond.

President Trump, who has repeatedly warned of the threat from North Korea and made it a foreign policy priority, issued a statement late Friday expressing, as in the past, objection to the reckless and dangerous action.

The United States will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and protect our allies in the regions, he said.

The missile test  issued from a mobile launcher shortly before midnight, and from a rural site not previously used near the Chinese border  appeared designed to show it would be difficult to shoot down.

A night launch from an unexpected location was intended to show us that we dont have a credible pre-emption option, said Jeffrey Lewis, a nuclear weapons analyst with the nonpartisan James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey.

It was North Koreas 18th missile test this year, placing the nation on a record-setting pace.

Gen. Paul Selva, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee last week that Kim Jong Un and his forces are very good at camouflage concealment and deception.

He added that Pyongyang has yet to fine-tune its missile guidance and control systems and hasnt shown the capacity to strike the United States with any degree of accuracy or reasonable confidence of success.

The latest missile was launched from Mupyong-ni in Chagang province, in northern North Korea.

Pyongyang first tested a prototype ICBM, dubbed the Hwasong-14, on July 4 in a flight that lasted 37 minutes, raising alarms that it had achieved a breakthrough in its missile program.

The high arc of the trajectory led U.S. analysts to conclude for the first time that Pyongyang had attained the capability of building a missile that could reach Alaska and possibly Hawaii.

Although Pyongyang has developed and tested nuclear weapons, it is not known to have developed a nuclear warhead small enough to fit atop an ICBM or robust enough to survive the missiles fiery reentry into the atmosphere.

But the string of underground nuclear tests and increasingly sophisticated missile flights have led to concerns it could soon develop the capability to launch a nuclear-armed missile at American military targets in Asia  or even the U.S. mainland.

Given that progress, U.S. intelligence agencies recently cut their projections of how long it would take Pyongyang to build a missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland from four years to one year.

The Pentagon vowed Friday to defend regional allies and noted that the missile did not threaten North America.

Our commitment to the defense of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, remains ironclad, Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis said in a statement. We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation.

Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Adm. Harry Harris, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, telephoned South Koreas top military official, Gen. Lee Sun Jin, and expressed the ironclad commitment to the U.S.-Korean alliance, the Pentagon said in a statement.

The three leaders also discussed military response options, the statement said.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan called a meeting of his countrys National Security Council.

I have received information that North Korea once again conducted a missile firing, he said. We will immediately analyze information and do our utmost to protect the safety of the Japanese people.

The United Nations Security Council has repeatedly slapped sanctions on North Korea since its first nuclear test in 2006. While the measures have cut the country off from much of the worlds economy, they have failed to halt its advances in military know-how.

Congress this week overwhelmingly passed legislation that would place additional sanctions on North Korea, as well as Russia and Iran, and limit the presidents ability to ease them. The White House has not said if Trump will sign the bill.

ALSO

Duck and cover 2.0: How North Korea is prompting new efforts to prepare for a nuclear attack

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UPDATES:

4:05 p.m.: This article was updated with White House reaction.

12:05 p.m.: This article was updated with staff reporting.

9:20 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details and confirmation from South Korea and the U.S. of the launch.

This story was originally posted at 8:35 a.m.
The official death toll from four months of protests against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro rose to 106 Thursday as tensions rose ahead of Sundays controversial election of assembly members charged with writing a new constitution. Three new fatalities came as Maduro declared all protests from Friday through Sunday to be illegal.

All meetings, public protests and concentrations of persons in the national territory are prohibited that could disturb or affect the electoral process, the interior minister, Nestor Reverol, said in a televised speech. Whoever organizes or instigates activities designed to upset the electoral process or the social life of the country will be sent to prison for five to 10 years.

Observers doubted that opponents to the Maduro government will heed the order. Some 4,000 protesters have been arrested since the wave of demonstrations began, despite similar bans.

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A general nationwide strike called Wednesday for 48 hours appeared to be holding in the capital, Caracas, and other cities across the country. In neighborhoods rich and poor across Caracas, protesters have erected barricades as a gesture of protest against Sundays vote.

And the Democratic Unity coalition of political parties was planning to go ahead with a mass protest Friday.

Anticipating more unrest, the U.S. government ordered relatives of American diplomats to leave the capital Thursday and issued a travel warning urging U.S. citizens not to visit the country, the Associated Press reported.

Venezuelan opposition leaders say the vote is a ruse by Maduro to perpetuate himself in power and ensure his loyalists take control of the National Assembly from the opposition. Maduros approval ratings in recent polls have dropped to 20%.

Despite condemnation by the Organization of American States and various international leaders, Maduro has shown no indication of calling off the balloting.

We have no other option, between winning or dying, he told a campaign gathering Thursday in downtown Caracas. The oligarchies of the world have reacted because they fear a new Venezuelan Constitution. Who do we obey? In Venezuela, the people govern.

A total of 13 current and former senior officials in Maduros government were sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department this week for their role in undermining democratic processes and institutions and for responsibility in the governments rampant violence against opposition protesters.

Meanwhile, Colombian migration authorities report rising numbers of Venezuelans fleeing their country for at least temporary stays. More than 560,000 Venezuelans have applied for a border mobility card that allows them multiple entries, while more than 350,000 have moved to Colombia in the last year, according to the migration division of the foreign ministry.

In another sign of rising tensions, Colombia-based airline Avianca, which provides nearly half of all international flights in and out of Venezuela, announced Wednesday that it is indefinitely suspending flights, effective immediately.

Airline executives told reporters in Bogota that rising thefts of luggage, frequent airport power outages and irregular jet fuel quality at the Maiquetia international airport in Caracas were reasons for the stoppage. Flights will resume when and if technical conditions and security improve, airline officials said.

Special correspondent Mogollon reported from Caracas and Kraul from Bogota, Colombia.

UPDATES:

7 p.m.: This article was updated to include the U.S. governments travel warning and order for relatives of its diplomats to leave the capital.

This article was originally published at 4:30 p.m.
Jerusalem was braced for bloodshed following traditional Muslim prayers Friday, but for the first time in two weeks, the city did not yield to violence.

At about 12:15 p.m. local time, as the midday ritual approached, thousands of men gathered on East Jerusalems main artery  Salah a Din Street  which leads to the iconic Damascus Gate. But they were kept out of the Old City by Israeli police, who allowed only women and men older than 50 to enter the Al Aqsa Mosque.

The mosque has been the focus of violent confrontations for two weeks, since three gunmen emerged from the mosques esplanade early on July 14 and shot dead two Israeli police officers on guard. Israel reacted by shutting down the compound for two days, then installing metal detectors that were viewed by Palestinians as an unacceptable encroachment.

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For almost two weeks, in protest, Muslims prayed outside the site, an area Muslims call the Noble Sanctuary, the third holiest site in Islam, and which Jews call the Temple Mount, the site of the ancient Temple of Jerusalem, Judaisms holiest site. The public prayers rapidly turned into escalating daily confrontations that threatened peace throughout Israel and Palestinian territories.

As prayers were underway Friday, medics put on their latex gloves in anticipation of violence. Journalists, expecting the same, donned their helmets. Mounted police at the end of the street seemed as jittery as the young men fiddling with their phones in shady alleyways, while men knelt on their prayer rugs and stood under a merciless midday sun that sent the temperature to near 90 degrees.

But the prayers started and ended with remarkable order and quiet. By 2 p.m., the street was empty and shuttered storefronts were opening for business.

Riad Aljondry, 50, folded up his prayer mat and placed it in his taxi before tinkering with a loose mirror.

See? he said. When they want to, everything is quiet. Its all up to them. Thats the truth.

He was referring to the Israeli police, who on Thursday were involved in violent confrontations with several hundred Palestinian demonstrators in the esplanade surrounding the mosque and the Dome of the Rock. They have no reason to go up to the mosque. No reason at all to be there. Look at what they did yesterday. They couldnt bear our joy.

In what was seen as a victory for the Palestinians, an agreement ending the crisis was announced on Wednesday night, with Israel dismantling and removing the metal detectors and all other forms of security surrounding the plateau.

But there remain plenty of hints that the movement that has rallied Palestinians since the metal detectors were installed is far from over.

In the West Bank, protests were significantly smaller than the intially projected by the Israeli army, but there were skirmishes in several cities, including Bethlehem, Nablus and Hebron.

A 24-year-old Palestinian was killed by Israeli soldiers at the Gush Etzyion junction after he allegedly charged them with a knife. And there were reports of at least one Palestinian killed and three injured in clashes with soldiers on the central Gaza border with Israel.

But in a tense Jerusalem, quiet reigned.

Nasser Janjoun, a medic wearing a bright orange vest with a red crescent, left Salah a-Din Street with a jubilant smile on his face.

The most important thing is that the Israelis have to understand that they must end the occupation, he said, referring to them as sadists. They should ask themselves whether they need psychological therapy? Why are they so upset that yesterday we were happy to re-enter the mosque?

Videos taken after Thursday evening prayers showed violent clashes, with hundreds of Palestinian youths throwing stones and explosives at police officers and Jewish worshipers at the Western Wall. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said that if several hundred masked Palestinians are throwing petrol bombs and fireworks directly at police and endangering life  if you get hit by these things you get killed instantly  so if necessary, the response is immediate.

As he left prayers Friday, Mustafa Barghouti, the veteran Palestinian activist and politician, said he was proud of the peaceful nature of the gathering, which shows the Israelis that we are nonviolent, organized and keeping the initiative in our hands.

Special correspondent Maher Abukhater contributed reporting from the West Bank. Tarnopolsky is a special correspondent based in Jerusalem.
All material is subject to strictly enforced copyright terms & conditions and cannot be repurposed or reproduced.  19882022 Latin American Financial Publications Inc.
Bollinger Motors unveils all-electric B1 SUT

Jul 28, 2017, 1:47pm ET

Bollinger is the latest automaker to throw its hat in the EV ring.

There's been no shortage of up-start electric automakers over the last few years, but there has been an underserved segment of the electric vehicle market  trucks. Enter Bollinger Motors.

The Hobart, New York-based company unveiled on Friday a new electric sport utility truck known as the B1. The best way to describe the B1 is as an electric inteprutation of the original Ford Bronco.

Unlike the swoopy Tesla Model X, the B1 features a utilitarian three-box design that gives it a tough-truck look. The rear roof section of the B1 can be removed, providing pickup truck-like utility when needed. For even greater flexibility, the B1 has been design with a center pass-through that can accommodate boards measuring up to 16 feet in length.

Under the B1's slab-sided bodywork resides an aluminum chassis that was designed with off-roading in mind. The B1 provides up to 15.5-inches of ground clearance and boasts an approach angle of 56 degrees, departure angle of 53 degrees, and break over angle of 33 degrees. The B1 uses an adjsutable hydro-pneumatic suspension with 10-inches of wheel travel.

The B1 is powered by a pair of electric motors  one at each axle  that provide full-time all-wheel drive. Output stands at 360 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque. The B1 will be offered with two battery options  a 60kWh unit with 120 miles of range or a 100 kWh unit with 200 miles of range.

Despite its blocky looks and 3,900 pound curb weight, Bollinger says the B1 can scoop from 0-60 in a quick 4.5 seconds. Top speed is pegged at 127mph. Payload capacity is impressive at 6,100 pounds.

The interior of the B1 is spartan by design. There are only a few controls, and the B1 doesn't even come with an airbag. On the upside, you can hose out the B1's interior after a day of muddy off-roading.

As with most up-start electric vehicle makers, the future of Bollinger and the B1 is a bit murky. Bollinger says it doesn't yet have a manufacturing plan for the B1. The company is still searching for a manufacturing partner, but says it can have a production line up and running within 19 months of securing a partnership. Pricing for the B1 hasn't been announced.

"While we'll be announcing pricing and manufacturing targets later this year, the business case for the B1 makes sense at a very realistic and modest production number and at a price point of a nicely equipped sport utility vehicle," said Bollinger Motors' founder and CEO, Robert Bollinger. "When you factor in this vehicle's superiority over the other choices on today's market, we think we have a winning combination.

Bollinger is currently taking reservations for the B1 with no money down. Early next year those spot holder will be able to place an order a B1 for $1,000. Bollinger plans to initially sell the B1 directly to customers, but the company is also working to establish retail outlets in major U.S. cities.
Jul 28, 2017, 1:18pm ET

Cadillac to trim sedans, focus on SUVs and electrified vehicles

The luxury marque is experiencing strong growth abroad but declining sales at home.

Cadillac has reaffirmed its commitment to shift away from sedans as sales continue to recede in the US market.

The luxury marque is currently experiencing mixed results in different markets. Overall global sales are on the rise, primarily driven by stellar gains in China that more than offset a backwards slide at home.

Speaking to Reuters, brand chief Johan de Nysschen said "we have to rebalance our sedan portfolio" with a simplified lineup. The XTS, CTS and ATS will not be carried through to a second generation, replaced by the existing CT6 and upcoming CT5. The latter will address the need for a car in the $35,000 to $45,000 price bracket.

Perhaps more importantly, Cadillac's SUV lineup will continue to expand with a new compact model and then a larger three-row offering.

De Nysschen suggests the brand is also planning to embrace electrification, hinting at a strategy similar to that of Volvo, though he doesn't expect such models to begin rolling out until 2025 or later.
In between sobs, an Allentown man accused of setting fire to his garage "to scare people" begged a prosecutor for mercy on Friday.

Luis Rosario-Rodriguez, 47, was in court for his preliminary hearing on charges of arson, reckless endangerment and risking a catastrophe.

Rosario-Rodriguez waived his hearing under the promise of a plea deal. Chief Deputy District Attorney Lisa Cipoletti said under the deal, Rosario-Rodriguez would face a minimum of 15 months behind bars.

Rosario-Rodriguez, wearing blue prison scrubs and a rosary, cried as he asked his attorney for a deal they would help him avoid state prison, suggesting a sentence of one year to 23 months.

Cipoletti stood firm and Rosario-Rodriguez begged her directly.

"Please? Have a heart," he said as he discussed having mental health problems.

"You could have injured a lot of people," the prosecutor said.

The charges now head to county court. Rosario-Rodriguez remains in county jail in lieu of $40,000 bail.

Allentown police said officers and the fire department were called at 12:09 a.m. July 5 for a house fire at 2027 E. Cedar St., on the city's east side.

The front of the home was burning when emergency personnel arrived, and the fire department was able to extinguish the blaze. No one was injured in the blaze.

Several witnesses reported seeing Rosario-Rodriguez set fire to the home's garage with a lighter, police said. The home is part of a block of connected homes, and it's garage is built into the row.

In an interview with police, Rosario-Rodriguez reportedly said he lit a piece of towel in a hole in the garage.

"Rosario-Rodriguez stated that he did not believe that anyone was in the residence and that he just wanted to scare everyone," according to police.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A portion of Route 378/Wyandotte Street in Bethlehem was closed Friday afternoon as crews worked to clean up a diesel fuel spill from a two-vehicle crash.

No one was injured in the crash involved a Nissan sedan and a box truck. Route 378 was closed from Broadway to Summit Street. It reopened about 3 p.m.

Hazmat personnel and firefighters were at the scene, as the crews prepared to separate the vehicles to see the scope of the leak, fire Capt. James Lynn said.

Absorbant granules, pads and booms were placed around the crash and along the curb line. Crews were adding a ring of piled sand around the vehicles, and hoses were pulled as a precaution, Lynn said.

If the truck was leaking when the sedan was moved, crews had putty and tools to temporarily plug it in order to get the vehicles off the street, Lynn said. A little after 12:30 p.m. he estimated it would take two to three hours to clean up the spill.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
The Lehigh Valley's Republican congressman said Thursday that Twitter is not the way to set U.S. Department of Defense human resources policy.

In an interview with lehighvalleylive.com, U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent expanded on his own tweet Wednesday that pushed back against President Trump taking to Twitter to announce a ban on transgender people serving in the United States military.

Dent, whose 15th District covers Lehigh and part of Northampton counties, also touched on bipartisan sanctions agreed to in the House and Senate that set up a test for the president. Congress would easily override a veto of the sanctions, Dent said, arguing that failure on Trump's part to sign the measure would be bad policy and bad politically.

Trump on Wednesday threw down the gauntlet on what some call a discriminatory policy in the armed forces, tweeting:

"After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow......

"....Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming.....

"....victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you"

Dent, on Twitter, responded: "Americans who are willing & able should be allowed to serve U.S. regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity"

Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies, Dent reached out to the White House for clarification: What about transgender people currently serving, will they be discharged, honorably or otherwise? Does it apply to combatants and non-combatants alike; what about civilians? What if someone's singled out who is close to getting their pension?

"I reached out immediately to the administration for more information," Dent said Thursday. "It was one of those things: They'll get back to us. They received our inquiry, and we haven't heard back. We haven't heard anything back yet."

Unmoved by Trump's proclamation-by-Twitter, top Pentagon leaders declared on Thursday they'll allow transgender troops to remain in uniform until Defense Secretary Jim Mattis receives an authoritative directive to remove them, The Associated Press reports.

For now, "there will be no modifications" to current policy, Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in an internal memo to all military service chiefs, commanders and enlisted leaders, according to the AP.

These weren't tweets from just anyone, Dent said.

"I thought it was rather impulsive on the part of the president, which it appears the Pentagon is walking back today," he said. "When a president makes a statement like that, I always assume it's policy.

"I've always said when you're president of the United States, any word you utter, any word you say, any word you write, any words you tweet, that's policy."

The sanctions bill targeting Russia, Iran and North Korea passed the House this week 419-3, with Dent in support. The Senate on Thursday approved the bill 98-2, sending it to Trump for his signature.

According to the AP, Trump is likely to sign the tough new sanctions bill, in a remarkable concession that the president has yet to sell his party on his hopes for forging a warmer relationship with Moscow. His new communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, hedged a bit, telling CNN's New Day on Thursday that the president "may sign the sanctions exactly the way they are or he may veto the sanctions and negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians."

Trump hasn't threatened to reject the bill even though Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and other senior administration officials had objected to a mandated congressional review should the president attempt to ease or lift the sanctions on Russia, the AP reports; they've argued it would infringe on the president's executive authority and tie his hands as he explores avenues of communication and cooperation between the two former Cold War foes.

From Dent's perspective, there is only one path for the president on the bill.

"I believe the president should sign this bill immediately," he said. "If the president vetoes it, we'll override the veto.

"This bill's going to become law one way or another."

"I can't just can't imagine the president would think it would be a good idea from a policy or political perspective" to veto it, Dent said later. "I think it would be a mistake."

Dent called Russia "a hostile foreign power" following its incursions into Ukraine and Crimea.

"The Russian behavior has been terrible and relations with Russia will not improve until Russian behavior changes," Dent said. "Russia is attempting to break up NATO, unravel the European Union, undermine American power and influence in the Middle East, Europe and anywhere else they can."

According to a statement from Dent's office on the measure, House Resolution 3364:

"This legislation sends a loud and clear message that Congress will not tolerate those who seek to harm Americans, our institutions, our way of life, and American interests abroad," Dent stated. "This is especially true for Vladimir Putin and Russia - whose interference in our elections, a fundamental democratic undertaking, must be strongly condemned."

Additional bill details:

Russia

Codifies existing sanctions against Russia regarding Ukraine, Crimea, and cyber activities.

Provides new sanctions against Russia's energy sector, by prohibiting western companies from participating in Russian projects in which the Russians have a 33 percent stake.

Provides new sanctions on entities participating in Russian energy export pipelines.

Requires sanctions on those who do business with the Russian intelligence and defense sectors of the government.

Mandates a Congressional review if the sanctions are relaxed, suspended or terminated.

Iran

Provides new sanctions for individuals supporting Iran's ballistic missile program, international terrorism, or weapons of mass destruction.

Provides sanctions on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard.

Provides additional sanctions on human rights abusers.

North Korea

Increases the President's ability to impose sanctions on those who violate the U.N. Security Council resolutions regarding North Korea.

Expands sanctions for North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Over 24 million people are facing malnutrition and the threat of famine across South Sudan, Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia due to prolonged drought. A collection in aid of Trocaires work in East Africa took place in parishes across Ireland on the weekend of 22-23 July 2017. 16,050 was raised in the Portlaoise Parish collection held on Sunday, July 23.

Trocaire is currently reaching over 150,000 people across the East Africa region with emergency food, water, sanitation and healthcare.

Somalia

Half the population of Somalia (6.7 million people) are in need of emergency aid, including 3.7 million children.

Nearly 350,000 children under the age of five are severely malnourished.

The situation is a result of consecutive seasons of poor rainfall, coupled with ongoing conflict and displacement in some regions.

Three-quarters of all livestock animals have died.

Drought has also led to a lack of accessible clean water. 4.5 million people are in need of water, sanitation and hygiene support.

Because of difficulties with water supply, there have been cholera outbreaks across the country. Hundreds have lost their lives to this easily-treatable illness so far.

An average of 19,000 people are being treated at our health centres in Somalia each month.

Kenya

Severe drought in northern Kenya has affected 3 million people who now require humanitarian assistance.

This number is expected to rise to 4 million by July 2017 according to government estimates.

Half a million children under-5 are severely malnourished and could die without emergency intervention.

In most affected areas water sources have dried up or is extremely hard to access.

An estimated 175,000 children have dropped out of school either due to lack of water and food in schools or because they are needed to assist their families in fetching water and herding livestock.

As part of our ongoing effort in Kenya, 13,000 children will receive supplementary high-energy food, and 6,000 families (approx 36,000 people) are being provided with drought-tolerant seeds.

We are also supplying five schools, three health units and five communities with water, as well as providing new boreholes for six communities.

South Sudan

7.5 million people in the country  over 50 per cent of the population  will need emergency aid to survive over the coming months.

The crisis has been compounded by conflict which has displaced millions and has severely disrupted crop planting.

Ethiopia

7.7 million people in east and southern Ethiopia are facing starvation.

The number of people affected is expected to rise further in the second half of 2017. 9 million people will not have access to safe drinking water.

Small farmers are the worst affected. Up to 50% of livestock have died in areas where Trocaire works.

Drought affected families are employing extreme coping strategies to survive, including skipping meals, selling assets and migration or displacement of entire households.
Laois entrepreneur Michael Onalimi had plenty to celebrate this week when he landed the keys to a brand new, taxed and insured car after becoming a Nissan Generation Next ambassador.

Michael, from Mountmellick, fended off competition from over 1,000 applicants to secure one of eleven places that were up for grabs on the prestigious ambassador programme which helps people to get ahead in their new businesses.

His success follows a three week public vote where over 100,000 votes were cast online for 20 finalists.

Michael ran an energetic campaign, receiving huge support from family, friends and supporters in both the Mountmellick community and abroad.

Each ambassador was given the choice of a brand new, taxed and insured car from Nissans award winning fleet to drive for a year and Michael selected the Nissan X-Trail as the car best suited to helping him to take his business to the next level of success.

See also: Laois chef Michael Onalimi is flipping excited about being in the top seven.

Michael realised a long held dream when he launched his business, Flavour Safari Sauces, which is Irelands first African inspired sauce range. His journey across Africa and Europe was the inspiration behind his brand.

His sauces not only bring customers on a unique taste experience but also tell the story of a flavour journey across two continents. The artisan brand has been named Best Food Provider at the 2017 Micro Business Awards and as winner of the Bank of Ireland Taste of Dublin Award 2017.

I am delighted to become a Nissan Generation Next ambassador and to drive away with a new Nissan X-Trail. The car will make a massive difference to my business, helping me to increase distribution, to win new customers and to expand nationally and internationally, said Michael.

We are continually working to secure new store listings across the country and on exporting our range of sauces to the U.K.. Our new Nissan X-Trail means that we no longer have to rely on outside logistics. I would like to thank everyone who voted for me and Im really looking forward to developing my business with Nissans support, he added.

Local Nissan dealer, Downeys Portlaoise, backed Michael during the voting stage and are delighted with his success.

Michael is an exceptional entrepreneur who shares Nissans commitment to excellence and innovation. We are delighted to welcome him to the Nissan Generation Next ambassador programme and to supply him with an award winning Nissan X-Trail so that he can drive his business to the next level, said Richard Downey, Dealer Principal at local Nissan dealer, Downeys Portlaoise.

Read more about Michael's food business here.
Laois train commuters have to pay handsomely to park at Portlaoise station but Irish Rail claims it has no money to expand or improve the town's overloaded facility.

Irish Rail's boss gave the update to Laois Fianna Fail TD Sean Fleming after Transport Minister Shane Ross give the State-owned company 10 days to come up with some answers.

The existing car park is not big enough to meet current demand. It is split in two on both sides of the line. Both fill up early each morning. Access is difficult to the main car park as the road leading to it very narrow.

In a letter sent to Dep Fleming, David Franks, Irish Rail Chief Executive, sets out the current position.

"I can confirm that there is no investment funding available for car parking improvements, however, Iarnrod Eireann are developing a prioritised car parking programme with a view to seeking funding from the National Transport Authority and or the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and I anticipate that Portlaoise car park will be included in that programme," he said.

While Sean Fleming got an answer, the Laois TD was not satisfied with the response.

"This seems to be either passing the book or wishful thinking by Iarnrod Eireann. They are saying they agree with the need but they are not going to provide any funding and they would be very happy if somebody else was to pay for it.

"This is not a sufficient response as the passengers are their customers and there should be an obligation on Iarnrod Eireann to deal with parking for customers who come into their station," he told the Leinster Express.

Laois County Council has made an effort to help. It made two offers to the Christian Brothers trust to buy land occupied by a former school beside the station for car parking. Both offers were rejected.

Substantial money was invested in the past decade in Portlarington train station on the Laois Offaly border. Most of the cash for that came from the European Union under the old Border, Midland, West funding stream.

There are two car park payment methods. The machine charge is 4.50 per day, 11 per week or 30 montly.

The park by text method is cheaper. This method costs 3.50 a day 9 week and 30 a month. The annual parking fee is by paying this way 360.

The daily cost is higher than public car parking in Portlaoise. Laois County Council charges 2.40 a day for its car park on the town's Ridge Road.

It was reported in 2015 that Irish Rail earned 1.76 million from five stations.

NCPS runs operates the car parks.

Portlaoise is a critical part of Irish Rail's network. Apart from being a busy commuter hub and being on the Cork-Dublin-Limerick line, the location of the prisons in the town also make it a lucrative station from the company.

Irish Rail's maintenance depot is also located in the town.
This day 19 years ago Newbridge student Deirdre Jacob disappeared.

Deirdre, then just 18-years-old, was home from London for the summer.

SEE ALSO: Deirdre Jacob search: Lions Club and parents launch new poster for National Missing Persons Day

She was last seen shortly after 3pm walking from Newbridge to her home in Roseberry on Tuesday, July 28, 1998.

She had visited her grandmother earlier that day.

She went to AIB Bank in Newbridge and then to the Post Office and returned back to her Grandmother before heading back home.

A sighting of her carrying a distinctive CAT bag was later reported in Dublin near Tara St station.

She is described as being 52" in height, slim build, with short black/brown hair, grey/green eyes and when last seen she was wearing a navy NIKE jumper with a white collar, blue jeans and blue NIKE runners.

Last year, on the 18th anniversary of her disappearance, a fresh appeal was made by Gardai for information.

SEE ALSO: Deirdre Jacob case under fresh garda review on 18th anniversary of Newbridge woman's disappearance

Despite this and repeated appeals and case reviews over the years, no trace has ever been found of the young trainee teacher.

Anyone who may have information is asked contact Newbridge Gardai on 045-431-212, or The Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.

SEE ALSO: Kildare's missing persons  the pain that never goes away for their families
A man charged with speeding on the N81 has told a Kildare District Court that the States speed monitoring system is a racket.

Peter Coleman, with an address at Forget Me Not, Apartment 4, Allen Hall, Belgard Square, Tallaght, appeared at the July 26 sitting of Naas District Court.

Garda Inspector Patsy Glennon said that Gardai had recorded Mr Coleman driving at a speed of 78kph in a 60kph zone at Horsepasstown, Ballymore Eustace.

Mr Coleman complained about being fined at going at 47 miles per hour, which is more or less equivalent to 78 kilometres per hour, on this road. I feel very badly treated. I was driving at 47 miles an hour, he said. I feel very aggrieved. I feel I have to make a stand.

Mr Coleman said he wanted to see the contracts between himself and the State.  I got no answer to the letter I sent in, he said.

Mr Coleman continued: The State is running a little racket, he said of the speeding system.

Mr Coleman accepted he was travelling at78 kph in the 60kph zone. I did not see a sign, he said. Garda Inspector Patsy Glennon said there was a sign. Mr Coleman said many roads have different speeds on different part of the road.

Some are notorious speed traps and are wasting peoples time and Garda time, according to the defendant.

Inspector Glennon said four people have been killed in the last ten years on the stretch Mr Coleman was caught, on so the speed limit was brought down.

Judge Desmond Zaidan said that in fairness to Mr Coleman, he had strong views and they were in conflict with Inspectors Glennons.

Judge Zaidan repeated the the Inspectors statement that four people had been killed on the stretch over the last ten years. It is not true that the speed detection systems is a racket, said the judge.

The judge went onto say that he did not think there was a speed system anywhere so transparent as the one in Ireland.

He said that nowhere do road authorities tell drivers that there is a speed camera up ahead the way we do in Ireland. In Ireland you can see where the cameras are on the website.

Judge Zaidan said he had many criticisms of the system, including that the same penalties were levies on slower drivers than faster drivers who broke the legal limits.

He told Mr Coleman: There is no substantial basis for your view.

He advised him to go to members of the Oireachtas to get the law changed. They make the laws. I do my best to balance the application of the law.

Mr Coleman said: You havent told me anything I dont know.

Judge Zaidan said: I would not subscribe to your views.

The judge said he could fine him up to 2,000 but he fined him 200.
HSE St Patricks Community Hospital, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim was a hive of activity on Thursday, July 27, as Erin Moran Leitrim Rose 2017 paid a visit to residents and staff there.

Michelle Quinn, Director of Nursing, with Erin Moran, Leitrim Rose 2017.

During her visit Erin stated, "I am delighted to be invited to visit St Patricks Hospital. As Leitrim Rose I feel it is my duty to meet and to get to know people from all around the county as I have been chosen to represent each one of you in the Rose of Tralee International Festival.

"It is brilliant to have the opportunity to witness the fantastic work of the professionals at St Patricks and the care that they provide for the residents here. I am so excited for the Festival which takes place in two weeks time. I hope I do you all proud. I would also like to take this opportunity to Thank You all for your support."

Michael Mulvey with Erin Moran, Leitrim Rose 2017.

St Patricks Community Hospital is a HSE nursing unit that provides short and long term care residential care for residents with a range of needs including convalescence, respite care, assessment, rehabilitation, palliative care, continuing care and dementia care.

It is a 46 bedded unit accommodating both male and females residents over the age of 65. At present there are 45 residents.

Mai Fitzgerald with Erin Moran, Leitrim Rose 2017.

The centre also provides Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy and Palliative Care Services. Other facilities include a church, a Snoezelen Room (delivering high levels of stimuli to patients with dementia), and the main catering kitchen and laundry.

In addition there is a Day Care Centre that provides for Social, Medical Nursing and Paramedical needs to clients.

The hospital has recently undergone refurbishment works to bring it in line with HIQA recommendations and to provide a comfortable living space for the residents.

The residents and staff at St Patricks promised Erin that they will enthusiastically cheer her on when Rose of Tralee is aired on RTE on 21st & 22nd August.
Arigna writer Brian Leyden talks to John Creedon in the second programme in the new television series John Creedon's Shannon which will be broadcast at 6.30pm on this Sunday, July 30.

He discusses him memoir The Home Place where he has the story about an issue of the National Geographic Magazine that appeared in November 1978. It featured an article called Where the River Shannon Flows with a famous photograph of the river nomad John Weaving in a punt with his two dogs Cubby and Brocky. A painting was made of the photo that appears in the Martin Scorsese's gangster film Goodfellas.

Weaving lived on a barge on the Shannon and helped with the construction of piers and dredging work on the navigation before the potential of the River Shannon as a tourism resource was fully appreciated.

The same National Geographic also featured a two-page photo essay on the writer's parents Nan and Matt Leyden on their mountain farm overlooking the Shannon.

In the article Brian's father is quoted as saying, "Don't stay too long in this country or it will capture you". After the pictures appeared in the National Geographic Matt and Nan got correspondence from all over the world and the full story is told by Brian in his memoir.

Brian Leyden will be reading from The Home Placce and his new novel Summer of '63 in the Arigna Mining Museum at 7pm this evening, Friday, July 28.
Ahead of the forthcoming big matches in Croke Park this weekend, involving three teams from the Connacht region, Leitrim County Councils Road Safety Office together with the Road Safety Authority, is reminding all those attending the matches in Croke Park to drive safely both to and from the Matches.

The roads leading to Dublin will be very busy on both Saturday and Sunday as people travel to and from the matches. Road users need to be extra vigilant due to the volume of traffic which will be travelling to and from the matches.

The following is some advice for road-users intending to travel to and from Croke Park and also to road-users intending to watch the matches on television, either at home or in the pub:

Plan your Journey in advance. As the roads will be very busy due to the volume of people attending the matches in Croke Park, ensure to leave adequate time for your journey up to and home from the matches.

Plan ahead. Make sure you know how youre getting to and from the matches or to and from the pub to watch the matches.

Slow Down  Drivers are urged to Slow Down and Save Lives  Speed is a major factor in the cause and outcome of road collisions. Drive at the right speed for the road conditions. Act responsibly.

Driver Fatigue  Driver fatigue is a major cause of road collisions. If you feel tired while driving, pull over, have a coffee and a short sleep. Take regular breaks from driving if you feel sleepy. Stop, Sip & Sleep

Always Wear a Seatbelt  Always wear your Seatbelt and ensure passengers are wearing theirs too, no matter how short the journey.

Never use Mobile Phones when Driving

Never overload a Vehicle with Passengers

Never ever drink and drive. Any amount of alcohol impairs your driving so either leave the car at home and arrange alternative transport, or abstain from Alcohol altogether.

Advice for Pedestrians - If you have been drinking alcohol, do NOT walk home. Arrange alternative transport. Almost half of all pedestrians killed on our roads have consumed alcohol. Its a risk you shouldnt take.

The Morning after the Night Before - If you do drink and arrange alternative transport, do not forget that that you could still be over the limit the next morning so take the necessary precautions. It takes roughly one hour for your body to get rid of one unit of alcohol which is a half pint or a standard glass of wine, so if you got to bed late and didnt get a good nights sleep, the effect of the alcohol will be more significant. 1 in 10 drink driving fatalities happen between 8am and 11am so if you have had a heavy night out, leave the car at home.

Expect the Unexpected

Wishing all the Teams involved every success.

Enjoy the Matches!! But most importantly, ARRIVE ALIVE.
A new online campaign is calling on Leitrim County Council to cease and prohibit the use of glyphosate based weedkillers in all public places including public footpaths, road verges, council estates and amenity areas.

The petition run by Uplift is calling on the county council to use alternative methods for weed control without the use of toxic herbicides.

Regarding the spread of the weed known as 'Knotweed' the organisers of the campaign say "we are aware of the seriousness of this invasive species but studies have concluded that the longterm use of glyphosate weedkillers do not kill knotweed. We demand that our county councils use traditional/organic solutions and methods to control any problematic weeds."



Glyphosate based weedkillers are reported to be highly carcinogenic and linked to a variety of potentially fatal diseases.

Monsanto's Roundup weedkiller, Pathclear, Gallop, Pistol and Mossgo are to name but a few of the weedkillers currently on the market that contain glyphosate which campaigners say are lethal to all living organisms.

Ireland has the second highest level of glyphosate in our surface water in the EU and the third highest death rate of cancer in Europe.

Irish campaign group Uplift is hoping to get 9,000 people to sign an EU-wide petition to ban the chemical, which a World Health Organisation body has said "probably" causes cancer. That finding is disputed by the EU's food safety and chemicals agencies, which say it is unlikely to be carcinogenic to humans.

Glyphosate has already been partially banned in France and the Netherlands, and the Commission has suggested minimising its use in public places and before harvest time.

You can sign the petition or find out more information about the campaign here.
Corbyn wants a hard-right Brexit. Progressives must fight back, not follow  that is the uncompromising headline to an article by Vince Cable in todays Guardian.

Vince claims:

It is a paradox not lost on many Labour MPs that while their leader is to the left even of Michael Foot, he has collaborated with the right more than any Labour leader since Ramsay MacDonald. Jeremy Corbyns insistence that Brexit means leaving the single market and customs union  unpicking Keir Starmers carefully woven tapestry of ambiguity  now puts him in the same place as Theresa May and Liam Fox. That place is to the hard right of British politics.

He goes on:

I am genuinely puzzled by the position of Labours leadership. It could be rationalised as reflecting the politics of leave-dominated constituencies. But the leadership has taken principled positions in other areas. Moreover, it is seriously at odds with voters in London and Scotland, and the trade union movement.  More generally, outside the time warp of the British far-left, European progressive parties have recognised that the liberalising forces of the single market are balanced by strong environmentalism, consumer protection and labour standards: precisely that which the Conservative right is determined to get rid of once we take back control.

So what can Liberal Democrats do?

Tribalism gets in the way of sensible collaboration in British politics. But I want to reach out to Labour MPs privately angry that they are being ordered into the division lobbies to vote for Theresa Mays extreme Brexit. It is time we were more grown-up in politics and worked together where there is common ground. There are also sensible Conservative MPs who understand that Britain is stronger in the single market and customs union.

You can read the full article here.
A FORMER Christian brother who abused a number of young boys at a school in Limerick almost 40 years ago has been jailed for three and-a-half years.

Seamus Treacy (also known as James), aged 75, who has an address at Ashford Close, Swords, Dublin was convicted of 17 charges of indecent assault following separate trials at Limerick Circuit Court earlier this year.

Two of the charges related to one victim with the remaining 15 related to three other victims.

All of the offences happened at a school in Limerick in the late 1970s where the defendant was a teacher at the time.

Most of the offences happened in the classroom at the school while one happened in the toilet area after Treacy found the victim smoking.

It can now be revealed that Treacy has a large number of previous convictions relating to similar offences  all of which happened around the same time.

During a sentencing hearing this Friday, Judge Tom ODonnell said the actions of the defendant were barbaric and that he had effectively ruined the lives of each of the victims.

He left a deep trail of destruction, he said adding that it was difficult to see grown men, now aged in their 50s, reduced to tears as victim impact statements were read in court on a previous occasion.

He noted that Treacy, who appeared to deliberately turn away from the victims as he sat in court this Friday, has not shown any remorse or empathy and that he disputes the verdicts of the two separate juries.

Judge ODonnell said the frequency of the abuse and the pre-meditated nature of his actions were aggravating factors as was the fact that he was in a position of trust.

Addressing the victims who were present in court he said: You did nothing wrong. You should not be ashamed.

The judge said the defendants previous convictions for similar offences were another aggravating factor he had to consider.

He imposed the maximum sentence of two years imprisonment in relation to the incident in the toilet while consecutive sentences of 18 months were imposed in relation to the other offences.

Treacys name has also been placed on the register of sexual offenders.
STATUES of Terry Wogan and Richard Harris in Limerick city should be melted down and reconstructed, a former Mayor of Limerick has urged.

Independent councillor John Gilligan said both bronze pieces, and costing some 200,000 between them, are dreadful and a joke.

They simply arent up to scratch. If youre going to erect a statue to someone it should at least have some resemblance. The one of Terry Wogan is, at best, a cartoon character  best viewed from about two miles away.

I think we have to accept that we tried it, it didnt work out, lets go back and fix it. Its going to last a long time.

In 100 years time it will still be wrong, and theyll be even more unrecognisable. The biggest problem we have in Government, both local and national, is that nobody is prepared to say We got it wrong, but well fix it.

Fianna Fail deputy Willie ODea told the Limerick Leader that he is not opposed to the idea.

Obviously a lot of money has been spent, and I don't like to see waste of public money, but they have upset a lot of people.

Every time I pass the Terry Wogan statue, and I walk down there every day, I try to avoid looking at it because it annoys me. It really is annoying.

Deputy ODea said he wouldn't be totally hostile to the proposal of replacing the statues with new models.

The piece in memory of Sir Terry Wogan, the legendary BBC broadcaster, by the award-winning artist Rory Breslin, from Mayo, was commissioned by Limerick City and County Council for in the region of 50,000.

It was selected from some 30 submissions by artists nationwide, though the shortlisted designs were not shown to the public, nor put out for a period of public consultation.

The statue of the twice Oscar-nominated actor and Limericks most famous thespian, Richard Harris, on Bedford Row continues to draw criticism, some 10 years on since its unveiling.

That piece, which cost the local authority some 150,000, depicts him in his role as King Arthur from Camelot.

But the metropolitan mayor of Limerick, Cllr Sean Lynch, said he is not in favour of the proposal, as the money could be put to better uses.

Im not in favour of going to further expense to change it now. The Wogan piece is in a great location, and still catches the eye.

They definitely got it wrong with the Harris statue, as it doesnt look like him at all. Harris is certainly more questionable than Wogan; that statue is definitely open for debate, he conceded.

Acclaimed artist John Shinnors, of the RHA, has also been vocal in his criticism of both pieces.

Mr Shinnors lamented that the statue erected in memory of Wogan is a Brexit tourist attraction, lacking in imagination.

Its a caricature. A Brexit tourist attraction, has nothing to do with its surroundings and is lacking in imagination, he said.

Mr Shinnors, 67, said many of these visions for public art pieces are conceived by council officials and politicians who wouldnt know a Turner from a turnip.

Where was the thought of the quality of the piece, the most suitable location or how it could enhance an area, he questioned.

He said the sculpture of Harris is touristy kitsch.
A POLISH national who breached a Protection Order granted to his wife will avoid a criminal conviction if he makes a 120 donation to charity.

The father-of-two, who has been living in Ireland for more than a decade, was prosecuted following an incident at his wifes home in the city on February 10, last.

While the man, who now lives in the Kilmallock area, did not dispute calling to the womans home at around 8am with breakfast for their two young children, he disputed that he had put her in fear.

The woman told Judge Marian OLeary that after he arrived at the house her husband grabbed her mobile phone telling her he was taking it off her as she had not answered it the previous evening. He added he had bought the phone for her.

The woman said she and her husband have a lot of problems and that he also called her a slut while at the house.

Solicitor John Herbert said his client had an argument with his wife and that there was no need for gardai to have been called.

Where are we going if we are seen to bring the law into every argument that happens? he asked urging the court not to convict the defendant.

Garda Stephen Leamy said the defendant was obstructive and slightly aggressive when he arrived as he did not see the need for us to be there.

He said it was obvious to him that the mans wife was afraid as she was in floods of tears.

Garda Leamy told Judge OLeary when the defendant was formally charged in relation to the incident he replied I apologise when he understood to be an apology for his actions on the day.

Following an hour-long hearing and having considered legal submissions Judge OLeary said she was satisfied the State had proven its case.

However, noting that the Protection Order was lifted less than three weeks later and that there are no ongoing difficulties, she indicated she will strike out the matter if 120 is paid to the court poor box within four months.
THE University of Limerick spent over 2 million in legal fees in the past decade, with Dublin-based firm Arthur Cox receiving nearly 1.5 million.

Figures released to the Limerick Leader under a Freedom of Information request show that Arthur Cox solicitors  one of the countrys biggest law firms and favoured by Denis OBrien and Hozier  received 1,480,931 from University of Limerick since 2007 up to the present time.

Limerick-based law firm Holmes OMalley Sexton also received 529,973 within the same period.

A number of other local law firms received smaller sums.

Arthur Cox has acted on behalf of UL issuing High Court defamation proceedings against the Limerick Leader over its first report on the suspension of two whistleblowers in ULs finance department.

That action alone  which was later dropped  cost UL in the region of 60,000.

UL also paid two external consultants a further 3.45 million within that period, with PwC receiving 1,891,346 and Deloitte & Touche being paid 1,568,572.

High levels of spending on legal fees by third-level institutions across the State have come under the spotlight of the Public Accounts Committee.

In a recent report on spending by universities and colleges, the PAC urged that institutions adopt a policy change from litigation to mediation to drive down costs.

Dr Richard Thorn, former president of Sligo Institute of Technology, who is leading a new inquiry into allegations of misconduct at UL, said legal avenues taken by UL and high levels of spending on severance packages are among those under review.

The legal advice sought in respect of severance packages and whether or not it was appropriate or overly used is something that well be looking at very carefully, Dr Thorn told the Limerick Leader.

More than 25 individuals have now been interviewed by Dr Thorn and others carrying out the investigation, including a number of former staff members who received confidential severance agreements, which are not in the public domain.

He said UL has been fully co-operative with their inquiries, while they are waiting to interview former UL president, Professor Don Barry, who stepped down in May after a ten-year tenure.

A number of very senior staff have already been interviewed.

Dr Thorn said that he has heard the testimonies of very traumatic incidents for individuals, in the finance department in particular.

Very high level matters concerning questions of governance have been raised, and on the other hand, matters of deep concern to individual employees, he said.

The PAC has specifically highlighted University College Cork in relation to spending on legal fees, where they seemed to be significantly higher than the average across the other institutions.

Some 922,000 was spent on legal fees and settlements by UCC, according to their 2013/14 financial accounts, with 177,000 spent on staff related legal costs and settlements. A further 541,000 included in respect of liabilities for potential future staff related legal costs based on estimates provided by legal firms.

The actual costs incurred may subsequently be less should matters be settled in advance of court hearings, UCC advised.

The universitys policy now is to mediate on employment issues where they arise and use the national industrial relations structures to avoid such conflicts being referred to the courts, noted the PAC.
FINE Gael councillor Adam Teskey was pelted with stones during an incident in county Limerick this week.

Speaking at a meeting of Adare Rathkeale Municipal District this Tuesday where crime figures for the area were being discussed, Cllr Teskey revealed that he and his father had been pelted with stones during an incident in Askeaton at the weekend.

And in a further revelation, he said that siphoning off of agricultural diesel was a big problem for farmers in the area and that he too had suffered.

I have lost about 500 worth in the last three to four months, with diesel being siphoned out of tractors, he said. And he argued that farmers felt they were being targeted.

But the Rathkeale based councillor then went on to describe an event which took place last Sunday evening. He and his father were driving tractors and farm equipment in convoy through Askeaton, he said, when a group of youngsters began pelting them with stones from behind a low wall on Church St.

I jammed on the brakes and the language was very colourful I assure you, he told fellow councillors. If you break a back window in a tractor it is 1000. He phoned the gardai but nobody was immediately available. In a follow up call by gardai, he was told a car would be deployed from Henry St Garda Station.

I am very sorry to hear to hear about the stoning, said Supt Tom OConnor who was attending the meeting to discuss policing figures in the district.

But he acknowledged there were issues of manpower, logistics and response time.

I am shouting for manpower, he said.

Policing figures for the Adare Rathkeale area, the superintendent told councillors, show an increase in burglaries in the first six months of 2017 compared with the same period last year, from 35 to 49. Theft from cars at 31, was almost double the 2016 figure and criminal damage cases had increased by almost 50% from 33 to 47.

He attributed the rise in assaults causing harm, from five to eight cases, to garda diligence in prosecution and a greater willingness of people to come forward. But there had been a fall in the number of stolen cars, in thefts from shops and other thefts, the superintendent said.

There had been seven drug possession cases in the first six months and two cases of a more serious nature.

But Cllrs Emmett OBrien and Kevin Sheahan raised concerns about drug dealing in the Pallaskenry, Kildimo and Askeaton area.

It is not a scourge but it is something people are starting to notice, Cllr OBrien said, explaining that groups of young disaffected men aged 17-22, who are not working or in training, are being taken advantage of by drug dealers.

There are travelling gangs coming into Pallaskenry and Kildimo from the Limerick and Askeaton direction, he said, and he believed they were making drop-offs which filtered down to local dealers and then down to young men who are outside the margins.

In Askeaton, the drugs business is on everybodys tongue, Cllr Kevin Sheahan said, explaining that transactions are taking place in certain locations in the town every week.

People, from their houses, tell me they can witness the same event taking place weekly.

Ordinary people are being offered whatever they would like to get, he continued and there is a nervousness that is growing.

There is anger among the people and they do blame the closure of the Garda Station, and they do see it as closure. It is not open as much as it used to be, Cllr Sheahan said.

Arguing that more gardai are needed in Croom, Cllr Richard ODonoghue said the force locally needed more gardai and more cars equipped with number plate recognition. We need proper cars and not the hand-me downs from Dublin, he said.

Cllr Ciara McMahon agreed saying that the same issue about equipment had arisen with the fire service.

We are not getting the new stuff because we are rural, she said. The decision to drop recruitment during the recession had had a detrimental effect, she argued, and the force had also lost a lot of experience due to retirements.
The jury in the trial of a biker accused of murdering a member of a rival motorcycle club will return to the Central Criminal Court on Monday to consider its verdict.

Having spent 45 minutes deliberating this Friday afternoon, the seven men and four women told Mr Justice Paul McDermott that they wanted to go home for the weekend.

They had earlier heard from Mr Justice McDermott that their task is to to decide if the accused man was acting in defence of himself and his family or in retaliation after he was assaulted and threatened.

Alan 'Cookie McNamara, aged 51, of Mountfune, Murroe has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Andrew 'AOD' O'Donoghue at the gates of the Road Tramps motorcycle club at Mountfune on June 20, 2015.

In his charge to the jury, Mr Justice McDermott told the jurors they will have to assess Mr McNamara's mindset and ask, "what did he honestly believe at the time?"

He told them the defence says this event unfolded very quickly and that the accused felt there was a threat to him and his family, whereas the prosecution said the shooting evolved out of acts which were revengeful or retaliatory.

He reminded the jury of the evidence which showed that Mr McNamara, a member of the Caballeros motorcycle club, was assaulted at a pub in Doon in Limerick by members of the Road Tramps the day before the shooting.

One of the Road Tramps punched him in the face and they took his waistcoat, which had a Caballeros patch sewn into the back. Justice McDermott said it appears that members of motorcycle clubs have their own territories and they do not like having members of other clubs in those areas.

After he was arrested for the shooting Mr McNamara told gardai that following the assault in Doon, three Road Tramps pulled up to his house in a maroon car and, in front of his wife and children, threatened to kill him and burn down his home.

He said he was terrified. The following day he received a phone call from his stepson who told him that he was in a car with two other Caballeros following a Road Tramp.

Mr McNamara loaded a shotgun, got in his car and drove to the Road Tramps' clubhouse where he told gardai he thought Mr O'Donoghue was holding a gun, so he shot him.

Mr Justice McDermott told the seven men and four women they must consider all the facts and examine the accused man's state of mind, as expressed in his interviews (with gardai).

They should think about the manner of the shooting and the events leading up to it - why the accused came to be there with a loaded shotgun and whether Mr O'Donoghue did anything other than point towards him. They must consider the nature of the threat posed to him and whether there was a basis for his fearing a threat to him or his family.

He also suggested they consider whether he could have dealt with it in a different way. That comes to your view of the evidence in relation to the events as they unfolded, he said.

It is the prosecution's job to exclude self defence, he said adding that homicide is not murder if it is committed in reasonable self defence or in defence of others.

He told them that if a person uses only that force which is reasonable to defend themselves or someone else they are entitled to a full acquittal.

He asked them to consider the level of violence in this case and if it was reasonable and necessary to deal with the threat to Mr McNamara and his family.

He added: You must use common sense in regard to that.

If the accused believed he was using necessary force but the force he used was greater than a reasonable man would deem necessary, then he is guilty of manslaughter and not murder.

In circumstances where there was a threat but the accused knowingly used more force than was reasonable in the circumstances, he is guilty of murder, the judge told them.

The judge further told them that it is up to the prosecution to exclude any reasonable possibility of the defence posed on behalf of Mr McNamara.

The jury will resume its deliberations at 10.30am on Monday.
A COUNTY Limerick man has died following a road accident in County Cork.

The motorcyclist, whose aged in his 40s, died after the bike he was driving was in collision with a van at Doctor Barrys Bridge, just south of Rathcormac village at around 7.45am this Friday.

The van driver was not injured in the collision which is being investigated by gardai in Fermoy.

While emergency services arrived with minutes of the collision happening, the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

The road where the collision happened was closed for several hours on Friday to facilitate a technical and forensic examination of the scene.

CORK Rathcormac/Watergrasshill Rd (R639) reopened at turnoff for Conna (at Dr Barry's Bridge) following a collision. https://t.co/pdsEzJTRQr  AA Roadwatch (@aaroadwatch) July 28, 2017

Following the fatal collision, the mans body was removed to Cork University Hospital (CUH) where a post mortem will be carried out.

While the name of the deceased man has not been disclosed, it is understood he was from the Kilmallock area of County Limerick.

Gardai at Fermoy station can be contacted at 025-82100.
LIMERICK taxi drivers have welcomed the news that Uber will not be able to set up a ride-sharing service in Ireland, as it does in other countries.

It emerged this Friday that the National Transport Authority (NTA) has told Uber  which employs 300 people in its Catherine Street operation  that its model was not appropriate for this country.

Uber links passengers with private car owners through an mobile app, and has attracted huge opposition from taxi drivers worldwide. This is because in effect Ubers model allows every day drivers to operate taxi services.

Jude Williams, who heads up Treaty Cabs, said the NTA disclosure  uncovered through a Freedom of Information request from RTE  was fantastic news for the taxi industry of Ireland.

If they were allowed operate, because Ireland is so small and more so Limerick, it would wipe out the taxi and hackney industry in literally a month, said the boss of the Davis Street firm.

Independent taxi driver Eric Hatton said he believes Uber would never have worked in Ireland or Limerick.

He said: I never agreed with the profile of it. The numbers are not in this country for it. Perhaps you might get away with it in Dublin, but in places like Limerick, where the population is so small, it would be unlikely to happen. You either have a taxi industry or you do not. If any Joe Punch-clock can just come in and do my job, it just defeats the purpose.

Mr Hatton admitted he was surprised that Ubers plans were blocked by the NTA, because of the fact the firm has made such a big investment in Limerick.

The NTA told Uber in a disclosure: Operating parallel regulated and non-regulated regimes, even on a pilot basis is undesirable in our view and can only serve to undermine the regulated transport system.

Uber  which declined to comment when contacted by the Leader  operates ride-sharing services in Britain and the USA, but a raft of European countries have already banned the practice.
HIGH-profile artist Elizabeth Magill is stage her first major Irish exhibition in 10 years at Limerick City Gallery of Art, it has been announced.

Magill, one of her generations leading painters, will present a body of new work at the city gallery from September 9.

LCGA said it was delighted to host the Canadian born artist, who grew up in Northern Ireland and is now based in London, and her show, Headland, which will run until October 22.

Magill came to the attention of the art world in the early 90s with a major exhibition at the Arnolfini, Bristol, followed by prestigious group shows at Serpentine Gallery, London, Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin and the British Art Show.

She has been the recipient of many significant awards and prizes over her 30 year career and LCGA said it initiated this exhibition to present a new body of work to a younger audience who may not be familiar with her work and for an established audience to have the opportunity to view new and recent work.

Magill explains that although my work refers to landscape it is more like an exterior view, an attempt to create a setting or space to place things a kind of deposit of thoughts and observations within the framework of a personal and painting practice.

See www.gallery.limerick.ie for more.
Apr 30, 2021, 8 AM

Our Aug. 14 issue has some fantastic content waiting for you. Among the many highlights is Wayne Youngbloods The Odd Lot, which explores the rather unusual efforts of a postal inspection office in Philadelphia to deter theft by instructing post offices t

By Charles Snee

In less than a week, members of the Linns and Scott catalog editorial staffs will head to Richmond, Va., to attend the American Philatelic Society Stampshow. Tight schedules aside, the Aug. 14 issue of Linns Stamp News hit the press on time, and will go in the mail to subscribers Monday, July 31. If youre a digital subscriber, you get early access Saturday, July 29. These three snippets will give you a flavor of whats to come until your copy  on paper or in electrons  arrives. Enjoy!

Stamps with secret marks might be lurking about

Are there secret marks on your early 20th-century United States stamps or covers? asks Wayne Youngblood in this months The Odd Lot. He goes on to explain how an obscure 1912 directive from the Postal Inspection Service Office in Philadelphia resulted in subtle markings being added to stamps to help thwart theft from post offices.

What are Framas? you might ask

Janet Klug, in her delightfully entertaining Stamps Down Under column, provides the answer via an engaging review of the machine-vended labels Australia Post produced during 1985-2003. In case youre wondering, Frama is the name of the Swiss firm that produced the special paper used to print the labels.

The font named for a third-century Christian martyr

In Great Britain Philately, Matthew Healey traces the colorful history of the Perpetua font, the brainchild of the curmudgeonly Eric Gill, and the enduring typefaces close association with British stamps, beginning in 1937 with the issuance of definitive stamps depicting King George VI.

Want to subscribe?

Get access to all of these articles, and so much more, with a Linns Stamp News print or digital edition subscription!

Sign up and start reading now!
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The boss of Finnair, the first airline to fly directly from Europe to China, has restructured the carrier but retained the cultural links that go back nearly 30 years

Pekka Vauramo has always tried to bring a touch of Nordic culture to his Chinese customers.

The CEO of Finnair Oyj is keen to uphold a tradition that dates back to 1988, when Finland's national carrier became the first airline to fly directly from Europe to China.

"We want to bring something Nordic that is acceptable to our Chinese customers," says Vauramo, 60. "Then, of course, there are many other things that have contributed to our growth today."

Pekka Vauramo, chief executive officer of Finnair Oyj. Bloomberg

Celebrated chef Steven Liu has played a major role by creating the menu for business-class passengers. The famed judge on MasterChef China uses typical Finnish ingredients cooked in a Chinese style.

"People, of course, like the stories of Finland, Santa Claus and the Northern lights," Vauramo says. "Naturally, Finnair is associated with Finland."

But behind the historical veneer, Vauramo is a pragmatic operator who completed a major cost-saving and restructuring program two years ago.

Now, the airline is looking healthy, with revenue in the first quarter jumping by 3.3 percent to 554 million euros ($638 million; 491 million) compared with the same period in 2016.

"China and the Republic of Korea were the biggest contributors," Finnair reported in its first-quarter results. "The number of passengers (also) grew by 4.1 percent, with fuller planes."

The European carrier employs more than 5,000 people and flies to over 100 global destinations. But Vauramo stresses that China is the country that offers "significant growth potential". In an in-depth interview with China Daily, he talks about his love for the company and the rise in Chinese tourism.

Finnair was the first European airline to launch direct flights between Xi'an and Helsinki, and Chongqing and Helsinki in the past few years. How are those routes performing?

They are certainly doing very well. If you are a pioneer, it will be difficult when you first start. It takes time before the flights develop and mature.

When we went to cities such as Xi'an and Chongqing, we started from zero, but we have built reputations there. We started selling, marketing and creating a business relationship with travel agencies and visa outlets. It takes time, but we had passion and commitment to do that.

Will the Chinese passenger market to Northern Europe continue to grow?

Even now it is growing at a higher rate. During the first quarter of this year, the number of Chinese tourists who went to Finland jumped by 75 percent year-on-year. In 2016, the growth rate was 30 percent to 40 percent, so it is expanding nicely.

What are the reasons behind this high growth?

Chinese people have started to travel the world. At first, it was to destinations such as Japan and the Republic of Korea.

Now, they are looking for other places where they can go, and Northern Europe has become a hot destination. They want to find something new.

Besides Helsinki, we have connected flights to more than 100 cities in Europe, so you can do both. If you want to go to Paris during the same trip, the flights are relatively short.

Do you plan to launch more flights between cities in China and Finland?

Yes, of course. We are looking at other cities in China, including some smaller ones, while we also want to grow our routes to Beijing and Shanghai because the demand is there.

In Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, we have daily flights, and we are going to increase the frequencies during the summer season.

Are there concerns about overcapacity?

Look at the global market; there is overcapacity. But as long as we can retain growth on routes that are relevant to us, I am not that concerned about it. Even though we have increased traffic between Europe and China, we are a small airline globally.

Do you see more passengers flying from China to Helsinki in the summer compared with the winter?

That really depends. We do have higher numbers flying with us in the summer, but the growth figures are bigger in the winter. We also see more individuals and families traveling with Finnair instead of groups.

From June, passengers have been able to use Alipay and Wi-Fi on all Chinese routes. It makes purchasing and shopping easier on aircraft. As well as that, Chinese passengers can now use Alipay at Helsinki airport through their smartphones.

Are flights with Alipay popular?

Yes, the numbers back that up. Sales are higher on those flights, increasing by 100 percent to 200 percent.

Why do you like working at an airline company?

Four years ago, I was asked whether I would join Finnair. I traveled a lot with the airline in my previous job. But Finnair represented something close to me. It used to take me home. That alone made it an easy decision to join the company.

Many people get inspired and are passionate about the aviation industry. And, of course, I have found the journey exciting during the past four years. I am pleased with the way things have developed. We have moved on, and we are growing rapidly. Finnair is doing this right now.

What are the highlights of your career at the airline?

When I started, we spent a long time restructuring, cutting costs, outsourcing and laying people off. But I knew we had to do something else.

Two years ago, we were the first European airline to use the new A350 aircraft. It was a great moment when it came into service. But we needed to do something more as well because new aircraft will not solve all the problems.

So, we decided to expand certain services. We are still doing this right now by adding extra cabin crew to our flights. They, in turn, will have more time to serve passengers.

We have also made it easier for passengers to buy goods on board with Alipay. All in all, we have improved profitability since 2015.

Has the A350 helped fuel growth for Finnair?

Of course it has. Firstly, it is slightly bigger than our previous aircraft. It is also a bit faster than other jets in our fleet and is more competitive.

It means we can take more passengers with 20 percent less fuel. It is very quiet and more comfortable for customers. They like the aircraft. It has also attracted a great deal of interest. By the end of the year, Finnair will have 11 A350s in its fleet.

Does Finnair have any business plans related to the Belt and Road Initiative?

When you look at what the airline is doing, it is really building connections between Asia and Europe. We also realize that China is the biggest growth market we cover.

So, we are providing flights to exciting destinations for passengers in Europe and in China. We were the first to start flying from Xi'an to Europe, and we want to continue to contribute. It is all about an exchange of ideas, culture and knowledge.

What are the challenges facing Finnair in China?

Like any business today, there is tremendous competition. Customers can easily compare prices, as they have more options on the internet. This brings challenges to the financial side of our company.

zhuwenqian@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily European Weekly 07/28/2017 page31)
Basava and the emergence of Lingayat identity As a section of the Lingayat community seeks to divorce itself from the Hindu fold, a look at the community that once shocked the keepers of social hierarchies /news/talking-point/basava-and-the-emergence-of-lingayat-identity-111646986859107.html 111646986859107 story

India has a long tradition of bright minds poking holes in some distinctly un-bright ideas. And one such mind lived over eight centuries ago in the south, blowing a hole so large through that disastrous institution called caste that a flood of peopleabout 6.5 million todayescaped the old order, arriving at an identity of their own. Of course, this identity, when formalized, invited its own peculiarities and contradictions, but now, as a section of the Lingayat community seeks legal recognition as a faith outside all-subsuming Hinduism, custodians of the majoritarian cause are gripped by understandable anxiety. And this despite the feelings that Basava, the 12th century intellectual preceptor of the Lingayats, expressed about such self-appointed custodians in his own day. Loaded with the burden of the Vedas," he pithily remarked, the Brahmin is a veritable donkey."

Basava could get away with saying outrageous things because he himself was a Brahmin. But he was a Brahmin repulsed by Brahminism, and the intellectual and material debilitations wreaked on society by caste. False, utterly false," he declared, are the stories of divine birth. The higher type of man is the man who knows himself." His was a kind of humanism that rejected man-made inequalities justified in the name of the divine, wedded though it was to the worship of Shiva. On the same earth stands," one of his vachanas goes, the outcastes hovel, and the deitys temple. Whether for ritual or rinsing, is not the water same?" So too, just like the outcaste Chandala, the Brahmin too was born from a human womb. Or is there anybody in the world," asked Basava, delivered through the ear?" Those who were meant to supply the answer stewed instead in anger.

Basava, son of Madiraja and Madalambike, was born around 1105 in Bagewadi. Poets subsequently embellished his tale with typical apocryphal excessthat his arrival was a boon from Shiva, or that the baby only opened his eyes when an image of the deity was dangled before him. But myth-making aside, the boy was sharpat 16, he discarded the Brahminical thread, and by 28 he was clear in his vision of a society without caste. In the fashion of his day, the vocabulary of his reform was also religious. And so Basava sought to break the monopoly temples and priests had over god by popularizing the portable Ishtalinga, a symbol of Shiva worn around the neck. From his centre in Kudalasangama, the idea of the temple was diluted, as was the popularity of polytheism. Gods here, gods there, with no space for our feet!" Basava exclaimed. Shiva alone was, he felt, a truly divine force in an ocean of pointless divinities, and Shiva became to Basava what Krishna would be to Meera.

But then Basava, who had simultaneously been a career bureaucrat since 1132, having advanced from royal accountant to chief minister at the tumultuous, fractious court in Kalyan, went one step too far. Already, his Hall of Experience (Anubhava Mantapa) attracted men and women from all castes to meet freely and to express radical new thought with even greater liberty. Then he proceeded to eat meals with untouchables, flouting age-old law. What could have been written off essentially as a new, somewhat irritating Shiva cult now began to shake the very pillars on which powerful social hierarchies were perched. Today he dines with (the lowborn). Tomorrow he will encourage mixed marriages," vented the orthodox, fearing caste mix-up" and the utter ruination" of the status quo. Their fears were, as it happens, valid, for Basava did proceed to intermarriage. The king was prevailed upon to warn his minister to behaveand the king was politely disobeyed.

The event was seminaland not just because it was happening in 1167 in a country where inter-caste unions still provoke violence and murder in the 21st century. The daughter of a Brahmin called Madhuvarasa was wedded to the son of Haralayya, an untouchable. The monarch and the establishment were apoplecticthe respective fathers, it is said, had their eyes gouged out, after which they were thrown under elephants to painfully meet their maker, casteless in death. Basava himself survived the calamity, but the whole of the kingdom descended into political chaos (chaos which was building also on account of other factorsafter all, Basava was a political figure too, and politically motivated charges of corruption, for instance, had been used to topple his reform movement earlier). The last thing the king wanted on his hands at a time of turmoil was social disorder. Basavas career ended, and he returned from Kalyan to Kudalasangama, to the riverside where he had first declared his love for Shiva.

The man did not live for long afterwards, however, and for over two centuries after his death in 1168, his sharanas (followers) kept the movement alive but quiet. It was only in the 15th century that the Lingayat identity reasserted itself after one of their own became minister to the Vijayanagara king. By now Basavas vachanas had been compiled, and the movement invested with a structure of its own. In order to survive, however, a certain accommodation with the Brahminical order was arrived at, essentially turning the Lingayats into one of the very many other castes that existed in Indian society. To Basava himself, such an ironic compromise might have seemed unfortunate, but he had long departed and those left behind had to be pragmatic in the face of hostility. Now, several centuries later, as they seek a second divorce from the Hindu fold, it is the latter who must find an accommodation, seeking to retain Basavas children within their order, not so much due to a difference of vision as much as due to the plain demands of numbers and the everyday expediencies of calculated politics.

Medium Rare is a weekly column on society, politics and history. Manu S. Pillai is the author of The Ivory Throne: Chronicles Of The House Of Travancore.

The writer tweets at @UnamPillai
The life and times of Saeed Mirza A retrospective of director Saeed Mirza's work in Mumbai includes a documentary on his career /news/talking-point/the-life-and-times-of-saeed-mirza-111646986891697.html 111646986891697 story

Saeed Mirza is the kind of film-maker who can find poetry even in something as mundane, and potentially bothersome, as a stranger walking on his film set. In a scene in Saeed Mirza: The Leftist Sufi, a documentary on his life (available on Netflix), Mirza tells us about a man disturbing the arrangement of a shot" during the shooting of Mohan Joshi Haazir Ho! (1985). I was amazed by the young mans walk," Mirza says. He thought he owned the world."

At this moment in the documentary, something special happens: A voice from behind the camera interrupts Mirza. He looks in that direction, the camera follows. An old lady has recognized Mirza; with a smile that reveals her broken, paan-stained teeth, she is bragging to her friends that she remembers the shooting of Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro (1989). We cut to the opening shot of Salim Langde: a young tapori walking down the middle of the road, owning it.

In his films, Mirza told the stories of everyone from a rich businessmans son in Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan (1978) to a car mechanic in Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai (1980). As the documentary shows, he likes to mingle with ordinary people: the roadside tea-stall owner, the driver. Many a time, he cast them in his films: the judges in Mohan Joshi, we are told, were picked from the streets. You look for faces and try to mix it uptrained actors and interesting faces from life itself," he says.

Fittingly, then, in the scene from The Leftist Sufi mentioned earlier, directors Kireet Khurana and Padmakumar Narasimhamurthy capture the essence of Mirzas workthe beauty of life spilling on to film.

But Mirza, considered an integral part of the 1980s parallel cinema movement, is bigger than his films. In an interview, Mirza describes his 1995 film Naseem, themed around the Babri Masjid demolition, as the epitaph" of his film-making career, after which he had nothing to say".

Above all, he is a great raconteur, who spins Urdu couplets and John Lennon lines with equal ease. Its why Khurana, who has known Mirza since childhood as one of his fathers friends, decided to make the film. A lot of documentaries on auteurs are flat because they themselves arent that charismatic or dont speak well," says Khurana. But Saeed is extremely erudite and there is an incredible aura about him."

The Leftist Sufi, made in 2016, features Mirzas contemporaries and collaboratorsMahesh Bhatt, Kundan Shah and Pavan Malhotra, among othersand has songs by Neeraj Aryas Kabir Cafe. But for the most part, the film lets its subject run the show. Mirza goes to Goa, where he lives for part of the year with his wife, Jennifer. He goes to Ladakh, seeking harmony in the simple living of hill folk. He goes to the Film and Television Institute of India, his alma mater, where he served as the chairperson in 2013-14. Seated under the famous Wisdom Tree, he says: There is a junoon here. A lot of ghosts wander around this space."

He revisits the south Mumbai house he grew up in, recounting tales from another time; of his father telling his mother, during a walk back from a late-night movie show, to stop donning the burqa. It was the most quiet revolution imaginable," he says. He revisits some of the places in Mumbai where he shot his films, like the mills, the plight of whose workers had made Albert Pinto angry; a swanky mall stands there today. And standing in Saat Tanki, near Mohammad Ali Road, when the evening azaan from a nearby mosque can be heard, he asks, Will that save Salim Langda?"

The Saeed Mirza Retrospective organized by the National Film Development Corporation will be held at the G5A Foundation for Contemporary Culture, Bandra, Mumbai, on 30 July. Saeed Mirza: The Leftist Sufi will be shown on 29 July, 6pm. Click here for passes.
Analogue cinema for the digital age: Il Cinema Ritrovato This annual showcase for little-seen, lost and restored cinema is probably the world's nerdiest film festival /news/talking-point/analogue-cinema-for-the-digital-age-il-cinema-ritrovato-111646987093215.html 111646987093215 story

During a screening at Il Cinema Ritrovato, a professor of film studies, who was sitting next to me, asked: Are you a film scholar?" I was taken aback by the question and replied, I am just a cinephilenothing more, nothing less." He laughed and said, We all are, at the Ritrovato."

Il Cinema Ritrovato, the 31st edition of which was held from 24 June-2 July, doesnt fit the film festival stereotype of red carpets, photographers, parties and people queuing to catch a glimpse of their favourite actors. Yet, it is one of the worlds most important festivals dedicated to film restoration, and the annual meeting ground for cinephiles from all over the world. The audience is diverse, just like the selection of films. Scholars, critics, DVD label owners, film-makers, artists and people who dont fit into any of these categories attend this week-long festival in the Italian city of Bologna every year, discovering rare, lost and restored films.

This year, Ritrovato screened 500 films in 20 different sectionsfrom Robert Mitchum, Jean Vigo and Buster Keaton retrospectives to precious vintage Technicolor films; from the Film Foundations World Cinema Project (which supports the restoration of neglected and at-risk films around the world) to restored Universal Pictures titles; from the silents of French director Abel Gance to the digitally restored classics of Howard Hawks and Ernst Lubitsch in 35mmgiving cinephiles the sweet headache of planning an almost impossible itinerary. With meticulous planning, though, one can still discover a wide range of films.

I have to confess that I knew only a handful of film-makers and films screening this year. I took it as a blessing in disguise, decided not to have a predetermined itinerary and allow Ritrovato to surprise me instead. The only thing I planned was my accommodation. I opted for a home-stay with an Italian student; most of my evenings were spent at his place, along with his friends, experimenting with the local cuisine.

My first night at Ritrovato started with an open-air screening of Mike Nichols The Graduate (a 4K restored version) at Piazza Maggiore, Bolognas central square. Listening to the songs of Simon and Garfunkel in the film and gazing at the historical city centre of Bologna, filled with an enthusiastic audience, was enough to induce goosebumps. Watching a film at Piazza Maggiore is an experience in itself. The screenings usually start late in the evening, against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset, accompanied by a swirl of cool breeze. One can see the influx of people from all corners of the city minutes before a screening begins, trying to get a comfortable seat (chairs at the Piazza or the stairs of Basilica di San Petronio in the corner) to watch the film.

Even though I was gutted to miss the screening, accompanied by a live orchestra, of Steamboat Bill, Jr, Charles Reisners silent comedy starring Buster Keaton, one of the memorable experiences at the Piazza was watching Nicholas Rays Johnny Guitar along with my host: The audience got so involved it started applauding Joan Crawfords one-liners. The film-lovers of Bologna went even further on another occasion, re-enacting the famous Odessa steps sequence from Sergei Eisensteins Battleship Potemkin ahead of its screening at the Piazza Maggiore (my host told me that most Italians recognize Battleship Potemkin because of the Italian cult film Il Secondo Tragico Fantozzi, where the protagonist disses the film after being forced to watch it).

Every screening location had its own personality. Cinema Jolly will be fondly remembered by us for its screenings of post-war Japanese cinema, adrenalin-pumping noir from Iranian director Samuel Khachikian (these films resemble post-independence Indian cinema, with their even doses of action, romance and melodrama), and the films of William K. Howard. Even the lack of air-conditioning at Cinema Jolly helped set the mood for some of the nerve-wracking melodramatic moments in Khachikians Zarbat and Tay Garnetts Destination Unknown.

Once in a while, we would head to the air-conditioned screens of Sala Scorsese and Sala Mastroianni at the Cineteca di Bologna, where the lovely films of Helmut Kautner and Augusto Genina, among others, were shown. Some who were unable to find a seat sat in the corners of the theatre. Watching the silent films of Abel Gance (Mater Dolorosa) and Robert Dinesen (The Maharajahs Favourite Wife), accompanied by live piano, at Sala Mastroianni was a transcendental experience.

A screening at Sala Scorsese

When the day drew to a close, you had the option of heading to Piazza Maggiore to watch films like Jean Vigos LAtalante and King Vidors The Patsy. Or you could stay in Cineteca and watch open-air screenings of restored films like Robert Lands InnocenceLittle Veronica and Geninas Goodbye Youth, using old projectors with carbon arc lamps (these lamps were used till the early 1970s, when they were eventually replaced by xenon lamps).

Having seen more than 30 films at the festival, I am still struggling to gather my thoughts. But I will always remember setting an alarm and running to catch the 9am screening of Andrzej Wajdas Ashes And Diamonds at Cinema Arlecchino, or silently shedding tears (more than the film-maker did, during the introduction) at the greatness of Med Hondos West Indies, or bringing my luggage to Sala Scorsese to catch Geninas Lovers Of Midnight before leaving Bologna. And I will always remember the film recommendations given by fellow cinephiles (including that professor) while moving from one screening to another. I will always remember my host introducing me as a cinephile to all his friends, and how I shared the importance of Ritrovato with them, much to their surprise.

I may not be a purist who insists on watching all restored classics on 35mm. I may not be able to explain in detail how film restoration preserves and revives the cinema of the past, making it accessible to a wider audience in this digital era. But I am already counting the days to the next edition of Il Cinema Ritrovato. Maybe I am just a cinephile: nothing more, nothing less.
In love with chocolate A small chocolate revolution is afoot in Vietnam, with artisanal chocolatiers like Marou emerging as champions of the local cacao bean /relationships/it-s-complicated/in-love-with-chocolate-111646913945550.html 111646913945550 story

Marou is amour."

The clever anagramamour is French for lovespelt out in wooden block letters against the backdrop of a red heart makes me smile. Its evident that Maison Marouthe chocolaterie, cafe and patisserie that I am visiting in the heart of Ho Chi Minhis a labour of love. Every element in the stylish but casual space appears to have been chosen with care: from the typeface used in the signage to the large gold emblem embedded in the ground, right beside a vintage cocoa roaster. Chocolate bars swaddled in the brands signature wrappers are stacked on niches in the wall and strewn artfully on a table in the centre of the room, along with merchandise and posters that I covet instantly.

Equal parts style and substance, Maison Marou is an apt showcase for a brand that has become something of a poster child for artisanal chocolate. Marous success is especially remarkable because its productchocolateis hardly synonymous with Vietnam.

Photo: Courtesy Marou Chocolates.

I linger over a glass showcase that is a shrine to cacao and confectionery: slender eclairs, piped with precision, bearing a glossy coating of chocolate; petal-shaped chocolate meringue discs sandwiched with whorls of dark chocolate and other architectural creations piled high with chocolate, cream, nougat and praline. Its too early in the morning for a full-fledged chocolate feast, so I settle for a cappuccino to kick-start my conversation with Vincent Mourou, co-founder and general director of Marou, which is often described as the pioneering artisanal chocolate brand in Vietnam.

Mourou, a tall Frenchman with a scruffy beard and an American lilt, reveals that when he quit his advertising job in San Francisco to travel to Ho Chi Minh seven years ago, a career in chocolate-making was the farthest thing from his mind. I came here to travel, and hoping to reinvent myself," he says, between bites of a muffin that has been freshly baked in the cafes open kitchen. Nine months after arriving in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnams frenetic commercial capital, he met Samuel Maruta, another French expat who had decided to take a year-long sabbatical from his international banking job. A month after they struck up a friendship, Mourou and Maruta learnt that cacao was being cultivated in Vietnam. Spurred by a shared passion for chocolate and the thrill of a new adventure, they created Maroua portmanteau of their last namesin December 2010.

Marou Chocolate Bars and the cacao beans they come from.

From the beginning, they decided that they would be closely involved in every stage of the chocolate-making processquite literally from bean to bar. That decisionand the commitment it demandedquickly distinguished them from mainstream chocolatiers. Truthfully, 99.9% of chocolate makers dont make chocolate from the beans," explains Mourou. (They) dont think about where it comes from and how its made. They just buy the finished product and work with it. Here, we do everything."

That meant starting with the building block of every bar of (good) chocolatethe cacao bean. Given their geographical proximity to the provinces in south Vietnam where cacao was being cultivated, Mourou and Maruta decided to go straight to the source and purchase beans directly from farmers, thus eliminating the need for middlemen. I ask them if the learning curve was a steep one. There was some steepness involved," laughs Maruta. You buy beans in the beginningyou dont know if they are good or bad. You make chocolate from them and realize that they werent good after all. The next time you choose more carefully. It was trial-and-error for several months before we started making chocolate commercially."

Terroir is an especially important consideration for artisanal chocolate makers like Marou, who depend on cacao beans in a way that industrial chocolate makers do not. When we make an 80% chocolate bar, you are going to taste any defect in the cacao bean immediately," says Maruta. In contrast, cacao is only a small componentand one among severalof industrially produced chocolate. Industrial chocolate needs a consistency in taste that can only come from processing and processing and more processing. If you check the back of many bars, youll find ingredients that include cacao, sugar, vanilla as well as soy lecithin, which is an emulsifier and lubricant."

The kitchen of Maison Marou.

It is a disconcerting fact that reinforces the significance of brands like Marou, which are trying to make chocolate that isnt just authentic but also ethical. One of the ways in which they have achieved this is by making chocolate in the country where the cacao is produced. Cacao is typically grown in tropical countries, sent to colder climates, manufactured there and distributed to chocolate-eating countries," says Mourou, explaining how the so-called Big Chocolate" companies, or large conglomerates that control a majority of the chocolate trade, conduct their business. In the Big Chocolate" model, the often impoverished farmers who cultivate cacao beans rarely receive the profits from the sale of the final product.

Although the cause of creating a unique identity for Vietnamese chocolate is a worthy one, it is not without significant challenges. Firstly, cacao is a labour-intensive crop that requires more care and effort than other more profitable crops such as coconut or fruit. Unfortunately, the reality is that we have less and less cacao," says Mourou. Its just not popular with Vietnamese farmers in general because they are lacking margins."

Besides, the Mekong Delta, a fertile ecosystem in southern Vietnam that is particularly suitable for cacao cultivation, is increasingly under threat. Considered the rice bowl of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is bearing the brunt of climate changeits seeing high temperatures, erratic rainfall and a slow erosion of the sediment deposits that have traditionally kept this low-lying delta above sea level.

A Marou dessert.

Despite these challenges, however, its clear that Marou has gained popularity not just around the world but also in Vietnam. This is significant because there has traditionally been a limited appreciation of chocolate in Vietnams culinary culture. They are very proud that the chocolate is being made in Vietnam," says Maruta.

I take a long-awaited bite of a chocolate eclair and survey the demographic that is keeping the cafe busy even on a weekday morning. Groups of tourists drift in and out, but most of the space is taken up by chic Saigonese youngsters. It seems to my optimistic eyes that the Saigonese are yielding to the seductions of chocolate.

Buoyed by the success of this cafe, which is less than a year old, Mourou and Maruta are working on a second outlet in Hanoi. It would be the logical next step for a brand that has created a niche for Vietnamese chocolate, and even inspired a number of other artisanal chocolate brands that now grace the aisles of Ho Chi Minh airports duty-free section.

Mourou and Maruta are diplomatic about the competition, choosing to believe that imitation is indeed the best form of flattery. Its a good thing that there are more makers. We want cacao to develop in Vietnam, so anything thats favourable for cacao development is good, they say.

***

Photo: Courtesy Marou Chocolates

Notes on cacao

Marous six signature dark chocolate bars have 70-80% cacao content. Named after the provinces in which the cacao is grown, they look similar but the taste is subtly different. The red, yellow, green, purple and black colours of the wrapping correspond to the colours of the cacao beans sourced from each province.

The green-clad Ben Tre is intense and fruity without being bracingly bitter. On the other hand, the Tien Giang (available in 70% and 80% variants) has a full-bodied acidity and smokiness.

Unlike mainstream flavoured chocolate bars, which tend to mask the flavour of the chocolate with different toppings, Marous flavoured bars stay faithful to their core ingredient. The flavoured bars include a toasty popped rice bar with brown rice, and bars featuring candied chilli, candied ginger and cashew-nut praline.
New army wives vs an old mindset It's time for army wives to fix their petty hierarchies /news/talking-point/new-army-wives-vs-an-old-mindset-111646987080119.html 111646987080119 story

Any Awwa experience, an army wife will tell you, depends entirely upon the woman who runs it. Photo: iStockphoto.

Doe Nairs first ladies club parade was a disaster. She only realized why her fellow army wives were greeting her unenthusiastically and whispering about her when the COW arrived. The commanding officers wife walked down the line in her gold necklace and scarlet chiffon sari, inspecting the ladies. She then came to me and turned the colour of her sari," Nair writes in I Married The Army, a rollicking portrait of army life in the 1960s, and one that officers still recommend for newbie military spouses.

A cotton, she shrieked. No, no, only chiffons. Dont you know the commanders wife (one step higher in the hierarchy) has ordered only chiffons are to be worn." When Nair later bumped into that senior wife at that event, she laughingly denied instituting any such rule. Later, Nairs husband was hauled up for his wifes misdemeanours. Ensure your spouse is docile, pleasing, and not argumentative, he was informed.

Nairs story about the pecking order that exists among army wives begins her book, and though much has changed since then, every once in a while we are reminded that the Army Wives Welfare Association (Awwa), the bastion of all these hierarchies, remains in need of a drastic makeover.

The New Indian Express reported last week that during a ceremonial event at the Bathinda military station, the wife of a commanding officer slapped the wife of a Lieutenant Colonel for coming late to an Awwa event. The Lieutenant Colonel has complained to everyone, from the Prime Minister to the National Human Rights Commission and the CBI director, the newspaper reported.

Even our phones and gadgets get regular upgradesmaybe its time for an upgrade/update in the existing hierarchy amongst army wives," tweeted author and army wife Aditi Mathur Kumar, who is one of the more outspoken members of this tribe.

Its not the first time that a spouse has shared her frustration about the restrictions imposed by military life. In 2014, a wife complained that her husbands Brigade Commander harassed and threatened her when she objected to participating in an Awwa fashion show. In 2009, one wife alleged in a legal notice that her husband was given below-average ratings in his annual appraisal report because of her lack of enthusiasm for Awwa activities.

Why should a jawans wife perform for visiting officers? Would you perform for your bosses?" asks former army wife Rosme Chaube, who went public with her complaints about Awwa around the same time. Chaube and her Major husband left the army three years after she first complained to the chief. Once you complain, everyone ostracizes you. Nobody will talk to you, nobody will call you," she tells me over the phone.

So what is this group that has such a hold on wives? Its a welfare organization headed by the army chiefs wife that was set up to keep an eye out for the families of the troops. Membership is mandatory for all wives of serving officers.

It can be a source of great camaraderie for the women living in an isolated cantonment. Their husbands had years of training to prepare for the army, but many of the wives may not have even known what they were getting into when they signed up to be a military spouse.

Awwa provides support in a medical emergency, help with school admissions, can work to improve health and hygiene standards of military families and offer investment advice. Its members have even been known to raise funds to help one of their own make a down-payment on a house. One of its main goals is the rehabilitation of war widows.

Yet it can easily disintegrate into battles about dress codes and decorating duties for parties. The rules that govern who can say what to whom havent changed since Nairs days in the army. Not attending a party is not an option. Any Awwa experience, an army wife will tell you, depends entirely upon the woman who runs it.

Sometimes the conflict can remind you of that most cliched of urban wars: the mother-in-law vs the daughter-in-law, where the younger woman eventually ends up mirroring the actions of the hierarchy-conscious older woman and nothing ever changes. Its the standard syllabus from the I-did-it-and-so-will-you school of power relationships.

One Facebook post titled 11 things to know if you are an army wife" includes points such as:

Repeat with me Yes Mrs.," Yes Mrs"; yes, you are participating in everything; everyone has a qualification, yours is just being an officers wife.

Women who are married to or dating men in uniforms have been writing to Mathur Kumar since her first book, Soldier & Spice: An Army Wifes Life, was published in 2014. One of the more common questions they have these days is about their career. What will I do when hes posted in a remote location? There are only two answers to this question, Mathur Kumar writes back. Quit and work from home or do what so many women dochoose to stay at one station and meet when one or the other gets leave." Some educated women are now opting not to marry into the Armed Forces, she says.

I admire army wives even more than their uniformed spouses. They can pack their tin trunks and move anywhere at a moments notice. They can smilingly compare notes about the length of separation from their spouses. One couple I know has lived apart for 11 of their 21 married years.

Army wives are expert single parents, managing everything from birthday parties to board exams while their spouses are on deployment in some remote location which may or may not have internet connectivity.

An army wife always keeps her head high, her voice low and her heart open," one spouse tells another in Soldier & Spice. We army wives laugh instead of crying at things that are out of our control."

All army wives know that one day they may actually be a single-parent householdand that their children might eventually want to follow the same career path as their father once did. Army wives are so sorted, its scary. Im sure theyll figure out a way to fix their petty hierarchies too.

Priya Ramani shares whats making her feel angsty/agreeable.
Beyond imagined lines: memories of Partition Godrej's India Culture Lab is mounting a pop-up museum to mark 70 years of Indian independence on the theme of Partition /news/talking-point/beyond-imagined-lines-memories-of-partition-111646986821871.html 111646986821871 story

The Godrej India Culture Lab provides a unique platform for disparate fields to speak to each otherbe it academia with the corporate world, or the non-profit sectors with the artistic fields. The ideas generated through cross-breeding enrich each field in turn. Next week, the lab is mounting a pop-up museum, Museum Of Memories: Remembering Partition, to mark 70 years of independence. The theme, as the name indicates, is Partition.

There will be something to suit everyones palate during the three-day pop-up starting 4 August: discussions, film screenings, performances, exhibitions. The programme is being divided into two parts: One will feature exhibitions across the Godrej One campus, and the second, lectures and talks in the auditorium. The Culture Lab has collaborated with institutions such as the Partition Museum in Amritsar, the 1947 Partition Archive and Indian Memory Project for the pop-up, and has roped in known names like Shyam Benegal, Nandita Das and Ramesh Sippy.

Parmesh Shahani, who steers the Culture Lab ship, exudes infectious energy, even over the phone. There is such an extensive body of work on Partition from literature, film and art to food, and there are so many contemporary conversations happening. While curating, there was so much we couldnt include."

It was a visit to the Partition Museum in Amritsar that inspired the idea of marking 70 years of independence by making a peoples museum of memories that also acts as a meeting point for diverse fields. The scars and fault lines of Partition run so deep. We thought, how can we look back on these 70 years, so we assembled different people across academia, film, art and fashion," says Shahani. The fashion designers Sabyasachi, Abraham and Thakore, and Tarun Tahiliani are creating garments specifically for this project that will be displayed in an exhibition titled Stitching History. Shahani tells me these will later be donated to the Partition Museum, as a modern response to Partition.

This will be the second Museum Of Memories pop-up. The first, held in 2012, was spread over 60,000 sq. ft of an empty Godrej factory that was scheduled to be demolished the next day, with the space being transformed for a day-long programme of talks, screenings, music and food events.

This time, there will be six objects, lent by the Partition Museum, on display. These will be surrounded by what Shahani hopes will be an outpouring of memories by the people of Mumbai sharing objects with us". Theyve asked for any objects related to memories of Partition to be shared. It will be people creating a museum of memories on the spot".

A still from Gurinder Chadhas Partition: 1947 .

The programme will also bring in voices from Pakistan and Bangladesh. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, a Pakistani film-maker and activist with two Academy Awards, and artist Salima Hashmi, who is also the daughter of noted poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, will be skyping from Pakistan for a session. From Bangladesh, were welcoming Tanvir Mokammel, a film-maker and nine times National Film Award winner, who is screening the first worldwide preview of his film Simantorekha (The Borderline), which looks at the effects of Partition on both sides of Bengal." They will also screen a preview of Gurinder Chadhas Partition: 1947, which releases on 18 August, on the last day, after a performance by Kabir Cafe.

What to look out for? Shahani says: My favourite exhibit is the project by the School of Environment and Architecture, Mumbai, with refugees in Sindhi camps in Chembur; it traces their lives and memories and is beautifully done. Another very evocative and touching project is from Kiranbir Sethi of the Riverside School in Ahmedabad, who has sent us letters of young students addressed to their grandparents asking about Partition."

What do you hope to achieve with this? I ask. I want people to reflect on our times, contextualize our time with history. Not history with a capital H, as taught in school, but as microhistoriescomplicated and beautiful stories of change. Through this extensive programming, people can make sense of today in light of the past."

Remembering Partition: Museum Of Memories will be held at Godrej One, Vikhroli, Mumbai, from 4-6 August. Free and open to all. For details, visit here
A visitor views arts works at the show. [Photo by Bo Leung/ China Daily]

An exhibition of contemporary works by 50 British and Chinese artists has opened at the Bankside Gallery in London.

The Jiangsu Dialogue shows the creative results after 25 artists from the UK's Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers were invited to respond to works by contemporary Chinese artists from Jiangsu.

"Jiangsu Art Museum came to us with a proposal to put on a show that was a dialogue," Michael Barratt, president of the society, said. "Members of the society would produce a work and their Chinese counterpart would respond with between one and five pieces of art."

As part of the process, the artists in each country only saw digital files of their counterparts' work ahead of the exhibition.

"Many had no idea of the scale they were working with," Barratt said. "They had an idea of the techniques, because as printmakers there is a language we all understand. So, the artists could see how the pieces of work were made, but not the texture and size."

Xu Huiquan, director of Jiangsu Art Museum, said the exhibition reflects the ancient art form of printing in the contemporary world. "Printmaking is an ancient art and the earliest printmaking work was found in China," Xu said.

"Chinese artists are now living in a free artistic environment, which means their works are originated from their own values and understandings," Xu added. "These values are formed according to individual living experiences and diverse beliefs will be reflected in the work."

Chen Yunmei, deputy general manager of Jiangsu Artall Culture Group, said the exhibition provides a positive platform for Chinese artists.

"The amount of art works we received was beyond expectation," said Chen. "It makes us realize that Chinese artists want and need these types of exhibitions to show of their work to an international audience."

The works of art featured in the exhibition include simple woodblock designs to a dark image of trees in a wood by Blaze Cyan and the Chinese interpretation by Jin Xiaoping on watermark wood print showing trees in a yellow background with birds.

The Jiangsu Dialogue exhibition runs at the gallery until Aug 6.
Film Review: Raag Desh A verbose, uneven film about the Indian National Army /how-to-lounge/movies-tv/film-review-raag-desh-111646833913916.html 111646833913916 story

The year is 1945. World War II is on, as is the continuing colonial rule of the British Empire in India. Tigmanshu Dhulia opens his film, Raag Desh, in Burma (now Myanmar) and tells us, via voiceover and a non-linear narrative, about the betrayal of the Indian Army by the Allies, the influence of Subhash Chandra Bose and the rise of the Indian National Army (INA). He zooms in on one incident of the timethe trial of three INA officers accused of murder. Kunal Kapoor plays Shahnawaz Khan, Mohit Marwah plays Prem Sehgal and Amit Sadh is Gurbaksh Singh Dhillona Muslim, a Hindu and a Sikh, respectively.

As much as this period piece is a history lesson about the birth of the INA and the rise of Bose, it also spotlights the significance of this trial, which in some ways marked the beginning of the end of British rule in India. Its no coincidence that the film is produced with the support of Rajya Sabha TV, on which an extended serialised version of these stories will soon unfold.

As far as courtroom trials go, the depiction of the infamous Red Fort Trials" is shabbily handled and varyingly performed. Kenneth Desais portrayal of lawyer Bhulabhai Desai is very theatrical, the British officers are parodied (the extreme close-ups of their mouths when they say the word murder" are just bizarre), Sadhs dialogue delivery is muffled and Kapoor is rather flat.

The actors to watch out for are Marwah as the charismatic Prem and Mrudula Murali as freedom fighter Lakshmi Swaminathan. Their romance finds respectful space in the story, which has the makings of a powerful document of Indias history, but turns out to be a highly verbose and untidy production.
Bombay Fever: The cough of death An excerpt from Sidin Vadukut's new medical thriller, 'Bombay Fever' /news/talking-point/bombay-fever-the-cough-of-death-111646986799084.html 111646986799084 story

Altaf Ali and Rachel Soanes had been on the last two flights to leave Mumbai airport before the lockdown. Both had boarded with bad coughs. Bacteria, numbering in the millions, had carved out colonies in their respiratory systems well before they had arrived at the airport. In both cases, the pathogens were preparing for the second stage of the diseasea barrage of toxins.

Altaf did not pay any attention to his cough. He was a heavy smoker who routinely puffed through two dozen cigarettes every day. Whatever was left of his health had been battered by three decades of working for a construction company in the Persian Gulf. This had left him with a permanent tan, deeply creased skin, a prematurely bald head, and a disproportionately large paunch. There wasnt a day when Altaf didnt wake up with aches, dizziness or nausea. To his mind, a cough, even a bad one, hardly counted.

Altafs prime concern was getting back to work as soon as possible.

When he had joined the Gulf company in the late 1980s, it had been one of the largest public works contractors in the region. They built air bases in Saudi Arabia, installed radar stations in the United Arab Emirates, and maintained oil platforms off the coast of Qatar. At first, Altaf had been hired as a mason on daily wagesthe lowest paying job in the entire organisation. He was a part of an army of Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis who built rooms, offices and barracks in the middle of the desert. The turnover within these teams was very highmore than two-thirds of the men didnt make it past the first six months.

Bombay Fever: By Sidin Vadukut, Simon & Schuster, 376 pages, Rs350.

Altaf ploughed through his first two years without taking a single day off. By then he had lost his sense of smell and taste. But he was promoted to foreman with a proper monthly salary, some health benefits and a months annual leave that could be forfeited in lieu of pay.

It was another three years before Altaf asked for leavethis, for his mothers funeral. She was buried on a Monday and he was back at the labour camp in Ruwais that Saturday. In his thirty years in the company, Altaf had only claimed eleven months of leave.

In more recent years, his organisation had fallen on hard times. The decline began with the Gulf War of 1991. Altafs company was owned by a family of minor Kuwaiti nobles, most of whom were killed or had gone missing after the Iraqi invasion. Much of the companys wealthcash deposits, gold reserves, share certificates, land deedsvanished along with them. While the organisation was revived after the war, it never regained its past glory. Thousands of workers lost their jobs.

Altaf Ali kept his. He was by no means indispensable. Yet nobody had the heart to fire one of the companys most loyal employees. The experience, however, left Altaf even more paranoid about his job. He took even fewer vacations, worked even harder and complained even less about the low pay or the brutal conditions.

A while after his flight took off, a stewardess approached Altaf Ali. She waited for him to stop coughing for a moment. Sir, we have free rows towards the back. Perhaps you could go there and lie down?

No. Here I am okay.

Please, sir. You can lie down and get some sleep. I am fine, Miss.

The stewardess left frowning. A few minutes later, another member of the cabin crew, a man, approached Altaf. This time he spoke to the passenger in Hindi. Sir, your cough is making a woman here quite upset. She has small children. If you move to the back, you will get some privacy. Sir, please?

Altaf got up from his seat, mumbling.

When he was woken up shortly before landing, Altaf sat up and buckled himself in. He was famished, but it was too late to call for some food. And then he noticed the seat back-pocket in front of him. Someone had left him a couple of cheese sandwiches and a bottle of water. Altaf ate quickly, without looking up even once.

As he sat back, somewhat content, he suddenly realised something. His chest still felt heavy, and he could feel sticky patches of mucus along the back of his throat. But he was no longer coughing.

He was pleased.

Thank god. Finally this horrible cough has healed.

In reality, Altaf Ali had not healed at all.

*****

Rachel Soanes had not healed either. Like Altaf, Rachel had also fallen asleep on her Air India flight. Like him, when she was jolted awake before landing, she found that she felt much better than she had in Mumbai...

...The plane landed smoothly and Rachel let out a sigh of relief. She waited impatiently as it taxied to a stop. When the seat belt indicator lights went off, a few passengers got up. Most would remain on board for the onward flight to New York. Rachel, along with a handful of others, would disembark.

Two hours later, Rachel Soanes checked into her four-star hotel. The cough was resurfacingshe coughed on her way to the lift, up to the seventh floor, and kept wheezing till she brewed herself a cup of tea. As she sipped on the warm, soothing liquid, Rachel went over her notes from the meetings back in Mumbai. She sighed. It had all been very depressing. Nothing fruitful had emerged. The Indian private sector had little enthusiasm for her non-fiction programming skills.

She looked out of the window at the skyline of this new city that was nothing like Mumbai.

Maybe this is where I will finally find some work.

She ordered a small plate of sushi for dinner, and then went to sleep.

In the morning, feeling better, she went to the lobby, where she was met by the head of a local television channel

Good morning Rachel! he said. Instead of talking at the office, why dont we go straight to the location? Why waste time?

Rachel agreed immediately.

This is great. He sounds as if I already have the job.

The large, round building was only ten minutes away by road. But it took another hour for Rachel and the man to get their access badges, run their bags through several X-ray machines, fill in forms, walk through full-body scanners, and finally make it into the cavernous chamber. It was a hot, humid day and the heat seemed to aggravate Rachels cough. By the time the man walked into the central hall, she was coughing into her handkerchief every few minutes. The silk fabric began to show a sprinkling of droplets of blood.

And this, Ranveer Singhvi, editor of Secretariat TV, said looking at the huge space around them, this is the Lok Sabha. Indias lower house of parliament. The most important room in this country.

Rachel coughed hard.

Bombay Fever will be released on 10 August. Sidin Vadukut, a Mint staffer, is the author of three novels on the vagaries of office politics, and a collection of essays on Indian history.
Araku Valley: forests of hope The efforts of the Naandi Foundation and Mahindra's Hariyali project have reforested the Araku Valley, creating new means of livelihood /news/talking-point/araku-valley-forests-of-hope-111646986941445.html 111646986941445 story

About two decades ago, Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh was unfamiliar to the rest of the country. Its rich biodiversity and natural beauty were undercut by its remoteness and inaccessibility. Gripped by Naxalite insurgency and crippled by poverty and underdevelopment, Araku Valley presented vast possibilities for a social management project.

There was just one arterial motorable road through this entire tribal region. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the area and government reach was limited. That is exactly why the Naandi Foundation chose to start its work here in 2000. We were told that this was one of the least developed parts of India and if we really wanted to achieve something, we should change Araku. If an integrated development template worked here, it would mean that we could probably sort out problems elsewhere," says Manoj Kumar, chief executive officer of the Hyderabad-based foundation.

When Naandi entered the area, says Kumar, they discovered that the problems were manifold. There were high rates of maternal and child mortality, a lack of schools, and no proper healthcare. The tribals grew millets, following the slash-and-burn method of agriculture. The first few years were spent preparing the ground for projects. Apart from creating livelihoods for farmers, Naandi Foundations work in Araku spans the areas of healthcare, nutrition and education.

Bit by bit, as the forests were denuded, the Adivasis traditional way of life also came under threat.

The biggest challenge was to preserve the tribal communities traditional connection with the land. So the question for us was whether we should give these Adivasis whole new skill sets and help them become something completely different, like business process outsourcing executives, or should we enhance their existing skills and turn them into ecology warriors?" As Naandi opted for the second and more difficult option, it was clear that the only way to do this was by recreating the forest that had been lost.

And that was where Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd entered the picture in 2010 with its Hariyali initiative. Under the initiative, launched in 2007, the company had pledged to plant one million trees a year. We soon realized that we were running out of land and that we were not creating any livelihoods. So we thought the time had come for social forestry projects, where, in addition to plantation, there would also be the potential for creating livelihoods," says Rajeev Dubey, group president (HR and corporate services), CEO (after-market sector) and member of the group executive board, Mahindra & Mahindra. According to Manoj Kumar, also a corporate social responsibility adviser for Mahindra, There was no better template to experiment than in this valley, where people were living on the margins."

Arakus many trees share a symbiotic relationship with its coffee shrubs. Paddy Photography

In Araku, however, they knew they would have to design a forest that could grow quickly. And that is how Naandi Foundation and Mahindra & Mahindra came up with the idea of a functional forest" which would be as diverse as it would be beneficial. They decided to use the coffee plants that had been introduced by the British in the 19th century as the primary building blocks for their work. They planted varietals as shade and boundary trees for these coffee shrubs, creating a symbiotic system. Fruit trees, for example, would provide shade to the coffee, and support the pepper vines that clung to them.

Under the guidance of Naandi Foundations David Hogg, an agriculture and biodynamics expert from New Zealand who lives and works in Araku Valley, a new forest was designed. The aim was to plant more than 10 million trees. Additional support came in from Danone and other European companies.

When Hogg first came in, he was appalled to see that there were no birds or beesa pointer to the poor health of the forest.

Today, Araku Valleys forests feature trees like teak and about 16-18 varieties of fruit trees, including the popular Banganapalli variety of mango. The trees had to be nurtured and a training programme had to be designed to ensure their survival. This was entirely new for the Adivasis, because there was no concept of pruning the trees in the natural forest," says Hogg.

Today, cash crops like coffee and pepper and fruit trees provide nutritional security. The large harvest of mangoes and other fruits may indicate the future income-generating potential for the local communities.

The Araku Coffee store in Paris. Photographs courtesy Naandi Foundation

Araku Coffee is a tale in itself. The brand, which is owned by the Araku farmers cooperative, is promoted by people like Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan and Mahindra group chairman and managing director Anand Mahindra. Araku Coffee, grown according to the best biodynamic practices, is entirely organic. And it has recently opened its first retail store in Paris.

The journey hasnt been easy. While our coffee is made from the best handpicked (coffee) cherries, we could never cherry-pick our farmers. Our job was to transform forest dwellers and fruit gatherers to gourmet coffee farmers," says Kumar.

The numbers tell the story. As of 31 March, the Hariyali initiative had planted more than 7.5 million trees in the Araku Valley. The project has reached out to 100,000 people across 350 villages. Nearly 15,000 acres have been revitalized and 14,750 farmers have benefited.

One of the most beautiful things for us is that the birds and bees are back; and every tree is planted on Adivasi land and protected by the Adivasis themselves," says Kumar.
Naveen Kishore: Surviving the arts The Seagull Books publisher on being a gambler, the romance of after-5 projects, and publishing as an act of resistance /news/talking-point/naveen-kishore-surviving-the-arts-111646987177659.html 111646987177659 story

When the publisher of Seagull Books, Naveen Kishore, and I decide to meet one morning at the India Habitat Centre (IHC) in New Delhi, we fail to anticipate just how busy its restaurants can be at the start of the day. Its mid-July, and Kishore has spent the previous day at the IHC organizing, as part of the ILF Samanvay Translations Series, on 13 July, a tribute to the late Bengali writer Mahasweta Devi. This included a dramatized reading from her work Behind The Bodice: Choli Ke Pichchey by the versatile actor Mita Vashisht, followed by a screening of Talking Writing: Four Conversations With Mahasweta Devi, a documentary film directed by Pushan Kripalani that shows the author in candid conversation with her publisher and friendKishore, then 13 years younger.

Stein Auditorium, where the well-attended session took place, has been booked this evening too: Kishore is returning to his first love, theatre; hes the light designer for a performanceby actor Tanaji Dasgupta and musician Varun Kishore (Kishores son)of Austrian playwright Peter Handkes Storm Still. The Kolkata-based Seagull Books exemplary world list, over 400 books strong now, of course includes Handke too, besides Jean-Paul Sartre, Mo Yan, Ngugi wa Thiongo and Roland Barthes, among many many others.

We forego the pleasure of coffee and retreat to the relatively quieter foyer of the auditorium for our conversation. The security guard, by now familiar with Kishore, lets me in at his nod.

How silly, Kishore comments as we return to the previous days film, of Mahasweta to try and commit suicide in front of a tram; its not going to kill anybody. I know from the film how forlorn she had been when her first marriage broke up and she had been forced to abandon her little sonbut this remark provokes a droll picture of a failed attempt in front of a slowly chugging vehicle, one passengers would routinely climb on to even when it was in motion.

The first concert that Naveen Kishore organized was in March 1972 in Kolkata. It was of a local rock band named Great Bear, unique at the time since the musicians would do original music, not just covers. Seagull Empire was the first song they sang at the well-received concert. And that was the name Kishore chose to print on the letterhead of the company he formed thereafter to organize cultural events. Seagull, incidentally, is American slang for cocaine.

Death has been Kishores companion this past year. He lost many friends, all of whom he had close working relationships with: Mahasweta, artist K.G. Subramanyan, the French poet Yves Bonnefoy. Kishores personal and professional lives have never been discrete. With those like Mahasweta, who was in the fog of dementia for some time before their death, we lost them well before we lost them physically", says Kishore. In contrast, he found that when the time came for someone who was as physically and mentally alive as Subramanyan, it felt sudden even though he was 92.

He himself is just 64, but Kishore says that for a couple of years now, he has had a sense of awareness of the time; and a growing insecurity related to the desire to realize all his ideas. Ive been at it since 1972. I hope that as long as the mind is functioning and the body doesnt let me down, I will die on the job, so to speak," he tells me. A greater privilege would be what was given Bonnefoy: death foretold.

Six weeks before he died last year, Kishore got a letter from 93-year-old Bonnefoy, who had just completed a book, saying that he was stepping into hospital; he had been given four days. Then, nothing happened. Apparently, after six weeks, he spoke to his doctor: What happened to my death?" Kishore laughs.

Kishore has always engaged actively with the writers and artists he works with. This doesnt end with either publishing their books, or with their deaths. Take Mahasweta Devi, a lifelong project" for Seagull, which has published 28 of her books. Incidentally, it also publishes the works of her son Nabarun Bhattacharya, himself a Sahitya Akademi award winner.

Then, theres Subramanyan. Kishore, who collaborates with the artists daughter, the trustee of his estate, has been travelling across the country exhibiting his works. I discovered accidentally, when I read Pankaj Mishras Butter Chicken In Ludhiana: Travels In Small Town India, that there are Lalit Kalas everywhere," he says. From Chandigarh, Patna and Guwahati to Bhubaneswar, Lucknow and Bhopal, it turned out that the institutions were thrilled when Kishore offered to host a show of Subramanyans works there. The footfalls were amazing. Here (in the big cities), we have to promote events. There they just come because there is so little. Thats interesting in the long run. Whether these artists will stand the test of time will be known in about 50 years time," says Kishore. And the interest being built up through this alternative circuit, he believes, will play a role in this.

Does it seem that Kishore is involved in a bit of this, a bit of that, and a bit of everything? As he tells his Seagull colleagues, Your after-5 becomes a project for us; its seamless." Its always been like that, ever since, at the age of 16, he realized that he had to step in and earn a living since his ailing father was constantly in and out of jobs. He started with theatre, which he was involved in already at St Xaviers College in Kolkata. Since that didnt pay well, he funded it with freelance advertising assignments. From 1972 onwards, he organized concerts of, among others, the local rock band Great Bear, as well as classical dance performances by artists such as Pandit Birju Maharaj and Yamini Krishnamurthy in Kolkata, through Seagull Empire, an entity he set up in the 1970s. He showed art. And he eventually started publishing books on theatre and film when he founded Seagull Books in Kolkata in 1982, expanding the list to include classics and translations of world and Indian literature.

One thing funded another before you discovered what sponsorship meant. It was driven by survival, not strategy. Strategy unfolds retrospectively. When you look back, it seems like there was method there. But that method in that moment of execution was just instinctive, intuitive, open to absolute failure and success," says Kishore.

But before he did all this, Kishore worked part-time at a motor parts company owned by his sisters friend, writing letters and reports. After five weeks, he was given Rs65 for his efforts. Out of this meagre amount, Rs19 went towards Kishores college fees. The rest, he used for gambling. There was a 13-month spell when I used to average about Rs600-800 for my mother playing flush. Some people think that the risk-taking, gambling started then," he says. He doesnt see his work as a gamble though.

Publishing, Kishore says, is an act of resistance. What weve done by setting up Seagull is a huge political act. Weve questioned the status quo of relationships of publishing between India and the traditional English-speaking world." Unlike other publishing houses in India, even those which are subsidiaries of international publishers, Seagull doesnt just invest in the Indian rights for a book it is interested in; it buys the world rights. We dont do territories. When we talk of borderless publishing, weve done it." The list of Indian authors, curated by translator Arunava Sinha, that it has revived recently also includes buying the international rights for translated works done by MNC publishers" here.

Though it took Seagull 17 years to build a strong backlist and get out of the red", Kishore reveals that its only over the past couple of years that the company has been debt-free. I grew up comfortable with a certain debt economy because I was growing up surviving." Kishore was already working with theatre, art and music when he started Seagull Books with seed capital of Rs5 lakh from ITC, leading up to a total of Rs13 lakh over the next three-four years. A Made For Each Other" competition for couples that he organized for ITC led him to approach the company with the idea for the publishing venture. The person he met there saw the romance of something there and tried to help".

That way, one has always believed in the nature of circumstances. You dont always know what your five years will be," he says. In 2005, the company took another plunge, setting up Seagull Books London Ltd, where the only brief we set ourselves was that there would be no architectural reality; the money saved goes into relationship-building". Seagull books are distributed in the US as well by The University of Chicago Press. Then, there is a non-profit cultural wing, the Seagull Foundation for the Arts; The Seagull School of Publishing, funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, which is in its sixth year; and PeaceWorks, founded in 2002 as a direct response to the Gujarat riots, which collaborates with schools across the subcontinent to talk about living with difference.

Its a certain kind of flow of money. Its not about seeking profits. Its a thin margin. Some books make profits, which is plunged into others that dont." Seagull Books had a turnover of Rs3.2 crore last year. But were constantly on the lookout for that extra to add to the pot." They get support, for instance, from French, German, Norwegian, Swiss and Italian cultural institutions for translation projects.

Theres romance in what he does, Kishore agrees. Hell rip a painting off a wall and sell it to subsidize his next book, if thats what it takes. If your dailyness is a book, then treat it like an everyday necessity. My everyday necessity is that damn book," he states.

What he does may not be self-sufficient, but it certainly is sustainable. If you have survived 45 years, you are doing something right," he says.
Two states: stories of fish curries and culinary conquests Recently reissued, these food books provide a window into the culinarily rich states of West Bengal and Kerala /news/talking-point/two-states-stories-of-fish-curries-and-culinary-conquests-111646986737250.html 111646986737250 story

Food lovers should rejoice at the recent reissue of two booksBengali Cooking: Seasons And Festivals by Chitrita Banerji (published by Aleph Book Co.) and The Suriani Kitchen: Recipes And Recollections From The Syrian Christians Of Kerala (published by Penguin Random House India). Whether its a recipe for an authentic machher jhol or fish moilee, or the representation of these dishes in art and popular culture, these books are redolent of the land and the people they belong to.

For someone who has grown up in West Bengal, it seems perfectly normal to be asked the question, Have you eaten?", as a precursor to hello. And though this may seem rather odd to an outsider, it is a cultural marker of a people. It is nuances like this that make up Banerjis Bengali Cooking, an excellent introduction to a state, its people, communities and kitchens. Banerji uses micro narrativesliterature, climate and geographyto explain the mindboggling diversity in the states cuisine. First published in 1991 as Life And Food In Bengal, the book interweaves several genrescookbook, history and memoiroffering insight into the food culture, ethnography and history of the state.

Banerji touches on all the little and big things that contribute to its unique food culture. There is the legendary culinary rivalry between the Bangals (Bengalis who came from East Bengal, now Bangladesh) and the Ghotis (Bengalis from West Bengal) and the never-ending debates about whose hilsa is the best. She touches on the regions love for all things related to fish; her book opens with the line, If you ask any Bengali for the shortest description of Bengali food, the answer is likely to be fish and rice." An answer one can even derive from the Bengali babus weekend adventures in the fish market, or the numerous ways in which rice-fish" is represented in rituals and literature. She delves into the sociology of food and its various manifestations across strata, from simple peasant fare to the lavish feasts in the aristocratic households of both Hindu Bengalis and Muslim nawabs who conquered and ruled the state. She talks about the gendered food culture, where men would receive choice cuts of fish and meat while their wives would cobble together meals from the leftovers. Widows would be at the bottom of the food chain, leading a life of deprivation, and the cuisine that they developed was truly one of ingenuity.

The recipes in this book are elucidated in a near-poetic manner, divided according to seasons, filled with history, personal anecdotes and asides on digestive health. One dish follows the other in lyrical continuity, just as in a multi-course Bengali meal.

Lathika Georges The Suriani Kitchen which was first published in 2009, follows a similar trajectory, tracing cuisine through memories and the broader history of Kerala. The story of the Syrian Christians is a story of migration, faith and food. It is also the personal story of families and the meals that they had. She introduces the lay reader to the traditional kitchen with its various implements and methods of cooking, accoutrements and spices. The latter is examined through taxonomy, history and usage. There is a chapter dedicated to coconut and its various manifestations in the food of this state. There is the food of fasting and food of feasting and, just like Banerji, Georges recipes are personal, taken from her familys large repository and preserved through successive generations of mothers and daughters. There are local legendsan especially saucy one tells the story of a man masquerading as a female chef called Missy, who cooked up quite a storm in traditional Syrian Christian households of the 1940s. There are stories where food, poetry, memories and grandmothers recipes all come together.

Kerala duck roast. Photo: Courtesy Penguin Random House.

An intriguing aspect of these books is the way they mirror each other. Apart from a similar political past under the red flags of communism, the two states are twinned in their love of all things fish. Coconut is to Kerala what mustard is to Bengal and the banana plant is judiciously consumed from root to shoot. Both books open windows into a world where food is linked inextricably with a region, its history and cultural traditions. And whether you are a cook or not, The Suriani Kitchen and Bengali Cooking will take you on a visceral journey through spice-laden kitchens, verdant fields and rivers plentiful in fish.
The Brothers Ranganathan: Bow, strings and hammer Trio Ranganathan, the French musical ensemble, recently concluded their second India tour /news/talking-point/the-brothers-ranganathan-bow-strings-and-hammer-111646986978707.html 111646986978707 story

Airports and aeroplanes can be a hassle for touring professional musicians. They like to keep their instruments near them, but while a violin or viola can be stowed overhead, the cello, at 4ft long, cannot. So Ravi Ranganathan, who plays the cello, does what all professional cellists do while travellingbuy an extra seat for it.

Ravi recounts with glee the time when security guards at an Indian airport asked him to play the cello, to prove it really was a musical instrument.

Ajay, Theo and Ravi are the three Ranganathan brothers who make up the ensemble Trio Ranganathan, which concluded its India tour last week. I met the brothers and their father on the eve of their final concert in Delhi. Ajay, 28, plays the violin while the 24-year-old twins, Theo and Ravi, are the pianist and cellist.

The trio format with a piano, violin and cello could make a strong claim to being Western classical music at its most tender. It falls within the category known as chamber musicmusic written for a handful of players in a drawing room or chamber" setting, not involving the seething cohort required for a full-scale symphony or an opera. The string quartet comprising two violins, a viola and a cello typifies chamber music, while the piano trio is even more intimate.

Born to an Indian father and Polish mother in Poitiers, France, their early exposure to both Western and Eastern music traditions has enriched their sensibility. Their mother bequeathed her love for Western classical music, while their fathers penchant for Carnatic music manifested itself in nightly lullabies. He would sing Carnatic songs to put us to sleep," recalls Theo. And our mother introduced us to the piano at age 6, much before we played any other instrument." Their father, Mohan Ranganathan, who moved to France in the 1970s and is a university physics professor, traces his ancestry to the noted 19th century Tamil composers Kavi Kunjara Bharti and Koteeswara Iyer, whose songs are still being sung in south India. Music is the stuff of lore in the family.

We wouldnt like any ceremony around the concert which excludes people, as it sometimes happens in the West.- Theo Ranganathan

The idea of forming a trio came to the brothers about 10 years ago, when they were studying at a conservatoire, or a music school, in Tours. The piano trio repertoire is probably the second most extensive after the string quartet, so we decided to perform together once Ravi learnt the cello," says Ajay. They entered competitions, held university concerts and performed at small venues.

Their first Indian outing, in the summer of 2012, was not without challenges. Theo narrates how the organizers in Chennai offered him a small synthesizer, which reproduces piano sounds digitally, after having emphatically confirmed on phone that they had a piano. Did the concert go ahead? We had to change the programme. Ajay and Ravi played some solo Bach, and we played some Bollywood transcription with our dad singing. Paradoxically, it was the biggest success of the tour," says Theo.

Other than well-maintained instruments, the group doesnt have major requirements. Chamber groups dont require large concert halls and can make the most of intimate spaces.

This time they toured Puducherry, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai and Delhi. Given how niche the audience is for Western classical music in India, the reception was unexpected. The response has been great and we saw many young people who came to try this music, which is quite different from European concert halls, where the majority of concert-goers are old. This kind of music certainly has a future in India," says Ajay.

A trio, like most Western classical music pieces, has three or four distinct sections called movements", which are played one after another, with applause at the very end. Do Indian audiences clap between movements and is it distracting? Not at all," Theo jumps in. It only means we are reaching new audiences and we wouldnt like any ceremony around the concert which excludes people, as it sometimes happens in the West. Also, if the piece is well-performed, the audience can really feel the right moment to clap." This attitude explains their practice of introducing the piece before the performance and offering some context.

Before a concert, we would meet at least two-three times. But we dont meet until we have absolutely perfected our individual parts, otherwise it would be a waste of time. When we meet, we try to interpret the piece and all we focus on is the whole and how it comes together, working on things like tempo and deciding which instrument should be prominent during certain passages. Although the notes are the same on the page, every trio group will play the same piece very differently," says Ajay.

The brothers speak three languages, English, French and Polish, and their father says: The languages help the boys, as each language has its own music and if you dont listen to the music of the language, you cant learn it. Its given them a keen ear."

I ask about interests other than music. Do you play any sports? No," guffaws Theo, before quickly offering a justification, as if to prevent me from forming a judgement. Doctors will tell you that the physical fitness which professional musicians require is on par with sports. You can seriously hurt yourself; it would not be visible but can be very damaging and potentially career-ending. You have to prepare your body." They look delighted with the sporting comparison. Their father provides a redeeming corrective. They do yoga sometimes."

In future, the brothers want to enter chamber music competitions and perform more frequently. We might also explore other opportunities, such as a solo career. There are a lot of new trio pieces to discover for now and having a solo career doesnt rule out the possibility of performing in an ensemble. Its a matter of time commitment," says Ajay. Ravi says he would like to play in a symphony orchestra and might audition for the Toulouse Orchestra in autumn. Trio music can be more interesting than performing solo as people can see us interact with each other, which makes it really alive."

Their last concert in India was painstakingly organized by their father, but this time they have benefited from the support of Alliance Francaise. They even got Ravis cello an aeroplane seat. We love playing in India and as soon as we get the opportunity to come back , we will, they say.

While the brothers change for the photo-shoot, their father, who has barely spoken during the interview, maintaining they are more important", walks up to me and whispers into my ear,Whats so special about their music is that there is so much telepathic conversationyou put the three best players and they will try to show who is better but here, being brothers, it is just the music that comes out and not the musician."

I ask if he is satisfied with the paths they have chosen. He smiles. We have given them all possibilities, now they choose." Are you happy? He breaks into a chuckle and says, Theyre happy, so Im happy."
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One of two defendants charged with 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter in the Ghost Ship warehouse fire in Oakland faced a judge Friday who denied his bid to be released on his own recognizance.

Max Harris, 28, appeared briefly in Alameda County Superior Court where his attorneys asked Judge Kevin Murphy to drop his $1.08 million bail so he could be released from the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, where he has been held since early June.

While Murphy declined to grant the request, he did lower Harris bail to $750,000, which he will probably not be able to raise, his attorneys said.

What happened (Friday) is unjust. Max Harris is innocent. Max Harris shouldnt be in custody and his bail, although it was reduced and most people would see that as a victory, we have an innocent man, we have a young kid, we have an artist who did his best to save lives ... and now hes subject to raising $750,000, said Curtis Briggs, one of Harris attorneys.

As Harris entered the courtroom wearing a red jail jumpsuit and with his blue-green hair tied in a ponytail, he stared straight at his attorneys as he walked over to the defense table.

His attorneys pointed out to the judge two of Harris friends sitting in the court gallery. Harris, with his hands shackled by a chain around his waist, turned toward them briefly, giving a smile before taking his seat.

The friends, Elissa Roy and Alex Goldman, sat with their heads bowed toward one another, as Tyler Smith, another of Harris attorneys, read from letters they submitted to the court vouching for Harris character.

The letters were among 31 presented to the court in support of Harris release, describing him as a gentle soul and a kindhearted human.

Prosecutors argued that to ensure Harris would return to court for trial, a high bail is necessary.

I can say Max Harris is probably a good man, said prosecutor Autrey James. But I cant say if he will come back.

James submitted two letters from some of the family members of the 36 people killed in the Dec. 2 inferno at the Fruitvale area warehouse, asking the judge to keep Harris in jail.

Murphy raised his own concerns on releasing Harris, citing his lack of employment and family ties in the Bay Area, though Roy and Goldman offered to put him up if he were released.

Its a serious case, its a serious situation, Murphy said, before denying the defense request.

Roy wiped away tears after the judges decisions as she and Goldman hugged.

In announcing charges against Harris and co-defendant Derick Almena, 47, on June 5, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy OMalley said the two men knowingly created a fire trap at the Ghost Ship warehouse, which had been illegally converted into a artist collective.

The arrests of Harris and Almena marked the end of a six-month investigation that began the night the fire erupted at the artist collective at 1301 31st Ave. during an unpermitted electronic music event that was open to the public. Most of the victims were trapped on the second floor as a wall of smoke and flames engulfed the buildings maze-like escape routes. All of the victims died from smoke inhalation.

OMalley further accused Harris of blocking an exit stairwell during the fire  a claim that his lawyers have adamantly denied.

Max Harris will not rot in jail, Briggs told reporters outside the courtroom.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
The Bureau of Land Management ranger whose stolen gun was used in the killing of Kate Steinle on San Franciscos Pier 14  a shooting that sparked a national debate over immigration policies  will testify in the upcoming murder trial of the alleged shooter, authorities said Friday.

Attorneys for Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, a 54-year-old Mexican immigrant, have argued that Ranger John Woychowskis testimony is critical in establishing the history and condition of the .40-caliber Sig Sauer semiautomatic pistol that was stolen from his car in downtown San Francisco three days before the shooting.

Woychowskis testimony could support the contention that the July 1, 2015, shooting was an accident involving a troubled homeless man rather than a cold-blooded slaying, defense attorneys said.

However, the U.S. Department of Interior, which oversees the Bureau of Land Management, had said department policy is not to allow its employees to testify or to produce department records either upon request or subpoena.

On Friday, Judge Richard Loftus of San Francisco Superior Court said the Bureau of Land Management agreed to allow Woychowski testify.

A bureau spokeswoman declined to comment further because the case is the subject of a pending lawsuit. The Steinle family is seeking damages from the federal agency and Woychowski, saying the act of leaving a loaded handgun unsecured in a car directly led to her death.

Steinle, 32, was strolling with her father along the Embarcadero on Pier 14 when a bullet pierced her back and went through her heart. City prosecutors charged Lopez-Sanchez with murder, saying he deliberately fired the gun along the crowded pier, but his attorneys said he discovered the gun on the pier shortly before the shooting.

We know the weapon on July 1, 2015 was pointed at the ground when it was discharged, said Deputy Public Defender Francisco Ugarte. We know the bullet ricocheted off the sidewalk and traveled about 100 feet. It has the physical traits of an accident, and the condition of the weapon when it was last handled is relevant.

Woychowski, he said, is the last known person who has handled the weapon prior to its appearance on the pier, and I think he can provide information to the jury relating to the condition of the weapon.

Steinles death sparked a push against the policies behind Lopez-Sanchezs release from San Francisco jail.

He had been on track for a sixth deportation to Mexico after serving 46 months in prison for felony re-entry into the country, but he was released from city jail three months before the Pier 14 killing, rather than being turned over to federal immigration agents, under the citys sanctuary law.

Lopez-Sanchez had been transferred from federal custody to the city jail in March 2015 on an old warrant alleging he fled marijuana charges in 1995. When prosecutors discharged the case, the San Francisco Sheriffs Department released him despite a federal request to hold him for deportation.

Legislation known as Kates Law that would boost punishment for people who repeatedly enter the country illegally and a separate measure that seeks to pressure cities to abandon sanctuary policies recently passed in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Lopez-Sanchez is scheduled to return to court Tuesday, when a judge is expected to set a trial date.

Vivian Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vho@sfchronicle.com TWitter: @VivianHo
NEW YORK - The technology that powers our favorite toys is the same technology that threatens our civilization. The little thumb sensor that unlocks your iPhone knows your fingerprint and could easily be used to create a vast international biometrics database. Cheap drones that are fun at backyard barbecues are cousin to the terrifying death-from-the-sky machines that allow imperial powers to project violence throughout the world. Send away for a DNA analysis to find out from what continent your ancestors came, and you have handed over an astonishing amount of personal data to complete strangers. And then there's the Internet, delivering the entire spectrum of consumer delights from pizza to porn, while inflaming the worst of human nature and inviting us to loathe on a global scale with the immediacy, intensity and intimacy of a backcountry blood feud.

The artist Ai Weiwei may not have realized how thin the line is between technology that is fun and technology that is ominous when he created "Hansel & Gretel," an enormous installation piece on view at the Park Avenue Armory this summer. Working with the architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, with whom he also collaborated on the famous "bird's nest" stadium for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Ai has designed a haunted house devoted to the idea and practice of surveillance. But audiences don't seem particularly focused on the dark side of the subject. "Hansel & Gretel" is fun, and it's attracting families and tourists and inveterate selfie-takers, who seem unfazed by the drones buzzing above their heads and the ominous red targeting lines that put them into the imaginary crosshairs of the unknown, unseen power the artist and architects have conjured to frighten us into heightened awareness of the dangers of surveillance.

With the same flair for popular appeal that he brought to the "Trace" exhibition now on view at the Hirshhorn, which uses Lego bricks to create 176 portraits of political prisoners, dissidents and open-society advocates, Ai has transformed the armory's cavernous Drill Hall into nocturnal hunting grounds. Overhead, drones buzz and traverse the darkened space, and cameras project ghostly black-and-white images of visitors onto the floor. The grainy thinness of these digital traces, sometimes captured or framed by laserlike red boxes, feels familiar from Hollywood high-tech thrillers about counterterrorism.

The intent is to make you feel under constant scrutiny in what the presenters call a "dystopian forest," but it isn't particularly terrifying. If you set aside the idea of surveillance and think about the experience in the language of contemporary art, you might understand it as an interactive painting in real time. And that's the fundamental problem with Ai's work at the Hirshhorn and at the armory: He wants to blur the lines between play and thinking. And he succeeds all too well because we are much more inclined to play than to think.

The armory show also animates the complicated narcissism of our new age of digital imagery. A satisfying sense of self-regard is inseparable from the pleasure we take in the devices that allow us to make and exchange digital images across the globe. Even surveillance brings with it the unconscious flattery of being monitored. These things should horrify us, and yet part of us is thrilled to live in a technologically sophisticated age, as if history has worked its laborious way to the present moment just so that we could be the first to savor its spectacular marvels.

The disturbing and unintended message sent by this show is: It's all a game. And we accept this because we have been conditioned to use the idea of a big game to make sense of the larger complexities of modern life. The technology is so new, and its extent so unknowable, that we can't seem to get the measure of it. Intellectually, we may know about that thin line between the toy and the weapon, between the consumer product and the surveillance state. Emotionally, however, we take refuge in the hope that for now, when technology seems more fun than ominous, that the evolving complexity of surveillance isn't quite real, just another part of the big game, no more connected to our actual lives than the banker in a game of Monopoly or the imaginary overlords in science fiction film.

There is also a sense in the art world that play leads us to thought. What Ai has demonstrated, unwittingly, is that play helps us keep at bay thoughts that are too terrifying to confront directly. And he creates art that is implicated in this denial.

When I visited the installation, the technology wasn't working perfectly. After you visit the drone-patrolled Drill Hall, you are ushered into the elegant wood-paneled lobby space at the front of the armory where, upon entering, you are photographed. These images are then projected on the walls, like giant mug shots, while visitors are invited to use tablet computers to dig deeper into the history and technology of surveillance. One option on the touch screen is "find your picture," but the system couldn't find mine. Somehow, I had managed to slip through the net. There was also an option to monitor live feeds from the overhead drones in the Drill Hall, thus to spy on other visitors. On my tablet, the feed never loaded.

My reaction to these glitches parallels the larger paradox of this technology. I was pleased that my image hadn't been caught up in Ai's elaborate game of surveillance. That seemed to offer some hope that we can still be anonymous flaneurs in the all-seeing city, still pass through the world without being noticed, still stand on the outside of things and merely observe. But at the same time that I was relieved to be anonymous, I had the reflexive sense that something needed to be fixed. My experience had been diminished by a glitch in the system, and someone should jump to it and remedy the problem.

It reminded me of the old joke about the engineer who, upon being led to a guillotine that was proving balky, looked up at the oft-malfunctioning device and said, "Ah, I see your problem." He helped his captors fix it and the machine got about its usual business.

---

"Hansel & Gretel" is on view at the Park Avenue Armory in New York City through Aug. 6. For more information visit armoryonpark.org.
Vatican City

Serving as ambassador for Donald Trump's administration is a job that will test the most seasoned of diplomats.

It's no surprise, then, that Callista Gingrich, the president's nominee for ambassador to the Holy See, is being written off by critics as unfit for the job.

How is it possible, the naysayers ask, that a documentary maker who carried out a six-year extramarital affair with former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich is a suitable choice to represent United States' interests in the Vatican? Think again.

Gingrich, whose husband is a major Trump ally, has the major bonus of being able to pick up the phone and relay messages directly to the president.

For the Vatican this is important, given the major disagreements between Pope Francis and the president ranging from climate change to building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The key challenge for the pope and the Holy See, sources say, is to correctly understand the president's thinking and to open lines of communication if there are disagreements.

That's where Gingrich, whose appointment has yet to be confirmed, comes in.

"Her close relationship with President Trump will be important in strengthening our bilateral relations, as was the case when I served as ambassador under President George W. Bush," said Rep. Francis Rooney, R-Fla., who served as envoy to the Vatican from 2005 to 2008.

"The Holy See has a unique role in foreign policy through its use of moral persuasion, or 'soft power.' Mrs. Gingrich will be in a unique position to work alongside the Catholic Church where United States interests are aligned, including working to protect religious freedom and promoting human rights, as well as fighting against radical Islamic terrorism."

Sources close to the couple say Newt Gingrich plans to split his time between Rome and Washington, allowing him to relay messages back and forth.

The Gingriches are also political big hitters and their presence in Rome is going to shake up the embassy circuit and, at the very least, raise the profile of the U.S.-Holy See relationship.
This month, I took a six-hour car ride down to Harrisburg, Pa., to be a part of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's 69th national convention.

Known as Jalsa Salana USA, the three-day gathering is the nation's longest-running Muslim convention. With over 70 local chapters in 30 states, there were 8,700 people in the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center from virtually every region of the country along with people from 34 different countries.

Those who have attended Jalsa are aware of the rich environment it offers, and don't want to miss out on the experience. In fact, every year some non-Muslim friends from the Capital Region come along as guests to see the brotherhood and sisterhood that go along with Jalsa, where people of all races, creeds and ethnicities embrace one another, whether they are old-time comrades or brand-new friends.

The convention starts on a Friday, the holy day of the week. When you walk in, young men and women greet you and take security measures to make sure that everyone is safe and accounted for in the system. The men proceed to a separate hall from the women during the duration of the event in order to provide a comfortable environment for both sexes. As you make your way to the large sitting prayer area, there are several department stalls to answer any question you might have about that particular subject. Also, you will see volunteers running around doing different tasks that go along with this large-scale event.

Many arrive before 2 p.m. to take part in the Friday prayers, known as the Jumma proceedings, this year led by Imam Azhar Haneef.

The convention consists of four main activities: gathering for the five daily prayers, listening to inspirational speeches, engaging in conversations with people from far and wide and, of course, eating good food.

Founded in 1889, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is an international movement within Islam with millions of members in over 200 nations. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA was established in 1920 and is among the oldest American-Muslim organizations. It is the only Islamic organization to believe that the messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, of Qadian, India, who lived from 1835-1908. The community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace.

This year, the convention's central theme was "Absolute Justice, Kinship, and Kindness," which is a solution given by the Quran for creating much-needed peace in the world today.

Abrahim Rehman lives in Glenville and will soon start his sophomore year at Siena College, where he is a biology major. He serves as the local youth leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Albany Chapter whose mosque is in Rotterdam.
Colonie

Iranian photographer David Rostambakhsh's pictures of homelessness and child labor enraged SEPAH, the Iran Revolutionary Guard. During one arrest, he says, guardsmen beat him and smashed his nose so badly he couldn't breathe through it for three years. But he continued exhibiting work, so the beatings became routine.

"SEPAH accused me of working for CNN and training Iranians to be journalists," he said recently from his Colonie home. "I denied it. They always accused me of being a Jew  which I denied for my father's safety."

Rostambakhsh and his family are Jews. And his family had kept that secret for decades to try to protect themselves from the extremist Muslims in power in Iran.

Each one of the hundreds of refugees in the Capital Region has a saga he or she can tell about the journey to America. Rostambakhsh's happens to be a love story.

He won't divulge all the details about how he got out of Iran and into Turkey in late 2013 for fear of endangering others. But when Iran gave him permission to go to Dubai for educational reasons, he grabbed that chance to travel, and then to get to Turkey. There, he could file for refugee status with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Turkish officials assigned him to live in the small, isolated city of Artvin flanked by the Black Sea and steep mountains thick with forests. Other refugees were in Artvin waiting for word on visas. While shooting photos in Istanbul, he met Albany native Kerri Schultz who changed his luck and his life.

"I went to Turkey back in 2010 when I was 19," she said. "It was an adventure."

She says that she became fluent while she was in Turkey.

"There are so few Americans who are fluent in Turkish that there's a huge demand for translators. I was able to get work as a business consultant. Executives would ask my advice about marketing."

That did not mean she was able to get paid what she was owed or navigate the legal system to sue over unpaid fees. When she met Rostambakhsh, she describes herself as being "almost destitute after a Turkish company suddenly decided not to pay me what they owed me. David helped me in a time when no one else was there, and we barely even knew each other."

He found enough work to pay rent on a small apartment in Istanbul which he invited her to see. It was decorated with American flags. A friendship was forming. She offered to help him navigate the Byzantine refugee visa process. Even though Schultz was barely out of her teens the quest imbued her with poise.

Schultz had worked at the U.S. consulate as a translator and her contacts were willing to help smooth out tangled red tape occasionally. Schultz could explain arcane paperwork problems to both American and Turkish officials.

Meanwhile, Rostambakhsh kept finding work as a photographer. He worked on a documentary about the murder of New Yorker Sarai Sierra in Istanbul. As Rostambakhsh and Schultz helped each other, their affection blossomed into love.

"I decided to stay in Turkey until we could go back to the U.S. together," she said.

He got his visa. Rostambakhsh and Schultz arrived in New York in December 2016.

They live together now in a Colonie apartment that also serves as Rostambakhsh's studio. Schultz is now a full time student at University at Albany majoring in biology and globalization. Rostambakhsh has shown his work at the Ohav Shalom Synagogue and currently has an exhibition of his work at the Branded Saloon in Brooklyn. He's now editing the documentary on Sierra and has plans to submit it to film festivals.
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The final four defendants involved in a south Laredo drug trafficking conspiracy led by reputed leader Adan "12" Melendez were sentenced Thursday in federal court.

Manuel "Lolo" Hernandez Jr., Alejandro "Keiko" Reyes, Rene Gabriel "Beast" Gonzalez and Jesus Enrique "Playboy" Ramirez were the last of 32 defendants to be sentenced for their participation in a drug-trafficking organization that operated several drug distribution points in Laredo.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana sentenced Hernandez, 24, to serve 80 months in prison on a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana and a second charge of possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. The sentences will run concurrently.

Reyes, 34, and Ramirez, 24, received 60-month sentences, while Gonzalez, 47, was sentenced to serve 84 months in prison. They each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, 28 grams or more of crack cocaine and 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.

READ MORE: 3 brothers, nephew of Melendez drug ring leader sentenced in case 'rampant with drugs and guns'

The men were charged for a conspiracy that authorities said operated under Adan Melendez, 41, and his two sons from at least 2012 until they were arrested in the summer of 2014. Melendez is serving life in prison after being sentenced earlier this year.

The drug-trafficking organization operated several drug distribution points in Laredo; provided a delivery service to repeat customers; fortified their distribution points with surveillance equipment and personnel, reinforced doors, firearms and barricades; and employed, hired and used minors in the management, distribution, security and delivery of its operations, court records state.

Intercepted phone conversations between associates of the drug trafficking conspiracy led authorities to discover Gonzalez was operating as a supplier for Melendez while a wanted fugitive in Mississippi.

Also identified as a supplier in the conspiracy was Reyes. His attorney, David Almaraz, described him as a small-time dealer who sold grams of powder cocaine.

Saldana found that their roles were significant, as the drug-trafficking conspiracy would have been unable to operate without the suppliers' contributions.

Hernandez, a nephew of Melendez, told authorities he managed one such distribution point, a tire shop located in the 2800 block of San Luis Street.

Roberto Balli, Hernandez's attorney, argued his client served as more of a clerk who took directions rather than a manager.

"(He) had absolutely no shots that he could call," Balli said.

U.S. Assistant Attorney Jose Angel Moreno said, "There's no question he was a very involved player even if he was just a worker at the tire shop."

Saldana credited Hernandez as being involved in the day-to-day operations of the drug distribution site.

RELATED: Body of 16-year-old girl found near Laredo recreation center, death being investigated as a homicide

The tire shop was one of the most well-known street-level distribution points to law enforcement.

On several occasions, Adan Melendez was heard speaking to one of his sons about drug transactions both inside and outside of "the shop," a reference to the location on San Luis.

Hernandez and Ramirez are mentioned in court documents when they assisted with marijuana that Melendez's organization had reportedly transported into Mexico from the U.S.

The duo coordinated 185 pounds of marijuana to be stored at a residence before being transported to another location, according to court records.

During Thursday's hearing, Hernandez said he recognizes his actions were wrong.

"I was young," he said. "I know it's not an excuse but when we are young we do things without thinking of the consequences."

Ramirez assured the judge he isn't "coming back to this lifestyle," saying he has changed and is "capable of doing things right."

All four men apologized for their actions and requested the opportunity to reunite with their families.
Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz recently attended the inaugural class of the City Leadership Program, consisting of 40 mayors, 30 from the U.S. and 10 from abroad, offered by the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative from July 16-20 in New York City.

Saenz was able to spend time networking with other elected officials from across the United States and several other countries exchanging ideas and practices, cultivating more effective leadership techniques.
1 Officer charged: A former police officer in Omaha, Neb., surrendered Friday to face a felony assault charge in the death of a mentally ill man whom he shocked with a stun gun a dozen times. Police cruiser video shows Scott Payne using a stun gun June 5 to shock Zachary Bearheels, 29, at a convenience store. Officer Ryan McClarty is seen punching Bearheels. Some of the blows came after Bearheels was on the ground and not resisting. Prosecutors said McClarty has been ticketed for misdemeanor assault. Police have said Bearheels was acting erratically and fought officers efforts to take him into custody. He was pronounced dead later at a hospital.

2 Admissions rescinded: Officials at UC Irvine have canceled more than 500 admission offers for the upcoming fall semester. KABC-TV reported Friday that the universitys Student Government Association has since demanded that administrators apologize to impacted students, reimburse all fees and guarantee future admission. University officials say they rescinded the offers because of transcript or grade issues and that there is no truth to rumors that they over-enrolled.
When a statewide ban on texting while driving takes effect Sept. 1, many local laws around Texas will become redundant. It's unclear whether stricter rules in certain cities, such as Sugar Land's ban on using cell phones without a hands-free device while driving, will stand.

But the City Council in Shoreacres, a city of about 1,500 on Galveston Bay that has banned texting while driving since 2010, has decided to give its residents a reprieve for a few weeks.

On July 10, the Shoreacres council voted 4-1 to repeal the city's texting ban, enabling motorists in the city to text and drive without fear of a citation until Sept. 1. An audio recording of the meeting posted on the city's website shows that the only discussion consisted of comments by Councilman Ron Hoskins, who cast the "nay" vote.

"The new state law doesn't go into effect until Sept. 1," Hoskins said, "and I know a Shoreacres resident -- he happens to be 18 -- who's had four accidents. Three of them were caused by texting. And in our small city, I don't think it's responsible to allow people to text and drive, with our narrow roads, children walking on streets due to our lack of sidewalks. If you want to remove this we should do it with a different ordinance, at a different time, sometime after Sept. 1. I don't see why between now and then, that we're going to allow citizens to text and drive. It puts other citizens in danger, and I am going to vote against this."

Councilman David Jennings, who moved to repeal the texting ban, did not explain his reasoning during the meeting, and he declined to comment when I contacted him. Jennings is the author of the blog "Big Jolly Politics."

Shoreacres Mayor Kimberly Sanford, who can only vote to break ties, said she was baffled by the decision to repeal the ordinance before the state texting ban takes effect. Shoreacres, she said, was among the first Texas municipalities to ban texting while driving.

"We actually were one of the trendsetters," Sanford said.

On Wednesday, the Texas Senate tentatively approved a bill that preempts local ordinances on the use of mobile phones by drivers. If the House approves the measure, which was sought by Gov. Greg Abbott during the special session, it will effectively roll back safety laws in the 45 Texas cities where local governments enforce stricter regulations than the state.
Two former teenage employees of a KFC restaurant in Humble have filed separate lawsuits seeking more than $10 million in damages combined.

The first lawsuit alleges an ex-manager there sexually assaulted a teen on multiple occasions in 2013 and 2014, and the second lawsuit accuses a different employee of indecent exposure and attempted sexual assault.

The first lawsuit was filed November 2016 in the 113th Judicial District of Harris County. It details the alleged assaults of a minor, whose identity is not disclosed under a protective order, at the restaurant at 3130 FM 1960. Court documents included a temporary restraining order against then-KFC manager Sean McIntosh, according to the lawsuit.

SEEKING MORE VICTIMS: Horse-riding instructor accused of sexually assaulting child

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The suit seeks $10 million in actual damages and an unspecified amount in punitive damages.

The second lawsuit was filed against McIntosh, Kentucky-based KFC Corp., and its parent company YUM Brands Inc., the Humble restaurant, its owner, and several others in connection with the second incident  an alleged attempted rape of a minor. The suit seeks more than $100,000 in damages.

All defendants from the second lawsuit have not yet been served.

Chaz Klaes, McIntosh's attorney, declined to comment regarding his client's case. McIntosh no longer works at the KFC in Humble.

Kasey Mathes Ryan, said a spokesperson for KFC would not comment on the specific allegations, but sent a statement: "We cannot comment on pending litigation, but we are committed and work hard to provide a safe and respectful work environment for our employees."

No criminal charges have been brought against any of the parties named in the lawsuit, according to George Edwards, lawyer for the first plaintiff.

An investigator with the Harris County Child Sexual Assault Division did not return multiple attempts for comment.

In the first lawsuit, filed by attorneys Edwards and Murtaza Sutarwalla, the female employee alleged McIntosh repeatedly imprisoned her, sodomized, sexually assaulted and deprived her of privacy.

The second lawsuit, filed in early June, alleges Kaydrin Marcell Neely, who was a cook at the restaurant, attempted to rape a different female teenage employee in the restroom while she was cleaning it. This suit was filed by Allen Zwernemann and Chavon Carr on behalf of the female employee.

"What honestly happened is she was a witness. Then, we come to find out she was a victim. Now the question is: Are there others?" Zwernemann said.

Zwernemann said his client was first approached as a possible witness to alleged sexual harassment employees faced at the Humble KFC before learning she was a victim. The lawsuit filed by Zwernemann also details the alleged sexual harassment the young female employee said occurred prior to his client's alleged attempted rape.

The second suit identifies the Humble KFC location as a "candy store," indicating the restaurant's management looked to hire underage female employees.

"There are some other nicknames that the employees mentioned in the deposition, which are even worse, but we can't disclose it, but it seems to corroborate that this location had something going on," Sutarwalla said.

Edwards said the second lawsuit reflects the KFC corporate culture and a marketing strategy used by the company to sell its product.

One of the advertisements attached to the lawsuit is a photo from KFC Australia of a man and a woman sitting on a couch while the woman is reaching for a blurred out spot over the man's lap. It reads, "Something hot and spicy is coming soon."

"There is a lot of discussion about some of the sexually explicit ads and TV commercials that we've recently seen with KFC," Edwards said. "That lawsuit sort of brings up this whole culture of objectifying women, of portraying women as sex objects as a means to sell fried chicken."

Sutarwalla stressed there are multiple issues raised by his client. It's not only the corporate culture, the lawyer said, but also the lack of action taken by adults against those responsible for the alleged assault.

Sutarwalla said an anonymous whistleblower in this case first notified KFC corporate, and Texas law is clear: Anyone who knows about a child being raped or sexually abused has to contact local police or Child Protective Services, the state agency that investigates reports of child abuse and neglect.

Said Sutarwalla: "KFC, or whoever knew about it, had a duty to inform the police, but instead they tried to do their own investigation."
Tyler Jarrell, 18, made up his mind early about life after high school. He wanted a challenge, and he looked to the Marine Corps to provide it.

He enlisted on Friday with a training date set for next summer, following graduation. After a flurry of enlistment paperwork over summer break, Jarrell made time for the year's biggest attraction in his home town of Columbus - the Ohio State Fair, which opened Wednesday.

Jarrell was killed when he was thrown off an amusement ride, the Fire Ball - an "aggressive thrill" carnival ride that swoops like a pendulum and swings in a circle - after a row of seats appeared to smash into a metal structural support beam. The accident left seven others injured, some of them critically, in what Ohio Republican Gov. John Kasich called "the worst tragedy in the history of the fair."

Staff Sgt. James Hopper of the Marine Corps Columbus recruiting station told The Washington Post that Jarrell was a highly motivated recruit among the other "poolies" who wanted to serve in a tough role such as infantry or combat engineering.

"He wanted to serve and do something that would make a huge difference and impact on his life," Hopper said. "He was a good kid, he was funny and great to be around."

Hopper said he had heard about the accident but learned later that it was Jarrell who was killed.

"The Marines here are greatly saddened by this tragedy. We are truly proud to have known him as one of the brave few willing to step up and serve his country in the United States Marine Corps," a statement from the service read.

Navy Capt. Gerard "Tom" Lennon Jr. told the Columbus Dispatch that Jarrell had participated in the Navy junior cadet program at Franklin Heights High School for three years.

"Tyler was an absolute delight. Like so many young people, he spent the last year figuring out what he wanted in life. And he had done so, and he had put the steps in place to make it happen. He was so proud to be serving his country," Lennon told the Dispatch. "My heart is broken."

Keziah Lewis, Jarrell's girlfriend, was with him on the ride. She suffered pelvis, ankle and rib injuries and was operated on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the Dispatch reported.

Last year more than 900,000 people attended the fair, which is one of the nation's largest, according to Cleveland.com, and is slated to continue until Aug. 6.

The fair reopened Thursday morning, but all rides have been shut down until they pass rigorous inspections, ABC News reported.

"Our family owned company is committed to working with state and local experts in trying to determine the cause of this tragic accident," Amusements of America, the ride operator for the fair, said in a Thursday statement on Facebook.

"The ride was inspected by our staff as well as independent inspectors prior to opening at the Ohio State Fair. We are keeping those impacted by this tragic situation in our prayers and cooperating with those investigating this accident," the statement said.

Anthony Jarrell, Tyler's father, told ABC News that his son was "loved and had a future, until the disaster at the Ohio fair."

"My question is, who [is] responsible for not doing their job of inspecting the rides?" Jarrell told ABC News.

Michael Vartorella, a ride inspector with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, said at the news conference that the Fire Ball was inspected three or four times before the fair began.

Vartorella insisted that inspectors did not rush their safety checks, although the Columbus Dispatch reported earlier in the week that rain and flooding delayed inspections until just before the fair opened.

Kasich said there would be a full investigation.

The Fire Ball malfunction and ensuing chaos was caught on video and widely circulated on social media and local news stations Wednesday night. One shows the six rows that form the gondola wheel - each with four seats - rocketing side to side along a parabolic arc. As it swoops down and over the ride's platform, at least two of the rows appear to strike a metal structural support beam. A loud screech can be heard as one row snaps off, but it is unclear whether the break or the impact with the beam generated the noise.

Travis and Mitch Taylor, 18-year old cousins, witnessed the accident. Just before the Fire Ball tore apart, they climbed from their seats and pondered another spin. But Travis wanted to get food.

"And thank God he did," Mitch told The Post, "because that's what saved us." Just moments later, the cousins watched with horror as their beloved Fire Ball turned lethal.

The cousins shook with fear and said they thought: "What the hell just happened?"

Shocked onlookers screamed and cried, Mitch Taylor said, and almost immediately police and EMS began blocking off the crowd from those who had been ejected during the ride malfunction.

Hopper said he plans to gather all of the other poolies in Jarrell's cohort on Saturday to tell them what happened.

"He was someone who was going to give 110 percent no matter what. That's what we're losing. A kid who wanted to serve his county," Hopper said.

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The Washington Post's Katie Mettler contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON - To prevent infant deaths in the District, lawmakers are considering a tool that has become synonymous with the record-low infant mortality rate in Finland - a cardboard box.

"Baby boxes" come packed with new baby supplies and are outfitted with a firm, foam mattress so they can double as a bassinet during the baby's first months, offering a safer alternative to co-sleeping.

First offered to Finnish mothers in the 1930s, the low-cost beds are now being embraced by politicians, philanthropists and hospital administrators across the United States as a way to prevent sleep-related deaths for infants.

This January, New Jersey became the first state to launch a universal program providing every new mother with a baby box, along with training about safe sleep habits. Since then, Alabama, Ohio, Texas and Colorado have also announced statewide programs.

D.C. Council member Brianne Nadeau, herself an expectant mother, this month introduced a bill that would provide all new parents with online training about safe sleep and a baby box to take home. "I believe every baby deserves a strong start, and that begins with a safe place to sleep," she said.

Already, the newly adopted programs are on track to distribute nearly 20 times the number of baby boxes the Finnish government supplies annually. The rapid pace of adoption is causing some medical professionals to urge caution.

A statement issued recently by the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome cited research on the outcomes related to baby boxes, even in Finland, where it's not clear whether the nation's low infant mortality is due to its baby boxes or broader system of prenatal care.

"There really is no evidence for these boxes," the statement says.

Other doctors are questioning whether it's safe to put newborn babies in a box to sleep. In the highly regulated marketplace for baby products, the boxes being mass distributed are not regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and doctors are questioning how air circulates in the box and what appropriate weight limits should be.

Jennifer Clary, co-founder and chief executive of The Baby Box Co., the for-profit company that is supplying the new statewide programs, said the boxes have undergone extensive safety testing and are the same boxes that have been used for decades in Finland.

No parent is given a box without learning about safe sleep habits and how to use the box safely, she said.

"Some people have an emotional problem with the concept of putting a child in a box," she said. "The reality is that it's every bit as safe."

Infant mortality has declined significantly in the District but hovered 27 percent above the national rate in 2014, with 7.6 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared with 6 per 1,000. The death rate for African American babies was even higher, at 10.5, compared with 3.7 for non-Hispanic whites.

The vast majority of deaths occur in the first weeks of life and are tied to chromosomal abnormalities, deformations or complications related to pregnancy. Most infants who die in the District are low-birth weight or preterm.

Anjali Talwalkar, senior deputy director for community health administration at the D.C. Department of Health, said it's important to raise awareness about safe sleep, but she does not want to "distract" from the main drivers of infant mortality in the District. Significantly improving infant survival rates requires intervening earlier, she said, and improving the mother's health care and education before and during pregnancy.

Obesity, chronic illness and a history of trauma are all factors that could contribute to a high-risk pregnancy, Talwalkar said.

The city also has a disparity in who is accessing prenatal care. Despite one of the lowest uninsured rates in the nation, 57 percent of African American mothers in the District in 2014 accessed prenatal care during their first trimester compared with 83 percent of white mothers.

Still, unsafe sleep practices are considered a major risk factor among infant deaths that occur after the baby's first month. For young infants, co-sleeping with parents and sleeping on their stomachs or on soft beds puts them at risk for sudden infant death syndrome or accidental death by suffocation or strangulation.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be put to sleep on their backs in the same room as their parents but on a separate bed that has a firm mattress and is free of any loosefitting sheets or soft cushions.

Nationally, about 3,500 infants die each yearfrom sleep-related causes. Sleep-related infant deaths declined in the 1990s amid a national campaign to put babies on their backs to sleep, but they have plateaued since.

In the District, between 2014 and 2016, 48 infants died due to causes associated with unsafe sleeping practices, according to a report by the city's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

One 5-month-old infant died after sleeping on an adult's chest. He was later found on the floor between an air mattress and a couch, according to a 2015 child fatality report by the medical examiner. The death was classified as "undetermined." The child also had been born premature and had a history of heart murmur, the report said.

In another case that was classified "accidental," a 2 1/2-month-old infant died after she was placed on her stomach on a pillow in an adult bed with her parent. The report also noted that the mother was uninsured and did not have prenatal care.

The District has a long-standing safe sleep program that distributes about 1,000 portable cribs annually to new parents and caregivers who complete an in-person education session about safe sleep.

Nadeau said she hopes to expand on that program because the boxes would be offered universally. She wants to improve awareness about co-sleeping, which cuts across racial and socioeconomic demographics. Her bill also includes a provision that would study the outcomes of the program.

One small-scale study recently published at Temple University in Philadelphia found that sending mothers home from the hospital with baby boxes and face-to-face training about safe sleep reduced the rate of bed-sharing by 25 percent within the first eight days. For exclusively breast-fed infants, who are more likely to sleep with their mothers, the rate decreased by 50 percent.

"That was exciting for us to see," said Megan Heere, medical director of Temple University Hospital's Well Baby Nursery. "We know there's a lot more work to be done, but we know we changed something in eight days."

The Finnish government began providing baby boxes, filled with newborn clothes and essential items, to new parents in the late 1930s, a time when nearly 1 in 10 babies died within their first year in the impoverished newly independent nation.

The box was conceived - and still serves - as a kind of welcome kit from the government that would incentivize women to access the public health care services, said Sanna Kangasharju, a press counselor at the Finnish Embassy in the District.

Expectant mothers can choose the box or a monetary award, currently the equivalent of about $180. To claim their prize, women first have to get a certificate from a health-care provider showing they have received prenatal care within the first four months of pregnancy, initiating a system of regular health care and counseling.

Kangasharju said 70 years later, many families never use the box as a bassinet, and focusing too much attention on the box "misses the point."

"The boxes would not help very much if it were not for the help of doctors and midwives who could explain things like good hygiene and proper nutrition," she said.

Clary traveled to Finland to study its baby box program after she started The Baby Box Co. She knew she could not replicate the country's socialized health-care system, but she decided the company should focus its efforts on education.

So she launched Baby Box University. With every partner state, the company develops a syllabus and produces a series of short educational videos featuring local health-care providers and experts. The videos explain safe sleep principles, as well as information about immunizations, breast-feeding and such topics as finding safe child care. After passing a quiz, mothers can get a certificate to obtain their box.

"The baby boxes are not inherently magical," she said. "But the way they are being distributed is having an impact."

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So-called "baby boxes" for newborns to sleep in were first introduced in Finland in the 1930s. The Finnish tradition has recently caught on in the U.S. Claritza Jimenez/The Washington Post)

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Boris Johnson spent a week visiting Japan, New Zealand and Australia in the pursuit of post-Brexit trade deals. Instead the gaffe-prone diplomat ended up riling a far bigger economy: China.

Known back home just as 'Boris,' Johnson is a popular figure often tipped as a future prime minister while he serves as foreign minister. He played a key role in changing the tide of public opinion in favor of the U.K. leaving the European Union.

In his official capacity, he's been charged with charming nations and convincing them of the value of strengthening commercial ties with the U.K. even as it prepares to quit the biggest trading bloc of them all. The problem is that his rhetoric often lands him in trouble.

In a speech in Sydney on Thursday, Johnson urged all countries bordering the South China Sea "to respect freedom of navigation and international law." That sounded the alarm back in China, arguably the one economy Britain can ill-afford to peeve given the political sensitivities in play.

Britain "is ready once again to articulate our commitment to international order with money and a military presence," he said, adding "that is why one of the first missions of our two vast new aircraft carriers will be to sail through the Straits of Malacca."

While Johnson didn't point the finger at China directly, his comments were interpreted as an indelicate reference to overlapping territorial claims in the region by countries including China, Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam.

China claims most of the South China Sea, one of the world's busiest shipping routes, and in recent years it has boosted its military presence, reclaiming thousands of acres of land to build artificial outposts on reefs. The Strait of Malacca is the gateway to the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean from the Indian Ocean.

"There are no longer any British colonies in East Asia and the presence of Britain's warship in the region is more like an aberration," China's Global Times said on Friday in an editorial. "Brexit is weakening Britain's influence, and it appears that the country needs to do something to assert its sense of identity. If it goes too far, however, it will get itself in trouble."

While the Global Times isn't a Chinese government publication, it's affiliated with the ruling Communist Party and is often used as a mouthpiece for government thinking. The government's official response was more measured.

"An individual nation that is not in the region insists on making some waves in the South China Sea where it has turned tranquil," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "China is sincere in creating a golden era in China-U.K. relations, but it requires efforts from both sides to improve any bilateral relationships."

The economics of keeping China happy are compelling. It was the seventh-biggest destination for British exports in 2017, and the second-biggest outside Europe, buying more than 13 billion pounds ($17 billion) worth of goods in 2016, according to U.K. statistics.

It was also the third biggest source of imports, with Britain buying some 36 billion pounds worth of goods. China's importance was not completely lost on Johnson, though.

"We will be here as a partner and friend, aiming at good relations with all the major countries of this region -- not choosing between them," he said. "Our relationship with China, the engine of global growth, will be crucial now and in the future."
Muslim and Jewish leaders in Northern California have planned a joint news conference after a widely distributed video showed an imam giving a speech some say incites violence against Jews.

Ammar Shahin, the imam of the Islamic Center of Davis, just outside Sacramento, preached last week about a controversy going on at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, an intensely contested site in East Jerusalem that is considered holy by Jews and Muslims. Israeli officials had put metal detectors at the site for Muslims to pass through, days after Arab-Israeli gunmen shot and killed two Israeli guards at the site.

The standoff sparked a surge of deadly violence and protests in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Jordan, which oversees the compound.

In the hour-long sermon, the 31-year-old Shahin focused on the standoff at the site and called Muslims to come together to protest the closure there. He prayed for Allah to destroy Muslims' opponents at the site.

The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), which monitors media coverage, particularly about Israel, translated Shahin as calling for God to "liberate the Al Aqsa Mosque from the filth of the Jews" and to "annihilate them down to the very last one," the group said in a statement.

On Wednesday, Shahin told The Washington Post that he wasn't speaking of Jews in general but "specifically about this group shutting down the mosque - these soldiers, or settlers, or fighters, or oppressors." He said he focused on the situation at al-Aqsa because so many U.S. Muslims aren't aware of it. He said he regularly speaks out against the Islamic State and extremism by Muslims and has made statements against Muslim extremist attacks in Europe, South Asia and elsewhere.

"It's unfair when I have spoken about nonviolence, and here is some two minutes. My record is very clear, I have always been against violence," he said.

The YouTube clip of Shahin's sermon has been watched more than 17,000 times since it was recorded July 21.

Interfaith leaders, including Shahin, have been trying for a couple of days to organize a news conference, and Rabbi Bruce Castleman, president of the regional board of rabbis, said Thursday that one would hopefully be held Friday.

The mosque put out two statements about the sermon, accusing MEMRI of pulling a short clip out of context.

"In the context of the full sermon, it becomes clear that the theme of the sermon was against oppression, and not against Jews or any religion," the mosque statement said. "If MEMRI and company sincerely followed Imam Ammar Shahin's work and did not just cut and paste what suits their cause, they would have come across the countless lectures and sermons he has given regarding treating all people, especially non-Muslims, with kindness and giving them their full rights, supporting them when they are oppressed."

An additional statement on the mosque's YouTube channel said this:

"The ICD will always stand against anti-Semitism similarly to how the Jewish community has always stood against Islamophobia in our close-knit community. We have zero tolerance for anti-Semitism or any other form of bigotry."

But local and national Muslim and Jewish leaders said they understood why some were alarmed by the sermon.

Hamza El-Nakhal, a longtime member of the Muslim community in Davis and a former president of the Islamic Center's executive board, told the Davis Enterprise that he found the video "disturbing."

"While I am disgusted by the action of the Israeli government in preventing Muslim people from doing their prayers in the Masjid Al-Aqsa, I am equally disgusted by any religious leader who does not take the chance (during) high unsettling times to calm their congregations," El-Nakhal told the Enterprise. "Some people like Imam Ammar Shahin become angry for injustices. He spoke while angry. He should not have given this sermon while angry."

Basim Elkarra, executive director of the advocacy group CAIR of Sacramento Valley, said the Jewish and Muslim communities in that area have a history of "strong relations. Working together, we'll get through this."

Of the imam, he said that it was essential for "people to realize words matter, words have consequences."

Several national Jewish advocacy organizations spoke out against the sermon, including the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Anti-Defamation League.

"These statements are anti-Semitic and dangerous. We reject attempts to cast the conflict in Jerusalem as a religious war between Jews and Muslims. At this time of heightened tension, it is more important than ever for the Jewish and Muslim communities to come together to condemn the use of stereotypes and conspiracy theories," the ADL said in a statement Tuesday.

Nazir Harb Michel, a senior fellow at Georgetown University's Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding in Arab and Islamic Studies, translated the imam in this way:

"O God, liberate the al-Aqsa mosque from the desecrations of the Jews. O God, upon you is the handling of those who closed the al-Aqsa mosque. Oh God, defeat each of them and count them all, and don't leave any of them out."

While Michel said the imam clearly used the word "Jews," he felt the context of the sermon, and even the paragraph, made it clear he was speaking about those involved in the conflict at al-Aqsa.

"I would question some of the choices he made to include oral traditions about Muslims fighting Jews and his generalizing and re-contextualizing. . . . The imam appears to have been very emotional in certain parts and probably did cross a line between talking about politics and talking about religion that would be offensive to many. Personally, I take issue with the spiritualizing of political conflicts on both sides of the situation," said Michel, who also expressed concern that MEMRI was hoping to stir up anti-Muslim sentiment at a time when Muslim Americans feel under siege.

Castleman said he met for several hours with local Muslim leaders, including Shahin, and that local leaders are worried about the possibility of violence "from either direction." Shahin seemed "pained" by what had happened, Castleman said, adding that may not be enough.

"I told him, 'It's like marriage: You can be happy or right, but you can't be both.' This is the time for you to create happiness and not justify yourself to be right," he said. "Look, the Old and New Testaments have horrible things in them. You can always find horrible things. It's a matter of how you apply them and how you use them."

Davis officials earlier this year investigated as a hate crime an attack on the mosque. Surveillance video showed a woman placing bacon - which Muslims are forbidden from eating - on a door handle of the building in the middle of the night. Also, a half-dozen windows were shattered, the Los Angeles Times reported.

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The Washington Post's Abigail Hauslohner contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON - They passed legislation to stop him from lifting sanctions on Russia. They recoiled at his snap decision to ban transgender Americans from the military. And they warned him in no uncertain terms not to fire the attorney general or the special counsel investigating the president and his aides.

Republican lawmakers have openly defied President Donald Trump in meaningful ways this week amid growing frustration on Capitol Hill with his surprise tweets, erratic behavior and willingness to trample on governing norms. But at the same time, they've worked to advance legislation they want him to sign.

In the latest signs of a backlash, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Wednesday he would not hold hearings on a replacement if Trump dismissed Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Thursday he would pursue legislation that would prevent Trump from summarily firing Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

"Some of the suggestions that the president is making go way beyond what's acceptable in a rule-of-law nation," Graham said. "This is not draining the swamp. What he's interjecting is turning democracy upside down."

Some of the defiance came from already outspoken Trump critics such as Graham and Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., who rebuked the president from the Senate floor Thursday.

"If you're thinking of making a recess appointment to push out the attorney general, forget about it," Sasse said. "The presidency isn't a bull, and this country isn't a china shop."

But some generally pro-Trump lawmakers emerged Wednesday as critics of the unexpected transgender ban, which the president announced in a series of morning tweets with no notice to key figures on Capitol Hill who might normally be called upon to defend his actions.

Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, issued statements Wednesday saying Trump went too far in banning all transgender service members. On Thursday, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., refused to back the ban, saying he would await a Defense Department review of the issue despite Trump's clear wishes.

"I look forward to seeing what they actually produce," Ryan said.

On the sanctions issue, the Senate, on a 98-2 vote on Thursday, cleared legislation targeting Russia, Iran and North Korea that the Trump administration had sought to water down - particularly a provision that would require Trump to seek congressional approval before lifting sanctions against Russia. The bill had passed the House earlier this week on a 419-3 vote.

Several lawmakers said that if Trump vetoes the measure, Congress was prepared to override it.

"No president likes Congress to tie their hands," said Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. "This is a very unique and particular case at a key moment. . . . If the president vetoes it, as is his right, there will be a debate, but I believe it will be overridden."

Despite the brushbacks, Republican lawmakers are continuing to act on key parts of Trump's legislative agenda. Those items, however, face major hurdles.

The House on Thursday cleared a package of spending bills that boost defense spending and earmark $1.6 billion to build 74 miles of border fencing - making good on Trump's promise to "build the wall" to separate the United States and Mexico. The bill, however, breaks existing budget caps. Any final spending agreement will have to be negotiated later in the year with Democrats, who have so far refused to support any wall funding.

The Senate, meanwhile, continued working haltingly toward passage of a health-care bill that swallowed much of the attention and energy on Capitol Hill.

On Thursday evening, a group of senators that included Graham and John McCain, R-Ariz., faced television cameras inside the Capitol to make an unusual declaration: They would vote for the health-care bill in the Senate only if they were assured by House Republican leaders that they would not in turn pass it into law.

The senators' hope was to convene a conference committee, an open-ended negotiation that could keep the internal battle over replacing the Affordable Care Act alive for months. The effort would potentially distract from other contentious issues, such as a tax overhaul.

That tax initiative took a modest step forward Thursday when key White House officials and congressional leaders issued a joint statement of principles for the overhaul - one that discarded a controversial tax on corporate imports favored by Ryan.

The House, however, has yet to pass a 2018 budget, a key initial step Republicans are counting on to be able to pass the tax overhaul without involving Democrats. House GOP aides indicated Friday that the matter would be left until September, after a planned five-week recess. Lawmakers in September will have to confront a possible government shutdown and federal default.

The most palpable frustration on Capitol Hill, however, tends not to concern health care or tax reform or appropriations, but rather Trump's chaotic White House and his Twitter musings.

Recent weeks have seen lawmakers who have brushed aside Trump's antics by calling him "refreshing" and "unconventional" more willing to voice their concerns.

After the transgender tweetstorm Wednesday, Rep. Thomas J. Rooney, R-Fla., expressed frustration that Trump's tweets come out of nowhere, leaving GOP lawmakers out of step with the president.

"When we do stuff in here that we're trying to message, and there's a tweet that comes out that's different than that, it throws us off," he said. "Based on what we're doing in here this week, I don't know what the connection is."

Especially alarming to congressional Republicans are Trump's recent tweets about Sessions and Mueller - such as a Saturday tweet asking why the two are not investigating alleged "crimes" by former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and by former FBI Director James B. Comey. A subsequent tweet Tuesday accused Sessions of taking "a VERY weak position" on investigating Clinton and leakers of intelligence secrets.

Sessions has seen an outpouring of support this week from his former colleagues in the Senate, where he served for two decades.

"I think the president has to keep in mind a couple of things," Sen. Richard C. Shelby, R-Ala., said Thursday. "Jeff Sessions, like all Cabinet members, works for the United States of America. They don't work for the president; they work for the people. . . . The president's a smart man, and he ought to know that."

Meanwhile, key lawmakers have voiced confidence in Mueller. "I think it's in the president's interest that he stays where he is and continues and does his job," Ryan said Thursday.

Graham said Thursday that a move against Mueller would represent "the beginning of the end of the Trump presidency." His bill, which he said he is drafting in conjunction with Democratic colleagues, would require a federal judge to review any move to dismiss a special counsel.

Fellow Republicans offered support for the move. "I hope that it doesn't become needed," said Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., who is pursuing his own investigation of Trump as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
TOKYO - North Korea has taken another bold step toward achieving its stated goal of being able to send a nuclear weapon to the U.S. mainland, firing an intercontinental ballistic missile late Friday that highlights the regime's rapid technological progress.

The missile flew almost straight up for 45 minutes and reached a height of about 2,300 miles before crashing into the sea off Japan. But if it had been launched on a normal trajectory, the missile could theoretically have reached Chicago and perhaps even New York, experts said.

This latest provocation compounds the problem facing the Trump administration and North Korea's neighbors: how to stop the regime of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un from making progress with its nuclear weapons program.

"Kim Jong Un does seem hellbent on acquiring the capability to reach the United States with nuclear weapons," said Sharon Squassoni, director of the Proliferation Prevention Program at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

The Pentagon and South Korea's joint chiefs of staff both said they had detected the launch, which occurred Friday at about 11:11 p.m. North Korea time. The late-night launch was unusual, as North Korea usually fires missiles shortly after dawn.

"We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile, as had been expected," said Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command "determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America," Davis said.

American officials assessed that the missile flew on a "lofted" trajectory to reach an apogee of 2,300 miles, before landing about 620 miles from its launch site in Chagang province in northwestern North Korea, near the border with China.

This is something that North Korea has been doing to test its missiles without firing them over Japan, an even more incendiary move.

The missile landed within Japan's exclusive economic zone in the Sea of Japan, chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference convened early Saturday morning. Analysts said it landed off the coast of the northern island of Hokkaido.

"We cannot tolerate North Korea's repeated provocations like this," Suga said. "We have made a strong protest to North Korea and condemned this act in the strongest terms."

If the missile had been fired on a trajectory designed to maximize its range, it could have flown 6,500 miles, said David Wright, co-director of the Global Security Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. This is without taking into account the rotation of the Earth, which increases the range of missiles fired to the east.

"Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago appear to be well within range of this missile, and that Boston and New York may be just within range," Wright said. Washington may still be just out of range, he added.

These are only estimates, and experts do not know what kind of payload the missile was carrying, a factor that influences range.

But with its rapid succession of tests, North Korea is showing steady and observable technical progress that has alarmed analysts and officials alike.

Friday's test comes just three weeks after North Korea fired its first intercontinental ballistic missile, launched as July 4 dawned in Asia, and becomes the 14th ballistic missile launch this year alone.

That missile, which North Korea called the Hwasong-14 (or Mars-14), flew to an altitude of 1,741 miles - seven times as high as the International Space Station - before landing in the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, 577 miles from its launch site. Analysts said that this would put Alaska and Hawaii within range.

Jeffrey Lewis, head of the East Asia program at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) in California, said that this latest test was designed to demonstrate that North Korea could hit more of the mainland United States.

"My guess is that they want to show more range," Lewis said, adding that North Korea was essentially calling the Pentagon's bluff. "We basically dared them to do this. We said, 'It's not really an ICBM until it can hit Alaska,' and they're, like, 'Okay.' "

Ten of this year's 14 ballistic missile launches can be considered successful, according to CNS researchers.

The Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency has shaved two full years off the forecast for North Korea's ICBM program, now estimating that North Korea will be able to field a reliable, nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile as early as next year.

A launch this week - the anniversary of the end of the 1950-1953 Korean War fell on Thursday - had been anticipated. U.S. intelligence agencies had seen signs that North Korea was preparing for another test.

The North Korean leader has repeatedly said he wants a nuclear-tipped missile that can reach the United States, and his defense minister Wednesday threatened to launch a preemptive nuclear strike against the United States.

"If enemies misunderstand our strategic status and stick to options of staging a preemptive nuclear attack against us, we will launch a nuclear attack on America's heart as the most relentless punishment without warning or prior notice," the minister said at a ceremony to mark the conclusion of the Korean War, which ended in an armistice but which Pyongyang claims it won. The occasion is celebrated annually in North Korea as the "Day of Victory in the Great Fatherland Liberation War."

The Pentagon is planning another test of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system in Alaska soon. The system is designed to shoot down incoming missiles.

In a surprising apparent shift, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who took office in May vowing to review the U.S. deployment of a THAAD battery to South Korea, signaled he would now accept the system.

After an emergency National Security Council meeting held early Saturday morning, Moon's office said he had directed his staff to consider ways to strengthen deterrence, including through the "additional deployment" of THAAD launchers.

[The inevitability of North Korea's nuclear weapons]

The July 4 test, which violated United Nations resolutions against North Korea, was met with the usual rounds of international condemnation, and the latest provocation is likely to be greeted in the same way.

But the world has not found a way to persuade North Korea to stop.

The United States has been leading the charge for more and more sanctions against North Korea, but Russia and China - both veto-wielding permanent members of the U.N. Security Council - have been reluctant to impose painful measures and are calling instead for a "de-escalation plan" to deal with Pyongyang.

The Trump administration needs to focus on diplomacy as well as sanctions, said Kelsey Davenport, director for nonproliferation policy at the Arms Control Association. "A deployed North Korean ICBM is not inevitable, but it will be if policymakers in Washington keep putting the cart before the horse and demanding Pyongyang meet onerous preconditions to begin talks," she said.

The Trump administration, like the Obama administration before it, has said that North Korea must agree to freeze its weapons program before talks can begin.

"Washington's diplomacy deficit is further compounded by the dangerous illusion that sanctions alone will push North Korea to negotiate," Davenport said, "when the Trump administration and Congress should be focused on signaling support for talks without conditions."

Squassoni of CSIS agreed.

"We won't know anything about North Korea's intentions unless we engage them seriously and at length," she said. "The Trump administration needs to commit resources and real expertise to reshaping peace and security on the Korean Peninsula."

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The Washington Post's Thomas Gibbons-Neff in Washington contributed to this report.

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Video: Report: North Korea can strike U.S. with nuclear ICBM by next year

According to a confidential assessment by the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency, North Korea will be able to field a reliable, nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile as early as next year. (The Washington Post)

Short URL: http://wapo.st/2tiSdTX

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SELDEN, N.Y. - President Donald Trump on Friday warned of an uptick in violence from the transnational gang MS-13 that he said exploited weak political leadership and immigration enforcement to terrorize communities as the White House launched a renewed push for Congress to beef up funding for border security measures.

Trump's visit to a county racked by violence attributed to the gang - 17 murders over 18 months, according to local police - aimed to give "power and poignancy" to his message that lawmakers must do more to combat illegal immigration" a White House aide told reporters in a briefing.

In stark language, Trump said MS-13 members have stabbed, raped and murdered young people and "transformed peaceful parks and beautiful quiet neighborhoods into blood-stained killing fields." He added: "They're animals. We cannot tolerate as a society the spilling of innocent, young, wonderful, vibrant people."

Trump, who campaigned on a pledge to ramp up border security, has in recent months begun highlighting the threat from MS-13, whose formal name is La Mara Salvatrucha, a gang formed in Los Angeles decades ago with ties to El Salvador and Honduras.

Speaking Friday before an audience of law enforcement officers at Suffolk County Community College, Trump blamed past administrations for failing to enforce immigration laws.

"For many years, they exploited America's weak borders and immigration enforcement," Trump said of gangs such as MS-13. "They are there right now because of weak political leadership ... and in many cases police who are not allowed to do their job because they have a pathetic mayor or a mayor who does not know what's going on."

A day after suffering a major political defeat on his bid to overturn the Affordable Care Act, when the Senate voted down a repeal measure, the president seemed buoyed during his return to Long Island, where he spent part of his youth. Trump spoke on stage in front of dozens of uniformed officers and a banner that read, "Protecting American lives." He received numerous ovations as he thanked law enforcement officers for their service and pledged to create policies to allow them to do their jobs better. The officers at one point chanted, "USA! USA!"

Trump boasted that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are tougher than the criminal gangs, and at one point he encouraged police to be rougher with suspects who are apprehended, suggesting. for example, that they be allowed to strike suspects' heads while putting them into police cars.

Addressing illegal immigrants, Trump said: "We will find you, we will arrest you, we will jail you, and we will deport you."

Trump administration officials said they have begun implementing the president's directive to target MS-13 and other violent gangs and cartels. The Justice Department has requested funding for 300 additional federal prosecutors, said Rob Hur, the principal associate deputy attorney general, and Attorney General Jeff Sessions traveled this week to El Salvador to meet with officials from the Northern Triangle, including Honduras and Guatemala, in an effort to coordinate enforcement efforts.

Thomas Homan, the acting director of ICE who traveled here with Trump aboard Air Force One, said his agency has arrested 3,311 gang members this year, including 100 in New York, a majority of whom were affiliated with MS-13.

"Targeting, arresting and removing members of violent street gangs such as MS-13 sends a clear message to criminal enterprises around the world: You are not welcome in the United States, and you'll find no harbor here," Homan said.

Trump used his remarks to push Congress to boost funding for the administration's immigration crackdown, including the start of construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, 10,000 new ICE agents and 5,000 new Customs and Border Patrol officers. He also urged passage of new laws to increase penalties on immigrants who enter the United States illegally, speed up deportations and penalize "sanctuary cities" that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

The House approved legislation late Thursday that would allocate $1.6 billion to the wall, and administration officials said they will make a major push for that funding in budget deliberations with Congress over the coming months.

Yet immigrant rights advocates said the administration is inflating the dangers of illegal immigration to instill fear in the public as a way to build political support for its stricter policies.

In Trump's first 100 days in office, ICE arrested 41,318 immigrants, up 37.6 percent over the same period last year. Almost three out of every four of those arrested have criminal records, including gang members and fugitives wanted for murder. But the biggest increase by far is among immigrants with no criminal records.

Also, many members of MS-13 are U.S. citizens and are under 18 years old.

Maria Teresa Kumar, chief executive of Voto Latino, said the comments from Trump and his aides are "simply an attempt to incite fear as a means to justify aggressive deportation efforts and costly border security policies. Their generalizations of our community are simply untrue. On the contrary, undocumented immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than the native-born population, and that gap continues to widen each year."

Homan acknowledged that Trump had broadened the pool of undocumented immigrants considered a priority for removal, but he said the numbers are misleading because the Obama administration had sought to protect broad categories of immigrants from deportation. The numbers of non-criminals had fallen to such low levels, Homan said, that even a modest increase boosts the percentages.

Over the first 100 days of the Trump administration, 30,473 criminals were arrested from Jan. 22 to April 29, an 18 percent increase from the same period in 2016, according to ICE. Arrests of immigrants with no criminal records reached nearly 11,000, an increase of about 150 percent.

"If we send the message that if you get into the country, you get by the Border Patrol, and don't get arrested by local law enforcement for another crime, and no one is looking for you - that is a magnet; that is a pull factor," Homan said. "We got to stop that messaging. We got to tell people it's not okay to violate laws in this country."

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Video: President Trump says the U.S. is moving gang members out of the country "by the thousands."

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Charlie Gard, the terminally ill British boy whose heartbreaking case elicited sympathy and support from Pope Francis and President Donald Trump, and inflamed an international debate over end-of-life rights, died Friday.

Charlie's parents, Chris Gard and Connie Yates, announced the 11-month-old's death a day after a British court ruled that the infant should be moved to hospice care and disconnected from a ventilator, a spokesman for the family told BBC News, the Guardian and the Associated Press.

Yates said in a statement to the Guardian, "Our beautiful little boy has gone, we are so proud of you Charlie."

The news of Charlie's death reverberated across the globe Friday evening.

Francis wrote in a heartfelt message on social media, "I entrust little Charlie to the Father and pray for his parents and all those who loved him."

Prime Minister Theresa May said she was "deeply saddened" and extended thoughts and prayers to Charlie's parents, according to BBC News. And Vice President Pence said on Twitter that he was "saddened to hear of the passing of Charlie Gard."

For several months, Charlie's parents had been fighting in court to keep him alive. His case became the personification of a passionate debate over the right to live or die, his parents' right to choose for their child and whether his doctors had an obligation to intervene in his care.

The bitter legal battle came to an exhausting and emotional end Thursday when High Court Judge Nicholas Francis made the decision to move Charlie to hospice care and let him die after Charlie's parents and doctors could not agree on how much time the child should have to live. The judge said Charlie should be removed from the ventilator, which "will inevitably result in Charlie's death within a short period of time thereafter."

London's Great Ormond Street Hospital, which had been treating Charlie, said it had been "a uniquely painful and distressing process" for everyone.

Charlie, who was born with a rare genetic condition called mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, had sustained brain damage that had taken away his ability to see, hear or breathe on his own.

His parents had raised money to take him to the United States for an experimental treatment they had not yet tried, but doctors at Great Ormond Street asserted that the child had no chance of survival. The case trickled through the British court system and ended up in the European Court of Human Rights, which declined to hear it, upholding previous court rulings that it was in Charlie's best interest to let him die.

It was that decision that thrust Charlie's case into the international spotlight.

In June, the Vatican's children's hospital said it would admit the boy, with the pope saying on social media that "to defend human life, above all when it is wounded by illness, is a duty of love that God entrusts to all."

Trump said on Twitter that the United States "would be delighted to" help.

Charlie's parents said the support had given them renewed hope. Hospitals in Rome and New York opened their doors to the boy, and the High Court gave his parents the opportunity to present fresh evidence in the case. Great Ormond Street said its doctors and nurses had been getting death threats over the case.

Michio Hirano, a neurology expert at Columbia Medical Center in New York, and doctors from the Vatican's Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital initially said the medical treatment, nucleoside therapy, might help Charlie, according to the Associated Press. But Great Ormond Street said the idea had done nothing more than give Charlie's parents false hope that their son could recover.

It was decided earlier this week that Charlie's parents should let him go, when it became clear that the experimental treatment they wanted for their son was not possible.

After further medical tests, Chris Gard told reporters, "we've decided it is no longer in Charlie's best interest to pursue treatment, and we will let our son go and be with the angels."

"Had Charlie been given the treatment sooner, he would have had the potential to be a normal, healthy little boy," Gard added. "We will have to live with the what-ifs that will haunt us for the rest of our lives."

A spokesman for Great Ormond Street said in a statement Friday, "Everyone at Great Ormond Street Hospital sends their heartfelt condolences to Charlie's parents and loved-ones at this very sad time."

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Griff Witte and Cleve Wootson contributed to this report.

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The lengthy legal battle over Charlie Gard

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WASHINGTON - The cinematic infighting that has consumed the White House in recent days was pushed into public view on Thursday, exposing the West Wing as the political equivalent of a New York-accented reality television show that runs on a raucous mix of drama, machismo and suspicion.

The new communications director - Anthony Scaramucci, a flashy New York financier who brags that he and Trump "started out as friends" - has been trying to oust White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus in a foul-mouth campaign fueled by months of brewing animus. Scaramucci accused Priebus of leaking to the media about behind-the-scenes maneuverings and his own personal finances, but his broader intent is to purge senior advisers and low-level staffers who he suspects are not adequately loyal to President Donald Trump.

In an interview with The New Yorker published Thursday, Scaramucci called Priebus a "f----- paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac" and claimed that the former Republican Party chairman will "be asked to resign very shortly" in a sweep that he warned could eventually involve much of the staff.

The New Yorker interview gave voice to the profane intensity of the warring West Wing factions that has defined much of Trump's early administration - but the level of candor and raging frustration Scaramucci expressed yet again stunned a Washington political class that has become increasingly inured to the unorthodoxy of this White House.

More for you The Trump White House just went full reality TV

At one point in the interview, Scaramucci switched to speaking in the third-person while trying to make his mission clear.

"O.K., the Mooch showed up a week ago," he said. "This is going to get cleaned up very shortly, O.K.?"

Scaramucci's anger toward Priebus was burning long before he joined the White House this week.

After the election, he sold his company, investment fund SkyBridge Capital, in preparation for a job in the White House, only to be blocked by Priebus. Scaramucci was later shuffled into a position at the Export-Import Bank, where he plotted his next move. Last week, Trump surprised Priebus, Bannon and others by announcing that Scaramucci would become the next White House communications director - news that prompted press secretary Sean Spicer, Priebus' closest ally, to resign.

Priebus is considered an establishment figure in a sea of nontraditional White House staffers, and he has long faced criticism from some of Trump's staunchest allies who view him as ill-prepared for the job and too concerned about his own reputation. But the attacks that had been quietly waged against him for months in behind-the-scenes trash talk are now being spoken aloud by Scaramucci, who claims he has the president's blessing to do so.

In the expletive-filled interview with the New Yorker, Scaramucci presented himself as someone who is fully dedicated to the president. He accused Stephen Bannon, Trump's chief strategist, of trying to build his "own brand off the f------ strength of the president."And he angrily lashed out at Priebus for blocking him from the White House for six months and accused him of leaking the details of a Wednesday night dinner with Fox News personality Sean Hannity at the White House to a reporter.

"What I want to do is I want to f------ kill all the leakers, and I want to get the president's agenda on track so we can succeed for the American people," Scaramucci said.

After the article was published, Scaramucci sought to shrug off the controversy with a tweet: "I sometimes use colorful language. I will refrain in this arena but not give up the passionate fight for @realDonaldTrump's agenda. #MAGA."

Later in the night he took to Twitter again, this time to lay blame at the feet of New Yorker reporter Ryan Lizza for reporting on their phone call.

"I made a mistake in trusting in a reporter. It won't happen again," Scaramucci tweeted. Lizza said Scaramucci never set any rules for the conversation, such as his comments being off-the-record.

The White House at first seemed unfazed by the article or unsure of how to respond. Incoming press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders pointed reporters to Scaramucci's tweet and said "We're working on health care."

Spicer, who will soon leave the White House, walked by reporters staking out his office and passed on the opportunity to comment.

But by early Thursday evening, Sanders spoke to reporters outside the West Wing saying Scaramucci has "made pretty clear he's a passionate guy. I think he might sometimes let that passion get the better of him. I think maybe that happened and he used some colorful language that I don't anticipate he'll do again."

Asked if Trump needs to step in to referee the infighting on his staff, she touted the president's business career and said, "I think he knows when he needs to play a role and when he does, he will."

Scaramucci took over the communications job on Wednesday, even though he wasn't supposed to start until Aug. 15 - a move that a White House official said was designed to thwart any attempt by Priebus to derail Scaramucci yet again.

Scaramucci and his allies are compiling a diagram of the news organizations that they suspect received leaked information from Priebus, and they plan to present it to the president on Friday, according to a White House official who asked for anonymity to discuss the secret plan of attack.

"If Reince wants to explain that he's not a leaker, let him do that," Scaramucci said in an interview with CNN early Thursday morning.

On Fox News that same morning, Kellyanne Conway, a senior counselor to the president, described the leaks that Scaramucci was ranting about as "people using the press to shiv each other in the ribs."

As all of this was playing out, few came to Priebus' defense. House Speaker Paul Ryan, a longtime friend and fellow Republican from Wisconsin, said at a news conference on Thursday that "Reince is doing a fantastic job at the White House, and I believe he has the president's confidence."

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich, who has informally advised Trump on his feud with Attorney General Jeff Sessions this week, was one of the few Trump allies to come to Preibus' defense on Thursday.

"My advice to Reince is just do your job," Gingrich said. "Ignore the noise. Assume it's noise. He's the chief of staff, and he's the chief of staff until he isn't."

At the White House press briefing on Thursday afternoon, reporters asked Sanders three times if the president still has confidence in his chief of staff. She would not directly answer.

"We all serve at the pleasure of the president, and if he gets to a place where that isn't the case, he'll let you know," Sanders said.

A Republican who is in close contact with those at the White House rated Priebus's job security in this way: "On a scale of 1 to 10, it's a 2."

Priebus attended a medal of valor ceremony at the White House Thursday where he was seen smiling broadly and applauding as Trump entered East Room. When the president left the event he appeared to briefly shake hands with his chief of staff who clasped Trump's right shoulder with his left hand.

Since being named the new communications director last week, Scaramucci has taken a very Trumpian approach to the job - blowing a kiss during a press briefing on Friday, sparring with a BBC reporter over whether the president is elitist, threatening to fire his entire staff, cursing and unexpectedly calling into a morning talk show. While this might appear out of control, it creates the sort of must-watch drama that delights the president.

On Wednesday night, Scaramucci had dinner at the White House with the president, first lady, Hannity and former Fox News executive Bill Shine to discuss how best to overhaul the West Wing staff. New Yorker's Ryan Lizza tweeted about the dinner, prompting an angry call from Scaramucci, who wanted to know Lizza's source.

"You're an American citizen, this is a major catastrophe for the American country. So I'm asking you, as an American patriot, to give me a sense of who leaked it," Scaramucci said to Lizza.

Scaramucci was also angry that Politico reported on the financial disclosure form he filed while at the Export-Import Bank, which showed that he stood to continue to receive profits from his former company. Politico reporter Lorraine Woellert, who wrote the article, said she obtained the document - which is considered a public record - by simply requesting it from the agency.

Scaramucci told Lizza that he thought Priebus had leaked it and that he had called the FBI and the Department of Justice.

"Are you serious?" Lizza asked.

Soon after their conversation, Scaramucci made his suspicions public in a tweet and tagged Priebus: "In light of the leak of my financial disclosure info which is a felony. I will be contacting @FBI and the @TheJusticeDept #swamp @Reince45."

In an unusual move, the spokeswoman for the Department of Justice and Attorney General Jeff Sessions - whom Trump has repeatedly attacked this week for not investigating reports of leaks - released a late-night statement pledging that Sessions "will aggressively pursue leak cases wherever they may lead."

Two hours after Scaramucci posted the tweet, he deleted it.

The next morning, Lizza appeared on CNN's "New Day" to share some details from the night before - and he was suddenly cut short by a call from Scaramucci, who wanted to explain himself.

"Yeah so, when I was speaking to you last night, Ryan, I said it was unpatriotic that you weren't telling me who the leakers were . . . And so you may have caught it the wrong way," Scaramucci said, as if having a private conversation with Lizza. "I was teasing you, and it was sarcastic. It was one Italian to another."

Chris Cuomo, one of the show's hosts, tried to take the interview back over, and Scaramucci acknowledged that the financial disclosure was actually a public record - but he repeatedly railed against those in the White House he believes are leaking information.

"I told the president this morning, 'When the iceberg hits the boat, the rats are flying up from steerage.' Right? Because the water comes in steerage," Scaramucci said, comparing the White House to a sinking ship. "So when you mention the FBI and the Department of Justice, you watch how the rats lift in the boat."

Scaramucci claimed that he tagged Priebus in the late-night tweet so that he could investigate the leak, but he also said that journalists assumed he was blaming Priebus because they "actually know who the leakers are."

"So if Reince wants to explain that he's not a leaker, let him do that," Scaramucci said.

Scaramucci also said that he doesn't know if his relationship with Priebus, which last week he insisted was just fine, can ever be repaired.

"We have had differences. When I said we were brothers . . . that's because we're rough on each other. Some brothers are like Cain and Abel, other brothers can fight with each other and then get along," Scaramucci said, referencing the biblical brothers without mentioning that Cain murdered Abel. "I don't know if this is repairable or not - that will be up to the president."

Later in the morning, The Washington Post asked Scaramucci if Trump had authorized him to call into CNN to discuss Priebus and the leaks, and Scaramucci responded: "He did, yes."

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The Washington Post's Abby Philip contributed to this report.

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Video: Newly appointed White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci is trying to "undercut" leaks coming out of the divided camps within the Trump administration, and turned his ire on chief of staff Reince Priebus on July 27. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

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Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Thursday night that he has been hurt by President Donald Trump's criticisms, but is still honored to serve the president as the nation's chief law enforcement official and push forward his conservative agenda.

"Well ... it's kind of hurtful but the President of the United States is a strong leader," Sessions said in an interview with Tucker Carlson on Fox News Thursday night. "He is determined to move this country in the direction that he believes it needs to go to make it great again. And he has had a lot of criticism and he's steadfast determined to get his job done and he wants all of us to do our job and that's what I intend to do."

Sessions said that he does not regret his decision to recuse himself from the Russia investigation, which is what turned Trump against him.

"I understand his feelings about it because this has been a big distraction for him," Sessions said. "I talked to experts in the Department of Justice ... I'm confident I made the right decision, a decision that's consistent for the rule of law. An attorney general who doesn't follow the law isn't very effective in leading the Department of Justice."

Sessions pointed to his more than a decade of experience in the Justice Department as a prosecutor from Alabama and said he knows "the integrity that's required of the attorney general."

"I believe I made the right decision," he reiterated.

Sessions also made clear he has no intention of resigning and wants to continue implementing the Trump administration agenda, which includes cracking down on illegal immigration and targeting street gangs.

"I do believe we are making tremendous progress," Sessions said. "I can feel the movement ... We had a 25 percent increase in prosecution of criminals with guns just this last quarter."

But, the attorney general said he also understands he serves "at the pleasure of the president."

"If he wants to make a change, he can certainly do so and I would be glad to yield in that circumstance, no doubt about it," Sessions said. He said he had not spoken to Trump since his public criticism and there were no plans "on the calendar yet" to do so. But he said that he has made strides on issues he knows the president cares about, including illegal immigration.

"We share such a common interest there," Sessions said.

Next week, the attorney general said, he will have a press conference regarding "multiple" leak investigations being conducted by the Justice Department.

"I have not been happy with the past prosecutions and investigations of criminal leaks,"Sessions said.

The Obama administration conducted an unprecedented crackdown on leaks. The Justice Department prosecuted nine cases that involved leaks and whistleblowers, which compares with just three of all previous administrations.

Sessions' conversation with Carlson was the attorney general's first interview since Trump began attacking his attorney general in newspaper stories and tweets, saying that he was "disappointed" that Sessions had recused himself from the Russia investigation, calling Sessions "beleaguered" and tweeting that he was "VERY weak" on investigating Hillary Clinton.

In recent days, Trump has talked with his advisers about replacing Sessions as his attorney general and in his news conference Tuesday he did not say what the future would bring for Sessions.

"We'll see what happens," Trump said. "Time will tell. Time will tell."

But conservative organizations, including Breitbart News, and Republican lawmakers have strongly come to his defense. Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh criticized Trump's "swipes" at Sessions and called Sessions a "by-the-book attorney general, a by-the-book legal mind."

"I think Sessions deserves to be treated much more fairly. I mean, Jeff was there when no other senator was," said Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, the longest currently serving Republican in the Senate, referring to Sessions's early support of Trump during the presidential election.

The attorney general spoke to Carlson during a trip to El Salvador Thursday to meet with Salvadoran Attorney General Douglas Menendez and participate in briefings related to the violent MS-13 gang and issues of immigration, drugs and human trafficking. Salvadoran prosecutors charged 113 MS-13 gang members Thursday. The prosecution of MS-13 gang members, who are active in 40 states and the District of Columbia, is a high priority for Sessions.
AMMAN, Jordan - A powerful tribe has given the Jordanian government an ultimatum: Release the killer of three U.S. soldiers or face a wave of tribal unrest.

The crisis began July 17 when a Jordanian military tribunal sentenced Maarik al-Tawayha, a soldier, to life in prison for killing the three Americans at an air base in southern Jordan in November.

Just as the government was trying to temper tensions over that case, a second crisis shook the kingdom Sunday evening: An Israeli security officer shot and killed two Jordanians on the grounds of the Israeli Embassy after being attacked by one of them with a screwdriver. Many Jordanians were outraged that the officer was allowed to return home to Israel without being questioned.

Citizens, activists and other critics say the handling of the incidents by the government, which is appointed by the king, sent the same message: Jordanian life is cheap.

Caught between its closest Western ally, delicate diplomacy with Israel and an enraged public, the Jordanian government is facing a crisis of credibility.

Jordanians have long prized stability over greater freedoms, enduring austerity measures and a lack of political reforms for the sake of security. But many here say the government is no longer holding up its end of the deal and wonder how much longer they can hold up theirs.

"In the last week, we learned that Jordan is the same as the rest of Arab regimes," said Mohammed Hussein, a taxi driver from the southern city of Maan.

The case has alienated the regime's bedrock, the Howeitat, Tawayha's tribe, which helped lead the Great Arab Revolt that paved the way for the establishment of the country. A century later, the Howeitat sided with the government against pro-democracy protesters.

Critics have pointed out that Tawayha's case was pushed through in less than nine months, swift by Jordanian terms, and that life sentences do not exist in Jordanian law. Many have also said the presence of the U.S. soldiers' parents at the trial was proof of outside pressure and influence on the proceedings.

The Howeitat gave Jordan until Saturday to release Tawayha.

The Arabic hashtag #We_are_all_Marik is trending on Twitter and Facebook, while the soldier's image is being shared on social media and has been etched onto the rear windows of trucks as a symbol of what Jordanians say is resistance to foreign "intervention."

Faced with growing pressure from the Howeitat, and public sentiment siding with Tawayha, the Jordanian government released a video of the shooting on Monday that clearly shows Tawayha gunning down the Americans as they surrendered.

It did little to quell public anger and suspicion.

Images of the security officer involved in the Israeli Embassy shooting being met with a hero's welcome in Israel and a hug from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu only inflamed tensions further. The officer, who reportedly held diplomatic immunity, returned to Israel less than 24 hours after the shooting without an investigation.

"Before we bury the bodies of our victims, Netanyahu is hugging the officer and asking if he has fixed a date with his girlfriend. This has left a feeling of worthlessness among Jordanians," said Oraib al-Rantawi of the Amman-based Al Quds Center for Political Studies. "What happened at the Israeli Embassy revived the entire debate about Maarik al-Tawayha and the Jordanian state's respect of its own citizens."

Those protesting the embassy shootings have also used Tawayha's image on social media, while the Howeitat tribe has sent messages of support to the families of the slain Jordanians - a rare sign of political solidarity between southern Bedouin tribes and the mostly Palestinian urban residents of Amman.

The Howeitat have been careful in their language, blaming not the Americans but the Jordanian government, for the incident, holding Amman accountable for the trial process.

Returning to Jordan from a trip abroad on Thursday, King Abdullah II paid condolences to the family of Mohamed Jawawdeh, one of the slain Jordanians. The king later called on Netanyahu "to honor his responsibilities and take the necessary legal measures to ensure that the killer is tried and justice is served."

The Jordanian government announced Thursday that the Israeli ambassador and embassy staff would not be allowed back into the kingdom until "absolute assurances" were given that the shooter will face trial.

But for many Jordanians, it was too little, too late.

"Now the Jordanian government is in a crisis not just with the Howeitat, but with all the Jordanian people - this has become an issue of dignity," said Saddah Habashneh, one of the few members of parliament to raise both issues.

"There is a complete lack of trust and resentment toward this government by the people," Habashneh said. "We are afraid of where we go from this point."

With Saturday's deadline looming, Jordan's tourism ministry issued a ban this week on tour groups traveling to Wadi Rum, the tourist site whose majestic red sand dunes served as filming locations for "Lawrence of Arabia" and "The Martian," and from using the stretch of highway between Wadi Rum and the port city of Aqaba, another tourist hub, which runs straight through Howeitat territory.

The U.S. Embassy followed suit on Wednesday, barring its staff from traveling to southern Jordan due to "potential unrest" and encouraging U.S. citizens to avoid the area.

Members of the Howeitat tribe say negotiations with the state are continuing.

"Our problem is not with the Americans; our problem is that the rule of law is applied to some and then scrapped for foreign powers and allies," said one Howeitat tribal member, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized by tribal leaders to speak on their behalf.

An official Jordanian source said that the government would "not interfere with judicial rulings" and that any change in Tawayha's sentence outside the courts would be "unconstitutional."

While citizens have been highly critical of the government, they have not questioned the efforts of King Abdullah himself, who many privately hope will intervene to defuse the two crises.
Take a quick peek at President Donald Trump's ambassador appointments. Most are pretty ordinary by American standards, a mix of big-time Republican donors (many with at least a little foreign policy experience) and GOP politicians like former senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas and Jon Huntsman Jr., an experienced ambassador and former Utah governor.

There's one name that is causing a stir, however: Pete Hoekstra.

Hoekstra was tapped to serve in the Netherlands, where he lived until he was 3. The eight-term congressman from Michigan (Fun fact: His district, home to Holland, Mich., has one of the highest concentrations of Dutch people in the country) established the Dutch Congressional Caucus in the House. "His personal memories of the Netherlands are minimal, but he feels the cultural connection with our country really strongly," journalist Wouter Zwart told the Netherland Times. He "combines rich political experience in America with a lifelong love for the Netherlands, because that is where his roots are."

So far, so good. But some of his positions put him deeply at odds with the Dutch.

Hoekstra is one of the founders of the tea party movement. He is also a fervent opponent of same-sex marriage and abortion rights. While in office, he co-sponsored nine anti-LGBT bills, including the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act. He has also backed efforts to restrict same-sex adoption and refused to adopt a nondiscrimination policy against LGBTQ people in his own office.

He's a strong advocate of the death penalty and an immigration hard-liner. He has spoken at meetings of the anti-Islam American Freedom Alliance (so has Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders) and once blamed a "secret jihad" for the "chaos" in the Netherlands, saying, "Cars are being set on fire. Politicians are being set on fire . . . yes, there are no-go zones in the Netherlands."

That doesn't sit well with the Dutch, who see their country as one of the most progressive in the world. The Netherlands was the first country to approve same-sex marriage, and it boasts a fairly open immigration policy.

The Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant took aim at Hoekstra, observing that Trump "put a Dutchman in the Netherlands - but it is a Dutchman from the Netherlands of the '50s." Of the appointment, liberal politician Sophie in 't Veld said, "We are looking forward with interest to cooperating with Mr. Hoekstra. We will certainly remind him his roots lie in a country that values tolerance, equality and inclusion . . . we expect the representative of our friend and ally the United States to fully and wholly respect our values and to show that respect in all his acts and words."

And, experts say, it's fairly unusual to appoint someone so at odds with a country's politics, particularly when it's an ally. "Generally speaking, presidents do not consciously nominate people who would tend to raise hackles within the host country," said Stewart M. Patrick, a senior fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations.

Usually, presidents only do that when they're trying to make a point to a problematic regime. He pointed to Smith Hempstone, a journalist who served as ambassador to Kenya between 1989 and 1993. Hempstone was an "effective, aggressively undiplomatic critic of the country's ruler, Daniel arap Moi." He was credited with helping shepherd Kenya toward multiparty elections.

Patrick said, though, that presidents generally appoint people whose political views line up with their own. And he suspects Hoekstra will not struggle to build bridges with the Dutch government, particularly if he avoids lighting rod social issues. (Hoekstra, for his part, suggested in a 2006 interview that he'll do just that. "It is clear that the Netherlands has made a different choice in a number of areas than the USA," he said. "You must respect that as a foreign politician, even though you have a different opinion.")

And Patrick noted that Hoekstra has a strong policy background and familiarity with national security issues, "even if some of his prescriptions are different than those that the Dutch government itself would be leaning toward."

"It's not as if in this case the president is appointing someone who doesn't know where the country is," Patrick said.

That is, more often than not, the problem with political ambassador appointees. About a third of all American ambassadorships go to political appointees, a highly unusual system that allows presidents of both parties to reward political allies with cushy assignments in glitzy capitals or glamorous locations. (The rest are career Foreign Service officers, steeped in regional knowledge and trained in the art of tough negotiation.) That has led to some embarrassing confirmation hearings.

President Barack Obama's appointee to Norway, hotel magnate George Tsunis, was slammed for displaying a "total ignorance of Norway," in his confirmation hearing. In one flub, he categorized one of the nation's ruling parties as extremist. Obama's nominee to Argentina, Noah Bryson Mamet, had never been to the country and was not fluent in Spanish.
President Donald Trump replaced his chief of staff on Friday, announcing on Twitter that he had appointed Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to the job.

The ouster of Reince Priebus, who said he resigned Thursday, caps a week of heightened infighting at the White House, where Priebus had been embroiled in a public feud with Trump's new communications director, Anthony Scaramucci.

"I am pleased to inform you that I have just named General/Secretary John F. Kelly as White House Chief of Staff," Trump said on Twitter. "He is a Great American and a Great Leader. John has also done a spectacular job at Homeland Security. He has been a true star of my Administration."

Priebus and Scaramucci both traveled Friday with Trump for a crime speech on Long Island in New York. The former chief of staff declined to speak with reporters traveling with the president after returning. He and two other senior Trump aides, Stephen Miller and Dan Scavino, got into a van in Trump's motorcade at Joint Base Andrews in suburban Maryalnd shortly before Trump's tweet, then Miller and Scavino got out and entered a different vehicle.

Trump was aboard Air Force One as his tweets were issued. He left the plane at about 5:01 p.m. in New York.

"Reince is a good man," Trump told reporters as he left the aircraft. "Secretary Kelly is a star, and he'll do a good job."

White House press secretary Sean Spicer resigned last week after Scaramucci was hired. Spicer and Priebus were friends and allies, having worked together at the Republican National Committee before joining the White House.

Priebus leaves the White House after less than seven months as Trump's top adviser. His departure comes after Trump lost a major legislative battle early Friday when the Senate failed to pass legislation repealing Obamacare.

Spicer and Priebus came from the Republican establishment and were outsiders, to a degree, in a White House Trump won on his credentials as a political maverick.

The former Republican National Committee chairman struggled to navigate an administration riven with conflict, where top aides must compete with the president's daughter and son-in-law for influence. People close to Trump had largely blamed the chief of staff for the White House's troubles in Congress, where the president has yet to secure a major legislative victory.

Priebus's departure shakes up the balance of power around Trump, whose inner circle includes chief strategist Steve Bannon; National Economic Director Gary Cohn; Jared Kushner, Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law; Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump, a White House official; and now Scaramucci.

But Priebus had also been a steady hand inside a West Wing that often found itself off-balance. For example, as a spat between Bannon and Kushner spilled out into the open in April, Priebus worked to arrange a detente at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, according to a senior White House official familiar with the internal strife. And Priebus was heavily involved in persuading House Republicans to hold a vote on their stalled health-care bill, which ultimately was sent to the Senate.

"All I would say is, as you know, Reince is a very close friend of mine," House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, told reporters at a news conference on Thursday. "Reince is doing a fantastic job at the White House, and I believe he has the president's confidence."

He added, " I think Reince is doing a great job as chief of staff."

The chief of staff still fell out of favor with Trump, who watched policy losses pile up despite Republican majorities in both chambers of Congress. The president's attempt to prevent immigration or travel from six predominantly Muslim nations was blocked by courts after a botched rollout. The House healthcare bill, once expected to pass easily -- perhaps even on Inauguration Day -- took far longer to negotiate and is broadly unpopular with voters.

A compromise spending bill keeping the government open until October was celebrated as a win by Democrats, who secured continued funding for the women's health provider Planned Parenthood while minimizing extra spending for Trump's defense build-up and Mexican border wall.

No major legislation has yet landed on Trump's desk for his signature.

- With assistance from Arit John
WASHINGTON - The cinematic infighting that has consumed the White House in recent days was pushed into public view on Thursday, exposing the West Wing as the political equivalent of a New York-accented reality television show that runs on a raucous mix of drama, machismo and suspicion.

The new communications director - Anthony Scaramucci, a flashy New York financier who brags that he and Trump "started out as friends" - has been trying to oust White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus in a foul-mouth campaign fueled by months of brewing animus. Scaramucci accused Priebus of leaking to the media about behind-the-scenes maneuverings and his own personal finances, but his broader intent is to purge senior advisers and low-level staffers who he suspects are not adequately loyal to President Donald Trump.

In an interview with The New Yorker published Thursday, Scaramucci called Priebus a "f----- paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac" and claimed that the former Republican Party chairman will "be asked to resign very shortly" in a sweep that he warned could eventually involve much of the staff.

The New Yorker interview gave voice to the profane intensity of the warring West Wing factions that has defined much of Trump's early administration - but the level of candor and raging frustration Scaramucci expressed yet again stunned a Washington political class that has become increasingly inured to the unorthodoxy of this White House.

At one point in the interview, Scaramucci switched to speaking in the third-person while trying to make his mission clear.

"O.K., the Mooch showed up a week ago," he said. "This is going to get cleaned up very shortly, O.K.?"

Scaramucci's anger toward Priebus was burning long before he joined the White House this week.

After the election, he sold his company, investment fund SkyBridge Capital, in preparation for a job in the White House, only to be blocked by Priebus. Scaramucci was later shuffled into a position at the Export-Import Bank, where he plotted his next move. Last week, Trump surprised Priebus, Bannon and others by announcing that Scaramucci would become the next White House communications director - news that prompted press secretary Sean Spicer, Priebus' closest ally, to resign.

Priebus is considered an establishment figure in a sea of nontraditional White House staffers, and he has long faced criticism from some of Trump's staunchest allies who view him as ill-prepared for the job and too concerned about his own reputation. But the attacks that had been quietly waged against him for months in stinging anonymous quotes are now being spoken aloud by Scaramucci, who claims he has the president's blessing to do so.

In the expletive-filled interview with the New Yorker, Scaramucci presented himself as someone who is fully dedicated to the president. He accused Stephen Bannon, Trump's chief strategist, of trying to build his "own brand off the f------ strength of the president."And he angrily lashed out at Priebus for blocking him from the White House for six months and accused him of leaking the details of a Wednesday night dinner with Fox News personality Sean Hannity at the White House to a reporter.

"What I want to do is I want to f------ kill all the leakers, and I want to get the president's agenda on track so we can succeed for the American people," Scaramucci said.

After the article was published, Scaramucci sought to shrug off the controversy with a tweet: "I sometimes use colorful language. I will refrain in this arena but not give up the passionate fight for @realDonaldTrump's agenda. #MAGA."

The White House at first seemed unfazed by the article or unsure of how to respond. Incoming press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders pointed reporters to Scaramucci's tweet and said "we're working on health care."

Spicer, who will soon leave the White House, walked by reporters staking out his office and passed on the opportunity to comment.

But by early Thursday evening, Sanders spoke to reporters outside the West Wing saying Scaramucci has "made pretty clear he's a passionate guy. I think he might sometimes let that passion get the better of him. I think maybe that happened and he used some colorful language that I don't anticipate he'll do again."

Asked if Trump needs to step in to referee the infighting on his staff, she touted the president's business career and said, "I think he knows when he needs to play a role and when he does, he will."

Scaramucci took over the communications job on Wednesday, even though he wasn't supposed to start until Aug. 15 - a move that a White House official said was designed to thwart any attempt by Priebus to derail Scaramucci yet again.

Scaramucci and his allies are compiling a diagram of the news organizations that they suspect received leaked information from Priebus, and they plan to present it to the president on Friday, according to a White House official who asked for anonymity to discuss the secret plan of attack.

"If Reince wants to explain that he's not a leaker, let him do that," Scaramucci said in an interview with CNN early Thursday morning.

On Fox News that same morning, Kellyanne Conway, a senior counselor to the president, described the leaks that Scaramucci was ranting about as "people using the press to shiv each other in the ribs."

As all of this was playing out, few came to Priebus' defense. House Speaker Paul Ryan, a longtime friend and fellow Republican from Wisconsin, said at a news conference on Thursday that "Reince is doing a fantastic job at the White House, and I believe he has the president's confidence."

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich, who has informally advised Trump on his feud with Attorney General Jeff Sessions this week, was one of the few Trump allies to come to Preibus' defense on Thursday.

"My advice to Reince is just do your job," Gingrich said. "Ignore the noise. Assume it's noise. He's the chief of staff, and he's the chief of staff until he isn't."

At the White House press briefing on Thursday afternoon, reporters asked Sanders three times if the president still has confidence in his chief of staff. She would not directly answer.

"We all serve at the pleasure of the president, and if he gets to a place where that isn't the case, he'll let you know," Sanders said.

A Republican who is in close contact with those at the White House rated Priebus's job security in this way: "On a scale of 1 to 10, it's a 2."

Priebus attended a medal of valor ceremony at the White House Thursday where he was seen smiling broadly and applauding as Trump entered East Room. When the president left the event he appeared to briefly shake hands with his chief of staff who clasped Trump's right shoulder with his left hand.

Since being named the new communications director last week, Scaramucci has taken a very Trumpian approach to the job - blowing a kiss during a press briefing on Friday, sparing with a BBC reporter over whether the president is elitist, threatening to fire his entire staff, cursing and unexpectedly calling into a morning talk show. While this might appear out of control, it creates the sort of must-watch drama that delights the president.

On Wednesday night, Scaramucci had diner at the White House with the president, first lady, Hannity and former Fox News executive Bill Shine to discuss how best to overhaul the West Wing staff. New Yorker's Ryan Lizza tweeted about the dinner, prompting an angry call from Scaramucci, who wanted to know Lizza's source.

"You're an American citizen, this is a major catastrophe for the American country. So I'm asking you, as an American patriot, to give me a sense of who leaked it," Scaramucci said to Lizza.

Scaramucci was also angry that Politico reported on the financial disclosure form he filed while at the Export-Import Bank, which showed that he stood to continue to receive profits from his former company. Politico reporter Lorraine Woellert, who wrote the article, said she obtained the document - which is considered a public record - by simply requesting it from the agency.

Scaramucci told Lizza that he thought Priebus had leaked it and that he had called the FBI and the Department of Justice.

"Are you serious?" Lizza asked.

Soon after their conversation, Scaramucci made his suspicions public in a tweet and tagged Priebus: "In light of the leak of my financial disclosure info which is a felony. I will be contacting @FBI and the @TheJusticeDept #swamp @Reince45."

In an unusual move, the spokeswoman for the Department of Justice and Attorney General Jeff Sessions - whom Trump has repeatedly attacked this week for not investigating reports of leaks - released a late-night statement pledging that Sessions "will aggressively pursue leak cases wherever they may lead."

Two hours after Scaramucci posted the tweet, he deleted it.

The next morning, Lizza appeared on CNN's "New Day" to share some details from the night before - and he was suddenly cut short by a call from Scaramucci, who wanted to explain himself.

"Yeah so, when I was speaking to you last night, Ryan, I said it was unpatriotic that you weren't telling me who the leakers were . . . And so you may have caught it the wrong way," Scaramucci said, as if having a private conversation with Lizza. "I was teasing you, and it was sarcastic. It was one Italian to another."

Chris Cuomo, one of the show's hosts, tried to take the interview back over, and Scaramucci acknowledged that the financial disclosure was actually a public record - but he repeatedly railed against those in the White House he believes are leaking information.

"I told the president this morning, 'When the iceberg hits the boat, the rats are flying up from steerage.' Right? Because the water comes in steerage," Scaramucci said, comparing the White House to a sinking ship. "So when you mention the FBI and the Department of Justice, you watch how the rats lift in the boat."

Scaramucci claimed that he tagged Priebus in the late-night tweet so that he could investigate the leak, but he also said that journalists assumed he was blaming Priebus because they "actually know who the leakers are."

"So if Reince wants to explain that he's not a leaker, let him do that," Scaramucci said.

Scaramucci also said that he doesn't know if his relationship with Priebus, which last week he insisted was just fine, can ever be repaired.

"We have had differences. When I said we were brothers . . . that's because we're rough on each other. Some brothers are like Cain and Abel, other brothers can fight with each other and then get along," Scaramucci said, referencing the biblical brothers without mentioning that Cain murdered Abel. "I don't know if this is repairable or not - that will be up to the president."

Later in the morning, The Washington Post asked Scaramucci if Trump had authorized him to call into CNN to discuss Priebus and the leaks, and Scaramucci responded: "He did, yes."
More than 100 cats and dogs were rescued from a North Texas home where they didn't have air conditioning and water.

According to the Humane Society of North Texas, 27 dogs and 84 cats were seized from a Keller home on Tuesday. Authorities were alerted to the animals after neighbors said they could smell a foul odor coming from the home.
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Editor's note: This article was originally published in 2017.

Jeffrey Dahmer's first victim had been dead exactly a year when the "Milwaukee Cannibal" completed military training in San Antonio.

Students who graduated from Fort Sam Houston's U.S. Army Medical Specialist Basic Course in June 1979 didn't realize it at the time, but they had spent weeks learning and living beside one of the most notorious serial killers and cannibals in American history.

Dahmer brutally murdered a total of 17 men in a spree spanning more than 13 years. And he spent a few months within that time frame in San Antonio when the then-19-year-old was enrolled in the course from May 14 to June 22 in 1979, base officials confirmed to mySA.com.

Nearly 40 years after his first murder and 26 years after his arrest, "My Friend Dahmer" premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April and is expected to be released later this year, according to Rolling Stone.

RELATED: The true story behind the San Antonio kidnapping & murder of 'The Most Hated Woman in America'

The trailer was released earlier this week, giving a preview into Dahmer's high school years, which is when he said the homicidal thoughts began.

By the time Dahmer celebrated his 20th birthday in the Alamo City he had both specialty training and at least one murder under his belt. It happened soon after graduating from Revere High School in Richfield, Ohio.

In 1978 Dahmer picked up Steven Hicks from the side of the road and took him back to his parents house, where he bludgeoned him to death with a barbell. Hicks, an 18 year-old trying to hitchhike to a concert, was dismembered beneath the Dahmer home. His body parts were separated and stored in garbage bag, his bones were buried then excavated, crushed and scattered in a nearby ravine, according to The New York Times.

A missing-person investigation ensued, but the case was considered "active but dormant" after months without clues.

While Hicks' family searched for their son, Dahmer went on to attend Ohio State University for a semester before dropping out and enlisting in the Army.

After completing basic training, Dahmer moved onto the next step in his Army career: Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, where he trained in the medical field. He stayed on post, in the barrack for about six weeks, Fort Sam Houston Public Affairs Officer Jose Rodriguez told mySA.com.

RELATED: Women, children shown in eerie photos taken by serial killer from San Antonio

Rodriguez told mySA.com that information on Dahmer's Military Occupation Specialty is not available, but he did "successfully graduate from the course."

No documented murders at the hands of Dahmer happened during his stint in San Antonio, and there are no cold cases in the city from that time, though he did mention in a jailhouse interview with Stone Phillips in the early 1990s that his thirst to kill had "been building up gradually" since his first murder.

"Once it happened the first time, it just seemed like it had control of my life from there on," Dahmer told Phillips.

With his training complete, Dahmer was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 68th Armored Regiment, 8th Infantry Division, and was sent to Baumholder, Germany, according to the New York Times.

Dahmer met bunkmate Billy J. Capshaw while overseas. Capshaw revealed what living with the serial killer was like in an August 1991 interview with The New York Times.

He said Dahmer liked jokes and spending "hours pouring" over children's books. When he was sober he was easy-going, but when he drank he morphed into a "stony-faced," "menacing" person, Capshaw said.

"When he'd drink, he'd get real violent with me," Capshaw said in the report.

Dahmer was honorably discharged in March 1981, a year short of completing his three-year enlistment, according to The New York Times.

READ ALSO: Murder case of 'Phantom Killer' in Texas remains unsolved 70 years later

Rumors for his dismissal pointed to Dahmer's drinking, but Army officials would not discuss the reason with The New York Times. Dahmer told the publication he was discharged under Chapter 9 of the Code of Military Justice, which covers drug or alcohol use.

No known killings happened during his time in the Army. He told The New York Times that his disturbing fantasies of rape, murder, dismemberment, cannibalism and necrophilia recurred when he moved to Milwaukee and moved in with his grandmother.

Dahmer told Phillips his second murder happened "roughly" around 1984, but he didn't plan on, or remember, killing Steve Tuomi. After meeting him at a Milwaukee bar, Dahmer invited Tuomi back to his hotel where he spiked his drink with sleeping pills.

In the conversation with Phillips, Dahmer said he awoke to find bruises on his and Tuomi's body, adding that he "must have" beat the man to death.

Tuomi's remains were never found  Dahmer told The New York Times that he put his body in a suitcase and rode with the luggage in a taxi to his grandmother's home. Upon arrival, he dismembered and disposed of the carcass.

"That's when it all started again," Dahmer told Phillips. "That's when the obsession went into full swing. After the second time, it seemed like the compulsion to do it was too strong and I didn't even try to stop it after that."

Dahmer's grisly murders continued until July 22, 1991, when he was arrested in Milwaukee. Investigators found barrels of bodies, torsos in freezers, skeletons and Polaroid photos detailing his dismemberment processes, according to multiple reports.

He was convicted of murder and sentenced to 15 consecutive life terms, but was killed in 1994 by another inmate at a Wisconsin prison.

mmendoza@mysa.com

Twitter: @MaddySkye
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Two days after railing at the Legislature in Austin, and on the heels of a spate of horrific crimes in San Antonio, Mayor Ron Nirenberg on Thursday condemned the violence and said he trusts at least some of the special session agenda will be watered down, if not killed in the Texas House.

In front of a friendly town hall audience of about 250 in the Buena Vista Theater at the University of Texas at San Antonios Downtown Campus, Nirenberg answered a range of questions submitted by San Antonio Express-News readers and presented by moderator Francine S. Romero, associate dean for the universitys college of public policy.

Nirenberg repeated his criticisms of the state Legislature in the latter half of the forum, addressing a number of special session proposals that would limit local control, including bills to limit the amount of property taxes municipalities can raise without a rollback election and the ability of municipalities and school districts to set bathroom policies for transgender people.

What were going to continue to do is speak out on these issues and get the public engaged, Nirenberg said. I have hope that a number of them will be watered down, if not killed, because we do have some strong members in the House. We all know one of the best examples of a statesman in Texas is our speaker, Joe Straus, he said, drawing applause for the local legislator who has opposed much of the special session agenda.

Nirenberg said he hoped there would be a compromise on a bill that would allow residents of an area to vote on whether it could be annexed. A similar bill failed in the regular session after local legislators raised concerns about encroachment on military bases.

Other questions centered on crime, referencing a recent drive-by shooting that killed a 4-year-old on the East Side and the fatal shooting of a police officer in Tobin Hill.

Nirenberg called the increasing violent crime rate unacceptable.

The community is outraged, he said. We want to bring focus to that anger.

His strategies for fighting crime included investing in the lowest-income neighborhoods, supporting efforts to turn around low-performing schools and strengthening community policing to improve residents trust in their police.

There are politicians who want to destroy that trust, Nirenberg said, referring to a law passed in the regular session giving law enforcement officers the right to ask about the immigration status of people they detain.

During a portion of the forum dealing with income inequality, Nirenberg said his strategy for improvements in one of the countrys most unequal cities includes working to prevent teen pregnancy, recidivism and the crime rate while improving education attainment rates and maintaining affordability as the urban core develops.

We have a public thats demanding it, Nirenberg said. There were great changes in the council electorally because the people that are on the council were giving a message of restoring equity in the community.

Romero, a member of the citys Charter Review Commission, asked questions about City Charter revisions, prompting Nirenberg to explain his support for four-year terms and November municipal elections.

He also argued for mass transit, saying without upgrades commute times will increase 75 percent and time spent at certain bottlenecks will increase 900 percent in the next three decades as the population grows by 1.5 million.

A two-term city councilman representing District 8, Nirenberg defeated former Mayor Ivy Taylor in a runoff last month to win his first term as mayor.

Near the end of Thursdays forum, Romero asked for Nirenbergs reaction to the Liberal Ron attack ads that Taylor ran during the campaign.

When I saw Liberal Ron, the website, it was so ridiculous that I knew at that point we would win the election, he said to laughter. You dont resort to those measures unless youre truly desperate.

amalik@express-news.net
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It had been a long day, and Max, a 9-year-old transgender boy from North Texas, was exhausted.

During the Trans Texas Lobby Day in March, Max and his mother Amber Briggle traveled to the State Capitol so lawmakers could meet the 9-year-old whose right to use the bathroom matching his gender identity was threatened by a bill being considered.

All day, Max and his mom hiked through the capitol, leaving cards and letters for House Speaker Joe Straus and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. They visited with their representative, Lynn Stucky, R-Denton, who now knows Max by name and makes a point to shake his hand when they meet.

RELATED: San Antonio mayor says ban on transgender people serving in military 'totally offensive'

Max stood by his mother's side among the crowds all day, while photographers snapped photos and reporters conducted interviews.

But by the afternoon, Max was done.

He plopped on the hard, cold floor of the statehouse and couldn't help but cry not because he is transgender, or even really because of the proposed legislation. He was just tired.

As his mom wiped tears from his cheek, San Antonio Express-News photographer Bob Owen watched the scene between the pair unfold through his camera lens. After she realized their picture was being taken, Briggle asked Owen to stop, telling him the moment was not a photo-op.

It wasn't until this month, when Briggle searched online, that she saw the photo of that moment on the floor of the capitol. She posted it on her Facebook page, where it has received hundreds of comments and been shared more than 7,000 times.

"When I posted this picture, I had no idea it was going to go viral," Briggle told mySA.com. "When I saw how powerful the image was, I saw what Bob saw. I was just focused on my son that day. I saw how powerful that was and why it needed to be shared with a wider audience."

The "bathroom bill," which would require people to use the bathroom that matches their sex at birth, failed to pass during the regular session but Gov. Greg Abbott added it to the agenda for the special session, which gaveled in July 18.

Patrick has said the bill is about safety and would bar men looking to prey on women and children from accessing their restrooms. Trans advocates say it is unnecessary and discriminatory.

RELATED: Texas small business owners speak out against transgender bathroom bill

Until now, Briggle admits she didn't have much of a reason to pay attention to Texas politics. But with the "bathroom bill," it has seeped into her life.

"When you're living it, it's everywhere," she said. "Max wanted to be there that day. I wanted him to be there. I wanted him to stand up to bullies and not be afraid to speak up even if it's to the governor of Texas."

Max, who is still in elementary school, does not need to have an in-depth understanding of the bill's text or the politics or the protests or the support, his mom said.

"He understands that people are bullying transgender people. That's a thing a 9-year-old gets," she said.

Senate Bill 3 is headed to the House after passing in the Senate early Wednesday morning, the same day President Trump announced transgender people would be barred from serving in the military, reversing a nearly year-old Obama-era rule.

Stucky signed on as a co-author of House Bill 46, another bathroom policing policy, Wednesday. Briggle is planning a protest outside his Denton office Friday and is waiting to hear back from the lawmaker.

"I want to hear in his own words why exactly a sweet child like Max, who looks up to him as someone that we should be able to count on to protect him, doesn't believe that Max deserves protection," she said. "I think he's shown his true colors."

Briggle is not sure if SB 3 will pass in the next 20 days but hopes that pressure from businesses and police officials will sway lawmakers to vote against its passing.

"I'm very, very hopeful," she said. "Even if this law passes, I want to know I did everything I could to stop it."

kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5
WASHINGTON  Texas Republican Ted Cruz said he's not done.

"Mark my words, I am committed to this fight," Cruz told reporters Friday morning after the dramatic end to GOP efforts in the Senate to repeal the Affordable Care Act. "As long as there is breath in my body I will be fighting for the working men and women of this country that are being hurt by Obamacare. And I believe it will be repealed."

One of the leading Senate champions of Obamcare repeal, Cruz warned of the political consequences for Republicans who have been promising for seven years to overturn former President Barack Obama's signature law.

"No party can remain in power by lying to the American people," he said after the Senate rejected the GOP measure 51-49. He also talked about a "sense of betrayal."

Cruz was asked whether Arizona Sen. John McCain, the pivotal GOP vote against the Republican health care measure, had lied to the American people.

"That's a judgement the voters of every state are going to have to make," Cruz said.

Senate drama: The night John McCain killed the GOP's health-care fight

While Democrats exulted, and President Donald Trump vowed to "let Obamacare implode," Republican leaders signaled that it was time to move on to other items on the GOP agenda  principally tax reform.

Texas U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, the Republican whip, said in the run-up to the final vote that the GOP health-care bill "is not perfect but it's better than the status quo."

Cruz, facing Texas voters again in 2018, is unlikely to give up on the goal of repeal  an issue that unified Republicans on the campaign trail, but divided them when it came to a replacement.

Cruz also called it an "unforuntate night... a sad night." But he added: "I don't believe this journey is over"

Watch highlights of Cruz's comments here.
A DREAM Act, allowing undocumented immigrants brought here as children legal permanent residency, has been just that throughout the modern debate on immigration reform  a dream.

And a new iteration of that legislation, introduced by veteran Sens. Richard Durbin of Illinois and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, likely fits into that category as well. Though Durbin is a Democrat and Graham a Republican, there will probably be little bipartisan support for the measure  with most GOP members opposing. A White House spokesman said he expects the president to oppose the measure as well.

And yet allow us to dream because the alternative is a nightmare for more than 1 million undocumented immigrants who arrived here before they were 18.

They are facing a legal challenge to a program standing between them and deportation. Ten states  predictably led by Texas  have threatened to sue the federal government, seeking an end to President Barack Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program. Theyve set a Sept. 5 deadline.

This program has allowed nearly 800,000 young immigrants to remain with work permits under conditional residency.

Emboldening the states threatening to sue is an earlier ruling by a federal judge in Texas that ended a similar program that would have extended these benefits to the parents of these immigrants.

While candidate Donald Trump made ending DACA a pillar of his anti-immigrant platform, President Trump has said these young people should be treated with heart. His administration has renewed permits for many and issued new ones. Given that it has done that, we see little sense in denying these young people a more permanent solution.

The bill by Durbin and Graham would extend the benefits not just to immigrants who join the military and continue their educations in college but to those who find jobs.

They must have lived in the United States for at least four years, pass security checks and learn English. It is filed now because of that lawsuit threat.

Both head and heart argue for allowing these young people to stay.

Many, if not most of them, have been educated at public expense in our public schools. It makes little sense to invest in them this much and not go all in. Among them are tomorrows innovators and entrepreneurs, two classes the nations immigrants have long contributed to.

This is what should appeal to our heads.

For many, if not most, this is the only country they have known. In all practical sense, they are Americans.

This is the heart part the president spoke of.

The odds are against this measure. But we hope both head and heart prevail.
A man was driving his 27-year-old sister-in-law, Jessica Ramos, of Brentwood , New York to an area hospital to deliver her baby when her water broke. The man pulled over along the Long Island Expressway shoulder by exit 58. Highway Patrol Officer Joseph Goss responded, put a blanket under Ramos and reclined her seat. Shortly after his arrival, Officer Goss noticed the babys head was crowning.
Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: July 28 2017

New York And 18 Other State AGs Tell Armed Services Committees To Oppose Trump's Ban.

New York, NY - July 28, 2017 - In a letter to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general expressing their opposition to the Presidents ban on transgender people serving in the Armed Forces.

Transgender Americans who fight for our country deserve a government that will fight for them in return, said Attorney General Schneiderman. We will fight to ensure all New Yorkers  and all Americans  are treated with dignity and fairness.

The letter was led by Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin and signed by the attorneys general from Hawaii, New York, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Washington D.C.

On Wednesday, the President by tweet announced a new ban on transgender service members, citing unnamed support from military leadership. In response, the attorneys general declare the ban is discriminatory and, despite the Presidents claims otherwise, is actually harmful to military readiness. The letter notes that approximately 150,000 transgender service members have served in the United States Armed Forces:

Transgender service members fill a number of critical military roles. Retaining these talented service members strengthensnot weakensour military readiness.

The attorneys general remind the House and Senate committees of the honorable service performed by transgender service members, writing:
Local News, Crime, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: July 28 2017

Surveillance Cameras Confirmed Resident Sustained Serious Injuries After Aide Left Facility While On Duty.

Suffolk County, NY - July 28, 2017 - Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced today that Yolanda Monsalvo, 51, of Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced today that Yolanda Monsalvo, 51, of Ronkonkoma , NYa former certified nurse aide at the Medford Multicare Center for Living (Medford)was found guilty of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree after a trial in Suffolk County Court. In April 2016, Monsalvo was indicted for lying in an investigation report prepared after an unsupervised dementia resident at Medford fell from her wheelchair and sustained serious injuries.

Nursing home caregivers are entrusted to provide the highest level of safety and care to our most vulnerable residents, said Attorney General Schneiderman. This verdict should serve as a reminder that there are serious consequences for abandoning nursing home residents and then trying to cover up neglect.

Trial evidence revealed that the defendant disregarded her assignment to monitor a group of Medford residents suffering from dementia and left them unattended. The defendant claimed that she left the residents unmonitored for a short period to use the bathroom, during which time one resident broke an arm and sustained serious head injuries after falling from a wheelchair. However, evidenceincluding video surveillance footage from the facilityshowed that the defendant left the building entirely. The evidence further showed that the defendant did not seek coverage from other staffers and simply left her assigned residents unattended.

Justice William J. Condon, who conducted a bench trial, found the defendant guilty of felony falsification of business records. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of four years in state prison at sentencing on September 21, 2017. The defendant also faces revocation of her New York State Nurse Aide certification.
Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: July 28 2017

Brooks updates residents on legislative activity and extends office hours on Wednesday nights - Super Storm Sandy Recovery, Speeding on the Meadowbrook Among Residents Concerns.

Merrick, NY - July 28, 2017 - On Thursday evening, July 27th, Senator John E. Brooks hosted a Town Hall meeting to hear from On Thursday evening, July 27th, Senator John E. Brooks hosted a Town Hall meeting to hear from Merrick constituents and provide them with updates from the legislative session. Local residents voiced their concerns over community issues and provided their input on policy matters at the meeting, held at The Merrick Library

Senator Brooks said, Serving the needs of my constituents and being readily available to hear their concerns are my top priorities and why I invite all constituents to Town Hall meetings like this. In order to make improvements on Long Island and in Albany, taxpayers input is essential.

Among the issues discussed at the Town Hall were taxes, the environment, education, senior citizen concerns, LIRR, traffic and road safety including motorcycles speeding on the Meadowbrook, road conditions, the future of healthcare, the opioid epidemic, mental health, housing, ethics and corruption in government, Super Storm Sandy recovery and storm sewers, the IDC, and others.



Brooks also announced extended office hours every Wednesday until 7:00 p.m. for the remainder of the summer. Sen. Brooks said, I understand most of us have very busy lives with family, work, school, and other commitments, and I am pleased to keep my office open so that people have a chance to visit and make their voices heard.
Social media accounts linked to Hezbollah, as well as its Al Manar website, announced a ceasefire with Sunni jihadists in the Jurud Arsal area of Lebanon.

According to Al Manar, the fighting between the Shiite jihadists and militants belonging to al Qaedas branch in Syria (now part of Hayat Tahrir al Sham, HTS) stopped early this morning. The HTS militants have agreed to release five Hezbollah prisoners, as well as retreat with their families to Idlib in northwestern Syria.

The deal was confirmed by Lebanons National News Agency as being brokered by Abbas Ibrahim, the head of Lebanons General Security intelligence agency. More details are expected to be released in a larger announcement of the ceasefire by the Lebanese government. HTS has not commented on the ceasefire as of the time of publication.

The ceasefire comes just one day after Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah addressed the situation in Arsal in a televised address. Nasrallah noted that the HTS fighters have lost the majority of the ground they once held in the Arsal area. He added that we are in the face of a very big military victory.

Nasrallah also thanked the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) for its role in the operation. Despite the difficult battle, the town of Arsal remained safe thanks to the army, Nasrallah said. He added the LAFs role was essential in the realization of this achievement. He ended by offering to transfer the ground captured by Hezbollah in the region over to LAF after the operation.

Despite claims to the contrary, the LAF coordinated its efforts in Arsal with the Shiite jihadist forces. LAF troops were positioned in the city and its outskirts to protect the area from any potential flow of Sunni militants into the vicinity. This was after Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri said that the military would be the one undertaking the offensive to push out the militants. [See Threat Matrix report, Lebanese military coordinates with Hezbollah, Syrian military in border operation.]

Earlier this week, the Shiite jihadist group issued an ultimatum to the Sunni forces in the area. Al Manar reported that Hezbollah leadership in the operation called on armed groups remaining in Jurud Arsal to spare their blood by throwing down their weapons and surrendering themselves with guarantees for their safety. [See Threat Matrix report, Hezbollah issues ultimatum to Sunni jihadists in Arsal battle.]

With the reported ceasefire in Jurud Arsal, it appears that the ultimatum worked for Hezbollah. However, the battle to drive militants loyal to the Islamic State out of the area has yet to begin.

Caleb Weiss is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa.

Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here.
Houthi Burkan 2 ballistic missile fired last week at Yanbu, Saudi Arabia

Saudi forces report that a Houthi ballistic missile was shot down just 43 miles south of the holy city of Mecca. This comes less than one week after Yemeni Houthi rebels claimed to fire a ballistic missile at Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.

The Iranian-supported Yemeni rebels have yet to comment.

The AFP reports:

A ballistic missile fired by Yemeni rebels was shot down late Thursday close to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, a month before the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Islams holiest site, the Arab military coalition fighting in Yemen said. The missile was intercepted 69 kilometres (43 miles) south of the city in western Saudi Arabia, the coalition said in a statement, calling it a desperate attempt by Shiite Huthi rebels to disrupt Hajj, which begins at the end of August.

Last Saturday, the Houthi insurgent group (officially known as Ansar Allah) claimed it fired a Burkan-2 ballistic missile at a Saudi Arabian oil refinery in the coastal town of Yanbu. A video was released by the group a few days later saying that this is a new phase in the conflict with Saudi Arabia and that more refineries will be hit unless the brutal aggression in Yemen stops. [See Threat Matrix report, Yemeni Houthis release video of missile launch on Saudi oil refinery.]

In March, Saudi officials reported that state defenses shot down four ballistic missiles coming from Yemen. Two months later, the Houthis reported its forces launched a ballistic missile at Riyadh prior to the arrival of US President Donald Trump. Saudi Arabia later said it shot down the missile in its southern regions. In January, another ballistic missile was reported fired at a Saudi base on the Red Sea island of Zuqar. Several similar incidents also occurred throughout 2016. One of those instances was also targeting Mecca.

Caleb Weiss is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa.

Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here.
The US military released a statement today naming seven senior Islamic State propagandists and facilitators killed in airstrikes in Iraq and Syria this year. At least six of the seven were involved in creating propaganda and media for the so-called caliphate. Three of them perished in bombings near or in Mayadin, Syria, which has become a hub for the so-called caliphates leadership as the group loses ground elsewhere.

Among those killed near Mayadin was Rayaan Meshaal (pictured on the right), who was the head and founder of the Islamic States Amaq News Agency. Amaq has been one of the groups most important propaganda arms, collecting and disseminating news from jihadi hotspots around the globe. Meshaals media outfit packages videos, images and statements with a common branding, thereby emphasizing the idea that Abu Bakr al Baghdadis loyalists are fighting for the same cause everywhere from West Africa to Southeast Asia.

Amaq has also played a central role in claiming responsibility for attacks carried out by Islamic State members and supporters in the West. One Amaq improvisation proved to be remarkably effective. Jihadists in the West began to record videos of themselves swearing allegiance to Baghdadi before their day of terror. In some cases, it was later revealed, the terrorists had received online guidance from operatives overseas. Amaq promoted these remote-controlled plots, as well as others carried out in the Islamic States name, including attacks inside the US.

Meshaal was killed in an airstrike between May 25 and 27, according to CENTCOM. Meshaals death was first reported on Twitter by journalist Jenan Moussa, who said that his daughter was also killed in the airstrike.

The US says that two others also met their demise in Mayadin. Abu Ali al-Janubi, a senior media director, was killed on Apr. 16.

And Bassam al-Jayfus, who handled ISIS funds for terror attacks, was struck down on July 18. Al-Jayfus was apparently involved in the Islamic States external operations  that is, plots in the West and elsewhere outside of the lands of the self-declared caliphate. CENTCOM says his death causes a disruption to ISISs multi-national money laundering network, which is used to pay for foreign terrorist fighters as well as terror plotting and attacks throughout the world.

The US-led coalition previously announced the deaths of several senior Islamic State figures in or around Mayadin, which is located in the eastern Syrian province of Deir Ezzor. Some of them were also reportedly involved in the Islamic States external operations. [See FDDs Long War Journal report, Key Islamic State finance emir killed in eastern Syria, US says.]

The other four senior Islamic State figures identified by CENTCOM were all killed in Iraq between March and early July. Abu Sulayman al-Iraqi was a senior ISIS propaganda official who provided strategic guidance and production oversight for ISIS propaganda that recruited, indoctrinated and directed terrorists around the world. Al-Iraqi was killed in an airstrike near Mosul earlier this month.

Both Abu-Khattab al-Rawi and Abu-Sayf al-Isawi served as ISIS media emir[s] and were killed in Baaj and al-Qaim, Iraq, respectively. CENTCOM announced al-Rawis death earlier this year, saying he was a senior ISIS military official who was responsible for coordinating UAV operations and procurement in Al Anbar Province and provided direct support to ISIS leadership. [See FDDs Long War Journal report, CENTCOM: Three senior Islamic State foreign fighters killed.]

The final jihadist identified in todays release is Ibrahim al-Ansari. He, too, was previously identified by the US military as a casualty of the coalitions airstrikes. The US said on Mar. 31 that al-Ansari, who was killed on Mar. 25 in al-Qaim, Iraq, was responsible for the brainwashing of young children, among other duties. [See FDDs Long War Journal report, Islamic State propagandist was brainwashing children, US military says.]

The removal of these key ISIS leaders disrupts ISISs propaganda production, distribution, and the ability to fund ISIS terrorist activities, CENTCOM said in its statement. CENTCOM described all seven as senior leaders and facilitators with extensive experience and training, arguing that their deaths degrade ISISs ability to plan and conduct attacks on civilian targets in Iraq and Syria, as well throughout the region and in the West.

Six of the seven announced airstrikes took place near the Iraqi-Syrian border, an indication that the Islamic States strongholds have relocated as the jihadists retreated from Mosul and Raqqa.

Thomas Joscelyn is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Senior Editor for FDD's Long War Journal.

Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here.
On January 28, 2014, President Barack Obama announced the following in his State of the Union address:

Let's do more to help Americans save for retirement. Today, most workers don't have a pension. A Social Security check often isn't enough on its own. And while the stock market has doubled over the last five years, that doesn't help folks who don't have 401ks. That's why, tomorrow, I will direct the Treasury to create a new way for working Americans to start their own retirement savings: MyRA. It's a new savings bond that encourages folks to build a nest egg. MyRA guarantees a decent return with no risk of losing what you put in.[i]

A day later, he followed through on that promise, signing a Presidential Memorandum directing the US Treasury to develop these newfangled, government-designed retirement savings vehicles, which officially launched in November 2015. The point of this plan was noble enough: Encouraging more Americans to start saving and learn about retirement funding. Now, almost 20 months later, you might ask, how are they doing? The answer: Poorly! Which led the Trump Treasury to kill MyRA Friday.

MyRA is was a government-offered retirement account intended to let folks start saving cheaply, with no volatility-the funds earned interest based on Treasury yields. The rate was the same as federal government employees earn when choosing the "G fund"-the Government Securities Investment Fund option offered under its Thrift Savings Plan. In 2015 and 2016, the fund returned 2.04% and 1.82%, respectively. MyRA, unlike the government employee plan, had no other investment options. MyRA wasn't exactly offering you much reward.

Perhaps in part due to this, only about 20,000 Americans signed up for MyRA in its 20 months of life. In total, savers put $34 million into MyRA accounts, for an average balance of $1,700. Meanwhile, according to the Treasury, the program has cost the government (read: you, indirectly) $70 million-an average of $3,500, more than double the average participant balance. Which is ... not great? Heck, you could be forgiven for thinking a better alternative would have been to cut every MyRA account holder a check for $3,000 and let them invest it at some online discount brokerage.[ii] Would have been a dramatically better return for savers, too! These accounts may have been cheap for holders (although not on an opportunity cost basis!), but they were darned expensive to administer.

In its statement regarding plan closure, the Treasury pointed out that the vast array of private-sector options gobbled up demand for MyRA. Got that? The private-sector crowded out the public sector. Which speaks to a relatively simple point: MyRA was never necessary. Even from the standpoint of encouraging people to save, the creation of a new vehicle was strange. From local banks to online brokerages, many places offer low-cost retirement savings options with no minimum balance-many offer better investment options than MyRA's low yields.

Now it seems MyRA holders will learn that too, as the Treasury will eventually require them move their savings to one of these private firms. When that happens, perhaps they'll learn about the universe of investment options available to them and see the impact of MyRA was, in part, missed opportunity-real, but often hard to quantify. Maybe they will understand the government's rationale and learn about costs and benefits. Hopefully, those who saved via MyRA learned the value of retirement saving, to some extent, in these 20 months. So maybe, just maybe, there are financial literacy positives to come from what was otherwise a well-intended but ill-conceived, ineffective and unnecessary boondoggle.
Movie Poster for The Greek Can Kick, Episode II: Attack of the Bailouts. Photo by martinwimmer/iStock.

On Tuesday, Greece sold 3 billion ($3.5 billion) of five-year government bonds. Good news, especially when you consider the summer hasn't been too kind to Greece in recent years.[i] It feels like eons now, but just over seven years ago, Greece received its first bailout package. Since then, the country's trials and tribulations have evolved from a nightmare scenario dooming the European project to something of a punchline. As the Hellenic Republic has stumbled, bumbled and yet somehow avoided falling out of the eurozone, global stocks have risen higher-a keen reminder of bull markets' resiliency.

Take a trip with me, dear reader, back to May 2010, when the landmark movie Iron Man 2 was about to be released.[ii] Mere months earlier, Greece announced it had uncovered some fuzzy math in its budget calculations and revealed a (much) bigger deficit than previously thought. Officials announced a big austerity plan a couple months later. Yet this wasn't enough, and Prime Minister George Papandreou asked for a rescue package in April. On May 2, eurozone finance ministers agreed to rescue Greece with 110 billion in loans over three years.

Yet the trouble was only beginning. While the causes and specifics differ, by summer 2011, Greece was no longer alone: Ireland received a bailout in November 2010; Portugal got rescue funds in May; and fears ran high over Italy and Spain. As Papandreou announced further austerity measures, things got ugly in Athens as strikes and protests turned violent. While the uncertainty spurred broad fears Greece would be the first domino to fall, eurozone finance ministers agreed in July on a framework for another Greek bailout. However, it took several months of negotiating and political posturing for Greece's creditors to approve the second bailout package in February 2012.

New plot twists continued to emerge in Greece's tragi-comedy over the next five years, but the movie stayed true to its formula: lots of bickering, then a can-kick down the road.[iii] Following the second bailout, Greece elected a new parliament and prime minister (Antonis Samaras). Things quieted down for a bit-Greece even returned to debt markets in 2014-but as with any good movie, a sense of foreboding lingered. Pragmatic, neutral Switzerland, which had a front-row seat, even prepared its army in case a euro collapse led to Europe devolving into warring factions and triggering a flood of refugees.

Sure enough, the drama returned in 2015. After a snap election in January 2015, the far-left upstart political party Syriza, led by firebrand Alexis Tsipras and allegedly studly finance minister Yanis Varoufakis, stormed into government and promised to end the oppressive austerity measures. This reignited Greek default fears, and as MarketMinder Managing Editor Todd Bliman wrote in February 2015 in a piece titled, "1,896 Days Ago, Greece Was a Mess": "Fearful Greek headlines will likely return, probably no later than 3.5 months from today."

As if on cue, scary summertime headlines returned after Greece became the first developed[iv] economy to effectively default to the IMF in June. In a July referendum, voters rejected the terms of an international bailout, and some wondered if this would finally mark Greece's exit from the common currency bloc. Nope! Further talks, compromises and moderation from Tsipras led to Greece securing a third bailout package. Since then? Well, Tsipras has acted like a typical politician who seems to enjoy his time at global summits. Varoufakis returned to academia and wrote a book. The Swiss army has presumably stood down.[v]

Though the frightful Greek tragi-comedy has dominated headlines for much of the past seven years, global stocks have charged higher. By no means was this smooth sailing: "Grexit" fears drove a lot of short-term negative volatility and factored into the 2010, 2011 and 2012 global market corrections. Yet ever since that first Greek bailout, the MSCI World has returned 89%.[vi]

Exhibit 1: Seven Years of Bad Greek Movies

Source: FactSet, as of 7/26/2017. MSCI World Total Return Index (net dividends), from 12/31/2009 - 7/25/2017. Stabilo Due is the Swiss military exercise done in preparation for a eurozone breakup.

As we have written before, Greece alone isn't large enough to pack the "wallop" necessary to kill a bull market. While scary headlines can-and have-roiled sentiment in the short term, even that power seems to be waning a bit. That is the cool and beautiful thing about markets: They are pretty darn resilient, and they price in reality much more efficiently than any one person can.
Spain never saw a genuine bourgeois revolution, and today important democratic tasks are still pending: the abolition of the monarchy, the separation between church and state, the cleansing of the state apparatus of Francoist residues But undoubtedly the most pressing issue is the national question.

Under Franco, the culture and language of the national minorities of Spain, the Catalans, the Basques, and the Galicians, was oppressed and persecuted. Although the fall of the dictatorship gave them significant autonomy, they were given no fundamental say over their relationship with Spain, and all calls for self-determination have been arrogantly turned down by the central state. For the backward and boorish ruling class of Spain, the countrys unity has always been a sacrosanct principle to be defended with sword and fire. The unity of Spain was not achieved on the basis of democracy and economic development, but through coercion.

The economic crisis of 2008, and the political instability and the upswing in the class struggle that accompanied it, have complicated the national question, particularly in Catalonia, where a powerful movement for self-determination has been developing since 2013. The current Catalan government, dominated by a nationalist bloc, has announced it will hold a referendum on independence on the 1 October. This has put it on collision course with the right-wing government in Madrid. Standing up to the Spanish state is no easy task  can the bourgeois and petty bourgeois nationalists that make up the Catalan government deliver on their threats?

The bourgeoisie, the petty bourgeoisie, and the Catalan national question

The bourgeoisie of Catalonia, one of the most industrialised regions in Spain, has historically been pitted against the more backward Spanish ruling class. However, although they have used nationalism to strengthen their hand vis-a-vis Madrid, the Catalan bourgeois have never seriously pursued independence, and have always avoided a frontal clash with the Spanish state. They depend economically on the Spanish market, and, as property owners, whose priority is to protect their own privileges, they are weary of embarking on revolutionary adventures. And most importantly, the greatest foe of the Catalan ruling class is not the central government, but the proletariat. Faced with the threat of the workers they have always sided with Madrid. Their objective has been to have a greater say in Spanish politics. In the epoch of imperialism and monopoly capitalism, the bourgeoisie has become a conservative, reactionary class incapable of carrying out any pending democratic tasks, which in some countries were accomplished by the revolutionary bourgeois of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

The cynicism and demagoguery of the Catalan bourgeoisie is epitomised by the early twentieth century nationalist liberal Francesc Cambo, who led the Regionalist League. In the summer of 1917, he attempted to organise a constituent assembly against the despotic Bourbon regime, for democratic reform and for Catalan autonomy. He attempted to involve the workers movement in this endeavour, and to back the call for the assembly with the threat of a general strike. The assembly entered into negotiations with the socialist and anarcho-syndicalist unions.

The preparations for the strike gathered unexpected momentum. The mood of the liberals became increasingly sombre, as they realised they were conjuring forces they could not control. Cambo and his liberal and nationalist followers turned their backs to the workers and dropped the project of the constituent assembly. When the strike broke out in August 1917, they denounced it and supported the governments brutal repression, which claimed over a hundred deaths. As Cambo himself conceded in his memoirs, faced with the threat of Bolshevism, the question of liberty had to be put off for some time (Francesc Cambo, Memories, p.329). This statement encapsulates the mentality of the Catalan bourgeoisie  and, indeed, of bourgeois democrats in general. In the years of revolutionary agitation and class struggle that followed the 1917 strike, the Catalan bourgeois nationalists became the most ferocious and violent enemies of the workers, organising paramilitary gangs and supporting the military coup detat of Primo de Rivera in 1923. A coup that was hatched from the manor houses of the industrialists of Barcelona. Unsurprisingly, Cambo would support Francos fascist uprising in 1936.

The cynicism of the bourgeoisie is complemented with the cowardice of the petty bourgeois democrats and nationalists, equally terrified of the revolution and of the counterrevolution. Perhaps the best historical representative of the Catalan petty bourgeois nationalists is Lluis Companys, a labour lawyer who rose to prominence in the 1930s as the leader of the Catalan Republican Left (ERC). In the summer of 1934, the country was in a state of ferment as the influence of Gil Robles fascist party increased. In October, the decision by Prime Minister Alejandro Lerroux to bring the fascists into his cabinet gave rise to a powerful insurrectionary movement across the country. The uprising reached its highest pitch in Asturias, where the workers took power for two weeks.

In Catalonia, the movement was led by Companys, president of the Catalan region, who proclaimed the Catalan republic with much pomp. The initiative was in the hands of a petty bourgeois nationalist because the main proletarian organisation, the anarcho-syndicalist CNT, had turned its back on the insurrection on a sectarian basis, dismissing it as a political affair. While the workers of Asturias fought the counterrevolutionaries to the death, Companys hastily surrendered without putting up a fight, calling for the masses to stay at home, and giving up as soon as the government troops were dispatched to Barcelona. Such is the mind-set of the petty bourgeois democrats, in Catalonia and everywhere else! As Marx said about the French democrats of 1848:

"If it called to arms in parliament it should not have acted in parliamentary fashion in the streets. If the peaceful demonstration was meant seriously, then it was folly not to foresee that it would be given a warlike reception. If a real struggle was intended, then it was a queer idea to lay down the weapons with which it would have to be waged. But the revolutionary threats of the petty bourgeois and their democratic representatives are mere attempts to intimidate the antagonist. And when they have run into a blind alley, when they have sufficiently compromised themselves to make it necessary to activate their threats, then this is done in an ambiguous fashion that avoids nothing so much as the means to the end and tries to find excuses for succumbing. The blaring overture that announced the contest dies away in pusillanimous snarl as soon as the struggle has to begin the actors cease to take themselves au serieux, and the action collapses completely, like a pricked bubble." (Karl Marx, The Eighteenth Brumaire)

Companys was jailed and sentenced to death by Lerroux, and later met a tragic end in the hands of the Franco regime. It would be unfair to compare him with the farcical and mediocre petty bourgeois nationalists of todays Catalonia.

The current coalition

The government currently in power in the Catalan regional government is a coalition. It involves two major nationalist parties, the Democratic European Catalan Party (PDeCAT) and the Catalan Republican Left (ERC), with the additional involvement of some civil society organisations and public figures. This minority government is propped up from outside by the left-wing, pro-independence Popular Unity Lists (CUP). The PDeCAT is the new brand of the Democratic Convergence of Catalonia (CDC), which has traditionally been the representative of the Catalan bourgeoisie. Set up in 1974, it came to defend the interests of the Catalan capitalists in Madrid. Originally in the mid-1970s, the battle for Catalonias democratic rights, was spearheaded by the workers movement, by the communist and by the socialist parties and the trade unions, but their capitulations during the transition to democracy opened the way for the rise of bourgeois and petty bourgeois nationalism.

CDC (now PDeCAT) has been used in the national parliament to back PP and PSOE minority governments in exchange for this or that concession. It is a right-wing formation, with connections to the Catholic establishment, and it is corrupt to the bone. The party is being investigated for systematically taking a 3% cut from public contracts over the years. The austerity measures it carried out in recent years in the Catalan region are unmatched, even by PP governments. In fact, CDC has had no qualms in relying on the votes of the PP to pass austerity bills in the Catalan parliament. Its jingoistic, xenophobic form of nationalism puts the blame of Catalonias woes on the lazy Andalusians. In 2011, they participated in a mass organised by the PP government to commemorate the Catholic martyrs of the Civil War. It is also a repressive party that has clamped down heavily on dissent. In 2011, it used the regional Catalan police to crack down on the indignados movement in Barcelona. With this record, it is doubtful that an independent Catalonia dominated by these reactionaries would represent a great advancement from the rule of the PP.

It was precisely in the aftermath of the indignados movement that CDC entered into a crisis, as it plummeted in the polls. At this point, its leader at the time and Catalan president, Artur Mas, began to radicalise his nationalist rhetoric. The party had never called for independence, but Mas began to move in that direction in an attempt to recover support. This led to tensions in CDC and even to some splits  losing their long-time partner, Unio. In a context of deep economic, social, and political crisis, the representatives of the capitalists can gain relative independence from their masters and embark on risky demagogic adventures to save their political career. We have seen such a phenomenon in Britain with Brexit. In Catalonia, CDC under Mas leaned more and more on the radicalised petty bourgeoisie, to the dismay of the big capitalists who are overwhelmingly hostile to independence. In 2012, Mas began to raise the idea of a unilateral referendum on independence. In November 2014, a symbolic consultation on the matter was held with the opposition of the central government, which persecuted some CDC politicians in its aftermath, including Mas himself.

This secessionist turn by CDC coincided with a mass movement for self-determination, which reached its apogee on September 11, 2014, on Catalonias national day, when as many as two million Catalans (out of a population of 7.5 million) took to the streets of Barcelona to demand a referendum on independence. Some polls began to indicate for the first time that a majority of Catalans were in favour of secession. This movement had a contradictory character. It was partially conditioned by the deep economic crisis and the search for political and social change, which made many Catalans warm up to the idea of independence. At the same time, it was abetted by the provocations of the new PP government, elected in November 2011, and by the reactionary Constitutional Court. In 2010 the court revoked a new legal arrangement that gave greater autonomy to Catalonia and recognised its status as a nation. Within this mass, cross-class movement, the regressive nationalist views of some coexisted with the progressive sentiments. Many were repulsed by the provocations of Rajoy, the king, and the entire Spanish establishment and they aspired for freedom and for a socially advanced Catalan republic.

Politically, the main beneficiary of this mass movement was not CDC but the centre-left party ERC. The ERC is more decidedly in favour of independence and does not share CDCs reactionary and corrupt profile. This is Companys party, the party of the Catalan democratic, left-leaning petty bourgeoisie. Artur Mas was able to exploit their cowardice to woo them into a nationalist front, thus saving the skin of CDC, renamed PDeCAT in 2016. In a classic display of petty bourgeois fear and indecision, ERC felt incapable of standing up to the Spanish state on its own, and ran to the arms of Mas. This is yet another striking confirmation that the petty bourgeoisie, an intermediate and ancillary class, cannot stand on its own, but must ultimately tail the bourgeoisie or the proletariat.

The Catalan elections of September 2015 were presented as a referendum of independence, and a vote for the new nationalist bloc (Junts pel Si). It was supposed to be a vote for independence. However, this front only won a simple majority of the votes, which it did not consider as being enough to declare outright independence. Indeed, by September 2015 the political situation had changed significantly both in Catalonia and in Spain. The rise of Podemos, which put forward a radical, class-based alternative, partially cut across the nationalist movement. The (inconsistent) defence by Podemos of the right to self-determination garnered much support in Catalonia and the Basque Country. While Mas was able to win the elections in 2015, the mass support for independence of 2014 had receded somewhat.

Mas needed to secure the abstention of 8 of the MPs of the CUP, a radical left-wing pro-independence party that had refused to enter the nationalist bloc. In words, the CUP is an anti-capitalist, revolutionary party. Their rise to prominence, winning 8% of the vote in 2015 mostly from young voters, is a welcome symptom of the radicalisation of the Catalan youth. However, the nationalist establishment was able to cow the CUP into submission, revealing the partys political and theoretical weakness. The debate over whether to allow the government to be sworn in split the CUP down the middle. It revealed deep divisions between its more left-wing urban, proletarian base and the more nationalist small-town, petty bourgeois sectors. The nationalists finally agreed to remove the hated right-winger Artur Mas from the presidency under pressure from the CUP, but the same deplorable arrangement remained under his successor, Carles Puigdemont, also from PDeCAT. In fact, Mas blatantly continues to pull the strings. The nature of the farcical pact with the CUP was summed up by Mas himself in a recent interview:

"It may appear that the PDeCAT is vulnerable to the CUP, but thats not the truth. Let me give you some examples. The CUP put as a precondition to back the budget for 2017, that all taxes were increased, but that was not done, no taxes were raised. This was a fiasco for the CUP. They did make a lot of noise though. Another example: they demanded that the educational concerts [subsidies to private schools] were scrapped, but they were not altered. Despite their tantrums, nothing changes in reality. If you look at the noise, you may think the CUP is getting what it wants. But reality is very different." (La Vanguardia, 09/07/2017)

Under the excuse of Catalonias national interests the CUP was drawn into a humiliating, class-collaborationist deal. It ended up backing a government led by a corrupt bourgeois party whose support for independence is, at best, dubious and propped up its budget which is one of austerity cuts. Indeed, Mas and Puigdemont promised to take decisive steps towards independence within a month of the governments formation, but nothing of the sort happened. Puigdemont, supposedly the head of a provisional administration to oversee secession, continued to govern normally as in the past and continued to pass reactionary, anti-workers legislation. In fact, in the national parliament in Madrid, the PDeCAT helped Rajoys minority government, the sworn enemy of Catalan independence, pass many a reactionary bill, like the dockworkers counterreform. At bottom for both the PP and the PDeCAT the class interests of the capitalists trump nationalism. It is no surprise that pro-independence sentiments have been declining in the polls since Puigdemont was sworn in, and now are well below 50%. Under these conditions, the alliance of PDeCAT with ERC and their pact with the CUP were strained, and Puigdemont was driven to announce a binding referendum on independence for 1 October , 2017.

The referendum

One may well wonder why a referendum is necessary, when the elections of September 2015 were presented as a plebiscite on independence. But there is little logic to the bourgeois nationalists improvised pirouettes, other than to save their careers and their reputation in the short term. The events in June and July have further revealed the cowardice and demagoguery of PDeCAT and ERC. Upon his appointment as referendum organiser, Oriol Junqueras, the leader of ERC, found that most PDeCAT councillors (the regional equivalent to a minister) refused to sign collective statements that might endanger their property. That is, statements that might lead to fines and sanctions by the Spanish state. Moreover, the Catalan government has so far been incapable of buying the ballots for the referendum because of the intimidations of the Spanish state, which has threatened to intervene in Catalonias finances if public money is spent on the plebiscite. The government in Barcelona plays political hide and seek with Madrid. These are the people that are preparing for battle with the Spanish state! These ridiculous incidents have prompted a purge of three councillors and the replacement of the head of the Catalan police by nationalist hardliners. It is only likely that the coming weeks will see these resignations, purges, and clashes multiply. The more petty bourgeois, radicalised sectors of PDeCAT are pitted against the more respectable sectors, more closely connected with big business.

The next moves of the Catalan government are fairly clear. They expect to pass a bill for the referendum in August (so far the referendum has been announced but has yet to be formally promulgated). The Constitutional Court in Madrid will immediately annul the bill, but Puigdemont expects to counteract this with a popular show of force on the national day of Catalonia on 11 September. What will happen then is uncertain. It seems that Puigdemont and Mas are hoping for some dramatic episode of repression, with the arrest of leading Catalan politicians and the suspension of Catalonias autonomy. This will serve as an excuse to cancel the referendum while saving face, claiming to have done everything in their hands. They could then try to hold a symbolic consultation like in 2014, or hold some form of protest. A decisive clampdown by Madrid is a very real possibility. Indeed, Rajoy cannot allow the referendum to take place  not least because the abstention of a sector of opponents of secession, who see the referendum as illegitimate, could give a victory to independence. Moreover, the PP is in a minority government, and is being spurred to the right by the chauvinistic party Ciudadanos. The crackdown will have to be proportional to the nationalists resoluteness, which, predictably, will not be very pronounced.

The way events unfold will define the shifts in public opinion. It is conceivable that in the medium term the secessionist movement will be undermined by its wavering and lose traction, although a layer of nationalists could simultaneously become radicalised, possibly under the banners of the ERC. The impact of Catalan events on national politics is also unpredictable, but Rajoy, in a minority and harried by corruption scandals, is not in a strong position to capitalise on these developments.

So far Rajoy has played a patient, levelheaded strategy of avoiding unnecessary provocations. The central state has counteracted the moves by Puigdemont without overplaying its hand. The mettle of Madrid and the vacillations of Barcelona are illustrative of the class forces at work. The central government stands firmly on the chauvinistic principle of national unity and of defence of the state, with the full support of Spanish and European imperialism. The Catalan nationalists, driven by the contradictory demands of the situation, are being pushed towards a cul-de-sac and feel that their class masters, the Catalan bourgeois, are defecting on them. A reactionary class is pretending to carry out a revolutionary task, and this can only result in a farce.

The only way to counteract the coercion from the central government is to mobilise the Catalan masses. The Catalan government could easily summon hundreds of thousands to the streets and call on the masses to take the initiative, but Puigdemont and his clique are terrified of such an unmanageable scenario. However, there are already elements of uncontrollability in the situation, and faced with major provocations from the central state the hard core of the nationalist movement might take to the streets in large numbers.

Unidos Podemos

Unidos Podemos (UP, the alliance between Podemos and the United Left) could potentially become a major factor for the national question in Spain. As said above, they have partially cut across nationalist sentiments both in Catalonia and the Basque Country, combining a progressive, left-wing programme with the defence of the right to self-determination. However, the partys support for the latter has been inconsistent. Pablo Iglesias and Alberto Garzon, the leaders of Podemos and the United Left, have come out against the October referendum, claiming that it is illegal and that it lacks international recognition (unsurprisingly, the EU and the UN have disavowed the referendum, siding squarely with the oppressive force of Spanish chauvinism and imperialism).

Iglesias and Garzon propose to wait until they come to power, when they will reform the constitution and ensure that the Catalans get a fair referendum, supposedly with international recognition. This spineless position offers no solution to Catalans who want to vote now, postponing the plebiscite to a distant future, and it is also utopian in its own terms. Two thirds of MPs are required to reform the constitution, and it is almost impossible that UP and its allies will ever get such a majority. Ada Colau, the left-wing mayor of Barcelona, and her party have also come out with an ambiguous and cowardly position. This is a regrettable retreat from their original line of holding a unilateral Catalan constituent assembly and independence referendum. Only the Catalan branch of Podemos has taken a more courageous stance. After an internal consultation, they are calling for people to participate in the ballot, although they see this as a symbolic act of protest and not as a genuine, binding plebiscite.

The timid position by UP reflects Iglesias and Garzons legalistic approach to social change and their faith in bourgeois democracy and diplomacy, and also their fear of confronting Spanish chauvinism head on. It possibly also reveals an attempt by Iglesias to seduce the new leader of the social democratic PSOE, Pedro Sanchez, who stands to the left of his predecessors. Sanchez, of course, is against the referendum, but is in favour of constitutional reform and of turning Spain into a multinational federation. The workers who support the socialists will not be won over by mimicking the reformist attitudes and the inconsistencies of the leaders of the PSOE, but by putting bold demands on them.

The right of self-determination of the Catalans cannot be delivered within the framework of bourgeois democracy. The task of the leaders of UP is not to call for respect for the legislation of the Spanish state, hated by millions in Catalonia and the rest of Spain, but to support a unilateral referendum. Nationally, they must attack the reactionary character of the central government and of the Spanish constitution, and at the same time, in Catalonia, they must support the referendum and call for people to participate but also unmask the cowardice and cynicism of the Catalan bourgeois nationalists. Such a battle with the central state would represent a clash with the entire capitalist and imperialist system, and if pursued consistently would necessarily have to move in an anti-capitalist direction. If Podemos mobilised its forces fearlessly in support of the plebiscite and in opposition to repression from the central state, they could change the situation and put Rajoy and Puigdemont between a rock and a hard place. Today, Podemos, like the CNT in 1934 (but this time on the basis of a gutless reformist argument), has left a clear road for the bourgeois and petty bourgeois nationalists to call the shots.

The working class of Catalonia is currently divided over the national question, partly because no clear class alternative is being put forward. A bold line in support of the October referendum but in opposition to the bourgeois nationalists could conquer the sympathy of millions of Catalans who want to have a vote and defy Rajoy. It can win them over to the idea that the workers of all of Spain have a shared interest, and that together they can bring down the reactionary regime in Madrid. A recent survey by the Centre for Opinion Studies, the polling company of the Catalan government, revealed that 41% of Catalans are in favour of independence and 49% are opposed to it. But most importantly it showed that 67.5% of the population wants to participate in the referendum.

Public mood can change sharply in the coming weeks depending on the character and the evolution of the campaign and the moves by Madrid. Insofar as the referendum is spearheaded by PDeCAT and ERC, many workers will be put off. A significant sector of the Catalan proletariat, especially in Barcelona and its industrial belt, is Spanish-speaking and, while hostile to Rajoy, is also repelled by the bigoted, bourgeois PDeCAT. In any case, the figures reveal that, while there is limited support for independence, most Catalans want to have a say on their relations with Spain and are defiant of the central government.

Podemos was born in the heat of the mass social struggles of 2011-14, which were not only a rebellion against economic injustice and inequality, but also a movement for freedom against an oppressive, backward, and corrupt regime. To make good on these economic and political aspirations, Podemos has to break with the exploitative economic system of capitalism and with the rotten and oppressive bourgeois political system, abandoning faith in bourgeois legality and fighting for freedom with revolutionary methods. The right to self-determination is a revolutionary task, which in the epoch of imperialism and capitalist decomposition belongs not to craven bourgeois nationalists, but to their gravediggers, to the radical left and to the fighting workers and youth.

In our opinion, the workers of Spain will be stronger if they march together in the struggle against the capitalists and their oppressive state apparatus. The socialist transformation of society cannot be successful if it remains secluded in this or that region, but must spread to the entire Iberian Peninsula and, ultimately, to Europe and beyond. However, the genuine unity of the workers of Spain has to be voluntary and democratic, and built on the basis of freedom and mutual respect. This means that working-class and left-wing organisations in Spain have to guarantee the right of self-determination, up to the point of secession, for the peoples of the Peninsula. The current conflict over Catalonia is an occasion to implement this principle and to cement working-class unity over the struggle against Spanish chauvinism and state oppression.
SPRINGFIELD -- The City of Homes is a pretty good place to save some coin in your golden years, according to Kiplinger.

The Washington-based publisher of financial forecast and personal money advice listed Springfield as one of its 10 Great Places to Retire.

The piece, by senior associate editor Sandra Block, appears in the August 2017 issue Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine. Block quotes retired city planner Bob McCarroll extolling the city's features for seniors.

McCarroll has served on the Board of Directors of the private, nonprofit Springfield Preservation Trust for 40 years, has served on the board of the Mattoon Street Historic Preservation Association for more than 20 years, and also coordinated the Mattoon Street Arts Festival.

He says Springfield has a low-stress lifestyle.

"There are no lines at ATMs, no lines at grocery stores," he says in the piece.

Being Kiplinger's, the magazine explains that many home prices range from $150,000 to $300,000 and the state doesn't tax Social Security or government pension income.

A $300,000 home purchase will get you a "3-bedroom, 3.5-bath brick colonial with hardwood floors in Forest Park," the piece notes.

An expanded version of the entry also references the now-under-construction MGM Springfield casino and the new Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum.

The 10 cities listed are not ranked, but Springfield is in pretty inviting company:
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday signed the long-awaited compromise marijuana bill into law, even as he voiced his disapproval with the controversial substance that Bay State voters broadly legalized in November 2016.

"I don't support this," Baker said to reporters in his ceremonial office at the State House. "I worry terribly about what the consequences over time will be."

"But look, the people voted this," he added. "And I think it's really important that we put a program in place that delivered a workable, safe, productive recreational marijuana market for them here in Massachusetts."

The rewrite doesn't change personal home-growing and possession limits that went into effect in December 2016.

Marijuana remains illegal at the federal level.

The new Massachusetts marijuana law is compromise legislation between the Massachusetts House's attempted overhaul of the original voter-approved law, and the state Senate's bid for slight changes. The House originally pushed for a law that taxed recreational pot at 28 percent, a jump from the voter-approved 12 percent.

Under the new law, recreational marijuana will be taxed 17 to 20 percent, depending where you buy it. The baseline tax is 17 percent, which is determined from a combination of a 6.25 percent sales tax and a 10.75 percent special excise tax on adult use.

But cities and towns can choose to add a three percent tax on top of the 17 percent, tallying up to a 20 percent tax on pot.

"The tax rate, we think, is too high," said Jim Borghesani, a spokesman for legalization advocates. "We put it at 12 percent for the specific reason that we wanted to dampen down the illicit market to the greatest extent we could."

But legalization advocates largely backed the compromise bill Baker signed on Friday, having urged him to approve it after they avoided what they referred to as a "repeal and replace" bill proposed by the Massachusetts House.

Medical marijuana will remain untaxed.

The law will create a new Cannabis Control Commission to regulate recreational and medical marijuana.

The Department of Public Health has overseen medical marijuana under the original 2012 voter-approved law, and now the new commission will take it over.

The commission will set "potency limits" on edible marijuana products.

Those regulations will be decided upon in the coming months, and retail pot shops are scheduled to start opening in July 2018.

The new commission will be made up of five members: three appointed by the governor, treasurer and attorney general, while the other two will be agreed upon by those same three officials.

The current state budget sets aside $2 million for the commission.

The commission will receive guidance on regulations from the Cannabis Advisory Board, a 25-member board with at least five members appointed by the governor.

The new marijuana law also affords those who have been convicted of a crime involving the possession of small amounts of marijuana the opportunity to "petition" and seal the conviction in their criminal history.

"The way the law is written prior to this marijuana bill says if there's a crime you were convicted of that is now no longer a crime in Massachusetts, then you can petition to have your records sealed," said state Sen. Jason Lewis, a Winchester Democrat.

Gov. Baker said lawmakers who crafted the compromise bill he signed received a guidance from states like Colorado and Washington, where recreational pot has been legalized for several years. He said legislators in those states were very open to sharing their experiences in marijuana regulations.

"There are a lot of pitfalls," Baker warned.
Sanjay Mehrota, the new president and CEO at Micron Technology, Inc. https://www.micron.com/ , introduced himself to Boise July 27 with a story from his days as a student in India.

Mehrota had been admitted to the University of California, Berkeley, but hed been turned down for a student visa three times by the U.S. Embassy in Delhi. His exasperated father decided to accost the U.S. consul as he returned from lunch.

By: Anne Wallace Allen

Full Story: http://idahobusinessreview.com/2017/07/27/new-micron-ceo-sees-a-bright-future-for-the-boise-based-company/
If the program continues its successes, it could change how startups and government work together, leading to an increase in civic innovations. All interested cities must RSVP before Aug. 4 to be eligible to apply.

To be eligible for the STiR programs coming expansion, interested cities must RSVP http://startupinresidence.org/rsvp/ by Aug. 4 by simply filling out a short form. Organizers from the program will then get in touch with further information about the application process, which is slated to run from Aug. 7 through Aug. 31.

by Zack Quaintance, Noelle Knell

Full Story: http://www.govtech.com/civic/San-Franciscos-Startup-in-Residence-Program-Seeks-to-Expand-Across-North-America.html

***

Montana Shows How Government Can Be More Like Google Using Agile Development  You Should Work Here http://www.matr.net/article-78183.html
Bozeman is a rapidly growing city with a high quality of life in part due to the easy access to the outdoors, burgeoning tech industry, and cultural experiences it offers.
Les membres du gouvernement ont pris note des previsions de la MMS pour la saison cyclonique de 2022-2023, que la Social Integration Division sera membre du Africa-China Alliance for Poverty Alleviation, de la signature dun accord de principe entre le Senior Citizens Council of Mauritius et celui de Senior Citizens Council of Delhi, India, entre autres.

1. Cabinet has agreed to the Social Integration Division of the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity becoming a member of the Africa-China Alliance for Poverty Alleviation (ACAPA). The main objectives of ACAPA are, inter alia, the following:

(a) enhancing cooperation between China and African countries through the launching of pilot demonstration programmes/rural product promotion;

(b) experience sharing in terms of participation in seminars and dialogues, release of newsletters and organisation of field trips;

(c) capacity building to target the youth, women and rural maker activities in Africa and China; and

(d) policy consultations to alleviate poverty and promote social development through policy recommendations.

2. Cabinet has agreed to the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Senior Citizens Council of Mauritius and:

(a) the Senior Citizens Council of Delhi, India; and

(b) the Respect Age International of India.

The areas of collaboration are as follows:

(i) devising and arranging various schemes and programmes on Ageing and Health issues;

(ii) conducting training programmes in the field of Ageing for various stakeholders, including officers working for the welfare of the elderly;

(iii) holding joint workshops, seminars and symposiums for manpower development;

(iv) exchange of resource persons and groups of elderly;

(v) information and experience sharing between the two organisations and mutual use of data base;

(vi) documentation of information in the field of Ageing for wider dissemination;

(vii) promoting cultural and social activities as well as productive activities among elderly between the two organisations; and

(viii) financial and technical assistance for the implementation of projects, such as setting-up of Recreation Centres and other programmes for the elderly.

3. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Civil Service College, Mauritius (CSCM) and the Ecole Nationale dAdministration de Madagascar (ENAM). The Memorandum of Understanding purports to promote and develop amicable relationship through exchange programmes for public officers, study tours and transfer of knowledge as well as exchange of expertise.

4. Cabinet has agreed to the submission of a Concept Note to the Agence Francaise de Developpement by the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change for enhancing the capacity of institutions in Mauritius to effectively respond to marine oil spill and strengthen the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan of 2021 in the context of the Facilite dAmorcage, de Preparation et de Suivi des Projets.

The Concept Note comprises four components, each having its specific activities and duration of around six months as follows:

(a) Component A  auditing of the oil spill equipment available in Mauritius and Rodrigues, and formulation of recommendations thereon by an oil spill response expert having at least ten years experience in the related field;

(b) Component B  development of an Oil Spill Waste Management Plan for Mauritius and Rodrigues by a hazardous waste management expert having at least 10 years experience in the related field;

(c) Component C  development of an Oil Spill Volunteer Management Plan for Mauritius and Rodrigues by an experienced Volunteer Management Expert; and

(d) Component D  development of an environment, socio-economic impact assessment framework for Mauritius by international experts having 10 years experience.

5. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of two Research Collaborative Agreements between the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change and the University of Mauritius. The first research project, namely Biodegradability testing of biodegradable/ compostable plastic materials is expected to start in November 2022 and last 12 months. The project would basically consist of an assessment of the disintegration, biodegradation and satisfactory terrestrial safety of these different types of biodegradable/compostable plastic materials against ASTM D6400.

The second research project, namely Assessment of biodegradability and composting of Polylactic Acid (PLA) bottles and cups, would span over the period January to December 2023. The scope of the research project would primarily involve an assessment of the biodegradability of four different types of PLA bottles and cups.

6. Cabinet has taken note that following a request from the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), a delegation of the Board of Commissioners of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) of Iraq would be in Mauritius from 20 to 25 November 2022 for a study visit. IHEC is currently developing its institutional and technical capacities. UNAMI which was established by UN Security Council Resolution 1500 is mandated to advise, support and assist the Government of Iraq and the IHEC with efforts to plan and execute genuinely free and fair Iraqi-led, Iraqi-owned elections.

The purpose of the study visit would be to enable the IHEC Board of Commissioners to learn from the Office of the Electoral Commissioner in Mauritius, the best practices, technological innovation, field operation dynamics and stakeholder engagement in the management of elections.

7. Cabinet has taken note of the Midterm Review Report on the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. The Midterm Review Report presents the progress achieved by Mauritius on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management related issues and Sendai-target-wise in terms of policies, strategies, legal frameworks, investments, collaboration, partnerships and actions implemented by all stakeholders across all sectors of the society from 2015 to 2022, as well as the emerging and future contexts and requirements of Mauritius in this area until 2030 from a prospective point of view.

The Report provides information on progress achieved in terms of disaster preparedness, response and recovery at institutional level and the various mechanisms in place. The Midterm Review Report would have to be submitted to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.

8. Cabinet has taken note that a National Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) Strategic and Action Plan 20222026 has been elaborated by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, as recommended by the World Health Organization in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity. The Plan has been developed through an intensive consultative process. The seven strategic objectives and priority areas of the National ICOPE Strategic and Action Plan are to:

(a) promote person-centred integrated care and long-term care and support for older people across health and social services at the community level, towards early identification of losses in physical and mental capacities (intrinsic capacity) and provision of appropriate care;

(b) engage and mobilise the community, including older people towards ensuring aged-friendly environment that compensate for loss of intrinsic capacity, and promote participation of older people and support their carers;

(c) coordinate health and social services, with the single goal of maintaining intrinsic capacity of older people through primary and community-based care and facilitating appropriate and timely referral;

(d) develop capacity of health and social care workers in the community at the primary care level for integrated and person-centred approach for assessment and management of decline in capacity in older age;

(e) establish digital innovations and electronic record system to record, store and transmit data on intrinsic capacity and functional ability, and self-management of older people;

(f) strengthen governance and accountability systems; and

(g) update legislation, policies and regulations to support integrated care and protect older persons against abuse and ageism.

One of the key strategic actions of the Plan is the development and implementation of a Carnet de Sante for Mauritians aged 60 years and above.

9. Cabinet has taken note of the activities which the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare would organise in collaboration with the National Childrens Council in the context of the celebration of the Universal Childrens Day 2022, which is celebrated worldwide on 20 November each year. The theme chosen by the United Nations this year is A better future for every child.

The official celebration of Universal Childrens Day 2022 would be held on Sunday 20 November 2022 at the Relay Centre at Cap Malheureux. The programme of the day, targeting the children of the Centre, would constitute a one-day entertain and educate activities. It would be also an opportunity for children to share their opinion, culture and beliefs as well as participate in leisure and fun activities.

10. Cabinet has taken note of the status of the participation of member countries to the 12th Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de lOcean Indien (CJSOI) Games to be held from 04 to 11 December 2022 in Mauritius. The CJSOI member countries, namely Comoros, Djibouti, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion and Seychelles have already registered their participation to the Games.

11. Cabinet has taken note of the completion of Les Assises de la Recherche et de LInnovation (ARI) organised by the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) and the outcome thereof. The aim of ARI 2022 was to set the foundations for the development of a National Masterplan/Roadmap for technology, research, and innovation. The objectives were, inter alia, as follows:

(a) development of a National Innovation Strategy;

(b) provision of novel insights for emerging sectors and technologies;

(c) identification and introduction of enhanced strategies to drive leadership in emerging sectors and technologies;

(d) elimination of barriers for innovation; and

(e) charting of incentives to foster sustainable innovation.

ARI 2022 has identified a total of 372 projects spread across numerous themes. Strategies and projects have been programmed for implementation on short, medium, and long terms.

12. Cabinet has taken note of the report of the Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS) with regard to the seasonal outlook for summer 2022-2023 for Mauritius and Rodrigues. The summer season officially starts from 01 November 2022 and ends on 30 April 2023, whilst the official cyclone season is from 01 November 2022 to 15 May 2023.

The main forecasts for the Summer Season 2022-2023 are, inter alia, as follows:

(a) temperatures would be close to normal. However, on certain days, it is likely that temperatures would exceed the long-term monthly average by more than two degrees Celsius;

(b) occasional above normal temperatures, coupled with prolonged periods of high humidity and light wind conditions, might result in torrid conditions particularly during the months of January to March 2023;

(c) during the months of January to April 2023, atmospheric conditions would become conducive to the occurrence of extreme weather events; and

(d) between nine to eleven named storms would likely evolve in the South West Indian Ocean basin during the cyclone season 2022-2023.

13. Cabinet has noted that actions have been taken by the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security following the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Reunion Island. The Livestock and Veterinary Division of the Ministry convened on several occasions the HPAI Committee, comprising stakeholders from the public and private sector and various measures have been implemented.

14. Cabinet has taken note of the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic prevailing in Mauritius. As at 26 October 2022, there were 49 active cases of COVID-19, out of which 18 were admitted at the New ENT Hospital. Over the period 20 to 26 October 2022, no death was attributed to COVID-19.

Cabinet has also taken note that there is no suspected case of Monkeypox in Mauritius.

15. Cabinet has taken note that the second phase of the road works along the Motorway M1 in the region of Ebene, near Pont Mattar, would be carried out during weekdays and at night time only, from 01 November to 14 December 2022. The Motorway M1 would consequently be partially closed from 22 00 hours to 05 00 hours during this period. All required traffic signs would be in place to inform and guide road users.

16. Cabinet has taken note that major works were being undertaken, along Julius Nyerere Road, B1, at Ebene, in relation to the construction of a footbridge (near Nexteracom), in the context of the Phase 3 of the Metro Express Project: Extension from Rose Hill to Reduit. A new traffic scheme would be put in place as from Monday 31 October 2022 for a period of three months. All required traffic signs would be in place to inform and guide road users.

17. Cabinet has taken note that works at Chebel Roundabout have been completed and would be officially opened to the public as from 28 October 2022.

18. Cabinet has taken note that the MoKloud platform has been launched as a secured digital safe for storage, signing, accessing and sharing of documents.

The digital documents already available on the MoKloud platform are online extracts of birth and marriage certificates, COVID-19 Vaccination Pass and proof of address from the Central Electricity Board. Appropriate amendments were brought to the Civil Status Act for legal recognition of the online birth and marriage certificates. A Mobile Application would be launched soon.

19. Cabinet has taken note that an Electronic Queue Management System, Mo Rendez Vous, has been successfully deployed at the following sites with a view to enhancing public service delivery in the context of the digital transformation of Mauritius:

(a) Passport and Immigration Office;

(b) Pharmacy Department of Dr Bruno Cheong Hospital, Flacq; and

(c) Work Permit Unit of the Ministry of Labour, Human Resource Development and Training.

Citizens may book for an appointment to avail of the services offered by these institutions.

20. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Board of the Mauritius Ports Authority with Mr Ashit Kumar Gungah as part-time Chairperson.

21. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Agalega Island Council with Mr Gino Alfred as part-time Chairperson.

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Behavioral strategies that relieve the physical and emotional burdens of chronic pain are becoming more commonplace, not just as alternatives or adjuncts to problematic opioid analgesics, but as effective means to restore daily functioning. Share on Pinterest Can primary care physicians change the way they treat patients with chronic pain? While analgesics can provide welcome relief in acute pain conditions, pain reduction is only temporary and does little to remedy the distress and disabilities that emerge when pain persists. In fact, a recent study published in the Journal of Pain, examining populations in two large health systems, indicated that increasing the dose and duration of opioids for unrelieved chronic pain was associated with worse health outcomes. Behavioral interventions can successfully interrupt the cycle of treating heightened perception of pain with ever more analgesics. They have also empowered patients to shift the focus from their pain and impairment to reclaiming function and activities, despite residual pain. What strategies can physicians use to change pain behavior? And why are these treatments not widely adopted in the medical profession?

Addressing components of chronic pain Calls for implementing evidence-based behavioral strategies in managing chronic pain have been issued by various agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Institute of Medicine in the United States. The principal interventions for relieving the psychological symptoms of chronic pain are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness treatments. CBT includes several different strategies, with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) as one of the newest iterations. Each focuses on maladaptive or dysfunctional thinking and responses to stress, with ACT emphasizing acknowledgment and acceptance of these without requiring their resolution before progressing. Key targets of CBT are reducing catastrophizing, which is when the patient is feeling helpless and overwhelmed, and identifying secondary gains from the impairment of pain, which may undermine motivation to resume work or interact with family or peers. CBT can also increase both self-efficacy and the capacity to accept social support, as both are associated with greater tolerance of pain and reduction in perceived pain intensity. Mindfulness treatments, including mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and mindfulness meditation, foster an awareness of the sensation of pain without judgment or emotional response. In one assessment of the putative mechanisms underlying pain control from mindfulness meditation, published in Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, the authors conclude that analgesic effects of meditation can be developed and enhanced through greater practice, a critical consideration for those seeking long-lasting narcotic-free pain relief. Dawn C. Buse, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University in New York City, NY, explained to Medical News Today the value of behavioral strategies in treating patients with chronic pain. Behavioral treatment strategies for chronic pain have strong, proven efficacy, are cost-effective, and do not have side effects or interactions, said Prof. Buse. They can be used through all stages of life where pharmacologic interventions may not be available or may be contraindicated, such as in childhood, pregnancy, or lactation. They can also help improve adherence to pharmacologic interventions, and can be used independently or combined with pharmacologic treatment interventions. Dawn C. Buse, Ph.D. When referring a patient for treatment, Prof. Buse cautioned that the physician should not just hand off, but they should instead maintain a pivotal role in providing integrated care. She also discussed the importance of choosing the type of intervention that is likely to be acceptable and effective for a particular patient. For people with higher levels of disability, depression, anxiety disorders and/or uncontrolled stress along with chronic pain, mindfulness training, alone, may not provide sufficient therapeutic outcomes, Prof. Buse said. However, it can be successfully combined with CBT strategies in programs such as MBCT [mindfulness-based cognitive therapy].

Implementing integrative care Behavioral strategies are also at the foundation of the pain management programs (PMPs) specified in the Core Standards for Pain Management Services by the Faculty of Pain Medicine at the Royal College of Anaesthetists in the United Kingdom. The PMPs are a system of methods to promote behavior change and improve well-being in people with pain. Based on systematic reviews, the Core Standards credit PMPs with significantly reducing distress and disability, enhancing coping, and improving various measures of physical functioning. According to the Core Standards, the PMPs are directly and indirectly producing behavior change, including methods based on cognitive and behavioral therapy, learning and conditioning processes, skills training, physical exercise, and education. The Core Standards specify that the PMP interventions include: graded activation guided by participant goal setting, identifying barriers to activity and means to resume activity

cognitive therapy methods to identify and change restricting thoughts and beliefs

graded exposure to reduce fear and avoidance

methods to enhance acceptance, mindfulness, and psychological flexibility through a process called psychological flexibility

skills training and activity management to practice acquired skills for changing behavior and dealing with barriers in pursuit of goals

physical exercise directed at changing behavior patterns around physical sensations, including pain, increasing movement, and activity

education to improve understanding of goals and the effort necessary to attain them

lifestyle and lifestyle change issues for improving or maintaining general health

interventions to facilitate return to work The Core Standards recommend that PMPs should be considered as treatment of choice when persistent pain adversely affects quality of life and significantly impacts physical, psychological, and social function. How can physicians implement these strategies when they treat patients with chronic pain? Although traditional medical training may not have been adequate preparation for the challenge and complexity that patients with chronic pain present, recent changes in curricula are joining best practice statements such as the Core Standards to foster the health of integrative medicine.
Arbovirus is a term used to describe a group of viral infections transmitted to humans from a group of insects known as arthropods. There are many strains of arbovirus. The viruses range in severity from no symptoms to mild flu-like symptoms to very severe symptoms. Avoiding insect bites is key to preventing these nasty viral infections. Insects that can infect humans with arboviruses include fleas, ticks, gnats, and mosquitoes. There are over 130 different arboviruses that affect humans.

Common types of arbovirus Share on Pinterest Arboviruses are caused by insect bites from the arthropod family. This can include ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas. There are many types of arboviruses. The different types of arbovirus are broken down into specific genera. The three main genera for arboviruses that cause infections in humans are as follows: flavivirus

togavirus

bunyavirus Types of flavivirus include the following: yellow fever

West Nile virus

Zika virus

dengue fever

Japanese encephalitis Types of togavirus include the following: Ross River virus

Eastern equine virus

Western equine virus Types of bunyavirus include the following: California encephalitis

La Crosse virus

Jamestown Canyon virus

Transmission Share on Pinterest One of the common symptoms of an arbovirus is fever, which usually precedes other symptoms such as muscle pain and confusion. The arboviruses spread mainly through insect bites. The most common insect that spreads arboviruses is the mosquito. However, other arthropods such as ticks, fleas, and gnats can also spread these diseases if they bite a human. While insect bites are the most common way arboviruses are transmitted, the viruses can also spread through: blood transfusion

organ transplant

sexual contact

pregnancy and childbirth from mother to child Human to human transmission of most arboviruses through casual, everyday contact has not been documented.

Symptoms Most infections caused by arboviruses do not have symptoms. However, when they do, symptoms can range from a mild flu-like illness to encephalitis, a potentially life-threatening inflammation and swelling in the brain. The clinical characteristics and symptoms are divided into two subgroups: neuroinvasive and non-neuroinvasive. Neuroinvasive diseases cause symptoms indicating that the disease can infect the nervous system, while non-neuroinvasive diseases do not. Neuroinvasive arboviruses often cause meningitis or encephalitis. Symptoms of neuroinvasive arboviruses include the sudden onset of fever accompanied by the following: headache

stiff neck

muscle pain

confusion or disorientation

weakness in the arms and legs

seizures Non-neuroinvasive arboviruses differ slightly in their symptoms. The nervous system is not affected, so they do not typically cause altered mental state, such as confusion or seizures. However, non-neuroinvasive arboviruses can cause a fever in addition to the following symptoms: headache

muscle aches

joint pain

upset stomach

nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

rash

Diagnosis Share on Pinterest A blood test may be required to help diagnose an arbovirus. The majority of people infected with an arbovirus will have no symptoms and will not be diagnosed. However, certain groups of people, such as women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant and have traveled to areas where certain arboviruses such as Zika are common, can have a blood test to find out whether they have an infection. People who develop symptoms from an arbovirus should seek a diagnosis to ensure they receive proper treatment and that public health concerns are recorded. A doctor will check to see if a person with suspected arbovirus meets certain clinical criteria. The clinical criteria differ according to whether or not the arbovirus is neuroinvasive or non-neuroinvasive. Neuroinvasive arbovirus To be diagnosed with a neuroinvasive strain of arbovirus, a person must exhibit: encephalitis, meningitis, or other signs of neurological dysfunction

other symptoms of neuroinvasive arbovirus In addition to these requirements, a doctor must rule out other, more likely causes of a persons symptoms. Non-neuroinvasive arbovirus In order for a doctor to diagnose non-neuroinvasive arbovirus, a person must present all of the following clinical signs: a fever

the absence of a neuroinvasive disease

other symptoms of a non-neuroinvasive arbovirus

lack of a more likely clinical explanation After a physical evaluation that supports the diagnosis of a particular strain of arbovirus, a doctor will likely order blood work. The blood test can identify the presence of arbovirus by isolating a single virus, antibodies, or antigens. If the results of the blood tests show the presence of neuroinvasive arbovirus, the doctor will probably recommend testing the persons cerebrospinal fluid to confirm the diagnosis.
Researchers have developed a new compound that may soon be developed into an effective treatment for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Share on Pinterest Melanoma may be halted by a newly developed drug. Skin cancer is the most pervasive form of cancer in the United States. Melanoma accounts for the vast majority of skin cancer deaths; it is estimated that every hour, one U.S. individual dies from it. The condition has been referred to as the deadliest form of skin cancer. But now, research offers hope that a new compound may help to treat the condition. The new study, published in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, proposes a substance that may be able to target melanoma cells while preserving nearby healthy cells. The scientists were led by Dr. Arun Sharma, an associate professor of pharmacology, and Dr. Shantu Amin, a professor of pharmacology, both of Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey. People with melanoma are currently being prescribed drugs that are either not well tolerated, or to which the tumors become resistant within 6 to 7 months. But as the researchers explain, their compound may succeed where other drugs have failed.

A fragment-based drug design The compound is called napthalamide-isoselenocyanate (NISC-6) and the scientists used different fragments from their previous research to form it. Namely, they used an isoselenocyanate moiety from a drug they had previously designed and tested. They had developed this moiety, or molecule fragment, from isothiocyanates, which are chemicals that can be naturally found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, and cabbage. These plants are thought to have anticancer properties. However, as the researchers note, while it is advisable to consume these vegetables to prevent cancer, the chemical compound on its own may not be enough to work therapeutically. So, the scientists combined this isoselenocyanate moiety with another compound referred to as napthalamide moiety of mitonafide. This latter substance is a so-called topoisomerase II alpha inhibitor. Typically, these inhibitors are used to stop DNA replication in cancer, and they have been used as anticarcinogenic drugs. Mitonafide has been shown to work against tumors in clinical trials, but toxicity levels were too high.
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There's already a proposed bullet train that will travel between Mumbai and Ahmedabad that will cover the distance in a matter of two hours. The train will travel at a speed of 320-350 km per hour and will be the fastest train in the Indian subcontinent.

 Youtube

Having said that, what if we told you that there is a faster way to travel and a bunch of Indian engineers are already working on a Hyperloop-type pod that will travel at a speed of 1,200 km/hour? What if we told you that these pods can cover the same distance in less than 45 minutes?

 Twitter/BITSPilaniIndia

A group of engineering students from BITS Pilani are working on a concept that that has taken inspiration from Elon Musk's Hyperloop project and are building a pod that can travel in a vacuum and achieve the speed of 1,200 km/hour.

Musk's Hyperloop India is already working on such a pod and is in the final stage of building the vacuum capsule that will be tested in late August this year at the headquarters in California.

Hyperloop is tube travel wherein you have a vehicle that is magnetically levitated and propelled inside a vacuum tube. The technology that is used for the propulsion and braking systems can vary, Prithvi Shankar, a BE final year student at BITS Pilani and a member of what is being called Team Hyperloop, told IANS.

 Twitter

The engineers elaborate that Musk's Hyperlook programme is using a scalability first approach and appears to be feasible. They believe that if this approach is adopted, it will only cost 60% of the total of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet train.

"If Hyperloop were to replace the high-speed rail that is currently being proposed... the entire infrastructure cost will be 40 per cent less, plus the maintenance costs will be much less. It will also require very little land acquisition," Prithvi said.

Both, the bullet train and Hyperloop is magnetically levitated, however, the Hyperloop is far superior to the Maglev in terms of speed and efficiency. Since the Hyperloop pod runs in a vacuum, it does not face any air resistance, and will also utilise a propulsion method that is different from the Maglev. The Hyperloop will use passive permanent magnets whereas the bullet trains require a constant electricity supply.

 Wikipedia

The team at BITS Pilani was formed in 2015 in response to the SpaceX design contest for which the team had built a 1.6 km track on its premises. The team has collaborated with IIM, IIR and the Indian School of Business on the feasibility of the project. The ongoing project is being supported by the likes of Invest India, NITI Aayog, RITES and Indian Railways.

Source: Hindustan Times
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UPPER THUMB -- The Grindstone-Port Hope Sportsmen's Club will be hosting a free educational outdoor day for youths and their mentors on Saturday.

The activities will run from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at 6101 Huron City Road in Port Hope. There will be a free junior membership to QDMA and Pheasant Forever to the first 50 kids who pre-register. The second 50 kids will receive a gift.

According to Bob Hurren, event chairman, the club wanted to host a day to get kids outdoors and off their cell phones and video games. With a grant from Romeo chapter of Whitetails Unlimited members Art and Dawn Rienas, the entire day will be free of charge to all kids attending. There will be hot dogs, chips, pop, popcorn, and cotton candy available. Various wild game mounts will be on display along with barrel rides for the younger kids. There will also be over $1,000 in prizes that will be given away at the end of the day.

Some of the displays that will be set up are from the Michigan United Conservative Club, Cass River Wildlife rehab, Department of Natural Resources, QDMA, Pheasants Forever, Huron County Sheriff's Office, United States Coast Guard, Harbor Beach Fire Department, Country Side Free Methodist Center Shot Program with 3D bow shooting. There will also be a birds of prey presentation at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Pheasants Forever will also have its BB gun shooting trailer on site for the kids to use.

The age range is from 5 years old up to 18 years old. But kids under 5 won't be left out, as there will be something available for them to take home as well. All kids must be accompanied by an adult.

Readers are encouraged to bring the kids out and enjoy an entirely free day outdoors and look at the beautiful property and club house that the club maintains.

For more information or to pre-register, call 989-551-7063.
BAD AXE -- The Huron County Planning Commission peeked 25 years into the future this week.

What would the county look like once wind turbines had been decommissioned?

Should the county allow them to be replaced?

Would developers have to reapply to construct new turbines?

How would wind energy technology be different in 2042?

The planners considered those questions and more at a workshop for the Huron County Master Plan.

The master plan, which hasn't been updated in since 1993, determines acceptable future land use in Huron's 16 county-zoned townships.

By year's end, it's expected that the county will have 473 turbines -- more than any other in the state.

After everything Huron County has been through with conflicting views on wind energy, the planners are cautiously looking ahead.

"Maybe it's time to say when those overlay districts are full, we're done," said planner Robert McLean.

"There's no reason why we can't say 'enough's enough,'" he added.

The master plan survey conducted by Spicer Group last fall showed that the county is evenly divided on the issue of further wind development.

A May 2 vote in various jurisdictions defeated wind development 2 to 1.

"I think the consensus is that we've done our share for the state of Michigan and the United States of America," said planner Robert Oakes.

Alan Bean, community planner with Spicer Group, said he would draft a few statements regarding wind's future, and the commission could discuss them at the next workshop in order to reach a broad policy statement for the master plan.

The commission discussed wind energy during the review of a draft of a future land use map to be included in the master plan.

The commission also discussed the future of solar energy -- see Saturday's Tribune for that report.

Other issues the commission tackled included the future of the Wallace Stone Quarry property.

It covers 1,200 acres in Windsor, McKinley and Fairhaven townships.

Officials said it's possible for the hole left by the mining to be filled with water and used as a lake, and that the surrounding land could be zoned residential.

It's now zoned agricultural.

Water lines are also part of the future-land-use map.

They include one running south of Harbor Beach up the shoreline, one from Caseville to Pigeon and one from Bad Axe to Port Austin.

Oakes pointed out that if the water lines were part of the future land use map and master plan, federal grant funding would be available for expanding them.

Planning officials said that both water and sewer expansion should be encouraged along the shore to spur development -- rather than in the land that is agriculturally zoned toward the center of the county.

Most industrial and business development is targeted for areas surrounding villages, cities and existing business districts.

The future land use map also includes ITC substations, the ITC Thumb Loop, state/federal land, county parks and the Huron County Memorial Airport.

Bean spent some time updating the commission on the master-plan process -- which has been going on for more than a year.

Since there are three new planning board members as of this spring, Bean informed them of survey highlights and goals that the commission established as a result of the survey.

Planners seemed to agree with a majority of survey respondents who said that they want Huron County to remain primarily agricultural, while taking advantage of economic growth opportunities.

Other goals included providing quality education opportunities, maintaining good healthcare services and maintaining support services to ensure a good quality of life for the elderly.

Tourism is also important to residents surveyed, along with providing sound and affordable housing for all county residents.

"The general perspective regarding quality of life in Huron County is that it is generally good, but could teeter towards deteriorating conditions," stated a key point submitted by Bean.

Crime, drug abuse, wind energy development and unemployment were challenges defined by the survey.

Respondents also felt that blight has worsened over the past 10 years.

The date of the next master plan workshop will be determined at the Aug. 2 planning commission meeting.
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 Marine Corps is grounding its fleet of KC-130T transport aircraft, and the Blue Angels is giving its C-130 "Fat Albert" some time off as investigators continue to probe the cause of a KC-130T crash that left 16 troops dead July 10.

Two separate investigations are ongoing in the wake of the crash: an aviation mishap investigation and a Marine Corps Command investigation, Marine Forces Reserve spokesman Capt. Andrew Chrestman told Military.com.

In light of that investigation, the Blue Angels canceled the appearance of Fat Albert, a C-130T with a Marine Corps crew, at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. That show began July 24 and continues through July 30.

"During the course of the ongoing Marine Corps KC-130T investigation, an airframe similar to Fat Albert, we determined it may be prudent to allow time for the investigation to provide more information on possible causal factors prior to resuming flight," Lt. Joe Hontz, a Blue Angels spokesman, told Military.com in a statement.

He did not immediately respond to questions about whether the aircraft would miss more shows.

The Corps has also grounded its fleet of KC-130T aircraft, Marine Forces Reserve spokeswoman 2nd Lt. Stephanie L. Leguizamon told Military.com.

"Out of an abundance of caution, the Marine Corps took the prudent action to not fly our KC-130T aircraft in the wake of the mishap until further notice," she said.

The KC-130T is the oldest variant of the aircraft still flying, with an average age of roughly 24.9 years. Only one unit still flies them: Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron [VMGR]-452, the reserve squadron that owned the aircraft that went down in the crash.

There are 12 KC-130T aircraft remaining in the Corps' inventory, Leguizamon said.

A Marine Corps spokeswoman, Capt. Sarah Burns, said no other Marine C-130 aircraft are affected by the grounding.

In a press conference following the tragedy, Brig. Gen. Bradley James, commanding general of 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, said early evidence indicated something went wrong while the aircraft was at cruise altitude.

This may be a strong indicator of mechanical failure rather than human error as a cause of the crash, sources familiar with the C-130 told Military.com. It will likely be weeks or months before the military investigations into the crash are complete, however.

Killed in the crash were nine air crew from VMGR-452, and six Marines and a sailor from Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, who had been traveling from North Carolina to Yuma, Arizona, for early training ahead of a deployment to the Middle East.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
Joint Chiefs Chairman Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford said Thursday that thousands of transgender troops in the ranks will continue serving indefinitely until the Pentagon gets formal notice of President Donald Trump's proposed ban and figures out a way to implement it.

"There will be no modifications to the current policy until the President's direction has been received by the Secretary of Defense [Jim Mattis] and the Secretary has issued implementation guidance," Dunford said in a memo to the service chiefs and senior enlisted advisers.

Dunford gave no indication of how long that would take, but advocacy groups are already preparing lawsuits that could put on hold Trump's move to ban the recruitment and retention of transgender individuals.

The pointed memo, first obtained by Politico, underlined the confusion in the ranks, at the Pentagon and in Congress on the implications of Trump's series of Wednesday morning Tweets on the transgender issue.

Related links:

Trump said that after consulting with "my generals and military experts," he had decided that the U.S. "will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. military." He gave no indication that there was a plan in place to implement the ban.

Dunford, whose billet officially makes him Trump's top military adviser, apparently was not one of the generals consulted.

"I know there are questions about yesterday's announcement on the transgender policy by the President," Dunford said in the memo.

"In the meantime, we will continue to treat all of our personnel with respect," he said. "As importantly, given the current fight and the challenges we face, we will all remain focused on accomplishing our assigned missions."

Dana White, chief spokesperson for the Pentagon and for Mattis, later issued a statement echoing Dunford's on the need for more time to gauge what Trump intended and whether it is legal.

"The Department of Defense is awaiting formal guidance from the White House as a follow-up to the Commander-in-Chief's announcement on military service by transgender personnel," White said. "We will provide detailed guidance to the Department in the near future for how this policy change will be implemented."

Earlier, a memo from Vice Adm. Robert Burke, the chief of Navy personnel, which was obtained by Military.com, outlined a series of "talking points" for senior officers in addressing sailors' concerns about the Trump ban.

"I recognize that today's announcements regarding changes to the transgender (TG) military service policy are causing concern for some of our sailors and that they likely have questions," Burke said in the memo.

He said the officers should stress that the Defense Department and the Navy "will not take any personnel actions or change any policy until further guidance from the President is received."

"If a member is receiving medical care, that does not cease. Currently serving TG Service members will continue to receive all necessary medical care," Burke said. "With regard to implications for those currently serving, OSD is working to quickly discern the President's intent."

While issues arising out of Trump's ban are being resolved, "Treating service members with dignity and respect is something we expect from our sailors at all times," he said.

Burke recommended to officers that they "refer any transgender policy or individual sailor case questions to our Navy Service Central Coordination Cell (SCCC). We still have the SCCC in operation and they are fielding queries."

There was no immediate guidance from the Pentagon for transgender troops currently serving on the front lines.

In a video briefing to the Pentagon from Baghdad, Army Col. Ryan Dillon, a spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, said he did not know how many transgender troops are in Iraq and Syria and how the Trump ban would affect them. He also said he did not know whether transgender troops in Iraq and Syria had been told of the Trump ban.

Asked whether the ban could impact front-line readiness and cohesion, "I don't know that. Anything that has to do with the transgender piece, I will refer you back to the Pentagon on that."

The Air Force referred questions on the ban to the White House. In the meantime, "the Air Force will continue to work closely with DoD to address the new guidance provided by the Commander-in-Chief on transgender individuals serving the military," an Air Force spokeswoman said.

At the National Press Club on Thursday, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley said didn't receive advance notice of the president's decision.

"I personally did not, nor would I have expected to," he said.

The chief acknowledged he learned about the announcement from the news media and said he hasn't yet received any "implementation directives" for a ban.

"We will work through the implementation guidance when we get it, and then we'll move from there," Milley said.

-- Hope Seck, Oriana Pawlyk and Brendan McGarry contributed to this report.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
The biggest challenge in filming a documentary about Marines for the giant screen wasn't getting the breathless aerial shots of troops jumping from the back of aircraft or rappelling from mountainsides.

It was learning to work with leathernecks and their capricious and unpredictable training schedules, said Brad Ohlund, director of photography for the film.

Last week, the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia, christened its new giant-screen Medal of Honor Theater with the debut of "We, the Marines," a 40-minute journey from boot camp to the Corps' most rigorous and dynamic training locations across the country.

Shot almost entirely digitally, the film is visually sumptuous and constantly entertaining, with wide vistas and up-close views of the dirt, sweat, tears and snot that go into the making of a Marine.

The film was the result of years of work and proved a daunting task, Ohlund told Military.com at its premiere Saturday.

"The most challenging thing in making this movie was the Marine Corps. And every Marine will understand that," he said. "Because the Marine Corps says, 'We're going to do this, then,' and they end up doing that, a little later. So we had a rule of thumb: When we go out to shoot, we're gonna get 30 percent of what they tell us we're going to get."

Ultimately, the crew ended up with 180 hours of footage, two or three times what is typical for a project of the size.

"Making this film was next to impossible," director Greg MacGillivray, a veteran filmmaker and director of the iconic "To Fly" documentary at the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum, told an audience of Marine brass at the film's first showing.

"We had to do more with less, just like the Marine Corps. We had to go and do it as it happened; we couldn't set things up like the other 40 large-screen movies that I've done in the last 40 years," he said. "We had to go out there in the field, be with the Marine Corps and make it happen in front of the camera ... but this turned out to be an exceptional movie."

Though the film takes viewers from mountain warfare training in California to combat aviation in the deserts of Yuma, Arizona, some of its most gripping scenes come as young recruits enter the best-known of Marine Corps initiation rituals: boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina.

These scenes are narrated with warmth, and often wry humor, by Gene Hackman, a Marine veteran who came out of retirement at age 87 to participate in the project.

It's in these early scenes, too, that the film does the best job at portraying female recruits and Marines. In an era in which female Marines are fighting more openly for recognition and acknowledgment in a male-dominated Corps, many will be pleased to see women and men represented in near-equal proportion in early training.

Later in the film, however, scenes including women grow more scarce as infantry units -- which only recently opened to female Marines -- are featured in various training sequences.

As it follows recruits being pushed to their limits, the result is sometimes raw. A recruit is shown drooling and sniffling following a miserable stint in the Corps' infamous gas chamber; newly minted Marines weep openly as they receive iconic Eagle, Globe and Anchor pins after completing The Crucible at the end of boot camp.

Ohlund said he and the filmmaking team strove to capture intimate, vulnerable moments without making their subjects look bad or embarrassing them.

"There's a few shots in there where Marines aren't doing too good. But I don't think any of those shots disparage the Marine Corps in any way; it just shows what it takes to be a Marine," he said. "And pretty much everybody in that film that had gone through those experiences."

He continued, "There's that one classic shot where the poor guy [in recruit training] can barely get up on his feet. And what does he say? He says, 'Let's go.' He's not going to be embarrassed about that shot. He's going to be proud of that shot. And every Marine that sees that is going to be proud of him and proud of the Marine Corps."

'We, the Marines,' is now playing at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at@HopeSeck.
The father of one of three U.S. Army Green Berets killed in cold blood by a Jordanian soldier said he does not believe the shooter acted alone, calling the murders an "assassination" that may have been ordered by someone else.

He acknowledged his suspicions might never be proven, but he said he thinks Jordan is engaged in a cover-up.

"I don't trust the Jordanians," said Brian McEnroe, whose son Staff Sgt. Kevin J. McEnroe was killed when a Jordanian security guard shot him at point-blank range on Nov. 4, 2016, as McEnroe and three other U.S. Special Forces soldiers were entering King Faisal Air Base in Jordan, a longtime Arab ally of the United States.

"I don't believe they're being forthcoming about everything that happened," McEnroe said in an extensive interview with Fox News Wednesday. "Why did they have to lie and place blame and slander the honor of U.S. soldiers?"

"I honestly believe that he [the shooter] was not operating on his own," said McEnroe. "I believe that Jordan is covering something up and I will always believe that. Whatever that is, we may never know."

McEnroe spoke two days after shocking surveillance video was released by the Jordanian military showing 39-year-old First Sgt. Ma'arik al-Tuwayha, a member of the Jordanian Air Force, firing rounds of ammunition at the four-vehicle U.S. convoy, even as the American soldiers waved their arms in surrender during the six-minute assault.

McEnroe, however, noted U.S. officials were unable to find a link between the gunman and any terrorist groups.

Kevin McEnroe, 30, of Tucson, died instantly from a bullet to the head, his father said. Staff Sgt. Matthew C. Lewellen, 27, of Kirksville, Mo., and James F. Moriarty, 27, of Kerrville, Tex., were also killed, while a fourth U.S. soldier survived the attack.

Jordan initially said al-Tuwayha fired at the U.S. soldiers because they failed to stop at the gate, claiming certain entry protocols were not followed. The Jordanian military later said the Americans accidentally fired a weapon, prompting the Jordanian guard to believe the base was under attack. The surveillance video as well as the investigation proved both narratives to be false.

Jordan eventually changed its position and charged al-Tuwayha with premeditated murder. The guard pleaded not guilty and insisted he was acting in accordance with open-fire regulations. He said during his testimony he heard a pistol shot and feared the base was being attacked.

The Jordanian Embassy did not immediately respond to a Fox News request for comment.

McEnroe and the other U.S. soldiers were working for the Central Intelligence Agency as part of a covert program training Syrian rebels. The elder McEnroe described in great detail a text message exchange with his son on Nov. 3, the day before he was killed.

"I was driving in the car and sent him a quick message and asked if everything was OK," McEnroe said.

"He responded immediately and said, 'Yeah I'm fine. I'm just very busy here' and he said, "Tell mom and the boys I'll reach out to them around Thanksgiving and that I'm OK.'"

When the elder McEnroe -- accustomed to receiving limited information from his son while overseas -- asked if he was in a safe place, he replied, "Oh yeah, it's no big deal. I'm in Jordan.'"

In the days following the shooting, McEnroe said military officials told him and other families not to believe Jordanian news reports claiming the U.S. soldiers failed to follow protocols.

"'Our boys did nothing wrong,'" McEnroe quoted the officials as saying.

McEnroe -- who attended parts of al-Tuwayha's trial in Jordan -- also condemned King Abdullah for allowing his military to push a false narrative that faulted the American soldiers and "dishonored" their names.

"This was an assassination -- it wasn't a gunfight," said McEnroe. "He [al-Tuwayha] was no more than 5 or 6 feet away from my son when he shot him with an automatic weapon at point-blank range. Mercifully, my son never knew what was happening. He died instantly."

"The assertion that he [al-Tuwayha] thought they were under attack was absurd," he said. "All the Jordanians at the gate area knew who was coming back. There was only one gate at that air base... the same crew that was there when the shooting happened was the same crew there at 8 a.m. when our guys left the base."

The surveillance video was released on Monday in an effort to calm unrest among al-Tuwayha's supporters, who claim he's being unjustly punished by Jordan to appease the United States.

Al-Tuwayha was sentenced on July 17 to life in prison -- a sentence that, in Jordan, can mean 20 years, with time off for good behavior. At his trial, al-Tuwayha said he did not resent the Americans at the base and insisted he opened fire because he feared the base was coming under attack, the Associated Press reported.

As he was led out of the courtroom, al-Tuwayha said: "I have all the respect for the king, but I was doing my job," according to the AP.

The Pentagon, meanwhile, called Jordan a "strategic partner" on Wednesday and declined to comment on whether any changes were made to force protection measures in the wake of the deadly shooting.

"We are reassured to see the perpetrator brought to justice," Defense Department spokesman Adam Stump said in a statement.

"We appreciate the access provided to us and to the families of the victims, as well as the expedience and seriousness of the court proceedings, consistent with Jordanian law," Stump said. "Despite this tragedy, Jordan remains a strategic partner."

The deadly shooting at the King Faisal Air Base is not the first time U.S. soldiers have come under attack by a soldier of an allied force. Similar incidents have occurred in Afghanistan, including a June 11 shooting in which an Afghan soldier opened fire at a base in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, killing three U.S. soldiers and wounding a fourth.

Brian McEnroe described the senseless killing of his son -- the eldest of three boys -- as a "stab in the heart" of the family.

"He was a hero to his twin brothers," he said.

"Kevin was a loving person. He had a heart of gold," McEnroe said. "He would give anybody the shirt off his back."
"Michigan State University has launched a new food education initiative that aims to help consumers become better educated about food production and food choices," says host Kirk Heinze as he welcomes Sheril Kirshenbaum to Greening of the Great Lakes.

Kirshenbaum is helping MSU's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources with the development and roll out of Food @ MSU: "Our Table."

"There's so much misinformation about food--much of it online and from social media." says Kirshenbaum. "We aim to foster dialogue and listen to consumers to help us all become more informed about where our food comes from and how it impacts our health and our planet."

Kirshenbaum says "a big piece of what we're doing is called Our Table. That's a series of conversations around an actual table - built from refurbished wood from the MSU campus - that are going to take place first on campus and in the Lansing area but then across the state and nation."

A variety of food-related topics will be discussed by experts and community members. "And listening to people and the questions they have is at the heart of what we're doing."

And although the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is spearheading the Food @ MSU initiative, Kirshenbaum stresses that this is really a "Team MSU" effort. Key "internal partners," include MSU AgBioResearch, MSU Extension, the Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies, the International Studies Program and several other colleges and departments across the campus.

In addition to her MSU role, Kirshenbaum serves as executive director of Science Debate. She says Science Debate "is a group of citizens across the U.S. who got to talking about why before presidential elections we hadn't been hearing much about science and technology, especially when research and development are responsible for 50 percent of U.S. economic growth over the past 50 years.

"And all of science and technology are fundamental to how we lead and innovate and grow as a nation and a planet. It's a simple call for candidates running for president to address science and technology policy issues."

Science Debate, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, hosts nonpartisan science policy debates between candidates for office, educational events on science and technology topics, media education efforts to improve science policy coverage and other community engagement activities.

Kirshenbaum is also involved with the University of Texas' Energy Poll, a public opinion poll related to all aspects of energy consumption and pricing.

"I often tell people I work on energy, and it's hard to keep them awake," she quips. "But energy is so vital to our water and our food and to so many pieces of how we live. Every six months we survey the American public on their attitudes and opinions about energy.

"Energy is a topic where the policy lags well behind the science. But then the public lags so far behind the policy that I think most Americans really have no idea that we're in this phase of energy transition and the landscape is changing."

Click here to hear the Kirshenbaum/Heinze conversation.

Greening of the Great Lakes airs every Sunday evening at 7:00 on News/Talk 760 WJR and around the state each weekend via the Michigan Talk Network.
ANN ARBOR, MI - Candidates running for City Council in the Aug. 8 primary agree gentrification is a real issue in Ann Arbor.



But views differ on what can be done to address housing affordability and push back against market forces driving people out of the city.



In addition to investments in creating dedicated affordable housing, some argue more and more dense development is necessary to try to better match the demand to live in Ann Arbor with new housing supply, but not all are convinced that's a good solution.

The candidates shared their thoughts on the subject at a forum hosted by the Ann Arbor Democratic Party this week.

Ann Arbor council candidates greeted by protesters at Dems forum

Jack Eaton, who is defending his 4th Ward seat, said he doesn't know if there's a way within the market system to actually address gentrification in a meaningful manner.



"One of the reasons that we're going through gentrification is that businesses want to operate in Ann Arbor and developers want to build in Ann Arbor and we have a very hot economy," he said, arguing the city's investments in economic development overheat the economy.



"So we have even more economic growth and we're not keeping up with our infrastructure or our housing. And when there's more demand than there is housing, you're going to end up with higher prices."



But with 80,000 people coming into Ann Arbor every day for work, Eaton said, the city is never going to be able to supply a sufficient amount of housing to satisfy demand.



"We're always going to have an overheated housing market," he said. "And so, as we allow development to happen, the extra cost of new development will also add to the increased price in the housing."



Zachary Ackerman, who is defending his 3rd Ward seat, argues Ann Arbor already gentrified 20-30 years ago.



"As soon as Briarwood Mall went in, as soon as Water Hill became majority white, we had primarily gentrified," he said.



By welcoming new development, he said, the city is trying to provide a housing supply that's been missing for decades.



"People have been flooding in and moving to Ann Arbor and competing for houses and that's been causing prices to go up," he said.



Ann Arbor area's growth sends housing prices soaring See home sale prices by school district in Washtenaw County Ackerman said Ann Arbor is now seeing "absurdly high" big-city numbers in terms of downtown land values.



City records show Chicago-based developer Core Spaces paid more than $7 million in September 2015 for a nearly 0.6-acre vacant lot at 603 E. Huron St. where it's now building a new apartment high-rise. That works out to a per-acre price of about $12 million.



The City Council also recently voted to sell a 0.8-acre lot known as the Library Lot to Core Spaces for $10 million so it can build a 17-story high-rise. That works out to a per-acre price of $12.5 million.



Higher real estate values mean developers of new apartments are going to charge higher rents.



Ackerman said one of the reasons downtown real estate values are so high is because the city has set boundaries for where dense development can go. Many years ago, he noted, the city decided to create a greenbelt of protected farmland and open spaces surrounding the city, while encouraging building up in the core of the city.



Saying no to new development, he argues, means saying yes to higher prices and driving people out of the city.



At the same time, Ackerman acknowledged new development can cause gentrification in some areas. He said that's the reason the city isn't pushing for wide-sweeping redevelopment along South Industrial Highway, because there are houses in that area that are affordable.



"So we have to be targeted about where we build. But building is not the enemy of housing costs right now. Not building is the enemy of housing costs," Ackerman said.



Stephen Kunselman, who is challenging Ackerman, said he's been watching the gentrification of Ann Arbor throughout his lifetime.



"I think gentrification can be good in some respects. Who remembers when Fourth Avenue was a shady street? Not anymore," he said.



He said gentrification has happened at a very rapid pace over the last several years partly because of changes in the downtown zoning under former Mayor John Hieftje.



"And so we're seeing the floodgates open downtown because of that," Kunselman said. "We're not seeing a lot of housing development outside of downtown for that matter."



Ackerman said the city has a lot of control over what can get built where through zoning ordinances, but Kunselman argues it's a mistake to think the city can force developers to do what the city wants.



"When it comes to Ann Arbor gentrification, we have to remember we are a global city," Kunselman said. "There's a number of students that come from around the world that will pay top dollar to live in Ann Arbor while they go to the university. We are a company town, and the idea that we're going to be able to build our way out by just having more housing ... and higher, bigger buildings is, again, a mistake. It's not going to happen that way."



Chip Smith, who is defending his 5th Ward seat, said there seems to be a lot of focus on the downtown, but he'd like to see more mixed-use development including new housing along major corridors outside of the downtown to further expand the housing supply.



He said if downtown is the only walkable, pedestrian-scale place in the city, then it's only going to be for the rich, because that's the type of place where people want to live.



He said he wants the city to allow more housing and more types of housing to be built, and he's specifically interested in seeing it happen along transit corridors such as along Eisenhower Parkway from State Street to Ann Arbor-Saline Road.



"There's a lot of opportunity to do that," he said. "It does take redevelopment of single-story and strip-commercial development, but there's the opportunity for a significant amount of mixed-use development there that includes a huge chunk of housing.



"And building more housing does indeed help to address the fact that we have a housing shortage here. Simply saying no to everything just makes everything more and more expensive and drives out the people we're trying to keep here," Smith said.



"When I talk about transit-oriented development and I think about that Eisenhower corridor, we have to do more, and we can do more through zoning to get real mixed-use, walkable, pedestrian-scale districts that are different from downtown but offer the same high-quality experience for the people there. We're not doing that now, but we're working toward it and I think that's something I'm very interested in continuing to work on for the next couple of years."



Smith said the University of Michigan also has a role to play in housing students and the city needs to engage UM to do that.



"That's part of it. The gentrification is driven in part by the fact that our private housing market has had to provide housing for the bulk of students that attend the university," Smith said.



Jaime Magiera, who is challenging Eaton, said he's concerned about the loss of local mom-and-pop businesses.



"As we've seen Ann Arbor become more and more popular, and prices downtown become more and more expensive for real estate, we've lost some of these businesses," he said.



"And some of it is also attributable to different shopping habits of people, shopping on Amazon and whatnot."



Magiera said he likes an idea the Downtown Development Authority proposed in recent years: creating an affordable incubator space for small businesses that want to launch in the downtown. He said local businesses could get discounted rent for a couple of years while they're building their customer base and then they could go afford the more expensive commercial spaces in the downtown.



Magiera noted metro Detroit ophthalmologist Reza Rahmani has a growing real estate portfolio in downtown Ann Arbor. He's been buying and rehabbing and redeveloping properties.



"A lot of people know about Dr. Rahmani, who has been coming from Detroit to buy a lot of Ann Arbor downtown properties and then jack up the rents," Magiera said. "Friends of mine have lost their businesses and had to move because of this. I think we have to be proactive in providing mom-and-pop businesses and providing the cultural things, the arts, in our community so that we do not lose all of our talent and all of our interesting people who are very discouraged right now.



"And as a musician and as a creative person, I feel that as well. And I actually manage a studio space here in Ann Arbor. And to do so, I actually have to go pretty far out. My space is on South Industrial. But I think it would behoove us as a community for our culture and for our happiness to make sure that we address this issue of gentrification."



David Silkworth, who is challenging Smith, said he has spoken with a number of people who've had to relocate their businesses or actually shut them down because they couldn't afford the rents anymore.



"This is a really, really important issue, because as we lose more mom-and-pop stores in our downtown and force those folks to either shut them down completely or move out into the townships or out on the edges of the city, we start to lose some of that charm and character," he said.



"And I think that the problem largely is, again, a problem of too much success," Silkworth said, sharing Eaton's view that local efforts to encourage economic development are fueling "an already overheated local development economy."



Silkworth has concerns about the large amount of new development Ann Arbor is seeing.



"I think that we need to do more to have a balanced approach in how we do developments," he said.



Anne Bannister, who is challenging incumbent Jason Frenzel in the 1st Ward, has expressed concerns about new developments, including a proposed 17-story tower on the Library Lot and a proposed redevelopment of a vacant site on Broadway Street.



"As I knock on doors all over Ward 1, I think that Ward 1 wants development and they want to embrace development, but they want to be sure that the development is harmonious with their existing neighborhoods and businesses," she said.



With developments such as those being proposed on the Library Lot and Broadway Street, she said, there are hidden costs.



"The traffic congestion is already in gridlock. People can't get out onto the roads as easily as they used to," she said. "We're worried about our sewers and the conditions of the roads and our stormwater systems, so I think we want development, but we're very concerned that it is not damaging to our properties or increasing our property taxes or decreasing our livability. And so we welcome new people, but we just want to make sure developers respect our neighborhoods and it's not just a good deal for the developers."

Silkworth said he thinks the city obviously has a huge shortage of low-income and affordable housing.

"One of the big problems is we're tearing down the more affordable housing and putting up housing that only a few can afford, and we need to reverse that trend," he said.



Silkworth said the city should revise its zoning code to incentivize more affordable housing, specifically through premiums that allow developers to build bigger if they include certain desirable components. The city already is seeking to overhaul its premiums to incentivize affordable housing and energy efficiency, but city officials say legislative changes are needed at the state level first.



Is a state-level solution needed for affordable housing in Ann Arbor? "This is a really, really important issue," Silkworth said. "One of the reasons that I decided to live in Ann Arbor was because it was this great mix of people from all economic backgrounds and we're losing that. More and more people are being pushed to the outskirts, out into the townships, and we need to come up with a real solution for this problem, and I think we can do it with premiums."



Smith said the city needs to continue to work with state legislators to get some state enabling legislation that allows the city to offer premiums for affordability. He said he'd actually like to see state law changed to allow cities to impose rent controls, but he doesn't think the state Legislature would be willing to go along with that.



"We don't have a whole lot of tools in our local tool box and we need to keep lobbying at the state level to change those," Smith said.



"Additionally, as we talk about building in Ann Arbor, we have to be open to different types of building types. It can't all be detached single-family houses or tall buildings. There's got to be stuff in between," said Smith, an urban planner by trade.



"That's what we in planning call the 'missing middle,' and we have a missing middle here in Ann Arbor. And we need to amend our zoning ordinances to permit more of that."



Bannister pointed to a 55-page consultant report the county released in January 2015 that raised concerns about economic inequality and segregation between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. It called for significantly increasing the supply of affordable housing in the Ann Arbor area and the supply of market-rate housing in the Ypsilanti area.



Bannister said the report showed a growing equity gap where Ann Arbor is becoming more luxurious and Ypsilanti is going in the opposite direction. She said the City Council needs to have a serious discussion about different types of housing, including workforce housing.



"Fueling the luxury developments is the wrong direction," she said. "I think that a lot of people that already live here are worried about their property taxes going up, so the city needs to be very careful when we're raising property taxes and live within our means and look for how we can encourage developers to make affordable housing."



Kunselman argued the county's 2015 housing study is outdated now "because already Ypsilanti is talking about their gentrification because people from Ann Arbor who can't afford here now are moving to Ypsilanti. Is that good or bad? Well, it should be good, because Ypsilanti has been in doldrums for a number of years. Now they're seeing a lot more economic activity."



Kunselman said it's fine if Ann Arbor is so successful that its success trickles out to other communities.



"We need to share the wealth," he said. "Not everybody can live where they want to, where they work. I would love to be able to live in New York City in Manhattan, but I could never afford to do so."



If the City Council truly wanted to increase the housing supply in the downtown area where many people want to live, Kunselman suggested changing height limits in R4C residential areas near downtown so there can be buildings taller than 30 feet. He said that would impact the Old West Side and Burns Park neighborhoods, and "people that have the most money, who have the most to lose."



"So we don't think that's going to happen, because the courage isn't there among the politicians to actually do something about it," he said.



"It can be done if you had the will."



Kunselman said the city can talk about zoning incentives for affordable housing, but they didn't work before and they're probably not going to work. He said developers don't like negotiating with politicians over housing supply and prefer set rules.

Ackerman said affordable housing is one of his greatest passions. He said he appreciates that there were students with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds in his school classrooms while growing up in Ann Arbor, and he said Schools of Choice shouldn't be the only way that diversity is injected into classrooms.



"In Ann Arbor, the market takes care of the very wealthy and our public housing takes care of those at the bottom of the income bracket," Ackerman said. "I'm not going to worry about the upper echelons of Ann Arbor society. The market is taking care of them. But I am going to say I'm proud of the work that we've done at the lowest income levels.



"We've rehabbed nearly every single unit of our affordable housing system, which is spread out in a geographically diverse way, most of it happening to be on the west side of town. And we've streamlined the process of approving new affordable housing, something that I personally worked on with the Housing and Human Services Advisory Board, which means affordable housing units can usually get through the planning process now in just two months."



Ackerman said Ann Arbor doesn't have the tools of rent control or inclusionary zoning that some other places have.



"If we did, great," he said. "But that's what happens when you live in 29 square miles of paradise surrounded by reality is reality kicks in and you can't do the things that other cool, progressive places do. So we need to be working with the market, we need to be expanding our supply of housing."



With roughly 80,000 people commuting to the city every day for work, and with Ann Arbor being one of the hottest real estate markets in the country, Ackerman said, it's clear people want to be here and the city has to give them opportunities to live here.



He talked about "trickle-out economics," saying if people aren't given opportunities to live in Ann Arbor, they're going to trickle out into surrounding communities that are more affordable.



"They'll trickle out and you're going to marginalize them to places like Pittsfield and Ypsilanti," he said.



Magiera said the issue of housing affordability connects with other issues such as transportation and climate change.



To get more affordable housing, he said, it's going to take more transit-oriented development along transit corridors such as State, Eisenhower and Packard.



"Families spend 20 percent of their income on transportation," he said. "So if you can get them on a transit line so they can utilize mass transit to get their necessities, to get to their jobs, to participate in the community, you're decreasing the amount that they spend on transportation, thereby making overall things more affordable."



Magiera said the city needs to make some zoning changes to encourage that type of development.



"I think it's going to take a lot of discussion between residents and council and the Planning Commission to decide what type of a community that we want for the future," he said.



Magiera said climate change and other economic necessities require a reevaluation of the community's vision of how people are housed.



Eaton said the reality is that Ann Arbor's affordable housing problem is a problem of success.



"We're gentrifying at a rapid rate," he said. "In the last eight years, houses in my neighborhood have doubled in price. So a simple teacher or a police officer or just somebody making a wage who's not in a specialized profession has great difficulty living in our town. At the lower end of the income spectrum, it's even worse.



"But if we begin to use public money to subsidize housing for those at the bottom of the economic strata, it means that people on fixed incomes who have lived in their home an entire mortgage will be basically taxed out of their house to subsidize somebody else's house," Eaton said. "This is a complex problem and we have to recognize that new construction is almost always expensive. And so unless we are willing to spend a lot of public dollars, we're not going to have a huge impact on this. That doesn't mean we shouldn't try."



Eaton said he's hesitant to get into transit-oriented development because it could involve creation of tax-capturing zones.



"So frequently it requires some sort of TIF scheme where you skim tax revenues off from a property and divert it to a developer so that they can afford to make something that's less expensive than brand-new construction typically is," Eaton said.



"I believe that we've correctly identified downtown as the place that we want density," Eaton said. "I would hate to think of visiting the kind of density that occurs downtown on our various neighborhoods."



Bannister agreed density belongs downtown.



"Density downtown is good," she said. "And when we move the density out into the neighborhoods, we need to be sure that the neighbors are in agreement with it as much as we possibly can."

Frenzel did not attend the forum because he was at a conference, but he has stated he supports increasing affordable housing options and considers affordability and equity important issues.



He's in favor of the 17-story development proposed for the Library Lot, which will add roughly 360 apartments, including some dedicated workforce housing. The city and the developer have agreed 43 of the apartments will be workforce housing set at 150 percent of fair market rent for people with incomes at 60-80 percent of the area median income, plus nine apartments at 120 percent of fair market rent for people with incomes at 50-80 percent of AMI.



Bannister opposes the Library Lot development. Earlier this month, she also urged the Planning Commission to consider rejecting the 607-unit housing development proposed for the vacant Broadway site, a project that includes 15 dedicated affordable housing units.
ANN ARBOR, MI - Elected officials and immigrant rights activists wiped away tears as stories were shared about how immigration enforcement is affecting families in southeast Michigan.

"These are stories of real people, human beings with lives, families, dreams and fears," said Luz Meza, a University of Michigan graduate student and Mexican immigrant coordinating the campaign to stop the deportation of Lourdes Salazar Bautista, an Ann Arbor mother of three scheduled to be deported to Mexico next week.

They gathered inside an auditorium on the UM campus in Ann Arbor on Friday, July 28, to call attention to several local examples of immigrants targeted for deportation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, claiming ICE is abusing its power and going after longtime residents who pose no threat to the United States.

Elected officials argued ICE's actions actually make the community less safe by taking parents away from children who are U.S. citizens and making immigrants afraid to contact police and report crimes.

The event was held as part of the campaign to stop the deportation of Salazar Bautista, who has been in Ann Arbor for two decades and has no criminal record. She came to the U.S. legally on a travel visa in 1997 and then overstayed, staying with her family here.

Her husband already was deported several years ago and now she's being asked to leave the country by next week.

She has three children who are U.S. citizens -- two daughters ages 15 and 20, and a 13-year-old son.

"This is just such an important moment in time. It's a time where we are challenged as a community, as a country, on the basic principles on which we were founded and which we pretend to place value," said state Rep. Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor.

"If we truly believe in family values, then we would believe in a country where Lourdes could be here with her family."

Rabhi said unfortunately there has been case after case where ICE has abused its power and shown intolerance.

Local elected officials and activists have been calling on Rebecca Adducci, director of the ICE field office in Detroit, to halt Salazar Bautista's deportation, but so far there's no indication she will.

Khaalid Walls, a spokesman for the ICE field office in Detroit, rejected claims that ICE is abusing its power and not considering the human impact of its actions on the lives of American families.

"All enforcement activities are conducted with the same level of professionalism and respect that ICE officers exhibit every day," he said in a statement on Friday.

Walls said he didn't have current enforcement statistics to share, but numbers shared earlier this year showed arrests and deportations out of Detroit's ICE office spiked after Trump took office, and ICE agents tripled the number of immigrants with no criminal convictions taken into custody between Jan. 20 and April 29. The majority of people arrested by ICE still had a criminal conviction on their record.

Walls said though ICE prioritizes the arrest and removal of threats to national security and public safety, "no class or category of alien in the United States is exempt from arrest or removal."

"The dedicated men and women of ICE will continue to do our sworn duty to enforce our immigration laws and protect the safety and security of Americans," he said.

Meza argued ICE's field office in Detroit has been abusing its power for years and it's gotten worse under Trump.

"As the current administration ramps up immigration enforcement, we must all be prepared to also act boldly and bravely to fight their abuse of power," she told the crowd on Friday. "We will continue to fight. We are not scared. We will not be silent."

Ann Arbor City Council Member Chip Smith, D-5th Ward, said some of ICE's behavior in the area is "like stuff out of a movie."

"Just about six weeks ago, we had a team of ICE agents come eat breakfast here in Ann Arbor and then raid the kitchen, the very people that had cooked their breakfast," he said.

"This is unconscionable, and the fact that the field director Adducci allows this to happen and perhaps encourages this behavior is unconscionable, and I would say she's unfit to lead this office.

"I would also go so far as to say that their actions have actually made our community less safe," Smith added, arguing ripping families apart "for no good reason" creates anger toward the U.S.

"ICE has the opportunity to do the right thing and to not create security risks and not undermine our community."

Ann Arbor City Council Member Zachary Ackerman, D-3rd Ward, also argued ICE's actions make the community less safe by creating fear in the immigrant community.

"When immigrants don't feel safe calling 911 ... we're all less safe," he said. "When parents question whether or not they should go into a doctor's office, into a pediatrician's office and get their kids vaccinated, every single child in our schools is less safe.

"ICE can do better and we need to call for it, and we are calling for it," he said, standing before Salazar Bautista and her daughters.

"The Trump administration is trying to drive up their deportation numbers by targeting families like yours because you follow the law and you do check in. You do everything asked of you and that makes you an easy target, and that's a horrible thing to do."

Meza announced plans on Friday to bring the group's message to South Lyon this weekend, saying that's where Adducci lives.

Activists are planning to gather in the parking lot at Community High in Ann Arbor on Sunday morning, July 30, and travel to South Lyon to raise awareness about Salazar Bautista's deportation. They plan to hand out fliers at churches in the South Lyon area.

Salazar Bautista was joined by her daughters on Friday. She held a sign that read: "Don't destroy my family. I am NOT a criminal."

Speaking in Spanish with the help of translator, she voiced a message for Adducci.

"I want to say, if you can see me Rebecca Adducci, please, I beg you to give me the opportunity to stay here with my family," she said, speaking into news cameras.

"Don't further destroy my family. My children need to be here. Don't destroy further my home."

Her oldest daughter, Pamela Quintana-Salazar, also spoke and made a direct plea to Adducci.

"Director Adducci, you have the authority to keep beautiful families together and allow non-violent, tax-paying, decades-long residents to stay in their communities," she said.

"Do not expect anything less than hundreds of emails, hundreds of calls, and continued action until you do what you have everything within your power to do: stop the deportation of my mother, Lourdes Salazar Bautista, and the hundreds of other undocumented immigrants under your jurisdiction. We will fight you every step of the way. We are outraged and unafraid."

She later added, "If anybody's listening out there that can help us, please, we need all the help that we can get."

Her sister, 15-year-old Lourdes Quintana-Salazar, also spoke, indicating she wishes the whole family could stay in Ann Arbor.

"We'll be fighting every step of the way, even if we have to step into the airport on the 1st," she said. "We'll still be fighting it from there. Please help us. Please, we really want to stay here with our family. I want to stay with my siblings, my mom, and I really want my dad back here with us. Please, if anyone can help us, please."

The children are planning to fly to Mexico with their mother next week and the two youngest siblings could stay there with their parents, while the oldest daughter plans to continue attending Michigan State University. The family also has talked about the two youngest children possibly coming back to Ann Arbor and staying with an uncle.

State Rep. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, was among the elected officials who spoke Friday, and she shed tears as she did.

"We have been working on immigration issues since I started in 2015, but it has really ramped up and it is a really big part of my job now," she said, noting there's a large Latino population in southwest Detroit and a portion of them are undocumented.

She said they're part of the fabric of the community and part of what makes southwest Detroit great.

Chang talked about the case of Edith Andrade-Jimenez, a Detroit area resident who was taken into custody by ICE last month after failing to produce a driver's license during a traffic stop.

"Edith was no threat to our community," Chang said, raising concerns that she was detained while suffering kidney failure. Chang helped fight for her release so she could get proper care.

"She was dying of kidney failure," Chang said, fighting back tears. "So this was a matter of how do we treat our fellow human beings, regardless of their immigration status."

Chang also talked about the case of Maria Garcia Juarez, a young mother in her 20s with a juvenile criminal record.

"She has lived in the United States since she was nine months old," Chang said. "This is her country. This is her home now. And in May, she was deported to Mexico. She left behind a husband who is battling leukemia and an infant child."

As ICE officers carry out Trump's policies, Chang argued they need to reexamine what they're doing as human beings and try to treat people in a way that recognizes their humanity.

"So I'm here to urge ICE to consider these really important questions about how we provide care, where we're detaining people, how we're ripping families apart," she said.

Washtenaw County Commissioner Jason Morgan, D-Ann Arbor, said he didn't expect when he took office in January that local officials would have to spend so much time just trying to protect people from the federal government.

"We need to appeal to the humanity of these ICE agents to understand that they're pulling families apart and they're ripping really, really wonderful people from our community," he said.

"And it just breaks my heart that we have to be having this event and we have to be pulling together in the way that we are."

Washtenaw County Commissioner Michelle Deatrick, D-Superior Township, also had choice words.

"This new political era in which the hand of our federal government is absent when it's needed to heal the sick, to feed the hungry and to protect the oppressed is incredibly disturbing to those of us serving at the local level," Deatrick said.

"Too often that same hand of government is wrongly eager to wield the sword of deportment rather than to open the door of welcome. Instead, it's slamming the door shut and locking it in the face of those that we should count ourselves blessed to have in our communities."

Washtenaw County Board Chairman Andy LaBarre, D-Ann Arbor, relayed remarks in a video played at the event. He talked about Jose Valle-Rodriguez, an Ypsilanti husband and father who is facing deportation and is currently being detained by ICE.

"I think it's imperative that we remember that these aren't numbers and statistics," LaBarre said. "These are human beings. There are moral impacts and effects that come with these ICE actions, and they're ones we need to draw attention to and stop.

"When someone's a productive member of our community, who is adding to it, who is doing the right things, who has a family here, including a family full of American citizens, these aren't the folks we need to be taking out of our country."

Ann Arbor City Council Member Chuck Warpehoski, D-5th Ward, said what Salazar Bautista and her family are going through is a symptom and example of "an out-of-control immigration system," and in particular an out-of-control ICE field office in Detroit.

He said he recently learned about a woman whose husband was detained by ICE. He said ICE used intimidation and bullying when her husband was in detainment to gain access to their apartment, and then detained her daughter and her daughter's husband.

Warpehoski said having one's family taken away is traumatic enough, but the woman already was battling cancer.

Rabbi Josh Whinston of Temple Beth Emeth in Ann Arbor led a prayer at the start of Friday's event, praying for ICE to have compassion and for fixing a broken system.

Benjamin Hawley, a pastor at St. Mary's Student Parish in Ann Arbor, led a closing prayer, saying the problem is "institutional sin."

"It isn't just this employee or that federal employee -- it's the whole bunch of them together," he said. "And it's the ethos in which they live that creates this tremendous evil."
YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, MI - A father detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in May is expected to be released from detention after an immigration judge granted him $5,000 bond.

Detroit Immigration Court Judge David Paruch granted the bond to 31-year-old Jose Valle-Rodriguez at Thursday, July 27 hearing, said his attorney, Brad Thomson.

Valle-Rodriguez is set to be released from custody Friday after paperwork is finalized and his family pays the bond amount, Thomson said.

But the family's fight to keep Valle-Rodriguez in the U.S. is just beginning.

Valle-Rodriguez, who lives in Ypsilanti with his wife - a Green Card holder - and 2-year-old son, was detained May 24 on a deportation order by ICE agents stopped his vehicle in Ypsilanti Township.

Valle-Rodriguez came to the U.S. from El Salvador illegally seeking work in 2003, said his wife, Karina Valle, in June. A roofer, he provided the majority of the family's income.

He was detained by immigration authorities once before in 2005, but Thomson has said Valle-Rogridguez did not receive notices for immigration hearings and did not attend, which was the basis of his in-absentia removal order.

In June, Thomson said he requested a stay of removal to allow for new proceedings based on evidence that the court notices used the wrong ZIP code.

His deportation hearing was delayed last month while a judge reviewed the stay of removal request.

Valle-Rodrigeuz is trying to get permanent resident status on the basis of asylum, as many of his wife's family members have been killed by gangs, Thomson said.

"The main issue is he's not a criminal," Thomson said last month. "He's a good father, a good husband. He's just a good guy."

He is also working to get Karina Valle get naturalized citizenship for Valle and then submit a marriage petition for the couple.

An essay seeking a hardship waiver would follow, providing evidence that Valle would suffer extraordinarily if she's separated from her husband.

If approved, Valle-Rodriguez would have an interview and could apply for a permanent resident visa, Thomson said.

The process could take a year or two, he said.

After Thursday's hearing, Thomson said Valle had an "emotionally intense day" and fainted in the hallway. She was able to walk out of the building on her own, he said.
MASON, MI -- An attorney convicted of conducting a mortgage scheme was charged Friday with four additional felonies for trying to avoid paying restitution to the victims of his scam.

Steven Barry Ruza, 54, of Shelby Township was charged in Ingham County's 55th District Court with several crimes related to the alleged scam, according to the Michigan Attorney General's office, which filed the charges.

Ruza is accused of using someone else's identity to hide assets that could be used to pay the $348,025.50 in restitution he still owes to the Department of Attorney General's Foreclosure Rescue Scam Victim Restitution Fund.

"This individual shows a clear disregard for the law. Less than one year after admitting guilt in a scheme that scammed many, out of not only their money but their homes, he is allegedly breaking the law once again in order to avoid his legal obligations," said Attorney General Bill Schuette in a statement.

Ruza was ordered to pay $610,000 in restitution following a 2015 conviction for conducting a criminal enterprise.

He and his business stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from clients who were facing mortgage foreclosures and seeking assistance, investigators found.

Ruza, of Orchard Lake, and his company, Home Legal Group, promised upwards of 114 victims they could obtain mortgage modifications and save their homes from foreclosure, but then did nothing, or very little, to obtain mortgage modifications for the victims, prosecutors alleged. They did, however, collect hundreds of thousands in fees.

He eventually pleaded guilty to one count conducting a criminal enterprise and was sentenced to one year in jail and five years probation. He was released from jail in September 2016, according to the Attorney General's office.

The attorney general's office got a tip earlier this year that Ruza had hidden a large sum of money. An investigation revealed Ruza allegedly got a driver's license in December 2016 with his photo, but someone else's name, using the birth certificate of the person whose identity he stole, according to the Attorney General's office.

Ruza is also accused of falsifying information on a car title application, saying he bought a used vehicle for $500, but really paying thousands of dollars in cash for the car, prosecutors allege.

The new charges against Ruza include one count of perjury, one count of false statement in application for certificate title, one count of false certification - driver's license and one count of identity theft.

Magistrate Mark Blumer set a $150,000 cash or surety bond. Ruza was also ordered to turn over all driver's licenses and passports in his name or any other name.
BAY CITY, MI -- The day his trial was to begin, a parolee accused of stabbing his estranged wife's new boyfriend opted to take a plea rather than trust his fate to a jury.

David M. Payne, 41, on Tuesday, July 25, appeared before Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran and pleaded no contest to one count of assault with intent to cause great bodily harm less than murder. The charge is a 10-year felony, but he pleaded as a third-time habitual offender sentencing enhancement, increasing the maximum potential penalty to 20 years.

In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss a 20-year count of first-degree home invasion.

Sheeran also stipulated that Payne's minimum sentence would not exceed 85 months, or a little more than seven years.

By pleading no contest, Payne did not verbally admit to having committed a crime. Thus, Sheeran had to rely on police reports contained in court files to enter a conviction on the record.

Those reports state that in the wee hours of Dec. 26, Michigan State Police troopers responded to an apartment in the 200 block of North Mable Street in Pinconning for a reported stabbing. Upon arrival, troopers saw a large amount of blood on the floor and found a 47-year-old male in a reclining chair. The man was bleeding from a wound in his left thigh and had a towel wrapped around it, with a belt cinched higher as a makeshift tourniquet, police reports state.

Payne, the man's alleged assailant, and a man with him had fled prior to troopers' arrival. The victim was taken to a hospital in Standish, then transported to St. Mary's of Michigan hospital in Saginaw for additional treatment.

Also present was Payne's estranged wife, now the victim's girlfriend. She said Payne was on parole and possibly suicidal. Troopers searched the area and Payne's known haunts, but were unable to locate him.

Two hours into the investigation, Payne's friend, who fled with him, called 911 and said he wanted to give a statement. The man told police they had visited the victim's apartment so Payne could see his wife, but when they entered, Payne and the man started fighting.

He added the victim previously made threats to kill Payne.

Police did not recover the knife at the apartment. Payne's friend said he disposed of it by dropping it in a storm drain near Wilson's Cheese Shoppe. Police later searched those drains, but were unable to locate it.

At the hospital, the victim told police he heard a knock on his door, peaked out the window blinds, and saw a man he recognized. He opened his door and the man entered, only for Payne to run in as well and stab him, he said.

They fell to the ground and the man put Payne in headlock, he said. During the scuffle, Payne threatened to kill the man, he told troopers.

The victim's wound went as deep as the femur, court records show.

The girlfriend told police that while there is a no contact order in place between her and Payne, they had spent time together earlier that day. She said he's not mentally well as he's had some friends recently die of drug overdoses, court records show.

The woman said she and Payne argued over her not wanting to stay with him that night. Just before the stabbing, Payne pushed his way into the apartment and tackled her boyfriend, the woman said. She grappled with Payne for a knife and suffered a cut on her hand, she said.

In a later interview, the woman said her boyfriend punched Payne first.

Payne surrendered to police on Dec. 28. He said that after his best friend fatally overdosed the week prior, he "totally lost it." He said he went to the victim's apartment for his wife and did not bring a knife with him.

Payne said he recalled the man coming toward him and then fighting, but that he was hit on the head and didn't recall much else.

The Michigan Department of Corrections paroled Payne on Sept. 17, 2015. He was to remain on parole until Sept. 17, 2017. In October 2011, he was sentenced to concurrent terms of 18 months to five years and 18 months to 10 years on convictions of larceny between $1,000 and $20,000 and breaking and entering, respectively. Then, in February 2014, he was sentenced to 16 months to two years in prison on a conviction of third-offense domestic violence.

Judge Sheeran is to sentence Payne at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 5.
BAY CITY, MI -- Hundreds of shoppers are flocking to downtown Bay City this week for the annual Sidewalk Days sales where about 30 retailers are offering big deals.

There's clearly more foot traffic for the big sale, but it's nothing what it used to be.

And Tom Larson has four-decade-old footage to prove it.

Larson, the owner of Larson Salvage Co., 522 Washington Ave., took his social media followers on a trip down memory lane this week when he published a 4-minute video from 1973 showing the spectacle that came along with sidewalk sales during the summer 44 years ago.

"I had actually forgotten how big it was back then," Larson said in an interview Friday, July 28, the second of Sidewalk Days downtown. "Over the years, it has become lesser and lesser with fewer retailers, but it's still a good thing for our city."

As you can see in the video above, sidewalk sales back in the day came standard with a full-blown carnival, including a Ferris Wheel installed in the heart of downtown Bay City.

Candace Bales, executive director of the Bay City Downtown Development Authority, said the annual sale used to include ladies sitting on tall ladders, watching over the crowds.

"I think they were looking for potential shoplifters," she said.

The sales continue through Sunday, July 30.

Larson has garnered quite the social media following on his business' Facebook page, publishing quirky videos of himself pitching random products, from grass seed to garbage bags.

Ever since he was a young boy, Larson said he's had a passion for making movies. The sidewalk sales film above was shot on a Bolex 16mm camera that he purchased from Momburg Camera in downtown Bay City.

"They used to have these Dutch auctions, where they would put products in the window and lower the price every day. I would watch it and hope someone wouldn't buy it until it got low enough so I could afford it," he said. "The camera was pretty much obsolete by then, but to me at the time, it was a professional movie camera."

He has also published rare footage that he shot of the Wenonah Hotel fire.

He still has a lot of his old equipment, although he admits he doesn't know what he's going to do with it.

"It's still nice to have, I guess," he said.

His main camera today -- a smartphone -- fits in his pocket.

And it shoots in color.
BANGOR TWP, MI

-- Glenn Rowley said some Bangor Township residents have contacted him with their concerns about a proposal allowing more hunting and trapping opportunities at Tobico Marsh at Bay City State Recreation Area.

The proposal would make the popular trails at Tobico open to hunting.

"When residents started calling in, they were up in arms about it," Rowley said.

Rowley, Bangor's supervisor, said he's received calls from people living near the state park, a schoolteacher who takes her students there for field trips and a cub scout troop that frequents the park. He said most of the concerns center around safety on the trails.

While Bangor Township has not taken a stance on the topic, Rowley said the municipality will follow the direction of its constituents.

"We want our residents to have an opportunity to voice to express their feelings regarding this area," he said.

Two proposals are being discussed for the state recreation area. The first is to rename it "Bay City State Park," as it was once called. The other proposal would allow more hunting and trapping opportunities at Tobico, including year-round hunting on the 2.7-mile trail at Tobico.

The proposals would be implemented pending approval from the Natural Resources Commission of the Department of Natural Resources.

If you go: The DNR hosts an informational session on the proposed changes from 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 7, at the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center Auditorium, located in the Bay City State Recreation Area, 3582 State Park Drive.

Bangor Township will have a representative on hand at the meeting, Rowley said. The supervisor is happy the DNR is hosting a meeting in Bay County as opposed to Lansing and hopes residents come out.

"We want to provide people the opportunity that if they want their voices heard, this is the procedure to do it," Rowley said.

George Lauinger, unit manager of the state park, said the DNR is continuing to accept public comment regarding the proposals. Instructions on how to send letters or emails are available on the third page of this PDF.

Lauinger said the meeting was called to address issues with the proposals, specifically about the Tobico boundaries.

"More people are confused and want more information about it," Lauinger said.

Lauinger said earlier this month the hunting and trapping proposal was drafted by the DNR's Wildlife Division and is a Wildlife Conservation Order amendment. It increases the area where hunting and trapping is allowed in the southern part of Tobico in the park.

John and Marilyn Len of Bay City take an afternoon stroll through Tobico Marsh as a means to getting their exercise during the recent warm weather Monday. (10.29.2007)

The Tobico trails would be unaffected by the proposed changes and remain open all year, Lauinger said.

Lauinger said staff has patrolled Tobico and would continue to do so should the changes go into effect to ensure safety.

"We go out there and patrol occasionally," he said. "We'll still patrol the area we've always been patrolling."

Lauinger added hunters do not tend to go in areas where there is a lot of people anyway. If the proposed modifications take effect, he said it does not change how the park operates in terms of safety.

"We'll do our best to make sure that all the different uses are compatible," Lauinger said.

In Michigan, a state park or refuge is closed to hunting and trapping unless otherwise noted in the Wildlife Conservation Order or by permit from the department.

The DNR recommends defining Tobico Marsh, where hunting and trapping has historically been allowed, and changing the marsh's boundary while implementing a seasonal rather than annual closure. The proposed changes would eliminate the all-year closure for the marsh's refuge and allow for it to be open for a long period of time.

Proposed changes, including the dates of each closure, are available on maps. The new boundary line between hunting and non-hunting would be Euclid Road.

If the proposal is approved, the Bay City State Park designator would be restored. The recreation area was known as the Bay City State Park from 1923 until 1994. Lauinger said people become confused between the two names.

Changing the name back to Bay City State Park "is expected to help draw more people to the facility, increase commerce for local tourist-related businesses, and help lessen confusion for those potential users who are seeking more information," according to a memorandum.

Rowley said people are seeming to embrace the re-designation.

"I think people are happy about the name change," he said. "I think it rolls off the tongue."

The NRC of the DNR will consider the proposals at its Aug. 10 meeting.
FLINT, MI -- State Rep. Sheldon Neeley (D-Flint) invites residents to come out for free pony rides Saturday, July 29, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Flint Development Center, 4121 Martin Luther King Ave.

The day will be filled with other fun activities for all to enjoy, including face painting, bounce houses, food and more.
WEXFORD COUNTY, MI -- The Wexford County Animal Shelter has been closed because of canine parvovirus.

Wexford County sheriff's officials on Thursday, July 27 said the closure is expected to last about 14 days to clear the virus.

Animals at the shelter will be quarantined and monitored by shelter and veterinary staff for signs of the virus. The plan also calls for cleaning and sanitizing the building.

Canine parvovirus attacks white blood cells and can damage the heart muscle in young animals.
LANSING, MI - A new law gives local charities full authority to solicit donations in Michigan roadways, an ability they lost under an opinion from Attorney General Bill Schuette last year.

In 2016, Schuette issued an opinion that found Michigan's Uniform Traffic Code "prohibits a person in the improved portion of a roadway from soliciting contributions in support of a civic or charitable organization from the occupant of any vehicle," leading to the cancellation of at least one annual charitable collection event.

Rep. Shane Hernandez, R-Port Huron, sponsored the bill to make this type of fundraising legal.

"Groups like the Lions Club of Michigan and local firefighters have been safely doing this kind of fundraising for generations," Hernandez said in a press release earlier this month. "This longtime practice of fundraising will legally continue."

The new law allows people over 18 years of age to solicit donations in the roadway during daylight hours, while wearing high-visibility safety apparel.

The Senate passed it unanimously and the House passed it 97-9 before the Governor signed it. The bill takes immediate effect.

Schuette praised the change in a statement, saying the bill allowed Michigan charities to collect donations for important causes.
LANSING, MI -- Michigan environmental regulators have told Nestle Waters North America to reexamine how the company's proposal to withdraw 210 million gallons of water a year from a well near Evart would impact local wetlands, streams and natural springs.

In late June, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality requested more information from Nestle about groundwater replenishment around the company's White Pine Springs well No. 101 in Osceola County northwest of Evart.

According to a letter written by DEQ drinking water unit supervisor Matt Gamble, the "information, analysis, data, and explanation provided does not yet provide the DEQ with a reasonable basis to make the determination" whether Nestle's proposal meets the legal requirements of the state statute under which a permit would be issued.

It's the second time the DEQ has sought more information about the proposal to raise the pumping rate on the well from 250 to 400 gallons-per-minute. The controversial application has been stalled since October, when MLive reported the company was planning to extract more groundwater in conjunction with a $36 million expansion of its Ice Mountain brand bottling plant in Stanwood.

In the face of public backlash over the extraction, the DEQ has reconsidered Nestle's application with greater scrutiny and sought input from the state Department of Natural Resources, the Attorney General's office and Michigan Native American tribes.

According to Richard Benzie, assistant DEQ Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance Division director, application review staff are "basically asking them to recalibrate their model showing how the groundwater interfaces with the wetlands in the area."

"Reluctantly, they are agreeing to do it, but I think they said it was not easy and it couldn't be done with until the end of August," said Benzie.

"I think the consultant for Nestle pushed back more than Nestle did."

The DEQ is reviewing Nestle's application under Section 17 of the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), a regulation specific to Michigan water bottlers developed in response to environmental concerns sparked by Nestle's original Sanctuary Springs wellfield.

It's the first Section 17 application to be reviewed since the law passed.

The statute is tie-barred with the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, which states that groundwater pumping must have no "individual or cumulative adverse resource impacts."

Nestle's original application predicts no "measurable effects" on wetland ecology from an increase in withdrawal from its well, but that claim was undercut by the company's own 2000 aquifer pump test, which indicates the well sits atop an underground aquifer system that exhibits greater hydrologic connectivity to surface wetlands than previously disclosed.

The pump test documents obtained by MLive through a public records request were later posted on the DEQ website page where the agency puts information on Nestle's application.

Independent scientists who reviewed Nestle's application said the presence of a "leaky" aquifer identified in the 2000 test report suggest that wetlands that were disregarded as being perched above the water table might actually be harmed by the increased pumping.

The DEQ and DNR sent field staff to the well site on May 19.

According to DEQ spokesperson Melody Kindraka, Nestle plans to submit the revised model and the other information by Aug. 30.

In the letter to Arlene Anderson-Vincent, natural resources manager at the Nestle Ice Mountain plant, the DEQ asked for detailed calculations on how a 10.4 inch-per-year rainfall recharge rate in the spring aquifer the well taps was determined by S.S. Papadopulos & Associates, which modeled local water conditions for the application.

Among the numerous additional items requested in the letter were better wetlands maps, detailed maps of the depression created in the water table around the well based on continuous pumping for 10 and 20 years, underground topographic data and a detailed groundwater gradient analysis between the well and any wetland seep, vent, or flow in the six spring area around the well.

Also requested was a "detailed water budget" showing monthly levels and predicted impacts on wetlands and springs during wet and dry years.

"Determining that there will, or will not, be impacts and what, if any, next steps are required cannot be reached until our technical staff is confident the groundwater model is representative of conditions and accurate, and we also receive the other requested information about wetlands in the project vicinity," Kindraka said.

In a statement, Anderson-Vincent said Nestle supports the DEQ's "commitment to a careful and thorough review" and the company is confident the additional information requested by the DEQ will show the proposed extraction is "sustainable."

"We will use our 17 years of thorough studies and monitoring of groundwater and ecosystems to meet their request," she said.

The DEQ is not under a deadline to complete its review.

Nestle's pumping is fiercely opposed by environmental groups and many in the public. More than 500 people attended an April public hearing on the application in Big Rapids that lasted three-and-a-half-hours. Nearly everyone spoke against the application.

It's also unpopular with Michigan tribes, which have inland fishing rights from an 1836 treaty in the area around the well.

Many people in Michigan are also upset the company pays no tax or fee to extract the water to the state or local government.

Jim Olson, a Traverse City attorney who previously fought Nestle in court on behalf of the Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation, said the DEQ asking Nestle to reexamine its wetlands impacts is the right move. He said the letter signals a shift "away from models to actual measured flows and levels."

"It shows the DEQ is taking this matter seriously and hopefully holding Nestle to the highest standards under the law," he said. "There is no other way for a decision to be made."

Last week, Nestle asked a 49th Circuit Court judge to overturn an Osceola Township zoning decision that denied the company approval to build a pumping station along the pipeline which moves water from the well to a truck loading dock in Evart.

Nestle needs the extra pressure in the pipeline to move the increase in water if the DEQ issues a permit. A motion to put the case on hold pending a DEQ decision is scheduled for Wednesday, August 16 at 11 a.m. at the courthouse in Reed City.

Any court challenges to a DEQ decision could take years to resolve, say attorneys.
They're separated by just a few miles, but when it comes to estimated off-campus living expenses - a key component of a student's financial aid package - three private Grand Rapids colleges differ significantly.

The estimated price tag of standard living expenses and a two-bedroom apartment - split with a roommate over a nine-month period - was $11,895 by Calvin College for the 2013-14 school year.

Just a short ways North on East Beltline Avenue, Cornerstone University put the price tag at $10,754. And at Aquinas College, about four miles Southwest, administrators pegged the cost at $8,820.

Such differing institutional estimates weren't unique to Grand Rapids.

A new study by Wisconsin Hope Lab, a college affordability research organization based at the University of Wisconsin, shows wide disparities in how much colleges think it costs for students to live off-campus and cover standard expenses.

In Detroit, for instance, Wayne State University put off-campus living expenses at $14,170, compared with $17,124 for University of Detroit Mercy - a difference of nearly $3,000.

"There is a tremendous amount of variation in how much money colleges assume their off-campus students can live on," said Robert Kelchen, assistant professor of higher education at Seton Hall University, who co-authored the Hope Lab study.

Providing an accurate estimate is important, he said, because the figure is used to determine a college's overall cost of attendance. Cost of attendance is used as the basis for the maximum amount of financial aid students qualify for.

"If the estimate is too low, students may need to work more than is ideal to pay the bills, because they cannot access student loans," he said. "If the amount is too high, they may borrow more than they absolutely need to pay for college."

For the study, Hope Lab developed its own countywide cost-of-living estimates and compared those to the college estimates. Researchers found big differences - sometimes by more than $5,000 - between their estimates and the figures developed by colleges.

At Aquinas, the off-campus living estimate of $8,820 was nearly $1,500 below the $10,269 estimate developed by Kelchen and his colleagues.

College spokesman Carl Apple said it was unclear how Aquinas' cost-of-living estimate was developed. The figure, however, is updated annually with a "cost of living increase percentage that is supplied each year by the State of Michigan," he said.

Despite the difference between Aquinas' estimate and the one developed by researchers, "we very rarely have students or parents contact us because our cost of attendance does not allow them to borrow enough to cover their off campus living expenses," Apple said.

Kelchen, however, said: "I don't think most students are aware that they can raise the issue with their college or university."

Hope College, a private liberal arts college in Holland, underestimated its off-campus cost-of-living by more than $5,000, according to data developed by Hope Lab.

The college, which has about 3,200 students, put its off-campus-living expenses at $4,720, while researchers put the price tag at $10,202.

Jill Nutt, director of financial aid at Hope, said the college's estimate was based on a student survey conducted before she joined the institution in 2012. The estimate is updated annually using the Consumer Price Index.

"It makes me think we're probably due to be doing another survey," she said. "But on the flip side, there isn't an outpouring of concern from our students."

In a typical year, fewer than 20 or 25 students approach the college asking for a larger loan than what was included in their financial aid package, Nutt said.

"I really don't think there's too much of a problem with the cost level we're using," she said. "If we were having lots of students coming in constantly telling us that this is not working for me, here's my problem, then obviously we would be addressing that."

The varying off-campus living estimates is largely due to the fact that the "method for producing the allowance is not standardized," and institutions use different practices to come up with the figure, according to Kelchen's study.

While schools like Hope rely on a student survey, others - such as Calvin College - use a combination of surveys, market research, and estimates created by other institutions.

Some schools may have an incentive to use a low-estimate, because doing so "limits the size of the loans that students can borrow and the amount of unmet financial need they appear to have," the Hope Lab study says.

Kelchen said he's more troubled by colleges that underestimate, rather than overestimate, expenses.

"The bigger concern to me is the students who cannot access the money they need to get a modest, off-campus apartment," he said.

The University of Detroit Mercy created its off-campus living estimate using data provided by The College Board, a research organization, said Debbie Stieffel, vice president for enrollment management and student affairs.

She said her university was provided a range - $11,940 to $17,830 - in how much off-campus living and standard expenses would cost students.

The university settled on $17,124, according to federal data.

That's compared to the Hope Lab's figure, for Wayne County, of $11,111.

Stieffel said her university's goal is "to make sure we are giving students what they need to go to school."

"It's a fine line between having students borrow too much or not having enough to have a living while they're going to school full-time," said Stieffel, who added that the cost of living estimate for the city of Detroit is expected to be higher than the average cost for all of Wayne County.

In Michigan, the off-campus cost-of-living estimates created by four-year, public universities more closely mirrored the researchers' estimates than other sectors, such as community colleges.

Of the 15 public universities, Central Michigan University had the largest underestimate - $8,240 compared with the study's figure of $9,742.

Wayne State University had the highest overestimate - $14,170 compared with the study's figure of $11,110.

The majority of Michigan's 28 community college's underestimated off-campus living expenses, according to data provided by the study's author. Kalamazoo Valley Community College had the biggest underestimate - $5,970 compared with the study's estimate of $10,197.

Kelchen said he didn't have a good explanation for why community college's tend to underestimate, rather than overestimate, off-campus living cost.

"My best guess would be that community college students may try to live more frugally than four-year students, and that would be reflected in any student surveys of living costs," he said. "But the underlying costs in an area would be similar across types of colleges for a similar quality of lifestyle."

In an effort to bring more uniformity to off-campus cost-of-living estimates -- especially for schools in close proximity to one another -- the U.S. Department of Education should study the issue and develop a consistent way to determine the costs, while accounting for local and regional differences and student circumstances, Kelchen's study says.
JACKSON, MI - Hours before the Jackson District Library board meeting on Thursday, July 28, city officials said plans had changed.

Tearing down the administration building at 290 W. Michigan Ave. was no longer part of the city's preferred plan, as it plans to build a multi-story parking deck. Instead, the deck would be built around the administration building - if the board hands over the land.

Despite an urging to fork over the land for $1 Thursday night, library board members only agreed to "continue negotiations."

Purchase and development agreements between the city and Commonwealth Associates for a new downtown headquarters is contingent on a new parking deck.

A special City Council meeting was planned for Thursday, Aug. 3, to complete those agreements. The meeting won't be canceled if the library doesn't give the land over by then, said city spokesman Will Forgrave.

"It's just very unspecific to me and I'm not comfortable with it," said Ted Kolman, library board secretary and treasurer. "We don't have enough information to make a prudent decision."

City Councilman Andrew Frounfelker presented to the library board Thursday night, but didn't have enough details to satisfy its members.

"We aren't going to commit the funds to draw for a parking deck that we don't have approval for," Frounfelker said. "The hurry is, that we're trying to meet the commitment of essentially the customer, which is Commonwealth. They want to make a decision, they want to move forward, they've got commitments that they need to honor."

While Forgrave said in an email Friday the city isn't focusing on one plan over another, Frounfelker said the city isn't interested in the plan that requires the demolition of the administration building.

The city didn't make it clear to the library board why plans altered, regarding the demolition of the administration building. Roughly 17 or 18 employees currently work there, said Jackson District Library Director Sara Tackett.

Commonwealth hopes to begin construction on a new $26 million, 90,000-square-foot headquarters in March 2018. Once complete, the building at Louis Glick Highway and Blackstone Street can house 320 employees.

Earlier plans to build a structure north of Louis Glick Highway were scrapped, since the city wants the parking deck to serve tenants at the Hayes Hotel, Frounfelker said. The new parking structure would be between four and six stories and no longer have first-floor retail space, he said.

Estimates for the structure are about $12 million, Councilman Dan Greer said earlier this month.

A potential $3 million grant the city is vying for from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration is in jeopardy. The initial proposal just to submit the full application was turned down, Forgrave said. City officials will meet with the EDA next week in hopes of still being able to apply for the grant.

JDL would be forced to pay if it wanted parking spots in the new deck - with the city allotting 60 spots for $65 each per month. That amounts to $46,800 per year in parking fees.

"Do you have any idea what the value of this land is? We paid $120,000 to the county for this property in 1977, including the building," Kolman said. "If you take a 2-percent growth for 40 years, that puts the property value at about $265,000. If you apply a 3-percent, it's $390,000. And you're asking us to give you that land for $1?"

The library board isn't scheduled to meet again until Sept. 28, but may plan a special meeting before Aug. 3 to make a decision.
KALAMAZOO, MI - Brennan Wieber of Plainwell remembers his friend Tom Anders as the guy who could always make him smile and laugh when he was having a bad day.

The two became friends in middle school and shared a passion for snowboarding. Wieber said one of the last times they spent together was at Bittersweet Ski Area in Otsego.

Wieber said those are the memories he will hold onto now that Anders is gone.

Anders, 21, was fatally shot near Western Michigan University's campus Saturday, July 22. The shooting happened around 2:15 a.m. in the 800 block of Oakland Drive.

Witnesses told police a person shot Anders during a fight, then fled the scene on foot.

Police arrested a person of interest in the case on unrelated charges, but his name has not been released.

Anders graduated from Gull Lake High School in 2014. He attended WMU for the 2014-15 school year and was a pre-engineering freshman. WMU spokeswoman Cheryl Roland said Anders had not been enrolled at the university since that year.

When he heard of Anders' death, Wieber said he was shocked and didn't want to believe it was real.

"Everybody I've talked to from my school couldn't believe it," Wieber said. "Everybody loved him."

Wieber described Anders as a "genuine guy" who didn't judge people and always tried to stay positive.

"He was someone that would go out of his way to help you out," Wieber said.

According to his obituary, Anders worked at Landscape Forms, a Comstock Township- based outdoor furniture company.

Wieber said Anders was a spiritual person who loved nature and had talked about moving to Colorado to live in the mountains.

Anders is survived by his mother, father, step-father, paternal and maternal grandparents in addition to several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A memorial service for Anders was set for Saturday, July 29, according to his obituary. The service will be at 11 a.m. at the Radiant Church, 8157 East DE Ave. in Richland. The Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel is assisting his family.
SAGINAW, MI -- Recent raids in Saginaw which saw 19 people arrested by federal and state law enforcement officers is part of an ongoing criminal investigation, according to a federal official.

Beyond confirmation the recent raids were the result of a three-months-long federal investigation that continues, further details were scant.

"As far as what that criminal investigation is, we can't release details," said Ronnie Dahl, a spokesperson with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. "It's part of ATF's core mission of fighting violent crime and keeping our neighborhoods safe."

The 19 arrested in early-morning raids June 30 on two homes in Saginaw were taken in on various drug charges and parole and probation violations, said Michigan State Police Lt. David Kaiser.

The raids were enacted on three federal search warrants, one federal arrest warrant and one state search warrant, and involved ATF, MSP and the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, Dahl said.

One of the raided homes, located at 446 S. 10th Street on Saginaw's East Side, is a two-unit rental that was the site of a 2010 cold-case homicide. The house now sits boarded up and condemned after the raid.

Kaiser said there were no injuries during the operations.

To Kaiser's knowledge, only one person -- the sole person facing federal charges -- has been arraigned thus far, with the 18 facing state charges released pending further investigation, he said.

Hours after the raid, Demario Delvon Lindsey, 27, was arraigned in U.S. District Court in Bay City on six felonies -- four alleging he distributed cocaine and two claiming he did the same with heroin throughout the month of May.

Lindsey is a parolee and, because of his criminal past, the charges are enhanced to a possible punishment of up to 30 years in federal prison, according to court documents.

Lindsey was paroled in January 2017 on drug, contraband and home invasion charges, according to Michigan Department of Corrections records.

Lindsey is slated for jury trial on Oct. 31. State police are awaiting lab results on evidence found out the scene before the cases against the majority of the 18 formally begins, Kaiser said.
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DCI signed an agreement with Mongla Port Authority, Bangladesh for dredging in Pussur Channel, Bangladesh. A Press Note issued with respect to signing of the Agreement with Mongla Port Authority, Bangladesh is attached.Source : BSE

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We enclose, in terms of Regulation 30 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (Regulations), a summary of the proceedings of the 106th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Company held on 28th July, 2017 at Kolkata.We would advise that all the Resolutions for consideration at the 106th AGM, as set out in the Notice dated 26th May, 2017, have been passed by the Members by requisite majority. The Voting Results, in the prescribed format in terms of Regulation 44(3) of the Regulations, are also enclosed.Source : BSE

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Sub.: Intimation of Board Meeting to considered the unaudited financial results of the company for the quarter ended 30th June, 2017 under Regulation 29 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulation 2015.Dear Sir/Madam,Notice is hereby given that pursuant to Regulation 29 read with Regulation 33 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulation, 2015, that a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company is schedule to be held on Monday, 14th August, 2017, inter-alia, to consider and take on record the un-audited financial results of the Company for the quarter ended 30th June, 2017 and other businesses.Further, in pursuant to SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulation, 2015, the trading window for dealing in securities of the Company will be closed from 28th July, 2017 to 16th August, 2017 (both days inclusive).Source : BSE

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Notice of the 34th Annual General Meeting of the Members of Pradeep Metals Limited is scheduled to be held on Monday, 21st August, 2017 at 3.00 pm at Monarch Banquets, 110/111, MIDC, Rabale, Navi Mumbai 400701.Pursuant to the provisions of Regulation 30 read with clause 12 of Para A of Part A of Schedule III of the Listing Regulations, we are enclosing herewith the AGM notice for your records.Source : BSE

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The Alembic Board on Friday said it has rejected the request by a section of small shareholders led by Unifi Capital to have their representative on the board citing conflict of interests and misuse of provision under Section 151 of the Companies Act.

The request was deliberated upon and considered not acceded to having regard to various factors, Alembic Board said in a statement to stock exchanges.

The board said it has noted a very close nexus between Unifi Capital, Unifi Financial, UWM Investment and its group companies which are large shareholders holding 375,102 shares in the Alembic; also, 914 shareholders who proposed the appointment of an independent shareholder director on the company board were portfolio clients of Unifi. Murali Rajagopalachari, who was the minority shareholders' pick for the board seat, is an employee and director on various group companies of Unifi.

This is a clear case of direct conflict of interest in his role as a representative of small shareholders, the board said.

The board also stated that a large number of small shareholders -- 320 out of 914 -- who are party to the application under Section 151 of the Act, have become shareholders only during last five days prior to making the application, primarily for supporting this application and are all clients of Unifi.

It appears that Unifi has used these persons for ensuring that Unifi nominee is put on board by clearly misusing the provisions of Section 151 which is meant exclusively for genuine small shareholders, the Board contended.

The Board also said that Unifi in the past has repeatedly made attempts to require Alembic to go for extensive restructuring and when their proposal was not accepted, it seems the small shareholders were artificially put together by UNIFI for putting undue pressure on the Board.

In view of the above observations and noting that the existing independent directors of the company being persons of very good repute, relevant expertise and experience are taking adequate steps and measures to protect the interest of all the shareholders including small shareholders and there is no justification to appoint a separate small shareholders independent director, Alembic board added.

In an unprecedented move of minority shareholder activism on July 12 Alembic Board received a notice from Unifi Capital, which was representing portfolio management clients, and certain other shareholders, proposing the candidature of Murali Rajagopalachari, for being appointed as a small shareholders director under Section 151 of the Companies Act, 2013.

The shareholders said the move was necessitated to secure better investor returns.

According to Companies Act, 2013, a small shareholder is a shareholder holding shares of value of not more than twenty thousand.

The regulations under the Companies Act, 2013 allow a small shareholder director on the board with the specific intent of having the interest of small shareholders represented in the decisions made by the board.

However, regulations demand that at least 1,000 shareholders, or 1/10th of the total number of small shareholders can nominate a small shareholder director. Regulations have also attempted to ensure that there is a serious agenda that backs the request for a small shareholder director.

The regulations provide discretionary powers to the companys Board to quash any shareholder application for the appointment of small shareholder director.

Market infrastructure companies, like the stock exchanges and depositories, have shareholder directors on their board. Public sector banks, too, under RBI regulations, are required to have shareholder director representations on their boards.

Vadodara-based Alembic promoted by Chirayu Amin and his family members as on June 30 hold 29.18 percent stake in Alembic Pharmaceuticals which has sales of around Rs 3131 crore in FY17. Alembic Pharmaceuticals has a market capitalization of over Rs 10,000 crore. A section of small shareholders were unhappy as the existing holding structure doesnt reward small shareholders.

The Board has been extremely short-sighted in their rejection of the request, said Amit Tandon, Managing Director of IiAS, a Mumbai-based institution investor advisory services firm.

While the clause is there, and the power is given to the board, it needs to exercised judiciously, they cant just use the language what is a genuine request from a set of investors, Tandon said.

Tandon differed on the conflict of interest angle cited by the board.

Where is the conflict of interest, if they are investors in five, ten or fifteen companies it doesnt mean that they run the strategy of the company, Tandon added.

Alembic Board convened the meeting of its board to approve first quarter results.

The Alembic announcement came after market hours. The shares of the company declined 1.30 percent to close at Rs 46.60 on BSE, the benchmark Sensex dropped 0.23 percent to end at 32,309.88 points.
The Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG) has taken issue with government and the public sector banks over recapitalisation and the handling of the non-performing assets (NPAs). The CAG on Friday tabled its report, which analyses 17 public sector banks (PSBs), in the Parliament.

The auditor report also finds that most PSBs have a market value lower than their book value, which makes it difficult for them to tap markets for additional capital infusion.

As per the Indradhanush plan, the government has estimated that PSBs would raise Rs 1.1 lakh crore over 2015-19 to meet their capital requirements. But during January 2015-March 2017, only Rs 7,726 crore were raised the public sector lenders.

The report added that an analysis of 12 banks out of 17 revealed that there was a divergence of at least 15 percent between NPAs reported by them and the Reserve Bank of Indias estimates. There was also a difference in projection of net profits of these 12 banks. For instance, Allahabad Bank understated their gross NPAs in FY17 by Rs 973 crore. The highest divergence was by Bank of Maharashtra at Rs 3,333 crore, followed by Corporation Bank at Rs 1,953 crore. Consequently, there was under provisioning by these banks.

The CAG has also seen discrepancies in the recapitalization process of these banks.

In FY12, SBI saw an infusion of Rs 7,900 crore, even though regulatory requirement was only Rs 5,874 crore. The same thing happened with four other PSBs in FY14, into which Rs 2,900 crore was infused.
A man talks on his mobile phone as he walks past an ITC office building in Kolkata September 4, 2012. ITC Ltd sells 80 percent of the cigarettes in the world's second most populous country where 275 million people use tobacco products. But as India follows the rest of the world in adopting anti-smoking regulations, the company's core tobacco business is getting squeezed and it is venturing into dairy products, drinks and perhaps even healthy breakfast foods to try to expand its money-losing consumer products business. Picture taken September 4, 2012. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri (INDIA - Tags: BUSINESS HEALTH) - RTR37J7R

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ITC reported single-digit earnings growth in a quarter marked by GST pangs and regulatory headwinds. The recent cess on cigarettes under GST appears to have dampened sentiment for the stock somewhat. However, we believe GST minimises the vagaries of state-level taxations, and the discount of ITC to the FMCG universe is an opportunity for long-term investors.

ITCs gross revenues rose 4 percent, and operating margin improved over the previous as well as the corresponding quarter. The double-digit growth in other income and muted increase in interest and depreciation expenses aided the 7 percent growth in profitability.

The value growth in the cigarette business was 6.6 percent during the quarter. Volume sales rose 1 percent against the Street expectation of a decline or negative volume growth. The growth in profitability was higher at 9 percent due to margin expansion.

The management estimates the combined impact of increase in excise duty, and the recent GST cess to result in an additional 20 percent-plus tax burden. The company recently raised prices of select brands. The impact of higher taxes on the cigarette business margin will be clearer in the ensuing quarter and would be watched closely as it contributes the lions share (above 85 percent) to the profitability of the company.

ITC is gradually building up a meaningful FMCG business that grew 9 percent in a subdued demand environment during the quarter. Revenue growth was driven primarily by the branded packaged foods, personal care and stationery products. But growth was tempered by the restructuring of the retail divisions, an early 'end of season sale' and heavy discounting triggered by GST transition.

Profitability was impacted by higher input costs (wheat, oil, soap noodles, sugar), sustained investment in brand building and gestation costs of new categories viz. juices, dairy, chocolates, and health & hygiene segment in the Personal Care Products business.

In the hotels business, the over 6 percent growth in revenue was driven by improvement in average room rate, and higher food & beverages sales. The year-on-year improvement in profitability could be attributed to operating leverage and costs management. However, certain properties like ITC Grand Chola, Chennai lost out on account of the ban on sale of liquor at outlets on the edge of highways. The gestation costs of the recently commissioned ITC Grand Bharat, Gurgaon also had an impact.

Revenue and profitability of the agri business were under pressure due to lower crop output, the adverse quality of the Andhra leaf tobacco crop due to drought in 2016, and limited trading opportunities in other agri-commodities. However, this business for ITC provides a critical linkage to rural India and supports sourcing of tobacco for the cigarette business and agri raw materials for the food business.

The performance of the paperboards, paper & packaging segment was impacted due to sluggish demand conditions prevailing in the FMCG and cigarette industries. In addition, de-stocking of FMCG and pharma products in trade channels ahead of the transition to GST, and the ban on sale of liquor from outlets near highways weighed on sales. Profitability, however, improved on the back of benign input prices and richer product mix.

While GST has impacted the company in more than one ways in the quarter, it continues to be a long-term positive for an organised player like ITC. India today is the 4th largest market for illegal cigarettes in the world. It is estimated that almost 68 percent of the tobacco consumed in the country remains outside the tax net on account of evasion.

Although legal cigarettes account for only about 11 percent of total tobacco consumption in the country, they contribute more than 87 percent of tax revenue from the tobacco sector. The other types of tobacco products contribute barely 13 percent of tax revenue despite accounting for 89 percent of total tobacco consumption. We expect GST to hurt the unorganised sector more than ITC where the rates have only gone up incrementally.

At 30 times FY18 projected earnings ITC offers quality and value for long term investors.
All sums of money remaining unclaimed or left over for ten years as of September 30, 2017 will be transferred to Senior Citizen's Welfare Fund (SCWF), according to a new ruling by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority.

The insurance watchdog has directed all insurance companies to collect details of such accounts and transfer the money into the fund before March next year, reports Financial Express. All

Senior Citizen's Welfare Fund Act (2015) which will be a part of the Finance Act, will be used for improving welfare of elderly citizens. Financial security, healthcare, nutrition, old age home will be provided for from this fund, reports the newspaper. Unclaimed money from small savings schemes, accounts of Employees Provident Fund, insurance companies and banks will have to be shifted to this fund. The fund will carry an interest, and be overseen by the committee.

Unclaimed deposits with insurance companies have doubled to Rs 10,527 crore from Rs 5,440 crore between March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2016.

The IRDAI norms has asked insurers to disclose information about any unclaimed amount above Rs 1,000 on their respective websites.

The watchdog has also authorised insurers to show unclaimed amounts specified separately in their balance sheet under current liabilities and such amounts are governed by investment norms applicable to the funds.
Italy headquartered fashion and design school Istituto Marangoni has opened its first educational facility in India in Mumbai. This campus will offer both short-term as well as long-term courses for students in the areas of fashion design, fashion business, brand management and fashion buying.

Roberto Riccio, Group Managing Director, Istituto Marangoni said that the Mumbai facility will have faculty from Italy flying in to teach apart from Indian faculty. He added that they will also be looking to develop ties with various local brands and fashion associations.

The educational offer will include an in-depth long term (24 weeks) as well as short-term (one week) courses focused on a range of topics. Riccio said that their aim is to ensure that the same qualitative teaching experience offered across their campuses in Milano, Firenze, Paris, Shanghai, London and Shenzhen will also be available in Mumbai.

Tarun Pandey, COO-India Subcontinent, Istituto Marangoni said that they students will continue the first two years of the programme in India and the last one year in Milan or any other location of their choice. He added that in the future (after three to four years), they may look at partners.

The interest for entrepreneurship among students is increasing. The crucial question being asked in the job market is the institute where an individual has graduated from. That is where we will be able to offer a difference, said Riccio.

Pandey added that there will also be 50 percent and 100 percent scholarships offered to Indian students based on merit. In terms of the courses, he said that there will be a good mix of theory and practical exposure for students.

Both students who are starting from scratch and executives who want to get to the next big jump in their career can take the courses.

Riccio explained that there is a demand for professionals in the area of fashion and design from emerging markets like India. He added that there have been several Indian alumni at the institute who have not only set up their own ventures but have also received support from Istituto Marangoni for the same.

Set up in 1935, the institute offers a mix of classroom learning and practical exposure to the fashion market of the world.
3:30 pm Market at Close: The Indian market began the August series on a subdued note, with benchmark indices ending lower, but the Nifty closed above 10000 for the third straight session.

The Sensex closed down 73.42 points at 32309.88, while the Nifty ended lower 6.05 points at 10014.50. The market breadth was negative as 1265 shares advanced against a decline of 1374 shares, while 168 shares were unchanged.

HDFC, Infosys and Yes Bank gained the most on both indices, while Dr Reddys Laboratories and Lupin were the top losers.

3:20 pm Market Update: Equity benchmarks recovered sharply, driven by HDFC, Infosys and ITC.

The 30-share BSE Sensex was down 47.11 points at 32,336.19 and the 50-share NSE Nifty rose 1 point to 10,021.55.

The market breadth remained negative as about 1,367 shares declined against 1,233 advancing shares on the BSE.

3:05 pm HDFC at record high: Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) shares touched a fresh all-time high of Rs 1,798, up as much as 4 percent in afternoon trade. The rally was in addition to 5.83 percent upside seen in previous session.

It was driven by value buying, especially after June quarter earnings. Even analysts retained their positive stance on the stock.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch raised its target price on the stock to Rs 1,925 (from Rs 1,791 earlier) and Deutsche Bank also upped target price by 2.2 percent to Rs 1,840 (from Rs 1,800 earlier). Both have maintained buy rating on it.

2:54 pm Market Check: Equity benchmarks trimmed losses in last hour of trade as HDFC and Infosys extended gains to 2-3 percent.

The 30-share BSE Sensex was down 138.43 points at 32,244.87 and the 50-share NSE Nifty declined 35.95 points to 9,984.60, dragged by private banks and pharma stocks.

2:35 pm Buzzing: LIC Housing Finance shares declined nearly a percent as profit missed analysts' expectations.

Net profit in Q1 increased 15.3 percent to Rs 470 crore from Rs 407.8 crore YoY, which was lower than CNBC-TV18 poll estimates of Rs 531.4 crore.

Revenue grew by 8.1 percent to Rs 3,633 crore from Rs 3,359.7 crore YoY.

Provisions/write-offs increased sequentially to Rs 104.4 crore from Rs 89.3 crore but declined year-on-year from Rs 116.4 crore.

2:20 pm Earnings: Heidelberg Cement shares fell more than 6 percent as profit dropped to Rs 16 crore in Q1 from Rs 26.3 crore in same quarter last fiscal and revenue also fell 6 percent to Rs 513.5 crore from Rs 546.1 crore YoY.

Operating profit slipped 23.3 percent year-on-year to Rs 67 crore and margin contracted by 340 basis points to 15.2 percent in Q1.

2:10 pm Interview: Talking about the quarterly performance and the outlook going forward, Jonathan Hunt, CEO, Syngene International told CNBC-TV18 that they ambition is to get back towards good teens growth for the year to 20 percent growth rate that the company has enjoyed historically.

However, as of now, he is happy to see revenue growth swing back to 6 percent from negative number.

The company continues to recover from the fire in third quarter of FY17, said Hunt, adding that they are rebuilding the infrastructure that was damaged. It could take most of this year and would be likely back on track at the beginning of the next fiscal, he said.

He is very upbeat with the progress of strategic relationship with Amgen. The company has also signed a multiyear contract with a Japanese firm to support NCE launch in Japan.

1:54 pm Earnings: NIIT shares surged 12 percent after Q1 net profit jumped to Rs 10.4 crore from Rs 0.8 crore, though revenue was flat at Rs 209.9 crore versus Rs 210 crore YoY.

NIIT said corporate learning group recorded constant currency growth of 14 percent and added MTS contracts from 2 Fortune 500 companies.

Net debt reduced sharply to Rs 40.2 crore from Rs 130.4 crore YoY.

1:41 pm Market Check: Benchmark indices extended losses in afternoon, with the Sensex down 277.30 points at 32,106 and the Nifty down 71 points at 9,949.55.

The broader markets also erased gains to trade flat as market breadth turned negative. About 1,400 shares declined against 1,084 advancing shares on the BSE.

Nifty Pharma (down 2 percent), Metal (down 1.7 percent) and Bank (down 0.94 percent) fell the most among sectoral indices.

1:30 pm Results: Private sector lender Karur Vysya Bank's profit growth limited to 1.1 percent in June quarter due to higher provisions, though there was sharp growth in other income and operating income.

Profit in Q1FY18 increased to Rs 148 crore from Rs 146.3 crore in year-ago quarter while net interest income jumped 11.9 percent to Rs 538.6 crore year-on-year.

Asset quality deteriorated further in the quarter ended June 2017, with gross non-performing assets (NPA) risnig 69 basis points sequentially to 4.27 percent and net NPA up 32 bps to 2.85 percent.

In absolute terms, gross NPAs jumped nearly 22 percent quarter-on-quarter to Rs 1,807 crore and net NPA increased 15.1 percent to Rs 1,189 crore in June quarter.

Provisions for bad loans increased sharply by 79.4 percent year-on-year and 7.3 percent quarter-on-quarter to Rs 233.4 crore in the quarter gone by.

1:15 pm Politics: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has won the trust vote in Bihar Assembly. 131 MLAs voted for the confidence motion, while 108 voted against the motion.

1:05 pm Buzzing: Shares of Idea Cellular today dived by nearly 6 percent after the company posted a loss of Rs 815.9 crore in the first quarter ended June 30.

The telecom company yesterday posted a loss of Rs 815.9 crore in the first quarter ended June 30, impacted by sustained pressure from disruptive tariffs of Reliance Jio.

This is the third straight quarter loss for the Aditya Birla group firm as it has not been able to recover from the pressure of aggressive tariff war triggered by Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio Infocomm.

Idea Cellular had posted a profit of Rs 217.1 crore in the same period a year ago. Total revenue of Idea also declined by about 14 percent to Rs 8,181.7 crore in the reported quarter from Rs 9,552.4 crore in the corresponding period of 2016-17.

Disclosure: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.

12:58 pm Earnings: Tanla Solutions' first quarter consolidated profit jumped significantly to Rs 11.9 crore from Rs 4 crore and revenue grew by 89.3 percent to Rs 185.5 crore compared with year-ago quarter.

Operating profit surged 46.9 percent year-on-year to Rs 16.3 crore but margin contracted by 260 basis points to 8.8 percent in June quarter.

The stock rallied 7 percent.

12:40 pm Europe opening: European bourses opened lower after US tech shares retreated from recent highs and investors reacted to a deluge of earnings reports.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 was 0.67 percent lower shortly after the opening bell with all sectors and major bourses in negative territory.

12:20 pm Interview: Confirming the news that Wilmar Sugar would be infusing around Rs 813 crore into Shree Renuka Sugars via convertibles at Rs 16.27 per share, Managing Director Narendra Murkumbi told CNBC-TV18 said the main intention behind this to reduce the debt of the company.

The standalone debt currently is around Rs 3,600 crore and consolidated is around Rs 9700 crore. Post the deal, it is expected that the India debt would reduce to Rs 1500 crore (standalone) in addition to about Rs 580 crore of 0.01 percent interest coupon NCDs, said Murkumbi.

He further added that that the total debt would shrink to around Rs 2080 crore of which Rs 1500 crore will be regular interest paying debt.

Interest costs has been the problem area for the company and post this restructuring it is expected to fall to Rs 200 crore from Rs 400 crore, said Murkumbi.

The target is to turn profitable as soon as possible and the idea is to grow the company.

12:00 pm Shares sale: Indiabulls Real said IBL Scheme Trust sold its holding of 95 lakh shares in company for Rs 220.4 crore.

Sale is made by the company of its treasure shares and no share sale is done by the founder of the company.

"Sale proceeds would be used for meeting companys funding requirements," Indiabulls Real said.

11:45 am Earnings: Escorts' profit in June quarter increased sharply by 33.4 percent year-on-year to Rs 62.6 crore, driven by revenue and other income.

Revenue during the quarter grew by 11 percent to Rs 1,163 crore while operating profit increased 8.3 percent to Rs 97.5 crore but margin contracted by 20 basis points to 8.5 percent compared with year-ago quarter.

Other income doubled to Rs 20.5 crore from Rs 10.2 crore on YoY basis.

Agri Machinery revenue jumped 9.7 percent to Rs 942.1 crore, with its EBIT growing 5.2 percent at Rs 102 crore.

Escorts said orderbook of Rs 150 crore for railway products would be executed in 6-7 months.

11:30 am Market Check: Equity benchmarks continued to trade lower in morning trade, with the Sensex down 149.10 points at 32,234.20 but the broader markets outperformed.

The Nifty continued to struggle below 10,000 level, down 31.50 points at 9989.05 while the BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices gained 0.5 percent.

Dr Reddy's Labs was biggest loser among Sensex stocks, down more than 5 percent after disappointing earnings. Lupin, ICICI Bank, HUL and Sun Pharma were down 2-4 percent.

HDFC, Infosys, ITC, Maruti Suzuki and Adani Power were only gainers.

11:17 am Buzzing: Panacea Biotec shares rallied nearly 10 percent intraday on joint collaboration with the US firm for development of 7 complex generics.

"... has entered into joint collaboration for development, license, manufacturing, supply and sales of 7 complex generic pharmaceutical products with Bionpharma Inc, a generic pharmaceutical company based in the United States," the New Delhi-based pharma company said in its filing.

The seven abbreviated new drug applications are currently under development at Panacea Biotec, representing a total estimated market potential of more than USD 800 million.



Nifty: 5,000 to 10,000 in 10 years, next 5000 points will take only 2.5 years - though not much relevant to stock-pickers. #ChangingIndia

 Porinju Veliyath (@porinju) July 28, 2017

10:44 am Goldman bearish on Blue Dart: Goldman Sachs remained bearish on Blue Dart Express and maintained sell rating after weak set of earnings for the quarter ended June 2017. The stock price fell more than 2 percent intraday.

The research house slashed its 12-month target price to Rs 4,160 (from Rs 4,500) after lowering FY17/18/19 EPS estimates by 27/13/6 percent on pricing pressure.

With continued pressure on pricing and the industry adjusting to prepare for GST, it expects near term profitability of the company to remain muted.

Blue Dart reported weak Q1FY18 earnings across parameters. Revenue growth remained subdued at 7 percent YoY (sixth straight quarter of less than 10 percent growth) at Rs 666.6 crore, which partially impacted by lower transportation activity in the June prior to the GST rollout.

A decline in margins resulted in consolidated profit declining by 52 percent YoY to Rs 21.1 crrore in June quarter.

10:28 am Market Check: Equity benchmarks remained under pressure in morning trade, with the Sensex falling over 100 points following weakness in global peers.

The 30-share BSE Sensex was down 127.08 points at 32,256.22 and the 50-share NSE Nifty fell 30.65 points to 9,989.90.

The broader markets outperformed benchmarks, with the BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices rising 0.35 percent each on positive breadth.

About 1,057 shares advanced against 949 declining shares on the BSE.

HDFC extended gains today, hitting fresh record high of Rs 1,776.20, up 2.4 percent on top of 5.83 percent rally in previous session after strong earnings.

10:10 am Market Expert: S Krishna Kumar of Sundaram Mutual Fund said that the earnings have been pretty good and that retail private banks have seen strong delivery.

Even as the market soared to fresh record highs, there are questions on the next step for them going forward.

Fund houses such as Sundaram Mutual Fund believes that the Street could go through a consolidation phase going forward.

In a long term growth phase of the economy, the market does go through a consolidation phase. Markets would be more reactive to results that come out this season, along with monsoon progress and the impact of GST, S Krishna Kumar, CIO-Equity, Sundaram Mutual Fund told CNBC-TV18 in an interview. These factors will now be the drivers for the market going forward, he added.

10:00 am Buzzing: Zenotech Laboratories shares rallied as much as 5 percent in morning trade after Sun Pharma raised its stake in the company to over 50 percent.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries raised its stake in Zenotech Labs to 57.56 percent from 46.85 percent, reports CNBC-TV18.

As per June quarter's shareholding pattern, Sun Pharma held 46.85 percent stake (representing 1.61 crore shares of total paid-up equity) and other promoter DaiiChi Sankyo had 20 percent stake in the company.

Meanwhile, on July 25, Zenotech Labs approved allotment of 2.66 crore shares at a price of Rs 45 per share issued on a rights basis, to all eligible applicants who have subscribed to the said issue.

9:54 am Deal: Shree Renuka Sugars announced a preferential issue of upto 50 crore 0.01 percent compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS) of Rs 16.27 each, at par, to Wilmar Sugar Holdings Pte. Ltd. (WSH), Singapore.

The investment is subject to the successful completion of a debt restructuring package which would entail, among other things:(i) WSH making an additional investment of Rs 783.96 crore in SRSL (infusion) for the purpose of up-front repayment and settlement of part of the debts and to fund working capital requirements of SRSL;(ii) lenders converting part of the debts into equity shares and convertible securities of SRSL;(iii) waiver of part of the debts; and

(iv) restructuring of the remaining Debts through changes in the repayment terms on the terms of a restructuring package.

"The company hopes that this exercise, once completed, would significantly pare its debt burden and interest cost in India and would also free the company of all guarantees and obligations related to its overseas subsidiaries," Shree Renuka said.

9:40 am Market Outlook: Though yet to face any unsettling events in 2017, rallying 27 percent till date, Nifty is likely to embark on a treacherous voyage from here on, grappling with multiple gann supply points, Pritesh Mehta, IIFL Private Wealth said.

Three-digit gann number of 101(00), four digit gann number of 1009(0) and multiplication of 360 degrees by applying a square of 9 from the significant low of 9,342 is also placed around 10,130.

On higher time frame charts, PRZ of potential ABCD pattern stands near 10,050 mark. So, the point of confluence is seen between 10,050-10,130.

9:25 am Earnings Impact: Cigarette-hotel-to-FMCG major ITC met analysts' expectations on earnings front as profit grew by 7.4 percent year-on-year to Rs 2,560.5 crore in Q1FY18, driven largely by tobacco business. The stock gained 1 percent.

Revenue during the quarter increased 4.1 percent to Rs 13,800.4 crore compared with year-ago quarter, largely aided by cigarette as well as FMCG others businesses.

"Revenue from cigarettes segment (which contributed 63.6 percent to total revenue) grew by 6.6 percent to Rs 8,774.18 crore in quarter ended June 2017 from Rs 8,230.80 crore in same quarter last year," ITC said in its filing.

Cigarettes' earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) jumped 9 percent year-on-year to Rs 3,274.14 crore, with margin expansion of 80 basis points for the quarter. The company hiked cigarettes prices by 6-7 percent in Q1.

9:15 am Market Check: The NSE Nifty started off the August series on a negative note, falling below 10,000-mark on correction in banks and healthcare stocks.

The 30-share BSE Sensex was down 134.80 points at 32,248.50 and the 50-share NSE Nifty fell 33.45 points to 9,987.10.

ICICI Bank, Dr Reddy's Labs, HUL, Lupin, Bharti Airtel, Hindalco, ONGC, Vedanta and Sun Pharma fell up to 5 percent while ITC and L&T gained.

Nifty Midcap was down 0.3 percent as about two shares declined for every share rising on the NSE.

Biocon, Idea Cellular, Redington, Balaji Amines, Blue Dart and Shree Renuka Sugars lost up to 4 percent.

Cineline India, Deccan Gold Mines, and Glenmark Pharma rallied up to 15 percent.
The risk-to-reward trade-off is currently not in favor of further equity investments and we suggest investors wait for better levels to re-enter the markets, Nitin Bhasin, Head of Research, Ambit Capital, said in an exclusive interview with Kshitij Anand of Moneycontrol.

Q) What are your views on the market which hit 10,000 peaks and has delivered about 22 percent return so far in the year 2017? How is the second half of the year expected to pan out? Do you think it is time for investors to book some profits and buy again on dips?

A) We do believe the Indian markets are currently overvalued especially in light of elusive earnings growth. On the back of stretched valuations and limited investable opportunities, we increased allocation to cash (now at 20% portfolio weight) in our recent G&C portfolio as well.

With GST led disruption likely to continue affecting earnings over the next couple of quarters we have no reason to believe that earnings growth will pan out anywhere close to high double digit consensus expectations.

As a result, risk reward trade-off is currently not in favor of further equity investments and we suggest investors wait for better levels to re-enter the markets.

Q) If somebody comes with you with a monthly investment of Rs15,000-20,000 to realise his crorepati dream. Can he realise his dream by investing in direct equities or it is better to go via MF route? What is minimum capital required to start trading?

A) Direct equities can be difficult as it requires a lot of discipline, research, and concentrated bets. Someone with monthly investments of Rs15-20K but with an investment time horizon of 15-20 years should choose a basket of good companies like the Coffee Can Portfolio Approach highlighted by our team or MF schemes focusing on high-quality companies run by good capital allocators.

Q) Gush of liquidity has already pushed markets across the globe to fresh highs. What are your views on global markets and experts say that a big correction in India market can only be triggered if there is a global trigger? What are your views?

A) The US 10 year yields have seen their sharp rise post Trump election reverse over the course of CY2017. While the US Fed has signaled its intention of unwinding the QE program and raising rates, it remains to be seen if the US growth can continue on the steady path of the last few quarters  allowing the Fed to raise rates without jeopardizing growth.

A sharp increase in rates can cause short term jitters globally as the cost of money goes up. The rise in Indian markets, however, has largely been driven by retail inflows into the Mutual funds.

Certain sectors, in particular, have gained the favor of this excess liquidity which has led to their valuations reaching stratospheric levels.

While a global event (geopolitical or otherwise) can certainly be a potential party spoiler, we think that the Indian markets face a bigger risk from lack of underlying earnings growth in line with overblown market expectations.

Q) How are you seeing ITC stocks after a recent increase in cess by the government? Do you think the smart money will move out of ITC to other stocks like HUL, Britannia etc?

A) We acknowledge that recent hike in Cess was unexpected and a negative surprise. However, we believe that all that it has done is to make FY18 a normal year (with 13% tax hike, in line with last 5-year average) vs being an exceptionally good year with close to 0% tax hikes.

We have maintained our view that FY18 would have been a one-off good year and structurally ITC would remain a 12-13% EPS CAGR story led by 0-2% volume growth, 5-6% realization growth and some margin gains and profitability turn around in FMCG providing support.

We see no reason for the change in this thesis and expect 10% tax hikes and similar price hikes to continue going forward as well for ITC which should lead to marginally positive volume growth trajectory for Cigarettes.

ITC has taken 7-8 percent price hikes recently with lower end brands witnessing higher hikes and the premium end has seen lower hikes (as this end has ad valorem taxation).

We believe ITCs price hike is marginally ahead of our estimates and steep hikes at the lower end are equal to risk to volume growth. But, it would also mean higher than expected margins.

Hence, we maintain our earnings estimate. We admit that ITCs 12-13% EPS CAGR over FY17-20E pales in comparison with FMCG sectors expected EPS CAGR of 16-17% but so does its valuation which at 26xFY19E is at ~30% discount to the sector.

Disclaimer: Ambit and/or its associates do not have any interest in ITC.

Q) Any particular instance you recall when you were interacting with your clients which were funny or made you think twice about the problem or taught you something?

A) Finding a mispriced stock is not enough; how much should that account in your portfolio is the key thing
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Welspun Enterprises, which is probably the experimental lab for the Welspun Group, holding several non-core and new ventures like infrastructure, oil & gas, power, solar and even finance, is finally sharpening its focus.

The lack of business focus in the past can be seen from the cash idling on its books. The company is sitting on a cash and cash equivalent of close to Rs 1000 crore which is about 8 times assets employed in the business of about Rs 138 crore (fixed assets and current assets excluding cash).

Last year, the companys sales turnover of Rs 314 crore was not enough to absorb expenses of Rs 376 crore. But for Rs 108 crore of other income, the bottomline would have slipped into the red. The reported profit of Rs 4.96 crore was only 0.49 percent of the cash in the business and minuscule compared to the total capital employed in the business at around Rs 1430 crore.

Returns on assets and cash is abysmally low and with the public holding of close to 55.37 percent, it is rather unusual to keep such cash. One possible reason could be the nascent nature of many of the businesses. The company was created in 2015, after merging Welspun Enterprises, Welspun Infratech, Welspun Plastics and Welspun Infra Projects with Welspun Projects.

Nevertheless, the company is now charting out a plan to deploy cash in productive assets. It recently unveiled plans to put about Rs 300 crore in two new road assets, another Rs 350 crore for the financial services business and about Rs 100-200 crore in the oil and gas business.

Infrastructure: Scaling up

One segment where the focus seems to be improving is the construction and infrastructure business, which accounts for more than 80 percent of the revenues. Welspun Enterprises has executed over 13 BOT projects in the past and is currently sitting on EPC orders of about Rs 800 crore. It has now agreed to acquire 49 percent stake in two NHAI Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) projects from MBL Group for a consideration of Rs 23 crore with the option to acquire additional 51 percent at fixed price of Rs 24.5 crore.

In addition to this, the company will also invest Rs 250 crore equity in these projects, thereby taking its total equity investment to Rs 300 crore. The management says the internal rate of return is in the mid-teens.

The company is looking to build up scale in this space. Return from these projects is expected to be decent and better than what the idle cash sitting on the balance sheet is generating. The cumulative return from internal rate of return on BoT and EPC contract margins will be better. Within the next one year the order book is expected to jump by about 3 times. With the execution period of close to 24 months, it should be able to clock a turnover of about Rs 1000-1500 crore by the end of FY19 as against the current revenue of Rs 314 crore.

However, the risk here is that these projects were acquired in stressed conditions and in a competitive environment where other peers were also putting their bids. The understanding of the expected return, regulatory risks, nature of these projects and other variables may not be clearly understood at this stage.

NBFC: Could be a big gamble

Infrastructure is still pretty old business. The company also plans to invest Rs 350 in a financial services business for a 60 percent stake, and promoters will invest their personal funds for the balance 40 percent. The company will seek RBIs approval for the NBFC licence and induct a new team of experienced professionals.

While this could create value, the financial services space is fairly crowded with players having deep pockets competing for a share of the pie. While addressing analyst concerns during the analyst conference call, the senior management explained that financial services business makes sense as it will allow faster churning of capital.

Similar to infrastructure and financial services, the company has decided to invest over Rs 100-200 crore in oil & gas. In oil & gas, it has 35 percent stake in Adani Welspun Enterprises and is currently exploring about 4 oil & gas blocks in Mumbai and Gujarat.

Investment Heavy

The company is committing excessive capital (around Rs 800 crore on a current asset size of about Rs 138 crore) in businesses that are new. Except for infrastructure, most of the other businesses are at a nascent stage. The company is still experimenting with them, and their contribution to the top line and bottom line is negligible.

Ideally, a company which is already running a couple of established businesses trying to commit smaller doses of capital to new segments is well appreciated and well understood.

However, if there is too much of capital invested in new businesses, the fate hinges critically on the successes of these businesses. For Welspun, the market has already built these expectations with the company now having a market capitalisation of close to Rs 2000 crore or twice the size of its cash in the books. Even if one removes cash from market capitalisation, the remaining value of Rs 950 crore is almost 3 times its sales turnover in FY17.

For now, the company has spelt out the plan to deploy the cash. But whether this exercise will create value for its shareholders will only be known in future.
Thousands of financially distressed cab drivers in India registered with taxi aggregators Ola and Uber are listing their vehicles online for sale as trip incentives by companies dry up.

Cab owners from Gurgaon to Kolkata, Navi Mumbai to Hyderabad have listed cars with commercial licenses, with prices ranging from as low as Rs 50,000 to about Rs 8.5 lakh for sale, depending on the condition and age of cars.

Gud condition recently changed clutch assembly EMI continue 22 months pending 12,350 per month, says a listing by a Bangalore based cab owner on Olx.

A quick search for Ola or Uber throws up plenty of listings on the popular listing portal Olx.

Unable to make ends meet with the tightening of Ola and Ubers incentive structure, drivers and taxi operators are looking to sell these cars, and recover whatever money that they can.

Many white collar professionals who had used this as an investment route to earn a side income by financing cars and attaching them with Ola and Uber are also feeling the heat.

"My cab's owner is unhappy as his income has fallen. I have not taken a salary cut but have to work all 30 days now to make up for the decline," says Dharm, a Delhi-based driver whose cab is attached with Uber.

A Bengaluru-based owner of a fleet of six cars, all of which are attached to one of the two cab hailing companies said that some of the drivers he hired for the purpose have quit.

"They are not happy. The kind of money that attracted them to this business is no longer there," he said, requesting not to be named.

"Getting a driver for Uber, Ola has become a bit difficult now. If that continues, I will have to pull back to offline," he added.

Drivers in other cities are also feeling the pain.

It is no longer sustainable, Thirupati, an Uber driver in Mumbai told Moneycontrol.

The incentives were great in the beginning, but now if I make Rs 100, I have to give them (Uber) Rs 25, the maintenance, upkeep, servicing and fuel cost of the car is separate. We used to lease cabs to two three drivers in the good days, but now it just doesnt make sense for us so we are selling our vehicles, he said.

Multiple cab owners hardest hit

A large part of the cab fleet under Uber and Ola is sourced from the erstwhile local taxi operators, who now directly recruit one or more drivers or offer them a cab on a lease, to attach it to the on-demand cab hailing companies.

These fleet owners typically charge a commission or a fixed fee from each driver.

Additionally, there are a number of independent drivers also under Uber and Ola, who have bought a car of their own with a commercial licence to cash in on the earning opportunity created by both the companies.

In an email response to the question sent by Moneycontrol, Uber said that the listings on OLX were a minuscule part of their fleet in India.

We currently have 2,45,000 active driver partners (who would have taken at least one ride in a week) and are seeing new sign ups every day. We are not seeing any significant churn, said an Uber spokesperson.

An Ola source agrees that with 'rationalization' of incentives between the two competitors, earnings have come down for drivers.

"It is unlikely that drivers who ran their own vehicles on our platform would be selling off. Instead, they are either driver association heads or even individuals who were plying multiple vehicles and were then paying salaries to the drivers. Initially, they must be making a good amount of money. But with a rationalisation that has now come down," said a senior Ola executive on the condition of anonymity.

However, Moneycontrol also came across cases of individual drivers who have put up their commercial licensed vehicles for sale.

For instance, 41-year-old Krishna in Bengaluru has also put up his Indica car up for sale, as his commissions and incentives gradually dwindled.

Krishna bought his car on EMI two years ago and attached it to both Uber and Ola.

Ola did not respond to an email seeking comment at the time of publishing.

Falling incentives continue to haunt drivers

Declining incentives and lower earnings have been major issues for drivers affiliated with the cab aggregators since the past few months.

Early this year, several drivers with Uber and Ola went on an infinite strike to protest against the steep fall in their earnings.

"The incentives initially were very good. I managed to make at least Rs 70,000-80,000 per month. Now I get only about Rs 40,000. It is difficult to manage EMIs, household costs and education of children," said Krishna.

He heard a few of his colleagues consider selling their cars online, so he listed his car on OLX, hoping to get rid of monthly instalments and other maintenance costs.

OLX did not respond to Moneycontrols query on the rise in the number of such listings in the past 12 months in the major Indian cities- Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.

According to a report released by research and advisory firm RedSeer Consulting, the cab hailing platforms are struggling with a demand and supply mismatch.

The report states that the number of registered cabs registered a decline of 20 percent between January and March, as the driver incentives fell by almost 40 percent.

Uber said that barring a few isolated incidents, it hasnt heard from drivers registered on its platform about issues they may be facing with vehicle maintenance costs.

Asked about whether Uber helps its drivers for vehicle upkeep, fuel and so on, the spokesperson said: Given the strong demand from riders, we are seeing sustainable earning opportunities for driver partners and are committed to supporting them. Our idea is to ensure we help driver partners improve their organic earnings as we move forward in our journey from being a startup to a sustainable business."

The spokesperson also said that Uber works with lenders as well to find terms most attractive for driver partners.
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, Ruchit Jain, Kunal Saraogi and Ashish Kyal battle it out for top honours.

Below their top stock picks and analysis:

Ruchit Jain of Angel Broking

Buy Tata Elxsi with a stoploss at Rs 1665 and target of Rs 1850

Buy Bharat Financial Inclusion with a stoploss at Rs 780 and target of Rs 884

Sell Karnataka Bank with a stoploss at Rs 156 and target of Rs 142

Sell Sun TV Network with a stoploss at Rs 815 and target of Rs 763

Kunal Saraogi of Equityrush

Buy Indraprastha Gas with a stoploss at Rs 1160 and target of Rs 1200

Buy Bharat Financial Inclusion with a stoploss at Rs 810 and target of Rs 840

Buy Voltas with a stoploss at Rs 510 and target of Rs 525

Sell IDBI Bank with a stoploss at Rs 60.50 and target of Rs 58

Ashish Kyal of Waves Strategy Advisors

Buy Colgate Palmolive with a stoploss at Rs 1059 and target of Rs 1130

Buy Dabur India with a stoploss at Rs 304 and target of Rs 328

Sell Divis Laboratories August Future with a stoploss at Rs 683 and target of Rs 625

Sell Karnataka Bank August Future with a stoploss at Rs 157 and target of Rs 145
In an interview to CNBC-TV18, SP Tulsian of sptulsian.com shared his readings and outlook on the market and specific stocks and sectors.

Below is the verbatim transcript of the interview.

Q: You are recommending a stock called Cineline India; tell us about the company and why you like it?

A: This company belongs to Kanakia Group and they are the leading real estate developer in Mumbai. In fact you see many of their projects, commercial and residential, and some of them are in the high-end also. This company, promoters are Kanakia Group and the company owns nine multiplexes and all those nine multiplexes have been leased out to PVR on which regular rental income is earned by the company along with the other parking charges and all those things are accruing to the company.

Now those nine multiplexes are situated or located in the prime location of Mumbai, maybe Eastern and Western suburbs like Andheri, Sion, Goregaon, Kandivali, Thane, or Navi Mumbai. Many of these properties are seen to be of depleting condition which may require redevelopment and all that, and that is what we have gathered that even if out of nine properties, even if they take couple of properties for development, that can give them huge value unlocking going forward.

Apart from that, the company is also owning Nagpur Eternity Mall; that is a mall in Nagpur which is 90 percent occupied and the company has given the statement that they intend to monetise this property. The net present value is seen anywhere at about Rs 200 crore. Just to retire the debt which the company has in its book.

Thirdly, company has booked about 84,000 square feet of sellable area or 50,000 square feet of carpet area in the new Kanakia project coming up that is called Kanakia Wall Street at Andheri East. The company intends to lease that out also because Kanakia Wall Street is a themed commercial space where the financial intermediaries, brokers, merchant bankers, and this property is developed on the theme of a Wall Street where the development work which is going on and will get completed in next one year.

That property company has acquired from the group company at armslength at about Rs 145 crore for which part of the amount has been availed as debt to finance that project. However, insiders or the estimates goes that probably the company can yield an annuity income of about Rs 15 crore while the interest burden on acquiring this property is seen somewhere at around Rs 10-11 crore. So, additional income of about Rs 4 crore after knocking off the interest payment will start accruing to the company.

Come on the financial performance, EPS for FY17 has been at Rs 3.80 which was at Rs 2.10 for FY16. Now, market capitalisation is very low at Rs 200 crore. If you take a net present value of all these properties because appreciation is seen in the property having booked in Kanakia Wall Street, estimates are coming in at somewhere at around Rs 1,000-1,100 crore for all nine multiplexes, Eternity Mall at Nagpur, and this Andheri property , while the market cap of the company is closer to about Rs 205 crore and enterprise value (EV) of about Rs 325 crore. If you go on the annuity model also the share is available at a P/E multiple on the expected EPS of about Rs 5, for FY18 share is available at a P/E multiple of 14-15, on a net present value basis it is available at 0.2 of the net present value.

So, taking all this into consideration, this should be taken more as a real estate stock and we have seen that recently the real estate stocks have started running up and more especially the Mumbai based real estates like DB Realty Indiabulls Real Estate . So, probably this should be taken as a real estate stock and not as a media stock and I think that the stock which is now ruling at Rs 72, can move to a level of about Rs 90 in next six months or so.
International Beer Day is celebrated every year on the first Friday of August (4 August this year) as a time to come together with friends and enjoy the craftsmanship that goes into one of the worlds most cherished beverages. From ancient beer cellars in the Czech Republic, to modern hop-spots in the USA, this brew is available, and celebrated, all over the globe. But where are the best places in the world to most appreciate this refreshing drink?

Booking.com brings up a list of the top beer destinations according to our global travelers*. Without further ado, here are seven beer-smitten cities youll never want to leave.

Plzen, Czech Republic

Plzen has been a center of beer-brewing prowess since 1842  when the first ever pilsner lager was brewed here. Nowadays, the citys iconic Pilsner Urquell brewery offers visitors the chance to taste the best pilsner, fresh from the keg or cask, on a subterranean tour of its cellars. You can recharge your batteries in a comfy bed at Courtyard by Marriott Pilsen  and then grab yourself another brew at the hotels popular PilsnGrill restaurant.

Brno, Czech Republic

Home to Starobrno  an old brewery now owned by Heineken  Brno is another great spot for a world-class beer. Here, the locals wash down Starobrno brews Lezak (a classic blond) and Cerne (dark and malty) in the lively area surrounding St. James Church. If youre after somewhere a little more private, grab a beer bucket and relax in the rooftop hot tub of Avanti Hotel  a firm guest favorite in Brno.

Bamberg, Germany

Beer-enamoured Bamberg has the highest concentration of breweries per square kilometre in the world. All are bound by the Reinheitsgebot, a 500-year-old Bavarian purity law requiring all beer to be brewed using only water, malt, yeast, and hops. Bambergs local brew  the smoky, thick, and dangerously addictive Rauchbier  is a must-try. Complimentary breakfast at the centrally located Am Blumenhaus provides exactly the sort of sustenance youll need after a night out on the town.

Bruges, Belgium

From Trappist ales and dark stouts to hoppy tripels and fruity krieks, the range of beer styles in Belgium is staggering. Bruges is home to lambic, a delicious beer that can be enjoyed in any local bar, along with hundreds of others. Lively Cafe t Brugs Beertj boasts a vast collection of Belgian brews, while Hotel Monsieur Ernest, an elegant 14th-century building that was once a brewery itself, provides comfy lodgings.

Portland, Oregon, USA

Portland is a dreamland for IPA lovers. The self-proclaimed capital of craft has more breweries than any other city  and a pub culture to rival all its European adversaries. You can nurse pints of hoppy brews at lively brewpubs across the city, while Breweries like Cascade and Hopworks showcase Portlands rich craft history. Stylish Hotel Eastlund is the ideal spot to take some time out, with a rooftop terrace and its very own craft beer tavern.

Leuven, Belgium

Leuven is home to InBev  the worlds largest brewery  and offers a bounty of artisanal brews to quench your thirst. Ochtend Kriek, St. Adriaansbier, and Nostra Domus are three of the most popular. But with so much choice, your best bet is to head down to the lively Oude Markt and ask locals for their recommendations. Stay close to the action at the deluxe Getaway Studios Leuven, full service apartments right in the heart of Leuven and a short walk from Oude Markt.

Qingdao, China

Every August millions gather for Qingdaos epic International Beer Festival. The event is meant to mimic Munichs world-famous Oktoberfest, but with an added Chinese twist. Bratwurst-serving beer tents, Bavarian band music, and Peking opera performances merge to create a distinctive atmosphere. The festival is sponsored by Tsingtao, whose Qingdao-based brewery and museum is open all year. Afterwards, recharge at the Farglory Residences indoor pool and sauna.

*These destinations were the top-rated cities for beer, according to Booking.com travelers. Destinations had to have over 500 endorsements for beer.
FILE PHOTO - A liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrying vessel sails at Tokyo Bay, offshore of Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, Japan October 22, 2012. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo - RTX2ZAHL

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Shares of Duke Offshore added 16 percent intraday Friday as it has won order to support specialized dredging operations with MNC JV partner at Mumbai Harbour.

The company has been awarded a contract for newly purchased crew boat Duke Express.

The company has recently purchase Duke Express, a brand new high speed crew boat, to support dredging operations and other upcoming infrastructure construction activity in India.

The vessel will operate in Mumbai Harbor to support specialization dredging operations of a multinational dredging corporation joint venture.

The contract will start in early September.

At 09:30 hrs Duke Offshore was quoting at Rs 103, up Rs 8.15, or 8.59 percent on the BSE.

Posted by Rakesh Patil
Prakash Gaba of prakashgaba.com told CNBC-TV18, "Fortis Healthcare is trading at support now. If it breaks Rs 140, then exit. There is a very stiff resistance around Rs 180-190 zones. That is also a point for exiting."

At 15:24 hrs Fortis Healthcare was quoting at Rs 159.45, down Rs 4.35, or 2.66 percent on the BSE.

The share touched its 52-week high Rs 230.90 and 52-week low Rs 144.40 on 03 May, 2017 and 17 July, 2017, respectively.
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Shares of Nava Bharat Ventures gained more than 2 percent intraday Friday as it has achieved provisional acceptance of its 300 MW power plant.

The company's 300 MW power plant of Maamba Collieries, the step down subsidiary of the company, has been in operation and has now achieved the provisional acceptance under the EPC contract, company said in press release.

Following the capitalization of the 300 MW power plant upon provisional acceptance, its commercial operations will be consolidated in the company's financial henceforth.

The 45th annual general meeting (AGM) of the company will be held on August 09, 2017.

At 09:48 hrs Nava Bharat Ventures was quoting at Rs 137, up Rs 2.00, or 1.48 percent on the BSE.

Posted by Rakesh Patil
Mayuresh Joshi of Angel Broking told CNBC-TV18, "If you are probably looking at the health space and the healthcare as a space to remain invested in, Apollo Hospitals is something that on decline in a staggered way is something that I would still continue."

Apollo Hospitals Enterprises ended at Rs 1,300, up Rs 6.70, or 0.52 percent.

The share touched its 52-week high Rs 1,442.75 and 52-week low Rs 1,110.75 on 09 August, 2016 and 26 December, 2016, respectively.
14:40 That is a wrap on the nearly 3-day-long developments from Bihar. Thanks for staying tuned.

14:30 WHAT'S NEXT? | Patna High Court will on Monday hear two PILs challenging formation of the new government by the JD(U) and BJP. The petitions sought the court's order for issuance of a direction to invite the leader of the single largest party to form a government in the state.

the JD(U), BJP and others got 131 votes while the opposition got 108 votes, Speaker Vijay Kumar Chowdhury said. The NDA had earlier submitted a list of 132 MLAs to the Governor. These include 71 of JD(U), BJP 53, RLSP two, LJP two, HAM one and three Independents. In the 243-member Bihar Assembly, the RJD has 80 MLAs,

the Congress 27 and the CPI-ML has three.

13:22 Tejashwi Yadav says he raised several questions in Bihar Assembly, but Nitish Kumar and the BJP had no answers.

13:20 The BJP and Nitish Kumar disrespected the mandate given to Mahagathbandhan: Tejashwi Yadav after Nitish Kumar wins trust vote.

13:05 Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has won the trust vote in Bihar Assembly. 131 MLAs voted for the confidence motion, while 108 voted against the motion.

13:00 Bihar Speaker calls for lobby division to test the strength of the new Nitish Kumar government. MLAs have two options  for, or against the confidence motion.

13:00 Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has spoken in Bihar Assembly. He says that his government will focus only on development. The RJD ignored our party. The mandate was for a transparent, corruption-free government, he tells Assembly.

12:25 BJP leader Nand Kishore Yadav says Tejashwi Yadav Bihar's youth want to knwo how did the 22-year-old amass properties worth crores of rupees.

12:15 Typical of Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister has been calm inside the Bihar Assembly. He hasn't responded to any of the barbs directed at him or his party. The political stalwart is known for not speaking out of line. Is Nitish Kumar waiting for tempers to cool down?

12:00 Chief Minister has moved confidence motion in Bihar Assembly.

11:45 Tejashwi Yadav seems livid and angry. He takes the fight from Nitish Kumar to Sushil Kumar Modi to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Why did Sushil Kumar Modi take oath as Deputy Chief Minister if he is facing cases? he asks. Further more he questions the Governor's decision to prepone swearing-in ceremony. Finally, he asks why did the Prime Minister tweet so quickly on Nitish Kumar's resignation.

11:40 Tejashwi Yadav says Nitish Kumar didn't discuss his resignation. The former Deputy Chief Minister says he was taking legal opinion and had informed Kumar about it.

11:30 Multiple reports hint at ruckus inside Bihar Assembly after Tejashwi Yadav said "Nitish Kumar must be ashamed of himself".

11:20 Nitish Kumar had decided to go with the BJP well before Wednesday. Whenever he fights alone, he is exposed. Nitish Kumar needs either the BJP or the RJD. I was used as a pawn: Tejashwi Yadav, according to a CNN-News18.com report.

Patna

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TheHigh Court will on Monday hearplea againstGovernors decision to inviteKumar to form the government despite RJD being the single-largest party.

RJD had on Thursday said it would move court as well as knock at the "people's door" to protest against the Bihar Governor's invitation terming it "blatant violation" of a Supreme Court judgement.

10:51 Meanwhile, BJP President has filed Rajya Sabha nomination for Rajya Sabha elections from Gujarat.

10:50 BJP confident of sailing through trust vote. Party says it has the backing of 132 MLAs  a number comfortably more than the magical half-way mark of 122. "Very clear that we will win trust vote as we have support of 132 MLAs," BJP's Mangal Pandey tells ANI.

10:40 RJD and Congress MLAs are protesting against Nitish Kumar's "betrayal" with placards and slogans. Reports suggest that Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi is facing trouble entering Bihar Assembly.

10:33 Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has arrived for the floor test in Bihar Assembly.

destabilise

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party accused Nitish Kumar of "double standards" for forming government in the state, a day after his dramatic resignation, with the support of the BJP. The party also claimed that the BJP may resort to "tactics" to destabilise the Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi. "We supported Nitish (Kumar) for his good governance record and his fight against the communal BJP," AAP's chief spokesperson Sanjay Singh said.

Bihar

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Just 20 months after he took oath asChief Minister in November 2015,Kumar was again sworn in as Chief Minister for the sixth term after he formed an alliance withParty. Kumar cited irreconcilable differences withDal (RJD) on the issue of corruption chargesagainst Deputy Chief Ministerthat created a rift in the Grand Alliance.

The RJD on Thursday said it would move court as well as knock at the "people's door" to protest against the Bihar governor's invitation to the JD(U) and the NDA to form a government in the state in "blatant violation" of a Supreme Court judgement.

JD(U) Rajya Sabha MPs Ali Anwar and MP Veerendra Kumar met senior leader Sharad Yadav here amid reports that he was also displeased with Nitish Kumar's action. Yadav, a former party chief and Leader of the JD(U) in the Rajya Sabha, has so far not commented on the development. Sources close to him said he was "unhappy" with the Bihar chief minister's move as he wanted the 3-party Grand Alliance, also comprising the Congress, to continue.

09:00 Lalu Prasad's RJD can play a spoilsport. The RJD says it has the backing of 27 Congress MLAs, 2CPI-ML legislators and a few Independents candidates. Some RJD leaders have even reportedly said JD(U) MLAs would cross over to them during the trust vote.

08:50 Remember, a section of JD(U) is unhappy about Nitish Kumars decision to walk out of Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) and form a new government with the BJP.

08:47 While JD(U)+NDA combine makes a strong case for Nitish Kumar to effortlessly sail through the trust vote, discontent among JD(U) may make things tougher for the Chief Minister.

Bihar Assembly  243 MLAsHalf-way Mark  122JD(U)  71 MLAsNDA  58 MLAsRJD  80 MLAs

Congress  27 MLAs

08:30 Hello and good morning. Crucial day for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as he seeks a trust vote.

THE STORY SO FAR

* Nitish Kumar sworn in as the Bihar Chief Minister on Thursday. Sushil Kumar Modi takes oath as Deputy Chief Minister* Nitish Kumar will face a trust vote on Bihar Assembly on Friday.* Section of JD(U) say they weren't kept in loop about alliance* Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi accused Nitish Kumar of cheating the people and the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance).* PM Modi congratulated the CM and Deputy Chief Minister

* Kumar had resigned on Wednesday evening after a prolonged rift over corruption allegations with ally RJD's senior leadership.

23:36 It's been another day of drama in Bihar. We'll be back with you live tomorrow morning for the trust vote in the Bihar Assembly.

22:12 The Aam Aadmi Party today accused Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of "double standards" for forming government in the state, a day after his dramatic resignation, with the support of the BJP.

The party also claimed that the BJP may resort to "tactics" to destabilise the Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi.

21:28 Terming the developments in Bihar as a "wrong signal for democracy", BSP president Mayawati said that misuse of power and official machinery by the BJP leadership posed a serious challenge to established democratic norms.

20:48 Lalu Prasad is currently meeting with RJD legislators at his home in Patna. What will be his next move?

20:20 Here's a summary of the cracks in the JD(U).

19:39

19:13 All eyes are on Sharad Yadav now. Will he stage a rebellion?

18:38 Lalu Prasad's wife and former Bihar CM Rabri Devi has hit out at Nitish Kumar, saying he stabbed the RJD in the back and they won't align with him again.

18:18 JD(U) MP Ali Anwar says that Sharad Yadav was not kept in the loop about the party's alliance with the BJP.

18:11 The rift in the JD(U) is apparent now. The Kerala unit of the party has split with its parent, saying they won't support Nitish if JD(U) becomes part of the NDA.

17:55 A meeting of JDU) MPs is currently taking place. Party MP Arun Sinha says there is no rebellion in the party, also says that Nitish Kumar did not consult them.

17:40 Earlier this month, the CBI had registered a criminal FIR and conducted multiple searches against the former Bihar chief minister and others. Prasad's wife and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav, and others will be probed by the agency under charges filed in the Enforcement Case Information Report(ECIR), the ED equivalent of a police FIR. The case dates back to the time when Lalu was the railway minister in the UPA government.

17:20 The trust vote in the Bihar Assembly will take place at 11am on Friday.

17:09 New Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi says that many JD(U) leaders felt suffocated in the alliance with the RJD.

16:53 LJP leader Chirag Paswan says Lalu had defamed the JD(U). LDP is an NDA ally.

16:42 Sharad Yadav is expected to meet JD(U) legislators in the next half an hour. Will there be a rebellion in the ranks?

16:29 Nitish Kumar has met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Buzz is that a special financial package for Bihar is on the anvil.

16:15 Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has congratulated JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar for taking over as the chief minister of Bihar.

16:00 More on Sharad Yadav: The JD(U) leader will meet Union Minister Sharad Yadav today.

15:55 The issue pertains to the land-for-hotels-deal case. You can find out more about the case here.

15:44 News agency Press Trust of India is now reporting that the Enforcement Directorate has filed a money laundering case against Lalu Prasad and his kin.

15:33 There is still some suspense as former JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav may stage a rebellion. Sources have told CNN-News18 that Yadav is upset about the alliance with the BJP.

15:15 MUST READ | Bihar sees govt in sync with Centre after 20 years, hopes of special status brighten

15:13 Sushil Modi says that joining hands with Nitish Kumar will make NDA even more powerful in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

14:54 It's now Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's turn to vent. He tweets: If after campaigning against BJP you want to join BJP, spirit of democracy requires you2resign&seek a fresh mandate. This is amoral politics (sic)

14:46 The party has called the press meet to refute allegations levelled by Lalu Prasad against Nitish Kumar. The RJD chief had claimed that there was a murder case pending against the Bihar Chief Minister.

14:42 The JD(U) is now holding a press conference.

14:39 Bihar Congress chief Ashok Choudhary claims Nitish Kumar's resignation was pre-planned.

14:34 It's not all good news for the JD(U). Former chief Sharad Yadav has met Congress leaders and called for a meet of JD(U) legislators at 5pm this evening.

14:24 The Congress is on the offensive, Senior MP Ghulam Nabi Azad says, I think it has become Nitish jis habit to change parties and stands every few years.

14:15 CNN-News18, quoting sources, says former JD(U) President Sharad Yadav will be inducted into the Union Cabinet.

14:05 Deputy chief minister of Bihar Sushil Modi says the party was in touch with a few MLAs from RJD and Congress, but was sure that BJP didnt need their support. We have the numbers. We have the support of 131 MLAs. Weve asked for a floor test tomorrow. We are absolutely ready to prove our majority, he said.

13:58 Nitish Kumar has tweeted once again thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and adding that there will be no compromise on corruption.

13:50 Some more bad news for the RJD. Its legislator Maheshwer Yadav says he will switch sides to the JD(U).

13:43 Lalu Prasad says he is considering an appeal in Supreme Court against the Governor's decision.

13:41 Some humour on Bihar's political situation:

13:19 Senior JD(U) leader KC Tyagi has reacted to Rahul Gandhis allegation of Nitish Kumars betrayal, He said, Rahul has disappointed JD(U). Congress approach towards corruption is anyway not great and thats why they had expected Nitish Kumar to overlook Tejashwis blatant corruption. But JD (U) and Nitish Kumar have always come down heavily on all those involved in corrupution.

13:10 Nitish Kumar's government will face a trust vote in the Bihar Assembly tomorrow.

12.44 As Nitish Kumar joins hands with BJP, here is a look at 10 reasons why the Mahagathbandhan fell apart.

12.21 Lalu speaks out against Nitish. Nitish compromised on values and forgot anti-communal goal, says Lalu.

12.19 Even as Bihar Cabinet meet is underway at Nitish Kumar's residence, Lalu Prasad Yadav says that Nitish Kumar's move has hurt Bihar.

12.07 Hours before Kumar announced his decision to step down as Bihar CM and sever ties with RJD, Lalu, a seasoned politician who should have known otherwise, put his faith behind his son and Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav against whom a CBI corruption case is currently on.

11.46

11.:30 Even as Nitish Kumar engineered a coup and joined hands with BJP to form the government in Bihar, the Congress is mincing no words. On Thursday, the grand old party's vice-president Rahul Gandhi has accused Janata Dal (United) Chief Nitish Kumar of "cheating" the people and the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance).

11:15 Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav is livid on Nitish Kumar's decision. "I entered in govt with a clean slate with a keen desire of writing a positive story for people of Bihar, only to find an opportunist rival!" he tweets.

11:04 For those who missed it  Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said Nitish Kumar deserted the Mahagathbandhan for personal politics. He joined the wrong people, and Nitish Kumar has cheated us," Gandhi says. He adds that he was aware of Nitishs plans for the last 3-4 months. Nitish has gone against an anti-communal mandate given by Bihar, he says.

11:03 Ahead of the first Cabinet meeting of the new Bihar government, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar says his decisions on resignation and alliances were based on the development of Bihar. When asked to comment on Congress VP Rahul Gandhi's 'cheated' remark, Nitish says "sab ka jawaab denge."

10:55 CNN-News18 reports that Nitish Kumar has called in a Cabinet meeting at 1130 am. Thereafter, a test of strength would take place in Bihar Assembly. Looks like its business as usual for Nitish Kumar. Meanwhile, RJD's Lalu Prasad Yadav has reached a court in Ranchi in a corruption case.

10:50 Congratulations to @NitishKumar ji & @SushilModi ji. Looking forward to working together for Bihars progress & prosperity.  PM Narendra Modi tweets.

10:43 Voicing Betrayal  Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi says Nitish Kumar has cheated us. Nitish Kumar misled me when we met previously. We knew for the last 3-4 months that this was going to happen, he says.

10:42 The Rise of Nitish Kumar

During 1998-99, Nitish Kumar served as the Union Minister for Railways and Minister for Surface Transport and later as the Minister for Agriculture in the AB Vajpayee government.

In 2000, Nitish became the chief minister of Bihar for the first time. But his government lasted only seven days.

He returned as Railway Minister in 2001, a position he served until the term ended in 2004.

His party merged with Janata Dal (United) in 2003 which was also part of the NDA.

He came to power as the Bihar Chief Minister again, after JD (U) and BJP won in 2005. The alliance convincingly retained power in 2010.

Belonging to the socialist class of politicians, Nitish Kumar was an active member of the Jayaprakash Narayan movement between 1974 and 1977. During this time, he also became close to Satyendra Narayan Sinha who would later become Bihar's Chief Minister.

In 1994, Nitish Kumar and George Fernandes came together to form the Samta Party. The party's alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 1996 and 1998 Lok Sabha elections yielded good results and established Nitish as a leader of rich calibre.

10:30 JD(U)'s return to the NDA fold marks a significant shift in the fortunes of the Opposition parties. Nitish Kumar was seen by political experts as the strongest face of what is called the "united Opposition" or the "Grand Alliance" and was touted as a Prime Ministerial candidate by many. With Bihar, the Opposition was hoping for a strong Grand Alliance for 2019. Now, with this Gathbandhan, BJP will lead 18 states in India, strengthening its position for the 2019 elections.

Read More | Mission 2019: What Nitish alliance means for PM Modi and BJP?

10:20 Nitish Kumar first became Chief Minister in 2000, although for just 7 days.

10:15 Slogans of Inquilab Zindabad slogans were raised as Nitish Kumar took oath as the Bihar CM. The JD(U)-BJP combine is back in power after four years in Bihar. The Nitish Kumar-led JD (U) had walked out of the NDA in July 2013 after Narendra Modi was nominated as head of the BJP's campaign committee for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

10:10 Nitish Kumar is now a six-time Chief Minister and second time in past two years. Some are terming it Nitish Kumar's "ghar wapsi" in to the NDA-fold. It was a short ceremony, in contrast to the last time Nitish Kumar was sworn in.

10:05 Sushil Kumar Modi is sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister.

10:00 Nitish Kumar starts taking the oath as Bihar Chief Minister. He says he will dutifully serve the state to the best of abilities.

09:55 Nitish Kumar has reached Raj Bhavan. He comes back at the helm within 24 hours of resigning as Chief Minister.

09:51 Sushil Kumar Modi has reached Raj Bhavan in Patna for the oath-taking ceremony. He will be inducted into the new Bihar government as Deputy Chief Minister.

09:50 Meanwhile, JD(U) heavyweight Sharad Yadav maintains silence on the happenings in Bihar and the JD(U)-NDA tie-up.

09:40 CNN-News18 reports that BJP leader JP Nadda says the party has ensured that the government in Bihar is not destabilised. BJP gave unconditional support for the prosperity of the state, he says.

09:33 "Just received invitation from Hon'ble Governor to take Oath and be a part of Bihar Govt"  BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi tweets.

09: 30 RJD offices offices across all districts in Bihar will hold protest march at 12 pm on Thursday. RJD is angry at the Governor for preponing the swearing-in ceremony to 10 am. Governor Tripathi had earlier invited Tejashwi Yadav and five other RJD MLAs for discussion.

Akhilesh

Yadav



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Bihar Today

 Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) July 27, 2017

09:15 The JD(U)-BJP combine returns to power after four years in the politically volatile state. Prodded by Nitish Kumar, the JD(U) had walked out of the NDA in July 2013 after Narendra Modi was nominated head of the BJP's campaign committee for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

09:05 Tejashwi Yadav seems miffed. He says the Governor gave them an appointment at 11 am while calling in Kumar for swearing-in at 10 am.



Governor gv us time of 11AM and now suddenly has asked NDA for oath ceremony at 10AM. Why so much hurry & rush Mr. Honest & Moral?  Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) July 26, 2017

09:00 Number crunching: JD(U) has 71 MLAs in the House, NDA 58 and Congress 27. While JD (U) and NDA together cross the halfway mark, RJD and Congress only have 107, which is 15 short of simple majority. Nitish has two days to prove majority.

08:55 Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi has invited Nitish Kumar to take the oath as Chief Minister at 10 am.

08:44 Less than 24 hours after he resigned as Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar will back to do the top job in the state.

00:20 Tejashwi Yadav breaks his silence. Says he won't give up and will speak to the Governor on Thursday and stake RJD's claim as the largest party. Till then, we say good night with the story of how the RJD leader was at the centre of the storm which broke the Grand Alliance.

23:56 Nitish Kumar and MLAs have now reached the Governor's House

23:41 The RJD has said that Lalu Prasad's son Tejashwi Yadav, who was the focus of the corruption allegations, will be the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly.

23:12 The alliance is no more, and today's drama can be compared to when the JD(U) and RJD first came together. Read more.

22:54 The attention will now turn to the composition of Nitish Kumar's Cabinet and whether JD(U) leaders could get berths in the Union Cabinet.

22:51 More from Lalu Prasad on Twitter: All JDU MLAs caged in CM house since evening. Why so mch insecurity?Just cuz MLAs realise tht they are elected against BJP's divisive agenda.

22:44 Here's the latest: Governor Tripathi has been discharged and JD(U), BJP will form the new Bihar government on Thursday. Nitish Kumar will be sworn in as Chief Minister at 5pm.

22:30 Lalu Prasad is intent on making his voice heard. He has dared the JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar to declare fresh elections and seek a fresh mandate. "In Bihar, we had received record-breaking mandate against the BJP. Now, Nitish will run the government with the same BJP on "moral grounds," he has tweeted.

22:24 The BJP says it has faxed its letter of support to Raj Bhawan and the new government will be formed tomorrow.

22:19 Some more drama. There was speculation that JD(U) and BJP legislators may approach the Governor tonight to stake claim. But Governor Tripathi has now been hospitalised with a nose infection.

22:14 JD(U) leader Ajay Alok says the party could not afford to be seen as siding with the corrupt.

22:10 Another salvo from Lalu Prasad on Twitter: When Nitish Kumar broke alliance with BJP in 2013 he choreographed & followed the same script to secure himself. He surrenders as per needs

22:02 Sushil Kumar Modi refuses to say if he will be Deputy Bihar CM again, but says JD(U) and BJP legislators are holding a meeting at Nitish Kumar's residence at the moment.

21:59 BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi says the BJP will be part of the new government in Bihar.

21:58 The timing couldn't be worse for Lalu Prasad, who has a court case in Ranchi tomorrow morning and has to leave tonight amid this worsening crisis.

21:53 CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury tweets: A point to ponder. Bihar CM's resignation at this moment, when atrocities against Dalits and minorities are rising across India, helps whom?

21:42 Alliance partner Congress has now lashed out at Nitish Kumar, saying he has betrayed the people's mandate.

21:32 Bihar BJP Chief Sushil Modi said that he has communicated to Nitish Kumar via telephone that he will support him. "We have decided to support the Nitish-led government and we will convey our message to the Governor of Bihar as soon as possible."

"We have told him that we accept him as our leader and he is ready for it," Sushil said, adding, "we will support the government formed under him."

21:27 In fact, the JD(U) and BJP legislators are reportedly planning to meet the Governor and stake their claim to form a government tonight.

21:25 JD(U) legislators have now gathered at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's residence.

21:18 Lalu Prasad has tweeted too. He reiterates that Nitish was aware of the corruption allegations before the Grand Alliance was formed.

21:13 More from Twitter. Nitish Kumar has thanked has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his earlier tweet applauding the decision to resign.

21:07 CNN-News18, quoting sources, says that the BJP will inform the Bihar Governor on Wednesday that it will support the JD(U).

21:00 Those reports are now confirmed by BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi. So a JD(U)-BJP alliance government looks a likely outcome.

20:52 Unconfirmed TV reports suggest that the BJP has extended unconditional report to Nitish Kumar.

20:44 Union minister Smriti Irani will also contest the Rajya Sabha elections.

20:42 Meanwhile, amid all this drama, the BJP is now announcing that party president Amit Shah will contest Rajya Sabha elections from Gujarat.

20:33 The Congress had repeatedly tried to defuse the fire, but the Grand Alliance now looks over.

20:23 More on the math: The RJD has 80 seats and the Congress has 27. Together, they reach 107, which is still short of the halfway mark of 122.

20:20 Lalu Prasad still wants this government to continue. "All RJD, JD(U) and Congress MLAs should sit down and pick a new leader and make a government," he said.

20:16 "Nitish Kumar is hand-in-glove with the BJP and RSS. What is this agreement? Prime Minister Modi tweeted immediately after Nitish's resignation. He even congratulated him." says Lalu.

20:08 Lalu Prasad says that as the single-largest party, the RJD has a claim to power.

20:02 A reaction from Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasudhara Raje. A BJP leader, she says it is only fair for the Prime Minister and the party to support Nitish Kumar.

20:00 He now claims there is a murder case against Nitish Kumar dating back to 2009.

19:58 Lalu says he repeatedly told Nitish Kumar that cases against him and his family were false.

19:56 I don't need to have an explanation for JD(U) leaders, says Lalu.

19:54 Lalu says he spoke about with Nitish for about 40 minutes last night. Insists that he did not seek Tejashwi's resignation.

19:52 A seemingly unruffled Lalu claims Nitish said he would die, but not join the BJP.

19:50 Lalu Prasad says Nitish Kumar was aware of the corruption allegations when the alliance was formed back in 2015.

19:47 We are happy that Bihar CM didnt compromise on issue of corruption and did not kneel down before RJD: BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi.

19:45 Apart from an alliance, the BJP could also consider supporting Nitish Kumar's government from the outside.

19:40 He says the BJP's future strategy will be decided by the BJP's Parliamentary Party. Important: He said the BJP is not in favour of mid-term elections in Bihar.

19:38 BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi is now speaking.

19:34 Nitish Kumar has insisted that he did not seek Tejashwi Yadav's resignation. "I just asked Tejashwi to explain the charges of corruption," he said.

19:32 Still no official word from Lalu Prasad and the RJD.

19:30 Now for the math. There are 243 seats in the Bihar Assembly. The RJD is the single-largest party with 80 seats, but well short of the halfway mark of 122. The JD(U) has 71 seats and it can cross the 122-mark with the help of the BJP's 53 seats.

19:25 The BJP Parliamentary Party board is also set to meet in Delhi shortly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah will be in attendance.

19:23 The attention will turn to the math in the Bihar Assembly now. We'll bring you an update shortly.

19:20 The BJP core committee is reportedly meeting now. A reminder that the BJP and the JD(U) have ruled Bihar together before, but Nitish Kumar pulled the plug in the build-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

19:16 Big news. The Prime Minister has reacted. Modi has congratulated Nitish Kumar for taking a major step in the fight against corruption.

"The citizens of this country welcome and support this honest move," the tweet reads. "It is important for everyone to rise above politics and fight against corruption."

19:13 Here's the background of what led to this big step from Nitish Kumar: The two bigwigs, Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav, had been at loggerheads ever since the CBI launched raids against Lalu's son and family. JD(U) leaders had demanded that Nitish's deputy Tejashwi should resign, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad always maintained that there was no possibility of his son resigning from the post of Bihar deputy CM.

19:10 Nitish Kumar says he tried really hard to keep the alliance intact, but he could not compromise any further.

19:08 A quick reminder that this government has lasted less than two years.

19:07 BJP non-committal as well. Ravi Shankar Prasad says it is up to Nitish what happens next.

19:04: The next big question: Will JD(U) form a government with the BJP's support? Nitish is non-committal and says it remains to be seen.

19:02 A full-fledged attack, this. Nitish says greed of Lalu family cannot be satisfied.

19:00 "It was becoming difficult to work with RJD," says Nitish.

18:59 Nitish says he spoke to Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi earlier but no solution was hammered out.

18:56 Kumar confirms he submitted his resignation to the Governor. Says he quit in the interest of the Bihar.

18:54 Nitish Kumar is now speaking to the press.

18:50 "Has Nitish asked for the resignation of Tejaswi Yadav?" Prasad retorted in reply to a volley of questions by scribes regarding JD(U) insistence that the embattled deputy chief minister should come clean on accusations in public.

18:48: The development came hours after RJD President Lalu Prasad ruled out a resignation by his son Tejaswi Prasad Yadav as Bihar's deputy chief minister following the lodging of an FIR by the CBI against him in the land-for-hotels case and blamed the BJP for the 'present crisis' in the state.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the Janata Dal (United) on Wednesday resigned from his post amid a rift with coalition partner Rashtriya Janata Dal.
Non-Resident Indians and expatriates are unable to file income tax returns because of the bugs in the system. For expatriates, the e-filing system is unable to accept their request without an Aadhaar card link and for NRIs, when they feed their country of residence, the system is unable to process the request, reports the Economic Times.

Partner at Ashok Maheshwary & Associates LLP Amit Maheshwari explained that the e-filing system is unable to process their request without an Aadhaar as many expats "have been tagged as Indian citizens in the income tax database," and said that this anomaly seems to have its origin at the time of allotment of PAN.

The other reasons for the failure in e-filing the tax returns could be for the expats who are not within the jurisdiction records of the international tax ward and due to the bug in the system which asks for their foreign bank account which is actually not required.

However, these issues are rising despite the recent government notification which said that foreign citizens are not required to have an Aadhaar for filing tax returns.

While the issue is yet to be rectified, expats and NRIs want the deadline to be extended for filing returns.

However, a government official said that "it is unlikely that the date will be extended" as "extending the deadline for just one section of the taxpayer is impossible.

As per the Aadhaar Act, a person is eligible to obtain Aadhaar card if one stays in India for more than 182 days in the past year. Pointing that many expatriates are required to obtain an Aadhaar number.

The hesitation from the NRI side to enrol for Aadhaar could be due to the sharing of personal details, including biometric ones, believe experts.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declared results of the preliminary examination of the Civil Services exam on Thursday on its official website - www.upsc.gov.in.

One can check the results by clicking here also. The examination was held on June 18.

The students will now need to fill and submit the Detailed Application Form (DAF) for the main examination form online. The important information needed to fill the DAF will be available on the website itself.

The form will be available on the UPSC site between August 17 and August 31 until 6 PM.

The Civil Services main exam is scheduled for October 28. Nearly 980 seats are available in civil services, as per a report in the Hindustan Times.

The Civil Services exam is conducted in two stages -

> Preliminary examination, which is objective type and is for the selection of candidates for the main exam.

> The main exam - which has a written paper and an interview is for selection for various posts.

The schedule and e-admit cards for the main exam will be put 2 weeks before the main exam, according to the note on the website.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has agreed to examine a plea on wrong questions in the UPSC prelims. As per the plea, two questions in the exam were wrong.

The hearing for it is scheduled on August 1.

Meanwhile, India's largest public lender the State Bank of India (SBI) Thursday invited applications for the posts of senior managers and deputy managers. The opening is for jobs on contractual basis.
The Congress today accused the BJP of horse-trading in Gujarat and using "money, muscle and state power" to engineer defections ahead of the crucial Rajya Sabha polls.

Stating that the party is keeping all options open, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi warned the MLAs of serious consequences of an anti-defection law that can lead to disqualification from contesting elections up to six years.

He recalled court judgements that termed defections a constitutional sin and unprincipled defections a social evil.

"Crores of rupees have been spent in horse-trading in Gujarat by the BJP. You have seen this naked drama.... The policy of the BJP in Gujarat is - by hook or by crook, come to power by breaking all laws," he said.

The comments come after six Congress MLAs quit the party ahead of the crucial Rajya Sabha elections for three seats that may alter the result. The party had 57 MLAs in the 182- member Assembly.

While Amit Shah and Smriti Irani have been fielded by the BJP, the Congress has again fielded Ahmed Patel, the political secretary of Sonia Gandhi, for the third seat and the defections may have a bearing on the election for this seat.

Singhvi said, "The anti-defection law is supreme and repeatedly the Supreme Court has called defections a constitutional sin."

He alleged that Congress Gujarat MLA Punabhai Gamit was offered Rs 10 crore by the BJP. Singhvi also accused the BJP of adopting unlawful measures with the use of money and power to force the Congress MLAs to switch sides and quit the assembly.

"If the MLAs think they cannot come under the anti- defection law, they are mistaken. If found guilty under the law, they face future disqualification of six years," he said.

He added that the Prevention of Corruption Act says any person receiving any gratification for doing something in return is corruption.

Asked what options does the Congress have now, the Congress leader said, "we have all our options open", an indication that the Congress may move the court.

Singhvi accused the BJP of engineering defections by using "money, muscle and state power" and subverting the authority of elected governments, adding "this has become the hallmark of the ruling party".

On Nitish Kumar switching sides, the Congress leader said it is like number portability where the chief minister is the same and only the service provider has changed from the RJD to the BJP.

"It's chief minister portability," he said.
Geekologie has shut down.

Thank you to everybody.

Now go be happy.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court today.

Following is the chronology of the Panamagate scandal:

April 4, 2016: The International Consortium of Investigative Journalism publishes the Panama Papers, exposing tax evasion by the world's elite through off-shore accounts and shell companies. The documents include names of Sharif's family.

April 5, 2016: Sharif sets up a judicial committee to investigate the allegations, denies charges.

April 26, 2016: Opposition parties reject the judicial commission set up by the government.

November 1, 2016: The Supreme Court decides to pursue a case related to Nawaz Sharif.

November 7, 2016: PML-N submits Qatari prince's letter to the Supreme Court containing information about the London flats that were at the centre of the Panama Papers scandal.

January 6, 2017: Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz submits details of assets after the Supreme Court resumes the hearing.

April 20, 2017: SC orders formation of a JIT with a split 3-2 verdict to probe the corruption charges against Sharif.

May 5, 2017: SC formally constitutes the JIT.

May 22, 2017: The JIT presents its first bi-weekly report to the SC in two volumes.

May 24, 2017: The JIT sends questionnaires to Sharif and his two sons - Hussain and Hassan.

May 28, 2017: Sharif's elder son, Hussain, appears before the JIT, claims it did not provide him with any questionnaire.

May 30, 2017: Hussain appears before JIT for the second time.

June 13, 2017: The JIT submits a report to the SC on obstructions to its work, blames government institutions for "creating impediments in the collection of evidence".

June 15, 2017: Sharif appears before the JIT for questioning, becoming the first sitting Pakistan prime minister to appear before any investigating agency.

June 17, 2017: Sharif's younger brother and Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif questioned by JIT.

July 5, 2017: Sharif's daughter Maryam appears before JIT.

July 7, 2017: Former Qatari premier Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani sends a letter to the JIT, asking it to record his statement at his palace before submitting its final report to the SC.

July 8, 2017: PML-N says will reject any JIT report without Qatari ex-premier's statement.

July 10, 2017: The JIT submits the final report to the SC.

July 21, 2017: The three-judge bench Supreme Court bench hearing the case reserves decision.

The five-member SC bench unanimously rules against Sharif, disqualifying him from the office.
In a move to prioritise the interests of Kannadigas and promote the use of their regional language, the Kannada Development Authority (KDA) has asked the state government to replace non-Kannadiga engineers with Kannadigas in Bengaluru's Namma Metro.

KDAs chairman SG Siddaramaiah has written to the Karnataka Chief Minister and some top government administrators suggesting that Kannadigas should be prioritised for recruitment in Namma Metro on par with Sarojini Mahisii report. According to the report, 100 percent of the positions in all state government establishments and State PSUs should be reserved for locals in Karnataka.

The KDAs inspection of Metro service in the state brought up the issue of a section of metro railway staff not being able to speak in Kannada. As per a report in The Hindu, BMRCL had claimed that roughly 17 percent of its staff cannot speak in the local language.

KDA has directed the Bengaluru Metro authority to make sure all their employees can interact in Kannada and can speak the language.

Additionally, it has asked them to create Kannada sanghas to provide a platform for employees to engage in introducing Kannada language and culture among outsiders living in the state.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told India Today that the Kannadiga pride has always been very important and their culture and ethnicity would be a part of the state's agenda.

The KDA has also sent directions to scrap Hindi usage in signage and implement the old two language policy of Kannada and Egnlish.

When asked about the engineers, BMRC managing director Pradeep Singh Kharola said that the hiring was done purely on the basis of technical capabilities with concentrated efforts to hire more locals in the future.

The KDA chairman stated that action must be taken against the BMRC for misleading the government and creating confusion over the use of three languages in the signage.

The move comes amid strengthening ethnic and linguistic sentiment among Kannadigas who are trying to resist the imposition of Hindi by the Centre.

Last month, there was an uproar on Twitter with the hashtag NammaMetroHindiBeda (no Hindi in our metro) after state authorities put up signboards and instructions in Hindi in Bengaluru Metro. The Hindi instructions replaced English in many places, earning the ire of Kannadigas.

Following this, the KDA had to direct metro authorities to remove the signboards.

In 2015, Karnataka had another social media protest with the hashtag StopHindiImposition as Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a whole speech in Hindi on Independence Day.

Recently. Karnataka government has also asked for a separate flag dedicated to the state.
Moneycontrol News:

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written a letter to Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Narendra Singh Tomar stating the state government was compelled to redesign the signage in the metro without the Hindi language.



.@CMofKarnataka has written a letter to Union Minister @nstomar saying BMRCL would be asked to redesign Name Boards etc without Hindi Script pic.twitter.com/HSD5ujtQ8k

 GoK Updates (@GOKUpdates) July 28,

Siddaramaiah had written that although the state government had taken the necessary action for maintaining law and order, the Centres three language policy of Hindi, English and a regional language in the Bengaluru metro was not reasonable. He also requested the Union Minister to review the Ministrys earlier decision on the use of three languages.

The letter also stated that the cultural aspirations and sentiments of the people of Karnataka need to be respected. Apart from the cultural need to give primacy to the language of the State, it is also practical to use those languages which local people can read and follow. It is not essential to use Hindi in signages as the commuters who use the metro are comfortable with reading and understanding Kannada and or English. Hence, the state is compelled to ask the BMRCL to temporarily redesign the signages without using Hindi.

Although both the centre and state have equal (50:50) equity stake in BMRCL, the financial contribution of the state government is much more than that of the Government of India. Moreover, the supervision of operations, providing of security etc to BMRCL is the responsibility of the state government. Also, the state government has undertaken to repay all the loans contracted by BMRCL and also to bear the operating losses, he said.

The issue first took root last month as social media users expressed their anger over the state government putting up Hindi signboards in the Bengaluru metro. The hashtag NammaMetroHindiBeda (no Hindi in our metro) spread like wildfire, with activists defacing the signs by removing the Hindi names on the signboards.

On Friday, the head of the Karnataka Development Authroity (KDA) also called for the removal of non-Kanndiga engineers on Friday.
Pakistan's Supreme Court on Friday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after a corruption probe found irregularities in his and his familys known sources of income and wealth.

In the verdict unanimously handed out by a five-member bench, the top court also disqualified Nawaz Sharif's daughter Maryam Sharif and son-in-law Muhammad Safdar Awan, finance minister Ishaq Dar among others.

Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan said that Having furnished a false declaration under solvent information, Mian Nawaz Sharif is not honest.

He further added that Sharif was no longer "eligible to be an honest member of the parliament".

The Supreme Court while referring the case to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), ordered criminal proceedings against Nawaz Sharif and his family members.

The Panama Papers leaks in 2016 had revealed that Sharif's children owned expensive residential property in London through a string of offshore companies.

Nawaz Sharif's lawyers had tried to disassociate his daughter Maryam Sharif from Nielson and Nescoll (two offshore companies listed in the Panama Papers) with whom she was linked.

What the JIT report said

The court had set up a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe the matter. The top court's verdict was based on the report submitted by the JIT on July 10 which said that Sharif, his two sons and daughter Maryam Sharif were not able to justify their assets and income.

Another offshore company FZE Capital, which was managed by Nawaz Sharif until 2014, was also discovered. Maryam Sharif was proved to be the beneficial owner of two offshore companies Nielson and Nescoll. Sharif's association with FZE Capital was not disclosed by him earlier.

The report also held Maryam guilty of falsifying evidence before the Supreme Court. It said that Calibri font was used in documents that were showed to be from 2006, whereas the font was not publicly available until January 2007.

Sharif's former accountant and current finance minister Ishaq Dar had submitted documents to the court about how the Sharif family obtained their wealth that included a portfolio of upscale London.
Education

Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu.

Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu.

Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events:

International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu.

EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu.

Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale  an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s  will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets  June Homecoming: Participant  $18 per person; Sustainer  $25 per person; Benefactor  $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler  Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events:

SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available  for information call 610-275-1960

Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above)

SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m.

Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.  4 p.m.  computers are available during those hours.

Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863.

Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376.

Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com.

The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes:

Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at

other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020.

CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313.

The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events:

Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m.

Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m.

Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30.

Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301.

For Kids & Families

The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age.

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443.

Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950.

Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required.

The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950.

Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus.

Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage.

Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun.

Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train.

Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world!

Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class.

Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org.

Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583.

Community Events at the Ambler Y:

-YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register.

Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org.

Health

Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot.

The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net.

The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863.

The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information.

Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245.

Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net.

Spring Aquatic Programs  UDHS Pool:

-Summer is just around the corner  Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required.

 Shallow Water Aerobics  Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR.

 Adult Swim Instructions  Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR

-Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21.

-Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday  Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m.

-Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons.

-Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates.

Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994.

SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com.

Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org.

Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs:

FITNESS CLASSES

Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month.

Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30  9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000.

Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30  7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047.

New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m.  12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30  4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931.

Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325.

Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes.

Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com.

Librarytalk

Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744

www.upperdublinlibrary.org

APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS:

Storytimes: Please register in the library.

o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m.

o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m.

o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m.

o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6.

APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS:

North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee

APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS:

NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org.

One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register  contact info above.

Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744.

o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register.

Meetings:

Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m.

Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m.

Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org.

For children and teens at Blue Bell:

* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.

* Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.

* Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m.

* May 14  Despicable Me

* June 11  Alpha and Omega

* Special Events

* April  watch for date of spring/Easter events

* April 14 at 4:30 p.m.  Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children.

* April 14 at 7 p.m.  Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided.

* April 16 at 1 p.m.  Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King.

* April 16 at 1:30 p.m.  Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes?

* April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button.

* April 30 through May 3  Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults.

* May  sign up for Science in the Summer

* June  sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children

* June  sign up for Summer Reading, all ages

For adults at Blue Bell:

* Daytime Book Discussion Group  fourth Tuesday, Jan  April at 1:30 p.m.

* April 26  The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

* Night-time Book Discussion Group  third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.

o April 19  The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

* Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges

o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked?

*Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs

* Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class.

* Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class.

* Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m.

* Giant Book Sale, April 29  May 3

o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults!

o Held during library hours.

o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m.

o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join.

* Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series

o May 11 at 1 p.m.  Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society

* Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room.

* Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read.

* Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome.

* Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome.

*Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older.

* Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours

* Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours

* Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday!

Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library.

* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.

* Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.

* For adults:

* Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn.

* Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net

* Special Events:

* April 14 at 1:30 p.m.  Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian.

* April 19 at 7 p.m.  Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m.

* April 21 at 7 p.m.  Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades.

*May 2 at 6:30 p.m.  Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.

*May 10  Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

*May 12 at 1:30p.m.  Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman.

*May 17  Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

*June 13 at 6:30 p.m.  Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.

Meetings and Lectures

The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833.

The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200.

The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/.

LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings.

Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment.

The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org.

Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org.

The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org)

-Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them.

The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter.

For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps.

Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin.

Special Events

The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County.

The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065.

Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org.

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org.

The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members.

Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex.

The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com.

The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348.

The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org.

Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163.

The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu.

The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com.

The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net.

Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd.

The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages.

13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries.

Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler.

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family.

The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler.

JPRN  Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them  Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike.

Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies.

Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately.

Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information.

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways.

Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table.

Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443.

Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday  Friday from 9 a.m.  4 p.m.

Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp  Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday  Friday from 9 a.m.  4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall:

-Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store.

Music and Theater

The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220.

Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html.

Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free.

The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org

Religious News

The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276.

Reunions

St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net.

Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572.

Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779.

Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net

Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net

The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411.

Support

New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149.

PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931.

The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296.

Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656.

Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group  every other Wednesday, 7  8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support  second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner  Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers  Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information.

CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7  8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich,
Send items for Worship News to religion@thereporteronline.com. Address questions to Nancy March, editor, at nmarch@thereporteronline.com. Deadline is noon Thursday to appear in the Saturday Worship News and Notes. Presentation of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church has one more Sidewalk Ukrainian...
An exclusive exhibition of the world of Terry Pratchett is to be unveiled in September 2017. All hail the creator of Discworld.



Exhibition: Terry Pratchett: HisWorld

Location: Salisbury Museum, Salisbury, UK

Exhibition dates: Saturday, September 16, 2017 to Saturday, January 13, 2018

Any event or exhibition relating to the marvellous creator the Discworld series is occasion for celebrating. Terry Pratchett: HisWorld will be on display in Pratchetts home town of Salisbury, rather than an Ankh-Morporkian conurbation like London.

Presented by the Estate of Sir Terry Pratchett and Paul Kidby this is an exclusive and unique exhibition dedicated to Pratchetts life, his creative genius, and his journey to becoming the author that he became. His personal artwork will be on display, as well as a number of his most treasured personal items  ones which have never been on display before. In addition, visitors will be able to view more than forty original illustrations by Terry Pratchetts art-wizard of choice, Paul Kidby.

Archaelogist and exhibition curator Richard Henry told The Bookseller:

Exhibitions are normally organised by pitching an idea but, fittingly for Terry, this kicked off with a sword. Terry got a sword made because when he became a knight [in 2009] he decided all good knights needed one. We started working with the two men who helped him to make his sword: Jake Keen, an experimental iron-melter and master blacksmith Hector Cole. There were a number of archaeological discoveries  we managed to trace the meteorite in Terrys sword  and then we spoke to his family, and a few weeks later it had grown into an exhibition about Sir Terry Pratchett. This is not normally how it works, there are usually more meetings and pitching, but its exciting that its grown so organically and very fitting.

People are flocking from all over the world to attend. If you would like to see Sir Terrys sword, as well as all the other wonderful exhibits on display, it may be wise to book your ticket soon.

Book tickets in advance here.
Firefighters responded to a vegetation fire in north Morgan Hill at lunchtime July 27, but little property damage and no injuries were reported.

About 12 p.m., CalFire sent crews to a residential property on Paquita Espana Court, according to CalFire Capt. David Hori. San Jose Fire Department also responded to the report of a vegetation fire.

The fire burned about a quarter-acre of grass and other plant matter, and damaged three vehicles on the property before firefighters extinguished the flames, Hori said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Morganton Department of Public Safety promoted nine of their employees to the rank of lieutenant on June 24.

Sgt. Gary Massey, Sgt. Robin Triplett, Sgt. Will Lackey, Sgt. Brad Buchanan, Sgt. Josiah Brown, Fire Engineer Clay Rudicill, Fire Engineer Israel Gibson, Fire Engineer Chris Rhodes and Fire Engineer Jamie Clark were given the promotions during a ceremony held at the City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium, according to a press release from MDPS.

The department thanked CoMMA Director Jim Smith, Amber Austin and James Hildebran for helping to make the ceremony a huge success.

Co-workers, family and friends attended the ceremony as well as Mayor Ronnie Thompson, Councilman Sidney Simmons, Councilman John Cantrell, City Manager Sally Sandy, Assistant City Manager Sonja Marston, Human Resources Director Rus Scherer and City Attorney Louis Vinay Jr., the release said.

MDPS Chief Ronnie Rector presented the lieutenants with framed Personnel Orders and each office,r accompanied by family members, received their badges and recited their Oath of Office.

In closing, Rector challenged the lieutenants to be strong, but not rude; to be kind, but not weak; to be bold, but not a bully; to be thoughtful, but not lazy; to be humble, but not timid; to be proud, but not arrogant and to have humor, without being foolish, the release said.

He also reminded them of a Bible verse, 1 John 4:4, The Lord is greater than the giants you face.

Find your strength in the one greater than you, Rector said.

Morganton Public Safety congratulated the lieutenants and encouraged them to be leaders who are strong, courageous and safe as they serve the citizens of Morganton, the release said.

"We are fortunate to have police and fire personnel who embody, embrace, encourage and promote the values of integrity, professionalism, honor, accountability, respect and equality," the release said.
Jonathan Miller: Welcome to the Morningstar Manager Check-up, our whistle stop tour of three fund updates.

We start with the T Rowe Price US Blue Chip Equity fund. The fund originated in the US launched in 1993 and this version is available to UCITs investors. Larry Puglia has been the sole manager throughout this period. Puglia looks for companies with above-average, durable growth prospects, strong free cash flow, and management that allocates capital well.

Hell then make bigger bets on dominant franchises which hes executed to good effect with Amazon, Facebook and Alphabet. The leaning towards fast growers can make the fund susceptible to underperformance in market corrections but overall, we believe theres a lot to like. Experienced management, reasonable fees, a strong parent company, and a consistent investment approach continue to support its Morningstar Analyst Rating of Silver.

Next, its on to fixed income with the Artemis Strategic Bond fund. James Foster and Alex Ralph have comanaged this fund since its launch in June 2005. The strategy combines top-down views with bottom-up elements. Foster focuses on investment-grade, especially financials, and Ralph on high-yield, particularly industrials. We see their skills as complementary and the funds credit bias has been the largest driver of its returns over time.

Within high-yield, the emphasis is on credit selection, while on the investment-grade front, analysing sector fundamentals plays a greater role. This high conviction approach requires patience to play out. But given the managers solid track record in executing this flexible strategy as well as the advantage of low fees, we maintain its Morningstar Analyst Rating of Silver.

Finally, its on to an ethical offering, the Standard Life Investments UK Ethical fund. This is managed by experienced investor Lesley Duncan, whos been at the helm since June 2004. The process uses a proprietary quantitative model across a host criteria and also employs fundamental analysis. Given the ethical nature all stocks are screened and once a stock passes the negative screen its deemed acceptable for investment.

Its important to be aware that the ethical mandate and the mid- and small-cap bias can lead the fund's performance to diverge significantly from the index. 2016 was a case in point, with the fund significantly underperforming as large-cap stocks benefited from sterling weakness. Plus, the resources sectors, performed strongly, but the fund is largely prohibited from investing here. We have a positive view on the tried-and-tested equity process and the fund retains a Morningstar Analyst Rating of Bronze.
Veteran finds his place at Moorpark College Moorpark College student Jarrett Tillis-Herron spent five years at Camp Humphreys duty station in South Korea. The experience changed his life. Originally from Houston, Tillis Herron decided to enlist in...

Posse saddles up to help children Russell Libby describes his golden palomino horse, Sonny, as the calmest, sweetest guy and his best friend for nearly two decades. Sonny is the reason Libby and his wife, Laura,...

Kris Kringle to support library programs The Moorpark Friends of the Library is offering the second annual Letter from Santa fundraiser. For a $25 donation to the Moorpark Friends of the Library, children will receive a...
Iowa's two Republican senators expressed disappointment Friday at the defeat of a GOP plan to repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act, a blow that for now has taken the health care issue off the table in Congress.

Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst both voted for the so-called "skinny repeal" after midnight Friday. The measure went down to defeat, 49-51, with three Republicans voting with the Democrats to oppose it.

The measure would have eliminated the Affordable Care Act's requirement that individuals get insurance and that companies with more than 50 employees provide it.

In statements Friday, neither Grassley nor Ernst pointed to what might be the path forward for their party.

"The result is disappointing," Grassley said in a statement. "The health care situation is the same as before. Obamacare has not delivered on its promises and is failing."

Ernst, too, called the result disappointing and added, "We don't have the option to sit back and do nothing: Iowans are demanding relief from Obamacare."

The view from Democrats was different. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called the defeat a victory for Illinois, saving a million of them from losing insurance coverage.

"Under these various repeal bills, every family with health insurance would have seen the reliability of that insurance crumble," Durbin said.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the number of uninsured in the U.S. would go up by 16 million next year if the skinny repeal bill were to become law.

Many Republicans, like Grassley, said they were hoping to get a bill to a House-Senate conference committee so that a more comprehensive measure could be hammered out.

However, some Democrats warned the House might just take the bill up, pass it and send it to President Donald Trump. Early in the day, some Republicans had those concerns, too.

In Iowa, as in the rest of the country, the debate was watched closely. Iowa has just one insurer, Minnesota-based Medica, that has said it plans to participate in the Affordable Care Act exchange for 2018.

Republicans have blamed the current law for what they call the collapsing marketplace. Democrats say the uncertainty surrounding the GOP's repeal-and-replace efforts caused the situation.

Either way, 72,000 Iowans who buy insurance on their own have just one choice for coverage, and Medica has proposed an average 43 percent premium increase for next year.

In a statement, Medica said Friday that repealing just the individual mandate was a bad idea, but added, "we hope the vote in the Senate did not close the door to Congress taking some positive actions to provide short term stability for markets."

Insurers have pushed for Congress to approve cost-sharing and reinsurance funding, which they say would provide stability.

Medica said the failure of the repeal-and-replace bills would have no impact on its 2018 plans for Iowa.

Iowa's insurance division has asked the Trump administration for approval of a stopgap measure that would permit the sale of a single, standardized insurance plan and the use of federal funding to pay for restructured premium tax credits and a reinsurance plan to help with people with higher medical costs.

The administration has not yet announced a decision on the plan.
Pipeline giant TransCanada said Thursday it's moving forward with the controversial Keystone XL pipeline by soliciting for customer interest.

The much-debated pipeline, which became the symbol of the environmental movement against oil projects, was rejected under the Obama administration but quickly brought back to life by President Trump.

Now, TransCanada is reaching out to potential Keystone pipeline network customers to gauge their interest through Sept. 28. The Keystone XL pipeline would move Canadian oil sands from Alberta through Nebraska and into its Cushing, Okla. hub. From there, TransCanada already has completed the southern leg of the Keystone system from Oklahoma to Nederland, Texas.

With state and local regulatory hurdles left to clear and environmental groups gearing up to challenge the presidential permit in court, the embattled oil pipeline has a ways to go before construction begins and crude flows to Texas refineries.

TransCanada has repeatedly expressed interest in keeping the project alive, but hasn't committed the necessary dollars or announced any updated construction timeline. Court battles are still anticipated.

The Keystone system would have the capacity to deliver 800,000 barrels a day to the Texas Gulf Coast.

Much of the attention remains focused on Nebraska, the last of three states from which TransCanada said it needs approval before it will begin construction on the 1,200-mile pipeline. Public hearings in Nebraska continued this week.

A final ruling by the Nebraska Public Service Commission is expected by late November.

Also muddying the issues are energy economics. Oil prices are less than half of what they were a few years ago, and the biggest energy companies have shifted their focus from Canadian oil sands projects to the booming Permian Basin in West Texas.

Still, many Gulf Coast refiners crave the Canadian crude, which is a heavier product that the refineries feed off of better, as opposed to the lighter Texas oil.
Oil field operations around West Texas received the majority of the blame for pollution-releasing incidents cited in the Environmental Integrity Project and Environment Texas report, Breakdowns In Enforcement issued early this month.

Citing state records, the two environmental groups said there were 2,004 upset incidents because of equipment malfunctions or maintenance that released 34 million pounds of pollution last year in the Texas Commission On Environmental Qualitys Midland District 7.

Three of the companies cited in the report offered their responses.

Hess Corp.s Amerada Hess Seminole Gas Processing Plant was cited in the report as the top air polluter, responsible for more than 5.8 million pounds of pollution, or about 10 percent of all illegal pollution in Texas last year.

Hess is aware of the report and takes the issue of managing emissions from plant upsets seriously, Rob Young, senior communications manager, said in an email. This is why we have been undertaking significant capital upgrades at the Seminole gas plant to enhance reliability and prevent future unplanned shut-downs and operational upsets.

Young said the companys capital improvement program has seen around $20 million in upgrades implemented at the plant, including $4 million on an upgraded control system in 2016. He cited additional incentives, including a plant-wide safety instrumentation system, an upgraded burner management system and upgraded software on the companys compressors.

We have also implemented an enhanced maintenance program as well as new training programs for our operations staff that focus on preventive measures. he said. This comes on top of our efforts to implement new procedures for testing critical functions and equipment, and retaining a specialist service company to support our efforts.

Ranked third on the reports list was ConocoPhillips Howard Glasscock Sour Gas Injection Facility, and incidents at its Chalk Battery North and Chalk Battery South plants were also cited in the report. The report said the company emitted more than 2.1 million pounds of illegal pollution last year.

ConocoPhillips is continuously looking for ways to operate safely, efficiently, and in an environmentally responsible manner, Romelia Hinojosa, ConocoPhillips spokesperson, said in an email. We self-report every upset that leads to emissions as required by Texas regulations. The emissions have to be first reported within 24 hours and are often based on conservative assumptions. We believe that our actual emissions are much lower than the reported numbers. We are currently reviewing the numbers and will resubmit corrected totals to the TCEQ, if the numbers differ. While ConocoPhillips has a permit from TCEQ to operate the facility, typically, the permits do not include upset and malfunction emissions.

The reason for the numbers you see in the report is that we experienced many operational issues when we commissioned the facility in 2015, she said. When the facility operates without any upsets, the emissions from the facility are very small, as is the case in 2017.

She said that before building and commissioning the plant, the company had Title V air permits from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that allowed it to flare the sour gas at the producing sites.

Generally, the flaring occurred when third party gas processing facilities were unavailable or had issues, Hinojosa said. However, we wanted to avoid having to flare sour gas at the producing sites when the third party gas processing facilities were not available. So in 2015, ConocoPhillips spent several million dollars to construct the Howard Glasscock Sour Gas Injection Facility. This injection facility takes the produced gas from the field, removes the sulfur compounds, and sends the sweet or sulfur-free gas to third party processing facilities; the remaining sulfur-rich, sour gas generated during the sweetening process is compressed and injected underground into the formation from where it originated.

During the commissioning stage of the facility in 2015, we experienced many operational issues, which prevented us from being able to remove the sulfur compounds from the produced gas, she said. As a result, we had to flare the gas at the facility or at the Chalk North and South producing sites, which are mentioned in the report. In addition, we had some issues with operating the injection well, which resulted in us having to flare the sour gas generated in the sweetening unit.

As the facility issues were resolved, the emissions due to flaring at the facility and in the field have significantly decreased. The EIP report shows that emissions decreased from 2015 to 2016. Since then, the facilitys emissions have continued to decrease and have decreased drastically from 2016 to 2017, when the commissioning was successfully completed, Hinojosa said.

DCP Midstream ranked fourth on the reports list, emitting more than 1.14 million pounds of pollution from its Goldsmith Gas Plant.

DCP has dramatically reduced its excess emissions in the past two years, and we are strongly focused on continuing to improve our reliability, Roslyn Elliott, DCP Midstream spokesperson, said in an email.
MASON CITY | Aging wells are creating some deep problems in Mason City.

The latest problem was more than 400 feet deep  in the well near the South Kentucky Avenue water tower. The cost to fix it was steep  more than $100,000.

It is the second well to undergo major repairs in the past five years and a third well, in the Arthur Gerk Arboretum in Georgia Hanford Park, is out of service until repairs can be done on it.

"The most direct cause of failure with any of the wells is wear and tear," said City Engineer Mark Rahm. "Since the last rehabilitation of Well No. 16 (Georgia Hanford Park), it has pumped about 2.5 billion gallons of water from the Jordan Aquifer. That roughly equates to running the well at full capacity for 5 years without interruption," he said.

The well on South Kentucky sustained serious damage, requiring a major overhaul when the column pipe came apart at a coupler connection about 430 feet below ground.

When the pipe came apart, it hung on the line shaft, causing an intolerable load on the motor, causing a complete failure of the well, said Rahm.

He said repair work began immediately, including packaging and shipping the motor to an electrical repair shop. It was determined the motor could be repaired rather than be replaced.

Other repairs were needed on a 460-foot column of pipe, 450 feet of stainless steel line shaft, stainless steel spider bearings and field labor to remove the damaged equipment and reinstall the new, said Rahm.

Northway Corp. of Marion did the repairs for a cost of $110,798.32, an unbudgeted expense. City Administrator Brent Trout said it will be paid through the Water Reserves fund.

Rahm said removing one well from the system will not create a noticeable or immediate impact on the community.

"If, however, a well remains out of service for an extended period of time, then the other wells are not able to be rotated offline as often  and that places additional stress on them and decreases their efficiency," he said.

"But the community will continue to have the water they are used to," said Rahm.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)  Federal charges have been filed in Nebraska against a man suspected of being the "AK-47 bandit," accused of robbing banks in five states.

Richard Gathercole is accused of interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle and stolen firearms in a complaint filed Thursday in federal court in Lincoln. His attorney didn't immediately return a call Friday from The Associated Press.

FBI officials believe Gathercole is "the AK-47 bandit," who's robbed at least six banks since 2012, including the Iowa Heartland Credit Union in Mason City in 2015.

Court documents say Gathercole was arrested June 20 near Lexington, Nebraska. A sheriff's deputy had spotted a pickup there that Kansas authorities had reported stolen by a man who fired at but missed a state trooper.

A Nebraska prosecutor says state charges were dropped Thursday because of near duplication with the federal counts.
'The big truck is still on ...
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During my first days of Lutheran grade school, I was surprised to learn that the world had only 10 rules. Sure, eight of them ordered what I shalt not do and just two told me what I must do. Still, no Lutheran worth his catechism ever had a problem with a negative 4-to-1 ratio.

But then Mrs. Kuring, my teacher, added more rules. No talking in school. No running in the hallway. No biting your classmates.

We quickly learned to follow Mrs. Kurings rules more diligently than the commandments because hers were backside-tested; the Big Ten were merely time-tested. Later, either through fear or faith, we learned to follow both because there would be hell to pay, either now or later, if we didnt.

Presidents of the United States face the same trade-off: you can choose not to follow the rules, but it can be a costly choice.

Donald J. Trump is a rule-breaker. That was a key reason why the majority of rural voters chose him over his 2016 challenger. And he has kept his word; rule-making Washington has never seen, heard, or been hit with a tweeting tornado like The Donald.

Much of the Presidents rule-breaking, however, hasnt yielded tangible results. In mid-July, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its 2018 budget for the U.S. Department of Agriculture which, noted several Capitol Hill policy watchers, broadly and soundly rejected the deep cuts Trump had proposed for USDA only two months earlier.

The Senate bill also restored the undersecretary for rural development that Trump previously had ticketed to eliminate.

These setbacks did not set back the President. The same week of his Senate rebuke, Trump nominated Iowan Sam Clovis, a former campaign official and radio talk show host, to be USDAs undersecretary of research, education, and economics.

Its not a controversial, rule-bending choice. Its an outrageous, rule-breaking choice. By statute, noted the July 24 San Jose Mercury-News, this undersecretary is to be chosen from 'distinguished scientists with specialized or significant experience in agricultural research, education and economics.' By contrast... Clovis has never taken a graduate course in science and is openly skeptical of climate change.

And, it went on, The Senate should reject the nomination. Naming an anti-science blowhard to a job meant for a scientist would be like Ford picking a CEO who rides a horse to work.

Despite that ringing denouncement, 22 of the most powerful, well-funded American farm and commodity groups, representing everything from dry beans to soybeans, offered Clovis a ringing endorsement in a flowery letter sent to Senate Ag Committee leaders.

Some have suggested that Dr. Clovis is not qualified for this position due to his lack of hands-on science and research experience. We do not share this point of view, it explained. After all, USDA already employs some of the finest and most dedicated scientists in the world. They do not need a peer. They need someone to champion their work

Call it the Rick Perry Standard: just because you dont know anything about a federal agency  including its name  or how it operates, doesnt mean you cant become its leader.

Three days after posting its We Love Clovis letter, Big Ags biggest ag groups learned  in a Senate Ag Committee hearing on farm credit and crop insurance, no less  that Clovis had labeled crop insurance, the central pillar of U.S. farm policy, unconstitutional.

When told of this Farm Bill heresy, the committees crop insurance-loving chairman, Republican Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas, announced to many of the letter-sending farm group leaders in the hearing room, If there is some nominee coming before this committee who says crop insurance is unconstitutional, they might as well not show up.

The farm leaders didnt flinch. Why would they? The rules, they recently learned, do not apply, and the truth is simply what the loudest, most persistent yeller says it is.

Which brings us back to Mrs. Kuring. You dont have to follow the rules but, sooner or later, there will be hell to pay.
Announcement earlier this month by the Environmental Protection Agency on new volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standards program produced a mixed bag of news for farm states like Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. The federal RFS began with the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and was expanded and extended by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. It requires transportation fuel sold in the U.S. be blended with a minimum volume of renewable fuels.

We hope some of the numbers go up before the new rules take effect.

On July 5, EPA issued proposed RFS volume requirements for total renewable fuel, cellulosic biofuel and advanced biofuel for 2018 and a proposed volume requirement for biomass-based diesel for 2019. Key pieces of the announcement include:

The EPA proposes to keep the conventional ethanol requirement of 15 billion gallons the same in 2018.

The EPA proposes no increase in the biodiesel requirement of 2.1 billion gallons between 2018 and 2019.

The EPA proposes decreases in the cellulosic biofuel requirement from 311 million gallons to 238 million gallons and the advanced biofuel requirement from 4.28 billion gallons to 4.24 billion gallons in 2018.

Reaction within the Midwest reflected both the good and the disappointing numbers within the EPA announcement. Here is a sampling:

- "The EPA's proposed renewable volume obligations under the RFS program is a mixed bag. While I'm glad the EPA's proposal holds steady the requirement of 15 billion gallons for conventional ethanol, the lack of any increase for biodiesel is a missed opportunity," Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, said. "The proposal fails to recognize the ability of the domestic biodiesel industry to produce at much higher levels. The proposed cut to advanced and cellulosic fuels will have a chilling effect on the push toward next-generation biofuels, and will certainly harm investments in this area. ... I am disappointed in the direction of these proposed volumes, and I hope the EPA will consider increasing these levels once stakeholders weigh in."

- "While I am pleased the new administration has set the proposed volume requirements for conventional ethanol for 2018 at congressionally approved levels, I am disappointed that the 2019 biodiesel number was held constant, and would like to see it more accurately reflect current domestic usage and production capacity," Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said.

"On July 4th, America celebrated our Independence Day. On July 5th, we learned that the United States Environmental Protection Agency proposed new RFS standards that are a missed chance to use ethanol and other biofuels to declare an American Energy Independence Day," Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, said. "There is a direct correlation between increased production and use of American ethanol and decreased importation of petroleum from foreign nations, some of whom are hostile to us. In order to make America great again, we need an energy strategy that recognizes the important role biofuels play in making America energy independent, and sets targets that encourage greater production."

Perhaps no state is impacted by RFS rules more than Iowa, the No. 1 producer of ethanol and biodiesel in America. Because we wish to see stability and expansion within an industry not only important to the future of agriculture states like ours, but to the future of America because it helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduces dependence on foreign oil, we join supporters of renewable fuels in urging increases for cellulosic and advanced biofuels in 2018 and for biomass-based biodiesel in 2019.

We urge our elected state and congressional leaders to take a leadership role during the public comment period on the EPA proposal, which ends Aug. 31, in making this happen.

This editorial appeared in the July 23 edition of the Sioux City Journal, another Lee Enterprises publication.
Marty Sklar, the Disney Imagineer who worked closely with Walt Disney to implement his theme parks vision, has died.

Disney Imagineer Marty Sklar died Thursday

Called Walt Disney's right-hand man

Helped guide theme park creation over the decades

RELATED: Over the year's reporter Scott Fais has had numerous conversations with Marty Sklar. Here are some of those stories: Epcot's 4th decade with insight from Marty Sklar Disney legend Marty Sklar reflects on building Magic Kingdoms



Disney says Sklar passed away Thursday at his Hollywood Hills home at age 83.

Sklar started with Disney in 1955 to create The Disneyland News for the Anaheim theme park, while he was still a student at UCLA. He joined Disney full-time in 1956.

Thomas Smith, Disney Parks editorial content editor, called Sklar Walt Disney's right-hand man. He scripted speeches and marketing materials, crafting the message for Walt's vision for Walt Disney World and Epcot.

He also became the creative leader for Disney Imagineering, helping to develop theme parks and attractions for the next three decades.

He retired as executive vice president and imagineering ambassador in 2009.

Sklar was one of the few people in the world to attend the grand opening of every Disney theme park -- from Disneyland in Anaheim in 1955 to Disneyland in Shanghai last year.

In lieu of flowers, the Sklar family is asking donations be made in Sklar's name to Ryman Program for Young Artists, a nonprofit he founded with his wife, Leahm to teach and mentor traditional drawing and painting among young artists.
Yesmarianni Negron was supposed to graduate from Florida Technical College today. Instead, she was dismissed from the school.

More than a dozen Florida Technical College students dismissed

School says their high school is not accredited by an agency

El Redentor Educative Center says it's been in operation for 20 years

She's one of more than a dozen students kicked out of FTC before graduation because of what college officials say are questions regarding the status of the students' high school diplomas.

He just told us we cannot finish what were studying. Thats really messed up, Negron said.

Negron was in a year-long cosmetology program. But now, FTC will not let her in the classroom because the school will no longer honor any high school credentials from her high school, El Redentor Educative Center on Goldenrod Road.

FTC said the decision was not made lightly and issued a statement:

"FTC made this determination because El Redentor failed to respond to our request for evidence that it provided sufficient instruction to students.

El Redentor is not accredited by an agency but is registered with the Florida Department of Education. Other higher institutions such as Valencia College accept the school's graduates.

Maria Nieves, the parent of another student, said: I have her transcripts, I have her diploma, I have all of her awards, I have everything to prove that she is able to attend this institution of higher learning so she can finish her cosmetology degree, and they wont let her.

Staff at El Redentor said this is the first time an institution asked for additional documentation.

El Redentor has been operating for 20 years, and students are our priority. We are working directly with FTC in hopes that our students can get back to the college, admissions representative Elizabeth Benitez said.

FTC has offered to pay for a GED preparation course and GED exam for the students affected, regardless of whether they choose to re-enroll at FTC in the future.

El Redentor is now working to become accredited. But it's not soon enough for people such as Negron.

Its not fair for us that I am almost graduating, and they dont let me do it, Negron said.
An elderly patient with dementia was found with a gun at Florida Hospital East in Orlando during the early-morning hours on Friday, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, adding that a lockdown was issued for the hospital.

The lockdown has since been lifted.

No one was injured during the incident

Patient surrendered without incident, deputies say

Just after 2 a.m., there was a heavy law enforcement presence outside of the hospital, where the sheriff's office told News 13 that it found an elderly patient in the hallway with a firearm.

Deputies said the patient was in the hospital with dementia and threatened to harm himself.

However, he eventually did surrender to deputies without incident and was taken into custody, but he is being treated at the hospital with deputies, officials said.

SO says the patient was waving firearm around making threats against himself before they arrived on scene. Again scene is secure @MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/F5Y9Ar7yvW  Caitlin Wilson (@Cait_TVReporter) July 28, 2017

"By the time we got there the individual had put the firearm down prior to us getting there. The elderly gentleman had the firearm, was waving it around and making threats against himself. He never threatened anyone else or any deputies," said Jeff Williamson, public information officer with the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

It was not determined what type of firearm the man had.
If youve tried to buy a bottle of Hennessy cognac in Midland over the past few months, you already know that it can be hard to find. The situation doesnt seem to be improving.

Cognac is a variety of French brandy fermented from grapes and aged several years in oak casks. The liquor is produced in the Cognac region of France, which exports 97 percent of its cognac. The U.S. is the single-biggest customer, according to a Slate report from 2013.

Hennessy is the worlds top-selling brand, according to the companys website. In its first-quarter earnings press release in April, Hennessy parent company LVHM said its wine and spirits division had seen revenue growth of 13 percent over the first three months of 2017. Part of that included a sharp uptick in the popular cognacs sales, which is affecting stores today.

Hennessy cognac saw volumes increase significantly which could impact the availability of stocks for the rest of the year, the release said.

Local liquor stores have had to cope with the shortage.

Erin Cheung, operator of Erins Liquors on Illinois Avenue, said she has about 15 customers each day asking if Hennessys very special variety is back in stock.

Cheung said she places orders for Hennessy each week but hasnt gotten much from her distributor, Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits, in the past several months. The Reporter-Telegram reached out to Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits, which distributes Hennessy in this area, but the company did not respond to a request for comment.

Erins has a few bottles of high-quality V.S.O.P. and X.O. Hennessy and plenty of other cognacs for sale, but most customers want the basic variety and are loyal to the brand, Cheung said.

Bills Bottle Shop is in a similar situation. On Thursday, the liquor store had one bottle of V.S.O.P. and one bottle of Hennessy Black on the shelves. Store manager Jo Rich said that while the shortage hasnt hurt business, she doesnt like to disappoint her customers. Instead, she points them to other brands such as Courvoisier and Remy Martin.

Moore Beverages owner Don Moore, who also has trouble getting Hennessy, said liquor shortages arent new.

Every once in a while you have a problem like that, such as with TX bourbon. Its in high demand and is a new product, he said. Last year, Crown Royal came out with vanilla for the holidays. They had a lot of it in September. By mid-November you couldnt get any of it; they had run out.

Moore encourages habitual Hennessy drinkers to not be afraid of newer liquors on the market such as TX whiskey and Titos vodka. He also suggests customers try small-volume bottles of other brands of cognac or brandy just to see if theyre as good or better.

At Erins Liquors, a customer approached the counter during the Reporter-Telegrams interview Thursday afternoon asking for Hennessy.

Sorry, dear, I dont have any in yet, Cheung said with a disappointed smile. The customer, also disappointed, told the Reporter-Telegram he was stunned that he cant find Hennessy anywhere in the city. All wasnt lost, however. He knew of a place in Lubbock that had a lot in stock.

Like Trevor on Facebook and follow him on Twitter at @HowdyHawes.
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EDMONSON -- When the delicate yellow cotton blossoms show themselves in the spring, they raise hopes in the breasts of cotton farmers for a plentiful harvest, a harvest that affects people across the country and around the world.

This years cotton crop looks good.

It looks like well have a great cotton crop. The prospects are there. Its unusual to get two good years in a row, mused Larry Nelson, owner of Edcot Gin in Edmonson, part of Windstar Gins.

According to Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., the Texas High Plains is home to one of the greatest areas of concentrated cotton production in the world, and Texas is the nations No. 1 cotton-producing state. In 2015, the top 11 cotton-producing counties in the nation were within 80 miles of Lubbock.

Cotton fiber is hollow, like a straw, said Phillip Kidd, gin manager at Edcot. Mr. DuPont cant duplicate it. It absorbs water, breathes and is much cooler than synthetic fibers.

A bale of cotton weighs between 480-500 lbs., Kidd said. According to Plains Cotton Growers, one bale of cotton can make: 215 jeans, 249 bed sheets, 409 mens sport shirts, 690 terry bath towels, 765 mens dress shirts, 1,217 mens T-shirts, 2,419 mens briefs, 6,436 womens knit briefs and 313,600 $100 bills, among other things.

But cotton is used for more than fabric. During the ginning process, cottonseed is extracted and used for cooking oil thats slow to break down under heat and comparable in quality to canola or peanut oil, Kidd explains.

Cotton is also in demand as food for dairy cattle.

Typically, a dairy cow will eat 5-8 lbs. of cottonseed a day. Cottonseed raises the fat content of milk, which means the quality is better, Kidd said.

But cattle arent fussy about the type of feed they get, and cotton burrs, the waste products of cotton, are also sold for rough feed.

The millionth bale ginned at Edcot is on display in the office, signed by the employees. In a corner of a label is a tag that traces the bale not only to the gin that sold it, but to the producer that raised it. Sometimes trash that gets into a bale is not ginned out, and the manufacturer will track the bale back to the original location.

Those plastic grocery sacks that blow around will not take color, said Plainview cotton farmer Royce Carthel.

Carthel remembers back when cotton was harder to grow, harder to harvest and harder to transport.

During the 60s, the cotton was cheaper and trashier, he said. It was short with poor quality and low strength. But with the new varieties, its turned all the way around.

The old varieties were poor quality, Kidd agreed. But the new long varieties have changed demand. They really want our cotton.

According to Plains Cotton Growers, the average number of cotton bales Texas High Plains produces each year is 3.7 million, grown on the same number of acres. The record for cotton bales produced on the Texas High Plains in a season is 5.6 million.

The gins as well as the cotton plants have improved in quality. Carthel says back in the late 40s and 50s, hed haul trailers to the gin and have to stop harvesting until the gin caught up.

In those days, four bales an hour was common for a gin. The current gin at Edcot does 60 an hour.

And were building a new one that will do 100, Kidd said.

The advent of the cotton module builder in the 1970s was a landmark in cotton harvesting. The module allows cotton to be harvested, compressed and stored at the edge of the field or at the gin, solving the bottleneck problem. Kidd said Edcot will even come out and pick up round bales to a distance of 100 miles.

Farm machinery has also improved.

In those days, Id go until I ran out of daylight or sweat, Carthel said. I can do as much now as I could then on two false knees.

Kidd said though the price of cotton has remained stable through the years, growers are still able to profit because of higher cotton yields and quality and more efficient harvesting, ginning and transportation.

Edcot Gin hires about seven employees year-round, expanding to 40 to 50 during ginning season in November. The cotton harvest has far-reaching benefits for the citizens of Edmonson, Plainview and beyond Hale County.

Several people in the town work for us, we use city water and a couple of banks in Plainview, Kidd said. Industrial gins have ductwork that wears out in one year, and we run through a lot of parts such as bearings. We get all we can from Plainview.

It would be interesting to know how much cotton production impacts Hale County during a year, Carthel said. When the producers make money, they buy new pickups, new furniture and other things.

Kidd mentioned that a new truck costs $240,000, and you have to buy one every so often. The cotton crop brings a lot of jobs to the area, and a lot of those jobs are because of the trucks. The trucks create jobs for companies in Lubbock, Georgia and Mississippi.

A cotton plant is like an infant, Carthel reflects. Youve got to tend to it close, but its a wonderful fiber.
With several days to spare, the Contemporary Art Museum Plainviews all-or-nothing Kickstarter campaign to raise $15,000 to help prepare for its Grand Opening Exhibition exceeded its goal.

The drive was scheduled to end at 10:18 p.m. Thursday, July 27. At 5 p.m., with about five hours, pledges stood at $15,689 from 91 donors. It passes the $15,000 mark early this week.

Its really exciting to see how very supportive Plainview, Texas, continues to be of this project, Kelly Alison said Thursday from Houston. We received support from many of our friends along with a few strangers who saw our advertising from Kickstarter. And this show of support has made this effort so much easier from the get-go.

As the fundraising effort reached its final hours, Alison said she was hoping to secure pledges from at least 100 people  a personal goal.

This support means we are right on schedule to open Nov. 10, with 14 artists taking part in our exhibition. The opened exhibit runs through Feb. 10.

She adds that the success of the Kickstarter campaign shows that we have enough people invested in this idea in Plainview and the area to make this project truly sustainable, Alison said. This is strong evident that this is something that people want, and agree with what we are trying to do.

On Facebook, she added, A huge thanks to those of us who have pledged their support, given us their energy and let us know that we are moving in the right direction. Each backer becomes part of an invested community supporting Artists of Texas and beyond.

Alison is the daughter of Rex and Ethel Ramsower. She along with husband Preston and others are working to transform the Ramsower Furniture warehouse at Sixth and Beech into the Contemporary Art Museum of Plainview  CAMP. Its opening exhibition is named "BIG ART in small town, and is expected to bring big-name visual artists from around the state to exhibit their work and spend opening night in Plainview.

Artists will be treated to a Grand Opening Dinner, hosted by the citizens of Plainview, and they will take a tour Caprock Canyons and other local sites, an earlier announcement explains. Exhibiting artists include Joe Barrington, Dandee Warhol, Steven Kraig & Patrick Renner, Sharon Kopriva, Sherry Owens, Daniel Anguilu, Benito Huerta, Ben Tecumseh DeSoto, Katy Anderson, Patrick Medrano, Emily Sloan, Kelly Moran and Emily Peacock.

The opening exhibition is sponsored in part by the Community Foundation of West Texas and the Sybil B. Harrington Fund.
DENVER, July 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Resolute Energy Corporation (NYSE:REN) announced today that it will issue a press release covering operating and financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017, after the market closes on Monday, August 7, 2017. An investor conference call to review the second quarter results will be held on Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at 7:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time.



Date: Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Time: 7:30 AM EDT / 6:30 AM CDT / 5:30 AM MDT / 4:30 AM PDT

Call: (800) 474-8920 (US), (719) 457-2605 (Canada/International)

Replay: Available through Tuesday, August 15, 2017, at (844) 512-2921 (US) or (412) 317-6671 (Canada/International), Passcode 5047730.

Investor Event

The Oil & Gas Conference - Richard F. Betz, Chief Executive Officer, and Theodore Gazulis, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, are scheduled to present in Denver, Colorado at The Oil & Gas Conference hosted by EnerCom on Tuesday, August 15, 2017, at 4:20 pm Eastern Time.

About Resolute Energy Corporation

Resolute is an independent oil and gas company focused on the acquisition and development of unconventional oil and gas properties in the Delaware Basin portion of the Permian Basin of west Texas. Resolute also operates Aneth Field, located in the Paradox Basin in Utah. For more information, visit www.resoluteenergy.com. The Company routinely posts important information about the Company under both the Investor Relations and the News sections of its website. The Companys common stock is traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol REN.
RENO, Nev., July 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



New Q2 data from Synergy Research Group shows that the four leading cloud providers all continue to maintain or grow their share of the worldwide cloud infrastructure services market. Microsoft and Google have almost doubled their quarterly revenues since Q2 of 2016 and both have increased their market share substantially; but market leader AWS also continues to grow its revenues more rapidly than the overall market, so it too has increased its share despite its much larger scale. AWS market share now stands at 34%, compared to 11% for Microsoft and 5% for Google. IBM held its market share steady at 8%, thanks primarily to a strong showing in hosted private cloud services. Among the next 10 top-ranked cloud providers, Alibaba and Oracle are achieving the highest growth rates. Continuing recent trends, it is the lower ranked sized cloud providers who in aggregate are losing share to the market leaders.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/deb3dce2-1d52-4e96-acf1-4dbaadda1900

With most of the major operators having now released their earnings data for Q2, Synergy estimates that quarterly cloud infrastructure service revenues (including IaaS, PaaS and hosted private cloud services) have now reached almost $11 billion and continue to grow at well over 40% per year. While AWS, Microsoft and Google are the lead providers in IaaS/PaaS, IBM continues to lead in hosted private cloud, where Rackspace and some traditional IT service providers also feature more prominently than they do in public cloud. Alibaba has now become the fourth ranked provider in IaaS, thanks to very strong growth in its home Chinese market, helped by aggressive expansion abroad.

The increasing dominance of hyperscale players continues to play out, with all four leading companies having cause to celebrate, said John Dinsdale, a Chief Analyst and Research Director at Synergy Research Group. While Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform are doubling in size, IBM continues to dominate in hosted private cloud and AWS is still over three times the size of its nearest competitor. Some of the numbers are actually pretty spectacular. The year-on-year market growth rate is nudging down as we expected in such a large market, but it remains at comfortably over 40% and AWS alone generated revenue growth of $1.2 billion over the last four quarters.

About Synergy Research Group

Synergy provides quarterly market sizing and segmentation data on cloud and related markets, including company revenues by segment and by region. Synergy Research Group (www.srgresearch.com) helps marketing and strategic decision makers around the world via its unique insights and in-depth analytics.

To speak to an analyst or to find out more about how to access Synergys market data, please contact Heather Gallo @ hgallo@srgresearch.com or at 775-852-3330 extension 101.
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A man was robbed of his pants and shoes near the San Francisco Zoo in an online transaction gone wrong, officials said.

The man and a companion, ages 18 and 23, arranged online to meet up with two men in their 20s to sell a pair of shoes, according to the San Francisco Police Department.

When the four men met up on the 1700 block of Sloat Boulevard, one of the purported buyers showed the victims a gun concealed in his waistband and robbed one of the pants and shoes he was wearing, police said.

He demanded for the victim to take off his pants and shoes and give them to him, said Officer Robert Rueca, a police spokesman.

The man with the gun then made the second victim go to an ATM and take out more cash, and the pair were robbed of a cell phone, wallet, cash and credit cards, according to police.

No arrests have been made, police said.

Police declined to specify which online forum the men used to arrange the sale of the items.

We cant state which platform, partially out of not wanting to put a black mark on any one platform, but also because everyone should be wary of transaction originating from these platforms, Rueca said.

Some Bay Area cities, including Fremont, Danville, Pittsburg and Daly City, have recently created safe exchange zones, designated areas with cameras or police surveillance where residents can meet up to execute exchanges arranged on platforms such as Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace without fear of robbery.

Filipa Ioannou is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: fioannou@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @obioannoukenobi
Sterling Staffing Solutions, a Sugar Land health-care contract employment company, was a Gold Award winner in the Stevie Award international contest for businesses, the company announced.

The company, founded in 2011, provides contract health-care jobs for physical, speech and occupational therapies as well as nurses and social workers in Texas and Oklahoma. It specializes in providing staffing to home health agencies, hospices, hospitals, school systems and rehabilitation facilities, the company said.

Sterling won its Gold Award as the minority-owned business of the year.

"It is an honor to be among such a high caliber of business winners. The Stevie Award is special to us," said Stephen Carter, CEO and partner of the company, in a statement.

RELATED: People in Business

Stevie Awards are given in numerous categories and are considered one of the most prestigious in business and received 3,600 nominations from across sectors.

"For a business in the home health care services, reputation and customer service is everything," said one of the judges about the company in a statement.
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Amazon wants to hire more than 1,000 workers in San Antonio and Central Texas as it adds more than 50,000 new employees to staff its distribution centers nationwide.

The Seattle-based e-commerce giant is looking to hire full-time and part-time warehouse workers at its sortation center and Prime Now facility in San Antonio and at its distribution centers in Schertz and San Marcos, company spokeswoman Ashley Robinson said in an email.

Hourly wages vary by position, Robinson said, but employees will receive a benefits package including health and disability insurance, retirement savings plans and company stock. Wages start at $12 an hour for a full-time warehouse associate at the companys Schertz facility, according to a post on the job listing site Indeed.

Employees may also use the companys Career Choice program, which covers 95 percent of tuition costs for courses related to in-demand fields, regardless of relevancy of the skills to jobs at Amazon, Robinson said. Prospective employees can apply on the companys website.

Amazons profit took a nosedive this week as the company continued its aggressive push into more retail categories and expanded its distribution network during the second quarter. The company posted a profit of $197 million, or 40 cents a share, for the three month period ended June 30  a 77 percent drop from the $857 million, or $1.78 a share, Amazon made during the same period in 2016.

RELATED: Fast food chain hires 700 workers, bakery adds drivers across San Antonio

But, Amazon reported a 25 percent jump in sales to $38 billion from $30.4 billion in the second quarter of 2016.

Amazon made waves in the grocery industry last month with its $13.7 billion bid for Whole Foods but stayed quiet about the acquisition, which still must clear regulatory hurdles, during an earnings call Thursday.

Chief Financial Officer Brian Olsavsky said the retailer is exploring multiple options for grocery delivery including its AmazonFresh delivery service but said there is no one solution for the company. Olsavsky would not disclose Amazons strategy for Whole Foods.

"We really think it will be a big boost for us as we expand our grocery and consumables offering," Olsavsky said.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos briefly surpassed Bill Gates as the worlds richest person Thursday as Amazon shares hit more than $1,080 a share on high expectations for the companys earnings. But the companys shares opened at $1,012.14 a share after their earnings missed analysts expectations. CNBC estimates Bezos lost $6 billion overnight as a result.

Bezos was worth $89.3 billion when the market closed Friday while Gates net worth was estimated at $90.7 billion by Bloomberg News.

RELATED: 18 ways San Antonio residents want to improve the city

JFechter@express-news.net

Twitter: @JFreports
The Houston planning commission on Thursday approved a developer's request to build a six-story condominium tower on the edge of River Oaks that is 5 feet closer to the street than restrictions currently allow.

Six neighbors at the meeting spoke out against the building plans, which had been voted down by the planning commission in 2015 amid protests from neighbors of the site at 2406 Mimosa Drive.

"I'm concerned with the changing character of my neighborhood," local resident David Brenner told the commission.

As Houston neighborhoods become more dense, city planners must often weigh whether to waive current restrictions and allow larger-footprint developments for Inner Loop areas that often are defined by suburban-style homes or modest midcentury apartment buildings.

Developers of the proposed six-story, 10-unit Revere Park condominium tower were asking to build up to 4 and 5 feet from the property line instead of the required 10 feet.

They also said they would build new and larger sidewalks on the street.

Mary Lou Henry, a representative for the developer, told the commission that land use in the neighborhood was changing and that most new development brought townhomes that were also built closer to the street, without suburban-style front lawns. She noted in the 1980s, residents there were selling farmhouses their grandparents had owned.

Gordon Hire, who lives on Mimosa, contended that the condo tower would "dominate the neighborhood."

Gary Domini worried about privacy on the fourth-floor terrace of his townhome adjacent to the proposed condo building.

Carlo DiNuzio, architect for the project, told the commission that if the variance was not improved, he would have to accommodate by adding an extra floor, a change that would not require an application.

Commission vice chairman Sonny Garza told the gathered neighbors, "This building will go up with or without this ordinance."

"Sometimes we make choices between the lesser of two evils," he said.

Following staff recommendation, the commission unanimously approved the variance request.
The most respected businesswoman in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Peg Hays is almost always right. Hays, daughter of the town's first Republican mayor, was right when she said her party would one day outnumber Democrats in Kentucky. She was right when she said that building the town's Trail of Tears Commemorative Park would make Hopkinsville a hub for Native American tourism. And she was right when she said this, too:

"The young people are coming back," Hays told me. "Your generation didn't come back."

I grew up outside Hopkinsville and in high school had three very close friends. Only one lives there today. Another friend and I live in New York; the fourth is in Louisville.

Hopkinsville is the seat of Christian County, a farm community hit hard by President Bill Clinton's restrictions on raising its cash crop: tobacco. Somehow the billions of dollars awarded in the federal tobacco settlement, intended to help farmers find alternative crops, missed us. Tobacco demand went down. Stores began to close. Then the local blue-jean factory moved production to Mexico. In an 18-month span, unemployment tripled. So my generation, Generation X, got out of Dodge.

But now Hopkinsville's mayor, Carter Hendricks, tells me things are looking up. From 2005 to 2015, Hopkinsville's per-capita income increased by 50 percent to $20,834, poverty has dropped, and there's a robust new transit system.

Why the turnaround?

Hendricks credits much of it to the moment a decade ago when the town discovered it was about to play host to a once-in-a-lifetime natural event. This much is certainly true: On Aug. 21, for a full two minutes and 40 seconds - about the longest eclipse duration in the country - Hopkinsville will be the center of the world.

The total solar eclipse will be the first solely visible in the United States. Eighty percent of Americans live within 600 miles of its path spanning Oregon to South Carolina. The point of greatest eclipse: A tobacco farm near Hopkinsville.

Eclipses are known to draw a crowd. In Mexico, a 1991 eclipse brought so many tourists, the Mexican government closed the border. At dead center, Hopkinsville expects 250,000. At least, that's the number Christian County Judge/Executive Steve Tribble has heard.

Hopkinsville's solar eclipse marketing and event coordinator, Brooke Jung, has a more conservative figure: 100,000. "We're asking restaurants to order extra food," she said, explaining why her projections are lower. "We want to be realistic. We don't want them buying too much in case fewer people come." The city has invited out-of-town food trucks; McDonald's got a refrigeration truck for storing patties out back.

Considering eclipse-chasers once overwhelmed an international border, the residents of Hopkinsville are taking everything in stride. One local said the biggest change he'll have to make is remembering to lock his house door: "I usually keep it undone."

Another man sees my family in Cracker Barrel while I'm home visiting my parents for Christmas and - knowing our farm is at the epicenter - yells "Y'all ready for that eclipse?" across four tables.

Ask Jung who's most excited, and she points to the digital countdown on her wall showing time left between now and totality. "I can't wait." The fact that her job was even created shows everyone knows this is Hopkinsville's chance to shine.

Ten years ago, Cheryl Cook, executive director of the Hopkinsville Convention and Visitors Bureau, received an email from an eclipse-chaser asking about area hotels. She thought it was a prank. But NASA has mapped eclipse paths through the year 3000, so Aug. 21 was easy to confirm. With that confirmation came something Hopkinsville had been missing since tobacco crashed: Hope.

Hendricks said: "There began to become a real attitudinal shift in the leadership of the community that just said, look, enough's enough. . . . We're going to deal with it, and we started dealing with it. And then that same attitude shifted into, well, wait a second: We've been talking about this abandoned rail spur. We tried to convert it into a greenway; we've been defeated. Why don't we try again?" So a former L&N line was converted into green space. Then a water park was built. "There's been those improvements over the last 10 to 12 years that have actually been occurring to allow this current batch of recent college graduates to feel more pride and the desire to want to come back," he said.

Sarah Whitaker is one of "the young people" who decided to return to Hopkinsville. "The last two or three years, there's this momentum," said Whitaker, who chairs Hopkinsville Young Professionals Engage, an under-45 networking group. "It's just really taken off just with the things that are opening. All the chains and sort of big box stores have announced that they're coming. . . . Hopkinsville is booming like crazy. . . . I think when one positive thing happens, it's kind of a domino effect."

Ask Hays how the dominoes help long-term economic growth, and she said, "Depends on whether you believe in trickle-down economics." She and her husband own Casey Jones Distillery. She's honest that economic impact isn't the town's main eclipse goal.

"When it's over, what will have made you think the eclipse was successful?" I asked.

"That we have had visitors who will have had incredible experiences . . . here in our community [because they] get to participate in this unbelievable celestial event that's going to occur right here." Whitaker added: "I think everybody wants to make money. I mean, that's the big deal, is out of all of that let's follow the money. But I do think if you can offer that great experience that you'll capture the economic side of it."

The mayor agreed: "It's going to be hard to measure long-term economic impact. . . . In essence, what we hope will happen is that as people come here . . . they will have the type of experience where they want to come back at some point in their future. In that regard, we hope that it has a ripple effect on long-term economic impact."

It's not just them. The sense of community pride, not just a hope for profits, is echoed all over town. As a native, I've never seen local leadership this aligned.

"Everybody's working together now," Tribble said. "They really are . . . better than they ever have, in my opinion. It's funny, because we've got a Republican mayor, Carter Hendricks, and, of course, I'm a Democrat. But I don't care what somebody is."

Indeed, if Republicans and Democrats can come together for the good of constituents in today's political climate, perhaps the eclipse has turned Hopkinsville into some small utopia - an astronomical alignment of celestial bodies foretelling world peace.

"I wouldn't go that far," my mother tells me.

If Mom's right, though, and the eclipse isn't a chance for peace, then maybe it's a chance for Hays to finally be wrong. Both my high school friend and I love New York, but as members of Hopkinsville's lost generation, we long for home. August 21, while eclipse-chasers hope for clear weather, I'll be hoping for Hopkinsville. Every day that life continues to improve there is one day closer to creating a place Gen Xers can return to one that we would be proud to call home.
Taking a summer trip down to the Gulf Cost is a favorite pastime for many San Antonio families.

And one of the more fun aspects of these "definitive" jaunts down to the coast usually involves trying to find hotels or motels on the cheap.
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Liberty County officials made one arrest and began the process of removing about 10,000 tires from a Dayton property on Friday, ending an 8-month nightmare for neighbors in the West Woodland Hills subdivision.

Deputies with the Liberty County Sheriff's Office and officials from various other local and environmental agencies executed an environmental arrest warrant for Robert Alan Piver on July 28 at his residence at 112 CR 6477, sheriff's office spokesman Capt. Ken DeFoor said.

Piver is charged with illegal dumping over 100 pounds, a state jail felony. In addition, he was also charged with violation of order of a fire marshal, a Class B misdemeanor offense.

Officials estimated between 8,000 to 10,000 tires had been stored on the small property, accumulating water and disease potentials. Piver was taking the tires from area merchants for a nominal fee and was supposed to be disposing of them, except he was in most cases storing them on his property illegally, officials said.

The charges stemmed from months of investigation and desperate attempts to work with Piver to get the property cleaned up.

DeFoor said there were no charges filed against his wife who was also in the home at the time of entry.

Sheriff Bobby Rader, Pct. 4 County Commissioner Leon Wilson, and County Fire Marshal Bill Hergermueller's offices have received numerous citizen complaints about thousands of old vehicle tires stacked up and stored around the residence in the otherwise well-kept community of the west Woodland Hills subdivision.

Lead Investigator LCSO Deputy Linda Bloomingdale and Hergemueller had worked with Piver and he had even made arrangements with the judge on one citation to take care of the issue and pay his fine with a payment plan. But when he failed to follow through, even with an extension, county officials' patience ended.

County Judge Jay Knight was on the scene early Friday morning to observe the cleanup.

"We've known about this property for quite a while," he said.

"The investigation with the cooperation of the sheriff's department and Precinct 4 have led us to the point now where we have enough evidence to get this cleaned up and help the residents of Woodland Hills," the judge said.

"I thank them for their efforts and teamwork they put into this. It is an environmental problem. You just think of the mosquitoes, wasps, and snakes they are finding in there," Knight said.

Wilson said they had exhausted all other possibilities of compliance.

"He's been warned repeatedly. He's been served with a notice to cease and desist. He's been served with a notice to cleanup and he has, to this day, not responded nor made any effort," Wilson said.

Wilson said they began watching Piver closely as far back as March as he brought tires onto his property.

County Attorney Matthew Poston and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality were also involved in the investigation.

Neighbors said there were people coming in and out of Piven's property all day and night long.

"When they first started, they were burning them by the road at night," one neighbor who didn't want to be identified said.

Other neighbors said the biggest nuisance was the mosquitoes that were taking over the neighborhood.

"We have fans on our porch on full blast to help keep the mosquitoes away," one neighbor said. "That's the biggest problem-the mosquitoes that are breeding over there."

Officials said the suspect had been using a U-Haul truck for the last few weeks to load up the tires, but Wilson said it was repossessed two days ago.

It was no secret, however, that they were being stored, despite a decrepit, leaning sheet metal fence propped up by boards. The tires were visible throughout the property and deputies said it went into the woods behind the trailer.

After Piver and the location had been secured, Precinct 4 crews descended on the property to begin the massive, expensive cleanup.

"I have every dump truck, haul truck, I have backhoes, skidsteer, and front-end loaders. It's the most we can use in loading equipment without getting into each other's way," he said.

The process was so extensive, Wilson called on his colleagues Commissioners Greg Arthur and Bruce Karbowski who both lent two each dump trucks to assist. The city of Dayton also pitched in two dump trucks in the rotation to load and get rid of the tires.

Wilson's crew back at the barnyard were receiving the tires and counting each tire, one by one, as they came off the trucks.

"We have to do that to provide the court an amount and then to seek restitution for the county," Wilson said.

Entergy was on the property to disconnect a drooping power line that was in the way of the Precinct 4 crews removing the mountain of tires.

"The tires and the records of the business are being kept until the outcome of the case or a hearing," Poston said.

The seizure presented a logistical nightmare for storing the evidence.

"Very few folks in the county have the resources to seize and store that many tires until the end of the case and I applaud Commissioner Wilson and his crew for their expedience," Poston said.

Piver's business was operating under the name of Robert & Sons Tire Company, but Poston said they did not have a permit for the tires.

"Disposed tires are considered by definition as solid waste. Then they must be disposed of at a permitted disposal site," he said.
Award winning astronomer Kevin Manning will visit Edwardsville on Monday to speak of things in the universe both great and small. Its a topic that will include, of course, the Aug. 21 solar eclipse.

This is the first one to cross American in more than 40 years, Manning said during a phone interview Thursday during a stopover in Idaho. The last was 1979. This is the first one thats crossing coast-to-coast, from the west to the east coast, since 1918.

The 90-minute talk begins at 7 pm at the Edwardsville Public Library. And Manning promises it will be an all-encompassing presentation, sort of an everything about the universe that youve always wanted to know program.

Manning has been a consultant for NASA and has worked at the Chandra X-Ray Observatory with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, in Cambridge, Mass. The telescope there is specially designed to detect X-ray emission from very hot regions of the universe such as exploded stars, clusters of galaxies, and matter around black holes.

On Monday, Manning will bring his own telescope to Edwardsville. Its a very powerful one which Manning says he built it himself to show people the rings of Saturn, the craters of the moon, and the planet Jupiter.

Even though he has studies astronomy and astrophysics his entire life, Manning says he still has a passion for teaching them to anyone who would like to know.

I would say the most rewarding thing about it is the mysteries of the universe that we dont know about, like dark matter and dark energy, multiple universe theories and stuff like that, he says. But also just the sense of exploration, of the wanting to know what else is out there. Like our Exoplanet survey where there is a big effort being made to look for other earth-like planets orbiting other stars at a distance of a hundred light years away.

A few months ago, scientists announced they had found seven planets, all of them roughly the size of earth, orbiting around a small star. It is one of the largest solar systems that has been discovered outside our own. Scientists have been viewing it using the TRAPPIST telescope at the La Silla Observatory in Chile.

Some of these worlds are in habitable zones where water would exist in liquid form, Manning said. That gets everybody excited and gets us thinking there may be life in those worlds. Who knows?

Manning has given his presentations in all 48 contiguous states. And lately he has been talking with people in Alaska where he hopes to present several programs in October.

He hopes to do Hawaii in the future. From there, the program may expand to other countries. The purpose of all this traveling and talking is to foster scientific literacy and curiosity in science to help people become aware of things.

But recently he was made aware of a survey whose results found that 80 percent of Americans sampled thought the sun revolves around the earth. When I heard that I thought Oh my gosh, Im doing the right thing, then. After you hear my program, you wont have a shadow of a doubt about that and a multitude of other things about astronomy and the universe.

Manning said that what has always excited him is the awe and beauty of the universe, and being able to share that with the lay public. His aim is to encourage young people to pursue careers in science.

I know when I was young we were number one in the world when it came to science, Manning said. We are not close to that today. And Im only one person, so Im on a big mission. Im trying to make a tiny little dent of a difference in that so that we can climb that scale again and become the premier nation in the world when it comes to science.
Tokyo, Japan, July 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

XAIRCRAFT Japan held a press conference in Tokyo on July 26, 2017. The Chinese agricultural UAV company XAIRCRAFT officially launched its flagship UAV Plant Protection System P20 in the Japanese market.

At the conference, President of XAIRCRAFT JAPAN, Mr. Tomohiro OSHIRO demonstrated the composition of the P20 plant protection system, and co-founder, Mr. Rui TANG, introduced the service framework, training and tech support namely XCare and XAcademy, as well as the business model of XAIRCRAFT Japan.

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Japan is one of the first countries using large-scale UAV on plant protection in the world. Take rice as an example, ground vehicles spray about 22% (in 2014), and the proportion of UAV plant protection has reached 36%.

Although Japanese farmers had adopted quite a few technologies, they have to deal with the decreasing labor year after year, and the inevitable ageing population. Japan has a total of about 4.5 million hectares arable land (as in 2015), and about 2.09 million agricultural practitioners, of which more than half over the age of 65. At the same time, according to the official statistics, imported food has accounted for 60% of the Japanese total consumption.

To tackle with the huge impact of imported agricultural products along with the ageing of rural population, Japanese food producers need more intelligent, efficient and hands-free equipment to improve their efficiency.

XAIRCRAFT made the choice of Japan as its first step in the process of internationalization, it is hoped that its UAV Plant Protection System P20 can exert its technological value rapidly in Japan.

Justin GONG, co-founder and CMO of XAIRCRAFT, delivered a speech at the conference about XAIRCRAFTs mission and expressed his confidence of entering the Japanese market. XAIRCRAFT is an agricultural technology company with global vision. We choose to introduce relevant products to the country packed with formidable rivals, is because we are willing to examine XAIRCRAFTs technology and business model as quickly as possible here. By lowering the threshold of UAV plant protection service, utilising autonomous flight control and dynamic spraying systems, more people will be benefit from precision farming. The mission of XAIRCRAFT is to continuously developing more efficient agricultural technology, in the context of reducing labor input and environmental pollution, ultimately contribute to the sustainable development of global agriculture.

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Meanwhile, facing the global appeal about food safety, every country begins to explore the precision agriculture solution, hoping to solve the problem from the refinement of farming tools and management. The core concept of XAIRCRAFT is exactly rooted in precision agriculture. Collaborative research project XPLANET were launched with dozens of research institutions in China, Australia, the United States, UK and other places, for P20 to improve and adapt to different planting environment.

Global Consultant of XAIRCRAFT, Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Dr. John Troughton said,  precision agriculture is not just a privilege for large-scale cultivation. Most world food is produced on small lots. There are a variety of significant food crops that need spraying of or for defoliant, weeds, disease, fertilizer, insecticide and growth regulators and how to service small plots of crops is of great international food security significance. Dr. Troughton has worked extensively in agricultural science and has been involved in projects such as the United Nations Global Energy Use and Amazon Forest Research. He said, Automated, efficient and accurate plant protection UAV systems can ensure that small plots wont have the abuse of chemicals, missed sprays, missed the best time to spray and other issues that reduce food yield

The implementation of precision agriculture relies on comprehensive monitoring and efficient mining of field data. Sensors and cloud-based computing power are now being used by large farms around the world, to collect data and obtain specific plant protection plans, so that in the future drones and robots can manage our farms.

XAIRCRAFT said, with the development of precision-agriculture-related technology such as UAV, IOT and Block Chain, producers and consumers will be able to achieve a comprehensive traceability of food production with in a few years. Global agriculture production as a whole will be refined and become transparent. Food safety threats and consumer trust crisis will be completely resolved because of these technologies.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/729822ca-a6b9-490d-95dd-c4cdd5bfabe9

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/635ba672-4cd9-4fcf-bcb6-ded60226ea3c
Virginia GOP gubernatorial nominee Ed Gillespie on Thursday called for aggressive action against gangs and a ban on sanctuary cities that do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities, part of a policy rollout that appears designed to fire up his conservative base.

By highlighting gangs and crimes committed by immigrants living in Virginia illegally, Gillespie embraced an issue championed by Corey Stewart, who nearly beat him for the GOP nomination last month with a Trump-like agenda that took a hard line on immigration.

Gillespie's rollout coincided with a Trump administration push this week to call attention to MS-13, a violent street gang that originated in El Salvador and has taken root in some immigrant communities in the United States.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions traveled to El Salvador on Thursday as part of a mission to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against the gang. President Donald Trump plans to visit Long Island in New York on Friday after the arrests of 15 gang members to discuss ways to eliminate MS-13.

After Gillespie's razor-thin victory in the GOP primary, Republicans at the state and national levels have been urging him to listen to Trump strategists. A spokesman for the Gillespie campaign would not say whether it had coordinated Thursday's policy rollout with the White House.

While Stewart used inflammatory rhetoric when discussing illegal immigrants, Gillespie spoke in technocratic language about seeking federal funding, establishing prevention programs and revising the state's criminal code to increase prosecutions. He announced his anti-gang policies in front of the Loudoun County, Virginia, courthouse, a site he chose in part because of MS-13 activity in the area.

"Job number one is eradicating gangs and rewarding those who keep up safer," said Gillespie, who will face Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam in November. "If someone is here illegally and they commit a crime, they will be deported."

Gillespie said MS-13's rise accentuates the need for local cooperation with federal immigration officials. The Justice Department this week said it will no longer award grant money to cities that don't provide access to jails or notify when prisoners in the country illegally are about to be released, escalating the Trump administration's crackdown on sanctuary cities.

"A lot of those involved in [MS-13] are here illegally," Gillespie said. "We cannot allow for the establishment of sanctuary cities."

The commonwealth does not have sanctuary cities, and Gillespie and Northam have agreed on that point. But there's no clear-cut definition of what constitutes a sanctuary jurisdiction, and different sheriffs vary when it comes to cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

Northam cast a tiebreaking vote in the state Senate to reject a bill banning sanctuary cities in Virginia, which he dismissed as a political scheme by Republicans. The measure later passed and was vetoed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe, D, who is barred from seeking consecutive terms under the state Constitution.

Northam has advocated for compassion for immigrants living in Virginia illegally and says they should be able to receive in-state tuition at public colleges and universities as well as driver's licenses.

Northam agrees with several of Gillespie's proposal regarding law enforcement, including higher wages for state police (a pay raise was in this year's budget) and a return of Project Exile, a program that originated in Richmond in 1997 and shifted the prosecution of illegal gun possession from the state to federal court, which had a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison.

Although it was initially credited with reducing gun-related crimes in Richmond, the program was criticized as having a disproportionate effect on African-Americans.

A spokeswoman for Northam said that must be considered.

"Dr. Northam is open to all ideas to help reduce crime, but they must be implemented in a way that does not exacerbate the racial disparities in our criminal justice system," Ofirah Yheskel said. "Virginia also can foster positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities they represent, which will lead to increased rates of solving crimes."

Gillespie echoed similar sentiments. "I talked about disparities in arrests and convictions, and it's something I'm very aware of and cautious of," he said Thursday.

He was joined by GOP attorney general nominee John Adams, whom Gillespie said he would name as his anti-gang chief. "This is a level of criminal activity that impacts the most vulnerable among us, including immigrant communities," said Adams, a lawyer and former federal prosecutor.

Some Democrats said Gillespie's message to bolster law enforcement is undercut by his call for an across-the-board income tax cut, which Republican lawmakers have said would be funded by diverting future revenue.

"Rather than talking about tax cuts for people who probably don't need it, we need to be talking about how we are going to address some of these crisis situations we are dealing with," said Newport News Sheriff Gabe Morgan.

Although he spoke of tougher sanctions for gun crimes, Gillespie has hinted about relaxing penalties for other crimes. During the primary campaign, he called for fewer prison sentences and more redemption.

About a dozen protesters organized by the Democratic Party of Virginia crashed Gillespie's event Thursday, heckling him to condemn Trump and the GOP push for a health-care overhaul.

Gillespie later posted a photo that said his news conference was meant to promote policies "to fairly compensate law enforcement, combat gangs and keep Virginians safe. Apparently these are things the Ralph Northam resistance hate."
Amazon.com founder and The Washington Post owner Jeffrey P. Bezos on Thursday briefly became the richest person in the world, displacing Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

Bezos' rise to No. 1 followed a surge in Amazon.com shares Thursday ahead of the online retailer's earnings report due out later in the day. The company's shares have been on a tear over the past year, passing the $1,000 mark and hitting $1,082 around noon on Thursday, propelling Bezos, 53, to $90.6 billion compared with Gates's $90.1 billion. Gates, 61, who built his fortune through Microsoft, has long been among the world's richest and had held the top spot since May 2013.

By midday, however, Amazon shares gave up much of the gain, and Gates reclaimed the top spot on Forbes magazine's real-time measure of the fortunes of the world's wealthiest people.

J. Scott Applewhite/STF

Amazon shares were down about 3 percent in after-hours trading Thursday after the retail giant reported that second-quarter profits fell short of expectations. The company posted $197 million in profit, or about 40 cents per share. That is down from $857 million a year ago, or $1.78 per share in profit. Analysts were expecting $.1.42 a share.

Revenue continues to soar, coming in at $38 billion. That was better than Wall Street's estimates of $37.2 billion, and far outstrips $30.4 billion in second quarter revenue a year ago.

Amazon's share price has gained about 40 percent, year to date.

"We can chalk the miss up to more fulfillment center and technology spending," said R.J. Hottovy, consumer equity strategist at Morningstar. "The technology is where a lot of spending is going, such as Amazon Web Services and Echo and other new products."

Amazon's market cap, which is the total value of all its shares, also broke the $500 billion mark recently, joining other exclusive members of the $500-billion-plus club such as Alphabet, Microsoft and Apple.

Often referred to as the "Everything Store," it has built on its online retail empire and pushed more heavily into groceries and apparel in recent quarters. Amazon Web Services, its cloud-computing unit with large government contracts, also accounts for a sizable portion of its profits.

A cornerstone of its success is its Prime membership program, in which shoppers pay $99 a year for unlimited two-day shipping on many purchase. Amazon does not disclose its number of Prime shoppers, but analysts estimate it is about 50 million. In February, Bezos said that "tens of millions of new paid members" had joined Prime in the past year.

Amazon's surprise announcement in June that it would buy Whole Foods, the purveyor of organics and healthy fare, for $13.7 billion is already rattling the grocery sector, with competitors' share prices dropping on the news.

Amazon's move to buy Whole Foods has raised the specter of antitrust issues. The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission arguing that the deal would trigger store closings, job losses and eventually wipe out competition and customer choice.

Michael A. Carrier, professor at Rutgers Law School specializing in antitrust, said Amazon "should be between worried and complacent" when it comes to anti-trust action.

"Typically, the antitrust authorities do not worry about mergers when the companies are not direct competitors," he said, referring to Amazon and Whole Foods.

"The complicating factor, however, is that Amazon is a large company that has increasing tentacles into many markets," Carrier said. "There's a sense that they are having more and more control over our lives. The reason their level of concern should be above complacency is that Washington has noticed that Amazon is getting big. Politicians from the president on down have observed Amazon is large and maybe this merger deserves a closer look."

Hottovy said the company's proposed acquisition of Whole Foods would not make it even one of the top five brick-and-mortar grocers in the United States. Beyond antitrust, Hottovy said, he is more concerned about a tax that might be levied against the internet retail giant.

"My biggest worry is more stringent taxes," he said. He notes that the company relies heavily on the U.S. Postal Service.

The vast majority of Bezos' wealth is composed of his Amazon.com shares. He owns just shy of 17 percent of the company. He also owns space rocket company Blue Origin.

"Mae West said, 'Too much of a good thing can be wonderful,' " said Michael Farr, who runs a Washington investment firm. "We presume Mr. Bezos agrees. The power and value of technology can't be overestimated. We believe Mr. Bezos will continue to set records."
President Donald Trump plans to sign legislation slapping new punitive sanctions on Russia over election meddling, the White House said Friday, effectively ending hopes for the fresh start with Moscow that he came into office promising to seek.

Trump opposed the legislation as an infringement on executive power but faced the certainty of an embarrassing congressional override if he vetoed it. The announcement came hours after the Russian government announced that it would seize U.S. diplomatic properties and kick out a large number of U.S. diplomats.

The Russian action was in response to the sanctions bill passed by Congress on Thursday. It signaled a loss of patience by Russian President Vladimir Putin with the Trump administration's inability to change the troubled relationship between the two nuclear-armed powers, which stands at its lowest point since the end of the Cold War.

The legislation handcuffs Trump's power to lift earlier punitive measures taken by the United States in response to Russia's actions in Ukraine - the top priority for Putin in any remake of the U.S.-Russia relationship.

"President Donald J. Trump read early drafts of the bill and negotiated regarding critical elements of it," a White House statement said. "He has now reviewed the final version and, based on its responsiveness to his negotiations, approves the bill and intends to sign it."

It was not clear what influence the White House was claiming Trump had exerted. The bill still includes mandatory congressional review of sanctions.

Trump could have vetoed the law as a signal to Moscow of his continuing interest in rapprochement, while knowing Congress would easily override his action. Signing the bill acknowledges that his goal of better relations with Moscow is on ice.

The Russian expulsion order could affect scores or even hundreds of diplomats and other embassy staff - and officials in Moscow had recently indicated that the measure was imminent.

President Barack Obama expelled Russian diplomats and ordered the seizure of Russian properties in the United States in the closing weeks of his tenure, in response to the conclusion by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia had interfered in the 2016 presidential election to damage the candidacy of Hillary Clinton and help Trump get elected.

Putin initially declined to respond with tit-for-tat expulsions of his own, a gesture to the president-elect and his pledge as a candidate to try to repair relations with the Kremlin.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday that Moscow had no choice but to respond now, according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Lavrov cited "a number of hostile steps" taken by the United States but also told Tillerson that Moscow was "ready to normalize the bilateral relations with the U.S. and cooperate on important international issues," the Foreign Ministry said.

"We have expressed our strong disappointment and protest," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said. The U.S. protests came during Tillerson's call with Lavrov and a meeting U.S. Ambassador John Tefft held in Moscow with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

The department did not provide an estimate of how many U.S. personnel would have to depart by the Sept. 1 deadline, but Russia's order to reduce the number of U.S. diplomatic staff to 455 would appear to affect as many as a few hundred people.

The Senate voted 98 to 2 for legislation that slaps new penalties on Russia and limits Trump's ability to lift sanctions already in place. The measure had previously passed the House.

Trump's aides had given mixed signals about whether the president would sign or veto the Russia legislation, which is packaged with additional sanctions on Iran and North Korea that he supports. Trump advisers had said the legislation imposed unacceptable limits on presidential prerogatives.

"This does hem in Trump's political moves," said Jane Harman, a former California Democratic congresswoman who is now president of the Wilson Center.

- - -

Russia has promised additional retaliatory measures against the new sanctions once they become law, possibly targeting U.S. commercial or trade interests.

"This is a landmark moment," said Andrei Kolesnikov, a journalist for the newspaper Kommersant who regularly travels with Putin and has interviewed him extensively over the past 17 years. "His patience has seriously run out, and everything that he's been putting off in this conflict, he's now going to do."

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok should reduce the number of their "diplomatic and technical employees" to 455, in apparent parity with the number of Russian diplomatic staff in the United States.

The Foreign Ministry also said it would seize, effective Aug. 1, a Moscow warehouse and dacha, or vacation house, used by the U.S. Embassy. The dacha, located in a posh suburb along the Moscow River, was often used by families of embassy workers for vacations or parties.

"The passing of the new bill on sanctions clearly showed that relations with Russia have become a hostage of the internal political struggle in the U.S.," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement laying out the measures. Putin and other officials have denied that Russia meddled in the 2016 election and dismissed the scandal as the creation of Russophobes in Washington.

James Collins, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia who is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said Putin's grace period to test the possibility of better relations with the United States under Trump is over.

"This is certainly a negative development for any hope for near-term improvement in official relations," Collins said. "They see the action by Congress in passing this bill on sanctions and limiting the president's ability to act as a signal the Obama administration approach is not changed, and President Trump is not going to be able to change it."

Russia also said the new U.S. sanctions could harm cooperation in the fights against terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, illegal drug trafficking, illegal migration and cybercrime.

Among the areas that could be affected are a United Nations vote on new North Korea sanctions and cooperation in Syria.

"The U.S. needs our support on some issues at the U.N. Security Council; they are trying to mobilize the international community to toughen sanctions against North Korea," Alexei Pushkov, head of the Russian Federation Council information policy commission, said in an interview with the Russian news agency Interfax.

In Syria, the administration is depending on Russia to restrain its allies - the government of President Bashar al-Assad and Iran - from interfering in the campaign against the Islamic State. Early this month, Tillerson hailed a new agreement between Moscow and Washington on a cease-fire in one corner of Syria's civil war as "our first indication of the U.S. and Russia being able to work together" on what he described as the shared goal of Syrian stability.

U.S. officials have described cooperation on Syria as steadily improving, and Lavrov, in the Foreign Ministry statement, said Russia was "still willing to . . . cooperate on the most important items of the international agenda."

The statement said that Moscow "agreed to continue contacts on all aspects of Russian-American relations."

Tillerson traveled to Moscow this year on what he called an outreach mission. The United States, he said at the time, cannot afford to have such bad blood with its largest potential nuclear adversary.

- - -

Trump and Putin met for the first time on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit this month in Hamburg and appeared to strike up a good personal rapport.

But, ultimately, Putin wanted results from the relationship - in particular, sanctions relief.

A handful of spies in the United States and Russia have been expelled in recent years, including Ryan Fogle, a CIA officer who was paraded on Russian television wearing a shaggy blond wig in 2013. But the last sizable round of diplomatic expulsions was in 2001, when the U.S. government kicked out 51 Russian diplomats over the Robert Hanssen spy case.

Hanssen, an FBI agent caught trying to make a "dead drop" to a Russian handler in a park in Virginia, was accused of spying for Russia since 1986. Russia expelled 50 diplomats in retaliation. The United States under President Ronald Reagan ordered out 55 Soviet diplomats in 1986 in another case, after Russia expelled five U.S. diplomats.

But this time, the scale of the expulsions, if confirmed to be in the hundreds, appears unprecedented.

"The numbers game is important," said Andrew Weiss, a vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace who previously served on the State Department's policy planning staff. "The Russians tend to be fastidious about this janitor for that janitor, this second secretary for that second secretary. Extremely into reciprocity."

A change in that pattern, he said, could indicate a serious deterioration in relations.

- - -

Roth reported from Moscow. Karen DeYoung in Washington contributed to this report
SAN FRANCISCO, July 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NGINX, Inc., the engine delivering sites and applications for the modern web, today announced keynote and session speakers for its fourth annual nginx.conf user conference, held September 6-8, 2017 at The Nines Hotel in Portland, OR. Attendees at this years event will hear and learn from cutting-edge, digital-native companies including Adobe, Equifax, Starbucks and many others.



This year, attendees will come together to discuss what it means to architect the future, including how to build and deliver next-generation applications with performance, reliability, security, and scale. This annual event is attended by community members, customers, and partners, who gathered to share and learn best practices for flawless application delivery, including tools and techniques like microservices, DevOps, cloud, containers, and more.

Keynote presenters during the conference include:

Gus Robertson, CEO of NGINX, Inc.

Igor Sysoev, Co-Founder and CTO of NGINX, Inc.

Andrew Alexeev, Co-Founder of NGINX, Inc.

Jimmy O. Yang, multi-faceted actor, stand-up comedian, and writer

Presentations confirmed for nginx.conf 2017 include strategic sessions, case studies, lightning talks and hands-on sessions for a variety of skill levels across the application development and delivery landscape. Attendees will also be able to attend workshops to enhance their NGINX skills, and demos to get face time with NGINX experts.

Breakout sessions will include informative presentations from industry leading organizations, including:

Adobe on a new way of thinking about microservices as serverless

Dropbox on optimizing web servers for high throughput and low latency

Equifax on managing continuous delivery at enterprise scale

Starbucks Technology on pivoting to a microservices architecture in the cloud for its mobile order and pay

Applications are evolving from monolithic architectures with few entry points, to collections of interconnected microservices with a multitude of entry points and outputs, driving the need for a new set of software tools. Of these, NGINX is the most complete and battletested solution for connecting, securing, and scaling applications, said Gus Robertson, CEO of NGINX. At nginx.conf 2017, which will focus on tools and techniques for building and deploying applications of the future, attendees will learn how to deliver innovation at the speed required to stay ahead in todays fast-moving business environment.

For more information on nginx.conf, or to register, visit nginx.com/nginxconf and join the conversation by following @nginx on Twitter.

About NGINX, Inc.

NGINX is the heart of the modern web  helping the worlds most innovative companies deliver their sites and applications with performance, reliability, security, and scale. The company offers an award-winning, comprehensive application delivery platform in use on more than 300 million sites worldwide. Companies around the world rely on NGINX to ensure flawless digital experiences through features such as advanced load balancing, web and mobile acceleration, security controls, application monitoring, and management. More than half of the Internets busiest websites rely on NGINX, including Airbnb, Box, Instagram, Netflix, Pinterest, SoundCloud, and Zappos. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, with its EMEA headquarters in Cork, Ireland, and additional offices in the US and Europe. Learn more at https://www.nginx.com/
A few minutes before midnight on Monday, a 9-year-old girl in a neighborhood near Hobby Airport spotted something unusual in the windows of a garage apartment on her street: flames.

The girl called 9-1-1 to report the fire in the 8000 block of Conger, drawing Houston firefighters who extinguished the blaze and searched for injured or dead residents.
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A San Antonio man was executed Thursday night for killing a woman in 2004 after a last-minute request for a stay to the Supreme Court was rejected.

TaiChin Preyor, 46, had been on death row for 13 years after a Bexar County jury convicted him of killing Jami Tackett, 24, in a drug-related attack.

Preyor was pronounced dead at 9:22 p.m., about 20 minutes after a lethal dose of Pentobarbital was sent through the veins of both of his arms.

In a brief final statement, Preyor said, First and foremost, Id like to say, Justice has never advanced by taking a human life, by Coretta Scott King. Lastly, to my wife and to my kids, I love yall forever and always. Thats it.

Neither Preyors nor Tacketts relatives were present for the execution, just four journalists and some corrections officers.

Preyor is the fifth inmate to be executed in Texas this year, and the 16th nationally, according to data provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Earlier Thursday, Cate Stetson, an attorney representing Preyor said via email that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals denied an appeal and stay for her client, just hours before he was to be executed.

Preyors lawyers had argued that his appeals should be reviewed more fairly because poor legal representation had tainted his case.

After that bid was rejected, Stetson then filed a petition seeking a stay from the nations highest court. That request to Justice Samuel Alito was denied some time after 8 p.m.

On Feb. 26, 2004, Preyor said he went to Tacketts Southeast Side apartment to buy drugs and that he defended himself when attacked by Tackett and her friend, Jason Garza, 20. Preyor told police he poked Tackett with a knife to defend himself.

Preyor was arrested in the parking lot of the Grove Park Apartments in the 2500 block of Goliad Road near Interstate 37 South after he returned to the scene to look for his car keys, according to court documents. He had been covered in Tacketts blood.

Tackett, whose throat was slashed, was found when her neighbors heard her screams.

Prosecutors told the Bexar County jury that heard the case that Tackett also suffered defensive wounds to her hand and forearm and had cuts on her face and abdomen.

Defense attorneys argued that Preyor went to Tackett's house to buy drugs from her and that she and Garza attacked Preyor when he arrived, and intended to rob him. He told police that he pulled a knife and "poked" Tackett with the weapon in an attempt to defend himself.

Witnesses testified during the trial that Tacketts throat and windpipe were severed, and that she bled to death in her apartment. Neighbors heard the screams, and Garza, who was wounded in the attack, managed to escape and call 911. Preyor left the scene. He was arrested when he returned to get his keys.
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A 34-year-old man shot twice in the abdomen Thursday night in the West Side has died, San Antonio Police Department confirmed.

The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office identified the man Friday as Christopher Lozano.

According to a sergeant on scene, Lozano was walking on a sidewalk at about 9 p.m. Thursday in the 3500 block of El Paso Street when a person got out of a dark-colored car and shot twice at him before fleeing the scene.

Lozano was transported to University Hospital, SAPD said. He was later pronounced dead by hospital personnel.

This is the second fatal shooting in the West Side block this week. On Wednesday, Glenn Hector Montellano, 21, was fatally shot in the head.

SAPD Sgt. Robert Solis said Wednesdays shooting stem from a feud between groups of families.

Apparently we have some bad blood between two families that live in the area, Solis said.

Montellano was driving a white car near the intersection of El Paso and Southwest 21st streets when he got out of the car and started arguing with a group of men in the area.

The feud grew and a fight involving about 30 people broke, Solis said.

Christian Lozano, 20, and Julias Barron, 18, were arrested Thursday in connection with Montellanos death, police said.

A sergeant on Thursdays scene said police believe both shootings are connected; however, a San Antonio Police Department spokesperson could not confirm both shootings are related.
A man called authorities after he discovered a bone in his septic tank this week, officials said.

It wasn't until 24 hours later, on Thursday, that a forensic pathologist confirmed one of the bones belonged to a human.

The man in Edcouch, a small town east of Edinburg, called officials with the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office around 9:15 p.m. Wednesday, after making his discovery, said Deputy Jena Palacios, a public information officer for the county.

Officials extracted one of the "several bones" from the tank and sent it to be analyzed.

RELATED: Report: Former Zetas cartel leader used to eat victims

"We didn't know what kind of bones they were when they found them," Palacios said. "We weren't sure if it was an animal or a human."

On Thursday, the bone was confirmed to be human, Palacios said.

All of the bones will be pulled from the tank and analyzed, she said. The case remains under investigation.

Palacios said there were not any reports of a missing person in the area and the man who found the bones appeared just as shocked as authorities.

kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5
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The man arrested on drug charges this week, who federal authorities say was "involved in" the drive-by shooting that killed a 4-year-old on the East Side, has a lengthy criminal history dating back almost two decades, according to online records.

Charles Bethamy, aka "Shitty," was most recently arrested Wednesday by San Antonio police officers on federal drug charges, after a drug raid netted 56 grams of cocaine and 56 grams of crack at a "stash house" in the 600 block of J Street that Bethamy is known to frequent.

RELATED: Feds: Accused San Antonio drug dealer involved in shooting death of 4-year-old

Bethamy's attorney, Deborah Stanton Burke, has said the criminal complaint against her client is "patently false." She told mySA on Thursday that Bethamy had nothing to do with the drive-by shooting that killed 4-year-old De-Earlvion Whitley on July 19.

"I've been reading affidavits for 34 years," she said. "This is the flimsiest one I've ever read."

Sgt. Jesse Salame, a spokesman for the San Antonio Police Department, said he could not confirm whether Bethamy is a suspect in the shooting.

Bethamy's criminal history in Bexar County began in June 1998, when he was arrested for criminal trespassing. He was later found guilty of the charge.

Over the next 18 years, Bethamy was arrested numerous times on 22 individual charges, including multiple instances of drug possession, domestic violence, evading arrest, engaging in organized criminal activity and failing to identify himself to law enforcement officers.

Of the 23 charges he had been arrested on prior to the federal drug charge for which he appeared in court on Thursday, Bethamy was found guilty of 16 of the charges. Some of the other charges were dismissed for lack of evidence, and other charges were dismissed because prosecutors had convicted him of a separate charge in the same case.

His sentences for the convictions were not immediately available, nor was the amount of time, if any, has has spent incarcerated.

RELATED: 4-year-old boy killed in possibly gang-related drive-by shooting, police say

His alleged connection to the fatal drive-by shooting, however, would mark a contrast to his past criminal history.

Bethamy has not been charged in connection to the killing, but federal prosecutors on Thursday released a statement saying he was "involved in" the shooting.

Authorities believe Bethamy was the intended target of a prior drive-by shooting around 4:30 p.m. on July 19 at the Coliseum Meat Market in the 400 block of Spriggsdale. Bethamy was sitting in a pickup truck at the time and allegedly returned fire against his suspected assailants, striking two of them

According to police, surveillance cameras set up by FBI agents to monitor the J Street stash house later that night recorded four men, at least two of whom appeared to be armed with a handgun and rifle, get into two vehicles and leave the house minutes before shots rang out in the 200 block of Hub Avenue in what police believe was a retaliatory attack.

Whitley was shot in the head and killed, and his mother, 29-year-old Cyntwanisha, was shot twice in the leg. Police found about 40 shell casings from a handgun and a rifle at the scene.

Surveillance cameras captured the same four men return to the J Street stash house moments after the drive-by shooting at Hub Avenue, which is about one mile away, authorities said. Due to poor lighting conditions, federal agents were not able to identify the men who got into the vehicle at the J Street house, though authorities believe Bethamy was involved in the attack due to his association with the location.

RELATED: Mother of 4-year-old boy killed in East Side drive-by asks for justice, not retaliation

One day after the shooting, federal agents raided the house and seized the drugs. Bethamy wasn't home at the time, possibly because he had been tipped off about the raid, according to an affidavit. San Antonio police found and arrested him on Wednesday.

United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin Jr. said Bethamy's arrest was part of a joint effort of several law enforcement organizations to "end the senseless shootings in San Antonio."

"This investigation continues along with our on-going work to stop violent crime, using whatever tools are legally available to us under federal and state laws," he said. "We ask that anyone having information about this case or other acts of violence contact the SAPD or the FBI."

Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

cdowns@mysa.com

Twitter: @calebjdowns
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A North Texas police department had three interactions with a man this week and the third one involved him putting an ax through the windshield of a police car.

Jeassy Bobby Cruz, 31, is accused of attacking police vehicles with an ax Wednesday morning. The arrest comes after a seven day crime spree in the small town of Keene, police said.

"It's our third run in with him in the past seven days," Interim Police Chief, Don Beeson, told mySA.com. "I think he was mad at us."

READ ALSO: S.A. man allegedly involved in drive-by that killed 4-year-old has lengthy criminal history

At 2:19 a.m. Wednesday, a Keene police officer was patrolling by the police station and noticed a person with an ax walk into the parking lot. The officer immediately notified a second officer on duty, but the damage was already done.

Police say Cruz attacked two police cars with an ax, breaking windshields, windows, antennas and damaging an emergency overhead light bulb. The ax was left sticking out of a vehicle's windshield.

Beeson said the officers were able to get Cruz' attention by using verbal commands and proceeded to take him into custody without incident.

READ ALSO: After 12 robberies, suspect in North Texas crime spree makes big mistake

In the days leading up to his arrest, KPD issued a warrant for Cruz' arrest after he allegedly threw a rock into a neighbor's car, broke out several windows of his home and spray painted his parent's house, Beeson said.

A few days later, Cruz was issued a citation for a Class C misdemeanor for failing to pay at a local cafe after ordering a taco salad and four burgers for himself.

"Nothing in the past has indicated that he would be violent. We've dealt with him a couple times. We suspect that he's probably off some type of medication," Beeson said, adding the KPD are waiting for his parents to return from vacation.

Cruz walked more than a mile to the police department on Wednesday morning he was arrested, the interim chief said.

"I think his intent was to come to the PD," Beeson concluded.

Cruz is currently being held at the Johnson County Correctional Facility.

jthorpe@express-news.net

@jerilynnthorpe
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A man was shot twice Thursday night in the West Side, close to the area were a man was fatally shot in the head Wednesday.

A San Antonio police sergeant at the scene said a 34-year-old man was talking on his phone while on the sidewalk when a person got out of a car and shot the man at about 9 p.m. in the 3500 block of El Paso Street.
TORONTO, July 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- dynaCERT Inc. (TSX-V:DYA) (OTCQB:DYFSF) ("dynaCERT" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Marc Bertrand, the former President & CEO of MEGA Brands (MEGA), is joining the Companys Advisory Board.

Mr. Bertrand is a seasoned consumer products executive with nearly three decades of success in brand building, strategic licensing, international markets and manufacturing. MEGA was recognized worldwide for innovation, operational excellence, product quality and delivering value to consumers. Mr. Bertrand implemented growth through International expansion with sales teams in Europe, Latin America and Asia and distribution in over 100 countries. In addition, Mr. Bertrand has actively participated in numerous complex financial transactions.

Marc Bertrand states, "dynaCERT has an exciting new technology that has proven results for fuel efficiency and, with the significant reductions in greenhouse gases, will be a leader in the new carbon economy.

Private Placement

dynaCERT also announces that it has amended the terms and increased the maximum amount of the private placement that was previously announced on June 8, 2017 from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000. The Company expects to close the private placement within the next week. Each unit will be issued at $0.70 and will be comprised of one common share ("Common Share") in the capital of the Company and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant being exercisable into one Common Share at a price of $1.00 for a two-year period from the date of issuance. The warrants include an acceleration clause to the effect that if at any time after four months and one day following the issuance of the warrants, the closing trading price of the Common Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") is greater than $1.75 per Common Share for a period of ten consecutive trading days, then dynaCERT may give notice to the holder of the warrants of its intention to force the exercise of the warrants, following which the holder thereof shall have a period of 30 days to exercise the warrants, failing which the warrants will automatically expire.

Mr. Bertrand will be purchasing 334,000 units, Mr. Bertrands father (Victor, the founder of MEGA) will be purchasing 666,000 units and Mr. Bertrands brother, Vic, will be purchasing 285,000 units bringing their respective holdings to 1,234,000 Common Shares, 1,332,000 Common Shares and 345,000 Common Shares.

All of the securities to be issued under the private placement will be subject to a four-month resale restriction. The proposed private placement is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals including the final approval of the Exchange. The Exchange has granted the Company an extension of up to 30 days to complete the private placement.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of this private placement for research and development and general working capital purposes.

Jim Payne, President & CEO of dynaCERT, states, It is with great pleasure that we welcome Mr. Bertrand to the dynaCERT Advisory Board. Mr. Bertrand brings vast knowledge in manufacturing, international markets and building brands. We are very excited that the Bertrand Family have renewed their support by increasing their shareholdings of the Company and to have access to their extensive network of industry and financial contacts. Their knowledge and experience will be of great benefit to dynaCERT as we grow both in North America and around the world.

About dynaCERT Inc.

dynaCERT Inc. manufactures, distributes, and installs Carbon Emission Reduction Technology for use with internal combustion engines. Our patent-pending technology creates hydrogen and oxygen on-demand through electrolysis and supplies these additives through the air intake to enhance combustion, resulting in lower carbon emissions and greater fuel efficiency. Our technology is currently in use with on-road applications. Website: www.dynaCERT.com.

READER ADVISORY

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. In particular, forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the proposed timing and completion of the private placement and the proposed use of proceeds from the private placement. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: uncertainty as to whether our strategies and business plans will yield the expected benefits; availability and cost of capital; the ability to identify and develop and achieve commercial success for new products and technologies; the level of expenditures necessary to maintain and improve the quality of products and services; changes in technology and changes in laws and regulations; the uncertainty of the emerging hydrogen economy; including the hydrogen economy moving at a pace not anticipated; our ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships and distribution agreements; and the other risk factors disclosed under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our expectations except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

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 the release.

On Behalf of the Board

Murray James Payne, CEO
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A 19-year-old man is in critical condition at an area hospital Friday following a gun battle he allegedly initiated with a group of San Antonio police officers on the West Side.

SAPD officials identified the gunman as Juan Manuel Rogelio-Gonzalez. He is in critical but stable condition at University Hospital and will be charged with attempted capital murder and evading in a vehicle.

No officers were injured in the shooting, which occurred around 1:40 a.m. in the 3300 block of West Woodlawn Avenue. The shootout is the second incident this week in which a suspect has opened fire on police.

READ ALSO: S.A. woman accused of posting revenge porn after break up

On Wednesday police fatally shot 26-year-old Govonie Luis Casiano after he shot Ofc. Nathan Becerra in an apartment complex parking lot on the Northwest Side.

"Unfortunately we've had way too much of that lately," said San Antonio Police Chief William McManus. "Thank god none of the officers were struck."

Friday morning's incident began around 1 a.m. near W.W. White and Interstate 35 when an officer attempted to stop Rogelio-Gonzalez because he was driving erratically. Rogelio-Gonzalez fled but not before the officer was able to record the his license plate number.

RELATED: Feds: Accused San Antonio drug dealer involved in shooting death of 4-year-old

The license plate number came back to an address in the 3300 block of West Woodlawn Avenue, so three officers staked out the location awaiting his return.

Police say Rogelio-Gonzalez parked his car in front of a residence around 1:40 a.m. and immediately opened fire on the officers awaiting him as soon as he stepped out of his vehicle.

The officers then returned fire striking him several times, according to McManus.

Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

cdowns@mysa.com

Twitter: @calebjdowns
With temperatures climbing as high as 103 degrees this weekend and the heat index expected to be above 108, San Antonio's Metro Health District has issued a level two heat advisory.

Friday's high temperature will be around 101 degrees while Saturday will hit 104 and Sunday will dip back to 100 degrees. The National Weather Service predicts a heat index of 104 for Friday and 108 Saturday.
WASHINGTON  Senate Republicans suffered a significant setback Friday morning in their drive to fulfill a seven-year campaign promise to dismantle the Affordable Care Act when a plan to advance a scaled-back version of the bill went down to defeat.

The Republican measure was rejected 51-49 as three Republicans  Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska  joined a unified Democratic caucus in opposition.

The bill, an eight-page plan called the Health Care Freedom Act, had been released by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell just hours before the vote ended at about 1:40 a.m. EDT.

Our only regret is that we didnt achieve what we hoped to accomplish, McConnell said after the failed vote. McConnell, in a dejected tone, pulled the entire legislation from consideration and set up votes on nominations.

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Its time to move on, he said.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of New York offered a conciliatory note. We are not celebrating, he said. We are relieved. Its time to turn the page.

The plan would have revoked the current laws mandate on individuals to buy insurance and end the requirement on employers who have 50 or more workers to provide insurance coverage. It would also have reversed the Affordable Care Acts tax on medical devices.

The measure would have eliminated funds for preventive health care provided under the 2010 law and prohibit Medicaid beneficiaries from being reimbursed for Planned Parenthood services for one year. Instead, the bill directed the federal funding that would have gone to Planned Parenthood to go to community health centers.

It had been created only as a vehicle for Senate passage by a deeply divided Republican caucus to get it to conference committee, where negotiations on a larger bill were expected to take place between leaders of the Senate and House, which passed its own version of an Affordable Care Act replacement in May.

The vote was expected to be close, and Vice President Mike Pence arrived at the Capitol at 11:30 p.m. in case he was needed to cast a tie-breaking vote. Republicans could afford to lose only two votes, but McCain announced Thursday afternoon he would oppose the bill unless he was assured that a larger health care plan would emerge in negotiations reconciling the Senate plan and a House bill approved in May.

He disclosed his intent amid rumors flying through the Capitol that the House might pass the same slimmed-down bill and send it to President Trump for his signature. In a report released Thursday, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said such a bill would cause 16 million Americans to lose coverage and raise insurance premiums by roughly 20 percent a year.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., provided assurances that he was willing to use the Senate proposal as a basis for negotiating a broader rollback of the current law, and would not move to quickly approve the bill in its current form. But McCain said the assurance wasnt strong enough.

In addition to the impacts outlined by the Congressional Budget Office, health policy analysts and insurers, along with Republican and Democratic governors, said such a repeal would quickly cause the collapse of exchange markets for individual insurance  including Covered California and its 1.4 million enrollees.

Uncertain of the outcome, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, issued a notice to members to remain flexible in their travel plans over the next few days to accommodate a potential House vote on the Senates legislation.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, alerted Democrats that House Republicans had invoked martial law to allow passage of the Senate bill, waiving rules requiring at least a day between announcement of legislation and a vote on it.

We now expect Senate Republicans will seek to pass Trumpcare in the dead of night and House Republicans will use martial law to jam it through the House as early as tomorrow, Pelosi warned. If any Republican senators are counting on House Republicans to rescue them from the consequences of their votes, they and millions of hard-working Americans are in for a very rough time.

Trump had made clear he would sign anything that comes out of Congress to end the Obamacare nightmare.

For now, what will happen next was unclear.

Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., praised the Senate vote and voters who registered their opposition to their senators offices. Tonight health care was saved for millions of Americans, she tweeted. This is your victory. Your calls, letters, and courage made this possible.

The Washington Post and Chronicle wire services contributed to this report.

Carolyn Lochhead is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: CLochhead@sfchronicle.com
1 Militant affiliates: High-ranking Iraqi security officials say up to 7,000 Islamic State affiliates remain in Iraq after the fall of Mosul, where the groups leader declared the self-styled caliphate three years ago. Three intelligence and defense officials also said there are an estimated 4,000 militants and 3,000 supporters who were employed by the group and received salaries. In Syria, there are up to another 7,000 Islamic State militants and 5,000 supporters, they say. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media.

2 Iran sanctions: The United States is slapping Iran with new ballistic missiles sanctions in response to its launch of a satellite-carrying rocket into space a day earlier. The sanctions target six Iranian subsidiaries of the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group. The Treasury Department says that group is central to Irans ballistic missiles program. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says the sanctions illustrate deep U.S. concerns about Irans missile testing and other actions.
BOSTON and AUSTIN, Texas, July 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fasten has launched Fasten Karma, the ride-hailing industrys first rewards program. Beginning today, after completing 10 trips, riders automatically get $5 deducted from the bill on their next trip. There are no blackout dates, no sunset provisions, no fine print, no restrictions.



This program is the first of its kind in the ride-hailing industry, said Kirill Evdakov, co-founder and CEO of Fasten. We called it Karma because our riders have been doing something good by using our service that pays drivers more, and now its time for the good to come back to them. While other ride hailing providers continue to heavily subsidize new riders, we never forget the importance of our loyal customers.

Unlike other companies that are focused on subsidizing rides upfront or at irregular intervals, Fastens program promises a steady and uncomplicated commitment to its most frequent riders. Fastens rewards program reflects the companys dedication to simplicity, equity and transparency in all aspects of its business.

For more information on Fasten Karma please read the first paragraph again.

About Fasten

Based in Boston, Fasten is a ride hailing company dedicated to operating a profitable business that offers drivers fair pay, and that meets consumers needs for timely, efficient and affordable transportation. The company offers services in Boston, Mass. and Austin, Tex. with plans to expand to additional markets in 2017. More information is available via the web at www.fasten.com.
Vice President, Rtd General Constantino Chiwenga, is all but now a heartbeat away from being elected by the ruling Zanu PF party, to takeover the party and government, by replacing President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is going to be soon recalled by the party during a special Central Committee meeting anytime from now, Spotlight Zimbabwe, gathered yesterday.

The Central Committee is Zanu-PFs highest decision-making organ outside Congress and consists of 300 members.

The revelations also come at a time, when Mnangagwa is said to have been reportedly warned this week, by state intelligence, during a homeland security briefing with his national security minister, Owen Ncube, that he risks facing a well synchronised Mali-like detention or insurrection by disenfranchised junior and middle ranking officers in the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), who are determined to dethrone him over meagre salaries and poor working conditions, if Zanu PF fails to recall him by year end, intelligence officials familiar with the matter disclosed last night.

Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita resigned on Tuesday and dissolved parliament hours after mutinying soldiers detained him at gunpoint, plunging a country already facing a jihadist insurgency and mass protests deeper into crisis.

Looking tired and wearing a surgical mask, Keita resigned in a brief address broadcast on state television after troops seized him along with Prime Minister Boubou Cisse and other top officials.

If today, certain elements of our armed forces want this to end through their intervention, do I really have a choice? he said from a military base in Kati outside the capital Bamako where he had been detained earlier in the day, news agency Reuters reported.

The brewing rebellion from disgruntled elements within the security forces, is said to be the brainchild of soldiers loyal and sympathetic to former retired generals, and military leaders unfairly retired or resigned by Mnangagwa ever since, the man fast approaching his octogenarian phase, toppled former leader President Robert Mugabe, in a coup in November 2017.

According to three senior Zanu PF politburo members who spoke to Spotlight Zimbabwe on Wednesday, Mnangagwa is going to be recalled from his position as Zanu-PF President and First Secretary, anytime soon, as the majority of the 49-member politburo organ are now rallying behind Chiwenga, and are endorsing that he leads a transitional authority that will run for the duration of Mnangagwas remaining tenure in office.

I can confirm that the president is going to be recalled soon, said one of the politburo members soon after attending their weekly meeting.

There is a lot of tension and power struggle in the party, but the General (VP Chiwenga) has triumphed. The other presidium member is also supporting him in private, while the very senior leadership of the party has already made overtures to be included by the VP in his next government. You know them, I will not name them, but they were all long serving ministers in President Robert Mugabes administration. Theyre all pretending to be allies of the president, yet they have already jumped ship to join the VPs faction.

Another politburo official, who is a former minister of an economic related portfolio, said VP Chiwenga now has the full support of almost all members of the politburo and that it was not by accident, that seven members failed to attend Wednesdays meeting at the ruling party headquarters in Harare, due to ill-health.

How do you explain the absenteeism of seven mostly senior politburo members, during this weeks meeting? It is a snub against Mnangagwa. Plans are at an advanced stage, to call for an Extraordinary Congress possibly before the end of this year, to ratify the elevation of VP Chiwenga, to become the new ruling party President and First Secretary.

In his opening remarks at Wednesdays politburo meeting, Mnangagwa disclosed that the seven officials had asked for a leave of absence because they were not feeling well.

I have received an apology from comrade Sydney Sekeramayi who is not well, comrade Simbarashe Mumbengegwi who is in quarantine after we had sent him to attend the funeral of former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa, Lovemore Matuke who is not well, Josiah Hungwe who is not too well, Joshua Malinga who is not well, Christopher Mutsvangwa who is not well, Engelbert Rugeje who is not well and Richard Ndlovu, a newly-appointed member of the politburo, said Mnangagwa.

Intelligence sources said Mnangagwa has been advised to review salaries of the armed forces, as the one off cosmetic pay increments he made last month was not enough.

The beleaguered Zanu PF leader, all but paid for his temporal stay in power, by crashing the 31 July protests, through symbolic pay increase for soldiers, which is said to be not enough to cushion them from the economic hardships faced by all Zimbabweans.

 Spotlight Zimbabwe

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Heartbroken Pit Bull Cries After His Family Leaves Him In A Shelter Bored Panda. He was smart enough to get himself out of a high-kill shelter (what kind of creeps were his former humans?) and to look at himself in a mirror.

Heavier Rainfall Will Increase Water Pollution in the Future National Geographic

Critical Vulnerabilities Found in Nuke Plant Radiation Monitors Security Week

Scientists Build DNA From Scratch, Create New Bacteria Inquisitir (David L)

China?

British growth remains the slowest in the EU New Europe (Micael)

The Cartel: Collusion Between Germanys Biggest Carmakers Der Speigel. Resilc: Would nev/ahhhhhhh happen in USA USA.

The Crisis Of The French Socialist Party: Does It Still Have A Future? Social Europe (Micael)

Brexit

Grenfell Tower: Sixty blocks fail new fire test BBC

Grenfell Tower: Council could be charged with corporate manslaughter Politico

Dear Professors Uribe-Teran and Vega-Garcia Bill Black, New Economic Perspectives

New Cold War

Syraqistan

Big Brother is Watching You Watch

New Google algorithm restricts access to left-wing, progressive web sites WSWS (Micael, Glenn F). NC traffic not affected, not because we are not on some sort of Google deplorables or Bernie Bro list, but because pretty much the only traffic we get from Google is people Googling Naked Capitalism. North Korea Makes Hacking Into a Profit Center New York Times. Bill B: Oddly, so does the American defense industry. To the tune of $70 billion a year: https://fas.org/irp/budget/.

Imperial Collapse Watch

Trade Traitors

Globalizers and global liars Dean Baker. Key bit:  it is striking how the media slavishly follow the major features of recent trade agreements as the definition of free trade,in spite of the fact that the deals were quite openly crafted in response to the demands of powerful industry groups who cared about advancing their profits, not abstract principles. Facing trade war with Trump, Europe rediscovers its swagger Politico

Trump Transition

Obamacare

Intelligence chairman accuses Obama aides of hundreds of unmasking requests The Hill

Damn, it's so on right now! House judiciary calling for 2nd special counsel into Hillary's scandal. https://t.co/C5VfuGsZtS  Eddie (@eddiecarl4468) July 28, 2017

With State Finances Shaky, Kansas Governor Prepares to Step Down New York Times (resilc)

Twitters stock plunges as user growth stalls ars technica

Come Fly the Unfriendly Skies Counterpunch. A rant v. United.

Venture Capitals Secret Code Is Being Tested by Harassment Scandals Bloomberg

KKRs earnings soar as fees increase Financial News (DO)

CalPERS: Investments Up, Governance Down  for the Count Tony Butka, LA CityWatch

CFPB to act fast on payday rule ahead of likely Cordray exit American Banker (J-LS). And why has the CFPB been sitting on this so long? Payday lenders arent a terribly powerful political constituency, while even the Pentagon has gone after them.

Amazons Expansion Costs Take a Toll as Profit Falls 77% Wall Street Journal

Class Warfare

Antidote du jour (Tracie H):

And a bonus (hat tip Richard Smith). A shrew conga line!:

Sometimes shrews travel in a 'caravan'. Each shrew grasps the base of the tail of the preceding shrew so that the mother leads them all. pic.twitter.com/0a2VWWQ4Pt  Dick King-Smith HQ (@DickKingSmith) July 25, 2017

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
PASADENA, Texas, July 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that authorizes $696 billion in defense spending in fiscal year 2018. This includes the Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act, H.R. 2286, sponsored by Reps. Gene Green (D-TX) and Rob Wittman (R-VA) to provide assistance and designate San Jacinto College and other selected community and technical colleges and workforce training centers as Centers of Excellence.



The provision, introduced in May as an amendment to the NDAA, will advance the capabilities of two-year community and technical colleges to assist the federal government and industry in securing the talent pipeline for domestic maritime industry jobs. Rep. Green said this furthers the efforts in training and providing people with the skills it takes to fill the gap in the maritime workforce.



In our district, we have a surplus of maritime jobs and not enough people with the skills and training to fill them, Rep. Green said in a prepared statement. The industry is continuing to invest and grow along the Port of Houston, and we want to make sure that our constituents have the opportunity to take these high skilled jobs. This bipartisan legislation will help bridge the gap. Its good for our local community, its good for our businesses, and its good for the American economy.



Unless action is taken to expand the availability of domestic maritime workforce technical training, the continued lack of federal government focus on training, a large percentage of the workforce nearing retirement, technological advancements and the expansion of the Panama Canal are all factors that will compound the domestic maritime workforce shortage in the years ahead.



As Centers of Excellence, two-year colleges will be able to expand their capacity to train domestic maritime workers by admitting more students, training faculty, expanding facilities, creating new maritime career pathways from associate degree to baccalaureate degree programs, and awarding credit for prior learning experience, including military service. Over the years, the federal government has designated and funded numerous Centers of Excellence at four-year universities  primarily to advance federal research and development goals. Historically, Centers of Excellence programs have not benefited two-year colleges. The Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act is unique and precedent-setting in that it is limited to community and technical colleges.

The Domestic Maritime Center of Excellence Act will be a catalyst for enabling access to surplus federal equipment and assets to be used in training our maritime workforce, said Chief John Stauffer, associate vice chancellor and superintendent of maritime at San Jacinto College. Stauffer recently attended the community college leadership Washington, DC "Fly-In" conference for a day focused on maritime with the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD). This will ensure that mariners in training are equipped with the skills to meet the needs of the marketplace. It will also enhance the training held at San Jacinto Colleges newly built Maritime Technology and Training Center.



Since 2010, the San Jacinto College maritime program has awarded more than 5,500 U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)-approved course completion certificates. The College also introduced the states first associate degree program in maritime transportation to train those new to the maritime industry. Last year marked the opening of the San Jacinto College Maritime Technology and Training Center on the Maritime Campus in La Porte, Texas, to offer more training opportunities for new and incumbent mariners.



The San Jacinto College Maritime Technology and Training Center on the Maritime Campus offers a full calendar of USCG-approved maritime courses. For more information and to register, visit sanjac.edu/maritime.



About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. As a fiscally sound institution, the College currently holds bond ratings of AA and Aa2 by Standard & Poors and Moodys, respectively. San Jacinto College is a 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Rising Star Award recipient and an Achieving the Dream Leader College. Approximately 30,000 students each semester benefit from a support system that maps out a pathway for success. The College offers seven areas of study that prepare a diverse body of students to transfer to a four-year college or university or enter the workforce with the skills needed to support the growing industries along the Texas Gulf Coast. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $690 million each year to the Texas workforce.

For more information about San Jacinto College call 281-998-6150, visit sanjac.edu or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Attachments:

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Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f0990a43-e4d8-4e0a-9aa1-c2b30433782f
So now we see another way Wells Fargo achieved its amazing level of product cross-sells. As reported by the New York Times Gretchen Morgenson, not only did it sign up customers for accounts and credit cards without their knowledge, it also forced auto insurance onto them. And unlike the fake accounts scandal, where the actual monetary damage to customers was limited (although some suffered real credit score damage), Wells Fargos own hired gun, bank consultant Oliver Wyman, estimated that 274,000 were forced into delinquency and nearly 25,000 had their cars wrongfully repossessed from January 2012 through July 2016.

How did this come about? Wells would automatically impose auto insurance from National General on auto loan customers. National General was supposed to check if the borrower already had coverage but apparently didnt. The insurance usually cost about $1000 a year, before any interest. Per Morgenson:

The insurance, which the bank required, was more expensive than auto insurance that customers often already had obtained on their own. National General Insurance underwrote the policies for Wells Fargo, which began to require the insurance on auto loans as early as 2006. The practice continued until the end of September For borrowers, delinquencies arose quickly because of the way the bank charged for the insurance. Say, for example, that a customer agreed to a monthly payment of $275 in principal and interest on her car loan, and arranged for the amount to be deducted from her bank account automatically. If she were not advised about the insurance and it increased her monthly payment to, say, $325, her account could become overdrawn as soon as Wells Fargo added the coverage. The report tried to determine how many Wells Fargo customers were hurt and how much they should be compensated. It estimated that the bank owed $73 million to wronged customers. State insurance regulations required Wells Fargo to notify customers of the insurance before it was imposed. But the bank did not always do so, the report said. And almost 100,000 of the policies violated the disclosure requirements of five states  Arkansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Tennessee and Washington. Requiring borrowers to be insured is common in the mortgage arena, where banks expect customers to carry enough homeowners insurance to protect the property backing their loans. The term for the practice is lender-placed insurance. Pressing such insurance on auto borrowers, however, is not as common: Representatives of Bank of America, Citibank and JPMorgan Chase said they did not offer the policies, though some smaller banks do.

Compare that $75 million with the $4 million or so in bogus charges in the fake accounts scandal.

And notice that Wells ordered charges to maximize the likelihood of defaulting on principal was called pyramiding fees in the days of foreclosure fraud. And Wells engaged in this practice then. Even Bank of America, which had acquired predatory Countrywide, didnt stoop that low. Here are the details:

According to documents on a Wells Fargo website titled understanding your auto loan, the bank had strict rules about the order in which it would apply a customers car payment to costs associated with the loan: First to be deducted from a payment would be the interest owed on the car loan. Then the bank would deduct interest charged on the lender-placed insurance. The third deduction would be principal on the loan, followed by the amount of premium owed on the insurance. This payment structure had the effect of increasing the overall interest borrowers paid on their loans, the Oliver Wyman report noted, because fewer dollars went to reducing the principal outstanding.

And repossessions were a profit center for Wells too:

If a car was repossessed, the bank might charge a reinstatement fee of as much as $500, so a borrower could face $1,500 in charges Wells Fargo was also aggressive in repossessing vehicles: Some customers endured multiple repossessions, the report said.

Morgenson also found many complaints in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus database about Wells force-placed insurance, such as a borrower providing proof several times that he already had car insurance, yet repeatedly getting harassing calls from Wells employees insisting he owed insurance payments.

Amusingly, Wells PR department attempted to minimize what its own consultant found:

Wells Fargo took issue with some of the figures in its own report. In a statement, Jennifer A. Temple, a bank spokeswoman, said the bank determined only 570,000 of its customers may qualify for a refund and that just 60,000 customers in the five states had not received complete disclosures before the insurance placement. Finally, she said, the bank estimated the insurance may have contributed to 20,000 wrongful repossessions, not 25,000.

One has to wonder if the report was leaked to Morgenson because someone at Wells was unhappy about the banks plan to fail to compensate all customers that Oliver Wyman identified as harmed.

If you are still a Well Fargo customer, this article should serve as a reminder that you need to become an ex-customer, pronto, for your safetys sake.
Tipperary taxi and hackney drivers will welome the decision to refuse permission to ride-sharing company Uber to operate in Ireland.

This would have allowed people to book a ride with a private owner through an app

Currently Irish customers can only book a taxi or limousine through the Uber app rather than a private car.

The plan would have represented a huge blow to operators in towns such as Clonmel where a hackney system operates.

There are fears that many could go out of business if people had the opportuntiy to by-pass them and book a private car through the Uber system.

There were suggestions that the system may work in large population centres such as Dublin but not in smaller towns such as Clonmel and other towns in the county.

Uber had made a request for a pilot scheme in Limerick that would allow private car users offer their services to passengers.

This would have meant a real threat to the livelihood of hackney drivers in Clonmel and taxi operators elsewhere in Tipperary.

However the National Transport Authority (NTA) told the San Francisco-based company its model was not appropriate for Ireland.

In a letter issued through a Freedom of Information request from RTE, the NTA said the proposal for a pilot scheme in Limerick that would allow private car users offer their services to passengers through Uber was undesirable.

The authority told Uber it was not legal to operate an unlicensed ride sharing serving in Ireland.

It went further to state that, even if such a service was legal, it would not support the Uber proposal. The NTA said operating an unregulated regime would undermine the regulated taxi sector.

The authority told Uber: Notwithstanding the above legislative position, it should be stated that the NTA is unsupportive of this proposal.

Operating parallel regulated and non regulated regimes, even on a pilot basis is undesirable in our view and can only serve to undermine the regulated transport system . . . the issue of unfair competition arises. This is not an approach which could be supported by the NTA.

While would-be passengers might have welcomed the Uber plan, with much reduced fares for travel in private cars, it would have come at a cost for taxi and hackey operators.

In Tipperary, as elsewhere, the the refusal will be warmly welcomed.
FRIDAY

Castle Shakespeare Season continues

Cahir Social and Historical Society and Cyclone Rep Theatre Company Cork are presenting a Summer Shakespeare Season at the Castle during this July and August.

They will feature modern and humorous adaptations of two of Shakespeare's masterpieces. Replaying Romeo & Juliet has already been performed to standing ovations on the last 2 Friday nights. But this Friday, 28th July and next Friday, 4th August the second Shakespeare adaption Replaying Hamlet will take place in the Great Hall, Cahir Castle.

Public Consultation in Fethard Town Hall

A Public Consultation will take place next Friday, July 28, from 3pm to 6pm at the Tholsel Centre in Fethard Town Hall, where you can meet the designers and give your opinions.

Please come along and all members of the community are invited to attend. The consultation is in relation to putting in a new public amenity area on the Tipperary County Council owned site situated between Burke Street and Barrack Street in Fethard.

Senior Day at Fethard Day Care Centre

Fethard & District Day Care Centre will hold their next Senior Day on this Friday, July 28, in the Tirry Community Centre from 10.30am. The Chiropodist will be in attendance.

SATURDAY

Knockcarron Hog Roast

Knockcarron community and Scarteen hunt are hosting their annual hog roast barbecue on July 29 at 8pm in the community centre Knockcarron. Music by DJ Eugene O Sullivan. Bouncy castle and face painting for the kids.

Writing workshop

A one-day writing workshop under the guidance of Tutor Margaret OBrien will take place in Brewery Lane Theatre, Carrick-on-Suir this Saturday, July 29 from 10am - 4pm.

All you will need is a notebook, pen and the desire to write. The workshop costs 60 and is limited to 10 participants. The workshop is inspired by the work and creative wisdom of Pat Schneider, founder of Amherst Writers & Artists.

Nagle Centre courses

The next Manual Handling course at the Nano Nagle Community Resource Centre in Carrick-on-Suir takes place this Saturday, July 29 from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

To book a place or for further information please call in to the Resource Centre or Tel: (051) 642418.

Annual Famine Warhouse Walk

The Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Dr Kieran O'Reilly, will lead this year's annual Famine 1848 Walk on Saturday, July 29, at 3pm, in Ballingarry.

Catch Canvas if you can

Its your last chance to catch renowned artist and Cahir native Gerry Daviss exhibition in Limerick as it ends on this Saturday, 29th July.

Gerry recently won the Hennessy Portrait Prize at the National Gallery for his portrait of GAA Player Henry Shefflin. The stunningly true to life portrait is on display in the National Gallery of Ireland (NGI).

The paintings in the Canvas exhibition are said to be an exploration of the spaces in the Wickham Street Studios in Limerick, where Gerry currently works and are both autobiographical and outward-looking. Catch the exhibition if you can.

The Gallery opening times are as follows: Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 2 to 5pm. See http://www.gerrydavis.net/

SUNDAY

Dualla Ploughing Association

Annual Threshing and Field Day on Sunday, 30th July. Admission to the field on the day is Adults 5. Children are free.

Tipperary Travellers Drive for Hope and Change

Cahir 11am, Inch Field. Speakers include John Connors, actor and writer. In aid of Pieta House. Free.

Ballynonty Community Field - Family Fun Day

On Sunday 30th July. Starring the Lambert Puppet Theatre, famous for Wanderly Wagon & Bosco. Starting with Fancy Dress Parade at 1pm. Admission 5 adults/ children Free.

Tickets for the Lambert Puppet Theatre (at 3pm on the day) on sale in the Slieveardagh Centre Killenaule or can be purchased on the day. Adult 7/ child 5/ family 20.
(Natural News) The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) has recently reported that 10 of 11 ice cream samples from Ben & Jerrys tested positive for small amounts of glyphosate contamination. Glyphosate, a potentially carcinogenic compound, is the main constituent of the popular pesticide Roundup by Monsanto. According to OCA, glyphosate traces were seen following independent lab testing of various ice cream flavors including: Cherry Garcia, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Peanut Butter Cup, The Tonight Dough and Peanut Butter Cookie as well as two samples of Vanilla, Phish Food, Americone Dream, Half Baked and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.

Of these flavors, only the Cherry Garcia did not show glyphosate traces, OCA said. The organization had already called on Vermont-based Ben & Jerrys to start shifting to using only organic ingredients in its products or risk a national and international boycott. The OCA has also urged natural and organic food stores to drop the brand unless the ice cream giant commits to being completely organic.

Ben & Jerrys falsely advertises its products as natural and its brand as sustainable and socially responsible. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ben & Jerrys profits are built on the back of an industrial dairy system that poisons the environment and produces pesticide-contaminated food products. Ben & Jerrys sales, driven in large part by its deceitful claims, damage the organic industry by cutting into the sales of authentic natural, grass-fed and organic producers, OCA International Director Ronnie Cummins said in a press release on PRNewswire.com.

In response, a spokesperson from Ben & Jerrys stressed that the companys products are safe for human intake. Even if the reported results are accurate, as the laboratory that conducted the test stated, a person would have to consume 145,000 eight-ounce servings PER DAY to reach the limit set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ben & Jerrys spokeswoman Laura Peterson said in MassLive.com.

Rob Michalak, Global Director of Social Mission at Ben & Jerrys, also said that the company is currently working to make sure all the ingredients taken from its suppliers come from natural sources that are free from genetically-modified organisms. The Ben & Jerrys official also noted that the company is looking for cost-effective ways to ensure that their milk suppliers use non-GMO feeds.

Were working to transition away from GMO, as far away as we can get. But then these tests come along, and we need to better understand where the glyphosate theyre finding is coming from. Maybe its from something thats not even in our supply chain, and so were missing it, Michalak said in an article on The New York Times website.

Other brand name products also found to contain traces of glyphosate

Ben and Jerrys was the only recent brand name that came under fire for containing glyphosate residues. Early this year, Food Democracy Now! and The Detox Project had commissioned San Francisco-based Anresco Laboratories to carry out a series of laboratory tests to confirm whether glyphosate can be detected in commonly consumed processed foods.

The results showed that General Mills Cheerios had the highest glyphosate content among the products tested, sporting up to 1,125.3 parts per billion (ppb). Other brand name products that showed high glyphosate content included Wheaties, Trix, Kellogs products and Oreo products as well as Ritz crackers, Doritos, Lays, and Goldfish crackers. (Related: Brand name processed foods found laced with glyphosate weed killer Cheerios, Wheaties and more.)

Sources include:

PRNewswire.com

MassLive.com

NYTimes.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) When it comes to professors and school administrators, there really should be some kind of psychological screening process that they have to go through before they get the job. After all, if the liberals are so committed to enacting more background checks for responsible gun owners, surely they wouldnt be opposed to extensive psychological background checks for the people who are largely responsible for the failure or the success of upcoming generations, right?

As originally reported in the Los Angeles Times, but covered soon after by The Daily Caller, Dr. Carmen A. Puliafito, the former dean of the University of Southern Californias Keck School of Medicine, apparently took his college days with him into his mid-60s. Just three weeks before resigning and surrendering an annual salary of $1.1 million back in March 2016, Puliafito was spending time and doing hard drugs with a 21-year-old prostitute by the name of Sarah Warren.

Both Warren and Dr. Puliafito were staying in a hotel room at the Hotel Constance in Pasadena, where Warren overdosed and told the LA Times that she was intentionally using the date-rape drug known as Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate. After being treated at a local hospital, Dr. Puliafito picked her up and went back to the hotel and got another room and continued the party, Warren explained to the Times.

But the party didnt stop there!

Just one day after Warrens overdose, she was seen in a video obtained by the Times partying with Dr. Puliafito in yet another hotel room. Thats right  as if partying and using drugs in a hotel room with a 21-year-old prostitute wasnt bad enough, the senior medical school dean thought it would be a good idea to film his euphoric experience as well.

Carmen saved my life, Warren says in the video, which also depicts Dr. Puliafito holding what appears to be a meth pipe in his hand. According to the Times, the footage eventually shows Puliafito putting the meth pipe into his mouth. [RELATED: Read about how Big Pharma gets away with selling crystal meth to children.]

Astonishingly, this video is only one of what appears to be an entire series of footage recorded in 2015 and 2016. Other videos depict Dr. Puliafito heating a glass meth pipe with a blowtorch, Puliafito preparing a hot rail of meth for Warren to snort, and Puliafito participating in a practice known as shotgunning, which involved Warren blowing meth fumes into his mouth.

Yet another video shows Dr. Puliafito wearing a tuxedo and popping a pill, saying to the camera, Thought Id take an ecstasy before the ball.

Clearly, Dr. Puliafito should never have been the dean of the Keck School of Medicine for as long as he was. As one of the schools top administrators, Puliafito was largely responsible for the success of his students, but instead of being committed to the next generation of medical doctors, he was committed to meth and partying.

But, Dr. Puliafito certainly hasnt been the only influential figure that has recently admitted to partying and using drugs. Earlier this year, in April, former president Barack Obama told students at the University of Chicago that had the truth about his teenage years been revealed to the public, it most certainly would have come with consequences. If you had pictures of everything Id done when I was in high school I probably wouldnt have been president of the United States, he said.

This comment confirms what Barack Obama wrote in his autobiography, Dreams From My Father, in which he talked openly about smoking marijuana and doing cocaine during his teenage years. It was reflective of the struggles and confusion of a teenage boy, Obama told an audience of magazine editors back in 2006, when he was still a senator from the state of Illinois. Teenage boys are frequently confused.

Indeed, teenage boys really are frequently confused. But in the case of Dr. Puliafito, that doesnt mean you have to bring those teenage years with you into adulthood.

Sources include:

DailyCaller.com

WashingtonTimes.com

NYTimes.com
East Hanover, NJ, July 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Olga Boukrina, PhD, research scientist in Stroke Rehabilitation Research at Kessler Foundation, has received a three-year award from the American Heart Association (AHA) valued at $231,000. The grant funds a study exploring a potential neural mechanism that could explain the high incidence of delirium and spatial neglectafter right-hemisphere stroke. Stroke survivors, representing 17% of the US population aged 65 and over, are at a major risk for developing delirium and/or spatial neglect, with up to 50% incidence for one or both disorders after right-brain stroke.

We know that individuals with right-brain stroke and spatial neglect are particularly susceptible to developing delirium, said Olga Boukrina, PhD. This suggests that the neural mechanisms linked to spatial neglect  arousal, attention, and spatial orientation  may also play a crucial part in post-stroke delirium. This AHA award enables me to further cultivate and test the efficacy of novel attentional-behavioral therapies and potential diagnostic tools and treatments.

This study will relate behavioral data and functional magnetic resonance imaging in individuals with right-brain stroke to look for associations between the impaired activity and the structural integrity of the brain systems for arousal, attention, and spatial orientation. The findings of this study may help reduce hospital morbidity and loss of independence by providing a critical biomarker and behavioral profile for delirium and spatial neglect after right-hemisphere stroke.

About Stroke Rehabilitation Research at Kessler Foundation:

Research studies span all domains of post-stroke dysfunction, including cognitive deficits and mobility impairment. Under the direction of A.M. Barrett, MD, stroke scientists also mentor students, resident physicians, and post-doctoral trainees in translational neuroscience of rehabilitation. Cognitive research emphasizes hidden disabilities after stroke, including disabilities of functional vision (spatial bias and spatial neglect) and reading deficits. Mobility research, in partnership with Human Performance & Engineering Research, centers on the application of robotic exoskeletons for stroke rehabilitation. Stroke research receives funding from the National Institute on Disability Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research, Department of Defense; the National Institutes of Health/NICHD/NCMRR; New Jersey Commission on Brain Injury Research, Kessler Foundation; the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey; and the Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Improvement. Scientists have faculty appointments at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

About Kessler Foundation:

Kessler Foundation, a major nonprofit organization in the field of disability, is a global leader in rehabilitation research that seeks to improve cognition, mobility, and long-term outcomes--including employment--for people with neurological disabilities caused by diseases and injuries of the brain and spinal cord. Kessler Foundation leads the nation in funding innovative programs that expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

For more information on Kessler Foundation's research, visit KesslerFoundation.org.

Facebook |http://www.facebook.com/KesslerFoundation

Twitter | http://twitter.com/KesslerFdn

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/kesslerfdn

YouTube | http://www.youtube.com/user/KesslerFoundation

iTunes & SoundCloud | http://www.soundcloud.com/kesslerfoundation

Attachments:

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Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4b1662f2-882d-437f-9b89-2c9ffd4e3cd6
If youre leaving earlier to start your Bay Area commute, youre not alone.

Transportation officials say their numbers show traffic is increasing in the 4 a.m. hour, and on the other end, commuters have been leaving earlier to get home in the afternoon.

Painter Ron Vargas crosses the Bay Bridge into San Francisco with thousands of others for work each day.

"I have to get up approximately three o'clock in the morning to make sure Im here by 5 a.m.," said Vargas, who commutes from Modesto and has noticed more brake lights. "It's been like this for a while, and its only getting worse."

John Goodwin, with the Metropolitan Transporation Commission, says the trend has been building, that the volume of traffic in the toll direction across all bridges has increased over the past three years, except in Antioch.

And the Bay Bridge stood out, with 4 a.m. traffic increasing by 22 percent in 2015 and 2016 and by 11 percent this year.

Goodwin says travel patterns are complex, and there is a dynamic economy in the Bay Area. Some commuters may be trying to arrive before the toll increases while others may just work earlier or arrive earlier to find parking.

"We can take a cue perhaps down the road from they way they approach this in SoCal, where carpool lanes are 24/7," Goodwin said.

While he doesnt expect to see that change anytime soon, Goodwin said the Bay Area may see iniatives such as those aimed at moving buses through quicker. Meantime, drivers are leaving work earlier in the afternoon to get home.

A Caltrans spokesperson says when it comes to setting commute lane hours, it starts with a traffic survey between certain hours to look at how much relief it would provide.

The traffic department makes recommendations to the district director, but before any change, they check with community partners to make sure everyone is on board.
The family of a young woman killed in a Paris terror attack two years ago is accusing social media of helping fuel such attacks in what could be a groundbreaking lawsuit, which went before a judge Thursday.

The controversial case involves the family of Long Beach college student Nohemi Gonzalez, whose death in the coordinated Paris terror attacks in November 2015 came just as her professional career was about to begin. Gonzalez was studying in Paris at the time and was one of 130 people killed in the attack.

"ISIS could not exist if not for social media," said Keith Altman, attorney for the Gonzalez family.

The lawsuit, which was filed a little more than a year ago, names Google, Twitter and Facebook. On Thursday, a federal judge in Oakland heard arguments in the case from both sides.

The family claims the social media giants allowed terrorist propaganda on their sites, making it easy for the groups to grow and carry out attacks such as those that occurred in Paris.

"These companies enable ISIS to do what they need to do and then stand back and say they were not responsible," Altman said.

The social media companies say the suit should not go forward because it has no merit and because their sites work to always identify and delete extremist material.

The companies also are standing behind the Communications Decency Act, which says internet sites cannot be held liable for content provided by others on their site.

But another attorney for the family says that law wont hold up in court.

"The power of that tool is a thousand times greater than the power of the printing press," attorney Robert Tolchin said. "So this is a completely new animal."

The judge can take as long as needed to decide if the case will go to trial or will be dismissed.
It's been over 12 years since Chico State University student Matt Carrington died in a gruesome fraternity hazing ritual.

It was a chilly February night during "Hell Week"  a 5-day hazing spree  when the 21-year-old pledge was ordered to do calisthenics in the sewage-soaked basement of the Chi Tau fraternity house.

For hours, fraternity brothers forced Carrington and another student to drink water from a five-gallon jug, which they repeatedly refilled. Large fans blasted the two pledges with icy cold air as they vomited and urinated on themselves.

Later that night, Carrington collapsed, drained of life-sustaining electrolytes. It would be more than an hour before anyone would call for help. The water intoxication ritual  a 20-year tradition at the fraternity  caused swelling of his brain, seizures and, ultimately, heart failure.

Carrington's mother, Debbie Smith, relives that day over and over: a voice on the phone telling her that Carrington was critically ill, jumping in the car and racing to the Chico hospital only to arrive too late, identifying her son as he lay on a cold gurney.

It all amounts to a briar patch of painful memories and her only recourse has been to find purpose from within the thicket.

Debbie Smith

"That was the instant that our lives changed ... it's separated into before that day and after that day," Smith said in a recent interview at her Pleasant Hill home, where framed pictures of Carrington and her youngest son, Travis, are perched on almost every surface in the living room. And it took a while for us to get to this place, where we could talk about it.

Once hounded by the press, Smith is now courting it in hopes of raising awareness about her burgeoning advocacy group called the Anti-Hazing Awareness Movement or AHA! Movement for short. She successfully petitioned five Bay Area cities  Concord, Clayton, Martinez, Pleasant Hill and Pittsburg  to designate July as Anti-Hazing Awareness Month. And, on August 25, she is hosting what she hopes will be a massive fundraiser to sustain future advocacy work in middle schools.

To her credit, Smith has already made extraordinary strides. Matts Law, the famous piece of California legislation that allows for felony prosecution in hazing cases, was inspired by her sons death. She lobbied hard for its passage in 2006. But that law only focuses on what happens after a hazing accident has occurred, and Smith is laser-focused on prevention. She has spent countless hours pouring over research about hazing, becoming a reluctant expert on a topic that, through her eldest son's absence, haunts her daily.

When it happened, I didnt even know there was anything called a 'Hell Week,' Smith said. We didnt know what they were talking about. So, right off the bat, I realized I was going to have to learn what hazing was so that I could educate others.

Friends and family describe Smiths mission as unrelenting  if theres a new case, a new study, she knows about it. Her son, Travis, said he admired her tenacity and unwavering dedication to both her family and her advocacy.

When it first happened, she wanted to make sure everyone else was good in the family, Travis said. That was her first priority. And then when she decided to tackle 'Matts Law,' she did all of that while still making sure that everyone else was OK.

Debbie Smith

Although universities across the country have imposed zero-tolerance policies on hazing, similar rituals have claimed 30 more lives since Carrington was killed.

On February 2, 2017  the 12th anniversary of Carrington's death  a 19-year-old man pledging a Penn State fraternity sustained major head trauma after participating in a drinking challenge called "The Gauntlet." Eighteen people have been charged with felonies, including reckless endangerment, tampering with evidence, and involuntary manslaughter, in connection with the teen's death.

Smith believes such incidents are bound to follow unless the hazing culture is addressed early on in classrooms. By the time students arrive at university, they have already been conditioned to accept hazing as an integral part of the college experience, she said.

By that point, youre so brainwashed into believing that its OK that youre just like, 'Im almost done, Im almost done,' she explained. And thats how you get into a situation like the one in the basement.

A University of Maine study found that 55 percent of college students involved in groups and organizations have experienced or witnessed hazing  and that's a more conservative estimate. Other studies say the number is as high as 65 or 70 percent.

NBC Bay Area

To combat that normalization, Smith said that hazing should be confronted with the same severity and repetition that goes into an anti-bullying curriculum. Parents, too, need to be involved in the discussion.

When Smith speaks about her conversations with Carrington before he died, its clear she wishes she knew more. When she pushed her son to answer questions, he said he didnt want to talk about it. The shame and secrecy associated with being hazed prevents constructive dialogue, she believes.

Hazing gets so confused with bullying that it often gets swept under everything, Smith said. But the biggest difference is that you bully the people you dont like, and you haze the people you do. Hazing has a purpose. It has a beginning, a middle and an end. Its choreographed...and we need to teach our young people to recognize it.

And, even when a person recognizes its dangers, realizing that its OK to back out  to say Ive had enough  is a difficult lesson in itself. The threat of ostracization from a social clique can be a powerful incentive, especially when someone has already weathered exhaustion and humiliation in order to belong, Smith said.

She describes her son as someone who always strived to do his best, a stalwart who overcame whatever hurdles crossed his path. Those same qualities that made Carrington a good student, a good friend, a good athlete, also made him a perfect victim for hazing. And there are others like him, who Smith is hell-bent on reaching.

Whats really important to me is to not let another parent suffer the way were suffering, and have that worst day of their life to live over and over and over again, she said. We have to just move forward with this.

You can find out more about the Anti-Hazing Awareness Movement on its website.
Several San Jose residents say the city's fire department too loosely hands out hefty fines for setting off fireworks.

They asked NBC Bay Area Responds to help them contest the system that issues fines  sometimes with little or no evidence.

The residents say they were mailed $500 citations without anyone visiting them to verify the allegation.

Not a single one, said Garrison Circle resident Daniel Alvord. No one at all.

These citations originated online. The city lets anyone report fireworks violations, anonymously, using an internet page.

By phone last week, Fire Marshal Ivan Lee told NBC Bay Area that some complaints might contain evidence like video or photos. But others can be pure hearsay.

Several Garrison Circle residents  who all received citations that they dispute  said the fire marshal told them the same thing.

As Lee said, if theres more than one complaint, they dont need any evidence to make you guilty of the crime, Alvord said.

We took the residents concerns to City Hall.

I dont like hearsay being used, said councilmember Johnny Khamis.

Khamis said he voted to ratchet up San Joses fireworks enforcement because the city sometimes looks like a war zone. But said that he did not intend for people to be fined based on hearsay alone.

The council intended to have evidence-based citations, he said.

So, what happened? Gray area.

The citys fireworks ordinance doesnt specifically lay out how reports should be handled or standards for when the fire marshal should issue a $500 citation.

Its the way he interpreted what we said, Khamis said.

We asked Khamis if the fire marshal properly interpreted the code.

Its difficult, he said. People may have different interpretations. What I would recommend in the future is that they look at more picture or video based evidence and then send it with the citation itself as proof.

Lee declined NBC Bay Area's request for interview.

Instead, the citys spokesperson told us each citation based on hearsay is evaluated by staff. We asked what that evaluation entails.

I cant really speak to that, said spokesperson Cheryl Wessling.

We asked again: What did the city do in between receiving the complaint and sending the citation?

She replied, Im going to tell you one more time: I cant exactly answer that question.

But, last week, Lee did.

He told NBC Bay Area that all he needed to issue a $500 citation was more than one report  even if its just hearsay  pointing to one address.

So, well have to go back and verify that with the fire marshal, Wessling said. "I cant say how many times that happened or even if that happened at all.

Wessling said that scenario was possible. We then asked if it was fair.

Were going to ask that question, certainly, as we evaluate the process, she said.

NBC Bay Area has asked to see the full database of complaints.

For now, San Jose officials are only sharing that there were 1,055 online submissions and 45 citations issued. They did not specify how many were based on hearsay alone.

The residents of Garrison Circle are frustrated with the process. Theyre now required to pay to $500 fine up front, then contest the citation at a hearing.

Its infuriating, said resident Amy Guzules. Im trying to find out if anything can be done before I get down into the hearing and find myself guilty of something I that didnt do, my $500 is gone, and I have no recourse."

Khamis said emergency relief for those $500 fines is possible.

That topic, as well as a discussion about how to tweak the fireworks law are expected during the City Councils meeting on Aug. 8.
The Rhode Island Attorney general says a 17-year-old boy will be tried as an adult in the death of a man whose burning body was found in a wooded area in Massachusetts.

WJAR has identified the teen as Xavier Vidot who is facing charges for murder, concealing a felony and use of a firearm in a crime of violence.

Police say the boy shot 24-year-old Valdez Loiseau in Cranston after the man got into an altercation with the boy's mother, who he was seeing at the time. Loiseau's burned body was found by a police officer in Attleboro, Massachusetts July 18.

The teen's mother is facing charges for helping transport the body.
Governor Bruce Rauner and top Republican leaders met the media on Thursday to issue a challenge to state Democrats: turn in your homework.

That was the phrase that Rauner hammered at repeatedly during his remarks, which were made as the Illinois House and Senate engage in a special session to work on a school funding bill that will allow education facilities throughout the state to open this fall.

Speaker Madigan and President Cullerton: turn in your homework, Rauner said. You passed a bill to fund our schools two months ago, but youre hiding it. Youre sitting on it, while our schools, teachers, and most importantly our students are put at risk.

The Republican press conference comes a day after House Speaker Mike Madigan indicated that he feels the Democratic-controlled legislature has enough votes to overturn any potential veto of SB-1, a funding bill that includes provisions to help with the pension crisis in Chicago.

Governor Rauner has said he will use an amendatory veto on the bill if it reaches his desk in its current form, striking out the provisions related to Chicago schools.

That bill still has not been sent to his desk, and Republican lawmakers criticized Speaker Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton for their tactics during the financing impasse.

Were on Day 57 since the Democrats passed SB-1. Every day that goes by places their school opening in jeopardy, Republican Leader Jim Durkin said. Its not fair. Its not right. Send us the bill and well work with you. We should be doing work down here, and it starts with the president lifting his ban and sending his bill to the governor.

President Cullerton has said publicly that he wants to have a meeting with the governor to discuss the bill, which is being held as lawmakers seek more time to compromise on the specifics of the legislation.

I just want to have a meeting with him, Cullerton said Wednesday. I want to have a meeting with him so he can show me what his changes are.

Despite Cullertons entreaties, Governor Rauner insists that there is no real appetite for compromise on the part of Democratic leadership.

If there was real interest in compromise, that bill would have been on my desk two months ago, he said. There is not interest in being reasonable on the other side of the aisle. What is so outrageous is to use our children as political leverage. That is wrong. Our children deserve better.
Five people were shot, one of them fatally, when a gunman opened fire on a crowd standing on a sidewalk on Chicago's South Side Thursday night, police said.

The group was standing on the sidewalk just after 10:30 p.m. in the 2000 block of East 71st Street when police say someone in a tan-colored minivan fired shots.

Two teens, an 18-year-old and a 19-year-old, were transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition. The 18-year-old, who was shot in the head, was later pronounced dead.

The 19-year-old suffered wounds to the abdomen and groin, police said.

Two 21-year-old men took themselves to Jackson Park Hospital, one with a gunshot wound to the buttocks and the other shot in the left leg and back. Both were listed in stable condition.

Another 18-year-old man was taken to Trinity Hospital in stable condition with a gunshot wound to the left wrist.

Police say the men shot were documented gang members.
A Florida carnival worker was arrested early Friday for molesting a child at a county fair in northwest Indiana.

About 2 a.m., authorities were called to the Porter County Fairgrounds at 215 E. Division Rd. in Valparaiso for a report of a sexual assault, according to the Porter County sheriffs office.

James Todd, 24, a carnival employee, sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl who is associated with the carnival and travels with the carnival throughout the country, according to the sheriffs office.

As an officer was taking a report from the victim and her mother, there was an additional call of a physical disturbance at the fairgrounds.

Some of the carnival workers had heard about the assault and confronted Todd, who was taken to Porter Regional Hospital and treated for minor injuries, according to sheriffs police. He was arrested after his release from the hospital.

Todd, a Florida resident, was charged with felony child molesting, according to sheriffs police. He has been uncooperative with jail staff.

The Porter County Fair wraps up Saturday.
NEW YORK, July 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Axiom Holdings, Inc. (OTCMKTS:AIOM) who purchased shares between October 14, 2016 and June 19, 2017 . The action, which was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges that the Company violated federal securities laws.



In particular, the complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that (i) Axiom lacked control over the merger process sufficient to ensure that the Agreement with CJC would be completed; (ii) accordingly, the Agreement with CJC Holdings, Ltd. ("CJC") was never completed; (iii) the Companys issuance of shares to the CJC Shareholders was thus improper; and (iv) as a result of the foregoing, Axioms public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On June 19, 2017, Axiom issued a press release revealing that it identified discrepancies related to prior news announcements in response to a subpoena from the Securities and Exchange Commission. The following day, the Company issued another press release, advising investors that it now appears the merger was never completed and advising investors that it would rescind the shares that were issued to CJC Shareholders in connection with the merger.

Shareholders have until August 21, 2017 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery does not require that you serve as lead plaintiff. You may choose to be an absent class member.

If you suffered a loss during the class period and wish to obtain additional information, please contact Joseph Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or visit http://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-sb/axiom-holdings-inc?wire=3.

Joseph Klein, Esq. is an experienced attorney and has also practiced as a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Klein represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Palos Heights resident Mark Johnson says his adopted dog was sent from heaven. While battling cancer, Riley, a rescued dog, became his companion.

The day after a surgery, Johnson met Riley and found her to be different from the dogs he had owned in the past. Johnson said Riley does not bark and provides a calming presence in his home.

Shes the most fantastic dog on the planet, Johnson said.

Riley, who Johnson describes as a 15-pound fur ball, was rescued by I Wanna Go Home Rescue. The dog was found being chased by a pit-bull and Johnson says he can still see signs of Rileys past as a stray dog.

I have no idea what her past was like, but I know her future is great, he said.

Johnson is now in remission and continues to do everything with Riley. He said having a dog has helped him in so many ways.

We are two peas in a pod, he said.

NBCs Clear the Shelters will take place on Aug. 19. I Wanna Go Home Rescue is one of the participating shelters.
State workers in Missouris capital got some great news on Friday, as the upcoming solar eclipse has earned them an extra day off.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, state workers that work in Jefferson City will get Aug. 21 off because of a total solar eclipse that will take place in the area.

We believe closing non-essential state offices for this historic event is in the best interest of our state employees and the thousands of people expected to visit Cole County the day of the eclipse, Office of Administration Commissioner Sarah Steelman told the newspaper.

School children in the southern Illinois town of Carbondale will also get the day off, the school district announced earlier this month.

The eclipse on Aug. 21 will be the first eclipse that the country will see in nearly 40 years. Cities like St. Louis and Kansas City will be in the path of the eclipse, which will track across the continental United States in the late morning and early afternoon hours.
With his future as the nation's top prosecutor in doubt after a week of blistering public scorn from President Donald Trump, Attorney General Jeff Sessions acknowledged Thursday that the criticism was "kind of hurtful."

In an interview with Fox News aired Thursday on "Tucker Carlson Tonight," Sessions was asked whether Trump's comments about him were fair.

"Well, umm it's kind of hurtful but the president of the United States is a strong leader," he said, according to transcripts of the remarks. "He is determined to move this country in the direction that he believes it needs to go to make it great again. And he has had a lot of criticism and he's steadfast determined to get his job done, and he wants all of us to do our job. And that's what I intend to do."

Sessions forged ahead Thursday with a tough-on-crime agenda that once endeared him to Trump, opening a mission in El Salvador to step up international cooperation against the violent street gang MS-13.

Sessions arrived in San Salvador for a series of meetings with law enforcement officials about a transnational anti-gang task force aimed against MS-13. He planned to meet his Salvadoran counterpart as well as an ex-gang member, and tour a prison.

Back in Washington, lawmakers sized up the fallout over a week of public scorn heaped on Sessions by his boss, Trump, even as the White House suggested the president prefers that his attorney general stay on the job. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Thursday that there would be "holy hell" to pay if Trump were to fire Sessions, a former Alabama senator and early Trump supporter.

Sessions told The Associated Press Thursday that he'll continue to serve as long as the president wants him to.

Sessions told AP in El Salvador that Trump has every right to find another attorney general. He says: "I serve at the pleasure of the president. I've understood that from the day I took the job."

As the Trump administration tries to build support for its crackdown on illegal immigration, it has increasingly tried to make the gang with Central American ties the face of the problem. Recent killings tied to its members have stoked the U.S. debate on immigration.

Trump praised Sessions when Sessions announced his mission to eradicate the gang in April. But the attorney general has since fallen out of favor with his onetime political ally.

In day after day of publicly humiliating Sessions, Trump said he rued his decision to choose Sessions for his Cabinet. Trump's intensifying criticism has fueled speculation that the attorney general may step down even if the president stops short of firing him. But Sessions is showing no outward signs that he is planning to quit, and on Wednesday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said that Trump "wants him to lead the department."

"Look, you can be disappointed in someone and still want them to continue to do their job," she said.

MS-13 is an international criminal enterprise with tens of thousands of members in several Central American countries and many U.S. states. The gang originated in immigrant communities in Los Angeles in the 1980s then entrenched itself in Central America when its leaders were deported.

MS-13 is known for hacking and stabbing victims with machetes, drug dealing, prostitution and other rackets. Its recruits are middle- and high-school students predominantly in immigrant communities and those who try to leave risk violent retribution, law enforcement officials have said.

Its members have been accused in a spate of bloodshed that included the massacre of four young men in a Long Island, New York, park and the killing of a suspected gang rival inside a deli. The violence has drawn attention from members of Congress and Trump, who has boasted about efforts to arrest and deport MS-13 members across the United States.

Law enforcement officials believe some of the recent violence has been directed by members of the gang imprisoned in El Salvador.

Officials in El Salvador, as well as Guatemala and Honduras, have expressed concern about increased deportations of the gangsters back to their countries. Transnational gangs such as MS-13 already are blamed for staggering violence in those so-called Northern Triangle countries.

Both Trump and Sessions have blamed Obama-era border policies for allowing the gang's ranks to flourish in the U.S., though the Obama administration took unprecedented steps to target the gang's finances. Federal prosecutors have gone after MS-13 before but say they've recently seen a resurgence.

Thursday's trip was planned before Trump's broadsides against his attorney general, and it remains to be seen whether his work in El Salvador will help mend their fractured relationship. Their shared view, rare among the American political class, that illegal immigration was the nation's most vexing problem was what united Sessions and Trump.
Craft breweries are finding a hoppy success in Connecticut after the opening of dozens of companies within recent years.

"The sun is always shining at Stony Creek Brewery," Ed Cowey Jr., co-founder of the Stony Creek Brewery in Branford, said. "There has been a noticeable increase in demand for craft beer in Connecticut. We just feel so blessed to be a part of this time in beer popularity."

In Connecticut, 16 breweries opened in 2012 and that number increased to 49 in 2016, according to the National Brewers Association. In 2014, breweries added about 4,632 jobs in Connecticut and more than 424,000 jobs nationwide.

The increase in breweries is due, in part, to the state legislature changing liquor laws to allow breweries to serve beer on the premises in 2012. Before the change, breweries were only allowed to give tastings and were required to get a liquor license in order to serve beer.

Today, breweries can sell beer "over the counter" in its very own taprooms, allowing them to make a larger profit without having to deal with the extra costs and regulations of obtaining a liquor license.

Shortly after the law was changed, many new breweries opened their doors, including Two Roads Brewery in Stratford. They were one of the advocates to push for the change in Connecticut liquor laws.

"We worked very closely with town and state officials to present a compelling case to have this law altered," Brad Hittle, co-founder of Two Roads Brewery, said. "It worked to our benefit, as well as, all the other breweries in Connecticut that have opened since then. We couldn't be more pleased with how things have turned out."

At the beginning of July, the state made another change to liquor laws, tailored more narrowly towards farm breweries. The Farm Brewery Bill allows the manufacturing, bottling, wholesale distribution and sale of beer manufactured at the farm. The bill also gives permission to advertise the beer as 'Connecticut State Beer', as long as at least 25 percent of the ingredients used to make the beer come from within the state.

Representative James M. Albis of the 99th district in Connecticut was one of the main supporters of the bill and sees supporting craft breweries as beneficial to the states economy. He has noticed a significant increase in the number of craft breweries and is optimistic about the economic impact this increase will bring to the state.

"Craft breweries hire local residents, participate in local chambers of commerce, and provide social outlets for residents in our state," Albis said. "By keeping as much of the supply chain for beer in state, consumers will be spending their money on local products and businesses that hire local residents. The higher market share for Connecticut craft beer, the more we will be feeding into our local economy."

Many towns and communities across Connecticut have bore witness to the economic development that a local brewery brings. In Bristol, Firefly Hollow Brewing Company has brought in more foot traffic and according to founder Dana Bourque, has encouraged more businesses to start up nearby.

"Its not an uncommon thing to see a depressed area start seeing a lot more traffic when a brewery is in the town," Bourque said. "A lot of industries have come to the same area as the brewery and have benefited from the business that the brewery brings. The brewery helps to revitalize the town a bit."

A love for beer and a love for the local community, keeps customers coming back week after week for a glass of their hometown beer. For the brewers, its this love and appreciation for their local community that brings more and more aspiring brewers to set up their business in Connecticut. Cowey couldn't imagine opening Stony Creek Brewery anywhere else.

"We live in the town of Branford and we absolutely love it here. We wanted to create a destination brewery in Connecticut. A place where people can come and vibe out and have a good time," Cowey said.
A 12-year-old Hamden girl who was missing after taking her mothers car and leaving home with her 9-year-old sister has been found, according to police, who said the 9-year-old returned home last night.

Police responded to the familys home on Windsor Road around 7 p.m. to take a missing person report and determined that the 12-year-old and her 9-year-old sister had left home in their mothers black 2014 Nissan Altima, police said.

The girls mother said the 12-year-old has driven her vehicle in the past.

The 9-year-old was dropped off near her home around 11:50 p.m. Thursday and said her sister had the car was accompanied by three males, according to police.

The 12-year-old is safe and has been reunited with her family, police said.
The sky above Dallas County was filled with a massive plume of black smoke Thursday afternoon as a tire fire burned at a race track near Grand Prairie.[[437051613,R]]

The 3-alarm fire was reported after 4 p.m. at the Yello Belly Racetrack on the 6000 block of West Davis Street, just west of Loop 12. It took nearly 70 firefighters to get the blaze under control.



No injuries were reported in the fire.

Allen Roberson, a track official, told NBC 5 that the tires are part of what is known as the "shutdown area," meant to slow down drivers' vehicles who can't slow down enough on their own during a drag race. He saw the fire from nearly ten miles away.

"I thought it was out this way. I said, 'Wow, something's on fire,' then a couple of guys called me and said, 'Allen, what's up with the track?"

The tires are situated along a heavily wooded area, which made the fire even more difficult to extinguish.

A large pile of tires caught fire Thursday afternoon at a racetrack near Grand Prairie, sending a massive plume of black smoke into the sky.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.

Along with the fire itself, Dallas Fire-Rescue crews fought the dangerously warm air temperature, which at 4 p.m. was measured at 99 degrees with a heat index of 105 degrees.

"There's alot of heat coming off of those tires burning, and so we ended up having two DART buses go near where the fire area was so that we could rehab those individuals who had gone in, fought fire, and had to come back out, just to get some relief. They're air-conditioned. So we put them in there to relax, get some water. We use them for relief," said Lieutenant Pena, an arson investigator.



The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is monitoring the air quality surrounding the fire scene to ensure the public's safety. No evacuations or precautions were ordered.

NBC 5 viewers reported seeing the smoke plume from as far away as Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, approximately 17 miles north.

"I was all the way in West Dallas and saw it so we drove over," said Bobby Proctor, an amateur photographer. I take pictures man, I got to get it for my news on Facebook."



The racing surface was unharmed by the fire, and Roberson said they hope to go forward with a planned event at the race track this weekend.

Tire Fire Producing Large Smoke Plume in Grand Prairie
There is new information Thursday about the thrill ride involved in a deadly malfunction at the Ohio State Fair.

Records show inspectors repeatedly looked over the ride and signed off on it just hours before it came apart Wednesday evening, throwing passengers into the air, killing a high school student and injuring seven other people.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich has ordered all rides at the fair shut down until they are inspected again.

Meanwhile, amusement ride inspections are already underway at the State Fair of Texas, which opens in a little more than 60 days.

Fair officials in Texas are trying to reassure customers that the State Fair of Texas has the toughest inspection process in the country.

Rusty Fitzgerald, senior vice president of operations, helps check every piece of equipment on the amusement rides.

"Every single car has been done," Fitzgerald said, in the shadow of the famous Texas Star Ferris wheel. "We are going to check these welds."

"We have the premier safety program in the country, and we double-inspect everything," he added.

The State Fair of Texas hires its own team of seven inspectors to run a second set of checks on rides beyond what the state requires  even metal tests to catch problems the eye can't see.

"Just to make sure there's no cracking or metal fatigue anywhere," Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald says there are probably hundreds of rides across the country with a similar design to the one that failed in Ohio. In fact, the State Fair of Texas planned to use one of the same style this year, but that's on hold now until they learn more about what caused the Ohio accident.

"That ride's got a very good safety record on it. I don't know what happened. We are going to find out. We are going to work with the manufacturers and operators up there, and we will find out," Fitzgerald said.

Nationally the Consumer Product Safety Commission says it is aware of 22 deaths associated with amusement attractions, including rides, since 2010.

The State Fair of Texas has not had a death from an attraction since the 1980s.

In 2015, one worker suffered minor injuries when a wheel came off a ride.

Fitzgerald says his team goes above and beyond to keep people safe, even sending inspectors to other states to check out rides before they arrive here.

"We actually have inspectors that are at the Wisconsin State Fair inspecting the rides that are going to come here," he said. "We will have them in Minnesota before they come here so they have multiple inspections before they even arrive here."

The Texas Department of Insurance is responsible for overseeing the inspection process. State officials say consumers at fairs and carnivals should look for inspection stickers to make sure a ride has been checked by a qualified inspector.
Staff Sgt. Joshua Michael Snowden, a flight engineer killed July 10 in a military plane crash, will be laid to rest after a funeral Friday morning.



Snowden was among 16 crew members on a KC-130 that crashed while flying over a soybean field north of Jackson, Mississippi. The crash, which remains under investigation, killed everyone on board.

Snowden would have turned 32-years-old July 22, his family said.



Snowden's body arrived at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.

After his arrival, Snowden was driven to the Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral home while being escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders. The riders will also accompany Snowden on his ride to the cemetery Friday and will stand in a flag line at his interment service.



Though he was born Abilene in 1985, Snowden's family eventually moved to Dallas where he attended Highland Park High School and played lacrosse.



After graduation he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He'd go on to to graduate from Texas State University in 2010, where he also played lacrosse. He returned to active duty in 2012.



"Snowden, or simply 'Snow' by all who knew him, was a man who loved God, his family and friends, and his country. He was an avid lover of Texas Country music, grilling steaks, and working on his truck all at the same time whenever possible," according to his obituary on Legacy.com.



Snowden's funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at the Church of the Incarnation in Dallas. He will be buried at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery at 2:45 p.m. Friday.


A Dallas business owner has entered his name into the Texas governor's race, and he knows it's going to be an uphill battle.

Still, Jeffrey Payne says he is ready to run with no prior political experience. Payne, a Democrat, says he thought about the decision to run for about a year.

"I am tired of seeing what is coming out of the capitol, which is discriminatory policies," Payne said.

He watched the recent legislative session closely, but finally made the decision and filed the papers.

"My tipping point was literally the bathroom bill. That was my 'OK, enough is enough,'" he added.

He got his husband on board, knowing they would be in the spotlight during the campaign. Payne owns several businesses, including a popular gay bar in Dallas  a blue city, in red Texas.

NBC 5 political reporter Julie Fine asked him how he plans to run against incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott, who has a $41 million campaign war chest.

"I know that Texas will get behind our campaign. This isn't an electoral college here. It is a popular vote, and you can't have all of the money in the world, but when you start resonating with people, which is what this campaign has already started doing," he said.

Payne is familiar with struggle. He grew up in an orphanage and in the foster care system in Louisiana. He later lost him home during Hurricane Katrina and moved to Dallas in the aftermath of the storm in 2005.

He says he learned an important lesson along the way, which has to do with his decision.

"You always pay it forward. You always help other people," Payne said.

That's what Payne says he wants to do in this campaign. He is ready to spend $2.5 million of his own money.

"You know, I've had people already come to me (and say), 'It's a waste of time, it is a waste of money, what are you thinking?' I'm fine with that. When you give voice to people, that is not a waste of time, and it's not a waste of money," Payne said.

The Texas Democratic Party confirms it has met with Payne and is talking with a wide range of people. The party does not endorse a candidate before the primary.

In a statement to NBC 5, Tariq Thowfeek, communications director for the Texas Democratic Party said:

"There are over 27 million Texans. A majority of whom are looking for real leadership, not more of Greg Abbotts failed policies and hateful agenda. Mr. Payne is one of those people.

"Our Democratic nominee will be authentic, dynamic, and the kind of person that can get the job done. We are talking to a number of great leaders, and an announcement will come at the appropriate time. We look forward to supporting our nominee.

"Here are the facts on the 2018 election cycle: Texas is a single-digit state and Democrats are fired up, the latest polls show state Republicans job performance is underwater, the economy is in tailspin and Republicans have no plan. We are set for a great midterm election with thousands of new activists, dozens of candidates running for Congress, and statewide candidates like Congressman O'Rourke running against Ted Cruz."
French English

SPINEWAY



Reinforcement of the balance-sheet structure with a reserved issue of Notes with Warrants

Spineway, specialist in surgical implants and instruments for treating disorders of the spinal column (spine), announces that it is setting up an issue of Tranche Warrants for Notes with Warrants to finance the acceleration of its development.

Legal framework

In accordance with the delegation of power granted to the Board of Directors and approved by the Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meeting of Spineway (the "Company") shareholders held on June 19, 2017, Spineway's Board of Directors approved - on July 20, 2017 - the plan for an issue of 200 warrants (the "Tranche Warrants"), the exercise of which gives access to the issue of 200 notes redeemable in cash and/or convertible into new and/or existing shares (the "Notes") with warrants to subscribe shares (the "Warrants"), representing a bond issue in the amount of 2M in favor of the YA II PN, LTD investment fund (the "Investor"), a fund managed by the US management company Yorkville Advisors, and empowered the CEO to decide to launch this transaction, approve its final terms and conditions, and issue the Tranche Warrants.

Pursuant to an issuance agreement entered into today between the Investor and Spineway, the Investor has agreed to subscribe - during a period of 36 months as from the date of issue of the Tranche Warrants - up to 200 Notes with Warrants, representing a total par value of 2M, in several successive tranches (each referred to as a "Tranche"), which investor is not, however, intended to remain as Spineway capital in the long term.

This issuance is subject to the transfer of the Spineway shares to the "Public Offering" compartment of Euronext Growth and obtaining prior approval from the Autorite des Marches Financiers of the prospectus to be prepared by the Company by December 31, 2017, at the latest. Therefore, if this condition precedent is met, the issuance of the Tranche Warrants and subscription for the first Tranche should take place by the end of 2017.

Purpose of the transaction

The purpose of the issuance of these Notes with Warrants is to provide Spineway with the financial means necessary to carry out its international-development plan and launch new innovative products. It could result in a capital investment of approximately 3.96M: 1.96M corresponding to the subscription of all the Notes and 2M corresponding to the exercise of all the Warrants.

Stephane Le Roux, CEO of the Spineway Group, commented on this potential 3.96M in additional financial resources: "We are thrilled about this agreement with Yorkville Advisors that will allow us to diversify the financing we have to support our growth. The issuance of a first tranche of 1M by the end of the year will allow us to finance our development in new areas, such as in the USA, and accelerate the launch of our new products."

Characteristics of the Tranche Warrants, Notes and Warrants

The main characteristics of the Tranche Warrants, Notes and Warrants (the detailed terms and conditions of which are available on the Company's website) are as follows:

Main characteristics of the Tranche Warrants

The Tranche Warrants require their bearer, at the Company's request(1) (a "Request") or on the Investor's initiative(2), to subscribe Notes with Warrants attached, i.e., one Note per Tranche Warrant exercised, at a price set at 98% of the par value of a Note. The Company can therefore request the exercise of the Tranche Warrants in order to allow the issuance of Notes in several tranches. Each exercise date of each Tranche Warrant is a "Tranche Warrant Exercise Date."

The Tranche Warrants are freely transferable to any other fund managed by Yorkville Advisors but cannot be transferred to a third party without the Company's prior approval, shall not be the subject of a request for admission to trading on Euronext Growth and therefore shall not be listed.

Main characteristics of the Notes

The Notes shall be issued in several Tranches. The aggregate principal amount of the first Tranche will be equal to 1M. The aggregate principal amount of each of the following Tranches shall, in principle, be equal to 0.5M, unless otherwise mutually agreed by the Investor and the Company.

The Notes have a par value of 10,000 each and are subscribed at 98% of par.

The Notes have a maturity of 12 months from their date of issuance. Upon maturity or an event of default(3), the Notes that have not been converted shall be redeemed by the Company at par (plus accrued interest, if any). The Notes do not bear interest (except in the event of default).

At its discretion, the Investor may convert all or any of its Notes into new and/or existing shares (a "Conversion"). Upon a Conversion, the Investor shall determine the number of Notes to be converted and the corresponding aggregate principal amount and interest (if any) so converted (the "Conversion Amount"). The number of shares to be issued to the Investor upon each Conversion will be equal to the Conversion Amount divided by 92% of the Market Price (as defined below) on the Conversion Date.

Upon a Conversion, the Company shall have the right at its sole discretion to remit to the Investor: (1) the corresponding new and/or existing shares (as described above), (2) the value in cash or (3) an amount in cash and new and/or existing shares.

If the Company chooses to remit a cash amount, such amount shall be equal to:

M = (Vn / P) * C

"M": cash amount payable to the Note bearer;

"Pv": bond claim that the Note represents (par value of a Note, plus accrued interest, if any);

"P": 92% of Market Price;

"C": daily volume weighted average price of the Company's share on the Conversion Date.

The market price (the "Market Price") shall be the lowest daily volume weighted average price of the Company's share over the ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately preceding the applicable date (the "Pricing Period"). By way of exception, in the case of a Conversion, or upon exercise of Tranche Warrants on the Investor's initiative, Pricing Period shall mean the trading days during which the Investor has not sold any share of the Company in the market among the ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately preceding the applicable date.

The Notes, which are freely transferable to any other fund managed by Yorkville Advisors but cannot be transferred to a third party without the Company's prior approval, shall not be the subject of a request for admission to trading on Euronext Growth and therefore shall not be listed.

Main characteristics of the Warrants

Each Note shall be issued with a number of Warrants equal to the par value of a Note divided by the applicable strike price of the Warrants (the "Strike Price"). The Warrants shall immediately be detached from the Notes and each Warrant shall give its bearer the right to subscribe for one (1) new share in the Company, subject to possible adjustments.

The Strike Price of the Warrants attached to the Notes of the first Tranche shall be equal to 115% of the lower of (1) the Market Price on the issuance date of the Tranche Warrants (2) the Market Price on July 13, 2017, i.e., 3.2572 euros.

The Strike Price of the Warrants attached to the Notes of the subsequent Tranches shall be equal 115% of the Market Price on the date of the applicable Request (or Tranche Warrant Exercise Date in the case of an exercise of Tranche Warrants on the Investor's initiative).

The Warrants shall be exercisable in new shares for a period of 5 years from their respective issuance dates.

The Warrants, which are freely transferable to any other fund managed by Yorkville Advisors but cannot be transferred to a third party without the Company's prior approval, shall not be the subject of a request for admission to trading on Euronext Growth and therefore shall not be listed, unless the Company and the Investor agree otherwise.

For reference, based on the share's closing price on July 27, 2017 (i.e., 3.66), the theoretical value of a Warrant would be between 0.78 and 1.69 depending on the volatility applied (between 30% and 60%). The theoretical value of a Warrant is obtained using the Black & Scholes formula based on the following hypotheses:

maturity: 5 years;

risk-free interest rate: 0%;

dividend payout rate: 0%.

New shares resulting from the Conversion of Notes or the exercise of Warrants

The new shares issued upon conversion of the Notes and/or exercise of the Warrants shall be admitted to trading on Euronext Growth as from their issuance, will carry immediate and current dividend rights and will be fully assimilated to and fungible with the existing ordinary shares.

The Company shall update a summary table on its website showing the Tranche Warrants, Notes, Warrants and number of shares outstanding.

Theoretical impact of the issuance of the Notes with Warrants attached (based on the Company share's closing price on July 27, 2017, i.e., 3.66)

For reference, assuming the Company decides to remit only new shares upon Conversion of the Notes, the impact of the issuance of the Notes with Warrants attached would be as follows:

Impact of the issuance on the consolidated net assets per share (based on the shareholders' equity as at December 31, 2016, and the number of shares making up the Company's share capital as at July 27, 2017, i.e., 3,907,846 shares):

Consolidated net assets per share (in ) Non-diluted basis Diluted basis(1) 1st tranche Total tranches 1st tranche Total tranches Before issuance 0.47 0.80 After issuance of a maximum of 296 982 (1st tranche) or of 593 964 (total tranches) new shares resulting from the Conversion of the Notes 0.65 0.82 0.95 1.08 After issuance of a maximum of 564 361 (1st tranche) or of 1 099 438 (total tranches) new shares resulting from the Conversion of the Notes and the exercise of the Warrants 0.84 1.13 1.10 1.35 (1) assuming the exercise of all the dilutive instruments existing to date that could result in the creation of a maximum of 390,786 new shares.

Impact of the issuance on the investment of a shareholder currently holding 1% of the Company's share capital (based on the number of shares making up the Company's share capital as at July 27, 2017, i.e., 3,907,846 shares):

Consolidated net assets per share (%) Non-diluted basis Diluted basis (1) 1st tranche Total tranches 1st tranche Total tranches Before issuance 1.00% 0.91% After issuance of a maximum of 296 982 (1st tranche) or of 593 964 (total tranches) new shares resulting from the Conversion of the Notes 0.93% 0.87% 0.85% 0.80% After issuance of a maximum of 564 361 (1st tranche) or of 1 099 438 (total tranches) new shares resulting from the Conversion of the Notes and the exercise of the Warrants 0.87% 0.78% 0.80% 0.72% (1) assuming the exercise of all the dilutive instruments existing to date that could result in the creation of a maximum of 390,786 new shares.

The Company specifies that, upon Conversion of the Notes, it shall have the right to remit a cash amount and/or existing shares instead of new shares in order to limit dilution for its shareholders.

(1) The following conditions must be met on the day of the Request and the day the Warrants are exercised:

more than then (10) calendar days have passed since the conversion or the redemption in full of the Notes from the previous Tranches;

no material adverse change shall have occurred;

the closing price of the Company's share is greater than or equal to 1.60;

no event of default or event that could constitute an event of default that is not resolved shall have occurred;

no impossibility for the holders of Notes to convert the Notes into shares shall have occurred in the previous 90 days;

no suspension of the listing of the Company's shares (other than an intraday suspension by Euronext) shall have occurred in the previous 90 days;

the Company will have a number of authorized and available shares equal to at least (i) 2 times the number of shares to be issued upon conversion of the Notes to be issued and outstanding (based on the conversion price applicable on the date of the Request) plus (ii) 1 time the number of shares to be issued upon exercise of the Warrants to be issued.

(2) The following conditions must be met if a Tranche is issued on the Investor's initiative:

the Company will have a number of authorized and available shares equal to at least (i) 2 times the number of shares to be issued upon conversion of the Notes to be issued and outstanding (based on the conversion price applicable on the date of the Request) plus (ii) 1 time the number of shares to be issued upon exercise of the Warrants to be issued;

the closing price of the Spineway share on the trading day prior to the Tranche Warrant Exercise Date is greater than or equal to 3.50. It is specified that if the closing price is between 3.50 (excluded) and 4.50 (included), the Investor may exercise up to 50 Tranche Warrants on its own initiative. If the closing price exceeds 4.50 (excluded), the Investor may exercise up to 100 Tranche Warrants on its own initiative.

(3) Events of default include, in particular, the suspension of the listing of the Company's shares (other than a suspension of less than five (5) consecutive days at the Company's request) and the Company's failure to remit shares or cash owed to the Investor pursuant to the terms of the Issuance Agreement.

This press release is entered into in both English and French languages. In case of discrepancies, French language shall prevail.

SPINEWAY IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE PEA-PME (EQUITY SAVINGS PLAN FOR SMES)

Find out all about Spineway at www.spineway.com

Spineway designs, manufactures and markets innovative implants and surgical instruments for treating severe disorders of the spinal column.

Spineway has an international network of over 50 independent distributors and 90% of its turnover comes from exports.

Spineway, which is eligible for investment through FCPIs (French unit trusts specializing in innovation), received the OSEO Excellence award as well as the Deloitte Fast 50 award in 2011. Rhone Alpes INPI Patent Innovation Award (2013) - Talent INPI award (2015).

ISIN code: FR0011398874 - Euronext Growth

Contacts:
A three-term Maryland Democrat who is one of the wealthiest members of Congress is the first to announce he'll seek his party's nomination to challenge President Donald Trump in 2020.

Rep. John Delaney said Friday that he would seek the presidency, rather than the Maryland governorship or re-election to his House seat in 2018.

In doing so, he swiftly criticized Trump's efforts to dismantle the health care overhaul passed under President Barack Obama as "the most recent example of their brand of destructive partisanship."

"Partisanship is really destroying our country," Delaney told The Associated Press in an interview. "We're not able to get anything done, and if you look at how the future is going to unfold with the changes that are happening in our economy and how those changes are driving global change, there's so many obvious things ... we're not doing ... because of partisanship. We're not doing it because no one is really focused on the facts."

He said he wants to bring a new approach to governing and economic policy that addresses the nation's opportunities and challenges.

Delaney, a former banking entrepreneur, is known as politically moderate with a willingness to reach across the aisle. He has supported a measure to raise money to build infrastructure by allowing U.S. corporations to avoid taxes when they repatriate profits overseas, if they purchase bonds that would be used to build infrastructure.

Delaney said that he'll go soon to Iowa, host of the leadoff presidential nominating caucuses, and will start hiring a team. He is planning a formal campaign kickoff after the midterm congressional elections next year.

"In between now and then, we're going to build the infrastructure needed to have a successful campaign, once it kicks off, which includes getting people on the ground in the different states, building grassroots support, getting out and meeting people and building the type of apparatus you need to do something like this," Delaney said.

Delaney, who had never held political office before winning the congressional seat, surprised Maryland's political establishment in 2012 when he won a Democratic primary against a popular state senator and went on to defeat longtime Republican Rep. Roscoe Bartlett in a congressional district that had just been redrawn to add more Democrats. The district includes western Maryland and a large section of Maryland's largest county, Montgomery County, which is a suburb of Washington, D.C.

Delaney said he is entering the presidential race early because he knows he will need time to build name recognition.

"I kind of view myself as sort of a long-distance swimmer, and I view this as a long race, and so, part of the challenge, obviously, in running for president, is to build the kind of name ID you need, so that you're relevant when the race really starts," Delaney said, adding: "It's a lot easier to build name recognition over a year and a half than it is across two months."

He is one of the House's wealthiest members and has a net worth of roughly $90 million. He spent about $2 million to help finance his first House race in 2012, and he said he plans to invest in his presidential campaign as well.

"You can never do anything alone in life, right? So, I'm expecting that for this to be successful, I'm going to need a lot of support on the grassroots level, of people who are willing to support me financially. But I'm blessed to be able to support my own campaign, as well, so that we never have to worry about kind of the unevenness of that cycle," Delaney said.

His earlier consideration of a possible Maryland gubernatorial bid months ago quickly drew interest in his House seat. Several candidates already have expressed interest in running to replace him.

Meanwhile, Republicans said Delaney's House seat is one of the 32 that have been targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee.

"Congressman Delaney's retirement only strengthens our resolve to aggressively target this seat in 2018," said Matt Gorman, a spokesman for the NRCC.

U.S. Rep. John Delaney, D-Md., said he's running for president, instead of governor or re-election in 2018.

Delaney, a Democrat, announced his plans in a statement Friday.

The politically moderate banking entrepreneur is in his third term in Maryland's 6th Congressional District, which includes western Maryland and a large section of Montgomery County, the state's largest county. He's known for working across the aisle and backing pro-business measures, NBC News Senior Political Editor Mark Murray reported.

"The current administration is making us less prosperous and less secure, the health care debacle being the most recent example of their brand of destructive partisanship," Delaney said in the statement. "I'm running to bring a new approach to governing and economic policy that addresses our nation's opportunities and challenges and builds a future where the middle class can grow and succeed. My candidacy is about putting our future first, which involves responding to the rapid changes occurring in the world, strengthening our economy, and building a new social contract that widens the doors of opportunity, makes people more secure, and ensures no one is left behind."



The 54-year-old is worth roughly $90 million and is one of the House's wealthiest members. He founded two banks and is one of the richest members of the House, Murray reported.

He spent about $2 million to help finance his first House race in 2012.

His consideration of a possible Maryland gubernatorial bid months ago quickly drew interest in his House seat. Several candidates already have expressed interest in running for the seat.
DONE OLD TOWN SAN DIEGO RECENTLY? Or even over the last few years, or last few decades? Then you very likely visited Bazaar del Mundo, a hue-bright, art-filled collection of shops where Taylor and Juan Streets meet. Artes de Mexico, Guatemala Shop, the Gallery Shop, and Ariana Shop are just a few of the strollable, shopable destinations of Bazaar del Mundo, a place that's known for its Cinco de Mayo celebrations as well as Mercado del Sol, a summertime market that happened early in July. Next up on the schedule? It's the free Latin American Festival and Marta Ortiz Pottery Market, a three-day special event happening over the first weekend of August 2017. That means from...

FRIDAY, AUG. 4 THROUGH SUNDAY, AUG. 6, a number of visiting artists, including Jorge Quintana (an acclaimed master of Maria Ortiz pottery), Jacobo Angeles of Oaxaca (accoladed for his carved and painted wooden figures), Yolanda Ormachea Velasco, a lauded jewelry artist who "...combines silver with semiprecious stones and other natural elements found in Peru," and Huichol artist Mariano Valadez, who crafts beautiful yarn paintings as well as glass bead art, will call upon the area. Other virtuousos of vibrant tinwork, embroidery, wall sculptures, and animal carvings will also greet fans at the shops, while TINKU will provide the live tunes that pay homage to the cultures of Latin America. The hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m on Friday and Saturday, with a 10 a.m. to 5 o'clock schedule on Sunday, Aug. 6.

RARE CHANCE: You've called upon these Old Town shops, in the past, and admired the art and craftsmanship and inspiration; now meet some of the talented artists who connect the public with the centuries-old creative traditions of Oaxaca, Peru, Chihuahua, and several other points beyond.
Dealing a serious blow to President Donald Trump's agenda, the Senate early Friday rejected a measure to repeal parts of former President Barack Obama's health care law after a night of high suspense in the U.S. Capitol.

Unable to pass even a so-called "skinny repeal," it was unclear if Senate Republicans could advance any health bill despite seven years of promises to repeal "Obamacare."

"This is clearly a disappointing moment," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. "I regret that our efforts were not enough, this time."

"It's time to move on," he said. The vote was 49-51 with three Republicans joining all Democrats in voting 'no.'

McConnell put the health bill on hold and announced that the Senate would move onto other legislation next week.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz echoed McConnell's disappointment. "The losers tonight are the millions of Americans who have been hurt by Obamacare," he told reporters after leaving the floor.

Trump responded on Twitter: "3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!"

A key vote to defeat the measure was cast by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who returned to the Senate this week after receiving a diagnosis of brain cancer. In an impassioned speech the day he returned, McCain had called for bipartisanship on major issues of national concern, and a return to the "regular order" of legislating by committee.

Two other Republicans  Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine  voted "no" first, with McCain casting the third, deciding "no" vote from Republicans. They joined all Democrats to reject the amendment, which would have repealed a mandate that most individuals get health insurance and would have suspended a requirement that large companies provide coverage to their employees. It would have also suspended a tax on medical devices and denied funding to Planned Parenthood for a year.

On Twitter, McCain said the repeal bill "fell short of our promise to repeal & replace Obamacare w/ meaningful reform," adding, "I hope we can rely on humility, cooperation & dependence on each other to better serve the people who elected us."

Murkowski later spoke to NBC News, admitting that disappointing her colleagues was difficult.

"I want us to try to get back to how we can restart because the work is not done," she added. "We cannot let the public believe that we are done with healthcare. Were just beginning."

The amendment was a last resort for Senate Republicans to pass something  anything  to trigger negotiations with the House.

"It's time to turn the page," said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of New York. "We are not celebrating. We are relieved."

"Both sides will have to give," he continued. "But if we can take this moment, a solemn moment, and start working this body the way it had always worked... with both sides to blame for the deterioration, we will do a better job for our country... and a better job for ourselves."

He later spoke to demonstrators outside the Capitol, saying, "We were right and the American people knew and we have saved their health care."

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price said in a statement that the Trump administration would pursue its health care goals through regulation. "This effort will continue," Price said. But insurers, hospitals, doctors, and consumer groups are pressing the administration to guarantee billions of dollars in disputed subsidies to help stabilize insurance markets around the country.

Buoyed by a signal from House Speaker Paul Ryan, McConnell had introduced a pared-down health care bill late Thursday that he hoped would keep alive Republican ambitions to repeal "Obamacare."

McConnell called his measure the Health Care Freedom Act. It was not intended to become law, but to open a path for a House-Senate conference committee to try to work out comprehensive legislation Congress could pass and send to Trump.

The Congressional Budget Office said the amendment would have increased the number of uninsured people by 16 million, the same problem that vexed all the "repeal and replace" measures Republicans have offered. Obama's law extended coverage to some 20 million people, reducing the nation's uninsured rate to a historic low of around 9 percent.

Still, Ryan, R-Wis., had seemingly opened a path for McConnell earlier Thursday by signaling a willingness to negotiate a more comprehensive bill with the Senate. Some Republican senators had been concerned that the House would simply pass McConnell's "skinny bill" and send it to Trump. That would have sent a shock wave through health insurance markets, spiking premiums.

Ryan sent senators a statement saying that if "moving forward" requires talks with the Senate, the House would be "willing" to do so. But shortly afterward, his words received varied responses from three GOP senators who'd insisted on a clear commitment from Ryan.

"Not sufficient," said McCain, who returned to the Capitol Tuesday. The 80-year-old McCain had been home in Arizona trying to decide on treatment options for brain cancer.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., initially said "not yet" when asked if he was ready to vote for the scaled-back Senate bill. But later, he told reporters that Ryan had assured him and others in a phone conversation that the House would hold talks with the Senate.

"I feel comfortable personally. I know Paul; he's a man of his word," said Graham.

As the convoluted developments played out, the slender 52-48 GOP majority was divided among itself over what it could agree to. Democrats were unanimously opposed.

After a comprehensive "repeal and replace" bill failed on the Senate floor, and a straight-up repeal failed too, McConnell and his top lieutenants turned toward the "skinny repeal."

It was to have been the ticket to negotiations with the House, which had passed its own legislation in May.

Opponents mobilized quickly against McConnell's new strategy.

The insurance company lobby group, America's Health Insurance Plans, wrote to Senate leaders Thursday saying that ending Obama's requirement that people buy insurance without strengthening insurance markets would produce "higher premiums, fewer choices for consumers and fewer people covered next year."

And a bipartisan group of governors including John Kasich of Ohio and Brian Sandoval of Nevada also announced against it. So did the American Medical Association.

Numerous polls had shown little public support for the GOP's earlier proposals to repeal and replace Obama's law. A recent AP-NORC poll found only 22 percent of the public backing the Republican approach, while 51 percent were opposed.

In the end the misgivings of a few Republican senators derailed the GOP's seven-year quest to roll back "Obamacare." It remains to be seen whether a bipartisan deal can now be reached to stabilize insurance markets that have been rattled by rising premiums and insurer exits.

The dizzying series of legislative maneuvers this week left even veteran senators puzzled.

"We're in the twilight zone of legislating," said Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri.
A Florida man is facing a manslaughter charge after authorities say his 8-month-old son died in a mobile home where the temperature reached 109 degrees.

William Francis Hendrickson, 25, was arrested Thursday at the King's Manor Mobile Home Park in Largo, near Tampa, according to a news release from the Largo Police Department.

Officers were called to the home to perform a welfare check on Hendrickson's son and his 2-year-old daughter. Once there, they found the 8-month-old unresponsive.

An officer immediately began CPR on the boy before paramedics arrived and continued resuscitation efforts, officials said. But the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hendrickson's daughter was suffering from severe dehydration and was taken to a hospital in St. Petersburg, police said.

Police said Hendrickson had been previously told by social services not to leave the children in the hot bedroom. Detectives recorded the temperature in the bedroom at 109 degrees at 1 p.m. Thursday, authorities said.

Hendrickson was arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter for his son's death and child neglect for the condition of his daughter, police said. He was booked into the Pinellas County jail where he was being held on $150,000 bond Friday, records showed. Attorney information wasn't available.

"The Largo Police would like to remind citizens of the dangers of Florida's high temperatures in confined or poorly ventilated spaces, especially for children, the elderly, and those with special medical concerns," the department said in a statement. "Be aware of the signs of dehydration, heat stress, and heat stroke and take steps to prevent them."
What to Know Pedro Hernandez, 17, has been on Rikers Island since his arrest last July in a 2015 shooting that left a teenager injured

Prosecutors recently offered Hernandez a plea deal requiring five years probation, but Hernandez says he's innocent and wants to go to trial

He became an academic standout in his time in prison and was nominated for a college scholarship, but can't accept it while behind bars

A Bronx teenager who decided to stay behind bars on Rikers Island rather than admit to a shooting he says he didn't do got out on bail Thursday night.

Seventeen-year-old Pedro Hernandez was all smiles as he left jail.

I want to thank God first, and I want to thank the nation for all the support they gave me, he said minutes after his release.



The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization posted the entirety of a $100,000 bail for Hernandez. It's a dramatic turnaround in a case that has generated national attention over the issue of high bail and families who can't pay it.

With his family unable to post a $250,000 bond that required a financial guarantee, Hernandez has been imprisoned at Rikers since his arrest last July in connection with a 2015 shooting that injured a teenager in the Bronx.

"My son is mentally devastated. Sometimes, he tells me he wants to die," his mother, Jessica Perez, said before his release.

Hours later when he was free, she told News 4 New York that she had "no words."

"I couldn't have been more happy than what I am," she said.

But Hernandez's fight is far from over. The district attorney plans to go to trial, claiming in court as recently as a couple of weeks ago that Hernandez is connected to a gang. The district attorney's office says it has a strong case against Hernandez, though it's not yet clear what evidence they plan to present. The trial is expected to begin in September

In a recent jailhouse interview with the I-Team, Hernandez staunchly denied he had gang connections.

On Rikers, Hernandez became an academic standout, getting his high school equivalency diploma, winning leadership awards and being nominated for a college scholarship.

"I went to school, I turned the bad into good," he said.

The dilemma: he has to be out by September to get the scholarship, but he has refused to plead guilty to the shooting and accept probation with no prison time. He has no criminal history and has maintained his innocence.

"I want my case dismissed. I'm not pleading guilty for something I did not do," he said.

Private investigator Manuel Gomez found several witnesses who said Hernandez wasn't the gunman; even the 16-year-old victim in the shooting said it wasn't him.

"The evidence is overwhelming. There is no jury in New York that is going to find this innocent kid guilty," Gomez said.

After the I-Team's jailhouse interview aired, the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization offered to post the full bail, which was suddenly reduced Wednesday from $250,000 to $100,000.

His mother, Jessica Perez, was elated by Wednesdays news.

Its amazing to have people like the RFK just coming and standing by our side. It means the world to us. Because now I know weve got a good cause to fight for. Our kids dont deserve plea bargains, especially when theyre innocent, Perez said.

On Thursday, Hernandez's answer was brief when asked if he was prepared for a trial.

"Yes, I'm ready," he said.
Police are searching for two teens who assaulted a man and woman with pepper spray on a subway in Queens Sunday evening.

Cops say the duo approached a 20-year-old man and woman on a Manhattan-bound N train and told the man they were going to beat him up.

After the man and woman got off at Queensboro Plaza in Long Island City, the suspects followed and pepper sprayed them on the platform before running away, according to police.

The victims reported minor injuries to their face and arms but refused medical attention.

After the incident, a camera at a Manhattan Dunkin Donuts on First Avenue captured surveillance video of the teens, police say. They released it Thursday in the hopes of catching them.

Police are investigating if there was some sort of dispute or if the teens made random threats.

Police ask anyone with information to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.
President Donald Trump visited Long Island Friday to highlight administration efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and violent crime, and in particular the violent MS-13 street gang that police say is responsible for the murders of 17 people here in the last year and a half.

Trump spoke at Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood, where protesters awaited his arrival with chants and speeches.

"Few communities have suffered worse at the hands of these MS-13 thugs than the people of Long Island," he said to a receptive audience that included federal and local law enforcement personnel.

MS-13 gang members "have transformed peaceful parks in beautiful neighborhoods into blood-stained killing fields," he said. "They're animals."

Trump promised his administration would "dismantle, decimate and eradicate" MS-13.

"We're getting them out," he said. "They're going to jails and then they're going back to their country, or they're going back to their country period."

The president urged Congress to find money to pay for 10,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers "so that we can eliminate MS-13."

He also appeared to advocate rougher treatment of people in police custody, speaking dismissively of arresting officers who protect suspects' heads while putting them in police cars.

He said: "You can take the hand off," drawing cheers from his audience.

Trump also claimed that laws are written to "protect the criminal" and "not the officers."

He told the law enforcement officials that the "laws are stacked against you" and need to be changed.

Before Trump arrived at the Long Island college, dueling protests took place outside the college. One group stood in support of immigrants, holding signs and chanting things like, "Money for jobs and education, not for mass deportation." A smaller group rallied in support of Trump, holding Trump flags and signs reading "We support the President."

Blanca Villanueva, a lifelong Brentwood resident and advocate for public school education, accused Trump of "using our tragedy for political gain, to fuel his hateful agenda."

One pro-Trump demonstrator rallying on the other side held a sign reading "Stop immigration" and used a bullhorn to curse and broadcast disjointed insults. He was quickly drowned out by protesters who chanted in response, "This is what democracy looks like."

Evelyn Rodriguez and Freddy Cuevas, the parents of 16-year-old Kayla Cuevas, one of the young people allegedly killed by MS-13, were seated in the front row of Trump's speaking event, having been personally invited to hear him speak. Rodriguez told News 4 Friday morning she was nervous but excited to see the president, and she wants to make sure he will support Suffolk police and leadership in fighting gang violence. She'll also call on him to bring back funding for community programs to support kids and for public schools.

"We want to see changes," she said.

Congressman Peter King, who represents Brentwood and traveled with the president from Washington, said Trump's appearance would send a signal to communities that have been shaken by the violent killings.

"It's absolutely devastating. And almost all of these killings have occurred in my district, within 20 minutes of my home," he said.

Immigrant advocates on Long Island have accused the president of politicizing the MS-13 gang problem to justify a crackdown on all undocumented immigrants. Although Trumps visit to the island was not met with complete support, law enforcement officials have said they were looking forward to it and were "extending a warm welcome" to the president.

Trump chose Long Island to push forward his agenda because the senior administration official said the president believes Suffolk County is the epicenter of the MS-13 threat.

Police officials say that since Jan. 1, 2016, there have been 17 murders by MS-13 members in Suffolk County, many of which have been in just two neighboring suburbs, Brentwood and Central Islip. Some victims were high school students whose remains turned up months after they vanished, hidden in wooded areas or found on the grounds of an old psychiatric hospital.

The deaths began to get attention after best friends Nisa Mickens, 15, and Kayla Cuevas, 16, both students at Brentwood High School, were beaten and hacked to death in September by a carload of gang members who spotted them walking down the street. Investigators said Cuevas had been feuding verbally with gang members.

Cuevas' mother told News 4 in tears Friday, "Kayla used to tell me in anything I was doing, 'Mom, I always got your back.' So I know up in heaven, she really does have our back."

In April, three teenagers and a 20-year-old man were massacred in a park in Central Islip. Prosecutors said they were lured to the park and then ambushed by at least a dozen MS-13 members wielding machetes and other weapons. One person escaped. Prosecutors said they were marked for death because some were suspected of being rival gang members - something their families denied.

Twenty people have been charged publicly in eight homicides in recent months. They include five people accused in the deaths of Mickens and Cuevas and 10 people in the Central Islip massacre.

All but a few of those charged in the deaths were citizens of El Salvador or Honduras who entered the U.S. illegally, according to law enforcement officials.
TORONTO, July 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada), in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, today commended the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) on its successful meeting in Toronto where recommendations were developed on matters related to trade and economic co-operation and connectivity in the APEC region in advance of the APEC leaders meeting in Vietnam in November.



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e39165ca-47cc-4ee7-b104-1d0dbc7d322d

At the conclusion of ABAC III 2017, the ABAC membership highlighted its long-term vision for an open, integrated and innovative APEC region supported by sustainable and inclusive growth and the transformative power of the digital economy.

The four-day meeting provided an opportunity for Canada to promote its progressive trade agenda and engage with representatives of businesses of all sizes on expanding and deepening Canadas trade and investment relationships in the APEC region. In particular, Canada highlighted the important role of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those owned by women, in helping to encourage economic growth and reduce poverty across the APEC region.

ABAC III 2017 also included the APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership Symposium (ABACx) hosted by the ABAC Canada Secretariat, APF Canada. ABACx highlighted Canadas expertise in supporting innovation, entrepreneurs, and MSMEs with the broader APEC community in order to contribute to poverty reduction and development objectives.

Quotes:

Stewart Beck, President and CEO of APF Canada

It has been an honour for the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada to welcome business leaders from across APEC to Toronto to showcase our focus on innovation, technology, and the digital economy, as well as our openness to building sustainable trade across the region  particularly among women entrepreneurs. The rich conversations and new relationships built during the ABAC III meeting bode well for Canada. We look forward to catalyzing APEC-Canada partnerships.

Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, Government of Canada

APEC, as a region, is a valuable partner for growth and holds tremendous opportunity for Canadians seeking new and burgeoning markets for their products and to ensure their future prosperity."

Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade

The success of micro, small and medium sized enterprises is vital to the Canadian economy and to our ability to build on our strong foundations in the Asia Pacific region. International trade that is inclusive of the entrepreneurial spirit of women and all young people benefits everyone.

Michael Chan, Minister of International Trade, Government of Ontario

I would like to congratulate everyone on a successful ABAC III 2017 Conference. Over the past four days, we welcomed members from partner jurisdictions, and shared ideas on how we can explore new opportunities, partnerships and trade relationships. I look forward to building upon the great work we have accomplished as we seek to diversify valuable trade opportunities in Asia.

Reza Moridi, Minister of Research, Innovation and Science, Government of Ontario

During my recent mission to China and South Korea, I saw for myself how our ties span from cultural collaborations to economic, science, and technology partnerships, and I would like to congratulate everyone on a successful ABAC III 2017 Conference as we work to forge new relationships between Ontario and the APEC region. These kinds of international partnerships are key in helping to maximize our innovation efforts and support our shared goals of economic growth and a better quality of life for all.



Learn More:

ABAC International: ABAConline.org/

Government of Canada: www.international.gc.ca/international

Government of Ontario

English: Ontario.ca/MIT French: Ontario.ca/COMMERCE



Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada: www.asiapacific.ca
Iran successfully launched its most advanced satellite-carrying rocket into space, the country's state media reported Thursday, in what is likely the most significant step yet for the launch vehicle.

A confirmed launch of the "Simorgh" rocket would mark another step forward for the Islamic Republic's young space program, but is likely to raise alarm among its adversaries, who fear the same technology could be used to produce long-range missiles.

The U.S. State Department called the launch "provocative."

Iranian state television said the rocket, whose name means "phoenix" in Persian, is capable of carrying a satellite weighing 250 kilograms (550 pounds). The report did not elaborate on the rocket's payload. Other state-linked agencies including the semi-official Fars news agency also described the launch as successful.

Media reports did not say when the launch took place at the Imam Khomeini National Space Station in Semnan, some 220 kilometers (138 miles) east of Tehran.

Iran frequently announces technological breakthroughs that are difficult to independently verify. It has carried out multiple tests of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles as well as other domestically produced weapons over the years.

The Simorgh is a two-stage rocket first revealed in 2010. It is larger than an earlier model known as the Safir, or "ambassador," that Iran has used to launch satellites on previous occasions.

The launch comes as the United States has criticized Iran's ballistic missile tests, which American officials argue violate the spirit of the 2015 nuclear deal that Iran struck with world powers. Under the agreement, which does not expressly prohibit missile tests, Iran agreed to limit its uranium enrichment program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. The U.S. said Thursday that such a rocket is inherently designed to be able to carry a nuclear warhead.

Iran has pursued a satellite launch program for years. The U.S. and its allies worry that the same technology could be used to develop long-range missiles.

The country has sent several short-lived satellites into orbit over the past decade, and in 2013 launched a monkey into space. But it recently abandoned plans to potentially send humans into orbit, saying in late May that the cost of doing so was prohibitive.

The U.S. National Air and Space Intelligence Center said in a report released last month that the Simorgh could act as a test bed for developing the technologies needed to produce an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM.

"Tehran's desire to have a strategic counter to the United States could drive it to field an ICBM. Progress in Iran's space program could shorten a pathway to an ICBM because space launch vehicles (SLV) use inherently similar technologies," the report said.

Iran's satellite-launch program falls under the responsibility of the defense ministry, which has denied that the space program is a cover for weapons development.

The head of Iran's space agency in October expressed for the first time interest in cooperating with NASA. Iran has offered to share its scientific findings and satellite data with other countries.

Iran's most recent known successful satellite rocket launch was in February 2015, when it put an imaging satellite known as "Fajr" into orbit. That launch happened while Iran was negotiating the nuclear deal.

It is believed to have carried out at least a partial test of the Simorgh rocket last year, though the exact details of that attempt were never made public.

Iran's decision to announce the rocket launch now likely serves as a test of America's reaction, said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior Iran analyst with the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a conservative think tank long critical of the nuclear deal.

Taleblu said the launch announced Thursday had implications not only on Iran's ability to launch satellites, but also in possibly building intercontinental ballistic missiles.

If Iran begins working on heat shields and other technology allowing for a rocket's payload to re-enter Earth's atmosphere, that would be a major warning sign, he said.

"This will take time, but the Iranian ballistic missile, nuclear, and space program shows that slow and steady always wins the race," Taleblu said.

Asked about the Iran missile tests, China's U.N. Ambassador Liu Jieyi, the current president of the U.N. Security Council, said that it was not "within the scope" of the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers.

"I think what's important is that the agreement continues to be implemented and all the sides make constructive efforts to resolve whatever issues that still exist, and to completely and comprehensively implement the agreement," Liu told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York.

Associated Press writer Amir Vahdat reported this story in Tehran and AP writer Adam Schreck reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. AP writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.
Republican finger-pointing commenced Friday after the Senate's dark-of-night defeat of the GOP's effort to repeal much of the Obama health care law, a startling vote that dealt a blow to President Donald Trump.

"3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down," Trump tweeted early Friday after GOP leaders failed to patch party divisions and the Senate rejected a last-ditch bill to keep the effort alive. "As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!"

The "skinny repeal" bill  erasing several parts of President Barack Obama's law  was rejected just before 2 a.m. EST on a vote of 51-49.

All Democrats were joined by GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and the ailing John McCain. The 80-year-old Arizona senator made a dramatic return to the Capitol Tuesday after being diagnosed with brain cancer to cast a decisive procedural vote that for a time had advanced the legislation.

Following rejection of two broader GOP repeal plans earlier in the week, the early Friday vote cast doubt on whether divided Senate Republicans can advance any health bill despite seven years of promises to repeal "Obamacare."

House leaders had no hesitation about blaming the Senate for the collapse of one of the GOP's paramount priorities. In a statement, Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., pointedly said "the House delivered a bill" and said he was "disappointed and frustrated." Nearly three months earlier, the House approved its health care package after several embarrassing setbacks.

He added, "But we should not give up. I encourage the Senate to continue working toward a real solution that keeps our promise."

Underscoring the House's view of where the fault lie, leaders opened a morning meeting of the chamber's GOP lawmakers by playing audio of Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," which recounts the 1975 wreck of a freighter in Lake Superior. Several lawmakers said House deputy whip Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., told them the song was meant as a reference to the Senate.

One moderate Republican said Trump shared responsibility for the bill's breakdown. "One of the failures was the president never laid out a plan or his core principles and never sold them to the American people," said Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa. "Outsourced the whole issue to Congress."

The measure defeated Friday would have repealed an Obama mandate that most people get health insurance and would have suspended a requirement that larger companies offer coverage to their employees. It would have also suspended a tax on medical devices and denied federal payments to Planned Parenthood for a year.

"This is clearly a disappointing moment," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, said. "I regret that our efforts were not enough this time."

"It's time to move on," he said. McConnell put the health bill on hold and announced that the Senate would move onto other legislation next week.

Conservative Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., who's running for a vacant Senate seat, suggested it was time for McConnell to relinquish his post.

"If they're going to quit, well then by golly, maybe they ought to start at the top with Mitch McConnell leaving his position and letting somebody new, somebody bold, somebody conservative take the reins," Brooks said on CNN. He added, "How is he going to get the job done on the rest of President Trump's agenda?"

On Twitter, McCain said the repeal bill "fell short of our promise to repeal & replace Obamacare w/ meaningful reform."

The amendment was a last resort for Senate Republicans to pass something  anything  to trigger negotiations with the House.

"I hope this is a turning point," Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of New York, said Friday.

Schumer praised the three Republicans who broke with their party to reject the bill, especially John McCain.

"I have not seen a senator who speaks truth to power as strongly, as well and as frequently as John McCain," he told reporters. He called Collins Murkowski tough women.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price said in a statement that the Trump administration would pursue its health care goals through regulation. "This effort will continue," Price said. But insurers, hospitals, doctors, and consumer groups are pressing the administration to guarantee billions of dollars in disputed subsidies to help stabilize insurance markets around the country.

Buoyed by a signal from Ryan, McConnell had introduced a pared-down health care bill late Thursday that he hoped would keep alive Republican ambitions to repeal "Obamacare."

The Congressional Budget Office said the measure would have increased the number of uninsured people by 16 million, the same problem that vexed all the "repeal and replace" measures Republicans have offered. Obama's law extended coverage to some 20 million people, reducing the nation's uninsured rate to a historic low of around 9 percent.

Still, Ryan had seemingly opened a path for McConnell earlier Thursday by signaling a willingness to negotiate a more comprehensive bill with the Senate. Some Republican senators had been concerned that the House would simply pass McConnell's "skinny bill" and send it to Trump. That would have sent a shock wave through health insurance markets, spiking premiums.

Ryan sent senators a statement saying that if "moving forward" requires talks with the Senate, the House would be "willing" to do so. While Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., eventually said he was reassured by Ryan's statement, McCain remained unconvinced.

"Not sufficient," McCain said.

Numerous polls had shown little public support for the GOP's earlier proposals to repeal and replace Obama's law. A recent AP-NORC poll found only 22 percent of the public backing the Republican approach, while 51 percent were opposed.

A spokesman for former President Obama said Friday that the Affordable Care Act "has always been about something bigger than politics."

Kevin Lewis said in a statement that Obama "has always said we should build on this law, just as members of both parties worked together to improve Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid."

Lewis said tens of millions of people have benefited from improvements under the law including free preventive care such as mammograms and vaccines.

And it remains that way, Lewis says, "because of everyone who mobilized, organized and made their voices heard."

Associated Press writers Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Stephen Ohlemacher and Kevin Freking contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump's priority to repeal and replace Obamacare was thwarted after senators voted down early Friday morning, after hours of debate on the floor, a GOP health care bill.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona, just a week after surgery and with black-and-blue bruising on his face, was one of three Republicans to cast the "no" votes that felled the GOP's seven-year effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act  at least for now.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he "regret[s] that our efforts were not enough this time."



The results of the Senate vote  51 against and 49 in favor  sparked a flurry of responses on social media from politicians, pundits and celebrities.

Here are seven of the more remarkable moments from the GOP's "skinny repeal" vote:

7) McConnell says of the failure, "It's time to move on."

6) Trump responds on Twitter: "3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!"

3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017

5) Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, expresses relief about the bill's failure. "We are not celebrating; we are relieved," he says.

We are not celebrating; we are relieved--for the Americans who can now keep their #healthcare. We must work together to improve the law.  Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 28, 2017

4) Trump called McCain to try to sway him to vote for "skinny bill" by assuring him it wouldnt end up passing into law, a source with knowledge of the call told NBC News.

3) GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine both voted "no" on the repeal. "I want us to try to get back to how we can restart, because the work is not done," Murkowski told NBC News. "We cannot let the public believe that we are done with healthcare. Were just beginning."

2) Hawaii Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono talks about battling kidney cancer. "Where is your compassion?" she asked her colleagues "Where is the care that you showed me when I was diagnosed with my illness. I find it hard to believe that we can sit here and vote on a bill that is going to hurt millions and millions of people in our country."

1) McCain flashes a thumbs-down sign as he casts his decisive "no" vote on the bill. Gasps can be heard from the Senate chamber as McCain casts his vote, which decided the fate of the repeal.
Renovations are complete and the doors are open at a Delaware animal shelter a mere three weeks after a car tore through the building, starting a fire and killing the driver.



The Brandywine Valley SPCA reopened its New Castle campus Thursday after the July 9 accident that destroyed the veterinary clinic and damaged adoption areas in the shelter.

"Our staff and vendors pushed all the limits to re-open as quickly as possible, said Adam Lamb, BVSPCA's Chief Executive Officer.

On July 9, around midnight, a van driven by 33 year-old mother Latoya Cooper tore through the side of building, sparking a fire and evacuation of the facility. The crash took Coopers life, and killed four cats in the shelter while nearly 100 animals had to be evacuated.

The shelter's staff has been working since the incident to restore the facility, which had to be gutted as a result of the damage. Now, the clinic has been rebuilt and the adoption center is open for business.

It could have been even worse if not for the amazing work of the first responders and all the neighbors who worked together to get the animals out safely, Lamb said following the incident.

The Brandywine SPCA is the only open admission shelter for Delaware and Chester Counties, and the first one in Pennsylvania to attain No Kill status. The campuses currently care for over 10,000 animals.

Over $50,000 dollars have been raised by the public to support the New Castle shelters repairs, many of which are not covered by insurance. You can donate to the shelter here.

The Brandywine Valley SPCA in New Castle, Delaware is still recovering after a deadly crash into its building. SPCA employees spoke with NBC10s Vai Sikahema about what they are doing to get back on track.
Delaware troopers say a 2-year-old was injured and his father is charged with his 5th DUI offense after a moped they were riding crashed.

According to a state police news release, 48-year-old Anthony F. Taglienti was taken into custody Tuesday after troopers responded to a reported crash in Rehoboth Beach around 6:30 p.m. Troopers say Taglienti and his son were released from a local hospital after treatment for not life-threatening injuries.

According to police, Taglienti was riding the moped with the toddler on his lap when he lost control and crashed.

Police Master Corporal Gary Fournier says Taglienti was operating a 2012 Puma moped with his son on his lap when he lost control and they fell to the ground.

Fournier says Taglienti faces charges including endangering the welfare of a child. His previous DUI charges date back to 1998.

Taglienti is held at Sussex Correctional Institution on $17,200 cash bond. It's unclear if he has an attorney.
Mark Schweiker said a single principle guided efforts to free nine miners trapped deep in the Quecreek Mine 15 years ago.

"We never forgot that this was about reuniting nine families," the former Pennsylvania governor said in an interview with The Tribune-Democrat.

Schweiker was on site during the rescue operation that began after Quecreek miners broke through stone into an uncharted mine shaft on the night of July 24, 2002 - releasing millions of gallons of water and trapping them in their work area - and for the moment when the last of the miners was lifted to safety early on the morning of July 28, 2002.

That same spirit will prevail when Schweiker returns to the Somerset County mine site to remember the bravery of the miners and the determination of the rescuers who drilled through more than 230 feet of rock to pull nine men to safety.

Schweiker will speak at the Quecreek site on Thursday. A Community Celebration Day will be held Saturday.

"We're like family," Schweiker said of his connection with the Somerset region and the miners.

"I think, even 15 years later - aside from the spectacular events that we witnessed there - it's about gratitude and the kinds of emotions you experience at a reunion," he said.

"There will be a lot of hugs, the emotional aspect. You're happy to see the kids and grandkids - even as you realize that all of this could have been pre-empted had we not been successful that night."

'We were not going to yield'

The Quecreek Mine rescue was characterized by stretches of hope followed by periods of frustration and even despair.

The state Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration coordinated the rescue effort, which involved drilling a hole 30 inches in diameter from the surface down to the trapped miners.

Simultaneously, compressed air was piped into the mine area while pumps were used to remove some of the water that surrounded the miners.

Drilling began about 6 p.m. on July 25 - the day after the miners were trapped. About 2:30 the following morning, the drill bit broke - forcing rescuers to start another shaft nearby.

The governor and the rescue team had agreed to a "families-first policy" during the operation, he said. That meant any news would go to the miners' family members and then to the press.

The workers' wives, parents and children were gathered at the nearby Sipesville fire station.

"We made a pledge to the families that - whether there was new information or no updates - we would send somebody down there every hour," Schweiker said. "I took it upon myself to go down there and tell the families that we had to stop the drilling in that first shaft.

"That was probably the low point for the families."

Eventually drilling resumed on the first shaft, even as work continued on the second shaft.

The progress was slow, and emotions ran high as the process stretched through a third day - Friday - and into the weekend.

"About 50 or 60 hours into this, there could have been a feeling of despair - given what miners and their families had been through over the years and had come to expect from such situations," Schweiker said, "that not all were going to come up, and that they should get themselves ready for that.

"But we were not going to yield to that."

David La Torre was the governor's press secretary, and accompanied Schweiker on his first visit with the families.

"He handled that room perfectly," La Torre recalled. "I still get goosebumps thinking about it. He walked into the middle of the room, stopped and looked every person in the eye. Then he let them know he was on site to do whatever he could do.

"He made no promises, other than that he would get them the information they wanted, and that the Commonwealth would do whatever it could to save their loved ones."

Saved three times

By late Saturday night, July 27, drillers at the second shaft knew they were getting close to breaking through into the chamber where the nine miners were waiting.

That moment came at about 10:15 p.m., and by 11 p.m. people on the surface had connected with the miners with a phone lowered down the shaft.

Schweiker confirmed at 11:30 p.m. that all nine were alive.

From 1 a.m. to 2:35 a.m., the miners were lifted one by one to the surface and taken to area hospitals for treatment.

"You could make a case that losing the drill bit for a while was a godsend," Schweiker said.

"The water level in the mine was still pretty high on Saturday. Had we not been slowed and had to start the second shaft ... it allowed the pumps to suck out more and more water as the hours went on and on."

The former governor believes the local miners were saved three different times during the 77-hour ordeal:

When an air pipe was extended down into the mine early Thursday morning and compressed air pumped into the area where the workers were trapped.

The warm air served two purposes: provide oxygen to help the miners breathe, and warm the chamber to help them avoid hypothermia.

Additionally, the heated air served to slow the rising of the water level in the mine.

"That was a theory, but it had never been tried before," Schweiker said. "But it worked."

. When pumps were used to remove some of the water from the mine.

"We got every pump in there that we could - large and small," Schweiker said.

He recalled that one large pump was brought up from Philadelphia with a police escort along the Schuylkill Expressway.

"That meant the water levels could not overwhelm them," he said. "The water was up to their mouths at one point."

When the miners were finally lifted to the surface - one after the other - in a metal capsule.

'The heart of a man'

During and after the Quecreek rescue, Schweiker was widely praised for his leadership throughout the crisis.

He called his approach "executive presence."

That included coordinating the movement of information among emergency crews and with the families and media - who were sequestered in a nearby shopping area.

Schweiker said his mission also included bringing together the experience available from the Black Wolf Mining Co., which owned the site, local surveyors and engineers, the DEP and federal officials - even Lockheed Martin, which helped pinpoint the drilling spots with satellite images.

"Asking the tough questions in those situations is the governor's job," Schweiker said. "It might not be spelled out in the Constitution, but it's what you have to do."

La Torre remembers Schweiker as "courageous" - and said the governor was upbeat even as his press secretary was planning in his mind for "a worst-case scenario."

"He was destined to be the face of this situation, which could have turned out to be a failed rescue, for the rest of his life," La Torre said. "But he still took that gamble and put it on himself. He was more concerned with helping the people than with his own reputation."

La Torre added: "The federal government is used to calling the shots at an operation such as at Quecreek. Much to their frustration, Mark Schweiker was not going to allow that to happen. They were in his state, and he was going to call the shots."

La Torre recalled Schweiker breaking down emotionally less than a year earlier when confronted with the tragedy at Shanksville, and then celebrating with the same community when the miners were raised from Quecreek Mine.

"Quecreek was truly a moment the country needed, and it came through the heart of a man who had experienced both scenarios," La Torre said.

"It was right after 9/11. The country needed a win. When those miners were saved at Quecreek, it crystallized what all of America was feeling."

'Never gave up'

The former lieutenant governor, Schweiker had ascended to the the state's top office the previous October, when Gov. Tom Ridge was appointed the first U.S. director of homeland security following 9/11.

A governor's election was under way in the summer of 2002, but Schweiker was not running to keep the office. The Republican candidate was instead Attorney General Mike Fisher, who eventually lost the election to Democrat Ed Rendell.

Schweiker never attempted to parlay his visibility at Quecreek into another political office.

State Rep. Tom Yewcic, D-Jackson Township, said at the time: "He's at the mine scene for his personal motivation of wanting to be involved.

"He's doing the best he can for those families."

Chuck Ardo of the Rendell For Governor campaign added: "This is not political, and I don't think he has anything politically to gain from it. He's showing great leadership and compassion, and that's what leaders do. He's stepped up to the plate during a difficult situation. You have to give him credit for being there day and night. This transcends politics."

Fifteen years removed from the Quecreek event, Schweiker is senior vice president and corporate development officer with RenMatix, a King of Prussia company developing plant-based fuels and other products, and a senior adviser to the law firm Stradley Ronon in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

But he said his thoughts are often on the rescue operations that played out at Quecreek in 2002, and on the nine men who persevered underground - believing that they would get to see their families again.

"I was struck by the grit and stick-to-itiveness of the miners down below," Schweiker said.

"I tell people, could you imagine being huddled under your kitchen table, roped together, thinking that you might soon be meeting your maker, as the water level rises? Then to have the presence of mind to write letters to your loved ones and let them know how you feel?

"That takes a special level of intestinal fortitude. This was a very thoughtful group of men who never gave up."
A California deputy attorney general has been charged in San Diego with possession of child pornography.

Raymond Joseph Liddy was arrested Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty and was released on $100,000 bond, according to a complaint. The attorney general's office said they are aware of the matter and that the 53-year-old Liddy was placed on administrative leave.

According to a complaint filed in federal court, an electronic service provider sent a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in January that a user had uploaded an image that appeared to be child porn.

A month later another provider sent a similar tip to the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The activity was traced to his home in Coronado, stated the complaint.

Liddy is accused of being in possession of about a dozen illegal photos. He was put on home detention and is wearing an ankle device.

Local and federal authorities said they traced the activity to Liddy's home. When they questioned him, Liddy said he downloads sexual images and deletes them, according to the complaint.

He also said he may have forwarded some of the images, and some of them may have been of children, possibly.

They searched his home and uncovered disturbing photos on a computer and thumbdrive of minors engaged in sexual conduct.

Defense Attorney Knut Johnson, who has taken Liddy's case, told NBC 7 that he knows his client is a good person and all his coworkers describe him as an honorable man.
San Diego's mayor and regional trade officials want leaders in Washington, D.C. to understand that talk of changing trade policy with Mexico directly affects the economy of cities along the U.S.-Mexico border.

When there are discussions about the border when the border is a thousand miles away from them in other states, its important for us at the local level to tell our story, Mayor Kevin Faulconer said.

Cooperation works, communication works, he said.

Mayors of cities located on both sides of the border met Thursday in San Diego to discuss how to strengthen ties between the two regions.

Among the topics: modernizing NAFTA, tackling border infrastructure and urban development.

Faulconer said its important to promote fair and open trade with Mexico and he will carry that message when he travels to the nations capital later this year.



San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Jerry Sanders said trade between Mexico and the U.S. is valued at well over $600 billion a year.

To those who argue they prefer to buy American-made products, Sanders said they usually reconsider when it comes to the cost.

Everybody says that until they actually have to go pay for it, Sanders said.

Secretary of Economic Development for the City of Tijuana David Moreno said summits like this one are important to generate the same level of interest among all mayors.

In order to be more prosperous, for economic development and tourism, Moreno said.

One example is how San Diego County and Baja California make up the largest medical device manufacturing region in the world, Moreno said.

Both Moreno and Sanders said each new job created in Tijuana creates a half of a job in San Diego.
Roombas and iRobots are modern gadgets to help clean your house, but are they collecting data that could be sold to major companies?

Many iRobots collect data about your house as they work, like where furniture and walls are located in the building. This is to help the Roomba learn the best ways to clean your house without bumping into the couch, for example.

"Over time the robot becomes smarter and knows which places it needs to clean up more around your home," said Henrik Christensen, director of the Contextual Robotics Institute and a professor of computer science at University of California, San Diego.



Newer Roombas, like 960 and 980 models, which have iRobots latest mapping technology have the ability to collect this data and map your house.

(If you do have a model with built-in Wi-Fi, such as the 690 or 890, it doesnt have the ability to create a floor plan of your home like the 900 series.)

However, for the models that do have the ability to map, some robotics experts are concerned this can then be sold it to companies like Amazon, Apple or Google to use for advertising.

The companys CEO, Colin Angle, said in an interview with Reuters that he is considering selling the data in the next couple years.



The implications of this are endless, according to Christensen.

For example, if the Roomba detects you don't have a chair in your living room, you could soon see one advertised in your newsfeed.

"We've already allowed Amazon into our homes with Alexa, and that has eight microphones in it," added Christensen.

Christensen said that whether the Roomba actually needs your permission to sell your data is still a gray area in the field of robotics.

"You haven't signed an agreement that lets them sell your data in the case of the Roomba," said Christensen. "On the other hand, they can say, 'well we never asked for it.'"


NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

RECOMMENDED ACQUISITION

OF

BERENDSEN PLC

BY

ELIS SA

TO CREATE A PAN-EUROPEAN TEXTILE, HYGIENE AND FACILITY SERVICES LEADER

Publication of prospectus with visa No. 17-390 of the French Autorite des Marches Financiers dated July 27, 2017

Saint-Cloud (France), July 27, 2017 - In the context of the recommended acquisition of Berendsen plc by Elis SA, announced on June 12, 2017, a prospectus (the "Prospectus") is today being published by Elis in connection with the issue and admission to trading on Euronext Paris of 69,052,152 new Elis shares (the "New Shares") as consideration for the contribution of Berendsen shares (except 1,291,621 Berendsen shares held by Berendsen's Employee Benefit Trust) to Elis SA, by way of a scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006 (the "Transaction").

In the context of the Transaction, Elis and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) entered into an investment agreement pursuant to which CPPIB undertook to Elis to subscribe 10,131,713 new Elis shares to be issued (the "CPPIB Shares") as part of a reserved capital increase for a total amount of approximately 200 million (the "Elis Reserved Capital Increase"). A detailed description of the investment agreement entered into between Elis and CPPIB is available in the update to the 2016 registration document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus.

For information purposes only, the impact of the Transaction on the equity interest of a shareholder holding 1% of Elis' share capital prior to the share capital increase and not subscribing to it (calculated based on the basis of the number of shares comprising the share capital of the Company as at June 30, 2017) and taking into account the completion of the Elis Reserved Capital Increase to be approved by the Elis general meeting to be held on August 31, 2017, would be as follows:

In accordance with articles L. 412-1 and L. 621-8 of the French Monetary and Financial Code and the AMF General Regulations, in particular articles 211-1 to 216-1, the Autorite des marches financiers (the "AMF") has granted the Prospectus its visa on July 27, 2017 under number 17-390.

The Prospectus will be passported to the United Kingdom.

Among the information contained in the Prospectus, investors are urged to carefully take into consideration the risk factors described in chapter 2 ("Risk factors and insurance policy") of the 2016 registration document, section 2 of the update to the 2016 registration document and those described in section 3.5 ("Risk factors") of the securities note, before making any investment decision. The materialization of one or more of these risks could adversely affect the business, financial position and results of the Group as well as its objectives. Moreover, other risk factors, which were not identified or considered material by the Company at the date of the Prospectus, may likewise have an adverse effect and may cause investors to lose all or part of their investment.

In addition, completion of the Transaction is subject to conditions precedent summarized in the Prospectus and fully described in the scheme document (the "Scheme Document") that will be disseminated by Berendsen.

The Prospectus is comprised of : (i) the 2016 registration document of Elis, registered with the AMF on April 6, 2017 under number R.17-013, (ii) the update to the 2016 registration document, registered with the AMF on July 27, 2017 under number D.17-0163.A01, (iii) the securities note and (iv) the summary of the Prospectus included in the securities note.

This Prospectus has been prepared by Elis SA, on the one hand, and Berendsen plc, on the other hand, and their respective signatories are responsible for the content of the Prospectus.

Copies of the Prospectus are available free of charge at Elis SA's registered office, 5 boulevard Louis Loucheur, 92210 Saint-Cloud, France, on the website of the company (www.corporate-elis.com), on Berendsen's website (www.berendsen.com) as well as on the AMF's website (www.amf-france.org).

Contact

Nicolas Buron, Investor Relations Director - Phone: +33 1 75 49 98 30 - nicolas.buron@elis.com

Important Notices

This announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any offer, invitation or solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction. The New Shares are not being offered to the public by means of this announcement. This announcement is an advertisement and is for information purposes only and does not constitute a prospectus or prospectus equivalent document. Investors should not subscribe for or purchase any New Shares except on the basis of the information contained in the Prospectus and the Scheme Document. The Transaction is being made solely by means of the Scheme Document which contains the full terms and conditions of the Transactions, including details of how to vote in respect of the acquisition.

This announcement and the Prospectus have been prepared in accordance with the laws of France and the Scheme Document has been prepared in accordance with the laws of the United Kingdom. The information disclosed herein and therein may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this announcement, the Prospectus and the Scheme Document had been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside France and the United Kingdom.

The distribution of the Prospectus and the Scheme Document and the acquisition of New Shares may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions other than France, the United Kingdom and the United States, including but not limited to Japan, where sending or making available information concerning the Transaction to Berendsen shareholders in such jurisdiction would violate the laws of that jurisdiction or would require registration of the New Shares. Persons in possession of the Prospectus or the Scheme Document or considering the acquisition or subscription of New Shares must familiarize themselves with such laws and regulations and with the potential restrictions resulting therefrom, and must comply with such restrictions.

The New Shares are expected to be issued in the United States in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended provided by Section 3(a)(10) thereof. None of the New Shares have been approved or disapproved by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission in the United States or any other US regulatory authority.

Without prejudice to the foregoing, Elis reserves the right to reject any offer to purchase or subscribe New Shares that it considers might lead to a breach of any laws, rules or regulations.

The Prospectus has not been and will not be submitted for approval to any market supervisory authority other than the competent authority of France, the AMF. The Prospectus will not be passported into any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom. Consequently, no steps may be taken that would constitute or that would result in an offer of New Shares outside of France, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Elis does not represent that the Prospectus or the Scheme Document may be distributed legally in jurisdictions other than France, the United Kingdom and the United States or that the New Shares may be lawfully offered in compliance with any applicable registration requirements that may be applicable to an offer in jurisdictions outside of France, the United Kingdom and the United States, or pursuant to any exemption available thereunder. Accordingly, neither the Prospectus nor any advertising or any other document related to the offer may be distributed or published in any jurisdiction outside of France, the United Kingdom and the United States unless this is done in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

The Prospectus and the Scheme Document do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase New Shares to any person in a jurisdiction in which it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation to such person. The Prospectus and the Scheme Document may not be distributed in a jurisdiction outside of France, the United Kingdom and the United States where a registration, qualification or another requirement exists or may exist in relation to an offer or the admission to trading on a regulated market.

It is the responsibility of any person not resident in France, the United Kingdom or the United States to ensure that the legislation applicable in its country of residence is complied with, and that all other formalities that may be required are fulfilled, including the payment of all costs and levies.

In accordance with, and to the extent permitted by, the Takeover Code and normal UK market practice and Rule 14e-5 under the US Exchange Act, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch and its affiliates may continue to act as exempt principal traders in Berendsen Shares on the London Stock Exchange and will engage in certain other purchasing activities consistent with their respective normal and usual practice and applicable law, including Rule 14e-5 under the US Exchange Act. To the extent required to be disclosed in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, information about any such purchases will be disclosed to the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers by no later than 12 noon on the next "business day", as such term is defined in the Takeover Code, and will be available from any Regulatory Information Service, including the regulatory news service on the London Stock Exchange website (www.londonstockexchange.com).

Note to US investors

The New Shares have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act or under the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. Accordingly, the New Shares may not be offered, sold, resold, delivered, distributed or otherwise transferred, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States absent registration under the US Securities Act or an exemption therefrom. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the New Shares in any state of the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification under the securities laws of any such state. The New Shares are expected to be issued in the United States in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the US Securities Act provided by Section 3(a)(10) thereof. Berendsen shareholders (whether or not US persons) who are or will be affiliates (within the meaning of the US Securities Act) of Elis prior to or after the date on which the Transaction becomes effective will be subject to certain restrictions on transfers of the New Shares received pursuant to the Transaction. Otherwise, the New Shares generally should not be treated as "restricted securities" within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the US Securities Act and persons who receive securities under the Transaction (other than "affiliates" as described in the paragraph below) may resell them without restriction under the US Securities Act.

Elis is organised under the laws of France and Berendsen is organised under the laws of England. Some or all of the officers and directors of Elis and Berendsen are residents of countries other than the United States. The significant majority of the assets of Elis and Berendsen are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible to effect service of process within the United States upon Elis, Berendsen or any of their respective officers or directors, or to enforce outside the United States judgments obtained in US courts against Elis, Berendsen or any of their respective officers or directors, including, without limitation, judgments based upon the civil liability provisions of the US federal securities laws or the laws of any state or territory within the United States. It may not be possible to sue Elis or Berendsen or their respective officers or directors in a non-US court for violations of US securities laws. It may be difficult to compel Elis, Berendsen and their respective affiliates to subject themselves to the jurisdiction and judgment of a US court.

None of the New Shares have been approved or disapproved by the SEC, any state securities commission in the United States or any other US regulatory authority, nor have such authorities passed upon or determined the fairness or merits of such securities or upon the adequacy or accuracy of the information contained in this document. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

About Elis

Elis is a specialized multi-services group, a leader in Europe and Latin America for the rental and maintenance of flat linen, professional clothing, as well as hygiene appliance and well-being services. With more than 25,000 employees spread across 14 countries, Elis's consolidated turnover in 2016 was 1,513 million and consolidated EBITDA reached 468 million. Benefiting from more than a century of experience, Elis today services hundreds of thousands of clients of all sizes in the hotel, catering, healthcare, industry, retail and services sectors, thanks to its network of more than 300 production and distribution centers, which guarantees it an unrivalled proximity to its clients.

SUMMARY OF THE PROSPECTUS

AMF visa No. 17-390 dated July 27, 2017

The summary comprises several key information points, defined as "Elements" which are classified in five sections from A to E and numbered from A.1 to E.7.

This summary comprises all the Elements that must appear in the summary of a prospectus relating to this category of securities and this type of issuer. Since it is not required to provide information about all the Elements, the numbering is not continuous.

For some Elements, it is possible that no relevant information exists with regards to the category of securities or the type of issuer concerned. In this case, a summary description of the relevant Element is presented with the indication "not applicable" in the summary.

Section A - Introduction and warnings

A.1

Warning to the reader

This summary should be read as an introduction to this prospectus (the "Prospectus").

Any decision to invest in the securities being offered to the public or whose admission to trading on a regulated market is applied for must be based on an exhaustive consideration of the Prospectus by the investor.

Where a claim relating to information contained in the Prospectus is brought before a court, the plaintiff investor may, under the national legislation of the Member States of the European Union or members of the European Economic Area, have to bear the costs of translating the Prospectus before the legal proceedings are initiated.

Civil liability will attach to the persons who have tabled this summary, including any translation thereof, and the persons requesting notification thereof within the meaning of article 212-41 of the Autorite des Marches Financiers' ("AMF") General Regulation (Reglement general), only if such summary is misleading, inaccurate, or inconsistent or does not provide, when read together with the other parts of the Prospectus, key information in order to aid investors when considering an investment in such securities.

A.2

Consent of the Company

Not applicable.

Section B - Company

B.1

Legal and commercial name

Legal name: Elis ("Elis" or the "Company" and, together with all its consolidated subsidiaries, the "Group"). "Combined Group" refers to the group constituted of the Group and the Berendsen Group (as defined below).

Commercial name: Elis

B.2

Registered office/ Legal form/ Applicable law/ Country of incorporation

Registered office: 5 boulevard Louis Loucheur, 92210 Saint-Cloud, France

Legal form : Limited company ( societe anonyme ) governed by a management board and a supervisory board

Applicable law : French law

Country of incorporation: France

B.3

Nature of the Company's operations and principal activities

With an integrated multi-service offer, the Group is Europe's and Latin America's leading renter of flat linen, workwear and hygiene and well-being ("HWB") appliances and providers of associated laundry and maintenance services.

The services provided by the Group as part of its rental, laundry and maintenance business are:

flat linen rental and laundry services, which generated consolidated revenue of 741.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 447.8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017, i.e., 49.0% and 52.9% respectively of the Group's consolidated revenue for those periods;

workwear rental and laundry services, which generated consolidated revenue of 449.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 237.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017, i.e., 29.7% and 28.1% respectively of the Group's consolidated revenue for those periods; and

HWB appliance rental and maintenance services, which generated consolidated revenue of 321.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 163.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017, i.e., 21.3% and 19.3% respectively of the Group's consolidated revenue for those periods.

The Group also has a manufacturing business which generated consolidated revenue of 18.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 9.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017, i.e., 1.2% and 1.1% respectively of the Group's consolidated revenue for those periods. The Group's manufacturing business consists of two entities: Le Jacquard Francais, a designer and producer of high-end flat linen and damask linen products, and Kennedy Hygiene Products Ltd, a European designer and manufacturer of hygiene appliances.

Through its integrated multi-service offer, the Group provides a broad range of flat linen, workwear and HWB appliance services to a diversified base of customers established in the below-listed regions (excluding manufacturing entities):

France, where the Group generated consolidated revenue (excluding manufacturing entities) of 984.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2016 and 494.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017, i.e., 65.1% and 58.5% respectively of the Group's consolidated revenue for those periods (excluding manufacturing entities).

Europe (which includes Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Andorra, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland and the Czech Republic), where the Group generated consolidated revenue (excluding manufacturing entities) of 376.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, and 254.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017, i.e., 24.9% and 30.1% respectively of the Group's consolidated revenue for those periods (excluding manufacturing entities).

Latin America, which includes Brazil and Chile, where the Group generated consolidated revenue (excluding manufacturing entities) of 132.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 87.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017, i.e., 8.8% and 10.3% respectively of the Group's consolidated revenue for those periods (excluding manufacturing entities). Moreover, the Group has recently started to operate in the Colombian market following the acquisition of Servicios Industriales de Lavado SIL Ltda. which will be consolidated in the Group's financial statements as of January 1, 2017.

In the year ended December 31, 2016, the Group generated consolidated revenue of 1,512.8 million and consolidated EBITDA of 467.9 million. In the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Group generated consolidated revenue of 845.8 million and consolidated EBITDA of 244.1 million.

B.4a

Most significant recent trends affecting the Company and the industries in which it operates

Recent events

On April 28, 2017, Elis made a written cash and share proposal in private to Berendsen (as defined below) to acquire each Berendsen share for a combination of 4.40 per share in cash and 0.411 new Elis shares (the "Initial Proposal"). At the time, the Initial Proposal valued each Berendsen share at 11.00 per share (being a premium of approximately 31% to Berendsen's then trading price).

On May 12, 2017, the board of directors of Berendsen (the "Berendsen Board") rejected the Initial Proposal and declined to engage in discussions.

On May 16, 2017, Elis approached Berendsen with a revised cash and share proposal to acquire each Berendsen share for a combination of 4.40 per share in cash and 0.426 new Elis shares (the "Revised Proposal"). As of May 15, 2017, the Revised Proposal valued each Berendsen share at 11.75 (being a premium of approximately 41% to Berendsen's then trading price). Elis' Revised Proposal was rejected by the Berendsen Board on the same day without any engagement.

Consequently, Elis has decided it was necessary for it to make public the Revised Proposal so that it could be considered by Berendsen's shareholders.

On May 18, 2017, Elis released an announcement under Rule 2.4 (the "2.4 Announcement") of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "City Code"), in which the terms and conditions of its Initial Proposal and Revised Proposal are described.

On the same day, Berendsen issued a statement regarding Elis' proposal to reject the Revised Proposal as the Berendsen Board concluded that the Revised Proposal very significantly undervalued Berendsen and its prospects. The Berendsen Board refused to engage discussions with Elis.

On May 24, 2017, Berendsen issued a statement regarding Elis' proposal in which the Berendsen Board stated that it continued to believe that Elis' proposal very significantly undervalued Berendsen and its prospects and that it was refusing to engage discussions with Elis.

On June 6, 2017, Elis and Berendsen reached an agreement in principle regarding a possible cash-and-shares proposal that would be recommended unanimously by the Berendsen Board, to acquire each Berendsen share for a combination of 5.40 per share in cash and 0.403 new Elis shares (the "Final Proposal"). The proposal also includes the payment of an interim dividend of 0.11 per Berendsen share, declared and paid by Berendsen in respect of the six months ended June 30, 2017 (the "Interim Dividend"). Based on the closing price of Elis' shares on June 6, 2017 (being the last business day prior to the date of the Second 2.4 Announcement - as defined below) of 20.17 and a : exchange rate of 1:1.145, the Final Proposal values each Berendsen share at 12.50 (excluding the Interim Dividend) and 12.61 (including the Interim Dividend), valuing Berendsen at around 2.2 billion (excluding the Interim Dividend) on a fully diluted basis. The Final Proposal is likely to be implemented through an English-law scheme of arrangement in accordance with section 26 of the Companies Act 2006 (the "Scheme of Arrangement" or "Scheme"), which requires the Scheme of Arrangement to be approved by Berendsen shareholders and the High Court of Justice in England and Wales (the "Court").

Accordingly, on June 7, 2017, Elis and Berendsen made the Final Proposal public by publishing a joint announcement in accordance with Rule 2.4 of the City Code (the "Second 2.4 Announcement").

On June 12, 2017, Elis and Berendsen published a joint announcement in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the City Code (the "2.7 Announcement") in which Elis and Berendsen confirmed their agreement regarding the terms of a recommended acquisition by Elis of the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Berendsen, in exchange for the payment of 5.40 in cash and 0.403 new Elis shares, and the payment of the Interim Dividend. As at June 9, 2017 (being the last business day prior to the date of the 2.7 Announcement), based on the closing price of an Elis share of 19.90 and a : exchange rate of 1:1.138, the terms of the Transaction valued each Berendsen share at 12.45 (excluding the Interim Dividend) and imply a total equity value for Berendsen of approximately 2.17 billion on a fully diluted basis.

Nevertheless, completion of the Transaction (as defined below) remains subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the Conditions (as defined below) described in Element E.3 of this summary, including (i) (a) the approval of the Scheme by a majority in number of Berendsen shareholders representing at least 75% in value of the Berendsen shares held by Berendsen shareholders present or represented at the Court Meeting (as defined below) who are on the register of members of Berendsen at the Voting Record Time (as defined below), (b) the approval of all resolutions necessary in connection with the Scheme of Arrangement with the relevant majorities at the Berendsen General Meeting (as defined below), and (c) the sanction of the Scheme of Arrangement by the Court, with or without modification (but subject to any such modification being acceptable to Elis and Berendsen); and (ii) (a) the approval by the Elis General Meeting (as defined below) of the capital increase to be carried out by Elis as part of the Scheme of Arrangement, (b) Elis obtaining the AMF's visa on the Prospectus and (c) the publication of an Euronext Paris (as defined below) notice confirming the future admission to trading of the New Shares (as defined below) on Euronext Paris.

Capital increase reserved for the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board

In this context, Elis and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board ("CPPIB"), which then held 4.83% of Elis' capital, entered into an investment agreement (the "Investment Agreement") pursuant to which CPPIB undertook to Elis to subscribe 10,131,713 new Elis shares to be issued (the "CPPIB Shares") as part of a reserved capital increase (the "Elis Reserved Capital Increase"), at a price of 19.74 per share (the "CPPIB Cash Placing"). The total proceeds of the CPPIB Cash Placing would be 200 million.

The funds raised by the CPPIB Cash Placing will not be used to fund the cash portion of the Transaction consideration but will be used to repay the amount, due pursuant to the Bridge Term Facility Agreement 2017 (as defined below), incurred by Elis to finance the Transaction consideration and to help Elis meet its 2018 leverage target of ~3x (consistent with its current level) if the Transaction is completed.

The CPPIB Cash Placing is conditional on, amongst other matters, the Scheme of Arrangement being approved by Berendsen shareholders and sanctioned by the Court, and the approval of resolutions authorizing the issue of New Shares as part of the Transaction by the Elis General Meeting.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Investment Agreement:

Elis undertook not to, until the completion of the Elis Reserved Capital Increase, (i) propose or issue any equity securities on a pre-emptive basis (rights issue) to Elis shareholders, (ii) propose or issue any equity securities to any Elis shareholder or third party other than CPPIB and any of Elis shareholders listed in Chapter 8 of the Registration Document (as defined below) as holding more than 8% or more of the share capital of the Company (the " First Offer Investors ") (except for any issue of equity securities for compensatory purposes to employees or executive officers pursuant to the long-term incentive plans of Elis through the grant of performance shares) without first offering to all of the First Offer Investors to subscribe for such equity securities, and (iii) issue equity securities to any First Offer Investor on terms more favourable than those offered to the other First Offer Investors, which in any event shall not be more favourable than the terms of the CPPIB Shares;

CPPIB undertook during the 12-month period as from the date of delivery and payment of the Elis Reserved Capital Increase not to (i) directly or indirectly transfer title to the CPPIB Shares, (ii) grant any right or promise on, such CPPIB Shares or (iii) announce its intention to perform one of the transactions mentioned in (i) and (ii).

As regards corporate governance, the Investment Agreement provides that CPPIB has the right to propose at any time the designation of a member of Elis' Board (membre du Conseil de surveillance) provided that its shareholding in the Company is at least equal to 8% of Elis' share capital and the designation of a second member within Elis' Board provided that its shareholding is at least equal to 15% of Elis' share capital.

The Investment Agreement has been entered into for a 10-year period as from its execution date and shall automatically renew for subsequent 3-year period unless previously terminated by written non-renewal notice sent by either party to the other party at least 12 months prior to the expiration of the initial 10-year period or any renewal period. Following the completion of the Elis Reserved Capital Increase, CPPIB may terminate the Investment Agreement at any time by providing at least 4 months' prior notice to Elis.

In accordance with article 212-5 1 of the Autorite des marches financiers' General Regulations, this reserved share capital increase will not be published through the issuance of a prospectus as it concerns the admission to trading of a number of shares representing, over a period of 12 months, less than 10% of the number of Elis shares already admitted to trading on Euronext Paris.

Closing of the acquisition of Lavebras

On May 23, 2017, Elis announced the closing of the acquisition of Lavebras Gestao de Texteis S.A. and its subsidiaries (together referred to as "Lavebras") following the approval without restriction of the Brazilian antitrust authority.

Outlook for the Group's earnings in the year ending December 31, 2017

The Group has based its outlook for the 2017 financial year on the Group's consolidated financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2016 and the condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

That outlook is based on the following assumptions:

Assumptions over which the Company's executive committee has no control or influence

the following exchange rates observed at the end of 2017: BRL3.75 to the euro and CHF1.09 to the euro;

the continuation of the upturn in hotel activity in France seen in the first half of 2017 by comparison with 2016;

no material change in the political, economic, regulatory, social and fiscal environment that would have a seriously adverse impact on Elis; and

no external event affecting activity, the Group's customers, supplies and labor, including any natural catastrophe, act of terrorism or cyber-attack, that would have a seriously adverse impact on Elis;

no material litigation or dispute that would have a seriously adverse impact on Elis.

Assumption over which the Company's executive committee has control or influence

no material change in the scope of consolidation relative to July 25, 2017.

Based on the assumptions set out above, the Group believes that it will be able to achieve consolidated revenue of over 1.75 billion (including Lavebras since June 1st, 2017 but excluding Berendsen).

Organic revenue growth in 2017 is expected to be more or less equivalent to that observed in 2016.

In 2017, the Group is also aiming to improve its EBITDA margin rate in each geographic area where it carries on its activities, including in France.

The outlook presented above is based on data, assumptions and estimates that the Group regarded as reasonable at the date of the Prospectus. Those data and assumptions may change or be adjusted as a result of uncertainties relating particularly to the economic, financial, competitive, regulatory or tax environment or as a result of other factors of which the Group was not aware on the date of the Prospectus. Moreover, the materialization of certain risks described in chapter 2 ("Risk factors and insurance policy") of the Registration Document, chapter 2 ("Risk Factors") of the update to the Registration Document and section 3.5 of the Securities Note, may have an impact on the Group's activities, financial position, results or outlook and therefore threaten this outlook. The attainment of the outlook also assumes that the Group's strategy will be successful. As a result, the Group makes no representation and gives no warranty regarding the attainment of the outlook set out above.

B.5

Group to which the Company belongs

The Company is the parent company of the Group, which had 141 consolidated subsidiaries at June 30, 2017, of which 30 were based in France.

B.6

Major shareholders

As at June 30, 2017, to the Company's knowledge:

Eurazeo SE held 16.86% of the Company's share capital, including 16.07% via Legendre Holding 27 SAS, a company controlled by Eurazeo SE;

Credit Agricole Assurances held, via its subsidiary Predica Prevoyance Dialogue (" Predica "), 9.98% of the Company's share capital;

CPPIB held 4.83% of the Company's share capital; and

Ameriprise Financial Inc held, via its Threadneedle Asset Management Limited subsidiary, 10.48% of the Company's share capital.

To Elis' knowledge, ownership of the Company's share capital and voting rights at June 30, 2017 was as follows:

Shareholders Number of shares % of the share capital Number of theoretical voting rights % of theoretical voting rights Number of exercisable voting rights % of exercisable voting rights Eurazeo, including: 23,635,032 16.86% 42,892,699 26.84% 42,892,699 26.85% Legendre Holding 27 SAS(a) 22,522,058 16.07% 40 873 361 25,57% 40 873 361 25,58% Eurazeo SE(a) 1,112,974 0.79% 2,019,338 1.26% 2,019,338 1.26% Credit Agricole Assurances(a) 13,991,662 9.98% 13,991,662 8.75% 13,991,662 8.76% CPPIB(c) 6,769,248 4.83% 6,769,248 4.24% 6,769,248 4.24% Free float, including: 95,715,607 68.29% 96,117,816 60.14% 96,117,816 60.16% Ameriprise Financial Inc.(b) 14,694,718 10.48% 14,694,718 9.19% 14,694,718 9.20% ECIP Elis SARL (a) 190,172 0.14% 345,124 0.22% 345,124 0.22% Executives and employees(e) 399,801 0.29% 484,476 0.30% 484,476 0.30% Treasury shares 55,500(d) 0.04% 55,500(d) 0.03% - - Total 140,167,049 100% 159,826,925 100% 159,771,425 100% Shareholders who have disclosed that they are bound by a shareholders' agreement which is not a concert action within the meaning of article L. 233-10 of the French Commercial Code. Based on Ameriprise Financial, Inc.'s disclosure regarding the crossing of ownership thresholds dated June 22, 2017. CPPIB and the Company have entered into an investment agreement on June 7, 2017. As at June 30, 2017. Following the vesting of 250,392 shares under the performance share plan dated April 7, 2015, whose vesting period expired on April 7, 2017.

As at June 30, 2017, 19,659,876 Elis shares conferred double voting rights.

Following the implementation of the Transaction and the CPPIB Cash Placing and on the basis of Elis' and Berendsen's shareholdings as at June 30, 2017, the ownership of the Company's share capital and voting rights will be as follows:

Shareholders Post-Transaction Post-Transaction and CPPIB Cash Placing Number of shares % Number of exercisable voting rights % Number of shares % Number of exercisable voting rights % Eurazeo,



including: 23,635,032 11.30% 42,892,699 18.74% 23,635,032 10.77% 42,892,699 17.95% Legendre

Holding 27 SAS(a) 22,522,058 10.76% 40,873,361 17.86% 22,522,058 10.27% 40,873,361 17.11% Eurazeo SE(a) 1,112,974 0.53% 2,019,338 0.88% 1,112,974 0.50% 2,019,338 0.84% Credit Agricole Assurances(a) 13,991,662 6.69% 13,991,662 6.11% 13,991,662 6.38% 13,991,662 5.86% CPPIB(c) 6,769,248 3.24% 6,769,248 2.96% 16,900,961 7.70% 16,900,961 7.07% Free float,



including: 164,767,759 78.75% 165,169,268 72.18% 164,767,759 75.12% 165,169,968 69,12% Berendsen shareholders 69,052,152 33% 69,052,152 30.18% 69,052,152 31.48% 69,052,152 28.90% Ameriprise Financial, Inc.(b) 14,694,718 7.02% 14,694,718 6.42% 14,694,718 6.70% 14,694,718 6.15% ECIP Elis SARL(a) 190,172 0.09% 345,124 0.15% 190,172 0.09% 345,124 0.14% Executives and employees(e) 399,801 0.19% 484,476 0.21% 399,801 0.18% 484,476 0.20% Treasury shares 55,500(d) 0.03% - - 55,500(d) 0.03% - - Total 209,219,201 100% 228,823,577 100% 219,350,914 100% 238,955,290 100% Shareholders who have disclosed that they are bound by a shareholders' agreement which is not a concert action within the meaning of article L. 233-10 of the French Commercial Code. Based on Ameriprise Financial, Inc.'s disclosure regarding the crossing of ownership thresholds dated June 22, 2017. Ameriprise Financial, Inc. holds Elis shares via its subsidiary Threadneedle Asset Management Limited. CPPIB and the Company have entered into an investment agreement on June 7, 2017. As at June 30, 2017. Following the vesting of 250,392 shares under the performance share plan dated April 7, 2015, whose vesting period expired on April 7, 2017.

To the Company's knowledge, as of the date of the AMF's visa on the Prospectus, no shareholder, directly or indirectly, alone or in concert, controls the Company, nor is presumed to be in control of the Company.

B.7

Selected historical key financial information

Main key figures

The financial information shown below is taken from the Group's (audited) consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 (excluding Lavebras' contribution), and its (unaudited) condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the periods ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by the European Union. The Group's financial information relating to the six months ended June 30, 2017 is presented in section 4.2 to the Registration Document update.

Selected financial information from the Group's consolidated income statement

Year ended

December 31 Half-year period ended

June 30 2014 2015 2016 2016 2017 (in millions of euros) Revenue(1)........................................................ 1,331.0 1,415.4 1,512.8 730.2 845.8 Gross margin.......................................................... 425.8 431.9 457.7 215.8 239.9 Operating income before other income and expense and amortization of customer relationships..................................................... 209.1 206.5 208.6 91.8 96.8 Operating income......................................................... 144.7 112.3 187.4 67.3 62.3 Net financial expense........................................................ (153.6) (170.9) (55.7) (27.0) (26.9) Income (loss) before tax................................................................ (8.9) (58.6) 131.7 40.3 35.4 Income tax benefit (expense)...................................................... (13.0) 0.9 (38.1) (17.1) (15.6) Net income (loss)............................................................. (21.9) (57.7) 93.7 23.1 19.9 (1) "Revenue" may be referred to as "revenues" or "consolidated revenues" in this Securities Note.

Selected financial information from the Group's consolidated statement of financial position

Year ended

December 31 Half-year period ended

June 30 2014 2015 2016* 2016 2017 (in millions of euros) Non-current assets...................................................................... 2,667.1 2,765.5 3,035.3 2,791.4 3,382.6 Of which goodwill................................................................. 1,536.1 1,583.4 1,747.8 1,616.8 2,049.5 Of which intangible assets...................................................................... 404.4 379.5 350.9 354.7 339.6 Current assets...................................................................... 462.1 483.9 649.2 614.6 623.5 Assets held for sale......................................................................... 0.0 0.0 1.1 8.4 1.1 Total assets...................................................................... 3,129.1 3,249.4 3,684.5 3,406.0 4,006.1 Equity...................................................................... 368.2 1,053.9 1,150.6 1,058.8 1,376.6 Non-current liabilities................................................................ 2,256.8 1,573.9 1,567.2 1,584.8 1,721.5 Current liabilities................................................................ 504.2 621.7 966.7 762.4 908.1 Liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale......................................................................... 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.6 0.0 Total equity and liabilities................................................................ 3,129.1 3,249.4 3,684.5 3,406.0 4,006.1

* Adjusted with the allocation of goodwill (see note 2.4 to the consolidated accounts of the Group for financial year ended December 31, 2016 in the Registration Document, it being specified that the initial accounting of company combinations was unfinished and the amounts previously published were provisional.

Selected financial information from the Group's consolidated statement of cash flows

Year ended

31 December Half-year period ended

June 30 2014 2015 2016 2016 2017 (in millions of euros) Net cash from operating activities................................................. 361.0 293.9 424.8 169.1 166.9 Net cash used in investing activities................................................. (240.0) (375.3) (425.3) (164.5) (559.2) Net cash from/(used in) financing activities................................................. (111.5) 78.8 108.7 74.1 292.6 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents............................................. 9.5 (2.7) 108.2 78.7 (99.7) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.................................................... 48.6 58.5 55.8 55.7 165.2 Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents............................................. 0.4 0.0 1.8 1.1 (10.4) Cash and cash equivalents at end of period.................................................... 58.5 55.8 165.9 135.5 55.1

B.8

Selected key non-audited pro forma financial information

The purpose of the Combined Group's non-audited consolidated pro forma financial information (the "Non-Audited Pro Forma Financial Information") is to provide pro forma information describing the consequences that the Transaction (including the Transaction's financing) would have had on the Combined Group's statement of financial position as at December 31, 2016 and on the income statement for the financial year ended December 31, 2016 (including the Transaction's financing), had the Transaction taken place at an earlier date than the date of its effective implementation.

The Non-Audited Pro Forma Financial Information is not necessarily representative of the results or future financial position of the Combined Group. Moreover, there is no guarantee that the trends indicated by Non-Audited Pro Forma Financial Information are representative of the future results and performance of the Combined Group.

As a consequence, the consolidated results and consolidated statement of financial position of the future Combined Group may significantly vary from the results and the consolidated statement of financial position presented in the Non-Audited Pro Forma Financial Information.

The statutory auditors have provided a report on the Non-Audited Pro Forma Financial Information.

In accordance with Annex II to Regulation (EC) no. 809/2004 of April 29, 2004 as amended, Elis provides the Non-Audited Pro Forma Financial Information based on publicly available historical financial information regarding Berendsen and from the following consolidated financial statements:

Elis' audited consolidated financial statements for financial year ended December 31, 2016 , as presented in Elis' 2016 registration document, filed with the AMF on April 6, 2017 under number R. 17-013 (the " Registration Document "); and

Berendsen's audited consolidated financial statements for financial year ended December 31, 2016, as published in Berendsen's Annual Report and Accounts 2016.

In accordance with AMF recommendation no. 2013-08, as amended, relating to pro forma financial information, no adjustment has been made to the Elis historical financial information used to draft the Non-Audited Pro Forma Financial Information, as a result of events that occurred after the close of financial year 2016.

Key financial information from the consolidated pro forma income statement for financial year ended December 31, 2016

(In millions of euros) Historical

data

for Elis Historical

data

for Berendsen Sum of

historical

data

(note 1) "Berendsen

acquisition"

adjustment

(note 2) "Transaction

financing"

adjustment



(note 3) "Transaction

costs"

adjustment

(note 4) Pro Forma

Financial

Information Revenue 1,512.8 1,357.7 2,870.4 - - - 2,870.4 Operating expenses (1,304.2) (1,160.7) (2,465.0) - - - (2,465.0) Operating income before other income and expense and amortization of customer relationships 208.6 196.9 405.5 - - - 405.5 Amortization of customer relationships (45.6) (9.1) (54.7) - - - (54.7) Goodwill impairment - - - - - - - Other income and expense (a) 24.5 (15.8) 8.7 - - (25.7) (17.0) Operating income 187.4 172.1 359.5 - - (25.7) 333.8 Net financial expense (55.7) (25.0) (80.6) - (10.7) - (91.3) Income (loss) before tax 131.7 147.1 278.9 - (10.7) (25.7) 242.5 Income tax benefit (expense) (38.1) (35.2) (73.3) - 5.9 8.8 (58.5) Share of net income of equity-accounted companies - - - - - - - Net income (loss) 93.7 111.9 205.6 - (4.8) (16.8) 183.9 Attributable to: - owners of the parent 93.7 111.5 205.2 183.6 - non-controlling interests (0.0) 0.4 0.4 0.4 Earnings (loss) per share (EPS) / Earnings (loss) per share (EPS) from continuing operations (in euros): - basic, attributable to owners of the parent 0.82 0.65 1.06 0.95 - diluted, attributable to owners of the parent 0.82 0.65 1.06 0.95

Other operating income and expense mainly include: 35.6 million of income relating to the Puteaux site disposal and various transaction costs, restructuring costs and other non-recurring expenses as described in note 4.4 of Elis' 2016 consolidated financial statements; and 12.8 million relating to strategy implementation costs and 2.9 million in respect of other costs/income as described in note 4 of Berendsen's 2016 consolidated financial statements.

Key financial information from the consolidated pro forma statement of financial position for financial year ended December 31, 2016

(in millions of euros) Historical

data

for Elis

net Historical

data

for Berendsen

net Sum of

historical

data

(note 1) "Berendsen

acquisition"

adjustment

(note 2) "Transaction

financing"

adjustment

(note 3) "Transaction

costs"

adjustment

(note 4) "CPPIB

Financing"

adjustment

(note 5) Pro Forma

Financial

Information Goodwill 1,755.7 480.6 2,236.3 1,825.2 - - - 4,061.5 Intangible assets 350.9 35.5 386.4 - - - - 386.4 Property, plant and equipment 896.5 674.7 1,571.2 - - - - 1,571.2 Equity-accounted companies - - - - - - - - Available-for-sale financial assets 0.1 - 0.1 - - - - 0.1 Other non-current assets 4.2 87.1 91.3 - (86.8) - - 4.5 Deferred tax assets 19.4 15.0 34.4 0.3 - - - 34.7 TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 3,026.8 1,292.9 4,319.7 1,825.5 (86.8) - - 6,058.4 Inventories 62.4 65.7 128.1 - - - - 128.1 Trade and other receivables 392.6 224.1 616.7 - - - - 616.7 Current tax assets 6.6 10.3 16.9 - 4.5 15.0 - 36.3 Other assets 17.0 2.5 19.4 - - - - 19.4 Cash and cash equivalents 169.6 365.9 535.5 (1,049.8) 1,093.2 (43.4) - 535.5 Assets held for sale 1.1 - 1.1 - - - - 1.1 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 649.3 668.5 1,317.8 (1,049.8) 1,097.7 (28.5) - 1,337.2 TOTAL ASSETS 3,676.1 1,961.4 5,637.5 775.5 1,010.8 (28.5) - 7,395.6 Share capital 1,140.1 61.1 1,201.2 629.4 - - 101.3 1,931.9 Additional paid-in capital 280.9 117.6 398.5 566.0 - (11.6) 98.7 1,051.5 Treasury share reserve (1.6) - (1.6) - - - - (1.6) Other reserves 0.7 178.1 178.8 (178.1) - - - 0.7 Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) (267.0) 283.6 16.6 (283.6) - (16.8) - (283.8) Other components of equity (6.1) (1.1) (7.2) 1.1 - - (6.1) EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS OF THE PARENT 1,147.0 639.3 1,786.3 734.8 - (28.5) 200.0 2,692.7 NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS 4.0 6.0 10.0 29.5 (29.5) - - 10.0 EQUITY 1,151.0 645.3 1,796.3 764.3 (29.5) (28.5) 200.0 2,702.6 Non-current provisions 24.2 - 24.2 - - - - 24.2 Employee benefit liabilities 62.9 46.5 109.4 - - - - 109.4 Non-current borrowings 1,276.8 605.1 1,881.9 2.0 (605.9) - - 1,278.0 Deferred tax liabilities 176.8 87.9 264.8 - (6.7) - - 258.1 Other non-current liabilities 22.6 18.3 40.9 - (17.2) - - 23.7 TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,563.4 757.8 2,321.2 2.0 (629.8) - - 1,693.4 Current provisions 4.9 8.9 13.8 - - - - 13.8 Current tax liabilities 3.9 29.6 33.5 - 11.1 - - 44.6 Trade and other payables 162.6 82.5 245.0 - - - - 245.0 Other liabilities 296.3 169.8 466.1 - (0.4) - - 465.7 Bank overdrafts and current borrowings 494.1 267.5 761.6 9.4 1,659.4 - (200.0) 2,230.4 Liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale - - - - - - - - TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 961.7 558.3 1,520.0 9.4 1,670.2 - (200.0) 2,999.6 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 3,676.1 1,961.4 5,637.5 775.7 1,010.8 (28.5) - 7,395.6

B.9

Forecasts or estimates

Not applicable.

B.10

Qualifications on the historical financial information in the audit report

Not applicable.

B.11

Explanations if the issuer's net working capital is not sufficient to meet its current obligations

Not applicable.

Section C - Securities

C.1

Type, class and identification number of the securities

The New Shares, whose admission to trading on Euronext's regulated market in Paris ("Euronext Paris") is being requested, are ordinary shares of the same class as the Company's existing shares.

New Shares will be subject to all the provisions of the Company's articles of incorporation (statuts) as of their date of issue.

Share title: Elis

ISIN code: FR0012435121

Ticker: Elis

Compartment: A

Business sector: Support services

ICB classification: 2790

C.2

Currency of issuance

Euro.

C.3

Number of shares issued/ Par value of the shares

As at the date of the AMF's visa on the Prospectus, Elis' share capital is made up of 140,167,049 shares with par value of one euro each, following the capital reduction by way of a reduction in par value approved by Elis' shareholders' general meeting of May 19, 2017.

An amount of 69,052,152 New Shares, with par value of one euro each, would be issued pursuant to the terms of the Transaction.

A total of 10,131,713 new Elis shares, with par value of one euro each, would be issued pursuant to the terms of the CPPIB Cash Placing.

Following completion of the Transaction, Elis' share capital would consist of 209,219,201 shares.

Following the completion of the Transaction and the CPPIB Cash Placing, Elis' share capital would consist of 219,350,914 shares.

C.4

Rights attached to the shares

The New Shares will rank pari passu in all respects with existing ordinary Elis shares, and will benefit, to this end, under French law and the Company's articles of incorporation (statuts) as currently in effect, from the main following rights:

dividend rights;

voting rights;

preferential subscription rights to shares of the same class;

rights to share in any surplus in the event of liquidation; and

shareholders' rights to be informed.

New Shares will carry current dividend rights and will confer the right to share in any distribution made by the Company as of the date of their issuance.

Since April 3, 2016, under article 9 of the Company's articles of incorporation, double voting rights are attached to all shares held in registered form by the same shareholder continuously for two years.

C.5

Restrictions on the free transferability of securities

No provision of the Company's articles of incorporation (statuts) restricts the free transferability of the shares comprising the Company's share capital.

C.6

Application for admission to trading

Application will be made for the New Shares to be admitted to trading on Euronext Paris.

The New Shares will be admitted to trading on Euronext Paris as from the day following the date on which the Scheme of Arrangement becomes effective, i.e. September 13, 2017 (indicative date), or shortly thereafter. They will immediately rank pari passu in all respects with existing ordinary Elis shares already admitted to trading on Euronext Paris and will be tradable, as from this date, on the same listing line as existing shares under ISIN code: FR0012435121.

The Company's articles of incorporation (statuts) provide that the New Shares may be held either in registered form ("au nominatif") or bearer form ("au porteur") at the option of the shareholder.

Issue of CDIs (CREST depositary interests) representing entitlements to New Shares

Unlike Berendsen shares, New Shares are not capable of being held, transferred or settled through the CREST settlement systems.

As a consequence, Berendsen shareholders participating in the Scheme of Arrangement who hold their Berendsen shares in uncertificated form through CREST (directly or through a broker or other nominee with a CREST account) immediately prior to 6.00 p.m. on the business day after the date on which the Court sanctioned the Scheme of Arrangement (the "Scheme Record Time") will not be issued New Shares directly but will be issued dematerialized certificates. These dematerialized certificates are "CDIs" (CREST depositary interests).

As for eligible Berendsen shareholders (i.e., Berendsen shareholders who are resident of a certain jurisdictions other than France, the United Kingdom and the United States, including but not limited to Japan, where sending or making available information concerning the Scheme of Arrangement (as defined below) to Berendsen shareholders in such jurisdiction would violate the laws of these jurisdictions or would require registration of the New Shares (the "Restricted Jurisdictions" and each, a "Restricted Jurisdiction") or a jurisdiction where the Computershare Nominee (as defined below) cannot operate the CSN Facility (as defined below)) who hold their Berendsen shares in certificated form (that is, not in CREST) immediately prior to the Scheme Record Time, Elis appointed an entity of the Computershare group as nominee and bare trustee (the "Computershare Nominee") to operate the CSN Facility (the "CSN Facility"). The CSN Facility will benefit holders of Berendsen shares in certificated form by eliminating the need to set up an account with a French accredited financial intermediary, and by facilitating dealings in New Shares and Elis CDIs. To allow the Computershare Nominee to hold the New Shares on behalf of eligible Berendsen shareholders who hold their Berendsen shares in certificated form immediately prior to the Scheme Record Time, CREST Depositary Limited, a subsidiary of Euroclear, will issue Elis CDIs representing New Shares to the Computershare Nominee to be held on behalf of such eligible Berendsen shareholders.

One Elis CDI will represent one Elis Share. The Elis CDIs will reflect the economic rights attached to the New Shares. However, while the holders of Elis CDIs will have an interest in the underlying New Shares, they will not be the registered holders of the New Shares.

Berendsen shareholders who hold their Berendsen shares in certificated form but who:

are ineligible to participate in the CSN Facility; or

voluntarily opt out of the CSN Facility, by returning the CSN Facility opt out form to Equiniti,

will hold their New Shares directly, in registered form ("au nominatif").

The double voting rights that may attach to Elis shares will only benefit shareholders having fully paid-up shares and who hold their Elis shares in registered form on the Elis register for two consecutive years. The underlying New Shares issued in respect of the Elis CDIs will be held in bearer form and, as a result, holders of Elis CDIs will not benefit from double voting rights.

C.7

Dividend policy

The Company did not pay any dividends in the three years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

However, the Company did make an exceptional distribution of 0.35 per share, deducted from additional paid-in capital, with respect to the year ended December 31, 2015, and an exceptional distribution of 0.35 per share, deducted from the additional paid-in capital and reserve items, with respect to the year ended December 31, 2014.

Following a proposal of the Company's management board, the combined shareholders' general meeting convened on May 19, 2017, voted in favor of a 0.37 per share exceptional dividend distribution deducted from additional paid-in capital, for the financial year ended December 31, 2016 (up 5.7% compared with the previous financial year), which was paid on May 31, 2017. The Company will determine the amount of any distributions with respect to the year ending December 31, 2017 and the following years on the basis of various factors, including the Company's general business conditions and in particular its strategic objectives, financial position, the opportunities it wishes to pursue and applicable statutory provisions.

Section D - Risks

D.1

Key risks specific to the Company or its industry

Investors are urged to consider the key risk factors specific to the Group and its activities, described in the Registration Document, which include the following:

(i) risks relating to the Group's business, especially those relating to:

the Group's inability to win new customer contracts, particularly as part of competitive bidding processes;

the termination of a large number of customer contracts or the non-renewal of certain customer contracts;

the use of third-party suppliers, which reduces the Group's ability to directly control the quality of the services it provides;

economic dependency on certain suppliers or subcontractors, which could cause the Group to incur litigation, delays or compensation costs in the event some contracts are terminated or some subcontractors go bankrupt;

the Group's organizational structure, in which the local sales, operations and management teams retain substantial autonomy regarding the management of operations in their markets;

supply chain disruptions, since some of the Group's business activities rely on a small number of suppliers and face numerous risks relating to the fact they get their supplies on foreign markets;

the Group's international operations, which in 2016 accounted for 34.1% of its consolidated revenue (excluding manufacturing entities) outside France, which means that the Group is subject to a number of risks beyond its control such as political, social and economic instability, corruption and changes in public policy and regulations;

acquisitions and divestments, which include the Group being unable to find suitable acquisition targets, to plan or manage an acquisition efficiently, or divestments resulting in losses or lower margins;

(ii) risks relating to the Group's business sectors, especially those relating to:

overall economic conditions, since demand for certain Group services is related to the economic climate and among other things to growth in the gross domestic product in France, which is the Group's main market in terms of revenue;

price and margin pressure on the services provided by the Group, due in particular to challenging macroeconomic conditions and tough competition;

fluctuations in textile prices, if the Group were unable to fully or immediately offset the higher costs by raising the prices it charges customers;

energy prices, if the Group is not able to increase the prices it charges to customers as a result of increases in gas, electricity, water, or fuel prices;

the trends in the outsourcing of services provided by the Group and the re-insourcing of those services by some customers;

public sector spending, since a large proportion of the Group's revenue in some countries comes from contracts with the government and other public sector agencies;

the capital intensive nature of the Group's business, especially since flat linen and workwear purchases are classified as capital expenditure and because of the degree of mechanization required to launder flat linen and workwear;

(iii) financial risks, especially those relating to:

the Group's holding company structure and in particular to the inability of the Group's operating subsidiaries to make payments to other Group subsidiaries or to the Company;

goodwill and deferred tax assets, since the Group records expenses in the event of goodwill impairment and cannot be sure that the actual realization of the deferred tax assets on its balance sheet will eventually occur;

(iv) legal, regulatory, tax and insurance risks, especially those relating to:

compliance with antitrust regulations, both nationally and at the European level, since the Group is currently facing an inquiry by the French antitrust authorities after a complaint was made before the Pays de Loire regional board for companies, competition, consumption, labor and employment (DIRECCTE);

restrictive regulations in some of the Group's business sectors, since the Group provides services to certain companies operating in highly regulated business sectors such as healthcare;

compliance with health and safety regulations, since failure to comply with such obligations may lead to significant fines;

disputes and litigation, involving the Group at the date of the Prospectus, or which could involve the Group, and which could have a material adverse impact on the Group's activities, results, financial position and outlook, including proceedings commenced in Brazil: against Atmosfera, relating to: alleged acts of administrative improbity vis-a-vis officials regarding industrial laundry services provided by Atmosfera to public entities in the State of Rio de Janeiro over the 2003-2011 period; and proceedings relating to compliance with employment regulations, in particular by one of Atmosfera's suppliers, involving the risk of Atmosfera being blacklisted; against Prolav, relating to alleged acts of administrative improbity vis-a-vis officials regarding industrial laundry services provided by Prolav to public entities in the State of Rio de Janeiro over the 2003-2011 period; an alleged cartel and collusion in the market for providing industrial laundry services to public healthcare facilities in the state of Rio de Janeiro between 1999 and 2005, commenced by CADE; against NJ Lavanderia Industrial e Hospitalar LTDA (" NJ Lavanderia "), relating to: the validity of a public-sector contract between NJ Lavanderia and the government of the federal district regarding the provision by NJ Lavanderia of industrial laundry services to public healthcare facilities in the federal district, which the state prosecutor is seeking to void; an alleged breach of the public tender procedure provided for by the Brazilian law on public-sector contracts when the aforementioned public-sector contract was formed; and two public-sector contracts in the form of urgent agreements, in respect of which it is claimed that NJ Lavanderia continued to provide services beyond their respective terms.



(v) risks related to the acquisitions of Compania Navarra de Servicios Integrales SL, a company incorporated under the laws of Spain, and its subsidiaries (together referred to as "Indusal") and of Lavebras, including those related to:

the integration of the acquired companies, in particular risks related to any failure to achieve the expected synergies or their partial or delayed achievement;

due diligence; and

(vi) risks relating to the Combined Group:

Elis has not had the possibility to undertake the examination of Berendsen's non-public documents in a due-diligence exercise. Consequently, Elis may have to assume unknown liabilities relating to Berendsen or the realization of unknown risks concerning Berendsen, which may have an adverse impact on the Group and on the share price of Elis shares;

if there are material and unforeseen difficulties in the integration of the businesses of the Group and the Berendsen Group, the business of the Combined Group could be adversely affected;

the Transaction may not lead to the achievement of some or all of the synergies expected over the medium term;

the Transaction will create significant goodwill, any potential future impairment of which would have a significant impact on the net income of the Combined Group;

whether or not the Transaction is completed, the announcement and the prospect of success of the Transaction might disrupt the normal course of business of the Group or of the Berendsen Group, which might have a materially adverse effect on their financial and operational results, and, if the Transaction is completed, on the financial and operational prospects of the Combined Group;

the cost of acquiring Berendsen could have a material impact on the financial position and the level of debt of the Combined Group, which may have to resort to contracting additional debt in the context of the Transaction, correlatively increasing the risks linked to its financial position and level of indebtedness, it being noted that the Group's net financial indebtedness amounted to 1,807.5 million as at May 31, 2017 and that on the basis of the assumptions made for the preparation of the Non-Audited Pro Forma Financial Information, the Transaction would increase Elis' equity attributable to owners of the parent by 1,545.7 million and its net indebtedness by 1,371.6 million as at December 31, 2016;

completion of the Transaction could trigger change-of-control clauses contained in contracts entered into by Berendsen;

Elis may not be able to apply the desired strategy to the Combined Group's activities in the United Kingdom;

completion of the Transaction could result in the termination of directorship positions or employment contracts of certain key executives or employees of Berendsen and the consequential payment of compensation;

claims and litigation against Elis, Berendsen or the Combined Group could arise as a result of the Transaction;

the Combined Group's operating results and financial position could differ from those presented or suggested in the Non-Audited Pro Forma Financial Information included in the Securities Note;

the accounting treatment of the Transaction could have an adverse impact on Berendsen's contribution to the Combined Group's net income; and

the Combined Group's revenue will be generated in a greater variety of currencies.

D.3

Key risks that are specific to the New Shares

The key risk factors relating to the New Shares and the Transaction are as follows:

if a Berendsen shareholder elects to use the Mix and Match Facility (as defined below), that shareholder may not receive the proportion of New Shares and cash requested;

if a Berendsen shareholder elects to use the Dealing Facility (as defined below), that shareholder may receive less cash than the current market value of the New Shares depending on the price paid for the New Shares sold through the Dealing Facility;

there may be material differences between the current rights of Berendsen shareholders who receive New Shares and the rights they can expect to have as Elis shareholders;

risks related to the execution of the Transaction could cause the market price of Elis shares to decline, notably if Berendsen shareholders who will hold approximately 31.5% of Elis share capital following completion of the Transaction, dispose of a significant amount of Elis shares after completion of the Transaction;

it might not be as easy or economical for some Berendsen shareholders (in particular those outside of the eurozone or who hold their Berendsen shares in dematerialized form through CREST) who receive New Shares to effect trades, in particular to buy and sell, in New Shares;

even if a material adverse change to Berendsen's business or prospects were to occur, Elis might not be able to terminate the Transaction, which could reduce the market price of Elis shares;

Elis' share price is subject to volatility, as a consequence of various factors, events and perceptions related to its activities;

fluctuation in the market price of Elis shares between the date of the 2.7 Announcement and the completion of the Transaction could change the value of the consideration paid to Berendsen shareholders who receive New Shares;

the risk relating to the approval by Berendsen and Elis shareholders of the required resolutions;

Elis shareholders will be diluted due to the issue of New Shares; and

the financial instruments issued by the Company may be subject to the European financial transactions tax.

Section E - Offer

E.1

Total net proceeds and an estimate of the total expenses of the capital increase

Subject to approval by Elis shareholders, in order to issue the New Shares to be received by Berendsen shareholders as part of the Scheme of Arrangement, the share capital of Elis would be increased by a nominal amount of 69,052,152 by the issue of 69,052,152 new shares with a par value of one euro each (the "New Shares").

The amount of the contribution premium will be 1,300,885,293 and the total amount of the issue will be 1,369,937,445.

Elis has incurred, for the implementation of the share capital increase, total estimated costs of approximately 17.7 million before tax and excluding the tax saving incurred.

E.2a

Reasons for the offer / Use of the issue proceeds / Estimated maximum net proceeds of the capital increase

The capital increase forms part of the Scheme of Arrangement (the capital increase and the Scheme of Arrangement together constituting the "Transaction") and is intended to form part of the consideration received by Berendsen shareholders in accordance with the terms of the Transaction. The remainder of the consideration for the Transaction will be paid for in cash by Elis.

For Elis, the Scheme of Arrangement will constitute (a) a contribution in kind of approximately 56.6% of the issued share capital of Berendsen (the "Contribution"), and (b) the acquisition in cash of approximately 43.4% of the issued share capital of Berendsen.

Under French law, the Contribution is a contribution in kind within the meaning of article L. 225-147 of the French Commercial Code.

The purpose of the Scheme is to enable Elis to become the direct or indirect holder of the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Berendsen, except Berendsen shares held by Estera Trust (Jersey) Limited as trustee of Berendsen's Employee Benefit Trust.

E.3

Terms and conditions of the offer

Presentation of Berendsen

Berendsen plc is a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales:

whose shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol BRSN; and

whose registered office is located at 1 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LX, United Kingdom ("Berendsen" and, together with its subsidiaries, the "Berendsen Group").

Berendsen provides throughout Europe:

service solutions to design, source, lease, clean and maintain textiles, medical and well-being devices; and

professional expertise in design of workwear, textile sourcing and purchasing, textile maintenance, decontaminating and sterilisation of medical and well-being devices and an optimised service to each customer.

Merits of the Transaction

The Transaction represents a compelling opportunity to create a pan-European textile, hygiene and facility services group, combining Berendsen's competitive position in Northern Europe with Elis' strengths in the rest of Europe and a number of high-growth emerging markets.

On the basis of adjusted 2016 financial data, the Combined Group would have revenues in excess of 3 billion and EBITDA of c. 960 million, with over 440 sites and operations in 28 countries.

The Combined Group will therefore be well-positioned to deliver enhanced value to both Berendsen and Elis shareholders by continuing to pursue Elis' four strategic pillars of: (i) consolidating its positions through organic growth and acquisitions across new and existing services and markets; (ii) developing activities in Latin America; (iii) continuing to improve its operational excellence; and (iv) introducing new products and services at limited marginal cost;

According to Elis' supervisory board (the "Elis Board"), the Transaction represents a significant opportunity to generate attractive synergies and create additional shareholder value for Berendsen and Elis shareholders.

The Elis Board expects the Combined Group to generate recurring run-rate pre-tax operating and capital expenditure synergies (together, "Cost Synergies") of at least 40 million per annum by the end of the third year following completion. This is comprised of 35 million per annum of operating expenditure EBITDA synergies, and 5 million per annum of capital expenditure synergies.

These synergies are expected to arise as a direct result of the Transaction and could not be achieved independently of the Transaction.

It is expected that the realization of the Cost Synergies will require estimated one-off cash costs of approximately 40 million, incurred materially in the first two years after completion. The phasing will be assessed further and refined as part of the detailed integration planning in due course. Aside from the one-off costs referred to above, the Elis Board does not expect any material dis-synergies to arise as a direct result of the Transaction.

The Elis Board is confident of realizing significant further value via the delivery of incremental revenue synergies and growth that have not been quantified for reporting under the City Code ("Quantified Financial Benefits Statement").

The Transaction is expected to lead to double-digit earnings accretion on an adjusted EPS basis for Elis in 2018 by comparison with the position which would have applied if the Transaction had not taken place.

Recommendation by the Berendsen Board

The Berendsen Board remains confident that Berendsen's strategy would deliver significant value for the Berendsen shareholders on a standalone basis. However, it also believes that the terms of the Transaction substantially acknowledge the quality of the Berendsen business and the strength of its future prospects. Furthermore, the Berendsen Board recognises that the Transaction will create a pan-European leader in textile services, with attractive positions in the markets in which it operates and with sufficient scale and footprint to provide customers with the most efficient and comprehensive textile services offering across the European continent.

In addition, the value of the Transaction represents, as at June 9, 2017, an attractive premium of approximately 44% to Berendsen's share price on May 17, 2017, the last business day preceding the date of the 2.4 Announcement and an implied Enterprise Value / 2016 Adjusted Operating Profit multiple of 16.5x, which is above that of the 15.2x valuation of Rentokil Initial's workwear and hygiene businesses transferring into its joint venture with Haniel & Cie. The Transaction also secures delivery of Berendsen's medium-term value potential today, whilst allowing the Berendsen shareholders to participate in the possible future value creation accruing from the combination. As such, the Berendsen Board intends unanimously to recommend the Transaction to Berendsen shareholders.

Elis' intentions vis-a-vis Berendsen

It is intended that dealings in Berendsen shares will be suspended at 7:30 a.m. London time on the business day following the date on which the Court sanctions the Scheme of Arrangement. Berendsen will apply, before the date on which the Scheme of Arrangement becomes effective, for the cancellation of the listing of the Berendsen shares on the Official List and trading on the London Stock Exchange for listed securities. Elis also proposes that, after the Berendsen shares are delisted, Berendsen will be re-registered as a private company.

Elis' intentions with regard to the future business of the Combined Group are to create a pan-European textile, hygiene and facility services group, combining Berendsen's competitive position in Northern Europe with Elis' strengths in the rest of Europe and a number of high-growth emerging markets. The Combined Group would pursue Elis' four strategic pillars of: (i) consolidating its positions through organic growth and acquisitions across new and existing services and markets; (ii) developing activities in Latin America; (iii) continuing to improve its operational excellence; and (iv) introducing new products and services at limited marginal cost.

Elis attaches great importance to the skills and experience of the existing employees of Berendsen. Elis intends to approach the integration of the broader Berendsen management team in an open and transparent manner with the aim of retaining and motivating the best talent across the Combined Group.

In order to achieve some of the expected benefits of the Transaction, it will be necessary for Elis to perform a detailed review of how best to combine the operations of the Elis Group and the Berendsen Group. Based on the results of this review, Elis intends to finalise the composition of the Combined Group's management team by early January 2018 at the latest. As part of this review, Elis will also be assessing the existing business line structure of Berendsen and determining how best to integrate it with Elis' own operational organisation.

Once integration is completed, Elis aims to create a stable working environment across the Combined Group to facilitate employee development. Elis also aims, where applicable, to utilise the strengths of Berendsen teams to augment the Elis teams within the same country.

Elis' review would also aim to identify and assess integration benefit opportunities, and to ascertain the areas in which a reduction in the number of employees of the Combined Group would be appropriate (subject to applicable law and any required consultation processes).

Elis has not yet decided the scope of, or implemented, the review referred to above and has not reached any conclusions as to its likely outcome or made any decisions in relation to specific actions that may be taken in relation to the integration of Elis and Berendsen.

Until this review is completed, Elis cannot be certain what impact there will be on the employment of the management and the employees of the Combined Group, or the location of the places of business of the Combined Group, although it is envisaged that the Combined Group's headquarters will be located at Elis's existing head office in France.

While the scope of the review has not yet been decided, Elis currently expects that the review will include an assessment by Elis of the following central corporate and operational functions of Berendsen:

the Berendsen head office in London, at which approximately 70 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees are located;

the central teams (located in Basingstoke and Copenhagen) which support the Berendsen Workwear, Facility, Hospitality and Healthcare Business Lines respectively, and which comprise approximately 100 FTE employees in total; and

the shared services centres (located in every country in which the Berendsen Group has operations) which provide functional support to the business lines in those countries and comprise approximately 650 FTE employees in total.

Elis expects to generate 17 million per annum in central costs savings from the reduction of duplicate costs across central administration and support functions. Elis currently estimates that, based on this level of central costs savings, there would be an overall potential job reduction of between approximately 75 and 200 FTE employees currently employed in these central administration and support functions across the Combined Group. However, no work to identify the specific employees, roles or locations who may be affected has yet been carried out, and no specific proposals will be made by Elis until the review is completed.

In addition, Elis expects to generate 8 million per annum in operational cost savings in Germany and the Benelux. The review will therefore also include an assessment by Elis of the industrial plant footprint and service site network of the Combined Group in Germany and the Benelux for this purpose, as part of the operational cost savings expected to be generated from this. These expected operational cost savings in Germany and the Benelux are largely expected to be generated, rather than from job reductions, from a combination of (i) the optimisation of customer logistics and the operations of the plants themselves and (ii) savings on purchasing, in each case on the basis of the levels of cost savings which Elis has been able to achieve through the combination of different networks in previous acquisitions. Elis currently estimates that, taking into account the respective size of the operations of Elis and Berendsen in these countries, any job reductions in the Combined Group in Germany and Benelux (if applicable) would mainly relate to the legacy Elis Group operations in Germany and Benelux and would not affect more than 10 FTE employees across the Combined Group's operational facilities in Germany and Benelux. However, no work to identify the specific employees, roles or locations who may be affected has yet been carried out, and no specific proposals will be made by Elis until the review is completed.

Proposals regarding appropriate incentivisation arrangements for management and employees will be considered as part of the review. As a result, no proposals have yet been made on the terms of any future incentivisation arrangements for management and employees of Berendsen who are interested in shares in Berendsen.

Further, Elis has confirmed that it intends to safeguard the existing employment rights, including accrued pension rights, of all existing management and employees of Berendsen in accordance with applicable law.

In particular, Elis intends that, following the implementation of the Transaction, the Berendsen Group will continue to comply with all of its pensions obligations. Elis has no intention to make any changes in relation to the Berendsen Group's pension schemes, including in relation to employer contributions, the accrual of benefits for existing members, or the admission of new members.

Response from the Berendsen Board

The Berendsen directors welcome Elis' statements that Elis attaches great importance to the skills and experience of the existing employees of Berendsen and aims to create a stable working environment across the Combined Group to facilitate employee development.

The Berendsen Board recognises that in order to achieve some of the expected benefits of the Transaction, it will be necessary to perform a detailed review of how best to integrate the respective operations of the Elis Group and the Berendsen Group and to carefully assess integration benefit opportunities. The Berendsen Board also understands that, as part of such review, Elis will need to assess the existing business line structure of Berendsen and determine how best to integrate that structure with Elis' own operations. The Berendsen Board expects that the review and integration process will involve engagement and consultation with any required stakeholders.

The Berendsen Board understands that the synergy work carried out by Elis to date has confirmed the potential to generate cost-savings for the Combined Group from the reduction of duplicate costs across central administration and support functions, which will involve some headcount reductions. Although Elis has not yet developed proposals as to how such headcount reductions will be implemented, Elis has stated that it will assess central corporate and operational functions of the Berendsen head office in London and centres in every country in which the Berendsen Group has operations.

The Berendsen Board understands that the synergy work carried out by Elis has also identified the potential for cost-savings for the Combined Group in Germany and the Benelux. Accordingly, Elis' review will also cover the industrial plant footprint and service site network of the Combined Group in those regions. Elis expects the operational costs savings to largely be generated other than from headcount reductions and has also stated that any job reductions in the Combined Group in Germany and Benelux (if applicable) would mainly relate to the legacy Elis Group operations in Germany and Benelux.

Elis has given assurances to the Berendsen directors that the existing employment rights, including accrued pension rights, of all existing employees will be fully safeguarded and that, following the implementation of the Transaction, the Berendsen Group will continue to comply with all of its pensions obligations. In addition, proposals regarding appropriate incentivisation arrangements for management and employees will be considered as part of Elis' review.

Given the detailed integration review to be carried out following the successful completion of the Transaction, as described above, the Berendsen Board is unable to express a more detailed opinion on the impact of the Transaction on Berendsen management, employees and office locations.

Elis' corporate governance

Following completion of the Transaction, Elis will remain a two-tier company with a supervisory board (Conseil de surveillance) and management board (Directoire). In addition, the Elis Board will continue to be chaired by Thierry Morin while the management board of Elis will continue to be chaired by Xavier Martire.

As regards corporate governance, the Investment Agreement provides that CPPIB has the right to propose at any time the designation of a member of Elis' supervisory board (membre du Conseil de surveillance) provided that its shareholding is at least equal to 8% of Elis' share capital and the designation of a second member within Elis' supervisory board provided that its shareholding is at least equal to 15% of Elis' share capital.

Berendsen's corporate governance

It is anticipated that the non-executive Berendsen directors will step down from the Berendsen Board with effect from the date on which the Scheme of Arrangement becomes effective. It is also expected that, if the Transaction successfully completes, James Drummond will step down as Chief Executive Officer and cease to be a Berendsen director with effect from the date on which the Scheme of Arrangement becomes effective. The terms of Mr Drummond's departure have not yet been agreed, but will be in accordance with the provisions of his service agreement. It is also expected that Kevin Quinn will cease to be Chief Financial Officer and a Berendsen director on or after the date on which the Scheme of Arrangement becomes effective. The date and terms of Mr Quinn's departure have not yet been agreed, but any terms agreed will be in accordance with the provisions of his service agreement.

Description of the terms of the Transaction

The capital increase forms part of the Scheme of Arrangement that will be implemented in accordance with the indicative timetable of the Transaction as presented below, and is intended to form part of the consideration received by Berendsen shareholders in accordance with the terms of the Transaction. The remainder of the consideration for the Transaction will be paid for in cash by Elis.

Prior approval of the Transaction

Among other conditions, the Transaction is subject to the approval of (i) the Scheme of Arrangement (a) by a majority in number of Berendsen shareholders representing at least 75% of the Berendsen shares held by Berendsen shareholders present or represented at the Court Meeting and who are on the register of members of Berendsen at the Voting Record Time and (b) by the Court, (ii) all resolutions necessary in connection with the Scheme of Arrangement with the relevant majorities and (iii) the aforementioned capital increase by Elis shareholders with a two-thirds majority of votes held by Elis shareholders present or represented.

Subject to those approvals, a number of 69,052,152 New Shares (representing approximately 49.3% of the share capital of Elis on the date of the AMF's visa on the Prospectus) will be issued for the benefit of Berendsen shareholders.

Terms of the Transaction

Under the terms of the Transaction which are based on the terms of the Final Proposal in this respect, Berendsen shareholders are entitled to receive:

for each Berendsen share held on the Scheme Record Time: 5.40 in cash



and



0.403 New Shares

In addition, under the Transaction, Berendsen shareholders will be entitled to the Interim Dividend which will be declared and paid by Berendsen in respect of the six month period ending June 30, 2017. The ex-dividend date for the Interim Dividend will be August 3, 2017 and the record date will be August 4, 2017, with payment of the Interim Dividend to occur on August 25, 2017.

As at June 9, 2017 (being the last business day prior to the date of the 2.7 Announcement), based on an Elis closing price of 19.90 and a : exchange rate of 1:1.138, the terms of the Transaction valued each Berendsen share at 12.45 (excluding the Interim Dividend) and imply a total equity value for Berendsen of approximately 2.17 billion on a fully diluted basis. This represented as of this date:

a premium of approximately 44% to Berendsen's closing share price of 8.64 on May 17, 2017, the last business day before the date of the 2.4 Announcement; and

a premium of approximately 50% to Berendsen's six month volume weighted average share price to May 17, 2017 of 8.29.

Based on the closing price of an Elis share and a : exchange rate of 1 = 1.119, in both cases on July 25, 2017, the terms of the Transaction value each Berendsen share at 12.77 (excluding the Interim Dividend) and imply a total equity value for Berendsen of approximately 2.23 billion on a fully diluted basis. This represents a premium of approximately:

47.9 per cent. to the closing price of a Berendsen share of 8.64 on May 17, 2017 (being the last business day preceding the announcement by Elis of a possible offer for Berendsen); and

54.1 per cent. to Berendsen's six month volume weighted average share price to May 17, 2017 of 8.29.

The cash portion of the Transaction represents approximately 63 per cent. of the closing price of a Berendsen Share of 8.64 on May 17, 2017, the last business day before the date of the 2.4 Announcement.

As at June 9, 2017, the Transaction values Berendsen at an implied Enterprise Value / 2016 Adjusted EBITDA multiple of 7.6x and an implied Enterprise Value / 2016 Adjusted Operating Income multiple of 16.5x.

For Elis, the Scheme of Arrangement will result in (a) the Contribution and (b) the acquisition in cash of approximately 43.4% of the issued share capital of Berendsen.

As consideration for the Contribution, the share capital of Elis will be increased by the issue of 69,052,152 New Shares, for a total amount of 69,052,152.

Following the implementation of the Transaction, (i) Elis will own 99.3% of Berendsen's issued share capital and (ii) Berendsen shareholders will own approximately 31.5 per cent. of the Elis share capital after the issuance of the New Shares and implementation of the Reserved Capital Increase.

The 0.75% remaining share capital of Berendsen is comprised of shares held by Estera Trust (Jersey) Limited as trustee of the Employee Benefit Trust. These shares will, as the case may be, be (i) delivered to the beneficiaries of options and awards of Berendsen which would have exercised them, who would automatically receive 0.403 existing Elis shares and 5.40 or (ii) acquired by Elis pursuant to the Put and Call Option Agreement described in section 1.5.3 of the update to the Registration Document. The existing Elis shares to be delivered will be acquired by Elis on the market pursuant to its repurchase program as from the date on which the Scheme of Arrangement becomes effective.

Fractions of New Shares will not be allotted to any Berendsen shareholder contributing its Berendsen shares, but all fractions of New Shares to which Berendsen shareholders would otherwise have been entitled will be aggregated, allotted, issued and sold in the market after the date on which the Scheme of Arrangement becomes effective. The entitlements of the Berendsen shareholders to New Shares will be rounded down to the nearest whole number of New Shares. Berendsen shareholders who otherwise would have received a fraction of a New Share will instead receive an amount in cash rounded to the nearest 1p, based on the amount obtained by multiplying such fraction by the average of the high and low sales prices of Elis shares on Euronext Paris on each of the five consecutive trading days ending on the trading day that is two trading days prior to the date on which the Scheme of Arrangement becomes effective, except that individual entitlements of less than 1p will not be paid but will be retained for the benefit of the Combined Group.

Mix and Match Facility

In order to meet the expectations of Berendsen shareholders who may want to benefit from a different ratio of cash and Elis shares, the Scheme of Arrangement includes a mix and match facility (the "Mix and Match Facility") which will allow accepting Berendsen shareholders to vary the proportions in which they receive New Shares and cash consideration pursuant to the terms of the Transaction, by completing and returning the form of election or making an electronic election.

Satisfaction of Mix and Match elections will be subject to sufficient cash and New shares becoming available as a result of offsetting Mix and Match elections made by other Berendsen shareholders.

Accordingly, Elis' ability to satisfy all Mix and Match elections for cash consideration or New Shares made by Berendsen shareholders will depend on other Berendsen shareholders making equal and opposite Mix and Match elections. To the extent that Mix and Match elections for cash consideration or New Shares cannot be satisfied in full, they will be scaled down as nearly as is practicable on a pro rata basis to all valid elections. As a result, Berendsen shareholders who elect to receive additional cash consideration or New Shares under the Mix and Match Facility will not necessarily know the exact amount of cash consideration or number of New Shares they are entitled to receive until settlement of the consideration under the Transaction.

Mix and Match elections may only be made in respect of whole numbers of Berendsen shares. Irrespective of the number of Berendsen shareholders who elect for cash consideration or New Shares under the Mix and Match Facility, the total cash consideration to be paid and the total number of New Shares to be issued pursuant to the Transaction will not be varied.

Valid Mix and Match elections will be satisfied (subject to the other valid Mix and Match elections) on the following basis:

for every 5.40 in cash: approximately 0.295 of New Shares*



OR



for every 0.403 of a New Shares: 7.37 in cash

* Calculated as 5.40 divided by 7.37/0.403, which equates to 0.295278154681 New Shares.

The basis upon which Mix and Match Elections under the Mix and Match Facility will be determined with reference to the closing price per Elis share of 20.47 and an : exchange rate of 1:1.119, in both cases on July 25, 2017.

The table below shows, for illustrative purposes only, the possible outcomes for a Berendsen shareholder who holds 1,000 Berendsen shares and, pursuant to the Mix and Match Facility, validly elects to receive: (i) all cash; (ii) all New Shares; or (iii) does not make (or it is deemed not to have made) any valid Mix and Match election under the Mix and Match Facility. It should be noted that Mix and Match elections do not have to be on an "all or nothing" basis. Among other options, a Berendsen shareholder can make a Mix and Match election to receive more cash in respect of some of his Berendsen shares, and to receive more New Shares in respect of some of his other Berendsen shares.

Election Cash () New Shares* Cash election 12,770 - Share election - 698.3 No election 5,400 403

* Figures shown in this table are rounded for illustration purposes, and do not take into account the effect of the provisions regarding fractional entitlement set out in the Scheme Document. Actual amounts may vary.

Berendsen shareholders making a Mix and Match election for all cash consideration under the Mix and Match facility may still receive New Shares as consideration under the Transaction if the Mix and Match elections to receive more cash consideration exceed those to receive more New Shares.

The Mix and Match Facility has not been extended to Berendsen shareholders with a registered address in, or who are a citizen, resident or national of, a Restricted Jurisdiction, and no form of election will be sent to them. No Mix and Match election shall be available to Berendsen shareholders with a registered address in a jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom, any other EEA country or the United States, or whom Elis reasonably believes to be a citizen, resident or national of a jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom, any other EEA country or the United States; and any purported Mix and Match election by any of such shareholders shall be void.

The Mix and Match Facility will not affect the entitlements of those Berendsen shareholders who do not make a Mix and Match election under the Mix and Match Facility.

Dealing Facility

Elis has arranged for a free share dealing facility (the "Dealing Facility") to be provided to enable certain Berendsen shareholders who are entitled to receive New Shares as a result of the Transaction to sell all (but not part only) of their New Shares free of dealing costs and commissions. The Dealing Facility is available to persons with a registered address (or who are resident) in the UK or any other EEA country who appear on the register of members of Berendsen as a holder of 1,400 or fewer Berendsen shares in certificated form (that is, not in CREST) immediately prior to the Scheme Record Time (as defined below) and, following any Mix and Match election, would be entitled to: (i) at least one New Share; and (ii) no more than 600 New Shares.

The Dealing Facility will only be made available until December 20, 2017. The Dealing Facility will not be available to persons who are resident, located, or who have a registered address in jurisdictions other than the UK or any other EEA country. The Dealing Facility will not be available to persons who receive interests in New Shares outside the CSN Facility (as defined below) (including any Berendsen shareholders who opt out of the CSN Facility), and will therefore not be available to Berendsen shareholders who hold their Berendsen shares in uncertificated form (that is, in CREST) immediately prior to the Scheme Record Time.

Unlike successful Mix and Match elections for cash, no assurance can be given as to the price that will be received, or the exchange rate, for the New Shares sold through the Dealing Facility. In the absence of bad faith or wilful default, none of the Computershare Nominee, Berendsen or Elis shall have any liability for any loss arising out of the terms of any such sale or the use of the Dealing Facility by Berendsen shareholders.

Berendsen shareholders who sell through the Dealing Facility will be sent the proceeds of such sale in pounds sterling by che
A San Diego Fire-Rescue (SDFD) captain faces a felony domestic violence charge, San Diego police confirmed Friday.

Capt. Steven Michaels, 53, was arrested at 4 p.m. Thursday and booked on felony charges of domestic violence and trying to dissuade a witness. Hes also accused of a misdemeanor of tampering with a wireless device.

Michaels has now been arrested three times for cases of domestic violence. In the first two arrests, he was not charged with a crime.

"Of course, no one wants to be arrested and it looks bad when someone is being arrested by law enforcement multiple times, but under the law where there is no conviction, it doesn't count," said Jeremy Warren, a criminal defense attorney.

Since the captain is a public official, his employment and pension could be affected if he's charged and convicted.

"Under a law that was passed in 2013, if you're a public official convicted of a felony, you lose your pension," said Warren. "But the felony has to be connected to your on-the-job activities."

The incident was reported on Friday, July 21 according to San Diego Police Lt. Scott Wahl but Michaels was not present at the time officers initially responded. Wahl did not know the details of the July 21 incident.

When detectives returned to the apartment to follow up on the call, Michaels was spotted and taken into custody at that time, Wahl said.

When asked to provide the SDFD policy regarding leaders who are accused of a felony, SDFD spokesperson Monica Munoz provided the City of San Diego Civil Service Rule XI.

The regulations cover all employees and state an employee faces suspension or removal under various circumstances including:

The employee has been offensive in his or her conduct toward fellow employees, wards of the City, or the public.

The employee has been guilty of any conduct unbecoming an officer or employee of the City.

The employee has been convicted of a criminal offense involving moral turpitude.

Munoz did not comment on the criminal charges filed against Michaels, saying it is a personnel issue.

Michaels has had two other documented run-ins with law enforcement in the last 10 years.

His record was brought up during the trial of a San Diego man who stabbed two firefighters in the East Village in June 2015.

Video evidence showed Michaels made contact with the defendant, shoving him into a bench.

Defense attorneys questioned Michaels in court regarding two domestic violence arrests  one in 2006 and one in December 2015.

He said in court that in the 2006 incident, he punched his wife who was seven months pregnant at the time. No disciplinary action was taken against Michaels after the first domestic violence arrest. Charges were not filed.

"We took no action because his behavior posed no threat to other employees or to the public," then-SDFD spokesperson Lee Swanson said.

City pay data shows Michaels was promoted from fire engineer to fire captain after the first arrest.

In the December 2015 incident, Michaels testified in court that he kicked-in his girlfriends door. It was determined that charges would not be filed, according to the City Attorneys Office.

"Our office reviewed the evidence and statements in this case and determined that domestic battery charges could not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt," City Attorney Spokesman Gerry Braun said at the time.

Ed. Note: This article has been revised to update City of San Diego policy regarding suspension and removal of employees.
As a Wisconsin family questions what happened to their daughter the day she died from an injury at an all-inclusive Mexico resort this year, the State Department is warning travelers of "tainted alcohol."

Families told the Milwuakee Journal Sentinel they experienced sickness, blackouts and injuries after drinking at resorts in the Cancun and Playa del Carmen area in recent months.

The reports follow the death of 20-year-old Abbey Conner, who was found face down in a pool at the Iberostar Paraiso del Mar resort.

On the State Department's website, updated Wednesday after the newspaper's report, in the "Safety and Security" section, the agency warns:

"There have been allegations that consumption of tainted or substandard alcohol has resulted in illness or blacking out. If you choose to drink alcohol, it is important to do so in moderation and to stop and seek medical attention if you begin to feel ill."

Conner's family said they were on winter break together in Playa del Carmen when she mysteriously suffered a "traumatic brain injury."



John and Ginny McGowan, Conners mother and stepdad, told the Journal Sentinel they had spent their afternoon relaxing by the pool while their children swam. The parents went up to their room to get ready for dinner, but an hour later, both Abbey and her brother Austin, who had spent part of their afternoon at a poolside bar, were found unconscious, face down in chest-deep water.

Austin survived, but Abbey Conner was declared brain-dead by doctors. On Jan. 12, the family decided to withdraw life support and donate Conners organs.

But months later, they still dont know what actually happened to their daughter.

The Journal Sentinel reports the official cause of death was "accidental drowning," but family said they have doubts about that ruling.

Conners brother reportedly told the publication the duo had done a few shots together before a group invited them to do a shot together. They all drank one, and that was the last thing he remembers before waking up in an ambulance.

According to the report, Austin Conner's blood-alcohol level was 0.26 and Abbey's was 0.25.

"My kids were at this hotel for less than two hours. The last thing my son remembers is having a drink in the pool," the children's father, Bill Conner, who was not in Mexico at the time, told NBC affiliate WMTV in April. "The next thing my son remembers is they woke up in the hospital. Somebody got to them This was at 5:30 in the afternoon, daylight, exclusive hotel and you just don't think it'll happen to you."



"It's all too convenient," the McGowans attorney, Florentino Ramirez, told the Journal Sentinel. "If it was an accident, where was everybody? It just doesn't make sense. There are too many open ends."

It appears the Conner family isn't alone with such questions.

The attorney representing the family told the Journal Sentinel he went to the resort and watched the bar where Conner's injury happened.

They serve alcoholic drinks with alcohol of bad quality and in great amounts, mixing different types of drinks, he wrote in a four-page report summarizing how Conner may have died.

Other families have reported similar incidents after drinking at resort bars across the area, though none of the experiences were deadly.

Two teenage brothers from Minnesota on vacation with their parents told the Journal Sentinel they woke up covered in mud, with no shirts or shoes and their wallets and cell phones missing. Another Wisconsin woman said she was assaulted while she and her husband were unconscious, a claim the Journal Sentinel reports was supported by an exam she had done after returning to the U.S.

Kathy and Jeff Daley, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, said they were vacationing in Cancun with their daughter and had visited a pool swim-up bar to do a round of tequila shots with their group. Kathy Daley said she took one shot and drank water for the remainder of her time there before she was offered a mixed drink from the bartender. Daley took a couple of sips before she said she lost consciousness and woke up vomiting and disoriented in a hospital. She was diagnosed with intoxication and severe dehydration, the Journal Sentinel reports.

In many cases, guests reported drinking tequila, but in some cases it was beer or another alcohol.



Numerous travelers, including the Daleys, reported that local hospitals demanded large sums of cash after such incidents, in some cases seeking the money before treatment.



Iberostar Paraiso Resort reiterated in a statement that they are taking the situation following Conner's death "very seriously."

"We would also like to emphasize that for us at IBEROSTAR the safety and satisfaction of our guests is of utmost importance," the statement read. "IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts welcomes more than half a million guests per year in Mexico and has a very strict policy for hygiene and safety. A high standard of quality for food and beverages is crucial for the daily operation of our resorts. We work with food and beverage providers whose products comply with the highest quality standards to guarantee the satisfaction and safety of all of our guests. We work with a host of providers not unique to IBEROSTAR who service other hotel chains and renowned brands. Similarly, we only purchase sealed bottles that satisfy all standards required by the designated regulatory authorities.

A State Department official confirmed to NBC 5 the department is aware of [Conner's] case.

We extend our sincere condolences to family and friends, the official said in a statement. In cases of U.S. citizens injured overseas, the Department of State works to provide all appropriate consular assistance. Out of respect for the family, we have no further comment.

According to data from the department, nearly 40 U.S. citizens died from drowning in Mexico last year.

A travel warning from the state department on Mexico, however, does not mention drowning or alcohol-related incidents from the area.
Dozens of people charged accused of rioting during President Donald Trump's inauguration have packed into a D.C. courtroom Thursday.

The hours-long hearing made for an unusual scene as attorneys and their clients crowded the courtroom on the second floor of D.C. Superior Court.

The room was so crowded with lawyers that some had to stand in aisles or in an overflow courtroom. Extra chairs were brought inside.

More than 200 were arrested and charged with rioting on Inauguration Day after self-described anti-capitalists broke windows and set fire to a limousine in D.C. Many claim they were swept up in a mass arrest for no reason and charges against some journalists who were in the crowd have been dropped.

About 30 of the accused made a motion to dismiss the charges on Thursday, saying the charges are too vague.

In June, the American Civil Liberties Union announced it was suing the Metropolitan Police Department, saying police acted improperly by using pepper spray and flash-bang grenades without warning or justification and holding demonstrators without food, water or access to toilets.

The city's Police Complaints Board has also called for an independent investigation into police actions on Inauguration Day.
A Tennessee woman was arrested for violating an order to stay away from the White House July 6, according to court documents.

Jessica Ford attempted to scale the White House fence May 17, according to court documents. She was charged in D.C. Superior Court with unlawful entry and violation of release conditions. She pleaded not guilty and was released with the stay-away order.

She had previously been spotted near the south fence one month earlier and was a person of interest to the Secret Service, according to court documents.

A hearing for Ford is scheduled for Monday.


You think the Mooch is so bad? That's bull  He's got bipartisan company in the foul-mouthed world of American politics.

Anthony Scaramucci, the new communications director at the White House, might have taken public sector profanity to a new low in this weeks New Yorker interview, but the country boasts a long history of occasionally salty presidents, their vice presidents and aides. You just may not have known it at the time.

From Give Em Hell Harry Truman who called General Douglas MacArthur a dumb son of a b---- to Vice President Dick Cheney telling Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy to f--- yourself, Americas top politicians have not been reluctant to express themselves in strong language.

Scaramucci shocked more than a few readers with his vulgarity during a telephone call with a New Yorker writer Wednesday night, saying of Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, Reince is a f------ paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac. Of chief strategist Steve Bannon, he said to Ryan Lizza, Im not Steve Bannon. Im not trying to suck my own c---.

Scaramucci later tweeted that he had made a mistake in trusting in a reporter, but Lizza says Scaramucci never asked that the conversation be off the record.

As Rolling Stone recalled in a round-up of presidential profanity in 2012, Richard Nixon and the Watergate tapes put the phrase expletive deleted on the map. The difference today is the expletives are blasted on social media and make their way into news stories immediately instead of over hot mics or years later when unearthed by historians. News organizations have wrestled with how explicit their reports should be in recent years. Ground zero in the latest round: Donald Trump's infamous "p---y" tape.



The decade-old Access Hollywood recording was released in October during the presidential campaign.

Im automatically attracted to beautiful women  I just start kissing them, its like a magnet, Trump said to Billy Bush, then an anchor for the show, in 2005. 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----."

His predecessors had their moments, too  rude, profane, sometimes crude if not as misogynistic, at least not publicly. Here are a few of them.

Truman explained to Merle Miller, the author of Plain Speaking: An Oral Biography of Harry S. Truman, why he had fired MacArthur in these words: I fired him because he wouldnt respect the authority of the President. Thats the answer to that. I didnt fire him because he was a dumb son of a b----, although he was, but thats not against the laws for generals. If it was, half to three-quarters of them would be in jail.

President John F. Kennedy told his brother, Robert, of the Canadian prime minister John Diefenbaker: I dont want to see that boring son of a b---- again.



Many of President Richard Nixon's racist, bigoted comments were, of course, caught on the White House tapes. Here are some of his observations about various ethnic groups: The Jews have certain traits. The Irish have certain - for example, the Irish can't drink. What you always have to remember with the Irish is they get mean. Virtually every Irish I've known gets mean when he drinks. It's sort of a natural trait. Particularly the real Irish, Nixon said.

The Italians, of course, just don't have their heads screwed on tight, he said. They are wonderful people, but . . . he trailed off, adding later: "The Jews are just a very aggressive and abrasive and obnoxious personality.

And on the day that Nixon announced Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman, domestic policy aide John Ehrlichman, White House counsel John Dean and Attorney General Richard Kleindienst were resigning, he told Haldeman: Its a tough thing, Bob, for you, for John, the rest, but God damn it, I never want to discuss this son of a b---- Watergate thing again. Never, never, never, never.

Nixons attorney general, John Mitchell, when informed of one Watergate article the Washington Post was about to publish, famously said of its publisher, Katharine Graham, All that crap, you're putting it in the paper? It's all been denied. Katie Graham's gonna get her t-- caught in a big fat wringer if that's published.

One of the most repeated stories about Lyndon Johnson is that he consulted with advisers, even with biographer Doris Kearns Goodwin, while on the toilet.

President Jimmy Carter, whose adultery was committed in his heart, once told a group of congressmen in 1979 that if Kennedy were to challenge him, "I'll whip his ass."



As far as profane comments, here is one example, according to President George H.W. Bush, who had told Johnson he wanted to run for the U.S. Senate: And he said, The difference between the Senate and the House is the difference between chicken salad and chicken s---, Bush said.

President Bill Clintons aide Rahm Emanuel warned British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Don't f--- it up, during Blairs 1998 visit to the White House during the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

George W. Bush did not realize the microphone in front of him was on when he insulted then New York Times reporter Adam Clymer during the presidential campaign in 2000. Bush called Clymer a major-league a------.

Cheney cursed at Leahy during an argument on the Senate floor in 2004 over Cheneys ties to the Halliburton Co. and the companys contracts in Iraq. Cheney later acknowledged the comment.

And President Barack Obama in an interview with Rolling Stone in 2012 called his Republican rival, Mitt Romney, a bull------er.
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for parts of Maryland and Virginia on Saturday as more rain made its way through the area.

A flood warning for Prince George's County has been extended until 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

Storm Team4 said the last of the rain will move out late Saturday night and will make way for clear skies and temperatures in the 60s overnight.

On Sunday, conditions will improve greatly and there will be sunny skies with highs in the 80s, said Storm Team4 meteorologist Sheena Parveen.

Parts of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, saw significant flooding on Saturday, including the Water Street bridge.

About 135,000 gallons of untreated sewage overflowed into Broad Creek in Laurel, Maryland, Saturday after a power issue during the rain, according to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. The overflow does not affect drinking water, WSSC said.

In Anne Arundel County, state highway officials reported flooding along Bell Branch Park. This water will drain into the South River.

Weather officials warned Crofton, Parole, Edgewater, Riva and Crownsville could experience flooding.

A flood warning for Prince William County, Virginia, has expired.

In Prince William County, stream gauges indicated flooding on Broad Run near Bristow. Piper Lane was flooded near Manassas Airport.

In Loudoun County, stream gauges indicate flooding is occurring on the South Fork Catoctin Creek at Waterford.

D.C. stream gauges indicated flooding occurred along Rock Creek. Other streams in the area may also be experiencing flooding.

Some locations that may experience flooding include Howard University, Adams Morgan, Silver Spring, Rock Creek, National Zoo and The Mall.

Hawlings River at Sandy Spring and the Northwest Branch Anacostia River at Colesville are both in minor flood stage. Seneca Creek at Dawsonville, affecting Montgomery County, is also at a minor flood stage.
Police say a Vermont man has died after part of a dump truck he was working on at his farm fell and crushed him.

Police said 73-year-old Richard Martin, of Guildhall, was working on the truck Thursday at the Martin Farm with the dump body in the up position. They said it fell on him, crushing his stomach area and back between the frame and bottom of the dump body.

A farm worker who saw him earlier walking around the dump truck called 911 and used an excavator to lift the truck off of Martin, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said the cause of death was determined to be accidental.
WASHINGTON, July 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Affinity Beverage Group, Inc. (OTC Pink:ABVG) would like to address recent investor inquiries and other updates involving the company. The management team has been working diligently over the past several months on integrating the Companys new wholly owned subsidiary, Undone Chocolate, LLC, and supporting the ongoing production and sales efforts of its other subsidiary, Village Tea Company Distribution. Management would like to share some of the highlights of the past several months as well as updates on the progress on some of the key goals and objectives that were detailed in the Q1 update, during an investor conference call that will be held on August 8th, 2017 at 2 p.m. EDT.

Dial-In Number: 1-857-232-0157

Access Code: 422095

Janon Costley, Chairman and CEO of Affinity Beverage Group, Inc., will also answer a few pre-selected shareholder questions at the end of the call as time permits. Please submit your questions to info@smallcapvoice.com and info@affinitybeverage.com prior to the conference call, with ABVG Question in the subject line. For those unable to participate in the live conference call, a replay will be available at http://smallcapvoice.com/blog/tag/abvg/. An archived version of the webcast will also be available on the investor relations section of the company's website.

About Affinity Beverage:

Affinity Beverage Group, Inc. is a holding company that focuses on branded consumer product acquisition opportunities in the $3.4 trillion health and wellness sector. Affinity primarily targets lifestyle brands, companies, and/or exclusive product distribution rights focusing on traditional and non-traditional, healthy beverage options. Affinity will also seek opportunities involving uniquely positioned young brands specializing in all natural/organic foods, bio-food, supplements and personal care products for strategic partnerships, distribution agreements and potential acquisition.

About Village Tea:

Village Tea Distribution Company, Inc. ( www.villageteaco.com ) sources high-quality, unique teas with distinct flavor combinations and packages them under its Village Tea Company brand name in a variety of creative and earth-friendly ways. The Village Tea Company brand is currently sold in many major retailers throughout North America. The Company is no longer just about tea, as it is also using its unique positioning in the marketplace to create a distribution platform to introduce other complimentary health and wellness lifestyle brands and products to the US market.

About Undone Chocolate:

Undone Chocolate (www.undonechocolate.com) is a bean to bar craft chocolate maker based in Washington, DC. We handcraft small batch chocolate from organic and direct trade cacao sourced from small producers that is packaged in bars, drinking chocolate and tea then sold to grocery, specialty stores, hotels and restaurants across the country under the Undone brand.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. 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. Technical complications, which may arise, could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above.
Designated gap between Newbury and Greenham is gone, meeting told

PLANS to build 71 homes opposite the former Greenacre Leisure Centre in Greenham have been approved.

Formal objections were lodged by Newbury Town Council, Greenham Parish Council, the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and more than 20 members of the public.

But these were overruled at a meeting of West Berkshire Councils western area planning committee last Wednesday.

The meeting heard that the application from David Wilson Homes includes 40-per-cent affordable homes and parking facilities for 189 cars on the site, which has been included in West Berkshire Councils Housing Site Allocation Development Plan Document (HSA DPD).

Planning officer Michael Butler conceded that when the site, on land on the north side of Pyle Hill, was recommended for development in the HSA DPD, back in 2015, it had been for up to 65 houses.

However, he said: An additional six dwellings means two more affordable homes, which are in demand.

Some objectors are concerned about additional traffic.

Weve carefully considered all traffic monitoring data and, although there will be an impact, we dont consider it will be severe.

Mr Butler added: The area was part of a designated gap between Newbury and Greenham, but the Government says that designation has gone.

The councils tree officer recommended refusal, expressing concerns about the potential impact on the adjacent West Wood.

One objector, Lucy Crofts, addressed the meeting and urged councillors: You must protect what is left of this green space.

But senior planning officer Derek Carnegie warned that, if the committee refused the application, he believed the council would lose any appeal and could face a hefty costs bill.

The committee voted four to three in favour of granting the application.

The proposals follow West Berkshire Councils approval of plans submitted by Rivar for 157 homes to the east of Newbury retail park, between Equine Way and Greenham Road, as the local authority looks to meet its housing targets.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: NDTV Ltd today said it has moved Delhi High Court against the Income Tax Department's Rs 429 crore demand for the 2009-10 assessment year.

The New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) had yesterday informed about receiving a demand of Rs 429 crore from the I-T Department.

"In this regard, we would like to inform you that the company has filed a writ petition before Honourable High Court of Delhi challenging the said order making a piecemeal assessment and raising the present demand, which as per advice received by the company, is impermissible in law," it said in a regulatory filing.

Earlier in the day, the media firm said it has narrowed its net losses at Rs 22.01 crore for the first quarter ended June of the present fiscal.

The company had posted a net loss of Rs 44.55 crore during the same period of the previous fiscal.

The stock of the company remained unchanged at Rs 47.25 on BSE today.

NEW DELHI: NDTV Ltd today said it has moved Delhi High Court against the Income Tax Department's Rs 429 crore demand for the 2009-10 assessment year. The New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) had yesterday informed about receiving a demand of Rs 429 crore from the I-T Department. "In this regard, we would like to inform you that the company has filed a writ petition before Honourable High Court of Delhi challenging the said order making a piecemeal assessment and raising the present demand, which as per advice received by the company, is impermissible in law," it said in a regulatory filing. Earlier in the day, the media firm said it has narrowed its net losses at Rs 22.01 crore for the first quarter ended June of the present fiscal. The company had posted a net loss of Rs 44.55 crore during the same period of the previous fiscal. The stock of the company remained unchanged at Rs 47.25 on BSE today.
East Hanover, NJ, July 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kessler Foundation has released a new annual report, Changing Lives 2016, highlighting the impact of the Foundation on the lives of people with disabilities  through the discovery of better ways for individuals to recover from illness and injury, and through the funding of programs that expand job opportunities for people with disabilities. This interactive multi-media report details how research advances are improving rehabilitative care, the successes of employment initiatives, and the Foundations growth and activities in 2016.

Focusing research efforts over the long-term yields results that change lives, noted Rodger DeRose, president and CEO. For example, in 2016 our scientists were awarded a five-year federal Spinal Cord Injury Model System grant  one of only 14 in the United States. For nearly 30 years, Kessler Foundation has participated in this national network of care and research, contributing to national efforts to improve the lives of thousands living with spinal cord injury. Research advances have also translated into improvements in treatments for the cognitive deficits caused by stroke, brain injury and multiple sclerosis.

The report also shows how the scope of the Foundations research has widened, with scientists applying their expertise in new directions - to study disabilities in children, the challenges of rehabilitation for breast cancer survivors, and the development of the next generation of robotic exoskeletons.

Four grant-funded programs  local and national - are highlighted, showing the impact of the Foundations support on the employment of veterans, high school students, artists, and athletes. On the national level, leaders in policy, education, and government are gaining valuable insights from the Foundations disability research initiatives, including the 2015 Kessler Foundation National Employment & Disability Survey  the first such survey of people with disabilities and the workplace, and the Foundations monthly jobs report, National Trends in Disability Employment, a custom analysis of engagement of individuals in the labor market.

In 2016, Kessler Foundation substantially increased its workspace and resources to accommodate the growth in personnel, up 60% since 2010. The Foundation was once again ranked among the Best Places to Work in the U.S. and Best Nonprofits in New Jersey, and placed #5 in a popular new national survey  Great Workplaces for Recent Grads.

To learn more about the impact of Kessler Foundation on the lives of people with disabilities, visit: https://kesslerfoundation.wixsite.com/2016-annual-report.

About Kessler Foundation:

Kessler Foundation, a major nonprofit organization in the field of disability, is a global leader in rehabilitation research that seeks to improve cognition, mobility, and long-term outcomes--including employment--for people with neurological disabilities caused by diseases and injuries of the brain and spinal cord. Kessler Foundation leads the nation in funding innovative programs that expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

For more information on Kessler Foundation's research, visit KesslerFoundation.org.

Facebook | http://www.facebook.com/KesslerFoundation

Twitter | http://www.twitter.com/KesslerFdn

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/kesslerfdn

YouTube | http://www.youtube.com/user/KesslerFoundation

iTunes & SoundCloud | http://soundcloud.com/kesslerfoundation

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bffdc2cc-1ab5-4b7a-975b-81e1c05d2c32

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5f33bf5f-bbd6-44d1-8494-4f991244037a
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: In a case highlighting the security flaws in the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) system, officials have filed a complaint against Abhinav Shirvastava and others of Qarth Technologies Pvt Ltd for allegedly leaking Aadhaar data.

According to the complaint by Ashok Lenin, Deputy Director of UIDAI, the accused had developed an Android app available on Google Play Store to provide e-KYC documents for customers. The documents were allegedly provided by accessing the Aadhaar database from Aadhaar website, without any permission from UIDAI or other authorities concerned.

According to the complaint, UIDAI officials suspect that the accused colluded with some others to get access to the secure database and leak the information to Qarth Technologies. Accessing secure Aadhaar database and leaking information from the same is an offence under Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act 2016, IT Act and IPC.

In the FIR, Section 37 (intentionally discloses, transmits, copies or otherwise disseminates any identity information collected in the course of enrolment or authentication ....) and Section 38 (deals with intentionally accessing Central Identities Data Repository and downloading data) read with Section 29 (2) of Aadhaar Act has been evoked. Apart from these, accused have also been booked under Section 65 (tampering with computer source documents), Section 66 (hacking a computer system) of IT Act, and other relevant sections of the IPC.

When contacted, Pronab Mohanty, Deputy Director General, UIDAI, Bengaluru confirmed that a case has been filed in Bengaluru. However, it does not pertain to the Bengaluru regional office, he said.

He said that it was not a case of malpractice, and the fault leading to the illegal access to a private party stemmed from the flaws in National Informatics Centre.

According to UIDAI sources, the complaint was filed based on an alert provided by the head office in Delhi.Sources added that the app has been removed from the App Store and the only connection to Bengaluru in the case was that the founder of the company was from Bengaluru.

Qarth Technologies involved

According to Zauba Corp  a databank of various firms  Qarth Technologies was incorporated in October 2012 at Kolkata and was involved in data processing. Directors of the company were Abhinav Srivastava (accused) and Prerit Srivastava. The firm was based out of Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Park, IIT Kharagpur, West Bengal. High Grounds Police have registered a case.

BENGALURU: In a case highlighting the security flaws in the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) system, officials have filed a complaint against Abhinav Shirvastava and others of Qarth Technologies Pvt Ltd for allegedly leaking Aadhaar data. According to the complaint by Ashok Lenin, Deputy Director of UIDAI, the accused had developed an Android app available on Google Play Store to provide e-KYC documents for customers. The documents were allegedly provided by accessing the Aadhaar database from Aadhaar website, without any permission from UIDAI or other authorities concerned. According to the complaint, UIDAI officials suspect that the accused colluded with some others to get access to the secure database and leak the information to Qarth Technologies. Accessing secure Aadhaar database and leaking information from the same is an offence under Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act 2016, IT Act and IPC. In the FIR, Section 37 (intentionally discloses, transmits, copies or otherwise disseminates any identity information collected in the course of enrolment or authentication ....) and Section 38 (deals with intentionally accessing Central Identities Data Repository and downloading data) read with Section 29 (2) of Aadhaar Act has been evoked. Apart from these, accused have also been booked under Section 65 (tampering with computer source documents), Section 66 (hacking a computer system) of IT Act, and other relevant sections of the IPC. When contacted, Pronab Mohanty, Deputy Director General, UIDAI, Bengaluru confirmed that a case has been filed in Bengaluru. However, it does not pertain to the Bengaluru regional office, he said. He said that it was not a case of malpractice, and the fault leading to the illegal access to a private party stemmed from the flaws in National Informatics Centre. According to UIDAI sources, the complaint was filed based on an alert provided by the head office in Delhi.Sources added that the app has been removed from the App Store and the only connection to Bengaluru in the case was that the founder of the company was from Bengaluru. Qarth Technologies involved According to Zauba Corp  a databank of various firms  Qarth Technologies was incorporated in October 2012 at Kolkata and was involved in data processing. Directors of the company were Abhinav Srivastava (accused) and Prerit Srivastava. The firm was based out of Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Park, IIT Kharagpur, West Bengal. High Grounds Police have registered a case.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Six years after a three-and-a-half year old boy fell into an uncovered sewage canal in a gap between the wall and floor at Kotturpuram MRTS railway station, the Madras High Court has directed Southern Railway to pay a compensation of Rs 7.1 lakh towards the boys medical expenses.

S Srinivasans son fell almost 20 feet into the sewage and he was rescued after more than 5 minutes. During this time, the childs entire body was full of sewage reportedly affecting his face, nose, mouth and almost all parts of the body. He was rushed to a private hospital nearby and treated there. Srinivasan had to pay Rs 2.1 lakh for his sons treatment.

Srinivasan filed a writ petition in February 2011 praying the court to direct the respondents to pay a compensation of Rs 15 lakh.

The contention of the railways they are not at all responsible for negligence, cannot be accepted, a recent order by Justice S Vaidyanathan said. Similarly, the contention of the petitioner that the entire fault is on the part of the railways, cannot also be accepted. There appears to be contributory negligence on the part of both parties. It is the duty of parents to take care of the children, more particularly when children are in the playful tender age.

However, the court said this was no ground to reject Srinivasans plea, especially as there was a gap between the station building and the canal retaining wall. The court directed the railways to pay a compensation of Rs five lakh and medical expenses of Rs 2.1 lakh. However, as Southern Railway had paid Srinivasan Rs one lakh by way of an interim order, it was ordered to pay the remaining medical expenses of Rs 1.1 lakh, thus amounting to a total of Rs 6.1 lakh.

As Srinivasans son was a minor (aged three-and-a-half years at the time of filing the petition), Southern Railway was directed that Rs 3.5 lakh with interest at six per cent per annum be deposited in the name of the boy in an interest-bearing fixed deposit scheme in any one of the nationalised banks. The court ordered that the remaining amount of Rs 2.6 lakh be paid with interest at six per cent per annum to Srinivasan.

CHENNAI: Six years after a three-and-a-half year old boy fell into an uncovered sewage canal in a gap between the wall and floor at Kotturpuram MRTS railway station, the Madras High Court has directed Southern Railway to pay a compensation of Rs 7.1 lakh towards the boys medical expenses. S Srinivasans son fell almost 20 feet into the sewage and he was rescued after more than 5 minutes. During this time, the childs entire body was full of sewage reportedly affecting his face, nose, mouth and almost all parts of the body. He was rushed to a private hospital nearby and treated there. Srinivasan had to pay Rs 2.1 lakh for his sons treatment. Srinivasan filed a writ petition in February 2011 praying the court to direct the respondents to pay a compensation of Rs 15 lakh. The contention of the railways they are not at all responsible for negligence, cannot be accepted, a recent order by Justice S Vaidyanathan said. Similarly, the contention of the petitioner that the entire fault is on the part of the railways, cannot also be accepted. There appears to be contributory negligence on the part of both parties. It is the duty of parents to take care of the children, more particularly when children are in the playful tender age. However, the court said this was no ground to reject Srinivasans plea, especially as there was a gap between the station building and the canal retaining wall. The court directed the railways to pay a compensation of Rs five lakh and medical expenses of Rs 2.1 lakh. However, as Southern Railway had paid Srinivasan Rs one lakh by way of an interim order, it was ordered to pay the remaining medical expenses of Rs 1.1 lakh, thus amounting to a total of Rs 6.1 lakh. As Srinivasans son was a minor (aged three-and-a-half years at the time of filing the petition), Southern Railway was directed that Rs 3.5 lakh with interest at six per cent per annum be deposited in the name of the boy in an interest-bearing fixed deposit scheme in any one of the nationalised banks. The court ordered that the remaining amount of Rs 2.6 lakh be paid with interest at six per cent per annum to Srinivasan.
By Express News Service

KOCHI: In a major haul, the Ernakulam Rural Police on Thursday seized demonetised currency notes worth `2.71 crore from a six-member gang. The gang members, including a woman, were arrested from Aluva on Thursday early morning while transporting the notes to Kochi from Malappuram in a luxury car.

The accused are Nithin Nandakumar, 29, of Kuruppampady, Perumbavoor; Anoop Sasidharan, 27, of Kadamattom, Kolenchery; Jiju Jose, 38, of Chunangamveli, Aluva; Ali Assainar, 27, of Randathani, Malappuram; Ameer Kunju Mohammed, 36, of Randathani, Malappuram; and Laila Pareeth, of Thottumugham, Aluva.

Following a tip-off, a team led by Aluva CI Vishal Johnson began inspecting vehicles at Aluva from Wednesday midnight. As the police action progressed, a car refused to heed the signal to stop and sped away. Subsequently, the police chased the car and caught up with it near the Aluva Palace.

A total of 122 bundles of `1,000 currency notes and 299 bundles of 500 notes were seized from the vehicle. The accused were on the way to hand over the notes to a person in Kochi as per the directive of a Malappuram native. The gangs connection with the hawala agencies in the state is being investigated, the police said.

They suspect the woman in the gang was the mediator of the deal. She has been running a tailoring unit at Thottumugham. Nithin is a unit manager of an insurance firm, Perumbavoor, and Anoop is an IT professional. While Ameer is a carry bag worker, two others are drivers, said the police.

The vehicle is registered in the name of David Paulose, of Mookkannur, and the police are checking whether he has any links with the gang.

KOCHI: In a major haul, the Ernakulam Rural Police on Thursday seized demonetised currency notes worth `2.71 crore from a six-member gang. The gang members, including a woman, were arrested from Aluva on Thursday early morning while transporting the notes to Kochi from Malappuram in a luxury car. The accused are Nithin Nandakumar, 29, of Kuruppampady, Perumbavoor; Anoop Sasidharan, 27, of Kadamattom, Kolenchery; Jiju Jose, 38, of Chunangamveli, Aluva; Ali Assainar, 27, of Randathani, Malappuram; Ameer Kunju Mohammed, 36, of Randathani, Malappuram; and Laila Pareeth, of Thottumugham, Aluva. Following a tip-off, a team led by Aluva CI Vishal Johnson began inspecting vehicles at Aluva from Wednesday midnight. As the police action progressed, a car refused to heed the signal to stop and sped away. Subsequently, the police chased the car and caught up with it near the Aluva Palace. A total of 122 bundles of `1,000 currency notes and 299 bundles of 500 notes were seized from the vehicle. The accused were on the way to hand over the notes to a person in Kochi as per the directive of a Malappuram native. The gangs connection with the hawala agencies in the state is being investigated, the police said. They suspect the woman in the gang was the mediator of the deal. She has been running a tailoring unit at Thottumugham. Nithin is a unit manager of an insurance firm, Perumbavoor, and Anoop is an IT professional. While Ameer is a carry bag worker, two others are drivers, said the police. The vehicle is registered in the name of David Paulose, of Mookkannur, and the police are checking whether he has any links with the gang.
By ANI

NEW DELHI: Travelling is the most enjoyed activity for many people due to different reasons. Be it for work, leisure, a family trip, or a soul searching journey, the desire to travel goes beyond geographical boundaries, and in some cases, is fueled by a need to explore unknown or remote places.

This is especially true for those travelling to or within Asian countries, as these places have long been considered rich in both culture and tradition that is quite unlike their western counterparts.

Heres the list of top unexplored places in Asia by Toehold:

Lepchajagat, West Bengal, India

Lepchajagat is a small village that is situated at an altitude of 6,956 feet, and is 19 kilometers from the town of Darjeeling. The rural community derives its name from the Lepcha tribe, who are native to that region. Lepchajagat also happens to be a forest reserve, and has lots to offer to those seeking to be in the calm lap of nature. Apart from that, the region also offers a great view of Kangchenjunga  the third highest mountain in the world. Lepchajagat is well connected by road from Darjeeling and Siliguri. You can travel either by car or bus to reach Ghoom and take any local transportation to reach the village.

Ha village, Arunachal Pradesh, India

Ha is a tribal village situated in Longding Koling (Pipsorang) town of Kurung Kumey district in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. With a population of 289 people, Ha is considered as one of the smallest villages in India, and is home to 58 households. The spectacular natural beauty surrounding Ha is worth the effort in reaching that place. Travelers can also explore nearby attractions like the ancient Menga Caves, among others. Ha can be reached via Old Ziro, which is the nearest well known township around the village.

Nitoi, Kiphire, Nagaland, India

Nitoi is another small village situated in the Kiphire district in the state of Nagaland. The picturesque village offers breathtaking views of beautiful mountains and terrace vegetation, and is a favorite among nature lovers and photographers. Despite being a remote township, Nitoi is well accessible by road to/from Kiphire, which is a 10 hour drive away from Nagalands capital city, Kohima.

Chocolate Hills, Philippines

Chocolate Hills is a geological formation found in Bohol province in the sovereign island country of the Philippines. The natural wonder is estimated to have 1268-1776 hills, and is a famous tourist attraction. The hills are spread across 6 municipalities in Bohol, namely Batuan, Sagbayan, Carmen, Valencia, Bilar, and Sierra Bullones. You can reach Bohol via either flight or ferry.

Waterfalls Restaurant, San Pablo City, Philippines

Waterfalls restaurant is another interesting attraction situated in San Pablo city, Philippines. The place is exactly as the name suggests a restaurant that is located in the middle of a small artificial waterfall. People from all around the world come to this place to experience the cuisine served at this unconventional restaurant, and in the process, are left in awe of the natural surroundings in that area.

Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia

Khovsgoldalai, or Khuvsgul Lake is the largest fresh water lake by volume and second largest by area in Mongolia. It is one of the 17 ancient lakes in the world, and is estimated to be over 2 million years old. Situated at an elevation of 1,645 meters, Khuvsgal is a pristine lake, and is one of the major sources of drinking water in Mongolia.

Tsagaan Suvarga, Mongolia

Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa) is a copper ore deposit &mine situated in the Dundgovi province of south Mongolia, and is famous for its rocky formations. The main attractions here are a 30 meter high cliff, the 70 meter long Khevtee Bosooagui (Lie and Stand Cave), and Del uul (Back Mountain), where tourists and travelers can explore bronze age cave drawings.

Darvaza gas crater, Turkmenistan

The Darvaza gas crater is a natural gas field located in the Derweze village in Turkmenistan. Popularly referred as the Gates of Hell, the attraction is due to an accidental cavern collapse that happened back in 1971. The trapped gas pockets were further lit in order to prevent any harmful gasses from escaping. Despite being a man-made wonder, the gas crater has managed to attract curious travelers from around the world, and has now become a popular destination for wild desert camping.

Bokor Hill Station, Cambodia

Bokor Hill station is a township near Kampot province in Cambodia, and is home to a collection of French colonial style buildings. The town is known for its eerie charm, and is being redeveloped following years of neglect. The hauntingly beautiful attraction is accessible by road, and can be explored via local commuting options like scooters or taxis.

Kamchatka, Russia

Kamchatka is one of the most beautiful attractions found in Russia. The 1,250 kilometer long peninsula is a geological wonder, and has several volcanoes, hot springs, geysers, and acidic lakes. The region is also home to different species of arctic wildlife, fish, game animals, and vast marine life. Kamchatka is a favorite destination among adventure and nature lovers, and is a visual treat for anyone hoping to visit it.

Well then, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and leave for your next adventure in any of these beautiful, yet unexplored places across Asia.

NEW DELHI: Travelling is the most enjoyed activity for many people due to different reasons. Be it for work, leisure, a family trip, or a soul searching journey, the desire to travel goes beyond geographical boundaries, and in some cases, is fueled by a need to explore unknown or remote places. This is especially true for those travelling to or within Asian countries, as these places have long been considered rich in both culture and tradition that is quite unlike their western counterparts. Heres the list of top unexplored places in Asia by Toehold: Lepchajagat, West Bengal, India Lepchajagat is a small village that is situated at an altitude of 6,956 feet, and is 19 kilometers from the town of Darjeeling. The rural community derives its name from the Lepcha tribe, who are native to that region. Lepchajagat also happens to be a forest reserve, and has lots to offer to those seeking to be in the calm lap of nature. Apart from that, the region also offers a great view of Kangchenjunga  the third highest mountain in the world. Lepchajagat is well connected by road from Darjeeling and Siliguri. You can travel either by car or bus to reach Ghoom and take any local transportation to reach the village. Ha village, Arunachal Pradesh, India Ha is a tribal village situated in Longding Koling (Pipsorang) town of Kurung Kumey district in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. With a population of 289 people, Ha is considered as one of the smallest villages in India, and is home to 58 households. The spectacular natural beauty surrounding Ha is worth the effort in reaching that place. Travelers can also explore nearby attractions like the ancient Menga Caves, among others. Ha can be reached via Old Ziro, which is the nearest well known township around the village. Nitoi, Kiphire, Nagaland, India Nitoi is another small village situated in the Kiphire district in the state of Nagaland. The picturesque village offers breathtaking views of beautiful mountains and terrace vegetation, and is a favorite among nature lovers and photographers. Despite being a remote township, Nitoi is well accessible by road to/from Kiphire, which is a 10 hour drive away from Nagalands capital city, Kohima. Chocolate Hills, Philippines Chocolate Hills is a geological formation found in Bohol province in the sovereign island country of the Philippines. The natural wonder is estimated to have 1268-1776 hills, and is a famous tourist attraction. The hills are spread across 6 municipalities in Bohol, namely Batuan, Sagbayan, Carmen, Valencia, Bilar, and Sierra Bullones. You can reach Bohol via either flight or ferry. Waterfalls Restaurant, San Pablo City, Philippines Waterfalls restaurant is another interesting attraction situated in San Pablo city, Philippines. The place is exactly as the name suggests a restaurant that is located in the middle of a small artificial waterfall. People from all around the world come to this place to experience the cuisine served at this unconventional restaurant, and in the process, are left in awe of the natural surroundings in that area. Khuvsgul Lake, Mongolia Khovsgoldalai, or Khuvsgul Lake is the largest fresh water lake by volume and second largest by area in Mongolia. It is one of the 17 ancient lakes in the world, and is estimated to be over 2 million years old. Situated at an elevation of 1,645 meters, Khuvsgal is a pristine lake, and is one of the major sources of drinking water in Mongolia. Tsagaan Suvarga, Mongolia Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa) is a copper ore deposit &mine situated in the Dundgovi province of south Mongolia, and is famous for its rocky formations. The main attractions here are a 30 meter high cliff, the 70 meter long Khevtee Bosooagui (Lie and Stand Cave), and Del uul (Back Mountain), where tourists and travelers can explore bronze age cave drawings. Darvaza gas crater, Turkmenistan The Darvaza gas crater is a natural gas field located in the Derweze village in Turkmenistan. Popularly referred as the Gates of Hell, the attraction is due to an accidental cavern collapse that happened back in 1971. The trapped gas pockets were further lit in order to prevent any harmful gasses from escaping. Despite being a man-made wonder, the gas crater has managed to attract curious travelers from around the world, and has now become a popular destination for wild desert camping. Bokor Hill Station, Cambodia Bokor Hill station is a township near Kampot province in Cambodia, and is home to a collection of French colonial style buildings. The town is known for its eerie charm, and is being redeveloped following years of neglect. The hauntingly beautiful attraction is accessible by road, and can be explored via local commuting options like scooters or taxis. Kamchatka, Russia Kamchatka is one of the most beautiful attractions found in Russia. The 1,250 kilometer long peninsula is a geological wonder, and has several volcanoes, hot springs, geysers, and acidic lakes. The region is also home to different species of arctic wildlife, fish, game animals, and vast marine life. Kamchatka is a favorite destination among adventure and nature lovers, and is a visual treat for anyone hoping to visit it. Well then, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and leave for your next adventure in any of these beautiful, yet unexplored places across Asia.
By ANI

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Thursday said that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar cannot stay with one single party, adding the latter can even join those who even asked for his DNA check.

Nitish Kumar has earlier also betrayed a few parties. He cannot stay at one place. He can even go with those who asked for his DNA check. I think now it has become his habit to keep on changing parties at intervals, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told ANI.

He further said that Kumar changes his ideology in every four years.

There are two kinds of people in politics - one, who stand with their ideologies no matter what and the other, who only want power. Nitish Kumar falls in the latter, Azad asserted.

Another Congress leader, Renuka Choudhary said that the step taken by the Bihar Chief Minister was petty and may result in a mighty fall.

I hope that this deal does not prove to be a failure for Nitish Kumar, she added.

Bihar saw a major midnight political drama soonafter Nitish Kumar resigned on Wednesday as Bihar Chief Minister to protest against his Deputy and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Supremo Lalu Yadavs son Tejashwi Yadavs stubbornness to stay in the Cabinet despite being named in an F.I.R. over the corruption charges.



However, Tejashwi has put onus on Nitish and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the latest political development in the state.

Tejashwi said that political vendetta against him exposed the Oppositions viciousness.



I delivered manifold than what was expected of me. My performance perturbed our ally and the BJP. The vendetta against me exposes their viciousness, he tweeted.



The RJD on Thursday morning was forced to cancel its protest march to Raj Bhavan to oppose Kumars swearing-in ceremony due to the probationary orders.

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Thursday said that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar cannot stay with one single party, adding the latter can even join those who even asked for his DNA check. Nitish Kumar has earlier also betrayed a few parties. He cannot stay at one place. He can even go with those who asked for his DNA check. I think now it has become his habit to keep on changing parties at intervals, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told ANI. He further said that Kumar changes his ideology in every four years. There are two kinds of people in politics - one, who stand with their ideologies no matter what and the other, who only want power. Nitish Kumar falls in the latter, Azad asserted. Another Congress leader, Renuka Choudhary said that the step taken by the Bihar Chief Minister was petty and may result in a mighty fall. I hope that this deal does not prove to be a failure for Nitish Kumar, she added. Bihar saw a major midnight political drama soonafter Nitish Kumar resigned on Wednesday as Bihar Chief Minister to protest against his Deputy and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Supremo Lalu Yadavs son Tejashwi Yadavs stubbornness to stay in the Cabinet despite being named in an F.I.R. over the corruption charges. However, Tejashwi has put onus on Nitish and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the latest political development in the state. Tejashwi said that political vendetta against him exposed the Oppositions viciousness. I delivered manifold than what was expected of me. My performance perturbed our ally and the BJP. The vendetta against me exposes their viciousness, he tweeted. The RJD on Thursday morning was forced to cancel its protest march to Raj Bhavan to oppose Kumars swearing-in ceremony due to the probationary orders.
Aishik Chanda By

Express News Service

KOLKATA: With Mamata Banerjee's 'anti-BJP coalition' allies RJD and JD (U) falling apart and one forming government with BJP in Bihar and CPM central committee issuing diktat to Bengal unit to stay away from Congress, Mamata Banerjee came close to Congress by extending support to the partys Rajya Sabha candidate Pradip Bhattacharya on Friday.

The move came after the Trinamool Congress supremo held a closed door meeting with Pradip Bhattacharya and Opposition leader Abdul Mannan of Congress at the state Assembly on Wednesday. On the other hand, just after the announcement of the Congress candidate, Left Front put up former Kolkata mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya as their Rajya Sabha candidate.

Speaking to media, Mamata Banerjee said: We will support Congress candidate Pradip Bhattacharya. CPM made former Kolkata mayor Bikash Bhattacharya their candidate. Is he a non-political personality? Victory of Pradip da is ensured as we will support him. To this, the Left Front candidate said that the chief minister is not the political advisor of the Left and urged non-corrupt politicians in TMC to vote for Left. In a veiled attack on CPM, Pradip Bhattacharya said: We did not get the support from whom we had expected.

Left Front spokesperson Biman Basu said that they were kept in the dark over the candidature of Pradip Bhattacharya.

Congress and Left had decided to put up a joint apolitical candidate for Rajya Sabha. However, Congress did not approach us. We were completely in the dark over the candidature of Pradip Bhattacharya and wasted two days in discussions over the joint candidate, he said.

However, Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee president Adhir Ranjan Choudhury has denounced Mamatas support saying that she knew she could not win the sixth seat.

We have given our candidate, we dont care who supports us or not. TMC has put up five candidates. If they dont give the 6th, it is their concern. It has nothing to do with Congress. If they have confidence to win, I urge them to put up the sixth candidate as well, he said.

Choudhury, a Congress stalwart from his fort Murshidabad district in central Bengal, has repeatedly been offered by BJP to join the saffron party.

Trinamool Congress has already nominated five of its leaders  Derek OBrien, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Dola Sen, Manas Bhuniya and Shanta Chhetri  to the Rajya Sabha. The support to the Congress candidate for the sixth seat from the state is being seen as a paradigm shift in political alliances in the state. Though the Congress and TMC together fought the 2011 Assembly elections to rout the Left Front out of power, the Left and the Congress came together in the 2016 elections. Badly hit by defections, Congress was nearly set to lose its Opposition party tag by coming down to 30 MLAs from the original 2016 tally of 42.

KOLKATA: With Mamata Banerjee's 'anti-BJP coalition' allies RJD and JD (U) falling apart and one forming government with BJP in Bihar and CPM central committee issuing diktat to Bengal unit to stay away from Congress, Mamata Banerjee came close to Congress by extending support to the partys Rajya Sabha candidate Pradip Bhattacharya on Friday. The move came after the Trinamool Congress supremo held a closed door meeting with Pradip Bhattacharya and Opposition leader Abdul Mannan of Congress at the state Assembly on Wednesday. On the other hand, just after the announcement of the Congress candidate, Left Front put up former Kolkata mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya as their Rajya Sabha candidate. Speaking to media, Mamata Banerjee said: We will support Congress candidate Pradip Bhattacharya. CPM made former Kolkata mayor Bikash Bhattacharya their candidate. Is he a non-political personality? Victory of Pradip da is ensured as we will support him. To this, the Left Front candidate said that the chief minister is not the political advisor of the Left and urged non-corrupt politicians in TMC to vote for Left. In a veiled attack on CPM, Pradip Bhattacharya said: We did not get the support from whom we had expected. Left Front spokesperson Biman Basu said that they were kept in the dark over the candidature of Pradip Bhattacharya. Congress and Left had decided to put up a joint apolitical candidate for Rajya Sabha. However, Congress did not approach us. We were completely in the dark over the candidature of Pradip Bhattacharya and wasted two days in discussions over the joint candidate, he said. However, Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee president Adhir Ranjan Choudhury has denounced Mamatas support saying that she knew she could not win the sixth seat. We have given our candidate, we dont care who supports us or not. TMC has put up five candidates. If they dont give the 6th, it is their concern. It has nothing to do with Congress. If they have confidence to win, I urge them to put up the sixth candidate as well, he said. Choudhury, a Congress stalwart from his fort Murshidabad district in central Bengal, has repeatedly been offered by BJP to join the saffron party. Trinamool Congress has already nominated five of its leaders  Derek OBrien, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Dola Sen, Manas Bhuniya and Shanta Chhetri  to the Rajya Sabha. The support to the Congress candidate for the sixth seat from the state is being seen as a paradigm shift in political alliances in the state. Though the Congress and TMC together fought the 2011 Assembly elections to rout the Left Front out of power, the Left and the Congress came together in the 2016 elections. Badly hit by defections, Congress was nearly set to lose its Opposition party tag by coming down to 30 MLAs from the original 2016 tally of 42.
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Congress leader Moola Mukesh Goud's son, Vikram Goud, suffered severe gunshot wounds in a mysterious incident at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad in the early hours of Friday.

Vikram Goud, a Youth Congress member himself, was rushed to Apollo Hospital at Jubilee Hills at 330. am with severe injuries on his right shoulder, stomach and spinal cord. After removing three bullets from his body, doctors stated that his health condition was stable.

Police said they do not know whether Vikram Goud was attacked by anybody or whether it was a suicide bid.

According to preliminary investigation by the police, the firing incident happened at Vikram Goud's house at Gayatri Hills near Hafeez Baba Nagar in Banjara Hills.

Neighbours said only Vikram and his wife Shipali and their children were in the house at the time. Vikram's security guard was sleeping in the outhouse at that time. Police are yet to find out who exactly fired the gunshots.

At around 3.30 a.m, Vikram was getting ready to perform puja in his house. At that time, some gun shots were heard from his house. Later, his wife Shipali a rushed severely wounded Vikram to Apollo Hospital for treatment, police said.

In her statement to police, Vikram's wife Shipali said that she and her two children were in a room upstairs when she heard the gunshots. Sherushed down to see her husband lying in a pool of blood.

Hyderabad West Zone DCP A Venkateswarlu, who visited Apollo Hospital and enquired about the incident with local

police and also with the family members of Vikram Goud, told media that Vikram was unable to explain how the incident happened. He said the Youth Congress leader had no firearm licence.

Police said the reasons behind the firing were not known but, they were trying to verify the CCTV footage of the building to find out exact reasons and also to nab the culprits. Clues team visited the spot.

Police said a crude gun was used in the firing incident. As blood stains were erased in the house soon after the firing, police suspect that a family dispute could be the reason for the incident.

The weapon was seized from Vikram's house along with a cartridge. Two empty shells were also recovered.

HYDERABAD: Congress leader Moola Mukesh Goud's son, Vikram Goud, suffered severe gunshot wounds in a mysterious incident at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad in the early hours of Friday. Vikram Goud, a Youth Congress member himself, was rushed to Apollo Hospital at Jubilee Hills at 330. am with severe injuries on his right shoulder, stomach and spinal cord. After removing three bullets from his body, doctors stated that his health condition was stable. Police said they do not know whether Vikram Goud was attacked by anybody or whether it was a suicide bid. According to preliminary investigation by the police, the firing incident happened at Vikram Goud's house at Gayatri Hills near Hafeez Baba Nagar in Banjara Hills. Neighbours said only Vikram and his wife Shipali and their children were in the house at the time. Vikram's security guard was sleeping in the outhouse at that time. Police are yet to find out who exactly fired the gunshots. At around 3.30 a.m, Vikram was getting ready to perform puja in his house. At that time, some gun shots were heard from his house. Later, his wife Shipali a rushed severely wounded Vikram to Apollo Hospital for treatment, police said. In her statement to police, Vikram's wife Shipali said that she and her two children were in a room upstairs when she heard the gunshots. Sherushed down to see her husband lying in a pool of blood. Hyderabad West Zone DCP A Venkateswarlu, who visited Apollo Hospital and enquired about the incident with local police and also with the family members of Vikram Goud, told media that Vikram was unable to explain how the incident happened. He said the Youth Congress leader had no firearm licence. Police said the reasons behind the firing were not known but, they were trying to verify the CCTV footage of the building to find out exact reasons and also to nab the culprits. Clues team visited the spot. Police said a crude gun was used in the firing incident. As blood stains were erased in the house soon after the firing, police suspect that a family dispute could be the reason for the incident. The weapon was seized from Vikram's house along with a cartridge. Two empty shells were also recovered.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: A week after CAG highlighted critical shortage of ammunition with the army to last for even ten days of a war, countrys top auditor has once again exposed ill-preparedness of Indian Air Force to counter any aerial threat from China.

Strategic air defence missiles systems, planned to counter Chinese aggression on the eastern sector in 2010, has not been deployed so far, CAG said in its report tabled in the Parliament on Friday.

CAG was referring to Akash, a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile defense system with the range of 30 kilometres, jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for Missile Systems, Ordnance Factories Board and Bharat Electronics.

The missile has the capability to engage a wide variety of aerial threats, making it vital for countrys air-defence and deterrence capability.

CAG claimed that based on threat perception, the government in 2010 had envisaged induction of strategic missile system for the IAF on Eastern sector to create deterrence capability and it was planned to be put in place between June 2013- December 2015 in phased manner.

But, till date, even after four years this urgently needed capability has not been created and the strategic objective remains unachieved, CAG observed.

In 2009, India changed its posturing on the Eastern sector from dissuasive to  deterrence, due to building up of large scale military infrastructure by the adversary.

CAG said that, therefore, in 2010 Cabinet Committee on Security approved the procurement and induction of six squadrons of missile systems at six IAF stations in the Eastern Command with the cost of Rs. 3619 crore.

Simultaneously, approvals were also granted for the creation of necessary infrastructure, like missile preparation and storage facility, ramp structure and workshop etc.

Raising questions of the quality of missiles, Audit found that the missile system delivered by the Bharat Electronics were deficient in quality, as 30 per cent of delivered missiles were failed in the test.

Preliminary failure analysis report revealed that the missiles fell short of the target, had lower than the required velocity, and also there was malfunctioning of critical units, CAG observed.

NEW DELHI: A week after CAG highlighted critical shortage of ammunition with the army to last for even ten days of a war, countrys top auditor has once again exposed ill-preparedness of Indian Air Force to counter any aerial threat from China. Strategic air defence missiles systems, planned to counter Chinese aggression on the eastern sector in 2010, has not been deployed so far, CAG said in its report tabled in the Parliament on Friday. CAG was referring to Akash, a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile defense system with the range of 30 kilometres, jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for Missile Systems, Ordnance Factories Board and Bharat Electronics. The missile has the capability to engage a wide variety of aerial threats, making it vital for countrys air-defence and deterrence capability. CAG claimed that based on threat perception, the government in 2010 had envisaged induction of strategic missile system for the IAF on Eastern sector to create deterrence capability and it was planned to be put in place between June 2013- December 2015 in phased manner. But, till date, even after four years this urgently needed capability has not been created and the strategic objective remains unachieved, CAG observed. In 2009, India changed its posturing on the Eastern sector from dissuasive to  deterrence, due to building up of large scale military infrastructure by the adversary. CAG said that, therefore, in 2010 Cabinet Committee on Security approved the procurement and induction of six squadrons of missile systems at six IAF stations in the Eastern Command with the cost of Rs. 3619 crore. Simultaneously, approvals were also granted for the creation of necessary infrastructure, like missile preparation and storage facility, ramp structure and workshop etc. Raising questions of the quality of missiles, Audit found that the missile system delivered by the Bharat Electronics were deficient in quality, as 30 per cent of delivered missiles were failed in the test. Preliminary failure analysis report revealed that the missiles fell short of the target, had lower than the required velocity, and also there was malfunctioning of critical units, CAG observed.
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: A day after Al Qaeda announced former Hizbul Mujahideen commander Zakir Musa as chief of Kashmir cell Ansar Ghawzat-Ul-Hind, J&K police chief Friday downplayed it saying for them anybody who picks up a gun is a terrorist while separatist leaders asserted that Al Qaeda and ISIS have no role in Kashmir and their struggle was indigenous and it had nothing to do with global organizations.

A terrorist is a terrorist. Whichever outfit he belongs, he is a terrorist. Somebody, who has picked up the gun is a terrorist for us, J&K police chief S P Vaid told reporters, here today.

He was responding to a question on naming of Zakir as chief of Al Qaedas Kashmir cell, which has been named Ansar Ghawzat-Ul-Hind.

We will investigate the arrival of Al-Qaeda's state unit, DGP said.

Meanwhile, separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik in a joint statement today said freedom struggle of Kashmiris was indigenous and it has nothing to do with global organizations.

Our movement is local in nature and indigenous in character, they said.

They said groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda are non-existent in J&K and there was no role for these groups within our movement.

The separatist leaders alleged that Indian agencies were desperate to malign the Kashmir movement and under a well-thought-out plan, were devising policies to bring a bad name to the freedom struggle in Kashmir.

Indian agencies by linking Kashmirs freedom movement with some global organizations are planning their roguish activities to influence the international community, Geelani, Mirwaiz and Malik alleged.

They said Al Qaeda and ISIS were involved in merciless killings and they were neither fighting against tyrant forces nor succeeded in realizing Islamic jurisprudence in any part of the world.

The creation of the Kashmir cell was announced by Global Islamic Media Front, an al-Qaida-affiliated information network. It was the deepest in road al-Qaida has yet made in Kashmir.

A statement posted by the Al Qaida affiliate stated that after the heroic martyrdom of Burhan Wani, the jihad in Kashmir has entered a stage of awakening. Firmly holding the flag of jihad in their hands, Muslims in Kashmir have committed to retaliate with gun every aggression by tyrant Indian invaders.

It said "jihad with the aid of Allah was the only way to liberate Kashmir.

For this goal, a new movement of jihad has been founded by the companions of Wani under the leadership of Zakir Musa, added the statement.

Zakir Musa was close associate of 21-year-old Burhan Wani, who was a top commander of pro-Pakistan militant group Hizbul Mujahideen and was killed in an encounter with security forces on July 8, 2016.

After Burhans killing, Zakir was named as new Kashmir chief of Hizb. However, on May 13 this year, he quit Hizb after he aired pan-Islamic views and warned to hang Hurriyat leaders.

Meanwhile, a poster of radical group Hizbul Tahrir in Wilayay Pakistan had come up at Press Colony in city centre Lal Chowk today.

Khilafah (caliphate) was necessary for liberation of Kashmir and only the caliphate would rid us of the curse of a Westernised ruling elite and mobile our armed forces for liberation of Kashmir, read the poster.

It asked the Pakistan armed forces to help Hizbul Tahrir in helping end occupation in Kashmir and establishing the second caliphate and fighting aggression against the Muslim people.



SRINAGAR: A day after Al Qaeda announced former Hizbul Mujahideen commander Zakir Musa as chief of Kashmir cell Ansar Ghawzat-Ul-Hind, J&K police chief Friday downplayed it saying for them anybody who picks up a gun is a terrorist while separatist leaders asserted that Al Qaeda and ISIS have no role in Kashmir and their struggle was indigenous and it had nothing to do with global organizations. A terrorist is a terrorist. Whichever outfit he belongs, he is a terrorist. Somebody, who has picked up the gun is a terrorist for us, J&K police chief S P Vaid told reporters, here today. He was responding to a question on naming of Zakir as chief of Al Qaedas Kashmir cell, which has been named Ansar Ghawzat-Ul-Hind. We will investigate the arrival of Al-Qaeda's state unit, DGP said. Meanwhile, separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik in a joint statement today said freedom struggle of Kashmiris was indigenous and it has nothing to do with global organizations. Our movement is local in nature and indigenous in character, they said. They said groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda are non-existent in J&K and there was no role for these groups within our movement. The separatist leaders alleged that Indian agencies were desperate to malign the Kashmir movement and under a well-thought-out plan, were devising policies to bring a bad name to the freedom struggle in Kashmir. Indian agencies by linking Kashmirs freedom movement with some global organizations are planning their roguish activities to influence the international community, Geelani, Mirwaiz and Malik alleged. They said Al Qaeda and ISIS were involved in merciless killings and they were neither fighting against tyrant forces nor succeeded in realizing Islamic jurisprudence in any part of the world. The creation of the Kashmir cell was announced by Global Islamic Media Front, an al-Qaida-affiliated information network. It was the deepest in road al-Qaida has yet made in Kashmir. A statement posted by the Al Qaida affiliate stated that after the heroic martyrdom of Burhan Wani, the jihad in Kashmir has entered a stage of awakening. Firmly holding the flag of jihad in their hands, Muslims in Kashmir have committed to retaliate with gun every aggression by tyrant Indian invaders. It said "jihad with the aid of Allah was the only way to liberate Kashmir. For this goal, a new movement of jihad has been founded by the companions of Wani under the leadership of Zakir Musa, added the statement. Zakir Musa was close associate of 21-year-old Burhan Wani, who was a top commander of pro-Pakistan militant group Hizbul Mujahideen and was killed in an encounter with security forces on July 8, 2016. After Burhans killing, Zakir was named as new Kashmir chief of Hizb. However, on May 13 this year, he quit Hizb after he aired pan-Islamic views and warned to hang Hurriyat leaders. Meanwhile, a poster of radical group Hizbul Tahrir in Wilayay Pakistan had come up at Press Colony in city centre Lal Chowk today. Khilafah (caliphate) was necessary for liberation of Kashmir and only the caliphate would rid us of the curse of a Westernised ruling elite and mobile our armed forces for liberation of Kashmir, read the poster. It asked the Pakistan armed forces to help Hizbul Tahrir in helping end occupation in Kashmir and establishing the second caliphate and fighting aggression against the Muslim people.
By IANS

AHMEDABAD: The Congress in Gujarat, which was jolted by the exit of six of its legislators in 24 hours, with one more likely to leave, flew off most of the party's remaining MLAs to Bengaluru on Friday night even as it accused BJP President Amit Shah of engineering defections in Gujarat by "money and muscle power".



As many as 44 of the remaining 51 Congress MLAs left for Bengaluru, most of them by 11.45 p.m. Indigo flight from Ahmedabad to Bengaluru in Congress-ruled Karnataka while the others from South Gujarat and Saurashtra flew off through Mumbai to the South Indian metropolis.



They will be putting up at Clarks Exotica Resorts, which is a 15-minute drive from the Bengaluru airport.



"What they did in Goa, Manipur and in Bihar. They are trying to do the same in Gujarat. Our legislators are being threatened or offered money. People like an IPS officer who was behind bars for 8-9 years in fake encounter case are being used to kidnap our MLAs, offer money or threaten our legislators. There is insecurity and environment of terror. So our legislators are being moved to safety," Arjun Modhvadia, senior Congress leader, told reporters at Ahmedabad airport before leaving.



Party sources claimed that in a last-ditch attempt to prevent any more legislators from resigning and defecting to the BJP in view of the August 8 Rajya Sabha elections where veteran leader and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's Political Secretary Ahmed Patel is contesting from Gujarat, it was imperative to keep the rest of the flock aloof from allurements.



Three MLAs, Balwantsinh Rajput, Tejashree Patel and P.I. Patel, quit on Thursday and joined the BJP, while three more submitted their resignations to Speaker Ramanlal Vora on Friday but did not join the BJP till evening.



Those who resigned on Friday are veteran Congress legislator Ramsinh Parmar, MLA from Thasra constituency and chairman of the prestigious Amul Dairy, Chhanabhai Chaudhary, MLA from Vansda constituency, and Mansinh Chauhan from Balasinor.



Congress Chief Whip Balwantsinh Rajput, MLA from Siddhpur who quit on Thursday, is rebel leader Shankersinh Vaghela's close relative. Rajput, within minutes of joining the BJP, was named for the third Rajya Sabha seat for which Patel has filed his nomination. BJP president Amit Shah and Union Minister Smriti Irani are the other two party candidates.



One more Congress MLA, C.K. Raolji, who is believed to be the closest to Vaghela, was on his way to resign, but turned back midway "for final negotiations" with the BJP, a close confidante of Raolji told IANS.



"Till evening, everyone thought that he quietly went to the Speaker's official residence and resigned, but he is yet to do so. Some final negotiations (with the BJP) are going on. Of course, eventually, he will resign," the source said.



Local Gujarati TV channels and the rest of the media assumed that Raolji had quit and had proclaimed so, leading to confusion, he said.



AICC media in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala rushed here from New Delhi. The issue also rocked the Rajya Sabha, which witnessed repeated adjournments as angry Congress members accused the BJP of "stealing" party lawmakers.



The Congress accused the BJP government in Gujarat and at the Centre of pressurising Congress legislators to quit the party and join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).



In Ahmedabad, a Congress statement signed by Surjewala and five MLAs, including three who claimed the BJP tried to lure them with crores of rupees among other things, said: "Hunger for power has made the rulers blind to the extent that Congress MLAs are being offered bribe of crores of rupees, election ticket and other allurements."



"By misusing money power, muscle power and state power, MLAs are being asked to meet Amit Shah for changing their loyalty and vote by way of defections. This is disparaging to every constitutional norm, independence of the electoral process and majesty of democracy itself. All this is being done when Amit Shah himself is a Rajya Sabha candidate."



It was alleged that Scheduled Tribe Congress MLA Punabhai Gamit, a three-time legislator, was being threatened and lured.



"He was forcibly detained and an attempt was made to give a bribe of Rs 10 crore with allurement to meet Amit Shah," according to the statement, which also has Gamit as a signatory.



"Similar attempts to buy the loyalty of Congress MLAs Mangalbhai Gavit and Ishwarbhai Patel were made by misuse of muscle power, money power and state power.



"It is the innate belief of these MLAs in Congress ideology and their impeccable integrity that deterred the conspirators and resulted in an absolute failure of their conspiracy to cause defections through allurements," the Congress said.



Besides Surjewala and senior Gujarat leader and Congress MLA from Abdasa Shaktisinh Gohil, the statement has been signed by legislators Punabhai Gamit, Mangalbhai Gavit, Ishwarbhai Patel and Anand Chaudhary.

AHMEDABAD: The Congress in Gujarat, which was jolted by the exit of six of its legislators in 24 hours, with one more likely to leave, flew off most of the party's remaining MLAs to Bengaluru on Friday night even as it accused BJP President Amit Shah of engineering defections in Gujarat by "money and muscle power". As many as 44 of the remaining 51 Congress MLAs left for Bengaluru, most of them by 11.45 p.m. Indigo flight from Ahmedabad to Bengaluru in Congress-ruled Karnataka while the others from South Gujarat and Saurashtra flew off through Mumbai to the South Indian metropolis. They will be putting up at Clarks Exotica Resorts, which is a 15-minute drive from the Bengaluru airport. "What they did in Goa, Manipur and in Bihar. They are trying to do the same in Gujarat. Our legislators are being threatened or offered money. People like an IPS officer who was behind bars for 8-9 years in fake encounter case are being used to kidnap our MLAs, offer money or threaten our legislators. There is insecurity and environment of terror. So our legislators are being moved to safety," Arjun Modhvadia, senior Congress leader, told reporters at Ahmedabad airport before leaving. Party sources claimed that in a last-ditch attempt to prevent any more legislators from resigning and defecting to the BJP in view of the August 8 Rajya Sabha elections where veteran leader and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's Political Secretary Ahmed Patel is contesting from Gujarat, it was imperative to keep the rest of the flock aloof from allurements. Three MLAs, Balwantsinh Rajput, Tejashree Patel and P.I. Patel, quit on Thursday and joined the BJP, while three more submitted their resignations to Speaker Ramanlal Vora on Friday but did not join the BJP till evening. Those who resigned on Friday are veteran Congress legislator Ramsinh Parmar, MLA from Thasra constituency and chairman of the prestigious Amul Dairy, Chhanabhai Chaudhary, MLA from Vansda constituency, and Mansinh Chauhan from Balasinor. Congress Chief Whip Balwantsinh Rajput, MLA from Siddhpur who quit on Thursday, is rebel leader Shankersinh Vaghela's close relative. Rajput, within minutes of joining the BJP, was named for the third Rajya Sabha seat for which Patel has filed his nomination. BJP president Amit Shah and Union Minister Smriti Irani are the other two party candidates. One more Congress MLA, C.K. Raolji, who is believed to be the closest to Vaghela, was on his way to resign, but turned back midway "for final negotiations" with the BJP, a close confidante of Raolji told IANS. "Till evening, everyone thought that he quietly went to the Speaker's official residence and resigned, but he is yet to do so. Some final negotiations (with the BJP) are going on. Of course, eventually, he will resign," the source said. Local Gujarati TV channels and the rest of the media assumed that Raolji had quit and had proclaimed so, leading to confusion, he said. AICC media in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala rushed here from New Delhi. The issue also rocked the Rajya Sabha, which witnessed repeated adjournments as angry Congress members accused the BJP of "stealing" party lawmakers. The Congress accused the BJP government in Gujarat and at the Centre of pressurising Congress legislators to quit the party and join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In Ahmedabad, a Congress statement signed by Surjewala and five MLAs, including three who claimed the BJP tried to lure them with crores of rupees among other things, said: "Hunger for power has made the rulers blind to the extent that Congress MLAs are being offered bribe of crores of rupees, election ticket and other allurements." "By misusing money power, muscle power and state power, MLAs are being asked to meet Amit Shah for changing their loyalty and vote by way of defections. This is disparaging to every constitutional norm, independence of the electoral process and majesty of democracy itself. All this is being done when Amit Shah himself is a Rajya Sabha candidate." It was alleged that Scheduled Tribe Congress MLA Punabhai Gamit, a three-time legislator, was being threatened and lured. "He was forcibly detained and an attempt was made to give a bribe of Rs 10 crore with allurement to meet Amit Shah," according to the statement, which also has Gamit as a signatory. "Similar attempts to buy the loyalty of Congress MLAs Mangalbhai Gavit and Ishwarbhai Patel were made by misuse of muscle power, money power and state power. "It is the innate belief of these MLAs in Congress ideology and their impeccable integrity that deterred the conspirators and resulted in an absolute failure of their conspiracy to cause defections through allurements," the Congress said. Besides Surjewala and senior Gujarat leader and Congress MLA from Abdasa Shaktisinh Gohil, the statement has been signed by legislators Punabhai Gamit, Mangalbhai Gavit, Ishwarbhai Patel and Anand Chaudhary.
MIAMI, July 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eight Dragons Company (OTCQB:EDRG) announced today that Chief Executive Officer Una Taylor has accepted to be a judge at 10xUs first ever pitch day event on August 1st, 2017. The pitch day marks a milestone for 10xU, an exponential education startup in the Rokk3r Labs portfolio. Venture Builder Rokk3r Labs is a portfolio company of Eight Dragons.

The pitch day will provide a platform for 10xU students and affiliated startups to bring their game-changing companies to life. Judges will also include representatives of venture capital fund Rokk3r Fuel and venture builder Rokk3r Labs.

The concept of 10xU cannot be more exciting or engaging for todays digitally driven world, said Una Taylor, CEO of Eight Dragons. There is a gap in how entrepreneurs are launching ideas and where the world is going. 10xU, leveraging Rokk3r Labs exponentially driven thesis and idea-to-exit ecosystem, is filling this gap by equipping entrepreneurs with a forward-thinking framework that spans education, applied skills and a community base. Pitch day will bring to life some of the greatest ideas that will drive the global economy.

Launched in 2017 in Miami, 10xU has had over 200 people go through their program in-person and globally on-line. They have opened offices in Ecuador and the United Kingdom and have partnerships with educational and entrepreneurial institutions such as The Idea Center at Miami Dade College to provide the 10xU curriculum to its students.

We are honored to have Eight Dragons CEO Una Taylor join our judging panel for our first ever pitch day, said Lorenzo de Leo, Co-Founder of 10xU. Unas experience in the trenches as an entrepreneur and in the boardroom as a successful executive give her an unmatched and unique perspective for evaluating the best demos for our information-driven world.

About Eight Dragons Company



Eight Dragons Company (OTCQB:EDRG) is a technology-investment company that invests in and operates companies to support a full-stack development eco-system. Headquartered in Miami, FL and commencing operations in 2017, Eight Dragons seeks to help companies using innovation and vision to address the worlds biggest challenges and realize exponential opportunities. For more information on Eight Dragons, please visit our website at www.edrg.com, or follow us on Twitter at @edrgco (both of which are expressly not incorporated into this press release).



Forward-Looking Statements: Except for historical matters contained herein, statements made in this press release are forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as may, will, to, plan, except, believe, anticipate, intend, could, would, estimate, or continue, or the negative other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Also, forward-looking statements represent our managements beliefs and assumptions only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially for those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. The Company is subject to the risks and uncertainties described in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the section entitled Risk Factors in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.


Santwana Bhattacharya By

Express News Service

IT was Bihar-talk all the way in Parliament on Thursday. As Nitish Kumar got a sworn-in as the chief minister with BJP support in less than 24 hours after he resigned, he earned the sobriquet CM-portability.

The result of 2019 parliamentary polls, most BJP MPs felt, was now a foregone conclusion.

The other BJP ally from Bihar, food minister Ram Vilas Paswan declared: No vacancy for the PM post till 2024implying Narendra Modi will continue unchallenged. A senior BJP minister from Bihar was more nuanced. Nitishs return, he said, would enhance his own image and also the BJPs. Nitish may not have a base like Lalu, but he is a brand - for corruption-free good governance, which is our slogan! So, it was made-for-each-other match.

Little whispers

Not everyone spoke in superlatives though. A section within the JD-U was of the view that Nitish is caught between the devil and the deep sea, and he has taken the plunge, apparently for good of Bihar. But, politically both the JD-U and Nitish were more or less on the last legs, was the unanimous verdict.

Rumblings within JD-U

The same sentiments prevailed in the JD-U camp in Delhi. MP Veerendra Kumar, who heads JD-U Kerala unit, openly opposed Nitish Kumars decision to align with the BJP. He said he was shocked and was even considering resigning his Rajya Sabha seat. Another JD-U Rajya Sabha member Anwar Ali too threatened to resign from RS and the party.

Sharad in a sulk

The political realignment of JD-U has come as big face loss for its former chief Sharad Yadav. In protest mode, he not only met Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi but also called a meeting of JD-U MPs at his residence. Not denying that Yadav was in a deep sulk, Jaitley said that he was confident it was temporary. Hes my good old friend, Ill convince him, Jaitley added. Sources close to Yadav claimed that he was bothered about the Muslim-Yadav MLAs who got elected on JD-U tickets, may split the party.

Which party will break?

There was a betting on which party will break-JD-U, RJD or the Congress. Nitish Kumar in alliance with the BJP has a wafer thin margin in the Bihar assembly-just seven more than a simple majority. The buzz was that Congress being the smallest party, may fall prey. Ashok Choudhury, the Gathbandans education minister, claimed that their 27 MLAs were united.

IT was Bihar-talk all the way in Parliament on Thursday. As Nitish Kumar got a sworn-in as the chief minister with BJP support in less than 24 hours after he resigned, he earned the sobriquet CM-portability. The result of 2019 parliamentary polls, most BJP MPs felt, was now a foregone conclusion. The other BJP ally from Bihar, food minister Ram Vilas Paswan declared: No vacancy for the PM post till 2024implying Narendra Modi will continue unchallenged. A senior BJP minister from Bihar was more nuanced. Nitishs return, he said, would enhance his own image and also the BJPs. Nitish may not have a base like Lalu, but he is a brand - for corruption-free good governance, which is our slogan! So, it was made-for-each-other match. Little whispers Not everyone spoke in superlatives though. A section within the JD-U was of the view that Nitish is caught between the devil and the deep sea, and he has taken the plunge, apparently for good of Bihar. But, politically both the JD-U and Nitish were more or less on the last legs, was the unanimous verdict. Rumblings within JD-U The same sentiments prevailed in the JD-U camp in Delhi. MP Veerendra Kumar, who heads JD-U Kerala unit, openly opposed Nitish Kumars decision to align with the BJP. He said he was shocked and was even considering resigning his Rajya Sabha seat. Another JD-U Rajya Sabha member Anwar Ali too threatened to resign from RS and the party. Sharad in a sulk The political realignment of JD-U has come as big face loss for its former chief Sharad Yadav. In protest mode, he not only met Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi but also called a meeting of JD-U MPs at his residence. Not denying that Yadav was in a deep sulk, Jaitley said that he was confident it was temporary. Hes my good old friend, Ill convince him, Jaitley added. Sources close to Yadav claimed that he was bothered about the Muslim-Yadav MLAs who got elected on JD-U tickets, may split the party. Which party will break? There was a betting on which party will break-JD-U, RJD or the Congress. Nitish Kumar in alliance with the BJP has a wafer thin margin in the Bihar assembly-just seven more than a simple majority. The buzz was that Congress being the smallest party, may fall prey. Ashok Choudhury, the Gathbandans education minister, claimed that their 27 MLAs were united.
Ejaz Kaiser By

Express News Service

RAIPUR: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed the BJP calling it a party that thrives on lies to fulfil its greed for power. Addressing 138 party cadre who came from four assembly segments of strife-torn Bastar, south Chhattisgarh, the Gandhi scion exhorted them to win over the lies with truth.

"I know you have the potential and can do it. BJP is selling lies to the people as its concern remains to capture power everywhere. Only truth can trounce it (propagated lies)", Rahul Gandhi said.

Rahul Gandhi strongly suggested Congressmen focus on the use of social media as he lashed out at the RSS and the BJP alleging that "they work on a divisive agenda".

Rahul Gandhi is on a two-day visit to Bastar and will on Saturday address tribals in a rally, hold an interactive session with the tribal students and one-to-one meetings with party leaders and cadre.

Bastar, with a predominantly tribal population having 12 seats is often cited as the key to power in Chhattisgarh with 90 assembly seats.

The opposition Congress believes Rahul Gandhis trip will pave the way for devising a broad strategy to be followed ahead of the 2018 Assembly polls.

The visit to Bastar with a predominantly tribal population is significant since the tribals happen to be our traditional vote-bank and the party will look forward to keep their support intact, claimed party chief spokesperson Ramesh Varlyani.

Reacting to Rahul Gandhis remarks, ruling BJPs state president Dharmlal Kaushik said, What Rahul Gandhi stated is devoid of facts. Rather it seems he is giving training on speaking lies to Congress workers.

Following a call by the outlawed CPI (Maoist) to observe a Shaheed Saptah (Martyrs Week) to their cadre across India from July 28 to August 3, Bastar police have made elaborate security arrangements for Rahul Gandhis two-day visit to areas affected by left-wing extremism.

The AICC vice-president later met tribals who are demanding the return of their land acquired by the government for the Tata Steel project after the company withdrew from its Bastar venture. Rahul Gandhi is visiting BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh after two years.

RAIPUR: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed the BJP calling it a party that thrives on lies to fulfil its greed for power. Addressing 138 party cadre who came from four assembly segments of strife-torn Bastar, south Chhattisgarh, the Gandhi scion exhorted them to win over the lies with truth. "I know you have the potential and can do it. BJP is selling lies to the people as its concern remains to capture power everywhere. Only truth can trounce it (propagated lies)", Rahul Gandhi said. Rahul Gandhi strongly suggested Congressmen focus on the use of social media as he lashed out at the RSS and the BJP alleging that "they work on a divisive agenda". Rahul Gandhi is on a two-day visit to Bastar and will on Saturday address tribals in a rally, hold an interactive session with the tribal students and one-to-one meetings with party leaders and cadre. Bastar, with a predominantly tribal population having 12 seats is often cited as the key to power in Chhattisgarh with 90 assembly seats. The opposition Congress believes Rahul Gandhis trip will pave the way for devising a broad strategy to be followed ahead of the 2018 Assembly polls. The visit to Bastar with a predominantly tribal population is significant since the tribals happen to be our traditional vote-bank and the party will look forward to keep their support intact, claimed party chief spokesperson Ramesh Varlyani. Reacting to Rahul Gandhis remarks, ruling BJPs state president Dharmlal Kaushik said, What Rahul Gandhi stated is devoid of facts. Rather it seems he is giving training on speaking lies to Congress workers. Following a call by the outlawed CPI (Maoist) to observe a Shaheed Saptah (Martyrs Week) to their cadre across India from July 28 to August 3, Bastar police have made elaborate security arrangements for Rahul Gandhis two-day visit to areas affected by left-wing extremism. The AICC vice-president later met tribals who are demanding the return of their land acquired by the government for the Tata Steel project after the company withdrew from its Bastar venture. Rahul Gandhi is visiting BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh after two years.
By Express News Service

MUMBAI: Continuing the controversy over singing national song Vande Mataram in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Friday, senior BJP MLA Eknath Khadse told Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi that he would have to sing Vande Mataram if he wished to stay in this country.

Azmi, who had said on Thursday that his religion did not permit him to sing the song, reiterated his stand on the issue. "Islam does not allow me to worship anybody other than the almighty Allah. Vande Mataram talks of worshiping the motherland and hence no pious Muslim can sing the patriotic song," he said. He also urged the members of the House, citing several references from history and freedom struggle, that Muslims should not be branded anti-nationals.

Picking up the cue, senior BJP leader Eknath Khadse then asked Azmi, "If patriots of all religions sang Vande Mataram alike, what prevents some of them from singing it in free India?"

"Muslims are part of this country. They are dependent on this motherland from birth to burial and hence they should sing Vande Mataram or else leave the country," he said.

The controversy was kicked off on Thursday when BJP MLA Raj Purohit told the media that he would insist on state government introducing a policy to make singing Vande Mataram compulsory.

MUMBAI: Continuing the controversy over singing national song Vande Mataram in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Friday, senior BJP MLA Eknath Khadse told Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi that he would have to sing Vande Mataram if he wished to stay in this country. Azmi, who had said on Thursday that his religion did not permit him to sing the song, reiterated his stand on the issue. "Islam does not allow me to worship anybody other than the almighty Allah. Vande Mataram talks of worshiping the motherland and hence no pious Muslim can sing the patriotic song," he said. He also urged the members of the House, citing several references from history and freedom struggle, that Muslims should not be branded anti-nationals. Picking up the cue, senior BJP leader Eknath Khadse then asked Azmi, "If patriots of all religions sang Vande Mataram alike, what prevents some of them from singing it in free India?" "Muslims are part of this country. They are dependent on this motherland from birth to burial and hence they should sing Vande Mataram or else leave the country," he said. The controversy was kicked off on Thursday when BJP MLA Raj Purohit told the media that he would insist on state government introducing a policy to make singing Vande Mataram compulsory.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has been declared a proclaimed offender and the process to attach his assets has been initiated, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said today.

It said the order declaring Naik a proclaimed offender was issued recently by a special court in Mumbai, after which the process of attachment of his assets "under section 83 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) has been initiated".

Naik is being probed under terror and money-laundering charges by the NIA. He fled from India on July 1, 2016 after terrorists in neighbouring Bangladesh claimed that they were inspired by his speeches on waging a 'jihad' (holy war).

According to the 'Middle East Monitor', an online news portal, Naik has already been granted citizenship by Saudi Arabia. However, there has not been any independent verification of this claim so far.

Naik had his passport renewed in January, 2016 for 10 years.

The NIA, on November 18, 2016, had registered a criminal case against the controversial preacher at its Mumbai branch under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

His organisation, the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), was declared an "unlawful association" by the government a day before the NIA registered the case.

Naik is accused of spreading hatred by his provocative speeches, funding terrorists and laundering crores of rupees over the years.

NEW DELHI: Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has been declared a proclaimed offender and the process to attach his assets has been initiated, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said today. It said the order declaring Naik a proclaimed offender was issued recently by a special court in Mumbai, after which the process of attachment of his assets "under section 83 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) has been initiated". Naik is being probed under terror and money-laundering charges by the NIA. He fled from India on July 1, 2016 after terrorists in neighbouring Bangladesh claimed that they were inspired by his speeches on waging a 'jihad' (holy war). According to the 'Middle East Monitor', an online news portal, Naik has already been granted citizenship by Saudi Arabia. However, there has not been any independent verification of this claim so far. Naik had his passport renewed in January, 2016 for 10 years. The NIA, on November 18, 2016, had registered a criminal case against the controversial preacher at its Mumbai branch under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. His organisation, the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), was declared an "unlawful association" by the government a day before the NIA registered the case. Naik is accused of spreading hatred by his provocative speeches, funding terrorists and laundering crores of rupees over the years.
Issac James Manayath By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, G. Madhavan Nair, in an interview to IANS said, he hopes for an India-China collaboration in space exploration.

His comment comes after India's launch of 104 satellites on a single mission in February impressed China, which acknowledged that New Delhi's success offers a lesson for it.

Today, there is a talk of a space race between India and China. Forget the US versus Russia. The real space race is taking place in Asia, CNN columnist Katie Hunt recently wrote. But can Indias frugal innovation in space technology help it catch up with Chinas rapidly advancing space programme, which has taken the country to the verge of putting a man on the moon?

Although Indias record-breaking launch of 104 satellites, using a single rocket, earned it international laurels and catapulted it to the forefront of the global space race, yet when compared to its northern neighbour, India has a lot to catch up with.

However, catching up is happening at a rapid pace.

Unlike China, which sent its first astronaut into space in 2003, India is yet to conduct its first human space flight. However, efforts -- although fraught with funding deficiencies -- are underway at the ISRO to make this happen in the not so distant future.

A manned space mission requires a higher payload capability. After the successful launch of GSLV Mk III -- the first rocket to be powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine and capable of lifting a payload of 4,000 kg -- ISRO is in the process of beefing up the missile further so as to ready it for human space flight.

Catching up with China? Were already ahead in some areas

For China, the real punch came when India successfully launched Mangalyaan, a Mars orbiter in November 2013. Chinas attempts to do the same had failed in 2011, due to technical failure. It is now planning to launch another one in 2020, but nine years after India did the same.

Following the Manglayan success, China was one of the first countries to congratulate India. Actually, Chinese people have myriad reasons to feel delighted at the success of the Mangalyaan probe alongside Indian people. If a country that is relatively backward in scientific research is able to send a probe to Mars, it is highly possible that Yinghuo-2 may succeed in the future, observed an editorial in the Chinese state-owned tabloid, Global Times

China also learned another lesson from Indias Mars Orbiter mission: things need not be so expensive. Mangalyan was put onto the Martian orbit at a cost of $74 million, making it the cheapest Mars mission ever. Indias Mars mission soon drew an unlikely comparison; with that of George Clooney starer Hollywood blockbuster Gravity -- which was churned out at a cost of 130 million.

If Indias Mars mission made China jealous, then Indias record launch of 104 satellites into earths orbit on a single mission in February 2017 may have been harder to swallow. Indias Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C37 carried 104 satellites belonging to six countries, including the United States.

The Chinese media was quick to acknowledge the need to learn from India.

Indias successful launch of 104 satellites into orbit could serve as a wake-up call for Chinas commercial space industry and there are a number of lessons for the country to learn, an editorial in Global Times said.

Then, in a dire tone, it warned, competition with India for commercial space launches may be inevitable, and called on the China National Space Administration, Chinas premier space agency, to find ways to cut cost.

CHENNAI: Former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, G. Madhavan Nair, in an interview to IANS said, he hopes for an India-China collaboration in space exploration. His comment comes after India's launch of 104 satellites on a single mission in February impressed China, which acknowledged that New Delhi's success offers a lesson for it. Today, there is a talk of a space race between India and China. Forget the US versus Russia. The real space race is taking place in Asia, CNN columnist Katie Hunt recently wrote. But can Indias frugal innovation in space technology help it catch up with Chinas rapidly advancing space programme, which has taken the country to the verge of putting a man on the moon? Although Indias record-breaking launch of 104 satellites, using a single rocket, earned it international laurels and catapulted it to the forefront of the global space race, yet when compared to its northern neighbour, India has a lot to catch up with. However, catching up is happening at a rapid pace. Unlike China, which sent its first astronaut into space in 2003, India is yet to conduct its first human space flight. However, efforts -- although fraught with funding deficiencies -- are underway at the ISRO to make this happen in the not so distant future. A manned space mission requires a higher payload capability. After the successful launch of GSLV Mk III -- the first rocket to be powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine and capable of lifting a payload of 4,000 kg -- ISRO is in the process of beefing up the missile further so as to ready it for human space flight. Catching up with China? Were already ahead in some areas For China, the real punch came when India successfully launched Mangalyaan, a Mars orbiter in November 2013. Chinas attempts to do the same had failed in 2011, due to technical failure. It is now planning to launch another one in 2020, but nine years after India did the same. Following the Manglayan success, China was one of the first countries to congratulate India. Actually, Chinese people have myriad reasons to feel delighted at the success of the Mangalyaan probe alongside Indian people. If a country that is relatively backward in scientific research is able to send a probe to Mars, it is highly possible that Yinghuo-2 may succeed in the future, observed an editorial in the Chinese state-owned tabloid, Global Times China also learned another lesson from Indias Mars Orbiter mission: things need not be so expensive. Mangalyan was put onto the Martian orbit at a cost of $74 million, making it the cheapest Mars mission ever. Indias Mars mission soon drew an unlikely comparison; with that of George Clooney starer Hollywood blockbuster Gravity -- which was churned out at a cost of 130 million. If Indias Mars mission made China jealous, then Indias record launch of 104 satellites into earths orbit on a single mission in February 2017 may have been harder to swallow. Indias Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C37 carried 104 satellites belonging to six countries, including the United States. The Chinese media was quick to acknowledge the need to learn from India. Indias successful launch of 104 satellites into orbit could serve as a wake-up call for Chinas commercial space industry and there are a number of lessons for the country to learn, an editorial in Global Times said. Then, in a dire tone, it warned, competition with India for commercial space launches may be inevitable, and called on the China National Space Administration, Chinas premier space agency, to find ways to cut cost.
G S Vasu By

The biggest takeaway from the events in Bihar was this: The BJP has moved one step closer towards ensuring that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not face any formidable rival other than part-time politician Rahul Gandhi in 2019. Nitish Kumar resigned and managed to get himself reanointed as CM in precisely 16 hours, which must be something of a record.

But in doing so, this time with support from the BJP, he has limited his future role to the State; even that only as long as the saffron party is willing to do business with him. There is no point in discussing probity in public life or morality in politics and for that matter who is secular or communal. Since our politicians forget to even delete their tweets, we have to only look at what @NitishKumar said about @narendramodi before and after the Bihar elections in 2015 to get a sense of how irrelevant their arguments can get to justify their actions at the given point of time.

There is also no point in debating right and wrong conventions because what is good in a certain context may not be so in a different situation. A governor can take any number of days to consult legal experts before allowing the formation of a government; he can also do so within hours and even advance the swearing-in to prevent someone else from staking claim. Both can be termed right or wrong depending on which side of the divide one stands.

However, events in Patna on Wednesday-Thursday, have wider ramifications as we head towards 2019. That there is no other leader in the BJP who can cause even minor trouble for Modi is too well-known. That @OfficeOfRG is incapable of posing a serious threat and continues to pale in comparison is also known. This means that the saffron party has to deal with only one possible threat: the possibility of a credible leader emerging from any of the Opposition parties.

Nitish Kumar was one of them. But in just one master stroke, the BJP has neutralized him. A senior politician told me that the BJP began cold-shouldering him, an ally, after it emerged that he had had a long telephonic conversation with Nitish Kumar some months ago. The BJP may have smelt something in the telecon and now Nitish himself is in its kitty. Happy or unhappy, neither BJPs allies nor its foes seem to have any option, at least for now. Or, is it a case of Nitish acknowledging what Omar Abdullah said sometime ago: that there is no scope for any alternative leader to emerge at least until 2024.

**********

The turn of events in Bihar is a milestone on the BJPs roadmap for 2019. From the 270 Lok Sabha seats it won on its own in 2014, the calculation is that the party may shed some 40-50 in the next election, given that it has already reached a peak in states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and can only manage less. In such a scenario, it will have to depend on partners who are likely to come up with their own demands every now and then, something that is unlikely to offer comfort to Modi.

That explains the BJPs latest move in Bihar, its aggression in Odisha and the moves to gain footholds in the southern states of Andhra, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, apart from regaining power in Karnataka.

One got a sense of this strategy at a recent BJP organizational meeting in Telangana, where party general secretary Ram Madhav made it emphatically clear that the TRS will be its political enemy despite the regional party backing the NDA candidate in the presidential poll.

The BJP, according to those in the know of things, is in the process of attracting/poaching leaders from both the TDP and TRS in Telangana, as it seeks to pitch itself as a formidable player, given that the party, in itself, has no mass leader in the new state. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is a crafty politician and will do everything possible to not yield any ground ahead of the elections while leaving a door open for post-poll negotiations. The Congress, seen as the creator of the State, is still not reduced to rubble though its problem remains largely the samelack of direction from the top, disunity in the ranks at the local level with almost every leader fancying himself as potential chief minister.

In the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh, the BJPs ally, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, is surely drawing no comfort from the fact that his bete noir, Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, continues to get the audience of top leaders in Delhi. With the other Naidu, till recently Union Minister and now the NDA nominee for Vice President, M Venkaiah Naidu out of politics now, the BJP has snapped the link between Amaravati and Indraprastha.

While Chandrababu Naidu is too seasoned a player to make any hasty move, he is said to be keeping an eye on what the BJPs plans are for Andhra. Jagan Mohan Reddys limited interest is to gain power in Andhra while he will be willing to give away a lions share of the LS seats to the BJP. The latter cannot force Naidu to offer the same deal.

As the BJP works towards a Congress mukt Bharat while at the same time ensuring that regional players remain within its fold or do not grow beyond their State, 2019 might well see interesting combos on offer: Congress plus TMC plus Left on one side in West Bengal, SP, BSP and Congress coming together in UP or even the most unimaginable, Congress and Telugu Desam, joining hands in Andhra.

G S Vasu

Editor, The New Indian Express

Email: vasu@newindianexpress.com

The biggest takeaway from the events in Bihar was this: The BJP has moved one step closer towards ensuring that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not face any formidable rival other than part-time politician Rahul Gandhi in 2019. Nitish Kumar resigned and managed to get himself reanointed as CM in precisely 16 hours, which must be something of a record. But in doing so, this time with support from the BJP, he has limited his future role to the State; even that only as long as the saffron party is willing to do business with him. There is no point in discussing probity in public life or morality in politics and for that matter who is secular or communal. Since our politicians forget to even delete their tweets, we have to only look at what @NitishKumar said about @narendramodi before and after the Bihar elections in 2015 to get a sense of how irrelevant their arguments can get to justify their actions at the given point of time. There is also no point in debating right and wrong conventions because what is good in a certain context may not be so in a different situation. A governor can take any number of days to consult legal experts before allowing the formation of a government; he can also do so within hours and even advance the swearing-in to prevent someone else from staking claim. Both can be termed right or wrong depending on which side of the divide one stands. However, events in Patna on Wednesday-Thursday, have wider ramifications as we head towards 2019. That there is no other leader in the BJP who can cause even minor trouble for Modi is too well-known. That @OfficeOfRG is incapable of posing a serious threat and continues to pale in comparison is also known. This means that the saffron party has to deal with only one possible threat: the possibility of a credible leader emerging from any of the Opposition parties. Nitish Kumar was one of them. But in just one master stroke, the BJP has neutralized him. A senior politician told me that the BJP began cold-shouldering him, an ally, after it emerged that he had had a long telephonic conversation with Nitish Kumar some months ago. The BJP may have smelt something in the telecon and now Nitish himself is in its kitty. Happy or unhappy, neither BJPs allies nor its foes seem to have any option, at least for now. Or, is it a case of Nitish acknowledging what Omar Abdullah said sometime ago: that there is no scope for any alternative leader to emerge at least until 2024. ********** The turn of events in Bihar is a milestone on the BJPs roadmap for 2019. From the 270 Lok Sabha seats it won on its own in 2014, the calculation is that the party may shed some 40-50 in the next election, given that it has already reached a peak in states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and can only manage less. In such a scenario, it will have to depend on partners who are likely to come up with their own demands every now and then, something that is unlikely to offer comfort to Modi. That explains the BJPs latest move in Bihar, its aggression in Odisha and the moves to gain footholds in the southern states of Andhra, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, apart from regaining power in Karnataka. One got a sense of this strategy at a recent BJP organizational meeting in Telangana, where party general secretary Ram Madhav made it emphatically clear that the TRS will be its political enemy despite the regional party backing the NDA candidate in the presidential poll. The BJP, according to those in the know of things, is in the process of attracting/poaching leaders from both the TDP and TRS in Telangana, as it seeks to pitch itself as a formidable player, given that the party, in itself, has no mass leader in the new state. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is a crafty politician and will do everything possible to not yield any ground ahead of the elections while leaving a door open for post-poll negotiations. The Congress, seen as the creator of the State, is still not reduced to rubble though its problem remains largely the samelack of direction from the top, disunity in the ranks at the local level with almost every leader fancying himself as potential chief minister. In the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh, the BJPs ally, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, is surely drawing no comfort from the fact that his bete noir, Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, continues to get the audience of top leaders in Delhi. With the other Naidu, till recently Union Minister and now the NDA nominee for Vice President, M Venkaiah Naidu out of politics now, the BJP has snapped the link between Amaravati and Indraprastha. While Chandrababu Naidu is too seasoned a player to make any hasty move, he is said to be keeping an eye on what the BJPs plans are for Andhra. Jagan Mohan Reddys limited interest is to gain power in Andhra while he will be willing to give away a lions share of the LS seats to the BJP. The latter cannot force Naidu to offer the same deal. As the BJP works towards a Congress mukt Bharat while at the same time ensuring that regional players remain within its fold or do not grow beyond their State, 2019 might well see interesting combos on offer: Congress plus TMC plus Left on one side in West Bengal, SP, BSP and Congress coming together in UP or even the most unimaginable, Congress and Telugu Desam, joining hands in Andhra. G S Vasu Editor, The New Indian Express Email: vasu@newindianexpress.com
By Express News Service

KOZHIKODE: Upset with the decision of JD (U) chief Nitish Kumar to break the grand alliance in Bihar and align with the BJP, the Kerala unit of the party decided to sever ties with the national unit headed by him. The Kerala unit of the party, led by its president M P Veerendra Kumar will now meet to chalk out a strategy on the future course of action including a political realignment. Veerendra Kumar has said the Kerala unit of JD (U) will not accept the decision of Nitish Kumar at any cost.

We are ready to face any consequences. We have severed ties with Nitish Kumar. There are a few like-minded leaders in the party who have refused to accept Nitish Kumars decision. We will evolve a common agenda, he said. Though the state JD(U) has unanimously approved the partys stand to sever ties with Nitish Kumar, there is still uncertainty within the party regarding the future course of action. While a section of the party wants to continue with the UDF, some leaders are in favour of returning to LDF.

JD(U) leader Sheikh P Harris told Express the party state council has to discuss the issue.

The state council meeting will decide on the partys future course of action. As our president pointed out, the JD(U) state unit believes in a grand alliance to fight fascist and communal forces, he said. There is a debate going on within the state JD(U) unit on the possibility of returning to the LDF. While Veerendra Kumar and a few other senior leaders prefer such a move, a section led by former JD(U) legislator K P Mohanan, who was Agriculture Minister in the last UDF government, are against the move.

KOZHIKODE: Upset with the decision of JD (U) chief Nitish Kumar to break the grand alliance in Bihar and align with the BJP, the Kerala unit of the party decided to sever ties with the national unit headed by him. The Kerala unit of the party, led by its president M P Veerendra Kumar will now meet to chalk out a strategy on the future course of action including a political realignment. Veerendra Kumar has said the Kerala unit of JD (U) will not accept the decision of Nitish Kumar at any cost. We are ready to face any consequences. We have severed ties with Nitish Kumar. There are a few like-minded leaders in the party who have refused to accept Nitish Kumars decision. We will evolve a common agenda, he said. Though the state JD(U) has unanimously approved the partys stand to sever ties with Nitish Kumar, there is still uncertainty within the party regarding the future course of action. While a section of the party wants to continue with the UDF, some leaders are in favour of returning to LDF. JD(U) leader Sheikh P Harris told Express the party state council has to discuss the issue. The state council meeting will decide on the partys future course of action. As our president pointed out, the JD(U) state unit believes in a grand alliance to fight fascist and communal forces, he said. There is a debate going on within the state JD(U) unit on the possibility of returning to the LDF. While Veerendra Kumar and a few other senior leaders prefer such a move, a section led by former JD(U) legislator K P Mohanan, who was Agriculture Minister in the last UDF government, are against the move.
By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: The BJP on Friday lodged a complaint with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) demanding a probe into chief minister Naveen Patnaik's poll expenditure, intensifying its campaign against the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

"As the chief minister has already described BJP's charges as false and malicious, we have approached the ED," vice-president of state BJP unit, Samir Mohanty told media persons. The BJP alleged that there were a lot of discrepancies in the poll expenditure of the chief minister, who won from the Hinjili assembly constituency in 2014.

Stating that the people of the state have a right to know about the source of BJD's funding, Mohanty alleged the regional outfit received funds from chit fund companies and spent the money in 2014 general elections.

The BJP alleged in its memorandum that the figures are shown by the chief minister and the BJD in affidavits as election expenditure for the Hinjili assembly constituency differ, but the chief minister had signed in both the affidavits as a candidate in Hinjili and as the president of the BJD.

The BJP had also lodged a complaint against the chief minister before the Election Commission of India and Income Tax department. The high court on Thursday had adjourned to Monday the hearing on a bunch of pleas alleging discrepancies in the poll expenses. The BJP had been demanding disqualification of Naveen as a legislator alleging that he had filed a false poll affidavit before the Election Commission of India. The memorandum was submitted to the regional joint director of the ED here by the BJP delegation.

BHUBANESWAR: The BJP on Friday lodged a complaint with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) demanding a probe into chief minister Naveen Patnaik's poll expenditure, intensifying its campaign against the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). "As the chief minister has already described BJP's charges as false and malicious, we have approached the ED," vice-president of state BJP unit, Samir Mohanty told media persons. The BJP alleged that there were a lot of discrepancies in the poll expenditure of the chief minister, who won from the Hinjili assembly constituency in 2014. Stating that the people of the state have a right to know about the source of BJD's funding, Mohanty alleged the regional outfit received funds from chit fund companies and spent the money in 2014 general elections. The BJP alleged in its memorandum that the figures are shown by the chief minister and the BJD in affidavits as election expenditure for the Hinjili assembly constituency differ, but the chief minister had signed in both the affidavits as a candidate in Hinjili and as the president of the BJD. The BJP had also lodged a complaint against the chief minister before the Election Commission of India and Income Tax department. The high court on Thursday had adjourned to Monday the hearing on a bunch of pleas alleging discrepancies in the poll expenses. The BJP had been demanding disqualification of Naveen as a legislator alleging that he had filed a false poll affidavit before the Election Commission of India. The memorandum was submitted to the regional joint director of the ED here by the BJP delegation.
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: In what could be seen as a move to corner his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said if all the Kapus in AP unite, they would emerge as a strong political force to reckon with by 2019.

He also dropped enough hints that BJP central leadership is planning to rely on Kapus to expand its wings in AP by the next general elections.

Raos comments assume significance as he made them on a day when Kapu patriarch in AP, Mudragada Padmanabham, on Thursday asked the AP chief minister Chandrababu Naidu to learn from TS chief minister with regard to fulfilling promises made to various sections during the 2014 polls.

However, Rao predicted that film actor Pawan Kalyan, who hails from the same Kapu caste and who campaigned for the TDP-BJP alliance in the 2014 elections, will be unable to emerge as a political force in the coming days. Pawans Jana Sena party might go the way of the erstwhile Praja Rajyam, floated by his elder brother and film star Chiranjeevi, Rao opined.

While winding up his visit to the national capital on Thursday, Rao had a chat with some reporters in New Delhi. During his interaction, Rao expressed his views on various issues ranging from caste politics in AP to enhancement of Assembly seats in the two Telugu states. The chief minister, who all these days tried to parry questions relating to sudden slow down of probe into cash-for-vote scam involving TDP MLA A Revanth Reddy in TS, said, The probe into this scam is underway. The issue is not closed and its still open.

Though Chief Ministers of both TS and AP are exerting pressure on the Centre to increase the number of Assembly seats in both the states, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is said to be averse to the move at this juncture.

According to sources, Rao told his party men that Modi was not in favour of enhancing the seats. PM told me that even if the delimitation process begins now, the entire exercise will stretch for five years. As the next delimitation is slated for 2024, PM is of the view that we should wait till then, KCR was quoted as saying. Interestingly, the Chief Minister, who openly praised the demonetisation move by Modi earlier, said on Thursday that there was no clarity on the exact benefits reaped by the demonetisation.

Turing to the drugs racket case, Rao stated that his government will not spare anyone in the case. According to sources, KCR quoted a survey recently conducted in AP by some politicos. As per that survey, YSRCs popularity is gradually increasing in AP, while the ruling TDP has begun facing headwinds in that state. KCR further told his partymen that Pawan Kalyan might get 1.2 per cent of the vote share, while YSRC may get 45 per cent and TDP may get 43 per cent.

HYDERABAD: In what could be seen as a move to corner his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said if all the Kapus in AP unite, they would emerge as a strong political force to reckon with by 2019. He also dropped enough hints that BJP central leadership is planning to rely on Kapus to expand its wings in AP by the next general elections. Raos comments assume significance as he made them on a day when Kapu patriarch in AP, Mudragada Padmanabham, on Thursday asked the AP chief minister Chandrababu Naidu to learn from TS chief minister with regard to fulfilling promises made to various sections during the 2014 polls. However, Rao predicted that film actor Pawan Kalyan, who hails from the same Kapu caste and who campaigned for the TDP-BJP alliance in the 2014 elections, will be unable to emerge as a political force in the coming days. Pawans Jana Sena party might go the way of the erstwhile Praja Rajyam, floated by his elder brother and film star Chiranjeevi, Rao opined. While winding up his visit to the national capital on Thursday, Rao had a chat with some reporters in New Delhi. During his interaction, Rao expressed his views on various issues ranging from caste politics in AP to enhancement of Assembly seats in the two Telugu states. The chief minister, who all these days tried to parry questions relating to sudden slow down of probe into cash-for-vote scam involving TDP MLA A Revanth Reddy in TS, said, The probe into this scam is underway. The issue is not closed and its still open. Though Chief Ministers of both TS and AP are exerting pressure on the Centre to increase the number of Assembly seats in both the states, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is said to be averse to the move at this juncture. According to sources, Rao told his party men that Modi was not in favour of enhancing the seats. PM told me that even if the delimitation process begins now, the entire exercise will stretch for five years. As the next delimitation is slated for 2024, PM is of the view that we should wait till then, KCR was quoted as saying. Interestingly, the Chief Minister, who openly praised the demonetisation move by Modi earlier, said on Thursday that there was no clarity on the exact benefits reaped by the demonetisation. Turing to the drugs racket case, Rao stated that his government will not spare anyone in the case. According to sources, KCR quoted a survey recently conducted in AP by some politicos. As per that survey, YSRCs popularity is gradually increasing in AP, while the ruling TDP has begun facing headwinds in that state. KCR further told his partymen that Pawan Kalyan might get 1.2 per cent of the vote share, while YSRC may get 45 per cent and TDP may get 43 per cent.
By Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS: Russia says the United States and its Western allies rushed to judgment and blamed the Syrian government for using sarin nerve gas in an attack on an opposition-held town in Syria without ever visiting the site and ignoring two witnesses presented by Damascus.

It also criticised the report by the fact-finding mission from the chemical weapons watchdog that investigated the incident in Khan Sheikhoun on April 4 which killed more than 90 people, calling it "very biased."

A letter from Russia's UN Mission to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council circulated Wednesday contains Russia's assessment of the status of the investigation into the incident in Idlib province.

The attack sparked outrage around the world as photos and video of the aftermath, including quivering children dying on camera, were widely broadcast.

The United States blamed the Syrian military for the attack and launched a punitive strike days later on the Shayrat air base where it said the attack was launched. Syrian President Bashar Assad, a Russian ally, has denied using chemical weapons.

The Russian assessment says one thing is clear sarin was used and this was confirmed by analysis of samples from the site received by Syrian authorities.

"However, one important question remains unanswered a by whom, in what circumstances and how it was used," the Russian report said.

A fact-finding team from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons investigated the Khan Sheikhoun attack and reported on June 30 that sarin was used.

It is now up to a joint UN-OPCW body known as the Joint Investigative Mechanism or JIM to determine responsibility.

"It will be impossible to establish the truth without a visit to Khan Sheikhoun by the experts of the fact-finding mission and the Joint Investigative Mechanism, although the perpetrators and organizers of this horrific act of provocation have already done a lot of cleaning up and manipulation," the Russian report said.

It said an inspection of the Shayrat airfield "is still a priority, as this facility (was) allegedly the storage site for the sarin used in Idlib."

The report said the Syrian government "offered guarantees" of full access to Shayrat and invited the OPCW fact-finding mission and the JIM to visit the site immediately after "the tragic events" in Khan Sheikhoun. But it said the OPCW didn't visit because of "the security risks involved" and the JIM needed to wait for the fact-finding mission's report.

Russia said investigations by Turkey, Britain and France, which "resulted in quite predictable and peremptory findings of guilt on the part of Damascus," raised many questions including on whether the collection of evidence met international standards.

And Russia asked why the three countries managed to obtain evidence from the site but didn't take the opportunity to visit Khan Sheikhoun.

As for the fact-finding mission's report, Russia said it "intentionally" emphasized that the statements from the two witnesses presented by Syrian authorities supported a divergent view that it was "an act of provocation by the militants and their foreign sponsors."

"Should we not seek the truth of the events in these same statements, which differ from the general picture that has clearly been orchestrated by the opposition and by NGOs sympathetic to the opposition?" Russia asked.

"Perhaps we should first of all seek to investigate the 'real estate agents' from an armed opposition group, who rented out a building for the storage of toxic chemicals, and the ambulances from a neighboring country that removed the injured persons, perhaps as prearranged, from the scene of the chemical attack?" it asked

UNITED NATIONS: Russia says the United States and its Western allies rushed to judgment and blamed the Syrian government for using sarin nerve gas in an attack on an opposition-held town in Syria without ever visiting the site and ignoring two witnesses presented by Damascus. It also criticised the report by the fact-finding mission from the chemical weapons watchdog that investigated the incident in Khan Sheikhoun on April 4 which killed more than 90 people, calling it "very biased." A letter from Russia's UN Mission to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council circulated Wednesday contains Russia's assessment of the status of the investigation into the incident in Idlib province. The attack sparked outrage around the world as photos and video of the aftermath, including quivering children dying on camera, were widely broadcast. The United States blamed the Syrian military for the attack and launched a punitive strike days later on the Shayrat air base where it said the attack was launched. Syrian President Bashar Assad, a Russian ally, has denied using chemical weapons. The Russian assessment says one thing is clear sarin was used and this was confirmed by analysis of samples from the site received by Syrian authorities. "However, one important question remains unanswered a by whom, in what circumstances and how it was used," the Russian report said. A fact-finding team from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons investigated the Khan Sheikhoun attack and reported on June 30 that sarin was used. It is now up to a joint UN-OPCW body known as the Joint Investigative Mechanism or JIM to determine responsibility. "It will be impossible to establish the truth without a visit to Khan Sheikhoun by the experts of the fact-finding mission and the Joint Investigative Mechanism, although the perpetrators and organizers of this horrific act of provocation have already done a lot of cleaning up and manipulation," the Russian report said. It said an inspection of the Shayrat airfield "is still a priority, as this facility (was) allegedly the storage site for the sarin used in Idlib." The report said the Syrian government "offered guarantees" of full access to Shayrat and invited the OPCW fact-finding mission and the JIM to visit the site immediately after "the tragic events" in Khan Sheikhoun. But it said the OPCW didn't visit because of "the security risks involved" and the JIM needed to wait for the fact-finding mission's report. Russia said investigations by Turkey, Britain and France, which "resulted in quite predictable and peremptory findings of guilt on the part of Damascus," raised many questions including on whether the collection of evidence met international standards. And Russia asked why the three countries managed to obtain evidence from the site but didn't take the opportunity to visit Khan Sheikhoun. As for the fact-finding mission's report, Russia said it "intentionally" emphasized that the statements from the two witnesses presented by Syrian authorities supported a divergent view that it was "an act of provocation by the militants and their foreign sponsors." "Should we not seek the truth of the events in these same statements, which differ from the general picture that has clearly been orchestrated by the opposition and by NGOs sympathetic to the opposition?" Russia asked. "Perhaps we should first of all seek to investigate the 'real estate agents' from an armed opposition group, who rented out a building for the storage of toxic chemicals, and the ambulances from a neighboring country that removed the injured persons, perhaps as prearranged, from the scene of the chemical attack?" it asked
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, July 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vilacto Bio Inc. (OTC QB:VIBI), will present at the China (Wuxi) International INDUSTRIAL DESIGN EXPO 2017, which is being held on September 21-24, 2017 at the Wuxi region, one of mainland Chinas most innovative cities, organized by the Department of Science & Technology.



Vilacto Bio is there to expand its exposure in Asia, meeting with partners, distributors and investors.

Key meetings are expected to be held with Pharma companies that have shown an interest in the Lactoactive molecule.

Vilacto Bio expects to start its fundraising efforts in Q4 to raise +5 m USD.

"This is another important step in our evolution as a public company and we are pleased to make this announcement," states Gert Anderson, CEO of Vilacto Bio Inc.

About Vilacto Bio Inc.:

Vilacto Bio Inc. (OTC QB:VIBI), is a biotech company that has developed the now fully patented Lactoactive (Lactoactive molecule) that in numerous studies has demonstrated above average effect treating conditions such as inflammatory diseases, diabetes, psoriasis, skin aging, and skin issues in different levels. We aim to further develop our Lactoactive molecule for the purpose of increasing the quality of our retail and medical skin cream products as well as licensing out our Lactoactive molecule for the pharmaceutical industry.

Forward-Looking Statements & Disclaimers:

The information in this Press Release includes certain "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor provisions of Federal Securities Laws, as that term is defined in section 27a of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21e of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this document, which are not purely historical, are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Investors are cautioned that such statements are based upon assumptions that in the future may prove not to have been accurate and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including the future financial performance of the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations or any of its forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events, or circumstances after the date of this release except as required by law.
By Associated Press

TOKYO: North Korea fired a ballistic missile Friday night which landed in the ocean off Japan, Japanese officials said.

"I have received information that North Korea once again conducted a missile firing," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said. "We will immediately analyse information and do our utmost to protect the safety of the Japanese people."

Abe said he has called a meeting of the National Security Council.

Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the missile flew for about 45 minutes and landed off the Japanese coast in waters between Japan and the Korean Peninsula.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK said the coast guard issued safety warnings to aircraft and ships.

In Washington, a Pentagon spokesman, Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, confirmed that a launch of a ballistic missile from North Korea had been detected.

"We are assessing and will have more information soon," he said.

TOKYO: North Korea fired a ballistic missile Friday night which landed in the ocean off Japan, Japanese officials said. "I have received information that North Korea once again conducted a missile firing," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said. "We will immediately analyse information and do our utmost to protect the safety of the Japanese people." Abe said he has called a meeting of the National Security Council. Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the missile flew for about 45 minutes and landed off the Japanese coast in waters between Japan and the Korean Peninsula. Japanese public broadcaster NHK said the coast guard issued safety warnings to aircraft and ships. In Washington, a Pentagon spokesman, Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, confirmed that a launch of a ballistic missile from North Korea had been detected. "We are assessing and will have more information soon," he said.
By PTI

NEW YORK: An India-born academician at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been named as the dean of its engineering school.

Anantha Chandrakasan, the Vannevar Bush Professor and head of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) was last month named the dean of the MIT's School of Engineering.

He assumed his new role effective July 1. Chandrakasan succeeded Ian Waitz who is now MIT's vice chancellor, a statement from the MIT said.

The Chennai-born academician had previously headed the MIT's largest academic department, spearheading a number of initiatives that opened opportunities for students, postdocs, and faculty to conduct research, explore entrepreneurial projects.



MIT President Rafael Reif said in the statement that in a time of significant challenges, from new pressures on federal funding to the rising global competition for top engineering talent, he is confident that Chandrakasan would guide the school of engineering to maintain and enhance its position of leadership.

"And I believe that in the process he will help make all of MIT stronger, too," Reif said. In an email, Provost Martin Schmidt described Chandrakasan as "a people-centered and innovative leader."

Since joining the MIT faculty in 1994, Chandrakasan has produced a significant body of research focused largely on making electronic circuits more energy efficient. The MIT statement said that while at the helm of the EECS, Chandrakasan launched a number of initiatives on behalf of the department's students.

"That's what excites me about an administrative job. It's how I can enhance the student and postdoc experience. I want to create exciting opportunities for them, whether that's in entrepreneurship, research, or maker activities. One of the key things I plan to do as dean is to connect directly with students," the statement quoted Chandrakasan as saying.

Chandrakasan also initiated the 'Rising Stars' programme in EECS, an annual event that convenes graduate and postdoc women for the purpose of sharing advice about the early stages of an academic career.

"I'm also very passionate about helping our faculty explore new research areas," said Chandrakasan, who as department head has sought unrestricted grants and other funding to provide faculty with this flexibility.

Chandrakasan moved to the US while in high school. His mother was a biochemist and Fulbright scholar, and he spent considerable time in her lab where she conducted research on collagen. "I always knew I wanted to be an engineer and a professor," he said.

"My mother really inspired me into an academic career. When I entered graduate school, I knew on day one that I wanted to be academic professor," he said.

Chandrakasan earned his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of California at Berkeley. After joining the MIT faculty, he was the director of the Microsystems Technology Laboratories (MTL) from 2006 until he became the head of EECS in 2011.

He is a recipient of several awards including the 2009 Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) University Researcher Award, the 2013 IEEE Donald O Pederson Award in Solid-State Circuits, an honorary doctorate from KU Leuven in 2016, and the UC Berkeley EE Distinguished Alumni Award.

He was also recognised as the author with the highest number of publications in the 60-year history of the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), the foremost global forum for presentation of advances in solidstate circuits and systems-on-a-chip.



NEW YORK: An India-born academician at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been named as the dean of its engineering school. Anantha Chandrakasan, the Vannevar Bush Professor and head of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) was last month named the dean of the MIT's School of Engineering. He assumed his new role effective July 1. Chandrakasan succeeded Ian Waitz who is now MIT's vice chancellor, a statement from the MIT said. The Chennai-born academician had previously headed the MIT's largest academic department, spearheading a number of initiatives that opened opportunities for students, postdocs, and faculty to conduct research, explore entrepreneurial projects. MIT President Rafael Reif said in the statement that in a time of significant challenges, from new pressures on federal funding to the rising global competition for top engineering talent, he is confident that Chandrakasan would guide the school of engineering to maintain and enhance its position of leadership. "And I believe that in the process he will help make all of MIT stronger, too," Reif said. In an email, Provost Martin Schmidt described Chandrakasan as "a people-centered and innovative leader." Since joining the MIT faculty in 1994, Chandrakasan has produced a significant body of research focused largely on making electronic circuits more energy efficient. The MIT statement said that while at the helm of the EECS, Chandrakasan launched a number of initiatives on behalf of the department's students. "That's what excites me about an administrative job. It's how I can enhance the student and postdoc experience. I want to create exciting opportunities for them, whether that's in entrepreneurship, research, or maker activities. One of the key things I plan to do as dean is to connect directly with students," the statement quoted Chandrakasan as saying. Chandrakasan also initiated the 'Rising Stars' programme in EECS, an annual event that convenes graduate and postdoc women for the purpose of sharing advice about the early stages of an academic career. "I'm also very passionate about helping our faculty explore new research areas," said Chandrakasan, who as department head has sought unrestricted grants and other funding to provide faculty with this flexibility. Chandrakasan moved to the US while in high school. His mother was a biochemist and Fulbright scholar, and he spent considerable time in her lab where she conducted research on collagen. "I always knew I wanted to be an engineer and a professor," he said. "My mother really inspired me into an academic career. When I entered graduate school, I knew on day one that I wanted to be academic professor," he said. Chandrakasan earned his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of California at Berkeley. After joining the MIT faculty, he was the director of the Microsystems Technology Laboratories (MTL) from 2006 until he became the head of EECS in 2011. He is a recipient of several awards including the 2009 Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) University Researcher Award, the 2013 IEEE Donald O Pederson Award in Solid-State Circuits, an honorary doctorate from KU Leuven in 2016, and the UC Berkeley EE Distinguished Alumni Award. He was also recognised as the author with the highest number of publications in the 60-year history of the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), the foremost global forum for presentation of advances in solidstate circuits and systems-on-a-chip.
By AFP

AMMAN: Jordan will not allow the return of Israel's ambassador until the shooting of two Jordanians by an embassy security guard has been properly investigated, a government official said on Friday.

"Jordan will not allow ambassador Einat Shlein or the rest of the embassy staff to return until a thorough investigation has been opened" into Sunday's shooting, the official said.

On Thursday, King Abdullah II called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to try the guard, who travelled home on Monday night with other embassy officials after being briefly questioned by Jordanian investigators.

The guard was welcomed home and greeted as a hero by Netanyahu, who embraced him and said: "You acted well, calmly and we also had an obligation to get you out."

Israel maintained the guard had diplomatic immunity.

The Israeli foreign ministry said the security guard shot dead a Jordanian worker who had come to an apartment to install furniture and had stabbed him in the back with a screwdriver.

A second Jordanian, the landlord of the apartment, was also killed -- apparently by accident. He was buried on Thursday in Madaba, southwest of the capital.

Jordan's public prosecutor Akram Musaid charged on Thursday that the guard was responsible for the killings and possession of a firearm without a licence.

Tensions in the region have been high over the past two weeks after Israel introduced new security measures at the highly sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound in east Jerusalem, known to Jews as the Temple Mount. The last of them were removed on Thursday.

Jordan is the official custodian of Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem.

It is also one of only two Arab governments that have signed a peace treaty with Israel and established full diplomatic relations.

AMMAN: Jordan will not allow the return of Israel's ambassador until the shooting of two Jordanians by an embassy security guard has been properly investigated, a government official said on Friday. "Jordan will not allow ambassador Einat Shlein or the rest of the embassy staff to return until a thorough investigation has been opened" into Sunday's shooting, the official said. On Thursday, King Abdullah II called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to try the guard, who travelled home on Monday night with other embassy officials after being briefly questioned by Jordanian investigators. The guard was welcomed home and greeted as a hero by Netanyahu, who embraced him and said: "You acted well, calmly and we also had an obligation to get you out." Israel maintained the guard had diplomatic immunity. The Israeli foreign ministry said the security guard shot dead a Jordanian worker who had come to an apartment to install furniture and had stabbed him in the back with a screwdriver. A second Jordanian, the landlord of the apartment, was also killed -- apparently by accident. He was buried on Thursday in Madaba, southwest of the capital. Jordan's public prosecutor Akram Musaid charged on Thursday that the guard was responsible for the killings and possession of a firearm without a licence. Tensions in the region have been high over the past two weeks after Israel introduced new security measures at the highly sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound in east Jerusalem, known to Jews as the Temple Mount. The last of them were removed on Thursday. Jordan is the official custodian of Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem. It is also one of only two Arab governments that have signed a peace treaty with Israel and established full diplomatic relations.
Kaswar Klasra By

Express News Service

ISLAMABAD: One of the most powerful Prime Ministers in the history of Pakistan was shown the door on Friday. Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by a five-member bench of the countrys Supreme Court after a corruption probe into his familys ill-gotten wealth, cutting short his third stint in power. Including this exit, none of the 18 prime ministers who served Pakistan managed to complete their full term in office.

The five-judge bench unanimously disqualified Sharif for failing to disclose his un-withdrawn salary as the chairman of UAE-based offshore company Capital FZE. He is no more eligible to be an honest member of Parliament, and he ceases to be holding the office of Prime Minister, justice Ejaz Afzal Khan said, according to Pakistani daily Express Tribune.

Election Commission of Pakistan's notification disqualifying

Nawaz Sharif

The trial was based on the Panama Papers leaks that revealed three of Sharifs children owned offshore companies and assets not shown in his familys wealth statement. The companies were allegedly used to channel funds to acquire foreign assets, including some apartments along Park Lane in Londons Mayfair area.

Read excerpts of what individual judges said in the Panama case

Sharif, according to sources, has recommended his brother as the replacement. After a consultative session of the PML-N, Shahbaz Sharif has come forward as the most likely candidate to be the next Prime Minister after an interim premier has served the 45-day period, Geo News reported. Shahbaz Sharif is currently the Chief Minister of Punjab. A name has not been announced for the interim Prime Minister, who will fill the 45-day vacuum until Shahbaz Sharif is elected to a National Assembly seat. Sources said PML-N is expected to finalise the name for the interim Prime Minister on Saturday.

This is the third time Nawaz Sharif has been ousted before completing his term. He was sacked in 1993 by the President over graft allegations and ousted in a military coup in 1999. Its also the second time the apex court has disqualified a Prime Minister, after Yousaf Raza Gilani, who was sacked in 2012 for contempt of court.

The verdict sent shock waves among leaders of the ruling PML-N. Another elected Prime Minister has been sent home, tweeted his daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The disqualification, she claimed, wouldnt deter her father from staging a comeback. Today will pave the way for Nawaz Sharifs resounding victory in 2018. He will be unstoppable. InshaAllah. Stop him, if you can!

Maryam, Sharifs 43-year-old daughter, is seen by many as his political heir. However, she could also be facing heat soon as the top court has ordered a corruption case against her and her siblings Hussain and Hassan. The court has ordered the cases to be registered within six weeks and the trial to be completed within six months.

Pakistani media showed crowds assembled outside the court cheering when the verdict was announced. Opposition supporters erupted in applause, rushing to the streets, chanting slogans and handing out sweets.

ISLAMABAD: One of the most powerful Prime Ministers in the history of Pakistan was shown the door on Friday. Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by a five-member bench of the countrys Supreme Court after a corruption probe into his familys ill-gotten wealth, cutting short his third stint in power. Including this exit, none of the 18 prime ministers who served Pakistan managed to complete their full term in office. The five-judge bench unanimously disqualified Sharif for failing to disclose his un-withdrawn salary as the chairman of UAE-based offshore company Capital FZE. He is no more eligible to be an honest member of Parliament, and he ceases to be holding the office of Prime Minister, justice Ejaz Afzal Khan said, according to Pakistani daily Express Tribune. Election Commission of Pakistan's notification disqualifying Nawaz Sharif The trial was based on the Panama Papers leaks that revealed three of Sharifs children owned offshore companies and assets not shown in his familys wealth statement. The companies were allegedly used to channel funds to acquire foreign assets, including some apartments along Park Lane in Londons Mayfair area. Read excerpts of what individual judges said in the Panama case Sharif, according to sources, has recommended his brother as the replacement. After a consultative session of the PML-N, Shahbaz Sharif has come forward as the most likely candidate to be the next Prime Minister after an interim premier has served the 45-day period, Geo News reported. Shahbaz Sharif is currently the Chief Minister of Punjab. A name has not been announced for the interim Prime Minister, who will fill the 45-day vacuum until Shahbaz Sharif is elected to a National Assembly seat. Sources said PML-N is expected to finalise the name for the interim Prime Minister on Saturday. This is the third time Nawaz Sharif has been ousted before completing his term. He was sacked in 1993 by the President over graft allegations and ousted in a military coup in 1999. Its also the second time the apex court has disqualified a Prime Minister, after Yousaf Raza Gilani, who was sacked in 2012 for contempt of court. The verdict sent shock waves among leaders of the ruling PML-N. Another elected Prime Minister has been sent home, tweeted his daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The disqualification, she claimed, wouldnt deter her father from staging a comeback. Today will pave the way for Nawaz Sharifs resounding victory in 2018. He will be unstoppable. InshaAllah. Stop him, if you can! Maryam, Sharifs 43-year-old daughter, is seen by many as his political heir. However, she could also be facing heat soon as the top court has ordered a corruption case against her and her siblings Hussain and Hassan. The court has ordered the cases to be registered within six weeks and the trial to be completed within six months. Pakistani media showed crowds assembled outside the court cheering when the verdict was announced. Opposition supporters erupted in applause, rushing to the streets, chanting slogans and handing out sweets.
By AFP

CARACAS: A police officer was killed by a gunshot wound to the head during protests against embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro that were part of a nationwide two-day strike, prosecutors said Friday.

The cop was shot on Thursday in the town of Ejido in the northwest of the country as the strike drew to a close. The fatal shooting brought the death toll from four months of violent anti-Maduro protests to 113.

CARACAS: A police officer was killed by a gunshot wound to the head during protests against embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro that were part of a nationwide two-day strike, prosecutors said Friday. The cop was shot on Thursday in the town of Ejido in the northwest of the country as the strike drew to a close. The fatal shooting brought the death toll from four months of violent anti-Maduro protests to 113.
By PTI

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Punjab province Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to be made Prime Minister after his brother Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court over the Panama Papers scandal, sources in the PML-N party said today.

Shehbaz, 65, the current chief minister of Punjab, is the natural choice for the top post, sources in the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party said.

"He is an untiring worker, hard task master, loyal to his brother and also in the good books of the powerful establishment," a source said.

However, he cannot immediately replace his brother as he is not a member of the National Assembly. In order to become the Prime Minister, he would first have to be elected to Parliament. Hence, an interim Prime Minister would have to be chosen from among the confidants of Nawaz. The interim premier will resign once Shehbaz is elected to the National Assembly.

This would not be the first time such an arrangement would be worked out. During former military ruler Pervez Musharraf's time, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was appointed as interim Prime Minister until Shaukat Aziz, who was nominated by Musharraf, got elected by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q).

Another problem with Shehbaz being promoted to become Prime Minister is that a suitable replacement as Chief Minister of the Punjab province, which is a key for any party to rule Pakistan, needs to be named.

Sources said that there was no front-runner for the top job in the province. However, Shehbaz's son Hamza could be among the contenders for the chief minister's post.

Many names are being discussed to become prime minister for the interim period, including former defence minister Khawaja Asif, former petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former planning minister Ahsan Iqbal and speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq, sources said.

"The final choice is with Nawaz Sharif. He will nominate his temporary or permanent successor and everyone would accept it," the source said.

Sharif stepped down after the Supreme Court disqualified him for failing to declare "receivable" salary from a UAEbased company of his son in his 2013 nomination paper. The court termed the salary which was not paid to Sharif as an "asset".



ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Punjab province Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to be made Prime Minister after his brother Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court over the Panama Papers scandal, sources in the PML-N party said today. Shehbaz, 65, the current chief minister of Punjab, is the natural choice for the top post, sources in the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party said. "He is an untiring worker, hard task master, loyal to his brother and also in the good books of the powerful establishment," a source said. However, he cannot immediately replace his brother as he is not a member of the National Assembly. In order to become the Prime Minister, he would first have to be elected to Parliament. Hence, an interim Prime Minister would have to be chosen from among the confidants of Nawaz. The interim premier will resign once Shehbaz is elected to the National Assembly. This would not be the first time such an arrangement would be worked out. During former military ruler Pervez Musharraf's time, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was appointed as interim Prime Minister until Shaukat Aziz, who was nominated by Musharraf, got elected by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q). Another problem with Shehbaz being promoted to become Prime Minister is that a suitable replacement as Chief Minister of the Punjab province, which is a key for any party to rule Pakistan, needs to be named. Sources said that there was no front-runner for the top job in the province. However, Shehbaz's son Hamza could be among the contenders for the chief minister's post. Many names are being discussed to become prime minister for the interim period, including former defence minister Khawaja Asif, former petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former planning minister Ahsan Iqbal and speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq, sources said. "The final choice is with Nawaz Sharif. He will nominate his temporary or permanent successor and everyone would accept it," the source said. Sharif stepped down after the Supreme Court disqualified him for failing to declare "receivable" salary from a UAEbased company of his son in his 2013 nomination paper. The court termed the salary which was not paid to Sharif as an "asset".
By PTI

WASHINGTON: A top American lawmaker has demanded the removal of country-specific quota for legal permanent residency in the US, arguing that over seven lakh high-skilled immigrant workers from India are stuck on a cycle of temporary work visas due to the "arbitrary" cap on Green Cards.

"More than 700,000 high-skilled immigrant workers from India are in the US today on temporary work visas. These people are working hard every day helping grow our economy, raising their children as Americans right here in our communities, Congressman Kevin Yoder from Kansas said in his remarks on the floor of the US House of Representatives.

"But under our immigration system they are stuck on a cycle of temporary work visas, unable to change jobs or even start their own small business to create more American jobs. They're stuck because of the arbitrary seven per nation cap on employment-based green cards, the Republican lawmaker said.

"Right now, there's a mother in Greenland whose unborn child will be able to obtain permanent residence in America before someone from India who is already here and have been working here for years. That's absurd and it's wrong," he said.

Yoder said the bill Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act introduced by him, having more than 230 co-sponsors, would fix this problem.

"It would transition us to a first come first serve merit-based legal immigration system. It would help these people in need and it would help create new jobs, the Republican Congressman said on the House floor.

A report released early this month said the average wait time for an Indian technology professional or those seeking green card under employment category is more than 12 years.



WASHINGTON: A top American lawmaker has demanded the removal of country-specific quota for legal permanent residency in the US, arguing that over seven lakh high-skilled immigrant workers from India are stuck on a cycle of temporary work visas due to the "arbitrary" cap on Green Cards. "More than 700,000 high-skilled immigrant workers from India are in the US today on temporary work visas. These people are working hard every day helping grow our economy, raising their children as Americans right here in our communities, Congressman Kevin Yoder from Kansas said in his remarks on the floor of the US House of Representatives. "But under our immigration system they are stuck on a cycle of temporary work visas, unable to change jobs or even start their own small business to create more American jobs. They're stuck because of the arbitrary seven per nation cap on employment-based green cards, the Republican lawmaker said. "Right now, there's a mother in Greenland whose unborn child will be able to obtain permanent residence in America before someone from India who is already here and have been working here for years. That's absurd and it's wrong," he said. Yoder said the bill Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act introduced by him, having more than 230 co-sponsors, would fix this problem. "It would transition us to a first come first serve merit-based legal immigration system. It would help these people in need and it would help create new jobs, the Republican Congressman said on the House floor. A report released early this month said the average wait time for an Indian technology professional or those seeking green card under employment category is more than 12 years.
By PTI

WASHINGTON: The US today said it is looking forward to a "smooth" political transition in Pakistan as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stepped down after the Supreme Court disqualified him for dishonesty over the Panama Papers scandal.

"We look forward to a smooth transition as Pakistan's parliament selects the next prime minister, a State Department official said when asked about the disqualification of Sharif for dishonesty.

The official, however, described Sharif's resignation as Pakistan's internal matter. Sharif's resignation comes at a time when Pakistan's relations with the US is under strain after the Trump administration blocked USD 350 million coalition support funds the the country for failing to act against the dreaded Haqqani terror network.

Pakistan-based Haqqani network is blamed for a number of high-profile attacks on US and Western interests in war-torn Afghanistan.

It is the third time that the 67-year-old veteran politician's term as premier has been cut short. The muchawaited verdict plunged Pakistan into a political crisis at a time when the country is facing a brittle economy and a surge in militancy.

The court disqualified Sharif under Article 62 and 63 of Pakistan's Constitution. The articles state that a member of Parliament should be "truthful" and "righteous".

Though there was no official announcement, Geo News reported that after a consultative session of the PML-N, Shehbaz Sharif has emerged as the most likely candidate to be the next prime minister of Pakistan after an interim premier has served a 45-day period.



WASHINGTON: The US today said it is looking forward to a "smooth" political transition in Pakistan as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stepped down after the Supreme Court disqualified him for dishonesty over the Panama Papers scandal. "We look forward to a smooth transition as Pakistan's parliament selects the next prime minister, a State Department official said when asked about the disqualification of Sharif for dishonesty. The official, however, described Sharif's resignation as Pakistan's internal matter. Sharif's resignation comes at a time when Pakistan's relations with the US is under strain after the Trump administration blocked USD 350 million coalition support funds the the country for failing to act against the dreaded Haqqani terror network. Pakistan-based Haqqani network is blamed for a number of high-profile attacks on US and Western interests in war-torn Afghanistan. It is the third time that the 67-year-old veteran politician's term as premier has been cut short. The muchawaited verdict plunged Pakistan into a political crisis at a time when the country is facing a brittle economy and a surge in militancy. The court disqualified Sharif under Article 62 and 63 of Pakistan's Constitution. The articles state that a member of Parliament should be "truthful" and "righteous". Though there was no official announcement, Geo News reported that after a consultative session of the PML-N, Shehbaz Sharif has emerged as the most likely candidate to be the next prime minister of Pakistan after an interim premier has served a 45-day period.
By Associated Press

WASHINGTON: The Senate has voted decisively to approve a new package of stiff financial sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea, sending the popular bill to President Donald Trump for his signature after weeks of intense negotiations.

Never in doubt, however, was a cornerstone of the legislation that bars Trump from easing or waiving the additional penalties on Russia unless Congress agrees. The provisions were included to assuage concerns among lawmakers that the president's push for better relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin might lead him to relax the penalties without first securing concessions from the Kremlin.

The Senate passed the bill yesterday, 98-2, two days after the House pushed the measure through by an overwhelming margin, 419-3. Both are veto proof numbers as the White House has wavered on whether the president would sign the measure into law.

The legislation is aimed at punishing Moscow for meddling in the 2016 presidential election and its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria, where the Kremlin has backed President Bashar Assad.

Sen John McCain, R-Ariz, said the bill's passage was long overdue, a jab at Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress.

McCain, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, has called Putin a murderer and a thug.

"Over the last eight months what price has Russia paid for attacking our elections?" McCain asked. "Very little."

Trump had privately expressed frustration over Congress' ability to limit or override the power of the president on national security matters, according to Trump administration officials and advisers. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal White House deliberations.

But faced with heavy bipartisan support for the bill in the House and Senate, the president has little choice but to sign the bill into law. Trump's communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, suggested earlier yesterday on CNN's New Day that Trump might veto the bill and "negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians."

Sen Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said that would be a serious mistake and called Scaramucci's remark an "off-handed comment." If Trump rejected the bill, Corker said, Congress would overrule him.

"I cannot imagine anybody is seriously thinking about vetoing this bill," said Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "It's not good for any president a and most governors don't like to veto things that are going to be overridden. It shows a diminishment of their authority. I just don't think that's a good way to start off as president."

Still, signing a bill that penalizes Russia's election interference would mark a significant shift for Trump. He's repeatedly cast doubt on the conclusion of US intelligence agencies that Russia sought to tip the election in his favor.

And he's blasted as a "witch hunt" investigations into the extent of Russia's interference and whether the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow.

The 184-page bill seeks to hit Putin and the oligarchs close to him by targeting Russian corruption, human rights abusers, and crucial sectors of the Russian economy, including weapons sales and energy exports.

The bill underwent revisions to address concerns voiced by American oil and natural gas companies that sanctions specific to Russia's energy sector could backfire on them to Moscow's benefit. The bill raised the threshold for when US firms would be prohibited from being part of energy projects that also included Russian businesses.

Lawmakers said they also made adjustments so the sanctions on Russia's energy sector didn't undercut the ability of US allies in Europe to get access to oil and gas resources outside of Russia.

The North Korea sanctions are intended to thwart Pyongyang's ambition for nuclear weapons by cutting off access to the cash the reclusive nation needs to follow through with its plans. The bill prohibits ships owned by North Korea or by countries that refuse to comply with U.N. resolutions against it from operating in American waters or docking at US ports.

Goods produced by North Korea's forced labor would be prohibited from entering the United States, according to the bill.

The sanctions package imposes mandatory penalties 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.

Sens Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, and Rand Paul, R-Ky, voted against the sanctions bill.

WASHINGTON: The Senate has voted decisively to approve a new package of stiff financial sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea, sending the popular bill to President Donald Trump for his signature after weeks of intense negotiations. Never in doubt, however, was a cornerstone of the legislation that bars Trump from easing or waiving the additional penalties on Russia unless Congress agrees. The provisions were included to assuage concerns among lawmakers that the president's push for better relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin might lead him to relax the penalties without first securing concessions from the Kremlin. The Senate passed the bill yesterday, 98-2, two days after the House pushed the measure through by an overwhelming margin, 419-3. Both are veto proof numbers as the White House has wavered on whether the president would sign the measure into law. The legislation is aimed at punishing Moscow for meddling in the 2016 presidential election and its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria, where the Kremlin has backed President Bashar Assad. Sen John McCain, R-Ariz, said the bill's passage was long overdue, a jab at Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress. McCain, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, has called Putin a murderer and a thug. "Over the last eight months what price has Russia paid for attacking our elections?" McCain asked. "Very little." Trump had privately expressed frustration over Congress' ability to limit or override the power of the president on national security matters, according to Trump administration officials and advisers. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal White House deliberations. But faced with heavy bipartisan support for the bill in the House and Senate, the president has little choice but to sign the bill into law. Trump's communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, suggested earlier yesterday on CNN's New Day that Trump might veto the bill and "negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians." Sen Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said that would be a serious mistake and called Scaramucci's remark an "off-handed comment." If Trump rejected the bill, Corker said, Congress would overrule him. "I cannot imagine anybody is seriously thinking about vetoing this bill," said Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "It's not good for any president a and most governors don't like to veto things that are going to be overridden. It shows a diminishment of their authority. I just don't think that's a good way to start off as president." Still, signing a bill that penalizes Russia's election interference would mark a significant shift for Trump. He's repeatedly cast doubt on the conclusion of US intelligence agencies that Russia sought to tip the election in his favor. And he's blasted as a "witch hunt" investigations into the extent of Russia's interference and whether the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow. The 184-page bill seeks to hit Putin and the oligarchs close to him by targeting Russian corruption, human rights abusers, and crucial sectors of the Russian economy, including weapons sales and energy exports. The bill underwent revisions to address concerns voiced by American oil and natural gas companies that sanctions specific to Russia's energy sector could backfire on them to Moscow's benefit. The bill raised the threshold for when US firms would be prohibited from being part of energy projects that also included Russian businesses. Lawmakers said they also made adjustments so the sanctions on Russia's energy sector didn't undercut the ability of US allies in Europe to get access to oil and gas resources outside of Russia. The North Korea sanctions are intended to thwart Pyongyang's ambition for nuclear weapons by cutting off access to the cash the reclusive nation needs to follow through with its plans. The bill prohibits ships owned by North Korea or by countries that refuse to comply with U.N. resolutions against it from operating in American waters or docking at US ports. Goods produced by North Korea's forced labor would be prohibited from entering the United States, according to the bill. The sanctions package imposes mandatory penalties 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. Sens Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, and Rand Paul, R-Ky, voted against the sanctions bill.
Nashville, Tennessee, July 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Nashville District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), on Friday, July 28, released a presolicitation notice in which it announced plans to issue an Invitation for Bid (IFB) solicitation for a firm fixed-price construction contract for a certified small business contractor to complete work at Melton Hill Lock.

The contractor who receives the contract must return the raw water system at Melton Hill Lock to operational service by replacing waterlines, relocating pumps onto a new pump platform structure, and rehabilitating the electrical systems. When removing and replacing existing waterlines, the contractor, according to the presolicitation notice, must remove and replace associated valves, nozzles, strainers, and pumps; provide new electrical power and control circuits; and replace damaged conduits.



The contractor who receives the contract must provide all plant, labor, and materials required to replace existing Melton Hill Lock washdown and gate spray pumps.

The anticipated NAICS code is 237110, Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction, with a small business size standard of $36.5 million. The USACE in its presolicitation notice also estimates the project value at between $500,000 and $1 million.

The contractor who receives the contract must complete the project within 456 calendar days of receiving a notice to proceed, according to the notice, and the USACE anticipates releasing a full solicitation on or around August 17, 2017.

For more information, e-mail Contract Specialist Ray Kendrick at ray.kendrick@usace.army.mil.

The contractor who receives this contract 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), and/or to speak with our federal training specialists about how to craft a memorable proposal, call 877-252-2700, ext. 1.
STUDIO CITY, CA, July 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tix Corporation (the Company) (OTCQX:TIXC), a leading provider of discount ticketing services, today announced that its 2017 annual meeting of stockholders (the Annual Meeting) will be held at 10:00 A.M., local time, on September 1, 2017, at Sportsmens Lodge Events Center, 12833 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, California 91604. Stockholders of record as of the close of business on July 28, 2017, will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

The notice announcing the Annual Meeting and setting forth the matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting and the annual report to stockholders will be available online at http://www.irdirect.net/TIXC/corporate_document/67. If you are a stockholder and whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person, please vote as promptly as possible by submitting your proxy by telephone or over the Internet or by marking, signing, dating and mailing the proxy card enclosed with the Annual Meeting information that you receive by mail, in order to be certain your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting.

About Tix Corporation

Tix Corporation (OTCQX:TIXC) provides discount ticketing services. It currently operates ten discount ticket stores in Las Vegas under its Tix4Tonight marquee, which offers up to a 50 percent discount for same-day shows, concerts, attractions and sporting events, as well as discount reservations for dining. Tix4Tonight also serves as the Official Las Vegas Guest Services Partner for Expedia and its other brands. The co-branded Expedia Local Expert service provides both pre-arrival concierge-type services and in-market concierge-type desk services and related customer service support at physical locations in Las Vegas, featuring Tix4Tonight's inventory of discount show and attraction tickets, along with discount dining reservations.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the historical information contained herein, certain matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our future revenues and financial position. These forward-looking statements are based on expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's filings with the OTCQX. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. A copy of the Companys reports for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 can be found on the Company website at www.tixcorp.com or at www.otcmarkets.com.
What's next for Chase Marina? RIDEM has received plenty of proposals

Bob Ballou, assistant to the director of RIDEM, spoke about the goal of establishing a state port in Tiverton similar to Newports State Pier #9.
WASHINGTON, DC, July 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today as part of President Donald Trumps visit to Long Island, the President attacked mayors across the country as pathetic and weak. In response, U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) President and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu issued the following statement:

The Presidents comments today prove how out of touch he is with the realities of life in American cities. Mayors number one priority is  and always will be  the safety and protection of their residents. There is no daylight between the mayors of our cities and the uniformed officers who work tirelessly to keep us safe every single day. Any other notion is not only entirely devoid of facts, it is dangerous and counterproductive.

Rather than flying in and throwing disingenuous barbs, the President could learn a lot by listening to mayors who are on the ground, doing the hard work to keep our cities and their residents safe. Mayors are the ones who work day in and day out serving residents who deserve a government that solves their problems and protects them.

As mayors entrusted with keeping our communities safe, we appreciate efforts to reduce gang violence in our country. Supporting law enforcement also involves bipartisan investment in programs like COPS  a proven program that provides the support our police need.

When the President is ready to stop grandstanding and discuss policy to keep Americans safe, were ready to work with him.

One month ago, USCM unveiled the Leadership for America: Mayors Agenda for the Future  a bipartisan plan that includes important and strategic tactics supported by Mayors from both sides of the aisle, police chiefs and others to promote the safety and security of our communities.

###

About The United States Conference of Mayors -- The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are nearly 1,400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/usmayors, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/usmayors.

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Remember that fancy hotel that opened inside of Brooklyn Bridge Park earlier this year? The enviable half  you know, with the pool  was previously closed to the public, but as of Saturday (July 29th) it will be open to one and all. With the opening comes a new food and beverage program, courtesy of Matt Abramcyk (Beatrice Inn, Tiny's), Eddie Bilowich (1Oak) and Chef Michael Oliver.

The space (some of which was already open to the public) features fire pits, stadium-like seating (made from the original pine beams from the former Domino Sugar Factory), the aforementioned lounge pool, sweeping views, and other stuff you'd normally find in Miami... like a lineup of rotating deejays. The capacity is around 450, so expect that number of people there nightly!

There will also be cocktails, beer (sourced "from the tip of Montauk to the heart of Greenpoint"), wine, and a menu featuring "a lobster roll inspired by chefs home state of Maine" and "a locally sourced grilled hot dog and a backyard burger." Lighter fare includes guacamole with spiced chips and whipped ricotta with market tomatoes.

They'll be up there from now into the fall, when the trio "will take up permanent residence, running the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridges signature restaurant and 10th floor cocktail bar, in addition to 1 Rooftop."

The hotel also has a lounge bar on the ground floor, but be warned the service is pretty abysmal, and you may wait over 30 minutes for a drink. It's worth noting that the lobby bar is not run by Abramcyk & Co., so hopefully the issues that have been ever-present there since opening won't make it upstairs.

1 Rooftop at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is located at 60 Furman Street; hours are M-F from 4 p.m. to close, and Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to close.
Delirium is common in elderly hospitalized patients, affecting an estimated 14 - 56% of patients. It frequently manifests as a sudden change in behavior, with patients suffering acute confusion, inattention, disorganized thinking and fluctuating mental status.

Pre-existing cognitive impairment or dementia in patients undergoing surgery are widely recognized as risk factors for postoperative delirium, increasing its likelihood and severity.

However, little previous research has focused on whether delirium itself portends or even accelerates a decline into dementia in patients who showed no previous signs of cognitive impairment.

Research published today in the British Journal of Anaesthesia focuses on patients over the age of 65 who were assessed as cognitively normal prior to surgery. This study, led by Professor Juraj Sprung of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, finds those who developed postoperative delirium were three times more likely to suffer permanent cognitive impairment or dementia.

Over a ten year period, patients over the age of 65 enrolled at the Mayo Clinic Study of Ageing in Olmsted County Minnesota who were exposed to general anesthesia were included in an investigation involving over two 2000 patients. Their cognitive status was evaluated in regular 15 month periods before and after surgery by neuropsychologic testing and clinical assessment. Out of 2014 patients, 1667 were deemed to be cognitively normal before surgery. Of the 1152 patients who returned for follow-up cognitive evaluation, 109 (9.5%) had developed mild cognitive impairment (pre-dementia) or dementia, and those who had suffered postoperative delirium were three times more likely to be subsequently diagnosed with permanent cognitive decline or dementia. This research is the first to focus on the association between delirium and long-term cognitive decline in patients with normal mental capacity before surgery.

While previous studies have highlighted cognitive decline in the elderly following postoperative delirium, no others have involved such a detailed neuro-cognitive assessment identifying those with normal pre-operative cognitive abilities who go on to develop dementia. In conclusion, researchers believe that postoperative delirium could be a warning sign of future permanent cognitive impairment (dementia) in patients who at the time of surgery were still just above the threshold for registering cognitive decline. Alternatively, postoperative delirium could itself produce injury, which per se accelerates the trajectory of decline into dementia.

"Our research shows that delirium after surgery is not only distressing for patients and their families, but also may be a warning that patients could later develop dementia, said Sprung. "We don't yet know whether taking steps to prevent postoperative delirium could also help prevent dementia - but we need to find out."
Collated Childhood cancer statistics in sub-Saharan Africa have been published for the first time as a monograph in the peer reviewed journal ecancermedicalscience, allowing researchers and policymakers a critical new insight into the impact of pediatric cancer across this region.

On the African continent, only South Africa operates a childhood cancer registry on the national level. This new study brings together data from 16 of the smaller localized registers, collecting this scattered knowledge for the first time and presenting it in an accessible format.

Examining the data in context allows researchers to notice important trends, such as in Blantyre, Malawi's second-largest city. In Blantyre, the cumulative risk of a child developing Burkitt's Lymphoma -- a rare blood cancer -- is a startling two in every thousand. The study's authors call this incidence "remarkable." And the global research community is largely unaware of this. "Everything starts with awareness," says lead author Prof Cristina Stefan, Global Clinical Leader of Oncology for Roche Diagnostics International Ltd of Switzerland, and Director of the African Medical Research and Innovation Institute (AMRII). "It is highly necessary to publicize these data, which at the moment represent the best image of the malignant disease in children in the respective regions." Other factors, such as the prevalence of malaria and the Epstein-Barr virus, contribute to the unique epidemiology of childhood cancer in Africa.

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Prof Stefan says: "Our colleagues can learn that the patterns and distribution of cancers in Africa are totally different from Europe and there is a need for further research into the roles of factors such as genetic predispositions, and the influence of infections and other comorbidities in the evolution of cancer.

"We have learned many universal lessons about data collection as we prepared this work. Our hope is that the publication of this monograph will open the forums for future discussions and that the work will be referenced for the better understanding of cancer in children in Africa and used to improve outcomes for children affected there."

In the meantime, the study has been published in an open access journal so that the data is freely available to help public health policy makers and health agencies better plan allocation of existing medical resources to help prevent deaths which would be avoidable in higher income countries.
Researchers at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and the department of neurosurgery at the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, announced today that they have published a paper with research findings that could have implications for the treatment of many neurological conditions, including severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The team of researchers found that in an animal model with TBI, trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) resulted in increased cerebral blood flow (CBF) and oxygen to the brain. These latest findings were published in Scientific Reports.

The research paper titled, "Neuroprotective Effects of Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury," was co-authored by Northwell Health's Amrit Chiluwal, MD, Raj K. Narayan, MD, Wayne Chaung, PhD, Neal Mehan, MD, Ping Wang, MD, Chad E. Bouton, and Chunyan Li, PhD. The paper was also co-authored by Eugene V. Golanov, MD, PhD, from the department of neurosurgery at the Houston Methodist Research Institute in Houston, TX.

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"Following TBI, ischemia and hypoxia play a major role in further worsening of the damage, a process known as secondary injury," said Dr. Li, assistant professor of the Center for Bioelectronic Medicine at the Feinstein Institute. "Preventing secondary injury is vitally important in the overall management of TBI. In the animal model, we investigated the use of electrical TNS for improving CBF and delivering more oxygen to the brain, with the goal of decreasing secondary injury. We found that TBI rat models with TNS treatment demonstrated significantly increased systemic blood pressure, CBF, oxygen, as well as significantly reduced brain edema, blood-brain barrier disruption and lesion volume."

Dr. Narayan, Northwell Health's senior vice president and executive director, neurosurgery services added, "No pharmacological agents have currently been shown to improve clinical outcomes for TBI. Therefore, there is an urgent need for developing novel therapeutic strategies to maximize recovery. The data from this research study provides strong evidence that TNS offers neuroprotection following brain damage. TNS could also offer some benefit in other pathological states such as stroke or vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage where the brain is at risk for ischemic and/or inflammatory damage."
Data from Push Doctor reveals two-thirds of patients in the UK wait between one and two weeks to see a doctor

Today, Europes largest digital health provider Push Doctor, reveals the biggest irritations for Brits when it comes to visiting the doctor. According to the research, late running appointments and impatient reception staff are just two reasons patients avoid the traditional GP surgeries of the past for as long as possible. In fact, almost half of respondents admitted to making an illness considerably worse by putting off that all-important GP assessment.

The study, polling 1,000 consumers in the UK, also reveals just how long Brits are forced to wait for an appointment with a doctor compared with their expectation on wait times. Despite exactly half of Brits expecting to be able to book and be seen by their own GP within three days, two-thirds of the UK admit to waiting on average between one-two weeks for an appointment, and over half (56%) cannot get a GP appointment within three days of making the initial phone call.

Push Doctor provides consumers with an alternative to waiting times and the ability to see a doctor within just six minutes via the app-based service available on iPhone, iPad, Android or PC. Customers of the service say they will never go to the doctors again because it is such a different experience.

How long would you wait?

When it comes to the waiting room, fewer than 1 in 10 Brits are seen within five minutes of arriving, whilst more than three-quarters (76%) are forced to wait in excess of 10 minutes. Perhaps even more shocking is exactly a third of patients wait in the reception area between 20 and 30 minutes before even seeing their doctor.

Additionally, 28% of patients say their experience of traditional GP surgeries leaves them exasperated due to late running appointments on the day that come with no warning. The five biggest frustrations when it comes to waiting for a doctors appointment are as follows:

Top five frustrations when it comes to waiting for a doctors appointment:

Symptoms subsided by the time an appointment is given Appointments are usually running late Sitting in the reception area Having to take time off work due to surgery hours Rude reception staff

In addition, the research reveals the top five appointments Brits hate waiting around for. Evidently, Brits are not willing to hang around when it comes to their health, with two-thirds (66%) confessing they hate waiting to see the GP more than any other appointment. The dentist waiting room came in second place with just 29% of the vote. In fact, healthcare accounts for the vast majority of things Brits hate waiting for, according to 96% of respondents. The full top five irritations can be found below.

Top five appointments Brits hate waiting for:

Doctor Dentist Taxi service Hairdressers Optician

Push Doctor Founder and CEO, Eren Ozagir, said:

Traditional GP opening hours are a frustration for patients, often inconvenient for the full-time worker who struggles to get an appointment in good time. However this is not an easy problem to solve, as far as GPs are concerned there is a funding gap that needs to be addressed in order to deliver a service outside of normal working hours. The issue couldnt be more fraught but there doesnt seem to be a viable solution coming from either side to address the needs of patients now. A hybrid system which alleviates the pressure on the existing system and provides a more convenient service for those willing to contribute and pay a little more would benefit doctors, patients and the NHS.

Push Doctor can help today. Not only is the service convenient to time-poor patients, but it also frees up GP time by reducing administrative tasks and alleviating pressure on NHS GP services. Push Doctor believes quality healthcare is about making unwell people better, helping the public to invest in themselves and take an active interest in their own healthcare with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live happier, longer lives.
The Delhi government's transport department has readied a software to enable vehicle owners to update themselves about the status of registration certificates (RCs) which will now be dispatched directly at their addresses, said a senior government official. Under the initiative of the transport department to streamline vehicle documentation process, the software was to be launched soon but it may get delayed due to the dates of by-poll for Bawana constituency announced today, said the official.The decision to send RCs to vehicle owners instead of making them fetch it from the motor licencing offices (MLOs) or the dealers will prove to be a great relief to them. "Annually around ten lakh RCs are issued. A majority of them for new vehicles. Sending it directly to the vehicle owners will not only be a great relief to them but also it will cut down corruption," said the official.Presently, the driving licences are dispatched to the people at their doorsteps by the transport department. The process of sending RCs directly to the vehicle owners will start at the earliest, he added.
Nitish Kumar has won the crucial floor test in Bihar Assembly with 131 votes for and 108 against the motion.

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Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Friday refuted allegations that the Telugu film industry is being targeted in the recent crackdown on the drug racket by the Excise department.



He assured that only criminals will be booked and innocent people will not be harassed.



"It is brought to our notice that some film personalities are using drugs. When we question the users, we will get information and leads to those supplying, selling and the ones in the drug business, and they will be exposed. We are using the drug users to get at the main culprits," Rao said.



So far, 12 people from the film industry and 27 others have been questioned. Telugu film celebrities who have been questioned include Ravi Teja, Navdeep, Charmee Kaur, Mumaith Khan, Subba Raju and director Puri Jagannath. Also, two foreign nationals and another 22 people have been arrested in various drug related cases.



In the case of those supplying and selling drugs who belong to the film industry, cases will be booked against them, Chief Minister added.



Senior police officer Rao reiterated that the state government is bent upon eradicating the social evils from the state and that the SIT is on the job to nip distribution and use of banned drugs in the bud.



Rejecting the reports of the large-scale use of drugs in the state, the CM said, "The governments aim is to eradicate the supply of drugs at the entry level. Telangana is not in the list of states where there is a drug menace nor the city of Hyderabad is in the list of cities where there is large-scale drugs consumption."



Sale, supply, and consumption of drugs is there all over the country. According to the statistics by Narcotics Central Bureau (NCB), Punjab registered 10,220 cases, UP 6,755, Maharashtra 1903, Tamil Nadu 1402 and Rajasthan 1115. Other cities include Mumbai 1512, Delhi 829, Kanpur 551, Amritsar 457 and Kota 242. Hyderabad is not among the cities where there is higher drugs use, he added.



Investigations have revealed that the drugs are being supplied from countries like Spain, Thailand, Portugal, Nigeria, Netherlands, and Columbia. Rao has announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh for any information regarding the case. He has also instructed the officials to continue the investigation and book the culprits whoever they may be.




New Delhi: A PIL in the Supreme Court for allowing a 10-year-old rape survivor to abort in the 26th week of her pregnancy has put the spotlight yet again on India's law on termination of pregnancy.



At the Centre of this issue lies the "life versus life" debate and the legal dilemma that surrounds it.



Section 3(2)(b) of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (MTPA), 1971, bars abortion after the 20th week. Notably, the Indian law did not allow abortion before 1971 and, therefore, legalising abortion for a 24-year-old democracy was a great leap.



The MTPA did not explicitly lay down why the cut-off was kept at 20 weeks, but the doctors would suggest the lawmakers were perhaps moved by the fact that a woman starts feeling movements of the baby around this time. Further, the signs of life of the foetus would become visible in sonography by now.



Notwithstanding the absence of any legal or parliamentary explanation for the 20-week deadline, it is also argued by some that a late abortion may help sex-determination and thus increased threats of female foeticide, besides putting the mother's life in danger.



Forty-five years on, the MTPA, like several other laws, also needs to keep pace with social changes and advancements in health technology, and if one looks at the possible rationale behind the 20-week deadline today, it won't augur well with any.



Undoubtedly, abortion laws are one of the most debated subjects across the world where 'pro-life or pro-choice' are the broad decisive principles, guided by religious, social, ethnic, moral and legal factors.



China allows abortion till 28 weeks while the UK, Greece, Singapore and the Netherlands permit it till 24 weeks. All these countries rely upon their health technology and seek to put the interest of the mother of paramount importance when they let her make a choice. No one will doubt India has also progressed by leap and bounds in its health technology and health care facilities since 1971.



Similarly, apprehensions regarding sex selection may also be not completely founded because parents, as doctors say, don't need to wait till 20 weeks for knowing the gender of the foetus since it can be known much earlier through a simple sonography.



On the other hand, determination of foetal abnormality, in many cases, can only be done after the 20th week and by keeping the ceiling artificially low, women who obtain reports of serious foetal abnormality after the 20th week have to suffer excruciating pain and agony on account of the deliveries that they are forced to go through.



Section 5 of the MTPA permits termination of pregnancy post 20 weeks, but it comes with strict riders, dissuading resorting to the exception clause in the law.



Section 5 of the Act limits this reprieve to situations where the termination of such pregnancy is immediately necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman.



The literal interpretation of this clause has more often than not been understood by hospitals and practitioners to mean abortion can be done only when death of the woman is a certainty otherwise.



Such restrictive interpretation does not account for physical and mental health of the woman under the expression life, let alone provide for severe foetal abnormalities discovered after the 20th week.



In 2007, when a woman in 22nd week of her pregnancy visited Dr Nikhil Datar in his Mumbai clinic, with a devastating sonography report, Datar was left perplexed.



The report showed major chances that the baby could be born in a vegetative state or with severe abnormalities. But Datar couldn't help her medically in the wake of the 20-week deadline.



The doctor, who could clearly see the legal conundrum, however, decided to take up the cause legally and he became the first petitioner in a PIL before the Bombay High Court, challenging the validity of Section 3 (2)(b) of the MTPA.



The High Court declined to interfere with the law or to interpret the legal provision in a manner that would encompass health of a woman under the term "life" in Section 5.



Datar moved the Supreme Court, which in 2009 admitted his petition for hearing and sought replies from the central government.



Meanwhile, in 2008, the Government MTP Committee report, prepared by then health secretary Naresh Dayal and former director-general of Indian Council of Medical Research Dr NK Ganguly, favoured increasing the time limit of legal abortion to 24 weeks.



But, unfortunately, neither this report was made public nor did the government in the Supreme Court make a statement that they had accepted its recommendations in toto.



While Datar's case remained pending in the top court, the National Commission for Women in 2013 drafted proposed amendments to the MTPA to protect womens lives where there is a substantial physical or mental foetal abnormality.



In 2014, the government itself drafted proposed amendments to the Act for increasing the 20-week deadline but Parliament is yet to examine and ratify it.



With legal regime unmoved, the women had no other resort but to move a constitutional court with their plea for aborting the foetus where medical reports corroborated severe abnormalities.



The first breakthrough of sorts came in July 2015 when a bench of Justices Anil R Dave and Kurian Joseph opened a window of hope for a 14-year-old rape victim, who sought its permission for termination of her pregnancy after 24 weeks.



Issuing a flexible order, the court left it for a team of doctors and a psychologist to take a call on whether termination of pregnancy was in the interest of the girls life. The court said if they found that to be the case, she could go ahead with the abortion.



However, the bench was clear was on the aspect that its hands were tied by the law and hence it couldn't pass a directive straightaway allowing abortion.



We understand her life has been ruined and there will be social stigma. We can acknowledge her pain and agony and we want to help her. But we cannot do it in violation of the law, it had then said.



A year later, another bench of Justices J S Khehar and Arun Mishra came across the same "dilemma". This bench allowed a rape survivor to terminate her pregnancy beyond the law-mandated 20 weeks after noting that the womans life was in danger. The permission was based on a medical report and under Section 5 of the MTPA, which was cited by the government as the provision for protecting a woman's life  nothing was said about foetal disorder.



But at least on two similar occasions in 2017  in February and then in May  the Supreme Court denied such permissions to women petitioners.



In both the cases, babies were likely to be born with congenital disorders. However, since the medical boards did not affirm that the women's lives were in grave danger, the court expressed its inability to pass orders.



Significantly, most of these petitions had challenged the constitutional validity of Section 3 (2)(b) of the MTPA but when the matters came up for hearing, this contention was given up by the lawyers, restricting their plea to abortion in their cases.



On Friday, the Supreme Court will again take up two such petitions. First is by the 10-year-old rape survivor and the second by a woman whose foetus has congenital disorders. Medical boards have been set up in both the cases, and their reports will be considered to decide whether abortion can be allowed.



In this process of adjudication on a case-by-case basis, the apex court has often highlighted the necessity of a new law but has restrained itself from laying down a new legal principle since it is an area already occupied by specific provisions, Section 3 (2)(b) and 5.



Under its writ jurisdiction, the Supreme Court has the authority to issue any order for providing justice. But the buck eventually stops at the lawmakers, who must revisit the Act and bring suitable amendments to tide over the uncertainties and put in place a fresh regime that would help women lead a healthy life.



Nobody would complain if this well-intentioned move comes with proper checks and caveats till the time it accords priority to "life", which is not just an antithesis of death but is much more than animal existence and encompasses right to health, both physical and mental.
Patna: Nitish Kumar has surprised many, including some within his own party, by breaking away from Mahagathbandhan and tying up with the BJP. Kumar is known to hold cards close to his chest, quite like Narendra Modi.



But managing the party in the state, negotiating with the Centre, and breaking and stitching new coalitions is something that even the wily Chief Minister from Nalanda cant do all by himself. Even in this latest political turnaround, he has been helped by some of his most trusted aides.



These six men have seen Nitish through thick and thin and are closely working with him to see JD(U) through Fridays floor tests and many other tests that Nitish is likely to face in days to come.



Lalan Singh



Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh has been very close to Nitish since his first term as the Chief Minister. Singh was road construction minister during his first term. He was instrumental in the social engineering Nitish experimented to oust RJD in 2005. Singh, who hails from Lakhisarai, belongs to a dominant upper caste Bhumihar community.



Nitish had meticulously woven upper caste, Extremely Backward Caste (EBC) and Mahadalit combination to outwit strong Muslim-Yadav (MY) plus OBC combination of Lalus RJD. Singh successfully mobilized upper castes in the favour of Nitish-led NDA in Mithilanchal and Magadh area. He revolted against Nitish in 2010 but soon reconciled and was inducted as a minister in 2013.



RCP Singh



Ex-UP Cadre civil servant Ramchandra Prasad Singh served as principal secretary to Nitish during his second term as the CM. Nitish sent him to Rajya Sabha and he is believed to be the key man who handles finances of the party. As a trusted strategist of Nitish, he reportedly played a key role in inflicting split in the RJD after Nitish decided to part ways with BJP in 2014. He is from Chief Ministers constituency Nalanda and belongs to Kurmi community, the same caste of Nitish Kumar.



Vashishth Narayan Singh



Rajya Sabha MP and State JD(U) president, Vashishth Narayan Singh is a veteran politician. He started his political career as a member of legislative assembly in 1990. He was a minister in Lalu Prasads cabinet but broke ranks when Nitish Kumar formed Samata Party. He was elected president of the party and has continued his allegiance to Nitish till date. He hails from Buxar and belongs to Rajput community. Nitish consults him before taking any important decision. He will play a crucial role along with Lalan Singh and others to decide the formation of the new cabinet.



Neeraj Kumar



He is the chief spokesman of Nitishs party and directs other colleagues over how to communicate their leaders point of views to the public. He led from the front to counter Lalu and his son after the CBI filed an FIR against them in a land graft case. As a close strategist, Nitish keeps his doors open of him round the clock.



Sanjay Jha



Having his base in Delhi, he is believed to be Nitishs interlocutor for interacting with the union government and played a key role in talks in back channel discussions with the central leadership of the BJP that resulted in Nitish coming back to the NDA fold. He is considered very close to union finance minister Arun Jaitley.



KC Tyagi



Nitish has entrusted him with the task of expanding the root of the party in other states. He is national general secretary of the party. He has been projected at par with Sharad Yadav, who had stepped down as partys president last year.
New Delhi: There will be no compromise on the Doklam standoff with Indias National Security Advisor Ajit Doval who is in Beijing for a BRICS Summit, state-controlled Chinese media has quoted experts as saying.



"China's position will not change and the Indian government and media should better abandon the illusion of using force to bully China into a compromise," Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow at the Institute of International Relations of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.



"The Doklam Plateau is Chinese territory, something also India acknowledges. So, how can we withdraw our troops from our own territory after Indian troops have crossed the border?" Hu is quoted as saying.



The armies of both countries have been engaged in a standoff since June 16 in Sikkim section where India and China share a 220-km-long border. Doka La is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Dokalam, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region.



Ajit Doval and China's State Councillor Yang Jiechi, who are Special Representatives of India-China border, held a separate meeting on Thursday to discuss bilateral issues, during which they were also understood to have discussed the standoff.



Though China had maintained that there won't be a meaningful dialogue without the unconditional withdrawal of Indian troops, India has been maintaining that the unilateral action by China to build a road in the area was altering the status quo and had serious security implications for India.



India has also been pitching for diplomatic solution to resolve the standoff but sought simultaneous withdrawal of troops of both the sides from the tri-junction with Bhutan. However, the Chinese official media has been carrying a blistering campaign accusing India of trespassing into Chinese territory.



In its latest such attempt, the Global Times quoted experts who claimed the standoff wont dominate the BRICS forum.



"The China-India border tension will not dominate the meeting in Beijing because this is a regular meeting between BRICS countries rather than an emergency multilateral meeting on the border tension. As the host, we also need to consider other BRICS guests and discuss other important issues," Hu Zhiyong said.



Lin Minwang, a professor at Fudan University's Center for South Asian Studies, said China is unlikely to further clarify its redline or even deliver an ultimatum if India refuses to withdraw troops because we still want to offer India a chance for a peaceful solution.



One of the experts even attempted to link the issue to the upcoming plenary of the Communist Party of China. "India's behavior is like 'blackmail' to some extent as it knows China will hold the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which is a key political event," Jin Canrong, associate dean of the Department of International Studies at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times.



"However, India's 'blackmail' will fail. Although China's military deployment is less, its quality is superior to India's, and the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has the ability to deploy more troops from other provinces to the border area in Tibet. China has nothing to be afraid of even if the situation requires a military solution," Hu said.



Doval arrived in Beijing on Wednesday to take part in the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) NSAs meeting. His visit has raised expectations about the likelihood of India and China finding a way-out of the over the month-long standoff.



Doval, along with other heads of the delegations, will also call on Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday evening.
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that Bengalurus Namma Metro will temporarily redesign the signages and names of boards in metro stations without using Hindi language or script.



In a letter to the Union Minister for Housing, Narendra Singh Tomar, that sounds much like an FYI, Siddaramaiah says, I hope you would appreciate that this is a sensitive matter. I would like to impress upon you that it will be better to follow a persuasive approach rather than a mandatory approach in the use of Hindi.



Pointing out that the issue had led to protests across the city - first, through an online campaign and later seen in on-ground protests by many pro-Kannada groups - Siddaramaiah told the Centre this is part of the basis for the States move.



Presently, it (the protests) has begun to take a violent turn with activists trying to deface the Metro name boards/signage. Although the State government has strictly dealt with those who defaced signage and maintained law and order, you would agree that in the face of a continued agitation and demands from intellectuals, it is counter-productive to insist on the use of three languages, including Hindi, he writes.



The CMs decision comes after he asked officials to check the language policy followed in other Metros in the country. He has tried to take a conciliatory, though firm, approach with the Centre, informing the Government of India in no uncertain terms that a decision to do away with Hindi boards has been taken.



In December last, the Union Urban Development Ministry had written to the BMRCL MD that a three-language policy (local language, Hindi and English) is mandatory in all non-Hindi speaking States.



Calling the three-language policy not reasonable, Siddaramaiah told Tomar, in his letter, that although both Centre and State governments have a 50:50 equity share in the building of the Metro rail, the financial burden of the State is much higher as it bears the cost of land acquisition, operating losses, and all debt-servicing. He further tells Tomar to review his earlier decisions, perhaps in a reference to the policy being imposed on other States as well.



There has been great furore over the Centres attempt to thrust Hindi down commuters throats, with campaigners arguing that if a third language has to be brought in, it must be Tamil or Telugu  as a larger population in Bengaluru speak these two languages and Hindi should not be given any special or backdoor-national-language status.



Though many in Delhi have asked the question whats the harm in Hindi, how will it hurt the people, this argument has been brushed aside as irrational. There has been a violation of the official languages Act of the Karnataka government since 2011. It is good the CM has written a letter to the Union Government now, saying the Union government should not instruct Namma Metro to use Hindi, says Arun Javagal, one of the active social media campaigners of #StopHindiImposition this past month.



Others hailed this as a victory of the Kannada campaign.



It is good news for all those who have fought against the imposition of Hindi. The CM says redesign is temporary but it should be lasting, said Vallish Kumar, another campaigner.



The CMs decision comes a day after the Kannada Development Authority wrote to him, pointing out violations in language and recruitment policies by the BMRCL. The KDA has asked that all low-ranking jobs (cleaning, security staff) must be reserved for Kannadigas, as the BMRCL is a State government agency.



It has also questioned the need for seven Chief Engineers who are non-Kannadigas deputed at BMRCL, asking that they be repatriated to their parent departments  this, however, is only a recommendation and the government may not consider it as these top-ranking jobs require a certain skill-set and experience.



The decisions to rake up regionalism and identity with just ten months to go for elections are being seen as an election gimmick  but strangely, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which rules at the Centre, has remained silent on the decision  perhaps in an effort to avoid being seen as anti-Kannada, as that would have an impact too on its own chances in the Assembly elections scheduled for April 2018.




New Delhi: It was her first interaction with Delhi media after a string of arrests of separatist leaders in Kashmir, and Mehbooba Mufti made her differences with her alliance partner, BJP, amply clear.



Without explicitly saying so, the Chief Minister of J&K conveyed her difference with BJP on three key issues  on holding dialogue with people in Kashmir, on arrests of separatists, and on Kashmirs special status.



We need to find what exactly is going on in the mind of a teenager, what is compelling him to do it (throw stones). We need to replace the idea of azaadi with another idea, a better idea, but are we ready to do that? We may be able to contain the present situation but there still is so much distrust, Mehbooba said at an event, Understanding Kashmir, in the capital organised by the Bureau of Research on Industry and Economic Fundamentals.



Differences between BJP and PDP are perhaps most starkly visible when it comes to holding dialogue on Kashmir. Senior BJP leaders, like Amit Shah and the co-architect of BJP-PDP alliance Ram Madhav, have refused to talk to anyone till stone-pelting ends.



However, Mufti and other senior leaders of PDP have been batting for dialogue with everyone in Kashmir, including the Hurriyat. There was in fact a heated exchange between BJP leaders and Altaf Bukhari, senior PDP leader and state education minister, who as far back as April had suggested that dialogue cannot have a rider or any pre-conditions in a democratic set-up.



The party has come under even greater pressure after a string of arrest by NIA of Hurriyat leaders, including Shabir Shah, in money laundering cases.



Whatever was done by NIA is an administrative measure. They can contain situation but not address the real problem. We have to see that there is a problem and some people are taking advantage of it to serve their own purposes. Some mint money, some burn schools, some keep the pot boiling [these arrests] have not helped resolve the idea of Kashmir, Mehbooba said.



Rift between PDP and BJP has been publicly visible not only on the issue of dialogue but also on the special status or the idea of Kashmir, as Mehbooba put it.



This idea is seen to have come under repeated, recent attack from the Centre in at least two ways. First through the decision of the Centre not challenge a PIL filed by a little known NGO We the People against Article 35A, which accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of the Jammu and Kashmir.



Several Hindu right wing thinkers and think tanks have made their opposition to Article 35A be publicly known. Centres refusal to fight for the special status has sent a clear message to the valley.



And second, through the implementation of GST, with some riders, in Kashmir. Many in the valley feel that the implementation of GST has irrevocably encroached on Kashmirs special status.



On Friday as she spoke before a packed audience in the capital, Mehbooba let it be known, in an ominous tone, that Kashmirs very existence with India was linked to the special status it was granted.



Many PDP and National Conference workers had been killed while carrying the flag of India on their shoulders, she said. But if Kashmirs special status was tampered with, is jhande [tricolor] ko kaandha dene waala koi nahi hoga Kashmir mein [there will be nobody to carry the tricolor on shoulders].



Main kehti hun ki agar special status nahi hota to Jammu Kashmir nahi hota. Kashmir ek special state hai aapko use special treatment dena hai. The idea of India is not complete without the idea of Kashmir. But to accommodate the idea of Kashmir we have special provisions. Lets not forget that, she said.



Notably, when asked whether the common agenda between PDP and BJP, drafted as the two parties came together to form a government in Kashmir, was being implemented, Mehbooba hinted that it hadnt been, But I will not blame BJP leadership alone.



The alliance between the North pole and South pole as Mufti Mohammed Syeed is almost 2.5 years old now, but serious differences have cropped up between the two unlikely allies already. Especially over the past one year, since the killing of Hizbul militant Burhan Wani, incident of strapping a local Kashmiri to an army jeep and now to the refusal to hold dialogue in Kashmir.



With Mehbooba hardening her position on some key issues, both the PDP and BJP may be set on a collision course, given that BJP will also harden its positions on Kashmir as 2019 general elections come closer. Who will blink first? We may find out soon.








The India-China standoff is for the world to see, and the Dragon doesnt seem to be cutting down on the fire. The Doklam incident has led to the Chinese Army to move tens and thousands of tonnes of military hardware into the remote mountainous Tibet Regions after the standoff with Indian Troops in the Doklam Area in the Sikkim Sector, the mouthpiece of the PLA said on 19 July, 2017.



The vast haul was transported to a region south of the Kunlun Mountains in Northern Tibet by the Western Theatre Command which oversees the restive regions of Xinjiang and Tibet, and handles border issues with India, reported the PLA Daily, the mouthpiece of Chinese Military.



China recently briefed several foreign diplomats posted at Beijing and stated that India had trespassed into Chinese territory and changed the status quo.



Well, facts be mentioned, its not India that has changed the status quo. The two governments had in 2012 reached an agreement that the tri Junction boundary point between India, China and Bhutan will be finalized in consultation with the concerned countries. Any attempt to unilaterally decide tantamount to determining the Tri Junction to be in violation of the understanding. India and China face each other at Doka la, Zompleri is where China wants the road to go, which is under occupation of Bhutan.



On June 29, Bhutan had put out its Press Release which stated that on June 16th, the Chinese Army started constructing a motor-able road from Doka la in the Dokalam 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 status quo on the boundary as before March 1959.



Lets go back to a time which the Chinese have often invoked. In the context of Chinese intimidations and threats in 1962, as they are heard today, a high level meeting was held then under the chairmanship of the Defence Minister Mr Krishna Menon and attended by The Chief of Army Staff General PN Thapar, Lt Gen LP Sen, General Officer Commanding Eastern Command, then located in Lucknow, he was popularly called Bogey Sen, Cabinet Secretary Mr. SS Khera, BN Mullik, the Intelligence Chief and a few others. It was decided in the meeting that the Chinese must be evicted from south of Thagla Ridge immediately and by force if necessary. Lt Gen Umrao Singh and Maj Gen Niranjan Prasad were tasked to evict the Chinese.



The concerned officers expressed their inability on account to do the same. They cited the build up by China, lack of reinforcements from our own side, lack of rations, equipment and clothing as reasons for being unable to do so. With the resources they had, it was beyond them to evict the Chinese.



Lt Gen BM Kaul was entrusted with the responsibility and Lt Gen Umrao Singh was divested of his responsibility. It was foolish to think that the Chinese will not react for a territory which they claimed was theirs. That the Chinese will not attack was presumed by the meeting presided over by the Defence Minister hence Pandit Nehru was on a visit to Sri Lanka.



Some policy observers have directly compared the current standoff with 1962 by substituting Dhola Post to Doklam Plateau.



The incident stems from differences between Bhutan and China on to the exact location of the Tri Junction between the three countries. China sees the issue from the point of sovereignty and India sees the issue from national security and Bhutan strongly feels that status quo be maintained till resolution of the Tri Junction. The relations, after India has stayed away from Chinas OBOR initiative, are far from cordial. If Chinese claims to the Doklam plateau and tri junction at Mount Gipmochi are conceded, then it would bring China within striking distance of the Siliguri Corridor, the so-called Chicken Neck within 30 Kms from the conceded position. China is acting tough because it prefers to negotiate with Bhutan directly and not through India. One wonders why.



In the present Doklam incident, the Chinese have been quoting the 1890 agreement between Britain and China which they insist has been accepted by India. Article 1 of the Convention states that the line commences at Mount Gipmochi which is in Bhutan, and not at Batang la up north on the same ridge line. The agreement is between India and China, since Sikkim merged with India and Tibet was annexed by China. Since the place of dispute is in Bhutan, and it has an issue of the grazing ground on the Doklam Plateau with China, Bhutan has gone ahead and held 24 rounds of talks with China to resolve the boundary dispute, despite having no diplomatic relations with it.



The 2012 agreement between India and China was to involve Bhutan in any agreement since it involved Bhutans territory. However, this June, China (unilaterally) moved with a design to construct the road. The contention by China that the de Marche issued by Bhutan to China was an afterthought instigated by India is totally baseless. Presuming China is right, does it still give it rights to change the status quo on ground unilaterally when the 2012 agreement prohibits change of status quo without the consent of the concerned country of a disputed area?



India has an agreement with Bhutan that neither country will allow any activity on its soil which is detrimental to the security of either. Bhutan is an independent country with a 2007 Treaty of Cooperation signed with India.



Sikkim merged with India by a Referendum in 1975, however Pandit Nehru has in a letter to Prime Minister Chou en Lai dated 22 March 1959, drawn his attention to the 1890 agreement along with the treaty of 1842 concerning Ladakh and the McMahon line and in para 8 of the letter has drawn the attention of the PM of China, stating, You will appreciate that the continuing publication of Chinese maps showing considerable parts of Indian and Bhutanese territory as if they were in China, is not in accordance with long established usage as well as treaties, and is a matter of great concern to us. He ends his letter with a great sense of respect for the Chinese people and said, It would be most unfortunate if these frontier questions should now affect the friendly relations existing between our countries. I hope therefore that an early understanding in this matter will be reached.



Pandit Nehru passed away in 1964 and Mrs. Gandhi in 1984 and Rajiv Gandhi whose period led to signing the Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility along the line of Actual Control, on the India  China border Areas, was assassinated in 1991. George Fernandes baffled everyone by stating that China is Enemy Number One, and now yet another former Raksha Mantri Mr Mulayam Singh has said in the Parliament that China is a bigger threat than Pakistan to India. These statements are reflective of lack of trust and confidence in China. Add to that the media statements emanating from Chinese media, controlled by the State, which is nothing but reckless adventurism. We can safely assume that a country, which has resolved boundary disputes with all its neighbours other than India and Bhutan, have a strong reason to believe, that China will not accept India as a rising power in Asia



To conclude, I would say let atavism meet the atavistic on the Tibetan Plateau as conciliation and cooperation is seen as cowardice by China. This cartographic, creeping and covert encroachment, if not put to halt now will be the Achilles heel of the Indian growth. It is time now to call bluff a bluff and shame the Axis of Evil and perform to perish all thoughts of China Pakistan Exemplary Combination (CPEC) to attain moral ascendancy ,to subdue an ancient civilisation by the centre of universe. Trade be damned. It is better to live honourably than suffer humiliation at the hand of a China man who will otherwise start looking 10 feet tall. Are we ready to convert his feeling of security into insecurity by not firing a single bullet or are we touching the Tigers Buttocks?



(The author, in 1974, led the 4 Kumaon regiment that planted the first Indian flag on Siachen Glacier at Bilafond La which began Operation Meghdoot. Views are personal)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a 10-year-old rape survivors plea to allow her to undergo an abortion. The girl is 32-weeks pregnant.



The order came after the court-appointed medical board told the apex court that abortion is not in interests of the girl or the life inside her.



The court further asked the Solicitor General to consider having permanent medical boards in all states to examine such cases. In response, the Union government said it will inform SC whether it will have permanent medical boards in all states during pendency of amendments to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (MTPA), 1971.



The plea was filed when the rape survivor was in her 26th week of pregnancy, igniting the "life versus life" debate and the legal dilemma that surrounds it.



Section 3(2)(b) of the MTPA bars abortion after the 20th week. The MTPA did not explicitly lay down why the cut-off was kept at 20 weeks, but the doctors would suggest the lawmakers were perhaps moved by the fact that a woman starts feeling movements of the baby around this time. Further, the signs of life of the foetus would become visible in sonography by that time.



Notwithstanding the absence of any legal or parliamentary explanation for the 20-week deadline, it is also argued by some that a late abortion may help sex-determination and thus increased threats of female foeticide, besides putting the mother's life in danger.



Undoubtedly, abortion laws are one of the most debated subjects across the world where 'pro-life or pro-choice' are the broad decisive principles, guided by religious, social, ethnic, moral and legal factors.



China allows abortion till 28 weeks while the UK, Greece, Singapore and the Netherlands permit it till 24 weeks. All these countries rely upon their health technology and seek to put the interest of the mother of paramount importance when they let her make a choice.



Section 5 of the MTPA permits termination of pregnancy post 20 weeks, but it comes with strict riders, dissuading resorting to the exception clause in the law.



Section 5 of the Act limits this reprieve to situations where the termination of such pregnancy is immediately necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman.



In 2007, when a woman in 22nd week of her pregnancy visited Dr Nikhil Datar in his Mumbai clinic, with a devastating sonography report, Datar was left perplexed.



The report showed major chances that the baby could be born in a vegetative state or with severe abnormalities. But Datar couldn't help her medically in the wake of the 20-week deadline.



The doctor, who could clearly see the legal conundrum, however, decided to take up the cause legally and he became the first petitioner in a PIL before the Bombay High Court, challenging the validity of Section 3 (2)(b) of the MTPA.



The High Court declined to interfere with the law or to interpret the legal provision in a manner that would encompass health of a woman under the term "life" in Section 5.
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has directed the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to issue a visa to a Pakistani national for medical treatment in India.



Touched by Swarajs prompt response, the woman, Hijaab Asif, praised the minister and even said Pakistan would have changed had she been the Prime Minister of her country.



@SushmaSwaraj What do I call you? Superwoman? God? No words to describe your generosity! Love you maam. Cannot stop praising you in tears!!!," she said.



In another tweet, Asif said my heart belongs and beats for youLots and Lots of Love and respect from here. Wish you were our prime minister. This country would have changed



Swarajs direction to Indias High Commissioner in Pakistan, Gautam Bambawale, came after Asif

sought the external affairs minister's urgent intervention.



The Indian mission tweeted that it was in touch with the applicant. Maam, we are in touch with the applicant. Rest assured we will follow it up.



Swaraj also wondered whether Sartaj Aziz, the foreign affairs advisor to Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif, had refused to issue a recommendation letter for issuance of a visa by India to Asif.



Earlier, Swaraj had said that Pakistani nationals seeking visas for medical treatment in India must accompany their visa applications with a recommendation letter by Aziz.



(with PTI inputs)
Ahmedabad: The Congress suffered yet another setback in Gujarat on Friday when three more party MLAs resigned from the Assembly, taking the total number of legislators who have quit to six, ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls.



The desertion of MLAs from the Congress Legislature Party is worrying for the party which has fielded its senior leader Ahmed Patel for the Upper House election, slated on August 8.



The latest to leave is Thasra MLA Ramsinh Parmar, who is also the Chairman of Amul.



Mansinh Chauhan, MLA from Balasinor, handed his resignation to Assembly Speaker Ramanlal Vora on Friday morning. Chhanabhai Chaudhary, the party legislator from Vansda, gave his resignation to the Speaker at the latter's residence on Thursday night.



With this the Congress's tally has reduced to 51 in the 182-seat Assembly.



The Congress is already rattled in the state, where the Assembly elections are due later this year, with veteran leader Shankarsinh Vaghela breaking ranks with the party last week.



Earlier, Balwantsinh Rajput, the party's chief whip in the Assembly, Tejashreeben Patel and Prahlad Patel quit the party and straightaway joined the ruling BJP.



After resigning from the House and also all party posts, they had driven to the BJP office in Gandhinagar and joined the saffron party in the presence of its president Amit Shah. Shah and Union minister Smriti Irani are the other two BJP candidates for the August 8 RS elections.



Of the total 11 Rajya Sabha members from the state, the term of three Irani and Dilipbhai Pandya (both BJP) and Ahmed Patel  is ending on August 18.



The Congress has re-nominated Ahmed Patel, political secretary to party president Sonia Gandhi. The 67-year-old Congressman filed his nomination papers on Wednesday.



(With PTI inputs)


New Delhi/Ahmedabad: The Congress has moved 44 of its Gujarat MLAs to a resort in Bengaluru to guard them from being "poached" by the BJP ahead of the August 8 Rajya Sabha polls in the state.



The MLAs arrived at the Bengaluru International Airport at 2:30am and were taken to Egleton Resort near Ramanagara. They were escorted by party MP DK Suresh, the younger brother of Karnataka Power Minister DK Shivakumar.



Some of the MLAs, Suresh said, wanted to visit the Tirupati shrine.



The Congress has demanded that the Election Commission (EC) lodge a criminal case against the BJP for "poaching" its MLAs using "money and muscle" power, a charge denied by the latter.



Three more of Congress MLAs had resigned on Friday, taking the number of legislators who quit the party ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls to six. One of them, Balvantsinh Rajput, has been named as a candidate for the Rajya Sabha by the BJP.



The Congress has re-nominated Ahmed Patel, the political secretary to party chief Sonia Gandhi, to the Upper House of Parliament from Gujarat.



In the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, the strength of the Congress has now gone down to 51 from 57.



The desertions have cast a shadow on the fate of Patel in the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls.



Sources had earlier told CNN-News18 that 16 MLAs from central and south Gujarat were shifted to Neejanad Resort in Anand while another 11 from Saurashtra were made to stay at a farmhouse near Rajkot on Friday.



Around half a dozen MLAs were expected to stay back in Ahmedabad.



In a span of less than 10 days, everything that could go wrong for the Congress has gone wrong. It all started with 11 MLAs cross voting in the presidential election, putting a dent in the grand projections of opposition unity. The big blow, however, was the public falling out and exit of Congress most popular leader in Gujarat, Shankersinh Vaghela.



His departure has opened the floodgates, with six more MLAs quitting in the last 24 hours, and more departures hinted.



All these developments are bad news for Congress leader Ahmed Patel, denting his chances to be re-elected to the Rajya Sabha.



There are a total of 182 seats in the Gujarat Assembly. Prior to the string of resignations, BJP had 121 seats and the Congress had 57. The NCP has two seats, the JDU has one and there is one independent.



The total eligible votes for the Rajya Sabha elections, divided by the number of seats (in this case, three) plus one i.e four, plus one is the minimum number of votes required by a candidate to win the seat. Gujarat gets to send three members to the Rajya Sabha. So in Gujarats case it would be (182/3+1) + 1.



However, with six legislators quitting, now the total number of MLAs in the Gujarat Assembly is 176, bringing down the total number of votes required to win to 45 (176/4+1).



This means that BJP President Amit Shah and Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani can automatically get elected. The BJP will still be left with a surplus of 31 votes.



Now in the Congress camp, six of the 57 MLAs have already quit, bringing their tally down to 51. With the possibility of a dozen more resignations till August 8, the Congress tally might come down to less than 45 in the Gujarat Assembly, signaling trouble for Patels RS aspirations.



The BJP has nominated candidates for all three seats Shah, Irani and Rajput not two, as originally planned and expected.



We are confident and certain that the Bharatiya Janata Party will win all the three Rajya Sabha seats from Gujarat. There is no doubt in my mind about that, said BJP's Bhupendra Yadav, after all three BJP candidates filed their nomination forms in Gandhinagar on Friday.






Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar won Fridays floor test comfortably in the company of BJP and reminded former ally RJD that secularism cannot be an excuse for defending corruption.Deflecting charges that he betrayed the 2015 mandate, Kumar said the vote was for a transparent, clear government and not to "serve a family" - the reference being to the family of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav which is hit by corruption scams.People gave us the mandate to serve them and I am accountable to them. I am not here to serve a particular family," Kumar said in his hard-hitting speech before he won the trust vote by 131 votes to 108.Reminding his former Mahagathbandan allies that he did not need "lessons in secularism" from any one, Kumar said, "Secularism cannot be a reason to defend corruption. I do not buy this theory."Earlier, his former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav accused Kumar of political opportunism for breaking away from the Mahagathbandhan and allying with the BJP.Nitish Kumar had planned to go with the BJP well in advance. Whenever he fights alone, he is exposed. Nitish needs either the BJP or the RJD, Tejashwi said. He (Nitish) transformed from Hey Ram to Jai Shri Ram, the young RJD leader said, triggering protest from BJP members.Nitish Kumar is still my uncle, but he betrayed me. If Nitish had asked me to resign, I would have thought of it. But conditions were created to frame me. The RJD had more numbers than the JD(U), but we still chose him as the CM. We sacrificed. I have always tried to keep the Mahagathbandhan goingDuring the confidence motion, four members in the 243-member house could not vote, reducing the total strength of the house to 239. Kumar sailed through with 11 votes to spare, but contrary to reports, there was no cross-voting on either side.Raj Bhallav Yadav of the RJD could not attend as he is in jail, BJP's Anand Shankar Pandey was absent as he is undergoing medical treatment outside the state. Congress' Sudarshan could not vote due to technical reasons and Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary did not participate.Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his new deputy Sushil Kumar Modi did not take part in the voting as both are members of the Legislative Council.The 131 votes in favour of Nitish Kumar comprised JD(U) 70, BJP 52, HAM 1, RLSP 2, LJP 2 and Independent 4. The 108 votes against it comprised RJD 79, Congress 26 and CPI-ML 3.Nitish Kumar returned as chief minister on Thursday as head of an NDA government, a day after he broke ranks with Lalu Yadav's RJD party and the Congress. The 'Grand Alliance', formed after Kumar had broken away from the NDA in 2014, lasted only 20 months despite being voted in with a thumping majority.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, Redmi 4 and Redmi 4A will be available for pre-orders today starting 12 pm. Every Friday, Xiaomi allows interested buyers to pre-order the available Xiaomi smartphones. The three devices listed this time can be pre-ordered through Xiaomi's online website, Mi.com. Xiaomi guarantees shipping of the smartphones within five business days. Some conditions for the pre-order sale list an upfront payment, meaning no option of cash on delivery and a limit of one smartphone per customer.Alongside, Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 will also be available for sale on Flipkart today starting 12 pm. The flash sale on Flipkart offers a 5 percent discount on Axis Bank credit cards. Parallelly, Amazon India is holding a Xiaomi Redmi 4 sale at the same time as Flipkart and offers 30GB of additional Jio 4G Data, free 3-month 'Hungama Play' subscription and 12-month 'Hungama Music' subscription and a Kindle credit of Rs 200.
New Delhi: Ahead of the verdict on Panamagate, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held informal consultations with his close aides and ministers to discuss the outcomes of the Supreme Courts decision, which could spell trouble for the PM and his familys political paradise.



A report in Dawn said that Sharif had returned from his trip to the Maldives at Nur Khan Base on Thursday evening around 4pm. He was received by his brother, Shahbaz Sharif. Sources told Dawn that Sharif, after SC issued its supplementary cause list, consulted with close aides and members of his legal team on all possible outcomes. The sources are reported to have added that another meeting would be held today (Friday) after the SC announces its verdict in the Panama Papers case. The scandal is about alleged money laundering by Sharif in 1990s, when he twice served as prime minister, to purchase assets in London. The assets surfaced when Panama Papers leak last year revealed that they were managed through offshore companies owned by Sharif's children.



The assets include four expensive flats in London. Sharif, who has been the prime minister of Pakistan for a record three time, faces the risk of being disqualified if the court finds him guilty of corruption and money laundering. He leads Pakistan's most powerful political family and the ruling PML-N party. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday said that he would resign and quit politics after the Supreme Court judgment on the Panamagate case.
Sydney: Britain plans to send a warship to the disputed South China Sea next year to conduct freedom of navigation exercises, Defence Minister Michael Fallon said on Thursday, a move likely to anger Beijing.



Britain would increase its presence in the waters after it sent four British fighter planes for joint exercises with Japan in the region last year, he said.



China claims most of the energy-rich sea where neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.



"We hope to send a warship to region next year. We have not finalised exactly where that deployment will take place but we won't be constrained by China from sailing through the South China Sea," Fallon told Reuters.



"We have the right of freedom of navigation and we will exercise it."



The presence of a British vessel threatens to stoke tensions, escalated by China's naval build-up and its increasingly assertive stance.



The comments by Fallon came after Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the country's two new aircraft carriers would be sent to the region.



Johnson did not specify where exactly the vessels would be sent once operational in 2020, though the presence of such firepower will likely heighten tensions in the region.



China's construction of islands and military facilities in the South China Sea has stoked international condemnation, amid concern Beijing is seeking to restrict free movement and extend its strategic reach.



Britain's move could also upset ties between London and Beijing, undermining efforts to shore up what the two governments have called a "golden era" in their relationship as Britain heads towards a divorce with the European Union.



"We flew RAF Typhoons through the South China Sea last October and we will exercise that right whenever we next have the opportunity to do so, whenever we have ships or planes in the region," Fallon said.



The United States estimates Beijing has added more than 3,200 acres (1,300 hectares) on seven features in the South China Sea over the past three years, building runways, ports, aircraft hangars and communications equipment.



To counter the perceived Chinese aggression, the United States has conducted regular freedom of navigation exercises that have angered Beijing.



Earlier this month, the United States sent two bombers over the region, coming just a few months after it sent a warship to carry out a manoeuvring drill within 12 nautical miles of one of China's artificial islands.



China has repeatedly denounced efforts by countries from outside the region to get involved in the South China Sea dispute.



The South China Sea is expected to dominate a regional security meeting in Manila next week, where Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.



Meeting ASEAN diplomats in Beijing on Wednesday, Wang told them both sides must "exclude disturbances on the South China Sea issue, and maintain positive momentum", China's Foreign Ministry said.
Another elected Prime Minister sent home, but only to see him return with greater force & support & soonest Insha'Allah. Stay strong PMLN.  Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 28, 2017

Sharif's ruling PML-N party, which has a majority in parliament, is expected to name a new prime minister to hold office until elections due next year

He is no more eligible to be an honest member of the parliament, and he ceases to be holding the office of prime minister," Judge Ejaz Afzal Khan said

Analysts have warned that another bout of political turmoil would spook foreign investors, who are already reticent to invest in Pakistan, deterred by security fears and a tough business climate

#SharifSacked -- Nawaz not so Sharif. What is the road ahead for Nawaz now? #PanamaVerdict pic.twitter.com/LBN6RgfQ52  News18 (@CNNnews18) July 28, 2017

Nawaz Sharif has been disqualified as the Prime Minister of Pakistan by the Supreme Court in the Panamagate verdict, throwing the nation into another political crisis. Sharif stepped down from his post soon after the verdict.The court also ordered the National Accountability Court to start a corruption case against Sharif, his children  Hussain and Hassan  and his daughter Maryam.A unanimous verdict by five supreme court judges disqualified Nawaz Sharif , saying that he had been dishonest to parliament and the courts and could not be deemed fit for office.Nawaz Sharif cannot hold office or contest elections, Mubashir Zaidi of Dawn News told CNN-News18, which virtually signals his end in active politics. The only remedy left him is to file a review petition in the apex court, Zaidi said.Courtroom No. 1 of the Supreme Court in Islamabad was where all eyes were on since Friday morning. The five-judge bench was supposed to deliver a verdict at 11.30 am Pakistan time, but the proceedings started half an hour late, according to Pakistani media.The courtroom was filled to capacity as politicians, lawyers and journalists crowded the room to listen to the verdict. The twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi were on high alert, Pakistani media reported.This is the first time that a Pakistani court has disqualified a Prime Minister on corruption charges and as such, it throws the nation of 200 million and its politics into uncharted territory.The question now is who will become the next Prime Minister. No Pakistani premier has ever completed a 5-year term since the founding of the country in 1947.The apex court also disqualified Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Captain (retd) Safdar, the husband of Nawaz Sharifs daughter Maryam Nawaz, according to the News International.The verdict pertains to the Panama papers, an international cache of documents that were published in 2016 by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.Among the documents eight off-shore companies were reported to have links with Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif, the Chief Minister of Punjab, Dawn newspaper reported.According to documents available on the ICIJ website, the prime minister's children Maryam, Hassan and Hussain were owners or had the right to authorise transactions for several companies.This is the third time that Nawaz Sharif has been unable to complete his term as premier. A steel tycoon-cum-politician, Sharif had served as the Pakistan's prime minister for the first time from 1990 to 1993. His second term from 1997 was ended in 1999 by Army chief Pervez Musharraf in a bloodless coup.The scandal is about alleged money laundering by Sharif in 1990s, when he twice served as prime minister, to purchase assets in London. The assets surfaced when Panama Papers leak last year revealed that they were managed through offshore companies owned by Sharif's children. The assets include four expensive flats in London.Sharif has been the prime minister of Pakistan for a record three times. He leads Pakistan's most powerful political family and the ruling PML-N party.In May, the Supreme Court set up a six-member joint investigation team (JIT) to investigate the charges against Sharif and his family. The JIT submitted its report to the court on July 10.It said the lifestyle of Sharif and his children were beyond their known sources of income, and recommended filing of a new corruption case against them.Sharif dismissed the report as a "bundle of baseless allegations" and refused to quit, despite demands to do so from several quarters, including opposition political parties.On July 21, the court reserved its verdict after concluding the hearing.The six-member JIT was set up with a mandate to probe the Sharif family for allegedly failing to provide the trail of money used to buy properties in London in the 1990s.The top court took up the case in October last year on petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Awami Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami and reserved the verdict in February after conducting hearings on a daily basis.The five-judge bench that issued Fridays verdict comprised Justices Asif Saeed Khosa, Khan, Gulzar Ahmed, Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Ijazul Ahsan.The court took up the case on November 3 last year and held 35 hearings spanning over more than 132 hours before concluding the proceedings on February 23. It had issued the 547-pages split judgement on April 20.
The Pakistan Supreme Court on Friday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over the Panama Papers case. The five-member bench pronounced the verdict in an unanimous decision. Sharif, his sons, and daughter Maryam will be prosecuted by the National Accountability Bureau. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif is likely to become the interim PM for 45 days. Asif is likely to keep the seat warm for Nawazs brother Shahbaz, who has to win a bypoll to become member of the National Assembly.

Stay tuned for live updates:

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Islamabad: The Pakistan Supreme Court will on Friday announce the much-awaited verdict in the Panamagate case involving Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family.



The verdict will be announced at 11:30 AM (local time), according to a supplementary cause list issued on Thursday evening, reported PTI.



The scandal is about alleged money laundering by Sharif in 1990s, when he twice served as prime minister, to purchase assets in London. The assets surfaced when Panama Papers leak last year revealed that they were managed through offshore companies owned by Sharif's children.



The assets include four expensive flats in London. Sharif, who has been the prime minister of Pakistan for a record three time, faces the risk of being disqualified if the court finds him guilty of corruption and money laundering.



He leads Pakistan's most powerful political family and the ruling PML-N party.



Meanwhile, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday said that he would resign and quit politics after the Supreme Court judgment on the Panamagate case.



His announcement, which comes a day before the verdict in the high-profile case, stunned his supporters and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party.



Khan expressed serious disappointment over the way he was kept away from Sharif by his rivals.



The verdict is keenly awaited as both of Sharif's first two stints have ended in the third year of his tenure.



A steel tycoon-cum-politician, Sharif had served as the Pakistan's prime minister for the first time from 1990 to 1993. His second term from 1997 was ended in 1999 by Army chief Pervez Musharraf in a bloodless coup.



In May, the Supreme Court set up a six-member joint investigation team (JIT) to investigate the charges against the 67-year-old Sharif and his family.



The JIT submitted its report to the court on July 10.



It said the lifestyle of Sharif and his children were beyond their known sources of income, and recommended filing of a new corruption case against them.



Sharif dismissed the report as a "bundle of baseless allegations" and refused to quit, despite demands to do so from several quarters, including opposition political parties.



On July 21, the court reserved its verdict after concluding the hearing.



Its decision to issue the verdict on Friday came as a surprise to many as it earlier announced the cause list for two weeks which had not scheduled the Panamagate case.



In the wake of the verdict on Friday, Islamabad police have announced special security arrangements and closed the capital's central "Red Zone" area, which has important buildings including the Supreme Court, for the general public.



The entry to the court on Friday will be restricted to only those having special passes.



The six-member JIT was set up with a mandate to probe the Sharif family for allegedly failing to provide the trail of money used to buy properties in London in the 1990s.



The top court took up the case in October last year on petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Awami Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami and reserved the verdict in February after conducting hearings on a daily basis.



(With PTI Inputs)
Moscow: Moscow on Friday ordered the US to slash its number of diplomats in Russia and froze two embassy compounds in a pre-emptive strike against tough new sanctions being readied in Washington.



The US Senate on Thursday passed new bipartisan sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea, sending the package to President Donald Trump, who must decide whether to accept the tough approach to the Kremlin or veto the measure.



The move drove yet another nail into hopes in Moscow that Trump's election might help improve ties that slumped to their lowest point since the Cold War over the Kremlin's meddling in Ukraine and alleged interference in the US election.



It has also upset some European nations fearful that it could hit their businesses, with Germany warning it would not accept sanctions that targeted companies involved with Russia's energy sector.



The Kremlin previously said it would hold off from responding until the sanctions became law but appeared to change tack after President Vladimir Putin insisted on Thursday that he could not "endlessly tolerate this kind of insolence."



In a statement the Russian foreign ministry demanded the US cut its diplomatic presence in Russia by September to 455 -- the same number Moscow has in the US -- in a move sources said could force out hundreds of diplomats.



It also said it was barring the US embassy from using a Moscow summer house and storage facility in the city from August 1.



"The United States under the absolutely invented pretext of Russian interference in their internal affairs takes one grossly anti-Russian action another," it said.



The statement added that Moscow "reserves the right to carry out other measures that could affect the interests of the US."



Revenge for Obama



The ministry said it summoned US Ambassador John Tefft to hand him the official note.



Tefft "expressed his strong disappointment and protest" at the development, a US embassy spokesperson told AFP, adding that "we have passed the notification back to Washington for review."



The spokesperson declined to comment on the current number of US diplomats and staff in Russia, but Russian wires cited "informed sources" saying hundreds of people would have to leave.



The punishment announced by Moscow closely resembled punitive measures inflicted by former President Barack Obama in December over an alleged Kremlin hacking and influence campaign to sway the 2016 US elections in favour of Trump.



Obama ordered out 35 Russian diplomats and shuttered two embassy summer houses that Washington said were being by Moscow to spy on the US.



At the time Putin made the surprise choice not to respond to the US move, saying that he was waiting to see how Trump handled the situation once he came to power.



Trump repeatedly insisted during his election campaign that he wanted to boost ties with Russia, sparking hope in the Kremlin for an improvement.



Moscow is already the subject of tough US sanctions over its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and support for a bloody insurgency in the country.



But allegations from the US intelligence community that Putin interfered in the US elections to get Trump elected have made any concessions to Trump politically toxic.



The White House opposed the new sanctions package that curbs Trump's ability to lift the punishment, but the near-total support in the US Senate and House puts him in a major bind.



The sanctions are aimed at penalising the Kremlin further for meddling in the 2016 US presidential election and Russia's annexation of Crimea.



Even if Trump decides to veto the bill it is likely that Congress could muster enough votes to override him.






Pakistan's three-time premier Nawaz Sharif, whose power base earned him the moniker "Lion of Punjab", is a political survivor who has repeatedly roared back to the country's top office.Sharif scored a hat trick Friday after being ousted from office yet again -- this time after being disqualified by the Supreme Court.But the 67-year-old -- who hails from Pakistan's richest and most populous province Punjab -- has already made two seemingly unthinkable comebacks, underscoring the unpredictable nature of Pakistani politics.A hugely wealthy steel tycoon considered strong on the economy and infrastructure, he inherited enormous problems of sagging finances and a stifling energy crisis.He comes across as soft-spoken and shy with international media but earned a reputation for combativeness during his two previous terms as prime minister, from 1990 to 1993, and from 1997 to 1999.He has been seen as a pragmatist in the West but raised eyebrows by calling for peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban, blamed for killing thousands of Pakistanis since 2002.Born on December 25, 1949 into a wealthy family of industrialists in Lahore, the capital of Punjab and the political nerve centre of Pakistan, Sharif earned a law degree before joining his father's steel company.He entered politics and under the patronage of military dictator Zia-ul Haq became first finance minister and then chief minister of Punjab -- a post he held for five years from 1985 until he was elected prime minister in 1990.He beat arch-rival Benazir Bhutto in the polls and served a three-year term until he was sacked on corruption charges and replaced by Bhutto, before returning to power in a landslide in 1997.With a huge majority behind him, he set about cementing his liberal economic policies and in 1998 won huge popularity when he made Pakistan a nuclear power.But his government buckled under tensions with the army, which seized power in 1999.Sharif was sentenced in a military court to life imprisonment for hijacking and terrorism, but was allowed to go into exile in Saudi Arabia in 2000. He returned in 2007."The Tiger Roars Again" screamed headlines when he won the 2013 election and became prime minister for a third time, his most remarkable comeback yet.Sharif faced a host of challenges from rolling power blackouts to the crumbling economy, a bloody homegrown insurgency and perennially fractious relations with Afghanistan and fellow nuclear power India.His government launched a massive operation in the northwestern tribal badlands bordering Afghanistan and a crackdown against targeted killings in the southern port city of Karachi, presiding over a dramatic improvement in security.Sharif inaugurated motorways and metro buses, and signed an historic $50 billion deal with China known as China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), touted as a "gamechanger" for the economy.After four years some areas of the country are starting to see relief from power cuts, with electricity generation increased through a series of coal, gas-fired and solar power plants.But Sharif has also clashed with the powerful military once more, this time over relations with India.He and Indian counterpart Narendra Modi raised hopes of a new era when Sharif hosted Modi for a surprise Christmas Day visit in 2015.But the visit was swiftly followed up by an attack on the Pathankot airbase in India by Pakistani militants, and the civilian government's overtures unravelled as relations plunged once more.The corruption controversy erupted with the publication last year of 11.5 million secret documents from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca documenting the offshore dealings of many of the world's rich and powerful.Three of Sharif's four children -- Maryam, his presumptive political heir, and his sons Hasan and Hussein -- were implicated in the papers.The Sharif family has consistently denied the allegations against them.Pakistan is due to hold a general election next year. But with no clear succession in place, Sharif and the party which bears his name, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), faces an uncertain future for now.
New Delhi: Pakistan's Supreme Court on Friday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from office after a damning corruption probe into his family wealth, cutting short his third stint in power. The Supreme Court dismissed Sharif after an investigative panel alleged his family could not account for its vast wealth. The court also ordered a criminal investigation against the premier and his family.



Sharif, 67, has always denied any wrongdoing and has dismissed the investigation into him as biased and inaccurate. Sharif's allies have alleged there was a conspiracy to unseat him. Sharif's two previous stints in power were also cut short, including by a military coup in 1999, but he came back from exile to win a resounding victory in the 2013 general elections.



His ruling PML-N party, which has a majority in the parliament, is now expected to appoint a new prime minister.



Here the sequence of events Pakistan and Sharifs PML-N may see in the next few days:



- An interim head of executive will be sworn in from within the existing ministers



- Nawaz Sharif could nominate a close political ally, possibly brother Shahbaz Sharif who is the chief minister of Punjab province, to his post so the government lasts its full term



- This interim arrangement will remain until such time that Shahbaz Sharif relinquishes his post of Punjab CM and hands over the provincial reins to his son, gets elected to the National Assembly and then takes over as the Prime Minister



- Nawaz Sharif can now challenge the verdict before higher benches.




New Delhi: After the political earthquake in neighbouring Pakistan, the next big question is who will succeed Nawaz Sharif as prime minister. Here are the most likely candidates whose names have been doing the rounds and what their appointment to the top post could mean for India.



Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary

Ahsan Iqbal is a leader of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and currently the minister of planning and development. Sultan Hali, a Pakistani defence expert, told CNN-News18 that Iqbals name has been doing the rounds as a possible replacement for Sharif.



More significantly, Ahsan Iqbal is the person who oversaw the $54 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project through. India has opposed the CPEC, which it views as an infringement on its sovereignty as part of the project passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.



India also thinks that the CPEC corridor, which runs through the length of Pakistan, can be used as an asset against the country. If Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary indeed becomes the premier of Pakistan, it remains to be seen how this will affect ties with India.



Khawaja Muhammad Asif



Asif is the Defence Minister of Pakistan and a PML(N) member. In September 2016, in the aftermath of the Uri attack amid rising India-Pakistan tensions, Khawaja Asif threatened to use nuclear weapons against India, in an interview to Pakistani TV channel SAMAA.



If our safety is threatened, we will annihilate them (India) using tactical nukes, Asif is reported to have said. Assuming Asif becomes PM, will it lead to more tensions with India?



Shahbaz Sharif



Media reports indicate Nawaz Sharif may pick someone pliable to succeed him. This is where Shahbaz Sharif, his brother and Chief Minister of Punjab province, comes in. Media reports mention Shahbaz as a possible candidate. However, the Panama Papers mention the involvement of Nawaz Sharifs family in maintaining offshore shell companies. How this will affect Shahbazs chances is anyones guess.



Nawaz Sharif resigned from his post, his office said, hours after the Supreme Court disqualified him.



The Supreme Court said Sharif is not fit to hold office and ordered a criminal investigation into him and his family.



The Prime Minister's office said in a statement that Sharif has "stepped down" despite having "serious reservations" about the judicial process.



Although Sharif has been disqualified as prime minister, he remains the head of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the largest party in the National Assembly.



As such, Sharif will oversee the nomination of his successor who will then be rubber stamped in a parliamentary vote, where his party and coalition partners command a 209-seat majority in the 342-seat house.



The opposition is also expected to field a candidate for the premiership, though the nominee has almost no chance of getting sufficient votes.



The vote will likely happen in a matter of days  if not hours  of Sharif's disqualification.




The air fryer I borrowed from my mom looked like a giant red egg sitting on my counter and I couldnt wait to test it out. Crispy chicken nuggets in eight minutes? Yes, please.

For some time  like, months  all Id heard about from her was this air fryer she bought and how magical it was. She claimed that with it, she wouldnt bake chicken in the oven ever again. She said the same thing about hamburgers and French fries and after enough time, I asked to borrow it to see what all the hype was about.

Air fryers work like this: the food sits inside a basket and when turned on, hot air is blown all around the food at a high rate of speed by fans inside. Its similar to a convection oven, though Ive heard that air fryers are better at getting foods crispy, particularly those foods that are best when fried. But theres none of the grease or oil associated with deep-fried foods. Moms is a Cooks Essentials 3-quart air fryer, though there are many different brands, including some that are larger.

And anytime I can eat fries that taste like the ones you get at carnivals and beach boardwalks, but without the grease (and the guilt) from actually frying them, Im all for it.

So earlier this month I confiscated my moms most prized kitchen possession (she gave it willingly, though she did ask when she was getting it back during the hand-off) and started with the one food we eat the most around our house  chicken.

I bought raw chicken tenders and cut them into bite-sized pieces, then dredged them in buttermilk and seasoned bread crumbs. Per the instructions, I divided the chicken in half and popped the first batch into the basket after spraying it with nonstick cooking spray. Some people also spray their foods, but I preferred to spray only the basket.

Air fryers are extremely user-friendly. You can push buttons that automatically set the temperature depending on the food  chicken, beef, seafood and potatoes (or veggies)  and then set the timer. Or, you can set the time and temperature manually.

For the chicken, I set the temperature to 370 degrees and the time to eight minutes, then went about doing other stuff around the kitchen. After about five minutes, the kitchen started to smell wonderful and by the time the timer went off signifying it was done, I was salivating.

I pulled out the chicken, which appeared crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside. I tried one piece  and then immediately wondered just how mad my mom would be if she never got her air fryer back. (Just kidding, I was going to give it back. Honest!)

With the chickens juicy meat and crispy exterior, the air fryer did everything shed claimed. I immediately set out to make other foods. I cut potatoes into wedges, coated them with seasonings and salt, and again coated the fryer basket with cooking spray. You could use a teaspoon of oil if you wish, per the recommendations, though its not necessary.

Fifteen minutes later I had potato wedges that were nearly as tasty as their deep-fried cousins, but without any of the fat. The outsides were nicely toasted and the insides were fluffy and soft. I was hooked.

A bout of fried zucchini didnt work out too well, however, but Im guessing that may be more related to user-error than to any inadequacy on the machines part. In my hasty preparation, I used way too many bread crumbs and skipped the egg wash, which resulted in zucchini pieces that were unevenly covered and way too dry on the outside.

I rebounded the next night, however, with pork. I tried to imitate one of our favorite restaurant appetizers in Richmond  the pork morsels from Havana 59. I cut lean pork chops into bite-sized pieces and coated them in a store-bought sesame-ginger marinade before popping them into the air fryer. The marinade caramelized on the meat, restoring my air fryer faith. I also cooked a vegetable medley of chopped zucchini, bell peppers and carrots with nothing more than cooking spray and sea salt, and they turned out beautifully.

Dinner was served.

Theres not much this machine wont do. It also comes with an insert, much like a baking dish, which allows you to bake cinnamon rolls or cakes or cook an omelet.

You can also use your own small ramekins to make single-serving bread puddings, cook shellfish and bake potatoes, and roast pecans and other nuts. The only (minor) downside is that with just one air fryer, you cant make volumes of food at one time. But for my family, its perfectly suitable for our meals.

Its also easy to clean  just separate the basket from the vessel, clean both by hand or in the dishwasher and just like that youre back in business.

So yes, sometimes its true that the older you get, the more you realize your parents are right about some things. But I may need to keep testing that theory with this air fryer, for at least a few more days.
Charges were filed Thursday against the owner of two pit bulls in Chatham following a June attack that injured a family dog.

The pit bulls were identified as the dogs that attacked Keith and Laura Brinkleys Labrador retriever and beagle mix, Renegade, on June 24, according to a news release Friday from Pittsylvania County Administrator David Smitherman.

Renegade is now recovering from emergency surgery.

Jonathan P. Lee, of Banister Road in Chatham, was charged with two counts of having dangerous dogs, two counts of failure to vaccinate and two counts of failure to have dogs licensed, Smitherman said.

There have been three incidents with pit bulls attacking since December, and as many as a dozen pit bulls live in the area, according to residents.

Another dog was attacked and killed Monday on Mitchell Road in Chatham. No charges will be filed in that attack, Smitherman said.

Dangerous dogs are defined in the Pittsylvania County Code for Animals and Fowl as a canine that has bitten, attacked, inflicted injury on, or killed a person or companion animal.

The code specifically states that no dog will be found to be a dangerous or vicious dog due to its breed, and ownership of any particular breed cannot be prohibited by county law.

If the court rules the dogs are dangerous, they will be required to be kept securely enclosed or confined indoors when on their owners property, according to the code.

A dangerous dog registration must be purchased from either the treasurer or animal control for $50, and the dog must wear the collar and tag at all times, the code states. This registration must be renewed annually, with proof of a current rabies vaccination and that it will be confined.

Each dog also will have to be registered with the Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry within 45 days, and notify animal control if the animal gets loose, injures or attacks another person, or is sold, given away or dies.

When relocating, owners must notify local animal control within 10 days of the new address.

A court date for Lee has been set for 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 25 in Pittsylvania County General District Court.
Despite a packed field in the race for the Virginia House of Delegates 59th District seat, Del. Matt Fariss, R-Rustburg, is leading all three of his challengers in fundraising by thousands of dollars, according to campaign finance reports released earlier this month by the Virginia Public Access Project.

According to the report that covers the month of June, Fariss took in just more than $10,000 in donations, with the top donations coming from private individuals, the Southside Electric Cooperative, Phillip Morris USAs parent company Altria and Golden Leaf Farms. He also received a donation of $500 from state Sen. Mark Peakes campaign committee and a $1,000 in-kind donation from Hyland Farms.

In todays political climate, I expected that I would have some opposition, but I think most of my 32 of the 47 people I have received donations from are private donors, and I think it shows that they feel like I am doing a good job, and because I have opposition this year, they were willing to come out and support me, Fariss said. Im glad to have the support of my friends and constituents, and I look forward to more support as we go through the campaign season.

Throughout the month, Fariss spent about $6,000 on fundraising and other expenses associated with campaigning, such as travel, postage and office supplies. Heading toward peak campaign season, his war chest holds $5,473 as of June 30.

In comparison, Fariss raised $750 and spent $3,095 during the same period in 2015 during his last re-election campaign, when he ran unopposed. During his 2013 re-election campaign, in which he also ran unopposed, he received $100 in donations during the same time period and spent $1,001.

During his three-way race for the seat against Democrat Connie Brennan and independent Linda Wall in 2011, Fariss brought in $9,500 in donations and spent $5,804 between April 1 and June 30 of that year.

Although he has run unopposed since he won the seat in 2011, he will be facing off with Albemarle-based mechanic and Democrat Tracy Carver; Concord-business owner Marcus Sutphin, from the Green Party; and independent David Ball, from Buckingham County.

Of Fariss opposition, Sutphin leads with $740 in total funds raised so far. He began the June filing period with $179 and did not take in any contributions or spend any money.

Sutphin said he has been happy with the fundraising so far but hopes to do better as the campaign progresses.

It has been better than expected, but we could do better, he said. What Im looking for is money from everyday people, so we reject corporate money and political action committee money.

Behind him, Carver has received a total of $200 in donations from a single person but has spent only $53 since Jan. 1. During the June filing period, he did not take in or spend any funds. Carver was unavailable for comment.

Ball, the most recent of the candidates to file to challenge Fariss, has raised a total of $34 during the June filing period and spent $13 on postage.

According to Ball, the $34 he has available is carried over from his previous campaign for the Republican nomination for the Virginia Senate District 22 race in January following Congressman Tom Garrett winning the Fifth District seat and vacating the Senate position.

I am currently in the process of fundraising, Ball said.

More than half of the 59th District has voted for a GOP candidate in every election since the boundaries were redrawn in the once-every-10-years redistricting process in 2011, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
Julia Duncan Manherz of Wintergreen was served with the reckless driving summons earlier this week, according to Waynesboro Police Sgt. Brian Edwards.

The crash occurred happened just before 7 p.m. on July 7 at Waynesboro Town Center . Manherz was driving a 2017 Cadillac and initially backed out of a parking space at Target to leave the lot.

She then rapidly accelerated in the Cadillac and hit a 2007 Pontiac head-on, according to the incident report. The driver of that car, a 36-year-old Fishersville woman, was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

The report says the Cadillac then hit a parked 2008 Honda Civic, located next to a concrete island. The impact of the crash lifted up the rear end of the Civic and allowed the Cadillac to go underneath it and over the concrete island.

The Cadillac then hit a parked 2004 Nissan Versa and caused the Versa to spin around. Manherz's vehicle then hit a shopping cart rack and accelerated across the lot before running over a concrete curb and hitting a tree head on. The report says the Cadillac then shot across the travel lane, and nudged the drivers side rear bumper of a 1998 Chrysler Concorde. The Chrysler driver was not hurt. The Cadillac finally came to rest against another concrete island.

Edwards said the five vehicles had more than $50,000 in damage, including $25,000 to Manherz's Cadillac. The damage to the Target shopping cart rack was $1,500 and tree damage was $750.

The incident report said Manherz was driving on a suspended license. Additionally, police have sent a medical review form to Virginia DMV to determine the nature of Manherzs driving problems. Edwards said DMV will determine whether the crash was caused by a physical ailment suffered by Manherz.

Manherz was the subject of a 2016 BH Media profile detailing her past as a movie actress. The story detailed how she was known as Judy Duncan in Hollywood, and appeared with Gregory Peck in Twelve OClock High. She also was in several Western films while a contract actress at 20th Century Fox, the story said. After acting, she embarked on a modeling career in Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
The Central Virginia Metropolitan Planning Organization met Thursday to discuss the lessons learned over the course of two years of implementation of the states Smart Scale transportation funding and proposed changes to the program.

The Central Virginia MPO provides local input on transportation projects that receive state and federal funding and represents the city of Lynchburg and portions of Amherst, Bedford and Campbell counties.

Smart Scale, originally approved under a different name by the General Assembly in 2014, prioritizes projects for funding by using a rating system that looks at how a transportation project improves factors such as safety, congestion, environmental quality, accessibility and economic development.

Smart Scale applications first were accepted in 2015, and scores were released in spring 2016. A second round of applications was accepted in 2016, with scores released in early 2017.

Ten projects in the Lynchburg area were awarded Smart Scale funding in the first application period. Only four were awarded in the second round of funding. The next round of applications for projects will be accepted in 2018, with scores to be released in January 2019.

The Lynchburg district has seen an 80 percent increase in transportation funding under the Virginia Department of Transportations Six-Year Improvement Program since the implementation of Smart Scale, according to Nick Donohue, Virginia Deputy Secretary of Transportation.

Factors are weighed differently depending on the area of the state. In the Lynchburg MPO area, three factors  safety, economic development and accessibility  collectively represent 75 percent of project scoring, said Chad Tucker, VDOT Assistant Division Administrator for Performance Based and Conceptual Planning.

Among the recommended changes to the Smart Scale program include limiting the number of applications submitted by a locality and regional organizations such as an MPO, or regional and local transit operators, as well as making certain adjustments to scoring categories and increasing the application window from two months to five months.

So what I really recommend is that you submit your best projects, so whatever gets funded, youre going to be happy about it, said Shannon Valentine, a member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

Other changes include clarifying the language in Smart Scale policy. VDOT Infrastructure Investment Assistant Director Margie Ray said some projects submitted in the first round of Smart Scale funding were not eligible. Other recommendations include having a resolution of support from the applicants local governing body. A few projects that were selected for Smart Scale funding lacked political support, Ray said.

The proposed changes will go up for public review and comment within the next two weeks; the comment period will end in October. The Commonwealth Transportation Board is expected to approve the recommended changes to the Smart Scale program at its October meeting.

In an interview prior to the meeting, Chairman Turner Perrow said he was disappointed Lynchburg did not receive funding for improvements to the intersection of Lakeside Drive and the Lynchburg Expressway. The city applied twice for Smart Scale funding for the project, which is estimated to cost about $20 million, but did not receive funding.

The Lakeside Drive/Lynchburg Expressway intersection is of critical importance to the city, and improvements to it will ease congestion, make the intersection safer and benefit economic development, Perrow said.

The Central Virginia MPO also approved a resolution that supports the Lynchburg Regional Connectivity Study, which was presented to the board in April. Acknowledging the correlation between transportation and economic development, the study recommends actions such as regional bike corridors and advocating for increased rail capacity that can improve connectivity in the region.
Liberty University now is Virginias first Purple Heart University.

The honorary status was declared Thursday when LU President Jerry Falwell Jr. signed a proclamation adding the university to the Military Order of the Purple Heart Trail Program.

New signage around campus recognizes the status, and veterans parking has been developed.

Falwell described the honor as recognition of Libertys support of military members and families, such as scholarships for military personnel offered by LU and programs for military spouses.

After all the veterans have sacrificed for our country, were just so honored that they would express their gratitude to us in return, Falwell said.

The designation to become a Purple Heart city, county, or university is given by the Military Order of the Purple Heart and signifies a commitment to recognize and honor veterans.

Its a great day to be a veteran on the campus of Liberty University, said Gary Witt, a Vietnam veteran and the commander of Chapter 1607 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Witt said he contacted LU to encourage them to become a Purple Heart University because they met all the criteria, such as offering scholarships to veterans and having a veterans center on campus, a military liaison, and success counselors for veterans through Libertys Military Affairs department.

According to Robert Ritz, senior vice president of student financial services, Liberty has about 30,000 online and 250 residential students who are active duty service members or veterans.

Falwell said about 30 percent of LU students have ties to the military.

Witt explained the Purple Heart Trail begins at George Washingtons birthplace and goes across the nation. Locally, Lynchburg was declared a Purple Heart City in 2016, along with the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell, and all were added to the Purple Heart Trail.

Falwell noted the rich military history of the region, citing the 19 Bedford County soldiers who lost their lives on D-Day in the invasion of Normandy and Lynchburg native Desmond T. Doss, a conscientious objector who served as a medic in World War II and earned the Medal of Honor.

The Purple Heart medal is awarded to those wounded in combat with hostile forces.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, origins of the medal date back to George Washington, who introduced the Badge of Military Merit in 1782 during the Revolutionary War, which was made of purple cloth in the shape of a heart. However, distribution of the military honor lapsed until 1932, when the Purple Heart medal was reintroduced to the Army. In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order to extend the medal to all branches of the military.

Other schools with the Purple Heart designation include Troy University, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Florida A&M, Arkansas State and a handful of other institutions across the country.
A third individual has been sanctioned following a state investigation into altered water test results at the Altavista Water Treatment plant.

The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations board fined former plant manager Chester Chuck Cofflin this week for violating state regulations regarding the operation of water treatment plants.

According to state documents, Cofflin was employed at the Altavista Water Treatment plant from 1989 until his retirement in 2014.

The state began investigating plant employee Pauline Brown, former plant superintendent Ed Callahan Jr., Cofflin and former employees John Jacobs and Christopher Brumfield and their connections to allegations employees altered water test results to make water quality results appear better than required following complaints received in 2015.

Local and state officials have said the water always has and continues to be safe for consumption, despite the violations.

Cofflin declined the opportunity to schedule an administrative hearing prior to Thursdays meeting of the Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals where officials reviewed the evidence and determined his penalty, according to DPOR. He also did not appear at the Thursday board meeting in person or send a qualified representative.

The board determined Cofflin violated two state codes by violating or inducing another person to violate any provisions of Chapter 1, 2, 3 or 23 of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia, or of any provision of this chapter and not demonstrating reasonable care, judgment, or application of the required knowledge, skill and ability in the performance of the licensees or interim licensees duties.

Cofflin was fined $3,000 for the violations, which he must pay to the state by the end of September. Additionally, DPOR revoked Cofflins Class 1 Waterworks license due to the regulation violations.

Cofflin could not be reached for comment Friday.

According to DPOR documents, Cofflin encouraged operating staff of the plant to falsely record water sampling results on records maintained by the plant and then reported to the Virginia Department of Healths Office of Drinking Water.

Documents also note Cofflin was negligent in his duties by failing to maintain the plant in a condition that ensured the continual production of clean drinking water. Inspections of the plant in the fall of 2014  three days before Cofflin and Callahans retirement from the plant  found major deficiencies in the plants infrastructure, including inoperable water pumps to the Staunton River; the Reed Creek water source clogged with sediment; broken equipment in the solids holding tank; and several inoperable flocculation mixers that are an integral part of the water purification process.

A later inspection of the plant by the Office of Drinking Water in July 2015 found similar maintenance issues, including several inoperable flocculation mixers; two sluice gates wedged in place and all five in need of maintenance; and chemical feed facilities in need of maintenance.

On July 22, 2015, the plant stopped operating after a major water event that caused massive damage to the plant and required extensive and costly repairs.

In April Callahan and Brown were sanctioned by the DPOR board. Brown was fined $250 and required to take seven hours of continuing education, and Callahan was fined $2,500 and his Class 1 waterworks operator license was revoked. Brown continues to work at the plant.

Jacobs, a former employee who also is being investigated, had his determination by the board delayed, and he will appear in an administrative hearing that has not yet been scheduled, according to Trisha Henshaw, executive director of the Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals.

Brumfield will appear before the board for the first time for an administrative hearing Aug. 11, Henshaw said.

The states investigation into possible falsification of water test results at the plant was initiated in 2015 after complaints against the plant were filed. According to state records, David Garrett  who was Altavista director of Public Works and Utilities at the time  filed a complaint with the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation in August 2015, and a second complaint was filed with the department in September 2015. Garrett now is the towns director of public works.

According to DPOR documents, Brumfield reported the falsification of records to Garrett in October 2014. Brumfield told Garrett that Callahan and Cofflin had established preferred ranges for certain tests performed by waterworks operators on applied water and finished water, according to state documents.

According to Brumfield if the test results were outside of the preferred ranges, waterworks operators would record a reading within the preferred range instead of the actual reading, documents show.

Altavista Town Manager Waverly Coggsdale and Garrett launched an internal investigation after the complaint was received and got 21 notebooks from then-water treatment plant employee Jacobs documenting the recordings of false water test results and the true results from 2009 to 2014.

After the investigation, which lasted from Oct. 7, 2014, to Nov. 17, 2014, according to state documents, Cofflin and Callahan were asked to retire.

In the town of Altavistas fiscal year 2017-18 budget that took effect July 1, the town budgeted to add an eighth water operator to staff in order to keep up with increased demand, according to Coggsdale.

Since the Dominion Altavista Power Station was added as a customer last fall, the water treatment plant has had to run additional hours in order to process the approximately half-million additional gallons of water required.
The town of Bedford and the Virginia Department of Transportation are working to improve pedestrian safety near the Bedford Welcome Center and the National D-Day Memorial  a highly traveled area in town.

Developers plan to install 435 feet of new sidewalk and add three new crosswalks between Virginia 122 and Tiger Trail; Tiger Trail and Overlord Circle; and between the entrance of the visitors center and Tiger Trail.

Jason Bond, spokesperson for VDOT, said design and construction costs of the project are $366,000, and it will be funded with federal transportation money with local and state matches.

Construction is intended to begin in early 2018 and finish in the spring or early summer of 2018.

Bond said the town identified the need for the project a few years ago, and it included pedestrian improvements as well as a roundabout. The project has been scaled back to address pedestrian needs only.

Bond said the project includes lowering some of the curbs to allow for better handicap access.

Bedford Town Police Chief Todd Foreman said he doesnt know of any crashes that have happened in that area but said crossing guards sometimes have trouble being seen by vehicles as they are helping kids cross the street when they are let out of school.

The police department actually assists walkers and kids before and after school.

Traffic doesnt always see him, and there are a lot of people walking around the elementary school, he said. There is heavy traffic in the mornings and afternoons.

Hopefully those crosswalks cause people to be more cautious and careful in that area, he said.

Pedestrian-vehicle crashes have increased across the state, Foreman said, and there have been some wrecks in the town as well.

We always want people to be safe and to keep them safe on the highways whether they are in vehicles or walking, he said. Thats always important to the police department.

Bedfords Director of Tourism Nicole Johnson, who works at the welcome center, said the center supports VDOT adding the sidewalks and crosswalks, especially as it pertains to accessibility and safety.

Interim Town Manager Bart Warner said the project is one example of the towns intention to promote safety throughout the area.

We are very excited about the opportunity to enhance the safe accessibility and mobility of our citizens and visitors, he said.
Update: MONROE  Lynchburg Steel & Specialty Co. will close its operations in the Monroe area of Amherst County, the company said late Friday, citing economic difficulties.

The plant will close fully by the end of August, in the meantime working to finish some projects currently in progress, the company said in a news release.

It was unclear how many jobs will be lost when the operation closes. The release didnt specify the number of employees affected. A December 2015 story about Lynchburg Steel in The News & Advance indicated it had about 80 to 85 workers at that time.

The plant, at 275 Francis Ave., fabricates structural steel for use in construction projects.

While Lynchburg Steel has been a fixture in Amherst County for 47 years providing jobs and livelihood to hundreds of families along with a positive economic impact to the community, we feel this is the best decision due to the increased demands of the structural steel industry, said Doug Anderson, president of Lynchburg Steel, in the release.

Anderson said Lynchburg Steel is committed to doing everything that we can to provide assistance to our employees to ease this difficult transition for them and will also explore opportunities to assist our customers in finding alternative sources for the work we have performed for them in the past.

We have postponed this decision for as long as possible and arrived at this conclusion only after thoughtful consideration, he added.

Anderson could not be reached for further comment Friday.

Lynchburg Steels impending closure caught some in the community by surprise.

Quite frankly, Im shocked, Claudia Tucker, chair of the Amherst County Board of Supervisors, said late Friday. My heart goes to out to the family  this is a family-owned business. This is not an easy decision for Mr. Anderson.

The impact that it will have on the employees and their families will be tremendous. That company's been here for some time now, Tucker said. To see a company like that lost is like losing a family member.

Situated in Monroe in rural Amherst County, just north of Madison Heights, the factory has been one of its economic anchors for nearly a half-century. It was founded by C.V. Andy Anderson Jr., the company presidents father, in 1970 and was family-operated along with his wife, Geraldine Anderson, and their son.

A Jordanian company bought the plant in 1996, and the Lynchburg Steel founder died in 2003. The Anderson family bought the plant back during the 2008 economic downturn, infusing the operation with new capital, and has managed it since then.

Tucker said it was not clear if other Amherst County businesses would be affected directly by the closing of Lynchburg Steel, but the local government is prepared to help the laid-off workers. As far as a transition, she said, if theres anything the county can do to assist them with that ... we will be there for them.

Tucker said the plant closure will have a noticeable impact on the community. They will be sorely missed, she said.

Earlier: Lynchburg Steel & Specialty Co. will close its operations in the Monroe area of Amherst County, the company said late Friday, citing economic difficulties.

The plant will close fully by the end of August, in the meantime it is working to finish some projects currently in progress, the company said in a news release.

While Lynchburg Steel has been a fixture in Amherst County for 47 years providing jobs and livelihood to hundreds of families along with a positive economic impact to the community, we feel this is the best decision due to the increased demands of the structural steel industry, said Doug Anderson, president of Lynchburg Steel, in the release.
Sham retrenchment costs DHL $2.3M

The manager with 14 years service at DHL contended her dismissal on March 13, 2013 was part of a dastardly scheme to get rid of her and was heartless as she, at the time, was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder because of her husbands brutal killing five years before.

The workers case was argued in the Industrial Court by attorney Michael Quamina on behalf of the Communication Workers Union which filed a trade dispute in the court.

In yesterdays ruling, Industrial Court judge Melvin Daniel held that the court considered the workers retrenchment to be a sham and described her dismissal as egregious.

According to the trade dispute, the worker was employed with DHL Express TT since 1999 and was promoted to the position of District Manager British Caribbean in August 2012 with a base salary of $78,000.

She also received a housing allowance of $33,000 and car allowance of $12,400.

In November 2012, she fell ill and was diagnosed with PTSD, stemming from her husbands murder in 2007.

By March 2013, she was fired purportedly as a consequence of her position being made redundant.

The cold hard fact is that there was no redundancy and the company just wanted to rid themselves of a worker who may become a liability later on as a consequence of her illness, Quamina argued.

In witness statements, she said she was dismissed while she was on a months sick leave and after informing the company that she had a health condition which required strong medication and time off.

Quamina argued that the companys defence of a restructuring exercise was unbelievable and there was no evidence to support this claim.

No plan was produced in the proceedings.

He held that it was also inconsistent with a plan for redundancy since she was promoted to the position of District Manager a mere two months before the purported start of the restructuring exercise.

How could it be fathomable that a company which is not a fly by night operation would less than one month later make this newly formulated position redundant? Quamina asked
Ramesh: She was fired like an ordinary employee

Attorneys representing the JLSC and the AG appeared yesterday before Justice David Harris in the San Fernando High Court. They were given until September 8 to file their objections to the court granting leave to the former chief magistrate for judicial review.

Her attorney senior counsel Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj launched a scathing attack on the JLSC and Office of the President saying Ayers-Caesar was constructively dismissed from the bench like an ordinary employee.

Ayers-Caesar yesterday arrived in a white Mercedes Benz which pulled up in front the courthouse and she alighted dressed in all black jacket and skirt to be greeted by a barrage of television and press photographers.

She was followed by a few friends and relatives into the courtroom. She sat in the courtroom and bowed her head during the proceedings. It was her first official public appearance since she was fired as a judge for failing to declare to Archie and the JLSC that he had left 52 part-heard cases unfinished in the magistrates court.

Maharaj said the case was one involving important principles in safeguarding the independence of judges and their security of tenure.

He said the actions of Archie and President Anthony Carmona were a far cry from what Section 137 of the Constitution mandates for the removal of a judge from office.

He said on April 10 the JLSC expressed its desire to find a workable solution to dealing with the partheard cases. But Ayers-Caesar was summoned by Archie to a meeting on April 27 and asked to tender her resignation. Maharaj submitted his client was told about a prepared media statement after which Archie left the room to take a telephone call from the Office of the President. He said Ayers-Caesar was told by Archie upon returning to the room that he was under pressure from the president who was expecting her at 5 pm that day. A resignation letter was then given to her by Archies secretary, Maharaj said.

He submitted Section 137 gives constitutional guarantee to judicial officers against their removal from office except by the procedures provided, but Ayers-Caesar was forced to resign and, if she did not the JLSC would have removed her from office.

Assuming but not admitting, Maharaj said to Harris, if Ayers-Caesar had misled the JLSC, Archie should have advised Carmona that the question of her removal from office should be investigated.

Maharaj, instructed by attorney Ronnie Bissessar, took issue with Carmona accepting Ayers-Caesars resignation. He told the judge Carmona participated in the JLSCs unlawful pressure by agreeing to accept the resignation. He asked the judge to note that it was the judiciary that made the call to Presidents House. Senior Counsel Russell Martineau, who is leading Senior Counsel Deborah Peake and attorneys Ian Benjamin and Ian Roach for the JLSC, told Harris he would reply to Maharaj in written submissions. He is to do so by September 8. The judge fixed the case for 3 pm on September 29 at the Hall of Justice, Port of Spain.

Senior Counsel Reginald Armorer, instructed by Ravi Nanga is representing the Attorney General.
No hotel on No Mans Land

Addressing this issue at the post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Anns, Rowley asked a reporter, Do you think we are going to build a hotel on No Mans Land? When the reporter said no, the Prime Minister replied, Good, thank you very much. Tell the rest of the country that. He said the hotel was being built on Buccoo Estate .

Rowley said peop opposed to the project had been alleging that the Government took land from this very wealthy company below value and we were probably breaking the law. Nothing is further from the truth, he added .

He said the land on which the hotel was to be built was owned by two companies .

The Government quite properly, through the relevant authority in all of this, the board, set off the monies owed for the value of those lands, Rowley said .

He said the value of the lands was established by reputable, independent valuators in TT .

The Prime Minister said the law required the disposal of any assets held under the Central Bank to be done at fair market value and that is exactly what the Government did. He was confident his explanation would put to rest the notion that the Government took land worth x and we paid half x for it.
Islamic Front shocked by police denial of hit-list

Abdullah said his organisation was shocked by the recent response of Snr Supt Kenny McIntyre who denied the existence of a hit list by police in Central Division (mainly in Enterprise).

He is either naive or knowingly covering up for dirty cops. He says that police are not executioners and are there to uphold the law Abdullah stated in a media release yesterday.

McIntyre, had said police do not execute people but uphold the law, in relation to the police shooting death of alleged gang member Jelani Martins, 25, at Chaguanas, last week Friday.

The release further stated: Waajihatul Islaamiyyah is saying the officer responsible for the killing of Jelani Martins has broken the law and should be called to account for his actions, as in the case of Govinda Morgan, the security guard who was charged for shooting to death ex-convict Vern Sambury. The Imam referred to several reports which, he said, should be lessons to McIntyre as to the reasons why he needs to be better informed before he opens his mouth.

Abdullah recalled that in July 2007, a parliamentary Joint Select Committee issued a report which was highly critical of the Police Service.

The report highlighted a disturbingly high number of disciplinary charges against officers, a need to combat the increased levels of indiscipline within the Police Service and a serious lack of accountability from top to bottom in the police force, Abdullah said.

He added that in 2011, the Crime and Problem Analysis (CAPA) department of the Police Service showed that the number of extrajudicial killings increased consistently over the previous decade.

It added that such cases were being cited by regional and international human rights organisations as a blot on the country.

Amnesty International has also produced a report on the killings in Trinidad and Tobago, on the topic Excessive use of force by the security forces and lack of independent investigations, the release stated.

Abdullah noted that police are paid to protect communities against armed bandits and warring gangs, among other brutalities. In doing so, police sometimes do get fired on by desperate men and do have to fire back.

That is part of the price we pay for living in a society where guns are cheap and plentiful and where people are taught violence as a way of life in their own homes and communities from childhood, Abdullah said.
UPCOMING EVENTS

Pay your own price yard sale

A yard sale for music and miscellaneous items is taking place on Saturday, July 29, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Music Makers Conservatory, 1016 Custer Ave.

A special feature is pay your own price merchandise -- with some exceptions.

Music, music books, a Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, and even a NordicTrack exercise machine. And much, much more.

The event is presented by the Helena Music Teachers Association, which comprises over 40 members, offering private or group music lessons on all instruments and voice. Visit www.helenamta.org for more information.

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Coffee, tea Tuesdays continues

AARP Montana continues to sponsor Free Coffee or Tea Tuesdays, from 9-11 a.m., Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.

Coffee or tea for AARP members and guest are free when an AARP membership card is shown. Free Coffee or Tea Tuesdays happen at Fireside Coffee, 1446 Euclid Ave.

For more information contact mt@aarp.org or phone 1-866-295-7278.

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Take a walk

Join us every Thursday at noon at Tread Lightly, 335 N. Last Chance Gulch, for a community walk. We'll start at the store for a 40-minute stroll in downtown Helena. Break up your workday, enjoy some fresh air and sunshine, catch up with old friends, and make new ones. Plus you can sign up for weekly prizes and, if you make it to seven walks, you'll get a free T-shirt.

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Benefit trap shoot upcoming

The second annual Big Hearts under the Big Sky Trap Shoot is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 13, at the Helena Trap Club. All skill levels are welcome. Registration fee includes 25 targets, refreshments and a barbecue luncheon following the event. The tournament will be comprised of teams of five -- build your own or enter your name into a blind draw and be assigned a team. The cost is $30 per person or $140 for a team of five. Register online at www.bigheartsmt.org or call MOGA at 449-3578. If you'd like to become a sponsor, contact Samantha Erpenbach at 406-439-1237 or samantha@kempevents.com.

Proceeds benefit Big Hearts under the Big Sky. Created in 2008 by the Montana Outfitter and Guides Association, Big Hearts provides men and women who have provided military service to our nation, children who face the challenge of life threatening illness and women who are battling breast cancer the opportunity to enjoy a Montana outdoor adventure at no cost.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Montana DAR travels to D.C.

Montana State Society Daughters of the American Revolution had 14 daughters participating in the 126th annual Continental Congress at NSDAR Constitution Hall and the Grand Hyatt led by State Regent Jane Lee Hamman, of Clancy and Oro Fino Chapter. Hamman participated in two National Board of Management meetings, joined other national officers in a service project to wash the Vietnam Memorial Wall, walkway and lights, a Founders Tribute wreath laying ceremony at 1776 D St., and National Officers Club annual meeting and banquet during 10 days in Washington, D.C.

Hamman presented the Montana state report, with Outstanding Junior Niki Venable, of Lewistown, holding the state flag.

Accepting the state Vietnam War Commemoration award and nearly 100 other National Society awards for outstanding historic preservation, education and patriotism service during 2016 by Montana Chapters and individual daughters, Hamman noted, the dedication and innovation of daughters serving their communities across Big Sky Country is the heart of our beloved society. Hamman assisted the National Chair at the Constitution Week table during Service to America Night.

Other Montana daughters participating included Honorary State Regent Cathy Lane of Kalispell, HSR Peggy Salitros of Billings, State Vice Regent Leigh Haislip Spencer of Great Falls, State Chaplain Janice Hand of Bozeman, State Treasurer Dorothy Oliveira of Helena, State Registrar Riva Amundson of Kalispell, Outstanding Junior and Page Niki Venable, Silver Bow Chapter Regent Helen Brown, Julia Hancock Chapter Regent Nancy Schultz of Lewistown, Bitter Root Chapter Registrar Janet Loran of Missoula, Mount Hyalite members Wanda Hoy and Page Jenni Hoy, and Haley Salitros Lancaster from Vincennes, Indiana.

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Ballet student wins Vegas competition

Queen City Ballet Student Mathilda Inman, under the direction of Artistic Director Campbell Midgley, was recently crowned Miss Teen Sheer Talent 2017 in Las Vegas. Inman, a sophomore at Helena High, spent the week in Vegas at the 2017 Sheer Talent National Competition and Workshop.

Inman has been with Queen City Ballet since 2015 where she has earned roles in the companys production of Nutcracker and Cinderella. She is the daughter of Phil and Erin Inman of Montana City.

For more information on Sheer Talent visit: https://www.sheertalentltd.com/index.php/2017-nationals.html. For more information on Queen City Ballet, visit: https://www.queencityballet.com.

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STUDENT NEWS

International Mathematical Modeling Challenge

The team from Capital High School recently took second place in Meritorious category in the third annual International Mathematical Modeling Challenge. Twenty-seven countries/regions were invited to participate, and 49 teams competed in the challenge. All teams worked at their own schools during a five-day period between March 13 and May 8. Each team was given a modeling problem and then constructed their solutions. This years problem, Jet Lag, asked the teams to create an algorithm that suggests the best place(s) to hold a meeting given the number of participants, their home cities, approximate dates of the meeting and other information that the meeting management company may request from its clients.

GRADUATIONS/DEAN'S LIST

Bennett Tabaracci, of Helena, was named to the spring 2017 honor roll list at Spokane Falls Community College. To receive honor roll status, students must be full time and earn a 3.0 grade point average or higher.

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Savannah Smith, of Helena, graduated from Adams State University, Alamosa, Colorado, during the Spring 2017 Commencement Ceremony on May 13. Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology.

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Kelsey M. McElwain, of Helena, received a B.A. degree in psychology during the 2017 Commencement Ceremonies of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, held on May 14. McElwain, the child of Michael T. McElwain and Kathleen M. McElwain, studied abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland, while at HWS.

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Samuel Roddewig, of Helena, was named to the spring 2017 honor roll at Spokane Community College. To receive honor roll status, students must be full time and earn a 3.0 grade point average or higher.

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Jennifer Betchie, Natalie Cardenas and Andrew Jeseritz, all of Helena, and Melissa Ravndal, of Townsend, have been named to the spring 2017 dean's list at Eastern Washington University.

WITH THE COLORS

Army Reserve Lt. Col. Kevin F. Phillips has retired from the U.S. Army Reserve after serving honorably for 32 years. Phillips was last serving as administrative law chief with 80th Training Command, Richmond, Va.

Phillips is the son of K. "Jane" J. Phillips, of Helena, and Deborah H. Deforrest, of Ruffs Dalve, Pennsylvania.

He is a 1984 graduate of Capital High School and earned a bachelor's degree in 1988 from the University of Montana.
The High Court has ruled the police off-side and ordered them to immediately return a Mercedes Benz E320 and an assortment of household property they unlawfully seized from a Harare businessman two months ago.



Tawanda Major lost the vehicle, a set of black leather sofas, a 65-inch Samsung television set, a 42-inch Samsung television set, two beds, one microwave, a table and a radio when the police raided his house accusing him of defrauding an Ecocash agent of $3 000.



The man was arrested on fraud allegations and claims to have been assaulted during the arrest. Major has since filed a $600 000 lawsuit against the police seeking damages for unlawful arrest, assault and defamation. He claims the police beat him up and arrested him over a $3 000 debt allegedly borrowed by his ex-wife whose whereabouts he was not aware of.



Without any court order, Major claims, the police brought a lorry and took away his personal property. While the $600 000 lawsuit was still pending, Major filed an urgent application seeking the release of the seized property. High Court judge Justice Happias Zhou on Friday ordered the police to release the property.



It is ordered that the third, fourth, fifth and sixth respondents (police officers) jointly or severally be and is hereby ordered to return forthwith applicants personal and private property being 65inch curve Samsung television set, a 42 inch Samsung television set, a set of black leather sofas, two beds, one microwave, one table, one radio set, Mercedes Benz E320 and a vehicle registration book for a Range Rover together with its agreement of sale.





The third, fourth, fifth and sixth respondents shall bear costs of this suit, ruled Justice Zhou. In the pending summons, Home Affairs Minister Ignatius Chombo, Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri and three detectives were cited as defendants.

Major is claiming $150 000 for unlawful arrest and detention, $200 000 for assault allegedly perpetrated on him while in police custody. He is also claiming $250 000 for defamation that emanated from the publicity of the matter after the unlawful arrest.





According to the plaintiffs declaration, Major said the police approached him while relaxed at his Borrowdale home seeking to know the whereabouts of his ex-wife.





After failing to get enough information, he claims, the police decided to detain him until they apprehended the sought-after woman.





One of the detectives handcuffed Major and allegedly assaulted him in the face and on his privates, the court heard. herald
He is also expected to bring his dossier as he seeks to prove that Moyo is a CIA agent. The dossier, officials said, will include Moyos articles where he attacked Mugabe and Zanu PF when he was not in government. It will also include WikiLeaks documents which show that Moyo a decade ago held meetings with officials from the American embassy in Harare, which most Zanu PF leaders did at the time. zimbabwe independent
A foiled bid by the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Church in Zimbabwe to fire two Kadoma pastors on notice has proved costly after a court of law ordered the church to pay the duo outstanding salaries and benefits to the tune of $17 000.



AFMs property faces attachment since the two men of the cloth have already obtained a writ of execution. The church last year terminated on notice the employment contracts of the two pastors  Kudakwashe Mujere and Dickson Lunga  before the High Court issued a provisional order setting aside the termination.



Pastor Mujere of AFMs Mornington Assembly and Pastor Lunga of Eastview Assembly in Kadoma were provisionally reinstated, but the church is still fighting through other channels to get rid of them.



While the main case was still on, the duo successfully sought payment of their salary arrears before a labour officer. The decision of the labour officer was last week endorsed as an order of court at Kadoma Civil Court after a successful application by the pairs lawyer Mr Joshua Chirambwe of Lawman Chimuriwo Attorneys.





On the strength of that order, the two pastors have obtained a writ to attach church property to recover their debts. Pastor Mujere, according to the order of the magistrates court, is entitled to $7 060,30 while Pastor Lunga should be paid $10 000.





The church was also ordered to pay costs of the suit.

Before the issuance of the court order, the church had acknowledged the debt.
A BULAWAYO woman died on the spot after she was shot 13 times by unknown suspects while on her way to catch a taxi in Pretoria, South Africa. The incident occurred on Wednesday last week.



Gauteng Province Police spokesperson Captain Stephen Maluleka identified the woman as Ms Sikhethiwe Moyo (30) who was residing at Soshanguve block NN.



The victim was apparently on her way to catch a taxi in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday last week when she was shot dead. The motive for the murder remains unknown since her belongings, handbag and cellphone were found scattered near her body. A murder case has been opened at Rietgat police station and the investigations are underway, he told The Chronicle in an interview.



Capt Maluleka said they recovered seven spent cartridges of a 9mm pistol at the scene.

He said the suspects took out a cellphone SIM card from her phone and fled. The phone was found next to her body.





The woman was declared dead at the scene by emergency medical services.

According to South African media reports quoting relatives, the body of the deceased is still stuck at the mortuary as they are struggling to raise money to repatriate it to Bulawayo.





Shes still stuck in the mortuary. We are busy with arrangements to transport her body back home. It is not easy. It requires a lot of money, said her aunt Ms Sikhululekile Moyo.

The deceased left behind three children, two boys aged eight and four, and a girl aged five.





She was everything to her children. Now the children have been left in shock and misery. They have to be taken back to their grandparents in Zimbabwe. Theres no one to take them to school, Sikhululekile was quoted saying.





Zimbabwes Consular General, Mr Batiraishe Henry Mukonoweshuro, yesterday said he had not yet received a report on the case, chronicle
No One Will

Ever Smash

Stuff Quite

Like He Did
A child who as an infant underwent surgery aimed at assigning his gender as female but who now identifies as male will get a hefty payout in what BuzzFeed calls a "landmark" settlement. Under the deal, the Medical University of South Carolina and the state's social services department will pay $270,000 to a settlement company, and the money will buy an annuity policy that will eventually result in a $440,000 payout to MC, now 12. Pam and Mark Crawford had waged a four-year legal battle against the hospital after MC, born with male and female genitalia, had his penis and testicular tissue removed when he was just a year old. The surgery, which took place when MC was in state custody, was not only unnecessary but meant MC's gender was decided for him, his parents said. MUSC "denied all claims of negligence and any liability for the alleged claims" in the settlement.

An estimated one in 2,000 babies born are intersex, with genitals not clearly male or female, and many undergo surgeries to give them exclusively male or female genitalia. But these surgeries are fraught with complications. In a report out this week, Human Rights Watch accuses doctors of performing irreversible sex assignment surgeries "based on guesswork." Last month, a report by three former US surgeons general concluded intersex surgeries "violate an individual's right to personal autonomy over their own future" and "should be deferred until children are old enough to voice their own view about whether to undergo the surgery." The American Medical Association is now considering whether to discourage such surgeries, reports the AP. (Read more intersex stories.)
Authorities are asking Helena residents to be on the lookout for a mountain lion cub in the fairgrounds area. A cub has been seen twice in the last week.

Police say they received reports on Friday and Monday of mountain lion sightings. The lion was not acting aggressive and was seen wandering the area near Custer and Henderson streets.

Mountain lion sightings are not rare in Helena and happen about once a year, although generally in cooler months, police said.

Residents are urged to report any lion sightings to police at 442-3233. Officials asked the public not to approach or try to capture the animals. If it returns, the lion will be caught and relocated.
In what was one of their final wishes for their son's life, Charlie Gard's parents say they wanted to spend "a week or so" in hospice with him before he would be taken off life support, the Guardian reports. A judge denied that possibility Thursday. A British high court ruled Charlie can't be kept on a ventilator for a "significant" amount of time in hospice as that would require around-the-clock intensive care. Instead, the baby will be moved to hospice and "inevitably" die shortly, according to CNN. "We've had no control over our son's life and no control over our son's death," says Connie Yates, Charlie's mother. Charlie has irreparable brain damage due to a rare degenerative condition. (Read more Charlie Gard stories.)
To say this New Yorker interview with the new White House communications director is unusual is an understatement, especially when it includes accusations of autofellatio against Steve Bannon. Anthony Scaramucci called Ryan Lizza on Wednesday, upset the New Yorker reporter had tweeted about a dinner Scaramucci attended with President Trump, Sean Hannity, and others and demanding to know "who leaked that." When Lizza wouldn't reveal his source, Scaramucci threatened to fire his own White House communications staff. Theyll all be fired by me, he said. I fired one guy the other day. I have three to four people Ill fire tomorrow. Ill get to the person who leaked that to you." The threat was ineffective. And then things got real weird.

Reince is a f---ing paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac," Scaramucci said, apparently convinced Reince Priebus had leaked the info about the dinner. He then did an impression of Priebus: "Let me leak the f---ing thing and see if I can cock-block these people the way I cock-blocked Scaramucci for six months." Scaramucci went on to say that, unlike other White House officials, he doesn't want media attention. Im not Steve Bannon, Im not trying to suck my own cock ... I'm here to serve the country," he said. Mediaite is rounding up the incredulous social media responses to the Scaramucci interview, but you should read the full thing here for Scaramucci saying he wants to "f---ing kill all the leakers" and implying White House aides will be prosecuted for "the felony." (Read more Anthony Scaramucci stories.)
It was just another night taking the trash to the curb in Chandler, Arizona, until Thomas Jay suddenly felt a pinch followed by the "most excruciating pain" of his life. He swatted off what looked like "a cross between a scorpion and a spider," per Fox 10, and in just a few hours a tiny circle transformed into bruises covering his entire arm. Jay was transferred between multiple hospitals until he reached one with a toxicology department as doctors scrambled to diagnose the problem. For now, a few weeks after the bite or sting, he is stable as they await biopsy results, reports azfamily.com.

Jay and his wife, Dee Petrov, say the care has been excellent, and that they've received a lot of support through their community and now on GoFundMe. (Commenters there are offering theories about the mystery bug.) They've also decided to enroll Jay in a case study, and to devote any funds raised above their $10,000 target toward research and education. "Even though they may not be able to figure out what it was, they might be able to help other individuals as they learn from this situation," he says. (A spider temporarily paralyzed one woman's arm after biting her.)
A police officer was killed in Indianapolis Thursday by a crash victim he was trying to help, police say. Authorities say Lt. Aaron Allen was shot multiple times after approaching a car that had flipped in an accident on the city's south side Thursday afternoon, the Indianapolis Star reports. Another officer responding to the crash and an off-duty officer who was in the area returned fire, injuring the shooter, police say. Both people who were in the flipped vehicle were taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and are now in police custody. Allen, 38, was pronounced dead at the same hospital.

A witness tells RTV6 that the driver was trapped upside-down in the overturned vehicle when he opened fire for reasons that are still unclear. The witness says at least 20 shots were heard. Allen, the Indianapolis-area Southport Police Department's officer of the year in 2015, leaves a wife and children, CBS News reports. He had been in law enforcement for almost 20 years. He was "a hard worker and today was no different," Southport Police Chief Thomas Vaughn told reporters Thursday. "He responded to a crash with urgency to preserve life and tragically his was lost." (A slain NYPD officer became a father this week, more than two years after his death.)
The teenager killed in a horrific accident at the Ohio State Fair planned a future of serving his country and had enlisted in the Marine Corps just days earlier. Tyler Jarrell, 18, signed up for the Marines on Friday, with training to begin after he graduated from high school next year, the Washington Post reports. "He wanted to serve and do something that would make a huge difference and impact on his life," says Staff Sgt. James Hopper of the Marine Corps Columbus recruiting station. "He was a good kid, he was funny and great to be around." Jarrell's girlfriend, Keziah Lewis, was among seven people injured when the Fire Ball ride broke apart Wednesday evening, sending riders flying.

The state fair in Columbus reopened Thursday after what Gov. John Kasich called "the worst tragedy in the history of the fair," though with all rides closed for extensive inspections. KMG, the Dutch manufacturer of the Fire Ball, says it has called for the operators of the other Fire Balls worldwide to shut the rides down until it can conduct an investigation, the Columbus Dispatch reports. In Wednesday's accident, "a passenger-carrying gondola detached from the supporting sweep arm," the company said in a statement. The company says the Ohio ride was made in 1998 and is one of a total of 48 Fire Balls ever manufactured, with 11 of those going to the US. (Read more Ohio stories.)
A Texas prisoner was executed Thursday evening for killing a San Antonio woman after breaking into her apartment more than 13 years ago. TaiChin Preyor, 46, was put to death after his attorneys failed to convince courts that he had deficient legal help during earlier stages of his appeals and that he deserved a reprieve so his case could be reviewed more fairly, the AP reports. The US Supreme Court rejected his final appeal about 2.5 hours after the six-hour execution window opened at 6pm CDT. Once the justices ruled, Preyor was taken to the death chamber in Huntsville, Texas, for lethal injection. Preyor's execution was Texas' fifth this year and the 16th nationally.

Preyor was convicted in the February 2004 slaying of 24-year-old Jami Tackett, who court records identified as Preyor's drug supplier. She was stabbed and her throat was cut. Testimony showed that in the early hours of Feb. 26, 2004, Preyor, dressed in black and wearing a hood and gloves, kicked in the door of a San Antonio apartment where Tackett lived and kept drugs in a safe. Asked by the prison warden if he had a final statement, Preyor replied, "First and foremost, I'd like to say: Justice has never advanced by taking a human life," and attributed the statement to Coretta Scott King. Then he said that he would love his wife and children "forever and always." "That's it," Preyor said. (Read more Texas stories.)
A five-judge panel of Pakistan's Supreme Court on Friday disqualified thrice-elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from holding office over corruption allegations against him and his family. In a unanimous decision, the court said Sharif was disqualified for not remaining "truthful and honest," the AP reports. It also ruled Sharif could no longer serve as a member of the National Assembly. General elections are to be held in Pakistan next year; the Supreme Court ruling ensures he won't be in the running. The court asked the Election Commission of Pakistan to issue notification of Sharif's removal, but Sharif stepped down out of his respect for the country's judiciary, he said. The current case against Sharif and his family dates back to 2016, when documents leaked from a Panama-based law firm indicated Sharif's sons owned several offshore companies.

Sharif's resignation creates a murky legal mess, with constitutional experts not sure who's in charge in Pakistan until his successor is nominated. It wasn't immediately clear when that would be, or who, though legal experts say Sharif will now nominate a lawmaker of his choice to replace him under the provisions of the constitution, noting Sharif's nominee would be elected by the National Assembly, where the ruling party enjoys a majority. A legal expert said the court's order was binding and Sharif and his family may not challenge it. The court also directed the country's anti-corruption body to file corruption charges against Sharif, his two sons, and daughter in the next six weeks for concealing their assets. The situation isn't a first for Pakistan: In 2012, the court convicted then-Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani in a contempt case, forcing him to step down. (Read more Pakistan stories.)
Firefighters have rescued an Ohio woman after a boa constrictor wrapped around her neck and began biting her face, reports the AP. The unnamed 45-year-old Sheffield Lake woman called 911 Thursday afternoon asking for help, reports the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. The boa constrictor was one of two snakes she had rescued the day before, though the paper doesn't specify how or where. WKYC has audio of the 3-minute, 50-second 911 call, in which the woman cries, "I have a boa constrictor stuck to my face. ... There's blood everywhere. ... He's got my nose."

Firefighters found the woman lying in the driveway of her home with the 5-foot-long snake wrapped around her neck and biting her nose. A firefighter used a pocketknife to cut off the snake's head. The woman was taken to a hospital for apparent non-life-threatening injuries. The woman had 11 snakes, including nine ball pythons and the boa constrictors. (Read more boa constrictor stories.)
Britain and the rest of the United Kingdom are supposed to exit the European Union in 2019, but the current round of Brexit talks is getting hung up on a geographic snag: how to create a border between Ireland and the UK. The Times of London reports that Ireland wants the post-Brexit border to be the Irish Sea, which separates the land mass of Britain, Wales, and Scotland from the land mass of Ireland. Simple enough. The problem is that there's one more component of the UK, that being Northern Ireland, which, for Brexit purposes, is located inconveniently within Ireland's land mass. As Sky News points out, once Brexit takes effect, this will be the only land border between the UK and the rest of Europe. (See this map.)

British Prime Minister Theresa May's idea is to create a high-tech "soft border" between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, using video surveillance and the like. But Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar doesn't think it's workable and might inflame old tensions between Northern Ireland and his republic. He instead wants the border to be drawn at the sea, with customs checks moved to ports, per the Telegraph. An official from Northern Ireland calls that "absurd" because it would put a border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Ireland's foreign minister similarly dug in: "What we do not want to pretend is that we can solve the problems of the border ... through technical solutions like cameras and pre-registration and so on," says Simon Coveney. "That is not going to work. As of now, no solution is in sight. (Read more Ireland stories.)
Two adolescent boys will go before a judge Friday on suspicion of deliberately starting one of the wildfires that devastated parts of southeastern France and Corsica this week, an official said. The two boys, both aged 16, were stopped Wednesday by police who believed arson was behind the blaze in Carro, north of Nice, where 370 acres of vegetation were burnt, says a police official in Aix-en-Provence, per the AP. The boys also face charges of theft and could face a prison sentence of 15 years.

Authorities warned Friday the danger is far from over even though they have tamed most of the blazes that scorched more than 17,300 acres of land, destroyed homes, and forced the evacuation of thousands in the worst fires in France in over a decade. Meanwhile, a 41-year-old man has admitted to starting a wildfire by accident with a metal-cutting device. That fire, in Peynier, some 19 miles northwest of Marseille, burned 178 acres of vegetation before being contained by a team of more than 300 firefighters. The man will go before a judge Friday afternoon and could face up to five years in prison. (Read more France stories.)
Several local preschools will add slots this school year thanks to money from a grant program created by the state Legislature, Gov. Steve Bullock announced Friday.

Around the state, 17 programs were awarded grants ranging from $27,000 to $150,000. The state has $6 million to dole out the next two years.

Three Helena area programs received grants: Eastgate Elementary in East Helena received a $102,868 grant for 18 kids, the ABC Academy received $109,087 for 12 kids and Hawthorne School received $149,853 for 16 kids.

Now schools will in some cases have to scramble to get a teacher, fill the slots with students and develop curriculum in time for the start of classes this fall.

East Helena Superintendent Ron Whitmoyer said the district had a group of about 20 students who weren't eligible for the age exception kindergarten class. Eastgate Elementary began contacting those parents to offer them a spot in the new preschool class. Whitmoyer said they are also in the process of reviewing applicants for teachers with a preschool endorsement.

"We are so very fortunate," he said. "I cant tell you how thrilled I am to have this program."

The grants are doled out through the Department of Health and Human Services' Stars to Quality program, which started as a preschool ranking system. Grant recipients had to meet certain criteria and officials aimed to include Head Start providers, public schools and private preschools. A total of 285 kids will benefit from the grants.

The grants will effectively function as pilot programs for the state.

More Montana kids will now have even greater opportunities growing up here than the generations before them, Bullock said. Were finally making this long-awaited investment, and by doing so, building a stronger future for Montana.

Preschool funding proposals haven't gained traction in the Mountain West, despite programs providing variable levels of public funding in at least 45 states. Wyoming, Idaho, South Dakota and New Hampshire provide no funding; North Dakota recently killed a $3 million program.

Bullock asked for $37 million for preschool in 2015 and $12 million in 2017; instead, a compromise was reached during budget negotiations.

Legislators created a new fee for hospitals that will raise $13 million over the next two years; $6 million is earmarked for preschool grants, and the rest goes into the general fund. The payments were described as "temporary" in the law authorizing them.

Finding new funding sources for the creation of preschool programs has often been critical to getting them off the ground in conservative states. For example, New Mexico's Republican Governor signed off on a new preschool program funded through a state tobacco settlement in 2013.

Some Montana Republicans who objected to the grant funding bill pointed to bill language that says the state will "test multiple delivery models, including public programs, private programs and mixed delivery programs through public-private partnerships," as evidence that DPHHS will do more than expand the existing Stars to Quality program.
North Korea continues to defy warnings to quit messing with missile tests, this time with an apparent launch into the sea near Japan, the AP and Reuters report. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the missile, which was launched Friday night, looks to have landed in the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the area within a certain number of nautical miles in which a country lays claim to natural resources. The missile was launched at close to midnight local time, from Chagang province in the northern part of the North, the Yonhap News Agency reports. "We will immediately analyze information and do our utmost to protect the safety of the Japanese people," Abe said, adding that he has called a meeting of the National Security Council.

A Japanese government rep says the missile flew for about 45 minutes before splashing into the sea between Japan and the Korean Peninsula, with a US intelligence assessment noting the missile traveled about 620 horizontal miles, ABC News reports. A Pentagon spokesman confirmed the missile launch to the AP, noting they were continuing to analyze the situation. A US official confirmed to CNN earlier this week that it's possible North Korea could launch a nuclear-capable ICBM by early 2018two years earlier than previously anticipated, though many factors are still unknown. "North Korea is slowly morphing into a nuclear and missile power right before our very eyes," a director of defense studies at the Center for the National Interest think tank tells CNBC. (Hawaii is prepping for a nuclear attack.)
"There isnt a single person inside the bureau who believes this guy got drunk, fell down, and died," an anonymous FBI agent tells BuzzFeed. Mikhail Lesin, the founder of Russian state-run media RT and a former senior adviser to Vladimir Putin, was found dead in 2015 in his hotel room in Washington DC. More than a year after his death, a federal prosecutor ruled Lesinwho had multiple blunt-force injuries to his head, neck, and torsodied due to getting drunk and falling down multiple times. Now, two FBI agents and a US intelligence officer say that's not the case. Lesin was beaten to death, says one FBI agent, who adds the US government appears to want that fact covered up.

At the time of his death, Lesin was staying in a hotel room paid for by the Justice Department, according to BuzzFeed's sources. He died the night before he was scheduled to meet with the department to discuss the workings of the Russian propaganda machine. One agent says the consensus in the FBI is that Lesin was assassinated on the orders of the Kremlin or Putin himself. Whether it was over RT, money, pissing off Putin, or a combo, or all of it, I dont know, one FBI agent says. But falling down drunk? Come on. Thats bullshit. BuzzFeed is suing to get the FBI's investigative file on the case. And they're not alone. A reporter with Radio Free Europe is suing the DC medical examiner's office to obtain the autopsy report on Lesin, as well as communications between the medical examiner, FBI, and State Department regarding his death, Courthouse News reports. (Read more Russia stories.)
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

Islamabad : The Pakistan Supreme Court on Friday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after a probe team found his wealth far above his earnings in the Panama Papers case.

The five-judge bench that will announce the historic verdict will be headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who had put a dissenting note in an April 20 judgment with a quote from Mario Puzo's novel "The Godfather" and declared Sharif "disqualified" for not being honest to the nation, Dawn reported.

Ahead of the judgment, Sharif held informal consultations with close aides and key ministers in Lahore.

Sources said another meeting would be held after the Supreme Court decision to devise a plan of action in the wake of the verdict.

Sharif returned from his trip to the Maldives on Thursday and was received by his brother, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
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In the aftermath of the Lodgepole Complex fire, as cowboys on horseback rounded up the hoofed survivors from 270,000 charred acres, there were already ranchers scanning the horizon for green grass.

There were thousands of cattle displaced by fire walking hungrily through miles of the pasture with nothing to eat and little to drink. The black land met the blue horizon without a green break.

It was on that burnt prairie where ranchers began talking about the storied, 90-square-mile ranch of the so called cowboy gangster," Benny Binion. A short cattle drive from the worst of Lodgepole Complex, the Benny Binion Ranch had reverted back to the U.S. Department of Interior around the time of the Las Vegas casino owners death in the 1980s.

The ranch had become part of the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. The 1,432-square-mile refuge encircles Fort Peck Reservoir and does accommodate livestock grazing. The CMR abuts the Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument to the west.

Binions land had tall grass and access to the Missouri and Mussellshell rivers, as well as artesian wells and springs. Longtime residents of the area haven't forgotten its grass bank.

Theres 90 square miles of grass that hasnt had cattle on it in at least 20 years, said Taylor Brown, of the Binion Ranch. Browns neighbors thought theyd roll the dice and see if CMR managers would let them on the property, once owned by the man who launched the World Series of Poker.

Sarah Swanson thought shed do her cowboy neighbors one better. The farm equipment dealer still had contact information for Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. She hopes for official confirmation of the grazing in the next few days.

I sent him a letter asking that he open immediate prescriptive grazing on the CMR Refuge, Swanson said. The CMR is unique. Theres plenty of grass. Its been underutilized for more than two decades. Its a blessing and a curse. We could use it because its so overgrown, but thats also what makes it a fire risk.

Swanson wasnt aware of the Binion part of the CMR. The Texas casino magnates story had disappeared in the tall grass years ago. Binion was from a race horse family that worked county tracks in Texas, according to his 1989 obituary in the New York Times. He ran illegal craps games and sold liquor during Prohibition, a crime he went to prison for. He bought the Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas in the 1940s as the gambling oasis grew.

Not long after Vegas took off, Binion began buying ranch land around Jordan, according to Bureau of Land Management records. The ranch was roughly 90,000 acres with access to a few hundred thousand acres of state and federal lease land. The American Quarter Horse Association reports that Binion drove 150 horses from land in Hardin 200 miles to the ranch near Sand Springs, now the heart of the Lodgepole Complex fires.

Cowboys were scheduled to meet with U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials before the weekend to discuss the possibilities of grazing the CMR. For lack of grass, many ranchers have started selling off their livestock, some have sent their animals to feedlots to stay fed until early sale, Swanson said.

But the challenges related to fire have just started for ranchers in Garfield County. Ranchers who have to sell their cattle wont be buying replacement cows and heifers until theres grass to eat. Once the females are back on the land, it wont be until the following spring that new calves are born. Months after those births, the first calves since Eastern Montanas summer of fire will go to market. It may be two years or more before some ranchers see another payday post-fire.

The thing to understand about Jordan, a town of a few hundred people that serves as the Garfield County seat, is that there arent many city jobs for a ranch family that loses livestock income, Swanson said. Its no Bozeman, Billings or Dillon.

By Thursday, Montanas congressional delegation had joined the chorus of voices asking Interior to open the CMR to grazing.

As a fellow Montanan, you understand the importance of our federal lands and the communities that depend on them, Daines and Gianforte said in a letter to Zinke. Balancing preservation, conservation, and production illustrates the many uses of our public lands. As agriculture is Montanas top industry and as you work to restore trust to the Department, neighbor-to-neighbor, ensuring options are available, where appropriate, to these farmers and ranchers is urgently needed.
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 27F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. Low 18F. Winds light and variable.
Radersburg is turning 150, and that means its time to celebrate.

Farmland stretching to the south and the Elkhorn Mountains rising to the north create the setting for the Radersburg Sesquicentennial Celebration this weekend. Vendors, tours, a pig roast and plenty of history will be offered up to those who make the drive.

Its a small country town, its a ranching community and there was a time when it was a mining community, said Jane Alsager, who grew up on a Radersburg farm.

Radersburg Historical Preservation, Inc. is the nonprofit driver of projects in the community. The century-old schoolhouse, church and other buildings in town have benefited from the groups work, either through grants or documenting history.

Along with a history of agriculture and mining, Radersburg is the birthplace of actress Myrna Loy, the county seat of Jefferson County from 1869 to 1884 and once home to a first-class hotel in 1871, according to a history of the town.

Radersburg rancher Dan Williams can recall many historic dates and milestones in the community. The towns namesake Rueben Rader homesteaded in the area, and it eventually grew into a mining camp that some say brought 1,000 people to town, although Williams is skeptical of the numbers.

Williams, sitting in the restored school, calls Radersburg Gods country with temperate weather and the gateway to the Crow Creek drainage. Grants, donations and fundraisers have been a big help in preserving the history of the town, including a new roof and foundation work for the school which now operates more as a community center. The last classes were held there in the mid-1960s, he said, and the building shows its age.

Outside, volunteers were hard at work putting in an access ramp to the school where the bulk of festivities will take place Saturday and Sunday.

Radersburg hosted a centennial celebration for the school in 2013 and typically holds some sort of summer event every year, but is ramping it up for the 150th, Williams said. While it is not a fundraiser, the historic preservation group wont pass up any donations, he added.

On Saturday starting at 10 a.m., vendors open with activities for kids and adults, including horse or tractor drawn historical tours. Kid activities include a bounce house and petting zoo, while history displays include gold panning and genealogy.

From 1-5 p.m. the Great Falls Accordion Players will be on hand and the Country Tradition Band will play until 10 p.m. with fireworks at 10:30 p.m.

Sunday kicks off at 7 a.m. at the Radersburg historic church, including an 11 a.m. Baptist service where the old organ will be played. The church was founded by The Rev. William Wesley Van Orsdel, better known as Brother Van, a well-known Methodist preacher who founded a number of churches, schools and hospitals.

From 12-3 p.m. music will be provided by Micki McCubbins followed by a free pig roast and raffle drawing.

Harla Gillespie will serve as the chief tour guide, taking visitors through town and detailing historic sites and the people that make up the history of Radersburg. She hopes visitors will come out to enjoy the small town atmosphere.

Were proud of this town and were having a birthday, she said.
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New Delhi:

We all are familiar with the story of Subash Chandra Bose Army Azad Hind Fauj, and how it became an important part in Indias struggle for Independence and Boses sudden disappearance.

The story of Raagdesh basically revolves around the three decorated officers of Azad Hind Fauj and the trial against the three young soldiers  a Hindu, a Muslim, a Sikh (Prem Sehgal, Shah Nawaz Khan and Gurbaksh Dhillon). The trial which took place in 1945, was meant to be a showcase of colonial superiority of the British.

National Award-Winning Director Tigmanshu Dhulia, who is known for making different kind of cinema in which his characters bring out a narrative and leaves an impression on the audience. The characters of Raagdesh sought to bring out nationalism and patriotism which became more of a movement than sentiments in 1945.

With the starcast of Mohit Marwah, Amit Sadh, Kunal Kapoor and Kenny Desai in the key roles, Raagdesh manages to create a sense of curiosity amongst the audience. So, if you are planning to watch the flick, take a look at the quick review of Raagdesh by leading dailies.

Heres Raagdesh Movie Review:

Indian Express: The story is told through a series of flashbacks and the trial of three young soldiers (Kunal Kapoor, Amit Sadh and Mohit Marwah) of the INA, charged with murder and treason, whose case is fought by the celebrated lawyer Bhulabhai Desai (Kenny Desai). Through the eyes of the three soldiers a Hindu, a Sikh, and a Muslimwe see how a remarkable army was born, and how desh ki azaadi was also its motto, even if its ways were so antithetical to Mahatma Gandhi s nonviolent struggle. The war scenes are plentiful but you cant help seeing the clunkiness (when will Bollywood make a film like, for example, the recent Dunkirk, which you can slam on many counts but not in the solid recreation of battle scenes). And the back-and-forthing between the past and present is not as clear as it could be, given the complexity of the events the film is trying to unravel. Making the three INA soldiers represent the religious diversity of the Indian people could have been a wonderful device, given the times we are passing through, but it comes off cliched. And with a few exceptions (Sadh, Verma, and Desai, who excel in a few moments) the performances feel forced. Raag Desh has lofty ambition, but the stagey treatment lets it down. The definitive INA film is still to be made.

NDTV: Raag Desh is part war film, part legal procedural. But above all, it is a drama designed as a reminder of the sacrifices of brave men and women - the INA had a full-fledged Rani Jhansi regiment commanded by Lakshmi Swaminathan (Mrudula Murali), who was to later marry Prem Sehgal - presented in the larger context of the struggle for independence. The film constantly harps on the fact that of the three under-trials are Hindu, Muslim and Sikh respectively - representatives of a diverse nation in the making. It was only natural that their fate fired up people across India in the years leading up to Independence.

Scroll.in: Tigmanshu Dhulias Raag Desh provides a snappy history of the Indian National Army through the court-martial of three of its soldiers at Delhis Red Fort in 1945. The trial, one among many, was meant to be a showcase of the colonial imprimatur on its vast colony. Prem Sehgal, Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon and Shahnawaz Khan were being tried for the specific act of killing deserters during battle with the British forces and the general act of treason against the Crown. The Congress mounted a legal defence, led by Mumbai lawyer Bhulabhai Desai, and although the men were found guilty, their sentences were commuted after unrest raged across the country.

Hindustan Times: The actual film begins when trials start and the British regime decides to handle it with an iron fist. Raag Desh finds its flow here and Tigmanshu Dhulia slowly absorbs us into the terrific detailing of the case. Bhula Bhai Desai (Kenneth Desai), a lawyer on the verge of retirement, helps Dhulia in getting the perfect narrative tone for the film. Dhulia doesnt manipulate the court proceedings to earn our sympathy. After all, its a film with heavy patriotic fervour, nobody would have minded that, but he sticks to the facts and narrates the story of all the major characters from a neutral perspective. The back and forth in narration hampers the flow, though. There is a strange thing about patriotic films. You know whats going to happen, but your eyes still get moist when it happens. The same will happen to you as well when Kadam Kadam Badhaaye Jaa will play on the screen. This 137-minute soldier versus traitor story is totally worth your time.
New Delhi:

To escape the horse-trading in Gujarat, 44 Congress leaders left from Gujarat to Bengaluru. In last two days six Gujarat Congress MLAs have joined BJP. All the MLAs who have joined BJP are said to be close to Shankarsinh vaghela who has also moved out of Congress.

"To hide their failure, BJP is trying to make sure our MLAs resign by offering money and through police pressure. To ensure BJP is not successful, 44 of us Congress MLAs are leaving from Gujarat for Bengaluru," said Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar.

Earlier in the day, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Friday said that crores of rupees have been spent in horse trading in Gujarat by the BJP.

"The anti-defection law is supreme, and repeatedly Supreme Court has called defections a constitutional sin. One Congress Gujarat MLA Punabhai Gamit has said he was offered Rs 10 crore rupees by the BJP," said Singhvi.

Since the time Shankarsinh Vaghela quit Congress, many Gujarat Congress MLAs who are believed to be close to him have resigned from party. Gujarat Congress MLA Ramsinh Parmar submitted his resignation to Assembly Speaker on Friday.

Two of Gujarat Congress MLAs - Mansingh Chouhan and Chhanabhai Chaudhary had also quit the party on Friday.

This development came just a day after Balwantsinh Rajput, Tejashree Patel and Prahlad Patel left the party to join the BJP, ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls.

According to sources, Balwantsinh Rajput who is Chief whip of the Congress in the Assembly, is likely to be fielded by the BJP against veteran Congress leader Ahmed Patel, who is a lone Congress candidate for the Upper House.

Also read: BJP denies horse trading allegations in Gujarat, says Congress is sinking ship

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New Delhi:

Waris Pathan, the MLA of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) from Mumbai on Thursday said that he would not sing the national song even if someone puts revolver on his head. It is to be noted that the Madras High Court on Tuesday directed that the national song to be played and sung in all schools, colleges and Universities.



Supporting Waris remarks, the Samajwadi Partys Maharashtra unit president and MLA, Abu Asim Azmi, also said he would not sing it even if he was thrown out of the country.



The reactions come in the wake of a demand raised by senior BJP MLA Raj Purohit, who, citing the Madras High Court order, said that singing of Vande Mataram should be made mandatory in all schools and colleges across Maharashtra.



The Madras High Court had on Tuesday made singing of the national song mandatory in schools across Tamil Nadu, at least twice a week. Speaking to reporters outside the Vidhan Bhavan here, Purohit, the BJP chief whip in the Assembly, on Thursday said he would meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and seek the latters intervention to make it compulsory for everybody to sing the national song at any event.

ALSO READ: Madras High Court directs schools, colleges to play 'Vande Mataram' once a week



The MLA said, I will raise the demand in the House as well. I will tell the chief minister that the government should come up with a policy which would make it compulsory for everybody to sing Vande Mataram at the beginning of an event and Jana Gana Mana at the end.



Pathan, who represents the Byculla constituency in south Mumbai, said a particular ideology cannot be imposed on people.



I will not sing Vande Mataram. My religion as well as law do not allow me to sing it. Even if anyone puts a revolver to my head, I will not sing it. I will oppose the demand in the House, he said. Azmi alleged that BJP was following the instructions of RSS which would eventually polarise the society.



I am a true follower of Islam. Singing Vande Mataram would be against my religion as well as Constitution. A true Muslim will never sing it. I will also not sing it even if I am thrown out of the country, he told reporters. However, the BJPs otherwise unpredictable ally Shiv Sena backed Purohit.



Condemning the AIMIM and the SP, senior Sena leader and transport minister Diwakar Raote said they are traitors. They need to know that it (Vande Mataram) is a patriotic song which was sung by freedom fighters during the struggle for Independence, he said.



As per the Madras High Court order, private and government schools in the southern state should ensure that their students sing the national song at least twice a week preferably on Monday and Friday. The order also said the song can also be played in other government and private establishments at least once in a month.



The high court also said that if any person or organisation has difficulty in singing or playing the song, they shall not be compelled or forced to sing it, provided there are valid reasons for not doing so.



With PTI inputs.

ALSO READ: BJP stresses on Vande Mataram in Uttarakhand; Congress retorts saying will not be sung at partys official programmes for 1 month

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New Delhi:

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday lashed out at Congress partys allegations on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over house trading in Gujarat. While speaking to ANI, Prasad said that allegations levied by Congress against BJP are false and born out of utter desperation. Congress party's allegations are false and are born out of utter desperation, he said.



Those leaving Congress know they are not getting due respect in the party, it's a sinking ship, he further added on horse-trading allegations.



Earlier in the day, speaking on the continued MLA exodus from Gujarat, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that crores of rupees have been spent in horse-trading in Gujarat by the BJP.

ALSO READ: AM Singhvi speaks on MLA exodus in Gujarat, says BJP spent crores of rupees on horse trading



"The anti-defection law is supreme, and repeatedly Supreme Court has called defections a constitutional sin. One Congress Gujarat MLA Punabhai Gamit has said he was offered Rs 10 crore rupees by the BJP," said Singhvi.



Since the time Shankarsinh Vaghela quit Congress, many Gujarat Congress MLAs who are believed to be close to him have resigned from party. Gujarat Congress MLA Ramsinh Parmar submitted his resignation to Assembly Speaker on Friday.



Two of Gujarat Congress MLAs - Mansingh Chouhan and Chhanabhai Chaudhary had also quit the party on Friday. This development came just a day after Balwantsinh Rajput, Tejashree Patel and Prahlad Patel left the party to join the BJP, ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls.

ALSO READ: MLA exodus from Gujarat Congress continues; Ramsinh Parmar submits resignation to Assembly Speaker

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New Delhi:

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval will call on Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday evening and is likely to discuss the contentious issue of Dokalam dispute. The issue was also discussed in the meeting between Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi on Thursday during BRICS NSA level talks.



It was first high-level meeting between India and China since the military standoff erupted in the Sikkim sector on June 16, Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday.



The Chinese foreign ministry, in a brief readout on Doval-Yang meeting, said Yang elaborated Chinas position on bilateral issues and major problems, which is being seen as an apparent reference to the standoff in the Dokalam area.



Chinas state-run Xinhua news agency also reported that Yang met separately with Doval and his other counterparts from South Africa and Brazil.



Though there was no direct reference to the Sikkim standoff in the Xinhua report, it said the talks between Doval and Yang included bilateral relations, international and regional issues and multilateral affairs.



Though China had maintained that there wont be a meaningful dialogue without the unconditional withdrawal of Indian troops, India has been maintaining that the unilateral action by China to build a road in the area was altering the status quo and had serious security implications for India.

Suggested read | NSA Ajit Doval reaches Beijing amid Sikkim standoff, to attend BRICS top security officials meeting



India has also been pitching for a diplomatic solution to resolve the standoff but sought simultaneous withdrawal of troops of both the sides from the tri-junction with Bhutan.



However, the Chinese official media has been carrying a blistering campaign accusing India of trespassing into the Chinese territory.



Doval arrived in Beijing on Wednesday to take part in the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) NSAs meeting being hosted by Yang, who, like Doval, is the Special Representative for India-China boundary talks.



His visit has raised expectations about the likelihood of India and China finding a way out of the over the month-long standoff.



While the media had no access to NSA meetings, it will be allowed to cover tomorrows joint meeting of the NSAs of the five-member bloc.



About the BRICS NSAs meeting, the Chinese foreign ministry on Monday said that the meeting on security issues is a major platform for BRICS countries to discuss and conduct cooperation in politics and security fields.



It bears great significance for these countries to strengthen strategic communication, enhance political mutual trust and elevate their impact on global affairs.



As agreed by all parties, those at the meeting will discuss on topics including global governance, anti-terrorism, internet security and energy security, as well as major international and regional hot spot issues and national security and development, Lu said.



The military standoff began on June 16 when Chinese troops attempted to lay a road in the Dokalam area. Doka La is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Dokalam, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region.



India and China share a 220-km-long border in Sikkim section.



(With Inputs from PTI)

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval at 7th BRICS Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues in Beijing. pic.twitter.com/Fk0ryYK5QL  ANI (@ANI_news) July 28, 2017

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New Delhi:

Former president and army chief of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf on Thursday termed SCs landmark verdict to disqualify Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as a moment of happiness for the people of Pakistan.

Speaking exclusively to News Nations Ajay Kumar, Musharraf said after SC's verdict on Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan will now be heading towards the right direction.

He said after Sharifs ouster the higher level corruption in Pakistan politics will come to an end.

Musharraf also gave credit to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan for his efforts to unmask corrupt Nawaz Sharif in Panama Papers leak case.

Suggested Read: After Nawaz Sharif's ouster, who will become Pakistan's next prime minister?

The problem is with Nawaz Sharif and not others. It was the third time he could not complete his term as a prime minister. I have seen Sharif very closely, he lacks leadership qualities. He doesnt know how to govern and his intentions were corrupt, said the former president of Pakistan.

He is his own worst enemy, Musharraf added.

Earlier in the day, in a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from holding public office after it found him guilty in Panama Papers case.

After the apex court decision, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's leader resigned from the post of Prime Minister.

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New Delhi:

A number of clashes broke out between CPM and BJP workers on Thursday late night in Thiruvananthapuram.

The CPM party workers vandalised the BJP state committee office. Activists of both parties attacked houses of rival group councillors and damaged their vehicles.

CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnans house was also attacked by the BJP party workers.

Last Sunday, a similar clash had taken place between BJP and CPM activists which left four people injured in the incident at Powdikonam. The incident had occurred at Vattavila Junction.

BJP state committee office vandalised, CPM state secy Kodiyeri Balakrishnan & many BJP & CPM councilors houses attacked, vehicles damaged. pic.twitter.com/3eKOO1rnIL  ANI (@ANI_news) July 28, 2017

Also Read | Kerala: 9 CPIM workers injured in blast RSS office attacked in Kannur after 9 CPIM workers injured in blast

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New Delhi:

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday attached land worth Rs 148.89 crore in Andhra Pradesh under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of companies of Nimmagadda Prasad in Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy case.

"ED attaches land worth Rs 148.89 crore in Andhra Pradesh under PMLA of companies of Nimmagadda Prasad in YS Jagan Mohan Reddy case," the agency said.

A provisional attachment order under the PMLA law has been issued, a senior official said.

The ED began its probe against the politician and his associates on the basis of a CBI FIR that stated that since "May 2004, Jagan floated number of companies wherein quid pro quo investments have been made by beneficiaries from decisions of the state government in various forms like SEZs (special economic zones), irrigation contracts, relaxation/permission for real estate ventures, mines among others.

ED attaches land worth Rs 148.89 crore in Andhra Pradesh under PMLA of companies of Nimmagadda Prasad in Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy case. pic.twitter.com/0mJMWwpush  ANI (@ANI_news) July 28, 2017

Also Read | Money laundering case: ED attaches Rs 749 crore assets of YSR chief Jagan and his wife

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New Delhi:

Amid chaos, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar won trust vote motion in the Assembly on Friday. The leaders are confident to have the support of 132 MLAs.

Here are the live updates-

#1:18 PM

Asked several questions in assembly today, but BJP and Nitish Kumar had no answers to them: Tejashwi Yadav after Nitish Kumar wins floor test



#1:04 PM

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar wins trust vote, gets 131 votes



#12:45 PM

Would like to thank Congress and RJD, if Tejashwi had resigned I would not have been here: Sushil Modi, Bihar Deputy CM

#12:36 PM

We had given 40 seats to Congress party to contest in assembly polls: Nitish Kumar

# 12:33 PM

These people live with attitude: Nitish Kumar

#12:32 PM

The Grand Alliance was not made to bear the cross of corruption: Nitish Kumar

#12:21 PM

Tejashwi must practice listening to others in the House: Nand Kishore Yadav

#12: 16 PM

Nitish cannot compromise with corruption: Nand Kishore Yadav

#12:05 PM

Tejashwi Yadav on Nitish Kumar: 'Why didnt he sack me if had the guts'



#11:58 AM

Nitish switches loyalty from "Hey Ram" to "Jai Shree Ram", says Tejashwi

#11:48 AM

Nitish is anti-Dalit and anti-minority: Tejashwi Yadav

#11:42 AM

Nitish has joined hands with killers of Mahatma Gandhi: Tejashwi Yadav

#11:38 AM

RJD has power of 80 MLAs: Tejashwi Yadav

#11:32 AM

Nitish has betrayed Lalu Prasad Yadav: Shivanand Tiwari

#11:27 AM

Tejashwi accuses Nitish of 'treason'

#11:20 AM

Nitish has betrayed the people of Bihar: Tejashwi Yadav



#11:18 AM

Tejashwi Yadav addressed Nitish as 'boss' in Assembly

# 11:16 AM

It was all drama to put a clean image of a particular person: Tejashwi Yadav

#11:15 AM

The entire nation believes that it was pre-planned: Tejashwi Yadav

#11: 09 AM

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar presents trust vote motion amid chaos



#11:04 AM

Congress Bihar in-charge CP Joshi chaired a meeting of Congress MLAs in Patna



#10:48 AM

Tejashwi Yadav outside Bihar assembly ahead of CM Nitish Kumar floor test



#10:39AM

RJD MLAs protest outside Bihar assembly ahead of CM Nitish Kumar floor test



# 10:29 AM

Deputy CM Sushil Modi reaches Bihar assembly ahead of the floor test



#10:20 AM

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar reaches Assembly

#10:09 AM

There has been no statement from Sharadji's side, it is a rumour: Ajay Alok, JDU



# 10:06 AM

No leader unhappy; Ali Anwar issued statement but he has also said that this is not a revolt and that he will speak in party forum: Ajay Alok

# 9:25 AM

Politics is about serving people, it's not a medium to collect money or property-Neeraj Kumar (JD(U)

On Thursday, Nitish took the oath as Bihar chief minister for the sixth time after joining hands with the BJP. He parted ways with RJD and pulled out from Grand Alliance over alleged corruption charges on former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav in connection with land-for-hotels case.

After taking oath on Thursday, Nitish said the collective decision to part ways with the RJD and join hands with BJP was taken in the interest of the state and its people.

Whatever decision we have taken will be in the interest of Bihar and its people. It will ensure development and justice. It will also ensure progress.

#TopStory: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to face a floor test in the Assembly today. pic.twitter.com/lRGV700xNk  ANI (@ANI_news) July 28, 2017

This is a collective decision. I assure that our commitment is to the people of Bihar, Kumar told reporters after taking oath, amid reports that senior leaders like Sharad Yadav and party MP Ali Anwar were among those unhappy with his decision to align with the BJP.

On Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhis criticism of him, Kumar said he will give reply to all his queries and those of others at the right time.

Gandhi had alleged that Kumar had returned to communal forces for selfish political motives.

Also Read: CM Nitish Kumar says he will not compromise on corruption, Bihar will develop with Centre's cooperation

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New Delhi:

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia while inaugurating Urdu literacy centres at a function said that language is a tool to unite the society, but a few sections are using it to create divisions.



The Deputy CM also emphasised on co-existence of languages and advocated having academies for every language.



A few people will work to break the country and through languages they want to create divisions. Our challenge is to unite it through language, he said.



Sisodia, who recently took charge of the Art, Culture and Languages department of the Delhi government, has directed for preparing proposal for formation of 12 language academies in the city.

ALSO READ | GST: Traders are scared, people are worried, says Manish Sisodia



The 12 languages include Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malyali, Kannada, Odia, Assamese, Garwahali, Kumaoni, Jaunsari, Kashmiri and Marwadi.



Sisodia said, I have full faith that the academies will work to bridge the gulf created in the name of languages.



Calling upon the gathering to work as ambassadors of culture and representatives of the way of life reflected by Urdu, he asked them to inculcate tehzeeb in the society.



Our challenge is to unite the society through the language. In the name of tehzeeb we will unite it, he added. The Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government had announced in its annual budget setting up of multiple academies this year.



A few days ago the government had announced opening up 75 Sanskrit learning centres across the city. It has also announced to promote Hindi literary activities.



With PTI inputs.

ALSO READ | AAPs new tactic: No direct attack on Modi, flay BJP instead

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New Delhi:

The warmth spread by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on social media site through quick and helpful aid to applicants has now crossed borders. A grateful Pakistani girl, who was granted a swift medical visa after she appealed to Swaraj on Twitter, says that she would rather have her as Pakistan's prime minister.

Hijaab Asif had earlier requested EAM on Twitter for a visa, "Dear ma'am, spoke to DHC in Isalamabad, told the patient's current condition and he said it's all up to you. If you allow (sic)."

"...he would give us the visas right away. Ma'am please take a look into this. We are ready to provide you with any medical...verifications or whatsoever by being physically present at IHC in Islamabad. We need your help, the patient's very serious," she tweeted.

Also read | Pakistani man thanks Sushma Swaraj after four-month-old son's successful surgery at Noida hospital





@SushmaSwaraj dear ma'am, spoke to DHC in Isalamabad, told the patient's current condition and he said it's all up to you. If you allow, 1/3  Hijaab asif (@Hijaab_asif) July 27, 2017

@SushmaSwaraj he would give us the visas right away. Ma'am please take a look into this. We are ready to provide you with any medical 2/3  Hijaab asif (@Hijaab_asif) July 27, 2017

@SushmaSwaraj verifications or whatsoever by being physically present at IHC in Islamabad. We need your help, the patient's very serious 3/3  Hijaab asif (@Hijaab_asif) July 27, 2017

Responding promptly to the medical request, Swaraj directed Indian High Commission in Pakistan to issue them visa. The high commission also replied with assurance of the needful actions.

Also read | Sushma Swaraj approves visa for ailing PoK resident, says no letter from Aziz needed

Gautam Bambawale ji - Inhein Indian visa de do. @IndiainPakistan /2 @Hijaab_asif  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 27, 2017

Maam, we are in touch with the applicant. Rest assured we will follow it up.  India in Pakistan (@IndiainPakistan) July 27, 2017



The swift process of her application moved Asif to tears. Soon she sent a serious of tweets thanking Sushma Swaraj, "What do I call you? Superwoman? God? No words to describe your generosity! Love you maam Can't stop praising you in tears! (sic)"

Ma'am I can't thank you in words  Hijaab asif (@Hijaab_asif) July 27, 2017

Lots and lost of love and respect from here. Wish you were our Prime Minister, this country would've changed!  Hijaab asif (@Hijaab_asif) July 27, 2017

Pakistanis don't deserve her at all  Hijaab asif (@Hijaab_asif) July 27, 2017

@SushmaSwaraj what do I call you? Superwoman? God? No words to describe your generosity! Love you maam Can't stop praising you in tears!YYai  Hijaab asif (@Hijaab_asif) July 27, 2017

@SushmaSwaraj heart belong and beats for you!ai  Hijaab asif (@Hijaab_asif) July 27, 2017

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New Delhi:

RJD supremo Lalu Yadav and his family lashed out at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his decision to break alliance and join hands with BJP. Lalu said that Nitish was the one who was most vocal in calling for a 'Sangh mukt Bharat.'

Lalus wife and ex-Chief Minister of Bihar Rabri Devi said that they had trusted Nitish because he left BJP. She stressed that they never pressurised Nitish to join alliance but he has gone back to where he has come from.

We are not scared of anyone, will go wherever we are required to appear. Who does not have property? Will Nitish Kumar and other politicians agree for probe into their properties? Why after Lalu's family? said Rabri.

Rabri accused that her sons were target and they were moving forward and doing good work that was being appreciated, so he conspired with BJP.

Tejashwi said that those who voted for the grand alliance are feeling cheated today and asked who is responsible for this? He said that mandate was against the BJP.

Also read: Tejashwi Yadav says Nitish has insulted people's mandate; knelt down before RSS

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New Delhi:

The Supreme Court on Friday asked Centre to respond on plea challenging few provisions of Jammu and Kashmirs constitution (Section 6 and Article 35A).

According to the petitioner, these provision states that if a girl marries a person outside Jammu and Kashmir then she will lose all the rights regarding property, employment in the area. Along with that, the children will not be given Permanent Resident Certificate.

The provisions also mention that people who dont belong to Jammu and Kashmir cannot buy real estate in the state. People belonging to other states in the country cannot buy franchise as well.

Because of Article 35A, despite living for more than six decades, people migrating from western Pakistan, Balmiki people, Gorkhas cannot apply for government jobs and their children cannot enroll in vocational education.

Apart from this, while Jammu and Kashmirs Non-Permanent Resident Certificate holders can vote in Lok Sabha elections but he is not allowed to cast his vote in local body elections.

The Supreme Court has asked Solicitor General to put forward the Centres stand on the matter on next hearing date of August 14.

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A lightning-caused fire burning southeast of Roundup prompted pre-evacuation notices to be issued early Thursday night for residents in the Bruner Mountain area of the Bull Mountains, said Adam Carlson, the Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator for Musselshell County.

Sometime between 6:15 and 6:30 p.m. pre-evacuation notices went out to residents of about a dozen structures threatened by the fire in the Bruner Mountain subdivision and the Hidden Springs subdivision, Carlson said. Those areas are within a mile or less of the fire, Carlson said. Overnight, lines for protection were established around Bruner Mountain subdivision. Hidden Springs was left on pre-evacuation notice, Carlson said.

At about 10:15 p.m. residents in the Johnny's Coal area were asked to be prepared to evacuate should the fire continue to move north overnight and a shelter was being set up in the Roundup Community Center, according to a post on the Musselshell County DES Facebook page. There are roughly 24 residences and a total of 30 structures in the Johnny's Coal area, Carlson said.

Carlson said the fire was burning near the edge of the Bull Mountains. By about 9 p.m. it was estimated to be 150 acres. "It's kind of a rolling thing. It flares up and goes a little bit and then dies down," Carlson said of the fire's behavior. "Guys are still saying zero containment. It's still spotting on them and flaring on areas moving out. It's a really rough, rugged country right in that area there."

About 90 firefighting personnel were estimated to be at the fire, including heavy machinery, helicopters and air tankers. Firefighters from the Bull Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, Roundup Volunteer Fire Department, and personnel from the Bureau of Land Management and the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation were dispatched to the fire. More resources, including crews from the Helena area, were expected to show up in the morning.

"It is in heavy timbers and trees and rough areas," Carlson said. "So it's a matter of them being able to get guys on it."

At about 7:15 p.m., Carlson said the fire seemed to be moving in a south and southeast direction and was burning east of the Signal Peak mine. The mine was not considered threatened at the time, he said. By about 11 p.m. the fire was showing movement to the north and no containment had been reached. Winds were expected to calm overnight, Carlson said.

The fire was originally reported at around 5:40 p.m., according to the Musselshell County DES Facebook page.
New Delhi:

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday said that visa for France has been issued for ailing Indian national Amrinder Singhs father. Sushma informed about the visa on Twitter and wished parents about sound health of Amrinder Singh.

Amrinder has been struggling with severe blood infection in a French hospital.

Earlier on Monday, Sushma assured help to Amrinder. Sushma said that she instructed Indian Embassy in France to extend all help to the ailing patient.

Akali Dal leader and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee General Secretary Manjinder S. Sirsa had earlier tweeted about the struggles of Amrinder and family. He requested help for Amrinders family who wished to travel to France.

Requesting @Indian_Embassy for support for the ailing Amrinder who has been on work visa in France and is stranded in a hospital in France. The condition of Amrinder Singh is a matter of serious concern. I request to @SushmaSwaraj Ji to look into the matter sympathetically he had tweeted.

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New Delhi:

According to the Murdoch Children' Research Institute (MCRI), Australian children are consuming more antibiotics than ever despite the rising risk of drug-resistant superbugs, reported Xinhua news agency. The prescription rate for antibiotics for infants in Australia has risen to 230 per cent from 2007.

The main author of the study David Burgner said that the outcomes refuted strenuous efforts of medical industry to reduce antibiotic intake. The prescription rate for infants was 150 per cent higher than in Britain and 500 per cent higher than in Switzerland, Bugner added.

"We found that by the age of one year, half of all infants had been prescribed at least one course of antibiotics and one in eight infants had been prescribed three or more courses of antibiotics," Burgner told Xinhua.

At least 20 per cent of the prescription was for viral infections which antibiotics have no effect on. Though researchers were unable to find out what percentage of the prescriptions were justified. Antibiotics were also often prescribed for ear infections, which they also generally ineffective in treating.

Commenting on the same issue Burgner said that providing a better education for parents and medical practitioners were key in reducing the number of antibiotics taken by infants.

Also Read: India becomes largest antibiotics consumer surpassing China, US, says report
New Delhi:

According to a recent study consuming alcohol for over three to four days every week may reduce the risk of developing diabetes. Previously conducted studies have consistently suggested that light to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk of diabetes compared with abstention in men and women, while heavy consumption is associated with a risk greater than or equal to that of abstainers.

However, previous studies analysing the role of drinking patterns in relation to diabetes risk have given inconsistent findings, and studies on the effects of particular types of beverage are likewise inconclusive.

Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark examined the effects of drinking frequency on Diabetes risk and also considered association with specific beverage types. They used data from 70,551 Danish citizens aged 18 and over completed a self-reporting questionnaire including items on lifestyle and health.

Follow up information, continued until 2012 also was gathered. During follow up, 859 men and 887 women developed diabetes.

Also Read: Australian children consumes more antibiotic in first year of life, says study

Scientists found that people consuming moderate amounts of alcohol were at the lowest risk of developing diabetes. Men consuming 14 drinks per week were found to have a 43 per cent lower risk of diabetes relative to no alcohol intake, and women consuming nine drinks per week had a 58 per cent lower risk compared with women who did not drink at all.

In terms of frequency, the data revealed that consumption of alcohol 3-4 days a week gave the lowest risk of diabetes - a 27 per cent lower risk in men and a 32 per cent lower risk in women - when compared to individuals drinking less than one day per week.

Regarding beverage type, moderate to high intake of wine was associated with a lower risk of diabetes, in line with previous studies.Researchers suggest that this might be due to a beneficial effect that polyphenols in wine have on the management of blood sugar, giving red wine, in particular, a potential protective impact.

Men and women who consumed seven or more drinks of wine per week had a 25-30 per cent lower risk of diabetes compared with those having less than 1 drink of wine per week. Consuming between one and six beers per week gave a 21 per cent lower risk of diabetes in men compared with men drinking less than one beer per week, while beer was not associated with diabetes risk in women.

"Our findings suggest that alcohol drinking frequency is associated with the risk of diabetes and that consumption of alcohol over 3-4 weekdays is associated with the lowest risks of diabetes, even after taking average weekly alcohol consumption into account," researchers said.
New Delhi:

China is all set to mirror the living conditions on red planet as the country plans to build a Mars simulation base in northwest Qinghai province.

An agreement to develop a "Mars village" at Haixi prefecture in Qinghai province, a part of the Tibetan plateau located next to Tibet Autonomous Region, was signed on Tuesday, according to the reports.

The sharp ridges and mounds of rock known as yardangs, of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau shares similar topography to Mars.

China aims to send the first mission to the red planet by 2020 to catch-up with the US, India and Russia in the arena of sending probes to Mars.

Read more: Watch video: NASA Hubble shoots Martian moon orbiting red planet

Its first mission ought to carry out orbiting and roving exploration, followed by a second mission that would include collection of surface samples from the red planet, according to an official white paper 'China's Space Activities in 2016'.

The project will be home to both a Mars community and Mars campsite, which will combine elements of education, tourism, scientific research and simulation training.

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New Delhi:

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from holding public office after it found him guilty in Panama Papers case.

After the apex court decision, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's leader resigned from the post of Prime Minister. Minutes after the SCs historic verdict, PM house issued a notification announcing Sharifs resignation despite having "strong reservations" on apex courts ruling.

The PML(N) spokesperson also said that the party will use all the legal options available to contest SCs verdict.

However, the country with its Army as a parallel regime- who governs the nation from behind the scenes stands without its head of state.

Given the current situation of the country, Army Chief Qamar Bazwa would also want someone to take over as prime minister to attract International attention towards Pakistans long time Kashmir agenda until next years general election.

Panama Papers case: Nawaz Sharif steps down as Prime Minister of Pakistan after Supreme Court's verdict

Who will become the next prime minister?

It is a very uncertain situation. The party PML(N) revolves around one family of Nawaz Sharif and apart from his family, no other politician fancy his chances. However, Mian Shehbaz Sharif is one name that comes to every political pundits mind.

Shehbaz is the brother of Nawaz Sharif and current chief Minister of Punjab. His family migrated from Kashmirs Anantnag for business and eventually settled down in Pakistan.

Shehbaz graduated in Arts from the Government College University, Lahore. His political career began in 1988 when he was elected to the Provincial Assembly of Punjab in Pakistani general election but his term ended in between when assemblies were dissolved in 1993.

However, he was again elected to Provincial Assembly of Punjab and became the leader of the opposition. In 1997, he got elected as the chief minister of Punjab for the first time. The current is his third term as CM of Punjab.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) wants Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan to replace Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister.

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Beijing:

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other top security czars of the BRICS nations on Friday called on Chinese President Xi Jinping, who praised their efforts in enhancing mutual trust and cooperation despite the vast geographical distance among the member nations.

The meeting comes amid a standoff between China and India in Dokalam area in the Sikkim sector.

After day-long deliberations over improving cooperation in a number of areas, the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) NSAs met Xi and interacted with him.

Xi, in his address to the BRICS NSAs, praised them for building a mutual trust and cooperation among the member nations.

Every minister has done a great job for improving our mutual trust and security cooperation. I sincerely thank for all your efforts, Xi who is heading the BRICS group this year said about the deliberations by the NSAs today on host of security related issues.

I think the meeting was carried out well. In order to promote the strategic mutual trust of the BRICS countries, security cooperation, all of you have made a lot of effort, he said.

The BRICS cooperation has 10 years of history and the five-member group of emerging countries have carried on meaningful cooperation despite geographical distance and different political systems establishing a new type of international relations, the Chinese president said.

Suggested Read: After Nawaz Sharif's ouster, Mian Shehbaz Sharif set to become next Pakistan Prime Minister

While the starting point of BRICS cooperation is in the economic and financial field in its first decade, in view of the complex international political and economic security situation, the member countries should expand cooperation with more people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges and coordinate on security issues, he said.

In the meeting, Chinas State Councillor Yang Jiechi underlined that the member countries should take on forward looking attitudes to forge shared interests and a shared future, and enhance strategic mutual trust and practical cooperation.

BRICS countries should strengthen their collaboration and coordination on major global and regional issues to provide wisdom and efforts of BRICS for resolving the issues, Yang said.

He also called for maintaining international order based on the Charter of the United Nations, sticking to multi-lateralise and improving global governance.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on global governance, anti-terrorism, Internet, energy security, major global and regional hot issues as well as national security and development, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The five parties agreed to strengthen the role of the meeting on security issues, promote BRICS cooperation on politics and security, push for a more equitable and reasonable global order and realise a more fair and universally beneficial and inclusive globalisation.

They also agreed on closer coordination and exchanges to advance the security and development of BRICS countries, Xinhua reported.

China yesterday acknowledged that Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang met on the sidelines of the BRICS NSAs meet during which they discussed major problems in bilateral ties. However, China made no mention of the Doklam standoff.

Since the standoff began on June 16, China has been maintaining that there will not be a meaningful dialogue without the unconditional withdrawal of Indian troops.

In todays meetings, there were no handshakes in front of the media between Chinese officials and the BRICS NSAs.

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New Delhi:

Iran has successfully tested its Simorgh satellite carrier on Thursday. The Satellite was launched days after warning Washington of a response to new US sanctions over the Islamic republic's ballistic missile programme, state television said.

According to reports, the Simorgh satellite carrier is capable of putting satellites weighing as much as 250 kilograms at an orbit about 500 kilometers above the Earths surface.

The report said Imam Khomeini Space Center is responsible for all operations related to satellite carriers, including preparation, launch, control and steering.

The launch marked the official inauguration of Iran's Imam Khomeini space centre, named after the late founder of the Islamic republic, built for sending satellites into space,the television said, without giving its location.

Western states suspect Iran of developing the technology capable of launching long-range ballistic missiles with conventional or nuclear payloads, a charge denied by Tehranwhich insists its space programme has purely peaceful aims. Iran's four other launches of domestically produced satellites since 2009 have all sparked condemnation in theWest.

President Hassan Rouhani said that Iran would respond in kind to any breach by the United States of a 2015 nuclear deal after the House of Representatives passed a newsanctions bill.

"If the enemy steps over part of the agreement, we willdo the same, and if they step over the entire deal, we will dothe same too," Rouhani said at a cabinet meeting.

The Iranian parliament's national security and foreign affairs committee said it would hold an extraordinary session on Saturday to discuss its formal response. The parliament voted earlier this month to fast-track abill introduced in June that would increase funds for Iran'smissile programme and Revolutionary Guards.

"We must always develop our defence capability and wewill strengthen our defensive weapons regardless of theopinion of others," Rouhani said. The US House passed a new sanctions bill on Tuesday targeting the Revolutionary Guards over its missile programme.

As part of its space programme, Iran has also sent two capsules into space, the first in February 2010 carrying arat, tortoises and insects, and the other in January 2013 when a monkey was sent into space and returned to earth safely, according to official media.

With PTI Input

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New Delhi:

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was on Friday disqualified from office by the Supreme Court which sent his case to an anti-corruption court for trial in the Panamagate graft scandal.

In a unanimous verdict, the Supreme Court ordered that a case be registered against Sharif and ruled that a reference be sent against him and his family to an accountability court.

The court also ordered the National Accountability Bureau to wrap up the case within six weeks.

The 67-year-old prime minister was additionally disqualified from holding his office. The judges ruled that the prime minister had been dishonest to Parliament and the courts and could not be deemed fit for his office.

The verdict was announced by the original five-member bench that heard the landmark case from January this year.

The bench comprises Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, and Justice Ijazul Ahsan.

The verdict was read out by Justice Khan in the crowded courtroom 1 of the Supreme Court.

Security was beefed up outside the SC during the trial to avoid any violence after the verdict.

HERE ARE THE UPDATES:

#2:00 PM: Nawaz Sharif steps down as Prime Minister of Pakistan after Supreme Court's verdict on Panama Papers: Pakistan Media

Panama case verdict: Scenes outside Supreme Court of Pakistan after Nawaz Sharif's disqualification as PM. pic.twitter.com/HLgcBkIF8a  ANI (@ANI_news) July 28, 2017

#12:55 PM: Supreme Court orders National Accountability Bureau to file case against Nawaz Sharif and his children in 6 weeks: Panamagate

#12:50 PM: Pakistan SC orders filing of a case against Nawaz Sharif. PM Nawaz Sharif disqualified by the Supreme Court of Pakistan 5-0.

#12:30 PM: Pak SC disqualifies Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in graft

#12:30 PM: Pak SC disqualifies Sharif's son-in-law in money laundering case

Islamabad: Security enhanced outside Pakistan Supreme Court in view of verdict in the Panama case today, to rule on fate of PM Nawaz Sharif pic.twitter.com/bW0OEp3DdM  ANI (@ANI_news) July 28, 2017

The scandal is about alleged money laundering by 67-year-old Sharif in 1990s, when he twice served as prime minister, to purchase assets in London. The assets surfaced when Panama Papers leak last year revealed that they were managed through offshore companies owned by Sharifs children.

The assets include four expensive flats in London.

Sharif, who has been the prime minister of Pakistan for a record three time, faces the risk of being disqualified if the court finds him guilty of corruption and money laundering.



He leads Pakistans most powerful political family and the ruling PML-N party. The verdict is keenly awaited as both of Sharifs first two stints have ended in the third year of his tenure.



A steel tycoon-cum-politician, Sharif had served as the Pakistans prime minister for the first time from 1990 to 1993. His second term from 1997 was ended in 1999 by Army chief Pervez Musharraf in a bloodless coup.



In May, the Supreme Court set up a six-member joint investigation team (JIT) to investigate the charges against Sharif and his family.



The JIT submitted its report to the court on July 10.

Suggested read: Nawaz Sharifs brother likely to replace him in case of resignation



It said the lifestyle of Sharif and his children were beyond their known sources of income and recommended the filing of a new corruption case against them.



Sharif dismissed the report as a bundle of baseless allegations and refused to quit, despite demands to do so from several quarters, including opposition political parties.



On July 21, the court reserved its verdict after concluding the hearing.



In the wake of the verdict, Islamabad police have announced special security arrangements and closed the capitals central Red Zone area, which has important buildings including the Supreme Court, for the general public.



The entry to the court will be restricted to only those having special passes.



The six-member JIT was set up with a mandate to probe the Sharif family for allegedly failing to provide the trail of money used to buy properties in London in the 1990s.

Also read: Pak lawyers hold nationwide protests against Nawaz Sharif, demand resignation

The top court took up the case in October last year on petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Awami Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami and reserved the verdict in February after conducting hearings on a daily basis.

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Islamabad:

In a historic judgement, Pakistans Supreme Court on Friday forced Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to step down from his involvement in the money laundering case revealed by Panama Paper leak.



Here is a look at the chronology of the Panamagate scandal, which shook the Pakistani Government:



April 4, 2016: The International Consortium of Investigative Journalism publishes the Panama Papers, exposing tax evasion by the worlds elite through off-shore accounts and shell companies. The documents include names of Sharifs family.



April 5, 2016: Sharif sets up a judicial committee to investigate the allegations, denies charges.



April 26, 2016: Opposition parties reject the judicial commission set up by the government.



November 1, 2016: The Supreme Court decides to pursue a case related to Nawaz Sharif.



November 7, 2016: PML-N submits Qatari princes letter to the Supreme Court containing information about the London flats that were at the centre of the Panama Papers scandal.



January 6, 2017: Sharifs daughter Maryam Nawaz submits details of assets after the Supreme Court resumes hearing.



April 20, 2017: SC orders formation of a JIT with a split 3-2 verdict to probe the corruption charges against Sharif.



May 5, 2017: SC formally constitutes the JIT.

Suggested read | Nawaz Sharif steps down as Prime Minister of Pakistan after Supreme Court's verdict



May 22, 2017: The JIT presents its first bi-weekly report to the SC in two volumes.



May 24, 2017: The JIT sends questionnaires to Sharif and his two sons - Hussain and Hassan.



May 28, 2017: Sharifs elder son, Hussain, appears before the JIT, claims it did not provide him any questionnaire.



May 30, 2017: Hussain appears before JIT for the second time.



June 13, 2017: The JIT submits report to the SC on obstructions to its work, blames government institutions for creating impediments in the collection of evidence.



June 15, 2017: Sharif appears before the JIT for questioning, becoming the first sitting Pakistan prime minister to appear before any investigating agency.



June 17, 2017: Sharifs younger brother and Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif questioned by JIT.



July 5, 2017: Sharifs daughter Maryam appears before JIT.



July 7, 2017: Former Qatari premier Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani sends a letter to the JIT, asking it to record his statement at his palace before submitting its final report to the SC.



July 8, 2017: PML-N says will reject any JIT report without Qatari ex-premiers statement.



July 10, 2017: The JIT submits final report to the SC.



July 21, 2017: The three-judge bench Supreme Court bench hearing the case reserves decision.



July 28, 2017: The five-member SC bench unanimously rules against Sharif, disqualifying him from the office.

(With PTI Inputs)

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Washington:

The US House of Representatives has approved a federal spending bill which includes funds for a controversial wall to be built along the border with Mexico, a top priority project of President Donald Trump.



The USD 827 billion package passed by the House through 235-192 votes has a provision of USD 1.6 billion for the border build, which Trump believes is crucial to prevent illegal immigration and smuggling of drugs inside the United States.



However, the bill needs to be passed by the Senate, where the opposition Democrats are in a large strength before it can be signed into law by the US President.



The Democratic leadership has been opposing tooth and nail such a move of the Trump Administration.



It would squander billions of taxpayer dollars on President Trumps immoral, ineffective and expensive border wall. The President said during the campaign, he said, I promised a wall. No, you promised a wall that Mexico would pay for, said Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, on the floor of the House.



He (Trump) said it would cost USD4 billion to USD6 billion. The fact is it could cost as much as USD30 or USD40 billion. And he wants a down payment for that wall in this bill. One poison pill, she said.



House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley described the move to build the border wall as immoral and ineffective.



A wall along the US-Mexican border will not make the United States safer nor more secure, he said.



It is a massive waste of taxpayer money and will exacerbate problems with our already broken immigration system.



There is no one more dedicated to our national security or ensuring that the men and women serving in uniform have the resources they need to keep our country safe, but this bill doesnt accomplish that and I cannot support it, Crowley said.



The Democratic National Committee Chair Tom in a statement alleged that Trumps border wall is a massive waste of taxpayer money that will not make US safer.Like many of the presidents policies, this initiative is rooted in nothing more than prejudice and fear mongering.



And as with so many of his campaign pledges, he has broken his promise to Americans that they wouldnt pay a dime for this wall, he said.



The Trump Administration, however, asserted that the country needed border wall.

Read | Money for wall along US border with Mexico must be part of Congress' spending bill: US budget director



We need the border wall. The border wall is one more tool in the toolbox that might prevent some of the things from happening, Tom Homan, the Acting Director of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, told reporters at a White House news conference.



That is why what President Trump is asking us to do, that is why what hes proposing for border security makes sense for the law enforcement community. We need this help.



We need these executive orders to make sense of what we do every day, Homan said.



Lorella Praeli, director of immigration policy and campaigns at the American Civil Liberties Union, said the wall would further Trumps discriminatory anti-immigrant agenda and worsen Customs and Border Protection abuses in the 100-mile border zone and for immigrants seeking safety and a better life.

Read | Mexicans form 'human wall' along US border to protest against Trump's plans

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The light cloud cover Thursday morning provided little help for wildland firefighters throughout western Montana as the region braced for possible evening thunderstorms to bring wind and lightning.

But firefighters did get a helping hand from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which reversed course Thursday and said it would provide a grant to help pay for the cost of fighting the Lodgepole Complex fires, which have burned nearly 300,000 acres.

The Sunrise fire grew by a thousand acres to 3,700 acres between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. The nearby Burdette fire stood at 580 acres on Thursday. Both were burning in the mountains southeast of Tarkio.

Fire officials were worried that thunderstorms Thursday could make them grow for a second day.

If the storm comes right over you, you can tell what its doing, Sunrise fire spokesman Ted Pettis said Thursday. But if the storm center passes 30 or 40 miles away, those horizontal winds may come and you cant see it. We have to depend on our air attack and radar to tell if a cells going by and brace for that. You can never tell if one of those cells is going to fall apart and you have those winds come.

Although the 400-person fire camp has set up on private land next to the Tarkio freeway exit, the fire has not affected access to the popular Tarkio boat ramp on the Clark Fork River.

Northwest Montana counties will impose Stage II fire restrictions Friday, a day after Missoula and surrounding counties went to that level of concern. The new areas include Glacier National Park, the Flathead National Forest (except the Bob Marshall and Great Bear wilderness areas) and public land within Flathead, Lake, Lincoln and Sanders counties.

Forest users may not build or maintain a campfire or smoke outdoors unless in a developed recreation site or enclosed vehicle or building. Camping stoves that can be turned on and off may still be used to caution. Outdoor industrial activities on public lands, including use of internal combustion engines, welding and blasting are prohibited between 1 p.m. and 1 a.m.

The Sapphire Complex of fires in the Rock Creek drainage east of Missoula posted little growth among its Goat Creek, Sliderock and Little Hogback burn areas. Goat Creek was reported at 2,707 acres and 5 percent containment on Thursday afternoon, while Little Hogback was 4,416 acres and Sliderock was 503 acres. A small fire in the Welcome Creek Wilderness near the Sliderock perimeter received attention from a smokejumper crew and helicopter water-drops. The complex has a total force of 332 personnel.

A team of 80 firefighters was dispatched to the 55-acre Dominic Butte fire in the Stevensville Ranger District after a lightning strike started it Wednesday. Bitterroot National Forest spokesman Tod McKay said it was 60 percent contained by Thursday afternoon.

The Rice Ridge fire northeast of Seeley Lake continued burning in remote timber along the edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. As of Thursday, it had expanded to 60 acres and had a crew of 75 confronting it.

Both the Meyers and Whetstone fires near Philipsburg experienced active growth on Wednesday, with spot fires detected on all sides of the main burn. The combined fires have covered about 1,000 acres with a crew of 407 personnel assigned.

A fire believed to be man-caused broke out Thursday afternoon at an auto salvage yard alongside U.S. Highway 93 south of Arlee.

A Type I helicopter was borrowed from the nearby Liberty fire to drop water, and four single-engine air tankers were also fighting the blaze, said C.T. Camel, fire prevention specialist for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

From what I know its just right there at Kellys Salvage Yard, and the investigator on the scene thinks it was kids smoking, Camel said. It did get into the salvage yard and some cars were burning.

Frenchtown, Arlee and Ronan fire fighters were on the fire, as were four CSKT tankers, Camel said.

The lightning-caused Liberty fire, burning on the Flathead Indian Reservation east of Arlee in the South Fork Jocko Primitive Area, has grown to between 500 and 600 acres.

We didnt get a good GPS on it this morning because of the smoke. It was GPSd at 446 acres yesterday, Camel said.

The lightning-caused fire is not threatening any structures or roads. Four Type II hand crews, the Type I helicopter and miscellaneous overhead support are fighting the fire. The Liberty and South Fork fires burned together last Friday and are now being called the Liberty.

The 270,000-acre Lodgepole Complex blaze was winding down on the parched range lands of Petroleum and Garfield counties after it grew explosively into the nation's largest wildfire last week. It has destroyed at least 16 homes.

The FEMA grant funding can be used to reimburse 75 percent of firefighting costs such as labor, equipment and supplies used for fighting the fire and costs for emergency work such as evacuations and sheltering since the start of the fire.

According to the Northern Rockies Coordination Center, it has cost about $6 million to fight the blaze. It's unclear which agencies are expected to cover the cost.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks placed fishing restrictions on the upper Clark Fork River and Silver Bow Creek beginning Saturday.

The restriction, to help ease the strain on fish as water temperatures rise, will prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight on the Clark Fork from its origins at Warm Springs Creek to Rock Creek in Missoula County. Silver Bow Creek will be closed to fishing above Warm Springs Creek.

Missoulian reporter Kim Briggeman contributed information for this story.
Washington:

The US House of Representatives has passed $827 billion package that includes $1.6 billion for contentious border wall with Mexico, which was part of President Donald Trump's central campaign pledge.

During his presidential campaign, Trump had vowed to build the wall to prevent illegal immigration and smuggling of drugs to the US. But he had said he would make Mexico pay for it. Now, all of the funds in the bill would be paid by US taxpayers.

The bill passed by the republican controlled house with a 235-192 vote, mostly along party lines. It now heads to the Senate - where Democrats have a significant strength - before it can be signed into law by the US president.

The Democratic leadership has been opposing the proposed border wall. It is likely that the legislation would be resisted by the opposition party in the Senate. Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said the bill "would squander billions of taxpayer dollar on President Trump's immoral, ineffective and expensive border wall".

"He said it would cost 4-6 billion. The fact is it could cost as much as USD 30-40 billion. And he wants a down payment for that wall in this bill. One poison pill", she said.

Also Read: US: Republican-majority Senate defeats Obamacare repeal bill by 55-45 votes

House Democratic caucus chairman Joe Crowley called the move as "immoral and ineffective". A wall along the US-Mexican border will not make the United States safer nor more secure," he said. "It is a massive waste of taxpayer money and will exacerbate problems with our already broken immigration system".

Democratic National Committee Chair Tom too raised his concerns on similar lines in a statement. "Like many of the presidents' policies, this initiative is rooted in nothing more than prejudice and fear mongering. And as with so many of his campaign pledges, he has broken his promise to Americans that they wouldn't pay a dime for this wall.

"The Trump administration has defended the wall. "The border wall is one more tool in the toolbox that might prevent some of the things from happening," Tom Homan, acting director of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, told reporters at a White House news conference.

"That is why what President Trump is asking us to do, that is why what he is proposing for border security makes sense for the law enforcement community. We need this help," Homan said.

Lorella Praeli, director of immigration policy and campaigns at the American Civil Liberties Union, said the wall would "further Trump's discriminatory anti-immigrant agenda and worsen customs and border protection abuses" in the 100- mile border zone.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

In a major blow United States President Donald Trump and Republican Party, the US Senate voted against the Obamacare repeal bill, an agency report said.



The bill was intended to reap off the universal health care scheme drafted and implemented by Trump's predecessor in White House Barack Obama.



The bill would have given a two-year window to bring a replacement of Obamacare. The Senate defeated the bill by 55-45 votes on Thursday in the Republican-majority Senate.



The House had earlier on Tuesday voted to start debate to replace the healthcare programme, signed into law by former President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010.



About 20 million Americans gained healthcare coverage under Obamacare, but Republicans viewed it as an overreach of the federal government and said patients had less choice and higher premiums.



Yesterday, seven Republicans, including Senator John McCain, voted no to the move to only repeal Obamacare and giving a two-year window for a new healthcare bill for its replacement.



I have said consistently that I support repealing and replacing Obamacare, and I voted to do so last night. Im not giving up on doing both of those things, Ohio Senator Rob Portman said.



We need to roll up our sleeves and come up with a better healthcare system. Just kicking the can down the road adds more uncertainty to the failed status quo, he said.



Portman was one of the seven Republican senators who voted against the repeal-only Obamacare bill.



Speaking on the Senate floor, Senator Rand Paul said one has to start somewhere.



We have to start somewhere. And where we should start is where we all promised we would be here to repeal Obamacare, he argued in favour of the bill.



We all ran on it. All but one of us voted for it in 2015. It is simple. If you are against the taxes and mandates of Obamacare you have an obligation to vote for this bill, he said.



Paul said being a doctor he has seen the disaster that is Obamacare up close. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said even though the proposal failed, it represented a number of important healthcare reform ideas developed by lawmakers.



Well consider many different proposals throughout this process from senators on both sides of the aisle. Ultimately, we want to get legislation to finally end the failed Obamacare status quo through Congress and to the presidents desk for his signature, he said.

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Four "old dudes" pulled in quite a lunker earlier this month in Pool 14 of the Mississippi River, but the color of its skin  not its size  has kept them talking about it.

Ive been fishing this river for 60 years, and Ive never seen anything like this, said Loyal Tullius, referring to the 55-pound flathead catfish that measured 47 inches long. Its as yellow as can be, and it has blue eyes.

Just hours before their rare-colored find about a month ago along Steamboat Slough near Princeton, Iowa, the guys, who shared details about their strategy, landed a 48-pound flathead catfish in the same area.

In place of a traditional rod and reel, they stuck a 10-foot-long PVC pole into the muddy shore and fastened a thick cord to the structure. For bait, they hooked a bluegill to the end of the line, which dangled about a foot under the surface of the water and eventually lured the bottom-feeding fish.

As Tullius piloted his boat, John Doc Henyan of Cordova used a net to hoist the hefty creature aboard.

It scared me at first, said Henyan, 69, who earned the nickname, Doc, during his service as a combat medic in the Vietnam War. I knew we had a good one on there, but I did not expect to see that big yellow head come out of the water.

What makes it yellow?

Puzzled by its pigment, Tullius, 74, sent inquiries to numerous biologists in the region, including one at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in Dubuque.

Meanwhile, he stored it in a 250-gallon tank on his property in Port Byron.

Speaking for his crew, Tullius, who assumed the fish was albino, wanted to know why it was yellow and whether anyone wanted to take it for research purposes.

After examining photos of the fish, Andy Allison, director of living collections at the Dubuque institution, quickly ruled out his caller's theory.

Instead, he thought it could be leucistic, which means it has less pigment than normal, but more than a true albino would possess.

Allison called it remarkable that the fish lived as long as it did in the dark depths of the Mississippi River, where it would be easier for predators to spot versus brown ones.

Most species can produce unusually colored animals now and then, but most often they dont survive for long, he said. At this adult size, it would have no natural predators other than humans.

Although it was not as bright as this fish, John Perkins caught and released a 38-pound flathead catfish with yellow patches last July under the Interstate 280 bridge in Davenport. He used 50-pound test line and live shad for bait.

In response to Tullius' other question, Allison said he did not want to take in the fish because he already has two similar-sized flathead catfish. They live in the museums largest freshwater aquarium, which represents the main channel of the Mississippi River, and holds 35,000 gallons of water.

They can be aggressive when defending their caves, said Allison, who mentioned Tullius' call sticks out among the "odd" queries he receives. "People tend to call us with weird animal questions now and then, but that's the first of anything like that we've had."
Democratic lawmakers on Friday called on GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner to renew talks on school funding, as an ongoing fight threatens funding for roughly 850 districts statewide.

"Im happy to participate in new discussions, but what we need is the governor to personally participate and show everyone what it is that he now demands," said Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, the sponsor of legislation to overhaul how funding is divided among districts.

Democrats for nearly two months have held off on sending a funding bill to Rauner because he's pledged to strip money for Chicago Public Schools that he's declared a "bailout." If the two sides can't reach an agreement, some poorer districts worry they won't be able to keep the school doors open into fall.

It's just the latest man-made crisis to hit Springfield, where lawmakers earlier this month voted to override Rauner's veto to end a state budget impasse that stretched into a third year, creating billions in debt and forcing some domestic violence shelters and other social service programs to shut down.

School administrators, who faced a similar worry last year due to the budget standoff, say there's a feeling of deja vu  and dread.

"This year the stalemate is longer and you can tell it's a lot more intense," said Todd Covault, chief operations officer and treasurer for the Decatur School District. "Right now there's no assurance any money is going to be coming."

Covault estimates Decatur will run out of money in mid-November if lawmakers can't work something out. By then, "there's going to be a lot of other districts ready to go under."

Funding remains an issue because the budget deal lawmakers approved stated that any money for K-12 education must be distributed through a new formula intended to reduce large disparities between districts.

Democrats who control the legislature adopted the plan in May but Cullerton of Chicago decided to hold on to the bill rather than send it to Rauner.

Cullerton said this week he's concerned about Rauner's "mental state" after a massive defeat on the budget, followed by the firing or resignation of many top staffers, and didn't want the governor to act out of anger. He said he hoped that Rauner would sit down with Democrats to work out a compromise, but either way he'll send him the bill on Monday.

Rauner, a businessman-turned-governor who's seeking his second term in 2018, said he'll use his amendatory veto powers to remove millions allocated to the nation's third-largest school district.

He's objected to $215 million to help cover the cost of teacher pensions, as the state does for other districts but not Chicago, and another $250 million block grant. Rauner called lawmakers to Springfield this week for three days of a special session to deal with the issue, but with no bill to act on and no negotiations occurring, he's spent time blasting Cullerton and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan of Chicago for holding up the process.

"Turn in your homework," Rauner implored the two leaders on Thursday, after lawmakers adjourned for the day after just a few minutes. "We're all here. There is no excuse for us not to be working on that bill."

Railing against Chicago, its financially troubled schools and its politicians has been a tried and true political strategy for Rauner, who used it to win his first public office in 2014 and has maintained the theme as his poll numbers have sunk, making him one of the nation's most vulnerable GOP governors.

He's called Madigan "cold-blooded" and a "tyrant" who's taking money from schools outside Chicago. The comments have stoked hard feelings toward the Democratic stronghold among many voters in more conservative areas outside the city  people Rauner must motivate to support him if he hopes to be re-elected.

Rauner in a statement Monday said he's asked key Republican lawmakers to reach out to Democrat colleagues to "negotiate in good faith."

If Rauner uses his veto pen to amend the legislation, it would return to the legislature. There, three-fifths of lawmakers in both chambers must vote either to override Rauner or accept his changes and have the bill take effect immediately so money may be distributed. Neither scenario appears likely, according to Manar.

That would mean no money for any district, and lawmakers would have to start all over to change a funding formula they've been talking about fixing for years. Meanwhile, the first state payments are supposed to be sent to school districts in early August.

Cullerton warned Rauner on Thursday that he's setting up another showdown with lawmakers on an override, and urged him to join Democrats for "rational discussions" about the changes he wants.

"We've done our homework ... All the governor has to do is sign his name to get credit," he said.
Police in Tokyo are questioning Japanese actress Mariko Ishihara, 53, on suspicion of stealing a bento (boxed lunch) and several food items from a convenience store in Tokyo.

According to police reports, the incident occurred on July 22 when Ishihara was in a convenience store in Sumida Ward. She attempted to leave the store without paying for the bento and a bottle of tea, Fuji TV reported. A clerk who witnessed the alleged shoplifting notified police by phone, and the actress was apprehended and taken to the police station.

Police said Ishihara has admitted to the allegation but has not yet been charged.
Tomomi Inada has been replaced as Japan's defense minister after she stepped down to take responsibility for a controversy that has been swirling around her.

She said an internal inspection found it was illegal for officials to withhold records on Japan's peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

Inada said, "This series of problems could lead to public distrust of how the Defense Ministry and the SDF handle the disclosure of public information. Repeated media reports suggest leaks of information were coming from inside and that could erode trust in their governance. As a result that has led to the very serious problem of the loss of morale in members of the forces in their daily duties in Japan and abroad."

The internal inspection found that Inada did not approve withholding the record.

But it also said it couldn't deny the possibility of her being told the copies existed.

The inspection says the Ground Self Defense Force inadequately decided not to disclose the records in July and October last year, fearing disclosure requests would increase.

Jul 28 (ANNnewsCH) - PKOiaeaacaiaa aeaeaacaeecaYaczaeaaaaaacceeaeaaaccaeaezeaaaaacaaaaaYaaieaaeZcYaeZeea aSiaccaeaaaaccaeaaaaaaaaeecaaeeaseacaaaaYa
The average life expectancy of Japanese men and women in 2016 reached record highs, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said Thursday.

Japanese men had an average life expectancy of 80.98 years, up from 80.75 years in 2015, and that of women stood at 87.14 years, up from 86.99 years, according to a survey by the ministry.

Both Japanese men and women ranked second out of 50 countries and regions covered in the survey, following Hong Kong's 81.32 years and 87.34 years, respectively.

54 80.9887.14
Raising wage levels will ensure that the economy breaks free from deflation and working conditions for non-regular workers improve. To accomplish these goals, we want the government to swiftly create an environment in which increases in the minimum wage can be steadily continued.

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry's Central Minimum Wages Council has agreed on a proposed target for a raise in mandatory minimum hourly wages for fiscal 2017. The nation's average minimum hourly wage will be raised by 25 to 848. This eclipses the 24 increase adopted in the previous fiscal year, and is the largest increase since fiscal 2002, when the minimum wage began to be measured by an hourly rate.

The rate of increase is 3 percent, reaching the government's target of "around 3 percent annually" for the second consecutive year.

The minimum wage applies to all workers, and paying wages less than this amount is illegal. With this yardstick as a reference, minimum wage councils in each prefecture will determine their respective increase in the minimum wage based on regional conditions. This must be definitely implemented.

The nation is facing an increasingly severe labor shortage as the economy continues its moderate recovery. The wages of non-regular workers are trending upward. In urban areas, job offers noticeably list wages well above the minimum rate.

The management side's acceptance of increases of more than 20 for two straight years is a sign of their sense of crisis regarding the difficulty in hiring employees.
Democratic lawmakers on Friday called on GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner to renew talks on school funding, as an ongoing fight threatens funding for roughly 850 districts statewide.

In other news, President Donald Trump named a new chief of staff; Heritage opened a new clinic; police seek armed robbery suspects; and Ameren adds new technology to its crew trucks.

Democrats: Rauner should participate in education funding talks

Democrats for nearly two months have held off on sending a funding bill to Rauner because he's pledged to strip money for Chicago Public Schools that he's declared a "bailout." If the two sides can't reach an agreement, some poorer districts worry they won't be able to keep the school doors open into fall.

It's just the latest man-made crisis to hit Springfield, where lawmakers earlier this month voted to override Rauner's veto to end a state budget impasse that stretched into a third year, creating billions in debt and forcing some domestic violence shelters and other social service programs to shut down.

"Im happy to participate in new discussions, but what we need is the governor to personally participate and show everyone what it is that he now demands," said Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, the sponsor of legislation to overhaul how funding is divided among districts.

Trump names new chief of staff

President Donald Trump says Gen. John F. Kelly is his new White House chief of staff.

That means Reince Priebus is out.

Trump tweeted: "I am pleased to inform you that I have just named General/Secretary John F Kelly as White House Chief of Staff. He is a Great American."

Kelly is currently the secretary of Homeland Security.

Trump tweeted that Kelly "has been a true star of my administration."

Heritage opens new clinic in Clinton

Heritage Behavioral Health Center has opened a clinic in Clinton.

The new clinic, at 40 Clinton Plaza, will provide outpatient mental health and substance abuse services to DeWitt County, the agency said.

Heritage also operates its facility at 151 N. Main St., and the Oasis Day Center, 243 W. Cerro Gordo St., and collaborates with Crossing Healthcare on an opioid treatment facility at 1029 N. Water St.

Police: Two men robbed at gunpoint

Two Decatur men were robbed at gunpoint by three masked males Thursday afternoon, police said Friday.

Sgt. Steve Carroll said the incident happened about 1:50 p.m. in an alleyway near the intersection of North Dunham Avenue and West View Street. The two victims were approached by the suspects, Carroll said, and a brief fight ensued.

During the fight, one of the suspects pulled a handgun on the victims and demanded money, Carroll said. After the victims gave them money, all three males fled the scene.

Ameren adds new technology to crew trucks

Ameren Illinois recently spent $300,000 installing automated external defibrillators on crew trucks across central and southern Illinois, including nine trucks in the Decatur area. In the case of cardiac arrest, AEDs can apply an electric shock to reestablish a heartbeat.

The company installed the devices after a group of employees, who work daily with electricity and natural gas, asked for them.

Just knowing theyre there is a wonderful thing and Im glad we got them, said Don Putnam, a journeyman lineman. I hope I never have to use them, or have them used on me, but its huge for my family to know its there.
DECATUR  City officials are defending a decision to accept a logger's offer to cut down and sell timber from city-owned property, but environmentalists say they have concerns about the work expected to begin this fall.

The contract approved by the Decatur City Council lets Sullivan-based Critchelow Logging cut down 114 trees and sell the wood, guaranteeing the city at least $25,000 of the proceeds. City Manager Tim Gleason said the city plans to use the money for beautification efforts next year.

The white oak, red oak, walnut and locust trees sit on 18 acres of empty, wooded land next to the southeastern basin of Lake Decatur, across the water and south of Sportsmans Park.

The agreement came about after logging company owner Brian Critchelow approached the city with the plan, Gleason said. The agreement calls for his company to cut down the wood for free and sell it, giving part of the money to the city.

Critchelow did not return multiple phone messages seeking comment for this story.

Judy Parrish, chair of the Macon County Community Environmental Council, criticized the lack of bidding process and competition.

"There's a lot of problems with this," said Parrish, who is a plant ecologist at Millikin University. "Cutting down trees to beautify seems a little bit shortsighted  like shooting your foot off so you can run faster."

Gleason said Critchelow outlined his practices of cutting down a limited amount of trees to maintain the area's canopy, and offered a pitch that "ultimately made sense to me and the (city) council that approved it."

The council approved the deal May 15. Two council members voted against it: David Horn, who raised environmental concerns, and Bill Faber, who said the city had not made a strong case to allow the logging.

Gleason said the land in question would need a large investment to be made available to the public for recreation.

"I believe in 'trust, but verify,' but we have no reason to think that the credibility of Critchelow Logging is suspect, and it's really insulting that anybody would call that into question," Gleason said.

Jay Hayek, a forestry specialist for the University of Illinois Extension who was contacted by the Herald & Review, said not having a forester come to review the property is "not good."

He said foresters typically provide plans for landowners looking to get the best price for their timber, and to make sure loggers use best practices for affected ground, water, and forest habitats  not to mention marking trees on the property, which essentially creates an inventory.

"When you only deal with only an individual logger, you kind of remove yourself from 'Economics 101,' which is sell at the highest possible price, and the only way to determine if that happens is if you market your timber to multiple prospective timber buyers," Hayek said.

Decatur's city forester, Randy Callison, said his office doesn't manage unused forest. "The only contracts we do are for tree removals on city boulevards for dead and dying hazardous trees," he said.

Shane McDermond, district forester for Illinois Department of Natural Resources whose region covers Macon County, said he also was not asked for input. "That's nothing I was involved in, and nothing that I can do about the contract as it stands," he said.

Hayek, from the U of I extension, said he has worked extensively with Critchelow in the past and he's done good work. But, Hayek said, there's a conflict of interest if the city is only negotiating with one logger.

A logger who is not competing might provide a good price, but not necessarily the best price, he said. "It doesn't make them a crook, it just makes them a savvy business owner."

Critchelow Logging completed a similar project last year after the council in September approved a contract allowing the removal of 125 trees on city land south of Lincoln Park.

Horn, who voted against the contract, said he visited the site of the previous work and saw signs of its "degrading effects" on the river landscape.

"For those individuals that use the Sangamon River, whether they're fishing or canoeing, they're now seeing a part of the river where the mature trees are gone, brush piles that are maybe 10 feet tall and 30 feet long are visible from the river, and where there is signs of spring bank or riverbank erosion," said Horn, a biology professor at Millikin University.

City Councilman Pat McDaniel, one of the five council members who voted in favor of the plan, said the city already has substantial parks and green areas.

"I have no problem with it," he said. "Trees get chopped down all the time. It's a small area. When I think of forest, I think of out west or something like that."

McDaniel, who has lived in Decatur all his life, does not see the same potential for nature-related tourism as Horn. "Fairview Park has gobs of trees," he said. "I've never seen a busload of birdwatchers to come into the community to look at the birds in the trees."

The logging contract also included no endangered species consultation from the state, according to IDNR.

Joe Kath, an IDNR endangered species program manager who was contacted by the Herald & Review, said the consultation is voluntary and there are no penalties for failing to go through the process. But he said it's a common practice local governments and private developers go through to show environmental due diligence.

"It's been around for some 30 years, I'm sure the city has participated in the consultation process before," Kath said. "Why they did not for this project, I have no idea. That's the city's decision."

Gleason said he was aware of the endangered species consultation process, but he disagreed it was needed for due diligence in relation to the city's logging agreement.

Parrish, from the community environmental council, said there's growing research on the economic benefits of an individual tree, from reduction in asthma cases to prevention of soil erosion.

"The 114 trees at $25,000, the logging renders the city $230 a tree," Parrish said, using the amount the city is guaranteed to receive, though it could be more. She said other cities have calculated the economic benefit of a tree as $350 to $1,500 per tree, per year.

"There's all these kinds of things the trees are doing besides looking pretty," she said.


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CHARLESTON -- A conservation group recently acquired more land to expand what's now more than 700 acres of nature preserves in southeastern Coles County.

The 99-acre purchase by the Grand Prairie Friends organization will add to protected areas and give the preserves access to the Embarras River, GPF President Jamie Ellis said.

"It provides more habitat we can protect and steward," he said.

Since 2012, the organization has purchased various properties to develop the nature preserve, which stretches roughly from Lake Charleston south to near Fox Ridge State Park.

The newest purchase is just west of the southernmost part of the preserve. According to information from GPF, a combination of grants and other funding was used to buy the land.

Ellis said the site is mostly former farm ground. The previous owners enrolled it in a conservation program but work will have to take place to remove non-native plants and restore it to its natural condition, he said.

He also said there's interest in developing a "greenway" along the river and the newly acquired area could be part of that "if and when it comes to fruition."

The organization isn't currently looking at acquiring any additional land in the area but does have plans to expand the hiking trail it's recently completed through the preserve, Ellis said.

He said the GPF will likely work with Trails for Illinois, the organization that helped with the trail construction, to perhaps add trails and return loops on the existing one. That could take place later this year, he added.

According to the information the GPF released about the recent land purchase, the more than $700,000 effort relied on several funding sources.

Grants included one from the Mattoon-based Lumpkin Family Foundation, which also provided funding for other work related to the GPF preserve.

The grant "fits squarely in the foundation's mission of building healthy, sustainable communities," foundation Executive Director Bruce Karmazin said in the news release announcing the purchase.

There was also a third grant to the GPF from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation, which the release said has helped with the purchase of 178 natural areas throughout the state.

Additional funding came from the Conservation Fund organization and from a mitigation program connected to a pipeline construction, according to the release.
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Washington D.C.-based Mediterranean eatery Cava has picked Greenwich for its first Connecticut location after an extensive tour of the state and Fairfield County in particular, said Brent Renner, Cavas director of real estate.

We found Greenwich aligned best with our brand so far as being an educated active group that matches with our unique healthy offering, Renner told Hearst Connecticut Media.

Downtown Greenwich has seen a spurt of healthy, fast casual food spots opening this year with Mix Creative Kitchens April launch on West Elm Street, Nantucket-based Something Natural tapping Greenwich for its first off-island shop behind Saks on Greenwich Avenue, and most recently with Cavas decision to move into Cosis vacated storefront on West Putnam Avenue.

Eventually, Cava would like to consider opening its grills in other nearby Connecticut communities, Renner said, but Greenwich is its only planned location in the state for now.

One of the things we really want to be is convenient for our clients, he said. And thats what we see in this shopping center location. It has the perfect access, visibility and parking. I look at real estate as a mixture of science and data and art form.

The Cava Grill may be a short distance from Greenwich Avenue, but Renner said the brand considers itself one that fits with the avenues culture. We see ourselves as a Greenwich Avenue concept, but for us, convenience is critical, he said.

The avenues lack of parking especially convinced Cava to opt elsewhere, he said.

Based on the brands tentative plans, it hopes to hold its Greenwich grand opening by the end of the year, Renner said, adding its openings are always community days, where Cava partners with a local nonprofit to donate its first-day earnings. Cava currently has 33 grills and Greenwich is set to be one of the next few to launch, he said.

The Cava brand began 11 years ago as a full-service restaurant in Maryland. As marketed broadly on its website, three friends launched the concept and did everything themselves from paying for it with their credit cards to building its furniture by hand and even acting as both the cooks and wait staff initially, Renner said. Out of all that came Cava Grill, he added. Were growing but we still act like a family company.

In addition to its grills, Cava has made its mark on the healthy food industry with its packaged consumer goods, such as hummus, which are sold in more than 200 Whole Foods, Renner said.

Within two years, the young brand has raised more than $90 million in funding, according to a March report by the Washington Business Journal. Its latest $30 million round has prompted its expansion along the coasts, Cavas CEO Brett Schulman told the publication.

The growth has also been heavily focused in New York City, with several recent openings in Union Square and on 24th Street and Park Avenue while others are on on the way, according to its website.

Greenwichs Cava Grill will be located at 129 W. Putnam Ave.

Contact the writer at mbennett@greenwichtime.com; Twitter @Macaela_
There are 16,629 students in the 95th legislative who depend on me to advocate for them at the state capitol. Each one of them deserves the chance to receive a world class education. Their future -- that is what this fight for school funding reform is all about.

In the past three years, I have served on three school funding commissions and task forces. I can tell you firsthand -- throughout those meetings there has been genuine, groundbreaking, bipartisan work done to produce a new, fair, evidence-based school funding formula.

Unsurprisingly, at the last second, negotiations were cut off, amendments were filed that benefited Chicago and the bill was forced through on a mostly partisan basis. Good bipartisan work was abandoned for partisan politics that send more money to Chicago first.

Youll hear both sides argue about whether or not there is a Chicago bailout or what that means. Let me share what sending Chicago more money means for my neighbors in the 95th District.

In the 95th, there are 16,629 students in school districts like Taylorville, Pana, Carlinville, Gillespie, North Mac, Hillsboro and Staunton. That equals 0.85 percent of the students throughout the state of Illinois.

Chicago has 367,003 students. That equals 18.74 percent of the students in Illinois.

Under Senate Bill 1, Chicago will receive 63.62 percent of the new money. Meanwhile students in the 95th District will receive 0.5 percent of the new money.

Once the bailout for Chicago is removed from SB1, Chicagos students receive 19.06 percent of the new money while students in the 95th District receive .82 percent of the new money. That is fairness -- 19.06% of new money for 18.74% of the students in Illinois and 0.82% of the money for 0.85% of the students.

Our students downstate deserve a fair shake. We need a new school funding formula, one that treats every school district the same and one that sends money first to the students and school districts that need it most. SB1, in its current form is not that solution. With structural manipulations in the base funding minimum (where money goes first), that means millions of dollars are shifted first to Chicago before any new money is dispersed to all other 851 school districts.

After years of education cuts under previous administrations, I cannot blame the schools who are desperate for more money. They need it. We owe it to the students they serve. However, we as downstaters must fight for our fair share. We cannot settle for second fiddle. Lord knows Chicago isnt settling. Our kids deserve more.

Now, the political games continue. Instead of abiding by the process every other legislature uses -- sending a bill to the governor once it passes -- theyre holding on to it.

To end the political gamesmanship, Gov. Rauner has called us back into special session to get this done. There are two options: work with us in the legislature to come to a bipartisan solution or send the bill to the governor and let him take out the Chicago bailout. Either way, it is immoral to hold the school funding bill and hold our schools hostage until there is a crisis.

No special deals, No hostage taking. Lets get this done for every school and every student, now.
Pilot program for newcomers launching companies in Canada to be made permanent

TORONTO, July 28, 2017 /CNW/ - Canadians are welcoming to people and ideas from around the globe. Welcoming entrepreneurs who have the expertise to turn their ideas into successful companies is one way that Canada's openness can help build a world-class innovation economy.

The Start-up Visa Program, a pathway to permanent residence for cutting-edge entrepreneurs launching a start-up company in Canada, will become a regular feature of Canada's immigration landscape in 2018.

As part of the five-year pilot, launched in 2013, innovative entrepreneurs can apply to become permanent residents after a Canadian venture capital fund or angel investor group has made a significant financial commitment in their business idea, or after a business incubator has accepted them into their program.

A recent evaluation of the Start-up Visa Program found that it is delivering on its goals; immigrant entrepreneurs are actively developing innovative companies in Canada that are beginning to show positive results for Canada's economy and creating middle-class jobs across a range of industries.

Making the program permanent supports the Government of Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan, which seeks to attract investment and support the growth of a diverse range of companies, creating well-paying jobs for Canadians.

In the months ahead, IRCC will work to finalize regulations for the permanent program in order to have a seamless transition when the pilot expires on March 31, 2018.

Quotes

"Every company launched in Canada with the help of the Start-up Visa Program has the potential to be a big win for Canadians by providing middle-class jobs and strengthening our economy. Our Government's Innovation and Skills Plan has identified the nurturing of entrepreneurship and the growth of start-ups as vitally important to Canada's present and future economy. Making the Start-up Visa Program permanent supports that agenda."

 The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

"Canadians benefit through the jobs that are created when entrepreneurs come from all corners of the globe to start businesses in this country. By making the Start-up Visa Program permanent, Canada will attract more innovative entrepreneurs who generate new business opportunities, create jobs and equip Canadians with the skills they need for the jobs of the future."

 The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Quick facts

As of July 15, 2017 , 117 principal applicants have been approved for permanent residence. These entrepreneurs represent 68 start-ups launched in Canada with the help of the Start-up Visa Program.

, 117 principal applicants have been approved for permanent residence. These entrepreneurs represent 68 start-ups launched in with the help of the Start-up Visa Program. More than 50 Canadian venture capital funds, angel investor groups and business incubators are now designated to participate in the program.

During the first three years of the pilot program, Start-up Visa Program entrepreneurs received over $3.7 million in investment capital from designated entities to get their companies established and making contributions to the growth and innovation of the Canadian economy.

Associated link

Follow us:

SOURCE Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

For further information: Contacts for media only : Hursh Jaswal, Minister's Office, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 613-954-1064; Media Relations, Communications Branch, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 613-952-1650, [email protected]; Karl W. Sasseville, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-2500; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.cic.gc.ca


TORONTO, July 28, 2017 /CNW/ - George Weston Limited (TSX: WN) ("GWL" or the "Company") today announced its consolidated unaudited results for the 12 weeks ended June 17, 2017.

GWL's 2017 Second Quarter Report to Shareholders has been filed with SEDAR and is available at sedar.com and in the Investor Centre section of the Company's website at weston.ca.

Galen Weston, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, George Weston Limited, commented that "George Weston Limited's results continue to reflect the execution of the strategic priorities by both of the Company's operating segments. Loblaw delivered solid sales metrics and financial results in a deflationary environment and plans to intensify its focus on reducing costs in a highly competitive market with incremental external pressures. Weston Foods results were below expectations due to challenges in meeting an aggressive plan in the frozen business, which more than offset solid performance in the other three business segments."

2017 SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

(unaudited)









($ millions except where otherwise indicated) 12 Weeks Ended

24 Weeks Ended

For the periods ended as indicated Jun. 17, 2017 Jun. 18, 2016 Change Jun. 17, 2017 Jun. 18, 2016 Change Sales $ 11,435 $ 11,075 3.3% $ 22,235 $ 21,875 1.6% Operating income $ 639 $ 525 21.7% $ 1,149 $ 982 17.0% Adjusted EBITDA(1) $ 1,037 $ 981 5.7% $ 1,961 $ 1,871 4.8% Adjusted EBITDA margin(1)

9.1%

8.9%



8.8%

8.6%

Net earnings attributable to shareholders





















of the Company $ 170 $ 143 18.9% $ 287 $ 190 51.1% Net earnings available to common shareholders





















of the Company $ 160 $ 133 20.3% $ 267 $ 170 57.1% Adjusted net earnings available to common





















shareholders of the Company(1) $ 216 $ 200 8.0% $ 399 $ 368 8.4% Diluted net earnings per common share ($) $ 1.23 $ 1.04 18.3% $ 2.07 $ 1.31 58.0% Adjusted diluted net earnings per common share(1) ($) $ 1.67 $ 1.56 7.1% $ 3.09 $ 2.85 8.4%























CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net earnings available to common shareholders of the Company increased by $27 million ($0.19 per common share) to $160 million ($1.23 per common share) in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. The increase was primarily due to an improvement in the underlying operating performance of $16 million ($0.11 per common share) and the favourable year-over-year net impact of adjusting items totaling $11 million ($0.08 per common share), as described below.

The improvement in underlying operating performance of $16 million ( $0.11 per common share) was primarily due to:

( per common share) was primarily due to: the underlying operating performance of Loblaw Companies Limited's ("Loblaw") Retail segment; and



the favourable impact of a decrease in the adjusted tax rate(1) primarily attributable to a decrease in certain non-deductible items;

partially offset by,

the unfavourable impact of an increase in depreciation and amortization.





The favourable year-over-year net impact of adjusting items totaling $11 million ( $0.08 per common share) was primarily due to:

( per common share) was primarily due to: a decrease in restructuring and other related charges of $19 million ( $0.15 per common share);

( per common share);

the fair value adjustment of the Trust Unit liability of $16 million ( $0.12 per common share);

( per common share);

foreign currency translation of $8 million ( $0.06 per common share);

( per common share);

prior year charges related to retail locations in Fort McMurray impacted by wildfires of $4 million ( $0.03 per common share); and

impacted by wildfires of ( per common share); and

prior year charge related to pension annuities and buy-outs of $2 million ( $0.02 per common share);

partially offset by,

the unfavourable impact of a fair value adjustment of the forward sale agreement for 9.6 million Loblaw common shares of $39 million ( $0.31 per common share).





( per common share). Net earnings available to common shareholders of the Company also included the positive contribution from the increase in the Company's ownership interest in Loblaw, as a result of Loblaw's share repurchases.

Adjusted net earnings available to common shareholders of the Company(1) increased by $16 million ($0.11 per common share) to $216 million ($1.67 per common share) in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. The increase was due to improvements in underlying operating performance and the positive contribution from the increase in the Company's ownership interest in Loblaw as described above.

REPORTABLE OPERATING SEGMENTS

The Company has two reportable operating segments, Loblaw and Weston Foods. The Company also holds cash, short term investments and a direct interest in Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust ("Choice Properties") of approximately 6.0%. Loblaw has three reportable operating segments: Retail, Financial Services and Choice Properties. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, credit card services, insurance brokerage services, personal banking services, gift cards and telecommunication services. Loblaw also holds an approximately 82.5% effective interest in Choice Properties, which owns, manages and develops well-located retail and other commercial real estate across Canada. The Weston Foods operating segment includes a leading fresh bakery business in Canada and frozen, artisan bakery and biscuit businesses throughout North America.

Weston Foods Segment Results

(unaudited)







($ millions except where otherwise indicated) 12 Weeks Ended

24 Weeks Ended

For the periods ended as indicated Jun. 17, 2017 Jun. 18, 2016 Change Jun. 17, 2017 Jun. 18, 2016 Change Sales $ 509 $ 496 2.6% $ 1,048 $ 1,058 (0.9)% Operating income $ 24 $ 26 (7.7%) $ 47 $ 60 (21.7)% Adjusted EBITDA(1) $ 54 $ 59 (8.5)% $ 115 $ 122 (5.7)% Adjusted EBITDA margin(1) 10.6% 11.9%



11.0%

11.5%

Depreciation and amortization(i) $ 25 $ 24 4.2% $ 49 $ 51 (3.9)%



























(i) Depreciation and amortization in the second quarter of 2016 includes $2 million of accelerated depreciation related to restructuring and other charges.

Sales Weston Foods sales in the second quarter of 2017 were $509 million, an increase of $13 million, or 2.6%, compared to the same period in 2016. Sales included the positive impact of foreign currency translation of approximately 2.4%. Excluding the favourable impacts of foreign currency translation and the timing of Easter, sales decreased by 0.6% due to a decrease in volumes, partially offset by the positive impact of changes in sales mix.

Operating Income Weston Foods operating income in the second quarter of 2017 was $24 million, a decrease of $2 million, or 7.7% compared to the same period in 2016. The decrease was primarily due to the decline in underlying operating performance, partially offset by the favourable year-over-year net impact of the net proceeds from insurance claims of $4 million and settlement charges related to pension annuities and buy-outs in the second quarter of 2016 of $3 million.

Adjusted EBITDA(1) Weston Foods adjusted EBITDA(1) in the second quarter of 2017 was $54 million, a decrease of $5 million, or 8.5%, compared to the same period in 2016. The decrease was driven by continued investments in the business, partially offset by productivity improvements.

Weston Foods adjusted EBITDA margin(1) in the second quarter of 2017 decreased to 10.6% compared to 11.9% in the same period in 2016. The decline in adjusted EBITDA margin(1) was mainly due to incremental investments in the business.

Depreciation and Amortization Weston Foods depreciation and amortization was $25 million in the second quarter of 2017, an increase of $1 million, or 4.2%, compared to the same period in 2016. Depreciation and amortization included $2 million of accelerated depreciation recorded in the second quarter of 2016 related to the planned closures of pie and cake manufacturing facilities. Excluding these amounts, depreciation and amortization increased by $3 million in the second quarter of 2017 due to investments in capital.

Weston Foods Other Business Matters

Restructuring Weston Foods continuously evaluates strategic and cost reduction initiatives related to its manufacturing assets, distribution networks and administrative infrastructure with the objective to streamline operations and to ensure a low cost operating structure. In the second quarter of 2017, Weston Foods recorded restructuring and other charges of $5 million (2016  $5 million). These charges primarily relate to employee related costs and restructuring plans pertaining to previously closed manufacturing facilities in Canada and the U.S. with production transferring to other facilities. Restructuring and other charges included $2 million of accelerated depreciation recorded in the second quarter of 2016.

Loblaw Segment Results

(unaudited)

















($ millions except where otherwise indicated) 12 Weeks Ended

24 Weeks Ended

For the periods ended as indicated Jun. 17, 2017 Jun. 18, 2016 Change Jun. 17, 2017 Jun. 18, 2016 Change Sales $ 11,079 $ 10,731 3.2% $ 21,480 $ 21,112 1.7% Operating income $ 624 $ 515 21.2% $ 1,114 $ 949 17.4% Adjusted EBITDA(1) $ 983 $ 922 6.6% $ 1,846 $ 1,749 5.5% Adjusted EBITDA margin(1) 8.9%

8.6%



8.6%

8.3%

Depreciation and amortization(i) $ 360 $ 346 4.0% $ 720 $ 714 0.8%























(i) Depreciation and amortization in the second quarter of 2017 includes $121 million (2016  $123 million) of amortization of intangible assets acquired with Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation ("Shoppers Drug Mart").

Sales, operating income and adjusted EBITDA(1) in the second quarter of 2017 included the impacts of the consolidation of franchises, as set out in "Loblaw Other Business Matters".

Sales Loblaw sales in the second quarter of 2017 were $11,079 million, an increase of $348 million compared to the same period in 2016, primarily driven by Retail. Retail sales increased by $333 million, or 3.2%, compared to the same period in 2016 and included food retail sales of $7,944 million (2016  $7,718 million) and drug retail sales of $2,883 million (2016  $2,776 million).

Excluding the consolidation of franchises, Retail sales increased by $253 million, or 2.4%, primarily driven by the following factors:

food retail same-store sales growth was 1.2%, including gas bar. Excluding the favourable impact of the timing of Easter and gas bar, food retail same-store sales were relatively flat. Loblaw's food retail average quarterly internal food price index declined and was marginally higher than the average quarterly national food price deflation of 1.4% as measured by "The Consumer Price Index for Food Purchased from Stores" ("CPI"). CPI does not necessarily reflect the effect of inflation on the specific mix of goods sold in Loblaw stores;

drug retail same-store sales growth was 3.7%, including pharmacy same-store sales growth of 2.9% and front store same-store sales growth of 4.5%. Excluding the favourable impact of the timing of Easter, drug retail same-store sales growth was approximately 2.9%; and

in the last 12 months, Retail net square footage increased by 0.5 million square feet, or 0.7%.

Operating Income

Loblaw operating income in the second quarter of 2017 was $624 million, an increase of $109 million compared to the same period in 2016, primarily driven by the improvements in underlying operating performance of $45 million and the favourable year-over-year net impact of certain adjusting items totaling $64 million, as described below:

the improvements in underlying operating performance of $45 million were primarily driven by Retail and included higher sales and an increase in gross margin, partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A"), and depreciation and amortization. The improvements in underlying operating performance also included the positive contribution from the consolidation of franchises; and

were primarily driven by Retail and included higher sales and an increase in gross margin, partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A"), and depreciation and amortization. The improvements in underlying operating performance also included the positive contribution from the consolidation of franchises; and the favourable year-over-year net impact of certain Retail adjusting items totaling $64 million was primarily due to the following:

was primarily due to the following: prior year restructuring and other related charges of $43 million;



prior year charges related to retail locations in Fort McMurray impacted by wildfires of $12 million; and

impacted by wildfires of $12 million; and

the change in fair value adjustment of derivatives of $11 million.

Adjusted EBITDA(1) Loblaw adjusted EBITDA(1) in the second quarter of 2017 was $983 million, an increase of $61 million compared to the same period in 2016, primarily driven by Retail. Retail adjusted EBITDA(1) increased $55 million driven by an increase in Retail gross profit, partially offset by an increase in Retail SG&A.

Retail gross profit percentage was 27.8%, an increase of 90 basis points compared to the same period in 2016. Excluding the consolidation of franchises, Retail gross profit percentage was 26.7%, an increase of 30 basis points compared to the second quarter of 2016. The increase in Retail gross profit percentage was mainly driven by improvements in food retail shrink partially offset by lower drug retail margins.

Retail SG&A as a percentage of sales was 19.2%, an increase of 60 basis points compared to the second quarter of 2016. Excluding the consolidation of franchises, Retail SG&A increased by $54 million . SG&A as a percentage of sales, excluding the consolidation of franchises, was 18.1%, an unfavourable increase of 10 basis points compared to the second quarter of 2016, mainly driven by certain one-time costs.

Depreciation and Amortization Loblaw's depreciation and amortization was $360 million in the second quarter of 2017, an increase of $14 million compared to the same period in 2016, primarily driven by the consolidation of franchises and an increase in IT assets. Depreciation and amortization in the second quarter of 2017 included $121 million (2016  $123 million) of amortization of intangible assets acquired with Shoppers Drug Mart.

Loblaw Other Business Matters

Gas Bar Network On July 17, 2017, Loblaw sold its gas bar operations, for proceeds of approximately $540 million, to Brookfield Business Partners L.P. ("Brookfield"). As a result of the transaction, Brookfield has become a strategic partner to Loblaw and will continue to offer Loblaw's PC Plus loyalty program at the gas bars. Consistent with the first quarter of 2017, Loblaw has classified $78 million of fixed assets and $10 million of inventory, related to the gas bar operations, as assets held for sale as at June 17, 2017. In addition, Loblaw has classified $54 million of related accounts payable and accrued liabilities that will be assumed by the purchaser as liabilities held for sale as at June 17, 2017. In 2016, the gas bar operations sold approximately 1,700 million litres of gas and contributed approximately $1,500 million to sales. After taking into account the earnings associated with the gas bar operations and the ongoing commitment of Loblaw to fund certain loyalty program costs, the expected annual impact will be a reduction in adjusted EBITDA(1) of approximately $80 million, based on 2016 information. Loblaw expects to use the proceeds from the sale for general corporate activities.

Consolidation of Franchises Loblaw has more than 500 franchise food retail stores in its network. As at the end of the second quarter of 2017, 241 of these stores were consolidated for accounting purposes under a new, simplified franchise agreement ("Franchise Agreement") implemented in 2015.

Loblaw will convert franchises to the Franchise Agreement as existing agreements expire, at the end of which all franchises will be consolidated. The following table presents the number of franchises consolidated in the second quarter of 2017 and the total impact of the consolidation of franchises included in the consolidated results of the Company.

(unaudited) ($ millions) For the periods ended as indicated





12 Weeks Ended Jun. 17, 2017 Jun. 18, 2016 Number of Consolidated Franchise stores, beginning of period 225

115 Add: Net Number of Consolidated Franchise stores in the period 16

17 Number of Consolidated Franchise stores, end of period 241

132 Sales $ 155

$ 75 Operating income (loss) 2

(5) Adjusted EBITDA(1) 12

(1) Depreciation and amortization 10

4 Net income (loss) attributable to Non-Controlling Interest 3

(5)









Operating income (loss) included in the table above does not significantly impact net earnings available to common shareholders of the Company as the related income (loss) are largely attributable to Non-Controlling Interests.

Loblaw expects the estimated annual impact in 2017 of new and current consolidated franchises to be revenue of approximately $680 million, adjusted EBITDA(1) of approximately $55 million, depreciation and amortization of approximately $45 million and net earnings attributable to Non-Controlling Interests of approximately $10 million.

OUTLOOK(2)

Weston Foods expects adjusted EBITDA(1) in the second half of 2017 to trend in a similar fashion to the first half of 2017 when compared to last year as sales from the frozen business are ramping up slower than previously anticipated. For the year, sales growth generated by incremental capacity and productivity improvements will be offset by a challenging environment in Weston Foods' Canadian fresh bakery business and incremental investments required to meet new more stringent regulatory requirements in food safety and labelling. Management expects to make capital investments of approximately $220 million in 2017 related to growth, regulatory and maintenance. Depreciation is projected to increase in 2017 when compared to 2016.

Loblaw's outlook for 2017 remains unchanged. Loblaw remains focused on its strategic framework, delivering the best in food, best in health and beauty, operational excellence and growth. This framework is supported by a financial plan of maintaining a stable trading environment that targets positive same-store sales and stable gross margin, surfacing efficiencies to deliver operating leverage, and returning capital to shareholders. In 2017, on a full year comparative basis, despite the current deflationary environment, Loblaw expects to:

deliver positive same-store sales and stable gross margin in its Retail segment in a highly competitive grocery market, with continued negative pressure from healthcare reform;

grow adjusted net earnings (1) ;

; invest approximately $1.3 billion in capital expenditures, including $1.0 billion in its Retail segment; and

in capital expenditures, including in its Retail segment; and return capital to shareholders by allocating a significant portion of free cash flow to share repurchases.

Beyond 2017, the recent announcements of minimum wage increases in Ontario and Alberta and further healthcare reform in Quebec will negatively impact Loblaw's net earnings. The expected incremental impact of minimum wage increases on Loblaw's labour expenses is approximately $190 million in 2018. In addition, the recently announced healthcare reform in Quebec will result in a more significant incremental impact in 2018 than in prior years. Loblaw is currently assessing how to mitigate these impacts.

For 2017, the Company expects growth in net earnings to be driven by an increase in net earnings at Loblaw, and the positive impact of the Company's increased ownership in Loblaw as a result of Loblaw's share repurchases.

DECLARATION OF QUARTERLY DIVIDENDS

Subsequent to the end of the second quarter of 2017, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend on GWL Common Shares, Preferred Shares, Series I, Preferred Shares, Series III, Preferred Shares, Series IV and Preferred Shares, Series V payable as follows:



Common Shares $0.455 per share payable October 1, 2017, to

shareholders of record September 15, 2017;











Preferred Shares, Series I $0.3625 per share payable September 15, 2017, to

shareholders of record August 31, 2017;











Preferred Shares, Series III $0.3250 per share payable October 1, 2017, to

shareholders of record September 15, 2017;











Preferred Shares, Series IV $0.3250 per share payable October 1, 2017, to

shareholders of record September 15, 2017; and











Preferred Shares, Series V $0.296875 per share payable October 1, 2017, to

shareholders of record September 15, 2017.



NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The Company uses the following non-GAAP financial measures: adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Company, adjusted net earnings available to common shareholders of the Company and adjusted diluted net earnings per common share. In addition to these items, the following measures are used by management in calculating adjusted diluted net earnings per common share: adjusted operating income, adjusted net interest expense and other financing charges, adjusted income taxes and adjusted income tax rate. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to both management and investors in measuring the financial performance of the Company for the reasons outlined below.

Management uses these and other non-GAAP financial measures to exclude the impact of certain expenses and income that must be recognized under GAAP when analyzing consolidated and segment underlying operating performance. The excluded items are not necessarily reflective of the Company's underlying operating performance and make comparisons of underlying financial performance between periods difficult. From time to time, the Company may exclude additional items if it believes doing so would result in a more effective analysis of underlying operating performance. The exclusion of certain items does not imply that they are non-recurring.

These measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other publicly traded companies, and they should not be construed as an alternative to other financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP.

For details on the nature of items excluded in the calculation of any of the non-GAAP financial measures detailed below, see the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of the Company's 2017 Second Quarter Report to Shareholders.

Adjusted EBITDA The Company believes adjusted EBITDA is useful in assessing and making decisions regarding the underlying operating performance of the Company's ongoing operations and in assessing the Company's ability to generate cash flows to fund its cash requirements, including its capital investment program.

The following table reconciles adjusted EBITDA to operating income, which is reconciled to GAAP net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Company reported for the periods ended as indicated.



12 Weeks Ended

Jun. 17, 2017 Jun. 18, 2016 (unaudited)

($ millions) Weston

Foods Loblaw Other Consolidated Weston

Foods Loblaw Other Consolidated Net earnings attributable to shareholders



















of the Company





$ 170





$ 143 Add impact of the following:

















Non-controlling interests





194





84

Income taxes





140





141

Net interest expense and other



















financing charges





135





157 Operating income $ 24 $ 624 $ (9) $ 639 $ 26 $ 515 $ (16) $ 525 Add impact of the following:

















Amortization of intangible assets acquired



















with Shoppers Drug Mart

121

121

123

123

Pension annuities and buy-outs





 3



3

Fair value adjustment of derivatives 4 (1)

3 3 10

13

Restructuring and other charges 5



5 5 43

48

Inventory loss, net of recoveries (4)



(4)







Asset impairments, net of recoveries



3 3







Charges related to retail locations in



















Fort McMurray







12

12

Drug retail ancillary assets









(4)

(4)

Foreign currency translation(i)



6 6



16 16 Adjusting items $ 5 $ 120 $ 9 $ 134 $ 11 $ 184 $ 16 $ 211 Adjusted operating income $ 29 $ 744 $  $ 773 $ 37 $ 699 $  $ 736 Depreciation and amortization excluding the

















impact of the above adjustments(ii) 25 239

264 22 223

245 Adjusted EBITDA $ 54 $ 983 $  $ 1,037 $ 59 $ 922 $  $ 981

























(i) Represents the effect of foreign currency translation on a portion of the U.S. dollar denominated cash and cash equivalents and short term investments held by foreign operations. (ii) Depreciation and amortization for the calculation of adjusted EBITDA excludes $121 million (2016  $123 million) of amortization of intangible assets, acquired with Shoppers Drug Mart, recorded by Loblaw and $2 million of accelerated depreciation recorded by Weston Foods in the second quarter of 2016, related to restructuring and other charges.



24 Weeks Ended





Jun. 17, 2017



Jun. 18, 2016 (unaudited)

($ millions) Weston

Foods Loblaw Other Consolidated Weston

Foods Loblaw Other Consolidated Net earnings attributable to shareholders





















of the Company





$ 287







$ 190 Add impact of the following:

















Non-controlling interests





317





182

Income taxes





240





216

Net interest expense and other



















financing charges





305





394 Operating income $ 47 $ 1,114 $ (12) $ 1,149 $ 60 $ 949 $ (27) $ 982 Add impact of the following:

















Amortization of intangible assets acquired



















with Shoppers Drug Mart

242

242

247

247

Pension annuities and buy-outs

7

7 3 2

5

Fair value adjustment of derivatives 9 5

14 2 20

22

Restructuring and other charges 14



14 14 44

58

Inventory loss, net of recoveries (4)



(4)







Asset impairments, net of recoveries



3 3

2

2

Charges related to retail locations in



















Fort McMurray







12

12

Prior year land transfer tax assessment







10

10

Drug retail ancillary assets







(4)

(4)

Foreign currency translation(i)



9 9



27 27 Adjusting items $ 19 $ 254 $ 12 $ 285 $ 19 $ 333 $ 27 $ 379 Adjusted operating income $ 66 $ 1,368 $  $ 1,434 $ 79 $ 1,282 $  $ 1,361 Depreciation and amortization excluding the

















impact of the above adjustments(ii) 49 478

527 43 467

510 Adjusted EBITDA $ 115 $ 1,846 $  $ 1,961 $ 122 $ 1,749 $  $ 1,871





































































(i) Represents the effect of foreign currency translation on a portion of the U.S. dollar denominated cash and cash equivalents and short term investments held by foreign operations. (ii) Depreciation and amortization for the calculation of adjusted EBITDA excludes $242 million (2016  $247 million) of amortization of intangible assets, acquired with Shoppers Drug Mart, recorded by Loblaw and $8 million of accelerated depreciation recorded by Weston Foods in 2016, related to restructuring and other charges.

The following new items impacted operating income in the second quarter of 2017:

Inventory loss, net of recoveries In 2016, Weston Foods' damaged inventory of $11 million (U.S. $9 million) was written-off and was recorded in SG&A in the Company's consolidated statement of earnings. In the second quarter of 2017, the Company received partial proceeds from the insurance claim. The insurance claim remains in progress and further proceeds are expected to be recorded as the claim progresses.

Asset impairments, net of recoveries At each balance sheet date, the Company assesses and, when required, records impairments and recoveries of previous impairments related to the carrying value of its fixed assets, investment properties, intangible and other assets.

Adjusted Net Interest Expense and Other Financing Charges The Company believes adjusted net interest expense and other financing charges is useful in assessing the ongoing net financing costs of the Company.

The following table reconciles adjusted net interest expense and other financing charges to GAAP net interest expense and other financing charges reported for the periods ended as indicated.

(unaudited) ($ millions) 12 Weeks Ended

24 Weeks Ended Jun. 17, 2017 Jun. 18, 2016

Jun. 17, 2017 Jun. 18, 2016 Net interest expense and other financing charges $ 135 $ 157

$ 305 $ 394 Add: Fair value adjustment of the Trust Unit liability 1 (73)

(23) (94)

Fair value adjustment of the forward sale agreement













for 9.6 million Loblaw common shares (2) 51

(19) (31) Adjusted net interest expense and other financing charges $ 134 $ 135

$ 263 $ 269















Adjusted Income Taxes and Adjusted Income Tax Rate The Company believes the adjusted income tax rate applicable to adjusted earnings before taxes is useful in assessing the underlying operating performance of its business.

The following table reconciles the effective income tax rate applicable to adjusted earnings before taxes to the GAAP effective income tax rate applicable to earnings before taxes as reported for the periods ended as indicated.

(unaudited) 12 Weeks Ended

24 Weeks Ended ($ millions except where otherwise indicated) Jun. 17, 2017 Jun. 18, 2016

Jun. 17, 2017 Jun. 18, 2016 Adjusted operating income(i) $ 773 $ 736

$ 1,434 $ 1,361 Adjusted net interest expense and other















financing charges(i) 134

135



263 269 Adjusted earnings before taxes $ 639 $ 601

$ 1,171 $ 1,092 Income taxes $ 140 $ 141

$ 240 $ 216 Add: Tax impact of items excluded from adjusted

















earnings before taxes(ii) 33

30



78

95

Statutory corporate income tax rate change













(3) Adjusted income taxes $ 173 $ 171

$ 318 $ 308 Effective income tax rate applicable to earnings

















before taxes 27.8%

38.3%



28.4%

36.7% Adjusted income tax rate applicable to adjusted earnings

















before taxes 27.1%

28.5%



27.2%

28.2%























(i) See reconciliations of adjusted operating income and adjusted net interest expense and other financing charges above. (ii) See the adjusted EBITDA table and the adjusted net interest expense and other financing charges table above for a complete list of items excluded from adjusted earnings before taxes.

Adjusted Net Earnings Available to Common Shareholders and Adjusted Diluted Net Earnings Per Common Share The Company believes that adjusted net earnings available to common shareholders and adjusted diluted net earnings per common share are useful in assessing the Company's underlying operating performance and in making decisions regarding the ongoing operations of its business.

The following table reconciles adjusted net earnings available to common shareholders of the Company and adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Company to net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Company and then to net earnings available to common shareholders of the Company reported for the periods ended as indicated.

(unaudited) 12 Weeks Ended

24 Weeks Ended ($ millions except where otherwise indicated) Jun. 17, 2017 Jun. 18, 2016

Jun. 17, 2017 Jun. 18, 2016 Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Company $ 170 $ 143

$ 287 $ 190 Less: Prescribed dividends on preferred shares in share capital (10) (10)

(20) (20) Net earnings available to common shareholders



















of the Company $ 160 $ 133

$ 267 $ 170 Less: Reduction in net earnings due to dilutive instruments at Loblaw (2)



(2) (2) Net earnings available to common shareholders for diluted



















earnings per share $ 158 $ 133

$ 265 $ 168



















Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Company $ 170 $ 143

$ 287 $ 190 Adjusting items (refer to the following table) 56 67

132 198 Adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders



















of the Company $ 226 $ 210

$ 419 $ 388 Less: Prescribed dividends on preferred shares in share capital (10) (10)

(20) (20) Adjusted net earnings available to common shareholders



















of the Company $ 216 $ 200

$ 399 $ 368 Less: Reduction in net earnings due to dilutive instruments at Loblaw (2)



(2) (2) Adjusted net earnings available to common shareholders for



















diluted earnings per share $ 214 $ 200

$ 397 $ 366





















Weighted average common shares outstanding (millions)(i) 128.3 128.4

128.3 128.3



















(i) Includes impact of dilutive instruments for purposes of calculating adjusted diluted net earnings per common share.

The following table reconciles adjusted net earnings available to common shareholders of the Company and adjusted diluted net earnings per common share to GAAP net earnings available to common shareholders of the Company and diluted net earnings per common share as reported for the periods ended as indicated.





12 Weeks Ended



Jun. 17, 2017 Jun. 18, 2016 ($ except where otherwise indicated) Net Earnings

Available to

Common

Shareholders of

the Company

($ millions) Diluted

Net

Earnings

Per

Common

Share Net Earnings

Available to

Common

Shareholders of

the Company

($ millions) Diluted

Net

Earnings

Per

Common

Share As reported $ 160 $ 1.23 $ 133 $ 1.04 Add impact of the following(i):









Amortization of intangible assets acquired











with Shoppers Drug Mart 42 0.33 42 0.34

Pension annuities and buy-outs



2 0.02

Fair value adjustment of derivatives 3 0.03 6 0.04

Restructuring and other charges 3 0.02 22 0.17

Inventory loss, net of recoveries (2) (0.02)





Asset impairments, net of recoveries 3 0.02





Charges related to retail locations in Fort McMurray



4 0.03

Drug retail ancillary assets



(1) (0.01)

Fair value adjustment of the forward sale agreement for











9.6 million Loblaw common shares 2 0.02 (37) (0.29)

Fair value adjustment of the Trust Unit liability (1) (0.01) 15 0.11

Foreign currency translation 6 0.05 14 0.11 Adjusting items $ 56 $ 0.44 $ 67 $ 0.52 Adjusted $ 216 $ 1.67 $ 200 $ 1.56























(i) Net of income taxes and non-controlling interests, as applicable.





24 Weeks Ended



Jun. 17, 2017 Jun. 18, 2016 ($ except where otherwise indicated) Net Earnings

Available to

Common

Shareholders of

the Company

($ millions) Diluted

Net

Earnings

Per

Common

Share Net Earnings

Available to

Common

Shareholders of

the Company

($ millions) Diluted

Net

Earnings

Per

Common

Share As reported $ 267 $ 2.07 $ 170 $ 1.31 Add impact of the following(i):









Amortization of intangible assets acquired











with Shoppers Drug Mart 84 0.65 85 0.66

Pension annuities and buy-outs 2 0.02 3 0.03

Fair value adjustment of derivatives 9 0.07 9 0.06

Restructuring and other charges 10 0.08 28 0.22

Inventory loss, net of recoveries (2) (0.02)





Asset impairments, net of recoveries 3 0.02 1 0.01

Charges related to retail locations in Fort McMurray



4 0.03

Prior year land transfer tax assessment



3 0.02

Drug retail ancillary assets



(1) (0.01)

Fair value adjustment of the forward sale agreement for











9.6 million Loblaw common shares 14 0.11 22 0.17

Fair value adjustment of the Trust Unit liability 4 0.03 19 0.15

Statutory corporate income tax rate change



1 0.01

Foreign currency translation 8 0.06 24 0.19 Adjusting items $ 132 $ 1.02 $ 198 $ 1.54 Adjusted $ 399 $ 3.09 $ 368 $ 2.85





















(i) Net of income taxes and non-controlling interests, as applicable.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This News Release contains forward-looking statements about the Company's objectives, plans, goals, aspirations, strategies, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, performance, prospects and opportunities. Specific forward-looking statements in this News Release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Company's anticipated future results, events and plans, strategic initiatives, regulatory changes including minimum wage increases and further healthcare reform and planned capital investments. These specific forward-looking statements are contained throughout this News Release including, without limitation, in the "Outlook" section of this News Release. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "foresee", "could", "estimate", "goal", "intend", "plan", "seek", "strive", "will", "may", "maintain", "achieve", "grow", and "should" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company and its management.

Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current estimates, beliefs and assumptions, which are based on management's perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. The Company's expectation of operating and financial performance in 2017 is based on certain assumptions including assumptions about sales and volume growth, anticipated cost savings, operating efficiencies, and continued growth from current initiatives. The Company's estimates, beliefs and assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and other uncertainties and contingencies regarding future events and as such, are subject to change. The Company can give no assurance that such estimates, beliefs and assumptions will prove to be correct.

Numerous risks and uncertainties could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed, implied or projected in the forward-looking statements, including those described in the "Enterprise Risks and Risk Management" section of the Management's Discussion and Analysis in the Company's 2016 Annual Report and the Company's Annual Information Form ("AIF") for the year ended December 31, 2016. Such risks and uncertainties include:

changes to the regulation of generic prescription drug prices, the reduction of reimbursements under public drug benefit plans and the elimination or reduction of professional allowances paid by drug manufacturers;

failure to effectively manage Loblaw's loyalty programs;

the inability of the Company's information technology ("IT") infrastructure to support the requirements of the Company's business, or the occurrence of any internal or external security breaches, denial of service attacks, viruses, worms and other known or unknown cyber security or data breaches;

failure to realize benefits from investments in the Company's new IT systems;

failure to effectively respond to consumer trends or heightened competition, whether from current competitors or new entrants to the marketplace;

public health events including those related to food and drug safety;

changes to any of the laws, rules, regulations or policies applicable to the Company's business;

failure to merchandise effectively, to execute Loblaw's e-commerce initiative or to adapt its business model to the shifts in the retail landscape caused by digital advances;

failure to realize the anticipated benefits, including revenue growth, anticipated cost savings or operating efficiencies associated with the Company's investment in major initiatives that support its strategic priorities;

changes in economic conditions, including economic recession or changes in the rate of inflation or deflation, employment rates and household debt, interest rates, currency exchange rates and derivative or commodity prices;

failure to achieve desired results in labour negotiations, including the terms of future collective bargaining agreements;

adverse outcomes of legal and regulatory proceedings and related matters;

reliance on the performance and retention of third-party service providers, including those associated with the Company's supply chain and Loblaw's apparel business, including issues with vendors in both advanced and developing markets;

the inability of the Company to manage inventory to minimize the impact of obsolete or excess inventory and to control shrink;

the inability of the Company to effectively develop and execute its strategy; and

the inability of the Company to anticipate, identify and react to consumer and retail trends.

This is not an exhaustive list of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Other risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company or that the Company presently believes are not material could also cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in its forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities from time to time, including without limitation, the section entitled "Operating and Financial Risks and Risk Management" in the Company's AIF for the year ended December 31, 2016. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's expectations only as of the date of this News Release. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

2017 SECOND QUARTER REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

The Company's 2016 Annual Report and 2017 Second Quarter Report to Shareholders are available in the Investor Centre section of the Company's website at www.weston.ca and have been filed with SEDAR and are available online at www.sedar.com.

INVESTOR RELATIONS

Shareholders, security analysts and investment professionals should direct their requests to Mr. Geoffrey H. Wilson, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, Business Intelligence and Communications, at the Company's Executive Office or by e-mail at [email protected].

Additional financial information has been filed electronically with various securities regulators in Canada through SEDAR. This News Release includes selected information on Loblaw Companies Limited, a public company with shares trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange. For information regarding Loblaw, readers should also refer to the materials filed by Loblaw with SEDAR from time to time. These filings are also maintained at Loblaw's corporate website at www.loblaw.ca.

SECOND QUARTER CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST PRESENTATION

George Weston Limited will host a conference call as well as an audio webcast on Friday, July 28, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. (EDT). To access via tele-conference, please dial (647) 427-7450 or 1-888-231-8191. The playback will be available two hours after the event at (416) 849-0833 or 1-855-859-2056, passcode: 49355213#. To access via audio webcast, please visit the Investor Centre section of www.weston.ca. Pre-registration will be available.



Endnotes



(1) See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of this News Release. (2) This News Release contains forward-looking information. See "Forward-Looking Statements" section of this News Release for a discussion of material factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forecasts and projections herein and of the material factors, estimates, beliefs and assumptions that were applied in presenting the conclusions, forecasts and projections presented herein. This News Release must be read in conjunction with GWL's filings with securities regulators made from time to time, all of which can be found at www.weston.ca and www.sedar.com.









SOURCE George Weston Limited

For further information: Mr. Geoffrey H. Wilson, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, Business Intelligence and Communications, at the Company's Executive Office or by e-mail at [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.weston.ca


Net loss of $77 million compared to a net loss of $181 million in second quarter of 2016

compared to a net loss of in second quarter of 2016 Progressing a comprehensive plan to improve reliability and achieve targeted production levels at Kearl

Increased ability to deliver value to shareholders through an expanded share buyback program

CALGARY, July 28, 2017 /CNW/ -



















Second quarter

Six months millions of Canadian dollars, unless noted 2017 2016 %

2017 2016 % Net income (loss) (U.S. GAAP) (77) (181) 57

256 (282) 191 Net income (loss) per common share (0.09) (0.21) 57

0.30 (0.33) 191

- assuming dilution (dollars)

Capital and exploration expenditures 143 335 (57)

296 743 (60)

















Imperial recorded an estimated net loss of $77 million in the second quarter of 2017, as compared with a net loss of $181 million in the same period of 2016. The quarterly performance reflects the impacts of the ongoing business environment coupled with upstream outages and planned facility turnarounds. The change relative to the second quarter of 2016 is largely due to higher crude prices and reduced refinery turnaround activity.

In the quarter, Imperial advanced a comprehensive plan to achieve targeted production levels at Kearl. The company is undertaking actions to resolve reliability issues, primarily in the mining and ore preparation areas of the operation. These actions, which are planned to proceed throughout 2017 and 2018, will lead to higher production levels and lower unit costs. Improvements will continue to be implemented in conjunction with scheduled maintenance activities to optimize overall performance.

"Kearl is a high-quality, long-life asset of significant importance to the company," said Rich Kruger, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We are addressing gaps in performance by enhancing existing infrastructure while also evaluating additional innovative ideas to improve results."

In the second quarter, Imperial returned more than $250 million to shareholders through dividends and share purchases. The company reaffirmed its commitment to maximize shareholder value by substantially expanding its share buyback program in late June.

Imperial has a long history of returning value to shareholders through share buybacks. The program was last used to reduce shares outstanding in 2009 when Imperial embarked on an unprecedented period of upstream growth. The recent completion of major growth projects supports the resumption of share purchases.

"Our approach to capital allocation focuses on maintaining a strong balance sheet, paying a reliable and growing dividend and investing in attractive growth opportunities," Kruger added. "Further increasing our ability to deliver value through an expanded share buyback program allows us to flexibly return surplus cash to shareholders."

Imperial's financial flexibility demonstrates the strength and resiliency of its integrated business model over the business cycle.

Second quarter highlights

Net loss of $77 million or $0.09 per-share on a diluted basis, compared to the net loss of $181 million or $0.21 per-share in the second quarter of 2016.





compared to the net loss of or per-share in the second quarter of 2016. Cash generated from operating activities was $492 million , an increase of $49 million from the second quarter of 2016.





an increase of from the second quarter of 2016. Capital and exploration expenditures totalled $143 million , a decrease of $192 million from the second quarter of 2016. Full-year expenditures are expected to be about $800 million , as the company maintains its focus on capital discipline and capturing market and productivity benefits in the current business environment.





a decrease of from the second quarter of 2016. Full-year expenditures are expected to be about , as the company maintains its focus on capital discipline and capturing market and productivity benefits in the current business environment. Dividends and share purchases totalled $254 million , including the purchase of approximately 3.3 million shares at a cost of $127 million .





, including the purchase of approximately 3.3 million shares at a cost of . Production averaged 331,000 gross oil-equivalent barrels per day, up from 329,000 barrels per day in the same period of 2016. Production at Kearl and Syncrude increased relative to the prior year's second quarter which was impacted by the Alberta wildfires. These increases were offset by the absence of production at the 11,000 barrels per day Norman Wells operation due to the continued shutdown of Enbridge's Line 21 export pipeline. Following National Energy Board regulatory reviews, anticipated approvals and pipeline upgrades, production is anticipated to resume in the second half of 2018.





up from 329,000 barrels per day in the same period of 2016. Production at Kearl and Syncrude increased relative to the prior year's second quarter which was impacted by the wildfires. These increases were offset by the absence of production at the 11,000 barrels per day operation due to the continued shutdown of Enbridge's Line 21 export pipeline. Following National Energy Board regulatory reviews, anticipated approvals and pipeline upgrades, production is anticipated to resume in the second half of 2018. Syncrude continued production ramp up and maintenance optimization following the fire at its Mildred Lake upgrader in March. Imperial has provided technical and logistical support to Syncrude to assist with recovery efforts over the past several months. Syncrude used the unscheduled outage to accelerate turnaround activities, avoiding planned downtime later in the year. The company's share of gross production from Syncrude averaged 27,000 barrels per day in the second quarter and is expected to return to normal operating levels in August.





following the fire at its upgrader in March. Imperial has provided technical and logistical support to Syncrude to assist with recovery efforts over the past several months. Syncrude used the unscheduled outage to accelerate turnaround activities, avoiding planned downtime later in the year. The company's share of gross production from Syncrude averaged 27,000 barrels per day in the second quarter and is expected to return to normal operating levels in August. Kearl comprehensive plan underway to improve reliability and achieve targeted production levels. The plan, expected to proceed throughout 2017 and 2018, includes actions to deliver improvements, primarily associated with mining and ore preparation operations, to sustain targeted production rates throughout the life of the asset. In the second quarter, improvement activities were executed during scheduled maintenance and included a range of mechanical enhancements. Gross production of Kearl bitumen averaged 171,000 barrels per day in the quarter (121,000 barrels Imperial's share). Production was impacted by about 38,000 barrels per day (27,000 barrels Imperial's share) associated with the planned maintenance activities.





The plan, expected to proceed throughout 2017 and 2018, includes actions to deliver improvements, primarily associated with mining and ore preparation operations, to sustain targeted production rates throughout the life of the asset. In the second quarter, improvement activities were executed during scheduled maintenance and included a range of mechanical enhancements. Gross production of Kearl bitumen averaged 171,000 barrels per day in the quarter (121,000 barrels Imperial's share). Production was impacted by about 38,000 barrels per day (27,000 barrels Imperial's share) associated with the planned maintenance activities. Refinery throughput averaged 358,000 barrels per day , up from 246,000 barrels in the second quarter of 2016, primarily due to reduced turnaround activity. Refinery capacity utilization was 85 percent, reflecting the impact of a planned 71 day turnaround at the Sarnia facility completed in early July.





, up from 246,000 barrels in the second quarter of 2016, primarily due to reduced turnaround activity. Refinery capacity utilization was 85 percent, reflecting the impact of a planned 71 day turnaround at the facility completed in early July. Petroleum product sales were 486,000 barrels per day , up from 470,000 barrels per day in the second quarter of 2016. Sales growth continues to be driven by strong collaboration across our downstream value chain and the expansion of Imperial's retail, wholesale, industrial and commercial networks.





, up from 470,000 barrels per day in the second quarter of 2016. Sales growth continues to be driven by strong collaboration across our downstream value chain and the expansion of Imperial's retail, wholesale, industrial and commercial networks. Increased ability to deliver value to shareholders through an expanded share buyback program. The program enables Imperial to purchase up to three percent of its common shares outstanding, approximately 25 million shares, during the 12 months ending June 26, 2018 . It supports the company's approach to capital allocation, which focuses on maintaining a strong balance sheet, paying a reliable and growing dividend and investing in attractive growth opportunities. Further increasing Imperial's ability to deliver value through an expanded share buyback program allows the company to flexibly return surplus cash to shareholders.

Second quarter 2017 vs. second quarter 2016

The company's net loss for the second quarter of 2017 was $77 million or $0.09 per-share on a diluted basis, compared to the net loss of $181 million or $0.21 per-share for the same period last year.

Upstream recorded a net loss in the second quarter of $201 million, compared to a net loss of $290 million in the same period of 2016. Results in the second quarter of 2017 reflected the impact of higher Canadian crude oil realizations of about $140 million and favorable foreign exchange impacts, partially offset by higher energy costs of about $50 million and higher operating costs of about $50 million, primarily at Syncrude.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) averaged US$48.20 per barrel in the second quarter of 2017, up from US$45.64 per barrel in the same quarter of 2016. Western Canada Select (WCS) averaged US$37.18 per barrel and US$32.36 per barrel respectively for the same periods. The WTI / WCS differential narrowed to 23 percent in the second quarter of 2017, from 29 percent in the same period of 2016.

The Canadian dollar averaged US$0.74 in the second quarter of 2017, a decrease of US$0.04 from the second quarter of 2016.

Imperial's average Canadian dollar realizations for bitumen and synthetic crudes increased generally in line with the North American benchmarks, adjusted for changes in exchange rates and transportation costs. Bitumen realizations averaged $38.22 per barrel for the second quarter of 2017, an increase of $8.77 per barrel versus the second quarter of 2016. Synthetic crude realizations averaged $65.07 per barrel, an increase of $6.49 per barrel for the same period of 2016.

Gross production of Cold Lake bitumen averaged 160,000 barrels per day in the second quarter, compared to 163,000 barrels per day in the same period last year.

Gross production of Kearl bitumen averaged 171,000 barrels per day in the second quarter (121,000 barrels Imperial's share) up from 155,000 barrels per day (110,000 barrels Imperial's share) during the second quarter of 2016. Higher production was mainly due to the absence of the Alberta wildfires. In the second quarter of 2017, Kearl production was impacted by planned turnaround activities of about 38,000 barrels per day (27,000 barrels Imperial's share).

The company's share of gross production from Syncrude averaged 27,000 barrels per day, up from 18,000 barrels per day in the second quarter of 2016. Syncrude second quarter 2017 production was impacted by the fire at the Syncrude Mildred Lake upgrader that occurred in mid-March and by planned maintenance. Higher production was the result of the absence of the Alberta wildfires and lower planned maintenance compared with the same period of 2016.

Downstream net income was $78 million in the second quarter, up from $71 million in the same period of 2016. Earnings increased mainly due to reduced planned turnaround activity of about $130 million and lower marketing expenses, partly offset by lower marketing margins of about $80 million, including the impact of the retail divestment and lower industry margins, as well as lower refining margins of about $70 million, mainly due to crude supply disruption associated with the Syncrude fire at its Mildred Lake upgrader in March.

Refinery throughput averaged 358,000 barrels per day, up from 246,000 barrels per day in the second quarter of 2016. Increased throughput reflects reduced turnaround activity in the second quarter 2017, compared to the same period of 2016.

Petroleum product sales were 486,000 barrels per day, up from 470,000 barrels per day in the second quarter of 2016. Sales growth continues to be driven by strong collaboration across our downstream value chain and the expansion of Imperial's retail, wholesale, industrial and commercial networks.

Chemical net income was $64 million in the second quarter, up from $55 million in the same quarter of 2016.

Net income effects from Corporate and Other were negative $18 million in the second quarter, compared to negative $17 million in the same period of 2016.

Cash flow generated from operating activities was $492 million in the second quarter, compared with $443 million in the corresponding period in 2016.

Investing activities used net cash of $281 million in the second quarter, compared with $297 million used in the same period of 2016.

Cash used in financing activities was $260 million in the second quarter, compared with $106 million in the second quarter of 2016. Dividends paid in the second quarter of 2017 were $127 million. The per-share dividend paid in the second quarter was $0.15, up from $0.14 in the same period of 2016. In the second quarter of 2017, Imperial resumed share purchases under its share buyback program. The company purchased about 3.3 million shares for approximately $127 million.

The company's cash balance was $623 million at June 30, 2017, versus $195 million at the end of the second quarter of 2016.

On June 22, 2017, the company announced by news release that it had received final approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange for a new normal course issuer bid and will continue its existing share buyback program. The program enables the company to purchase up to a maximum of 25,395,927 common shares during the period June 27, 2017 to June 26, 2018, which includes shares purchased under the normal course issuer bid and from Exxon Mobil Corporation concurrent with, but outside of the normal course issuer bid. As in the past, Exxon Mobil Corporation has advised the company that it intends to participate to maintain its ownership percentage at approximately 69.6 percent. The program will end should the company purchase the maximum allowable number of shares, or on June 26, 2018.

Share purchases are currently anticipated to equal approximately $250 million in the third quarter of 2017. Purchase plans may be modified at any time without prior notice.

Six months highlights

Net income of $256 million , up from net loss of $282 million in the prior year.





, up from net loss of in the prior year. Net income per-share on a diluted basis was $0.30 , up from net loss per-share of $0.33 in 2016.





, up from net loss per-share of in 2016. Cash flow generated from operating activities was $846 million , versus $492 million in 2016.





, versus in 2016. Gross oil-equivalent production averaged 354,000 barrels per day, down 6 percent from 376,000 barrels per day in 2016.





Refinery throughput averaged 378,000 barrels per day, up from 323,000 barrels per day from the same period of 2016.





Per-share dividends declared during the year totalled $0.31 , up $0.02 per-share from 2016.

Six months 2017 vs. six months 2016

Net income in the first six months of 2017 was $256 million, or $0.30 per-share on a diluted basis versus a net loss of $282 million or $0.33 per-share in the first six months of 2016.

Upstream recorded a net loss of $287 million in the first six months of 2017, compared to a net loss of $738 million from the same period of 2016. Results reflected the impact of higher Canadian crude oil realizations of about $740 million, partially offset by higher royalties of about $100 million and energy costs of about $80 million, higher operating expenses at Syncrude of about $70 million and lower volumes of about $70 million, including the absence of production at Norman Wells.

West Texas Intermediate averaged US$49.96 per barrel in the first six months of 2017, up from US$39.78 per barrel in the same period of 2016. Western Canada Select averaged US$37.22 per barrel and US$25.88 per barrel respectively for the same periods. The WTI / WCS differential narrowed to 26 percent in the first six months of 2017, from 35 percent in the same period of 2016.

The Canadian dollar averaged US$0.75 in the first six months of 2017, essentially unchanged from the same period of 2016.

Imperial's average Canadian dollar realizations for bitumen and synthetic crudes increased generally in line with the North American benchmarks, adjusted for changes in the exchange rate and transportation costs. Bitumen realizations averaged $37.21 per barrel for the first six months of 2017, an increase of $16.45 per barrel versus the same period of 2016. Synthetic crude realizations averaged $67.00 per barrel, an increase of $18.41 per barrel from the same period of 2016.

Gross production of Cold Lake bitumen averaged 159,000 barrels per day in the first six months of 2017, compared to 164,000 barrels per day from the same period of 2016. Lower volumes were primarily due to the timing of steam cycles.

Gross production of Kearl bitumen averaged 177,000 barrels per day in the first six months of 2017 (125,000 barrels Imperial's share) up from 175,000 barrels per day (124,000 barrels Imperial's share) from the same period of 2016.

During the first six months of 2017, the company's share of gross production from Syncrude averaged 46,000 barrels per day, compared to 49,000 barrels per day from the same period of 2016. Syncrude year to date production was impacted by the March 2017 fire at the Syncrude Mildred Lake upgrader and planned maintenance. In 2016, production was impacted by the Alberta wildfires and planned maintenance.

Downstream net income was $458 million, up from $391 million from the same period of 2016. Earnings increased mainly due to a gain of $151 million from the sale of a surplus property and reduced planned turnaround activity of about $130 million. This was partially offset by lower marketing margins of approximately $140 million, including the impact of the retail divestment and lower industry margins, as well as lower refining margins of about $50 million, partly due to crude supply disruption associated with the fire at Syncrude's Mildred Lake upgrader in March.

Refinery throughput averaged 378,000 barrels per day in the first six months of 2017, up from 323,000 barrels per day from the same period of 2016. Capacity utilization increased to 90 percent from 77 percent in the same period of 2016, reflecting reduced turnaround activity.

Petroleum product sales were 486,000 barrels per day in the first six months of 2017, up from 469,000 barrels per day from the same period of 2016. Sales growth continues to be driven by strong collaboration across our downstream value chain and the expansion of Imperial's retail, wholesale, industrial and commercial networks.

Chemical net income was $109 million, up from $104 million from the same period of 2016.

For the first six months of 2017, net income effects from Corporate and Other were negative $24 million, versus negative $39 million from the same period of 2016.

Cash flow generated from operating activities was $846 million in the first six months of 2017, compared with $492 million in 2016, reflecting higher earnings partially offset by unfavourable working capital effects.

Investing activities used net cash of $220 million in the first six months of 2017, compared with $655 million from the same period of 2016, reflecting lower additions to property, plant and equipment, and higher proceeds from asset sales.

Cash used in financing activities was $394 million in the first six months of 2017, compared with cash provided by financing activities of $155 million from the same period of 2016, reflecting the absence of debt issuance in the current year. Dividends paid in the first six months of 2017 were $254 million. The per-share dividend paid in the first six months of 2017 was $0.30, up from $0.28 for the same period of 2016. In 2017, the company resumed share purchases under its share buyback program. The company purchased about 3.3 million shares for approximately $127 million.

Key financial and operating data follow.

Forward-looking statements

Statements of future events or conditions in this report, including projections, targets, expectations, estimates, and business plans are forward-looking statements. Actual future financial and operating results, including demand growth and energy source mix; production growth and mix; project plans, dates, costs and capacities; production rates; production life and resource recoveries; cost savings; product sales; financing sources; and capital and environmental expenditures could differ materially depending on a number of factors, such as changes in the supply of and demand for crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum and petrochemical products and resulting price and margin impacts; limitations on transportation for accessing markets; political or regulatory events, including changes in law or government policy; applicable royalty rates and tax laws; the receipt, in a timely manner, of regulatory and third-party approvals; third party opposition to operations and projects; environmental risks inherent in oil and gas exploration and production activities; environmental regulation, including climate change and greenhouse gas restrictions; currency exchange rates; availability and allocation of capital; performance of third party service providers; unanticipated operational disruptions; management effectiveness; commercial negotiations; project management and schedules; response to unexpected technological developments; operational hazards and risks; disaster response preparedness; the ability to develop or acquire additional reserves; and other factors discussed in this report and Item 1A of Imperial's most recent Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some that are similar to other oil and gas companies and some that are unique to Imperial. Imperial's actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by its forward-looking statements and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them. Imperial undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein, except as required by applicable law.

In this report all dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. This report should be read in conjunction with the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Note that numbers may not add due to rounding.

The term "project" as used in this report can refer to a variety of different activities and does not necessarily have the same meaning as in any government payment transparency reports.

IMPERIAL OIL LIMITED























Attachment I





































Second Quarter

Six Months millions of Canadian dollars, unless noted 2017 2016

2017 2016















Net Income (loss) (U.S. GAAP)











Total revenues and other income 7,033 6,248

14,189 11,470

Total expenses 7,158 6,500

13,894 11,871

Income (loss) before income taxes (125) (252)

295 (401)

Income taxes (48) (71)

39 (119)

Net income (loss) (77) (181)

256 (282)

















Net income (loss) per common share (dollars) (0.09) (0.21)

0.30 (0.33)

Net income (loss) per common share - assuming dilution (dollars) (0.09) (0.21)

0.30 (0.33)















Other Financial Data











Gain (loss) on asset sales, after tax 28 10

186 34

Total assets at June 30





41,105 43,244

















Total debt at June 30





5,222 8,908

Interest coverage ratio - earnings basis (times covered)





26.3 4.0

















Other long-term obligations at June 30





3,678 3,455

















Shareholders' equity at June 30





25,000 23,072

Capital employed at June 30





30,240 31,998

Return on average capital employed (percent) (a)





9.0 1.1

















Dividends declared on common stock













Total 136 127

263 246



Per common share (dollars) 0.16 0.15

0.31 0.29

















Millions of common shares outstanding













At June 30





844.3 847.6



Average - assuming dilution 849.9 850.6

850.1 850.5

















(a) Return on capital employed is the rolling average net income excluding after-tax cost of financing divided by the average rolling four quarters' capital employed.

IMPERIAL OIL LIMITED



















Attachment II

























Second Quarter

Six Months millions of Canadian dollars 2017 2016

2017 2016











Total cash and cash equivalents at period end 623 195

623 195











Net income (loss) (77) (181)

256 (282) Adjustments for non-cash items:











Depreciation and depletion 352 407

744 831

(Gain) loss on asset sales (31) (13)

(213) (43)

Deferred income taxes and other (37) (98)

163 (180) Changes in operating assets and liabilities 285 328

(104) 166 Cash flows from (used in) operating activities 492 443

846 492











Cash flows from (used in) investing activities (281) (297)

(220) (655)

Proceeds associated with asset sales 39 17

222 50











Cash flows from (used in) financing activities (260) (106)

(394) 155













IMPERIAL OIL LIMITED



















Attachment III

























Second Quarter

Six Months millions of Canadian dollars 2017 2016

2017 2016













Net income (loss) (U.S. GAAP)











Upstream (201) (290)

(287) (738)

Downstream 78 71

458 391

Chemical 64 55

109 104

Corporate and other (18) (17)

(24) (39)

Net income (loss) (77) (181)

256 (282)











Revenues and other income











Upstream 2,081 1,733

4,415 3,211

Downstream 5,193 4,790

10,667 8,984

Chemical 349 317

690 615

Eliminations / Corporate and other (590) (592)

(1,583) (1,340)

Revenues and other income 7,033 6,248

14,189 11,470











Purchases of crude oil and products











Upstream 1,026 905

2,142 1,723

Downstream 4,014 3,555

8,023 6,312

Chemical 193 171

394 330

Eliminations (591) (590)

(1,584) (1,338)

Purchases of crude oil and products 4,642 4,041

8,975 7,027











Production and manufacturing expenses











Upstream 1,051 838

2,024 1,747

Downstream 426 421

775 736

Chemical 48 51

101 98

Eliminations - -

- -

Production and manufacturing expenses 1,525 1,310

2,900 2,581











Capital and exploration expenditures











Upstream 91 250

194 596

Downstream 39 64

73 107

Chemical 3 8

7 14

Corporate and other 10 13

22 26

Capital and exploration expenditures 143 335

296 743













Exploration expenses charged to income included above - 42

22 59













IMPERIAL OIL LIMITED

















Attachment IV























Operating statistics Second Quarter

Six Months

2017 2016

2017 2016











Gross crude oil and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) production









(thousands of barrels per day)











Cold Lake 160 163

159 164

Kearl 121 110

125 124

Syncrude 27 18

46 49

Conventional 3 15

4 15

Total crude oil production 311 306

334 352

NGLs available for sale 1 1

1 2

Total crude oil and NGL production 312 307

335 354











Gross natural gas production (millions of cubic feet per day) 116 129

116 129











Gross oil-equivalent production (a) 331 329

354 376 (thousands of oil-equivalent barrels per day)





















Net crude oil and NGL production (thousands of barrels per day)











Cold Lake 132 132

129 139

Kearl 118 109

122 123

Syncrude 25 18

43 49

Conventional 3 13

4 13

Total crude oil production 278 272

298 324

NGLs available for sale 1 1

1 1

Total crude oil and NGL production 279 273

299 325











Net natural gas production (millions of cubic feet per day) 105 127

106 127











Net oil-equivalent production (a) 297 294

317 346 (thousands of oil-equivalent barrels per day)





















Cold Lake blend sales (thousands of barrels per day) 209 219

215 220 Kearl blend sales (thousands of barrels per day) 161 157

166 168 NGL sales (thousands of barrels per day) 6 5

6 5











Average realizations (Canadian dollars)











Bitumen realizations (per barrel) 38.22 29.45

37.21 20.76

Synthetic oil realizations (per barrel) 65.07 58.58

67.00 48.59

Conventional crude oil realizations (per barrel) 51.62 36.04

52.39 30.22

NGL realizations (per barrel) 27.83 13.70

28.54 14.10

Natural gas realizations (per thousand cubic feet) 3.05 1.58

3.18 1.98











Refinery throughput (thousands of barrels per day) 358 246

378 323 Refinery capacity utilization (percent) 85 58

90 77











Petroleum product sales (thousands of barrels per day)











Gasolines 257 263

250 255

Heating, diesel and jet fuels 175 158

182 164

Heavy fuel oils (b) 19 8

19 13

Lube oils and other products 35 41

35 37

Net petroleum products sales 486 470

486 469











Petrochemical sales (thousands of tonnes) (b) 201 232

394 462













(a) Gas converted to oil-equivalent at six million cubic feet per one thousand barrels. (b) In 2017 carbon black product sales are reported under heavy fuel oils; in 2016 they were reported under petrochemical sales.

IMPERIAL OIL LIMITED

















Attachment V

















Net income (loss) per

Net income (loss) (U.S. GAAP)





common share - diluted

millions of Canadian dollars



dollars











2013









First Quarter 798





0.94 Second Quarter 327





0.38 Third Quarter 647





0.76 Fourth Quarter 1,056





1.24 Year 2,828





3.32











2014









First Quarter 946





1.11 Second Quarter 1,232





1.45 Third Quarter 936





1.10 Fourth Quarter 671





0.79 Year 3,785





4.45











2015









First Quarter 421





0.50 Second Quarter 120





0.14 Third Quarter 479





0.56 Fourth Quarter 102





0.12 Year 1,122





1.32











2016









First Quarter (101)





(0.12) Second Quarter (181)





(0.21) Third Quarter 1,003





1.18 Fourth Quarter 1,444





1.70 Year 2,165





2.55











2017









First Quarter 333





0.39 Second Quarter (77)





(0.09) Year 256





0.30













After more than a century, Imperial continues to be an industry leader in applying technology and innovation to responsibly develop Canada's energy resources. As Canada's largest petroleum refiner, a major producer of crude oil and natural gas, a key petrochemical producer and a leading fuels marketer from coast to coast, our company remains committed to high standards across all areas of our business.

SOURCE Imperial Oil Limited

For further information: Investor relations: Dave Hughes, (587) 476-4743; Media relations: Lisa Schmidt, (587) 476-7010

Related Links

http://www.imperialoil.com


OTTAWA, July 28, 2017 /CNW/ - Canada and the United States (U.S.) benefit from a long-standing history of bilateral cooperation, especially in agricultural trade. The Government of Canada is working closely with the U.S. Administration, as well as state and local officials, to strengthen the robust Canada-U.S. partnership and to ensure continued support for millions of trade-dependent middle-class jobs on both sides of the border.

As part of these efforts, Minister MacAulay travelled this week to Oregon and Idaho to promote the benefits of agricultural trade. The Minister's first stop was in Portland, where he took part in the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) Summit, an annual event that brings together state and provincial representatives, as well as industry stakeholders, to discuss opportunities for growth and cooperation within the region. At PNWER, Minister MacAulay delivered a keynote address where he highlighted the almost $12 billion in Canada-U.S. agriculture and agri-food trade generated by PNWER member states and provinces in 2016.

The Minister also participated in the summit's feature agricultural session, where he emphasized that nearly nine million U.S. jobs depend on trade and investment with Canada. While in Portland, the Minister also got a first-hand look at the value of the Canada-U.S. integrated supply chain, touring the Canpotex facility at the Port of Portland, and visiting a local brewery that uses Canadian ingredients in several of its beers.

Minister MacAulay's next stop was Sun Valley, Idaho, where he gave a keynote address and met with state officials and industry representatives at the annual meeting for the Western Association of State Departments of Agriculture (WASDA). His final stop was in Boise, where he discussed bilateral agricultural trade opportunities with key members of the Idaho business and agriculture community.

Quotes

"Canadians and Americans really do benefit from agricultural trade. Just last year, our countries exchanged more than $47 billion (USD) in agriculture and agri-food products. This relationship provides greater access to well-priced, high-quality foods and supports millions of middle-class jobs and strong rural communities on both sides of our border. My job is to work hard with all levels of government in the U.S. to ensure that the agriculture sector in North America continues to grow, and the best way to do that is by continuing to share a strong and open dialogue."

- The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Quick Facts

Canada and the U.S. are each other's largest trade partners for agriculture and agri-food, with bilateral agriculture trade reaching $62 billion (CAD) ( $47 billion (USD)) in 2016.

and the U.S. are each other's largest trade partners for agriculture and agri-food, with bilateral agriculture trade reaching (CAD) ( (USD)) in 2016. Canada is the top agriculture and agri-food export market for 29 U.S. states.

is the top agriculture and agri-food export market for 29 U.S. states. In 2016, bilateral agricultural and agri-food trade between Oregon and Canada was valued at $681 million (USD).

and was valued at (USD). In 2016, bilateral agricultural and agri-food trade between Idaho and Canada was valued at $408 million (USD).

Associated Links

Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada

Like us on Facebook: CanadianAgriculture

SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

For further information: Guy Gallant, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, 613-773-1059; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972

Related Links

www.agr.gc.ca


Is this a deleted scene from Groundhog Day"?

Didnt we just endure a special session in Springfield, an imminent deadline over our heads, and days and days of partisan bluster and bickering?

Didnt we allow ourselves to think, after a belated budget was finally hatched over the Independence Day weekend, perhaps there was a lesson learned about looming cliffs? That we werent going to let this happen again?

Didnt we rationalize this whole thing maybe was a fluke?

Last week shows it wasnt.

Were right back where we started from. That alarm clock is noisy again.

This time, were being held hostage by questions over school aid, which seems like a powder keg not worth messing with after a two-year budget impasse. But here we are a month before the start of school.

Legislators descended on Springfield Wednesday to address Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, that would overhaul the archaic state school funding formula so poorer districts would get money first. This is an area that needs attention.

The current calculation used by the state means districts are relying largely on property taxes, and poorer communities suffer. The Manars algorithm would crunch data on enrollment, class sizes, the number of students in poverty and other factors to figure out how much money would come from the state.

Its a logical solution. No longer would property taxes be the primary determining factor if a student received the resources he or she deserves.

The General Assembly endorsed the plan in May, but it was allowed through, in a characteristically Illinois twist, with an explosive stipulation: That the state would cover $215 million teacher pension costs each year for Chicago Public Schools.

Such an arrangement successfully turned a discussion about equality in education into a classic Chicago-downstate political tussle, framed around longstanding resentment over pension costs being shoved off to taxpayers statewide, amid a tableau of the infamously stubborn GOP governor and the Democrat-controlled Legislature not working together. In other words, it mixed the worst our state has to offer.

Gov. Bruce Rauner, elected on a reform and pro-business platform and facing re-election next year, said the language amounted to a poison pill and threatened an amendatory veto. So the Senate never sent him the legislation, setting up a rather Gary Cooper-esque moment in which the governor ordered lawmakers back to Springfield if they didnt meet a deadline of noon Tuesday. The showdown was on.

Theres pressure because the budget deal lawmakers approved over Rauners veto says funding for education has to be distributed through a new formula that addresses the disparity. At the same time, Republicans are smarting over the budget increasing the personal income tax rate from 3.75 percent to 4.95 percent and corporate income tax rate from 5.25 percent to 7 percent.

Manar counters that Rauner hasnt been given the education bill because the governor keeps flip-flopping.

And thats where we are now. A special session costs state taxpayers $48,000 a day. Property-poor districts are eyeing reserves in case the money dries up, maybe as soon as mid-November. The State Board of Education will have to start processing school aid payments Aug. 1.

Thats a sad commentary about our state. This may sound Pollyannaish, but we think education should be a political no-mans land  a topic untouched by partisan overtones. We think adults who have the best interests of our children should prevail in coming up with logical solutions. We also think the property tax system is fundamentally unfair.

Whats the better solution? Remove the Chicago pension funding proviso from the legislation.

That would meet Rauners satisfaction while preserving the core mission to fix the backwards funding formula.

Its easy for us to say, but Chicago pensions shouldnt break this legislation. We must think of students statewide.

Remove the pension rule.

Sign the bill.

Lets get back to school.

End this deja vu.

Havent we said this before?
It is now time for Biafrans to take the gospel of Biafra referendum to the rural areas of Biafraland. It is also time to start full blown evangelism of Biafra referendum, arming ourselves with the rudiments of referendum and what it entails, moving to towns and villages, sensitizing the people from the grassroots. Nnamdi Kanu the leader of Indigenous People Of Biafra has rekindled and reawaken the Biafra consciousness to the psych of an average Biafran youth and must not be allowed to extinguish.



The people of Biafra must be allowed to decide their fate in Nigeria. The Biafra struggle is all about shifting power from political parliament to the people's parliament. Power to decide, should be dissoluted to ordinary citizens which is what democracy entails.



We hereby urge all well meaning Biafrans to take up the evangelism of Biafra referendum to his or her domain which will also serve as a means of creating more awareness on the need for Biafrans to have faith in the struggle for the restoration of the sovereign state of Biafra which is imminent. All the Biafran territories must be saturated with the Biafra referendum campaign both in the coastal region and hinterland.



However, it will be of good essence to end this piece with the message of election boycott directives because there is an outstanding directive for Biafrans to boycott all subsequent Nigerian organised elections in Biafraland, starting with the proposed gubernatorial election billed to take place on 18th November, 2017 in Anambra state. Election boycott is a civil disobedience which is rudimentary to self determination, which is also a democratical means of achieving a particular political aim.



By Sunday Okafor

Edited by Ebere Okolie

For Family Writers Press

There is no gainsaying to the fact that Biafra reawakening has become a rallying point in the sphares of the Nigerian state. The cause for Biafra restoration is maximally gaining momentum in Biafraland and across the length and breath of Nigeria and the world at large. The leader of Indigenous People Of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has taken the lead in the dissemination of the gospel of Biafra restoration to towns and villages of Biafraland, as well as the urban areas. Being a good leader who is indefatigably and resolutely fighting for his people from the front, Kanu has wittingly re-energised and re-motivated Biafrans to continually without equivocation demand the total and unfettered restoration of Biafra from the contrapted Nigerian state.The Nigerian government has since 1914 subjected the indigenous Biafran people into slavery with the full support of the British Empires who were the colonial masters. They gained access to natural resources in Biafraland by forcefully merging us with people that have alien cultures to ours. This is really injustice to Biafrans and humanity at large and can no longer be torelated.But honestly speaking, Biafrans have suffered immeasurably in Nigeria ranging from political disenfranchisement, social and economic strangulations, wanton destruction of properties, unwarranted butchery and maiming of youths, secret and illegal abductions and unlawful incarceration of the youths and innocent children alike, even as those who were secretly abducted were gifted with raw acid that will lead to slow but painful death, while others were taken to unknown location probably for summary execution or assassination. These and other inhumane treatment fuelled the speculations that Biafrans are targeted and have become endangered species for total extermination in Nigeria.It is rather hypocritical and has become a pathetic situation, that the world is feigning ignorance to the crass injustices being metted on Biafrans on daily bases by the Nigerian government with impunity. It is a known and established fact that self determination is internationally recognised as it is enshrined in the United Nations charter of the Rights of Indigenous People to self governance. Is it now a crime to seek self determination from Nigeria and why is the world still keeping quiet on this?
To join the discussion on Facebook, see facebook.com/heraldandreview. We'll publish selected unedited comments from the page here every Sunday.

On the celebration of the retirement of Gail Evans after 52 years:

Brooke L. Brandon-Brady: Gail is a class act & is truly adored. I am honored to have worked at DMCOC under her direction. Think so highly of her!

On our editorial condemning gerrymandering:

Jack Blythe: I think y'all need to worry about the gerrymandering in Downstate before we "Get the infection" out of Illinois. Sounds like an extermination doesn't it? We have Republican gerrymandering all over the Central Illinois area, but they aren't complaining about that, just about Chicago.

Bob Boyle: nothing like allowing the politicians to choose their voters to ensure almost certain victory....correction allowing Madigan the power to choose voters for said specific politicians....

Dan Richardson: Just like the year that the legislative district including Decatur went clear up to the quad-cities!! That really made a lot of sense too! NOT

Travis Allen Carnes: Look at what has been done in the federal level guaranteeing the Republican control of the house since what 2010 or So? Serpentine districts and what not. Should be illegal.
Nasir Ahmad El-Rufa and Tony Blair

We must maximise without any distractions the campaign for election boycott in Biafraland so as to send a strong message of the complete resolve of Biafrans to exit Nigeria. Let's continue to build foreign political allies irrespective of our foes that resorted to distracting us. Do not be deceived in to voting same politicians that have not represented us in the Nigerian affairs. Election boycott is a civil disobedience and will boost the Biafra struggle unimpededly. Anambra state gubernatorial election billed to take place on 18th November must be boycotted.



By Kalu Nwokoro Idika

Edited by Ebere Okolie

For Family Writers Press

The rise in demand for the restoration of Biafra is today resonating not just in Nigeria but everywhere around the world. The unfettered quest by the Indigenous People Of Biafra to restoring back their stolen identity has reached it's Rubicon and has wittingly or unwittingly skyrocketed from the periphery to the mainstream media everywhere on the earth surface. Even politicians from different parts of the world are waking up in defence of the oppressed people of world and Biafrans in particular, while others are hatching and plotting on the total decimation of the oppressed. Biafrans have been subjugated and impoverished for so long by Northern Hausa Fulani oligarchy and their foreign allies which is not unconnected to the recent visit to Kaduna state by Mr. Tony Blair, the former British Prime Minister.Anthony Charles Lynton Blair, born 6th May, 1953 is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007. He also served as the leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007. With strong conviction, it wont be wrong to infer that Tony Blair will always be remembered as a man who lied his country into participating in the Iraqi war.The sudden visit of Tony Blair to the Northern caliphate of Nigeria calls for the need to raise an eyebrow when considering the antecedents of this fellow. There is this aphorism that says, "toads does not run in the daytime without something pursuing it". Tony Blair is a renowned conman that moves from pillar to post fomenting troubles. This is a man that goes around the hub of Africa and Middle East creating terminal problems which have engulfed and wrecked devastating economic and political damage to these continents. There are numerous cases in point to buttress the inimical voyage of this selfish British economic hitman.There have been constant call from people of good conscience around the globe to prosecute Tony Blair for war crimes. CHILCOT INQUIRY is a typical reference point. The CHILCOT INQUIRY was set up in other to investigate Tony Blair and other war mongers that served in his government concerning the roles they played in the Iraqi war of 2003.Lord Macdonald, a Liberal Democrat who was the figurehead of the Crown Prosecution Service between 2003 to 2008 said that, Mr Blair had twisted the evidence and law to take Britain to war in 2003. Mr Blair had behaved in a "disruptable way to win tainted legal backing for massive armed conflict". Lord Macdonald gave this response after the long expected release of the CHILCOT REPORT which pinned it succinctly that Saddam Hussein posed " no imminent threat" at the time of the invasion.According to Sir John CHILCOT, the war was unleashed on the premise of "flawed" intelligence and the former Prime Minister deliberately blurred the lines between what he believed and what he knew regarding the Iraqi's capability to deploy weapons of mass destruction. In another indicting statement, Shadow Commons Leader, Mr Paul Flynn noted that, the inquiry's findings amounted to an "utter condemnation" of Mr Blair's terrible decision to commit British troops to the US-led invasion and the prosecution of the former political gladiator should be given serious consideration.DailyMail online also reported how Blair plotted to use South African government to topple the government of Mugabe in 2000 but Mbeki, being a man of valor and serving president of South Africa resisted the pressure and sought for a roundtable discussion that led to a temporary agreement that only pacified the nerves of the warring factions in Zimbabwe.The plan of Tony Blair was to use South Africa to ignite an inferno that will lead to humanitarian crisis and he will now have the opportunity to pillage the country while these countrymen will be killing themselves. This is his usual ploy. Tony Blair is a man without honour and shame. Even in Britain, his political efficacy has whittled down. The sins of Blair has compelled him to be sneaking around restaurants before he can sell his books, what a sorry state. The evil that men do lives with them. His past and present political decisions is prunning him spiritually and otherwise.Biafrans must be at alert. Tony Blair is a hungry vulture scanning every nook and cranny of the world in search of a living and dead carcass to feast on. The revibrating Biafra question has started getting on his nerves. We must constantly and stubbornly hit them with our demands until they give in. Conmasters like Tony Blair can't stop us.I pity people that embraces Tony Blair with open arms. Whomever that fraternizes with Blair will always square up with the thought of "had I known". A life full of regrets. Blair is nothing but a selfish and careless economic hitman that flies around the globe seeking for blood contract. Biafrans should understand that the Hausa Fulani oligarchial hegemony have continued playing international politics and building up allies from the Western world, therefore must put everything within their arsenal and consistently demand for Biafra restoration.
The 37 Kano nursing students currently on scholarship in Egypt have cried out over the state governments plan to withdraw them over alleged poor performance.In a statement sent to DAILY NIGERIAN, the affected students explained the reason why their performance was below average, saying the botched plan by the state government to transfer them to another school was the cause of the problem.
As the tension generated by the quit notice handed Igbo in the north is yet to settle, Arewa youths on Thursday stirred another controve...

As the tension generated by the quit notice handed Igbo in the north is yet to settle, Arewa youths on Thursday stirred another controversy by asking the Presidency to order the immediate arrest and detention of the self-acclaimed Biafran leader, Nnamdi Kanu, over what they called threats to Nigerias corporate existence.Addressing a news conference in Abuja, the Speaker of the Arewa Youth Assembly, AYA, Mohammed Salihu and the Clerk, Desmond Minakaro, accused the federal government of aiding and abetting the IPOB leader to breach the bail conditions handed him by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja and inciting Nigerians against the government at major rallies in the South South and South East states.The Northern youth leaders wondered why the government has allowed Kanu to grow wings and threaten national peace and security with inciting statements capable of destroying the country without calling him to order. The Arewa youths said it was disappointing that despite the clear bail conditions reeled out by Justice Nyako, Kanu had brazenly violated all including the ban on organising rallies and press conference and being with any crowd of more than ten persons at any time.The youth leaders said, The Leadership of Arewa Youth Assembly has observed with keen interest the high level of lawlessness exhibited by Nnamdi Kanu since he was granted bail in June this year and the conspiracy of silence displayed by the federal government and its security agencies in the face of such affront by the IPOB leader. No doubt, this lawlessness is capable of disintegrating this country.The level of insecurity and youth agitations calls for concern by all well meaning Nigerians. These threats have turned our country in a place of uncertainty and now a laughing stock within the international communities. Nigerians now live in a state of fear and trauma for the fear of the unknown. Any nation or institution which cannot abide by its own laws, rules and regulations is bound to fail and not worthy of being a nation or institution.It is on record that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja presided by Honourable Justice Binta Nyako on the 28th April, 2017, granted bail to one Mr. Nnamdi Kanu on health grounds with about 12 conditions attached to his Bail. Gentlemen of press, you will all agree with us that the said Nnamdi Kanu has openly violated his bail conditions, chief among which are that he should not address a press conference; a rally and should not be in a gathering of not more than ten persons.The most surprising and amazing of this is that the Federal Government is watching while Nnamdi Kanu is creating a state within a State, threatening to stop Anambra State gubernatorial election by holding rallies in South South and South East states and using provocative and inciting words, granting interviews to the press, which pose a threat to national unity and security. This level of lawlessness has left us with no option than to doubt the ability of our Acting President to successfully preside over the affairs of our country.Our Acting President seems to be under the control of some cabals when it comes to decision-making. We therefore, wish to advise the Acting President to sit up and be in firm control of the government of Nigeria and begin to address the myriads of issues threatening the unity of this great nation, the Arewa youths said.The youths said they were planning a national peace summit in Abuja early next month as a means of bringing together youths from all parts of the country to brainstorm on the way forward for Nigeria instead of seeking to divide the nation for selfish interest.
Boko Haram militants have returned to the Sambisa forest area in Borno state, the Nigerian Air Force confirmed on Thursday.

Boko Haram militants have returned to the Sambisa forest area in Borno state, the Nigerian Air Force confirmed on Thursday.

The Air Component Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, the military operation in the North-East, Air Commodore Tajudeen Yusuf, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Yola, Adamawa State.

Intelligence surveillance and Reconnaissance reports through the second quarter of 2017 indicated a gradual return of the Boko Haram terrorist activities to the Sambisa Forest. There have been sightings of a few Boko Haram activities in the Sambisa general area, particularly in Parisu.





Hence, the air component conducted significant ISR missions in the Sambisa general area. On July 3, an air interdiction mission was conducted on Alagarno Camp. Several solar panels were seen on buildings in the location, which indicated that it was being used as a Command and Control facility.





The NAF conducted air interdiction missions with the F-7Ni, Alpha jets, L-39ZA, Mi-17 and the Mi-35M attack helicopters to neutralise the Boko Haram terrorist targets within the theatre.

A total of 108 air interdiction sorties were conducted from April to June 2017, he said.
The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) condemns the attack by Governor Wike and the insinuations in some quarters that the Federal Government under the watch of President Buhari has not done much for Rivers State and the Niger Delta Region.Gov. Wike and these critics forgot so soon that Dr. Jonathan a son of the region in his six years as the President of Nigeria acknowledged that he failed the region by not embarking on any meaningful project in the region apart from imposing Chief Nyesom Wike as the Governor of Rivers State to promote insecurity in the State and the region.In contrast, the APC led FG under President Buhari has proved within two years that APC has the best interest of the State and region at heart by the various interventions the Federal Government has embarked upon in the region within the last two years.In this regard, the party commends President Muhammadu Buhari Administration for the recent release of a whopping sum of N900 billion owed the Niger Delta Development Corporation (NDDC) by previous federal administrations including the administration of Dr. Jonathan.The party equally hailed the APC-led Federal Government for sustaining the Amnesty programme, the successful kick-off of the Ogoni Clean-up exercise, the Calabar  Lagos Rail Line that cuts across the region, the renovation/reconstruction of both Enugu  Port Harcourt, Uyo  Calabar Highways and the West-East Road, the renovation of the Afam Power plant in Rivers State, resumption of work on the Port Harcourt International Airport, renovation and reconstruction of the Enugu  Port Harcourt Rail Line, among other projects.By means of these laudable projects, President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC-led Federal Government have proved that this government is truly one that has the interests of Nigerians, particularly the people of the Niger Delta region, at heart, Rivers APC said in a statement signed by the State Chairman, Chief (Dr.) Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, and released on Thursday in Port Harcourt.The party urged the NDDC Management to ensure proper utilisation of the released sum for the emancipation and development of the region. With these bold interventions by the Federal Government, we have no reason to blame anybody or region for the underdevelopment of our region if we fail to make judicious use of the released sums, the party said.Rivers APC also commended the Federal Government for approving the release of N2.7 trillion to the states to enable them offset both the salary and pension arrears. It pleaded with the State Governments and relevant government agencies to cooperate with the Federal Government and help to ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians by utilising the funds for the purposes for which they are meant.The party proudly welcomes the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osibanjo and wishes him a blissful stay in Rivers State. The party also welcomes the Lion of Niger Delta Politics, the immediate past Governor of Rivers State and the incumbent Minister of Transportation Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaech, Rivers State Chairman, Dr Davies Ibiamu Ikanya who accompanied the Acting President to this epochal and auspicious event. This act simply demonstrates the concern of the development of Rivers State by the APC led Government. The party commends Prof. Yemi Osibanjo for not minding his busy schedules to accept to inaugurate the world-class fertilizer plant built by Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited, in Port Harcourt.This plant which has capacity for 1.5 million Metric Tons of Urea fertilizer is the worlds largest single-train Urea plant, and one of the ambitious green field projects of Indorama in Nigeria and has a production capacity of 4000 metric tons (MT) of nitrogenous fertilizers per day or 1.5 MT per annum.Besides, making the fertilizer products to be available at affordable cost, the plant will boost crop yield to farmers and greatly help in minimizing the food grain deficit in Nigeria. The plant has also generated lots of job opportunities contributing to the economic prosperity of Nigeria.The construction of this gigantic plant in Rivers State and its commissioning today once again demonstrates the concern of the APC led Federal Government towards the emancipation and rapid development of the State and region contrary to the erroneous insinuation that APC is not doing much to improve the State.The party wishes the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osibanjo, the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the APC State Chairman, Dr Ikanya and those who accompanied them safe flight back to Abuja.
Teachers across the 18 local government areas of Cross River State on Thursday called on relevant authorities not to hand over primary ed...

Teachers across the 18 local government areas of Cross River State on Thursday called on relevant authorities not to hand over primary education to the management of councils to avoid problems in the payment of salaries. Protesting under the aegis of the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, the teachers said they were not against local government autonomy, but their concern was about the likely scrapping of the State Joint Local Government Account.The protesting teachers carried placards with inscriptions such as Give us first line charge of salary payment, Shaky foundation, collapsed system  enough is enough, We say no to the dark era of non-payment of salaries and Save primary education from imminent collapse, among others.State chairman of NUT, Mr. Eyo-Nsa Itam, who led the over 300 teachers in protest, said primary school teachers were currently being owed salaries of several months due to the inability of councils to provide funds needed for payments.He said that it was unfortunate that public primary education had suffered neglect and underfunding. He therefore called on the state government to take over the payment of primary school teachers salaries in order to save the education sub-sector from what he called a total collapse.He said, We wish to state here that the NUT is not totally against local government autonomy but the union is concerned about the likelihood of scrapping the State Joint Local Government Account which would mean taking primary education back to the dark pre-1994 era.Experience has shown that the local government councils neither have the financial capacity nor the political will to fund and manage primary schools in the country. Therefore, any attempt to hand over primary education to LGAs amounts to sending primary education to the abyss of total collapse.
Egypts Ambassador to Nigeria Assem Hanafi says the Federal Government and its security agencies in Nigeria have shown exemplary courage in the fight against terrorism.A statement issued on Friday by Mr Ahmed Akl, Press Attache to Egypts Embassy, Abuja, said Hanafi made the observation during the celebration of Egypts National Day and inauguration of Arab Organisation for Industrialisation in Abuja.Hanafi said with the achievement of the Federal Government in the fight against insurgency, there should be a stronger collaboration between Nigeria and his country.We need a collective effort to fight terrorism; have to partner in strengthening our law enforcement agencies in both countries.We can share intelligence together and am delighted to see cooperation in this area because there is some progress in the combat against this terrorism, he observed.He promised that both countries would not relent in the fight against terrorism with enormous sense of resolve and determination.We are committed to progress in combating extremist groups and more serious attention to diversifying the national economies, including creating enabling environment for doing business to stimulate economic growth.Hanafi also said more than 10,000 Nigerians were studying in various higher institutions in Egypt, reiterating that the relationship between the two countries had been cordial.The statement quoted retired Lt.-Gen. Abdel Aziz Seifeldin, Chairman of the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation, as saying that different countries could learn from cooperation and techniques of Nigeria and Egypt in countering terrorism by not only applying security force but through government operations and support of other stakeholders.We need to get one definition for terrorists because they see themselves as freedom fighters while others see them as terrorists; Egypt has two challenges  countering terrorism and how to develop.We are fighting terrorism in the northern and eastern part of Egypt and Sinai, there are extremists and majority of them are not Egyptians, he said.In her remarks during the event, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Khadija Abba-Ibrahim, said Nigeria and Egypt shared similar challenges and both countries had been cooperating in solving the challenges.
If Donald Trump fires the special prosecutor investigating his teams ties to alleged Russian meddling in the US election, it could mark...

If Donald Trump fires the special prosecutor investigating his teams ties to alleged Russian meddling in the US election, it could mark the beginning of the end of the billionaires presidency, a senior Republican lawmaker warned Thursday.Senator Lindsey Graham, who briefly ran against Trump in the Republican presidential primary, also insisted there would be holy hell to pay if Trump were to sack his embattled Attorney General Jeff Sessions.The fiery remarks signal that members of Trumps own party have grown increasingly irritated by possible efforts by the president to tamp down the Russia investigations.Trump and his team have spent weeks seeking to publicly discredit special prosecutor Robert Mueller and his circle of legal aides investigating Moscows efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election, and the Trump campaigns ties to RussiaBut Graham sent a sharp warning to the White House, saying that any effort to go after Mueller could be the beginning of the end of the Trump presidency unless Mueller did something wrong.Lawmakers have found no evidence that the Mueller team is compromised, and Graham said any move by Trump to oust the independent prosecutor would be seen as crossing a red line.The lawmaker from South Carolina, who has largely been a thorn in the presidents side, also said his fellow Republican senators were circling the wagons to defend their former colleague Sessions.This effort to basically marginalize and humiliate the attorney general is not going over well in the Senate or among conservatives, Graham said, in extended remarks with reporters in a US Capitol hallway broadcast by CNN.If Jeff Sessions is fired, there will be holy hell to pay.Sessions was the first US senator to announce his support for Trumps candidacy last year.But Trump has turned on his early ally, voicing anger that Sessions recused himself in the Russia investigation and accusing Sessions of being very weak on pursuing charges against former Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.Several Senate Republicans have rushed to Sessions defense.Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Chuck Grassley said Wednesday in a tweet that the panels agenda for 2017 was already set, and there would be no way to confirm a new attorney general this year.AFP.
Four people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack at Mandirari Village in the Kondugu Local Government Area of Borno, the News Agency...

Four people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack at Mandirari Village in the Kondugu Local Government Area of Borno, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.An official of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, Malam Bello Danbatta, who confirmed the development, told NAN on Thursday that the attack occurred late on Wednesday.He said that the agency had since deployed its rescue team to the village, which according to him is near Maiduguri, the Borno capital.Danbatta said that the team had also evacuated people, who sustained injuries in the attack to the Maiduguri Specialist Hospital for medical attention.The attack is the latest in an increasing spate of deadly attacks in the war-wracked North East, the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency, which commenced in 2009.A resident of Mandirari Village, Malam Jubril Modu, who claimed to have witnessed the attack, said that four female suicide bombers were involved in the attack.He said that the bombers were intercepted by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), when the insurgents were trying to infiltrate Mandirari Village.Modu said that one of the insurgents detonated an explosive strapped to her body, making the device strapped on two other suicide bombers to detonate.The bomb blew up the insurgents into pieces. One member of the CJTF and three others sustained injuries in the blast.Modu explained that the fourth suicide bomber threw away the explosive device on her body and fled.A team of the CJTF member is searching for the fleeing suicide bomber, he stated.A member of the military task force, who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak on the issue, also confirmed the attack.The officer said, however, that security had been beefed up in the area.
former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has said that if Nigeria cannot be restructured, let it disintegrate into smaller independent en...

former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has said that if Nigeria cannot be restructured, let it disintegrate into smaller independent entities.

He urged Nigerians to understand that restructuring the country can never be achieved through the 1999 constitution or the current National Assembly.

According to him, the system was rigged and designed to protect and preserve itself, adding that and the core north effectively had a power of veto in the National Assembly which it will always exercise in order to block any form of restructuring.

Fani-Kayode wrote on his Facebook page: For those commentators in this forum who have never participated in or understand Nigerian politics but who tend to speak and act as if they are the only ones that are sincere about restructuring I have the following to say.

I hope you have learnt a lesson or two from the fact that during the constitutional review exercise that took place in the last few days the Senate has refused to devolve power from the centre and initiate the process for genuine restructuring in our country.

These are the hard facts, hidden obstacles and bitter realities about the struggle that some of us that are in the field have been facing and complaining about for the last 25 years!

From henceforth let it be clearly understood by all, including those that desire restructuring but who have never participated in Nigerian politics, that we can never achieve it through the existing constitutional structure or the National Assembly.

This is because the system is rigged and designed to protect and preserve itself and because the core north effectively has a power of veto in the National Assembly which it will always exercise in order to block any form of restructuring. It is this point that people like Nnamdi Kanu and other ethnic nationalist leaders came to appreciate long ago and it explains their hardline posture on these issues.

The bottom line is as follows: restructuring will not be given to us freely or on a platter of gold.

It must be taken and if necessary it must be taken by force.

Finally mark this: if it does not eventually come then I say let us cease to be one nation.

I would rather live as a free man in an independent Oduduwa Republic than continue to live and die as a slave in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
You cant milk a nut; its as simple as that.

The European Court of Justice proved its agreement with that statement in a recent judgment. The ruling backed a European Union regulation from 2013, which states that terms such as milk, butter, cheese, cream, and yogurt can only be used for marketing products derived from animals milk. It is up to each nation in the European Union to enforce the law.

It does not matter if the product name includes descriptive words that indicate its true origin, such as soy milk. There are only a few exceptions to the rule, including peanut butter and coconut milk.

The judgment by the European Court of Justice involved a German food company called TofuTown. The company markets plant-based products carrying names such as Veggie Cheese and Soyatoo Tofu Butter.

TofuTown does not believe its product names confuse customers since the products source is included in the name, according to an article in the Independent, an Irish newspaper. They also claim customers understand the shift that has taken place in the dairy aisle and know the difference between mammals milk and other alternatives.

Still, the court stood firm that designations such as milk, butter, cheese, cream, and yogurt can only be used on products that were made with milk from animals. This is certainly a win for dairy farmers in the European countries, and perhaps this example will lead to similar designations in other parts of the world as well.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2017 (c)

June 26, 2017
The seven state governors, who, on Wednesday, met with President Muhammadu Buhari in London, the United Kingdom, where he has been recei...

The seven state governors, who, on Wednesday, met with President Muhammadu Buhari in London, the United Kingdom, where he has been receiving medical treatment since May 7, have said they met the President in an improved health condition.The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, who led his colleagues on the visit, said this on Thursday in an interview with journalists at the Kaduna International Airport on arrival from London.According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications, Ibrahim Dosara, the governor arrived at the airport with two of his colleagues that visited the President with him  Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) and Kashim Shettima (Borno).Dosara quoted the Zamfara State Governor as urging Nigerians to desist from spreading falsehood concerning the Presidents health.The NGF Chairman said the delegation met the President in an improved health condition, cracking jokes with visitors, the statement read partly.It further stated that Yari said there was no gain peddling rumour concerning a person who meant well for the country and its citizens.Yari added that the governors visit had marked the beginning of the end of rumour-mongering about the Presidents health.The statement added, He (Yari) said very soon, the President would return home to continue the good job he had started for the well-being of Nigerians and the development of the nation.The NGF Chairman, who thanked Allah (SWT) for giving the President quick recovery from ill- health, also thanked those Nigerians who devoted their time, energy and resources praying for the speedy recovery of Mr. President.Governor Yari appealed to journalists, particularly social media practitioners, to always cross-check their stories before going online to avoid such unnecessary mischiefs, causing mayhem among the law-abiding citizens of this country.
Arsenal have seen a third offer for Monaco winger, Thomas Lemar, rejected.Lemar is Arsene Wengers No1 target following the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette, but the Ligue 1 champions are reluctant to allow the France international leave.After a second bid of 45million was rejected earlier this week, French outfit, LEquipe, reports that a third 50million offer has also been turned down.This comes after Monaco vice-president, Vadim Vasilyev, insisted the player will be staying at the Principality .Fabinho and [Thomas] Lemar are essential players, they will stay with us, he said on Wednesday.We have kept all of the key players we intended to keep.Monaco have reportedly set an 80million price tag on the 21-year-old.
The Brazil international who has been linked with a 196million move to Paris Saint-Germain, had to to be physically restrained before he walked away, kicking objects in his sight.The video of the scuffle, which was aired on Sky Sports, shows that the fiery flashpoint occurs just after Neymar scores.While running back, Semedos arm goes around Neymars neck and the pair jump all over each other before squaring up face-to-face.Full-back Semedo, who joined Barca from Benfica for 26.8million just last month, then walks away as the rest of the Barcelona players look on.
Nigerian senators came under fire yesterday for rejecting the devolution of power to states. The House of Representatives, which voted...

Nigerian senators came under fire yesterday for rejecting the devolution of power to states.The House of Representatives, which voted on some bills yesterday, also rejected power devolution in a bid to amend the constitution.Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and some senior lawyers slammed the lawmakers for passing self serving bills rather than working on issues that affect the polity.Atiku described the failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Senate to approve power devolution as a betrayal of the partys promise.Atiku, in a statement from his media office in Abuja, described the action as shocking and saddening.He said: This blockage of the Bill by an APC-led Senate majority is a betrayal of our partys pre-election promises. It was an important vote and Im shocked by some so-called progressives visceral and cynical opposition to restructuring.The former vice president frowned at what he described as the reluctance of democratically-elected lawmakers to remove the insidious structural impediments to development, which decades of military rule had foisted on our nation.He argued that instead of building the foundations for a true federation, a small group of so-called progressive senators decided to stick with the new party line, pretending they didnt know what restructuring was all about, and that even if they knew, it couldnt be done.I think this is disingenuous. I think it is a sad day for our party. But I am confident the APC will learn the right lesson from this self-inflicted defeat, and remember the mission and mandate given to us by the people.The Waziri Adamawa hopes that Nigerias lawmakers would find the courage to stand by what is right, and not by what serves their personal vanities and political interests.Let me be clear. Restructuring is no panacea to all our nations problems. But devolving resources and responsibilities from an overbearing, unresponsive, and ineffective federal government to the states is the first step we must make if we are serious about putting our nation back on track, and our people back to work, he said.The Pan-Igbo Socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, was disappointed over the decision on power devolution.President-General Chief John Nwodo, in a statement said:The barrage of voices in this country lately shows clearly that majority of Nigerians are desirous of the country running a true federal system and one expected the NASS to have appreciated this in all their actions especially in constitutional amendment, Nwodo said.The Ndigbo umbrella body counseled the National Assembly that rather than go into constitutional amendment at this time that the mood of the country was tuned towards total restructuring, they should have concerned themselves in making the legislative enactment to empower the convening of a national conference for real constitutional drafting.He said any action by either the executive or legislator that does not address the agitation of Nigerians would not yield results.Any action whether legislative or executive in this country today that is not programmed to respond to the yearnings of the populace will amount to exercise in futility.Ohanaeze therefore urges the National Assembly and other legislative levels involved in the constitutional amendment in the country to put the interest of the country first and ensure that its actions are such that would help to douse the tension and stabilise the country, the statement said.The group urged the National Assembly to revisit the 2014 Conference Report which implementation had generated heated argument among the political class.Ohanaeze finally charged all the legislative bodies involved in constitutional amendment to consider seriously the 2014 Confab report if they really desire political progress and stability for the country, the statement added.Senior lawyers also criticised the National Assemblys constitutional review move.Mr Femi Falana (SAN) said: If the amendment is passed, it will not affect the on-going review of the Constitution as it cannot have a retrospective effect.The proposed amendment bill will have to be signed into law by President (Muhammadu) Buhari. If he withholds his assent, the votes of two-thirds majority of the National Assembly members and 24 states will be required to pass the proposal.Mr. Babatunde Fashanu (SAN): I take the position of my teacher, Professor Akin Oyebode, of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, that what the National Assembly should be doing right now is to be deliberating on and enacting laws for the setting up of a Constituent Assembly to produce a brand new constitution.Mr. Sebatian Hon (SAN) also said: It is not well intended. It is a sharp break from our constitutional history of amending the constitution. The Senate needs to convince Nigerians if they have good intentions for introducing that amendment.Mr. Seyi Sowemimo (SAN) said: The areas they have dwelt on now, to me, are not really the important areas we require constitutional amendments. They should focus on devolution of powers, restructuring generally, not this other things which they have done.But the Indigenous People of Biafra( IPOB) praised the Senate for rejecting the proposed restructuring of the country.A statement by the groups spokesperson, Emma Powerful,said: We are equally thanking them for voting down the controversial call for restructuring that cannot benefit anyone in Nigeria. We Biafrans and other sensible Nigerians can now believe that Northern senators have demonstrated, through their rejection of restructuring that IPOB remains the only legitimate voice that understand the plight of the masses and prepared to do something about it. Only a referendum can resolve the issue of Biafra not restructure. It remains the only way the masses can decide their future in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Sex Workers Association has called on the Federal Government to decriminalise prostitution, saying such would curb the spre...

The Nigerian Sex Workers Association has called on the Federal Government to decriminalise prostitution, saying such would curb the spread of HIV.The association added that HIV infection had continued to increase because the government treated prostitution as a crime.It stated that law enforcement agents, especially the police, consequently harassed sex workers and sometimes demand sex without using condoms.The National Coordinator of the association, Amaka Enemo, said this in Abuja on Wednesday during an interview with journalists at the presentation of a report titled, Understanding the High Risk of Urban Sexual Networks in Nigeria.Enemo was said to have played an active role in gathering information for the report, which was compiled by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, the University of Manitoba, United States, and the World Bank.She said, Sex workers face violence, especially from their clients and law enforcement agents. Sex work is seen as a crime and the police raid streets and brothels to arrest sex workers. They collect money and if the girl cannot pay money, she will have to give sex to the policemen. If the law enforcer does not want to use condom, the sex worker has to agree and this is why HIV is on the increase.So, in this study, all the sex workers we interacted with said their biggest trouble was law enforcers.The 36-year-old said several studies had shown that countries where prostitution is not illegal had lower cases of sexually transmitted diseases, while Nigeria, where it is illegal, had one of the highest rates of HIV in the world.She said sex work should be made legal, and government should not saddle sex workers with the responsibility of paying tax.Enemo said, When I visited Amsterdam (Holland), I was able to visit the red light district where sex workers work because prostitution is legal there. I have also visited New Zealand where they have decriminalised sex work.When you decriminalise it, there will be less exploitation of sex workers and the violence will reduce.Emeno said since HIV is a communicable disease and had no cure, sex workers should be given proper treatment and not victimised.She said an infected sex worker could directly or indirectly infect as many as 100 people, adding that the government must not hound, but partner them.Emeno added, Decriminalise the work so that all of us will be healthy. It might interest you to know that Nigeria has the second highest risk of HIV worldwide and we are hoping to get to zero before 2030.How can it end when the drivers of the epidemic are being criminalised?In his remarks, the Director, Strategic Knowledge Management, NACA, Dr Kayode Ogungbemi, said sex workers must be taken seriously since married men also patronised them.He said the message of use of protection must also be taken to mega stores and other places where sexual relationships began.Ogungbemi added, This report looks at the history of casual sex, transactional sex and commercial sex. If we do not reach these women, the infection will continue to spread. So, we must teach these women the use of condoms and going for HIV tests because if we dont do that, they will continue to spread it. Even married people patronise them.Also speaking, the Country Coordinator, Centre for Global Public Health, University of Manitoba, Dr. Kalada Green, said the exercise, which was funded by the World Bank, was done in order to improve the efficiency of HIV prevention methods.
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has said former President Olusegun Obasanjo was aware of the health challenges of his success...

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has said former President Olusegun Obasanjo was aware of the health challenges of his successor, the late Umaru YarAdua before the 2007 presidential poll.Fayose headed the Peoples Democratic Partys National Committee, which searched for the partys presidential candidate in the 2007 election.The governor, in an interview in the current edition of, alleged that Obasanjo caused all the confusion in Nigeria today because he was determined to install a stooge.Fayose also stated that the late President told him that he was not healthy enough to become Nigerias president.He said members of the PDPs committee included a former Governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje; a former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi; the Senate President and ex-Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki, and a former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori.Fayose stated that the majority of members of the committee were disposed to having Makarfi as the presidential candidate.He added, As a loyal Obasanjo boy then, I went to Obasanjo and told him that this committee that was set up, everybody seemed to prefer Makarfi except me and one other person and we were in the minority.Five out of seven governors wanted Makarfi. Then Obasanjo pointedly told me that Makarfi was too smart and would not be easily controlled by him.Fayose stated that after Obasanjos alleged third term ambition failed, the ex-President directed him to go and sound YarAdua out on the ticket.The Ekiti State governor quoted Obasanjo as saying, Dont tell him I asked you to come. You just psyche him up.He said he met YarAdua in the presence of Yakubu Tanimu, who later became the late Presidents economic adviser.I acted as directed by Obasanjo, but the man told me expressly that he was not well enough to aspire to be Nigerias president; that the job would be too rigorous for him.After much persuasion, he then told me the only condition under which he might consider running was if all stakeholders would sign up and reach an agreement to pick him as the consensus candidate because he did not want any hassle, he added.He recalled that before then, YarAdua was usually absent from the Council of States meeting because of his health challenges.Fayose stated, I went to tell Baba (Obasanjo) what YarAdua told me. On the issue of YarAduas ill health, I remember Obasanjo told me, Dont worry about his sickness; government money dey to manage his ill health.He claimed that Obasanjo used him to wreck the presidential ambition of former Vice- President Atiku Abubakar.He said there was a time some PDP chieftains held a meeting in the house of the then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.According to him, the meeting, which he also attended, was meant to make Atiku a presidential candidate.Fayose said before he got to his house, Obasanjo called to challenge him for attending a meeting with Atiku.He stated that in the morning of the following day, he went to Atikus house to tell him that Obasanjo was aware of their meeting.But no sooner did I enter Obasanjos office than he barked, You went to Atikus house again this morning. If you go again, I will crush you. If you go again, I will remove you as governor.Obasanjo told me that when you capture a general and you dont kill him, hell come back and kill you; that since Atiku tried to stop him and failed, he must pay for it. And he (Atiku) is still paying for it, the governor added.The governor stated that before Obasanjos third-term bid became obvious, he had a soft spot for an ex-Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili.You will recall that Odili was the only governor in Nigeria at that time that celebrated Obasanjos wife, Stella, after she died during an operation in Spain and showed Obasanjos family love beyond measure.But later, when Obasanjo told me Odili was going nowhere, I contacted Odili and warned him to be wary of Obasanjo, he stated.Fayose, however, said Odili dismissed his warning, saying Obasanjo would not do that.He added, I saw Odili as a very upright man; a complete gentleman. This was because Baba (Obasanjo) was still scheming for third term, but Odili thought Baba loved him and would do everything to help him.The governor alleged that Obasanjo told him that a PDP chieftain, Chief Bode George, would end up in prison when there were reports that he (George) wanted to be the partys Board of Trustees chairman.Obasanjo did a lot of manipulations in his desperation to become the PDP BoT chairman after the third term bid failed, Fayose stated.The governor added that Obasanjo betrayed former Liberian President, Charles Taylor, to induce the United States support for his third term bid, after promising Taylor a safe haven in Nigeria.He also claimed that the late Libyan dictator, Muammar Gadaffi, thwarted Obasanjos ambition to become the Chairman of the African Union for the third term
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari is eager to return home after his medications in London.



Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari is eager to return home after his medications in London.

He described the great improvement in the health of the president as indication that God is answering the prayers of millions of Nigerians.

His Chief Press Secretary, Mr Terver Akase, quoted him as making this comment shortly after he and other state Governors visited President Buhari at Abuja House in London.

He said the President was in high spirits when the Governors delegation arrived and held fruitful discussions and cracked jokes with the team.

God has answered our prayers. It is one thing to pray and it is another for God to answer; so let us continue to pray. Our God is God of the beginning and the end. As He is healing Mr President, it is our duty to pray so that God will consummate the healing so that our President can come back.

He is eager to return and is very grateful to Nigerians for praying for him and he wishes us well, the Governor stated.

Governor Ortom said, President Buhari showed great concern about the security situation in Benue State and asked him how he was addressing the challenge, saying that he briefed the President on the efforts his administration has made to ensure peace in the state.

The Governor urged the people of the state to continue to support the leadership of the country both at the federal and state levels to enable the government serve them better.
Following the resurgence of insurgency in Borno State, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has ordered the service chiefs to return to the Co...

Following the resurgence of insurgency in Borno State, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has ordered the service chiefs to return to the Command Centre in Maiduguri.He gave the order at a meeting yesterday with the service chiefs at the Presidential Villa.Many people have died and soldiers killed in recent attacks and ambush by the insurgents.Minister of Defence Mansur Dan-Ali said at the end of the meeting: We just finished a meeting with the Acting President and the three Service Chiefs. We agreed that they should move back to the Command Centre again and see what are the things happening there.We have also agreed that we should get more surveillance devices, cameras that will be able to see distant attackers coming to the position of our troops.So also the period of the raining season is a difficult moment for us. We cannot dominate the environment like what we do during the dry season but effort is geared towards the regaining back our areas and we assure that all these ambushes that are happening regularly would be stopped.
Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the position by Governor Nyesom Wike that the Federal Government ...

Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the position by Governor Nyesom Wike that the Federal Government under the watch of President Buhari has not done much for Rivers State and the Niger Delta Region.

A statement by its Chairman, Davies Ibiamu Ikanya said Wike and critics forgot that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, a son of the region in his six years as the President of Nigeria failed the region by not embarking on any meaningful project in the region apart from imposing Chief Nyesom Wike as the Governor of Rivers State to promote insecurity in the State and the region.

It said in contrast, President Buhari has proved within two years, that APC has the best interest of the State and region at heart by embarking on various interventions.

In this regard, the party commends President Muhammadu Buhari Administration for the recent release of a whopping sum of N900 billion owed the Niger Delta Development Corporation (NDDC) by previous federal administrations including the administration of Dr. Jonathan.

The party equally hails the APC-led Federal Government for sustaining the Amnesty programme, the successful kick-off of the Ogoni Clean-up exercise, the CalabarLagos Rail Line that cuts across the region, the renovation and reconstruction of both EnuguPort Harcourt, UyoCalabar Highways.

The West-East Road, the renovation of the Afam Power plant in Rivers State, resumption of work on the Port Harcourt International Airport, renovation and reconstruction of the EnuguPort Harcourt Rail Line, among other projects.

The party urged the NDDC Management to ensure proper utilisation of the released sum for the emancipation and development of the region.

With these bold interventions by the Federal Government, we have no reason to blame anybody or region for the underdevelopment of our region if we fail to make judicious use of the released sums, the party said.

Rivers APC also commended the Federal Government for approving the release of N2.7 trillion to the states to enable them offset both the salary and pension arrears.

It pleaded with the State Governments and relevant government agencies to cooperate with the Federal Government and help to ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians by utilising the funds for the purposes for which they are meant.

The party also hailed Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo on his visit and also commended Minister of Transportation Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, for his work,

The party commends Prof. Yemi Osibanjo for not minding his busy schedules to accept to inaugurate the world-class fertilizer plant built by Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited, in Port Harcourt.

It is the worlds largest single-train Urea plant, and one of the ambitious green field projects of Indorama in Nigeria which has a production capacity of 4000 metric tons (MT) of nitrogenous fertilizers per day or 1.5 MT per annum.

Besides making the fertilizer products to be available at affordable cost, the plant will boost employment, crop yield to farmers and greatly help in minimizing the food grain deficit in Nigeria.




Fresh crisis might be brewing in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following Thursdays dissolution of the partys Anambra Executive Committee by the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee.The National Caretaker Committee was said to have dissolved the elected Ken Emekayi-led Ananbra Exco allegedly without adequate consultation with stakeholders from the state and in spite of caution and pleas from the PDP Anambra state Caucus in the House of Representatives, who noted that such would be against the partys interest in the state, especially with the on-coming governorship election.Stakeholders in the state are worried about the development especially as the dissolved Exco had already commenced activities in preparation for the November 18, 2017 governorship in the state. The dissolution was also said to have caused jubilation in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)-controlled Anambra state Government House.The Anambra state PDP House of Representatives Caucus had in a letter dated July 27, 2017 and submitted to the National Caretaker Committee earlier that day, cautioned it not to be misdirected to take a wrong decision, adding that the Anambra issue was the first litmus test or key assignment facing the reinforced National caretaker committee.The Caucus pointed out that the Prince Ken Emekayi-led Anambra Executive was legitimately elected with more than 70% consensus across the state, adding that any move to dissolve the elected executive and install a caretaker committee in the state would raise dust that would not settle soon, divide the party and create an undue advantage to our adversaries.As a caucus, it is our humble call and prayer to all who love and support our great party to sheath their swords as election time is not best favourable time to actualize a dissolution and or a caretaker, but a time for forgiveness, and reconciliation, unity, re-mobilization and onward together to win the election ahead, the caucus said while assuring of its loyalty to the national leadership of the party.Meanwhile the dissolution of the Anambra PDP Executive was said to have sparked off jubilation in the Anambra state government house.A source in the party said the jubilation is already triggering fears that the party is being deliberately impaired ahead of the Anambra governorship election.
Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has not spoken with President Muhammadu Buhari in the last two years.

Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has not spoken with President Muhammadu Buhari in the last two years.Fayose, who has been critical of the President, especially on his state of health before election and after his inauguration, said he refused to speak with the Presidents security chief to whom his calls to the Presidential Villa were diverted because he considered it an insult.He also spoke on ex-President Olusegun Obasanjos Third term bid, how the late President Umaru YarAdua was picked as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in 2007, among other issues, in an interview published by The Interview magazine.He said: Well, we met twice or so during the Council of State meetings. There is nothing personal. I represent Ekiti State, he represents Nigeria. That is the basis of our interaction. Nothing personal.Asked if he had said as much as hello to the President, Fayose added: No.For me, during our meeting, whenever any issue arose and I felt I should make a contribution, I raised my hand and spoke. That is it.I remember I tried to call him several times before he took ill. Then, there was this day I called again and the switchboard told me that any call from me must be diverted to President Buharis Chief Security Officer (CSO). And I felt that was very insulting.The CSO to the President is an ordinary policeman, who I assume, is just a little over and above my own CSO. I am a governor, a governor of a state. I felt that was an insult to the people of Ekiti State I represent.Yes my calls to him (the President) were diverted twice to the CSO. I refused to talk to the CSO because I consider it insulting.On the aborted Third Term agenda of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Fayose said bribed were offered.He said while the principal officers of the National Assembly in 2006 got N100million each, the other lawmakers were given N50million each.He alleged that the former President knelt down for the late Libyan leader Mouamar Ghaddaffi to seek his backing for Third Term.He also said Obasanjo knew about the ill-health of the late President Umaru YarAdua before he was picked as PDP candidate.Fayose said: Yes it is true. The people I am going to mention here, two of the key players are now dead. That position of Presidential Selection Committee that I headed was set up by all PDP governors. Initially, they wanted Dr. Olusegun Agagu. Then, the majority insisted that they wanted Fayose. So, since the majority wanted me, Baba (Olusegun Obasanjo) invited me to Ota and encouraged me to go ahead. I remember the committee was made up of Governors Danjuma Goje, Ahmed Makarfi, Bukola Saraki, James lbori, me and one other person who I cannot remember now. I want to tell you that, at some point, the majority of the committee was more disposed to having Markafi as the presidential nominee. l and one other person were the only dissenters. So, as a loyal Obasanjo boy then, I went to Obasanjo and told that this committee that was set up, everybody seemed to prefer Markafi except me and one other person and we were in the minority.Five out of seven governors wanted Makarfi. Then Obasanjo pointedly told me that Markafi was too smart and would not be easily controlled by him and, therefore, I must ensure that Markafi did not emerge the presidential candidate. He mandated me to be briefing him often about the way things were going.He confided in me that whether it was Markafi or anybody that he was not prepared to leave. At that time, the Third Term agenda had begun to unfold in Abuja. I can tell you that l was co-opted into the secret committee that was behind it. In that body, we had had this senator from Plateau, Ibrahim Mantu, Senator Andy Uba and many others. We were the key players. Let me tell you the truth: at that time, I did not have a choice. l was just a young man without experience.The senators started at about 11am in the morning and by 1 pm each senator was asked to stand up and say yes or no before live television coverage whether they supported Third Term or not, and the majority had their way. So Obasanjos dream of Third Term was shut down. Thereafter, he called a national meeting of PDP, termed reconciliation meeting and denied that he asked or worked for Third Term.Meanwhile, before that time, N50 million was given to every federal lawmaker to support Third Term. The majority collected the money and still voted against Third Term. Principal officers got N100 million each. Where did that huge sum of money come from?Fayose opened up on the politics behind the choice of the late President Umaru YarAdua as a presidential candidate of PDP.He said the current Chairman of the PDP, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi was sidelined in favour of the late President Umaru YarAdua.He added: Let me now come to the YarAdua issue. Obasanjo now called me and said, Now that Third Term has failed, you should go ahead with the PDP committee. And in order for me to check those rooting for Markafi, I should go and sound YarAdua out on the ticket. He told me, Dont tell him I asked you to come. You psyche him up. So, l met YarAdua in his lodge in Katsina. I met YarAdua in the company of Yakubu Tanimu (who became his influential chief economic adviser) and his police orderly.I remember that while our interaction lasted, the orderly knelt down close to YarAdua. I acted as directed by Obasanjo, but the man told me expressly that he was not well enough to aspire to be Nigerian president; that the job would be too rigorous for him.After much persuasion, he then told me the only condition under which he might consider running was if all stakeholders would sign up and reach an agreement to pick him as the consensus candidate because he did not want any hassles.He said:  I remember, before then, YarAdua was hardly attending Council of State meetings because of his health. So, l went to tell Baba what YarAdua told me. On the issue of YarAduas ill-health. I remember Obasanjo told me, Dont worry about his sickness; government money dey to manage his ill-health. Baba told me to go and put the outcome of my interaction with YarAdua in writing.Then Masari became the first loser; because, until then, Bello Masari as the Speaker of House of Reps was very loyal to Baba and did all the dirty jobs Baba wanted him to do, with the promise that he would be made the next Katsina governor after YarAdua. But once YarAdua became anointed as PDP candidate, he preferred Shema to be his successor. That was one of the conditions he listed. That was how a wedge came between YarAdua and Masari.That was the genesis of the rift between Shema and Masari up until today. Shema was then the deputy national chairman of PDP. That was how Masari defected to CPC. What I am trying to say is that Obasanjo engineered all the bitterness that exists in Katsina politics today.
WILDWOOD -- The 13-year-old girl who went missing Saturday while on vacation with her father in Wildwood was found safe Friday morning, police said.

Trinity Christianson, the 13-year-old girl who went missing last week in Wildwood has been found safe. (Wildwood police)

Trinity Christianson was found at a shelter in Pottstown, Pa. around 11 a.m. and will be re-united with her family, Wildwood police told NJ Advance Media by phone Friday afternoon.

Her father Harry Christianson of Morristown told NJ Advance Media earlier this week that he was contacted by a girl who on Monday rode a bus from Atlantic City to Philadelphia with his daughter.

The teenager told Harry Christianson that Trinity borrowed her phone on the bus to communicate with a teenage boy from Connecticut she met online and planned to visit. The girl and Trinity parted ways when they arrived in Philadelphia.

Trinity never went to Connecticut, though, Wildwood police said Friday.

She vanished after going to the boardwalk with friends around 8 p.m. Saturday. Harry Christianson called police when she hadn't returned by midnight.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
As Stephen Colbert continues to make hay out of President Trump's tweets each night on "The Late Show," he's going to be taking his critiques of the commander in chief in a new direction.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Showtime has announced it's getting behind a new animated series about Trump, his family and staff produced by Colbert and "Late Show" showrunner Chris Licht.

The untitled half-hour show, intended to riff on current events, is set to debut in the fall with a 10-episode order.

"Stephen and Chris have an uncanny genius for deconstructing the world of President Trump, and this series opens a new realm for them," said David Nevins, Showtime president, in a statement.

Animator Tim Luecke, whose cartoon Trump has appeared on "The Late Show" before, will work on the series.

Colbert, who lives in Montclair, became the target of a #FireColbert Twitter campaign in May after he made a joke about Trump and Vladimir Putin that used explicit (yet bleeped) language. In response, Trump called Colbert a "no-talent guy."

On an episode of "The Late Show," Colbert said he considered this to be a victory.

"Don't you know I've been trying for a year to get you to say my name?" he said. "And you were very restrained -- admirably restrained -- but now you did it!"

"I won!" Colbert said.

Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook.
NEWARK -- A Livingston man was sentenced Friday to 23 years in state prison after admitting to killing his landlord, a spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office confirmed.

Harold Christianson Jr., 33, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and forgery in the March 2015 death of Douglas Castellano, who was found dead in his Carteret Road home, spokeswoman Katherine Carter said.

Authorities said Christianson had been stealing checks from the 69-year-old Castellano. Authorities believe the two had previous altercations over the checks, according to the assistant prosecutor on the case, Justin Edwab.

Christianson admitted bludgeoning Castellano to death, officials said.

Christianson must serve 85 percent of his 23-year sentence before being eligible for parole, and pay $14,200 in restitution, Carter said.

Authorities at the time of the killing said Christianson was a boarder in Castellano's home.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
NEWARK -- They sat in rigid rows inside the hallowed halls of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, hopeful this moment would mark the beginning of their journey toward joining the men and women of the Newark Police Department.

On Friday, 200 of the police department's newest recruits were welcomed by top brass from the city and state -- reminded of their crucial roles in New Jersey's largest city.

"This group of police recruits, the largest in the past 10 years, will receive advanced training in protecting residents and will become an integral part of the communities they serve," Mayor Ras Baraka said in a statement. "They will grow to understand that their job is to treat residents the way they would treat members of their own families."

The city has been relentlessly trying to beef up its police force after layoffs in 2010 slashed the ranks by more than 160 officers.

"I am delighted that we are steadily replenishing our numbers following the layoffs and attrition that occurred in the police department since 2010," Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said. "The hiring of new police officers is part of our strategic plan to strengthen the division and to make Newark safer."

City officials reported a 13 percent reduction in overall crime last year compared to the year prior and a 10 percent decrease in violence over the same time period. At its peak, the department numbered 1,700, officials said. Newark currently boats 1,049 officers.

The recruits will be trained for 26 weeks by the New Jersey State Police at its training academy in Sea Girt. Training begins Aug. 7 and those who pass will graduate in December.

"It will not be a day at the beach, it's going to be hard, it's going to be difficult," New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino told the recruits, who were dressed in black suit jackets and blazers. "You must keep your eyes on the goal and the goal is to get through so you can join one of the most elite police forces in the country."

The group hails from Newark and includes 65 women, officials said.

"The recruits will participate in extensive training focused on urban policing, domestic violence situations, and cultural diversity," Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police said in a statement after the ceremony. "The investigative techniques and tactics they will learn will remain with them throughout their careers."

Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook.
NEWARK -- A contractor suffered neck and back injuries Thursday night after falling down an elevator shaft at Newark Liberty International Airport, Port Authority spokesman Joseph Pentangelo said.

The 38-year-old contractor, who was working in Terminal B, was taken to University Hospital in Newark with injuries Pentangelo described as non-life-threatening.

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Acacia has artfully honed the definition of casual fine dining, with food that delights in its originality but isn't pretentious. The setting is gracious yet not too formal, making it appropriate for a relaxing meal as well as for a special occasion.

Part of Acacia's distinctive character is its location in Lawrenceville, where charming Main Street has the welcoming feel of a calmer era. The restaurant is across from The Lawrenceville School, and much of its produce comes from the school's Big Red Farm.

In good weather, patrons can take advantage of the setting at tables under green umbrellas. Inside, noise isn't an issue in the spacious dining room, with tables set well apart and low-key decor in flattering lighting that suits the establishment's mellow mood. The clientele is a mature crowd who can appreciate an appealing menu that changes seasonally.

It waltzes gracefully between such culinary solid citizens as crispy calamari ($12) and more unusual fare, like a melon gazpacho ($9) sparkling with pickled watermelon rind and cilantro, but every dish has unique touches that give it a special identity.

In the case of the sweet and sour-glazed calamari, that's a fermented pepper aioli and pickled chili. Panko-crusted croquettes ($11) are wonderfully crunchy on the outside becoming a study in contrast as the melted goat cheese inside is revealed, getting just a slight edge from a balsamic reduction on the mini-salad that comes with it.

Taking advantage of what the summer has to offer, a vegetable tart ($13) appetizer is compiled with roasted local cherry tomatoes and zucchini, ricotta, caramelized onion for sweetness and fresh basil to highlight the flavors. Fire-roasted tomato coulis enhances lemon ricotta gnocchi produced in house, served with a crabcake ($32). Local sweet corn enlivened by Mexican street corn spice (something that is gaining in popularity) comes with the brick chicken -- that's chicken cooked under a brick for even browning -- accompanied by spinach and a lemon pan sauce ($28).

House-made gnocci is a regular on Acacia's menu

Chef/co-owner Chris Voigtsberger got involved with cooking when he found that an office job didn't work for him and he decided to take a shot at something different. After attending the Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan, he did an externship at Eleven Madison Park in the city.

"It was like a first impression at one of the best kitchens in the world," he said, and it stuck with him, reflected in what he produces at his own restaurant.

"To this day, I think about things that I learned there," said Voigtsberger. Following his externship, he went on to cook at several other well-known restaurants, including Blue Bottle Cafe up the road in Hopewell and 90 Acres in Peapack, where they were very fussy about how the risotto should be prepared. He picked up on that.

"It's something I take pride in and make sure it's done right," said Voigtsberger. Seafood risotto ($29) is one of those standard dishes that can be downright dull, or worse, if the kitchen doesn't make an effort, but Acacia's does. This version shines with a big helping of shrimp, crab and mussels among grains of rice cooked to the proper degree of creaminess.

Seafood risotto is a favorite dish at Acacia.

There are gluten-free and vegan options on request, while vegetarians can order house-made fettucine primavera ($24) from the menu. It's served with in-season veggies, pistachio pesto and Parmesan.

Desserts ($8.95), including ice cream, are made on the premises. Chocolate fanatics will have a hard time deciding between the chocolate pot de creme with whipped cream and the flourless chocolate torte, enhanced by a berry compote and berry whipped cream. Meyer lemon semi-freddo is a half-frozen (hence the name) confection, beautifully presented with whipped cream rosettes and berries. The key lime tart, unfortunately, was overshadowed by its topping of toasted meringue, which was very granular and so thick that the delicate flavor of the fruit struggled to come through.

The kitchen doesn't have a monopoly on Acacia's allure. Voigtsberger's wife, Lauren, is an energetic presence there. The couple met through mutual friends while she was at Acacia as manager and co-owner. When Acacia's other owner wanted to leave, that opened the door for Voigtsberger to come in three years ago.

It was a marriage made in culinary heaven, complete with a business plan. Lauren Voigtsberger had majored in hotel and restaurant management at Fairleigh Dickson University (where her husband also attended, though they didn't know each other) and sharing the same profession was the key.

"It's hard to date someone who's not in it because they don't understand the hours and what goes into it," said the chef, whose wife continues to manage the restaurant, deals with the catering, works in the kitchen when necessary and even waits tables. Consider yourself lucky if she's your server.

The restaurant does not have a liquor license, so bringing your own wine boosts the appeal, although prices are realistic and reasonable for the quality served. Parking is available in the back.

Acacia

2637 Main St., Lawrenceville. 609-895-9885. Acacianj.com. Hours: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 5-9:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 5-9 p.m. Sundays. Closed Mondays. BYOW 3 1/2 stars

Cody Kendall may be reached at CodyDine@aim.com. Follow Cody on Twitter@CodyDine. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.
PHILADELPHIA -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded the final contract to complete deepening of the Delaware River shipping channel.

The Corps awarded the $50.3 million project to Norfolk Dredging Co.

The company will dredge about 4 million cubic yards of material from the Tinicum, Eddystone, Chester, Marcus Hook, and Bellevue ranges of the Delaware River's main channel.

Work is slated to begin next month and wrap up in 2018.

The $300 million project -- to deepen the main channel from 40 to 45 feet -- began in 2010 and will allow larger vessels and vessels carrying larger cargoes to visit Delaware River ports.

Those ports have deepened their berths in anticipation of receiving larger ships.

The deepened channel will extend from Philadelphia and Camden, from the area of Philadelphia Harbor and Beckett Street Terminal, more than 100 miles to the mouth of the Delaware Bay.

Dredged material is deposited in federally owned disposal facilities, including locations in Salem and Gloucester counties, as well as Fort Mifflin in Pennsylvania.

In total, about 12 million cubic yards of silt, clay, sand and gravel will be dredged from the river portion of the channel and 4 million cubic yards of primarily sand has been dredged from the Delaware Bay.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
During the 2007-2009 recession, gold went up 25% while the S&P 500 fell a painful 36%. That's why many investors seek some exposure to precious metals. If owning bullion isn't your thing, then key industry players like GoldCorp (NYSE: GG) and Franco-Nevada (NYSE: FNV) should be on your watch list. But which is the better buy? Here's why I think it's Franco Nevada.

Doing the basics

GoldCorp is a miner. To oversimplify the business, the company tries to find places where there's gold in the ground. It then builds a mine, which is complex legally, socially, and technically. And once that process is done, which can take years and millions (if not billions) of dollars, it finally gets to mine for gold. Then GoldCorp has to worry about how much it costs to run the mine, how long the mine can produce, and, eventually, the cost of cleaning up a spent mine.

And that's just a simplified life cycle of just a single mine. If GoldCorp wants to keep its production growth over time, it has to have mines in various stages of the cycle, from development to operation to being shut down.

For example, GoldCorp currently has eight major projects in the works, including new mines and expansions at existing mines. Some of those projects are actually being built and others are just being vetted for feasibility. Meanwhile, it has 11 mines that are currently producing precious metals.

To be fair, GoldCorp is pretty good at what it does. For example, the company's all-in sustaining costs per ounce of gold are toward the low end of the industry. And the projection is for even lower costs in the future, with a goal of going from an expected $850 an ounce this year to as little as $700 an ounce in 2021. Production, meanwhile, is expected to increase from 2.5 million ounces to 3 million ounces over the same span. Those numbers are both going in the right direction.

Another angle

In fact, if you are looking for a gold miner, GoldCorp isn't a bad option. But there's a different way to go: precious metals streamers like Franco-Nevada.

Streaming companies give miners cash upfront for the right to buy gold and silver at reduced rates in the future. That means that Franco-Nevada never has to take on the risks of building and running mines. Streamers can also spread their bets over more properties. Franco-Nevada has investments in over 330 assets (including 80 oil investments), from development projects to operating mines. If one of Franco-Nevada's mines is shut down by a strike, it's not as material as if one of GoldCorp's 11 mines sees a work stoppage.

And, with low costs built into the model, Franco-Nevada has fat margins -- like the 72% adjusted EBITDA margin it achieved in the first quarter! That easily beats what GoldCorp has been able to achieve. Perhaps more important, however, is how consistent Franco-Nevada's margins are compared to miners like GoldCorp. Just take a look at the graph below.

While the precious metals downturn pushed GoldCorp's EBITDA margins deep into the red, Franco-Nevada's EBITDA margins barely skipped a beat. No wonder 2017 marks the 10th consecutive year of dividend increases for the streaming company. GoldCorp's dividend, meanwhile, was cut from $0.05 a month to $0.02 a month in August 2015. And then it went from $0.02 a month to $0.02 a quarter in mid-2016.

You may not be thinking about dividends when you invest in gold stocks, but Franco-Nevada's dividend history shows just how consistent its business model is compared to a miner's.

Opportunity strikes

My preferences lean toward Franco-Nevada's diversification and high and consistent margins. But if that's not enough for you to choose this streaming company over miner GoldCorp, then how about the fact that downturns are growth opportunities for Franco-Nevada?

It wasn't too long ago that gold miners were struggling with low commodity prices and looking for cash to shore up their balance sheets while gold prices were still falling. Franco-Nevada and peers like Wheaton Precious Metals and Royal Gold were happily inking new streaming deals and expanding their portfolios and production...at the expense of cash-strapped miners that had few other choices if they wanted access to cash.

Gold exposure, higher and more consistent margins, and the ability to expand when gold miners are struggling: Three great reasons why Franco-Nevada is a better buy than GoldCorp.

10 stocks we like better than Franco-Nevada

When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*

David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now and Franco Nev wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.

Click here to learn about these picks!

*Stock Advisor returns as of July 6, 2017

Reuben Brewer 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.
Cameco Corporation (NYSE: CCJ) is the world's largest pure-play uranium miner. That hasn't been a great business to be in lately, but the outlook for uranium appears pretty enticing. For aggressive investors, Cameco's nearly 80% price decline over the past decade could be a huge buying opportunity. But what if the bull case doesn't pan out? While I'm optimistic, here's what could go wrong from a bull's perspective.

It's been tough

The first thing to note about Cameco and uranium is that the miner has actually managed to weather a deep industry downturn pretty well. To give you a feel for the pain, uranium prices hit a 12-year low in 2016. But last year was the only year of the last 10 that the company dipped into the red. And that $0.16 per share loss was largely driven by one-time charges to adjust the business to the difficult market environment.

So even Cameco will tell you times have been tough. The outlook, however, remains bright. That's because of increasing demand for power and the increasing preference for carbon-free energy sources. In fact, there are over 50 nuclear reactors being built right now. That should help to soak up the oversupply in the uranium market today. Add in Japan's slow march toward restarting nuclear power plants shut after the Fukushima disaster and there's even more reason to be positive.

In fact, if you are a uranium bull, Cameco could be a great buy today. But before you jump in, you might want to think like a bear.

A dour view of things

For example, look at Cameco's impressive streak of profits in the face of a deep fall in the price of uranium. A big reason for that is the company's use of long-term contracts. It's a very big deal. The company's realized price for uranium in 2016 was 60% higher than the average spot price for the year. Those contracts simply won't last forever. If demand doesn't pick up before its current contracts expire, it will be forced to sell on the spot market at much lower prices.

Demand growth is going to be important. Those 50 new plants being built and Japan's push to restart its nuclear fleet are big positives. But there are plants being shuttered, too. For example, after Fukushima ocurred, Germany swore off nuclear power.It's in the process of phasing nuclear out completely with little to stop the process because there's virtually no support for nuclear in the country. Japan is feeling the heat of negative public opinion, too, which is one reason why the restarting process is taking so long. And never forget that just because someone says they are going to build a nuclear power plant doesn't mean that they will. In the end, nuclear has a bad image and that could easily leave demand weaker than expected today.

Uranium prices, however, are a mix of supply and demand. And supply could be a bigger problem than you think. Cameco pulled back production in 2016 by 5% and is likely to rein production in even more this year. But money-losing Denison Mines and NexGen Energy Ltd. (NYSEMKT: NXE) are both working to develop new uranium mines from the ground up. In fact, NexGen could end up developing Canada's largest uranium deposit. That means that even as Cameco is reducing production, new sources of uranium are looming on the horizon that could leave the nuclear power industry with more than enough supply to keep uranium prices low.

Food for thought

I tend to be an optimist, so I believe that carbon-free nuclear power will continue to be an important and growing part of the world's power grid. That, in turn, will lead to higher prices for uranium as supply and demand balance out. I'm also of the opinion that Cameco's management team will deftly handle whatever the industry dishes out.

But that doesn't mean you should go in blind to what could go wrong. A few of the big ones are Cameco's contracts rolling off before it has a chance to replace them, the potential for continued weak uranium demand, and new uranium supplies creating a headwind to higher commodity prices. Even if you're an optimist like me, these are issues you should be keeping an eye on, just in case.

10 stocks we like better than Cameco

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 Cameco 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 July 6, 2017

Reuben Brewer 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.
If the satire of bad childrens TV is exquisitely sharp, Brigsby Bear is a much sweeter and sunnier film than one might see coming.
After escaping French Quarter armed robbery: 'My city has let me down'
Timmy Couvillion knew the leak from the toppled Taylor Energy oil platform was bad. For 15 years, the platforms damaged wells had sent up an 
The study looks at two smaller-scale projects that are in some ways predecessors to the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, the $2 billion plan to slow land loss erasing Louisiana's coast. Construction on that project could begin as early as next year, while a similar one on the opposite side of the river known as the Mid-Breton Diversion could follow.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb.  At first, Staff Sgt. Ashleigh Buch didnt know what to make of the flood of sympathy that arrived on her cellphone as she got up Wednesday morning.

The first transgender airman to fully transition at Offutt Air Force Base, she hadnt heard about President Donald Trumps tweets announcing plans to bar all transgender troops from serving in any capacity in the U.S. Military.

She logged onto her computer and read the news.

It was a rush of emotion, pretty much every kind of emotion, Buch, 32, said in an interview with The Omaha World-Herald. The tears just kept coming and coming. It seemed so surreal.

Buch went to work at Offutt  where she conducts classes for linguists who fly aboard the 55th Wings fleet of reconnaissance aircraft  still in tears, hoping to avoid talking to people.

Buch grew up in Fairfield, Iowa, and earned a bachelors degree in Spanish and secondary education before joining the Air Force in 2009. She began presenting herself as a woman away from work after arriving at Offutt in 2012 and began transitioning at work early last year, before the Pentagons policy was in place.

She has been publicly open about her story, giving interviews to Offutts base newspaper and The World-Herald. She has also been mentoring at least four other Offutt service members who have been transitioning under the militarys transgender policy, adopted last year.

She met with her commander and her first sergeant on Wednesday. They tried to reassure her, despite all the unknowns.

They didnt have a lot of answers, Buch said. They said, We want you to keep fighting and not give up. Youve overcome numerous roadblocks already. 

She said she is trying to stay focused on the present and not worry about national policies she cant control  even though the decision will shape her future.

Its a very scary, tenuous, rocky road ahead of me, Buch said. Im just going to keep being the best airman I can be.
A Missouri Valley doctor broke the rules of medical practice leading to serious harm to patients and the public, including overdose deaths, according to the Iowa Board of Medicine.

Robert D. Cunard, 50, has been charged administratively by the board with professional incompetence, inappropriate prescribing, improper pain management and unethical or unprofessional conduct. He has agreed not to prescribe controlled substances  with some limited exceptions  until the matter is resolved. A hearing is scheduled Sept. 21-22.

Cunard is on administrative leave from his job of practicing family medicine at CHI Health Missouri Valley, said CHI spokeswoman Kathy Niver. The agreement not to prescribe controlled substances dates to May, and CHI had been monitoring him to make sure he held to it, Niver said.

All of his patients were notified he could no longer prescribe controlled substances, a statement from CHI said. CHI Health does not take these charges lightly and is awaiting the final outcome from the state.

The Board of Medicines statement of charges alleges 30 violations, including that Cunard failed to discuss the risks associated with chronic opioid therapy, and prescribed large quantities of potentially lethal medications to patients despite evidence of abuse, misuse or diversion, the documents state.

Several patients, it says, experienced motor vehicle accidents and/or frequent falls, and theres no indication in Cunards medical records that he addressed substance abuse as a possible factor.

Attempts to reach Cunard for comment Thursday evening were unsuccessful.
New York City in 1919 was home to quite a few University of Iowa grads.

On a Saturday night  Dec. 27, 1919  a reunion was held at the English Tavern on East 41st Street. Vilhjalmur Stefansson was there to join the group in singing Old Gold and to hear Dr. William B. Guthrie, president of the New York Alumni Association, welcome attendees.

We are here in a spirit of unity, Professor Guthrie said, representing that vast and embracing thing we call the brotherhood of culture.

By then, Stefansson had become a world-renowned celebrity. At one time he had dreamed of being a poet, but, after graduating from the University of Iowa in 1903, his career veered in a very different direction, taking him to the Arctic where he explored and studied the language and customs of native people.

His first expedition took place in 1906, when he became separated from the team he was traveling with and spent the winter living among the native people. For almost five years, he traveled across northern Canada living off the land. In 1914, Stefansson made a 600-mile sled trip to Alaska with two other men.

His article in a journal of the Alaska Bureau of Publicity in July 1919 focused on the arrival of reindeer in Alaska in the late 1890s. According to Stefansson, close to 1,300 animals were imported from Siberia and Lapland. He estimated that 140,000 existed in the area in 1919 and that 80,000 had been killed for meat and hides.

Stefansson wrote several books about his experiences and became a popular speaker. He once said, man finds it easier to change the face of nature than to change his own mind.

The famous explorer looked favorably on his time at the University of Iowa. He explained why he chose the Iowa institution for his early education and why he had donated $250 to the university. It was because of its excellence in the northern languages and its readiness to give a man credit for what he knew regardless of where he had learned it.

The university, for its part, honored its former student in 1922 by conferring an honorary doctorate degree to Stefansson. He never forgot his alma mater.

Early in 1934, during the height of the Great Depression, when he heard of budget cuts at the university, Stefansson donated copies of his books to the library. And, in the fall of that year, Stefansson returned to the university, opening its annual lecture series with an illustrated talk about his career.

Stefansson spoke about the 10 winters and 13 summers he had spent in the polar region. Discussing his expeditions along the Mackenzie River, he talked about living with native people who had never seen a white man. Attendees heard about his 1913 trip with a staff of scientists who discovered four large islands.

Stefansson never pursued his original dream of becoming a poet. However, he believed his work as an explorer gave him opportunities similar to those of a poet.

He explained an explorer needs a mind to see visions no less than he needs the strength to face a blizzard. And he added, A law of nature is an imperishable poem.
Students use a "grammar box" as they work on the parts of speech in the elementary classroom at Isthmus Montessori Academy.
BLACK RIVER FALLS  A judge will decide whether whether Ho-Chunk Nation President Wilfrid Cleveland was convicted of a felony in 1972.

On May 2, Gary Funmaker filed a lawsuit against Cleveland and the Wisconsin Department of Justice, seeking a declaratory judgement on whether Cleveland was convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in 1972.

On Jan. 23, 1972, Cleveland struck a police officer in the nose and broke the officers glasses trying to flee after getting into the passenger seat of a stolen cop car. He was convicted of battery two weeks later, according to records.

For 35 years, the severity of his conviction was listed as unspecified and not recorded as a misdemeanor or felony.

This case now has widespread implications, the president of the Ho-Chunk Nation must not be a convicted felon per the Ho-Chunk Nation Constitution, which states, No person convicted of a felony shall serve as president unless pardoned.

If Cleveland is found to have been convicted of a felony in 1972, he could be impeached as the president of the Ho-Chunk Nation.

Funmaker and several other tribal members have been working since 2007, when Cleveland first ran for president, to get this issue resolved.

We are thinking this is the only way we can put this to rest, Funmaker said. It is not just me, but there are a lot of people wondering if he is a felon.

Funmaker points to the Ho-Chunk Constitution for why he is pursuing Cleveland so vigorously, Either we are going to be a tribe of law, or we are all just going to be out in the field and fight it out.

Attorney Michelle Greendeer was one of the tribal members who spoke in support of Cleveland in the Fall General Council meeting after she talked to Jackson County District Attorney Gerald Fox and researched past impeachments of Ho-Chunk Nation officials.

On top of a letter she received from Fox stating that Cleveland is not a felon, Greendeer points to the three impeachments of presidents since 1997 as one of the main reasons she stood behind Cleveland at the 2016 General Council Meeting.

If the declaratory judgement does not go in Funmakers favor, he said he would be happy that this issue is over, If it works in his favor (Clevelands), God bless him, we dont have to talk about it anymore  were done.

The Jackson County Chronicle made several attempts to talk with Cleveland, but he did not return calls for comment.
BARTLETT, Tenn.  Millions of eyes will be fixed on the sky when a total solar eclipse crosses the U.S. in August, and it's likely many of them will be safely behind the special glasses churned out by a Tennessee company.

American Paper Optics ramped up production for this year's eclipse and expects to make 50 million paper and plastic eclipse glasses. John Jerit, the company's CEO and president, said they began preparing about two years ago. During his almost 27 years making safety glasses, he's only seen one total solar eclipse, in France in 1999, but will be going to Nashville for this one.

"It's a life experience," Jerit said during an interview at his company's office in the Memphis suburb of Bartlett. "When that two minutes is over, or however long you've got, the question that you really want to hear is, 'When is the next one?'"

His company is one of many businesses  hotels, campgrounds and stores  taking advantage of the total solar eclipse  when the moon passes between Earth and the sun. The moon's shadow will fall in a diagonal ribbon across the U.S., from Oregon to South Carolina. The rest of the U.S. will experience a partial eclipse, along with Canada, Central America and a bit of South America.

Cities and towns along the path of totality  where there will be about 2  minutes of darkness  are gearing up for the crowds. St. Joseph, Missouri, population 76,000, is in a prime location and officials are bracing for tens of thousands of eclipse watchers to descend on the city, said Beth Conway, spokeswoman for the St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The city's restaurants, gas stations and stores are preparing for the onslaught  the city's largest arts and music festival with the nickname "Total Eclipse of the Arts" is scheduled on the weekend leading up to the eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21.

"This is essentially our Super Bowl," Conway said. "If we see anywhere near the amount of people that they're telling us, it will probably be the biggest event in our history."

The city has gotten into the act as well, selling eclipse glasses, posters and blue and yellow T-shirts decorated with a drawing of the city's skyline and an iconic railroad bridge, and with the slogan "Right in the Middle of it All."

Conway said a benefactor donated 100,000 safety glasses designed for the city and proceeds are going to local museums and charities.

Sales have been "amazing, phenomenal," she said. "It's just blown our minds."

At the Tennessee factory, a constant whirring sound fills the factory as large sheets of paper are fed into machines. One cuts out the eyeholes in the pre-printed frames, another inserts the protective film lenses. Then the glasses are punched out of the sheets and packaged.

About 50,000 glasses can roll off the assembly line per hour, Jerit said. Paper glasses cost about 20 to 25 cents to make, and they are sold to distributors for about 45 cents, but prices vary depending on order size. They're sold retail for about $2. The plastic versions are about $15.

Staring at the sun during an eclipse  or anytime  can cause eye damage.

The only safe way is to protect your eyes with special filters in glasses or other devices. NASA lists four companies, including American Paper Optics, whose glasses meet international standards.

"It's eye protection for enjoyment," said Jerit, whose main business is making 3-D glasses.

Besides retail outlets, the company sells the glasses to cities, universities and space-related entities like NASA and the Adventure Science Center in Nashville. Some are custom-designed, like the ones for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital which are decorated with children's drawings. Under the wacky category: glasses to make the wearer look like an astronaut, space cowboy or a green alien.

Green Acres farm near Casper, Wyoming, is one of the many farms and parks welcoming eclipse watchers. The farm, which normally features a corn maze and other children's activities, has been turned into a campground with 300 campsites in prime eclipse viewing territory.

"We have people coming from Australia, Belgium, several from Canada. I have a guy from England coming that's seen 17 eclipses," said manager Dwain Romsa. "We're a little more remote than some areas. It takes more effort to travel here."
The U.S. Department of Labor announced this week that it has reached agreements to correct overtime violations with 13 Indiana home health care companies, including two in Northwest Indiana.

The department found the companies in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act's overtime and recordkeeping provisions, including misclassifying employees as independent contractors. Statewide, 379 workers will receive more than $948,000 in back wages and damages.

The U.S. Department of Labor welcomes the decisions made by these home health care businesses to correct the violations we identified, stated Patricia Lewis, district director for the departments Wage and Hour Division in Indianapolis.

Our enforcement levels the playing field for other employers in this industry, and our education and outreach efforts continue to ensure that employers understand their responsibilities. Our efforts on both fronts protect responsible employers and hard-working employees.

In Northwest Indiana, the labor department settled with Tender Love Home Services in Merrillville to pay 41 workers $23,118 in back wages and damages and 1st Option Adult Day Services in Merrillville to pay 10 workers $10,220 in back wages and damages. Neither company responded to requests from The Times for comment.
Lakeshore PBS won the Indiana Broadcasters Association's inaugural Cardinal Community Service Award for its series of town halls that sought to create community conversations on race and policing.

We encouraged stations to apply for this new award so the IBA and the rest of the state can recognize and learn more about the committed work you are doing in your communities every day, IBA Executive Director Dave Arland said.

Merrillville-based Lakeshore Public Media partnered with Gary and the Urban League of Northwest Indiana for its Race, Justice, Community and Policing town halls, which were held at the Genesis Convention Center, Valparaiso University and Michigan City High School.

Garrard McClendon, host of Lakeshore's public affairs show CounterPoint with Garrard McClendon, moderated the panels, which brought together police, government leaders, community groups and faith-based organizations to discuss how race factored into policing across the Region's diverse communities. The talks were later aired on Lakeshore PBS.

The purpose of the town halls is to get these conversations started to prevent incidents that have happened nationally from happening here in Northwest Indiana, Lakeshore Public Media President and Chief Executive Officer James Muhammad said. Our goal is to convene an honest dialogue with the community and with government officials and law enforcement.
CHESTERTON  The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District's Board of Trustees approved resolutions Friday authorizing the purchase of properties needed for the South Shore Line's West Lake Corridor and Double Track NWI projects.

South Shore administrators plan to start property negotiations after the Federal Transit Administration advances the rail projects to the engineering phase, expected sometime this fall, and after environmental studies are complete, likely in late fall or early winter.

"At that point, and only at that point, would we begin acquiring properties," South Shore President Michael Noland said.

Some residents have argued against acquisition of property, either through negotiation or eminent domain, before the South Shore secures federal funding. That is achieved with completion of a "full funding grant agreement" at the completion of a project's engineering phase.

Julie O'Connor, a Munster resident and member of the Concerned Families of the West Lake Project group, made that case Friday, saying NICTD shouldn't purchase property "on speculation," but only after it knows the projects can proceed.

"Please do not approve NICTD's request to begin the property acquisition process until it receives a full funding grant agreement," she asked the board.

Noland said that the railroad needs to begin acquiring property before a full funding grant agreement is made so that it's ready to begin construction. By the time a grant agreement is reached, he said, project engineering will be complete and construction will be set to begin. Board members agreed.

"I have the utmost confidence in what NICTD staff have been able to do so far and will be able to do in the future," Lake County Commissioner Michael Repay said. He said the staff should have the ability to determine the timing of property negotiations and acquisitions so that "we're ready to build when we need to build."

NICTD staff has been meeting with property owners regarding the acquisition process, Noland said.

Several hundred parcels would be purchased, in all or in part, for the projects. The West Lake Corridor would require properties in Dyer, Munster and Hammond. Double Track will require properties mainly in Gary's Miller section and in Michigan City.

For more information on the West Lake Corridor project, visit www.nictdwestlake.com. For more information on the Double Track project, visit www.doubletrack-nwi.com.
MICHIGAN CITY  Sullair, a long-established maker of air compressors and related products in Northwest Indiana, has been purchased by Hitachi.

Mayor Ron Meer said the city has been assured Hitachi is committed to Michigan City. The company hopes to expand the operation.

''They're staying here and staying established in Michigan City,'' Meer said. Sullair at 3700 E. Michigan Blvd. employs 550 people.

Jack Carlson, president of Sullair, is looking forward to working with his firm's new owner.

We are thrilled by the prospect of partnering with Hitachi to grow Sullair as we embark together on the next chapter in our proud history, he said.

According to Hitachi, the cost to acquire Sullair from its parent company, Accudyne Industries, was $1.24 billion.

Sullair was founded in 1965 in Michigan City and also has facilities in China and India.

Hitachi said the goal of the acquisition is to gain access to Sullairs global sales network, mainly in North America, and provide Sullairs customer base with digital solutions by leveraging the expertise in informational and operational technology Hitachi cultivated through the years.

Hitachi is a diversified company involved in information and telecommunication systems, social infrastructure, high-functional materials and components and electronic systems and equipment. The Tokyo-based firm also sells air compressors mainly in Japan and Asia and will add Sullair's products to its existing catalog.

When Hitachi will take over Sullair has not been released, but Meer anticipates it will happen in the next couple of months.

In February, Sullair opened a new facility, which provides a larger, hands-on training area for employees and a virtual reality compressor training room.

By the end of the year, the company's first oil-free machines also will be available for staff training.
VALPARAISO  A 24-year-old carnival employee accused of child molestation was taken to the hospital after being confronted by other workers regarding the alleged incident, according to the Porter County Sheriff's Department.

James Todd, of Florida, was taken into custody after his release from Porter Regional Hospital on an initial felony charge of child molesting. The alleged victim is a 13-year-old girl who travels with the carnival throughout the country, according to a release from the sheriff's office.

Sheriff's officers and detectives were called to the Porter County Fairgrounds around 2 a.m. Friday in response to an alleged sexual assault, according to the release.

Officers were going to the fairgrounds to speak with the alleged victim and her mother about the incident. As an officer was responding, however, there was an additional call of a physical disturbance at the fairgrounds. According to the sheriff's office, some of the carnival workers had heard of the incident and confronted Todd.

The sheriff's office said Todd was transported to the hospital where he was treated and released for minor injuries before taken to the Porter County Jail on the initial charges.

According to the sheriff's office, Todd was uncooperative with jail staff, and they were not initially able to process him for booking. The fair wraps up on Saturday.
INDIANAPOLIS  The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled 3-0 Friday that Hobart's Board of Public Works and Safety followed proper procedures and had sufficient grounds to fire police officer Kirk Homoky in 2015.

According to court records, Homoky was discharged for improperly using police databases at least 15 times within a two-month period to track his estranged wife and her friends, as well as for cashing checks for work he did not do at a side job as a bowling alley security guard.

In his appeal, Homoky alleged that he was deprived of due process as a result of numerous procedural errors that he said occurred during his administrative hearing.

The appellate court was unpersuaded by Homoky's wide-ranging claims, many of which it found to be irrelevant, unsupported by facts or backed by "often inflammatory" arguments that failed to comply with court rules.

"Vehemence is no substitute for cogent legal argument," wrote Judge Robert Altice Jr., for the unanimous appellate panel.

Likewise, the judges agreed with the city board and Lake Superior Judge Calvin Hawkins that the evidence relating to Homoky's actions met the standard for "conduct unbecoming an officer" and warranted his termination.

"All of these findings were amply supported by the record, and Homoky's arguments to the contrary are nothing more than requests to reweigh the evidence and judge the credibility of witnesses," Altice said.

Homoky still is entitled to ask the Indiana Supreme Court to review his case.
HAMMOND  The U.S. attorney's office has filed a new felony charge against a Lake Station tow truck owner implicated in the federal bribery case against Lake County Sheriff John Buncich.

The government names William Szarmach, of Hobart, in information it filed late Thursday afternoon in U.S. District Court here.

It alleges Szarmach, who owns and operates CSA Towing, on the 2500 block of DeKalb Street, Lake Station, failed to file a federal income tax return reporting he received more than $75,000 in taxable income during 2015 and owed more than $17,000 in federal taxes.

Szarmach's towing company was one of more than 10 the sheriff approved to tow vehicles from public streets and highways for county police before the Lake County Board of Commissioners took over the towing contract approvals this year.

A federal grand jury indicted Szarmach, Buncich and Timothy Downs, the sheriff's former second-in-command, on Nov. 18, 2016.

Szarmach has been pleading not guilty to bribery and wire fraud counts alleging he paid the sheriff $9,500 between June 2015 and last August to influence the sheriff into giving Szarmach more lucrative towing assignments.

Szarmach's lawyer, Daniel Purdom of Lisle, Illinois, signaled on June 20 that Szarmach and the U.S. attorney's office were trying to conclude a plea agreement in the bribery case. No plea agreement was made public Thursday afternoon.

Seven months earlier, Downs pleaded guilty to collecting Buncich's campaign contributions on public time. He agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors in return for a lenient sentence.

Buncich is pleading not guilty to allegations he solicited and received campaign contributions from towing firms and is preparing to stand trial beginning Aug. 7 before Senior U.S. District Court Judge James T. Moody.

Buncich's lawyer, Bryan Truitt, earlier stated in pre-trial motions the improper activity was confined to Downs, Szarmach and a government witness, Scott Jurgensen, owner of Samsons Towing of Merrillville.

Truitt claims they conspired to take over all Lake County towing, while the sheriff was busy overseeing the largest department in Lake County government. "In short, the tow operations were the least of the sheriff's concerns," Truitt said in court documents.

Truitt argues other tow truck drivers are expected to testify they were never pressured to buy political fundraising tickets.

"Sheriff John Buncich maintains he has done nothing wrong. There is little to no direct evidence or a smoking gun," Truitt said in court records.

The U.S. attorney's office has said Jurgensen deserves credit for uncovering public corruption.
HAMMOND  Police are searching for a suspect who reportedly shot twice at a 30-year-old Valparaiso man Thursday during a road rage incident near Hessville Park, striking the victim in his left arm.

The 30-year-old victim told police a person driving a black Ford F-150 on Thursday afternoon in the 3000 block of 173rd Street rear-ended him, pushing him off the roadway.

The driver of the truck fired two shots at him before fleeing, according to Hammond Police Lt. Steven Kellogg.

An off-duty Hammond police officer was in the 3000 block of 173rd Street when he heard the two shots fired.

The officer saw the victim's vehicle a Mercury Grand Marquis  in front of him pull off to the side of the road so he stopped to speak with the victim, Kellogg said.

The off-duty police officer immediately transmitted this information to nearby officers and the suspect vehicle was located.

A responding officer attempted to stop the suspect vehicle but the driver refused to stop, prompting the officer to follow the vehicle across the Illinois border.

The officer eventually lost sight due to the suspect's excessive speeds, Kellogg said.

Illinois State police advised the agency would have a helicopter in the area and would continue looking for the vehicle.

The victim was transported to the hospital for treatment and later released, Kellogg said.

Anyone with information about this incident should contact the Hammond Police Department's Hit and Run Division at 219-852-2940.
HAMMOND  A Lake Station tow truck owner has agreed to plead guilty to federal wire fraud and bribery charges and to testify against Lake County Sheriff John Buncich.

The plea agreement filed early Friday could make a star government witness of William Szarmach, of Hobart, who owned and operated CSA Towing on the 2500 block of DeKalb Street in Lake Station since 2008.

Szarmach is scheduled to appear Monday afternoon before Magistrate Judge John Martin to plead guilty to wire fraud, bribery and failing to file a federal income tax return reporting more than $75,000 in taxable income during 2015 when he owed more than $17,000 in taxes.

Szarmach is prepared to tell a jury next month he purchased Buncich's political fundraising tickets by check and cash between 2009 and 2016 to retain and increase his business of towing vehicles for county police.

Buncich is contesting allegations he was shaking down towing firms for campaign contributions and is set to stand trial beginning Aug. 7 before Senior U.S. District Court Judge James Moody.

Buncich's lawyer, Bryan Truitt, said in pretrial court documents the improper activity the government is alleging was confined to Downs, Szarmach and another government witness, Scott Jurgensen, owner of Samsons Towing, of Merrillville.

"Sheriff John Buncich maintains he has done nothing wrong. There is little to no direct evidence or a smoking gun," Truitt said in court records.

The U.S. attorney's office has said Jurgensen deserves credit for uncovering public corruption.

Szarmach's towing company was one of several the sheriff approved to tow vehicles from public streets and highways for county police before the Lake County Board of Commissioners took over the towing contract approvals this year.

In separate federal charges, Portage Mayor James Snyder is pleading not guilty in U.S. District Court to soliciting and receiving $12,000 in bribes from John Cortina, owner of Kustom Auto Body, 5409 U.S. 6, Portage, for a towing contract with the city of Portage.

Snyder and Cortina, who also is pleading not guilty to allegations he gave bribes to Snyder, are scheduled to stand trial Jan. 29.

Plea agreement details alleged deals

Szarmach alleged in his plea agreement he was one of 12 tow companies on the Lake County sheriff towing list. Buncich had the sole authority at the time to authorize towing firms to remove vehicles from public roads in the county.

Szarmach, who had owned his towing firm more than eight years, said, "Based on my experience in the towing business in Northwest Indiana, it was my belief that in order to remain on the Lake County tow list, or to increase my towing area, I would have to buy tickets to many, if not all, of Sheriff John Buncich's fundraising events and pay additional cash payments."

He said these purchases were made sometimes directly to the sheriff and at other times through individuals employed by the county sheriff, including Downs, then chief of county police operations.

Buncich served as sheriff from 1994 to 2002 and was running to return to office in the 2010 election. Szarmach said that is when he started going to Buncich fundraisers and making contributions to join the so-called "boys club."

"I knew that Person X had a better relationship with Buncich than I did." Szarmach said in the plea agreement. "At one of these restaurant meetings, after discussing Buncich with Person X, I gave Person X $500 cash. I then saw Person X hand the cash to Buncich. Buncich shook my hand and said, 'Thank you.' I knew that by giving Buncich this cash, it opened the door to towing for the Sheriff's Department."

The court document does not identify Person X.

Szarmach said he received his first towing assignment from a county police dispatcher the first day Buncich took office after winning in fall 2010.

"This was when I knew I was on the Lake County tow list," Szarmach said in the plea agreement.

He said Buncich initially promised there would be only five towing firms working with county police, but he later learned he was competing with a dozen towing firms that were on the sheriff's list.

Szarmach said he had several meetings with Buncich at an unidentified restaurant in Cedar Lake and signaled he was prepared to make more payments by telling the sheriff, "I'm here for you."

Szarmach alleged he gave Buncich $1,000 folded up in an envelop during their second Cedar Lake meeting "to grease the wheels." He said that six months later, Buncich gave Szarmach towing assignments associated with the sheriff's Lake County Gang Unit, a group of county police detectives whose work focuses on criminal gang activity.

Competition among tow firms alleged

Szarmach said he believed he ranked in the middle of the pack of 12 towing firms doing county police business in terms of towing assignments he received from the sheriff, but he wanted more so he began increasing his payments to the sheriff.

"Sometimes these payments were in cash, other times disguised as campaign check contributions, or sometimes a mix of both cash and checks," Szarmach said in the plea agreement.

Szarmach recounted giving Downs $500 cash and a $2,000 check in October 2014 payable to the Democratic Party of Lake County. This was four months after Democratic precinct committee members elected Buncich as their party chairman.

Buncich was running for re-election as sheriff in 2014 and raised more than $200,000 from hundreds of contributors, according to county elections board records. Szarmach's agreement stated he made other payments in 2015 and 2016.

Szarmach said he began cooperating in 2016 with Jurgensen, owner of Samsons Towing, and recently identified as a government informant who is referred to in the indictment as "Individual A." He said together they paid Buncich $6,000 in April 2016.

"To obtain my portion of this bribe payment, I told Buncich to look inside my new vehicle. Buncich entered my vehicle and retrieved $3,500 from the vehicle's front seat," according to the plea agreement. He said he and Jurgensen afterward were given sole rights to do the towing county police ordered when enforcing Gary's ordinance violations.

Szarmach alleged he and Jurgensen talked Buncich into eliminating the need for their towing firms to pay the county treasury a $50 fee, earmarked to pay the salaries of some county police officers. They told Buncich this would free up more money to pay him kickbacks.

Szarmach also stated he wanted Buncich's help to gain towing business from Indiana University Northwest in Gary. "Buncich told me he would have someone from his office speak to IUN," Szarmach said in the plea agreement.

"I gave Buncich $1,000 in cash in the parking lot of a restaurant where we were eating. This $1,000 cash payment was for Buncich's help in getting me the IUN towing and for helping me with a union issue in Lake Station," Szarmach said.

Initial indictments came down Nov. 18

A federal grand jury indicted Szarmach, Buncich and Timothy Downs, the sheriff's former second-in-command, on Nov. 18, 2016.

Szarmach had, until Friday, been pleading not guilty to bribery and wire fraud counts alleging he paid the sheriff $9,500 between June 2015 and last August to influence the sheriff to give Szarmach more lucrative towing assignments.

Szarmach's lawyer, Daniel Purdom, of Lisle, Illinois, signaled on June 20 that Szarmach and the U.S. attorney's office were trying to conclude a plea agreement in the bribery case.

The agreement indicates Szarmach can win a reduced sentence if he cooperates fully with the government.

This deal mirrors one the government made seven months ago with Downs, who pleaded guilty to collecting Buncich's campaign contributions on public time. Downs also agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors in return for a lenient sentence.
LANSING  National Night Out will be hosted at Lan-Oak Park again this year.

National Night Out is an annual nationwide event aimed at building the police and community relationship. Its held on the first Tuesday in August each year by towns and neighborhoods around the country, U.S. territories and military bases and in Canada.

It began 32 years ago, and more than 16,000 communities with 38 million residents have taken part in block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and other events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and exhibits.

National Night Out is a campaign from the National Association of Town Watch, a network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups and state and regional crime prevention associations.

Other area towns participating in National Night Out, per the events national website, include Calumet City, Cedar Lake, Chesterton, Gary, Merrillville, Munster, St. John and Valparaiso. Its held simultaneously on the first Tuesday evening in August, which is Aug. 1 this year.

Lansings edition will include free food, giveaways, a police K-9 unit demonstration and a bouncy obstacle course. It begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 8.

Lan-Oak Park is near the corner of 180th Street and Arcadia Avenue. The event is free for all residents.

The village will take part for the third consecutive year after a seven-year hiatus that ended in 2015.
MUNSTER  The two men who discovered the remains of Paula Ann Stewart on Dec. 16, 1980, weren't certain at first what they had found.

The 15-year-old girl's body had decomposed so much only a skeleton remained, which the men mistook for that of an animal.

The Lake County Coroner's office called in a Chicago anthropologist to help identify the body, according to The Times archives, which was discovered in a ditch in the 10400 block of Colorado Street in what is now Winfield.

Despite police suspicions that the body belonged to Stewart, they would have to wait 27 years to confirm.

The sophomore from Hobart High School was first reported missing June 29, 1980, by her father, Paul Stewart. Police said the girl left her home in the 800 block of Lincoln Street after spending the day at Bass Lake with a boyfriend and his parents.

Stewart told The Times in 2007 his daughter left at about 10:30 or 11 p.m. to get soda from a vending machine outside a nearby grocery store, but she didn't return.

The technology needed to identify Stewart's remains did not exist in 1980, and she was buried four years later in an unmarked grave in the Merrillville Cemetery in Ross Township, about 5 miles from her home.

It was a phone call in late 2006 from Stewart's sister, Sherry Vitaniemi, that prompted police to reexamine the case.

The body was exhumed in the spring of 2007 and a DNA sample was compared to a sample from Vitaniemi, which confirmed the grave was Stewart's final resting place.

The doctor who exhumed the remains, Stephen P. Nawrocki, director of osteology at the University of Indianapolis, was tasked with determining the girl's cause of death, the archives state.

Nawrocki said in 2017 he recalled the case, but he could not speak about the specific findings without approval from the coroner's office.

He said, in general, it would be very difficult to determine the cause of the girl's death so long after she was buried.

Two detectives were assigned to investigate  Lt. Leo Finnerty, of the Hobart Police Department, and Deputy Cmdr. Shaw Spurlock, of the Lake County Sheriff's Department.

Both officers have since retired, according to police.

Vitaniemi said at a press conference in August 2007 she didn't care about finding the person responsible for her sister's death.

I've gotten what I wanted: Her  that's all I ever wanted, she said. She's earned that right to be found.
Over 1,000 Lutheran youth, primarily high school age, are on the Valparaiso University campus this week for a conference aimed at deepening their faith.

The Higher Things Youth Conference's "Here I Stand" theme aims to remind the youth of a major anniversary this Halloween  the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany, seen as the seminal moment when the Protestant Reformation was born.

"It's an exciting time to be a Lutheran, that's for sure," said Crysten Sanchez, of Solon, Iowa, the conference coordinator.

This is the first Higher Things Youth Conference held at Valparaiso University.

Christopher Yeager, 29, of Montgomery, Texas, attended a similar conference when he was 13. He had just been confirmed that year.

"I probably didn't even know what the Gospel meant," Yeager said.

Now he does, he said. The freedom of the Gospel means to him, "When you deal with hardships, you're forgiven. You're a child of God."

Yeager is to become a pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Stevensville, Michigan, after he is ordained next month.

The conference, which began on Tuesday and ends Friday, has multiple worship services daily and a wide variety of topics discussed in workshop sessions, including "Angels: An Introduction," "That piece of bread is what?" and "The Dating and Homosexuality Sextional."

"You name it, we've probably covered it," said Sandra Ostapowich, of Denison, Texas, the conference executive.

"The church tends to water them down when we get to theology," she said, but the youth enjoy exploring different aspects of their deepening faith.

Kenneth Wolfrum, 19, of Dyer, attends Grace Lutheran Church there. He's studying business analytics at Purdue University Northwest's Hammond campus. For him, examining the relationship between capitalism and Christianity has been fruitful.

"Christianity and Christ don't necessarily bend to the whims of the commercial world," Wolfrum said.

Todd Jackson, of Fort Wayne, attends Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. He attended one of these conferences when he was in high school and jumped at the chance to be a counselor.

"We sang, 'A Mighty Fortress,' and I had chills the entire time seeing that many people in one place, praising God. It was just mind-blowing," Jackson said.

Worship is rated as one of the highlights of the conference each year.

Pastor Duane Bamsch, of Terra Bella, California, normally preaches to about 100 congregants each Sunday. At this week's conference, however, he's addressing 10 times that number.

"You do what you always do; there's just more eyes looking at you," he said.

The youth enjoy singing loudly at the conference, and it can take a week or two to remember to sing more softly in their home church.

The Rev. George Borghardt, conference president and pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in McHenry, Illinois, said the adult leaders learn from the youth, too.

"What we learn from them is their enthusiasm," he said. "There's a joy there that's contagious."
OGDEN DUNES  A large group of citizens made sure that five teens would not lose their battle against the large waves that battered them along a sea wall Thursday evening.

"They heard what was going on and saw what was going on and they went down and tried to help," Ogden Dunes Police Chief James Reeder said on Friday.

Three of the five teens were hospitalized, but only one girl is still being held at a hospital in South Bend and she is also expected to make a full recovery, Reeder said.

According to Reeder, one of the teenagers was wading out into the water near Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Park when he apparently got caught in a rip current. The other four teenagers went to his aid and they also got swept up in the current and waves of the swollen lake.

Reeder said lakefront resident Lou Gagliardi was sitting at his dining table when he spotted one of the teens. He said Gagliardi told him that "the kid was just swimming for all he was worth, but he just wasn't going anywhere."

Gagliardi saw the teens being pulled to the seawall and went down to the shore with a rope. Reeder said Gagliardi told him that all of the kids grabbed on to the rope and along with the wave action he also started to be pulled into the lake.

Gagliardi then got an inflatable round tube that he threw to the group of three boys and two girls, according to Reeder. The teens had a hard time hanging on to the device, however, and one of the boys talked about how he slipped off before being helped back on by one of the girls.

The teens were battered both by waves flowing into the sea wall and bouncing back off of it. The two teens that did not need to be transported told Reeder that "they were completely surrounded by the waves."

A large contingent of people came down to the shore along a nearby walkway and deck and lowered a ladder down to bring the teens out of the water. Reeder said some of the exhausted teens had to be given assistance to get up the ladder. Ogden Dunes police officers also arrived on the scene, but Reeder gave credit to the townspeople for their efforts to save the five teens.

At approximately 7:10 p.m. Thursday, conservation officers were notified of a water rescue in the Ogden Dunes area and responded to the scene, according to a media release from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

A Portage girl and boy were taken to Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus in Gary in critical condition and a Lake Station teen was taken to Porter Regional Hospital in Valparaiso in serious condition, according to the report. The Portage girl, said Reeder, was the one later transported to a hospital in South Bend.

In addition to conservation officers and Ogden Dunes police, the Ogden Dunes Volunteer Fire Department, Burns Harbor Police Department, Portage Police Department, Portage Emergency Management Services, and South Haven Emergency Management Services provided assistance.

Conservation officers said they strongly encourage Lake Michigan swimmers to be aware of the lake's rapidly changing conditions and hazards, including large waves and rip currents, and avoid the water in unsafe conditions. They also recommend the use of life jackets when swimming in any body of water.

Check back at nwi.com for updates to this story.
VALPARAISO  "That elite 7 percent" of Americans who have served in the U.S. armed forces were honored at the Porter County Fair.

A 2002 graduate of Kouts High School and 16-year veteran of the Army was the guest speaker Wednesday evening at the veterans recognition program.

Former Army Staff Sgt. Corey Herma, of Kouts, paid tribute to the veterans in the audience, calling them that elite 7 percent of Americans who have served.

Veterans are regular people who answered a call with extreme responsibilities and consequences,Herma said. They stood to defend our nation and her flag.

Herma said the 7 percent includes many ages and generations, and all had different military experiences.

Some served in open fields, some in vast oceans, and others in the sky, deep jungles and hot deserts, Herma said.

Herma reminded the audience that some veterans came home to a country against them.

No matter the conditions, the locations, the generation, there will always be that small percent of Americans who will raise their right hand and make that everlasting decision," he said.

Joining after high school, Hermas Army experience included serving as military police and a K-9 handler in Vincenza, Italy, and Fort Campbell, Kentucky; serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan; and training and assisting local law enforcement and the Iraqi Army in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Most recently, he served in the Indiana National Guard out of South Bend until 2016.

Herma said that even after 16 years of service, he has a difficult time thinking of himself as a veteran. He said hed rather look up to older veterans who endured harsher times, with substandard equipment and next to no support.

I wonder if 50 years from now, Im going to be that old vet shaking the hand of some young troop that just came home, Herma said.

American Legion Post 94 posted the colors at the event, and the Valparaiso Community University Concert Band played patriotic music for the crowd gathered at Park Place Pavilion. At the end of the program, veterans in the audience stood during Armed Forces on Parade when they heard the band play the anthem of their branch of the service.

Herma encouraged everyone to thank veterans whenever they can.

If you shake a vets hand and tell him thank you, he might not seem to be thrilled about it, Herma said. But trust me, you just made their day in more ways than you know.
Bill Browder, a businessman behind a Russian sanctions law, testified Thursday that he believes a Russian lawyer went into a June 2016 meeting with top aides to the campaign of President Donald Trump with something to offer, and that Russian intelligence likely monitored the meeting.

"I can tell you with 100% certainty that the Russian intelligence services would have been aware of that meeting in advance as they were plotting it out, there would have been weeks spent studying how to best achieve the results in that meeting," Browder told the Senate judiciary committee Thursday.

Browder added that he has no first-hand knowledge of the details of the meeting but was commenting on his experience with the Russian government.

"I have no direct evidence, but I know how Russian security services behave, and this was a big ask, to repeal a major legislation," Browder told the committee. "They wouldn't have gone in without being prepared to offer something in return. What the offer was I don't know. But the KGB and FSB would have studied their targets carefully."

Browder, who worked with the Senate to pass the sanctions almost a decade ago, told members of the judiciary committee Thursday that Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya is the family lawyer for a Russian family closely aligned with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Meanwhile, Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is leading one of a handful of Congressional probes into Russia's interference in the election, said he believed the June 2016 meeting with Donald Trump Jr., then-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, Jared Kushner, Veselnitskaya and others was not the only one.

"The idea that Manafort, who is well known by the Russian world as sympathetic to their cause, that they didn't see that as an opportunity to get a relationship with the Trump campaign is hard to believe," Graham said.

Graham then quoted from Trump Jr.'s email exchange where he said he would "love" dirt on the Clinton campaign for use later in 2016.

"It's also hard for me to believe that once the Trump campaign expressed a desire to get help -- 'Yeah, I love it -- maybe later in the summer' -- that that meeting was one and done," he said.

Attendees of the June 2016 meeting have repeatedly said that their was no additional contact between Veselnitskaya and the Trump campaign.

"As it ended, my acquaintance apologized for taking up our time," Trump Jr. said in a statement, obtained by CNN on July 9. "That was the end of it and there was no further contact or follow-up of any kind. My father knew nothing of the meeting or these events."

Trump Jr.'s revelation of the June 2016 meeting with Veselnitskaya has reignited interest in Russia's efforts in the 2016 election for weeks now, spurring congressional investigators to pry into new avenues.

The House and Senate intelligence committees interviewed Kushner earlier in the week -- Kushner, in testimony he released publicly, said that he remembered very little of the meeting and later asked an aide to bail him out of the meeting.

Senate intelligence committee staff interviewed Manafort as well this week. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley subpoenaed Manafort earlier in the week, but dropped the subpoena after Manafort agreed to testify privately and provide his notes about the June 2016 meeting.

The meeting has also sucked in the players in the fight over the Magnitsky Act -- Russian sanctions approved in 2012 -- into the Russian probe. Veselnitskaya, the Russian lawyer in the Trump Jr. meeting, has been the lead proponent in the US of overturning the ban.

The hearing with Browder had originally been planned as a blockbuster event with requests of public testimony from Trump Jr., Manafort and Glenn Simpson, whose firm helped craft the "Steele Dossier" with stunning allegations against Trump. But all three witnesses negotiated with the committee to appear in private instead.

CNN's Marshall Cohen contributed to this report.
Lance Cpl. Kara Dethlefsen and her husband are both proud Marines. They love their country and their young daughter. They have been deployed overseas and separated from each other in service to our country. They also have something in common with 23,000 other military families; they have to rely on food stamps and church food pantries to feed their young family.

An enlisted member of our armed services with two years of service has a base salary of $2,004.30 per month. If that warrior was living in New Hampshire, he or she would qualify for food stamps. In fact, more than 25 percent of our military families rely on some form of government welfare program or a food pantry to survive.

An Army E-5 (sergeant) with six years of service makes $2,856.60 a month before taxes, or $34,280 a year. Many times the spouse cannot work because of extended deployments, lack of a familial support structure or frequent moves. Could your family live on $34,000 a year before federal income tax?

Forty-five percent of military children attending school qualify and receive free lunch. About 80,000 military families have expressed worry about the groceries lasting until payday. We ask these young men and women to risk their lives for us, but we, as a country, dont pay them enough to live proudly. That is disgraceful.

The House Armed Services Committee has proposed an amendment to increase the 2018 Defense Authorization Act to increase military base salaries by 0.3 percent, bringing it to the civilian standard of a 2.4 percent growth. This isnt just the right thing to do  its the law.

Section 37 of the U.S. Code calls for a mandatory pay raise of 2.4 percent between 2014 and 2016.

However, military pay rose by only 1 percent annually. The current administration is seeking to address this issue with a proposed 2.1 percent pay raise, but I believe it is critically important our military troops get the full 2.4 percent pay raise to which they are entitled.

The naysayers will argue the military receives money for food and housing. While that is correct, it isnt sufficient.

A military family of four stationed at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard will pay an average of $1,800 rent for a two-bedroom apartment, which is more than the current defense housing assistance, and receive about $23 per person per week in food allowance. Can you feed each member of your family with only $23 per week? Once you factor in that New Hampshire has some of the highest energy costs in the country, things like home heating oil or a car repair become budget busters.

While enlisted in the Air Force, I witnessed firsthand airmen with families who struggled to pay their bills and feed their families every month. This is a practice that has to end.

We have the most technologically advanced, best trained and best equipped military fighting force in history. Our capability for fighting evil and our capacity for bringing peace and hope to the darkest corners of the world are unparalleled.

We owe them the dignity of not having to stand in line at a food pantry or rely on food stamps to feed their children.

I ask that you please call our senators and congressmen (202-225-3121) and ask that they show respect to our soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen by giving them a fighting chance to take care of their own families and support a 2.4 percent pay raise. Its the law.
CHICAGO  A judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging a penny-per-ounce tax on sweetened beverages sold in the Chicago area, and dissolved a temporary restraining order that had delayed its implementation.

But it's unclear when Cook County will start collecting the tax on a variety of sugary and artificially sweetened drinks.

It originally was to take effect July 1 but the Illinois Retail Merchants Association sued, arguing the tax is too vague. Cook County Circuit Judge Daniel Kubasiak ruled in favor of a county request to dismiss the lawsuit. Association president Rob Karr says he's exploring legal options.

Cook County projected collecting about $67.5 million from the tax this year and more than $200 million for fiscal year 2018. Its delay resulted in layoff notices being sent to hundreds of county workers.
INDIANAPOLIS  Authorities say an Indiana police officer has died after being shot multiple times while responding to a traffic crash on the south side of Indianapolis.

Southport Police Chief Thomas Vaughn says the slain officer, Lt. Aaron Allen, was a six-year veteran of his department with nearly 20 years of law enforcement experience.

Sgt. Kendale Adams of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department says Allen was responding to a crash where someone was trapped Thursday afternoon when he was shot. He says Allen died at Eskenazi Hospital.

Adams says two other officers at the scene returned fire, striking a person inside the vehicle. He says that person and a second person injured in the crash were hospitalized and in custody with non-life-threatening injuries.

Southport is an enclave within the city limits of Indianapolis.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia  Two women accused of poisoning the estranged half brother of North Korea's ruler in a bizarre airport assassination are expected to plead innocent when they appear in a Malaysian court on Friday, their lawyers said.

Indonesian Siti Aisyah and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong are suspected of smearing Kim Jong Nam's face with the banned VX nerve agent at a crowded airport terminal in Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 13. The women, who face the death penalty if convicted, say they were duped into thinking they were playing a harmless prank for a hidden-camera show.

They are the only suspects in custody in a killing that South Korea's spy agency said was part of a five-year plot by reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to kill a brother he reportedly never met. Four North Korean suspects fled the country, police say.

The women's lawyers say their clients are expected to plead not guilty at the High Court Friday.

Here's a look at the significance of Kim's death and the two suspects:

___

WHY WAS KIM JONG NAM ASSASSINATED

North Korea has a long history of ordering killings of people it views as threats to its regime. While Kim Jong Nam was not thought to be seeking influence, his position as eldest son of the family that has ruled North Korea since its founding could have made him appear to be a danger. Kim had also spoken out publicly against his family's dynastic control of the reclusive, nuclear-armed nation.

North Korea has refused to accept the dead man was leader Kim Jong Un's half brother and has suggested the victim died of a heart attack. It has accused Malaysia of working with South Korean and other "hostile forces" in blaming Pyongyang.

Kim Jong Nam died while en route to a hospital after he fell ill at a budget terminal of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport while waiting for a flight to Macao. He told medical workers before he died that he had been attacked with a chemical spray that Malaysian officials later identified as the deadly VX nerve agent.

Kim Jong Nam, who was 45 or 46, had been living abroad for years. He reportedly fell out of favor when he was caught trying to enter Japan on a false passport in 2001, saying he wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland.

___

INDONESIAN SUSPECT

Siti Aisyah, 25, was recruited in early January by a North Korean man, known as James, to star in his video prank shows, according to her lawyer Gooi Soon Seong.

The two met at a pub in downtown Kuala Lumpur and over the course of several days, James had Siti rub oil or pepper sauce on a victim's face from forehead downwards which he would film on his phone, the lawyer said. They practiced at malls, hotels and airports. Gooi said Aisyah was paid $100-$200 for each prank and hoped the income would allow her to stop working as a social escort.

In late January, Aisyah flew to Cambodia where James introduced her to Hong Song Hac, one of four North Korean suspects who left Malaysia on the day of the killing. Hong had introduced himself as Chang, a Chinese who produces video prank shows for the Chinese market, the lawyer said.

Gooi said Hong asked Aisyah to do several more pranks at the Kuala Lumpur airport a few days before Kim was attacked. He said that Hong identified Kim to Aisyah at the airport and allegedly put the poison on her hand.

James, identified by police as Ri Ji U, was among seven North Korean suspects wanted by Malaysian police. Four fled the country on Feb. 13 and the other three, including James, hid inside their country's embassy in Kuala Lumpur to avoid questioning.

The three were later allowed to fly home in exchange for nine Malaysians held in Pyongyang, as part of a deal to ease a diplomatic spat between the two countries. Gooi said James was key to Aisyah's defense and that his absence could weaken her case.

Aisyah, who has a son, has wrote to her family telling them to pray for her "so that the case will be over soon and I can go back home."

___

VIETNAMESE SUSPECT

Huong, 29, was caught on airport security surveillance camera wearing a white jumper emblazoned with big black letters "LOL"  acronym for laughing out loud.

Security camera apparently showed her lunging at Kim Jong Nam from behind in a crowded airport terminal.

Little is known about Huong. Raised in a rice farm in northern Vietnam, her family said they had hardly heard from her since she left home a decade ago, aged just 18 years.

She made postings on a Facebook page under the name Ruby Ruby, according to her niece, Dinh Thi Quyen.

Photos on the page show Huong wearing a white shirt that appears to say "LOL," like the one seen on security camera video during the attack. It shows her posing for selfies in Kuala Lumpur a few days before the attack and in January in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Her last post was on the morning of Feb. 11, two days before the attack, from an area near the airport.

"I want to sleep more but by your side," she wrote above a photo showing her with her eyes closed.
MUNSTER  Diane Wilcox has made a habit of proving medical professionals wrong.

But when a Munster orthotist told her she'd be able to walk again, she intended to prove him right.

And she has.

After a visit this week to Brian Steinberg's office, the Center for Orthotic & Prosthetic Excellence, she walked to her car on her own accord.

"Now I can go to the beach. I can go the movies. I can go to the store," said Wilcox, of Valparaiso. "I can do the things most people take for granted."

For the past two decades, she couldn't do a lot of things.

In 1996, at the age of 18, Wilcox was in an accident that caused a series of strokes, leaving her ability to walk impaired. Doctors didn't expect her to survive and, if she did, to have much function at all.

She kept working at it, proving her doubters wrong every step of the way.

She eventually was outfitted with an orthotic on her foot that helped her walk, though not well. She still put too much weight on one side, affecting her posture. She has what's called "dropped foot," which causes her to walk on the side of her foot.

"I just wanted to wear normal shoes," she said. "I begged every doctor to get me out of my brace. I had pretty much given up."

She said she went to "hundreds" of medical offices before finding the Center for Orthotic & Prosthetic Excellence. The practice, with locations in Munster and St. John, leans heavily on electrical stimulation, using devices that purport to retrain the brain and nervous system in order to reactive limbs.

"Braces aren't addressing the underlying problems," Steinberg said. "We want to get people back to that what they enjoy doing, back to their professions, spending time with their grandchildren."

He prescribed Wilcox a device, called the WalkAide, designed to stimulate the nerve that lifts the foot.

"The weekend I got it, I walked on the beach for the first time in 20 years," she said. "To put on sandals and walk in the sand, you can't imagine how good that felt."

However, many insurers don't pay for the devices, following the lead of Medicare, which only covers them for spinal cord injuries. Wilcox was able to get hers paid for by doing vocational rehab.

Wilcox, 39, hopes to become a motivational speaker and writer. She is working on a book and already has written an article about her experience for a self-help magazine.

"I call her 'Wonder Woman Diane,'" said her boyfriend, Chris Mihalich, of St. John. "She has this certain grit about her."

Her next goal: to walk without even her aid.

"I'm not going to need it," she said. "I won't."
Yet one more book on John F. Kennedy has appeared, this time focusing on the 1960 presidential campaign.

The Road to Camelot, by veteran reporters Curtis Wilkie and Thomas Oliphant, is worth attention. The volume reflects traditional journalism, with readable prose, serious research and analysis relevant today.

That alone is refreshing, as we are bombarded by contemporary nonstop media, which sometimes mingle fiction and fact. Traditional news reporters treat confirmed facts as their holy grail. The analogy is not strained.

Too often today, corporate media sacrifice professionalism for profits, serious analysis for sensationalism.

Yet politics at some level has always involved manipulation of the existing media, the creation of an image which might or might not comport with reality. The 1960 Kennedy presidential campaign gave maximum attention to creating a not always accurate image of the candidate. JFK was competing for the nomination with far more established party leaders.

Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson was enormously powerful in Washington, feared as well as admired for long-term dominance in the legislative branch. Senator Hubert Humphrey likewise had a well-deserved reputation for policy effectiveness in civil rights, foreign aid and other fields. As for Kennedy, he was widely regarded as not very effective, in part because directly seeking the presidency was a constant priority.

The Road to Camelot is serious work, but also reinforces a distinctively positive, selective picture of Kennedy. The title gives this away. The Kennedy administration was given this label posthumously.

Kennedys presidential ascent was orchestrated significantly by his father, Joseph P. Kennedy, enormously successful in business, a disastrous failure as ambassador to Great Britain, controversial throughout. JFK went the hard public route of presidential primaries. The campaign emphasized that dimension, and so does this book.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Joe Kennedy relentlessly courted and won over traditional politicians including big-city bosses, who were still powerful  though their days were numbered. The book tends to glide over this rough dimension, at times dismissing his efforts.

Joe Kennedy recognized clearly the enormous influence of modern media. Early on, he made a fortune in the movie industry.

Were going to sell Jack like soap flakes, he declared regarding his sons political career.

John C. Dowd was an impressive advertising entrepreneur, a successful Irishman in a largely Anglo-dominated business (one accurate theme in TVs Mad Men).

During the intense fall U.S. presidential contest, Kennedy and Vice President Richard M. Nixon made history, and changed history, by debating face to face on nationwide TV and radio. The first face-off between the two presidential nominees, in September in a Chicago CBS studio, eventually redefined American presidential politics in terms of how party nominees compete.

A little-known precedent to these debates was a radio debate in 1952 between powerful Senator Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts and his widely dismissed challenger, young Congressman Kennedy. Nationwide, Republicans led by Dwight Eisenhower swept to landslide victory. One of the few Democratic wins was Kennedys upset defeat of Lodge.

The Kennedy organization fully understood the medias power. Oliphant and Wilkie describe, and also represent, the phenomenon.
President Donald Trump says he'll destroy the deadly street gang MS-13 as part of his crackdown on undocumented immigrants.

The president made those remarks during a speech before law enforcement officers on Long Island.

Authorities say MS-13 is responsible for at least 17 murders in Suffolk County since January of last year.

Trump thinks the gang is filled with people who are in the U.S. illegally, and that police know who they are.

He promises to back officers 100 percent.

"I said, 'Please don't be too nice,'" Trump said. "Like, when you guys put somebody in the car and you're protecting their head, you know, the way you put their hand ove, like, don't hit their head, and they've just killed somebody. Don't hit their head. I said, 'You can take the hand away, OK?'"

Trump also took a veiled shot at Mayor Bill de Blasio, calling him pathetic for not supporting police.

The mayor took to Twitter to respond to Trump's speech.
Cellular Dynamics International, the stem cell company founded by UW-Madison stem cell pioneer James Thomson, is backing off on moving its headquarters to a big, new building in Verona and will stay in Madison, at least for now, as it prepares to push forward with its first potential stem cell-based treatment in early 2018.

CDI president Kaz Hirao said Thursday the company is shelving plans to shift operations to a $40 million, 133,700-square-foot building that was to be built for CDI on Kettle Moraine Trail in Verona. The building was expected to house 280 employees, with so-called clean rooms, quality-control labs, processing rooms and offices.

Instead, CDIs main offices and labs will remain at 525 Science Drive in University Research Park and the company will remodel an existing building  whose site has not yet been determined  to house several clean rooms that will meet government standards for manufacturing stem cells for use in clinical drug trials.

Fujifilm (CDIs parent company) has a very strong commitment and wants to see (the) Madison (site) grow in the future. Strategy-wise, that has not changed, Hirao said. Madison has a great ecosystem for our businesses.

He said the National Eye Institute plans to submit an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January 2018 for a retinal cell therapy it has been developing with CDI for age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease that can lead to blindness. The National Eye Institute has conducted animal studies on the drug, Hirao said.

It is the first of a series of stem cell-based drugs the company is working on. CDI expects to file investigational new drug applications for treating Parkinsons disease and for cardiac disease in 2019, he said.

In order to make stem cells that meet government standards for use in human clinical trials, Hirao said the company will establish clean rooms that meet regulations for current good manufacturing practices. He said he expects to designate a location in the next month or two, within about a 15-minute drive of CDI headquarters, to handle the companys stem cell manufacturing needs for the immediate future.

Next year, CDI will review its plans again, Hirao said, and will again consider a move to a larger, consolidated building. If it decides to go ahead with that, Verona would be one of the preferred options, he said.

CDI had obtained up to $6 million in financial incentives from the city of Verona for the building that was to be built and owned by developer John K. Livesey.

Verona planning and development director Adam Sayre called CDIs decision to pull back on the plans unfortunate, but said city officials will keep in contact with Cellular Dynamics over the coming months.

The city would continue to welcome them with open arms, Sayre said. Well see what the next year brings.

At University Research Park, CDI occupies about 55,000 square feet, director Aaron Olver said. Weve recently provided CDI with some additional space to help them grow, he said.

CDI is one of the true gems among companies powered by UW-Madison research, and we would certainly do anything we could to help them find clean room space to continue their work, Olver said.

Founded in 2004, CDI was acquired by Fujifilm Holdings Corp. for $307 million in April 2015.

The company has 165 employees, including about 125 in Madison. Hirao said he expects to add employees, but said its too soon to estimate how many, or how quickly the company will grow.
A Lee County man was charged with murder Thursday night following the death of his nephew.

Police received a call reporting a shooting at approximately 5:54 p.m. in the 500 block of Lee Road 156, said Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones. Responding deputies found a man, lying in a driveway next to a residence, who appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound.

The victim was unresponsive to arriving deputies, Jones added, and he died by the time emergency medical personnel arrived.

Marshall Lee Norgard, 40, of Opelika, was pronounced dead at the scene by Lee County Coroner Bill Harris.

Sheriffs investigators identified Michael Lee Norgard, 54, also of Opelika, as a suspect at the scene and he was arrested Thursday and charged with murder, according to a news release from the Lee County Sheriff's Department. Michael Norgard is the victims uncle.

Indications are that the victim and suspect were involved in some type of argument shortly before the shooting took place, the release states. A .40-caliber handgun was recovered at the suspects residence.

Marshall Norgard was taken to Montgomery for examination by the Department of Forensic Sciences.

The case is being treated as a homicide and remains under investigation by the Lee County Coroners Office, Lee County Sheriffs Office, Lee County District Attorneys office and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.

Anyone with any information on this case, or who may have seen something in this area, is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriffs Office at 334-749-5651 or the Lee County Coroners Office secret witness line at 334-745-8686.
Can you imagine receiving dozens of letters from strangers every day, having your utilities cut off, or not being able to unsubscribe from certain services, all because of an unfortunate address? Thats what life is like at 1234 AB, 123 (changed for privacy reasons), the address that most hackers, as well as everyday people in the Netherlands, use when filling out online forms. They do it out of laziness, or to protect their own privacy, without realizing that some of the things they do online actually affect the people at that address.

Motherboard Netherlands recently learned that 1234 AB, 123 was the most spammed address in the country, and decided to investigate if such an address actually existed. A Google search revealed that there was a indeed a place in the Noord Holland province with that exact address, and it even showed up on Streetview. They were soon able to find some phone numbers of the people living there, to ask them if living at the most spammed address in the country affected their lives in any way. Turns out it does, bigly!

Photo: VICE Netherlands

The first person Motherboard contacted was a man named Fransen, who had some interesting stories to tell. In 2009, about half a year after moving at 1234 AB, 123, his phone and internet were cut off. Over the next few months, the same thing happened to his gas, water and electricity. It was clear to him that something strange was going on, but he had no idea what it was.

The explanation Fransen received simply baffled him. Many companies in the Netherlands offer relocation services, so when someone moves to a new address, they simply notify their utilities supplier so they can shut off services at their old address and set them up at their new home. The problem is that many people apparently fill out their old address as 1234 AB, 123, so they can get through the process faster, and that leads to suppliers actually cutting off utilities to Fransen and the other tenants at the spammy address.

But this was only the beginning of Fransens problems. At one point, he tried unsubscribing from the NCS newspaper, but was unable to, because a large number of people who had failed to pay their subscription showed up at his address. He would have been forced to settle the debt in order to unsubscribe. The spammy address also prevented him from buying anything from Bol.com, the Dutch version of Amazon, for a long time, because too many people had used his address to register and had broken the sites terms and conditions.

Fransen also complained that he couldnt even go on vacation for years, because he had to keep an eye on the mail box and contact various utility suppliers that threatened to cut their services if the recipient didnt settle his debt. He had to explain that the person they were addressing wasnt actually living at that address, and that cutting of utilities would effect innocent people.

The second person contacted by Motherboard during their investigation was Mrs. Hendricks, an 83-year-old woman living at that same unfortunate address. She said that until a few years ago, she only received strange letters every few years, but things have gotten infinitely worse lately. She barely has time to empty the mailbox before it becomes clogged with junk mail again.

Many of the letters sent to 1234 AB, 123 are addressed to T. Test. Thats a pretty weird name, and it turns out it is the preferred choice of new call center employees learning to input addresses. Only instead of getting canceled, their test letter actually get sent and wind up in the hands of people like Fransen and Hendriks.

We received mail addressed to Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dagobert Duck and Piet Piemel. The level of Dutch humor is really sad, a cynical Mr. Fransen said.

Faced with constant problems, the people of 1234 AB, 123 spent years looking for a solution. They first went to the police, but they had no idea how to help. Then they went to the local authorities, to have the postal code changed, but, as a result of the privatization of postal services, including the allocation of postal codes, the matter was out of the hands of the Government. So they tried getting PostNL, the company that now assigns postal codes, to make the change, but despite several attempts, including sending a cake to the director of the company, to let him see what it was like to receive something you never ordered was like, they were unsuccessful.

Finally, the mayor of their city came up with a solution. Because 1234 AB, 123 is a corner building, the address can be changed to the adjacent street. The postal code remains the same, but it is no longer combined with the 123 house number. It seemed that the nightmare was over, but, last December, Mr. Fransens electricity was cut off again. Unfortunately, he and his co-tenants learned that it may take up to 10 years for their old address to be erased from the databases of some of their utility suppliers.

The actual address and the names of the people in this story are fictitious, for privacy reasons, but the real ones are known to Motherboard Netherlands.
MILWAUKEE  With Lake Michigan shimmering in the background as they stood inside the Milwaukee Art Museum, Gov. Scott Walker and Foxconn founder Terry Gou sealed a historic deal for Wisconsins economy Thursday.

The reasons why a mid-sized, Midwest state won the competition to land North Americas first liquid crystal display plant  and the 13,000 direct jobs that will come with it  have much less to do with Wisconsins offer of financial incentives than with its other tangible and intangible assets.

Since the Foxconn talks began to surface in public in June, speculation centered on how Wisconsin might attract the Taiwanese electronics giant if it came down to a bidding war with much larger states such as Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.

It may turn out that one or more of those states bid far above the $3 billion in staged financial incentives put on the table by Wisconsin. That means Wisconsin emerged on top for other reasons:

Location, location, location.

The old real-estate axiom applies in layers, with Foxconn wanting to open at least one U.S. factory for market and geopolitical reasons; preferring the Midwest to the East and West coasts for its first high-tech facility; and centering on Wisconsins southeast corridor due to its proximity to Milwaukee and Chicago. Ample land is available. Transportation options include the Interstate system, major airports and rail lines.

Energy and water.

The southeast corner of Wisconsin is a hub for interstate electric transmission lines, and Wisconsin utilities are part of a Midwest consortium to ensure reliability as well as renewable sources. Water is used in the production of glass LCD panels, which are built under clean room conditions, and the Lake Michigan watershed provides an ample supply that can be used and recycled.

Higher education.

There are 75,000 graduates produced each year by the University of Wisconsin System, the Wisconsin Technical College System and the states private colleges and universities. Thats a likely source for some of the workers who will eventually fill Foxconns Wisconsin labor force. Wisconsin colleges and universities are also home to a research and development structure that rivals what can be found in most states  although its time to reinvest in that asset before quality wanes.

A manufacturing tradition.

Wisconsin has a history of making things that extends to the late 19th century. Its manufacturers are, by and large, innovators who have embraced technology and new ways of producing goods and services. Electrical equipment and medical equipment are already two staples of the tech-based manufacturing landscape in Wisconsin. As Foxconn builds out a supply chain that may include hundreds of companies, it will find that Wisconsin is among the nations leaders in original equipment manufacturers.

A vibrant technology foundation.

While many people think first of Wisconsin for its agriculture, tourism and manufacturing, its tech sectors have grown steadily over time and provide support for the big three in a variety of ways. According to the latest Cyberstates report by CompTIA, the nations largest technology association, there are at least 101,000 tech workers in Wisconsin, largely in information technology, tech products and engineering fields. Another 25,000 or so people work in life science fields. Collectively, thats about 6 percent of the Wisconsin workforce and growing. For emerging tech companies in Wisconsin, Foxconns interests in electronics, artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality, medical imaging, regenerative medicine, virtual reality and more provide potential opportunities for growth.

Teamwork.

While its not always apparent in the day-to-day debates in the state Capitol, the Walker administration and legislative leaders from both parties pulled together when it counted. Gou praised Walkers leadership and the governor relied on two Cabinet leaders, Administration Secretary Scott Neitzel and Mark Hogan of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., to drive home the deal. In southeast Wisconsin, officials in Racine and Kenosha counties were integral, and a mix of business groups weighed in to help.

The $3 billion, pay-as-you-grow incentive package must still be approved by the Legislature, most likely in a special session next month. Its a vital part of the deal, of course, but Wisconsin lured Foxconn for a mix of reasons that far exceeded dollars alone. Those same assets can help draw others.
Victims of Terrorism, a Chicago-based collective that seeks compensatory justice for the victims of terrorist attacks, has retained government affairs consultancy Kamins Consulting for help on criminal justice issues in Washington.

According to lobbying registration documents filed in July, Kamins is advocating on behalf of the group regarding compensation for U.S. Government employees that were killed or injured during the August 1998 suicide bombings of the American embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, which killed more than 200 people  including 12 Americans  and wounded 4,000 others.

The simultaneous truck bomb attacks, which were linked to members of Egyptian al-Qaeda affiliate the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, were responsible for launching Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda into the public eye in the U.S. for the first time.

A series of civil suit brought by victims of the bombings and their families under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act resulted in a 2014 federal court final judgment that found the governments of Sudan and Iran liable for $8.6 billion to the victims in compensatory damages as well as pain and suffering, due to those nations roles in funding or otherwise lending direct support to the attackers.

Last year, another ruling, Owens v. Republic of Sudan, denied Sudans motions for appeals after years of ignoring the litigation.

The Victims of Terrorism account will be led by Scott Kamins, a former Prime Policy Group Director and VP who previously served as deputy assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs in the Bush Administration and was also deputy chief of staff and director of government affairs at the Republican National Committee.

Prior to his appointment as Deputy Assistant Secretary, Kamins was director of House affairs and also a director of congressional and public affairs at the Commerce Departments Bureau of Industry and Security.
A staff member at a residential care centre, who had initially been suspended with pay before being allowed return to work, has had his conviction for abusing a vulnerable male at the centre upheld by the Court of Appeal.

The 58-year-old Mullingar man, whose details cannot be published to protect the victim's identity, had pleaded not guilty at Tullamore Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of indecently assaulting a male at the residential care centre in 1992.

He was found guilty of a single count by a majority jury verdict of 11-1 and was given a wholly suspended 12 month sentence by Judge Petria McDonnell on February 20, 2014.

The man lost an appeal against his conviction today, Friday, July 28, with the Court of Appeal holding that the offence of indecent assault can embrace both the apprehension of uninvited and unwelcome physical contact as well as actual uninvited and unwelcome physical contact.

Giving background, Mr Justice John Edwards said the complainant was a 24-year-old vulnerable person with a mild intellectual disability. He also suffered from a number of physical ailments. He entered a named residential care centre in the 1980s and was resident there for 24 years.

The accused was a carer at the centre.

The complainant told the jury that he normally took a bath at around six or seven o'clock in the evening but on the occasion of the alleged offence, he took his bath at around 8 o'clock, which was unusual.

He told the jury that the accused was feeling me up in the bath  I was turning from the left to the right, the left to the right, just to get away from that  (He) put his hand into the bath  I had the bath as quick as possible.

The complainant went on to say that he was afraid to tell anyone because the accused was a staff member.

In December, he made a complaint to a named nurse at the centre who is now deceased. An internal investigation was instigated and the accused was suspended with pay. He was subsequently allowed to resume his work at the centre.

However, the matter was also brought to the attention of the gardai who commenced a criminal investigation that ultimately culminated in this prosecution.

Lawyers for the man submitted that the prosecution had opened the case to the jury on the basis that there was physical and direct contact perpetrated by the accused.

Although the man's lawyers accepted that evidence of the creation of an apprehension of imminent and unwelcome physical contact of a sexual nature is sufficient to establish an indencent assault, they submitted that the case was presented on the basis that there had bene actual physical contact of a sexual nature.

Mr Justice Edwards said the offence of indecent assault required proof of an assault in circumstances of indecency. The assault component can embrace both the apprehension of uninvited and unwelcome physical contact and actual uninvited and unwelcome physical contact.

He said the Court of Appeal was satisfied that the matter could have been left to the jury by the trial judge on either basis notwithstanding the manner in which the case was opened by the prosecution.

Mr Justice Edwards said the prosecution had not sought to resile at any stage from the suggestion made in their opening that the jury would hear, and did hear, evidence of actual uninvited and unwelcome physical contact of an indecent or sexual nature.

The Court of Appeal agreed, while the complainant did certainly indicate that he had turned to the left and to the right 'just to get away from that', the totality of his evidence was not contra-indicative of actual molestation, and there was an express rejection of a suggestion to the contrary put in cross-examination.

Mr Justice Edwards, who sat with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice John Hedigan, said the appeal was dismissed on all grounds.
Agricultural News

This Week on SUNUP - Kim Anderson Analyzes How Russia is Impacting the Price of U.S. Wheat

This week on SUNUP - Oklahoma State University Extension Grain Market Economist Dr. Kim Anderson joins host Lyndall Stout, reporting on a recent rally in the markets that have since evaporated.





According to Anderson, lower HRW production in the US triggered a rally in the price of wheat recently. But foreign production seems to have been higher than expected, coming in at about the same level as last year's record harvest.





As a result, the market adjusted to reflect the larger crops of countries like Russia and Ukraine. Perhaps even overcorrecting a bit.





Anderson explains that prices tend to act like a pendulum. He says when the market gets bad news, it swings back, often too far. Eventually, though, it will swing back the other way.





He says there was an initial psychological impact caused by this dip in prices, but is hopeful the markets will turn more positive in the days and weeks to come.





In the meantime, though, Anderson says as we approach the months of August, September and October when the trends of our marketing year are typically set - more information on the foreign crops will come in which will help markets gain better footing. He predicts there will likely be a bit of volatility but with the potential to gain back some of the $0.80 losses seen in recent weeks. He is optimistic prices will not go much lower.





You can watch their visit tomorrow or Sunday on SUNUP- but you can hear Kim's comments right now by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below.







Beyond Dr. Anderson's weekly chat - the SUNUP crew has a very full lineup for your viewing this weekend:





This week on SUNUP, we learn about research OkState entomologists to curb the spread of sugarcane aphids across the southern Great Plains.









- In the Mesonet weather report, Gary McManus says the timely rainfall crops need could be on the way.









- Even though producers planted a record amount of cotton across the state, Randy Boman explains why there could be tough times ahead for the Oklahoma crop.







- In Cow-Calf Corner, Glenn Selk says heat-stressed pregnant cattle have a hard time reaching full term.







- Derrell Peel explains some of the surprises in the latest USDA report.







- Finally, we look back at 20 years of the Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center and its impact on Oklahoma.







Join us for SUNUP:

Saturday at 7:30 a.m.

Sunday at 6 a.m. on OETA-TV



















You can watch their visit tomorrow or Sunday on SUNUP- but you can hear Kim's comments right now

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Agricultural News

EPA's Scott Pruitt Meets With Farmers in Guymon- Looking for Input to Clarify WOTUS

This week, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has been spending time in Oklahoma gathering ideas from the country on how to rewrite the Waters of the US Rule that he has begun the process of repealing. On Thursday, he met with local area farmers from Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas in Guymon to discuss the repeal and clarification of the 2015 Waters of the United States Rule (WOTUS).





Before that, he made a stop in Bartlesville and spent time with Phillips researchers to learn more about their research that has to do with clean water- and he was also spent time with Charlie Taraboletti of our Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Affiliate KWON in Bartlesville- you can hear their in depth conversation about WOTUS and more by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below.





With the February Executive Order to revise or rescind the 2015 Waters of the United States Rule, newly appointed EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is taking strides to clarifying this rule by sitting down with agriculturalist across the country to hear their concerns. Administrator Pruitt has traveled to over 15 states, and appeared for a town hall meeting in Guymon, Oklahoma.





More than 90 local farmers and ranchers from the surrounding area attended this town hall meeting Thursday (July 27) at the Hitch Enterprise Annex building.





Administrator Pruitt opened the meeting by sharing his plan for the Environmental Protection Agency and the direction he sees the agency going in the next four years. He is focusing on the process of hearing the concerns of the people and taking this into consideration before making a final discussion. A key item on Administrator Pruitt's agenda is clarifying the 2015 WOTUS Rule.







2015 WOTUS Rule

was adopted this didn't happen. This dialogue is very important to us."





After remarks from Administrator Pruitt, the floor was opened for questions. Several area farmers welcomed the Administrator and voiced their approval of the work that he has and is doing in the few short months he has been at the agency.





The topic of conversation was focused around WOTUS and how can Administrator Pruitt and his team can better clarify the rule in the lawmaking process later this year. Pruitt's goal is for the replacement definition to be finalized by the end of the first quarter in 2018.





Several questions were asked requesting that the definition be kept simple and they define what is and is not considered Waters of the United States. Administrator Pruitt expanded on several questions as well as many of his staff about where they are at in the lawmaking process with this revised ruling.





"This agency going forward is going to make sure we get it right," said Administrator Pruitt. "But at the end of the day, we trust you and we know that you are a partner in the process."





The Administrator said that agriculturalists are the original conservationist. Jerry Wiebe, farmer in Texas County and water pioneer, helped organize and plan this meeting along with Jason Hitch, owner of Hitch Enterprises. Wiebe has been faming in Texas County for over 50 years, with an emphasis on water conservation.





"Clarification of this rule will give us a base line moving forward," said Wiebe. "We'll know that what is put into place today, we can count on and rely on in the future."





Wiebe looks forward to the revision of the rule and is thankful for the Administrator taking the time to come and speak one-on-one with producers.





Kyle Hilbert, Oklahoma State Representative for District 29, is excited for the benefits that this will bring Oklahoma farming and ranching.





"This is something that will bring about long lasting change," said Representative Hilbert. "To have the definition of Waters of the United States back to its original intent will be huge not only for Oklahoma but for the United States."



Administrator Scott Pruitt is continuing to speak to producers across the country and is adamant about hearing the voice of the people, not only on this ruling but also over every issue or decision that is made.













CharlieTaraboletti of KWON talks WOTUS and more with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt

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Agricultural News

Recent Case of Atypical BSE Found in Alabama, Though a Non-Event, Proves Control Systems Work







Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays had the chance to speak with Colin Woodall of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association's Washington, D.C. office, about a subject that has cropped up and generally makes those in the beef industry cringe - BSE, or as it is commonly known, Mad Cow Disease. In recent weeks, a cow in Alabama was found with BSE. In this case, though, the disease was of the atypical variety, which is known to occur randomly in older cattle and does not pose the same kind of threat that classical BSE does, like for instance, with the infamous 'Cow that Stole Christmas,' in 2003. Although it turned out to be benign, the incident is still a bit jarring for producers, now with China having just reauthorized US beef's access into their markets. Fortunately, says Woodall, the impact of the incident has been minimal and demonstrated the industry's preparedness for such a case.





"Very little impact. We were actually surprised how few inquiries we actually received on this," he told Hays. "Which I think is a very good thing for us. Because, we didn't want this to be a major media issue."





The fact is, this occurrence was not a surprise. Atypical BSE is recognized by world animal health organizations as something that happens - rarely - but still happens. Woodall points out that the cow's symptoms were identified, and the cow's origins were traced back in a timely manner, although he admits, perhaps not quite as fast as some would like. Nonetheless, the system in place proved the industry could properly handle such an event.





"It's a huge win," Woodall asserted. "It shows that we have been prepared and we continue to learn our lessons from that original case back in 2003. But also, it shows that when we negotiate these trade deals that we always need to make sure we have clauses in there that will prevent any negative action, just because we have another case of BSE, whether it's classical or atypical. And, we did that in the most recent China deal."





Listen to Hays and Woodall discuss the impact of the recent atypical BSE case found in Alabama, on today's Beef Buzz.





The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.





















Listen to Hays and Woodall discuss the impact of the recent atypical BSE case found in Alabama

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State lawyers defending Wisconsins 2011 redistricting plan, which was called an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander by a federal court panel, filed their opening brief Friday with the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that the high court should reject the lower court ruling and throw out a lawsuit brought in 2015 by a group of state Democratic voters.

The Supreme Court in June announced that it would decide the case, and later set oral arguments for Oct. 3.

The group of Democrats charges that the 2011 plan was designed to heavily favor Republican candidates in state legislative races, giving them a built-in advantage to retain a large majority of seats in Wisconsins legislative houses, despite statewide vote totals in presidential races that typically split nearly evenly between Republicans and Democrats.

The group said it has devised a means of measuring partisan gerrymanders, which the Supreme Court in the past has said was missing. Its measure, called the efficiency gap, shows how cracking (breaking up blocs of Democratic voters) and packing (concentrating Democrats within certain districts) results in wasted votes  excess votes for winners in safe districts and perpetually inadequate votes for the losers.

In its brief, the state argues that the Supreme Court has never found that any state legislature has engaged in unlawful partisan gerrymandering, and that the Democratic group has given the court no new redistricting principles or test.

They have, instead, recycled arguments that this court has already rejected, while attacking a plan that complies with traditional redistricting principles and is strikingly similar to the immediately prior, court-drawn plan, lawyers from the state Office of the Solicitor General wrote. Given the jurisdictional and merits-based deficiencies in plaintiffs claims, their lawsuit must be dismissed.

The state also argues in its brief that the plaintiffs in the case lack standing to challenge a statewide redistricting plan, when their only concrete concern is within the individual districts where they live.

The group that organized the lawsuit disagrees.

A federal court ruled the legislatures map-rigging was unconstitutional because it violated the rights of Wisconsin citizens, and were confident the Supreme Court will uphold that decision, said Sachin Chheda, director of the Fair Elections Project, which organized and launched the case on behalf of plaintiffs, including the lead plaintiff, retired UW-Madison law professor William Whitford.

The Whitford group has 30 days to respond to the states brief. Friend of the court briefs, filed by groups that have expressed an interest in being heard in the case, are due a week later.

Initially, the three-judge panel had ordered Wisconsin to redraw districts by Nov. 1, 2017, in time for the 2018 elections, but in June the Supreme Court stayed that order until after it decides the case.

In a statement Friday, state Attorney General Brad Schimel said the stay brings me additional confidence in the sound legal arguments we are advancing.
Actor Bill Moseley owes his 30-years-and-counting horror movie career, at least in part, to the hallucinating sugar freak he worked with on a Wyoming ranch many summers ago.

Moseley  in Omaha this weekend for an Alamo Drafthouse Cinema event  used to work with a guy who would gorge himself on Frosted Flakes, Fudgsicles and Kool-Aid before heading out to toil under the hot sun.

He would go into what I called sugar deliriums,  Moseley said. And he would start blathering. He would sing little snippets of top 40 songs and commercial jingles and do cartoon voices. One day he was just blathering about Capn Crunch or something. All of a sudden he said Texas Chainsaw Manicure, and went back to his blather.

And I had an immediate vision of what (a Texas Chainsaw Manicure) would entail.

Moseley later went to New York City, where he worked as a freelance writer for magazines like the science/science-fiction zine Omni. In between assignments he made a five-minute short called The Texas Chainsaw Manicure, which he financed himself and shot at a Staten Island beauty parlor. He allowed himself a 15-second cameo in his movie.

Later  this was 1984 or thereabouts  Moseley was broke and in debt, but he had a few VHS copies of his movie to show for it.

He took a copy to L.A., where he was covering the making of 2010, the sci-fi sequel to 2001: A Space Odyssey. There, he met up with an old high school friend now in the movie business, Peter S. Seaman, who would go on to co-write Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Shrek the Third.

Seaman and Moseley watched Texas Chainsaw Manicure together, and Seaman loved it.

Why dont you leave me this copy? he told Moseley.

Seaman and his writing partner had an office at Paramount, where Tobe Hooper worked. Seaman thought the director of Texas Chainsaw Massacre would get a kick out of this parody film.

Hooper watched it and, Moseley said, liked it so much he showed it to his producing partner, a guy named Steven Spielberg. He liked it, too, especially Moseleys cameo.

Moseley was given Hoopers number, and Hooper told him, If I ever do a sequel, Ill keep you in mind.

Two years later, Moseley got a call and was offered the role of Chop Top Sawyer, the cannibalistic older brother of Leatherface, in the Cannon Films-produced Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. He didnt even have to audition, and he got to star alongside Dennis Hopper for one of the most objectively insane movies in Hoppers objectively insane filmography.

Moseley was paid Screen Actors Guild minimum, which was about six times what he was making as a freelance writer, and his agent negotiated another $5,000 for him to shave his head for the role.

And that, Moseley said, pretty much sealed my happy fate as a horror movie guy. Getting that part  first of all, it told me that you could make a pretty decent living. And it also told me that I could run away and join the circus, and they would let me stay.

More than 30 years and almost 70 movies later, Moseley is a beloved cult actor of a whole lot of gnarly horror, but hes delved into all genres. Hes worked with Sam Raimi in Army of Darkness and Clint Eastwood in Pink Cadillac. Hes appeared in White Fang and Grindhouse and Honey, I Blew Up the Kid.

Ive done an awful lot of movies, good, bad and otherwise, Moseley said.

One not especially well received one was 2010s 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams, shot around Council Bluffs.

We were in the flight path of the Omaha airport, Moseley recalls. So we would have to freeze whenever planes roared overhead, then resume our shooting.

Though he said his main criteria for a movie at this point in his career is that the check clears and I dont get hurt, he has had a creatively fruitful relationship with Rob Zombie in recent years, starring in Zombies Halloween remake and playing the vile thrill-killer Otis B. Driftwood in House of 1,000 Corpses and its sequel, The Devils Rejects.

The latter film is both Zombies best film and Moseleys best role.

It was one of those rare experiences where everything works together, Moseley said. The script was awesome, the directing was awesome. The actors were all great, the soundtrack was amazing, the cinematography was incredible. With Devils Rejects, it was one of those rare home runs.

It didnt hurt that Moseley himself knocked the ball so far out of the park.

His Manson-bearded Otis is one of the most memorably awful human beings ever put on the big screen. Its a testament to Moseleys acting abilities, given what a sweet guy he really is.

He ties this great role to his first.

When I met Rob Zombie, he said he identified himself as a big fan of Chop Top, Moseley said. Thats how I got the part of Otis. Chop Top has really been the cornucopia of my career or whatever might be spilling out of it.

Playing Chop Top might have given Moseley a movie career, but it also, weirdly enough, gave him peace of mind.

He remembers when he started working on Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, Hooper told him that he considered the original film to be a comedy. That shocked Moseley.

I said By golly, Tobe, the original Chainsaw really hurt me deep,  Moseley said.

He first saw it in 76, at some funky theater in Boston, on the back end of a Sunday afternoon double feature that also included Enter the Dragon.

It really scared the crap out of me, Moseley said of Hoopers film. I tried to see it several times so that it would become familiar and lose its power over me. But that just made it worse. Its kind of like scratching poison ivy.

What finally gave him some relief was making Texas Chainsaw Manicure. But even that didnt purge the dread out of his system entirely.

It wasnt until he was cast as Chop Top and working on the sequel that he escaped the movies pull.

He remembers the moment he felt better. He and the rest of the cast were staying at the Brookhollow Motor Inn in Texas while shooting Chainsaw 2, and he met the other actors for the first time. They welcomed him. He was one of the freaks now, the monsters.

It was the classic If you cant lick em, join em,  he said. That basically healed me, hopping into the Chainsaw family. Ive been happy with my work ever since.

Bill Moseley Live

Horror actor will introduce a double feature of his films House of 1,000 Corpses and The Devils Rejects

When: 6:15 and 7 p.m. Saturday (the latter is sold out)

Where: Alamo Drafthouse Omaha, 12750 Westport Parkway, La Vista

Tickets: $21.50
A Missouri Valley, Iowa, doctor broke the rules of medical practice leading to serious harm to patients and the public, including overdose deaths, according to the Iowa Board of Medicine.

Robert D. Cunard, 50, has been charged administratively by the board with professional incompetence, inappropriate prescribing, improper pain management, and unethical or unprofessional conduct. He has agreed not to prescribe controlled substances  with some limited exceptions  until the matter is resolved. A hearing is scheduled Sept. 21-22.

Cunard is on administrative leave from his job of practicing family medicine at CHI Health Missouri Valley, said CHI spokeswoman Kathy Niver. The agreement not to prescribe controlled substances dates to May, and CHI had been monitoring him to make sure he held to it, Niver said.

All of his patients were notified he could no longer prescribe controlled substances, a statement from CHI said. CHI Health does not take these charges lightly and is awaiting the final outcome from the state.

The Board of Medicines statement of charges alleges 30 violations, including that Cunard failed to discuss the risks associated with chronic opioid therapy, and prescribed large quantities of potentially lethal medications to patients despite evidence of abuse, misuse or diversion, the documents state.

Several patients, it says, experienced motor vehicle accidents and/or frequent falls, and theres no indication in Cunards medical records that he addressed substance abuse as a possible factor.

Attempts to reach Cunard for comment Thursday evening were unsuccessful.
When Mommy and Daddy need a little stress relief after a long day of work and parenting, they might sit junior in his high chair with a sippy cup full of grape juice  and then pour themselves a different type of grape juice. But if its been a particularly hard day, and they need a second glass of grown-up juice, they wont be able to get it at one Upstate New York restaurant.

Peddlers Bar and Bistro in Clifton Park, New York, prohibits parents from ordering more than one alcoholic beverage if they are dining with children. The policy was enacted so that parents wouldnt drink and drive with children in the back seat. Only the parent who is driving is subject to the rule, which is explained whenever guests are seated  and anyone who disagrees is asked to leave.

Servers do get berated at the tables and some come back very upset, but the managers go to the table and they explain, were not picking on parents, its just something that we feel in our hearts is something that we can do in order to help, the restaurants general manager, Melissa Gravelle, said in an interview with her local ABC station.

I could never live with myself knowing that I killed somebody driving. ... Its a choice that you can avoid, Gravelle said.

In certain states, restaurants can be found liable in drunken driving accidents if they overserve patrons who are visibly intoxicated.

Restaurants and parenting are always a touchy topic. Many restaurants throughout the country have banned children, and have earned themselves a slew of angry customers (and grateful, child-free ones).

When Carusos, an upscale Italian restaurant in Mooresville, North Carolina, banned children younger than 5 from its dining room, it led to a dramatic increase in reservations. Other restaurants have banned strollers, children after a certain hour and crying or making loud noises, to varying degrees of success.

In the end, a one-drink limit on parents who dine with their children will probably mean that fewer parents take their children to the restaurant. And if parents continue to take their kids to Peddlers Bar and Bistro, the good news is that everyone else in the restaurant can have many, many more drinks.
Nine days ago, Scotty Payne was an Omaha police officer. Friday, he was an inmate in a yellow jumpsuit.

The now-former officer, accused of injuring a mentally ill man by shocking him 12 times with a Taser, made his first appearance in court Friday.

Payne, 38, was ordered held on $25,000 bail at a jail court hearing. Within two hours of the hearing, he had posted 10 percent of that, or $2,500, to be released from jail.

Payne has been charged with second-degree assault in connection with the June 5 in-custody death of Zachary Bearheels. Another former officer, Ryan McClarty, has been cited with misdemeanor third-degree assault for punching Bearheels 13 times after Bearheels ripped his hand free from a handcuff.

The two were officially fired last week but have appealed their terminations, union representatives said.

Payne, who was not in handcuffs, showed up in court in a yellow jumpsuit meant for those in protective custody  those inmates deemed vulnerable in the general jail population.

Payne was classified for protective custody based on being a former police officer, the high exposure of his case in the media and the charge against him, said Leia Baez, a Douglas County spokeswoman.

Inmates are not usually handcuffed for such hearings unless they have attacked officers or are violent.

Four correctional officers were assigned to escort Payne from his unit to the courtroom. They surrounded Payne during the entire hearing  nearly blocking him entirely from the public viewing area.

He had turned himself in early Friday morning. Friday afternoon, he was released from jail through a separate exit door to make sure no altercations occurred on the property, Baez said. Officials have done this in other high-profile cases, she said.

Anytime theres a reason to believe an inmates safety is in jeopardy, the department takes additional steps to ensure their safety, even upon release, Baez said.

Douglas County Judge Thomas Harmon ruled that Payne was not a threat to the public or a flight risk. He agreed with both prosecutors and defense attorneys, who recommended $25,000 bail.

About 10 relatives and friends of Paynes attended the hearing, and eight police officers gathered outside the jail, though only two went to the hearing.

Many of the officers wore their police badges or shirts with the emblem of the Black Police Officers Association.

Dennis Sexton, treasurer of the Omaha Police Officers Association, said he had sent an email to officers informing them of the time of the hearing and that they could attend to show support.

Its important that Scotty feels like hes not alone, Sexton said.

Paynes attorney, Steve Lefler, said after the hearing that Payne and his sister take care of their mother, who has stage 4 lung cancer and glaucoma.

He didnt get to take her to the doctor today because he was in court, Lefler said.

Lefler has said he is considering filing a motion to ask that a grand jury hear the case and determine whether charges are warranted.
For every 10 jobs created at a massive electronics manufacturing campus planned to be built by Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn in southeastern Wisconsin, 17 more jobs will be created elsewhere in the state, an analysis by a company consultant shows.

A study commissioned by Foxconn and released by Gov. Scott Walkers administration Friday shows the facilitys operations would support more than 35,000 jobs statewide  a figure that includes the 13,000 planned to be at the campus itself.

The electronics manufacturer has signed a tentative agreement with Walker to build 20 million square feet of manufacturing facilities on about 1,000 acres in the southeastern area of the state.

Such an operation would spin off thousands of jobs to supply the factory and to supply the workers with personal services, products and homes, according to the study conducted by the Ernst & Young accounting firm.

The analysis estimated about 400 jobs at a glass manufacturer that would be located near the facility, which would create LCD panels, for example.

About $181 million in state and local tax revenues would result from bringing that workforce and operations to Wisconsin, and the facility would produce $7.6 billion of gross economic output per year once the plant is fully operational, assuming the campus assembles 6 million televisions annually.

State taxpayers would offer $3 billion in incentives.

Of the $10 billion investment needed to create the facility, $5.7 billion would be for construction and equipment sourced from within Wisconsin, the study said.

Plant workers are expected to earn an average of $73,500 in total compensation, including an average base wage of $53,875. Since that figure is an average and not a median amount, it could be significantly affected by a few workers making very high salaries.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has said most entry-level jobs would pay about $13 to $15 per hour and up.
TECUMSEH, Neb.  Patrick Schroeder didnt want to share a cell with Terry Berry Jr.

He told prison staff the two werent compatible. Berry, he said, was a loudmouth and a punk.

They had lived together less than a week in mid-April when Schroeder said he had hit his threshold.

On Friday, Schroeder, 40, admitted to strangling Berry, 22, with a towel at the Tecumseh State Prison.

In fairly short order at a hearing Friday morning, Schroeder dismissed his attorneys, withdrew a motion challenging the constitutionality of the states death penalty law and pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.

He also pleaded guilty to use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.

His case is now headed to the death penalty phase.

The proceedings involve weighing the alleged aggravating circumstances against any mitigating circumstances that might have existed.

The Nebraska Attorney Generals Office, which is helping prosecute the case, had previously announced that capital punishment would be sought.

Prosecutors have said that aggravating circumstances existed in the crime: Schroeders previous murder conviction and a substantial history of serious assaultive or terrorizing criminal activity.

Schroeder indicated Friday that he wants to waive his right to have a jury decide aggravating factors against him.

District Court Judge Vicky Johnson will take up that issue at his next hearing, scheduled for Aug. 22.

She reappointed defense attorneys Sarah Newell and Todd Lancaster with the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy on the death penalty portion of the proceedings.

They declined to comment after Fridays hearing.

A man who attended the hearing and identified himself as a Berry relative also declined to comment.

The case has raised questions about why Schroeder and Berry were put together in a cell designed for the solitary confinement of one inmate.

Schroeder is serving a life sentence for the 2006 murder of a Pawnee County farmer. Berry was sentenced for check fraud and kneeing a county jailer. At the time of his death, he was likely just days away from being released on parole.

Schroeder on Friday spoke very little. He answered a series of questions, including whether he understood that hed be at a great disadvantage representing himself.

Schroeder said he wanted to dismiss his attorneys because he didnt agree with their advice.

They dont feel comfortable going the way I want to go, he said.

The attorneys remained at his side as standby counsel to give advice.

In court, Assistant Attorney General Doug Warner gave the following account of the events leading to Berrys death:

Schroeder and Berry were placed in cell No. 16 on April 10.

Schroeder told prison staff hed take a cellmate, but didnt want Berry. He said Berry talked incessantly and was unclean.

On April 15, he said, Berry wouldnt stop talking about a television show.

Schroeder said he told Berry to turn his chair around. Schroeder, sitting on the bunk bed, said he proceeded to lock him up.

He said he wrapped his arm around Berrys neck and squeezed for five minutes until his arm got tired.

He then retrieved a towel and twisted it around Berrys neck until he knew he was dead.

Schroeder said he tried to alert prison staff, but no one responded until a routine check.

Authorities later found a note in his cells trash can. It was written by Schroeder, but had been ripped up.

It read: You really need to get Terry Berry out of my cell before he gets hurt.
The Omaha Public Schools passed the first busing test of the new school year.

Wilson Focus School welcomed kids back for the first day of school Thursday morning  and staff breathed a sigh of relief when all the buses arrived on time or even early.

Wilsons first day was a test of several changes that will affect OPS busing this year.

This morning it went really smooth, said Principal Bret Anderson. The buses were here 15 minutes early, so we have plenty of time for breakfast, plenty of time to get into classrooms and well be starting right away.

OPS and busing contractor Student Transportation of America are under the gun to improve busing this year after widespread transportation problems marred the start of the 2016-17 school year. A shortage of drivers led to delays and unmanned routes.

This year, changes to OPSs student assignment plan have significantly reduced the number of bus routes, from 476 last year to 330 this year. That means the bus company has plenty of drivers, including substitutes, according to David Prince, Student Transportations vice president of operations.

Im confident, Prince said. I think we have the information this year, we changed a lot of the processes and I think its only going to help everything move a lot more efficiently, a lot smoother.

Wilson Focus, located near 51st Avenue and F Street, follows an extended-year calendar. Students in grades three through six head back to school earlier and attend through the end of June.

The school enrolls about 240 students, including some from districts outside OPS. The number of buses transporting kids dropped from 16 to 13 this year, because of the student assignment plan revisions that decreased the number of schools that pupils could opt in to and still get a bus ride.

Streamlining the bus routes  and increasing the number of kids on each bus  is expected to save OPS about $6 million in transportation costs this year.

Anderson said his goal was to prepare families that were losing their OPS-provided bus ride.

We tried to address that  talk to families about how to get their kids here, he said. The good thing is the families like the school and they love our programs, so the families get them here.

Fourth-grader Samuel Kimbrio got dropped off by his mom on the first day. He was excited, but a little apprehensive.

Im kind of nervous, because I dont know whats going to happen on the first day, he said. I like my teacher, he seems good.

School will start Aug. 17 for most Omaha Public Schools students. OPS and Student Transportation officials are eager to show that theyre ready for the first day.

Bus drivers will make practice runs on Aug. 9, and make sure to stop for at least a minute at each stop to account for the greater number of kids expected at stops. Parents will also be mailed bus schedules a week earlier than usual. Those will spell out the students bus number, stop location and pickup and drop-off times.

Parents can expect exactly what you saw this morning ... the buses will arrive at a scheduled time to pick the students up and get them to school at their scheduled time, Prince said.

Because Student Transportation has plenty of drivers this year, parents and students should have the same driver most days, providing consistency, Prince said.

OPS and Student Transportation also are setting up a central phone number and temporary call center for parents to report problems. Last year many had trouble reaching OPS or Student Transportation staff to report late or missing buses.
WASHINGTON  Before Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act collapsed in Fridays wee hours, Nebraskas Sen. Ben Sasse took to the floor to chide his colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

While Republicans have failed to produce their own health care proposals, Democrats have been reflexive defenders of a law that not only failed to reduce health insurance premiums but also helped drive them up, he said.

Stop pretending this is in any way affordable, Sasse said.

The Nebraska Republican campaigned in large part on his health care policy expertise and ability to craft conservative solutions, but he avoided the spotlight during much of the health care debate. His Friday address represented a scathing critique of that debate.

In his view, the country is heading toward one of two destinations: a European-style single-payer model of socialized medicine, or an innovative system in which insurance is portable across job and geographic change.

But he said the Senate had refused to grapple with that major choice and instead focused on small-bore pretty crappy options. The end result, he said, was a lost opportunity that made a joke of the Senates reputation as the worlds greatest deliberative body.

He called for the Senate to work through its August recess on the issue.

In his own floor speech, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said access to affordable health care is out of reach for millions of Americans as the ACA has failed to deliver on its promises to allow people to keep their plans and drive down premiums.

Democrats have demonized Republicans, he said, telling Americans they want to rip health care from the young, the old and the disabled.

They will say and do whatever it takes to secure sweeping, universal government control of the health care system, no matter how much it costs the taxpaying public, the toll it takes on the U.S. economy, or the loss of personal freedom, he said. Their message is dead wrong. Our reform efforts are not making the sky fall.

After the vote, Sasse and Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., issued statements calling for lawmakers to continue working through August to find a solution.

Its disappointing that the Republican Party chose not to keep its word tonight, Sasse said. As Ive said for a month, Congress should work around the clock through August to repeal and replace Obamacare.

Fischer said thousands of Nebraskans have shared with her personal stories of higher health care costs and fewer choices under Obamacare. They need relief. I am disappointed we were unable to move forward today. I believe the Senate should stay in session through the month of August to find a way to address this very important issue.

Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb was quick to release a statement following the vote, in which the decisive nay came from Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

As Sen. Ben Sasse pretends to be a rebel and Sen. Deb Fischer ignores open town halls, we thank the true maverick John McCain for standing up for Americans, Kleeb said.

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, declined to comment as she left the Capitol following the final vote. She later released a written statement that said she was disappointed. She said Congress still needs to act to provide relief to those hurt by the ACA. Iowans are demanding relief from Obamacare.
Despite $3 billion in taxpayer-funded subsidies, technology giant Foxconn would be given wide latitude to bypass state environmental regulations in building and operating its 1,000-acre electronics manufacturing plant in southeastern Wisconsin under a proposal from Gov. Scott Walker.

Walker unveiled the sprawling bill Friday as he called lawmakers to convene a special legislative session to pass the measure aimed at speeding up construction of Foxconns planned liquid-crystal display panel factory.

The bill lawmakers will consider as early as Tuesday allows the company to move or change the course of streams, build man-made bodies of water that connect with natural waterways and discharge materials in state wetlands without authorization from the state Department of Natural Resources. It exempts the company from being subject to an environmental impact statement.

Federal environmental regulations would still apply.

Tressie Kamp, a lawyer with Midwest Environmental Advocates, questioned whether the public would have enough time to scrutinize the proposed legislation and its potential environmental impact.

She also said its unclear whether the Legislature can change regulations relating to state waterways without violating the state Constitution.

The proposed legislation also sends a bad message to smaller companies and businesses that have to comply with state environmental laws.

The bill also exempts public utility projects for the Foxconn campus from getting approval from the state Public Service Commission before building or relocating transmission lines, and changes rules for tax-increment financing districts.

Kit Beyer, a spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said a timetable for when lawmakers would take up the bill is still being worked out.

Walker toured the state Friday promoting the deal with Foxconn, the company he said would anchor Wisconn Valley  a technology manufacturing hub in southeastern Wisconsin that would transform the states economy.

Foxconn pledges to invest $10 billion and employ up to 13,000 people in exchange for the $3 billion in financial incentives. The factory is expected to open in 2020 and would initially employ 3,000 people.

The company is looking at sites in Racine and Kenosha counties.

Walker emphasized the deal with Foxconn would be transformational for the state.

Theres a whole lot of people out there scrambling to try and come up with a reason not to like this, Walker said at a stop in Eau Claire.

I can tell you, thats fine, but I think they can go suck lemons. The rest of us are going to cheer and figure out how we get this thing going forward.

The plant would be the first outside of Asia to produce LCD screens used in computers, televisions and other products. The displays could eventually have automotive, health care and entertainment uses.

I-94 transportation

project included in bill

Also included in the bill aimed at laying the groundwork for Foxconns promised 20 million square feet of manufacturing space is $250 million in bonding to rebuild and expand the Interstate 94 north-south corridor that connects Milwaukee and Chicago.

That project has been in limbo as lawmakers have struggled to find consensus on how to fund major road projects in the 2017-19 state budget, which was due June 30 and has not yet passed.

Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, who represents an area being considered by Foxconn for the plant, thanked Walker and Foxconn for including the I-94 project in the bill.

Even more than before, it is absolutely critical to restart this road project to ensure the success of not just Foxconn, but the many other economic development opportunities that are planning to come our area, Wanggaard said. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I will do everything I can to ensure the Foxconn development comes to fruition.

Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, who also represents southeastern Wisconsin, said he welcomes the project but said unanswered questions about its impact remain.

It is clear that we still have a great deal of work ahead of us to ensure that this deal fully protects taxpayers and local governments and that it benefits workers, Barca said. During our meeting, I pressed the governors team for answers on impacts to the local community where this facility might be built and how we could reduce the risks for municipalities.

The state also would create a new tax credit program specifically for Foxconn.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Senate voted decisively on Thursday to approve a new package of stiff financial sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea, sending the popular bill to President Donald Trump for his signature after weeks of intense negotiations.

Never in doubt, however, was a cornerstone of the legislation that bars Trump from easing or waiving the additional penalties on Russia unless Congress agrees. The provisions were included to assuage concerns among lawmakers that the president's push for better relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin might lead him to relax the penalties without first securing concessions from the Kremlin.

The Senate passed the bill, 98-2, two days after the House pushed the measure through by an overwhelming margin, 419-3. Both are veto proof numbers as the White House has wavered on whether the president would sign the measure into law.

The legislation is aimed at punishing Moscow for meddling in the 2016 presidential election and its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria, where the Kremlin has backed President Bashar Assad.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said the bill's passage was long overdue, a jab at Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress. McCain, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, has called Putin a murderer and a thug.

"Over the last eight months what price has Russia paid for attacking our elections?" McCain asked. "Very little."

Trump had privately expressed frustration over Congress' ability to limit or override the power of the president on national security matters, according to Trump administration officials and advisers. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal White House deliberations.

But faced with heavy bipartisan support for the bill in the House and Senate, the president has little choice but to sign the bill into law. Trump's communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, suggested earlier Thursday on CNN's New Day that Trump might veto the bill and "negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians."

Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said that would be a serious mistake and called Scaramucci's remark an "off-handed comment." If Trump rejected the bill, Corker said, Congress would overrule him.

"I cannot imagine anybody is seriously thinking about vetoing this bill," said Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "It's not good for any president  and most governors don't like to veto things that are going to be overridden. It shows a diminishment of their authority. I just don't think that's a good way to start off as president."

Still, signing a bill that penalizes Russia's election interference would mark a significant shift for Trump. He's repeatedly cast doubt on the conclusion of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia sought to tip the election in his favor. And he's blasted as a "witch hunt" investigations into the extent of Russia's interference and whether the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow.

The 184-page bill seeks to hit Putin and the oligarchs close to him by targeting Russian corruption, human rights abusers, and crucial sectors of the Russian economy, including weapons sales and energy exports.

The bill underwent revisions to address concerns voiced by American oil and natural gas companies that sanctions specific to Russia's energy sector could backfire on them to Moscow's benefit. The bill raised the threshold for when U.S. firms would be prohibited from being part of energy projects that also included Russian businesses.

Lawmakers said they also made adjustments so the sanctions on Russia's energy sector didn't undercut the ability of U.S. allies in Europe to get access to oil and gas resources outside of Russia.

The North Korea sanctions are intended to thwart Pyongyang's ambition for nuclear weapons by cutting off access to the cash the reclusive nation needs to follow through with its plans. The bill prohibits ships owned by North Korea or by countries that refuse to comply with U.N. resolutions against it from operating in American waters or docking at U.S. ports. Goods produced by North Korea's forced labor would be prohibited from entering the United States, according to the bill.

The sanctions package imposes mandatory penalties 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.

Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rand Paul, R-Ky., voted against the sanctions bill.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trumps new communications director has aired his grievances with White House colleagues in a profanity-laden interview.

Anthony Scaramuccis remarks to the New Yorker magazine are providing the public with an R-rated glimpse of the backstage battles at the Trump White House.

In a CNN interview, Scaramucci used an old saying  The fish stinks from the head down  in describing chief of staff Reince Priebus.

In the New Yorker piece, he labeled Priebus a paranoid schizophrenic and accused chief strategist Steve Bannon of trying to burnish his own reputation.

Later, Scaramucci said that he uses color language on occasion and would try to refrain from doing so.

He also remarked that he had made a mistake in trusting the New Yorker writer.

Copyright 2017, the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
LINCOLN  A 15-day school suspension will stand against a Grand Island middle school student whose social media posting raised fears of a school shooting.

The Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the students appeal of the April 2016 suspension.

The court ruled that the appeal had not been properly served on the Grand Island Public Schools board as spelled out in the Nebraska Student Discipline Act.

The case involved a Barr Middle School student identified in the high court ruling only as J.S.

According to court documents, she and other students had been communicating on the social media website ask.fm on April 3, 2016, a Sunday.

An anonymous person posted the message: Tomorrow gonna be hella fire [fire emoji] be there (School). It was followed by another anonymous post: Dont show up to school tomorrow [gun emoji].

School officials and law enforcement launched an investigation after learning of the postings that evening. The following morning they searched the school and interviewed students.

Although extra security was provided at the school that morning, 17 students stayed home. Four remained home on April 5 because of safety concerns.

In addition, school office staff had to enlist extra help to respond to more than 100 telephone calls from concerned parents.

When interviewed, J.S. admitted to making the hella fire post. According to court documents, she did not make the second posting or have any connection with the person who did.

Following the interview, Barrs principal sent her home and suspended her for 15 days.

J.S. appealed the suspension, first to the district superintendent, then the school board and ultimately to the district court.

At an administrative hearing before the superintendent, she testified that she made her post during a discussion about skipping school.

She said hella fire meant good or cool and her posting was a sarcastic statement that school would be good or cool the next day and students should show up.

The attorney for J.S. argued that her actions did not qualify for a long-term suspension under the student discipline law because they were not a danger to other students and not so extremely disruptive as to require her removal for other students to get an education.

The attorney also argued that they occurred off school grounds and did not involve school property.

But the superintendent, school board and district court ruled against her.

Hall County District Judge Teresa Luther said the posting could be seen as suggesting violence and launched a series of events that created substantial disruption to the school.

She may not have intended the consequences that ensued because of her words, but others obviously interpreted those words to connote violence or the threat of violence or disruption, Luther said.

Mitchell Stehlik, the attorney representing J.S., declined to comment on the Supreme Court ruling Friday.

Correction: Attorney Mitchell Stehlik was misidentified in a previous version of this story.
NORTH PLATTE, Neb.  The case of a North Platte man charged in connection with a boat crash that injured a 9-year-old has been sent to Lincoln County District Court.

Doug Haney, 53, appeared Thursday in Lincoln County Court. Haney is charged with boating under the influence, child abuse with intent resulting in injury and child abuse with intent not resulting in injury.

When reached for comment, Haneys attorney, Robert Lindemeier, called the incident an unfortunate accident that happened on what was supposed to be a day of boating and fun.

Haney certainly didnt have any intent of harming the kids, Lindemeier said.

Haney was arrested June 12 near Lake Maloneys South Beach.

At the time, the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office reported that Haney had been pulling two girls on a flotation device behind the boat. When the boat made a sharp turn near the shoreline, the girls were thrown into nearby rocks.

One of the girls suffered leg, arm and head injuries and was later flown to hospitals in Kearney and Omaha, the Sheriffs Office said at the time. The second girl suffered minor injuries.
Gov. Scott Walker and the CEO of Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn signed an agreement Thursday that they say could bring as many as 13,000 manufacturing jobs to Wisconsin, as Walker sought to sell taxpayers on an unprecedented state incentive package for the company that could reach $3 billion.

The signing, with Walker and Foxconn CEO Terry Gou, occurred in a public event at the Milwaukee Art Museum. It was billed as the first official step toward what would be the largest economic-development project in state history, if completed.

Foxconn, which makes iPhones and other electronic devices, announced with President Donald Trump at the White House Wednesday that it wants to invest $10 billion to build a 20-million-square-foot campus for making liquid crystal display, or LCD, panels in Wisconsin. It would be the first LCD manufacturing facility in the world outside Asia, state officials say.

The facility would begin operating in 2020, initially with 3,000 workers, Foxconn and state officials say. They say employment would grow to as many as 13,000 in the years following.

The site of the campus is yet to be announced; Walker said the company is eyeing multiple locations in Racine and Kenosha counties.

The agreement signed Thursday, a memorandum of understanding between the state and Foxconn, says public officials in Wisconsin will help the company assemble a construction site of more than 1,000 acres. Such documents often are legally nonbinding but can move the parties closer to a final deal.

Skeptics noted Foxconn has announced plans to build factories elsewhere that havent materialized. They also questioned if the multibilllion-dollar incentive package the state could offer the company is the best use of those dollars.

Meanwhile, Walker did a flurry of interviews Thursday to head off potential criticism of the proposed deal with the Taiwanese tech giant. The whopping bundle of taxpayer-funded incentives Wisconsin is offering the company to build here  which remain subject to final negotiation and approval by state lawmakers  will be tied to job creation, Walker vowed.

We tie it to performance, Walker said on a syndicated conservative talk radio show Thursday. Theyre not going to get (the incentives) if they dont provide the jobs and dont provide the capital investment.

Walker pledges safeguards for taxpayers

Walker said if Foxconn doesnt fulfill its promise to invest $10 billion or create 13,000 jobs, the company wont be eligible for all of the $3 billion  most of which would come through refundable state income tax credits for the company. Walkers office has said any deal with Foxconn also will include clawbacks allowing the state to recoup the credits if the jobs and investment are not kept in Wisconsin.

Its good to have (safeguards) as protection ... it certainly is my fiduciary role to protect taxpayers in the state, Walker said.

Should the project move forward, final terms of a deal between the state and Foxconn would be outlined in a contract between the company and Walkers jobs agency, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., or WEDC. The agency then would administer the incentives.

State lawmakers, beginning as soon as next month, also are expected to take up legislation to enable the incentives.

The memorandum signed Thursday says the legislation will modify tax credit programs that will form the foundation of the multibillion-dollar incentive package.

It says the legislation also will modify state tax incremental financing guidelines for the project. State officials have said TIF will be part of the project but havent specified how or how much, beyond saying it will be used for local infrastructure.

It also says the state will expedite environmental permitting reviews of the project wherever possible and within the public interest, to align with the timeline needed to implement the project.

Multiple reports have indicated Foxconns interest in southeast Wisconsin, near Lake Michigan, may be because LCD manufacturing requires huge volumes of fresh water.

New WEDC program

in works

WEDC currently administers the Enterprise Zone tax credit program for businesses that locate or expand in Wisconsin. WEDC spokesman Mark Maley said Thursday that lawmakers and Walker are expected to create a new program for Foxconn in an upcoming special legislative session.

Its going to be up to the legislators and the governor to decide the parameters of Foxconn, Maley said.

Under a Foxconn overview document provided by Walkers office to reporters Wednesday, the company would be eligible to earn the $3 billion over 15 years.

The company will be eligible for $1.5 billion in state income tax credits for creating jobs, up to $1.35 billion in credits for capital investments and up to $150 million for the sales and use tax exemption for the purchase of construction materials.

Maley said the income tax credits would be refundable, meaning any amount by which they exceed the companys tax liability would be paid directly to the company.

Elements of the Enterprise Zone program could form the basis for the new program, Maley said. Under the existing program, businesses may claim tax credits for a percentage of wages paid on jobs created  but only for jobs paying at least $30,000 a year, Maley said.

Walker said Wednesday that Foxconn workers in Wisconsin will make an average salary of more than $53,000, plus benefits. Since that figure is an average and not a median amount, it could be significantly affected by a few workers making a very high salary.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told the Racine Journal-Times most entry-level jobs will pay about $13 to $15 per hour and up, adding I think the vast majority will be more than that.

Walker: Announcement

a major victory for me

Walker planned to fly around the state Friday, to places hundreds of miles away from southeast Wisconsin, to promote the project, which state officials have dubbed Wisconn Valley.

Walker appeared on CNBC and a number of conservative talk radio shows Thursday. Walker said the campus will include multiple buildings and construction will begin in 2018.

Walker used his TV and radio appearances to make a case for the deal and responded to critics who point to past splashy announcements Foxconn has made in the U.S. and overseas without following through on their plans.

WI needs to take a close look at these broken promises before throwing billions of taxpayer dollars at questionable corporate subsidies, Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse, tweeted on Thursday.

In 2013, the company announced plans to build a $30 million plant that would employ 500 workers in central Pennsylvania. That project never materialized.

Walker acknowledged the companys past broken pledges but said the state has put in place the safeguards and clawbacks necessary to protect the state.
10 year old rape survivor denied permission to abort by SC

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Supreme Court has turned down an abortion plea filed by a 10 year old rape survivor. The survivor who is 32 weeks pregnant had moved the SC seeking permission to terminate her pregnancy.

The court observed that the medical report that it had sought for says that it would endanger the life of both her and the child.

On July 24, the court had asked the Chandigarh Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research to examine the girl and report if the pregnancy could be terminated.

The Supreme Court has asked Chandigarh's Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research to examine a 10-year-old rape victim to ascertain if her 30-week-old pregnancy can be terminated.

A bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar also asked member secretary of the state legal services authority to assist the panel in the examination to be held on Wednesday.

"The panel will affirm one way or the other whether health of the girl concerned and the child would be adversely affected if the pregnancy is allowed to be full term," the bench said India has a 20-week legal ceiling on abortion. The pregnancy termination law allows a woman to abort but only after doctors confirm "it is necessary to save the mother's life".

Advocate Alakh Alok told the court thaet doctors were of the view that the pelvic bones of the girl were not fully developed and a full-term pregnancy at "this tender age is very risky". The girl, who hails from Chandigarh, was repeatedly raped by her uncle, the advocate also submitted.

Her parents had approached the Chandigarh district court for permission to terminate the pregnancy. On July 18, the court dismissed the plea, citing the 20-week ceiling.

The girl was allegedly raped over seven months. Her parents got to know of it when they took her to a doctor after she complained of a stomach pain.

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Story first published: Friday, July 28, 2017, 15:59 [IST]
Al-Qaeda in Kashmir: Pak should remember this is 2017, not 1990

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

This is 2017 and not 1990. Pakistan does want to give the impression the uprising in Kashmir is similar to the ones in the 1990s, but in reality that is not the case. The security forces are more aggressive today and with the Doval doctrine and an iron fisted policy, Pakistan will find it hard to play the 1990 game in 2017.

The launch of the al-Qaeda in Kashmir on Thursday is yet another ploy by Pakistan to have a deniability factor. The al-Qaeda has never known to have any presence in the Valley. A feeble attempt to launch in this part of the world with the announcement of the al-Qaeda in the Sub-Continent fell flat in the outfit's face.

An Intelligence Bureau officer explains, 'this appears to be a repeat of the 1990s as many new outfits are mushrooming in the Valley. In 1990 the main group was the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front. However over time, Pakistan introduced several outfits into Kashmir such as the Hizbul Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammad and the Lashkar-e-Tayiba."

Intelligence Bureau officials suspect that Musa coming out of the Hizbul Mujahideen was just a ploy. He issued a statement threatening to behead the Kashmiri separatists and the Hizbul leadership distanced itself from it. Musa then came out of the outfit and in a 7.07 minute audio clip laced with a slide-show announced that he was launching a new terror group. Musa said that he supports the cause of the al-Qaeda in Kashmir.

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In the audio clip he said that he was now part of the al-Qaeda and would establish the Caliphate in Kashmir. In the audio clip he announced that he would support the al-Qaeda and would continue to fight against the Indian forces.

The differences between the militant forces in Kashmir would make no difference, he also said in a 7.07 minute audio clip. He went on to say that his resolve to seek freedom for Kashmir remained intact. Musa explains in 16 slides how the al-Qaeda would establish the Caliphate.

Another point that the security officials make is regarding the deniability factor. Pakistan wants more home grown outfits in Kashmir. It proposes to recruit the local youth into these home grown outfits. This would give Pakistan the deniability factor. It would also show to the world that the war against the Indian security establishment is being fought by the local Kashmiri youth and not the Pakistanis, the Indian Intelligence Bureau official also said while commenting on Musa's new terror outfit in Kashmir.

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Story first published: Friday, July 28, 2017, 7:48 [IST]
All about the nation: Next Army Chiefs son serves in the Air Force

Pakistan govt likely to take decision on next Army chief's appointment by mid-September

Army chief Bipin Rawat visits Jammu for security review

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday arrived in Jammu to review the security situation and operational preparedness of the armed forces posted here and along the Line of Control.

The Army chief has flown to forward areas along the LoC in Rajouri-Poonch belt where he will review the security situation in the wake of recent heavy shelling by the Pakistani Army. "Gen Rawat landed in Jammu this morning for a security review meeting and a visit to forward areas along the LoC," a senior Army official told PTI.

"The purpose of the Army chief's visit was to review the security situation and operational preparedness along the LoC," he said. Rawat will also be briefed about the situation along the LoC in the wake of reports of infiltrations and ceasefire violations.

His visit assumes significance as 11 people, including 9 soldiers, were killed in border skirmishes this month along the LoC. The repeated skirmishes saw over 4,000 residents of border villages move to government camps at safer places in the Jammu and Kashmir district.
Bhim Army gheraos District Magistrate office in Saharanpur

India

oi-PTI

Saharanpur, July 28: The office of the District Magistrate was gheraoed by the office-bearers of the Bhim Army and they submitted a memorandum to administrative officials alleging assaults on the outfit's founder Chandrasekhar inside the jail.

They demanded necessary action and an unbiased investigation into their charges by the administration. The mother of Bhim Army's district unit president Kamal Walia said if "the innocent people" of the Dalit outfit were attacked they would not sit silent.

The office-bearers sought an early resolution to the issue and warned of launching a stir if their demands are not met. Chandrashekhar, a lawyer by profession, was arrested on June 8 by Special Task Force of Uttar Pradesh Police from Himachal Pradesh's Dalhousie in connection with his alleged role in the violence in Saharanpur.

He had shot to limelight after holding a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against violence on Dalits in Saharanpur.

Earlier, two members of the Bhim Army were arrested in Saharanpur for their alleged involvement in the Ramnagar caste violence on May 9 after a person was killed and several others were injured in a clash between Dalits and Thakurs at Shabbirpur village on May 5.

Twelve policemen were injured and about a dozen police vehicles were set ablaze in subsequent violence on May 9.

PTI
People of Himachal have decided to go with Modi; all other factors irrelevant: CM Thakur

BJP-CPM workers go on rampage in Kerala, several leaders targeted

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Several incidents of violence have been reported in Kerala and the BJP's state office too was vandalised. Since last night workers of both parties have gone on a rampage and attacked many houses of leaders.

The houses of CMP leader K Balakrishna and several BJP councillors were also attacked in the violence.

CPM and BJP activists went on a rampage at Manacaud-Attukal-Chalai area in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday night. Incidents of sloganeering, damaging houses and vehicles were reported in large numbers.

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Ten houses of political leaders and ward councillors were damaged and about 20 persons were injured. Cars and bikes parked in front of houses were also damaged. Even passers by and shop keepers were not spared of the violence.

The violence is a result of the cold war between the two parties that has been on for the past several days.

CITU Manacaud Area Secretary Shyam was hacked and he has been admitted to a private hospital in the City. DYFI Chalai Area Secretary Unni was beaten up. His house was attacked. The pick-up auto parked in front of the house was also smashed.

OneIndia News
'Byculla inmate Manjula Shetye died of assault,' admits Maharashtra government

India

oi-Anusha

The Maharashtra government on Friday admitted in the floor of the house that Byculla jail inmate, Manjula Shetye died of assault. Minister in Devendra Fadnavis cabinet, Ranjit Patel rubbished police claims that the prisoner died after sustaining injuries due to a fall.

The government's admission comes days after the Bombay High Court pulled up the police department for attempting to make Manjula's death seem like an accident. "There were 17 injury marks on her body. There is no doubt that her death was caused due to assault by the jail staff. According to eyewitnesses, she was taken inside the jail office after which doors and windows were closed. We have got the CCTV footage," Ranjit Patil told the house.

The minister also added that Dr Vishwas Roke of J J Hospital, where Manjula died, was suspended for issuing a death certificate citing a fall as the cause of death. The police had produced the death certificate as evidence to the court to argue that Manjula Shetye had not died as a result of the assault. The court, however, depended on the post mortem report that suggested grievous injuries. The minister made the admission after NCP leaders raised the issue in the assembly. Patil also assured that house that none responsible for Manjula's death would be spared.

Indrani Mukherjea to be questioned

Patil added that Indrani Mukherjea, accused of murdering Sheena Bora, will be questioned in Manjula Shetye's death case. Indrani has been named an accused in rioting that followed the death of Manjula Shetye. Indrani is said to have led the vandalism that followed inside the Byculla prisons where files were torched and prisoners protested atop the jail building.

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Story first published: Friday, July 28, 2017, 15:47 [IST]
CBI arrests Army officer in Karnataka on graft charges

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The CBI has arrested an officer of the Indian Army and another person on graft charges. The officer working as a Garrison Engineer and an assistant were held in Karwar, Karnataka while accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000 and 30 gold coins.

The CBI has filed a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The officer identified as Lt. Col J Bath and an assistant R B Chawan are alleged to have taken the bribe to clear pending bills of a civil contractor. The complainant alleged that the duo demanded a sum of Rs 1.5 lakh from a contractor to clear pending bills.

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Story first published: Friday, July 28, 2017, 5:38 [IST]
Prashant Kishor claims Nitish Kumar in touch with BJP says don't be surprised if he joins hands with it again

CM Nitish Kumar concedes defeat to PM Modi, loses face and credibility

India

oi-Prabhpreet

By Prabhpreet

Noted historian and political commentator, Ramachandra Guha recently said, "There is a genuine leader in India. That is Nitish Kumar. He is a leader without a party, the Congress is a party without a leader. If Congress gives him a chance to lead the UPA, it might have a future."

Well, it is safe to assume that this won't be happening anymore. As even if Bihar Chief Minister might want to take another U-turn in his political life and realign with those in the Opposition now, the chances of them taking him back are dim at best.

The question of what he will decide to do and go with had been up in the air ever since corruption allegations against various members of the RJD's Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family were recently made and the investigative agencies swooped in.

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His latest decision to break his party, JD (U)'s alliance with RJD in Bihar and rekindle old ties with BJP, to form the government in the state barely a day after resigning has left most others in shock.

Yet, except for the timing and quick feet shown by both Kumar and the BJP, even if talks between the two were on for a while, the reality of his past political breakups and patch ups should make the latest step by him not the least bit surprising.

Instead what should be surprising is his lack of political ambition to take on the BJP at the national stage and no attempt by him to be placed at the helm of the opposition, and agreeing to play second fiddle to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ambition and political image decide Nitish's decisions

The decision shows he seems content to stick with Bihar and get a little slice of the pie in the union government. By taking the excuse of conscience and trying to play out that he would not tolerate corruption, he has tried his best to stay in power for as long as possible. Fear that he might lose out in the next elections with the BJP growing in strength in the state, and Kumar having no large fixed voter base like Yadav, seems to be the political arithmetic behind the deal.

The two things that seem to have decided his chosen course of action would be Nitish's attempt to keep his image of being a leader who represents good and corruption-free governance, and his political ambition for the rest of his career.

Though this might seem like cynical thinking, a look at his past political manoeuvring seems to indicate it to be very likely.This is not the first time that Nitish has had to take such a crucial decision on choosing who to pick or keep as an ally, based on these factors.

The first of the two times he broke ranks and went his separate ways came in the early 90's when he decided to part ways with Yadav, who was an extremely powerful leader at the time. This led him to fall out of the state's political limelight, and it took him more than a decade before he could come back with full force and become the face of Bihar.

The second was before 2014 general elections when his party broke its alliance with BJP when it became clear the then Gujarat Chief Minister and now Prime Minister, Modi, would lead NDA in the elections.

In between the two, he chose to break away with his political mentor, former defence minister George Fernandes, and ally with the current president of JD (U), Sharad Yadav, even though Kumar was first brought in by former Prime Minister V P Singh to counter the like of Sharad Yadav and Ram Vilas Paswan.

State of the Opposition just made his decision easier

While Guha, political pundits and others were hoping for a united front of the opposition parties to take on Modi and his party, with someone like Nitish to lead it, by striking a deal with Modi and taking BJP's support in the state and returning the favor at the centre, he has clearly showed that he feels that leading the opposition would have been a herculean task with little chances of success.

The fact that the opposition is a divided house is no secret in Indian politics. And if there were still some who had any doubts left about it, they would have lost them given the cross voting that it suffered in the election for the President of India.

Even the choice of candidate, Meira Kumar, seems to have added to the irritation of leaders such as Nitish, who came out in the open about the dismal display of selecting the nominee, in the time taken for it and the name selected.

In fact, his decision to break from the joint opposition decision to back Meira Kumar could either be seen as the first clue of his future plans or the last straw in his patience with the group.

Adding to this that not only is the Congress, which is supposedly leading the the opposition, not able to get the leadership issue in the party sorted, there was no clear indication by the Grand Old Party of India that it would let a regional leader, no matter how competent, lead the charge against the BJP-led NDA and Modi.

The fact that allegations against his alliance partner's Yadav's were bound to hit his image of a deliverer of good and clean governance, seems to have nudged him enough to link up with the BJP even further.

Together these seem to have made up Nitish's mind for him that there was little to gain in sticking with an option of taking the chance of possibly being in charge of divided house against a formidable opponent like Modi, who is unlikely to concede any ground to anyone anytime soon.

Modi has the last laugh

Nitish's decision to break from the NDA before the 2014 elections was mostly based on the rise of Modi. At that time the conscience, though not mentioned, had told him to go against the communal forces.

This even though he had defended the Chief Ministership of Modi following the 2002 Gujarat riots, and not given up his ministry as a protest when part of the NDA government in power at the centre then.

For Modi, except for the small state of Delhi, the biggest upset so far in terms of elections in various states during his tenure as Prime Minister, has been the defeat dealt out to the NDA in Bihar in 2015.

This along with the challenge of once friend turned foe, and a loss to him, would not have gone down well with Modi. To add to this, Bihar Chief Minister being talked about as a possible opponent to him would have just added salt to his wounds.

But with one single swoop, Modi and his trusted lieutenant, BJP President, Amit Shah, seem to have not only healed any damages suffered earlier but also inflicted it on the entire opposition and Nitish too.

As not only has opposition unity been dealt a strong and almost fatal blow for 2019, but also the only character in this latest drama to have come out with a loss of face, even though he has retained power, is the Bihar Chief minister. As he seems to have taken the adage, In politics there are no permanent friends or foes, a bit too far.

And the tag of unreliability that will be marked on him from now on would mean that he has have burnt all bridges that he had built so far and left him with no other option but to stick with Modi, no matter how he is treated.

This would be seen by the Modi-Shah duo as just reward for the troubles they have suffered at the hands of Nitish Kumar.

OneIndia News
In both contests at the top of the ticket  the races for governor and U.S. Senate  tens of thousands of voters opted for one of the party's candidate but not the other.
Delhi: One arrested after Rs 40,000 worth fake currency seized

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

The Delhi Police on Friday arrested one person after they recovered Rs 40,000 worth fake currency notes of Rs 2,000, said reports.

On June 15, a man was arrested in Delhi for allegedly printing counterfeit Rs 2,000 notes as fake currency worth face value of Rs 1.78 lakh was seized from him. A raid was carried out by the Delhi Police's Crime Branch on at the accused's house in Shastri Nagar area and 89 fake notes were seized.

In June, the Kerala police seized fake currency and printing machines from the house of a Yuva Morcha leader in Sree Narayanapuram near Kodungallur in Kerala. Police had then said they have seized fake currencies worth over Rs 1.31 lakh.

Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das had in March said that fake notes in the system was a 'serious matter'. His response came when asked about instances of fake notes dispensed by the ATMs.

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Story first published: Friday, July 28, 2017, 18:14 [IST]
Delhi: Woman kills abusive husband, sleeps next to him for 2 days

India

oi-Madhuri

A woman from Delhi planned a Bollywood movie like murder of her 'abusive husband' on July 22. But the woman told her neighbours that her husband had suffered a cardiac arrest. But the police informer smelled something fishy minutes before the body was cremated and informed the police.

Shilpi Adhikari, 32-year-old woman, who hails from West Bengal killed her husband as he used to often beat her. The couple had two kids, aged 13 and 11, who live with their maternal grandmother in West Bengal.

Shilpi worked as as a housekeeping employee at the Royal Bank of Scotland. She had planned to kill Nitish, who was an abusive drinker and thrashed her mercilessly. She almost got away with it but a police informer noticed strangulation marks on the Nitish's neck minutes before the body was about to be cremated and informed the police.

The day Shilpi murdered her husband, she had got an extra bottle of alcholol from a local shop near her house and told her husband that it was her treat and continued giving him alcohol till late night. Soon after he passed out, she strangulated him. Later, Shilpi even slept beside the body for two days.

It was over 48 hours, Shilpi did not step out of the house and on Monday morning, at around 9 am, Shilpi started crying outside her house. She told the locals that her husband had suffered a heart attack and died in his sleep.

Locals believed her story and informed the police. Since, Nitish's body started smelling, the locals advised that the body be cremated.

Locals reached the cremation place with the body. However, when the body was about to be cremated, a police informer noticed some marks on Nitish's body and also realised that the smell emanating from the body wasn't normal and informed the police who then rushed to the spot and stopped the locals from cremating the body.

The police then sent the body for post mortem. According to the Doctors, the man had died of strangulation more than 72 hours before the body was brought for post mortem.

Shilpi was detained from the spot, and was later arrested.

OneIndia News
ED launches money laundering probe against NDTV

India

oi-PTI

The Enforcement Directorate has launched a probe against television channel, NDTV in connection with some foreign funds received by it in the past, an ED official said.

The probe has been initiated under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the official said, adding it is related to the ED's investigations in connection with "foreign funding" transactions of the entity.

More details about the exact charges being probed by the agency were not available as the official said the case is sub-judice.

The NDTV, meanwhile, alleged "intimidation of epic proportions" by central probe agencies in the last 24 hours.

It said the three central agencies-- the CBI, the ED and the Income Tax Department are "attacking NDTV over one transaction in which GE, USA, made a USD 150 million investment in NDTV--a perfectly legitimate and publicly, officially declared investment-which they are calling a 'sham transaction'." "India-and the world-is watching this witch hunt against independent media. It will irreversibly hurt India's reputation as a democracy with a flourishing and free press. Especially shocking is a demand of Rs 429 crore from the Income Tax Department. The department's letter, sent today, says NDTV has to pay the amount 'immediately now' (sic!)," it said in a public statement.

It added that a demand "for immediate payment without any notice period is unheard of and smacks of sinister motives by the IT Department. NDTV will not take such arbitrary and illegal action lying down and will take appropriate action in the matter," it said.

The channel said the CBI is indulging in an "undisguised fishing expedition" and it has sent a letter "demanding documents from the NDTV and its subsidiaries for an unspecified period- this despite NDTV having supplied more than 500 pages of documents only two weeks ago.

"Strangely, the CBI does not acknowledge the receipt of these documents.

"Separately, the Enforcement Directorate informed the Bombay High Court yesterday that it is investigating NDTV for violations under PMLA- it has never, of course, informed NDTV of any such charge.

'The ED has already spent a good part of the year summoning NDTV management and questioning them repeatedly, without informing the company of what it has done wrong," it said.

"The government is making clear the implications of fearless journalism. Despite the illegal and massive pressure, NDTV will not allow its coverage to be affected by these shameful tactics."

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Story first published: Friday, July 28, 2017, 6:07 [IST]
"Fire non-Kannadiga engineers from Namma Metro," KDA tells K'taka CM

India

oi-Anusha

The Kannada Development Authority has asked Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to fire non-Kannada speaking engineers from the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited. In a letter, KDA members have urged that preference should be given to locals in Namma Metro.

"There are seven non-Kannadiga chief engineers in BMRCL. Despite the fact that Karnataka has the highest number of engineering colleges in the country, there are not enough Kannadigas. We have a lot of qualified Kannadigas to do the job. Hiring so many non-Kannada speaking engineers is in violation of the Sarojini Mahishi report. The state government must ensure that these engineers are relieved," the letter reads.

Members of the Kannada Development Authority led by chairman S G Siddaramaiah visited BMRCL office on Tuesday. A couple of days after their visit, they have written to the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary for urban development.

The letter also demands that locals be given priority in all wings including housekeeping and security.

The government while making it clear that it was against Hindi imposition, is yet to consider the KDA's letter. The BMRCL meanwhile, has stated that the engineers have been hired purely on the basis of merit and technical knowledge. The BMRCL hit the headlines when it used Hindi signages at Metro stations in Bengaluru owing to a letter from the union government.

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Story first published: Friday, July 28, 2017, 11:05 [IST]
Green group gives clarion call to rise above petty politics to save the Mahananada river

India

oi-Amitava

Darjeeling, July 28, 2017: Unless there is political will and all political parties rise above petty politics to save the Mahananda River, the future of this Himalayan River is murky, feels Himalayan Nature and Adventure Foundation (HNAF). The Foundation has been spreading awareness to make river pollution free.

The Mahananda river originates in the Himalayas at an elevation of 2100m in Kurseong in the Darjeeling district. It flows through the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and descends to the plains of Siliguri. It then touches the Jalpaiguri district to enter Bangladesh and after flowing for 3km returns to India.

After flowing through the Uttar Dinajpur District it enters the State of Bihar and flows through Kishangunj and Kathihar in Bihar to enter West Bengal again in the Malda district. It joins the Ganges at Godagiri in the Nawabgunj district of Bangladesh.

"Encroachment on the banks of the river is the biggest problem. The encroachment has reached till mid river. From the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary to Phoolbari in the Jalpaiguri district there are around a lakh people who reside in encroachments on the banks. Along with this open defecation, cattle sheds, piggeries, illegal quarries, car washes make it the most polluted river in North Bengal. Indiscriminate dumping of Municipal waste of Siliguri town into the Mahananda is a major cause of concern, " stated Animesh Bose of HNAF.

Hearing a PIL filed by Kolkata based environmentalist Subhas Dutta, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) took cognizance of the reckless dumping of waste in Mahananda river and issued notices to the West Bengal government, state pollution control board, Siliguri Municipal Corporation and its Deputy Commissioner in March this year.

"It has been brought to the notice of the tribunal that there are serious environmental issues in relation to pollution of river Mahananda in Siliguri, District Darjeeling and indiscriminate dumping of municipal solid waste all over the city.

Despite the fact that the matter was brought to the notice of public authorities, they have failed to take any remedial and precautionary steps. The river is being polluted by discharge of sewage and other effluents and dumping of waste. Consequently, we issue notice," the bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar had stated.

Spurred by the notices the Siliguri Municipal Corporation went about drawing up a plan to rid the banks of encroachments. It was decided that in the first phase, encroachments adjacent to the municipal crematorium would be cleared. There are over 30 illegal cattle sheds and over 100 of illegal constructions that would be removed the Corporation had claimed in April.

The CPIM led civic body decided to launch the drive along with the concerned state government departments. However repeated attempts to rid the banks of encroachments met with stiff resistance from the encroachers and continue being the same.

"We have been sensitizing the people for the past 25 years trying to make this river pollution free. While some political outfits try to evict the other parties try to resist. The role sometimes gets reversed depending on the outcome of elections. Political outfits need to have the will to rise up above petty politics to save this river, one of the most important lifelines of North Bengal. Otherwise this river will just become a part of history in future" stated Bose.

However on the brighter side the Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA) has started a survey on the incomplete Mahananda Action Plan. The Mahananda Action Plan is a part of the Ganga Action Plan. The NGT has sought a report of what measures can be adopted to make the river pollution free.

"It is important to complete the Action Plan. This will provide the right direction to make the river pollution free" stated Saurav Chakroborty, Chairman, SJDA.

The Action Plan proposes the construction of three sewage treatment plants at Diesel Colony, Naukaghat and Phoolbari . There would be sub stations too. Along with this two Lifting (pump) stations will be constructed at Naukaghat and Phoolbari.

Beautification of the banks of Mahananda, Jorapani and Phuleshwari rivers are also part of the plan. "We have already started the technical survey work a week ago. As soon as the report is complete we will submit it to the NGT. Copy of the report will also be sent to the Municipal Affairs Departent, Government of West Bengal. The NGT will then decide on whether the SJDA or the Municipal Affairs Department will be the executing agency for the project" stated Chakroborty.

Incidentally in 2005 work on the action plan had been initiated. Rs 58 crores and 88 lakhs had been sanctioned as the first installment. However the work was not completed and there were widespread allegation of misappropriation of funds.

Two huge pits were dug up at Naukaghata. Beautification work had also been initiated. Work was however abandoned mid way. Iron rails and wire fences were stolen from the construction site.

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Story first published: Friday, July 28, 2017, 20:55 [IST]
In Bihar, Congress stares at a big split

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Is the Congress heading for a grand split in Bihar. The rumours mills are doing the rounds that many in the Congress are likely to cross vote in favour of the JD(U)-BJP combine which faces a floor test in the Bihar legislative assembly.

Many within the Congress are unhappy that the high command was unable to save the alliance. Adding to the problem was Rahul Gandhi not being available to Congress Bihar unit chief Ashok Chaudhary.

Although Chaudhary maintained the entire flock is together, the high command is not convinced. Several calls have been made over the past 24 hours to the state unit in Bihar to find out if attempts were being made to poach its MLAs.

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Many in the state unit of Bihar are unhappy with the recent developments. The party's Bihar in charge, C P Joshi is in talks with the MLAs to ensure that they stay united. Many in the Congress also are posing the question why Rahul Gandhi did not act if he knew that the alliance was on the verge of a breakup.

The trust vote would make the picture clear. The JD(U)-BJP have claimed that they have the support of 133 MLAs which is ahead of the magic number of 122. They have claimed that their allies and independents would back them taking their number ahead of the magic number. Between the BJP and JD(U) the number is 124.

OneIndia News
Lalu attacks Nitishs pet project prohibition; calls it a farce

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Patna, July 28: While addressing reporters outside the Raj Bhavan in Patna, Bihar, on Wednesday, after tendering his resignation, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar spoke about how he tried his best to work with his coalition partner, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), in spite of several problems.

In his address he talked about the works done by him, including the total ban on alcohol, in Bihar.

The ban on liquor was one of the poll promises of the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), which Nitish implemented in spite of several opposition against it. Now, as Nitish has left the Grand Alliance, consisting of the RJD, the JD (U) and the Congress, to form a new government in the state with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, his former partner, RJD supremo, Lalu Prasad Yadav, has called prohibition a "farce".

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"The whole thing about prohibition is a farce," Lalu was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. "Liquor is available even now, and policemen have become rich. I had warned him (Nitish) of operational problems, but we did not say anything...we tried to cover for him. And yet he betrayed us."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier praised Nitish for his alcohol ban policy in the state.

"I greet Nitish Kumar from the core of my heart for launching a campaign against liquor. But, this work (prohibition) would not be a grand success only by efforts of Nitish Kumar or one party. All the political parties, social organisations and citizens have to participate in it to make it a 'jan-jan ka andolan' (people's movement)," Modi said.

In April 2016, Kumar announced a ban on the sale and consumption of country liquor in the state. The ban was one of Kumar's key poll promises made to women voters--who rallied behind him strongly.

However, according to a report done by Indiaspend, released in January this year, major crimes in the state had increased by 13 per cent in spite of ban on alcohol--usually considered as one of the main reasons behind various crimes.

The IndiaSpend analysis of Bihar Police crime data reveals that cognizable crime--which the police can investigate without a magistrate's orde--rose 13 per cent between April and October 2016, from 14,279 in April to 16,153 in October.

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Story first published: Friday, July 28, 2017, 9:32 [IST]
How Zahran Hashim converted the radical Islamists of South into violent Jihadists

A bayath, a massive suicide bombing, the Coimbatore blast was in the making for a year

With another ISIS module busted, TN has become a paradise of Islamic Jihadists

Man linked to ISIS sentence to 5 years in jail

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

A special court of the National Investigation Agency, Shimla convicted a person linked to the Islamic State. Abid Khan has been sentenced to undergo imprisonment for 5 years and also pay a fine of Rs 5,000.

Abid Khan was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Indian Penal Code and the Explosives Substances Act by the NIA. It was alleged that Khan was hatching a conspiracy to commit acts of terror while owing allegiance to the banned terrorist organisation ISIS.

On completion of investigation, the charge sheet was filed on June 12 2017. The court held him guilty of the charges on July 19 2017.

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Story first published: Friday, July 28, 2017, 5:46 [IST]
After 'The Kashmir Files', Agnihotri back with 'The Vaccine War'

MNS workers vandalise Gujarati shop in Mumbai

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) party workers on Friday vandalised a jewellery store with nameplate written in Gujarati in Dadar area of Mumbai. Police detained seven MNS workers for vandalising a jewellery store.

This is not the first time MNS workers protesting against the use of Gujarati language in Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra.

In March, Raj Thackeray-led MNS had raised objections to the private discom Reliance Energy using the Gujarati language in the electricity bills issued to its customers in the megapolis.

The MNS, in a letter issued to the company, demanded that since Marathi is the official language in the state, the electricity bills should be issued only in that language along with English and not in any other language.

MNS is in the forefront in propagating 'Marathi identity' in the state after breaking away with Shiv Sena. The party is based on 'Marathi' and 'Sons of soil' ideologies.

The Raj Thackeray-led party has only seven seats in the 227-member Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

(Withe agency inputs)
NIA opens Dubai link to terror funding liking Hurriyat in Valley

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Terrorist groups kept many leaders of the Hurriyat under a tight leash. While investigations have shown that many Hurriyat leaders received funds from Pakistan, they were also under pressure from terror groups to ensure that the money reached them.

Documents unearthed by the NIA have shown that there were several exchanges of letters between the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Hurriyat leaders when it came to raising funds. Letter heads of the Lashkar-Tayiba were also found during the raids conducted in June.

The Hurriyat leaders who were the custodians of the cash were repeatedly told to pass on the money to the terrorist groups. While the letters would begin with pleasantries and a request, it would always end with a warning at the end if the money was not given.

In all the NIA has unearthed at least 2.5 crore during the raids. The NIA is now probing a Dubai route which was used to move the funds. Several investigations in the past have revealed that Kashmiri businessmen in Dubai were sending in funds to the Valley.

An NIA officer said that they would re-visit those cases as well. The officer also said that the questioning of Syed Ali Shah Geelani's son Naeem would be crucial for the investigation. In addition to this, the NIA has also summoned 30 more suspects for questioning.

The NIA had earlier this week arrested 7 Hurriyat members and even secured their custody for 7 days. All have been charged under the Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The NIA's Inspector General Alok Mittal said that all these persons would be subject to a lie detector test. The NIA would be moving a special court seeking permission to subject the accused to a polygraph test.

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Story first published: Friday, July 28, 2017, 7:32 [IST]
WASHINGTON  White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus may have little left of his job but his title.

In the swirl of Shakespearean intrigue that surrounds Donald Trump's White House, Priebus' fortunes have long been a source of speculation, given his limited role, colorful band of rivals and the president's public slights. Those questions sharply escalated this week with the arrival of Trump's new communications director, who was hired over Priebus' objections and reports directly to the president.

Priebus' already tense relationship with Anthony Scaramucci took a darker turn over the past 24 hours when the communications chief suggested in a late-night tweet that Priebus, a native of Kenosha, was one of the "leakers" that President Donald Trump has railed against. The New Yorker published a profanity-laced interview Thursday in which Scaramucci called Priebus a "paranoid schizophrenic."

Trump told The Wall Street Journal in an interview Tuesday that no staff shake-up was imminent. But he has privately floated potential replacements for Priebus, including Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, deputy national security adviser Dina Powell, chief economic adviser Gary Cohn and former campaign adviser David Urban, according to three people who've been in conversation with the president and senior staffers recently. They weren't authorized to discuss private conversations and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The president often throws out names casually in conversation that end up going nowhere, and there is no indication that anyone has been approached about the job.

But Priebus' power  which has been limited compared with past people with that title  has dwindled. Scaramucci is the latest top aide to be granted a direct line to Trump, and it has become increasingly unclear who actually reports to Priebus. The White House did not respond to requests for an organizational chart.

After Trump boarded Air Force One on Friday for a trip to Long Island, New York, reporters saw Priebus and Scaramucci, who was on the telephone and carrying a bag, boarding the aircraft using the rear staircase.

Priebus has grown increasingly isolated in the White House, as past Republican National Committee colleagues and other allies have left or been pushed out of the West Wing. Those who have departed include former deputy chief of staff Katie Walsh, outgoing press secretary Sean Spicer and press aide Michael Short.

The chief of staff made an appearance Thursday at an East Room event where Trump honored first responders, acting as if nothing was amiss.

Asked if Trump had confidence in his chief of staff, spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders did not answer directly, saying: "I think I've addressed this question when it comes to staffing and personnel many times, that if the president doesn't, then he'll make that decision. We all serve at the pleasure of the president and if he gets to a place where that isn't the case, he'll let you know."

Priebus did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

On-the-job humiliation is often part of the deal in Trump's White House, as Priebus well knows. At a meeting of auto company CEOs in Michigan in March, Trump praised the executives and then said, "And then I look at Reince," drawing scattered laughs with a tone that suggested Priebus was a less impressive presence. Trump quickly added that Priebus has "done a great job."

Trump structured the White House in a way that undermined Priebus' authority from Day One. In a highly unusual arrangement, he said Priebus and chief strategist Steve Bannon would serve as "equal partners" in implementing his agenda.

In a typical White House, most staffers, including the communications director, report to the chief of staff. But in Trump's White House, a long list of top advisers bypasses the middle man. Scaramucci, social media director Dan Scavino and counselor Kellyanne Conway all report directly to Trump, as do the president's daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner, both senior advisers.

"I plan on continuing to serve and report directly to President @realDonaldTrump at the @WhiteHouse, as I've done since 1/20/2017," Scavino tweeted over the weekend.

Trump has also maintained a near open-door policy, with top aides casually poking their heads in constantly to speak with the boss.

"They've got all these chiefs running about with or without the title of chief," said William Daley, the second chief of staff for President Barack Obama. He said that under Obama, there were high-ranking players with direct access to the president, but he was clued in on any policy or governing conversations, noting: "There was a sense that people were working together."

Ari Fleischer, who served as press secretary under George W. Bush, said there are multiple ways to effectively run the White House. George H.W. Bush ran a hierarchical West Wing with a powerful chief of staff who controlled access to the Oval Office. When his son came to office, he chose a different model, creating a system under which numerous senior aides were able to walk into the Oval Office and speak to the president, even if, on paper, they technically reported to someone else.

The difference now, he said, is that Trump has created a faction-driven White House, noting: "I just think he has too many independent power centers and not enough team players."

The lone voice coming to Priebus' defense Thursday was House Speaker Paul Ryan, who called the fellow Wisconsinite a "close friend" and said, "I think he's doing a great job as chief of staff."

But from within the White House there was less vocal support. Asked on Fox Business Network whether Priebus is in trouble, Conway replied: "You'd have to ask the president that."
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Now, Congress MLAs head for Bengaluru to avoid being poached by BJP in Gujarat

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

In the wake of several Congress MLAs in Gujarat quitting the party to join the BJP, 44 of the grand old party's MLAs left for Bengaluru on late Friday night to avoid being poached.

Congress earlier on Friday alleged that the Gujarat police had abducted its MLA in the state with a view to influence the upcoming elections to the Upper House.

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"To ensure that BJP is not successful in its mission, 44 of us Congress MLAs are leaving from Gujarat for Bengaluru," ANI quoted Gujatat Congress leader Shailesh Parmar as saying.

He also said that the BJP was "offering money" and putting "police pressure" to make Congress MLAs resign from the party.

Till now 6 MLAs have quit Congress and joined BJP taking Congress' tally to 51 in the 182-member assembly.

Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi alleged that BJP has spent crores of rupess in horse trading to attract the Congress leaders.

"Congress Gujarat MLA Punabhai Gamit was offered Rs 10 crore rupees by the BJP," he added.

The latest setback for the Congress comes almost a week after Vaghela left the party and also resigned as the Leader of Opposition.

OneIndia News
Ravi Teja appears before SIT in Hyderabad drugs haul case

India

oi-Anusha

Telugu movie star Ravi Teja appeared before the Excise department officials in the Hyderabad drugs haul case on Friday. The actor arrived at the Prohibition and Excise department office after notice was served to him along with 11 others from the industry.

Ravi Teja, a leading actor with a mass fan following in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh was summoned after his name cropped up in the massive drugs racket thriving in Hyderabad. While the SIT officials maintained that the actor had been summoned only for questioning, nothing about his role in the racket has been established.

Telugu celebrities went abroad to get drugs, data mining unravels links

20 people, including people close to the Telugu film industry, have been arrested in connection with the case. At least 11 pubs in the city have been issued notices over allegations of serving as drug dens for peddlers. Two actresses who were issued notices were also questioned on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. All celebrities who had been summoned have denied any links with those arrested for peddling drugs. Most celebrities have told the SIT that they knew the accused only as event managers.

Telangana asks the US to shut darknet servers

Following the crackdown on drugs in Hyderabad, the Telangana government has contacted the United States government raising concerns over the darknet. After the investigations revealed that drugs were bought easily from online hidden websites, the state government via the consulate has asked America to shut down servers aiding the darket.

Actress Charmee Kaur appears before SIT in Hyderabad drug case

The FBI had recently taken down one such darknet site, Alphabay after its role in pushing drugs was exposed. The SIT investigating the drug racket in Hyderabad has pushed for such sites to be shut down. Experts, however, believe that shutting down one site is of little help to curb the menace of narcotics.

OneIndia News
SC sets aside Allahabad HC order granting bail to two accused in Owaisi car attack case

SC to hear Bengaluru blast accused Madani's plea

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

The Supreme Court on Friday decided to hear the bail plea of Abdul Nasser Madani an accused in 2008 Bengaluru blasts.

Madani had knocked the doors of Supreme Court seeking bail to attend his son Umar Mukhthar' wedding to be held at Thalassery on 9 August. The apex court will hear the bail plea on Monday.

A National Investigation Agency (NIA) court had rejected Madani's plea on July 24 seeking permission to attend his son's wedding, reports said.

According to a 2010 report of Hindustan Times, Madani was first arrested on April 8, 2000, in connection with the 1998 Coimbatore bombings which had killed 60 people. Madani was imprisoned for eight years, but was released on August 1, 2007, after being acquitted of all charges, the report said.

Madani, founder of Kerala's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was lodged in Karnataka jail for his involvement in the 2008 Bangalore serial blasts and similar incidents in Ahmedabad, Surat and Jaipur.

In June 2009, Madani was charge-sheeted in the Bangalore blast case and arrested a year later by the Karnataka police.

(With agency inputs)
To keep JD(U) united, BJP likely to offer 2 Union Cabinet berths

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The BJP is likely to offer the JD(U) two Cabinet berths in a bid to quell a rebellion. A few leaders have expressed unhappiness with the decision taken by Nitish Kumar to ally with the government and form the government in Bihar.

The likes of Sharad Yadav were among the first to raise objections to this alliance. In fact Yadav held a meeting with a few of his supporters to discuss the future course of action.

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The J(U) faces a crucial floor test today. While the JD(U)-BJP are placed well above the half way mark, it would still like to avoid any discontentment among the party ranks. Moreover the BJP would also like to bag the support of the JD(U) in both houses of Parliament and hence keeping all its leaders happy would be crucial.

A Cabinet re-shuffle is scheduled after the winter session of Parliament. Two senior JD(U) leaders are likely to be inducted into the Cabinet during the re-shuffle, sources in the BJP say. Sharad Yadav could be on of them who are likely to get a Cabinet berth, the sources also added.

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Story first published: Friday, July 28, 2017, 6:47 [IST]
Plea in Delhi HC for equal status to 'Vande Mataram' as that of national anthem

No \"hello\", instead use 'Vande Mataram' when answering calls: Maha minister to govt officials

Vande Mataram row in Maharashtra Assembly: BJP targets Abu Azmi

India

pti-PTI

Mumbai, July 28: Maharashtra Legislative Assembly witnessed a chaos on Friday as the ruling BJP MLAs lashed out at Samajwadi Party member Abu Asim Azmi who opposed a demand for making singing of Vande Mataram mandatory in schools and colleges in the state.

Azmi, head of the SP's Maharashtra unit, and Waris Pathan, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MLA from Mumbai, on Thursday opposed senior BJP MLA Raj Purohit's demand for making singing of Vande Mataram compulsory.

Citing the recent order of the Madras High Court, which made singing of the national song mandatory in schools across Tamil Nadu atleast twice a week, Purohit had said that the singing of Vande Mataram should be made mandatory in schools and colleges and the state government come up with a policy in this regard.

Purohit, chief whip of the BJP in the Assembly, had also demanded that singing of the national song be made compulsory for everybody at the beginning of any public event and the National Anthem at its conclusion.

Azmi told reporters last night that he would not sing Vande Mataram even if he is "thrown out of the country", while Pathan had said he would not sing it "even if a revolver is put to my head".

Raising the issue in the House today, BJP member Anil Gote said, "There should not be any opposition to Vande Mataram. It is a patriotic song and it should not be opposed by people like Abu Azmi."

Another BJP member Eknath Khadse said people of all faiths used to recite Vande Mataram during the Independence struggle.

"If a person lives and feeds on the soil of this country, what is wrong in being grateful to it? You are born here and after your death you will be buried in the same land. Why can't you respect the soil by saying Vande Mataram? During the pre-Independence period, all faiths used Vande Mataram in their struggle against the British. If the same song has to be recited today, why are you opposing it?" Khadse said.

Azmi maintained that he was against the demand for making singing of Vande Mataram compulsory.

"I am opposing any move to make singing of Vande Mataram mandatory. If my faith tells me that singing Vande Mataram is against my faith, then I should not be forced to do so," he said.

Echoing Azmi, Congress MLA Aslam Shaikh said, "There are two versions of Vande Mataram and after the Independence, the government is forcing only one version on us. It is wrong and should be opposed".

After a brief uproar on the issue, the proceedings of the House continued normally following an appeal made by Speaker Haribhau Bagde.

PTI
What do I call you? God? A grateful Pakistani woman tweets to Sushma Swaraj

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

What do i call you? God? This was the tweet from a lady from Pakistan who got a medical visa thanks to Sushma Swaraj. The External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj directed the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to issue a visa to a Pakistani national for medical treatment in India.

Her direction to India's High Commissioner in Pakistan Gautam Bambawale came after a woman -- Hijaab Asif -- sought the external affairs minister's urgent intervention. Minutes after Swaraj's tweet to Bambawale, the Indian mission tweeted that it was in touch with the applicant.

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"Ma'am, we are in touch with the applicant. Rest assured we will follow it up," the Indian High Commission said in a tweet.

Responding to Asif's plea, Swaraj also wondered whether Pakistan Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Satraj Aziz had refused to issue a recommendation letter for the issuance of a visa by India to the patent.

The External Affairs minister had a few weeks back said that Pakistani nationals seeking visas for medical treatment in India must accompany their visa applications with a recommendation letter by Aziz.

"Dear maam, spoke to DHC (Deputy High Commissioner) in Islamabad, told the patients current condition and he said it's all up to you. If you allow," Asif had tweeted earlier.

The patient is suffering from serious liver ailment and needs urgent treatment in India, she said.

After Swaraj's direction to grant a visa to the patient, Asif was effusive in her praise of the external affairs minister.

"@SushmaSwaraj What do I call you? Superwoman? God? No words to describe your generosity! Love you maam. Cannot stop praising you in tears!!!," she said.

In another tweet, she said "my heart belongs and beats for you", adding that "Pakistan doesn't deserve her at all".

"Lots and Lots of Love and respect from here. Wish you were our prime minister. this country would have changed," she said.

OneIndia News
What is the status of the Panama Papers case in India

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

There are 500 Indians named in the leaked Panama papers. On Friday, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif following which he stepped down as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

In India, a Multi Agency Investigation has been ordered by the Supreme Court. A petition had been filed over a year back seeking a probe into the case. A petition was filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma seeking a probe into the matter. The court had issued notices to the centre and CBI.

In March 2017, the petitioner sought for a Joint Investigation Team to probe the case. However the SC said that it would first need to go through the report and only then decide on whether to order a probe or not.

While seeking a report into the matter, the SC said that the CBDT, RBI and the Financial Intelligence Unit would form the Multi Agency Investigation team.

The petitioner had sought for a court monitored probe into the matter. The petitioner alleged that the Panama Papers include the names of nearly 500 Indians. Several celebrities and industrialists too were part of this case, the petitioner also alleged. Several Indians have allegedly parked funds in offshore accounts in transactions brokered by the law firm, the petitioner also alleged.

In India the investigation would move forward only once the SC takes a call on the matter. Once the report by the MAI is studied by the SC, a decision on whether to hand it over to a JIT or the CBI would be taken.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Friday, July 28, 2017, 15:25 [IST]
With Nitish switching to NDA, will be back Naidu in VP elections?

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

With Nitish Kumar switching sides and joining the NDA, the big question is who will he and his party back in the vice-Presidential polls. While Nitish had backed the NDA's Ram Nath Kovind in the Presidential polls, he had declared support to Gopalkrishna Gandhi for the VP polls.

While Nitish was at that time part of the UPA, it would be interesting to see whether he would back Gandhi or the NDA's Venkaiah Naidu in the VP elections. The JD(U) is however likely to back Gandhi. He had made an assurance that he would back the UPA's candidate and is likely to stick to his word. However there is nothing that stops Nitish from switching sides as in the VP polls no party can issue a whip.

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The BJP would however not insist that Nitish back Naidu. The BJP and its allies are in a comfortable position to win the VP elections. BJP sources say that Nitish Kumar is free to take any decision and he would not be bound by what we want at least in these elections.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Friday, July 28, 2017, 6:42 [IST]
Man rapes 8-year-old to use her blood for removing obstacles to his marriage

Woman caught for drunk-driving kisses policeman in Kolkata

India

oi-Madhuri

A woman who is in her 30s was arrested for driving a car while returning from a party on Wednesday night in an inebriated condition.

According to the reports on TOI, the woman lost control of the car and hit a divider close to Salt lake. However, when the taxi driver wanted to rescue her, the woman thrashed him.

After a while, when the constable tried to bring her out of the vehicle, the drunk woman started hugging and kissing him. Later the police asked help of a local woman for assistance, who helped the cops lead the drunk woman and her two friends to the police station.

According to police, the woman was driving under the influence of alcohol was returning from a party and hit the divider. A man and another woman were also along with her in the car at the time of the accident.

A case was booked for drunk and rash driving against the woman.

OneIndia News
At least 20 injured in train accident at Barcelona station

International

oi-Madhuri

At least 20 people have been injured on Friday in a train accident at a station in the Spanish city of Barcelona during the morning hour.

However, no deaths have been reported so far. It is not yet known what caused the train to crash.

Among the wounded ones, five have been seriously injured and were sent to hospitlals.

The photos on the social media shows that a train had hit the buffers, with the front end crumpled and the casing partially torn off.

The incident occurred at 7.15 a.m. when the train from Sant Vicenc de Calders, in the Catalan province of Tarragona, was arriving at the Francia station in Barcelona city centre.

While pulling into one of the station platforms, the train was apparently unable to stop and rammed into the buffer zone at the end of the track, reports Efe news.

According to witnesses, the accident did not interrupt other train services from the station but platforms adjacent to the affected train have been closed.

OneIndia News
WASHINGTON  Transparency, thy name is Trump, Donald Trump. No filter, no governor, no editor lies between his impulses and his public actions. He tweets, therefore he is.

Ronald Reagan was so self-contained and impenetrable that his official biographer was practically driven mad trying to figure him out. Donald Trump is penetrable, hourly.

Never more so than during his ongoing war on his own attorney general, Jeff Sessions. President Trump has been privately blaming Sessions for the Russia cloud. But rather than calling him in to either work it out or demand his resignation, Trump has engaged in a series of deliberate public humiliations.

Day by day, he taunts Sessions, attacking him for everything from not firing the acting FBI director (which Trump could do himself in an instant) to not pursuing criminal charges against Hillary Clinton.

What makes the spectacle so excruciating is that the wounded Sessions plods on, refusing the obvious invitation to resign his dream job, the capstone of his career.

Trump relishes such a cat-and-mouse game and, by playing it so openly, reveals a deeply repellent vindictiveness in the service of a pathological need to display dominance.

Dominance is his game. Doesnt matter if you backed him, as did Chris Christie, cast out months ago. Or if you opposed him, as did Mitt Romney, before whom Trump ostentatiously dangled the State Department, only to snatch it away, leaving Romney looking the foolish supplicant.

Yet the Sessions affair is more than just a study in character. It carries political implications. It has caused the first crack in Trumps base. Not yet a split, mind you. The base is simply too solid for that. But amid his 35 percent to 40 percent core support, some are peeling off, both in Congress and in the pro-Trump commentariat.

The issue is less characterological than philosophical. As Stephen Hayes of The Weekly Standard put it, Sessions was the original Trumpist  before Trump. Sessions championed hard-line trade, law enforcement and immigration policy long before Trump rode these ideas to the White House.

For many conservatives, Sessions early endorsement of Trump served as an ideological touchstone.

And Sessions has remained stalwart in carrying out Trumpist policies at Justice. That Trump could, out of personal pique, treat him so rudely now suggests to those conservatives how cynically expedient was Trumps adoption of Sessions ideas in the first place.

But beyond character and beyond ideology lies the most appalling aspect of the Sessions affair  reviving the idea of prosecuting Clinton.

In the 2016 campaign, nothing was more disturbing than crowds chanting lock her up, often encouraged by Trump and his surrogates. After the election, however, Trump reconsidered, saying he would not pursue Clinton who went through a lot and suffered greatly.

Now under siege, Trump has jettisoned magnanimity. Maybe she should be locked up after all.

This is pure misdirection. Even if every charge against Clinton were true and she got 20 years in the clink, it would change not one iota of the truth  or falsity  of the charges of collusion being made against the Trump campaign.

Moreover, in America we dont lock up political adversaries. They do that in Turkey. They do it (and worse) in Russia. Part of American greatness is that we dont criminalize our politics.

Last week, Trump spoke at the commissioning of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier. Ford was no giant. Nor did he leave a great policy legacy. But he is justly revered for his decency and honor. His great gesture was pardoning Richard Nixon, an act for which he was excoriated at the time and which cost him the 1976 election.

It was an act of political self-sacrifice, done for precisely the right reason. Nixon might indeed have committed crimes. But the spectacle of an ex-president on trial and perhaps even in jail was something Ford would not allow the country to go through.

In doing so, he vindicated the very purpose of the presidential pardon. On its face, its perverse. It allows one person to overturn equal justice. But the Founders understood that there are times, rare but vital, when social peace and national reconciliation require contravening ordinary justice.

Ulysses S. Grant amnestied (technically: paroled) Confederate soldiers and officers at Appomattox, even allowing them to keep a horse for the planting.

In Trump World, the better angels are not in evidence.

To be sure, Trump is indeed examining the pardon power. For himself and his cronies.
Don't allow next Doklam in Arunachal, says BJP MP; claims China has encroached upon 60 km of state

Doval opens door for de-escalation of tensions with China amidst Doklam standoff

International

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The possibility of a further diplomatic outreach was the highlight of the meeting between India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi amidst the Doklam standoff.

Doval landed in China to take part in the BRICS summit on Thursday. He held talks on the sidelines of the summit with state councillor Yang Jiechi. The meeting was a fruitful one and both sides are hopeful that the tension would be de-escalated.

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Highly placed sources say that the meeting was fruitful and opened the gates for a dialogue to de-escalate tensions between the two countries. The tone of the official Xinhua news agency too was conciliatory in nature. It said that there was a need to enhance mutual trust as the two nations are not born rivals.

An official in Delhi said that both sides understand that going to war is not the solution. The line India took is similar to the one by the Xinhua news agency which said that most economies, including those in the West will find themselves negatively impacted by an Indo-China war.

Former Research and Analysis Wing officer, Amar Bhushan tells OneIndia that the chances of any further escalation is very low. India and China, both want engagement and would like to see the back of the Doklam standoff soon. However Doval is unlikely to agree to that clause. India is likely to agree for a troop withdrawal only if its men are replaced by the Bhutanese forces, Bhushan says.

The matters between India and China are unlikely to escalate any further. Once the winter sets in the tensions would be resolved automatically says Bhushan. During this period the Chinese cannot remain in the area, the former R&AW officer also points out.

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Story first published: Friday, July 28, 2017, 6:25 [IST]
In regular touch, trying for consular access: MEA on detention of 8 Indians in Qatar

Gulf states being stubborn, UN should step in: Qatar

International

oi-PTI

Qatar's foreign minister has accused Gulf neighbours and Egypt of "stubbornness" in their ongoing diplomatic dispute and said the United Nations should step in to help resolve the crisis.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York to discuss tensions after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut ties with Qatar on June 5.

The four countries accuse Qatar of backing extremism and have imposed sanctions against Doha in what the foreign minister said was a "serious violation of international law."

"There is a role for the Security Council and for the General Assembly and all the United Nations mechanisms, because of course the violations have continued," the foreign minister told reporters after his meeting with Guterres.

"We are seeing from the other side of the conflict this stubbornness without even taking any forthcoming step to solve this problem," he said.

Kuwait has been trying to mediate the crisis and several top Western diplomats have toured the region to try to defuse the row, including US Secretary of States Rex Tillerson.

"This is the right place where we have to start to seek all our options in order to find a legal solution," said the foreign minister.

"Qatar has already stated more than ten times that we want to solve this issue by dialogue, and we are not willing to escalate, and they need to retreat from all their illegal actions," he said.

The crisis between the regional allies is the worst to hit the Gulf in decades.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia and its allies unveiled a "terrorist" blacklist of 18 organizations and individuals suspected of links to Islamist extremism tied to Qatar.

The countries have demanded that Qatar break its longstanding ties with the Muslim Brotherhood blacklisted as a terror group by the four governments, although not by the international community.

They also demanded that it close broadcasting giant Al- Jazeera and a Turkish military base, and fall in line with Saudi-led policy in the region, particularly towards Iran.

Qatar has dismissed the demands as a violation of its sovereignty and has received significant support from its ally Turkey.

Last month Al-Thani met with several Security Council members to lobby for support, but the council and Guterres have repeatedly stressed that a solution should be found among regional partners.

PTI
North Korea has conducted another missile test, claims Japan

International

pti-PTI

Tokyo, Jul 28: North Korea has fired what is believed to be a missile and it may have landed in the sea off Japan, claimed Shinzo Abe, Japan's prime minister.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters that officials are analysing the apparent launch and that he has called a meeting of the National Security Council.

In Washington, a Pentagon spokesman, Navy Capt Jeff Davis, confirmed that a launch of a ballistic missile from North Korea had been detected. He said, "We are assessing and will have more information soon."

US and South Korean military officials had earlier this week said that North Korea could carry out another missile launch. They had warned that the test could be of another intercontinental ballistic missile.

OneIndia News
Xi Jinping tells Chinese army to prepare for war, fight and win it

Russia-China joint drill not for military alliance, says Putin

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Helsinki, July 28: The ongoing Russia-China joint naval drill in the Baltic Sea was not meant to start new military alliance said Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The cooperation between China and Russia brings balance to the world, and it is not directed against anyone, Xinhua news agency quoted Putin as saying.

"We are not starting military blocks," he said.

Putin made the remarks at a press conference in Punkaharju, a resort in Savonlinna, eastern Finland where he was paying a working visit to observe the centenary of Finnish independence.

Talking about the joint naval exercise that kicked off in the past weekend in the Baltic Sea, Putin said Russia and China have strategic cooperation in the fields of economy, politics and military.

Putin also expressed appreciation of the roles of the neutral countries along the shores of the Baltic.

There are six NATO countries in the Baltic region, whereas Finland and Sweden are not affiliated with the military alliance.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto reminded that "this is not the first exercise between China and Russia," adding that Chinese navy has been in the Mediterranean before.

"Also Finland takes part in exercises in the Baltic, such as upcoming Aurora with Sweden and the US. Aurora is not intended to form blocks as well," Niinisto said.

The drill codenamed "Joint Sea 2017" aims to jointly carry out rescue missions and protect the safety of maritime economic activities which is a part of the annual military cooperation programme.

IANS

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Story first published: Friday, July 28, 2017, 9:51 [IST]
At UNSC, US calls on world to tell Russia to stop its nuclear threats

US Senate rejects partial Obamacare repeal, bitter blow to Trump

International

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

In a big political blow to US President Donald Trump and the Republican party, the US Senate on Friday rejected the partial repeal of Obamacare.

According to US media Politico, two centrist GOP women and Sen. John McCain of Arizona teamed up to sink an already scaled-back effort to dismantle the 2010 health care law.

McCain and GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska teamed up with all 48 Democrats reject the Republicans' so-called skinny repeal plan, tanking the measure by a vote of 49-51. The Senate GOP had already pretty much shunned the proposal, viewing it mostly as a route to go into negotiations with the House.

With the rejection of partial repeal of Obamacare, Trump has failed to fulfil his campaign promise.

The legislation was dubbed "skinny bill" because only amendments in the few areas where there was consensus put to vote. It was presented on Thursday night by the Senate Republican majority leader, Mitch McConnell, reports Efe news.

(With agency inputs)
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Gov. Scott Walker wants state taxpayers to dole out up to $250 million annually in incentives to Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn to lure a manufacturing plant to Wisconsin that he claims will generate $181 million in tax revenue.

Think about that. Gov. Walker proposes we pay about $70 million more a year in incentives to a foreign corporation than will flow back to our state coffers. Does that sound like a good deal to you?

And this is just one detail that requires us to be wary about what is being described by proponents as the largest job announcement in Wisconsin history.

There are plenty more.

The actors involved in this deal, negotiated in secret, have the kind of track record that inspires suspicion, not trust.

Foxconn has a long history of overpromising and under-delivering on its claims of investments and job creation. For example, Pennsylvania is still waiting on hundreds of promised jobs created at a $30 million facility announced in 2013 that has yet to materialize.

Are they really preparing to invest such huge sums in Wisconsin and create well-paying jobs when they are lowering costs in factories in China by replacing workers making less than $4 per hour with robots?

According to reports, in this year alone Foxconn has announced more in commitments for capital spending than their parent company has made in the last nearly quarter-century.

It certainly seems to be a stroke of luck that they found our Gov. Walker in full re-election mode, desperate to distract from his subpar jobs record, including a 2009 promise to create 250,000 jobs in four years that remains unfulfilled in 2017.

Now the same administration whose economic development agency has bungled keeping track of its own funds, given state dollars to companies outsourcing Wisconsin jobs and failed to recover money given out for jobs not created is asking us to trust them to hold accountable a massive international corporation in a $3 billion deal.

Not a comforting thought.

In this situation any rational, objective person would demand due diligence and straight answers before giving this proposal their blessing.

Wisconsinites are being asked to contribute massive resources that could otherwise be invested repaying funds taken from our K-12 public schools on Gov. Walkers watch, fixing crumbling roads and bridges across our state, funding job training for workers to fill the jobs that already exist, or even helping the borrowers with student loan debt who invested in themselves.

With so much of our money at stake, we ought to have iron-clad assurances that those of us who are being asked to pay for Foxconn will be working at the jobs being promised. Wisconsin taxpayers shouldnt have to pay to put people from Illinois or even other countries to work.

There has been much talk about the wages of potential employees, with deal proponents touting average salaries over $50,000 per year. But averages can be massively skewed by huge executive salaries that more than make up for the majority of workers earning substantially less. Why have they not instead disclosed the median salary, the number that half of the workers will earn more than and half will earn less than?

And what about assurances on working conditions, health care and other benefits from an employer that has, shall we say, a less than stellar reputation in this area?
CHICAGO  Barack Obama had his share of poor decisions and outright failures. One of his worst moments came during his 2010 State of the Union address. With six justices seated in front of him, he upbraided the Supreme Court for a decision on campaign finance regulation.

With all due deference to separation of powers, he said, last week the Supreme Court reversed a century of law that, I believe, will open the floodgates for special interests, including foreign corporations, to spend without limit in our elections.

It was a rude breach of protocol, inducing Justice Samuel Alito to shake his head and mouth, Not true.

Obamas first sin was being disrespectful to justices who were there out of respect to his office. His second was a bad prediction. The legendary First Amendment lawyer Floyd Abrams has found that of the $2.76 billion raised in the 2016 presidential election, corporations and other businesses provided only $67 million  2.4 percent. Finally, Obama failed to recognize the sound principles underlying the decision.

The Citizens United decision has been portrayed by liberal critics as proof that under Chief Justice John Roberts, the court has become a captive of business interests and right-wing ideologues. But Brooklyn Law School professor Joel Gora, who has served the American Civil Liberties Union as a staff attorney and longtime member of the board of directors, says they are mistaken.

That ruling, he writes, is part of a commendable but unsung pattern. Over the past decade, Gora argues, the Roberts Supreme Court may well have been the most speech-protective court in a generation, if not in our history.

Hes not alone in this conclusion. Abrams told me the Roberts court has gotten some decisions wrong, but taken as a whole, it has rendered First Amendment-protective decisions in an extraordinarily broad range of cases, and it deserves great credit for doing so.

Geoffrey Stone, a First Amendment scholar at the University of Chicago Law School who has fiercely criticized the campaign finance ruling, says, The Roberts court has given more protection to free speech across a larger range of areas than any of its predecessors have  although sometimes unwisely.

Citizens United, argues Gora, has been unfairly maligned. Here you had a law which made it a crime to put out a movie criticizing a major candidate for the presidency of the United States, he says. The First Amendment, wrote Anthony Kennedy, prohibits Congress from fining or jailing citizens, or associations of citizens, for simply engaging in political speech.

Critics say the conservative justices saw it that way because corporate spending tends to favor conservative causes (see: Koch brothers). Some other free speech rulings, says Stone, could also be ascribed to a rightward bias  such as invalidating rules restricting protests at abortion clinics and overturning a law allowing doctors to keep private the medicines they prescribe.

But as Gora notes, many of the courts First Amendment decisions havent followed that track. It struck down a federal law making it a crime to falsely claim to have won military medals and a California law barring the sale of violent video games to minors.

A court awarded $5 million to the parents of a Marine whose funeral drew demonstrators with signs bearing such offensive messages as Thank God for dead soldiers. The Supreme Court said the verdict violated the protesters freedom of speech.

It also ruled against a George W. Bush administration policy requiring overseas groups getting AIDS prevention funds to adopt a policy explicitly opposing prostitution. None of those decisions fit the policy preferences of conservatives.

The court has sometimes gone wrong on free speech. It upheld a public high schools suspension of a student who brandished a sign saying Bong hits 4 Jesus, which it took to be a pro-drug sentiment, at a school-supervised event. The court said public employee whistleblowers have no First Amendment protection for anything they say pursuant to their official duties.

For the most part, though, the court has been a force for freedom of expression. Gora thinks that will be reinforced by the arrival of Neil Gorsuch, who shares the general approach of the courts conservative wing. The new justice indicated in his confirmation hearings that unlike Donald Trump, he has no desire to make it easier for public figures to win libel suits.

Liberals and others will often find fault with the court, as well as Trump. But thanks to the justices, they will have a wide berth to complain.
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Amid the PDP crisis, Governor Nyesom Wike has taken a major step in Rivers state to shock his political watchers

After appointing 100,000 special assistants on Thursday, the Rivers state governor on Friday, employed another 100,000 appointees with immediate effect

Speaking on his latest move, Wike said the special advisers had shown willingness to work for him, hence he decided to engage them in his administration, a few months before leaving office

An emerging report by The Nation indicates that Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has increased the number of his newly appointed special assistants on political units to 200, 000.

The Governor made this disclosure while inaugurating the last batch of the 100,000 appointees at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area on Friday, November 3rd.

Governor Wike increases special assistants to 200,000, a few months before leaving office.

Photo credit: PDP Governors in Action.

Source: Facebook

Wike gives reason for his latest move

The aggrieved PDP chieftain, Wike, said he decided to increase the number to accommodate more people, who had shown willingness to work for him.

The Governor, who said the gesture was part of the stomach infrastructure he promised the state, asked local government chairmen to return to their domains and identify more people for appointments.

2023 election: Why Wike signed Executive Order 21, Rivers APC gives powerful reason

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has maintained that the fear of the party is responsible for the signing of Executive Order 21 by Governor Nyesom Wike.

Darlington Nwauju, the Rivers APC publicity secretary made this disclosure through a statement.

He noted that the popularity of the party is the reason why many political parties are filing different suits against the APC to stop the party from participating in the 2023 general elections.

The publicity secretary of the APC in Rivers state, further stated that the APC will adopt a different approach to woo electorates during the 2023 general elections.

Nyesom Wike emerges Nigerias political fashion god amidst PDP crisis

Away from politics, Governor Wike will give Nollywood and fashion icon Richard Mofe-Damijo a run for his money when it comes to wearing clothes and looking good.

Popularly called Nyerishi by his Ikwerre kinsmen, the governors clothes have recently been subjected to scrutiny.

In the past few weeks, the Rivers state chief executive seems to have made a deliberate effort to change his wardrobe while maintaining his position as one of Nigerias arguably best-performing governors.

Source: Legit.ng
President Muhammadu Buhari and his Cameroonian counterpart, Paul Biya, on Thursday, jointly commissioned the 1.5 km Ekok/Mfum Bridge and Joint Border Post (JBP) at Mfun, Cross River State, linking Nigeria and its neighbour.

While performing the ceremony which officially opens the bridge and border post, the two leaders said the ultra-modern link bridge project would deepen the socio-economic and diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Cameroon, which will not only strengthen the existing cordial relations between the two countries but will also enhance the volume of economic activities in the region, as well as movement of persons, goods and services with countries along the corridors.

Buhari who was represented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, stated that the two-lane bridge, with its cost put at over $44 million, would facilitate economic activities between the two countries.

In a statement issued by the Deputy Director of Press, Ministry of Transportation, Ogbonna Anastasia on Friday, Buhari said that the development would provide a veritable synergy between inter-country regions to combat the teeming security challenges bedeviling the countries.

The bridge will serve as a vital link between the Western and Southern African regions. The Federal Republic of Nigeria also expects that this Joint Border Post and bridge will enhance security patrol and facilitate effective cooperation in this part of our border with the Republic of Cameroon.

This project is part of the ongoing Nigeria/Cameroon multinational highway facilitation programme, is a visible testament of the continuing cooperation and good neighbourliness between our neighbouring countries.

Read also:UNICEF urges Buhari to rescue abducted Katsina children

It is also our hope that it will complement the efforts of the governments of Nigeria and Cameroon to combat the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism in our region, the President said.

On his part, Biya, who also was represented by his Minister for Public Works, Emmanuel Nganuo Djours, said the construction of the bridge over Cross River is part of the Transport Facilitation Program on the Bamenda  Manfe  Abakaliki  Enugu  corridors.

The corridor covers 441 metres of road that will facilitate trade and strengthen relations between Cameroon and Nigeria, he added.

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Head Coach Salisu Yusuf has picked goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, utility player Dominion Ohaka and midfielder Afeez Nosiru as part of an 18-man squad to feature for Nigeria against the A team of Costa Rica in an international friendly in San Jose next week.

The Super Eagles will confront the Senior National Team of Costa Rica in a prestigious international friendly in the countrys capital on 9th November.

NFFs FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodata Sport told thenff.com that the three-time African champions have been invited to the central American nation as part of major activities to send forth the Los Ticos to the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar.

Read Also: Europa League: Man United Must Avoid Barca In Knockout Stages Hargreaves

Yusuf picked goalkeepers Bankole and Nathaniel Nwosu (U23 team first choice), defenders Daniel Bameyi, Chidiebere Nwobodo and Evans Ogbonda, midfielders Nosiru and Qudus Akanni and forwards Sunday Faleye and Edidiong Ezekiel, among others.

The game, scheduled for the National Stadium in San Jose, will kick off at 8pm Costa Rica time on Wednesday, 9th November (which is 3am, 10thNovember in Nigeria).

The Nigeria team has been training at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan for the past week, and is scheduled to fly out of the country to Costa Rica on Saturday, 5th November.

EAGLES FOR COSTA RICA

Kayode Bankole, Nathaniel Nwosu, Daniel Bameyi, Samuel Kalu, Chidiebere Nwobodo, Mustapha Jibrin, Evans Ogbonda, Afeez Nosiru, Samson Paul, Daniel Wotlai, Ezekiel Edidiong, Dominion Ohaka, Qudus Akanni, Shina Akinniran, Sunday Faleye, Jerry Alex, Isaiah Ejeh, Suleiman Garba

Copyright  2021 Completesports.com All rights reserved. The information contained in Completesports.com may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the prior written authority of Completesports.com.
I'm grateful Gov. Scott Walker has been visiting small town residents who have been inundated by the deluge of damaging rains.

To be responsive to the tragedy to the extent that's necessary, though, he and his administration should be addressing the real and ongoing calamity of human-caused climate change.

The practice of both Christian love and responsible government means not only showing up with compassion after destruction, but striving to prevent tragedy in the first place.

the Rev. Nick Utphall, Madison
Global Corn Cationic Starch Market 2017 Starch Asia(TH), Manildra Group(AU), Saurashtra(IN), Anil(IN), Sudst?rke GmbH(DE), Honest(IN), Venus Starch Suppliers(IN), Guangxi State Farms(CN)

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Smart Cash Registers Market Overview 2017-2022 Giesecke & Devrient, Glory Global Solutions, Royal Sovereign, Billcon

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Oxygen Gas Sensors Market Overview 2017-2022 Aeroqual, Robert Bosch, Siemens, Yokogawa Electric

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Multirotor Drones Market Overview 2017-2022 Aibotix, Coptercam, Draganfly Innovations, Microdrones GmbH

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Lighting Pole Market Overview 2017-2022 GE, Hubbell, Philips, BEL Lighting, Valmont Structures

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Feed Antibiotics Market 2017-2022 Abbott Laboratories, Bayer, Pfizer, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Sanofi

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ABS Plastics Market 2017-2022 BASF, GE Plastics, Kumho Chemical, Mitsubishi Chemical

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Air Filters Market 2017-2022 DAIKIN, Camfil Farr, CLARCOR Inc., Flanders Corporation, Freudenberg

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Property Management Software Market 2017-2022 AppFolio, Buildium, London Computer Systems, MRI Software

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Quality Management Software Market 2017-2022 Aras Corporation, Arena Solutions Inc., Autodesk Inc

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Food Safety Testing Market 2017-2022 3M, PURE Bioscience, Merieux NutriSciences, DuPont, Agilent

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Food Safety Testing Market Research ReportA market study  Global Food Safety Testing Market  examines the performance of the Food Safety Testing market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Food Safety Testing market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Food Safety Testing market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Food Safety Testing Market 2017 report includes Food Safety Testing market Size, Revenue, market Share, Food Safety Testing industry volume, market Trends, Food Safety Testing Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Food Safety Testing Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.Request For Sample Report:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Food Safety Testing Market 2017:3MPURE BioscienceMerieux NutriSciencesDuPontAgilentAmetekDanaher LabsBrukerCharm SciencesPerkinElmerThermo Fisher ScientificNeogenElisa TechnologiesIdexx LaboratoriesQiagenBio-Rad LaboratoriesMarshfield Food SafetyMarshfield Food SafetyResearch InternationalAB SCIEXInstantlabsFood Safety Testing Market : Type AnalysisChromatography SystemsMass Spectrometry SystemsPolymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) EquipmentImmunoassay SystemsFlow Cytometry SystemsFood Safety Testing Market : Application AnalysisDairy & BeverageFruits & VegetablesProcessed FoodMeat & PoultrySea FoodFirstly, the report covers the top Food Safety Testing manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the Food Safety Testing report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Food Safety Testing industry, Food Safety Testing industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Food Safety Testing Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Food Safety Testing 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 Food Safety Testing market revenue worldwide.Finally, Food Safety Testing 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 Radiopharmaceuticals In Nuclear Medical Market Development, Growth and Demand Forecast to 2022

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Global Radiopharmaceuticals In Nuclear Medical Market Professional Survey Report 2017 Purchase This Report by calling ResearchnReports.com at +1-888-631-6977.A Radiopharmaceutical is a drug that can be used either for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. It is composed of a radioisotope bond to an organic molecule. The organic molecule conveys the radioisotope to specific organs, tissues or cells. The radioisotope is selected for its properties.Radioisotopes emitting penetrating gamma rays are used for diagnostic (imaging) where the radiation has to escape the body before being detected by a specific device (SPECT/PET cameras). Typically, the radiation emitted by isotope used for imaging vanishes completely after 1 day through radioactive decay and normal body excretion. The most common isotopes for imaging are: 99mTc, I-123, I-131, Tl201, In111 and F18.The report firstly introduced the Radiopharmaceuticals in Nuclear Medical Systems Market basics: definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain overview; industry policies and plans; product specifications; manufacturing processes; cost structures and so on. Then it analyzed the worlds main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, capacity utilization, supply, demand and industry growth rate etc. In the end, the report introduced new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis.Get PDF Sample Copy:In this Radiopharmaceuticals In Nuclear Medical market research report the core driving factors of this market were identified and the business partners & end users were elaborated. The structure of the business sector, patterns and challenges affecting the market globally are also a part of this extensive analysis. Various interviews and talks were conducted with the prominent leaders of this industry to obtain reliable and updated information pertaining to the market.Region Covered:United StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaEnquiry before Buying:This market research report looks into and analyzes the Radiopharmaceuticals In Nuclear Medical market and illustrates a comprehensive evaluation of its evolution and its specifications. Another aspect that was considered is the cost analysis of the main products dominant in the global Radiopharmaceuticals In Nuclear Medical industry considering the profit margin of the manufacturers.This Radiopharmaceuticals In Nuclear Medical industry market research report focuses on the major players in this market throughout the world. This section of the report includes the company profiles, specification and product pictures, production, capacity, contact information, cost and revenue. Likewise, equipment & upstream raw materials and downstream demand analysis is also dealt with.Key Vendors:Bracco ImagingCambridge Isotope LaboratoriesCardinal HealthCovidienEczacibasi-MonrolFujifilm Holdings CorporationGE Healthcare (Subsidiary Of General Electric Company)IBA GroupLantheus Medical ImagingNordionNtp RadioisotopesSiemens HealthcareTaiyo Nippon Sanso CorporationUrenco LimitedRotem IndustriesComplete Report:About Research n Reports:Research N Reports is a new age market research firm where we focus on providing information that can be effectively applied. Today being a consumer driven market, companies require information to deal with the complex and dynamic world of choices. Where relying on a sound board firm for your decisions becomes crucial. Research N Reports specializes in industry analysis, market forecasts and as a result getting quality reports covering all verticals, whether be it gaining perspective on current market conditions or being ahead in the cut throat global competition. Since we excel at business research to help businesses grow, we also offer consulting as an extended arm to our services which only helps us gain more insight into current trends and problems. Consequently we keep evolving as an all-rounder provider of viable information under one roof.Contact us:Mr. Sunny Denis+1-888-631-6977sales@researchnreports.com(Research n Reports)
Global Aesthetics Combination Therapy Market Revenues to Reach US$ 3.69 Billion by 2022

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Global Aesthetics Combination Therapy Market Professional Survey Report 2022 Purchase This Report by calling ResearchnReports.com at +1-888-631-6977.Combination therapy or polytherapy is therapy that uses more than one medication or modality (versus monotherapy, which is any therapy taken alone). Typically, these terms refer to using multiple therapies to treat a single disease, and often all the therapies are pharmaceutical (although it can also involve non-medical therapy, such as the combination of medications and talk therapy to treat depression).The report firstly introduced the Aesthetics Combination Therapy Market basics: definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain overview; industry policies and plans; product specifications; manufacturing processes; cost structures and so on. Then it analyzed the worlds main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, capacity utilization, supply, demand and industry growth rate etc. In the end, the report introduced new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis.Download PDF Sample Copy:With all the data assembled and analyzed using SWOT analysis, there is a clear picture of the competitive landscape of the Global Aesthetics Combination Therapy market. The trends and developments of this market were studied and it shows there was a well-known strategic direction observed. By grasping market background and using the existent norms, policies, and trends of other leading markets for cross-reference, market information was realized.Region Covered:Europe: Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Benelux;Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Israel, UAE and Iran;Africa: South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria.Enquire here for more Information:To conclude, evaluation of the significant performance of the Global Aesthetics Combination Therapy market is influenced by various analysis tools and in-depth research reports. Cross-references are employed to establish clear results and validate them. Openings for the future market growth were uncovered and peripheral competitive threats also surfaced.Key Players:Alma Lasers Ltd.Lumenis Ltd.Cynosure Inc.Valeant Pharmaceutical International, Inc.Galderma S.A.Anika Therapeutics, Inc.Speciality European PharmaMerz Pharma GmbH & Co. KGaACutera, IncAllerganSyneron Medical LtdComplete Report:About Research n Reports:Research N Reports is a new age market research firm where we focus on providing information that can be effectively applied. Today being a consumer driven market, companies require information to deal with the complex and dynamic world of choices. Where relying on a sound board firm for your decisions becomes crucial. Research N Reports specializes in industry analysis, market forecasts and as a result getting quality reports covering all verticals, whether be it gaining perspective on current market conditions or being ahead in the cut throat global competition. Since we excel at business research to help businesses grow, we also offer consulting as an extended arm to our services which only helps us gain more insight into current trends and problems. Consequently we keep evolving as an all-rounder provider of viable information under one roof.Contact us:Mr. Sunny DenisContact No. +1-888-631-6977sales@researchnreports.com(Research n Reports)
Global Biopreservation Market is a professional in-depth study report and indeed a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.

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Global Biopreservation Market Research Report 2017 Purchase This Report by calling ResearchnReports.com at +1-888-631-6977.The report on the global Biopreservation market is a comprehensive overview of the market, covering various aspects such as product definition, segmentation based on various parameters, distribution channel, supply chain analysis, and the prevailing vendor landscape. It compiles exhaustive information sourced via proven research methodologies. The information of the Biopreservation market is accessible in a logical chapter-wise format. It is also interspersed with relevant graphs and tables to enable readers to get a better perspective of the global Biopreservation marketAn assessment of the market attractiveness with regard to the competition that new players and products are likely to present to older ones has been provided in the publication. The research report also mentions the innovations, new developments, marketing strategies, branding techniques, and products of the key participants present in the global Biopreservation market. To present a clear vision of the market the competitive landscape has been thoroughly analyzed utilizing the value chain analysis. The opportunities and threats present in the future for the key market players have also been emphasized in the publication.Access the Sample of this report on the below mentioned link:-Further, the key geographical segments of the global Biopreservation market have been discussed in the research study. The key factors that are boosting the growth of the key segments have been offered in the study. A detailed study of the competitive landscape of the global Biopreservation have been given, presenting insights into the company profiles, financial status, recent developments, mergers and acquisitions, and the SWOT analysis. This research will give a clear idea to the readers about the overall market scenario to further decide on this market project.Geographically This report is segmented into several key Regions:-North America,Europe,China,Japan,Southeast Asia,India.For more inquiry before Buying:-The major growth drivers, challenges, and trends influencing the global Biopreservation market are inspected at length. The report also presents a thorough qualitative and quantitative data affecting to the projected impact of these factors on markets future growth prospects. A number of analysis tools such as Porters five forces analysis and SWOT analysis have been employed to provide an accurate understanding of this market. Also, the report is compiled in a way for the readers and customers to understand better.The top players including:-Biomatrica Inc,Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc,BioCision LLC,VWR International LLC,Qiagen,Panasonic Corporation,Labvantage Solutions Inc,BioLife Solutions Inc.About Research n Reports:Research N Reports is a new age market research firm where we focus on providing information that can be effectively applied. Today being a consumer driven market, companies require information to deal with the complex and dynamic world of choices. Where relying on a sound board firm for your decisions becomes crucial. Research N Reports specializes in industry analysis, market forecasts and as a result getting quality reports covering all verticals, whether be it gaining perspective on current market conditions or being ahead in the cut throat EMEA competition. Since we excel at business research to help businesses grow, we also offer consulting as an extended arm to our services which only helps us gain more insight into current trends and problems. Consequently we keep evolving as an all-rounder provider of viable information under one roof.Contact us:Mr. Sunny DenisContact No. +1-888-631-6977sales@researchnreports.com(ResearchnReports)
A New Report States Facts & Figures behind Boom of the Global Optical Storage Media Sales Market

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Global Optical Storage Media Sales Market Outlook To 2017 Purchase This Report by calling ResearchnReports.com at +1-888-631-6977.The study report titled Global Optical Storage Media Sales Market throws light on the crucial trends and dynamics impacting the development of the market, including the restraints, drivers, and opportunities. A number of analysis tools such as Porters five forces analysis and SWOT analysis have been employed to provide an accurate understanding of this market.The report provides information on the technological advancements that are bound to take place in the coming years or are currently taking place in the market. Furthermore, the opportunities and threats faced by the main players dominant in the global Optical Storage Media Sales market have been highlighted.Companies listed in the report are profiled with information such as product pictures and specifications, product types, capacity, production, cost, price, Gross, and revenue. Industry analysis tools such as SWOT analysis are used to measure the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the global Optical Storage Media Sales market. The report highlights the many benefits of this market. As per the findings of the research report, primary and secondary research have been conducted in this report.Get Sample Copy of this Report:Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with sales (K MT), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Glass Beads for Sandblasting for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering United States, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia, India.Global Glass Beads for Sandblasting market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Optical Storage Media Sales volume, Price (USD/MT), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players including Moserbaer, Oyster Technologies, Microlite Corporation, Traxdata.For more information/ Ask for discount:The report further highlights the development trends in the global Optical Storage Media Sales market. Factors that are driving the market growth and fueling its segments are also analyzed in the report. The report also highlights on its applications, types, deployments, components, developments of this market.For more information/Ask your queries:In addition, the increasing projects taken by governments globally which will provide impetus to the development of the overall market. Factors that may hamper the market's growth and challenges faced by the players are also mentioned in this study. Also, the competitive landscape of the market has been presented. In this section, the prominent players operating in the Optical Storage Media Sales market have been presented. These players have been studied on chief attributes such as company profiles and product specifications.About Research N Reports:Research N Reports is a new age market research firm where we focus on providing information that can be effectively applied. Today being a consumer driven market, companies require information to deal with the complex and dynamic world of choices. Where relying on a sound board firm for your decisions becomes crucial. Research N Reports specializes in industry analysis, market forecasts and as a result getting quality reports covering all verticals, whether be it gaining perspective on current market conditions or being ahead in the cut throat Global competition. Since we excel at business research to help businesses grow, we also offer consulting as an extended arm to our services which only helps us gain more insight into current trends and problems. Consequently we keep evolving as an all-rounder provider of viable information under one roof.Contact us:Mr. Sunny DenisContact No. +1-888-631-6977sales@researchnreports.com(ResearchnReports)10916, Gold Point, Dr, Houston, TX,Pin - 77064.Email:sales@researchnreports.comPhone:+1 888-631-6977
Global Food Service Gloves Industry 2017 Market Research Report

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SummaryIn this report, the global Food Service Gloves 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 Food Service Gloves in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Food Service Gloves market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingSuperior GloveAMMEXAnsellAurelia GlovesBarber HealthcareBrightway GroupRubberexSempermedSouthern GloveTop GloveYTY GroupOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoLatex GloveRubber GloveNon-latex (Nitrile or Vinyl) GloveOn 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 Food Service Gloves for each application, includingDisposable GovesDurable GlovesThe Global Food Service Gloves Industry 2017 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Food Service Gloves industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Food Service Gloves market analysis is provided for the international market including competitive landscape analysis, and major regionsdevelopment 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 (America, Europe and China), and other regions can be added.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.Sample request,please email: josephine@qyresearch.comTable of Contents1 Industry Overview of Food Service Gloves2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Food Service Gloves3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Food Service Gloves4 Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis of Food Service Gloves by Regions and Manufacturers5 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Food Service Gloves by Regions and Manufacturers6 Consumption Volume, Consumption Value and Sale Price Analysis of Food Service Gloves by Regions and Applications7 Supply, Import, Export and Consumption Analysis of Food Service Gloves8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Food Service Gloves9 Marketing Trader or Distributor Analysis of Food Service Gloves10 Industry Chain Analysis of Food Service GlovesMain chapter showed:4 Global Food Service Gloves Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2017)4.1 Global Food Service Gloves Consumption by Regions (2011-2016)4.2 North America Food Service Gloves Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2017)4.3 Europe Food Service Gloves Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2017)5 Global Food Service Gloves Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type5.1 Global Food Service Gloves Production and Market Share by Type (2011-2017)5.2 Global Food Service Gloves Revenue and Market Share by Type (2011-2017)Thank you for reading the essay.If you are interested in it or have any questions,plesase contact me.QYRESEARCH CO., LTDJosephine Luo - QYResearch Report Global SalesEmail: josephine@qyresearch.comWeb:QYResearch established in 2007, focus on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, data base and seminar services. The company owned a large basic data base (such as National Bureau of statistics database, Customs import and export database, Industry Association Database etc), experts resources (included energy automotive chemical medical ICT consumer goods etc industries experts who own more than 10 years experiences on marketing or R&D), professional survey team (the team member with more than 3 years market survey experience and more than 2 years depth expert interview experience),Excellent data analysis team (SPSS statistics and PPT graphics process team); QYResearch has always pursuit product quality, adhere to the quality is the soul of business.Room 2311 VILI International Building No.167 Linhe West Road Tianhe District Guangzhou City Guangdong Province 510610 China
Global Cork Stoppers Market by Types, Application, Geography, Trends and Forecast 2017

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Global Cork Stoppers Market Outlook To 2017 Purchase This Report by calling ResearchnReports.com at +1-888-631-6977.The study report titled Global Cork Stoppers Market throws light on the crucial trends and dynamics impacting the development of the market, including the restraints, drivers, and opportunities. A number of analysis tools such as Porters five forces analysis and SWOT analysis have been employed to provide an accurate understanding of this market.The report provides information on the technological advancements that are bound to take place in the coming years or are currently taking place in the market. Furthermore, the opportunities and threats faced by the main players dominant in the global Cork Stoppers market have been highlighted.Companies listed in the report are profiled with information such as product pictures and specifications, product types, capacity, production, cost, price, Gross, and revenue. Industry analysis tools such as SWOT analysis are used to measure the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the global Cork Stoppers market. The report highlights the many benefits of this market. As per the findings of the research report, primary and secondary research have been conducted in this report.Get Sample Copy of this Report:By Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want) North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, India.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, covering AMORIN, Corksribas, USFloors, Granorte, MJO Cork, Home Legend, We Cork, Zandur, Expanko, Capri cork, Globus Cork, Jelinek Cork Group.For more information/ Ask for discount:The report further highlights the development trends in the global Cork Stoppers market. Factors that are driving the market growth and fueling its segments are also analyzed in the report. The report also highlights on its applications, types, deployments, components, developments of this market.For more information/Ask your queries:In addition, the increasing projects taken by governments globally which will provide impetus to the development of the overall market. Factors that may hamper the market's growth and challenges faced by the players are also mentioned in this study. Also, the competitive landscape of the market has been presented. In this section, the prominent players operating in the Cork Stoppers market have been presented. These players have been studied on chief attributes such as company profiles and product specifications.About Research N Reports:Research N Reports is a new age market research firm where we focus on providing information that can be effectively applied. Today being a consumer driven market, companies require information to deal with the complex and dynamic world of choices. Where relying on a sound board firm for your decisions becomes crucial. Research N Reports specializes in industry analysis, market forecasts and as a result getting quality reports covering all verticals, whether be it gaining perspective on current market conditions or being ahead in the cut throat Global competition. Since we excel at business research to help businesses grow, we also offer consulting as an extended arm to our services which only helps us gain more insight into current trends and problems. Consequently we keep evolving as an all-rounder provider of viable information under one roof.Contact us:Mr. Sunny DenisContact No. +1-888-631-6977sales@researchnreports.com(ResearchnReports)10916, Gold Point, Dr, Houston, TX,Pin - 77064.Email:sales@researchnreports.comPhone:+1 888-631-6977
Global Ultracapacitor market product circulation Report 2017

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The study on the global market for Ultracapacitor has evaluated the historical and current performance of this market, especially highlighting the key trends and growth opportunities. According to the study, the rising demand for this product is driving the global market for significantly. The expansion in the various related industry is also expected to reflect positively on the sales of product over the next few years.The market has been also categorized in terms of application, types, deployments, services, and techniques. Moreover, the fundamental factors impacting the development of the market have been presented precisely. Furthermore, how the soaring number of supportive government initiatives has raised the adoption of his industry globally is also mentioned.For sample copy of this report visit:The report provides information on the technological advancements that are bound to take place in the coming years or are currently taking place in the market. Furthermore, the opportunities and threats faced by the main players dominant in the global Ultracapacitor market have been highlighted. The report studies the global market with prime emphasis on United States, China, Europe, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. The export, import, revenue, production, and consumption of industry in these areas have been highlighted in detail in the report. The report begins by presenting an overview of the global Ultracapacitor market. This section of the study encapsulates the classification, specifications, and definition.Divided by region, this study report is segmented into numerous key sections, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and progress rate of the regions Ultracapacitor are mentioned in this report. As mentioned about the regions, a comprehensive regional classification of the market is also included herein.Get discount on this report:The study report titled Global Ultracapacitor Market throws light on the crucial trends and dynamics impacting the development of the market, including the restraints, drivers, and opportunities. A number of analysis tools such as Porters five forces analysis and SWOT analysis have been employed to provide an accurate understanding of this market.The top players including Cabot(Norit) Arkema Bayer Calgon Carbon Corporation Carbon NT&F Carbotech CECA SA CNano Technology Futamura Hayleys Huahui Huahui Huaqing Hyperion Catalysis ILJIN Nanotech KURARY CO. LTD MWV Nanocomp Nanocyl OSAKA GAS Shenzhen NTP Showa Denko Taixi Timesnano UnidymThe report also presents a 360-degree overview of the competitive scenario of the global Ultracapacitor market, thus helping organizations understand the major threat and opportunities that vendors in the market are dealt with and includes detailed business profiles of some of the major vendors in the market. Also, the report offers a SWOT analysis of the global market. This report gives a clear picture of the Ultracapacitor market scenario for the better understanding to the readers.For enquiry before buying visit:Reasons for Buying this ReportThis report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics It provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growth It provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to grow It helps in understanding the key product segments and their future It provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitors It helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segmentsResearch N Reports is a new age market research firm where we focus on providing information that can be effectively applied. Today being a consumer driven market, companies require information to deal with the complex and dynamic world of choices. Where relying on a sound board firm for your decisions becomes crucial. Research N Reports specializes in industry analysis, market forecasts and as a result getting quality reports covering all verticals, whether be it gaining perspective on current market conditions or being ahead in the cut throat Global competition. Since we excel at business research to help businesses grow, we also offer consulting as an extended arm to our services which only helps us gain more insight into current trends and problems. Consequently we keep evolving as an all-rounder provider of viable information under one roof.Contact us:Mr. Sunny DenisContact No. +1-888-631-6977sales@researchnreports.com(Research n Reports)
Global Voltage Controlled Attenuators market research report 2017

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This study estimates the factors that are boosting the development of the global Voltage Controlled Attenuators market, on the basis of key principles segments such as end-users, application, product, technology, and region are surveyed comprehensively. A thorough examination has been done in this report to bring about the share and position of global Voltage Controlled Attenuators market. In the report, a complete analysis of the growth revenue is offered.The increasing preference of consumers demand in this global Voltage Controlled Attenuators product is likely to fuel the market in the forecast period. The continual rising demand anticipated to boost this market, notes the research study.Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering United States China Europe Japan Korea TaiwanThe study also examines the numerous policies that regulate processes in the global Voltage Controlled Attenuators industry, precisely, the ones that are currently active, along with an analysis of the top news stories about the industry. This report also offers an important analytical guidance on the trends and developments in this industry. The report also provides a professional and comprehensive analysis on the global Voltage Controlled Attenuators market while articulating industry insights into its current state of affairs.For sample copy of this report visit:It provides a refined view of the classifications, applications, segmentations, specifications and much more for Voltage Controlled Attenuators market. Recent developments and policies with respect to this market are clarified with maximum data. The report also examines the cost structures and pricing regarding the suppliers, raw materials, labors, equipments needed, and many other. This study is a compilation of primary and secondary research, which allows the readers and players to have a strong understanding of the overall market.Get discount on this report:The top players including Analog Devices Qorvo MACOM Fairchild Semiconductor NXP Teledyne Microwave Solutions Microsemiconductor DAICO NEC Corporation GT MicrowaveThe Voltage Controlled Attenuators industry market report is based on the definitions, specifications, applications, and classifications of this report, the industry chain structure of various Voltage Controlled Attenuators is highlighted in the report. It also focuses on the industry policies and major regions. This report highlights the manufacturing cost structure includes the cost of the materials, labor cost, depreciation cost, and the cost of manufacturing procedures. Price analysis and analysis of equipment suppliers are also done by the analysts in the report.The report on the global Voltage Controlled Attenuators market is a comprehensive overview of the market, covering various aspects such as product definition, segmentation based on various parameters, distribution channel, supply chain analysis, and the prevailing vendor landscape. It compiles exhaustive information sourced via proven research methodologies. The information of the market is accessible in a logical chapter-wise format. It is also interspersed with relevant graphs and tables to enable readers to get a better perspective of the market.For enquiry before buying visit:Various factors are responsible for the markets growth trajectory, which are studied at length in the report. In addition, the report lists down the restraints that are posing threat to the global Voltage Controlled Attenuators market. It also gauges the bargaining power of suppliers and buyers, threat from new entrants and product substitute, and the degree of competition prevailing in the market. The influence of the latest government guidelines is also analyzed in detail in the report. It studies the markets trajectory between forecast periods.Reasons for Buying this Report,This report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics, It provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growth ,It provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to grow ,It helps in understanding the key product segments and their future, It provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitors, It helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segmentsResearch N Reports is a new age market research firm where we focus on providing information that can be effectively applied. Today being a consumer driven market, companies require information to deal with the complex and dynamic world of choices. Where relying on a sound board firm for your decisions becomes crucial. Research N Reports specializes in industry analysis, market forecasts and as a result getting quality reports covering all verticals, whether be it gaining perspective on current market conditions or being ahead in the cut throat Global competition. Since we excel at business research to help businesses grow, we also offer consulting as an extended arm to our services which only helps us gain more insight into current trends and problems. Consequently we keep evolving as an all-rounder provider of viable information under one roof.Contact us:Mr. Sunny DenisContact No. +1-888-631-6977sales@researchnreports.com(Research n Reports)
Global Ytterbium Sputtering Target market primary and secondary details report 2017

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The study presents an evaluation of the factors that are expected to inhibit or boost the progress of the global Ytterbium Sputtering Target market. The industry has been examined thoroughly on the basis of key criteria such as end user, application, product, technology, and region. An analysis has been provided in the report of the key geographical segments and their share and position in the market. The estimated revenue and volume growth of the market has also been offered in the report.This market research report gives an in-depth idea about the global Ytterbium Sputtering Target market. It highlights the recent market scenario, growth in the past few years, and opportunities present for manufacturers in the future. In this research for the completion of both primary and secondary details, various methods and tools are used. Also, investments instigated by organizations, government, non-government bodies, and institutions are projected in details for better understanding about the market.Divided by region, this study report is segmented into numerous key sections, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and progress rate of Ytterbium Sputtering Target in these regions, from 2017 to 2022, covering United States, China, Europe, Japan, Korea and TaiwanFor sample copy of this report visit:The research report also mentions the innovations, new developments, marketing strategies, branding techniques, and products of the key participants present in the global Ytterbium Sputtering Target market. The reports offer the opportunities and restraint that may hit the market players in the future. Through this report, consumers can easily get the notion for their growth of products in the market.The top players including Kurt J. Lesker Company American Elements ALB Materials Heeger Materials SCI Engineered Materials Princeton Scientific CorpThe study also examines the numerous policies that regulate processes in the global Ytterbium Sputtering Target industry, precisely, the ones that are currently active, along with an analysis of the top news stories about the industry. This report also offers an important analytical guidance on the trends and developments in this industry. The report also provides a professional and comprehensive analysis on the global market while articulating industry insights into its current state of affairs.Get discount on this report:As the global Ytterbium Sputtering Target market is segmented based on various parameters, an in-depth classification of the market is also mentioned; elements impacting the markets growth are studied in detail to understand the report precisely. Moreover this, profiles of some of the leading players operating in the global Ytterbium Sputtering Target market are included in the report. Using SWOT analysis, their weaknesses and strengths are analyzed. It helps the study deliver visions into the opportunities and threats that companies may face during the forecast period.On the geographical front, the market can be classified among the region attained the leading position and is expected to remain so over the forecast period. The presence of numerous applications likely to act as the key driving force behind the growth of this market in the near future. Developed regions are anticipated to witness progress in the global Ytterbium Sputtering Target market. This market reports also offers dynamic key features of the opportunities that can gear up the demand in the market.For enquiry before buying visit:Reasons for Buying this Report,This report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics, It provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growth ,It provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to grow ,It helps in understanding the key product segments and their future, It provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitors, It helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segmentsResearch N Reports is a new age market research firm where we focus on providing information that can be effectively applied. Today being a consumer driven market, companies require information to deal with the complex and dynamic world of choices. Where relying on a sound board firm for your decisions becomes crucial. Research N Reports specializes in industry analysis, market forecasts and as a result getting quality reports covering all verticals, whether be it gaining perspective on current market conditions or being ahead in the cut throat Global competition. Since we excel at business research to help businesses grow, we also offer consulting as an extended arm to our services which only helps us gain more insight into current trends and problems. Consequently we keep evolving as an all-rounder provider of viable information under one roof.Contact us:Mr. Sunny DenisContact No. +1-888-631-6977sales@researchnreports.com(Research n Reports)
Micro Pressure Sensor Market Research 2017 Food Industry, Consumer Electronics, Medical Industry

Micro Pressure Sensor

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http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-micro-pressure-sensor-market-2017-demand-insights-key-palyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022/

Micro Pressure Sensor Market Research ReportA market study  Global Micro Pressure Sensor Market  examines the performance of the Micro Pressure Sensor market Research 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Micro Pressure Sensor market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Micro Pressure Sensor market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Micro Pressure Sensor Market 2017 report includes Micro Pressure Sensor market Size, Revenue, market Share, Micro Pressure Sensor industry volume, market Trends, Micro Pressure Sensor Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Micro Pressure Sensor Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.Request For Sample Report:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Micro Pressure Sensor Market 2017:-Stmicroelectronics-First Sensor Ag-Microtechnologies-Trensor-Smi-Fujikura-HoneywellMicro Pressure Sensor Market: By Product-Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor-Capacitive Membrane Pressure Sensor-Capacitive Pressure SensorMicro Pressure Sensor Market: By Application-Automotive Industry-Food Industry-Consumer Electronics-Medical Industry-EnvironmentalFirstly, the report covers the top Micro Pressure Sensor manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Micro Pressure Sensor report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Micro Pressure Sensor industry, Micro Pressure Sensor industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Micro Pressure Sensor Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Inquiry Before Purchasing Report:The Micro Pressure Sensor 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 Micro Pressure Sensor market revenue worldwide.Finally, Micro Pressure Sensor 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
Portable Spectrophotometer Market Research 2017 Thermo Fisher, Hitachi, Hach, PerkinElmer

Portable Spectrophotometer

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Portable Spectrophotometer Market Research ReportA market study  Global Portable Spectrophotometer Market  examines the performance of the Portable Spectrophotometer market Research 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Portable Spectrophotometer market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Portable Spectrophotometer market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Portable Spectrophotometer Market 2017 report includes Portable Spectrophotometer market Size, Revenue, market Share, Portable Spectrophotometer industry volume, market Trends, Portable Spectrophotometer Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Portable Spectrophotometer Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.Request For Sample Report:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Portable Spectrophotometer Market 2017:-Thermo Fisher-Hitachi-Hach-PerkinElmer-WTW-Shimadzu-Bibby ScientificPortable Spectrophotometer Market: By Product-Tungsten Lamp-Hydrogen LampPortable Spectrophotometer Market: By Application-Scientific Research-Laboratory-Biological Detection-OtherFirstly, the report covers the top Portable Spectrophotometer manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Portable Spectrophotometer report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Portable Spectrophotometer industry, Portable Spectrophotometer industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Portable Spectrophotometer Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Inquiry Before Purchasing Report:The Portable Spectrophotometer 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 Portable Spectrophotometer market revenue worldwide.Finally, Portable Spectrophotometer 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
Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber Market Research 2017 TopChair, Antano Group, KSP ITALIA, Baronmead

Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber

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Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber Market Research ReportA market study  Global Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber Market  examines the performance of the Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber market Research 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber Market 2017 report includes Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber market Size, Revenue, market Share, Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber industry volume, market Trends, Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.Request For Sample Report:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber Market 2017:-TopChair-Antano Group-AAT-KSP ITALIA-Baronmead-Alber-SANOManual Wheelchair Stair Climber Market: By Product-Star wheel type-Crawler-Step supportManual Wheelchair Stair Climber Market: By Application-Residential-Hospital-Nursing HomeFirstly, the report covers the top Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber industry, Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Inquiry Before Purchasing Report:The Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber 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 Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber market revenue worldwide.Finally, Manual Wheelchair Stair Climber 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
Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber Market Research 2017 TopChair, Antano Group, AAT, KSP ITALIA, Baronmead

Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber

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Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber Market Research ReportA market study  Global Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber Market  examines the performance of the Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber market Research 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber Market 2017 report includes Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber market Size, Revenue, market Share, Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber industry volume, market Trends, Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.Request For Sample Report:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber Market 2017:-TopChair-Antano Group-AAT-KSP ITALIA-Baronmead-Alber-SANOAutomatic Wheelchair Stair Climber Market: By Product-Star wheel type-Crawler-Step supportAutomatic Wheelchair Stair Climber Market: By Application-Residential-Hospital-Nursing HomeFirstly, the report covers the top Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber industry, Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Inquiry Before Purchasing Report:The Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber 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 Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber market revenue worldwide.Finally, Automatic Wheelchair Stair Climber 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
Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Market Growth Rate Analysis during 2017-2022

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Global Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Market 2017 report spread across 120 pages gives Market Segment Analysis by Key Manufacturers, Regions, Types and Applications. Coin-Operated Laundry Machines is a kind of self-help washing equipment. It has become the first choice for many consumers, mainly has the following characteristics: the applicable scope is wide, suitable for schools, factories, rental apartments, residential area, where the group of hospital, etc.; through market survey, really large area and long period running money machine; products to take up the space is little, can be put in the hallway or stairs, easy to install; simple operation, from the water, washing, rinsing, to dehydration dry, all links automatically, without human unattended; low power consumption.Complete report is available atScope of the Report:This report focuses on the Global Coin-Operated Laundry Machines 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 Regions, regional analysis covers: North America (USA, Canada and Mexico); Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy); Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia); South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.); Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa). Market Segment by Type, covers: Coin-Operated Washers, Coin-Operated Dryers & Market Segment by Applications, can be divided into: Hotel, Laundry Home, Hospital, School & Apartments, Others.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers: Alliance Laundry Systems, Whirlpool, Electrolux, LG, Haier, Maytag, Fagor, Kenmore, Little Swan, Pellerin Milnor, Miele, Hisense, ADC, Girbau, Dexter.Request for discount atThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Coin-Operated Laundry Machines market.Chapter 1 to describe Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force.Chapter 2 to analyze the top manufacturers of Coin-Operated Laundry Machines, with sales, revenue, and price of Coin-Operated Laundry Machines, 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 Coin-Operated Laundry Machines, 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.Order copy of report atChapter 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 Coin-Operated Laundry Machines market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022.Chapter 13, 14 and 15 to describe Coin-Operated Laundry Machines sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.ReportsnReports.com is your single source for all market research needs. Our database includes 500,000+ market research reports from over 95 leading global publishers & in-depth market research studies of over 5000 micro markets.Ritesh Tiwari,+ 1 888 391 5441sales@reportsandreports.com
Global Natural Gas Generator Industry 2017 Market Research Report

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SummaryIn this report, the global Natural Gas Generator 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 Natural Gas Generator in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Natural Gas Generator market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingCaterpillarGEGeneracHimoinsaKohlerCumminsRolls-RoyceMultiquipSLPMJDECZibo Diesel EngineOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into20 KW to 100 KW101 KW to 500 KW501 KW to 1 MW1 MW to 2 MW2 MW to 5 MWOn 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 Natural Gas Generator for each application, includingChemical IndustryBreeding IndustryPetroleum and Gas IndustryOtherThe Global Natural Gas Generator Industry 2017 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Natural Gas Generator industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Natural Gas Generator market analysis is provided for the international market including competitive landscape analysis, and major regionsdevelopment 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 (America, Europe and China), and other regions can be added.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.Sample request,please email: josephine@qyresearch.comTable of Contents1 Industry Overview of Natural Gas Generator2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Natural Gas Generator3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Natural Gas Generator4 Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis of Natural Gas Generator by Regions and Manufacturers5 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Natural Gas Generator by Regions and Manufacturers6 Consumption Volume, Consumption Value and Sale Price Analysis of Natural Gas Generator by Regions and Applications7 Supply, Import, Export and Consumption Analysis of Natural Gas Generator8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Natural Gas Generator9 Marketing Trader or Distributor Analysis of Natural Gas Generator10 Industry Chain Analysis of Natural Gas GeneratorMain chapter showed:4 Global Natural Gas Generator Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2017)4.1 Global Natural Gas Generator Consumption by Regions (2011-2016)4.2 North America Natural Gas Generator Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2017)4.3 Europe Natural Gas Generator Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2017)5 Global Natural Gas Generator Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type5.1 Global Natural Gas Generator Production and Market Share by Type (2011-2017)5.2 Global Natural Gas Generator Revenue and Market Share by Type (2011-2017)Thank you for reading the essay.If you are interested in it or have any questions,plesase contact me.QYRESEARCH CO., LTDJosephine Luo - QYResearch Report Global SalesEmail: josephine@qyresearch.comWeb:QYResearch established in 2007, focus on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, data base and seminar services. The company owned a large basic data base (such as National Bureau of statistics database, Customs import and export database, Industry Association Database etc), experts resources (included energy automotive chemical medical ICT consumer goods etc industries experts who own more than 10 years experiences on marketing or R&D), professional survey team (the team member with more than 3 years market survey experience and more than 2 years depth expert interview experience),Excellent data analysis team (SPSS statistics and PPT graphics process team); QYResearch has always pursuit product quality, adhere to the quality is the soul of business.Room 2311 VILI International Building No.167 Linhe West Road Tianhe District Guangzhou City Guangdong Province 510610 China
2017-2022 Global Oral Vaccine Market Analysis : ALK - Abello A/S (Denmark), Altimmune, Inc. (US), Bavarian Nordic A/S (Denmark)

Global Oral Vaccine Market

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https://market.biz/report/global-oral-vaccine-market-2017/124333/

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The Oral Vaccine Market 2017 Research Report investigates a thorough and complete study on Oral Vaccine industry volume, market Share, market Trends, Oral Vaccine Growth aspects, wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis, manufacturing capacity and Oral Vaccine industry Price during Forecast period from 2017 to 2022The research report labeled Global Oral Vaccine Market 2017 presents the penetrating study of Oral Vaccine market globally, concentrating on complete analysis of the present and past historical details of Oral Vaccine market. The competitive landscape view of the Oral Vaccine industry is also covered in this research document.Request Report Sample Here:Competitive Study of Global Oral Vaccine Market 2017 Based on Key Vendors:1 ALK - Abello A/S (Denmark)2 Altimmune, Inc. (US)3 Bavarian Nordic A/S (Denmark)4 BiondVax Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Israel)5 Bharat Biotech International Limited (India)6 GlaxoSmithKline Plc. (UK)7 Hualan Biological Engineering Inc. (China)8 Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (US)9 MedImmune (US)10 Merck & Co., Inc. (US)11 Pfizer Inc. (US)12 Sanofi Pasteur SA (France)13 Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. (India)14 Shanghai BravoBio Co., Ltd. (China)15 Seqirus (UK)16 SK Chemicals Co., Ltd. (Korea)17 Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Japan)18 Zydus Cadila (India)The report organizes the Oral Vaccine market across the globe into distinct portion based on industry standards. It also distinguishes the market based on geographical regions. The Oral Vaccine report mainly throws light on dominant players in the regions of (United States, EU, China, and Japan). Other regions can be added accordingly.Discrete aspects of the Oral Vaccine industry like value chain analysis, Oral Vaccine industry rules and policies, the factors driving the growth of the market and the constraints hampering the growth are explained.In next section, the Oral Vaccine report mentions the products that are currently available in the market along with their cost structures, manufacturing volume, requirement and supply analysis, import/export scenario and their overall contribution to the Oral Vaccine market revenue globally.Buy Complete Report Here (To Get Instant access):Further, the report global Oral Vaccine market 2017 analyzes the feasibility of investment, investment return analysis and shows a complete picture of market development scope and business strategies followed by leading Oral Vaccine industry players along with their company profile, market share and contact information.Lastly, the Oral Vaccine report enlists the vital conclusions that will assist all individuals who have a keen interest in Oral Vaccine Market.About Us:Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.Contact Us:James JohnsonS no. 51/14 First Floor,Office Number 4, Vishwa Arcade,Near Navale Lawns, PuneMaharashtra, India 411041Tel: +1(857)2390696Web:Email: inquiry@market.bizBrowse Latest News-
2017-2022 Global Phospholipase Enzyme Market Analysis : R&D System, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Novus Biologicals, Cell Signaling Technology (CST)

Global Phospholipase Enzyme Market

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https://market.biz/report/global-phospholipase-enzyme-market-2017/124338/

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The Phospholipase Enzyme Market 2017 Research Report investigates a thorough and complete study on Phospholipase Enzyme industry volume, market Share, market Trends, Phospholipase Enzyme Growth aspects, wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis, manufacturing capacity and Phospholipase Enzyme industry Price during Forecast period from 2017 to 2022The research report labeled Global Phospholipase Enzyme Market 2017 presents the penetrating study of Phospholipase Enzyme market globally, concentrating on complete analysis of the present and past historical details of Phospholipase Enzyme market. The competitive landscape view of the Phospholipase Enzyme industry is also covered in this research document.Request Report Sample Here:Competitive Study of Global Phospholipase Enzyme Market 2017 Based on Key Vendors:1 R&D System2 Thermo Fisher Scientific3 Novus Biologicals4 Cell Signaling Technology (CST)5 Enzo Life SciencesThe report organizes the Phospholipase Enzyme market across the globe into distinct portion based on industry standards. It also distinguishes the market based on geographical regions. The Phospholipase Enzyme report mainly throws light on dominant players in the regions of (United States, EU, China, and Japan). Other regions can be added accordingly.Discrete aspects of the Phospholipase Enzyme industry like value chain analysis, Phospholipase Enzyme industry rules and policies, the factors driving the growth of the market and the constraints hampering the growth are explained.In next section, the Phospholipase Enzyme report mentions the products that are currently available in the market along with their cost structures, manufacturing volume, requirement and supply analysis, import/export scenario and their overall contribution to the Phospholipase Enzyme market revenue globally.Buy Complete Report Here (To Get Instant access):Further, the report global Phospholipase Enzyme market 2017 analyzes the feasibility of investment, investment return analysis and shows a complete picture of market development scope and business strategies followed by leading Phospholipase Enzyme industry players along with their company profile, market share and contact information.Lastly, the Phospholipase Enzyme report enlists the vital conclusions that will assist all individuals who have a keen interest in Phospholipase Enzyme Market.About Us:Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.Contact Us:James JohnsonS no. 51/14 First Floor,Office Number 4, Vishwa Arcade,Near Navale Lawns, PuneMaharashtra, India 411041Tel: +1(857)2390696Web:Email: inquiry@market.bizBrowse Latest News-
Electronystagmography Apparatus Market Size 2017-22: Nihon Kohden, Blackrock NeuroMed, DIFRA products, Compumedics

Electronystagmography Apparatus

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http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-electronystagmography-apparatus-market-2017-demand-insights-key-palyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

Electronystagmography Apparatus Market Research 2017A market study  Global Electronystagmography Apparatus Market  examines the performance of the Electronystagmography Apparatus market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Electronystagmography Apparatus market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Electronystagmography Apparatus market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Electronystagmography Apparatus Market 2017 report includes Electronystagmography Apparatus market Revenue, market Share, Electronystagmography Apparatus industry volume, market Trends, Electronystagmography Apparatus Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Electronystagmography Apparatus Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Electronystagmography Apparatus Market 2017:1. Recorders & Medicare Systems Pvt Ltd2. DIFRA products3. Compumedics4. Natus Medical5. Nihon Kohden6. Philips7. Allengers Medical Systems8. Blackrock NeuroMedElectronystagmography Apparatus Market : By Application Hospital and Clinics Research InstitutionsElectronystagmography Apparatus Market : By Type Portable Device Bench-TopFirstly, the report covers the top Electronystagmography Apparatus manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Electronystagmography Apparatus report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Electronystagmography Apparatus industry, Electronystagmography Apparatus industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Electronystagmography Apparatus Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Electronystagmography Apparatus 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 Electronystagmography Apparatus market revenue worldwide.Finally, Electronystagmography Apparatus 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 Pneumatic Conveying Equipment Market 2017 - Cyclonaire Corporation, Dynamic Air Inc., Flexicon Corporation

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The Global Pneumatic Conveying Equipment Market 2017 Research Report includes a complete and meticulous study of Pneumatic Conveying Equipment industry covering different aspects like market volume, market Share, market strategies, Pneumatic Conveying Equipment growth trends, variety of applications, utilization volume, demand and supply analysis, production capacity and Pneumatic Conveying Equipment industry cost structures during Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.The report titled Global Pneumatic Conveying Equipment Market 2017 provides the comprehensive study of Pneumatic Conveying Equipment market on a global scale, focusing on current as well as past details of Pneumatic Conveying Equipment market. The competitive view of the Pneumatic Conveying Equipment industry with respect to the industry competitors is also covered in this document. The company details of leading players like their profile information, revenue segmentation, business strategies followed by them and their contribution to the global Pneumatic Conveying Equipment market share are mentioned.Request Here For Sample Report:Comparative Analysis of Pneumatic Conveying Equipment Market According to the Key Vendors:1 Hillenbrand Inc.2 Nilfisk Group3 Schenck Process Holdings GmbH.4 Zeppelin Systems GmbH5 KC Green Holdings Co. Ltd.6 AZO GmbH + Co. Kg7 Clyde Bergemann Power Group8 Cyclonaire Corporation9 Dynamic Air Inc.10 Flexicon Corporation11 Macawber Engineering, Inc.12 Motan Colortronic13 VAC-U-Max14 WamgroupThe Pneumatic Conveying Equipment report is organized into various sections based on different geographical regions and industry standards. The report mainly sheds light on leading players in the regions like (United States, EU, China, and Japan). Other regions can be added as per the requirement.Distinct aspects of the Pneumatic Conveying Equipment industry like supply chain analysis, Pneumatic Conveying Equipment industry rules and policies, factors that enhance the growth of Pneumatic Conveying Equipment industry along with the limiting factors that restrict the growth of the industry are covered in depth. Furtherly, the Pneumatic Conveying Equipment report elaborates product details starting with product definition, cost, product images, the cost structure, import/export information.Purchase Entire Report Here (To Get Instant Access):Various analytical are employed to analyze the market attractiveness, investment feasibility and investment return with respect to Global Pneumatic Conveying Equipment Market 2017.Apart from providing a complete picture of the overall Pneumatic Conveying Equipment market conditions the report also helps the industry players to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.James JohnsonS no. 51/14 First Floor, Office Number 4, Vishwa Arcade, Near Navale Lawns, Pune, Maharashtra, India 411041Maharashtra, IndiaTel: +1(857)2390696Web:Email: inquiry@market.bizBrowse Market Research Reports-Latest Reports-
Insurance Market Collectively, VitalityHealth and VitalityLife cover close to 1 million lives

Orbis Research

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Orbis Research Market brilliance released a new research report of 30 pages on title Insurance Company Profile: Vitality with detailed analysis, forecast and strategies. The study covers important players Such as Vitality, Discovery, ACE, Western Provident, Direct Line Group, etc."Insurance Company Profile: Vitality", company profile provides a comprehensive review of Vitality and its UK business. This includes its structure, its performance in both the commercial and personal lines markets, as well as its marketing and distribution strategy.Request a sample of this report @Companies Mentioned:VitalityDiscoveryACEWestern ProvidentDirect Line GroupAvivaAIGAXABUPAOwned by Discovery Holdings, Vitality is a health and life insurer that has approached the UK market in an innovative way by utilizing wearable tech to offer policies to those consumers adopting a healthy lifestyle. Launched in 2015, the Vitality brands offer rewards to customers for meeting their individual health goals. This profile explores Vitalitys approach and offers a review of the company, its business structure and strategy, its financial performance, and a SWOT analysis.Key Questions Answered- What are Vitalitys key differentiators?- What are Vitalitys strengths and weaknesses?- What opportunities and challenges does the company face going forward?Browse the complete report @Scope- Discovery joined the UK market in 2007, in a joint venture with PruHealth and PruProject. In 2015 Discovery bought 100% of the shares and became VitalityHealth and VitalityLife. Collectively, VitalityHealth and VitalityLife cover close to 1 million lives.- Vitalitys success in using wearable technology to create sophisticated pricing structures based on a policy holders wellbeing is likely to pave the way for much greater use of wearable technology in the health insurance industry.Reasons to buy- Learn about Vitalitys organizational structure and its core business segments.- Gain insight into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats Vitality faces going forward.- Understand the group's strategy.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
Urine Analyzers Market Size 2017: Roche Diagnostics, Mindray, ARKRAY Factory, Sysmex, DIRUI

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Urine Analyzers Market Research 2017A market study  Global Urine Analyzers Market  examines the performance of the Urine Analyzers market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Urine Analyzers market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Urine Analyzers market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Urine Analyzers Market 2017 report includes Urine Analyzers market Revenue, market Share, Urine Analyzers industry volume, market Trends, Urine Analyzers Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Urine Analyzers Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Urine Analyzers Market 2017:1. Roche Diagnostics2. Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics3. Sysmex4. Beckman Coulter Biomedical Limited5. ARKRAY Factory6. 77 ELEKTRONIKA Kft7. URIT8. DIRUI9. YD Diagnostics Corporation10. AVE Science & Technology11. Transasia Bio-Medicals12. Mindray13. Analyticon BiotechnologiesUrine Analyzers Market : By Application Hospital Research InstituteUrine Analyzers Market : By Type Dry Type Urine Analyzers Wet Type Urine AnalyzersFirstly, the report covers the top Urine Analyzers manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Urine Analyzers report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Urine Analyzers industry, Urine Analyzers industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Urine Analyzers Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Urine Analyzers 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 Urine Analyzers market revenue worldwide.Finally, Urine Analyzers 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
Automotive Starter And Alternator Market Forecast, and Analysis by Future Market Insights

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Modern day automobiles widely use starters and alternators. These are generally used in diesel and gasoline engines. The rising investments on R&D by key players in the market coupled with acquisitions and mergers is expected to make the global automotive starter and alternator market flourish in near future. The manufacturers of automotive starters and alternators are expanding their businesses to emerging economies like China, India, Russia, etc. as these countries are focused on development of automotive sectors in order to serve the rising demand across the globe.Electric starters are expected to dominate the segment during the forecast period. The different types of electric starters used in automotive sector are gear reduction, inertia starter, folo-thru drive and moveable pole shoe. Based on alternator type, the claw pole alternators are projected to witness significant growth in near future.Automotive Starter and Alternator Market: DriversOne of the major factors driving the growth of the global automotive starter and alternator market is increase in production of vehicles across the globe. According to OICA, the total vehicle production increased by around 1% in 2015. Moreover, increasing adoption of electric vehicles due to environment concerns such as rising air pollution, is further expected to escalate the demand for automotive starter and alternator market during the forecast period. Additionally, increasing preference for light weight and fuel efficient vehicles is further projected to escalate the demand for automotive starters and alternators in near future.Automotive Starter and Alternator Market: RestraintsThe increasing production of hybrid vehicles is anticipated to hamper the growth of the global automotive starter and alternator market. The hybrid vehicles use one or more motors which ignite with the help of internal combustion engine. Due to this reason, these vehicles have eliminated the use of automotive starters and alternators which, in turn, is expected to restrict their demand in near future.Request For Report Sample:Automotive Starter and Alternator Market: SegmentationThe global automotive starter and alternator market can be segmented on the basis of starter type, alternator type and vehicle type. On the basis of starter type, the market can be segmented into electric, hydraulic and pneumatic. On the basis of alternators, the market can be further segmented into claw pole alternator and cylindrical alternator. On the basis of vehicles, the global starter and alternator market can be further segmented into light commercial vehicles, heavy commercial vehicles and passenger cars.Automotive Starter and Alternator Market: Region wise OutlookBased on regions, Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the automotive starter and alternator market over the forecast period. Asia Pacific, led by emerging economies like China and India, is projected to be the dominant region during the forecast period due to the presence of continuously increasing automobile manufacturing companies in this region. North America, led by U.S. is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The increasing demand for starters and alternators in North America, owing to rising production of vehicles, coupled with continuous investment in this market is expected to fuel the demand for automotive starters and alternators in near future. The automotive starter and alternator market in Middle East & Africa and Latin America is anticipated to witness steady growth due to sluggish demand in this region. However, increasing demand for vehicles is expected to create lucrative growth opportunities for automotive starters and alternators in near future.Request For TOC:Automotive Starter and Alternator Market: Market ParticipantsSome of the market participants identified in the global automotive starter and alternator market are mentioned below:Valeo SADenso CorporationRobert Bosch GmbHNingbo zhongwang auto fittings Co.,LTDHitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Mitsubishi Electric CorporationASIMCO Technologies LtdHella KGaA Hueck & Co.BBB IndustriesUnipoint Electric MFG Co., Ltd.Remy International, Inc.Lucas Electrical LimitedMitsuba CorporationABOUT 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:
Analysis and Assessment on Anti-Reflective Coatings Market by Future Market Insights

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An anti-reflective coating is an optical coating that is applied on any lens surface or optical element to reduce the reflection. In a typical imaging system, this improves efficiency as much less light is lost. While the primary benefit is the reduced reflection itself, an anti-reflective coating on something like a pair of spectacles helps make the wearers eyes more visible, aiding eye contact. It also helps reduce the glint from a covert viewers telescopic sight or binoculars. An anti-reflective coating consists of transparent thin films with alternating layers of a contrasting refractive index. The anti-reflective coating market caters to the needs of many companies dealing in eyewear, electronics, automobiles, solar panels and telecommunications.Eyewear not expected to cede its share of the anti-reflective coatings market any time soonEyewear is expected to retain a strong position in the anti-reflective coatings market. This is because a large number of people are anticipated to join the workforce in the years ahead and they may require vision correction. These customers should easily be able to see the difference that light transmitting glasses make in their daily lives. Anti-reflective coating glasses offer greater comfort by the reduction of painful sunlight glare, elimination of unwanted reflections and adjustment of surrounding contrast levels that improves visibility and provides an easier night driving experience. Anti-reflective coating sprays are also useful in eyewear applications.Request For Report Sample:Electronics and telecommunications is likely to be the second largest end user in the anti-reflective coatings market. It is predicted to show rapid growth during the forecast period due to a booming demand for smartphones. For a device checked more than a hundred times a day, an anti-reflective glass panel can mean the difference between frustration and satisfaction, especially in bright lights, indoors or in sunlight outdoors. Large screens and ultra-high definition televisions in excess of 50 inches are becoming very popular in developed countries. These massive, flat display panels would need an anti-reflective coating to enable a pleasurable viewing experience for customers. Anti-reflective coatings also find use in the fabrication of semiconductors during the photolithography stage. They help eliminate the reflections, which further enhances lithography.A focus on renewable and non-polluting sources of energy is a trend that is seen worldwide in the 21st century. There is a greater realisation that conventional resources will eventually deplete, fuelling the urgency to look for alternative energy sources such as solar panels, windmills, and hydropower. Solar panels should become increasingly important in the days ahead and they will prove to be a steady adopter of anti-reflective coatings. Governments in a number of countries including the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, China and India are framing policies that offer financial incentives to companies installing solar power systems to counter the energy crisis, global warming and unacceptable levels of pollution. Any light reflected from a solar panel is wasted energy and anti-reflective coatings help deliver better light transmission and reduce light reflection.The automobile industry is already a massive source of employment in developed countries and production is rapidly expanding in emerging markets such as China, India, Thailand, Mexico and Indonesia. Discerning customers have begun to demand the latest technologies in their vehicles such as GPS navigation systems and intelligent touchscreen infotainment systems compatible with their smartphones. These screens should ideally be coated with an anti-reflective coating as there would be too much glare otherwise, hampering system use. In addition to this, even the cars windshield and glass usually have an anti-reflective coating to prevent glare distraction while driving.Request For TOC:Lack of customer awareness and regulations may hamper anti-reflective coatings market growthIn spite of all the advantages offered by anti-reflective coating in various industries, usability related issues are likely to raise their ugly head in the coming years. There is a lack of consumer awareness about the benefits offered by anti-reflective coating in a few cases. Some countries have very strict norms concerning raw material use in the manufacture of anti-reflective coating, challenging the anti-reflective coatings market growth in the long run.Anti-Reflective Coatings Market: Key RegionsThe largest anti-reflective coatings market is presently North America due to a high demand for smartphones, solar panels, spectacles and automobiles in the region. However, the strongest growth is predicted to be in Asia because of improving customer awareness of anti-glare spectacles and electronic displays. Rising energy requirements in these populous countries should increase solar panel sales, thereby boosting the APAC anti-reflective coatings market.Anti-Reflective Coatings Market: Key PlayersSome of the companies operating in the anti-reflective coatings market include Carl Zeiss, Essilor, and Hoya Corporation.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:
Comprehensive Industry Report Offers Forecast and Analysis on Pipeline Monitoring System Market

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Pipelines are flow lines that carry fluids which may be in a liquid or gaseous state. At times, they are laid in harsh and hazardous conditions and areas; hence, fostering a need for accurate pipeline monitoring systems to detect leakages, damages and other pipeline failures, which may lead to serious ecological and economic consequences. For example, a small water pipeline bursting or leaking is a small scale problem and will not affect the environment and ground water reservoir largely. However, if a crude oil or natural gas or chemical pipeline gets damaged and leaks, it may lead to severe ecological consequences.Sometimes, the working conditions of the pipeline itself can induce damage or additional wear. Such pipelines need to be closely monitored from the data collection center or control room for exact pressure and temperature conditions inside the pipeline, to ensure effective operation of the whole plant. Pipelines are susceptible to internal and external corrosion, cracking, manufacturing flaws and third party damages. Thus, it has become crucial to closely monitor and control hazardous fluid carrying pipelines with pipeline monitoring systems to effectively and safely operate a plant. In order to sustain safe operation of a pipeline, remote, real-time and continuous assessment and monitoring of the pipelines is necessary. There are various underground and underwater pipelines being laid around the globe; hence, pipeline monitoring systems have become essential in the rapidly industrializing world.In pipeline inspection and monitoring, the foremost objective is to locate and identify the exact damage area, followed by formulating an accurate solution; so maintenance personnel can take effective corrective action. Damaged pipelines, if not serviced on time, can create several operational problems, which will amount to a heavier cost eventually. An operation known as pigging is employed to remove blockages from long pipelines; herein a large sphere is introduced in the pipeline and eventually removed from pigging stations located at suitable checkpoints. Nowadays, industries are using intelligent pigs, which comprise sensors and electronic devices helpful in calculating the pipes thickness as well as in detecting damages and defects while travelling inside the pipeline. Electric readings are recorded for effective and accurate location of defective areas inside the pipelines. Such advancements and increasing automation in pipeline monitoring systems are expected to boost the overall pipelinemonitoring system market in the coming future.Request For Report Sample:Pipeline Monitoring System market dynamics:Large scale research and development divisions are invested in the pipeline monitoring system technology in oil & gas industries; thus, making pipeline monitoring systems significant tools in the petrochemical sector. Another essential factor facilitating growth of the pipeline monitoring system technology is the rising use of electronics and sensors in pipelines which will monitor and control operating conditions and thus, reduce damage from internal factors such as nozzle stress, corrosion, etc. The pipeline monitoring system market has evolved over the years to feature a multitude of advantages such as cost effectiveness, good longevity, enhanced reliability, and ease in maintenance.Pipeline Monitoring System market segmentation:The pipeline monitoring system market can be segmented by pipe type, technology, application and end use.The pipeline monitoring system market can be segmented on the basis of pipe type as:MetallicCast steel pipeStainless steel pipeAluminum pipeOther metal pipes (cast iron pipe, corrugated steel pipe, copper pipe)Non-metallicPlastic pipeGlass pipeOther pipesConcrete pipesAsbestos cement pipesThe pipeline monitoring system market can be segmented on the basis of technologyas:Ultrasonic testingPIGsSmart ball (intelligent pigs)Magnetic flux leakage technologyOthers (beta foil technology, leo technology, fiber optic test)The pipeline monitoring system market can be segmented on the basis of end use as:Petrochemical industriesOilNatural gasBiofuelWater & wastewater treatment plantsChemicals industriesOthers (beverages & food, process , automobile)Request For TOC:Pipeline Monitoring System Market: Regional Outlook:The pipeline monitoring system market can be divided into seven different geographical regions/divisions such as North America, Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America, Europe and MEA regions have vast oil fields and chemical industries, hence long pipelines are required for the transportation of fluids here. Owing to this, the pipeline monitoring systems market is forecasted to grow in all the above regions. In the Asia-Pacific region, countries like India and China have increased the use of pipeline monitoring system technology in the petrochemical industry for human safety and comfort. Based on the above factors, the pipeline monitoring system market is forecasted to grow with a high CAGR over the forecast period.Pipeline Monitoring System: Key PlayersSiemens AGHoneywell International Inc.BAE SystemsPerma PipesTransCanada PipeLines LimitedPSI AGPure TechnologyOrbcomm Inc.HuaweiPentair PLC.Atmos InternationalClampon ASABB GroupFuture Fibre TechnologiesSenstar Inc.SyrinixABOUT 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:
Middle East and Africa Analysis Of Total Knee Replacement Market Forecast 2023

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"The Report MediPoint: Total Knee Replacement - Middle East and Africa Analysis and Market Forecasts provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About Total Knee Replacement MarketTotal Knee Replacement (TKR) is a viable treatment option for patients whose knees have become excessively worn or degenerated due to osteoarthritis. The direct costs of nonsurgical management (including medication and physical therapy) of knee osteoarthritis, one of the most common joint injuries, pale in comparison to the indirect costs such as loss of earnings, disability payments, and reduced productivity. Additionally, there are other personal costs such as weight gain due to reduced activity level and risk of narcotic abuse due to pain management, which further magnify the burden associated with osteoarthritis. Modern TKR can be traced back to the 1970s, but since then research into implant and instrumentation design has greatly improved outcomes such that TKR now demonstrates long-term survivorship. The resultant increase in the numbers of TKR procedures puts financial stress on the healthcare system in the short term, as it remains more expensive than nonsurgical interventions. Therefore, there is a need to improve patient outcomes while reducing the economic burden of TKR.Get Sample Copy of this report @This report focuses on the market outlook for TKR devices in the Middle East and Africa (Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and United Arab Emirates). The analysis identifies the key unmet needs in the TKR market, discusses the major drivers and barriers of adoption, and provides an in-depth understanding of physicians perceptions and the future outlook for this market by segment and geography.Key Questions Answered- What is the current and future TKR market outlook in the developed and emerging markets? What trends are affecting the Middle East and African market?- Which are the key, high growth markets that TKR manufacturers should expand into?- What are the unmet needs with the current generation of TKR devices? How will emerging technologies fulfill these unmet needs?- What are the challenges and complications that have hindered widespread adoption?- With developing the next-generation of devices, what aspects of the technology are device manufacturers focused on optimizing? How will new entrants impact the TKR market?View Full Report @Scope- Overview of recent key industry events and analysis of their market impact.- Annualized total market revenue, procedure trends, and market outlooks by segment and by region through 2023.- Key topics covered include strategic competitor assessment, market characterization, identification of unmet needs, reimbursement considerations, evaluating market access in each region covered in the report, and implications of the emerging technologies in the market.- Analysis of the current and future market competition in the global TKR market. Insightful review of industry drivers, barriers, and challenges.Reasons to buyThe report will enable you to -- Develop and design your in-licensing and out-licensing strategies through a review of marketed products and technologies.- Develop business strategies by understanding the trends shaping and driving the video laparoscopes market.- Drive revenues by understanding the key trends, innovative products and technologies, market segments, and companies likely to impact the video laparoscopes market in the future.Send An Enquiry Request @- Formulate effective sales and marketing strategies by understanding the competitive landscape and by analyzing the performance of various competitors.- Identify emerging players with potentially strong product portfolios and create effective counter-strategies to gain a competitive advantage.- Track device sales in country-specific video laparoscopes market from 2014-2023.- Organize your sales and marketing efforts by identifying the market categories and segments that present maximum opportunities for consolidations, investments and strategic partnerships.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
Global High Performance Composites Industry Market Research Report 2017

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SummaryThe Global High Performance Composites Industry 2017 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the High Performance Composites industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The High Performance Composites 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 High Performance Composites 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):Toray Industries Inc. (Japan)Hexcel Corporation (US)Solvay S.A. (Belgium)SGL Group-The Carbon Company (Germany)Koninklijke TenCate NV (Netherlands)TPI Composites (US)Owens Corning Corporation (US)Teijin Limited (Japan)BASF SE (Germany)Arkema (France)Dupont (US)Huntsman (US)Formosa Plastics Corporation (US)3M (US)Albany International Corporation (US)Key Topics Covered:Chapter One Industry Overview of High Performance CompositesChapter Two Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of High Performance CompositesChapter Three Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of High Performance CompositesChapter Four Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis of High Performance Composites by Regions, Types and ManufacturersChapter Five Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of High Performance Composites by Regions, Types and ManufacturersChapter Six Consumption Volume, Consumption Value and Sale Price Analysis of High Performance Composites by Regions, Types and ApplicationsChapter Seven Supply, Import, Export and Consumption Analysis of High Performance CompositesChapter Eight Major Manufacturers Analysis of High Performance CompositesChapter Nine Marketing Trader or Distributor Analysis of High Performance CompositesChapter Ten Industry Chain Analysis of High Performance CompositesChapter Eleven Development Trend of Analysis of High Performance CompositesChapter Twelve New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of High Performance CompositesChapter Thirteen Conclusion of the Global High Performance Composites Industry 2017 Market Research ReportRelated Reports:US High Performance Composites Industry Market Research Report 2017Europe High Performance Composites Industry Market Research Report 2017India High Performance Composites Industry Market Research Report 2017China High Performance Composites Industry Market Research Report 2017Korea High Performance Composites Industry Market Research Report 2017Japan High Performance Composites 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) |(JP)
SAGlobal Achieves the 2017/2018 Inner Circle for Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Implementation Partner

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SAGlobal, the winner of the 2017 Microsoft Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Worldwide Partner of the Year Award, has achieved the prestigious 2017/2018 Inner Circle for Microsoft Dynamics. Membership in this elite group is based on sales achievements that rank SAGlobal in the top echelon of the Microsoft global network of partners. Inner Circle members have performed to a high standard of excellence by delivering valuable solutions that help organizations achieve increased success.2017/2018 Inner Circle members are invited to the Inner Circle Summit, taking place in fall 2017 where they will have a unique opportunity to share strategy and network with Microsoft senior leaders and fellow partners.This recognition of Inner Circle for Microsoft Dynamics came during Microsoft Inspire (formerly Microsoft WPC), the annual premier partner event, which took place July 9-13, 2017 in Washington, D.C. Microsoft Inspire provides the Microsoft partner community with the opportunity to learn about the companys road map for the upcoming year, establish connections, share best practices, experience the latest product innovations and learn new skills.Each year we recognize Microsoft Dynamics partners from around the world for delivering innovation and driving unsurpassed customer success, said Ron Huddleston, CVP, One Commercial Partner. Our Inner Circle members are chosen based on their capabilities as an organization, whether thats creating IP, developing solutions, or having an industry leading focus on digital transformation. Microsoft is honored to recognize SAGlobal for their achievements this past year, their dedication to their customers, and their innovation with Microsoft technologies.SAGlobal provides Microsoft Dynamics implementation services and industry-specific solutions to customers in over 76 countries worldwide. As the winner of the 2017 Microsoft Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Worldwide Partner of the Year Award, were the leading global Microsoft Dynamics partner and every day we help hundreds of thousands of Microsoft Dynamics users worldwide to deliver operational excellence and financial performance for their organizations.SAGlobal offers industry-focused software solutions, expert consulting services, and industry best practices to help our clients facilitate their digital transformation, and to reimagine how they engage their clients, empower their employees, optimize their operations, and transform their service offerings. By collaborating with the teams at Microsoft, SAGlobal maintains a strong expertise of the Microsoft platform to provide innovative solutions, strong services and unparalleled value to their customers.This recognition, coming close on the heels of being named the 2017 Microsoft ERP Worldwide Partner of the Year award, is the culmination of years of dedication within our global team and our long-term belief in the Microsoft Dynamics platform. said Stephen James, CEO and Founder at SAGlobal. We are obviously thrilled to, once again, be named an Inner Circle member. Earning this status means that the market recognizes our unrivaled combination of global Microsoft Dynamics experience, deep industry knowledge, and our proven track record for customer commitment and support..For more information kindly visit the website:About SAGlobal:SAGlobal provides Microsoft Dynamics implementation services and industry-specific solutions to customers in over 76 countries worldwide. Every day, we help hundreds of thousands of users worldwide to deliver operational excellence and financial performance for their organisations.Were a different kind of consulting company. Were run by consultants not by marketing people or investors. We're agile, committed and capable as we've proven over and over again for our customers.Get to know SAGlobal and youll quickly understand how our commitment to customer success can work for you.1191 Second Avenue Floor 1800, Seattle, WA, 98101
Vegetable Glycerin Market 2016-2026 Analysis, Segments, Growth and Value Chain

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Vegetable glycerin is natural product extracted from vegetable oil by heating oil at a very high temperature under water pressure. It is produced from palm oil, soy, coconut/ palm oil and others. In terms of taste and color, vegetable glycerin is odorless, colorless and has a sweet flavor. Primary demand for vegetable glycerin is in food and beverage, personal care products and medicines. In food and beverage industry, vegetable glycerin is used as a sugar substitute or sweetener and in personal care and cosmetic products, it is often used in skin care products to make skin moist and healthy. North America and Western Europe are expected to gain largest market share in terms of value and volume during the forecast period.Global Vegetable Glycerin Market: Market DriversSome of the key drivers which are influencing the demand for vegetable glycerin are from the food and beverage manufacturers as it helps to thicken and control the moisture level in food. The majority demand for vegetable glycerin is from processed food manufacturers in which it is added as a humectant and used for preservative purpose. It is also gaining its demand from dairy and confectionery manufacturers where it is primarily used as sweetener. Demand for vegetable glycerin in personal care manufacturers and pharmaceutical industry is also increasing as it often used in moisturizing skin care products. In the global market, demand for vegetable glycerin is also driving due to increasing number of health conscious consumers as in compare to sugar, vegetable glycerin is less sweetens than sugar. Moreover, it is also preferred by consumers seeking for food and beverages with the lower amount of carbohydrates.Request Report Sample@Global Vegetable Glycerin Market: Market segmentationVegetable glycerin market is segmented on the basis of by source, by grades and by application. Market segment as by source includes palm oil, soy, coconut/palm oil and others (grape seed). Vegetable glycerin market is segmented on the basis of grades such as food grade, pharm grade and industrial grade. Vegetable glycerin market segmentation on the basis of application, it includes food and beverages, personal care and cosmetics and medicines. On analyzing the demand for vegetable glycerin in the global level market, it assesses that majority of its application is from food and beverage industry followed by personal care and cosmetic products. Recently the demand for vegetable glycerin is increased in food industry as it is used as a thickener, wetting agent and as a sweetener. It is mostly used as a food additive in food industry such as in confectionery products, dairy products, prepared and processed food products and many other food products. On the other side, its demand is also expected to increase in personal care and cosmetic industry as it used as a humectant in skin care products, body lotions, shampoos, soaps etc. In pharmaceutical, vegetable glycerin is used as an ingredient in medicines and ointments.Global Vegetable Glycerin Market: Regional OutlookOn the basis of regional segment, vegetable glycerin market is segmented in seven regions including North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan and the Middle East & Africa. On analyzing the market share on graph, it is expected that North America and Western Europe accounts to majority of share in terms of value in global vegetable glycerin market. Furthermore, increasing demand for confectionery, dairy and processed food products and personal care and cosmetic products among the urban population in developing regions shows that Asia-Pacific is expected to be one of the attractive market in near future.Request For TOC@Global Vegetable Glycerin Market: Key playersSome of the key players operating in global vegetable glycerin market are Procter & Gamble, NOW Foods, VVF L.L.C., Cargill, Incorporated, Dutch Glycerin Refinery (DGR), The Dow Chemical Company, Parchem fine & specialty chemicals , Avril Group, Essential Depot, Inc. among others.ABOUT US : Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email:press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Sunflower Seeds Market 2016-2026 Analysis, Segments, Growth and Value Chain

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The fruits of the sunflower plant are called as sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds are one of the most popular and healthy seeds which are produced on a large-scale in European countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and the European Union. Sunflower seed market is rapidly growing with a CAGR of 4.5%. Sunflower seeds coat is surrounded by a small kernel which is composed of 20% proteins and 30% lipids. Sunflower seeds are used for producing edible oils that are used in various food products. Sunflower seeds food products are available in various flavors such as dill pickle flavor, bacon ranch flavor, salt and pepper flavor, salty-sweet kettle roast flavor, fresh cracked pepper kettle roast flavor, and sweet dill pickle kettle roast flavor, and toasted coconut kettle roast flavor. Sunflower seeds are coated and sold as sour cream, barbeque, or ranch. Sunflower seeds are available in various sizes globally. Sunflower seeds contain high feeding value and are rich in omega-6 fatty acid. Sunflower seeds byproduct hull contains high in fiber and is used as a feed additive for cows. Sunflower Seeds in snack industry has developed rapidly as a convenient on-the-go snack option in the recent years.Global Sunflower Seeds: Market SegmentationThe global sunflower seeds market is segmented on the basis of color, application, distribution channels, type and region. The sunflower seeds market is segmented on the basis of color such as bright yellow, claret red, black, green and white. Sunflower seeds are also available in light gray stripes.The global sunflower seeds market is segmented on the basis of type which includes oilseed type and non-oilseed type. The oilseed type of sunflower is a black seed which is processed into sunflower oil and meal. The non-oilseed of sunflower is a large black and white striped seed that is primarily used in various food products such as snacks and bread products.Request Report Sample@The global sunflower seeds market is segmented on the basis of application in which sunflower seeds is used in applications in food products such edible oil, snacks, bakery products, confectionery, birdfeed and others. The byproduct of the sunflower seeds is rich in fiber that is primarily used for livestock globally. The flour prepared from sunflower seeds is used for preparing dark bread globally.The global sunflower seeds market is also segmented on the basis of distribution channels such as supermarkets, online stores and retails stores. Hence, the global Sunflower Seeds market is expected to significantly increase the revenue contribution over the forecast period.Global Sunflower Seeds Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global Sunflower Seeds industry can be divided by major regions which include North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. Globally, among all regions, Europe has developed as the dominant region in global sunflower seeds market followed by Asia Pacific. Increasing snacking industry and demand for flavored sunflower seeds snacks, has strengthened the growth of global sunflower seeds market and hence is projected to significantly expand the revenue contribution of the market over the forecast period.Global Sunflower Seeds Market: Growth DriversThe global sunflower seeds market driving factors are increasing demand for ready-to-eat snack foods coupled with the convenience of foods. Increasing opportunities in snacks industry is also another factor in driving the sunflower seeds market along with rising in production of sunflower seeds as a result of improved seed varieties. Rising number of supermarkets and retail stores are rapidly increasing the demand for various flavors of sunflower seeds worldwide. Manufacturers are focusing on providing healthier product offerings. As a result of rich source of fiber presence in sunflower seed, the demand for animal feed products is increasing significantly in livestock worldwide. Hence, the global sunflower seeds market is expected to observe robust growth over the forecast period.Request For TOC@Global Sunflower Seeds Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players identified across the value chain of the global sunflower seeds market include KENKKO CORPORATION, CONAGRA FOODS, INC., DuPont, Limagrain UK Ltd., GIANT Snacks Inc., Martin US Enterprises, LLC, CHS Inc., Sakata Seed America, AmericanMeadows, Ike Enterprises Inc., Mahyco Seeds Company Ltd, and Nuseed. The companies are expected to expand their business by enhancing their product portfolio in global sunflower seeds market. The companies are projected to frame certain strategies in future in order to gain the competitive advantage in global sunflower seeds market till 2026.ABOUT US : Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email:press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Welding Consumables Market to Generate absolute opportunity of US$ 8,295.4 Mn during the forecast period 2016-2026

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The extensive use of arc welding and oxy-fuel welding processes in the manufacturing of automobiles and machinery has generated considerable demand for flux and filler metals as welding consumables. As a result, the global market for welding consumables is expected to witness a significant growth in 2016, reaching the market value of US$ 11,835.8 Mn at a y-o-y growth rate of 5.4% over 2015. Furthermore, the global demand for welding consumables will also be influenced by the rising trend of automating welding processes in automobile and construction industries.The lack of skilled labour for fabrication welding processes is expected to trigger the need for welding automation technology and generate mounting demand for welding consumables. The growth of the global welding consumables market is also expected to be driven by the rapid industrialisation, the surging real estate sector and the rising number of end-use welding applications. On the contrary, the stagnant adoption levels of advanced welding technologies in developing countries is anticipated to curb the overall growth of the global welding consumable market.Based on the type of welding consumables, the global market is anticipating a stellar growth by the stick electrodes consumables. The stick electrode segment will continue the dominance in terms of the global market share and account for over 40% by the end of 2016. However, the segment is expect to contend with stiff competition from flux-cored wires and solid wires due to their cost-effectiveness.Request For Report Sample@Based on the welding techniques, the arc welding segment will continue to dominate the global market and account for US$ 8,256.4 Mn revenues by 2016-end. On the other hand, the booming automotive industry and the growing production of multipart machineries will incite the use of resistance welding and oxy-fuel welding in 2016 and beyond.By applications, the use of welding consumables will be elevated in the building & construction industries and the automotive& transportation sector. Also, the soaring consumption of welding consumables in marine applications is anticipated to develop additional growth opportunities for the global welding consumables market.In 2016, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) is projected to be the most lucrative region for the growth of the global welding consumables market and will exhibit more than 30% of the global market share. The booming real estate sector in APEJ countries such as China and India will drive the demand for welding consumables in the construction industries. North America and Latin America are also expected to favour the growth of the welding consumables market, owing to the rising adoption of advanced welding technologies in manufacturing industries.The increasing need for automating the welding processes has influenced the business expansion of major welding consumable manufacturers. Hyundai Welding Co., Panasonic Corporation, Fronius International GmbH, The Lincoln Electric Company, Denyo Co. Ltd., Kemppi Oy, Tianjin Bridge Welding Materials Co. Ltd., Colfax Corporation, Air Liquide, voestalpine AG, Arcon Welding Equipment, and Illinois Tool Works Inc., among others, represent the key players of the global market for welding consumables.Send an Enquiry @Long-term Outlook: In terms of market value, the global welding consumables market is forecasted to register a 5.5% CAGR and generate absolute $ opportunity of US$ 8,295.4 Mn during the forecast period 2016-2026. APEJ region will continue to be the most lucrative region, expanding at a CAGR of 6.7% over 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:
Catheter Stabilization Device/ Catheter Securement Device Market Research Report by Key Players Analysis 2023

Catheter Stabilization Device/ Catheter Securement Device Market

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Catheter stabilization devices are being increasingly employed in minimally invasive operations and surgeries. The catheter is stabilized or secured in order to avoid unintentional removal, decrease trauma to the bladder and the urethra, and reduce the tissues inflammation. The primary objective of catheter securement is to put a halt to the excessive traction or pull on the catheter. There are several procedures that are employed for stabilizing a catheter such as adhesive anchors, catheter straps, and taping, among others. Catheters are employed for patients who are suffering from several disorders such as urinary retention and urinary incontinence, and among patients who have gone through genital or prostrate surgery or are suffering from ailments such as neurological illnesses such as dementia and Parkinsons disease and multiple sclerosis.The market research report is an in-depth scrutiny of the progress track of the global catheter stabilization device market over the mentioned forecast period. The market publication further provides readers with useful insights on aspects that are expected to influence the growth of the global catheter securement device market in the coming years both in the regional and global strata. The report does the above said by assessing the trends and dynamics at play in the market and are expected to prevalent over the coming years. The market intelligence report uses value chain analysis and the Porters five forces analysis for delivering reader with information on the vendor landscape of the market and the competition among the leading global and regional players operating in the market. Prominent strategic ties, acquisitions, and mergers have also been highlighted in the study. The manufacturing methodologies. Merchandises, shares, and strategies of the creme players present in the market have also been emphasized upon.This report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Catheter Stabilization Device/ Catheter Securement Device Market:The growth of the catheter stabilization device market is expected to be supplemented by the growing pervasiveness of urinary incontinence and different other urinary disorders, need for minimally invasive processes, and rising geriatric population. Factors such as growing incidence of lifestyle diseases and rising expenditure on healthcare are anticipated to further bolster the progress of the global market for catheter stabilization device. Moreover, surging funding from governments and support for the improvement of public health are influential aspects pushing the growth of the global catheter securement device market. Robust economic development is anticipated to enhance access to quality healthcare services. With the rising expenditure of consumers on healthcare, the demand for quality healthcare services is also expected to increase, thus, positively influencing the growth of the global catheter stabilization device market as it will lead to the formation of diagnostic centers and hospitals. Diagnostic centers and hospitals are the leading end users of the catheter securement device.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Catheter Stabilization Device/ Catheter Securement Device Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market:Region-wise, the global catheter securement market has been segmented into the Middle East, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and the Rest of the World. At present, North America is the leader in the global market closely trailed by Europe owing to rising scientific research and development of new and innovative technologies along with mounting expenditure of healthcare in the regions. Asia Pacific emerged as the leader in terms of growth owing to sizeable number of people suffering from several urinary diseases and rising frequency of chronic diseases. Growing affordability of people is another factor propelling the growth of the market in this region.The key companies operating in the global catheter stabilization market are M.C. Johnson Company, Inc., Centurion Medical Products, Smiths Group plc, Merit Medical Systems, Inc., B. Braun Melsungen AG, C. R. Bard, Medtronic plc, and 3M Company, among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Combined Heat And Power CHP Systems Market Assessment and Forecast Report by Future Market Insights

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Cogeneration (also known as combined heat and power systems (CHP)) is a cluster of technologies primarily used for the concurrent generation of electricity and useful heat. This combined generation of heat and electricity is much more effective than separate generation of electricity and useful heat in a way that CHP systems offers improved energy efficiency, reduced managing cost, low CO2 emission and others. Growing data center capacity as business operate more processes, handle complex analytics with increasing storage requirements for customer data and employing rich media. Handling of such large data requires continuous supply of reliable power making cogeneration systems of primary importance. Efficiency level for cogeneration systems can reach up to 80 % against separate generation of heat and electricity which provides combined efficiency of 40-50 %. CHP systems for data centers are gaining traction in the market as using such plants as source of data center power leads to energy efficient and substantial cost reduction benefits. However, another technology commercially available for powering data centers includes fuel cells. Although CHP systems are less efficient than fuel cells but requires lesser fuel to generate the same amount of power and has a win when its ability to supply chilled water is factored. Some of the major benefits offered utilizing CHP systems for data centers are limited reliance over external power supply, increased energy efficiency, low site carbon emission and others.Global CHP System market for Data Centre: MarketDynamicsRegions with high electricity cost are readily adopting CHP systems primarily to save on their energy cost to provide base load power and using such systems to provide absorption cooling for the facility. Moreover, government initiatives to install CHP systems in data center facilities due to low CO2 emissions is also expected to increase its adoption rate thereby increasing the adoption of CHP system in data centers.Request For Report Sample@Low economic life of data center IT equipment results in consumer reluctance towards adoption of CHP systems for data centers since these systems have equipment life of around 10-15 years in comparison to economic life of IT equipment which is only 2-3 years.Global CHP System market for Data Centre: SegmentationThe global CHP system market for data center can be segmented on the basis of data center types, facility size, installation type and region. By Data center types the market can be segmented into Telecoms, ISPs (internet Service Provider), CoLos (Co-located server hosting facilities), server farms, corporate data centers, university/ national laboratory and others. Based on facility the market can be segmented into less than 200 sq.ft, 200-700 sq.ft, 700-1,200 sq.ft, 1,200-6,000 sq.ft and more than 6,000 sq.ft. Based on installation type global cogeneration systems market for data center can be segmented into newly installed systems and retrofit systems. By region global CHP system market for data centers can be segmented into seven key regions namely North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Middle East and Africa and Japan.Visit For TOC@Global CHP System market for Data Centre: Key PlayersSome of the major players identified across CHP system market for data center includes ENER-G, Korea Electric Power Corporation, National Grid plc, Exelon Corporation, NextEra Energy, Inc., Chubu Electric Power Company, American Electric Power Company, Inc. and others.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
National Engineers Day 2017 to Bring Youths to Leading Edge of Engineering

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The National Engineers Day (NED) 2017 sets to inspire students in engineering under the theme Ignite a World of Possibilities with Engineering. To be held from 19-21 July 2017 at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, the event will encourage and nurture students to explore leading technological advancements across diverse engineering fields in a fun and engaging manner.Organised by The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES), the three-day event is packed with exciting engineering displays, interactive workshops, career talks by engineers in the industries and the Energy Innovation Challenge (EIC) 2017 on Urban Heat Island Effect.This years line-up will provide students with hands-on experience from programming robots to engaging in the mechanics of the Formula One Grand Prix gates. Students can also sign up for activities conducted by engineers from Building Construction Authority, DSO National Laboratories, Housing & Development Board, JTC Corporation and Land Transport Authority to discover opportunities and rewards of an engineering career and the latest engineering advancements in Singapore.For the first time, the Government Technology Agency (GovTech) will be organising a half-day hands-on workshop at NED to introduce the basics of data storytelling to students. At the workshop, participating students will learn to work with raw data, apply the latest visualisation grammar and select design elements to create their own data visualisation works. With the knowledge of basic visual thinking, students can move on to create interactive infographics.NED 2017 will take place alongside the World Engineers Summit 2017  Applied Energy Symposium Forum to motivate youths to look at global energy problems and to think of creative solutions to build a sustainable future.Open to students from secondary schools, junior colleges and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), the engineering festival is open from 9am to 6pm on 19 -21 July 2017.Energy Innovation Challenge 2017 on Urban Heat Island EffectNED 2017 will host the gruelling finals of EIC 2017, a competition that aims to shape young minds and engage students in utilising their technical knowledge to deliver innovations for the future. Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs will grace the Prize Presentation ceremony on 21 July 2017 as the guest-of-honour.This years competition challenges more than 300 students from Singapore and the Asian region to devise smart and eco-friendly technologies to reduce temperatures in urban areas under the theme Urban Heat Island Effect.A total of 111 teams are participating in EIC 2017 across four categories: Categories 1, 2 and 3 for students from local secondary schools, junior colleges, ITE and polytechnics respectively and Category 4 for local and overseas universities. They are guided by 54 mentors over a four-month period and will gain knowledge and skillsets through a series of workshops and boot camps.The top winning teams from Categories 1 to 3 will earn an overseas visit to the Singapore-Suzhou Industrial Park in China sponsored by China Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Co., Ltd (CSSD), while the second and third prize winners will be awarded with $1,000 and $700 respectively. The champions of Category 4 will walk away with an $8,000 cash prize while the second and third prize winners will be awarded $3,000 each.This years merit award prize and popularity prize constitute $1,000 and $300 respectively.The EIC 2017 is jointly organised by IES and Science Centre Singapore with the support of the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore.NED 2017 is for every student with an appetite to shape the future for our society using their knowledge in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). It will help each student visualise our tech-centric future and give them a headstart in realising the rapidly unravelling opportunities in engineering and the needs and demands of the future of technology and the disruption it brings, said Er. Edwin Khew Teck Fook, President of IES.The National Research Foundation is pleased to support EIC over the past three years, as it is a unique competition that allows students to acquire hands-on experiences in tackling real-world problems. Students also had the opportunity to learn from experts and apply solutions using cutting-edge technologies. It is important to cultivate students interest in STEM from young, and we hope that this experiential learning journey will spark their interest in engineering and inspire them to explore an engineering career. Through these efforts, we can maintain a pipeline of research talent in energy resilience and environmental sustainability in the longer-term, said Dr. Yeoh Lean Weng, Director, Urban Solutions & Sustainability, NRF Singapore.Exciting developments in automation, technology and innovation through various digital platforms will continue to evolve and bring about higher productivity, economic growth, increased efficiencies, safety and convenience. EIC 2017 gives participating students a golden opportunity to acquire engineering knowledge and skills and cultivate an inquisitive mind and a passion to innovate, said Mr. Daniel Ong Chuon Boon, Deputy Managing Director of Jardine Engineering Corporation, Singapore; and one of the judges of EIC 2017.Admission to NED 2017 is free. To encourage schools to participate in NED, IES will reimburse bus fares for those schools bringing more than 10 students. Interested schools can register on. To stay tuned to the latest news on NED and EIC 2017, please follow the IES Facebook page.- End -MEDIA CONTACTFenda NgoAssistant Marketing ManagerThe Institution of Engineers, SingaporeDID: (65) 6461 1256Mobile: (65) 8200 2753Email: fenda.ngo@iesnet.org.sgDesmond TeoPublications ManagerThe Institution of Engineers, SingaporeDID: (65) 6461 1229Mobile: (65) 9747 9365Email: desmond@iesnet.org.sgKathlyn LokeJunior AssociateThe Right Spin Public RelationsDID: (65) 6325 5927Mobile: (65) 8127 2886Email: kathlyn@therightspin.com.sgNg Rui FenAssociateThe Right Spin Public RelationsDID: (65) 6325 5927Mobile: (65) 9681 5262Email: ruifen@therightspin.com.sgAbout The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES)The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES) was formally established in July 1966 as the national society of engineers in Singapore. IES is the premier engineering institution in Singapore and is called upon by the Government to provide feedback on professional engineering matters.IES is well represented among the faculty members of the major engineering institutions of higher learning in Singapore. Through close collaboration with the local universities and polytechnics, IES organises courses, seminars and talks for engineers and IES members to advance the continuous development of engineers.The Institution maintains close links with professional organisations of engineers regionally and throughout the world. These include organisations in Australia, China, Japan, United Kingdom and the United States. The Institution also represents Singapore in the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations (AFEO) and the Federation of Engineering Institutions of Asia and the Pacific (FEIAP) in promoting goodwill, fellowship and exchange of knowledge among all engineers in ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific region.Through its Engineering Accreditation Board (EAB), IES obtained full signatory status in the Washington Accord (WA) in June 2006. The entry grants IES the authority to represent Singapore, the first country within the ASEAN region which has obtained full signatory status in the WA, to vet education systems under the WA mutual recognition framework.The Right Spin47B Cantonment Road Singapore 089749Tel: +65-6325 5928
Global Collagen Peptide Market to grow at a CAGR of 7.69% during 2017-2021 - GELITA, Nitta Gelatin, PB Gelatins, Rousselot, Weishardt Group

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Collagen peptide is a small chain of amino acids, generally produced by breaking the collagen compound. Glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline are some of the key amino acids present in the collagen peptide. It is a hydrolyzed form of collagen, which is typically sourced from various animal raw materials such as pig skin, bovine hides, bones, and others.The global collagen peptide market to grow at a CAGR of 7.69% during the period 2017-2021. The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global collagen peptide market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:- Americas- APAC- EMEAClick to get sample PDF with TOC:Technavio's report, Global Collagen Peptide Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Browse more details at:Key vendors- GELITA- Nitta Gelatin- PB Gelatins- Rousselot- Weishardt GroupOther prominent vendors- GELNEX- ITALGELATINE- LAPI GELATINE- Norland ProductsMarket driver- Growing preference for convenience foods and beverages- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge- Cultural challenges regarding the source of collagen peptide- For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this report- What will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?- What are the key market trends?- What is driving this market?- What are the challenges to market growth?- Who are the key vendors in this market space?- What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?About UsResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:
Acid Citrate Dextrose (ACD) Tubes Market Research Report by Geographical Analysis and Forecast to 2023

Acid Citrate Dextrose (ACD) Tubes Market

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ACD or acid citrate dextrose is a solution of sodium citrate, citric acid and dextrose in water which is primarily used as an anticoagulant to preserve blood specimen. ACD tubes are specialized tubes utilized to preserve the whole blood specimen for future testing purpose. There are several types of acid citrate dextrose tubes available in the market. ACD tubes are primarily utilized in hospitals, clinics and diagnostics centers worldwide.This report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Acid Citrate Dextrose (ACD) Tubes Market:Safety of the blood and blood components is an absolute necessity even though the blood components provided by blood banks are free from bacteria, viruses and other disease causing microorganisms. Risks that may arise during blood transfusion are a major cause of concern in the blood industry. Companies are considering blood decontamination as a step towards providing safe blood to patients. Hence, manufacturing companies are engaged in developing advanced ACD tubes to preserve blood for longer time. Thus advancement of ACD tubes is accentuating the global market demand of ACD tubes in hospitals, clinics and diagnostics centers. Moreover, aging population is more prone to common health conditions such as arthritis and heart diseases. National Health Service (NHS) stated in 2012 that, the number of people aged 65 years and above is expected to rise by 65% in the next 25 years. Similarly, according, to the World Health Organization (WHO) it has been estimated that the global elderly population is expected to reach around 2 billion by 2050; this was around 524 million in 2010. Additionally, the global geriatric population is expected to grow at the fastest rate in developed countries such as Italy, Germany, the U.K., the U.S. and Japan. Hence, increasing incidences of cancer, arthritis and heart diseases would support the need for surgical procedures where blood plays an important role. Heart disease, a leading cause of death, accounted for approximately 30% of total number of deaths globally in 2008. In most accident cases or during surgeries, the person loses substantial amount of blood. Thus, blood is a vital component during surgeries which are transfused to reduce the mortality rate. Therefore, the rising number of surgical procedures is increasing the demand for safe and hygienic blood, thereby the demand of ACD tube is also increasing to preserve blood.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Acid Citrate Dextrose (ACD) Tubes Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market:North America currently represents the largest regional market for ACD tubes primarily due to strong demand of the devices and increasing awareness among people about blood transfusion reaction. Europe accounted for the second largest market for ACD blood collection tubes after North America. A rise in the aging population and longer life expectancy has been majorly driving the ACD tubes market in Europe. Asia-Pacific comprises countries such as India, China, Australia, Japan and Malaysia. Japan and China accounted for the largest share of the ACD tubes market among the Asia-Pacific countries due to strong demand and increase in awareness about the device. Technological advancements is further expected to accentuate the market growth in these regions. Rest of the World (RoW) comprises the markets of Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. The market for ACD tubes in RoW is primarily fuelled by investment in healthcare infrastructure in Brazil and Mexico.Some of the major market players involved in manufacturing the ACD tubes and contributing in the global market share includes Fisher Scientific UK Ltd, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Cryoquip, LLC among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Digital Subtraction Angiography Market Research Report Forecast to 2023

Digital Subtraction Angiography Market

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Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is a radiographic or fluoroscopic technique which is used for the diagnosis of various vascular disorders. The technique is also utilized for the visualization of blood vessels in the soft dense tissue environment or a bone. Digital subtraction angiography is applied for obtaining clear images of the arteries and is also highly effective in contrasting arterial structures with the surrounding bone and tissue material. Digital subtraction angiography has proven to be efficient in the identification of abnormalities such as ulcerated plaques, stenosis, occlusions and aneurysms. In addition to its application in carotid arteries this technique is also widely used in the evaluation of vascular by-pass grafts, aortic arch anomalies and aortic coarctation. The technique is being replaced by computed tomography angiography (CTA) as CTA is a less invasive test which produces 3D images.This report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Digital Subtraction Angiography Market:The digital subtraction angiography market is expected to show a healthy growth in the near future primarily due to technological advancements and launch of new products in this market space. Moreover, rising interest of people for precise and accurate diagnosis is another factor expected to increase the market for digital subtraction angiography. A growing aging population is regarded as one of the most prominent factors responsible for increasing the risk associated with vascular disorders such as. It has been estimated that currently, the number of people aged over 60 years have doubled as compared to the early 1980s. This number is further expected to quadruple by 2050. Hence, accelerated growth in elderly population is poised to be a major driver for this market. Furthermore, rising incidences of cardiovascular diseases (atrial fibrillation) has led to corresponding increase in the number of patients suffering from stroke. For instance, according to the Asia-Pacific Stroke Conference (APSC) held in Japan in 2012, nearly 8 million people were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm) in China. This high number of patients suffering from cardiovascular disorders would increase the demand for DSA.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Digital Subtraction Angiography Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market:The report of global digital subtraction angiography can be classified based on the types of procedures and end users. The type of procedures category can be subdivided into intravenous digital subtraction angiography and intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography. The end users segment could be further classified into diagnostic centers, hospitals and academic research laboratories. The report on digital subtraction angiography could be also subdivided into regions namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. Of these geographies, currently North America account for the largest share of the market followed by the European region. In the future these two regions are expected to witness slow growth rate due to market saturation and would only be driven due to replacement of old systems by the new systems. On the contrary, Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness highest growth rate during the forecast period. This could be witnessed due to increasing number of patients with cardiovascular disorders and aging population. Asia countries such as Brazil, China and India are expected to witness impressive growth due to increasing disposable income and presence of large population base. Moreover, increasing investment of the on the healthcare infrastructure and many manufacturers entering in these market.Some of the major players operating in this global digital subtraction angiography market include GE Healthcare, Siemens AG, Philips Healthcare, Toshiba Corporation, Medtronic, Inc., Boston Scientific Corporation, Abbott Vascular, St. Jude Medical, Shimadzu Corporation, Cordis Corporation and other prominent players.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Silicon Anode Battery Market Research Study for Forecast Period (2016-2026)

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In order to meet the rising energy requirements and to overcome rapidly depleting fossil resources, rechargeable batteries has evolved as one of the efficient means of energy storage. The ongoing technological advancement in power electronics and automotive has brought lithium ion batteries into the frame as an advanced storage systems with high capabilities. The silicon anode batteries are lithium ion batteries with silicon anode. The traditional anode material in lithium ion batteries i.e. graphite doesnt meets the high energy demand of advanced electric automotive due to its limited theoretical capacity, whereas, silicon stores ten times more lithium than the graphite anode resulting in increased energy density which enables fast charging and high current delivery. Thus silicon anode battery is emerging as a substitute for graphite anode battery. Due to its low discharge potential and extreme charge capacity, silicon anode could provide faster charging, greater current delivery and smaller battery size. However, large volume change during electrochemical process remains the major challenge in wide commercialization of silicon anode battery. Silicon anode battery is expected to emerge as next generation of lithium ion batteries. The silicon anode battery market is still between introduction and growth phase, when plotted on product life cycle. Huge investments by market leaders are being made to further develop silicon anode battery technology and bring it on practical grounds and thus market is expected to hold significant growth potential.Silicon Anode Battery: Market DynamicsThe major factor contributing to the growth of silicon anode battery market is the increasing energy requirements from various end-use applications such as consumer electronics and automotive, for more efficient and advanced battery. Further, robust growth of automotive industry and turning focus towards EVs could generate significant opportunity for growth of the silicon anode battery market. Lower working potential and high charge capacity of silicon anode battery could help automotive manufacturers to reach required power ranges by deploying less number of batteries thus achieving high performance. Moreover, abundance of raw material i.e. silicon can turn as a major factor driving its application into lithium ion batteries. Major challenges faced in the silicon anode battery market are limited commercialization of the product due to existing technical challenges particularly large volumetric expansion. Furthermore, high costs silicon anode battery as compared to available alternative is also a factor restraining market growth. The major trends observed in the silicon anode battery market is product development and innovation such as use of nanowire battery with silicon anodes as they allow improved accommodation of volume changes during lithiation. Number of players in the market have filed patents over different advancements in silicon anode battery technologyRequest For Report Sample@Silicon Anode Battery: Market SegmentationThe silicon anode battery market can be segmented on the basis of: application and region.On the basis of application the silicon anode battery market can be segmented into:Consumer electronic devicesMedical applications (pacemaker, defibrillator machines)AutomotiveSpace & defenseSustainable energy (wind turbine and photovoltaic)The silicon anode battery market can be segmented on the basis of region into: North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan, Japan, Middle East and AfricaSilicon Anode Battery: Regional OutlookNorth America holds a major share in the silicon anode battery market due to the substantial growth in the automotive industry and consumer electronics section. Europe and North America collectively holds over 50% share in the market owing to demand from industrial sector. However, Asia Pacific silicon anode battery market is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period due to rapid industrialization and increasing awareness about the use of energy efficient, reliable, safe and economical battery systems.Visit For TOC@Silicon Anode Battery: Key PlayersSome of the major key players identified in the silicon anode battery market are: Nexeon Limited, BYD Company Limited, Amprius Inc., ENOVIX, Boston-Power, Inc., LG Chem Ltd., Panasonic Corporation, Samsung SDI, XG Sciences, Zeptor Corporation, California Lithium battery Inc, Yuasa battery Europe Ltd., JTT Electronics Ltd, Vmcell Technology Co., Ltd, Enevate Corporation, Nanotek Instruments.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:
Herpes Marker Testing Market Research Report by Key Players Analysis 2023

Herpes Marker Testing Market

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Herpes virus is a ubiquitous pathogen whose primary infections are usually asymptomatic. There are two types of Herpes Simplex virus (HSV): HSV-1 is known to cause orofacial disease such as cold sores; while HSV-2 causes genital infections. Over 80% of the herpes infections are asymptomatic; symptomatic infections are presented with blistering sores, pain during urination, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. Period of latency and mode of reactivation of HSV is yet unclear.Herpes Simplex is a highly contagious virus which is passes through direct contact with infected patients. The virus is transferred through body fluids such as saliva, blood and semen. Some studies have also shown that the virus can be transferred through breast milk. HSV infection is also common in patients with compromised immune system. Thus transplant patients and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients are at higher risk of acquiring HSV infections. Since majority of HSV infections are asymptomatic, physicians are dependent on diagnostic tests for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Currently, there are four types of tests available for HSV biomarker testing; these include cell culture tests, antigen tests, antibody tests, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. In cell culture tests, specimens from the skin lesions or blisters are taken to develop viral cultures. Although the test is more accurate, it is time consuming and may give false negative results if lesions are in process of healing. Antigen and antibody tests are enzyme linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based tests and are the most widely used tests globally. Blood samples are usually tested for HSV antigens and antibodies. These rapid tests provide quick and accurate results, which helps in further diagnosis and treatments. PCR tests have been the most accurate tests used for HSV diagnosis. The test can also differentiate between HSV-1 and HSV-2 viral load.This report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Herpes Marker Testing Market:According to prevalence statistics published by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HSV-2 prevalence was found to be over 16% in the U.S. citizens and mainly affected African-America female population. Public Health Agency of Canada mentions that prevalence of HSV-1 infection is greater than HSV-2 infections is most of the geographical regions. The data also shows that HSV-1 seroprevalence in adults in over 70% in developed countries, while almost 100% in developing and underdeveloped countries. Various publications also show that prevalence of HIV is higher in low and middle income countries. Thus it is expected that the prevalence of herpes simplex virus would remain high in these countries. Due to under developed economic conditions, cost effective diagnosed tests are in high demand. In spite of these conditions, North America and Europe lead the market owing to higher seroprevalence, and large number of transplant and HIV patients.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Herpes Marker Testing Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market:In 2014, U.S. FDA approved Quest Diagnostics, Incs HSV diagnostic test Simplexa HSV 1 and 2 direct molecular test on the 3M Integrated Cycler. The Simplexa test is the first molecular test that has been approved by the U.S. FDA, that enables qualitative detection as well as differentiation of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Other diagnostic tests in the market include Capita IgG test by Trinity Biotech, IsoAmp HSV Assay by Biohelix and HerpeSelect by Focus Diagnostics. Some of the key players in the global herpes marker testing market include DiaSorin, Roche, Enzo Life Sciences and Thermo Fisher Scientific.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Retail: Fuel Cards in Estonia Market

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MarketResearchReports.Biz presents this most up-to-date research on "Fuel Cards in Estonia 2016".Fuel Cards in Estonia 2016 is invaluable for issuers of fleet cards, fuel retailers, fleet leasing companies and other suppliers to the sector. Based on research with issuers and fuel retailers it provides commercial (B2B) fuel card volume (split by fleet and CRT), value and market share forecasts to 2021, key data on independent and oil company card issuers and an analysis of fuel card competition in Estonia.Request For Sample Report @Key Findings- The total number of service stations in Estonia rose by 10.0% in 2015 totaling 514 service stations. Over 5,000 new fuel cards will be issued between 2016 and 2021, totaling to 92,212 cards in the market. Fleet card volumes will marginally decline 0.2% between 2016 and 2021 to total 80.2m litres by the end of 2021.- The top five fuel card operators made up 95.1% of fuel card volumes in 2015 as they all offer large card acceptance networks and services such as online monitoring and toll payments.Complete Report Details @SynopsisOver 5,000 new fuel cards will be issued between 2016 and 2021, totaling to 92,212 cards in the marketReasonsToBuy- Plan effective market entry strategies by uncovering current and future volumes and values of the Estonian fuel card market. Assess whether you should increase network acceptance of your card and identify potential new merchants by uncovering the position of competitors.- Whether you are an issuer, a processor, a leasing company or a fuel retailer, make informed pitches to partners by understanding their business.- Enhance fuel sales at your service stations by identifying which fuel cards you should accept based on their market shares and network acceptance.Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Retail: Fuel Cards In Finland Market

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MarketResearchReports.Biz announces addition of new report "Fuel Cards In Finland 2016" to its database.Fuel Cards in Finland 2016 is invaluable for issuers of fleet cards, fuel retailers, fleet leasing companies and other suppliers to the sector. Based on research with issuers and fuel retailers it provides commercial (B2B) fuel card volume (split by fleet and CRT), value and market share forecasts to 2021, key data on independent and oil company card issuers and an analysis of fuel card competition in Finland.Request For Sample Report @Key Findings- The total number of service stations in Finland rose by 0.7% in 2015 totaling 1,878 service stations. Over 9,000 new fuel cards will be issued between 2016 and 2021, totaling 910,952 cards in the market. Total fleet card volumes declined by 0.1% in 2015 to total 591m litres continuing the downward trend started in 2013.- Nestes market share rose by 0.1 percentage points in 2015 as it continued to be the dominant fuel card market leader accounting for 33.1% in 2015.Complete Report Details @SynopsisFuel card volumes rose by 1.8% in 2015 to 1.0 billion litres after increasing by 1.1% in 2014.ReasonsToBuy- Plan effective market entry strategies by uncovering current and future volumes and values of the Finnish fuel card market. Assess whether you should increase network acceptance of your card and identify potential new merchants by uncovering the position of competitors.- Whether you are an issuer, a processor, a leasing company or a fuel retailer, make informed pitches to partners by understanding their business.- Enhance fuel sales at your service stations by identifying which fuel cards you should accept based on their market shares and network acceptance.Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Retail: Fuel Cards In Norway Market

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MarketResearchReports.Biz presents this most up-to-date research on "Fuel Cards In Norway 2016".Fuel Cards in Norway 2016 is invaluable for issuers of fleet cards, fuel retailers, fleet leasing companies and other suppliers to the sector. Based on research with issuers and fuel retailers it provides commercial (B2B) fuel card volume (split by fleet and CRT), value and market share forecasts to 2021, key data on independent and oil company card issuers and an analysis of fuel card competition in Norway.Request For Sample Report @Key Findings- The total number of service stations in Norway rose by 3.1% in 2015 totaling 1,920 service stations. Over 8,000 new fuel cards will be issued between 2016 and 2021, totaling to 453,098 cards in the market.- Total fleet card volumes remained stable in 2015 to total 634.4m litres after rising 3.0% in 2014. Circle Ks market share rose by 0.3 percentage points in 2015 as it continued to be the dominant fuel card market leader accounting for 31.8% in 2015.Complete Report Details @SynopsisFuel card volumes account for 41.0% of total fuel sold in Norway in 2016, and will continue to grow towards 2021.ReasonsToBuy- Plan effective market entry strategies by uncovering current and future volumes and values of the Norweigen fuel card market. Assess whether you should increase network acceptance of your card and identify potential new merchants by uncovering the position of competitors.- Whether you are an issuer, a processor, a leasing company or a fuel retailer, make informed pitches to partners by understanding their business.- Enhance fuel sales at your service stations by identifying which fuel cards you should accept based on their market shares and network acceptance.Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Retail: Fuel Cards in Poland Market

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MarketResearchReports.Biz announces addition of new report "Fuel Cards in Poland 2016" to its database.Fuel Cards in Poland 2016 is invaluable for issuers of fleet cards, fuel retailers, fleet leasing companies and other suppliers to the sector. Based on research with issuers and fuel retailers it provides commercial (B2B) fuel card volume (split by fleet and CRT), value and market share forecasts to 2021, key data on independent and oil company card issuers and an analysis of fuel card competition in Poland.Request For Sample Report @Key Findings- The total number of service stations in Poland rose by 1.0% in 2015 totaling 6,552 service stations. Over 50,000 new fuel cards will be issued between 2016 and 2021, totaling to 760,094 cards in the market.- Fleet card volumes will continue to grow rising 36.4% between 2016 and 2021 to total 1,330m litres by the end of 2021. PKN Orlens market share declined by 0.2 percentage points in 2015 but continued to be the dominant fuel card market leader accounting for 28.8% in 2015, as clients were drawn to its large card acceptance network which covers 26.7% of sites in Poland.Complete Report Details @SynopsisOver 50,000 new fuel cards will be issued between 2016 and 2021, totaling to 760,094 cards in the marketReasonsToBuy- Plan effective market entry strategies by uncovering current and future volumes and values of the Polish fuel card market. Assess whether you should increase network acceptance of your card and identify potential new merchants by uncovering the position of competitors.- Whether you are an issuer, a processor, a leasing company or a fuel retailer, make informed pitches to partners by understanding their business.- Enhance fuel sales at your service stations by identifying which fuel cards you should accept based on their market shares and network acceptance.Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Retail: Fuel Cards in Romania Market

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MarketResearchReports.Biz presents this most up-to-date research on "Fuel Cards in Romania 2016".Fuel Cards in Romania 2016 is invaluable for issuers of fleet cards, fuel retailers, fleet leasing companies and other suppliers to the sector. Based on research with issuers and fuel retailers it provides commercial (B2B) fuel card volume (split by fleet and CRT), value and market share forecasts to 2021, key data on independent and oil company card issuers and an analysis of fuel card competition in Romania.Request For Sample Report @Key Findings- The total number of service stations in Romania rose by 1.8% in 2015 totaling 2,007 service stations. Over 5,000 new fuel cards will be issued between 2016 and 2021, totaling to 214,815 cards in the market. Total fleet card volumes rose by 1.9% in 2015 to total 366m litres continuing the upward trend started in 2011.- The top five fuel card operators made up 82.5% of fuel card volumes in 2015 as they all offer large card acceptance networks and services such as online monitoring and toll payments.Complete Report Details @SynopsisOver 5,000 new fuel cards will be issued between 2016 and 2021, totaling to 214,815 cards in the marketReasonsToBuy- Plan effective market entry strategies by uncovering current and future volumes and values of the Romanian fuel card market. Assess whether you should increase network acceptance of your card and identify potential new merchants by uncovering the position of competitors.- Whether you are an issuer, a processor, a leasing company or a fuel retailer, make informed pitches to partners by understanding their business.- Enhance fuel sales at your service stations by identifying which fuel cards you should accept based on their market shares and network acceptance.Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Wealth in Singapore: HNW Investors 2017

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MarketResearchReports.Biz announces addition of new report "Wealth in Singapore: HNW Investors 2017" to its database."Wealth in Singapore: HNW Investors 2017", report analyzes the investing preferences and portfolio allocation of Singaporean HNW investors. The report is based on our proprietary Global Wealth Managers Survey.Request For Sample Report @Singapores HNW population remains dominated by business owners and those who accumulated their wealth through earned income. HNW individuals invest around half of managed wealth with their main wealth manager, and the majority of wealth is held via discretionary mandates. Current investment demand is particularly pronounced for equities and corporate bonds; however, the latter are forecast to fall out of favor as investors are looking for new means of diversification in the alternative investment universe. Led by pension and financial planning, overall demand for planning services is moderate. However, going forward we expect increased demand for tax planning.Complete Report Details @Specifically the report -- Profiles the average Singaporean HNW investor in terms of their demographics and analyzes the expat opportunity in Singapore.- Analyzes which wealth management mandates are preferred among Singaporean HNW investors and how demand will develop looking forward.- Examines the allocation of Singaporean 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 Singaporean HNW investors.Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @Scope- Expats constitute half of Singapores HNW population, hence constituting a lucrative target market.- Accelerated demand for discretionary mandates will be the pre-eminent trend over the coming year.- The average Singaporean HNW portfolio is biased towards equity and bond investments, with demand for the latter expected to fall as we are seeing a move into risk assets.- An above-average proportion of Singaporean HNW wealth is allocated to alternative investments - the majority of which is held in hedge funds. Alternatives should gain further traction.- Singaporean HNW investors currently show the strongest demand for financial planning, but demand for tax advice is forecast to experience the strongest rise in demand over the coming two years.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 Singaporean HNW investors and react proactively to the forecasted change in demand.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
United States GF and GFRP Composites Market Research Report - Size, Growth and Forecast 2022

GF and GFRP Composites

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Global GF and GFRP Composites Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022A new and latest research report proposed by Global Info Reports renders a market summary of the GF and GFRP Composites Market industry. This widespread analysis comprises of market potentials and challenges, scope of product, sales volume, market revenue, estimates and rate of growth. The report also digs into all the major market players across the globe.Get Free Sample Copy of this Report @Chemical industry segment has a crucial role in accomplishing daily requirements of the common man. It is one of the most former industries which attributes substantially to not just economic but industrial growth as well. Nearly, each and every industry segment such as oil and gas, retail, manufacturing, agriculture and many others, depends heavily on the chemical industry. In the recent years, the global Epoxy Active Diluent Market industry has experienced an astonishing change structure-wise such as enhancements in technology, increasing raw material costs, manufacturing base been channeled to Asian countries,novel promising growth markets, etc.The report highlights crucial dynamics and in-depth analysis of the market segment with concentrating on factual data, present industry activities, growth opportunities, new product inventions, and market forecast for the anticipated frame of time along with leading market players, market study based on several regions, and extensive product. The Epoxy Active Diluent Market report assists in determining the projection in this meticulous industry by rendering precise potential demand prognoses. These prognoses will aid the market players to take vital decisions and take hold of the untapped regions and new entrants.This research report incorporates the current market size of this industry. It also distinguishes and assesses complex value chains across the globe such as primary factors, market growth restrains, and propelling strategies. This latest market report examines the Epoxy Active Diluent Market by several segments such as regions, applications, companies, and for the proposed time frame. The report gives a complete insight of this industry consisting the qualitative and quantitative analysis provided for this market industry along with prime development trends, competitive analysis, and vital factors that are predominant in the Concrete Seale Market.Market Scope:Various aspects are considered in this all-inclusive market research report and it inspects the global Epoxy Active Diluent Market industry from an all axis perspective. It gives in-depth information on the future viewpoint, key developments, market dynamics and growth, latest trends in the market, and potential investment segment.Browse complete summary of this report @The report furnishes: An in-depth widespread market analysis of the global GF and GFRP Composites Market Analysis of global market trends, forecasts for 2017, and predictions of CAGRs through proposed time frame. Thorough analysis of applications Mentioning of market players with their complete profile description Researches the vital market trends and novel developmentstechnologically in the GF and GFRP Composites MarketThe research report comprises of markets comprehensive analysis geographically on several important regions such as:1. North America (Mexico, USA, and Canada)2. Asia-Pacific (India, China, Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia)3. Europe (UK, Germany, Italy, France and Russia)4. Africa, South America, and the Middle EastThe leading industry players across the globe are explored in detail in this report. It demonstrates product overview, company summary, and manufacturing cost, capacity, and market shares for most of the participants. The report portrays the complete overview of GF and GFRP Composites Market across the world including its cost/profit, demand/supply, import/export, capacity, production value, etc. The research report also prognosticates trends in the development of this industrys market. It cloaks current market analysis dynamically, downstream requirements as well as the upstream raw materials. Lastly, the report also segregates vital market figures which represent the market condition of GF and GFRP Composites Market manufacturers. The report can function as an assistive reference point for helping individuals as well as businesses from this segment.Get Discount on This Report @Some Point From TOC:Table of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 GF and GFRP Composites Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 General-purpose Glass Fibers1.2.2 Special-Purpose Glass Fibers1.2.3 Thermoplastic Plastic Products1.2.4 Thermosetting Plastic Products1.2.5 Building & Construction1.2.6 Electronics1.2.7 Transportation1.2.8 Other1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Transport1.3.2 Electro & Electronics1.3.3 Construction1.3.4 Sport & Leisure1.3.5 Others1.4 Market Analysis by States1.4.1 California Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 Texas Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 New York Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Florida Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Illinois Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 BASF2.1.1 Profile2.1.2 GF and GFRP Composites Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Type 12.1.2.2 Type 22.1.3 BASF GF and GFRP Composites Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.1.4 Business Overview2.1.5 BASF News2.2 Lanxess2.2.1 Profile2.2.2 GF and GFRP Composites Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Type 12.2.2.2 Type 22.2.3 Lanxess GF and GFRP Composites Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2.4 Business Overview2.2.5 Lanxess News2.3 DSM2.3.1 Profile2.3.2 GF and GFRP Composites Type and Applications2.3.2.1 Type 12.3.2.2 Type 22.3.3 DSM GF and GFRP Composites Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3.4 Business Overview2.3.5 DSM News2.4 SABIC2.4.1 Profile2.4.2 GF and GFRP Composites Type and Applications2.4.2.1 Type 1Enquiry Before Buying @About Us:GIR Market Research is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. GIR Market Research is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:+1-888-376-9998 (US)Email- sales@globalinforeports.comWeb-
The Cards and Payments Industry in Croatia: Emerging trends and opportunities to 2020

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MarketResearchReports.Biz presents this most up-to-date research on "The Cards and Payments Industry in Croatia: Emerging trends and opportunities to 2020".GlobalDatas "The Cards and Payments Industry in Croatia: Emerging trends and opportunities to 2020", report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the Croatian cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including credit transfers, payment cards direct debit and cheques during the review period (2012-2016).Request For Sample Report @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 (2016-2020). 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.Complete Report Details @The report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the Croatian cards and payments industry, including -- Current and forecast values for each market in the Croatian cards and payments industry, including debit, credit and charge cards.- Detailed insights into payment instruments including credit transfers, direct debit, payment cards and cheques. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments.- E-commerce market analysis.- Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the Croatian cards and payments industry.- Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit, credit and charge cards.Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @Scope- Contactless technology has been gaining traction in Croatia and is being deployed both within POS terminals as well as ATMs. In March 2017 ESB launched an ATM that enables customers to withdraw cash by placing their contactless card on the units contactless card reader. The facility was launched in collaboration with Erste Group Card Processor and Mastercard and was developed by Printec Croatia and Asseco SEE. As of March 2017 the bank has deployed 132 contactless ATMs, and plans to activate the rest of its ATMs with contactless technology by December 2017.- Alternative payments are slowly emerging in Croatia, with banks and payment service providers launching new solutions. The most recent is the launch of a contactless mobile wallet service called Wave2Pay in April 2015 by PBZ, Intesa Sanpaolo, and American Express. The solution allows users to store multiple card details, and they can choose any card to make contactless payments. Similarly, Paysafecard launched its online prepaid payment solution in May 2014.- To reduce overall operating costs, banks in Croatia are shifting their focus to low-cost channels such as online banking. For instance, Splitska Banka launched its digital banking platform SB SmartNet in March 2016, allowing users to conduct standard banking transactions through desktop PCs and mobile phones. In addition to regular banking services, the platform provides users with a visual analysis of their income and expenditure through graphs and charts. The platform also provides a check on their household expenses, alerts on unplanned expenses, and reminders about the payment due dates of credit card invoices.Reasons to buy- Make strategic business decisions, using top-level historic and forecast market data, related to the Croatian cards and payments industry and each market within it.- Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the Croatian cards and payments industry.- Assess the competitive dynamics in the Croatian cards and payments industry.- Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in Croatia.- Gain insights into key regulations governing the Croatian cards and payments industry.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global 1,3-butylene Glycol Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type 2022 - OXEA, DAICEL, KH Neochem

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Market to its huge collection of research reports.The global market for 1,3-butylene Glycol is influenced by a variety of factors, an elaborate assessment of which is covered in the report. The report on 1,3-butylene Glycol offers in-depth insights into the key market dynamics, notable trends, emerging opportunities, strategic dynamics of major players, and recent technological advancements impacting the growth of the market in various regions. The study is a reliable source of qualitative and quantitative analysis of current and emerging business risks likely to shape the competitive dynamics. The evaluation, made with the help of inputs from a wide spectrum of credible secondary sources and various primary sources, offers participants a clear picture of the trajectory of the market over the forecast period [2017  2022]. The findings will help stakeholders identify key factors fuelling the growth of prominent segments along the forecast period.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The study covers recent advances in technology and major changes in governmental policies affecting the growth of the 1,3-butylene Glycol in various regions. A number of emerging players and new entrants in 1,3-butylene Glycol are expected to increasingly benefit from these insights. The regulatory landscape in major countries help market players identify lucrative growth avenues and imminent investment pockets. The analysis further bases its findings on the recent forecasts made by several prominent public and non-profit organizations and credit rating agencies. The report also highlights recent product development initiatives of major players and takes a closer look at their investment profile. In addition, the study zeroes in on the strategies of service providers and evaluates the impact of emergence of lucrative models of delivery of these services.Table of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Chemical synthesis1.2.2 Fermentation3 Global 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Market Competition, by Manufacturer3.1 Global 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Sales and Market Share by Manufacturer3.2 Global 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Revenue and Market Share by Manufacturer3.3 Market Concentration Rate4 Global 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Market Analysis by Regions4.1 Global 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Sales, Revenue and Market Share by Regions4.1.1 Global 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Sales by Regions (2012-2017)4.1.2 Global 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Revenue by Regions (2012-2017)Browse Complete Report with TOC @5 North America 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) by Countries5.1 North America 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Sales, Revenue and Market Share by Countries5.1.1 North America 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Sales by Countries (2012-2017)5.1.2 North America 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Revenue by Countries (2012-2017)List of Table and FiguresFigure Canada 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Revenue (Value) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Mexico 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Revenue (Value) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Germany 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Revenue (Value) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure France 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Revenue (Value) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure UK 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Revenue (Value) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Russia 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Revenue (Value) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Italy 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Revenue (Value) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure China 1,3-butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) Revenue (Value) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)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 UsBrooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
E-prescribing Market by Product, End User and Delivery Mode - Global Industry Analysis and Forecast to 2025

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E-Prescribing Market overview:With changing regulatory frameworks and patient demographics globally, the healthcare industry is constantly evolving in terms of organizational efficiency, quality of healthcare services and cost management. E-prescription is one such technological step which ensures error free prescription and aids in avoiding dispensing of wrong medications. E-prescribing refers to the electronic transfer of an error-free, accurate and understandable prescription from a prescriber directly to a pharmacy. On a basic level, e-prescription system acts as an electronic reference handbook. They can either be used as stand-alone prescription writers or can be integrated with an electronic health record (EHR) system.E-prescribing has significantly reduced prescription and medication errors and has resulted in fewer call-backs to physicians from the pharmacists for clarification. Moreover, electronic transfer of prescriptions from prescribers to pharmacists has largely aided in streamlining the clinical workflow. E-prescribing can be integrated with EHR systems enabling physicians, the access to not only the prescription information but also to the patients medical information in terms of history, allergies, current medication use and all such critical parameters. By allowing physicians to access such vital information, medical errors can be significantly reduced leading to improved patient safety. According to an October 2016 survey by the U.S. food and drug administration (FDA), on an annual basis, medication errors injure nearly 1.3 million people in the U.S. Such medication mishaps can be significantly minimized by use of advanced e-prescribing systems.Request for an in-depth table of contents for this report @Patient safety can be ensured through e-prescribing by improving prescription legibility and reducing the time required to prescribe and dispense medications to the patients leading to minimal medication errors and adverse drug effects (ADEs). Most of the e-prescription systems include medication decision support (MDS) which assists prescribers in avoiding prescription errors. Such programs check for drug-allergy, drug-drug interaction and drug disease interactions as well as dosing recommendations. E-prescribing largely improves the efficiency of prescription process. Though actual drafting of a new prescription in e-prescription system can take a few seconds longer than writing a prescription, the time is compensated by the time saved owing to the fact that less or no clarification is needed for an electronic prescription at the pharmacists end.Some of the key driving factors responsible for growth of the e-prescribing market are government initiatives to implement e-prescription systems in order to reduce medication errors and improve the quality of healthcare, high healthcare IT expenditure in developed countries and integration of e-prescription with EHR systems. However, factors such as high initial investment, concerns related to security of patient information and shortage of high speed broadband services in developing countries can hamper the growth of e-prescription market.Make an inquiry @The major players operating in the e-prescribing market focus on innovation to develop technologically advanced e-prescribing solutions in order to stay ahead of their competitors in terms of market share. For instance, in February 2015, Imprivata, Inc., a healthcare IT security solutions provider, launched Confirm ID, software for electronically prescribing controlled substances. Some of the key players in e-prescribing market are, Epic Systems Corporation, Cerner Corporation, Quality Systems, Inc., DrFirst.com, Inc., Henry Schein, Inc., Surescripts, LLC and Practice Fusion, Inc.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:Judy304 South Jones Blvd, Suite 1896,Las Vegas NV 89107,United StatesToll Free: +1-888-213-4282Email: sales@crystalmarketresearch.comBlog:Website:
Global Clostridium Diagnostics Market Size, Status and Applications : Olympus, Siemens Healthineers, Beckman Coulter

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Clostridium Diagnostics Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022" to its huge collection of research reports.This report on the global Clostridium Diagnostics market, compiled by a group of professional market research analysts, aspires to serve as a credible business tool for the stockholders, representing the current scenario of the market as well as future prospects. The report has been produced using proven research methodologies and offers qualitative and quantitative analysis of all major factors that may influence the demand in the global Clostridium Diagnostics market. To gauge the potential of smaller aspects of the Clostridium Diagnostics market, the report has segmented it on the basis of application, end users, products, services, types, and others, whichever applicable. It also takes stock of the prospects of Clostridium Diagnostics market in all important regions across the globe, such as North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). For each region, the report presents the potential of the Clostridium Diagnostics market by assessing their demand percentage, growth prospects, and related government policies.This report studies the global Clostridium Diagnostics market, analyzes and researches the Clostridium Diagnostics development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeF. Hoffmann-La RocheOlympusSiemens HealthineersBeckman CoulterAbbottBD MedicalThermo Fisher ScientificbioMerieuxQIAGENCorgenix MedicalSysmex CorporationHologicChrono-log CorporationFujirebio DiagnosticsDiazyme LaboratoriesGet sample report @One of the noteworthy feature of the report is the chapter on company profiles, wherein a number of leading vendors have been analyzed in order to understand the competitive landscape existing in the global Clostridium Diagnostics market, as well as detect the chances of entry for the new players. In this section, the report picks out the top three and top five companies in Clostridium Diagnostics market, and analyzes their recent strategic decisions such as mergers and acquisitions, collaborations, new product announcements, and investment in research and development. For each company, the report provides information such as business sales price, margin, and market share.Table of ContentsGlobal Clostridium Diagnostics Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Clostridium Diagnostics1.1 Clostridium Diagnostics Market Overview1.1.1 Clostridium Diagnostics Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Clostridium Diagnostics Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.3 Clostridium Diagnostics Market by Type1.3.1 Molecular Diagnostics1.3.2 Immunoassays1.4 Clostridium Diagnostics Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Hospitals1.4.2 ClinicsBrowse Complete Report with TOC @2 Global Clostridium Diagnostics Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Clostridium Diagnostics 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 F. Hoffmann-La Roche3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2 Olympus3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3 Siemens Healthineers3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions4 Global Clostridium Diagnostics Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Clostridium Diagnostics Market Size by Type (2012-2017)4.2 Global Clostridium Diagnostics Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.3 Potential Application of Clostridium Diagnostics in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of Clostridium Diagnostics5 United States Clostridium Diagnostics Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Clostridium Diagnostics Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States Clostridium Diagnostics Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)6 EU Clostridium Diagnostics Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Clostridium Diagnostics Market Size (2012-2017)6.2 EU Clostridium Diagnostics Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)List of Tables and FiguresFigure Clostridium Diagnostics Product ScopeFigure Global Clostridium Diagnostics Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2017)Table Global Clostridium Diagnostics Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Global Clostridium Diagnostics Market Share by Regions in 2016Figure United States Clostridium Diagnostics Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure EU Clostridium Diagnostics Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Japan Clostridium Diagnostics Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure China Clostridium Diagnostics Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure India Clostridium Diagnostics Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Southeast Asia Clostridium Diagnostics Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)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 UsBrooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:
Analyzes product and service demand Of Wealth in Indonesia: HNW Investors 2017

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MarketResearchReports.Biz presents this most up-to-date research on "Wealth in Indonesia: HNW Investors 2017"."Wealth in Indonesia: HNW Investors 2017" analyzes the investment preferences and portfolio allocation of Indonesian HNW investors. The report is based on our proprietary Global Wealth Managers Survey.Request For Sample Report @HNW investors have predominately accumulated their wealth through business interests, with property and manufacturing key wealth generators. Investors show strong demand for advisory mandates, but a significant proportion of wealth remains unmanaged. Defensive investments dominate the average portfolio, and while this is not expected to change we do forecast a decrease in demand for cash, while demand for fixed income is expected to rise. Tax planning is most sought after, but demand for pension and financial planning is on the rise.Complete Report Details @Specifically the report -- Profiles the average Indonesian HNW investor in terms of their demographics and analyzes the expat opportunity in Indonesia.- Analyzes which wealth management mandates are preferred among Indonesian HNW investors and how demand will develop looking forward.- Examines the allocation of Indonesian HNW investors portfolios into different asset classes and how this is expected to develop in the future.- Analyzes product and service demand among Indonesian HNW investors.Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @Scope- Indonesian HNW individuals tend to be older than their regional peers.- The expat opportunity is less developed than in Asia Pacific, but wealth managers reaching out to HNW expats from South Korea or Singapore will find them to be a lucrative target market.- The countrys HNW investors engage multiple wealth management firms, which is symptomatic of a relatively underdeveloped and risk-averse wealth market.- A lack of expertise and time are the top drivers for Indonesian HNW investors to seek professional advice, while non-financial investments are the main reason they self-direct.- HNW demand for equity, fixed income, and alternatives is forecast to rise over the next 12 months, while demand for cash and near-cash products is expected to decrease.- A multi-service strategy - encompassing tax, financial, and pension planning - is becoming increasingly important as demand for these services is on the rise.Reasons to buy- Develop and enhance your client targeting strategies using our data on HNW profiles and sources 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 current and future demand for different asset classes among HNW individuals.- Develop your proposition to match the product and service demand expressed by Indonesian HNW investors and react proactively to forecasted changes in demand.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
The Cards and Payments Industry in Mexico: credit transfers, cheques, direct debits, payment cards

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MarketResearchReports.Biz announces addition of new report "The Cards and Payments Industry in Mexico: Emerging trends and opportunities to 2020" to its database.GlobalDatas "The Cards and Payments Industry in Mexico: Emerging trends and opportunities to 2020" report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the Mexican cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including credit transfers, cheques, direct debits, payment cards and cash during the review period (2012-2016).Request For Sample Report @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 (2016-2020). 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.Complete Report Details @The report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the Mexican cards and payments industry, including -- Current and forecast values for each market in the Mexican cards and payments industry, including debit, credit and charge cards.- Detailed insights into payment instruments including credit transfers, cheques, cash, direct debits, 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 Mexican cards and payments industry.- Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit, credit and charge cards.Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @Scope- To combat fraudulent payment activities in Mexico, banks and scheme providers are taking a number of measures, with one example being Mastercards introduction of the Identity Check Mobile solution in November 2016. The solution allows card holders to verify online payment by scanning their fingerprint or taking a selfie. Unlike existing identity verification methods - which take shoppers away from a merchants website or mobile app and often require them to remember and enter a password - Mastercard Identity Check Mobile verifies the user via technologies such as biometrics and one-time passwords. Earlier in January 2015, Oberthur Technologies (OT) partnered with PROSA, a provider of payment processing services, to launch OT Motion Code technology. With Motion Code, the cards CVV code is replaced with a mini-screen on which the CVV code changes automatically at regular intervals, making it impossible for fraudsters to misuse.- The uptake of alternative payments is gradually increasing in Mexico, with banks and payment solutions providers launching products and services in the market. In partnership with Mastercard, Banamex launched its digital wallet, Banamex Wallet, in February 2016. The Android-compatible mobile app can be used to make contactless m-payments, which are authorized by a four-digit PIN. Users can add all Mastercard-branded credit cards to the wallet. Earlier in June 2014, BBVA Bancomer launched its mobile wallet BBVA Wallet in Mexico. The wallet allows secure NFC payments at merchant locations that accept contactless payments. Available on phones with Android 4.4 and above, other phones can use it through NFC stickers.- To further enhance financial inclusion, Mexico joined the UN-based Better Than Cash Alliance in June 2016. The move comes after the government introduced a national policy on financial inclusion to promote the use of electronic payments across the country and reduce the dependence on cash. With 86% of the 124.6 million population owning mobile phones, Better Than Cash Alliance aims to harness the popularity of mobile phones for digital payments. Earlier in February 2016, PROSA partnered with digital solutions provider Gemalto to offer m-payment services to its partner banks, which include 95% of credit, debit, and prepaid card issuers in the country. Gemaltos Trusted Service Hub enables banks to offer their own mobile wallets using host card emulation technology, while PROSA is responsible for mobile wallet development, card holder identification and verification, card digitization, and security.Reasons to buy- Make strategic business decisions, using top-level historic and forecast market data, related to the Mexican cards and payments industry and each market within it.- Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the Mexican cards and payments industry.- Assess the competitive dynamics in the Mexican cards and payments industry.- Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in Mexico.- Gain insights into key regulations governing the Mexican cards and payments industry.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global Factor IX Deficiency Treatment Market Status, Services & Research 2022 : Pfizer, Shire, CSL Behring, Novo Nordisk

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Factor IX Deficiency Treatment Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022" to its huge collection of research reports.The global Factor IX Deficiency Treatment market has been broadly presented in this report, taking into consideration its key aspects such as growth prospects, restraining factors, competitive landscape, and future opportunities. Readers have been comprehensively updated with vital statistics about the current and future share, verifiable projections about top segments and sub-segments, CAGR, and regional shares of the market. The authors of the report have applied qualitative as well as quantitative analysis to deeply evaluate the market.Buyers of the publication have been expected to gain full understanding of the global Factor IX Deficiency Treatment market with the help of the in-depth analysis provided by the researchers. Opportunities in each segment of the market, be it according to application, product, end use, or geography, have been expansively brought to light in the publication.This report studies the global Factor IX Deficiency Treatment market, analyzes and researches the Factor IX Deficiency Treatment development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likePfizerShireCSL BehringNovo NordiskBiogenFill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @Top companies operating in the global Factor IX Deficiency Treatment market have been carefully profiled by the analysts while shedding light upon their competitors, market share, recent development, future plans, and significant strategies adopted. The vendor landscape has been meticulously assessed in the publication to help players understand the nature of competition and accurate ways to sustain or propel their position in the market.An exhaustive assessment of the value chain of the global Factor IX Deficiency Treatment market has included a deep insight about prominent end users, distributors, technological solutions, raw material suppliers, and manufacturers. The report is anticipated to be a useful guideline to apprehend the current and historical performance of the market in terms of both value and volume that could direct players to make informed decisions in their individual businesses.Table of ContentsGlobal Factor IX Deficiency Treatment Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Factor IX Deficiency Treatment1.1 Factor IX Deficiency Treatment Market Overview1.1.1 Factor IX Deficiency Treatment Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Factor IX Deficiency Treatment Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Factor IX Deficiency Treatment Market by Type1.3.1 Inhibitor Therapy1.3.2 Prophylaxis1.3.3 On-Demand Therapy1.3.4 Other1.4 Factor IX Deficiency Treatment Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Hospitals1.4.2 Clinics1.4.3 Other2 Global Factor IX Deficiency Treatment Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Factor IX Deficiency Treatment 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 FutureFor more information on this report, fill the form @3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Pfizer3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Factor IX Deficiency Treatment Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Shire3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Factor IX Deficiency Treatment Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 CSL Behring3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and SolutionsList of Tables and FiguresFigure Factor IX Deficiency Treatment Product ScopeFigure Global Factor IX Deficiency Treatment Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2017)Table Global Factor IX Deficiency Treatment Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Global Factor IX Deficiency Treatment Market Share by Regions in 2016Figure United States Factor IX Deficiency Treatment Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure EU Factor IX Deficiency Treatment Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Japan Factor IX Deficiency Treatment Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure China Factor IX Deficiency Treatment Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)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 UsBrooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:
United States Trehalose Market Research Report - Size, Growth and Forecast 2022

Trehalose

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This report studies the Trehalose market, Trehalose (C12H22O11) is a white or almost white crystal powder. It is a disaccharide formed by a 1, 1-glucoside bond between two -glucose units. It is a disaccharide that occurs naturally in insects, plants, fungi, and bacteria. Trehalose is an alternative to sugar as a sweetener. It is widely used in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and other fields.Get a Sample of Trehalose Market research report from Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Trehalose in United States market, to split the market based on manufacturers, states, type and application.Major Players Included in Trehalose Market:Meihua GroupHayashibaraLianmeng ChemicalVisionbio TechnologySinozyme BiotechnologyAnd Many OthersScope of the Trehalose Industry on the basis of region:CaliforniaTexasNew YorkFloridaIllinoisBrowse full Report with table of contents and data tables For Trehalose Market Report @Market Segment by Type, coversFood gradePharmaceutical gradeOthersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoFoodPharmaceuticalsCosmeticsOthersThere are 17 Chapters to deeply display the United States Trehalose market.Chapter 1, to describe Trehalose Introduction, product type and application,market overview, market analysis by States, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the manufacturers of Trehalose, with profile, main business, news, sales, price, revenue and market share 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 United States market by States, covering California, New York, Texas, Illinois and Florida, with sales, price, revenue and market share of Trehalose, for each state, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5 and 6, to show the market by type and application, with sales, price, revenue, market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, to analyze the key States by Type and Application, covering California, New York, Texas, Illinois and Florida, with sales, revenue and market share by types and applications;Chapter 12, Trehalose market forecast, by States, type and application, with sales, price, revenue and growth rate forecast, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, to analyze the manufacturing cost, key raw materials and manufacturing process etc.Chapter 14, to analyze the industrial chain, sourcing strategy and downstream end users (buyers);Chapter 15, to describe sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers etc.Chapter 16 and 17, to describe Trehalose Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source.Check for Discount @Some points from TOC:-Table of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 Trehalose Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Food grade1.2.2 Pharmaceutical grade1.2.3 Others1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Food1.3.2 Pharmaceuticals1.3.3 Cosmetics1.3.4 Others1.4 Market Analysis by States1.4.1 California Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 Texas Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 New York Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Florida Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Illinois Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Meihua Group2.1.1 Profile2.1.2 Trehalose Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Type 12.1.2.2 Type 22.1.3 Meihua Group Trehalose Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.1.4 Business Overview2.1.5 Meihua Group News2.2 Hayashibara2.2.1 Profile2.2.2 Trehalose Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Type 12.2.2.2 Type 2ContinuedFor more help Speak to our Experts @About Global Info Reports:GIR Market Research is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. GIR Market Research is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:+1-888-376-9998 (US)Email- sales@globalinforeports.comWeb-Blogs-
The Cards and Payments Industry in Argentina: Emerging trends and opportunities to 2020

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MarketResearchReports.Biz announces addition of new report "The Cards and Payments Industry in Argentina: Emerging trends and opportunities to 2020" to its database.GlobalDatas "The Cards and Payments Industry in Argentina: Emerging trends and opportunities to 2020", report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the Argentine cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including credit transfers, cheques, cash, payment cards and direct debit during the review period (2012-2016).Request For Sample Report @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 (2016-2020). 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.Complete Report Details @The report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the Argentine cards and payments industry, including -- Current and forecast values for each market in the Argentine cards and payments industry, including debit, credit and charge cards.- Detailed insights into payment instruments including credit transfers, cheques, cash, direct debit and payment cards. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments.- E-commerce market analysis.- Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the Argentine cards and payments industry.- Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit, credit and charge cards.Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @Scope- To improve financial inclusion and increase competition between banks, in 2016 the central bank introduced guidelines for convenient account opening and switching between providers. As per the new guideline, wage accounts can be opened directly by individuals rather than upon request by their employer. Individuals can open and close their accounts and cancel their credit cards through online banking, without the need to visit a bank branch. To increase financial access for citizens, the central bank relaxed the regulatory requirements for opening new bank branches in 2016. In H1 2016, 97 new branches were provided with authorization, an increase of 44 over H2 2015.- The government move to abolish the tax on credit card payments made in foreign currency in December 2015 is anticipated to drive credit card transactions. In December 2013 the government had increased the tax on all credit card purchases made abroad from 20% to 35%. Consumers were also charged with a 50% tax on online purchases of more than $25 (ARS201.90) from foreign websites. The restrictions on online shopping and use of payment cards abroad was an attempt to control the drop in foreign currency reserves, which fell by 29% in 2013 to $30.9bn (ARS168.7bn), a seven-year low.- To promote inbound tourism in the country, in September 2016 the Argentine government abolished value added tax (VAT) on hotel charges for foreign travelers if they paid using a debit or credit card issued overseas. Hotels must now refund foreign tourists the VAT charged on hotel stays. This move is anticipated to push up tourist numbers by 120,000 and increase spending by $90m (ARS1.3bn), thereby driving the payment card transaction value and volume.Reasons to buy- Make strategic business decisions, using top-level historic and forecast market data, related to the Argentine cards and payments industry and each market within it.- Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the Argentine cards and payments industry.- Assess the competitive dynamics in the Argentine cards and payments industry.- Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in Argentina.- Gain insights into key regulations governing the Argentine cards and payments industry.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Home Healthcare Market by Product and Service - Global Industry Analysis and Forecast to 2025

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Home Healthcare Market overview:With an increasing number of consumers investing in physical well-being, personal care or home healthcare medical devices are witnessing a huge surge in terms of demand and sales. Reduced service time or shorter hospital stays can considerably reduce the overall expenditure on healthcare by the patients. The traditionally prevalent doctor-patient monitoring system is one of the major cost factors associated with healthcare expenditure adding a huge financial burden on the patients and their families. For instance, after a patient has undergone a surgery, he can be shifted to his home which is a much low cost treatment environment and mobile health devices such as home monitors of different kinds can be used to monitor his health parameters. This can considerably reduce the financial burden on the patients and their families. With the formal healthcare system becoming increasingly stressed, patients are being discharged from healthcare facilities while still needing some amount of care. Home care medical devices prove immensely helpful in such cases where patients can efficiently manage their own health in non-institutional settings.Medical devices used in home care settings need to be appropriate for the environment in which they are used and for the people using them. These people may be layperson or professional caregivers or the recipients themselves. These people may have distinct cognitive, sensory, physical, and emotional characteristics. Environments may vary in terms of accessibility of utilities, amount of available space, humidity and temperature levels and noise and light levels. All these factors have to be considered in order to ensure that the medical devices are effective and safe for the people receiving home care. The most common home healthcare devices are first aid equipment including thermometers, bandages, heating pads and ace bandages. Users of medical devices in home healthcare are a diverse set of people. Some are professional care-givers such as nurses, physicians, occupational therapists and homecare aides. They are typically associated with homecare organizations or may operate as independent providers. Others are amateur care-givers who may be family members or friends of the patients receiving care. Some recipients may operate the devices themselves.Request for an in-depth table of contents for this report @The key factors responsible for the growth of home healthcare market are the growing geriatric population, increasing cases of chronic disorders, and increased demand for affordable healthcare owing to ever increasing costs of institutional healthcare. According to a 2015 report by World Health Organization, the elderly population over the age of 60 is expected to double by 2050. With increased life expectancy the risk of suffering from chronic diseases also increases considerably. As elder people require more time to recover from an illness, the home healthcare alternative is favorable for providing care to these patients. Also, rising consumer expectations about the convenience of medical treatment have resulted in an increased demand for home care medical devices and equipment. However, factors such as safety concerns related to patients and limited insurance coverage are expected to hamper the growth of home healthcare market.Developing healthcare devices which can be easily and efficiently operated in home care settings and which ensure patient safety in such environments, holds favorable future prospects for the home healthcare market. With rising demand for effective yet low cost home healthcare devices by the patients, providers are aggressively investing time and resources in product advancement and development.The key players in the home healthcare market focus on product development aided by technological advancements to develop more sophisticated and patient centric home healthcare products in order to capture a larger share of the market. For instance, in November 2014, Intel-GE Care Innovations, LLC (a joint venture between Intel and General Electric) launched the telehealth technology system Health Harmony. This advanced platform enables clinicians, family care givers, and patients to collaborate in order to improve the level of healthcare being provided to the patient.Make an inquiry @Some of the major players in the home healthcare market are Abbott, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Sunrise Medical GmbH, Medtronic plc., 3M Health Care, Cardinal Health Inc., Arcadia Healthcare Solutions, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Bayer AG, NxStage Medical, Inc., Amedisys, Inc., ARKRAY Inc., Odyssey Healthcare Inc., Becton Dickinson and Company, and National Healthcare Corporation.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:Judy304 South Jones Blvd, Suite 1896,Las Vegas NV 89107,United StatesToll Free: +1-888-213-4282Email: sales@crystalmarketresearch.comBlog:Website:
Global PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Sales Market 2017 : SUKANO, Ampacet Corporation, A. Schulman

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Sales Market Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.Every businessman needs to gauge the different factors that drive a market and doing this requires professional expertise. Offering businessmen and investors a comprehensive overview and new perspective on the workings of the PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch across the world is a research report recently added to the repository of QYResearchReports.com. Supported by accurate statistics and directed by the best in the industry, this report gives readers a clear picture of the scope and dynamics of the PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch from 2017 to 2022.This report studies sales (consumption) of PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch 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, coveringSUKANOAmpacet CorporationA. SchulmanAstraBARS-2Polyplast Mller GmbHSetas Masterset MasterbatchesCONSTABSpearepetTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The research report sheds light on the most prominent forces propelling and challenging the growth of the PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch market and also monitors the development of various social, geographical, economic, consumer, and political trends during the given forecast period. Apart from these factors, emphasis is laid on the key elements of the industry chain. Readers get an in-depth account of the factors that work against or in favor of buyers, suppliers, competitors, new entrants, and substitutes in the PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch market. Understanding how a particular market functions is vital for any businessman and investor, as is gaining insight on the bargaining power of suppliers and buyers, the threat of new entrants and substitutes, and the degree of rivalry among the vendors in the PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch.One of the most interesting and valuable sections of the report is its focus on identifying and analyzing the major players that make up the competitive landscape of the PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch. The most prominent companies that contribute toward the expansion of the market are profiled based on key criteria such as business overview, company overview, recent developments, product and service portfolio, financial performance, and crucial alliances. Equipped with this information, clients can gain a much deeper understanding of where it stands in relation to other players.Table of ContentGlobal PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Sales Market Report 20171 PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch1.2 Classification of PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch1.2.1 Organic Type1.2.2 Inorganic Type1.3 Application of PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch1.3.1 Plastic Film Industry1.3.2 Packaging Industry1.3.3 Other2 Global PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Competition by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Global PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1.1 Global PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Global PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Global PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch (Volume and Value) by Regions2.3.1 Global PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Sales and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)2.3.2 Global PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)2.4 Global PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch (Volume) by ApplicationBrowse full table of contents and data tables of Report @3 United States PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 United States PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 United States PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 United States PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 United States PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers3.3 United States PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Sales and Market Share by Type3.4 United States PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Sales and Market Share by Application4 China PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 China PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 China PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 China PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.3 China PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)4.2 China PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers4.3 China PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Sales and Market Share by Type4.4 China PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Sales and Market Share by ApplicationList of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of PET Type Antiblock MasterbatchTable Classification of PET Type Antiblock MasterbatchFigure Global Sales Market Share of PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch by Type in 2015Figure United States PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure China PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Europe PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Japan PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Southeast Asia PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)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 UsBrooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:
Global Medical Lifting Slings Market Growth Analysis with top Players - Etac AB, Getting AB, Goldman Inc, Hill-Rom Holdings

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Global Medical Lifting Slings Market segmented by Typr (Bariatric Slings, Hammock Slings, Seating slings) and by End users (Assistive Care Facilities, Hospitals, Clinics)  Forecast to 2022Global Medical Lifting Slings Market Size, Status And Forecast 2022Purchase This Report by calling ResearchnReports.com at +1-888-631-6977.The Medical lifting sling report is comprehensively divided on the premise of item, utilization sort, material, end client and area. On the premise of items, the medicinal lifting sling market is extensively fragmented into standing slings, seating slings, widespread slings, loft slings, exchange slings, can slings, bariatric slings, and others, (for example, situating and rotate slings). The exchange sling portion is relied upon to be the biggest fragment and will likewise be the quickest developing section in the estimate time frame.The Medical lifting sling market is ready to achieve USD 704.80 Million by 2022 from USD 411.5 Million of every 2015, at a CAGR of 11.4 % from 2017 to 2022.Factors, for example, rising maturing populace, incapacities from non-transmittable infections, expanding rates of way of life illnesses, and high recuperation cost from wounds are advancing utilization of Medical lifting slings which thus is driving the development of the medicinal lifting sling market. Be that as it may, absence of talented preparing and learning to deal with patients and trouble in taking care of corpulent patients are impeding the development of this market.Get Sample Report @On the premise of kind of material, the therapeutic lifting sling market is ordered into nylon, cushioned, work, canvas, and others (polypropylene and cotton). Nylon is the biggest and quickest developing section of this market. On the premise of end clients, the medicinal lifting sling market is arranged into home care, healing center, elderly care, and others (crisis Medical administrations, long haul intense care offices, injury focuses, and nursing homes). Healing centers are the significant end clients of this market. This expansive offer can be credited to developing utilization of medicinal lifting slings in doctor's facilities while helping the handicapped patients.On the premise of utilization sort, the Medical lifting sling market is isolated into expendable and reusable slings. In 2015, the reusable section will hold the biggest offer of the Medical lifting sling market. Be that as it may, the expendable slings portion will demonstrate the most noteworthy development rate as the utilization of these slings anticipates diseases.Key Players of Global Medical Lifting Slings MarketThis report studies the global Medical Lifting Slings market, analyzes and researches the Medical Lifting Slings 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 Etac AB Getting AB Goldman Inc Hill-Rom Holdings Invacare Corp Joerns Healthcare LLC Prism Medical Ltd Spectra Care GroupAsk for Discount @Market SegmentsMarket segment by Type, Medical Lifting Slings can be split into Bariatric Slings Hammock Slings Seating Slings Stander Slings Toileting Slings Transfer Slings Universal Slings Other Sling TypesMarket segment by Application, Medical Lifting Slings can be split into Assistive Care Facilities Hospitals Nursing Home Other End UsersMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited States, EU, Japan, China, India, Southeast AsiaAbout Research N Reports:Research N Reports is a new age market research firm where we focus on providing information that can be effectively applied. Today being a consumer driven market, companies require information to deal with the complex and dynamic world of choices. We're relying on a sound board firm for your decisions becomes crucial. Research N Reports specializes in industry analysis, market forecasts and as a result getting quality reports covering all verticals, whether be it gaining perspective on current market conditions or being ahead in the cut throat EUROPE competition. Since we excel at business research to help businesses grow, we also offer to consult as an extended arm of our services which only helps us gain more insight into current trends and problems. Consequently, we keep evolving as an all-rounder provider of viable information under one roof.Contact:(Research N Reports)10916, Gold Point Dr, Houston, TX, Pin - 77064,Sunny Denis(Sales Manager),+1-8886316977,sales@researchnreports.com ,
Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Device Market: Recent Industry Trends, Analysis and Forecast 2026

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Urinary incontinence is a condition wherein there is unintentional loss of urine. This is also referred to as stress incontinence which happens during physical activities like coughing, sneezing, running or lifting heavy weights, thats exerts pressure on the bladder. Stress incontinence differs from urinary urge as it is caused by contraction of bladder muscles. Stress incontinence is very common among females than in males and can be of the reason for isolating oneself from the social life. Female stress urinary incontinence is caused by weal sphincter muscle. There are two types of female stress urinary incontinence: urethral hypermobility and intrinsic sphincter deficiency. In urethra hypermobility, the urethra changes its position due to increase in abdominal pressure, whereas in intrinsic sphincter deficiency there is inability in the sphincter to get sealed. Female stress urinary incontinence is most commonly observed above the age of 60 years as weakening of pelvic muscles occurs by this age. There are further more causes of female stress urinary incontinence like pregnancy and childbirth, hysterectomy, nerve or muscle damage during birthing or surgical trauma, obesity, menopause, chronic coughing, anatomical predisposition and impact of various heavy physical activities.Request Report Sample@The major driver of the female stress urinary incontinence market is changing lifestyle and its complications. Lifestyle changes has led to many anatomical changes which has causes gynecological problems with females at younger age. Increase in the conception, increase in the number of hysterectomy cases, large number of women with early onset of menopause, increase in obese population and stress which weakness the nerves and muscle and also stressed induced smoking has increased in the women. However the major restrain for female urinary incontinence market is that these devices are all under FDA approval process. There are also some of the side effects of using female urinary incontinence treatment devices such as pain, organ perforation, and painful intercourse, urinary and fecal incontinence. Also, social constraint faced by women in understanding the condition this leads many women remain undiagnosed and untreated.The global female stress urinary incontinence treatment device is segmented by the type of devices, type of material used by end users and by geographySegmentation by Type of DevicesInternal Urethral DevicesInternal Vaginal DevicesTraditional DevicesPurpose  made devicesExternal Urethral DevicesSegmentation by type of Material UsedSiliconePolyurethane foamSegmentation by End UsersGynecology ClinicHospitalsAmbulatory Surgical CentersSegmentation by geographyNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEuropeMiddle East and AfricaAsia PacificThe female urinary incontinence market is expected to grow over the forecast period due to FDA approval of these devices and huge investment in the healthcare sector. The future is developing improved devices with less side effects and with easy usage. Along with investment in the healthcare sector and there is requirement of awareness among the female population regarding the causes and treatment of urinary incontinence and break the social barrier regarding the same. The female stress urinary incontinence treatment device market is segmented according to the type of device as internal urethral devices, internal vaginal devices and external urethral devices. Among these internal vaginal devices are more widely used and also termed as transvaginal mesh or vaginal sling. These are further classified as traditional devices and purpose  made devices. The traditional device segment consists of tampons, pessaries and contraceptive diaphragms and the purpose  made device segment consist of vaginal slings which are generally used for uplifting the bladder. The internal and external urethral devices are not widely used ones. The other segment of the female stress urinary incontinence treatment device market is according to the material used in making these devices like silicone and polyurethane foam. The market further can be segmented according to end users of these devices which are gynecology clinics, hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.Visit For TOC@According to geography, the female stress urinary incontinence treatment device market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific. The factors contributing for the growth of female urinary incontinence treatment device market differs by region, as less obesity but higher smoking rates in Chines population. Lack of awareness among the symptoms and social barriers in developing countries. Furthermore, U.S., Canada and United Kingdom are the major growth areas whereas the Middle East and Africa are slowly emerging markets due to lack of awareness, poverty and less healthcare facilities. The Asian countries are also expected to grow in the coming years due to rising awareness, healthcare facilities at affordable cost and overcoming the socioeconomic barriers. Owing to the growth in the developing counties, the prominent players are attracted to these regions with a strategic view to increase productivity and expansion of business.The major players contributing to the growth of female stress urinary incontinence treatment device market are Johnson & Johnson, Bard Medical, American Medical Solutions, Boston Scientific, Teleflex, Karl Storz and Coloplast.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Data Recovery Services Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 - IBM, Dell, Lenovo, HPE, Minntek, PCM, Nokia

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Data Recovery Services Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 to its huge collection of research reports.The global market for Data Recovery Services has been highly dynamic in the last few years. This research study on the worldwide Data Recovery Services market attempts to assess the changes this market has gone through and presents a complete overview of this market. It provides important information and statistics of this market such as growth drivers, restraining factors, future prospects, and trends and opportunities.The research report studies the global Data Recovery Services market on the basis of the qualitative as well as quantitative assessment of various market verticals. The regional markets for Data Recovery Services has also been evaluated based on their performances during the period from 2017 to 2022 The dynamics of the manufacturing and supply chain and the significant government norms and policies in this market has been discussed in details in this market report. The global market for Data Recovery Services has also been assessed in terms of the production chain of the products, their pricing, and the revenue generated by them.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Analysts have carried out multiple analyses to determine the volume of production and efficiency of the global Data Recovery Services market, considering the performances of its regional Data Recovery Services markets. The demand and supply statistics for Data Recovery Services in the global arena has also been discussed in this market report.Conclusively, the study make use of various analytical tools on major participants including investment return analyses, feasibility analysis, and SWOT analysis to identify the market hierarchy prevailing in the worldwide Data Recovery Services market.This study is aimed at providing a complete and unbiased picture of the global Data Recovery Services market and assist companies, consultants, and stakeholders operating in this market to make winning strategies for the further expansion of their businesses.Table of Contents1 Industry Overview of Data Recovery Services1.1 Data Recovery Services Market Overview1.1.1 Data Recovery Services Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook2 Global Data Recovery Services Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Data Recovery Services Market Size (Value) by Players (2016 and 2017)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences4 Global Data Recovery Services Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Data Recovery Services Market Size by Type (2012-2017)4.2 Global Data Recovery Services Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.3 Potential Application of Data Recovery Services in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of Data Recovery ServicesBrowse Complete Report with TOC @5 United States Data Recovery Services Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Data Recovery Services Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States Data Recovery Services Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)List of Tables and FiguresFigure Data Recovery Services Product ScopeFigure Global Data Recovery Services Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2017)Table Global Data Recovery Services Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Global Data Recovery Services Market Share by Regions in 2016Figure United States Data Recovery Services Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure EU Data Recovery Services Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Japan Data Recovery Services Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure China Data Recovery Services Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure India Data Recovery Services Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Southeast Asia Data Recovery Services Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)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 UsBrooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
World Smart Scale Market- Evolving Product Type, Application, Regions & Players A&D, Runtastic, GoWISE USA, Omron, AFENDO, Withings -Forecast to 2021

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HTF Market Intelligence released a new research report of 117 pages on title 'World Smart Scale Market by Product Type, Market, Players and Regions-Forecast to 2021' with detailed analysis, forecast and strategies. The study covers key regions that includes USA, Europe, Japan, China, India, South East Asia and important players such as A&D, Runtastic, GoWISE USA, Omron, AFENDO, Withings ..................Request a sample report @SummaryThe Smart Scale 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 discussion of important industry trends, market size, market share estimates and profiles of the leading industry Players.Global Smart Scale Market: Product Segment AnalysisGlass platformStainless steel platformOthersGlobal Smart Scale Market: Application Segment AnalysisBody weight managementObjects weighingOthersGlobal Smart Scale Market: Regional Segment AnalysisUSAEuropeJapanChinaIndiaSouth East AsiaThe Players mentioned in our reportPyleTaylorA&DRuntasticGoWISE USAOmronAFENDOWithingsXiaomiWithingsYESHMiHealth Labs IncFitbit IncWith no less than 15 top producersGet Customization in the Report, Enquire Now @Table of ContentChapter 1 About the Smart Scale Industry1.1 Industry Definition and Types1.1.1 Glass platform1.1.2 Stainless steel platform1.1.3 Others1.2 Main Market Activities1.3 Similar Industries1.4 Industry at a GlanceChapter 2 World Market Competition Landscape2.1 Smart Scale Markets by Regions2.1.1 USAMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2011-2021Sales and Growth Rate 2011-2021Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20162.1.2 EuropeMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2011-2021Sales and Growth Rate 2011-2021Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20162.1.3 ChinaMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2011-2021Sales and Growth Rate 2011-2021Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20162.1.4 IndiaMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2011-2021Sales and Growth Rate 2011-2021Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20162.1.5 JapanMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2011-2021Sales and Growth Rate 2011-2021Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20162.1.6 South East AsiaMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2011-2021Sales and Growth Rate 2011-2021Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20162.2 World Smart Scale Market by TypesGlass platformStainless steel platformOthers2.3 World Smart Scale Market by ApplicationsBody weight managementObjects weighingOthers2.4 World Smart Scale Market Analysis2.4.1 World Smart Scale Market Revenue and Growth Rate 2011-20162.4.2 World Smart Scale Market Consumption and Growth rate 2011-20162.4.3 World Smart Scale Market Price Analysis 2011-2016Buy this report @Chapter 3 World Smart Scale Market share3.1 Major Production Market share by Players3.2 Major Revenue (M USD) Market share by Players3.3 Major Production Market share by Regions in 2016, Through 20213.4 Major Revenue (M USD) Market share By Regions in 2016, Through 2021Chapter 4 Supply Chain Analysis4.1 Industry Supply chain Analysis4.2 Raw material Market Analysis4.2.1 Raw material Prices Analysis 2012-20164.2.2 Raw material Supply Market Analysis4.2 Manufacturing Equipment Suppliers Analysis4.3 Production Process Analysis4.4 Production Cost Structure Benchmarks4.5 End users Market AnalysisChapter 5 Company Profiles5.1 Pyle5.1.1 Company Details (Foundation Year, Employee Strength and etc)5.1.2 Product Information (Picture, Specifications and Applications)5.1.3 Revenue (M USD), Price and Operating Profits5.2 Taylor5.2.1 Company Details (Foundation Year, Employee Strength and etc)5.2.2 Product Information (Picture, Specifications and Applications)5.2.3 Revenue (M USD), Price and Operating Profits....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@htfmarketreport.com+1 (206) 317 1218
Basil Extract Market : Key Growth Factors and Industry Analysis 2017 to 2027

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Basilis a culinary herbwhich is also known as Saint-Josephs- wort. Botanical name of Basil is Ocimum basilicum. It is also called the "king of herbs. Basil is a native herb of India and it is commonly known as Tusli. Its being used as an ayurvadic medicine for more than 500 years to reduce lifes stress. Several research report supports the use of basil extract for human use. The nutritional value of basil extracts is also high as it is a rich source of calcium, zinc, vitamin A and C zinc and iron. The chemicals present in the basil extract are known for reducing body pain and inflammation. Basil extract is known for its property to reduce blood sugar level and is classified as an adaptogen which helps the body to remain fit and strong. A number of studies indicates that Basil has the ability to reduce infections caused by bacteria.Request Report Sample@Market Segmentation:Basilextract is segment on the basis of application, type and region. On the basis of application market is segmented into pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Among both the segments application in pharmaceuticals is expected to grow enormously in the coming future. The demand for basil extract is more due to the benefit it offers as well as easy availability of product to the consumer. On the basis of form the market is segmented into powder, capsule and oil.Basil extract come in different types but the most popular in the market is the oil segment. Basil extract is a great source of special properties which provide various health benefits. It acts as an analgesic,the basil extract helps to prevent dental caries and also it inhibit fungal infection caused by candidaalbicans and candida tropicalis. Basil extract is also helpful to increases testosterone level in males and has the ability to cure liver damage as well. On the basis of region red vine extractmarket is segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, MEA and Japan.Market Regional Outlook:Regional segment for the market of Basilextractis divided into seven different regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, MEA and Japan. Among these segment Asia Pacific is expected to have the major market share globally, as it is the largest producer and consumer of basilextract. In Asia Pacific region the countries like India and china are generating the major revenue. In terms of revenue North America is the second prominent contributor in thebasilextract market.Market Drivers:The rise in demand for stress reducing pills is expected to drive the growth of global basil extractmarket. Basil extractis not only a rich source of vitamins but it also exhibits some special properties such as anti-cancer, good mosquito repellent, prevents cardiovascular diseases and treats ulcers. It also helps in reducing blood sugar level and fights against bacterial infection. These versatile properties of basil extract is attracting the pharmaceutical segment to a greater extent which will drive the basil extract market to a greater extent.Moreover, the market is also driven by the increasing awareness among the consumers about the health benefits associated with basil extract.Visit For TOC@Market Key Players:Some of the key players in basil extractmarket areMartin Bauer Group, Penta Manufacturing Company, Cepham Inc., Kefiplant, A.M. Todd Botanical Therapeutics, Amoretti, FLAVEX Naturextrakte GmbH, DaXingAnLing Lingonberry Organic Foodstuffs Co., Ltd., and NOW Foods among others.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Windshield Wiper Blades Market 2017 - Industry Research Report : Bosch, Valeo, Federal, Mogul, Denso

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Windshield Wiper Blades Market 2017 - Industry Research Report" to its huge collection of research reports.The global market for Windshield Wiper Blades has been noticeable on several causes that are on the threshold or have already had a major impact on the progress of the market in more than a few contexts. The market intelligence report further articulates different information and numbers concerning to the global Windshield Wiper Blades market. The principal aim of the publication is to point out certain encouraging and challenging dynamics regarding the global market so that possible investors have a decent view concerning it. Dissimilar facts and statistics have been thus put into view for providing a comprehensive transcript of the respective market to the readers of the market report. The market research report furthermore adds aspects such as forecasts, limitations, and influencers for gaging the outcome of them on the desired market for both the regional and the global level. The market study also presents a brief yet exclusive indispensable information of the global market in query, which contains many clarifications of the main facets which are expected to trigger improvement in the market or cause negative influence.The major players in global Windshield Wiper Blades market includeBoschValeoFederal-MogulDensoTricoMitsubaGatesHELLAITWDOGACAPICHIKOHKCWLukasiAIDOGuoyuMETOSandollyFill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @This report goes into additional depth of the global market for Windshield Wiper Blades by precisely evaluating the assembly and commercial shackle of the compatible market. This is anticipated to accompanying aid in the distribution of truthful data and statistics on countless causes of the corresponding market such as gen relating to canons of the government in the constituency and global level, structure and circulation assembly, industrial capacity, bulk traded, and revenue made among several others.The research report is imperfect without a thorough estimation of the supplier background of the global Windshield Wiper Blades market, which includes the actualities and statistics, undertakings and establishments of the worthy in the global Windshield Wiper Blades market. The market study also conveys a comprehensive review of the key areas detailed in the report of the global market for Windshield Wiper Blades. For every stretch, the report expresses the array of growth so far and consent on what suppliers can do for ensuring success over the coming years.Table of Contents1 Windshield Wiper Blades Market Overview11.1 Product Overview and Scope of Windshield Wiper Blades11.2 Windshield Wiper Blades Segment by Types (Product Category)21.2.1 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Sales and Growth Rate (%) Comparison by Types (Product Category) (2012-2022F)21.2.2 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Production Market Share (%) by Types (Product Category) in 201631.2.3 Bone wiper31.2.4 Boneless wiper41.3 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Segment by Applications51.4 Windshield Wiper Blades Market by Regions62 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Market Competition by Manufacturers142.1 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Production and Share by Manufacturers (2016-2017E)142.2 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2016-2017E)172.3 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Average Ex-factory Price by Manufacturers (2016-2017E)202.4 Windshield Wiper Blades Market Competitive Situation22Browse Complete Report with TOC @3 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Sales, Revenue by Regions (2012-2017E)233.1 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Production and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017E)233.2 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017E)253.3 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Production, Revenue and Price (2012-2017E)274 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Consumption by Regions (2012-2017E)294.1 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Consumption by Regions (2012-2017E)294.2 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Consumption Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017E)315 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Sales and Market Share by Types335.1 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Sales and Market Share by Types (2012-2017E)335.2 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Sales Growth by Type (2012-2017E)35List of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of Windshield Wiper Blades1Table Global Windshield Wiper Blades Sales and Growth Rate (%) Comparison by Types (2016-2022F)2Figure Global Windshield Wiper Blades Sales Market Share (%) by Types (Product Category) in 20163Figure Product Picture of Bone wiper4Figure Product Picture of Boneless wiper4Table Global Windshield Wiper Blades Consumption (M Units) Comparison by Applications (2012-2022F)5Figure Global Windshield Wiper Blades Consumption (M Units) Market Share (%) by Applications in 20165Figure North America Windshield Wiper Blades Sales Volume (M Units) and Growth Rate (2012-2022F)6Figure China Windshield Wiper Blades Sales Volume (M Units) and Growth Rate (2012-2022F)7About 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 UsBrooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:
Global Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Professional Survey Report 2017

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This report studies Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringOsram Opto Semiconductors GmbHPerkinelmerCitizen Electronics Co. LtdCree IncSeoul Semiconductor Co. LtdGE LightingEnlux LighitngEMTEQProphotonixCooper LightingLumiShoreLtdPhilips Lumileds Lighting CoSamsung Electronics Co. LtdLeiso Lighting TechLuminageBy types, the market can be split intoEnergy efficient typeOtherBy Application, the market can be split intoIlluminationAutomotiveBacklightingClick Here To Download Sample Report Copy:By Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of ContentsGlobal Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Professional Survey Report 20171 Industry Overview of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode1.1 Definition and Specifications of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode1.1.1 Definition of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode1.1.2 Specifications of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode1.2 Classification of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode1.2.1 Energy efficient type1.2.2 Other1.3 Applications of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode1.3.1 Illumination1.3.2 Automotive1.3.3 Backlighting1.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 India2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Major Manufacturers in 20163.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Major Manufacturers in 20163.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Major Manufacturers in 20163.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Major Manufacturers in 20164 Global Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Overall Market Overview4.1 2012-2017E Overall Market Analysis4.2 Capacity Analysis4.2.1 2012-2017E Global Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis4.2.2 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)4.3 Sales Analysis4.3.1 2012-2017E Global Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales and Growth Rate Analysis4.3.2 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales Analysis (Company Segment)4.4 Sales Price Analysis4.4.1 2012-2017E Global Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales Price4.4.2 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment)5 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Regional Market Analysis5.1 North America Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Analysis5.1.1 North America Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Overview5.1.2 North America 2012-2017E Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.1.3 North America 2012-2017E Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales Price Analysis5.1.4 North America 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Share Analysis5.2 China Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Analysis5.2.1 China Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Overview5.2.2 China 2012-2017E Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.2.3 China 2012-2017E Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales Price Analysis5.2.4 China 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Share Analysis5.3 Europe Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Analysis5.3.1 Europe Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Overview5.3.2 Europe 2012-2017E Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.3.3 Europe 2012-2017E Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales Price Analysis5.3.4 Europe 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Share Analysis5.4 Southeast Asia Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Analysis5.4.1 Southeast Asia Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Overview5.4.2 Southeast Asia 2012-2017E Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.4.3 Southeast Asia 2012-2017E Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales Price Analysis5.4.4 Southeast Asia 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Share Analysis5.5 Japan Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Analysis5.5.1 Japan Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Overview5.5.2 Japan 2012-2017E Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.5.3 Japan 2012-2017E Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales Price Analysis5.5.4 Japan 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Share Analysis5.6 India Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Analysis5.6.1 India Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Overview5.6.2 India 2012-2017E Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.6.3 India 2012-2017E Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales Price Analysis5.6.4 India 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Share Analysis6 Global 2012-2017E Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Segment Market Analysis (by Type)6.1 Global 2012-2017E Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales by Type6.2 Different Types of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Product Interview Price Analysis6.3 Different Types of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Product Driving Factors Analysis6.3.1 Energy efficient type of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Growth Driving Factor Analysis6.3.2 Other of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Growth Driving Factor Analysis7 Global 2012-2017E Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Segment Market Analysis (by Application)7.1 Global 2012-2017E Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Consumption by Application7.2 Different Application of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Product Interview Price Analysis7.3 Different Application of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Product Driving Factors Analysis7.3.1 Illumination of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Growth Driving Factor Analysis7.3.2 Automotive of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Growth Driving Factor Analysis7.3.3 Backlighting of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Growth Driving Factor Analysis8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode8.1 Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH8.1.1 Company Profile8.1.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.1.2.1 Product A8.1.2.2 Product B8.1.3 Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.1.4 Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Business Region Distribution Analysis8.2 Perkinelmer8.2.1 Company Profile8.2.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.2.2.1 Product A8.2.2.2 Product B8.2.3 Perkinelmer 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.2.4 Perkinelmer 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Business Region Distribution Analysis8.3 Citizen Electronics Co. Ltd8.3.1 Company Profile8.3.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.3.2.1 Product A8.3.2.2 Product B8.3.3 Citizen Electronics Co. Ltd 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.3.4 Citizen Electronics Co. Ltd 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Business Region Distribution Analysis8.4 Cree Inc8.4.1 Company Profile8.4.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.4.2.1 Product A8.4.2.2 Product B8.4.3 Cree Inc 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.4.4 Cree Inc 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Business Region Distribution Analysis8.5 Seoul Semiconductor Co. Ltd8.5.1 Company Profile8.5.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.5.2.1 Product A8.5.2.2 Product B8.5.3 Seoul Semiconductor Co. Ltd 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.5.4 Seoul Semiconductor Co. Ltd 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Business Region Distribution Analysis8.6 GE Lighting8.6.1 Company Profile8.6.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.6.2.1 Product A8.6.2.2 Product B8.6.3 GE Lighting 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.6.4 GE Lighting 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Business Region Distribution Analysis8.7 Enlux Lighitng8.7.1 Company Profile8.7.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.7.2.1 Product A8.7.2.2 Product B8.7.3 Enlux Lighitng 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.7.4 Enlux Lighitng 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Business Region Distribution Analysis8.8 EMTEQ8.8.1 Company Profile8.8.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.8.2.1 Product A8.8.2.2 Product B8.8.3 EMTEQ 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.8.4 EMTEQ 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Business Region Distribution Analysis8.9 Prophotonix8.9.1 Company Profile8.9.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.9.2.1 Product A8.9.2.2 Product B8.9.3 Prophotonix 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.9.4 Prophotonix 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Business Region Distribution Analysis8.10 Cooper Lighting8.10.1 Company Profile8.10.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.10.2.1 Product A8.10.2.2 Product B8.10.3 Cooper Lighting 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.10.4 Cooper Lighting 2016 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Business Region Distribution Analysis8.11 LumiShoreLtd8.12 Philips Lumileds Lighting Co8.13 Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd8.14 Leiso Lighting Tech8.15 Luminage9 Development Trend of Analysis of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market9.1 Global Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Trend Analysis9.1.1 Global 2017-2022 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Size (Volume and Value) Forecast9.1.2 Global 2017-2022 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Sales Price Forecast9.2 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Regional Market Trend9.2.1 North America 2017-2022 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Consumption Forecast9.2.2 China 2017-2022 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Consumption Forecast9.2.3 Europe 2017-2022 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Consumption Forecast9.2.4 Southeast Asia 2017-2022 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Consumption Forecast9.2.5 Japan 2017-2022 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Consumption Forecast9.2.6 India 2017-2022 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Consumption Forecast9.3 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Trend (Product Type)9.4 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Trend (Application)10 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Marketing Type Analysis10.1 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Regional Marketing Type Analysis10.2 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode International Trade Type Analysis10.3 Traders or Distributors with Contact Information of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode by Region10.4 Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Supply Chain Analysis11 Consumers Analysis of Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode11.1 Consumer 1 Analysis11.2 Consumer 2 Analysis11.3 Consumer 3 Analysis11.4 Consumer 4 Analysis12 Conclusion of the Global Chip on Board (COB) Light Emitting Diode Market Professional Survey Report 2017MethodologyAnalyst IntroductionData SourceBuy This Report from Here:Global QYResearch() is the one spot destination for all your research needs. Global QYResearch holds the repository of quality research reports from numerous publishers across the globe. Our invecntory of research reports caters to various industry verticals including Healthcare, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Technology and Media, Chemicals, Materials, Energy, Heavy Industry, etc. With the complete information about the publishers and the industries they cater to for developing market research reports, we help our clients in making purchase decision by understanding their requirements and suggesting best possible collection matching their needs.Cleveland Road
Shoe Packaging Market is Projected to Witness Dynamic Growth On the Account of Consumer Preferences and Emergence of Sustainable Packaging Materials

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Changing styles and fashion preferences of consumers are deeply observed by globally manufacturers of apparels and footwear. Shoemaking companies and retailers, both, are observing consumers behavioral economics to decide the packages in which these footwear should be put for sale. Shoe packages are of vital importance while transporting shoes down the distribution network. Their ability to protect and store cannot be compromised as faulty packaging can damage volumes of shoes, leading to product recalls of large consignments.Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @Shoe packaging varies from brand to brand, product to product. Casual shoes are available in packages that attract young consumer demographics, while shoe packaging for formal shoes involves elegant box designs and compartments. Likewise, product quality and materials in shoe packaging businesses also differ. Some shoe manufacturers demand for easy-to-dispose satchels, while others will look for sturdy boxes with ergonomic designs. Manufacturers in the global shoe packaging market are, thus, compelled to cater to such diversity, without downgrading the quality of their offerings.Shoe Packaging Market: Market DynamicsThe global market for shoe packaging is expected to witness dynamic growth on the account of  consumer preferences, emergence of sustainable packaging materials, and need for cost-effective designs. In developed countries, many consumers are attracted towards shoes that come in urbane handbags. Such preferences are profitable for growth of shoe packaging market in these regions. Manufacturers of shoe packaging products are also witnessing favorable support from emergence of sustainable materials. Government policies that are promoting the use of eco-friendly packaging is also observed as a driving force for growth of shoe packaging businesses.In addition to this, leading players as well as new entrants in the global shoe packaging market are adopting innovative designs that appeal the masses but also save costs on raw material outlay. Availability of such designs, and their compatibility in storing & transporting a wide range of shoe types is expected to boost in overall expansion of global shoe packaging market.Browse Market Research Report @Global Shoe Packaging Market: SegmentationShoe-types, type of shoe packaging and regions are three key segments upon which the growth of global shoe packaging market is analyzed during the forecast period.On the basis of shoe-types, the global market for shoe packaging market can be analyzed into:Running ShoesLoafersLeather shoesShort ShoesLong bootsCasual ShoesKey segments in the global shoe packaging market, based on the type of shoe packaging, include:Reusable shoe packagingSustainable reduced shoe boxesCorrugated boxesTubular packagingA regional segmentation of the global shoe packaging market follows:Western EuropeEastern EuropeLatin AmericaNorth AmericaMiddle East & Africa (MEA)Japan, andAsia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ)Growth of global market for shoe packaging is likely to remain concentrated in the APEJ region. Countries such as China and South Korea are observed as global manufacturing hubs, while vast consumer base in India is also strengthening the presence of APEJ region on the global shoe packaging market. Rapid industrialization in developing regions is also boosting the demand for shoe packaging, while developed markets are witnessing active participation from prominent global players. North Americas shoe packaging market is expected to emerge as a lucrative region, primarily due to proactive consumer lifestyles that are fuelling the sales of shoes across the US and Canada. Demand for shoe packaging in Western Europe and Latin America is expected to remain stable, while the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region will have a pale imprint on the growth of global shoe packaging market during the forecast period.Shoe Packaging Market: Key PlayersCompanies such as Packman Packaging Private Limited, Sneakerbox Co., Samrat Box Mfg. Co. Pvt. Ltd., Royal Packers, Precious Packaging, Elevated Packaging, Cross Country Box Company, and Zhuhai ZhuoYa packing product co., Ltd. are observed as leading participants in the global market for shoe packaging.About TMRTMR is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Frozen Food Packaging Market : Key Players, Growth, Analysis, 2017 - 2027

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Introduction:The growing urbanization and fast paced lifestyle means less time for cooking a traditional home cooked meal. In addition, the number of females going out for jobs has increased the dependency on readymade and convenience food. All these factors have led to the rise in demand for frozen food which further accelerated the growth in frozen food packaging market.Frozen foods are preferred over fresh foods, as it can be stored for longer periods and also can be prepared in very less time. The packaging for frozen food also increases the shelf life of the product and maintains the nutrition value for the food items. One of the reasons for the growth in the frozen food packaging market is that the packaging has become an important factor in the food industry and the continuous innovation and development in the packaging of food items attracts the customer and hence drives the overall growth in the frozen food market.Request Report Sample@Frozen Food Packaging Market Dynamics:The most important factor which has accelerated the growth of frozen food packaging market is the growth in the demand for frozen food. The global frozen food market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 4% during the forecast period of 2016- 2024. Some of the factors which have fueled this growth are dynamic lifestyle, urbanization, changing food habits, increasing disposable income, increase interest in international foods, increase in number of nuclear families and easy availability of products due to rise in number of retail chains. Furthermore, the increase in investments for innovative packaging and development of new features in the existing products by the vendors drives the growth in the frozen food packaging market. Some of the innovating packaging trends like tear notch, hanging holes, sealable zippers, single serve packaging further drives the demand for frozen food packaging market.Even though the frozen food packaging market looks attractive, there are certain factors that can offset this growth. One of the factor that acts as a restraint in the frozen food packaging market is that, there is a section of population that remain resistant to the use frozen food as they believe it is unhealthy and less tasty.Frozen Food Packaging Market Segmentation:On the basis of food type, the global frozen food packaging market is segmented into:Frozen Meat, poultry, and seafoodBaked goodsFrozen specialties (pizza, side dishes, breakfast food etc)Frozen Fruits and vegetablesFrozen potatoesFrozen SoupIce creamOn the basis of product type, the global frozen food packaging market is segmented into:BagsBoxesPouchesFilmsTraysTubs and cupsWrapsCansCartonsOn the basis of material, the global frozen food packaging market is segmented into:PlasticAluminumCardboardGlassWoodFrozen Food Packaging Market- Regional Outlook:Geographically, the frozen food packaging market can be segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Middle East & Africa (MEA). The global frozen food packaging market is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 5% during the forecast period (2016 -2024). North America and Europe are expected to witness a healthy growth in the frozen food packaging market due to high demand in packaged food and frozen food market. However, Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest rate, largely due to the developing economies like India and China where the demand for frozen food is on rise as more hypermarkets and supermarkets are coming up and also due to rising urbanization in these regions. Additionally, MEA is also expected to witness an above average growth in frozen food packaging market due growing retail network in the region.Visit For TOC@Frozen Food Packaging Market- Key Players:Some of the leading players identified across the globe in the frozen food packaging market are: Printpack, Inc., Amcor Ltd, Crown Holdings, Inc., Ball Corporation, Pactiv LLC, Bemis Company, Inc., Sealed Air Corporation, WestRock Company, Graphic Packaging International, Inc, FLAIR Flexible Packaging Corporation, International Paper Company and Huhtamaki N.A.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Tilley Aural Forceps Market Professional Survey Report 2017

Global Tilley Aural Forceps Market Professional Survey Report 2017

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The Tilley Aural Forceps Industry 2017 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Tilley Aural Forceps.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Tilley Aural Forceps 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 Tilley Aural Forceps 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.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringCompany 1Company 2Company 3Company 4Company 5......Ask a complete & professional report sample, please send message to tinaning@qyresearch.com or visit atTable of contents:1 Industry Overview of Tilley Aural Forceps2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Tilley Aural Forceps3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Tilley Aural Forceps4 Global Tilley Aural Forceps Overall Market Overview5 Tilley Aural Forceps Regional Market Analysis6 Global 2012-2017E Tilley Aural Forceps Segment Market Analysis (by Type)7 Global 2012-2017E Tilley Aural Forceps Segment Market Analysis (by Application)8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Tilley Aural Forceps9 Development Trend of Analysis of Tilley Aural Forceps Market10 Tilley Aural Forceps Marketing Type Analysis11 Consumers Analysis of Tilley Aural ForcepsRelated Reports:Global Tilley Aural Forceps Market Professional Survey Report 2017Europe Tilley Aural Forceps Market Professional Survey Report 2017China Tilley Aural Forceps Market Professional Survey Report 2017USA Tilley Aural Forceps Market Professional Survey Report 2017Korea Tilley Aural Forceps Market Professional Survey Report 2017India Tilley Aural Forceps Market Professional Survey Report 2017Contact Details:Company Name: QYResearch CO.,LIMITED | focus on Market Survey and ResearchTina| Sales ManagersEmail: tinaning@qyresearch.com Tel: 0086-20-22093278(CN)Web:QYResearch focus on Market Survey and ResearchQYResearch established in 2007, focus on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, data base and seminar services. The company owned a large basic data base (such as National Bureau of statistics database, Customs import and export database, Industry Association Database etc), experts resources (included energy automotive chemical medical ICT consumer goods etc industries experts who own more than 10 years experiences on marketing or R&D), professional survey team (the team member with more than 3 years market survey experience and more than 2 years depth expert interview experience),Excellent data analysis team (SPSS statistics and PPT graphics process team); QYResearch has always pursuit product quality, adhere to the quality is the soul of business.Room 2311 VILI International Building No.167 Linhe West Road Tianhe District
Biologics Contract Manufacturing Market : Information, Figures and Analytical Insights 2017  2027

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Biologics are genetically engineered proteins which originate from human genes. These drugs target the specific parts of the immune system. Biologics are entirely different from chemically synthesized drugs. There is wide range of biologics products include vaccines, blood components, allergenic, somatic cells, gene therapy and recombinant therapeutic proteins. Biologics are constituted as nucleic acids or proteins or may be cells and tissue from living entities. Biologics are isolated from different sources such as animal, human or microbes by using different biotechnological methods. Biologics are a complex mixture, and it is heat sensitive product and highly susceptible to microbial contamination. Therefore manufacturing of biologics needs very aseptic environment and skilled professional. Hence, the demand for biologic contract manufacturing has shown subsequent growth. The pharmaceutical companies are signing an agreement with CMOs for the manufacturing of biologics.Request Report Sample@Biologics Contract Manufacturing Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe factors driving the growth of biologics contract manufacturing are growing number of drug development by traditional pharmaceutical companies and the entrance of various small manufacturers in the pharmaceutical market. Increasing rate of drug approval by FDA and number drugs in the pipeline has also boosted the growth of biologic contract manufacturing market. Increase in generic drugs competition and rise in patent expiry has also propelled the growth of biologics contract manufacturing market. Increasing geriatric population and increasing the prevalence of diseases such as cancer are driving the growth of biologic contract manufacturing market. Production of biologics requires highly skilled professional and aseptic environment which will restrain the growth of this market. Beside that production of biologics are very complex and costly method which can again hamper the growth of this market.Biologics Contract Manufacturing Market: SegmentationBased on product type biologics contract manufacturing market is segmented into followingAntisenseCell TherapyGene TherapyGrowth FactorsInterferonsMonoclonal AntibodiesRecombinant HormonesRNA InterferenceVaccinesOthersBased on indication biologics contract manufacturing market is segmented into followingAutoimmune DisordersBlood DisordersCancerCardiovascular DiseasesDigestive DisorderEye ConditionGenetic DisorderInfectious DiseasesMusculoskeletal DisordersNeurologic DisordersRespiratory DisordersSkin DiseasesOthersBased on geography biologics contract manufacturing market is segmented into followingNorth AmericaLatin AmericaWestern EuropeEastern EuropeAsia Pacific excluding JapanJapanMiddle East and AfricaBiologics Contract Manufacturing Market: OverviewBiologics contract manufacturing is expected to show significant growth over the forecast period. Biologics cover around 10-15% of revenue from overall revenue generated by leading pharmaceutical companies. Biologics contract manufacturing market is expected to show double growth in every five years. This market is growing because of traditional pharmaceutical companies are unable for meet the need required for the production of biologics, besides that they are also the lack of skilled professional. Biologic contract manufacturing market can be classified by product type and indication. On the basis on product type biologic contract manufacturing market is classified as antisense, gene therapy, cell therapy, growth factors, interferons, monoclonal antibodies, recombinant hormones, RNA interference, vaccines and others. From all product type monoclonal antibodies is expected to dominate the biologic contract manufacturing market.Visit For TOC@Biologics Contract Manufacturing Market: Regional OverviewRegion-wise contract manufacturing market is classified as North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America is expected to dominate the biologics contract manufacturing due to rise in FDA approval in last decade. Western Europe and Asia-Pacific then follow this market. Western Europe is projected to show subsequent growth due to the high availability of skilled professional for the production of biologics. Asia-Pacific region is expected to show the fastest growth over the forecast period owing to rise in the number of CMOs.Biologics Contract Manufacturing Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in biologics contract manufacturing market are Boehringer Ingelheim, Lonza, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies U.S.A., Inc., Rentschler Biotechnologie GmbH, Celonic AG, AutekBio Co. Ltd., WuXiAppTec, Kemwell Biopharma, Shasun Pharma, Intas Pharmaceuticals, Syngene, Piramal Pharma Solutions, AAIPharma Services, Alpax Pharmaceuticals, Cantab Biopharmaceuticals Ltd, 3P Biopharmaceuticals, and BIBITEC GmbH.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Borate Mineral Market Segment Analysis, Major Player Revenue and Forecast To 2021

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Publisher's Borate Mineral 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 discussion of important industry trends, market size, market share estimates and profiles of the leading industry Players.The Players mentioned in our reportBoraxEtimine USAQuiboraxOrocobreMinera Santa Rita SRL (MSR)InkaborSociedad Industrial TierraSearles Valley MineralsRequest Sample Copy At:Regional Segment AnalysisUSAEuropeJapanChinaIndiaSouth East AsiaFor More Information About This Report:Table of ContentChapter 1 About the Borate Mineral IndustryChapter 2 World Market Competition LandscapeChapter 3 World Borate Mineral 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 Borate Mineral 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
Jug Shaped Bottles Market Demand is Expected to Rise as Plastic Oriented Packaging Manufacturers are Seeking new ways to meet the Sustainability Objectives

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The global market for jug shaped bottles is characterized by packaging manufacturers catering to custom needs of consumer brands. Consumer brands across industries are looking for new designs in packaging in order to grab consumer attention. Consumer markets are witnessing intensive competition on retail shelves wherein the visual appeal of the packaging plays a decisive role in the product being brought by customers.For more information on this report, fill the form @Jug shaped bottles are design modifications implemented in regular packaging bottles in order to make them visually attractive. Jug shaped bottles are commonly made of glass material. However, with extensive availability of cheaper polymers such as PET and HDPE, jug shaped bottles market offer immense opportunities for the supply of plastic jug shaped bottles.The market is also expected to witness jug shaped bottles being manufactured from non-petroleum based biodegradable polymers. Plastic oriented packaging manufacturers are seeking new ways to meet the sustainability objectives of their clients.Global Jug Shaped Bottles Market: Market DynamicsThe global market for jug shaped bottle caters to specific market segments such as food and beverages, personal care and toiletries. Majority of the products sold in food and beverages market are sold through retail channels. The design of the bottle modelled after a jug enhances the attractive appeal of the jug shaped bottle on the retail shelves. Jug shaped bottles with handle provide consumers with the ease and convenience to access the content within the bottle. Jug shaped bottle also offer multiple serving of the content as the packaging made of glass and rigid plastics are durable in nature.Jug shaped bottle manufacturers are supplying jug shaped bottles made of clay in order to present an exclusive product offering to premium brands. Clay jug shaped bottles are given antique look to suit the brand image of the clients. Jug shaped bottles are anticipated to stay niche packaging formats that are preferred by specific market segments.Jug shaped bottles are preferred by consumers not only for its attractive features, but also for its reusability. Jug shaped bottles made of glass and rigid plastics are reused for household purposes.Obtain Report Details @Attractive design, reusability and high utility among users are key factors driving the global jug shaped bottles market. Nevertheless, the global market for jug shaped bottles is expected to generate noticeable growth prospects in limited application areas.Manufacturers of jug shaped bottles are anticipated to consistently innovate in terms of bottle designs and functionalities in order sustain the preference among niche market segments.Global Jug Shaped Bottles Market: Market SegmentationThe global Jug Shaped Bottles market is segmented as per material type and by application type.As per the material type, the global jug shaped bottles market is segmented intoGlassPlasticClayAs per the application type, the global jug shaped bottles market is segmented intoFood and BeveragesVinegarAlternative DairyDairy ProductsOthersPersonal CareHomecare and ToiletriesOthersGlobal Jug Shaped Bottles Market: Regional OutlookGeographically the global jug shaped bottles market is segmented into 7 key regions including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan, and Middle East and Africa (MEA).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:
Household textile - Market Worldwide Overview by Revenue, Type, Growth and Forecast To 2021

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http://www.reportsweb.com/world-household-textile-market-research-report-2021

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Publisher's Household textile 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 discussion of important industry trends, market size, market share estimates and profiles of the leading industry players.Publisher Market Research states that the world Household textile market held an opportunity worth US$755 Million in 2015.The market is expected to expand at 5.7% CAGR over the period between 2016 and 2021.The players mentioned in our report:SpringsSheridan (Pacific Brands)Shandong WeiqiaoWelspun India1888 MillsAMERICAN TEXTILERalph Lauren CorporationZucchiWestPoint HomeMohawkPacific Coast FeatherFranco ManufacturingLuolaiFor More Information About This Report:Application Segment Analysis:homeofficeProduct Segment Analysis:PrintedEmbroideredWovenNon wovenHand madeStitchedRegional Segment Analysis:USAEuropeSEAChinaIndiaRequest Sample Copy At:Table of ContentChapter 1 About the Household textile IndustryChapter 2 World Market Competition LandscapeChapter 3 World Household textile 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 Household textile 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
Global Behavioral Health Software Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 - Allscripts, CureMD, Mediware, Kareo, EMIS Health, Credible, Qualifacts

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This report studies the global Behavioral Health Software market, analyzes and researches the Behavioral Health 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, likeCerner CorporationEpic SystemsNetsmart TechnologiesNextGen HealthcareAllscriptsCureMDMediwareKareoEMIS HealthCredibleQualifactsCore SolutionsTHE ECHO GROUPCareworksAskesis DevelopmentMindLincWelligentValant MedicalpsHEALTHiCareHealthAccumedicBestNotesTo Get a Sample Copy of this Research Report Visit @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, Behavioral Health Software can be split intoOwnership ModelSubscription ModelMarket segment by Application, Behavioral Health Software can be split intoHospitalsClinicsResidentialOtherExplore Complete Report in Detail @Table of ContentsGlobal Behavioral Health Software Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Behavioral Health Software1.1 Behavioral Health Software Market Overview1.1.1 Behavioral Health Software Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Behavioral Health Software 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 Behavioral Health Software Market by Type1.3.1 Ownership Model1.3.2 Subscription Model1.4 Behavioral Health Software Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Hospitals1.4.2 Clinics1.4.3 Residential1.4.4 Other2 Global Behavioral Health Software Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Behavioral Health Software 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 FutureQYresearchreports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations.QYResearchReports1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
2017 Global Optocouplers Industry Environment Development Trend & Forecast Report

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https://www.reportsmonitor.com/united-states-optocouplers-market-by-manufacturers-states-type-and-application-forecast-to-2022/

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An optocouplers, also called opto-isolator, optical coupler, opto coupler, photocoupler or optocouplers, is a passive optical component that can combine or split transmission data (optical power) from optical fibers. It is an electronic device which is designed to transfer electrical signals by using light waves in order to provide coupling with electrical isolation between its input and output. The main purpose of an optocoupler is to prevent rapidly changing voltages or high voltages on one side of a circuit from distorting transmissions or damaging components on the other side of the circuit.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Optocouplers in United States market, to split the market based on manufacturers, states, type and application.Browse Full Table of Contents and Report Description @Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers Fairchild Toshiba Avago (FIT) Vishay Intertechnology Renesas Sharp ISOCOM LiteOn Everlight Electronics Standex-Meder Electronics IXYS Corporation Kingbright Electronic NTE Electronics Plus OptoMarket Segment by States, covering California Texas New York Florida IllinoisMarket Segment by Type, covers Non-linear Optocouplers Linear OptocouplersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into Telecommunications Cable TV Military and Aerospace Industrial Motors Automotive OthersFor Requesting a Sample Copy of This Report, Please Visit @There are 17 Chapters to deeply display the United States Optocouplers market.Chapter 1, to describe Optocouplers Introduction, product type and application, market overview, market analysis by States, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the manufacturers of Optocouplers, with profile, main business, news, sales, price, revenue and market share 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 United States market by States, covering California, New York, Texas, Illinois and Florida, with sales, price, revenue and market share of Optocouplers, for each state, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5 and 6, to show the market by type and application, with sales, price, revenue, market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, to analyze the key States by Type and Application, covering California, New York, Texas, Illinois and Florida, with sales, revenue and market share by types and applications;Chapter 12, Optocouplers market forecast, by States, type and application, with sales, price, revenue and growth rate forecast, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, to analyze the manufacturing cost, key raw materials and manufacturing process etc.Chapter 14, to analyze the industrial chain, sourcing strategy and downstream end users (buyers);Chapter 15, to describe sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers etc.Chapter 16 and 17, to describe Optocouplers Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source.About UsReports Monitor (ReportsMonitor.com) is a platform to meet the 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. Decision makers can now rely on our distinct data gathering methods to get factual market forecasting and detailed analysis.Contact UsJay MatthewsDirect: +1 513 549-5911Email: sales@reportsmonitor.comWebsite:
Sintering Industrial and Market studies - Europe Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024

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"Sintering Market - Europe Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024" The Report covers current Industries Trends, Worldwide Analysis, Global Forecast, Review, Share, Size, Growth, Effect.Description-Europe Sintering Market: OverviewSintering is a manufacturing process in which metal alloys in powdered form are molded into unique and complex shapes by subjecting them to high temperatures just below the melting points of the metal alloys being used in the process. Sintering is an important stage in powder metallurgy and is followed by various stages in order to obtain an end product. Due to the superior qualities of sintered components such as abrasion and corrosion resistance and light weight, sintering is being preferred over other traditional methods for manufacturing components required for mechanical purposes.Get Sample Report With TOC @Since last few years, sintering is being used for manufacturing important automotive and aerospace components such as transmission gears, axles, etc. which require complex shapes. Technological developments are being made to improve the quality of these sintered components so that they can be used in defense as well. This offers a major opportunity for the manufacturers of sintered components as well the suppliers of raw materials in the coming days. Within Europe, Germany held a major share and is expected to witness growth at a constant pace during the forecast period as well.Sintering market in Europe is expected to grow at a steady pace in the future due to the wide range of applications in which sintered components are being used. Since the range of application is vast, the possibility of more players getting involved in sintering market is expected to be high. The market however may face obstruction in growth due to the imposition of various regulations by European countries to reduce the harmful effects caused to the environment due to the process of sintering.Europe Sintering Market: Key SegmentsThe study provides a comprehensive view of the sintering market by dividing it into materials and geography segments. The material segment includes some types of low grade alloy steel such as pure iron, Fe  Ni Alloys, Fe  Si Alloys, Fe  Co Alloys, 42CrMo4 Steel, and 100Cr6 Steel. These segments have been analyzed based on historic, present, and future trends.Country wise segmentation includes the current and forecast consumption of sintering in U.K., Germany, Italy, France, Spain, and Rest of Europe. Market segmentation includes demand for consumption in all the countries individually.Europe Sintering Market: Scope of the ReportThe report estimates and forecasts the Europe sintering market. The study provides forecast between 2016 and 2024 based on revenue (US$ Bn / US$ Mn) with 2015 as the base year. The report comprises an exhaustive value chain analysis for each of the segments. It provides a comprehensive view of the market. Value chain analysis also offers detailed information about value addition at each stage. The study includes drivers and restraints for the sintering 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 sintering market in Europe. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities mentioned in the report are justified through quantitative and qualitative data. These have been verified through primary and secondary resources. Furthermore, the report analyzes substitute analysis of sintering and average price trend analysis of Europe.The report includes Porters Five Forces Model to determine the degree of competition in the sintering 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 country. Growth rate, market size, raw material availability, profit margin, impact strength, technology, competition, and other factors (such as environmental and legal) have been evaluated in order to derive the general attractiveness of the market. The report comprises price trend analysis for sintered components between 2016 and 2024.Europe Sintering 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.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.Companies Mentioned in the ReportThe report covers detailed competitive outlook that includes market share and profiles of key players operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include GKN plc, Hitachi Ltd., Sumitomo Corporation, H.C.Starck GmbH, Metaldyne Performance Group, LLC. and Others. Company profiles include attributes such as company overview, number of employees, brand overview, key competitors, business overview, business strategies, recent/key developments, acquisitions, and financial overview (wherever applicable).The Europe Sintering market has been segmented as follows:Sintering Market  Material AnalysisLow Grade Alloy SteelPure IronFe  Ni AlloysFe  Si AlloysFe  Co Alloys42CrMo4 Steel100Cr6 SteelSintering Market  Country AnalysisU.K.GermanyItalyFranceSpainRest of EuropeFull Report @ResearchMoz 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.Researchmoz Global Pvt. Ltd.90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States,Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free),Tel: +1-518-621-2074
The Cards and Payments Industry in Russia: Emerging trends and opportunities to 2020

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MarketResearchReports.Biz presents this most up-to-date research on "The Cards and Payments Industry in Russia: Emerging trends and opportunities to 2020".GlobalDatas "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).Request For Sample Report @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.Complete Report Details @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.Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @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.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Financial Services: Wealth in the UK: HNW Investors 2017

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MarketResearchReports.Biz announces addition of new report "Wealth in the UK: HNW Investors 2017" to its database."Wealth in the UK: HNW Investors 2017", analyzes the investing preferences and portfolio allocation of UK HNW investors. The report is based on our proprietary Global Wealth Managers Survey.Request For Sample Report @London is a major wealth capital with competitive financial services, fintech, and property industries. HNW individuals from around the world reside in the UK, particularly London, for its attractive lifestyle and business opportunities. The majority of UK HNW investors are over the age of 50, with males accounting for the majority. Equity and bond investments constitute the greatest proportions of UK HNW portfolios, mirroring the regional average. UK wealth managers experience strong demand for financial products and services, with pension planning in particularly high demand.Complete Report Details @Specifically the report -- Profiles the average UK HNW investor in terms of their demographics and analyzes the expat opportunity in the UK.- Analyzes which wealth management mandates are preferred among UK HNW investors and how the demand will develop going forward.- Examines the allocation of UK 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 UK HNW investors.Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @Scope- Inherited wealth dominates among UK HNWs, but taken together the largest share has been sourced from family business ownership and first-generation entrepreneurship.- The vast majority of UK HNW investors prefer their wealth to be managed professionally, with 79.5% placed in discretionary mandates.- Asset allocation is heavily weighted towards equities and bonds. Wealth managers anticipate reduced demand for bond investments and greater interest in non-traditional asset classes.- Pension and financial planning services show the strongest demand, and this is not expected to change in the near future. Demand for inheritance planning will remain stable.Reasons to buy- Develop and enhance your client targeting strategies using our data on HNW profiles and sources 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 current and future demand for different asset classes among HNW individuals.- Develop your service proposition to match the product and service demand expressed by UK HNW investors and react proactively to the forecasted changes in demand.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Financial Services: Wealth in Russia: HNW Investors 2017

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MarketResearchReports.Biz presents this most up-to-date research on "Wealth in Russia: HNW Investors 2017".GlobalDatas "Wealth in Russia: HNW Investors 2017", report analyzes the Russian investment market, with a focus on the HNW segment. The report is based on GlobalDatas proprietary datasets.Request For Sample Report @Typically, Russian HNW investors are men over the age of 40 who have sourced their wealth through the mining and oil or construction sectors. Recent political and economic instability has driven more investors to ask for professional advice; however, they are still reluctant to relinquish control completely, preferring advisory mandates. Cash and bonds traditionally dominate the Russian HNW portfolio, and will continue to do so in the future. All planning services are forecast to see an increase in demand, but tax and financial planning services will be the most sought after.Complete Report Details @Specifically the report -- Sizes the affluent market (both by number of individuals and their demographics) using our proprietary datasets.- Analyzes which asset classes are favored by Russian investors and how their preferences impact the growth of the total savings and investments market.- Examines HNW clients attitudes towards non-liquid investments such as property and commodities.Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @Scope- The mining, oil, and gas industry is the major source of Russian HNW individuals wealth. The construction sector, while still important, is declining in significance.- Expats account for just a fraction of Russian millionaires, but their population is higher in Russia than in the rest of Europe.- Cash and bonds are the preferred asset classes among Russian investors, and they are expected to experience higher-than-average growth.- Investors largely prefer advisory mandates as they welcome guidance when managing their finances, but are reluctant to completely hand over control.Reasons to buy- Benchmark your share of the Russian wealth market against the current market size.- Forecast your future growth prospects using our projections for the market to 2020.- Identify your most promising client segment by analyzing the penetration of affluent individuals in Russia.- Evaluate your HNW proposition by understanding how the Russian tax system will impact HNW clients.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
The Cards and Payments Industry in Taiwan - Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2021

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MarketResearchReports.Biz announces addition of new report "The Cards and Payments Industry in Taiwan - Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2021" to its database.GlobalDatas "The Cards and Payments Industry in Taiwan - Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2021", report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the Taiwanese cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including credit transfers, direct debits, payment cards, checks and cash transactions during the review period (2012-2016).Request For Sample Report @The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry, and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation, transaction values and volumes during the review period and over the forecast period (2017-2021). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape, including the market shares of issuers and schemes.The report brings together GlobalDatas research, modeling, and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers details of regulatory policy and recent changes in the regulatory structure.Complete Report Details @The report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the Taiwanese cards and payments industry, including -- Current and forecast values for each market in the Taiwanese cards and payments industry, including debit and credit cards.- Detailed insights into payment instruments including credit transfers, direct debits, cash transactions, checks and payment cards. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments.- E-commerce market analysis.- Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the Taiwanese cards and payments industry.- Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit and credit cards.- Comprehensive analysis of consumer attitudes and buying preferences for cards.- The competitive landscape in the Taiwanese cards and payments industry.Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @Key Highlights- As part of government initiatives to promote electronic payments, the National Credit Card Center (NCCC) worked with Metropolitan Taxi Corp. to launch an app for hailing a taxi and making in-app payments in October 2015. Within three months of the launch, 2,000 taxis were providing an in-app payment service in Taiwan.- The Taiwan Financial Services Commission (TFSC) established a fintech office and a dedicated fintech development fund of US$31 million (TWD1 billion) in 2015. It legalized third-party payment platforms by amending the Act Governing Electronic Payment Institutions, allowing third-party payment companies to open virtual accounts to store funds and allow transfers between e-payment accounts. These initiatives are expected to support growth in electronic payments in Taiwan.- Rising smartphone use for payments and banks increased focus on cashless payments have led to a proliferation of mobile payments based on near-field communications (NFC). In 2014, the Taiwan Mobile Payment Company (TwMP) launched the T Wallet, based on host card emulation (HCE) technology, in partnership with 27 banks and financial institutions in Taiwan. The wallet allows users to store credit card details in the app to enable NFC or contactless in-store payments using smartphones. Global NFC mobile payment system Apple Pay plans to launch its services in Taiwan over the course of 2017.Scope- This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the Taiwanese cards and payments industry.- It provides current values for the Taiwanese cards and payments industry for 2016, and forecast figures to 2021.- It details the different demographic, economic, infrastructural and business drivers affecting the Taiwanese cards and payments industry.- It outlines the current regulatory framework in the industry.- It details marketing strategies used by various banks and other institutions.Reasons to buy- Make strategic business decisions, using top-level historic and forecast market data, related to the Taiwanese cards and payments industry and each market within it.- Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the Taiwanese cards and payments industry.- Assess the competitive dynamics in the Taiwanese cards and payments industry.- Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in Taiwan.- Gain insights into key regulations governing the Taiwanese cards and payments industry.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Marine Gensets Market is Expected to Grow at a Steady CAGR by 2022

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Gensets is a combination of an engine and various associated ancillary devices. The associated ancillary devices include a base, canopy, control system, circuit breakers, starting system etc. Marine Gensets are powered by diesel, gas or hybrid fuel and design to produce auxiliary power. They have gain importance in the marine industry to ensure safe and economic transportation of high value cargos and perishable frozen food. These Gensets are compact in size and occupies less space in engine room and comes with wide range of power capacity. They are easy to maintain and offers high efficiency and reliability.The report tracks the major market events including product launches, technological developments, mergers & acquisitions, and the innovative business strategies opted by key market players. Along with strategically analyzing the key micro markets, the report also focuses on industry-specific drivers, restraints, opportunities and challenges in the Marine Gensets Market. The scope of this report covers the Marine Gensets Market by its major segments, which include the types, applications, and the major geographic regions.Download Free Sample:KEY PREMIUM INDUSTRY INSIGHTSThe key reasons driving the growth of the Marine Gensets market includes increasing number of commercial marine freight carrier across the globe and rising demand from leisure carrier ships.Demand for hybrid fuel powered Marine Gensets is one of the key growth opportunity drivers for this market.However, factors like slow-down in oil and gas industry, stringent emission norms may hamper the growth of the Marine Gensets market.MARKET SEGMENTATIONThis report analyzes the marine gensets market by the following segments:Marine Gensets Market, by Fuel1. Diesel2. Gas3. HybridMarine Gensets Market, by Capacity1. Up to 1,000kW2. 1,001-3,000kW3. 3,001-10,000kW4. Above 10,000kWMarine Gensets Market, by Vessel Type1. Commercial Vessels2. Offshore Vessels3. Defense Vessels4. Other VesselsRequest for Sample:About Scalar Market ResearchScalar Market Research Inc. aspires to assist organizations from around the world to achieve their business goal with premium market research reports and consulting services. Our real-time industry tracking with the help of advanced analytics offers a crystal clear view of all the activities in niche markets. Our team, with thorough global understanding, works relentlessly to gather the necessary market insights, including customer analysis, competitions and global forecast.Find out more about our services at:Contact:8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave.,Suite 1300Chicago, IL 60631Tel.: +1-800-213-5170 (U.S./Canada Toll-free)Email: sales@scalarmarketresearch.comFollow us on LinkedIn:
Wealth in South Africa: HNW Investors 2017

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MarketResearchReports.Biz presents this most up-to-date research on "Wealth in South Africa: HNW Investors 2017"."Wealth in South Africa: HNW Investors 2017", analyzes the South African investment market, with a focus on the HNW segment. The report is based on our proprietary datasets.Request For Sample Report @More than 40% of South African HNW investors generated their wealth through earned income, mainly through manufacturing and the real estate and property sector. Most HNW individuals opt to have their assets managed by a professional, driven by a lack of expertise. However, clients who self-direct their investments do so mainly to avoid management fees and to retain exclusive control over some of their portfolio. Equities are the preferred asset class, but property, alternatives, and cash are forecast to experience notable increases over the next 12 months. Demand is quite pronounced for pension and inheritance planning, and a strong increase in demand is forecast across all planning services.Complete Report Details @Specifically the report -- Sizes the affluent market (both by number of individuals and their demographics) using our proprietary datasets.- Analyzes which asset classes are favored by South African investors and how their preferences impact the growth of the total savings and investments market.- Examines HNW clients attitudes towards non-liquid investments such as property and commodities.Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @Scope- Expats account for a below-average proportion of the HNW population, with UK HNW migrants accounting for the majority.- While equities dominate, demand for alternatives is forecast to rise rapidly as investors are looking for new means of diversification.- Despite a strong preference for discretionary mandates, 21.5% do not place their assets with a professional manager, which is double the global average.- Demand is strongest for pension and inheritance planning services, and will increase further increase over the next two years, along with demand for financial planning services.Reasons to buy- Benchmark your share of the South African wealth market against the current market size.- Forecast your future growth prospects using our projections for the market to 2020.- Identify your most promising client segment by analyzing penetration of affluent individuals in South Africa.- Evaluate your HNW proposition by understanding how the South African tax system will impact HNW clients.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
GiftsbyMeeta Announces the Rakhi gifts brother with same day delivery in Delhi NCR Area

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https://www.giftsbymeeta.com/gifts-for-brother

The gifting major, GiftsbyMeeta, for the upcoming festival of Rakshabandhan has announced the same day Rakhi gifts delivery for brothers in Delhi, NCR, for remaining places the same day delivery will be made with only rakhi and rakhi essentials arrangements, not as much as for Delhi NCR.GiftsbyMeeta, Indias one of the topmost Rakhi gifting websites, GiftsbyMeeta, has presented a great assortment of online rakhi gifts for same day delivery () in Delhi NCR so that the sisters stuck in the last moment can have the quick yet complete Rakhi gifting arrangement for her brother on their doorstep. For the GiftsbyMeeta, the major metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai drives the huge sales revenue and long these lines this announcement would be truly going to boost the Rakhi orders from these places. As there is always a huge number of orders asking for the same day delivery but due to the high frequency of orders, the logistic and delivery team have limited capacity to ensure the delivery on the same day basis. In order to tackle this issue, the company has created a special shell that will make the delivery on the same day basis.The product manager at GiftsbyMeeta briefed the media personals in New Delhi about this latest announcement:The other major rivals of the GiftsbyMeeta has the limited scope of delivery and have limited capability to offer the same day services during the Rakshabandhan eve due to the rush of orders in high numbers. Here, GiftsbyMeeta gets an additional advantage due to vast delivery networks, its tie up with many of the vendor in various cities as well as its stores located at various places across the country. The same day rakhi gifts delivery will be powered and served these resources which GiftsbyMeeta only have. The rakhi delivery will be available on the same day in Delhi NCR area, with the hampers consisting of almost everything that this offers except the personalized gifting things. The rakhi gifts for brother () will be delivered in almost all major metro cities on the same day basis but only the rakhi and another rakhi essential arrangement will deliver such rakhi, Diya, Roli and Chawal, Idols, Pooja Thali, Sweets, chocolates, and so on.GiftsbyMeeta is one window solution for complete gifting arrangement and the company is happily servicing the customers from across the world with its a broad and occasion, city and event specific gifts with same day delivery in India and standard delivery globally. GiftsbyMeeta started its operations in the year 2013 and it has now spread its footprints in more than 161 countries globally. The company is serving the customers with corporate gifts as well as the city specifc and festival specific gifts.Gifts By Meeta 10MG Road, 1st Floor, New Delhi Opp. Metro Pillar No. 47, Near to Sultanpur Metro Station, New Delhi
SEO American launches a subsidiary web portal for Questionaire Equestion.org

Vipin Nirwal, Marketing Head WWW.EQuestion.ORG

http://www.seoamerican.com

http://www.equestion.org

SEO American is a leading digital marketing company and it has just launched a new web portal for answering questions exclusively for search engine optimization queries. This is a site where people will get answers from leading experts in the market and will help clarify many doubts. This site is to help small businesses get the answer that they need to operate freely and efficiently in levels not known before.Speaking after the launch of this new web portal SEO American founding member and head of its marketing Vipin Nirwal said SEO is like an ocean and people have so many small and big questions that they need to be answered accurately and we being experts in SEO for over five years want to share our experience and knowledge to a larger audience. Equestion.org is just the right platform for that and the good news is that we have managed to rope in top experts from the industry who we have worked with and who are our competitors who have a terrific reputation in the market.Equestion.org is a platform which is meant to diversify SEO Americans role and this service is free and according to the head of content and SEO strategy Balaji Subramanian Equestion.org is a knowledge based platform and in the future, we also plan to publish articles and blogs. What we believe is instead of chasing people for business we want our organization to become the go to solution for all SEO and SMO related inquiries and solutions. We have some very interesting projects that we are working on and felt it would not be a bad idea to share our knowledge and if someone needs our expertise to help startups, small businesses and our specialty helping dental and hair transplant clinics.Website:Subsidiary web portal:Equestion.org is a simple Q&A portal where one will find answers given by industry experts who come from various backgrounds.USA Offices:Office in Los Angeles: 5250 Lankershim BLVD North hollywood, CA 91601Office in Nashville: 700 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203, USAIndia Office:157/4/9, Car Market, Kishangarh, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi- 110070
Camera Drones Market Analysis & Forecast 2022 Profiling DJI Innovations, Parrot S.A, Denel SOC

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The growing Drone industry has provided a major boost to the Global Camera Drones Market as more people are shifting their preferences to compact and lightweight Camera Drones carrying options. The Market is expected to keep rising at a high CAGR and reach values of high millions by the end of the forecast period of 2017 up to 2022. The Global Camera Drones Market report covers every aspect of the Market including statistics and key insights for the customers.In this report, the global Camera Drones 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.Global Camera Drones Market Research Report 2017 estimates the drivers, restraints, and opportunities pertaining to the global Camera Drones market over the timeframe of 2017-2022. Delivering the key insights pertaining to this industry, the report provides an in-depth analysis of the latest trends, present and future business scenario, market size and share, and commercialization potential of the Camera Drones industry over the coming five years.Request Simple for Global Camera Drones Market Research Report @The industry is analyzed in terms of products, applications, regions, and the key manufacturers holding a prominent share of the global revenue.In terms of end-user or applications, the report is Ariel Photography, Surveillance, Precision Agriculture. A detailed analysis of the contribution of these application segments to the overall market revenue and volume has been included in the report.The product landscape of 3-axis, 4-axis, 6-axis. Each product has been analyzed in terms of its production, capacity, and consumption. The report further details the market share to be procured by each of these products over the coming years.Request Discount for Global Camera Drones Market Research Report @The regional segmentation of the report includes North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and India. Detailing the consumption and production rate of Camera Droness in these regions, the report outlines the growth curve of this industry in terms of market volume and share over 2017-2022.The competitive landscape of the Camera Drones market profiles the top players participating in the global business space. These are DJI Innovations, Parrot S.A, Denel SOC, Aurora Flight, Draganfly. The report also details the market positioning, strategies, and revenue procured by each of these manufacturers.For More Info on Market Research @Related Reports: -Global Aerobatic Aircraft Market Research Report 2017In this report, the global Aerobatic Aircraft 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.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:
The Cards and Payments Industry in Turkey: Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2020

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MarketResearchReports.Biz announces addition of new report "The Cards and Payments Industry in Turkey: Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2020" to its database.GlobalDatas "The Cards and Payments Industry in Turkey: Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2020", report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the Turkish cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including credit transfers, payment cards and checks during the review period (2012-2016).Request For Sample Report @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 (2016-2020). 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.Complete Report Details @The report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the Turkish cards and payments industry, including -- Current and forecast values for each market in the Turkish cards and payments industry, including debit and credit cards.- Detailed insights into payment instruments including credit transfers, checks, and payment cards. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments.- E-commerce market analysis and payment methods.- Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the Turkish cards and payments industry.- Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit and credit cards.Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @Scope- BKM introduced a national payment clearing system, Turkeys Payment Method (Troy), in April 2016 to increase competition in the debit cards market. Troy entered into agreements with all banks to offer Troy-branded debit cards in the country. Troys processing fee is lower than its competitors, making it more viable for small retailers to accept cards, increasing overall acceptance.- To increase credit card use in the country, the BRSA relaxed credit card installment payment plans and consumer loan restrictions by increasing the consumer loan maturity limit from 36 to 48 months in 2016. The installment payment period was raised on credit card purchases from nine to 12 months. In February 2014 the BRSA placed limits on credit card use in relation to income, and restrictions on credit card installments for certain products to tackle consumer debt and rising consumer and corporate loans.- Turkish consumer uptake of alternative payments is gaining traction, as both banks and payment service providers launch new products. The latest being the launch of the Yap Kredi Wallet app by Yap Kredi in 2016. The service enables registered users to add credit card details onto the wallet and make contactless mobile payments. Mastercard launched its MasterPass digital wallet in Turkey in June 2015, partnering with merchants such as Caff Nero, Bi Taksi and Getir, which ran promotional campaigns.Reasons to buy- Make strategic business decisions, using top-level historic and forecast market data, related to the Turkish cards and payments industry and each market within it.- Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the Turkish cards and payments industry.- Assess the competitive dynamics in the Turkish cards and payments industry.- Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in Turkey.- Gain insights into key regulations governing the Turkish cards and payments industry.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Industrial Insulators Market 2017 - Alstom, ABB Ltd., Siemens AG, Seves Group, MacLean-Fogg, Hubbell Incorporated

Industrial Insulators

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Global Industrial Insulators Market Report 2017 provides detailed analysis of Industrial Insulators market, enclosing detailed study of Industrial Insulators market for last few years and forecast up to year 2022. The Industrial Insulators market report analyses the global Industrial Insulators market from different angles to understand various factors impacting the global Industrial Insulators market.The reports enlightens the user with various applications, product type, end user of Industrial Insulators market. Moreover, the Industrial Insulators market report helps to understand the market trends, Industrial Insulators growth aspects, utilization ration, supply and demand analysis, manufacturing capacity, raw material price trend and Industrial Insulators price trend during the forecast period 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Industrial Insulators Market 2017:ABB Ltd.Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd.Hubbell IncorporatedSiemens AGAlstomSeves GroupMacLean-FoggLAPP Insulator GroupToshiba CorporationIndustrial Insulators Market Analysis: By ProductBy MaterialGlassCeramicComposite InsulatorsBy VoltageHigh VoltageMedium VoltageIndustrial Insulators Market Analysis: By ApplicationTransformersSwitchgearsBus BarCables & Transmission LinesSurge Protection DevicesInitially, the Industrial Insulators market report provides detailed information about major industry active into this market across all regions including the U.S., Europe, China, Japan, etc. Furthermore the market is characterized based on top geographical regions.In the later part, the Industrial Insulators market report shares information pertaining to the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Industrial Insulators industry, Industrial Insulators industry rules and policies, factors driving the growth of Industrial Insulators Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.To Enquiry Report Click Here:Global Industrial Insulators market report incorporates the major products which are in high demand currently along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Industrial Insulators market revenue worldwide.Finally, the report provides us with detailed market research finding and conclusion which helps the subscriber to develop profitable market strategies which will help to gain competitive advantage.About UsMarketReports.biz offers elevating market research worldwide. We have collection of various syndicated reports of different fields. Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank Valadez155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4250Chicago, IL 60606Toll Free: +1-855-918-5551 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +17739042683Web:Email: sales@marketreports.biz
Large Scale LNG Terminals Market 2017 - BP, Gazprom, Linde AG, PETRONAS, Statoil ASA, Cameron LNG, Exxon-Mobil Corporation

Large Scale LNG Terminals

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Global Large Scale LNG Terminals Market Report 2017 provides detailed analysis of Large Scale LNG Terminals market, enclosing detailed study of Large Scale LNG Terminals market for last few years and forecast up to year 2022. The Large Scale LNG Terminals market report analyses the global Large Scale LNG Terminals market from different angles to understand various factors impacting the global Large Scale LNG Terminals market.The reports enlightens the user with various applications, product type, end user of Large Scale LNG Terminals market. Moreover, the Large Scale LNG Terminals market report helps to understand the market trends, Large Scale LNG Terminals growth aspects, utilization ration, supply and demand analysis, manufacturing capacity, raw material price trend and Large Scale LNG Terminals price trend during the forecast period 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Large Scale LNG Terminals Market 2017:Exxon-Mobil CorporationRoyal Dutch Shell PlcSantos LimitedChevron CorporationNippon Gas Co. Ltd.ConocoPhillips CompanyStatoil ASACameron LNGGazpromBPLinde AGPETRONASLarge Scale LNG Terminals Market Analysis: By ProductLiquefactionRegasificationLarge Scale LNG Terminals Market Analysis: By ApplicationCommercialIndustrialResidentialInitially, the Large Scale LNG Terminals market report provides detailed information about major industry active into this market across all regions including the U.S., Europe, China, Japan, etc. Furthermore the market is characterized based on top geographical regions.In the later part, the Large Scale LNG Terminals market report shares information pertaining to the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Large Scale LNG Terminals industry, Large Scale LNG Terminals industry rules and policies, factors driving the growth of Large Scale LNG Terminals Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.To Enquiry Report Click Here:Global Large Scale LNG Terminals market report incorporates the major products which are in high demand currently along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Large Scale LNG Terminals market revenue worldwide.Finally, the report provides us with detailed market research finding and conclusion which helps the subscriber to develop profitable market strategies which will help to gain competitive advantage.About UsMarketReports.biz offers elevating market research worldwide. We have collection of various syndicated reports of different fields. Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank Valadez155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4250Chicago, IL 60606Toll Free: +1-855-918-5551 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +17739042683Web:Email: sales@marketreports.biz
Offshore Mooring Systems Market 2017 : Value Chain & Depth Analysis of Porters Five forces in West Africa

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Albany, New York, July 28, 2017 : Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of "Offshore Mooring Systems Market - West Africa Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024" globally.The market research study analyses Offshore Mooring Systems Market for West African region. It provides market estimates in terms of revenue expressed in US$ Million for a forecast period from 2015 to 2024. The report study thoroughly recognizes major drivers, restraints, key opportunities and analyses their impact on the market for the forecast period. The report provides in depth analysis of Porters Five forces and also identifies value chain of the offshore mooring systems market for the West African region.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @Offshore mooring systems assists anchorage of marine assets including vessels, barges, tugs and support vessels. Mooring is a permanent structure on which a vessel is secured or tied in. A mooring system collectively stalls free movement of a ship on water thus assisting it for its specific and desired use. Offshore mooring systems fixes the position of a vessel relative to a point on the sea-bed without any connection to shore. Mooring system includes anchors, mooring lines, shackles, steel/synthetic wires and chains. Vessel type and environmental conditions like wave / drifting forces, swell, wind & current forces determines component and equipments to be used in a particular mooring system.Recent fall and fluctuations in global crude oil prices has not deterred exploration activities in West Africa. The demand for energy, especially from exploration of oil and gas, is constantly on the rise. Major offshore production facilities are in Gabon, Angola, Ghana, Congo Brazzaville and Ivory Coast. New projects are also underway in this region which are expected to provide positive growth opportunities for the offshore mooring systems market. Most of the global major players in offshore mooring systems are entering West Africa offshore to expand market presence.West Africa Offshore Mooring Systems Market: SegmentationBased on the type of mooring systems, the catenary, taut leg system, semi-taut system, single point mooring, spread mooring and dynamic positioning are also expected to augment the West African offshore mooring systems market.Based on application of offshore mooring system, the market for West Africa is segmented into Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Vessels, Floating Drilling, Production, Storage and Offloading (FDPSO) Vessels, Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) Vessels, Tension Leg Platform (TLP), Semi-submersibles, Spar platforms and others mooring systems.Offshore mooring is utilized for renewable energy generation for offshore including wave and tidal energy. West African region is dominated by oil and gas exploration, renewable energy sites are under survey stage and are set to get momentum during the forecast period.West Africa Offshore Mooring Systems Market: Competitive AnalysisThe forecast period considered in the report is from 2015 to 2024 wherein strategic analysis of the offshore mooring systems for West Africa has been provided. The report has been segmented by type, application, anchorage and country for the forecast period. Leading players in the offshore mooring systems market have been profiled with the market strategies adopted by them, company overview, financial overview, business segments, strategies and developments.The companys included, but not limited to, are: SBM Offshore N.V., MDEC, Inc., Grup Servicii Petroliere S.A, Mampaey Offshore Industries B.V, FMC Technologies Inc., BW Offshore Ltd., Trelleborg Marine Systems, Timberland Equipment Ltd., Mooring Systems Inc., and Delmar Systems, Inc.Make an Enquiry about TOC @The report segments the West Africa offshore mooring market as:By TypeCatenaryTaut LegSemi-tautSpreadSingle PointDynamic PositioningBy ApplicationFloating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) VesselsFloating Drilling, Production, Storage and Offloading (FDPSO) VesselsFloating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) VesselsTLPSemi-submersiblesSpar platformsOthersResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMoz90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States
Global Surgical Knives, Scalpels Market - Opportunities, Challenges, Key Industry Players, Supply, Demand by 2021

https://www.radiantinsights.com/research/global-surgical-knives-scalpels-market-forecast-and-analysis-2016-2021/request-sample

https://www.radiantinsights.com/research/global-surgical-knives-scalpels-market-forecast-and-analysis-2016-2021

https://www.radiantinsights.com/research/global-surgical-knives-scalpels-market-forecast-and-analysis-2016-2021

The global surgical knives and scalpels market is projected to attain lucrative revenue by 2021, according to a report available on Radiant Insights, Inc. It is expected to exhibit a decent CAGR throughout the forecast period (2016 to 2021). Increasing cases of surgeries is the key market driver. Technological advancements and pervasion of cardiovascular and neurological disorders can positively impact market growth in the forthcoming years.Surgical knives and scalpels are the sharp medical instruments used in surgical procedures. They come in two major types, namely, disposable and reusable. The blades are encased in sterile pouches to prevent infection from cuts. Double-edged scalpels are referred as lancets. Awareness of needlestick injuries has led to the development of safety scalpels and blade removers. These factors are anticipated to impel market expansion during the forecast period.Manufacturers focus on improving the existing designs of knives and blades to reduce the need for incision force. In 2014, Waters Corporation, one of the pioneers in the medical field, acquired MediMass, the inventor of the iKnife. Intelligent Knife or iKnife is an essential tool created for pathologists to precisely distinguish tumor from healthy tissue. It can detect cancerous specimens in tissue samples in duration of 20 to 30 minutes by relying on the smoke made during incisions.Request Sample Report of Global Surgical Knives and Scalpels Market here@The worldwide surgical knives and scalpels market is segmented on the basis of types, materials, applications, and regions. By types, the market is split into reusable and disposable knives and scalpels. The latter is expected to gain major market shares by the end of the forecast period. Awareness regarding surgical infections can boost the growth. Reusable scalpels find applications in ambulatory surgery centers as they save time and expenses.As per materials, the market is categorized into stainless steel, high carbon steel, and others. Others comprise diamond, zirconium, obsidian, and titanium. Diamond surgical knives are preferred in surgeries with high Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) usage, as steel blades would be attracted to the magnet. Scalpel blades are coated with zirconium to enhance acuity and sharpness.Key market applications encompass nursing homes, Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs), clinics, hospitals, and others. Hospitals are projected to gain major revenue over the forecast period. Surgical knives are used in ophthalmic surgeries and more prominently in LASIK and cataract surgeries. Clinics are expected to generate impressive revenue in the near future with the rise in by plastic surgeries triggered by the emphasis on physical appearance or esthetics.Browse Complete Report Summary with TOC here:By regional segmentation, the worldwide surgical knives and scalpels market is divided into Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East & Africa (MEA), North America, Europe, and China. North America is anticipated to lead the global market in the near future due to high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Preference for disposable instruments is expected to net the US market high revenues by 2021. Europe and APAC are expected to follow North America in terms of value. Rise in surgical procedures in Europe can attribute to the regional market growth, while collaborations of market leaders with local players can influence APAC over the forecast period.Prominent market players are Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), KAI Industries Co. Ltd., Aspen Medical, SteriLance Medical, and Alcon. Product innovations and acquisitions are some of the chief strategies adopted by most players to strengthen their product portfolio and expand their reach. Recently, the US based Misonix, Inc., entered a distribution agreement with Weigao Orthopedic, a Shanghai based medical equipment distributor to sell its products in Peoples Republic of China. Introduction of electrosurgery, minimally invasive surgeries, and other surgical procedures can further boost the sales in the forthcoming years.Buy Complete Global Surgical Knives and Scalpels Market Report @About Us:Radiant Insights is a market research and consulting company offering syndicated research studies, customized reports, and consulting services. Our market research studies are designed to facilitate strategic decision making, on the basis of extensive and in-depth quantitative information, supported by extensive analysis and industry insights. Using a patented and robust research methodology, we publish exhaustive research reports covering a host of industries such as Technology, Chemicals, Materials, and Energy.Media Contact:Michelle Thoras201 Spear Street 1100,Suite 3036, San Francisco,CA 94105, United StatesTel: 1-415-349-0054Toll Free: 1-888-928-9744Mail: sales@radiantinsights.com
Global Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) Market Predicted to Expand at a CAGR of 5.8% during 2017-2025

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Recently, the rising demand of battery operated devices in consumer electronics, automobiles, and telecom and networking, among others, have been at the forefront of fuelling growth in the global power management integrated circuit market (PMIC). According to a new study, these integrated circuits help in loss of power during distribution. By this way, they make devices smarter and efficient, this is one reason why they are seeing steady uptake. Market Research Hub (MRH) has freshly added this study to its massive database of research studies. The research titled Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) Market- Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2017  2025 has analyzed the potential of power management IC market and provides statistics and information on market size, regional analysis for the market.Request Free Sample Report:PMICs, which stands for power management integrated circuits, are electronic components that offer highly integrated, high-performance power management solutions in various end user industries such as automotive, consumer electronics, telecommunication & networking, and others. It functions by managing the flow of power from different power sources, namely batteries, USBs, and wall adapters while maintaining the current limit. At present, the consumer electronics segment accounts for a dominant share of the market because of the exploding market for laptops, smartphones, PCs, tablets, and other consumer electric devices. According to the key findings, the global power management integrated circuit (PMIC) market witnessed to surge rapidly at a CAGR of 5.8% during the period of 2017-2025, and it will attain a value of US$62.71 bn by 2025.The study provides a comprehensive analysis of market growth through the above forecast period in terms of revenue estimates (in US$ Bn), across various geographies. Besides, the report also identifies and analyzes the evolving trends along with essential drivers and challenges faced by the industry. The geographical segmentation covers major regions, such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America. Asia Pacific, among them, contributes the most to revenue because of the presence of a copious number of consumer electronics manufacturing and automobile companies in this region.Browse Full Report With TOC:The report further segments the market on the basis of product type and application. The different types of power management integrated circuit (PMIC) available in the market are voltage regulators, integrated ASSP power management IC, motor control IC, battery management IC, power factor correctors, microprocessor supervisory IC, switching controllers, and gate drivers. In this section, Porter Five Forces analysis and ecosystem analysis has been included.The key players profiled in the global PMIC market include Texas Instruments, Inc., Maxim Integrated, STMicroelectronics, Mitsubishi Electric, Renesas Electronics Corporation, Samsung Semiconductor, Dialog Semiconductor PLC, Linear Technology Corporation, ON Semiconductor, Rohm Co., Ltd. and Semtech Corporation.Make An Enquiry:About Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (US-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News At:
EMEA Auto-Injectors Market- Analysis, Share, Revenue, Growth Rate, Forecast - 2022

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According to a report made available by Radiant Insights, Inc.; the auto-injectors market in Europe and Middle East & Africa (EMEA) is projected to attain significant growth in terms of revenue by 2022. It is anticipated to exhibit a high CAGR over the forecast period (2012 to 2022). Increasing prevalence of anaphylaxis, multiple sclerosis, high geriatric population, and production of biologics can play a major role in influencing market growth in the forthcoming years.Auto-injectors or autoinjectors are the medical devices used for self-administration of medicines. They are mostly used for the treatment of anaphylaxis or allergy attacks. Auto injectors have a built-in safety mechanism to prevent needle injuries. Some of the devices are designed for a single use, after which they lock themselves. Rising cases of allergies and supportive government policies mandating autoinjectors on school campuses can benefit manufacturers in the near future.Request Sample Report of EMEA Auto-Injectors Market here@Manufacturers in the auto-injectors market focus on improving needle strength and device materials to handle drug strength. They are integrating safety mechanisms to enhance the existing devices. Transition of the route of delivery from subcutaneous or muscular points to intradermal is expected to provide new avenues for development over the forecast period. Smart auto-injectors are also gaining focus in the European Union for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Recently, Bayer Healthcare launched the first electronic autoinjector that can deliver BETASERON to multiple sclerosis patients. It can reduce the frequent inflammations caused by the disease.The auto-injectors market in the Europe and Middle East & Africa is segmented on the basis of types, applications, and regions. By types, the market is split into disposable and reusable auto-injectors. Disposable devices are non-reusable after a single use, while the latter can be used by refilling the syringe with the appropriate drug. Concerns regarding needlestick injuries can lead to immense demand for disposable auto-injectors in the forthcoming years. Reusable autoinjectors are primarily used to deliver growth hormones.Browse Complete Report Summary with TOC here:Major market applications comprise clinics, hospitals, and others. Hospitals and clinics can drive the demand for disposable auto-injectors to protect the medical staff from needle injuries. In addition, these devices can prove vital in case of a virus breakout. Clinics in the UK provide appropriate training to the first-time users about the drug administration and daily or weekly dosage. They provide these devices to opioid addicts to prevent any infections from these needles.Regions covered in the EMEA market are South Africa, Algeria, Nigeria, Egypt, Benelux, France, Germany, Russia, United Kingdom (UK), Italy, Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates (UAE). In 2016, the UK was one of the biggest market contributors followed by France and Germany. In May 2017, Schreiner MediPharm, a German label solution provider, has created special labels for autoinjectors with easily removable seals. The area beneath the label can be used for documenting patient information. It also comes with an integrated near-field communication (NFC) chip for additional authentication and security purposes.Prominent players operating in the auto-injectors market are Novartis International AG; Sanofi S.A.; Mylan, Inc.; Ypsomed Holding AG; and Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD). Mylan dominated the global market due to its proprietary product, EpiPen. But the recent price hike and availability of generic versions forced the company to redevelop its marketing strategy. Ypsomed Holding AG recently launched its 2.25 ml disposable autoinjector. It can dispense higher volume of drugs. The company has also subsequently developed wearable injectors with the capacity to deliver biologic drugs intravenously.Buy Complete EMEA Auto-Injectors Market Report @About Us:Radiant Insights is a market research and consulting company offering syndicated research studies, customized reports, and consulting services. Our market research studies are designed to facilitate strategic decision making, on the basis of extensive and in-depth quantitative information, supported by extensive analysis and industry insights. Using a patented and robust research methodology, we publish exhaustive research reports covering a host of industries such as Technology, Chemicals, Materials, and Energy.Media Contact:Michelle Thoras201 Spear Street 1100,Suite 3036, San Francisco,CA 94105, United StatesTel: 1-415-349-0054Toll Free: 1-888-928-9744Mail: sales@radiantinsights.com
Smart Factory Market - Future Scope Detailed Analysis to 2025

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Global Smart Factory Market: OverviewThe global smart factory sector has been propelled by the need for efficient and precise ways of operating a manufacturing unit. The increasing adoption of industrial robots in the global manufacturing sector was the first step for the smart factory market. Modern factories incorporate sophisticated industrial robotic systems, Internet of Things technology, and machine communication technology to enable smooth automated manufacturing. The rising government support to the smart factory sector, due to their increased output and the benefit of the same on the nations economy, is likely to enable sustained growth of the smart factory market in the coming years.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Smart Factory Market: Key TrendsThe rising demand for industrial robots and the steady technological progression of the industrial robotics sector is one of the key drivers for the global smart factory market. Industrial robots offer significantly higher precision and a lower error rate than human workers. Large-scale use of industrial robots also raises the productivity of the manufacturing unit, providing a significant cost advantage. As a result, human factory workers across the world could find themselves without a livelihood following steady growth of the global smart factory market.The booming automotive industry is one of the prime consumers in the global smart factory market and is likely to remain influential in the smart factory sector in the coming years. Due to the rising need for extremely precise engineering in automotive design, smart factory solutions such as industrial robotics are becoming popular in the automotive industry. The steady growth of the automotive industry due to the rising disposable income of consumers across the world is thus one of the key drivers for the global smart factory market in the coming years. The rising automotive industry in Southeastern and Eastern Asia could play a particularly important role in the global smart factory market in the coming years.Request TOC of the Report @Global Smart Factory Market: Market PotentialSouth Korea is likely to be a leading regional market for smart factory technology in Asia Pacific due to rising government as well as corporate interest. The South Korean government had earlier set the target of having 10,000 smart factories operational in the country by 2020. In April 2017, the government extended its support to the smart factory market in the country by upping the target to 30,000 smart factories by 2025. South Koreas determination to remain a leading light in the industrial sector has made it a pioneer in terms of the adoption of digital and automation technologies, which is likely to benefit the smart factory market immensely in the coming years.Global Smart Factory Market: Geographical DynamicsDeveloping countries in Asia Pacific are likely to be the dominant leaders in the global smart factory market in the coming years. Apart from South Korea, the smart factory market has also received steady government support in China, Japan, Taiwan, and India. The rapid pace of urbanization in these dynamic economies is a prime factor aiding the smart factory markets growth in the region.Get a discount @Global Smart Factory Market: Competitive DynamicsThe global smart factory market is dominated by companies that have established mutually beneficial partnerships with technology companies. Fanuc-Cisco and Kuka-Huawei are among the leading lights in the global smart factory market. ABB-IBM, a relatively recent collaboration, could also play a key role in the development of the global smart factory market in the coming years. Other key players in the global smart factory market include Emerson Electric Co., General Electric Co., Atos SE, Schneider Electric SE, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbH, Siemens AG, and Yaskawa Electric.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth researh of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Smart Meters Market - Future Scope Detailed Analysis to 2025

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Global Smart Meters Market: OverviewSmart meters are electronic devices that keep track of electric energy, gas, and water consumption in uniform time intervals and sends the information digitally to utility for monitoring and billing. They have been designed to better understand energy usage and ensure accurate energy bills. Besides this, they are also effective in controlling the levels of radioactive emissions in the eco-system. Smart meters are used for electricity, gas, and water and can be deployed across residential, industrial, and commercial sectors. These meters use technologies such as advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and automatic meter reading (AMR).Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Smart Meters Market: Key TrendsGovernment policies are playing a vital role in the growth of the global smart meters market. The ever-rising demand for energy in form of electricity is compelling governments worldwide to pay attention to not just its production and transmission but also keep a check on losses due to theft and leakage. This is promoting the installations of smart meters across the globe. In addition, the growing emphasis on energy and water conservation is augmenting the market. The global smart meters market is also supported by the increasing deployment of smart grid. Furthermore, the rising awareness regarding environment conservation is stoking the growth of the global market.On the flip side, the lack of awareness among consumers is limiting the widespread adoption of smart meters. Moreover, the high cost of installation makes end users less willing to switch to these meters from traditional meters, thereby hampering the growth prospects of the market.Request TOC of the Report @Global Smart Meters Market: Market PotentialThe majority of key players in the global smart meters market are enjoying the encouraging policies by governments in several parts of the world to set up smart meters. For instance, with the digitization of the Energy Turnaround Act in July 2016 in Germany, the legislation established guidelines for initial smart meter rollout, which is set to begin in 2017. These guidelines lay the foundation for a new phase in Energiewende. Similarly, in the U.K. in July 2016, British Gas decided to offer free daytime electricity for one day per weekend to over 2 million customers who had smart meters deployed. Such initiatives encourage people around the world to deploy smart meters, thereby boosting the sales.Global Smart Meters Market: Geographical SegmentationThe North America market for smart meters is a highly lucrative marketplace for global participants. Continuous efforts by governments to improve the infrastructure pertaining to electricity, water, and gas supply along with deployment of devices that monitor and prevent their leakage are escalating the growth of the region. Governments in several parts of the U.S., and Mexico are rolling out smart meters at subsidized prices, which in turn is encouraging the growth of the market in North America.Get a discount @Asia Pacific, on the other hand, is an emerging market. The robust growth of the industrial sector and the pressing need for reliable systems to address growing electricity and water scarcity are driving the region. Besides this, the increasing investments in repairing and upgrading aging infrastructure and the booming concept of smart city are supplementing the growth of APAC.Global Smart Meters Market: Competition ScenarioThe high capital investment and technical acumen required for the manufacturing and distribution of smart meters is restricting new players from venturing into the global smart meters market. However, government regulations and strategic partnerships could help new players in overcoming high entry barriers. To deal with the high competitive rivalry, players are resorting to strategies such as product innovation and mergers and acquisitions. Some of the key companies operating in the global smart meters market are Itron Inc., Kamstrup A/S, Holley Metering Ltd., Landis+Gyr, Honeywell International Inc., and Toshiba Corporation.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth researh of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Anti-Money Laundering Software Market 2017 Trend, Analysis and Forecast to 2021

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Money laundering is a process by which criminals convert illegally obtained profit into seemingly legitimate funds. They hide the source of such profits and try to prove that they are from a legitimate source. Money laundering is a worldwide issue. The reason for criminals to launder their illegal funds is that they can later use this money in the markets without any hindrance and without the fear of it being tracked. Laundering prevents the funds from being confiscated by the police. In money laundering, once the funds are deposited in a foreign bank, they can be moved through accounts of shell corporations that exist mainly for laundering purposes. The high volume of wire transfers daily makes it difficult for law enforcement agencies to trace these transactions.Publisher's analysts forecast the global anti money laundering software market to grow at a CAGR of 11.07% during the period 2017-2021.For more information about this report:Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global anti money laundering software market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:- Americas- APAC- EMEAPublisher's report, Global Anti Money Laundering Software Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors- ACI Worldwide- EastNets- FICO TONBELLER- Fiserv- NICE Actimize- RELX- FIS- BAE Systems- Experian- Oracle- SAS- Thomson Reuters- aml360- AML Partners- AML RightSource- Safe Banking Systems- Truth Technologies- VerafinRequest Sample Copy atOther prominent vendors- Ascent Technology Consulting- Aquilan Technologies- Banker's Toolbox- targens- CGI Group- MemberCheckMarket driver- Increased need for automated transaction monitoring systems.- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge- Complexity of data interpretation.- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend- Increasing need for know your customer analytics.- For a full, detailed list, view our reportInquire for 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. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.Pune, India
Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) Market Shares, Strategies And Forecasts by 2025

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Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) Market: OverviewThe rising demand for higher level of encryption for voice to meet the security needs for public safety organizations is boosting the global terrestrial trunked radio (TETRA) market. The ability of terrestrial trunked radios to transfer data quickly as compared to the mobile communications earlier is also boosting their demand. Terrestrial trunked radio is a private, digital mobile radiotechnology, finding its application in medical, transport, security, and fire services. As all communications via terrestrial trunked radio are private and secure, they are increasingly being adopted. As vendors operating in the terrestrial trunked radio market are putting all their efforts towards realizing a secure, reliable, and efficient communication method so as to fulfill the needs of consumers, the market is witnessing a growth.Request Sample Copy of the Report @The demand for TETRA is also forecasted to increase in the coming years on account of the growing penetration of professional mobile radio (PMR) organizations. The growing usage of TETRA networks in the military and defense applications will further the growth of the market. Additionally, the high demand for consumer electronics will also help in furthering the growth of the global terrestrial trunked radio market.Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) Market: Key TrendsThe rising need for mission critical communication and radio communication devices to shift from analog to digital will create a heightened demand for the deployment of terrestrial trunked radio worldwide. The use of terrestrial trunked radio for supporting the disaster relief and next generation public protection communications infrastructure will also push the market towards growth. In addition to this, the increasing need for efficient communication for home security and also for emergency medical services will ensure a growth of the TETRA market in the coming years. However, the installation cost of TETRA networks is very high and can pose a challenge for the growth of the market.Request TOC of the Report @Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) Market: Market PotentialThe military and defense sector is the largest applications segment for the TETRA market. Portable radios with inbuilt TETRA are catering to the needs of critical communication needs in the military and defense sector, which require seamless operation.Companies such as Hytera Communications Corporation Limited, have developed PT580H Plus, which has tamper proof protection, making the device more secure. The data stored in the radio is thus protected from security attacks. Such innovations in the industry are likely to boost the adoption rates and thus drive the market for terrestrial trunked radio in the future.Get a discount @Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) Market: Regional OutlookOn the basis of geography, the global terrestrial trunked radio market is segmented into Asia Pacific, Latin America, North America, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa. Of these, Asia Pacific is projected to hold key shares in the market on account of the growing acceptance of TETRA networks and a rise in the focus on critical communication operations. North America is expected to be second leading regional segment. Europe is expected to be one of the lucrative markets for TETRA on account of high adoption of these networks for both commercial and public applications. Moreover, the presence of a large number of established vendors is also proving to be beneficial for the growth of the market in the region.Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) Market: Competitive LandscapeThe key players operating in the Terrestrial Trunked Radio market includes Motorola Solutions, Inc. (The U.S), Simoco Group (U.K), Hytera Communications Corporation Limited (The U.S), Airbus Defense and Space Corporation (France), Bitea Limited (U.K), Rohill Engineering B.V. (Netherlands), Sepura PLC (UK), and Cellular Systems A/S (Denmark).About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth researh of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
iCAD Inc (ICAD) - Product Pipeline Analysis Report 2017

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iCAD Inc (iCAD) is a medical device company. It develops and markets computer aided detection (CAD) solutions and workflow solutions for mammography (film-based, digital radiography (DR) and computed radiography (CR), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Computed Tomography (CT). iCAD products find application in detection and treatment of breast, prostate and colorectal cancers. The company markets products through direct sales organization, OEM partners, distributors and resellers. The company has manufacturing facility in New Hampshire and an operation, manufacturing, warehouse, research and development facility in San Jose, California. The company operates primarily in the US and it also exports products to various countries in Europe and Asia. iCAD is headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire, the US.Request Free Sample Report:This report is a source for data, analysis, and actionable intelligence on the companys portfolio of pipeline products. The report provides key information about the company, its major products and brands.The report enhances decision making capabilities and help to create effective counter strategies to gain competitive advantage.Scope:- The report reviews detailed company profile with information on business description, key company facts, major products and services, key competitors, key employees, locations and subsidiaries and recent developments- The report analyzes all pipeline products in development for the company iCAD Inc- The report provides pipeline analysis on all pipeline products of the company (by equipment type, by indication, by development stage, and by trial status)- The report covers detailed information on each pipeline product with information on pipeline territory, stage of development, device class, regulatory path, indication(s), application(s) and estimated launch date- The report provides detailed description of products in development, technical specification and functions- The report also covers ongoing clinical trials (wherever applicable) with information on trial name, trial objective, sponsor, trial design , trial status and phase, estimated start and end date.Browse Full Report With TOC:Reasons to Buy:- Develop business strategies by understanding the trends and developments driving the medical devices pipeline and technology landscape- Design and develop your product development, marketing and sales strategies by understanding the competitor portfolio- To formulate effective Research & Development strategies- Develop market-entry and market expansion strategies- Exploit in-licensing and out-licensing opportunities by identifying products, most likely to ensure a robust return- Plan mergers and acquisitions effectively by identifying key players of the most promising pipeline- Identify emerging players with potentially strong product portfolio and create effective counter-strategies to gain competitive advantage- Develop competition strategies by identifying the status and likely launch of the competitors pipeline products through review of the clinical trials, stage and of development, etc- Identify, understand and capitalize the next high-value products that your competitor would add in its portfolioMake An Enquiry:About Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (US-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News At:
Global Market For Pharmerging Is Expected To Rise At A CAGR Of 11.30% Between 2016 And 2024 And Reach A Value Of US$1.40 bn By The End Of 2024

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Pharmerging Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.Global Pharmerging Market: OverviewThis report on pharmerging market studies the current as well as future prospects of the market globally. The stakeholders of this report include companies and intermediaries engaged in the manufacture and commercialization of various pharmaceutical products as well as new entrants planning to enter this market. This report comprises an elaborate executive summary along with a market snapshot providing overall information of various segments and sub-segments considered within the scope of the study. This section also provides the overall information and data analysis of the global pharmerging market with respect to the leading market segments based on major products, applications and geographies.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The market overview section of the report explores the market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities that currently have a strong impact on the global pharmerging market and could influence the market in the near future. Market attractiveness analysis has been provided in all the sections of the report in order to explain the intensity of competition in the market across different products/materials/technologies/end-users/geographies. The competitive scenario among different market players is evaluated through market share analysis in the competition landscape section of the report. The section also includes competition matrix that analyzes the competition among some of the top global players operating in the market. All these factors would help market players to take strategic decisions in order to strengthen their positions and expand their shares in the global market.Global Pharmerging Market: SegmentationThe global pharmerging market is divided into: by product, by economic growth levels, by distribution channel and by geography. Product type segment of pharmerging market was divided into Pharmaceuticals (Branded Prescription Drugs, Generic Drugs (Branded Generics, Unbranded Generics), and OTC Drugs) and Healthcare (Medical Devices, and Diagnostic Instruments, Others (IT and record management)). On the basis of Economic Growth Levels the market was divided as - Tier  1, Tier  2 and Tier  3). On the basis of distribution channel the pharmerging market is divided as hospitals, clinics, retail pharmacies, e-commerce, and drug stores.The market for these segments has been extensively analyzed based on their utility, effectiveness, sales, and geographic presence. Market revenue in terms of US$ Mn and market volume in terms of units for the period from 2016 to 2024 along with the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) from 2016 to 2024 are provided for all segments, considering 2016 as the base year.Geographically, the pharmerging market has been segmented into five regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa (MEA), and Latin America. Each regional market for pharmerging market has been further categorized into major product, applications, material, and end-user segments considered within the scope of the study. Key country (U.S., Canada, Japan, Germany, France, U.K., Australia, Canada, China, Brazil, Mexico, India, etc.) market revenues have also been provided in different regional sections within the report. Market revenue in terms of US$ Mn and volume in terms of units for the period from 2014 to 2025 along with CAGR % from 2016 to 2025 are provided for all the regions and nations considering 2016 as the base year.Browse Detail Report With Full TOC @Companies Mentioned in the Research ReportThe report profiles key manufacturers in the pharmerging market based on various attributes such as company details, SWOT analysis, strategic overview, financials, and business overview. Major players profiled in this report include Abbott Laboratories, Koninklijke Philips N.V., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis AG, Johnson & Johnson, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline plc., LUPIN, Tata Consultancy Services Limited, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Huadong Medicine Co., Ltd., etc.The global pharmerging Market has been segmented as follows:By Product Type- Pharmaceuticals- Branded Prescription Drugs- Generic Drugs- Branded Generics- Unbranded Generics- OTC Drugs- Healthcare- Medical Devices- Diagnostic Instruments- Others (IT and record management)By Indications- Lifestyle Diseases- Cancer and autoimmune diseases- Infectious Diseases- OthersBy Distribution Channel- Hospitals- Clinics- Retail Pharmacies- E-commerce- Drug StoresBy Region- Europe- Asia Pacific- Latin America- Middle East and AfricaMake 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 @
Current Trends and Future Growth in Timing Devices Market

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Global Timing Devices Market: OverviewThe three broad segments of timing devices are semiconductor clocks, oscillators, and resonators. Timing devices are the semiconductor components bringing about timely performance of electronic products. Small timing devices are usually pocket instruments and wrist instruments and the larger ones are typically table and the panel-mounted units, which includes demonstrational timers.Timing devices run on electricity and have a digital display. Akin to clocks and the watches, timers have a basic pattern of mechanical, electrical, and electronic movement for measuring time. They have a special type of mechanism for beginning, ending, and resetting the indicator hand, which allows the measurement of the elapsed time intervals.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Timing Devices Market: Key TrendsMajorly boosting the global timing devices market is the soaring demand from the consumer electronics and automobile manufacturers. Rising uptake of timing integrated circuits (ICs) in smartphones and tablets has also been bolstering the market.In the near future, the continued rise in need for microwave components in both the military and the civilian radar and in different communication applications is expected to push up demand for timing devices. Shipboard radars is also expected to stoke demand for timing ICs in the next couple of years, thereby catalyzing growth in the timing devices market.Request TOC of the Report @One factor posing headwinds to the global market for timing devices is the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry. Besides, MEMS oscillators synthesize the output frequency from a few MEMS resonator designs only. The presence of a PLL in between the MEMS resonator and the output prevents generating a good quality signal as the quartz based design. This is another factor dampening the growth of the timing devices market.Global Timing Devices Market: Market PotentialThe timing devices market can be divided depending upon the type of products into oscillators, clock generators, resonators, clock buffers, and jitter attenuators. Among them, oscillators form the most promising segment on account of its increased application in portable electronics and wearable electronics. Going forward, companies can also bet big on the resonators segment as it is slated to clock maximum growth as a result of miniaturization of electronic devices and soaring demand for semiconductor clocks in wearable devices.Depending upon materials again, the timing devices market can be segregated into ceramic, crystal, and silicon. The main end users in the timing devices market are consumer electronics, automotive, industrial, healthcare, etc.Get a discount @Global Timing Devices Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the key segments of the global timing devices market are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Asia Pacific, among them, is a key market on account of a burgeoning consumer electronics and automotive industry which has substantially driven up demand of timing ICs. Besides, swiftly increasing demand of MEMS and Crystal Oscillators in broadcast transmitters and mobile phones is also predicted to drive the market exponentially. Going forward too, Asia Pacific is slated to maintain its dominant position, powered primarily by countries such as China, South Korea, and Japan, among others.Global Timing Devices Markets: Competitive AnalysisTo assess the competition prevailing in the global timing devices market, the report profiles prominent companies such as Texas Instruments Incorporated, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Rakon Limited, Cypress Semiconductor Corporation, IQD Frequency Products Ltd., TXC Corporation, and SEIKO Epson Corporation.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth researh of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Safe Orthopaedics SA (SAFOR) - Product Pipeline Analysis and Growth Forecast Report 2017

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Safe Orthopaedics SA (Safe Orthopaedics) is medical equipment company that manufactures and markets minimally invasive devices for spinal surgery. The companys product portfolio includes implants and surgical instruments. It offers modular cervical cages, percutaneous auto-correction screws, modular anchorage screws, percutaneous auto-correction screws and leaner positioning cages. Safe Orthopaedics also provides pedicle screws and lumber cage instrument kits. Its instruments are used for the treatment of trauma and degenerative pathologies. The company markets its products through a network of distributors across Europe, South America, Africa and Australia. Safe Orthopaedics is headquartered in Paris, France.Request Free Sample Report:This report is a source for data, analysis, and actionable intelligence on the companys portfolio of pipeline products. The report provides key information about the company, its major products and brands.The report enhances decision making capabilities and help to create effective counter strategies to gain competitive advantage.Scope:- The report reviews detailed company profile with information on business description, key company facts, major products and services, key competitors, key employees, locations and subsidiaries and recent developments- The report analyzes all pipeline products in development for the company Safe Orthopaedics SA- The report provides pipeline analysis on all pipeline products of the company (by equipment type, by indication, by development stage, and by trial status)- The report covers detailed information on each pipeline product with information on pipeline territory, stage of development, device class, regulatory path, indication(s), application(s) and estimated launch date- The report provides detailed description of products in development, technical specification and functions- The report also covers ongoing clinical trials (wherever applicable) with information on trial name, trial objective, sponsor, trial design , trial status and phase, estimated start and end date.Browse Full Report With TOC:Reasons to Buy:- Develop business strategies by understanding the trends and developments driving the medical devices pipeline and technology landscape- Design and develop your product development, marketing and sales strategies by understanding the competitor portfolio- To formulate effective Research & Development strategies- Develop market-entry and market expansion strategies- Exploit in-licensing and out-licensing opportunities by identifying products, most likely to ensure a robust return- Plan mergers and acquisitions effectively by identifying key players of the most promising pipeline- Identify emerging players with potentially strong product portfolio and create effective counter-strategies to gain competitive advantage- Develop competition strategies by identifying the status and likely launch of the competitors pipeline products through review of the clinical trials, stage and of development, etc- Identify, understand and capitalize the next high-value products that your competitor would add in its portfolioMake An Enquiry:About Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (US-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News At:
Malt Ingredients Market Driven by An Uptick in the Sales of Malt Beer & Other Dairy Products

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Malt ingredients are the materials that brewers use to produce the wort that they then ferment into alcohol. The malt ingredients of a beer or whisky may vary widely in the number and proportion of ingredients.Malting is the procedure of converting cereal grains such as barley and wheat into malt, which may be utilized in applications such as brewing, distilling, and in manufacturing foods. The cereal grains are germinated by soaking them in water and consequently allowing them to sprout. Following this, they are dried with warm air. During the malting process, grain starches are transformed in simple sugars including glucose and fructose. Malt components are utilized by leading food and beverage enterprises in the form of food additives, which impart a palatable taste and color to the end product. The use of this ingredient also facilitates the modification or stabilization of the texture of various F&B products. The rising number of new food products launched on the market, especially those containing organic and herbal ingredients, as well as the growing demand for completely natural foods is creating new possibilities in the malt ingredient marketplace.Browse Market Research Report @Global Malt Ingredients Market: SegmentationThe malt ingredients market can be segmented basis source into the following: wheat, barley, and others (such as rye). Barley is commonly used as a base ingredient in the malting process. Likewise, wheat grains are also used for malting as they feature more proteins. The malt ingredients market can also be segmented on the premise of grade into special grade and standard grade malts (which as are also referred to as base malts). Of these two types of malts, it is the base malts that have diastatic power, which helps them convert their naturally occurring starches. On the other hand, specialty malts have very little diastatic power  this makes them integral to the flavor and color of the end product.Based on type of malt ingredients, the market can be segmented into: flour, liquid malt, dry malt, and others (such as flakes). Dry malt powder is widely used in numerous powder premixes and bakery products. The use of liquid malts is commonly made in syrups and toppings used on ice creams. Furthermore, flakes are typically sprinkled on bakery products as toppings. The market for malt ingredients can also be segmented on the basis of end use applications into the following: bakery and confectionary products, food products, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, dairy and frozen products, and others (such as animal feed and pharmaceuticals).Malt Ingredients Market: Region-wise OutlookSegmented on the basis of region, the global malt ingredients market can be divided into: North America, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Western Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Japan. The global malt ingredients market has been projected to display vigorous growth all through 2025 on account of the rising demand for different packaged foods and ready-to-eat products. With an increase in the amount of packaged food consumed and an upswing in the sales of non-alcoholic beer, the market for malt ingredients worldwide is predicted to follow a steady growth trajectory. Europe, especially, is expected to perform well and dominate the global market through the forecast period. The markets of Asia-Pacific and the Middle East and Africa (MEA) will also register robust growth thanks largely to the mounting demand for non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. New products under development in the dairy premixes and the soaring popularity of malt-based drinks formulated for kids will stimulate the malt ingredient markets growth.For more information on this report, fill the form @Global Malt Ingredients Market: DriversThe exploding population across the globe has positively impacted the demand for food, thus having a cascading effect on the demand for various ingredients used in the F&B sector. There is a spike in the number of health conscious consumers, too. This is helping the growth of the market.An uptick in the sales of malt beer and other dairy products that are malt-based will substantially drive the malt ingredients market, it is expected.Malt Ingredients Market: Key PlayersThe top companies that have gained a foothold in the malt ingredients market are: Cargill Incorporated, Axereal, Global Malt GmbH & Co. Kg, Crisp Malting Group, Ireks GmbH, Muntons PLC, Malteurop Group, and Simpsons Malt Ltd.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Dental CAD-CAM Market - An Insight On The Important Factors And Trends Influencing The Market.

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Dental computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing, or CAD-CAM is the automation technology that helps in dental restoration. CAD/CAM supplements earlier technologies that were used for these dental resolutions by increasing the speed of design and manufacturing, increasing the suitability and easiness of the design, construction, and insertion procedures. This technology have made restorations possible that otherwise would have not been feasible. Other goals include sinking unit cost and making restorations affordable.The current surge in the demand for dental cosmetic surgeries is likely to drive the growth of the market during the forecast period. The expenditure on cosmetic dentistry has amplified since the past few years. Within this division, non-metallic inlays or onlays held a large share. Teeth whitening is the most pursued procedure, while tooth-colored crowns, tooth-colored inlays, veneers, tooth-colored onlays, and bonding are the prime contributors to the surgery segment. Development in the healthcare sector has led to the increase in life expectancy of the global population; hence, there is a growth in the aging population around the globe. This factor is likely to push the demand for computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing into a positive growth trajectory.Obtain Report Details @One of the major restraint of the market is the cost. Emergence of new technologies coupled with lack of skilled workforce are the major factors responsible for the high cost of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing. However, growth in intra-oral scanners and open architecture solutions will foster the overall market for computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing. Moreover, growing awareness about health problems coupled with significant adoption of automation technology, will lead to high growth of the computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing market in the coming years.The global market for computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing can be segmented according to product type, end-users, and geography. Based on type, the market can be trifurcated into chair side CAD/CAM systems, digital imprisoning systems, and others. Chair side systems held a significant market share among the types, primarily due to ease of use of the system.On the basis of end-user, the global CAD/CAM market can be divided into dental clinics, dental hospitals, dental companies, and others. Among these, dental hospitals held the maximum market share. For undergoing surgery, dental patients perceive hospitals to be safer and well protected coupled with increased availability of doctors; hence, the high market share of the segment.On the basis of region, the global computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing market can be segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. North America held a significant market share. This is mainly due to the US, which is the leading player in the global dental healthcare market. Moreover, higher incidences of dental caries, high patient awareness, and developed healthcare infrastructure in the US and Canada, will foster the overall growth of the market. Europe held the second largest share of the computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing market. Asia Pacific is poised to grow at a considerable rate over the forecast period due to growth in the aging population, as well as rise in disposable income in this region.The competitive landscape in this market is likely to increase in the future due to the advancements in technology, rise in product extensions, and upsurge in the edentulous population. Moreover, increase in the elderly population across the globe will encourage new players to enter this market, thereby intensifying competition. Some of the key players in the market are Danaher, Align Technology, Zimmer-Biomet, Planmeca, Dentsply Sirona, and Hexagon. Other notable companies are CIMsystem, exocad, 3Shape, Dental Wings, Straumann, Amann Girrbach, Enhanced Geometry Solutions (EGS), Jensen Dental, Ivoclar Vivadent, and Schutz Dental.Fill The Form For An Exclusive Sample Of This Report @The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Transparency Market Research90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Mammography Market Studies Research Report 2025

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Global Mammography Market: OverviewThe global mammography market is growing at a significant pace, owing to the increasing cancer cases worldwide. The key players in the market, government organizations, and NGOs are making notable efforts to create an awareness and offer treatment to patients, which is expected to enhance the growth of the market in the near future. Thus, the market is likely to register a strong growth rate in the forecast period.Global Mammography Market: Key TrendsThe high prevalence of breast cancer worldwide and the rising number of innovations concerning screening and diagnostics are estimated to offer lucrative opportunities for key players operating in the market. The improving healthcare facilities in the developing economies are projected to supplement the markets growth in the coming years. Furthermore, governments across the globe are making efforts to provide treatments at low cost in order to reach a large number of audience in the near future.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Mammography Market: Market PotentialTechnological advancements in the healthcare sector and the emergence of innovative devices and effective therapeutics are the key factors projected to fuel the growth of the global mammography market throughout the forecast period. In addition to this, the rising number of cancer cases across the globe is expected to accelerate the growth of the overall market in the near future.On the other hand, the lack of awareness among patients in several developing economies and the high cost of treatment are estimated to curb the growth of the global mammography market in the next few years. Nonetheless, the use of digital mammography devices is predicted to generate promising growth opportunities for the key players in the market.Request TOC of the Report @Global Mammography Market: Regional OutlookIn the previous years, the North America market for mammography held a major share of the global market and is estimated to retain its position over the forecast period. The rising number of breast cancer cases and the increasing women population are the key factors anticipated to encourage the development of the North America market in the coming years. In addition, the availability of advanced therapeutics and healthcare infrastructure are predicted to accelerate the markets growth in the near future.On the other hand, the development of the economy and the rising popularity of medical tourism are projected to augment the growth of the Asia Pacific market in the next few years. The increasing contribution from China and India and the rising awareness among patients are predicted to supplement the markets growth in the forecast period. Moreover, the favorable government initiatives and the enhancement of the healthcare sector are likely to contribute towards the growth of the Asia Pacific market in the near future.Get a discount @Global Mammography Market: Competitive AnalysisThe global market is projected to grow progressive throughout the forecast period. The rising emphasis of the leading players on introducing new therapeutics and devices to offer enhanced products to patients is likely to encourage the growth of the overall market in the coming years. As a result, several new players are predicted to participate in the market in order to create a brand name across the globe.Some of the leading players operating in the mammography market across the globe are I.M.S. Srl, GE Healthcare, Hologic, Planmed Oy, Phillips Healthcare, Fujifilm, Siemens Healthcare, Mindray Medical International Limited, Toshiba Medical Systems, and Metaltronica. The research study provides a detailed overview of the competitive landscape and throws light on the key strategies and policies that have been adopted by them in order to sustain in the global market.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth researh of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Piston Pins

Scope of Piston Pins,Piston Pins Market by Region, Piston Pins Sale Price by Type ,Piston Pins Revenue and Growth Rate,Sales and M

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Access Full Report:In this report, the EMEA Piston Pins 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.Overlook For Sample Report @Check Discount :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 Piston Pins 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 Piston Pins market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Piston Pins sales volume (K Units), price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingMahle GmbH (Germany)Aisin Seiki (Japan)Federal-Mogul (U.S.)KSPG Automotive (Germany)Coker Engineering (UK)Ross Racing Pistons (U.S.)BoHai Piston (China)Burgess-Norton (U.S.)Ming Shun (China)Shriram Pistons & Rings (India)JE Pistons (U.S.)WeiChai Group (China)Honda (Japan)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 intoSemi-floatingFully FloatingOtherOn 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 Piston Pins for each application, includingDiesel EnginesGasoline EnginesIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of ContentsEMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Piston Pins Market Report 20171 Piston Pins Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Piston Pins1.2 Classification of Piston Pins1.2.1 EMEA Piston Pins Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 EMEA Piston Pins Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Semi-floating1.2.4 Fully Floating1.2.5 Other1.3 EMEA Piston Pins Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 EMEA Piston Pins Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-20221.3.2 Diesel Engines1.3.3 Gasoline Engines1.4 EMEA Piston Pins Market by Region1.4.1 EMEA Piston Pins Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Middle East Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Africa Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 EMEA Market Size (Value and Volume) of Piston Pins (2012-2022)1.5.1 EMEA Piston Pins Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 EMEA Piston Pins Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 EMEA Piston Pins Competition by Manufacturers/Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application2.1 EMEA Piston Pins Market Competition by Players/Manufacturers2.1.1 EMEA Piston Pins Sales Volume and Market Share of Major Players (2012-2017)2.1.2 EMEA Piston Pins Revenue and Share by Players (2012-2017)2.1.3 EMEA Piston Pins Sale Price by Players (2012-2017)2.2 EMEA Piston Pins (Volume and Value) by Type/Product Category2.2.1 EMEA Piston Pins Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 EMEA Piston Pins Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.3 EMEA Piston Pins Sale Price by Type (2012-2017)2.3 EMEA Piston Pins (Volume) by Application2.4 EMEA Piston Pins (Volume and Value) by Region2.4.1 EMEA Piston Pins Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.2 EMEA Piston Pins Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.3 EMEA Piston Pins Sales Price by Region (2012-2017)3 Europe Piston Pins (Volume, Value and Sales Price), by Players, Countries, Type and Application3.1 Europe Piston Pins Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 Europe Piston Pins Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 Europe Piston Pins Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.2 Europe Piston Pins Sales and Market Share by Type3.3 Europe Piston Pins Sales and Market Share by Application3.4 Europe Piston Pins Sales Volume and Value (Revenue) by Countries3.4.1 Europe Piston Pins Sales Volume by Countries (2012-2017)3.4.2 Europe Piston Pins Revenue by Countries (2012-2017)3.4.3 Germany Piston Pins Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.4 France Piston Pins Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.5 UK Piston Pins Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.6 Russia Piston Pins Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.7 Italy Piston Pins Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.8 Benelux Piston Pins Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4 Middle East Piston Pins (Volume, Value and Sales Price), by Region, Type and Application4.1 Middle East Piston Pins Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 Middle East Piston Pins Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 Middle East Piston Pins Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.2 Middle East Piston Pins Sales and Market Share by Type4.3 Middle East Piston Pins Sales and Market Share by Application4.4 Middle East Piston Pins Sales Volume and Value (Revenue) by Countries4.4.1 Middle East Piston Pins Sales Volume by Countries (2012-2017)4.4.2 Middle East Piston Pins Revenue by Countries (2012-2017)4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Piston Pins Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.4.4 Israel Piston Pins Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.4.5 UAE Piston Pins Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.4.6 Iran Piston Pins Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5 Africa Piston Pins (Volume, Value and Sales Price) by Players, Countries, Type and Application5.1 Africa Piston Pins Sales and Value (2012-2017)5.1.1 Africa Piston Pins Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.2 Africa Piston Pins Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.2 Africa Piston Pins Sales and Market Share by Type5.3 Africa Piston Pins Sales and Market Share by Application5.4 Africa Piston Pins Sales Volume and Value (Revenue) by Countries5.4.1 Africa Piston Pins Sales Volume by Countries (2012-2017)5.4.2 Africa Piston Pins Revenue by Countries (2012-2017)5.4.3 South Africa Piston Pins Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.4.4 Nigeria Piston Pins Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.4.5 Egypt Piston Pins Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.4.6 Algeria Piston Pins Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6 EMEA Piston Pins Manufacturers/Players Profiles and Sales Data6.1 Mahle GmbH (Germany)6.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.1.2 Piston Pins Product Type, Application and Specification6.1.2.1 Product A6.1.2.2 Product B6.1.3 Mahle GmbH (Germany) Piston Pins Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.2 Aisin Seiki (Japan)6.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.2.2 Piston Pins Product Type, Application and Specification6.2.2.1 Product A6.2.2.2 Product B6.2.3 Aisin Seiki (Japan) Piston Pins Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.3 Federal-Mogul (U.S.)6.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.3.2 Piston Pins Product Type, Application and Specification6.3.2.1 Product A6.3.2.2 Product B6.3.3 Federal-Mogul (U.S.) Piston Pins Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.4 KSPG Automotive (Germany)6.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.4.2 Piston Pins Product Type, Application and Specification6.4.2.1 Product A6.4.2.2 Product B6.4.3 KSPG Automotive (Germany) Piston Pins Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.5 Coker Engineering (UK)6.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.5.2 Piston Pins Product Type, Application and Specification6.5.2.1 Product A6.5.2.2 Product B6.5.3 Coker Engineering (UK) Piston Pins Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.6 Ross Racing Pistons (U.S.)6.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.6.2 Piston Pins Product Type, Application and Specification6.6.2.1 Product A6.6.2.2 Product B6.6.3 Ross Racing Pistons (U.S.) Piston Pins Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.7 BoHai Piston (China)6.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.7.2 Piston Pins Product Type, Application and Specification6.7.2.1 Product A6.7.2.2 Product B6.7.3 BoHai Piston (China) Piston Pins Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.8 Burgess-Norton (U.S.)6.8.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.8.2 Piston Pins Product Type, Application and Specification6.8.2.1 Product A6.8.2.2 Product B6.8.3 Burgess-Norton (U.S.) Piston Pins Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.9 Ming Shun (China)6.9.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.9.2 Piston Pins Product Type, Application and Specification6.9.2.1 Product A6.9.2.2 Product B6.9.3 Ming Shun (China) Piston Pins Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.10 Shriram Pistons & Rings (India)6.10.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.10.2 Piston Pins Product Type, Application and Specification6.10.2.1 Product A6.10.2.2 Product B6.10.3 Shriram Pistons & Rings (India) Piston Pins Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.10.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.11 JE Pistons (U.S.)6.12 WeiChai Group (China)6.13 Honda (Japan)7 Piston Pins Manufacturing Cost Analysis7.1 Piston Pins Key Raw Materials Analysis7.1.1 Key Raw Materials7.1.2 Price Trend of Key Raw Materials7.1.3 Key Suppliers of Raw Materials7.1.4 Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials7.2 Proportion of Manufacturing Cost Structure7.2.1 Raw Materials7.2.2 Labor Cost7.2.3 Manufacturing Expenses7.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Piston Pins8 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers8.1 Piston Pins Industrial Chain Analysis8.2 Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing8.3 Raw Materials Sources of Piston Pins Major Manufacturers in 20168.4 Downstream Buyers9 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders9.1 Marketing Channel9.1.1 Direct Marketing9.1.2 Indirect Marketing9.1.3 Marketing Channel Development Trend9.2 Market Positioning9.2.1 Pricing Strategy9.2.2 Brand Strategy9.2.3 Target Client9.3 Distributors/Traders List10 Market Effect Factors Analysis10.1 Technology Progress/Risk10.1.1 Substitutes Threat10.1.2 Technology Progress in Related Industry10.2 Consumer Needs/Customer Preference Change10.3 Economic/Political Environmental Change11 EMEA Piston Pins Market Forecast (2017-2022)11.1 EMEA Piston Pins Sales, Revenue and Price Forecast (2017-2022)11.1.1 EMEA Piston Pins Sales and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)11.1.2 EMEA Piston Pins Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)11.1.3 EMEA Piston Pins Price and Trend Forecast (2017-2022)11.2 EMEA Piston Pins Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast by Region (2017-2022)11.3 Europe Piston Pins Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast by Region (2017-2022)11.4 Middle Eastt Piston Pins Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast by Region (2017-2022)11.5 Africa Piston Pins Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast by Region (2017-2022)11.6 EMEA Piston Pins Sales Forecast by Type (2017-2022)11.7 EMEA Piston Pins Sales Forecast by Application (2017-2022)12 Research Findings and Conclusion13 Appendix13.1 Methodology/Research Approach13.1.1 Research Programs/Design13.1.2 Market Size Estimation13.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation13.2 Data Source13.2.1 Secondary Sources13.2.2 Primary Sources13.3 DisclaimerReports And Markets is part of the Algoro Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.Are you mastering your market? Do you know what the market potential is for your product, who the market players are and what the growth forecast is? We offer standard global, regional or country specific market research studies for almost every market you can imagine.Contact PersonReports And Markets is part of the Algoro Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.Are you mastering your market? Do you know what the market potential is for your product, who the market players are and what the growth forecast is? We offer standard global, regional or country specific market research studies for almost every market you can imagine.Sanjay JainManager - Partner Relations & International Marketinginfo@reportsandmarkets.comPh: +1-214-377-1121 (US), +44-020-3286-9338 (UK)
Still Images Market to Witness Growth Acceleration During 2017 - 2025

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Still image is any static image. Still image application programming interface (API) is a standardized interface that is utilized for obtaining computerized still images from devices including still image digital camera, handheld scanner, and flatbed scanner. Still images are predominantly used on social media sites, magazines, newspapers, and other media sources. Still images market reports a wide range of applications, particularly in the advertisement industry to make their content more impactful and leap forward the chaos in web-based advertising. Visual communications are effective as it enhances social media efforts, express ideas quickly, provide engaging user experience. Still images market register significant growth rate, owing to rising social media adoption and increasing use of visual content in the advertisements. North America still images market is expected to contribute for major revenue share, attributed to the upsurge in online marketing.To view complete report @Global Still Images Market Dynamics:The growth of the global still images market is driven by easier integration of images on social media and increasing use of visual content in communications as a marketing strategy. Moreover, increasing advertisement industry and increasing popularity of social media also fueling the global still images market. The advantages of still images in marketing and brand determination are crucial, which is fueling the demand for global still images market across the industries. However, lack of legal regulations and appropriate licensing and declining in the rate of return per image are restraining the still images market across the globe. Major factor trending the global still images market include the adoption of visual content in advertising of a brand and evaluation of the business model. The company operates in the still images market can increase its share through collaboration with end-use industries.A sample of this report is available upon request @Global Still Images Market Segmentation:The global still images market is segmented on the basis of license model type, and region. Based on license model type, the global still images market is further classified into rights-managed still images (RM) and royalty free still images (RF). Among which, rights-managed still images (RM) segment dominated the global still images market with more than 2/3rd of market share, owing to its popularity among industry professionals and its consideration in industry norms. The rights-managed still images (RM) segment also expected to register relatively high CAGR, attributed to an inclination toward rights-managed still images, due to the chances of duplication of images for advertisements by various vendors.Based on license model type, the global still images market is segmented into:Rights-Managed Still Images (RM)Royalty Free RM Still Images (RF)Global Still Images Market Regional Outlook:Based on the geographies, the global still images market is fragmented into seven regions  North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan, Asia-Pacific except Japan, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Among the regions, North America and Western Europe account for a relatively high share of the still images market in terms of value, attributed to the high demand for rights-managed still images and online marketing across regions. Eastern Europe and Japan also accounts for significant value share in the global still images market, attributed to growing digital advertisement over the forecast period. The Asia-Pacific accounts for the significant value share in the global still images market with significant growth rate, owing to rapid social media adoption across the region. The developing economy such as Middle East Africa and Latin America have a moderate growth in the global still images market. Overall, the outlook for the global still images market will have a positive growth over the forecast period.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Global Still Images Market Player:Few players in the global still images market include Adobe, Getty Images, Shutterstock, Corbis, Alamy, Reuters Pictures, Thinkstock, Photofolio, iStock, Fotosearch, Depositphotos, Dreamstime, 123RF, and AP Images.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:
Automotive Drivetrain Market Projected to be Resilient By 2025

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A drivetrain is a group of components that provides power to the driving wheels. The major function of the drivetrain is to couple the engine that produces the power to driving wheels that consume this mechanical power. The precise component of the drivetrain varies according to the type of vehicle. For instance, the manual transmission car, automatic transmission car, front-wheel drive car, four-wheel drive off-road vehicle are the various types of vehicles available in the market.Better vehicle control in unfavorable terrains is expected to increase the demand for automotive drivetrains. For instance, in countries such as U.S., Canada, and Germany, the roads are frequently covered with snow; therefore the vehicle requires extra grip and better traction to be sufficiently under the control of the driver.To view complete report @Global Automotive Drivetrain Market: Market DynamicsThe primary driver of the market is the growing demand for comfort and safety in vehicles. Moreover. the increase in the vehicle production is another major driver for the automotive drivetrain market during the forecast period. For instance, The countries in APEJ such as China, India, and South Korea are the leading countries in terms of vehicle production. The market for front wheel drive vehicles have a larger share in the APEJ market, however, the rear wheel drive and the all-wheel drive vehicle are also growing at a steady rate, thus enhancing the sales for automotive drivetrain market.The increasing usage of electric vehicles is also further expected to enhance the sales for the automotive drivetrain. For instance, according to the International Energy Agency, one million electric cars were sold in 2015. The ambitious targets and policy support have reduced the vehicle costs and have also extended the vehicle range.However, the key factor restraining the growth of automotive drivetrain is the high adoption and maintenance cost of vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive vehicle. Further, the cost of all-wheel drive systems is costlier compared to conventional front wheel drive and rear wheel drive system. Moreover, the all-wheel drive systems include additional components such as driveshaft, transfer cases, and locking hubs.A sample of this report is available upon request @Automotive Drivetrain Market: Regional OutlookRegional coverage for automotive drivetrain market includes North America, Latin America, Europe, APEJ, Japan and the Middle East and Africa. Automotive drivetrain witnesses a high demand in APEJ because of the high investments in the region. Changing consumer perceptions in this region boost the growth of the market. Moreover, the automotive drivetrain market is expected to grow significantly in terms of revenue in North America and Europe regionTo view TOC of this report is available upon request @Automotive Drivetrain: Market PlayersThe market players in Automotive Drivetrain Market are Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd., BorgWarner Inc., Schaeffler Group, Showa Corporation, ZF TRW, GKN plc, JTEKT Corporation, Magna International Inc., Dana Holding Corporation, and American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll-Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Enterprise VSAT Market - Lucrative Opportunities in Untapped to Drive Growth

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Very small aperture terminal (VSAT) is a communication system that is operated through the satellite. It serves businesses and domestic users. The end-user of a VSAT requires a box that interfaces an outside antenna with the users computer with the help of a transceiver. The transceiver sends the received signal to a satellite transponder in the sky. The satellite receives and sends the signal that comes from the earths stations computer which acts as a core for the system. Each end-user is connected with the core station with the help of a satellite connected in the form of a star topology. For the end-users to connect with each other, each transmitted first goes to the hub station, which is then re-transmitted to the receiving end-users VSAT via the satellite. VSAT handles video, voice and data signals. With the help of VSAT, companies can have complete control of their communication systems, without depending on other IT companies. Domestic users and businesses also can get higher speed than regular telephone services.Obtain Report Details @The global enterprise VSAT market has been segmented on the basis of categories, hardware & services, and geographies. On the basis of categories, the market has been segregated into products and services. The services segment accounted for a dominant market share in 2015. This is attributed to clinics and hospitals enabled with satellite broadband services, which help them maintain direct two-way data exchange and communication. In addition, satellite broadband services also help security agencies and intelligence services improve their data analysis systemsthat help them in deciphering the information more accurately.Government agencies as well as maritime and military sectors are major end-users of VSAT as a service. Therehas been continued demand from this segment, which is driving the market. On the basis of hardware & services, the global market for enterprise VSAT has been divided into ARUP VSAT terminals and ASP VSAT terminals.A major driverfor the growth of the global market for enterprise VSAT is the provision of practical, cost-effective solutions for individual end-users, who require a self-regulating communications network through which a number of remote sites are connected. In addition, the VSAT network offers satellite-based, value-added services such as voice/fax communication, LAN services, data transmission, and internet access along with public and private network communications. Emerging technologies such as high throughput satellite (HTS) technology is a major restraint to the growth of the global enterprise VSAT market. Service providers are likely to integrate their current operations with these emerging technologies.Geographically, the global market for enterprise VSAT has been segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America.North America held the dominant share of the global market in 2015.The market in the region is projected to witness steady growth during the forecast period. This is attributed to high adoption of satellite services for various applications such as inspection of historical monuments, vegetation identification, volcano monitoring, and disaster management in case of stormsand hurricanes. The market in Asia Pacific is estimated to witness speedy growth during the forecast period, owing to increase in government initiatives to connect schools and colleges in countries such as India, China, and Australia.Major players operating in the global enterprise VSAT market include Gilat Satellite Networks(Petah Tikva, Israel), Hughes Communications (Maryland, the U.S.), SageNet (Oklahoma, the U.S.), ViaSat Inc. (California, the U.S.), VT iDirect (Virginia, the U.S.), Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (New York, the U.S.), Bharti Airtel (New Delhi, India), Embratel (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), ND SatCom GmbH (Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany), NewSat (Melbourne, Australia), Newtec (Sint-Niklaas,Belgium), Orion Satellite (Perth, Australia), Polarsat (Quebec, Canada), Primesys Solucoes Empresariais (Sao Paolo, Brazil), Signalhorn (Stuttgart, Germany), SpeedCast (Wanchai, Hong Kong), SkyCasters (Ohio, the U.S.), Tatanet Services (Mumbai, India), Telefonica, S.A (Madrid, Spain), and Telesat Holdings (Ontario, Canada).Fill The Form For An Exclusive Sample Of This Report @The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Transparency Market Research90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Organic Powdered Milk Industry Market Research Report 2017

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SummaryThe Global Organic Powdered Milk Industry 2017 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Organic Powdered Milk industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Organic Powdered Milk 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 Organic Powdered Milk 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):Nestle SAArla Foods ambaFonterra Co-operative GroupHiPP GmbH & Co. Vertrieb KGOMSCoAurora Foods Dairy Corp.Organic ValleySunOpta, Inc.Ingredia SASodiaal Union SCABellamys OrganicHolle babyfood GmbHAusnutria Hyproca B.V.B. Engelhardt & Co. ABEmmi AGProlactal GmbHDANA DAIRY GROUPMiraka LtdGMP DairyOrganic West Milk, Inc.Key Topics Covered:Chapter One Industry Overview of Organic Powdered MilkChapter Two Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Organic Powdered MilkChapter Three Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Organic Powdered MilkChapter Four Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis of Organic Powdered Milk by Regions, Types and ManufacturersChapter Five Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Organic Powdered Milk by Regions, Types and ManufacturersChapter Six Consumption Volume, Consumption Value and Sale Price Analysis of Organic Powdered Milk by Regions, Types and ApplicationsChapter Seven Supply, Import, Export and Consumption Analysis of Organic Powdered MilkChapter Eight Major Manufacturers Analysis of Organic Powdered MilkChapter Nine Marketing Trader or Distributor Analysis of Organic Powdered MilkChapter Ten Industry Chain Analysis of Organic Powdered MilkChapter Eleven Development Trend of Analysis of Organic Powdered MilkChapter Twelve New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Organic Powdered MilkChapter Thirteen Conclusion of the Global Organic Powdered Milk Industry 2017 Market Research ReportRelated Reports:US Organic Powdered Milk Industry Market Research Report 2017Europe Organic Powdered Milk Industry Market Research Report 2017India Organic Powdered Milk Industry Market Research Report 2017China Organic Powdered Milk Industry Market Research Report 2017Korea Organic Powdered Milk Industry Market Research Report 2017Japan Organic Powdered Milk 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) |(JP)
Offshore Decommissioning Market: Industry Survey and Outlook 2025

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Global Offshore Decommissioning Market: OverviewOffshore decommissioning is the process of disassembling offshore oil platforms, which also includes burying the holes drilled into the ground for exploration and extraction purposes. Mature oil platforms can have an adverse impact on the surrounding environment, which necessitates their removal. The global offshore decommissioning market is likely to remain a key sector of the global oil and gas industry in the coming years, as the latter is likely to emphasize increasingly on offshore petroleum extraction. Well plugging and abandonment is likely to remain the key segment of the global offshore decommissioning market in the coming years, with the extensive scale of the operation key in ensuring a steady dominant share for the segment in the global market.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Offshore Decommissioning Market: Key TrendsThe global offshore decommissioning market is likely to exhibit steady growth in the coming years due to the rising number of mature oilfields, which no longer remain commercially viable. The high number of aging platforms in shallow water is also likely to remain a key driver for the global offshore decommissioning market in the coming years.On the other hand, the high cost of offshore decommissioning projects could hinder the growth of the global offshore decommissioning market. Due to the large scale of offshore oil and gas platforms, significant expenditure needs to be dedicated for effective offshore decommissioning projects. Since the expenses go toward removing a nonfunctional asset rather than expanding the existing capacity, many players in the global oil and gas industry have remained reluctant about offshore decommissioning. The technology required to carry out offshore decommissioning efficiently are also lacking in several regions, as is systemic support from the regulatory framework. This is also likely to restrain the global offshore decommissioning market in the coming years.Request TOC of the Report @The rising use of techniques to maximize and prolong the viability of oilfields is also likely to restrain the growth of the global offshore decommissioning market in the coming years. Refilling and other techniques can help extend the operational lifespan of oilfield by a few years, and result in further profits for the oil and gas operator. This remains a key challenge for the offshore decommissioning market in the coming years, as offshore decommissioning remains unprofitable both economically as well as logistically compared to these techniques.Global Offshore Decommissioning Market: Market PotentialOil and gas operations in the North Sea are likely to be vital to the global offshore decommissioning market in the coming years. The U.K. and Norway are among the leading oil producers operating in the North Sea and are likely to remain among the key consumers of offshore decommissioning technology in the coming years. As a result, Europe is likely to be the leading regional offshore decommissioning market over the coming years.Get a discount @Global Offshore Decommissioning Market: Geographical DynamicsFollowing Europe, North America is also likely to retain a significant share in the global offshore decommissioning market due primarily to the rising role of the U.S. in the global oil and gas sector. The U.S. has traditionally been a major player in the oil and gas industry and is a leading operator of offshore oilfields at present. The rising prominence of Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia in the global oil and gas sector is also likely to drive the Asia Pacific market for offshore decommissioning in the coming years.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth researh of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market Professional Survey Report 2017, Key Companies Profile, Supply, Demand, Manufacturing Process and Cost Structure Analysis

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Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market: OverviewThe global pharmaceutical packaging equipment market is estimated to witness a healthy growth in the coming years. Some of the key factors encouraging the growth of the market include cost containment in pharmaceuticals, rise in the funding for generics, and growing investments in biopharmaceutical research. The technological advancements in labeling and serialization solutions are anticipated to boost the growth of the global pharmaceutical packaging equipment market. Rising emphasis on labeling and serialization to counter the problem of counterfeiting of medicines will fuel the demand for pharmaceutical packaging equipment. The market however faces one challenge. The threat from being substituted by refurbished packaging equipment is present in the market. Refurbished packaging equipment is a viable alternative to new packaging equipment, which costs high. This is likely to restrain the growth of the market.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market: Key TrendsSome of thy key trends observed in the market are increasing investments in the manufacturing sector by players and consistent technological innovation taking place in the global pharmaceutical packaging equipment market. The flourishing pharmaceutical industry is directly responsible for the growth of the pharmaceutical packaging equipment market. Rising incidences of diseases and infections are pushing the pharmaceutical industry to grow, which in turn is pushing the demand for pharmaceutical packaging equipment. The market for pharmaceutical packaging equipment is especially slated to witness a high growth in developing nations such as China and India as these countries do not have high import duties. The need for inexpensive manufacturing facilities is making developing nations in Asia Pacific, a potential market for pharmaceutical packaging equipment.Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market: Market PotentialPackaging of pharmaceutical product is extremely vital for the pharmaceutical industry as packaging enables safety and quality of drugs. Thus, there will always be a demand for pharmaceutical packaging equipment in the pharma industry. In contrast with conventional packaging systems, pharmaceutical packaging equipment are automated, modern, and flexible, including primary packaging and secondary equipment, and labeling and serialization equipment. This helps in reducing the time for packaging, boosting production.Request TOC of the Report @Companies such as Robert Bosch Gmbh participate in innovation and develop new products, which is creating a positive outlook for the market. The company recently launched a new Sigpack VPF vertical flat pouch machine and also a HML horizontal flow wrapping machine. The former is developed to pack powders by producing sachets that can pack pain killers in powder form. The machines enables the production of sealed packages and can fill up to 1500 sachets per minute.Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market: Regional OutlookThe report segments the global pharmaceutical packaging equipment market on the basis of geography into Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. North America led in the global pharmaceutical packaging equipment market on account of advancements in the pharmaceutical industry and economic growth of the region. The patent expirations of a number of drugs will also help the market in the region to grow.Get a discount @Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market: Competitive LandscapeThe global pharmaceutical packaging equipment market is highly fragmented. The market is characterized by the presence of several local, regional, and multinational players. Some of the players in the market are: IMA S.p.A. (Italy), Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany), Korber AG (Germany), Multivac Group (Germany), Marchesini Group S.p.A. (Italy), Romaco Pharmatechnik GmbH (Germany), and OPTIMA Packaging Group GmbH (Germany). Key players in the market are striving for innovation so as to maintain their shares in the competitive market.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth researh of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Multicore Cables Market Projected to Witness Vigorous Expansion by 2025

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Multicore cable is a generic name for electrical cable. Multicore cables have many cores which are made of copper wire. The multicore cable is bundled together with a single wire and performs different functions includes power, data transmission and AV elements inside a single cable sheath. For instance, four main core wires is not a multicore cables, but a cable comprising with four coaxial cables in a single sheath is a multicore cables. The multicore cables are versatile and used for an industrial and commercial purpose. The multicore cables provide analog and digital signals. The multicore cables are fire proof, reliable, durable, resistant to chemicals, functional efficient is optimum and gives high performance. The multicore cables are heavily featured with cable jacketing to protect the cable from damage and helps in negate the effect of electromagnetic interference. Moreover, it contributes to reducing the overall weight of the cable. Nowadays, multicore optical fiber cables are used mostly because of sending data from one place to other and data can be transferred faster with minimum interference and best audio signal transmission.To view complete report @Global Multicore Cables: Market Dynamics:The demand for multicore cable is driven by its varied uses in automotive and construction industry. The multicore cables are easy to handle and use and highly flexible and installed quickly. The multicore cables are used for different radio and electrical purposes and help to transmit data from one point to another. Increase in demand for multicore cables, owing to high investment in infrastructure leads to drive the multicore market in the near future. Moreover, the chances of loss in data are very less and move current faster. Further, multicore cables. Further, the rise in the development of infrastructure in developing regions such Asia Pacific leads to increase demand for multicore cables. However the continuous developments and up gradation of the manufacturing company of multicore cable to extend the life which can be a restraint to multicore cable market.A sample of this report is available upon request @Global Multicore Cables: Regional Outlook:The global multicore cables market is segmented into seven regions includes North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Japan, and Asia Pacific excluding Japan, and The Middle East and Africa. Among all regions, Asia Pacific region is contributing majorly to the growth of multicore cables market followed by Latin America. Moreover, Asia Pacific excluding Japan is the dominating market for multicore cables as the infrastructure is increasing in developing countries like China and India. Japan is also contributing the multicore cable market. North America has a significant market share in the global multicore market owing to its boom in the automotive market. The Middle East and Africa is at emerging stage in the multicore cable market and is expected to increase in CAGR in the anticipated period.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Global Multicore Cables Market Players:The prominent players of the global multicore cables are:Relemac Technologies Pvt. LtdCenturion Power Cables Pvt. Ltd.Bhuwal Cables LimitedKCL Cable LimitedCabcon Technologies Pvt LtdHitex PlusGem CablesDoha CablesBambach wires and cablesAbout 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:
Electronically Scanned Arrays Market - Highly Lucrative Opportunities for Market Players

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Electronically scanned arrays refer to a phased array antenna which is used to electronically steer a beam of radio waves in different directions. This type of arrays are primarily utilized in radars. In order to provide an in-depth analysis of the market, the global electronically scanned arrays has been segmented on the basis of product type, end users, range and geography. Based on product type, the market is categorized into AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Arrays) also known as APAR (Active Phased Array Radars) and passive electronically scanned arrays (PESA) or passive phased array. Electronically scanned arrays also finds its application among various end-user segment of defense sector including land, naval and airborne. Moreover, the operational range of an electronically scanned arrays can be classified into long, medium and short. The market of electronically scanned arrays market is anticipated to witness a high growth during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024 owing to increasing investment in upgrading of the radar system in order to increase their operational efficiency.The primary requirement to replace the traditional radar system across different regions is the most important factor expected to boost the demand of technologically advanced electronically scanned arrays in the coming years. In addition, the growing preference for technologically advanced radar for providing all weather battlefield surveillance against incoming threat is also expected to propel the demand of electronically scanned arrays during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024.Obtain Report Details @However, long replacement cycle of the radar system is of the primary factor anticipated to negatively affect the demand of electronically scanned arrays to some extent in the coming years.Based on product type, the active electronically scanned arrays (AESA) is predicted to experience the highest growth in terms of revenue during the forecast period. AESAs are fitted with receivers and transmitters, which yet again consist of several small modules of transmitter/receivers. AESAs have high capability of spreading emissions across a very wide range of frequencies. Thus, it is utilized extensively across wide area for sea and land surveillance.On the basis of end user segment, the naval sector is predicted witness the most promising growth in the coming years. For tracking and detection of naval activities, naval radars are extensively used. The primary function of naval-based radar system is locating warships, offshore patrol vessels (OPV), submarine and various other vessels of naval vessel. Radar-based naval systems are also used extensively for detecting ammunitions and anti-ship missile.On the other hand, medium range category of the electronically scanned arrays is forecasted to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period. These radars are utilized to locate targets in the range of 50 km to 150 km. These radars work in the frequency of 8 to 40 GHz and are used efficiently in the management of warships, maritime activities, naval activities and management of air trafficGeographically, the market is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and South America. In 2015, North America held the largest share in the electronically scanned market among different regions. Huge concentration of electronically scanned manufacturers coupled with increasing investment in research and development activities is the primary factor behind this regions dominance. However, Asia Pacific region is anticipated to experience the highest growth in the coming eight years. The growing threats of terror activities in the region and is anticipated to drive the need for upgradation of surveillance capabilities. This in turn is predicted to accelerate the demand of electronically scanned arrays in Asia Pacific region. In addition, various territorial disputes across the borders of different countries in the Asia-pacific region and this has furthermore contributed to the increase in military budget to enhance capability of anti-missile. This has led to the increasing demand of AESA in the region of Asia-pacific.The global market of electronically scanned arrays is fragmented with many large and well-established players occupying a strong position worldwide. Also, many new players are also trying to enter the high electronically scanned arrays market owing to the expected high growth of the market.Some of the major players of the high voltage electronically scanned arrays market are Northrop Grumman Corporation (the US), Lockheed Martin Corporation (the US), Ericsson (Sweden), Saab AB (Sweden), Thales Group (France), Toshiba (Japan), Elta (Israel),The Raytheon Company (the US), Mitsubishi (Japan), Defence Research and Development Organization (India) amongst many others.Fill The Form For An Exclusive Sample Of This Report @The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Transparency Market Research90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Mannitol Market Driven by Increasing Demand for Mannitol in Bakery & Confectionery

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Overview:Mannitol is known as mannite or manna sugar, which is white, odorless and sweet tasting powder. Mannitol is non-cariogenic i.e. preventing development of tooth decay and has a low calorie content. Mannitol is also known as polyol (sugar alcohol) that is derived from a sugar known as mannose by reduction and is a naturally occurring alcohol found in fruits and vegetables. Mannitol is less absorbed by the body, hence it does not increase the insulin level of the body as compared to sugar. Mannitol is mostly used in the food and pharmaceuticals industries because of its unique functional properties. Mannitol is used for diuresis in the treatment and reduction of urine production due to the kidney failure. It is also used in to increase the elimination of toxins from the body and to reduce the intracranial pressure (pressure inside the skull) and also pressure in the eye. Mannitol is an isomer of sorbitol having same chemical formula and molecular weight and is produced by treating with hydrogen of specialty glucose syrups.Browse Market Research Report @Global Mannitol: Market SegmentationThe global mannitol market is segmented on the basis of form type, application and region. The mannitol market is segmented on the basis of form type mainly into powder and granular form. Mannitol is used in various applications like food, pharmaceutical, medical, and chemical industries. Due to its very low solubility and hygroscopicity and its positive impact on the machinability and texture of final products, mannitol (European safety number E 421, International number INS 421) is perfectly suited for: - chewing gum (mass, dusting, coating in combination with xylitol) - chewy sweets (crystalline phase) Mannitol being not cariogenic, it can also be used in safe for teeth products.Mannitol is widely used in pharmaceuticals as excipients in tablet formulation and also helps in treating diseases related to kidney and brain. It is also used for renal protection in cardiac, vascular and also in renal transplantation surgery. Hence, the use of mannitol in pharmaceuticals segment is expected to increase the revenue of the mannitol market in the next few years.Global Mannitol Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global mannitol industry can be divided by major regions which include North America, Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific region, Japan, Middle East and Africa.Asia/ Pacific developed as the most dominant market in 2015. Thus, changing lifestyle with the rise in diseases related to sugar consumption in India, China and Japan has strengthened the growth of the mannitol market and hence is anticipated to expand the growth of Asian mannitol market over the forecast period.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @Global Mannitol Market: Growth DriversThe mannitol market driving factors are the increasing demand for mannitol in bakery and confectionery such as chewing gums, candies and lozenges. Increasing demand for low calorie sugars due to growing health awareness is anticipated to drive the mannitol market over the forecast period. The demand for mannitol is also increasing due to the use of mannitol powder as an alternative sweetener for the diabetic people. Due to the unique properties of mannitol such as cooling sensation in the mouth, good water solubility, and low sensitivity towards humidity, the mannitol is mostly used in the food and pharmaceutical industries and is anticipated to increase the mannitol market over the forecast period.Global Mannitol Market: PlayersSome of the key players identified across the value chain of the global Mannitol market include Roquette Freres Company, Cargill, SPI Pharma, Qingdao Bright Moon Seaweed Group Co., Ltd., Singsino Group Ltd.,Hebei Huaxu Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Merck Millipore Corporation, Moga International Ltd, Rongde Seaweed Co.,Ltd, and Qingdao Yuanrun Chemical Co. Ltd. The companies are anticipated to expand their business by enhancing their product portfolio in mannitol. The companies are expected to frame certain strategies in future in order to gain the competitive advantage in global mannitol market till 2026.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Outlook for Differential Scanning Calorimetry Systems Market By Key Trends and Analysis 2025

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Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is the most regularly used technique for thermal analysis. It works by measuring the enthalpy changes in various samples because of the changes in their physical and chemical properties as a function of temperature or time. It measures heat of the sample relative to a reference at the time of physical transformation such as phase transition. Digital Scanning Calorimetry is one of the widely accepted technique in analytical chemistry. With this technique, it becomes possible to detect fusion, crystallization events, glass transition temperatures and study about oxidation as well as other chemical reactions. With this technique, one can learn a lot more than just a polymers heat capacity. Researchers and scientists are able to gather critical data before, during and after creation of different products for industries including the pharmaceutical industry, food science and more.Digital scanning calorimetry systems are most often used thermal analysis method, because of their speed, simplicity, availability, low noise and compact furnace. Only a few mg of material are required to run the analysis. These systems are available with a wide range of temperatures.Obtain Report Details @Differential Scanning Calorimetry Systems Market: Drivers & RestraintsA large number of industrial base and requirement for quality control in every industry are the driving factors for this technique. Applicability in almost every type of industry is also growing its market. Usage in advance material research, analytical services, multipurpose analysis in various industries increases its demand. Continuous advancement in the technology also runs the market. With the development of new complex formulations, characterizing them becomes very difficult, the development of more precise, sensitive and durable differential scanning calorimetry systems have helped in finding out the solutions and keep its market growing. Limiting factors include the dependence of operational efficiency on too many aspects for checking the results such as sensitivity for changes, lack of operator efficiency and others. High cost and maintenance also restricts the growth.Differential Scanning Calorimetry is a commercially available instrument extensively used in many industries as one of the quality control instrument because of its applicability in evaluating sample purity. In chemical industry, during general chemical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry assists in different procedures, including purity analysis. Additionally, recent advances in this field have made it possible to evaluate the purification yield of various pharmaceuticals such as antibodies. It is widely used to evaluate the stability of a protein or other biomolecule in its native form. The design, resolution, temperature range, calibration and adjustment, automation are some of the key factors that vary the price range of instruments. Many patents in the technology provides an edge to the innovation and progress. Other innovations in the technology such as large range of temperature, high measurement 3D technology, micro calorimetery, performance, interchangeable modularity by the industry fuel its market and increase competitiveness. Greater sensitivity and accuracy is the requirement of market for these instruments.A geographic condition regarding the Differential Scanning Calorimetry Systems Market, it has been segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East & Africa. With large number of research organizations and a number of quality control standards in various industries in North America depicts an established market for these instruments. Asia Pacific is the growing market because of establishment of more industries and increasing need of quality checks. Japan and China are the leading markets in the Asia Pacific region.Some of the global players in the market in the differential scanning calorimetry system market include Perkin Elmer, Hitachi, Shimadzu, Malvern, Linseis, Setaram, TA Instruments, NETZSCH-Geratebau GmbH, Rigaku, Mettler Toledo and many others.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:
Thrombectomy Devices Market - Detailed Study Analysis and Forecast by 2025

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Global Thrombectomy Devices Market: OverviewThrombectomy devices are used in surgeries to remove blood clots formed in situ within blood vessels. These devices are available in various types, including mechanical devices, basket/brush retrievers, stent retrievers, aspiration devices, ultrasonic devices, coil retrievers, and hydrodynamic devices. They are used to remove thrombus, which can happen anywhere within the vascular system of a human body and therefore, find their application in the cardiovascular system, peripheral vascular system, and neurovascular system. The end users of these devices, include ambulatory surgical centers, hospitals and surgical centers, academic institutes, and research laboratories.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Thrombectomy Devices Market: Key TrendsThe rapidly growing geriatric population is fuelling the global demand for thrombectomy devices since aged people are highly susceptible to venous thromboembolism (VTE). Moreover, the rising occurrence of peripheral artery disease, acute myocardial infarction, and deep vein thrombosis, owing to the unhealthy and sedentary lifestyles is escalating the development of the global market for thrombectomy devices. The increasing government and consumer expenditure on the healthcare sector coupled with the presence of favorable medical reimbursement scenario is also stoking the growth of the market. Besides this, the spiraling demand for minimally invasive thrombectomy procedures is augmenting the market.On the flip side, stringent regulations pertaining to the approval and manufacturing of thrombectomy devices is hampering the growth of the global market. Moreover, patients, particularly in developing and less developed nations, are less aware about thrombectomy, which in turn negatively impacts the growth of the market. The lack of skilled and well-trained surgeons is also inhibiting the growth of the global thrombectomy devices market.Request TOC of the Report @Global Thrombectomy Devices Market: Market PotentialThe global medical devices industry and its affiliated markets are largely influenced by government actions. Thus, favorable government policies are playing an instrumental role in the development of the global thrombectomy devices market. To put this in perspective, the U.K. National Health Service (NHS) is taking efforts to make mechanical thrombectomy more widely available to patients. In April 2017, the NHS decided to invest hefty sums in the development of an advanced treatment for strokes. With this intervention, nearly 8,000 people per year are expected to benefit from this treatment. The development of such treatments is likely to translate into the greater uptake of thrombectomy devices.Global Thrombectomy Devices Market: Geographical SegmentationThe key regions analyzed in the report are Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa. North America will command a substantial share in the global market throughout the forecast period. The growing popularity of technologically advanced thrombectomy products among surgeons and the availability of favorable reimbursement policies, especially in the U.S. are contributing to the growth of the region. Besides this, the presence of advanced healthcare infrastructure and the rising number of clinical trials are supplementing the market in North America.Get a discount @Asia Pacific will be an emerging market for thrombectomy devices. The widening base of target patient population, growing healthcare expenditure, and increasing awareness regarding novel devices among surgeons are stoking the growth of the region. In addition, the growth of the region can be attributed to the rising localized manufacturing and strengthening of distribution channels.Global Thrombectomy Devices Market: Competitive LandscapeThe majority of key players in the global thrombectomy devices market are looking upon mergers and acquisitions as viable strategies to expand their product portfolio. They are paying high attention to technological advancements and product upgradation to stay relevant in this highly competitive arena. Some of the key global participants in the global market are Stryker Corporation, Medtronic Plc, Boston Scientific Corporation, Penumbra Inc., Teleflex Incorporated, AngioDynamics Inc., The Spectranetics Corporation, Johnson and Johnson Inc., Terumo Corporation, and Vascular Solutions Inc.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth researh of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Screw Jacks Market Value Projected to Expand by 2025

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Cellular imaging is a technology used to detect and analyze organelles and macromolecules with the help of microscopy and computer programming. It also helps in measuring properties of cells including shape, size and protein presence. Cellular imaging also helps in knowing biomolecules nature. Confocal laser scanning microscopy, fluroscence resonance energy transfer and multiphoton are some of the advanced cellular imaging techniques which helps in understanding molecular and functional systems in the cell. Hospitals, academic institutions, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology companies uses cellular imaging systems as an important tool for drug discovery, research and diagnosis. Cellular imaging also helps in generating high throughput mode to discover the biomarkers and drug target candidates. Microscopic and macroscopic techniques are two types of intravital cellular imaging technologies.To view complete report @North America is the largest market for cellular imaging followed by Europe due to increasing incidence of cancer and rising number of R&D activities. Asia is expected to experience high growth rate in next few years due to rising government investments for cell based research activities. In addition, growing demand for outsourcing of drug discovery services is also fuelling the growth of cellular imaging market in Asia.A sample of this report is available upon request @In recent times there is increased use of cellular imaging due to increasing cancer treatment and diagnostics. Improved accuracy of cellular analysis, cellular imaging and rise in government funding for cell based research activities are some of the key factors driving the growth of global cellular imaging market. In addition, growing healthcare and medical spending is also fuelling the growth of cellular imaging market. However, huge capital requirements and lack of skilled personnel for carrying out the high content screening process are some of the major factors restraining the growth of global cellular imaging market.Availability of less number of skilled and knowledgeable professionals poses major challenge for the global cellular imaging market. Adoption of cell analysis for cell identification and cell signaling pathways and rising number of contract research organization are some of the key opportunities for the global cellular imaging market.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Some of the major companies operating in global cellular imaging market are Agilent Technologies, Inc., Beckton, Dickinson and Company, Danaher Corporation, Olympus Corporation, GE Healthcare, Promega Corporation and Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll-Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Significant Growth Of Consumer Camera Drones Market: Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2016 to 2022

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Significant Growth Of Consumer Camera Drones Market: Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2016 to 2022" to its huge collection of research reports.Worldwide consumer drone markets are poised to achieve significant growth with the use of cameras on stable flying platforms that are used to help implement video and picture taking from the air. Activity visualization from the air lets users share images and videos that are interesting and help build relationships.Camera drones use automated process to make socialization more interesting. Drones provide better, more flexible visualization for sharing on social networks. Smart drone cameras provide the prospect of building social networks that are stronger and have increasingly further outreach. Smart consumer drones connect seamlessly and securely to the Internet, permitting instant upload of videos and images. The camera drones can connect to each other, providing the prospect of filmmaking that comes from stitching together video of a single scene shot from multiple angles.Camera drone technology has reached a level of maturity that has put these systems at the forefront of picture taking modernization. People around the entire world are adapting to drone availability, using aerial cameras to visualize daily activities from up in the air. Use cases are evolving rapidly. Video, specialized video, targeted video, and high quality image systems are offered.Consumer photography drones are enormously popular as flying cameras, lifting cameras so every person who wants it can rise above the earth to look down from above. Photography drones are set to make every industry more productive with better, more flexible visualization. Photography drone uses provide the prospect of trillions of dollars in economic growth. Drones connect seamlessly and securely to the Internet and to each other.Photography drone aerial vehicle (UAV) technology has reached a level of maturity that has permitted DJI to garner $1 billion in revenue in 2015, doubling their revenue in one year. This achievement puts the photography drone systems at the forefront of aerospace manufacturing. Every industry and around the entire world vendors are adapting to drone availability. Use cases are evolving rapidly. Video, photos, specialized video, targeted video, and high resolution images systems are offered.Photography drones have cameras that lift the user visualization above the earth, creating videos and images that are dramatic and impactful. The devices are smart: They have sensors and software that permits automated response to camera input. Smart drones are evolving the ability to interconnect to smart phones, but drones are smart even without smart phone guidance systems. They have microprocessors that can be used to automate processes. Smart commercial drones connect seamlessly and securely to the Internet and to each other.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Use of drones represents a key milestone in provision of value to every industry. Customized cameras are used to take photos and videos with stunning representations. Digital controls will further automate flying, making ease of use and flight stability a reality. New materials and new designs are bringing that transformation forward. By furthering innovation, continued growth is assured.The worldwide market for camera drones is $2 billion anticipated to reach $21.5 billion by 2022. The complete report provides a comprehensive analysis of drones in different categories, illustrating the diversity of uses for remote flying devices that have high quality cameras on board. Analytics makes the images more cogent. Cameras used from the air are used to anticipate infrastructure problems that only become visible to humans on land days, weeks, or months after the drone images detect issues.Companies ProfiledMarket LeadersNorthrop Grumman AeroVironmentBoeing / InsituGeneral AtomicsLockheed MartinDraganflyerTextron / AAIIAIMarket ParticipantsAeroVironmentASN TechnologiesAurora FlightAviation Industry Corp (Avic)BAE SystemsBoeingChallis UAV Inc.Browse More Details @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 Market For Nuclear Power In France: Capacity, Generation, Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), Investment Trends, Regulations and Company Profiles - Outlook to 2030, Update 2017

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ResearchMoz presents this most up-to-date research on "Global Market For Nuclear Power In France: Capacity, Generation, Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), Investment Trends, Regulations and Company Profiles - Outlook to 2030, Update 2017"."Nuclear Power in France, 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 France.The report provides in depth analysis on global nuclear power market with forecasts up to 2030. The report analyzes the power market scenario in France (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 France 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.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 France 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 France 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.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @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 France 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.1 Table of Contents1 Table of Contents 21.1 List of Tables 41.2 List of Figures 52 Executive Summary 62.1 Fall in OECD Countries Carbon Emission despite a Global Rise during 2010-2015 62.2 Nuclear Power to Grow at a Slower Pace than Other Power Generating Sources 62.3 Nuclear Power Constituted Nearly Half of the Power Generating Capacity in France in 2016 62.4 Pressurized Water Reactor is the only Technology used in France 73 Introduction 83.1 Carbon Emissions, Global, 2001-2016 83.2 Primary Energy Consumption, Global, 2001-2025 103.3 Report Guidance 134 Nuclear Power Market, Global, 2006-2030 144.1 Nuclear Power Market, Global, Overview 144.2 Nuclear Power Market, Global, Installed Capacity, 2006-2030 154.2.1 Nuclear Power Market, Global, Installed Capacity Share by Region, 2016 and 2030 174.2.2 Nuclear Power Market, Global, Installed Capacity Share by Country, 2016 and 2030 194.3 Nuclear Power Market, Global, Power Generation, 2006-2030 214.3.1 Nuclear Power Market, Global, Generation Share by Region, 2016 and 2030 23Browse More Details @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 @
The Cards and Payments Industry in the UAE with Research and Analysis: Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2020

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"The Cards and Payments Industry in the UAE: Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2020" The Report covers current Industries Trends, Worldwide Analysis, Global Forecast, Review, Share, Size, Growth, Effect.Description-SynopsisTimetrics 'The Cards and Payments Industry in the UAE: Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the UAE cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including check payments, cash transactions and payment cards during the review period (20112015).Get Sample Report With TOC @The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry, and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation, and transaction values and volumes during the review period and over the forecast period (20162020). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape, including the market shares of issuers and schemes.The report brings together Timetrics 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.SummaryTimetrics 'The Cards and Payments Industry in the UAE: Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the UAE cards and payments industry, including:Current and forecast values for each market in the UAE cards and payments industry, including debit card, credit and charge cards.Detailed insights into payment instruments including check payments, cash transactions 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 UAE cards and payments industry.Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit, credit and charge cards.Comprehensive analysis of consumer attitudes and buying preferences for cards.The competitive landscape in the UAE cards and payments industry.ScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the UAE cards and payments industry.It provides current values for the UAE cards and payments industry for 2015, and forecast figures to 2020.It details the different demographic, economic, infrastructural and business drivers affecting the USE cards and payments industry.It outlines the current regulatory framework in the industry.It details marketing strategies used by various banks and other institutions.Reasons To BuyMake strategic business decisions, using top-level historic and forecast market data, related to the UAE cards and payments industry and each market within it.Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the UAE cards and payments industry.Assess the competitive dynamics in the UAE cards and payments industry.Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in the UAE.Gain insights into key regulations governing the UAE cards and payments industry.Key HighlightsAs part of a financial inclusion initiative, the government introduced the Wages Protection System (WPS) in January 2009. It requires all wage payments to be made through a bank, bureau de change or other authorized financial institution. In a similar initiative, the Emirates Identity Authority collaborated with Al Hilal Bank in September 2014, to allow Emirati residents to use national ID cards to withdraw cash from ATMs.There is rising demand for payroll cards in the UAE, supported by the governments WPS policy and a high expatriate population. To cater this demand, in February 2016, UnionPay International collaborated with banks in the UAE to issue a prepaid salary card. In May 2013, Network International, a subsidiary of Emirates NBD launched prepaid cards to enable companies to pay wages to blue-collar workers.Banks and payment companies in the UAE are increasingly using contactless technology. In January 2016, Rakbank launched the RED MasterCard, a credit card with contactless functionality. In November 2015, Citibank partnered with MasterCard to introduce contactless payment technology for Citi MasterCard credit cardholders. Banks are also offering mobile contactless payments to Emirati consumers. Emirates NBD launched a mobile contactless payment solution, Emirates NBD Pay, in the UAE in August 2016. The mobile app enables bank Visa cardholders to instantly pay for in-store purchases using an Android handset.Table of Contents1 DEFINITIONS AND METHODOLOGY1.1 Definitions1.2 Methodology2 KEY FACTS AND HIGHLIGHTS3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY4 PAYMENT INSTRUMENTS5 E-COMMERCE AND ALTERNATIVE PAYMENTS5.1 E-Commerce Market and Payment Methods5.2 Alternative Payment Solutions5.2.1 PayPal5.2.2 MasterPass5.2.3 Visa Checkout5.2.4 Emirates NBD Pay5.2.5 CashU5.2.6 Payfort5.2.7 Mobile Embrace Direct Carrier Billing5.2.8 Network Online5.2.9 PayTabs6 REGULATIONS IN THE CARDS AND PAYMENTS INDUSTRY6.1 Regulatory Framework6.2 Anti-Money Laundering (AML)6.3 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Regulations7 ANALYSIS OF CARDS AND PAYMENTS INDUSTRY DRIVERS8 PAYMENT CARDS9 DEBIT CARDS9.1 Debit Card Market Analysis9.2 Debit Card Scheme and Issuer Shares9.3 Debit Cards Comparison10 PAY LATER CARDS10.1 Pay Later Cards Market Analysis10.2 Pay Later Cards Scheme and Issuer Shares10.3 Pay Later Cards Comparison11 PREPAID CARDS12 APPENDIX12.1 Tables12.2 Contact Timetric12.3 About Timetric12.4 Timetrics Services12.5 DisclaimerFull Report @ResearchMoz 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.Researchmoz Global Pvt. Ltd.90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States,Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free),Tel: +1-518-621-2074
Overview Of Telecommunications Market In Guinea (Conakry): Mobile Network Expansion and Innovative VAS to Spur Telecom Growth

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ResearchMoz presents this most up-to-date research on "Overview Of Telecommunications Market In Guinea (Conakry): Mobile Network Expansion and Innovative VAS to Spur Telecom Growth"."Guinea (Conakry): Mobile Network Expansion and Innovative VAS to Spur Telecom Growth", a new Country Intelligence Report by GlobalData, provides an executive-level overview of the telecommunications market in Guinea Conakry today, with detailed forecasts of key indicators up to 2022. Published annually, the report provides detailed analysis of the near-term opportunities, competitive dynamics and evolution of demand by service type and technology/platform across the fixed telephony, broadband and mobile sectors, as well as a review of key regulatory trends.In 2017, Guinea Conakry will generate total telecom service revenue of $390m (or 5.4% of its nominal GDP), an increase of 1.0% over 2016, owing to an increase in fixed Internet and mobile services revenue. Mobile voice will continue to be the largest revenue-contributing segment in 2017 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 2.7% during 2017-2022. Mobile data will be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period, mainly driven by operator investments in network expansions and upgrades and innovative service offerings and seasonal promotions to stimulate data adoption. Operators will seize opportunities via VAS offerings such as mobile money and mobile music.The Country Intelligence Report provides in-depth analysis of the following -- Regional context: telecom market size and trends in Guinea Conakry compared with other countries in the region.- Economic, demographic and political context in Guinea Conakry.- The regulatory environment and trends: a review of the regulatory setting and agenda for the next 18-24 months as well as relevant developments pertaining to spectrum licensing, national broadband plans, number portability and more.- A demand profile: analysis as well as historical figures and forecasts of service revenue from the fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice and mobile data.- Service evolution: a look at changes in the breakdown of overall revenue between the fixed and mobile sectors and between voice and data from 2017 to 2022.- The competitive landscape: an examination of key trends in competition and in the performance, revenue market shares and expected moves of service providers over the next 18-24 months.- In-depth sector analysis of fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice and mobile data: a quantitative analysis of service adoption trends by network technology and by operator, as well as of average revenue per line/subscription and service revenue through the end of the forecast period.- Main opportunities: this section details the near-term opportunities for operators, vendors and investors in Guinea Conakry's telecommunication market.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Scope- The overall telecom service revenue in Guinea Conakry is estimated to generate $390m in 2017 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% during 2017-2022.- Mobile revenue will account for 97.3% of total telecom revenue in 2022.- The Guinea Conakry telecom market will be dominated by Orange Guinea and MTN Guinea. Operators will continue to invest in 2G/3G coverage expansions, deployment of fiber-optic cables and the ACE submarine cable to boost international connectivity.Reasons to buy- This Country Intelligence Report offers a thorough, forward-looking analysis of Guinea Conakry's telecommunication market, service providers and key opportunities in a concise format to help executives build proactive and profitable growth strategies.- Accompanying GlobalDatas Forecast products, the report examines the assumptions and drivers behind ongoing and upcoming trends in Guinea Conakry's mobile communications, fixed telephony and broadband markets, including the evolution of service provider market shares.- With more than 20 charts and tables, the report is designed for an executive-level audience, boasting presentation quality.- The report provides an easily digestible market assessment for decision-makers built around in-depth information gathered from local market players, which enables executives to quickly get up to speed with the current and emerging trends in Guinea Conakry's telecommunication market.- The broad perspective of the report coupled with comprehensive, actionable detail will help operators, equipment vendors and other telecom industry players succeed in the challenging telecommunications market in Guinea Conakry.Browse More Details @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 @
The Insurance Industry in Oman with Research and Analysis, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020

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"The Insurance Industry in Oman, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020" The Report covers current Industries Trends, Worldwide Analysis, Global Forecast, Review, Share, Size, Growth, Effect.Description-SynopsisTimetrics 'The Insurance Industry in Oman, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides a detailed analysis of the Omani insurance industry.It provides key performance indicators such as written premium, incurred loss, loss ratio, commissions and expenses, total assets, total investment income and retentions during the review (20112015) and forecast periods (20152020).Get Sample Report With TOC @The report also gives a comprehensive overview of the Omani economy and demographics, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country. It also includes the impact of natural hazards on the insurance industry.The report brings together Timetrics research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations and recent changes in the regulatory structure.SummaryTimetrics 'The Insurance Industry in Oman, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Omani insurance industry, including:An overview of the Omani insurance industryThe Omani insurance industry's growth prospects by segment and categoryA comprehensive overview of the Omani economy and demographicsThe detailed competitive landscape in the Omani insurance industryDetails of regulatory policy applicable to the Omani insurance industryAnalysis of natural hazards in OmanScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the insurance industry in Oman:It provides historical values for the Omani insurance industry for the reports 20112015 review period, and projected figures for the 20152020 forecast period.It offers a detailed analysis of the key segments in the Omani insurance industry, with market forecasts to 2020.It covers an exhaustive list of parameters, including written premium, incurred loss, loss ratio, combined ratio, total assets, total investment income and retentions.It profiles the top insurance companies in Oman, and outlines the key regulations affecting them.It covers the economy and demographics structure of Oman.It analyzes the impact of natural hazards in the Omani insurance industry.Reasons To BuyMake strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Omani insurance industry and each segment and category within it.Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Omani insurance industry.Assess the competitive dynamics in the Omani insurance industry.Identify the growth opportunities and market dynamics in key segments.Gain insights into key regulations governing the Omani insurance industry and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Key HighlightsOmani economy is heavily dependent on oil resources, which generated around 84.0% of government revenue in 2015.Insurance penetration was 1.1% in 2014, which was lower than the GCC average of 1.4%.The non-life segment was the largest contributor, accounting for 65.3% of the industrys gross written premium in 2015.In 2016, the CMA issued a new unified motor policy with amendments. Holders with no or good claims records are entitled to a no-claims discount on renewal.Full Report @ResearchMoz 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.Researchmoz Global Pvt. Ltd.90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States,Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free),Tel: +1-518-621-2074
China's Coronary Stent Market: By Product Type - Bare Metal Stents, Drug Eluting Stents & Bio-absorbable Stents

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "China's Coronary Stent Market: By Product Type - Bare Metal Stents, Drug Eluting Stents & Bio-absorbable Stents" to its huge collection of research reports.This report studies Coronary Stent in China market, focuses on the top players in China market, with capacity, production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringAbbott Laboratories, Inc.Boston Scientific CorporationMedtronic, Inc.Johnson & JohnsonTerumo CorporationB. Braun Melsungen AGC. R. Bard, Inc.Cook Medical, Inc.AMG International GmbHBiotronik SE & Co. KGStentys SASplit by product Type, with production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoBare Metal StentsDrug Eluting StentsBio-absorbable StentsSplit by Application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Coronary Stent in each application, can be divided intoMedicalResearch CenterOthersTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Table of ContentsChina Coronary Stent Market Research Report 20161 Coronary Stent Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Coronary Stent1.2 Coronary Stent Segment by Type1.2.1 China Production Market Share of Coronary Stent Type in 20151.2.2 Bare Metal Stents1.2.3 Drug Eluting Stents1.2.4 Bio-absorbable Stents1.3 Applications of Coronary Stent1.3.1 Coronary Stent Consumption Market Share by Application in 20151.3.2 Medical1.3.3 Research Center1.3.4 Others1.4 China Market Size (Value) of Coronary Stent (2011-2021)1.5 China Coronary StentStatus and Outlook1.6 Government Policies2 China Coronary Stent Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 China Coronary Stent Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 China Coronary Stent Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 China Coronary Stent Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.4 Manufacturers Coronary Stent Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area, Product Type2.5 Coronary Stent Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Coronary Stent Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Coronary Stent Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 ManufacturersBrowse More Details @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 @
United Stated Coronary Stent Market: By Applications - Medical, Research Center & Others

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "United Stated Coronary Stent Market: By Applications - Medical, Research Center & Others" to its huge collection of research reports.This report studies sales (consumption) of Coronary Stent in United Stated market, focuses on the top players, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player, coveringAbbott Laboratories, Inc.Boston Scientific CorporationMedtronic, Inc.Johnson & JohnsonTerumo CorporationB. Braun Melsungen AGC. R. Bard, Inc.Cook Medical, Inc.AMG International GmbHBiotronik SE & Co. KGStentys SASplit by product types, with sales, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoBare Metal StentsDrug Eluting StentsBio-absorbable StentsSplit by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Coronary Stent in each application, can be divided intoMedicalResearch CenterOthersTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Table of ContentsUnited Stated Coronary Stent Market Report 20161 Coronary Stent Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Coronary Stent1.2 Classification of Coronary Stent1.2.1 Bare Metal Stents1.2.2 Drug Eluting Stents1.2.3 Bio-absorbable Stents1.3 Application of Coronary Stent1.3.1 Medical1.3.2 Research Center1.3.3 Others1.4 United Stated Market Size Sales (Value) and Revenue (Volume) of Coronary Stent (2011-2021)1.4.1 United Stated Coronary Stent Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2021)1.4.2 United Stated Coronary Stent Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)2 United Stated Coronary Stent Competition by Manufacturers2.1 United Stated Coronary Stent Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 United Stated Coronary Stent Revenue and Share by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.3 United Stated Coronary Stent Average Price by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.4 Coronary Stent Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.4.1 Coronary Stent Market Concentration Rate2.4.2 Coronary Stent Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.4.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 United Stated Coronary Stent Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by Type (2011-2016)3.1 United Stated Coronary Stent Sales and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)3.2 United Stated Coronary Stent Revenue and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)3.3 United Stated Coronary Stent Price by Type (2011-2016)Browse More Details @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 @
The Insurance Industry in Palestine with Research and Analysis, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020

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"The Insurance Industry in Palestine, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020" The Report covers current Industries Trends, Worldwide Analysis, Global Forecast, Review, Share, Size, Growth, Effect.Description-SynopsisTimetrics 'The Insurance Industry in Palestine, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides a detailed analysis of Palestinian insurance industry.It provides key performance indicators such as written premium, incurred loss, loss ratio, commissions and expenses, total assets, total investment income and retentions during the review (20112015) and forecast periods (20152020).Get Sample Report With TOC @The report also gives a comprehensive overview of the Palestinian economy and demographics, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country. It also includes the impact of natural hazards on the insurance industry.The report brings together Timetrics research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations and recent changes in the regulatory structure.SummaryTimetrics 'The Insurance Industry in Palestine, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Palestinian insurance industry, including:An overview of the Palestinian insurance industryThe Palestinian insurance industry's growth prospects by segment and categoryA comprehensive overview of the Palestinian economy and demographicsThe detailed competitive landscape in the Palestinian insurance industryOverview of distribution channels in the Palestinian insurance industryDetails of regulatory policy applicable to the Palestinian insurance industryAn analysis of natural hazards and its impact on the Palestinian insurance industryScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the insurance industry in Palestine:It provides historical values for the Palestinian insurance industry for the reports 20112015 review period, and projected figures for the 20152020 forecast period.It offers a detailed analysis of the key segments in the Palestinian insurance industry, with market forecasts to 2020.It covers an exhaustive list of parameters, including written premium, incurred loss, loss ratio, combined ratio, total assets, total investment income and retentions.It profiles the top insurance companies in Palestine, and outlines the key regulations affecting them.It covers the economy and demographics structure of Palestine.It analyzes the impact of natural hazards in the Palestinian insurance industry.Reasons To BuyMake strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Palestinian insurance industry and each segment and category within it.Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Palestinian insurance industry.Assess the competitive dynamics in the Palestinian insurance industry.Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key segments.Gain insights into key regulations governing the Palestinian insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Key HighlightsThe service sector had a significant impact on the economy. In 2014, it accounted for 31.3% of real GDP and strengthened its competition at both the national and international level.The industry is dominated by the non-life segment, with a gross written premium share of 79.0% in 2015.The National Security Committee introduced a social security scheme in October 2015, to cover all private sector employees.A high unemployment rate can be found among the working age group (1529 years) especially university graduates due to a skill mismatch among employees and employers.The countrys small population is expected to be a challenge for the industry. Factors such as a lack of a competitive environment, political crisis, a weak regulatory framework and poor levels of public awareness and financial education among the rural and semi-urban populations will also limit this demand.Full Report @ResearchMoz 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.Researchmoz Global Pvt. Ltd.90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States,Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free),Tel: +1-518-621-2074
Dental Implant Surgery Tools Market - Production, Revenue, Consumption, Import, Export and forecast to 2022

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Dental implant surgery tools include calipers, gauges, bone grafting instruments, osteotomes, bone spreading chisels, collagen products, and sterilization trays. All these are used in fixing implants on decayed teeth with the help of crowns and abutments. People with edentulous and flawed teeth are expected to benefit the most from these dental procedures. Introduction of tissue management and 3D simulated guides are expected to drive sales of dental implant surgery tools in the U.S. market.Request Sample Report of Dental Implant Surgery Tools Market here@Companies have introduced new products to make dental work easier, as is evident from the launch of Wingrove Go-To Set by Paradise Dental Technologies. The set contains instruments essential for dental care and is made of titanium as opposed to metal due to its long life. The instruments are placed in a FlipTop cassette for easy use. Surgical guides along with treatment planning software are tools expected to facilitate dentists in their tasks. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanners can create accurate 3D models of teeth within the jaw. It can assist dentists in gaining insight on teeth with the right bone density and structure.The dental implant surgery tools market focused on the U.S. is projected to exhibit a healthy CAGR over the forecast period (2012  2022), according to a report available on Radiant Insights, Inc. It is driven by need for dental surgeries to fix flawed teeth. Emphasis on oral health, introduction of novel technologies to aid in surgeries, and development of surgical instruments are expected to drive regional market growth over the forecast period.Implantation and auxiliary tools are major types of dental implant surgery tools within the market. Both segments are expected to exhibit a significant growth rate in the forthcoming years. Hospitals, clinics, and others are major market applications. Within clinics, group practices are purportedly projected to display a healthier CAGR than single practices. It is driven by demand for prosthetics and implants. Notable market players include OSSTEM IMPLANT, BioGenesis, MIS Implants Technologies, and Straumann.Browse Complete Report Summary with TOC here:Table of ContentsGlobal Dental Implant Surgery Tools Market Professional Survey Report 20171 Industry Overview of Dental Implant Surgery Tools1.1 Definition and Specifications of Dental Implant Surgery Tools1.1.1 Definition of Dental Implant Surgery Tools1.1.2 Specifications of Dental Implant Surgery Tools1.2 Classification of Dental Implant Surgery Tools1.2.1 Implantation Tools1.2.2 Auxiliary Tools1.3 Applications of Dental Implant Surgery Tools1.3.1 Hospital1.3.2 Clinic1.3.3 Other1.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 India2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Dental Implant Surgery Tools2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Dental Implant Surgery Tools2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Dental Implant Surgery Tools2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Dental Implant Surgery Tools3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Dental Implant Surgery Tools3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Dental Implant Surgery Tools Major Manufacturers in 20163.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Dental Implant Surgery Tools Major Manufacturers in 20163.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Dental Implant Surgery Tools Major Manufacturers in 20163.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Dental Implant Surgery Tools Major Manufacturers in 20164 Global Dental Implant Surgery Tools Overall Market Overview4.1 2012-2017E Overall Market Analysis4.2 Capacity Analysis4.2.1 2012-2017E Global Dental Implant Surgery Tools Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis4.2.2 2016 Dental Implant Surgery Tools Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)4.3 Sales Analysis4.3.1 2012-2017E Global Dental Implant Surgery Tools Sales and Growth Rate Analysis4.3.2 2016 Dental Implant Surgery Tools Sales Analysis (Company Segment)Radiant Insights, Inc. offers insights and customized solutions for the latest markets ranging from energy to technology & media.Buy Complete Report @About Us:Radiant Insights is a market research and consulting company offering syndicated research studies, customized reports, and consulting services. Our market research studies are designed to facilitate strategic decision making, on the basis of extensive and in-depth quantitative information, supported by extensive analysis and industry insights. Using a patented and robust research methodology, we publish exhaustive research reports covering a host of industries such as Technology, Chemicals, Materials, and Energy.Media Contact:Michelle Thoras201 Spear Street 1100,Suite 3036, San Francisco,CA 94105, United StatesTel: 1-415-349-0054Toll Free: 1-888-928-9744Mail: sales@radiantinsights.com
Future of Mobile Commerce: Prepaid - Stored Value-Third-party Pays-Huge Opportunities for Carriers, Merchants, and Telecom Vendors

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Once an emerging service, prepaid communications is now considered a mature offering. However, it has evolved beyond communications to include content, applications and commerce. From a mobile commerce perspective, mobile shopping is evolving as well with merchants increasingly recognizing the need to capture the attention of consumers on-the-go, drive purchase decisions, build brand loyalty, and support ongoing customer/business relationships.The use of stored value and subsidization is one technique in the toolkit to encourage in-store shopping and purchasing to combat the so-called showrooming phenomenon.This report evaluates technologies for prepaid content/commerce, stored value, and related areas. The report also analyzes third-party subsidization models and other methods to drive more shopping and actual buying at the point-of-sale.Get The Sample Copy Of This Report :Report AudienceMobile Cellular CarriersWireless Device ManufacturersWireless Infrastructure ProvidersCommerce, Content and Application ProvidersMRRbiz supports your business intelligence needs with over 700,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Market 2017 - Key Regions- United States, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia, India

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Blood glucose meters are medical devices used in determining and monitoring glucose levels in the blood. They are a major part of blood glucose monitoring systems (BGMS), along with lancets and strips. These devices have been used to manage type I and II diabetes. With advanced technologies, blood glucose meters can now transfer data wirelessly over the Internet. Data is stored on a cloud database as a permanent record and this can be accessed by doctors to better help patients. High adoption level of these devices is expected to result in greater demand for wireless blood glucose meters.Request Sample Report of Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Market here@Advent of self-monitoring and continuous monitoring technologies will lead to the adoption of the wireless feature in these systems. The effect can already be seen with iHealth launching its wireless smart-gluco monitoring system. It comes with built-in support from mobile applications available on Android and iOS platforms. Johnson & Johnson recently received US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for its latest product, OneTouch Verio Flex glucometer. This product has a tie-up with WellDoc management systems, which allows consumers to take daily readings of their sugar levels and consult their doctors in case of emergencies.According to a report available on Radiant Insights, Inc., the global wireless blood glucose meter market is expected to attain high revenues by 2022. It is expected to exhibit a steady CAGR throughout the forecast period (2012  2022). It is driven by high prevalence of diabetes due to prevalence of sedentary lifestyles. Advances in blood glucose monitoring systems as well as upsurge in elderly populace are factors that can contribute to market growth.Manual and automatic blood glucose meters are two major types currently available. The latter is expected to gain major market share during the forecast period due to its advanced features. Hospitals, clinics, and physical examination centers are major application segments. Hospitals are projected to gain a massive market share thanks to its laboratories equipped with advanced technologies to dole out instant results. Prominent market players include F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, General Life Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Nova Biomedical, and Abbott Diabetes Care.Browse Complete Report Summary with TOC here:Table of ContentsGlobal Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Sales Market Report 20171 Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Wireless Blood Glucose Meter1.2 Classification of Wireless Blood Glucose Meter by Product Category1.2.1 Global Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Manual Blood Glucose Meter1.2.4 Automatic Blood Glucose Meter1.3 Global Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Global Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Hospital1.3.3 Clinic1.3.4 Physical Examination Center1.4 Global Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Market by Region1.4.1 Global Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 China Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Europe Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Wireless Blood Glucose Meter (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Global Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Wireless Blood Glucose Meter (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Global Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Global Wireless Blood Glucose Meter (Volume and Value) by Region2.3.1 Global Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.3.2 Global Wireless Blood Glucose Meter Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4 Global Wireless Blood Glucose Meter (Volume) by ApplicationRadiant Insights, Inc. offers insights and customized solutions for the latest markets ranging from energy to technology & media.Buy Complete Report @About Us:Radiant Insights is a market research and consulting company offering syndicated research studies, customized reports, and consulting services. Our market research studies are designed to facilitate strategic decision making, on the basis of extensive and in-depth quantitative information, supported by extensive analysis and industry insights. Using a patented and robust research methodology, we publish exhaustive research reports covering a host of industries such as Technology, Chemicals, Materials, and Energy.Media Contact:Michelle Thoras201 Spear Street 1100,Suite 3036, San Francisco,CA 94105, United StatesTel: 1-415-349-0054Toll Free: 1-888-928-9744Mail: sales@radiantinsights.com
Guinea-Bissau: 4G Launch and Value-Added Services to Support Mobile Data Growth

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Guinea-Bissau: 4G Launch and Value-Added Services to Support Mobile Data GrowthBrowse More :Summary"Guinea-Bissau: 4G Launch and Value-Added Services to Support Mobile Data Growth", a new Country Intelligence Report by GlobalData, provides an executive-level overview of the telecommunications market in Guinea-Bissau today, with detailed forecasts of key indicators up to 2022. Published annually, the report provides detailed analysis of the near-term opportunities, competitive dynamics and evolution of demand by service type and technology/platform across the fixed telephony, broadband and mobile sectors, as well as a review of key regulatory trends.The telecom services revenue in Guinea-Bissau is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.4% during 2017-2022, driven mainly by the mobile segment, as operators increase their focus on expanding network coverage and on improving quality of service to foster mobile services penetration of the population and mobile data services adoption.Get the Sample Copy of This report :Going forward, operators should continue to focus on network investments and upgrades, particularly expanding 3G and 4G networks in order to seize opportunities arising from growth in the mobile data segment. Operators mobile network expansion and the governments ICT infrastructure development plans will present significant opportunities for vendors and investors.The Country Intelligence Report provides in-depth analysis of the following -- Regional context: telecom market size and trends in Guinea-Bissau compared with other countries in the region.- Economic, demographic and political context in Guinea-Bissau.- The regulatory environment and trends: a review of the regulatory setting and agenda for the next 18-24 months as well as relevant developments pertaining to numbering plans, national broadband plans and more.- A demand profile: analysis as well as historical figures and forecasts of service revenue from the fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice and mobile data.- Service evolution: a look at changes in the breakdown of overall revenue between the fixed and mobile sectors and between voice and data from 2017 to 2022.- The competitive landscape: an examination of key trends in competition and in the performance, revenue market shares and expected moves of service providers over the next 18-24 months.- In-depth sector analysis of fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice and mobile data: a quantitative analysis of service adoption trends by network technology and by operator, as well as of average revenue per line/subscription and service revenue through the end of the forecast period.- Main opportunities: this section details the near-term opportunities for operators, vendors and investors in Guinea-Bissau's telecommunications market.Send An Enquiry :Scope- Overall telecom service revenue in Guinea-Bissau is estimated to generate $68.7m in 2017 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.4% during 2017-2022, mainly driven by the mobile data segment.- Operators are focusing on modernizing the existing networks and new service offerings such as value-added services to increase revenue.- Mobile revenue will account for 97.2% of total telecom revenue in 2022; mobile data will be the fastest-growing segment over 2017-2022.- The Guinea-Bissau telecom market will be dominated by MTN Bissau and Orange Bissau. Operators will focus on offering VAS and improving network infrastructure to improve their market position.Reasons to buy- This Country Intelligence Report offers a thorough, forward-looking analysis of Guinea-Bissau's telecommunication market, service providers and key opportunities in a concise format to help executives build proactive and profitable growth strategies.- Accompanying GlobalDatas Forecast products, the report examines the assumptions and drivers behind ongoing and upcoming trends in Guinea-Bissau's mobile communications, fixed telephony and broadband markets, including the evolution of service provider market shares.- With more than 20 charts and tables, the report is designed for an executive-level audience, boasting presentation quality.- The report provides an easily digestible market assessment for decision-makers built around in-depth information gathered from local market players, which enables executives to quickly get up to speed with the current and emerging trends in Guinea-Bissau's telecommunications market.- The broad perspective of the report coupled with comprehensive, actionable detail will help operators, equipment vendors and other telecom industry players succeed in the challenging telecommunications market in Guinea-Bissau.MRRbiz supports your business intelligence needs with over 700,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
X-ray Gas Detector Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application: 2017

X-ray Gas Detector, X-ray ,Gas, Detector,REPORTSANDMARKETS

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Access Full Report:Geographically, this report split Asia-Pacific into several key Regions, with sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of X-ray Gas Detector for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), includingChinaJapanSouth KoreaTaiwanIndiaSoutheast AsiaAustraliaAsia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector market competition by top manufacturers/players, with X-ray Gas Detector sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingHoneywell AnalyticsDragerIndustrial ScientificNew Cosmos ElectricTyco InternationalRiken KeikiEmersonOldhamUTC3MHanweiDownload Sample Copy@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 intoFixed X-ray Gas DetectorsPortable X-ray Gas DetectorsOn 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 X-ray Gas Detector for each application, includinOil & GasMiningManufacturing IndustryBuilding AutomationOther ApplicationsIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Check Discount Offer :Table of ContentsAsia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Market Report 20171 X-ray Gas Detector Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of X-ray Gas Detector1.2 Classification of X-ray Gas Detector by Product Category1.2.1 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Types (2012-2022)1.2.2 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Fixed X-ray Gas Detectors1.2.4 Portable X-ray Gas Detectors1.3 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Applications (2012-2022)1.3.2 Oil & Gas1.3.3 Mining1.3.4 Manufacturing Industry1.3.5 Building Automation1.3.6 Other Applications1.4 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Market by Region1.4.1 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.8 Australia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Asia-Pacific Market Size (Value and Volume) of X-ray Gas Detector (2012-2022)1.5.1 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application2.1 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector (Volume) by Application2.4 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector (Volume and Value) by Region2.4.1 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.2 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3 China X-ray Gas Detector (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 China X-ray Gas Detector Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 China X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 China X-ray Gas Detector Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 China X-ray Gas Detector Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 China X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.3 China X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Market Share by Application4 Japan X-ray Gas Detector (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 Japan X-ray Gas Detector Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 Japan X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 Japan X-ray Gas Detector Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.3 Japan X-ray Gas Detector Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)4.2 Japan X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Market Share by Type4.3 Japan X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Market Share by Application5 South Korea X-ray Gas Detector (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 South Korea X-ray Gas Detector Sales and Value (2012-2017)5.1.1 South Korea X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.2 South Korea X-ray Gas Detector Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.3 South Korea X-ray Gas Detector Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)5.2 South Korea X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Market Share by Type5.3 South Korea X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Market Share by Application6 Taiwan X-ray Gas Detector (Volume, Value and Sales Price)6.1 Taiwan X-ray Gas Detector Sales and Value (2012-2017)6.1.1 Taiwan X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6.1.2 Taiwan X-ray Gas Detector Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6.1.3 Taiwan X-ray Gas Detector Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)6.2 Taiwan X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Market Share by Type6.3 Taiwan X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Market Share by Application7 India X-ray Gas Detector (Volume, Value and Sales Price)7.1 India X-ray Gas Detector Sales and Value (2012-2017)7.1.1 India X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)7.1.2 India X-ray Gas Detector Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)7.1.3 India X-ray Gas Detector Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)7.2 India X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Market Share by Type7.3 India X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Market Share by Application8 Southeast Asia X-ray Gas Detector (Volume, Value and Sales Price)8.1 Southeast Asia X-ray Gas Detector Sales and Value (2012-2017)8.1.1 Southeast Asia X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)8.1.2 Southeast Asia X-ray Gas Detector Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)8.1.3 Southeast Asia X-ray Gas Detector Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)8.2 Southeast Asia X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Market Share by Type8.3 Southeast Asia X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Market Share by Application9 Australia X-ray Gas Detector (Volume, Value and Sales Price)9.1 Australia X-ray Gas Detector Sales and Value (2012-2017)9.1.1 Australia X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)9.1.2 Australia X-ray Gas Detector Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)9.1.3 Australia X-ray Gas Detector Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)9.2 Australia X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Market Share by Type9.3 Australia X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Market Share by Application10 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Players/Suppliers Profiles and Sales Data10.1 Honeywell Analytics10.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.1.2 X-ray Gas Detector Product Category, Application and Specification10.1.2.1 Product A10.1.2.2 Product B10.1.3 Honeywell Analytics X-ray Gas Detector Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)10.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.2 Drager10.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.2.2 X-ray Gas Detector Product Category, Application and Specification10.2.2.1 Product A10.2.2.2 Product B10.2.3 Drager X-ray Gas Detector Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)10.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.3 Industrial Scientific10.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.3.2 X-ray Gas Detector Product Category, Application and Specification10.3.2.1 Product A10.3.2.2 Product B10.3.3 Industrial Scientific X-ray Gas Detector Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)10.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.4 New Cosmos Electric10.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.4.2 X-ray Gas Detector Product Category, Application and Specification10.4.2.1 Product A10.4.2.2 Product B10.4.3 New Cosmos Electric X-ray Gas Detector Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)10.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.5 Tyco International10.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.5.2 X-ray Gas Detector Product Category, Application and Specification10.5.2.1 Product A10.5.2.2 Product B10.5.3 Tyco International X-ray Gas Detector Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)10.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.6 Riken Keiki10.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.6.2 X-ray Gas Detector Product Category, Application and Specification10.6.2.1 Product A10.6.2.2 Product B10.6.3 Riken Keiki X-ray Gas Detector Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)10.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.7 Emerson10.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.7.2 X-ray Gas Detector Product Category, Application and Specification10.7.2.1 Product A10.7.2.2 Product B10.7.3 Emerson X-ray Gas Detector Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)10.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.8 Oldham10.8.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.8.2 X-ray Gas Detector Product Category, Application and Specification10.8.2.1 Product A10.8.2.2 Product B10.8.3 Oldham X-ray Gas Detector Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)10.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.9 UTC10.9.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.9.2 X-ray Gas Detector Product Category, Application and Specification10.9.2.1 Product A10.9.2.2 Product B10.9.3 UTC X-ray Gas Detector Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)10.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.10 3M10.10.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.10.2 X-ray Gas Detector Product Category, Application and Specification10.10.2.1 Product A10.10.2.2 Product B10.10.3 3M X-ray Gas Detector Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)10.10.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.11 Hanwei11 X-ray Gas Detector Manufacturing Cost Analysis11.1 X-ray Gas Detector Key Raw Materials Analysis11.1.1 Key Raw Materials11.1.2 Price Trend of Key Raw Materials11.1.3 Key Suppliers of Raw Materials11.1.4 Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials11.2 Proportion of Manufacturing Cost Structure11.2.1 Raw Materials11.2.2 Labor Cost11.2.3 Manufacturing Expenses11.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of X-ray Gas Detector12 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers12.1 X-ray Gas Detector Industrial Chain Analysis12.2 Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing12.3 Raw Materials Sources of X-ray Gas Detector Major Manufacturers in 201612.4 Downstream Buyers13 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders13.1 Marketing Channel13.1.1 Direct Marketing13.1.2 Indirect Marketing13.1.3 Marketing Channel Development Trend13.2 Market Positioning13.2.1 Pricing Strategy13.2.2 Brand Strategy13.2.3 Target Client13.3 Distributors/Traders List14 Market Effect Factors Analysis14.1 Technology Progress/Risk14.1.1 Substitutes Threat14.1.2 Technology Progress in Related Industry14.2 Consumer Needs/Customer Preference Change14.3 Economic/Political Environmental Change15 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Market Forecast (2017-2022)15.1 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume, Revenue and Price Forecast (2017-2022)15.1.1 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)15.1.2 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)15.1.3 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Price and Trend Forecast (2017-2022)15.2 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast by Region (2017-2022)15.2.1 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Sales Volume and Growth Rate Forecast by Region (2017-2022)15.2.2 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast by Region (2017-2022)15.2.3 China X-ray Gas Detector Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)15.2.4 Japan X-ray Gas Detector Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)15.2.5 South Korea X-ray Gas Detector Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)15.2.6 Taiwan X-ray Gas Detector Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)15.2.7 India X-ray Gas Detector Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)15.2.8 Southeast Asia X-ray Gas Detector Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)15.2.9 Australia X-ray Gas Detector Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)15.3 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Sales, Revenue and Price Forecast by Type (2017-2022)15.3.1 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Sales Forecast by Type (2017-2022)15.3.2 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Revenue Forecast by Type (2017-2022)15.3.3 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Price Forecast by Type (2017-2022)15.4 Asia-Pacific X-ray Gas Detector Sales Forecast by Application (2017-2022)16 Research Findings and Conclusion17 Appendix17.1 Methodology/Research Approach17.1.1 Research Programs/Design17.1.2 Market Size Estimation17.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation17.2 Data Source17.2.1 Secondary Sources17.2.2 Primary Sources17.3 DisclaimerAbout usReports And Markets is part of the Algoro Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.Are you mastering your market? Do you know what the market potential is for your product, who the market players are and what the growth forecast is? We offer standard global, regional or country specific market research studies for almost every market you can imagine.The marketing research reports consist of market analysis with statistical and analytical information on the markets, applications, industry analysis, market shares, technology and technology shifts, important players, and the developments in the market.Do you want to know more on a specific company? Our Company Reports collection contains thousands of profiles of major industrial companies. These reports typically contain information like a company overview, business description, company history, major products and services, key facts, SWOT analysis, key employees, subsidiaries, and company locations.On ReportsAndMarkets.com you will find all the globally available market research and company reports from well-respected market research companies, all leaders in their field. Reports And Markets is totally independent and serves its customers by providing the most reliable market research available, as we understand how important this is for you.Sanjay JainManager - Partner Relations & International Marketing info@reportsandmarkets.com(US)Office No: 206 Empress Mill Society Shree Nagar, Nagpur - 440015 Maharashtra India
Herbal Weight Loss Products Market Opportunities and Forecasts, 2017  2025

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Herbal Weight Loss Products are products that help to reduce the weight of the person with the use of high-grade herbal products such as Garnicia Cambogia, Indian Bdellium, Terminalia Chebula, green coffee bean, Caralluma, etc. to achieve good health and personality. Herbal weight loss products work via many mechanisms: they reduce the appetite and making you feel full to avoid more calories, reduce absorption of nutrients like fat or helps in burning the absorbed fat. For example, Gugglulipid from Guggulu reduce bad cholesterol, LDL, and Triglycerides, Epigallocatechin Gallate (ECGC) that deprived of green tea act as a powerful anti-oxidant which fights cancer, lowers LDL and Slim Veda which make us feel healthier, feel more energetic and regenerate our beauty and make us slim. Herbal weight loss products come in the form of various pills, supplements or syrup. Herbal Weight Loss Products Improves Bowel Evacuation, Reduces Fluid and Normalizes Metabolism without Ant Side Effects. The increase in weight management programs and increasingly busy lifestyle with growing affluence are contributing the demand for Herbal Weight Loss Products that will boost the Herbal Weight Loss Products market over the forecast period.Request to View Tables of Content @Herbal Weight Loss Products Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe rise in disposable income due to increase in job opportunities in developing countries and the desire to enhance the beauty and physical appearance among women is expected to fuel the market revenue for Herbal Weight Loss Products over the forecast period. Also, factors such as Increase in awareness, burgeoning obese population, and rising healthcare expenditures is also attributed to the growth of the Herbal Weight Loss Products market. However, high expenses of products, strict regulatory guidelines for the food and shifting of the consumer interest towards the healthy products can hamper the growth of the Herbal Weight Loss Products market to some extent.Herbal Weight Loss Products Market: SegmentationThe global market for Herbal Weight Loss Products is segmented by form, end user, and geography:based on the Form, the Herbal Weight Loss Products market is segmented into the following:TabletSyrupSupplementsbased on the End User, the Herbal Weight Loss Products market is segmented into the following:Fitness CentersOnline SalesPharmaciesHyper MarketsHerbal Weight Loss Products Market: OverviewWeight Loss is mainly seen as a legitimate desire of the person who presents with the body contour deformities to restore a more energetic, firmer, smoother, youthful, and revitalized natural appearance. Gaining popularity of Herbal Weight Loss Products has to lead the way to drive the growth of the Herbal Weight Loss Products market across the globe. Continuous efforts by weight loss product manufacturers to provide products by an adoption of different kind of other natural ingredients in their products with faster results, giving a wider selection of options for consumers that supposed to create huge market revenue potential in the Herbal Weight Loss Products market.Herbal Weight Loss Products Market: Region-wise OutlookA geographic condition regarding for Herbal Weight Loss Products market, it has been segmented into five broad regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, APAC, and the Middle East & Africa. North America holds the largest market share followed by Europe due to increase in convenience products such as packaged foods and beverages resulting in obesity and other associated diseases leading to a huge demand for Herbal Weight Loss Products. Asia-Pacific regions are also relied upon to show high development rate in Herbal Weight Loss Products market because of rising need to address various obesity related health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, etc. and increase awareness of healthcare programs along with peer group encouragement that would propel the Herbal Weight Loss Products market growth. The Middle East and Africa also has a market demanding population for the Herbal Weight Loss Products due to the high rate of obesity cases reported in the last three decades.Herbal Weight Loss Products Market: Key Market ParticipantsMajor players in the Herbal Weight Loss Products market include: The Himalaya Drug Company, Boli LLC, Ion Labs Inc, Digvijay pharmaceuticals (I) PVT. Ltd.,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:
Hydropower (Large, Small and Pumped Storage) in France, Market Outlook to 2030, Update 2017 - Capacity, Generation, Regulations and Company Profiles

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Albany, New York, July 28, 2017 : Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of " Demand of Hydropower (Large, Small and Pumped Storage) in France Industry : Technology, Applications, Growth and Status 2017 " globally."Hydropower (Large, Small and Pumped Storage) in France, Market Outlook to 2030, Update 2017 - Capacity, Generation, Regulations and Company Profiles" is the latest report from GlobalData, the industry analysis specialists that offer comprehensive information and understanding of the hydropower market in France.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @The report provides in depth analysis on global renewable power market and global hydropower market with forecasts up to 2030. The report analyzes the power market scenario in France (includes conventional thermal, nuclear, large hydro and renewable energy sources) and provides future outlook with forecasts up to 2030. The research details renewable power market outlook in the country (includes hydro, small hydro, biopower and solar PV) and provides forecasts up to 2030. The report highlights installed capacity and power generation trends from 2006 to 2030 in France hydropower market. A detailed coverage of renewable energy policy framework governing the market with specific policies pertaining to hydropower is provided in the report. The research also provides company snapshots 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.ScopeThe report analyses global renewable power market, global hydropower market, France power market, France renewable power market and France hydropower market. The scope of the research includes -- A brief introduction on global carbon emissions and global primary energy consumption.- An overview on global renewable power market, highlighting installed capacity trends, generation trends and installed capacity split by various renewable power sources. The information is covered for the historical period 2006-2016 (unless specified) and forecast period 2017-2030.- Renewable power sources include wind (both onshore and offshore), solar photovoltaic (PV), concentrated solar power (CSP), small hydropower (SHP), biomass, biogas and geothermal.- Detailed overview of the global hydropower market with installed capacity and generation trends, installed capacity split by major hydropower countries in 2016 and key owners information of various regions.- Power market scenario in France and provides detailed market overview, installed capacity and power generation trends by various fuel types (includes thermal conventional, nuclear, large hydro and renewable energy sources) with forecasts up to 2030.- An overview on France renewable power market, highlighting installed capacity trends (2006-2030), generation trends(2006-2030) and installed capacity split by various renewable power sources in 2016.- Detailed overview of France hydropower market with installed capacity and generation trends and major active and upcoming hydro projects.- Deal analysis of France hydropower market. Deals are analyzed on the basis of mergers, acquisitions, partnership, asset finance, debt offering, equity offering, private equity (PE) and venture capitalists (VC).- Key policies and regulatory framework supporting the development of renewable power sources in general and hydropower in particular.- Company snapshots of some of the major market participants in the country.Make an Enquiry about TOC @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 France hydropower market.- Facilitate decision-making based on strong historic and forecast data for hydropower market.- Position yourself to gain the maximum advantage of the industrys growth potential.- Develop strategies based on the latest regulatory events.- Identify key partners and business development avenues.- Understand and respond to your competitors business structure, strategy and prospects.ResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMoz90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States
Nano Calcium Carbonate Market Projected to be Supported by Significant Investment by 2025

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Nano Calcium Carbonate Market: OverviewThe nano calcium carbonate refers to an ultra-fine precipitated calcium carbonate with an average particle diameter less than 100 nanometers which can be sued as additives in various products. The nano calcium carbonate is widely applied in plastic, paints and rubber industries because of its unique properties. This nano calcium carbonates act as a partial replacement of titanium dioxide in coatings, and it does not affect the whiteness of finished product. The use of nano calcium carbonate particles in chemical, biological, and industrial areas are constantly increasing, and researchers across the globe are working in discovering more of their properties which are expected to drive the global Nano calcium carbonate market over the forecast period. The nano calcium carbonate is used in a wide number of applications such as in coatings, plastics, alloys, nanowires, and catalyst uses.To access full report @Nano Calcium Carbonate Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe growth in the demand for nano calcium carbonate from various end-use applications such as paints, sealant, and adhesives is expected to drive the global nano calcium carbonate market over the forecast period. The nano calcium carbonate is used to improve the properties of materials including plastics, adhesives, rubber, and sealants. The addition of nano calcium carbonate improves the weather resistance, heat resistance, impact resistance, and also the toughness and performance of the material under extreme temperature conditions. The use of nano-calcium carbonate in paints helps to control the rheological and the necessary mechanical properties of the cured material. The use of nano-calcium carbonate as additives in polymers and adhesives contributes in reducing the volume formulation cost and improving the final product quality, thereby fuelling the growth of global nano calcium carbonate market over the forecast period. In addition to this, the increase in labeling and packaging market, automotive, industrial, glass and ceramics industry is creating a high demand for printing inks. The nano calcium carbonate is used in printing ink to improve its quality. This calcium carbonate treated ink can replace the use of varnishes and oils. The growth in the demand for solvent ink, offset ink or lithographic ink is expected to drive the nano calcium carbonate market over the forecast period. The nano calcium carbonate is used in the inner tube of radial tire and butyl tube to improve the air tightness, stiffness, and reduce the cost of a rubber compound. The increasing demand for industrial rubber for tire industry as a cheap and efficient substitute of carbon black because of its superior chemical properties is expected to drive the global nano calcium carbonate market over the forecast period.A sample of this report is available upon request @Nano Calcium Carbonate Market: SegmentationOn the Basis of Application, Nano Calcium Carbonate market is segmented into:PlasticPaperAdhesives and SealantsPaints and CoatingsOthersNano Calcium Carbonate Market: Region Wise OutlookThe global Nano Calcium Carbonate market is segmented into the seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, and Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). The APEJ region is expected to dominate the global nano calcium carbonate market over the forecast period. Rapid growth in industries including automotive, rubber, construction, paper, and manufacturing is expected to drive the nano calcium carbonate market in APEJ region over the forecast period. China is estimated to dominate the APEJ nano calcium carbonate market due to the increase in tire and rubber industry in this area. The growth in automotive production on account of rising demand for light and heavy commercial vehicles is expected to drive the North America nano calcium carbonate market over the forecast period. The growth in investment by the major manufacturing firms to set up new production sites in Eastern European countries including Romania, Poland, and the Czech Republic are expected to drive the nano calcium carbonate market in this area. The stringent regulations about pollution control and reduction are expected to fuel the growth of Western Europe nano calcium carbonate market over the forecast period.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Nano Calcium Carbonate Market: Key PlayersNano calcium carbonate market has several global operators, some of the major stakeholders among them includeSpecialty Minerals Inc.Imerys Performance MineralsOmya AGEnping Yueyi Chemistry Industry Co. Ltd.Fujian Sanmu Nano Calcium Carbonate Co.,LtdJia Dah Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd.Yuncheng Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd.Solvay S.A.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:
NSAID API Market Trends and Opportunities by 2017  2025

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Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are bulk drug products that are used as raw materials for formulations. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a drug class that groups together drugs that provide analgesic (pain-killing) and antipyretic (fever-reducing) effects, and, in higher doses, anti-inflammatory effects. The term nonsteroidal distinguishes these drugs from steroids, which, among a broad range of other effects, have a similar eicosanoid-depressing, anti-inflammatory action. APIs of good quality is essential for the manufacture of effective and safe medicines. The growing pool of geriatrics is driving the demand for various types of drugs, which in turn is leading to a soaring demand of NSAID API market. However, not all pharmaceutical companies possess in-house API manufacturing capabilities. Furthermore, a single company cannot produce all the APIs required for their formulation offerings.Request to View Tables of Content @NSAID API Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe improving access to healthcare with the rapid penetration of technology and other developments in the healthcare sector has increased the consumption of drugs, thereby directly creating a positive impact on NSAID API market. Furthermore, growing healthcare budgets of developed and developing countries are also making a significant contribution towards propelling the sale of NSAID API market. Furthermore, the compliance by Indian active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturers with U.S. FDA norms is also anticipated to result in increasing applications of this substance.NSAID API Market: SegmentationThe market for NSAID API is segmented by product type, by a manufacturing process, by drug type and regions:By product type, the NSAID API market can be segmented into,ParacetamolIbuprofenAspirinNaproxenOthersBy manufacturing process, the NSAID API market can be segmented into,Captive ManufacturingContract ManufacturingBy drug type, the NSAID API market can be segmented into,Branded Prescription DrugsGeneric Prescription DrugsThe captive API manufacturing segment is witnessing a continuous decline in the global NSAID API market due to the high degree of competition and reduced profitability. High research & development costs and pricing pressure on finished products are important factors due to which pharmaceutical companies prefer outsourcing their API production instead of in-house manufacturing.NSAID API Market: OverviewThe global pharmaceutical industry has suffered enormously due to patent expiry of blockbuster drugs in the past few years. However, this has facilitated a surge in demand for low-cost substitutes across the globe resulting in a boost to NSAID API manufacturing. The approvals of biosimilars in Europe has added to the total NSAID API market revenue. Advancements in the production technology have enabled the production of biosimilars that are not exact copies of innovator drugs, but highly comparable regarding safety and efficacy. Europe has been the frontrunner in approving biosimilars, and the WHO has also set guidelines on similar lines of those set by the European Union. Regulatory pathways in the biosimilars space in different nations are evolving, and this implies a great market opportunity ahead for the biopharmaceutical companies.NSAID API Market: Region-wise OutlookRegionally, the market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa. North America dominated the global NSAID API market due to high demand for APIs in drug formulations and research and development programs in this region. The region is expected to continue its dominance in the coming years owing to increasing preference for generic medicines as a result of high healthcare costs in the U.S. Among other regions, Asia-Pacific is the next largest market for APIs. This region has become the most attractive market due to clustering of a large number of generic medicine manufacturers.NSAID API Market: Key PlayersSome of the players of NSAID API market include Aurobindo Pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim Group, Cambrex Corporation, Dr. Reddys Laboratories, Ltd., BASF SE, Hospira, Inc., Lonza Group, Mylan, Inc., Novartis AG, Pfizer, Inc., Sandoz (Novartis AG), Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Actavis Plc, Wuxi Apptec, and Zhejiang NHU Co., Ltd. Currently, these players are focusing on partnering with other companies to acquire a new line of products to add value to their portfolio. Furthermore, companies are also anticipated to focus on expanding their capacities to cater to the vast unmet medical needs of the world.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:
Hydrophobic Coating Market to Record Ascending Growth by 2025

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Hydrophobic Coating Market: OverviewThe hydrophobic coating are used to provide durable protection from liquids and abrasion, and it can be applied to a variety of substrates including metal, plastics, glass, fabrics, painted surfaces, and 3D printed parts. The surface contact angle in the hyperbolic coatings is the major factors which determine the hydrophobicity of any surface. Variation of the chemical composition of the material or use of various hydrophobic agents on smooth surfaces can change the surface contact angle greater than 90 degrees.To access full report @Hydrophobic Coating Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe global hydrophobic coating market is expected to experience significant growth due to the increasing scope of application in aerospace, automotive, and construction industry. Technological advancements to implement nanoparticles in hydrophobic coatings, which offers improved performance characteristics and high surface area is expected to create new opportunities for the growth of hydrophobic coating market over the forecast period. The use of hydrophobic coatings for glass components used in an automobile offers high resistance from dust and rains. This application is likely to increase demand for hydrophobic coatings for the manufacturing of automotive windows and displays over the forecast period. Thus, the increase in demand for hydrophobic coatings for a broad range of applications in the automobile industry is expected to drive the global hydrophobic market over the forecast period. The changing consumer demand, innovations in automotive industry, and increasing disposable income is projected to drive the global auto industry. The increasing use of hydrophobic coatings for metal and plastic components used in the automobile industry is projected to drive the global hydrophobic coating market over the forecast period. Top industry players in global hydrophobic coatings market are focusing on product innovation to serve the increasing demand of the customers. However, the global key players in hydrophobic coating market are expected to face intense competition from the local and regional players over the forecast period. The easy availability of raw materials, increasing end-use industries, immense scope of new product development is likely to open new opportunities for the industry players over the forecast period.A sample of this report is available upon request @The anti-microbial coatings segment in the global hydrophobic coating market is expected to dominate over the forecast period owing to its increasing application in the medical industry. The high demand from medical and optical applications is supposed to drive the growth of this segment. The aerospace industry sector is expected to gain market share during the forecast period due to the increasing use of anti-corrosive and anti-wetting coatings.Hydrophobic Coating Market: SegmentationOn the Basis of Properties, Hydrophobic Coating market is segmented into:Anti-MicrobialAnti-Icing/WettingAnti-FoulingAnti-CorrosionSelf-CleaningOn the Basis of Application, Hydrophobic Coating market is segmented into:AerospaceAutomotiveConstructionMedicalOpticalTo view TOC of this report is available upon request @Hydrophobic Coating Market: Region Wise OutlookThe global hydrophobic coating market is segmented into the seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, and Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). The APEJ region is expected to dominate the global hydrophobic coating market over the forecast period. Rapid growth in industries including automotive, construction, medical, and optical is supposed to drive the hydrophobic coating market in APEJ region over the forecast period. China is estimated to dominate the APEJ hydrophobic coating market due to the increase in automotive industry in this area. The growth in automotive production on account of rising demand for passenger cars is expected to drive the North America hydrophobic coating market over the forecast period. The increase in investment by the major players to set up new production sites in Western European countries is expected to drive the hydrophobic coating market in this area.Hydrophobic Coating Market: Key PlayersHydrophobic Coating market has several global operators, some of the major stakeholders among them includeBASF SEAculon Inc.3M CompanyAkzoNobel N.V.Accucoat IncNEI CorporationNTT Advanced Technology CorporationNANOKOTEPrecision CoatingLotus Leaf Coatings, Inc.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Engine Brake Market by Manufacturers, States, Type and Application- United States Forecast Report 2022

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A new research document with title 'United States Engine Brake Market by Manufacturers, States, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022' covering detailed analysis, Competitive landscape, forecast and strategies. The study covers geographic analysis that includes regions like California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois and important players/vendors such as Jacobs, VOLVO, Ennova, MAN................The report will help user gain market insights, future trends and growth prospects for forecast period of 2022SummaryA compression release brake (also known as a Jacobs brake or ""jake brake""), is the type of brake most commonly confused with real engine braking; it is used mainly in large diesel trucks and works by opening the exhaust valves at the top of the compression stroke, resulting in adiabatic expansion of the compressed air, so the large amount of energy stored in that compressed air is not returned to the crankshaft, but is released into the atmosphere.Request a sample report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Engine Brake in United States market, to split the market based on manufacturers, states, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversJacobsVOLVOEnnovaMANEatonPacbrakeMarket Segment by States, coveringCaliforniaTexasNew YorkFloridaIllinoisMarket Segment by Type, coversCompression Release BrakeExhaust BrakeMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoBelow 11 MT11-15 MTAbove 15 MTBuy this report @There are 17 Chapters to deeply display the United States Engine Brake market.Chapter 1, to describe Engine Brake Introduction, product type and application, market overview, market analysis by States, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the manufacturers of Engine Brake, with profile, main business, news, sales, price, revenue and market share 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 United States market by States, covering California, New York, Texas, Illinois and Florida, with sales, price, revenue and market share of Engine Brake, for each state, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5 and 6, to show the market by type and application, with sales, price, revenue, market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, to analyze the key States by Type and Application, covering California, New York, Texas, Illinois and Florida, with sales, revenue and market share by types and applications;Chapter 12, Engine Brake market forecast, by States, type and application, with sales, price, revenue and growth rate forecast, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, to analyze the manufacturing cost, key raw materials and manufacturing process etc.Chapter 14, to analyze the industrial chain, sourcing strategy and downstream end users (buyers);Chapter 15, to describe sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers etc.Chapter 16 and 17, to describe Engine Brake Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source.Get customization & check discount for report @Table of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 Engine Brake Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Compression Release Brake1.2.2 Exhaust Brake1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Below 11 MT1.3.2 11-15 MT1.3.3 Above 15 MT1.4 Market Analysis by States1.4.1 California Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 Texas Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 New York Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Florida Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Illinois Status and Prospect (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@htfmarketreport.com+1 (206) 317 1218
Cell Culture Freezing Market Trends and Opportunities by 2017  2025

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Cell culture are prone to genetic drift, which are susceptible to microbial contamination. The microbial contamination can lead to experiment failure in laboratories. Beside the cell line are very valuable resource and replacing the cell line will be too costly and time consuming during the experimentation. The best method to store cell line with minimum cost is freezing. The freezing method will enable the long term storage of cell which can be utilized when required in the laboratories. When the small surplus are available for sub culturing, it should be frozen as seed stock therefore duplicates can be obtain when require during experimentation. Cryopreserving is the most widely used method for the preservation of cell culture. In cryopreserving method the cell lines are stored in liquid nitrogen to avoid the microbial contamination. The presence of cryopreserving agents such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) allows slower cooler rate and reduce the rate of ice crystal formation.The rise in research and development by biotech and pharmaceutical companies throughout the globe is the primary factor driving the growth of cell culture freezing market. The increasing studies in academic and research organization in the field such as cell biology and microbiology will upsurge the growth of the market. Technological advancements leading to demand for higher quality product and increasing need of customized product offering will propel the growth of cell culture freezing market. The high cost associated with installation and maintenance of cryopreserver will hinder the growth of cell culture freezing market to some extent. Besides that, lack of skilled professional in less developed countries will also hamper the growth of cell culture freezing market.The global Cell Culture Freezing market is classified on the basis of product type, application and regionBased on product type, cell culture freezing market is segmented into following,IncubatorsPipetting instrumentsCryostorage equipmentOthersBased on application, cell culture freezing market is segmented into followingDrug DevelopmentTissue EngineeringToxicity TestingOthersA Sample of this Report is Available Upon Request @The cell culture freezing market is expected to show robust growth over the forecast period due increasing reach and development by manufacturing companies. The rise in scientific study on tissue engineering and toxicity testing will propel the growth of cell culture freezing market. The cell culture freezing market are classified on the basis of product type and application. On the basis on product type cell culture freezing market is classified as incubators, pipetting instruments, cryo storage equipment on others. Cryo storage equipment is expected to be most valued segment for cell culture freezing market over the forecast period. On the basis of application cell culture freezing market is classified as drug development, tissue culture, toxicity testing and others.Request to View Tables of Content @On the basis on regional presence cell culture freezing market is classified as North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to be most lucrative region for cell culture freezing market. After North America cell culture freezing market is followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific. In Asia-Pacific region India and China are the major market due to rising research and development in these countries.Some of the key players across the value chin of cell culture freezing market are Merck KGaA, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Nippon Genetics, Miltenyi Biotec, Mediatech, Inc., General Electric Company, BioLifeSolutions, Inc., HiMedia Laboratories, and PromoCell GmbH.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 Food Flavour Market Professional Survey Report 2017 - Givaudan, Firmenich, ADM, IFF, Symrise

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This report studies Food Flavour in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringGivaudanFirmenichADMIFFSymriseTakasagoManeFrutaromBASFSensient TechnologiesRobertetT. HasegawaKerry Ingredients & FlavorsDohler GroupFill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @By types, the market can be split intoNatural FlavorSynthetic FlavorBy Application, the market can be split intoBeveragesBakery & ConfectioneryDairyOtherBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaTable of ContentsGlobal Food Flavour Market Professional Survey Report 20171 Industry Overview of Food Flavour1.1 Definition and Specifications of Food Flavour1.1.1 Definition of Food Flavour1.1.2 Specifications of Food Flavour2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Food Flavour2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Food Flavour2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Food Flavour2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Food FlavourRead Comprehensive Overview of Report @3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Food Flavour3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Food Flavour Major Manufacturers in 20163.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Food Flavour Major Manufacturers in 20163.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Food Flavour Major Manufacturers in 20163.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Food Flavour Major Manufacturers in 20164 Global Food Flavour Overall Market Overview4.1 2012-2017E Overall Market Analysis4.2 Capacity Analysis4.2.1 2012-2017E Global Food Flavour Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis4.2.2 2016 Food Flavour Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)List of Tables and FiguresFigure North America Food Flavour Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2022)Figure China Food Flavour Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2022)Figure Europe Food Flavour Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2022)Figure Southeast Asia Food Flavour Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2022)Figure Japan Food Flavour Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2022)Figure India Food Flavour Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2022)Table Food Flavour Raw Material and SuppliersTable Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Food Flavour in 2016Figure Manufacturing Process Analysis of Food FlavourFigure Industry Chain Structure of Food FlavourAbout 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 UsBrooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Molasses Extracts Market Key Players, Growth, Analysis by 2017  2025

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Molasses Extracts is a kind of highly concentrated syrup with flavor having a long shelf life. Molasses extracts are freeze-thaw-stable and bake-proof which are mostly applied in ice cream, cake and a variety of other dessert food products. Molasses extracts contains natural flavor with no artificial colors which is highly concentrated and is mostly used for in applications for bakery and confectionery products. Molasses extracts can be used in the form of liquid and powder form. Food industries are using molasses extracts in their products due to the rising consumer demand for molasses extract food products. Shifting consumer preference for molasses extract based products is a major driving factor for the growth of molasses extract market. Molasses extracts are also called as blackstrap molasses which are mainly used for baking and cooking applications globally. Molasses extracts contains a high concentration of vitamin B6, potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium, selenium and copper. Molasses extracts contains antioxidants which helps in improving heart health and bone health of the individual.Global Molasses Extracts: Market SegmentationThe global Molasses Extracts market is segmented on the basis of type, form, application and region. The Molasses Extracts market is segmented on the basis of type such as blackstrap molasses, golden barrel blackstrap molasses and others. The Molasses Extracts market is segmented on the basis of forms such as powder, liquid, and others. The global Molasses Extracts market is segmented on the basis of application in which Molasses Extracts is used in application such as bakery products and confectionery products, in savory dishes such as soups, sauerkraut, sauces, toppings, pickles and salads and in beverages such as health drinks, soft drinks and others. Molasses Extracts is also widely used in various products such as yogurt, ice cream, bakery products, and other low calorie foods. Molasses Extracts is widely used as a thickening agent for various bakery products such as biscuits, cakes, rye breads, meat dishes. Hence, the global Molasses Extracts market is expected to significantly increase the revenue contribution over the forecast period.Request to View Tables of Content @Global Molasses Extracts Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global Molasses Extracts industry can be divided by major regions which include North America, Latin America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East and Africa. Globally, among all regions, Asia Pacific has developed as the dominant region in global Molasses Extracts market followed by Europe and North America. Increasing demand for Molasses Extracts as a thickening agent in various bakery products, has strengthened the growth of global Molasses Extracts market and hence is projected to significantly expand the revenue contribution of the market over the forecast period.Global Molasses Extracts Market: Growth DriversThe global Molasses Extracts market driving factors are increasing demand for ready-to-eat snack foods coupled with the convenience of foods. Increasing opportunities in bakery industry is also another factor in driving the Molasses Extracts market along with rising in production of Molasses Extracts as a result of stabilizing agents used in various food applications. Manufacturers are focusing on providing healthier product offerings. Molasses extracts are also called as blackstrap molasses which are mainly used for baking and cooking applications globally. Molasses Extracts helps in improving various savory products thickening and is used by various manufacturers worldwide. Molasses Extracts contains the taste, texture and the performance like sugar, but has low calories and hence many health concisions individuals are shifting their preference towards consuming healthy food products which has low calorie present in the foods. Hence, the global Molasses Extracts market is expected to observe robust growth over the forecast period.Global Molasses Extracts Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players identified across the value chain of the global Molasses Extracts market include Amoretti, Cora Texas Manufacturing Company, International Molasses, B&G Foods, Inc., International Molasses Corporation Ltd, ED & F Man Liquid Products UK Ltd., Molasses Feed Ltd, Pures Sweet Honey Farm, R. K. Trading Co., and others. The companies are expected to expand their business by enhancing their product portfolio in global Molasses Extracts market. The companies are projected to frame certain strategies in future in order to gain the competitive advantage in global Molasses Extracts market till 2025.The report covers exhaustive analysis on:Molasses Extracts Market SegmentsMolasses Extracts Market DynamicsHistorical Actual Market Size, 2015  2016 for Global Molasses Extracts MarketMolasses Extracts Market Size & Forecast 2017 to 2025Supply & Demand Value ChainMolasses Extracts Market Current Trends/Issues/ChallengesCompetition & Companies involved in Global Molasses Extracts MarketTechnologyValue ChainGlobal Molasses Extracts Market Drivers and RestraintsRegional analysis for Molasses Extracts Market includes:North AmericaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia Pacific & JapanThe Middle East and AfricaReport Highlights:Shifting Industry dynamicsIn-depth market segmentationHistorical, current and projected industry size recent industry trendsKey competition landscapeStrategies of key players and product offeringsPotential and niche segments/regions exhibiting promising growthA neutral perspective towards market performanceTo 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:
Sofas Market 2017 Share, Growth and Regional Forecast 2017

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This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringSteelcaseIKEA (SE)B&B Italia (IT)Ashley FurnitureThomasville Furniture IndustriesLa-Z-BoyDrexel HeritageBroyhillAmerican LeatherRowe FurnitureNorwalk FurnitureKUKA (CN)LandBond (CN)Quanyou (CN)Cheer Sofa (CN)Steel-LandJisi Group (CN)Zuoyou Sofa (CN)Lehao (CN)For more information about this report atThis report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringSteelcaseIKEA (SE)B&B Italia (IT)Ashley FurnitureThomasville Furniture IndustriesLa-Z-BoyDrexel HeritageBroyhillAmerican LeatherRowe FurnitureNorwalk FurnitureKUKA (CN)LandBond (CN)Quanyou (CN)Cheer Sofa (CN)Steel-LandJisi Group (CN)Zuoyou Sofa (CN)Lehao (CN)Request a sample copy atTable of Content1 Industry Overview of Sofas2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Sofas3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Sofas4 Global Sofas Overall Market Overview5 Sofas Regional Market Analysis6 Global 2011-2017E Sofas Segment Market Analysis (by Type)7 Global 2011-2017E Sofas Segment Market Analysis (by Application)8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Sofas8.1 Steelcase8.1.1 Company Profile8.1.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.1.2.1 Product A8.1.2.2 Product B8.1.3 Steelcase 2016 Sofas Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.1.4 Steelcase 2016 Sofas Business Region Distribution Analysis8.2 IKEA (SE)8.2.1 Company Profile8.2.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.2.2.1 Product A8.2.2.2 Product B8.2.3 IKEA (SE) 2016 Sofas Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.2.4 IKEA (SE) 2016 Sofas Business Region Distribution Analysis8.3 B&B Italia (IT)8.3.1 Company Profile8.3.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.3.2.1 Product A8.3.2.2 Product B8.3.3 B&B Italia (IT) 2016 Sofas Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.3.4 B&B Italia (IT) 2016 Sofas Business Region Distribution Analysis9 Development Trend of Analysis of Sofas Market10 Sofas Marketing Type Analysis11 Consumers Analysis of Sofas12 Conclusion of the Global Sofas Market Professional Survey Report 2017Purchase Complete Report atAnd get,Discount on report purchase atContact Info:Name: Sameer JoshiEmail: sales@reportsweb.comOrganization: ReportsWebPhone: +1-646-491-9876ReportsWeb 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.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Worldwide Agricultural Drones Market : Industry Shares, Size, Trends, Strategy, Forecasts and Opportunities 2016 to 2022

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ResearchMoz added Latest Research Report titled " Agricultural Drones: Market Shares, Strategy, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2016 to 2022 " to it's Large Report database.The 2016 study has 288 pages, 127 tables and figures. Worldwide agricultural drone markets are poised to achieve significant growth with the use of cameras on stable flying platforms that are used to help implement precision farming. Crop visualization lets farmers better control and isolate areas for spraying and lets the drones do the spraying.Agricultural drones use automated process to make farming more productive. Drones provide better, more flexible visualization. Smart drone agricultural uses cameras and provide the prospect of trillions of dollars in farming economic growth. Smart commercial drones connect seamlessly and securely to the Internet and to each other.Agricultural drone technology has reached a level of maturity that has put these systems at the forefront of farming modernization. Farmers around the entire world are adapting to drone availability, using aerial cameras to visualize plants. Use cases are evolving rapidly. Video, specialized video, targeted video, and agricultural spraying systems are offered.Request for Sample PDF of Premium Research Report with TOC:Agricultural Drones Use Technology for Spraying, Mapping, Pest Control, Seeding, Remote Sensing, and Precision AgricultureAgricultural technology uses drones to leverage a data-driven future. Inexpensive sensors, cloud computing and intelligent software used in a drone system hold the potential to transform agriculture and help feed the worlds growing population.Venture investment in agricultural drones has been strong. Investment of venture capital in agricultural technology start-ups reached $2.06 billion in the first half of 2015, 4.25 billion in 2015 doubling the amount of capital invested in this area in 2014.Agricultural drones leverage the Internet of things (IoT). IoT brings sensors to supplement images of the land from above, making it possible to communicate and use analytics to understand changes in vegetation.Browse more details @Table of ContentAgricultural Drone Executive Summary 27Agricultural Drone Market Driving Forces 27Agricultural Drones For Crop Surveillance 31Drone Agricultural Inspection and Planting Aerial Systems Market Shares 33Agricultural Drone Market Forecasts 351. Agricultural Drones: Market Description and Market Dynamics 371.1 Venture Investment In Agricultural Drones 371.1.1 Agricultural Industrialization 381.1.2 Transparency Benefits Of IoT and Digital Farming 381.2 Smart Drones: Commercial Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Description 401.3 Drone Enhanced Capability and Payloads 411.4 Nano Drones Applications 431.4.1 Drone Miniaturization 441.5 Follow Me Drones 451.5.1 US FAA Commercial Drone Permits 461.6 Unmanned Aerial Systems Payloads 481.6.1 Composites Key to Utility 481.6.2 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Agriculture Mapping 491.7 Californian Wine Industry Uses Drones to Refine Sampling of the Vineyard511.8 Agri-Informatics 511.8.1 Drones Geo-Tag Images And Wirelessly Transmit 531.8.2 Drones Used in Japan for Agriculture 54About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the world's fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMoz's service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Contact Us:Mr. Nachiket Ghumare90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074 / Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:Follow me on Blogger at:
Analyst Interview: Insurance Company Profile: Vitality - Private Company Information

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ResearchMoz added Latest Research Report titled " Insurance Company Profile: Vitality " to it's Large Report database.Insurance Company Profile: VitalitySummary"Insurance Company Profile: Vitality", company profile provides a comprehensive review of Vitality and its UK business. This includes its structure, its performance in both the commercial and personal lines markets, as well as its marketing and distribution strategy.Owned by Discovery Holdings, Vitality is a health and life insurer that has approached the UK market in an innovative way by utilizing wearable tech to offer policies to those consumers adopting a healthy lifestyle. Launched in 2015, the Vitality brands offer rewards to customers for meeting their individual health goals. This profile explores Vitalitys approach and offers a review of the company, its business structure and strategy, its financial performance, and a SWOT analysis.Request for Sample PDF of Premium Research Report with TOC:Key Questions Answered- What are Vitalitys key differentiators?- What are Vitalitys strengths and weaknesses?- What opportunities and challenges does the company face going forward?Scope- Discovery joined the UK market in 2007, in a joint venture with PruHealth and PruProject. In 2015 Discovery bought 100% of the shares and became VitalityHealth and VitalityLife. Collectively, VitalityHealth and VitalityLife cover close to 1 million lives.- Vitalitys success in using wearable technology to create sophisticated pricing structures based on a policy holders wellbeing is likely to pave the way for much greater use of wearable technology in the health insurance industry.Browse more details @Table of ContentsOperationsDiscovery Holdings: A Global OverviewCorporate StructureHistoric MilestonesWhat does Discovery do today?Vitality LifeVitality HealthStrategyVitality RewardsPartnershipsSponsorshipsAdvertising ExpenditureFuture StrategyPerformanceOverviewVitality HealthSWOT AnalysisStrengthsWeaknessesOpportunitiesThreatsAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the world's fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMoz's service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Contact Us:Mr. Nachiket Ghumare90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074 / Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:Follow me on Blogger at:
EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Market Report 2017

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Geographically, this report split EMEA into Europe, the Middle East and Africa, With sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Blood Analysis Sampling Tube 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.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @EMEA Blood Analysis Sampling Tube market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Blood Analysis Sampling Tube sales volume (K Units), price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingBeijing Hanbaihan Medical DevicesBiosigmaNuova AptacaShenzhen Boomingshing Medical DeviceTenko International GroupBPC BioSedELITech GroupF.L. MedicalImprove MedicalOn 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 intoPolypropyleneGlassPMMAPlasticOn 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 Blood Analysis Sampling Tube for each application, includingDonating Blood SiteHospitalLaboratoryOtherRead Comprehensive Overview of Report @EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Market Report 20171 Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Blood Analysis Sampling Tube1.2 Classification of Blood Analysis Sampling Tube1.2.1 EMEA Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 EMEA Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Polypropylene1.2.4 Glass1.2.5 PMMA1.2.6 Plastic1.4 EMEA Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Market by Region1.4.1 EMEA Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Middle East Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Africa Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 EMEA Market Size (Value and Volume) of Blood Analysis Sampling Tube (2012-2022)1.5.1 EMEA Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 EMEA Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 EMEA Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Competition by Manufacturers/Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application2.1 EMEA Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Market Competition by Players/Manufacturers2.1.1 EMEA Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Sales Volume and Market Share of Major Players (2012-2017)2.1.2 EMEA Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Revenue and Share by Players (2012-2017)2.1.3 EMEA Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Sale Price by Players (2012-2017)2.2 EMEA Blood Analysis Sampling Tube (Volume and Value) by Type/Product Category2.2.1 EMEA Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)3 Europe Blood Analysis Sampling Tube (Volume, Value and Sales Price), by Players, Countries, Type and Application3.1 Europe Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 Europe Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 Europe Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.2 Europe Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Sales and Market Share by Type3.3 Europe Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Sales and Market Share by Application3.4 Europe Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Sales Volume and Value (Revenue) by Countries3.4.1 Europe Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Sales Volume by Countries (2012-2017)4 Middle East Blood Analysis Sampling Tube (Volume, Value and Sales Price), by Region, Type and Application4.1 Middle East Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 Middle East Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 Middle East Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.2 Middle East Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Sales and Market Share by Type4.3 Middle East Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Sales and Market Share by Application4.4 Middle East Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Sales Volume and Value (Revenue) by CountriesList of Tables and FiguresFigure Product Picture of Blood Analysis Sampling TubeFigure EMEA Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Sales Volume (K Units) by Type (2012-2022)Figure EMEA Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Sales Volume Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 2016Figure Polypropylene Product PictureFigure Glass Product PictureFigure PMMA Product PictureFigure Plastic Product PictureFigure EMEA Blood Analysis Sampling Tube Sales Volume (K Units) by Application (2012-2022)Figure EMEA Sales Market Share of Blood Analysis Sampling Tube by Application in 2016About 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 UsBrooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:
Raman Spectroscopy Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)

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Access Full Report:Geographically, this report splits the United States market into seven regions:The WestSouthwestThe Middle AtlanticNew EnglandThe SouthThe Midwestwith sales (volume), revenue (value), market share and growth rate of Raman Spectroscopy in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast).United States Raman Spectroscopy market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Raman Spectroscopy sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingHoribaRenishawThermo Fisher ScientificB&W TekBrukerKaiser OpticalOcean OpticsSmiths DetectionJASCOSciapsTSIWITecZolixGangDongDownload Sample Copy@On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoBench top Raman SpectrometerPortable Raman SpectrometerOn 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 Raman Spectroscopy for each application, includingPharmaceuticsR&D in AcademiaIndustrial SectorIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Check Discount Offer :Table of ContentsUnited States Raman Spectroscopy Market Report 20171 Raman Spectroscopy Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Raman Spectroscopy1.2 Classification of Raman Spectroscopy by Product Category1.2.1 United States Raman Spectroscopy Market Size (Sales Volume) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 United States Raman Spectroscopy Market Size (Sales Volume) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Bench top Raman Spectrometer1.2.4 Portable Raman Spectrometer1.3 United States Raman Spectroscopy Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 United States Raman Spectroscopy Market Size (Consumption) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Pharmaceutics1.3.3 R&D in Academia1.3.4 Industrial Sector1.4 United States Raman Spectroscopy Market by Region1.4.1 United States Raman Spectroscopy Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 The West Raman Spectroscopy Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Southwest Raman Spectroscopy Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 The Middle Atlantic Raman Spectroscopy Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 New England Raman Spectroscopy Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 The South Raman Spectroscopy Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 The Midwest Raman Spectroscopy Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 United States Market Size (Value and Volume) of Raman Spectroscopy (2012-2022)1.5.1 United States Raman Spectroscopy Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 United States Raman Spectroscopy Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 United States Raman Spectroscopy Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1 United States Raman Spectroscopy Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 United States Raman Spectroscopy Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.3 United States Raman Spectroscopy Average Price by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.4 United States Raman Spectroscopy Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.4.1 United States Raman Spectroscopy Market Concentration Rate2.4.2 United States Raman Spectroscopy Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Players/Suppliers2.4.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion in United States Market2.5 United States Players/Suppliers Raman Spectroscopy Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area, Product Type3 United States Raman Spectroscopy Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 United States Raman Spectroscopy Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 United States Raman Spectroscopy Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 United States Raman Spectroscopy Price by Region (2012-2017)4 United States Raman Spectroscopy Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by Type (Product Category) (2012-2017)4.1 United States Raman Spectroscopy Sales and Market Share by Type (Product Category) (2012-2017)4.2 United States Raman Spectroscopy Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)4.3 United States Raman Spectroscopy Price by Type (2012-2017)4.4 United States Raman Spectroscopy Sales Growth Rate by Type (2012-2017)5 United States Raman Spectroscopy Sales (Volume) by Application (2012-2017)5.1 United States Raman Spectroscopy Sales and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)5.2 United States Raman Spectroscopy Sales Growth Rate by Application (2012-2017)5.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6 United States Raman Spectroscopy Players/Suppliers Profiles and Sales Data6.1 Horiba6.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.1.2 Raman Spectroscopy Product Category, Application and Specification6.1.2.1 Product A6.1.2.2 Product B6.1.3 Horiba Raman Spectroscopy Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.2 Renishaw6.2.2 Raman Spectroscopy Product Category, Application and Specification6.2.2.1 Product A6.2.2.2 Product B6.2.3 Renishaw Raman Spectroscopy Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.3 Thermo Fisher Scientific6.3.2 Raman Spectroscopy Product Category, Application and Specification6.3.2.1 Product A6.3.2.2 Product B6.3.3 Thermo Fisher Scientific Raman Spectroscopy Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.4 B&W Tek6.4.2 Raman Spectroscopy Product Category, Application and Specification6.4.2.1 Product A6.4.2.2 Product B6.4.3 B&W Tek Raman Spectroscopy Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.5 Bruker6.5.2 Raman Spectroscopy Product Category, Application and Specification6.5.2.1 Product A6.5.2.2 Product B6.5.3 Bruker Raman Spectroscopy Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.6 Kaiser Optical6.6.2 Raman Spectroscopy Product Category, Application and Specification6.6.2.1 Product A6.6.2.2 Product B6.6.3 Kaiser Optical Raman Spectroscopy Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.7 Ocean Optics6.7.2 Raman Spectroscopy Product Category, Application and Specification6.7.2.1 Product A6.7.2.2 Product B6.7.3 Ocean Optics Raman Spectroscopy Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.8 Smiths Detection6.8.2 Raman Spectroscopy Product Category, Application and Specification6.8.2.1 Product A6.8.2.2 Product B6.8.3 Smiths Detection Raman Spectroscopy Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.9 JASCO6.9.2 Raman Spectroscopy Product Category, Application and Specification6.9.2.1 Product A6.9.2.2 Product B6.9.3 JASCO Raman Spectroscopy Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.10 Sciaps6.10.2 Raman Spectroscopy Product Category, Application and Specification6.10.2.1 Product A6.10.2.2 Product B6.10.3 Sciaps Raman Spectroscopy Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.10.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.11 TSI6.12 WITec6.13 Zolix6.14 GangDong7 Raman Spectroscopy Manufacturing Cost Analysis7.1 Raman Spectroscopy Key Raw Materials Analysis7.1.1 Key Raw Materials7.1.2 Price Trend of Key Raw Materials7.1.3 Key Suppliers of Raw Materials7.1.4 Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials7.2 Proportion of Manufacturing Cost Structure7.2.1 Raw Materials7.2.2 Labor Cost7.2.3 Manufacturing Expenses7.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Raman Spectroscopy8 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers8.1 Raman Spectroscopy Industrial Chain Analysis8.2 Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing8.3 Raw Materials Sources of Raman Spectroscopy Major Manufacturers in 20168.4 Downstream Buyers9 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders9.1 Marketing Channel9.1.1 Direct Marketing9.1.2 Indirect Marketing9.1.3 Marketing Channel Development Trend9.2 Market Positioning9.2.1 Pricing Strategy9.2.2 Brand Strategy9.2.3 Target Client9.3 Distributors/Traders List10 Market Effect Factors Analysis10.1 Technology Progress/Risk10.1.1 Substitutes Threat10.1.2 Technology Progress in Related Industry10.2 Consumer Needs/Customer Preference Change10.3 Economic/Political Environmental Change11 United States Raman Spectroscopy Market Size (Value and Volume) Forecast (2017-2022)11.1 United States Raman Spectroscopy Sales Volume, Revenue Forecast (2017-2022)11.2 United States Raman Spectroscopy Sales Volume Forecast by Type (2017-2022)11.3 United States Raman Spectroscopy Sales Volume Forecast by Application (2017-2022)11.4 United States Raman Spectroscopy Sales Volume Forecast by Region (2017-2022)12 Research Findings and Conclusion13 Appendix13.1 Methodology/Research Approach13.1.1 Research Programs/Design13.1.2 Market Size Estimation13.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation13.2 Data Source13.2.1 Secondary Sources13.2.2 Primary Sources13.3 DisclaimerAbout usReports And Markets is part of the Algoro Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.Are you mastering your market? Do you know what the market potential is for your product, who the market players are and what the growth forecast is? We offer standard global, regional or country specific market research studies for almost every market you can imagine.The marketing research reports consist of market analysis with statistical and analytical information on the markets, applications, industry analysis, market shares, technology and technology shifts, important players, and the developments in the market.Do you want to know more on a specific company? Our Company Reports collection contains thousands of profiles of major industrial companies. These reports typically contain information like a company overview, business description, company history, major products and services, key facts, SWOT analysis, key employees, subsidiaries, and company locations.On ReportsAndMarkets.com you will find all the globally available market research and company reports from well-respected market research companies, all leaders in their field. Reports And Markets is totally independent and serves its customers by providing the most reliable market research available, as we understand how important this is for you.Sanjay JainManager - Partner Relations & International Marketing info@reportsandmarkets.comOffice No: 206 Empress Mill Society Shree Nagar, Nagpur - 440015 Maharashtra India
Thrombin Market Projected to Grow at a Steady CAGR during Forecast Period.

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Hemostasis is a medical condition, wherein blood vessel, platelets, and coagulation factors act together to arrest bleeding. It occurs by coagulation process, wherein blood is transformed from liquid to gel state through sequential enzymatic steps. During hemostasis process, thrombin plays a role of key enzyme. Thrombin is an enzyme called serine protease, which is synthesized from a precursor glycoprotein called prothrombin. During the clotting process, proteolytic cleavage of prothrombin produces thrombin. Insoluble fibrin is produced from soluble fibrinogen through a series of reactions catalyzed by thrombin. The production of thrombin in body is highly regulated, as the overproduction of thrombin may result in the blockage of normal blood flow a state called thrombosis. Under such condition, tissues may die due to unavailability of oxygen.Read the Comprehensive Overview of Thrombin Market:Prothrombin is produced in liver and is passed into blood stream in an inactive form. Whenever a vascular injury occurs, collagen and tissue factor lead to activation of coagulation pathways. These pathways lead to activation of factor X, which, in conjugation with other factors, forms a complex. This complex cleaves the prothrombin protein into a thrombin molecule. Once thrombin is produced, it cleaves fibrinogen into fibrin. This result in platelet aggregation and thrombus formation, which help in the stoppage of bleeding.Thrombin acts on different cell types. On smooth muscle cells, it causes vasoconstriction. It activates platelets to promote their aggregation at the site of injury. In activated state, thrombin plays a role of chemo-attractant and mitogen for neutrophils and fibroblasts. Thrombin also plays a role in regulating the endothelial cell functions. It also plays a role in the anticoagulant system, wherein it activates protein C upon interaction with thrombomodulin. This helps in improving circulation as an anticoagulant effect during the vascular injury. Thrombin are produced naturally in body and is also available in commercialized forms. In both the forms, it has two important functions. It helps in the process of coagulation wherein fibrinogen is converted into fibrin. This promotes platelet aggregation, which helps in clotting of blood at the site of injury. Secondly, it acts in the anticoagulation process by activating the protein C. Commercially produced thrombin is available in concentrated form, which, upon application, is capable of converting fibrinogen into fibrin. This helps in thrombus formation at the site of injury. The concentration of thrombin is directly promotional to the rate of clot formation. Types of commercially available thrombin differ in terms of dosage form and concentration. This factor is considered while selecting the product, as higher concentration speeds up the process of hemostasis.The global thrombin market can be segmented on the basis of product type, dosage form, end-user, and geographical region. Based on product type, the market has been segmented into bovine thrombin, human thrombin, and recombinant thrombin. The human thrombin segment is sub-segmented into alpha, beta, and gamma thrombin. The use of bovine thrombin generates antibodies, which cross-react with human coagulation proteins. This has been observed to result in severe complications and life-threatening bleeding. Hence, human thrombin was introduced, as an alternative to bovine thrombin. However, human thrombin is associated with the risk of transmission of viruses. The recombinant thrombin segment is anticipated to lead the market, as recombinant thrombin is free of risks associated with viral infection and it has potential efficacy.Based on dosage form, the global thrombin market has been segmented into powder form, solution form, pad form, spray kits, and others. Based on end-user, it can be segmented into hospitals, diagnostics & clinics, and academic and research institutes. The hospitals segment is anticipated to lead the market, due to increase in the number of surgeries.Based on geography, the global thrombin market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America is anticipated to lead the global market, due to increase in the number of surgeries and developed health care infrastructure.Request for the Sample Report:Key players operating in the global thrombin market are Baxter, Bayer, CSL, Grifols, GE Healthcare, Hualan Biological, Haematologic Technologies Inc., Pfizer, Octapharma, Omrix Biopharmaceuticals Ltd., and Shanghai RAAS.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:
Winter Care Creams Market Augmented Expansion to be Registered by 2025

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When the temperature drops down, cold and windy weather takes the toll on skin and the most affected part of a body is the face. The only saviour when the face skin becomes dry and dull due to cold weather is winter care creams. The skin cream which is generally enriched with vitamin E, natural oils such as jojoba and olive oil, rose petals and various fruit extracts particularly grape seed, protect the face skin from getting dry and provide a glow, softness and fairness. It, therefore, becomes necessary for the consumers to keep a face cream in winter cosmetic kitty. Winter care creams are suitable for the three types of face skins, i.e. normal, oily and dry. Many winter care face creams are designed to reduce the signs of peeling and repair fragile face skin due to winter dryness. The strong moisturising formula in face cream also fulfils the therapeutic purpose of consumers during winters.To View Complete Report @ :Appropriate use of winter care creams boost hydration in skin and creates the protective layer of moisturiser which prevents the face skin from flaking. Every region has different winter pattern. In some areas, winters meant for chilled nights and sunny days. In such condition, winter care creams not only moisturise the face skin but also work as a sunscreen which protects the face skin from UV radiation. Many winter care creams have medicinal qualities and apart from only moisturising the face skin, they have the ability to reduce a pimple and have antiseptic/ anti-fungal qualities. The winter care cream, however, has disadvantages too and the heavy hand with it lead to breakouts, clogged pores and dull skin. Facial skin is very sensitive and delicate and therefore excessive use of winter care creams suffocates the skin instead of giving a glow on the face in winters.A sample of this report is available upon request @Huge promotion of winter care creams is one of the important factors which is fuelling the growth of the winter care creams market across the globe. Whether it is Television, newspaper, magazine or social media websites, the worldwide luxurious brands are competing with each other by hammering their products into the minds of consumers. Increasing per capita income and lavish lifestyle are also creating the lucrative market for winter care creams across the globe. Earlier, the cosmetic products were mainly meant only for women, however, now-a-day men are equally interested in using various cosmetic products which are creating robust development in the global winter care cream market. However, there are some hindrances which are adversely affecting on the growth of the winter care cream market. For example, none of the winter care cream is entirely herbal. There are certain chemicals elements included in the winter care cream which gives temporary glow but affects adversely on the skin. Many countries such as India and Israel and the European Union have banned the sale of any cosmetics that have been tested on animals. This banned will certainly hamper the growth of the winter care lotion market in few regions of the world. All these factors are acting as restraints for winter care creams market.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Western and Eastern Europe are likely to dominate the winter care creams market in the forecasted period. North America is a close competitor of Eastern and Western Europe in the case of leading the winter care creams market. Young population, the especially huge population of teens is likely to be a reason for fuelling the growth of winter care creams market in these regions. The countries in Asia-Pacific region are also likely to be the fastest growing economies during the projected 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:
Tocopherols mixed Market Estimated to Experience a Hike in Growth by 2025

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A clog is a type of footwear that is either partially or completely made of wood. While they are used as traditional wear in countries as far apart as the Netherlands, Sweden and Japan, they are seen quite frequently in the medical sphere nowadays as they are ideal for busy healthcare professionals. Both doctors and nurses need to attend to patients that require them to be on their feet round the clock. Their jobs involve either walking around incessantly or standing for hours at a time in an extremely hygiene focused environment. They need shoes which are comfortable, easy to clean, and practical. To cater to their demands, the washable shoes & clogs market has grown exponentially over the past few years. These shoes can be used by both men and women, and provide protection and comfort in an equal measure. They are indispensable for millions of doctors, nurses and medical support staff worldwide.To View Complete Report @ :Washable shoes & clogs, as the name suggests, can be easily washed to disinfect them and they are available in a wide variety of sizes and colours to suit every need and want. Nursing can be an immensely demanding job. It is imperative that nurses should be as comfortable as possible to ensure that they are able to perform their duties effectively and efficiently. A quality pair of Washable shoes or clogs will guarantee comfort, which is why it is recommended for every nurse. A large number of them complain of feet or back pain every year. Most of these cases can be squarely blamed on wearing uncomfortable or inappropriate shoes.A sample of this report is available upon request @An ageing population in developed countries is anticipated to be the primary washable shoes & clogs market driver. According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), at least 116 million American adults, i.e. more than a third of the entire population, suffer from chronic pain. They outnumber those afflicted by diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. There is a very strong likelihood that they will visit hospitals or other medical institutions to get some kind of pain relief administered. They may even wish to be treated from the comfort and privacy of their own homes. Thus, there will be a large requirement for doctors and nurses, who will indirectly demand washable shoes & clogs. These shoes are far more lightweight than running or walking shoes, making it easier to serve patients for almost the entire day. They also make a massive difference in how medical staff feel at the end of the day. In addition to this, they are protected from water or any other liquid spill due to the material they are made from. They have grips that allow the foot to remain stable even when walking across slippery hospital tiles. Their sole is made to decrease the stress around the spinal cord and knees since many nurses complain of these medical ailments. Most of these shoes do not have laces and are simply meant to be slipped on, saving a great deal of time in any emergency.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to market segments such as geographies, types and applications.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:
Camera Drones Market by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022

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ReportsWeb.com has added a new report titled Global Camera Drones 2017 Market Report, to the database, the report focuses on Product Price, Profit, Capacity, Production, Capacity Utilization, Supply, Demand and Industry Growth.Camera Drones 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) .Get more information about this reportThe report firstly introduced the Camera Drones basics: definitions, Classifications, plications and market overview; product specifications; manufacturingProcesses; 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 Camera Drones Market;3) the North American Camera Drones Market;4) the European Camera Drones Market;5.) market entry and investment feasibility;6.) the report conclusion.Get free Sample Copy of ReportFew Points from Table of ContentPart I Camera Drones OverviewChapter One Camera Drones OverviewChapter Two Camera Drones Up and Down Stream Industry AnalysisPart II Asia Camera Drones (The Report Company Including the below Listed but Not All)Chapter Three Asia Camera Drones Market AnalysisChapter Four 2012-2017 Asia Camera Drones Productions Supply Sales Demand Market Status and ForecastChapter Five Asia Camera Drones Key Manufacturers AnalysisChapter Six Asia Camera Drones Development TrendPart III North American Chapter Seven North American Camera Drones Market AnalysisChapter Eight 2012-2017 North American Camera Drones Productions Supply Sales Demand Market Status and ForecastChapter Nine North American Camera Drones Key Manufacturers AnalysisChapter Ten North American Camera Drones Development TrendPart IV Europe Camera Drones Analysis (The Report Company Including the below Listed but Not All)Chapter Eleven Europe Camera Drones I Market AnalysisChapter Twelve 2012-2017 Europe Camera Drones Productions Supply Sales Demand Market Status and ForecastChapter Thirteen Europe Camera Drones Manufacturers AnalysisChapter Fourteen Europe Camera Drones Development TrendPart V Camera Drones Marketing Channels and Investment FeasibilityChapter Fifteen Camera Drones Marketing Channels Development Proposals AnalysisChapter Sixteen Development Environmental AnalysisChapter Seventeen Camera Drones y New Project Investment Feasibility AnalysisPart VI Global Camera Drones ConclusionsChapter Eighteen 2012-2017 Global Camera Drones Productions Supply Sales Demand Market Status and ForecastChapter Nineteen Global Camera Drones Development TrendChapter Twenty Global Camera Drones Research ConclusionsGet Discount on Report Purchase -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.Pune:505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Global and China Antivirus & Security Software Industry Professional Market Report 2017 Key Players  RISING, Micropoint, JIANGMIN, Kingsoft, Qihoo, Tencent, Baidu, Fygsoft, Huorong Security, Symantec, McAfee, Kaspersky

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global and China Antivirus & Security Software Industry Professional Market Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.This report splits Antivirus & Security Software by Price, by Function. This shares the history data information from 2012 to 2016, and forecast from 2017 to 2022.And this report mainly introduces volume and value market share by players, by regions, by product type, by consumers and also their price change details. As a Detailed Analysis report, it covers all details inside analysis and opinion in Antivirus & Security Software industry.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @This report focus Chinese market, it covers details players regions product type and other details as following:Key PlayersRISING(China)Micropoint(China)JIANGMIN(China)Kingsoft(China)Qihoo(China)Tencent(China)Baidu(China)Fygsoft(China)Huorong Security(China)Symantec(US)McAfee(US)Trend(US)Bitdefender(Romania)Kaspersky(Russia)Webroot(US)ESET(Slovak Republic)Panda(Spain)AVG(Czech Republic)Avanquest(France)Avast(Czech Republic)BullGuard(UK)G DATA(Germany)Avira(Germany)Comodo(US)F-Secure(Finland)NormanASA(Norway)Fortinet(US)Barracuda(US)Emsisoft(Austria)VIPRE(US)Browse Detail Report With Full TOC @Key RegionsFirst-tier CitiesBeijingShanghaiGuangzhouShenzhenSecond-tier CitiesChengduHangzhouWuhanTianjinNanjingChongqingXianQingdaoShenyangDalianXiamenSuzhouNingboWuxiThird-tier CitiesFourth-tier CitiesOther RegionsKey Product TypeAntivirus & Security Software Market, by Price$0.01 to $5$5 to $20$20 to $50$50 to $150$150 & AboveAntivirus & Security Software Market, by FunctionAntivirusInternet SecurityOthersKey Consumers (End User)Antivirus & Security Software Market, by ConsumerHouseholdCommercialTable of ContentsChapter One Antivirus & Security Software Market Overview1.1China Antivirus & Security Software Market Sales Volume Revenue and Price 2012-20221.2 Antivirus & Security Software, by Price 2012-20221.2.1 China Antivirus & Security Software Sales Market Share by Price 2012-20221.2.2 China Antivirus & Security Software Revenue Market Share by Price 2012-20221.2.3 China Antivirus & Security Software Price by Price 2012-20221.2.4 $0.01 to $51.2.5 $5 to $201.2.6 $20 to $501.2.7 $50 to $1501.2.8 $150 & Above1.3 Antivirus & Security Software, by Function 2012-20221.3.1 China Antivirus & Security Software Sales Market Share by Function 2012-20221.3.2 China Antivirus & Security Software Revenue Market Share by Function 2012-20221.3.3 China Antivirus & Security Software Price by Function 2012-20221.3.4 Antivirus1.3.5 Internet Security1.3.6 OthersChapter Two, Antivirus & Security Software by Regions 2012-20222.1 China Antivirus & Security Software Sales Market Share by Regions 2012-20222.2 China Antivirus & Security Software Revenue Market Share by Regions 2012-20222.3 China Antivirus & Security Software Price by Regions 2012-20222.4 First-tier Cities2.4.1 Beijing2.4.2 Shanghai2.4.3 Guangzhou2.4.4 Shenzhen2.5 Second-tier Cities2.5.1 Chengdu2.5.2 Hangzhou2.5.3 Wuhan2.5.4 Tianjin2.5.5 Nanjing2.5.2 Chongqing2.5.6 Xian2.5.7 Qingdao2.5.8 Shenyang2.5.9 Dalian2.5.10 Xiamen2.5.11 Suzhou2.5.12 Ningbo2.5.13 Wuxi2.6 Third-tier Cities2.7 Fourth-tier Cities2.8 Other RegionsChapter Three, Antivirus & Security Software by Brands 2012-20223.1 China Antivirus & Security Software Sales Volume Market Share by Brands 2012-20223.2 China Antivirus & Security Software Revenue Share by Brands 2012-20223.3 China Top Brands Antivirus & Security Software Key Product Model and Market Performance3.4 China Top Brands Antivirus & Security Software Key Target Consumers and Market PerformanceChapter Four, Antivirus & Security Software by Consumer 2012-20224.1 China Antivirus & Security Software Sales Market Share by Consumer 2012-20224.2 Household4.3 Commercial4.4 Consuming Habit and PreferenceChapter Five, Top Brands Profile5.1 RISING(China)5.1.1 RISING(China) Company Details and Competitors5.1.2 RISING(China) Key Antivirus & Security Software Models and Performance5.1.3 RISING(China) Antivirus & Security Software Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.1.4 RISING(China) Antivirus & Security Software Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.2 Micropoint(China)5.2.1 Micropoint(China) Company Details and Competitors5.2.2 Micropoint(China) Key Antivirus & Security Software Models and Performance5.2.3 Micropoint(China) Antivirus & Security Software Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.2.4 Micropoint(China) Antivirus & Security Software Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.3 JIANGMIN(China)5.3.1 JIANGMIN(China) Company Details and Competitors5.3.2 JIANGMIN(China) Key Antivirus & Security Software Models and Performance5.3.3 JIANGMIN(China) Antivirus & Security Software Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.3.4 JIANGMIN(China) Antivirus & Security Software Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.4 Kingsoft(China)5.4.1 Kingsoft(China) Company Details and Competitors5.4.2 Kingsoft(China) Key Antivirus & Security Software Models and Performance5.4.3 Kingsoft(China) Antivirus & Security Software Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.4.4 Kingsoft(China) Antivirus & Security Software Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.5 Qihoo(China)5.5.1 Qihoo(China) Company Details and Competitors5.5.2 Qihoo(China) Key Antivirus & Security Software Models and Performance5.5.3 Qihoo(China) Antivirus & Security Software Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.5.4 Qihoo(China) Antivirus & Security Software Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross MarginMake 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 @
Biopower in France, Market Capacity, Generation, Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), Investment Trends, Regulations and Company Profiles Outlook to 2030, Update 2017

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Biopower in France, Market Outlook to 2030, Update 2017 - Capacity, Generation, Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), Investment Trends, Regulations and Company Profiles" to its huge collection of research reports."Biopower in France, 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 Biopower market in France.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report provides an in-depth analysis on global renewable power market and global Biopower market with forecasts up to 2030. The report analyzes the power market scenario in France (includes conventional Hydro, nuclear and renewable energy sources) and provides future outlook with forecasts up to 2030. The research details renewable power market outlook in the country (includes Wind, small hydro, biopower and renewable) and provides forecasts up to 2030. The report highlights installed capacity and power generation trends from 2006 to 2030 in France Biopower market. A detailed coverage of energy policy framework governing the market with specific policies pertaining to Biopower market development is provided in the report. The research also provides company snapshots 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.ScopeThe report analyses global renewable power market, global biopower (Biomass and Biogas) market, France power market, France renewable power market and France biopower market. The scope of the research includes -- A brief introduction on global carbon emissions and global primary energy consumption.- An overview on global renewable power market, highlighting installed capacity trends, generation trends and installed capacity split by various renewable power sources. The information is covered for the historical period 2006-2016 (unless specified) and forecast period 2017-2030.- Renewable power sources include wind (both onshore and offshore), solar photovoltaic (PV), concentrated solar power (CSP), small hydropower (SHP), biomass, biogas and geothermal.- Detailed overview of the global biopower market with installed capacity and generation trends, installed capacity and generation split by major biopower countries in 2016.- Power market scenario in France and provides detailed market overview, installed capacity and power generation trends by various fuel types (includes thermal conventional, nuclear, large hydro and renewable energy sources) with forecasts up to 2030.- An overview on France renewable power market, highlighting installed capacity trends (2006-2030), generation trends(2006-2030) and installed capacity split by various renewable power sources in 2016.- Detailed overview of France biopower market with installed capacity and generation trends and major active and upcoming biopower projects.- Deal analysis of France biopower market. Deals are analyzed on the basis of mergers, acquisitions, partnership, asset finance, debt offering, equity offering, private equity (PE) and venture capitalists (VC).- Key policies and regulatory framework supporting the development of renewable power sources in general and biopower in particular.- 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 France biopower market.- Facilitate decision-making based on strong historic and forecast data for wind power market.- Position yourself to gain the maximum advantage of the industrys growth potential.- Develop strategies based on the latest regulatory events.- Identify key partners and business development avenues.- Understand and respond to your competitors business structure, strategy and prospects.Browse Detail Report With Full TOC @Table of Contents1 Table of Contents 21.1 List of Tables 51.2 List of Figures 62 Executive Summary 72.1 Fall in OECD Countries Carbon Emission despite a Global Rise during 2010-2015 72.2 Technological Advancements and Government Support Driving Global Renewable Power Installations 72.3 Global Biopower Generation Expected to Reach Over 895 TWh by 2030 72.4 Nuclear Power Constituted Nearly Half of the Power Generating Capacity in France in 2016 82.5 Onshore Wind is the largest Renewable Energy Source in France With 50% of Installed Renewable Capacity 92.6 FiT for Renewable Power Generation will Drive the Growth Momentum during 2015-2030 93 Introduction 113.1 Carbon Emissions, Global, 2001-2016 113.2 Primary Energy Consumption, Global, 2001-2025 133.3 Biopower Market, Technology Analysis 163.3.1 Biopower Market, Feedstock Conversion Processes 163.3.2 Biopower Market, Primary Energy Conversion and Recovery Technology 183.4 Report Guidance 214 Renewable Power Market, Global, 2006 - 2030 224.1 Renewable Power Market, Global, Overview 224.2 Renewable Power Market, Global, Installed Capacity, 2006-2030 234.2.1 Renewable Power Market, Global, Cumulative Installed Capacity by Source Type, 2006-2030 234.2.2 Renewable Power Market, Global, Cumulative Installed Capacity Split by Source Type, 2016 and 2030 254.2.3 Renewable Power Market, Global, Net Capacity Additions by Source Type, 2016-2030 274.2.4 Renewable Power Market, Global, Comparison by Cumulative Installed Capacity of Technology, 2016-2030 294.3 Renewable Power Market, Global, Power Generation, 2006-2030 314.3.1 Renewable Power Market, Global, Power Generation by Source Type, 2006-2030 314.3.2 Renewable Power Market, Global, Power Generation, Source Comparison Based on Power Generation, 2016-2030 334.4 Renewable Power Market, Global, LCOE Comparison of Power Generating Sources, 2014-2014 355 Biopower Market, Global, 2006-2030 395.1 Biopower Market, Global, Overview 395.2 Biopower Market, Global, Installed Capacity, 2006-2030 405.2.1 Biopower Market, Global, Installed Capacity Share by Region, 2016 425.2.2 Biopower Market, Global, Installed Capacity Share by Country, 2016 and 2030 445.3 Biopower Market, Global, Power Generation, 2006-2030 465.3.1 Biopower Market, Global, Generation Share by Region, 2016 and 2030 485.3.2 Biopower Market, Global, Generation Share by Country, 2016 and 2030 505.4 Biopower Market, Global, Investment Trends, 2016-2020 52Continued...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 @
The Telecom Service Revenue In India Is Estimated To Grow At A CAGR Of 3.0% During 2016-2021, Due To Growth In Mobile Data And Fixed VoIP

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "India: Intense Competition in Mobile Services Segment to Result in Market Consolidation" to its huge collection of research reports."India: Intense Competition in Mobile Services Segment to Result in Market Consolidation", a new Country Intelligence Report by GlobalData, provides an executive-level overview of the telecommunications market in India today, with detailed forecasts of key indicators up to 2021. Published annually, the report provides detailed analysis of the near-term opportunities, competitive dynamics and evolution of demand by service type andtechnology/platform across the fixed telephony, broadband, and mobile, as well as a review of key regulatory trends.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The telecom service revenue in India is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.0% during 2016-2021, due to growth in mobile data and fixed VoIP. Robust growth in adoption of 4G services, fixed operator efforts to provide 1Gbps FTTH services, and government efforts to expand fiber-optic networks under the BharatNet Project are key drivers for telecom growth in the market. The pay-TV market going forward will be led by robust growth in DTH and IPTV services. IPTV will witness the fastest growth in the pay-TV market in India. Competition in the mobile market intensified with the entry of Reliance Jio.The Country Intelligence Report provides in-depth analysis of the following -- Regional context: telecom market size and trends in India compared with other countries in the region.- Economic, demographic and political context in India.- The regulatory environment and trends: a review of the regulatory setting and agenda for the next 18-24 months as well as relevant developments pertaining to spectrum licensing, national broadband plans, number portability and more.- A demand profile: analysis as well as historical figures and forecasts of service revenue from the fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice, and mobile data markets.- Service evolution: a look at changes in the breakdown of overall revenue between the fixed and mobile sectors and between voice, data and video from 2016 to 2021.- The competitive landscape: an examination of key trends in competition and in the performance, revenue market shares and expected moves of service providers over the next 18-24 months.- In-depth sector analysis of fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice, and mobile data services: a quantitative analysis of service adoption trends by network technology and by operator, as well as of average revenue per line/subscription and service revenue through the end of the forecast period.- Main opportunities: this section details the near-term opportunities for operators, vendors and investors in India's telecommunications markets.Browse Detail Report With Full TOC @Scope- The overall telecom service revenue in India will grow at a CAGR of 3.0% during 2016-2021, mainly driven by growth in mobile data, fixed broadband and fixed VoIP segments.- Mobile revenue will account for 82.4% of the total telecom revenue in 2021; mobile data will witness a CAGR of 16.5% during 2016-2021.- The top two operators, Airtel and Vodafone, accounted for 37.3% share of overall service revenue in 2016. We expect competition to intensify with the entry of Reliance Jio in early 2017.- National Telecom policy - 2012 aims to boost broadband subscriptions to 175m by 2017 and to 600m by 2020 and increase rural teledensity to 100% by then.Reasons to buy- This Country Intelligence Report offers a thorough, forward-looking analysis of India's telecommunications markets, service providers and key opportunities in a concise format to help executives build proactive and profitable growth strategies.- Accompanying GlobalDatas Forecast products, the report examines the assumptions and drivers behind ongoing and upcoming trends in India's mobile communications, fixed telephony, broadband markets, including the evolution of service provider market shares.- With more than 20 charts and tables, the report is designed for an executive-level audience, boasting presentation quality.- The report provides an easily digestible market assessment for decision-makers built around in-depth information gathered from local market players, which enables executives to quickly get up to speed with the current and emerging trends in India's telecommunications markets.- The broad perspective of the report coupled with comprehensive, actionable detail will help operators, equipment vendors and other telecom industry players succeed in the challenging telecommunications market in India.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 @
The Telecom Service Revenue Growth In Malaysia Over 2016-2021 Will Be Sustained By Mobile Data, Fixed Internet And VoIP Service Segments

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Malaysia: Expansion of High-Speed Wireless and Fixed Broadband Networks to Drive Telecom Market Growth" to its huge collection of research reports."Malaysia: Expansion of High-Speed Wireless and Fixed Broadband Networks to Drive Telecom Market Growth", is a new Country Intelligence Report by GlobalData, provides an executive-level overview of the telecommunications market in Malaysia today, with detailed forecasts of key indicators up to 2021. Published annually, the report provides detailed analysis of the near-term opportunities, competitive dynamics and evolution of demand by service type and technology/platform across the fixed telephony, broadband, and mobile, as well as a review of key regulatory trends.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The telecom service revenue growth in Malaysia over 2016-2021 will be sustained by mobile data, fixed internet and VoIP service segments. Mobile voice is the largest revenue-contributing segment but is expected to be replaced by mobile data in 2021. Going forward, operators will focus on data centric services and invest in 4G/LTE-A and FTTH deployments to boost broadband penetration in the country. Operators push for digital solutions such as M2M/IoT, and smart cities under the Eleventh Malaysia Plan, 2016-2020 and TN50 will create significant opportunities for vendors and investors in the coming years.The Country Intelligence Report provides in-depth analysis of the following -- Regional context: telecom market size and trends in Malaysia compared with other countries in the region.- Economic, demographic and political context in Malaysia.- The regulatory environment and trends: a review of the regulatory setting and agenda for the next 18-24 months as well as relevant developments pertaining to spectrum licensing, national broadband plans, number portability and more.- A demand profile: analysis as well as historical figures and forecasts of service revenue from the fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice, and mobile data markets.- Service evolution: a look at changes in the breakdown of overall revenue between the fixed and mobile sectors and between voice, data and video from 2016 to 2021.- The competitive landscape: an examination of key trends in competition and in the performance, revenue market shares and expected moves of service providers over the next 18-24 months.- In-depth sector analysis of fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice, and mobile data services: a quantitative analysis of service adoption trends by network technology and by operator, as well as of average revenue per line/subscription and service revenue through the end of the forecast period.- Main opportunities: this section details the near-term opportunities for operators, vendors and investors in Malaysia's telecommunications markets.Browse Detail Report With Full TOC @Scope- Total telecom service revenue growth in Malaysia will remain insignificant but will avoid any erosion in market value over 2016-2021 thanks to growth in the mobile data, VoIP and fixed Internet segments.- Mobile revenue will account for 63.0% of total telecom revenue in 2021, with mobile data accounting for 50.8% of mobile revenue in 2021.- 3G is currently the most adopted mobile technology. However, its share will decline during the forecast period as customers migrate to higher-speed LTE/LTE-A services.- The top two operators, Maxis and Celcom, accounted for 47.0% share of overall service revenue in 2016. We expect the competition to intensify further with the recent launch of Webe Mobile by incumbent Telekom Malaysia in September 2017, which allows the operator to provide fixed-mobile converged services.- Operators will continue to invest in 4G network expansion and fiber deployment to improve connectivity and cater to the rising data demand.Reasons to buy- This Country Intelligence Report offers a thorough, forward-looking analysis of Malaysias telecommunications markets, service providers and key opportunities in a concise format to help executives build proactive and profitable growth strategies.- Accompanying GlobalDatas Forecast products, the report examines the assumptions and drivers behind ongoing and upcoming trends in Malaysias mobile communications, fixed telephony, broadband markets, including the evolution of service provider market shares.- With more than 20 charts and tables, the report is designed for an executive-level audience, boasting presentation quality.- The report provides an easily digestible market assessment for decision-makers built around in-depth information gathered from local market players, which enables executives to quickly get up to speed with the current and emerging trends in Malaysias telecommunications markets.- The broad perspective of the report coupled with comprehensive, actionable detail will help operators, equipment vendors and other telecom industry players succeed in the challenging telecommunications market in Malaysia.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 @
Country Intelligence Report Offers A Thorough, Forward-Looking Analysis Of South Korea's Telecommunications Markets, Service Providers And Key Opportunities In A Concise Format

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "South Korea: Operator Investments in 5G and Fiber to Support Growth of IPTV and New Value-Added Services" to its huge collection of research reports."South Korea: Operator Investments in 5G and Fiber to Support Growth of IPTV and New Value-Added Services", is a new Country Intelligence Report by GlobalData, provides an executive-level overview of the telecommunications market in South Korea today, with detailed forecasts of key indicators up to 2021. Published annually, the report provides detailed analysis of the near-term opportunities, competitive dynamics and evolution of demand by service type and technology/platform across the fixed telephony, broadband, and mobile, as well as a review of key regulatory trends.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Telecom service revenue in South Korea is estimated to decline at a CAGR of -0.5% during 2016-2021, due to a decrease in overall voice revenue. Mobile data and fixed Internet growth will be driven by the growth in adoption of 4G/LTE and FTTx services, respectively. The pay-TV segment will witness the fastest growth in the country over the forecast period owing to high growth in the IPTV segment. Operators will continue to compete via network expansion and 5G trials, as well as VAS and IoT projects. KT is expected to launch trial 5G services during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.The Country Intelligence Report provides in-depth analysis of the following -- Regional context: telecom market size and trends in South Korea compared with other countries in the region.- Economic, demographic and political context in South Korea.- The regulatory environment and trends: a review of the regulatory setting and agenda for the next 18-24 months as well as relevant developments pertaining to spectrum licensing, national broadband plans, number portability and more.- A demand profile: analysis as well as historical figures and forecasts of service revenue from the fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice, and mobile data markets.- Service evolution: a look at changes in the breakdown of overall revenue between the fixed and mobile sectors and between voice, data and video from 2016 to 2021.- The competitive landscape: an examination of key trends in competition and in the performance, revenue market shares and expected moves of service providers over the next 18-24 months.- In-depth sector analysis of fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice, and mobile data services: a quantitative analysis of service adoption trends by network technology and by operator, as well as of average revenue per line/subscription and service revenue through the end of the forecast period.- Main opportunities: this section details the near-term opportunities for operators, vendors and investors in South Korea's telecommunications markets.Browse Detail Report With Full TOC @Scope- Overall telecom service revenue in South Korea will decline at a CAGR of -0.5% during 2016-2021, mainly affected by declining voice revenue. Growth in the data services segment will also fail to offset declining voice services. The demand for high bandwidth online content and OTT services will be a key driver for the growth of mobile data in South Korea.- Mobile revenue will account for 60.3% of total telecom revenue in 2021; mobile data will witness a CAGR of 1.5% during 2016-2021.- The top two operators, KT and SK Telecom, accounted for 69.1% share of overall service revenue in 2016. We expect competition to intensify as operators are investing in 5G and fixed broadband.Reasons to buy- This Country Intelligence Report offers a thorough, forward-looking analysis of South Korea's telecommunications markets, service providers and key opportunities in a concise format to help executives build proactive and profitable growth strategies.- Accompanying GlobalDatas Forecast products, the report examines the assumptions and drivers behind ongoing and upcoming trends in South Korea's mobile communications, fixed telephony, broadband markets, including the evolution of service provider market shares.- With more than 20 charts and tables, the report is designed for an executive-level audience, boasting presentation quality.- The report provides an easily digestible market assessment for decision-makers built around in-depth information gathered from local market players, which enables executives to quickly get up to speed with the current and emerging trends in South Korea's telecommunications markets.- The broad perspective of the report coupled with comprehensive, actionable detail will help operators, equipment vendors and other telecom industry players succeed in the challenging telecommunications market in South Korea.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 Samarium Cobalt Magnet Market Segmentation and Industry Analysis upto 2022

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ReportsMonitor.Com Adds Global Samarium Cobalt Magnet Market Professional Survey Report 2017 to Its Database.This report studies Samarium Cobalt Magnet in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringAdams MagneticArnold MagneticBeijing Zhong KeDexter MagneticElectron Energy CorpFeller MagtechFuzhou Ao MagnetHitachiBy types, the market can be split intoShape:RingShape:CylinderOthersGET SAMPLE REPORT @By Application, the market can be split intoAerospaceAutomobileElectronicOthersBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaTable of ContentsGlobal Samarium Cobalt Magnet Market Professional Survey Report 20171 Industry Overview of Samarium Cobalt Magnet1.1 Definition and Specifications of Samarium Cobalt Magnet1.1.1 Definition of Samarium Cobalt Magnet1.1.2 Specifications of Samarium Cobalt Magnet1.2 Classification of Samarium Cobalt Magnet1.2.1 Shape:Ring1.2.2 Shape:Cylinder1.2.3 Others1.3 Applications of Samarium Cobalt Magnet1.3.1 Aerospace1.3.2 Automobile1.3.3 Electronic1.3.4 Others1.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 IndiaBROWSE FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS and REPORT DESCRIPTION @About Us:Reports Monitor (ReportsMonitor.com) is a platform to meet the 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. Decision makers can now rely on our distinct data gathering methods to get factual market forecasting and detailed analysis.Contact Us:Jay MatthewsDirect: +1 513 549-5911Email: sales@reportsmonitor.comWebsite:
Business Analytics Software Market Investment Research Report 2024

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Business analytics software helps in interpretation and analysis of business data through continuous exploration and investigation of historical business performance to gain decisive insights for business planning.Through the application of statistical methods and tools in business performance data, a business analytics software conducts predictive analysis to derive decision making insights and inputs.A business analytics software thus helps an organization optimize its business operations and facilitates informed and strategic decision making. It also helps uncover patterns and relationships between data streams and leads to automation of tasks and processes for real-time responses in decision making.Obtain Report Details:The outputs are mostly used by managers, security personnel, financial analysts, and key decision makers of organizations. Demand for cloud-based business analytics software is high in small and medium sized enterprises owing to its low cost and enhanced usability. Furthermore, demand for social media analytics, a part of business analytics, is also rising significantly due to the increase in popularity of social media marketing.Organizations are increasingly opting for business analytics software in order to gain strategic and competitive advantage over their competitors. This is one of the major factors driving the global business analytics software market. Additionally, the software aims to help organizations make quick and informed decisions through the analysis of the historical business data.This has been driving the market for business analytics software. Currently, there exists need for quick decision making and immediate actions in response to situations considering the competitive nature of businesses. This highlights the importance of the business analytics software.Furthermore, increase in volume and diversity of data in organizations has given rise to the need for analytical software to derive meaningful patterns, relationships, and insights from unorganized data. The features of business analytics software meet such requirements, thereby boosting the growing demand and adoption of business analytics software across varying scales of companies.However, in order to efficiently operate, business analytics software require sufficient volumes of meaningful data. This requires effective data warehousing, which may be a challenge for small organizations to implement considering the high costs involved.These challenges are likely to hamper the market for business analytics software during the forecast period. Nonetheless, increase in social media marketing by organizations is expected to offer growth opportunities for the business analytics software market during the forecast period.The global business analytics software market has been segmented on the basis of deployment, end-use industry, application, and geography. In terms of deployment, the business analytics software market has been divided into cloud and on premise.Based on end-use industry, the business analytics market has been segregated into BFSI, government, manufacturing, IT and Telecom, retail, health care, capital markets, education, media, utilities, and others.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Business Analytics Software Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.In terms of application, the business analytics software market has been segmented into supply chain analytics, workforce analytics, spatial analytics, behavioral analytics, marketing analytics, risk and credit analytics, pricing analytics, transportation analytics, and others. Based on geography, the business analytics market has been divided into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and South America.Major players operating in the global business analytics software market include SAS Institute Inc., Tableau Software, SAP SE, Oracle Corporation, Adobe Systems Incorporated, International Business Machines Corporation, Salesforce.com, Qlik Technologies, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Tibco Software, Fair Isaac Corporation, and JDA Software Group, Inc.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions.About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email:sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Roofing Membranes Market by Regional Analysis, Key Players and Forecast 2024

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A roofing membrane is a type of roofing system for buildings and tanks. In the covering of the large-area roofs of commercial and industrial buildings and for renovation projects, thermoplastic polyolefin membranes offer considerable advantages. The roofing membranes market is segmented into types, application, and geography. On the basis of types, the market is segregated into modified bitumen, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). The growth of construction activity in emerging countries is a key factor expected to propel the growth of the market during the forecast period. In addition, the recent increase in per capita income in emerging economies is expected to augment the adoption of technologically upgraded products over the forecast period. Thermoplastic polyolefin roofing membranes are the fastest-growing commercial roofing membrane segment and have gained the wide acceptance in different industries for their installation advantages at competitive prices and ability to offer good performance for a longer period of time.Browse Market Research Report @Other benefits of thermoplastic polyolefin roofing membranes are recyclability, flexibility, durability, eco-friendly chemistry, heat resistance, lower labor requirement, and low installation costs for efficient roofing systems. On the basis of application, the market has been segregated into commercial roofing (hotels, malls, offices, factories, public outlets, and educational institutes) and residential roofing. Increasing demand for cost-effective roofing membranes is expected to create an area of opportunity for the growth of the market over the forecast period. Moreover, local manufacturers are introducing newer products to capitalize on the peoples increasing purchasing power.Geographically, the roofing membranes market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Latin America. All these regions are seeing an rising demand for roofing membranes due to increasing governmental investments on account of infrastructural developments. North America dominated the global demand for roofing membranes in 2015 in terms of revenue. The U.S. and Canada are anticipated to experience rapid growth, propelling the usage of roofing membranes in North America. Rapid industrialization and growing construction activities are expected to drive the demand for roofing membranes in this region.Furthermore, developing regions continue to garner a considerable share of the global roofing membranes market, creating huge opportunities for market players. Asian countries like India, China, and Japan have witnessed an increase in the demand for roofing membranes. Moreover, Middle Eastern countries such as Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia will contribute to the growth of the market due to the growing demand for roofing membranes.The global roofing membranes market is highly competitive due to the presence of both large-scale and small-scale vendors. These companies have been investing considerable capital in R&D in order to expand their production capabilities and to meet growing market demand. Since all the major vendors compete with one another to gain maximum market shares, the competitive environment in the market is rather fierce. These vendors compete in terms of product differentiation, price, product innovation, product distribution, and promotion. Competition in the market will intensify further with the emergence of more players. Technological upgrades will lead to the entry of a large number of new players who engage in single- and multi-dealer platforms. This leads to higher levels of competition among existing players. To survive in this competitive market and to gain success, it is crucial for manufacturers to distinguish their products and services through a unique and clear value proposition.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Roofing Membranes Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market @Some of the key players actively present in the roofing membranes market are Carlisle Companies Inc., Sika AG, The Dow Chemical Company, Soprema Group, Firestone Building Products Company, LLC, BASF SE, GSE Environmental, Johns Manville, and GAF Materials Corporation.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.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Adhesive Resin Market Growth, Share, Demand and Analysis of Key Players to 2024

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Adhesive resins incorporate several applications and objects as an adhesive layer to enhance the durability and optimize the integrity of the structure. It joins the surface of diverse materials, efficiently distributing the stress at the junction. The application of adhesive resin forms a strong bond very quickly to aid the adhesion process. Application of high performance adhesive resin improves the cohesive strength. Adhesive resins available in emulsion form offer the advantage of elasticity and resistance to moisture. In addition to the long term adhesiveness, application of resins provide toughness and resistance to aging, temperature, and chemicals. Adhesive resin is available in several forms: solvent-based, water-based, and hot melt. The major components used in adhesive resin include: vinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl acetate, and polymerized acrylic resin emulsion.Browse Market Research Report @Adhesive resin finds extensive application in numerous industries such as: packaging, oil and gas, plastic, construction, automotive, and transportation. Adhesive resin is most widely used in the packaging of food and beverages, consumer goods, sea foods and meat, tubes, and bottles. In the oil and gas industry, it is used to create linkage between pipelines and coating of pipes.In the plastic industry, the application of adhesive resin is recommended to act as a binding agent in order to enhance the tensile strength of plastic. In the automotive industry, adhesive resin is applied in automotive body parts such as door modules and front-end modules. In the building and construction industry, adhesive resins are applied as contact adhesives, flooring adhesives, and sealants. Due to the efficient sealing feature, adhesive resins find potential use in the transportation industry in manufacturing of abrasive and aerospace components.The broad commercial application of adhesive resins in several industries builds a rapidly growing global market. The market for adhesive resins has exhibited an enormous rise in the last few years and a similar positive trend is anticipated to be witnessed during the forecast period. The market of adhesive resin is currently dominated by the Asia Pacific region.The huge growth of end-user industries such as automotive, construction, packaging, and consumer goods in developing countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, and India is propelling the demand of adhesive resins. In the next few years, the advancement of emerging technologies and rising demand of adhesive resin is estimated to fuel the market growth in the developing region of Asia Pacific. North America and Europe also possess a large share of the global market. Improved economy observed in these developed countries is a key factor for the market growth. The rising trend is predicted to continue during the forecast period. A prospective market for adhesive resin is expected to build up in the MEA region. Growing economy of this region is predicted to develop an emerging market of adhesive resins in the next few years.Increasing awareness of ecofriendly materials is likely to drive the demand for bio-based adhesive which will enable the end-user industries to minimize their environmental concern. Specially-engineered adhesive resins are being developed for the assembly of aircraft and automotive bodies. Epoxy resin holds a large share of the global adhesive resin market currently due to improved functionalities such as corrosion protection, mechanical strength etc. Increased demand from end-user industries is influencing the higher growth rate of adhesive resin in the global market.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Adhesive Resin Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market @The major players that manufacture adhesive resin are companies such as: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, LD Davis Industries, Inc., Exxon Mobil Corporation, The Dow Chemical Company, Mitsui Chemicals America, Inc., Resinall Corporation, Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, and Ashland Inc. etc.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.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Cladding Systems Market Investment Research Report 2024

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Cladding is mainly a nonloadbearing layer or coating attached to the external part of a house to shed water and safeguard the home from the effects of varied weather. Cladding systems are important components in the artistic demand of the home and directly affect both property value and building cost.The main roles of cladding are to control the inflow of water vapors and the infiltration of weather elements, while providing a robust, artistically attractive appearance. It is also used to protect buildings fire resistance, sound, and thermal insulation, and provide the ability to maintain a clean surface in polluted and dusty environments.Cladding systems include vertical or horizontal boards, smaller overlapping panels, or sheet materials such as tiles and shingles. In addition, these systems use diverse approaches to prevent rain and wind entering through the linkages. Cladding can be directly attached to the frame or to a middle coat of boards or parts to prevent condensation while permitting water vapor to escape.Obtain Report Details:The global cladding systems market is experiencing growth owing to factors such as rise in non-residential building and infrastructure activities, growing residential construction, and the high durability of cladding systems. Besides this, new construction and remodeling is anticipated to upsurge the demand for cladding systems during the forecast period.The evolution in the construction industry around the globe as well as government rules and regulations regarding zero-energy building codes are also major factors expected to impel the cladding systems market after the economic slowdown.However, high installation and raw material cost is the major factor that can hamper the global cladding systems market growth. In addition, the high repairing and maintenance cost is the major challenge for the cladding systems market.The major supportive trend for the global cladding systems market includes increased populations and development in emerging nations, growing demand for protective systems, rise in demand for fiber cement, and increased demand for sustainable cladding resources. These factors are anticipated to open new opportunities for the cladding systems markets growth in the coming years.North America is anticipated to dominate the market during the forecast period due to the growing inclination of companies toward capital-intensive projects in this region, along with the availability of technical knowledge.However, Asia Pacific is also estimated to have a positive impact during the forecast period. The market for cladding systems in Asia Pacific is anticipated to develop significantly in the coming years due to the expanding economy and speedy growth in the infrastructure sector in this region.The global cladding systems market can be segmented on the basis of component, application, and material. By component, the cladding system market is categorized into roofs, walls, doors and windows, and others.The application-based segmentation includes residential, commercial, industrial, and others. Furthermore, on the basis of material, the cladding systems market segmented into metal, vinyl, fiber cement, brick and stone, stucco and EIFS, and others.The metal cladding system is an important segment type and is expected to supplement the growth of the cladding systems market in the near term. This is primarily due to the long life and attractive appearance of metal cladding systems, which are more cost-effective than other cladding systems.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Cladding Systems Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.It is also environment friendly and can be completely recycled. Metal cladding is primarily used in nonresidential constructions, specifically in the commercial and industrial sectors.The major players in the global cladding systems market include Alcoa Inc., Tata Steel Limited, Etex Group, Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA, James Hardie Industries PLC, Boral Limited, CSR Limited, Axiall Corporation, Nichiha Corporation, and Cembrit Holding A/S.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions.About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email:sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Calcium Carbonate Market Analysis and Forecast Study for 2013-2019

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Global Calcium Carbonate Market: SnapshotThe global calcium carbonate market is prophesied to make progress with the rise of the paper industry and growing demand from the plastic sector. Calcium carbonate is also used in other industries such as rubber, architectural materials, paints and additives, coatings, and light chemicals. Besides this, the inorganic mineral and commercial and functional filler supports the light scattering and brightening qualities of paper. Since calcium carbonate is used as an extender in paints and coatings and a major raw material in cement, an elevating demand from the building and construction sector is also predicted to boost the global market.Browse Market Research Report:According to the latest figures procured through extensive primary and secondary research by Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global calcium carbonate market is projected to reach 112.0 mn tons by 2019. A significant growth is expected to be witnessed by the global market, relying on the growing number of applications in end-use industries. In 2016, the market had attained a volume of 99.0 mn tons.Precipitated Calcium Carbonate More Promising than Ground Calcium CarbonateGround calcium carbonate (GCC) and precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) are the two principal product type segments, out of which GCC holds a significant share in the market. However, the GCC market is anticipated to lose its share while growing at a lower CAGR than that of PCC. With a wide array of applications in coated papers and improved physical properties, the PCC segment is envisaged to touch 23.8 mn tons in 2019 from 20.5 mn tons in 2016.Calcium carbonate finds applications in various end-use sectors such as paper, plastic, building and construction, pharmaceutical, and agriculture. The paper market held a gigantic share of 40.4 mn tons in 2016 and is expected to reach 45.9 mn tons by the end of the forecast period. High priority for education which is fueling the production of books and articles in Asia Pacific countries such as India has created large opportunities for paper manufacturers. The plastic market is envisioned to grow hand in hand with the paper market, increasing its share at a 0.5% rate by 2019.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Calcium Carbonate market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market @Asia Pacific Pushes Down Market Share of North America and EuropeBy geography, the global calcium carbonate market is foretold to be dominated by Asia Pacific throughout the forecast period. With a whopping percentage share of 50.8% in 2019, the Asia Pacific region will ride on easy availability of raw materials and low cost of production. Moreover, different industries such as education, packaging, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) demanding paper at a substantial rate are expected to drive the market in Asia Pacific.The Rest of the World market, including Latin America and the Middle East and Africa, is foreseen to exhibit a stallion growth while accounting for a promising 6.9% share by the end of the forecast period.Other segments such as North America and Europe are analyzed to decline their market share by 1.0% each in 2019. North America could suffer from the volatile economic conditions in the region and emergence of the rising markets in Asia Pacific countries. Europe is predicted to be on the back foot due to the closure of paper mills and effects of recession.Innovations in technology is one of the key factors for ensuring sustained growth amidst a highly competitive scenario. For instance, CalciTech Ltd. has developed and patented synthetic calcium carbonate (SCC), which finds usage in the manufacture of specific food and pharmaceutical products. Some of the prominent players operating in the global calcium carbonate market are Mississippi Lime Co., Imerys, Maruo Calcium Co. Ltd., and Schaefer Kalk GMBH & Co. KG.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.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:
Global Kaolin Market Report 2013 Analysis by Trends, Production, Consumption and Forecast 2019

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Kaolin, also known as china clay, is composed of hydrated aluminosilicate clay mineral kaolinite. It possesses properties such as flat particle shape, excellent opacity, non-abrasive texture and chemical inertness among others. Kaolin has a wide range of industrial applications such as paper, ceramics, paints & adhesives and other specialty uses. In addition, kaolin is used in white ware and sanitary ware. Metakaolin is obtained by thermally treating kaolin and is used for several applications such as concrete and mortar among others.Browse Market Research Report:Rise in construction activities across the globe is expected to drive the demand for ceramics which is used in tiles and sanitary ware. Kaolin is used in large quantities in ceramics to enhance the latters characteristics. Thus, rise in construction activities across various regions of the world is expected to subsequently fuel the demand for kaolin. In addition, the increasing demand for cement in concrete and mortar may fuel the demand for metakaolin. Use of metakaolin in cement helps to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere, which provides as an eco-friendly alternative. This factor is anticipated to boost the demand for kaolin and metakaolin in near future. However, substitution of kaolin with calcium carbonate in paper applications coupled with increasing kaolin prices may curb the global kaolin and metakaolin market within the next few years. Ongoing research and development in use of bio-ceramics in endodontics may open new avenues for kaolin market over the next few years.Paper was the largest application segment for the kaolin market and accounted for over 40% of the market share in 2012, owing to their growing demand in emerging economies such as India and China. National governments in the countries of China, India, and other Asian countries are taking initiatives to facilitate literacy rate, which in turn is expected to fuel the demand for writing and printing papers. However, the demand for papers in North America and European countries is expected to decline due to the increasing preference of consumers towards internet and electronic media to access information. Ceramics is expected to exhibit fastest growth on account of its use in various applications processes. Ceramics are largely used in sanitary ware, wall and floor tiles and vitreous clay pipes on account of their varied properties such as high strength, longevity, chemical inertness and electrical resistance. These parameters are expected to boost the demand for kaolin in ceramics. Furthermore, the growing rubber industry on account of the increasing demand from the automobile sector is expected to fuel the demand for kaolin in near future. Other segments including fiberglass, paper and plastics are anticipated to lose their market share to ceramics and rubber segments over the next six years.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Kaolin market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market @Concrete was the largest application segment of the metakaolin market and accounted for over 50% of the market share in 2012. Additionally, concrete is expected to be the fastest growing application segment of the market on account of rising construction activities, particularly in developing economies of Asia Pacific and Latin America. Furthermore, substitution of a small part of cement by metakaolin results in notable reduction of carbon emissions in the atmosphere. Presence of stringent regulations to curb the level of carbon in the atmosphere is expected to be a vital factor in augmenting the demand for metakaolin in cement.Demand for kaolin and metakaolin was highest in Asia Pacific on account of rapid industrialization and urbanisation. Asia Pacific accounted for over 35% of both kaolin and metakaolin market in 2012. Growth of the ceramic market in Europe, which includes table ware, wall and floor tiles, is expected to in turn drive the demand for kaolin in Europe over the forecast period. North America being a mature market with respect to construction industry is expected to witness a steady growth within the forecast period.Companies such as BASF, Imerys, Kaolin AD, Thiele Kaolin Company and Quarzwerke are the key players present in the global kaolin and metakaolin market. The kaolin and metakaolin market is highly capital intensive. In addition, as the market is fragmented in nature, there is low market concentration. Numerous mergers and acquisitions have resulted in the consolidation of the market share.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:
Global PTFE Fabric Market Report 2016 Analysis by Trends, Production, Consumption and Forecast 2024

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Global PTFE Fabric Market: OverviewPolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fabric market has been witnessing an exponential rise over the past few years as it has become an integral material in the production of several industrial goods. It is largely being used for coating non-woven and flexible-woven materials such as woven wire, glass fiber cloth, and aramid fabrics as it offers excellence resistance to fire. Properties such as non-stick, friction-free, and non-brittle are also expected to win the global PTFE fabric market a definite consumer base between the forecast years of 2016 and 2024.Browse Market Research Report:The research report by Transparency Market Research provides a detailed outlook of the global PTFE market. The publication has been compiled using primary and secondary research methodologies to offer its readers an accurate evaluation of the market dynamics impacting the demand and supply of PTFE fabric. Furthermore, the research report also includes a SWOT and a Porters five forces analysis for a comprehensive scrutiny of the global market.Global PTFE Fabric Market: Drivers and TrendsThe PTFE fabric has been designed to be chemically inert and are known to remain intact under extreme temperatures up to 73 degrees Celsius to 232 degrees Celsius. This has been the underlying reason for the swift uptake of PTFE fabric in a wide range of industry starting from construction and stretching up to packaging. The self-cleaning properties of PTFE fabric has proven to be an asset to builders, ensuring consistent usage of these fabrics in the building and construction industry.The global market will also be driven by adoption of PTFE fabrics for the production of gaskets, seals, and bearings for chemicals, gases, oils, chutes, hoppers, hot platens, and troughs as they are known to be non-sticky. The chemical industry will also be a loyal consumer of PTFE fabric as they are being used for making lining materials for piping compensators in the near future.Global PTFE Fabric Market: SegmentationThe types of PTFE fabric available in the global market are glass mesh fabric and glass fiber fabric. The report indicates that glass fiber fabric will witness a stupendous rise in the coming years as it is known to have terrific resistance to water, alkali, aging, and excellent softness. In addition, its superior tensile strength and flex life are also likely make a popularly used option over the forecast period. Currently, glass fiber fabric is extensively used in artificial stone materials, natural marble, plaster board, reinforcing walls, and exterior insulation finishing systems.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the PTFE Fabric market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market @Among the end-user industries, the building and construction segment is segment be the key consumer of PTFE fabric during the forecast period. These will be predominantly used through industrial goods such as pipe and line fittings, tubes, and rods especially in emerging economies of Latin America and Asia Pacific where construction industry is flourishing. The ability to this fabric to weather harsh climatic conditions and environmental changes will win the market a wide consumer base.Global PTFE Fabric Market: Regional OutlookIn terms of geography, the global PTFE fabric is segmented into Latin America, North America, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. The research report states that the Asia Pacific PTFE fabric market will dominate the global market, closely followed by Europe and North. The dominance of this region will be attributable to the growing number of end-user industries such as construction, chemical, food and beverages, packaging, and textile. The emerging economies of Malaysia, Indonesia, and South Korea are expected to be key contributors to the soaring revenue of the Asia Pacific PTFE fabric market. Analysts project that Australia and New Zealand will also be pivotal to the regional market.On the other hand, North America and Europe PTFE fabric market will show a slow-paced growth pattern as the markets experience saturation. However, ongoing technological advancements and launch of new products will boost the demand for PTFE fabric in the regions over the forecast period.Key Players Mentioned in the Report are:Some of the leading players operating in the global PTFE fabric market are Urja Fabrics, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation, Daikin industries Ltd, Fiberflon GmbH & Co. KG, Birdair Inc, Fothergill Group, and W.L. Gore & Associates Inc.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:
IOT Chip Market: Latest Trends, Market Segmentation, Major Key Players with Forecast by 2024

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IOT or Internet on Thing is a smart device embedded with software or electronics that helps in exchange and collection of data. It is also referred as the infrastructure of the information society. Recent computing systems contain electric mechanisms which are called as chipsets, and this embodies an assembly of combined circuits relied widely on various consumer electronic devices that include smartphones, tablet, computers, as well as wearable technology.Majorly, growth in healthcare and automotive sector is directly driving the market of IOT Chip market globally. Growth in the new segment of the transportation and automotive domain is driving the demand; the new segment includes an addition of connected car product line which adheres intelligent transportation system (ITS) with the advancement of Internet on Thing (IOT) technology.The other key factors that lift the market growth of IOT Chip worldwide is its capacity to process and manage an enormous amount of data which is generated by the devices or gadgets. Also, it is a protected, and adhere nonvolatile memory (NVM) for code storage, device configuration, sensor trimming, security keys, as well as stand by other storage functions.Obtain Report Details @The global IOT Chip market is segmented based on its hardware types, and end user applications type.Based on the hardware type, IOT Chip market is segmented into: Processor Sensor, Connectivity IC, Memory Device, Logic DeviceBased on the end user applications type, IOT Chip market is segmented into: Automotive & Transportation, Retail, Environmental monitoring, Building and home automation, Consumer, application, Wearable Devices, Metropolitan scale deployments, Manufacturing, Medical and healthcare, Industrial, Energy management, Media, Infrastructure managementMake an Enquiry@Regarding geography, the global IOT chip market has been categorized into seven key regions including North and Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, and the Middle East & Africa. The IOT chip market is globally expected to register healthy CAGR during the forecast period. Due to the presence of large number of IOT Chip market players in the U.S and Canada, and huge practice of IOT chips in the automotive, electronics and health care sector escalates the demand of IOT Chip in North America by making it a leading region in IOT chip market worldwide.The second leading region is Western Europe in which countries such as Germany, France, Italy, and U.K practices IOT technologies in various industries. Countries like China, India, and South Korea are becoming emerging market in IOT Chip making Asia Pacific Excluding Japan fastest developing region for IOT Chip market space, this is because of the high industrial growth of automotive, pharmaceutical and retail domain. The Middle East and Africa are anticipated to grow at a healthy growth rate.Some of the players of global IOT Chip market are AMD, Whiznets, Arduino, Texas Instruments, ARM Holdings PLC., Cypress Semiconductor, Atmel Corporation, Electric Imp, Marvell Technology Group, and Freescale Semiconductor (NXP Semiconductors) among others. Other companies are Intel, MediaTek Inc., Microchip Technology Inc., Qualcomm, Nvidia, Renesas Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Silicon Labs, Semtech, and STMicroelectronics and others.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. 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.Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Fatty Methyl Ester Sulfonate Market by Key Players, Growth, Regions and Forecast to 2023

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A new research report by Transparency Market Research offers a comprehensive evaluation of the global Fatty Methyl Ester Sulfonate Market. The study, titled Fatty Methyl Ester Sulfonate (FMES) Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2023, is available for sale on the firms website.Fatty Methyl Ester Sulfonate (FMES) is an anionic surfactant obtained from palm oil. It is derived by the esterification of fatty acid present in palm oil, followed by sulfonation. Methyl ester of palm oil fatty acid is sulfonated by sulfur trioxide to produce FMES. The number of carbon atoms present in the fatty acid varies from 12 to 18. The property of FMES to act as a potential surfactant depends on the carbon chain length. FMES with 16 carbon chain length shows the highest level of performance, followed by 18 and 12 carbon chain lengths.Browse Market Research Report @FMES is used widely as detergent in industries, as it offers physiochemical properties that enable it to act as washing agent. It exhibits high detergency and calcium ion stability. FMES functions as an excellent emulsifier and softening agent. It is used in soap, household detergents, liquid detergents, slurry, etc. Usage of FMES modifies the viscosity of paste detergent and slurry washing powder. Furthermore, FMES is employed in industrial and institutional cleaners. Personal care and detergent industries are the major end-users of FMES. Additionally, FMES can be employed in oilfield chemicals. Sodium salt of FMES can also act as an emulsifying agent in the plastic industry. It is used as release agent in rubber and printing inks industries. FMES is environment friendly, as it is obtained from natural sources such as palm oil and coconut oil.The global FMES market is projected to expand significantly in the next few years. Asia Pacific has been dominating the market for FMES of late due to growth in the personal care industry in developing countries such as China, India, Thailand, and South Korea. The FMES market in the region is estimated to expand at a fast paced CAGR during the forecast period. Expansion of personal care and textiles segments is likely to play a key role in the growth of the FMES market in Asia Pacific in the near future. North America also held substantial share of the global FMES market in 2014. Strong market for personal care products in developed countries such as the U.S. and Canada boosted demand for FMES in 2014. The FMES market in North America is anticipated to experience steady growth during the forecast period. Latin America and Middle East & Africa are expected to be the emerging markets for FMES in the near future. Developing countries such as Brazil and Saudi Arabia are anticipated to be the potential markets for FMES during the forecast period, owing to strong demand from the personal care industry. The FMES market in Latin America and Middle East & Africa is expected to register rapid CAGR during the forecast period.Rise in per capita income in developing countries such as India, China, and Brazil is likely to boost the market for FMES in the next few years. Increase in consumer awareness and rapid urbanization in these developing countries are projected to propel the market for personal care products and laundry products. This, in turn, is anticipated to drive the demand of FMES in these end-user industries. Furthermore, usage of FMES is increasing in several end-user industries owing to its environmental sustainability and biodegradability. Extraction of FMES from inexpensive and renewable sources enables it to be a potential alternative for linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, its counterpart. Rising awareness about the usage of environment-friendly products in developing regions coupled with cost effectiveness is the key driver of the global FMES market. However, usage of FMES in liquid detergent is limited. This is anticipated to hamper market growth during the forecast period. However, extensive research and development efforts are expected to offer new opportunities in the marketGet accurate market forecast and analysis on the Fatty Methyl Ester Sulfonate market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@Some of the key manufacturers of FMES include Chemithon Corporation, Lion Corporation (S) Pte Ltd, Wilmar International Ltd., P&G Chemicals, KLK OLEO, Krishi Oils Limited, Fenchem, and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec).This research report analyzes this market on the basis of its market segments, major geographies, and current market trends.Geographies analyzed under this research report includeNorth AmericaAsia PacificEuropeMiddle East and AfricaLatin AmericaThis report provides comprehensive analysis ofMarket growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for upcoming yearsAbout 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. TMR's 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.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 :
Global Sodium Hydrogen Sulfide Market Size, Share 2016 Industry Trend, Growth and Forecast 2024

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Sodium hydrogen sulphide, also known as sodium bisulfide, sodium hydrosulfide, or sodium sulfhydrate, is a highly alkaline solution with a pH of 11.5 to 12.5. It is yellow to dark green in colour. Sodium hydrosulfide is manufactured by scrubbing hydrogen sulfide from outlet streams with sodium hydroxide. The NaSH solution is filtered and sold as a 44% to 46% solution. It is concentrated through evaporation to form a flake material of 70% to 72% sodium hydrogen sulphide. It reacts with all acids by releasing a highly toxic hydro sulphide gas. The NaSH solution reacts with oxidizing agents which helps precipitate the elemental sulphur. It is stable under ambient pressure and temperature conditions. It is used in various applications such as kraft pulping, copper minerals flotation, chemicals and dyes, leather processing, and rayon & cellophane desulfurization.Browse Market Research Report:Sodium Hydrogen Sulfide Market: Drivers and RestraintsSodium hydrogen sulfide is a low-cost alternative to chemicals such as sodium sulphate when it comes to kraft pulping. Low grade sodium hydrogen sulphide is preferably used for this purpose since it is a by-product from refineries and requires no prior treatment. Therefore, the emerging pulping industry is expected to drive the sodium hydrogen sulfide market. However, due to the low pricing and an oversupply situation in copper mineral flotation, the demand for sodium hydrogen sulfide in this sector is estimated to diminish. Also, the usage of sodium hydrogen sulphide in leather tanning been continually declining in the last few years owing to the relocation of tanneries outside the U.S. Environmental concerns associated with sodium hydrogen sulphide are predicted to hamper the expansion of this market too.Sodium Hydrogen Sulfide Market: SegmentationThe sodium hydrogen sulfide market could be segmented based on forms such as:Solid fused formFlakesAqueous solutionSodium hydrogen sulfide is mainly solid in nature but is preferred to be used as an aqueous solution due to its hygroscopic nature. Since it is more stable in its solution form, it is also transported as a liquid. In its solid fused form, it is packed and transported in iron drums, whereas the flakes are packed in polyethylene bags. The liquid solution (up to 72%) is delivered in tank wagons.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Sodium Hydrogen Sulfide market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market @Sodium Hydrogen Sulfide Market: SegmentationIn terms of end-users, the sodium hydrogen sulfide market could be divided into the following categories:MiningLeatherPulp & PaperMetal extractionTextilesChemical processingSodium hydrogen sulphide is used a chemical intermediate in the manufacturing of thio-compounds such as sodium thiosulfate, thio & dithio benzoic acids, and thioamides. It is also employed as a finishing agent in leather tanning and glass making applications.Sodium Hydrogen Sulfide Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global sodium hydrogen sulfide market is geographically distributed over North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific holds the maximum share in this market, which is ascribed to the presence of a large number of secondary processed product industries such as paper & pulp, textiles, and leather processing in this region. Local manufacturers expanding their respective production facilities are also projected to drive this market. The overall demand for sodium hydrogen sulphide in North America is likely to decline on account of stringent regulatory policies on the use of toxic products in this region.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:
Bi-axially Oriented Polypropylene Market 2013 Share, Trend, Segmentation and Forecast to 2024

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Bi-axially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) Market: SnapshotPackaging, especially flexible packaging, is one of the most dynamic industries today owing to its extensive application in the food and beverages, personal care, and pharmaceutical sectors. The rising demand for bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) in packaging, labeling, printing, and lamination can be primarily attributed to the booming growth in the aforementioned industries. Transparency Market Research predicts that the demand for BOPP will be in line with that of flexible packaging in the near future. It is also likely to be consistent with the growth of the food and beverages industry.By revenue, the BOPP market is poised to expand at a 5.8% CAGR from 2016 to 2024, with the value rising from US$12.7 bn in 2015 to US$20.9 bn by the end of the forecast period. The market is projected to register a 6.3% CAGR in terms of volume between 2016 and 2024.View Report @Rising Consumption of Packaged, Ready-to-eat Foods Drives Demand for BOPPBOPP finds application mainly in the food industry and this segment is the leading contributor to the growth of the BOPP market in terms of volume. BOPP is used for packaging and labeling in the food industry and the growing demand for snacks, cakes, breads, ready-to-eat packaged foods, frozen foods, and confectioneries has impacted the demand for BOPP in this sector.The food sector is also anticipated to be the fastest growing application segment by the end of the forecast period. Considering the growing demand for tapes in industrial packaging, the tapes segment also holds lucrative opportunities for players in the BOPP market.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Bi-axially Oriented Polypropylene Market Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Developing Regions Hold Immense Scope for GrowthThe global BOPP market is geographically segmented into North America, Central America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. In terms of volume, Asia Pacific leads the global BOPP and the region accounted for a share of more than 55% in 2015. Poised for considerable growth over the course of the forecast period, the APAC BOPP market is likely to be driven by the high demand for BOPP for the production of packages and labels in the food industry and tapes for industrial packaging purposes. China is one of the leading consumers of BOPP in the region.The Middle East and Africa and Latin America BOPP markets are projected to witness moderate to high growth by 2024, owing to the expansion of the food industry and the rising demand for packaged products. Countries within the GCC are expected to be key markets for BOPP in the Middle East; South Africa and Nigeria are likely to play a leading role in the BOPP market in Africa; Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile hold promising prospects for the BOPP market in Latin America.The BOPP market is highly fragmented, marked by the presence of several major players. Some of the prominent companies in the global BOPP market include Kopafilm Elektrofolien GmbH, SRF Limited, Chemosvit A.S., Tempo Group, Taghleef Industries, Vibac Group S.p.A., Treofan Group, Rowad Global Packaging Co. Ltd., Zubairi Plastic Bags Industry LLC, Poligal S.A., Futamura Chemical Co., Ltd., Manucor S.p.A., Oben Holding Group, Innovia Films, Xpro India Limited, Uflex Ltd., Jindal Poly Films Ltd., Biaxplen Ltd., BIOFILM, Cosmos Films Ltd., Dunmore Corporation, Polyplex Corporation Limited, and Vitopel S.A.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:
Sulfuric Acid Market 2015 Trends, Research, Analysis and Review Forecast 2023

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China Remains at Forefront of Sulfuric Acid MarketThe upswing in the chemicals market in China has been the primary growth driver for the sulfuric acid market. As other countries continue investing in this market, China will steer the overall sulfuric acid market towards a remarkable growth. Currently, the country is producing 45,000 chemicals and is positioned to lead the global market all the way through to 2023. According to the research report, the opportunity in the global sulfuric acid market will be worth US$85.4 bn by the end of 2023 as against US$67.9 bn in 2014, rising at a 2.6% CAGR between 2015 and 2023.Sulfuric acid will continue to be in demand, especially in the developing countries as they majorly depend on agriculture that requires phosphate fertilizers. These fertilizers are biggest users of sulfuric acid as they accounted for about 50% of the sulfuric acid consumption in the world in 2014. The demand for phosphate fertilizers is anticipated to grow in the coming years as countries try to increase their yield of cotton, wheat, rice, and soya bean to cater to the demands of the ever-increasing population. Government policies will also support this demand in countries such as South Africa, India, and China.View Report @Chemical Synthesis to Take Over the Baton from Fertilizers SegmentNeedless to say, the fertilizer segment is the biggest application segment in the overall market. The report indicates that this segment held a whopping share of 60% in the overall market in 2014. However, this segment is expected to be stymied by the chemical synthesis segment in the near future. Usage of sulfuric acid in over 20 chemical processes will boost this application segment over others. Sulfuric acid is used in making chemicals such as for manufacturing nitric acid, sulfate salts, hydrochloric acid, explosives, and drugs amongst others.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Sulfuric Acid Market Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Asia Pacific will Remain Dominant RegionAsia held a 50% share in the global sulfuric acid market in 2014, clearly, a claiming a dominant position for itself. Analysts predict that this region will continue to remain the leading one due to the concentration of chemicals industry in China and other developing countries. Thus, the increasing adoption of sulfuric acid in the processing of chemicals, fertilizers, availability of cheap labor, increasing foreign investment, and flexible regulatory framework are all going to contribute towards the rising share of Asia in the global sulfuric acid market. On the other hand, North America and Europe will witness a plunge in the sulfuric acid consumption as the governments in these region has taken a strict stance towards this carcinogenic substance.Among the players leading the vendor landscape in the global sulfuric acid market are The Mosaic Company, Eco Services Operations, LLC, The Chemours Company, Chemtrade Logistics Inc., Vale Fertilizantes S/A, Akzo Nobel N.V., PotashCorp, and BASF SE. Due to the slow but steady growth in the market, these players are focusing on developing alternative sulfur recovery technologies that will be less hazardous to the environment in the near future. Furthermore, several companies are also engaging in entering strategic mergers and acquisitions in order to gain technological advantage and an impressive market presence.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:
Oil and Gas Pipeline Leak Detection Equipment Market 2016 Share, Trend, Segmentation and Forecast to 2024

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Global Oil and Gas Pipeline Leak Detection Equipment Market: SnapshotThe torchbearers in the global oil and gas pipeline leak detection equipment market are leveraging their core business strengths in this highly competitive market. They are also focused on acquisitions to augment their technological strengths in a bid to develop new products. Expansion of product portfolio is another popular growth strategy adopted by key players for increased market share.Some of the key growth drivers in the global oil and gas pipeline leak detection equipment market are stringent environmental rules regarding handling oil and gas, policies regarding pipeline leakages and obligations on part of pipeline operators to compensate for a leak. The growth of oil and gas pipeline leak detection equipment market can also be attributed to aging pipeline, large number of planned projects for pipeline construction, and increasing number of incidents of pipeline leakages.As per a report by Transparency Market Research, the global oil and gas pipeline leak detection equipment market to expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.8% for the forecast period between 2016 and 2024. Progressing at this rate, the revenue of the market is projected to be become US$3.65 bn by 2024 increasing from US$2.02 bn in 2015.View Report @Acoustic/ultrasonic Technology Segment to emerge at fore due to Economic ReliabilityIn terms of technology, the oil and gas pipeline leak detection equipment market is segmented into mass-volume balance, fiber optics, acoustic/ultrasonic, vapor sensing, and others. The segment of mass-volume balance, among these, held the leading share of 39.3% of the overall market in 2015. On the other hand, the segment of acoustic/ultrasonic is expected to expand at a significant CAGR over the forecast period due to economic reliability of the technology.Based on location, the oil and gas pipeline leak detection equipment market is divided into onshore and offshore. Between the two, onshore led the global oil and gas pipeline leak detection equipment market in 2015 and is predicted to account for a significant share over the forecast period.On the basis of equipment type, flowmeters, cable sensors, acoustic sensors, and others are the segments into which the global oil and gas pipeline leak detection equipment market is divided. Among these, the segment of flowmeters held a significant share in the oil and gas pipeline leak detection equipment market in 2015 and is expected to hold a sizable share over the forecast period.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Oil and Gas Pipeline Leak Detection Equipment Market Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Planned Pipeline Construction Projects Power Growth in Middle East and AfricaThe regional segments into which the global oil and gas pipeline leak detection equipment market is segmented are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. North America is a key regional market due to an extensive network of pipelines in the region. North America contributed the leading revenue of 40% to the overall market in 2015, of which the U.S. stood as the leading contributor.Europe followed North America in terms of market share in the global market in 2015. However, the regional market of Middle East and Africa is predicted to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period and display an increased market share between 2015 and 2024. The growth of the Middle East and Africa oil and gas pipeline leak detection equipment market is due to a large number of planned projects for pipeline construction.The key players in the global oil and gas pipeline leak detection equipment market profiled in this study are Siemens AG, KROHNE Messtechnik GmbH, Schneider Electric SE, Perma-Pipe Inc., FLIR Systems Inc., TTK-Liquid Leak Detection Systems, PSI AG, Honeywell International Inc., ATMOS International, Pentair Thermal Management, Pure Technologies Ltd., and AREVA NP.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:
Combined Heat and Power Installation Market SWOT Analysis Of Top Key Player Forecasts To 2024

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Global Combined Heat and Power Installation Market: Key TrendsThe upsurge in the consumption of fuel derived from biomass, wood, and waste heat, is likely to boost the installation of combined heat and power (CHP) across the globe. Transparency Market Research forecasts the global CHP installation market to exhibit a CAGR of 4.38% between 2014 and 2024. The prospects for CHP installations have improved globally in response to the rising energy prices. This, combined with stringent regulations implemented to curb carbon emissions from conventional systems, is expected to aid the proliferation of CHP systems worldwide.CHP systems run on both renewable and non-renewable fuels such as natural gas, coal, wood, biomass, oil, and waste heat. They can operate at an efficiency level as high as 77% to 90% as compared to the 46% efficiency level of conventional systems. However, the best economics of a CHP system is achieved in cold climates, when the energy rates are high, prices of natural gas fall, and there is a continuous demand for heat. Besides this, diverse functionalities offered by CHP systems also encourage their installation in both colder and hotter regions.View Report @Strong Existing Network of CHPs to Boost their Installation WorldwideBased on in-depth research, TMR has pegged the combined heat and power installations worldwide to reach US$812.80 bn by 2024. The global CHP installation market stood at US$524.89 bn in 2014. The market will further gain impetus from the strong existing CHP network. The increasing awareness about CHP systems, particularly in developing nations is likely to translate into increased sales for the global CHP installation market. These countries are exhibiting high aggregate demand for energy-efficient technologies, thus creating enough opportunities for the market to leverage from during the reports forecast period.However, TMR expects the value chain of the global combined heat and power installation market to remain complicated with the prominent companies in the market adopting forward integration in response to the implementation of stringent policies by governments. Additionally, high initial cost incurred on the installation of CHP systems also discourages their widespread deployment. Nevertheless, the market is expected to find substantial opportunities in the residential and commercial energy markets in the near future.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Combined Heat and Power Installation Market Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Demand for Large-scale CHPs to Increase in Emerging EconomiesThe global CHP installation market can be broadly bifurcated into micro- and small-scale CHPs and large-scale CHPs. The latter of these segments has been witnessing overwhelming demand over the last few years. By revenue, the large-scale CHPs segment accounted for a share of 85.69% in the market in 2014. However, the segment is likely to lose a significant portion of its market share in the forthcoming years as the usage of small-scale CHPs increase globally. Growth exhibited by the micro- and small-scale CHPs is expected to be the fastest during the forecast period. Nevertheless, the increasing installation of CHP systems in developing nations such as India and China will keep the demand for large-scale CHP systems high during the forecast period.Easy Availability of Natural Gas Boosts CHP Installations in EuropeRegionally, Europe exhibits the most lucrative prospects for the global combined heat and power installation market. The region held a share of 67.96% in the overall market in 2014. The easy availability of natural gas in Europe makes installation of CHPs relatively easier and more cost-effective. This has been spurring demand for CHP installations in countries such as Belgium, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Netherlands.The leading vendors in the market are also exploring opportunities in Asia Pacific. The high demand for small-scale CHPs in Japan, coupled with their increasing installation across diverse industries, has been boosting demand for the CHP installation in the region.The competitive landscape of the global combined heat and power installation market is highly fragmented. Some of the leading enterprises operating in the market include 2G Energy AG, Siemens AG, Edina Ltd., Wartsila Corporation, ENER-G Holdings Plc (ENER-G), Clarke Energy Ltd., and others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Natural Gas Liquid Market SWOT Analysis Of Top Key Player Forecasts To 2024

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Globally, the demand for natural gas liquids (NGL) has been rising in response to their increasing use in petrochemical applications. NGLs such as butane, ethane, propane, and isobutene are used as feedstocks in the petrochemical industry. This has proven crucial in boosting prospects for the sale of natural gas liquids globally. Despite the decreasing cost of natural gas, Transparency Market Research (TMR) projects the cost of natural gas liquids to remain comparatively higher through the forecast period from 2016 to 2024.On the flip side, the market faces challenge from the declining prices of crude oil, due to which naphtha, a petroleum by-product, is replacing ethane in petrochemical applications. However, the price of crude oil is expected to normalize in the next few years, thus boosting prospects for natural gas liquids. During the same time, prices of natural gas are likely to fall. This declining trend of natural gas prices is likely to continue through the forecast period between 2016 and 2024. Lower price of natural gas as a result of weak demand, will in turn bolster sales of natural gas liquids.Transparency Market Research forecasts the global natural gas liquids market to expand at a CAGR of 7.16% by volume between 2016 and 2024. In 2015, the market stood at 7,982.63 kilo barrels/day and is expected to reach 14,806.59 kilo barrels/day by the end of 2024.View Report @Industrialization in Middle East and Shale Gas Boom in U.S. to Bolster Opportunities for Natural Gas Liquids MarketRegionally, North America and the Middle East emerged as the most attractive markets for natural gas liquid in 2015. While the Middle East held the largest share in the overall market in 2015, North America is poised to surge at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The Middle East presently accounts for 40% of the proven natural gas reserves globally. The rapid industrialization witnessed in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, and the UAE has proven quite benefitting for the prospects of the natural gas liquids market in the region. Among these countries, Qatar held the distinction as the highest producer of natural gas liquids in the Middle East in 2014. The Middle East NGL market stood at 2,909.2 kilo barrels/day in 2014 and is expected to reach 5,468.9 kilo barrels/day by the end of 2024.In North America, the U.S. and Canada emerged as the largest producers of natural gas liquids in 2014. The U.S. is presently witnessing shale gas boom due to which the production of natural gas has significantly increased in the country. Residential heating and petrochemical industries have emerged as the key application segments of natural gas liquid in the U.S. In Canada, sale and production of natural gas liquids are encouraged by the presence of established infrastructure.Asia Pacific is also constantly increasing in its production and processing capacity of natural gas. Some of the leading markets for natural gas liquids in Asia Pacific include India, Australia, China, and Indonesia.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Natural Gas Liquid Market Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Demand for Ethane Surges with its Increasing Application in Petrochemical IndustryBy type, ethane, propane, normal butane, pentanes plus, and isobutene constitute the key product segments in the natural gas liquids market. Of these, ethane held the dominant share of 45% in the market in 2014. The shale revolution witnessed in the U.S. has triggered paradigm shift in the global natural gas liquids market. This established the U.S. as a leading exporter of ethane in the global market.Increasing application of ethane in the petrochemicals industry also aided growth of this product segment. Propane is another widely used constituent of natural gas liquids. It is increasingly gaining prominence as a green fuel across residential, commercial, industrial, transportation, and chemical and refinery sectors. By application however the petrochemical industries segment accounted for 55% of the global NSL market in 2014, followed by the space heating segment.Some of the leading companies operating in the global natural gas liquids market include Exxon Mobil Corporation, Chesapeake Energy Corporation, BP Plc, Range Resources Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell Plc., and others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Process Analytical Technologies for Pharmaceuticals Market | Value Chain Analysis and Forecast up to 2023

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Pharmaceutical product manufacturing comprises stringent procedure in which monitoring and regulation of each and every step is highly essential and crucial affair. The pharmaceutical products are related with the health and life of an individual; hence the errorless analysis of each and every step is required.According to the U.S. FDA, process analysis technology (PAT) can be defined as a mechanism or system used to analyze, evaluate and control pharmaceutical manufacturing process with the help of evaluation of critical process parameters (CPP) that influences critical quality attributes (CQA). Owing to tight regulations and requirements of various international certificates such as ISO and GMP for critical monitoring of pharmaceutical processes, the demand of these techniques has been increased.View Report The market of process analytical technologies for pharmaceuticals can be segmented on the basis of processes (services), equipment and applications of PAT. The equipment are further divided into spectrophotometers (mass spectrometer, UV-Visible spectrophotometer, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrophotometer, infrared spectrometers), chromatography instrument set (thin layer chromatography, gas chromatography, liquid chromatography), dissolution instrument, particle size analyzers (sieving, sedimentation, dynamic light scattering, aerosol mass spectrometry), capillary electrophoresis devices and others (hardness tester, physical properties [size, shape, color], friability test). On the basis of services, it is segmented into consultancy, calibration and database management system (DBMS). Moreover, on the basis of applications, it is divided into lyophilization, coating, compression, evaporation, raw material selection, packaging and others. Additionally, the market is segmented on the basis of geography, such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). At present, North America and Europe are the most prominent markets, owing to extensive pharmaceutical industries. However, Asia-Pacific and some countries in RoW are expected to show lucrative growth in the upcoming period, owing to increase in number of pharmaceutical infrastructure and technologies.The market of process analytical technologies for pharmaceuticals is expected to show a lucrative growth during the forecast period from 2014 to 2020. This growth is expected to fuel by the factors such as strong pharmaceutical infrastructure in developed countries and rapid increase in number of pharmaceutical production units in the developing countries and technological advancements. Increasing pharmaceutical production and R&D are considered as the most important drivers of this market. For instance, according to the statistics provided by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Association (EFPIA), the pharmaceutical production in Europe has increased from USD 112,000 million in 1990 to USD 2,620,000 million in 2012. This astonishing increase in pharmaceutical sector is expected to propel the market growth during the forecast period from 2014 to 2020. Furthermore, owing to technological advancements, a number of new and technologically sound devices are entering in the global market and the entry of these devices is anticipated to contribute in the growth of the market. Other important factors that are likely to drive market growth include increasing regulatory and government pressure to implement various tests during manufacture, rising prevalence of different diseases that fuels the demand of pharmaceutical formulations and others. On the other hand, high cost and tedious operations of the instruments, lack of technically competent workforce and threat of malfunctions and false results are the key hurdles that are likely to limit the growth of PAT market during the forecast period from 2014 to 2020.Some of the major companies operating in this market include Danaher Corporation, Honeywell, Agilent Technologies, Fluke Biomedical, Tektronix, Inc. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. and Carl Zeiss AG amongst others.Request a brochure of this report to know what opportunities will emerge in the rapidly evolving Process Analytical Technologies for Pharmaceuticals Market during 2016- 2023About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
USB Devices Market Poised for a High Growth in the Years to Come

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USB, short for universal serial bus, is an industry standard that defines the cable, connector, and communication protocols stated for connection, communication, and power supply between computers and other electronic devices. USB effectively replaced a variety of earlier interfaces such as serial and parallel ports as well as separate power chargers for portable devices. Another notable feature is the multitude of transfer modes it facilitates, which supports controlled, continuous, bulk, and isochronous transfers.They allow consumers to connect up to 127 devices, either directly or through the use of a USB hub. Moreover, these devices are much faster since they support data transfer rates of 12 Mbps for disk drives and other high-speed throughput and 1.5 Mbps for devices which need less bandwidth. Important benefits which have encouraged their mass adoption over the years include the ease with which they can be used, portability, convenience, widespread compatibility, higher read and write speed, interoperability across all platforms, and improvements in security in the form of password protection or encryption/decryption.Obtain Report Details @The USB device market has been experiencing massive expansion in the recent years owing to the technologys numerous applications, ease of development, and manufacturing of custom products. Also, demand for better connectivity performance between electronic devices and advanced peripherals is boosting the sales of USB devices. In terms of technological advancements, the recent revision of USB standard USB 3.0 facilitates faster transfer rates, superior power management capabilities, and higher maximum bus power which has been a prominent contributing factor to this markets success. However, security issues and difficulties in replacing old USB standards with new ones is limiting the market. Several developments in this field and emerging markets in Asia are introducing new opportunities for industry participants/ manufacturers. Moreover, the launch of USB 3.1 standard and the ever-increasing need for wireless USB devices in the automotive industry are expected to drive the market in the future.The global USB devices market is segmented based on its device standard type into the USB 1.0, USB 2.0, and USB 3.0 categories. Among these, USB 3.0 standard is dominating the market driven by its capability to provide data transfer rates of 1.25 Gbps to a maximum of 5 Gbps, which is over 10 times faster than the 480 Mbps speed offered by USB 2.0. Applications of the USB device include computer peripherals, laptops, mass storage devices, cameras, telephones, audio devices, and others. In terms of geography, the global market is distributed over Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Among these, Europe leads the market, due to the mounting demand for machine-to-machine (M2M) communication modules in the automotive telematics segment caused by telematics initiatives undertaken by OEM automakers and government-led programs in the region.Brochure With Latest Advancements With Application @Asia Pacific is predicted to experience swift growth in the next few years as well, due to the steady economic growth, escalating consumption of computing devices, proliferation of smartphones and tablets, and adoption of USB devices for storing, transferring, and sharing content in the region, particularly China and India.The global USB device market is highly competitive in nature and marked with the presence of several international and domestic key players. Top companies include Corsair Memory, Inc., ADATA Technology Co., Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Development Company, SanDisk Corporation, Kingston Technology Corporation, Toshiba Corporation, Samsung Corporation, Micron Consumer Products Group Inc., Verbatim Americas LLC, Imation Corporation, and Transcend Information Inc.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.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:
Wireless Connectivity Market Growing Steadily with Improving Technology

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Wireless connectivity is a technique used by homes, communication networks, and enterprise connections to reduce complex cable networks across buildings. Wireless connectivity equipment is deep rooted in many electrical device markets. WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS are becoming universal for certain devices such as smart phones and mobile phones. Besides this, wireless connectivity is also required in applications in Internet of Things (IoT), ranging from control devices and gateways to cloud. Wireless connectivity is used by IoT devices to enable an access point through which communication and data transfer between two devices can take place. Collaborations and partnerships is one of the major trends in the wireless connectivity market. For instance, partnerships between ZigBee and other organizations such as EnOcean GmbH are anticipated to drive the self-powered energy harvesting internet-of-things devices in areas such as building automation and home automation.Major factors driving the global wireless connectivity market include rise in adoption of IoT and cloud computing, increase in demand for smart phones and other wireless technology devices such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, and WiFi, growth in connectivity of the Internet, and escalation of demand for low-power wide-area (LPWA) networks.Obtain Report Details @However, lack of uniform communication principles is hampering the wireless connectivity market. Additionally, the intervention with other electromagnetic sources, layered structure, and physical object are also the key factors that adversely affect the evolution of wireless connectivity technology. Consequently, these factors act as restraints for the wireless connectivity market. Key challenges for the global wireless connectivity market include requirement of enhanced security of information and concession among features such as power consumption, data rates, and range for numerous wireless technologies.Increase in need for cross domain applications could open up new opportunities for the wireless connectivity market. Additionally, rise in government subsidies for the development of IoT provided by countries such as India, the U.S., Canada, Australia, and South Korea is also estimated to offer new opportunities to the wireless connectivity market.The wireless connectivity market in Asia Pacific is in its promising stage; the region is projected to be among the major adopters of wireless connectivity devices. Rise in inclination of consumers toward advanced technological products is likely to boost the wireless connectivity market in Asia Pacific in the near future. Furthermore, government initiatives by countries such as Japan, China, India, and South Korea in the field of electronics and semiconductors are providing lucrative opportunities for electronics and semiconductor industries across Asia Pacific.Brochure With Latest Advancements With Application @North America consists of technologically advanced countries such as Canada and the U.S. The U.S. and Canada offer vast potential for the application of Internet of Things. This is expected to propel the market for wireless connectivity technologies. In turn, this is anticipated to augment the wireless connectivity market in the region.The global wireless connectivity market can be segmented in terms of technology and application. Based on technology, the wireless connectivity market can be segmented into WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, ZigBee, EnOcean, cellular technologies, and others. Based on application, the wireless connectivity market can be segmented into health care, wearable devices, automotive and transportation, and consumer electronics. Among these, the wearable devices segment is estimated to expand significantly during the forecast period owing to factors such as proliferation of IoT and rise in adoption of smart watches and activity trackers.Key players operating in the global wireless connectivity market include Qualcomm Incorporated, Intel Corporation, NXP Semiconductors N.V., Texas Instruments Inc., Nexcom International Co., Ltd., Stmicroelectronics N.V., Mediatek Inc., Enocean GmbH, Atmel Corporation, and Cypress Semiconductor Corporation.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:
Recent Report Covers Upcoming Opportunities in Print Labels Market

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A label is a piece of paper, metal, cloth or polymer which is attached to a container or box of a product which is printed with information about the product. These labels are known as printed labels. Information printed directly on the container of the product can also be considered as printed labeling. Printed labeling is used to identify products and to avoid counterfeiting of products and maintain credibility. They are also essential for creating brand identity and impart useful information to consumers.The global market for print labels is segregated on the basis of mechanism, type, raw material, printing technology, identification technology, end-use industry, and geography. On the basis of mechanism, the global market for print labels is segregated into pressure sensitive labeling, glue applied labeling, heat transfer, and others. Pressure sensitive labeling held the dominant market share in 2015 owing to the fuss-free technique and less chances of getting damaged.On the basis of type, the global market for print labels is segregated into branding labels, weatherproof labels, equipment asset labels, warning/security labels, and others. Warning/security labels held the dominant market share in this category in 2015 owing to increased demand for warning/security labels in end-use industries such as logistics & transportation, consumer durables, automotive, and construction among others. This segment is also forecasted to have the most rapid growth rate. On the basis of raw material, the global market is segregated into plastic/polymer labels and metal labels. Plastic/polymer label is further segmented into polyurethane (PU), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and others. Plastic/polymer label held the dominant market share in 2015 in this category.Obtain Report Details @Metal label is forecasted to witness the most rapid growth rate owing to easy installation, cost effectiveness, and durability. On the basis of printing technology, the global print labels market is segregated into screen printing, digital printing, offset, flexography, and others. Digital printing held the dominant market share in 2015 due to the accurate finish and longevity of the prints. On the basis of identification technology, the global market for print labels is segregated into RFID, barcode, and others. Barcodes held the dominant market share in 2015 due to its varied uses in different end-user industries such as consumer durables, transportation & logistics, and automotives among others. On the basis of end-use industry, the global market for print labels is segregated into construction, consumer durables, automotives, transportation & logistics, and others. Transportation & logistics is forecasted to witness the most speedy growth rate over the forecast period. This is attributed to rise in warehousing & supply chain as online retailing is booming.Major drivers of the global print labels market include rise in production of consumer durable products. Compulsory use of print labels in these products is triggering overall market growth of print labels worldwide. Printed label application in the growing automotive industry is a major driver triggering overall growth of this market. Rise in raw material cost such as plastics in various forms increases overall cost of the labels which is a major restraint to the global market for print labels. Increased growth of various end-user industries in emerging countries of Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa is a great opportunity for the growth of the overall print labels market.Brochure With Latest Advancements With Application @Geographically, the market is segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. North America held the dominant market share in 2015 owing to larger presence of end-user industries in the region. Asia Pacific is forecasted to witness the most rapid growth rate owing to growth of various industries in emerging economies such as China, India, and Indonesia among others.Major players of the global print labels market include Dunmore (Pennsylvania, U.S.), Fuji Seal International, Inc. (Osaka, Japan), H.B. Fuller Company (Alaska, U.S.), Henkel AG & Company (Dusseldorf, Germany), Cenveo Corporation (Connecticut, U.S.) and Brady Corporation (Wisconsin, U.S.).The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to 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:
Online Beauty and Personal Care Market Poised for a High Growth in the Years to Come

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Beauty and personal care products are applied to the skin in order to avoid symptoms such as early aging, black patches, and pimples. The increasing number of millennial shoppers has added to the growth of online retail channels, most of which are price-sensitive. Moreover, consumers prefer shopping online at discounted rates and therefore increasingly adopt online shopping. Hair conditioners, hair styling gels,bath gels,and shower products are the commonly purchased beauty and personal care products online. Additionally, the wide range of products available on online platforms and the time-saving aspect of the medium are factors that have contributed to the rise of the online retail phenomenon. E-retailers offer better security features for online payments, customer-friendly services, easy-to-navigate shopping websites, and easy delivery, due to which the number of consumers using online shopping portals is anticipated to increase significantly in the next few years.The global online beauty and personal care market is divided in terms of product types into the following categories: skin care, oral hygiene, hair care, color cosmetics, fragrances, sun care, bath and shower, deodorants, baby and child care, male grooming, and depilatory products. Among all of these, skin care products are prominently purchased across different regions.Obtain Report Details @This segment includes facial care products and body lotions which enhance skin quality, prevent wrinkles, rejuvenate the cells, and brighten the complexion. The availability of several brands and new features in the market is expected to boost the online sales of skin care products in the next few years. In addition, leading vendors focus on launching products comprising ingredients derived from organic and natural sources to amplify their revenue generation. The online beauty and personal care market is geographically distributed over North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (MEA), and Latin America. Asia Pacific accounted for the maximum share in the market in 2015, which is primarily driven by the availability of new brands, consumer experimentation with new products, and an increased demand for fragrances and colored cosmetics. The growing adoption of specific products such as skin lightening products across different age groups as well as anti-aging cosmetics are projected to fuel the expansion of the market in this region. In addition to this, regional brands are also gaining popularity due to their unique properties. Latin America is a potentially attractive market for online beauty and personal care and its share is estimated to rise over the forecast period.The global market is highly competitive with the presence of a large number of large-scale and small-scale vendors who compete with each other in terms of product differentiation, quality, prices, innovation, distribution, and brand promotion. Key players operating in this market include Amazon, Estee Lauder, Sephora, LOreal, and P&G. Other prominent vendors include Macys Inc., Drugstore.com, Ulta, e-Bay, Groupon, Kroger, J.C. Penney, Target, and Walmart. They sell different brands including their home brands and private consumer products to end-users.Brochure With Latest Advancements With Application @The increasing scope of network marketing and espousal of m-commerce (mobile-commerce) is predicted to be beneficial for these market players during the forecast period. These players dominate the market with their vast geographic presence and production facilities in different countries. However, the global online beauty and personal care market is also characterized by the presence of several regional and small manufacturers who lead the market in countries such as the U.K. and China. Manufacturers are focusing on opening new retail outlets to strengthen their distribution channels and increase their earnings. In order to meet the growing demand of the consumers in the market, a variety of different products are launched by various leading as well as emerging manufacturers.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Animal Parasiticides Market | Latest Trends and Forecast Analysis up to 2023

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The demand for animal parasiticides is growing due to the increasing awareness of zoonatic diseases. With the rising concern towards animal welfare is one of the major reasons behind the growing popularity of animal parasiticides. The market has been segmented by products into ectoparasiticides, endoparasiticides, endectocides, tablets, oral liquids, sprays, injectables, spot on and pour on, ear tags, collars. Furthermore, the market is also segmented by animal types such as Cats, Pigs, Dogs, Cattle, Sheep and Goats. The market by geography has been segmented into Europe, Asia Pacific, North America and Rest of the World (RoW).Spot-ons and pour-ons accounted the largest market share of the global animal parasiticides market in 2014. The growth in this segment can be attributed to rising popularity and use of spot-on and pour-on formulations in animal parasiticides market. Furthermore, growing demand for ectoparasites for food-producing animals and companion animals is also expected to stimulate the growth of the market. Availability of wide array of parasiticides product by major players, rising demand for animal-based food and animal protein are some of the driving factors for the animal parasiticides market. In addition, rising animal welfare awareness is increasing the adaption of animals such as dogs and cats among others. Increasing livestock farming as a source of income in developing nations are fueling the demand for animal parasiticides. However, there are some of the restraining factors may hinder the growth of the market in near future such as stringent rules and regulations of authoritative bodies in use of parasiticides in food- producing animals in some of the countries. Moreover, time consuming and expensive procedures of new product development are some of the restraining factors for the market.View Report Europe is leading the market for animal parasiticides followed by North America, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World. In developed nations, implementation of animal welfare acts is one of the major driving factors for the animal parasiticides market. The emerging market in Latin America and Asia Pacific is contributing in the positive growth of animal parasiticides market owing to the increasing population of companion animals and livestock. Moreover, increasing per capita expenditure on animal health along with improving infrastructure of animal welfare is some of the major factors fueling the demand for animal parasiticides in these regions. With growing awareness towards animal healthcare, countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand in developing nations like Asia pacific is expected to depict a significant growth over the forecast period from 2015 to 2021. Argentina and Brazil are potential market for animal parasiticides across Latin America.Some of the key players operating in the animal parasiticides market are Ceva Sante Animale S.A., Vetoquinol S.A., Virbac SA in France, Bayer Aktiengesellschaft in Germany, Novartis AG in Switzerland, Merial Limited, Eli Lilly and Company, Zoetis Inc. and Merck & Co., Inc. in U.S.The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.Request a brochure of this report to know what opportunities will emerge in the rapidly evolving Animal Parasiticides Market during 2016- 2023About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
ATM Market Poised for a High Growth in the Years to Come

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Global ATM Market: Brief DescriptionATM is the abbreviated form of automated teller machine. It is popularly known by many names such as automated banking machine, cash line, cash machine, and cash point. The global market for ATM has been significantly growing over the last couple of years. Irrespective of time and geography, an ATM allows users to make cash transactions using a card. The transactions can be performed entering the personal identification number of the card, the expiry date of the card, or in the case of any online transaction, a 3D security pin. All the numeric combinations are unique for every respective card and its user.This industry research report is a brief review of the growth trail in terms of current, historical, and future scenarios of the global ATM market. It offers an evaluation of the aspects that are expected to influence the development of the market and the primary trends have also been specified in the research study. The research study also offers a broad lookout on the vendor landscape of the market through Porters five forces analysis. The research publication provides references of mergers and acquisitions, the research and development activities, specifics on licensing and collaborations. The report probes into the strategies related to marketing, shares, and product portfolio of the key participants in the global ATM market.Obtain Report Details @Global ATM Market: Trends and ProspectsSince the advent of automated teller machines in the banking system, the global market for it has been incessantly growing. The prime aspects that are expected to drive the demand of ATM in the near future are the easy flow of cash, transactional benefits, quick withdrawals, and feasibility of offline and online shopping. It is also convenient for foreign travelers as it allows them in converting foreign money into the desired local currency. An ATM is the most secure and safe way of travelling as it provides cashless facility. Onsite ATMs are set up in bank premises where both the physical bank and machines can be used by customers. These machines also help in reducing the workload of the bank staffs and also aid in avoiding long queues for cash deposits, withdrawals, and cash transfer. By reducing the frequency of errors, it helps the banks in having smooth financial transactions.However, the market is expected to be hindered by factors such as misuse of the ATM pin, dispense of extra cash which causes a loss to the bank, and tampering which makes room for theft, fraud, and scams.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the ATM Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this marketGlobal ATM Market: Regional OutlookThe market for ATM is expected to have high potential in North America and Europe over the next couple of years and is also expected to soon reach saturation. The Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific is also likely to exhibit significant growth capacity in the near future owing to the rising demand for advanced interactive machines. The cash based economy of the Middle East and Africa region is anticipated to bode well for the market in the region.Global ATM Market: Vendor LandscapeThe leading companies in the market are NCR Corp., Triton Systems of Delaware LLC, Diebold Inc., and Wincor Nixdorf AG.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. 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:
Computer Assisted Coding Market Poised for a High Growth in the Years to Come

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Hospitals need to manage and store a large quantity of patients medical record in its system. These medical records contain patients personal data and treatment history which is documented in a proper manner. The document is used by administrative staff for billing purpose during patients discharge from hospital. Thus, the handling and preservation of records is a tedious work for administrative person in hospital. However, with the introduction of information technology, these medical records are now being recorded in digital form and are stored in a computer. However, the time taken by an administrative person to extract appropriate information from the document is more as the person needs to read the whole document carefully. Computer assisted coding software aims to resolve this issue by analyzing the medical record or document for specific keywords. The keywords are analyzed by comparing the document data with available database. Thus, computer assisted coding software provides appropriate keyword to the administrative person or coder who can use it for billing purpose.Computer assisted coding software uses structured input or natural language processing (NLP) technology for document processing. This helps to increase productivity and reducing process time of the administrative person or coder. Computer assisted coding software also helps in reducing errors and improving efficiency of healthcare facility. It can be used by billing personnel, compliance officers and auditors to verify document in healthcare industry. Today, computer assisted coding software is available in cloud-based and on-premise types depending upon the hospital requirement.Obtain Report Details @The rapid adoption of electronic health record (EHR) in many healthcare facilities is creating demand for computer assisted coding market. Computer assisted coding software can be used for insurance claim reimbursement in healthcare sector. Computer assisted coding software will see more adoption in healthcare facilities due to the adaptation of ICD-10 coding in coming years. ICD-10 is the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) list which is promoted by World Health Organization (WHO). ICD-10 contains codes for diseases, abnormal findings, symptoms, complaints, social circumstances and causes of injury or diseases. This is used by computer assisted coding software as a coding database.The major challenge for computer assisted coding software is its high initial cost and the problem of adaptation by the hospital management. Hospitals consider it as an unnecessary investment and focus on improving other facilities. Computer assisted coding software also have problem in processing handwritten notes for coding processes. This limits use of computer assisted coding software in traditional healthcare facilities were information technology is not yet implemented.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Computer Assisted Coding Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this marketDeveloped economies such as North America and Europe will see a good demand for Computer Assisted Coding market in coming years. This is due to strict regulation norms adopted by the governments in developed economies. The demand for computer assisted coding software in developing countries such as China, India and Brazil is going to increase in coming years due to the increase in healthcare infrastructure. Some of the key Computer Assisted Coding software providers are Cerner Corporation, MModal IP LLC, Optum Inc, PlatoCode LLC, QuadraMed Affinity Corporation, 3M Company, Artificial Medical Intelligence Inc, Craneware PLC, Mckesson Corporation, Dolbey Systems Inc, Optum Inc, Precyse Solutions, Nuance Communications Inc, and Trucode.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Automated Metals Analyzer Market Report Key Players Analysis and Forecast 2017

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Market Research Report on Automated Metals Analyzer Industry providing Global and Chinese Market Landscape and its Growth Prospects over the coming years till 2022 is now available at ReportsWeb.comThis report studies Automated Metals Analyzer in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2017, and forecast to 2022.View complete report atThis report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringThermo Fisher ScientificToadkkThermo ScientificCooper EnvironmentalXiamen Kehao AutomationTSIRockwellShimadzuKruss GmbHSEAL AnalyticalWonatechOBLFCreateRequest sample copy atBy types, the market can be split intoHandheld TypeDesktop TypeBy Application, the market can be split intoMedicalMetallurgyEnvironmental ProtectionCommodity InspectionOtherBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaInquire for discount atList of Tables and Figures1 Industry Overview of Automated Metals Analyzer1.1 Definition and Specifications of Automated Metals Analyzer1.2 Classification of Automated Metals Analyzer1.3 Applications of Automated Metals Analyzer2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Automated Metals Analyzer2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Automated Metals Analyzer2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Automated Metals Analyzer2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Automated Metals Analyzer3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Automated Metals Analyzer3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Automated Metals Analyzer Major Manufacturers in 20173.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Automated Metals Analyzer Major Manufacturers in 20173.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Automated Metals Analyzer Major Manufacturers in 20173.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Automated Metals Analyzer Major Manufacturers in 20174 Global Automated Metals Analyzer Overall Market Overview4.1 2012-2017E Overall Market Analysis4.2 Sales Analysis4.3 Sales Price Analysis5 Automated Metals Analyzer Regional Market Analysis5.1 North America Automated Metals Analyzer Market Analysis5.2 China Automated Metals Analyzer Market Analysis5.3 Europe Automated Metals Analyzer Market Analysis5.4 Southeast Asia Automated Metals Analyzer Market Analysis5.5 Japan Automated Metals Analyzer Market Analysis6 Global 2012-2017E Automated Metals Analyzer Segment Market Analysis (by Type)6.1 Global 2012-2017E Automated Metals Analyzer Sales by Type6.2 Different Types of Automated Metals Analyzer Product Interview Price Analysis6.3 Different Types of Automated Metals Analyzer Product Driving Factors Analysis7 Global 2012-2017E Automated Metals Analyzer Segment Market Analysis (by Application)7.1 Global 2012-2017E Automated Metals Analyzer Consumption by Application7.2 Different Application of Automated Metals Analyzer Product Interview Price Analysis7.3 Different Application of Automated Metals Analyzer Product Driving Factors AnalysisPurchase this 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
Recent Report Covers Upcoming Opportunities in Gas Detection Equipment Market

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Gas Detection Equipment Market: SnapshotThe global gas detection equipment market has been expanding at a steady pace over the past few years and is likely to exhibit a stable growth rate through the forecast period.Stringent government legislations regarding the safety of workers and property and the rising gas exploration activities around the world are the prominent factors supporting the growth of the gas detection equipment market. The soaring demand for energy has also accelerated the market growth as an increasing number customers worldwide have shown a preference for gas-powered equipment. However, the rising level of competition in the market is resulting in a decreased profit margin, thereby decreasing investments in this market. This factor acts as a major hindrance to the growth of the gas detection equipment market.The global gas detection market is poised to expand from a value of US$3.4 bn in 2015 to reach US$5.6 bn by 2024, registering a 5.6% CAGR therein.Obtain Report Details @Portable Gas Detection Equipment Offer Host of Advantages over Fixed DetectorsOn the basis of product, the global gas detection equipment market is dominated by the fixed gas detectors, which accounted for around 55.0% of the total revenue in 2015. The segment is expected to retain its lead position throughout the forecast period due to its increasing use in industrial set-ups requiring continuous monitoring. However, the portable gas detectors segment is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years owing to benefits such as flexibility and high quality presented by portable gas detectors.By technology, single gas detection equipment held the major share of nearly 74.0% in the market in 2015 owing to its compact as well as lightweight design. On the basis of type of gas, equipment used for the detection of combustible gases held the leading share, accounting for a share of 46.0% in 2015. Based on end use, the industrial sector accounted for the dominant share owing to the presence of a large number of heavy operating areas such as chemicals and food and beverages. The oil and gas end-use segment held the second highest revenue share in 2015. The growing demand for energy worldwide, particularly for gas, has rendered oil and gas the major end-use industry for gas detection equipment.This 173-page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Gas Detection Equipment Market. Browse to unlock the hidden opportunities in this marketRapid Industrial and Infrastructural Growth Presents Lucrative Options for APAC MarketNorth America held the major share in the global gas detection equipment market in 2015, which is approximately one-third of the total market based on revenue. The rising adoption of gas detection equipment, mainly in government organizations, has contributed toward the growth of the market in this region.Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness significant growth in the gas detection equipment market due to high industrial growth and the increasing use of advanced technologies such as drones equipped with gas detectors across countries such as Singapore and Japan. Due to the rising number of gas exploration projects in Asia Pacific, the region is slated to provide tremendous growth opportunities for the gas detection equipment market in the coming years. TMR notes that the demand sources are comparatively higher in this region than that in developed regions such as North America and Europe and this will act as a major growth driver.Some of the key gas detection equipment manufacturers are Riken Keiki Co. Ltd., Industrial Scientific Corporation, Mine Safety Appliances, Siemens AG, Trolex Ltd., RAE Systems Inc., Sensidyne, LP, Honeywell Analytics, GE Measurement & Control Solutions, ESP Safety Inc., Schauenburg International GmbH, Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, and Sensor Electronic.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:
Columbia Sportswear announced record second-quarter sales Thursday of $398.9 million. But the Northwest Portland company lost $11.5 million, or 17 cents a share.

"We delivered solid first-half financial results featuring growth from three of our four brands and all four geographic regions," said Tim Boyle, Columbia president and chief executive officer. "First-half sales growth of three percent and earnings growth of four percent are on pace with our full-year expectations."

Still primarily an outerwear maker, Columbia's sales are highly seasonal with demand typically falling during the second quarter. The company lost $8.2 million, 12 cents per share, in the same period last year.

The company's flagship Columbia brand saw sales increase 2 percent. Its Sorel brand of footwear remained hot, with sales climbing 71 percent from the prior year to $6 million.

The company said it expects year-end 2017 revenue to grow about 3 percent from the $2.38 billion in 2016.

Like many companies in the apparel and footwear business, Columbia has watched in alarm as many traditional retailers struggle. It said most of the 2017 sales growth will come from Columbia's own direct-to-consumer sales.

-- Jeff Manning
By Becky Krystal | The Washington Post

Few frozen treats are as beloved as the ice cream sandwich. You know the kind: rectangular, wrapped in paper, a simple combination of stick-to-your-fingers chocolate wafers and vanilla ice cream.

But while it's easy enough to grab ice cream sandwiches at the grocery store, why not try building your own using all the other ready-to-eat components at your fingertips? Do-it-yourself ice cream sandwiches are customizable, not to mention fun and a perfect outlet for culinary creativity.

Want to sandwich Ben & Jerry's Phish Food between halved Entenmann's chocolate-frosted doughnuts? Go for it. Or maybe you're feeling like Haagen-Dazs Sweet Cream Coffee Caramel between Pepperidge Farm's lacy, chocolate sandwich Brussels cookies. We're not judging you. In fact, we're applauding you.

Pastry chef Meredith Tomason, owner of Washington, D.C., bakery RareSweets, suggests a few things to think about as you roam the supermarket aisles. Make sure your cookie and ice cream flavors complement each other and that one doesn't wash out the other.

"It's like romance," she says. "You have to find the right balance."

She emphasizes texture. Will your exterior get too soggy and fall apart? Or will you crack a tooth on the mix-ins of the ice cream?

She also recommends making the sandwiches well in advance (check that your freezer is at its coldest setting). After playing around with our own creations, we agree.

That way you can enjoy your party, too, non-squishy ice cream sandwich in hand. Place the sandwiches on a small baking sheet and freeze until firm, then wrap them individually in wax paper, label and freeze in airtight containers rather than zip-top bags; this will help the sandwiches retain their shape.

Here are nine flavor combinations to get you started, along with lessons we learned.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE AND VANILLA ICE CREAM

A classic pairing, reminiscent of the childhood favorite Chipwich.

We achieved perfect rounds by slicing very firm pints of ice cream into horizontal slabs - 1/2- to 3/4-inch is a good thickness - and punching out circles with a cookie or biscuit cutter (use the scraps in shakes or for snacking). This is much easier with ice cream packed in cardboard cartons that can be peeled off or cut away.

A slightly messier option: Scoop slightly softened ice cream to press between the cookies.

TWINKIES WITH CARAMEL ICE CREAM

There's certainly a novelty factor here, and you can make the Twinkie more sophisticated by pairing it with a slightly bitter caramel ice cream (we used salted caramel with pralines). Get creative and dip the softened ice cream edges - in sprinkles, cookie crumbles, mini chocolate chips and/or finely chopped nuts.

Keep the rounded edges of the Twinkies or trim for a rectangular shape. Either way, pre-cutting the ice cream would have been tricky here, so we dropped three dollops onto the cake, spreading them with an offset spatula.

RICE KRISPIES TREATS WITH CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER ICE CREAM

Combining store-bought Rice Krispies treats (original or chocolate) with chocolate peanut butter ice cream makes for an appealing nostalgia trip. Cut them in half horizontally and fill with rectangles of ice cream created by slicing a naked pint vertically into planks.

We liked that these treats firmed up in the freezer but were still easy to eat.

VANILLA POUND CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM

The cake's mild-tasting canvas provides another opportunity for showcasing your favorite flavor of ice cream, though you can't go wrong with a good chocolate ice cream.

Quickly searing the cake in a grill pan firms it up and adds toasty flavor. The cake will not completely harden in the freezer, but the contrast between that and the firmer ice cream makes this a winner. Trim the edges for a neat appearance.

BROWNIES WITH MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM

In this riff on a classic flavor pairing, we came to appreciate the freezing quality of higher-fat ice cream: Think Haagen-Dazs, Ben & Jerry's and those labeled "premium." The Talenti gelato we used did not freeze as firmly - perhaps because of its lower-fat content. It was not sliceable when we released it from its plastic container.

Our best solution was to place a right-size square cookie cutter directly on the bottom of a bakery brownie cut in half horizontally. We filled the cutter with gelato, which we leveled with a spoon, then lifted off the cutter, gently pressed on the remaining brownie half and quickly transferred each one to the freezer to set. Trim the sandwiches before wrapping them up.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED GRAHAM CRACKERS WITH S'MORES ICE CREAM

Who else has had school lunches packed with Keebler Deluxe Grahams? The s'mores flavor of Ben & Jerry's makes a natural pairing.

We learned that small cookies can be tricky to work with but are perfect for little hands and one-bite action. The amount of ice cream that fits here will melt rather quickly - not to mention the chocolate cookie coating - so it's best to eat these as soon as they're out of cold storage. Also, the fudge chunks in this ice cream made trimming the sandwiches a bit tricky, so it's best to fill them neatly from the start.

SUGAR COOKIE WITH A SPICED ICE CREAM



We grabbed sugar cookies from the Safeway bakery and paired them with a pint of cinnamon gelato. The relatively plain cookie let the aromatic filling shine.

Again, we used a cookie cutter here to punch out rounds of ice cream. Although freezing the sandwiches in advance is best, you can make this a quick-assembly do-it-yourself treat for your guests by offering them sliced rounds of ice cream that have been frozen overnight on a lined baking sheet.

SPICED COOKIE WITH LEMON FILLING

Pepperidge Farm's soft-baked cookies are the ideal size and texture for ice cream sandwiches, and the brand's cinnamony snickerdoodle proved a great foil for tart lemon sorbet.

Sorbets are particularly refreshing and a great way to satisfy vegan or dairy-free requests. Sorbet melts faster than ice cream, so time will be of the essence in assembling - and eating.

ALMOND COOKIE WITH CHERRY ICE CREAM

Almond and cherry is a beloved and classic flavor combination, of course. Supermarket-brand ice cream worked just fine in the center of these sandwiches.
Portland Public Schools will stop providing free lunches for all students at a dozen schools this fall because those schools no longer qualify for the federal program.

Notices to families at the affected schools  which are mostly located in North Portland and near 82nd Avenue  went out Thursday.

Students whose families can show they are low-income still will be given free meals. But all students at the 12 schools will no longer get free meals automatically, as has been the case for a few years.

The federal "community eligibility" program, which has been in full effect since 2013, gives schools money to provide free meals to all if 40 percent of students are served by income-restricted programs, primarily food stamps.

Madison, Jefferson and Roosevelt high schools are affected, meaning no Portland high schools will offer the schoolwide free lunches as of this school year.

Portland Public Schools Assistant Director of Nutrition Services Whitney Ellersick said the improved economy has likely reduced the share of families qualifying for food stamps.

She said some families have told the district they decided not to apply for government assistance out of fear or because they feel the process is too arduous.

The schools will continue to serve free breakfasts to any students who want it, she said.

Free lunches will be served at the 12 schools through Oct. 11 to give families a grace period to apply for help.

After that, students who don't qualify for free meals will have to pay $2.80 to $3.30, depending on grade level, to eat a school lunch.

The district's notice to families blamed "changes at the federal level." But the federal program is unchanged.

Gitta Grether-Sweeney, director of nutrition services for the district, said when some students shifted to Ockley Green Middle School the federal guidelines were unclear about whether or the district had to reconfigure its count of eligible students in that grouping of schools. It took a long time to get an answer, but ultimately the district was told it had to redo things, she said.

Not wanting to leave affected schools in the lurch, the district decided to bridge the funding for a year, she said. But looking at the budget, it just wasn't feasible to continue to do that, she said.

"We are really saddened that we can't continue this program and optimally we would love to be serving all kids at no charge," Ellersick said. "We don't charge for textbooks why should we charge for meals?"

 Bethany Barnes

Got a tip about Portland Public Schools? Email Bethany: bbarnes@oregonian.com

Schools cutting the program

Faubion K-8

James John Elementary

Jefferson High

Kelly Elementary

Lane Middle School

Lee Elementary

Madison High

Marysville Elementary

Roosevelt High

Vestal Elementary

Whitman Elementary

Woodlawn Elementary

Schools keeping the program

Alliance at Meek

Boise Eliot/Humboldt K-8

Cesar Chavez K-8

George Middle School

Harrison Park K-8

King K-8

Lent K-8

Pioneer at Youngson

Rigler Elementary

Rosa Parks Elementary

Scott K-8

Sitton Elementary

Woodmere Elementary
A decade ago, Bullseye Glass, the company at the center of a toxic air hotspot in Southeast Portland last year, successfully fought federal efforts to curtail pollution coming from its smokestacks.

Newly filed court records reveal a surprise: Before regulators forced Bullseye to install filters last year, the company had already bought at least two but didn't use them.

Bullseye owner Daniel Schwoerer "secretly bought a couple of baghouses"  air pollution filters  "on eBay ages ago when I wasn't looking," co-owner Lani McGregor wrote in one 2016 email to colleagues outside the company.

"It's not a big secret that all regulation in manufacturing is getting more stringent, so it made sense. To him. But I think he just likes factory gadgets," she wrote. "And so  to my enormous surprise  when this whole mess hit, he mentioned to me that just happened to have a couple of baghouses in the closet."

McGregor's emails and other documents, made public in a class-action lawsuit against the company, offer an unvarnished view of company thinking before and after the 2016 public uproar over toxic air in Portland.

She wrote to a friend in August 2016: "The neighbors are still lusting for more blood, but we actually had the best sales quarter in company history  mostly because so many of our (38,000) customers are afraid we'll go out of business. (We won't)."

McGregor told the friend she'd just spent a "brilliant 6 weeks in Scotland with falcons, plenty of whisky, adorable wee children, and wild parties -- not all at once, but close."

"Living well," she wrote, was the "best revenge."

The records were filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court Wednesday, showing what the plaintiffs in the lawsuit have found after more than a year reviewing emails and interviewing workers under oath.

Attorneys from Seattle law firm Keller Rohrback told a judge they have enough evidence to prove to a jury that Bullseye showed "intentional disregard for the rights of its neighbors for decades," a threshold neighbors would need to meet to be awarded punitive damages.

McGregor declined The Oregonian/OregonLive's request for comment. Jim Jones, a Bullseye vice president, didn't address specific questions about her remarks, saying in an email that Bullseye supported Oregon's effort to draft new air regulations and in the lawsuit was "confident that within a court of law, the truth will prevail."

"No neighborhood or business should have to endure the level of frustration that our neighbors and Bullseye have been through in the last 18 months," Jones wrote. "The lack of clear environmental air quality regulations has resulted in confusion for citizens and businesses across Oregon."

The court records show that when Bullseye put in pollution controls last year, it ended up costing far less than the legal fees the company incurred.

The new filtration system cost Bullseye $626,000 to install, the records show. By contrast, McGregor said in an email last August that the company had spent $750,000 on legal fees resulting from the crisis and could end up spending $2 million to $3 million between lawyers and the filters. Hoover's, a business research outfit, estimates the private company's annual revenue at $25.6 million.

Jones, the Bullseye spokesman, said the filtration system's costs have increased to about $1 million, but are still less than what the company has paid lawyers. The exact total, including maintenance costs, won't be known until the system has been running for a year, he said.

The records make clear that Bullseye's owners knew for years that burning heavy metals to create colored art glass posed risks to its workers and took steps to monitor air quality inside the factory. Employees had to periodically clean the smokestacks to remove particulate buildup one described in a deposition as something that looked "like cotton candy."

Workers who cleaned out smokestacks wore respirators; those who mixed glass ingredients donned sealed helmets fed with clean air. The attorneys say the concern behind those precautions didn't extend to neighbors.

"Bullseye's lack of concern for its emissions into its surrounding neighborhood stands in stark contrast to the apparent care Bullseye took to limit its employees' exposure to toxic metals inside the facility," the attorneys' motion says.

Cadmium levels inside the company's Southeast Portland factory exceeded federal safety limits seven times between 2010 and 2012, company test results showed.

The documents include indoor air sampling that shows air pollution problems persisting inside the factory for years, with workers exposed to airborne levels of cadmium at levels as much as four times higher than federal workplace safety officials allow. One air test in 2012 found cadmium concentrations near a smokestack that were 20 times higher than what federal law permits inside the workplace, according to the records. Cadmium is a carcinogen.

An Oregon OSHA inspection in 2016 also found high levels of airborne cadmium, as well as traces of the metal around a water fountain. Traces of arsenic were found on the company's lunch room table, the inspection report said.

The company was fined $500 for failing to control employees' exposures to high airborne levels of cadmium and arsenic.

The 293 pages of emails and deposition transcripts show that far more has changed at Bullseye since it came under scrutiny than limits on its air pollution.

Today, hazardous waste from its art-glass manufacturing is sealed in barrels, clearly labeled as being dangerous and then shipped off to a special landfill.

Before the public scrutiny in 2016, Bullseye workers for years were directed to throw glass scraps, waste and whatever they swept off the floor into unfiltered furnaces, according to a former employee. The former worker, Patrick O'Neal, said in an affidavit that employees turned the temperature up as high as it would go, melting the detritus into glass.

The furnace's dampers were opened, he said, sending the exhaust into the air around the company's Southeast Portland factory.

Workers even had a phrase for the practice, the former employee said: "Hazmat runs."

 Rob Davis

rdavis@oregonian.com

503.294.7657; @robwdavis
Friday 28 July 2017 12:18pm

Dr Louise Marsh

Young people more often discourage smoking among their peers than encourage it, new University of Otago research suggests.

Around half of 14- and 15- year old New Zealanders have carried out at least one behaviour during the past year to discourage smoking, most often by telling their peers that smoking is bad for their health; to stop smoking; that they do not like smoking; and that smoking is a waste of money.



By contrast, fewer than one in ten 14- and 15- year olds did something to encourage smoking among their peers, most typically by giving them a cigarette or offering to share a cigarette. The findings come from a new Otago study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.



The Study used survey findings from the 2014 Youth Insights survey of 2919 Year 10 students from 142 high schools throughout New Zealand.



The studys lead researcher, Dr Louise Marsh, says the Tobacco industry often uses the argument that smoking among young people is due to peer pressure.



Our findings suggest that there is considerable promotion of non-smoking in the opposite direction.



This was the case even among young people who reported smoking. It was also encouraging that Maori and Pacific young people were more likely to discourage smoking than young people from other ethnicities, Dr Marsh says.

Those students who discouraged smoking were also more likely to report exposure to anti-smoking messages from a range of sources including classes at school, smokefree events and smokefree adverts. This is positive in that it indicates the spreading of smokefree messages throughout the community might influence young peoples desire to be agents of change, and to spread their own smokefree messages.

US research based on the Truth campaign has shown the effectiveness of peer-to-peer influence in reducing tobacco smoking among young people. In New Zealand, the Health Promotion Agencys Stop Before You Start campaign has helped shape social norms around non-smoking.



Our findings demonstrate that a lot of informal youth-to-youth health education is already happening in NZ. This could be extended to engage young people as active ambassadors of Smokefree 2025, she says.

The study, entitled New Zealand adolescents discouragement of smoking among their peers was authored by Dr Louise Marsh, Dr Ella Iosua, Professor Rob McGee from the Cancer Society Social and Behavioural Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine at the University of Otago and Ms Joanna White from the NZ Health Promotion Agency.

The research is published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health and was supported by the Cancer Society of New Zealand and NZ Health Promotion Agency.

Article abstract:

New Zealand adolescents discouragement of smoking among their peers

For more information, contact:

Dr Louise Marsh

Cancer Society Social and Behavioural Research Unit

Department of Preventive and Social Medicine

University of Otago

Tel: 64 3 479 7225

Email: louise.marsh@otago.ac.nz
Goose Creek, SC (29445)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 78F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 54F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Calling it a historic moment, The Dow Chemical Co. Chairman and CEO Andrew Liveris, Vice Chairman and CFO Howard Ungerleider and Vice Chairman and COO Jim Fetterling conducted the final Dow second quarter earnings call for the company that has been around since 1897.

Two historic companies are coming together to form an incredible machine, Liveris said, referring to an upcoming merger between Dow and DuPont.

Thursday, Dow reported earnings per share at $1.07 and $1.08 operating earning per share for the second quarter 2017. The second quarter 2016 earnings per share were $2.61 and operating earning per share stood at 95 cents.

Net income for 2017 came in at $1.321 billion while operating net income was $1.333 billion. For 2016 second quarter net income was $3.123 billion and operating income was reported at $1.075 billion.

The company said operating earnings per share has grown for 19 consecutive quarters and there have been 15 consecutive quarters of volume growth.

Just as importantly, we ended the quarter on the cusp of delivering the most comprehensive slate of growth investments in our industry  across the U.S. Gulf Coast, at our Sadara joint venture and through the ongoing integration of our silicones platform, Liveris stated in a release. "And we made significant advancements toward our historic merger with DuPont, which will enhance our leadership as the worlds premier materials science company."

Dow reported net sales of $13.8 billion for the second quarter, up 16 percent from the second quarter of 2016. The increase was attributed to Performance Materials and Chemicals (up 13 percent) as well as Performance Plastics and Consumer Solutions (each up 8 percent), and EMEAI (up 12 percent), Asia Pacific (up 8 percent) and North America (up 7 percent).

Sales grew in every segment and every geography, Liveris said during a conference call today.

Dow and DuPont expect to close their merger in August.

During the conference call, Liveris said Dow is entering the merger in a position of strength and is ready for day one.

The DowDuPont merger is expected to spin off three independent publicly traded companies within 18 months: Material Sciences, to be based in Midland, and Agriculture and Specialty Products, to be based in Wilmington, Delaware. However, when asked if there could possibly be more independent publicly traded companies that emerge, Liveris said that everything is on the table.

Were open minded and if there are more than three companies, so be it, he said.
Area eighth graders recently received Junior High Honors Achievement Scholarships from Mid Michigan Community College.

The awards were distributed at a luncheon on MMCC's Harrison Campus.

The college awarded 32 scholarships to students throughout Clare and Gladwin counties and beyond. Many parents and school counselors also attended the luncheon to support the students.

Scholarship recipients were nominated by their school counselors. Each has a history of academic achievement, character, and leadership. The $250 scholarships can be used on tuition or books for academic classes at MMCC.

Coleman Middle School recipients were: Lexi Aultman, Alayna Houghten, Kenzie McCoy and Haley Nichols.

Gladwin Middle School recipients were: Chloe Bruner, Emma Schwan, Robert Dinkensm and Jasmine Strayer.

Beaverton Middle School recipients were: Carrington Deshone, Logan Mathews, Liam Patch and Hunter Williams.

MMCC also honored students from Houghton Lake, Farwell Harrison, Evart and Clare middle schools.

"We love recognizing the achievements of these spectacular 8th graders," said Chris Pellerito, MMCC admissions representative. "It reminds us that there are extraordinary talents in our local communities, and it reassures us that the future will be in capable hands."
The opening of Central Park Elementary School means students will be making their way to schools along new routes, and that means more crossing guards are needed to help them reach classrooms safely.

"The bottom line is we just need dependable people," Midland Police Community Relations Sgt. Chris Wenzell said.

The police department has a pool of crossing guards, but the addition of the new stem school meant the addition of one extra part time person as well as three occasionals.

Part-time crossing guards work Monday through Friday in the mornings and the afternoons, when students are on their way to and from schools. Occasional crossing guards are called to cover a corner as needed, and can take over for a part-time position if that person leaves, Wenzell said.

The crossing guard positions are popular with retirees who are looking for a way to help out in the community, he added.

The job requires walking to the center of the street, clearing the pedestrian lane of all traffic, signaling the safety patrol person to start children across, and any other related work as required. The job is usually about 1 1/2 hours daily, and the pay rate is between $16.26 and $19.07 per hour.

Police are looking for friendly, reliable people with their own transportation who like working with children and are patient. Applicants must have satisfactory eyesight and hearing.

Training for the positions is required by the state, and will occur before the school year begins, Wenzell said. It includes first aid training and AAA crossing guard training, and all crossing guards -- current and new -- attend.

The deadline to submit applications is 4:30 p.m. Aug. 4. Applications can be submitted online at http://bit.ly/2u1DWYM
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Kelly Dame.

Wednesday, July 26

4:46 a.m. -- A deputy was sent to a Larkin Township neighborhood for a report of a person riding a skateboard. The person was not found.

8:39 a.m. -- Property in the 1300 block of Bayliss Street was damaged.

10:09 a.m. -- Police investigated a breaking and entering in the 4900 block of Universal Drive.

10:28 a.m. -- A teen reported seeing a suspicious unknown man and vehicle outside a Warren Township home. The case is being investigated.

3:07 p.m. -- Police assisted probation agents in the 200 block of West Ellsworth Street.

3:44 p.m. -- An Ingersoll Township man, 27, reported he was the victim of a hit and run traffic crash. Investigation revealed the man had struck something with his vehicle.

5:04 p.m. -- A Lee Township man, 20, reported a relative is using his Social Security number to open credit card accounts. The man, who did not want to pursue charges, was given an identity theft checklist.

6:58 p.m. -- Police investigated an aggravated assault in the 2000 block of Carolina Street.

7:49 p.m. -- A deputy was called to M-20 and Sandow Road for a report of wild dogs attacking a deer. The animals were gone when the deputy arrived.

9:09 p.m. - A deputy was sent to Jerome Township for a report of an unwanted person. The person was not at the apartment when the deputy arrived.

9:12 p.m. -- A deputy was sent to a report of suspicious people walking in Midland Township. The group was found, and the people appeared to be under the influence but capable of making safe decisions. They were headed from a house in the city to a house in the county.

9:12 p.m. -- A deputy was sent to the emergency room for a report of an assault and battery. The victim acknowledged her own actions contributed to the situation and did not wish to file a report.

9:45 p.m. -- Police investigated a breaking and entering in the 1000 block of Rodd Street.

10:02 p.m. -- A deputy investigated a report of a personal protection order violation in Edenville Township. Nothing suspicious was found.

Tuesday, July 25

11:09 a.m. -- A Greendale Township man, 60, reported his son brought a man he did not know inside his home and the man had drug paraphernalia. The man wanted the person with drug paraphernalia to leave his home and called deputies to assist. The stranger left before authorities arrived.

1 p.m. -- A deputy was sent to Homer Township for a report of drug paraphernalia that was found. The items were confiscated and disposed of properly.

1:42 p.m. - A deputy blocked traffic in Greendale Township while Consumers Energy ran a cable across a roadway.

8:46 p.m. -- Deputies were sent to Eastman and Hubbard roads for a report of three bicyclists who might have been involved in a fight. One of the men, age 27, of Beaverton, said a man he did not know punched him and left the scene.

8:55 p.m. -- Medication was stolen from an unlocked Edenville Township home while the residents were away for two hours.

11:12 p.m. -- Deputies were sent to West Olson and North Eight Mile roads to check a report of a loud party. No violations were found.
NORMAL  Normal's newest Citizen of the Year is proud to represent both Twin Cities.

"I have a degree from (Illinois) Wesleyan, and I have a degree from (Illinois State). I have my foot in both camps, in terms of higher ed," said Carl Teichman. "It's been a great experience."

Teichman, an Antioch native, came to Bloomington to attend IWU in 1975 and still works there as director of government and community relations. He also has served as president of the McLean County Regional Planning Commission and the McLean County Chamber of Commerce board and as a member of the Ecology Action Center board.

"I like to say I never left," he said. "I like the community. I like the size of the community. I like the way we've grown and changed over time.

"If you really want the big-city experience, all I have to do is go two hours to my north or two hours to my south. ... It's a great place to be."

Mayor Chris Koos chose Teichman from among a group of finalists for his "modest approach, calm demeanor and highest ideals," which "demonstrate his exceptional character and leadership," he said.

"Carl is one of the most humble, respected, caring and engaged individuals in Normal," Koos said in a news release. "His leadership impact is demonstrated by his willingness to accept any call to action, every request for assistance, and each opportunity to serve."

Teichman demonstrated that humility after winning the award.

"I appreciate the recognition, but there are lots of other people who I think are doing good things as well who could have gotten this award as well, he said.

"We're in a tough spot, being in Illinois, and we've got to take control of where our destiny is. ... I'm glad to be part of all of that. We've got great leaders in Bloomington and Normal who are going to move that forward."

Koos presented the award during Thursday's annual Town of Normal Appreciation Reception. This year's reception was at the Astroth Community Education Center at Heartland Community College.

Other recent Citizen of the Year honorees include Mandava Rao, 2016; Quincy Cummings, 2015; Dan and Kathy Steadman, 2014; Al and Linda Bowman, 2013; Myra Gordon, 2012; Wendell Hess, 2011; and David Wiant, 2010. This year's was the 60th annual award.
BLOOMINGTON  Health care providers appeared relieved Friday after the failure of a Senate Republican plan to repeal much of Obamacare, but made it clear that they, the GOP and Democrats must now work together to improve Obamacare.

"OSF HealthCare would like to thank Senators Durbin and Duckworth for their continued support of the gains made to improving access under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)," said Christopher Manson, vice president of government relations for OSF HealthCare that includes hospitals and health care providers in the Bloomington-Normal and Pontiac areas.

The Senate voted 51 to 49 early Friday to reject a GOP effort to erase parts of the Affordable Care Act. The majority rejected the so-called "skinny repeal" bill that would have repealed Obamacare mandates that most people have health insurance and larger companies offer coverage to their employees.

Advocate Health Care, which includes hospitals and medical providers in the Bloomington-Normal and Eureka areas, said in a prepared statement, "We remain committed to working with our members of Congress to improve health care access and affordability. Our top priorities continue to be to protect patients and maintain coverage for those insured through the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid."

American Medical Association President Dr. David Barbe said, "While we are relieved that the Senate did not adopt legislation that would have harmed patients and critical safety net programs, the status quo is not acceptable. We urge Congress to initiate a bipartisan effort to address shortcomings in the Affordable Care Act.

"The first priority should be to stabilize the individual marketplace to achieve the goal of providing access to quality, affordable health coverage for more Americans," Barbe said.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said "Now is the time to start anew in the Senate with a bipartisan effort to strengthen our health care system and give more Americans the peace of mind of quality, affordable health insurance."

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., agreed, saying in a statement that "Now is the time to set Trumpcare and partisanship aside and start working on the fixes to the Affordable Care Act that both parties can support."

But U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, and Darin LaHood, R-Dunlap, were disappointed in the Senate.

The status quo "has increased health care premiums by 108 percent in Illinois, left only one or two insurers for all 14 counties in my district and created an unsustainable Medicaid program that now includes one out of every four people in Illinois and will cost taxpayers more than $800 billion by 2023," Davis said. "Obamacare is collapsing and we need to move forward quickly to replace it. We passed a plan in the House and I encourage the Senate to keep working to find a solution."

LaHood said the House passed "repeal and replace" legislation that addresses skyrocketing costs and diminishing coverage and said passage of the Senate bill would have opened the door for negotiations with the House.

"It is disheartening to see that our failing health care system will remain the status quo," LaHood said.
100 years ago

July 28, 1917: Springfield papers say IWU will likely leave Bloomington for the capitol city. An IWU committee was in Springfield on another matter and was shown some land in case the school was thinking relocation, touching off the rumors. President Theodore Kemp says no.

75 years ago

July 28, 1942: Sheriffs deputies think they have smashed a chicken theft ring with the arrests of brothers Claude, Ivan and Clayton Griffith near Danvers. Cops had been trying to break this case for seven years. Along with the arrests, deputies recovered about 100 stolen chickens.

50 years ago

July 28, 1967: ISU workers ratified a two-year agreement covering staff workers, kitchen help and the like. Raises will average 16 percent over the life of the contract. Workers at Northern, Eastern and Western Illinois universities also ratified the same deal.

25 years ago

July 28, 1992: Bank of Carlock opened a branch on College Avenue in Normal. With the branching out comes a change in names. From now on, the entire operation will be known as Heartland Bank.
Beth Ditto, feminist rock goddess, body-positive fashion icon, and sweet-as-pie human being is most at home when she's at home, keeping it real. In fact, our interview was a rare thing: a) it was an unsupervised call on her cell, and b) it went long enough for her to drive home to prune her wisterias, and cheerfully greet her neighbors in Portland. At one moment during our interview, I could even hear Ditto begin rocking in her rocking chair on her front porch.



"I'm so bad with this sort of thing," Ditto says, beginning a typically down-to-Earth, familial conversation full of her warm, hearty laughter. "There's a lot that I probably shouldn't say, but I don't care. If I like you, you can ask me anything."

We chat about home and family, and where Ditto is headedall important themes in her life these days. Last year, she left the popular indie rock band she fronted for nearly two decades, The Gossip, and soon after began recording her debut solo album, Fake Sugar, out now. The album itself is a swan song to Ditto's humble Arkansan roots, and a special tribute to her fans and to her late father, who she said taught her to two-step. And after The Gossip disbanded, making Fake Sugar seemed like a natural next step for Ditto.













"It was like creatively I was going home," Ditto says. "Nathan (The Gossip's instrumentalist) was literally going home back to his farm he grew up on in Arkansas. What happened for me was I was in my late 30's and I realized that instead of being angry, I was more distraught that my dad died. It felt like my world was stopped. I remember the mundane everyday details now."

Like what, I ask.

"Whoopins! Girl, I'll tell you what, if I acted up and I got a whoopin, betcha I didn't do it no more!" Ditto says, joking about being disciplined as a child. "But for real, with this record I wanted to pay homage to my dad, and make something he'd be proud of," Ditto adds. "Not another explicitly rock or dance record. That would've been too easy."

Also, some of Ditto's fondest memories involve her dancing with her dad while her cousin played drums and her father worked the sound for bands performing gigs and recording songs. While around her dad, Ditto listened to everyone from The Supremes to Fats Domino and Jerry Lee Lewis, people she still counts as influences today.





"I almost forgot about that growing up until making this record," Ditto recalls. "You forget to appreciate [that] as you go through your life. I was listening to a lot of that stuff recently and it was literally how I learned about dance and rhythm and sound. And my dad would teach me this when he'd take me dancin', take me honky-tonkin'. Thanks, dad."

The rootsy, soulful influences of the music Ditto heard as a child are scattered throughout Fake Sugar: from the sublimely catchy "In and Out" to the simmering jazzy sensuality of "Fire" to the dynamic, bring-down-the-house key changes of "Lover," a touching ode to loving her wife and longtime best friend, Kristin Ogata, through the ups and downs of their relationship. The album was co-produced with a member of Ditto's musical family, Jen Decilveo. She laughs when reminiscing on their studio sessions.

"She's a dyke, too, and it was cool, having two dykes on a record together," Ditto says. "By the way, I say dykes and fags a lot. To me, it's a lot more queer and not gender specific. Anyway, we had to talk everything out, take lots of breaks to discuss what it all meant. Great fun, typical dyke shit."

Ditto's freedom with language, her comfort in her own skinand her ability to make others feel right at homecomes from having to find her place early on. Ditto's genuinely carefree, true-to-herself nature has made her an ideal role model for LGBTQ fans young and old.

As a kid, Ditto's childhood heroes included the infamously divalicious muppet Miss Piggy. She was always encouraged to be loud and proud by her family, and they lovingly called her Bubble Butt. She also loved her mother, a single nurse who raised seven children and took no prisoners.

But outside of her family, which she admits had its own kind of dysfunction, Ditto was still living in a conservative environment in rural Arkansas. It was not necessarily kosher to be proud of who you were.

"I mean, personally, I was always just fine with who I was," Ditto says. "I never felt the shame a lot of kids coming up feel. How lucky is that? Others had fear of me, and some made fun of me for being poor, but I just didn't really care. I could always outwit you or be funnier than you. And if someone told me I was going to hell for being gay, I would just be like, 'How rude. But I'm so glad you're concerned about my soul.'"

So at 18, Ditto fled the South to join a new chosen family in Olympia, Washington, where, in 1999, The Gossip was born on the heels of the riot grrl movement.

18 years later, Ditto has come full circle as a solo star, and will kick off a North American tour supporting Fake Sugar to go through the rest of the summer. And you can bet that when the tour is up, she'll find her place back homemost likely in Portland with her wife and her friends.

Reflecting back on Pride Month, Ditto remembers a time where it wasn't safe pretty much anywhere to live your best gay life, but finds it heartwarming that the tide is ultimately turning for the better, despite all odds.

"The idea of Pride was not cool, especially if you were queer and subversive like me," Ditto says. "And I love a holiday that is for us. But I also wish the government would recognize it in a more official capacity. I don't want it to be a normative Labor Day moment, but it is called Pride, not Hide Inside. Can we have decorations, please? And pride for all the different facets of us who want to celebrate. A bear flag would be so cute for all the cuddly bears out there. Maybe we could get a weed flag for my wife; a weed flag for the weed fags. But you know what I'd like to see more of? Pride-specific barbecueshot dogs and weiners, and such. I don't really go out, but I do like a cookout."

Hair: Lyndell Mansfield @ CLM

Makeup: Andrew Galimore @ CLM
Taylor Swift will testify against the man she accused of grabbing her inappropriately during a meet-and-greet in 2013.

The pop star alleged in a deposition last year that Denver Radio DJ David Mueller, "reached up under my skirt and grabbed my ass right when I was having to pose for a photo, and it felt intentional that would be the time he would choose to do it." Muller, who lost his job as a result of Swift's claims, turned around and sued the artist for wrongfully accusing him of sexual misconduct, to which Taylor responded with a countersuit of her own.

The Denver Post has reported that pre-trial documents show Taylor will definitely speak at trial, along with her mother, bodyguard and the meet-and-greet photographer who shot the incident. The motion reads "Ms. Swift  will testify at trial, that (radio talk show host David) Mueller 'put his hand under (her) dress and grabbed (her) bare *ss."

While court documents reportedly show Taylor and Mueller have considered settling, ("Counsel for the parties have no current plans to hold future conferences, but are open to continuing settlement discussions"), no such details have been made available to the public.

The case will go to trial August 7.

[h/t Teen Vogue]

Image via Getty
Along with the official trailer for the fourth season of Jill Solloway's Transparent, the show's cast and crew released a statement via People for Donald Trump following his outrageous ban of transgender people from the military. Below, find an excerpt from the full statement and the trailer for Season 4:

"Sharing this work amidst President Trump's continued assault on the transgender community is painful. We are outraged that he announced in a tweet that transgender people would not be allowed to serve 'in any capacity' in the U.S. military. It is reprehensible to deny an estimated 15,000 current trans service members, and 134,000 trans veterans, the dignity, respect and safety that they deserveAt Transparent we believe in the integrity of the trans community, which we know firsthand because we are all either trans or allies to the trans community. It is a revolutionary act for a trans person to simply leave the house and walk down the street. We tap into the incredible history of survival the trans community has achieved against all odds, knowing that our fight is noble and on the side of justice and human rights."





[h/t Flavorwire]
On July 7 Patently Apple posted a report titled "Apple hands Samsung their most profitable quarter to date." It's now official that Q2 is Samsung's most profitable quarter in many years and Apple's exclusive deals for OLED panels with Samsung went a long way in ensuring their strong quarter. Of course you have to put Samsung's one-quarter wonder into context. Apple is the number one company in the world in term of profits overall, according to a recent Fortune report, with Samsung sitting at number 15. One profitable quarter will not catapult Samsung to top overtaking Apple any time soon. And Apple is working with LG to secure future OLED displays to lessen their dependence on Samsung. So that huge profit blip will be short lived. Yet in the bigger picture, there are executives at Samsung that see big problems ahead despite the short term celebrations. There's a sense of crisis at Samsung, according to a Korean business publication.

The report notes that "In the second quarter of this year, Samsung Electronics recorded the highest-ever operating profit exceeding that of Apple which has the world's largest market capitalization. Nevertheless, a sense of crisis is being felt inside Samsung."

The reality is that "the absence of vice chairman Lee Jae-yong who is the highest decision maker at Samsung casts a dark shadow on Samsung. Large-scale investment plans have virtually vanished at Samsung.

A large investment in the semiconductor industry a few years ago made Samsung what the company is today. Now is the time to prepare for the future, but now Samsung's business activities are virtually put on hold," said a senior Samsung Electronics official.

The report further noted that "The disappearance of Samsung's large-scale M&A announcements is also largely due to the absence of its owner. Samsung shelled out 9 trillion won (US$8.1 billion) last year to acquire Harman, a global electronic auto parts company, and secured competitiveness by acquiring 10 small and large companies over the past five years. However, Samsung Electronics's investment has not been made since the vice chairman Lee's arrest. Current investments were like the implementation of agendas that were planned in the past."

In addition, "Samsung Electronics failed to land an order for 7 Nano Snap Dragon Processors from Qualcomm in the first half of this year. Samsung Electronics lost the order to Taiwan's TSMC. Samsung Electronics needs to find new customers to replace its largest customer which accounts for 40% of foundry semiconductor sales.

There are also many external threats. First, since the inauguration of President Moon Jae-in, the new government is pushing for corporate tax hikes for ultra-large companies. On the same day, the government and the ruling party discussed an amendment to the tax law with the aim of raising the corporate tax and income tax on ultra-large companies."

In the big picture, "Samsung Electronics cannot always be optimistic about its semiconductor business which has achieved all-time record-high earnings. The Chinese government, which has declared the promotion of the Chinese semiconductor industry, announced that the nation will increase the localization rate of semiconductors by investing US$150 billion by 2025. Analysts are forecasting one after another that the current semiconductor super cycle will peak in 2018."

In the shorter term, we reported that Samsung had fallen from grace in the last quarter in the smartphone race in China. The company only registered 3% of the market it once dominated. Four out of the top five are now Chinese OEM's. This trend is unlikely to change unless Samsung can turn the tide in their favor by introducing a first-to-market smartphone form factor that the Chinese OEMs will have difficulty matching. Samsung is patenting many kinds of new design (one, two, three and more) but none have yet to surface.

And it's no secret that "The US's trade pressure is mounting against Korea every day. US President Donald Trump said he wanted to revise the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and lawsuits were filed against Korean consumer electronics companies in the United States."

And lastly, a representative of Samsung Electronics during the earnings announcement on the day stated that "In order to respond to rapid changes in the IT industry, it is vital to secure new growth engines through securing advanced technology through M&As and strategic investment, but it is expected that Samsung Electronics will have difficulties due to uncertainties in internal and external management environments."

So while the Android press may be celebrating Samsung's great quarter today, and justifyingly so, behind the scenes there's a real sense of crisis at Samsung as management looks forward with trepidation.

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.
King David (ancestor of Jesus), by Rembrandt (1606-1669) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons]

*****

This is my third installment of replies to atheist Jonathan MS Pearce skeptical series, Debunking the Nativity. I have previously responded to his claims about the alleged mistranslation of virgin (Isaiah 7:14), and supposed irreconcilable differences regarding the death of Herod the Great and biblical chronology. Presently, I am responding to two of his papers (both posted on 12-12-16): Contradictory Genealogies and Conflicting Genealogies of Jesus and the Thesis of a Matrilineal Bloodline Refuted. His words will be in blue.

*****

First of all, Id like to emphasize that Christians have no problem freely admitting that there are difficulties to be resolved as regards the two genealogies. Our view is not to pretend that there are no problems to be resolved with Bible scholarship, learning more and more about ancient Near Eastern culture, and further study of various sorts. We welcome that; we love to learn more and more about all the relevant data.

Thats different, however, from the positive (or should I say, negative?) assertion of the definite presence of demonstrable contradiction in the two genealogies. Christians have offered many possible solutions to the various issues raised and considered. Of course, atheists will then say (fair and charitable as they always are to Christians): see how many explanations there are?! Christians cant agree! Therefore, we conclude that this evident chaos suggests no explanation, and rather, mere special pleading and rationalization.

Atheists very often dont even consistently follow their own inclinations when it is virtually any other subject matter. Take, for example, theories on the origin of life or of the universe. Scientists dont have any definite solutions to those things (within the orthodox materialistic perspective). But they have many proposed explanations. Atheists think that that means the scientific explanation will one day be nailed down. They dont assume that a diversity of theories proves chaos or special pleading. They dont ditch scientific method or question its usefulness simply because science doesnt provide every answer to every anomaly in nature.

We might also mention the absence of the vaunted Grand Unified Theory in particle physics. Scientists thus far have been unable to synthesize what they believe they know into one unified theory. Wikipedia states that Several such theories have been proposed, but none is currently universally accepted. . . . There is currently no hard evidence that nature is described by a Grand Unified Theory. It doesnt follow, however, that such a theory is either unthinkable, inconceivable, or unattainable.

But when it comes to the Bible and Christian theology, atheists think that any multiple theories suggest no resolution (because of prior hostility). Multiple theories are just as likely indications that one of them (or a combination) are true, rather than that all of them are false. Physicists used to suggest multiple theories of the origin of the universe, such as steady state theory and Big Bang (formulated by Catholic priest-scientist, Georges Lemaitre, by the way). It turned out that the latter became accepted by the vast majority of scientists. Scientists never thought that there was no possible solution merely because there were multiple theories.

If Christians didnt have any theories about the genealogies, atheists would surely be on our backs for total ignorance, and reiterate that they believe that Christians dont think or speculate about issues: that we are against reason itself. If we have many, this also proves that we must be wrong: it indicates rationalizing and incoherence and implausible solutions. In other words, we can never win no matter what we do. But (contrary to some jaundiced, triumphant atheist claims) we have no difficulty admitting that there are exegetical difficulties to resolve:

Christian apologist Glenn Miller includes in his extensive treatment these words:

The difficulties in the genealogies are numerous, but the only thing that outnumbers them are the possible solutions! . . . every potential problem has many, many proposed solutionssome smooth, some weird, some tortured. But we really do not have enough data to really catch these guys at historical error. . . . [my italics substituting for his all caps, as throughout] [1]

Likewise, The Catholic Encyclopedia (1909) starts out its article on the topic by stating:

It is granted on all sides that the Biblical genealogy of Christ implies a number of exegetical difficulties; but rationalists have no solid reason for refusing to admit any of the attempted solutions, nor can we agree with those recent writers who have given up all hope of harmonizing the genealogies of Christ found in the First and Third Gospels. [2]

Jonathans inclination (what a shock!) is to think that the genealogies were created or contrived out of whole cloth. And so he writes:

In reality, the Gospel writers, in all probability, had no great desire to fulfil historical accuracy; they had an agenda. These genealogies, like much of the infancy narratives, involved using mechanisms to derive symbolic truth claims. And when such mechanisms are shown to be problematic, so too, then, are those theological truth claims.

As usual with atheist exegesis he starts out assuming that the Bible writers are trying to pull a fast one on us, trying to hoodwink readers with mere propaganda. And, of course, if any passage suggests otherwise from atheist preconceived notions, they can always wave the omnipotent magic wand of oh; that passage was clearly added later. For the atheist every Bible difficulty (real or imagined) has a quick, easy answer. Its sort of like eight-year-olds in the school playground: everyone knows everything, when in fact, few of them know much at all. Atheists (when doing their butchery of the Bible) are like the most confident, obnoxious 8-year-old kid, who thinks he knows everything. I know firsthand what Im talking about (believe me). Ive interacted with atheists on these topics many times, for many years now.

Jonathan has, of course, his laundry list of biblical difficulties (oh, how atheists love those!). Heres one:

There is a genealogy in 1 Chronicles 3 which overlaps Matthews and it seems like he has omitted three names (Joash, Amaziah, and Azoriah) which undermines one of the two lists. This is probably Matthews doingit could well be an opportunity to lose a few names for numerical reasons, and these kings were particularly wicked, coming to infamous ends by Gods will. Also, two Jeconiahs seem to have been melded into one. The fact that the genealogies differ from the Old Testament list is telling, though.

Glenn Miller [1] responds:

Matt[hew]s has a rhetorical/pedagogical structure to it. In other words, it was designed for memory-retention (common practice in his day  cf. Keener, Bible Background CommentaryNT loc. cit.). The omissions are simply to make the list easier to learn and/or memorize. . . .

His word choice for begat simply means progenitor and allows considerable gaps to exist without it being an inaccuracy. (E.g. my great-great-great-grandfather begat me, in Matts word-choice.)

What this means is that omissions in Matthew are not problems at all.

The Catholic Encyclopedia explains how omissions were not at all uncommon or regarded as dishonest in Hebrew genealogies:

Before the introduction of writing, two devices were employed to aid the memory; either history was versified, or the facts were reduced to certain standard numbers. This second form was in use among the Scriptural nations. There were ten antediluvian Patriarchs, ten postdiluvian; seventy descendants of Jacob are named on the occasion of Israels going into Egypt, though some of them were dead at that time, others had not yet been born; the ethnographical list of Genesis enumerates seventy nations, though it gives some names of little importance and omits others of great importance; 1 Chronicles 2:3-55, gives seventy descendants of Juda; 1 Chronicles 8:1-28, seventy descendants of Benjamin. This device guarded against arbitrary insertion or omission of any name, though it did not fully exclude the substitution of one name for another. . . .

It cannot be denied that some of the genealogical links are omitted in the Biblical lists; even St. Matthew had to employ this device in order to arrange the ancestors of Christ in three series of fourteen each. At first sight such omissions may seem to be at variance with Biblical inerrancy, because the single members of the genealogical lists are connected by the noun son or the verb beget. But neither of these links creates a real difficulty:

The wide meaning of the noun son in the genealogies is shown in Matthew 1:1: Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. This phrase prepares the reader for the view that the noun son may connect a person with any one of his ancestors, however remote.

As to the verb beget, some writers maintain that the Hiphil form of its Hebrew equivalent refers to the immediate offspring, while its Qal form may denote a more remote generation. But this contention does not rest on any solid foundation. It is true that the Hiphil form occurs in Genesis 5 and 11; it is also true that the successive links of the genealogies in these two chapters appear to exclude any intermediate generation. But this is only apparent. Unless it be certain from other sources that the Hebrew in question signifies the begetting of an immediate offspring, Genesis 5:15, for instance, may just as well mean that Malaleel at the age of sixty- five begot the grandfather of Jared as that he begot Jared immediately. The same holds true of the other Patriarchs mentioned in the above two chapters. Nor can it be urged that such an interpretation would destroy the chronology of the Patriarchs; for the inspired writer did not intend to transmit a chronology. [3]

Matthew used three sets of 14 in his genealogy for a specific reason:

In Hebrew gematria (a type of numerology very popular in ancient Judaism) the value of Davids name, obtained by summing the value of its three consonants, is fourteen (dalet=4, vav=6; thus D+V+D = 4+6+4). [10]

In a long, fascinating article devoted to such alleged gaps or omissions (filled with many biblical proofs of this casually accepted practice in ancient Hebrew culture), Presbyterian theologian William Henry Green observed:

It can scarcely be necessary to adduce proof to one who has even a superficial acquaintance with the genealogies of the Bible, that they are frequently abbreviated by the omission of unimportant names. In fact, abridgment is the general rule, induced by the indisposition of the sacred writers to encumber their pages with more names than were necessary for their immediate purpose. This is so constantly the case, and the reason for it so obvious, that the occurrence of it need create no surprise anywhere, and we are at liberty to suppose it whenever anything in the circumstances of the case favors that belief. . . .

The result of our investigations thus far is sufficient to show that it is precarious to assume that any biblical genealogy is designed to be strictly continuous, unless it can be subjected to some external tests which prove it to be so. [4]

Catholic apologist Jimmy Akin adds similar information:

Ancient Jewish genealogies often skipped generations, in part because there were no terms for grandson and grandfather. Any male one was descended from was ones father, regardless of how many generations back he was. Similarly, any male descended from you was your son, no matter how many generations down the line he was. This is why the Hebrews were called the sons of Israel hundreds of years after the original Israel (Jacob) died. [6]

Here is also a specific reply to the charge that Matthew shouldnt have omitted the three names that Jonathan refers to:

It is objected that Matthew omits three kings, viz. Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah (comp. 1 Chronicles 3, and 2 Kings 8), from his second series. In reference to this objection, it might suffice to say that Matthew, finding fourteen generations from Abraham to David inclusively, contracted, most likely in order to assist memory and give uniformity, the second, and possibly the last series. If we compare Ezr 7:1-5 with 1Ch 6:3-15, it will be seen that Ezra, in detailing, with apparent particularity, his own lineal descent from Aaron, calls Azariah, who was high-priest at the dedication of the first Temple, the son, not of Johbaan his father, but of Meraioth, his ancestor at the distance of six generations. Doubtless the desire of abridgment led him to omit those names with which there were connected no very remarkable associations. Some of the early fathers, however, give a different solution of this difficulty. Hilary (in Mattum, cap. 1) says: Three generations are designedly passed over by Matthew, for Jaras is said to have begotten Ozias, when, in fact, he was the fourth from him, i.e., Jaras begat Ochazias from the Gentile family of Ahab, whose wife was Jezebel. That the omission of the three kings was a punishment inflicted upon the house of guilty Joram to the fourth generation is the view yet were pointedly put forth by St. Jerome also, and by many of our own best commentators. [9]

One problematic Messianic obstacle for Matthews genealogy is the curse of Jeconiah. Reported in Jeremiah 22:24-30, this is where God cursed Jeconiah and all his descendents (Record this man as if childless, a man who will not prosper in his lifetime, for none of his offspring will prosper, none will sit on the throne of David or rule anymore in Judah). This rather puts paid to Messianic claims derived through Matthews claimed lineage since Jesus is clearly of the offspring of Jeconiah. Some apologists claim that the curse was limited to Jeconiahs lifetime whilst others claim that Jesus is disqualified as an ancestor with Messianic properties.

Jeremiah 22:30 (RSV) Thus says the LORD: Write this man down as childless, a man who shall not succeed in his days; for none of his offspring shall succeed in sitting on the throne of David, and ruling again in Judah.

Glenn Miller provides a pretty definitive solution to this pseudo-problem:

The context of the passage seems to limit the scope to just his immediate descendants:

The phrase in his lifetime (lit. in his days- yom) focuses the passage on the immediate future; the for word connects the no man of his descendants with the in his lifetimethe strong casual relationship between not-prospering-now and his descendants is strong evidence for an immediate future context; the again word (od) is not the big forever word: ad-olam or le-olam. Immediately after this passage, Jeremiah relays a promise by Yahweh to raise up a righteous branch to David [Jer 23:5-6] a promise of the continuing line of David! Could Jeremiah have been so blind as to not notice such a contradiction (if the preceding passage referred to the end of the Davidic line?!) It looks much more likely that this is a deposing of Jeconiah, and a promise of a better king from the stock of David (maybe even from non-immediate/non-physical descendants of Jeconiah?). . . .



But many commentators understand the curse to have been rescinded by God in Haggai anyway:

Jehoiachins name appears in Matthews genealogy of Jesus Christ (1:11, 12), and some contend this contradicts Jeremiahs oracle of judgment against the kings descendants (Jer 22:30). Yet it is possible to understand Haggais blessing of Zerubabbel (2:2024) as the rescission of Jeremiahs curse and the reinstatement of Jehoiachins line on the Davidic (and ultimately Messianic) throne (cf. Is 56:35). [Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible.].

Rabbinic tradition generally agrees with this as well:

for no man of his seed shall prosper -In this, too, no man of his seed shall prosper, namely that no one will occupy the throne of David nor rule in Judah. Although we find that Zerubbabel, his great grandson, did rule over Judah upon the return of the exiles, the Rabbis (Pesikta /Rav Kahana p. 163a) state that this : was because Jehoiachin repented in prison. They state further: Repentance is great, for it nullifies a persons sentence, as it is stated: inscribe this man childless. But since he repented, his sentence was revoked and turned to the good, and he said to him, I will take you, Zerubbabel, and I will make you a signet (Haggai 2:23). . . . [Judaica Books of the Prophets, in loc]

[Notice how this parallels the known case of Manasseh, the evil Davidic king who was exiled by Assyria to its southern province in Babylon, and who then repented and was restored to rulership in Judah2 Chron 33.10-13.]

This highly-probable understanding completely removes any problem with Jeconiah in anyones geneaology. [1]

Conditional prophecies are very common in the Bible (i.e., if you obey and do A, then you will prosper, but if you rebel and do B I will cast you out . . .). See my related paper: Gods Punishing of Descendants: Is it Unjust and Unfair? (Exodus 20:5: visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation).

These two genealogies disagree with these lineages. But more damning is that they also disagree on who Josephs father was! Even Augustine recognised a problem here. There are some Christian harmonisations such that he could have two fathers (legal and natural). These are weak and unsubstantiated.

There is a possible explanation involving the Jewish levirate law (which Augustine later adopted himself, after reading the historian Julius Africanus):

In Luke he [Heli] is said to be the father of Joseph, while in Matthew 1:16, Jacob was Josephs father. The most probable explanation of this seeming contradiction is afforded by having recourse to the levirate law among the Jews, which prescribes that when a man dies childless his widow shall not marry to another; but his brother shall take her, and raise up seed for his brother (Deuteronomy 25:5). The child, therefore, of the second marriage is legally the child of the first (Deuteronomy 25:6). Heli having died childless, his widow became the wife of his brother Jacob, and Joseph was the offspring of the marriage, by nature the son of Jacob, but legally the son of Heli. It is likely that Matt. gives the natural, and Luke the legal descent. [5]

This is not merely desperate speculation, for any possible solution. Jimmy Akin provides historical background, as to why this is the most accepted theory regarding Josephs father:

Julius Africanus [c. 180-c, 250] . . . records information given by Christs remaining family in his day. According to their family genealogy, Josephs grandfather Matthan (mentioned in Matthew) married a woman named Estha, who bore him a son named Jacob. After Matthan died, Estha married his close relative Melchi (mentioned in Luke) and bore him a son named Heli. Jacob and Heli were thus half-brothers.

Unfortunately, Heli died childless, and so Jacob married his widow and fathered Joseph, who was biologically the son of Jacob but legally the son of Heli (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 1:6:7). [6]

Africanus was an important enough historian to make it into Encyclopaedia Britannica, which states: His work raised the prestige of early Christianity by placing it within a historical context. He also wrote a critical work on genealogies of Christ as found in Matthew and Luke. The 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia also praises him:

Byzantine chronographer, noted for his surprisingly lucid interpretations of some Biblical questions; . . . These relations with the Orient explain his knowledge of Syriac, . . . His works in Biblical criticism indicate that he knew Hebrew also. . . . All the works of Africanus, which are of course especially important for Christianity, are also highly interesting for Judaism.

Jonathans second, follow-up article mostly argues against the hypothesis of Lukes genealogy being maternal (i.e., the ancestral lineage through Mary). He even favorably cites the historian Africanus and quotes his own words. I havent followed that theory in my replies (in effect agreeing with Jonathan), so I need not refute it, except to document some corresponding disagreement over against that view, among sources I have found and/or utilized (along with a little bit of respectable agreement):

[A]ccording to Patrizi [Jesuit exegete: 1797-1881] the view that St. Luke gives the genealogy of Mary began to be advocated only towards the end of the fifteenth century [c. 1490] by Annius of Viterbo, and acquired adherents in the sixteenth. St. Hilary mentions the opinion as adopted by many, but he himself rejects it (Mai, Nov. Bibl, Patr., t. I, 477). . . . Both St. Matthew and St. Luke give the genealogy of St. Joseph, the one through the lineage of Solomon, the other through that of Nathan. [2]

The Catholic Encyclopedia, in its entry on him, is very critical of historian / archaeologist Annius of Viterbo:

He is best known, however, by his Antiquitatum Variarumo, 17 vols. (Venice, 1499, et sp). In this work he published alleged writings and fragments of several pre-Christian Greek and Latin profane authors, destined to throw an entirely new light on ancient history. He claimed to have discovered them at Mantua. This work met at once both with believers in the genuineness of his sources, and with severe critics who accused him of willful interpolation, or even fabrication. The spurious character of these historianso of Annius, which he published both with and without commentaries, has long been admitted. It would appear that he was too credulous, and really believed the texts to be authentic.

The presentation of facts in the above citation, however (about Patrizzi), are a bit too sweeping and sloppy, according to the analysis of Catholic biblical and patristic scholar, John F. McCarthy:

Francis Xavier Patrizzi, in an elaborate treatise on the genealogies of Matthew and Luke published in 1853, claims that Annius of Viterbo was the first writer who attempted to show that Eli of Lk 3:23 was the biological father of the Virgin Mary and the biological grandfather of Jesus. Subsequently, many Catholic and Protestant exegetes adopted the theory, including Cornelius a Lapide, as stated above. In his treatise, Patrizzi severely criticizes this hypothesis, not for seeing the ancestry of Mary within Lukes genealogy, which Patrizzi himself upholds along with many before him beginning in ancient times, but solely and simply as understanding Eli to be the Father of the Virgin Mary. Patrizzi claims that this is an unacceptable reading of the text. . . . [cites five of Patrizzis arguments]

Patrizzis arguments batter the idea of a Marian link to Eli, but they do not utterly destroy it. [the he provides five possible counter-arguments] [8]

McCarthys take is an exceptionally subtle, thorough, and interesting one. He doesnt cavalierly dismiss the Mary theory of genealogy altogether, and entertains five different theories of interpretation: maintaining that all five have many elements in which they converge. He refuses to rule out the fact that Marys lineage may be included somehow within Josephs:

The Marian reading of Lukes genealogy is weak in the plain reading of the text, but it converges with the levirate and the adoption theories after two or three generations, because of the factor of consanguinity. Therefore, there is a deeper Marian meaning beneath the genealogy of Luke and possibly also of Matthew. . . . What comes forth from a consideration of all of the theories is the split-level meaning of the genealogies, even in their literal sense. The fact that the genealogies are of Joseph does not mean that they are not also of Mary. [8]

Jimmy Akin flatly rejects the theorized matrilineal descent:

[B]oth genealogies trace Jesus lineage back to David, but through different sons. Matthew has Christ descending from David through Solomon, while Luke has him descending from David through a different son, Nathan. [Felix Just (source #10) concurs]

This is not itself a puzzlement since David had more than one son, and a later individual can be descended from more than one of them. The question arises when the two lines meet up again. . . .

Some have tried to deal with the issue [Josephs father] by saying that Lukes genealogy really doesnt give Jesus lineage through Joseph at all, but through Mary. It is true that Mary was a descendant of David (cf. Rom. 1:3), but neither of the lines given in the gospels is her line. The text does not support that idea. Luke states that Joseph was the son of Heli, not that Mary was the daughter of Heli, . . . [6]

Evangelical scholar R. P. Nettelhorst suggests a two variations of Josephs lineage theory, as follows:

Both genealogies are clearly through Joseph. I propose that one traces the lineage back through Josephs father, and that the other traces back through Josephs mother. The maternal genealogy, however, drops the name of Josephs mother and instead skips back to her father. Which is which? I believe that the genealogy in Luke is through Josephs father and that the one in Matthew is through Josephs maternal grandfather.

That Matthew should skip Josephs mother in the genealogical listing is not peculiar since it is readily apparent that Matthew skips a number of people in his genealogy . . . Matthew left names out in order to arrive at the structural symmetry he desired . . . [7]

Conclusion: thus far, I see no absolutely irrefutable contradiction in the accounts. There are several other problems brought up, too. If Jonathan makes those arguments, Ill give replies to them, too. I agree with apologist Glenn Miller:

I do not want to give anyone the impression that there are no difficulties in these genealogies. They are full of issues, surprises, perplexing items. But, at the same time, we have so many proposed explanations for each of these, that we are simply not in a position to criticize (much less decide against!) the historicity of these accounts. Indeed, we have solid answers for the more difficult and perplexing ones, which gives us a qualified optimism about those that are still somewhat obscure. [1]

[1] Problems in the Genealogies of Jesus (Glenn Miller, A Christian Thinktank) .

[2] Catholic Encyclopedia: Genealogy of Christ.

[3] Catholic Encyclopedia: Genealogy (in the Bible).

[4] Are There Gaps in the Biblical Genealogies? (William Henry Green, Primeval Chronology Bibliotheca Sacra [April, 1890], 285-303).

[5] Catholic Encyclopedia: Heli.

[6] The Genealogies of Christ (Jimmy Akin).

[7] The Genealogy of Jesus (R. P. Nettelhorst, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society: June 1988).

[8] New Light on the Genealogies of Jesus (John F. McCarthy, Living Tradition, May 1987).

[9] Genealogy of Jesus Christ (McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia, 1880).

[10] The Genealogies of Jesus (Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.).

See also (not cited): Genealogy of Jesus Christ (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 1939).

Books (available complete online):

The Genealogies of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Arthur Charles Hervey [Anglican], Cambridge: Macmillan, 1853) [rejects Heli as Marys father theory]

The Genealogy of Our Lord, as Recorded by St. Matthew and St. Luke, Harmonized & Vindicated Against Objections (Johannes Wiplech [former rabbi], Sheffield: Loxlety Brothers, 1862) [accepts Heli as Marys father]
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Sanctions: Can Iran Avoid Taking the Bait?

07/28/17

By Shireen T. Hunter (source: LobeLog)



cartoon on sanctions by Bozorgmehr Hosseinpur



The U.S. House of Representatives has just imposed new sanctions on Iran as well as on Russia and North Korea. The Iran sanctions have been justified based on its missile development and its disregard of human rights, plus its so-called destabilizing activities in the Middle East.



Because technically these sanctions are not new, they cannot be strictly speaking considered a violation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). However, they will undoubtedly undermine the success of the nuclear deal. Already, the Trump administration's hostile rhetoric and its constant attacks on the JCPOA, and even President Trump's own statements to the effect that Iran has violated the spirit of the accord, have given new life to opponents of the deal in Iran.



These opponents, meanwhile, have become emboldened in their attacks on President Hassan Rouhani, frequently pointing out the weakness of the JCPOA from Iran's perspective and, in general, questioning the wisdom of trusting America. After the announcement of the congressional sanctions, some hardliners have claimed that the Rouhani government's passivity in the face of what they see as US provocations has been responsible for new U.S. pressure and threats against Iran. For example, one commentator claimed that Washington can continue to pressure Tehran because it does not pay any price for such behavior.



Such statements ignore the fact that Iran will suffer much more than the United States in any real confrontation. Nevertheless, if the JCPOA doesn't deliver any concrete results, such arguments might become more popular among Iranians and thus weaken President Rouhani's position.



The JCPOA's detractors in Congress and within the Trump administration would indeed like to see Iran jettison the agreement and thus provide a casus belli to those who favor a military strike on Iran, possibly as an initial step towards a change of the country's political system and leadership.



For instance, Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, reportedly believes that the United States should not be the first to exit the JCPOA because in doing so it will lose European backing. Instead, Corker maintains that, through increased pressures, the United States should force the Iranian government to initiate withdrawal from the agreement. Nor is this a very imaginative approach. It is a common practice both in individual interactions and among collectivities to force a competitor's decision by testing its patience and forcing it to do something self-destructive.



Having by all accounts adhered to its JCPOA commitments, Iran understandably feels frustrated and dismayed at the hostile statements and actions emanating from various quarters in the United States, including the president himself.



However, the worst thing Iran can do is to react impulsively to US actions and statements. In particular, Iran should avoid any tit-for-tat response to America's actions. Hardliners in Iran will put enormous pressure on the Rouhani government to take retaliatory measures against America to safeguard the country's national pride and dignity. However, such measures are more likely to hurt Iran than America. In fact, the only result of such measures would be to strengthen the position of anti-Iran groups within US political institutions and circles, potentially hastening some sort of US military action against Iran. Needless to say, the material and human costs for Iran of even a limited military encounter with the US would far outweigh the cost of sanctions.



Under these circumstances, Iran's leadership must resist calls for either withdrawal from the JCPOA or even symbolic retaliation against America. This will not be easy given the political line-up in Iran, but it is the only wise and safe option for the country.



Of course, if the Trump administration and the US Iran hawks are determined to wage a war against Iran, such Iranian caution would not be sufficient to dissuade them. But it might make it more difficult for the US administration to move in that direction. For example, European countries and other permanent members of the UN Security Council would be reluctant to support such a venture if Iran exercised caution and restraint.



In addition to exercising caution, Iran should try to open channels of communications if the US shows a willingness to do so as well. Some reports claim that Oman has already been passing messages between the two countries. If true, Oman, as usual, would be a worthy mediator.



However, for such efforts to succeed, both Iran and the United States should avoid excessive pride. The US should not insist that Iran essentially admit defeat and repent, and Iran should not see compromise with America as against its national pride. Meanwhile, European states should also shoulder their responsibilities vis a via the JCPOA and advise America to do so as well. In particular, they should try to dissuade US from engaging in another Middle East war that will exacerbate their economic and refugee problems.



If the stars align in this fashion, some good might come out of a very bad situation. Otherwise, the clouds of war might again gather in a region that is already devastated by decades of strife.

About the Author:



Shireen T. Hunter is a Research Professor at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Her latest book is Iran Divided: Historic Roots of Iranian Debates on Identity, Culture, and Governance in the 21st Century (Rowman & Littlefield, 2014).




Detained Opposition Leader Mehdi Karroubi Recovering From Emergency Medical Procedure

07/28/17

Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran



Six Years Later, Mehdi Karroubi Still Awaiting First Trial



Former presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi, under extrajudicial house arrest since 2011, is recovering in the hospital after undergoing an emergency medical procedure on July 26, 2017.

"My father was taken into the operating room at 7 a.m. Wednesday morning and underwent a TIPS procedure that corrected the problem in his vein, and as result, he will not be needing an operation to put a battery in his heart," said Karroubi's son Hossein on July 26, 2017, according to the Kalame website.

A TIPS procedure uses image guidance to create a tunnel through the liver to connect the portal vein (the vein that carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver) to one of the hepatic veins (three veins that carry blood away from the liver back to the heart).

"The doctors are hopeful they can now normalize his heart beat with drugs," said Hossein Karroubi, adding that his father is recovering and could be returned to house arrest in two days.

Mehdi Karroubi, 79, was admitted to a hospital in Tehran on July 24 after an Intelligence Ministry physician recommended treatment for his low blood pressure. Prior to the procedure, security agents at the hospital turned away visitors, only allowing his wife and children to see him.

"Reformists are indebted to the people and have never stopped searching for an end to the house arrests," tweeted reformist MP Elias Harazti on July 26. "I am now at the entrance to the hospital hoping to visit detainees under house arrest."

As of July 27, no MPs have been allowed to visit Karroubi in the hospital.

"Efforts by MPs to meet Mr. Karroubi have failed so far. According to a contact I had with [his daughter] Mrs. Kokab Mousavi, the medical attention given to Mir Hossein is also unsatisfactory," tweeted reformist MP Mahmoud Sadeghi on July 26.

Karroubi was forced into extrajudicial house arrest in February 2011 along with fellow opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard after leading months of protests against the widely disputed result of the 2009 presidential election. More than six years after his arrest, he is still requesting his first trial.

In an interview with CHRI prior to Karroubi's procedure, his son Mehdi Taghi Karroubi demanded freedom for his father.

"If officials insist that the illegal house arrests should go on, they should heed my father's suggestion and hold a trial," he said. "Mr. Mousavi and his honorable wife have been held in limbo for six and a half years. They are being punished without being convicted."

"The state must end this unlawful situation or hold an open and transparent trial," he added. "My father has said he will wholeheartedly accept any verdict issued in such a trial."

Mohammad Taghi Karroubi also said President Hassan Rouhani has "done nothing" despite past pledges to help resolve the issue.

"Ending the house arrests was one of the main demands brought up during Rouhani's election campaigns," he said. "Obviously, if someone is elected by the people's vote, he has a duty to look into the their demands."

Ending the house arrests was one of Rouhani's top pledges during his 2013 election campaign.

At a campaign rally at Sharif University on May 13, 2013, Rouhani said he hoped he could free the three detainees within the first year of his presidency: "We can provide conditions such that over the next year, individuals who were imprisoned or put under house arrest for the 2009 events are released."

However, after his re-election on May 19, 2017, Rouhani adopted a more cautious line and suggested that a solution depends on cooperation from other branches of state.

"The country is ruled by laws and we should all submit to them," he said on May 22. "The executive, legislative and judicial branches have their own responsibilities. We are moving forward on the basis of the Constitution."

Following Mehdi Karroubi's hospitalization, First Deputy Parliament Speaker Ali Motahari, who among conservatives has been the most vocal supporter of freeing the opposition leaders, said he hoped the unfortunate event could result in a resolution to the "tragic" situation.

"Mr. Karroubi's heart disease and his transfer to the hospital is a good opportunity to use some wisdom to end this tragic house arrest saga," he tweeted on July 24.

Karroubi, Mousavi and Rahnavard remain confined to their homes in Tehran on the orders of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has demanded that they apologize for their role in the peaceful, pro-democracy protests in 2009 that came to be known as the Green Movement.
Any time Ghanaians raise the issue of corruption in the Ghanaian society, a section of Ghanaians, particularly public office holders, raise the issue of perception and the argument has always been that those who allege corrupt practices against others in the society, particularly, public servants must provide the evidence to support their allegations.



Ironically, all governments since independence have talked about corruption in government or among the populace. The belief in the existence of corruption in Ghana, particularly among government officials and private business people have attracted some of the most drastic measures in the past against people suspected to have engaged in corrupt practices. Most of these drastic measures aimed at bringing an end to the phenomenon, were seen in the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) era and the eleven year period of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).



The use of violent and extra judicial methods to deal with suspected corrupt actors, did not address corruption. Subsequently, under the democratic dispensation, some other more civilized institutions were put in place to address the canker of corruption and its myriad of tentacles which has and continues to suffocate the economic and social lives of the people, particularly the poor.



These are the Commission on Human rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and the National Procurement Authority (NPA) all through the Parliament of the Republic. While former President Kufuor promised zero tolerance in the fight against the canker, the late President Atta-Mills pledged to investigate corruption should allegations of such appear in the media.



It is very obvious that almost all governments have at one time or the other identified corruption as a major challenge to development and the improvement of the living standards of the majority of Ghanaians. As to whether the methods used to deal with the canker have achieved results or not is very clear for all Ghanaians to see. The pervasiveness of the economic and social ill has become a major political tool in the nations democratic dispensation.



It is in this light that the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), in November/December 2015 undertook a corruption survey to unearth the nature, levels, causes and motives behind corruption in Ghana. The survey revealed that corruption levels are considered very high by 72.1 percent of the respondents. Fifty percent of the respondents stated that their major sources of information on corruption in Ghana are through the media -T.V., radio, newspapers and the internet while another 21.3 percent cited personal experiences of having had to part with gifts and cash payments or other favours for services to be rendered.



The above statistics indicate that the medias highlight on acts of corruption is creating major awareness about the phenomenon in our society than it used to be. The personal experiences by individuals also indicate how widespread the problem is.



In the opinion of 40 % of the respondents, corruption is about taking or receiving money or sex from people before helping them or delivering services to which they are entitled while 13% of the respondents indicated that corruption is about embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds or diverting the nations resources for personal gain. The survey revealed that 96.7% of the public identified cash payments as the most common form of corruption.



The above findings must be a source of great worry to the general society in its efforts to fight corruption. The reason being that most Ghanaians are much more concerned about the monies they pay as individuals to public officers or private citizens before services are delivered, which goes on in their lives on a daily basis than the grand corruption of embezzlement and misappropriation of huge public funds.



Even though petty corruption engaged in by public officers on a daily basis is so bad and unacceptable, most Ghanaians do not focus on the fact that the huge monies the state loses through embezzlement and misappropriation are the reasons why the state cannot provide adequate social facilities and infrastructure like good schools, hospitals, water, roads, electricity and housing among others to the citizenry. Discussions on grand corruption is seen by most citizens as distant occurrences that should not take their time. They are more concerned about the GH5.00 the Policeman collects from the driver or the GH10.00 he has to pay to the office clerk to retrieve a file from an obscure corner in the public office on a daily basis.



There are always motivating factors for such behaviors, and the survey identified greed and selfishness as the major causes of corruption which 27% of the respondents agreed on, the get rich-quick attitude among the youth was 26.3% while 22.7% said low salaries and income levels were the next major causes of corruption in Ghana. Corruption is viewed as alternative source of income to those who benefit from it while those who pay monies see it as the only way things or services get rendered as acknowledged by 12.2 % and 24.2% of the respondents respectively.



The survey put the Police Service on top of the Corruption League table, recording 28.6%, a jump from the 23% in 2014. The judiciary placed second in the race to achieve the highest medal in corruption. It recorded 18.4% according to the survey. These two institutions have contacts with the public every day for one reason or the other. 60% of Ghanaians believe that there is no alternative for them to obtain critical services from institutions other than offering bribes to those whose jobs it is to deliver such services.



The other worrying outcome of the IEA survey was the Office of the President which recorded 12.9% of the respondents as a very corrupt institution in Ghana during the year 2015. The Office of the President is the machinery that oils the machinery of the state, that is where the national cake is distributed for development, and if 12.9% of Ghanaians believe that there is such level of corruption in the Office of the President, then it stands to reason or to conclude that the Office of the President could not fight corruption. The army was the least corrupt institution in Ghana, recording 7% of the respondents assessment of corruption.



There is the hope that the canker can be dealt with since 54% of the respondents believe that citizens could help reduce corruption if the public abstains from paying bribes to public officers. This contradicts the belief by 60% of the respondents that the only way services can be obtained is through paying bribes. There is also the hope that two-thirds of Ghanaians are ready to report a corrupt act.



The worrying aspect of our efforts at fighting corruption in Ghana is the legal regime which makes the giver and the taker all liable for the criminal conduct. A citizen who is overtly or covertly compelled by a public officer to pay monies before a critical service is provided is considered an accessory to a crime. What then would motivate a victim of corrupt practices of a public officer to report the incidence when he or she could be dragged into the criminal net for committing a crime of corruption?



The survey also admits the fact that the fight against corruption is a daunting task because only 4.8% of the respondents were hopeful that corruption can be eradicated completely in Ghana, 25% of them opined that the canker cannot be reduced at all in Ghana, 19.9% thought that corruption can be reduced substantially while 45% said corruption can only be reduced to a limited degree.



The challenge is, how do we as a people address this canker that is a drain on us as individual citizens as we part with coins every day when we do not have to, and the state is bled through the massive embezzlement, misappropriation, over invoicing, under invoicing and outright dissipation of public funds without a blink?



Sadly, the three arms of the state mandated to deal with these crimes were themselves seriously embroiled in corruption, namely the Office of the President, the Police Service and the Judiciary. Where cometh our salvation then?



Daavi, please give me three tots of mahogany bitters.

Source: Kwesi Biney/[email protected]









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According to former Attornet General, Martin Amidu, the Minority in Parliament has demonstrated hypocrisy and double standards in their criticism of the raid by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service of former Power Minister Dr Kwabena Donkors home in connection with investigations into the controversial $510m Ameri deal.



Dr Donkors laptop and four pen drives were seized by the CID during the raid.



The Minority later accused the government of witch-hunting former Mahama appointees following the raid.



Mr Amidu, however, says the Minoritys reaction smacks of attempts to impede the CID from doing its job.



Below is the full article of Mr Martin Amidu:



THE POLICE DID NOTHING UNLAWFUL IN SEARCHING HON. DR. KWABENA DONKORS RESIDENCE



I write to register my strongest objection to the unsavory development in which some politicians - particularly some Members of Parliament and other political office holders  have cultivated the dishonourable habit of under rating the intelligence of We the People by holding press conferences, radio interviews, and issuing press statements to deliberately spew half-truths and inaccurately misrepresent the injunctions of the Constitution and laws of Ghana to court cheap public sympathy anytime one of the law enforcement agencies executes the law against one of them for suspected commission of crime.



I felt gravely embarrassed when I read that the Minority in Parliament (the Minority) released a misleading statement in which it was reported to have purported to: condemn in very strong terms the dastardly act of raiding the private residence of Hon Dr Kwabena Donkor, an honourable member of parliament, early in the morning ostensibly to conduct a search and the subsequent seizure of his laptop and other media of communication. This is shameful and sad in a country that upholds the rights of citizens to privacy.



The Minority was reported to have stated further: That it was based on the order of a lower court provides an inadequate defence.



I feel ashamed that my own political party that is now recognized under the 1992 Constitution, as the official opposition in the current Parliament charged with making laws and being a watch dog for the citizens will call a search warrant issued by a lower court with constitutional and statutory powers to do so as an inadequate defence for searching a citizen of Ghanas residence simply because he is a fellow Member of Parliament.



First, it is untrue to say that because the suspected offender is a Member of Parliament a lower court could not have adequately issued the warrant for the search of his residence. Second, it is also untrue that because the suspected offender is a Member of Parliament, his residence could not be searched early in the morning because it cannot be said that the search was executed while he is on his way to, attending at or returning from, any proceedings of Parliament.



Third, the Minority knew that article 18 of the 1992 Constitution dealing with the protection of privacy of home and other property of their colleague Member of Parliament was not infringed by the police acting under the exception in article 18(2) in accordance with a warrant validly issued by a court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose.



Fourth, the Minority knew that in executing a search warrant the police may take possession of items they suspect to have been used in or to facilitate the commission of the offence, to aid in their investigations.



Fifth, the Minority could not have been ignorant of the fact that laptops, documents, pen drives, and other items of interest for the investigation can be taken by the police in as long as they make an inventory of the items and give the suspect a copy.



Sixth, the Minority will be strangers to the truth in their contention that a lawful search and seizure of items likely to be exhibits in an ongoing criminal investigation from a suspected criminal sleeping in his residence at dawn can constitute impeding the work of a sitting Member of Parliament and be tantamount to contempt under article 122 of the Constitution.



Seven, it is an exhibition of outright naivety and unpardonable ignorance unbefitting any Member of Parliament to demand of seasoned and experienced police criminal investigators to forewarn a suspected criminal before executing a search warrant on his residence.



And Eight, it is cowardly and unbecoming for Members of Parliament, whom we have elected to represent us, to intimidate and threaten not only law abiding citizens in their exercise of their right to freedom of expression, speech, conscience and thought; but even law enforcement agencies, the police in this case, lawfully executing the law with being charged before Parliament for contempt. Respect must be earned not coerced!



The about 26 million citizens of Ghana cannot all be Members of Parliament. That is why the adults within the 26 million citizens consented to being represented in Parliament by 275 of our fellow citizens.



Our consent to have 275 of our fellow citizens represent us for a period of four years does not turn the remainder of us into second rate citizens with less legal rights under the criminal laws and procedure of Ghana. We the sovereign people of Ghana were gracious enough to have provided clearly in article 117 of the Constitution the limited occasion on which our 275 Members of Parliament may be immune from service of process and arrest as an exception to the general fundamental human right of equality of everybody before the law.



The Minority could simply have quoted article 117 in its press statement for the people to make up their minds whether the police violated the constitution or any law. The failure or refusal to quote the clear provisions of article 117 of the 1992 Constitution in the Minoritys statement for the public to make up its own mind is what makes one believe that the whole Minority strategy is simply to court public sympathy. Article 117 of the Constitution for the benefit of those who may not have time to look it up states as follows: 117. Civil or criminal process coming from any court or place out of Parliament shall not be served on, executed in relation to, the Speaker or any member or the Clerk to Parliament while he is on his way to, attending at or returning from, any proceedings of Parliament.



"Let everybody judge for him or herself whether the police did anything unlawful in executing a warrant on a suspected criminal in his residence even before he could wake up and prepare for Parliament. Incidentally, the report is that the search warrant was executed at dawn on Monday 24th July 2017 and Parliament does not sit on Mondays for the search to have impeded any preparation to go to or be on his way to proceedings of Parliament. I have known Hon. Dr. Kwabena Donkor since the early days of the PNDC Government. He worked for quite some time in my friend and brother, Hon. Joseph Yieleh Chirehs Confiscated Assets Committee which I frequented before he left for the UK. I am therefore not writing the foregoing because I rejoice in Hon Donkors misfortune of being suspected of crime. But I hate the hypocrisy, double standards and audacity of the Minority in Parliament to unlawfully and unconstitutionally impede the police in the performance of their duties contrary to their very oaths of office as Members of Parliament, simply because their colleague, Hon. Dr. Kwabena Donkor, is now under suspicion of crime in relation to the stinking AMERI contracts.



As a former Chairman of Ghanas Public Agreements Board under PNDC Law 42, a former Deputy Attorney General for over twelve years, a Minister of the Interior, and an Attorney General I also smelt a rat in the AMERI contracts to be interested in a thorough investigation into the transaction. I have myself questioned the fairness of this transaction which has been published in the media. But I have no reason to believe that Hon. Dr. Donkor personally committed any crime in relation to the contract. The AMERI affair is to me not about Hon. Dr. Donkor whom I have known closely for years. It is about the conduct and integrity of the John Dramani Mahama Government particularly when he has just been reported to have visited Namibia in circumstances that breed suspicion that he is fronting for the same company, its associates and/or its affiliates for profit, even in retirement, contrary to the 1992 Constitution. Which police service will not be interest in the AMERI contract in these circumstances? Dr. Kwabena Donkor, I am sorry to wade into this matter when you chance to be the suspect but I do not see you as the principal problem or culprit. Ghanaians need to get to the bottom of Government corruption no matter whose ass is gored.



We lost the last election not only because of the gargantuan crimes including massive corruption which I had warned our then Government about in my press statement of 11th January 2012 as being committed by colleague Ministers of State, but also because of the several deceptions contained in our interactions with the voting public. We can only return to power by exhibiting the highest degree of integrity and honour in all our dealings with Ghanaians while we execute our new functions as a loyal opposition to the people of Ghana. I have the passion of a foundation member of the NDC who wants it to return to its founding values of integrity and honour in the service of Ghanaians in the true traditions of social democracy for which it was founded in 1992.



I will continue to challenge the NDC and the Minority to exhibit our founding ideals so Ghanaians may forgive us and return us to power once again. I feel strongly that it is against the founding values and principles of the NDC rooted in probity and accountability that the Minority should under any circumstances give the impression to the voting public that being a Member of Parliament can be used by former Government Ministers as an insurance against the commission or suspected commission of crimes for which they voted us out of office. That is the impression I get from the Minoritys unlawful and unconstitutional statement condemning and intimidating the police with contempt of Parliament.



Ghanaians, be alert!

Source: Martin A. B. K. Amidu (Citizens Vigilance for Justice)









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Education Minister Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh and colleague Minister of Information Mustapha Hamid have said Ghana is a difficult country to govern.



They made the comments separately at Thursdays Meet The Press event at which the Dr Prempeh briefed journalists about the progress of the Free Senior High School policy.



Answering a question from a journalist concerning a school with deplorable ICT facilities, Dr Prempeh said: There is a programme to equip, where we build schools, to equip them with ICT labs. I dont know how you can equip ICT labs without furniture, but it just happened that we are the same Ghanaians who are given the contracts to equip the schools and we are the same Ghanaians who will take the money and never do the work.



We are the same Ghanaians who will rush to the minister for more contracts but dont want to be punished.



The president visited Okuapeman Senior High School and the headmasters plea was to have a science laboratory refitted. When we came to check, the contractor had been paid 100 per cent of the money. When the contractor was called, he said they took the money and went to do another school.



Ghanaians are very difficult to govern. If you touch that contractor now, you will see a line of people in the office pleading on his behalf, he said.

Source: classfmonline.com









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A political scientist Dr. Abass Mohammed has described as repulsive the continuous politicisation of critical matters bothering the country in Parliament.



This, according to him, has rendered the law making chamber very weak and toothless.



He further noted I dont see how our Parliament is going to work effectively when it comes to oversight that must run acrossrepresentation, lawmaking and financial function.



Dr. Mohammeds comments were in reaction to the partisanship exhibited in Parliament Wednesday, July 26, 2017, when the beleaguered commissioners of the Electoral Commission appeared before the leadership of the House over accreditation fees charged journalists prior to the 2016 elections.



The floor of Parliament Wednesday was chaotic after the Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu said the much-anticipated meeting between the leadership of Parliament and the EC commissioners was unnecessary.



The meeting was expected to commence immediately after the EC boss finished briefing the House about how much the commission made from the controversial fees it charged journalists for accreditation ahead of the 2016 general elections.



But referring to Order 93 of the Houses standing orders, Mr Iddrisu described the meeting as needless since president Akufo-Addo had forwarded the petition demanding the head of the boss of the Commission Charlotte Osei to the Chief Justice.



The meeting with leadership is mute legally therefore we have no business engaging her further until the matter is so judicially determined, he stressed.



But reacting to the development, Dr. Mohammed said We are practicing politics with a high level of ignorance. We are pretending we have the knowledge meanwhile we do not.



MPs, he said, are supposed to be Statesmen representing thinking and reasoning and that they should rise beyond partisanship, explaining that politics has nothing to do with the division but rather unity.



It will be recalled that the Minority Chief Whip, Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, bemoaned extreme partisanship in Parliament on July 12, 2017, edition of Starr Chat, warning the country risks having a democracy that will be useless.



According to him, for the countrys law-making chamber to meet the international standard it is incumbent on legislators from both sides of the House to be nationalistic in their attitude.



He told Starr Chat host Bola Ray then that we have a huge responsibility as a country to be able to grow our democracy beyond elections. If we dont get those two things fixed our democracy will just be reduced to mere elections.



If we dont [change the current situation] we risk having a democracy that will be useless. Because believe me, all the issues that we are talking about that our institutions are weak, there is corruption, there is this, there is that  it is because parliament is weak.

Source: StarrFmonline









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Speaker of Parliament Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye should allow the Minority to express their views on parliamentary matters, Executive Director at the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr Rasheed Draman, has said.



Dr Draman was of the view that even though the smaller Minority cannot have decisions on matters in their favour because of the larger Majority, they should be given the chance to express their opinions on issues.



All they [Minority] want is to simply have their say, they will not have their way particularly given the numbers that we currently have and whatever it is, I think the Rt Hon Speaker should give the minority the space to have their say in all deliberations in the house, he told Class News' Jonas Ofori-Yeboah on 505 on Thursday, 27 July 2o17.



His comment comes in the wake of threats by the Minority who are considering taking steps to impeach the Speaker of the house over claims Prof Oquaye is biased against them.



Ranking Member of the Communications Committee of the house, ABA Fuseini, told Class News parliamentary correspondent Ekow Annan that: For want of a better term, the Speaker has exhibited gross levels of bias that is unbelievable. In the annals of the history of parliament, I have never seen this kind of behaviour. There is always reverence and respect for the leadership and when it comes to the leadership there is a special dispensation Speakers give to the leadership and this is not the first time the Speaker has treated our side with this level of disrespect and I think that we are reaching the end of the rope with that kind of behaviour.



We are going to be forced to take maybe an unprecedented action that has never happened in the annals of our fourth republic. We are very close and there are a number of options available to us as Minority to exploit including the impeachment of the Speaker.  [Impeachment] is an option available to us to exercise and when we deem it fit, we are going to exercise it if things dont change, Mr Fuseini added.



However, Dr Draman said the recurrent situation where accusations of bias are levelled against a speaker of parliament is bad and needs to be handled tactfully to end such circumstances since it does not augur well for the countrys democratic status.



It will be recalled that the current Majority who were Minority in the immediate past 6th session of parliament also accused the then Speaker of Parliament Edward Doe Adjaho of partiality.



Dr Draman emphasised that if the minority decides to boycott parliament as they have threatened, and do not participate in parliamentary deliberations, perhaps we are just going to have a one-sided house and that is not good for the image of our country and for the image of our democracy.

Source: classfmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A Brisbane couple who allegedly kept a 42-year-old Fijian woman as their slave for eight whole years were due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court today charged with trafficking a person, causing a person to remain in servitude, and allowing an unlawful non-citizen to work.

The Australian Federal Police allege that the woman was taken from Fiji to Australia for the purposes of domestic servitude.

Police raided the couples home in The Gap, in west Brisbane on July 19. The couple were arrested and charged, but made bail.

Todays court hearing comes after a lengthy investigation, spurred on by info from the Salvation Army passed on to police in August 2016.

AFP Victim Based Crime Commander Lesa Gale said the investigation shone a light on the issue of human trafficking:

There are people in our community who are being exploited today and the Australian community needs to be aware human trafficking can happen anywhere. We want victims to know that there is a way out of these terrible situations for them, and that we can help.

While AFP State Manager Queensland Commander Sharon Cowden was proud of the work of her staff:

I commend the work of our AFP officers who continue to investigate these complex crimes. This result demonstrates the dedication and hard work of our officers in protecting vulnerable members of our community.
Billy Bland Shorten will be taking Aussies to the polls over the issue of an Australian republic if the Labor party win the next election. At least thats what hell apparently be saying at tomorrow nights Australian Republic Movement gala dinner in Melbourne.

Labor would hold a simple Yes/No vote on whether the public wants an Aussie head of state. If the answer is yes, Labor would come up with a model for how to appoint or elect the new head of state. A referendum would then be held to vote on that model:

By the end of our first term we will put a simple, straightforward question to the people of Australia: Do you support an Australian Republic with an Australian head of state? If the yes vote prevails  and Im optimistic it will  then we can consider how that head of state is chosen.

For such a referendum to pass, voters need to vote Yes in a majority of states, and as a majority across the country.

Australia ought to extricate itself from the Commonwealth, not least because the Queen  via her representative the Governor-General  as our head of state still has to approve every law, election and appointment made by the government. While unlikely, under the current arrangement, another A quick explainer: many, many people reckonought to extricate itself from the, not least because the via her representative the as our head of state still has to approve every law, election and appointment made by the government. While unlikely, under the current arrangement, another Dismissal could theoretically happen.

We last voted in a referendum on the republic in 1999, with our PM Malcolm Turnbull at the helm of the Australian Republican Movement. The result was 45% Yes to 55% No.

Our Mal met with Liz for the first time earlier this month and said an absurd thing: Even Republicans like myself can be, and in my case are, very strong Elizabethans as well.

While he still personally supports an Australian republic, he told members of the Australian Republican Movement at the end of last year, that he thinks it might be worth sitting on it until the Queen passes away.

Shortens plan would effectively do away with the problem that mired the last campaign: exactly how the nation would choose its new head of state. Some people voted No because they did not think that the new head of state should be be appointed by Parliament. The referendum question in 99 explicitly stated that the new president would be appointed by a two-thirds vote in parliament, rather than elected by the public.

Shortens speech reads:

We cannot risk being caught in a referendum like the last one, where Australians were given one vote to settle two questions. When a lot of people voted No, because of the model, not because of the republic.

The first, clear question we ask the people should be whether we want an Australian head of state.





And an Australian republic doesnt mean totally excising ourselves from the Commonwealth:

We can vote for a republic and recognise that Will and Kate have two seriously cute kids. We can vote for a republic and still binge watch The Crown on Netflix. And we can vote for a republic without derailing the business of government, or the priorities of this nation.





Photo: WPA Pool / Getty.
It's not a bunch of malarkey -- former vice president Joe Biden is touring the country this fall.

Biden is traveling across the United States as part of a tour promoting his new memoir "Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship and Purpose." On the tour he'll be stopping in North Carolina, New York, Tennessee, Oregon, Colorado and, of course Pennsylvania.

His book tour, called the American Promise Tour, will be at the Academy of Music (240 S. Broad St.) in Philadelphia at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 15. It's his only stop in the keystone state.

During each stop, Biden will talk about his political career and the parts of his personality that allowed him to keep going when times got tough. He'll also talk about losing his son Beau to brain cancer.

In fact, the title of the book derives from a conversation he had with his late son in 2014, six months before he died.

"Promise me, Dad," Beau Biden told his father. "Give me your word that no matter what happens, you're going to be all right."

The memoir, which provides an in-depth look at the elder Biden's life in 2015, will be published on Nov. 14.

Tickets for Biden's Philadelphia appearance are currently available for purchase online at kimmelcenter.org or by calling 215-893-1999. Tickets range from $45 to $125 and include a copy of Biden's book "Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship and Purpose." VIP tickets are available for $250 and include a meet and greet and photo chance with Biden, a signed copy of his book and a reserved seat.

Biden has been no stranger to Philadelphia in the years since leaving the White House. He spoke at the opening of the Museum of the American Revolution in April this year, remarking about how "politics has become too negative." Biden has numerous positions linked to the area as well, he's the chair of the National Constitution Center and leads the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement at University of Pennsylvania.

For more information on Biden's American Promise Tour (and to purchase tickets) visit kimmelcenter.org.

Want more Philadelphia stories? Click here for all our coverage on the City of Brotherly Love.
If you're a foodie, chances are you already have the dates of Taste America circled on your calendar.

The food tour is the creation of the James Beard Foundation, whose prestigious and coveted awards highlight the best chefs in the country.

The Taste America tour comes to Philadelphia on Oct. 13 and Oct. 14.

Each stop on the tour includes a benefit dinner with local chefs and a four-course menu on the Friday night. The next day there are free events at Sur La Table which include appearances by all-star chefs, tastings, book signings and cooking demonstrations. The all-star chef who will be present in Philadelphia is Marc Murphy of "Chopped" fame and Scott Anderson of acclaimed restaurant Mistral.

The Philadelphia benefit dinner on Oct. 13 will be held at the Museum of the American Revolution starting at 5 p.m. with a VIP reception, followed by a regular cocktail and tasting reception an hour later and dinner after that. The dinner includes live and silent auctions.

There will also be an after party at Aqimero at the Ritz-Carlton in Philadelphia.

The menu for dinner will be created by Murphy, Greg Vernick of Vernick Food and Drink, Pat O'Malley of The Hungry Pigeon and Jean-Marie Lacroix of Brulee Catering. The tastings during the reception will be crafted by Anderson, Camille Cogswell of Zahav, Nicholas Elmi of Laurel, Nate Horwits of Morimoto and Richard Landau of Vedge. Those attending the VIP reception will be treated to food by Guillermo Pernot of Cuba Libre.

And the after party? That'll be hosted by restaurateur Richard Sandoval.

Tickets for the event begin at $300 for the dinner (which also includes a gift bag). VIP tickets begin at $450 and also include valet parking. After party tickets are $50. To purchase tickets visit jamesbeard.org.

Murphy will be giving a cooking demonstration at 10 a.m. on Oct. 14 at Sur La Table at the King of Prussia Mall (690 W. Dekalb Pike, Suite 2068, Upper Merion Township). Following his demonstration Murphy will be signing books. The event is free, but reservations are encouraged. You can nab yours starting on Sept. 29.

Anderson's cooking demo will be at the same location and on the same day, but at noon instead. Again, reservations are encouraged.

Other cities on the Taste America tour include Los Angeles, Austin, Kansas City, San Francisco and Seattle. For more information about the tour visit jamesbeard.org.

Want more stories about Philly? Click here for all our coverage of the City of Brotherly Love. You may also enjoy these articles:
A private analyst who closely watches North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs says that if reports about the country's second intercontinental ballistic missile launch are accurate, the projectile would be powerful enough to reach a wide swath of the United States.



North Korea launched the missile at a steep trajectory late Friday night. Japanese officials said it flew about five minutes longer than the North's first ICBM, launched July 4.



David Wright, a physicist and co-director of the global security program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said in Washington on Friday that if reports of the missile's maximum altitude and flight time are correct, it would have a theoretical range of at least 10,400 kilometers (about 6,500 miles). That means it could have reached Los Angeles, Denver and Chicago.

The missile North Korea launched Friday flew longer and higher than its first ICBM launched earlier this month, officials said.

"We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile, as had been expected," Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said in Washington.

The missile was launched on very high trajectory, which limited the distance it traveled, and landed west of Japan's island of Hokkaido.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called it a "serious and real threat" to the country's security. North Korea's development of ICBM technology is a major step toward its goal of developing nuclear-armed missiles capable of reaching as far as the United States.

Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the missile, launched late Friday night, flew for about 45 minutes -- about five minutes longer than the ICBM North Korea test-fired on July 4. He said Japan has lodged a strong protest with North Korea.

"North Korea's repeated provocative acts absolutely cannot be accepted," he said.

Prime Minister Abe said Japan would cooperate closely with the U.S., South Korea and other nations to step up pressure on North Korea to halt its missile programs.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile reached an estimated height of 3,700 kilometers (2,300 miles) before landing at sea about 1,000 kilometers (625 miles) away. It appeared to be more advanced than the ICBM North Korea previously launched, it said.

The "Hwasong 14" ICBM test-fired earlier this month was also launched at a very steep angle, a technique called lofting, and reached a height of more than 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles) before splashing down in the ocean 930 kilometers (580 miles) away. Analysts said that missile could be capable of reaching most of Alaska or possibly Hawaii if fired in an attacking trajectory.

Jeffrey Lewis, a missile and nonproliferation expert with the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, said in tweet that early data from Friday's test suggest a missile with a range of about 10,000 kilometers (6,250 miles) that would be capable of reaching targets deep into the United States mainland.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile was launched from North Korea's northern Jagang province near the border with China. President Moon Jae-in presided over an emergency meeting of the National Security Council, which called for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council and stronger sanctions on North Korea.

There was no immediate confirmation of the launch by North Korea. The day's broadcast on state-run television had already ended when the news broke at around midnight Pyongyang time.

July 27 is a major national holiday in North Korea called Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War Day, marking the day when the armistice was signed ending the 1950-53 Korean War. That armistice is yet to be replaced with a peace treaty, leaving the Korean Peninsula technically in a state of war.

North Korea generally waits hours or sometimes a day or more before announcing launches, often with a raft of photos in the ruling party newspaper or on the television news. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is usually shown at the site to observe and supervise major launches.

Late night launches are rare. North Korea usually conducts its missile and underground nuclear tests in the morning. It's likely the North launched the missile at night and from the remote province of Jagang to demonstrate its operational versatility. To have a real deterrent, it's important for North Korea to prove it can launch whenever and wherever it chooses, making it harder for foreign military observers trying to detect their activities ahead of time.
WASHINGTON -- The Marine Corps has grounded its entire KC-130T fleet of cargo planes, the same type of aircraft that crashed earlier this month in western Mississippi, killing all 16 aboard and marking the deadliest aviation accident for the Marines in more than a decade.

"Out of an abundance of caution, the Marine Corps took the prudent action not to fly our KC-130T aircraft in the wake of the mishap on July 10 until further notice," said 2nd Lt. Stephanie L. Leguizamon, a Marine spokeswoman, in an email.

Defense News was first to report on the grounding.

The move to ground the 12 aircraft fleet, operated entirely by the Marine Corps' reserve component, comes as investigators are still trying to piece together what exactly happened that day. The C-130 family of aircraft is known throughout the world as a Cold War-era workhorse and one of the sturdiest aircraft in the U.S. inventory, so the fact that one appeared to break apart at cruise altitude with little warning or radio call has baffled those in the Marine Corps aviation community.

One pilot with knowledge of the crash, who asked for anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said that the aircraft had snapped into two parts just in front of the wings, though he did not know the cause.

The aircraft that crashed on July 10 was from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 452 with the call sign Yankee 72. It was flying from an airfield in North Carolina to Yuma, Ariz., to transport six Marines and one sailor from the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, a Special Operations unit, when it went down. Aboard was the team's ammunition and supplies, prompting bomb disposal technicians to respond to the two distinct crash sites near the town of Itta Bena, Miss.

People on the ground told local news stations and the Associated Press that they heard a series of booms before looking up and seeing the four-engine plane spiral out of the sky.

The KC-130T is primarily used for cargo and refueling, and is one of the oldest versions of the KC-130 line.
Thousands of tourists who spent the winter dreaming of summer vacation on the Outer Banks now face an abrupt end to their trip and what could be a chaotic ride back to the mainland after a construction company cut an electrical wire, causing a power outage.

Officials, concerned about people's safety, have ordered a mandatory evacuation for an estimated 10,000 visitors on Ocracoke Island by noon Friday. Meanwhile, Gov. Roy Cooper issued a state of emergency for Ocracoke and Hatteras islands Thursday night.

Hatteras Lighthouse without light pic.twitter.com/faZf7SKDJR  Katherine Hafner (@khafner15) July 28, 2017

According to the Virginian Pilot: Officials are working on providing temporary relief in the form of generators and cooling stations and other measures.

The outage comes during peak tourist season, which runs from mid-June through Labor Day.

People began leaving Ocracoke Island late Thursday.

.@NC_Governor Roy Cooper signs State of Emergency due to major power outage on Hatteras Island & Ocracoke Island https://t.co/3VPY6DAU0p  NC Emergency Managem (@NCEmergency) July 27, 2017

Northeast of Ocracoke in the town of Rodanthe, Coleen Gauker says people keep coming into Island Convenience store asking for something cold. And she says the answer is no.

The food that is available is in the deli-cafe located in the back of the store, where Aaron Howe and Dolly Gray worked with flashlights to make sausage biscuits on a gas stove.

"It's the only location in town where you can get a bite," Howe told the newspaper. "It might take a while but we'll get it done."

But it's cash only with the registers down.

Gas stations on Ocracoke were selling the last of their supply Thursday night, and ice cream was selling for half price at the Slushy Stand as people tried to keep cool.

Will the blackout keep you from vacationing in the Outer Banks? It depends. https://t.co/knwCi2QDUe  The Virginian-Pilot (@virginianpilot) July 28, 2017

"Believe me, it was a little toasty last night," Andrea Wayda of New Jersey told the Pilot Friday morning before she and Patrick Jobe left on a ferry. The two stayed in a cabana with a pool during their visit.

Erica Plouffe Lazure was visiting Ocracoke from Exeter, New Hampshire, with a friend, but had to cut her trip short and head north to Elizabeth City. She said two restaurants on Ocracoke were using generators to stay open, but the motel she booked for her stay closed after its generator exploded minutes after it was started.

"There's a lot of hot, sweaty people here," Lazure said, adding that she tried to book a motel farther up the North Carolina coast, only to find they were either sold out or asking as much as $500 a night.

Once off the island, tourists may face a slow, crowded ride as they maneuver N.C. Highway 12. The two-lane road is the only north-south roadway along the Outer Banks.

The power went out about 4:30 a.m. Thursday. Officials said about 9,000 customers are without power on the two islands -- about 7,700 on Hatteras and another 1,300 on Ocracoke.

The Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative said in a news release Thursday that PCL Construction told the utility it had driven a steel casing into an electric transmission cable while working on the new Bonner Bridge on the state's coast, inadvertently cutting off power to Ocracoke and Hatteras islands.

Power outage on two Outer Banks islands could last days, or possibly weeks https://t.co/c2ECnKJgT9  WTVR CBS 6 Richmond (@CBS6) July 28, 2017

The North Carolina Department of Transportation's Ferry Division said priority boarding is suspended for all vehicles leaving Ocracoke. Tolls will be waived for ferry trips between Ocracoke and Cedar Island or Swan Quarter.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks to reporters at the Capitol as the Republican-controlled Senate unable to fulfill their political promise to repeal and replace "Obamacare" because of opposition and wavering within the GOP ranks, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, July 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
The pandemic brought a technological revolution to schools. Is that a good thing?

Regardless of the path, by necessity, most educators agree the pandemic electrified the use of technology in the classroom.
Venezuela heads for point of no return, U.S. orders diplomats' families to leave NYT/Meredith Kohut



Signs of initial stirrings of an urban guerrilla movement. The U.S. has been urging Maduro to cancel the vote vote that would allow him to rewrite the constitution.

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON

Petroleumworld 07 28 2017 Venezuela is barreling toward a point of no return. Despite food shortages and increasingly violent protests, President Nicolas Maduro is closing in on a vote that would allow him to rewrite the constitution and effectively end 59 years of modern democracy. Barring a last-minute compromise, voters on Sunday will select 545 delegates -- including students, pensioners and workers -- for a constitutional convention. The opposition has boycotted the proceedings, essentially guaranteeing Maduro control. The so-called constituyente has no set term and supersedes the national assembly, which has been a bulwark against Maduro's autocratic government. With the country roiled by a strike and state media bombarding voters with propaganda, the U.S. sanctioned 13 officials yesterday, including the interior minister, and threatened more punitive measures. Some analysts contend that the constituyente is a negotiating tactic, while others say Maduro will use the body to delay indefinitely elections he can't win . That raises the specter of a Cuba-style regime ruling OPEC's sixth-largest crude producer at the very heart of the Americas. Story by Vivianne Rodrigues and Andrew J Barden from Bloomberg. U.S. Orders diplomats' families to leave Venezuelan capital The United States is ordering relatives of American diplomats to leave the Venezuelan capital ahead of a polarizing vote planned for Sunday to start rewriting the country's constitution. The State Department says it's also allowing U.S. government workers to depart the embassy in Caracas and limiting the movement of those who stay. An updated travel warning also urges American citizens not to travel to Venezuela due to social unrest and violence. The ordered departure comes three days before President Nicolas Maduro's government plans to hold a vote for an assembly tasked with overhauling the country's charter. Maduro's opposition says the election rules are rigged to strengthen his hold on power. The U.S. has been urging Maduro to cancel the vote and threatening more U.S. sanctions if occurs. Story by Josh Lederman from Associated Press (AP)



First story by Vivianne Rodrigues and Andrew J Barden of Bloomberg; 2do story by Josh Lederman from Associated Press (AP) .



bloomberg .com / AP 07 27 2017

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ExxonMobil new oil find in Guyana on Venezuela's disputed territorial waters





Venezuela potential area of contention Guyana. Venezuelan government has always claimed the land west of the Essequibo River and also the offshore areas with their area limits.





CARACAS

Petroleumworld 07 28 2017

On Tuesday, U.S. oil leading corporation ExxonMobil announced that more oil has been discovered offshore Guyana. The new finding is located in Payara reservoir of the in the Stabroek Block, within the Venezuela's territorial reclamation zone.

The new discovery brings the total oil reserves, estimated gross recoverable resource to between 2.25 billion oil-equivalent (boe) and 2.75 billion boe, according to the ExxonMobil press release.



Payara-2 confirms the second giant field discovered in Guyana, said Steve Greenlee, the president of Texas-based ExxonMobil Exploration Company.

The well was successfully drilled by ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited and encountered 59 feet (18 meters) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone in the Payara field.

It was safely drilled to 19,068 feet (5,812 meters) in approximately 7,000 feet (2,135 meters) of water. The well is only 12 miles (20 kilometers) northwest of the recently funded Liza phase 1 project on the Stabroek Block, which is approximately 130 miles offshore Guyana.

Payara, Liza and the adjacent satellite discoveries at Snoek and Liza Deep will provide the foundation for world class oil developments and deliver substantial benefits to Guyana. We are committed to continue to evaluate the full potential of the Stabroek Block. said Greenlee.



Venezuela and Guyana are locked in a battle over territorial land and waters that could put the development the Payara 's offshore hydrocarbons discovery in jeopardy and slow down its development.

Trouble in the dispute territorial waters

According to history, the Venezuela - Guyana dispute that dates back to the early 19th century. In 1835 the British Empire sent a German-born naturalist and explorer Robert Herman Schomburgk to conduct geographical research in British Guyana. In the course of his explorations he produced a map between Venezuela and British Guyana. The British government then commissioned Schomburgk to demarcate the territorial boundaries. This Schomburgk Line led to Venezuela protesting British encroachment on their territory, provoking the territorial dispute that has remained unresolved to this day. In 1850, after years of arguing over the territorial boundaries, both sides agreed not to occupy the disputed territory. Despite the agreement, the British Guyana Mining Company move into the territory to mine the gold deposits discovered in the zone. In 1897, Britain and Venezuela when in to an arbitration process, the Arbitration Tribunal delivered its award 1999, granting Britain control over the disputed land west of the Essequibo River (around 90% of the territory in dispute) in 1949, when a memo from Mallet-Prevost, one of the American arbitrators on the Tribunal, was made public posthumously. In the memorandum he said that the American arbitrators had been pressured to agree to the final deal by the Russian President of the Tribunal. In 1962 the Venezuelan government declared the 1899 agreement null and void and revived their claim for all of Guyana west of the Essequibo River. (peacepalacelibrary.nl).

On February 17, 1966, just before Guyana became an independent country, Britain and Venezuela Both agreed to an amicable resolution to the controversy and established a mixed commission within the Geneva Agreement 1966, to seek a solution. In the event that all bilateral efforts should fail to reach results, the Agreement gave the UN Secretary General the role of assisting the parties decide which of the methods for resolution contemplated in the UN charter should be used. In in 1970, Guyana as an independent country, revised the agreement situation and as a result signed the Port of Spain Protocol that essentially called for a 12 year postponement of any action on the dispute. Venezuela declined to renew the 12-year moratorium agreed in the Protocol of Port of Spain, coming in effect again the provisions of the Geneva Convention of 1966. Subsequently, the UN Secretary General in 1990 appointed a good officer in charge of assisting the parties in choosing a means to settle the dispute, formally the reclamation stands today in the hands of the " good officer".



In 1999, Guyana gave ExxonMobil rights for the Stabroek block within the dispute territorial waters. In 2013, a exploration ship of U.S.-based Anadarko was detained by a Venezuelan warship within the dispute territorial waters. In March 2015, ExxonMobil hired a ship, the Deepwater Champion, to begin a drilling campaign, and in May of that year it announced the fist oil discovery, estimated in as much as 1.4 billion barrels of crude, according to the company.

Venezuela's new president Nicolas Maduro reacted to Exxon's discovery oil in Guyanese waters claimed by Venezuela saying it was all part of a brutal campaign against Venezuela, financed by ExxonMobil." as reported in the media.

ExxonMobil moves ahead

Despite the issue with the venezuelan navy and Anadarko, Tillerson's ExxonMobil went ahead anyway.



Even do the new well in the Payara Reservoir is within the maritime boundary zone in claim by Venezuela as a venezuelan territory and of which there is an agreement signed between the two countries where they undertake not to exercise any prospecting or exploitation of natural resources while it lasts the treaty.

ExxonMobil President ExxonMobil at that moment, Rex Tillerson, now U.S. Secretary of State, said that the oil company was exploiting resources within the disputed territory under the authorization of Guyana, who had been in 2004 authorized by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to be explored in claim territory.



According to an article by Orlando Viera-Blanco, in the Venezuelan newspaper El Universal, as reported by Petroleumworld . Chavez, who when to Guyana's capital Georgetown on an official visit, announced on the visit that Venezuela would no longer oppose foreign investment in the area in claim, despite being prohibited. However, in 2015, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro decrees an extension of Venezuelan territory in Operational Areas of Integral Defense that includes the maritime territory of the Essequibo (Decree 1787 of 05/26/2015 GO 40.669, extended by Decree 1,850, approved By the AN 06/07/15).



The biggest oil find

To put this in perspective, this is the equivalent of 1,400 Gulf of Mexico blocks, Tillerson said. Exxon says the 3-D seismic survey that it conducted on the lease was the biggest in company history, NYT reported.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometers). Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator and holds 45 percent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent interest and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest.

Payara, Liza and the adjacent satellite discoveries at Snoek and Liza Deep will provide the foundation for world class oil developments and deliver substantial benefits to Guyana. We are committed to continue to evaluate the full potential of the Stabroek Block. according to ExxonMobil press release.









Story by Elio Ohep, editor@petroleuworld.com



petroleumworld.com / 07 28 2017
The U.S. Attorneys Office said the conduct by the four companies ended in 2012. Read more

Four wine and liquor dealers, including one in Montgomery County, have agreed to pay penalties totaling $9 million to avoid prosecution for giving gifts to officials of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

The non-prosecution agreements were announced Thursday in Harrisburg by U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the federal prosecutor for central Pennsylvania.

Brandler said the agreements were based on the cooperation of the four liquor vendors and their employees, implementing internal compliance policies, and refraining from similar conduct in the future.

The companies are:

Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits of Pennsylvania, a subsidiary of Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits of Miami. Southern will pay $5 million for employees who provided cash, trips, tickets to shows and sporting events, and other gifts to LCB officials from 2000 to 2012.

White Rock Distilleries Inc., formerly of Lewiston, Maine, and now in Londonderry, N.H. The company will pay $2 million for cash, gifts, and trips to LCB officials from 2000 to 2011.

Breakthru Beverage Pennsylvania, formerly Capital Wine & Spirits, of New York City. The company will pay $2 million for conduct between 2007 and 2012.

Pio Imports of North Wales, Montgomery County. Pio will pay $200,000 for providing gift cards to LCB officials between 2007 and 2012.

Pio, which is owned and operated by the third generation of the Pio family, released a statement through its attorney, Francis X. O'Brien, noting that under the nonprosecution agreement "Pio Imports does not acknowledge criminal liability. [Pio] has agreed to the payment of a fine, and will work with authorities to ensure the PLCB can continue to serve consumers in a manner consistent with good government."

According to Brandler, the conduct of the four companies ended in 2012 when the state Inspector General's Office reported to then-Gov. Tom Corbett and the Ethics Commission that three LCB officials had accepted gifts and favors from vendors and other businesses with an interest in liquor. The LCB, which regulates the sale of alcoholic beverages in the state, is also the official wholesaler of alcoholic beverages to restaurants, bars, and other retail businesses.

After the Justice Department's announcement, LCB Chairman Tim Holden and board members Mike Negra and Michael Newsome issued a statement Thursday saying that the LCB "has been fully cooperative with the U.S. attorney's investigations over the last two years, and these companies' admissions of unethical behavior occurring from 2000 to 2012 are a matter the PLCB is taking very seriously. 

"Following investigations into former PLCB employees who violated state ethics standards, in 2014 the PLCB clarified and reissued its employee code of conduct, and developed a new and separate code of conduct for wine and spirits vendors. Although we already had one of the strictest employee conduct codes in Pennsylvania state government, the unethical actions of a few cast a temporary shadow over the agency. As a result, the PLCB has embraced the opportunity to regularly remind employees of their ethical obligations and foster a culture of awareness and the highest standards of integrity among its employees and suppliers.

"The board is disappointed at the action of all parties involved, who violated the trust of the agency and Pennsylvanians."

The LCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates more than 600 wine and spirits stores statewide, and licenses 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers.

In 2014, the Ethics Commission determined that gifts totaling $23,000 had been accepted by the LCB's former chairman, Patrick J. Stapleton III; former CEO Joseph Conti; and former marketing director James H. Short Jr.

The commission ordered all three to reimburse the state for the gifts; all three resigned.

In September 2015, Short pleaded guilty to a federal charge of honest services fraud before a federal judge in the Middle District. No date has been set for Short's sentencing.
The JC Penney at Philadelphia Mills Mall is down to is final days with steep markdowns. Read more

James Traber's shopping options are shrinking and that will only deepen Monday, when three Philadelphia-area JCPenney stores close for good.

"It's sad. I've come here for years," Traber said this week at the Penneys at Philadelphia Mills in the Northeast. "All the Kmarts in the area closed; all the Sears are closing; and now all the JCPenneys are closing.

"I'm running out of places to shop," said the engineer, 41. "It seems the only thing that's going to be left open is the Walmart."

The other area Penneys stores to go dark at the close of business Monday are at King of Prussia and Willow Grove Park Malls. The three closures combined will affect about 5,000 positions.

Liquidation began April 17, and all three have been holding closeout sales of 80 percent to 90 percent off for the last few weeks.

All that was left at the Penneys at Philadelphia Mills this week were a few racks of men's and women's clothing, and some fixtures and furniture. What wasn't for sale and likely heading for another Penneys was cordoned off by yellow tape.

"I do a lot of shopping online," Traber said as he walked around. "I love it. It's just that I want to take a look at the clothes and try them on before purchasing them, because they never look the way they do online."

But it's mainly online shopping that's putting the department store out of business.

J.C. Penney Co. on March 17 identified 138 stores to close, part of a companywide downsizing to get rid of poor performers. In January, Macy's Inc. made a similar move and targeted 68 stores to close in 2017 on top of the 39 it shuttered last year.

Sears Holdings Corp. has closed thousands of stores, and last month announced 17 more Sears and 49 additional Kmarts will close. Among them were a half-dozen Sears and Kmart stores in the region.

"It became apparent to us that our footprint was too large," Penneys chief executive officer Marvin Ellison told investors during a February earnings call. He said the company would invest in its remaining stores.

Madeline Hurley, retail analyst at IBISWorld, said Penneys now has a 6.9 percent share of the shrinking department store market.

"Both JCPenney and the department store industry as a whole have struggled to compete amidst online competition and declining mall foot traffic," she said. "Although the store closings do not mean it is the end for the company, it certainly does not bode well for JCPenney's future."

The Penneys at Philadelphia Mills occupies 6.3 percent of the space at the 1.6 million-square-foot mall on a lease that runs through February 2022.

Simon Property Group, which also owns King of Prussia Mall, invested $30 million in renovating the mall formerly known as Franklin Mills. The renovation was completed last year after Simon added outlet stores and restaurants to broaden its appeal.

Simon declined comment on its plans to replace the Penneys at both malls.

But losing a mall anchor "can ignite a downward spiral in revenue and sales," wrote Steve Jellinek, vice president at Morningstar Credit Ratings LLC, in a March 22 analysis. "Customer traffic at the property may be substantially reduced."

Willow Grove Park is owned by Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT). Spokeswoman Heather Crowell said PREIT was working on finding a replacement tenant for the Penneys store. She described Willow Grove as "one of the best performers in the company's portfolio," generating sales of $650 per square foot.

Still, Penneys loyalist Jason Rietheimer, 26, a home maintenance worker from Royersford, Montgomery County, was lamenting the loss of one of his favorite go-to stores for shirts.

"All the other stores were overpriced. I could get really nice Nike shirts for $10.99 to $15 each, and sometimes a two-for-$25 special here," said Rietheimer at the KOP store on Thursday, leafing through the sparse men's racks.

The entire second floor, once filled with appliances and electronics, was all but emptied out, while the first-floor entrance to the mall from inside the store was closed off.

The end, as the signs suggested, was just days away.
Vanguard Group received final approval this month for an application to construct two buildings in East Whiteland Township as the company continues its rapid expansion, according to a Vanguard representative and a township official.

The company is in the early planning stages for the first building, which will be adjacent to two existing structures on an 84-acre site beside its sprawling Chester County headquarters in Tredyffrin. The "Malvern West" site is at Route 30 and 209, just off Route 202, said Arianna Stefanoni Sherlock, head of Vanguard's corporate public relations.

The approval comes as the investment company, whose main base of operations is in Malvern, has named a new CEO, Mortimer "Tim" Buckley, a Vanguard veteran who will take over as chief executive from William McNabb at the end of the year.

Vanguard has also recently created an Innovation Studio at 2300 Chestnut St. for up to 100 software professionals, seeking to burnish its information technology cred amid the city's growing tech scene. Vanguard is returning to Center City after having been gone for two decades in a cost-cutting move.

In stark contrast to cutbacks, Vanguard has emerged as a burgeoning financial powerhouse with customer assets quadrupling since 2008. Assets now total about $4.4 trillion, fueled by wider acceptance of Vanguard's signature index funds and a steadily rising stock market. Sherlock said that Vanguard currently has 15,000 workers and that existing buildings are fully occupied.

With more hires on the way, more space is needed, Sherlock said.

In June, Vanguard representatives presented initial plans to the zoning board while requesting variances for the construction, said East Whiteland's zoning officer, Steve Brown.

The board issued final approval Monday, granting variances for parking requirements, restrictions for building heights, and construction on a steep incline. It also granted the company's request to extend the application expiration date from six months to two years.

Brown said Vanguard indicated it wanted to start on the first building immediately, and the second at a later time, with the entire project totaling 420,000 square feet.

The company still has to present building plans, which will require additional approvals, including a review by the township's engineer, Brown said.

Paul Begin, Vanguard's head of global corporate real estate and facilities management, spoke at a Philadelphia Business Journal event for real estate agents on Thursday, announcing that the new structure will be between 180,000 and 240,000 square feet. The story was first reported by the Business Journal.

The plans still must be approved by Vanguard's board of directors, Begin said. The application submitted in June outlines construction on the 87 acres Vanguard bought from Pfizer several years ago when that company was consolidating properties.
Young girls take part in a vigil at San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio for victims who died as a result of being transported in a tractor-trailer. Read more

Whenever I write about immigration, I prepare to please absolutely no one, least of all myself. My personal curse is that I am a conservative who understands the feelings of people who are fed up with the broken immigration system and who do not want to see our borders become irrelevant. This has always been a keystone of the conservative platform: sovereignty, order, states rights. I get it.

But I am an immigration lawyer, as you know, if you've ever read anything I've written, and I also understand the feelings of immigrants who have paid in blood, sweat, tears and sometimes even actual currency to become legal in this country. Many of them have already contributed mightily to this society, albeit through back channels and from the depths of restaurant kitchens, sweltering construction sites or dingy offices.

So I see both sides, and I try to be fair when I look at the competing interests of pro- and anti-immigration constituencies. I also don't like the people who separate out the "legal" from the "illegal," because it's a bit too simplistic to tell someone to get in line and do it the right way when there are no lines. The person here illegally today will, under our current system, likely have to wait over a decade before becoming the legal resident of tomorrow.

And the conservatives really don't care about that, just as the progressive immigration advocates think anyone who has a problem with loosening the restrictions on our laws and regulations (and de facto quotas) is a bigot.

So as I was saying, it's a recipe for disaster and really spicy comments at the end of the article when I choose to write about immigration.

But I couldn't avoid the topic this week. The deaths of 12 people in Texas, victims of a botched human trafficking expedition, force me to confront the screwed-up way we deal with foreigners who want to come to this country and live, work and flourish. Anyone who thinks that men and women will cram themselves into an airless truck, along with their babies, for hundreds of sweltering miles, only to end up dead or dying because they want to bring mayhem to this country should probably stop reading now. You're on an entirely different, cruel wavelength. Go read the comics section.

Those people came here the way that they did because there were few other options. There are no laws that allow people who are starving or fleeing persecution from the other side of the border to come here freely, honestly and with dignity. You have to take your chances, and, believe me, if your child is starving or your brother was just killed by gang members from Mara Salvatrucha, you don't care about dignity. You just come.

We need to fix our system, so that the tragedies that occurred last week don't repeat themselves. Unfortunately, instead of fixing the problem, our legislators put their heads in the sand and our executive decides to go after the low-hanging fruit.

Worse, we have people who think these people who came in illegally deserve what happened to them. I call it the "Elian's Mama" syndrome. You remember her, don't you? She was the mother of that little Cuban boy who risked her life so he could have a better life. At the time, even in the wake of her death by drowning, people blamed her for putting that child in danger. I was at the beginning of my immigration career, almost 20 years ago, and all I could think was, "How desperate must you be to put your child on a raft and send him into dark waters with the slim chance of survival?"

It's the same thing that motivated those poor people to undertake a journey that ended in death in a Walmart parking lot. Blaming them bespeaks a horrific lack of humanity.

But we do it anyway. We do it when we call them illegals; we do it when we point the finger at them instead of at a system that doesn't allow for a more humane process to vet them at the border; we do it when we don't hold our legislators accountable for closing their eyes to the war at the border or, worse, for providing facile slogans about walls.

We can't have open borders. And we need to tighten our policies to make sure the drug runners and human traffickers keep their poison out of our country. And, no, we shouldn't make policy based on tragedies such as this one.

But instead of worrying about stupid tweets from President Trump and trying to figure out which thin-skinned journalist he's offended this week, instead of jockeying for moral superiority (Democrats) and pie-in-the-sky repeals of laws you'll never erase (GOP) we should demand that our legislators do their job and fix the immigration system.

Now, dammit. We can't afford more bodies in parking lots.
Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.) got out of his sickbed after a brain cancer diagnosis to participate in the Obamacare repeal debate. Read more

My four brothers and I never went to a doctor's office when we were growing up. On those rare occasions when my mother's remedies and treatments didn't produce the results she sought, Dr. Plump was summoned to our housing project apartment in Birmingham, Ala., to examine us, pronounce his diagnosis, and perhaps fill out a prescription.

My father would settle with Dr. Plump directly. There was no Medicaid and Daddy, a truck driver, couldn't afford paying premiums to an insurance company to handle charges owed to a physician for a house call. Neither was a middle-man agency involved when the hospital was paid for maternity care when my mother delivered her five sons.

Doctors' bills and hospital charges apparently were more manageable for poor families in the 1950s. For certain, the bills more accurately reflected the true cost of the medical services provided. There were few of the upcharges so prevalent today, not just to cover the cost of advanced medical technology but also to ensure the profit margins of insurance companies.

Insurance company profits have become excessive, even in a country where it's heresy to place limits on any enterprise's ability to make money. Consider the $2.6 billion in reserves that Horizon Blue Cross-Blue Shield of New Jersey had last year. Gov. Christie tried to get legislation passed allowing him to pilfer $300 million to pay for New Jersey's opioid addiction programs and other needs. His crude attempt to force his will was wrong. But he made a point.

Blue Cross, a not-for-profit company, is required to have a reserve to cover unexpected costs. But the size of the reserve appears unseemly when the insurer is also lavishly paying its executives huge salaries and bonuses while policyholders struggle with high premiums and copayments.

Blue Cross isn't breaking any law, not even the Affordable Care Act, which didn't completely deliver on its promise to check the highhandedness of health insurance companies. But neither is the insurer hurting for money.

The major insurance carriers are thriving despite any losses incurred after Obamacare forced them to cover sicker, poorer patients. That's why their complaints about the ACA weren't as loud as the gripes of Republican members of Congress.

GOP lawmakers were pressing a political agenda that has little to do with helping people gain access to health care. If it were about that, they wouldn't be trying to cut Medicaid funding.

America's health insurance companies have found ways to absorb any Obamacare losses and make even more money. Combined profits for the nation's 10 largest health insurance companies have grown from $8 billion to more than $15 billion since Barack Obama was elected president in 2008.

United Health Care, the nation's largest health insurer, blamed Obamacare for an $850 million loss in earnings last year, but the share price of the insurance company's stock has increased nearly 1,000 percent since the ACA became law in 2010.

During that same period, the Standard and Poor's stock index returned 135 percent on investments but investments in United Health, Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Humana, and Centene collectively returned nearly 300 percent to stockholders, including dividends.

Those stock performances are why Bespoke Investment Group founder Paul Hickey recently questioned whether the nation's health insurers "really need to be rescued by Congress." The rest of America should be raising the same question, instead of accepting as truth the Republican spiel about Obamacare.

The big insurance companies have found ways to protect their bottom lines by diversifying their business, applying clever accounting devices, and taking advantage of Obamacare's expansion of Medicaid.

Most people don't know it, but many states pay private insurers to manage their Medicaid programs. Some insurance firms also handle Medicare accounts. Others earn huge fees managing insurance programs for large companies that are self-insuring their employees.

Even with their strong profits, some insurance companies have either abandoned the ACA exchanges in some states or jacked up premiums for Obamacare policyholders to offset their coverage costs when the ratio of healthy policyholders is overwhelmed by those with expensive health problems.

Before Obamacare, insurance companies could simply declare sick people they didn't want to insure "uninsurable." They saw an opportunity to take advantage of the Republicans' playing politics with Obamacare to dial back some of the ACA's directives.

They wanted to stop insuring people with preexisting conditions and go back to charging older people five to 10 times more for their policies.

But it looks as if they won't get away with it. They got a boost when Sen. John McCain got out of his sickbed following his brain cancer diagnosis to cast a decisive vote allowing the Senate to begin debate of the Republican bill to repeal and replace the ACA. But that was quickly followed by the defeat of three repeal/replace bills, with three Republicans, including McCain, joining Democrats and two independents, to cast a final no Friday.

Because they promised for seven years to kill Obamacare, the Republicans didn't want to give up without passing something. They were being egged on by President Trump, who made the same promise during his election campaign and is blaming them for the effort's failure.

Political considerations are not supposed to be what motivates the men and women elected to protect the public's interest.

The public isn't interested in seeing the number of uninsured Americans grow, or seniors gouged by insurance companies, or people with serious illnesses being labeled "uninsurable."

The public would like limits placed on how much profit an insurance company can hoard if it's not reducing premiums and copays.

Obamacare isn't perfect. Neither was Medicare or Social Security when those massive programs were created. But they didn't have to be killed to improve them, and neither does the ACA. Anyone who says it does is playing politics with people's lives.

(An earlier version of this post incorrectly referred to Independence Blue Cross.)

Harold Jackson (hjackson@phillynews.com ) is editorial page manager for Philadelphia Media Network.
A new report on bullying by workers in Pennsylvania health-care settings found just 44 examples in two years, but it looked only at cases that were documented and could be linked to patient safety.

The new study was prompted by requests to the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority from health-care facilities that were concerned about how to address workplace bullying, said Kelly Gipson, a patient safety liaison and co-author.

Bullying in health facilities is important not only because it's hard on employees but because it can impair patient care, the report said. It makes it harder for employees to work together and may contribute to "low worker morale, absenteeism and high rates of staff turnover."

Susan Wallace, a patient safety analyst at the authority, said poor communication is often a factor when patients are harmed during treatment. "We want there to be open, honest communication because that's what's best for the patient," she said. No one, she said, wants a worker to feel too intimidated to tell a surgeon, " 'Hey, you're operating on the wrong leg,' or maybe, 'We're missing a sponge.' "

Wallace analyzed Patient Safety Reporting System records from July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2016  the state gets about 200,000 safety reports a year  and found 44 that met their definition of bullying. Following the lead of the Workplace Bullying Institute, they looked for instances of repeated, targeted mistreatment involving verbal and nonverbal abuse and sabotage. They searched for keywords like bully and threat because, unlike, say, falls, there is no standard way to report staff intimidation.

Thirty-four cases involved doctors who engaged in verbally abusive behavior. Nurses or technicians were the bullies in the other cases. Twelve events were witnessed by patients. Wallace and Gipson did not know who was being bullied but said safety reports typically come from nurses.

Several examples cited in the report involve employees who were brusque and dismissive when questioned or prompted to adhere to institution standards. A nurse yelled at other nurses after she was asked about documentation. She said, "How dare I question her," a coworker reported. A nurse called a doctor to report a change in vital signs and ask if he wanted a cardiologist to see the patient. He repeatedly called the nurse "incompetent" and said to never call him again or tell him what to do. In a third case, a surgeon insisted on "modifying equipment in a manner that was against hospital policy," even after a nurse brought the violation to the surgeon's attention. "The nurse stated that she was being forced to practice contrary to hospital policy," the report said.

According to the report, the Workplace Bullying Institute estimates that 27 percent of American adults have experienced workplace bullying and an additional 21 percent have witnessed it.

Renee Thompson, a nurse who now works full-time helping health organizations deal with bullying, said there were likely many more cases of bullying than the patient safety authority's study found. "I think that's so under-reported," she said of the 44 cases.

Thompson, who was quoted in the authority's report, conducted many focus groups with nurses while she was working on her doctorate. During that time, she helped her employer create professional development programs. "All the nurses wanted to talk about was how badly the other nurses treated them," she said. Her first impulse was to say that's the way it had always been. Then she decided to make it the focus of her doctoral program and, ultimately, her career. She is now CEO and president of RTConnections LLC in Pittsburgh.

She said many people define bullying too broadly. "People tend to label all bad behavior bullying," she said. A physician who treats nurses with condescension is not necessarily bullying. People under stress might be sharp or nasty with one another, but that's often incivility, not bullying. It is not bullying for a manager to hold an employee accountable.

To qualify as bullying, Thompson said, the behavior needs to be aimed at a specific person, and be harmful and repetitive.

"In every organization, there is some bullying, but really not a lot," she said. "There's a lot of incivility."

She said many health-care managers are ill-equipped to deal with complaints. "I find in general organizations do not have a good process in place to be able to do that," she said.

Thompson said a surprisingly effective response to bullying is to say, "I'm offended by that comment."

Enduring quietly rarely works. "Silence is an agreement," she said. "If you don't say anything, you basically give that person power over you."

In response to the study's findings, the safety authority's staff developed a card-size deescalation tool that health-care workers can keep with their name badges. The tool crystallizes the D.E.S.C. approach to bullying: Describe the behavior, Express how you feel, Suggest alternatives, outline Consequences. A victim, the card suggests, might say, "When you question me in front of a patient, it makes me feel uncomfortable." She could then ask to talk in private, where the conversation would be more productive. "During a private conversation," she could say, "I would feel less embarrassed and could supply more information."
What people want to be called as they get older is just as diverse as, well, people themselves Read more

Seasoned. Chronologically gifted. Senior. Just plain old.

All those words had fans among the readers who responded to my essay on the challenges of describing people over age 65 when some chafe at words that even hint at the possibility that they might be past their prime. What do people in this age group want to be called?

The good news is that a lot of people are feeling good about aging and are just thankful they're around. As one online commenter put it: "All that matters is that I am looking down at the flowers. Call me what you want, such a minor matter."

Sol Mayer, 84, said he and his wife live in a large senior community. "Every night we sit in a lounge with a dozen people, most in their 90s, although you wouldn't know it," he wrote. "You want to know what we call ourselves? Lucky! We know it and believe it and live with the hope that we are all there tomorrow."

I'm not sure anyone solved the problem of what words people who write about this vast, aging group should use. But readers had intriguing ideas about how to divide up and describe the large cohort who are past Medicare age.

I thought Spike Souders, an Ambler native who now lives near Washington, D.C., was on the right track when he suggested dividing our lengthening lifespan into quintiles. He was one of many who thinks old is a perfectly fine word, although he is still too young for it. Here are his suggestions: 0-17, youth; 18 to 35, prime; 36 to 52, mature; 53 to 68, experienced, and 69 to death, old. I'm sure my sons, both in their 20s, would love that "prime" category. But how will we remember whether mature is older or younger than experienced? Still, Souders' categories make some sense to me.

Of course, many of you feel no need for categories. Just use specific ages for individuals, you said. Some suggested using generation names, which works pretty well for the oldest and youngest generations. Baby boomers, though, are in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. Many of you considered 70 to be a pretty good place for starting "old." There was more than one vote for categorizing by decades, which could work as long as you don't need to talk about, say, 75 to 95-year-olds.

Here's what Bonnie Dalzell, who turned 80 this year, suggested: "Refer to those in their 70s as septuagenarians, those in their 80s, octogenarians, those in their 90s, nonagenarians, those who reach 100 or more, centenarians. Those in their 60s will love their 'label'  sexagenarians!" True that, but, selfishly, I don't want to have to spell septuagenarian more than once a year.

There was more humor, of course. Two Facebook friends, who are car guys, suggested "classic" and "vintage." Another said he'd be happy to be addressed as "the venerated." We could go with the British "pensioner," another said, except for the fact that most Americans don't have pensions anymore. "When I get to be over 65, you can refer to me as, 'My Liege,' " online commenter Citizen Watchdog said. Daniel Hussar, a pharmacy professor at University of the Sciences, said he prefers "chronologically gifted." Charlotte Hummel, of Lansdowne, said that, after she turned 60 this year, she started referring to herself as "level 6.0." Next year, she'll be level 6.1.

Seasoned or seasoned citizen had serious supporters. Is it just me, or do you imagine pepper and oregano, too? Senior and older adults are still acceptable terms. Edith Kutcher, a 100-year-old participant and volunteer at KleinLife community center in Philadelphia, says people over 90 should be called "plus." There was one vote each for wizened citizens, grownups, and old heads. Alexis Franklin said she likes to think of the 12 women in her rowing club, ages 61 to 81, as "super veterans." Following writer Ashton Applewhite's lead, Sue Ronnenkamp said she calls people over 80 "olders." Her baby boomer peers are "agers." One reader steered me to a thoughtful article on living into old age that Robert Fulford wrote for Canada's National Post. He likes to think of the stage past 80 as "old growth."

A 71-year-old Wynnewood woman said she can't control the labels people use for her. "Let others call me what they will," she wrote. "I just hope they precede the label with some positive words, i.e., kind , fun, funny, hip, cool, knowledgeable, wise, strong, fit, pleasant, caring, etc."

As for ageist language, I learned there are some serious "spry" haters and nobody likes "85 years young." On LinkedIn, a British physician wrote to say she has started asking, "How young are you?" That's a paradigm shifter.

Barbara Greenhow, 84, of West Chester, said she cares about attitude more than words. "Some people call you 'dear' from a loving heart," she wrote. "What I do object to is the occasional sneering attitude of condescension age has to endure from the young.  I find it both amusing and annoying to be spoken to with very slow, loud voices. 

"My strategy is to engage their eyes for a long, holding moment and then graciously smile without saying a word. Then I try to behave in a way that leaves no question that I still have dignity and all my marbles. Sometimes the lightbulb goes on, and sometimes it doesn't. There is no point in getting upset; they will get it eventually. Isn't that the best revenge?"
The city held a ribbon-cutting for the MLK Older Adult Center in April. But three months later, the $4.3 million building sits empty and unused. Read more

Not long after retiring as a secretary at the Philadelphia Naval Base 15 years ago, Jannette Robinson found a new daily routine at the Martin Luther King Older Adult Center in North Philadelphia, that's been housed inside the MLK Recreation Center for decades.

"It means a lot to me because I don't like to stay home," Robinson said of the center. "I'm used to getting up. I'm used to going to work. I like to get out and be around people. I like doing things."

So, Robinson, 77, was happy to be in the crowd at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in April for the new Martin Luther King Older Adult Center, a project that had been proposed at least 20 years ago.

The MLK Line Dancers performed in celebration. Mayor Kenney, Council President Darrell L. Clarke, and other officials were all smiles when television cameras documented the April 25 dedication of the $4.3 million, 10,000-square-foot center on Cecil B. Moore Avenue near 21st Street, next door to the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA.

But three months later, the brand-new center sits empty and unused. Seniors still must use the adult space at the MLK Recreation Center near 22nd Street for their line dancing and art classes, their bingo and card games, their shooting pool. But with this being summer, the seniors often get displaced from their exercise room by the large numbers of kids using the rec center.

The reason they've been told they can't use the empty building down the street? It doesn't have furniture.

Ruth Gay, a retired mail handler at the old 30th Street post office who uses the center nearly every day except Tuesdays  "On Tuesdays, I bowl," she said  has been frustrated by the delay.

"It's funded through the city and the city don't have the money for the furniture," said Gay. "If this was a white neighborhood, everything would have been together when we had the grand opening."

To Kathryn Ott Lovell, commissioner of the city's Department of Parks and Recreation, however, the only color at issue is red tape.

"I wish it was just the furniture," Ott Lovell said. "I feel terribly because the seniors have waited so long. Now it's sitting there, and it's beautiful, and they're not in it yet. They have been so incredibly patient."

Ott Lovell called the April dedication "premature," as the building still had to transfer ownership from the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to the city, which can't happen until the center receives its certificate of occupancy. The certificate has been delayed because of minor issues that needed to be fixed in order to serve hot food  a door sweep in the kitchen, for example, said Jacqueline Maldonado, director of the MLK Older Adult Center.

After being contacted by the Inquirer and the Daily News, officials said the certificate would be issued any day now, and as for the transfer of ownership: "We're scheduling settlement with the city for next week, and this will be resolved shortly," Parks and Rec spokesman Alain Joinville said Friday.

Clarke has inquired more than once about the delay in opening the center, his spokeswoman Jane Roh said.

At the rec center, where lunch is served for a dollar and special bus trips to Atlantic City casinos or Washington are offered, the seniors were trying to stay optimistic.

"It doesn't pay to get all riled up," Robinson said. "We've waited a long time for the building. We can wait a little longer."

Not all people could. Seniors said a few center advocates have died while waiting for the center to open.

Ott Lovell apologized for the delay and for not making it clear why the building has yet to open.

But, she added, "the furniture is on order."
Paulette Carrington, one of the first women juvenile lifers to be released from prison, visits the Philadelphia Criminal Justice Center for a hearing for Shavonne Robbins, another woman lifer. Read more

At age 41, Shavonne Robbins is finding ways to deal with a tenacious cancer and all it has brought: the surgeries, the chemotherapy that leaves her exhausted, her skin dry and cracked.

One thing she hopes to change. "I don't like going to chemo shackled and cuffed," she said in the visiting room of the Muncy state prison, three hours' drive northwest of Philadelphia. "The officers are nice to me when they take me out. But I would rather go for chemo and look over and see my mom sitting there. Here, no one is going to hold your hand."

Her battle with cancer is just one more life event Robbins has marked in prison.

She was 16, a high school dropout and a drug dealer, when an older cousin asked her and several other teens to come to her house. That visit turned into a robbery, which turned into a murder when an older man, Yakoub Smith, used Robbins' gun to shoot and kill 37-year-old Mitchell Thompson Jr.

Robbins was sentenced to life in prison. She's one of 208 women lifers in Pennsylvania, a minute cohort compared with the 5,255 men serving life. But she now has a chance at release, after the Supreme Court banned automatic life-without-parole sentences for juveniles and ordered states to apply the rule retroactively.

Out of Pennsylvania's 500 juvenile lifers, the largest such population in the nation, just 10 are women. Many, housed in Muncy or Cambridge Springs, prisons in far-flung corners of the state, feel they've been locked away and forgotten by the world they're now preparing to rejoin.

Most came from dire circumstances. A national survey of juvenile lifers found 79 percent of women had childhoods tormented by physical abuse; 77 percent had been sexually abused.

Some of their male counterparts had access to extensive programming, even earning degrees from Villanova. Many have fiancees or wives advocating for them. But the women say their opportunities have been more limited  no college courses, fewer programs through nonprofit agencies in nearby cities  and their connections to the outside world more tenuous.

So, recently, advocates have been trying to bridge that divide, through public artworks depicting women lifers and their stories, and through a new website, the Women Lifer's Resume Project, displaying women's photos, writings, and achievements in prison.

"People feel forgotten. There's no help for them," said Paulette Carrington, who served 40 years of a life sentence. "They need to be recognized. People are getting old and getting sick. But they've changed, after a certain period of time. People need to know that. I'm not the same person I was when I went in."



Robbins grew up poor in Point Breeze. She struggled in school, so she dropped out. "I just tried to fit in. You see the drug dealing, drug use on the street, the violence; you become a part of that. That's all you know."

In prison, she finally learned grit. It took five tries, but she got her GED at age 25.

"It's sad if you have to grow up in prison to change. But we have changed," she said of herself and her fellow lifers. "We're motivated. We're ambitious. We just want a second chance. A lot of us just want our experience to stop someone else from making the same mistake."

She's completed all the classes and programs available at Muncy. "Everything they got here, I already did. So I watch a lot of TV," she said. And she contemplates a future that's growing ever closer. She's set to accept a deal in August that will make her eligible for parole.

Her dreams are simple: to help raise her nieces, ages 3 and 4, and take the burden off her mother. That, and: "Floors. Strip them, wax them, buff them. That's my passion. I just love it. I'm certified to use all the equipment."



Ellen Melchiondo, a New Hope resident and former schoolteacher, has befriended many women lifers as an official visitor with the Pennsylvania Prison Society.

"The women lifers, unlike men, they create family in prison," she said. "For all of them, it's going to be a very sad day when they leave Muncy or Cambridge Springs. But they're so ready."

She mentioned Carrington, who was released earlier this year.

Carrington was an out-of-control 16-year-old in 1977, numbing the grief of her mother's recent death with drugs and alcohol. Her father's new girlfriend was abusive, according to Carrington, once slashing her with a carpet razor. Carrington is still not sure how it happened, or why, but she stabbed the woman's 15-year-old son, who had always been decent to her. She was high at the time.

"It took me a couple months to realize I was in jail for someone's death," she said.

Now, she's trying to find her way in the world as an adult for the first time, at age 55.

She's starting a job at a ShopRite, trying to figure out how society works in 2017.

"I was afraid in the grocery store, with so many people, to stand in line the first week. I hadn't shopped in so many years, I was afraid of embarrassing myself," she said. "I got it now. I'm good."

Though she was daunted by taking the trolley to the courthouse, Carrington has been there for Robbins' court dates. She's eager for Robbins to come home.

"I know she has cancer, but whatever she is feeling up to do, we'll do it together," she said.

Carrington is also working with artist Mary DeWitt of Media, who has been painting women lifers since the early 1990s, and is now working on a series of murals.

For the first time in decades, DeWitt is able to paint them from life, rather than photographs, as they're released from prison. She's hoping to install two murals depicting Carrington's image and her story.

DeWitt also intends to continue painting other women lifers who hope to one day be free, despite extraordinarily long odds. They include Charmaine Pfender, who was 18 and struggling to cope with years of sexual abuse when she shot dead a man she said was attempting to rape her at knife-point, and Avis Lee, who was also 18 when her brother shot and killed a man in robbery for which Lee was a lookout. Both have filed claims arguing they should be counted as juveniles under the Supreme Court ruling.

Meanwhile, Melchiondo and another advocate, Darlene Williams, have worked with inmates to develop the Women Lifer's Resume Project.

Williams, 63, of Pittsburgh, said the idea was pitched to her by her daughter Brittany, 33, serving life for her role at age 19 in the kidnapping and murder of a 17-year-old high school student, Dana Pliakas.

While it may be impossible ever to make amends for such a crime, Williams is hoping to refocus the conversation. The women lifers, said Williams, "wanted to show to the world that they do exist, to show their accomplishments during their incarceration and how they've grown. They are people who can be productive in society."

The women wrote out their resumes by hand; Williams and Melchiondo typed them up. Williams taught herself how to build the website.

Williams has pinned her hopes on a bill introduced in April in the state House that would make lifers eligible for parole after 15 years.

Melchiondo, meanwhile, is trying to help some women apply for commutation.

"These women have been in prison so long, they don't know what's important anymore in terms of how to portray themselves," she said.

Even more have never bothered applying, since no woman has received clemency in more than 20 years. And, only about 70 of the 208 women lifers submitted resumes.

Others told Melchiondo there's no point.

"There are a lot of women serving life," she said, "who think they have no hope."
For the past six months, there has been a lull in Covid cases with the average dropping below 2,000 cases a day. There are even fewer hospitalisations and fortunately, even the death toll is negligible. So, does that mean we can say bye-bye to Covid? In this episode of Nothing But the Truth, Raj Chengappa analyses whether we can declare the pandemic is over? Watch to know more.
Gov. Chris Christie (right) and his wife Mary Pat enjoy a picture perfect Sunday afternoon at the beach on Island Beach State Park, which is closed to the public due to the state government shutdown. Read more

Gov. Christie says the outcry over his decision to take his family to a beach closed during the state government shutdown, which launched a thousand Christie-in-a-beach-chair memes on the internet, upset his children "more than anything else" in his 7 years in office.

The two-term Republican governor made the comments Thursday night during his regular radio call-in show on New Jersey 101.5 FM.

Christie took his family and a group of his children's friends to the governor's beach house at Island Beach State Park over the Fourth of July weekend, even though the park had been closed as part of the government shutdown that resulted from the Legislature's failure to adopt a budget by July 1.

NJ.com sent a plane and photographer to the Shore and caught the governor and his family on the beach. Photos of Christie lounging in a beach chair sparked an outcry and inspired memes in which the governor was inserted into images of everything from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade to Georges Seurat's painting Sunday Afternoon on the Island of la Grande Jatte.

According to NJ.com, Christie said he has avoided looking at the memes and has not talked to his children about them.

Christie has said the trip had been planned for months. On the radio Thursday, he said his children blamed themselves for the blowback, but he told them the beach trip was his decision, not theirs.

The governor has two sons and two daughters, who range in age from 14 to 24.

Christie said his children were hurt by the backlash, saying, "They don't understand people's unfairness and, quite frankly, their ignorance."

The shutdown was resolved early July 4.

You can view the entire interview (1 hour, 39 minutes) here.

This article contains information from the Associated Press.
The Philadelphia District Attorneys Office has charged Kenneth Hoyle, 69, in the July 16 murders of 42-year-old August Dempsey (left) and 45-year-old Bob DePaul. Read more

A Frankford man who was questioned by police after he admitted to fatally shooting two neighbors July 16 was charged Friday with their murders, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office said.

"The office thoroughly investigated, and today we charged," said District Attorney's Office spokesman Cameron Kline.

Kenneth Hoyle, 69, was being held without bail on two counts of first-degree murder, Kline said. An ongoing neighborhood dispute led him to fatally shoot Bob DePaul, 45, and August Dempsey, 42, who both lived next door to Hoyle in the 4700 block of James Street, authorities said.

The victims were each shot once in the head. Hoyle told police he shot the couple in self-defense after they tried to attack him, according to published reports.

Dempsey's sons this week turned over to the District Attorney's Office petitions with more than 5,000 signatures demanding that Hoyle be arrested.

If convicted of the first-degree murder counts, Hoyle would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.

It was not immediately known whether Hoyle had retained an attorney.
Ninety-six-year old Leona L. Paulus, shown here at the Pittsgrove Senior Center, will soon receive her high school diploma. Paulus dropped out of school when she was 13 years old to help out on the family farm during tough economic times. Read more

When she was 13, Leona L. Paulus dropped out of school to help out on the family farm during the Great Depression. She tearfully watched as the yellow school bus rode by the South Jersey field where she tended chickens.

"I saw the kids and I wanted to be on the bus going to school," she recalled. "I used to cry all the time."

After graduating from eighth grade in 1934, Paulus was unable to continue her education. She was needed to help support the family by working the nearly 100-acre farm in Pittsgrove, Salem County, where she lived with her paternal uncle raising cattle and growing vegetables.

Paulus never got a chance to get her diploma  until now, nearly 80 years later. Five days after her 96th birthday in June, she took the HiSet Exam, given to youths and adults who have left school. She aced it, passing all five sections.

"I didn't want to do it at first," she admitted. "I hoped and prayed I would pass it."

Paulus said counselors at the Mid-Atlantic States Career and Education Center in Pennsville, a nonprofit that provides GED prep courses and testing, helped persuade her to take the alternative test. The grandmother of 12 said she wanted to encourage young people to continue their education no matter the obstacles.

"She probably is the oldest who has taken and passed the high school proficiency test" in New Jersey, said Glen Donelson, president and chief executive of the center, which serves 10 counties, including Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester. "She is an inspiration. It's never too late."

In 2016, more than 4,700 people statewide completed requirements for a high school proficiency diploma, according to David Saenz Jr., a spokesman for the New Jersey Department of Education. The state does not track their ages.

"Anecdotally, I am not aware of any person previously completing the requirements for a New Jersey state-endorsed high school diploma at that age or higher," Saenz said.

Paulus, also known as "Annie Lee," will receive her diploma Tuesday at a noon celebration at Elmer Grange Hall in Elmer. A host of dignitaries is expected to attend, along with her pastor, family, and friends.

"She's been my sole teacher of everything. She was always encouraging me," said her son, Lou, 71, who now lives in Tennessee. In 1963, he became the first Paulus male to graduate from high school.

Born in 1921 in Deerfield Township, Paulus was the second of eight children. Her father, Henry Garrison, was a sharecropper in the rural Cumberland County community and her mother, Alma, a homemaker.

Paulus said things went "kafooey" when she was 9 and her parents divorced. The family struggled to make ends meet during the Depression. They survived with food donations and hand-me-down clothes. Paulus and her seven siblings  five girls and two boys  were eventually split up, each one taken in by a relative. Paulus reunited with her sisters decades later.

"We didn't have money for food. There were no jobs," she recalled. "It was terrible."

She went to live with an uncle, Edward Garrison, and his wife in Pittsgrove. The living conditions there were somewhat primitive compared with the new home her parents built in Linwood before the family separated. There was no electricity or indoor plumbing.

But "we had plenty to eat there and I said, 'I shouldn't complain,' " Paulus said.

She attended school in a two-room building in nearby Greenville. She enjoyed spelling, arithmetic, and history, but wasn't overly fond of geography.

"I liked school," said Paulus, who wanted to become a nurse.

But her schooling quietly came to an end in 1934. She was 13. Without much discussion from her aunt and uncle, Paulus said it was made abundantly clear that she would not be allowed to begin her freshman year at Bridgeton High School. Her future husband also dropped out several years later in his junior year to work on his family's farm.

"I wasn't mouthy then, so I didn't say anything," she recalled of the end of her schooling. "I just took whatever they said."

She stayed at the farm until 1940, when she married Louis Paulus, a childhood classmate. The couple operated a cattle farm in Pittsgrove and raised their son, Louis Jr., and a daughter, Patricia.

In addition to helping her husband on the farm, she also worked at a now-closed Bridgeton clothing factory for 15 years, where she marked patterns for Army coats. She also drove a school bus and worked in a canning factory. Paulus gets a monthly pension of $32 from the clothing factory.

The couple sold their dairy farm in the late '80s and settled on a two-acre site in Elmer, where they built a two-bedroom home. Paulus lives there today. Her husband of 65 years passed away in 2005.

In the 1960s, she and a younger sister, Frances, attempted to complete their high school diploma through a GED program. But it didn't work out and that ended her quest until Donelson heard her story last year.

Donelson met Paulus at the Pittsgrove Senior Center, where she faithfully shows up three times a week for a nutrition program operated by Mid-Atlantic States Career and Education Center.

When Paulus lamented missing out on a high school prom and class reunions, Donelson suggested that she take the proficiency test. "I'm too old," she said.

Donelson persuaded her to take GED prep courses and counselors spent months working with her. They printed out assignments that typically would be completed online because Paulus was reluctant to try studying on a laptop.

"She just picked it right up. She's sharp," said Tracy Wiggins, a marketing specialist who worked with Paulus.

Mid-Atlantic, one of the first mobile proficiency-exam testers in the state, got permission to administer the test the old-fashioned way: paper and pen. Paulus had to answer questions in language arts, writing, social studies, science, reading, and math. Each section was worth 20 points. Her lowest score was 18.

Since passing the test, Paulus has become a celebrity at the senior citizen center. Her friend Dora Dragotta, 88, graciously served lunch Wednesday to the nonagenarian, the oldest among the group.

"She's such a sweet lady, always was," said her niece Laraine Rathof, who runs the nutrition program. "It's amazing at 96. I think it's great that she did it."

Paulus welcomes her role as a poster child for education, although she has no plans to pursue higher education. She has already inspired one reluctant proficiency test taker who said, "If a 96-year-old woman can do it, I can, too."

For more info about Mid-Atlantic States Career and Education Center visit https://wegrowpeople.org/

or contact: 111 S. Broadway, Pennsville, NJ. 08070 856-514-2200
Harry Walker is the latest in a string of contenders vying for a seat on the Willingboro Township Council, even though the political scene in the town has become known as being quite nasty.

Residents boo at council meetings when discussions break down, and complain that the town is being forced to foot escalating legal bills when council members go to court to settle scores with each other and oust those who fall into disfavor.

Councilman Chris Walker, who was named mayor by the five-member council in January, is the latest casualty. He resigned abruptly last month, opening the door for Harry Walker  they are not related  to go to court to lay claim to his seat.

"I just hope to be an advocate to bring change on council so that council will start thinking about what's best for Willingboro and the residents and not what's best for their personal agendas," said Harry Walker, 40, a real estate broker who grew up in the Democratic-leaning town.

Superior Court Judge Ronald Bookbinder is scheduled to hold a conference next week on Harry Walker's lawsuit, which he filed himself.

Chris Walker, 49, an unemployed youth counselor, resigned as mayor June 12, less than one week after he and his running mate, Councilman Nat Anderson, won a contested Democratic primary race for two open seats on the Township Council. The incumbents were endorsed by the town's Democratic committee despite their personal animosity. They were challenged by Harry Walker and Arrington Crawford, both newcomers to politics.

In making his resignation announcement, Chris Walker said he would leave office within two days and would withdraw from the November ballot. He cited health reasons, but one day earlier he settled a suit challenging his residency, and it required him to resign his $15,000 post as mayor and his $10,000 post as a commissioner on the town's Municipal Utilities Authority.

Former MUA commissioner Dennis Reiter filed the suit alleging Chris Walker had lived outside the town since January 2016 and therefore was not qualified to be on the council. The settlement agreement was reached on the eve of the trial.

Reiter said that Chris Walker had listed as his address a home in Willingboro that went into foreclosure; its utilities were shut off in December 2015.

Michael J. McKenna, a Cherry Hill lawyer who represented Reiter, said that Chris Walker later claimed in depositions that he had moved in with a friend in Willingboro. But McKenna said he ordered 26 days of surveillance and it showed Walker actually was living in Camden County. "I told him he could either commit perjury on the stand or resign," McKenna said in an interview.

Chris Walker said last week, however, that he still lives in the township. "There was no court determination of my residence. My stepping down was due to my health," he said.

Harry Walker is asking the judge to issue an order placing his own name on the November ballot to replace Chris Walker. Harry Walker was the third-highest vote-getter in the race and cites state law suggesting he won the ballot spot because Chris Walker was not qualified to run in the primary.

"Title 19 requires a candidate for local municipal office to actually be a valid and legal resident of the municipality that they are seeking to run for office in," his 10-page lawsuit states. He also cited a law that says if a candidate files "any false statement, the nomination or election of such candidate  shall be null and void."

After Chris Walker's resignation, the town's Democratic committee chose Rebecca Perrone to fill the council vacancy. Bill Carter, the committee chair, said the committee had not yet decided whose name should replace Chris Walker's on the November ballot. "As far as the residency, I have nothing to do with that," he said. "We went under the premise that Chris Walker still lives in Willingboro and I have no knowledge of him not living in Willingboro."

After the primaries, Chris Walker and Anderson were expecting to be easily reelected in November because the Republicans didn't field any council candidates.

The council, all Democrats, has not appointed a new mayor yet.

Harry Walker named Chris Walker in his lawsuit and also named Carter and Joe Andl, the chair of the Burlington County Democratic Committee, to ask the judge to prevent them from naming someone besides him to the ballot.

Carter said that he had not yet received that lawsuit and could not comment on it. Andl did not return calls for comment.

Chris Walker said that the lawsuit was "sour grapes" and shows a lack of knowledge of how government works.

Chris Walker is also being sued by his running mate, Anderson, for defamation. The Township Council voted to pay for Chris Walker's legal bills, which are more than $20,000 so far, because the allegations stem from his actions on council.

McKenna said that Reiter's lawsuit aimed to have Chris Walker resign, not to have him return his stipend. But since the settlement, Reiter has asked the council to consider taking action to recoup the money.

McKenna also said that Harry Walker's lawsuit "presents a very interesting question worthy of research."
The alleged theft would be one of the largest in the history of the virtual currency. Read more

A lawyer for a Hatfield man who told federal agents that he stole more than $50 million in bitcoin conceded Thursday that there was enough evidence for a criminal case against him to proceed, despite lingering questions over whether he made up his claim to have pulled off one of the largest thefts in the history of the virtual currency.

Catherine C. Henry, attorney for Ted Price, waived a probable-cause hearing she had sought last week, after questioning whether her client made his July 12 confession while high on OxyContin and other opioids.

At the time, authorities had charged Price, 30, with developing a malware program that enabled him to surreptitiously divert funds from other people's bitcoin wallets.

But days after Henry's request for an evidentiary hearing last week, prosecutors withdrew that charge and refiled a case against Price, charging him with other crimes tied to stolen credit-card information they found in his possession at the time of his arrest.

During a brief hearing Thursday in federal court in Philadelphia, prosecutors and Price's defense announced that they had agreed that enough evidence existed to hold him on those crimes  although prosecutors have signaled they may reintroduce counts tied to the bitcoin theft once they have more time to investigate.

Homeland Security Investigations agents found more than 105 printed pages of alphanumeric bitcoin keys in Price's laptop bag after his arrest on suspicion of a string of petty thefts of computer equipment and jewelry from the home of an ex-girlfriend.

Questioned about the pages, Price told agents about his complicated bitcoin theft software and also confessed to writing malware programs that he said allowed foreign governments to hack into certain cellphones.

According to his arrest affidavit, Price also said he had been planning to flee the country on a private jet with a fake passport in the name of the actor Jeremy Renner moments before authorities arrived at his doorstep.

But Henry, who has not returned phone calls about the case, has maintained in court that there is little evidence that her client had access to the $50 million he claims to have stolen.

"If he is a millionaire and has a private jet, then of course he's a flight risk," Henry said at a hearing last week while arguing for her client's release. "But if that's made up and if, on the other hand, he has no income, lives with his parents, and has a 7-year-old child, then these are just grandiose statements."

Price is being held without bail at the federal detention center in Philadelphia. Prosecutors have one month to take his case before a grand jury.
The onus is now on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, whose brainchild the ACB is, to initiate inquiry by lodging an FIR against corrupt officials who have been named in former deputy inspector general (prisons) D Roopa's report, Sharma said.

By PTI: A city-based advocate has lodged a complaint with the anti-corruption bureau urging it to initiate probe into various jail irregularities, including the Rs 2 crore paid in bribe by AIDMK (Amma) general secretary VK Sasikala for preferential treatment in prison.

"I have lodged a complaint with the ACB, urging it to initiate inquiry into the irregularities including Rs 2 crore exchanging hands to provide special facilities to Sasikala, inside Parapanna Agrahara Central Prison," S Nataraj Sharma told PTI.

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The onus is now on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, whose brainchild the ACB is, to initiate inquiry by lodging an FIR against corrupt officials who have been named in former deputy inspector general (prisons) D Roopa's report, Sharma said.

However, he added that if the ACB does not initiate inquiry he would move the High Court seeking judicial inquiry into the episode.

He also termed as "incomprehensible" the reason for former Karnataka director general of police (prisons) HN Sathyanarayana Rao serving a notice on Roopa seeking a public apology.

"It is out of comprehension, why should Rao, in a hurry, serve a legal notice to Roopa? He could have waited for Vinay Kumars report," he said.

"You (D Roopa) are required to get an apology duly published in all leading newspapers in the next three days, failing which I will be constrained to initiate appropriate legal proceedings both civil and criminal against you to recover damages from you and the same is quantified as Rs50 crore tentatively," Rao had said in the notice.

Rao also had said he would be approaching the income tax department to find out the "trail of Rs 2 crore".

The Karnataka government had shunted out Roopa on July 17.

Roopa, in an audio clip sent to PTI yesterday, said she had "done her duty".

Further Sharma urged the ACB to take a lead from a confessional statement made by Australia-based NRI VC Prakash to the Delhi Police in connection with the election commission bribery case.

Prakash had confessed that he had helped arranging meetings between the AIADMK party leaders, including deputy general secretary TTV Dhinakaran and Sasikala, inside Parapana Agrahara prison as he "knew some jail officials".

The confessional statement of Prakash says, "Mallikarjun (a close aide of Dhinakaran) also asked me to help organise their meetings with Sasikala lodged in Bangalore jail as I knew some jail officials."

Prakash, who was till recently holding a minister of state rank in the government, also had confessed that he had helped Mallikarjun, to send Rs 2 crore to Delhi.

Sharma also urged the ACB to investigate into the reason for Roopa to release photographs of alleged irregularities to media before reaching it to the higher officer or the government.

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"Was there any threat to her to do so?" he asked.

Sharma also urged the ACB to investigate into Roopa's charge that about 18 out of 28 inmates were proved using ganja in prison on her inspection.

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President Donald Trump's latest campaign-style rally was in Youngstown, Ohio, where the president made some false and misleading claims about military spending, immigrants and job creation:

Trump claimed to have "achieved a historic increase in defense spending." But larger annual increases occurred under Presidents George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter, and total defense spending was higher under President Barack Obama in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Trump boasted that "more than 1 million jobs" have been added "since my election." But that takes credit for jobs created under Obama. The growth rate under Trump is actually lower than it was for the same time period in 2016.

Trump said that the U.S. doesn't want "people that come into our country and immediately go on welfare and stay there for the rest of their lives." But most immigrants cannot "immediately go on welfare," as a federal law bars new immigrants, with some exceptions, from receiving federal benefits for five years.

Trump, who has been in office for a little more than six months, has already started to run for reelection. He has started fundraising, running TV ads and holding rallies. On July 25, the president spoke in Youngstown, Ohio  in a swing state that was a key to his 2016 victory.

No Historic Increase for Military

In Ohio, the president boasted of his accomplishments to date, but he stretched or distorted the facts in some cases  including on military spending.

Trump, July 25:  Weve achieved a historic increase in defense spending to get our troops the support they so richly deserve.

It's true that Trump secured some additional funding for the current fiscal year, and he has proposed a modest increase for next fiscal year. But he has not "achieved a historic increase."

In an analysis released earlier this month of the president's budget, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the president's proposed budget for fiscal year 2018 would increase defense spending by 5 percent.

"For defense discretionary programs in 2018, the President proposes appropriations of $668 billion, which would be $34 billion (or 5 percent) more than the amount provided in 2017," CBO said.

The $668 billion includes $603 billion in base defense spending and $65 billion for overseas contingency operations, or OCO, which fund ongoing military operations in the Middle East. CBO said base defense spending would rise 9 percent, but OCO spending would decline by 22 percent under Trump's budget.

In March, the White House first disclosed that it would propose $603 billion in base defense spending  which the president called "a historic increase in defense spending." We wrote at that time that the 9 percent increase in base defense spending was not historic; in fact, there were double-digit percentage increases under Presidents George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter. The White House did not disclose in March how much it planned to spend on overseas contingency operations, so we did not know at the time how much it would propose in total defense spending.

We now know that the total increase in discretionary defense funding is a more modest 5 percent, based on the CBO analysis.

Even with that increase, Trump's proposed $668 billion defense budget would be less than the amounts spent in 2012 ($670.5 billion), 2011 ($699.4 billion) and 2010 ($688.9 billion) under President Barack Obama, according to the CBO.

Now, Trump did secure more defense funding in a bill that he signed in May. That bill  the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017  provided funding for the remainder of fiscal year 2017, including an additional $21 billion for the military.

But even with the increased funding, the fiscal 2017 defense spending was below the funding levels of earlier this decade, and spending would remain below those levels under Trump's proposed budget for fiscal 2018. So the president hasn't "achieved a historic increase in defense spending" this fiscal year, and his proposed budget will not in the next fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, either.

Trumps Job Creation Boast

Trump said that "since my election we've added much more than 1 million jobs," taking credit for jobs created under his predecessor.

Between November and June, the nation added 1.2 million jobs, according to the most recent figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But, of course, Obama was president until Jan. 20, when Trump took the oath of office. Since January, the country has added 863,000 jobs.

During the same time period last year, the country added 955,000 jobs. So while the economy continues to grow, the rate of job growth was higher in 2016.

Trump has repeatedly tried to boost his job numbers by including jobs created under Obama.

As we've noted before, the job-creation trend didn't begin with Trump's election in November or inauguration in January. There have now been 81 straight months of job growth, dating back to October 2010.

Under Obama, the country added more than 250,000 new jobs a month in 20 of his 96 months in office. It's very early in the Trump presidency, but his monthly job numbers haven't hit that milestone so far.

Welfare and Immigrants

On the topic of immigration, Trump said, "We also believe that those seeking to immigrate into our country should be able to support themselves financially, and should not be able to use welfare for themselves or their household for a period of at least five years."

He later added, "We don't want people that come into our country and immediately go on welfare and stay there for the rest of their lives."

However, most immigrants cannot "immediately go on welfare" after coming to the United States. In fact, federal law already bars new immigrants, with some exceptions, from receiving welfare for five years, as we noted when Trump proposed legislation to that effect in June.

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, signed into law in 1996 by then-President Bill Clinton, states that immigrants are "not eligible for any Federal means-tested public benefit for a period of 5 years beginning on the date of the alien's entry into the United States." That includes benefits like food stamps, Medicaid and Social Security.

There are some exceptions in the law for those admitted as refugees and asylees, as well as those with a military connection. States can choose to make children and pregnant women who are legal permanent residents eligible for food stamps and Medicaid within their first five years in the country.

It's possible that Trump will toughen the restrictions, or eliminate some of those exceptions. For example, Trump's proposed FY 2018 budget notes that refugees are exempt from the five-year waiting period, and stresses the need to control the cost of benefits paid to immigrant-headed households. But the budget offered no details on how that would be accomplished beyond reducing the number of refugees, curbing illegal immigration and increasing merit-based legal immigration.
WASHINGTON  There are three branches of government, and two of them are in serious distress. What once passed for governing and leadership has become a spectacle of disservice by people who call themselves public servants.

The dramatic collapse of Republican efforts to change the Affordable Care Act provides Congress an opportunity to repair itself by returning to something approaching bipartisan lawmaking. It won't be easily accomplished.

The executive branch appears headed for even more turbulence. Just ask Anthony Scaramucci, the swaggering, newly named White House communications director. The White House today is a feuding, conniving band of officials vying for the affection of President Donald Trump, who seems to encourage, even revel in, the chaos around him.

Washington hasn't been working for some time. The breakdown began years ago. Republicans often complained about highhanded tactics when Democrats controlled the Senate. White Houses are rarely perfectly run, and staff rivalries are not uncommon. The dysfunction in Washington is one reason Trump was elected. But in the past six months, things have turned even worse, with the breakdown reaching new depths this week.

Until Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.) cast the decisive vote on the bill for a so-called skinny repeal of the ACA, the Senate was operating under procedures never seen before on a piece of major legislation. Legislating is never pretty  certain passage of the Affordable Care Act was not  but there are norms usually respected by both sides. In recent weeks, those norms went out the window as Republicans struggled to fulfill a seven-year promise that is as internally divisive as it is elusive.

The effort was transparently cynical as Republicans grasped at anything that might collect the 50 votes needed to keep alive what has proven to be their futile hopes of getting rid of Obamacare. The measure that arrived from the House was dead on arrival in the Senate. Nothing cooked up behind closed doors under Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) worked, either.

In desperation, the Republican leaders turned to a vehicle that no serious member of Congress believed could work. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) correctly branded the skinny repeal earlier on Thursday for what it was. "The skinny bill as policy is a disaster," he said. "The skinny bill as a replacement for Obamacare is a fraud." Nonetheless, Graham voted for it, on the pretext that it would keep the effort alive.

McCain had joined Graham in warning about the skinny bill's deficiencies, and when the time came, he acted on his words. He had drawn criticism Tuesday when he returned to the Senate for the first time after being diagnosed with brain cancer and cast the deciding vote to begin debate on the bill.

After that vote, McCain delivered an upbraiding to his colleagues about the breakdown of regular order in the Senate and the lack of a willingness to compromise. He was accused of hypocrisy, but when the vote truly counted early Friday morning, McCain defied his party with an "emperor has no clothes" thumbs-down that brought the repeal-and-replace movement crashing down of its own weight.

Congressional leaders are now left to pick up the pieces of a shattered and demoralizing process. What's next no one can say. There will be angry words about the maverick from Arizona from some of his colleagues and from conservatives who have never trusted him. The president, who had dissed McCain in the early days of his candidacy in 2015, has now felt the sting of payback.

There will be much talk about the need to work on a bipartisan solution. Republicans will have to swallow their pride to make this work. Democrats will be put on the spot since they will have to actually do what they claimed they wanted by working with the other side. Meanwhile, the president began tweeting again, calling for a Senate rules change to allow a simple majority to do all the chamber's business.

For seven years, Republicans have lived what turned out to be a fiction. They have many complaints about Obamacare. They have words that work in political ads and in their innumerable appearances before the cameras. But they have no solution. They may keep trying, but if they return to the scheming that got them to the moment of spectacular collapse early Friday, they will expose themselves once again to searing criticism.

Expletive-filled rant

At the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, things are just as bad, with no obvious reset moment that's now possible for Congress. Since Inauguration Day, the Trump administration has been rife with factionalism, built to be undisciplined by a president who lacks discipline. The boisterous arrival of Scaramucci, the New York financier and Trump loyalist, has managed in a single week to make things so much worse.

Scaramucci's expletive-filled rant to the New Yorker's Ryan Lizza took all the backroom maneuvering and senior-level backstabbing and put it on full public display. His attacks on White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and senior adviser Stephen Bannon left little room for reconciliation. His broader threats show a lack of true understanding of how government works.

Give credit to Lizza for his remarkable exposing of Scaramucci. Give credit also to his editors for setting aside normal restraint in journalism when it comes to vulgarities and obscenities. Scaramucci's state of mind can only be understood by reading his actual words, both his profanity and his vengeful and at times ill-informed accusations against those with whom he is supposed to work.

Scaramucci tried to wash away his remarks by claiming that he sometimes uses "colorful" language and that he will try to do better. What he doesn't understand is that it was more than the words themselves that shocked; it was the attitude and the posture he struck and has struck since being named to the White House staff.

Is he channeling the president in all this? It seems likely. Trump has railed about leaks, and Scaramucci has joined the fight, misunderstanding the difference between leaks of national security information and leaks about who's having dinner with whom. It was his anger over a Lizza tweet revealing that Scaramucci had attended a dinner that included the president, FoxNews' Sean Hannity and former Fox executive Bill Shine that set him off to call a reporter and hunt down the leakers.

Distrust and chaos

The White House can't continue to operate this way, at least not in the true interests of the country or even those of Trump's core supporters. Officials can go through the motions. They can do routine business. They can arrange multiple meetings for the president with scores of outsiders. But they can't do good or serious work in an atmosphere of distrust and chaos.

In just a week, the president has made it almost untenable for Attorney General Jeff Sessions to stay in the job, drawing concerns that Trump's ultimate target is special counsel Robert Mueller. Scaramucci has created a rivalry with Priebus and Bannon that seems irreparable and unstable.

The problem extends to other parts of the executive branch. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke threatened Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan of Alaska by implying that Murkowski's vote not to proceed with debate on health care could jeopardize federal support for the state, according to the Alaska Dispatch News.

The State Department, by every account, is not functioning well under Secretary Rex Tillerson. The reaction to Trump's transgender military ban shows that the relationship between the White House and the Defense Department is tense. Politico's Susan Glasser reported that the national security apparatus under H.R. McMaster is not running smoothly and that Trump is not happy about it.

Congress will soon depart for the annual August recess. Trump and Republican lawmakers had hoped to arrive at the summer break with a record of accomplishment, at the least with a significant down payment on the promises of the 2016 campaign. Instead, they face the bleak prospect of knowing that they have failed on their signature pledge on health care and that other legislative business remains unfinished.

The president has kept one big promise, which was to disrupt the capital. But it has not worked out quite like he and the Republicans had expected.

Everything is happening so fast  or at least that's how it feels trying to follow politics these days. You've seen the headlines about President Trump and his policies  but what do they mean for Philadelphia? What does that mean for you? We've launched a newsletter to explore just that. You can sign up to get the weekly Trumpadelphia newsletter in your inbox every Tuesday.
WASHINGTON  President Trump's attacks on Republican senators are finally catching up with him, and Lisa Murkowski will not be bullied.

A last-ditch effort to keep the Obamacare repeal effort alive went down by a vote of 49 to 51 in the wee hours of Friday morning, with three GOP members breaking ranks: John McCain, Susan Collins and Murkowski.

Mitch McConnell then pulled the legislation from consideration. "It is time to move on," a dejected majority leader said.

There is nothing Trump can do any more that will get to McCain. Battling an aggressive form of brain cancer, the maverick was willing to vote "no" on the "skinny repeal" amendment so that other GOP colleagues who were also opposed to the measure could vote "yes" to save face with the conservative base.

To this day, Trump has never apologized for saying that the former fighter pilot was not a war hero because he got captured in Vietnam. It gets less attention, but the president also besmirched the Arizona senator's character by repeatedly accusing him of not taking care of other veterans. McCain has never forgotten.

Trump, who won Alaska by 15 points, ripped the state's senior senator on Twitter Wednesday after she opposed a key procedural motion to open debate on health care:

Later that day, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke called Murkowski and the state's other Republican senator, Dan Sullivan, to threaten that the Trump administration may change its position on several issues that affect the state to punish Murkowski, including blocking energy exploration and plans to allow the construction of new roads. "The message was pretty clear," Sullivan told the Alaska Dispatch News.

Nevertheless, Murkowski persisted. In fact, she took it one step farther and demonstrated that she has more leverage over Zinke than he has over her. As chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Murkowski indefinitely postponed a nominations markup that the Interior Department badly wants.

This demonstrated the degree to which Zinke's ham-handed phone call was political malpractice. The secretary, or whoever at the White House ordered him to make the calls, clearly doesn't understand the awesome power that comes with being the chairman of a Senate committee. Only an amateur would threaten the person who has oversight over his agency! If she wants, Murkowski can make Zinke's life so unbelievably miserable. He has no idea. (The Interior Department did not respond to requests for comment.)

A Murkowski spokeswoman denied that putting off the hearing was revenge or retaliation. Even if you believe that, and color us skeptical, postponing the hearing sent a crystal-clear message to the administration that she is not to be messed with. "I base my votes on what I believe is in Alaska's best interest," Murkowski told reporters, with a smile.

Senators serve six-year terms, so they're more insulated from pressure than representatives who are up every two years. Murkowski, who easily won a fourth term last year, is not up again until 2022, when Trump may no longer be president.

On the Hill, this week has felt like it might be a turning point of sorts. "Republican lawmakers have openly defied President Trump in meaningful ways this week amid growing frustration on Capitol Hill with his surprise tweets, erratic behavior and willingness to trample on governing norms," the Washington Post's Mike DeBonis reports. "They passed legislation to stop him from lifting sanctions on Russia. They recoiled at his snap decision to ban transgender Americans from the military. And they warned him in no uncertain terms not to fire the attorney general or the special counsel investigating the president and his aides."

The Senate voted 98 to 2 Thursday to pass a bill increasing sanctions against Russia, despite a veto threat. Only Bernie Sanders and Rand Paul opposed it. White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci said Thursday morning that Trump "may veto the sanctions" so that he can "negotiate" with Russia, and incoming White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said later in the day that the president is still reviewing the final legislation.

Many leading conservatives said publicly they are prepared to override Trump. "No president likes Congress to tie their hands," Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) said. "This is a very unique and particular case at a key moment. . . . If the president vetoes it, as is his right, there will be a debate, but I believe it will be overridden."

There's also been escalating backlash from Senate Republicans to Trump's treatment of Jeff Sessions. Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa) said he would not hold any hearings on a replacement if Trump dismissed the attorney general.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) announced plans Thursday to introduce legislation that would prevent Trump from being able to fire special counsel Robert Mueller. "Some of the suggestions that the president is making go way beyond what's acceptable in a rule-of-law nation," Graham said. "This is not draining the swamp. What he's interjecting is turning democracy upside down."

"If you're thinking of making a recess appointment to push out the attorney general, forget about it," added Sen. Ben Sasse (R., Neb.), also a member of the Judiciary Committee. "The presidency isn't a bull, and this country isn't a china shop."

"For the most part, Republicans on Capitol Hill have sought to avert their gaze whenever the president's tweets or actions spark controversy. So there has been nothing like this so far in Trump's presidency," the Washington Post's Dan Balz explains. "Whether that's because it involves a former member of the Capitol Hill club or because of the potential implications for a constitutional crisis if the president tries to scuttle the Mueller investigation, the response to this has been different."
U.S. Senate Democrats from the region applauded early Friday as the latest Republican attempt to scale back the Affordable Care Act went down in flames. The Senate's lone Republican from the area, Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, urged GOP lawmakers to try again.

"Tonight is a victory for millions of Americans who will not lose health coverage because Senate Republicans failed to pass their latest disgraceful attempt at a health repeal bill," said Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.).

Sen. Bob Menendez, also a Democrat from New Jersey, said, "Tonight, millions of American families who rely on the affordable health coverage provided under the ACA can breathe a sigh of relief."

He urged Republicans and Democrats to put aside differences and work on a compromise, although since President Obama first introduced the Affordable Care Act during his first term, there has been virtually no effort at finding a middle ground by either party.

Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.) praised Sen. John McCain, (R., Ariz.), who cast the deciding vote against the bill, while also lauding two other Republicans who voted against it, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.

"The Senate Republican health care plan was a terrible bill for the middle class and that is why it was rejected on a bipartisan basis," Casey said in tweet after the vote.

Both of Delaware's Democratic U.S. senators, Chris Coons and Tom Carper, said they were willing to work with Republicans to find common ground and fix the Affordable Care Act, generally known as Obamacare.

The 51-49 Senate vote to reject a scaled-back bill revamping aspects of the Affordable Care Act came at around 1:30 a.m. The bill would have ended the legal requirement that all Americans carry health insurance and a rule that firms with 50 more employees provide coverage to their staff. Although it would have left untouched a significant expansion of Medicaid, the government health-care program for lower-income people, many Republicans had hoped that issue and others would be addressed when lawmakers crafted a compromise between the differing House and Senate bills.

Toomey, in a statement, expressed disappointment at the failed Republican effort but suggested he was willing to try again at some point.

"I am disappointed with this setback on efforts to fix our broken health care system," he said in a statement. "For hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians suffering the higher costs and fewer choices causes by Obamacare's collapse, Congress must not give up on repealing and replacing the failed health care law."
Ajit Doval held bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi, taking place amid the ongoing border standoff at Doklam near the India-China-Bhutan trijunction.

By Ananth Krishnan: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval in Beijing called on the BRICS grouping to "take a leadership role" in combating global terrorism, as he held key meetings with the Chinese leadership and BRICS national security advisers.

Doval on Thursday held bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi, taking place amid the ongoing border standoff at Doklam near the India-China-Bhutan trijunction.

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On Friday, Doval attended a BRICS NSA's meeting - the main purpose of his trip to China - and will also call on Chinese President Xi Jinping.

At the summit, the NSA called for the BRICS grouping to play a more prominent role in fighting terror.

He said BRICS "needs to show leadership in countering terrorism" as well as "take a leadership role" on "strategic issues of regional and global importance" and "in areas where we have consensus".

Doval also thanked China for hosting the meeting of high-level security representatives and said he "is very happy to be here in Beijing".

The NSA said the BRICS grouping had "grown in global significance over the years" and that the BRICS NSA's forum should become a platform for the countries "to discuss security issues that impact global peace and stability."

India is keen for the grouping to issue a strong statement on terror at its September summit in Xiamen on September 3, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The fight against global terror has, however, become somewhat of a sticking point in India-China relations, considering China's close relations with Pakistan.

Minister of State for External Affairs Gen (retd) VK Singh said last month at the BRICS foreign ministers' meet in Beijing that "terrorists cannot be differentiated by calling them good or bad."

While not mentioning Pakistan specifically, the message is also aimed at China which has extended diplomatic support to Pakistan by preventing the sanctioning of Pakistani terrorists at the UN Security Council sanctions committee. For instance, Beijing has stymied attempts by India as well as other countries to list the terrorist Masood Azhar.

"They are terrorists and they are criminals and we need to have a concerted action both in the region and internationally to curb their activities," Gen. VK Singh said then.

Also Read:

Ajit Doval visit: Chinese media says no compromise on Doklam

Ajit Doval in Beijing: Why India, China have failed to resolve Doklam standoff

NSAs Ajit Doval, Yang Jiechi meet in Beijing, exchange views on bilateral, regional issues

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Also Watch:

'Main schemer' Chinese daily tags NSA Ajit Doval as the villain of Doklam standoff

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Indigenously built Akash, surface-to-air missiles that were to be positioned in the vulnerable Siliguri corridor (also referred to as the Chicken's neck) to down incoming Chinese Air Force fighters, have not been installed, says a CAG report.

By Sudhi Ranjan Sen: Indigenously built Akash, surface-to-air missiles (SAM) that were to be positioned in the vulnerable Siliguri corridor (also referred to as the Chicken's neck) to take-down incoming Chinese Air Force fighters, have not been installed, the Comptroller Auditor General of India (CAG) has observed.

What is worse, at least 30 per cent of the missiles supplied to the IAF have been found to be faulty.

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The stand-off at Doklam in Bhutan between Indian and Chinese troops is a few kilometres away from the Siliguri Corridor. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi on the sidelines of the BRICS NSAs meeting in Beijing.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CAG REPORT The CAG calls the missiles "strategic" and says "the missile systems were to be installed at six designated sites between 2013 and 2015". But till date, none of the missiles systems have been installed. The CAG report was placed before the Parliament today. The total cost of the project was about Rs 3,900 crore, out of which the IAF has already paid Rs 3,800 crore. The IAF was to deploy six Akash missile squadrons east to counter China's build-up of military infrastructure all along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). China has eight fully-operational airbases in Tibet. And, that isn't all. The CAG report says that about 30 per cent of "strategic missiles" made by BEL - a defence public sector unit - failed when they were test-fired. "The larger issue is that 30 per cent failure rate of the sample tested puts a question mark on the reliability, based on which 95 per cent of the payment was already done", the CAG said. Even worse, the CAG has observed that a life-span of at least 70 missiles was reduced by more than three years because there was no storage facility available. Each Akash missile costs a few hundred crores. The life-span of other 150 missiles was diminished by at least "two to three" years and that of another 40-odd missiles by at least a "year or two years". The Akash missiles, which have a range of about 25 km, have a lifespan of about 10 years "from the manufacturing date" and they need to be stored under controlled conditions. "Due to delay in the creation of prescribed storage rooms, all the missiles received during April 2014 to May 2016 were kept at alternate facilities that lacked the required storage conditions", the CAG report says and adds that at least 71 missiles were affected by "moisture." The then UPA government cleared the deployment of Akash missiles in 2010 in the Siliguri corridor as Indian changed its China policy from "dissuasive to deterrence". After the 1962 debacle, India followed a policy of dissuasion against China. Areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) were deliberately left under-developed, roads weren't built to dissuade China from going on the offensive. But as China added to border infrastructure, and added troops and muscle to its military, India moved to a posture of deterrence, positioning troops, fighters, along the border.

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ALSO WATCH VIDEO: Doklam standoff: Will conflict with India be disastrous for China?

--- ENDS ---
What does bringing the master strategist Amit Shah to Centre mean for the BJP?

By India Today Web Desk: BJP national president is all set to make his debut in Parliament after the party's parliamentary board decided to nominate him for Rajya Sabha from Gujarat. What does bringing the master strategist to Centre mean for the party?

A BIGGER ROLE

After successfully ensuring BJP's biggest ever political expansion, Shah will now be directly involved in the party's functioning in Parliament as well. A cabinet berth will mean he gets involved in policy making as well. That means a step up for sure.

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A VOICE IN RAJYA SABHA

NDA lacks majority in the Upper House and a heavyweight like Shah gives the party a strong voice. Arun Jaitley, Shah and to-be-Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu will be a formidable combination to take on the opposition.

DELHI CALLS

Some reports say Amit Shah did not want to contest this year's Assembly polls in Gujarat. He is an MLA from Naranpura in Ahmedabad. By giving him a Rajya Sabha nomination the party says that even it doesn't expect Shah to go back to state politics. Shah has anyway been busy with party activities in Delhi and this will help him shift base full time.

SIGN OF MORE CHANGES

Some observers see Shah's nomination as a signal of even more drastic changes in the party which could range from a cabinet reshuffle to getting a new party president to something even more drastic.

BETWEEN THE LINES

Can BJP do without its strategist? Is it time to groom a new leader to take over the party? Is BJP so sure about its win in the 2019 polls that it can spare Shah now? Or does PM Modi need his most trusted man by his side now?

Whatever the reason, you can rest assured that Amit Shah will be far from being just another MP.

Also read:

Amit Shah Super Editor, decides how news should be: 10 jibes Lalu Prasad took at Nitish, BJP

Amit Shah, Smriti Irani to contest for Rajya Sabha elections from Gujarat

Amit Shah's Jaipur visit galvanises BJP's Rajasthan unit

Smriti Irani is back in big league of Modi ministers: BJP star politician's story

--- ENDS ---
A federal jury found two Mexican nationals guilty Thursday of murder of a federal officer, attempted murder of a federal officer, and related offenses in the killing of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agent Jaime Zapata and the attempted murder of ICE Special Agent Victor Avila on Feb. 15, 2011, in Mexico.

The defendants, Jose Emanuel Garcia Sota, aka Juan Manuel Maldonado Amezcua, aka Zafado, 36, of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and Jesus Ivan Quezada Pina, aka Loco, 29, of Matamoros, Mexico, are among seven Mexican nationals extradited to the U.S. on federal charges in this case.

Todays guilty verdicts for those responsible for the murder of ICE Special Agent Jamie Zapata and attempted murder of Special Agent Victor Avila are an important step forward for law enforcement as we continue on the path for justice, said Acting Director Andrew McCabe. As Ive said before, an attack against a federal agent serving his or her country remains a top priority for the FBI, and todays verdict demonstrates that we will not rest until those responsible for this heinous attack and the loss of a colleague have been brought to justice.

I applaud todays verdict and hope that it provides some measure of solace to the victims and their families, said Acting ICE Director Thomas D. Homan. Six years after these defendants ambushed and murdered Special Agent Jaime Zapata and seriously wounded Special Agent Victor Avila in Mexico, ICE remains committed to ensuring all those responsible for this cowardly and brutal attack are brought to justice. To that end, we are deeply grateful to the Government of Mexico, the Department of Justice, and all our partners involved in the pursuit and prosecution of these criminals.

Garcia Sota and Quezada Pina were found guilty of four federal offenses: murder of an officer or employee of the United States; attempted murder of an officer or employee of the United States; attempted murder of an internationally protected person; and using, carrying and brandishing and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence causing death. The verdicts followed a trial that began July 10, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, during which the government presented testimony from 22 witnesses, including Special Agent Avila. The Honorable Senior Judge Royce C. Lamberth scheduled a status hearing for August 29. A sentencing date has not yet been set. The defendants both face mandatory life sentences for the murder conviction.

According to the governments evidence at trial, Garcia Sota and Quezada Pina were members of two Los Zetas hit squads, or estacas, and were on a mission on the day of the shootings to steal vehicles for use in the cartels operations.

On the afternoon of Feb. 15, 2011, Garcia Sota and Quezada Pina were among a group of cartel members who targeted an armored Chevrolet Suburban bearing diplomatic plates and driven by the Special Agents on a busy highway south of San Luis Potosi. Special Agent Zapata and Special Agent Avila were on official business, heading southbound to Mexico City, when the attack took place.

During the ambush, the cartel members fired at and into the agents vehicle with handguns and semiautomatic assault weapons, including AK-47 and AR-15-type rifles. Special Agent Zapata, 32, was fatally shot, and Special Agent Avila then 38, was wounded. Investigators later found approximately 90 shell casings at the scene, according to the trial evidence.

Five other defendants, all Mexican nationals, previously pleaded guilty to federal charges in this case. Ruben Dario Venegas Rivera, aka Catracho, 29; Jose Ismael Nava Villagran, aka Cacho, 35; Julian Zapata Espinoza, aka Piolin, 36; and Alfredo Gaston Mendoza Hernandez, aka Camaron, 34, pleaded guilty to federal murder and attempted murder charges between August 2011 and October 2016. The fifth defendant, Francisco Carbajal Flores, aka Dalmata, 42, pleaded guilty in January 2012 to conspiracy to conduct the affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity and to being an accessory after the fact to the murder and attempted murder of the ICE agents. All five defendants are awaiting sentencing.

This case was investigated by the FBI, with substantial assistance from ICE, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of States Diplomatic Security Service and the U.S. Marshals Service. The Government of Mexico provided substantial assistance throughout the investigative and prosecution phases of the case.
The Hollywood actress and humanitarian recently revealed that she was diagnosed earlier this year.

By India Today Web Desk: You might be surprised to know that the man or woman whose crooked smile or droopy eyes you love might actually have a rare neurological condition. The disease, called Bell's palsy, can be quite alarming for the person who suffers from it.

And turns out that Angelina Jolie, the popular Hollywood actress and humanitarian, was diagnosed as suffering from Bell's palsy earlier this year.

Angelina Jolie recently revealed that she suffers from Bell's Palsy. Picture courtesy: Instagram/angelinajolieofficial

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The Lara Croft actress opened up about her health concerns in a recent interview with Vanity Fair, where she mentioned that she suffered from hypertension and Bell's palsy while her marriage with Brad Pitt was falling apart. The disease left one side of her face drooping, and Jolie had to go through acupuncture to treat it.

George Clooney suffered from Bell's palsy while in high school. Picture courtesy: Instagram/peopletalkru

Rare as this temporary facial paralysis is, Jolie isn't the only celebrity who suffers from it. George Clooney, Pierce Brosnan and Katie Holmes also suffered from it.

Anupam Kher has had several bouts of Bell's palsy. Picture courtesy: Instagram/anupampkher

Sylvester Stallone was actually born with Bell's palsy, which gave him the slurry accent he's famous for. Anupam Kher has also had several bouts of the disease, most famously around the time of Hum Apke Hain Kaun.

Sylvester Stallone was born with Bell's palsy. Picture courtesy: Instagram/theslystallone

Also Read: Bipasha Basu talks about the importance of fitness and making healthy lifestyle choices

The Washington Post has revealed that nearly 40,000 people suffer from Bell's palsy in the USA every year. The condition arises when facial nerves are damaged, compressed or inflamed. While it looks quite alarming, the disease is, thankfully, temporary and curable.

The underlying causes, according the Mayo Clinic, are viral infections, respiratory illnesses, influenza or herpes simplex.

Picture courtesy: Pinterest/pointfinder.org

Here are some of the chief symptoms of Bell's palsy:

1. Rapidly increasing weakness or total paralysis on one side of your face.

2. A facial droop and inability to make proper facial expressions, like smiling.

3. Drooling

4. Pain around the jaw or behind the ear on the affected side, along with headache.

5. Inability to taste.

6. Too much or too little tears and saliva.

Also Read: The humble Indian dal is just the dose of health you need in this heat

Mild cases of Bell's palsy do not need to be treated, and usually disappear within weeks, especially you have recovered fully from a recent illness or stressful period. In more severe cases, steroids, anti-viral medication, acupuncture and physical therapy can help deal with this condition. A full recovery is, thankfully, easily possible.

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So if you see the symptoms of Bell's palsy arising in yourself or in any family members and friends, do not panic. Just visit a doctor, get diagnosed, and go through the recommended treatment.

--- ENDS ---
Deputy Dan Sperry of the Bonneville County (ID) Sheriff's Office was named National School Resource Officer of the Year by NASRO. (Photo: NASRO)

The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) presented its Floyd Ledbetter National School Resource Officer of the Year Award to Deputy Dan Sperry of the Bonneville County (ID) Sheriff's Office. NASRO presented the award during its annual School Safety Conference. More than 900 police officers, educators, and others are receiving specialized training at the conference this week.

Sperry serves as a school resource officer (SRO) at Bonneville High School in Idaho Falls. The annual award recognizes an SRO who has made specific and significant contributions to the officer's local town, city, county, and/or school district.

"Deputy Sperry has been a positive asset to his school district and his police department in his current capacity for 17 years," said Mo Canady, NASRO executive director. "He is a positive mentor for his students and builds many strong relationships as a School Resource Officer."

In addition to performing the normal duties of an SRO in an exemplary manner, nomination letters described actions Sperry takes that go beyond those expectations. For example, Sperry uses his personal experiences to help students who have experienced loss work through the grief process. He advocates strongly for bus safety and traffic safety within his district. Sperry has been active in two state SRO associations. He introduced NASRO's nationally recognized SRO courses to Idaho and earlier helped form the Wyoming SRO Association.

NASRO presented its Meritorious Service Award to Deputy Kevin Teague, Williamson County Sheriff's Office, Franklin, Tennessee. Teague reacted quickly and deliberately in responding to a first-grade student in distress. His actions have been credited with saving the life of this student at Bethesda Elementary School.

The organization presented its Chief Nicholas C. Derzis Safe Schools Leadership Award to four recipients. This award recognizes individuals for their contributions and dedication to a school resource officer program and the many children, parents, and faculty members of their communities and schools. This year's recipients include:

Chief Nicholas C. Derzis, Hoover Police Department, Hoover, Alabama, for whom NASRO named the award this year. This is only the fourth time in NASRO's 27-year history that the organization has named one of its awards for an individual. In 2003, NASRO recognized Derzis' department as a model SRO agency. The success of its SRO program is a direct result of the leadership Derzis provided. His commitment to school safety extends well beyond the city of Hoover, which is demonstrated by his service on the NASRO board of directors since 2006. Derzis' work has led to many positive school safety initiatives across the country.

Chief Terrence Sheridan, Baltimore County Police Department, Baltimore County, Maryland, who implemented the first SRO program in the Baltimore/Washington region.

Vicki Almond, Baltimore County Council, Towson, Maryland, who advocated for her county's SRO program both as a community volunteer and activist and as an elected official.

Dr. Dallas Dance, former superintendent, Baltimore County Public Schools, Towson, Maryland, who led sweeping improvements in school safety focused on incident prevention.

As part of the conference, the National Road Safety Foundation bestowed the Innovation in the Classroom Award on Officer Dustin Kato, Chino Police Department, Chino, Calif. This award is presented for innovations in the classroom that educate young people about traffic safety. Kato was selected for creating and finding funding for a Safe and Sober Prom Week program. It included assemblies, distracted driving virtual reality simulators, classroom driver training and intoxication simulation goggles and tricycles. Kato's new program impacted 10 times the number of students a previous and costlier prom effort had reached.

NASRO presented its Regional Exceptional Service Award to 10 school resource officers. This award recognizes continuous and sustained service to the school community above and beyond that normally expected of an SRO. This year's recipients are:

Deputy Sonya Shepard, Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, Shalimar, Florida.

Officer Timothy Fiedler, Baltimore County Police Department, Towson, Maryland.

Officer Gregory Suber, Baltimore County Police Department, Towson, Maryland.

Officer Lonzo Boyce, Duquesne Elementary School, Duquesne, Pennsylvania.

Officer Matt McCormack, Wallenpaupack Area School District Police Department, Hawley, Pennsylvania.

Officer Ronald Porupsky, Pleasant Hills Police, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Officer Elizabeth Heffler, Natick Police Department, Natick, Massachusetts.

Officer Brandon Qualls, Muncie Police Department, Muncie, Indiana.

Deputy Jon Tindal, Hamilton County Sheriff's Department, Arcadia, Indiana.

Officer Emmanuel Araneta, Alhambra Unified School District, Alhambra, California.

In addition, NASRO recognized the Quaker Valley School District Police Department of Leetsdale, Pennsylvania, with its Model SRO Agency Award for exemplifying in its training, policies and standards the NASRO triad concept; this describes three main parts of an SRO's role: mentor, guest lecturer and law enforcement officer. Model agencies also demonstrate creative and innovative approaches to school-based policing.

NASRO presented its awards during a luncheon ceremony at its annual national conference in Washington.

For more information about NASRO, visit www.nasro.org.
Harris County, TX, sheriff's deputy Michael Collins was found dead in his home Wednesday. (Photo: Harris County SO)

A Harris County, TX, sheriff's deputy was found dead in his home Wednesday night in Cypress.

Precinct 4 deputies said the deputy's daughter called for a welfare check on her dad just after 10 p.m.

Deputies said they entered the home and found Michael Collins unresponsive. He was pronounced dead by EMS on the scene, officials said.

Authorities say it appears Collins died from a gas leak in the home and believe it was accidental.
Police in New York state may soon have a high-tech way of catching texting drivers: a device known as a textalyzer that allows an officer to quickly check if a cellphone has been in use before a crash, reports the Associated Press.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday directed the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee to examine the technology and the questions about privacy and civil liberties its use would raise.

The device is called the textalyzer because of its similarity to the Breathalyzer, which is used to identify drunken drivers. Once plugged into a person's phone for about a minute, it will indicate whether a motorist was texting, emailing, surfing the web or otherwise using his or her cellphone before a serious crash.

Supporters of the technology say the officer would not be able to access personal information on the phone, such as pictures, emails or web browsing history.

The technology is still some months away from being ready, according to Cellebrite, the Israel-based tech company developing the device.
When the gunman showed up at the hospital, Mike McDorman raised his handgun, took aim and shot the guy. He did the same when an impaired driver stepped out of a vehicle and aimed his way.

Then, having dealt with a handful of these tense scenarios in just a few minutes, he handed the gun back to a sheriff's deputy and walked out of the police shooting simulator with a relieved smile.

"I'm a mess. Sweaty!" said McDorman, the local chamber of commerce president, who acknowledged he shot an innocent person in one scene. "I'm not quitting my day job."

McDorman was among dozens of people who took aim in a firearms training simulator placed at the Clark County, OH, fair by Sheriff Deborah Burchett who hoped to help citizens better understand how quickly police must make life-or-death decisions. Some participants saw value in the exercise as police around the country face increased scrutiny for shootings.

Burchett said she thinks it's worth every penny of the $3,000-plus she paid to rent the equipment, ABC News reports.
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The American Medical Association has released a statement calling the Republican Health Care Freedom Act a.k.a. skinny Obamacare repeal toxic to patients.

Here is the statement from the AMA:

This bill is a complete disaster. It is a half-assed poorly written slapped together pile of trash that was designed just to get something through the Senate so that Republicans can claim that they repealed Obamacare.

If the bill was any good, it would not have needed to be introduced in the middle of the night.

The AMA is correct. This bill is toxic for patients. It raises premiums and will take health care coverage away from 16 million people who cant afford to buy it without subsidies, or the Medicaid expansion. There is no freedom in this bill. The Republican legislation shackles the American people to a healthcare system where they will no longer be able to get medical care without fear of massive debt.

The Health Care Freedom Act is a deadly joke that if passed would harm millions of Americans.
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By Nandita Bose

CHICAGO (Reuters)  Walmart.com, trailing Amazon.com Inc in the number of goods for sale on its website, is recruiting vendors in China and other countries to boost its online offerings in a pivot away from Wal-Marts Made-in-America campaign.

While there is a financial incentive behind the move, Wal-Marts decision comes out of necessity: not all the goods its customers want  ranging from jeans to bicycles to beauty products  are manufactured within the United States.

For graphic on price of patriotism click: http://tmsnrt.rs/2w39FKO

That reality pits Wal-Mart against President Donald Trumps Made in America push. It also risks alienating some of Wal-Marts existing U.S. vendors since it runs counter to the American-made pledge the retailer made in 2013 in a bid to win customers, and satisfy unions and other critics who said its drive for low cost goods was undermining American jobs.

According to two sources with knowledge of the matter, Wal-Mart Stores Inc in February began inviting sellers from China, the United Kingdom and Canada to list on the marketplace section of Walmart.com, where it earns a share of revenue from goods sold and delivered to customers by third-party vendors.

Previously, it only allowed U.S. based sellers on the marketplace site, sources said.

Calling the unreported move a measured approach, Wal-Mart Vice-President of Partner Services Michael Trembley confirmed the invite-only program. He said foreign sellers currently make up less than five percent of its seller base.

Trembley said Wal-Marts move is focused on meeting customer demand for different types of products and increasing online assortment. Wal-Marts marketplace inventory has quintupled this year to 50 million items. That still pales in comparison to Amazons nearly 300 million products online, analysts said.

Shrinking that gap is key to Wal-Marts strategy to beat Amazon. Launched in 2009, the marketplace platform contributes more than 10 percent to Wal-Marts e-commerce revenue, but barely registers in total sales of nearly $486 billion, according to data from e-commerce analytics firm Marketplace Pulse. The data could not be independently verified by Reuters.

Amazons third-party marketplace, which also uses global vendors from countries like China, contributes to nearly half of Amazons retail sales, analysts said.

The move brings risks beyond the impact to Wal-Marts sales. Trump kicked off a Made in America week earlier this month where he promised he would take more legal and regulatory steps during the next six months to protect American manufacturers, lashing out against trade deals he said have hurt U.S. companies.

Trumps comments come as the White House is seeking to renegotiate the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in an effort to shrink the trade deficit with Canada and Mexico.

No longer will we allow other countries to break the rules, steal our jobs and drain our wealth, Trump said in a weekly address tweeted by the White House on July 21. Instead we will follow two simple but very crucial rules: We will buy American and we will hire American.

In a statement on Wednesday, Wal-Mart proposed policy actions to boost U.S. manufacturing which could help capture $300 billion worth of products that are imported. The retailer urged policymakers for simpler regulations on things like Made in USA labeling and modernize trade agreements.

Cindi Marsiglio, vice president for U.S. sourcing and manufacturing at Wal-Mart, told Reuters it is on target with its pledge to buy $250 billion worth of American-made products by 2023, and remains committed to boosting U.S. manufacturing.

AGAINST THE SPIRIT OF THEIR MADE IN AMERICA'

Some of Wal-Marts existing U.S. vendors  whom Wal-Mart has recruited to supply goods manufactured domestically as part of its highly publicized Made-in-America sourcing plan  are on edge about competition with foreign goods.

It goes against the spirit of their Made in America push, said one seller of American-made socks to Wal-Mart.com, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of hurting business relations with the retailer.

Six out of seven U.S. manufacturers Reuters spoke with who are selling to Walmart.com said they were disappointed with the retailers move. Marsiglio said the retailer had not heard any complaints about its move to allow global vendors on its marketplace.

Its bad timing to start such a program given President Trumps push in this direction and the resources they (Wal-Mart) spend on promoting a patriotic image, said another vendor, who sells pet products.

Darius Mir, chief executive of MIA (Made in America) Seating Corp, a Tennessee based seller of office furniture to Wal-Mart.com, said he supports free trade and is open to competition on the platform. But he thinks it would help U.S.-based vendors if Wal-Mart could label Made in USA items listed on its website.

Walmart must distinguish between a Made In USA product from all others by grouping the American made product separately, and highlighting the Made In USA label, he said.

HOLLOWED-OUT MANUFACTURING

Wal-Marts third-party marketplace is part of an overall online initiative that is starting to show growth, with e-commerce sales growing 63 percent during the first quarter.

The progress has been led by e-commerce chief Marc Lore, who took over last year after Wal-Mart paid $3.3 billion for Jet.com, an online retail platform he founded.

Wal-Marts Trembley said the retailers approach to growing its marketplace, which analysts said has been slow, has been designed to avoid problems like counterfeit products, which is a challenge for rivals Amazon and Alibaba.

He said Wal-Mart vets sellers to the third party marketplace and has a high bar for selection.

The retailer has also put in place requirements for global vendors that could create U.S. jobs. For example, foreign sellers must be able to fulfill orders from a U.S.-based warehouse, they must use a U.S.-based return center and have customer support operating during U.S. business hours, Trembley said.

But finding U.S.-based suppliers remains a challenge. Beginning in the 1980s, Wal-Mart led a push to look overseas for inexpensive inventory, and the Made-in-America pushwith its implied effort to rebuild a hollowed-out manufacturing basehas created more publicity than sales, retail consultants and analysts said.

Wal-Marts Marsiglio in an interview in April told Reuters that finding U.S.-based suppliers remains one of the top challenges across our supplier base.

This week she said one of the ways Wal-Mart is addressing that challenge is by working with existing suppliers and leveraging their manufacturing capacity to produce multiple items. For example, the retailer is working with a playing cards supplier who is now manufacturing plastic cutlery.

Wal-Mart had 10,249 sellers on its marketplace at the end of 2017s first quarter, a substantial jump from 400 in the same period a year ago, according to data from Marketplace Pulse. This compares to millions of sellers on Amazons marketplace.

But few American consumers are willing to pay higher prices for American-made items. A Reuters Ipsos poll released on Thursday found 70 percent of Americans think it is important to buy U.S.-made products but 37 percent said they wouldnt pay more for U.S.-made goods.

This all boils down to one thing, said Juozas Kaziukenas, founder and chief executive of Marketplace Pulse, the e-commerce analytics firm. Wal-Marts marketplace has not been a success story, but with their renewed focus on e-commerce, they are trying to do everything they can to change that, he said.

(Editing by David Greising and Edward Tobin)
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By Richard Cowan and Mike Stone

WASHINGTON (Reuters)  The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a $68 billion increase in military spending next year with legislation that also provides money to start construction of President Donald Trumps Mexican border wall.

The bill increased spending on the U.S. capability to defend itself from foreign missile attacks amid growing concerns about North Koreas increasing capacity to hit the United States with a nuclear-tipped missile after it successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in July.

The money for the wall is dwarfed by the $658.1 billion the bill would provide for the Defense Department, an increase of $68.1 billion above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $18.4 billion above Trumps budget request.

The House voted 235-192 for the fiscal 2018 spending bill that would provide $1.6 billion for initial construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, which was a centerpiece of Trumps 2016 presidential campaign.

Democrats repeatedly have referred to any money for the wall as a poison pill and are likely to try to kill it in the Senate.

Congress is up against an Oct. 1 deadline  the start of a new fiscal year  for either passing spending bills or temporarily extending funding at current-year levels to give negotiators more time to come to agreements.

Funding for the wall was tucked into a wide-ranging national security appropriations bill at the last minute by Republican leadership, knowing that many House members who oppose the wall would not sink defense spending with a no vote.

Trump has argued that a big beautiful wall was needed along the entire southwestern U.S. border and that Mexico would ultimately pay for its construction.

Mexico has flatly refused to pay and in recent weeks Trump indicated that there could be portions of the border that are not conducive to a wall.

Democrats and many Republicans in Congress have questioned the feasibility and effectiveness of a border wall, with immigration advocacy groups arguing that it would not stem the flow of illegal border crossings and would hurt U.S.-Mexico relations.

OPPOSITION TO WALL

In interviews in recent weeks with more than a half-dozen Republican senators from states that voted for Trump for president last November, only Ted Cruz of Texas embraced building the wall.

Similarly, House Republicans representing districts along the U.S.-Mexico border have expressed opposition to the barrier, which could end up costing well over $21 billion.

Representative Nita Lowey, the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, called the wall a waste  that experts confirm is unneeded and ineffective and cuts against our values as Americans.

Furthermore, Lowey noted that Pentagon funding would run into a technical problem as it breaches a cap on defense spending by $72 billion. If the bill became law, she said, it actually would trigger across-the-board cuts of 13 percent to every defense account in order to stay within the cap.

The beefed up defense spending would allow the Pentagon to continue military activities in Iraq, Afghanistan and other trouble spots and hire more troops while providing soldiers with a 2.4 percent pay raise.

It also would allow the Pentagon to undertake a shopping spree with money to buy ships and submarines, aircraft, tanks and other big-ticket items.

The House-passed bill also includes an increase for Americas nuclear weapons stockpile managed by the Department of Energy, as well as for U.S. Capitol Police following a June 14 shooting that gravely wounded Republican Representative Steve Scalise.

A $825 million increase for the Missile Defense Agency to more than $8.6 billion is more than Trump asked for and includes additional boosters and missile silos for the main system that would defend against an ICBM attack, a program run by Boeing Co.

Missile defense would also gain 14 more THAAD interceptors made by Lockheed Martin Co.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan and Mike Stone; Editing by Chris Sanders, Lisa Shumaker and Bill Trott)
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Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee are demanding a second special counsel be appointed to investigate former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

The Republicans wrote, The unbalanced, uncertain, and seemingly unlimited focus of the special counsels investigation has led many of our constituents to see a dual standard of justice that benefits only the powerful and politically well-connected. For this reason, we call on you to appoint a second special counsel to investigate a plethora of matters connected to the 2016 election and its aftermath, including actions taken by previously public figures like Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The letter is part of the Trump strategy for getting rid of the Russia investigation. Republicans on the Judiciary Committees in the House and Senate are arguing that the really isnt about Trump and Russia, but Clinton and Obama. The Republicans are trying to revive Clintons emails, because they, like their president, are trying to use Hillary Clinton to distract from the Russia scandal.

The point is to deflect attention away from Trump and blame the Democrats for the Presidents potential collusion with Russia.

Republicans have nothing else in the playbook, but to blame Obama and shout Clinton scandal.

But Barack Obama isnt the president, and Hillary Clinton is a private citizen.

The dusty old blame Obama and Clinton ploy wont work this time. Donald Trump is the president, and whether they like it or not, Republicans own the Russia scandal.
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WASHINGTON (Reuters)  The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to slap new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea, despite President Donald Trumps objections to the legislation.

As voting continued, the Senate backed the measure by a margin of 76-1, with strong support from Trumps fellow Republicans as well as Democrats. The bill will now be sent to the White House for Trump to sign into law or veto.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
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By Valerie Volcovici

WASHINGTON (Reuters)  A leading Democratic lawmaker on Thursday said he would ask federal officials to investigate reported threats by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke regarding Alaska energy policy to retaliate against opposition from one of the states Republican senators to efforts to repeal Obamacare.

U.S. Representative Raul Grijalva of Arizona, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources, said an investigation is necessary and called Zinkes actions unethical.

The congressman will ask the Government Accountability Office, the Interior Departments inspector general or both to investigate, a spokesman said.

The Alaska Dispatch News on Thursday reported that Zinke had called Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both Republicans, on Wednesday. He warned them that Murkowskis vote on Tuesday against a motion to begin debate on the healthcare overhaul could have negative consequences for energy and land use in Alaska, the newspaper said. Murkowskis no vote forced Vice President Mike Pence to cast a tie-breaking vote to pass the motion by a 51-50 ballot.

The call from Zinke followed a phone conversation Murkowski had with Republican President Donald Trump on Tuesday, which she described to E&E News, an energy and environment publication, as very unpleasant.

Murkowski spokeswoman Karina Petersen confirmed that Zinke had called the senator.

Threatening to punish your rivals as political blackmail is something wed see from the Kremlin, Grijalva said. Secretary Zinkes willingness to deliver these threats speaks volumes about his ethical standards and demonstrates that Interiors policy positions are up for political grabs, rather than based on science or the public interest.

Zinkes office did not respond to requests for comment.

His Interior Department oversees more than 20 percent of federal land, including national parks such as Yosemite, and deals with energy development on public land and offshore areas. The department deals with policies crucial to Alaskas economy such as oil drilling and control of wildlife areas. Until he became a Cabinet member earlier this year, he was himself a U.S. congressman, representing Montana.

Murkowski, as chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, oversees appropriations and appointee confirmations for the Interior Department.

Separately, Interior Department watchdog group the Western Values Project filed a records request related to Zinkes calls to Murkowski and Sullivan.

(Reporting By Valerie Volcovici; additional reporting by Susan Cornwell; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
The armed forces' move is a bid to thwart misuse as well as illicit sale of the subsidised alcohol to civilians.

By Ajit Kumar Dubey: The armed forces are looking to clip the liquor quota of troops in a bid to thwart misuse as well as illicit sale of the subsidised alcohol to civilians, a move that comes at a time when the ration facilities of military officers has been curtailed.

Defence personnel get liquor cheap from the government's canteen stores department (CSD). In the pre-goods and services tax era, they were exempt from the sales tax applicable in different states and because of this the cost of alcohol in these canteens was lower than the price in civilian wine shops. Liquor has even now been kept out of the purview of GST.

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The not-for-profit canteen stores typically work on operating margins as low as 1%, while this figure can vary anywhere between 8% and 18% for private retailers.

"There is a plan to reduce the existing quota of liquor of different ranks in the armed forces. This would help in checking the sale of alcohol outside the forces to civilians and there is also a feeling that such high quantity of liquor is not required any more for personnel," Army sources told MAIL TODAY.

According to the proposal, the allocation for serving and retired officers would be reduced from the existing ten bottles to five bottles, while serving junior commissioned officers would get only four bottles instead of the seven they receive now.

BIGGEST CUT

If the plan gets implemented, the biggest cut would be in the quota for the jawans who will get only two bottles a month - three less than what they are getting right now, the sources said. Army officers said there was a time when a majority of personnel in the forces were fond of drinking but the trend has changed in the last decade.

"My own quota remains unused at a stretch for several months and is used only when some colleague wants extra bottles of liquor for a party or a get-together," a brigadier-rank officer said.

The officer said with so much of the liquor quota remaining unused, the bottles meant for the defence personnel end up in civilian markets and cause losses to the national exchequer.

Subsidised canteen liquor is a major draw for civilians as it is considered to be unadulterated and costs Rs 400-500 less than the price for comparable goods in civilian shops.

ALCOHOL CONTRIBUTES 26% OF CSD'S SALES

According to a study last year, alcohol is the highest-selling category and contributes 26% of the CSD's sales, followed by toiletries.

The canteen stores department is also planning to make a large number of changes to check the misuse of facilities meant only for defence personnel as it is reducing the stock to be procured by the unit-run canteens, which sell these subsidised goods to military personnel.

According to the directives issued by the quartermaster general branch of the Army, there would be a limit on the grocery articles also as the allocation is considered to be too high at present.

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The quota of bathing soap, washing powder, noodles, soft drink, tea, coffee, ketchup, baby milk powder, shampoo, mustard oil and desi ghee is expected to be cut in a big way to prevent their sale outside.

Over the years, the CSDs have emerged as one of the biggest retail chains in the country. They have over one crore serving and retired personnel as well as their families as their direct customers across the country and provide all kinds of articles to military personnel in even the remotest corners, including Ladakh and the Northeast.

The string of about 3,900 stores made gains of Rs 236 crore in the 2014-15 fiscal year, emerging as the country's most profitable retail chain ahead of several big-name private players.

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Wife of Army officer slaps junior officer's spouse during an event; matter reaches PMO Army officers legal notice against withdrawal of free ration

Indian Army let down by Ordnance Factories, it failed to deliver ammunition on time, says CAG report

3 Army canteens closed after highway liquor ban

Defence canteens to go cashless from March 1, will only accept plastic money

ALSO WATCH

Pakistan army provoking India at China's behest?

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--- ENDS ---
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By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters)  The United States top general told the military on Thursday there had been no change yet to Pentagon policy on transgender personnel, after President Donald Trumps announcement of his plans to ban them appeared to catch senior officers by surprise.

Marine General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the militarys Joint Chiefs of Staff, began his note to service chiefs, commanders and senior enlisted leaders by acknowledging the uncertainty that followed Trumps announcement.

I know there are questions about yesterdays announcement on the transgender policy by the President, Dunford wrote.

There will be no modifications to the current policy until the Presidents direction has been received by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary has issued implementation guidance, Dunford said in the message, first reported by Reuters.

Dunford then made the assurance that the U.S. military would treat all of our personnel with respect. The message neither voiced support nor opposition to Trumps decision.

Trump made his announcement on Wednesday morning in a series of Twitter postings, saying he would ban transgender people from the U.S. military, a move appealing to some in his conservative political base but creating vast uncertainty for active-duty and reserve transgender service members, who say they number in the thousands.

The Trump administration on Thursday told a U.S. appeals court in New York that federal law does not ban discrimination against gay employees, a sharp reversal of the position Democratic former President Barack Obama took.

As a presidential candidate, Trump last year vowed to fight for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people. His decision drew condemnation from rights groups and some lawmakers in both parties as politically motivated discrimination. But it was also praised by conservative activists and some of his fellow Republicans.

The White House said Trump had extensive discussions with his national security team, and that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis was informed after the president made the decision on Tuesday to go ahead.

But the chief of staff of the U.S. Army, General Mark Milley, said on Thursday he had no advance knowledge of Trumps decision before his announcement via Twitter on Wednesday. He added that was not unusual.

I personally did not, but nor would I have expected to, Milley said while speaking at the National Press Club.

One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Dunford, in a separate message sent more narrowly to heads of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force, acknowledged that Trumps announcement on Wednesday was unexpected.

Trump cited tremendous medical costs and disruption as a justification for the ban, a point disputed by experts and advocates for allowing military service to be determined by an individuals capabilities, not gender identity or sexual preference.

Trumps tweet appeared to preempt an ongoing Pentagon review looking at allowing openly transgender recruits to join the military. The Defense Department had been expected to begin formally allowing transgender people to enlist this year. But Mattis on June 30 approved a six-month delay in that step to allow time for a review.

ORDERS VIA TWITTER?

Trumps tweets stoked alarm among some senior military officers and Pentagon civilians, who were caught off guard by it, three general officers in two services said early on Thursday.

I hope our commander in chief understands that we dont transmit orders via Twitter, and that he cant, either, one said by telephone, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Even if this were an order, implementing it legally would take considerable time, if its even possible.

Trumps plan to ban transgender service members unleashed a storm of legal threats from advocates who say they are seeking plaintiffs who want to sue.

Trumps tweets did not make clear when a ban would go into effect, nor whether it applies to serving members of the military or those wishing to join.

But if the Defense Department actively roots out transgender people and discharges them from the military, the Pentagon is likely to face an especially contentious fight, legal experts say.

Theres no valid justification for excluding transgender people from the military, said Jon Davidson, legal director for LGBT rights group Lambda Legal.

It was also unclear whether it might go beyond active-duty forces and apply to members of the reserve.

Indiana National Guard reservist Cameron St. Andrew, who resigned from full-time service after the November election, told Reuters that as a transgender person he was concerned about his status.

I try to be tough about it, he said, but added: It breaks your spirit down.

One active-duty U.S. military officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said senior officials were not consulted.

Were scratching our heads and asking where the hell this came from, the officer said by phone.

Maybe the president is in step with some members of Congress and some voters, but he is out of step with todays military. Our service personnel today dont give a damn about the personal lives of their comrades so long as they know they can trust them when it counts.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali.; additional reporting by John Walcott, Letitia Stein, Daniel Trotta; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Cynthia Osterman)
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By Jonathan Allen

NEW YORK (Reuters)  Hillary Clintons memoir about her failed attempt to win last years U.S. presidential election will be called What Happened, a declaration rather than a question, her publisher said in the run-up to its September 12 release.

Among the things the Democratic nominee will say happened are sexism against the first woman to be the presidential candidate for a major U.S. party and an unprecedented assault on our democracy by a foreign adversary, according to publicity material from the publisher, Simon and Schuster.

Staff in Clintons campaign and at Democratic party headquarters saw thousands of their internal emails stolen and published online last year. U.S. intelligence agencies have said that Russian intelligence agencies stole the emails as part of an effort by Russian President Vladimir Putin to foil Clintons chances of becoming president.

Putin has denied the charges, and U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed doubt about the conclusion of intelligence agencies he oversees.

In a tweet on Thursday, Clinton said, Writing What Happened was hard, so is what we see every day. As we move forward & fight back, I hope this helps.

Clinton has at times faced intense scrutiny by the media and political opponents for more than 25 years since her husband, Bill Clinton, successfully sought the U.S. presidency in 1992.

In the past, for reasons I try to explain, Ive often felt I had to be careful in public, like I was up on a wire without a net, Clinton wrote in the books introduction. Now Im letting my guard down.

Despite polls showing the former secretary of state was expected to triumph in the election last November, Clinton won only 227 electoral college votes to Trumps 304. She won the popular vote by about 2.9 million votes.

Since then, she has made a handful of speeches and public appearances while working on the book.

In April, she told the Women in the World Summit in New York City that she had no intention of running for another public office and that she was writing a book that, in part, delves into what derailed her attempt to become Americas first woman president.

For people who are interested in this, the nearly 66 million people who voted for me, I want to give as clear and as credible an explanation as I can, she said.

Clinton has also faulted the manner in which the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under director James Comey, investigated how she managed her email, some of which involved classified information, when she was secretary of state.

Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, told the Washington Post last week, When you lose to somebody who has 40 percent popularity, you dont blame other things  Comey, Russia you blame yourself.

Clinton and Trump were the most unpopular U.S. presidential candidates in modern polling history.

(Reporting by Jonathan Allen; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
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TOKYO (Reuters)  Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Saturday that North Korea had fired a missile that may have landed in Japans exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

He added that a meeting of the National Security Council would be convened and that Japan would take every necessary step to ensure the safety of its citizens.

(Reporting by William Mallard, writing by Elaine Lies; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

WASHINGTON (Reuters)  The Pentagon said on Friday it had detected a North Korean ballistic missile launch and was carrying out assessments to gather further information.

Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said the launch occurred at about 10:45 a.m. ET (1445 GMT).

(Reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
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Speaker of the House Paul Ryan was in full dark emo mode, and Republicans were talking about plane crashes all because millions of people will get to keep their health care.

Politico reported:

At a closed-door conference meeting with House Republicans hours after Sen. John McCain scuttled perhaps the last best hope of repealing Obamacare, Ryan read an excerpt from The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, a song about sailors drowning in a 1975 shipwreck. He likened the tune to what he deemed the Senates tragic failure to repeal Obamacare. .. The House did its job The Senate needs to deliver, said Rep. Steve Russell (R-Okla.), on his way into the morning meeting. Were all on this plane, and if it crashes, we all go down together.

House Republicans are comparing people getting to keep their health insurance to fatal shipwrecks and plane crashes. There is something sick about Republican members of Congress mourning over millions not facing the peril of being ill and uninsured.

Republicans have lost all touch with reality. They are not interested in the problems or concerns of the American people, and the best way to understand how little they care is to realize that Paul Ryan and his House Republicans are sad that more Americans wont potentially die from a lack of coverage.
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By Andrew Osborn

MOSCOW (Reuters)  Russia on Friday ordered the United States to cut hundreds of diplomatic staff in retaliation for a new round of U.S. sanctions, and said it was seizing two U.S. diplomatic properties.

Moscows decision, which had echoes of the Cold War, was announced by the Foreign Ministry a day after the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approved new sanctions on Russia. The bill now passes to President Donald Trump for final approval.

Russia had been threatening retaliation for weeks. Its response suggests it has set aside initial hopes of better ties with Washington under Trump, something the U.S. leader, before he was elected, had said he wanted to achieve.

Relations were already languishing at a post-Cold War low after U.S. intelligence agencies accused Russia of trying to meddle in last years U.S. presidential election to boost Trumps chances, something Moscow flatly denies.

The new sanctions were in part a response to the agencies findings that Russia did meddle in the election, and to further punish Russia for its annexation of Crimea in 2014.

The Russian Foreign Ministry complained of growing anti-Russian feeling in the United States, accusing well-known circles of seeking open confrontation.

President Vladimir Putin had warned on Thursday that Russia would have to retaliate against what he called boorish U.S. behavior, and Dmitry Peskov, his spokesman, told reporters on Friday that the Senate vote was the last straw.

A top White House aide said on Thursday that Trump might veto the legislation in order to push for a tougher deal. But the bill is expected to garner enough support in both chambers to override any veto.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the United States had until Sept. 1 to reduce its diplomatic staff in Russia to 455 people, the number of Russian diplomats left in the United States after Washington expelled 35 Russians in December.

EXTREME AGGRESSION

It was not immediately clear how many U.S. diplomats and other workers would be forced to leave either the country or their posts, but the Interfax news agency cited an informed source as saying hundreds of people would be affected.

A diplomatic source told Reuters that it would be for the United States to decide which posts to cut, whether occupied by U.S. or Russian nationals.

An official at the U.S. Embassy, who declined to be named because they were not allowed to speak to the media, said the Embassy employed around 1,100 diplomatic and support staff in Russia, including Russian and U.S. citizens.

The Russian Foreign Ministrys statement said the passage of the bill confirmed the extreme aggression of the United States in international affairs.

Hiding behind its exceptionalism, the United States arrogantly ignores the positions and interests of other countries, it said.

Under the absolutely invented pretext of Russian interference in its domestic affairs, the United States is aggressively pushing forward, one after another, crude anti-Russian actions. This all runs counter to the principles of international law.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov met outgoing U.S. ambassador John Tefft on Friday to inform him of the counter measures, Russian news agencies reported. The U.S. Embassy said the ambassador had expressed his strong disappointment and protest.

Most U.S. diplomatic staff, including around 300 U.S. citizens, work in the main embassy in Moscow, with others based in consulates in St Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said it was also seizing a Moscow dacha compound used by U.S. diplomats for recreation, from Aug. 1, as well as a U.S. diplomatic warehouse in Moscow.

FACE-TO-FACE MEETING

The outgoing Obama administration seized two Russian diplomatic compounds  one in New York and another in Maryland  at the same time as it expelled the Russian diplomats in December.

Putin said at the time that he would wait to see how Trump handled the issue before responding, and Trump praised his restraint.

The two men met for the first time at a G20 summit in Germany this month in what both sides described as a productive encounter, but Russian officials have become increasingly convinced that Congress and Trumps political opponents will not allow him to mend ties, even if he wants to.

The adoption of the new sanctions law showed clearly that relations with Russia have become hostage to a domestic political battle in the United States, the Foreign Ministry said.

The new law aims to use political tools to create dishonest competitive advantages for the United States in the global economy. Such blackmail, aimed at limiting cooperation between Russia and foreign partners, is a threat for many countries and for international business.

The Russian Foreign Ministry warned it would respond in kind if Washington decided to expel any more Russian diplomats.

The European Union has also threatened to retaliate against new U.S. sanctions on Russia, saying they would harm the blocs energy security by targeting projects including a planned new pipeline to bring Russian natural gas to northern Europe.

A European Commission spokesman in Brussels gave a non-committal response to the Senate vote, saying: We will be watching how this process unfolds and then of course we will be watching equally attentively how this law, if and when it enters into force, will be applied in practice.

(Additional reporting by Dmitry Solovyov, Polina Devitt and Jack Stubbs; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
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WASHINGTON (Reuters)  U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren called on Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen to remove members of Wells Fargo & Cos <WFC.N> board after revelations the company improperly charged customers for auto insurance.

In a letter sent Friday to Yellen, Warren, a Democrat, said the recent revelation of more improper charges at the bank indicates deep risk management problems, and called for the removal of all board members who served from 2011 to 2015, when the activity reportedly occurred.

The New York Times reported Friday that more than 800,000 Wells Fargo customers were charged for auto insurance they did not request.

(Reporting by Pete Schroeder and Lisa Lambert; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
EUR 39 mn real estate fund taken over by Hungary's 'Team Meszaros'

Konzum Nyrt., an interest of Lorinc Meszaros, a billionaire businessman with ties to Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has announced on Friday that its asset management company, Konzum Investment Fund Management is taking over one of the real estate funds of Diofa Fund Management.

FHB Banks headquarters on Ulloi ut in Budapest;

the Yacht Camping in Balatonalmadi;

a 6.3-hectare plot under development in Budakeszie

a 6.4-hectare real estate in the centre of Balatonalmadi.

Diofa Real Estate Fund manages 11.9 billion (EUR 39 mn) forints worth of assets, which makes it the 9th largest on the local market. The first three based on assets managed are real estate funds owned by Erste and OTP, and MPT Real Estate Fund, also a Diofa unit. The latter is available also for retail clients.Diofa Real Estate Fund owns, among other assets, the following:Total value of the managed assets and investments exceeds HUF 100 billion, Konzum said in a statement on the website of the stock exchange.MKBs Real Estate Fund recorded the highest six-month yield of 6.6% at the end of June, followed by Q1 Real Estate Development Investment Fund (5.1%) and Raiffeisen Real Estate Fund A" (4.5%).Bloomberg reported earlier this week that Konzum has the worlds best-performing stock this year, its shares soaring more than fiftyfold on the Budapest Stock Exchange (BSE) at one point. In contrast, Konzums sales last year plummeted 99% and its staff was slashed by 86%. Now the company has a market value of about USD 142 mn.Maybe Im smarter" than Mark Zuckerberg, said Lorinc Meszaros, a former gas fitter who in February sparked the rally when he bought a 20% stake in Konzum, speaking to reporters that month.

Or maybe Meszaros has better friends

, Bloomberg noted, reminding that he is a former schoolmate of Orban and the mayor of the PMs hometown Felcsut.Since 2014, Meszaross wealth has increased fifteenfold, making him Hungarys fifth-richest citizen, according to financial website Napi.hu, with an estimated net worth of USD 460 million, with businesses in construction, the media (newspapers, TV), wineries, campgrounds and a portfolio of hotels.In a 2014 interview with the weekly Heti Valasz, Meszaros credited hard work plus God, luck, and Viktor Orban" for his fortune.Filings with regulators dont show that Meszaros has sold significant numbers of Konzum shares, but independent watchdogs and members of the opposition say his relationship with Orban presents, at a minimum, the appearance of conflicts of interest.Meszaros is a front for Orban," says Akos Hadhazy, co-chairman of the LMP party, who quit Fidesz in 2013 after alleging it was riddled with corruption. And Orban is omnipotent in Hungary."Ive never had and never will have a straw man," Orban told Parliament in April in response to a question about his ties to his old friend.Were friends, but that doesnt give me any financial benefits," Meszaros told reporters in February. Hes also said bids for procurements are open to anyone.Konzum, which was founded as a retailer a year before the fall of the Iron Curtain, was listed on the BSE in 1990, but it merely bounced along in penny stock territory. That changed when Meszaros announced in February that he had acquired a stake in the company, fuelling speculation that the purchase would spark a rally even though the companys 2016 sales were just USD 91,000.Kids, state funding is about to pour in and the stock price will go skyward!" an investor using the handle Metwolf wrote on Portfolio.Within two weeks, Konzums shares had quadrupled; in July they peaked above 2,800 forinta gain of 5,400 percent for the year. On July 24, Konzum closed at 1,786 forint, the best return this year out of about 16,000 actively traded stocks with market values above USD 100 million, Bloomberg reported
An aerial view of the V.C. Summer construction site in Jenkinsville, where two nuclear reactors are being built by Santee Cooper and South Carolina Electric & Gas. The utilities are studying whether to complete the $14 billion project following a bankruptcy filing in March by lead contractor Westinghouse Electric. Provided/SCE&G
Our body is designed for a relationship between our brain and the sun. The internal clock is ideally synced for alignment with a sunrise, a sunset and a 24-hour day. Our watches, bedside clocks and smartphones often determine when we wake up, get to work or go to sleep. Has your body adequately adjusted to last weeks time change? Read morePeper column: The sands of time
Paul Bowers is an education reporter and father of three living in North Charleston. He previously worked at the Charleston City Paper, where he was twice named South Carolina Journalist of the Year in the weekly category.
By Divyesh Singh: Bandra Police in Mumbai arrested the man involved in the hit and run accident on Bandra bridge that killed two and injured three.

Ehtesham Kapadia, who was arrested from Masjid Bunder locality yesterday, confessed to the crime. He said that he was driving a black coloured sedan MH04 EF 8795 whch lost control and rammed into a stationary tempo over the Bandra bridge. Three workers were working on the spot, fixing a hoarding on the flyover.

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The worker who died on the spot was identified as Sandeep Gaud (26) while the one dragged with the vehicle was identified as Lala Bansi (28). Local eyewitnesses claimed that after hitting the tempo and workers, the sedan toppled over the bridge and hit Bansi who was standing below. Bansi was rushed to the Bhabha hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Locals also claimed that the car was driven by a female driver and the male was seated besides her. Kapadia and his friend Aksa, who suffered minor injuries, ran away from the spot after the accident.

"The car was driven by the female and her male friend in red t-shirt was seen seated besides her. They were speeding while coming from the Bandra Worli sealink and would have lost control which led to the accident and innocent people were killed. It seems they were on a joyride and the female was learning to drive with her friend," said Rajendra Wagle, a local resident who was present on the spot.

Bandra Police is now questioning Kapadia.

Also Read

Mumbai: Woman biker crushed to death in accident due to pothole

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Ellen Weavers school choice position puts her at odds with teacher advocacy groups in South Carolina, but they say they can find common ground on other issues. Read moreSC educator groups pledge to work with Weaver, despite differences
Jack Evans is a reporting intern at the Post and Courier. He attends Indiana University and has written for the Indiana Daily Student, the Daily Hampshire Gazette and the Knoxville Mercury, among other publications.
FILE - In this Dec. 18, 2013, file photo, U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., discusses his first months back in Congress during an interview in Mount Pleasant, S.C. Sanford, a former South Carolina governor now in Congress wants federal communications officials to help combat the danger of cellphones in the hands of prison inmates, asking Thursda, July 27, 2017, that states be allowed to use technology to jam the signals of cellphones smuggled to inmates behind bars. (AP Photo/Bruce Smith, File)
By PTI: Lucknow, Jul 27 (PTI) Terming the developments in Bihar as a "wrong signal for democracy", BSP president Mayawati said today that misuse of power and official machinery by the BJP leadership posed a serious challenge to established democratic norms.

She claimed that the people of Bihar had been betrayed with state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar switching sides from the grand alliance to the NDA.

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Misuse of power and government machinery by the senior leadership of the BJP for the lure of power is continuously posing a challenge to the democratic norms of the country, she said.

"The latest political developments in Bihar after Manipur and Goa clearly prove that future of democracy is at risk under the Narendra Modi government," Mayawati alleged in a press release issued by her party here.

Terming JD (U) leader Kumars move of leaving the anti- BJP alliance and joining hand with the saffron party to form the government "as betraying the people of Bihar", Mayawati said people had voted for the secular alliance defying the Modi wave.

This mandate should have been honoured, she said.

"Whatever has happened in Bihar after Manipur and Goa is the result of misuse of official machinery... To divert the peoples attention from wrong policies and corruption, the BJP has launched a drive to prove opposition leaders as corrupt which is most condemnable and dangerous for democracy," she claimed. PTI SAB ADS

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ALBERT LEA  Mayo Clinic is moving forward with its transition plan in Albert Lea, despite united opposition from city and county officials and thousands of local citizens.

The first domino fell Wednesday when Mayo Clinic Health System informed three health unit coordinators that their jobs were being eliminated at the end of September. Those impending layoffs coincide with Mayo's plan to consolidate its intensive-care unit at the Austin campus this fall.

Minnesota Nurses Association spokesman Jay Armstrong broke news of the layoffs to the Albert Lea community Thursday morning on social media , prompting criticism from the Save Our Hospital opposition group, which boasts thousands of members, and many elected officials.

The fate of the 13 ICU nurses in Albert Lea remains to be seen. Three others already have departed since Mayo's June 12 announcement.

"They were very emotional and came out crying," Armstrong said of the ICU leaders. "Mayo has been very consistent in saying that this is about Mayo, on Mayo's schedule and on Mayo's terms. This is just another example of that."

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Mayo confirmed the layoffs Thursday afternoon, noting the employees will receive a severance package and assistance finding new employment in Albert Lea or elsewhere in Mayo Clinic Health System. However, it also blasted Armstrong for spreading rumors.

Armstrong's Facebook post speculated the layoffs might be the first of 500 local losses, which effectively would cut Mayo's Albert Lea workforce in half. It's the second time Armstrong has used that number publicly and the second time Mayo has rebuked him for it.

"The organizer also speculated again, with no evidence, on the number of jobs at risk," Mayo spokeswoman Mandie Siems wrote. "Circulating this rumor causes needless anxiety among staff and the community.

"Less than 5 percent of services are being transitioned from Albert Lea to Austin, and at the same time, there are services moving from Austin to Albert Lea, bringing jobs with them. To speculate that one half of the total workforce will be displaced is irresponsible."

Armstrong fired back Thursday evening, accusing Mayo of cutting its severance packages in half last month in a move that will affect any Albert Lea employee who gets laid off.

"Mayo continually asks the community to trust them," Armstrong said, echoing a statement made last week by Freeborn County Board Chairman Jim Nelson. "But nothing they've done recently suggests that they should be trusted."

Mayo leaders have said the transition is necessary because Mayo Clinic Health System has lost nearly $13 million during the last two years at its campuses in Austin and Albert Lea. However, Mayo's decision was made without warning or consulting any elected officials affected by the plan.

Mayo's layoff announcements come two days after the Albert Lea City Council unanimously approved a resolution asking Mayo to pause the process until 2018 to gather input and get feedback from the community. Mayo Vice President Dr. Bobbie Gostout rejected a similar request from the Freeborn County Board last week. Freeborn commissioners asked for a six-month moratorium. Gostout did offer an apology for Mayo's poor communication with city and county officials.

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Mariah Lynne, co-chairwoman of Save Our Hospital, dismissed Gostout's apology .

"You can tell from the community's reaction to (Armstrong's Facebook) post, communication is needed and being poorly handled," Lynne said.

First District Congressman Tim Walz, D-Mankato, also has criticized Mayo's lack of communication . He's scheduled to meet Monday with members of Save Our Hospital, Albert Lea City Council and Freeborn County Board. The meeting will be open to the public.

Additionally, Save Our Hospital has secured a booth at next week's Freeborn County Fair and plans a protest for Aug. 10 outside Mayo's Rochester campus. That plan was finalized Sunday night during a three-hour meeting attended by hundreds. The group is coordinating buses to transport supporters from Austin, Albert Lea and other neighboring communities to the protest.
Nitish Kumar's decision to get back with the BJP might be the end of the Opposition's mahagathbandhan fantasies for 2019. As well as his own national ambitions.

The writing was on the wall when Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, fresh from a visit to New Delhi, where he attended President Ram Nath Kovind's swearing-in ceremony, summoned the 71 legislators of the Janata Dal (United) to his 1, Anne Marg residence in Patna on the morning of July 25. The post-lunch JD(U) meeting, initially scheduled for July 26 in view of the upcoming five-day monsoon session of the state legislature, had been brought forward by a day to discuss an extraordinary situation.

Hours before, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, too, had a similar but separate meeting of his 80 MLAs at his Patna residence in which he said his son, Tejashwi Pratap Yadav, would not resign as deputy chief minister.

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Nitish's response was swift, though not unexpected. Escalating things to a flashpoint, he resigned as chief minister within hours of the RJD chief's afternoon press conference.

Before he put in his papers, though, Nitish called up Lalu and told him about his decision to quit. Lalu apparently suggested a rethink, but Nitish had already made up his mind.

Moments later, Nitish drove to the governor's house and resigned. With this, the RJD-JD(U)-Congress grand alliance, stitched in 2015 ahead of the state assembly polls and one that sparked a flicker of hope in the secular camp for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, has come undone. Not just that, his possible teaming up with the BJP suggests that the Bihar CM has renounced any national ambitions.

Composed and smiling, Nitish showed no sign of indecisiveness as he walked out of the Raj Bhavan after submitting his resignation to Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi. In the brief 15-minute media interaction soon after, he described his break-up with Lalu as an unavoidable consequence of the run of play in the RJD.

Without taking names, Nitish maintained that anyone pinning their hopes on him to protect them from "such a crisis" was mistaken. "Nitish did give Lalu a long rope," says a JD(U) minister. "Lalu could have defused the situation by making Tejashwi resign. It would not only have put the grand alliance on a pedestal but also robbed the Opposition of its main issue. But Lalu obviously is incapable of letting his party leadership go to anyone else."

As it turned out, Nitish took 19 days to walk out of the grand alliance after a 27-member Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team raided Lalu's residence on July 7. Lalu is accused of rigging a tender process in 2005, when he was railway minister, to award the sublease of two railway hotels in Ranchi and Puri to his favoured hoteliers in exchange for three acres of prime land in Patna, routed via a benami company. The CBI had earlier filed FIRs under sections 420 (cheating and dishonesty), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC and other sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Tejashwi is named as he appears to have been a beneficiary of the benami land deal.

The CBI raids left the alliance split wide open in Bihar. While the RJD and Congress described the raids on Lalu and his family as an act of political vendetta, Nitish and the JD(U) refused to treat it as such. Instead, Lalu's RJD was clearly told to come out with a point-by-point clarification on the charges against Tejashwi.

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Nitish's resignation was received with unmitigated glee in the BJP. Even before Nitish's Ambassador had reached home from the Governor's residence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "Congratulations to Nitish Kumarji for joining the fight against corruption. 125 crore people of India support and welcome this honest move". Another tweet followed soon after: "To rise above our differences in the fight against corruption is the need of the hour for both India and Bihar." BJP chief Amit Shah lost no time calling Prime Minister Modi and state BJP leader Sushil Modi on what had to be done next: Nitish had to be supported in forming a new government in Bihar.

The JD(U) has 71 MLAs in the 243-member assembly, RJD 80, Congress 27 and NDA 58. With Nitish walking out of the alliance, a JD(U)-BJP government will easily cross the majority mark of 122. By Wednesday night, the party had formally decided to back Nitish, naming him the leader of the NDA in the state.

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It was just a little over four years ago, in June 2013, that Nitish Kumar walked out of the National Democratic Alliance when the BJP picked up Narendra Modi as the chief of its campaign committee, a role that subsequently led to his becoming the prime ministerial candidate for 2014. The acrimony of 2015 also seems to have been left behind. Instead, a bonhomie has been building between Nitish and Prime Minister Modi for a while. Nitish has been appreciative of all the prime minister's big moves, whether it was his impromptu stopover in Pakistan for Nawaz Sharif's birthday, the surgical strikes in September last year or the demonetisation in November. All this to the chagrin of his friends in the Opposition, including alliance partners Lalu and the Congress. Modi, too, had lauded Nitish's prohibition. That support was firmly cemented last month when Nitish announced his support for BJP's presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind even before the opposition named Meira Kumar as the joint opposition's candidate.

Though Nitish, in his parting shot, avoided criticising Lalu and family, he has been taking thinly veiled digs at his former alliance partner. "One can fulfil one's needs but not greed," he said at one point. At another time, he had said, "Kafan mein jeb nahin hoti (shrouds have no pockets)."

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An acrimonious battle between the two former allies is now imminent. The RJD remains the single largest party with 80 MLAs and has also staked a claim to form government. Although Nitish did meet Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and reminded him of his past stand against corruption, especially how he tore the ordinance shielding convicted legislators, the Congress is likely to remain with Lalu. "There was a clear trust deficit with Nitish, which only grew bigger after he backed Ram Nath Kovind, and not Meira Kumar," says a Congress leader. The party also thought unreasonable the demand for Tejashwi's resignation on the basis of an FIR, especially in the backdrop of the BJP's refusal to drop any of its own tainted lot. n

with Uday Mahurkar and Kaushik Deka

--- ENDS ---
The matter was raised in the Rajya Sabha by Deputy Leader of Opposition, Congress' Anand Sharma. He charged the BJP with using the police to woo away Congress' legislators in Gujarat.

By Poulomi Saha: The Congress today levelled a very serious charge against the BJP. It said the BJP is wooing away their legislators in Gujarat ahead of the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

The matter was raised in the Rajya Sabha by Deputy Leader of Opposition, Congress' Anand Sharma. He charged the BJP with using the police to woo away Congress' legislators in Gujarat.

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"If you are in government, you'll rob MLAs?" Sharma questioned.

Yesterday, three Congress MLAs, including the party's chief whip, Balwantsinh Rajput, quit the party. Rajput was immediately offered a ticket by the BJP to contest the Rajya Sabha elections from the state. This, the Congress cited as a clear example of the BJP orchestrating "defections".

"One MLA, PI Patel, after a CLP meeting went to another MLA's residence for tea. There a District Superintendent of Police came, and told him he won't get a ticket from the Congress. Now your Gujarat police will decide who the Congress will give a ticket to?" asked a visibly angry Ghulam Nabi Azad. Patel resigned from the Congress yesterday.

Azad alleged that the concerned District Superintendent of Police has been to jail on encounter charges and is currently out on bail.

Reacting to this, Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister from Gujarat, thundered, "This is Congress' internal matter. Their LoP in Gujarat leaves party, their MLAs leave. They cross-vote in Presidential elections. Why is he complaining here? Why is he defaming Gujarat?"

Congress demanded the Chair, Rajya Sabha to direct Election Commission to conduct free and fair elections. Deputy Chairman PV Kurien said he could not do that and the Congress should approach the Election Commission if they have a complaint.

Minister of state for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi quipped, "Their (Congress) problem is their house is crumbling. They can't manage their house and are rather screaming around in the neighbourhood about it."

Rajya Sabha kept getting adjourned over disruptions by the Congress on this issue. So far, five Congress legislators have abandoned the party in Gujarat since yesterday. More are anticipated to join the bandwagon.

Also Read:

2 more Gujarat Congress MLAs join BJP, 3 had done yesterday

More trouble for Congress in Gujarat, 3 Vaghela supporters join BJP

Watch Video: Gujarat: Setback for Congress as 3 MLAs join BJP

--- ENDS ---
Xi told Doval and 4 other NSAs that they had "made great efforts" in improving "strategic mutual trust and security cooperation" among the BRICS nations. Doval's visit comes in the wake of the border stand-off between India and China over Doklam.

By Ananth Krishnan: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Friday called on Chinese President Xi Jinping, along with the other NSAs of BRICS countries, following their summit in Beijing.

Xi told Doval and four other NSAs that they had "made great efforts" in improving "strategic mutual trust and security cooperation" among the BRICS nations, and called for greater "coordination" on security matters amid a "complex" international situation.

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Earlier on Friday, Doval attended the BRICS NSAs' summit in Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, where he made a pitch for the grouping "to take a leadership role" in regional issues and particularly in combating terrorism.

Doval's visit comes in the wake of the ongoing border stand-off between India and China at Doklam near the India-China-Bhutan trijunction.

Doval on Thursday held bilateral talks with his counterpart, Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi. The Chinese government said bilateral and regional issues had been discussed, and that Yang had "set forth China's position on bilateral issues and major problems". It did not say what those problems were.

WHAT DID XI JINPING SAY

On Friday, Xi told the NSAs that BRICS cooperation was "beneficial and necessary". "The cooperation among us has been maintained for over ten years, which connected different parts of the world while preserving different political systems and institutions", he said. "It also strengthened our determination and practice for further stable development while considering the common interests among us. It not only overcomes difficulties and maintains our national interests, but also establishes new types of international relations which is a very meaningful exploration."

Pointing out that BRICS began with a focus on finance and economics, the Chinese President said that "facing a complex international political, economic and security situation", the countries should further cooperation "on economics, finance, cultural exchanges and security communication and coordination". He thanked the NSAs for "promoting strategic mutual trust" and security cooperation.

Earlier on Friday, Doval attended the BRICS NSA summit, which was the main purpose of his China trip. He said the BRICS countries needed "to show leadership in countering terrorism" as well as "take a leadership role" on "strategic issues of regional and global importance" and "in areas where we have consensus".

Doval also thanked China for hosting the meeting of high-level security representatives and said he "is very happy to be here in Beijing".

The NSA said the BRICS grouping had "grown in global significance over the years" and that the BRICS NSAs' forum should become a platform for the countries "to discuss security issues that impact global peace and stability."

INDIA KEEN TO SEE BRICS ISSUE STRONG STATEMENT ON TERROR IN SEPT SUMMIT

India is keen for the grouping to issue a strong statement on terror at its September summit in Xiamen on September 3, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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The fight against global terror has, however, become somewhat of a sticking point in India-China relations, considering China's close relations with Pakistan.

Minister of State for External Affairs General (retd) VK Singh said last month at the BRICS foreign ministers' meet in Beijing that "terrorists cannot be differentiated by calling them good or bad."

While not mentioning Pakistan specifically, the message is also aimed at China, which has extended diplomatic support to Pakistan by preventing the sanctioning of Pakistani terrorists at the UN Security Council sanctions committee. For instance, Beijing has stymied attempts by India as well as other countries to list terrorist Masood Azhar.

"They are terrorists and they are criminals and we need to have a concerted action both in the region and internationally to curb their activities," General VK Singh had then said.

Also read | Ajit Doval in Beijing: Why India, China have failed to resolve Doklam standoff

Also read | China praises PM Modi, courts India on trade despite Doklam standoff

Also read | China bound to be a future threat to India: Army Vice Chief

WATCH VIDEO: NSA Ajit Doval meets Xi Jinping amid Doklam standoff

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--- ENDS ---
The contestants in this years Miss America Competition officially began their journeys of a lifetime this week in Orlando, kicking off the sprint to the September finals at Atlantic Citys Boardwalk Hall.

The only downside? They didnt get to go to Disney World.

On Tuesday, the 52 hopefuls gathered together for the first time for the annual competition orientation and to cheer on their states contestants at Miss Americas Outstanding Teen competition at the Orange County Convention Center.

The orientation provides contestants an opportunity to pick their evening gowns for the competition, film TV segments and support the organizations sister pageant before returning home for the final month of preparation.

Its finally hit me that Im going to Miss America, Miss New Jersey Kaitlyn Schoeffel said Wednesday. Ive already picked out an evening gown that I will get to bring home.  Its all just really exciting.

The contestants hit it off immediately in Orlando, according to Schoeffel.

Schoeffel said her roommate is Miss Massachusetts Jillian Zucco, and that they are already friends.

Weve gone to breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, she said, adding she was already friends with Miss Alaska Angelina Klapperich and has enjoyed spending time with her again.

Miss Louisiana Laryssa Bonacquisti said Monday she couldnt wait to meet her fellow contestants.

By Wednesday, Bonacquisti, who is the daughter of Miss New Jersey 1990 Lynette Falls, had posted several pictures on Instagram with Miss Arkansas Maggie Benton.

But the trip to Orlando is about more than just getting to know the other contestants. It involves receiving information, meeting with sponsors, cheering on the Miss Outstanding Teen contestants and having the opportunity to ask questions before the competition, according to Chelsea Mineur, a spokeswoman for the Miss America Organization.

(The contestants) will sit down for their orientation to learn all about what to expect in Atlantic City while they compete for the title of Miss America 2018, Mineur said.

While the amount of information can be overwhelming, Schoeffel said its exciting to know the competition is only a month and a half away.

Its lots and lots of info, she said, laughing. But Im just so excited to be down here and support the outstanding teens.
By Ananth Krishnan: As National Security Adviser Ajit Doval holds talks in Beijing, China's media has said Beijing "will not compromise" on its stand over the Doklam stand-off and that a unilateral withdrawal by India was a precondition for dialogue.

Doval on Thursday met with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi for bilateral talks, and on Friday morning attended the BRICS NSA's summit in Beijing. Later on Friday, he will call on Chinese President Xi Jinping.

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The Party-run Global Times said on Friday that "Beijing will not compromise with India's visiting national security adviser," adding that "the only way to resolve the current standoff is for India to unilaterally withdraw its troops".

"China's position will not change and the Indian government and media should better abandon the illusion of using force to bully China into a compromise," Hu Zhiyong, a scholar at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, told the paper.

Lin Minwang, a scholar at Fudan University, added that unless India withdrew, Doval's meetings "would not be meaningful". "China is also unlikely to further clarify its redline or even deliver an ultimatum to India, because we still want to offer India a chance for a peaceful solution," he said.

Hu said the Doklam issue "will not dominate the meeting in Beijing because this is a regular meeting between BRICS countries". "As the host, we also need to consider other BRICS guests and discuss other important issues", he said.

Jin Canrong, a prominent strategic expert at Renmin University, accused India of "blackmail". "India's behavior is like 'blackmail' to some extent as it knows China will hold the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which is a key political event," he said, referring to the November once-in-five-year congress.

He said that as China's "strategic priority is its eastern coast and the Asian-Pacific region", its military presence in the western frontier "is less than India's". "India believes China does not want to start a conflict with the outside world, and therefore it believes it can use force to provoke China and win the compromise it wants," he said.

Hu added that although China's deployment was less, the PLA had "the ability to deploy more troops from other provinces to the border area in Tibet"." China has nothing to be afraid of even if the situation requires a military solution," he said.

Also Read:

Ajit Doval in Beijing: Why India, China have failed to resolve Doklam standoff

NSAs Ajit Doval, Yang Jiechi meet in Beijing, exchange views on bilateral, regional issues

Also Watch:

'Main schemer' Chinese daily tags NSA Ajit Doval as the villain of Doklam standoff

--- ENDS ---

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PLEASANTVILLE  A 31-year-old Somers Point man was arrested before leaving the country this week in connection with an alleged sexual assault here, police said.

Jean Milice, 31, of Somers Point, was arrested by Customs and Border Patrol agents near the Canadian border in New York on Thursday on several charges, including an aggravated sexual assault charge out of this city, Pleasantville police Capt. Matthew Hartman said in a news release.

About 11 p.m. Monday, Pleasantville police Detective James Searle responded to Shore Medical Center for a victim reporting a sexual assault that occurred on Falcon Drive.

Searle, assisted by Pleasantville Communications personnel, identified Milice as the suspect after an overnight investigation and attempted to locate him for several days, the release said.

Searle, while on his day off, received information about a possible location for the accused in upstate New York, near the Village of Champlain, and provided the location to the police department there.

The Village of Champlain lies on the border of Canada, with a border crossing station nearby, the release said.

Pleasantville police contacted the police in the area, as well as the Customs and Border Protection Station at Champlain, and Milice was arrested.

He was turned over to New York State Police and housed in the Clinton County Jail, awaiting extradition back to Atlantic County.

This arrest is a clear testament to the cooperation between agencies at the local, state and federal level and the outstanding results that it can bring, Hartman said in the release. Pleasantville Police Department extends our gratitude to the New York State Police Champlain/Plattsburgh Barracks and the Customs and Border Protection Champlain Station for their assistance in apprehending Milice before he was able to leave the country.
The Delaware River and Bay Authority received more than $3 million in federal funds for the Millville municipal airport, according to a statement issued Thursday by U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, D-2nd.

The $3.9 million in federal funding will go toward rehabilitating the runway, announced the Federal Aviation Administration.

"Repairing the runway will enhance the safety and efficiency of overall airport operations," according to a statement from the FAA.

The Millville airport has received more than $21 million in federal funds for improvement projects since 2004, said LoBiondo, chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee.

A key strategy to bringing additional economic opportunities to South Jersey has been the growth and development at our local airports, LoBiondo said. With more than $100 million invested at various facilities over the past decade, we have made substantial improvements to South Jerseys community airports, such as Millville, to attract more businesses and more jobs.

The grant is one of nearly $186 million awarded to 62 airports through the FAA's Airport Improvement Program. The program funds various infrastructure projects, said Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

The Airport Improvement Program helps to maintain our aviation infrastructure and supports safety, capacity, security and environmental improvements, said Chao. This is an important investment in Millville air service and the economic vitality of the region.
ATLANTIC CITY  Thousands of bicycle riders will invade the city Sunday, but all for a good cause.

More than 2,500 bicyclists will ride from Philadelphia to Atlantic City in the 30th annual Irish Pub Tour de Shore fundraiser. Riders raise money that is used to support families of fallen first responders in the greater Philadelphia and South Jersey areas.

The ride, organized through the Irish Pub Childrens Foundation, has hit its mark of raising more than $1 million, according to the events website Thursday afternoon.

Participants will begin the ride at the Irish Pub at 20th and Walnut streets in Philadelphia and bike 65 miles over the Ben Franklin Bridge, across South Jersey along Route 561, onto Route 30 in Atlantic County, and then make their way to the finish line at the Irish Pub and Inn in Atlantic City.

Organizers said the Ben Franklin Bridge will be temporarily closed to traffic from about 6:30 to 8 a.m. Sunday. Atlantic City police said part of the White Horse Pike near the drawbridge leading into the city will be closed at 8 a.m. and to expect delays.

The event started 30 years ago and has grown to include riders from New Jersey and the Delaware Valley. Foundation organizers said more than 80 percent of funds go directly to local initiatives serving children and families who have lost a police officer, firefighter and other first responders.

A party will follow for riders, their families and friends, volunteers and sponsors at the end of the ride in Atlantic City, where there will be food, raffles and more. The after-party is free for riders and children, and costs $20 for all others.

For more information or to make a donation, visit irishpub.donordrive.com
State Sen. Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, wants to give people involved with agriculture on the Pinelands Commission more say on matters they have expertise on.

Van Drew introduced a bill last month that would clarify the law concerning circumstances in which members of the Pinelands Commission may vote.

There are Pinelands Commission members in the agricultural industry, who due to an interpretation of the ethics provision of the Pinelands Protection Act, cannot vote on agricultural issues before the commission, Van Drew said

The bill did not make it out of the Senates Environment and Energy Committee, but Van Drew has not forgotten about it. He said he will talk to the committees chairman in the fall about having his bill come up for a vote.

It can be a decade to get certain bills passed. I dont give up easily, Van Drew said.

Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, who is part of the 1st District delegation with Van Drew, introduced the bill in the Assembly, where it was voted out of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

The bill was scheduled for a vote by the full Assembly twice, but it was held.

The Sierra Club, Environment New Jersey and the Pinelands Preservation Alliance have been fighting against the bill.

This bill would amend the Pinelands Protection Act in order to lower the conflict of interest standards for members of the Pinelands Commission, said Carleton Montgomery, executive director, Pinelands Preservation Alliance.

Now is not the time to loosen the ethics standards for the commission, especially where private interests are always competing with conservation, and New Jersey has seen so many scandals, Montgomery said.

Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, said that under the bill, a person would only have to have a direct financial benefit for it to be considered a conflict.

This changes it from the current law, which says that even an appearance of a conflict is considered a conflict that you should recuse yourself from, said Tittel in the statement.

If Van Drews bill were approved, Pineland Commission members, who were Realtors, would be able to vote to allow more development in the Pinelands, Tittel said.

This means we could have someone from a gas company voting on pipelines or someone from a motorcycle dealership voting to open up trails for motorcycles through the Pines, said Tittel in a statement.

Van Drew said farmers had brought this issue to his attention, and they discussed it.

Ethics rules stating that individuals cannot vote for personal gain is something Van Drew said he believes in.

Van Drew said his bill mirrors what happens in the state Senate and Assembly and how they deal with issues of conflicts of interest and ethics.

When you are talking about general agricultural issues, or general medical issues in the legislature, or general accounting issues or dental issues, you have always been allowed to vote on those things, as you should be. You are an expert in them. You know hopefully a little bit more than some of the other folks that are voting on it, Van Drew said.
What will likely turn out to be the costliest error of Gov. Chris Christies tenure came early in his first term.

A plan to build a new two-track rail tunnel between New Jersey and Manhattan was coming to fruition, and instead of finding a way to make it happen as painlessly as possible, he canceled New Jerseys participation outright.

That killed the project, but not the pressing need for it.

For starters, the two existing single-track rail tunnels were built in 1910 and damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. They need to be overhauled, so in the next decade or so theyll have to be taken out of service.

As matters stand, that would be a commuter catastrophe. Losing both tunnels would reduce the N.J.-N.Y. transit systems capacity by 75 percent, according to a report by Common Good. Paralyzing traffic jams and damage to the vibrant N.Y.-N.J. economy would result.

Functional public transportation is vital to New Jersey, which sends nearly half a million residents out of state to work, the majority going to New York. Doubling the rail tunnel capacity to Manhattan would boost New Jerseys economy.

The project itself, as proposed by the federal government in 2010, would have delivered an economic boost just as the state and nation were struggling to rebound from the severe recession of 2007-09. It would have created 200,000 jobs, generated $9 billion in business revenue and increased federal, state and local tax revenue by $1.5 billion during nine years of construction, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

Yet Christie said no.

In fairness to the governor, his decision was driven by the states inability to fund needed projects because past administrations had wildly overspent and saddled New Jersey will crushing debt.

Even though the federal government would pay half the cost and New Jersey would split the rest with New York, Christie said his state couldnt afford its roughly $2 billion share that was sure to grow through cost overruns.

The states Transportation Trust Fund was already nearly worthless, its annual $895 million in gas, sales and other tax revenue barely able to cover the interest on its debt. In his campaign the year before, Christie had said he wouldnt increase the gasoline tax.

The governor proposed a new transportation infrastructure funding scheme in 2012, and after several years agreed to a bipartisan compromise that increased the gasoline tax and somewhat restored the transportation fund.

Meanwhile, the projected cost of the rail tunnel, including the overhaul of the existing tunnels, has risen from 2010s $7 billion to $10 billion, to $12.9 billion today. And while the Trump administration says the project remains a priority, the funding agreement needs to be re-established and might change.

New Jersey didnt do the infrastructure spending when it was most needed and delayed for many years the benefits of the new rail tunnel. It will end up spending more and getting less.

This is a big example of how state overspending, much of it on government workers and their pensions, has cut the states ability to do whats necessary and beneficial for New Jersey residents. But thats also happening daily in thousands of lesser matters, a systemic dysfunction that hobbles the state economy and reduces the quality of life.
Fiscal responsibility needed in NJ and A.C.

So, according to the Mercatus Centers fiscal rankings for the U.S., New Jersey is ranked last among the 50 states in regard to its budget. Legislators now want to pay state workers for days they didnt work during the government shutdown. What happens if a shutdown lasts for a month?

Also, there is talk of giving early retirement to Atlantic City firefighters rather than laying them off. How would that help the budget? Is it not kicking the can down the road in regard to pension costs vs. salary?

The state is even contemplating using the funds from the state Lottery to fund state pensions (while using general revenues to replace Lottery funds for programs for senior citizens). So, the state is watching over Atlantic Citys fiscal house, who is watching over the states?

John Regina

Northfield

Wants Democrat in D.C. instead of LoBiondo

Rep. Frank Lobiondo once supported term limits but two decades later he is still in office. As a common sense Republican. He is a progressive liberal who gets elected saying what Republicans want to hear.

He has supported cap and trade that would raise utility rates. He voted to repeal Obamacare when he knew President Obama would veto it, and now when the GOP replacement could pass he voted against it. Most recently he voted against the transgender military bill that would give some relief to military leaders stuck with government funding (taxpayer money) for sex change operations for military personnel. He also was opposed to President Trump and then after the election he said he voted for him. Duplicity at its best!

Those who support him mention the airport project, his local appearances and his availability to the public. All good and what any congressman should be doing in his district. But what about home foreclosures, taxes and lack of economic job opportunities in the district? The congressman is a Washington elitist living the good life at others expense.

The Democratic Party in this district should find a common sense middle of the road candidate that I can support. I remember Bill Hughes Sr. and miss his leadership very much. I would certainly support such a candidate if one existed.

Bill McGrath

Hammonton
The latest warning came from PLA Navy Senior Captain Zhang Ye, who is a research fellow of the PLA Naval Research Institute and a prominent strategist.

By Ananth Krishnan: Even as National Security Adviser Ajit Doval holds key talks with the Chinese leadership, a prominent strategist of a People's Liberation Army think-tank has warned that India's "trespass" into the Doklam region would set the precedent for "a third party's" intervention in Jammu & Kashmir.

While Chinese State media have made similar arguments in recent weeks amid the on-going stand-off, the latest warning came from PLA Navy Senior Captain Zhang Ye, who is a research fellow of the PLA Naval Research Institute and a prominent strategist.

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It coincided with the second day of Doval's visit, when he will attend on Friday morning a BRICS NSA's meet and later meet with President Xi Jinping. Doval and his counterpart Yang Jiechi held talks on Thursday.

"As a third party of the Sino-Bhutan border dispute, does the Indian military have the right to trespass across the Sino-Indian established border to stop China's road construction? If yes, it would be very dangerous, for under India's logic, if Pakistan requests, a third country's army can enter the area disputed by India and Pakistan, including India-controlled Kashmir," he said, using the term China uses to refer to Jammu and Kashmir, in a commentary in the Global Times.

Zhang pointed out that in Bhutan's statement "there was no mention of asking for help from or consulting with the Indian government". "According to diplomatic sources, the Bhutan government even didn't know about India's move to cross the border in advance," he added.

INDIA STALLING TALKS, SAYS ZHANG

He also suggested that the 24 rounds of border talks between China and Bhutan had "reached consensus" although the final delimitation wasn't complete, and he suggested that India was stalling the talks. "If the border dispute is settled, China and Bhutan will establish a normal diplomatic relationship, which will strengthen Sino-Bhutan ties and weaken India's influence over Bhutan. Many Bhutanese people complain that it is India's interference that impedes the Sino-Bhutan border negotiation," he said.

"Moreover, the ongoing border row in Doklam has put India in a better position to increase its military presence in Bhutan, which will further strengthen India's control over Bhutan. Therefore India sent its troops into the Doklam area in the name of helping Bhutan, but in fact, India is making use of Bhutan to increase its strategic advantage over China."

Zhang concluded that the stand-off was "great power competition in the disguise of border dispute". "As long as India keeps its military force there," he added, "it will fall deeper into the strategic dilemma created by itself, so withdrawing its troops out of the Doklam area is the only right approach to solving the crisis for India."

Also Read:

Ajit Doval visit: Chinese media says 'no compromise' on Doklam

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NSAs Ajit Doval, Yang Jiechi meet in Beijing, exchange views on bilateral, regional issues

Also Watch:

'Main schemer' Chinese daily tags NSA Ajit Doval as the villain of Doklam standoff

--- ENDS ---
DUBLIN, July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) Market - Forecast to 2022" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.

The global CRRT market is projected to reach USD 1.53 Billion by 2022 from USD 1.09 Billion in 2017, at a CAGR of 7.0%. Growing number of ICU patients, increasing incidence of sepsis, rising incidence of acute kidney injuries, technological advancements, and clinical advantages of CRRT over intermittent blood purification techniques are some of the key factors driving the growth of the market.

This CRRT market is segmented based on product, and modality. On the basis of product, the CRRT market is segmented into CRRT systems, disposables, and dialysates & replacement fluids, in which dialysates and replacement fluids is expected to account for the largest share of the market. This is attributed to the large volume of these products required during CRRT procedures.

Based on modality, the CRRT market is segmented into slow continuous ultrafiltration (SCUF), continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH), continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD), and continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF). The CVVH segment is estimated to command the larger share of the global CRRT market due to the wide adoption of this modality among healthcare providers owing to its wide range of advantages (such as removal of solutes in large quantities, easy fluid balance maintenance, and superior outcomes) over other CRRT modalities.

The report covers the CRRT market across four major geographies, namely, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW). Europe is expected to command the largest share of the market in 2017. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to register the highest growth rate during the forecast period due to the large acute kidney injury patient population, high utilization of CRRT in Australia and Japan, and improving healthcare infrastructure across Asian countries.

However, high procedural cost of CRRT and stringent regulatory guidelines for CRRT in North America are the major factors restraining the growth of this market.



Companies Mentioned



Anjue Medical Equipment



Asahi Kasei Medical



B. Braun Melsungen Ag

Baxter International Inc.

Bellco S.R.L.



Biomedica Spol. S R.O.



Bl Lifesciences



Cytopherx, Inc.

Cytosorbents Corporation



Dialysis Solutions Inc.



Fresenius Medical Care Ag & Co. Kgaa

Infomed Sa

Jiangxi Sanxin Medtec



Kimal Electronics Ltd



Medica S.P.A.

Medical Components, Inc.

Medites Pharma Spol. S.R.O.

Medtronic Plc

Nikkiso Co., Ltd.

Ningbo Tianyi Medical Appliance Co.

Nipro Corporation



Nxstage Medical, Inc.

Proxima Medicare



Sws Hemodialysis Care Co. Ltd.

Toray Medical Co.



Key Topics Covered:



1 Introduction



2 Research Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Premium Insights



5 Market Overview



6 Industry Insights



7 Adoption of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy, By Region



8 Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Market, By Product



9 Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Market, By Modality



10 Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Market, By Region



11 Competitive Landscape



12 Company Profiles



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/q522cd/continuous_renal

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Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



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Related Links

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SOURCE Research and Markets
RICHMOND, British Columbia, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

INSTI HIV Self Test detects HIV two weeks sooner than other brands

bioLytical Laboratories, a world leader in rapid infectious disease tests, is pleased to announce the launch of the INSTI HIV Self Test in pharmacies across the Netherlands.

With a single drop of blood, the INSTI HIV Self Test is more than 99 percent accurate and provides a result instantly. With other home tests, individuals must wait 15 to 20 minutes (after the test is conducted) for a result to be produced or several days or weeks in the case of laboratory tests. INSTI is an over-the-counter adaptation of the INSTI point-of-care test which has been trusted by healthcare professionals in Europe for over 10 years.

HIV testing is the foundation of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 initiative, which aims that by 2020, 90 percent of those living with HIV will know their HIV status, 90 percent of those individuals will be on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 90 percent of individuals on ART will be virologically suppressed; just achieving the first 90 percent is a major undertaking. As of 2014, of the estimated 2.5 million people in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region living with HIV, approximately half were not even aware of their status. Amsterdam has made great achievements in the elimination of HIV and is one of the first European cities that have reached the UN targets. In the latest report published by UNAIDS, Amsterdam is 94-90-94. With the availability of HIV tests in pharmacies, the Netherlands can strive for 100-100-100.

Presently, there are several options available for getting tested, but having access to a very simple yet highly accurate test, allows consumers to test themselves without having to make an appointment at a laboratory, hospital or clinic.

"We saw the need to provide a solution that would empower individuals to take control of their health in a discrete way, and within the comfort of their own home," said Robert Mackie, bioLytical's President. "By launching in the Netherlands, we are able to make HIV testing more accessible and to diagnose those unreachable through current programs."

The launch in the Netherlands commenced this week with 20 HIV-specialized pharmacies and further penetration throughout the country is expected to all 1,900 pharmacies. Please visit http://www.hiv-zelftest.nl/ to find a location near you.

About bioLytical Laboratories Inc.:

bioLytical Laboratories Inc. is a privately owned Canadian company engaged in the research, development and commercialization of rapid, point-of-care in vitro medical diagnostics using its proprietary INSTI technology platform. With a world-wide footprint of regulatory approvals including US FDA approval, Health Canada approval and CE mark, bioLytical markets and sells its INSTI HIV test globally and INSTI HIV/Syphilis Multiplex test in Europe. The INSTI product line provides highly accurate test results in 60 seconds or less, far faster than the 15-20 minutes required for competitors' tests based on lateral flow technology. bioLytical has an active R&D program with a pipeline that includes tests for diseases such as Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya, Hepatitis C and Ebola, among others. The company also provides contract services to adapt the INSTI platform to meet custom functional and technical diagnostic testing requirements. For more information, please visit http://www.biolytical.com.

Media Contact:

Robert Mackie

info@biolytical.com

+1-604-204-6784



SOURCE bioLytical Laboratories
By PTI: By K J M Varma

Beijing, Jul 27 (PTI) China has reached a turning point in history as it is becoming "rich and powerful", President Xi Jinping said today, terming his five-year tenure ending this year as "extraordinary".

Xi, bracing for his second term, told officials that "over the five years, the partys central leadership... solved many challenging problems which (the ruling Communist Party of China) wanted to solve for a long time but could not, and achieved many things it wanted to achieve in the past but did not manage to achieve".

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"The Chinese nation... has achieved the historic leap of rising to our feet, getting rich and getting powerful," Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post quoted him as saying.

Xi, also the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a two-day workshop attended by provincial and ministerial officials.

Over a million officials were reported to have been punished in the massive anti-corruption drive launched by him since he took over the leadership in 2013.

Xi said the upcoming 19th National Congress of the CPC, which was expected to confirm a second five year term for him, is a key meeting at a crucial time for the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The meeting also comes when Chinas endeavour to build a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way has entered the decisive stage, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Xi as saying.

Chen Daoyin, an associate professor at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, said Xis remarks were a signal that he had placed himself on par with late leaders Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.

"Maos era of founding the modern communist China was when the Chinese nation rose to its feet, and Dengs reform and opening up policies helped the economy take off, and Xi sees himself as bringing China all the way to becoming powerful. Now it is his era," Chen told the Post.

Analysts said the meeting was also a call for senior officials to pledge political loyalty to Xi as the congress approached.

Many of the officials at the seminar would attend the 19th party congress as delegates and cast votes, Chen said.

"They will have to be politically reliable and choose the right team," he said.

Wu Qiang, a former politics lecturer at Tsinghua University in Beijing, said the strictly arranged and controlled seminar served as a warning to all officials to toe the line.

"Every official is supposed to declare his or her position and pledge loyalty after the session. The leaders need to make sure the voting result (at the congress) wont look embarrassing," he said. PTI KJV CPS

--- ENDS ---

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ATLANTA, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions, today announced financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.

"We're very pleased with our second quarter results," said John Robinson, Chief Executive Officer. "Strong growth at Progressive Leasing and disciplined execution in the Aaron's Business drove increased revenues and improved profitability in the quarter."

"Progressive had an exceptional quarter driven by a significant increase in total invoice volume and strong lease portfolio performance. The business has impressive momentum across a diverse mix of verticals and we expect to continue to drive long-term growth with our leading virtual lease-to-own model," Mr. Robinson stated.

"The Aaron's Business outperformed our expectations primarily due to higher lease margin and strong cost control," continued Mr. Robinson. "We're making additional investments in the Aaron's Business to improve our direct-to-consumer platform, and our long-term confidence in the business is also demonstrated by the accretive acquisition of Aaron's largest franchisee, announced in a separate press release today."

"We remain conservatively capitalized, with a proforma net debt to capitalization of approximately 14.5% following the acquisition. We'll continue to look for ways to leverage our unique set of assets to serve more customers and create value for our shareholders, associates, franchisees and retail partners," Mr. Robinson concluded.

Financial Summary

Aaron's, Inc. (the "Company") conducts its operations through three primary businesses: 1) Aaron's branded Company-operated and franchised lease-to-own stores, Aarons.com and Woodhaven, the Company's furniture manufacturing operations (collectively, the "Aaron's Business"); 2) Progressive Leasing's virtual lease-to-own business ("Progressive Leasing"); and 3) Dent-A-Med, Inc. ("DAMI"), our second-look financing business.

For the second quarter of 2017, Company revenues were $815.6 million compared with $789.4 million for the second quarter of 2016. Net earnings were $36.3 million compared with $38.5 million in the prior year period. Diluted earnings per share were $0.51 compared with $0.53 a year ago. The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2017 was 36.2% compared with 37.0% for the prior year period.

On a non-GAAP basis, net earnings for the second quarter of 2017 increased to $48.5 million compared with $43.3 million for the same period in 2016, and non-GAAP earnings per share assuming dilution were $0.68 in the second quarter of 2017 compared with $0.59 for the same quarter in 2016.

For the second quarter of 2017, non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share exclude the effects of amortization expense resulting from our 2014 acquisition of Progressive Leasing, and exclude restructuring charges for the Aaron's Business and DAMI. For the second quarter of 2016, non-GAAP results exclude the effects of Progressive Leasing amortization and an impairment charge resulting from the Company's sale of its HomeSmart business. Adjusted EBITDA for the Company, which excludes the charges and adjustments mentioned above, was $95.7 million for the second quarter of 2017, compared with $88.2 million for the same period in 2016. See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information" and the related non-GAAP reconciliation accompanying this press release.

During the first six months of 2017, revenues increased 1.0% to $1.660 billion compared with $1.644 billion for the prior year period. Net earnings were $89.6 million versus $88.2 million for the first six months last year. Diluted earnings per share were $1.24 compared with $1.20 a year ago. The effective tax rate for the comparable six months ended on June 30, was 35.8% for 2017 compared with 37.4% for 2016.

On a non-GAAP basis, net earnings for the first six months of 2017 were $106.3 million compared with $95.3 million for the same period in 2016 and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share were $1.48 compared with $1.30 for the same six month period in 2016. Non-GAAP net earnings and diluted earnings per share in 2017 exclude the effects of amortization expense resulting from the 2014 acquisition of Progressive Leasing and exclude restructuring charges for the Aaron's Business and DAMI. In 2016, non-GAAP results exclude the effects of Progressive Leasing amortization, a gain on the sale of the Company's headquarters building, retirement and severance charges and loss resulting from the Company's disposition of HomeSmart. See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information" and the related non-GAAP reconciliation accompanying this press release.

Adjusted EBITDA for the Company, which excludes the charges and adjustments discussed above, was $205.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared with $192.2 million for the same period in 2016.

The Company generated $115.6 million in cash from operations during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and ended the second quarter with $260.3 million in cash compared with $308.6 million at the end of 2016. The reduction in cash was due primarily to scheduled amortization of the Company's term loan and unsecured notes offset by cash from operations.

Progressive Leasing Results

Progressive Leasing's revenue in the second quarter of 2017 increased 25.1% to $373.5 million from $298.6 million in the second quarter of 2016. Progressive Leasing's revenue in the first six months of 2017 increased 22.2% to $739.6 million from $605.2 million for the same period of 2016. Active doors increased 37% in the second quarter of 2017 to approximately 19,000. Invoice volume per active door declined 4.3% in the quarter, driven by strong growth in new doors. Progressive Leasing had 646,000 customers at June 30, 2017, a 23% increase from June 30, 2016.

Earnings before income taxes for Progressive Leasing were $38.2 million and $74.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 compared with $29.1 million and $51.0 million for the same periods a year ago. EBITDA for the second quarter and first six months of 2017 was $50.1 million and $98.6 million, respectively, compared with $41.8 million and $76.5 million, for the same periods of 2016. As a percentage of revenues, EBITDA was 13.4% and 13.3%, respectively, for the second quarter and first six months of 2017 compared with 14.0% and 12.6% for the same periods in 2016. Write offs for damaged, lost or unsaleable merchandise were 5.5% of revenue in the second quarter of 2017, compared with 4.5% in the same period of 2016. Bad debt as a percent of revenue was 9.7% in the second quarter of 2017, compared with 9.5% in the same period of 2016.

DAMI Results

Revenue for DAMI was $8.5 million in the second quarter of 2017, compared with $5.3 million in the second quarter of 2016. DAMI's revenue for the first six months of 2017 was $16.7 million versus $10.1 million for the same period of 2016. DAMI's loss before income taxes was $2.7 million and $4.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, compared with a loss before income taxes of $2.3 million and $5.2 million for the same periods in 2016. DAMI's pre-tax, pre-provision loss was $0.9 million and $2.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 compared with $0.8 million and $2.0 million for the same periods a year ago. DAMI has performed in line with the Company's expectations.

Pre-tax, pre-provision loss is a non-GAAP measure that represents loss before income taxes adjusted so that loan charge-offs and recoveries are recognized in earnings as they occur by excluding the effect on earnings of changes to management's provision for estimated future loan losses. See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information" and the related non-GAAP reconciliation accompanying this press release for more information regarding the calculation of pre-tax, pre-provision loss.

The Aaron's Business Results

For the second quarter of 2017, overall revenues for the Aaron's Business decreased 10.7% to $433.6 million from $485.5 million in the second quarter of 2016. Revenues for the first six months of 2017 decreased 12.1% to $903.9 million compared with $1.028 billion from the same period a year ago.

Lease revenue and fees for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 decreased 11.7% and 12.5% compared with the same periods in 2016. Non-retail sales, which primarily consist of merchandise sales to the Company's franchisees, decreased 4.1% and 8.5% for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2017 compared with the same periods of the prior year.

On May 13, 2016, the Company completed the sale of its HomeSmart business. Revenues for HomeSmart in the second quarter and first six months of 2016 were $7.5 million and $25.4 million, respectively. Excluding HomeSmart, total revenues for the Aaron's Business decreased 9.3% and 9.9% for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2017, compared with the same periods of the prior-year.

Earnings before income taxes for the Aaron's Business were $21.5 million and $70.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, compared with $34.3 million and $95.0 million for the same periods a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA in the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 was $46.7 million and $107.9 million compared with $47.5 million and $118.4 million for the same periods in 2016. As a percentage of revenue, Adjusted EBITDA was 10.8% and 11.9% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, compared with 9.8% and 11.5% for the same periods last year. Write-offs for damaged, lost or unsaleable merchandise were 3.6% of revenues in the second quarter of 2017, compared with 3.7% for the same period last year.

Same store revenues (revenues earned in Company-operated stores open for the entirety of the second quarter of 2017 and 2016) decreased 8.1% during the second quarter of 2017, compared with the second quarter of 2016, and customer count on a same store basis was down 4.8%. Company-operated Aaron's stores had 932,000 customers at June 30, 2017, a 7.2% decrease from the second quarter of 2016, excluding HomeSmart customers for both periods.

At June 30, 2017, the Aaron's Business had 1,093 Company-operated stores and 680 franchised stores. During the second quarter of 2017, 62 Company-operated stores and six franchised stores were consolidated or closed. Two franchised stores were sold to a third party.

Company-operated stores that were closed are related to the Company's previously disclosed program to identify underperforming stores and right size the footprint in existing markets. During the second quarter of 2017, the Aaron's Business incurred a pre-tax restructuring charge of $13.3 million related to these closures. In the first half of 2017, the aggregate pre-tax restructuring charge related to these store closures was $13.5 million.

Significant Components of Revenue

Consolidated lease revenues and fees for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 increased 4.3% and 2.2%, respectively, over the same prior year periods. Franchise royalties and fees decreased 13.2% in the second quarter of 2017 and 13.0% for the first six months of 2017 compared with the same periods a year ago. The decrease in franchise royalties and fees was the combined result of decreases in both revenues generated by the Company's franchisees and the number of franchised stores. The Company's franchisee revenues totaled $206.9 million and $437.4 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, a decrease of 9.3% and 8.5% from the same periods for the prior year. Same store revenues for franchised stores were down 6.1% and same store customer counts were down 4.5% for the second quarter of 2017 compared with the same quarter in 2016. Franchised stores had 517,000 customers at the end of the second quarter, a 7.7% decline from the prior year ago period. Revenues and customers of franchisees are not revenues and customers of the Aaron's Business or the Company.

2017 Outlook

The Company is updating its outlook for the 2017 year to reflect current trends in the business.

Diluted earnings per share is presented both on a GAAP basis and on a non-GAAP basis excluding Progressive and franchisee acquisition related intangible amortization and any future one-time or unusual items. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes any future one-time or unusual items. The Company currently expects to achieve the following:

Aaron's Inc. (Consolidated)

Revenues of approximately $3.33 billion to $3.44 billion compared with the previous outlook of $3.10 billion to $3.31 billion .

compared with the previous outlook of . Adjusted EBITDA of $355 million to $378 million compared with the previous outlook of $320 million to $353 million .

compared with the previous outlook of . Diluted earnings per share in the range of $2.10 to $2.30 compared with the previous outlook of $1.85 to $2.10 .

compared with the previous outlook of . Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share in the range of $2.45 to $2.65 compared with the previous outlook of $2.15 to $2.40 .

Progressive Leasing

Total revenues of approximately $1.55 billion to $1.60 billion compared with the previous outlook of $1.40 billion to $1.50 billion .

compared with the previous outlook of . EBITDA of $190 million to $200 million compared with the previous outlook of $170 million to $185 million .

The Aaron's Business

Total revenues of approximately $1.75 billion to $1.80 billion compared with the previous outlook of $1.68 billion to $1.78 billion .

compared with the previous outlook of . Lease revenues, which are included in total revenues above, of approximately $1.40 billion to $1.45 billion compared with the previous outlook of $1.30 billion to $1.40 billion .

compared with the previous outlook of . Same store revenues of approximately negative 9% to negative 7% compared with the previous outlook of negative 12% to negative 8%.

Adjusted EBITDA of $170 million to $180 million compared with the previous outlook of $155 million to $170 million .

compared with the previous outlook of . The revised outlook includes accretion from the Company's acquisition of its largest franchisee announced in a separate press release today, offset by additional investment in strategic initiatives.

The Company continues to evaluate its store base for strategic growth and consolidation opportunities.

DAMI

No update to previous outlook.

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its quarterly results on Friday, July 28, 2017, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The public is invited to listen to the conference call by webcast accessible through the Company's Investor Relations website, investor.aarons.com. The webcast will be archived for playback at that same site.

About Aaron's, Inc.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), is a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions. The Aaron's Business engages in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories through its more than 1,770 Company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada, as well as its e-commerce platform, Aarons.com. In addition, Progressive Leasing, a virtual lease-to-own company, provides lease-purchase solutions through approximately 24,000 retail locations in 46 states. Dent-A-Med, Inc., d/b/a the HELPcard, provides a variety of second-look credit products that are originated through federally insured banks. For more information, visit investor.aarons.com, Aarons.com, ProgLeasing.com, and HELPcard.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this news release regarding our business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "outlook," "expect," "will," "expectations," and "trends" and similar terminology. These risks and uncertainties include factors such as changes in general economic conditions, competition, pricing, legal and regulatory proceedings, customer privacy, information security, customer demand, the execution and results of our strategy and expense reduction and store closure and consolidation initiatives, risks related to our recent acquisition of our largest franchisee, including the risk that its financial performance does not meet expectations, risks related to Progressive Leasing's "virtual" lease-to-own business, the outcome of Progressive Leasing's pilot or test programs with various retailers and the results of Progressive Leasing's efforts to expand its relationships with existing retailer partners and establish new partnerships with additional retailers, and the other risks and uncertainties discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 as updated in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2017. Statements in this release that are "forward-looking" include without limitation statements regarding: the Company's projected results (including Progressive Leasing's and DAMI's results) and the updated Outlook for the Company on a consolidated basis, and for the Aaron's Business and Progressive Leasing, individually; Progressive Leasing's role in driving long-term growth for the Company; and the results of our investments in our direct-to-consumer platform. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

Aaron's, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Earnings (In thousands, except per share amounts)





(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended (Unaudited)

Six Months Ended



June 30, June 30,



2017 2016 2017 2016 Revenues:









Lease Revenues and Fees

$ 718,089

$ 688,677

$ 1,461,711

$ 1,430,288

Retail Sales

6,106

6,460

14,884

17,415

Non-Retail Sales

69,602

72,610

138,929

151,915

Franchise Royalties and Fees

12,824

14,772

27,025

31,067

Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable

8,532

5,302

16,733

10,065

Other

491

1,532

916

3,030

Total

815,644

789,353

1,660,198

1,643,780













Costs and Expenses:









Depreciation of Lease Merchandise

345,398

321,969

707,396

670,271

Retail Cost of Sales

3,940

3,892

9,331

10,957

Non-Retail Cost of Sales

61,818

63,984

123,903

135,369

Operating Expenses

330,548

330,601

659,373

679,025

Restructuring Expenses

13,445



13,772



Other Operating (Income) Expense, Net

(511)

755

(1,072)

(5,974)

Total

754,638

721,201

1,512,703

1,489,648













Operating Profit

61,006

68,152

147,495

154,132

Interest Income

378

507

1,352

928

Interest Expense

(5,552)

(5,904)

(11,367)

(12,216)

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense), Net

1,163

(1,631)

2,138

(1,992)

Earnings Before Income Taxes

56,995

61,124

139,618

140,852













Income Taxes

20,660

22,623

49,983

52,664

Net Earnings

$ 36,335

$ 38,501

$ 89,635

$ 88,188













Earnings Per Share

$ 0.51

$ 0.53

$ 1.26

$ 1.21

Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution

$ 0.51

$ 0.53

$ 1.24

$ 1.20













Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

70,686

72,761

71,001

72,697

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution

71,697

73,279

72,040

73,248



Selected Balance Sheet Data (In thousands)





(Unaudited)





June 30, 2017

December 31, 2016













Cash and Cash Equivalents

$ 260,335



$ 308,561



Investments

22,252



20,519



Accounts Receivable, Net

84,822



95,777



Lease Merchandise, Net

994,236



999,381



Loans Receivable, Net

83,737



84,804



Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

200,842



211,271



Other Assets, Net

901,906



895,423















Total Assets

2,548,130



2,615,736















Debt

401,113



497,829



Total Liabilities

1,006,057



1,134,138















Shareholders' Equity

$ 1,542,073



$ 1,481,598





Selected Cash Flow Data (In thousands)





(Unaudited)

Six Months Ended



June 30,



2017

2016









Cash Provided by Operating Activities

$ 115,608



$ 325,483

Cash Used by Investing Activities

(25,644)



20,874

Cash Used by Financing Activities

(138,247)



(119,060)

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash & Cash Equivalents

57





(Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

(48,226)



227,297

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

308,561



14,942

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

$ 260,335



$ 242,239



Aaron's, Inc. and Subsidiaries Quarterly Revenues by Segment (In thousands)



(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

June 30, 2017

The Aaron's Business(1) Progressive Leasing DAMI Consolidated Total Lease Revenues and Fees $ 344,590

$ 373,499

$ 

$ 718,089

Retail Sales 6,106





6,106

Non-Retail Sales 69,602





69,602

Franchise Royalties and Fees 12,824





12,824

Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable 



8,532

8,532

Other 491





491



$ 433,613

$ 373,499

$ 8,532

$ 815,644









(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

June 30, 2016

The Aaron's Business(1) Progressive Leasing DAMI Consolidated Total Lease Revenues and Fees $ 390,103

$ 298,574

$ 

$ 688,677

Retail Sales 6,460





6,460

Non-Retail Sales 72,610





72,610

Franchise Royalties and Fees 14,772





14,772

Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable 



5,302

5,302

Other 1,532





1,532



$ 485,477

$ 298,574

$ 5,302

$ 789,353



(1) During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company changed its composition of reportable segments by combining

Sales and Lease Ownership, Franchise, Woodhaven, and unallocated corporate costs into one reportable segment, the Aaron's

Business, to align with the Company's internal reporting of operating results. The 2016 period is presented to reflect this change.

Aaron's, Inc. and Subsidiaries Six Months Revenues by Segment (In thousands)



(Unaudited)

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2017

The Aaron's Business(1) Progressive Leasing DAMI Consolidated Total Lease Revenues and Fees $ 722,097

$ 739,614

$ 

$ 1,461,711

Retail Sales 14,884





14,884

Non-Retail Sales 138,929





138,929

Franchise Royalties and Fees 27,025





27,025

Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable 



16,733

16,733

Other 916





916



$ 903,851

$ 739,614

$ 16,733

$ 1,660,198











(Unaudited)

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2016

The Aaron's Business(1) Progressive Leasing DAMI Consolidated Total Lease Revenues and Fees $ 825,049

$ 605,239

$ 

$ 1,430,288

Retail Sales 17,415





17,415

Non-Retail Sales 151,915





151,915

Franchise Royalties and Fees 31,067





31,067

Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable 



10,065

10,065

Other 3,030





3,030



$ 1,028,476

$ 605,239

$ 10,065

$ 1,643,780



(1) During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company changed its composition of reportable segments by combining

Sales and Lease Ownership, Franchise, Woodhaven, and unallocated corporate costs into one reportable segment, the Aaron's

Business, to align with the Company's internal reporting of operating results. The 2016 period is presented to reflect this change.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information:

Non-GAAP net earnings, non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are supplemental measures of our performance that are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). Non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2017 each exclude $5.6 million in Progressive Leasing-related intangible amortization expense and $13.4 million in restructuring charges. For the first six months of 2017 Non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share exclude $12.2 million in Progressive-related intangible amortization expense and $13.8 million in restructuring charges. Non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2016 exclude $6.6 million in Progressive Leasing-related intangible amortization expense and a $1.0 million impairment charge related to the HomeSmart asset sale. For the first six months of 2016 Non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share exclude $13.2 million in Progressive-related intangible amortization expense, an $11.1 million gain from the sale of the Company's headquarters building, $3.7 million in retirement and severance charges and a $5.6 million impairment charge related to the HomeSmart asset sale.

The EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA figures presented in this press release are calculated as the Company's earnings before interest expense, depreciation on property, plant and equipment, amortization of intangible assets and income taxes. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes the other adjustments described in the calculation of non-GAAP net earnings above.

Management believes that non-GAAP net earnings, non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide relevant and useful information, and are widely used by analysts, investors and competitors in our industry as well as by our management in assessing both consolidated and business unit performance.

Non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted earnings provides management and investors with an understanding of the results from the primary operations of our business by excluding the effects of certain items that generally arose from larger, one-time transactions that are not reflective of the ordinary earnings activity of our operations. This measure may be useful to an investor in evaluating the underlying operating performance of our business.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA also provides management and investors with an understanding of one aspect of earnings before the impact of investing and financing charges and income taxes. These measures may be useful to an investor in evaluating our operating performance and liquidity because the measures:

Are widely used by investors to measure a company's operating performance without regard to items excluded from the calculation of such measure, which can vary substantially from company to company depending upon accounting methods, book value of assets, capital structure and the method by which assets were acquired, among other factors.

Are a financial measurement that is used by rating agencies, lenders and other parties to evaluate our creditworthiness.

Are used by our management for various purposes, including as a measure of performance of our operating entities and as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting.

Finally, this press release presents pre-tax, pre-provision loss for DAMI, which is also a supplemental measure not calculated in accordance with GAAP. Management believes this measure is useful because it gives management and investors an additional, supplemental metric to assess DAMI's underlying operational performance for the period. Due to the growth of our originated credit card loan portfolio after our October 2015 acquisition of DAMI, we believe pre-provision, pre-tax loss helps investors to assess DAMI's operating performance until such time as the credit card portfolio reaches levels which management believes will be normal and recurring. Management uses this measure as one of its bases for strategic planning and forecasting for DAMI. Our use of pre-provision, pre-tax loss may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies, because not all companies and analysts calculate these measures in the same manner.

Non-GAAP financial measures, however, should not be used as a substitute for, or considered superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP, such as the Company's GAAP basis net earnings and diluted earnings per share and the GAAP earnings before income taxes of the Company's segments, which are also presented in the press release. Further, we caution investors that amounts presented in accordance with our definitions of non-GAAP net earnings, non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and pre-tax, pre-provision loss may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies, because not all companies and analysts calculate these measures in the same manner.

Reconciliation of Net Earnings and Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution to Non-GAAP Net Earnings and Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution (In thousands, except per share)



(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

(Unaudited)

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

2017 2016

2017 2016 Net Earnings $ 36,335

$ 38,501



$ 89,635

$ 88,188

Add Progressive Leasing-Related Intangible Amortization Expense (1)(2) 3,564

4,150



7,818

8,249

Less Gain on Sale of Building (3) 







(6,932)

Add Retirement and Severance Charges (4) 







2,306

Add Loss on Assets Held for Sale (5) 

619





3,509

Add Restructuring (6) 8,571





8,842















Non-GAAP Net Earnings $ 48,470

$ 43,270



$ 106,295

$ 95,320













Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution $ 0.51

$ 0.53



$ 1.24

$ 1.20

Add Progressive Leasing-Related Intangible Amortization Expense (1)(2) 0.05

0.05



0.11

0.11

Less Gain on Sale of Building (3) 







(0.09)

Add Retirement and Severance Charges (4) 







0.03

Add Loss on Assets Held for Sale (5) 

0.01





0.05

Add Restructuring (6) 0.12





0.13















Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution (7) $ 0.68

$ 0.59



$ 1.48

$ 1.30













Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution 71,697

73,279



72,040

73,248



(1) Net of taxes of $2,026 and $4,359 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 calculated using the effective tax rate for the respective periods. (2) Net of taxes of $2,438 and $4,926 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 calculated using the effective tax rate for the respective periods. (3) Net of taxes of $4,139 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 calculated using the effective tax rate for the period. (4) Net of taxes of $1,377 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 calculated using the effective tax rate for the period. (5) Net of taxes of $363 and $2,096 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 calculated using the effective tax rate for the respective periods. (6) Net of taxes of $4,874 and $4,930 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 calculated using the effective tax rate for the respective periods. (7) In some cases, the sum of individual EPS amounts may not equal total EPS calculations due to rounding.

DAMI Pre-tax, Pre-provision Loss (In thousands)



(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended (Unaudited)

Six Months Ended

June 30, June 30,

2017 2016 2017 2016 Loss Before Income Taxes $ (2,695)

$ (2,280)

$ (4,460)

$ (5,162)

Add: Adjustment to Increase Allowance for Loan Losses During

Period 1,798

1,507

2,389

3,159

Pre-tax, Pre-provision Loss $ (897)

$ (773)

$ (2,071)

$ (2,003)



Due to the growth of our originated credit card loan portfolio subsequent to the October 2015 acquisition of DAMI, we believe pre-provision, pre-tax loss helps investors to assess DAMI's operating performance until such time as the credit card portfolio reaches levels which management believes will be normal and recurring. Our use of pre-provision, pre-tax loss may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies, because not all companies and analysts calculate these measures in the same manner.

Aaron's, Inc. and Subsidiaries Non-GAAP Financial Information Quarterly Segment EBITDA (In thousands)



(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

June 30, 2017

The Aaron's Business(1) Progressive Leasing DAMI Consolidated Total Net Earnings 





$ 36,335

Income Taxes 





20,660

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes 21,450

38,240

(2,695)

56,995

Interest Expense (287)

4,698

1,141

5,552

Depreciation 11,676

1,542

157

13,375

Amortization 552

5,590

145

6,287

EBITDA $ 33,391

$ 50,070

$ (1,252)

$ 82,209

Restructuring Expenses 13,297



148

13,445

Adjusted EBITDA $ 46,688

$ 50,070

$ (1,104)

$ 95,654





(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

June 30, 2016

The Aaron's Business(1) Progressive Leasing DAMI Consolidated Total Net Earnings 





$ 38,501

Income Taxes 





22,623

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes 34,321

29,083

(2,280)

61,124

Interest Expense (174)

5,090

988

5,904

Depreciation 11,933

990

101

13,024

Amortization 456

6,588

145

7,189

EBITDA $ 46,536

$ 41,751

$ (1,046)

$ 87,241

Loss on Sale of HomeSmart 982





982

Adjusted EBITDA $ 47,518

$ 41,751

$ (1,046)

$ 88,223



(1) During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company changed its composition of reportable segments by combining

Sales and Lease Ownership, Franchise, Woodhaven, and unallocated corporate costs into one reportable segment, the Aaron's

Business, to align with the Company's internal reporting of operating results. The 2016 period is presented to reflect this change.

Aaron's, Inc. and Subsidiaries Non-GAAP Financial Information Six Months Segment EBITDA (In thousands)



(Unaudited)

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2017

The Aaron's Business(1) Progressive Leasing DAMI Consolidated Total Net Earnings 





$ 89,635

Income Taxes 





49,983

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes

70,080



73,998



(4,460)



139,618

Interest Expense (357)

9,461

2,263

11,367

Depreciation 23,553

2,935

300

26,788

Amortization 1,047

12,177

290

13,514

EBITDA $ 94,323

$ 98,571

$ (1,607)

$ 191,287

Restructuring 13,534



238

13,772

Adjusted EBITDA $ 107,857

$ 98,571

$ (1,369)

$ 205,059













(Unaudited)

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2016

The Aaron's Business(1) Progressive Leasing DAMI Consolidated Total Net Earnings 





$ 88,188

Income Taxes 





52,664

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes

95,017



50,997



(5,162)



140,852

Interest Expense (61)

10,292

1,985

12,216

Depreciation 24,346

2,065

203

26,614

Amortization 887

13,175

280

14,342

EBITDA $ 120,189

$ 76,529

$ (2,694)

$ 194,024

Gain on Sale of Building (11,071)





(11,071)

Retirement Charges 3,683





3,683

Loss on Sale of HomeSmart 5,605





5,605

Adjusted EBITDA $ 118,406

$ 76,529

$ (2,694)

$ 192,241



(1) During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company changed its composition of reportable segments by combining

Sales and Lease Ownership, Franchise, Woodhaven, and unallocated corporate costs into one reportable segment, the Aaron's

Business, to align with the Company's internal reporting of operating results. The 2016 period is presented to reflect this change.

Reconciliation of 2017 Projected Outlook for EBITDA (In thousands)



Fiscal Year 2017 Ranges

The Aaron's Business(1) Progressive Leasing DAMI Consolidated Total Estimated Net Earnings    $150,000 - $165,000 Taxes1    87,000 - 95,000 Projected Earnings Before Taxes $105,000 - $115,000 $144,000 - $154,000 $(12,000) - $(9,000) 237,000 - 260,000 Interest Expense  17,000 5,000 22,000 Depreciation 46,000 6,000 1,000 53,000 Amortization 5,000 23,000 1,000 29,000 Projected EBITDA 156,000 - 166,000 190,000 - 200,000 (5,000) - (2,000) 341,000 - 364,000 Projected Other Adjustments, Net2 14,000   14,000 Projected Adjusted EBITDA $170,000 - $180,000 $190,000 - $200,000 $(5,000) - $(2,000) $355,000 - $378,000

(1) Taxes are calculated on a consolidated basis and are not identifiable by company divisions. (2) Projected Other Adjustments include the non-GAAP charges related to the Aaron's Business restructuring.

Reconciliation of 2017 Projected Outlook for Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution to Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution



Fiscal Year 2017 Range

Low High Projected Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution $ 2.10

$ 2.30

Add Projected Intangible Amortization Expenses1 0.22

0.22

Add Sum of Other Adjustments2 0.13

0.13

Projected Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution $ 2.45

$ 2.65



(1) Includes projected intangible amortization related to the acquisition of Progressive Leasing and franchisee

acquisition. (2) Projected Other Adjustments include the non-GAAP charges related to the Aaron's Business restructuring

and estimated one-time charges related to the franchisee acquisition.

SOURCE Aaron's, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.aaronsinc.com


WASHINGTON, July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. released the following statement:

"As the largest union representing federal employees, nearly one-third of whom are veterans, we reject President Trump's assertion that a person's transgender status in any way disrupts or negatively impacts their ability to serve in the U.S. military. Anyone who chooses to serve our country is an American hero, plain and simple.

The American Federation of Government Employees represents 700,000 federal and D.C. government employees nationwide.

"The Department of Defense's existing policy allows people who are transgender to openly serve in the military, and that policy should not be undone through tweets or other hasty pronouncements.

"In addition, the Trump administration is now on record arguing that employees should no longer be protected from workplace discrimination based on their sexual orientation. We believe that anyone should be allowed to work without fear of being discriminated against for reasons unrelated to their job performance.

"These discriminatory actions are shameful and anti-American, and they must not be allowed to stand."

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 700,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia.

For the latest AFGE news and information, visit the AFGE Media Center. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees

Related Links

http://www.afge.org


TSX : AXY

VANCOUVER, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Alterra Power Corp. ("Alterra" or the "Company") announces that its subsidiary, Magma Energy Sweden ("MES"), has entered into an agreement to settle its US$71.3 million non-recourse bond (valued as at June 30). The collateral under the bond, comprising a 12.7% ownership stake of Alterra's Icelandic subsidiary HS Orka hf ("HS Orka"), will be delivered to the bondholder Fagfjarfestasjourinn ORK in full and final settlement of MES's obligations under the bond. Completion of the agreement is subject to certain conditions to be satisfied within 60 days and upon completion Alterra's ownership stake in HS Orka will be reduced from 66.6% to 53.9%. Alterra, through MES, will continue managing HS Orka and consolidating its financial results.

Update to Outlook for Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2018

In conjunction with its release of financial and operating results for the year ended December 31, 2016, Alterra provided an outlook on expected financial and operating results for 2017 and 2018. Following the change in ownership of HS Orka, management expects the following changes to the Company's outlook (all provided on a net interest1 basis, tabular amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except generation).

















Original

forecast

2017 Revised

forecast

2017 Difference Original

forecast

2018 Revised

forecast

2018 Difference Generation (GWh) 1,595 1,526 (69) 2,046 1,886 (160) Revenue 90,659 86,517 (4,142) 100,719 92,239 (8,480) Adjusted EBITDA2 49,154 47,193 (1,961) 56,610 51,920 (4,690)





(1) Forecasted outlook reflects Alterra's "net interest", by which the Company means the effective portion of operating results that the Company expects to report for each of HS Orka (66.6% until July, 2017 and 53.9% thereafter), Toba Montrose (40%), Jimmie Creek (51%), Dokie 1 (25.5%), Shannon (50% sponsor equity interest), and Kokomo (90.0% sponsor equity interest) reflecting Alterra's expected share of ownership through 2017 and 2018, and inclusion of Spartan minimum 85% sponsor equity interest) and Flat Top (51% sponsor equity interest) from January and April 2018, respectively. Management believes that net interest reporting, although a non-IFRS measure, provides the clearest view of Alterra's performance. Refer to our MD&A for further information on non-IFRS measures. (2) Here and elsewhere, Adjusted EBITDA is defined by the Company as earnings before interest, taxes, foreign exchange, depreciation and amortization, as well as adjustments for changes in the fair value of holding company bonds (Sweden) and derivatives, write-offs of development costs, other income (expense) except business interruption insurance proceeds, amortization of below market contracts, value assigned to options granted, share of results of equity investments, the Company's proportionate interest in Adjusted EBITDA of its equity investments, research and development costs for deep drilling program and non-recurring items (insurance deductibles, litigation and arbitration costs). Adjusted EBITDA has been calculated on a consistent basis with the comparative year. The Company discloses Adjusted EBITDA as it is a measure used by analysts and by management to evaluate the Company's performance. As Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure, it may not be comparable to Adjusted EBITDA calculated by others. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is not a substitute for net earnings. Readers should consider net earnings in evaluating the Company's performance. For a reconciliation of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to Alterra's consolidated financial statements refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2016 available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

The revised forecasts reflect the ownership change in HS Orka as of July 2017, including 66.6% HS Orka ownership in the first half of 2017 and 53.9% HS Orka ownership in the second half of 2017 and all of 2018. Results of HS Orka include Adjusted EBITDA from the Blue Lagoon (30% owned by HS Orka) which was also revised following the ownership change in HS Orka. All other assumptions remain unchanged.

About Alterra Power Corp.

Alterra Power Corp. is a global renewable energy company that manages eight power plants totaling 825 MW of hydro, wind, geothermal and solar generation capacity in Canada, the USA and Iceland. Following the transaction, Alterra owns a 363 MW share of this capacity, generating over 1,500 GWh of clean power annually.

Alterra is also constructing the 200 MW Flat Top wind project in central Texas, which is expected to be in operation by 1H 2018 (51% owned by Alterra). Upon the completion of Flat Top, Alterra will operate nine power plants totaling 1,025 MW of capacity and will own a 465 MW share of this capacity, generating almost 2,000 GWh of clean power annually. Alterra also has an extensive portfolio of development projects and a skilled team of developers, builders and operators to support its growth plans.

Alterra trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol AXY.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements and information included in this news release are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information relates to future events or future performance and reflects management's expectations and beliefs regarding future events as of the date hereof. Examples of forward-looking information in this news release include the successful completion of the agreement, including satisfaction of the conditions thereunder, annual generation estimates, Alterra's continued management and consolidation of HS Orka's results, the successful construction of, and achievement of commercial operations for, the Flat Top and Spartan projects, satisfaction of conditions precedent to the tax equity investments thereto and all information provided under the Outlook heading. Forward-looking information is based on factors or assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection. Since forward-looking information relates to future events and conditions, by its very nature it requires making assumptions and involves inherent risks and uncertainties. Alterra cautions that although it is believed that the assumptions are reasonable in the circumstances, these risks and uncertainties give rise to the possibility that actual results may differ materially from the expectations set out in the forward-looking information. Material risk factors and assumptions include the risk that a final settlement of the bond cannot be reached and those set out in the management's discussion and analysis section of Alterra's most recent annual and quarterly reports and in Alterra's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Although Alterra has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from forward-looking information, 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 information will prove to be accurate and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information. Except as required by law, Alterra undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequently or otherwise.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Financial Information

The information provided in the "Outlook" section of this news release constitutes forward-looking financial information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Management has provided this information as of the date of this news release in order to assist readers to better understand the expected results and impact of the Company's operating and construction projects expected to be commissioned in the near term. Readers are cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose, including investment purposes, and consequently, should not place undue reliance on this information. Forward-looking financial information also constitutes forward-looking statements within the context of applicable securities laws and as such, is subject to the same risks, uncertainties and assumptions as are set out above.

SOURCE Alterra Power Corp.

Related Links

www.alterrapower.ca/


OSLO, Norway, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Asetek today announced two incremental orders from Penguin Computing, an established data center OEM. The orders are for Asetek's RackCDU D2C (Direct-to-Chip) liquid cooling solution and will enable increased computing power for two currently undisclosed HPC sites at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories.

The orders have a combined value of approximately USD 280,000 with delivery expected in September 2017.

"The awards through our OEM partner Penguin, comes after months of uncertainty surrounding DOE budgets due to the new administration in the USA. They are in line with our goal of increasing end-user adoption with existing OEMs and confirm our ability to expand our leading position in the HPC segment," said Andre Sloth Eriksen, CEO and founder of Asetek.

The orders are a continuation of the partnership between Penguin and Asetek in support of a number of DOE National Laboratories implementing Asetek's RackCDU D2C liquid cooling technology in Penguin's Tundra Extreme Scale (ES) HPC server product line. RackCDU direct-to-chip hot water liquid cooling enhances Penguin's ability to provide HPC solutions with extreme energy efficiency and higher rack cluster densities.

About Asetek

Asetek is the global leader in liquid cooling solutions for data centers, servers and PCs. Founded in 2000, Asetek is headquartered in Denmark and has operations in California, Texas, China and Taiwan. Asetek is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (ASETEK.OL).

For questions or further information, please contact:

Andre S. Eriksen

CEO and Founder

email: [email protected]

+45-2125-7076

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/asetek/r/asetek-receives-two-incremental-orders-in-support-of-us-department-of-energy-labs-cluster-installati,c2319385

The following files are available for download:

SOURCE Asetek
SAO PAULO, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Azul S.A. (B3: AZUL4, NYSE: AZUL) announced today that it will hold its conference call to discuss second quarter 2017 financial results on August 14th, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. ET. The Company will release on the same date its financial results before the market opens.

2Q17 Earnings Release Schedule

Monday, August 14th, 2017 (before the market opens)

Conference call and webcast

Monday, August 14th, 2017

10h00 (EST)

11h00 (Brasilia time)

USA: +1 786 924-6977 | +1 888 700-0802 | +1 800 492-3904

Brazil: +55 11 3193-1001 | +55 11 2820-4001

Code: AZUL

Webcast: www.voeazul.com.br/ir

Replay

+55 (11) 3193-1012 | +55 (11) 2820-4012

Code for English: 2358524#

Code for Portuguese: 6221763#

About Azul

Azul (B3: AZUL4, NYSE: AZUL), the largest airline in Brazil by number of cities served, offers 739 daily flights to 102 destinations. With a fleet of 123 aircraft and more than 10,000 crewmembers, the company has a network of 202 non-stop routes as of June 30, 2017. Among other awards, Azul was named third best airline in the world by TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice in 2017, best low cost carrier in South America for the seventh consecutive time by Skytrax in 2017, and was also considered the best regional leader in 2016 by Flight Airline Business. For more information visit www.voeazul.com.br/ir.

Contact

Investor Relations

Andrea Bottcher

Tel: +55 11 4831 2880

[email protected]

Media Relations

Tel: +55 11 4831 1245

[email protected]

SOURCE Azul S.A.

Related Links

http://www.voeazul.com.br/ir


HOUSTON, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This past month, Beacon Hill Financial opened in Houston. With this addition, the Financial division now operates in 16 Beacon Hill locations including Bellevue, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Chicago  West, Dallas, Denver, Milwaukee, Nashville, New York, Paramus, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Seattle, Washington, D.C.  Metro Area, and now Houston.

Leading the Houston team is Cody Lilley. Mr. Lilley is responsible for leading and directing Beacon Hill Financial in the Houston marketplace. He brings extensive experience, developing customized solutions for companies ranging from local start-ups to global organizations, as well as focusing on delivering the best possible solutions across all situations. Mr. Lilley graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science degree.

"I'm extremely excited about opening up an office in the Houston market. It is a market I have wanted to have Beacon Hill Financial in for a long time," remarked Joanna Foulk, Managing Director of Beacon Hill's Financial Division. "I am confident that Cody and his team are going to pave the way in expanding the Beacon Hill Financial brand in the state of Texas."

Beacon Hill Financial offers diverse specialty areas and focuses on the placement of financial professionals at all levels across all industries. From start-ups to emerging growth companies to large publicly-traded conglomerates, Beacon Hill Financial utilizes contingency and retained search, along with a talented temporary and contract workforce, to service this broad and complex sector of the marketplace.

Beacon Hill Staffing Group's niche brands provide direct hire, executive search, temporary staffing, contract consulting and temp/contract-to-hire solutions to emerging growth companies and the Fortune 500 across multiple market sectors and all industries. Over time, office locations, specialty practice areas and service offerings will be added to address ever changing constituent needs.

SOURCE Beacon Hill Staffing Group

Related Links

http://www.beaconhillstaffing.com


WAKEFIELD, Mass., July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Greater Boston-based 128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric, a BBB A+ rated home service company with over 750 5-star reviews online, has advice for Boston area residents to update their historic homes. An energy efficient home is not just for new construction. There are many ways to keep the charm and originality of the historic home while also saving fuel, electricity and potentially a lot of money.

"Many historic homes may have oil boilers or steam systems that have become inefficient after years of use," says Ryan Williams, general manager of 128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric. "Older homes that have forced hot water for heat traditionally tend to have a unique layout which makes it tough to install cooling systems. Historic homeowners now have the option of installing a more energy efficient ductless cooling and heating system called a mini-split system."

Historic homes were often built before central heating and air conditioning was widely available, and many older homes have no ductwork at all. To retrofit ductwork in an existing home requires taking away space to make way for the ducts. Ceilings would have to be lowered or space would have to be carved out of the rooms. However, unlike ducted systems, the footprint of a ductless system is minimal.

The ductless cooling and heating systems have two main components: an indoor unit that is mounted either on a wall or ceiling and an outdoor unit that houses the condenser. The two components are connected by a small conduit rather than ductwork and offer cooling and heating in one system, which makes these units easier to install and far more efficient than window air conditioners or space heaters. The ductless system can reduce a homeowners' average oil tank use from six per year to just one annually.

"To maximize savings, homeowners want to secure their building envelope," Williams said. "Make sure there is adequate insulation, and that all window, door and attic air leaks are sealed. It wouldn't make much sense to purchase and install a new cooling and heating system, only to have the savings it brings seeping out of the home."

For many homeowners, part of the appeal of an older home is the architectural charm of older structures. The National Park Service (NPS) has recognized ductless systems for their ability to help modernize the home while maintaining the historic character and keeping the architectural integrity intact.

"We wanted to heat and cool our Charlestown brick rowhouse that was built in 1935," said Jonathan M. Mazzarella of Charlestown, Massachusetts. "It was impossible for us to install ductwork in our home and maintain the historical charm. We decided on the ductless mini-split system and it was the best decision we ever made. We were able to add energy efficient climate control to our home without disturbing the character."

For Boston area historic homeowners who would like help in determining if the ductless mini-split system is right for their home, the professionals at 128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric are ready to assist. For more information, please call 1-888-419-4233 or visit www.call128.com.

About 128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric

128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric, rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, was founded in Wakefield, Massachusetts more than 25 years ago. Since their start, 128 PHCE has expanded and grown to become Eastern Massachusetts' most trusted and consistent plumber, heating and air conditioning service company with over 750 reviews online. For more information, call 888-419-4233 or visit www.call128.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE 128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric

Related Links

http://www.call128.com


WASHINGTON, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ProSolutions Training today received the national Council for Professional Recognition's new CDA Gold Standard Training Certification at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

The Council for Professional Recognition (the Council) has been working to improve the quality of early childhood education for children from birth to five in the United States and worldwide. Now, with its new CDA Gold Standard Training Certification, early childhood education students will be able to find the high-quality training and student services they need to prepare for the CDA exam and a career as an early childhood educator. ProSolutions Training passed the Council's quality review of their training and services and received the CDA Gold Standard Training Certification.

"We are thrilled to accept this recognition for the quality of our online coursework, the support services we provide for students and our comprehensive learning management system," said ProSolutions Training President Carla Rogg.

As a participant in the CDA Gold Standard pilot, ProSolutions Training successfully demonstrated that its early childhood education training adheres to the Council's three industry-leading principles:

Alignment with the CDA formal education coursework found in the CDA's eight subject areas; Sound business policies and practice; and Quality student services that meet their educational and professional needs.

"We believe that our new CDA Gold Standard Training Certification adds value and integrity to the early childhood profession by verifying connections between the Council's proven teacher competencies and the quality of training resources available to CDA students," said Valora Washington, chief executive officer, Council for Professional Recognition.

In addition to offering high-quality training, CDA Gold Standard applicants must provide evidence that they serve the CDA student community with excellence, which includes professional development that prepares students for successful completion of their training program.

"It's exciting to think about the many young children, families and communities that will benefit from the high-quality education and training students will receive from CDA Gold Standard Training Certification programs such as ProSolutions Training," Washington added.

About ProSolutions Training

ProSolutions Training is the professional development division of Care Solutions, Inc., an Atlanta-based management consulting firm specializing in professional development, information management and web-based application development. ProSolutions Training provides online training in early care and education to assist professionals in promoting the healthy growth and development of the children in their care and in social services to assist professionals in achieving positive outcomes for children and families. The firm is an approved provider of International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET) continuing education units (CEUs) and its early childhood coursework is approved in most states. Visit: www.prosolutionstraining.com and www.caresolutions.com

About the Council for Professional Recognition

For more than 30 years, the Council for Professional Recognition has been the leader in promoting improved performance and recognition of professionals in the early childhood education of children ages birth to 5 years old. The Council recognizes and credentials professionals who work in all types of early care and education settings  Head Start, pre-k, infant-toddler, family child care, and home visitor programs. As a non-profit agency, the Council sets policies and procedures for assessment and credentialing, including the CDA and the new CDA Gold Standard Training Certification, and publishes industry-leading training books and workbooks, including its CDA Competency Standards and Essentials textbook and workbook (2nd edition). Visit: www.cdacouncil.org

SOURCE ProSolutions Training

Related Links

http://www.prosolutionstraining.com


SARASOTA, Fla., July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- If you're heading to Denver, Colorado for the 2017 World's Fair of Money  commonly referred to as the ANA  this August, be sure to stop by booth 1000 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the coveted Gold Krugerrand coin. Earlier this year, ModernCoinMart (MCM) and GovMint.com partnered with the South African Mint to bring customers the first-ever Silver Krugerrand, and now, they will be introducing two new sizes of the gold coin  5 oz. and 50 oz. Proofs.

ModernCoinMart & GovMint.com

MCM and GovMint.com will be hosting an anniversary party for the Gold Krugerrand at their booth on Wednesday, August 8, 2017 at 2:30pm MT. Stop by and enjoy a slice of cake and see the massive 50 oz. gold coin in person for the first time!

"It's been an exciting experience partnering with the Mint to bring not only the first-ever Silver and Platinum Krugerrands to collectors, but also two new sizes of the popular Gold Krugerrand," says Steve Wolff, Vice President of Product Development. "Collectors travel from all over the country to attend the ANA, which makes it a fitting venue to celebrate the anniversary of this legendary coin. It is sure to be a memorable event."

If you can't make it to the show in Denver, MCM and GovMint.com will be livestreaming various portions of the event on their respective Facebook pages. Users can tune in virtually to experience seminars, expert interviews, the anniversary party, and more  all without having to leave the comfort of their homes.

To make sure you receive updates with opportunities to tune in live, be sure to sign up for alerts with your email address.

To learn more about the companies, visit ModernCoinMart.com or GovMint.com.

About ModernCoinMart

ModernCoinMart, established in 2004, has pioneered the modern coin market online. The company has a professional customer service team, offers free domestic shipping on all orders with no minimum, and strives to bring their customers the lowest possible prices. To learn more, visit ModernCoinMart.com.

About GovMint.com

For more than 30 years, GovMint.com and its related companies have been a trusted source for collector coins for over one million customers. With headquarters located in Minneapolis, MN, they are one of the largest retailers of rare and collectible coins in the country. To learn more, visit GovMint.com.

Related Images

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Related Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EBRhppg3N8

SOURCE ModernCoinMart & GovMint.com

Related Links

https://www.moderncoinmart.com


BUCYRUS, Ohio, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Investors Bancorp, Inc. (OTC-PINK: CIBN), parent company of First Federal Community Bank of Bucyrus, reported net income of $461,000 or $.58 per common share for the year ended June 30, 2017, representing a decrease of $440,000 (48.8%), compared to the net earnings of $901,000, or $1.13 per common share reported for the year ended June 30, 2016. The decrease in earnings reflects an increase in general, administrative and other expenses (SGA) of $285,000 (5.5%). SGA expenses increased due to increases in technology consulting, core processing, salaries and wages and professional expenses. Other income saw a small drop for the year, although the quarter ended June 30, 2017 reflected recovery of loan volumes in the secondary market as well as improved gains-net of loan originator commissions. Provision for loan loss increased by $290,000 (68.7%) reflecting final resolution of three large compromised loan relationships recognized during the fiscal year. Net interest income remained relatively unchanged, but an increase in the cost of funds resulted in a slight reduction of $31,000 (.6%).

Community Investors Bancorp, Inc. reported total assets at June 30, 2017, of $143.3 million (increase of $3.0 million or 2.1% from June 30, 2016) including gross loans of $107.0 million (increase of $1.2 million or 1.1% from June 30, 2016). Investments decreased by $.4 million (2.8%), while the allowance for loan loss decreased by $170,000 (12.6%) since June 30, 2016. Total assets classified as nonaccrual were $1.7 million compared to $2.8 million at June 30, 2016. Deposits increased by $8.7 million (9.6%) from June 30, 2016. Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings decreased by $5.5 million (15.6%). Total liabilities were $130.8 million for an increase of $2.8 million (2.2%) from June 30, 2016). Total stockholders' equity increased by $158,000 to $12.5 million. Book value per share is at $15.67 per share.

The past year was disappointing. Our loan losses were increased by the frustrating, extended process of recovering real estate loan collateral which deteriorated as we were forced to wait on the process. Our SGA expenses climbed as we contended with increased regulations, required cybersecurity vigilance, technology improvements as well as increased loan administration and collection efforts. Going into the new fiscal year, we have reduced classified assets by more than $2.1 million over the prior year. Though challenges remain, our increased collection and credit monitoring have reduced our 30-89 days past due loans by more than $1.2 million compared to June 30, 2016, to the lowest level in more than 10 years. We are encouraged by improving local economic conditions even as we plan to focus more resources on the vibrant economy in and around our Marysville location. We plan to expand our mortgage loan origination operations and derive better efficiencies within that segment of our non-interest income. Finally, our management team has identified specific expenses which we expect to reduce in the next year as we continue to review our operations for potential increased efficiencies. However, we will not compromise safety, service or regulatory compliance. Although it will take some lead time to see the results of our efforts, the quarter ended June 30, 2017 reflected a small decrease in SGA expenses relative to the quarter ended June 30, 2016. Non-interest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 also improved by $118,000 from the quarter ended June 30, 2016. The Bank's goals are challenging but achievable in the upcoming months and years. We are confident that we will meet the challenges to achieve success for our shareholders, employees, customers and community.

Community Investors Bancorp, Inc. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (In thousands) UNAUDITED











June 30,

June 30,

June 30, ASSETS





2017

2016

2015

Cash and cash equivalents



$ 12,774

$ 7,016

$ 6,710

Interest-bearing time deposits



-

-

992

Available-for-sale securities



13,945

14,347

13,223

Loans held-for-sale



2,680

6,423

4,998

Loans receivable-gross



107,017

105,834

104,502



Less: Allowance for Loan Loss

(1,175)

(1,345)

(1,375)

Loans receivable-net



105,842

104,489

103,127

Premises and equipment



3,923

4,017

4,071

Federal Home Loan Bank stock



2,265

2,246

2,237

Foreclosed assets held for sale



10

38

68

Interest receivable



462

460

499

Prepaid federal income tax



74

-

-

Other assets



1,313

1,294

1,143



Total assets



$ 143,288

$ 140,330

$ 137,068





















LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY













Deposits



$ 99,818

$ 91,090

$ 89,249

Federal Home Loan Bank advances



29,978

35,515

35,280

Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance 221

186

211

Interest payable



47

41

33

Accrued federal income tax



-

186

19

Deferred federal income tax



568

607

367

Other liabilities



198

404

366



Total liabilities



130,830

128,029

125,525 Shareholders' equity





































Common stock



15

15

15

Additional Paid-in capital



5,299

5,299

5,299

Retained earnings



14,547

14,313

13,603

Accumulated other comprehensive income ( loss)

54

131

83

Treasury stock



(7,457)

(7,457)

(7,457)



Total shareholders' equity

12,458

12,301

11,543 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity



$ 143,288

$ 140,330

$ 137,068











































Community Investors Bancorp, Inc. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In thousands, except share data) UNAUDITED







Year ended

Three months ended







June 30,

June 30,







2017

2016

2017

2016 Total interest income $ 5,887

$ 5,824

$ 1,498

$ 1,488 Total interest expense 733

639

198

172

Net interest income 5,154

5,185

1,300

1,316 Provision for losses on loans 712

422

390

61

Net interest income after provision for loan losses 4,442

4,763

910

1,255 Other income 1,728

1,779

545

427 General, administrative and other expenses 5,504

5,219

1,452

1,455

Earnings before income taxes 666

1,323

3

227 Federal income taxes expense 205

422

1

70

NET INCOME $ 461

$ 901

$ 2

$ 157





















BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE $ 0.58

$ 1.13

$ -

$ 0.20























SOURCE Community Investors Bancorp, Inc.
By PTI: Bhopal/Indore, Jul 28 (PTI) Congress and BJP workers today clashed in front of a cinema hall in Indore which was screening Madhur Bhandarkars film Indu Sarkar, based on the Emergency imposed by the Indira Gandhi government in 1975.

Police used canes to disperse the BJP and Congress workers who came to blows near Indores Sapna-Sangeeta cinema hall, where the movie was being shown.

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An official from Indores Bhanwarkua police station said the BJP and Congress workers shouted slogans and made advances against each other, forcing the police to use canes to disperse them.

The Congress activists alleged that Bhandarkar distorted facts and the film seeks to tarnish the image of the party among the people of the country.

On the other hand, the BJP workers claimed the Congress was trying to suppress the freedom of expression.

Meanwhile in Bhopal, the BJP urged its workers and the public to watch the film, which released today.

"The country passed through a bad phase during the Emergency. The BJP workers as well as common citizens should watch the film to know what happened during the Emergency," state BJP media in-charge Lokendra Parashar told PTI.

The democratic system had collapsed during that 21-month-long period in 1975-77 and the BJP workers should know about it so that such a thing does not happen again, he said.

However, state Congress spokesman K K Mishra claimed the film is "fully sponsored" and seeks to tarnish the image of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, in a tweet, said he is going to watch the political thriller with his family members in Indore.

He also urged his supporters to watch the movie, which stars Kirti Kulhari, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Anupam Kher, Tota Roy Chowdhury and Supriya Vinod. PTI HWP ADU MAS RSY ASV

--- ENDS ---
RESTON, Va., July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- comScore today introduced MyMetrix Explore, a new data exploration and visualization platform available for Media Metrix Multi-Platform (MMX MP). With this platform, clients around the globe can now create customized analyses, reports and visualizations based on their specific needs, using the same trusted data already available within MMX MP. This streamlined approach to accessing comScore data gives clients the ability to make smarter and faster decisions about their media, marketing and technology investments.

"As our clients have become more sophisticated than ever in using data to drive their businesses, they asked us to create new tools to help them more efficiently analyze the metrics that matter," said Naresh Rekhi, vice president of product management at comScore. "That feedback led us to create MyMetrix Explore, which dramatically reduces the time and effort needed to visualize and understand market trends and opportunities."

MyMetrix Explore:

Gives clients the ability to create their own data universe. Clients can define their own data exploration experience and create custom reports using multiple comScore rankings, demographics, trends, and more. These custom views can easily be saved in the system for quick access in the future.

Clients can define their own data exploration experience and create custom reports using multiple comScore rankings, demographics, trends, and more. These custom views can easily be saved in the system for quick access in the future. Provides enhanced interaction and usability features. Clients have even greater flexibility to change time and geography dimensions, add and move charts as needed, further explore specific data points to reveal device or demographic details, and more.

Clients have even greater flexibility to change time and geography dimensions, add and move charts as needed, further explore specific data points to reveal device or demographic details, and more. Offers cleaner, more streamlined visualizations. After identifying the metrics that matter most, clients can begin building reports by adding, cloning, customizing, and arranging those visualizations according to their unique needs.

Get Started with MyMetrix Explore

MyMetrix Explore is available now to current MMX MP clients as part of their existing subscription plans.

To learn more about MMX MP, please contact us.

About comScore

comScore is a leading cross-platform measurement company that measures audiences, brands and consumer behavior everywhere. comScore completed its merger with Rentrak Corporation in January 2016, to create the new model for a dynamic, cross-platform world. Built on precision and innovation, comScore's data footprint combines proprietary digital, TV and movie intelligence with vast demographic details to quantify consumers' multiscreen behavior at massive scale. This approach helps media companies monetize their complete audiences and allows marketers to reach these audiences more effectively. With more than 3,200 clients and a global footprint in more than 75 countries, comScore is delivering the future of measurement. Shares of comScore stock are currently traded on the OTC Market (OTC:SCOR). For more information on comScore, please visit comscore.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, without limitation, comScore's expectations as to the impact of MyMetrix Explore and the broader Media Metrix Multi-Platform family of products on the success of comScore's business. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from expectations, including, but not limited to, comScore's ability to achieve its expected financial and operational results. For additional discussion of risk factors, please refer to comScore's respective Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other filings that comScore makes from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which are available on the SEC's website (www.sec.gov).

Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date such statements are made. comScore does not intend or undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or new information after the date of this press release, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

SOURCE comScore

Related Links

http://www.comscore.com


SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumer Watchdog warned that a bill approved today by the House Commerce Committee that would pre-empt state autonomous vehicle safety regulations would leave a regulatory void without meaningful safety protections.

"Pre-empting the states' ability to fill the gap left by federal inaction on safety standards leaves us at the mercy of manufacturers as they use our public highways as their private laboratories however they wish with no safety protections at all," said John M. Simpson, Consumer Watchdog Privacy Project Director.

California's initial autonomous vehicle testing regulations, for example, are working, Simpson said, noting that 36 companies have obtained permits to test robot cars on our roads. Crash reports and disengagement reports must be filed, so the public knows what's happening around them, he noted.

There are no federal autonomous vehicle safety standards, only voluntary guidelines, Consumer Watchdog noted.

"Instead of offering meaningful safety protections," Simpson said, "federal efforts appear to be aimed at thwarting those who might act."

The nonprofit nonpartisan public interest group stressed that regulations covering jurisdiction over licensing; enacting and enforcing traffic laws and regulations; and regulating vehicle insurance and liability must remain with the states.

"Lost in the hyperbole over robot cars is a realistic assessment of the likely costs to both consumers and taxpayers particularly over the coming decades, when robot cars and human drivers will share a 'hybrid highway,'" said Simpson.

Consumer Watchdog also called on Congress to increase funding for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration so it has the resources necessary to enact safety performance standards and regulate self-driving robot cars.

Last month Consumer Watchdog issued a report warning that robot cars operating without mandatory safety, security, privacy and ethical standards will pose unprecedented risks to the American public. Read the report, Self-Driving Vehicles: The Threat to Consumers, here: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/self_driving_consumer_threat_report.pdf

In September during the Obama Administration NHTSA issued its automated vehicle policy, which relies on a 15-point voluntary safety assessment. Last month Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao said her department was reviewing that policy and would issue its revised policy guidelines within a few months. No voluntary safety assessments have been filed.

Consumer Watchdog noted that when the federal government finally enacts Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FVMSS) covering autonomous vehicles, they will under current law pre-empt state safety regulations.

"There will be no 'patch-work' of competing and possibly contradictory regulations that some warn about," said Simpson. "NHTSA just needs to do its job and protect the public's safety."

In formal written testimony to the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection in June Consumer Watchdog said:

"We call on you to require the development of enforceable federal safety performance standards. Responsible regulation goes hand-in-hand with innovation. Voluntary 'standards' in the auto industry have repeatedly been proven to be weak and insufficient. Safety must come before the automakers' bottom lines. Consumer Watchdog calls on you to require NHTSA to enact the necessary regulations to protect the safety of our highways and give the agency the necessary resources to do so."

Read Consumer Watchdog's testimony here: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/househavstatement062717.pdf

View the Subcommittee hearing here: https://energycommerce.house.gov/hearings-and-votes/hearings/self-driving-vehicle-legislation

The statement to the House Subcommittee came after Consumer Watchdog's in depth study, "Self-Driving Vehicles: The Threat to Consumers." Read the report here: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/self_driving_consumer_threat_report.pdf

The next few years will feature complex interactions between people, computers, cars and public streets and freeways, Consumer Watchdog said. To deal with the challenge posed by autonomous vehicle technology, Consumer Watchdog believes six principles must be adopted. They are:

1. Protect the civil justice system. The state-based civil justice system  open courts, impartial judges and citizen juries  is fully equipped to handle the determination of legal responsibility as our transportation system evolves over the coming decades. Disputes over who is at fault in a crash involving a self-driving car or truck will require the full power of civil justice system, with its procedural safeguards of an impartial judge, full public transparency, and trial by citizen juries, to investigate and publicly expose the cause of crashes, compensate the victims for deaths, injuries and property damage, punish the wrongdoer, and force manufacturers to make changes in their products to prevent future harm. When their autonomous technologies fail, hardware and software manufacturers must be held strictly liable. Lawmakers should reject legislation to limit or restrict state consumer protection laws. Manufacturers must not be permitted to evade these consumer protections by inserting arbitration clauses, "hold harmless" provisions or other waivers in their contracts.

2. Enact stronger state consumer protections against insurance company abuses. According to a 2013 report by the Consumer Federation of America, "California stands out from all other states in having the best insurance regulatory system for protecting consumers." Enacted by California voters in 1988, California's insurance reform law provides precisely the stronger protections consumers will require in the era of robot vehicles. The reforms, known as Proposition 103, have protected motorists (along with homeowners, renters, businesses and medical providers) against unjust insurance rates (including product liability insurance rates) and anti-consumer and discriminatory practices. The law's emphasis on rewarding drivers with lower insurance premiums based on their safety record, their annual mileage, their driving experience, and other rating factors within their control that are "substantially related to the risk of loss," will be critical in the new automotive era. Proposition 103's mandate for public disclosure and public participation in regulatory matters are essential components of a system that will be trusted by consumers.

3. Enact auto safety standards. Private companies cannot be trusted to develop and deploy robot cars and trucks without rules. The federal auto safety agency or other relevant federal agencies, or in their absence, state auto safety agencies, must develop standards for the testing and deployment of the multiple technologies required by robot vehicles. These standards must address safety, security, privacy and the software that determines the robot's actions in the event of an impending collision and as it makes life and death decisions. They must be enforceable by consumers in courts of law.

4. Stronger laws are needed to protect consumers' privacy. The laws have not kept pace with the evolution of technology and the collection and monetization of consumers' personal data. Hardware and software manufacturers and insurance companies must be barred from utilizing tracking, sensor or communications data, or transferring it to third parties for commercial gain, absent separate written consent (which should not be required as a condition of accessing the services of the vehicle/manufacturer, and which should be revocable by the consumer at any time).

5. Bar federal interference in state consumer protection laws. Neither Congress nor federal agencies should be permitted to preempt or override stronger state based civil justice, insurance reform or auto safety laws.

6. Respect democratic and human values. The sponsors of self-driving vehicles have promoted the myth that machines are infallible in order to justify the wholesale departure from a panoply of norms that form founding principles for the nation, beginning with the rule of law; individual and corporate responsibility; long held legal principles that distinguish between human beings and property; and the transparency of public officials and institutions that is a hallmark of democracy. The strategy of substituting robot values for human values has reached its apotheosis in the determination by robot car company executives to program computers to make life and death decisions, and to keep that decision-making process secret. Lawmakers will need to impose the rule of law and other attributes of American democracy upon the executives of the hardware and software companies that manufacture self-driving cars.

Visit our website at www.consumerwatchdog.org

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog

Related Links

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org


PHILADELPHIA, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) announced today that Andrea J. Funk has been elected to the Company's Board of Directors.

Ms. Funk is the Chief Executive Officer of Cambridge-Lee Industries LLC, a world leader in the manufacture and distribution of copper tube for water supply, air conditioning, refrigeration and a variety of commercial applications. Prior to becoming CEO in 2013, Ms. Funk served as the organization's Chief Financial Officer since 2010. Before joining Cambridge-Lee, she was Director, Operations Planning and Reporting for Carpenter Technology Corporation, a $2.5 billion specialty metals manufacturer. Previously, Ms. Funk held positions of increasing responsibility in global finance, business development, planning and strategy with Arrow International, Rhone-Poulenc Rorer and Bell Atlantic Corporation. She was also an auditor with Ernst & Young LLP.

Ms. Funk graduated magna cum laude from Villanova University, earning her Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She holds a Masters of Business Administration from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Funk also sits on the Board of Directors of Touchpoint, Inc. and Caron Treatment Centers, and on the President's Advisory Council for Alvernia University.

John W. Conway, Chairman of the Board, commented, "We are very pleased to welcome Andi to the Board. In addition to her current general management role, she has gained significant experience in the areas of finance, operations and strategy. The Company will benefit from her broad scope of knowledge and global perspective."

About Crown Holdings, Inc.

Crown Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading supplier of packaging products to consumer marketing Companies around the world. World headquarters are located in Philadelphia, PA. For more information, visit www.crowncork.com.

For more information, contact: Thomas T. Fischer, Vice President Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs; Tel: (215) 552-3720; Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Crown Holdings, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.crowncork.com


"Luxury travelers continue to seek unparalleled service, amenities and experiences when they explore the world, even with limited time," says Crystal CEO and president, Edie Rodriguez . "Crystal Getaways allow travelers to enjoy a standard of luxury, excellence and unforgettable adventures, without stressing their calendars  while also realizing tremendous savings on the all-inclusive Crystal Experience."

In all, 17 abbreviated Crystal Getaways have been added to Crystal's 2017 roster of worldwide voyages, exploring the lush islands of the Seychelles, the UNESCO-recognized wine country of Bordeaux, the grandeur and innovation of the United Arab Emirates, the coast of the Cape of Good Hope, and the sparkling Christmas markets of Germany, Austria and Hungary. The 2017 Getaways include:

Crystal Cruises

August 13 , Honfleur to Liverpool , 5 days, Crystal Symphony

, Honfleur to , 5 days, Crystal Symphony August 18 , Liverpool to London / Dover , 6 days, Crystal Symphony

, to / , 6 days, Crystal Symphony August 25 , London / Dover to Bordeaux , 6 days, Crystal Symphony

, / to , 6 days, Crystal Symphony August 31 , Bordeaux to Lisbon , 6 days, Crystal Symphony

, to , 6 days, Crystal Symphony November 22 , Dubai to Abu Dhabi , 4 days, Crystal Symphony

, to , 4 days, Crystal Symphony November 26 , Abu Dhabi to Port Louis , 13 days, Crystal Symphony

, to , 13 days, Crystal Symphony December 1 , Mahe/ Victoria to Port Louis , 8 days, Crystal Symphony

, Mahe/ to , 8 days, Crystal Symphony December 6 , Fort Lauderdale to Barbados / Bridgetown , 8 days, Crystal Serenity

, to / , 8 days, Crystal Serenity December 9 , Port Louis to Maputo , 7 days, Crystal Symphony

, to , 7 days, Crystal Symphony December 14 , Barbados / Bridgetown to Charleston, 6 days, Crystal Serenity

, / to Charleston, 6 days, Crystal Serenity December 16 , Maputo to Cape Town , 6 days, Crystal Symphony

Crystal River Cruises

November 17 , Amsterdam to Nuremberg, 7 days, Crystal Mahler

, to Nuremberg, 7 days, November 24 , Nuremberg to Budapest , 9 days, Crystal Mahler

, Nuremberg to , 9 days, December 3 , Budapest to Nuremberg, 9 days, Crystal Mahler

, to Nuremberg, 9 days, December 12 , Nuremberg to Amsterdam , 7 days, Crystal Mahler

, Nuremberg to , 7 days, December 19 , Amsterdam to Nuremberg, 7 days, Crystal Mahler

, to Nuremberg, 7 days, December 26 , Nuremberg to Budapest , 9 days, Crystal Mahler

All-inclusive, cruise only fares for Crystal Cruises Getaways begin at $940 per person; all-inclusive, cruise only fares for Crystal River Cruises Getaways begin at $2,730 per person.

By sea, river, land and air, Crystal has redefined the way the world views luxury travel. Celebrating 27 years of excellence, Crystal Cruises is the World's Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line, having earned "World's Best Cruise Ship" in Conde Nast Traveler's Reader Choice Awards for 23 years; been voted "World's Best Large Ship Cruise Line" by Travel + Leisure readers for 20 years; and the "Best Luxury Cruise Line" by travel professional organization Virtuoso for three consecutive years (2014, 2015 & 2016). The readers of Travel + Leisure also voted Crystal River Cruises the "World's Best River Cruise Line" and Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises the "World's Best Small-Ship Cruise Line" in 2017. The Crystal experiences include Crystal Cruises, Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises, Crystal Luxury Air, Crystal River Cruises  The World's Most Luxurious River Cruise Line  Crystal AirCruises and Crystal Exclusive Class with Crystal Residences. Crystal is proud to be a platinum partner of the professionals of ASTA.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888.799.2437, or visit www.crystalcruises.com. Join the hundreds of thousands who follow the Crystal Cruises' Facebook page and @crystalcruises on Twitter and Instagram, and engage in the conversation with #crystalcruises.

CONTACT: Susan Robison Molly Morgan

Director, Global Public Relations Publicist, Public Relations







(310) 203-4305



[email protected]



SOURCE Crystal

Related Links

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WAYNE, Pa., July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cutanea Life Sciences, Inc. (CLS), a U.S. prescription dermatology company, announced today the introduction of "Facing Forward," a new mobile application for patients who are prescribed Aktipak (erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide) Gel, 3%/5%, a combination therapy indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris. The app will be available free through the Apple Store or Google Play. Aktipak is contraindicated in individuals who have shown hypersensitivity to any of its components.1

"A major focus at Cutanea is the development of innovative technologies that can aid in monitoring patient compliance with dermatology medications," said Robert J. Bitterman, CEO and President of Cutanea Life Sciences. "We want our Aktipak customers to use the product as directed and dosed. The 'Facing Forward' app is designed as a toolkit for Aktipak users, particularly active teens who are coping with acne, to derive maximum benefit from the therapy."

The main features of the "Facing Forward" app include:

A camera function that enables users to take a "photo journal" of their face and track their progress while they are undergoing treatment with Aktipak 

An instructional video on how to mix Aktipak  fresh

fresh Dosing reminders

RX refill reminders

A compliance report so that their physicians can immediately determine if their patients are using the medication properly

Acne information resources

"Most teens today have three things in common: they have acne, they're always on the go, and they're into digital technology, including smartphones and the 'selfie' phenomenon," said Daniel Roling, M.D., a Philadelphia area dermatologist. "For teenagers prescribed Aktipak, the 'Facing Forward' mobile app should be a welcome and valuable aid in monitoring compliance and treatment progress."

Aktipak is a portable, freshly mixed, patient-blended therapy that offers a flexible and convenient treatment option for active, "on-the-go" acne patients. The product comes in pocket-sized, single-dose, dual-chamber pouches (60 to a carton), each of which contain the antibiotic erythromycin and the antibacterial benzoyl peroxide in separate chambers. The patient opens the pouch and blends the gel contents immediately prior to use, enabling simple, convenient application with no mixing needed in the pharmacy. Aktipak has an 18-month shelf life from the date of manufacture, and no refrigeration is required. The 1.5" x 2.5" pouches tuck easily and discreetly into purses, gym bags and backpacks.

To learn more about Aktipak, visit www.aktipak.com.

About Aktipak

Indications and Usage

Aktipak (erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide) Gel, 3%/5% is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris.

Important Safety Information

Contraindications: Aktipak is contraindicated in those individuals who have shown hypersensitivity to any of its components.

Precautions: For topical use only; not for ophthalmic use. Concomitant topical acne therapy should be used with caution because a possible cumulative irritancy effect may occur, especially with the use of peeling, desquamating or abrasive agents. If severe irritation develops, discontinue use and institute appropriate therapy. The use of antibiotic agents may be associated with the overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms. If this occurs, discontinue use and take appropriate measures. Avoid contact with eyes and all mucous membranes.

Pregnancy: It is not known whether Aktipak can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Aktipak should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. It is not known whether the ingredients of Aktipak are excreted in human milk. Therefore, caution should be exercised when erythromycin is administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use: The safety and effectiveness of Aktipak in pediatric patients below 12 years of age have not been established.

Adverse Reactions: The most frequently reported adverse events reported in clinical trials include: dry skin, application site reaction, blepharitis, pruritus, and photosensitivity.

Please click here for the full Prescribing Information or paste into your browser: http://bit.ly/2njB0Ie.

About Acne

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), acne is the most common skin condition in the U.S., affecting up to 50 million Americans annually, and 85 percent of people ages 12 to 24 will experience at least mild acne. It is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder characterized by blackheads, whiteheads and pimples that occurs on the face, neck, shoulders, upper arms, chest and back. Acne has been shown to cause significant psychological problems, including poor self-image, depression and anxiety.2

About Cutanea Life Sciences

Cutanea Life Sciences, Inc., headquartered in Wayne, PA, is a specialty pharmaceutical company whose mission is to develop innovative technologies, optimizing intellectual property and therapeutic applications culminating in market leading products to treat diseases and disorders of the skin and related tissue. CLS seeks to improve human health and appearance, and create value for patients and medical professionals by satisfying underserved medical needs. CLS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Osaka-based Maruho Co., Ltd., a leading dermatology company in Japan that celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2015.

CLS is pursuing therapies for the treatment of acne, rosacea, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and various forms of warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). It also has a novel soft tissue augmentation agent in early development. CLS intends to direct these products through the required regulatory pathway and, upon FDA clearance, commercialize them directly through a CLS sales force and commercial infrastructure that will focus primarily on dermatology medical practices.

For more information, visit www.cutanea.com and follow CLS on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We may, in some cases, use terms such as "predicts," "believes," "potential," "proposed," "continue," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "intends," "may," "could," "might," "will," "should" or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from CLS's current expectations. CLS's expectations and, therefore, any forward-looking statements in this press release could be affected by risks and uncertainties relating to a number of factors, including the following: the success, cost and timing of CLS's product development activities, studies and clinical trials; the success of competing products that are or become available; CLS's ability to commercialize its product candidates; the size and growth potential of the markets for CLS's product candidates, and CLS's ability to service those markets; CLS's ability to develop sales and marketing capabilities, whether alone or with potential future collaborators; the rate and degree of market acceptance of CLS's product candidates; and CLS's expectations regarding its ability to obtain and adequately maintain sufficient intellectual property protection for its product candidates. Any forward-looking statements that CLS makes in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. CLS assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

References

______________________________________________________________________________

1 Aktipak (erythromycin 3%-benzoyl peroxide 5%) Topical Gel [package insert]. Wayne, PA: Cutanea Life Sciences, Inc.; 2017.

2 Acne; American Academy of Dermatology. Retrieved February 23, 2017 from https://www.aad.org/media/stats/conditions

Media Inquiries: Karen Dombek, MCS Healthcare Public Relations

(800) 477-9626

[email protected]

Andy Hachadorian, Cutanea Life Sciences

(484) 568-4323

[email protected]

SOURCE Cutanea Life Sciences, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.cutanea.com


TSX: ELD NYSE: EGO

VANCOUVER, July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Eldorado Gold Corporation, ("Eldorado" or "the Company") today reported the Company's financial and operational results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017.

Second Quarter Financial and Operational Highlights

Profit of $11.2 million ( $0.02 per share) , compared to a loss of $329.9 million ( $0.46 per share) in the second quarter of 2016 (which included $339.0 million loss on re-measurement of Chinese assets). Adjusted net earnings of $6.3 million ( $0.01 per share) compared to an adjusted net earnings of $11.7 million ( $0.01 per share) in the second quarter of 2016.

, compared to a loss of ( per share) in the second quarter of 2016 (which included loss on re-measurement of Chinese assets). compared to an adjusted net earnings of ( per share) in the second quarter of 2016. Gold production of 63,692 ounces, (including pre-commercial production).

(including pre-commercial production). Gold revenues of $72.2 million on sales of 57,206 ounces of gold at an average realized gold price of $1,262 per ounce.

on sales of 57,206 ounces of gold at an All-in sustaining cash costs averaged $846 per ounce.

averaged Cash operating costs averaged $484 per ounce; compared to 2017 guidance of $485-535 per ounce.

compared to 2017 guidance of per ounce. Total liquidity of approximately $1.0 billion , including $752.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and term deposits, and $250 million in undrawn lines of credit at quarter end. Cash, cash equivalents and term deposits after payment for the acquisition of Integra was $609.3 million .

, including in cash, cash equivalents and term deposits, and in undrawn lines of credit at quarter end. Cash, cash equivalents and term deposits after payment for the acquisition of Integra was . Olympias Phase II commissioning continued and commercial production is now expected by the end of 2017.

and commercial production is now expected by the end of 2017. Announced the definitive agreement with Integra Gold Corp. to acquire all of issued and outstanding common shares, not already owned by the Company, by way of a plan of arrangement; transaction closed post-quarter end .

to acquire all of issued and outstanding common shares, not already owned by the Company, by way of a plan of arrangement; . Construction at Skouries continued , with production now targeted for 2020.

, with production now targeted for 2020. George Burns assumed the role of President & Chief Executive Officer on April 28, 2017 .

"It was an eventful second quarter with site tours to Greece to demonstrate our continued progression of development and news of the Integra acquisition," said George Burns, Eldorado's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Commissioning at Olympias continues, although we now expect to declare commercial production by the end of 2017. Skouries development is progressing as we continue to endeavour to work with the Greek government to advance this key project. News of ounce recovery deferral at Kisladag was unexpected, however the operations and engineering groups have implemented corrections to solution chemistry that are expected to achieve normal recovery rates."

"I am pleased that the Integra acquisition has closed. We proudly welcomed our new employees in Quebec to our team earlier this month and we look forward to expanding our production base within this highly prospective region going forward."

Summarized Financial Results

Continuing Operations ($ millions except as noted)







3 months ended June 30, 6 months ended June 30,

2017 2016 2017 2016 Revenues 82.7 107.1 194.6 201.8 Gold revenues 72.2 98.3 162.7 188.8 Gold sold (ounces) 57,206 77,623 131,274 152,606 Average realized gold price ($/ounce) 1,262 1,267 1,240 1,237 Cash operating costs  gold mines ($/ounce) 484 490 474 504 Total cash costs  gold mines ($/ounce) 502 505 492 521 Gross profit from gold mining operations 28.1 41.4 65.1 73.5 Cash flow from operating activities 1 16.9 29.6 45.1 38.0









Including Discontinued Operations















3 months ended June 30, 6 months ended June 30,

2017 2016 2017 2016 Revenues 82.7 171.5 194.6 335.7 Gold revenues 72.2 162.7 162.7 322.6 Gold sold (ounces) 57,206 128,090 131,274 261,557 Average realized gold price ($/ounce) 1,262 1,270 1,240 1,233 Cash operating costs  gold mines ($/ounce) 484 607 474 605 Total cash costs  gold mines ($/ounce) 502 650 492 654 All-in sustaining cash cost  gold mines ($/ounce) 846 933 826 908 Gross profit from gold mining operations 28.1 55.5 65.1 96.6 Adjusted net earnings 6.3 11.7 16.7 11.0 Net profit (loss) 2 11.2 (329.9) 15.0 (332.3) Earnings (loss) per share  basic ($/share) 2 0.02 (0.46) 0.02 (0.46) Earnings (loss) per share  diluted ($/share) 2 0.02 (0.46) 0.02 (0.46)

(1) Before changes in non-cash working capital. (2) Attributable to shareholders of the Company.

Review of Quarterly Financial Results

Profit attributable to shareholders of the Company for the second quarter of 2017 was $11.2 million, ($0.02 per share), compared to a loss of $329.9 million, ($0.46 per share) in the second quarter of 2016 (which included $339.0 million loss on re-measurement of Chinese assets). Adjusted net earnings for the quarter were $6.3 million ($0.01 per share) as compared to an adjusted net earnings of $11.7 million ($0.01 per share) for the second quarter of 2016. The main difference between profit and adjusted net earnings in the second quarter of 2017 was the fluctuation on foreign exchange translation of deferred income tax balances in Turkey, Greece and Brazil.

Gold sales of 57,206 ounces and gross profit from continuing operations were lower year over year due to lower production and sales at Kisladag and shipping delays at Efemcukuru. General and administrative expenses increased $0.8 million year over year due to reorganization costs in Vancouver and Greece. Exploration expense increased $3.8 million including $1.6 million related to exploration activities at Stratoni. Mine standby costs of $1.3 million were recorded in the second quarter of 2017 related to Vila Nova, Perama Hill and Skouries underground development.

Second Quarter Review and 2017 Outlook

TURKEY

Kisladag

Kisladag reported gold production of 38,456 ounces for the quarter, down 23% year over year. Reduced solution grades resulted from continued slow leaching of higher pad stack heights and increased cyanide requirements.

During the quarter, the placement of estimated recoverable gold on the leach pad proceeded as planned, however, gold solution grade and consequently gold recovery from the leach pad lagged internal expectations throughout the quarter. Recent laboratory results, where solution chemistry was adjusted, have indicated normal recovery rates can still be expected. More time is now required to adjust the overall pad solution chemistry and allow solution to flow through the leach pad. With the current stack height being approximately 80 metres at the highest point, vertical flow rates are approximately one metre per day.

Sustaining capital expenditures of $4.9 million included a $1.5 million reimbursement for the handing over of the completed 154kV power transmission line to local authorities as part of the original development agreement.

Efemcukuru

Gold production of 23,184 ounces for the quarter was in-line year over year. Total gold ounces sold of 18,754 were lower due to a religious holiday in Turkey. Cash operating costs of $525 per ounce were higher year over year due to lower mined grades. Capital expenditures of $5.6 million included underground development, mine equipment overhauls and process and waste rock/tailings facilities construction projects.

GREECE

Stratoni

Concentrate production of 10,157 tonnes for the second quarter was lower year over year due to a reduction in ore tonnes processed and slightly lower mined grades (6.1% Pb, 9.4% Zn, 159 g/t Ag). The expected reduced grade and tonnage performance reflects the continuing depletion of the current mineable ore reserves remaining at the Mavres Petres mine.

Olympias

Olympias Phase II was substantially completed during the quarter. Wet commissioning of the plant began in early May. The plant operated under commissioning control through the remainder of the month and under operations control for trial production in June. Gold production of 2,052 ounces for the quarter is considered pre-commercial. Commissioning is progressing well, with lead/silver, zinc and gold concentrates being moved into market, however a bottleneck in the tailings filtration stage is limiting capacity to approximately 60% of design throughput. An engineering solution is being advanced and is expected to be implemented during the third quarter. Commercial production is now expected by the end of the year.

Capital spending for the quarter at Olympias was $27.1 million, with the majority deployed for continued underground development and rehabilitation in the Olympias underground, construction of the Phase II plant and construction works in the Kokkinolakkas tailings management facility.

Due to this slower than expected start-up, 2017 guidance at Olympias has been reduced from 40,000 to 50,000 ounces to 20,000 to 30,000 ounces.

Skouries

Work continued in the second quarter with the onset of better weather conditions. Building erection work commenced with key covered storage in place by quarter end. Tree clearing in the tailings dam area began along with continued construction of the access road through the base of the dam, as well as enabling works that are key for the start of the tailings embankment construction. Earthworks also continued on the tailings thickener foundations and the stockpile dome embankments, with both close to final grade by quarter end.

Total capital expenditure for the quarter was $18.6 million. Capital expenditure continues to lag behind expectations and it is now estimated that $80-$90 million will be spent in 2017 compared to the originally estimated $170-$200 million. Delays in capital expenditure are attributable to the slower start to the year in combination with ongoing delays in the granting of required permits by the Greek government to enable ramp-up in construction activities. Production is now targeted for 2020.

Perama Hill

The project remains on care and maintenance pending receipt of the Environmental Impact Study permit.

BRAZIL

Tocantinzinho

The installation licence for the site was issued by the Para State Government during the quarter, however the road and power line licence applications are still under review. Basic engineering is largely complete for the process plant and detailed infrastructure engineering was completed during the second quarter. Work continued on the detailed design required for tailings and solution pond permit applications and all permit approvals are expected during the first quarter of 2018.

A total of $2.5 million was spent during the quarter.

ROMANIA

Certej

Engineering and design work continued in order to support the permitting of the oxidative process, tailings and waste management facilities. Optimization studies were completed on the metallurgical process. Tailings and waste management studies continued with a selection of an optimum tailings pond and waste dump location from a short list of suitable locations. Permitting level designs will be completed based on the selected option. Engineering and permitting for offsite infrastructure continued with work progressing on the main power line, mine access road, water tanks and water supply pipeline.

A total of $4.2 million was spent during the quarter.

Integra Acquisition

During the quarter, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement with Integra Gold Corp. to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares that the Company did not already own by way of a plan of arrangement. ("Arrangement"). Pursuant to the Arrangement, Integra shareholders collectively received, for all the issued common shares of Integra that Eldorado did not already own, approximately CAD$129 million cash and 77 million common shares of Eldorado (representing approximately 10% of the total issued common shares of Eldorado, post-completion of the Arrangement). Total consideration was approximately $360 million, inclusive of Integra shares held by Eldorado. The Arrangement was successfully completed on July 10, 2017.

Project Overview

The principal asset is the Lamaque project near Val-d'Or, Quebec. A Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) was completed in February 2017 that envisioned a high-grade underground operation producing 123,000 ounces of gold per year for over 10 years at all-in sustaining costs of US$634 per ounce. Lamaque hosts a NI 43-101 Indicated Resource of 5.1 million tonnes at a grade of 9.13 grams per tonne gold and an Inferred Resource of 3.5 million tonnes at a grade of 7.94 grams per tonne gold (at a 5.0 gram per tonne gold cut-off). The Company is currently in the process of advancing underground ramp development to facilitate underground exploration and collection of a bulk sample by year end. To date, the underground ramp has progressed over 1,135 metres and the bulk sample has been initiated with over 5,107 tonnes collected to date.

Exploration

The Company will continue to expand exploration of the Lamaque project area, building on the experience and knowledge of the Quebec team gained from the discovery and exploration of the Triangle deposit. Drilling planned for the second half of 2017 includes testing of new exploration targets in the project area, step-out drilling on recent high-grade drill intercepts not yet correlated with known mineralized structures, and additional drilling at the Triangle deposit on extensions of the C5 and C7 mineralized zones. Additional project upside is being outlined through ongoing property-scale targeting studies that integrates the extensive historical exploration and mining data for the project area with new geophysical survey data and our enhanced understanding of controls on gold mineralization.

Updated Technical Study & Resource

The current PEA, based on the Triangle Resource from November 2016, does not incorporate the latest Triangle Resource (March 2017) or the 110,000 plus metres of additional drilling that supported the March 2017 resource model. This and ongoing drilling has shown increased overall confidence in the Triangle Resource and a positive trend of better grades and thicknesses, particularly in the shallower portions of the deposit. A technical study is currently underway which will include not only the data supporting the March 2017 model but also information from a further 60,000 metres of drilling. The study will optimize the PEA for capital and operating costs to a pre-feasibility level of confidence and is expected to confirm maiden reserves for Triangle deposit in the first quarter of 2018.

Exploration Review

During the second quarter the Company completed 21,650 metres of exploration drilling at the Company's exploration projects and mines. Exploration expenditures for the quarter totaled $8.6 million.

Turkey

At Efemcukuru, the 2017 program includes delineation drilling on the Kestane Beleni vein, drill-testing exploration targets within the central parts of the Kokarpinar vein system and identifying and testing new targets outside of these two main vein systems. Delineation drilling of 5,564 metres was completed during the second quarter at Kestane Beleni on Inferred Resource zones in the south and middle ore shoots and Kestane Beleni northwest areas, for a 2017 drilling total of 8,173 metres. The results are positive, with numerous intercepts yielding higher gold grades than previously modelled.

At Kokarpinar, the first three drillholes of the 2017 program were completed. All intersected thick vein intervals at shallow levels with textural and mineralogical characteristics similar to high-grade veins at Kestane Beleni and from other parts of the Kokarpinar vein. Assay results are pending.

Exploration elsewhere in Turkey included reconnaissance programs in the western part of the country, evaluating the potential for epithermal and porphyry systems associated with Tertiary volcanic centers.

Romania

In the Certej district, exploration during the quarter focused on the Bolcana and Sacaramb projects. At Bolcana, 9,295 metres were drilled in six drillholes, bringing the 2017 drilling total to 13,394 metres. Many of these holes were collared on the margins of the porphyry system and oriented such that they tested the porphyry system at depth. Initial results confirm that strong mineralization in the system continues to depth and that the deposit footprint extends further to the west than was previously assumed.

Six drill rigs are currently active at the project, testing the continuity of these zones at shallower levels of the system. A total of 22,000 metres of drilling is planned for the Bolcana project in 2017.

Serbia

Exploration during the quarter focused on the KMC project, where 7,393 metres of diamond drilling were completed at the Shanac, Copper Canyon, and Gradina prospects. At Shanac, seven drillholes tested the extent of the gold-rich magnetite skarn defined in the 2016 drilling program, intersecting similar grades and thicknesses to those previously encountered. Drilling is now testing extensions to high-grade zones at Copper Canyon and Gradina, as well as new targets on the property.

Greece

At the Stratoni mine, nine underground drillholes were completed during the second quarter testing the lower portion of the Mavres Petres orebody. These drillholes include both delineation holes designed to convert existing Inferred Resources and down-dip stepouts designed to identify new resources. Most delineation drillholes have intersected ore thicknesses greater than those predicted by the resource model, while the stepout holes have demonstrated downdip continuity of the orebody.

The first two drillholes of the 2017 program at the early-stage Tsikara porphyry prospect were completed, testing soil geochemical and geophysical anomalies associated with breccia and intrusive contact zones. Only weakly mineralized zones have been intersected and an additional four drillholes on other nearby targets remain in the planned program.

2017 Outlook

In 2017 Eldorado expects to produce 290,000  340,000 ounces of gold, including pre-commercial ounces from Olympias Phase II. Cash costs are forecasted at $500 per ounce, with all-in sustaining cash costs expected to be approximately $900 per ounce.

In early June, the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy ("the Ministry") issued a press release indicating it had requested the Greek Council of State to take preparatory steps to initiate arbitration proceedings with the Company, however provided no specific or additional details. The Company has not yet received arbitration notice, but if initiated the arbitration process could take a minimum of four months. Meanwhile, permits applied for remain unissued and the 2017 guidance on Skouries capital spending and start-up has been revised accordingly. The Company continues to evaluate all capital spending and development timelines at its projects in Greece.

As at June 30, 2017, the Company's balance sheet remains strong, with $752 million in cash, cash equivalents and term deposits and $250 million in undrawn credit lines. Cash, cash equivalents and term deposits after payment for the acquisition of Integra was $609.3 million. Sustaining capital for gold mining operations in 2017 is estimated to be approximately $70 million. Based on current plans, expenditures for project development are being revised downwards to $225 million. Exploration expenditure guidance for 2017 remains at $35 million, with a balanced focus on resource delineation and brownfield drilling at existing operations, advancing early-stage projects and project generation.

Corporate

After the Annual General Meeting on April 27, 2017. Mr. George Burns succeeded Mr. Paul Wright as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Burns also joined Eldorado's Board of Directors.

Dividend

In line with terms and Conditions of the Company's Dividend Policy, where no dividend is paid on a realized gold price under $1,250 for gold sold in the prior six months, the Company will suspend the cash payment of its semi-annual dividend effective the third quarter of 2017. The realized price by the Company on gold sold during the first half of 2017 was $1,240.

Conference Call

A conference call to discuss the details of the Company's 2017 Second Quarter Results will be held by senior management on July 28, 2017 at 8:30 AM PT (11:30 AM ET). The call will be webcast and can be accessed at Eldorado Gold's website: www.eldoradogold.com

Conference Call Details Replay (available until August 14, 2017) Date: Friday, July 28, 2017 Toronto: 416 849 0833 Time: 8:30 am PT (11:30 am ET) Toll Free: 855 859 2056 Dial in: 647 427 7450 Pass code: 4708 3663 Toll free: 888 231 8191





About Eldorado Gold

Eldorado is a leading intermediate gold producer with mining, development and exploration operations in Turkey, Greece, Romania, Serbia, Canada and Brazil. The Company's success to date is based on a highly skilled and dedicated workforce, safe and responsible operations, a portfolio of high-quality assets, and long-term partnerships with the communities where it operates. Eldorado's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: ELD) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: EGO).

Cautionary Note about Forward-looking Statements and Information

Certain of the statements made and information provided in this press release are forward-looking statements or information within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. Often, these forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "continue", "projected", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.

Forward-looking statements or information contained in this release include, but are not limited to the Company's 2017 Second Quarter Financial and Operational Results, including statements or information with respect to: our guidance and outlook, including expected production, projected cash cost, planned capital and exploration expenditures for 2017; our expectation as to our future financial and operating performance, including future cash flow, estimated cash costs, expected metallurgical recoveries, gold price outlook; and our strategy, plans and goals, including our proposed exploration, development, construction, permitting and operating plans and priorities, and related timelines.

Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information.

We have made certain assumptions about the forward-looking statements and information, including assumptions about the geopolitical, economic, permitting and legal climate that we operate in; the future price of gold and other commodities; exchange rates; anticipated costs and expenses; production, mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical recoveries, the impact of acquisitions, dispositions, suspensions or delays on our business and the ability to achieve our goals. In particular, except where otherwise stated, we have assumed a continuation of existing business operations on substantially the same basis as exists at the time of this release.

Even though our management believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statement or information will prove to be accurate. Many assumptions may be difficult to predict and are beyond our control.

Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the following: geopolitical and economic climate (global and local), risks related to mineral tenure and permits; gold and other metal price volatility; mining operational and development risk; foreign country operational risks; risks of sovereign investment; regulatory environment and restrictions, including environmental regulatory restrictions and liability; discrepancies between actual and estimated production, mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical recoveries; risks related to impact of the sale of our Chinese assets and the acquisition of Integra on the Company's operations; risks related to impact of the integration of Integra; additional funding requirements; currency fluctuations; litigation risks; community and non-governmental organization actions; speculative nature of gold exploration; dilution; share price volatility; competition; loss of key employees; and defective title to mineral claims or property, as well as those factors discussed in the sections entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk factors in our business" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form & Form 40-F. The reader is directed to carefully review the detailed risk discussion in our most recent Annual Information Form filed on SEDAR under our Company name, which discussion is incorporated by reference in this release, for a fuller understanding of the risks and uncertainties that affect the Company's business and operations.

Forward-looking statements and information is designed to help you understand management's current views of our near and longer term prospects, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements or information contained herein. Except as required by law, we do not expect to update forward-looking statements and information continually as conditions change and you are referred to the full discussion of the Company's business contained in the Company's reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and the U.S.

Financial Information and condensed statements contained herein or attached hereto may not be suitable for readers that are unfamiliar with the Company and is not a substitute for reading the full quarterly financial statements and related MD&A available on our website and on SEDAR under our Company name. The reader is directed to carefully review such document for a full understanding of the financial information summarized herein.

Jacques Simoneau, P. Geo., Exploration Manager and Francois Chabot, P. Eng., Director of Operations & Engineering at the Lamaque Project, are Qualified Persons for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators. Mr. Simoneau is responsible for the exploration activities on the project while Mr. Chabot is responsible for the engineering and operation activities. Both have reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release relating to the Lamaque Project.

Except as otherwise noted, scientific and technical information contained in this press release was reviewed and approved by Paul Skayman, FAusIMM, Chief Operating Officer for Eldorado Gold Corporation, and a "qualified person" as defined by Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

Cautionary Note to US Investors Concerning Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources

The terms "mineral resource", "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource", "inferred mineral resource" used herein are Canadian mining terms used in accordance with National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") under the guidelines set out in the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Petroleum (the "CIM") Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as may be amended from time to time. These definitions differ from the definitions in the United States Securities & Exchange Commission ("SEC") Industry Guide 7. In the United States, a mineral reserve is defined as a part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time the mineral reserve determination is made.

While the terms "mineral resource", "measured mineral resource," "indicated mineral resource", and "inferred mineral resource" are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, they are not defined terms under standards in the United States and normally are not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. As such, information contained herein concerning descriptions of mineralization and resources under Canadian standards may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies in SEC filings.

Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. With respect to "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource", there is a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and a great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of a "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" or "inferred mineral resource" will ever be upgraded to a higher category.

Accordingly, information herein containing descriptions of our mineral deposits may not be comparable to similar information made public by US companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under US federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Gold Production Highlights (in US$)











Second Quarter 2017 Second Quarter 2016 YTD 2017 YTD 2016 Gold Production









Ounces Sold 57,206 128,090 131,274 261,557

Ounces Produced1 63,692 124,110 138,864 265,099

Cash Operating Cost ($/oz)2,4 484 607 474 605

Total Cash Cost ($/oz)3,4 502 650 492 654

Realized Price ($/oz - sold) 1,262 1,270 1,240 1,233 Kisladag Mine, Turkey









Ounces Sold 38,452 49,942 91,235 102,621

Ounces Produced 38,456 49,924 91,000 102,300

Tonnes to Pad 3,288,604 4,256,279 6,516,010 8,303,175

Grade (grams / tonne) 0.82 0.81 0.97 0.77

Cash Operating Cost ($/oz)4 464 479 454 508

Total Cash Cost ($/oz)3,4 478 497 470 525 Efemcukuru Mine, Turkey









Ounces Sold 18,754 27,681 40,039 49,985

Ounces Produced 23,184 23,406 45,712 50,922

Tonnes Milled 124,961 120,044 240,755 236,531

Grade (grams / tonne) 6.64 6.95 6.70 7.45

Cash Operating Cost ($/oz)4 525 509 519 495

Total Cash Cost ($/oz)3,4 552 521 541 512 Olympias, Greece









Ounces Sold - - - -

Ounces Produced1 2,052 - 2,052 2,774

Tonnes Milled - - - 87,350

Grade (grams / tonne) - - - 2.47

Cash Operating Cost ($/oz)4 n/a - n/a n/a

Total Cash Cost ($/oz)3,4 - - - -

1 Includes pre-commercial production in 2017 and production from tailings retreatment in 2016. 2 Cost figures calculated in accordance with the Gold Institute Standard. 3 Cash operating costs, plus royalties and the cost of off-site administration. 4 Cash operating costs and total cash costs are non-IFRS measures. Please see our MD&A for an explanation and discussion of these.

Eldorado Gold Corporation

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)



Note

June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016





$ $ ASSETS







Current assets









Cash and cash equivalents



483,342 883,171

Term deposits



268,771 5,292

Restricted cash



260 240

Marketable securities



46,882 28,327

Accounts receivable and other



60,277 54,315

Inventories



148,111 120,830





1,007,643 1,092,175 Other assets



23,261 48,297 Defined benefit pension plan



12,913 11,620 Property, plant and equipment



3,747,076 3,645,827





4,790,893 4,797,919 LIABILITIES & EQUITY







Current liabilities









Accounts payable and accrued liabilities



77,435 90,705

Current portion of asset retirement obligation



3,560 -





80,995 90,705 Debt 5

592,686 591,589 Defined benefit pension plan



11,655 10,882 Asset retirement obligations



82,004 89,778 Deferred income tax liabilities



433,620 443,501





1,200,960 1,226,455 Equity







Share capital



2,819,863 2,819,101 Treasury stock



(11,056) (7,794) Contributed surplus



2,611,660 2,606,567 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)



9,118 (7,172) Deficit



(1,923,585) (1,928,024) Total equity attributable to shareholders of the Company



3,506,000 3,482,678 Attributable to non-controlling interests



83,933 88,786





3,589,933 3,571,464





4,790,893 4,797,919

Approved on behalf of the Board of Directors

(Signed) John Webster Director (Signed) George Burns Director

Please see the Financial Statements dated June 30, 2017 for notes to the accounts.

Eldorado Gold Corporation

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Income Statements

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars except per share amounts)





Three months ended

Six months ended



June 30,

June 30,















Note 2017 2016

2017 2016



$ $

$ $ Revenue













Metal sales

82,736 107,063

194,616 201,755













Cost of sales













Production costs

39,433 48,927

90,121 94,134

Inventory write-down (reversal)

- (1,048)

- 298

Depreciation and amortization

15,556 17,551

33,620 36,519



54,989 65,430

123,741 130,951 Gross profit

27,747 41,633

70,875 70,804













Exploration expenses

7,124 3,314

12,371 5,275 Mine standby costs

1,301 5,819

2,332 15,377 Other operating items

1,525 -

3,658 - General and administrative expenses

11,498 10,688

23,112 20,155 Defined benefit pension plan expense

782 297

1,612 580 Share based payments 7 1,990 2,699

7,118 6,400 Write-down of assets

2,177 478

3,231 478 Foreign exchange loss (gain)

(749) 287

(661) (3,153) Operating profit

2,099 18,051

18,102 25,692













Loss (gain) on disposal of assets

(40) (93)

267 196 Loss (gain) on marketable securities and other investments

(743) 565

(778) 4,881 Other expense (income)

(2,211) (1,372)

(4,560) 323 Asset retirement obligation accretion

523 449

1,047 898 Interest and financing costs (income)

(61) 4,082

1,050 9,778













Profit from continuing operations before income tax

4,631 14,420

21,076 9,616 Income tax expense (recovery)

(2,693) 5,720

8,083 10,515 Profit (loss) from continuing operations

7,324 8,700

12,993 (899) Profit (loss) from discontinued operations 4 203 (339,438)

(2,797) (333,732) Profit (loss) for the period

7,527 (330,738)

10,196 (334,631)













Attributable to:











Shareholders of the Company

11,215 (329,864)

15,049 (332,342) Non-controlling interests

(3,688) (874)

(4,853) (2,289) Profit (loss) for the period

7,527 (330,738)

10,196 (334,631)













Profit (loss) attributable to shareholders of the Company











Continuing operations

11,012 9,331

17,846 903 Discontinued operations

203 (339,195)

(2,797) (333,245)



11,215 (329,864)

15,049 (332,342)













Weighted average number of shares outstanding (thousands)











Basic

716,824 716,587

716,713 716,587 Diluted

717,479 716,591

717,380 716,590













Profit (loss) per share attributable to shareholders











of the Company:











Basic profit (loss) per share

0.02 (0.46)

0.02 (0.46) Diluted profit (loss) per share

0.02 (0.46)

0.02 (0.46)













Profit per share attributable to shareholders











of the Company - continuing operations:











Basic profit per share

0.02 0.01

0.02 0.00 Diluted profit per share

0.02 0.01

0.02 0.00

Please see the Financial Statements dated June 30, 2017 for notes to the accounts.

Eldorado Gold Corporation

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)





Three months ended

Six months ended



June 30,

June 30,



2017 2016

2017 2016



$ $

$ $













Profit (loss) for the period

7,527 (330,738)

10,196 (334,631) Other comprehensive income (loss):











Change in fair value of available-for-sale financial assets

1,690 14,545

18,554 24,234 Income tax on change in fair value of available-for-sale financial assets

(451) (3,140)

(2,595) (3,140) Transfer of realized loss on disposal of available-for-sale financial assets

- 565

- 4,901 Actuarial gains (losses) on defined benefit pension plans, net of tax

226 -

331 (122) Total other comprehensive income for the period

1,465 11,970

16,290 25,873 Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period

8,992 (318,768)

26,486 (308,758)













Attributable to:











Shareholders of the Company

12,680 (317,894)

31,339 (306,469) Non-controlling interests

(3,688) (874)

(4,853) (2,289)



8,992 (318,768)

26,486 (308,758)

Please see the Financial Statements dated June 30, 2017 for notes to the accounts.

Eldorado Gold Corporation

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)







Three months ended

Six months ended





June 30,

June 30,



















Note 2017 2016

2017 2016





$ $

$ $















Cash flows generated from (used in):













Operating activities













Profit (loss) for the period from continuing operations



7,324 8,700

12,993 (899) Items not affecting cash:













Asset retirement obligation accretion



523 449

1,047 898 Depreciation and amortization



15,556 17,551

33,620 36,519 Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain)



(304) 3,068

(378) 2,422 Deferred income tax recovery



(9,847) (3,328)

(12,559) (12,562) Loss (gain) on disposal of assets



(40) (93)

267 196 Write-down of assets



2,177 478

3,231 478 Loss (gain) on marketable securities and other investments



(743) 565

(778) 4,881 Share based payments



1,990 2,699

7,118 6,400 Defined benefit pension plan expense



782 297

1,612 580





17,418 30,386

46,173 38,913 Property reclamation payments



(496) (814)

(1,087) (894) Changes in non-cash working capital

9 (44,632) (39,251)

(25,023) (59,624) Net cash provided (used) by operating activities of continuing operations



(27,710) (9,679)

20,063 (21,605) Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations



- 12,165

- 26,533















Investing activities













Purchase of property, plant and equipment



(75,047) (61,568)

(148,884) (120,888) Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment



82 373

83 757 Proceeds on pre-production sales and tailings retreatment



1,092 -

1,092 3,878 Purchase of marketable securities



- (692)

- (2,526) Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities



- 378

- 3,665 Value added taxes related to mineral property expenditures, net



(7,240) -

16,345 - Investment in term deposits



(37,513) (22)

(263,479) (935) Decrease (increase) in restricted cash



(9,720) 7

(9,724) (6) Net cash used by investing activities of continuing operations



(128,346) (61,524)

(404,567) (116,055) Net cash used by investing activities of discontinued operations



- (4,431)

- (9,573)















Financing activities













Issuance of common shares for cash



32 -

586 - Dividend paid to shareholders



- -

(10,610) - Purchase of treasury stock



(3,252) -

(5,301) - Long-term and bank debt proceeds



- 30,000

- 30,000 Net cash provided (used) by financing activities of continuing operations



(3,220) 30,000

(15,325) 30,000















Decrease in cash and cash equivalents



(159,276) (33,469)

(399,829) (90,700) Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period



642,618 230,958

883,171 288,189 Cash and cash equivalents - end of period



483,342 197,489

483,342 197,489 Less cash and cash equivalents held for sale - end of period



- (71,837)

- (71,837) Cash and cash equivalents excluding held for sale - end of period



483,342 125,652

483,342 125,652

Please see the Financial Statements dated June 30, 2017 for notes to the accounts.

Eldorado Gold Corporation

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)





Three months ended

Six months ended



June 30,

June 30,

















2017 2016

2017 2016



$ $

$ $













Share capital











Balance beginning of period

2,819,821 5,319,101

2,819,101 5,319,101

Shares issued upon exercise of share options, for cash

32 -

586 -

Transfer of contributed surplus on exercise of options

10 -

176 -

Capital reduction

- (2,500,000)

- (2,500,000) Balance end of period

2,819,863 2,819,101

2,819,863 2,819,101













Treasury stock











Balance beginning of period

(8,000) (8,015)

(7,794) (10,211)

Purchase of treasury stock

(3,252) -

(5,301) -

Shares redeemed upon exercise of restricted share units

196 -

2,039 2,196 Balance end of period

(11,056) (8,015)

(11,056) (8,015)













Contributed surplus











Balance beginning of period

2,609,055 46,758

2,606,567 47,236

Share based payments

2,811 2,369

7,308 5,503

Shares redeemed upon exercise of restricted share units

(196) -

(2,039) (2,196)

Recognition of other non-current liability and related costs

- -

- (1,416)

Reversal of other current liability and related costs

- 52,900

- 52,900

Transfer to share capital on exercise of options

(10) -

(176) -

Capital reduction

- 2,500,000



2,500,000 Balance end of period

2,611,660 2,602,027

2,611,660 2,602,027













Accumulated other comprehensive loss











Balance beginning of period

7,653 (6,669)

(7,172) (20,572)

Other comprehensive income for the period

1,465 11,970

16,290 25,873 Balance end of period

9,118 5,301

9,118 5,301













Deficit











Balance beginning of period

(1,934,800) (1,586,351)

(1,928,024) (1,583,873)

Dividends paid

- -

(10,610) -

Profit (loss) attributable to shareholders of the Company

11,215 (329,864)

15,049 (332,342) Balance end of period

(1,923,585) (1,916,215)

(1,923,585) (1,916,215) Total equity attributable to shareholders of the Company

3,506,000 3,502,199

3,506,000 3,502,199













Non-controlling interests











Balance beginning of period

87,621 168,340

88,786 169,755

Loss attributable to non-controlling interests

(3,688) (874)

(4,853) (2,289) Balance end of period

83,933 167,466

83,933 167,466













Total equity

3,589,933 3,669,665

3,589,933 3,669,665

Please see the Financial Statements dated June 30, 2017 for notes to the accounts.

SOURCE Eldorado Gold Corporation
LEXINGTON, Ky., July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Fazoli's, the nation's largest fast casual Italian chain, is adding a layer of lasagna love for National Lasagna Day by offering guests 50% off Baked Lasagna with a drink purchase Saturday, July 29th to Monday, July 31st at participating locations. Making National Lasagna Day even more exciting, Fazoli's food is now completely clean and free of all artificial sweeteners, flavors, preservatives and colors from its entire food menu.

"Lasagna is an Italian classic, and at Fazoli's, our lasagna is layered with delicious and clean ingredients, including preservative-free baked Mozzarella cheese, delicious, hearty meat sauce and all-natural pasta," said Chief Marketing Officer, Donna Josephson. "For Fazoli's dine in guests, we always include a special 'fourth' layer - our famous unlimited breadsticks."

As part of its "Naturally Italian" initiative to introduce a new clean menu, Fazoli's worked closely with nearly 50 suppliers to guarantee that a total of 81 artificial ingredients, colors and preservatives were eliminated from its food. A few of the additives that were removed from menu items include Calcium Propionate, Nitrates and Sodium Benzoate from its proteins, salad dressings and signature breadsticks, as well as artificial flavors, colors and high-fructose corn syrup from all desserts. Several of Fazoli's menu items were already clean including all unfilled pastas, its signature marinara sauce and fresh salads. Fresh brewed tea will be clean, as well, and made with pure cane sugar.

With nearly 220 restaurants in 26 states, Fazoli's has refined its menu offerings to bring more flavor and customizable menu options to meet ever-changing consumer tastes and preferences. The brand has introduced a modernized menu in its 120 company-owned locations using premium ingredients and offerings such as tableside grated parmesan, upgraded plateware, as well as new dishes such as "Create Your Own Lasagna," "Spicy Sausage Rigatoni," and "Brownie Gelato Sundae."

This is Fazoli's sixth consecutive year celebrating National Lasagna Day. To participate in Fazoli's offering for National Lasagna Day and claim the exclusive offer, lasagna lovers will need to visit http://bit.ly/FazolisLasagnaDay to download the coupon to redeem online (participating locations) or at their local restaurant.

Fazoli's is proud to offer fast, fresh Italian to guests across the country. Connect with Fazoli's online at www.fazolis.com, "follow" @Fazolis on Twitter, "like" us on Facebook, and sign up to become a Fazoli's eFamily member by visiting fazolis.com/efamily.

About Fazoli's

With nearly 220 restaurants, Fazoli's is America's largest Italian fast-casual brand serving freshly prepared entrees, Submarinos sandwiches, salads and pizza. One of the New York Post's five breakout fast-casual restaurants and a Fast Casual.com Brand of the Year, Fazoli's franchisees are experiencing record sales growth.

Contact:

Julia Block

Fish Consulting

954-895-9150

[email protected]

SOURCE Fazoli's

Related Links

http://www.fazolis.com


Shu Hua, the president of GCL-SI, said that the Vietnam plant's launch is the latest step for the company's development requirement and entire strategy. GCL is now hammering at promoting its global competitiveness and building an international brand image. "GCL's high-efficiency PERC production line in Vietnam, based on the localized management, will offer a strong support to the high-efficient cell supply and contribute to cost-down as well as voiding anti-dumping issues," Shu noted.

The cooperation between GCL-SI and Vina Cell could be considered as a customization for GCL-SI, especially the PERC production.

Dong Shuguang, executive director of GCL-SI said that the company has been working on improving the efficiency of Polysilicon PERC products in the recent years. By the beginning of 2017, it has achieved an average efficiency of 20.3% for Black Silicon PERC products. The result is estimated to surpass 20.5% by the end of 2017. The average power output for this model is close to 290W, meeting the latest standard of Top Runner.

In 2016, following the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese solar companies have established their ultramarine factories in more than 20 countries, with over 5 GW capacity. Exports to India, Turkey, Chili, Pakistan and other emerging markets has expanded, while 30% reduction to Europe and US markets, which has further impacted the anti-dumping issue.

Chairman of GCL Zhu Gongshan has in many occasions encouraged Chinese solar energy companies to "team up to march overseas and to gain a more advantaged position in foreign markets". It is a strategic move in line with the Belt and Road Initiative and will also make the company better poised for a wider range of opportunities from the global market.

About GCL-SI

GCL System Integration Technology Co., Ltd. (002506 Shenzhen Stock) (GCL-SI), is part of the GOLDEN CONCORD Group (GCL). GCL-SI delivers a one-stop, cutting-edge, integrated energy system and is committed to becoming the world leading solar energy company.

SOURCE GCL System
WASHINGTON, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The US Government has agreed to settle Gilbert Chagoury's pending lawsuit. Mr. Chagoury filed the lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Columbia in September of 2016, seeking to hold the government responsible for leaks of false information about Mr. Chagoury, allegedly from government files. The lawsuit charged that the leaks caused great damage to his reputation and property and denied his Constitutional right to due process.

As the complaint made clear, despite his well-known love of the United States and his numerous, generous charitable contributions over 35 years of visiting America, Gilbert Chagoury was denied a visa by the United States Department of State in 2015. This decision was based on false information. Anonymous employees of the US Government then leaked information to the media about the denial of Mr. Chagoury's visa application, including the false information that led to the visa denial. The resulting reputational harm made it difficult for Mr. Chagoury to do business in the United States.

Today, in settling with Mr. Chagoury, the US Government stipulates that Mr. Chagoury does not now and never has appeared on the specially designated nationals (SDN) list and therefore the government has not blocked his assets. The government further acknowledges that no US financial institutions are precluded from conducting business with Mr. Chagoury.

In settling with Mr. Chagoury, the US Government also recognized that unauthorized leaks to the media may violate federal law and could be subject to different types of punishment or disciplinary action.

"I am pleased that the US Government has officially recognized that I am not and have never been on the SDN list, and that this matter that began due to someone spreading false and injurious information about me is finally closed," Chagoury said. "As I have often said, I have loved America my whole life because it was the land of freedom and justice. I started coming to the United States over 35 years ago and have done everything I can to help America over my long career. I hope that this agreement with the government will help me repair my reputation and will allow me to move forward from this unfortunate episode."

Contact: Mark Corallo

703-838-9705

SOURCE Gilbert Chagoury
Leveraging an algorithm developed by Glassdoor Chief Economist Dr. Andrew Chamberlain, Glassdoor was able to control for multiple factors, including age, job title, job seniority level, department, race/ethnicity, location and employee performance scores. This is consistent with Glassdoor's initial analysis in 2016 .

Glassdoor's U.S. employee population is made up of slightly more men (55 percent) than women (45 percent). The total average, or "unadjusted" pay gap (including base pay and bonus pay) for Glassdoor's workforce amounts to approximately 20 percent, or $23,514 per year, with women earning $117,601 total pay on average, while men earn $141,116 total pay on average (as illustrated below). However, when adjusting for multiple factors, the gap statistically disappears.

"At Glassdoor, we believe men and women should be paid equally for equal work and experience and encourage all employers to take steps to analyze their own pay data to ensure gaps do not exist," said Robert Hohman, Glassdoor co-founder and CEO. "Making a commitment to pay equality and regularly reviewing internal practices can have positive effects on a company's employer brand and its recruiting and retention. Communicating to your own employees on pay practices and pay philosophy is not only the right thing to do, but imperative to attract today's top candidates."

A Glassdoor Economic Research study, Demystifying the Gender Gap, revealed a significant gender pay gap exists in the United States. The research found unadjusted gender pay gap is 24.1 percent in the U.S. Although the gap shrinks when adjusting for factors such as age, education, years of experience, location, job title and company, to 5.4 percent, it does not disappear.

To help companies and workers identify and work to adjust potential pay gaps, Glassdoor has created a number of free resources.

For employers: Download the free 5 Steps to Addressing the Gender Pay Gap and the step-by-step technical guide to help analyze your company's salary data to identify whether the existence of a gender pay gap exists. Join the thousands of employers who have taken the Pay Equality Pledge on Glassdoor to show your commitment to equal pay for equal work.

For job seekers and employees: The Know Your Worth tool helps individuals within the workforce understand their own worth, as determined by a number of factors including experience, education and location. The personal pay information provides insights to determine whether their salary adequately reflects their worth and whether to discuss and negotiate with their employer. For tips and advice on fair pay and how to better negotiate, visit the Glassdoor Blog.

For more on Glassdoor's internal analysis of pay data, visit the Glassdoor Blog and Glassdoor Economic Research.

Visit Glassdoor to research salaries or submit a salary report and go to Glassdoor Economic Research to subscribe to the latest job market and economic employment reports.

About Glassdoor

Glassdoor is one of the largest and fastest growing job sites in the world today. Set apart by the tens of millions of reviews and insights provided by employees and candidates, Glassdoor combines all the jobs with this valuable data to make it easy for people to find a job that is uniquely right for them. As a result, Glassdoor helps employers hire truly informed candidates at scale through effective recruiting solutions like job advertising and employer branding products. Launched in 2008, Glassdoor now has reviews and insights for approximately 700,000 companies in more than 190 countries. For labor market trends and analysis, visit Glassdoor Economic Research. For company news and career advice and tips, visit the Glassdoor Blog and for employer-related news and insights to help employers hire, visit the Glassdoor for Employers Blog. Visit Glassdoor.com or download our apps on iOS and Android platforms.

Glassdoor is a registered trademark of Glassdoor, Inc.

Know Your Worth, Salary Explorer and the Glassdoor logo are trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc.

1 (1) Based on unique users, custom job list sites % Change Media Trend Report, Comscore June 2017 Media Metrix; Compared to Indeed.com, CareerBuilder.com, Monster.com and ZipRecruiter.com.

SOURCE Glassdoor

Related Links

https://www.glassdoor.com


The Congress, which had 57 MLAs in the 182-member Assembly, has accused the BJP of using money, muscle and state power in Gujarat to engineer defections.

By India Today Web Desk: After 6 Congress MLAs left the party in Gujarat ahead of the crucial Rajya Sabha election, Congress flew several of its remaining MLAs outside the state to prevent, what they call, horse-trading.

"To ensure BJP is not successful, 44 of us Congress MLAs are leaving from Gujarat for Bengaluru," Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar had said.

"To hide their failure, BJP is trying to make sure our MLAs resign by offering money and through police pressure," he said.

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In the end 4 MLAs stayed back in Gujarat, but 40 have landed in Bengaluru, in Karnataka. They will stay at Eagleton resort.

'ENGINEERING DEFECTIONS'

The Congress, which had 57 MLAs in the 182-member Assembly, has accused the BJP of using money, muscle and state power in Gujarat to engineer defections.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi warned MLAs of the "serious consequences" of anti-defection and anti-corruption laws that could bar them from contesting elections for up to six years and lead to imprisonment of up to seven years.

He recalled court judgements that termed defections a "constitutional sin" and unprincipled defections a "social evil".

"Crores of rupees have been spent in horse-trading in Gujarat by the BJP. You have seen this naked drama... The policy of the BJP in Gujarat is - by hook or by crook, come to power by breaking all laws," Singhvi said.

For the three Rajya Sabha seats of Gujarat, BJP has fielded Amit Shah and Smriti Irani while the Congress has, for the third seat in the state, once again backed Ahmed Patel, the political secretary of Sonia Gandhi.

The defections may have a bearing on the election for this seat.

Singhvi alleged Congress Gujarat MLA Punabhai Gamit was offered Rs 10 crore by the BJP. Singhvi also accused the BJP of adopting unlawful measures and, with the use of money and power, forcing the Congress MLAs to switch sides and quit the Assembly.

Also read:

All eyes on Vaghela as BJP seeks to checkmate Ahmed Patel in Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls

2 more Gujarat Congress MLAs join BJP, 3 had done yesterday

How Shankersinh Vaghela's expulsion spells doom for Congress ahead of Gujarat Assembly polls

Gujarat RS polls: Ahmed Patel files nomination

Who is Shankersinh Vaghela? A look at his illustrious political journey

ALSO WATCH:

Gujarat: Setback for Congress as 3 MLAs join BJP

--- ENDS ---
DUBLIN, July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Mass Notification Systems Market - Global Forecast to 2022" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.

The research forecasts the global Mass Notification Systems (MNS) market size to grow from USD 4.86 Billion in 2017 to USD 11.87 Billion by 2022, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 19.6%. Growing concerns for public safety and security, and the increasing awareness about MNS for business continuity are the major factors that are driving the growth of the Mass Notification Systems market.

The MNS market is broadly classified by vertical into commercial; education; energy and utilities; healthcare and life sciences; defense; automotive, transportation, and logistics; government; and others. The education vertical is expected to dominate the Mass Notification Systems market with the largest market share during the forecast period. The commercial vertical is expected to grow at the highest rate, as places including shopping malls, restaurants, theaters, office complexes, and service stations are more prone to disasters and emergencies, and there is an increased awareness among commercial installation vendors and community centers. Among the MNS components, the software and services segment is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period. Deployment of cloud-based mass notification services and the increasing Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend are considered to be the instrumental factors helping the software and services segment gain pace in the market.

The Mass Notification Systems market is segmented into 5 regions, namely, North America, Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe, Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Latin America. North America is estimated to have the largest share in the overall MNS market in 2017. Increased awareness about MNS after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and an increase in the occurrence of campus shootouts are the factors driving the growth of the MNS market in the North American region. APAC is expected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period. The growth in the APAC region is fortified by factors such as the acceptance of the mass notification technology by end-users, due to dynamic environmental conditions.

Inadequate rules and regulations across industry verticals and the lack of awareness about MNS are the biggest restraints hampering the Mass Notification Systems market growth. However, the need for end-to-end crisis communication and the increasing deployment of cloud-based mass notification solutions are expected to provide opportunities for the growth of the MNS market.

Companies Mentioned



Airbus Ds Communications Inc.

Alertus Technologies Llc

American Signal Corporation

ATI Systems Inc.

Blackberry Athoc Inc.

Blackboard Inc.

Criticall Ltd.

Desktop Alert Inc.

Eaton Corporation

ERMS

Everbridge Inc.

Federal Signal Corporation

Guardly Corp.

Honeywell International Inc.

Mircom Group of Companies

Omnilert Llc

Onsolve (Ecn+ Mir3+ Send Word Now)

Rapid Notify Inc.

Rave Mobile Safety

Regroup Mass Notification

Siemens Ag

Singlewire Software Llc

Tyco Integrated Security

Valcom

Xmatters Inc.



Key Topics Covered:



1 Introduction



2 Research Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Premium Insights



5 Market Overview



6 Mass Notification Systems Market Analysis, By Component



7 Mass Notification Systems Market Analysis, By Solution



8 Mass Notification Systems Market Analysis, By Application



9 Mass Notification Systems Market Analysis, By Deployment Type



10 Mass Notification Systems Market Analysis, By Organization Size



11 Mass Notification Systems Market Analysis, By Vertical



12 Geographic Analysis



13 Competitive Landscape



14 Company Profiles

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/8l5p2z/mass_notification

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SOURCE Research and Markets

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NORTH RANDALL, OH, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Novacab International Inc (NVOB PinkSheets) announces that, following the approval of FINRA, the corporate name has been changed to from Novacab International, Inc to Global Pole Trusion Group Corp with trading symbol GPGC.

The Company adds that there is no modification to its share structure and no reverse split was requested.

Its website is being updated under: www.globalpoletrusiongroup.com.

The Company developed technology which provides for the design and manufacture of composite electrical distribution poles, telecommunication poles, solar/wind technology poles and self supported towers. This is an innovated solution having a superior value while replacing wood and steel products.

Ramiro Guerrero, president, explains his mission, "As the world hungers for more and better wifi communication, renewable energy from wind and Solar technology, better and longer lasting lighting with LED, cameras to keep an eye on an ever changing world, electric charging stations for the cars and highways of the future, our smart poles encompasses all of these solutions in ONE smart pole. These proven and tested solution Poles set us in a league of our own, creating massive international interest as will be communicated in the coming weeks and months."

The technology was developed over a period of ten years in collaboration with the University of Sherbrooke and the National Research Council of Canada. The directors of the development program are board members with a stellar expertise in both technology and business. (www.globalpoletrusiongroup.com/team/)

Global Pole Trusion Group Corp also created two divisions within its operations:

Poletrusion Canada is the engineering division which creates the latest state of the art products based on the needs of its clients. The products are now in the process of homologation with Bell Canada and HydrOne in Ontario. The companies is also part of the Chair at the University of Sherbrooke; Dr Benmokrane, a director of the Chair, is part of the technical board at GPGC.

Poletrusion USA is the North American fabrication division. This division includes Martin Global Poletrusion (www.martinpultrusion.com) which has over 40 years experience in the pultrusion industry. Its expertise and equipment allows for the manufacturing of all machinery, tooling and equipment in the United States.

Poletrusion Marketing Group acts as the marketing representative of its products.

The technology has now reached a mature level and obtained homologation from many countries and awaits homologation from many others. There is a worldwide interest in the products which resulted in the awarding of upcoming lucrative contracts in the field of the distribution of electricity. In the following weeks the Company shall keep its shareholders informed as to all developments.

About Global Pole Trusion Group Corp

GPGC serves the needs of utility companies, providing utility posts that outperform all those composed of steel, wood and concrete; these are stronger, lighter, easier to install and environmentally safe.

GPGC is at the forefront of providing creative, effective, state of the art solutions addressing the latest needs such as LED light poles powered by solar and wind technologies They may be placed on or off grid and provide light, electricity, wifi connection with camera access.

PoleTrusion Canada is the engineering division that developed the pultrusion technology as it applies to innovative designs for various structures according to specific designs required by its customers.

PoleTrusion USA is the manufacturing division situated near Cleveland, Ohio. It is formed with Martin Pultrusion (www.martinpultrusion.com) which has over 40 years experience in the pultrusion industry.

The Company's Novacab technologies are based on patent protected research developed for thermal storage of electricity that is created from the flow of heat. These systems convert heat into electricity which can be stored for future use.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future.

SOURCE Global Pole Trusion Group Corp
"We're honored to be able to donate much-needed food to Catholic Charities in recognition of the festival's 50th anniversary and their efforts in bringing the rich culture of Puerto Rico to the community," said Rafael Toro, Director of Public Relations of Goya Foods. "We always strive to do our part in helping others who need it the most and encourage others to do the same."

The food will go directly to Catholic Charities' food pantries in the South End of Boston, Somerville and Dorchester, Massachusetts, serving close to 600 people daily, Monday through Friday. "We are so grateful to Goya for their support. This donation could not have come at a better time as the demand at our food pantries is at its highest during the summer. Goya is making it possible for our staff and volunteers to help provide important safety net services for families in our community," said Deborah Kincade Rambo, President of Catholic Charities of Boston.

The donation is part of the Goya Gives campaign, a national initiative committed to supporting local communities through social causes. Goya has donated millions of pounds of food to organizations worldwide and continues to support over 250 organizations, events and cultural institutions. "On behalf of the Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts and in honor of our 50th anniversary, we are so grateful to Goya Foods and Catholic Charities in supporting our organization's mission to give back to the community and to be able to help families throughout Boston," said Edwin Alicea, President of the Puerto Rican Festival."

Goya's annual food donations also serve to encourage consumers to participate in the message and act of helping those in need. Consumers can share the #GoyaGives message with friends and family through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @goyafoods and @CharitiesBoston.

For more information about Goya Foods and the #GoyaGives campaign, please visit www.goya.com.

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, Mexico, Central and South America. Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world; Goya's combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings, and convenient preparation make Goya products ideal for every taste and every table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com

About Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston: For more than 110 years, Catholic Charities has continued its mission of building a just and compassionate society rooted in the dignity of all people. As one of the largest providers of social services in Massachusetts, Catholic Charities of Boston offers nearly 90 programs and services in 27 locations. Our service sites throughout Eastern Massachusetts helped nearly 200,000 of our neediest neighbors of all faiths last year.

Press Contacts:

Natalie Maniscalco

[email protected]

845.659.6506

SOURCE Goya Foods

Related Links

http://www.goya.com


Guangzhou is an important contemporary international trade center and modern transportation hub, representing one of China's earliest reform and open areas. It has also been twice ranked as the top "City of Opportunity" by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the China Development Research Foundation. In 2016, the total sales of Guangzhou goods reached over USD 831.3 billion, with total imports and exports reaching USD 129.7 billion. The momentum is only continuing. In the first quarter of 2017, 508 foreign direct investment enterprises were established in Guangzhou, equating to USD 1.886 billion in actual use of foreign capital.

In 2016, domestic and overseas passenger throughput in the region reached 59.78 million passengers with a cargo handling capacity of 1.638 million tons, and in 2017, Guangzhou will increase its number of international airline routes by up to 15, from 149 to 164. Meanwhile, Guangzhou continues to follow an innovation-focused strategy as the guiding force to drive development in the city. There are already more than eight million square meters of high-tech science and technology business incubators in the region, with more than 120,000 technology and innovative companies forming a powerful nucleus for emerging industries like Internet, bio-pharmaceuticals, new materials, industrial robots, autonomous drones, 3D printing and beyond.

A new initiative between Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions (SARs) also aims to deepen collaboration across the regions and help support China in its further opening up to the world. This 'Greater Bay Area' initiative has become a primary topic of conversation among scholars and entrepreneurs from both cities. Commenting on this, Cai Chaolin, Standing member of CPC Guangzhou Committee and Director of 2017 Fortune Global Forum Executive Committee, said: "China is devising a development plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Bay Area to build the Greater Bay Area into the fourth world-class Bay Area after New York, San Francisco and Tokyo Bay. As the three central cities, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, along with Macau, will work together to lead some of the world's most economically vibrant regions to form a world-class urban agglomeration as China continues to build its level of economic cooperation and competitiveness globally. This city cluster is working at international levels to strengthen innovation and development. The future growth potential, scientific and technological prospects and business outlook here are incredible."

At the top of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is the Guangzhou Development District, which is an export-oriented economy that benefits from the many industrial advantages of the Bay Area. Already here, three industrial clusters have been established, comprising electronic information, chemical engineering and automobiles, and have reached a value of around USD 14.85 billion, with four other industrial clusters--on new materials, food and beverage, metalworking and biological health--achieving a value of around USD 7.43 billion. This district accounts for 40 percent of the industrial value and one third of the utilization of foreign capital in Guangzhou, and represents the core zone for helping establish the city as an international hub of science and technology innovation.

The Guangzhou Development District is continually enhancing the environment for investment and trade facilitation, and developing reforms for businesses in order to foster a convenient investment, operational and development atmosphere. In addition to supporting an advanced manufacturing industry, a modern service industry, a headquarters economy and regional high-tech industries--or the four "Golden 10"--the district has also rolled out a number of global talent and intellectual property protection policies.

The Guangdong Nansha Free Trade Zone is playing a key role in helping to explore in-depth collaborations across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, especially with regard to scientific and technological industries, talent acquisition and cooperation, innovation and beyond. The overall business environment has also witnessed subsequent growth and development. By the end of June 2017, the number of new enterprises established in the Nansha Free Trade Zone had increased by 30,221 companies.

With all of its positive momentum, Guangzhou was selected as the ideal city to host the 2017 Fortune Global Forum, slated for December 6-8, which will gather word leaders and heads of global businesses to discuss the future of the economy and economic development.

SOURCE Guangzhou News Center
WASHINGTON, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights announces July activities of our Advisory Committees. Our Committees play an important role in civil rights advocacy at state and local levels.

At our Commissioners' July 14 business meeting, we heard presentations by Diane Citrino, Chair of our Ohio Committee, on its report on human trafficking in the state; and by Kara Jenkins of our Nevada Committee on its advisory memorandum on municipal fines and fees. Our California Committee released a report on voting integrity in the state.

On July 18, our Colorado Committee held a public briefing on the Blaine Amendment, which deals with public funding for schools. On July 24, our Tennessee Committee meeting heard testimony on civil asset forfeiture. Our Committees heard from diverse experts, officials, civil society organizations, and members of the public. A number of other state Committees also met to discuss topics for upcoming meetings on important civil rights issues at state and local levels.

Chair Catherine E. Lhamon said: "Our state Advisory Committees are crucial to the Commission's fulfillment of its civil rights mission. Each Committee provides valuable insight to civil rights issues in its state, and we were privileged to hear compelling presentations on human trafficking and municipal fines and fees this month. I look forward to the Committees' continuing important work on civil rights fulfillment."

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is an independent, bipartisan agency charged with advising the President and Congress on civil rights matters and issuing an annual federal civil rights enforcement report. The Commission, by Congressional mandate, establishes Committees in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Committee members conduct reviews and produce reports and recommendations concerning local civil rights issues, including justice, voting, discrimination, housing, education, and other important themes. Appointees serve four-year terms and are unremunerated. For information about the Commission and our Advisory Committees, please visit http://www.usccr.gov and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Contact: David Mussatt

Email: [email protected]

Tel: (312) 353-8311

SOURCE U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

Related Links

http://www.usccr.gov


JERSEY CITY, N.J., July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- RCS Logistics, a family-owned logistics and shipping business established, built, and run by Patrick Heaney and his son Brian, today announced the filing of a lawsuit seeking $250 million in damages resulting from a deceitful plot by global shipping giant Expolanka USA LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sri Lankan Expolanka Holdings PLC, whose majority shareholder is the Japanese company SG Holdings to raid approximately 50 employees from RCS.

In the complaint filed on June 19, 2017 in Hudson County Superior Court in New Jersey, RCS has claimed $250 million in damages against the New York-based Expolanka for its direct and purposeful attack on the business operation of RCS. Also named in the lawsuit are some of the former RCS employees who resigned en masse in June to join Expolanka, as part of a concerted effort to wrongfully take the assets of RCS. As part of its filing, RCS sought, and the Court has granted, RCS' request for immediate injunctive relief against Expolanka and the individual defendants in light of and to restrain their alleged misconduct.

About RCS Logistics - RCS Logistics was founded in 1985 by Patrick Heaney and has offices in the United States, Singapore, Philippines, China, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands as well as affiliate locations in more than 80 countries worldwide.

SOURCE RCS Logistics
WASHINGTON, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 44th Annual National Press Club Awards Dinner on Friday night, July 28 will recognize many journalists who have won important contests and awards in their fields. But, the ceremony in the Club's historic ballroom will also honor five journalists for their extraordinary careers and lives.

JIM VANCE. The broadcasting legend from WRC-TV in Washington will receive The President's Award for his outstanding service to journalism and this community. Representatives of WRC (Channel 4) will accept the award for the late Mr. Vance.

CHARNICE MILTON. The parents of Charnice Milton, a journalist for the Hill Rag, who was shot and killed in May of 2015 while returning home from a reporting assignment, will attend the dinner as guests of the Press Club and will be recognized with applause. Francine Milton and Ken McClenton will be joined by Andrew Lightman of Capitol Community News who was Charnice's employer. Charnice's killer remains at large. A bookstore in Charnice's name was recently formed in Anacostia.

ALISON PARKER. The parents of Alison Parker, the reporter for WDBJ-TV who was shot and killed in August 2015 (along with her cameraman Adam Ward) while reporting on television will attend the dinner as the guests of the Press Club. Andy and Barbara Parker are honorary members of the Press Club and have been doing significant advocacy and philanthropic work in Alison's memory.

JASON and YEGI REZAIAN. The Rezaian's were unjustly detained in Iran on July 22, 2014 and held in prison without charges and under harsh conditions. Both are journalists  Jason for the Washington Post and Yegi for The National, a UAE publication. Yegi was eventually released but Jason was held over for 544 days which included a show trial. During their time in prison and after the Rezaians have exhibited courage, grace and dignity. They have recently been on fellowships and Jason is working on a book scheduled for release in 2018.

The program and dinner begins at 7 p.m. at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 13th floor. Working press should contact Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 to arrange coverage.

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is The World's Leading Professional Organization for Journalists with 3,100 members worldwide. The Club, through the non-profit National Press Club Journalism Institute, is a tireless advocate for Press Freedom.

Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for the Press Club

SOURCE National Press Club
PASADENA, Calif., July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Laurel Foundation, which has for 25 years sponsored camps for children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS, is expanding their mission to host the first free trans and gender non-conforming youth camp program this summer. With support from Children's Hospital Los Angeles, kids from all over the nation, many for the first time, will experience the joys of summer camp and the freedom to be themselves.

As President Trump recently turned his back on the trans community, The Laurel Foundation has doubled down its commitment to being a trusted and safe resource of both physical and mental well-being for transgender and gender non-conforming youth.

"The President's action to reinstate the Federal Government's ban on the transgender community's right to serve in the U.S. Military is a big step back in our fight for inclusiveness for all humans," said Margot Anderson, Founder and CEO of The Laurel Foundation. "It is now more important than ever for us to provide a safe haven for all transgender and gender non-conforming youth that already face difficult odds in feeling safe and equal. President Trump may be turning his back but we never will."

The program is based on traditional camp programs, yet caters to the physical health and mental well-being of youth (ages 10-17) who are gender non-conforming and transgender. The program will empower trans youth in an accepting environment, with volunteer trans role models where they are free to be themselves and feel the support of others.

About The Laurel Foundation

The Laurel Foundation's mission is to enrich and empower transgender and at-risk children, youth and families affected by HIV/AIDS, through diverse and educational camp experiences. Now in its 25th year of operation, The Laurel Foundation annually helps more than 500 at-risk youth living primarily in Southern California. Visit Laurel-Foundation.org for more information.

SOURCE The Laurel Foundation

Related Links

http://www.laurel-foundation.org


CAMBRIDGE, England and IPSWICH, Mass., July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- TTP plc, a leading technology and product development company, and New England Biolabs, Inc. (NEB), an industry leader in the discovery and production of enzymes for molecular biology applications, today announce that they have established a non-exclusive partnership to offer services to molecular diagnostic technology developers. The new offering will include comprehensive product development services that span instrumentation, consumables and reagents.

The partnership is focused on supporting customers in the molecular diagnostic and wider life science space to rapidly transition ideas into commercially successful products. The services will couple NEB's catalog of reagents and expertise in enzyme development and manufacturing with TTP's Desktop Biology product development and physical engineering know-how, to provide capabilities that allow the delivery of more complete solutions, spanning from consumables and instrumentation through to reagents.

Dr. Giles Sanders, Consultant at TTP, explained: "With over 40 years of molecular biology expertise and the industry's largest selection of recombinant and native enzymes for genomic research, NEB is the ideal partner for our molecular diagnostics services. NEB reagents are mainstays of the modern molecular biology laboratory and are already essential components of many of today's diagnostic platform technologies. At TTP, we understand the fundamental steps required to convert lab-based biological processes to a functional low-cost disposable and instrument, and together we now able to fast track more complete product development solutions."

Dr. Breton Hornblower, Product Marketing Manager at NEB, said: "We were impressed by TTP's Desktop Biology offering and saw an opportunity to craft a more seamless experience for companies looking to accelerate development of their chemistry and assays toward commercialization of a product in the diagnostics field. NEB was already committed to developing novel enzyme specificities for incorporation into new clinical and molecular testing platforms. Our customers will now be able to access these reagents as part of these services, along with those of TTP."

NEB holds ISO13485 and ISO9001 Quality Management Systems certifications and is actively increasing capacity to manufacture enzymes and other reagents according to good manufacturing practices (GMP) for us in the human therapeutic and molecular diagnostic markets.

TTP will be exhibiting at the 69th AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo, booth #1658 in California, July 30th-August 3rd 2017. Come and meet representatives from TTP and NEB to find out how our services can help you.

To find out more please visit www.ttp.com/desktopbiology.

To learn more about custom solutions available from NEB, visit www.neb.com/neb-solutions.

About TTP www.ttp.com

The TTP team includes over 350 scientists, engineers, and business innovators, with in-depth industry expertise, work closely with their clients to turn great ideas into reality. Since its foundation, the engineers and scientists inside TTP have played a pioneering role in a broad spectrum of sectors including drug discovery and pharmaceutical automation, bioprocess automation, laboratory instrumentation, wireless communications, digital printing, electric vehicles, digital radio, food and beverage, drug delivery, diagnostics, micro-devices and sensing, and consumer products. www.ttp.com

About NEB www.neb.com

Established in the mid 1970's, New England Biolabs, Inc. (NEB) is the industry leader in the discovery and production of enzymes for molecular biology applications and now offers the largest selection of recombinant and native enzymes for genomic research. NEB continues to expand its product offerings into areas related to PCR and qPCR, gene expression, sample preparation for next generation sequencing, synthetic biology, glycobiology, epigenetics and RNA analysis. Additionally, NEB is focused on strengthening alliances that enable new technologies to reach key market sectors, including molecular diagnostics development. New England Biolabs is privately company, headquartered in Ipswich, MA, and has extensive worldwide distribution through a network of exclusive distributors, agents and subsidiaries located in Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore and the UK. For more information about New England Biolabs visit www.neb.com.

SOURCE New England Biolabs

Related Links

http://www.neb.com


"We're looking forward to hosting business leaders and IT professionals from around the world for three days of intensive learning, networking, and collaboration," says Nintex Chief Customer Officer Josh Waldo . "Nintex xchange is the place to be to understand the latest in technology trends, see workflow best practices, network with peers, and participate in hands-on labs. Attendees will walk away with a clear understanding of how the Nintex Workflow platform can quickly automate their business processes in an easy, connected fashion across any system they use."

Nintex xchange, https://www.nintex.com/company/events-webinars/events/xchange-conference, will feature breakout sessions covering process automation and process intelligence; digital business transformation; migration to the cloud; responsive forms; workflow apps; tech trends like AI, bots and IoT; and customer and partner success stories.

Current customers and partners of Nintex are encouraged to submit session ideas that they would like to present to hundreds of business and IT attendees. Submissions may be made online, https://nintex2018cfp.hubb.me/, until September 1, 2017. Submissions will be reviewed by Nintex and speakers will be notified in October whether they have been chosen to present at Nintex xchange.

Media Contact

Kristin Treat

Nintex Public Relations

[email protected]

cell: (215) 317-9091

About Nintex

Nintex is the recognized global leader in workflow and content automation (WCA) with more than 7,000 enterprise clients and 1,700 partners in 90 countries who have built and published millions of workflow applications. With its unmatched breadth of capability and platform support delivered by unique architectural capabilities, Nintex empowers the line of business and IT departments to quickly automate hundreds of manual processes to progress on the journey to digital transformation. Nintex Workflow Cloud, the company's cloud platform, connects with all content repositories, systems of record, and people to consistently fuel successful business outcomes. Visit www.nintex.com to learn more.

Product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Nintex

Related Links

http://www.nintex.com


Criminals are demanding money to delete morphed pictures of social media users or are hacking into their accounts to fleece friends connected to them through these sites.

By Shashank Shekhar: Beware. Cyber extortionists are on the prowl and they may have an eye on your latest Facebook photographs.

Criminals are demanding money to delete morphed pictures of social media users or are hacking into their accounts to fleece friends connected to them through these sites.

A Mayur Vihar resident recently lost Rs 20,000 to anonymous cyber crooks. The victim says that her profile photo from Facebook, in which she was standing on a beach, was copied, edited and a slideshow of her morphed nude images was put up on a porn site.

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The criminals contacted the victim and demanded money. But despite paying the amount, the pictures were not deleted. Experts say social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have also made it easy for cyber criminals to track and target high net-worth individuals and their family members.

An 18-year-old student from south Delhi was shocked to find a pornographic video online featuring her. The link was shared by an anonymous user on chat and he demanded money to delete it.

Preliminary investigation revealed that her photograph was copied from a social media site and was later distorted to extort money.

FINANCIAL FRAUD

Cyber experts say that apart from blackmailing with morphed photos, other cases of financial fraud on social networking sites are also becoming rampant.

A Noida-based woman has approached the police alleging that an anonymous hacker stole Rs 15,000 from her relative by taking control of her Facebook page.

"This week, I got a link and a message from another Facebook user who said that my nude pictures are uploaded on the site. I got scared and clicked on the link but my account got hacked and the criminal got control of it," said the victim in her complaint.

Now, the hacker sent a message to all her friends on the site, asking for money.

"As the criminal had access to my account, he started sending messages to all the contacts that I was in an emergency situation and need money for help. One relative also paid Rs 15,000 through PayTM," the woman explained.

ORGANISED GANGS

According to the police, previously jilted lovers or bitter acquaintances used such means for revenge, but now organised gangs commit these crimes as they consider them a source of easy money. Victims in such cases refrain from filing complaints as they do not want to make the matter public.

"A user needs to be very cautious while making personal data public. There are people waiting to misuse it in the web. Software are available that can help in manipulating the pictures and videos which may be further misused," said a senior Delhi Police officer.

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"Many organised gangs are extorting money by scaring vulnerable users and once they get the money, they deactivate their social media account to avoid getting caught," the officer added.

Many fall prey to extortion, in fear of social stigma and also victims are not keen to contact the police as the amount involved is often not too high.

"While investigating a similar case of a Delhi girl, I started tracking an IP (internet protocol) address but the criminals were tech-savvy as they kept changing their IPs and locations and the profile of the victim was accessed from multiple location indicating a team was dedicatedly working to make money," cyber crime expert Kislay Chaudhary said.

Chaudhary says it is difficult for a user to contact an internet giant in getting such pictures, videos, pages or links deleted. MAIL TODAY had reported that several Facebook profiles and pages are engaged in copying pictures of girls from the site only to misuse them. Such groups are morphing pictures with explicit content to get more views on their page and earn money. But no extortion angle was found.

Last year, a foreign national contacted cyber security experts in India, complaining that an Indian youth had been blackmailing her with some morphed pictures of hers and demanding $100 (Rs 6,779 approx) per month.

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Investigators tracked the crook to Kurukshetra and found nearly 1,800 photographs on his mobile phone that he used to blackmail his targets. The man was eventually let free as the victim did not lodge an official complaint. During interrogation, the accused revealed that he used a free mobile application to morph the pictures and then employed them as a tool to fleece the victims.

ALSO READ

Busted Bengaluru cyber criminals had access to more than 16,000 bank accounts

Agra police cracks international phishing case in record two days, recovers Rs 28 lakh

ALSO WATCH

India Today investigation: How Jharkhand's Jamtara district evolved as cyber crime hub

--- ENDS ---
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- St. Petersburg-based, Squaremouth, has never set financial goals, accepted funding, or hired a sales team. Yet for the sixth time, Squaremouth has been named one of the 50 fastest-growing private companies in the region by the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

Since being founded in 2003, Squaremouth has grown from $1 million in annual sales to more than $18 million. That growth has been completely organic. Squaremouth relies on exceptional customer service, an innovative website, and word-of-mouth to drive growth.

"We don't chase business or do any paid advertising," says Squaremouth Co-Founder and CEO Chris Harvey. "We just control what we can control, and that means making certain we provide exceptional, unbiased service to every customer. We know if we do that, growth will come naturally."

Squaremouth is built around transparency and trust. Its 24/7 customer service department always "downsells", helping travelers save money by recommending the least expensive policy that matches their needs. Once a policy is purchased, customers have access to Squaremouth's exclusive Zero Complaint Guarantee. If a company doesn't handle a claim to Squaremouth's satisfaction, they will be removed from the website.

"This can be time consuming and significantly more expensive for us as a company, but we do it because we want our customers to know we will work on their behalf," Harvey says. "We've grown because we aren't afraid to try something different, and if it doesn't work, we'll scrap it and start over."

To complement its growth, Squaremouth has received national and statewide recognition for its unique company culture. Earlier this year, Squaremouth was named one of the Best Workplaces in America by Inc. Magazine, and one of the Best Companies to Work For by Florida Trend for the third year in a row.

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


"Brent Thomson achieves the extraordinary in everything she does," Pacific Union CEO Mark A. McLaughlin says. "In 1996, without knowing each other, Brent, while at IBM/Lotus Notes, and I, while at Colliers, were both part of an Everest ascent. Of course, Brent was at Base Camp, and I was simply in the U.S.A. using the event to rally a team of brokers."

Thomson was instrumental in integrating Morgan Lane Marin, Inc. with Pacific Union in the 2009 merger McLaughlin led. As president of the Marin County region, Thomson also served as a visionary member of Pacific Union International's board of directors, contributing to the brokerage's growth from sales volume of $2.1 billion in 2009 to $10.81 billion in 2016 and more than 1,100 real estate professionals in 38 offices in Northern and Southern California. Thomson retains her seat on the board.

During her tenure in Marin, Thomson grew Pacific Union's market share by more than 20 percent, supporting 2009 sales volume of $414 million to projected 2017 sales volume topping $1.4 billion. Her leadership skills and initiative honed in the tech industry with Lotus and IBM are strengthened by her ability and drive as a global athlete who scales Everest, drives wild horses across Mongolia, and leads rugged predawn hikes with her team across California's coastal trails. As COO, Thomson will oversee all aspects of Pacific Union's operations, including optimal engagement, performance, and recruiting of real estate professionals, as well as overseeing regional executives in Pacific Union's Marin County, Napa County, Sonoma County, East Bay, and Contra Costa County regions and the Lake Tahoe/Truckee market.

As Senior Vice President for Pacific Union's Marin County region, Ed Lynch brings more than two decades of experience in the mortgage-banking industry with RPM Mortgage, Inc., executing thousands of real estate transaction closings. Concurrently, Lynch served as battalion chief of the Tiburon, California fire department until 2014, starting in the department as a 19-year old volunteer. Currently, Lynch serves as the vice president of the Tiburon Peninsula Foundation and is a former commodore of the San Francisco Yacht Club. His unique organizational skills and deep experience in strategic planning, crisis response, and community relations combined with his dynamic knowledge of the real estate industry ideally position him to lead Pacific Union's highly successful Marin County region to projected 2017 sales volume of $1.4 billion. Lynch begins his new role at Pacific Union on August 1.

"Ed's abilities will energize the Marin region with innovative ideas to drive performance and exceed sales growth," McLaughlin says. "We're excited to integrate Ed's wide experience in motivating teams and attracting the best producers from the region to our accelerated vision for the real estate firm of the future."

About Pacific Union

Founded in San Francisco in 1975, Pacific Union International, Inc. is the West Coast's premier luxury real estate brand. With sales volume of $10.15 billion, real estate industry media leader, REAL Trends, ranks Pacific Union as the eighth-largest residential brokerage in the U.S. Through its 2015 acquisition of The Mark Company, the nation's leading sales and marketing firm for new urban luxury developments, Pacific Union expanded its brand to development projects from San Diego to Seattle. In 2016, Pacific Union merged with Los Angeles-based brokerage John Aaroe Group, extending the Pacific Union brand to become the ultimate California real estate company. The strategic alliance of these three powerhouses creates combined 2016 production of $10.15 billion supporting more than 1,100 elite real estate professionals in 38 offices throughout the Pacific Coast. Extending Pacific Union's international reach, in 2013 the brokerage established an award-winning Beijing-based China Concierge program that fully supports its Chinese investors on the Mainland. Additionally Pacific Union offers a full range of personal and commercial real estate services, including buying, selling, and relocation in addition to operating a cadre of joint-venture businesses that provide rental and commercial property management and insurance services. Locally owned, Pacific Union executes with a vision for the future, an entrepreneurial mindset and unwavering commitment to deliver exceptional service and expertise. For more information, please visit us at www.pacificunion.com.

SOURCE Pacific Union

Related Links

http://www.pacificunion.com


"Black Raspberry is a fantastic fruit flavor that's an ideal treat during the peak of summer," said Melissa Hubbell, director of marketing for Pinkberry. "We've swirled together the sweet flavors of blackberries and raspberries to create a smooth and refreshing fruit taste that customers are going to go wild over."

Promotional Flavor (Available July 28  Sept. 7, 2017):

Black Raspberry Frozen Yogurt

Promotional Combination (Available July 28  Sept. 7, 2017):

Exotic Raspberry  Black Raspberry Frozen Yogurt topped with fresh Blackberries and Raspberries

In addition to the new Black Raspberry flavor, Pinkberry is continuing to offer the delicious line of Cold Brew Fruit Teas for a limited time only. The teas come in two refreshing flavors, Strawberry Hibiscus and Tropical Mango, which can be shaken with fresh, hand cut fruit and flavored Bursting Boba to make it a one of a kind Pinkberry beverage.

Promotional Beverage (Available June 16  Sept. 7, 2017):

Cold Brew Fruit Teas

Strawberry Hibiscus with Strawberry Bursting Boba, Fresh Strawberries and Blueberries

with Strawberry Bursting Boba, Fresh Strawberries and Blueberries

Tropical Mango with Mango Bursting Boba, Fresh Strawberries and Mango

About Pinkberry

Pinkberry launched in Los Angeles, CA in 2005 as the original brand that reinvented frozen yogurt. Today, over a decade later, Pinkberry continues to create great tasting treats with fresh ingredients in an experience comprised of distinctive product, outstanding service and inspirational design. At Pinkberry you can taste the difference of an uncompromising commitment to quality and freshness. Most recently, Pinkberry was acquired by Scottsdale, Arizona-based Kahala Brands, one of the fastest growing franchising companies in the world with a portfolio of 22 quick-service restaurant brands and approximately 2900 locations in 28 countries.

For more information about Pinkberry, visit www.Pinkberry.com.

For more information about Kahala Brands, visit www.KahalaBrands.com.

SOURCE Pinkberry

Related Links

http://www.Pinkberry.com


NEW YORK, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network who are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area.

You can also submit a query to the hundreds of thousands of experts in our network  it's easy and free! Just fill out the query form to get started: http://prn.to/queryform

EXPERT ALERTS

Ensuring Timely, Accessible Care for Veterans

Benefits of Self-Funding Employee Healthcare Plans

What Are the Five Keys to Healthcare Reform?

MEDIA JOBS

Senior Staff Writer  Columbia Journalism Review (NY)

News Reporter  Global Competition Review (DC)

Managing Editor  Risk and Insurance (PA)

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

Capturing Results Through Successful Social Media Headlines

5 Tips to Take Your Portrait Photography to the Next Level

Blog Profiles: Running Blogs, Part 2

-------------------------------------------------------------------

EXPERT ALERTS:

Ensuring Timely, Accessible Care for Veterans

David R. Nelson

CEO

Veterans Accountable Care Group

"Secretary Shulkin and the entire Veterans Health Administration (VHA) efforts to deliver the right care at the right time in the right setting are admirable, whether that care is delivered inside or outside the VHA traditional delivery model. VACG/VACO looks to support the VHA's efforts to ensure timely access to needed healthcare services for our nation's heroes."

Nelson is available to discuss the current state of the VA health system; how we can ensure timely, accessible care for the nation's 23 million veterans; and the current and new future options. He is an 11-year Navy veteran and serial entrepreneur who's led the formation of VACO and VACG, Sierra Military Healthcare Services, and xG Health Solutions, among others.

Website: http://www.vacgroup.org/home.html

Contact: Aileen Kantor, [email protected]



Benefits of Self-Funding Employee Healthcare Plans

Brady Bizarro

Consulting Attorney

The Phia Group, LLC, Boston

"Self-funding an employee health plan remains one of the most effective cost-containment strategies for employers with a relatively healthy workforce and a willingness to customize a plan."

Bizarro is available to discuss the House and Senate healthcare bills, the ongoing efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare, healthcare policy, ethics and fiduciary duties, and the benefits of self-funding. He is the author of numerous articles that have been featured in trade publications, including "As Employer-Sponsored Plans Multiply, Self-Funding Remains an Attractive Option" (America's Benefit Specialist, February 2017) and "How to Avoid Common Pitfalls When Managing a Self-Funded Health Plan" (Benefits Pro, October 2016).

ProfNet Connect: http://www.profnetconnect.com/bradybizarro

Website: https://www.phiagroup.com

Contact: Matthew Painten, [email protected]



What Are the Five Keys to Healthcare Reform?

Dr. Elaina George

"The healthcare reform impasse is a distraction. Whether you are for free market or single payer, the status quo is designed to keep you locked in the maze where promises of winning at all costs or fixing the broken system is the cheese that everyone is chasing after. Over the past eight years, there has been one constant, no matter who is in power -- our healthcare system continues to get worse. Since the passage of the ACA, healthcare costs have gone up, choice of doctors has gone down, access has narrowed, and our healthcare system is now last among the developed countries for delivering efficient, cost effective quality medical care. Many physicians have left the practice of medicine, and a growing number of RNs have left clinical practice to join the ranks of administrators as case managers."

Based in Atlanta, Dr. George is a board-certified otolaryngologist and author of "Big Medicine: The Cost Of Corporate Control And How Doctors And Patients Working Together Can Rebuild A Better System." She also hosts her own radio show, "Medicine On Call," and is a keynote speaker for many organizations.

Contact: Ryan McCormick, [email protected]



****************

MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/community/jobs/

Senior Staff Writer  Columbia Journalism Review (NY)

News Reporter  Global Competition Review (DC)

Managing Editor  Risk and Insurance (PA)

*****************

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line.

CAPTURING RESULTS FROM SUCCESSFUL SOCIAL MEDIA HEADLINES. You've written your story and now it's time to promote it, but drawing in eyeballs to your content will require strategy. Much like a traditional news story, it all starts with a headline. Politico's social media editor, Trevor Eischen , recently shared insightful advice on how to craft social posts to drive site traffic and increase engagement: http://bit.ly/2vmxBZR

, recently shared insightful advice on how to craft social posts to drive site traffic and increase engagement: http://bit.ly/2vmxBZR 5 TIPS TO TAKE YOUR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY TO THE NEXT LEVEL. A headshot is essential for anyone with a professional online presence. However, the person behind the camera should be just as prepared to ensure a great experience from beginning to end, whether you're taking headshots for someone's personal brand or shooting portraits for your stories. If you're looking for ways to enhance your photography in this space, here are our top five tips for your next one-on-one photo session: http://bit.ly/2vFdBBd

BLOG PROFILES: RUNNING BLOGS, PART 2. Each week, PR Newswire's Audience Relations team selects an industry/subject and profiles a handful of sites that do a good job with promoting and contributing to the conversation. This week, they look at more running blogs: http://bit.ly/2uXBzuO

****************

PROFNET is an exclusive service of PR Newswire.

To contact ProfNet: [email protected] or 800-776-3638, ext. 1

SOURCE ProfNet

Related Links

http://www.profnet.com


NEW YORK, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Red Oak Capital Group (RED OAK) out-performed expectations, and announced second-quarter returns of 11.35% to investors earlier today on its Red Oak Capital Fund I. This comes after record 12.20% earnings in the first quarter of 2017, and an annualized net yield of 11.78%.

"The market remains strong for short-term commercial real estate notes," said Chip Cummings, Managing Partner with Red Oak, "and we continue to capitalize on that demand."

Chip Cummings - Managing Director

Red Oak Capital Fund I takes advantage of short-term gaps in the traditional commercial finance markets, and specializes in acquisition of smaller commercial real estate debt instruments. Continued growth and demand for capital in the smaller commercial real estate sector has led to expansion of private equity firms like Red Oak.

"While there are certainly Funds out there servicing larger transactions, we have found that the smaller transactions under $3M are being overlooked," explained Cummings. "With our 20+ years of lending and development experience, we can look at these transactions with a more common-sense approach, and provide an attractive short-term funding solution that provides strong returns and better controlled risk for our investors."

Consistent with its other sector Funds, the Red Oak Capital Fund I does not own real estate, but rather holds performing debt notes which are collateralized by income producing commercial real estate assets. The average hold term on its assets is only 12 months, allowing faster reaction to changing market conditions.

"Yield is important to investors, but they also want security and liquidity," explains Kevin Kennedy, a Senior Partner at Red Oak, "The shorter term hold and managed risk has been extremely attractive to both our individual investors and our institutional partners."

Kennedy, as the head of capital acquisition, works directly with Red Oak's institutional investment partners, RIA's and broker/dealer partners.

Adds Kennedy, "Savvy investors understand the importance of having a strong Alternative Investment choice as part of their portfolio, and the benefits of these types of assets over a traditional REIT. We've been able to demonstrate that strength with solid returns once again to our investor partners."

Red Oak Capital Fund I focuses on small short-term debt instruments secured by commercial real estate assets located in major markets throughout the United States. It targets a net return of 10-12%, and is currently open to new investors.

About Red Oak Capital Group

The Red Oak Capital Group is a private equity firm specializing in commercial real estate investments, and manages several Funds, including Red Oak Capital Fund I. With offices in New York and Michigan, Red Oak Capital Group was founded in 2015 to serve the capital finance and investment markets, and the principals, directors and advisory team have vast experience in the development, management, financing and syndication of commercial real estate. Additional information may be obtained directly from Red Oak by visiting www.RedOakCapitalGroup.com, or by calling (212) 457-4004.

CONTACT:

Joe Elias

Red Oak Capital Group

(616) 734-6099

SOURCE Red Oak Capital Group

Related Links

http://www.redoakcapitalgroup.com


SAN FRANCISCO, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A lawsuit involving a child injured at a public campground achieved two landmark published opinions by the California Court of Appeal, which narrow the scope of immunities and protect the rights of injured persons to bring lawsuits.

In July 2012, a 72-foot rotten tree fell on a sleeping child's tent pitched in a campsite located in a campground at San Mateo County's Memorial Park. Twelve-year-old Zachary Rowe suffered catastrophic injuries, including a crushed pelvis, damaged organs, and a right leg amputation at the hip.

Attorney Timothy Tietjen of the law firm Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn filed a personal injury lawsuit on behalf of Rowe against San Mateo County and Pacific Gas & Electric. PG&E owns and maintains an electrical distribution line in the park, and the rotten tree was within striking distance of the electrical lines.

The lawsuit claims the parties were negligent in maintaining the campsite; failed to offer protection against falling, rotten trees nearby; failed to inspect the space properly, and more. The County of San Mateo and PG&E contended they were immune as a matter of law for the dangerous condition of the property.

The Court issued two published opinionsthe first on April 5, 2017; the other earlier this week, on July 25, 2017--siding with the plaintiff and finding that both defendants could be held liable for these types of accidents.

"It's virtually unheard of to have two published opinions in the same case," said Tietjen. "And typically, the cases that are published on these immunities side with the defense and broadly interpret the immunities. These landmark rulings by the court properly balance consumer safety with the policy to keep lands open to the public." He added, "Hopefully these decisions will bring greater safety throughout California's campgrounds and public spaces."

With the appellate rulings decided, the case will now get back on track for a trial date.

Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn is a leading plaintiffs' law firm that has built a national reputation as a passionate advocate for the catastrophically injured. The firm's lawyers represent clients in a wide variety of personal injury cases, including car, truck and bike accidents and wrongful death, product liability, and premises liability lawsuits.

SOURCE Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn
Dr. Stanton was recognized for her academic achievements, excellence in medical education and outstanding contributions to pediatric medicine, which include having consulted for the World Bank, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.

"Laura and I are thrilled to create this endowment to recognize the highest standards required in a leader of our medical school,'' said Robert C. Garrett, co-CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. "Dr. Stanton has practiced with distinction as a physician and academic and will continue to bring the highest standards in medical education to the next generation of physicians.''

"Dr. Stanton's commitment to the health of women and children, in the U.S. and in some of the most challenging corners of the globe, exemplifies the compassion and spirit in which this new school is created,'' said Laura C. Garrett, founder of Realtime Nutrition.

The new medical school  the first private medical school to open in New Jersey in 50 years  is located at the former Hoffmann-LaRoche site in Nutley and Clifton and is scheduled to welcome its first class next year.

"I am so grateful to be the first guardian of the Robert C. and Laura C. Garrett Endowed Chair for the School of Medicine Dean and for all that it stands,'' said Dr. Stanton. "Through my stewardship, I vow to cherish this great honor.''

Before assuming this role, Dr. Stanton served in leadership roles for 14 years at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan, where she had been vice dean for research for the School of Medicine from 2011-2016, chair of the Department of Pediatrics and pediatrician in chief at the Children's Hospital of Michigan from 2002-2011. She also served as president of University Pediatrics from 2002-2012.

"Bob and Laura truly understand the magnitude of endowing an academic chair and were the first donors to make a gift supporting the medical school on this level,'' said Jon Fitzgerald, president and chief development officer at the Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation.

Dr. Stanton lived and worked with her family in Bangladesh from 1983 to 1988 where she served as a health consultant to the World Bank and the International Center for Diarrheal Diseases Research, and as director of a community-based research and service program designed to help women and children in the slums of Dhaka.

An author of more than 300 peer-reviewed articles, Dr. Stanton has served as an editor of the "Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics," along with many other journals and books. Among many local, national and international advisory roles, she was a member of the Advisory Board of the National Institutes of Health's Fogarty International Center and was president of the Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs.

ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH

Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care. Hackensack Meridian Health comprises 13 hospitals, including two academic medical centers, two children's hospitals and nine community hospitals, physician practices, more than 120 ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, long-term care and assisted living communities, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, fitness and wellness centers, rehabilitation centers, and urgent care and after-hours centers. Hackensack Meridian Health has 28,000 team members, more than 6,000 physicians and is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy, committed to the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

The Network's notable distinctions include having one of only five major academic medical centers in the nation to receive Healthgrades America's 50 Best Hospitals Award for five or more consecutive years, the number one hospital in New Jersey as ranked by U.S. News and World Report, consistently achieving Magnet recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, recipient of the John M. Eisenberg Award for Patient Safety and Quality from The Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum, a six-time recipient of Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For," one of the "20 Best Workplaces in Health Care" in the nation, and the number one "Best Place to Work for Women." Hackensack Meridian Health is a member of AllSpire Health Partners, an interstate consortium of leading health systems, to focus on the sharing of best practices in clinical care and achieving efficiencies.

The hospitals of Hackensack Meridian Health include: academic medical centers  Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune; children's hospitals  Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital in Hackensack, K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in Neptune; community hospitals  Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair, Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge, and Pascack Valley Medical Center in Westwood.

For additional information, please visit www.HackensackMeridianHealth.org.

SOURCE Hackensack Meridian Health

Related Links

http://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org


LONDON, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

CRU announces that Ryan Cochrane, ex Wood Mackenzie head of gold mine costs, has joined to oversee research for Lead, Zinc and Precious Metals.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/536199/CRU_Logo.jpg )



Cochrane, based in CRU's head office in London, has nine years of experience as a geologist, geochemist and mining analyst and has worked on gold and polymetallic projects in South Africa, Western China and Ecuador. Having spent time working at Thomson Reuters GFMS as a precious metals analyst, his recent move comes from Wood Mackenzie, where he led the gold mine cost service, contributed to their base metal services and developed innovative new client offerings.

"I'm excited to join CRU and work alongside such an experienced and well regarded team," said Ryan Cochrane. "It will be a great challenge to leverage the extensive commodity market coverage and expertise CRU offers while working closely with the team and customers to further develop the Lead, Zinc and Precious metals research and cost products".

Cochrane holds a PhD in geochemistry, geochronology and thermochronology from the University of Geneva, Switzerland.

Read the full story: http://bit.ly/CRU-Ryan-Cochrane

Read more about CRU: http://bit.ly/About_CRU

CRU offers unrivalled business intelligence on the global metals, mining and fertilizer industries through market analysis, price assessments, consultancy and events.

Since our foundation in 1969, we have consistently invested in primary research and robust methodologies, and developed expert teams in key locations worldwide, including in hard-to-reach markets such as China. CRU employs over 250 experts and has more than 10 offices around the world, in Europe, the Americas, China, Asia and Australia - our office in Beijing opened in 2004.

When facing critical business decisions, you can rely on this first-hand knowledge to give you a complete view on a commodity market. And you can engage with our experts directly, for the full picture and a personalised response.

CRU - big enough to deliver a high quality service, small enough to care about all of our customers.

SOURCE CRU
ASHBURN, Va., July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Defense and security company Saab has signed a four-year parts exchange program (PEP) agreement with Silver Airways, superseding a similar agreement between the two companies.

The agreement covers repairs and exchanges for rotables in Silver Airway's Saab 340 fleet. Silver is the largest U.S. operator of the Saab 340 aircraft, and currently operates 21 of the type.

"Saab looks forward to continuing our relationship with Silver Airways," said George Caracost, VP, general manager, and head of Support and Services for Saab Defense and Security USA. "When we work with Saab aircraft operators, we bring to bear the full scope of services that only the original equipment manufacturer can provide."

The Saab-Silver contract is a flight-hour agreement, meaning that the customer pays a monthly fee rather than part-by-part transactions. This provides the customer with more accurate cost forecasting and reduces the need to buy stocks of components.

"Saab has been providing outstanding spares and technical services to Silver since 2012," said Silver Airways President and CEO Sami Teittinen. "This agreement represents our deep satisfaction with Saab's expertise, commitment and value. We are pleased to renew our contractual relationship and address tomorrows challenges with our OEM and partner, Saab."

Since its entry into service in 1984, more than 200 operators in 60 countries have operated the Saab 340. It remains the world's best-selling 34-seat airliner.

Saab Defense and Security USA delivers advanced technologies and systems to the United States Armed Forces and other government agencies. Headquartered in Ashburn, Virginia, the company has business units and local employees in four states. Saab Defense and Security USA LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saab.

Saab Group serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions within military defense and civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents around the world. Through innovative, collaborative and pragmatic thinking, Saab develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers' changing needs.

SOURCE Saab Defense and Security USA

Related Links

http://saabusa.com


"We are extremely grateful when socially responsible companies like Stanley Black & Decker rise to the occasion and support initiatives that make a meaningful impact in our community," said Stuart Markowitz, President of Hartford Hospital. "CESI is already leading the way, improving how health care professionals treat patients across Connecticut and beyond. We will continue to be a draw for the finest medical professionals from around the world. The experts come to learn the latest and most innovative techniques and technologies right here in our capital city."

CESI is a regional and national training destination for medical professionals. Housed at the second largest surgical center in New England and the Northeast's largest robotic surgery center, CESI is a hub for medical training, and the centerpiece of Hartford Hospital's pioneering vision to revamp the medical educational system.

"We know innovation when we see it," said Jim Loree, President & CEO of Stanley Black & Decker, "and CESI is on the cutting edge of medical education and simulation. Everyone in an area served by Hartford HealthCare will be impacted by this extraordinary training facility and economic driver for our region."

CESI is among the focus areas for The Campaign for Hartford Hospital, which in its lead phase, has generated nearly $64 million in donations. While the early focus of the campaign was on the establishment of the Hartford HealthCare Bone & Joint Institute at Hartford Hospital, gifts have touched virtually every corner of the hospital, such as CESI, the Brownstone Relocation Project, the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at Hartford Hospital and more.

Stanley Black & Decker is one of CESI's corporate partners that are helping to realize Hartford HealthCare's vision as a national leader in innovation, patient safety, outcomes and satisfaction. Stanley Black & Decker is also widely renowned in the region for their corporate philanthropy.

About Hartford Hospital

Hartford Hospital, founded in 1854, is one of the largest teaching hospitals and tertiary care centers in New England with one of the region's busiest surgery practices. It is annually ranked among America's Best Hospitals by US News & World Report and has been recognized nationally for the quality of many of its programs. The 867-bed regional referral center provides high-quality care in all clinical disciplines. The hospital's major centers of clinical excellence include cardiology, oncology, emergency services and trauma, mental health, women's health, orthopedics, bloodless surgery and advanced organ transplantation. Hartford Hospital owns and operates the state's first air ambulance system, LIFE STAR. Among its other specialized departments, The Institute of Living, a 114-bed mental health facility with a national and international reputation of excellence, and The Jefferson House, a 104-bed long-term care facility.

SOURCE Hartford Hospital
By Shalini Lobo: The Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Swati Jaihind wrote a letter to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to help 45 Indian women who are trapped in Oman. The women were taken from India through agents for better job opportunities abroad. The women sent a complaint to Navshristi, an NGO associated with the DCW, and asked them for help.

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The women hail from places like Punjab, Haryana and Pudhucherry. They were looking for nursing job opportunities in Dubai, but say that they were taken to Oman through an agent and now have been kept there as domestic help. They claim that their passports have been taken away from them and that they have been starved and even physically abused.

The trapped women also claim that they tried approaching the Indian Embassy in Oman for help numerous times, but did not receive any support.

The DCW chief Swati Jaihind has written to Sushma Swaraj seeking a meeting on this matter and urging her to bring these women back to India and reunite them with their families.

ALSO READ:39 missing Indians in Iraq: Sushma Swaraj's Lok Sabha statement rekindles hope of families

Won't declare anybody dead without evidence: Sushma Swaraj on 39 Indians missing in Iraq

--- ENDS ---
ST. LOUIS, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) announced the seven companies that have been selected to participate in the Ameren Accelerator, an innovative public-private partnership with the University of Missouri System, UMSL Accelerate and Capital Innovators, that assesses, mentors and invests in energy technology startup companies. Selected companies include /blossom, Hyperion Sensors, Omega Grid, Rebate Bus, SensrTrx, Switched Source and WIFIPLUG.

"Building a future energy grid that meets evolving customer needs and expectations requires collaboration, innovative thinking and investment in the technologies of tomorrow," said Warner Baxter, chairman, president and CEO of Ameren Corporation. "The companies selected for the Ameren Accelerator offer promising innovations for the energy sector and the customers we serve. We look forward to working closely with these innovators and our partners through this unique initiative to help find new energy solutions and to deliver even greater value to our customers and the communities we serve."

More than 200 companies from 31 countries and 23 states applied for the 12-week Ameren Accelerator program. The companies were selected through a series of interviews and evaluations, which culminated at a Pitch Day event where the final seven applicants were selected. The selection process was spearheaded by Capital Innovators with input from the Accelerator partners.

"The response to the Ameren Accelerator program was tremendous," said Judy Sindecuse, CEO of Capital Innovators. "It wasn't an easy choice, but we believe we've identified the companies that have the greatest potential to bring their energy-related innovations to life and provide value to Ameren's customers and the energy sector."

Each company will receive up to $100,000 in seed funding in addition to intensive mentoring, technical assistance, facilities and networking connections from the Ameren Accelerator partners. The participants will be based out of UMSL Accelerate and Capital Innovators co-working spaces located in Cortex, a St. Louis innovation district.

"The companies selected to participate in the Ameren Accelerator have tremendous potential to positively affect the energy industry," said Dan Lauer, director of UMSL Accelerate. "We're delighted that students and faculty from the four campuses of the University of Missouri System are involved at various stages of this unique partnership  contributing to its success and learning lessons in entrepreneurism and innovation."

The Ameren Accelerator will better position Ameren to meet its customers' future energy needs and expectations, create new jobs through these startup companies and provide university students opportunities to be more engaged in the energy business.

At the conclusion of the program, participants will be invited to showcase their efforts to both the mentoring teams and potential third-party investors during the Ameren Accelerator Demo Day in October. Ameren may select the most promising projects for ongoing mentoring and engagement beyond the Accelerator program.

"The Ameren Accelerator is one of the first of its kind in the country to focus exclusively on energy technologies," said Baxter. "The companies we selected for this innovative program come from around the globe, across our region and within our own St. Louis community. The diversity they bring in their geographic spread and areas of expertise will help us lead today and transform tomorrow."

About the Ameren Accelerator Companies

Seven startup companies were selected to participate in the Ameren Accelerator program. The companies include:

/blossom (from St. Louis, Missouri ): /blossom is a tool for businesses to connect and gather data and control their resources remotely.

/blossom is a tool for businesses to connect and gather data and control their resources remotely. Hyperion Sensors (from Toronto, Canada ) : Hyperion has developed a substation hardened distributed fiber optic sensor for high voltage assets allowing them to become "intelligent". In other words, enabling the internet of things within the smart grid.

: Hyperion has developed a substation hardened distributed fiber optic sensor for high voltage assets allowing them to become "intelligent". In other words, enabling the internet of things within the smart grid. Omega Grid (from Chicago, Illinois ) : Omega Grid is a market software that removes the revenue risk of distributed generation of utilities, encourages energy investment by property owners, and enables access to lower rates for everyone.

: Omega Grid is a market software that removes the revenue risk of distributed generation of utilities, encourages energy investment by property owners, and enables access to lower rates for everyone. Rebate Bus (from Madison, Wisconsin ) : Rebate Bus is a platform for utility programs to deliver instant incentives, online.

: Rebate Bus is a platform for utility programs to deliver instant incentives, online. SensrTrx (from St. Louis, Missouri ) : SensrTrx is an industrial analytics application focused on using industrial data to improve uptime, performance, and reliability of manufacturing and industrial systems.

: SensrTrx is an industrial analytics application focused on using industrial data to improve uptime, performance, and reliability of manufacturing and industrial systems. Switched Source (from East Lansing, Michigan ) : Switched Source provides equipment solutions for electric distribution companies that make the grid more resilient and efficient while supporting the integration of more distributed generation.

: Switched Source provides equipment solutions for electric distribution companies that make the grid more resilient and efficient while supporting the integration of more distributed generation. WIFIPLUG (from Leeds, United Kingdom ): WIFIPLUG learns your routines making your life easier, saving you money on your energy bills. You can control the plug with your voice using Siri, Alexa and Google. The only smart plug in the world to offer open source API for developers.

About Ameren Corporation

St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.4 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric distribution and transmission service, as well as natural gas distribution service, while Ameren Missouri provides vertically integrated electric service, with generating capacity of over 10,200 megawatts, and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops regional electric transmission projects. For more information, visit Ameren.com, or follow us at @AmerenCorp, Facebook.com/AmerenCorp, or LinkedIn/company/Ameren.

About the University of Missouri System

The University of Missouri System is the State of Missouri's largest public university, with four campuses serving more than 76,000 students, a health care system, an extension program, and more than 500,000 alumni worldwide. The UM System was created in 1963 when the University of Missouri (founded in 1839 in Columbia) and the Missouri School of Mines (now the Missouri University of Science and Technology, founded in 1870 in Rolla), were combined with the formerly private University of Kansas City (now University of MissouriKansas City, founded in 1933), and a newly created campus in suburban St. Louis (University of MissouriSt. Louis).

About the University of Missouri-St. Louis and UMSL Accelerate

The University of MissouriSt. Louis is the largest public research university in eastern Missouri with the greatest concentration of alumni in the region. Their UMSL Accelerate initiative fosters entrepreneurism and innovative thinking in and outside the classroom and helps bring concepts from mind to market. For more information, visit http://umsl.edu/accelerate/.

About Capital Innovators

Capital Innovators is an innovation engine that creates practical solutions across industries that can shape the future of organizations. Capital Innovators provides innovation consulting, entrepreneurial-based programs, acts as a liaison between Corporations, Universities and Startups and investment into attractive early-stage businesses. Capital Innovators has in-depth knowledge into the most cutting-edge solutions through the Accelerator division of its business, which has been ranked as a top Accelerator in the country for four years in a row and has invested in and guided 70 companies to date. Capital Innovators model is simple and effective: Innovation, Iteration, and Implementation.

SOURCE Ameren Corporation

Related Links

http://www.ameren.com


CLARKS, Neb., July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Strobel Energy Group announced today that it has executed an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) agreement with Prairie Catalytic, LLC, a subsidiary of Greenyug, LLC, to design and construct its commercial scale Bio-Ethanol to Ethyl Acetate facility in Nebraska. Ethyl Acetate is a specialty solvent used extensively in products such as paints, coatings, pharmaceuticals, adhesives and a variety of consumer goods.

The Prairie Catalytic production facility will be located adjacent to the Archer Daniels Midland Company's (NYSE: ADM) Corn Processing Plant in Columbus, Nebraska which will supply the project with Bio-Ethanol feedstock and other services. Strobel has initiated the detailed engineering design and will begin construction of the facility in Q3 2017 with commissioning and production expected within approximately one year. HELM AG, (www.helmag.com) based in Hamburg, Germany and Piscataway, NJ, is one of the world's largest chemical marketing companies, has executed an off-take agreement for 100% of the Ethyl Acetate produced at the Prairie Catalytic facility.

According to Steve Strobel, CEO of Strobel Energy Group: "This project allows us to execute on all of our core competencies. From detailed engineering, to fabrication and procurement of structural and mechanical components incorporating our customers process technology, utilization of our R, S & U stamp certifications, QA/QC process, EH&S program and our ability to self-perform civil and mechanical portions of the scope while putting Nebraskans to work right in our backyard. We are excited about this challenge and look forward to executing on time and within budget."

Sagar Gadewar, CEO of Greenyug LLC and Prairie Catalytic LLC, states: "We look forward to working with Strobel Energy Group, a company whose entrepreneurial ethos and 'can do' attitude matches ours. Strobel's strong presence in the local community and commitment to high quality work will be critical for success of the Prairie Catalytic project."

Greenyug developed its patented technology at its Santa Barbara, California research facility and continued the scale-up at its fully integrated demonstration plant. Greenyug has developed a proprietary platform to add value to ethanol by upgrading it into a variety of bio-based chemicals with broad market appeal. Greenyug Ethyl Acetate will be the first commercially available in industrial quantities to be entirely sourced from renewable feedstock. The global market for Ethyl Acetate exceeds $4 Billion.

About Strobel Energy Group

Strobel Energy Group, based in Clarks, Nebraska, is a privately owned mid-stream energy infrastructure engineering, procurement, construction and operations firm that specializes in liquid energy infrastructure that processes, stores or moves products by rail, truck or pipeline. Strobel has been safely providing services to the US crude, refined products and bio fuel market since 1986. Company website: www.strobelenergy.com

About Greenyug

Greenyug, LLC is a privately held technology development company with a mission to research, develop and commercialize production of commodity and specialty chemicals, polymers, and fuels derived from renewable sources in a cost efficient and market competitive manner. Greenyug corporate and research facility is based in Santa Barbara, California. Scale-up and process development are carried at a fully integrated demonstration facility in Pune, India. Our capabilities include all aspects of technology development from concept at lab scale to piloting and commercial deployment. http://www.greenyug.com/

Company Contacts: Strobel Energy Group

Bryan Ferguson

(913) 484-0149

[email protected]





Luca Zullo.

Greenyug, LLC

861 Ward Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 9311

[email protected]

SOURCE Strobel Energy Group

Related Links

http://www.strobelenergy.com


HOUSTON, July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Trial Lawyer Jay Old will be a panel member at the forthcoming Joint Zurich Insurance Summit to be held in Switzerland on July 24, 2017. The summit, organized by the AIDA Swiss Chapter and the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, draws legal professionals from around the world.

As a distinguished speaker, Jay will be sharing his insight and experience as a trial attorney with over two decades of experience during a summit on the Mitigation of Litigation Risks in the U.S. The panel discussion, which features notable speakers from the United States, United Kingdom, and France, will focus on what European companies can do to mitigate their risks of facing lawsuits in the U.S., as well as the appropriate steps to take as a foreign litigant in the U.S. legal system.

Jay's invitation to serve as a panel member at the upcoming summit speaks volumes about the respect and recognition he has earned throughout the legal industry. In addition to securing notable results in practice areas that include construction, insurance, product liability, health care, and professional liability, he has also served in important leadership roles for various professional organizations, including his former Presidency of the Texas Association of Defense Counsel, the largest state-wide defense attorney organization in the nation. He has also ran for election to the 14th Congressional District in Texas and frequently tours the country as a featured speaker for various legal events.

Jay's commitment to furthering the development and collaboration of legal professionals handling complex and high stakes cases makes him a highly sought after advocate and a tough legal adversary. He applies the same level of commitment and skill when advocating on behalf of clients at Hicks Thomas LLP.

Jay Old is a veteran Texas Trial Attorney and Partner at Hicks Thomas LLP, a Texas-based law firm founded 1997. The firm represents both plaintiffs and defendants nationwide from multiple office locations, and has secured numerous successful results in a range of practice areas, including business litigation, oil and gas, corporate governance, environmental litigation, product liability, insurance coverage, and more. Visit www.hicks-thomas.com for more information about the firm.

SOURCE Hicks Thomas LLP

Related Links

http://www.hicks-thomas.com


"Dr. Shepherd is instrumental in the lives of her patients, to the physicians across the world she has mentored and the field of lung cancer research and treatment," said Bonnie J. Addario, 13-year lung cancer survivor and founder of the ALCF. "Through her leadership, she has brought together a brilliant team of researchers committed treating lung cancer. Her team is one of the world leaders in bench to bedside research pertaining to lung cancer."

Dr. Shepherd is an Officer of the Order of Canada. She has mentored more than 30 post-doctoral research fellows from around the world, many of whom now hold senior academic positions in their home countries. Her major career accomplishments include:

Leading a clinical trial that resulted in chemotherapy following lung cancer surgery becoming the new standard of care around the world.

Heading a global trial that showed for the first time that a targeted therapy could prolong life for lung cancer patients who had no further options for treatment.

Creating NCIC trial-associated lung cancer tumor banks that contain both cancer and normal lung samples. These precious samples play a critical role in understanding the molecular abnormalities of lung cancer and help to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from specific therapies.

Dr. Shepherd is on the editorial board of several journals, including the Journal of Clinical Oncology. She has been lead or senior investigator in more than 100 clinical trials and authored more than 450 peer-reviewed publications. In 2005, she was the lead author of three articles published over a three-week period in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Dr. Shepherd is one of the world's leading lung cancer clinicians and researchers, known for her leadership in developing innovative therapies for lung cancer," said Addario. Dr. Shepherd has also established high quality lung tumor banks to support crucial trials necessary to conquer the world's deadliest cancer. "

Past Addario Lectureship Award recipients include:

2016- Giorgio Vittorio Scagliotti , M.D., Professor of Oncology, University of Torino , Head of the Department of Oncology and Chief of the Division of Medical Oncology, San Luigi Hospital, Torino, Italy

, M.D., Professor of Oncology, University of , Head of the Department of Oncology and Chief of the Division of Medical Oncology, San Luigi Hospital, 2015- Fred R. Hirsch , M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine

, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine 2014- Roy S. Herbst, M.D., Ph.D., Ensign Professor of Medicine and Chief of Medical Oncology, Yale Cancer Center

Roy S. Herbst, M.D., Ph.D., Ensign Professor of Medicine and Chief of Medical Oncology, Yale Cancer Center 2013- Tony Mok , M.D., Professor in the Department of Clinical Oncology, Chinese University of Hong Kong in Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong

, M.D., Professor in the Department of Clinical Oncology, in Prince of Wales Hospital in 2012- D. Ross Camidge , M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Thoracic Oncology Clinical Program and Associate Director for Clinical Research, Colorado University Cancer Center

, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Thoracic Oncology Clinical Program and Associate Director for Clinical Research, Cancer Center 2011- William Pao , M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Ingram Associate Professor of Cancer Research, Director, Personalized Cancer Medicine, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center

, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Ingram Associate Professor of Cancer Research, Director, Personalized Cancer Medicine, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center 2010- David R. Gandara , M.D., Associate Director, Clinical Research, UC Davis Cancer Center

, M.D., Associate Director, Clinical Research, UC Davis Cancer Center 2009- Harvey Pass , M.D., B.A., Director of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Chief of Thoracic Surgery, New York University Medical Center

, M.D., B.A., Director of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Chief of Thoracic Surgery, Medical Center 2008- Paul A. Bunn, Jr. M.D., Principal Investigator and Director, University of Colorado Cancer Center

The ALCF has supported the Lung Cancer Congress for the past ten years and serves as a co-sponsor, along with the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. The annual three-day event provides physicians with practical information about the clinical implications of lung cancer screening, the latest clinical data impacting the treatment of lung cancer and novel agents and strategies that are changing the future of lung cancer therapy.

About the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation

The Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (ALCF) is one of the largest international philanthropies (patient-founded, patient-focused and patient-driven) devoted exclusively to eradicating lung cancer through research, early detection, education and treatment. The Foundation's goal is to work with a diverse group of physicians, organizations, industry partners, individuals, patients, survivors and their families to identify solutions and make timely and meaningful change and turn lung cancer into a chronically managed disease by 2023. The ALCF was established on March 1, 2006, as a 501c(3) non-profit organization and has raised more than $30 million for lung cancer research and related programs. For more information about the ALCF please visit www.lungcancerfoundation.org or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

SOURCE Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation

Related Links

http://www.lungcancerfoundation.org


COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dick Cold Storage, along with national refrigerated warehouse builder Tippmann Innovation, has broken ground on a new project. Once finished, the new 115,000-square-foot public refrigerated warehouse will utilize the latest frozen food storage innovations.

Tippmann Innovation and Dick Cold Storage Break Ground on a New Cold Storage Facility

Tippmann Innovation is working to build the facility with state-of-the-art refrigeration technology capable of temperatures as low as -20F. The warehouse will feature 15,000 pallet positions, including both traditional pallet racking and storage and high-density pallet storage. Its unique 50-foot ceilings also offer expanded vertical storage, for greater cubic feet of storage in a smaller square footage footprint.

The new facility fulfills a need for refrigerated frozen storage in the Columbus area, where regional warehouses are often filled to maximum capacity. To meet a range of customer needs, the facility will offer quick freezing capabilities for temperature-sensitive products, as well as frozen, cooler and dry storage. It will support local employment with the addition of 30 full-time positions. The project is slated for completion later this year.

The new facility is a major expansion for Dick Cold Storage, a four-generation, family-owned cold storage provider that operates three cold storage facilities in the Columbus area. With a combined total of six million cubic feet of storage space, Dick Cold Storage has the capacity to serve more than half the (US) population within a 550-mile radius.

"Tippmann Innovation's experience and reputation in cold storage building is well-known and well-respected," says Don Dick, owner and CEO of Dick Cold Storage. "After touring one of Tippmann Innovation's newly completed projects, we were very impressed with the company's commitment to quality, design and technology. We're confident that our new facility will be at the cutting edge of cold storage innovation."

For nearly 100 years, Dick Cold Storage has been committed to handling and distributing food products safely and efficiently. Learn more at www.dickcoldstorage.com

About Tippmann Innovation: Tippmann Innovation is an award winning, specialty industrial cold storage builder that develops buildings around a business plan, ensuring that an investment becomes a profit center. TI utilizes time-honed expertise and advanced technology solutions to create efficient buildings that scale with a business, and are designed to maximize profitability through fully integrating operations and supply chain, by design. TI provides a full suite of cold storage construction services, including master site planning and operations guidance. TI's innovations include the Patented QF+ in-rack freezing and thawing system, coupled with the T2 spacer system that creates the fastest system available. TI has offices in Indiana, Illinois and Florida and operates internationally.

Follow this project as it progresses: https://www.ticold.com/dick-cold-storage

For more information: Rob Adams, TI: 260-424-2222

Media inquiries: [email protected]

SOURCE Tippmann Innovation
(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/540093/ROS_Retail_founders.jpg )



ROS Retail Outlet Shopping is ranked 8th in the European Outlet Operator Market

ecostra, Wiesbaden - the leading business consulting for the property sector and retail - announced in its latest FOC analysis of 13 July 2017 that the Viennese company managed by Thomas Reichenauer and Gerhard Graf is this year's rising star, winning a market share of 3.2% in relation to the operational outlet area in Europe, thereby attaining 8th place.



PROM - Entrusted for the Polish outlet portfolio from the Deutsche Bank with locations in Warsaw, Gdansk and Sosnowiec

The current portfolio of ROS Retail Outlet Shopping includes Designer Outlet Soltau,

City Outlet Geislingen, Shopinn Brugnato 5Terre Outlet Village and the Premier Outlet Budpaest in cooperation with Savills Investment Management since October 2016.

In June 2017 ROS was able to secure the Polish outlet portfolio from the Deutsche Bank with locations in Warsaw, Gdansk and Sosnowiec together with their joint venture partner Peakside Capital (PROM). Directly after the take over the locations were rebranded as Designer Outlet Warszawa, Designer Outlet Gdansk and Designer Outlet Sosnowiec according to the new aimed trading-up strategy.

"We are delighted about the success over the last few months and we would very much like to thank all our investors and brand partners for the confidence they have placed in us. Special thanks, however, also go to our strong local centre teams, without whom none of this would have been possible," says Thomas Reichenauer, Founder & Managing Director, ROS Retail Outlet Shopping.

Strong partnership with IKEA Centres in Portugal and Croatia

ROS retail outlet shopping also has another reason to be happy and that is the partnership with IKEA Centres. The Designer Outlet Algarve will be opening this autumn and the foundation stone for the second project with IKEA, the Designer Outlet Croatia near Zagreb, was laid last week. The opening is scheduled for spring 2018.

"We are particularly proud of our current occupancy rate of more than 50% at construction start of the Designer Outlet Croatia. Both projects demonstrate a strong interest from our brand partners in Central and Southern Europe as well as in the innovative concept with IKEA, which will set new standards in the international outlet market," said Gerhard Graf, Founder & Managing Director, ROS Retail Outlet Shopping.

Further five new developments in Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Poland in the pipeline

In addition to the currently operating outlet retail area of around 90,000 square meters, ROS Retail Outlet Shopping also plans further centre extensions and new developments of more than 100,000 square meters outlet retail space by 2019. The new project developments include the Designer Outlet Zaragoza, City Outlets Paris, City Outlet Wuppertal, Home & Design Outlet Santhia and Fashion Outlet Krakow.

For further information, please visit: www.ros-management.com

PRESS CONTACT INTERNATIONAL

Thomas Reichenauer

Managing Director | ROS Retail Outlet Shopping

T +43-1-236-632-636-2

M +43-664-413-58-91

[email protected]

SOURCE ROS Retail Outlet Shopping GmbH
Hugely anticipated on release in the spring of 1999, Beaucoup Fish continued Underworld's singular vision. From the opening Windy City meets Motor City meets Thames Estuary swoop of "Cups" through to the flickering low light coda of closing track "Moaner," the eleven tracks on Beaucoup Fish collectively served to highlight just how different the wiring of Underworld's internal logic is.

Whilst some of their peers had spawned lesser imitators, Underworld's sound on Beaucoup Fish remained resolutely theirs. While many of the prevalent fragmented electronic styles of the day would be assimilated, the end result remained unique. If there had been a mould created when Rick Smith, Darren Emerson and Karl Hyde first made music together in the spare bedroom of a terrace house in Romford, it had long since been broken. There were no imitators. There never have been.

Beaucoup Fish features the singles Moaner, Push Upstairs, Jumbo, King of Snake and Bruce Lee. The deluxe edition's second disc features eleven previously unreleased outtakes from the recording sessions. The third and fourth disc feature remixes of album tracks by the likes of Fatboy Slim, Slam, Salt City Orchestra and Adam Beyer.

The Beaucoup Fish super deluxe edition comes packaged in a hard case 12"x12" box that complements the acclaimed expanded reappraisals of dubnobasswithmyheadman (2014) and Second Toughest In The Infants (2015). This edition also includes a 60-page booklet with a new essay on the album. As with its predecessors, audio remastering was undertaken by the band's Rick Smith at Abbey Road Studios. All packaging and artwork has been created by long time Underworld collaborators tomato.

Underworld  aka Karl Hyde and Rick Smith - recently presented an installation piece - Manchester Street Poem - as part of Manchester International Festival 2017. The project spotlighted the stories of those who've found themselves homeless in the city. Their last gig  a sold out show at London's Alexandra Palace  was the band's biggest UK headline show to date.

Beaucoup Fish super deluxe tracklisting:

Disc One

1. Cups

2. Push Upstairs

3. Jumbo

4. Shudder / King Of Snake

5. Winjer

6. Skym

7. Bruce Lee

8. Kittens

9. Push Downstairs

10. Something Like A Mama

11. Moaner

Disc Two

1. Nifter - 5 A1317 Nov 97

2. Bruce Lee - Ricks 1st Dobro Mix

3. UW Orange Bed - Sept 97

4. Skym - A A1317 Nov 97

5. Jumbo - Diff Bass 2 A1317 Nov 97

6. Push Upstairs - Alt 1 A1336 July 98

7. King Of Snake - Garage Mix A1313 Set 97b

8. Something Like A Mama - Alt Mix A1340 July 98 A Upstairs

9. Please Help Me

10. Yeah Plan - From A1385

11. Ramajama

Disc Three

1. Cups - Salt City Orchestra Remix

2. Jumbo - Jedi's Sugar Hit Mix

3. Jumbo - Futureshock Vocal Mix

4. Push Upstairs - Darren Price Remix

5. King Of Snake - Slam Remix

6. King Of Snake - Fatboy Slim Remix

7. King Of Snake - Dave Clarke Remix

8. Bruce Lee - Micronauts Remix

9. Bruce Lee - Buffalo Daughter Remix

Disc Four

1. Bruce Lee - DJ Hype & DJ Zinc Vocal Mix

2. Bruce Lee - DJ Hype & DJ Zinc Instrumental Mix

3. Bruce Lee - Futureshock Remix

4. King Of Snake - Claudio Coccoluto Remix

5. King Of Snake - Martinez Remix

6. King Of Snake - Dave Angel Remix

7. Jumbo - Rob Rives & Francois Kevorkian Dub

8. Push Upstairs - Roger S Narcotic Haze Dub

9. Push Upstairs - Adam Beyer Rmx 2

SOURCE UMe
PITTSBURGH, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United Steelworkers (USW) released the following statement from USW International President Leo W. Gerard on the 10th anniversary of strikes launched by the Mexican miners and metalworkers union Los Mineros at three Grupo Mexico locations.

"On July 30, members of Los Mineros, the mining, steel and manufacturing workers' union of Mexico led by Napoleon Gomez Urrutia, will mark the 10th anniversary of their strike against Grupo Mexico at three locations: Cananea, Sombrerete, and Taxco.

"The strike began in 2007 when the company, supported by the Mexican government, attempted to remove Gomez from the union leadership and gut the union's collective bargaining agreements. At other Grupo Mexico locations, the company was able to break the Mineros and install company-controlled 'protection' unions, but workers at Cananea, Sombrerete, and Taxco have continued to resist thanks to the support of their fellow union members and their families over the past decade.

"Grupo Mexico has continued its effort to suppress democratic unions. At Cananea, the company installed a puppet union, the CTM, in 2010 after an armed assault on the Mineros by 4,000 military and police backed by helicopters. Since that date, workers have continued to die as a result of health and safety violations, and nearly three years ago on August 6, 2014, the company released millions of gallons of toxic mine waste into the Sonora River, poisoning local communities.

"The Mineros and local residents have continued to fight back, demanding that the company pay for the damage to the environment as well as profit-sharing payments that are owed to Mineros members. Likewise, workers in Taxco and Sombrerete have fiercely resisted the company's attempts to buy them off or force them out.

"At mines, mills, and factories across Mexico, the government has assisted employers to fight Mineros organizing campaigns and bargaining demands, denying workers the right to free elections to choose their union and using violence to break strikes. The government has refused to allow the leader of the Mineros, Napoleon Gomez, to enter the country, continuing to file spurious criminal charges against him even after he was cleared by the highest court in 2014.

"Despite these attacks, the Mineros have continued to organize new members, launch strikes, and win the highest wage increases of any workers in Mexico.

"Grupo Mexico has also disregarded the rights of USW members at Asarco in Arizona and Texas, who have been working without a wage increase since 2009. The company has refused to pay copper bonuses to employees hired after June 30, 2011. Region 28 of the National Labor Relations Board has issued several unfair labor practice charges against the company. The USW continues to fight for a fair and equitable contract for its members.

"Led by USW District 12, the Steelworkers and Workers Uniting have stood with our Mineros sisters and brothers for the past decade, working together to build cross-border solidarity in defense of workers' rights and in support of local communities. We will continue this solidarity  one day longer  until justice is won.

"On Aug. 16, Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. will begin discussions on the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Unions from all three countries have demanded that any new agreement include an effective and enforceable mechanism to prevent violations of workers' fundamental rights to organize, bargain, and strike.

"One thing is clear  we can never support or accept a trade agreement that permits attacks on the rights of workers and the welfare of communities such as those committed by the Mexican government and Grupo Mexico over the past decade."

The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors. For more information: http://www.usw.org/.

CONTACT: Ben Davis: (412) 562-2501,

[email protected]

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)

Related Links

http://www.usw.org


AUSTIN, Texas, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- VARStreet today announced it is exhibiting CompTIA ChannelCon 2017 "Be The Change," the IT industry's premier education, networking and partnering event at the Texas JW Marriott in Austin, Texas, July 31  August 2, 2017.

Hosted annually by CompTIA, ChannelCon brings together executives and thought-leaders from across the technology industry for three days of educational sessions, panels, keynotes, and networking opportunities on the most important topics and trends impacting the industry. The event is attended by technology vendors, distributors and solution providers and IT professionals, as well as industry influencers, press and analysts from across the IT channel. More event details, including registration, are available here. Follow VARStreet and CompTIA ChannelCon via Twitter using the hashtag #ChannelCon17.

Throughout CompTIA ChannelCon 2017, VARStreet will engage with hundreds of IT professionals and highlight its Ecommerce and Sales Quoting Software, which is available to channel partners in the United States and Canada. To secure an appointment with VARStreet at ChannelCon, please email at [email protected] or call 781-262-0609. Event attendees are encouraged to visit VARStreet at booth number #716 during the Technology Vendor Fair.

Shiv Agarwal, Vice President  Sales, VARStreet says "At CompTIA ChannelCon, the kind of attendees that visit, meet our requirements that we are looking for in a prospect. We are happy to be participating in the event and we are looking forward to meeting new prospects as well as existing customers."

"We're delighted to have VARStreet join us this year for CompTIA ChannelCon," said Kelly Ricker, executive vice president, events and education, CompTIA. "As our largest annual gathering, and we are proud to be able to deliver exceptional business value to ChannelCon attendees through leading-edge training and educational sessions, panels and keynotes featuring technology industry thought-leaders, and networking opportunities and learning tracks designed to help IT professionals expand their current skill-sets into areas that are re-shaping the technology landscape."

To learn more about VARStreet, visit http://www.varstreetinc.com/, https://www.facebook.com/VARStreet and https://twitter.com/Tweet_varstreet.

More information on the complete CompTIA ChannelCon 2017 program, including keynotes, panels and educational sessions, is included in the event agenda available here. Registration for CompTIA ChannelCon and the ChannelCon Vendor Summit is open and availableonline.

Media and IT industry analysts are encouraged to attend the conference. Highlights from CompTIA ChannelCon will be available on Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #ChannelCon17.

CompTIA: Building the Foundation for Technology's Future

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the world's leading technology association, with approximately 2,000 member companies, 3,000 academic and training partners, over 100,000 registered users and more than two million IT certifications issued. CompTIA's unparalleled range of programs foster workforce skills development and generate critical knowledge and insight  building the foundation for technology's future. Visit CompTIA online, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to learn more.

About VARStreet

VARStreet is a cloud based all-in-one business management software for all IT & Office Supplies VARS MSP's System Integrators & Solution Providers in USA and Canada. Founded in 1999, VARStreet has worked with 4000+ VARS and 15,000+ VAR users, collective wisdom of which has helped us create the industry leading VAR Business Management application. VARStreet comprehensive Business Management suite includes  integration with 35+ distributors for daily catalog and pricing update, a very robust Quoting Module with a Mobile Quoting App for anytime anywhere quoting, CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote solution) for large enterprise VARS, CRM (Customer Relationship Management), Sales Order Management, Purchasing / Procurement Management and a sophisticated eCommerce Store. VARStreet also integrates with all leading CRM, Accounting and ERP applications. VARStreet also comes with an in-house team of 50+ engineers to handle all customizations and professional service requirements.

SOURCE VARStreet
ALLENTOWN, Pa., July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the 3rd leading cause of mortality in the United States. Additionally, readmission rates for this patient population are among the highest of any chronic condition. In fact, Vidant Medical Center in North Carolina reports COPD as the 3rd leading cause for readmission within it's system.

It is well documented that proper care, planning and education of both the patient and their family can impact readmission and improve quality of life for patients.

With a long reputation to tackle healthcare challenges Vidant Health and PMD Healthcare are collaborating on a COPD readmission reduction program that will be conducted at Vidant's 900+ bed Medical Center in Greenville, NC.

Patients admitted to Vidant Medical Center with a primary diagnosis of COPD will be evaluated upon discharge for inclusion in a remote patient monitoring program utilizing PMD Healthcare's Spiro PD 2.0 and Wellness Management System (WMS) remote monitoring program. Vidant's care team will utilize automated care plans and PMD's WMS Platform to monitor patients' biometrics, medication adherence and symptoms via WIFI enabled technology supporting real time data review by the Vidant team.

Study objectives include:

Evaluation of 30- 60 and 90 day readmissions of COPD patients in the study compared to non- study patients. Evaluation of 30- 60 and 90 day visits to the emergency room of COPD patients in the study compared to non- study patients. Measure medication adherence as assessed by the Spiro 2.0 WMS program. Demonstrate patient engagement as assessed by per protocol use of the Spiro 2.0.

About Vidant Health

Vidant Health is a mission-driven, 1,439-bed health system that annually serves more than 1.4 million people in 29 eastern North Carolina counties. The not-for-profit system is made up of 12,000 employees, eight hospitals, home health, hospice, wellness centers, and Vidant Medical Group, a multispecialty physician and provider group with more than 420 providers in 80 practice sites. Vidant Health is affiliated with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. As a major resource for health services and education, Vidant Health has a mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina. For more information, visit www.vidanthealth.com.

About PMD Healthcare

Founded in 2010, PMD Healthcare is a Medical Device, Digital Health, and Chronic Care Management Service Company with a mission dedicated to creating innovative solutions that empower people to improve their healthcare and quality of life. With that intent focus, PMD developed the first ever personal spirometer, Spiro PD, which was approved by the FDA in 2011. PMD is now launching several new remote monitoring products including its second-generation spirometer, Spiro PD 2.0, and its HIPPA compliant Wellness Management System (WMS). To learn more about PMD Healthcare, please visit www.MyPMD.com.

SOURCE PMD Healthcare

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The love story of a 9-year-old boy and an 18-year-old girl has failed to get acceptance from the viewers.

By Parmita Uniyal: Unless you have been living under the rock, you must be aware about the concept of Sony TV's recently-launched Pehredaar Piya Ki. A 9-year-old boy (Afaan Khan) falls in love with an 18-year-old girl Diya (Tejasswi Prakash), who he thinks is the pari of his favourite fairytale. He stalks her, clicks her photos secretly, rescues her from a cockroach, and then proposes her for marriage. And if you thought, all this was a joke, it wasn't.

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The subsequent episodes show their wedding and a grihpravesh with a kalash full of popcorn.

If makers thought this bizarre storyline had any takers, they were mistaken. Indian TV viewers are used to watching saas and bahus fighting over irrelevant issues, and naagin, daayan and chudails romancing human beings; they might also have the patience to bear with over-stretched and illogical tracks; but thankfully, they rejected this weird love story which the writers probably penned thinking it to be something new and that it was alright for a kid to get attracted to an 18-year-old girl at this tender age.

To our relief, the show that premiered on July 17, did not make it to the list of Top 20 shows, according to BARC India's latest ratings.

In the wake of these poor ratings and heavy criticism from all quarters, can we now please urge the channel and the makers to take this stupid show off air. Thanks in advance.

Also read: Pehredaar Piya Ki TV review: A 9-year-old stalking a 19-year-old is not funny

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BOSTON, July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WiserTogether today announces a partnership with Peers Health and the launch of the Return to Health healthcare treatment platform for Disability and Workers' Compensation Markets. This solution is an enhanced version of the company's flagship Return to Health platform specifically designed to address the unique needs of the workers' comp and disability markets. The platform informs, guides and initiates the treatment steps to returning to health, improving the claimants' decision process and leading to greater adherence and decreased cost.

Return to Health integrates clinical guidelines, cost transparency, and return to health timeline data with the specific conditions and attributes of the claimant. The solution synthesizes this vast array of data into Best, Good and Poor treatment categories, enabling the individual to understand, act and adhere to the most appropriate treatments on their road to recovery.

Peers Health is committed to delivering world-class resources that improve outcomes in the return to work markets. Return to Health uses the timelines for recovery from the best practice guidelines of ODG, the leading professional guidelines product in workers' compensation and disability markets, published by Data Institute (WLDI). This product extends the reach of the multi-year partnership between Peers and WLDI.

"With the exponential growth of clinical treatment information available online, some appropriate and some not, it is increasingly challenging for individuals to determine what the most appropriate treatment options are for them," said Max Kahn, WiserTogether CEO. "We are excited about the capabilities within the Return to Health platform to effectively guide individuals to the right treatments and facilitate the steps to return to health, leading to better outcomes and lower costs for our clients."

"Enabling individuals and populations to be knowledgeable about their treatment options and to be equal partners in the treatment process leads to better decisions and better outcomes," commented Jon Seymour, CEO of Peers Health. "It is exciting to see the new capabilities within the Return to Health platform from WiserTogether. By syncing the content with ODG's professional solutions, providing an easy-to-implement communication channel directly to the injured worker, we have positioned this product to truly impact the individuals with a disability or on the job injury."

Key components of the Return to Health platform include:

Drives action through a consumer-friendly interface, available on any platform with native mobile apps for Apple and Android and a cloud-based web design.

Aligns clinical guideline efficacy, cost, return to health timeline data, and consumer preference with treatment options for each condition.

Categorizes each treatment into "Best", "Good" and "Poor" categories based on the condition identified and specific attributes of the patient.

Provides referential information on both the condition and treatment, enabling the individual to understand their condition and treatment options.

Facilitates the actions necessary to move forward on the appropriate treatments.

For more information or to request a demo of Return to Health, please contact John Nelson at [email protected].

About WiserTogether

WiserTogether is a leader in consumer-focused healthcare information technology solutions that advance clinical outcomes, financial and patient satisfaction results. Our innovative solutions enable consumers to circumvent the immense amount of data on the internet and in the market and effectively guide individuals to the best treatment options for them. To learn more visit www.wisertogether.com.

About Peers Health

Peers Health creates and distributes information technology that has a measurable impact on people's health and productivity. To learn more visit www.peershealth.com.

Media Contact:

Karen Gardner

WiserTogether Public Relations

[email protected]

(617) 549-1909

SOURCE WiserTogether

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BRISBANE, Australia, July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In a ground-breaking new deal, Kaan Air Australia, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) company, and StarFlight Australia, have signed an agreement worth up to AUD $63 million to bring 10 Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters into Australia, with options for an additional 10 aircraft.



In a world-first refurbishment program to be undertaken in Brisbane, the agreement will see the purchase of 10 ex-US military Black Hawks, to be imported into Australia early next year. The Black Hawks will be brought up to 'as new' condition and repurposed specifically for aerial firebombing operations during future bushfire seasons around Australia and New Zealand and for year-round emergency services and disaster relief work.

The aircraft will be refurbished and maintained in Brisbane by Sikorsky. This initiative sees Kaan Air Australia and StarFlight Australia partner to usher in a new era in Australian emergency services and disaster relief aviation.

This agreement with Sikorsky Australia will be a boost for local aviation jobs, potentially creating more than 50 pilot and technical jobs in the long term, including apprenticeships.

John Skeen, chief executive officer of Kaan Air Australia and StarFlight Australia, welcomed the new agreement and said the deal would assist emergency services in filling a significant gap within Australia's firefighting and disaster relief resources.

"This is a game-changer for aviation in Australia. The purchase of 10 plus 10 optioned Black Hawks represents a significant milestone for the firebombing and disaster relief helicopter industry in Australia, particularly in terms of efficient rotary wing attack to reduce loss of life and property during bushfire events," said Skeen.



"The helicopters are being purchased by an Australian company, will be registered in Australia and most importantly, will be fully maintained and supported in Australia by the helicopter OEM Sikorsky and its supply chain commitment, helping to boost local jobs in the area and guaranteeing ongoing supply chain support of our Black Hawk fleet."

General Manager of Sikorsky Australia, Andrew Rushbrook, said that as the original manufacturer of the Black Hawk helicopter, there is no company better positioned to refurbish and maintain this incredible aircraft and no better place to do so than at Sikorsky Australia headquarters in Brisbane.

Kaan Air is one of Europe's leading helicopter utility operator and a renowned helicopter manufacturer (OEM) distributor for AgustaWestland and Russian helicopters and has significant operational experience in helicopter firefighting, off-shore and Air Medical Service businesses. In 2015 Kaan Air Australia established a joint venture under the StarFlight name with LifeFlight Australia.

Kaan Air Australia Chairman, Mr. Ferda Yildiz, said it was an important and significant deal for his company.

"We are very happy to be able to take part and contribute to the helicopter firefighting and disaster relief effort within Australia and further strengthen our ties with a very distinguished OEM, Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin," Yildiz said. "We aim to expand this cooperation beyond Australia in other parts of the world in similar projects using the expertise of our Australian company."

The initial 10 Black Hawk helicopters have been hand-picked by Sikorsky for their suitability in aerial firebombing and external heavy load lifting ability, and will be made available by StarFlight to assist emergency services and fire agencies in bushfires and natural disasters across the country.



StarFlight Australia will be the operator of the aircraft. The Black Hawks will undergo three months of extensive refurbishment, including new high performance engines, upgraded gear boxes, installation of Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS) and a general overhaul which will be carried out by Sikorsky at its Pinkenba facility in Brisbane.

About Lockheed Martin Australia

Headquartered in Canberra, Lockheed Martin Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation. The company employs more than 800 people in Australia working on a wide range of major programs spanning the aerospace, defence and civil sectors.

SOURCE Lockheed Martin

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By PTI: Dhaka, Jul 28 (PTI) A key suspect involved in planning Bangladeshs worst terror attack on a popular cafe was today arrested, becoming the sixth militant to be taken into custody, police said.

Aslam Hossain Rashed alias Rash, was reportedly a coordinator and one of the key planners of Holey Artisan Bakery attack in the upmarket Gulshan area in which 22 people, including an Indian woman, were killed.

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He belongs to the Islamic State-inclined Neo-Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (Neo-JMB), the Dhaka Tribune reported.

Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) and a team from police headquarters conducted search operations in Natore and Bogra in northern Bangladesh to arrest Rashed.

"We are bringing Rashed from Natore to Dhaka. He will be taken to court and shown arrested in the cafe attack case," Monirul Islam, the head of polices counterterrorism unit, said.

"Rash was a close associate to Tamim Chowdhury, the Bangladeshi-Canadian who headed the Neo-JMB, before being shot dead in a police raid following the cafe attack," he said.

Rashed became the six militant to be taken into custody.

The militants who were previously arrested were ? Sohel Mahfuz, Basharuzzaman, Mizanur Rahman, Hadisur Rahman Sagor, Rashedul Islam.

Bangladesh witnessed its worst terror attack when five gunmen stormed the upscale Holey Artisan Bakery and OKitchen inside Dhakas diplomatic district on July 1 last year. PTI KJ UZM KJ

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By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) India today continued to maintain that diplomatic channels were "functional" to resolve the ongoing standoff in Dokalam in the Sikkim sector.

"I think that you are presuming. I will not give a direct answer... There are diplomatic channels. We (both India and China) have embassies which are functioning. The embassies are under bodies of the MEA, which is under the external affairs minister," external affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said.

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He was asked why the foreign ministers of India and China are not talking to each other.

He also did not reply to a question on whether there was any hope of a resolution during the China visit of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Baglay only said his visit was in the context of meeting of NSAs of BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa).

Chinese and Indian soldiers have been locked in a face- off in Dokalam area since June 16 after Indian troops stopped the Chinese army from building a road in the disputed area.

To another question on the possible visit of Mongolias newly-elected President Khaltma Battulga to India and if he was invited keeping in mind the China angle, Baglay said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had send him a congratulatory message.

The message also carried an invitation to visit India as the prime minister had visited Mongolia for the last summit and it was turn of the Mongolian leader to come here for such a meeting, he said.

The dates for his visit will be worked through diplomatic channels as per mutual convenience, Baglay said and also asserted that Indias bilateral ties with any country were independent and were not linked with any third country.

On whether the Union home ministry had shared any information on the recent arrest of some Hurriyat leaders, involved in cases of terror-funding by Pakistan, he only said regular interactions between various departments on all issues are "usual". PTI PYK ZMN

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Chandigarh, July 21 : Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who completed 1,000 days in office on Friday, said he has been able to provide development-oriented, corruption-free and transparent governance, taking inspiration from the "Gujarat model" of governance.

Emphasising that his government worked for the welfare of all without discriminating on caste or region, Khattar said that all regions of the state were witnessing development uniformly.

"We took inspiration from Gujarat where the development model did not have any discrimination or regional bias," Khattar said.

He said the previous Congress government in Haryana (2005-2014) indulged in open discrimination by carrying out development works only in some districts and areas dominated by certain castes.

"The earlier government left several potholes for us but we are committed to work for the welfare of the people," Khattar said, adding that he was hopeful that the electorate in Haryana would bring the Bharatiya JAnata Party (BJP) back to power in the state.

The next assembly polls in Haryana will be held in October 2019, about six months after the next General Election in the country.

The BJP, which came to power in Haryana for the first time on its own in October 2014, has 47 legislators in the 90-member assembly.

Citing the example of the backward and Muslim-dominated district of Mewat in south Haryana, Khattar said: "That (Mewat) area was completed ignored by the previous government which considered it only as a votebank. We are committed to accelerate development in that belt."

He said that he had made over 3,700 announcements since assuming office and work on 1,854 of these had been either completed or was nearing completion.
Ghaziabad, July 24 : A CBI court on Monday convicted businessman Moninder Singh Pandher and his domestic help Surender Koli to death in a Nithari serial rape and murder case, observing it is a rarest of rare case which had shaken society.

Special Judge Pawan Kumar Tripathi gave the ruling after finding them guilty of rape, murder, abduction, tampering with evidence and criminal conspiracy over the killing of a 20-year-old woman.

The judge also slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 on Koli under Section 302, a further 10 years for abduction with intention to murder and Rs 10,000 fine, 10 years jail under Sections 376 (rape)and 511 (attempt to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life) and a Rs 10,000 fine and seven year jail term and Rs 5,000 fine under Section 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence). All the terms of imprisonment would be increased for failure to pay the fines.

Pandher was slapped a Rs 10,000 fine under Section 302, a seven year jail term along with Rs 10,000 fine under Sections 376 and 511 and seven years jail and Rs 5,000 fine under Section 201. All jail terms would be increased for failing to pay the fines.

The case, the eighth of the several lodged against them, was registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on December 29, 2006.

Koli and Pandher were present in the court during the sentencing. Pandher was earlier out on bail but was taken into police custody on Saturday after being held guilty.

Prosecution lawyer J.P. Sharma sought the death sentence and argued that forensic evidence proved that Koli abducted, killed and raped the woman and also tampered with evidence.

Since Pandher was in collusion with his domestic help, so he deserved the same punishment for the crime rarest of rare, he said.

Also seeking the death penalty for both the convicts, lawyer Khalid Khan, appearing for the victim's family, alleged that police had been lax from the beginning and therefore the woman's family had engaged him in the case.

On October 5, 2006, the woman was returning home from work. She took the road outside Pandher's residence.

Koli lured her inside where she was killed and beheaded. Investigators found her skull behind the house, and its DNA matched with her parents.

Her parents also identified her clothes, which were recovered from Koli.

Defence lawyer Devraj Singh pleaded for minimum punishment as Pandher suffers from high blood pressure and diabetes.

He also said it has been proved that on that date of the crime, he was in Dehradun. Claiming that Pandher had been denied justice, since in an earlier case, he was acquitted by the Allahabad High Court. He also noted that the Supreme Court had found Koli guilty of crime, not Pandher.

The gruesome cases came to light in 2006 when the police discovered the skulls and bones of 16 persons, mostly children, near Pandher's house in Noida's Nithari village.

Earlier, many children had gone missing from the nearby slums of Nithari and their parents alleged that police had ignored their complaints.

It was alleged that Koli would lure the children to the house, offering them sweets and chocolates, murder them and have sex with the corpses. He was also accused of cannibalism. He would throw the bones and other belongings into a ditch behind the house.
New Delhi, July 24 : The Supreme Court on Monday asked Chandigarh's Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) to examine a 10-year-old rape victim who is 26 weeks pregnant and ascertain the extent of risk to her life if the court was to allow an abortion.

A bench of Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud asked the PGIMER to set up a medical board and conduct the examination on Wednesday, and submit its report in a sealed cover.

Asking the secretary, Chandigarh Legal Services Authority, to assist as amicus curiae, the court directed next hearing of the matter on July 28.

The order came on a PIL by advocate Alok Srivastava who moved the top court after a plea for the medical termination of pregnancy was refused by a district court in Chandigarh on July 18.

The top court also issued a notice to the Central government on the plea which also sought framing of guidelines for setting up of medical boards in every district for an expeditious examination of cases necessitating abortions in incidents of child rape victims.

"Medical experts have categorically opined that if the 10-year-old rape survivor is forced to give birth through normal delivery or C-section, it may be fatal to the life of the girl as well her child," says the PIL.

The petitioner has also sought amendment of Section 3 of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, which prohibits termination of pregnancy beyond 20 weeks.

The top court had on July 3 allowed a Kolkata woman who was 26 weeks pregnant to abort the foetus suffering from serious abnormalities following a report from the city's premier SSKM Hospital.
New Delhi, July 24 : Oil and gas fields in the Krishna Godavari (KG) Basin in India's eastern offshore would attract investment of about $23 billion for these hydrocarbons' exploitation, Parliament was informed on Monday.

"The operators of blocks/fields in KG basin under Production Sharing Contract (PSC) regime and nomination fields have submitted DoC (Declaration of Commerciality)/FDP (Field Development Plans) for the commercial oil and gas discoveries along with projected investment estimates," Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told the Lok Sabha in a written reply, adding that the estimated investment from various stakeholders was $22.9 billion.

The new oil and gas production from these fields in the KG Basin is expected to reach up to 22.27 billion cubic meters of gas, and 4.68 million metric tonnes of oil by 2021-22, he said.

Last month, Reliance Industries and British major, BP, annnouced the creation of a joint venture energy vertical to work across the entire value chain, involving investment of $6 billion, or Rs 40,000 crore. This would also develop their existing deep water gas fields in India's eastern offshore to bring to fresh production 1 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas by 2022.

Pradhan also informed the Lok Sabha on Monday that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had given in-principle approval for sale of the government's 51.11 per cent stake along with the management control of oil marketer HPCL to the exploration firm ONGC.

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) will continue as a public sector undertaking after Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) acquires its stake, he said.

"The proposed acquisition in the oil sector will create a vertically integrated public sector oil major company having presence across the entire value chain.

"This will give ONGC an enhanced capacity to bear higher risks, take higher investment decisions and to neutralise impact of global crude oil price volatility," he said.
Washington, July 26 : The US Senate voted to begin debate on how to repeal and, eventually, replace the healthcare reform implemented by former President Barack Obama, although it is still not known what the final form of the bill might be.

Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday, presiding over the Upper House, had to use his tiebreaking authority to overcome the impasse between Republicans and Democrats, given that conservative Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted against the motion to begin debate on the bill, Efe news reported.

Senate Republicans are not in agreement on how to overturn ObamaCare, but President Donald Trump has been relentlessly pressuring the GOP to push forward with some kind of healthcare reform and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell convened the vote to begin debate without a concrete text for the bill in hand.

So far, the three bills presented to attempt to overturn ObamaCare have not managed to garner Republican consensus, and thus Trump and the party -- although it holds a majority in the Senate -- have been unable to fulfill one of their key campaign promises.

Senator John McCain of Arizona, despite his recent diagnosis of brain cancer, returned to Washington exclusively for Tuesday's session so that he could vote on the motion to begin debate on the health care matter.

McCain reportedly voted to begin debate, despite the fact that various analyses have estimated that some 24 million people would lose their health care coverage over the next decade if Republicans manage to push through some kind of bill to overturn ObamaCare.

All Senate Democrats, along with Collins and Murkowski, voted against the motion to begin debate.

However, about half a dozen Republican lawmakers kept their cards close to the vest until the last moment on how they would vote, having expressed serious doubts about the legislative alternatives to ObamaCare presented to date.

In the meantime, the mini-victory does not guarantee that Republicans will be able to find consensus within their ranks for some kind of bill to repeal ObamaCare.
Washington, July 26 : The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill that will slap tougher sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea, media reports said.

Congressmen voted 419-3 to pass the bill, with three Republicans -- Justin Amash, Jimmy Duncan and Thomas Massie -- voting against the bill.

The overwhelming support for the bill, which was voted under special procedures to pass with a two-thirds majority, means that the House could override a presidential veto, Xinhua news agency reported.

The measure aims at targeting key Russian officials in retaliation for Moscow's alleged interference in the 2016 US presidential election, as well as sanctions against Iran and the North Korea in response to their weapons programs.

"These three regimes in different parts of the world are threatening vital US interests, and they are destabilizing their neighbours," House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce said on Tuesday. "It is well past time that we forcefully respond."

In addition to imposing new sanctions on the three countries, the bill also grants Congress the power to block Trump from lifting sanctions on Russia. This came despite that Trump administration officials had called on lawmakers to grant "flexibility" to the White House in dealing with Russia.

According to the bill, Congress will have power to veto any decision made by the president that would "significantly alter" US foreign policy in connection with Russia.

The White House on Sunday signaled that President Donald Trump would accept the new legislation despite initial opposition.

"We support where the legislation is now, and will continue to work with the House and Senate to put those tough sanctions in place on Russia," said newly appointed White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
Washington, July 26 : The US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved a new sweeping package of sanctions against Russia for its interference in the 2016 US presidential election, despite President Donald Trump objecting to the legislation.

Congressmen voted 419-3 to pass the bill on Tuesday, with three Republicans -- Justin Amash, Jimmy Duncan and Thomas Massie -- voting against the bill. The bill gives Congress the power to block any effort by the White House to weaken sanctions on Russia, offering a direct challenge to President Donald Trump's authority, CNN reported.

The overwhelming support for the bill, which was voted under special procedures to pass with a two-thirds majority, forces Trump to obtain lawmakers' permission before easing any sanctions on Moscow.

The measure targets key Russian officials in retaliation for Moscow's alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election. It also includes sanctions against Iran and North Korea in response to their weapons programmes.

The legislation needs to be passed through the Senate before it can be sent on to the President to be signed. The White House said it was reviewing the bill, and it was unclear whether Trump will veto it.

"While the President supports tough sanctions on North Korea, Iran and Russia, the White House is reviewing the House legislation and awaits a final legislative package for the President's desk," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

"He has no intention of getting rid of them, but he wants to make sure we get the best deal for the American people possible," she said.

"Congress does not have the best record on that... He's going to study that legislation and see what the final product looks like," Sanders said.

Representative Ed Royce, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said: "Left unchecked, Russia is sure to continue its aggression."

He said it was "well past time that we forcefully respond" to the conduct of all three countries, the New York Times reported.

Senate Democrats cheered the deal whereas some key Republicans were more reserved. Representative Eliot L. Engel of New York, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, called the bill "a strong, direct response to Vladimir Putin's efforts to undermine American democracy".

Engel said he hoped the measure would not face further delays in the Senate, a prospect that Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the minority leader, seemed eager to escape.

"It's critical the Senate act promptly on this legislation," Schumer said, calling for passage before lawmakers leave for summer recess.
Moscow, July 26 : Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on Wednesday slammed the US move to impose fresh sanctions on Moscow, calling it "destruction of prospects for normalising relations between the two countries".

Ryabkov's comments came after the US House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a package of further punitive measures for Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 US elections and its 2014 annexation of the Crimea.

"What is happening is beyond common sense," Ryabkov told Russia's official TASS news agency. "The authors and sponsors of this bill are making a very serious step towards destruction of prospects for normalising relations with Russia."

He said the approval of the law "would be the work of the enemies of Russia and the US".

Ryabkov also said that Washington's move had complicated negotiations between the two countries about the reutrn of seized Russian diplomatic property in the US.

"The US executive authority's capabilities to make the only correct decision to return to us the diplomatic property without any conditions are significantly narrowed... Therefore, of course our dialogue on this topic becomes even more difficult," Sputnik news agency quoted Ryabkov as telling RIA Novosti.

The bill awaits a final vote in the Senate before it can be presented to US President Donald Trump, who has the power to veto the measure. Ryabkov called the result of the vote "predicted" and said that the sanctions bill would soon be approved by the US Senate.

The bill also includes extended punitive measures against North Korea and Iran and would limit Trump's capacity to ease sanctions on Russia in the future without seeking the approval of lawmakers.

Since taking over at the White House in January, Trump had been fighting off accusations that members of his election campaign team colluded with Russia in order to gather damaging information against his Democrat opponent Hillary Clinton.
Chandigarh, July 26 : The first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Haryana led by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar is patting itself on its back for having completed 1,000 days in office and highlighting its achievements. But not many, especially the opposition, are impressed by the claims.

While the Khattar government is upbeat about "ushering in an era of change in the state by giving people transparent, graft-free and responsive administration, divorcing growth from regional and political bias and showing discretion and nepotism the gate in recruitment to various posts", opposition leaders and people on the ground are taking the claims with a pinch of salt.

Opposition Congress leaders are pointing out that Khattar and his government have nothing to show in the name of performance and that he is harping on old accusations that he used to make when he entered office.

"The Chief Minister and his government have nothing in the name of performance. In fact, all development that was taking place in Haryana has come to a complete standstill. Even after nearly three years in power, Khattar is still blaming the Congress party for the mess in the state," Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Deepinder Hooda pointed out.

Khattar, in his recent media interaction to highlight 1,000 days in office, said that the previous Congress government headed by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda had created potholes which his government was still trying to fill.

The Indian National Lok Dal, Haryana's principal opposition party, is also highly critical of Khattar's tenure.

"This is the most nikkami (incompetent) government that Haryana has ever seen. No development is taking place," INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala said.

Khattar, a former Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) pracharak, was a political greenhorn and a first-time legislator when the BJP picked him to be the Chief Minister on October 26, 2014. He had not held any office or administrative position till then.

The complete breakdown of law and order during the Jat reservation agitation in February 2016 put a permanent scar on Haryana's social and political fabric and the Khattar government's inept handling led to the situation going out of hand and resulting in large-scale violence.

Violence during the agitation left 30 people dead and over 200 injured. Government and private property worth hundreds of crores was damaged during the violence. But all of that has not stopped Khattar from claiming that "Haryana has been placed on a high-growth trajectory".

Khattar, in these 1,000 days, has visited the US, Canada, China, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore to attract investment to Haryana. Not mamy of the hyped investment proposals have seen the light of day so far.

"We have induced new thinking and adopted a fresh approach to solve the problems faced by the people. Concrete and conscious steps have been taken to improve things by changing the way the government works, and making people change their perception about it," Khattar claimed.

For a state where government jobs by previous dispensations have always been given on caste, regional and other considerations, the Khattar government claims to have stemmed the rot.

"Transparency has been injected not only into day-to-day administration but also in providing government jobs to the youth. Earlier, people used to think that their education and capability had no value as jobs are given either on the recommendations of political functionaries or through corruption. But we have changed the system which has brought great relief to the common man," Khattar maintained.

To further control corruption, the Khattar government has taken initiatives on the information technology (IT) front.

The CLU (change of land use) permission, which used to be the biggest scam in previous regimes, too has been decentralised and made deadline-bound.

But at the same time, the Khattar government has witnessed frequent transfers of bureaucrats and officers at various levels. Within the Chief Minister's own office, senior bureaucrats and functionaries have been moved around a few times, causing instability in governance.

With the next assembly elections -- which will be held after the 2019 general elections -- still over two years away, Khattar and his government will have to show more action in their governance on the ground.

(Jaideep Sarin can be contacted at jaideep.s@ians.in)
By PTI: Chennai, Jul 28 (PTI) Ridiculing the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, DMK leader M K Stalin today likened it to a "circus camp", claiming that the "gutkha scam" alone would unseat the government and there was no need for his party to topple it.

"It is a circus camp.... Each day, a person from the ruling party issues a statement. A propaganda is on that we are planning to topple the government. There is no need for it...the gutkha scam alone will unseat them," the DMK working president told reporters here.

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The AIADMK is currently divided into camps led by Chief Minister E K Palaniswami, former chief minister O Panneerselvam and the party deputy general secretary and nephew of party chief V K Sasikala, T T V Dhinakaran, respectively.

Last year, Income Tax raids at an illegal gutkha manufacturing unit here had led to the unearthing of documents, which pointed towards alleged bribes to a minister and officials, including a senior police officer.

The DMK has been targeting the government over it and the issue also went to the Madras High Court. Palaniswami had said a vigilance inquiry into the matter was on.

To a question, Stalin said though the state government had claimed that it was contemplating promulgating an ordinance on the NEET issue, "efforts do not seem to have been taken towards that".

He accused the state government of adopting "double standards" and staging "dramas" over the issue.

The political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the AIADMK and DMK, are opposed to the NEET, maintaining that the rural and urban poor and students from oppressed castes would be affected, which in turn would pose a threat to social justice.

Earlier, Stalin called on CPI(M) state secretary G Ramakrishnan, who was detained by the police at a marriage hall in north Chennai, for staging a demonstration on the NEET issue.

CPI state secretary R Mutharasan had taken part in a human chain demonstration held by the DMK here yesterday. PTI VGN APR RC

--- ENDS ---
Beijing, July 26 : India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval along with his BRICS counterparts will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday.

Doval will reach Beijing on Thursday to attend the two-day BRICS security meet. Officials here said the meeting will take place in the afternoon.

It is to be seen if Doval and China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi will meet on the sidelines of the summit.

Beijing has ruled out any talks with New Delhi until New Delhi withdraws troops from Doklam on the Sikkim section of the Sino-Indian border.

China on Wednesday made clear that India's pullback from Doklam remained the "precondition" for any dialogue on the issue.

The NSA meet, where the five-nation bloc traditionally discusses counterterrorism and security issues, assumes significance in view of the dragging border row between India and China.

On Monday, an editorial in the state-run Global Times said India should not pin hopes on Doval's visit to resolve the border stand-off.
New Delhi, July 26 : After refusing to field its General Secretary, Sitaram Yechury, for a third Rajya Sabha term from West Bengal, the CPI-M on Wednesday said it would support an 'acceptable' independent candidate of the opposition parties in the biennial poll, failing which it will consider contesting the seat.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, which met on Tuesday, rejected the West Bengal State Committee's proposal to put up Yechury for the third term in the Rajya Sabha.

Yechury told reporters on Wednesday that there were three reasons for the refusal.

First reason he cited was that the party was averse to the idea of taking The Congress's support, which it had to since it does not have the required numbers to secure the seat on its own. The second reason was that the party wanted the General Secretary to "spend more time with the party and the organisation".

The third reason, Yechury said, was the party norm which does not allow more than two terms for a member of Parliament.

When asked whether the CPI-M will support a Congress candidate for the sixth Rajya Sabha seat from West Bengal, Yechury said only an independent candidate "acceptable to all opposition parties" will be considered by the party.

He added that in a situation where a consensus could not be reached, the CPI-M along with other Left parties will consider fielding their own candidate.
Guwahati, July 26 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to flood-hit Gujarat and announcement of Rs 500-crore package for the state has drawn flak from various sections in Assam, who have alleged neglect of their state by the central government.

While Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), a prominent farmers' organisation in Assam, has condemned the attitude of the Prime Minister, Congress spokesman and former state minister Pradyut Bordoloi lambasted the Prime Minister and the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre for Assam's neglect.

They alleged that the central government was neglecting the issue of devastating floods in Assam that has led to 76 persons' death and affected over 25 lakh.

"We do not have any objection to the Prime Minister announcing Rs 500 crore for the state of Gujarat. But the people of Assam are also suffering due to devastating floods... What stopped him from announcing a package for Assam to tide over the situation?" said KMSS President Akhil Gogoi.

"The Prime Minister often delivers emotional dialogues regarding Assam and the Northeast. But he should have considered the case of Assam when the state was witnessing one of the worst floods. The central government has sent a team now when the water has started receding. What will they see and assess now," asked Gogoi.

Congress spokesman Bordoloi said the people of Assam and Northeast had been suffering from a sense of neglect.

"Earlier, Prime Ministers at least made attempts to reach out to the people here in times of crisis. But Prime Minister Modi visits Assam only during election or to inaugurate a bridge which was constructed by the Congress," Bordoloi said.

"He is a good actor and he has shown his true colour after his visit to Gujarat, which is even economically stronger than Assam. He did not even have time to visit Assam, so he sent a junior minister to take stock of the situation here," said Bordoloi, adding that this showed the seriousness of the government.

BJP leader and Assam Health and Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, however, said that the people of Assam were not a showpiece that people needed to come here to see them.

"We have the power to withstand our sorrows. We'll call the Prime Minister to the state whenever we achieve something," said Sarma, rebutting the criticism of Modi.
Moscow, July 26 : Russia on Wednesday denied a report that it supplied arms to Taliban militants in Afghanistan, and called the allegation "groundless".

"Russia does not support the Taliban, and maintains contacts with it exclusively to ensure the safety of Russian citizens in Afghanistan and to encourage it to join the process of national reconciliation," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

CNN on Tuesday showed a video in which militants demonstrated sniper rifles, Kalashnikov variants and machine guns, claiming that the weapons were originally supplied by Russian government sources.

Although the video does not provide incontrovertible proof of the trade, it offers "some of the first battlefield evidence of a flow of weapons that have the Afghan and American governments deeply concerned about Moscow's intentions here," the CNN report said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the allegations were "groundless", pointing out that it was impossible to determine the origin of the shown weapons in the video, as they were stripped of any means of identification.

"They are not stamped by the manufacturer" and the serial numbers are unclear, the ministry noted.

Such weapons were produced in some Eastern European countries, and some Americans massively sold them to Afghanistan in the early 2000s, it added.

No evidence has been provided that could confirm the accusations against Russia, according to the ministry.
Washington, July 28 : The US Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a bill that will slap tougher sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea, two days after the bill was approved by the US House of Representatives.

The bill, approved by a vote of 98 to 2, will also grant the US Congress the power to block US President Donald Trump from unilaterally lifting sanctions on Russia, Xinhua news agency reported.

The bill will now be sent to the White House for Trump to sign into law or veto.

This bill came despite that Trump administration officials had called on lawmakers to grant "flexibility" to the White House in dealing with Russia.

So far, it remained unclear whether Trump will veto or sign the bill into law.

Speaking on Thursday before the vote in Senate, White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders said while the Trump administration "supports sanctions" against Russia, Iran and North Korea, the White House would make a decision after seeing the contents of the final bill.
Tokyo, July 28 : Japan's Defence Minister Tomomi Inada has stepped down from office on Friday taking responsibility for a data concealment scandal over the country's Self Defence Forces (SDF) mission in South Sudan.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has accepted her resignation and will put Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida in charge of this post until August 3, when the head of government plans to announce a cabinet reshuffle to tackle its sharp drop in popularity, reports Efe news.

Inada, considered a figure very close to Abe for her conservative views, said that she has decided to resign because she has felt "responsible" for the scandal despite an interim committee has determined that she played no role in the case.

Inada's departure coincides with the Defence Ministry's release of the results of its internal probe into the suspected cover-up.

The logs recorded the deteriorating security situation in South Sudan.

The controversy over the logs dated back to December 2016, when the Ministry turned down an information disclosure request for logs covering the Ground Self-Defence Force (GSDF) activities in South Sudan in July 2016, saying they were deleted.

The ministry then backtracked, saying some of the data had been found on a computer in the SDF Joint Staff Office and releasing sections of it.

But top SDF officials reportedly knew at the time that the GSDF actually had the data, reports The Japan Times.
Beijing, July 28 : As the BRICS security meet began here in Beijing on Friday, Indias National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said the "vital" issues discussed at the event and its outcome will have an "impact" on the main summit in September.

"It is great we are discussing vital issues that will have an impact on the next summit meeting," Doval said at the 7th BRICS Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues. He also said the bloc of five countries needs to show leadership in countering terrorism.

"The outcome of the meeting today will contribute to the forthcoming BRICS Summit meetings to be held in Xiamen in September," he added.

The three-day BRICS summit will be held in Xiamen from September 3. The border stand-off between India and China at Doklam has led to concern of the bilateral tensions clouding the five-country summit Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to meet at the BRICS summit.

Doval on Thursday had met China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi and discussed "major problems" between the two countries whose armies are locked in a border stand-off at Doklam in Sikkim section.

Doval said "BRICS needs to show leadership in countering terrorism" as well as "on strategic issues of regional and global importance."

"It is natural we should hold a BRICS forum to discuss security issues that impact global peace and stability."

Doval and his counterparts from member countries - Brazil, Russia and South Africa -- will call on Xi later in the day.

Doklam, located at the tri-junction of India, Bhutan and China, is of high strategic importance to all three. It is disputed by Bhutan and China.

India says Doklam is Bhutanese territory and perceives any Chinese presence in the area as a threat to its own security.

The stand-off began over a road being built by the Chinese Army in Doklam. Indian troops halted the work in mid-June, leading to the crisis.

(Gaurav Sharma is the Beijing-based correspondent of IANS. He can be contacted at sharmagaurav71@gmail.com and gauravians@yahoo.com)
New Delhi, July 28 : The Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice on Friday after the opposition created a ruckus over the resignation of five Congress MLAs from Gujarat who later joined the ruling BJP in the state.

Congress member Anand Sharma accused the Gujarat Police of "kidnapping" its MLAs to pressurise them to join the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Subsequently, the opposition members trooped into the well of the House in protest and raised slogans of 'Stop killing of the Constitution'.

When Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien asked what he could do in the matter, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said: "You can direct the Election Commission for free and fair elections (in the state)."

Kurien responded: "The Election Commission does not need directions from the Chair. It is constitutionally bound to hold free and fair elections."

BJP member Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi objected to Azad's demand, saying that he may also ask for such directions from the Supreme Court.

As the protest continued even after the first adjournment of 10 minutes, the House was adjourned again till 12 p.m.

Chhanabhai Chaudhary, a legislator from tribal Vansda seat, and Mansinh Chauhan from Balasinor submitted their resignations to Speaker Ramanlal Vora on Friday.

Chaudhary and Chauhan are believed to be close to rebel leader and former Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela, who quit as Leader of the Opposition on his birthday on July 21, alleging there was an intra-party conspiracy to oust him from the Congress.

Congress' Balwantsinh Rajput, MLA from Siddhpur, Tejashree Patel from Viramgam, and Vijapur legislator P.I. Patel had submitted their resignations on Thursday afternoon and joined the BJP.
Kolkata, July 28 : West Bengal's opposition Left Front (LF) on Friday nominated former Kolkata mayor Bikash Bhattacharya for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls.

Bhattacharya, an eminent lawyer and former advocate general of Tripura, has played a major role in the opposition's legal battles against the Trinamool Congress government over the past six years.

Announcing Bhattacharya's candidature, LF chairman Biman Bose told newspersons that the coalition had to take a last minute decision to field him after the Congress decided to renominate sitting member Pradip Bhattacharya.

Earlier, there were talks of the Congress supporting LF major CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury if he was nominated by the Marxists. However, Yechury's candidature was shot down by the CPI-M central committee.

"We were trying to zero in on an outstanding personality outside the periphery of party politics as a common candidate acceptable to all quarters (read Congress and LF). But after we found that Pradip Bhatacharya has been renominated, we had to hold an emergency LF meeting and decide on our own candidate," said Bose.

The LF decision to contest has made a fight inevitable for the six Rajya Sabha seats that go to the polls from the state on August 8. Friday is the last date for filing nomination.

The ruling Trinamool has already fielded five candidates -- Derek O'Brien, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Dola Sen, Manas Bhunia and Santa Chettri -- all of whom are expected to sail through on the strength of the party's numbers.

The focus will now be on the sixth seat for which Pradip Bhattacharya and Bikash Bhattacharya - slated to file his papers later in the day - would duel it out.

After losing some of their lawmakers to the Trinamool, the Congress and LF are left with 36 and 31 legislators respectively.

But with the Trinamool all set to support the Congress, Pradip could have the last laugh in the battle of the two Bhattacharyas.
New Delhi, July 28 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday warned against any tinkering with Article 35(A) of the constitution that is being debated in the Supreme Court and which empowers the state legislature to define "permanent residents" and accord special rights and privileges to them.

Strongly defending the constitutional clause, Mehbooba said that any change in its status would invite repercussions and mean that nobody would be able to protect the Indian national flag in Jammu and Kashmir.

She said that mainstream parties like the National Conference and her own Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) risk their workers' lives who stand up and carry the national flag in Kashmir.

"Any tinkering with the article won't be acceptable. I won't hesitate in saying that nobody will even carry the corpse of the National Flag in Kashmir (if the article is scrapped). Let me make it very clear," she said at an event here on Kashmir.

The Chief Minister said that by employing such tactics, "you are not targeting separatists who have an agenda to secede but you are weakening the forces who have accepted India, participated in elections. They make efforts to integrate Jammu and Kashmir with India with respect and dignity. You are weakening them."

The Article 35(A) is being challenged in the Supreme Court by NGO 'We The Citizens' on its legal basis because the article was never presented before the Parliament and executed on the orders of President of India.

The provision was implemented in 1954 when then President Rajendra Prasad used the powers conferred on him by Article 370 to introduce the "Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order 1954".

Under the article, citizens from other parts of the country cannot acquire immovable property in Jammu and Kashmir or take up employment with the state government.

The Supreme Court has now referred the case to a three-judge bench for a larger debate over it.
India has applied for the membership of the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group which controls the nuclear trade.

By Press Trust of India: Supporting India's membership bid to the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Trump administration has urged all the members of the elite club to support New Delhi's long-pending application.

India has applied for the membership of the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) which controls the nuclear trade.

"The United States welcomed India's application to join the NSG and it continues to re-affirm that India is ready for the membership. The United States has called on NSG members to support India's application," the Department of Defence and Department of State said in a joint report.

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In the report submitted to Congress as required under National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) 2017, the Trump administration also re-affirmed its support for India's membership in the Australia Group and Wassenaar Arrangement as soon as India meets each group's membership criteria.

INDIA PREPARED TO TAKE STEPS REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP

The US and India share a commitment to preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, the report said.

"Since 2010, the US has supported India's membership in the four multilateral export control regimes -- Wassenaar Arrangement, NSG, Australia Group, and the Missile Technology Control Regime -- as India prepared to take the steps required for membership in each one," it said.

The US, the report said, welcomed India as a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime and its subscription to the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation in June 2016.

The report notes that the future leadership of Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) will consist of an individual with experience in defence acquisition and technology to reinforce and ensure the success of the US-India Defence Relationship. This individual will help resolve remaining issues impeding bilateral defence trade and other cooperation, it said.

The NDAA for FY 2017 also directs the Department to reorganise the Office of the USD (AT&L) into two new Under Secretary positions -- one for Research and Engineering (USD (R&E)) and one for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD (A&S)).

"This change will take effect no later than February 2018. The organisational responsibility for DTTI will be determined as part of the reorganisation of AT&L; however, this determination will not affect DTTI's ongoing work," the report said.

US AND INDIA DEFENCE TRADE

The US defence industry has provided India with proposals for F-16 Block 70 and F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter aircraft, the report said.

"These proposals will help create and maintain jobs in both countries and demonstrate the depth of our commitment to defence cooperation," it said.

Since 2008, the US and India have concluded more than USD 15 billion in defence trade, including the transfer from the US to India of C-130J and C-17 transport aircraft, P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, Harpoon missiles, Apache and Chinook helicopters, and M777 light-weight Howitzers.

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India operates the second largest C-17 and P-8 fleets in the world, recently using its C-17s to deliver humanitarian assistance to Nepal and evacuate civilians from Yemen, the report added.

While India has garnered the support of a majority of the group's members, China has stuck to its stand that new members should sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), making India's entry difficult as the group is guided by the consensus principle.

India is not a signatory to the NPT.

Also Read:

NSG membership: Why India must not beg of China and look beyond nuclear energy

--- ENDS ---
Chennai, July 28 : The Tamil poster of Dulquer Salmaan's next Malayalam release "Solo" was unveiled on Friday to coincide with his 30th birthday.

The film has been shot simultaneously in Malayalam and Tamil.

Also titled "Solo" in Tamil, the film's Tamil poster was tweeted by Dulquer on Friday.

Directed by Bejoy Nambiar, "Solo" also stars Arthi Venkatesh, Dhansikaa, Aishwarya Rajesh, Dino Morea, Neha Sharma and Sruthi Hariharan.

Tipped to be a romantic thriller, the film has been shot in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Mumbai and Ladakh.

The film marks Nambiar's Malayalam debut. His "David" was released in Tamil as well.

Produced by Getaway Films and Abaam Films, Athe film has music by Govind Menon and Siddharth Menon.
Srinagar, July 28 : Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday said the presence of Al Qaeda in the state was not confirmed although the matter is under investigation.

"For us, a militant is a militant, whatever outfit he belongs to. Whoever picks up a gun is a militant. We will investigate the militant," Director General of Police (DGP), S.P. Vaid told a press briefing here.

His remarks came after the terror group announced on Thursday the establishment of its unit in Jammu and Kashmir, naming former Hizbul Mujahideen militant Zakir Musa as its chief.

The announcement was made by Global Islamic Media Front, the media wing of Al Qaeda.

It said jihad was the only way to "liberate Kashmir".
San Francisco, July 28 : YouTube's paid subscription service 'Red' will be eventually merged with Google Play Music to give way to a new service, media reports said.

Google is planning to merge YouTube 'Red' -- available in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Korea and Mexico -- and Google Play Music to create a new streaming service, Lyor Cohen, YouTube's Global Head of Music was quoted as saying by The Verge on Thursday.

Talks of the merger were in the industry for a while and picked up pace recently after the company merged the teams working on the two streaming services.

Google's streaming services YouTube Music, Google Play Music and YouTube 'Red' are confusingly connected right now.

"The important thing is combining YouTube Red and Google Play Music, and having one offering," Cohen was quoted as saying when asked about why YouTube Red isn't more popular with music users.

Users will be notified of any change, Google told The Verge.

YouTube 'Red' offers an enhanced experience by removing advertisements on videos and lets you save them offline.

Google Play Music is Google's version of Spotify, while YouTube Music is a free app open to everybody.
Colombo, July 28 : Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake has spoken highly of the proposed Belt and Road Initiative, saying that Colombo would like to see more Chinese investments.

The newly-appointed Foreign Minister told Xinhua news agency that China and Sri Lanka had maintained strong ties since ancient times, with the relationship being at its strongest level at present.

While appreciating the large-scale investments China had brought to Sri Lanka, especially since the end of a civil war between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009, Karunanayake said the country would benefit from more Chinese investments.

"We appreciate the investments that are coming in from China, but we would like to see much more," he said.

While reiterating that Sri Lanka would soon be transformed into a global trading hub, Karunanayake said Colombo's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative would strengthen its trading position even further.

He said Sri Lanka was happy being a part of the Belt and Road Initiative and was implementing a 'Sri Lanka first' approach due to the benefits it would get from the initiative, Karunanayake said.

Proposed by China in 2013, the initiative refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, aiming at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes of Silk Road.

China has become one of Sri Lanka's largest development partners with infrastructure construction projects worth billions of dollars. China is also one of the major FDI sources of Sri Lanka.
Islamabad, July 28 : Nawaz Sharif on Friday stepped down as Prime Minister of Pakistan after the Supreme Court disqualified him from holding office in the Panama Papers case.

The PM House issued a notification saying that Sharif, despite having reservations on the SC's verdict, has stepped down from his post as the Premier.
New Delhi, July 28 : The Rajya Sabha on Friday witnessed repeated adjournments as angry Congress members accused the BJP of "stealing" party lawmakers, after the defection of five Congress MLAs to the BJP in Gujarat.

The Congress accused the BJP government in Gujarat and at the Centre of pressurising Congress legislators to quit the party and join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The House was adjourned till 2.30 p.m. - the fourth time in one and a half hours -- by Chairman Hamid Ansari amidst pandemonium by Congress MPs.

As soon as the House met at 12 p.m. after two adjournments, the Congress members stood up and started shouting slogans. The Chair adjourned the House for 15 minutes.

However, the Congress MPs again resumed sloganeering when the House met. Ansari reiterated that the members should raise the issue with the "designated agency".

As the Congress members did not relent, Ansari then adjourned the House till 2.30 p.m.

Earlier, as soon as the Upper House met for the day, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma raised the issue of the MLAs' defection and alleged that Congress MLA Poonaji Gavit was "abducted" by the police.

"Many MLAs are being abducted. Constitutional violation is taking place. They are in the habit of stealing MLAs - which they showed in Goa and Manipur. Now they are showing it in Rajya Sabha elections," Sharma said.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien asked the protesting members as to what he could do in this matter and advised the aggrieved members to raise the issue with the Election Commission.

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad alleged that Gujarat police officers were promising Congress MLAs tickets for the election.

"Will the police officers now decide who the Congress will give tickets to?" Azad said.

Subsequently, the opposition members trooped near the Chair's podium and started shouting slogans saying "Stop killing Constitution, stop killing democracy".

When Kurien remarked what he could do in the matter, Azad replied: "You can direct the Election Commission to conduct free and fair elections."

Kurien replied: "The Election Commission does not need directions from the Chair. It is constitutionally bound to hold free and fair election."

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi objected to Azad's demand saying "tomorrow they will demand the Chair to give directions to the Supreme Court".

As the protest continued even after the first adjournment of 10 minutes, the House was adjourned again till 12 p.m.

On Friday two more Gujarat Congress MLAs quit the party, a day after three legislators resigned from the party and joined the BJP.

Chhanabhai Chaudhary, a legislator from the tribal Vansda constituency, and Mansinh Chauhan from Balasinor, submitted their resignations to Speaker Ramanlal Vora.

Balwantsinh Rajput, MLA from Siddhpur, Tejashree Patel from Viramgam, and Vijapur legislator P.I. Patel submitted their resignations on Thursday afternoon and joined the BJP.

Within minutes of joining the BJP, Rajput was named the party's third Rajya Sabha candidate besides national president Amit Shah and Union Minister Smriti Irani.

Shah, Irani and Rajput filed nominations for the August 8 Rajya Sabha elections on Friday.

For the Congress, party chief Sonia Gandhi's political secretary Ahmed Patel on Wednesday filed papers seeking a fifth term in the Upper House.
Moscow, July 28 : At least seven persons from Central Asia were arrested on Friday by the Federal Security Bureau of Russia for plotting terrorist attacks in St. Petersburg, the agency said on Friday.

"The Federal Security Service on July 28 detained a group of seven people, who come from the Central Asian region, as they are suspected of plotting terrorist attacks in St. Petersburg's railway transport and public places," TASS news agency quoted the FSB as saying.
Islamabad, July 28 : Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigned on Friday after the Supreme Court disqualified him from holding the post following a probe that revealed illegal family wealth stashed abroad.

A five-judge bench unanimously disqualified Sharif from his post after an investigative panel linked his children to offshore companies, showing that their wealth was far above their legitimate earnings.

One of the judges, Ejaz Afzal Khan, said Sharif was no longer "eligible to be an honest member of Parliament".

The much-awaited ruling in what came to be known as the Panama Papers case stunned the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, which feebly said that all was not over for Sharif and he would remain its leader.

But very soon the veteran politician stepped down as Prime Minister.

The opposition was jubilant and hailed the verdict. Opposition activists celebrated on the streets.

Sharif, who was Prime Minister for a third time, said he was resigning although he had "strong reservations" about the Supreme Court ruling.

The court has recommended that anti-corruption cases should be registered against several individuals including Sharif, his daughter Maryam and her husband Mohammad Safdar, Sharif's sons Hassan and Hussain Nawaz as well as Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

The bench also disqualified Dar and Safdar, an MP, from office.

The bench said the Prime Minister, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, had been dishonest to Parliament as well as the judiciary and could not be deemed fit to hold office.

The Attorney General said the bench disqualified Sharif from becoming the Prime Minister for life.

Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan said all material collected by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), which probed the allegations against Sharif and his family, would be sent to an accountability court within six weeks.

The top court urged President Mamnoon Hussain to take charge of Pakistan's affairs.

This is the third time Sharif has failed to complete his term in office. The last time, he was ousted in 1999 in a coup by then Army Chief Pervez Musharraf.

It was unclear who will succeed Sharif till the next general elections, scheduled for 2018. Sharif had been warning that his ouster would destabilize Pakistan at a time when the economy was rebounding after a decade of chaos.

The son of an industrialist, Sharif saw both of his first two stints in power cut short in the 1990s. Not a single Prime Minister in Pakistan has completed his or her tenure.

The Panama Papers leaks of April 2016 revealed that three of Sharif's children owned offshore companies and assets not shown on his family's wealth statement. This was apparently used to channel funds to acquire foreign assets, including in London.
Cartagena (Colombia), July 28 : In a first, Central America's Mesoamerican Reef, home to more than 500 species of fish and marine species, including large populations of whale sharks, has got global attention with over 65 national and international agencies joining hands to conserve it through a multi-institutional effort.

The Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative to conserve the Mesoamerican Reef was launched on the concluding day of the five-day 28th International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB 2017) on Thursday.

More than 2,000 conservation professionals and students were gathered here for initiating steps in conservation of biodiversity.

The initiative will collectively and qualitatively assess reef health in biennial report cards, including science-based management recommendations, an official statement quoting initiative director Melanie McField said.

In the last five years, six new marine protected areas were designated and their total increased to 47.

These areas under full protection from all fishing increased 61 percent to over 1,900 sq km since 2011.

Some of these fully protected areas have 10 times more fish biomass than fished areas.

"Our corals also survived the 2015-16 coral bleaching that affected about 40 per cent of colonies," McField, who lived and worked in Belize for over 20 years, said.

According to her, live coral continues to remain around 17 per cent with some sites having 60 per cent live coral cover -- the highest ever found in the Caribbean and some others with 30 per cent coral cover of the important reef builder elkhorn coral in sites like Limones and Mexico.

Other success stories include the 2015 parrotfish protection in Guatemala and Belize's Coastal Zone Management plan approved as wel l as ending the open access fisheries, both in 2016.

The Mesoamerican Reef faces the same threats as most reefs worldwide, including inadequate water treatment and coastal development among the most pressing ones.

"But this reef is holding its own, increasing slowly in health, giv ing us hope -- due to the collective and coordinated science-based management actions being taken. However, we need to increase the pace of management compared to the accelerated population growth that increases the threats faced by the reef," McField said.

Coordinated science-based management action has helped educate people about the importance of protecting this amazing reef and protecting parrotfish to reduce harmful macroalgae are clear examples of successful reef management, McField added.

(Vishal Gulati is in Cartagena for the Internews' Earth Journalism Network Biodiversity Fellowship Programme at the International Congress for Conservation Biology. He can be reached at vishal.g@ians.in)
New Delhi, July 28 : The Supreme Court on Friday refused to allow a 10-year-old rape victim, who is 32 weeks pregnant, to undergo an abortion due to health issues.

A division bench of Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud turned down the plea to terminate the child's pregnancy after a medical board, set up to examine the pregnant child, submitted its report.

Chandigarh's Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) submitted its report to the court, noting that continuing with pregnancy would be good for the child and abortion would risk her life.

Taking the report into consideration, the bench said: "Pregnancy is 32 weeks old. It's a grave risk for 10-year-old girl. It's not an early pregnancy.

"In view of the recommendation of made by medical board we are satisfied it would not be in the interest of girl and brighter to foetus who is 32 weeks old. We decline to terminate pregnancy."

The court had ordered a medical board be set up to examine the girl and ascertain the extent of risk to her life if the court was to allow an abortion.

The order came on a PIL by advocate Alok Srivastava who moved the top court after a plea for the medical termination of pregnancy was refused by a district court in Chandigarh on July 18.

Rejecting the plea to terminate the pregnancy of the child, the apex court, however, said that "girl child should be given due medical care".

It also said that it would be open to doctors to evaluate the best operating mode in deciding the delivery of baby.

Srivastava's plea has also sought framing of guidelines for setting up of medical boards in every district for an expeditious examination of cases necessitating abortions in incidents of child rape victims.

As lots of similar cases are coming before this court, the bench asked the Central government to have permanent medical board in states so that in first step, the child can be taken there.

The petitioner has also sought amendment of Section 3 of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, which prohibits termination of pregnancy beyond 20 weeks.

The top court had on July 3 allowed a Kolkata woman who was 26 weeks pregnant to abort the foetus suffering from serious abnormalities following a report from the city's premier SSKM Hospital.
Driver and co-accused in the Sheena Bora murder case deposed before the CBI court. According to his horrifying account, Indrani Mukerjea strangled Sheena, sat on her face and burnt her body in a forest.

By Vidya : Shyamwar Rai, the driver and co-accused in the Sheena Bora murder case who turned an approver last year, deposed before the CBI court in Mumbai today.

He gave chilling details of the murder plot and told the CBI court that Indrani Mukerjea strangled Sheena Bora to death and sat on her face before burning her body in a remote location.

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Shyamwar Rai's account is as horrific as it can get.

According to driver Shyamwar, in April 24, 2012, the three -- Bora's mother Indrani Mukerjea, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and himself -- picked up Sheena Bora.

She was later given a spiked cocktail in the car and was "sitting quietly with her eyes closed".

In the rear seat of the car, Indrani's ex-husband grabbed Sheena's hair and Indrani strangled her. When Shyamwar tried to cover Sheena's mouth, she bit his thumb.

"Indrani Madam was strangling Sheena with her hands... I could hear Sheena gasping and making gagging sounds. After a while, everything was quiet. Sheena became quiet."

Shyamwar admitted in his confession how Indrani immediately after murdering Sheena asked him to drive to a hotel.

While on their way to the hotel, Shyamwar said that Indrani fussed about a 3BHK flat that was given to Sheena. According to him, Indrani later sat on Sheena's face in a fit of rage.

"Indrani Madam sat on Sheena's face and said - here's your three-bedroom flat," driver Shyamwar Rai said during his questioning at the CBI court.

And after reaching a remote location," Indrani madam applied lipstick on Sheena Bora and made sure that her hair looked good."

"Madam took a saree and a pair of gloves out of the bag, and kept them on the body. She even kept the bag on her. She then poured petrol over her and left the can there. Indrani madam took out matchsticks from her pockets and burnt her," Shyamwar said.

In a threatening reaffirmation to Shyamwar, Indrani told him to not to speak a word about it and threatened him with "dire consequences".

INSIDE THE COURTROOM

Before his statement at the CBI court, driver Shyamwar seemed restless and by the time he finished it he told the public prosecutor Kavita Patil that he was exhausted.

When Shyamwar's statement was being heard, Indrani along with her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna and Peter Mukerjea were closely observant. However, Shyamwar avoided eye contact with his former employers.

Incidentally, when Shyamwar was narrating Indrani's deeds after the murder, the latter let out a chuckle in the court.

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Shyamwar also told that Indrani had plans to kill Sheena Bora's brother Mikhail.

Shyamwar admitted in the court he conducted a recce on two remote locations one for each. Out of the two places, Indrani zeroed down on Raigadh.

Driver Shyamwar Rai's deposition will continue on Tuesday.

Also Read || I was there when Sheena Bora was strangled: Indrani Mukerjea's driver tells Mumbai court ||

Also Read || Sheena Bora murder case: Indrani killed her daughter, driver Shyamwar Rai tells CBI court ||

--- ENDS ---
Beijing, July 28 : Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval along with his BRICS counterparts on Friday called on Chinese President Xi Jinping, who hailed the efforts of member countries in enhancing security cooperation and said the bloc was faced with a complex political and economic situation.

Meeting the top security officials of the five-member bloc on the sidelines of the 7th BRICS Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues, Xi said people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in the field of economy and security was the need of the hour.

Doval's meeting with Xi comes amid high tensions between India and China whose armies are locked in a stand-off in Doklam on the Sikkim section of the border.

Earlier on Thursday, Doval and Chinese top diplomat Yang Jiechi met separately on the sidelines of the BRICS security meet and discussed "major problems".

"I think it is beneficial and necessary for us (BRICS) to hold this conference here. The cooperation among us has been maintained for over 10 years, which connected different parts of the world while reserving different political systems and institutions," Xi said.

"I have been considering that the starting point of our cooperation is in the field of economics and finance. And facing the intricate situation of international economic, security and politics, accompanied with our demands for further cooperation on economics, finance, humanity, culture and security, we would be connected more closely, and we would make more progress in the future.

"In order to promote the strategic mutual trust between the BRICS countries, security cooperation, all of you have made a lot of effort," Xi said. He said he would like to hear the views of BRICS countries' top security officials.

With the meeting with Xi, Doval's two-day visit to Beijing came to end.

The bilateral talks between Doval and China's State Councillor Yang is an important takeaway for India in view of Beijing's tough public posturing on the stand-off in Doklam. India and Bhutan say Doklam is Bhutan's while China claims it is its territory.

China, which has set withdrawal of troops by India as the precondition for any meaningful dialogue on the issue, was ambiguous about the bilateral between Doval and Yang. Indian troops moved into Doklam to stop the Chinese from constructing a road there.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the NSA meet on Friday, Doval urged the five-member bloc to step up the fight against terrorism.

He said the BRICS countries must "show leadership in countering terrorism".

Doval also said that the outcome at the security meet would have an impact on the main BRICS security meet at Xiamen in September.
Kolkata, July 28 : Extending the Kanyashree scheme to higher education, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said NRIs will sponsor research aspirations of 10 meritorious woman students from the state.

Banerjee launched the extended version of the UN-lauded Kanyashree Prakalpa, the targeted conditional cash transfer scheme, aimed at checking child marriage and retaining girls in schools and other educational institutions. She said the project is being extended to boost post-graduate studies.

"The non-resident Indians (NRIs) had come to meet me on Thursday and gave a proposal. They will bear the total expenses of 10 meritorious girl students who wish to pursue research. They will help even in future research work," Banerjee said at a celebration for the success of the scheme.

The Kanyashree scheme has brought almost 41 lakh adolescent girls in its fold, covering over 15,500 institutions in West Bengal. It was awarded the first prize at United Nations Public Service Award ceremony this year.

In the project, the government provides an annual scholarship of Rs 500 to girls between 13-18 years (class eight to class 12) to continue their studies, provided they are unmarried and their parents' annual income is below Rs 1.20 lakh.

If the girl continues her studies up to the age of 18, a one-time grant of Rs 25,000 would be deposited in her bank account, provided she is unmarried.

"At 18, the amount of Rs 25,000 they are getting will continue (if they don't marry and continue studies). We have had K1 and K2. Now we are starting K3 (extended version) which means after passing out from school and college, students who go for universities (postgraduate), if they score 45 per cent, then in science stream, we will give them Rs 2,500 monthly while for arts section, we will give them Rs 2,000 per month," she said.

"We are taking them right from childhood to university level," she said, adding: "It is not a crime to be born poor. You must conquer poverty."
Imphal : Imphal July 28 (IANS) Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters, who pelted stones and vandalised vehicles on Friday, while demanding cases against their fellow students be withdrawn even as Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh invited the agitators for a meeting.

Students pelted police with stones, injuring one policeman. One car was also damaged.

Urging students to eschew violence, Biren Singh said: "The government is fully committed to protecting the interest of the indigenous peoples.

"Instead of taking to the streets, the students should come to hold talks. Like the Congress government, this BJP-led government is all for the protection of the interests of the indigenous peoples."

The government had earlier clarified that the FIRs are not meant for arresting the students but the protesters paid it no heed.

The students have been out in the streets demanding reservation of MLA seats in at least eight constituencies where the population of the outsiders is huge.

Kangleipak Students' Association, which is backing the movement, says that outsiders should not be permitted to contest elections in Manipur.

Students had tried to storm the assembly, now in session, on Thursday prompting the administration to deploy heavily-armed policemen in all key areas.
Hyderabad, July 28 : Former Andhra Pradesh Minister Mukesh Goud's son Vikram Goud was injured in mysterious shooting incident at his residence here on Friday.

Even 12 hours after the incident, police could not get any clues to crack the mystery as Goud continued to maintain silence.

The incident occurred between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. at his house in posh Film Nagar.

He sustained three bullet injuries and was admitted to Apollo Hospital. According to doctors, he is out of danger.

The Youth Congress leader was with his wife Shifali at their house when the incident occurred. Two bullets hit his hand while another bullet hit the stomach.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Venkateshwara Rao said they did not find any weapon at the scene. The police team was scanning CCTV images and gathering other forensic evidence.

Shifali told police that they were leaving for a 'dargah' where they were to feed the poor and he had first gone downstairs when she heard the gunshots.

The police officer said Goud had so far not told anything to police about the incident. He said the assailant could be identified only after he records his statement.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner Mahender Reddy, who visited the scene, said 10 teams had been set up to crack the case. He said that they could get some clues if Goud provides information.

Sources said the Youth Congress leader was facing financial problems, triggering speculations that he attempted suicide.

His father was a Minister in the cabinets of Congress governments of Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy and Kiran Kumar Reddy.
Jerusalem, July 28 : Palestinian men under the age of 50 will not be permitted into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for Friday prayers in Jerusalem as Israeli security plan to clamp down on the area following unrest on the previous night, a police spokesman said.

"Security measures in old city, Jerusalem today. Only men over the age of 50 permitted on the Temple Mount. Women of all ages permitted," Efe news agency cited police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld as saying.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is a holy site for both Muslims and Jews in Jerusalem's Old City and also a flashpoint for clashes between the Palestinian and Israeli communities during times of tension.

Palestinians were allowed to return to the site to pray on Thursday for the first time since a deadly attack on July 14 in which two Israeli policemen and their three Israeli-Arab assailants were killed.

The security clampdown that ensued, which included the installation of metal detectors, exacerbated tensions and led to clashes between irate Palestinian protestors and Israeli police.

Celebrations after the Israeli government ordered the removal of the increased security installations gave way to fresh unrest around the sacred complex.

"Heightened security around Temple Mount & old city to prevent disturbances. Extra police units in the area and will respond to any incidents," the police spokesman added.
Chandigarh, July 28 : Following hospitalisation of a Delhi businessman for drinking a cocktail containing liquid nitrogen this month, the Haryana government has prohibited flushing/mixing of liquid nitrogen with any drink or food article, an official said on Friday.

Food and Drugs Administration Department's Commissioner (Food Safety) Saket Kumar said orders to this effect haved been issued under Section 34 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, (Central Act 34 of 2006).

Kumar said according to expert medical opinion, any drink or food article whose preparation involves flushing/mixing of liquid nitrogen is harmful for humans.

"Due to its low temperature, liquid nitrogen could be extremely damaging to body tissue, causing frostbite and cryogenic burning on contact. Moreover, if ingested, it could lead to severe internal damage, destroying tissues in the mouth and intestinal tract," Kumar added.

He said as it evaporates, liquid nitrogen releases a large volume of gas, and could burst open the stomach if ingested in sufficiently large quantity.

A Delhi businessman ended up in a hospital with a perforated stomach after consuming the cocktail containing liquid nitrogen at a Gurugram pub.

Doctors who attended on the victim said his condition was so critical that his stomach looked like an "open book".
New Delhi, July 28 : The Lok Sabha on Friday passed the Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017, that aims to give the premier institutes more autonomy by restricting government role and enable them to grant degrees.

"After the bill is passed, there will be no government role in the appointment of Board of Directors in IIMs. Let the government come out of it. It will be for the betterment of our higher institutions," Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar said while summing up the discussion in the house.

The bill -- which declares 20 existing IIMs as Institutions of National Importance -- was later passed after all amendments moved by some members were rejected.

Dubbing the bill "historic" vis-a-vis higher education reform, the Minister said autonomy to these institutions will put them in the league of world's top educational organisations.

The bill provides for conferring statutory powers to these institutions for their functioning, including appointment of directors, faculty, and also gives them powers to award degrees instead of post-graduate diplomas.

The bill provides for the appointment of members of the Board of Governors (BoG) in each of the 20 IIMs through a transparent process, while limiting even the HRD Minister's role.

Javadekar informed the house he talked to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to ensure infrastructure in all new IIMs was in place in two years. He said no eligible and meritorious student will be declined admission to these institutes for lack of money.

The Minister denied the Congress charge that the government had changed the names of some IIMs named after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

"There is no any provision of giving name to any IIM. All are IIMs. So, the question of changing the name does not arise," he said.

The Minister said the government's focus is to transform higher education in India and that "we are moving in that direction".

Earlier, moving the bill, Javadekar said: "We should trust our institutions. It is difficult to run IIMs from here (Delhi)."

During the debate, members cutting across political divide supported the bill and welcomed enhanced autonomy for the IIMs.

They, however, raised concerns about reservation for teaching staff and student placement, vacant posts of directors in these institutes and other teaching staff, need to control fees, need to encourage research in management studies, and other such issues.

Congress member Shashi Tharoor welcomed the bill and congratulated the Centre for relinquishing power vis-a-vis these institutes, adding he was concerned over government giving up control on fee structure. He said the bill did not address the reservation issue either.

At present, he said, of the total IIM teachers, only two were from the Scheduled Castes and none from the Scheduled Tribes.

Tharoor accused the government of stooping low by removing Rajiv Gandhi's name from IIM Shillong via the bill.

The Board of Governors of each IIM comprises up to 19 members. The executive body will nominate 17 members, including eminent persons, faculty and alumni. The remaining two will be nominees of the central and state governments respectively.

The board will appoint its own Chairperson and Director. A search committee will recommend names for the post of Director who is eligible for variable pay, to be determined by the board.
New Delhi, July 28 : The close friendly ties between India and Russia transcends any new friendship that Moscow has struck up, a Russian official said here on Friday amid concerns in New Delhi over Russia's growing closeness with China and Pakistan.

"The relationship between our countries transcends any new friendship that may be formed," Ekaterina Semenova, First Secretary in the Russian Embassy here, said.

"As they say, an old friend is better than two new friends," she stated, at a round-table discussion on 'India-Russia Bilateral Relation in the Global Context'.

Her statement comes as Russia is supplying Pakistan with four Mi-35M attack helicopters. Both countries held their first joint military exercise in September last year, and their first bilateral consultation on regional issues in December.

There is also talk that the Russia-backed Eurasian Economic Union could be merged with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. India has voiced protest against the CPEC over sovereignty issues. India boycotted the One Belt, One Road summit organised in Beijing in May, but Russia participated in it, and could even join it. Russia and China are also holding their first ever joint naval drill in the Baltic Sea.

Describing India as the locomotive of global growth, Semenova said: "Russia highly values India's contributions to BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa bloc)."

She said that in view of the global turbulence, close coordination with New Delhi in dealing with the situations in regions like Afghanistan and Middle East is of importance.

"Russia-India cooperation is essential for enhancing world peace," she stated, at the talk organised by the think tank Research and Information System (RIS) for Developing Countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Vladimir Yakunin, Chairman of the Dialogue of Civilisations think tank and a former President of the Russian Railways, said that India and Russia had "a very long period of good relations in a good atmosphere".

"But, you will agree with me the level of economic and political communication is not enough, in my humble opinion," he said.

Stating that it was not a problem from one side, he said: "That is a bilateral problem."

Speaking in the broader perspective of peace and stability in the world, he said that in its whole history, except for one small period with Finland, Russia never presented any aggressive behaviour in the international arena.

However, he said that possession by Russia of a nuclear arsenal is a stabilising factor and umbrella in terms of relations with China.

"I hope nobody here has forgotten Damansky," Yakunin said in reference to the 1969 Sino-Soviet border conflict.

He said that despite the end of the Cold War, "we have some kind of an incarnation of the old ideology".

He said that though he is all for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, the fact of the matter is that till the time there are borders in the world and national interests exist, the possibility of conflict is still there.

"With this constant crisis, I suppose, still nuclear armament with respect to the non-proliferation treaty can play a stabilising role in the world," he said, adding that political egos still exist.

Nandan Unnikrishnan, Vice President and Senior Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) think tank, described the India-Russia relationship as unique that has not been replicated anywhere in the world.

Referring to India's leasing of a second Russian nuclear attack submarine, he asked: "Which country will give another country that kind of technology?"
Islamabad, July 28 : Beleaguered Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigned on Friday after the Supreme Court, accusing him of dishonesty, disqualified him from holding the post following a probe that exposed illegal family wealth stashed abroad.

A five-judge bench unanimously disqualified Sharif from his post after an investigative panel linked his grown up children to offshore companies, showing that their wealth was far above their legitimate earnings.

One of the judges, Ejaz Afzal Khan, said: "He (Sharif) is no more eligible to be an honest member of Parliament and he ceases to be holding the office of Prime Minister." Sharif's cabinet also stands dissolved.

The much-awaited verdict in what came to be known as the Panama Papers case stunned the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, which put up a brave front saying all was not over for Sharif and he would remain its leader.

But very soon the veteran politician, who was in his third term as Prime Minister, quit from office while claiming he had "strong reservations" about the Supreme Court ruling.

The Election Commission later issued a notification disqualifying Sharif as a member of the National Assembly.

The opposition was jubilant and celebrated on the streets. Many distributed sweets.

The Panama Papers leaks of April 2016 revealed that three of Sharif's children owned offshore companies and assets not shown on his family's wealth statement. This was apparently used to channel funds to acquire foreign assets, including in London.

The court has recommended that anti-corruption cases should be registered against several individuals including Sharif, his daughter Maryam and her husband Mohammad Safdar, Sharif's sons Hassan and Hussain Nawaz as well as Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

The bench also disqualified Dar and Safdar, an MP, from holding office.

The bench said the Prime Minister, who has denied any wrongdoing, had been dishonest to Parliament and the judiciary and could not be deemed fit to hold office.

Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan said all material collected by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), which probed the allegations against Sharif and his family, would be sent to an accountability court within six weeks.

The President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain, has been asked to take necessary measures to run the country after Sharif's disqualification.

It was the second time in Pakistan that the Supreme Court has disqualified a sitting Prime Minister. In 2012, Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to reopen a corruption case against then President Asif Ali Zardari.

This is the third time Sharif has failed to complete his term in office. In 1993 he was sacked by the President over corruption allegations. And in 1999 he was ousted in a coup by Army Chief Pervez Musharraf.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan, who had emerged as the most vocal critic of Sharif, said that with his disqualification, the foundation of a new Pakistan had been laid.

Former President Musharraf, who went into virtual exile after Sharif returned to power, said the Supreme Court decision will have a positive impact on the country.

The Pakistan People's Party said it was regrettable Sharif didn't step down earlier and urged the authorities to ensure he didn't flee the country.

Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz was defiant. She tweeted: "Today will pave the way for Nawaz Sharif's resounding victory in 2018. He will be unstoppable. Rok sakte ho to rok lo!"

The ruling party, which said it will challenge the verdict, expressed reservations over the disqualification of Sharif and said the removal of the Prime Minister was not on the basis of Panama Papers.

"Since 1947 till date, not one Prime Minister of Pakistan has completed the five-year tenure. Call it irony of fate or mistakes on one ground or the other," said party leader Barrister Zafarullah.

It was unclear who will succeed Sharif till the 2018 general elections. Sharif had warned that his ouster would destabilize Pakistan.
Bhopal, July 28 : Social activist Medha Patkar on Friday continued for the second day her fast to protest against the government's 'apathy' towards resettlement of those affected by the increase in the height of Sardar Sarovar Dam.

Patkar, the founder of Narmada Bachao Andolan, is on an indefinite fast since Thursday. A team of Congress legislators arrived at the site of fast on Friday to lend her support and take stock of the situation.

"She (Medha Patkar) sat on fast in Barwani on Thursday. Later, she sat on fast on the Narmada bank in Dhar district in Chikhalda village, where a large number of displaced people also gathered," Rahul, associated with 'Narmada Bachao' movement, told IANS.

The height of Sardar Sarovar Dam, on the Narmada river near Navagam in Gujarat, is being increased by 17 metres to 138.72 metres. The Supreme Court had ordered resettlement before July 31 of people of a town and 192 villages that fall in the submerged area.

"The Madhya Pradesh government has presented false figures and provided wrong information in the Supreme Court. The apex court's instructions are also not being followed," Patkar alleged.

"A major part of Madhya Pradesh would fall in the submerged area with the increase in dam's height. The government is planning resettlement in areas which are muddy, there is no facility available... how would people and livestock survive," she wondered.

The Narmada Bachao Andolan, in a statement, had alleged that the project was initially pushed "in the name of drought-affected people in Gujarat".

"It is obvious that it was being pushed in favour of the corporates and in the interest of electoral politics," it said.
To subdue the enemy without fighting is the pinnacle of strategy, said Sun Tzu in The Art of War. Centuries later, China's Xi Jinping hopes to do much the same with India, defeat it with its words. For a change, though, South Block has chosen the path of quiet dialogue over rhetoric, stressing a peaceful diplomatic resolution to the standoff. The Indian and Chinese armies last fired in anger 50 years ago, in 1967. Every aggressive move the two sides have made along the 4,057-km-long Line of Actual Control since 1967 has essentially been posturing, each side warning the other against altering the situation on the ground. In its July 17, 2017, cover story (Face Off), India Today explained the genesis of the current conflict, a dispute over Doklam that brings China even closer to the vulnerable 27-km-long Siliguri corridor that links the northeastern states to the rest of India.

But what if there is a war? How do the two nations compare? Xi's reforms have modernised China's military and enabled greater integration through a newly set-up joint operations command system, something India itself has long debated but failed to implement. In the first year of Xi's term, defence spending was hiked 10.7 per cent to $114.3 billion. By last year, it crossed $150 billion, though independent estimates peg it as high as $215 billion, more than five times what India spends.

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In contrast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not even had a full-time defence minister in his cabinet since March. In the cover story this week, Executive Editor Sandeep Unnithan reports that the Indian army's modernisation drive, its plan to replace its ageing helicopters, missiles and infantry equipment after the 1999 Kargil War, is yet to deliver results. Its first howitzer buys in three decades will enter service only next year. Its Mountain Strike Corps, an offensive high altitude warfighting force comprising over 90,000 soldiers, will be combat-ready only by 2020. The IAF's dip in combat aircraft-32 instead of the sanctioned 39 fighter squadrons, is perilous. The navy is short on both submarines and anti-submarine warfare helicopters. India's defence budget for 2017 was just 1.5 per cent of the GDP, among the lowest in recent years. But of greater concern is the tardy pace of border infrastructure. Only 22 of the 73 all, weather roads along the LAC have been completed a decade after they were sanctioned and the 14 strategic railway lines to rush troops and supplies to the border remain paperbound. China, in comparison, has completed its road network in border areas, and is powering ahead with its railways.

Beijing appears to be in no mood for compromise. One reason is the current domestic political climate, with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) set to hold massive war games for its 90th anniversary on August 1 and a once-in-five-years party congress, all important for Xi, in November. Any sign of weakness could boost his rivals. The Chinese consider this dispute more serious than past face-offs. "From the PLA to every diplomat, I'm hearing the same message every day: this time it's different," says Ananth Krishnan, India Today's Beijing correspondent. The Chinese are saying the dispute is not about Doklam but about India crossing a settled border into what they see as their territory, so the message is unless we withdraw, there's no room for de-escalation. India is saying let both sides withdraw and then talk. The deadlock will not be easy to break with tension likely for quite some time.

Yet a conflict with India would be disastrous for China. The key to Xi's ambitions, including his pet One Belt, One Road project, is a peaceful environment and preserving the global image of a responsible, rising China. Also, despite all our failings in defence acquisition, in this instance the terrain favours India. The Chinese would suffer heavy casualties in case of an assault. That said, both sides should again recall Sun Tzu: There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.

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Patna, July 28 : Two days after dramitcally embracing the BJP, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday had a smooth sail in the confidence vote in the Bihar assembly after he attacked his former ally RJD, saying secularism cannot be used as cover-up for corruption.

After a two-hour discussion on the motion of confidence moved by him, as directed by Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi, the ruling Janata Dal-United-Bharatiya Janata Party combine won the floor test with 131 votes for and 108 against in a house of 243 members.

"Secularism has to do with ideology and it is not a cover-up for corruption. People should not preach secularism to me. I know well what the situation is there in the rival camp," Nitish Kumar said replying to the debate on the confidence motion in the assembly.

Nitish Kumar took the floor and made a hard-hitting speech after former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, who now is the new Leader of Opposition, accused him of cheating the people of the state.

The mandate of the 2015 state assembly elections was against the BJP and now Nitish Kumar has chosen to align with that party, Tejashwi Yadav said. Nitish Kumar had spoken of a "Sangh Mukt Bharat" (RSS-free India) and now he has chosen to be the Chief Minister of the "Sangh", he added.

The JD-U leader said the people of the state had given him a mandate for transparency and development.

"I am secular in my thoughts. I support transparency in politics. If a few people want to use politics to acquire properties, then I won't support them," said the Chief Minister, who is also President of Janata Dal-United.

He said his new alliance with the National Democratic Alliance was aimed at Bihar's development.

"The decision was taken in the state's interest, for 'nyay ke saath vikas' (development in tandem with justice)," Nitish Kumar said.

Nitish Kumar on Wednesday resigned as the Chief Minister, dumping Grand Alliance partners Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress. He again took oath as the Chief Minister with the support of the National Democratic Alliance on Thursday.

"These people have arrogance, and ego... they tried to undermine one party," he said while referring to several RJD leaders who attacked him in the last 20 months.

The Chief Minister said: "I tried my best. I ran the government for over one-third duration (of the current assembly) by following the coalition 'dharma' and tried my best to work for the state. But they kept on speaking."

The Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax Department and the Central Bureau of Investigation have filed cases against RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his family members for their alleged involvement in large-scale corruption.

"They (RJD leaders) asked me what to do. I clearly told them to give point-by-point rebuttal to the charges. But they didn't give any answers. Today, they are putting forth the excuse of law," the Chief Minister said.

He said he was here to serve the state's people and not one family. "I am here not to serve one family." He said it had become impossible for him to defend leaders facing corruption charges.

In his speech, Tejashwi Yadav accused Nitish Kumar of using him as a pawn to go over to the BJP.

"You (Nitish Kumar) used me as a pawn to go over to the BJP. You have gone from saying 'Hey Ram' (in consternation) when you saw the BJP, to saying 'Jai Shri Ram'," Tejashwi Yadav, who was the state's Deputy Chief Minister till Wednesday evening, said in his over 40-minute speech in the assembly.

Tejashwi Yadav also accused the JJD-U President of "insulting" the mandate of the people time and again. "In 2013, he dumped the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and expelled the BJP ministers from his cabinet, and now again he has repeated it. The JD-U and BJP-led NDA joining hands to form the government is an insult to democracy," he said.

He said the Grand Alliance of the JD-U, Rashtriya Janata Dal and and the Congress was given the mandate of five years by the people in the 2015 assembly elections, and it was against the BJP.

Tejashwi Yadav said Nitish Kumar had never discussed his resignation with him over corruption charges. "If he had, I would have thought about it. I was taking legal opinion and I told him so. Nitish Kumar is still my uncle, but he betrayed me. If Nitish had asked me to resign, I would have thought about it," he said.

He alleged that BJP leader Sushil Modi is also facing cases.

"So why did he take oath (as Deputy Chief Minister). Why was the timing of the oath-taking ceremony changed? How did PM Narendra Modi tweet so quickly on Nitish Kumar's resignation?," he asked. The RJD has alleged that Nitish Kumar's quitting the Grand Alliance to join the BJP-led NDA soon after was all "pre-planned".

He denied his father and RJD chief Lalu Prasad was favouring him in any way, "or else I would have been the Chief Minister".

"My father was not in 'Putra moh', he was in 'Bhai moh' (favouring a brother), that's why he (Nitish Kumar) was elected as the Chief Minister," Tejashwi Yadav said.

"Everything from the resignation of Nitish Kumar and BJP's support to him was planned. The way in which he (Nitish Kumar) gave his resignation was saddening," Tejashwi Yadav said.

Attacking the Bihar Chief Minister further, Tejashwi Yadav said, "Why was he silent during the CBI raids?"

After the new Bihar government won the trust vote in the assembly on Friday, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said the "unnatural Grand Alliance died naturally", and praised Nitish Kumar for not bowing before RJD chief Lalu Prasad.
Ahmedabad, July 28 : Stunned by the exit of seven of its legislators in 24 hours, the Congress party on Friday accused BJP President Amit Shah of engineering defections in Gujarat by "money and muscle power".

In a statement signed by five MLAs and AICC Media In-charge Randeep Surjewala, who rushed here from Delhi, the Congress said: "Hunger for power has made the rulers blind to the extent that Congress MLAs are being offered bribe of crores of rupees, election ticket and other allurements."

"By misusing money power, muscle power and state power, MLAs are being asked to meet Amit Shah for changing their loyalty and vote by way of defections. This is disparaging to every constitutional norm, independence of the electoral process and majesty of democracy itself. All this is being done when Amit Shah himself is a Rajya Sabha candidate."

It was alleged that Scheduled Tribe Congress MLA Punabhai Gamit, a three-time legislator, was being threatened and lured.

"He was forcibly detained and an attempt was made to give a bribe of Rs 10 crore with allurement to meet Amit Shah," according to the statement which also has Gamit as a signatory.

"Similar attempts to buy the loyalty of Congress MLAs Mangalbhai Gavit and Ishwarbhai Patel were made by misuse of muscle power, money power and state power.

"It is the innate belief of these MLAs in Congress ideology and their impeccable integrity that deterred the conspirators and resulted into an absolute failure of their conspiracy to cause defections through allurements," the Congress said.

Besides Surjewala and senior Gujarat leader and Congress MLA from Abdasa Shaktisinh Gohil, the statement has been signed by legislators Punabhai Gamit, Mangalbhai Gavit, Ishwarbhai Patel and Anand Chaudhary.
Mumbai, July 28 : Reliance Capital Ltd, part of the Anil D. Ambani-led Reliance Group, on Friday announced the appointment of Sunil Singhania as its Global Head-Equities.

Singhania is currently the Chief Investment Officer (CIO)-Equities at Reliance Mutual Fund.

In the new role, effective from September 1, 2017, Singhania will have increased responsibilities across Reliance Capital's various businesses, a statement from Reliance Capital said.

Reliance Capital's various group companies manage substantial assets of over Rs 400,000 crore (US$ 60 billion) spread across various businesses including life insurance, mutual fund, offshore funds, pension funds, portfolio management services, alternative investment funds (AIF) and wealth management.

"Reliance Capital sees opportunities to expand its equities business across various platforms by tens of billions of dollars," Amitabh Jhunjhunwala, Vice-Chairman, Reliance Capital, was quoted as saying in the statement.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Reliance Nippon Life Asset Management Ltd (RNAM), announced the appointment of Manish Gunwani as its new Chief Investment Officer-Equity. He will be joining the company on September 1, 2017.

Gunwani joins RNAM from ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, where he served as Deputy CIO Equity, and managed assets of over Rs 35,000 crore, including some of the largest flagship funds.

Gunwani is an MBA from IIM Bangalore and B.Tech from IIT Madras.
Washington, July 28 : The US Senate on Friday rejected a scaled-down Republican plan to repeal parts of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, derailing the Republicans' seven-year campaign to dismantle former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law and dealing a huge political blow to President Donald Trump.

The move raised the prospect of emergency bipartisan talks to shore up the existing healthcare system. A key vote to defeat the measure was cast by Senator John McCain, who returned to the Senate earlier this week after receiving a diagnosis of brain cancer, the Washington Post reported.

The GOP bill was voted down 51 to 49 -- all 48 members of the Democratic caucus were joined by Republican Senators McCain, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski to block the legislation. His move sparked stunned gasps and some applause.

Shortly after the vote, Trump responded with a tweet: "3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!"

"This is clearly a disappointing moment," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. "I regret that our efforts were not enough, this time."

"It's time to move on," he said. McConnell put the health bill on hold and announced that the Senate would move onto other legislation next week.

The "skinny" bill would have repealed Obamacare's individual and employer mandates and denied funding to Planned Parenthood for a year. It would have also delayed a tax on medical devices, the Hill magazine reported.

"It's time to turn the page," said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of New York. "We are not celebrating. We are relieved."

In a statement after the vote, McCain said Congress "must now return to the correct way of legislating and send the bill back to committee... and produce a bill that finally delivers affordable health care for the American people."

Later, senators in both parties said they are ready to quickly launch work on a new plan.

"Maybe this had to happen to actually begin to have a conversation," said Senator Bill Cassidy, who had tried and failed to broker a previous bipartisan compromise.

Senator Thomas R. Carper, a Democrat, said Congress needs "to turn the page and stabilize the exchanges". Several Republicans, stunned by the abrupt end to their years-long fight, lodged veiled criticism of Collins, McCain and Murkowski.

The US President ran on the promise of repealing and replacing his predecessor's 2010-promulgated health reform and had been pressuring Republicans for months to put forward and pass a repeal bill.

Ahead of the vote, many Republican senators admitted that the measure was not good policy, but, in a highly unusual situation, said they were voting for it simply to advance the process and set up a negotiation with the House on a new bill, the report said.

The Congressional Budget Office found that the bill would result in 16 million more uninsured people and roughly 20 per cent higher premiums.
Thiruvananthapuram, July 28 : CPI(M) Kerala unit has suspended party workers who were involved in the attack on BJP party office in the state capital in the wee hours of Friday morning.

The members placed under suspension include I P Binu, a CPI(M) councillor in the Thiruvananthapuram corporation.

Announcing the decision at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, CPI(M) state unit secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan condemned the attack on the BJP office and houses of BJP workers.

Stating that the CPI(M) did not endorse such attacks, he called on the party rank and file to refrain from acting like BJP workers.

Our party workers fell prey to provocations by the BJP. However, even if there are provocations, our cadres should refrain from attacking their party offices he said, adding that the BJP did not act when their workers vandalised the CPI(M) central committee office.

Kodiyeri also accused the BJP of unleashing violence in Kerala, saying that the RSS had hatched a clandestine scheme to destroy law and order in the state.

BJPs Kerala unit office in the capital city was vandalised allegedly by CPI(M) workers and activists of the partys youth and student outfits in the small hours of Friday morning.

Vehicles parked in the office compound were reportedly damaged by stones pelted by the miscreants.

There were also reports of skirmishes between members of the two parties and also attacks on houses of workers of both parties in different parts of Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday night.
Thiruvananthapuram, July 28 : With lotteries of other states making a comeback to Kerala in the wake of the roll out of the GST regime, the LDF government has issued a notification regulating the sale of these lotteries.

Addressing a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, finance minister Thomas Isaac termed the sale of lotteries of other states as illegal.

Lotteries of other states are being sold without obtaining the nod from the state government, Isaac said.

The notification stipulates that the total number of lotteries and serial number of each ticket from other states being brought to Kerala for sale should be submitted to the income tax department.

The lottery tickets that remain unsold should be submitted before the department for inspection, the notification reportedly states.

With the GST regime pegging tax for Kerala state lotteries at 12 percent and inter-state lotteries at 28 per cent, the finance department had presumed that lotteries of other states would stay away from Kerala.

However, belying their expectations, the inter-state lotteries made a forceful comeback, prompting the state government to come out with notification regulating their sale.

On advertisements that have popped up in social media and elsewhere of inter-state lotteries, the finance minister said that the police would investigate it, adding that these advertisements being taken out for sale of lotteries were in violation of rules.

Reports in the media quote government sources as saying that neither the state government nor the lottery department had received any formal notification on the resumption of sale of inter-state lotteries in the state.

Kerala Tax on Paper Lotteries Act 2005 prohibits the sale of lotteries from other states in Kerala.

The finance department and the lottery department, however, are not quite on the same page over the issue.

While the finance department has taken the view that the government could do little about the return of inter-state lotteries to the state, the lottery department has vowed action against agencies selling these lotteries since lotteries of other states are banned in Kerala.
N0ew Delhi, July 28 : Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on Friday described West Bengal's Kanyashree scheme "effective" but refused to adopt it as a model project that can be followed by other states.

The "Kanyashree Prakalpa" recently bagged United Nation's highest award for empowering the girl child with education.

Maneka Gandhi, however, said Kolkata is showing a severe declining trend in child sex ratio and urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to adopt the "Beti Bachao Beto Padhao" programme of the central government.

"While the programme which the West Bengal government has launched on their own is effective, it is the only state in India which has completely refused to implement the 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' scheme," Gandhi said.

"As a result, of 161 districts, Kolkata is showing a severe declining trend," she added while responding to a query by a Trinamool Congress member during Question Hour.

"On the scheme that they have started, many states have done equally well in implementing similar schemes. In Kolkata, the child sex ration has gone down from 1,022 to 898. In fact, Kolkata is unfortunately the worst of 161 districts that we have taken," Gandhi said.

Mriganko Mahato, a TMC member from Purulia in West Bengal, urged the Minister to adopt Banerjee's pet scheme "Kanyashree " as a model project that can be followed by other states.

"So many states have got similar programmes and are doing extremely well. But I would urge the West Bengal government to adopt the 'Beti Bachao Beto Padhao' programme because it is not political. It benefits girls. I see no reason why the Chief Minister should not adopt the programme," Gandhi responded.

However, responding to a similar demand by BJP's Rajasthan member Santosh Ahlawat, the minister said: "It is an effective scheme and we will see whether it can be adopted or not."

The BJP leader said "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao" scheme has been an extremely successful programme.

"In the first year of 2014, we took 100 districts and at the end of the year, 58 districts had done extremely well and even going up by 100 points. In the second year, we took 161 districts and so far the reports that have come in, we have done extremely well in 104 districts," she said.

Later talking to IANS, Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandopadhyay said the budget for "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao" scheme is only Rs 100 crore while the West Bengal government is spending much more on "Kanyashree" scheme.
New Delhi, July 28 : Invoking Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday advocated dialogue with Pakistan and all stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir to bring the state out of the "current mess".

She said it was more about an emotional integration of Kashmiris with India for which the idea of 'azadi' in Kashmir needed to be replaced with a "better idea" that will accommodate aspirations of the people of the state.

Speaking at a two-day Jammu and Kashmir Conclave-2017 organised here by Delhi-based think-tank Bureau of Research on Industry and Economic Fundamentals (BRIEF), the Chief Minister lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged the central government to do more for restoring peace in the state.

She said she was longing to see "the India which cries, feels the pain of Kashmir".

"The India that embraced us on our terms. To me, India is when we go to Nizamuddin shrine and see Hindus and Muslims praying together. To me, India is statues of Hindu gods being made by Muslim artisans."

Mufti said the government and the people of India needed to understand what Kashmiris were asking for and replace the idea of azadi "with a better idea".

"Are we ready to do that? Or we will just depend on administrative measures or security measures to tackle the situation? We may be able to contain the situation with all these measures but I don't think we have been able to address the real problem in the last 70 years."

Mufti said the ruling alliance was created with a hope of reviving the magic of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had initiated talks with separatists and Pakistan to solve the Kashmir problem.

"We need to revive that. He did it in spite of Kargil, he did it in spite of the Parliament attack. We need to revive it and Pakistan has also to contribute positively."

She admitted that there were some setbacks while dealing with Pakistan "but we cannot give up".

"I feel Modi is the man of the moment. He has the potential to rise. He can become the man of history and his leadership is an asset which needs to be harnessed and there has to be a way to work together and take Kashmir out of the mess."

Drawing attention to the five 2005 Working Groups constituted by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to address problems of the people of the state, Mufti said the government needed not to reinvent the wheel.

"The working group reports are there but they have been consigned to dustbins."

Asked about the recent crackdown of the National Investigation Agency against separatist leaders in the Kashmir Valley, Mehbooba said such administrative moves won't solve the real problem.

"Whatever happened with the NIA is an administrative measure. They don't address the real problem. The real problem is still there."

Strongly opposing any move to change the special status of Jammu and Kashmir or revoking Article 370, Mufti, who heads a coalition with BJP -- which opposes the special status accorded to the state, said there was so much of distrust between Kashmiris and India that the people of her state fear that whatever "we have that is also being snatched".

"You are telling those who are demanding azadi that we will snatch all that you have. How will they feel? This won't work," she said, expressing concern over any tinkering with Article 35A of the constitution that is being debated in the Supreme Court by way of a PIL.

The act empowers the state legislature to define "permanent residents" and accord special rights and privileges to them.

"Who is doing it? Why are they doing it? ...The separatists' agenda is different and it is totally secession. But you are weakening those powers which are Indian and trust India and participate in elections (by challenging Article 35A)," she said and warned if there is an alteration in the special status of the state there could be a revolt.

Strongly defending the constitutional clause, she said any change in its status would invite repercussions and mean that nobody would be able to protect the Indian national flag in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mufti said mainstream parties like the National Conference and her own Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) risk their workers' lives who stand up and carry the tricolour in Kashmir.

"Any tinkering with the article won't be acceptable. I won't hesitate in saying that nobody will even carry the corpse of the National Flag in Kashmir (if the article is scrapped). Let me make it very clear," she said.

Mufti said that by employing such tactics "you are not targeting separatists who have an agenda to secede but you are weakening the forces who have accepted India, participated in elections".

"They make efforts to integrate Jammu and Kashmir with India with respect and dignity. You are weakening them."
Kolkata, July 28 : An illegal arms factory was busted here on Friday and a quantity of arms and ammunition seized, police said. Four people have been arrested.

Acting on information provided by two arms dealers, arrested earlier this week, a police team conducted a raid on the factory being run in east Kolkata's Tiljala area.

"Saurav Kumar, 19, Sonu, 22, Raju, 22 and Sarfaraz Alam, 24, were arrested from the factory and eight 7.65 mm semi-automatic improvised pistols, 16 magazines and 50 rounds of ammunition were seized," said an officer from Tiljala police station.

"Two big lathe machines, a barrel drilling machine, five clamp machines, two metal polishing machines and several other arms-making tools were also seized from the factory being run in a rented house," he added.

The two arms dealers from Bihar's Munger, whose information helped police nab the four, were arrested on July 24. They had revealed that they were a part of an illegal racket that manufactured arms by hiring labourers from Munger and sold them to dealers, who in turn sold them for Rs 35,000 to 50,000 per piece.
New Delhi, July 28 : Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) -- makers of the Chenani-Nashri tunnel, the country's longest highways tunnel so far -- on Friday bagged the contract for building the 14.1 km Zojila Highway tunnel which, once completed, will be India's longest.

The finalisation of tender for the tunnel was possible in its fifth attempt after the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways and Shipping failed to get more than one bidder in the previous attempts.

The other construction giants who participated in the Rs 8,000 crore tender were Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Jaiprakash Ventures and Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra).

"IL&FS has bagged the tender for the state-of-art Zojila Highway tunnel construction," a senior officer with the National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) told IANS on the condition of anonymity.

The NHIDCL, a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and Ministry of Shipping, was given the task of executing the tendering process for the Zojila Highway tunnel, after repeated failures by the ministry to execute it directly.

According to NHIDCL, the winning bid was by IL&FS which was Rs 4,899.4 crore.

The construction cost for Zojila Highway tunnel would be around Rs 5,900 crore and the remaining amount would be used for other purposes, such as land acquisition, the official said.

NHIDCL had said an advance fee of 15 per cent will be given to the firm that wins the contract.

When IANS tried to contact IL&FS for its comments on the same, the company official was unreachable.

The IL&FS is also the maker of the 10.89-km-long Chenani-Nashri tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April this year, the tunnel reduces the 41-km distance between Chenani in Udhampur district and Nashri in Ramban to 10.89 km and can be covered in 10 minutes, instead of the two-and-half hours needed currently. The Jammu- Srinagar Highway is considered to be the lifeline of the state.

Similarly, the Zojila pass, located at a height of 12,000 feet, is on National Highway 1 between Srinagar and Leh in the western section of the Himalayan mountain ranges.

The two-way tunnel, touted as South Asia's longest when ready, will reduce travel time from three hours to a mere 15 minutes. The tunnel would have some unique features like pedestrian safety passages every 250 metres, and vehicular safety passage at every 750 metres.

The road inside the tunnel will also have other features like lay-bys -- an area at the side where vehicles may pull off and stop -- and emergency telephone and communication systems at emergency exits at intervals of 125 metres.

The tunnel, which will provide a new lifeline to the locals in terms of road connectivity, will also have interior and external lighting, CCTV cameras, emergency guidance lamps and proper vehicle guidance systems. It will also be equipped to tackle fire incidents.

The Zojila pass remains snow-bound for most part of the year, rendering road connectivity with Ladakh impossible for seven to eight months. The pass is not just vital for the locals but is strategically crucial for the security of India's northern frontier.

(Rupesh Dutta can be contacted at Rupesh.d@ians.in )
By PTI: Chandigarh, Jul 28 (PTI) The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia today evinced keen interest in mutual exchange of best practices being adopted by the Haryana police force.

The Embassy of Ethiopias first secretary Zenebe along with Commissioner General of the Federal Police of Ethiopia, Haneta G M called on Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) B S Sandhu here to discuss issues related to structural and operational organisation of the state Police.

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A experience-sharing session for the Haryana Police and the police forces in Ethiopia was held on the occasion, an official spokesman said here.

"The discussion was focused on training of police forces, law and order situation, and the crime scenario, particularly heinous crimes and human trafficking," he said.

The Ethiopian delegation was briefed about the procedure adopted for private security agencies in Haryana, the spokesman said.

Expressing appreciation for the efforts being made by the Haryana Police, Haneta requested the DGP to send a delegation of officers to Ethiopia for exchange of best practices between the police forces, he said.

The DGP also presented a memento to Haneta on behalf of the Haryana Police, the spokesman said. PTI VJ ANB

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Cairo, July 28 : Led by Saudi Arabia, the four Arab countries that cut ties with Qatar over its backing of terrorism, will meet in Bahrain on Saturday "to watch Doha's seriousness in combating terrorism", Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"Foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt will hold a two-day meeting in Manama to evaluate the recent developments of Doha situation," Foreign ministry spokesperson Ahmad Abu Zeid was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency on Friday.

The recurrent meetings of Foreign Ministers signalled the interest of the four countries for coordinating their stands and to watch Qatar's commitment for stopping support for terrorism and negative intervention in other Arab countries' internal affairs, the statement added.

The Arab bloc had severed diplomatic ties with Qatar early last month accusing Doha of supporting terrorism, interfering in their internal affairs and seeking closer ties with Iran, a Saudi rival.

Qatar had strongly denied the charges and rejected a list of 13 demands put forward by the bloc for resuming diplomatic ties.

Kuwait had been trying to mediate the crisis and several top Western diplomats had toured the region to try to defuse the row, including US Secretary of States Rex Tillerson.

On Thursday, Qatar's Foreign Minister accused Gulf neighbours and Egypt of "stubbornness" in their ongoing diplomatic dispute and said the United Nations should step in to help resolve the crisis.
Islamabad, July 28 : Beleaguered Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigned on Friday after the Supreme Court, accusing him of dishonesty, disqualified him from holding the post following a probe that exposed illegal family wealth stashed abroad. Later, the PML-N decided to make Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Nawaz's brother, the new Prime Minister.

A five-judge bench unanimously disqualified Nawaz Sharif from his post after an investigative panel linked his grown up children to offshore companies, showing that their wealth was far above their legitimate earnings.

One of the judges, Ejaz Afzal Khan, said: "He (Sharif) is no more eligible to be an honest member of Parliament and he ceases to be holding the office of Prime Minister." His cabinet was also dissolved.

The much-awaited verdict in what came to be known as the Panama Papers case stunned the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, which put up a brave front saying he would remain its leader.

But very soon the veteran politician, who was in his third term as Prime Minister, quit from office while claiming he had "strong reservations" about the Supreme Court ruling.

The Election Commission later issued a notification disqualifying Sharif as a member of the National Assembly.

The opposition was jubilant and celebrated on the streets. Many distributed sweets.

The Panama Papers leaks of April 2016 revealed that three of Sharif's children owned offshore companies and assets not shown on his family's wealth statement. This was apparently used to channel funds to acquire foreign assets, including in London.

The court has recommended that anti-corruption cases should be registered against several individuals including Sharif, his daughter Maryam and her husband Mohammad Safdar, Sharif's sons Hassan and Hussain Nawaz as well as Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

The bench also disqualified Dar and Safdar, an MP, from holding office.

The bench said the Prime Minister, who has denied any wrongdoing, had been dishonest to Parliament and the judiciary and could not be deemed fit to hold office.

Within hours, the elder Sharif met senior party leaders and it was decided that his younger brother, Shahbaz Sharif, would succeed him. The younger Sharif, who has visited India, is not a member of the National Assembly or Senate and will have to be elected.

The PML-N will have to propose an interim Prime Minister to fill the 45-day vacuum until Shahbaz gets elected to Parliament. PML-N leader Khawaja Asif will most likely be the interim Prime Minister.

Born four years after Pakistan's independence, Shahbaz Sharif has been the Punjab Chief Minister since June 2013. He earlier held the post from February 1997 to October 1999 and from June 2008 to March 2013.

Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan said all material collected by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), which probed the allegations against Sharif and his family, would be sent to an accountability court within six weeks.

The President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain, has been asked to take necessary measures to run the country after Sharif's disqualification.

It was the second time in Pakistan that the Supreme Court has disqualified a sitting Prime Minister. In 2012, Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to reopen a corruption case against then President Asif Ali Zardari.

This is the third time Sharif has failed to complete his term in office. In 1993 he was sacked by the President over corruption allegations. And in 1999 he was ousted in a coup by Army Chief Pervez Musharraf.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan, who had emerged as the most vocal critic of Sharif, said that with his disqualification, the foundation of a new Pakistan had been laid.

Former President Musharraf, who went into virtual exile after Sharif returned to power, said the Supreme Court decision will have a positive impact on the country.

The Pakistan People's Party said it was regrettable Sharif didn't step down earlier and urged the authorities to ensure he didn't flee the country.

Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz was defiant. She tweeted: "Today will pave the way for Nawaz Sharif's resounding victory in 2018. He will be unstoppable. Rok sakte ho to rok lo!"
Gurugram, July 28 : A 33-year-old man was on Friday shot dead on one of the busiest roads in Gurugram. The assailants escaped, police said.

The deceased was identified as Surender Rana, a resident of Shanti Nagar area. Police said Rana was seated in his Tata SUV on Jharsa Road.

"Three unknown men arrived in a Santro car and started arguing with Rana. After heated arguments, Rana came out of SUV and was shot five times after a brief scuffle," a senior police officer told IANS.

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him dead.

"Rana was associated with a local television news channel in the past for a short period but his services were terminated," the officer said.

The reason behind the killing was not known.
Panaji, July 28 : In a new online crowdfunding appeal, Fiona Mackeown, mother of British teenager Scarlett Keeling who was sexually assaulted and left to die on a Goa beach in 2008, said that she needs 20,000 pounds to source information and video footage which allegedly links a Goa minister's son to her daughter's murder.

"I am certain there is more evidence out there to convict the right men of the right crimes in Scarlett's case. An Indian man tried to make contact with me to tell me he saw Scarlett with some men on the night she died, she was trying to get away and he went to help but they threatened him and he left," Mackeown said on crowdfunding site www.justgiving.com while making a pitch for the money.

"I was also told by a respectable person that there was a video containing evidence connected to Scarlett's murder and the minister's son," she said.

Last year, a trial court in Goa acquitted two beach shack workers of culpable homicide and sexual assault charges due to lack of evidence, following a two-year long investigation and a six-year trial.

According to documents which were brought on record by the prosecution during the trial, Scarlett was allegedly sexually assaulted by Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho in February 2008 after allegedly plying her with drugs and left to die at the Anjuna beach.

The case was first investigated by the Goa Police, whose probe was riddled with inconsistencies and constant petitioning by Mackeown resulted in the case being transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

But Mackeown, in her letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi some months back, had suggested that the CBI probe was compromised.

"I feel like the authorities in India are just going through the motions as ours was a very public case but dragging it out to wear us as a family down and hope the public forget. The truth can not be exposed with half an investigation as those that tried to cover up Scarlett's murder were never investigated due to political connections," she has also said in the appeal.
Ghaziabad, July 28 : Bike-borne criminals shot dead a wood trader here on Friday -- opposite a police station.

The incident occurred in Pasaunda locality when two criminals armed with pistols on a motorcycle reached Muhabbat Umar's shop and opened indiscriminate fire.

The badly wounded trader was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead.

Later, the younger brother of the dead man filed a complaint with the police that four persons were involved in the killing. He identified three of them as Naseem, Tahir and Hasim, police officer Jitendra Kumar Singh said.
Hong Kong, July 28 : China on Friday hit back at Britain after the country's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said two British aircraft carriers could be sent to patrol South China Sea.

Speaking on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lu Kang said "certain outside countries are determined to stir up trouble" in the region.

"Whatever banners these countries or officials claim to uphold, and whatever excuses they claim to have, their track record of bringing chaos and humanitarian disasters through their so-called moral interventions in other parts of the world is enough to make nations and peoples in the region maintain high vigilance," Lu was quoted as saying by CNN.

His remarks come after Johnson, speaking in Australia on Thursday, said: "One of the first things we will do with the two new colossal aircraft carriers that we have just built is send them on a freedom of navigation operation to this area."

Johnson did not specify where the carriers would be sent, but added the operation was designed to "vindicate our belief in the rules-based international system and in the freedom of navigation through those waterways which are absolutely vital for world trade".

The new HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier and its sister ship HMS Prince of Wales are the biggest warships ever commissioned by the Royal Navy, the Daily Mail reported.

A decision to deploy the warships to the disputed region will be seen as a highly provocative move by Beijing and could undermine efforts to shore up what the two governments have called a "golden era" in their relationship as Britain heads towards a divorce with the European Union, the daily said.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea, and has heavily militarised some islands in the region and expanded other territories with major land reclamation work, turning sandbars into islands and equipping them with airfields, ports and weapons systems.

All or parts of the sea are also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam, which has led to intense territorial disputes and naval stand-offs.

Beijing has accused the US of creating a "serious political and military provocation" by conducting similar freedom of navigation operations. Neither Britain or US recognize Beijing's territorial claims -- which were largely thrown out by an international tribunal last year.
New Delhi, July 28 : Amid India's growing ties with Africa, the Foreign Minister of Somalia Yusuf-Garaad Omar will pay a five-day visit to the country next week during which he will hold talks with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj.

Omar will be visiting from July 31-August 4. This will be Omar's first visit to India since he assumed office earlier this year.

The two sides will discuss the entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest, a statement said.

Both sides will also ink the Agreement for Transfer of Sentenced Persons during the visit.

The Union Cabinet had in June given its approval for the ratification of the agreement on transfer of sentenced persons between India and Somalia, located on the Horn of Africa.

Earlier this year, India had thanked Somalia for rescuing 10 of its nationals held by pirates.

The Indians were working as crew on a commercial vessel - Al Kausar -- which was hijacked by pirates off the Indian Ocean coast near Yemen.

The Somali security forces liberated the vessel in April this year.

India also offers Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) training scholarships and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships to Somalia.

Somalia is among the partner countries of India's Pan African e-Network project.

India-Somalia bilateral trade stood at $391.05 million in 2014-15, a more than 51 per cent increase over the figure of $257.27 million in 2013-14.

The Somali Foreign Minister will also travel to Mumbai and Hyderabad during the course of his visit.

India has been increasing its engagement with Africa, including through a series of high level visits in the last two years -- by then President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. New Delhi also hosted the India Africa Forum Summit in October 2015 that saw all 54 African nations participating.

Earlier this year, India also hosted the annual meeting of African Development Bank.
Accra, July 28 : Twenty Ghanaian students from universities across the country have received prestigious scholarships from the European Union (EU) under the Erasmus+ programme for the year 2017.

A statement issued by the EU Delegation to Ghana said the students would pursue courses at both Master and Doctoral levels in European universities, said the report on Friday.

The scholarships will help the 20 students acquire high level skills, knowledge and varied experience that will help them to contribute in future years to Ghana's sustainable development, the statement said.

The courses the students would pursue include Doctorate programme in Legal Psychology, Masters in Economics of Globalisation and European Integration, International Masters in Marine Biological Resources, Masters in Journalism, Media and Globalisation in 10 different European Union member states.

"Since 2004, 245 students and staff from Ghana have benefited from Erasmus+ scholarships, funded by the EU budget," the statement said.

Erasmus is only one source of funding for scholarships to Europe. When scholarships from both the EU and its 28 Member States were taken into account, it was estimated that a total of 1,000 Ghanaian students gained scholarships to European Universities each year.

It said the EU expected to see an increase in the number of scholarship beneficiaries in future by working alongside the academic community and by raising awareness of the programme among students.

The Erasmus+ programme will also contribute to the improvement of the quality of higher education through enhanced international cooperation between universities in Europe and in Africa and the harmonisation of programmes and procedures.
New Delhi, July 28 : Congress's Assam unit chief Ripun Bora on Friday demanded that the floods in Assam be declared a "national problem".

He also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of step-motherly treatment towards Assam for not announcing any special package or releasing funds after the floods.

He also blamed the government in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled state for failing to prevent the devastation created by floods.

"The floods created havoc this year. In Assam, floods are a regular phenomena but this year, it was unprecedented and devastating," said Bora, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP from Assam.

"The state government could have prevented the devastation caused by the floods. There was no advance contingent plan this year before the floods," Bora said.

Bora further said: "There have been four floods in the state since the BJP came to power. We demand that Assam flood should be declared a 'national problem'. It is a problem for the entire country and not just a state issue."

Hitting out at Modi, the Congress leader said: "Why Assam has been deliberately deprived of funds and special packages? The Prime Minister is least bothered about Assam. He hasn't visited the state even once after the floods."

"He goes to other states but doesn't visit Assam," he added.

He said that a dam being constructed by China on the Brahmaputra river will have huge ramifications for Assam as any huge release of water can cause flash floods in the state.

He also urged the government to take up the issue with China.
New Delhi, July 28 : Inaugurating Urdu Literacy Centres here on Friday, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said language is just a medium and inculcating the culture and spreading humanity is the government's aim.

"I don't wish to work with a team to take some money and offer to teach the rules and grammar of a language. The bigger task is to teach people about culture and humanity," he said.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader said: "Whether it be Hindi, Sanskrit or Urdu, each language academy should teach humanity and culture associated with it, more than rules of the language."

Earlier this week, the government had announced establishment of Hindi and Sanskrit learning centres in the city.

Sisodia said that after an age, people generally stop learning and through these centres, the government is trying to bring those people back to the learning mode.

The minister said that a section of people is trying to destroy the social fabric of the nation through violence and added that "we want to fight against them with humanity".
By PTI: (Eds: Updating with more details, quotes)

Hyderabad, Jul 28 (PTI) Vikram Goud, a Telangana Youth Congress leader and the son of a former Andhra Pradesh minister, was allegedly shot at in his residence in the early hours today, the police said.

His family members said an "intruder" fired at him.

Vikram, in his mid 30s, is the son of former Andhra Pradesh minister M Mukesh Goud.

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He was found with bullet wounds in his body at his house in Film Nagar, an upmarket area of the city, under suspicious circumstances, the police said, adding that he was out of danger now.

"The incident occurred between 3 am and 3.30 am," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (West Zone) A Venkateshwar Rao.

Following a complaint from Vikrams wife, the police registered a case of attempt to murder under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and added the relevant Arms Act sections to it.

Ten police teams have been formed to crack the case.

According to Hyderabad Police Commissioner M Mahendar Reddy, in her complaint, Vikrams wife Shipali M alleged that an "intruder" fired at her husband, following which she rushed him to a private hospital in their car.

Reddy said as per the sequence of events narrated by Shipali, the couple was getting ready to visit a place of worship and Vikram was waiting for her on the ground floor of their house.

"Suddenly, his wife heard gunshots and subsequently, found Vikram lying in a pool of blood on the ground," he added.

The DCP said that according to the doctors at the hospital, Vikram was out of danger now.

According to the hospital authorities, Vikram suffered bullet injuries on his arms, chest and spinal cord. One bullet had been removed, they added.

"He is in the ICU and his condition is stable," a source in the hospital said.

"The case is being investigated. We are scanning the CCTV footage obtained from the locality. We are reconstructing the crime scene. The victim is yet to reveal his version," said the police commissioner.

Mukesh Goud, a Congress leader, was a minister in the Y S Rajasekhara Reddy government in the united Andhra Pradesh. PTI VVK GDK GK RSY RC

--- ENDS ---
Hyderabad, July 28 : Telugu Titans defeated debutants Tamil Thalaivas 32-27 in the opening match of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), which got underway at a nearly-full Gachibowli Indoor Stadium here on Friday.

Captain Rahul Chaudhari set the tone early for the hosts who raced to an 18-11 lead by half-time. In total, Rahul bagged as many as 10 points.

Nilesh Salunke was another star performer for the winning side earning for his side seven points out of his 14 raids.

Vishal Bhardwaj (five points) and Farhad Milaghardan (4) kept a check on the rival team's star raiders Ajay Thakur (6) and K. Prapanjan (7).

Initially, the match looked balanced, with both teams at 3-3. But Rahul's power, agility and intelligence enabled points after points for Telugu.

At 8-7, Prapanjan's double in a raid steered Telugu to a strong position, with the opponents facing the danger of all out -- which ultimately happened two raids later.

This led to the visitors fall behind by seven points and after the break, Salunke starred for Telugu. His attack to the left, especially, paid dividends, as he and his team reaped the handsome win.

Prapanjan did his best with three points in second raids with three minutes to go but it was not enough.

C. Arun (four points) was also another key performer for Tamil side.
New Delhi, July 28 : A young man involved in nearly 200 cases of snatchings in Delhi and elsewhere has been arrested and a pistol and two cartridges seized from him, police said on Friday.

Vikram, 26, fired shots at the police but was overpowered near Mangolpuri area in Rohini in north Delhi on Tuesday evening, Deputy Commissioner of Police Rishi Pal said. Four mobile phones and three motorcycles were also recovered from him.

"Nearly 120 cases of chain snatchings in different districts of Delhi and Haryana have been worked out with his arrest," Pal added.

The DCP said a special police team arrested Vikram in the wake of a series of robberies by bike-borne assailants.

Police said Vikram, a Delhi resident, was arrested for the first time in a chain snatching case in 2005, adding that he led a lavish lifestyle and used to change vehicles and hideouts frequently to evade arrest.
Kolkata, July 28 : Going ballistic against a section of the CPI-M's central leadership for blocking General Secretary Sitaram Yechury's re-entry to the Rajya Sabha with Congress support, Central Committee member Gautam Deb on Friday said there "could be serious problem in keeping the party intact" if the people of West Bengal were "insulted" time and again.

In an unusual outburst for a communist leader, Deb - a former West Bengal Minister - said some of the leaders were still affected by a bug about the Congress, and were not in tune with the changed situations.

Deb stayed away due to indisposition from the recent central committee meeting that turned down the state unit's plea for re-nominating Yechury for the upper house polls with the Congress' ready offer to support him.

Refering to the party backing Congress leader Meira Kumar in the just concluded presidential polls, Deb said "They may say that was the presidential election, this is for the Rajya Sabha. But is this any logic?"

"Actually, they are affected by bugs. If these bugs are not removed... one has to understand the changed situations. But they don't.

"They write huge articles, undertake lecture tours, travel widely. ..But they must respect the rich experience the party has gathered in West Bengal."

"They must at least respect the people of Bengal," he said, in what is believed to be a criticism of former General Secretary Prakash Karat, who is understood to have led the hardliners in the recent Central Committee session that rejected the proposal to nominate Yechury for a third term in the Rajya Sabha.

Deb, who had been one of the architects of the Congress-Left Front alliance that came a cropper in the 2016 assembly polls, said the party has been built brick by brick in the state through decades.

"Today we may have lost. But we won for 34 years, and built the party. We are in a position to take on the (ruling) Trinamool Congress and the Congress in all Gram Panchayats. But if we don't show respect to the people..."

"In the name of democratic centralism, nothing is being done. If they go overboard, then I don't know what will happen."

He also referred to the Central Committee not allowing party veteran Jyoti Basu to become Prime Minister in 1996. "Basu had told me so many times that he only wanted to see one budget. How could they (Central Committee) know beforehand what would happen if he became the prime minister?" he asked.

Deb said while they wanted to keep the party together, there was divergence of views between the state party leadership and the central leadership "in the line of issues".

"I see we are not on the same page on a number of issues. How can we still be together? Why? Nothing is matching. There is divergence in the line of issues," he said.

Calling for deep introspection, Deb said: "We need to study the situation deeply. We want to keep the party intact, this you have to understand."

Citing the British's failed bid to partition Bengal in 1905, he said: "There will be serious problem if you try to continue like this with Bengalis. British tried it by dividing Bengal in 1905. They couldn't."

With the party blocking Yechury, the Congress re-nominated its sitting member Pradip Bhattacharya, who has been promptly supported by the state's ruling Trinamool Congress.

The Congress coming closer to the Trinamool does not augur well for the CPI-M led Left Front, as it was an alliance of these two parties (along with a small outfit the Socialist Unity Centre of India-Communist) that had brought to an end the Left's 34 year rule in the state in 2011.
Ahmedabad, July 29 : The Congress in Gujarat, which was jolted by the exit of six of its legislators in 24 hours, with one more likely to leave, flew off most of the party's remaining MLAs to Bengaluru on Friday night even as it accused BJP President Amit Shah of engineering defections in Gujarat by "money and muscle power".

As many as 44 of the remaining 51 Congress MLAs left for Bengaluru, most of them by 11.45 p.m. Indigo flight from Ahmedabad to Bengaluru in Congress-ruled Karnataka while the others from South Gujarat and Saurashtra flew off through Mumbai to the South Indian metropolis.

They will be putting up at Clarks Exotica Resorts, which is a 15-minute drive from the Bengaluru airport.

"What they did in Goa, Manipur and in Bihar. They are trying to do the same in Gujarat. Our legislators are being threatened or offered money. People like an IPS officer who was behind bars for 8-9 years in fake encounter case are being used to kidnap our MLAs, offer money or threaten our legislators. There is insecurity and environment of terror. So our legislators are being moved to safety," Arjun Modhvadia, senior Congress leader, told reporters at Ahmedabad airport before leaving.

Party sources claimed that in a last-ditch attempt to prevent any more legislators from resigning and defecting to the BJP in view of the August 8 Rajya Sabha elections where veteran leader and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's Political Secretary Ahmed Patel is contesting from Gujarat, it was imperative to keep the rest of the flock aloof from allurements.

Three MLAs, Balwantsinh Rajput, Tejashree Patel and P.I. Patel, quit on Thursday and joined the BJP, while three more submitted their resignations to Speaker Ramanlal Vora on Friday but did not join the BJP till evening.

Those who resigned on Friday are veteran Congress legislator Ramsinh Parmar, MLA from Thasra constituency and chairman of the prestigious Amul Dairy, Chhanabhai Chaudhary, MLA from Vansda constituency, and Mansinh Chauhan from Balasinor.

Congress Chief Whip Balwantsinh Rajput, MLA from Siddhpur who quit on Thursday, is rebel leader Shankersinh Vaghela's close relative. Rajput, within minutes of joining the BJP, was named for the third Rajya Sabha seat for which Patel has filed his nomination. BJP president Amit Shah and Union Minister Smriti Irani are the other two party candidates.

One more Congress MLA, C.K. Raolji, who is believed to be the closest to Vaghela, was on his way to resign, but turned back midway "for final negotiations" with the BJP, a close confidante of Raolji told IANS.

"Till evening, everyone thought that he quietly went to the Speaker's official residence and resigned, but he is yet to do so. Some final negotiations (with the BJP) are going on. Of course, eventually, he will resign," the source said.

Local Gujarati TV channels and the rest of the media assumed that Raolji had quit and had proclaimed so, leading to confusion, he said.

AICC media in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala rushed here from New Delhi. The issue also rocked the Rajya Sabha, which witnessed repeated adjournments as angry Congress members accused the BJP of "stealing" party lawmakers.

The Congress accused the BJP government in Gujarat and at the Centre of pressurising Congress legislators to quit the party and join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In Ahmedabad, a Congress statement signed by Surjewala and five MLAs, including three who claimed the BJP tried to lure them with crores of rupees among other things, said: "Hunger for power has made the rulers blind to the extent that Congress MLAs are being offered bribe of crores of rupees, election ticket and other allurements."

"By misusing money power, muscle power and state power, MLAs are being asked to meet Amit Shah for changing their loyalty and vote by way of defections. This is disparaging to every constitutional norm, independence of the electoral process and majesty of democracy itself. All this is being done when Amit Shah himself is a Rajya Sabha candidate."

It was alleged that Scheduled Tribe Congress MLA Punabhai Gamit, a three-time legislator, was being threatened and lured.

"He was forcibly detained and an attempt was made to give a bribe of Rs 10 crore with allurement to meet Amit Shah," according to the statement, which also has Gamit as a signatory.

"Similar attempts to buy the loyalty of Congress MLAs Mangalbhai Gavit and Ishwarbhai Patel were made by misuse of muscle power, money power and state power.

"It is the innate belief of these MLAs in Congress ideology and their impeccable integrity that deterred the conspirators and resulted in an absolute failure of their conspiracy to cause defections through allurements," the Congress said.

Besides Surjewala and senior Gujarat leader and Congress MLA from Abdasa Shaktisinh Gohil, the statement has been signed by legislators Punabhai Gamit, Mangalbhai Gavit, Ishwarbhai Patel and Anand Chaudhary.
New Delhi, July 28 : An inter-state criminal involved in multiple murder cases and carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head and has been arrested here, police said on Friday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Pramod Singh Kushwah said that the accused Rajesh, 47, from Rohtak in Haryana has been arrested by city police from Karnataka on Wednesday.

The DCP said that Rajesh, belonging to 'Sonu Daryapur Gang', was wanted in a triple murder case in Delhi and also in several gang wars.

Kushwah said that two of Rajesh's associates were arrested in May and June and acting on a tip-off, Rajesh was arrested from Uttar Kannada district in Karnataka on Wednesday.

Police said Rajesh was given life imprisonment in 1997 in a murder case but he jumped parole and committed murders in between.

On April 2016, Rajesh, along with his associates had shot down a police officer and two others in north-west Delhi, police said.
New York, July 28 : The top United States official in charge of South Asia is scheduled to visit New Delhi amid rising tensions in the region, the State Department announced Friday.

Alice Wells, the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, is to start her 10-day visit to New Delhi and Islamabad on Sunday during which she is to "meet with government officials, thought leaders, and business executives to discuss U.S. relations with the region", a department statement said.

The department described the visit as an "introductory trip to the region" for Wells, who took interim charge of the South and Central Asia portfolio in the State Department last month following the resignation of Nisha Desai Biswal, an appointee of former President Barack Obama.

Her visit comes during a time of rising tensions between India and China with a standoff between their troops in the Doklam region of Bhutan, where Beijing is trying to build a road in Thimpu's territory, and heated rhetoric from China's official media.

Meanwhile, the democratically elected government in Afghanistan is facing increasing violence from extremists, some of whom, Kabul has asserted, are backed by elements in Islamabad.

Wells also has the additional position of Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

This position was downgraded last month when Laurel Miller quit the job and it was made a part of the State Department's Bureau of South and central Asian Affairs.

In Pakistan, Wells will confront political uncertainty following the Supreme Court ruling unseating Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Wells is a career foreign service officer and she was the Ambassador to Jordan before her interim South Asia appointment.

She has done stints as an executive assistant to Hillary Clinton when she was Secretary of State and as a Special Assistant to Obama for Russia and Central Asia.

The administration of President Donald Trump, which has a huge backlog of diplomatic assignments to fill, has not nominated a permanent appointee for Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, a position that requires Senate approval.

It took more than six months for the administration to even name Wells to the acting position.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in)
New Delhi, July 28 : The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a plea filed by a woman against the discriminatory laws in Jammu and Kashmir which prevent women, married to non-Kashmiris, from purchasing property in the state.

A division bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice A.M. Khanwilkar asked Additional Solicitor General P.S. Narasimha, appearing for the Central Goverment, to inform it whether this case involved a similar issue of challenge to Article 35A of the Constitution which was referred to a the three judge bench on July 17.

The petition filed by Charu Wali Khanna challenged Article 35A and Section 6 of the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution which deal with permanent residents of the state.

The woman said that being a Kashmiri Pandit by origin, she desires to build a home in Jammu and Kashmir, in order to re-discover her roots, but due to the peculiar discriminatory laws she is unable to purchase property in the state as she is a not a permanent resident, and further married to a non-Kashmiri.

Article 35A, which was added to the Constitution by a Presidential Order in 1954, accords special rights and privileges to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir, and empower its legislature to frame any law without attracting a challenge on grounds of violating right to equality of people from other states or any other right under the Indian Constitution.

Section 6 of the state Constitution restricts the basic right of women to marry a man of their choice by not giving the heirs any right to property if the woman marries a man not holding the Permanent Resident Certificate.

"Despite being a Kashmiri Pandit by origin, the state does not recognise the petitioner as a citizen. In total violation of the cherished constitutional ideal of gender equality, the women of Jammu and Kashmir do not have equal rights as men when it comes to citizenship rights for spouses and their children," said the plea filed through advocate Bimal Jad.

"Due to operation of peculiar citizenship laws framed with respect to Jammu and Kashmir, under the guise of Article 370 and 35A, the men and women are subjected to different treatments and discriminated based on gender," said the plea.

The plea said the Jammu and Kashmir government, under the guise of Article 35A and Article 370 which grants special autonomous status to the state, has been discriminating against non-residents (women married to non-Kashmiri) who are debarred from buying properties, getting a government job, joining any professional college run by the state government, or voting in the local elections.

"The petitioner ironically can work and buy property anywhere in India, in fact the world, except the state of Jammu and Kashmir to which her ancestors belonged to. Such discriminatory practices undermine a Kashmiri Pandit women's identity causing severe mental harassment to the petitioner and the fundamental rights of the petitioner has been violated," said the plea.

"Section 6 of the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution restricts the basic right of women to 'marry a man of their choice' by not giving the heirs any right to property if the woman marries a man not holding permanent resident certificate," it added.

The petition also said that her children are denied a permanent resident certificate thereby considering them illegitimate - not given any right to such a woman's property even if she is a permanent resident of Jammu and Kashmir.
New Delhi, July 28 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday suggested that BJP MPs understand the changes taking place in modern-day politics and devote themselves for peoples' welfare.

"The Prime Minister advised them to understand the changes taking place in the country's political arena. He said that now there is tough political competition and therefore they, as people's representatives, should involve themselves more and more in carrying out various welfare measures for the people through pro-active interaction with various groups," said a BJP statement.

Modi's message came here at his meeting with MPs of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

The meeting was in the series of Prime Minister holding discussions with party MPs in groups over breakfast.

Modi also guided them how they could further enhance the confidence among the masses about the welfare schemes and programmes of the government.

The meeting was attended among other by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar who are MPs from Madhya Pradesh.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar was also present.

During the interaction, MPs from both the states apprised the Modi of the positive impact of his initiatives to transform the lives of farmers, poor and villagers and his impetus to welfare schemes for the poor in the past three years.

The MPs also forwarded some suggestions to the Prime Minister on the Crop Insurance Scheme, Mudra Yojana, Soil Health Card and other schemes.
Rome, July 28 : The Italian cabinet on Friday said it had dissolved two councils in the southern Calabria region for alleged infiltration by the local mafia.

The disbanded councils are Cropani in the province of Catanzaro and Brancaleone in the province of Reggio Calabria, the cabinet said in a statement.

The cabinet also extended the dissolution of Brescello council in the northern Emilia-Romagna region, the statement said.

Brescello was the first northern town to be disbanded (in 2016) for infiltration by the Calabrian mafia or 'Ndrangheta.

Hundreds of town councils in southern Italy have been dissolved for mafia infiltration since 1991 including the Sicilian mafia stronghold of Corleone - birthplace of 'boss of bosses' Toto Riina - which was dissolved last year.
Kolkata, July 28 : West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress on Friday extended its support to Congress candidate Pradip Bhattacharya for the coming Rajya Sabha polls, opening up possibilities of a new political alignment in the state.

While the Trinamool has nominated five candidates, Bhattacharya and Left Front nominee Bikash Bhattacharya entered the contest on Friday, making it a seven horse race for the six seats.

"All five of our candidates will win. And we will support Congress' Pradip Bhattacharya for the sixth seat," Banerjee told media persons in the state Assembly after parleys with the Congress aspirant and the Leader of Opposition Abdul Mannan.

Emerging from the discussions, Bhattacharya took potshots at the Left Front for fielding Bikash Bhattacharya.

"Those with whom we were in discussions, who had given their word, we had expected their backing and help," he said.

However, LF Chairman Biman Bose told the media earlier on Friday that the coalition had to take a last-minute decision to field Bikash Bhattacharya after the Congress renominated sitting member Pradip Bhattacharya.

A few months back, there were talks of the Congress supporting CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, if nominated by the party. However, Yechury's candidature was shot down by his own party's Central Committee.

"We were trying to zero in on an outstanding personality outside the periphery of party politics as a common candidate acceptable to all quarters (read Congress and LF). We lost two days looking for such a candidate," Bose said.

"We had no idea that Pradip Bhattacharya is contesting. That was announced unilaterally by them (Congress). So, we had to hold an emergency meeting and decide our candidate," he added.

But the Chief Minister snapped at the LF.

"Why are they saying he (Bikash) is apolitical? He is not an apolitical person. He functioned as Kolkata Mayor when the LF ran the Kolkata Corporation."

But on the other hand, state Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, known for his antipathy to the Trinamool, downplayed the significance of the RS poll tie-up between the two.

"We have given our candidate. Who is supporting or not is their problem? If Trinamool has the guts, they can put up a candidate. They are supporting us, because they know their sixth candidate will not win," he said.

As per the West Bengal assembly arithmetic, the five Trinamool candidates -- Derek O'Brien, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Dola Sen, Manas Bhunia and Santa Chettri -- are expected to sail through on the strength of the party's numbers.

The focus will now be on the sixth seat, for which Pradip Bhattacharya and Bikash Bhattacharya would duel it out.

After losing some of their lawmakers to the Trinamool, the Congress and Communist Party of India-Marxist are for all practical purposes left with 36 and 31 legislators respectively.

Though except Bhunia, none of the other eight party-hoppers have put in their papers, they are likely to vote as per the Trinamool diktat.

The Trinamool won 211 seats in the assembly polls, and are now assured of the support of eight other lawmakers.

To win, a candidate needs 42 first preference votes in the 293-member assembly, the electoral college for the Rajya Sabha polls. With the Trinamool now extending support to the Congress, Pradip Bhattacharya looks favourite to make the cut with the help of the surplus votes of the ruling party.

To queer Bikash Bhattacharya's pitch further, there were some speculation that his candidacy could be cancelled due to some delay in filing some of the documents. If that does happen, there won't be any election, with all six nominees winning uncontested.

Banerjee, a staunch opponent of the Centre's ruling BJP, has been for some time calling for a united fight against it.

The Trinamool and the Congress joined hands for the recent presidential elections and the coming Vice Presidential polls.

The two parties had forged an alliance for the 2009 Lok Sabha and the 2011 state assembly elections, that brought the 34-year Left Front rule to an end. But the alliance came apart in 2011.

In the assembly polls last year, the Left Front and the Congress had cobbled up an alliance, which, however, came a cropper.

Friday's developments could prove a dampener on any coming together of the two in the near future.
By PTI: Mumbai, Jul 28 (PTI) Indrani Mukerjea, former media personality and a key accused in the sensational murder of her daughter Sheena, set out looking for a "good place" days before the killing where she would dispose of her body, a Mumbai court was told today.

Shaymvar Rai, a former driver of Indrani, who was made an approver in the case in June last year, said she also wanted to kill Mikhail, Sheenas brother, while revealing chilling details of how she was done to death.

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During his examination by the special CBI prosecutor Kavita Patil, Rai said in March 2012, Indrani, who was then abroad, told him through online video chat application Skype ) that she wanted to kill Sheena and Mikhail, her two children from an earlier relationship.

"Indrani said she will take care of my kids, their education and familys medical expenses, and assured that I will have a permanent job (if he helped her)," Rai claimed.

Sheena and Mikhail were "maligning" her by calling her their mother, and there was some dispute between her (Indrani) and the two siblings, she told Rai. Indrani had earlier told her friends in Mumbai that Sheena was her sister.

In April 2012, Indrani asked him to find places around Lonavla and Mumbai for dumping the bodies of Mikhail and Sheena after the murder, Rai told the court.

The next day he picked up Indrani from airport, and on the way home she told him that she wanted to kill Sheena and Mikhail in two days, Rai said.

Indrani went with him to look for places to dump the bodies. At a spot near Khandala (near Lonavla) she said, "This place will be good for Mikhail". After seeing another spot in Khopoli she said it would be good for Sheena, Rai claimed.

Afterwards, she spoke to her husband Peter Mukerjea on phone in English, Rai said, adding "she said it was a good place".

On April 24, 2012, the day Sheena was murdered, Indrani bought six bottles of medicines, one of vodka and two small water bottles, Rai said. On reaching home she asked Rai to add the medicines to the liquor and water bottles.

It was Indrani who gave the drug-laced water to Sheena when she arrived that evening, Rai told the court.

As they were moving in Bandra-Pali Hill area, "Sheena was sitting in the car with eyes closed," he said. "Indrani asked me to stop the car and Khanna (Sanjeev Khanna, Indranis former husband, a co-accused) got up and sat on the rear seat (next to Sheena and Indrani)," Rai said.

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He then saw Khanna grab Sheenas hair and Indrani strangle her. Indrani asked Rai to cover Sheenas mouth.

"First Sheena was making some sounds and was gasping for breath, later she fell silent," he said.

"Indrani then sat on her (Sheenas) face and said Sheena has now got her 3-BHK flat," Rai told the court.

The body was taken home, stuffed in a bag and kept in the garage, he said.

Rai claimed he saw Mikhail in the house and Indrani asked Khanna and Rai to go to the terrace. After a while she came up and said even after drinking so much liquor (apparently laced with sedatives) Mikhail was in his senses.

Rai told them there will be a problem carrying two bodies, and hence they should deal with Mikhail later, he said.

On April 25, Indrani, Rai and Khanna drove towards Pen with Sheenas body. On the way, Rai said, Indrani tidied Sheenas hair and applied lipstick. The body was taken to a spot near Pen (in Raigad district) where Khanna poured petrol on it and Indrani set it on fire, he said.

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Rais examination would continue on Tuesday.

The murder came to light in August 2015 after Rai, arrested in another case, spilled the beans and Mumbai police arrested Indrani, Khanna and Rai. Later, Indranis husband Peter Mukerjea, a former media baron, was also arrested.

CBI, which took over the case, has claimed that financial dispute was the reason for Indrani to hatch the conspiracy to murder Sheena. The victim was also in a relationship with her current husband Peters son.

During Rais examination today, Indrani and Peter were seen taking notes. Indrani smiled whenever Rai referred to her. PTI VI KRK SK SK

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Task orders completed under these IDIQs will include air base master planning, similar to work like this that Stanley Consultants recently completed for King Saud Air Base, Saudi Arabia For more than 75 years, Stanley Consultants has served U.S. Federal military and civilian government agencies in support of military realignments, contingency operations, disaster and post-war reconstruction and humanitarian efforts.

Stanley Consultants, a global consulting engineering firm, has recently been awarded several indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts.

The Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) selected Stanley Consultants, as part of a joint venture with The Urban Collaborative and Cardno, to provide master planning, programming, design and environmental services to AFSOC, attached units, and other Department of Defense (DoD) units, in the continental United States (CONUS) and outside the Continental United States (OCONUS). Major installations are located in Florida, New Mexico, Japan, United Kingdom and Germany. Under the contract, work may be awarded on task orders through 2022 with a total program capacity of $40 million.

Stanley Consultants was selected by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to primarily provide comprehensive condition assessments at its 46 facilities in the United States, its possessions, and territories. Services may also include life cycle cost analysis, sustainability evaluations, historical evaluations, and energy audits. USGS facilities typically consist of a variety of building types, both single- and multi-purpose, such as administrative, laboratory, visitor center, shop buildings, and utility and storage buildings. Under the contract, work may be awarded on task orders through 2022 with a total program capacity of $2 million.

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Alaska District selected the Stanley-Design Alaska Joint Venture to provide mechanical and electrical architectural and engineering design services and related projects with emphasis in stoker-fed coal fired power plants, primarily at various locations in Alaska. The contract will expire in 2022 and has a total program capacity of $9 million.

As a subconsultant to LRS Federal, Stanley Consultants was awarded an architect/engineer single award task order contract (SATOC) from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fort Worth District. This five-year, $10 million construction phase services contract includes a broad range of military and civil works construction support activities in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Southwestern Division (SWD).

For more than 75 years, Stanley Consultants has served U.S. Federal military and civilian government agencies in support of military realignments, contingency operations, disaster and post-war reconstruction and humanitarian efforts.

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About Stanley Consultants: Stanley Consultants, a consulting engineering firm, provides program management, planning, engineering, environmental and construction services worldwide. Recognized for its commitment to client service and a passion to make a difference, Stanley Consultants brings global knowledge, experience and capabilities to serve clients in the energy, water, transportation and Federal markets. Since 1913, Stanley Consultants has successfully completed more than 25,000 engagements in all 50 states, U.S. territories, and in 110 countries. For more information on Stanley Consultants, please visit http://www.stanleyconsultants.com.
The Strategic Talent Center will help ensure companies doing business in Thailand are able to get started quickly and with knowledgeable, highly capable professionals on board.

Thailand Board of Investments New York office announces the July 3rd launch of the Strategic Talent Center (STC), an office in Bangkok dedicated to helping science and technology companies successfully establish operations in Thailand. The Strategic Talent Center will serve as a nexus for multiple government agencies and will help companies find highly skilled Thai and foreign workers, register these experts with the appropriate governmental institutions, and facilitate the visa and work permit processes, among other services.

In February, Thailand announced its 4.0 initiative, an extensive economic plan intended to bring Thailand to its full potential as the ASEAN regions industrial hub. The rigorous plan to transform the Thai economy includes investment, business attraction, and infrastructural development initiatives. One of the most important elements of the 4.0 plan calls for additional emphasis on knowledge-based industries, as well as R&D and innovation activity. The Strategic Talent Center (STC) is integral to achieving this component of the Thailand 4.0 vision, ensuring companies that establish operations in Thailand have access to the specialized workforce they need in order to function. The STC will serve as an interface between these companies and the Thai government agencies they will need to liaise with.

Identifying and recruiting highly skilled labor is one of the first challenges a business will face, particularly in the science and technology fields, says Ms. Ajarin Pattanapanchai, Deputy Secretary General of the Thailand Board of Investment. The Strategic Talent Center will help ensure companies doing business in Thailand are able to get started quickly and with knowledgeable, highly capable professionals on board.

For North American science and technology companies seeking to employ skilled workers in Thailand, the process is simple. Companies can key in their requirements for specialized workforce at http://www.boi.go.th/stc. In turn, STC, in collaboration with the respective government agencies, can search their human resources databases for experts and make suggestions.

More detailed information on identifying science and technology experts, obtaining recognition of foreign experts qualifications, as well as visa and work permit facilitation is available on the STC website.

Science and technology activity is central to the future of Thailands economy and the 4.0 economic development plan, concluded Deputy Secretary General Pattanapanchai. The new Strategic Talent Center is proof positive of Thailands commitment to supporting our economys future innovators.

About BOI

The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) is the investment promotion agency for Thailand that facilitates foreign direct investment. BOIs services are free of charge and customized to help business succeed in Thailand. For more information, please visit http://www.boi.go.th and http://www.thinkasiainvestthailand.com
Business Valuation Providing Business Valuation and Expert Witness Litigation Support Services Nationally

Published Article Summary:

Business continuity has become a hot topic in the financial advisory industry. This is partially attributable to the generation gap. The Baby Boomers who have greatly expanded the landscape of the financial advisory industry are now contemplating retirement or selling their ownership interests. The Industry has been booming for 20 years, but is now challenged by technology and generational mindsets. When developing your Firms continuity plan, how have you decided how to ensure that your buy-out is attainable and fair? To avoid a problematic outcome, you need to have a good understanding of the business valuation process and review your continuity plans regularly.

Understanding RIAs Article: http://bit.ly/2tKnv87

About Us:

CVS is a consulting firm specializing in appraising closely held businesses, LLCs / LLPs, Private Equity for matters before the IRS, Chancery Court, Family Law Court and Shareholder Buyouts. CVS has offices in Chicago, IL and Naples, FL.

Today all of CVSs appraisal and damage claims reports are counter signed by an Accredited Senior Appraiser of the American Society of Appraiser (ASA) and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

About the Authors:

Mr. Garvy is President of Corporate Valuation Services, Inc. (CVS) Prior to forming CVS, he was Managing Partner for valuation and litigation support services at the firm Chadwick & Garvy LLC. He has appraised billions of dollars of equity interests throughout the country and given court testimony in taxation, Company disputes, divorce matters, intellectual property litigation, rendered fairness opinions and solvency opinions. Mr. Garvy is a Director for several corporate and charitable institutions. Notably, Mr. Garvy was Chair of the Board of Directors for Vegetable Juices, Inc., a closely held food ingredients manufacturer that was successfully sold to a French publicly-traded company, Naturex SA. In addition to his accreditations listed above, Mr. Garvy holds a Masters of Business Administration from Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management.

Mr. Arogeti is a Manager at Corporate Valuation Services, Inc. He joined the company in 2012. Prior to starting at CVS, he studied at the Tulane University, A.B. Freeman School of Business where he received a Master of Risk Management (2010) and a Bachelor of Science in Management (2009). Mr. Arogeti Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and an accredited as a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) with the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. Mr. Arogeti currently resides in the city of Chicago.

For More Information: http://bit.ly/2tKnv87

Website: http://www.corporatevaluationservices.com/

Contact:

Offices In Chicago & Naples

Corporate Valuation Services, Inc.

125 S. Wacker Dr | STE 300

Chicago, IL | 60606

P: 312.324.0376

E: meetus(at)corporatevaluationservices(dot)com

For Immediate Release
Continuing our support of this event is a source of great pride for us, especially as it puts our stone in the hands of outstanding carvers from around the world.

For the second consecutive year, Indiana Limestone Company has proudly sponsored the Canadian Stone Carving Festival, held July 21-24 in Ottawa. Sculptors and stone carvers from Canada, the United States, and Europe took part in the annual event, which encourages public interaction with artists as they create unique works in stone using traditional methods.

Indiana Limestone Company provided premium stone from its historic central Indiana quarries for the carvers to use in their work.

The festival was held in the Canadian capital to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Canadas confederation. The city is an especially apt venue because of its rich history of stone carving and the many superb examples of the art to be seen on Parliament Hill.

The event was modeled on European stone carving festivals. Each carver worked from a cubic-foot block of stone  7-1/2" x 7-1/2" x 15". They used only hand tools to create a work of art, in most cases during just 18 or 20 hours during the festival. Visitors were able to meet the artists and watch them at work.

The intention is to promote fellowship in the group and foster public awareness of stone carving. The festival is not a competitive event. Works produced over the weekend was offered at auction, with proceeds benefiting Ottawa Innercity Ministries.

Festival officials and participants have praised the versatility and high quality Indiana Limestone provides. The states native limestone is noted for its characteristic ability to accept carved detail. Its relatively easy to carve, and attractive colors such as buff are favored by many artists.

Continuing our support of this event is a source of great pride for us, especially as it puts our stone in the hands of outstanding carvers from around the world, said Duffe Elkins, Indiana Limestone Company COO. Weve hoped from the start that demonstrating the qualities of our stone for carving will encourage artists and artisans to use it even more widely.

For more on the Indiana Limestone Company and its products, visit indianalimestonecompany.com.

About Indiana Limestone Company

Indiana Limestone Company is unmatched as the premier supplier of Indiana limestone in a range of beautiful and lasting building products. Founded in 1926 (with predecessor firms that had been quarrying limestone since the mid-1800s), ILCO today remains the provider of choice for this internationally renowned natural stone. Throughout an illustrious history in which its stone has made such iconic structures as the Empire State Building, National Cathedral, and the Pentagon, ILCO has reliably provided the highest quality products and services carefully tailored to the needs of the market with an environmental, natural focus.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) currently uses an estimated 71 percent of its budget on nutrition assistance programs.

Right now the most public debate is over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP. However, changes to other programs are under consideration, including WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), which is the countrys third-largest food assistance program.

54 percent of infants, and 31 percent of children ages 1 to 5 are served by WIC. A report by the National Academies released earlier this year recommends modifications to the program as a whole.

Any proposals to change the program are being made with the goal of providing nutrition to promote the well-being of pregnant women, infants and young children, says Helen Jensen of Iowa State University. We are looking at factors associated with participation in WIC and whether benefits are attractive enough to keep people enrolling in the program.

Jensen, who is an internationally-known expert on food and nutrition policy, will lead a session entitled Food Assistance Program Design in WIC: Mechanisms for Targeting Nutritional Needs at the 2017 AAEA Annual Meeting in Chicago July 30  August 1.

There is a lot of interest in food assistance programs both because of funding and because of the success and concerns of improving food security, Jensen said. Funding for WIC is tied to participation and since 2008 participation has fallen.

This session is being held Monday, July 31, at 10:00 a.m. For more information, or to set up an interview, please contact Jay Saunders in the AAEA Business Office.
Contact: Colin Gerrity

colin(at)agencymabu(dot)com | (443) 330-5497

U.S. Army Medicine Civilian Corps Highlights Involvement at Upcoming Career Fairs

The Civilian Corps of the U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) is highlighting involvement at several August conferences and career fairs.

In the coming weeks, the Civilian Corps will send career consultants to the Amputee Coalition National Conference in Louisville, KY on 3-5 August; the APA Psychological Convention in Washington, D.C on 3-6 August; the AOAs Regional Osteopathic Medical Education conference in Cambridge, MA on 17-20 August; and the Paralyzed Veterans of America Annual Summit & Expo in National Harbor, MD on 29-31 August.

The variety of these events demonstrates the scope of talent that Civilian Corps recruiters seek out on behalf of the U.S. Army Medical Command. Civilian careers in U.S. Army Medicine appeal to medical professionals, behavioral health specialists, and individuals with disabilities.

By filling health care positions with qualified candidates, the Civilian Corps will continue the Armys medical readiness mission to provide the best quality of care to U.S. Army uniformed service members, the retired service members, their families and other eligible beneficiaries, says Rosalinda Jenkins, Chief, Recruitment and Retention, Headquarters U.S. Army Medical Command, Civilian Human Resources Division.

U.S. Army Medicine Civilian Corps employees work closely alongside their military counterparts within the United States Army Medical Command (MEDCOM), a division of U.S. Army Medicine.

Civilian Corps employees are not subject to military requirements, such as enlistment or deployment. Army Medicine civilians receive excellent benefits, including flexible work schedules, competitive salaries, and extensive health insurance coverage options.

To learn more about the Civilian Corps and its mission to hire the best health care professionals for the U.S. Army, please visit https://www.civilianmedicaljobs.com.

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By PTI: Bhubaneswar, Jul 28 (PTI) The BJD today denied allegations being made by BJP against party president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, saying the facts about the partys expenditure had been deliberately twisted.

The BJP has approached the Election Commission, Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate alleging that Patnaik misled the people by showing different amounts as his election expenditure in different documents.

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"The allegations raised by BJP are false, malicious and fabricated," BJD spokesman and Rajya Sabha MP Pratap K Deb and Lok Sabha member Pinaki Mishra said in press conference.

"The facts related to the financial transactions of the party account has been deliberately twisted so that it seems like some dubious transactions," he said.

Mishra said the chief minister after elections had returned about Rs 4 lakh to the party (BJD) which was not seen by the BJP leaders before making such allegations. The money had been given to him for contesting polls.

Patnaik won from Hinjili assembly constituency in 2014. PTI AAM NN

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Last month, Grammy Award-nominated, and multi-platinum R&B recording artist and film/TV and Stage actress Deborah Cox released her brand new single, entitled Let the World Be Ours Tonight, on Radikal Records. The songstress, who has achieved 12 number one hits on the Billboards Dance Club Songs Chart, is looking for her 13th number one with Let the World Be Ours Tonight. The single debuted on Billboards Dance Club Songs Chart at #37, and after just three weeks on the chart it has moved up to #14 for the week of August 5th. Let the World Be Ours Tonight has also topped the Kings of Spins Top 20 Chart. Radikal Records is now introducing a new set of remixes with the release of Let the World Be Ours Tonight (Remixes).

Coxs powerful vocal performance on Let the World Be Ours Tonight makes a strong statement about overcoming adversity. Let the World Be Ours Tonight is a powerful anthem that beautifully delivers her message of acceptance, hope, and love, a theme which has helped her become a beloved figure in the LGBTQ community. When asked about the new single, Deborah Cox stated, I am thrilled and super excited that this song is resonating on the dance floors all over the world. The fans have been really responsive to not just the feel good nature of the song, but also the message of hope and over-coming any adversity. These are the kinds of songs that bring me the most joy to sing!

The Canadian born star teamed up with renowned UK production team Soulshaker (Mary J. Blige, Keri Hilson, Wiz Khalifa) for her new feel good single. This exclusive new remix package features additional interpretations of the single from some of todays top producers including Tony Moran, Bimbo Jones, DASCO, and more.

Let the World Be Ours Tonight (Remixes) is available for digital purchase on all major platforms including Amazon, Google Play, and iTunes. It is available to stream on Apple Music and Spotify.

Let the World Be Ours Tonight (Remixes) Track-listing:

1. Let The World Be Ours Tonight (Tony Moran & Warren Rigg Piano Anthem Radio Mix)

2. Let The World Be Ours Tonight (Tony Moran & Warren Rigg Piano Anthem Club Mix)

3. Let The World Be Ours Tonight (Tony Moran & Deep Influence Mix)

4. Let the World Be Ours Tonight (Bimbo Jones Radio Edit)

5. Let the World Be Ours Tonight (Bimbo Jones Remix)

6. Let the World Be Ours Tonight (DASCO Radio Edit)

7. Let the World Be Ours Tonight (DASCO Remix)

8. Let the World Be Ours Tonight (Mixmaster & Ezio Centanni Classic Anthem Remix)

9. Let the World Be Ours Tonight (So Cool Network Remix)

10. Let the World Be Ours Tonight (Al-Faris Massive Remix)

About Radikal Records:

Established in 1990, and based just outside of NYC, Radikal Records is one of the United States leading independent record labels. In business for more than 25 years, they are focused on marketing, promoting, and distributing artists  not only to audiences in the USA, but also on a global basis to partners world-wide. Artists included on their roster over the years include: Kristian Nairn, DJs From Mars, Tony Moran, Salt Ashes, 2 Unlimited, N-Trance, Zombie Nation, ATB, Yello, Scooter, Schiller, Blank & Jones, Cosmic Gate, Sinead OConnor, Ayah Marar, and many others. For more information visit: http://www.radikal.com
Tinas experience and depth of knowledge in the asset management space will make her an invaluable asset to the firm as it continues to grow.

Fred Alger Management, Inc. (Alger) is pleased to announce that Tina M. Payne has joined as Senior Vice President, General Counsel.

Ms. Payne will oversee the legal and compliance departments at Alger. She will play a crucial role by providing counsel to various internal business units, executive management, and the Board of Trustees.

Ms. Payne, who has 16 years of experience working with investment companies, comes to Alger from Cohen & Steers Capital Management, where she served as Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel. Ms. Payne previously held positions at PFPC Worldwide (a former division of PNC Bank) and Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, where she began her legal career. Ms. Payne received her legal and undergraduate degrees from the University of Pittsburgh.

Tinas experience and depth of knowledge in the asset management space will make her an invaluable asset to the firm as it continues to grow, said Hal Liebes, Executive Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer. Throughout her career, Tina has successfully managed and built multiple teams, providing critical advice and counsel in a growing and increasingly complex world. We look forward to having her do the same at Alger.

About Alger

Founded in 1964, Alger is widely recognized as a pioneer of growth-style investment management. Headquartered in New York City with affiliate offices in Boston and London, Alger provides U.S. and non-U.S. institutional investors and financial advisors access to a suite of growth equity separate accounts, mutual funds, and privately offered investment vehicles. The firms investment philosophy, discovering companies undergoing Positive Dynamic Change, has been in place for over 50 years. In March 2017, Weatherbie Capital, LLC, a Boston-based investment adviser specializing in small and mid-cap growth equity investing, became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alger. For more information, please visit http://www.alger.com.
Nothing beats seeing your guests smiling from ear-to-earwell, except when they decide to dive into a rack of Tony Romas world-famous Baby Back Ribs out of pure rib-citement!

Romacorp, Inc., parent company of Tony Romas, dares guests to dive face-first into their world-famous Baby Back Ribs and put on their best #RibFace this summer with the launch of their annual Rib Face social media contest. The restaurant loved around the world for its one-of-a-kind iconic Baby Back Ribs kicks off the fun this week, giving fans at each participating USA Tony Romas restaurant the chance to win free Baby Back Ribs for an ENTIRE year! To participate and stake their claim, all that fans in the United States have to do is post a photo of themselves with a big saucy Tony Romas grin on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and tag #RibFace, from August 1st to Sept. 2nd. To slather the love of ribs and sauce a little thicker, each week during the contest Tony Romas will give one fan in the USA a $100 Tony Romas gift card to satisfy their cravings for ribs that only Tony Romas can fulfill.

We have such a fun and saucy time hosting this contest every year  its definitely one of our fan and team member favorites, said Jim Rogers, Chief Marketing Officer for Romacorp, Inc., parent company of Tony Romas. Nothing beats seeing your guests smiling from ear-to-earwell, except when they decide to dive into a rack of Tony Romas world-famous Baby Back Ribs out of pure rib-citement! Thats what we call putting on your #RibFace!

This year, Tony Romas fans can create the perfect #RibFace and participate one of two tasty ways  by getting hands-on and posting a photo of themselves digging into a rack of delicious Baby Back Ribs at their favorite Tony Romas restaurant, or by using one of Tony Romas new #RibFace hand fans created for this saucy contest. Tony Romas new #RibFace hand fans are available in three rib-tastic options and have photos of mouths already decked out in BBQ sauce, making it easy for fans to sport a #RibFace even if they dont want to get a little saucy. These rib-tickling hand fans are available at participating Tony Romas USA locations while supplies last, or they can be downloaded from the Tony Romas website at http://www.tonyromas.com so that fans can bring the #RibFace experience with them anywhere.

Tony Romas World Famous Baby Back Ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and slathered with Tony Romas Original BBQ sauce, making this contest the tastiest  and sauciest  contest in the world, said Rogers. Bring the whole family to Tony Romas and give everyone the chance to Show Us Your Rib Face!

For the chance to win free ribs for a year, fans in the United States can participate by simply sharing photos of their Tony Romas #RibFace on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

About Romacorp, Inc.

Romacorp, Inc., is the parent company of Tony Roma's restaurants, the world's largest casual dining concept specializing in ribs. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Romacorp, Inc. has more than 150 restaurant locations in more than 30 countries and is one of the most globally recognizable names in the industry. The first Tony Roma's restaurant opened 45 years ago in North Miami, Florida. Tony Roma's is also proud to partner with the Make-A-Wish Foundation (http://www.cnfl.wish.org), one of the world's leading children's charities, in an effort to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses across Central and Northern Florida. For more information about Romacorp, Inc. and Tony Roma's, visit http://www.tonyromas.com.

Please visit http://www.tonyromasfranchise.com or call (866) 981-0586 for information about Tony Roma's franchising opportunities.
Promotions to the partner, principal, executive director and director ranks involve a rigorous selection process that recognizes each persons achievements and potential.

Ernst & Young LLP recently announced the promotions of Rani Bhuva, Keith Brock, Cecilia Mansilla, Clark ONiell, Irene Sung, Laurence Dudson, Akhil Salgia and ALaina Lyons in its San Francisco office.

Our new partners, principals, executive directors and director have dedicated their careers to delivering exceptional client service, to the pursuit of quality and technical excellence and to living the EY purpose of building a better working world, said Lee Dutra, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP and the EY San Francisco Office Managing Partner. We commend them on this impressive and hard-earned career milestone.

Promotions to the partner, principal, executive director and director ranks involve a rigorous selection process that recognizes each persons achievements and potential. The promoted professionals exemplify the EY commitment to being a purpose-driven organization, building a better working world and leading a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can achieve their full potential.

Rani Bhuva was promoted to principal from senior manager and is part of the EY Advisory practice in San Francisco. She joined EY in 2009 and has deep experience serving a broad spectrum of financial services clients with the application of advanced analytical techniques to support revenue and capital optimization and regulatory and accounting transformation. Bhuva graduated from MIT with dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science and Management Science.

Keith Brock was promoted to principal from senior manager and is part of the EY Transactions Advisory Services practice. Since joining EY in 1996, Brock has built a career helping clients achieve strategic goals and transformation with advice and expertise on mergers and acquisitions. He has deep experience advising clients on executing complex integrations and divestitures. Brock graduated from Oxford University with a Master of Arts in Modern History. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

Cecilia Mansilla was promoted to principal from senior manager and is part of the EY Advisory practice in San Francisco. She joined EY in 2004 and has built a career working to help major clients succeed on large and complex transformational programs. Mansilla is a trusted advisor on a wide range of business transformation journeys and has helped her clients with performance improvement, technology implementation, cyber security and regulatory compliance. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from the University of California at Davis and also volunteers in the Oakland community by working with Girls Inc. of Alameda County, a nonprofit that inspires girls to be strong, smart and bold through direct service and advocacy.

Clark ONiell was promoted to principal from senior manager and is part of the Parthenon-EY Transactions practice in San Francisco. Since joining EY in 2015, ONiell has served leading corporate and private equity clients to solve complex business and technical issues and help them navigate disruptive trends. ONiell has extensive experience in the technology industry including research and development, sales and marketing, manufacturing, supply chain, strategic planning, and mergers and acquisitions. He graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering and earned his MBA from Harvard University.

Irene Sung was promoted to partner from senior manager and is part of the EY Advisory practice in San Francisco. She has deep experience supporting leading global and multinational banks, brokers, dealers and asset managers with internal audit, Sarbanes-Oxley readiness and compliance and risk management services. Sung is a trusted advisor and assists clients with major internal audit and risk transformations programs. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Baylor University and Master of Business Administration degree in Finance, Strategy and Entrepreneurship from the Southern Methodist University. Sung is a certified public accountant (CPA) licensed to practice in California and Texas and a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), California Society of CPAs and Texas Society of CPAs.

Laurence Dudson was promoted to executive director from senior manager and is part of the EY Advisory practice in San Francisco. Since joining EY in 2009, Dudson has served several global market-leading clients with systems implementation, outsourcing, benchmarking and strategy related matters. He graduated from Nottingham University with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering. Dudson is also active in the San Francisco community and has fundraised for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society by participating in their annual charity bike ride for several years.

Akhil Salgia was promoted to executive director from senior manager and is part of the Ernst & Young LLP Advisory practice in San Francisco. Salgia provides leading banking and capital markets clients with a broad range of services across treasury, finance and risk management. He has deep expertise in target operating model design, analytics and technology implementation and is a trusted advisor on a wide range of risk transformational journeys. Salgia graduated from University of Mumbai and is a member of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

ALaina Lyons was promoted to director from associate director and is part of the business development team at Ernst & Young LLP. She has extensive experience in business development and working with financial services clients on transformational business initiatives. Lyons helps her clients capitalize on operational improvements and on a number of important functional areas including technology, data analytics and process improvement, among others. She graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara and is a member of Financial Women of San Francisco and the Bay Area (FWSF).

About Ernst & Young LLPs Bay Area practice

Ernst & Young LLP has more than 1,900 people in its San Francisco, San Jose and Redwood Shores offices who serve a diverse client base of innovative and entrepreneurial companies spanning the technology, real estate, consumer products, asset management and insurance, banking and capital markets, health care and social media industries. Ernst & Young LLP is a market leader in the Bay Area, serving more than 74% of the regions companies listed on the Silicon Valley 150, auditing 42% of the Bay Area companies listed on the Fortune 500, and providing strategic consulting, tax and M&A services to the other 58%. In the Bay Area, Ernst & Young LLP has been the Big 4 leader in serving IPOs for the past decade. The firm celebrates the successes of Northern Californias entrepreneurs through its EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program, founded in 1986.

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, an EY member firm serving clients in the US.

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Our new partners and director all exemplify the diversity, global experiences and tech sector fluency that are critical for success in todays business world.

Ernst & Young LLP recently announced the promotions of Steven De Buyst, Constant Djacga, Katie Tobin and Monica Fox in its San Jose office.

Our new partners and director all exemplify the diversity, global experiences and tech sector fluency that are critical for success in todays business world, said Ibi Krukrubo, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP and the San Jose Office Managing Partner. We commend them on this impressive and hard-earned career milestone.

Promotions to the partner and director ranks involve a rigorous selection process that recognizes each persons achievements and potential. The promoted professionals exemplify the EY commitment to being a purpose-driven organization, building a better working world and leading a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can achieve their full potential.

Steven De Buyst was promoted to partner from senior manager and is part of the EY Assurance practice in San Jose. He first joined the EY member firm in Brussels in 2004 and permanently relocated to EYs San Jose office in 2011. De Buyst has extensive experience providing technology-focused clients with tailored assurance services. He also recently completed a two-year residency in the EY Professional Practice Group, where he advised teams across the West on technical accounting matters. De Buyst graduated with a Master in Business Economics from the University of Ghent in Belgium. He is a certified public accountant (CPA) licensed to practice in California and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Constant Djacga was promoted to partner from senior manager. He joined the EY Assurance practice in 2005 and has spent his career serving market-leading technology and manufacturing clients in a variety of areas including SEC reporting, as well as complex accounting and transaction matters. Djacga has led the integration of the EY audit practice in Cameroon which contributed to the growth of EY in Central Africa. He graduated from the Catholic University of Central Africa with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance. Djacga is a certified public accountant (CPA) licensed to practice in California and Wisconsin and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). He is also involved in the community and a board member of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) San Francisco.

Katie Tobin was promoted to partner from senior manager and has been part of the EY Assurance practice in San Jose since 2004. She has deep experience serving diverse, market-leading clients in the technology sector. Tobin graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics with an emphasis in Accounting. She is a certified public accountant (CPA) licensed to practice in California and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Monica Fox was promoted to director from associate director. She has been a part of the EY Business Development practice since 2008, focusing on growing the firms technology client base. She is seen as a trusted advisor and along with her extensive experience, has helped the firm to build long-term relationships with senior executives at prominent technology firms. Fox graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Santa Clara and is a member of the Lantern League.

About Ernst & Young LLPs Bay Area practice

Ernst & Young LLP has more than 1,900 people in its San Francisco, San Jose and Redwood Shores offices who serve a diverse client base of innovative and entrepreneurial companies spanning the technology, real estate, consumer products, asset management and insurance, banking and capital markets, health care and social media industries. Ernst & Young LLP is a market leader in the Bay Area, serving more than 74% of the regions companies listed on the Silicon Valley 150, auditing 42% of the Bay Area companies listed on the Fortune 500, and providing strategic consulting, tax and M&A services to the other 58%. In the Bay Area, Ernst & Young LLP has been the Big 4 leader in serving IPOs for the past decade. The firm celebrates the successes of Northern Californias entrepreneurs through its EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program, founded in 1986.

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, an EY member firm serving clients in the US.

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Our new partner and executive director have dedicated their careers to delivering exceptional client service, to the pursuit of quality and technical excellence, and to living the EY purpose of building a better working world.

Ernst & Young LLP recently announced the promotions of Graeme Reid to partner and Lily Kordic to executive director in its San Diego office.

Our new partner and executive director have dedicated their careers to delivering exceptional client service, to the pursuit of quality and technical excellence, and to living the EY purpose of building a better working world, said Robert Bruning, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP and the EY San Diego Office Managing Partner. We commend them on this impressive and hard-earned career milestone.

Bruning added that Reid and Kordic exemplify the EY commitment to being a purpose-driven organization, building a better working world and leading a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can achieve their full potential.

Graeme Reid provides a wide range of assurance services to market leading public and private clients in the real estate and retail sectors. Reid earned his Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Iona College. He is a certified public accountant (CPA) licensed to practice in California, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the California Society of CPAs.

Lily Kordic has 17 years of diverse public accounting experience, providing tax services to private and public companies in the life science, technology, manufacturing and distribution industries. She is a subject-matter specialist in accounting for income taxes and has worked with numerous multi-state and international companies with complex tax accrual, consulting and return assistance. She has extensive experience working on IPOs, acquisitions and spin-offs, business combinations and partnership restructurings. Kordic received her Bachelor of Science degree in Managerial Finance, Master of Science degree in Accounting and her MBA from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is a certified public accountant (CPA) licensed to practice in California, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the California Society of CPAs.

About Ernst & Young LLPs San Diego practice

Ernst & Young LLP has more than 300 people in its San Diego office who provide assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services to a diverse client base spanning the life sciences, technology, health care, telecommunications, consumer products, engineering and construction, financial services and real estate industries. Ernst & Young LLP is the leader in guiding San Diego-based companies through the IPO process, and is a founding member of BIOCOM, Software San Diego (formerly the San Diego Software Industries Council), CommNexus San Diego, CONNECT and CleanTECH San Diego. The firm celebrates the successes of San Diegos entrepreneurs through its EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program, founded in 1986.

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, an EY member firm serving clients in the US.

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Clodronate-evoked inhibition of vesicular ATP release is important for the treatment of chronic pain.

Source: Okayama University (JAPAN), Public Relations and Information Strategy

For immediate release: 28 July 2017

Researchers at Okayama University describe in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the effect of clodronate on the regulation of adenosine triphosphate release and its potential as a drug for the treatment of chronic pain. The compound has few side effects and may also be effective for treating other medical conditions including diabetes.

Typical drugs for treating chronic pain  a condition estimated to affect 20  25% of the worlds population  often cause serious side effects such as stomach problems, kidney failure or addiction. Now, a team of researchers led by Yuri Kato and Takaaki Miyaji from Okayama University has identified a compound, clodronate, that inhibits the mechanism triggering chronic pain while having few side effects. Clodronate may therefore be used for future chronic pain drug development. Moreover, the researchers reckon it may also be effective for the treatment of other diseases such as diabetes and neurological disorders.

Acute pain is the result of sensory nerves responding to a (potentially) harmful stimulus, a biological process called nociception. However, inflammation or nerve injuries can trigger pathological nociception  a long-lasting sensation of pain due to the stimulated production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules that bind to so-called purinergic receptors causing pain responses. The ATP molecules participating in the purinergic signalling processes are carried by vesicular nucleotide transporter (VNUT) protein. Since it is known that suppression of VNUT function leads to an improvement of neuropathological conditions in mice, Moriyama and Miyaji and colleagues looked for a VNUT inhibitor with few side effects.

The researchers tested clodronate, a molecule belonging to the class of bisphosphonates, compounds used for treating osteoporosis. Clodronate does not contain nitrogen, a characteristic known to decrease therapeutic effect for osteoporosis and the number of side effects. Experiments on proteoliposomes showed that clodronate is a potent inhibitor of VNUT, whereas injections of clodronate in wild-type mice showed that it attenuated chronic neuropathic and inflammatory pain.

The scientists confirmed that clodronate has few side effects, and noted that its therapeutic effectiveness is stronger than that of other widespread drugs for neuropathic pain. Clodronates potent inhibition of VNUT also makes it a highly relevant candidate drug for the treatment of diabetic symptoms. Given that clodronate is currently clinically approved in many countries for the treatment of osteoporosis, the drug has great potential. Accordingly, Kato and Miyaji and colleagues conclude their report by noting that further studies regarding the wide range of applications of clodronate are currently in progress in our laboratories.

Background

Chronic pain

In medicine, pain lasting a long time  typically, 3 months or more  is called chronic, as opposed to acute pain. Chronic pain can be neuropathic, when the nervous system is damaged, or nociceptive, when inflammation causes nociceptors (pain sensors) to be triggered permanently.

Current drugs for the treatment of chronic pain, notably opioids like morphine, have various side effects, including stomach or kidney dysfunction, drug addiction, drowsiness and vomiting. Yuri Kato and Takaaki Miyaji and colleagues have now identified a potential non-opioid drug, clodronate, that suppresses chronic pain by inhibiting the release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a mechanism involved in chronic pain.

Purinergic signalling

In living organisms, purinergic signalling is a way of passing on signals outside cells. It involves purines, particular types of aromatic molecules containing nitrogen, and so-called purinergic receptors in cells. The purinergic signalling mechanism associated with chronic pain involves the purine adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a molecule playing an important role in biological energy transfer processes; ATP is carried by vesicular nucleotide transporter (VNUT) protein. The present study shows that clodronate inhibits VNUT, which in turn attenuates neuropathic and nociceptive pain. Since clodronate has few side effects and since it has already been clinically approved in many countries, it is a promising drug for the treatment of chronic pain.

Reference

Yuri Kato, Miki Hiasa, Reiko Ichikawa, Nao Hasuzawa, Atsushi Kadowaki, Ken Iwatsuki, Kazuhiro Shima, Yasuo Endo, Yoshiro Kitahara, Tsuyoshi Inoue, Masatoshi Nomura, Hiroshi Omote, Yoshinori Moriyama & Takaaki Miyaji. Identification of a vesicular ATP release inhibitor for the treatment of neuropathic and inflammatory pain. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Month Day, 2017.

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1704847114.

Okayama University

1-1-1 Tsushima-naka , Kita-ku , Okayama 700-8530, Japan

Public Relations and Information Strategy

E-mail: www-adm(at)adm.okayama-u.ac(dot)jp

Website: http://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/index_e.html

Okayama Univ. e-Bulletin: http://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/user/kouhou/ebulletin/
On July 14-16, 2017, Einhorn Harris Partner Jhanice V. Domingo traveled to Nashville, TN, to head the National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA) Mid-Year Leadership Summit. The summit is a meeting of NFALAs Board of Governors, Committee/Affinity Network Chairs, and board members from the various NFALA affiliates throughout the country (New Jersey, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, District of Columbia, Seattle, Atlanta, Tennessee, Orange County, Philadelphia, Texas, Hawaii and Oregon). Domingo is a past president of the Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association of New Jersey and the current President of NFALA. Her term as NFALA President extends until November 2017. As part of her participation at NFALAs Mid-Year Leadership Summit, Domingo delivered the welcome remarks on the first day of the weekend-long conference, conducted the Board meeting, and lead the strategic planning session, during which she discussed the action plan for the remainder of her administration and provided immediate responses/solutions to requests from NFALAs affiliate leaders.

It was inspiring to meet NFALAs leaders throughout the country and to learn more about all the wonderful accomplishments of each of NFALAs affiliates, Domingo said. She added that she is extremely proud of NFALAs many firsts in the past six months, including:



The first West Coast Pinay Powerhouse Conference in San Francisco, CA;

The Salu-Salo Networking Dinner in Philadelphia, PA, the first joint networking event hosted by NFALAs in-house counsel and partners affinity networks;

The first In-House Counsel/Partners panel, Strutting Down Main Street: Fil-Am Lawyers Hit Their Strides;

The launch event of the Oregon Filipino American Lawyers Association in Portland, OR; and

The NFALA Info Session in Philadelphia, PA, to initiate a new affiliate in Philadelphia and New Jersey.

This month, NFALA also celebrated the historic appointments/investitures of three distinguished Filipino-American attorneys to the judiciary:



The Honorable Benjamin T. Reyes II, the first Filipino-American Judge to serve on the Contra Costa County (CA) Superior Court;

The Honorable Steven R. Powers, the first Filipino-American to serve as an Appellate Judge in Oregon; and

The Honorable Winston S. Keh, who was appointed Court Commissioner for the San Bernardino County (CA) Superior Court.

Since her installation as President in November 2016, Domingo has traveled to Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, San Diego and San Francisco to meet with NFALAs members and affiliate leaders in these regions. Next up for NFALA is the organizations annual national convention November 1-4 in Washington, DC, which includes NFALAs 3rd Annual Gala and Installation of Officers. The keynote speaker at this years Gala will be U.S. District Court Judge Lorna G. Schofield, the first Filipino-American to serve as an Article III federal judge.

For more information about the National Filipino American Lawyers Association, visit http://www.nfala.com.

ABOUT EINHORN HARRIS

Established in 1961, Einhorn Harris, based in Denville, New Jersey, is a comprehensive, full-service law firm devoted to serving a broad range of legal needs. In its more than 50 years in business, Einhorn Harris and its attorneys have earned a reputation for dedication to the community. The firm focuses in many areas of practice including family law, trusts & estates law, tax law, accidents/personal injury, criminal law, real estate law, business law, employment and commercial litigation. http://www.einhornharris.com.
HMP, a leader in healthcare content and continuing medical education events, today announced that its primary care digital brand, Consultant360, is a finalist for Best Healthcare Professional Media Brand for the Medical Marketing & Media (MM&M) Awards 2017.

Five finalists for each of the 30 categories were selected after multiple rounds of scoring by a diverse panel of leaders within the healthcare marketing community. The winners in each category will be announced on October 19 at the MM&M Awards 2017 ceremony in New York City, NY.

The brand's notable accomplishments include:



Wide-ranging, daily coverage of the latest clinical news and research, relevant to both primary care and multi-specialty audiences

Optimized content deliverymatching high-value, specialized content to interested readers based on real-time analytics

Forging new strategic partnerships with notable organizations to provide differentiated content and expertise

An enhanced interactive user experience featuring new weekly podcasts, teaching pearls, diagnostic quizzes, daily trivia, and more.

Were very pleased to receive this recognition, said Jeff Hennessy, chairman and CEO, HMP. Consultant is one of HMPs strongest and most well-known resources for the medical community. In the past year, the team has worked to expand content to be relevant to a multi-specialty audience. We now have a foothold in 20 new specialty markets, delivering concise and accurate news briefs, industry updates, conference coverage, and summaries of the latest research. Much like our primary care audience, specialists now see Consultant360 as their resource for relevant clinical content vital to their daily practice.

Its an honor to be recognized as a finalist for the Best Healthcare Professional Media Brand award this year, especially since we are in the running against distinguished medical publishing companies such as Medscape and Athenahealth's athenaInsight, said Pooja Shah, director of digital strategy and editorial director, Primary Care Division.

To learn more about Consultant360, please visit http://www.consultant360.com

About HMP

HMP is a multi-channel leader in health care meetings, content, and education, with a mission to improve patient care. Its brands include Consultant, the monthly, award-winning journal relied upon by primary care practitioners, Psych Congress, the largest, independent mental health meeting in the U.S., EMS World Expo, North America's largest EMS, EMT and paramedic event, and the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC), the largest wound care meeting in the world. For more information, visit hmpholdings.com

About Consultant

Printed since 1960, Consultant pulls together practical clinical advice from top experts in many specialties in a convenient source for primary care practitioners. By focusing on the how-to of diagnosing and treating common medical problems, Consultant has become the No. 1 independent clinical journal among office-based primary care physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, according to syndicated research studies. The print editions circulation includes more than 250,000 primary care practitioners.
Oakland Wrongful Termination Lawyer We receive many queries from the public on issues concerning family and medical leave.

California Civil Rights Law Group, a law firm specializing in employment discrimination, including wrongful termination, is proud to announce a new post to its website on the topic of wrongful termination and employee rights. Both California and federal laws protect employees vis-a-vis medical leave, yet many workers still face retaliation from their employers up to and including wrongful termination.

"We receive many queries from the public on issues concerning family and medical leave," explained Larry Organ, principal attorney at the Bay Area-based law firm. "Accordingly, our latest blog post overviews some of the issues involving employee firings, and the necessity to reach out to a wrongful termination lawyer should one believe that one has been a victim of any type of unlawful employer retaliation."

To view the blog post, visit http://www.civilrightsca.com/2017/07/19/protecting-job-get-sick/. To learn more about wrongful termination, visit http://www.civilrightsca.com/practice-areas/wrongful-termination/. Interested persons are urged to reach out to the law firm for a consultation with a wrongful termination lawyer, as no two situations are alike and only a trained attorney can provide relevant advice.

Wrongful Termination Lawyers and the Lay Public

Despite legal protections at both the state and federal levels, the general public may not understand their rights related to wrongful termination. A person called upon to care for a sick loved one, for example, has certain defined rights in their employment. Similarly, a person who is himself or herself actually sick also has employment rights. California Civil Rights Law Group, as one of the leading employment law firms in the San Francisco Bay Area, receives many inquiries related to wrongful termination. This new blog post is an attempt to shed light on this issue. Anyone who thinks that they may be facing employer retaliation and/or wrongful termination is urged to reach out for an attorney for a consultation. With offices in Oakland (Alameda County) and San Anselmo (Marin County), California Civil Rights Law Group offers convenient locations. For those in San Francisco and other cities phone consultations are also available.

About California Civil Rights Law Group

Headed by renowned trial lawyer Larry Organ, California Civil Rights Law Group (http://www.civilrightsca.com/), is a leading employment law firm with San Francisco Bay Area offices in Oakland, Alameda County and San Anselmo, Marin County, California. Employees experiencing sexual harassment, race harassment, disability discrimination, LGTBQ discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, whistleblower retaliation and/or wrongful termination should reach out for an attorney consultation in either our Oakland/East Bay or San Anselmo/Marin County office.

Media Relations.

Tel. 415-453-4740
By PTI: By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Jul 27 (PTI) A top Democratic lawmakers Pakistan-born former IT aide has been arrested by the FBI on charges of bank fraud as he tried to leave the US, officials have said.

Imran Awan, 37, an information technology administrator of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, was arrested from the Dulles International Airport on Monday while he was about to board a flight to Lahore, federal investigators have said.

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FBI has seized smashed computer hard drive from his home, they said.

Awans wife, Hina Alvi, had earlier left for Pakistan along with their children. The FBI said they do not believe she and their kids would return to the US.

He was at the center of a criminal investigation potentially impacting dozens of lawmakers, with possible security breach into their emails and computer systems.

Awan, who pleaded not guilty, was released on Tuesday on a high intensity supervision programme, the Department of Justice said.

Capitol Police is investigating this criminal incident into "serious, potentially illegal, violations on the House IT network" by Awan and three of his relatives who had access to the emails and files of the more than two dozen House Democrats who employed them on a part-time basis, said the Daily Caller which has been carrying out investigative reports in the case for the past several months.

In its complaint, the FBI accused Awan of attempting to defraud the Congressional Federal Credit Union by obtaining a USD 165,000 home equity loan for a rental property. This is against the credit unions policies since it is not the owners primary residence.

Those funds were then included as part of a wire transfer to two individuals in Pakistans Faisalabad, the FBI alleged in its chargesheet.

"Bank records show that USD 165,000 of USD 283,000 wired to Pakistan. Alvi had numerous pieces of luggage with her, including cardboard boxes. A secondary search of those items revealed that the boxes contained household goods, clothing, and food items. US Customs and Border Protection conducted a search of Alvis bags immediately prior to her boarding the plane and located a total of USD 12,400 in US cash inside," FBI said.

Alvi, who was permitted to board the flight to Qatar, has not returned to the US along with her daughters.

Awans attorney Chris Gowen, in an email statement to Politico, said: "This is clearly a right-wing media-driven prosecution by a United States Attorneys Office that wants to prosecute people for working while Muslim. A quick glance at what the government filed in court confirms the lack of evidence or proof they have against my client".

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However, the Republican National Committee has accused Congresswoman Schultz of not being truthful on this matter.

"We have to get to the bottom of this, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz has obstructed at every level on something that affects potentially our national security. So to have this gentlemen try and leave the country, and now we know there is bank fraud and we know he destroyed these hard drives, when you read story about the Marine that found them in the apartment he wastrying to rent," the Republican National Committee (RNC) chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said.

RNC said that the criminal investigation alleges the "stealing equipment from members offices without their knowledge and committing serious, potentially illegal, violations on the House IT network".

Awan allegedly stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment from House offices and funnelled sensitive congressional data offsite as part of a massive cybersecurity breach, RNC said, adding that last year Awan worked for as many as 13 House Democrats.

According to Politico, most Democratic lawmakers cut ties with Awan and his family after the criminal investigation came to light in early February.

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"But Awan continued to be employed by Wasserman Schultz, although it is unclear what his job duties were, given he had been barred from accessing the House IT system for months," it added. PTI LKJ CPS ZH

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Safe Harbor - San Francisco CPA Firm Accordingly, we have upgraded our information page on outsourced CFO services, so that the small business and startup community can reach out to us for a consultation on our financial services.

Safe Harbor LLP, a leading accounting firm in San Francisco, is proud to announce an information upgrade to its page on outsourced CFO services for San Francisco Bay Area businesses. 'CFO' stands for 'Chief Financial Officer,' and many smaller companies and Bay Area startups can benefit from a strategic relationship with a CPA firm that offers outsourced CFO services.

Not every business needs a full-time chief financial officer or 'CFO,' explained Chun Wong, Managing Partner at Safe Harbor LLP. Accordingly, we have upgraded our information page on outsourced CFO services, so that the small business and startup community can reach out to us for a consultation on our financial services.

To view the upgraded information page on outsourced CFO services for San Francisco Bay Area businesses, visit http://www.safeharborcpa.com/tax-advisory/. Interested persons who would like to receive detailed information are urged to reach out for a consultation. Startups are urged, as well, to read the short informational post on accounting services for startups at http://www.safeharborcpa.com/startup-cpa/.

OUTSOURCED CFO SERVICES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND BAY AREA STARTUPS

San Francisco has become a hotbed of entrepreneurship not only in California but throughout the United States. Many entrepreneurs come to the "City by the Bay" to build their dream startup. They quickly realize, however, that they may be too small to afford a full time CFO but too big or too complex to get by without one. Similarly, many small or medium sized businesses are also caught in this middle ground. They may be too small to justify the considerable expense of a full-time CFO but too big to be able to get by without in-depth financial advice. For this reason, Safe Harbor LLP offers 'outsourced CFO' services to San Francisco Bay Area businesses. Persons who may be interested in this type of relationship can reach out to the firm for a consultation, or, as a first step, can visit the newly upgraded information page on outsourced CFO services.

ABOUT SAFE HARBOR LLP - A PROFESSIONAL CPA FIRM IN SAN FRANCISCO

Safe Harbor LLP is a CPA firm that specializes in accounting and tax services for individuals and businesses throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and greater California. Safe Harbor CPAs helps both individuals and businesses with tax preparation, IRS audit defense, and audited financial statements. The firm prides itself on friendly yet professional service and utilizes state-of-the-art Internet technology to provide quality customer service.

Safe Harbor CPA

http://www.safeharborcpa.com

Tel. 415.742.4249
Untangling the intricacy of cases that do not respond well to evidence based established treatment still requires extensive experience, analysis of multifactorial considerations and expertise in medical, laser and surgical treatment.

James M. Maisel, MD, Chairman and CEO of ZyDoc, a New York-based medical informatics company, was honored to have chaired the Epidemiology and Prevention of Diabetes section at the 5th World Congress of Diabetes 2017, July 12-14, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. Maisel, who is also chairman of Retina Group of New York and recipient of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Humanitarian of the Year Award 2017, lectured on the topic of Ocular Complications of Diabetes Mellitus and Laser, Surgery and Pharmacologic Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy. A second presentation delivered by Maisel at the conference explored Using Natural Language Processing (NLP) to Identify and Manage Patient Populations at Risk for Diabetes and Diabetic Complications."

As a retinal specialist, Maisel works with patients to prevent and treat diabetic retinopathy and complications, through education and sight-saving pharmacologic treatment.

I am delighted to have participated in the 5th World Congress of Diabetes as a section chair and presenter, states Dr. Maisel. We are beginning to understand the multifactorial complexity of ocular diabetic disease, but it remains one of the leading causes of blindness in the US in the 18-64 age group. Untangling the intricacy of cases that do not respond well to evidence based established treatment still requires extensive experience, analysis of multifactorial considerations and expertise in medical, laser and surgical treatment.

The abstract of Dr. Maisels presentation, Ocular Complications of Diabetes Mellitus and Laser, Surgery and Pharmacologic Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy, is available at rgony.com along with the presentation.

A second presentation by Dr. Maisel for the 5th World Congress of Diabetes focused on Using Natural Language Processing (NLP) to Identify and Manage Patient Populations at Risk for Diabetes and Diabetic Complications. ZyDoc's cloud based, NLP-driven medical intelligence platform, MediSapien, enables movement of unstructured text to EHRs, allowing doctors to dictate encounters and auto-insert section-level information. A specialized use of MediSapien is in the development of Pharma real-world evidence (RWE) applications. The abstract and presentation are available at http://www.zydoc.com.

The 5th World Congress of Diabetes was hosted by BIT Group Global Ltd in Prague, Czech Republic, at the Vienna House Diplomat Prague. More information is available online at http://www.bitcongress.com/wce2017.

About ZyDoc and MediSapien

In 2013, ZyDoc's MediSapien software was ranked as one of the top five applications in The Data Design Diabetes Sanofi US Innovation Challenge. MediSapien for Pharma enables the development of sophisticated, highly targeted RWE applications.

ZyDocs mission since the company's inception in 1993 has been to increase the efficiency of physicians through the use of software technology and services to improve patient care and outcomes, lower malpractice risk, and maximize reimbursement. Based in Islandia, New York, ZyDoc has developed award-winning, HIPAA-secure, cloud-based e-transcription infrastructure and medical informatics technologies, serving medical practices, hospitals, public health agencies, and other entities in the medico-legal, academic, and pharmacology sectors. Augmenting ZyDocs transcription business, MediSapien is a web-based knowledge management platform that uses disruptive natural language processing and AI technologies to convert unstructured text to fully coded structured data for EHRs, PACS, RIS, analytics, and reporting. For clinician end-users, MediSapien can be utilized in conjunction with EHR installations and can facilitate analytic applications for individual or population disease management for ACOs, hospitals or large groups. ZyDoc is a VMWare Professional Solution Provider Partner. For more information about ZyDoc and MediSapien, please visit zydoc.com.

About Retina Group of New York (RGONY)

The Retina Group of New York has provided tertiary vitreoretinal care to patients in Nassau and Suffolk Counties since 1986 at its offices in Hicksville and Hauppauge. Both locations are fully equipped with in-office laser capabilities, cutting-edge diagnostic equipment, and integrated electronic records. The group holds staff privileges at eight area hospitals and teaching appointments at the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, North Shore University Hospital, and NuHealth Nassau University Medical Center. The practice is limited to medical and surgical retinal problems. These commonly include diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, retinal detachment, macular pucker, macula hole, surgery complications, uveitis, Plaquenil toxicity and second opinions. For more information on The Retina Group of New York, visit http://www.rgony.com or call 516-939-6100.
Red Planet Hotel Aseana City, Manila Its important we arent expanding for expansion sake, but are creating greater options for accommodation that are not only appealing to value-driven travelers, but that can be found and booked.

Eight months after receiving a multi-million dollar investment to accelerate its expansion throughout Asia, Red Planet Hotels, the fast-growing Pan-Asian budget hotel chain, has this week revealed it has begun building its empire with the help of the global hotel industrys leading cloud platform, SiteMinder.

Red Planet Hotels owns and operates 24 hotels in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan, and says employing the markets most powerful distribution technology is necessary to sell rooms that over the next two years will see exponential growth in numbers. The companys expansion roadmap includes the opening of four new hotels in 2017 and a further eight hotels before the end of 2018 to offer travelers more than 4,000 rooms in total.

Red Planet Hotels has become a recognized brand for travelers who visit Asia and are in search of value. So, its important we arent expanding for expansion sake, but are creating greater options for accommodation that are not only appealing to value-driven travelers, but that can be found and booked, says the hotel chains regional director of revenue management in the Philippines, Leah Teresa De Los Santos.

We knew early in the process that we would need technology to compete in the complex channel distribution landscape that exists within todays travel industry, and SiteMinder has solved that challenge for us. Without their platform, our strategy for room distribution would be inefficient and therefore very costly in terms of lost revenue and occupancy. However, since this partnership, our overall revenue has clearly increased.

What made SiteMinder a lucrative option to Red Planet Hotels, Ms De Los Santos says, was its vast connections to online booking sites and its seamless integration with the chains property management system, RoomKey PMS. This integration supports the continuous flow of availability, rates and reservation data between the chains hotels and their guests.

SiteMinders managing director for Asia, Glenn Andrews, says, SiteMinder is proud to be helping hotel businesses like Red Planet Hotels to achieve optimum success, and to be part of their growth journey. We have supported Red Planet Hotels existing properties for many years and we are delighted to provide this same support to all the exciting new properties to come.

Founded in 2010, Red Planet Hotels offers travelers style and value, with properties that are centrally-located and feature high-speed Wi-Fi. All guests are subject to a dynamic brand experience that employs leading-edge, customer-focused technology, including their own mobile app and In-Stay mode to make booking and communication with staff easy.

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"I am not going to vote for the skinny bill if I'm not assured by the House there will be a conference where my idea and other ideas will be taken up so we can actually repeal Obamacare," Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said in a press conference Thursday with Sens. John McCain, Ron Johnson, and Bill Cassidy.

Graham added: "I'm not going to vote for a bill that is terrible policy and horrible politics just because we have to get something done."

The last-ditch, so-called skinny repeal effort would consist of a series of amendments would aim to repeal certain unpopular parts of the Affordable Care Act, including mandates to get health insurance.

At the end of the 20-hour debate period, if no bill has been picked up, the Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell would move on to the "skinny repeal" plan.

The aim is to find common ground with the House on a bill that becomes more fleshed-out. But the House doesn't necessarily have to call a conference on the bill. It could simply pass the bill and send it to the president.

After the press conference, House Speaker Paul Ryan expressed a willingness to take the bill to conference.

"

The four GOP senators said they wanted assurances from House Republican leadership  including House Speaker Paul Ryan and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy  that they would not pass the bill, which Graham called a "fraud."

What skinny repeal would look like:

require the bill to get 60 votes
In the wee hours of Friday morning, the Senate voted against a "skinny repeal" bill, which would have repealed certain aspects of the Affordable Care Act. If passed, it was geared toward the House and Senate working together to compromise on one final bill.

The legislation's failure followed days of activity in the Senate, including a flurry of action Thursday.

Check out our recap of the day's action below.

1:37 a.m. - The Senate just voted down the GOP's "skinny repeal" plan.

The vote to take up the Health Care Freedom Act instead of the House healthcare bill failed early Friday, with 49 voting in favor and 51 voting against. Republican senators John McCain, Lisa Murkowski, and Susan Collins voted against the plan.

1:30 a.m. - Senator John McCain votes no on the "skinny repeal" plan.

Senator John McCain is a key vote for the Republicans. While he voted "yes" on a version of the Republican repeal-and-replace plan, he also voted against the repeal-without-replacement plan.

McCain was joined by Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins in voting against the "skinny repeal" plan.

1:25 a.m. - Senate votes down a motion to send the bill back to the HELP Committee.

11 p.m. - CBO says "skinny repeal" bill will leave 16 million more Americans without health insurance.

Under the 16 million more Americans

10 p.m. - Senate Republicans release their last-ditch effort to repeal Obamacare.

After hours of debate, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced an 8-page plan, called the

9:50 p.m. - Senate passes Heller amendment.

Heller's amendment repeals t

9 p.m. - Senate votes down a motion to send the bill back to the Finance Committee.

7:45 p.m. Senator Dean Heller introduces amendment to repeal "Cadillac tax."

Senator Dean Heller of Nevada, who has been a key vote on the Senate healthcare plan, on Thursday introduced an amendment that would repeal the ACA's "Cadillac Tax." The "Cadillac tax" places a tax on high-end healthcare plans in an attempt to keep healthcare spending lower.

The vote, along with a motion to commit from Senator Chuck Schumer, is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m. House Speaker Paul Ryan says he's willing to go to conference on the healthcare bill.

On Thursday, Ryan commented on whether the House would take the skinny repeal bill to conference if it passes the Senate.

"

6:45 p.m. - Senate Republicans start pushing for "skinny repeal."

Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma spoke in favor of passing a "skinny" version of the GOP healthcare plan.

That happened shortly after four Republican senators said they demand assurances that the healthcare bill be taken to conference by the House should the Senate pass it.

5:40 p.m. - Senate votes down stability funding amendment.

The amendment from

5 p.m. - Senate votes on stability funding amendment.

Senator Luther Strange of Alabama introduced an amendment that would change the stability funding in the Better Care Reconciliation Act to provide more premium assistance for low-income individuals. It would need 60 votes to pass.

Senators will also be voting on a sanctions amendment unrelated to healthcare.

3:00 p.m. - Senate votes down single-payer health plan.

Before the vote, Sanders taunted Daines, saying that he'd be on board if the Republican senator could convince a few more members of his party to vote for the bill.

12 p.m. - Senator Bernie Sanders calls Daines amendment an 'old political trick'.

During debate on Thursday, Sanders addressed the upcoming Daines amendment, which would introduce a "Medicare for All" healthcare plan.

"I hope that this is really a breakthrough," Sanders said of the bill, which was introduced by Republican Senator Steve Daines. But, he said, he suspects it's just an "old political trick" inserted a mid a serious debate about healthcare.

"I think this is not a time for political games," Sanders said.

Sanders has been a proponent of "Medicare for All," but isn't buying into Daines' plan to expose which members of the Democratic caucus might be in favor of a single-payer healthcare system.
According to Goldstreetbusiness, the company has agreed to buy a tonne of the product for US$300.

The Company has already committed US$2billion for the provision of machines and other equipment for the companies that will be given the nod to operate under the project.

READ ALSO: HFC Bank makes profit of over GHC 26 million in first half of 2017

The government of Ghana had earlier revealed that 63 businesses are prepared to establish their firms under the one district one factory project.

The Deputy Trade Minister Robert Ahomka-Lindsay mentioned this when he met members of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) on Wednesday (July 26, 2017).

We have had close to 400 business plans that have been presented now. This is interesting because if you look at the business plans that have been presented, over 331 of those are actually business plans. So we are not talking about somebody just writing a couple of sheets and saying that I have a dream to build eggs and as the chairman was saying, these are business plans that we feel are of substance.

We have analysed over 331 of these business plans and of those 331 business plans, 63 of them are 2 million dollars and above and are of the nature of construction. As we speak today, it is ready to go forward so these are businesses that know what they are doing, he added.

Ahomka-Linsay said it is estimated that the cost of the districts will be over 2 million dollars and would be built in different districts across the country.
A driver in the UK destroyed his Ferrari worth Rs 2.2 crore within an hour of purchasing it. Police reports suggest that the driver was careless and his car slipped from the highway. The Ferrari soon caught fire.

By India Today Web Desk: Often road accident turns out ugly with driver receiving a major hit.

But in this shocking case from the United Kingdom, a driver in South Yorkshire walked away with just minor cuts and bruises from what looks like a near-fatal car accident.

The driver watched his newly bought Ferrari 430 Scuderia which costs around Rs 2.2 crore, go up in smoke after he crashed the car only an hour after collecting it.

Photo Courtesy: South Yorkshire Police

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Police said the car had crashed off a motorway because of wet road conditions, sliding through a field and ending up 50 metres down a bank before it caught fire.

"Road conditions were wet at the time and vehicle left the carriageway and burst into flames." South Yorkshire Police said in their Facebook post.

The police were amazed and shocked after noticing the state of the driver.

"We found the driver and were amazed to see he only had minor cuts and bruises!" police said.

Photo Courtesy: twitterGlenmarchCars

Ferrari 430 Scuderia is a lightweight car, simple and striking, with a distinctive engine and exhaust sound. Seven times World Champion, Michael Schumacher, was also involved in the car's development.

Therefore, one of those cars which every car lover would want to drive.

Anyway, police wanted the citizens to learn from this accident and left the note which asks drivers to be more careful with their cars.

"Over the past couple of weeks there has been a number of collisions where driving styles have not reflected the road & weather conditions. Please take more care!" police added.

FYI || Watch: Ferrari owner ignores parking rules, learns lesson of a lifetime ||

FYI || Watch: World's largest luxury car vending machine in Singapore dispenses Ferraris, Lamborghinis ||

FYI || Eggcellent: Woman rams car into chicken truck because she is a vegan ||

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The Member of Parliament (MP) for Yapei Kusawgu said he was about leaving for Parliament when the 3 security personnel showed up at his residence.

He narrated that two of the police men carried AK 47 assault rifles which caused his children get traumatised.

He said the security personnel had a search warrant to look for documents related to the controversial AMERI contract.

His iPhone was taken from him after the search.

This follows a similar search conducted in the home of a former Power Minister Dr Kwabena Donkor over investigations into the Ameri deal.

However, the former minister said I have nothing to hide on Ameri, Im a citizen of this country Im prepared to meet them in court.

Government officials in the Nana Addo-led administration have described the Ameri deal as a stinking one.

The economic management team also has the blessing of the President to look into the deal and review it.

Ghana under the Mahama-led administration signed a $510 million contract with Africa and Middle East Resources Investment (AMERI) Group to supply gas turbines to Ghana.

Ghana paid $290 million more than it should for the $220 million power generators.

An in-depth investigation into the deal by Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang (VG) in December 2015 alleged the NDC government paid more than the actual price for the turbines on the international market.

However, the former Minister of Power Dr Kwabena Donkor has defended the actions of his government saying there was nothing shady in the deal.
Police said only that a 49-year-old Briton had been detained in the northern city of Tangiers on Wednesday in response to a notice issued by Interpol on July 17 and that his extradition would be considered by the Court of Cassation.

But the source identified him as British businessman Renwick Haddow, a former New York resident who was charged with securities fraud in the United states on June 30 for allegedly bilking investors in what turned out to be a fake Bitcoin trading platform.

He appeared before the public prosecutor in Tangiers on Wednesday before being transferred to prison in Sale, near the capital Rabat, the source said.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission charged last month "the clandestine" Haddow, who is alleged to have diverted funds invested in a phony Bitcoin site as well as from flexible workspace firm Bar Works into accounts in Mauritius and Morocco, totalling $5 million.

He touted experienced senior executives as running the operations, who turned out to be phantoms, and misrepresented the details and success of both companies, the SEC alleged.

"Haddow created two trendy companies and misled investors into believing that highly-qualified executives were leading them to quick profitability," said Andrew M. Calamari, director of the SEC's New York Regional Office.

"In reality, Haddow controlled the companies from behind the scenes and they were far from profitable."

Bitcoin Store claimed to be "an easy-to-use and secure way of holding and trading Bitcoin" and had generated several million dollars in gross sales.

The SEC alleges that in fact it never had any operations nor generated the gross sales it touted.

In 2015, Bitcoin Store's bank accounts allegedly received less than $250,000 in incoming transfers, none of which appear to reflect revenue from customers, the SEC said.

Haddow's investors pumped more than $37 million into Bar Works, which claimed to provide workspaces in old bars and restaurants, but in fact "primarily sold leases coupled with sub-leases that together functioned like investment notes," the SEC said in a statement.

And the SEC said throughout he was "hiding his connection" to the companies, given his past with regulators in Britain, where he has faced similar charges for investment schemes.

According to a report in Crain's, 27 investors from China filed suit in the New York State Supreme Court on June 16 seeking repayment of more than $3 million invested in Bar Works, which they called a Ponzi scheme.
Speaking to Accra-based Starr FM, Director General of the NLA Kofi Osei-Ameyaw said the formalisation will be done in phases.

We are going to license a certain number of them within every region. We have 10 regions; for Greater Accra Region we will be looking for about 30-50 operators on the top. If each one pays a million cedis in a year that gives us about 30-50 million.

READ ALSO:

If we dont get the total number and some want to operate and pay, we will give them the license and they will then employ the writers underneath them and they will be the ones writing. So once we do that they can go ahead as licensed banker to banker operators who are not using the Point of Sale (POS) machines, Osei-Ameyaw explained further.

He further added that operators with POS machines will also be given the opportunity to pay wins directly to customers.

We are also going to make sure that those who are also doing Point of Sale in collaboration with the banks can also do Point of payment; so that they are not disadvantaged by the banker to banker operators.

Osei-Ameyaw said such plans will triple earnings to the government. Formalisation of the banker to banker operators is estimated to generate between GHC150-200 million for the government.

Every year the NLA pays about Gh35 million to the government. But the government taxes the commission it gives operators as well as wins.

However, Osei-Ameyaw said they have begun talks with the appropriate officials in government to scrap taxes on the commission it gives operators as well as the tax on wins.
The woman, Talata Baana poisoned the three-year boy at Nkawie in the Ashanti Region.

Baana pleaded not guilty to the crime but the seven-member jury returned a guilty verdict.

Marie-Louis Simmons, Chief State Attorney told the court that Baana committed the crime on December 22, 2014, following what she called an act of revenge against the boys mother whom she accused of destroying her marriage.

Baana abducted the boy on that day and took him from Kumasi to Nkawie at around midday.

She subsequently prepared rice for the boy and gave him an insecticide  dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) to drink.

Baana later walked a distance of about 150 meters into the bush with the boy and left him to his fate.

A farmer who was returning from his farm found the boy foaming at the mouth and lying unconscious in the bush.

The boy was rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) but he later passed away.

The Suntreso police, however, managed to arrest Baana two days later and she confessed to the crime.
Some of them claimed that they had been in prison for as long as eight months before their deportation.

In April this year, more than 300 Ghanaians living in Libya returned to Ghana.

READ ALSO: Over 300 Ghanaians living in Libya voluntarily return

According to them, they have been struggling to cope with the harsh conditions in the war-ravaged North African country.

Many of them who travelled to Libya on foot through the Libyan Desert to seek greener pastures said that they were disappointed at the lawlessness in that country.

They have, therefore, pleaded with other Ghanaians not to attempt going there.

They also used the opportunity to call on the government to help other Ghanaians who are still stranded in Libya to return home.

READ ALSO: Two stowaways jailed in Takoradi
Reports from the facility say that students who want to use the center for lessons have neither chairs nor tables sit on.

For now, students have to carry their desks from their classrooms to the ICT center if they want to comfortably enjoy a lesson. Students complained bitterly about the stress they have to endure to have ICT classes at the center.Its very difficult for us to learn with the computers because we always have to carry our own desks from our various classes to the ICT Lab to help us study the subject, students told journalists.

According to a staff of the school, the facility was in perfect condition when it was newly commissioned. However, the desks were moved to commission another ICT lab in 2016 per an order from above. We had a call from above that our computer desks were needed to commission another school. Since then weve not received them back, he said.

Ebenezer Gilbert Nii Narh. MP for the Ablekuma Central Constituency expressed his gross dissatisfaction at the distress of the students.
The court presided over by Madam Arit Nsemoh, was compelled to adjourn the case for the third time as the prosecution said that they were still in their investigations and are generating leads which they would like to pursue.

Prosecuting Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) George Amega prayed the court for a short adjournment for them to come and start the trial.

READ ALSO: Suspects charged with murder

The court adjourned the case but asked the prosecution to speed up investigation to enable them to start the committal proceedings by the next adjourned date.

The suspects, Daniel Asiedu and Vincent Bossu were earlier re-arrested and arraigned after a High Court discharged them due to a decision by the Attorney General to discontinue at the court.
By PTI: Agra, Jul 28 (PTI) An oil tanker collided with two tractor-trolleys on the Agra-Mathura highway, killing five people and injuring 40, police said today.

The accident took place late Thursday night. Traffic on the highway was suspended for over two hours, as scores of villagers helped in extricating bodies from the vehicles.

The tractor-trolleys were packed with about 60 Krishna devotees from Etah district headed to Mathura for the Goverdhan parikrama, a police official said.

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The pilgrims had stopped at a roadside eatery when the oil tanker from Agra hit them. Four persons were killed on the spot and a fifth died later.

The cabin of the oil tanker caught fire. Had the oil tanker been full, the number of casualties would have been higher, said an official from the Sikandra police station.

"Thank god there was no oil. Otherwisethe whole area would have been engulfed in an inferno," said an eye-witness.

The injured were transferred to the emergency ward of Agras medical college for treatment, police said. PTI CORR MIN

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He alleged that Doe Adjaho is still trying to control Parliament using the Minority Members of Parliament (MPs) as conduit.

READ MORE: Minority threatens to impeach Speaker of Parliament

Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu made the allegation on Thursday, July 27, 2017, when reacting to concerns raised by the Minority over the conduct of the Speaker of Parliament Prof. Aaron Michael Oquaye.

"I will tell you, the man [Hon. Doe Adjaho] is behind the scenes. He still wants to control Parliament. Do you know what happened yesterday? Yesterday, he even called them [NDC MPs] when we were meeting the Electoral Commissioner [Charlotte Osei] and told them they should not agree for us in the Committee of the Whole for you the press to be present. That man [Adjaho] thinks he is still in control," he alleged.

The NDC MPs had threatened to impeach the Speaker if he does not change his attitude towards them when presiding over the business of the House.

Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka said the NDC MPs are not treated well and given the chance by Prof. Aaron Michael Oquaye to debate on national issues.

In the view of the Minority, the Speaker has been bias against them, cataloging a number of critical moments where the Prof. Oquaye has denied them to either voice out their displeasure or question ministers of state that appear before the legislature to answer to issues relating to their ministry.

Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka in an interview with journalists said "The day before yesterday, when we were doing the motion about the non urgency of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Bill, 2017 and the Zongo Development Fund, I stood up and if you noticed, for a long time he refused to call me. What I wanted to say was that the process we were using was wrong. Because the constitution under Article 106 (13) says that it has to be done by a committee but they wanted us to do was to ask the House whether they agree or not.

But the Majority Leader responding to the allegations by the Minority said, their actions were uncalled for.

He said if they [NDC MPs] had any concern with regards to the conduct of the Speaker, they should come with a substantive motion, referencing Order 93(5) of the Standing Orders of Parliament to buttress his point.
McCain joined two other Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who voted against the bill and quashed Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's plan to upend the US healthcare system after 20 hours of debate.

Ultimately, the vote was 49-51.

The senator from Arizona returned Monday to Washington, DC, less than a week after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer and less than two weeks after he had brain surgery. On Friday, a picture began to emerge of how McCain became the pivotal vote that sent the GOP's healthcare plan back to the drawing board.

Going into the debate period

Before the American Health Care Act passed the House, McCain had doubts. In March, he told reporters that he was concerned about how the bill would affect Arizona. The House bill cut hundreds of billions in Medicaid funding. Arizona, which had opted to expand Medicaid coverage under the ACA, would stand to lose a significant amount of funding.

Then came his surgery. On July 14, McCain had brain surgery above his left eye to remove a blood clot. The recovery period threw Senate Republicans' healthcare plans into jeopardy. McCain was expected to vote for the Better Care Reconciliation Act, even though he had concerns about that bill as well.

On Tuesday, McCain returned to Washington shortly after doctors diagnosed him with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He voted in favor of a motion to proceed to debate the healthcare bill, a move for which Democrats criticized him.

Following the vote, McCain delivered a speech in which he touched on his lingering concerns about the bill, working together with Democrats, and his plans to return to Arizona for cancer treatment.

"What have we to lose by trying to work together to find those solutions?" McCain said. "We're not getting much done apart. I don't think any of us feels very proud of our incapacity. Merely preventing your political opponents from doing what they want isn't the most inspiring work. There's greater satisfaction in respecting our differences, but not letting them prevent agreements that don't require abandonment of core principles, agreements made in good faith that help improve lives and protect the American people."

On Tuesday night, he voted "yes" on a version of the BCRA. But the next day he was one of seven Republican senators to vote against a repeal-without-replacement plan.

A shift to get skinny

After two failed votes, the conversation Thursday started shifting more seriously to a plan for a "skinny repeal" bill, which would get rid of some of the main parts of the ACA, including the individual and employer insurance mandates. The idea was to pass the bill, then send it to the House. Then the two chambers could conference on the bill and create a healthcare plan on which both could agree.

In short, the Senate would pass a bill many senators vehemently didn't want to become law, then hope Republicans came out of the conference with a better plan.

That afternoon, McCain was one of four Republicans who spoke out against the "skinny repeal" plan. At a press conference, McCain, along with Sens. Lindsey Graham, Ron Johnson, and Bill Cassidy, demanded that the House give assurances that the bill wouldn't become law if it passed in the Senate.

After, House Speaker Paul Ryan said he'd be "willing" to take the bill to conference. It was enough to get Graham, Johnson, and Cassidy on board.

The text of the "skinny" bill came out about 10 p.m. ET on Thursday. When asked an hour later whether he'd made up his mind on the bill, McCain told reporters that he had. As for which way he would vote, he wouldn't say.

"Watch the show," he told reporters as he walked into the chamber for the vote.

In a surreal scene on the Senate floor, McConnell and Vice President Mike Pence were seen before the vote speaking with McCain. The Senate left open a previous vote for more than 40 minutes as it appeared Republican leaders attempted to persuade McCain to change his vote. McCain had curious exchanges with Democratic senators, including a conversation with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who gave McCain an apparent fistpump.

McCain also took a phone call from President Donald Trump after McConnell's and Pence's attempts to persuade him had failed, according to Politico. Trump's sell also failed.

The vote began, and McCain came to the Senate floor and put his right thumb down before walking off.

In a statement released Friday, McCain explained that he voted no because the speaker's statement didn't go far enough, and the "skinny" bill didn't offer up a replacement plan. As he did earlier in the week, McCain urged both parties to work together.

"We should not make the mistakes of the past that has led to Obamacare's collapse, including in my home state of Arizona where premiums are skyrocketing and health care providers are fleeing the marketplace," he said. "We must now return to the correct way of legislating and send the bill back to committee, hold hearings, receive input from both sides of aisle, heed the recommendations of nation's governors, and produce a bill that finally delivers affordable health care for the American people. We must do the hard work our citizens expect of us and deserve."

McCain came out with a second statement on Friday emphasizing his hopes for a bipartisan healthcare plan.
In a third tweet, Trump thanked Priebus "for his service and dedication to his country."

"We accomplished a lot together and I am proud of him!" Trump said.

CNN reported that Priebus offered Trump his resignation on Thursday.

Priebus released the following statement on Friday:

Trump told reporters more about the move as he returned from Long Island after giving a speech there Friday afternoon.

"Reince is a good man," Trump told pool reporters after he got off Air Force One. "John Kelly will do a fantastic job. General Kelly has been a star, done an incredible job thus far, respected by everybody. He's a great, great American."

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders called Kelly "one of the true stars of the administration" who "has helped seal the border and reduced illegal immigration by 70%."

"He is respected by everyone, especially the people at the Department of Homeland Security," she said. "The entire administration loves him, and no one is comparable. He will begin on Monday morning and a Cabinet meeting will follow his swearing in Monday morning."

Sanders said Trump thanked Priebus for his service.

"They accomplished a lot together," she continued. "He was loyal in his dedication to the president. The president thanks him and his family for his great service to the country, and he will always be a member of the Trump team."

Sanders told reporters that conversations about the shakeup started between Trump and Priebus about two weeks ago.

The episode marked the end of a weeklong saga involving Priebus and new White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci. Priebus had worked hard to block Scaramucci's appointment, but Trump decided to hire him anyway. Sanders denied that Priebus' resignation had to do with Scaramucci.

Immediately after Scaramucci's hiring, White House press secretary Sean Spicer announced he was resigning. Spicer was Priebus' closest White House ally based on both of their past work for the Republican National Committee. (Spicer was the chief strategist and communications director, while Priebus was the chairman.)

The New York Times reported on Friday that Priebus was pushed out as Trump became convinced he was not strong enough for the role. Trump had discussed bringing in "a general" to lead his administration, according to The Times, and selected Kelly, a retired Marine four-star general whose work leading the Department of Homeland Security has pleased the president.

But Kelly's appointment leaves a gap at the Department of Homeland Security, and his successor will have to be confirmed by the Senate.

Priebus joined Trump on his trip to Long Island, where he gave a speech focused on his administration's efforts to fight the MS-13 street gang. Also on the flight was also Scaramucci, who had savaged Priebus in a New Yorker interview published less than a day earlier.

In that interview, Scaramucci called Priebus a "f------ paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac" and said the chief of staff would be resigning soon.

Scaramucci became incensed at Priebus on Wednesday after a Politico report detailed Scaramucci's financial disclosures, which was publicly available from Scaramucci's stint at the Export-Import Bank. Scaramucci, who did not know that at the time, said in a now-deleted tweet that the report was illegally leaked and that he would contact the FBI and the Justice Department. He also tagged Priebus and wrote "#swamp."

Scaramucci called The New Yorker's Ryan Lizza that day because he was angered by one of the reporter's tweets, which cited a "senior White House official" who said Scaramucci was having dinner at the White House with the president, first lady Melania Trump, former Fox News executive Bill Shine, and Fox News host Sean Hannity.

On Thursday night, The Washington Post reported that Scaramucci and his allies were compiling a diagram of news outlets to which they believed Priebus leaked information, citing a White House official. They planned to present their findings to Trump on Friday, the official told The Post.

House Speaker Paul Ryan  a fellow Wisconsinite and close ally  released a statement on Priebus' departure shortly after it was announced.

"Reince Priebus has left it all out on the field, for our party and our country," Ryan said. "Here is a guy from Kenosha, Wisconsin, who revitalized the Republican National Committee and became White House chief of staff. He has served the president and the American people capably and passionately. He has achieved so much, and he has done it all with class. I could not be more proud to call Reince a dear friend."
"The American people are going to regret that we couldn't find a better way forward," McConnell said on the Senate floor. "And as I said, we look forward to our colleagues on the other side suggesting what they have in mind."

"It's time to move on," he added, before outlining a Friday Senate agenda that did not include healthcare.

Early Friday morning, the Senate voted against a "skinny" plan to repeal the law best known as Obamacare. It was a last-ditch effort after earlier votes on the Senate's healthcare plans failed.

The vote failed, with 49 voting in favor and 51 voting against. Three Republican senators  McCain as well as Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine  voted no. All 48 Democrats joined them.

President Donald Trump weighed in shortly after the bill failed, tweeting: "3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!"

McConnell has struggled for weeks to build consensus within his conference around a healthcare plan. Republicans went through multiple versions of the Better Care Reconciliation Act, their plan to repeal and replace Obamacare. The "skinny" repeal was meant to become a vehicle for the Senate to be able to form a conference with the House of Representatives on healthcare legislation.
The most recent point of contention appears to be the simmering rivalry between the chief of staff, Reince Priebus, and the new communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, that has burst into the open this week and raised questions about Priebus' tenure.

Now Trump has reportedly injected uncertainty into an already fraught situation.

The New York Times reported late Thursday that Trump had told people he had lost faith in Priebus.

Trump wants to replace Priebus with "a general" and has his eye on John Kelly, the retired four-star Marine who's currently the secretary of homeland security, but many of Trump's advisers think that's a bad idea, according to The Times.

Kelly, who retired from the Marine Corps in 2016 after a 45-year career and with the distinction of being the military's longest-serving general, was heralded when Trump nominated him earlier this year.

Kelly's previous assignments and comments during the confirmation process suggested to many that he would not hesitate to, in his words, "speak truth to power" and would perhaps moderate some of Trump's positions.

Many have greeted his first months with dismay, however.

Kelly, who oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol, has been a target of criticism for the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies. Kelly's suggestion that the US could separate women and children who crossed the border illegally, as well his promoting Trump's border-wall proposal, have also attracted ire on both sides of the border.

But Kelly's reassignment to the White House remains hypothetical. The president has flirted with several personnel changes but made few.
First up was Tamar Yehoshua (VP product management, Google Search), who talked about the new things Google is doing with Search in the Nigerian context.

Responding to questions about slow internet issues and high cost of broadband internet for users, Yehoshua said, Today were launching a feature to streamline websites you reach from search results, so that they load with 90 percent less data and five times faster, even on low storage devices.

She also fielded questions on the new announcements Google made pertaining to Search. The Google exec outlined how the tech giant has worked with the University of Ibadan for over a year to develop 800 health-related knowledge cards to help with health-related search queries.

Next was Johanna Wright (VP, Product Management, YouTube) who broke down the thinking behind a new version of YouTube (called YouTube Go) which Google is currently testing here in Nigeria.

In June, Nigeria became the second country where we started actively testing YouTube Go. Later this year, well be expanding this to a beta launch of the app and it will available to all Nigerian users, Wright said, in response to a question about the building process behind the app and when it will be available in Nigeria.

Suren Ruhela, who leads Google Maps for emerging countries, was next and he detailed the limiting factors to things like how quickly geographical changes are reflected on Google Maps.

We have multiple ways through which we identify what changes have been made at a location and those methods have to come together before an update is done. But there is no one true way to update Maps in real-time. Its just not possible, he said.

However, with the help of the over 100,000 Google Local guides we have here in Nigeria [and other contributors on Maps], those changes and corrections can be made faster, Ruhela added.

None of the execs commented on how much revenue Google was making here in Nigeria, after a journalist asked the question. We dont comment on revenue numbers, said Mich Atagana, a Google Africa spokesperson.
A verdict was expected to be passed on July 30 but the Courts Service reportedly confirmed on Wednesday that the case would not now be heard until October 12.

Ciaran Cannon, Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, told Business Insider that he was "very annoyed," adding that "most are still hopeful of a positive outcome."

But local resident Paul Keane, who is a member of the Athenry for Apple Facebook group, said: "Some have totally lost hope and more are now more fearful of a complete loss of confidence in investment for the west and long term damage to the country simply because we couldn't get our act together."

Athenry residents are concerned whether Apple will ever be allowed to build the data centre, which would bring jobs and investment to the small town on the west coast of Ireland.

Apple first announced the data centre in February 2015. At the time, it said it intended to spend 1.7 billion (1.5 billion) on a data centre in Ireland and another in Denmark, with each one costing 850 million (752 million).

The Denmark data centre is expected to go live later this year but the project on the west coast of Ireland, just outside a small town called Athenry in County Galway, is yet to start.

Apple wants to build eight data halls on a 500-acre site in Derrydonnell Forest, which is owned by state-sponsored forestry firm Coillte, and situated roughly three miles from Athenry.

But local residents Sinead Fitzpatrick, Allan Daly, and Wicklow landowner Brian McDonagh asked the High Court for a judicial review on environmental grounds, something that could delay the project by a year and a half.

Apple managed to get the case fast-tracked through Ireland's Commercial Court after it filed a request last November but a final decision is yet to be passed. Around the same time, thousands of people in Athenry marched in favour of the data centre.

Earlier this month, Apple announced that it is planning to build another data centre in Denmark as it struggles to get the Irish data centre off the ground.
By PTI: Panaji, Jul 27 (PTI) The Goa government has drafted a comprehensive scheme costing Rs 15,000 crore to upgrade existing power infrastructure in the state, the assembly was informed today.

"We have worked out a Rs 15,000-crore comprehensive plan which will ensure undisrupted power supply to the state. The plan will cover entire Goa," Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar said in his address on demands for grants of his department.

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Madkaikar said the state government will implement the scheme in phases. "We will implement the plan in phase-wise. First of all we will put up the basic infrastructure in place."

Responding to questions raised by the opposition members, he said "the state does not have shortage of power supply but our issue is related to infrastructure."

"Due to lack of infrastructure we have to resort to power cuts in the coastal area," he said. PTI RPS RSY

--- ENDS ---
Admittedly, It is true that the transformation of rural environment is all about seeking to bring improvement in the living condition of fellow compatriots living within the confines of dilapidated and rustic economies of the rural towns and urban slums.

To enhance the improvement of the people's condition, employment generation and entrepreneurship development need to be on the standby.

And undoubtedly, this is the prime objective of the micro finance bank. we have decided to highlight the roles they have played so far in Nigeria.

What are the roles of microfinance banks in Nigeria?

1. Small scale enterprises booster

Based on statistics, 60 percent of people in the country live in the rural areas. And about 80 percent of them are farmers and artisans.

The micro finance banks have been the main sources of funding to these less privileged groups. Rural people are empowered through micro finance loans and services, and with this, small-scale agricultural practice and micro enterprise are developed.

And to increase the number of people going into small businesses, it has become necessary for the government to go into co-operatives to partner with the microfinance banks to raise bulk loans to be disbursed to the beneficiaries.

2. Improvement in skill acquisition

It can not be denied that the played role of micro finance banks have nothing to do with the improved conditions of women through the provision of skills acquisition and adult literacy.

This has been achieved through building capacities for wealth creation among enterprising poor people and promoting sustainable livelihood by strengthening rural responsive banking methodology and the introduction of simple cost-benefit analysis in the conduct of businesses.

In most cases, an agreement of sharing profit is reached between the bank and the entrepreneur; and new methods and innovations are passed to the prospective entrepreneur by the banks professionals, while at the end of the production period the profit is being shared and the entrepreneur, if so wishes, can continue on his own after the necessary skills and production techniques, are acquired.

3. The facilitation of poverty alleviation: When it comes to the effort of poverty alleviation, the two important factors that cannot be disdained are: employment and income generation.

Thus, micro finance banks have accelerated the operation of government poverty alleviation programmes and in doing so, promising entrepreneurs are supported and new ones have been born.

Also, other roles played by micro finance banks include; reorientation of the rural populace on a sound financial practice, as well as issues such as reproductive health care, and girl child education.

All these areas have a direct link with entrepreneurial capabilities of the rural people.

4. Credit distributiion

Majorly, micro finance banks are known for credit distribution; the loans extended are used to expand existing businesses and in some cases to start new ones.

According to the Central Bank of Nigeria, loans granted by micro finance to clients is increasing from 2007 to date and most of it goes to financing small enterprises in rural areas.
With a style raved as 'modest' because of its simplicity, Mark Zuckerberg's everyday look isn't in your average t-shirt as he wears custom made Brunello Cucinelli tee-shirts in Marl Grey. He orders them in bulk at a minimum purchase unit of $400 (and that's because he orders in bulk otherwise a piece will set him back at a whooping $700 per one).

Brunello Cucinelli is an eponymous Italian fashion brand retailing menswear, women's wear and accessories across Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, the United States, France, Germany, Austria, Canada, China and Japan.

The Facebook CEO customizes his own grey tees to feature the original 3 emblem Facebook insignia on the upper left chest of each piece. Before the grey t-shirt over jeans became his everyday style, the billionaire had been pictured in hoodies, sweats and more urban casual looks.

Zuckerberg once told The Guardian he choose to wear grey t-shirts everyday because he won't "spend any of my energy on things that are silly or frivolous" and would rather not spend time thinking through what to wear every morning but they are not your average t-shirts!

This everyday style of the fifth richest person in world who appears modest everytime thanks in part to his signature t-shirts don't come cheap and are certainly not modest for a t-shirt. His sweatshirts are Brunello Cucinelli as well and are priced from $3,000!
According to Idoma Voice, the Benue State-born fallen soldier, Onah John Ali was killed in a bomb blast that rocked Maiduguri town a few days, leaving many soldiers killed and other seriously injured.

Confirming the ugly incident that has thrown his community into tears and sorrow, the National Vice Chairlady of the Idoma Culture and Tradition, Vera Tom, described the death of the former student of Army Day Secondary School Lokoja, Kogi State, as very saddening and unfortunate.

While praying for God to grant the family of the deceased the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, Tom urged the Nigerian Military to step up its game in the fight against the insurgents in order to bring their deadly activities to an end.
Monitor UG reports that Kisakye took the action after his wife's parents enrolled her for the course and she gleefully informed him.

Thinking that his wife would dump him after getting to the US, Kisakye allegedly used a knife to slice the neck of Nangozi before using the same knife to slice his own neck in a bid to commit suicide.

However, Nangozi was rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital where she has been receiving medical attention while Kisakye was arrested following reports made to the police and also taken to a hospital where he is kept under custody.

The Mukono Police District Commander, Rogers Sseguya, who confirmed the incident, said Kisakye is in critical condition at Kawolo Hospital. Sseguya added that Kisakye would be charged with attempted murder once he recovers.

Narrating the incident on her hospital bed, Nangozi said:

He thought he had killed me. Actually, I was too weak and I could not scream. That was when he also cut his neck.

I was preparing to set off to America this very week. Unfortunately, my husband wanted to kill me, claiming that he wanted me to stay at home without upgrading my skills.
In the video, the lady narrates how her ex-boyfriend whom she named as Kelvin, an indigene of Edo State, has been behind her travails after he sold his family land and took her to Europe only for her to dump him for another man.

The lady who lamented how she has been spiritually afflicted by a strange ailment that has defied any form of cure is seen begging the said Kelvin to kindly forgive her and free her destiny so she could get healing and get things working for her.

According to her, she believes Kelvin has a hand in her affliction because she dumped him after he brought her to Europe because most of the places her family has taken her to, they have been alluded to him being the one behind her travails.

The lady also claimed to have spent a lot of money on the strange illness but has had no improvement, adding that everywhere her parents visited in Nigeria to prayer for her, they were told that Kelvin was behind her ailment.

She is heard saying in the video:

I have been sick since 2011; my illness did not improve, neither did it deteriorate. I have been spending two days at home and two weeks in the hospital; in fact, I must be admitted to the hospital every month.

I take nothing less than 16 different tablets daily and even change my cream every month. Anywhere my family goes to pray for my health, they always tell them it is Kelvin, that the man that brought me to Europe is behind my sickness.

Then my family went to his parents house but they said my family was accusing them of witchcraft.
Tweets have been going back and forth about which set of universities is the best- private or public.

The private university clique will tell you it has the most employable graduates in the market.

This claim is especially made by young adults who graduated from church-funded universities. Higher institutions owned by churches make up a chunk of private universities in the country. Covenant University, Redeemers University, and Babcock University are the top three church funded private universities in the country.

Covenant University is arguably the most popular private university in the country. It was established in 2002 under the leadership of the Davido Oyedepo of Winners Chapel.

During this period, public universities were plagued with strikes, school riots and gangland activities from confraternities. These disturbances messed up the academic calendar year. You could end up using six years in a public university studying a four-year course.

Covenant University came in the midst of this mess. It promised a no disturbance environment that wouldn't mess with the school timetable. Other incentives included serene environment, quality teaching and a higher standard of education.

The fine print in the Covenant University contract had strict laws and guidelines. A strict dress code, conservative mode of dressing, no physical contact with the opposite sex and no phones. It was outrageous at the time, it still is.

Everything that a young person looked forward to doing in a university was ripped away in Covenant. This is still the order of the day at Oyedepo's University.

In social discussions, private university graduates especially those from Covenant were the butt of jokes. They were not spared for attending what some called a 'glorified secondary school'. It is believed that they paid their way through university.

The public university goers are proud of the freedom and liberty they have. Yes, strikes still go on and the standard of education isn't any better than it was in 2002 but the opinion is that public universities are lit.

Graduates from legacy universities, like the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Benin, Ahmadu Bello University, and others have a superiority complex. They think they are better than their counterparts from private universities. The hardship faced by public universities is seen as a badge of honour, a passage of rites of sorts. They believed they are seasoned to handle life.

The argument on which type of university is better in Nigeria is almost baseless. The standard of education in Nigerian hasn't gotten any better since the advent of private universities. Some will say it has gotten worse.

The Nigerian educational system, especially in higher institutions, is the same. There is hardly any difference between education in public universities and private universities.

When private universities first came on board, most of its lecturers were from public universities. Many lecturers who were mere doctors in public universities suddenly became professors and Heads of Departments in private universities. Obviously, the fast tracking of careers without due process must have its negative effects.

Nigerian education is so bad that no Nigerian university makes the global top list of best universities in the world- private and public. If the quality of education isn't of international standard then why is this debate going on? It's just two sides of the same coin.
With MLA Ramsinh Parmar's resignation, the number of Congress MLAs in the 182-member Gujarat Assembly has come down to 51

By India Today Web Desk: In the ongoing spate of resignations from the Congress party in Gujarat, MLA Ramsinh Parmar resigned today. He is the sixth Congress MLA to have resigned from the party since Thursday.

Parmar is an MLA from Thasra.

With Parmar's resignation, the number of Congress MLAs in the 182-member Gujarat Assembly has come down to 51. The resignations, coming ahead of the August 8 Rajya Sabha elections, threaten the prospects of Ahmed Patel, political secretary to Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

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Three MLAs had resigned yesterday. They included Congress' chief whip in state Assembly Balwantsinh Rajput who was later declared as BJP's third candidate for the Rajya Sabha elections. BJP president Amit Shah and Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani are already in the fray.

Two Congress MLAs resigned today morning. Parmar is the third one to quit the main opposition party in the state. Some more MLAs are likely to resign in the days to come.

The resignations come on the heels of 11 Congress MLAs from the state indulging in cross-voting in the July 17 presidential election.

Congress is facing a rebellion after former leader of opposition in the state Assembly Shankersinh Vaghela resigned from his post. A sulking Vaghela had announced his resignation in a rally on July 21 to celebrate his 77th birthday.

Also read:

2 more Gujarat Congress MLAs join BJP, 3 had done yesterday

More trouble for Congress in Gujarat, 3 Vaghela supporters join BJP

Who is Shankersinh Vaghela? A look at his illustrious political journey

--- ENDS ---
But she stuck by her husband and was determined to make the marriage work but Pastor Ben has never changed.

Read her story here:

"My name is Josephine, a 42-year-old mother of four. I have been married to Pastor Ben for the past 20 years but in all our years together, my husband has been involved in one sex scandal or the other but what he did last month has really shaken the foundation of our union.

I met Ben when he was in a Bible college and we began dating after our church pastor gave us the go ahead after praying for us. Ben was a worker in the church but had this burning zeal to serve God and hence going to the Bible college to prepare himself.

Immediately after he graduated, he told our pastor that God wanted him to be on his own and the pastor prayed for him and gave him his blessings but he said we must get married first so that he would be focused in the vineyard.

That was how we got married when I was just 22-years-old and all through the struggle to build the church to what it is today, I have been there for him, giving support as a wife and partner in the ministry.

But a few years after we got married, the weakness that has continued to afflict Ben came to the fore when he got one of the female choristers pregnant. This caused a very big crisis in the church as many members got angry and left.

I was so angry with him that I left his house but after mediation by our families and some church elders, I went back to him.

But instead of my husband learning from his mistakes, he kept getting involved in one sex scandal or the other and instead of the church growing, we have been in the same position. If we manage to get new members, they would leave after a while when they get to know my husband's secret life.

But the one that has made me make up my mind to leave for good was when he was caught with the women's leader having sex in a hotel.

The disgrace and shame he brought to me, church members and his children were just too much as he and the woman were paraded naked in our area and when they were brought to our house, all our neighbours made a mockery of me and my kids.

I can take it no more and despite people saying as a pastor's wife I should forgive him, I don't think I can cope again.

Josephine."

The teaser for the day was:

How Nigeria voted:

Josephine should divorce Pastor Ben with immediate effect - 52%

Josephine should forgive her husband for the sake of the ministry - 14%

Josephine should imbibe the virtues of Christ and overlook her husband's infidelity - 21%

Josephine should move out of the area with her children - 14%
Since the beginning of time itself, women (and men) have been selling their bodies for cash.

Prostitution might be an old game but it is still illegal in many countries in the world. In Nigeria, the prostitution laws are vague. Sections 223, 224, and 225 of the Nigerian Criminal Code try to put pimps/madams, underage prostitution and the establishment of brothels in check. These laws mainly apply to Southern Nigeria which is regarded as the more liberal section of the country.

In the Northern part of the country, the firm grip of Sharia Law outlaws and forbids prostitution. In some Northern states like Kano prostitution still exists on shadowy, dark roads outside the state capital.

Even with the laws, prostitution is a thriving business in the most populous black nation in the world. There is no official data on the number of sex workers in Nigeria but there are other figures which tell a scary story.

ALSO READ: Ghanaian prostitute claims to have killed 100 men

There are 3.2 million people in Nigeria living with HIV according to a 2015 report by UNAIDS. The prevalence rate among people aged 15-49 is 3.1%.

One of the reasons for these high numbers is because of the HIV prevalence among sex workers. According to AVERT, in Nigeria "HIV prevalence among sex workers is eight times higher than the rest of the population."

Those who support the legalization of prostitution believe that when the trade becomes legal, the rate of HIV prevalence in the country would reduce.

Amaka Enemo is the National Coordinator of the Nigerian Sex Workers Association (NSWA) recently said that prostitution should be legalized.

Enemo wasn't readily available for comment when Pulse reached out to her for her thoughts on the topic. However, recently presented a report titled 'Understanding the High Risk of Urban Sexual Networks in Nigeria'.

At the event, Amaka Enemo said "When I visited Amsterdam (Holland), I was able to visit the red light district where sex workers work because prostitution is legal there. I have also visited New Zealand where they have decriminalized sex work.

"When you decriminalize it, there will be less exploitation of sex workers and the violence will reduce.

"We want the government to decriminalize the work so that all of us will be healthy. It might interest you to know that Nigeria has the second highest risk of HIV worldwide and we are hoping to get to zero before 2030."

She also said that the ban on prostitution has exposed many commercial sex workers to unprotected sex from police officers.

ALSO READ: 17-year-old Nigerian girl in Italy tells her sad story

"Sex workers face violence, especially from their clients and law enforcement agents. Sex work is seen as a crime and the police raid streets and brothels to arrest sex workers.

"They collect money and if the girl cannot pay, she will have to give sex to the policemen. If the law enforcer does not want to use a condom, the sex worker has to agree and this is why HIV is on the increase.

"So, in this study, all the sex workers we interacted with said their biggest trouble was law enforcers" she revealed.

If you know the streets of Lagos very well you would know that this claim is true. The fact that prostitution has not been made legal has exposed sex workers to diseases. It has encouraged trafficking.

Legalizing the trade has its economic benefits. The government would be able to tax commercial sex workers and that would also serve as a source of revenue.

In 2011, the then Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu asked the Nigerian Senate to consider making prostitution legal. Nothing much came out of this.

As expected, the religious right was not in support of this. In the North, the legalization of prostitution would meet a brick wall. In the South, which is predominantly inhabited by Christians, there would be stiff opposition to a bill of this nature.
At a briefing in Yola, Adamawa State on Thursday, July 27, NAF said the terrorists are gradually returning to Sambisa Forest, their former stronghold.

The Air Component Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, the military operation in the North-East, Air Commodore Tajudeen Yusuf disclosed this to newsmen.

Incessant bombardment of the forest by NAF and the efforts of foot troops had flushed the insurgents out of their 'headquarters.'

Yusuf said NAF fighter jets and attack helicopters had bombed the terrorists' hideouts 108 times between April and July, 2017.

He said, "Intelligence surveillance and Reconnaissance reports through the second quarter of 2017 indicated a gradual return of the Boko Haram terrorist activities to the Sambisa Forest. There have been sightings of a few Boko Haram activities in the Sambisa general area, particularly in Parisu.

"Hence, the air component conducted significant ISR missions in the Sambisa general area. On July 3, an air interdiction mission was conducted on Alagarno Camp. Several solar panels were seen on buildings in the location, which indicated that it was being used as a Command and Control facility.

"The NAF conducted air interdiction missions with the F-7Ni, Alpha jets, L-39ZA, Mi-17 and the Mi-35M attack helicopters to neutralise the Boko Haram terrorist targets within the theatre.

"A total of 108 air interdiction sorties were conducted from April to June 2017."

The Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, had also on Thursday expressed shock at the recent massacre of oil workers and military personnel by the terrorists.
Fashola had accused the National Assembly of removing key projects of his ministry from the 2017 budget leaving projects like boreholes.

In any event, allegations of half-truths are only a flawed response to the constitutional and developmental issues that have plagued Nigeria from 1999 about how to budget for the critical infrastructure in Nigeria," he said.

It shows the conflict between the executive that wants to build big federal highways, bridges, power plants, rail and dams on one hand and a Parliament that wants to do small things.

The parliament wants to do things like boreholes, health centres, street lights and supplying grinding machines, he added.

Irked by Fasholas comments, the House of Representatives summoned the minister to appear before its adhoc committee.

The committee was chaired by Honourable Aliyu Madaki.

Addressing members of the committee on Friday, July 28, 2017, Fashola told lawmakers that there was no time he deliberately disparaged the National Assembly as reported in the media.

He thereafter apologized to the members for the misinterpretation of his comments.

The minister had referred to the lawmakers as 'his friends'.

Earlier, Reps spokesman, Abdurazak Namdas had accused Fashola of expressing anger due to the removal of a N20billion contingencies cost from the 2017 budget.
Osinbajo said this while inaugurating the 16-Km Chokocho-Umuechem-Ozuzu road and 14-Km Chokocho-Igbo-Etche-Rumuokurushi Inter-Change in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers, rehabilitated by the state government.

The acting President commended Gov. Nyesom Wike for his development feat and stressed the importance of the unity of the country.

According to him, Nigerians we must always maintain the unity of their country because the country is great in their diversity.

We are greater together than apart, he said.

Osinbajo, however, urged the leaders in government to de-emphasise partisan concerns and work in the interest of their people to make them feel the impact of the government.

We must always look for ways to advance the interest of our people; today is a very happy day; we will always have happy days, he said.

In his speech earlier, Gov. Nyesom Wike said that the two roads were damaged and thus, militated against the transportation of agricultural produce in the area.
The Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

NAN reports that NVIS is a database of all number plates generated and produced in the country.

Kazeem said the vehicles, both Toyota Highlanders were allegedly stolen in Ibadan, Oyo and Aba in Abia on different dates respectively.

According to him, the suspected buyers were caught when they took the vehicles for registration in their own names at the FRSC office in Calabar.

He said in the process, the NVIS Desk Officer in Calabar detected disparities in the names of the original owners and those of the registration applicants.

Kazeem said that one of the vehicles, stolen in 2014 was originally registered in the name of one Tobechukwu Okeke with plate number KSF533AC and chassis number JTEHF21A410031320.

According to the statement, the vehicle was found on July 24, when the suspected buyer, Mrs Chika Onyeama, came to re-register it at the Calabar office.

He said that in the process the NVIS desk officer discovered that the chassis number of the vehicle had already been registered in Okekes name.

Kazeem said that second vehicle, previously registered in the name of one Omadewu Jeff with plate and chassis number YAB993BX and JTEEP21A040047924, was stolen in Aba, Abia in April.

The theft was discovered on July 21 when the suspected buyer came to register it, and the vehicle was recovered on July 25.

The Acting Sector Commander in Calabar, Lucky Ugenlo, disclosed that the suspected buyer of the second vehicle, Simon Peter, had a plate number KTA766GS already assigned to the vehicle.

In view of the successful recovery of the vehicles now in police custody with the suspected buyers, the Corps Marshal emphasised the need for every vehicle to have a comprehensive registration papers.
Shettima said the attack is a setback in the ongoing anti-insurgency war.

In a statement issued on Thursday, July 27, by his spokesman, Mallam Isa Gusau, the Governor saluted the gallant soldiers and members of the civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) who lost their lives in the attack.

He said, "I havent been my normal self since I received information of that attack. What happened in the first instance was a tragic setback in the fight against Boko Haram and in Nigerias effort to expand its economic fortunes.

"I am deeply pained by this incident especially coming at a time when we were beginning to pick up the pieces of our lives.

"Even though the attack should never have happened given the successes recorded by the military and the multi-national joint forces since 2015, I nonetheless still deem it necessary to commend the military for re-mobilising and countering the initial gains of the insurgents."

On Tuesday, July 25, the oil workers were reportedly ambushed by the terrorists at Magumeri in Gubio Local Government area of the state.

Many of them, including soldiers and JTF members, were killed in the attack while others were abducted.

ALSO READ: Many oil workers reported dead in Boko Haram ambush in Borno

It was gathered that the military reinforced and hunted the terrorists - they killed some and rescued the abducted oil workers.

But sadly, about 48 corpses - 18 Soldiers, 15 Civilian JTF, five University of Maiduguri staff and four NNPC drivers were reportedly recovered from the scene of the ambush.

It was learnt that six persons who were wounded in the attack but escaped to somewhere in Yobe State were later found dead.
He was summoned over the suspension of the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Usman Yusuf.

The House Committee on Healthcare Services had ordered Adewole to reinstate Yusuf but the Minister refused - instead, he suspended three more top officials of the agency.

The Committee thereafter mandated him to appear before it to justify Yusuf's suspension.

In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Committee, John Okafor, the Minister said he was constrained not to honour the invitation based on two factors - his scheduled visit to Osun State, and his decision not to affect the outcome of the panel investigating Yusuf.

ALSO READ: Reps reject NHIS budget over suspension of its Executive Secretary

Adewole assured that he would make the outcome of the investigation known to the legislators.

He wrote, "Mr Chairman, may I inform you that the federal ministry of health with the approval of the acting president and head of service is currently conducting an administrative panel of enquiry on NHIS including the suspended executive secretary  Professor Usman Yusuf.

"I am expecting that in a couple of days, the committee should submit her report to my office. Secondly, I have committed myself to a national programme as part of the stakeholders meeting including the executive governor of Osun. The programme is being supported by the Engender Health and beneficiaries are expected from all over the country.

"In the light of the above, I wish to respectfully crave your indulgence to be excused from the meeting of 27th July 2017 to avoid making any statement that will affect the outcome of the committee and also attend the programme that I already planned. I promise to share and discuss the outcome of the administrative panel with you when I receive the final report."
Mr Chidi Izuwa, Acting Director-General of the commission said this in a statement by the acting Head of Media and Publicity of ICRC, Manji Yarling.

The inter-ministerial implementation committee for the development of engineering infrastructure was on July 27, inaugurated by the Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammad Bello.

The project is the first major experiment of the FCT administration toward developing an entire district on Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

He said,it is worthy of note that the world bank views the Katampe project as a model PPP project that can be replicated around the world.

The Federal Capital Territorys heart shaped pictorial representation on the map could be translated into reality by making FCT the heart of Africa and a first stop for tourism in Africa.

 If FCT will be the city of our dreams, there is need for rapid infrastructural development of which the conventional budget allocation cannot provide the required financing.

This therefore necessitates strategic partnering with the private sector to have access to funds in making Abuja the heart of Africa, he said.

According to Izuwa, the FCT administration desires the success of this project as it will replicate other PPP projects in the capital city.

He noted that the conventional mode of developing the city was no longer tenable due to insufficient funds needed to keep up with the pace at which the city was developing.
The veteran Gujarat politician quit Congress last week, ending an 18-year-old association with the party he had joined after exiting his parent organisation, the BJP, in 1996.

Veteran Gujarat politician Shankersinh Vaghela quit the Congress last week, ending an 18-year-old association with the party he had joined after exiting his parent organisation, the BJP, in 1996. With Gujarat slated to go to polls this year, speculation over Vaghela's next move is rife. Deputy Editor Uday Mahurkar caught up with the leader to try and gauge what's on his mind. Excerpts:

Q. Why did you leave the Congress?

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A. Some Congress leaders in Gujarat didn't agree with my stand that the party should prepare for the assembly elections well in advance, as per the A.K. Antony committee's recommendation that candidates should be shortlisted a year ahead of elections. Rahul Gandhi agreed with me that the Antony panel's report should be implemented, but nothing happened. Perhaps these leaders had decided to deny me a role in the assembly polls. Had they not taken a stand against me and waited, I myself would have declared state Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki the party's chief ministerial candidate and settled for chairmanship of the campaign committee.

Q. Congress leaders say you shouldn't have arm-twisted the party since it gave you so much despite your BJP background.

A. I, too, have given much to the Congress. I discharged the responsibilities given to me faithfully and tried to expand the party's base. This despite some leaders plotting against me since the day I joined the Congress in 1998-1999. Even in the latest instance, they asked partymen and MLAs to skip my birthday party. Is this the way you treat senior leaders?

Q. Many Congress leaders claim the cross-voting by eight to 11 party MLAs in favour of Ram Nath Kovind was at your behest.

A. This is totally false. I have never engaged in anti-party activity. It is the state Congress leadership's duty to find out who voted against Meira Kumar. I cannot be blamed for their management failures.

Q. Why did you write an explanatory letter to Sonia Gandhi after leaving the party?

A. I had to clarify my position to guard against any misinformation campaign by my detractors.

Q. You also had complaints about the party manifesto not being considered while planning party programmes.

A. Yes, there should be synergy between the party's programmes and its manifesto, which was missing in many cases. But my main complaint was that candidates were not being selected well ahead of elections.

Q. What's your plan now?

A. Wait and watch.

Q. Could you be joining the BJP?

A. No, neither the BJP nor NCP. I will remain apolitical for now.

--- ENDS ---
The states Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, in a statement, congratulated the parents of the students and all concerned stakeholders over the development.

Ayorinde said the students would undergo series of medical tests and trauma therapy before being reunited with their families.

The students were released by their abductors in Ondo State on Friday.

This is a welcome development and the State Government has always believed that the students will be released unhurt.

The news of their release is therefore a confirmation of that belief and we are glad that they will be reuniting with their families, Ayorinde said.

He said the State Government remained resolute in its commitment to ensure the safety of lives and property of residents in the state and had already beefed up security in schools to prevent a re-occurrence.

It is on record that the Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration has invested massively on equipment and welfare of security personnel so as to ensure that the state remains safe for residents and investors.

This government has already taken giant steps to secure all our schools, especially those in the suburbs and riverine areas, and we are confident that the steps taken so far will go a long way in nipping a repeat of such in the bud, Ayorinde said.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Thursday after a National Executive Council meeting, Mr Igwe Achese, NUPENG President, said the strike was inevitable because of three billion naira terminal benefits allegedly owed some sacked oil sector workers.

Achese said that those affected were former staff of Seawolf Drilling, an oil servicing firm, in Rivers.

He said the management of AMCOM was being lackadaisical in meeting its obligation of settling the workers.

Achese said more than 300 workers of the oil firm were disengaged unceremoniously in 2013.

The retrenchment of the workers followed the companys indebtedness to a commercial bank to the tune of N25 billion which led to AMCOM taking over the assets and liabilities of Seawolf.

The workers, who are affiliate members of NUPENG, have been asking AMCOM to pay their severance package without success, he said.

Achese said NUPENG had given two weeks grace to the Federal Government and the Ministry of Labour and Employment to intervene.

For the past four years we have been discussing the issue of redundancy and closure of Seawolf, which AMCOM, a federal agency, took over since 2013."

It is very unfortunate to state that workers engaged to a company that AMCOM took over; AMCOM has refused to pay them their terminal benefits since 2013."

Therefore, the union in a very strong resolution, is requesting the Federal Government to prevail on AMCOM to open doors for dialogue to pay these workers of Seawolf which it took over."

Of course, you will agree with me that taking over a company such as the case of AMCOM you are taking both liabilities and assets."

As such we have written series of letters to the Ministry of Petroleum, Ministry of Labour and Employment, to the security agencies and all agencies expected to be notified on this issue."

We are aware that AMCOM instead of paying these workers and negotiating the terminal benefits of these workers has decided to take the matter to court and we have been faced with series of adjournments since 2013."

We, therefore, have no choice as a union but to write an open letter to Mr President and the acting president to take all necessary steps to address the issues of Seawolf and that of Chevron,  he said.

Achese said the union had notified the Federal Government in a letter that if it failed to address the issues after two weeks, it would call out its members to withdraw their services in the FCT.

Achese said that it had also directed its members across the country to, in solidarity with the struggle, dress in red and hoist green leaves on their vehicles for the next two weeks.

On restructuring, he said that the campaign for restructuring the country had become necessary.

Achese said that the restructuring must take the form of fiscal federalism such that component states or regions might control their own resources.

On our part as a union, we canvass for true federalism to be adopted in the country, each state or region should be allowed to control their resources through fiscal federalism."
THE GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER

Youre lazy, sultan tells northern governors

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, yesterday condemned what he considered as the lazy attitude of some northern governors to governance.

Senate declares revenue allocation formula unconstitutional, seeks review

The Senate says there is no extant act of the National Assembly accepting the present revenue allocation formula in use in the country and therefore declared it unconstitutional.

Sharp practices threaten $68b investments in telecoms sector

A series of 'communication frauds' including masking, call refilling and SIM box is threatening $68 billion investments in the nations telecoms sector.

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VANGUARD NEWSPAPER

Why FG suspended crude oil exploration in Chad Basin

The Federal Government, yesterday, said it has suspended crude oil exploration in the Lake Chad Basin following attack on personnel of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in Borno State by suspected members of Boko Haram terrorist group.

On restructuring we stand but - Northern Governors

The governors of 19 northern states said, yesterday, that the region was not opposed to the restructuring of the country, contrary to widely held views by some persons and groups.

Constitution alterations: Atiku, Ohanaeze, women groups, others slam Senate

Outrage overflowed, yesterday, against the Senate over its rejection of restructuring and renunciation of womens rights with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, lamenting that his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, had betrayed its 2015 election promises.__________________________________________________

THE PUNCH NEWSPAPER

Reps support Senate, reject power devolution, okay LG autonomy

Members of the House of Representatives, on Thursday, voted on new amendments proposed to the 1999 Constitution.

How FG, govs shield indicted judges from sanctions, prosecution

NO fewer than six judges, kicked out of office in 2016 and another one since 2011, have escaped full sanctions due to the failure of the Presidency, the police and some state governors to implement key recommendations of the National Judicial Council against the affected judicial officers, The PUNCH has learnt.

Obasanjo aware of YarAduas ill health before the 2007 elections - Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has said former President Olusegun Obasanjo was aware of the health challenges of his successor, the late Umaru YarAdua before the 2007 presidential poll.

__________________________________________________

THISDAY NEWSPAPER

FG Targets N7.9tn 2018 Budget As Senate Approves $1.8bn External Borrowing

The federal government projects that it would spend about N7.9 trillion next year, about N500 billion more than its N7.44 trillion appropriation for this year.

48 Bodies of Chad Basin Oil Explorers Recovered After BHaram Ambush

Omololu Ogunmade, Chineme Okafor, Paul Obi, Olawale Ajimtokan in Abuja and Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri.

North Adopts Consensus on Restructuring Friday

The North is to adopt a position today on the ongoing clamour for restructuring of the country at the end of a meeting between the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council (NTRC) in Kaduna.

__________________________________________________

THE BUSINESSDAY NEWSPAPER

FG proposes N8trn budget for 2018

Federal Government has proposed a record N7.939 trillion spending for 2018, making it the third straight record budget of the Buhari administration.

Summer bookings spike as Nigerians start flying again on improving economy

Bookings for the 2017 summer holiday season, which started on an unimpressive note towards the end of the first quarter of this year, is beginning to spike as most commercial banks increase the limits of spending by Nigerian holiday makers abroad.

MBA, CFA, others increase bargaining power in labour market
Along with being fired from his teaching appointment with the state, Baba was also summoned to court on libel charges filed by lawyers of Mr. Jimoh Adeshina, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara Central senatorial district, after the civil servant reportedly called Saraki a bastard in one of his posts on his social media posts.

Sahara Reporters reported that he was also removed from his position as APC Secretary in Gambari Ward 1, Ilorin East Local Government Area.

Addressing the issue on his social media pages on Friday, July 28, 2017, Saraki labelled the story as "entirely untrue", saying he'd never tried to suppress the freedom of speech.

The full statement read, "My attention has just been drawn to an entirely untrue story about a civil servant being sacked for criticizing me.

"As a public servant who has subjected myself to the service of my country, I face criticism everyday from many quarters.

"However, this does not deter me. It never has. I learn from the constructive criticisms, and continue to work with my colleagues in the Senate to pass our legislative agenda for all Nigerians.

"I use social media. As such, I am a firm believer in freedom of speech and the use of social media to air out views.

"Throughout my time in public office, I have never attempted to stifle anyone's freedom to speak his/her mind. This can be said of my time as a Governor, as a first time Senator, and now as the Senate President. This will not change."
Saraki, according to a statement by his special assistant on public affairs, Mohammed Isa, made the pledge when the victim was presented to him in Abuja by officials of the Global Initiative For Peace, Love and Care (GIPLC), an NGO spearheading the campaign for his medical care.

The Senate President, while sympathizing with Ali and his parents, promised to mobilize his colleagues to offset the balance of the cost of the treatment after the group has collected donations from members of the public.

The NGO had told Saraki that it had already commenced soliciting for donations from corporate bodies and individuals on behalf of the kid.

"This is not just what we must be seen to be doing, this is all about serving people, Saraki said.

It will be a great joy for us to have someone like Ali back to normal life. My colleagues and I will contribute whatever the shortfall of what you will raise in form of donations to make sure he is given adequate medical attention.

"Ali is not like many kids that are not fortunate to survive Boko Haram attacks; and as a society that keeps seeking for foreign assistance, we ourselves should be able to do things like this ourselves. This is an opportunity for us to show our compassion to the victims of Boko Haram.

"We will continue to work harder to bring an end to this crisis in the North East so as to bring an end to the issue of humanitarian and food crises there," he added.

ALSO READ: Saraki denies civil servant was sacked for criticising him

Earlier, the GIPLC coordinator, Nuhu Kwajafa, said young Ali, who hails from Chibok town in Borno State was ran over by Boko Haram vehicle when they invaded the town three years ago.

Kwajafa said the NGO, consulted several hospitals in United States, India and United Arab Emirates for the treatment of Ali.
The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, made this known while answering questions from State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

He said the meeting was also attended by Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS); Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Vice Admiral Ekwe Ite-Ibas, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), and Air Vice Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS).

According to the minister, the meeting agreed to get more surveillance devices, cameras and other vital security gadgets that will be able to see distant attackers coming to the position of the Nigerian troops.

We just finished a meeting with the Acting President and the three Service Chiefs.

We agreed that they should move back to the Command Centre again and see what are the things happening there.

We have also agreed that we should get more surveillance devices, cameras that will be able to see distant attackers coming to the position of our troops.

The period of the raining season is a difficult moment for us.

We cannot dominate the environment like what we do during the dry season but effort is geared towards regaining back our areas, he added.

Dan-Ali reassured that all these ambushes that are happening regularly would be stopped.

Suspected insurgents on Tuesday attacked a convoy of oil workers at a village along Gubio and Magumeri local government areas.

The attackers ambushed the oil workers, who were staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), traveling in a convoy of about 10 vehicles.
Prior to his new appointment, Adenekan was with C&F Porter Novelli Lagos, as the Head of Operations.

We are delighted to have Mr. Adenekan join our leadership, having garnered experience across the industry.

In his new role, he will provide day-to-day leadership to the PR teams in line with the companys mission to build a beautiful company that puts people before profit,"Ayeni Adekunle, Founder and CEO of BHM said.

Speaking about his new appointment, Adenekan said, "moving to BHM is the next step in my career trajectory, its a challenge I have been looking forward to.

"It puts one in the eye of the storm just as it offers an opportunity to join forces with forward-looking and unconventional professionals to move the company and our industry forward. I have always wanted to contribute to new learning and move the conversation forward. BHM offers a perfect opportunity

Adenekan's work experience includes several positions at Chain Reactions Nigeria, Medallion Consulting, Commstrat Associates and Campaign & Concept Advertising and serviced clients in sectors such as fast moving consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, media, utilities, government among many others.
Police arrested Aslam Hossain Rashed alias Rashidul Islam alias Rash from Singra in Natore district in connection with the Gulshan cafe attack in Dhaka.

By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: Police arrested Aslam Hossain Rashed alias Rashidul Islam alias Rash from Singra in Natore district in connection with the Gulshan cafe attack in Dhaka.

He is believed to be one of the 'planners' of the dastardly attack.

Monirul Islam, head of the Counter Terrorism Unit of Police, said, "Militant of Neo JMB was arrested from the Singra Bazar bus stand area of Natore district around 5:30 am on Friday. "

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In addition to the Counter Terrorism Unit, the members of the Lawful Interception Center of Police Headquarters and the members of Bogra and Natore districts also participated in the operation, said Monirul.

He said, "Rashed alias Rash is being brought from Natore to Dhaka. He will be taken to court and shown arrested in the case of Holey Artisan attack."

"Rash was a close associate to Tamim Chowdhury, the Bangladeshi-Canadian who headed the Neo-JMB, before being shot dead in a police raid following the cafe attack," he said.

Rashed became the six militant to be taken into custody.

The militants who were previously arrested were - Sohel Mahfuz, Basharuzzaman, Mizanur Rahman, Hadisur Rahman Sagor, Rashedul Islam.

Bangladesh witnessed its worst terror attack when five gunmen stormed the upscale Holey Artisan Bakery and O'Kitchen inside Dhaka's diplomatic district on July 1 last year.

--- ENDS ---
London? Is that the new Mecca? Hunger dey waya pesin, visa I nor get, you are talking of London. Na leg I wan take waka go there?

I don't know what you are talking about, but I'm saving for my London trip. Next Sunday, I'll sow seed and phone in church so that God can bless my London hustle.

You are definitely sick in the head. Scratch that. You are always sick in the head. Village people have resumed work in your life.

Wait until I return from London. Then I'll tell you how our president is recuperating nicely, how he has a sense of humour and how he is laughing at rumour mongers like you who say he is incapacitated and on life support.

That's Fayose, not me.

But wait o, did Ayo Fayose say he was going to commit suicide if the president returns home alive?

I can't recall.

I certainly read something like that.

It also looks like he denied it when pictures of a laughing president made their way across the world.

ALSO READ: President Buhari meets governors in London

He has to deny it. How can you commit suicide with all the amala and ponmo in the world? Who does that?

You dey crase.

But I am happy that Buhari is looking hale and hearty sha. Now we await his return. My friends and I, my girlfriends and their friends, will sew aso ebi and wear them to the airport on the day Buhari lands.

You won't even know when he lands. Idiot. Presidents always return from these trips like thieves in the night. And who'll dash you money for transport fare to the Abuja airport from Lagos? Ode!

Oh well, you underrate me. My God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in Glory. If people can trek to Abuja from Lagos when Buhari won the presidential election, wetin do my leg?

Ode. You have to begin trekking now if you are serious.

But do you know when Buhari will return?

Don't you read the news on the internet? The president said he'll return when his doctors give him the go ahead.

OK then.

Did you also notice how the select PDP and APC governors have been gushing since they returned from London? They've been singing to the press about how healthy the president is.

Wait, PDP governors also made the trip to London without Fayose? Is Fayose no longer a PDP member?

The presidency chose those who made the London trip across both political parties. And you don't want a man who wishes Buhari dead, showing up at his bedside in London. Only people who mean someone well travel to go and see them when they are ill. Black magic is real.

OK. But how is Fayose taking the snub?

He's gone quiet for now. But if the president doesn't return in another ten days, Fayose will tell the world that he has ten pictures of Buhari on a life support machine.

What a man! Some mothers do have 'em. He also seems to have a perfect working relationship with Lere Olayinka, his media aide.

Can't you see that they look alike and could pass for brothers? What did you expect?

Na wa o. But why has Fayose always wished Buhari dead? He did the same during the 2015 election campaigns. Maybe he knows something we don't know.

Well, the only thing Fayose knows is that he'll be president in 2019.

Buhahahahahahah. Abeg, Abeg.

You are a goat. Better believe the man. I have learnt not to dismiss the aspirations of nutcases since Trump became president of America. If it can happen in America with all their enlightened and sophisticated voters, why not here?

You are dreaming. Meanwhile, Fayose may be on his way to London as we speak.

Why did you say that?

He's been so quiet since the APC and PDP governors returned from London. When Fayose goes quiet, he's up to something. The Fayose I know can't take a snub sitting down.

Hahahahaha. They will so bounce him at the Abuja House in London, he'll land in Igbobi, Lagos.

Never underrate a man who preaches from the pulpit and who is friend with Fani-Kayode.

That one sef dey. Fani-Kayode writes epistles when he sniffs that thing, surely.

What thing?

Idiot. No be for my mouth dem go take hear say Awilo na Logumba. Maybe Fayose is working with a Photoshop specialist as we speak, to establish how photo-shopped the pictures from London have been. The man works hardest on the silliest things.

I hear you. By the way, which money are these governors using to fly to London upandan? Can't they borrow man small?

People that just received money from Paris Club refund? If the president doesn't return in another one week, they'll go see him again in London with the APC chairman and ministers. Going to London is now a national pastime. When they don't have jobs.

We should all relocate to London at this rate. If our president now governs from London, wetin remain?

Nor be you and me. Buhari is foreign based. We na home based. Na so life be. And have you calculated how much the presidential jet has cost this country each day it is parked in the UK?

Is it your money?

Yes, it's our Commonwealth.

Commonwealth ko, Ecowas ni.

Abeg, you get garri wey man fit sip? I can't go to London looking like this. I need to add me some flesh. Wa-sherey!

Mumu.
Oyegun, who was reacting to Fayose's persistent comment that President Muhammadu Buhari's health had deteriorated, said the Governor lacks respect for elders, and that his cultural values have been eroded by desperation for national relevance.

The APC Chief stated this while answering questions from journalists at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, where he received the report of the party's Constitution review committee.

He said, "Believe me, I hate to comment on anything the Governor of Ekiti State says because when people have taken leave of common decency, our basic cultural upbringing; when people cease to have respect for elders and cease to have respect for the fact that an elder statesman who is also President of this nation is going through a health challenge and seek to make fun of it, and seek to say things that are so totally unbecoming, it is really not worth commenting on.

"But I am glad that as at yesterday (Wednesday) even Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors went there and thank God nice sober people, they were very excited at the pace of recovery of Mr. President.

"I hope that finally, even for the most hardened of political adversaries that common sense and common decency will finally prevail."

When asked about the possible date of Buhari's return to the country, Oyegun said that decision would be up to the President himself.

He said all Buhari is doing now is "having as much rest as he can to build up his energy, to build up his stamina. But the worst is certainly over. Mr. President is going to come back and he is going to face the responsibilities for which the people of this country have elected him. I am glad to say he is recovering beautifully."

This week, the President welcomed a delegation of Governors, including those on PDP platform, to Abuja House in London as part of the Federal Government's efforts to prove that all is well with Buhari's health, contrary to insinuations by critics.
He said only the National Executive Committee has the power to suspend and not "some miscreants masquerading as All Progressives Congress members".

On Thursday, July 27, the Executive Committee of the APC in Mushin Local Government, Lagos, announced Banire's suspension, accusing him of anti-party activities before and during the just concluded LG elections.

The alleged suspension followed a recommendation from Banire's ward - Ward C, Ilasamaja, Mushin.

ALSO READ: 7 things you need to know about Lagos LG election

In a statement issued on Thursday, Banire rubbished all those behind the 'baseless' suspension.

He said, "My attention has been drawn to a press release purportedly emanating from the Lagos State Government on behalf of some miscreants masquerading as All Progressives Congress members. Assuming, without conceding, that this was genuine members of the party, it is evidence of the lawlessness.

"If these crooked elements were members of the party, they would know that by the Constitution of the party, it is the National Executive Committee that can remove a national officer of the party responsible for the 36 states of the federation

"I, therefore urge the members of the public to ignore these undesirable and mischievous elements together with their antics. Their actions showcase their desperation to foist lawlessness on the party and the citizenry at large."
What do I do? I love her so much._______________

Hi Reader,

Two years is a long time to still be uncertain of where you stand in someones life.

If after two years of being with you shes still acting single, and does not even deny it, then Im sorry to inform you that you might be the only one in that relationship.

I mean, you might be in a relationship with her, but she might not in a relationship with you.

Being in a relationship means you are exclusive to someone and you actively project that image, you let everyone know that this is who you are in love with.

Many times, when people have trouble doing this, it reveals what the state of their mind is. It is quite uncommon to be in a relationship for two years and still act single.

Acting single after all that time is probably an indication that she was never in the relationship at all.

However, this might just be one big misinterpretation of actions. So, I suggest you give her extra time.

As I am often predisposed to advising; have a conversation with her. Communication is very key in any kind of relationship.

So, sit that woman down, and bare your soul to her. Ask her to sincerely tell you where you stand in her life, where she stands as regards your relationship.

You might get an answer thatll break your heart, bit I think thats a blessing.

Id rather not spend another day living in a bubble of lies and uncertainty if I were you.

The truth might hurt, and it might take a while, but itll surely has the ability to set you free._______________

Do you want to talk about your love life, marriage or family issues?

Do you have burning questions that you would love to get answers to?

Just send a mail to relationships@pulse.ng and I'll provide the most honest answers to them anonymously.

So, why not send that mail today and let's talk about it?
The event held at the Four Points By Sheraton Hotel on Thursday, July 27, 2017 saw bloggers, social media specialists, agencies and journalists gather to discuss practices and the advancement of the new media industry in Nigeria.

The event hosted by journalist Arit Okpo was opened with a welcome remark from Tosin Ajibade, founder of NMC and popular blog OloriSuperGal.

The essence for this is for impact and also for growth in the new media industry, Ajibade shared at the start of the event.

Samsungs Head of Product Marketing Olajumoke Okikiolu gave the keynote speech for the event. This was followed by a session on Upholding standards and professionalism in new media practices. This panel moderated by Princess Irede Abumere, Pulse Nigerias Deputy Editor-in-chief consisted of Editor-in-chief of Y!/YNaija.com Chude Jideonwo, CEO of FourthCanvas; Victor Fatanmi and Bukola Fagbola.

This panel discussed the issues in new media practices and how the standards of traditional media no longer fit into the digital era.

"Nothing is set in stone, new media is all about breaking rules and finding what works," said Y! Naija editor Chude Jideonwo.

He pointed out how traditional media was

"New Media has given the society a power and a voice to share their views on different issues" , he said.

The second session was on New Media Content Strategy, intellectual property, and the future of media in Africa. The panel moderated by media entrepreneur Isabella Akinseye was made up of Kenyan Digital analyst Larry Modowo, Samsung Electronics Legal Counsel Chidiebere Eze-Ajoku and Efosa Aiyevbomwan; Head public relations M-Net (West Africa)/African Magic.

Modowo during his panel highlighted the future of the industry pointing out that coding was important to cope in the digital age. He also shared that a business without a social media strategy for Whatsapp would die as this is one of the biggest social media platforms in Africa.

"Whatsapp is the biggest social network in Africa. Learn to break your content into whatsapp-sharable files," he said.

Advancement in digital media and introduction of new technologies continues to change how we consume content.

Aiyevbomwan pointed this change saying: "Internet is getting faster and cheaper & it's a threat to TV broadcasting. "

The third panel looked at Shaping the future through women leadership and empowerment:The new media approach. Moderated by Lamide Akintobi, CNNs Stephanie Busari gave the keynote speech for this session. This was followed by a panel discussion with Tewa Onasanya, PR expert Bidemi Zakariyu, Bukonla Adebakin and Adesumbo Adeoye.

While discussing women leadership, Adeoye, the CEO of Esob ventures stressed the need for women to mentor others.

"Powerful women must invest in other women and have a succession plan for when they leave that position," she said.

"We need a new wave of female successor in the parliament and public sector".

Editor of Exquisite Magazine, Onasanya said women's empowerment needed to go beyond social media.

"Women need to inspire, encourage and empower each other beyond the hashtags," she said.

The fourth and final panel explored  Opportunities in New Media era: using social media to attract tourism. Moderated by TV/radio presenter Tosyn Bucknor, the panel was made up of travel and tourism experts including Ikechi Uko, Wonuola Olatunde-Lamidi, and Chiamaka Obuekwe.
Instead, she found herself in Athens after being given a boarding pass in the name of another passenger on the Greek flight, Marie-Christine Midavaine.

"My ticket was made out in another name, and I didn't have enough time to check it because I was in a hurry," said Marques.

Marques said an Air France agent at the departure gate looked at her boarding pass and passport "but they did not check to see if the name was different".

She snoozed during the flight and first became aware that something was wrong when she saw Greek letters at Athens airport.

Air France flew her to Copenhagen through a connecting flight in Luxembourg.

Air France confirmed to AFP that "a passenger en route to Copenhagen on the Air France flight AF1750 on July 25 boarded flight AF1232 to Athens".

"After arriving in Athens, the passenger was redirected to Copenhagen," the company said.
You need to be cautious about the most common ways through which hepatitis spreads.

By India Today Web Desk: The liver is one of the organs in the human body that gets stressed the most, especially due to our lifestyle and food choices. And one of the many liver diseases that can be quite fatal, is hepatitis.

This liver inflammatory condition can actually progress to any of the other, more serious liver diseases like fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The symptoms of hepatitis range from jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine and extreme fatigue, to nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Picture courtesy: Instagram/healthprong

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Of the many known strains of hepatitis, there are five that pose a serious threat--not just to your own health, but also to others, thanks to easy transmission. On World Hepatitis Day, we take a look at these viruses and how you can contract them.

Also Read: Osteoporosis breaks your bones: Here's a low-down on the silent disease

Hepatitis A Virus: According to Web MD, this is the least complicated type of hepatitis, and doesn't usually lead to long-term infections. A vaccination, easily available at most hospitals, can prevent it.

Hepatitis B Virus: Recovering from this strain of hepatitis takes much longer time, and the chances of long-term infections is rather high. This one can also be avoided through vaccination.

Picture courtesy: Pinterest/axiumhealthcare.com Picture courtesy: Pinterest/axiumhealthcare.com

Hepatitis C Virus: One of the most serious types of hepatitis, HCV has no preventive vaccine. Many victims don't even show the symptoms, which makes it difficult to identify and treat. Hep C can lead to cirrhosis, apart from long-term infections.

Hepatitis D Virus: Not that difficult to deal with, HDV can get serious when it infects those who already have HBV. According to the World Health Organisation, this dual infection can be very serious, but can be prevented through vaccination.

Hepatitis E Virus: According to the World Health Organisation, this strain of the hepatitis virus is mostly found in developing countries, since it's spread to contaminated food and water--and can turn into epidemics.

Also Read: 8 possible signs of cancer that you just shouldn't ignore

Here are a few ways you can contract hepatitis:

1. Both HAV and HEV can be contracted through contact with the faeces of infected people. This is the reason why using and maintaining clean bathrooms as important as consuming safe and hygienic water and food.

2. Exposure to infected blood can lead to HCV. If you end up using the same needle or syringe that a hepatitis patient has, you can get it as well. Health workers, when accidentally jabbed with used needles, can also contract it.

3. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you can also get hepatitis from certain kinds of sexual contacts. Sex with someone who has a sexually transmitted disease or HIV can lead to hepatitis, and so can rough sex that leads to bleeding.

Picture courtesy: Pinterest/hepcandprotectingyourliver-lifealert.blogspot.com Picture courtesy: Pinterest/hepcandprotectingyourliver-lifealert.blogspot.com

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4. Hepatitis can also be passed down genetically. If your mother contracted the disease while pregnant with you, you have a higher risk of catching the virus later in life.

5. The CDC has also noted that unhygienic tattoo parlours can infect you with hepatitis. The same goes for places that provide unhygienic body art or piercing services.

It's important to note that hepatitis does not spread through all sorts of contact with infected people--like sharing utensils, holding hands, hugging, kissing, and being near them when they sneeze or cough.

Precautions and a healthy lifestyle can help you keep hepatitis at bay. Keeping your surroundings clean, and being careful about hygienic water, food, bathrooms and toilets, and in hospitals, is very important.

Most important of all is to get vaccinated for hepatitis to make sure you're safe from some strains of it. Regular and safe blood tests can also help you keep your liver happy, healthy and hepatitis-free.

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His parents, Connie Yates and Chris Gard, had fought a lengthy legal battle to allow him to be taken to the United States for treatment for a rare genetic condition.

But despite the international attention brought by his case, he died exactly one week short of his first birthday.

"Our beautiful little boy has gone. We are so proud of you, Charlie," his mother Yates said in a statement.

A court had ordered that the 11-month-old should be moved from hospital to a hospice, where his life support was withdrawn.

Supporters around the world donated 1.35 million ($1.75 million, 1.5 million euros) via an online fundraising site to support his parents and their efforts to keep their son alive, while 350,000 signed a petition demanding that he be allowed to receive experimental treatment in the US.

Following news of the boy's death, Pope Francis, who supported the campaign, tweeted: "I entrust little Charlie to the Father and pray for his parents and all those who loved him."

British Prime Minister Theresa May said she was "deeply saddened" by the death while US Vice President Mike Pence wrote he was: "Saddened to hear of the passing of Charlie Gard."

Mitochondrial disease

Gard was born on August 4 last year with a rare form of mitochondrial disease that causes progressive muscle weakness, including in key organs such as the heart.

He was admitted to hospital at eight weeks old and his condition progressively deteriorated.

Gard's parents fought a five-month legal battle for him to be taken to the United States for experimental treatment.

They lost a series of appeals in British courts and the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

Their campaign led to offers of help from the United States and the Vatican, leading the hospital to ask the courts for a final assessment of any new evidence.

On July 2, Pope Francis called for the couple to be allowed to "care for their child until the end", saying he had followed the case with "affection and sadness".

The following day, US President Donald Trump said in a tweet: "If we can help little Charlie Gard, as per our friends in the UK and the pope, we would be delighted to do so."

But the boy's parents gave up their battle last week, saying "time has run out", after they were shown scans indicating that his condition had deteriorated too far.

"We are so sorry that we could not save you," they said in an emotional statement at the High Court in London.

'Agony'

Judge Nicholas Francis summed up the emotion involved in the case.

"It is impossible for any of us to comprehend or even begin to imagine the agony to which Charlie's parents have been subjected in recent weeks and months as they have had to come to terms with the decision that they have now made," he said in a judgement.

The parents then asked for Gard to be taken to their home for his final days but were overruled by the hospital which said the ventilator keeping him alive was too bulky to fit through their front door.

They finally agreed for him to be placed in a hospice.

The case raised fundamental questions about whether parents or the state should have a final say on a child's wellbeing and whether a child's fate should be settled in a courtroom.

It provoked strong reactions, with an army of supporters shouting "shame on GOSH" following this week's court hearing.
Rwanda joined the 52-member bloc in 2009, 14 years after Portuguese-speaking Mozambique became the first member never to have had a past link to Britain.

In February and June this year, experts met members of institutions including the constitutional court, electoral commission and human rights body to evaluate Togo's bid.

They also met members of political parties, civil society, women and youth groups to assess levels of democracy and development.

"Togo's bid is on the right track and we are optimistic for the next stage of the process," Foreign Minister Robert Dussey said after the latest visit.

"Togo's bid is on the right track and we are optimistic for the next stage of the process."

"Togo is a politically stable country where there is peace and democracy," he told AFP.

"Geographically, our country is in a strategic position with enormous assets, including a deep water port... which opens up countries in the hinterland (Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali)."

Togo is already part of the Economic Organisation of West African States (ECOWAS) and the International Organisation of La Francophonie, bringing together French-speaking nations.

Like Rwanda, Togo fell under German rule in 1884 when European nations carved up Africa, but Berlin lost both countries in 1916 during World War I. Belgian forces took Rwanda, while Togo was divided into French and British zones.

British Togoland chose in 1957 to become part of newborn independent Ghana and thus joined the Commonwealth six decades ago.

Dussey said Commonwealth membership would help diversify Togo "by making new friends and moving a bit closer to old friends" such as Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

Two visits in March and mid-July by Britain's former prime minister Tony Blair were seen in Togo as linked to the bid for Commonwealth membership.

Sources close to the presidency said Blair and Togo's President Faure Gnassingbe discussed the issue earlier this month.

But a Commonwealth spokesman said Blair is not involved in negotiations.

A decision on membership is expected to be taken at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting in Britain next April, he added.

Confirming Togo's bid in March, the body said that the decisions "are made by the 52 heads of governments, who have laid out clear criteria for any country wishing to join.

'Inappropriate step'

"This includes an acceptance of Commonwealth fundamental values and principles, such as a commitment to democracy, the rule of law and independence of the judiciary, the protection of human rights, and equality of opportunity."

Togo's political opposition and human rights campaigners have expressed concerns about the bid for membership.

"It's an inappropriate step. It's just a song and dance for the international community," said Eric Dupuy, spokesman for the main opposition National Alliance for Change Party.

"We have other priorities, particularly constitutional and institutional reform... which the current regime refuses to implement.

"These reforms will allow us to have transparent elections acceptable for everyone."

Togo's constitution was amended in 2002 but since then the opposition has been pressing for it to be revised further.

In particular it wants the reintroduction of a 10-year limit on presidential mandates.

It also wants two-round elections, a restructuring of the constitutional court and the independent national electoral commission, which organises and oversees elections.

Gnassingbe came to power in 2005 after the death of his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, whose dictatorial rule lasted 38 years.

Gnassingbe won elections in 2005, 2010 and 2015, but the opposition rejected the results.

Human rights groups say arbitrary arrests, detentions, torture and other ill-treatment are commonplace in Togo, as are impunity and restriction on free speech.

Some 500 people are said to have been killed in violence linked to the 2005 vote.

Reporters Without Borders ranked Togo 88th in its press freedom index last year and said the government controlled information through dominant state media.

Amnesty International's Togo director, Aime Adi, said the human rights situation "remained fragile".
Canadian police at the time suspected the four men had links to Tamil Tiger separatists, a group which is classified as a terrorist organization in Canada.

They said the freighter used to transport the migrants has been linked to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and had "possibly been used for arms shipments."

Traces of explosive residue were also found on the clothes of two of the accused, police said at the time.

Four of the migrants were charged with organizing the illegal entry of the group into Canada, and faced sentences of more than 50 years if the smuggling could be proven to have been carried out on behalf of a terrorist group.

The court ruled there was insufficient evidence that the four men had tried to make a profit from the operation, and found they were simply seeking asylum in Canada, like the others in the group.

Defense lawyers had stressed that everyone on the ship had helped each other out, citing a 2015 Supreme Court of Canada ruling that people providing humanitarian aid were exempt from smuggling laws.
The launch marked the official inauguration of Iran's Imam Khomeini space centre, named after the late founder of the Islamic republic, built for sending satellites into space, the television said, without giving its location.

Western states suspect Iran of developing the technology capable of launching long-range ballistic missiles with conventional or nuclear payloads, a charge denied by Tehran which insists its space programme has purely peaceful aims.

Iran's four other launches of domestically produced satellites since 2009 have all sparked condemnation in the West.

President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday that Iran would respond in kind to any breach by the United States of a 2015 nuclear deal after the House of Representatives passed a new sanctions bill.

"If the enemy steps over part of the agreement, we will do the same, and if they step over the entire deal, we will do the same too," Rouhani said at a cabinet meeting.

The Iranian parliament's national security and foreign affairs committee said it would hold an extraordinary session on Saturday to discuss its formal response.

The parliament voted earlier this month to fast-track a bill introduced in June that would increase funds for Iran's missile programme and Revolutionary Guards.

"We must always develop our defence capability and we will strengthen our defensive weapons regardless of the opinion of others," Rouhani said.

The US House passed a new sanctions bill on Tuesday targeting the Revolutionary Guards over its missile programme.
Inada, a close confidante of Abe who shares his staunchly nationalist views, was appointed defence minister in August 2016, a time when she was touted as a possible future prime minister.

But her nearly year-long stint has been characterised by repeated controversy, including increasing criticism of the ministry's handling of log reports filed by Japanese peacekeepers in South Sudan showing worsening security.

Abe, who became prime minister for a second time in December 2012 with a vow to rejuvenate Japan's economy, has seen his popularity plummet in recent weeks due to scandals and gaffes by members of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), including Inada.

Abe immediately apologised to the nation after Inada's resignation.
At the leafy highschool in Kigali, a generation born after the genocide is learning both how ethnic divisions led to the slaughter, and how to forget them -- a crucial pillar of government efforts to foster unity and reconciliation.

"Hutu, Tutsi, Twa ... in my class I don't even know who is who," said soft-spoken Clarisse Uwineza, 18. "I am just Rwandan."

It is a sentiment repeated by many of her classmates, who from a young age have had "Rwandanness" drummed into them.

However, some researchers say these students merely parrot what they have been taught to say in history classes that offer a narrow version of the country's painful past, preventing debates about ethnicity and the genocide.

"There is one official history in the country from which no deviation is permitted," said Elisabeth King, a researcher who in 2014 authored the book "From Classrooms to Conflict in Rwanda".

"While students are being taught that they need to say they are ethnically blind, their lived reality is that ethnicity still structures access to power and sometimes still structures their daily life," King told AFP.

An impossible country?

In the wake of the genocide in which some 800,000 mainly minority Tutsi were killed in 100 days, author Philip Gourevitch described Rwanda -- blood-soaked and traumatised to the core -- as an "impossible country".

The pragmatic response to this by President Paul Kagame, who is seeking a third term in office on August 4, was: "People are not inherently bad. But they can be made bad, and they can be taught to be good."

History classes were suspended as the country set about rewriting its past.

"Before the genocide, education highlighted the differences between Rwandans," said Jean-Damascene Gasanabo, head of the Research and Documentation Center on Genocide.

He said textbooks described Tutsis as "foreign invaders" from Ethiopia while highlighting how to physically distinguish between Hutus and Tutsis.

Teachers would ask Tutsi students to stand up to be identified and counted.

Since the end of the genocide mentioning ethnicity has become taboo.

School textbooks now describe what King calls a factually incorrect "pre-colonial golden age" in which there were no conflicts between Hutu and Tutsi, blaming the very creation of these tribes on missionaries and Belgian colonisers.

Jailed for saying the wrong thing

The latest overhaul of Rwanda's curriculum, introduced in 2016, makes genocide studies a cross-disciplinary subject, meaning it is not only taught in history classes but can be introduced as a topic of discussion in other subjects.

It also highlights the use of critical thinking.

However, King says this is not possible in a country where "genocide ideology" laws have instilled a climate of fear in which few oppose the official narrative.

"We can't divorce the education system from a very authoritarian government in a context in which people feel that they can get thrown in jail for saying the wrong thing," said King.

Under Kagame, Rwanda has been praised for its economic turnaround and stability in the 23 years after the genocide. However, rights groups regularly criticise a lack of freedom of expression and muzzling of the opposition.

King accuses the government of selectively highlighting some communities' memories of the violence, while repressing those of others.

Any mention of killings of Hutus before, during and after the genocide at the hands of the now ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front whose military campaign brought an end to the killing, is enough to land one in jail.

Opposition figure Victoire Ingabire is currently serving a 15-year jail term for, among other alleged crimes, calling in 2010 for perpetrators of crimes against the Hutu majority also to be pursued.

"This means Hutus feel left out of history and people told me they thought this was hindering reconciliation, if they too weren't allowed to share," said King.

Comparing the incomparable

Fidele Ndayisaba of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) denied that Hutu memories were being ignored and that this was hindering reconciliation.

"You cannot compare the incomparable," he said, referring to the deaths of Hutus at the hands of the RPF after the genocide.

"No one is stopping families from remembering their own who were killed in one way or the other, but putting them on the same level is to deny the genocide."

The NURC estimates that reconciliation stands at 92.5 percent.

This year, just before the period of genocide commemorations, several cows belonging to Tutsis were butchered with machetes.
Kotleba, who leads the Kotleba-People's Party Our Slovakia (LSNS), was charged on July 20 and accused of "promoting sympathy towards a movement aimed at suppressing fundamental rights and freedoms," police spokesman Martin Waldl told AFP.

Local media reported that the charge stemmed from a charity event LSNS organised in March.

According to the local pluska.sk news site, Kotleba handed out three larger-than-life cheques for 1,488 euros ($1,748) at the event. The number 1,488 is a well-known neo-Nazi symbol.

"I can confirm that this member of parliament was accused in connection with the cheques for 1,488 euros," interior ministry spokesman Ivan Netik told AFP.

Kotleba faces up to three years in prison if convicted.

The former teacher, who has been charged with hate speech in the past, is notorious for having led street marches with party members dressed in black neo-Nazi uniforms before he entered parliament.

Governor of his native central region of Banska Bystrica, he is hostile to both the Roma minority and the established elite. He has spoken warmly of former president Jozef Tiso, who agreed to deport tens of thousands of Jews to Nazi Germany during World War II.

His party has campaigned heavily against letting migrants into the country and won seats in parliament for the first time in March 2016.

It currently has 14 MPs sitting in the 150-member parliament.

In May, prosecutors asked the Supreme Court to ban the far-right party.
Catalonia's majority separatist lawmakers hope the reform they approved on Wednesday will pave the way for an independence referendum in the wealthy northeastern region called for October 1 which Madrid deems illegal.

"By presenting this appeal the government is fulfilling its duty to make sure the law is upheld," Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy told a news conference.

"Catalan society needs to be protected from a radical and divisive project which is being imposed on them by force," he added.

"There will not be any referendum on October 1...this is not constitutional and it is not legal."

The reform means that any piece of legislation in Catalonia can now be adopted quickly, with fewer checks and balances.

This in turn should ease the planned passage of a controversial bill that aims to extract Catalonia from Spain's legal system. The idea is to circumvent any legal and practical challenges from Madrid to organising the referendum.

"The sole intention of this reform is to approve through an urgent procedure and without the most basic democratic guarantees laws which aim to liquidate national sovereignty," Rajoy said.

His government has turned to the Constitutional Court with success in the past to get attempts to hold an independence referendum in Catalonia blocked.

The move is only the latest in a long list of defiant announcements, threats and legal challenges from both Madrid and the Catalan executives over its independence drive.

The central government categorically rejects a referendum it says threatens Spain's unity, and which the Constitutional Court has deemed illegal.

But this has fallen on deaf ears among Catalan leaders, who pledge to hold the binding vote on October 1 come what may -- though how they will do so remains unclear.

A majority of Catalans, 70 percent, are in favour of holding an independence referendum, according to the poll by the Catalan government's Centre of Opinion Studies published earlier this month.
The arrests came after Turkish Cypriot authorities stopped their vessel, the "C-Star", at the port of Famagusta on Tuesday.

But BRT television said the crew were released for lack of evidence and their boat would be allowed to set out to sea later on Thursday.

The C-Star was expected to set off across the Mediterranean to Tunisia, Kibris Postasi said.

The "Defend Europe" scheme was announced by anti-immigration campaigners from France, Italy and Germany after they crowd-funded the 76,000 euros ($87,000) needed to hire the vessel.

The far-right group, which calls itself "Generation Identity" (GI), said the 40-metre (130-foot) boat left Djibouti in early July despite heavy criticism from NGOs.

GI says the aim of its initiative is to ensure would-be migrants be returned to Libya rather than be rescued and transported to Europe.

Fifteen of the 20 people on the boat, who said they were students, were taken to the north's Ercan airport, while the other five sought asylum, Kibris Postasi said.

Some of the crew were Sri Lankans undergoing training but had left the ship, GI said.

GI said the vessel previously ran into trouble when it was stuck for a week in the Suez Canal after "left-wing movements and NGOs accused them of transporting arms and mercenaries in a bid to prevent their mission".

It said Egyptian authorities had inspected the boat and not found any arms.

More than 100,000 migrants have crossed the dangerous Mediterranean route to Europe this year, the United Nations said on July 4.
These homes in the city are a visual delight and a whole lot of inspiration for those looking to revamp their interiors.

Strong statement

Patricia Fernandez

Spanish expat and luxury furniture designer Patricia Fernandez's sprawling Alipore home occupies the ground floor of an old, colonial-style bungalow with high ceilings, large French windows and retroesque black-and-white chessboard floor. The dramatic interiors-moody, mysterious and bold, brilliantly showcase Fernandez's creations for her brand Sibarita, while cleverly combining them with collector's pieces from around the world-a vintage Timothy Oulton chair, a wood-and-lacquer Mongolian cabinet picked up in Singapore and a mirrored mahogany sideboard revived from a crumbling North Kolkata mansion. The space is speckled with bold, statement pieces like an enormous wood-carved statue of an anonymous king from Srilanka that stands near the bar, an 18th century papier mache Buddha from Burma, and a giant, architectural bird-cage (a Sibarita signature piece) imaginatively used as a candle holder.

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Star Spot

Done predominantly in black and white, the sizeable bedroom with its lacquered wood Art Deco four-poster bed from luxury furniture house JC Passion, a black Louis XV sideboard with gold trimmings, a burly, dark wood study table and plush black leather chesterfield is decidedly Parisian with a touch of Goth. On the wall behind the bed hangs a particularly striking piece, a black-and-white abstract nude on canvas. "On one of our trips to Brazil, my husband and I spotted a local artist adding finishing touches to this painting, inside a small art gallery tucked in an obscure lane in Salvador de Bahia and I simply couldn't resist it," says Fernandez, 38.

Quirky Additions

The house is a treasure trove of eccentric accessories ranging from dramatic Venetian Mardi Gras dolls and anthropomorphic rabbit dolls to flamboyant hats, a reindeer hide rug from Finland, smiling human skulls (thankfully, an imitation) and a spraypainted door lifted out of Fernandez's previous apartment. A series of artist Bakula Nayak's quirky and endearing doodles on vintage papers ranging from old legal documents and store receipts to love letters adorn the walls in the stunning bar-cum-lounge.

Visual delight

Bomti Iyengar

Photo: Subir Haldar

Art collector and dealer Bomti Iyengar's Chowringhee lane apartment on the third floor of a century-old colonial building that once housed Asia's largest departmental store, Whiteways Laidlaw & Co is steeped in the city's colonial past. "These flats were originally occupied by high-ranking officers of the store. We moved in in the 70s," says Iyengar, 56, who has brilliantly preserved the old-world charm of this 3,500-square-feet apartment.

Art Factor

MF Husain, SH Raza and KG Subramanyan share the cream walls with Jamini Roy, Paritosh Sen and Sunil Das. A particularly natty piece of furniture is an antique Burma teak sideboard well over a century old, with lion-paw legs that look uncannily real. The base for the glasstopped coffee-table at the centre of the lounge area has been carved out of one section of a three piece, billiard table. "My grandmother inherited one portion of the billiards table, while the remaining two went to her sisters," says Iyengar.

Collector's Cache

Iyengar has a remarkable inventory of collectibles and artsy artefacts-prized possessions include the surviving pieces of an antique Tsutsumi coffee set that was a part of Iyengar's grandmother's wedding trousseau, a three-piece sculpture by sculptor Jiban Doloi picked up by Iyengar's mother on a trip to Shantiniketan, a bronze horse chariot from Greece and a classic silver cigarette box from the iconic Hamilton & Co that still sits on the centre table.

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Designer's Den

Sneha Singhi and Radhika Singhi

Radhika (left) and Sneha Singhi. Photo: Subir Haldar

Le Cordon Bleu alumnus and founder of the immensely popular Paris Cafe, 24 year old chef Sneha Singhi's Ballygunge home is an endearing combination of rustic and contemporary design sensibilities. The interiors, done by Singhi's mother, designer Radhika Singhi, 43, bank heavily on the latter's penchant for earthy colours, rural handicrafts and textiles, and a knack for ornamentation, inlay work and embellishments.

Glam Factor

The formal lounge area on the ground floor where the family hosts their guests, is quite a contrast to the rest of the house. Sparingly accessorised, the spacious lounge with large floor-to-ceiling glass windows is minimalist yet modish. "Earthy and rustic is my signature style, but I also have a soft spot for Victorian design sensibilities," she explains. The soft colour palette-mostly white, beige, pearl and ivory with touches of pastel pinks and blues gets a touch of opulence from silvered Damask and muted gold textured wallpapers, chic upholstery designed by Radhika and ornate, gilded chandeliers.

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Labour of Love

A large chunk of hollow bricks and mortar, picked up from a mound of roadside debris enjoys a glory spot in the family living room on the first floor. "But it's no ordinary rubble. This one's steeped in history," says Radhika. "It's a fragment from one of the walls of the Writer's Building knocked down during renovation. I saw it lying by the road and fell in love with it," she adds. Radhika has ingeniously transformed it into an art installation of sorts by filling up the hollows of bricks with a range of ornate copper figurines and ornaments.

An eye for art

Ashish and Shefali Poddar

Shefali Poddar. Photo: Subir Haldar

Entrepreneur Ashish Poddar and wife Shefali's home on Gurusaday road is a lesson in biophilic design. Designed by Ashish, a scion of the illustrious BP Poddar family, the architecture incorporates the natural light and surrounding greenery into the stunning interiors of the house through a liberal and strategic use of glass.

Cozy Corner

A more intimate space is a cozy lounge with a low lounge bed strewn with colourful cushions and sink in couches. Interestingly, this room has been christened The Cow Room after its walls which are lined with paintings and artworks-oil paintings by Laxman Aelay, an antique Kamdhenu Tanjore painting and a gold foil mural by Kamal Sharma-all depicting cows. On the coffee table sits a motley wood-carved cow brought from Rajasthan.

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Prized Possessions

A signature Narayan Sinha Durga installation crafted with curious objects like bronze thalis, manjeera (cymbals) split into halves, a broken fragment of a pancha pradeep and other scrap metal bric-a-brac, which stands on the foyer is a stunning introduction to this home. Shrinathji is ubiquitous in the form of Pichhwai paintings and ornate sculptures. A particularly fetching piece is an intricately woven image of Shrinathji in silk, crafted by weavers at Shefali's own textiles workshop that caters to a niche clientele.

Matter of taste

Anushree and Anudeep Jhunjhunwala

Anushree Jhunjhunwala with daughter Divina and son Shivang. Photo: Subir Haldar

A trained interior designer, Anushree Jhunjhunwala, 33, has refrained from a career in her field. However, when she moved into her new home with her husband Anudeep Jhunjhunwala, 34, and two kids, she put her heart and soul in fashioning a beautiful space for her family.

Children in Focus

However, the Jhunjhunwalas' six-year-old daughter Divina, and three-year-old son Shivang, clearly have the best rooms in the house. The casual playroom packs in a play-in unit, modelled on a beach house, complete with a bunk bed and storage units on the side, a fun cabinet studded with carved letters of the alphabet and day-bed strewn with sailor-themed cushions. The bedroom, livened up with colourful pennants, dream catchers, porcelain dolls from Austria, a princess crown wall decor, fairytale chandelier and fantasy photo frames lend a distinctly dreamy air. "We have tried to move away from stereotypes by keeping it understated and sticking to pastels, instead of bright colours usually associated with kids' rooms," says Anushree.

Special Souvenirs

A limited edition series of bronze figurines from Italy that depict the four elements of nature sit on the console in the casual dining area, while a pure silver vintage car with a shiny leather hood that Anushree inherited from her father enjoys a glory spot in the living.

Eclectic and Experimental

Devina and Shrivant More

Shrivant and Devina More. Photo: Subir Haldar

Home decor bigwigs Devina, 32 and Shrivant More, 33, best known for their quirky sense of aesthetics have recently given their Garcha Lane home a stunning makeover.

Stand-out Zone

The muddy olive accent wall behind the ornate carved wood bar counter is imaginatively done with a mixed media stag head installation, antique junk and plants to illustrate a tribal narrative. A striking collage portrait of a tribal chief made with vintage paper cuttings from newspapers, magazines, old novels and handwritten letters by a local artist makes for a stunning centerpiece. A canoe the couple brought back from Amsterdam has been transformed into a corner cabinet.

Eye Catchers

A wood-carved guitar designed by Shrivant is quite the conversation piece. It is embellished with quirky knick-knacks ranging from antique keys and turtle locks to rusty screwdrivers, old buttons, coins, cycle parts and even badges from his school. On the other end of the living room stands a preserved tree trunk with an intricate crown of gnarled branches, flown in from Europe. However, one of the most striking statement pieces at the More home is a life-size leather horse by ace designer Andrew Martin, which stands regally in the living room. The saddle on the horse's back however comes with a story. "We wanted a saddle that had aged right and went scrounging for one. Finally, we picked this up from the stables of an elite club in the city," says Devina.

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They are accused of "absenteeism", a party official told AFP.

"This is the first time that a member of parliament has lost his/her seat because of this reason," she added.

"Those who usurp the will of the people by voting under the pretext of" absenteeism," and those who turn a blind eye to a political purge must prepare themselves to live in shame," the HDP's co-chair, Serpil Kemalbay, said on Twitter.

Local media reported the two were currently abroad to escape trials where they are accused of links to Kurdish militants.

Hurriyet daily said both officials had not been in parliament since October.

Sariyildiz and Ozturk had been on a list published by the government in June of 130 individuals being investigated by prosecutors who could lose Turkish citizenship if they did not return home within three months.

"The role the people have given us, (and) the promise we have made to them to fight, will not change because of an illegitimate decision made by a fascist alliance. We will surely win," Ozturk said on Twitter after the decision.

"We will continue to represent our people. History's most tragicomic dictator will not escape from being tried," Sariyildiz said.

The vote brings the number of HDP MPs who have lost their seats to four, meaning there are now 546 lawmakers in parliament instead of 550.

In the last general election in November 2015, the HDP won 59 seats, becoming the second largest opposition party.

One of those who lost her seat was former co-party leader, Figen Yuksekdag, who was later replaced by Kemalbay.

Yuksekdag has been detained since November, with 10 other HDP lawmakers, including the charismatic co-leader Selahattin Demirtas.

Together with other HDP officials, they are accused of having links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), designated as a "terrorist" group by Turkey, the European Union (EU) and the United States.
The Indian foreign ministry said Verhoeven, who had been held in the country since February 2015, was released at France's request on health grounds.

Verhoeven's Indian lawyer confirmed that proceedings against her had been halted.

"The government withdrew the extradition proceedings against her and the matter was closed,"Ramni Taneja, Verhoeven's lawyer, told AFP.

A source close to the case said the Frenchwoman, 57, had been put on a plane to Paris.

A court hearing on Verhoeven's case was held in New Delhi on Wednesday and the Chilean government had complained at India's failure to hand her over.

The Indian foreign ministry said: "Having considered the matter in its entirety, including the French request, the deteriorating mental and physical health of and the commitment of the French Government in the matter, the government decided ... to withdraw its inquiry order."

It added the government "discharged Ms. Marie Emmanuelle Verhoeven on medical and humanitarian grounds".

The ministry said that the French government also committed to "subsequent bilateral examination of the matter with the country directly concerned" while requesting for her return to France on health grounds.

Chile has been seeking the extradition of Verhoeven over her alleged role in a conspiracy to kill Senator Jamie Guzman Errazuriz on April 1, 1991.

The senator was close to Chile's late dictator Augusto Pinochet. The killing was blamed on an extreme left wing group and Chilean investigators said Verhoeven was known as "Commander Ana" in the group.

It was the second time that Verhoeven has avoided extradition to Chile over the case. She was detained in Hamburg, Germany in January 2014, but German authorities rejected Chile's request.

Indian police arrested Verhoeven following an Interpol alert as she entered the country overland from Nepal.

She subsequently spent almost 16 months in a New Delhi high security prison before she was released on bail.

Verhoeven told authorities that she was visiting India on a Buddhist pilgrimage and her lawyers challenged a treaty between India and Chile allowing for her extradition.

Lawyers argued that the treaty, dating back to the 1800s, was not constitutional because it was not ratified after independence and the Partition of India in 1947.
Japan has stepped up calls for further sanctions against North Korea since Pyongyang tested an intercontinental ballistic missile earlier this month in defiance of repeated UN resolutions.

The test has raised tensions in the region, pitting Washington, Tokyo and Seoul against China, Pyongyang's last remaining major ally.

Japan's move could add fuel to its own often fraught relations with China.

Despite being major trading and investment partners they are frequently at odds over a maritime territorial dispute and lingering tensions over Japan's history of aggression in the first half of the 20th century.

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said five entities, including two Chinese organisations, and nine individuals will be put on Japan's blacklists in connection with ties to North Korea.

They will be "newly subject to asset freezing" and other unilateral punishment, Kishida said without elaborating or naming any of them.

"It is important to strengthen pressure so that North Korea should act toward denuclearisation," Kishida told reporters.

"We will urge North Korea to take concrete action toward the resolution of issues," he said.

The Nikkei daily said among the nine organisations are China's Bank of Dandong, a Chinese shipping firm and a North Korean trading house dealing with coal and other commodities.

The Bank of Dandong is accused of money laundering for North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes.

The United States imposed similar sanctions on the bank as President Donald Trump said Beijing's efforts to put the brakes on Pyongyang's nuclear drive had failed.

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.

The Pentagon has picked up signs that North Korea is preparing for another missile test, a US defence official said earlier this week.

The official said the test would be of an intermediate-range missile or North Korea's ICBM -- known as a KN-20 or a Hwasong-14.
Yunus, 77, has been at odds with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since 2007 when he made a brief foray into the countrys highly polarised politics.

The celebrated former economics professor challenged his sacking in the highest court, but lost.

After the ouster, Yunus has been championing not-for-profit social businesses across the globe and he holds a conference for social entrepreneurs every year in Dhaka to promote innovative ideas.

This year some 2,000 people including 400 foreigners have registered to join the international conference on July 28-29 at a convention centre near the capital Dhaka.

But Yunus's office, which has been holding the conference for the last seven years along with its Social Business Day celebrations, has said the meet has been cancelled "due to unavoidable circumstances" .

"With a heavy heart we inform you that we are cancelling the 7th international conference organised on 28-29 July 2017 on the occasion of Social Business Day," Yunus Centre said in a statement.

The centre said about 200 international participants have already arrived in Dhaka, including Thomas Gass, an Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations, who was to be the keynote speaker.

The decision was announced moments after national police chief Shahidul Hoque told reporters that the meet did not have permission as the police were "kept in the dark", according to online newspaper bdnews24.com.

"Police did not have have sufficient time to get prepared for such a big conference where representatives from 36 nations were to take part," Saheli Ferdous, assistant inspector general of police, told AFP.

A Yunus Centre official said they have been coordinating with the security agencies for weeks and even held a meeting with them earlier this week.

Yunus set up Grameen Bank, which co-won the Nobel prize with him in 2006, in 1983 to make collateral-free micro loans to millions of rural entrepreneurs.
In a paper published in the Geological Society of America's Journal GSA Today in February, researchers made the case that it should be considered a new continent.

They said it was a distinct geological entity that met all the criteria applied to Earth's other continents, including elevation above the surrounding area, distinctive geology, a well-defined area and a crust much thicker than that found on the ocean floor.

Covering five million square kilometres (1.9 million square miles), it extends from south of New Zealand northward to New Caledonia and west to the Kenn Plateau off Australia's east.

Drill ship Joides Resolution will recover sediments and rocks lying deep beneath the sea bed in a bid to discover how the region has behaved over the past tens of millions of years.

The recovered cores will be studied onboard, allowing scientists to address issues such as oceanographic history, extreme climates, sub-seafloor life, plate tectonics and earthquake-generating zones.

Co-chief scientist Jerry Dickens, from Rice University in Texas, said the region was a vital area to study changes in global climate.

"As Australia moved north and the Tasman Sea developed, global circulation patterns changed and water depths over Zealandia fluctuated," he said.

"This region was important in influencing global changes."

Australian National University's Neville Exon said the two-month expedition, setting out Friday from Townsville, would also help better understand major changes in the global tectonic configuration that started about 53 million years ago.

This is around the time that the Pacific "Ring of Fire", a hotspot for volcanoes and earthquakes, came into existence.

In the February scientific paper, lead author Nick Mortimer said experts had been gathering data to make the case for Zealandia being a continent for more than 20 years.

But their efforts had been frustrated because most of it was hidden beneath the waves.
Here are five things to know about the west African, Muslim-majority nation of 15.4 million people.

Political stability

Senegal gained independence on April 4, 1960, when Leopold Sedar Senghor became president.

Senghor resigned voluntarily in 1980 to be replaced by his Prime Minister Abdou Diouf, who was confirmed president in 1983, and re-elected in 1988 and 1993.

In 2000, Diouf was defeated by Abdoulaye Wade of the liberal Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS. The first time in 40 years the socialists had lost power, the transition was hailed as a model of democracy in Africa.

Wade was re-elected in February 2007, but beaten five years later by his former prime minister Sall following an electoral campaign tainted by violence.

Sall opened a probe into the previous administration and several leading figures, including Wade's son Karim, were put on trial.

Karim, sentenced to six years in prison in 2015 for corruption but pardoned in 2016, accused Sall of trying to eliminate him from the 2019 presidential race.

Another opposition leader, Dakar's popular mayor Khalifa Sall, was arrested more than four months ago on corruption charges and is campaigning for the legislative elections from jail.

Wade has returned from France to campaign for the elections, in which he is also standing on a different opposition list.

Mainly agricultural

Fishing is Senegal's largest source of income, followed by tourism. Agriculture includes peanut production -- in decline over the past few years -- millet, sorghum and cotton.

Major oil and gas finds off the coast are yet to be extracted but could in the future offer a new revenue stream to the state.

Most of the population lives below the poverty threshold and there is a high unemployment rate among young people.

Remittances from the large diaspora in Europe, notably France, Italy and Spain, contribute to purchasing power.

Income per capita came to $980 in 2015 according to the World Bank.

Religious tolerance

Senegal is 95 percent Muslim and dominated by moderate Sufi brotherhoods. It is known for its religious tolerance.

Spared by the jihadist attacks that have hit neighbours such as Mali, the authorities have stepped up security at hotels and administrative buildings since January 2016.

Senegal, on the west coast of Africa, is bordered by Mauritania, Mali, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. Gambia forms a narrow enclave extending inland along the river of the same name.

Goree: slave memorial

Goree Island, four kilometres off Dakar, was one of the earliest European settlements in western Africa. For two and a half centuries it served as an outpost for slave and other trading serving the American continent.

Severa buildings from this period, including the House of Slaves, have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978.

The island is visited every year by thousands of tourists, especially African-Americans.

Conflict in Casamance

In Casamance, a southern region dependent on agriculture and tourism, the Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces (MFDC) has been fighting for independence since 1982.
Libya's UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and Khalifa Haftar, the military commander based in the east, reached agreement on the new initiative during talks hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Council members including Russia and Egypt, which back Haftar, said in a statement that they welcomed the meeting on Tuesday in Paris and the joint declaration that it yielded.

The United Nations has been struggling for months to re-launch talks on a deal reached in 2015 on setting up a national unity government that has been rejected by Haftar and other factions.

Appointed last year to lead the new government of national accord, Sarraj has failed to assert authority outside of Tripoli while Haftar's forces this month scored a major military victory when they seized Benghazi, Libya's second city.

"Council members urge all Libyans to support a negotiated political solution, national reconciliation, and an immediate ceasefire, as called for in the joint declaration" reached in Paris, said a council statement.

French Ambassador Francois Delattre briefed council members on Wednesday on the Paris talks and said he would be seeking their support for the outcome of the meeting.

In the 10-point joint declaration, Sarraj and Haftar agreed to work on a roadmap for security and defense, unifying national institutions such as the National Oil Corporation and the central bank, and hold elections as soon as possible.

They pledged to support new UN envoy Ghassan Salame who will lead the political talks.
MORRISON  A Geneseo man charged with kidnapping an Erie couple in February is now being sued by his parents.

Chad C. Schipper, 40, of Geneseo, has been charged with home invasion, aggravated kidnapping/ransom, aggravated kidnapping/concealed identity and aggravated kidnapping with a firearm.

The criminal charges are connected to the alleged abduction of Constance and Larry VanOosten, of Erie, who own Quality Interiors in Erie. Police allege Mr. Schipper forced the couple from their home at gunpoint on Feb. 7, a day before the Whiteside County Sheriffs Office received a 911 call from 1st Trust and Savings Bank in Albany concerned the couple might have been abducted.

At 4:45 a.m. Feb. 8, Mr. Schipper reportedly crashed the vehicle he was driving on Illinois 84 near Port Byron during a police pursuit. Police reported the VanOostens later were found in Mr. Schipper's Geneseo home.

Mr. Schipper was treated at Illini Hospital in Silvis before being arrested and taken to the Whiteside County Jail where his bond was set at $1 million. He remains in the jail.

On July 19, his parents, Marlyn and Linda Schipper, of Erie, filed a civil suit in Whiteside County seeking $444,135.78 from their son.

Their lawsuit alleges that between 2010 and August 2013, Chad Schipper, while working as a financial adviser for the Principal Financial Group, closed one of his parents' accounts and took more than $220,000. Between September 2012 and March 2015, Chad Schipper also is alleged to have taken more than $97,000 from another of his parents' accounts.

The suit also alleges that between February 2013 and February 2017 Chad Schipper kept $10,000 from his parents intended for investment in one fund and $77,000 intended for investment in another fund. The couple's suit also alleges their son cashed a check from their Chase credit card account for $14,000 and opened a Propser credit card in their name and ran up charges of $13,721.

Additionally, the couple's suit seeks attorney's fees, court costs and punitive damages from their son.
By PTI: By Yoshita Singh

United Nations, Jul 27 (PTI) A poverty and hunger alleviating fund by India, Brazil and South Africa has approved three projects in Bolivia, Kiribati and Zambia totalling about USD 2.3 million.

The projects include an initiative enhancing food security in Bolivia through the acquisition of machinery and drilling equipment to be managed by livestock associations affected by floods and droughts in the regions of Beni and Pando.

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Another is a proposal for Kiribati aimed at enhancing inclusive sustainable economic development through the coconut sector, which has strong capacity-building elements among coconut farmers, extension workers/trainers and interested youth.

The third initiative to be approved under the fund is in Zambia that will develop rural livelihoods among small-scale farmers through improved production and processing of soya bean crops and products.

The Board of Directors of the India, Brazil and South Africa Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation (IBSA Fund) approved the three projects which represent a budget of about USD 2.3 million.

"As current IBSA Fund Chair, I am very pleased about today?s approval and the continuous commitment of IBSA to support developmental activities through South-South cooperation with partner countries," Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN Ephraim Leshala Mminele said in a statement here. PTI YAS NSA

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JOLIET, Ill. (AP)  Two teens have pleaded not guilty to murder charges in connection with the June deaths of two women and an infant girl in a Joliet fire.

The (Joliet) Herald-News reports that Joliet 18-year-olds Manuel A. Escamilla and Eric J. Raya entered the pleas Thursday at their arraignment in Will County court. They are charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and arson.

Prosecutors accuse them and a third, 17-year-old co-defendant of firing a flare gun at the home, resulting in the deadly fire. Victims included 28-year-old Regina L. Rogers, her 11-month-old daughter Royalty Rogers and 29-year-old Jaquetta A. Rogers. Authorities say the three wanted to kill someone else living at the home who escaped unharmed.

The 17-year-old defendant previously pleaded not guilty. Raya's attorney says they're waiting to determine the case's merits.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Republican finger-pointing commenced Friday after the Senate's dark-of-night defeat of the GOP's effort to repeal much of the Obama health care law, a startling vote that dealt a blow to President Donald Trump.

"3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down," Trump tweeted early Friday after GOP leaders failed to patch party divisions and the Senate rejected a last-ditch bill to keep the effort alive. "As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!"

The "skinny repeal" bill  erasing several parts of President Barack Obama's law  was rejected just before 2 a.m. EST on a vote of 51-49.

All Democrats were joined by GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and the ailing John McCain. The 80-year-old Arizona senator made a dramatic return to the Capitol Tuesday after being diagnosed with brain cancer to cast a decisive procedural vote that for a time had advanced the legislation.

Following rejection of two broader GOP repeal plans earlier in the week, the early Friday vote cast doubt on whether divided Senate Republicans can advance any health bill despite seven years of promises to repeal "Obamacare."

House leaders had no hesitation about blaming the Senate for the collapse of one of the GOP's paramount priorities. In a statement, Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., pointedly said "the House delivered a bill" and said he was "disappointed and frustrated." Nearly three months earlier, the House approved its health care package after several embarrassing setbacks.

He added, "But we should not give up. I encourage the Senate to continue working toward a real solution that keeps our promise."

Underscoring the House's view of where the fault lie, leaders opened a morning meeting of the chamber's GOP lawmakers by playing audio of Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," which recounts the 1975 wreck of a freighter in Lake Superior. Several lawmakers said House deputy whip Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., told them the song was meant as a reference to the Senate.

One moderate Republican said Trump shared responsibility for the bill's breakdown. "One of the failures was the president never laid out a plan or his core principles and never sold them to the American people," said Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa. "Outsourced the whole issue to Congress."

The measure defeated Friday would have repealed an Obama mandate that most people get health insurance and would have suspended a requirement that larger companies offer coverage to their employees. It would have also suspended a tax on medical devices and denied federal payments to Planned Parenthood for a year.

"This is clearly a disappointing moment," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, said. "I regret that our efforts were not enough this time."

"It's time to move on," he said. McConnell put the health bill on hold and announced that the Senate would move onto other legislation next week.

Conservative Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., who's running for a vacant Senate seat, suggested it was time for McConnell to relinquish his post.

"If they're going to quit, well then by golly, maybe they ought to start at the top with Mitch McConnell leaving his position and letting somebody new, somebody bold, somebody conservative take the reins," Brooks said on CNN. He added, "How is he going to get the job done on the rest of President Trump's agenda?"

On Twitter, McCain said the repeal bill "fell short of our promise to repeal & replace Obamacare w/ meaningful reform."

The amendment was a last resort for Senate Republicans to pass something  anything  to trigger negotiations with the House.

"I hope this is a turning point," Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of New York, said Friday.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price said in a statement that the Trump administration would pursue its health care goals through regulation. "This effort will continue," Price said. But insurers, hospitals, doctors, and consumer groups are pressing the administration to guarantee billions of dollars in disputed subsidies to help stabilize insurance markets around the country.

Buoyed by a signal from Ryan, McConnell had introduced a pared-down health care bill late Thursday that he hoped would keep alive Republican ambitions to repeal "Obamacare."

The Congressional Budget Office said the measure would have increased the number of uninsured people by 16 million, the same problem that vexed all the "repeal and replace" measures Republicans have offered. Obama's law extended coverage to some 20 million people, reducing the nation's uninsured rate to a historic low of around 9 percent.

Still, Ryan had seemingly opened a path for McConnell earlier Thursday by signaling a willingness to negotiate a more comprehensive bill with the Senate. Some Republican senators had been concerned that the House would simply pass McConnell's "skinny bill" and send it to Trump. That would have sent a shock wave through health insurance markets, spiking premiums.

Ryan sent senators a statement saying that if "moving forward" requires talks with the Senate, the House would be "willing" to do so. While Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., eventually said he was reassured by Ryan's statement, McCain remained unconvinced.

"Not sufficient," McCain said.

Numerous polls had shown little public support for the GOP's earlier proposals to repeal and replace Obama's law. A recent AP-NORC poll found only 22 percent of the public backing the Republican approach, while 51 percent were opposed.
Quacker Factory Set of 2 3/4 Sleeve T-Shirts with Sequin Trim is rated 4.0 out of 5 by 70 .

Rated 5 out of 5 by Mama Dot from Great shirts I ordered the orange and blue shirt set. I am ready for fall. They look great and feel comfortable. Just enough bling to not be crazy.

Rated 4 out of 5 by sks56 from Love the shirts but.... Love Quacker Factory shirts except for the tags. Need to go tagless. Also the fabric is too heavy for summer wear.

Rated 2 out of 5 by TTGIF from The Answer Is Returning Pretty colors, But the V Neck Bling, did Not Care For. Looked Cheap, poor fit, too Long.

Rated 5 out of 5 by Capsule from GREAT TOPS I ordered these in the black and white. They fit very well and I like them. I am sort of a quiet Quacker and so I feel they have just the right amount of bling. At least they don't have any spandex in them. Keep up the good work!

Rated 4 out of 5 by San-D from Very Good Product, true to size I have purchased these and am very please with both. They are running true to size on the XL. I have never been disappointed with Quaker Factory

Rated 4 out of 5 by Reub from Nice Bright Colors I ordered green and coral shirts, while I like the colors the sparkle is less than expected. The shirts are true to size but thin cotton. I would love to see 5% spandex in the cotton shirts and less polyester for summer shirts.

Rated 1 out of 5 by Kenna1 from 3/4 sleeve T-Shirts w sequin trim I was very disappointed that the sequins on one shirt came off in the first wash and both shirts seem to have had a tendency to shrink with multiple washings, even with me hanging them to dry. I would not recommend these as a purchase, especially for a gift.
The programme will be completed by the end of 2019, and the first train will run on the Elbe - Weser network.

The modernisation is taking place at Alstoms service centre in Braunschweig. The Coradia Lint trains have been in operation since 2003, and after 15 years, the control technology, brake controls, and the interior and exterior designs are being modernised. The trains are being equipped with Wi-Fi, LED lighting, CCTV, at-seat power sockets and USB ports.

This order is another milestone in our long-term cooperation with LNVG, says head of services for Alstom in Germany, Mr Daniel Croonen. Together we offer passengers modern regional trains for an economical and sustainable transport for passengers.

From December 2019, 15 of the trains will run on the Elbe - Weser network, and 11 on the Weser - Lammetal network.
Sherex Fastening Solutions announced the launch of the TEC Series wedge locking washer product line.

Shertex is touting the TEC Series washers as a high quality, high performance, cost-effective solution to the challenge of securing joints that experience severe vibration and load.

In March 2016 Sherex acquired Disc-Lock International, a specialist in wedge locking technology. The TEC Series product line was developed from Disc-Lock technology. Sherex said the launch is the first step in a multi-year development program.

The company, headquartered in Tonawanda, N.Y., plans to stock TEC Series washers in strategic locations throughout North America to provide short lead times to customers.

TEC Series washers are available in standard and large outer diameter styles in carbon steel and stainless steel, in sizes from M3 (#5) through M72 (3). Sherex added its engineering and technical sales team is available to custom design products with special dimensions, materials, and coatings.
The cover of the July 31 issue of the India Today magazine has gone viral in China. The cover that has a map of China in the shape of a large chicken also has a smaller Pakistan by its side, again in the shape of a chick, in green.

By India Today Web Desk: The covers of the India Today magazine have always been iconic, ingenious and often controversial.

The cover of the July 31 issue of the India Today magazine has gone viral on Chinese social media platform Wiebo, the country's substitute for Twitter, and the Chinese are not pleased with the cover.

The latest issue of the India Today magazine has the map of China, in red, in the shape of a big chicken and a smaller chick -- Pakistan, in green -- by its side, along with captions that read "China's new chick" and "How China is buying out Pakistan with massive new investments and why India needs to worry", below it.

India Today magazine July 20 issue cover that has gone viral in China

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The Chinese are fuming seeing the cover. Their main contention is that the map on the cover doesn't show Tibet and Taiwan as its part. In retaliation, there are op-eds, sharply criticising the magazine and India as a whole, being written on Chinese newspapers, and Chinese social media users Photoshopping their answers on to India Today magazine covers.

.@IndiaToday cover (left) goes viral on Weibo, GT ed Hu Xijin puts out video attacking it, & Chinese users post mockup in revenge (right) pic.twitter.com/FBfTNdl5yy- Ananth Krishnan (@ananthkrishnan) July 27, 2017

All this while there is a tense standoff between the Indian and Chinese troops at Doklam.

Meanwhile, the India Today magazine cover on China and Pakistan's growing friendship has been selected as the 'The Cover of the Day' by The Society of Publication Designers (SPD), New York. Ashish Bagga, Group CEO, India Today Group, said, "Getting featured in SPD, New York, reflects on India Today's commitment to set international standards in journalism. Powerful take on pertinent issues is the hallmark of impactful reportage and insights. For India Today, we are happy that we have serviced the Thinking Indian well."

An article on China's Global Times said, "Such hysterical geopolitical imagination is nothing new. What is new, however, is the erroneous exclusion of Tibet and Taiwan from Chinese territory."

It also said, "China and India are currently locked in a border standoff. Some Indian elites understandably hate China and want to carve away Tibet and Taiwan. But they know this is an impossibility, so they are reduced to drawing an illustration. It is more ludicrous when the magazine proudly proclaimed that the cover was selected as the "The Cover of the Day" by the Society of Publication Designers, New York."

A report in the South China Morning Post read, "But Chinese netizens griped over the exclusion of Taiwan and Tibet from China's map. The Chinese government claims sovereignty over both places, considering Taiwan a renegade province and Tibet an autonomous region, but there are long-standing political tensions over the government's control of these areas."

The Taiwan News, a Taiwanese news outlet, however, welcomed India Today's cover. A report said, "In a bizarre reversal of fortune, instead of the usual erroneous inclusion of Taiwan in a map of China, the cover of the latest issue of the magazine India Today, not only excludes Taiwan from Chinese territory, but it also carved away Tibet from its posterior, while a tiny green chick in the shape of Pakistan stands behind it."

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The outlet also included comments of Taiwanese netizens, who were glad to see the new map. Sample these:

"This is the correct version of the map."

"India has finally done a positive thing that the world can look up to."

"China really gets worked up if there's no Taiwan."

"Come and eat Indian curry today."

"That's a good cover, why not buy one?"

Subscribe to India Today magazine

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The U.S. military is often described as the best fighting force in the world, and we agree. It's superior to its possible adversaries in nearly every way. No other military has the globe-spanning responsibilities, the all-domain combat experience, or the technological edge. Yet, as the United States remains militarily engaged around a world that demands unyielding attention and unwavering commitment, its military faces a dynamic threat environment that includes new and resurgent challenges in emerging battle domains such as cyber. With tensions on the Korean peninsula, a continuing series of crises in the Middle East, a rising China, and a resurgent Russia, it would be wise to keep front and center the key source of strength in the armed forces  our people.

Policy debates have raged about Syria, Yemen, NATO, North Korea, and beyond. At the same time, defense acquisition experts publicly debated options related to new technologies and acquisition reform. But the new and growing challenges facing the country are all the more reason to also think about what additional approaches are needed to acquire the key personnel skills and capabilities needed to meet Americas growing and changing military requirements.

The remainder of this commentary is available at warontherocks.com.

Radha Iyengar is a senior economist at the nonpartisan, nonprofit RAND Corporation. She previously served as Director of Personnel, Readiness, and Partnerships at the White House National Security Council from 2013-14 as well as other senior staff roles at the Department of Defense and Department of Energy.

Brad Carson is a senior advisor at Boston Consulting Group. He previously served as Acting Undersecretary for Personnel and Readiness from 2015-2016 and Undersecretary of the Army from 2014-2015.

Amy Schafer is a Research Associate for the Military, Veterans, & Society Program at the Center for a New American Security.

John D. Winkler is a senior behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation and director of the Forces and Resources Policy Center of the RAND National Security Research Division. He previously served as a deputy assistant secretary and principal deputy assistant secretary of defense in OSD/reserve affairs from 2001 to 2009.

This commentary originally appeared on War on the Rocks on July 27, 2017. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
Case of Moscow unauthorized rally participant set for July 31

MOSCOW, July 28 (RAPSI, Diana Gutsul)  The Tverskoy District Court will begin hearing the case against Dmitry Krepkin, a participant of the unauthorized March 26 rally in Moscow, who stands charged with attacking a police officer, lawyer Ilnur Sharapov told RAPSI on Friday.

According to investigators, the defendant resisted police officers and kicked one of them. Krepkin was put in detention until August 16.

Earlier, the court sentenced three other participants of the rally. Yury Kuliy and Alexander Shpakov to 8 months in penal colony settlement and 1.5 years in prison respectively. Kuliy and Shpakov have pleaded guilty to the use of violence against a representative of authority.

Stanislav Zimovets was given 2.5 years in prison for the attack on a police officer. He has not pleaded guilty in full.

According to the Main Directorate of the Interior Ministry for Moscow, about 500 people were arrested on March 26 during the unauthorized rally. Overall number of people present in the area at the time was estimated at as high as 8,000 people. One of the police officers received injuries, a criminal case was launched over this incident.

The Russian opposition politician Alexey Navalny, arrested during the rally, claimed that Moscow authorities refused to greenlight the rally in the citys center and proposed alternative areas only a day before it was to take place. Navalny said that in this case Russian legislation allows organizers to hold an event at the area, which was listed first.




Russian Central Bank withdraws license from top 30 bank

MOSCOW, July 28 (RAPSI)  Russia's Central Bank said on Friday that the license of Yugra bank, one of the top 30 banks, had been withdrawn.

On July 10, the Central Bank imposed temporary administration represented by the Deposit Insurance Agency (DIA) in the bank for six months and a three-month moratorium on creditor claims. The DIA was ordered to conduct Yugras status inquiry. The bank managers powers have been suspended for six months as well.

These measures were applied because of Yugras financial uncertainty and threat to interests of its creditors and depositors, according to the regulator.

The Prosecutor Generals Office challenged two Central Banks orders on Yugra on July 19. According to prosecutors, the warrants were issued unreasonably because the regulator had not revealed violations of statutory requirements by the bank during the checks and supervision.

On August 15, the Moscow Commercial Court will hear an application lodged by Yugra over the Central Banks actions and rulings.

Bank Yugra, one of Russias leading commercial banks, was founded in 1990. As of October 1, 2016, Yugra enters TOP-30 largest banks by assets and TOP-20 largest banks by retail deposits among the Russian banks, the organizations official website reads.




There is an ongoing battle in America to change the way children, particularly children from low-income families, a disproportionate number of whom are children of color, are able to access schooling. In this continuing saga, moments like the one that is now playing out in Illinois are extraordinarily rare. While the partisan brinkmanship now taking place in Springfield over the state's education funding bill is actually quite common, the opportunity to transform the lives of low-income students across the state is actually quite unique.

Thats because far too many of those in power across the country refuse to empower low-income and working-class parents and give them the tools necessary to chart a different course for their childs education. The result: millions of low-income students languish in poor schools, while their parents do not have the power and the opportunity afforded to families with means.

That is why Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and state lawmakers, who have in the past been outspoken in their support for parent choice, must use this special legislative session, called to ensure Illinois schools open on time, to open the doors to parent choice for low-income and working-class families.

The debate thus far over the school funding bill has largely been centered on the traditional education system, one built for the 20th century  a system that is predicated on the premise that the more students and funding that stay in traditional public schools, the more power the teachers' union retains and the more sway the union has over politicians, unwilling to disrupt the status quo. That system calls for pouring endless amounts of money into traditional public schools as a strategy to fix education for all students. But that system is failing the most vulnerable students.

Thankfully, Rauner and others recognize that and are in a position to do something about it.

The governor ran on a 21st-century vision for education, one that seeks to maximize the opportunity to create an entirely different way to educate our kids through relentless dedication, smart leadership and efficient allocation of resources.

He is now in a position to forge a strong compromise that will make that happen.

This special session is such an important moment in Illinois. It provides an opportunity to chart a different course for how the state tackles the challenge of providing all students with access to high-quality education. And it begins with using this debate over education funding to enact a tax credit scholarship program that allows individuals and corporations to allocate a portion of their owed state taxes to private, nonprofit scholarship-granting organizations that issue scholarships to low-income students.

By signing a bill with this language into law, the governor would propel Illinois to the forefront of the crucial battle to truly change education in America. Illinois could join the growing list of states that realize there is no one-size fits all system that works for our children, particularly our most vulnerable children.

To take advantage of this special moment in time a conversation is not enough; concrete action is needed. Given the stakes, the policymakers must right now do whats best for kids.

Enacting the tax credit scholarship program is the embodiment of the type of tool thats necessary to give our poorest children access to learning environments that could lead to improved academic outcomes.

What a powerful message Rauner and the legislature can send to their constituents in Illinois and to others around the country by passing this tax credit scholarship program. Now is the time ensure that all kids will have the chance to get a great education in Illinois.

Dr. Howard Fuller is a Distinguished Professor of Education at Marquette University.
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Indrani denied seeing Shetye being beaten up as her room is on the first floor.

By Vidya : Former chairperson of INX Media Indrani Mukerjea, accused in her daughter Sheena Bora's murder case, is lodged in the Byculla prison in Mumbai.

Speaking about the death of a jail inmate Manjula Shetye in the riots that broke out in the Byculla prison, Mukerjea said that she was not planning to file any intervention application against jailor Manisha Pokharkar and her five colleagues.

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Initial reports suggested that Shetye was beaten by the jailor and her colleagues for speaking up against the corruption within the jail. An FIR was registered against Manisha Pokharkar.

Denying the allegation that the FIR was filed at the behest of Indrani Mukerjea, she said, "I am inside the jail, how will I ever reach out to Nagada police and get them to register the FIR? More over why should I complaint against the jail officials. I have no reason to."

Jail officials had claimed that Shetye had slipped in the washroom. Initial investigations in Shetye's case was done by the Nagada police station and later Crime Branch.

Indrani denied seeing Shetye being beaten up as her room is on the first floor, while the victim was on the ground floor. Pokharkar has said in the bail papers that Constable Bindu Naikade who was specially posted outside Indrani's barack as she is a high profile prisoner.

"On June 23 she was not there but on June 24 she was standing outside. All these can be checked in the cctv footage itself," said Indrani.

Speaking about the day riots broke out in the jail she said, "Like everyone I was outside but I did not instigate violence."

Indrani has recorded her statement with the crime branch.Also Read

Indrani Mukerjea to be shifted out of Mumbai's Byculla jail where she was beaten up Shiv Sena demands judicial inquiry in Byculla jail death case

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The butterfly knife is the original fidget spinner. While the latter will be a distant memory this time next year, the former will remain as coveted as it was when American G.I.s brought them back from the Philippines after World War II.

In recent years, balisong fans have grown into two camps: the collectors (mostly martial artists and knife nuts) and the flippers (who focus on the sport of twirling the knife).

While its future lies along these two branches, its roots are less clear. Practitioners of the Filipino fighting arts say that the balisong originated in the Philippines hundreds of years ago, possibly more than a millennia ago. Others argue that they first appeared in France in the 1700s and spread to Spain, where colonialists brought them to the Southeast Asian islands.

Whatever its origins, a balisong isnt our go-to edged weapon because it requires too many steps to deploy under stress  despite what the movies and draconian knife laws would have you believe. Still, the butterfly knife remains dear to our hearts, which is why weve compiled seven of the latest models. Read on to see if theres one youd like to spin and fidget with.

Make: Schrade

Model: Manila Folder

OAL: 8.95 inches

Blade Length: 4 inches

Blade Material: D2 tool steel

Weight: 8 ounces

MSRP: $133

URL:

www.taylorbrandsllc.com

411:

We dig the name and its faithful construction of the kind of balisong we fell in love with as kids back in the 80s. The Manila Folder features a spear-point blade made of D2 tool steel and rectangular-ish split handles made from stainless steel. The materials make for a stout package, about half a pound, but thats a good thing for producing momentum if youre still perfecting how to twirl a butterfly knife. Made in the USA.

Pros:

> Retro aesthetics

> Sturdy materials and construction

> Pivot pins provide smooth opening and closing.

> Blade profile excellent for puncturing

Cons:

> We prefer the latch  which keeps the handles locked together  on the bite handle (where the blades edge closes into) rather than on the safe handle as it is here.

> Great tip, but not the sharpest edge out of the box.

Make: Emerson Knives

Model: Bali 7

OAL: 9 inches

Blade Length: 3.5 inches

Blade Material: 154CM stainless steel

Weight: 4 ounces

MSRP: $430

URL:

www.helle.no

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This knife got us giddy like a schoolgirl. After all, Ernest Emersons first foray into knifemaking was a handmade balisong because he couldnt afford to buy one at the time (see his profile in RECOIL Issue 21). This prototype is the most combat-oriented balisong weve seen. Its jimping, G-10 scales, pocket clip, and CQC-7-style blade all scream, fighter. It (and other balisongs) will be available exclusively from Blade HQ in November. Made in the USA.

Pros:

> Unexpectedly lightweight yet incredibly strong

> Blade cuts and stabs like a lightsaber.

> Pocket clip for everyday carry

> Stellar latch provides precise locking and unlocking.

Cons:

> Though extra grippy, which is a good thing, the G-10 scales on Emerson knives are known to be rough enough to sand down denim pockets over time, which is a not-so-good thing. The Bali 7 looks to be no exception to that rule.

Make: Bear & Son Cutlery

Model: 114PK

OAL: 9.25 inches

Blade Length: 3.625 inches

Blade Material: 440 stainless steel

Weight: 5 ounces

MSRP: $55

URL:

www.bearandsoncutlery.com

411:

Dont let the color fool you. This pink balisong is just as mean as all the other blades in this buyers guide. As the budget option of the group, this knife has a clip-point blade made of 440 stainless steel and handles made of zinc with an epoxy powdercoat. Bear & Son does everything in-house, from heat treating and grinding to assembling and hand-finishing. So naturally this is made in the USA.

Pros:

> In a time of $500 sport balisongs used only for spinning like color-guard flags, its good to see affordable U.S.-made blades with a utilitarian purpose.

> 440 stainless steel blade sharp out of the box.

Cons:

> The pivot pins required more lube, as the bite handle sometimes got hung up as we tried to twirl the knife closed.

> The epoxy powdercoat isnt our favorite handle coating.

> Latch fits loosely in the safe handle when locked.

Make: Quartermaster Knives

Model: QBS-2LT

OAL: 9.5 inches

Blade Length: 4 inches

Blade Material: CPM-154 stainless steel

Weight: 5.8 ounces

MSRP: $278

URL:

www.quartermasterknives.com

411:

Quartermaster Knives is known for futuristic designs and models named after 80s pop-culture characters. Fans swear by the knives, while detractors call them tacticool. While the QBS-2LT doesnt have a vintage moniker, it does have a high-tech aesthetic and a feature no other model here has: The blade can be swapped for the included blunt trainer by pushing in the pivot pins and sliding the handles off the tang. Made in the USA.

Pros:

> Ability to exchange the live blade for a blunt trainer is a boon for balisong beginners

> Pocket clip for daily carry

> Visually appealing

Cons:

> Quality control  Out of the box, one of the handle screws was loose, undoing the tightness on the tang, in turn resulting in the blade not lining up properly during closing; sometimes itd bang on the outside of the handle rather than lie on the inside of it.

Make: Microtech Knives

Model: Tachyon III S/E

OAL: 10 inches

Blade Length: 4.5 inches

Blade Material: Elmax stainless steel

Weight: 4 ounces

MSRP: $324

URL:

www.microtechknives.com

411:

The S/E in this bad boys title refers to its single cutting edge while the III denotes the latest generation of the Tachyon, which made waves when it was first released in 2000. A longer overall length paired with a redesigned silicon-nitride race bearing system gives this butterfly knife a smooth flipping operation and great balance. It features machined titanium handles and a blade made of premium Elmax stainless steel. Made in the USA.

Pros:

> Elmax blade with DLC coating

> Spring latch makes unlocking the balisong as easy as squeezing the handles

> Extra strong pocket clip

> Simple yet sophisticated lines give it an elegant look

Cons:

> The tough-as-nails titanium handles are super light  perhaps a little too light. Wed prefer a slightly heavier latch and pocket clip to add more momentum when flipping.

> Latch is rather bulbous, extending from the handle a bit too far for our liking.

Make: Benchmade Knife Company

Model: 87

OAL: 10 inches

Blade Length: 4.5 inches

Blade Material: S30V stainless steel

Weight: 5.37 ounces

MSRP: $600

URL:

www.benchmade.com

411:

It would be irresponsible to have a balisong buyers guide and not feature a Benchmade, considering this companys predecessor started off in the late 70s by making butterfly knives under the name Bali-Song Inc. (If you ever wondered about Benchmades logo, now you know why.) Though the 87 we reviewed is a prototype, its clear the latest Benchmade balisong will be a winner, thanks to its S30V blade and quality construction.

Pros:

> The Wharncliffe blade is excellent for slicing  yes, it can stab, too.

> Perfect combo of old-school looks with cutting-edge (pun intended) technology and materials.

> Spring latch makes unlocking faster than a standard latch.

Cons:

> While 5.37 ounces seem almost perfect for a folding knife, the 87 is a tad long for its weight; long and light means the backend trails behind a bit when flipping.

Make: Max Venom Product Group

Model: Duelo

OAL: 12.125 inches

Blade Length: 5 inches

Blade Material: Carpenters steel

Weight: 11 ounces

MSRP: $310

URL:

www.maxvenom.com

411:

This is what you get when you meld a balisong, a dagger, and a flipper tab. The Treb (as the tab is called) doubles as an index for your finger to go on top of during certain techniques  a nod to traditional Filipino dueling knives (hence its moniker). The Duelo is a collaboration between C. Despins of the Max Venom Product Group and Doug Marcaida, a kali expert. Despins says the production version will shrink down to 10.5 inches. Made in the USA.

Pros:

> Modified spear-point blade is razor sharp and ideal for thrusting.

> Great balance in hand with smooth flipping

> Bonus points for the hybrid outside-the-box design

Cons:

> Balancing the above pro is the con that its fusion-style looks might not appeal to traditionalists.

> Learning curve when it comes to applying self-defense techniques.

Fan Out

Wanna know how to use a balisong without fileting yourself? Curious to learn more about its historical context? Knife expert Jared Wihongi explains more at www.recoil.tv.
This article originally appeared in RECOIL Issue 32

No One Kills Terrorists as Fast as We Do

Sheik Abdul Hasib is a stout Pakistani who chose to fight under the flag of ISIS in eastern Afghanistan. The area he chose as his redoubt is the border with Pakistan, not too far from where Osama bin Laden and the Arab-speaking jihadis chose to build caves and fight the Soviets in the 80s. Now seeking to tax poppy growers in the Nangahar province and establish ISIS Khurahsan, the long-haired Pakistani Orakzai tribal fighters have been streaming over four mountain passes from the Khyber and Orakzai regions in Parchinar since 2015. Since then, theyve terrorized the locals, beheading children and elders alike, and launched a number of violent attacks in Afghanistan.

GROWING THREAT

ISIS established a foothold in the Pakistan tribal areas in mid-2014 with the fracturing of the little T Taliban that was made up of former Pakistan-based Taliban fighters. Leaderless, they flowed northward into Afghanistan in 2015 when around 70 ISIS trainers travelled from Syria to school them in tactics, public relations, and ambushes. Led by Abdul Rauf Khadem, a former bin Laden confident, ISIS began paying three times the Afghan government salary, and twice that of the Taliban. They launched their new sub brand, ISIS-Khurasan, with brutal videos of hapless villagers being blown up and other brutal filmed executions. Islamic religion tradition insists that horse-mounted jihadis carrying the Black Flags of Khurasan will signal the retaking of the Holy Land and the end of Christianity. Not surprisingly, ISIS PR cameramen filmed chubby Pakistanis jogging and jerking along on Afghan nags carrying black flags in their videos.

The cash and the PR campaign worked. In September 2015, the UN estimated ISIS penetrated 25 out of the 34 provinces.

MOAB

When I met with Resolute Support commander General Mick Nicholson in December, he made it clear that although the NATO side of the war was treading water, the counter-terrorism fight wasnt hindered by a lack of funding or increasing intensity. While the USA waited patiently for the election to end, General Nicholson made his move.

On April 13, 2017, the sky lit up above Achin and the ground shook through eastern Afghanistan as U.S. special operations forces dropped a 12,000-pound MOAB munition that detonated above the exact area ISIS selected as their headquarters.

Nicholsons air strike had maximum effect. The USA turned the ISIS fighters concealment and isolation into their damnation. About 90 fighters were killed instantly by the pressure wave and collapsing buildings.

Although the rank and file of ISIS K were decimated, the work of actually finishing the job was left to U.S. ground operators and Afghans. Ten days later at 10:30 p.m., 50 U.S. Army Rangers and 40 Afghan commandos went in on the location of Sheik Hasib, gunning him down about a mile away from where the bomb went off in Mohmand Valley. As in all special operation ground missions, drones, AC 130s, F16s, and Apaches provided constant top cover and ISR support. Down below, air controllers coordinated the troops moving forward, calling out targets and hostiles for Afghan commandos. ISIS in the east was snuffed out like a candle.

The top leadership and 35 members of ISIS were finally removed because they had crossed the line. They had carried out a devastating March 2017 attack on a 400-bed military hospital in Kabul in which ISIS personnel disguised as medical staff killed scores of people. Enough was enough.

Although MOAB was a global headline grabber and theres every indication that America is getting back into the fight, much of the dirty work of killing terrorists face to face has been left to the Afghans. Its for this reason that I visited a little-known counter-terrorism unit high above the hills of Kabul.

CRU 222

Its Friday, the day off in Afghanistan, but Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Raqib Mubariz, the head of Afghanistans elites counter-terrorism team, has invited me over. Hes clean-shaven, tall, and eager to meet me. He runs the Afghan Crisis Response Unit 222, or CRU 222 for short. Hes unapologetic about his team. His and his mens job is to kill terrorists in Kabul. Fast.

Its a brutally simple idea taught to them originally by the SAS and carried forward in their training by American, and now Norwegian, commandos. When suicide bombers try to take hostages en masse, the units mission is to get in and kill them without restraint. In their brutal experience, the faster they kill terrorists the lower the casualties.

Their spotless base sits on the old site of Camp Gibson, overlooking the outskirts of Kabul.

Mubariz walks me around the camp and explains the unit has three groups, one active, one in training, and one in reserve. On operations they have a 60-man protection unit and three operations groups. They work 15 days on and 15 days off, and theyre set up to respond to a crisis quickly; their goal is to be out the door within five minutes of a call.

He expresses pride that his men can assess a situation, form a plan, and have all the belligerents dead within minutes. Instead of the hours it used to take, now we can be ready in three minutes.

To underline the seriousness and intensity of their task, he estimates that last year 97 of his 7,000-person, nationwide staff were killed. The high-casualty rate doesnt faze his enthusiasm for the task.

The training for the anti-terrorist squad lasts four months with a dropout rate of 10 to 15 percent of the class. We get better training than the commandos, but we work together, Raqib tells me, talking about another Afghan special mission unit that operates in the rural areas of the country. We recruit from all over the country.

I want to understand how this unit ended the March 2017 hospital attack, the most brutal terrorist act after the recent bomb attack at Camp Shahin. He offers to have his men perform a demonstration.

The men roll up to a practice building in armored Humvees, dismount, and take a knee; they lay out a protective circle and deploy snipers. They set up a command and control center, gather intel, and agree on an entry plan. Then, the teams deploy and breach, clearing each room until they reach the top.

The men are fast, aggressive, and their actions appear well rehearsed. But this is an empty building with a journalist sticking a camera in their faces, not a burning building with martyrs killing their way to a 72-virgin afterlife.

The 222 benefits from the knowledge passed on by foreign military advisors. Norwegians from the Marinejegerkommandoen were also on hand supervising and offering training guidance. The Norwegians declined to be officially interviewed, but 222s opinion of them is effusive. We love it when they taught us how to shoot off the back of motorcycles in the dark, one commando laughs.

To understand 222s tactical response to the Kabul hospital attack, I met with the officer (unnamed at his request) that led the hospital attack.

THE RESPONSE

The soft-spoken colonel describes the siege. It was Wednesday, March 8, 8:45 in the morning. The first car bomb went off at 9 a.m. at the rear of the hospital. By 9:45 a.m. we were stuck in all kinds of traffic. We travel in armored Humvees, five men to a vehicle. We had to hit cars to get out them out the way. We were waved around to a different entrance from the normal entrance when the second car bomb went off.

The eight-story pink Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan Hospital is in the Wazir Akbar Khan District of Kabul and is the largest military hospital in Afghanistan. Named after the last prime minister before the Soviets landed, the staff provides medical care to members of the Afghan military and their families. There are also two floors filled with wounded Taliban fighters along with a VIP wing; in addition, there are soldiers housed here who are wounded so seriously they cant be sent home.

It was complicated when we arrived on scene because we had more than 1,000 doctors, patients, and visitors. The colonel says there were 400 beds in an eight-floor building and an unknown number of terrorists wearing suicide vests with grenades, knives, and rifles inside. I was just thinking how we can protect civilians before we can kill the terrorists.

The men ISIS sent to cause mayhem werent just suicide bombers, but fourth-generation suicide fighters called inghimasis, or those who plunge into battle. The four attackers were let into the hospital by an employee, the colonel tells us. They put on white lab coats and began to shoot indiscriminately, using knives to kill bedridden victims to conserve ammunition.

Once the Afghan Army commandos arrived, I stopped everyone and explained how we can work together. We have British SAS tactics; the Afghan Special Forces uses American [tactics]. We have different training and tactics, and we could kill each other.

The units deconflicted by leap-frogging each other as they cleared the buildings seven floors, floor by floor.

We are clearing each room, but ultimately we run to the shooting, says the colonel. The problem was most of the victims were being stabbed with knives and [the attackers] were dressed in lab coats like many of the hostages. On the second floor we killed the third man; we shot him, and he blew up. Again we ran to the shooting. In various rooms, there were people hiding. The gunman had killed one or two people in each room.

The responders killed another shooter on the fourth floor as he was hiding behind a bed. We found another terrorist on the fifth floor. We shot him, and he blew up.

Like many Afghans, and out of respect for the dead, he wont describe the specifics of the dozens of victims. Most of the people had been killed with knives. Later I find out from one of the men who was there that a pregnant women, the wife of a military officer, screamed, You cant kill me! He looks down and describes the brutality, They cut out her child and then killed her.

Finally, there were 65 hostages on the top floor being held by the last gunman.

I had heard shooting from the rooftop, and I requested an air drop, says the Colonel. The Mi-17 will carry 15 troops and can land on the roof where people were fleeing. Some were on the window ledges outside. [Our] snipers were using the windows, but there werent clear shots in the confusion. There is a green house on the top floor, and we went up and found the hostages.

We were using CS grenades and wearing gas masks, he says. Its hard to see through the mask when youre running and the smoke. So I aimed for his center of his vest and he exploded, killing some of the hostages. When I ask him why he didnt take a head a shot he looks up and just gives me a pained look.

I think we were done by 14:00. We then had to coordinate the removal of the dead and wounded, and order ambulances since all the staff had fled.

At the end, over 60 people were dead and roughly as many were wounded.

UNDERSTANDING THE ENEMY

Colonel Mir Ebaidullah Mirzada from Kapisa province explains how ISIS recruits and trains for these attacks. I was in military school in high school, then I joined CID police. I spent 31 years in the intelligence service, he says. His job now is to make sense of these attacks and understand the enemy. That enemy, he says, is increasingly more foreign.

The history of the CRU also coincides with violent attacks launched from Pakistan.

There was a series of attacks in Kabul in 2005. At that time there was no special unit. They sent police, members of the Afghan National Directorate of Security and the Army, and there were a lot of civilian casualties. It was then they decided to create the CRU. National Security Advisor Hanif Atmar established a division of special police when he was interior minister.

The first unit was 222. They started with 100 members; now they have around 7,000. Ebedullah was one of the originals. We started with Hungarian and Bulgarian AKs, Russian PiKas (PKM), and Iranian RPGs. We swapped to Russian AKs [after] seven years with a gift of 20,000 AKs, and now, thanks to the U.S. Embassy, were using M4s.

The men of the 222 still have to tape their flashlights to the barrel and make do with Chinese knockoff gear. They favor the bright green laundry bag camo pattern sprayed on their gear. It used to take three hours for the unit to jock up, and now it takes them less than five minutes to get out of their compound. Still, a Colonel gets by on $600 a month, and some of the men arent fully kitted. But they dont complain. He pulls out the dossier on the attack on the hospital attack.

The attackers were from Pakistan, two from Tajikistan, and two were Afghan. The people know that Pakistan is behind this. He takes pains to read the next sentence carefully.

They trained for four months by Major Ahmad from ISI Punjab, in Mansehra near the military base at Rawalpindi. This information comes from the other side, he noted with a smile. Manserhra is only 13 miles north of where bin Laden was found and killed in Abbottabad.

Recruiting is done from the madrasas, free religious schools sponsored by Sunni donors from the Gulf area.

Mirzada lays out the training process. They pass three steps to come. The first step is for ISI people who operated under the guise of being scholars who train young people. They identify those who respond to extreme ideology.

In the madrasa theyre separated, and when they say, I want to be a martyr, theyre ready. Then the preparation work stops. They blindfold them and take them to a military base. There theyre trained about three months on weapons, explosives, and what destiny awaits them in paradise. Before the plan [takes] place they set up companies to provide fake IDs, transportation, and lodging. They transport them to Kabul without weapons.

Typically, he says, theyre between 14 and 25 years old, mostly from poor families. Their family gets paid 400,000 Pakistani rupees, just under $4,000 U.S., after theyve reached the end of their path to martyrdom.

The handlers train them again to get used to the area where they speak Pashto, Mirzada says. There are also people who know Farsi. Once they learn the area, then they ship in the weapons. There are also people who are responsible to make the film. Even when they rush and fight, theyre always filming. Before they attack they film a speech and they get injections to make them brave.

One witness in the media insists he heard one of the men talking to Mullah Sahib, which sounds like Mullah Hasib, the head of the ISIS cell in Nangahar. The man gunned down after the MOAB was dropped by U.S. forces. Mirzada closes the file.

When and if another hostage situation occurs, CRU 222 sits waiting for the call, stopwatch at the ready.

About the Author

Robert Young Pelton has survived over 16 dirty wars  from Chechnya to Qali Jangi  and writes about men in war and survival. His best-selling books include Licensed to Kill, The Worlds Most Dangerous Places, The Adventurist and more. He is also the founder of DPx Gear and holds over two-dozen patents for his knives designed for the U.S. special operations community.

www.comebackalive.com
By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) A JNU student has alleged he was beaten up at the Rajiv Chowk metro station here by a few personnel of the CISF and told he would be "sent to Pakistan", a charge rejected by the paramilitary force.

In a Facebook post, Aman Sinha, 22, who is pursuing a Masters degree, said the incident happened yesterday evening and alleged the involvement of CISF personnel posted at the security check point of the station.

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Sinha, who was sporting a beard, claimed that the Central Industrial Security Force(CISF) personnel got enraged when he "defied" their instructions to take off his earphones, which is a laid down protocol that passengers are expected to follow.

It was followed by a heated argument, he said.

"Then another CISF person came and said you are spoiling the name of the nation, Pakistan bhejenge tum mussalay ko aaj.(You Muslim we will banish you to Pakistan today). They dragged me to the security office through the very long passage where there was no CCTV and no public.

"They started abusing my mother and sister, thrashing and beating me very badly, saying that public k samne humara nam kharab kar diya. I tried to record it which they later made me delete it threw away my phone," he alleged.

When contacted, the CISF said the student was only asked to write an apology letter for his behaviour with the security personnel, and was neither "manhandled" nor "thrashed."

"He started yelling and arguing with constables Shoeb and PC Bisht who were on duty after he was asked to remove the ear phones, which is a normal security drill in the Delhi Metro. He was unwilling and used abusive language after which he was taken to the metro control room," a senior CISF officer said.

He added that Sinha was taken to the control room of the station where he tendered an apology in writing.

As per CCTV records, the officer said, the entire episode lasted about 30 minutes and the student was then allowed to go. PTI CPB NES SBR GSN GSN

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Beware, it's not just criminals who want your data!

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com

With the existing laws tilted in favour of companies, it's tough for individuals to get any compensation

Incidents of data breach are occurring with increasing frequency. There's little that you can do if your service provider does not take adequate security measures.

But, if you take a few steps, you can ensure that hackers don't get access to sensitive information that can cause you financial loss.

Recently, details of Reliance Jio customers were posted on a Web site.

Earlier, a hacker stole email addresses and hashed passwords from Zomato's database.

In April, the secretary at the ministry of electronics and information technology had sent a letter to chief secretaries of all states and Union Territories stating that sensitive information, including bank details and Aadhaar numbers of individuals, had been published online, and that adequate measures should be taken to prevent a repeat of such incidents.

Weak laws

The law says government departments, service providers and intermediaries need to take sufficient measures to protect customers' privacy and data.

If they fail to do so, they can be sued for unlimited damage.

"The regulations are not comprehensive enough. The law, for instance, is silent on the minimum security measures a company needs to take. Companies or the government, therefore, get away easily. Also, if a customer wants to sue a company, the onus lies on him to prove that the company is at fault," says Pavan Duggal, a Supreme Court lawyer and cyber law expert.

Since the law is tilted in favour of companies, compensation has never been awarded to an individual through the Information Technology Act, though it has been around for over 17 years and has seen many amendments, say experts.

As the laws don't favour individuals, they need to protect their privacy by sharing data on a need-to-know basis, change passwords and PINs regularly, and not save card details on any Web site or device.

Your valuable data is sold cheap

Financial information is sold to scammers who use card details for fraudulent transactions. Data on individuals containing their profiles and behavioural traits are also much sought after.

Scammers use personal information to earn your trust and then swindle you. Say, you get a call from a newly launched Website.

The caller gives you a special discount on his Web site because you had spent Rs 5,000 the previous week at another retailer's Web site.

What you don't realise is that if you shop on the caller's Web site, the product will never be delivered to you and you will lose all your money.

It's not just criminals who want your data.

Social media platforms, chat apps and other service providers are also able to offer free services and products because they monetise your personal data with advertisers.

"Besides scammers and telemarketers, big corporates also source data unofficially. They then use it to understand individuals' behaviour, profiles and habits, and then sell products and services accordingly," says Duggal.

Be proactive

As we move towards a situation where everything is connected to the Internet -- smart devices, smart televisions, smart lighting, smart refrigerators, etc. -- everything can be hacked.

A hacker can access any of these devices and steal data. One must, therefore, adopt basic security protocols.

"Across the globe, countries have woken up to the threat of massive cyber attacks that cybercriminals propose to unleash in the near future. India has emerged as one of the top targeted nations by cyber criminals," says Sharda Tickoo, technical head, Trend Micro, India.

Share information on a need-to-know basis

When creating a profile on social media Web sites, don't go overboard sharing all your information, such as phone number, date of birth, email, etc.

Even if sharing some information is essential, use privacy settings according to your needs.

When shopping with e-commerce retailers, provide minimum information that gets the work done.

"Avoid saving cards and bank account details on the platform. It will protect your sensitive data if the website gets hacked," says Tickoo.

Create strong passwords

Avoid obvious ones such as your birth date or spouse's name.

Create strong passwords by using a random combination of letters, numbers and symbols.

"Keep multiple passwords for different Web sites. It will ensure that if a hacker gets the password to one site, your other accounts will stay protected," says Udbhav Tiwari, policy officer at the Centre for Internet and Society, Bengaluru.

When visiting a Web site, ensure that it is secure

Check for the symbol of a closed lock at the bottom right corner of the screen.

Web addresses that begin with "https" are generally secure, and if you click on the lock symbol on the bottom right, it should also display the same "https" address.

Avoid saving sensitive information on computers, mobile phones and other devices.

Many save their bank account details, card information and passwords on devices and when any of it is hacked, the hacker gets all your sensitive data.

Also, use a popular security software on all your devices.

Don't replicate your data across many devices.

Sign up for real-time alerts with your financial service provider, even if they levy a charge.

Also explore whether your bank or credit card company offers the option to restrict the amount of transaction.

"Create a Google alert of your name. If data about you gets leaked in a prominent attack, you will get to know about it immediately," says Prashant Mali, an advocate and international cyber law and cyber security expert.

Also, avoid mobile apps that ask for access to your cell phone without requirement.

A flashlight app, for example, shouldn't get permission to access your contacts or location.

Tiwari says you can also use Web sites like haveibeenpwned.com to check if your details are present online on Web sites and make sure you secure the affected accounts.
'How you live serves as a much better track record than your timeline,' says Mitali Saran.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

There was a moment, in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on Amarnath Yatris in Jammu and Kashmir when it seemed as if social harmony in India might be in serious trouble.

But, of course, it was just one more piece of kindling tucked into what is already a raging conflagration.

On Twitter the next day, the right was aquiver with rage -- but over liberals, not over the attack.

It spent its time accusing people of not condemning the incident, as if individuals have the same duties as political spokespeople.

Political public relations channels decided that the most trenchant question was: Where is the award wapsi gang?

You'd think that liberals would recognise this kind of baiting as designed to distract, and ignore it.

But liberals are widely painted as hypocrites, and the charge of hypocrisy sparks a reflexive indignation in those good liberals who hold to principle, not party.

It makes people who don't need to prove a thing spend their time proving things.

So liberals lined up for inspection by denouncing the attack not just from the heart, but scrupulously, as if lives lost are not clearly saddening.

The heartfelt #NotInMyName campaign against lynch mobs, which attracted significant crowds, coverage, and right wing ire at their spontaneous protest in June, came out again to protest the attack in J&K.

Good for them, but I would like to think that they didn't do so under pressure to stave off the charge of hypocrisy.

A terrorist attack is not in anyone's name.

Amid the rubble and smoke on social media, too few people focused on the only consequential issue: Investigating and questioning the security failure.

Well, dear liberals, that's a mug's game. Why are we allowing ourselves to become entirely reactive, squashed into tiny-minded terms set by people whose first and last recourse is whataboutery?

The liberal heart -- by and large, let me not presume to speak for all -- sticks up for things like non-violence, peace, diversity, freedom, and inclusiveness.

It's kind of a given that we don't want anybody to be beaten up, murdered, or exiled, to be terrified, to live as second class citizens, to perpetrate or be subjected to violence, to be discriminated against, to be oppressed by poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and illness.

It's a given that we see freedom, rationality, and Constitutional rights as a good.

Why, then, are we constantly giving in to the pressure to display these beliefs constantly in any way other than living them by refraining from violence and hate?

There is no need to jump when some anonymous troll snaps his or her fingers.

We should feel free to engage out of choice, or to not engage at all.

We should stop worrying that our beliefs will be worth less if we stop polishing them up for people who spit on them anyway.

Liberal politics is live and let live, though comment is free.

How you live serves as a much better track record than your timeline.

It is Hindutva, by definition, that seeks to exclude, dominate, censor, and interfere in private citizens' lives.

It is Hindutva that demands homogeneity, conservatism, obedience, deference to authority, censorship, and patriotic one-upmanship, in the name of aggressive nationalism.

It is Hindutva that wants to drag us into the public square, and place on us the burden of proving that we belong.

That politics -- which bows to the State without respecting the Constitution -- is too busy tending to its psychic wounds by justifying violence, to feel compelled to condemn violence.

Hindutva's political leaders, who do have a public duty to be seen and heard, say nothing, or make hateful statements -- yet somehow, it is liberals who feel pushed on to the back foot.

Time spent being defensive about what we do not do, rather than on simply doing what we do, is time straight down the cosmic toilet.

A healthy liberal society spends its waking time working, playing, keeping house, loving, innovating, expressing itself, learning, staying healthy, respecting rights and the law, holding power accountable, and meeting its friends.

It does not spend its time trying to persuade heckling strangers that it isn't murdering Hindus, or getting paid by Italians, or working for ISIS.

It just lives and lets live.

That doesn't mean ceding vocal public space.

It just means that it's time to step back from the toxic paranoia, gas-lighting and straight-up lies on social media, stop being manipulated and provoked.

It's time to take a breath, and refocus on the issues nobody wants us to focus on: Unemployment, economic and agricultural crises, the destruction of our institutions, the death spiral in education, the shredding of our social fabric, the slow choking of diversity, and the rapid sacralisation of the State.

I'm not saying we can't get online to poke a few bears, just for fun. But we should choose to.
Kamal Haasan took to Twitter to say that his love for his daughter was unconditional.

By India Today Web Desk: Kamal Haasan is hands down the coolest dad ever. When reports started doing the rounds that his younger daughter, Akshara, had changed her religion, the actor took to Twitter to tell her that he supported whatever decision she took and would continue to love her, no matter what.

Reportedly, Akshara, an atheist, had turned to Buddhism. When word reached Kamal, he tweeted, "Hi. Akshu. Have you changed your religeon? Love you, even if you have. Love unlike religeon is unconditional. Enjoy life. Love- Your Bapu (sic)."

Hi. Akshu. Have you changed your religeon? Love you, even if you have. Love unlike religeon is unconditional. Enjoy life . Love- Your Bapu- Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) July 28, 2017

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Akshara promptly replied to his tweet and wrote, "Hi bapuji. No, still an atheist. Although i agree with budhism as it is a way of life and in an individuals way of life. Love from your daughter akshu (sic)."

Hi bapuji. No, still an atheist. Although i agree with budhism as it is a way of life and in an individuals way of life.- Kutty Haasan (@aksharahaasan1) July 28, 2017

Love from your daughter akshu.- Kutty Haasan (@aksharahaasan1) July 28, 2017

On the work front, Akshara Haasan will make her Kollywood debut with Ajith Kumar's eagerly-awaited film, Vivegam.

ALSO READ: Did Kamal Haasan take a dig at Sasikala?

ALSO READ: It's official! Kamal Haasan's next is Thalaivan Irukkiraan

ALSO READ: Five things you need to know about Akshara Haasan

ALSO WATCH: BJP minister meets Kamal Haasan, triggers speculation that saffron party is wooing him

--- ENDS ---
All the drama from inside Bihar's legislative assembly.

IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar outside the Vidhan Sabha in Patna on Friday.

All Photographs: PTI Photo

The Nitish Kumar government on Friday won the crucial floor test in the Bihar assembly, securing 131 votes against the oppositions 108.

Four members in the 243-member house could not vote, reducing the total strength of the house during the trust vote to 239.

With the effective strength of the House reduced to 239 during voting, Bihars new government needed 120 votes to win the confidence vote.

While Raj Ballabh Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal could not attend as he is in jail, Bharatiya Janata Partys Anand Shankar Pandey was absent as he is undergoing medical treatment outside the state. Congresss Sudarshan could not vote due to technical reasons as he was out of the House when the doors were shut for lobby division.

Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary did not participate in the voting.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi did not take part in the voting as both are members of the legislative council. However, they were present in the house.

In the voting under lobby division, members in favour of the confidence vote went inside one lobby where they signed a register; those against it headed for another lobby and signed a register.

At the end, the speaker announced the result of the trust vote, with 131 in favour of the National Democratic Alliance and 108 against it. The 131 votes in favour of Nitish Kumar comprised Janata Dal-United 70, BJP 52, Hindustani Awam Morcha 1, Rashtriya Lok Samata Party 2, Lok Janshakti Party 2 and Independent 4.

The 108 votes against it comprised RJD 79, Congress 26 and Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist 3.

The speakers effort to decide the fate of the confidence motion through voice vote failed twice following shouting from both the treasury and the opposition benches.

Senior RJD MLA Abdul Bari Siddiqui demanded secret voting but was rejected by the speaker.

At the end of the confidence vote, the speaker announced its adjournment for an indefinite period.

The Bihar assembly held a one-day special session on Friday for taking up the trust vote by the JD-U and NDA coalition government.

'Do you not feel ashamed': Tejashwi's fiery attacks at Nitish

IMAGE: Former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav arrives for the floor test.



Speaking on the confidence motion, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, whose refusal to resign after begin booked by the Central Bureau of Investigation in a corruption case led to the fall of the government, asked Kumar 'did he not feel ashamed after sitting next to BJP's Sushil Kumar Modi'.

Tejashwi, unleashing a tirade of fiery slavos on Kumar, said that the latter has stitched an alliance with a party who conspired the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

"Do you not feel ashamed sitting next to Sushil Kumar Modi? You take out Champaran yatra and then stitch an alliance with a party which assassinated Mahatma Gandhi," said Tejashwi.

Speaking on the matter of his resignation, Tejashwi said Kumar never asked him to step down from his post and it never occurred to him that the Bihar chief does not want him to be a part of his team.

"Nitish ji never asked me to resign. I also thought that he does not want me to resign. I would like to ask him why he quit the alliance and toppled the government," asked Tejashwi.

Tejashwi further highlighted that thanks to Kumar's hasty decision, people have suffered immensely, while accusing his ex-ally of viciously planning to check-mate the grand alliance.

"People of Bihar have suffered immensely. I am deeply saddened by Nitish ji's move. It was all planned," said Tejashwi in the assembly.

"We did not put any pressure on the chief minister ever," he added.

Slamming his former boss, Tejashwi said that Kumar knew that he had huge support and that it was not possible for the JD-U supremo to oust him from his post.

"We have 80 MLAs, Nitish ji knew he could not have removed me. If it is about one's image then I would like to say that the whole nation knows what the real basis of Nitish Kumar is," he added.

'Won't support one who will accumulate income through wrong means'

IMAGE: Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, centre, flashes victory sign after winning the trust vote at Vidhan Sabha on Friday.



Responding to Tejashwi, Kumar said he would not support anyone who indulges in corruption and accumulates income through wrong means.

Taking a jibe at RJD's family politics, Nitish said the chair is not for rejoicing power but for serving the people.

"We were given a mandate to work. We tried to overcome all the problems by respecting the 'Mahagatbandhan'. You (Tejashwi) were not clarifying on the corruption charges. I had only asked your explanation," Nitish said.

Asserting that his decision to break the alliance with RJD was taken in favour of the state, Nitish said, "This government will work and serve the people of Bihar. We will not tolerate corruption and injustice."

He further said that his government will show a mirror to RJD.

"Secularism is not to hide your corruption and wrongdoings. We will not support the one who will accumulate income through wrong means," Nitish added.

Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi also trained his guns at the RJD fraction and said, "You call Nitish's decision a disrespect to people's mandate. If you (Tejashwi) had given resignation then we would have not taken this decision."

Asserting that mandate is not for corruption and benami properties, Sushil Modi said Tejashwi became an owner of 26 benami properties in 26 years.

Right before the floor test, the Patna high court refused to hear RJD's plea challenging formation of the new government in Bihar.

The court said that the hearing is not possible before July 31.

With inputs from ANI
North Korea on Friday launched an intercontinental ballistic missile for the second time in a month, the Pentagon said, a day after United States Congress voted to impose new tougher sanctions against Russia, Iran and Pyongyang.

The unusual late-night test launch was North Koreas 12th missile test this year and second intercontinental ballistic missile in less than a month.

The US Department of Defence detected and tracked a single North Korea missile launch today at about 10:41 AM (New York time), Pentagon Spokesman Capt Jeff Davis said.

We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile, as had been expected. The missile was launched from Mupyong-ni and travelled about 1,000 km before splashing down in the Sea of Japan.

We are working with our interagency partners on a more detailed assessment, Davis said.

The North American Aerospace Defence Command determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America, he said.

Our commitment to the defence of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, remains ironclad. We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation, Davis said.

Speaker of the US House of Representatives Congressman Paul Ryan said: North Korea is a global menace and its pursuit of nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles poses clear and immediate danger to our national security. We take this threat very seriously.

Thats why, earlier this week, a bipartisan majority of the House voted to sanction North Korea. These expansive sanctions directly target Pyongyangs ability to threaten the United States and our allies. The Kim (Jong-Un) regime needs to pay for its actions, Ryan said.

Harry J Kazianis, director of Defence Studies from the Centre for the National Interest, a recognised expert on North Korea, said the latest test should not come as a surprise.

North Korea is slowly morphing into a nuclear and missile power right before our very eyes. North Korea will continue to test over and over again its missile technology and nuclear weapons in the months and years to come in order to develop the most lethal systems it can.

And you can bet every time they do tensions will continue to rise. This is what makes the situation on the Korean Peninsula as dangerous as it is, he said.

A day earlier, Commander of US Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris said North Korea is a clear and present danger to global peace and stability.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Uns regime is not only a threat to South Korea, Japan and the US, but to China, Russia and US allies in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, he said.

(North Korea is) a threat to the entire world because North Koreas missiles point in every direction. Its the reason why we call for all nations to implement far stronger economic sanctions against Pyongyang, Harris said.

The provocative North Korea ICBM test comes in less than 24 hours of the Senate passing 98-2 a bill to impose tough sanctions on Russia, North Korea and Iran.

Kim Jong-Un must end his dangerous pursuit of a nuclear weapon or face total economic isolation. The sanctions will limit access to foreign currency and the ability to conduct trade, severely weakening the North Korean economy, said Senator Dianne Feinstein.

It also gives us the ability to work with the United Nations to impose harsh penalties against any foreign entity that violates or helps North Korea circumvent these sanctions, she said.

In the past a few days, the Trump administration has ramped up its pressure on China to use its leverage on North Korea from going ahead with its missile tests.

We expected China to exert its very considerable, economic, political and diplomatic pressure on North Korea. The president has said he is not satisfied with the results, Sebastian Gorka, a top presidential adviser told PBS News early this week.

Thats why the president on the fringes of the G20 sat down with the heads of state of both South Korea and Japan to take the North Korean issue back to the UN Security Council. And why the president, additionally, at the end of the G20 had a conversation with (Chinese President) Xi Jinping to tell him exactly what he thought about what China needs to do right, he said.

Right now were going to maintain our policy of peaceful pressure with regards to North Korea, hoping that China can step up to the plate, while the president takes no options off the table, Gorka said.
The SC also ordered the National Accountability Court to start a corruption case against Sharif, his sons -- Hussain and Hassan -- and daughter Maryam.

Nawaz Sharif on Friday resigned as Pakistan Prime Minister after the Supreme Court disqualified him from holding public office and ruled that graft cases be filed against the beleaguered leader and his children over the Panama Papers scandal.

It is the third time the 67-year-old veteran politicians term as premier has been cut short. The much-awaited verdict plunged Pakistan into a political crisis at a time when the country is facing a brittle economy and a surge in militancy.

As the unanimous verdict by the five-judge bench was read out by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan inside the packed courtroom 1 of the Supreme Court, a large number of opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers celebrated outside.

The court disqualified Sharif under Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution. The articles state that a member of Parliament should be truthful and righteous.

He is disqualified as a member of the parliament so he has ceased to be holding the office of prime minister, Justice Khan said. The court ordered the Election Commission to issue a notification for Sharifs disqualification.

Following the court verdict, state-run PTV reported that Sharif had quit. It also reported that the government has accepted the verdict despite having serious reservations over it.

Another elected PM sent home: Maryam Nawaz Another elected prime minister has been sent home, Nawaz Sharifs daughter Maryam said on Friday but asserted that her fathers disqualification by the Supreme Court would not deter him from staging a comeback. In her first reaction to the verdict in the Panama Papers scandal, she tweeted: Today will pave the way for Nawaz Sharifs resounding victory in 2018. He will be unstoppable. InshaAllah. Rok sakte ho to rok lo (Stop him, if you can)! Maryam, 43, is seen by many as a political heir to the veteran politician and three-time premier of Pakistan. She has vigorously defended Sharif during the probe. Another elected prime minister sent home, but only to see him return with greater force and support and soonest InshaAllah, she said in another tweet. When a follower tweeted her that the supporters of Sharif were disappointed, Maryam wrote back: Kion ghum main hain (Why are they sad)? Not the first time your leader had to face ouster and trial. Every such act has made him stronger. History bears witness.

The Supreme Court also ordered the National Accountability Court to start a corruption case against Sharif, his sons -- Hussain and Hassan -- and his daughter Maryam.

The Supreme Court ordered that the cases against them be registered within six weeks and trial be completed within six months.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Captain Muhammad Safdar, who is an Member of National Assembly (MNA), also stood disqualified from office, Radio Pakistan reported.

The Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, in a swipe at Sharif, tweeted, Godfathers Rule has ended for good! Truth & Justice have prevailed!

This is the third time the prime minister, known as the Lion of Punjab, has been unable to complete his term as premier. However, it was unclear as to who will take over the post till the next general elections, which are scheduled for 2018.

Former information minister Marryium Aurangzeb said that Sharif would make a comeback for the fourth time soon.

We are disappointed by the court decision but in Pakistans historical context it is not surprising, she said.

Aurangzeb said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is still the largest party of Pakistan and people have brought back Sharif with bigger majority whenever he was removed.

There is no charge of corruption of public money against Sharif, she said.

She said the ruling PML-N would soon announce its future course of action.

The verdict means that yet another Pakistani premier has failed to complete a five-year term.

No Pakistani prime minister has ever completed a full five-year term with their tenures cut short by the military, the judiciary or they were ousted by their own party, forced to resign -- or assassinated.

It is the second time in Pakistans 70-year history that the Supreme Court has disqualified a sitting prime minister.

In 2012, then-prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to reopen a graft case against then president Asif Ali Zardari.

The Panama Papers scandal is about alleged money laundering by Sharif in 1990s, when he twice served as prime minister, to purchase assets in London. The assets surfaced when Panama Papers leak last year revealed that they were managed through offshore companies owned by Sharifs children.

The assets include four expensive flats in London.

Sharif has been the prime minister of Pakistan for a record three times. He leads Pakistans most powerful political family and the ruling PML-N party.

A steel tycoon-cum-politician, Sharif had served as the Pakistans prime minister for the first time from 1990 to 1993. His second term from 1997 was ended in 1999 by Army chief Pervez Musharraf in a bloodless coup.

In May, the Supreme Court set up a six-member joint investigation team (JIT) to investigate the charges against Sharif and his family.

The JIT submitted its report to the court on July 10.

It said the lifestyle of Sharif and his children were beyond their known sources of income, and recommended filing of a new corruption case against them.

Sharif dismissed the report as a bundle of baseless allegations and refused to quit, despite demands to do so from several quarters, including opposition political parties.

On July 21, the court reserved its verdict after concluding the hearing.

The six-member JIT was set up with a mandate to probe the Sharif family for allegedly failing to provide the trail of money used to buy properties in London in the 1990s.

The top court took up the case in October last year on petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Awami Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami and reserved the verdict in February after conducting hearings on a daily basis.

The five-judge bench that issued Fridays verdict comprised -- Justices Asif Saeed Khosa, Khan, Gulzar Ahmed, Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Ijazul Ahsan.

The court took up the case on November 3 last year and held 35 hearings spanning over more than 132 hours before concluding the proceedings on February 23. It had issued the 547-pages split judgement on April 20.

Chronology of Panama Papers scandal in Pakistan April 4, 2016: The International Consortium of Investigative Journalism publishes the Panama Papers, exposing tax evasion by the world's elite through off-shore accounts and shell companies. The documents include names of Sharif's family. April 5: Sharif sets up a judicial committee to investigate the allegations, denies charges. April 26: Opposition parties reject the judicial commission set up by the government. November 1: The Supreme Court decides to pursue a case related to Nawaz Sharif. November 7: PML-N submits Qatari prince's letter to the Supreme Court containing information about the London flats that were at the centre of the Panama Papers scandal. January 6, 2017: Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz submits details of assets after the Supreme Court resumes hearing. April 20: SC orders formation of a JIT with a split 3-2 verdict to probe the corruption charges against Sharif. May 5: SC formally constitutes the JIT. May 22: The JIT presents its first bi-weekly report to the SC in two volumes. May 24: The JIT sends questionnaires to Sharif and his two sons - Hussain and Hassan. May 28: Sharif's elder son, Hussain, appears before the JIT, claims it did not provide him any questionnaire. May 30: Hussain appears before JIT for the second time. June 13: The JIT submits report to the SC on obstructions to its work, blames government institutions for 'creating impediments in the collection of evidence'. June 15: Sharif appears before the JIT for questioning, becoming the first sitting Pakistan prime minister to appear before any investigating agency. June 17: Sharif's younger brother and Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif questioned by JIT. July 5: Sharif's daughter Maryam appears before JIT. July 7: Former Qatari premier Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani sends a letter to the JIT, asking it to record his statement at his palace before submitting its final report to the SC. July 8: PML-N says will reject any JIT report without Qatari ex-premier's statement. July 10: The JIT submits final report to the SC. July 21: The three-judge bench Supreme Court bench hearing the case reserves decision. July 28, 2017: The five-member SC bench unanimously rules against Sharif, disqualifying him from the office.

Photograph: Faisal Mahmood/Reuters
A man wielding a knife has killed one and injured several others after going on the rampage through a German supermarket on Friday.

IMAGE: Police officers look on after a knife attack in a supermarket in Hamburg. Photograph: Morris Mac Matzen/Reuters

The attacker ran into an Edeka shop in the northern city of Hamburg and knifed a customer to death before slashing at four others as he fled.

He ran off but was pursued by passers-by who wrestled him to the ground and called police who made an arrest.

Heavily armed officers have locked the area down and police helicopters have been seen above the crime scene. A motive for the knifing has not yet been established.

IMAGE: Police investigators work at the crime scene after the knife attack in a supermarket in Hamburg. Photograph: Morris Mac Matzen/Reuters

A witness told Bild newspaper: The man suddenly struck out on customers, there was one dead and several injured.

A major manhunt got underway and 30 minutes later pictures emerged of a suspect covered in blood, with a white bag over his head in a police car.

He is understood to have suffered minor injuries as he was being held by bystanders.

IMAGE: A police tape is seen after the knife attack. Photograph: Morris Mac Matzen/Reuters

Hamburg police said on Twitter that there was only one attacker and that the motive for the incident in Hamburgs Barmbek district wasnt immediately clear.

Police have been on high alert in Germany since a spate of attacks on civilians last year, including a December attack on a Berlin Christmas market, when a hijacked truck ploughed into the crowds, killing 12 and injuring many more.
As Christopher Nolan's film Dunkirk celebrates one of history's most successful rescue operations, never-before-seen images document the fate of more than 80,000 Allied troops who failed to escape Dunkirk.

Described as the forgotten heroes, these images give a haunting glimpse into the torture that awaited the Prisoners of War captured during the Dunkirk evacuation.

Matthew Smaldon (@wwiistories) shares photographs taken by German soldiers to reveal the reality of the horrors the captured men went through.

For the full collection, please take a look at Matthew Smaldon's site (external link).

PHOTOGRAPHS: KIND COURTESY MATTHEW SMALDON

An unknown British soldier was buried under a tree with a burnt out lorry in the background. The grave has been adorned with flowers, presumably by French civilians.

British and French Prisoners of War being marched towards the Belgian border by German troops.

While the reviews of Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk have been overwhelmingly positive, some criticism has been leveled at the lack of French troops in the movie.

Many of the troops fighting in French uniform were from the French colonies, including Senegal, Mauritania and Niger.

German troops, as pictured above, often took photographs of these men when captured, as colonial troops were seen as a novelty to the Germans.

Over 100,000 French colonial soldiers were held captive during the war.

Despite the smiling faces in this picture, tragically some POWs were killed by their captors close to the battlefield.

German troops on the beach at Dunkirk next to the remains of a crashed plane.

In the distance you can see ships sunk during the evacuation and a row of lorries used as a temporary bridge to help soldiers reach ships in deeper water.

German soldiers inspect abandoned vehicles somewhere near Dunkirk.

Whether these had been brought to this location after being removed from roads and ditches is unclear.

But the sheer number of vehicles gives an indication of the material left behind.

Captured British officers and men in May/June 1940.

The man on the right seems resigned, but also defiant as he stares at the camera.

To the left are more French colonial POWs.

The beach at Dunkirk, presumably in June 1940.

The Germans had been clearing the beach of material and ammunition boxes have been neatly lined up.

Note the four Vickers machine guns which have been recovered.

In the distance abandoned lorries and boats rest on the beach.

Abandoned vehicles and boats at Dunkirk.

The beach at Dunkirk after the evacuation. In the background is the French destroyer L'Adroit.

British soldiers carrying their belongings, including what appears to be tins of food.

This photograph was taken by a German soldier who took them prisoner.

The rear of the photograph is marked 'Englander'.

British and French POWs being marched into captivity.

The German lorry shows the markings of a Panzer unit.

Four British soldiers who did not make it back home were committed to meagre graves marked only by simple wooden crosses with their helmets resting on top.
The BJP has never had it so bad in Kerala. Just as the party was consolidating itself, a wave of scam allegations have hit the party. Senior party functionaries have been scurrying for cover ever since news broke of bribes being taken to facilitate a Medical Council of India (MCI) licence for a private medical institution here.

It all started in May when R. Shaji, chairman of the S.R. Educational and Charitable Trust, complained to state BJP president Kummanam Rajasekharan that the party's cooperation cell convenor R.S. Vinod had cheated him of Rs 5.6 crore, money paid to get MCI approval for the trust's medical college. Shaji also named BJP MP Richard Hay's assistant Kannadas and Kummanam's PA R. Sivaraman.

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The Kerala BJP chief set up an in-house committee to look into the allegations. Shaji told the committee that the money was paid through Vinod to Satish Nair, a middleman with connections at the Centre. Incredibly, Kummanam took no action even after he got the probe report. But after it was leaked and the ensuing media shindig in mid-July, he had to expel Vinod from the party. (Ironically, it was Asianet News, a TV network owned by NDA vice-president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, that broke the story on July 18.) But by then, the ugly factionalism in the BJP state unit was out in the open. New allegations have been made almost every day since then. There are reports of lakhs being pocketed to sanction the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi scheme outlets, fake receipt books and 'donations' worth lakhs collected for party events disappearing (the BJP national convention in Kozhikode in 2016 is specifically under the scanner). And more and more complaints of local leaders taking bribes to fix central government jobs. The latest in all this is an internal memo being passed around among the BJP cadre. The memo, while listing a host of scams, says the state leadership has misappropriated at least Rs 200 crore since the Modi government came to power at the Centre.

The revelations on prime-time TV and the papers have severely dented the BJP's credibility in the state. "It's shocking," a senior BJP leader told INDIA TODAY admitting the scandal had "damaged the party's image even at the national level". But that may not be the end of it: the state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau is investigating the BJP leaders named in the various scams.

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Wrapping up Africa trip, UN deputy chief vows to ensure displaced women return home in dignity

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 28 July 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Wrapping up Africa trip, UN deputy chief vows to ensure displaced women return home in dignity, 28 July 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/597aeaab4.html [accessed 12 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 wrapped up her visit to two African countries  Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo  where today she stressed the importance of women's participation in peace, security and development processes.

The final day's itinerary for Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed included a visit to the Mugunga camp for internally displaced persons, on the outskirts of Goma, which is the capital of North Kivu Province in restive eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Ms. Mohammed said that she is firmly resolved to ensure that women in the camp return home in dignity and humanity, which is not a favour but a right, promising to embark on an advocacy initiative to finance the better settlement of the women as they return to their places of origin.

She also commended the women at the camp for their involvement in small trade through micro-financing, which enabled them to meet the needs of their families.

Regarding the victims of sexual violence, she said: These are our African women [and] we will take their voice out to the international community and see what can be done to put an end to the scourge.

In the DRC, the Deputy Secretary-General also visited the women's economic and empowerment centre and stressed that the mission was intended to revitalize women's participation and leadership in peace, security and development.

The mission was also intended to seek the support of the governor in the work of women in the provinces and to advocate for the implementation of legal texts in favour of gender equality, she said.

Ms. Mohammed began the trip on 18 July, which first took her to Nigeria. She was joined by the UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, as well as the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, and the African Union Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, Bineta Diop.

This first-ever joint AU-UN high-level trip is the first part of a two-part mission focused on women's meaningful participation in peace, security and development. A similar mission will cover two further countries later in the year.
According to the International Commission of Jurists, this is the first time that the UN Human Rights Committee has reviewed Pakistan's human rights track record.

By Santosh Chaubey: The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), an international human rights watchdog with eminent jurists and legal experts as its members from all over the world, has slammed Pakistan for failing to meet its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which the country ratified in 2010.

According to the ICJ, this is the first time that the UN Human Rights Committee, an independent body of experts that is mandated to monitor ICCPR's implementation, has reviewed Pakistan's human rights track record since it became signatory in 2010. The review was done on July 11-12 and its recommendations were released yesterday.

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Though the recommendations don't make a direct reference to Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian national who has been given death sentence by one of Pakistan's military courts, it can be said that the issue was on the discussion table while carrying out a review of human rights in Pakistan.

Pakistan's military courts have been decried by every global human rights body and they gained further global infamy with the ongoing hearing in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case in the International Court of Justice. India has appealed against Pakistan in the International Court of Justice which has stayed Jadhav's hanging till its final decision.

Jadhav was abducted by Taliban from Iran's border areas while on a business trip and was reportedly sold to Pakistan's intelligence agencies. The government of Pakistan and its army made him, a retired Indian Navy officer, a part of their anti-India propaganda by declaring him a spy, tried him in secrecy in Pakistan's military courts, denying every Indian request for consular access to him, and passed a judgment to hang him.

Among the recommendations made, there are specific strictures asking Pakistan to reform its military courts, "and bring them into full conformity with Articles 14 and 15 of the Covenant to ensure a fair trial". Articles 14 and 15 of the ICCPR deal with ensuring transparency in legal proceeding in criminal matters which among other guidelines, require the state to provide the accused counsel of his own choosing and forbids the state from taking his forced confession.

The ICCPR does provide a provision for a private hearing but it specifically says that "any judgement rendered in a criminal case or in a suit at law shall be made public except where the interest of juvenile persons otherwise requires or the proceedings concern matrimonial disputes or the guardianship of children."

UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE ASKS PAKISTAN TO REFORM MILITARY COURTS

The UN Human Rights Committee has asked Pakistan to reform its military courts as per the provisions of the Articles 14 and 15 of the ICCPR. It is necessary for every signatory of the ICCPR to implement the treaty and submit an implementation report on every provision. Though Pakistan had submitted its report in 2015, the review was carried out this month only, listing all the prevailing concerns regarding human rights' violations in Pakistan with inputs from other sources.

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The UN committee's recommendations also ask Pakistan to "review legislation relating to the military courts with a view to abrogating their jurisdiction over civilians as well as their authority to impose the death penalty." Kulbhushan Jadhav has been given death sentence under Section 59 of the Pakistan Army Act which is defined as "the Section for Civil Offences" and gives Pakistan's military courts power to award capital punishments in the garb of national security.

The ICJ release, quoting Livio Zilli, its Senior Legal Adviser and UN Representative, says, "It is deeply worrying that since ratifying the ICCPR, Pakistan's human rights situation has worsened in a number of aspects, including with the restoration of the death penalty and the introduction of military trials for civilians."

PAKISTAN'S MILITARY COURTS

Pakistan had established military courts in 2015 with a constitutional amendment to try people for terrorism and related offences committed in civilian areas after the December 2015 Peshawar school massacre and in March 2017 its parliament voted for another two years extension to them.

Since their establishment, the military courts have an absolute record of convictions with no acquittals. According to the Pakistan's military, the military courts have convicted 274 people in last two years, 161 of them being sentenced to death and 113 to varying prison terms.

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KULBHUSHAN JADHAV'S CASE

On April 10, the Pakistan Army chief confirmed Kulbhushan Jadhav's death sentence given by a Pakistani military court that held Jadhav guilty of espionage. Pakistan claims Jadhav, who allegedly used the alias Hussein Mubarak Patel in Pakistan, was attached to the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). Pakistan made Jadhav's arrest public in March 2016.

India has maintained that Jadhav is innocent and there is no evidence against him and that Pakistsan carried out a sham, secret trial in a military court where no information on charges and evidence was given. India has warned Pakistan of 'dire consequences' equalling Jadhav's death sentence with pre-meditated murder.

Also Read:

India demands consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav for the 18th time

Reject Kulbhushan Jadhav mercy plea, Lahore High Court petitioned

Also Watch:

Kulbhushan Jadhav's story told by a hanging rope

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'None of us should stand silent' while civilians suffer in Syria, Security Council told

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 27 July 2017 Cite as UN News Service, 'None of us should stand silent' while civilians suffer in Syria, Security Council told, 27 July 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/597aeb694.html [accessed 12 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Despite the remarkable hope and strength shown by most Syrians, daily life remains dangerous for millions of people across the country, a senior United Nations aid official warned today, calling for the parties to the six year conflict to stop targeting of civilians, to allow humanitarian access, and to end the horrific practice of besiegement.

Briefing the UN Security Council via videoconference from Amman, Jordan, Deputy UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Ursula Mueller said that earlier in the day, she had visited the Azraq refugee camp, where around 35,000 refugees lived, many of whom had been there for several years. Most were women and children, she added.

I was inspired by the incredible hope and strength of those who I met despite the terrible circumstances that have been forced upon them, she said, delivering remarks on behalf of Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Stephen O'Brien.

Their message to me was clear and I pass it on to you today, she continued. What they want more than anything is for the guns to fall silent; the conflict to end; and for them to be able to go home when it is safe to do so.

She went on to note that the hope and strength found in Azraq is replicated across Syria. This is remarkable given that daily life remains dangerous and desperate for millions of people inside the country.

Pointing to a reduction of violence in some areas since a 4 May memorandum on de-escalation, she said the humanitarian and protection situation remains extremely difficult for civilians in many parts of the country.

Indeed, Ms. Mueller spotlighted continued fighting and the situations in besieged areas of Damascus and the Syrian-Jordanian border as well as anti-ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant/Da'esh) operations in Raqqa governorate. Infighting among non-State armed groups and designated terrorist groups, mentioning the north-western part of the country, was also a concern.

'Not much positive news to report' on humanitarian access

Turning to humanitarian access for besieged and hard-to-reach areas, she lamented that there is not much positive news to report, listing obstacles to convoys that included lack of approvals; lack of facilitation letters by the Syrian Government; other administrative delays; as well as insecurity and fighting.

At the same time, arbitrary restrictions by some non-State armed groups, listed terrorist groups, and self-designated local authorities also continue to obstruct access in various ways, especially in Idleb and the eastern governorates of Syria. This means that, despite reductions in violence, we have not been able to noticeably increase our reach, she explained.

Despite security and access challenges to besieged and hard-to-reach areas, Ms. Mueller underscored that in Syria, the UN continues to implement one of the largest humanitarian operations in the world, saying humanitarians continue to reach millions on a monthly basis.

As of May, humanitarians have collectively reached 8.5 million people in a single month, including 4.4 million women and girls, and 4.1 million men and boys with multi-sector assistance.

The conflict in Syria may be complex, but ensuring people are protected and supported is our imperative as humanitarians, and as human beings. None of us should stand silent while civilians suffer and while fear tactics and the denial of food, water, medical supplies, and other forms of aid are used as methods of war, stressed Ms. Mueller.
War crimes fugitive surrenders to UN peacekeepers in DR Congo; UN advocate urges justice for victims

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 27 July 2017 Cite as UN News Service, War crimes fugitive surrenders to UN peacekeepers in DR Congo; UN advocate urges justice for victims, 27 July 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/597aed384.html [accessed 12 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 advocate for ending sexual violence in conflict has welcomed the surrender of fugitive rebel leader Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka to the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), known as MONUSCO.

Mr. Sheka, who the Security Council added to its UN sanctions list after a national warrant was issued for his arrest in 2011, is wanted for crimes related to mass rapes of at least 387 civilians in the eastern DRC during July and August 2010.

He turned himself in yesterday to MONUSCO forces in Mutungo in the North Kivu, after years on the run.

The surrender signals that the persistent advocacy and engagement of the United Nations and international community, in support of the national authorities, can yield results, said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten.

Despite the surrender, Under-Secretary-General Patten noted that the militia Mr. Sheka created and leads, the Nduma defense of Congo (NDC), continues to commit violations including rape, killing and forced recruitment.

Thousands of women and girls, men and boys in eastern Congo continue to be terrorized by those under Cheka's command, with many still fearing the next attack, Ms. Patten said.

She called for him and his affiliates to stand trial swiftly and in accordance with due process standards, and that anyone supporting the NDC be sanctioned.

The senior UN official also urged that overdue reparations be paid to victims.

The fugitive turned himself in to MONUSCO in full awareness of the fact that he is wanted by the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to stand trial for alleged crimes, the UN Mission said in a statement.

The mission said that it is committed to supporting the relevant judicial authorities in pursuing criminal prosecutions for all human rights violations, in accordance with the rule of law, and that it has a standing agreement with the DRC government to ensure that all persons in MONUSCO's care who are handed over to the national authorities are treated in accordance with all relevant human rights standards.
UN Security Council urges all Libyans to support calls for national reconciliation

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 27 July 2017 Cite as UN News Service, UN Security Council urges all Libyans to support calls for national reconciliation, 27 July 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/597aee8d4.html [accessed 12 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 Security Council today welcomed the Joint Declaration issued after a meeting between two Libyan political figures and urged all Libyans to support its calls for a negotiated political solution, national reconciliation, and an immediate ceasefire.

The Joint Declaration was issued after a meeting on 25 July between Fayez Al Sarraj, President of the Presidency Council of Libya, and General Khalifa Haftar, Commander of the LNA, hosted in Paris by President Emmanuel Macron.

In its statement, the 15-member Council praised recent efforts to strengthen an inclusive political dialogue among all Libyans, supported by Libya's neighbours, international partners and regional organizations.

The efforts are done within the framework of the Libyan Political Agreement endorsed by UN Security Council resolution 2259 (2015), which endorsed the Rome Communique to support the Government of National Accord as the sole legitimate Government of Libya.

The statement also stressed the importance of the United Nations' central role in facilitating Libyan-led political dialogue, and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's personal involvement in helping to build stability, security, and national unity in the country.

The Council also welcomed the appointment of Ghassan Salame as the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General, succeeding Martin Kobler.

Mr. Salame will head the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), which was established in 2011 by the UN Security Council at the request of the Libyan authorities following six months of armed conflict to support the country's new transitional authorities in their post-conflict efforts.
Maldives: UN chief expresses concern at erosion of 'basic democratic norms and principles'

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 27 July 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Maldives: UN chief expresses concern at erosion of 'basic democratic norms and principles', 27 July 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/597afd254.html [accessed 12 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.

Citing the gradual erosion of basic democratic norms and principles in the country, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres today called on the Government to uphold the constitutionally guaranteed rights of speech and assembly.

The Secretary-General urges the Government to refrain from all acts that result in the harassment and intimidation of Members of Parliament, political parties, civil society and the media, according to a statement issued by a UN spokesman.

Mr. Guterres encourages effective dialogue and consultations on political issues, concluded the statement.
Security Council extends mandate of UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 27 July 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Security Council extends mandate of UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus, 27 July 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/597afd6b4.html [accessed 12 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 Security Council today renewed the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Cyprus for six months, until 31 January 2018, following the recent failure to reach a settlement to the longstanding conflict between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots on the Mediterranean island.

In a resolution adopted unanimously, the 15-member body also requested the Secretary-General to conduct a strategic review of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and report back within four months.

Welcoming the progress made in the peace process since February 2014 and noting the outcome of the recent Conference on Cyprus, the Council encouraged the two sides and all involved participants to sustain their commitment to a settlement under UN auspices.

Despite hopes for a comprehensive settlement, the UN-facilitated conference held from 28 June to 7 July in the Swiss town of Crans-Montana concluded without an agreement. While expressing his disappointment, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that initiatives can still be pursued and developed in order to address the outstanding issues.

Further in the resolution, the Council urged the two sides to implement confidence-building measures that can contribute to a conducive environment for a settlement.

UNFICYP was originally set up by the Council in 1964 to prevent further fighting between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
"Even when she was beaten in protests, she would join the next day"

Publisher Amnesty International Author Josef Benedict Publication Date 28 July 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, "Even when she was beaten in protests, she would join the next day", 28 July 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/597b4da24.html [accessed 12 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.

There is nothing left of Boeung Kak lake in the centre of Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh. What used to be the largest body of water in the city has over the past years been completely filled with sand, as part of a development project to build new condominiums and office buildings. Since construction started in 2007 thousands of families have been illegally evicted, and the Boeung Kak area has become a focal point for human rights defenders in Cambodia.

One of these defenders is Tep Vanny, a housing and land rights activist who has spent the past decade leading a peaceful resistance in defence of her community around the lake. She has been harassed and beaten, and targeted by the authorities with politically motivated criminal charges. She has been arrested at least five times just since the last general election in 2013. Most recently, she was picked up in August 2016 and eventually handed a two and a half year prison sentence. The "crime" for which she was arrested was her peaceful involvement in the "Black Monday" advocacy campaign, which highlights the imprisonment of five other rights defenders in Cambodia.

Amnesty International considers Vanny a prisoner of conscience, and has demanded her immediate and unconditional release. She is also one of the focus cases of our global BRAVE campaign, which works to ensure governments strengthen recognition and protection of human rights defenders.

Last week, my colleague and I travelled to Cambodia to find out more about the situation of Vanny and the community she has been fighting for.

First we went to meet her fellow human rights defenders from Boeung Kak. Bov Sophea, Song Srey Leap, Bo Chhorvy, Phan Chhunreth and Sie Sophal are five brave women who have all faced a sustained campaign of intimidation and harassment, including trumped up criminal charges. We met in front of a small house near the former lake, which looks even smaller when compared to the luxury developments being built close to it. We gave them our recent report on the plight of human rights defenders and peaceful political activists in Cambodia, which highlighted their cases, and told them how thousands of people around the world had taken action to demand Vanny's release.

The women told me how sad they felt that Vanny was imprisoned, how much they missed her, and even wished they could be with her in jail. They take turns in visiting Vanny in prison every two weeks, despite it being an expensive trip. They told me they were not afraid to go to jail, and that our visit and the fact that individuals and organisations from outside Cambodia are supporting them gave them hope. I was incredibly inspired by their cheerful attitude despite everything they had been through.

The following day we were given a stark reminder of how Vanny's imprisonment has affected those closest to her, when we visited her mother and sister. They told us how Vanny's two children, a 12-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy, badly miss their mother. While Vanny's sister and children are able to visit her a few times a month, gaining access involves making various "payments" to prison guards.

Vanny's mother is deeply proud of her daughter's activism: "Even when she was beaten in protests, she would join the next day. If anyone is in trouble my daughter will support them for justice. She is so brave. My daughter cannot be bought. She stands firm and would not give up." She urged Amnesty international to push the government to set Vanny free and thanked us for our campaign.

In our other meetings with Cambodian activists and civil society groups, we heard how the government is using its courts to silence human rights defenders. Thanks to its tight grip on the criminal justice system, authorities have brought a series of fabricated charges against members of the political opposition, trade union activists, human rights activists, and political commentators.

There are currently 20 human rights defenders and political activists behind bars in the country. Hundreds of others are facing criminal charges as part of a concerted attempt to crush any public criticism, however peaceful. Activists often find themselves in limbo with charges hanging over them for months or even years on end, with no indication of when they will face trial. It's an effective form of harassment in a country where the process itself is often the punishment.

On the final day of the visit, one of the Boeung Kak activists passed us a slip of paper that she had smuggled out of prison - it was a message from Vanny to me and my colleague:

"I am a clean person. Even though they make me dress up in a prisoner's uniform and handcuff me like a criminal, my innocence should not be smeared with colour painted by the Cambodian courts and government. Therefore as a human being living on this earth I should deserve the right to justice, because justice for me is like justice for any other person in the world. ''

This simple and inspiring message from a BRAVE, honest and indeed innocent woman will spur Amnesty International to continue to fight for her release. We who enjoy freedom cannot stay silent in the face of this injustice.

Show your solidarity with Tep Vanny - take action! Sign the petition and call on the Cambodian government to stop the crackdown on human rights defenders and release Tep Vanny immediately and unconditionally, and drop all charges against her.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Despite decline in attacks on persons with albinism, root causes rife in rural Tanzania, UN expert finds

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 28 July 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Despite decline in attacks on persons with albinism, root causes rife in rural Tanzania, UN expert finds, 28 July 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/597b52034.html [accessed 12 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.

Welcoming a drop in the number of reported attacks against people with albinism, a United Nations human rights expert has concluded that this group of people in rural Tanzania continue to live in fear amid widespread attitudes that lead to violence against them.

People with albinism continue to live in a very fragile situation, as the root causes of the attacks against them remain rampant, and the effects of over a decade of violations have taken their toll, said Ikponwosa Ero, the UN independent expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism, at the end of her 11-day visit to Tanzania.

Ms. Ero, however, praised the Government for its work to tackle the issue  which is rooted in the mistaken belief that the body parts of people with albinism have value in witchcraft practices.

I welcome the measures already taken by the Government and civil society, and the decrease in the number of reported attacks, she said. There have been positive measures to address witchcraft practices, including the registration of traditional healers.

However, full oversight over their work has still not been achieved, and confusion still exists in the minds of the general public between witchcraft practice and the work of traditional healers, the expert noted.

She said more work was needed to address witchcraft and educate the public.

Ms. Ero also highlighted concerns over the use of schools as protection centres for children with albinism, which in some cases have evolved from temporary shelters into long-term accommodation. Although there has been a significant reduction in the overall number of children in these shelters, more work remained to be done, she added.

During her mission to Tanzania, Ms. Ero met with various high-level officials, civil society representatives, people with albinism, and their family members.

Independent experts are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.

She will present a full report and recommendations to the Human Rights Council in March 2018.
With Nitish Kumar's JD(U) pulling out of the Mahagathbandhan alliance, it remains to be seen whether Lalu Yadav's August 27 rally in Patna will be able to unite Opposition parties against the NDA.

By Kumar Shakti Shekhar: With the Grand Alliance experiment in Bihar having failed, its direct impact would be felt on the rally planned by RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav in Patna on August 27. In the absence of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led JD(U), the proposed event would lose not just much of its sheen, but also its meaning.

Until a couple of days ago, the Grand Alliance comprising RJD, JD(U) and Congress were governing Bihar. However, Nitish Kumar resigned on July 26 on the issue of corruption charges against Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu's younger son. With BJP's support, he formed the government again the next day.

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In the process, the Mahagathbandhan died a premature death. It lasted just over one-and-a-half years instead of the mandated five years.

MISSION MAHAGATHBANDHAN-2

But before the rumblings within the Grand Alliance became louder, Lalu had other plans. In a bid to replicate the Bihar experiment at a national level, the RJD strongman had called a rally of all Opposition parties.

The RJD president invited West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of Trinamool Congress, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of Biju Janata Dal and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar among others.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi is expected to attend it. MK Stalin of the DMK has confirmed his participation too. As one of the hosts, Nitish Kumar was supposed to be present in the rally.

But the main attraction of the event would be the presence of Uttar Pradesh arch-rivals Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati. Both of them have confirmed their participation in the rally. Perhaps for the first time, the two leaders would share the dais.

Moreover, an announcement highlighting the coming together of SP, BSP and Congress to fight BJP in UP is also to be made.

SP-BSP HOSTILITY

But the falling apart of the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar will cast its shadow on the rally. JD(U) would remain conspicuous by its absence in the event. The rally may not get the same support from the administration which it would have if the Grand Alliance had been intact. In the completely changed scenario, Lalu may even be forced to call off the rally.

Any attempt to bring SP and BSP on the same platform would naturally be compared with the failed Bihar experiment. Before they came together in July last year, the hostility between Nitish Kumar and Lalu was not as intense as it is between Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav or his father Mulayam Singh Yadav.

SP and BSP had contested the 1993 UP assembly election in an alliance. The government was formed with Mulayam Singh Yadav as the chief minister. However, the relationship between the two turned bitter. BSP withdrew support on June 2, 1995 as a result of which Mulayam's government was reduced to a minority.

Its direct fallout was the infamous brutal attack on Mayawati allegedly by SP workers in the 'Lucknow Guest House' case.

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Though Mayawati went on to form the government with the help of the BJP, the unpleasant memories of that incident linger on.

If JD(U) and RJD could not continue together for long, there are lesser chances of SP and BSP treading a common path together, given their baggage of history. The acrimony between the two would also render any formation of a nationwide alliance against the BJP-led NDA meaningless.

Lalu's efforts may come to a naught.

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Modi had questioned your DNA, how did you join him, Tejashwi Yadav asks Nitish

Nitish wins trust vote in Bihar Assembly with 131 votes

ALSO WATCH VIDEO: Murder-accused Nitish shouldn't have become CM, Lalu Yadav tells India Today

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By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) The Lok Sabha today passed a bill which provides for giving autonomy to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) by restricting the government role in their functioning. The Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017, grants statutory powers to all the IIMs in their running including appointment of directors, faculty members besides giving them powers to award degrees instead of post graduate diplomas.

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HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar described the bill as "historic" and expressed confidence that it will enable the IIMs as well as the education system to prosper. "It is greater autonomy and in that direction we want to go," he said while replying to a debate on the bill.

Justifying the decision to restrict the government role in the IIMs, Javadekar said institutes like MIT and Harvard are big and world class because they are free and autonomous.

He appreciated the fact that 22 members from various political parties spoke in favour of autonomy for the 20 IIMs and said it showed that the country is changing.

"We are giving real freedom to our institutions. We must trust our best brains," the minister said. He said it is already established that the IIMs are the institutions of excellence and "we must accord them the status of national importance". On the move to restrict the government role in the IIMs, which earned him a rare praise from the Opposition parties in the House, Javadekar said that while people mostly do not give up their chair, "my thinking is different".

There will be parliamentary accountability, he said, adding, "I told all the IIM directors in my recent meeting that this will be our last meeting as a (minister being the) chairman." With regard to the provision that will enable the IIMs to grant degrees and doctorates, Javadekar said a fellow of the IIM is not regarded as PhD and needs to go to foreign countries to do research.

"Now they will do research in India...To all IIMs in India, I can now say that it is yours. Let us make a definitive change," he said.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision is also to give real autonomy to higher institutions. Earlier, participating in the debate, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said it was a "remarkable moment when a minister surrenders (his) powers". He said other ministers in the government should draw inspiration from Javadekar in doing so.

He suggested the government should have some say in determining fee structure in the IIMs as higher fees may badly hit students from the poor families.

He also pitched for clarity in having reservation in recruitment of faculty staff from SC and ST community.

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Tharoor also slammed the government for removing the name of Rajiv Gandhi from the name of the Shillong IIM, saying it is "petty" of the government to stoop to such level. Javadekar responded to this by saying that none of the IIMs, except that in Shillong, had the name of any person attached, and there needed to be uniformity.

"Rajiv jis name is at several other places...You (Congress) used to give names to only one family but we are giving others also," he added, taking a dig at the Congress.

Trinamool Congress leader Sougata Roy also praised the government for bringing the bill, saying it will further improve the functioning of the IIMs. He said the fees in the IIMs were very high and urged the government to see that this does not deter the deserving students from admission. M B Rajesh (CPI-M) also raised the issue of high fees in IIMs, saying the autonomous status should not lead to money- making by these institutions.

He sought to know from the government why it had appointed directors on the Boards of 10 IIMs on February 10, 2017, just a day after the IIM Bill was tabled in Parliament. Nagendra Kumar Pradhan (BJD) said the IIMs charge fees between Rs 9 lakh and Rs 20 lakh and because of the limited number of seats these institutes have, students have to opt for private MBA institutes. Pradhan sought to know from the government if it was aware of the fate of the students who pass out from the 5,500 private business schools and get paid a salary of as low as Rs 10,000 per month and are unable to repay the education loan. Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena) also appreciated Javadekars move to grant the status of autonomous institution to the IIMs. He sought the ministers attention towards private institutions demanding money from students at the time of admission. B Ravindra Babu (TDP) too appreciated the HRD minister, saying the MPs in the House feel he is a "dynamic minister" and has been very liberal towards giving institutes of national importance to the bifurcated Andhra Pradesh.

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K Hari Babu (BJP) too praised Javadekar, saying everyone wants "power to be in their pocket" but the HRD minister has given up the position of being the chairperson on IIM Boards. To a question on Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA), the HRD minister said within one month, the first application will be cleared and USD 3 billion will be put in three years into the higher institutions.

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Enlisting a number of measures taken by the government for the education sector, he said in Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), Rs 4000 crore have been invested and it has resulted in good development of infrastructure.

Under IMPRINT, he said the government has received 1000 proposals, in which 200 have been finalised.

The minister said that union cabinet would soon take a decision about a policy for setting up 20 world-class universities in the country, ten each in private and public sector.

They would acquire ranking of first 200 and also they will go in first 100, he added.

Informing about his recent talk with IIM-A Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, the minister said after passage of this bill, they can give variable pay package to a director.

"We are also attracting best researchers who are doing research in foreign countries," he said, adding faculty issue will also be resolved.

He also said that expenditure on these institutions is not coming down but increasing. It was Rs 320 crore in 2014- 15, Rs 460 crore in 2015-16 and Rs 722 crore in 2016-17.

Somebody raised that 14 institutions do not have directors but this is wrong as only four do not have that and things are at an advanced stage on this issue, he said.

"As fas as fees is concerned, no genuine student who has got admission or eligible to get admission, will be denied admission. The government is taking care of it. The poor will not be deprived of education," he added.

He said IIMs do provide scholarships and there is an initiative of earn while you learn.

"We will ensure that no genuine student loses chance of education just because he does not have money," he added.

Referring to the demand for reservation, he said it is already there for students and "we are trying for faculty. Last week only, we have issued a specific direction and I hope this will be the last direction. After passage of this bill, we will not pass any direction, they will be of their own."

The direction is that "we must make positive and affirmative action and positive efforts to fill up SC and ST and other reservations in faculties is very important. ..we have lined up 5-10 methods of how we can do it. It will be walk in interbview, 24 hrs advertisement on display," he said.

He said the "best of the best" SC and ST students get so many offers elsewhere also and then they compare packages. "Naturally anybody will do that, he added. The minister expressed confidence that after the passage of the bill, more and more students from the SC and ST communities would join as faculty "because I am of the belief that wisdom is not confined to any particular caste." IUML leader E T Mohammad Basheer suggested that there should be reservation for minorities in the IIMs. Responding to this, Javadekar said, "We have a dichotomy. .. Basheer ji talked about minority reservation and referred to Sachar committee. But there is no reservation in minority institutes. This also has to be taken into account. This is small but important issue."

Referring to the fees issue raised by some members, the minister said in Delhi University, fees is just Rs 15 per month for both poor and rich.

He also added that IIMs in areas like Sambalpur and Vizag will soon be operational.

On the issue of mother tongue, Javadekar cited the example of Israel and said people there study Hebrew also, then why not in India. PTI RR AKK

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China's President Xi Jinping (L) chats with Cuba's President Raul Castro before a meeting of leaders of Latin American and Caribbean states in Brasilia, Brazil, July 17, 2014.

Venezuelas national guard chief said on July 2 that that the Latin American country was saving lives by using riot-control gear supplied by China when confronting anti-government protests.

This public mention of China reminds us that China has also in recent years sold self-propelled artillery, armored vehicles, rocket launchers, helicopters, and fighter planes to a variety of Caribbean and Latin American nations.

As R. Evan Ellis notes in Latin America and the Asian Giants, a book published last year on Latin Americas evolving ties with China and India, Venezuela provided China with its first opportunity to sell sophisticated military systems in the region in 2005.

Within a few years, China then began selling sophisticated weapons to Bolivia and Ecuador. Bolivia had already received Chinese donations of rifles and anti-aircraft weapons.

Partly because of its oil reserves, Venezuela was once the richest country in Latin America. Today, thanks to arms purchases from China and guidance from Cuban military and intelligence advisors, it has become a well-armed military force. At the same time, due to corruption and economic and financial mismanagement, the country is impoverished. Its Cuban-backed government has become highly unpopular.

Chinas early moves in Latin America more than a decade ago appeared designed to support left-leaning socialist or populist regimes, such as Venezuela, which had banded together in an eight-nation, anti-U.S. Bolivarian Alliance of the Americas.

That would explain Chinas early loans and arms sales to Venezuela, Bolivia, and Ecuador, all key members of the Alliance.

But in recent years Chinas trade, arms sales, and influence have grown not only in these three nations but also across the continent. China has accomplished this through loans, major infrastructure projects, contacts with Latin American military officers, and arms sales to a wide range of countries.

While in earlier decades the U.S. was a major supplier of weapons to military regimes in Latin America, China now has the advantage by offering low prices for weapons with few strings attached.

The United States, however, is prohibited by law from selling weapons to a number of Latin American countries, including Venezuela.

Regarding weapons sales to Venezuela, Ellis told RFA that Chinahas effectively supplanted the Russians in the past two years as the countrys major arms supplier.

And China has often beaten out Russian competitors in Peru and elsewhere, says Ellis, a research professor of Latin America Studies at the Washington, D.C-based U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute.

But Chinas arms sales to Latin America make up only a relatively small part of its overseas weapons transfers. As an article by Allan Nixon published last August in The Diplomat makes clear, the arms sales have to be seen in the context of Chinas long-term goal of achieving great-power status and influence.

A growing Chinese military presence

In recent years, Ellis says, China has regularly deployed military forces to the South American region to conduct combat exercises and humanitarian missions. While the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) has yet to establish alliances or basing agreements in the hemisphere, its 2015 white paper on Chinese defense strategy lists the protection of its global commercial interests as an important mission for the PLA.

Ellis concludes that Chinas relationships with the regions militaries undercuts the traditional role of the United States as the security partner of choice, and opens the door for the PLA to operate from the regions ports, airfields, bases, or other facilities on very short notice.

China is also financing and building ports, highways, and railroads in Latin America. Improved transportation networks will make it easier for China to import natural resources from Latin America, such as copper and iron, but also facilitate Chinese exports to Latin America.

In the end, Ellis believes that China has been cautious in avoiding the appearance of Cold War-style military alliances in the region that would threaten the U.S. It has always led with loans and commercial projects of strategic benefit.

Ellis says that Chinas arms sales not only benefit Chinas development of its domestic arms industry and military ties of future value but, along with economic support, also help to keep anti-U.S. regimes alive.

Ellis argues that regimes such as Venezuela, Bolivia, and Ecuador act as a strategic distraction in the region and inhibit the achievement of a consensus in the region around U.S.-style democracy, transparency, and the rule of law.

Not every project pans out

But not everything has worked out as planned.

A Chinese-backed transcontinental railway meant to link Brazil, on the Atlantic Coast, with Peru on the Pacific Coast triggered criticism because it failed to take environmental concerns into account. It would pass through sensitive ecosystems in the Amazon region.

A transcontinental highway through Brazil has also been plagued by bad construction work.

According to The World Mind, an American University website focused on relations with Latin America, the highway project, begun in 2006, was never fully completed because parts of it werent structurally sound. Some sections remain damaged or impassable.

In 2014, a Reuters news agency investigation found that as many as two thirds of Chinese projects in Brazil faced lengthy delays or failed to get off the ground.

In 2011, a Chinese company signed a contract in Brazil to build a soy processing plant valued at $2 billion. But the projects site remained an empty field, with Brazilian companies eventually planning to do the work.

According to Reuters, the stalled plans are an example of the difficulties facing once-promising Chinese investments in Brazil. These difficulties, Reuters said, included Brazils bureaucracy, its slowing economy, and a deep-seated mistrust of Chinas hunger for land and commodities.

In his book Ellis describes how resentment against growing Chinese communities led to violence against Chinese living in Venezuela, Suriname, Argentina, and the Dominican Republic between 2004 and mid-2013.

Some Latin Americans, including shopkeepers, perceived the increasing Chinese presence as a threat to their livelihood.

Chinas long-term goals

Chinas President Xi Jinping has made three trips to Latin America in his five years in power.

On his second trip in 2014 he announced a goal of making $250 billion in direct investments in Latin America and the Caribbean with the aim of eventually achieving $500 billion in two-way trade with the region.

In a report written for the Foreign Policy Program at the Washington, D.C.-based Brookings Institution, David Dollar recognizes Chinas goals as ambitious but raises questions about a lack of environmental standards and social safeguards for many of the projects involved.

Dollar is a senior research fellow at Brookings and worked previously at the World Bank and as an economic and financial emissary for the U.S. Treasury Department in Beijing.

Dollar notes that between 2007 and 2015, Venezuela was the biggest borrower from China and that Venezuela ranks low on a rule of law index.

He quotes Ricardo Hausmann, an economist and former planning minister of Venezuela who wrote in an op-ed piece for Project Syndicate that Venezuela has tried to finance itself with the help of the China Development Bank (CDB), which does not impose any of the kind of of conditionality that IMF bashers dislike.

Instead, Haussmann says, the CDB lends on secret terms, for uses that are undisclosed and corrupt, and with built-in privileges for Chinese companies in areas like telecommunications, appliances, automobiles, and oil drilling.

The Chinese have not required Venezuela to do anything to increase the likelihood that it will regain creditworthiness. They merely demand oil as collateral, says Hausmann.

China stopped making loans to Venezuela in 2016, and Dollar concludes that China is not willing to underwrite a bad regime in perpetuity.

Chinas activities, he says, sustained poor governance for a while, but eventually practical economic considerations won out.

With Venezuela in deepening economic and humanitarian crisis, Dollar wonders whether China will be able to work with traditional lenders, such as the International Monetary Fund, Inter-American Development Bank, and the United States to implement any proposed rescue package for Caracas.

According to Dollar, Chinas best hope of recovering some of the money that it is owed by Venezuela would be to cooperate with international lenders.

Dan Southerland is RFAs founding executive editor.
Cambodias acting head of state signed into effect a controversial new amendment to the countrys Law on Political Parties Friday, as international and domestic nongovernmental organizations slammed the legislation they said will undermine the democratic process ahead of general elections set for next year.



The amendmentproposed by Prime Minister Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) and adopted on July 10 by its members of parliament amid a boycott by opposition lawmakersbans parties from associating with or using the voice, image, or written documents of anyone convicted of a criminal offense.



Political parties found in violation of the amendment could be banned from political activities for up to five years and prohibited from competing in elections, or even dissolved.



It was approved by Cambodias Constitutional Council earlier this week and signed into effect on Friday in a state of urgency by Senate President Say Chhum, the acting head of state in the absence of King Norodom Sihamoni, who is in China for a health checkup.



The changes to the law effectively cut off ties between the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and its former president Sam Rainsy, who has been living in self-imposed exile in France since November 2015 to avoid jail time for convictions widely seen as politically motivated and delivered by courts beholden to Hun Sens government.



The ex-CNRP chiefs image appears on CNRP billboards throughout Cambodia and he regularly speaks at opposition events via Skype.



King Sihamoni was also out of the country in March, when an earlier CPP-proposed amendment to the Law on Political Parties was approved amid a boycott of parliament by opposition lawmakers, banning convicted criminals from holding a leadership position in a party and forcing Sam Rainsy to resign as president of the CNRP. The opposition leadership was taken up by his deputy Kem Sokha.



The former CNRP chief earlier this month condemned the adoption of the Anti-Sam Rainsy Law by a rubber-stamp parliament and called the move to eliminate him from Cambodias political arena useless, futile and counterproductive.



Following the enactment of the new amendment on Friday, CPP spokesman Sok Eysan dismissed CNRP claims that the law was intended to handicap the opposition ahead of a general election scheduled for July next year.



They can say whatever they want, but it isnt true that the government is doing this to pressure any political party, he said.



CSO concerns



Ahead of the amendments signing into effect, a group of Cambodian civil society organizations (CSOs) issued a statement Friday expressing serious concerns about the law amid what they called a typically rushed legislative process.



The CSOswhich included the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, ADHOC, and the Committee for Free and Fair Election in Cambodia (COMFREL)condemned the amendment for being rushed into law without any meaningful consultation, denying the public the right to participate.



We are deeply concerned that the exceptionally broad and overreaching powers granted to the Royal Government of Cambodia under the proposed amendment would subvert Cambodian democracy, and violate multiple provisions of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, as well as Cambodias binding international human rights obligations, the statement said.



The CSOs said that attempts to raise their concerns with both the Senate and the Constitutional Council over the past week were rejected on procedural grounds, which they termed an affront to the principle of inclusive, transparent and participatory democracy that further highlighted deficiencies in the legislative process.



They called the legislation a fundamental threat to Cambodias liberal multi-party democracy as envisioned in the countrys constitution and said that, alongside the earlier amendment to the Law on Political Parties, it would significantly expand the governments power to dissolve any political party on the basis of exceptionally vague and subjective criteria.



In essence, the proposed amendment would provide the ruling party with the power and pretext to suspend democracy itself, the statement said, adding that the CSOs were gravely concerned about the future of the countrys political situation.



If these amendments are adopted and its provisions implemented, they would represent an existential threat to multi-party democracy in Cambodia; would have a severe chilling effect on the ability of all political parties to campaign freely and on an equal footing; and as a result would seriously call into question whether the July 2018 national elections could be considered free, fair and legitimate.



Simply resign



Speaking to RFAs Khmer Service on Friday, Brad Adams, executive director of HRWs Asian division called on every member of the Constitutional Council who voted to approve this law [to] resign immediately, saying they had failed to uphold the constitution, which guarantees Cambodians the right to freedom of expression and association.



The constitution itself says that Cambodia is a liberal democracy, he said.



A liberal democracy does not ban the leader of the opposition from participating in an election. So the constitutional council members who voted for this should have the courage and self-respect to simply resign, instead of participating in this kind of charade.



Adams said he knew of no law in any country that bans individuals from participating in an election, being spoken about, and having their images put on poster.



So Cambodia is setting a new world precedent, he said.



Hun Sen should be very proud to be the least democratic leader in the world by banning every reference to Sam Rainsy. And it just shows that hes scared.



He suggested that if the CNRP was in power and had Hun Sen banned, the CPP would be screaming that it was anti-democratic.



Adams anticipated that the international community will react very strongly to the new legislation, including with sanctions that would hurt Cambodias economy significantly through loss of investment and decreases in foreign aid.



He said that the CNRP essentially has two choices ahead of next years ballotboth of which carry political risk.



They defy Hun Sen and he will use this new law to make their party illegal and dissolve it, and therefore they wont be able to participate in the next election, or they follow the law believing that Hun Sen is so unpopular that even while following the law they will win the next election, he said.



One thing I would predict though is that, if they do go along with the law, there is still a risk Hun Sen will find some other reason to get rid of the party or to get rid of the leader of the party, who is now Kem Sokha, he added.



So it would not surprise me if, before next July, Kem Sokha is charged with some kind of crime, or a law is passed to ban him, or the CPP finds some kind of excuse to ban the CNRP in spite of the fact that the CNRP is complying with this illegal law.



Reported by Savi Khorn for RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Nareth Muong. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Journalists Aye Nai (L) and Lawi Weng speak to reporters from inside a prisoner transport vehicle outside the courthouse in the town of Thibaw in Myanmar's northeastern Shan State, July 28, 2017.

A Myanmar court in the town of Thibaw that is trying three journalists from independent, domestic news outlets for violating a statute of the colonial-era Unlawful Associations Act in northeastern Shan state heard testimony on Friday from the plaintiff, a Myanmar military officer, the defendants lawyer said.

The three journalists  Lawi Weng of the online journal The Irrawaddy and Aye Nai and Pyae Phone Aung of the Democratic Voice of Burma  were arrested by the military on June 26 for covering an illegal drug-burning event by the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ethnic armed group that has been involved in hostilities with the Myanmar army.

The journalists have been charged under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act for being involved with an unlawful organization. They face up to three years in prison if convicted.

The plaintiff, Captain Thet Naing Oo from the Myanmar armys Infantry Unit 503, submitted video files of TNLAs drug-burning ceremony confiscated from the detained reporters cameras as evidence, said Maung Win, the trios lawyer said.

Thet Naing Oo told the court during the hearing that the reporters were arrested on June 26, received remands on June 28, and were charged on July 7, he said.

The captain submitted 19 pieces of evidence that soldiers confiscated from the reporters, including a CD with video files of TNLAs drug-burning ceremony that they copied from their cameras, Maung Maung Win said.

The court now needs to verify that the videos and photos on the CD are the same ones taken by the reporters, he said.

In the meantime, the reporters lawyers have requested that their clients be freed on bail, which the judge will take up during their next hearing on Aug. 4, he said.

The reporters were sent to prison in Thibaw to await their trial originally scheduled for July 10, though they were taken to court three days earlier. Another hearing was scheduled for July 21, but was actually held on July 18.

Because they did this, it was very difficult for us, the family members of the reporters, because we live in Yangon, said Aye Thwin, the brother of Aye Nai. We need money to travel on a long trips to Thibaw, and we need to make do with what we earn from our jobs to be able to afford them.

International rights groups, the American embassy in Myanmar, and domestic journalists have called for the immediate release of the three journalists.

Bail request denied

In a related development, a Yangon judge rejected the bail request of a newspaper editor detained on defamation charges for the ninth time on Friday, his lawyer said.

Kyaw Min Swe, editor-in-chief of The Voice Daily, was detained and charged in June with defamation under Section 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law after Lieutenant Colonel Lin Tun of the Myanmar Army filed a suit against him and papers satire columnist Kyaw Zwa Naing, who goes by the pen name British Ko Ko Maung, in Yangons Bahan township on May 17.

Section 66(d) prohibits the use of the telecom network to defame people and carries a jail sentence of up to three years and a fine for those found guilty of violating it.

Kyaw Min Swes bail appeal was rejected again today without a strong reason, Kyaw Min Swes lawyer Khin Maung Myint said. The judge just bail is not a possibility in this case.

He also said he asked the judge to dismiss a witness because he is very close to the plaintiff.

Khin Maung Myint said he will ask the court to hear his clients appeal to drop the charges under Section 66(d) as soon as possible, which the judge will decide on at the next hearing on Aug. 4.

Charges under Section 66(d) were dropped against Kyaw Zwa Naing on June 16 after Kyaw Min Swe testified that he was solely responsible for posting on social media a satirical article that allegedly insulted the armed forces by mocking a military propaganda film.

Domestic and international rights groups have called on the Myanmar government to repeal the vaguely worded statute increasingly used by those in power to silence their critics by accusing them of defamation. Myanmars parliaments is now debating changes to the law.

Myanmars military filed a second lawsuit against Kyaw Min Swe and Kyaw Zwa Naing on July 21 in Yangon, charging them with violating Section 25(b) of the Media Law.

The article specifies a fine of 300,000-1 million kyats (U.S. $217-U.S. $724) for media workers found guilty of violating professional responsibilities and codes of conduct under three subsections of the law, including writing news in a manner that deliberately harms the reputation of an individual or organization, and which negatively affects human rights.

After learning about the new charge, Kyaw Zwa Naing requested bail and was released on 2 million kyats (U.S. $1,448).

By Kan Thar and Thant Sin Oo for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
By Ajit Kumar Dubey: Release orders of the accused in the Machil fake encounter case have been issued and they will be brought out of their respective jails in the next few days after the Armed Forces Tribunal suspended their jail term and granted bail.

Mail Today had first reported about the suspension of life term punishment of five Army personnel convicted by a general court martial in the highly politicised case. Colonel Dinesh Pathania, Captain Upendra, Havildar Devender Kumar, Lance Naik Lakhmi, Lance Naik Arun Kumar from 4 Rajput Regiment and rifleman Abas Hussain of the Territorial Army were convicted in 2014 for the alleged human rights abuse.

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"The accused will have to furnish a personal bond of Rs 50,000 for the bail and will also have to strictly follow the directives of the Armed Forces Tribunal to remain out of the prison till the time the military court hears their plea against their trial," a court official said.

The army investigation and order in the case also came under criticism as the force had "failed to establish the chain of evidences to confirm the circumstantial evidence which was relied upon by the Army court martial to convict the personnel."

PUBLIC OUTCRY

There was a public outcry after photographs of those killed in the alleged encounter were released, as relatives and neighbours of the slain persons claimed the three men were framed and killed in a stage-managed gunfight and were not connected with militancy in any way.

From the beginning of the case in 2010, the National Conference had been pressurising the central government to hold trial and punish the army men in the case, observers say. All the five personnel have been languishing in different prisons across the country: Col Pathania is lodged in the Nahan jail in Himachal Pradesh and Captain Upendra is in a jail in Rajasthan's Ajmer city.

Two of the soldiers are in Meerut jail, while Lance Naik Lakhmi is in the Bharatpur prison. The Army had completed the trial in December 2013, but it took almost two more years to confirm the sentence, in September 2015.

ALSO READ

Machhil fake encounter case: Military court suspends life sentence to five Army personnel

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UPDATED at 04:25 P.M. on 2017-08-04



Authorities in a key prefecture in northwest Chinas Xinjiang region have issued a directive completely banning the use of the Uyghur language at all education levels up to and including secondary school, according to official sources, and those found in violation of the order will face severe punishment.



The new ban marks one of the strongest measures yet from Beijing aimed at assimilating ethnic Uyghurs, who complain of pervasive ethnic discrimination, religious repression, and cultural suppression by the Chinas ruling Communist Party in Xinjiang.



In late June, the Education Department in Xinjiangs Hotan (in Chinese, Hetian) prefecturean area largely populated by Uyghursissued a five-point directive outlawing the use of the Uyghur language at schools in favor of Mandarin Chinese in order to strengthen elementary and middle/high school bilingual education.



Under the directivea copy of which was obtained by RFAs Uyghur Serviceschools must insist on fully popularizing the national common language and writing system according to law, and add the education of ethnic language under the bilingual education basic principle.



Beginning in the fall semester this year, Mandarin Chinese must be resolutely and fully implemented for the three years of preschool, and promoted from the first years of elementary and middle school in order to realize the full coverage of the common language and writing system education.



The directive instructs schools to resolutely correct the flawed method of providing Uyghur language training to Chinese language teachers and prohibit the use of Uyghur language, writing, signs and pictures in the educational system and on campuses.



Additionally, the order bans the use of Uyghur language in collective activities, public activities and management work of the education system.



Any school or individual that fails to enforce the new policy, that plays politics, pretends to implement, or acts one way and does another, will be designated two-faced and severely punished, it said, using a term regularly applied by the government to Uyghurs who do not willingly follow such directives.



A screen shot shows a copy of the Hotan Prefectural Education Department's directive on bilingual education. Credit: RFA Encouraging Mandarin



Four different officials anonymously confirmed the directive to RFA and said their local county governments were preparing to implement it ahead of the fall semester.



A Han Chinese official at Hotans Qaraqash (Moyu) county Education Bureau said that the directive was issued on June 28 and distributed to all county education bureaus two days later.



I can give you the contents of this directive, but only the Prefectural Educational Department has the right to explain them, he said, referring further questions to the department.



A Uyghur official with Hotans Chira (Cele) county government said she had heard about the directive, but was not fully aware of its contents.



I heard that all teaching in elementary and middle/high schools will be done in the Chinese language, beginning in September, and Uyghur language will not be used, she said.



A Uyghur official at the same countys Education Bureau was able to provide more information about the new policy, which he said his bureau was urgently discussing the implementation of.



All teachings will be conducted in the Chinese, not Uyghur, language in the upcoming semester, he said.



Even the Uyghur textbooks will be replaced with Chinese textbooks from inland China. All teachers and students are required to speak the Chinese language only in the school and education system, he added.



The Uyghur official said that while Hotan prefecture had repeatedly tried to implement a bilingual education policy over the past 10 years, the national language hasnt become popularized.



As a result, the Prefectural Education Department issued this directive to deal with this situation, he said.



A Han Chinese official from the Education Bureau for the seat of Hotan prefecture told RFA that the directive is being implemented throughout the prefecture to encourage the learning of the national language.



Education authorities decided to ban the use of the Uyghur language in order to create a favorable environment for minorities to study the national language, he said.



This is, in fact, good for Uyghurs to study the national language. Uyghur students will not study Mandarin if they learn from Uyghur language materials in the school system. That is why they should immerse themselves daily in Chinese language announcements, propaganda, signs and other materials.



All meetings and collective activities in the school system will be held in Mandarin in the future, the official added.



Illegal policy



While Beijing has attempted to implement a bilingual system in Xinjiangs schools over the past decade, Uyghurs say the system is monolingual and reject it as part of a bid to eliminate their mother tongue and increase their assimilation into Han Chinese culture.



Additionally, the bilingual education policy is in violation of both Chinas constitution and regional ethnic autonomy laws.



Article 4 of the first chapter of Chinas constitution states that the people of all nationalities have the freedom to use and develop their own spoken and written languages, and to preserve or reform their own ways and customs.



Article 121 of the charters sixth section states that in performing their function, the organs of self-government in Chinas autonomous regions should employ the spoken and written language or languages in common use in the locality.



Additionally, Article 10 of the first chapter of Chinas Regional Ethnic Autonomy Law on Language states that agencies in ethnic autonomous areas guarantee the freedom of the nationalities in these areas to use and develop their own spoken and written languages and their freedom to preserve or reform their own folkways and customs.



Article 37 of the laws third chapter states that schools (classes) and other educational organizations recruiting mostly ethnic minority students should, whenever possible, use textbooks in their own languages and use these languages as the media of instruction.



Ilshat Hassan, president of the Washington-based Uyghur American Association, told RFA that Beijing is attempting to skirt its own laws by labeling the new policy part of a bilingual education, while it works to eradicate one of the most ancient Turkic languages in the world.



In fact, by enforcing this new policy at the preschool level, the Chinese government intends to kill the Uyghur language at the cradle, he said.



It is nothing short of cultural genocide. The international community must not allow China to destroy our beautiful language and culture, which has thrived for several millennia.



Reported by Eset Sulaiman for RFAs Uyghur Service. Translated by Alim Seytoff. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
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An autonomous Lexus RX hybrid completed its 5,300-plus mile, round-trip cross-country journey at Virginias Executive Mansion on Wednesday afternoon.

For the bulk of the trip, the vehicle drove more than 4,300 miles autonomously.

The self-driving vehicle, programmed by Blacksburg-based Torc Robotics, started its journey July 7 in Washington, D.C., headed west to Seattle, returned east to Richmond and was greeted by Gov. Terry McAuliffe in Capitol Square.

That was something, McAuliffe said as he got out of the vehicle after a test ride.

This (autonomous driving) technology is coming, and we want to be in front of it here in Virginia. We want to be the leader, McAuliffe said.

One of the benefits of driving cross-country was testing the car in a variety of road and weather conditions, the company said.

Three certified safety drivers and one Torc engineer went on the cross-country trip. The safety drivers rotated time behind the wheel for the duration of the trip to assist the car in case of emergency.

Along the nearly three-week journey, Torc Robotics CEO and co-founder Michael Fleming said, many people photographed the vehicle, which is equipped with a large, spinning lidar (light detection and ranging) system mounted to the roof, an array of radar, video cameras and two GPS antennas. Radar systems also are hidden inside bumpers.

Inside the car, the only noticeable modification is the addition of a tablet mounted on the center console. All the cars sensors feed data into a computer in a compartment below the trunk.

The dashboard has three indicator lights: green to let the driver know all is going well; yellow appears when the car detects a minor obstacle that the driver should know about; and red for when its time to hand controls back over to the driver.

This was not Torcs first long-distance test. One of the companys cars logged over a 1,000 miles during a round trip from its headquarters in Blacksburg to the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit  the birthplace of the Model T.

Fleming said autonomous cars will be available to the public sooner than you think.

The commonwealth of Virginia is a pro-business, self-driving-friendly state, Fleming said. We have grown our technology here within the commonwealth.

The business began as a startup in 2005 and developed the technology in partnership with Virginia Tech in 2007. Torcs technology has been applied to a variety of ground vehicles, including large mining trucks and military vehicles.

We are a company that is focused on ... the intelligence of self-driving vehicles as opposed to building cars, Fleming said. Torc is creating the technology that would be integrated into vehicles.

McAuliffe said about 85 miles of sensors will be installed for autonomous vehicles along Interstate 95 in Northern Virginia.

However, no laws have yet been passed regarding self-driving cars.

We did not put any regulations in ... because we dont know what the innovation is going to do, and what we do not want to do is stifle innovation, McAuliffe said.
By PTI: Puducherry, Jul 28 (PTI) The Medical Council of India (MCI) has rescinded admission of 95 students in PG courses at seven private medical colleges here for the 2017-2018 session as they were enrolled by violating rules and regulations, Lt Governor Kiran Bedi said tonight.

She said in a release that the MCI had issued directions to the seven private medical colleges and deemed universities "to discharge the 95 students admitted to PG courses otherwise through a common counselling by the CENTAC, an official panel constituted by Puducherry government for counselling of students for professional courses."

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Bedi hailed the step taken by the MCI to annul the admission of the students as "a breakthrough."

The managements had admitted the students even though they had not undergone counselling by the CENTAC which has been made compulsory by the Supreme Court, she said.

The MCI had acted tough "by cancelling admission."

"We have received a letter from the MCI today on the cancellation of irregular admission," she added.

Bedi said many of the students who were given provisional allotment by CENTAC in the PG stream recently were refused admission in the colleges.

The aggrieved students had met her and presented oral and written complaints.

The student alleged that private medical colleges allegedly denied them admission even after they paid the fee fixed by the fee committee.

Deemed universities had also refused them admission and allegedly demanded "exorbitant fee to the tune of Rs 40 to Rs 50 lakhs per year".

The Director of Health and Family Services in Puducherry, who is the nodal officer of the Union territory, was asked to furnish the list of students admitted in each of the seven private medical colleges here to the MCI.

The MCI was also apprised through a separate list of the "discrepancies made by medical colleges in admitting students to the PG courses," the statement said.

Bedi stated that she had also written to the MCI chief forwarding the list of "discrepancies" detected in the admission by the colleges. The Monitoring Committee of the MCI carefully examined the list of students admitted by private colleges with that of students who were allotted seats through CENTAC under common counselling.

The students who did not find a place in the list of those allotted seats through CENTAC have been directed "to be discharged by the concerned colleges".

The Council has also directed the colleges to send a compliance report within two weeks.

It has also sent copies of the directions to Pondicherry University, the affiliating university for private medical colleges, for appropriate action.

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"It is the bounden duty and responsibility of Puducherry government to ensure that the meritorious students who were allotted the PG seats through CENTAC are admitted against the vacant seats now arising out of cancellation of admission of 95 students by MCI in the private colleges," Bedi said in the release. PTI COR BN ASV

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A 61-year-old grandmother from Essex County was expecting to lose part of her finger after she contracted a bacterial infection last weekend while swimming in the Rappahannock River.

Jane Durvin said she took her grandchildren swimming Sunday near her home on Clearview Lane in Dunnsville, a day after her cat had left a scratch on the finger.

The next day, she was in the hospital  her hand was swollen and throbbing, with red streaks running up her arm. She said doctors at Riverside Tappahannock Hospital diagnosed her with a vibrio infection, naturally occurring bacteria commonly found in salt and brackish water. On Wednesday, when she spoke with a reporter, her middle finger had turned black and cold.

They are going to have to amputate, she said. Id rather lose my finger than lose my life, but it is something that everybody should know in this hot weather.

There are several species of vibrio bacteria, which can cause two types of illness, vibriosis and cholera, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Infections can result from eating raw or undercooked, contaminated seafood, especially shellfish, or through a topical infection that takes root in an open wound. Ear infections also can occur. People with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable.

Ana Colon, regional epidemiologist for the eastern part of the state, said Virginia usually averages 40 to 50 cases a year of infection by vibrio, most commonly in the warmer months of the year. In 2014, there were 59, the highest number in a decade.

Climate change, including warmer weather in the spring and fall, also means changing patterns of disease, said Margaret Smigo, the health departments waterborne pathogens control program coordinator.

If we sampled for it anywhere in brackish water, we would reasonably be expected to find it, Smigo said. They thrive in warm waters.

So far this year, there have been 23 cases, Colon said. There were 40 cases both in 2015 and 2016. The state does not track how many of those were fatal.

In July 2015, a 75-year-old Mechanicsville man died after a cut from a catfish barb became infected with Vibrio vulnificus  often referred to as flesh-eating bacteria  at the Rappahannock River in Essex. His leg was amputated two days later to stall the spread of the infection, but he died two days after that.

Last summer, a 60-year-old Chesterfield County man skirted death and having his leg amputated after contracting Vibrio vulnificus while fishing with his son in waters off Virginia Beach.

The health department cautions people with open wounds or compromised immune systems against swimming in salt or brackish water. It can be fatal, or somebody could lose a limb. The infection can be very serious, Colon said.

Since Monday, Durvin said she has been put on several antibiotics in attempts to isolate the infection before amputation. She said she wasnt aware of the weathers effect on the bacteria or its prevalence in the river.
Court records in Chesterfield County and Richmond document a history of mental illness and cite a downward spiral experienced by Alexander Schoessel, the 23-year-old Chester man who was shot to death Tuesday by Richmond police after officers said he attacked them with a small ax.

The documents reflect repeated interactions with police, alcohol abuse and mental health issues. They also point to erratic behavior and Schoessels affinity for unique weaponry, including threatening others with a machete or injuring himself with a Samurai sword, making his actions during Tuesdays incident seemingly less out of character.

Among the first signs of legal trouble occurred in June 2012, when Schoessel was 18. He was charged with assault and battery and brandishing a firearm for shooting a 16-year-old boy with a BB gun. He was sentenced to six months in jail and ordered to pay more than $2,000 in restitution, which was never paid in full.

According to documents from Chesterfield Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, he had prior charges as a juvenile, which are not publicly available.

In September 2012, he was arrested again, charged with underage possession of alcohol. In July 2013, he was arrested on a larceny charge. He was convicted of both misdemeanors but served no active time.

Not until April 2014 do court records reflect a growing concern for Schoessels mental health. In a report dated April 8, 2014, a probation officer wrote that Mr. Schoessel has been on a downward spiral since October 2013.

The letter goes on to state that Schoessel lost his job, was kicked out of his fathers house in January 2014 after not abiding by rules, and became homeless, staying at shelters in Richmond.

In March 2014, he was detained by Myrtle Beach, S.C., police and accused of disorderly conduct. He was treated at a psychiatric hospital, which diagnosed him with a drug-induced psychosis, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

The probation officer referred Schoessel to Chesterfields Dual Treatment Track, a jail diversion option for inmates with mental health and substance abuse concerns. Program doctors diagnosed him with bipolar disorder and alcohol and cannabis abuse.

Monthly progress reports show that Schoessel often missed mandatory treatment and drug screenings. In July 2014, the report reads: Mr. Schoessel had a very difficult month.

After missing three days of program requirements, he received his second sanction and was ordered to spend five days in jail. Schoessel told administrators he injured his foot with a Samurai sword and was unable to ride his bicycle to the program.

Schoessel had multiple run-ins with police in Richmond in 2014 between July 10 and Aug. 15. On July 10, he was arrested for public intoxication, underage possession of alcohol, and larceny for stealing drinks and tobacco from a CVS. The next day, he was again arrested for being drunk in public and underage possession of alcohol.

He was convicted of all counts, fined more than $1,000 and ordered to pay court costs, all past due, according to Richmond General District Court records.

On Aug. 5 of that year, Richmond police took Schoessel to VCU Medical Center due to appearing incoherent and psychotic in Monroe Park, according to Chesterfield records. Ten days later, he was taken into custody by VCU police, who transferred him back to Chesterfield. Neither of those incidents resulted in charges.

Two months later, Schoessel was arrested and charged with trespassing and making a bomb threat, a felony, at the Richmond Marriott. When officers arrived, Schoessel resisted and was also charged with assaulting three Richmond police officers.

All of his Richmond charges  including the three felony counts of assaulting a law enforcement officer and felony bomb threat, along with the 10 other misdemeanors  were referred to the mental health docket, a special court designed to divert inmates with mental health issues from the Richmond City Jail, similar to Chesterfields Dual Treatment Track.

Competency evaluations were ordered in several cases, and Schoessel was referred to the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, which took over treatment from Chesterfield Mental Health Support Services. He also was ordered to undergo substance abuse treatment.

After a number of continuances to review progress, the assault charges were ultimately amended to three misdemeanor counts of obstruction of justice; he was convicted of all three and received six months in jail. The bomb threat and two other charges were dropped in the October 2014 incident.

Richmond Behavioral Health Authority officials said they could not comment on whether a person had undergone treatment. Debbie Burcham with Chesterfield's Community Services Board said she couldn't comment on a specific person's case.

She did say that someone with some of the mental illnesses mentioned in Schoessel's court record were unlikely to exhibit violent behavior.

"That is not typical. These individuals are more likely to be victims of crimes rather than perpetrators," she said.

Among the latest records available show that Schoessel failed to appear in Chesterfield Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court in November 2014. When Chesterfield sheriffs deputies attempted to serve warrants, there was a note issued that he had threatened others with a machete.

On Wednesday, Alexander Schoessels mother, Richelle Tucker, told The Associated Press that her son had previously dealt with mental issues but was not the kind of person who would harm anyone. Friends and former co-workers described him as kind and gentle.

But on Tuesday, Schoessel was spotted wandering Richmond downtown in a kilt, no shirt, and combat-style boots, wielding a long knife and an ax, screaming and threatening people.

Richmond police encountered him at the intersection of Third and Main streets, in front of 3rd Street Diner, where employees saw five or six officers surround the man, who was then swinging the ax and knife and jumping around.

Police said they tried to get him to drop the weapons before trying to subdue him with a Taser. When that was ineffective, two officers  Nicholas Pechstein, 28, and Joshua Sanborn, 24  opened fire, killing Schoessel and hitting one of their own officers.

John Rotondi, a 12-year veteran of the Richmond Police Department, was struck in his body armor vest but was not seriously injured.

Pechstein and Sanborn graduated from the police training academy in June and had been on patrol for less than two months. They are now on administrative leave.

The Force Investigation Team  a unit within the police department that investigates internal matters  has begun working on a report to be forwarded to the Commonwealths Attorneys Office, which determines whether a police-involved shooting was justified.
Richmond City Council members are moving to study potential ethics reforms proposed last year following a nine-month criminal investigation into former Mayor Dwight C. Jones.

The investigation, led by the Virginia State Police in partnership with the FBI, was sparked by a city audit report that found Jones public works director was overseeing a construction project for the church where Jones serves as senior pastor.

In the end, Commonwealths Attorney Michael Herring said that while Jones actions smacked of cronyism, no evidence was uncovered that would justify criminal charges.

However, Herring did propose a handful of reforms to avoid similar issues going forward.

First, he said elected officials and agency heads should be required to publicly disclose any personal relationship with a potential executive-level employee prior to a hiring decision being made.

Second, he said that if city vendors do business privately with a city employee who has decision-making authority, that also should be disclosed publicly. He said he could not imagine any feasible argument against disclosure.

Last week, the councils government operations committee unanimously recommended approval of an ordinance creating an ethics reform task force that would be responsible for reviewing and providing recommendations concerning ethical standards applicable to local government in the city.

Kristen Larson, the 4th District councilwoman who took office this year, proposed the measure. As currently structured, it would have 11 members  nine appointed by the council and two appointed by the mayor. They would be required to submit a report detailing their recommendations to the City Council no later than March 5.

Larson said she expects that implementing reforms at a local level could be tricky because Virginia is a Dillon-rule state, meaning state law restricts what actions localities can and cant take. But she said she thinks the task force will be able to find opportunities for reform.

I think we have some areas where we can tighten things up and put in clarifying legislation, Larson said.
A Henrico County Circuit Court judge on Friday threw out a plea agreement prosecutors struck with a Henrico man charged with selling large amounts of heroin in the parking lots of Whole Foods and other Short Pump businesses.

Judge Richard S. Wallerstein Jr. said the plea agreement, which had called for a total active prison sentence of eight to 10 years, provided an inadequate punishment for the two felony drug distribution charges facing Shawn Lamont Bailey.

Each charge individually comes with a maximum penalty of life in prison.

I have some very serious concerns about the plea agreement, Wallerstein said.

Amid the judges ruling, Bailey withdrew the guilty pleas he entered in January to a pair of felony drug distribution charges.

Bailey, 46, lived in the West Broad Village development in Glen Allen, a newly developed community of condominiums and town houses mixed in amid restaurants and businesses such as Whole Foods Market, the REI outdoor outfitting store and other merchants.

Prosecutors have said Bailey took dozens of trips to New York City to secure large quantities of heroin for distribution back in the Richmond area. A conservative estimate is that Bailey brought 25 to 30 kilograms of the drug back to the local area, Matthew Ackley, a Henrico deputy commonwealths attorney, said at a January court hearing.

Bailey met his co-conspirators in Short Pump parking lots near his West Broad Village apartment to distribute the drugs, Ackley said.

Generally, Bailey would arrive in his car with the heroin in the console of his vehicle, and distributors would enter the vehicle and pay him before leaving with the drugs, the prosecutor said.

Bailey distributed the drugs at the Whole Foods parking lot as well as the Target and McDonalds parking lots nearby on West Broad Street, according to Ackley.

Prosecutors said that one of the people who bought drugs from Bailey was Norell Sterling Ward, a 46-year-old Charlottesville man whom prosecutors said was a midlevel heroin distributor.

A Henrico jury last month recommended that Ward serve 65 years in prison on three heroin distribution charges. Wallerstein is set to formally sentence Ward on Sept. 13.

Fridays hearing was supposed to be a sentencing hearing where Baileys punishment was handed down, although the mans defense attorneys had asked the judge for extra time to prepare for that final phase of the case.

But instead of rescheduling, Wallerstein directed the prosecutor and the defense attorneys to restart the case in another court amid his rejection of the deal.

Now were kind of back to the beginning, Ackley said following the court hearing.

Keith Marcus, Baileys attorney, declined to comment on Friday.

Judge James Stephen Yoffy  Henricos chief presiding judge  moved the case to Judge Gary A. Hicks court.
Chikalda along with 57 other villages of district Barwani and 134 villages from Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have to be vacated before the height of the Sardar Sarovar dam is raised to 138.68 meters.

By Hemender Sharma: Medha Patkar of the Narmada Bachao Andolan along with 12 others have refused to move from Chikalda in Barwani district even as the district administration stares at the July 31 deadline set by the Supreme Court for clearing the entire area of all inhabitants.

Chikalda along with 57 other villages of district Barwani and 134 villages from Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have to be vacated before the height of the Sardar Sarovar dam is raised to 138.68 meters.

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According to the Madhya Pradesh government, all oustees have been compensated as per court directives and also alternative rehabilitation sites have been built.

"Most oustees have filed affidavits that confirm government claims of adequate compensation and rehabilitation but still people are not leaving their houses hoping that the back water won't reach their villages. This again is based on the fact that the water level in the Narmada river is not rising because the rains have been moderate," a government official involved with the rehabilitation process told India Today.

A small town Nisarpur in district Dhar of Madhya Pradesh with a population of around 12000 people too has to be vacated before July 31 but the government has so far just appealed to the residents to shift to the alternative sites that have been offered to them.

The opposition Congress party has raised questions over the way compensation has been distributed and has held rallies in support of the oustees in Nisarpur.

Medha Patkar and the Narmada Bachoa Andolan has alleged that compensation has not been given to all the people who are being forced to move out of their homes.Patkar and 12 others have threatened to continue with their indefinite fast and take just water till the government agrees to their demands.

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State Sen. R. Creigh Deeds has released the state from a $6 million wrongful death lawsuit he filed in the wake of the suicide of his son, who killed himself 13 hours after efforts to secure emergency psychiatric treatment fell through.

A lawyer for Deeds, D-Bath, confirmed the decision late Thursday after the states Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services issued a statement announcing that Deeds and the agencys top official had formed a voluntary partnership to eke positive change from the tragic death of Austin Gus Deeds on Nov. 19, 2013.

It has always been Senator Deeds goal to reach a point of constructive change that can serve to prevent any other family from experiencing the tragedy his family experienced, said John E. Lichtenstein of the Charlottesville-based Lichtenstein Law Group.

Both the Rockbridge Area Community Services Board, which oversaw the 24-year-olds care that day, and a former employee who worked directly with Gus Deeds remain parties to the suit.

Deeds initially was not sure whether he would include legal action against the state agency, which licenses the community services boards that form the front lines of defense in Virginias public network of mental health.

But he ultimately pursued legal action that he said could guarantee the civil rights of those with mental illness, comparing it to the use of the courts to tear away at discrimination in the 1950s and 60s.

He has worked so hard, Lichtenstein said. And there have been substantive changes.

The announcement late Thursday pledged an annual symposium that will provide a forum for discussion of mental health topics and issues of significance in Virginia and of interest across the country.

As well, methods of bringing together those with interests and needs regarding mental health services  individuals with mental illness, families of individuals with mental illness, law enforcement communities, educators, mental health clinicians and counselors, court personnel, and other stakeholders  are similarly being pursued by Senator Deeds and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the statement continued.

Additional details were not immediately available, but Deeds has been working closely with the state to overhaul Virginias public system of mental health care. That partnership has yielded action on issues that had languished for years.

Years before Gus Deeds died, senior Behavioral Health Department officials and lawmakers had been briefed on the gaps in the states patchwork system that Deeds death laid bare.

Legislation that Deeds championed closed the loophole on a practice known as streeting by requiring that state-run mental hospitals provide beds of last resort in cases such as Gus Deeds, in which space needed for further care is not found before the clock to secure court-ordered treatment runs out.

An inspector generals report also found that an absence of protocols, communication breakdowns leading to costly delays, barriers to finding care, and missteps by the clinician combined to produce a tragic outcome in Deeds case.

Among the findings in that report were revelations that the clinician called seven hospitals instead of the 10 he had claimed to contact in an effort to find a bed before an emergency custody order expired.

Had a bed been found, Deeds could have been hospitalized to undergo further evaluation. Instead, he was released. He went on to stab his father outside their Bath County home before shooting himself.

The report also referenced a three-month study written in 2012 that identified 72 cases in which people like Gus Deeds fell through the cracks in similar circumstances.

Someone in Gus situation would not be released today, Lichtenstein said.
A legal standoff between the Virginia Information Technologies Agency and Northrop Grumman over access to a data center in Southwest Virginia has ended in a settlement instead of court.

The state agency confirmed Thursday evening that it had reached an agreement with the technology giant to allow a repair team access to the Southwestern Enterprise Solutions Center in Russell County to replace a disaster recovery system that is crucial to operations at a dozen state agencies.

The settlement will allow VITA and Northrop Grumman to avoid a hearing that had been scheduled on Friday in Richmond Circuit Court over the states request for an emergency injunction for access to the data center to repair what it described as an inoperative mainframe system that serves as emergency backup in case of a disaster at the primary data center the company runs in Chester.

VITA now will coordinate with IBM technicians to re-establish critical disaster recovery capabilities for the agencies that use the mainframe, agency spokeswoman Marcella Williamson said in a statement about the settlement.

Northrop Grumman was not prepared to comment Thursday night.

The agreement in principle includes liability provisions required by Northrop Grumman to allow outside technicians into a center that also serves a number of other customers. The company had blocked the repair crew from entering the building on July 20 after VITA declined to sign a liability agreement that it considered too broad and reaching into a much wider dispute over the states disentanglement from a 13-year, $2.4 billion contract.

The liability between VITA and Northrop Grumman is tailored to this project, and is not as broad as proposed earlier by Northrop Grumman, Williamson said. The commonwealth preserves its rights and this agreement does no harm to the commonwealth.

VITA also made clear that the agreement does not settle the broader legal battle the agency and company are waging over the terms of disentanglement from a once-heralded deal that each side has accused the other of breaching.

It also does not affect a pending state request for a pretrial injunction to require Northrop Grumman to perform several technical duties necessary to allow the transition of messaging services to a new vendor that has waited almost a year to begin work.

This agreement pertains only to the mainframe, Williamson said. The messaging project is still pending, as are other transition efforts to move from Northrop Grummans contract to new service providers.

Repairing the backup system was crucial for ensuring that major state agencies  such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Social Services and the Virginia Retirement System  wouldnt lose their computer systems if a disaster shut down the center in Chester.

Our main goal during this transition to new service providers is to protect the commonwealth and ensure reliable information technology services for state agencies that serve our citizens, businesses and visitors, Williamson said.
On Monday, President Trump addressed 40,000 young men at the annual Boy Scout Jamboree. Hes not the first sitting president to address the jamboree; seven others, including FDR and both Bushes, have spoken to the national gathering.

The organization may be rethinking the standing presidential invitation after Trumps speech.

It started well enough. At the beginning of the speech, he told the young men that he was going to put aside all of the policy fights because who the hell wants to speak about politics when Im in front of the Boy Scouts, right? Not the greatest choice of words  but it seemed somewhat promising.

Things went south quickly as he proceeded to speak of little besides politics and self-praise over the next 38 minutes. He had in front of him prepared remarks on the greatness of Scouting and America and apple pie, but as usual, he couldnt stay on script. Instead, he rambled on, criticizing Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, threatening to fire Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, bashing the media, and rehashing the 2016 election.

The majority of the boys seemed to approve of his speech, cheering loudly throughout and repeatedly shouting USA, USA, and Trump, Trump, Trump.

Parents, politicians and Scout leaders were far less impressed. The Boy Scouts organization quickly denounced the speech, issuing a statement on Tuesday that read: The Boy Scouts of America is wholly non-partisan and does not promote any one position, product, service, political candidate or philosophy. The invitation for the sitting U.S. President to visit the National Jamboree is a long-standing tradition and is in no way an endorsement of any political party or specific policies.

Some commentators on the left, including filmmaker and Eagle Scout Michael Moore, compared the boys rowdy approval of the presidents speech to a crowd cheering on the fuehrer. Thats nonsense. A Scout pledges to do his duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law, not the president. Boy Scouts come in every race, color, creed and religion. Attacking them for Trumps behavior is inappropriate. So is trying to portray the organization as an alt-right group.
The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine welcomed its eighth class this week.

Every year, I am impressed by the quality of our incoming class and this year is no exception, said Dean Cynda Johnson, in a news release. Each student is competitive for medical school on paper based on their academic achievements, but they also have diverse backgrounds, which is something we strive for to enrich their learning experience.

Some stats on the class:

-- Women outnumber men for the first time. Of the 42 students, 22 are women.

-- One-third come from Virginia. Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia tied with both sending five of their graduates to the med school.

-- Other schools with more than one student: Georgetown University, Haverford College, University of California San Diego and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

-- Most popular undergraduate majors: biology, neuroscience and biochemistry.

-- 20 percent have graduate degrees.

-- 4,403 people applied for the 42 slots.
Police personnel from Nuh police station were attacked by cattle smugglers in Haryana's notorious Mewat region leaving two constables injured. They even fired at cops, but were caught after a chase.

By Shivan Chanana: Police personnel from Nuh Police Station were attacked by cattle smugglers in Haryana's notorious Mewat region leaving two constables injured. They even fired at cops, but were caught after a chase.

On Wednesday, a vehicle transporting illegal cattle was intercepted by police at check post Bibipur Mod in Mewat. The police were tipped-off about a Tata 407, No. RJ 05 GA 5061 which was stuffed with 9 cows and bulls at 11.30pm.

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Knowing that the police has been alerted, the accused halted at a distant location while the cops waited throughout the night. Assuming the cops would have dispersed by morning, the suspected vehicle approached Bibipur village the next day at 10.30am.

The goons did not expect the cops would still be present at the location. On running into the police at the Bibipur Mod check-post, instead of stopping, the Mewati cattle smugglers tried to mow down Constable Manoj Kumar and Constable Mool Chand and pelted them with heavy stones. While Constable Mool Chand was severely injured in the head, Constable Manoj Kumar was struck in the back.

After attacking the police officials, the cattle smugglers tried to flee, but were chased by police personnel.

The cattle smugglers were armed with illegal firearms and opened fire on the police during the chase. ASI Balbir Singh, ASI Satbir Singh and the two constables from Nuh police station continued their heroic chase battling through the firings before finally catching up with the goons in Chilawali Village.

There were nine men in the Tata 407 namely Chauda aka Rojdaar, Shakil, Ishad, Ivrish, Kayyam, Wasim, Abid, Asif along with one driver. The accused abandoned their vehicle and animals and ran into Chilawali village.

"This is a regular affair in Mewat. We battle the meat mafia on regular basis and are constantly pelted with stones and fired at with illegal weapons which they posses. There is a threat to our lives each time we chase these Mewati cattle smugglers," said ASI Satbir Singh from Nuh Police Station.

"There are several gaurakshak organizations like Gau Gyan Foundation, Dhyan Foundation, Monu from Mensar and several other gau raksha teams that assist us by providing us information of illegal animal trafficking which helps us in nabbing these hardened criminals," said ASI Balbir Singh, who led the recent operation to nab the Mewati cow-smugglers.

The vehicle stuffed with cattle has been seized and the helpless animals inside it have now been rehabilitated at Nuh gaushala.

An Fir No. 534/17 26th July has been registered at Nuh Police Station against all nine men in the truck. All nine accused have been booked under the Arms Act, the Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamwardhan Act and several sections of the IPC including section 307 for "attempt to murder".

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With each animal fetching a minimum of Rs 30,000 in the illegal beef market for its meat and hide, the meat industry is surely thriving in Haryana's Mewat region where several thousand cattle are trafficked and slaughtered every month. It is pertinent to note that the possession, consumption, sale and purchase of beef in Haryana is strictly prohibited, illegal and punishable as per the Haryana Cow Slaughter Act.

ALSO READ:

The other side of cow protection: Attacks by meat mafia on animal activists, common citizens

BJP alleges beef mafia in Hyderabad, demands CBI probe

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The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association on Friday called for Republicans and Democrats to work together to improve health care.

The U.S. Senate failed in an early morning vote to approve a slimmed down effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

While the outcome of the Senate vote has led to cheers in some corners and jeers in others, it is critical to keep in mind that having a high-quality, accessible, affordable health care delivery system is something all of us agree on, even though the details can be sticking points, said Sean Connaughton, president of the Virginia hospital association.

He said the impasse offers hope that officials in Washington will work in a bi-partisan fashion to address current challenges with the Affordable Care Act, and to advance policies designed to improve our health care delivery system in ways that protect patients and recognize the vital role of health care providers in the care delivery system and in our economy.
A workplace safety probe is underway into the collapse of a beverage display that injured two employees of a Roanoke County Kroger store, the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry said.

One worker injured in the July 17 mishap, the stores wine and beer steward, was still out Friday.

Lee Willis, who directs the labor agencys southwest region office, confirmed reports that a shelf of chilled beverages collapsed at the store at Brambleton and Colonial avenues in Roanoke County and injured two employees working nearby.

Investigators have the power to cite the company if any safety violations are found, Willis said.

Kroger, which said it is cooperating with the investigation, described the incident and the employees injuries as minor.

During store remodeling, two shelves collapsed after installation by a contractor, according to information released by Kroger corporate affairs manager Allison McGee and company spokesman John Lambert. The company statement called the shelving defective. One employee returned to work the next day, the statement said.
WARM SPRINGS  A Bath County woman charged with killing her 6-year-old daughter told a detective that she wanted to send the girl to heaven to protect her from aliens, according to court documents filed this week.

Darla Elizabeth Hise, 27, is charged with first-degree murder in the Feb. 4 shotgun slaying of Abigail Grace Hise in their Hot Springs home.

Hise also told officials at a psychiatric hospital that she had aliens in her body and wanted them removed from her stomach, her attorney, Tony Anderson of Roanoke, wrote in motion asking that her statement to police be suppressed.

Anderson is arguing that because of his clients mental condition and chronic drug use, she was not able to knowingly waive her right to remain silent before giving a statement to Jeff Grimm, a detective with the Bath County Sheriffs Office.

In this case, the evidence will show that [Hises] drug use and psychosis prevented her from being fully aware that she was abandoning her right against self-incrimination and to counsel and the consequences of abandoning those rights, stated the motion filed Wednesday in Bath County Circuit Court.

The day after her daughters death, Hise spoke to Grimm while in the emergency room of Bath Community Hospital, where she was admitted after complaining of anxiety and abdominal pain.

Authorities had arrested Hise the previous night after getting a call about a shooting at her home on Billy Goat Lane. Deputies responding to the call found Hise, who led them to the home, where her daughter was discovered dead.

Hise was speaking incoherently when she was taken to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed her with possible drug-induced psychosis vs PTSD psychosis, the motion stated.

Tests showed that Hise had been using methamphetamines, amphetamines and marijuana; drugs she said she had been taking for the previous three weeks.

Throughout her interview with Detective Grimm, she detailed her psychosis that she believed her daughter and son were in danger from aliens and she thought she was going to save her daughter by sending her to heaven, the motion stated.

A 3-year-old boy was found in the home and placed in the care of another family.

In addition to first-degree murder, Hise is charged with attempted murder, two counts of use of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine, and having a firearm while in possession of the drugs.

Although Hise signed a waiver of her Miranda rights before speaking to Grimm, Anderson is contending that her ability to understand the process was hindered by intoxication, drugs, mental defect or other disability.

Several days after her statement, Hise was transferred to Central State Hospital, where she reportedly made statements about aliens in her body and was observed to be paranoid and suspicious, the motion stated.

Hise is being held without bond in the Western Virginia Regional Jail.

In March, Anderson asked for a mental evaluation of Hise, writing that he believed she lacked the ability to understand court proceedings or assist him with her defense.

An evaluation of her competency to stand trial was conducted; the results were placed under seal.

Anderson and Bath County Commonwealths Attorney John Singleton could not be reached for comment Friday.

Also this week, Anderson asked in court papers that Hises trial be moved away from Bath County, where news media coverage of the case has evoked great passion and prejudice in the community.

The county of about 4,400 last had a homicide in 2009, when two kitchen workers at the Omni Homestead resort hotel were shot by a disgruntled employee who later committed suicide.

Given the size of the community and the nature of the more recent homicide, its likely that most of the residents have heard about the case and know the witnesses expected to testify at a trial, Anderson wrote in his motion for a change of venue.

The trial is scheduled to start Aug. 23.
Roanoke police are investigating potential human remains concealed in an outdoor location near Tinker Creek, police said.

Officers went to the 2700 block of Radford Road Northeast  a dead-end road  at 5 p.m. Wednesday to investigate information received by Roanoke detectives.

Roanoke police evidence technicians, as well as personnel from the medical examiners office, began collecting physical evidence from the area Thursday afternoon and remained there into the evening.

Police focused their investigation past the dead-end road, beyond a metal fence marking the entrance to a path into a heavily wooded area along the creek. Police closed off the path with crime scene tape and police vehicles.

The evidence will be taken to the medical examiners office for identification.

This process is tedious and slow, Capt. Eric Charles said Thursday. We will await confirmation that the concealed remains are human, and then progress further with the identity.

While its still early in the investigation, Roanoke police are taking into consideration a woman reported missing earlier this year who lived in the 2600 block of Radford Road.

Edme Merle-Perez, 38, of Roanoke was reported missing to police March 27, and police have said they dont believe she left her home of her own accord. In May, Roanoke police and a Virginia State Police dive team searched Tinker Creek in connection with her disappearance. Police have conducted several interviews regarding her disappearance.

Charles said the Merle-Perez case is still being investigated as a missing person until there is other evidence .

On Thursday afternoon, neighbors stood on their front porches and looked down at the end of the road with curiosity. Some neighbors said they hoped it was Merle-Perez so that her family and loved ones could have closure. Others hoped it wasnt her and that she was still alive.

Josephine Martin lives on Radford Road, and she said Merle-Perez disappearance, as well as the discovery of possible human remains a short distance behind her house, has been unsettling.

If someone did that to someone and left them back there in the woods, I hope that person suffers, Martin said. No one has the right to make choices about who lives or dies except God.

Tiffany Stevens tiffany.stevens@roanoke.com or 981-3349.

Amy Friedenberger amy.friedenberger@roanoke.com or 981-3356.
Student growth will play a larger role in determining school quality under the new federal accountability plan approved Thursday by the Virginia Board of Education.

The states plan to meet federal accountability requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act  which is now headed to the governors office for review  closely mirrors proposed changes to Virginias own school accreditation standards approved by the board last month. ESSA replaces the standards developed under No Child Left Behind.

Both plans give schools more credit for students who show improvement over the course of the year and take into account non-academic indicators of success, such as absenteeism. The overlap between the two plans was intentional, board members and Department of Education staff said.

We see the federal plan as a subset of our larger accountability system, said Diane Atkinson, the chairwoman of the boards committee on school and division accountability.

The board approved the states plan with little time to spare after pushing back its timeline by six months to take into account new guidance from the Trump administration. Its plans are due to the U.S. Department of Education in September after review by Gov. Terry McAuliffes office.

Under the states plan, schools will be evaluated by several measures. The core one still will be performance on reading and math Standards of Learning tests, but year-over-year improvements also will be taken into account.

A school can get credit for a students growth one of two ways: if the student passes a test he or she failed the previous year or if a student who doesnt pass makes significant progress toward passing.

Schools also will be evaluated on the progress English language learners make toward literacy proficiency and at the high school level, graduation rates.

Virginia plans to use chronic absenteeism as the non-academic indicator required under ESSA, but it will play a smaller role in the states federal accountability standards than some advocates hoped. It will be used as a tie-breaker when the state decides which lowest-performing schools merit additional support.

Speaking to the board before its vote, Chris Duncombe, a policy analyst for the Commonwealth Institute, encouraged the state to put more emphasis on absenteeism, pointing to other states plans that weight their school quality indicator more heavily.

This is Virginias opportunity to look beyond test scores in holding schools accountable, and we cannot afford to miss this opportunity by failing to appropriately emphasize the school quality indicator in our ESSA plan, Duncombe said.

Atkinson said the board is open to adding more school quality indicators down the road, such as school climate, teacher quality and health and safety, but wants more research first on their effectiveness.

We want to pick indicators  that are strong indicators, she said.

Two big portions of Virginias plan have potential to face revision in the coming month. The plan doesnt identify long-term goals for English language learner proficiency because the state is waiting on data from newly implemented tests. The data is expected this summer and then the state will set goals.

The other area that could see changes is the way the state measures student growth. Right now, the plan is to use whats known as a progress table, which plots a students performance over the course of two years.

Department of Education staff are exploring other options, however. Theyre looking at whats known as a vertical scale, which aligns each grade levels test with one another, and at the results of a pilot studys models that predict where a student should score based on previous scores.

The progress tables have been criticized, as has the very idea of using SOL tests to measure growth. At one of the boards public hearings earlier this month in Wytheville, Salem Superintendent Alan Seibert said theyre an incomplete measure, albeit one thats still better than the current system.

Testing ones blood multiple times over the course of a year can provide data for use in the moment and be aggregated to provide full-year data, but it doesnt work the other way around, he said. The same is true when tracking and informing student learning. Better assessments at multiple times that vary according to grade level and content area can inform decisions in the moment and be aggregated to provide full-year data.

Antoinette Rogers, the Virginia Education Associations director of the Office of Teaching and Learning, told the board Thursday that teachers want more understanding of how growth will be measured.

The overarching question is how can Standards of Learning tests be used as growth measures, she said. There is not a clear understanding of how progress tables are created and used.

The board has asked the education department to research alternative growth models and present back by November. Board member Anne Holton said shed like to see the issue looked at in more depth.

The progress tables are, at best, theyre what we can do now with what weve got rather than what we need, she said.
The transformation of the old Prices Fork Elementary School into a mixture of senior housing, food and a brewery continues.

The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors voted 7-0 this week to give final approval of a $1.2 million Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development grant that will go to Prices Fork Village I LLC.

Prices Fork Village is leading a redevelopment that will convert former classrooms to 16 two-bedroom apartments for adults age 55 years and up and turn the rest of the old school into space for a brewery, farm-to-table restaurant and commercial kitchen and incubator to serve local growers and entrepreneurs in the food business.

The project will eventually expand to make room for another 16 apartments, but the property owner, Radford-based developer Joe Fortier, said the specifics of that phase of the project are still being decided.

The $1.2 million approved this week is part of a total of $2.5 million in DHCD money awarded to the project last year. The $1.2 million specifically addresses the Food Center, or the area that will house the brewery, restaurant, commercial kitchen and incubator. At least some of the remaining $2.5 million is set to go toward the additional apartments, which Fortier said Monday are a few years out.

The apartments are currently under construction and slated to open at some point this fall. That phase of the Prices Fork Village project received $2.4 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development money.

The entire Prices Fork revitalization is so far budgeted at more than $7 million and has received other funding in the form of private financing, historic tax credits and a $500,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant that Fortiers company matched.

Schematic designs on the Food Center are currently being done, Fortier said.

That phase of the revitalization is set to be complete in more than a year, with parts of it possibly wrapping up as early as next summer, he said.

The entire Food Center will be managed by another Radford-based organization, Beans and Rice Inc., a nonprofit that has a track record of working with low- to moderate-income populations and entrepreneurs.

The brewery is being put in place by the owners of the Rising Silo Brewery that now operates on Glade Road in Blacksburg and uses locally grown ingredients for its beers.
By PTI: London, Jul 28 (PTI) Drinking for over three to four days every week may reduce the risk of developing diabetes, a study has claimed.

Previous studies have consistently suggested that light to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk of diabetes compared with abstention in men and women, whilst heavy consumption is associated with a risk greater than or equal to that of abstainers.

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However previous studies examining the role of drinking patterns in relation to diabetes risk have given inconsistent findings, and studies on the effects of particular types of beverage are likewise inconclusive.

Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark examined the effects of drinking frequency on diabetes risk, and also considered association with specific beverage types.

They used data from about 70,551 Danish citizens aged 18 and over completed a self-reporting questionnaire including items on lifestyle and health.

Follow up information, continued until 2012 also was gathered. During follow up, 859 men and 887 women developed diabetes.

Scientists found that people consuming moderate amounts of alcohol were at the lowest risk of developing diabetes.

Men consuming 14 drinks per week were found to have a 43 per cent lower risk of diabetes relative to no alcohol intake, and women consuming nine drinks per week had a 58 per cent lower risk compared with women who did not drink at all.

In terms of frequency, the data revealed that consumption of alcohol 3-4 days a week gave the lowest risk of diabetes - a 27 per cent lower risk in men and a 32 per cent lower risk in women - when compared to individuals drinking less than one day per week.

Regarding beverage type, moderate to high intake of wine was associated with a lower risk of diabetes, in line with previous studies.

Researchers suggest that this might be due to a beneficial effect that polyphenols in wine have on management of blood sugar, giving red wine in particular a potential protective impact.

Men and women who consumed seven or more drinks of wine per week had a 25-30 per cent lower risk of diabetes compared with those having less than 1 drink of wine per week.

Consuming between one and six beers per week gave a 21 per cent lower risk of diabetes in men compared with men drinking less than one beer per week, while beer was not associated with diabetes risk in women.

"Our findings suggest that alcohol drinking frequency is associated with the risk of diabetes and that consumption of alcohol over 3-4 weekdays is associated with the lowest risks of diabetes, even after taking average weekly alcohol consumption into account," researchers said. PTI MHN SAR MHN

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Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam has issued an ultimatum to Mumbai University administration and Maharashtra govt to declare university results on or before July 31, otherwise his party will gherao the its campus on August 2.

By Mayuresh Ganapatye: Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam has issued an ultimatum to Mumbai University administration and the Maharashtra government to declare university results on or before July 31, failing which party cadres and NSUI workers will gherao the Mumbai University campus on August 2.

According to Congress, over 20 lakh answer sheets are yet to be checked by the university. Students, who had planned to go abroad for further education, are suffering due to this delay.

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The evaluation of answer sheets has got delayed because of a faulty online paper checking system which Mumbai University hired this year. MeritTrac Services is the firm which made this online paper assessment system. Sanjay Nirupam has alleged that MeritTrac Services got the contract for this paper assessment system without following a proper tendering process due to the tacit support of the BJP.

CONGRESS CLAIMS BJP INVOLVED IN MUMBAI UNIVERSITY RESULTS MESS

"The information I have got is this. This company is a part of Manipal University. Mohandas Pai is related to Manipal University and everyone knows about his inclination towards BJP. That is why this company is getting contracts in BJP-ruled states, Nirupam alleged. He added, "When Mumbai University was not ready for this system, why did the vice-chancellor award a contract to this particular firm? Before getting the final tender, MeritTrac officials had come to Mumbai for some training to teachers about their online paper assessment system."

A few days ago, Yuva Sena Chief Aditya Thackeray had raised this issue with Governor Vidyadagar Rao and demanded action against Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde and Mumbai University Vice-Chancellor Sanjay Deshmukh for this delay in declaration of Mumbai University results.

Nirupam advised Aditya Thackery to ask his own minister Ravindra Waikar to resign first on this issue. Nirupam has demanded that the vice-chancellor should be removed if results are not declared before July 31. "Education Minister Vinod Tawde and should step down. There should be a judicial inquiry against this irregularity", Nirupam said.

Also read | Bengal school topper's name appears in Jadavpur University merit list. He didn't even apply

Also read | Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam launches Twitter campaign against banks charging fee unfairly

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Charges were filed Thursday against the owner of two pit bulls in Chatham following a June attack that injured a family dog.

The pit bulls were identified as the dogs that attacked Keith and Laura Brinkleys Labrador retriever and beagle mix, Renegade, on June 24, according to a news release Friday from Pittsylvania County Administrator David Smitherman.

Renegade is now recovering from emergency surgery.

Jonathan P. Lee, of Banister Road in Chatham, was charged with two counts of having dangerous dogs, two counts of failure to vaccinate and two counts of failure to have dogs licensed, Smitherman said.

There have been three incidents with pit bulls attacking since December, and as many as a dozen pit bulls live in the area, according to residents.

Another dog was attacked and killed Monday on Mitchell Road in Chatham. No charges will be filed in that attack, Smitherman said.

Dangerous dogs are defined in the Pittsylvania County Code for Animals and Fowl as a canine that has bitten, attacked, inflicted injury on, or killed a person or companion animal.

The code specifically states that no dog will be found to be a dangerous or vicious dog due to its breed, and ownership of any particular breed cannot be prohibited by county law.

If the court rules the dogs are dangerous, they will be required to be kept securely enclosed or confined indoors when on their owners property, according to the code.

A dangerous dog registration must be purchased from either the treasurer or animal control for $50, and the dog must wear the collar and tag at all times, the code states. This registration must be renewed annually, with proof of a current rabies vaccination and that it will be confined.

Each dog also will have to be registered with the Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry within 45 days and notify animal control if the animal gets loose, injures or attacks another person, or is sold, given away or dies.

When relocating, owners must notify local animal control within 10 days of the new address.

A court date for Lee has been set for 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 25 in Pittsylvania County General District Court.
In February, T.R. Zeliang of the Naga People's Front (NPF) was ousted as chief minister of Nagaland following the government's announcement of 33 per cent reservation for women in the civic polls. It had led to protests and violence by several Naga tribal groups. Many felt that it challenged traditional customs of Naga society, which is now 90 per cent Christian. Zeliang's decision to empower women was also seen as a consequence of the growing influence of the RSS and BJP in the state. He was replaced by Shurhozelie Liezietsu, the 81-year-old NPF president. "Zeliang's proximity to BJP general secretary Ram Madhav had angered many in the party. The latter's interference in internal party matters was unacceptable," an NPF leader who did not want to be named, had said then.

But in less than five months, Zeliang is back in the hot seat, thanks to his alleged friendship with the BJP. Sources say that with Shurhozelie showing no signs of vacating the seat for Zeliang, within the scheduled six months, as decided by the two leaders earlier, alliance partner BJP stepped in. In February, former chief minister Neiphiu Rio, in a desperate attempt to return to state politics, had played a key role in orchestrating the coup against Zeliang. This time, BJP leaders Madhav and Himanta Biswa Sarma brokered a peace deal between the two Naga leaders.

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Consequently, Zeliang had the support of 36 NPF, four BJP and 11 independent MLAs in the 60-member assembly. Shurhozelie, left with just seven supporters, expelled 20 MLAs, including Zeliang, and suspended 11 others. He also declared that the NPF was breaking off its alliance with the BJP. The vertical split in the NPF has created a buzz that the BJP is planning to do an Arunachal in Nagaland. In July last year, 44 of the 45 Congress MLAs, led by Arunachal CM Pema Khandu, had first joined a regional party and eventually merged with the BJP.

However, the transition may not be as smooth here as Nagaland politics is strongly dominated by the Church, which is not at all happy with the saffron party's growing influence in the state. Also, not many NPF leaders will be willing to fight on a BJP ticket, in the event that the party's election symbol is frozen in the battle between the two factions.

To cash in on the public mood, NPF members loyal to Shurhozelie organised a beef festival in Kohima hours after Zeliang won the trust vote on July 21 and invited governor P.B. Acharya for dinner. In a statement aimed at Acharya, the NPF's youth wing said: "We are in a jubilant mood because not only has the NPF severed ties with the BJP for good, in the last few days you yourself have shown how low you can stoop to achieve your political and religious agenda." A week earlier, Shurhozelie had also targeted Acharya, saying the "hardcore RSS pracharak" had violated all constitutional provisions to bring down his government, adding that the latter would never achieve his dream of a BJP government in Nagaland.

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Karnataka has the highest number of engineering colleges in the country and can find local talent to handle metro services, said KDA Chief SG Siddaramaiah.

By Rohini Swamy: The Kannada language debate has been taken a step forward by the Kannada Development Authority ( KDA) which has now asked the government to remove 'non-Kannadiga' engineers from Namma Metro.

SG Siddaramaiah, Chairman of the KDA, has written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the chief secretary of the state SC Khuntia and the additional chief secretary in charge of urban development, Mahendra Jain saying that the first preference in the metro service department should be given to Kannadigas or else it would amount to the violation of the Sarojini Mahishi report.

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The Sarojini Mahishi report recommended in 1986 that there should be 100 percent reservation for Kannadigas in the state, public sector units as well as certain central government departments.

Karnataka has the highest number of engineering colleges in the country and can definitely find local talent to handle the metro services, said the KDA chief.

SG Siddaramaiah further wrote that there should be more representation for Kannadigas in the cleaning and maintenance section.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah while speaking to India Today said that the kannadiga pride has always been very important and the culture and ethnicity of the state will be a part of the state's agenda.

There have been massive protests across the state saying that Hindi was just an official language of communication and not our national language. Campaigns such as #nammametrohindibeda have been made into massive online and offline campaigns.

The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) protested in front of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) demanding that all the signboards in the city should give prominence to Kananda.

Following which, Namma Metro removed the signboards. The move came after the Kannada Development Authority mandated the immediate removal.

The Karnataka government has also demanded a separate flag for the state.

Also Read:

Bengaluru: Pro-Kannada group demands removal of Hindi boards, threatens to blacken them

Bengaluru: Pro-Kannada group blacken Hindi sign boards at metro stations

Also Watch:

Karnataka: Hindi signages to be removed from Namma metro stations

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The decision comes as a huge relief for Narottam Mishra who was not allowed to vote in the presidential election.

By Hemender Sharma, Rahul Noronha: The Supreme Court on Friday granted a stay on the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to declare null and void the election of Madhya Pradesh's Minister for Water Resources, Public Relations and Legislative Affairs, Narottam Mishra.

The Supreme Court has asked the Delhi High Court to hear the matter and take a decision within two weeks. The decision comes as a huge relief for Narottam Mishra who was not allowed to vote in the Presidential election and brings clarity on whether Mishra is still a minister or not.

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Though the ECI order on June 23 had set aside Mishra's election and debarred him from contesting for 3 years, Mishra continued to work as a minister using privileges assigned to office holders.

Those in government, especially the civil services had gone through a peculiar situation when the ECI order made it amply clear that Narottam Mishra was not an MLA and hence not a minister but files were being marked to him nonetheless.

DISQUALIFICATION OVER PAID NEWS

The ECI decision came after a 2009 petition by Rajendra Bharti, the BSP candidate from Dabra who had contested the 2008 assembly elections against Narottam Mishra, alleging misreporting of election expenses by Mishra, especially those pertaining to paid news.

Mishra did not attend the two week monsoon session of the assembly that concluded on Wednesday, avoiding a showdown with opposition MLAs who had warned against it.

In the last one month or so, Mishra's case has moved from one high court to the Supreme Court to be sent back to another high court, again to the Supreme Court and now back to a high court.

Mishra had appealed against the decision at the Gwalior bench of the MP High Court where the petition could not be heard due to a strike by lawyers. The matter then reached the Jabalpur High Court which transferred the matter to the Supreme Court. The SC then asked the Delhi HC to hear the matter.

A single bench of the Delhi HC dismissed Mishra's petition. A review petition was filed at the division bench which again dismissed the petition. Mishra then appealed at the SC which while granting a stay has asked the Delhi HC to hear the matter.

Madhya Pradesh Chief minister Shivraj Singh while reacting to the Supreme Court directive to the Delhi High Court said, "There was nothing in the matter, there is still nothing in it. we respect the courts and we will respect what the courts will say."

Also Read:

Madhya Pradesh minister Narottam Mishra disqualified by Election Commission over paid news

Also Watch:

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Election Commission disqualifies MP minister Narottam Mishra for 3 years in paid news case

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By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) The government would by December come out with a national programme to fight Hepatitis C, Union Health Minister J P Nadda sad today.

The programme would be rolled out subsequently next year, he said at the 4th National Technical Consultation on Viral Hepatitis, organised here on the World Hepatitis Day.

A workshop on the occasion Framework of National Program on Viral Hepatitis in India was held in collaboration with Indian Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) and the World Health Organisation.

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Nadda said the government is committed to ensure patients suffering from Hepatitis are not discriminated against.

The health minister emphasised on the need for prevention of Hepatitis infection.

Health Secretary C K Mishra emphasised the importance of vaccination for Hepatitis B at birth.

He further highlighted the gains made in covering the unreached population through the Mission Indradhanush.

"As the cost of treatment has relatively come down, it has been possible to treat more people," he said.

Delhis Health Minister Satyendra Jain and WHO country representative Dr Henk Bekedam were also present on the occasion. PTI PLB TIR

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Hitachi Ansaldo Baltimore Rail Partners, LLC, has been awarded a contract from Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to provide a Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) system for the Baltimore Metro Subway Link.

Hitachi Ansaldo Baltimore Rail Partners is a company established between Hitachi Rail Italy SpA and Ansaldo STS USA, Inc. (the US subsidiary of Ansaldo STS SpA). The $40.5-million contract also includes a fleet of 78 Hitachi railcars.

The project features the replacement of the existing signaling system with an advanced CBTC system by Ansaldo STS. The company will integrate the new system into the existing 15.5 miles of Baltimores subway infrastructure.

With the Baltimore metro, said Maurizio Manfellotto, CEO of Hitachi Rail Italy,Hitachi is confirming its commitment and presence in the important U.S. market. Not only will Hitachi provide new rail vehicles for the project but also the signaling, allowing our business to fully contribute to the development of passenger mobility for the US. Our goal is to always to satisfy the requirements of our customers and to provide innovative products which meet the needs of security, technology and sustainability.
In line with the White House Made in America initiative, three US corporates have announced a major investment plan to manufacture pharmaceutical glass packaging materials in the country under cross-industry collaboration.

At a White House event Thursday, as part of the Made in America Week, President Donald Trump announced the plan in the presence of the heads of Corning Inc. (GLW), and pharmaceutical companies Merck (MRK) and Pfizer (PFR).

This partnership is making an initial investment of $500 million and creating 1,000 new U.S. jobs as the first part of a planned investment of $4 billion and 4,000 new high-tech jobs.

Corning had developed the pharmaceutical glass packaging technology for storage and delivery of injectable drugs called "Valor Glass." This revolutionary packaging solution enhances the storage and delivery of modern drug formulations and provides more reliable access to medicines essential to public .

The initial investment by the three companies will cover the expansion of Corning facilities in New York and New Jersey, as well as the building of a new high volume manufacturing plant in the Southeast to support the new manufacturing process of pharmaceutical glass.

Trump said this initiative will bring "a key industry to our shores that for too long has been dominated by foreign countries". 98 percent of the $4 billion industry operations had previously been done overseas.

The return of pharmaceutical glass manufacturing to the United States was made possible by collaboration between the three American companies and support from the Trump Administration. Corning CEO Wendell Weeks credited President Trump, the White House Office of American Innovation, and the FDA's Emerging Technology Team with providing the assurance necessary to finalize the project.

Trump said his administration is committed to streamlining the regulatory process so that it's easier for companies to invest and innovate in America. "Every day, we are fighting to bring back our jobs, to restore our industry, and to put America first."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
(Agencia CMA Latam) - The Brazilian Federal Police arrested Aldemir Bendine, a former Petrobras and Banco do Brasil chairman. Bendine and other financial operators allegedly received US$ 3 million in bribes paid by Odebrecht.

Bendine headed Banco do Brasil from 2009 to 2015, and left to serve as Petrobras chairman until May 30, 2016. According to the Brazilian Federal Police, there is evidence that Bendine requested R$ 17 million in bribes while he was heading Banco do Brazil to allow a debt refinancing by Odebrecht AgroIndustrial.

Public prosecutors also informed that Marcelo Odebrecht and Fernando Reis, executives of Odebrecht, said under a plea-bargain deal that they refused Bendine's request because they understood that Bendine was not able to influence the financing agreement.

According to the prosecution, there is evidence that, on the eve of taking the top position in Petrobras, on February 6, 2015, Bendine again requested a bribe to Marcelo Odebrecht and Fernando Reis, so that Odebrecht would not be left behind in contracts with the state-owned oil company. He then received a R$ 3 million bribe, paid in 3 installments of R$ 1 million each.

by Agencia CMA Latam

For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com

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The New Zealand dollar weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Friday.

The NZ dollar fell to 2-day lows of 0.7470 against the U.S. dollar, 82.97 against the yen and 1.5642 against the euro, from yesterday's closing quotes of 0.7486, 83.29 and 1.5593, respectively.

Against the Australian dollar, the kiwi dropped to 1.0661 from an early 4-day high of 1.0618.

If the kiwi extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 0.72 against the greenback, 82.00 against the yen, 1.58 against the euro and 1.07 against the aussie.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Forex News
Norway's retail sales declined in June, figures from Statistics Norway showed Friday.

The retail sales volume, excluding motor vehicles, fell by adjusted 0.6 percent in June from May, when they grew by 1.3 percent.

The sales volume advanced 2.4 percent year-on-year in June and the sales value climbed 3.2 percent.

During April to June period, retail sales volume grew 2.4 percent and retail sales value gained 3.3 percent from the same period of previous year.

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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.
Editors Pick

United Airlines Holdings Inc. is giving pilots a 5 percent pay raise as promised during a pandemic cost-reduction deal, reports said. The pay hike is months ahead of schedule following the airline's return to profitability and positive outlook. The news came as the airline is struggling to come to terms on a new contract with its pilots' union, The Air Line Pilots Association or ALPA.

Elon Musk, in his first meeting with Twitter staff following the acquisition, warned that the social media platform could file for bankruptcy next year, reports said. The news comes as more and more key employees are leaving Twitter following the recent mass layoff. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission said its watching Twitter with deep concern after the company's top privacy and compliance officer

Deutsche Telekom AG reported Thursday significantly higher profit in its third quarter with improved revenues. Further, the German telecom major lifted its dividend, and also raised fiscal 2022 guidance for the third time in the current financial year. Meanwhile, the shares were losing around 3 percent in the morning trading in Germany.
By PTI: (Eds: With additional info, quotes)

New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) The government would by December come out with a national programme to fight Hepatitis C, Union Health Minister J P Nadda sad today.

The programme would be rolled out subsequently next year, he said at the 4th National Technical Consultation on Viral Hepatitis, organised here on the World Hepatitis Day.

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A workshop on the occasion Framework of National Program on Viral Hepatitis in India was held in collaboration with Indian Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) and the World Health Organisation.

Nadda said the government is committed to ensure patients suffering from Hepatitis are not discriminated against.

The health minister emphasised on the need for prevention of Hepatitis infection.

Health Secretary C K Mishra emphasised the importance of vaccination for Hepatitis B at birth.

He further highlighted the gains made in covering the unreached population through the Mission Indradhanush.

"As the cost of treatment has relatively come down, it has been possible to treat more people," he said.

ILBS Director Dr S K Sarin said about 4 per cent of Indians are afflicted with Hepatitis B and 1 per cent with Hepatitis C.

"Put together, about 60 million of us could be having Hepatitis B or C or both. While new drugs are available with which Hepatitis C can be treated and cured, Hepatitis B could only be prevented through vaccination," he said as he stressed the need for a national programme for viral hepatitis.

Delhis Health Minister Satyendra Jain and WHO country representative Dr Henk Bekedam were also present on the occasion. PTI PLB TIR

--- ENDS ---
Iron Mountain Inc. (IRM), a storage and information management services company, Friday said it has agreed to purchase MAG Datacenters, LLC, which operates Fortrust, a private data center businesses for total consideration of approximately $128 million.

The company expects earnings per share dilution of $0.01 to $0.02 in 2017 and for the acquisition to be accretive in 2019 following integration. The transaction is expected to deliver more than 9 megawatts of existing data center capacity and provide expansion capability for an additional 7 MW.

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and anticipated to be completed prior to the end of the third quarter.

The company intends to fund the purchase with a combination of approximately $73.5 million from a private placement of stock to the seller and $54.5 million in cash.

Iron Mountain projects a stabilized return of in the mid teens following build-out and lease-up of the expansion capacity.

Fortrust is a Denver -based provider of multi-tenant data center space in the Colorado/Mountain region. At June 30, 2017, Fortrust's data center operations comprised a state-of-the-art facility totaling 210,000 square feet of spacee. The existing space provides approximately 9 MW of power capacity, 75 percent of which is leased to a diversified base of 250 customers.

The acquisition will provide Iron Mountain with expansion potential.

Mark Kidd, senior vice president and general manager, Iron Mountain Data Centers, said, "With this acquisition - our first in the data center - we are expanding our network to better serve target customers for whom our reputation for enhanced security, customer service and compliance are important factors in data center selection. This acquisition, together with Phase I of our Northern Virginia campus, will bring total capacity to more than 30 MW with the ability to expand to more than 70 MW across our data center properties."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Legislation enacting a package of sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea is headed to President Donald Trump's desk after being overwhelmingly approved by the Senate on Thursday.

The Senate voted 98 to 2 in favor of the bill, with only Senators Rand Paul, R-Ken., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., voting against the legislation.

The vote in the Senate comes after the House passed the bill by 419 to 3 on Tuesday, reflecting strong bipartisan support.

The bill includes a provision that would allow Congress to block any attempt by Trump to ease or waive the sanctions against Russia.

The inclusion of the provision has led to some speculation that Trump might veto the legislation, with the White House thus far non-committal on whether the president will sign the bill.

In an interview on CNN on Thursday, White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci said Trump "may sign the sanctions exactly the way they are, or he may veto the sanctions and negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians."

Lawmakers are skeptical that Trump will veto the bill, noting that the overwhelming votes in favor of the legislation suggest the veto could be overridden.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said he has recently spoken with Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and received no indication that a veto was likely.

"It's just not a good way to start a presidency to veto something and then be soundly overridden," Corker told reporters. "It wouldn't be something I would do, but they may choose to do it."

Corker said the legislation sends a strong signal to Iran, Russia and North Korea that the U.S. will stand firm and united in the face of their destabilizing behavior.

A day after the vote in the Senate, the Kremlin retaliated by ordering Washington to downsize its diplomatic staff in Russia and barring the use of some properties used by U.S. diplomats.

In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry also warned, "Any new unilateral actions by the U.S. authorities to reduce the number of our diplomats in the United States will be met with a mirror response."

(Photo: Kremlin.ru)

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Political News
Alice Cooper surprised metal fans in Gothenburg, Sweden earlier this week when he made an unannounced appearance with members of his touring band. The appearance came at that city's Sticky Fingers Club where he joined the band for four songs including "No More Mr. Nice Guy", "Under My Wheels", "Lost In America," and "School's Out."

Cooper is set to hit the stage for a full show with his band in the city later this week and opened up about their current set list noting:

"We throw some total left curves in there. I understand that I have to do at least fifteen songs  'Poison', 'School's Out', 'No More Mr. Nice Guy', 'Under My Wheels', all the ones that people hear on the radio. And then I know that there are the real dyed-in-the-wool Alice fans who love to hear something they never thought they'd hear  a really obscure song off of an album where they say, 'Are you kidding me? They're playing that?' I know that that works because when I go to see THE ROLLING STONES or THE WHO and all of a sudden they play an album track that's one of my favorite album tracks that never got played on the radio, I say, 'Oh, that's so cool to hear that! I never thought they'd play that!' So we do find a couple of really deep cuts, and I can see the appreciation of the audience in that."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Entertainment News
North Korea has test fired another intercontinental ballistic missile, the U.S. Department of Defense said in a statement on Friday.

The Defense Department said it detected and tracked a single North Korea intercontinental ballistic missile launch at about 10:41 a.m. ET.



The missile was launched from Mupyong-ni and traveled about 1,000 kilometers before splashing down in the Sea of Japan, the Defense Department added.

Defense Department spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis said the North American Aerospace Defense Command determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America.



"Our commitment to the defense of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, remains ironclad," Davis said. "We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation."

The latest missile launch by North Korea comes after the communist nation also test fired an ICBM earlier this month.

In a statement on the test, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said North Korea's pursuit of nuclear-capable ICBMs poses clear and immediate danger to U.S. national security.

"We take this threat very seriously," Ryan said. "That's why, earlier this week, a bipartisan majority of the House voted to sanction North Korea."

"These expansive sanctions directly target Pyongyang's ability to threaten the United States and our allies," he added. "The Kim regime needs to pay for its actions."

The House and Senate have overwhelmingly approved legislation enacting sanctions on North Korea as well as Russia and Iran.

The bill includes a provision that would allow Congress to block any attempt by President Donald Trump to ease or waive the sanctions against Russia.

The inclusion of the provision has led to some speculation that Trump might veto the legislation, with the White House thus far non-committal on whether the president will sign the bill.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
In the 70 years of the history of Pakistan, no Prime Minister has completed full term. Before he was disqualified by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif looked all set to break the jinx.

Nawaz Sharif failed to break the jinx of completing full term in the PMO in Pakistan. (Photo: AP file)

By Prabhash K Dutta: Pakistan Muslim League leader Nawaz Sharif joined the list of his predecessors who failed to complete their term as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. None of the PMs has lasted the full tenure.

Nawaz Sharif today resigned from his post after the Supreme Court of Pakistan found him guilty in the Panama Papers case. A joint investigation team had found him possessing assets beyond the known sources of income.

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Three of 26 Prime Ministers of Pakistan left office after facing disqualification - including Sharif - by the Supreme Court. Sharif and Benazir Bhutto occupied the PMO more than once.

FIRST PM ASSASSINATED

With the partition of India, Pakistan came into existence on August 15, 1947 when Liaquat Ali Khan became the Prime Minister of the newly carved country. Four years and two months later, Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated on October 16, 1951.

Khawaja Nazimuddin succeeded Liaquat Ali Khan but 18 months later on April 17, 1953, he was deposed by Governor General Malik Ghulam Muhammad. He was replaced by a relatively unknown politician Muhammad Ali Bogra as the Prime Minister.

Bogra was again dismissed by Malik Ghulam Muhammad in 1954 following which elections were held. The Muslim League suffered a defeat in the polls. But, Bogra was reappointed as the Prime Minister of Pakistan and headed a minority government.

Bogra was ultimately deposed by Iskander Mirza in August, 1955. Iskander Mirza was the last Governor General and first President of Pakistan when its Constitution was promulgated in 1956.

Bogra was succeeded by Chaudhry Muhammad Ali, who was one of the key members in making of 1956 Constitution of Pakistan. Muhammad Ali resigned from his post in 1956 - less than a year after assuming the office of the Prime Minister - due to serious differences with President Iskander Mirza.

FIRST 'OUTSIDER' PM

Muhammad Ali was succeeded by the first non-Muslim League Prime Minister of Pakistan - Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, who had led his Awami Leaque to victory in the 1954 elections to the Constituent Assembly. He met the fate of his two predecessors at the hands of Iskander Mirza, who deposed Suhrawardy in October, 1957.

Iskander Mirza appointed Muslim League leader Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar as the next Prime Minister of Pakistan. The Awami League experiment did not last long. Chundrigar remained in the PMO for only two months before he quit over differences with Iskander Mirza.

Having dismissed four prime ministers in little over two years, Iskander Mirza now appointed his own Republican Party chairman Feroz Khan Noon in December, 1957. Noon enjoyed the confidence of Iskander Mirza before Ayub Khan carried out coup d'etat and imposed martial law in 1958.

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TWO MILITARY RULES

Ayub Khan became interim Prime Minister for five days between October 24 and 28 when he forced Iskander Mirza to step down. Ayub Khan became the President of Pakistan. The 1956 Constitution was replaced with a new one in 1962. The post of Prime Minister was abolished.

There was no prime minister in Pakistan between 1958 and 1973 except for a brief period when Yahya Khan appointed Nurul Amin as his PM. Yahya Khan resigned as the President after defeat in Bangladesh Liberation war. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto became the President.

Bhutto became the Prime Minister of Pakistan in 1973 when the country adopted a new Constitution, which established parliamentary democracy there. Bhutto was deposed in a coup d'etat four years later in 1977 by military general Muhammad Zia ul Haq, who became the President a year later.

WHEN BENAZIR BHUTTO ARRIVED

Pakistan got its next Prime Minister in 1985 in Muhammad Khan Junejo, who was dismissed by Zia ul Haq in May, 1988. Zia ul Haq died in August 1988. The same year in December, Pakistan got its only female Prime Minister in Benazir Bhutto, who remained in office for about 20 months.

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Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi served as a care taker PM for three months in 1990 before Nawaz Sharif was elected as the Prime Minister for the first time in November, 1990. About two-and-a-half years later, Sharif government was dismissed only to be restored after a month by the Supreme Court. Balakh Sher Mazari served as the PM in between.

Between April 1993 and July 1999, Pakistan saw six PMs including two stints of Nawaz Sharif and one of Benazir Bhutto, who occupied the chair from October, 1993 to November 1996. Nawaz Sharif's held the PMO between February, 1997 and October, 1999 when General Pervez Musharraf deposed him and imposed martial law.

11 YEARS, 7 PMs

From November 2002 to June, 2013, Pakistan had seven occupants of the PMO with Yousaf Raza Gillani having had the longest tenure of about four years and three months. Shaukat Aziz was the PM for three years and three months between August, 2004 and November, 2007.

Aziz left PMO after the completion of parliamentary term of the National Assembly - for the first time in Pakistan's history. Gillani was disqualified by the Supreme Court in 2012 for contempt of court.

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Nawaz Sharif took oath as the Prime Minister of Pakistan on June 5 in 2013 for third time. Sharif looked set to complete his tenure in 2018 before the Supreme Court began trial in the Panama Papers case. Sharif remained in the PMO for over four years.

The Supreme Court today disqualified him as member of the National Assembly and Prime Minister of Pakistan. Sharif resigned from his post today.

ALSO READ |

Nawaz Sharif resigns as Pakistan PM after Supreme Court disqualification in Panama Papers case

Nawaz Sharif in Panama Papers case: Road to disqualification in 50 hearings

ALSO WATCH | Panama Papers verdict: Supreme Court disqualifies Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif

--- ENDS ---
Nitish's party believes other parties will break rank and back the new regime with the same chief minister "Mr Clean" at the helm.

By Sweta dutta, Siddhartha Rai: While the twists and turns in the Bihar political drama have left observers giddy, the ruling Janata Dal (United) believes more excitement awaits.

The party is confident that there will be massive cross-voting from opposition lawmakers in favour of chief minister Nitish Kumar when he faces the floor test in the assembly today.

The halfway mark lies at 122 and the BJP-JD-U combine amounts to 124. But the slender margin, Nitish's party believes, will be turned into a massive support when MLAs from other parties break rank and back the new regime with the same chief minister "Mr Clean" at the helm.

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Nitish quit as Bihar chief minister on Wednesday while breaking off an alliance with the RJD and Congress, but was sworn back to power with help from the BJP.

Corruption allegations against the family of ally Lalu Prasad Yadav, including his son and deputy CM Tejashwi, proved to be the last straw. Sources said those defecting from Congress and RJD would first vote in favour of the government on the floor and then later split their respective parties.

'NITISH'S MORAL SWAY TO GET SUPPORT'

"We are in the same position that we were in already. We have not been promoted," said an elated KC Tyagi, JD-U's national spokesperson, suggesting that Congress and RJD legislators would back the new regime.

He based the "forthcoming" support on the "moral sway" of Nitish. "When we all entered 'mahagathbandhan' and entered assembly polls together, Congress had four MLAs, RJD had 22 and JD-U 118," said Tyagi.

"The moral authority of Nitish Kumar was the single biggest factor that this four became 27, 22 became 80. RJD and the Congress are crestfallen and agitated because of this reason. This government will function for three more years and the cadre of both the parties is largely frustrated."

Eight JD-U leaders were elected as MLAs on Congress tickets owing to seat-sharing compulsions.

"These parties, more so the RJD, will not just break, but they will also try to spread anarchy and chaos in the state as is evident by the fact that today they have beaten a district magistrate," added Tyagi.'

SERIOUS APPREHENSIONS OF CONGRESS MLAS BEING BOUGHT OVER'

According to highly placed sources in the Congress, rumours of a split are reaching a crescendo as Bihar party unit chief Ashok Chaudhary, who was the education minister in the grand alliance government, remained unavailable to Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for several hours.

He opened communications with the high command only after party's Bihar in-charge CP Joshi arrived in the state to meet him. However, Choudhary maintained publicly that "our flock remains together", even as some party leaders hinted that there is "serious apprehension" of some Congress MLAs being "bought over".

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Party functionaries in the national Capital made frantic calls to the state unit for feedback on whether their legislators were being poached.

"Though the MLAs are saying that no one has approached them yet, it is really hard to believe that the JD-U or BJP has not made a move yet. What is worrisome is that the local MLAs are being so cagey about it," said a senior party functionary.

DESPERATE ATTEMPTS

Joshi, who flew down to Patna after deliberations with Rahul, made desperate attempts to pacify the state unit.

Top leaders said that the Bihar section of the party is disgruntled not just because it feels "cheated" by Nitish, but also due to Rahul's flip-flop on the long-drawn crisis.

Sources said the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief after meeting Nitish had rushed to Delhi to discuss the issue with the Congress V-P, who kept him waiting for over two days.

Sources suggested a strong possibility of the PCC chief jumping sides, as the JD-U leadership and Chaudhary are in constant talks.

They added that about 15 MLAs could be shepherded to the JD(U) in which case the anti-defection law would not apply.

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Also, JDU leader and five-time MLA Vijay Kumar Chaudhary is the assembly speaker and considered close to the CM.

As Gandhi lashed out at Nitish on Thursday, claiming that he knew for the past three-four months of the "planning" between BJP and Nitish, senior leaders asked why he did not act on the information.

ALSO READ

3 reasons why Nitish Kumar's swearing-in happened so quickly after his resignation

Why Nitish Kumar has almost killed Opposition chances to challenge Modi with a Grand Alliance in 2019

ALSO WATCH

Congress slams Nitish Kumar, says Bihar's mandate was against Modi

--- ENDS ---
In the run up to Bihar Assembly election 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised Rs 1.25 lakh crore special package to the state. Only a portion of that amount has been released so far.

By India Today Web Desk: Before seeking the trust vote in Bihar Assembly Nitish Kumar said that this was an opportunity to serve, not profit - "Yeh sewa ka avsar hai, na ki mewa ka".

Now that he has won the trust vote, he needs a lot of mewa (read funds) if his sewa has to make voters happy. And, he may just be a lot more lucky this time around.

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Nitish Kumar today won the trust vote securing support of 131 MLAs in the 243-member House. The Opposition could muster only 108 votes on the floor of the Assembly.

THE PROMISE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a special package of Rs 1.25 lakh crore for Bihar in the run up to the Assembly elections in 2015.

A very small chunk of that has materialised and that prompted Nitish Kumar to keep the demand for more funds alive throughout his current tenure

Responding to a query in Bihar Assembly, the grand alliance government had said that Rs 28,117.23 crore was made available by the Centre for 30 schemes out of special package of Rs 1.25 lakh crore.

Out of the grant of Rs 28,117.23 crore, a sum of Rs 6,608.77 crore had been spent, according to the answer given by Bihar Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lallan in March.

The Bihar government had raised demand for remaining Rs 96,885.77 crore from the Centre. Now, this seems a reality. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has already said that there would be greater "synergy" between the Centre and the Bihar government now.

THE DEMAND

Nitish Kumar in his previous stint has asked for a special status for the state. However, his demand was considered untenable as the criteria defined for granting special status to a state don't apply in the case of Bihar.

Nitish has also been pressing the Centre for contributing a higher share in Centrally-sponsored schemes. While Centre contributes 60 per cent of the funds for such schemes, Bihar had asked it to contribute at least 90 per cent.

The demand may soon be discussed more seriously when Nitish Kumar comes to New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

THE RATIONALE

In a letter to NITI Aayog in may this year, Nitish Kumar had explained the rationale behind his demand for greater help to Bihar saying, "For realizing the dream of developed India and development of Bihar, it is absolutely necessary to relook and consider the lack of resources of less developed states like Bihar and its demand of special category status."

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The Raghuram Rajan Committee had also recommended that India's ten least developed states should get greater central assistance to speed up their development. Given that Centre transfers account for over 60 per cent of Bihar's total expenditure, Nitish has a point too.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Even though the JD-U maintains that it is not yet part of the NDA at the central level, for all practical purposes, Nitish Kumar is likely to work with the BJP as a constituent of the ruling coalition at the Centre. And, it always helps to have the same political block ruling at both the Centre and in the state.

Bihar hasn't had that fortune in the last twenty years. The release of funds that Narendra Modi promised in the run up to the Bihar elections in 2015 was tied to the projects sanctioned under the 12th Five-Year Plan. This limited the release of funds.

The plan hurdle is going away this year as the 12th FYP comes to an end this year. This means the much demanded special package may see light of day next year. Also, like Uttar Pradesh that has been implementing centrally sponsored schemes with more rigour after a BJP government came to power there, the new Bihar government may follow the template.

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ALSO READ |

Nitish Kumar wins trust vote in Bihar Assembly with 131 votes

How will Modi and Nitish explain their past hatred, asks Shiv Sena

ALSO WATCH | Congress slams Nitish Kumar, says Bihar's mandate was against Modi

--- ENDS ---
BJP president Amit Shah and Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani will file their nominations for Rajya Sabha elections from Gujarat on Friday.The Parliamentary board of the BJP on Wednesday announced that Amit Shah and Smriti Irani will contest for Rajya Sabha elections from Gujarat.

The announcements of Amit Shah and Smriti Irani's names were made by Union Minister J.P. Nadda after a meeting of the BJP Parliamentary Board in New Delhi on Wednesday evening.



Irani, who is currently a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat, has been re-nominated for the seat.



Rajya Sabha elections will be held on August 8.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day soon after it met after lunch, amid a ruckus by Opposition and treasury benches.As soon as the house reconvened at 2.30 p.m., Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi demanded an apology from Congress members for "maligning the image of Gujarat and defaming its people" in the morning.

"During the Zero Hour and the Question Hour, Congress members said some very objectionable things. They called Gujarat a hub of fake encounters and now a hub of stealing MLAs," Naqvi said.

"The Leader of Opposition (Ghulam Nabi Azad) should apologise for trying to malign Gujarat's image and defaming the people of Gujarat. There is resentment among Gujarat's people as their state is being maligned in this house," he said.

The Minister also asked the Chair to expunge the relevant remarks from the proceedings.

The house earlier saw repeated adjournments on the issue of Congress legislators from Gujarat resigning and joining the state's ruling BJP.
Tejashwi Yadav said that he would have certainly considered his resignation had Nitish Kumar sought it.

By Rohit Kumar Singh: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today won the crucial trust vote in Bihar Assembly, a day after he was sworn in as the head of a Janata Dal (United)-BJP government.

During the floor test, former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav said that Nitish Kumar has forged an alliance with the killers of Mahatma Gandhi. Tejashwi Yadav said that the entire disturbing series of events had been planned in advance by the saffron party.

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"Nitish used to say Hey Ram (gandhian ideology) earlier but now he will have to say Jai Shri Ram," said Tejashwi Yadav.

Tejashwi Yadav further said that Nitish Kumar had falsely implicated an "innocent person like him and has insulted his family" to ally with BJP.

Tejashwi also said that he would have certainly considered his resignation had Nitish Kumar sought it.

Tejashwi Yadav denied his father being in 'putra moh'. He said, "Had my father Lalu Prasad been into putra moh, he would have made me the chief minister in 2015 but he was more into bhai moh, which is why he made Nitish Kumar the chief minister."

Tejashwi Yadav had several questions for Nitish Kumar after he decided to join hands with the saffron party.

Bihar Chief Minister speaks volumes about zero tolerance on corruption. Did Nitish Kumar not know that Lalu Yadav was a convict in the fodder scam? Then why did he forge an alliance with him in 2015?

Narendra Modi had questioned the DNA of the Bihar Chief Minister, how did he then join hands with the saffron party ?

Will Nitish Kumar make any law under which a minister can be sacked only on the basis of FIR being registered against him?

Nitish should now tell whether he will implement prohibition in the entire country now and if not, will he tender his resignation?

Meanwhile, the ruling coalition of the JD-U, the BJP and others won the floor test with 131 votes in his favour in the 243-member Assembly.

The Opposition led by Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) could manage 108 votes, speaker Vijay Kumar Chowdhury said.

Also Read:

Nitish Kumar wins trust vote in Bihar Assembly with 131 votes

How are Modi, Nitish going to explain past hatred? Shiv Sena slams BJP-JD-U reunion

Also Watch:

Congress slams Nitish Kumar, says Bihar's mandate was against Modi

--- ENDS ---
The recent and unexpected shortage of imported chicken on commercial shelves may have lasted less than a week.

But it was enough for the Minister of Agriculture, Laaulilalemalietoa Leuatea Fosi, also in charge of livestock to remain firm on the governments conviction to start a meat import substitution strategy

With 70per cent of beef currently being imported into Samoa, there is a huge opportunity for local farmers to enter the market as commercial sellers.

With that in mind, since July 2012, the World Bank and the Samoan Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries have been working with these farmers through the Samoa Agriculture Competitiveness Enhancement Project (S.A.C.EP).

Its goal is to support livestock producers and fruit and vegetable growers to improve their productivity and take greater advantage of market opportunities.

Samoa imports 40 containers of meat every month at a staggering cost and as an import substitution, the Livestock Division under the umbrella of the Ministry of Agriculture is reviewing chicken farming, says the Agriculture Minister.

Soon to be opened will a chicken and poultry farm at the Livestock Divisions home in Vailima.

The project is in line with the government framework to lessen reliance on imported meat produce.

And to encourage families to take up chicken farming as an import substitution.

Already the Division has procured three incubators to technically hatch broiler chickens for consumption and layer chickens to mass produce eggs.

And 200 imported chicken broilers are also on island.

Even families who are interested in starting a small chicken farm for their own food security can take part.

With the incubators, we have the capacity to supply broilers and lay chickens to not only commercial farms but also families who may be interested, said Laaulialemalietoa.

The projects longer term aim is to support farmers to increase production and improve processing to meet domestic needs.

We are thinking big and starting small with our meat import substitution, said the Minister. The ultimate target is for local livestock farmers to meet 50% of our meat import needs.

Aside from poultry and piggery industry, cattle farming are also a major component of S.A.C.E.P.

The chicken and piggery farms at the Livestock Division in Vailima will be dedicated and in commission in the near future.
A test flight from Real Tonga Airlines touched down at Faleolo International Airport as it looks to formalise a working relationship with Polynesian Airlines.

The 1 hour and 20 minutes flight from Vavau brought to Samoa a delegation of more than 20 employees including the Deputy Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Commercial, Tele Faletau.

At the airport to await the delegation was Polynesian Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Seiuli Alvin Tuala and members of his staff.

Seiuli declined to comment when he was asked.

But Mr. Faletau told the Samoa Observer their official regional service should be up and running by August.

While a lot of people suggested Fiji, but for us, weve had a connection with Samoa for far too long, he said.

This has always been our primary objective for our regional flights and that is flying to Samoa.

Were very happy to be discussing a code share with Polynesian Airlines so that will be a joint Polynesian Airlines and Real Tonga.

Mr. Faletau said Samoa and Tonga are next-door neighbours and it makes sense for them to work together.

Were brothers, and we haven't had any direct services for more than ten years. Ever since Polynesian halted their fully fledged airlines services, that all stopped.

But the plan to revive Polynesian Airlines international operations is exciting.

We have a lot of Tongas here in Samoa and there are a lot of Samoans in Tonga.

To get between Samoa and Tonga, is very costly to customers over $2,000 and on top of that required an overnight and that didn't matter which way you went, whether its Fiji, or NZ, he said.

So now were going to offer a much more cost effective option for the traveling public and a much more convenient services... the airfare will be less than $1,000WST, because the flight is just over an hour.

All the flights will come through Vavau, the flight time that was discovered today [yesterday] was an hour and 20 minutes.

Its a very quick flight and itll be very convenient and on to top it off that this partnership will strengthen our Polynesian ties.

The Deputy C.E.O agrees there are more Tongas in Pago Pago however due to significant federal regulations they are depending on Polynesian Airlines to bring over the passengers from American Samoa.

Earlier this week, Polynesian Airlines formalized its partnership with Fiji Airways in a Memorandum of Understanding.
Frozen taro is not the only export agro commodity on demand overseas.

In fact, according to the Minister of Agriculture Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Fosi who returned last week from launching the Samoa frozen taro in New Zealand, distributors there are demands for other frozen produce from Samoa such as yams, (taamu) cassavas, (manioka, ufi) and breadfruit, (ulu) bananas, (fai) all processed locally at the ministrys Nuu location.

The container of mixed frozen produce shipped to New Zealand sold like hot cupcakes, said the Minister. And they want more.

To that effect, the Minister has tasked the Nuu Crops Division in charge of the frozen export drive for all systems go.

Laaulialemalietoa says that with the new export outlet secured, regular shipments will be made to New Zealand.

The next shipment will be arriving in Auckland on August 9th.

While for Wellington and Christchurch the 20 foot container from Apia should arrive on September 16th.

Added the Agriculture Minister;

The frozen technology has opened the gateway for our agricultural exports. However, we need to look at sustainability and consistency.

Government long ago knew that there were markets waiting for Samoa but we did not have enough local crops to meet that market.

Through the Samoa frozen concept, markets in Sydney and Brisbane Australia have been secured for Samoas frozen agro produce. Three 20-foot containers are shipping to Australia on a monthly basis.

Concluded the Minister;

More export markets translate to more income for our taro farmers. Government will continue to work with our agricultural stakeholders to improve the income power that will contribute to our foreign reserves.

To that end, the message from government to our farmers is simple.

We are opening up the export market for your benefit and farmers must do their part by working the land to take advantage of our new markets.

The benefits for our farmers are astronomical.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi is among country representatives and high-level officials in Noumea this week.

They are attending the 10th Conference of the Pacific Community (S.P.C) in Noumea as well as the celebration of S.P.Cs 70th Anniversary.

Tuilaepa is among a series of key-note speakers will take the floor to contribute to the dialogue, including, Hilda Heine, President of the Republic of Marshall Islands; Yukiya Amano, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency; Pascal Lamy, High Level Facilitator for out-reach activities on the Post-Cotonou Agreement.

The Director-General of the Pacific Community, Dr Colin Tukuitonga said the high-level meeting this week is crucial for sustaining the strategic direction of the Pacific regions largest development organisation.

This year S.P.C marks its 70th Anniversary and were delighted to celebrate this milestone during our governing body conference here at the S.P.C Headquarters in Noumea, he said.

The Pacific Community exists to support the development aspirations of our Pacific Island members and it is therefore paramount that we engage our member delegations and our partners to steer the strategic direction of the organisation and ensure the effective delivery of work.

The Conference comes after two days of the organisations annual governance meeting, the 47th Meeting of the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations (C.R.G.A 47).

High on the agenda for this meeting was the implementation of key priorities for the Framework for Pacific Regionalism and a high-level discussion on the Pacific Youth Development Framework, a regional approach to youth-centred development in the Pacific, coordinated by SPC and the Pacific Youth Council and discussions around the continued effective implementation and monitoring of SPCs five-year strategic plan.

S.P.C will also celebrate its 70th anniversary with its 26 member countries and territories and partners at a Gala Dinner.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (F.A.O) of the United Nations hosted a cocktail at Sails Restaurant on Wednesday evening.

The occasion was the celebration of Samoa winning the F.A.O 2016-2017 A.H. Boerma Award through the Editor of the Samoa Observer, Mataafa Keni Lesa.

The award recognises Mataafas work to address food security and agriculture challenges faced by Small Island Developing States.

It also honours his strong ability as an Editor to communicate complicated issues through an accessible writing style has successfully captured the attention of the general public.

This is the first time anyone from the Pacific  including New Zealand and Australia  has won the award. Previous winners include the New York Times, The Guardian, BBC, CNN, Wall Street Journal and others.

The informal gathering was hosted by the Sub-regional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands, Eriko Hibi.

In attendance was the Deputy Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa, Cabinet Ministers and members of the diplomatic corps and guests.
The Shackleton family know what they want.

After arriving in Samoa last weekend, John and Shelley were straight off the plane and onto the ferry to Savaii to begin the first part of their holiday.

They stayed at the Savaii Lagoon Resort for the first four nights.

They told the Samoa Observer that they had heard that Sinalei Resort was one of the top resorts here in Samoa and wanted to save it for the last part of their trip.

However they discovered that the Savaii Lagoon Resort was equally as fabulous, Shelley said

Well we had heard that Sinalei was one of the top resorts so we wanted to save the best for last but in Savaii at the Savaii Lagoon we had a fabulous time staying there, she said.

We really loved it. It was Johns birthday on Monday and they really went out of their way to celebrate his birthday and we had a big party with all the staff and other guests.

Shelley laughed while John added: Yes we were all busting out moves with the staff, we had a great time.

Shelley said she couldnt say enough about Samoa.

We just love it. It is absolutely beautiful - the people are just divine. Gentle souls, they smile all the time and couldnt do enough for you its just wonderful and we feel so relaxed.

They told the Samoa Observer that they headed here to Samoa on the recommendations of their friends.

Many of our friends have been here several times and they raved about it, said Shelley.

Being from Auckland where there is a large Samoan population, both John and Shelley said it was great to be able to come here and see where their Samoan colleagues originate from.

 I work with a lot of Samoans and they are all jealous of me coming back to their homeland, make sure you take pictures of Savaii some of them said to me, John said.

For the rest of their trip the couple plan to cruise around Upolu.

We plan to spend the next five days getting around to the rest of Upolu, we would have started today but our rental car is not available till tomorrow. But today is just about getting around town. John and Shelley are looking forward to testing out the local restaurants.
Even with a handful of housing reforms approved by city leaders this week, a panel of experts said Thursday much more is needed to drive down costs and increase production.

Its a West Coast crisis, now extended from Tijuana to the Canadian border, said developer Jennifer LeSar, who moderated a panel at a breakfast forum in Balboa Park sponsored by the Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 good-government group.

The City Council approved speeding up permit processing and allowing larger granny flats in single-family homes and more ideas are expected to reviewed later.

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But there are some fundamental economic forces working against local action, the panelists said.

Russell Murfey, whose development company specializes in infill development, said lenders typically approve projects only where market rents and median incomes are high enough to cover the costs.

Weve always been interested in Southeastern San Diego but there are barriers to getting in there, he said. Rents that we now have to plug in to make a project go are scary to me, he said.

Besides that, he said, city development impact fees (DIF) raise construction costs. They recently rose to about $9,500 per housing unit in Encanto and at southeastern San Diego projects. And developers still have to replace or improve gutters, sidewalks and streets that he characterized as double dipping into construction budgets.

Its a pipe dream to eliminate DIF fees, he said.

As for expediting permit approvals, Murfey said such promises have been made for more than a decade and yet staffing shortages have canceled out any time savings. Recently, he said, he had been waiting for approval for 11 months on a project and when a senior plan checker finally got a look, a whole new round of changes were called for.

If they can truly have a streamlining process with some identifiable milestones and approve in six months, were all in, he said. Now, at 12 to 18 months, who cares?

Ken Malbrough, chairman of the Encanto Neighborhoods Community Planning Group, said his areas new community plan is ready-made for quick project approval. But his fellow residents want more than new housing  name-brand retail outlets, higher paying jobs and better transit links.

I envisioned when I got on the planning group and updated the community plan, I thought that would be it, Malbrough said. Its not happening.

Rebecca Louie, chief operating officer at Wakeland Housing & Development, said not-in-my-backyard NIMBYism remains a problem in many neighborhoods, even if residents generally want better housing, parks and shopping that new development usually delivers.

People dont necessarily want low-income housing in their community, she said. You can talk all you want but they dont really want it.

Richard Seges, vice president for real estate and financing at the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, said while city leaders speak of generating more affordable housing, their immediate goals will only increase the current annual affordable unit count from 500 to 1,000 within the city of San Diego  when at least 10 times that amount in all housing types is needed to keep up with population demand.

Unless we really focus on market-rate and barriers to market rate (development), I dont think youre going to get there, Seges said.

Those barriers include zoning, California environment reviews and the Proposition 13 property tax limitation measure.

Panelists and attendees expressed concern about displacement of existing residents when new development brings in new, higher cost housing. They called for better schools and educational programs and innovative housing design. Rising construction materials and labor shortage also play a part in rising development costs.

The most recent housing numbers show overall costs continue to set records in San Diego County. CoreLogic this week reported the median home price locally at $543,500, up 9.8 percent from a year ago.

Phil Bona, current president of the local chapter of the American Institute Architects who attended the forum, said design innovations will be the focus of Nov. 4-5 town hall meetings at the County Operations Center in Kearny Mesa. Residents will be able to meet with architects and planners to dream up new, cost-saving approaches.

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roger.showley@sduniontribune.com; (619) 293-1286; Twitter: @rogershowley
Traversing a hilly portion of the 100-acre San Diego Zoo just got measurably easier, thanks to the opening Friday of a long-planned pedestrian bridge linking the west and east sides of the Balboa Park attraction.

Canopy Bridge, as it is being called, is elevated 70 feet above the canyon floor and spans 450 feet between Elephant Odyssey on the west and the Treeptops area near Gorilla Tropics. Construction began 11 months ago.

Not only does the footbridge shave time off the walk between the front and back of the zoo, but it also bypasses a longer, circuitous route through hills and canyons that is not easily accessed by individuals with disabilities.

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1 / 14 The first San Diego Zoo visitors to cross the new Canopy Bridge, a 450-foot long pedestrian bridge linking the front of the zoo to the back of the zoo were treated to a parade, complete with mascots, puppeteers, bubbles and a brass band. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 14 The first San Diego Zoo visitors to cross the new Canopy Bridge, a 450-foot long pedestrian bridge linking the front of the zoo to the back of the zoo were treated to a parade, complete with mascots, puppeteers, bubbles and a brass band. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 14 The first San Diego Zoo visitors to cross the new Canopy Bridge, a 450-foot long pedestrian bridge linking the front of the zoo to the back of the zoo were treated to a parade, complete with mascots, puppeteers, bubbles and a brass band. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 14 The first San Diego Zoo visitors to cross the new Canopy Bridge, a 450-foot long pedestrian bridge linking the front of the zoo to the back of the zoo were treated to a parade, complete with mascots, puppeteers, bubbles and a brass band. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 14 The first San Diego Zoo visitors to cross the new Canopy Bridge, a 450-foot long pedestrian bridge linking the front of the zoo to the back of the zoo were treated to a parade, complete with mascots, puppeteers, bubbles and a brass band. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 14 The first San Diego Zoo visitors to cross the new Canopy Bridge, a 450-foot long pedestrian bridge linking the front of the zoo to the back of the zoo were treated to a parade, complete with mascots, puppeteers, bubbles and a brass band. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 14 The first San Diego Zoo visitors to cross the new Canopy Bridge, a 450-foot long pedestrian bridge linking the front of the zoo to the back of the zoo were treated to a parade, complete with mascots, puppeteers, bubbles and a brass band. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 14 The first San Diego Zoo visitors to cross the new Canopy Bridge, a 450-foot long pedestrian bridge linking the front of the zoo to the back of the zoo were treated to a parade, complete with mascots, puppeteers, bubbles and a brass band. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 14 The first San Diego Zoo visitors to cross the new Canopy Bridge, a 450-foot long pedestrian bridge linking the front of the zoo to the back of the zoo were treated to a parade, complete with mascots, puppeteers, bubbles and a brass band. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 14 The first San Diego Zoo visitors to cross the new Canopy Bridge, a 450-foot long pedestrian bridge linking the front of the zoo to the back of the zoo were treated to a parade, complete with mascots, puppeteers, bubbles and a brass band. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 11 / 14 The first San Diego Zoo visitors to cross the new Canopy Bridge, a 450-foot long pedestrian bridge linking the front of the zoo to the back of the zoo were treated to a parade, complete with mascots, puppeteers, bubbles and a brass band. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 12 / 14 The first San Diego Zoo visitors to cross the new Canopy Bridge, a 450-foot long pedestrian bridge linking the front of the zoo to the back of the zoo were treated to a parade, complete with mascots, puppeteers, bubbles and a brass band. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 13 / 14 The first San Diego Zoo visitors to cross the new Canopy Bridge, a 450-foot long pedestrian bridge linking the front of the zoo to the back of the zoo were treated to a parade, complete with mascots, puppeteers, bubbles and a brass band. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 14 / 14 The first San Diego Zoo visitors to cross the new Canopy Bridge, a 450-foot long pedestrian bridge linking the front of the zoo to the back of the zoo were treated to a parade, complete with mascots, puppeteers, bubbles and a brass band. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune)

Conceived some 40 years ago, the $14 million project is the realization of a dream by zoo architect David Rice who wanted to find a way to more easily span the canyon that bisects the zoo.

Like so much of San Diego, there are mesas and canyons in the zoo, explained Rice, corporate director of architecture for San Diego Zoo Global. Historically, there have been lots of efforts to help the guests get around, like the buses and Skyfari. But the bridge makes it really convenient now, and its also an important aspect of our accessibility plan.

He noted that the zoo has long had moving sidewalks in the area, but they were too narrow and steep to be truly accessible.

As we continue to rebuild the zoo and build new exhibits, this new bridge will tie all these things together, so you now have a couple of minutes walk vs. a 20-minute walk up and down.

The bridges debut coincides with the recent opening of the first phase of Africa Rocks, an 8-acre, $68 million project that will eventually be home to birds, reptiles, plants, and mammals native to Africa, including Hamadryas baboons, West African dwarf crocodiles, vervet monkeys, baboons and lemurs.

Only the first phase  the African penguins habitat  has so far opened. Unlike Africa Rocks, which relied heavily on private donations, the bridge was largely funded by zoo revenues, said Chief Operating Officer Shawn Dixon.

There is still more ancillary work to be done to complete the bridge project. Under construction are three large passenger elevators and looping staircases that will help take zoo visitors from Panda Canyon to the bridge itself. Those are expected to open within the next few months, along with a new food kiosk in the canyon.

Each elevator can accommodate up to 27 people, and the stairs are 5 feet wide, which will allow for two-way traffic. There will also be plaza areas on the lower and upper levels of the elevator tower.

In addition to easing access around the zoo, the bridge could become something of an attraction, affording vistas of downtown, the panda and penguin habitats and the waterfalls of Africa Rocks.

The zoos CEO Doug Myers has said to me, Man, youre getting me all these big views at Safari Park that we never had before, but there arent big views at the zoo, except for Skyfari, Rice said. From the bridge, you get some really big views now, so its more than the functional aspect, its an experience unto itself.

As an added bonus during the summer months when the zoo remains open later, visitors will be entertained with millions of bubbles released from the Canopy Bridge.

The new nighttime show, Bubble Light Spectacular, will include live music, colored lights, fog and simulated lasers.

Bubble machines will also be activated at the Treetops Cafe in Gorilla Tropics, Elephant Odyssey Plaza and Hua Mei Cafe in Panda Canyon. The show lasts 15 minutes and starts 1 hour before the zoo closes, through September 4.

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lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-2251

Twitter: @loriweisberg
When Leeanne Ericson started fighting back against a great white shark that attacked her off the coast of San Onofre earlier this year, it was like digging into a cup of Jell-O  gouging the sharks eye so it would release its grip.

Ericson, now months into a grueling recovery after the near-fatal April 29 attack, described her ordeal during an exclusive interview that aired Friday on Good Morning America.

The Vista mother recalls fighting off the shark that had wrapped its jaws around her right leg and buttock, and gouging at the animals eye to get free.

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I just remember thinking about my kids and him (her boyfriend), and trying to push the shark off of me, Ericson said in the interview. And I just started digging  it felt like I was digging out a cup of Jell-O.

Ericsons boyfriend, who is identified only as Dusty, also appeared in the television interview. He said he was surfing, paddling for a wave when Leeane screams behind me.

Ericson said she felt the shark grab her and pull her down.

Witnesses said the 36-year-old mother of three disappeared under the water after the shark struck. Her boyfriend dove in and pulled Ericson onto his surfboard, and with the help of several bystanders rushed her to shore.

She was a completely gray color that looked like she was already dead, Dusty told ABC journalist Nick Watt.

After the attack, bystanders, including one trained as an emergency medical technician, helped get her stabilized, even using a surfboard leash as a makeshift tourniquet around her injured leg.

Ericson was flown to Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, where she stayed for about two months. Her doctor said last month that the fast response  including quick actions to stem the blood loss  helped save Ericsons life.

When Watt asked Ericson how much it costs to be bitten by a shark, Ericson gave a resigned laugh and replied millions.

She said her antibiotic medicine alone ran $36,000. Her doctor has spoken of serious concerns of infection as Ericson recovered from the bite.

A GoFundMe account set up by Ericsons family had raised more than $100,000 as of Friday  including donations sent after the morning shows interview.

Watt reported that while Ericson has insurance, she is still deep in the hole.

In a news conference in June, trauma surgeon Dr. Gail Tominaga said that Ericson had endured several surgeries and skin grafts, and successfully fought off infection.

The doctor said Ericson lost a lot of soft tissue on the back of her leg and buttocks in the attack, and suffered severe damage to her sciatic nerve. Her leg will never be fully functional, but doctors expect she will be able to walk again.

The interview includes a look at the wetsuit Ericson had on when the shark attacked. The material is shredded.

teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com

(760) 529-4945

Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT
The Killers will promote their upcoming fifth album, Wonderful Wonderful, with an 18-city North American tour early next year.

The new dates, which follow the bands previously announced fall tour, will begin with a Jan. 5 concert in Toronto and conclude Feb. 6 in Salt Lake City.

The itinerary includes two California shows  Jan. 30 at San Diegos Valley View Casino Center and Feb. 1 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. All of the new tour dates appear below, along with ticket information.

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The Killers last full tour was in 2013. The band performed in San Diego in 2015 as part of the first KAABOO Del Mar festival. Its guitarist, North County resident Dave Keuning, discussed the band in a pre-KAABOO interview with the Union-Tribune.

This will be The Killers first major concert trek since bassist Mark Stoermer announced last year that he will no longer tour with the band. However. he is featured on the new album.

Stoermers position for the upcoming tour by The Killers will be filled by Jake Blanton, who has previously collaborated with Beck, Michelle Branch and Amos Lee (who performs a Bayside Summer Nights concert Aug. 25 with the San Diego Symphony).

The Killers announced their new tour dates late Thursday night, along with the track listing for Wonderful Wonderful, due out Sept. 22 on Island Records. The songs on the album are as follows:

1. Wonderful Wonderful

2. The Man

3. Rut

4. Life To Come

5. Run For Cover

6.Tyson vs Douglas

7. Some Kind Of Love

8. Out Of My Mind

9. The Calling

10. Have All The Songs Been Written?

Deluxe Edition Bonus Tracks

11. Money On Straight

12. The Man (Jacques Lu Cont Remix)

13. The Man (Duke Dumont Remix)

Tickets for the 2018 tour dates go on sale to the general public Aug. 11 at 10 a.m. local time. A pre-sale for the bands fan club members will take place first.

The Killers Jan. 30 San Diego concert appears on the Valley View Casino Center website. However, as of this writing, ticket prices have not yet been announced.

Tickets for the San Diego concert will be available online at axs.com and by phone at (888) 929-7849.

The Killers 2018 tour dates

Jan. 5: Toronto, ON, Air Canada Centre

Jan. 6: Laval, QC, Place Bell

Jan. 7: Boston, MA, TD Garden

Jan. 9: Brooklyn, NY, Barclays Center

Jan. 10: Washington, DC, The Anthem

Jan. 12: New York, NY, Madison Square Garden

Jan. 13: Philadelphia, PA, Wells Fargo Center

Jan. 15: Detroit, MI, Masonic Temple Theatre

Jan. 16: Chicago, IL, United Center

Jan. 17: Saint Paul, MN, Xcel Energy Center

Jan. 21: Duluth, GA, Infinite Energy Center

Jan. 23: Miami, FL, AmericanAirlines Arena

Jan. 24: Orlando, FL, Hard Rock LIve

Jan. 30: San Diego, CA, Valley View Casino Center

Feb. 1: Los Angeles, CA, Staples Center

Feb. 3: Las Vegas, NV, MGM Grand Garden Arena

Feb. 5 : Broomfield, CO, 1st Bank Center

Feb. 6 : Salt Lake City, UT, Vivint Smart Home Arena

george.varga@sduniontribune.com

Twitter @georgevarga
By PTI: Eds: With minor changes in intro, 2nd para

Patna, Jul 28 (PTI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar comfortably won today the crucial trust vote after a vitriol- filled debate where he defended his decision to return to the NDA fold, saying the opposition should not teach him a lesson in secularism.

The 131-108 result of the floor test, held a day after he took office for the sixth time, jettisoning the RJD and embracing former ally BJP, was a foregone conclusion given the numerical superiority of the bloc supporting his government.

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Four members in the 243-member house could not vote, reducing the total strength of the house during the trust vote to 239.

With the effective strength of the House reduced to 239 during voting, Bihars new government needed 120 votes to win the confidence vote.

Replying to the debate on the confidence vote, Kumar tore into the likes of Lalu Prasad and others who criticised him for returning to the BJP-led NDAs fold.

"People (the opposition) should not teach me lessons in secularism. Secularism is to be practised. I cannot be with people who commit the sin of amassing property through corrupt means while hiding behind the shield of secularism," he said.

In his brief 10-minute speech, Kumar said,"I asked him (Tejashwi) to explain his position on graft allegations against him, but he was not in a position to respond."

He narrated events that preceded his decision to walk out of the grand alliance on July 26.

Kumar said he followed "coalition ethics" and rebutted the charge that he betrayed peoples mandate, which his detractors claimed, was for the grand alliance. "The mandate was for good work and transparency," he said.

"The peoples court is the biggest court and it is my duty to serve people. I cannot serve just one family," he said, insisting it had become very difficult for him to run the coalition government.

Earlier, soon after Kumar moved the motion seeking confidence of the House, a rancorous debate ensued, with his former deputy Tejashwi Yadav mounting an all-out attack on him, calling his decision to join hands with the BJP "dhokha" (betrayal) with the people of Bihar.

Yadavs speech was repeatedly punctuated by the word as he blamed Kumar for the disintegration of the grand alliance in the state which also included the Congress.

"Nitish Kumar made me a mohra (pawn) to build his image. The entire action (of seeking his resignation) was just an excuse so he could go with BJP," Yadav, who along with his father and RJD chief Lalu Prasad, and mother Rabri Devi have been made an accused in the hotels-for-land scandal case, said.

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Yadav said Kumar, whom he referred to as his "guru" and "chacha" (uncle), despite having the epithet "vikas purush" (man of development), cannot win elections on his own. He cited the Assembly polls of 1995 and 2014 Lok Sabha elections when his party could secure just seven and two seats respectively.

In his speech, Kumar said the decision to ally with the BJP was in the best interest of Bihar. Now that there is an NDA government in the state and another at the Centre, the state will scale new heights of development, he said.

Apparently targeting Rahul Gandhi, who had said he had gone back to the NDA fold to meet his "selfish" ends, Kumar, without taking any names, said in the 2015 Assembly polls Lalu Prasad was not prepared to spare for the Congress more than 15-20 seats, and it was he who intervened and ensured they got 40 seats to contest out of which the party won 27.

The four MLAs who could not vote today included RJDs Raj Ballabh Yadav, who is in jail. Anand Shankar Pandey of BJP is undergoing treatment outside Bihar. Sudarshan of the Congress turned up for voting but by then the doors of the lobbies had been closed for the division vote. Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary did not participate in the voting.

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Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi did not take part in the voting as both are members of the Legislative Council. However, they were present in the house.

The 131 votes in favour of Nitish Kumar comprised JD(U) 70, BJP 52, HAM 1, RLSP 2, LJP 2 and Independent 4.

The 108 votes against the motion included 79 of RJD, Congress 26 and CPI-ML 3.

Senior RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiquis demand for a secret vote was rejected by the speaker. PTI AR SNS PR MIN SK SK

--- ENDS ---
A few things can be said for certain about Hamlet: Its a work of almost incalculable influence, the lodestone of Western literature.

It has served  for centuries now  as a gold standard against which theater artists measure themselves.

And its a saga steeped in grief and loss and a preoccupation with the undiscoverd country (to borrow from the plays most famous speech) of death.

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What else defines Shakespeares 400-year-old masterwork is what makes the play Hamlet  which is to say, its status as a magnificent enigma, a piece that can be endlessly interpreted and investigated and second-guessed but never really pinned down.

Old Globe Theatre artistic director Barry Edelstein points out that Hamlet himself even seems to reference the storys bottomless well of unanswered questions when the Danish prince talks of a quest to pluck out the heart of my mystery.

And yet thats what keeps the play enduring, says Edelstein, a lifelong Shakespeare director and devotee who is about to stage the great tragedy for the first time in his career.

There are Shakespeare plays where everything is explained, and they have not become the totems, the icons of human literary achievement that Hamlet has.

The stuff thats mysterious about it is the best stuff in it.

Hamlet

When: Previews begin Aug. 6. Opens Aug. 12. 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays (7 p.m. Sept. 5, 6 and 10). Through Sept. 10

Where: Old Globes Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, Balboa Park.

Tickets: $30 and up

Phone: (619) 234-5623

Online: theoldglobe.org

Because the play can be so many things to so many people, Edelstein adds, one concern was that his cast  led by the young television and stage actor Grantham Coleman as Hamlet  might be daunted by all the possibilities.

I told the company on the first day, we cant make a perfect production, Edelstein says. And so lets absolve ourselves of the burden of trying. All we can do is the one that we can do.

Year in and year out, there are other companies of artists getting together and trying to unravel this thing and make sense of it.

So heres ours.

Fatherly bonds

Of all the thematic threads running through Hamlet, though, there is one in particular that has been on the directors mind of late, and understandably so.

In fact, its the key reason Edelstein decided finally to take on the play in the first place.

The story of Hamlet is sparked by the death of the title characters father, and the piece meditates on the depth of a sons love and grief for his dad.

As Edelstein talks about the production on a mid-July afternoon in the Globes rehearsal halls, it happens to have been one year to the day since his own father, Stanley S. Edelstein, died at age 86.

At the time the Globe production of Hamlet was announced last October, Edelstein said that lines from the play were ricocheting around in my head. I thought, this is telling me something, and I think I should try it.

Now, as he works on the show, Edelstein says thoughts of his dad have been going through my head every single day.

He was a good man, Edelstein says of his father, a Korean War veteran and community leader who was an owner of a New Jersey office-furniture company for more than 50 years. And he has felt very present to me  very, very present in the room.

The whole thing is about Hamlet and his father and how to measure up  what to do when his father asks him to do this thing, and the pain and the grief. Its very powerful.

So yeah, the relationship of Hamlet to his father, and Hamlets father to Hamlet, is sort of the doorway through which Ive stepped. But then youre in this universe that is so rich and complicated that you start to look down all sorts of other avenues as well.

Its frightfully hard to talk about this play, Edelstein finally says with an exasperated laugh. It really is. Because I dont want to say: Well, its about revenge (for the murder of Hamlets father).

Of course its about revenge, thats true. And its about justice, and its about leadership, and its about family, and its about love.

I mean, what isnt it about?

Finding Hamlet

One thing even those whove never read or seen Hamlet probably know about it is that the young prince at the plays center is a haunted figure  and not just in terms of his clearly tortured psyche.

Near the plays outset, Hamlet is visited by the ghost of his father, the former king, who reveals to the son that he was slain by his own brother, Claudius  now married to Hamlets mother, Gertrude.

The supernatural aspect, combined with the scope and demands of the role, have led some actors to struggle with portraying Hamlet in past productions.

Edelstein references the story of how the actor Daniel Day-Lewis quit a 1989 British production in midperformance, saying afterward that he had glimpsed the ghost of his own father, the poet Cecil Day-Lewis, who died when the actor was 15. (Years later, Daniel Day-Lewis said he hadnt meant it literally and had simply been exhausted by the role.)

Edelstein himself was helping out on a college production as a Rhodes scholar in England in the 1980s when the lead actor suddenly uttered the word No in the middle of Act 1, and promptly fled the stage.

I found him cowering in a shower in a dormitory bathroom, says Edelstein, who eventually was able to coax the errant actor back onstage.

Itll get under your skin in a strange way.

Edelsteins most significant previous experience on Hamlet came when he assisted actor and director Kevin Kline on a 1990 production at New Yorks Public Theater.

It was an amazing experience, Edelstein says. And as Grantham (Coleman) will tell you, I talk about (Kline) a lot.

Coleman, Edelsteins chosen Hamlet, is new to the Globe, and new to the play  at least in terms of acting in a professional production.

But the L.A.-based actor says he has loved Hamlet since high school, when a particularly influential teacher began the first session of an advanced-placement English class by performing a scene from the play in character.

Coleman soon learned several monologues from the piece, and dreamed of taking on the lead role someday.

Its one of those actor things: Do you want to play Hamlet, or do you not want to play Hamlet, Coleman says, echoing the phrasing of Hamlets most famous speech. Because theres a lot of people who dont.

I dont know why. Ive always wanted to.

Coleman and Edelstein crossed paths briefly five years ago when the actor was at the Juilliard School and the director taught a master class there. (Colemans theater credits include the Public Theaters As You Like It and Buzzer; he also has appeared on television in 11.22.63, NCIS and The Americans, among other shows.)

The two spent a day together talking about the play when Coleman came to the Globe to audition. And now that rehearsals have brought a deep dive into Hamlet, Coleman  like Edelstein  has been struck by the works seemingly endless layers.

Ive just been asking myself, what did I think it was?, he says. Because its so much more than whatever I thought it was. You can just open up (the play) and say, theres a big defining moment on this page, but I thought the big defining moment was two acts before.

How could I possibly have thought that when the rest of the play has to happen?

Edelstein specifically wanted a young man to play Hamlet (which is not always the way the role is cast), and Coleman was, simply put, the most exciting young actor I could find, Edelstein says.

Hes got the training and the chops and the imagination. Hes a wonderful, wonderful young actor.

Theres something about him saying, The time is out of joint. O cursed spite / That ever I was born to set it right,  Edelstein adds, citing Hamlets line about a nation in deep turmoil.

You look at a young African-American actor saying that, and it just resonates in a very provocative way right now.

But making a particular point about politics or society is not really the aim of the production, Edelstein notes. What matters is trying to meet Hamlet on its own terms, and expressing what comes of that encounter in as authentic a way as possible.

I hope what people will come and see is entertaining and moving and fun and smart, he says.

And very much a reflection of an idiosyncratic group of artists, spending a few months together fighting with this thing.

Denmark in the park

Old Globe artistic director Barry Edelsteins production of Hamlet will be just the eighth in the Balboa Park theaters 82-year history. A list of the others, with their directors:

1935: Thomas Wood Stevens (as part of the theaters first season, staged for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition).

1955: Allen Fletcher

1960: Allen Fletcher

1968: Ellis Rabb

1977: Jack OBrien

1990: Jack OBrien

2006: Darko Tresnjak

jim.hebert@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @jimhebert
A group of mayors representing communities along U.S.-Mexico border on Thursday called for upgrading of the North American Free Trade Agreement, and said in a joint statement that the upcoming talks offer an opportunity to renegotiate, modernize and optimize North Americas competitiveness.

The gathering of the U.S-Mexico Border Mayors Association has brought together the leaders for two days of sessions in San Diego and Tijuana. On Thursday, the group included 13 U.S. mayors and two Mexican mayors.

Their binational summit, which launched Wednesday evening and ends Friday, addresses a range of topics that span the border, including trade, economic development, border infrastructure, health and the environment.

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Meeting for the first time since Donald Trump became president, the group heard repeated calls that border mayors must speak forcefully and with one voice if they hope to be heard.

We cannot wait for Mexico City and Washington, D.C. to come rescue us, said Rafael Fernandez de Castro, newly named director of the University of California San Diegos Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies.

The timing of your gathering has never been more important, Michael Camunez, a former U.S. undersecretary of Commerce who is now a consultant, told the mayors.

The sessions that began Thursday in San Diego included discussion of the U.S.-Mexico relationship, the modernization of NAFTA, the need to address water and air quality issues, and the importance of strengthening the North American Development Bank, which supports border infrastructure projects.

The gathering is being hosted jointly by San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Tijuana Mayor Juan Manuel Gastelum.

We are calling on Washington to recognize the importance of trade between the U.S., Mexico and Canada because the jobs of millions of Americans rely on these binational ties, said Faulconer.

The Tijuana mayor missed the morning sessions, saying he had fallen ill after eating two tacos late the night before, but arrived in time for the luncheon and signing of a joint resolution. Gastelum is scheduled to host todays sessions in Tijuana.

The only other Mexican mayor to attend Thursdays sessions was the mayor of Ciudad Juarez, Hector Armando Cabada, through three other Mexican cities sent representatives: Ensenada, Tecate and Ojinaga, Chihuahua.

Among the U.S. border cities represented were McAllen, Texas; Somerton, Arizona; and Sunland Park, New Mexico. California participants included San Diego, National City, Imperial Beach, Encinitas and Alpine.

The sheer length U.S.-Mexico border, spanning 1,989 miles, poses a challenge for organizations seeking to bring together communities on both sides. A group made up of U.S. and Mexico border governors has not met for years. As a result there is a political vacuum on the border, said Erik Lee, executive director of the North American Research Partnership.

With ongoing political dysfunction in Washington, a lot of the governance of this country seems to be devolving to states and cities, he said. This could become an important organization.

The statement signed by the mayors highlighted the importance of trade in job creation, stressing the 14 million U.S. jobs depend on trade, and that 43 U.S. states list Canada and Mexico as their first or second largest export market.

Most of the points in the text of the resolution refer to the re-negotiation of NAFTA, which is set to begin next month. But it also includes a statement referring the Trumps plans to expand the border wall.

The mayors called for a recognition that a one-size-fits-all barrier approach to border security is not the solution.

This story was updated with additional details at 9 p.m.
First comes love, then comes the wedding registry.

In fact, when it comes to starting a life together the first march down the aisle for nearly weds is usually done at their favorite home furnishings store, bar scanner in hand, check list at the ready.

According to a 2016 study by online wedding planning resource the Knot, 88% of brides and grooms, or 1.6 million couples, create at least one gift registry via store or online website, and previous surveys have revealed most brides would prefer guests stick to the list.

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To find out exactly what gifts couples are hoping to love and to cherish happily ever after, we asked experts at popular registry sites to dish on the latest trends and reveal the items that continually crop up on everyones wish lists.

A wedding gift theyll actually use: The 8 x 8 Cookbook and a classic Pyrex dish

There are three things you can count on in life, said Jennifer Spector, director of brand for online wedding registry site Zola: Death, taxes and that the KitchenAid Stand Mixer will always be the top registry gift.

She was spot on.https://www.zola.com/

Almost every registry in our unscientific survey of most popular registry items included the mixer. Offered in a range of colors, sizes and with a variety of attachments, the desirability of the coveted kitchen appliance appears to rank second only to the wedding rings themselves.

Couples are also saying yes to experiential gifts, adventure gear (think luggage, outdoor equipment), cooking subscriptions and cash.

In 2016, two-thirds of couples added cash funds to their registries, said Spector. We encourage couples to personalize their funds instead of registering for a general honeymoon fund, to create funds for specific dinners, excursions and activities theyll be doing together.

Giving cash and pooling resources to purchase luxury items are not new ideas, but digital registries are making it easier. Now, instead of hounding cousin Vinny for his portion of the foosball table, everyone can pay their share online.

Group gifting is a major trend, said Spector. Over 25% of couples [on Zola] enable the group gifting option so larger items can be broken up into smaller contributions without breaking the bank.

Julie Cassetina, spokesperson for Wayfair.com, agreed. For example, one couple who registered with Wayfair received a $3,300 hot tub after nine people contributed.

In spite of all the high-end hoopla, however, the majority of items on wedding registries remain devoted to daily needs, simple luxuries (think: plush towels), household maintenance and organization.

Crate & Barrel reported that versatile dinnerware remains a mainstay of registries across the board and marble and copper accents represent the most popular design trends in the kitchen category.

Couples love metallic and marble, agreed Spector. This is the biggest home decor trend we see today, and its not going anywhere. [Its] reflected in all areas from copper appliances to rose gold flatware to marble dinner ware.

The following are darlings of this years wedding registries:

Bonnie McCarthy contributes to the Los Angeles Times as a home and lifestyle design writer. She enjoys scouting for directional trends and reporting on whats new and next. Follow her on Twitter @ThsAmericanHome

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The Black Canyon of the Gunnison was considered deep, dark and impenetrable not only by white settlers but also by Utes native to western Colorado. The area was seldom seen until the 1930s, when Mark Warner, a conservationist and Presbyterian minister in Montrose, Colo., 15 miles away, successfully lobbied for a road to the canyons south rim and for its declaration as a national monument. Despite its magnificent, raw beauty, it remains one of the nations most overlooked and least visited national parks.

The tab for two, excluding airfare and car rental: $117 for one night at the locally owned Red Arrow Inn and $50 for dinner and a couple of beers at Horsefly Brewing Co.

The bed

Montrose, population 19,000, is one of those towns with motels  chains and mom-and-pop places  dotting the main drag. The local visitor center (107 S. Cascade Ave., Montrose; [970] 497-8558) recommended the family-run Red Arrow Inn & Suites (1702 E. Main St., Montrose; [970] 249-9641). The hot breakfast includes the usual eggs, sausage and make-your-own waffles, but with a pleasant surprise: freshly baked apple and cherry turnovers. Weekend rates from $117 a night.

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The meal

A surprising bounty of locally owned restaurants are found in Montrose  a good thing because theres no place to eat or sleep (except at a campsite) in the park. I found the cozy Horsefly Brewing Co. (846 E. Main St., Montrose; [970] 249-6889) a tasty choice. After considering the Rocky Mountain oysters with homemade dipping sauce ($9.99), I wimped out and ordered the 50/50 burger ($10.49)  a hefty patty blending beef and bacon and served with a mountain of fries. Maybe bulls testicles are more tempting after a sampler of six of the hand-crafted beers ($5.75).

The find

Visitors can peer 2,000 feet into the canyon, carved by water eons ago, from several overlooks. Differing perspectives are found along South Rim Drive, a 14-mile round trip from the compact Visitor Center, where I was enlightened by a film explaining the canyons history. The Gunnison River itself is challenging to reach. There are ranger-led tours aboard a pontoon boat, but you must be fit enough to climb down (and back up) 232 stairs. Prepaid reservations ($24 for adults, $12 for children 12 and younger) are required. Farther upstream, kayaking is discouraged in the treacherous Class V rapids.

The lesson learned

Two of the three roads leading to the canyon are closed during winter. The highway from Montrose remains open, but South Rim Drive is gated and unplowed. That makes it ideal for exploring on skis or snowshoes. Rangers lead hikes on weekends; snowshoes are available to rent.

travel@latimes.com
The 10-year-old black labrador had done his duty. His muzzle was flecked with white. His eyes, no longer bright.

Cena, who served three tours in Afghanistan as a Marine Corps bomb-detection dog, was euthanized on Wednesday and draped in the American flag.

But before that, the city of Muskegon, Michigan, gave him a sendoff worthy of a war hero.

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Welcome to The Intel, a blog examining the hot military news of the day

Hundreds of people participated in a procession Wednesday for Cena, who had been diagnosed with terminal bone cancer, the Associated Press reported.

The dog, dressed in a blue Marine Corps vest, got his last ride in a Jeep with the top removed. To honor Cena, Taps was played and there was a three-volley salute.

1 / 7 People say their goodbyes to Cena a 10-year-old black lab who was a military service dog before they leave for his last ride at the LST 393 in Muskegon, Mich., on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. (Joel Bissell / AP) 2 / 7 U.S. Marine veteran Lance Cpl. Jeff DeYoung and Cena a 10-year-old black lab who was a military service dog ride away for his last ride before being put down aboard the LST 393 in downtown Muskegon, Mich., on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. (Joel Bissell / AP) 3 / 7 People say their goodbyes to Cena a 10-year-old black lab who was a military service dog before they leave for his last ride at the LST 393 in Muskegon, Mich., on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. (Joel Bissell / AP) 4 / 7 U.S. Marine veteran Lance Cpl. Jeff DeYoung and Cena a 10-year-old black lab who was a military service dog ride away for his last ride before being put down aboard the LST 393 in downtown Muskegon, Mich., on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. (Joel Bissell / AP) 5 / 7 Paige Alfred gives a kiss to Cena a 10-year-old black lab who was a military service dog before they leave for his last ride at the LST 393 in downtown Muskegon, Mich., on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. (Joel Bissell / AP) 6 / 7 U.S. Marine veteran Lance Cpl. Jeff DeYoung carries Cena a 10-year-old black lab who was a military service dog, aboard the LST 393 where he was put down on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 in Muskegon, Mich. (Joel Bissell / AP) 7 / 7 U.S. Marine veteran Lance Cpl. Jeff DeYoung carries Cena a 10-year-old black lab who was a military service dog, off the LST 393 where he was put down in downtown Muskegon, Mich., on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. (Joel Bissell / AP)

The labs owner, Marine veteran Jeff DeYoung, was the dogs handler for a 2009 to 2010 tour in Afghanistan.

The dog kept DeYoung warm during cold nights in the field and was his comfort when friends died.

DeYoung adopted Cena in 2014 and the lab became his service dog for post-traumatic stress disorder.

My whole adult life Ive had Cena, DeYoung told the Associated Press. When I was 19 overseas learning how to be responsible, I had Cena. And now Im 27 and Im having to say goodbye to one of the biggest pieces of my life.

In the end, Cena was put to sleep on a Muskegon museum ship, the USS LST 393.

A GoFundMe page has been launched to help create a headstone for him.

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The intercontinental ballistic missile fired by North Korea on Friday has the capacity to reach the West Coast of the United States.

Thats according to an assessment by the Union for Concerned Scientists, which said in a blog post Friday that flown on a standard trajectory the missile would have a range 10,400 km (6,500 miles), not taking into account the Earths rotation.

Los Angeles is well within that range, at 5,900 miles from North Korea. Denver is 6,100 miles away.

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Chicago would be just at the end of the estimated range, if the calculations are correct.

This missile test ups the ante for nations at odd with North Korea, including the United States.

The first ICBM test by North Korea, on July 4, was assessed to be capable of reaching most of Alaska or possibly Hawaii, if fired in an attacking trajectory, according to the Associated Press.

A Pentagon spokesman on Friday confirmed that the test happened and said that particular missile wasnt a threat to the United States.

Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said the missile was launched from Mupyong-ni and traveled about 620 miles before splashing down in the Sea of Japan. Defense officials are working on a more detailed assessment.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America, Davis said.

The test, which is part of a stepped-up missile campaign by North Korea, spurred some U.S. leaders to call for a ramped response.

Another advance for North Koreas missile program amplifies the danger to the U.S. homeland and accelerates the need for us to take steps to protect our people and our allies, said Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

We need a stronger approach on a faster timeline now.

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jen.steele@sduniontribune.com

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Twitter: @jensteeley
It was a journey that lasted five years, but it finally brought Min Thadan on Thursday afternoon to the flight deck of the Navys new destroyer Rafael Peralta in Coronado.

It began when Thadan was a 16-year-old trying to escape from Burma, an impoverished Southeast Asian nation torn by ethnic strife.

Then he became a refugee, resettling in the United States on Sept. 15, 2012. He and his father lived in a string of towns in Minnesota, Indiana, the San Francisco Bay Area and Illinois. And then he became a Marine.

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I was in high school in Illinois and my dad asked me, What do you want to do when you grow up? I said, I want to serve my country. He said, OK, then you want to join the Marines. I said, Yeah, Ill join the Marines, recalled Thadan, 21, an infantryman assigned to the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion at Camp Pendleton.

On Thursday, he joined nine other members of the armed forces aboard the Peralta  a warship named in honor of a boy from Mexico who moved to San Diego and successfully pursued his dreams of becoming a U.S. citizen and serving his adopted country through the Marine Corps.

The service members, who hailed from nine nations, stood aboard the ship and recited the oath of citizenship.

Since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, more than 110,000 foreign-born men and women in uniform have become American citizens. One of them was Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta, whose namesake guided-missile destroyer is moored at North Island Naval Air Station.

The ship will be officially commissioned on Saturday, with Marine Commandant Robert Neller slated to give the keynote address.

1 / 10 Ten service members from nine different countries recite the Oath of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony on the USS Rafael Peralta, the Navys newest guided-missile destroyer Peralta, a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt., originally from Mexico, was killed in 2004 during the Second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. The ship will be commissioned Saturday. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 10 Ten service members from nine different countries became naturalized American citizens during a naturalization ceremony on the USS Rafael Peralta, the Navys newest guided-missile destroyer. Peralta, a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt., originally from Mexico, was killed in 2004 during the Second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. The ship will be commissioned Saturday. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 10 Ten service members from nine different countries became naturalized American citizens during a naturalization ceremony on the USS Rafael Peralta, the Navys newest guided-missile destroyer. Peralta, a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt., originally from Mexico, was killed in 2004 during the Second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. The ship will be commissioned Saturday. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 10 Ten service members from nine different countries became naturalized American citizens during a naturalization ceremony on the USS Rafael Peralta, the Navys newest guided-missile destroyer. Peralta, a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt., originally from Mexico, was killed in 2004 during the Second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. The ship will be commissioned Saturday. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 10 Ten service members from nine different countries became naturalized American citizens during a naturalization ceremony on the USS Rafael Peralta, the Navys newest guided-missile destroyer. Peralta, a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt., originally from Mexico, was killed in 2004 during the Second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. The ship will be commissioned Saturday. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 10 Rosa Peralta, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Rafael Peraltas mother puts her hand on her face during the introductions before ten service members from nine different countries became American citizens during a naturalization ceremony on the USS Rafael Peralta, the Navys newest guided-missile destroyer, named for her son. Peralta, originally from Mexico, was killed in 2004 during the Second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. The ship will be commissioned Saturday. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 10 Ten service members from nine different countries became naturalized American citizens during a naturalization ceremony on the USS Rafael Peralta, the Navys newest guided-missile destroyer. Peralta, a US. Marine Corps Sgt., originally from Mexico, was killed in 2004 during the Second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. The ship will be commissioned Saturday. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 10 Ten service members from nine different countries salute during the presentation of colors during a naturalization ceremony on the USS Rafael Peralta, the Navys newest guided-missile destroyer, at Naval Air Station North Island. Peralta, a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt., originally from Mexico, was killed in 2004 during the Second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. The ship will be commissioned Saturday. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 10 Ten service members from nine different countries became naturalized American citizens during a naturalization ceremony on the USS Rafael Peralta, the Navys newest guided-missile destroyer. Peralta, a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt., originally from Mexico, was killed in 2004 during the Second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. The ship will be commissioned Saturday. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 10 Ten service members from nine different countries became naturalized American citizens during a naturalization ceremony on the USS Rafael Peralta, the Navys newest guided-missile destroyer. Peralta, a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt., originally from Mexico, was killed in 2004 during the Second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. The ship will be commissioned Saturday. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune)

In whats likely to be repeated Saturday, the naturalization ceremony paid poignant homage to Peralta.

Born in Mexico City in 1979, Peralta was brought to the United States as a child by his parents. A graduate of Samuel F. B. Morse High School, he enlisted in the Marines the day he received his green card in the mail.

Assigned to the Lava Dogs of A Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, Peralta volunteered on Nov. 15, 2004 to lead a scout team as it cleared buildings of insurgents during the brutal Second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq.

In the seventh house his team stormed, he was hit with a barrage of enemy bullets. Wounded, he fell to the floor.

A fleeing militant tossed a grenade. It skittered to a rest near Peraltas head.

The Marine snatched the grenade to his body, absorbing the brunt of the blast to spare the lives of his fellow Marines, according to his citation for the Navy Cross, the United States second-highest award for combat valor.

This was a man who kept alongside his boot camp graduation certificate the copy of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, Navy Cmdr. Brian Ribota, the skipper of the warship Peralta and himself the son of a Mexican immigrant, said Thursday.

Peraltas story has been featured in a documentary, and he was publicly praised by then-President George W. Bush.

A Marine who also fought in Fallujah, Rep. Duncan Hunter, R- Alpine, continues to push the Pentagon to upgrade Peraltas commendation to the Medal of Honor, but no action has been taken.

Although the Marine Corps recommended Peralta for Americas highest battlefield decoration, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates downgraded the award in 2008. He expressed concerns raised by a review panel that Peralta might have been too injured to consciously shield the grenade with his body.

Subsequent defense secretaries have refused to reverse Gates decision.

Peraltas mother, Rosa, is the commissioning sponsor of the warship. On Saturday, she is scheduled to give the first order to man our ship and bring her to life!

During Thursdays naturalization ceremony, she sat quietly in the third row, flanked by her children  Karen, Ricardo and Icela. She alternated between smiles and tears.

On June 30, the Peralta family stood at the late sergeants grave at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma. They watched the destroyer that bears his name cut through the waves on its way to North Island.

My brother, he never came back, Icela Peralta said Thursday. But when I saw the ship coming for the first time into San Diego, it was like he came back in spirit. Hes protecting our country again. Hes come back home a hero. He was so dedicated to our country, to his Marines, to the military.

Icela Peraltas daughters have come to think of the destroyer as Uncle Rafa.

I tell my daughters and my nieces, This is uncle. They never got to see uncle, but now they know they can see him here, she said, her hand extended toward the warships bow. It represents him. To our family, it represents what we lost and why sometimes we cry. When they see Mommy or Grandma sad, its just because we lost my brother and she lost her son. Its sad, but at the same time its an honor.

Thadan, the Burmese native, said the citizenship ceremony aboard the Peralta also reminded him of country and honor and family. His mother, Yemer, remains a refugee in Southeast Asia, and his father, Naing Lynn Kyaw, lives in Indiana.

The Marine lance corporal wants all of them to reunite in the America he serves.

My father wanted me to become a citizen. Im going to surprise him. He doesnt know. Im gonna call him later and tell him, like, Im a citizen now. Hes going to be very proud, Thadan said.

*

NEW U.S. CITIZENS

The 10 service members who were naturalized as American citizens aboard the destroyer Rafael Peralta on Thursday came from American Samoa, Burma, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines and the United Kingdom. They are:

* Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Epafara Jeffrey Vaitautoulu, Navy

* Petty Officer 2nd Class Shachell Osbourne, Navy

* Sgt. Tyson Rota Tabora, Marine Corps

* Sgt. Victor Alejandro Gomez Cuevas, Marine Corps

* Sgt. Jorge Barrera, Marine Corps

* Seaman Abdulqafar Mohamed Ali, Navy

* Lance Cpl. Alejandro Lopez Santos, Marine Corps

* Lance Cpl. Min Thadan, Marine Corps

* Seaman Elssy Revvs, Navy

* Logistics Specialist Karla Marcela Rivas Jeri, Navy

Military Videos  On Now D-Day paratrooper from Coronado jumps again in France  at age 96 On Now Remembering war's fallen, one name at a time On Now In Ramona, an airplane and an aviator provide living lessons on World War II 1:43 On Now Video: Navy's newest vessel sails into San Diego and a new future in surface warfare On Now Video: U.S. Navy files homicide charges over warship collisions On Now Stopping Marine hazing On Now Video: U.S. Navy Air Crew Grounded After Creating Vulgar Sky Drawing On Now Navy says Asia Pacific ship collisions were avoidable On Now Hundreds of recruits get sick at Marine boot camp On Now Cutler Dawson Talks Navy Federal

cprine@sduniontribune.com
It was like running a relay, only the two men werent exchanging a baton Thursday morning. They were handing off Americas Big Stick.

Thats the nickname of the Navys aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, and a change-of-command ceremony aboard the warships flight deck transferred control from departing skipper Capt. Craig Clap Clapperton to a fellow career aviator Capt. Carlos Los Sardiello.

The event was held before 3,000 members of the ships crew  the Rough Riders. It also drew some of the Navys top brass, including Rear Adm. James Spock Bynum, the chief of naval air training and keynote speaker for the ceremony.

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We pause. We get gussied up. We throw some ceremony together to mark the performance of teams, Bynum said. We do that in the guise of a change out in the leadership, but at the end of the day its the recognition of what the Big Stick and the Rough Riders have been doing here for the past two years while Capt. Clapperton has had the chance to be at the helm.

Since assuming command of the Roosevelt in June 2015, Clapperton led the carrier on an eight-month, around-the-world deployment. The Roosevelts aircraft conducted 1,812 combat sorties over the skies of Iraq and Syria and dropped 1 million pounds of ordnance on Islamic State targets.

Once homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, the Roosevelt then sailed to North Island in a three-carrier swap that saw the Ronald Reagan leave San Diego for Japan and the George Washington leave Japan for Norfolk, where its undergoing a major overhaul and its midlife nuclear refueling.

To help his Rough Riders embrace San Diego as their new home, Clapperton ensured that his crew performed more than 30,000 hours of community service last year. The city of San Diego designated Dec. 9 as USS Theodore Roosevelt Day in recognition of the sailors civic work.

On Thursday, the Navy presented Clapperton with the Legion of Merit Medal, with a gold star affixed to it in lieu of a third award. The Pittsburgh native and 2007 recipient of the Navys Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership will now transfer to a staff and advisory post at the Coronado-based Naval Air Forces.

In a nearly 20-minute speech, Clapperton, a former A-6E Intruder and EA-6B Prowler pilot, choked back tears. Although it was the sixth time hes participated as a commander in change-of-command ceremonies, this was his first in the United States, which allowed family and friends to attend.

As you prepare for your upcoming deployment, my thoughts and prayers go with each of you, Clapperton said, his gaze upon his crew standing in ranks where fighter jets take off and land. I have no doubt that you will again exceed all expectations. I want to thank each of you for your service, your professionalism and your sacrifice.

When I began my command tour, I challenged each of you to warriors to be the best at what you do, to get better at what you do every day, and to win. You have done that and exceeded every expectation, and Im forever in your debt.

Clappertons replacement, Sardiello, is a legend in the Navy.

On March 26, 2003  five days into Operation Iraqi Freedom  he scored the first and only missile strike by an S-3B Viking anti-submarine jet on an Iraqi naval target.

Raised in Fremont, Alameda County, and decorated for combat valor, Sardiello skippered the Grey Knights of Patrol Squadron Four Six and the command ship Mount Whitney before taking the helm of the Roosevelt.

The carrier is slated to leave North Island on Tuesday to participate in its COMPTUEX  Composite Training Unit Exercise  as part of its crews preparations for an overseas deployment in the autumn.

Im impressed with the crew, an amazing performance in their training and preparation for deployment, Sardiello, a former Navy test pilot, said after the ceremony. And the ship looks fantastic.

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cprine@sduniontribune.com
When Karen Kellys son died in Afghanistan, she felt a duty to honor him and the sacrifices he made as the child of a Marine and later as a Marine himself.

First Lt. Robert Kelly, a 29-year-old platoon commander and prior enlisted Marine, was killed in Sangin on Nov. 9, 2010, with Camp Pendletons 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. His father, Gen. John Kelly, is head of U.S. Southern Command.

I decided on the day I found out  that I would do something to make my son proud, Karen Kelly said in an interview, pausing as tears welled in her eyes. Because I was very proud of him. And I would not allow his death to  I just wanted to do something good. Because out of everything, out of the pain that we feel, something good has to come out of it.

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Some people choose to wallow in self-pity, she said. I chose to do something positive, because I think my son would be very disappointed in me if I didnt.

In those raw early moments of her grief, Karen Kelly started working with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, and later joined the board of directors. Although she was terrified of public speaking, the Gold Star mother found her voice as an advocate for Marine families and helped raise nearly $1.3 million for a scholarship in her sons name.

The First Lieutenant Robert Kelly Memorial Scholarship is going this year to Kristen Trout, the daughter of a Marine infantry veteran. The junior and history major at Gettysburg College hopes to make a career working in a museum of military history.

Her scholarship is one among a record amount of education support awarded this academic year by the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. The organization is honoring Marines by educating their children, dispersing more than $6.6 million in scholarship funding for 2013-14, an 11 percent increase compared with the previous year.

The organization gives need-based scholarships for college and technical training to children of Marines and Navy hospital corpsmen, with preference given to those wounded or killed in combat. Since it was formed in 1962, the foundation has awarded more than 30,000 scholarships worth more than $80 million.

For its American Patriots Campaign, the foundation has raised more than $89 million since 2007 toward its goal of $160 million by late 2016. Donors include a Vista-based medical equipment company, DJO Global, that gave its millionth dollar this year to the foundation.

Those funds are supporting scholarships for 2,040 children nationwide this year, including more than 130 students in the greater Camp Pendleton area.

Fifty of them were honored in late July at Camp Pendleton, at the second-annual awards ceremony at the base attended by Marine leaders, families of scholarship recipients, and donors.

You have known really no other childhood and adolescence than a nation at war, Margaret Davis, president of the foundation, told them.

Most students beginning college this fall were first-graders when terrorists attacked on Sept. 11, 2001. For children of Marines, the coming years were filled with long separations and anxiety as parents deployed repeatedly. Some returned from war with grave wounds or debilitating combat stress. Others didnt return at all.

For those children, This is definitely not charity. This is an investment, that is strengthening America, Davis said.

Among the foundations scholarship recipients, about 86 percent graduate, more than twice the national average; about 52 percent are the first in their families to come so far in their education; and 45 percent are studying science, technology, engineering, or math, she said.

The word hard or we cant do it never crosses their lips.  They dont shy away from hard work, Davis said.

Recipients this year with Camp Pendleton ties include:

 Kiana Mendoza, a humanities major at Claremont McKenna College and daughter of the late Maj. Ramon J. Mendoza, killed in 2005 in Husaybah, Iraq.

 Elizabeth and Mary Bracken, daughters of Lt. Col. James D. Bracken, both students at the University of Mississippi who received scholarships named for Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer.

 Nicholas Popaditch Jr., a civil engineering major at San Diego State University and son of retired Gunnery Sgt. Nicholas Popaditch Sr., who was blinded in one eye in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004.

The scholarships are open to children of veterans from all eras, including a few awarded recently to veterans of World War II and the Korean War.

More more than 13,000 Marines and Navy corpsmen have been wounded since Sept. 11, 2001, Davis said. Their children are a priority for the Marine scholarships.

You are the ones we will place our trust in. Your foundations are solid, Lt. Gen. John Toolan Jr., commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, told 50 scholarship recipients in remarks at the Camp Pendleton awards ceremony.

A strong foundation, however, can be undermined, Toolan said. The Great Wall of China was built to be impregnable, but corrupt gatekeepers allowed the country to be invaded repeatedly, he noted.

You are well on your way to being the gatekeepers, in science, technology, academia, diplomacy and the military, Toolan said.

As the gatekeepers, you are the ones who will ensure prosperity for our nation and ultimately the freedom we all enjoy. This takes character, and it takes integrity. A wall of rules and laws will never do it. Cracks will develop.

Our country needs men and women of character, and that is who you are.

For more information about the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, visit www.mcsf.org. The application for the next academic year goes online Jan. 1.
The former finance director of the Jazzercise Inc. fitness chain was sentenced Tuesday to more than seven years in prison after being accused of embezzling upwards of $1 million from the Carlsbad-based company and its owners, possibly to feed a gambling habit.

Sherri O. Potts, the companys corporate director of finance for nearly nine years, was arrested in Carlsbad in October on 50 theft-related charges, including forgery, fraudulent appropriation and grand theft by an employee.

She pleaded guilty in March to one count of grand theft, three counts of forgery and one count of failing to report the stolen money on her tax returns. She also admitted that she stole more than $500,000.

San Diego County Superior Court Judge Michael Washington sentenced the 60-year-old Fallbrook resident to seven years and eight months in prison.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Anna Winn said Potts could be eligible for release after two years.

Most people would agree that someone who steals $1 million should be locked up for longer than two years, but this is the practical effect of the new laws that California voters have passed, said Winn, referring to recent changes that grant early release to nonviolent offenders.

A tearful Potts apologized in court to the companys owners, said her attorney Joel Bailey.

According to court documents, authorities suspected much of the stolen money was siphoned from petty cash funds, an average of $10,000 a month, for a few years. The company uncovered the embezzlement in 2014, after Potts was let go.

Winn said Potts routinely arranged for an average of $12,000 a month to be delivered into the companys petty cash fund. The companys actual petty cash needs were really around only $2,000 a month.

According to prosecutors, Carlsbad police investigators found that, from 2007 to 2013, Potts deposited more than $900,000 in cash and nonpayroll checks into her accounts.

The investigation also revealed that 48 forged checks  more than $150,000 worth  had been written from the personal accounts of Jazzercize owners Jack and Judi Sheppard Missett. The money was used to pay for Potts personal expenses, including credit card payments.

The suspected thefts were uncovered after Potts was fired from Jazzercise, which has franchises in 32 countries.

After she was let go, Potts contacted a former coworker to return $9,000 of petty cash she had in her possession. Because that was more company cash than she should have had, the company brought in outside auditors.

According to court documents, police investigators learned that for many years Potts regularly gambled at Pala Casino in northern San Diego County, favoring slot machines in particular. From 2008 to 2013, police said, she gambled more than $900,000 a year in slots  and some years, more than $1 million. Casino records also show that she lost an average of $200,000 a year for most of those years.

Winn said that after the theft was discovered, Potts cashed out her retirement account and turned over $250,000 to Jazzercise.
By PTI: (Eds: Adds fresh inputs from Pentagon)

By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Jul 28 (PTI) North Korea today launched an intercontinental ballistic missile for the second time in a month, the Pentagon said, a day after US Congress voted to impose new tougher sanctions against Russia, Iran and Pyongyang.

The unusual late-night test launch was North Koreas 12th missile test this year and second intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in less than a month.

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"The US Department of Defence detected and tracked a single North Korea missile launch today at about 10:41 AM (New York time)," Pentagon Spokesman Capt Jeff Davis said.

"We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), as had been expected. The missile was launched from Mupyong-ni and travelled about 1,000 km before splashing down in the Sea of Japan.

"We are working with our interagency partners on a more detailed assessment," Davis said.

The North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America, he said.

"Our commitment to the defence of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, remains ironclad. We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation," Davis said.

Speaker of the US House of Representatives Congressman Paul Ryan said: "North Korea is a global menace and its pursuit of nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles poses clear and immediate danger to our national security. We take this threat very seriously.

"Thats why, earlier this week, a bipartisan majority of the House voted to sanction North Korea. These expansive sanctions directly target Pyongyangs ability to threaten the United States and our allies. The Kim (Jong-Un) regime needs to pay for its actions," Ryan said.

Harry J Kazianis, director of Defence Studies from the Centre for the National Interest, a recognised expert on North Korea, said the latest test should not come as a surprise.

"North Korea is slowly morphing into a nuclear and missile power right before our very eyes. North Korea will continue to test over and over again its missile technology and nuclear weapons in the months and years to come in order to develop the most lethal systems it can.

"And you can bet every time they do tensions will continue to rise. This is what makes the situation on the Korean Peninsula as dangerous as it is," he said.

A day earlier, Commander of US Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris said North Korea is "a clear and present danger" to global peace and stability.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-Uns regime is not only a threat to South Korea, Japan and the US, but to China, Russia and US allies in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, he said.

"(North Korea is) a threat to the entire world because North Koreas missiles point in every direction. Its the reason why we call for all nations to implement far stronger economic sanctions against Pyongyang," Harris said at an event at the Japanese Embassy in Washington.

The provocative North Korea ICBM test comes in less than 24 hours of the Senate passing 98-2 a bill to impose tough sanctions on Russia, North Korea and Iran.

"Kim Jong-Un must end his dangerous pursuit of a nuclear weapon or face total economic isolation. The sanctions will limit access to foreign currency and the ability to conduct trade, severely weakening the North Korean economy," said Senator Dianne Feinstein.

"It also gives us the ability to work with the UN to impose harsh penalties against any foreign entity that violates or helps North Korea circumvent these sanctions," she said.

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In the past a few days, the Trump administration has ramped up its pressure on China to use its leverage on North Korea from going ahead with its missile tests.

"We expected China to exert its very considerable, economic, political and diplomatic pressure on North Korea. The president has said he is not satisfied with the results," Sebastian Gorka, a top presidential adviser told PBS News early this week.

"Thats why the president on the fringes of the G20 sat down with the heads of state of both South Korea and Japan to take the North Korean issue back to the UN Security Council. And why the president, additionally, at the end of the G20 had a conversation with (Chinese President) Xi Jinping to tell him exactly what he thought about what China needs to do right," he said.

"Right now were going to maintain our policy of peaceful pressure with regards to North Korea, hoping that China can step up to the plate, while the president takes no options off the table," Gorka said. PTI LKJ CPS

--- ENDS ---
In the first step toward a new goal of eliminating tailpipe emissions by 2030, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority agreed Thursday to spend more than $138 million to buy 95 electric buses that will run on two Los Angeles County busways.

The purchases from New Flyer of America Inc. and BYD are among the largest of any U.S. transit agency, and will establish Metro as a proving ground for a new technology that is still relatively untested.

Environmental advocates cheered Metros investment as a way to lead the nation in adopting a new technology that could help reduce transportation emissions and create local jobs.

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When the electric buses begin running, they will represent less than 5% of Metros fleet, but will at least double the number of electric buses in use in California.

As the federal government moves backward, here in Los Angeles, we are moving forward, said Los Angeles City Councilman and Metro director Mike Bonin at a downtown rally before the vote. They are moving us into a dark past. We are moving into a bright future.

Behind him, advocates from the Sierra Club and several labor unions gathered, holding signs and chanting, Natural gas is in the past  electric buses, here to last.

Though the technology has evolved in recent years, battery-powered buses still cant travel as far as their natural gas-powered counterparts, which can run 400 miles on a tank. In a recent report, Metro employees said that electric buses as they exist today pose significant risks to service and operation.

To address technology questions and concerns about how far the vehicles can travel, Metros first electric buses will only run along the Orange Line busway in the San Fernando Valley and in the 29-mile Silver Line carpool lane along the Harbor and San Bernardino freeways. Both routes will have chargers where buses can stop if their batteries run low.

The board unanimously approved a $66-million budget to electrify the Silver Line, including buying 60 electric buses from BYD, installing chargers along the route, and updating wiring to handle higher wattages. The line should be finished by 2021, officials said.

Metro directors also voted to establish a budget of $72 million for replacing the Orange Lines buses. That includes $51 million for 35 electric buses from New Flyer, and $7.8 million for charging stations at both ends of the line. The route should be fully electric by 2020, officials said.

The New Flyer contract, which was approved 7 to 3 after a lengthy discussion over which company should be awarded the business, is contingent on New Flyer reaching a binding agreement for local hiring. Three board members pushed to give the contract to BYD instead, arguing that it was important to support local jobs at its Lancaster facility.

Metro also awarded a $26.5-million contract to Cummins Westport to build and deliver a new type of natural gas engine known as near zero. Gas advocates have said the engines will provide more immediate air-quality benefits than gradually transitioning to zero-emission technology.

laura.nelson@latimes.com

emily.alpert@latimes.com

For more transportation news, follow @laura_nelson on Twitter.

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Seventy-one years ago, Gil Klecan earned the nickname The Graphite Kid, and his story and photo appeared in Life magazine.

The boy from Point Loma was 14 and had just won the national soap box derby in Akron, Ohio. It was 1946.

Last Saturday, Klecan, now 85 and living in Mission Valley, returned to Akron to be the grand marshal of the All-American Soap Box Derby parade.

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While there, he re-told his amazing story. It began with a family friend, an aerospace engineer from Convair, Chuck Boswell, who suggested that Klecan enter the San Diego derby and offered to design a car for the boy to build.

Klecan knew nothing about soap box cars but accepted the challenge. On the night before the San Diego derby, he was still working on his wooden car and never had time to paint it.

When he won the race down Sixth Avenue below Laurel Street, his soap box car was quickly shipped to Akron for the national competition. Klecan had only enough time to apply a hasty coat of paint and worried that its rough exterior would cause wind resistance and slow his car down.

After they arrived in Akron, Boswell handed him a can of graphite to rub over the vehicle to make it slicker.

The day was hot and, as he did this, Klecan unconsciously wiped his sweaty face and his clothing with his dirty hands, smearing himself with the black dust just before the race.

Thus, he looked like a street urchin from Oliver Twist when his car nosed over the finish line six inches ahead of his closest competitor.

I was totally surprised when I won, recalls Klecan. I just thought I was getting a fun trip to Akron, Ohio. I was born on a farm in Kansas, so that was a big deal.

The next day was not so joyous, however. For a promotional film, the young winner and his derby were being towed behind a pick-up truck as two cameramen took pictures. When one ran out of film, the director shouted, Stop.

He meant the filming, but the truck driver slammed on his brakes, sending the boy and his derby sliding beneath the tailgate. Klecan landed in the hospital for a week, then in a back brace for about five months, nursing two injured vertebrae.

Today his derby-winning car is on loan to the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park, where it rotates into display.

While Klecan never entered another soap box derby, he later raced Porches against the clock on air fields and participated in the Baja 1000 race three times with his son. They won their class in 1980.

Every May, Klecan still joins the celebrity portion of the San Diego soap box derby, racing in a larger vehicle against such local VIPs as Congressman Juan Vargas.

When Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman was invited to participate, Klecan queried: If I beat you, you arent going to give me a ticket, are you? Although she didnt end up racing, she assured him she would not.

San Diego was well represented in Akron last weekend. James Justus, who has been director of the local derby since 2003 and active since 1992, was named the national derby groups 2017 Outstanding Derby Director.

I was surprised and humbled, says Justus, who owns an auto repair shop in Sherman Heights. In his view, the youth sport does much more than build cars. It builds the character of our young local citizens.

Movie milestone: Its been 35 years since the debut of Fast Times at Ridgemont High, the coming-of-age book by Cameron Crowe written after he masqueraded as a student at Clairemont High School.

To celebrate its anniversary, the movie is being shown in select theaters, including Horton Plaza 8 and Mission Valley 20, for two days only, July 30 and Aug. 2 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Fast Times, which grew in popularity primarily due to word of mouth rather than Hollywood hype, became the career launching pad for little known actors who since have won Oscars  Nicolas Cage, Forest Whitaker and Sean Penn.

Also in the film are Jennifer Jason Leigh, Eric Stoltz, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates and Anthony Edwards.

Crowe, who actually graduated from University High School (now Cathedral Catholic) here at age 15, went on to write and produce such movies as Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous. He now lives in Palm Springs. No word on whether he will stop by.

Despite a blackout in the area July 25, the lights stayed on and the Balboa Park carousel kept turning. Diana Molina and 4-year-old charge Leighton Allenby rode the attraction during a Friends of Balboa Park celebration on National Carousel Day. (John Gibbins / San Diego Union-Tribune)

Is there a carousel angel? The Friends of Balboa Park chose National Carousel Day, last Tuesday, to host as many as 5,000 San Diegans in a celebration of their purchase of the historic carousel in Balboa Park near the entrance to the San Diego Zoo. They offered free rides, music and entertainers.

At mid-day, a power outage darkened a large area of central San Diego, leaving 45,000 customers without power, including the Zoo and Balboa Park.

Yet, miraculously, the carousel and loud speakers never lost power. Someone was watching over us, says the groups founder Betty Peabody. It could have been disastrous.

Perhaps the angel was General Electric: The carousel has been operating for 102 years on its original GE motor. Why stop now...

diane.bell@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1518

Twitter: @dianebellSD

Facebook: dianebell.news
A San Diego appeals court on Thursday reversed a ruling that threw out a lawsuit by a woman who sued the city over injuries she suffered when a tree branch fell on her in Mission Bay Park.

The unanimous 3-0 ruling by the Fourth District Court of Appeal revives the 2013 suit by Lorin Toeppe. She was injured when a 10-foot-long eucalyptus branch split off from a tree near De Anza Cove boat launch in July 2013 and fell on her while she was walking with her boyfriend.

Toeppe, a physical therapist, suffered a crushed leg, fractured spine and lacerations to her face.

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She sued, arguing the city was responsible because it had poorly maintained the tree. But in 2015 Superior Court Judge Eddie Sturgeon threw out the suit, agreeing with lawyers for the city that state law protects public entities from lawsuits over the conditions on trails and pathways.

The appellate court said that the issue was not the condition of the pathway  the concrete bike trail that snakes through the park  but the condition of the tree and how the city maintained it.

In short, this is not a case about trail, Justice Richard Huffman wrote. It is about trees. Trees that were planted and maintained by the City. Trees that were not naturally occurring in Mission Bay Park. This is not a case where Toeppe was injured walking on a City trail in a naturally occurring forest. This is not a case where Toeppe had to walk on a trail to reach a dangerous condition or a dangerous condition was part of the design of the trail. Instead, Toeppe was injured when a tree branch struck her.

In a statement Gerry Braun, chief of staff to City Attorney Mara Elliott, said the city isnt giving up. The City will seek judicial review to ensure that San Diego and other public entities can continue to keep our beautiful parks and trails open to residents and visitors, he said via email.

Toeppes lawsuit was filed just months after after a jury awarded $7.6 million to a Mission Hills man who was paralyzed when a palm tree toppled over and fell on him. She was represented by the same lawyers who won that award.

One of those lawyers, Daniel Balaban, welcomed the ruling because it allows Toeppe to press her case in court, and could benefit others.

I think the (ruling) is significant because the general public will not be denied their day in court for dangerous conditions created by governmental entities that happen to occur near a trail, said Balaban.

The city also argued it was also protected because Toeppe was standing on the path when she was struck, but the court said there was conflicting information on that fact, and the suit should not have been dismissed on those grounds either.

Twitter: @gregmoran

greg.moran@sduniontribune.com
A Fallbrook woman who is accused, along with two others, of killing a Marine wife is fighting a second legal battle  over custody of her 15-month-old daughter.

Dorothy Maraglino, 38, was pregnant when she was jailed in May 2012 and charged with murder in the death of Brittany Killgore, whose nude body was found in a remote area northeast of Temecula on April 17, four days after she went missing.

Authorities believe Killgore was strangled at a Fallbrook home where Maraglino and two other defendants practiced bondage and sadomasochism.

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Authorities do not believe Killgore, 22, was a willing participant in the lifestyle. Three days before she disappeared, she filed for divorce from her Marine husband, who was in Afghanistan, and was packing up to move out of state.

Maraglino, Louis Ray Perez, 47, and Jessica Lopez, 26, are charged with murder, conspiracy, kidnapping, torture and attempted sexual battery. All have pleaded not guilty.

In telephone calls, letters and an interview at the Las Colinas jail in Santee, Maraglino talked to U-T San Diego about the custody battle over her daughter, who was born in July 2012.

Perez, who is in the Vista jail, is the father of the girl. He did not respond to an email sent through the jail for a comment on the custody case.

According to Maraglino, she and Perez had been trying to have a baby for two years. He was a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton when Killgore was killed.

They met Killgore after she came to their home with a friend who was interested in buying a fertility monitor Maraglino had put up for sale after she conceived, according to testimony at their preliminary hearing.

When the baby was born, Maraglino said, she asked authorities to place the child with Becky Zagha, 38.

Maraglino said she did not know Zagha well but Perez had asked her to place the baby with the woman.

She said the problem arose when Zagha reneged on promises to live in San Diego County and bring the baby by for weekly jail visits. Instead, she moved to Central California not long after the baby was born, Maraglino said.

Jail records indicate Zagha frequently visited Maraglino and Perez in jail before the baby was born. Visits dropped off significantly after she took custody of the girl.

Reached by phone on Friday, Zagha said, I dont have to justify anything that was said or not said. This was all dealt with in court.

Maraglino lost a bid last month in a Fresno family court to remove the child from Zagha and place her with Maraglinos sister in South Carolina.

Maraglino said officials at the Las Colinas jail were not told by the court of the Oct. 21 hearing and did not allow her to call the court to participate in the proceedings by phone.

She also said the Fresno court investigator handling the matter never contacted her.

Zagha said the custody battle is a private matter.

Nothing that happens between this child and us have anything to do with your readers. So nothing that was said between me and anybody else matters, Zagha said.

Maraglino, who is representing herself in the custody dispute, has appealed the Fresno courts decision.
A growing body of research finds that telling patients to finish a full course of antibiotics even if theyre already feeling better not only fails to prevent drug-resistant superbugs from forming, but also might make those pathogens stronger.

The latest evidence comes from a study published this week in the journal BMJ by a group of British scientists. That team joins an expanding chorus of experts who said theres no scientific support for the conventional wisdom, first adopted in the mid-1940s, that long courses of antibiotics help prevent bacteria from developing immunity to many or most of the weapons in the antibiotic arsenal.

In reality, these researchers said, the longer antibiotics are used, the more collateral damage is done to the bodys community of helpful bacteria  and that in turn gives resistant strains of bacteria, always present in the human body in small numbers, room to flourish and share their defenses with other pathogens, gradually leading to the superbug strains now estimated to kill 23,000 Americans per year and sicken more than 2 million.

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Though the BMJ report is getting a lot of attention, other researchers in past years had also raised questions about the full-course antibiotic mantra.

One of them was Dr. Brad Spellberg, currently chief medical officer at the LAC+USC Medical Center and associate dean for clinical affairs at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. Last year, he published a piece in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine that arrived at the same conclusions as the BMJ groups findings.

Spellberg said Dr. Louis Rice, a specialist in infectious diseases whos now at Brown University in Rhode Island, nearly a decade ago began bringing up the belief that completing full antibiotic courses may actually help build resistance in bacteria.

Weve been saying this for a long time. The message we are shifting to is that we need to be using short-course antibiotic regimens, Spellberg said.

Today the standard practice is to prescribe courses of antibiotics for one or two weeks. Spellberg argues in his 2016 study that this approach has occurred for no other reason than that humans have thought in week-long blocks of time ever since the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great established the seven-day week in AD 321.

Had Constantine decided there should be four days in a week, we would be prescribing antibiotics for four or eight days instead of seven or 14, Spellberg said.

He said many of USCs hospital programs and clinics are moving toward shorter-duration antibiotic prescriptions based on the latest evidence, but that many other medical organizations still insist on one- and two-week courses.

Dr. Julie Roth, chair of the family medicine department for Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group in San Diego, said while she and others at the organization may prescribe antibiotics for periods as short as one day, patients should not take articles like the one in BMJ as indications that they should stop their regimen when they think theyre feeling better.

Some patients are sent home from the hospital on oral or (intravenous) antibiotics and need to work closely with their physician. They should not stop antibiotics unless they are directed to, Roth said.

Andrei Osterman, a professor of bioinformatics who studies the specific mechanisms of bacterial resistance at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute in La Jolla, said he agrees that administering antibiotics for longer than necessary does, indeed, cause collateral damage to the bodys microbiome  which can provide a home for drug-resistant bacteria to grow.

But he also noted that most antibiotics are only effective against bacteria that are actively multiplying, so the number of days in an antibiotic course needs to be long enough to catch those cells that were not yet dividing when the first few doses were administered.

The primary driver of the number of days was not only preventing resistance, but also making sure there is enough exposure to make sure the infection is held at bay long enough for the bodys immune system to take over and finish the job, Osterman said.

Human metabolic systems, he added, are highly variable in terms of how they process antibiotics, so a short course may work better for some people than others, depending on each patients specific genetics.

As is the case for the British researchers, Osterman said he believes more in-depth research is needed to understand just how long antibiotic courses should last. He said until those analyses are completed, caution is always the best idea, especially when the consequences could be death.

But Spellberg, the USC medical director, said the evidence really is there for anyone who chooses to look.

Multiple rigorous studies have shown that, for example, a five-day course is very effective in treating community-acquired pneumonia, a three-day regimen is adequate for simple bladder infections, five to seven days for kidney infections and four days for standard inter-abdominal infections such as appendicitis. While his organization and others in the Los Angeles area are increasingly prescribing shorter antibiotic courses, he insists theyre not neglecting their patients safety.

Nobodys talking about throwing their patients out the window. Were talking about having an informed discussion between the provider and the patient about when the evidence shows it may be appropriate to stop a course of antibiotics , Spellberg said.

Health Playlist On Now Video: Why aren't Americans getting flu shots? 0:37 On Now Video: Leaders urge public to help extinguish hepatitis outbreak On Now San Diego starts cleansing sidewalks, streets to combat hepatitis A On Now Video: Scripps to shutter its hospice service On Now Video: Scripps La Jolla hospitals nab top local spot in annual hospital rankings On Now Video: Does a parent's Alzheimer's doom their children? On Now Video: Vaccine can prevent human papillomavirus, which can cause cancer 0:31 On Now 23 local doctors have already faced state discipline in 2017 0:48 On Now EpiPen recall expands On Now Kids can add years to your life

paul.sisson@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1850

Twitter: @paulsisson
San Diego teacher Shane Parmelys cell phone video sparked more conversation about immigration and border issues nationally this week than some meticulously organized protests or even bills in Congress do.

The video, taken by her kids toward the end of a five-week cross-country journey, shows Parmely refusing to answer questions about her citizenship from a Border Patrol agent at a checkpoint in New Mexico. Parmely was aware of the obscure corners of the internet where people have posted such videos before, and didnt expect hers to become a sensation.

This was the laziest protest on the planet, Parmely said, adding that she took a nap while agents kept her detained in her car at the checkpoint for a little over an hour.

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Parmely is uncomfortable with the spotlight shes been put in because she doesnt think its her place to be the face for the issue.

I was shocked that it went viral, she said. There have been videos like this for years. Once a white lady posts it, suddenly it gets huge.

After The San Diego Union-Tribune posted her story on Monday, it was featured in The New York Daily News, CBS News and countless news sites and blogs. Her name became a popular hashtag on Twitter.

When she was invited to do television interviews, she brought along her friend, Sweetwater schools teacher Gretel Rodriguez. The point was to discuss their considerably different experiences at checkpoints  the very disparity Parmely had in mind when she staged her protest.

Both she and Parmely are union activists, and theyve known each other for about five years. Parmely said that it was like Rodriguez was sitting with her in the car, on that road in New Mexico. She could hear her friends stories of encounters with Border Patrol agents playing in her head.

While Parmelys ancestors came from Germany and Ireland, Rodriguezs were from Mexico.

Rodriguez recalled an encounter with a Border Patrol agent who, she said, aggressively questioned her sons, then four and eight years old. The eight-year-old, who has autism, answered quickly when the agent asked, Is this your mother?

The four-year-old hesitated, Rodriguez said. The agent turned to her.

Do your kids know English? she recalled him asking her.

Eventually her son replied that yes, Rodriguez was his mother. As they drove away, she asked him why he had taken so long.

It was a stupid question, mom, he said.

Even at four, my son understood what was going on in my car and that it wasnt right, Rodriguez said of the incident.

She said her older son has learned a sense of fear and nervousness of law enforcement officers because of encounters like this.

Thats sad, Rodriguez said. We should feel calm because cops protect us.

She didnt realize until talking with Parmely that not all children are questioned by Border Patrol agents. Parmely said her children have never been questioned.

Those are things that Im thinking everyone is going through, but its not reality, Rodriguez said. I think I just normalized it.

She has taught her children to respond quickly and in English when they go through checkpoints.

I would equate teaching my kids about Border Patrol to the way a black family teaches their kids about police officers, Rodriguez said.

Terence Shigg, president of the local chapter of the National Border Patrol Council, said he understands some of the nervousness that Rodriguez was talking about though he disagreed with Parmelys way of addressing it. Shigg has spent much of his career working at the San Clemente border checkpoint.

I am a law enforcement officer, and sometimes I get nervous when I go through checkpoints or when I am stopped by other law enforcement officers, Shigg said via email. Experienced law enforcement officers know that there is a certain level of anxiety to be expected during encounters. What we are trained to look for is the abnormal. Its not normal for a mother on vacation with her children to decide to make a political statement and put her family in a position as to where they would be subject to additional inspection and questioning. This teacher could just as easily and more poignantly made her point by bringing this topic to the attention of her local representatives.

He said some smugglers think they are less likely to be questioned if they have children in the car, so agents do sometimes question children to make sure they are traveling with real family members.

The checkpoints, Shigg said, are strategically located on routes that transnational criminal organizations use.

Border Patrol agents have a difficult job balancing the safety of the public, the country and their own safety, Shigg said via email. Agents stand unprotected on these highways and roads. Agents have been hit by cars, physically assaulted and harassed at these checkpoints. Although most motorists understand the difficulty and danger agents face, some motorists, such as the one in this video, believe that their agenda gives them the right to distract these agents from their duties and put at risk the rest of the country only to glamorize their personal motives.

Since sharing her story, Parmely said, shes heard from people across the country telling her of their own interactions with Border Patrol.

She said shes received threats of physical and sexual violence. While she would not have chosen to be in the position that shes in, she does not regret her decision.

This was one of those times I wouldve regretted not doing something, Parmely said.

She sees a positive outcome to the publicity her video has received.

I know there are a lot of really constructive conversations coming out of this, she said. Its not pretty or comfortable to have these conversations, but if we dont have them, then we dont evolve.

In the whirlwind of internet commentary, supporters praised Parmely as a hero and an inspiration. Critics called her unpatriotic and needlessly disrespectful to law enforcement.

Was it really such an imposition to answer the question? Jason Varney wrote on Facebook. These officers job is to keep illegal aliens out of our country.

Many felt that Parmely had broken a law in refusing to answer.

If you dont agree with the law, start the process to change it, Judy Angle said on Facebook. These are many laws I dont agree with, but I follow them.

Some felt that Parmelys actions were a reflection of white privilege.

She has privilege because of her appearance, Teresa Diaz wrote on Facebook. No brown person in their right mind would challenge Border Patrol like that.

Don Reedy said Parmelys motivations resonated with him, but he took issue with the way she went about her protest.

If every time we met law enforcement we moved on our own agenda and rights wed be an impediment to the good that they do, Reedy wrote on Facebook.

Many also came to Parmelys defense, saying that she has constitutional rights to stay silent and that she had not broken a law.

I took an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, Ray Ramage wrote on Facebook. We must not knuckle under to creeping fascism in the name of security. Benjamin Franklin had something to say on that subject.

At one point it was legal to own slaves, Carlos Alberto Zepeda Heredia said on Facebook. Its not morally correct to stay silent. It wasnt back then, and it isnt now.

According to immigration law and Supreme Court decisions, Border Patrol has the authority to set up checkpoints within 100 miles of the border and ask questions about citizenship and immigration status. Agents are not allowed to detain someone indefinitely but can hold someone for a reasonable amount of time if someone refuses to answer questions, according to Border Patrol spokesman Mark Endicott.

Immigration Videos On Now New developments in family separation case 9:53 On Now A San Diego woman volunteered as a medic in Texas helping migrant families 2:35 On Now Immigration policy protests in Carlsbad nearly cancelled after permit issue 1:38 On Now When children are separated from their parents at the border, here is where they go next On Now Prospects of a deal for 'Dreamers' may hinge on separating Trump from hard-liners on his staff On Now What is DACA? On Now Border wall prototype contractors selected On Now Video: Ukrainian boxer wins asylum in U.S. On Now 30 apprehended after Border Patrol agents discover tunnel On Now Video: Kurdish diaspora prepare to vote on independence

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kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com, @bgirledukate on Twitter
Significantly more schools in San Diego are having their water tested for toxic lead than elsewhere in California, prompting local water officials to begin pressing for state reimbursement of steep testing costs.

Since California began in January requiring water agencies to conduct lead tests for free at all schools that submit requests, 507 out of 1,259 schools tested statewide have been in San Diego County.

That number dwarfs second-place Los Angeles County, with 100 schools tested, third-place Orange County, with 85 schools tested, and every other county in the state.

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Nearly half of the local tests have been conducted by the city of San Diegos Public Utilities Department, which supplies water to all 198 campuses of the San Diego Unified School District and roughly 180 other campuses in neighboring districts.

Department officials attribute the wide disparity in testing to more media attention on the issue in the San Diego region, spurred partly by San Ysidro officials raising concerns last fall about lead in school drinking water.

The department has spent $481,000 testing water at 236 campuses  198 in San Diego Unified and 38 outside that district  and is eager to have the state reimburse the department and its 275,000 water and sewer customers.

San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliotts staff is preparing a test claim contending that water agencies and their customers should not have to bear the expense of a new state requirement they were ordered to carry out.

City officials say that claim will be submitted to the Commission on State Mandates, which is expected to rule on the matter before the next state budget cycle.

In addition to reimbursement for tests already conducted, San Diego officials say the state should cover additional testing the city expects to do at roughly 140 campuses that havent yet requested tests.

Those tests are estimated to nearly double the citys overall costs for testing to just over $900,000.

The campuses not yet tested include several in the Poway Unified School District, a few campuses in other districts and many charter schools and private schools.

The 38 campuses tested outside San Diego Unified include 10 in the Sweetwater high school district, eight in Del Mar, eight under the Point Loma High Tech High umbrella, four in the San Dieguito high school district and one each in Chula Vista and the South Bay Union Elementary district.

In addition, the department conducted tests at six private schools and charter schools.

Of the schools tested, only four have exceeded the level of lead where California law requires them to take action.

In San Diego Unified, three affected campuses  Co-Operative Charter School 2, Emerson-Bandini School and Birney Elementary School  have fixed their problems.

A fourth school, a French-English learning academy called La Petit Ecole in Clairemont, has turned off the affected water fixture, notified parents and is working with the landlord to solve the problem, city officials said.

In addition, San Ysidro schools have paid for private testing of their water, which is supplied by San Diegos Public Utilities Department.

La Mirada Elementary exceeded the legal level of lead but has since fixed the problem. A problem was also found at San Ysidro Middle School, but there is no immediate danger because the campus is undergoing renovations this summer.

Elsewhere in the South Bay, the Otay Water District received requests for testing at 44 campuses and Cal-American Water Company, which supplies Coronado and Imperial Beach, has conducted tests at 22 campuses.

(The previous paragraph has been updated to reflect the correct number of schools tested in the Otay Water District.)

Statistics from North County water agencies werent available.

When a campus is found to have elevated levels of lead, the schools are required to fix the problem, with water agencies only required to conduct follow-up tests.

The new state mandate requires water agencies to test five drinking fountains or other water fixtures at each campus, but San Diego Unified decided last week that it will test all fixtures going forward and cover the added costs itself.

The district also decided to raise the standard of whats considered a dangerous level of lead from 15 parts per billion to 5 parts per billion.

That will make the districts standard the same as U.S. Food and Drug Administrations standard for lead in bottled drinking water.

Several bills working their way through the state Legislature would mandate lead testing of school drinking water, which is considered crucial because children are more susceptible to lead poisoning than adults.

The bills vary in how frequently they would require testing, with at least one requiring it every year at every campus.

Brent Eidson, deputy director of external affairs for San Diegos Public Utilities Department, said last week that the city is optimistic data from its testing will convince lawmakers that annual testing would be overkill and a waste of money.

david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick
The La Mesa police detective who shot at a homicide suspect in City Heights Tuesday night is a 10-year veteran, authorities said Thursday.

Detective Jason Wisler had repeatedly ordered Derrick Henderson to the ground. Instead, Henderson walked toward Wisler, with his arms concealed in his waistband, San Diego police homicide Lt. Todd Griffin said.

Wisler fired his gun several times, but the rounds missed Henderson.

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Authorities have not yet said whether Henderson, 30, was armed. San Diego police homicide detectives are investigating the shooting, which is protocol when an officer from any jurisdiction fires a gun in the city.

La Mesa police Lt. Chad Bell said Wisler is on paid administrative leave.

Henderson is suspected of fatally shooting Travis Lewis, 30, during a robbery in the parking lot of a Burlington Coat Factory in La Mesa on Friday night.

On Tuesday, police detectives got word that Henderson was in City Heights. They spotted him walking down Altadena Avenue south of El Cajon Boulevard about 7 p.m. Wisler got out of his car and approached Henderson.

After the shooting, Henderson ran away, but other officers arrested him shortly after.

Earlier in the day, two other arrests were made in the homicide case. Kathryn Williams, 24, and Teishia Miller-Johnson, 32, were each booked into jail on a murder charge.

Breaking News

Email: david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com

Phone: (619) 293-1876

Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez
Three Republicans crossed party lines to join Democrats in a 49-to-51 vote to kill the bill.

By Reuters: US Senate Republicans failed early on Friday to overturn the healthcare law known as Obamacare, in a stinging blow to President Donald Trump that may end the Republican Party's seven-year quest to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Three Republicans, Senators John McCain, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, crossed party lines to join Democrats in a dramatic 49-to-51 vote to kill the bill. The debate began just before 1:30 a.m. (0530 GMT) on Friday morning.

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Republican leaders had decided to vote on a pared-down proposal to repeal portions of Obamacare known as the "skinny bill" after failing to reach consensus on a more comprehensive measure after the US House of Representatives approved their bill in May.

"3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!," US President Donald Trump said in a tweet.

3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017

"This is clearly a disappointing moment," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the floor after the vote.

"I think the American people are going to regret that we couldn't find a better way forward," he said.

REPUBLICANS HAVE STRUGGLED TO REPEAL OBAMACARE

Despite controlling the Senate, the House and the White House, Republicans have struggled for months with repealing Obamacare, a complex law approved by Democrats in 2010 under former President Barack Obama that provided health insurance to millions of previously uninsured Americans.

Trump, who campaigned for the White House on promises to repeal Obamacare, has offered no legislation of his own and little guidance to the Senate, although he has berated them for their inaction.

A White House media spokeswoman could not immediately be reached for comment on the bill's failure.

REPUBLICAN SENATORS

Republicans hold 52 seats in the 100-seat Senate and McConnell could only afford to lose support from two Republican senators, with the tie-breaking vote to be cast by Vice President Mike Pence, who was on the Senate floor.

All eyes were on McCain, who flew back from Arizona after being diagnosed with brain cancer in order to vote, and sat with Collins, Murkowski, and Senator Jeff Flake, also from Arizona.

Collins and Murkowski both voted against more comprehensive Republican proposals to repeal and replace Obamacare this week. Trump has singled out Murkowski for criticism, saying on Twitter that she had let down the Republican Party and the country.

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McCain was approached minutes before the vote by Pence and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. Graham had said on Thursday he had decided to vote for the skinny bill after reassurances from House Speaker Paul Ryan that it would not become law.

CHEERS ERUPT AFTER DECIDING 'NO' VOTE

After speaking to Pence and Graham for some time, McCain walked across the floor to tell Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senators Dick Durbin, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar and Dianne Feinstein that they had his vote. Feinstein embraced him as voting began.

Cheers erupted in the Senate chamber as McCain cast what was believed to be the deciding "no" vote.

After the bill's failure, Schumer told the Senate that it was time to heed McCain's call this week to return to a more transparent and bipartisan legislative process.

"He's a hero, he's a hero of mine," Schumer told reporters after the vote.

Also Read:

Trump urges US Congress to repeal Obamacare

Donald Trump calls for immediate repeal, replacement of Obamacare

--- ENDS ---
Its the end of an era as we bid a fond farewell to the press room at San Diego Police headquarters.

Police press rooms were immortalized in the zany 1928 play and later movie versions of The Front Page, about a newspaper reporter and editor who hid an escaped convict inside a rolltop desk to get the scoop. Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell recreated the antics in the 1940 film, His Girl Friday.

Alas, the San Diego police press room, also known as the cop shop, bears no ghosts of hidden prisoners.

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When police moved from the quaint 1939 Mission Revival headquarters on Market Street (since remodeled into a restaurant) to a modern seven-story building at 1401 Broadway in 1987, they continued a long-standing, nationwide tradition to dedicate space for hard-boiled police reporters to roost on the premises.

Now, the police want that space for their recruiting unit. Recruiters have been using their captains office as a place to interview prospective officers, while the captain cools his heels elsewhere.

And with the chief facing a crisis of officer hiring and retention, Recruiting has our whole attention, says department spokesman Lt. Scott Wahl. He says there isnt another empty spot in the building for a recruiter interview room.

For years the windowless press room was occupied mainly by reporters from The San Diego Union and The Tribune and later the merged Union-Tribune. I spent 15 years on the night shift there, listening to police scanners, gossiping with watch commanders and scanning police reports. I watched officers drive into the underground garage with all manner of bellowing drunks, handcuffed thugs and notorious crooks.

With the press room door propped open, I never knew who might pop in -- homicide lieutenants offering a few extra details on the latest case, or chiefs making sure their side of a controversy was heard. Longtime police spokesman Bill Robinson was a regular, slipping in from his own office next door to tip us to the latest breaking cases.

But times change and the Union-Tribune hasnt staffed the press room full time for many years. City News Service posted a reporter there for more than 15 years and now has to find new office space. Wahl noted that these days, email, texting, Twitter and Facebook provide a measure of fast access to police information.

Doing away with local press rooms has become the norm. They were eliminated years ago at federal court and the county administration building. The new downtown county courthouse will have a press room of sorts, but only on a daily first-come-first-served basis.

It is sad, Wahl said. The worlds changing.
A black man who claimed he was arrested by San Diego police last week only because of his race will not face any criminal charges, the District Attorneys Office said Friday.

Richard Wiley, 66, was jailed on suspicion of felony possession of a baton and burglary tools on July 21 in Encanto.

He was released on bail with the help of a civil rights organization, National Action Network of San Diego, whose leader criticized the arrest as racial profiling.

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Police spokesman Lt. Scott Wahl said the arrest was justified because there was probable cause for the officer to believe a crime had occurred or was about to be committed.

The District Attorneys Office released this statement on Friday: After a thorough review, the District Attorneys Office is declining to file criminal charges against Raymond Wiley, 66, who was arrested last Friday. Arraignment, which had been scheduled for Monday, July 31, will therefore not take place. The District Attorneys Office can only file criminal charges when we believe we can prove them beyond a reasonable doubt.

No other information was released about the decision to not prosecute Wiley.

Wahl said Friday that We respect the District Attorneys decision not to move forward in this case.

Wiley said he was taking a walk four blocks from his house before starting his work as a scrapper, picking up aluminum cans and going to auto shops for spare metal bits he could recycle.

He was walking down the road, rather than a sidewalk, wearing gloves and carrying a short length of a cane and an extra pair of gloves. He said he wears the gloves when handling the recyclables, and carried the rod to ward off any threatening dogs

A police officer thought he might be casing cars to break into in the early-morning hours. The officer found the gloves in Wileys pockets along with what police said was a shaved key that could fit car doors. Wiley said it was the key to his own car.

Also in his pocket was $2,500 in cash, which Wiley did not explain. The key was considered a burglar tool and the section of cane an illegal baton, police said.

Attorney Marlea DellAnno, representing Wiley, said at a Thursday news conference that the charges were unwarranted.

No reasonable person will look at this case and say that my client is guilty of anything, she said. Hes guilty, if anything, of being black and living in Encanto.

She added that an arrest under these circumstances wouldnt happen to anyone walking around Poway Lake, or Lake Miramar.

Shane Harris, president of the local National Action Network chapter, said he was outraged at the arrest.

Its our belief that Mr. Raymond Wiley was racially profiled and harassed because he is an African-American man we are committed to exposing the injustice that happened to him, Harris said at the news conference.
Just beyond San Franciscos city limits lies 640 acres of land that could help solve some of Californias biggest problems.

A developer wants to build 4,400 new homes there  one of the largest projects recently proposed in one of the countrys most unaffordable regions. The development would overlook a railway that drops riders into the heart of San Francisco in 15 minutes, reducing the need for cars and cutting the greenhouse gas emissions that come from them.

State and regional leaders have endorsed the project. But its fate rests with Brisbane, a city of 4,700 people that annexed the property 55 years ago. And no one, not even the developer, thinks Brisbanes residents will approve all 4,400 homes.

Unfortunately, we believe that their ceiling is going to be below that, said Jonathan Scharfman, the general manager for the developer, Universal Paragon Corp.

The project, Brisbane Baylands, reveals how few incentives local governments have to accept large developments  even as the state is pushing to lower housing costs and funnel growth toward existing cities and nearby mass transit to combat climate change. Brisbane residents are wary of a project that could triple the citys population. Under Californias tax system, Brisbane also earns more money if it rejects the current plan in favor of potential alternatives with more hotel rooms and space for businesses  but no homes.

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The Bay Areas dire need for housing makes the debate over the Baylands project particularly painful, said Ben Metcalf, director of the state Department of Housing and Community Development.

It is frustrating that as a state and as a constellation of local jurisdictions we are constantly making decisions that arent the best for alleviating poverty, housing affordability, furthering our states economy or meeting our climate change goals, Metcalf said.

For their part, some Brisbane residents feel besieged by pressure from housing activists, business groups, state lawmakers, San Francisco politicians, newspaper editorials and others beyond the citys boundaries. An old rail yard and garbage dump contaminated the land, and opponents contend they want to protect anyone who might decide to live there even after regulators approve a cleanup. More than that, Brisbane residents say, outsiders dont understand how much the Baylands project would upend their community.

Were a small town, City Councilman W. Clarke Conway said at a meeting on the project last fall, and were a small town by choice.

Bill Dettmer, left, speaks with a group of men who regularly meet and discuss local politics and civic issues at Madhouse Coffee in Brisbane, Calif. Dettmer thinks a developer should be allowed to build housing on an old rail yard in the city. (Josh Edelson / For The Times)

Brisbanes main drag is Visitacion Avenue. It slopes upward for five blocks, starting at a city park and continuing through mom-and-pop shops, cafes and restaurants. The rest of Brisbane comprises office parks, a strip mall and mostly single-family homes built throughout the towns hills.

This is the land that time forgot, said Greg Lee, 55, an electrical engineer who has lived in the city for more than two decades.

San Bruno Mountain, which rises a quarter-mile into the sky, is Brisbanes landmark, and residents have fought to preserve it. In the 1960s, they blocked a developer from leveling the mountaintop and building enough new homes for 70,000 people. In 1980, after years of battling another massive project on the mountain, residents received a last-minute reprieve from the federal government, which declared San Bruno a critical habitat for the endangered callippe silverspot butterfly.

Anti-development fervor has continued. About a decade ago, a city councilman suggested sidestepping a state housing law that requires cities to plan for growth by zoning for homes where nothing would ever get built  the bottom of Brisbanes lagoon.

Residents efforts to protect Brisbanes small-town feel make large changes hard to accept, said Paul Bouscal, 58, a San Francisco water department employee who has lived in the area since 1982.

The Baylands, he said, plays on fears of Brisbane getting big.

For our town to grow like that, it would be too much, too fast, Bouscal said.

It might be easier for residents and elected officials to welcome growth if the city received more tax dollars for doing so. But the opposite is true.

Because of tax limits established in 1978 by Proposition 13, local governments generally receive more revenue from sales and hotel room taxes than property taxes. Proposition 13 limited property tax rates to 1% of a homes taxable value and restricted how quickly that taxable value could increase after a purchase.

Last year, Brisbane hired a consultant who found that the city would net $1 million a year in tax revenue by approving the Baylands. But if the city instead approved a project with lots more commercial space, a larger hotel and no housing, Brisbane would gain $9 million annually  an amount equivalent to more than half the citys current day-to-day operating budget.

Developers are always going to face opposition because of residents concerns about their communities changing, said Mark Stivers, a longtime state housing policy staffer. But the tax system is another big reason the state has a housing shortage, he said.

Id like to think if just the fiscal incentives were reversed, if a city could make as much money off housing as they could retail, wed be having a very different conversation in California, Stivers said.

Jonathan Scharfman, general manager of Universal Paragon Corp., describes the area where his company hopes to build a 4,400-unit housing development. (Josh Edelson / For The Times)

Debate over the Baylands has divided the town and dominated Brisbane politics for at least a decade. More than half of Brisbane residents said in a 2015 city-sponsored poll that they were OK with some housing on the Baylands site. But just 3% backed a project of more than 4,000 homes such as the developer is proposing.

Bill Dettmer, 63, spent a recent morning at Madhouse Coffee, one of the citys main gathering spots, trying to convince skeptical neighbors that the city should support the housing. Dettmer moved to Brisbane 50 years ago and does maintenance work in the city.

I see a lot of stuff, Dettmer said. I see beds in garages. You have to increase the [housing] supply. If you really want to help out people, let them live in dignity. It just seems like a no-brainer.

Many local opponents cite the lands history  not hostility to growth  for why theyre against the project. San Francisco used to dump its garbage on the site, and a railroad company repaired its trains there. Longtime residents remember watching tires burn.

Scharfman, the developers general manager, said Universal Paragon Corp. will clean up the land and wont begin building until all environmental agencies responsible say its safe. He likened the process to how an old rail yard at San Franciscos Mission Bay was cleaned up and now has thousands of homes.

Still, some Brisbane residents say they dont trust regulators will get it right, because whats known about the toxicity of chemicals can change over time. Even though they wont live in the Baylands, opponents believe they have a responsibility to shield those who might.

Why do we have a seat belt law? Why do we have a helmet law? Theyre anti-stupidity laws to protect the general population, said Michele Salmon, 63, who was born and raised in Brisbane.

Salmon said she understood housing problems were real and lamented the lack of space to accommodate a growing population.

I do feel sorry that the younger generation is not going to get to live the life that we did, she said. But its a different time.

State and regional officials have few tools to push Brisbane. Every eight years, the state tells every city and county to plan for the construction of a certain number of new homes to accommodate planned population growth. Between 2007 and 2014, Brisbanes goal was 401 houses. Developers built a little more than a third of that target, but the city faces no consequences for the lack of home building.

Similarly, regional agencies such as the Assn. of Bay Area Governments have to plan for urban growth as part of the the states climate change efforts. California wont meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets, regulators have said, without a significant reduction in driving fueled by more people walking, biking and using mass transit. The Baylands project and its 4,400 homes next to a Caltrain station are written into the regions climate change proposal, but that means nothing for the projects actual approval.

This is a plan, an expectation of how we could grow, said Leah Zippert, an Assn. of Bay Area Governments spokeswoman. It is not a mandate to build. Its not a mandate to do anything.

The Brisbane City Council plans to make a key decision on the Baylands this summer, including whether it supports any housing on the site. But the council expects to put that proposal on the ballot next year. Brisbanes residents will be the ones with the last word.

liam.dillon@latimes.com

@dillonliam

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Updates on California politics
One of four whistleblowers who testified in a 2015 lawsuit against the citys development agency, Civic San Diego, has filed her own case against the organization, claiming retaliation against her after she complained about business dealings she believed to be illegal.

The whistleblower, Cynthia Suero-Gabler, worked for Civic San Diego as executive assistant to the organizations president, Reese Jarrett, for less than a year starting in fall 2014, according to the lawsuit filed on Wednesday in San Diego Superior Court. During her tenure, she witnessed what appeared to her as Jarretts abuse of authority and misuse of the taxpayer-funded nonprofit organizations resources.

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Civic San Diego is a city-owned public benefit corporation funded largely by development fees, parking district fees and property taxes. It reported $7.2 million in revenue in 2015, the most recent year for which tax documents were available as of this week. It is responsible for planning and permitting for development in downtown San Diego.

Suero-Gablers lawsuit accuses Jarrett of inappropriate behavior including making disparaging comments about gay co-workers and people of color and regularly requiring Civic San Diego employees to conduct his personal business during work hours and on their paid time off.

The suit also accuses Jarrett of conducting Civic San Diego business burdened by conflicts of interest such as engaging in sole-source contracts and other instances of nepotism and favoritism; and by controlling and directing CivicSD projects to benefit his friends, family and even his own church.

Jarrett did not respond to The San Diego Union-Tribunes requests for comment.

Jeff Gattas, chairman of Civic San Diegos board of directors, said that Suero-Gabler approached Civic San Diego leadership nearly two years ago with allegations described in the lawsuit.

Those allegations were investigated by the corporation, appropriately managed internally, and the matter was closed, the statement said. Ms. Suero-Gabler was informed of this process including the closure of the case. Since these are personnel matters we are unable to comment further.

Suero-Gablers lawsuit also says she reported her concerns about Jarrett to the organizations senior officials while she was an employee. She alleges officials ignored her at first, then launched an internal investigation that did not result in corrective action.

Nothing was done, except that the individuals who toed the company line were rewarded and those who spoke out against Jarrett were retaliated against, the lawsuit said.

Two officials who allegedly toed the line got pay raises and a third got a promotion, according to the lawsuit, while Suero-Gabler was demoted and denied professional opportunities and pay raises.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages to compensate Suero-Gabler for injuries including lost wages and benefits, mental distress and anxiety.

Dan Gilleon, a local attorney who is representing Suero-Gabler, said the lawsuit is an attempt to hold Civic San Diego accountable to taxpayers.

Gilleon is also representing Suero-Gabler in a 2015 civil case brought against the city and Civic San Diego by the San Diego County Building & Construction Trades Council and Murtaza Baxamusa, an official with the council and a former member of Civic San Diegos board of directors.

The plaintiffs called in Suero-Gabler and three other former and current key employees at Civic San Diego to provide depositions in the lawsuit. Civil San Diego tried to block the employees depositions, telling the court they would be an unwarranted annoyance and embarrassment. The court ruled last month that the depositions could move forward.

At issue in the 2015 case is whether the city violated state law and the city charter when, in 2012, it created Civic San Diego and delegated to it the citys power to approve and plan development projects downtown.

The plaintiffs contend that state law says cities who delegate such authority to such private organizations must have in place certain controls to make sure the delegated duties are carried out properly. A key control plaintiffs say is missing in the citys arrangement with Civic San Diego is a provision allowing those who contest the organizations land use decisions to appeal them to City Council.

Officials with the city and Civic San Diego have said theres nothing illegal about the arrangement with Civic San Diego and the lawsuit has no merit.

They say Civic San Diego does not make land-use decisions in the sense that it uses its own discretion or judgment in its approvals. It simply reviews projects to ensure they meet City Council-approved requirements of land-use plans for downtown neighborhoods.

Watchdog Videos On Now Sexual misconduct accusers worry deputy is being protected 6:16 On Now City funded $2-million waterfront bathroom 1:26 On Now Public water district charges customer for legal work, response to records request On Now Video: Tiny homes won't be reused amid housing, homeless crisis On Now Attorney General seeks documentation for Miss Middle East On Now Rep. Hunter probe covers possible fraud On Now Video: SDG&E delaying solar credit for some low-income housing tenants On Now Video: Former San Diego Junior Theatre teacher sentenced for sex with teen girl 0:24 On Now Video: Shelter volunteers believe they were fired for finding a dog a home 0:49 On Now McKamey Manor is leaving San Diego 3:35

morgan.cook@sduniontribune.com
The inmate woke up to find his cellmate dangling from the bunk, a makeshift rope strung around his neck. He pressed the intercom button four to five times to summon help, and when that didnt work he banged on the door repeatedly, he told investigators.

Up to 20 minutes elapsed before San Diego County jailers answered the emergency call, according to a new report from the Citizens Law Enforcement Review Board.

Inmate Richard Boulanger was transported to UCSD Medical Center for emergency treatment. It didnt work. Boulanger died two days later, on Feb. 14, 2016. He had been in custody on a misdemeanor charge of malicious mischief.

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The case was recorded as a jail suicide, the ninth of 15 deaths in San Diego County jails that fiscal year.

The citizens review board, the panel charged with investigating misconduct within the San Diego Sheriffs Department, found there was insufficient evidence to determine whether policy violations contributed to Boulangers death.

The report also documented three findings of misconduct by sheriffs department staff, including lying to investigators by falsely claiming a well-being check was made on the inmate.

Video surveillance of that time frame disproved the actions he described, the report said.

The same deputy  who was not identified due to confidentiality protections  failed to conduct an end-of-shift inmate count, according to policy. Another deputy was singled out for failing to respond to an inmates call for help.

The report included two policy recommendations aimed at improving compliance with county regulations. The board said the department should ensure that deputies send help when an inmate emergency alarm is activated. The panel also said the department should develop a policy prohibiting jail staff from muting or otherwise disabling the inmate intercoms.

Ryan Keim, the sheriffs department spokesman, said he could not comment on the review-panel findings because the decision has been appealed by the deputy.

I can, however, reiterate that the safety of staff and inmates is the Sheriff Departments first priority and we are continually reviewing and improving our policies and procedures, he said in a statement.

The panels executive director declined to discuss the findings.

The San Diego County Sheriffs Department has been plagued by in-custody deaths in recent years. The deaths are costing taxpayers millions of dollars.

County officials last year agreed to pay $2.3 million to the family of a man who died in the Mens Central Jail in 2012. The parents of Bernard Victorianne, who was arrested on suspicion of driving drunk, claimed the deputies knew their son had swallowed a bag of methamphetamine and did not respond when he showed signs of distress for days.

In 2015, a federal judge upheld a $3 million jury verdict against San Diego County in a wrongful-death case filed by the family of 21-year-old Daniel Sisson, who died in his Vista jail cell in 2011.

Jurors found the county and two nurses were deliberately indifferent to Sissons health issues, resulting in his death.

Watchdog Videos On Now Sexual misconduct accusers worry deputy is being protected 6:16 On Now City funded $2-million waterfront bathroom 1:26 On Now Public water district charges customer for legal work, response to records request On Now Video: Tiny homes won't be reused amid housing, homeless crisis On Now Attorney General seeks documentation for Miss Middle East On Now Rep. Hunter probe covers possible fraud On Now Video: SDG&E delaying solar credit for some low-income housing tenants On Now Video: Former San Diego Junior Theatre teacher sentenced for sex with teen girl 0:24 On Now Video: Shelter volunteers believe they were fired for finding a dog a home 0:49 On Now McKamey Manor is leaving San Diego 3:35

jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald
President Donald Trumps decision to bar transgender persons from serving in the military, though it will anger members and supporters of the LGBT community, is the right decision for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, it was, he said, reached after consultation with senior military officials although it reportedly caught Defense Secretary Jim Mattis by surprise. They are the best source of expert advice on the impact such service has on military readiness and morale, which should be the paramount issue in this debate. Too often, policies are imposed on the military, without such advice, by civilian politicians with little knowledge or understanding of military culture or requirements. Mr. Trump has made it clear that as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, he will respect the experience and judgment of his uniformed advisers.

Related: Transgender ban disrupts military core missions

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The singular mission of the U.S. armed forces is to defend the nation and, when necessary, to fight and win wars. They have no other mission, least of all to serve as vehicles for the implementation of social inclusion policies. Particularly in these times of severely constrained resources and increasing international threats, the services, including every soldier, sailor, airman and marine, need to remain focused on the mission. The Obama policy decision eliminating the previous ban on transgender service has resulted in considerable additional time, effort and expense in dealing with their integration, treatment and special needs that the services can ill afford and which is far out of proportion to their relatively small percentage of the population.

For example, a Department of Defense handbook providing guidance on the implementation of the policies regarding transgender persons in the service includes 71 pages of guidance covering over three dozen topics involving such matters as medical treatment, provisions for transiting genders, new modesty policies covering shower and berthing facilities and appropriate terminology to use. This is supplemented and largely replicated by directives and policies issued by each military service.

Concerns and questions regarding ones gender identity almost certainly produce anxieties in that person. This is a problem the services are not well-structured to deal with. There is enough anxiety in military service to begin with without adding more.

Military life under most conditions is arduous. Privacy is usually at a premium, particularly in warships and submarines, and on the battlefield it is virtually nonexistent. But these problems were faced with the integration of women into nontraditional roles, including service on navy warships, a program for which I advocated and helped manage. Those insisting that transgender persons have a right to serve will claim that the same arguments apply to this issue, but they shouldnt. The main reason that integrating women into operational roles worked was less attributable to a need to achieve sexual equality in the military and more a response to the personnel needs of the service. With an all-volunteer military, we simply couldnt afford to exclude half the population from service eligibility. Similarly, with the elimination of the Dont ask, dont tell policy permitting gays to serve openly, the size of the gay population, the needs of the services and changing attitudes regarding sexual orientation among millennials argued for a policy change.

These programs worked as well as they did essentially because they became the law of the land and the services saluted smartly, as they always will, and implemented them. The implementation, however, was not without significant problems and expense. The services do not need more problems and more expense as a result of politically-correct inclusion policies forced on them by civilians without military experience against the recommendations of experienced senior military advisers. The armed forces have no immediate requirement for transgender persons to serve that I am aware of that would justify the expenses involved in their service.

There remains the argument that to re-impose the ban would be discriminatory. But there is no inherent right to serve in the military. The militarys hiring practices do not and cannot mirror civilian employment practices. Military service is not just another job and has no civilian parallel. By necessity, the military services discriminate in hiring with regard to age, weight, physical condition, physical disability, health, intelligence, aptitude and criminal and drug use history. In fact, over half of Americans of service age are not eligible to serve because of one or more of these factors.

While I believe that the relatively small number of transgender persons who are currently serving honorably should be allowed to continue serving, I support the presidents order banning future accessions. Any further Department of Defense expenditures on transgender issues including medical expenses related to gender change procedures should cease.

Kelly, a freelance writer based in Coronado, is a retired navy Captain who commanded three San Diego-based ships and a navy laboratory.
NAFTA 2.0 is a big opportunity for San Diego and the entire U.S.-Mexico border region. With a good modernization of the 1993 treaty, the U.S.-Mexico border can expand economic growth and continue to be one of the most dynamic regions in North America. Elected officials and business groups from the border region should organize to weigh in regularly with the government negotiating teams and elected representatives in the months ahead to assure a good outcome.

Voices from the border cities and states must be well organized to have their voices heard in Washington and in Mexico City. Happily, San Diego and Tijuana are hosting mayors from throughout the region for the Border Mayors Association Binational Summit this week. This is an important opportunity for mayors to pursue a shared agenda.

Negotiators from the U.S., Mexico and Canada begin an intense effort to modernize the NAFTA agreement in mid-August. A number have the ambitious goal of reaching agreement by early 2018, before Mexicos presidential campaign makes it too complicated politically to forge an agreement. Given the breadth and complexity of the U.S. objectives announced last week, however, agreement by early 2018 will be a large order. Many of the goals involve applying best practices and standards, but others, such as weakening protections against U.S. trade enforcement actions against Mexico and Canada or reducing U.S. trade deficits, will be contentious.

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From the perspective of the cities and states along the U.S.-Mexico border there are two big objectives: first, do no harm to the massive trade, production and investment networks that support over a million U.S. jobs in the border states; and second, assure that NAFTA 2.0 creates new opportunities for economic growth, more fluid commercial border flows, and steps that will make cross-border production more competitive internationally.

U.S.-Mexico trade has multiplied by six since 1993 and totals some $580 billion, over $1 million dollars a minute. That commerce supports some 4.9 million U.S. jobs, compared to an estimated 700,000 U.S. jobs in 1993. An average of about 40 percent of the value of finished manufactured products that Mexico sells to the U.S. is from U.S. content  far more than any other country.

The U.S.-Mexico border regions are big beneficiaries of this economic partnership and have much to gain if NAFTA can be modernized in ways that facilitate cross border trade via more rapid border processes, better infrastructure and more modern commercial and customs standards, practices and protections on both sides of the border.

Mexico is the U.S.s second largest export market (after Canada). It is the first export market for Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. They exported $127 billion in goods and services to Mexico in 2016.

For California, that translated into $25.3 billion in sales to Mexico: 15 percent of the value of all Californias exports, with over 500,000 California jobs depending on the two-way commerce.

The U.S. and Mexican negotiators should also keep in mind the economic impact of the region. The gross domestic product of the U.S. and Mexican border states would add up to the fourth largest economy in the world, if they were grouped together.

If border officials and associations can unite voices and advocate effectively in capitals, they should be able to have an important influence on the outcomes. Consider the high costs of border delays for commercial and private border crossings. A SANDAG study shows that delays at the San Ysidro land port of entry cost San Diego County $539 million a year and the U.S. economy $1.5 billion a year in lost economic output.

Border cities and states should press the negotiators to build into their work recognition of the importance of good border processes and cross border infrastructure planning, budgeting and coordination, including commitments for regular stakeholder input in the future. The U.S. negotiating objectives include improved customs procedures, but groups like the Border Trade Alliance have advocated for a wider set of border-related objectives, which should be actively pursued.

Border cities and states should form an active and effective border alliance to press the federal governments about the border regions policy and resource needs during the negotiations. While each locality will have interests and projects, the region will have more clout if it can define and pursue a common agenda. The aim should be to expand the overall NAFTA gains and impact in the border region, from which cities, counties and states can then pursue specific projects.

Wayne is a former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, a former assistant secretary of state for Economic and Business Affairs, and currently a public policy fellow on Mexico and North America at the Woodrow Wilson Center.
A basic tenet of our American justice system is victims of violent crime deserve justice.

However, in San Diego County, thousands of survivors of violent crimes have been denied their day in court, and their sexual assault evidence kits remain untested, due to misconceptions about rape, domestic violence and sexual abuse.

In 2016, San Diego City Council members requested investigators clear a backlog of sexual assault evidence kits and test for DNA evidence. This year, the City Council allocated $500,000 for testing. But local investigators resisted, admitting they test kits only when police and prosecutors deem it wise and cost-effective, or if the assailant is a stranger.

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Yet research shows seven of 10 assaults are committed by someone the victim knows. More troubling: The U.S. Department of Justice found that rapists are often serial criminals, with links to other violent crimes, so not testing evidence puts other San Diegans at risk of assault.

Even worse: These attitudes and limits on testing evidence have resulted in only 4 percent of cases being referred for prosecution.

We know sexual assault is a highly underreported crime. Nationally, only 1 in 3 victims contact authorities. Yet from 2015 to 2016, reported rapes in San Diego increased 69 percent in three downtown neighborhoods  from 35 to 59. Citywide, reports increased over 40 percent, from 399 to 572  and these may be only a fraction of actual assaults.

The combination of underreporting and a failure to test all sexual assault evidence kits means rapists often avoid detection and prosecution  leaving them free to attack again. Nationally, out of 1,000 reported rapes, only six perpetrators are ever imprisoned.

This year, three men preying on women in San Diego were sentenced to prison  but their convictions were far from typical. A news article noted, ...the real break in this case came from the victims own investigation.

The woman who survived the attack conducted her own research. She learned the men had described her assault on the Efficient Pickup website, and notified police. According to the judge in the case, her investigation led to their conviction and incarceration.

The judge stated, But for you, [the attacker] wouldnt be here and the others wouldnt be here. Nobody would be held accountable.... In fact, worse than that, things would have gone on and there would be other victims, and it is quite possible we would have never learned about this.

Also of note, the woman in this case had met her assailants the night of the attack, and she and a friend willingly went to their apartment. Some investigators might not have considered her attackers strangers. And in some cases, these acquaintance assaults are classified as domestic violence instead of rape, further clouding the status of the investigation.

San Diego authorities have claimed clearing the sexual assault evidence kit backlog will secure only a few convictions, and therefore is not cost effective. Advocates counter that not testing evidence discourages survivors from reporting rapes and delays recovery from their trauma. Also, testing in other cities has identified hundreds of violent suspects who were linked to additional assaults, assisting police investigations.

When Los Angeles, Detroit and Houston cleared the backlog of sexual assault evidence kits in their custody:

Los Angeles secured six additional convictions.

Houston found 850 DNA matches in the national database, leading to six convictions.

Detroit found nearly 200 links to serial rapists.

Similar results in other cities led the U.S. Department of Justice to provide law enforcement agencies with grants to improve investigations into sexual assaults. San Diegos regional crime labs received over $250,000 in Department of Justice funds last year.

But still, in San Diego, there is resistance. Its time for residents to ask the district attorney and police chief why they arent willing to join other cities, test the backlog of sexual assault evidence kits and potentially identify and prosecute violent offenders linked to other crimes. Routine testing of sexual assault evidence kits gives other survivors more confidence to report rapes and helps prevent additional assaults.

Justice delayed is justice denied. And delays tell rape survivors solving their cases is not a priority.

Its time for San Diego prosecutors to end the denial, test these kits and make San Diego safer for everyone.

Morse is a survivor of sexual assault. She founded Heartfelt Voices United to bring awareness to violence against women. Saldana served in the California Assembly and conducted hearings on helping women veterans recover from trauma following sexual assault during their military service.
On July 21, 2012, I stood proudly alongside my LGBT brothers and sisters from all branches of the U.S. military and marched in the San Diego pride parade. This parade represented the very first time that they could publicly declare and share their true identities. We all felt history being made that day, walking through the streets of Hillcrest with crowds cheering all around us.

I marched that day not because I identify as LGBT, but because I was raised by a large LGBT community and wanted to support its belief that all Americans who meet the qualifications and standards should be able to serve, without regard to the color of their skin, the god that they worship (or lack thereof), the person they love, or their gender.

Related: Why military transgender ban is right call

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However, Wednesday morning, President Trump announced a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military in the only way he knows how: via Twitter.

It seems he neglected to consult anyone at the Pentagon before making this misguided and ill-informed decision. If he had, he might have remembered that Secretary Jim Mattis, formerly a United States Marine Corps general and deemed a saint by much of the corps, indicated during his confirmation hearings that he supports the inclusion of transgender individuals in our military. When members of Congress recently attempted to restrict transgender service members from accessing necessary health care, Secretary Mattis again advocated for keeping the current policy. The presidents tweet calls into question whether the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and the service Chiefs were advised or consulted in this process.

In fact, the presidents announcement reopens a closed issue and threatens to disrupt military cohesion. Transgender people have served honorably for decades, but only recently were they finally allowed to bring their full selves to their jobs. The current policy has been going smoothly, and military leaders  from the service chiefs to front-line commanders  have successfully been implementing open service for nearly 13 months. The fact is that this announcement runs directly contrary to the best advice of military leadership.

Wednesdays announcement is also factually incorrect and relies on outdated arguments the Pentagons leadership and others have already debunked. For those who would say that this might result in people seeking enlistment or commission to receive medical services I say Great! I, like most, enlisted to pay for college, see the world and get some free medical benefits. How is that any different and why do we care? I care that youre willing to serve your nation and put your life on the line to protect your fellow American.

For example, the cost of care to transgender troops is negligible based on the best independent estimates available from the RAND Corporation and the New England Journal of Medicine. Lets talk real numbers. If the president was concerned about saving money on health care related costs in the military, he would ban smoking or drinking. He could also ban erectile dysfunction prescriptions. They cost $84 million a year. Thats 1,000 percent what transition-related costs are projected to be for transgender service members.

Furthermore, repealing Dont ask, dont tell and allowing transgender service reinforces core military values of fairness, dignity and equal treatment. Transgender people fill critical military roles  such as aircrew, special operations and drill instructor  and removing them from their units now will condemn the American values we all hold dear as well as disrupt core military missions across the world.

I am proud to have marched in solidarity with my LGBT brothers and sisters in arms during the 2012 San Diego pride parade (and nearly every year since). Im proud to have brought the first openly gay Secretary of the Army, Eric K. Fanning, to San Diego Pride 2016. I know that America is about opportunity for everyone, not exclusively straight, white, cisgender guys like me.

The idea that we should ban transgender individuals from military service is a threat to national security, and it runs counter to everything we stand for as a nation. San Diego is a military city. Ask your friends in the military what they care about. I promise you they wont care about much beyond the competence and capabilities of their fellow service members.

Kristin Beck is a retired U.S. Navy SEAL who happens to be transgender. She served honorably for 20 years and received a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and several other medals. She killed terrorists for a living. President Trump dodged the draft five times. He didnt have the courage to serve but Kristin did.

VanDiver is a Navy veteran and San Diego chapter director for the Truman National Security Project. Share your feedback with him on Twitter at @shawnjvandiver
Disaster. Fraud. Terrible. Half-assed. Horrible. A pig in a poke.

Those are all the disparaging ways Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, described the so-called skinny repeal of Obamacare that the Senate rushed to a vote in the wee hours of Friday morning in Washington, D.C. And Graham voted for it.

What a farce. Americans cant agree on much these days, but can we all agree the Senate isnt acting like the worlds greatest deliberative body?

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The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board has repeatedly called on Congress to work to fix the failings of Obamacare that have left tens of thousands of people in dozens of U.S. counties with no insurers in the Affordable Care Act marketplaces  and millions of people in hundreds of counties with only one insurer available to them. One-third of all U.S. counties have just one insurer on health care exchanges, often offering policies with the double whammy of high premiums and high deductibles. Its why we met Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentuckys supposed call for a bipartisan solution three weeks ago with such optimism.

Then the Senate tried three times to repeal Obamacare in perilous ways, culminating with a vote on the skinny bill that would have eliminated mandates that individuals buy insurance and that companies provide it, boosted premiums and left 16 million more Americans uninsured over a decade.

Republicans sought to end Obamacare much the same way Democrats handled a 2009 health care vote of their own  rushing, behind closed doors, with little debate, at midnight. McConnell himself blasted that early morning vote then, saying, If the people who wrote this bill were proud of it, they wouldnt be forcing this vote in the dead of night.

This time though, in a stunning development, three Republicans  Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and, most surprisingly, John McCain of Arizona  sided with 48 Democrats to reject the half-baked GOP health care plan that supporters said could be fleshed out in later meetings with the House of Representatives. Only 49 senators supported it as 51 opposed it with Vice President Mike Pence waiting to break a tie vote.

Days earlier, McCain had returned to the halls of Congress following his diagnosis with an aggressive form of brain cancer and decried his colleagues crafting of a proposal behind closed doors in consultation with the administration, then springing it on skeptical members, trying to convince them its better than nothing, asking us to swallow our doubts and force it past a unified opposition.

So what now? McCains approach sure sounded smart Tuesday when he railed against the process.

Weve been spinning our wheels on too many important issues because we keep trying to find a way to win without help from across the aisle, he said. Thats an approach thats been employed by both sides, mandating legislation from the top down, without any support from the other side, with all the parliamentary maneuvers that requires.

Democrats and Republicans must work together now to repair Obamacare, and President Donald Trump should foster such collaboration instead of letting it implode, as he keeps saying he will. Yet our deal-making president instead said Friday the Senate should change its rules to do business with 51 votes instead of 60. Heres hoping McCains message resonates far more than Trumps in the Senate.

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

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Read why McCain, Murkowski, Collins voted against skinny repeal health bill

President Trumps terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week
By PTI: Agartala, Jul 27 (PTI) The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation is taking steps to increase production of natural gas in Tripura, a top ONGC official said today.

"We need to double our production for supply of gas to our proposed fertilizer plant in North Tripura district and to supply more gas to the existing gas based thermal power projects in the state", S C Soni, executive director of ONGC and in-charge of Tripura Asset told reporters.

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A total of 221 wells have been drilled by ONGC in the state till April 2017 and 116 wells are found to be gas bearing which corresponds to the success ratio of 2:1 and presently 76 wells are producing around 4.3-4.5 MMSCMD, he added.

Presently ONGC is supplying gas to 726 Mg watt gas based thermal power at Palatana in Gomati district which cater power to all the north eastern states.

Besides, Tripura State Electrical Corporation Ltd (SECL) and Tripura Natural Gas Corporation (TNGC) receive gas from ONGC.

Soni said that ONGC?s average sales in Tripura has increased from 1.7 MMSCMD (Million Metric Standard Cubic meter per day) in 2012-13 to 3.92 MMSCMD In 2016-17.

Till September 2016, only three drilling rig were operational in ONGC Tripura Asset and at present total drilling rig strength has been increased seven rigs to intensify exploration and generate more gas production.

Three rigs were engaged for exploration only in Khubal area in the northern part of the state where a Rs 5000 crore fertilizer company would be set up in a joint venture with ONGC, Tripura Government and Rajasthan based Chambal Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd.

The ONGC started exploration in the state in 1962. PTI JOY RG KKB

--- ENDS ---
What Clinton might have done doesnt matter

In response to Brigitte La Marrecs letter, Might Bill Clinton have taken that meeting? (July 24): Maybe. And that would have been just as wrong as President Trumps top advisers taking an illegal and highly improper meeting with what they believed to be representatives from a foreign and historically hostile foreign government.

But a better example might be an actual event. Prior to a debate with George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential campaign, Al Gore received illegal election material in the form of a Bush debate prep book. Gore immediately turned it into the FBI.

Who did the right thing? And who would you trust to lead our country?

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Craig Claytor

Rancho Penasquitos

Dont make excuses for these Russian meetings

Brigitte La Marrec in her letter (Might Bill Clinton have taken that meeting? July 25) wonders what Bill Clinton would have done if he had received an email from a known contact offering dirt on Donald Trump. She is missing the point.

First she mentions from a known contact, not a Russian government official, thereby lumping this incident with all other regular opposition research. It doesnt matter what Bill Clinton would do or has done or will do. It also doesnt matter that the meeting was an apparent bust with no dirt delivered according to the attendees. All that matters is that Donald Trump Jr. was giddy and excited to meet because dirt on Hillary Clinton was promised. He knew this, and it was the only reason he attended. He also thought that he was meeting with someone representing the Russian government.

Politics can be a dirty business and, yes, many people might take that meeting. But, we dont know that. We only know for sure what Trump Jr. did. And why do we know this? Because hes the one who told us all about it. No hypocrisy here, only guilt.

Mary Lee Poremba

Escondido

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.

If the secret meeting the Russian lawyer had with Donald Trump Jr. were instead with Chelsea Clinton and Hillary Clinton were president, the Republicans heads would be exploding.

Hank Bonham

Azalia Parkhed

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John McCain is a hero of the U.S. Senate

While recovering from surgery that revealed that he has brain cancer, John McCain returned to the Senate and delivered a speech to the body as a statesman should. Its about time that someone in the Congress stood up and laid out the problem with government today, chasing approval from the extremes and dodging the media pot shots. McCain made clear that the Senate is not beholden to the president, but the president is equal, and the Senate is honor bound to be that deliberative body that is focused on finding solutions that are good for the American people. Not just one party or another.

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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.

Thanks to John McCain for the courage to read the riot act to all the other members of our Senate. Now its our responsibility to hold our Senators to that high standard.

Dave Patterson

Ramona

McCain guilty of the hypocrisy he attacked

Admiration for Sen. John McCains courageous fight against brain cancer, nostalgia for his straight talk express in the 2000 presidential campaign, and reverence for his military service and his status as a prisoner of war obscure his recent hypocrisy.

After Tuesdays health care vote in the U.S. Senate, McCain gave an eloquent speech extolling bipartisanship and urging a return to regular order, by which the Senate refers pending legislation to committee for expert testimony and debate on the merits and consequences of the legislation.

Yet moments earlier, McCain, in lockstep with his party, voted to permit Republicans to craft and vote on a bill that would affect one-sixth of the U.S. economy, without the participation of Democrats and without any effort at compromise.

Such a bill, if enacted, would leave millions of Americans without access to the health insurance that McCain has in his battle against cancer. Would that Sen. McCains words were matched by his actions.

Glenn Warren

Del Mar

In the end, McCain came through for nation

John McCain on Thursday foiled the stripped down health care bill. He is an American Hero, never mind that it required an aggressive brain tumor to arrive there.

The individual mandate requires every citizen to purchase health care. This is fundamental to health insurance: a large group of healthy people pay in to a pool that affords them protection in the event that they became sick.

The Republicans argue that healthy people should have the freedom to forgo health insurance. The terrifying truth is that disease always strikes unexpectedly and derails even the best laid plans.

Indeed, McCains struck at a pivotal time, causing the Maverick to vote against the Republican-controlled Senate on the repeal bill. In their defeat the GOP is forced to truly experience the unpredictability of disease and its damaging wake, and I hope this helps them finally accept the individual mandate for the protection of all Americans.

Alex Meilan

Hillcrest

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Lightly edited comments from our online coverage.

Regarding Teacher who challenged checkpoint policy was out of line (July 26): Challenging and questioning authority is everyones right. However, there is a time and a place for everything. Im not sure if waiting until a situation arises where one decides to challenge authority is the best way to approach a situation. Although I will say that tactic seems to bring immediate attention to a potential problem. Let the ACLU take care of this. Its what they do.

neil_proffitt

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Joined April 17, 2016

Spot on letter. The Border Patrol even showed Parmely the SCOTUS ruling and applicable laws but all she did was cry and complain.

tenhomas

Joined April 21, 2016

Regarding Trump transgender ban draws support, opposition (July 26): Regardless of the reasons, as President of the United States you do not, via Twitter, belittle or demean your fellow American citizens. Saying they are confused, dramatic, mentally incompetent or a burden? Come on now.

lanidog28

Joined Jan. 22, 2017

I think any person who expects and/or demands preferential treatment needs to be excluded and removed from the military. It makes no difference to me what group they are; women, transgenders, any race anyone wants to name, any religious group. Across all labels, preferential treatment does not belong in the military or any other public service job.

The military/government (i.e. taxpayers) should never be paying for boob jobs, face lifts, genital reassignment. No aesthetics. If any military person needs reconstruction for war-related injuries, then by all means they should get treatment and surgeries as needed. If a transgender doesnt get preferential treatment, then let them join if they want to.

Gale Anderson

Joined April 16, 2016

Regarding SDSU unveils alternate plan for Qualcomm property (July 27): No thank you. San Diego needs 4,700 housing units next to the trolley. We do not need more academic buildings financed by the taxpayer.

sjaxon

Joined April 18, 2016

Now we are talking about a professional redevelopment plan for the Q site which actually benefits the city, taxpayers, and most of all SDSU. The other plan was so shoddy, too much packed in. Sad to say our weak link mayor fell for it.

voyager2k

July 27, 2017

Regarding Who owns Snopes.com? Dispute puts future of fact-checking site in question (July 24): I actually rather like Snopes. Every time I have looked something up the answers have been pretty balanced.

Of course those on the far right will tell you its too liberal and those on the far left will tell you that it is too conservative. But all in all the information is good.

Lasertop

Joined April 20, 2016

Snopes has its own credibility problems. Wouldnt give them a dime.

Memo23

Joined April 30, 2016

Regarding New San Diego legislation aims to solve housing crisis (July 24): I see nothing in this latest package of fixes that would tie these new developer benefits to the price the developers agree in writing to charge for their new housing units.

The mayor and council are simply making it easier, cheaper and faster for developers to build new homes and charge half a million dollars and up for them.

Don Wood

Joined April 17, 2016

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President Donald Trump has been tweeting about MS-13 .

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has been talking about MS-13.

With everything else going on at the White House, Trump's administration is clearly devoting a lot of energy to MS-13. But what exactly is it?

Heres what you need to know about a violent international gang that has plagued the U.S. for more than three decades.

What is MS-13 and how big a problem is it?

Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) is an extremely violent gang created by Salvadoran immigrants who fled the country during the civil war and settled in Los Angeles in the 1980s. Many members have been deported back to Central America in the last two decades, and they took L.A.-style gang culture back with them, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

But the gang members have also spread across the U.S. too, increasing their stature nationally and internationally. A quick search of the Justice Department s many MS-13 arrest announcements will show you that the gang has a wide presence across the U.S. in cities from San Francisco to Boston. The gang is known to operate in at least 40 states.

Sessions and Trump have taken to blaming the previous administration for it.

"Because of an open border and years of lax immigration enforcement, MS-13 has been sending both recruiters and members to regenerate gangs that previously had been decimated, and smuggling members across the border as unaccompanied minors, Sessions said earlier this week.

Why is Trump talking about it now?

In February, the president signed an executive order calling for stronger enforcement of federal law relating to transnational criminal organizations. Since then, Sessions has made dismantling transnational gangs like MS-13 a priority, according to a Justice Department press release on Thursday.

Sessions was sent to El Salvador this week to meet with that countrys attorney general to discuss the prevalence of MS-13. In response, El Salvador announced charges against 113 gang members on Thursday, according to the Justice Department.

On Friday, Trump gave a speech to police officers in Long Island, New York, pledging to destroy the gang.

Together we're going to restore safety to our streets and peace to our communities, and we're going to destroy the vile, criminal cartel MS-13 and many other gangs," Trump said.

What is Trump doing about MS-13?

The Washington Post reports there has been an increase in gang-related deportations to El Salvador .

However, this has been an ongoing effort. From fiscal years 2016 to 2017, ICE made 602 criminal arrests related to MS-13 that resulted in 153 convictions.

The president said in June that his administration has already deported about 50 percent of the MS-13 gang members in the U.S. but Politifact found instead that 2,798 of the estimated 10,000 members in the U.S. have been deported in fiscal year 2017.

At his speech Friday, Trump asked Congress to find money to pay for 10,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers "so that we can eliminate MS-13."

He has also been tweeting about his commitment to not rest until MS-13 is eradicated.

Do you have other questions about MS-13? Send us a tweet to @sdutideas or comment below and well try to find the answer and add it to this page.

Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @abbyhamblin
Republican and Democratic members of Congress are coming together to change that fact that little has been done in Washington to punish Russia for interfering in the 2016 election. The Senate approved a bill hitting the country  and Iran and North Korea  with new rounds of sanctions on Thursday on a 98-2 vote.

It was previously approved by the House of Representative on Tuesday by a 419-3 tally, and now its up to President Donald Trump to sign it into law.

Heres what you need to know.

What does the bill do?

The Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act imposes financial restrictions on Russia, North Korea and Iran for a wide range of offenses.

In Iran, it would place sanctions against Iran's ballistic missile or weapons of mass destruction programs and its military, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

In North Korea, the bill is aimed at cargo and shipping, goods produced by North Korean labor and foreign persons who employ North Korean forced laborers.

In Russia, penalties would be imposed on Russians determined to be undermining cybersecurity, supplying weapons to the Syrian regime or committing certain human rights abuses among other requirements.

What sorts of sanctions are there?

Some sanctions apply to the purchase of property or travel to the United States for persons determined by the president from North Korea and Iran.

For Russia, sanctions include prohibiting access to properties owned by the Russian government in New York and Maryland on top of similar blocks against purchasing property and exclusion from travel to the U.S. or revocation of visas. There are several other measures listed that would make it extremely difficult for targets of the sanctions to do business in the U.S.

Why these countries?

Iran was sanctioned for destablizing activities, including arming terrorist organizations, interfering with commercial shipping lanes and supporting the Syrian regime. Russia was targeted in response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, cyber intrusions, support for the Syrian regime, human rights violations and other offenses.

Aggression from North Korea in the form of missile technology improvement and practice launches were the main reason that country was targeted.

Is Trump likely to approve it?

One aspect of the sanctions Trump is not likely to appreciate is the limit on his ability to end the sanctions on Russia. The bill requires him to notify Congress before making changes and even then lawmakers can block him.

White House spokewoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders suggested Thursday that the president would be likely to support such a bill.

The administration supports sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea. We continue to support strong sanctions against those three countries, Sanders said on Thursday. And were going to wait and see what that final legislation looks like, and make a decision at that point.

However, new communications director Anthony Scaramucci also said Thursday that the president could go either way.

"He may sign the sanctions exactly the way they are, or he may veto the sanctions and negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians," Scaramucci said on CNN.

If Trump vetoes the bill, Congress can override the veto and enact the law themselves.

Read the full text of the bill here.

Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @abbyhamblin
In the wee Friday hours in Washington, D.C., three Republicans were the downfall of their partys hurried campaign to pass a so-called skinny repeal of the Affordable Care Act . Here, in their words, is why they did it.

The final vote count was 51-49, with senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska maintaining their opposition to multiple iterations of GOP health care bills this week and Sen. John McCain of Arizona surprising many observers with a decisive last-minute no vote. He had previously voted with his party on Tuesday to open the health care debate, while Collins and Murkowski had voted no to that.

President Donald Trump immediately tweeted that the three Republicans let the American people down.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, expressed disappointment in his colleagues immediately after the vote from the Senate floor.

Many of my colleagues did as we promised and voted to repeal this failed law, he said. We told our constituents we would vote that way. When the moment came, most of us did. We kept our commitments.

McCain especially was under immense pressure to the very end, and was praised and scorned  mostly along party lines  for his decision Friday. Here is what McCain, Collins and Murkowski said to explain their votes.

John McCain

From the beginning, I have believed that Obamacare should be repealed and replaced with a solution that increases competition, lowers costs, and improves care for the American people. The so-called skinny repeal amendment the Senate voted on today would not accomplish those goals. While the amendment would have repealed some of Obamacares most burdensome regulations, it offered no replacement to actually reform our health care system and deliver affordable, quality health care to our citizens. The Speaker's statement that the House would be willing to go to conference does not ease my concern that this shell of a bill could be taken up and passed at any time.

Ive stated time and time again that one of the major failures of Obamacare was that it was rammed through Congress by Democrats on a strict-party line basis without a single Republican vote. We should not make the mistakes of the past that has led to Obamacares collapse, including in my home state of Arizona where premiums are skyrocketing and health care providers are fleeing the marketplace. We must now return to the correct way of legislating and send the bill back to committee, hold hearings, receive input from both sides of aisle, heed the recommendations of nations governors, and produce a bill that finally delivers affordable health care for the American people. We must do the hard work our citizens expect of us and deserve.

Susan Collins

In a final effort to reach consensus, Republican Leaders have pieced together a plan that would repeal key portions of the ACA while punting on many of the more difficult questions. While I support many of the components of this plan, this approach will not provide the market stability and premium relief that is needed.

Were dealing with an issue that affects millions of Americans and one sixth of our economy, and we need to approach reforms in a very careful way. That means going through the regular process of committee hearings; receiving input from expert witnesses such as actuaries, governors, advocacy groups, and health care providers; and vetting proposals with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle. It needs to be a much more deliberative process.

Neither party has a monopoly on good ideas, and we must work together to put together a bipartisan bill that fixes the flaws in the ACA and works for all Americans.

Lisa Murkowski

Its very hard to disappoint your colleagues and I know that theres probably disappointment because it was the three votes that Sen. McCain and Sen. Collins and I cast that did not allow this bill to move forward and that is difficult. But I believe each of us stood up for the reasons that we felt were right and hoping and hoping that our colleagues also respect our reasons for the opposition just as I respect the incredible, extraordinary work that they put into trying to get this product. I want us all to get back to how we can restart because the work is not done. We cannot let the public believe that were done with health care. We are just beginning.

Democrats applauded as McCain cast his vote and on Friday, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader of the Senate, praised him, Collins and Murkowski.

The very same courage he showed as a naval aviator in Vietnam, he showed last night, Schumer said.

To see how each of the 100 senators voted, view the roll call here.

Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @abbyhamblin
Jim Robinson laughs when he remembers the caption years ago under the Ramona Sentinels front page photo of his son Wayne with his reserve grand champion pig at the Ramona Junior Fair Livestock Auction.

It was the first time for Wayne to show a pig. The highest bidder for Waynes champion sow was the Sentinel publisher, but the 9-year-old was upset because he didnt want the pig to go to the butcher.

So, Robinson chuckled, under the photo of his son and the publisher was the caption: Mister, what are you going to do with my pig?

The publisher offered to give the pig back to Wayne as a breeder and said he would take a pig from the first litter, said Robinson.

But he moved before that happened, Robinson said. So thats how I got into the pig breeding business.

That was the Robinson familys foray into 4-H. Robinson said they were hooked  he, Wayne, son Andy, and wife Callie.

At 75 years old, Robinson is still an ardent supporter of the junior fair and a regular at the pie auction. He served on the junior fair board for approximately 14 years, the first time for about 8 years.

Remembering how that came about, he said: And I got to thinking, you know, if were in this thing and doing all this work...I might as well get on the board so I can have some say and see what I can do there.

A plumber by trade, Robinsons professional skills came in handy while serving as the boards representative on the former Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to the Ramona water district. When he saw the plans for the first restrooms to be built on the junior fairgrounds, his response was, This is wrong.

Pointing out the problems, he had the restrooms redesigned, supervised the job, and laid plumbing.

Robinson was one of the founders of the Ramona Parks and Recreation Association (RPRA), which oversees Wellfied Park that is owned by the Ramona water district. While working to get nonprofit status for RPRA, Robinson said he looked at the parks fund in the water district budget and discovered a line item discrepancy. That led to his election as the boards Division 4 director.

After he was elected, Robinson said there were questions whether he had a conflict of interest by also being on the parks and fair boards. The state Fair Political Practices Commission determined there was no conflict.

But, I said, no, if thats the perception people are gettingthen I resign from the fair board, and I did. He also resigned from parks and served on the water board for 16 years. He then served another six years on the fair board.

Born in Houston, Texas, with a twin sister, Robinson was just 3 years old when his family moved to San Diego. He grew up in Sunnyside, east of Chula Vista, and followed in the family plumbing trade.

Robinson said he tells people, Ive plumbed everything from your toilet to a nuclear power plant. That includes destroyers and the first ship designed for servicewomen.

From 1979 to 82, he worked at the San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant but said he found it frustrating because the work pace was slow.

He and Callie, who also hailed from Sunnyside, moved to Ramona 44 years ago.

Me and my brother (Mike) married sisters, said Robinson.

This month he and Callie mark their 52nd wedding anniversary.

Their sons are grown now and they have three grandchildren, the youngest a 15-year-old in Yuma, Ariz., who is breaking family tradition by showing a steer this year in 4-H instead of a pig.
The Roots of Liberty: the Genealogy of Our Founding Documents is the topic of the Ramona Tead forum in Ramona Mainstage, 626 Main St., on Saturday.

KrisAnne Hall, author of Not a Living Breathing Document: Reclaiming Our Constitution, will be the guest speaker. The program, open to the public, will start at noon. Doors open at 11 a.m. Admission is free. KrisAnne is an incredibly passionate speaker, a true Patrick Henry of our time, said the forum announcement, describing Hall as a steadfast warrior in the tea party battle.

A Constitutional educator, she received the Freedom Fighter Award from Americans for Prosperity, a Certificate of Achievement from the Sons of the Revolution for her defense of liberty, and the Congressman James Blair Award for defending the Constitution. A disabled Army veteran, Hall is an attorney, former prosecutor, historian, radio talk show host, and a Russian linguist. For more information, see www.ramonatead.com.
People who practice bondage and discipline, sadism and masochism  or BDSM  know that fantasy is a key part of the lifestyle.

Some who participate enjoy playing the role of master, while others are the slaves. And there are those who derive pleasure from taking on the behavior and characteristics of a pet, such as a pony or a dog.

Brittany Dawn Killgore ( / AP)

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According to evidence presented in the first weeks of a trial now underway in Vista, the defendants charged in the 2012 death of Brittany Killgore were deeply immersed in BDSM activities, including play sessions that involved inflicting or receiving pain with paddles, ropes, needles and knives.

Witnesses testified that defendants Louis Perez, Dorothy Maraglino and Jessica Lopez discussed a number of fantasies inside Maraglinos home in Fallbrook. The witnesses emphasized that any sessions they engaged in with the defendants were consensual.

But at least one witness, a woman who had lived in Maraglinos house for about nine months, said she heard talk about abductions that seemed to get a little too real.

It was slightly worrying, but I wanted to believe that it was nothing more than a fantasy, said the woman, who moved out of the house in 2011. To protect her privacy, she  like other witnesses in the case who admitted to participating in BDSM activities  did not reveal her full name in court.

When a prosecutor asked what worried her about those conversations, she responded, It didnt always take consent into account.

Thats what the District Attorneys Office contends happened to Killgore, the 22-year-old wife of a then-deployed Marine, whose body was found near Lake Skinner in Riverside County four days after she was reported missing.

Deputy District Attorney Patrick Espinoza, the lead prosecutor in the case, has stressed that Killgore did not participate in a BDSM lifestyle. In his opening statement to the jury, he said the evidence would show that Killgore was tortured and killed for the defendants sadistic pleasure. In essence, their fantasy became Killgores tragic reality.

The young woman  who filed for divorce just days before she went missing  was supposed to go on a dinner cruise on April 13, 2012, with Perez, whom she had met through a friend who purchased a fertility device from Maraglino. Killgore agreed to go on the outing, telling friends it was platonic, only after checking first with Maraglino, who was in a relationship with Perez and was pregnant with his baby.

Maraglino said it was OK, so the tickets wouldnt go to waste, according to the testimony.

Sheriffs investigators have said they dont believe Killgore ever made it to the cruise in the harbor near downtown San Diego. Instead, she was likely killed that night in Maraglinos home on East Fallbrook Street.

So far, prosecutors have presented testimony in the trial from witnesses who knew the defendants and could describe the BDSM activities they engaged in, and several of Killgores friends who lived near her in an apartment complex near Camp Pendleton, and reported her missing when she didnt return from her outing with Perez.

One of those friends became particularly alarmed when she received a text message from Killgores cellphone that night that read, Help.

Its still early in a trial thats expected to last two months, so its not yet clear what witnesses the defense attorneys will call to testify, if any, or what the lawyers will argue to the jury after the evidence has been presented. But they did provide some clues two weeks ago when the Superior Court trial began.

Sloan Ostbye told the jury that the case in not about what family 28-year-old Jessica Lynn Lopez was born into, but the one she chose for herself  one in which she took on the role of a slave, subordinate or submissive.

Lopez, also known as Roselyn, was a slave to Maraglino, whom she called Mistress Dee. The jury saw photos of the leather collar Lopez wore and the dog bowls she ate from, as well as the tattoo on her body that read: Ms. Ds Pet.

This is to indicate that Roselyn is owned, said Ostbye, who described her client as not only the perfect slave but also a victim.

On April 17, 2012, investigators found Lopez alone and suffering from self-inflicted injuries to her neck, wrist and thigh in a Point Loma-area hotel room she had briefly shared with Maraglino. Also in the room was a letter described as a suicide note and/or a confession.

The profanity-laced letter appears to exonerate Maraglino and Perez, referenced as Master Ivan, of any role in Killgores death. Instead, Lopez implicates herself, saying she not only killed the young woman, but tried unsuccessfully to dismember the body.

Ostbye said that the letter isnt what it seems.

I want you to really look at the letter and look at the evidence and see what the letter really is, she told the jury.

Attorney Jane Kinsey cautioned the jurors against convicting Maraglino simply because they dont agree with or understand her polyamorous household. She said Maraglino used contracts, questionnaires, rules and regulations in her home, as is common in BDSM practices, so that at everyone who participated would be safe.

We want to see freaks and monsters, but theyre not, Kinsey said, showing the jury a photo of Maraglino, now 40, and others including the defendants, who lived or stayed at her house.

Were talking about consenting adults, she said.

Kinsey told the jury the evidence would show that her client is guilty of covering up for someone she loves, not murder. She said whatever happened to Killgore, the day she died, happened when Maraglino was shopping at a grocery store near her home.

Witnesses said Maraglino made the rules in her household, but answered to Perez, now 49, when he was there. Maraglinos home, where Lopez lived as the only permanent slave, was meant to serve him, one woman said.

Maraglino and Perez, a Marine staff sergeant stationed at Camp Pendleton, had been involved in a long-term relationship, but their lawyers said any BDSM activity in Maraglinos house stopped months before Killgore went missing. Perez was married, but had emotionally separated from his wife, his lawyer Brad Patton said.

He said the evidence would show that Maraglino was jealous of another woman who had been in a sexual relationship with Perez, now 49, causing tension in the Fallbrook house. At one point, Maraglino moved temporarily to Haiti, breaking her arrangement with Lopez.

(That) action left a very large scar on Ms. Lopez, Patton said, adding that Lopez has a history of mental health problems, and showed signs of having multiple personalities.

Patton said Lopez killed the victim because she was concerned that a possible connection between Killgore and Perez could cause this household to break up. Knowing he was the last person to be seen with Killgore, Perez then helped dispose of the body and get rid of her cellphone, Patton said.

Prosecutors expect to continue presenting testimony next week from law enforcement witnesses, including cellphone and cell tower evidence of the defendants whereabouts the night Killgore disappeared.
Pakistan's Supreme Court will announce today whether it will disqualify Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after an investigative panel alleged his family's wealth was far above their earnings in a scathing corruption report.

By Hamza Ameer: Supreme Court of Pakistan is all set to announce its reserved verdict on the Panama case after findings of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed by the court to investigate the details of assets, offshore companies and means of money transfer trails for establishment of assets of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family.

The much awaited decision of the court has serious impact on the current political situation of the ruling party of Premier Nawaz Sharif.

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If the court decision goes against Nawaz Sharif and his family, the following can happen:

The court can directly disqualify Nawaz Sharif from his seat as Prime Minister on charges of not staying loyal to the country. Thus not staying eligible to stay in office. The court can order National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to further investigate details shared by Prime Minister family over their assets. The court can order Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate movement of money from Pakistan and its means (legal or illegal). The court can give a clean chit to Nawaz Sharif as there have been no direct allegation leveled against the Prime Minister over assets ownership established abraod and can give the decision against the two sons (Hasan and Hussain Nawaz) and the daughter Mariam Nawaz Sharif.

Heavy security has been deployed around the supreme court as over 5000 security officials have been assigned to secure the red zone in the capital Islamabad.

Special passes have been issues to representatives of the media and political party members.

Gathering of more than 5 people are also prohibited.

Islamabad: Security enhanced outside Pakistan Supreme Court in view of verdict in the Panama case today, to rule on fate of PM Nawaz Sharif pic.twitter.com/bW0OEp3DdM ANI (@ANI_news) 28 July 2017

The Supreme Court agreed last year to investigate the Sharif family's wealth after the opposition threatened protests after the leaking of the "Panama Papers", which revealed his family had bought posh London apartments through offshore companies.

The Supreme Court ruled in April there was insufficient evidence to remove Sharif from office - by a 2-3 verdict - but it ordered a probe by an investigative panel that included members of the military intelligence agencies.

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) this month returned its findings in a 254-report that said Sharif's family assets do not match their earnings. The panel also accused his children, including heir apparent Maryam, of signing forged documents to obscure ownership of the London flats.

Also read:

Facing JIT heat over Panama Papers, Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif convenes Cabinet meet

Panama Papers probe: Microsoft font Calibri might nail Nawaz Sharif, family in graft charges. This is how

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Pakistan Army kills 2 jawans in firing from across LoC in Kupwara

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Padres owner John Moores and his wife, Becky, have reached an out-of-court settlement to end their two-year-old divorce case  just days before the scheduled start of a public proceeding.

Settlement terms were not disclosed. The agreement ends a complex divorce case that led to the hiring of forensic accountants and several months of recent conflict over access to witnesses and documents. During that time, Moores  who retains controlling interest in the Padres  reached a deal to eventually cede his controlling interest to a group led by former player agent Jeff Moorad, now the clubs CEO.

Their divorce trial was to begin March 15. By settling out of court, the two sides avoid having to resolve their differences and divide their assets in public court. Since Becky Moores filed for divorce in January 2008, the couple  married since 1963  has taken pains to keep their divorce disputes private, having agreed early on to use confidential mediation to resolve the case. But at times their disputes reached impasses that required help from a San Diego Superior Court judge.

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In recent months, the case returned to court again with disputes over access to witnesses and documents considered sensitive.

Becky Moores had sought to take the deposition of Dianne Rosenberg, a former local gynecologist described by Becky Moores attorneys in court documents as a woman he [John Moores] had an affair with during the marriage. According to those documents, Becky Moores wanted to find out about gifts she [Rosenberg] received from John Moores during the marriage.

In court documents, John Moores attorney suggested Becky Moores quest to have Rosenberg testify was to satisfy Beckys jealousy and thirst for harassment and said it was based on unsupported speculation.

Superior Court Judge Lorna Alksne said in a document filed Friday the court would ensure the settlement paperwork is finalized in May.
By PTI: Jagdalpur, Jul 28 (PTI) Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today accused the BJP of "running after power" and asked his party workers to strengthen the organisation ahead of next years Assembly polls.

Gandhi, who arrived here on a two-day visit to Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, addressed the party workers and asked them to strengthen the Congress ahead of the 2018 state Assembly polls.

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Earlier, he was welcomed at the airstrip by state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly T S Singhdeo among other party leaders.

From there, Gandhi proceeded to the Ganpati Resort,where he addressed Congressleaders and workers from Bastar.

Besides, he had a separate interaction with the workers of the Youth Congress and the partys womens wing.

Addressing the closed-door gathering, Gandhi slammed the BJP and egged on the Congressmen to defeat the saffron party with the "power of truth".

"They (BJP) keep on telling lies in a way that they appear to be true to the people. All of them tell the same lie again and again to secure power. The truth is, they are running after power and have nothing to do with the truth," a senior party leader quoted Gandhi as saying.

Referring to the Congress workers as an "army of truth" Gandhi, according to the leader, said, "Only truth can beat lies and you are going to do this."

Launching a scathing attack on the ruling BJP in Chhattisgarh, the 47-year-old Amethi MP accused it of involvement in scams and committing atrocities on Dalits and tribals for the sake of remaining in power.

Later in the evening,he met senior party leaders and office-bearers at the Circuit House here.

Tomorrow, the Congress vice-president is scheduled to address a workshop of party workers. Later in the day, he is also scheduled to address a public rally. PTI TKP RSY RC

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Courts allow medical termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and can make an exception if the foetus is genetically abnormal.

By Press Trust of India: The Supreme Court today dismissed a plea seeking its nod for terminating the 32-week-old pregnancy of a 10-year-old rape survivor after taking note of a medical report that abortion was neither good for the girl nor for the foetus.

A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud took note of the report of the medical board set up by PGI (Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) Chandigarh to examine the rape survivor and the consequences if the termination of pregnancy was allowed.

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The bench expressed satisfaction over the medical care being provided to the rape survivor at present and dismissed the plea seeking abortion.

The bench asked Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, who was present in the court room, to consider its suggestion to set up a permanent medical board in every state to take a prompt decision on prospects of early abortion in view of the fact that such cases are reaching the apex court in a big way.

The PIL was filed after a Chandigarh district court on July 18 refused to let the girl undergo the abortion.

Courts allow medical termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and can make an exception if the foetus is genetically abnormal.

The petition, filed by advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava, has sought appropriate guidelines be framed by the top court to set up a permanent medical board in each district of the country for expedient termination of pregnancies in exceptional cases involving child rape survivors under the best-possible medical facilities.

Also read:

India Today Investigation: Shimla gang rape victim was subjected to horrific torture

Uber doubted Delhi rape happened in its car, investigated rape victim before firing exec

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The Roller Shutter Door 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 Roller Shutter Door market revenue worldwide.



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Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/27/2017 -- Transparency Market Research, a leading market research and intelligence firm, has announced the publication of a new market research report. The new research study, titled 'Marine Lubricants Market- Turkey Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2022', explores the potential of the Turkey marine lubricants market in the given forecast period by analyzing the historical data regarding the market in the context of the currently prevalent trends in the market.



Obtain Report Details @: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/turkey-marine-lubricants-market.html



According to the study, the Turkey marine lubricants market is expected to grow from a volume of 84.5 kilo tons in 2013 to 103.8 kilo tons in 2022. This represents a CAGR of 2.40% between 2014 and 2022. The market is expected to display a higher CAGR in the same timeframe by revenue; the market's revenue is expected to rise at a 3.48% CAGR.



Marine lubricants are crucial in any ship, since internal combustion invariably results in the generation of some wasted heat. Accumulation of heat within a ship's engine can damage numerous crucial parts, which may not be tuned to operate at high temperatures. Lubricants, which have a high boiling point, help dissipate the heat and thus prolong the lifespan of engines. Despite their importance in the smooth operation of ships, the market for marine lubricants is restrained by the risk posed by conventional lubricants to marine ecosystems.



Mineral lubricants, which constitute 83% of the total demand from the Turkey marine lubricants market, are nonbiodegradable, which means accidental spillage has the potential to harm the local ecosystem. Long-term disposal of mineral marine lubricants can have deadly effects on marine life. This has led to growing demand for biobased marine lubricants, which are biodegradable and thus pose a lesser threat to aquatic life in the long term. The EU has championed the usage of biobased lubricants in ships for a long time, and growing interaction with Europe's shipping channels has forced Turkish shipping operators to conform.



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Within mineral oil, engine oils are by far the dominant subcategory, holding the majority of the mineral oils market and 46% of the overall Turkey marine lubricants market. Apart from mineral and biobased lubricants, the Turkey marine lubricants market includes synthetic lubricants. The report provides a forecast for all product segments of the Turkey marine lubricants market, helping the reader figure out which segments are the best to invest in.



The rising trade activities in the Turkish Straits have ensured steady demand from the Turkey marine lubricants market for years to come. Combined with Turkey's willingness to incorporate environmental standards into its growing shipping industry, this could make Turkey the dominant player in the Europe marine lubricants market.Apart from the detailed discussion on the major drivers and restraints acting upon the Turkey marine lubricants market, the report describes the market's competitive landscape. Major companies such as BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Turcas Petrol A.S., and Total Submarine, and others are examined in the report, with the SWOTs, company profiles, product specifications, business strategies, and recent developments of each company analyzed in detail.



The Turkey marine lubricants market is segmented as follows:



Turkey marine lubricant market, by product type



Mineral oil marine lubricants

Synthetic marine lubricants

Bio-based marine lubricants



Turkey marine lubricant market, by application



Engine oil marine lubricants

Hydraulic oil marine lubricants

Grease

Others (turbine oils, gear oils, compressor oils and heat transfer fluids)



About Transparency Market Research

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.
Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/27/2017 -- Although there are significant progress in preventing and curing visual impairment in many countries since last twenty years, according to World Health Organization (WHO) around 285 million (In the year 2013) people are still visually impaired across the world. It is a matter of great concern. The reasons may be varied. However, we cannot deny the fact that there is still a lot to be done to save the people from going blind.



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Any disturbance in the normal sense of vision can be termed as vision disorders. Myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia, conjunctivitis, cataract, corneal abrasion, entropion and glaucoma are some of the vision disorders, affecting majority of the population across the world. Improper nutrition, various infections, traumatic eye injury, insertion of foreign objects and growing age are major causes for majority of the vision disorders.



Vision disorders: Control and prevention



According WHO, 80 percent of visually impaired people can be cured by using simple eye examinations like abnormality in a frequency of blinking, size of pupil and color of the eye. The disorders can be confirmed by suitable clinical and retinal tests such as corneal topography, keratometry, pachymetry, fluorescein angiography, Indocyanine Green study (ICG) dye test and other related tests. However, ignorance and negligence are leading severe eye complications or permanent vision loss.



The report published by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), revealed that approximately 14 million Americans above age of twelve are affected by various vision disorders in 2004. All these reports are alarming towards the need of immediate treatment for vision disorders across the world. This precisely a reason that the market for visual disorders may continue to grow in future.



There are many companies which are involved in extensive research and development activities associated with these disorders such as United States based National Eye Institute working on clinical trials for nutritional supplements for age related cataract. Alcon Research is working on small incision cataract surgery. AqueSys, Inc. evaluating safety of AqueSys XEN 45 glaucoma implant in refractory glaucoma. Apart from this, University of Pennsylvania in collaboration with local NGOs is working on ancillary therapy of different eye infections.



In case of region wise achievements in fighting against the visual disorders, Brazil has been providing eye care service through the national social security system since last decade. While, Morocco has launched a public effort to control glaucoma, China has invested over 100 million dollars in cataract surgeries since 2009. Oman has completely integrated eye care service provision in the primary health care framework over the last decade and India since 1995 has made available funds for eye care service provision for the poorest at district level.



To reduce the burden of chronic eye diseases WHO is also coordinating a global research efforts to map services and policies for controlling diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age related macular degeneration and refractive errors. To support comprehensive eye care systems, WHO continues to provide epidemiologic and public health technical support to its member states.



Vision Disorders Market Segmentation



Coming towards market point of view, the market for vision disorders can be segmented according to different perspectives such as regional geography and types of disorder. It can be segmented in four regions namely North American, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. Out of all these segments North America region have highest contribution in terms of value because of large number of population within the reach of treatment, high awareness and better reimbursement policies.



Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Vision Disorders Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.



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Followed by this Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World respectively are major segments of the market. The market can also be segmented among disorders such as cataract, glaucoma, eye infections and refractive errors. Along with this, the market for visual disorders can be categorized into drugs and devices available for the treatment.



Currently various established pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are catering the needs of visual disorders by providing drugs and lenses. Pfizer, Alcon, Novartis, Johnson & Johnson, Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. and GlaxoSmithKline are leading contributors in drug therapy, while Novartis and Bausch & Lomb are major players in lenses.



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.
By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) The Supreme Court today sought the response of the Maharashtra government on a plea challenging the Bombay High Court order granting bail to Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case.

The apex court also listed the plea of co-accused Shrikant Purohit seeking bail for hearing on August 14 along with the Thakur case.

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"Both matters are on similar facts," a bench comprising Justices R K Agarwal and M M Shantanagoudar said.

The courts remarks came when senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for Purohit, sought to know why the case was being adjourned.

The National Investigating Agency (NIA) had filed its reply in the case of Purohit saying there was ample evidence against him, but no evidence against Thakur.

Nisar Ahmed Haji Sayed Bilal, father of one of the blast victims, has alleged in his plea against Thakur that she was a "powerful person" and could influence the witnesses in the case.

He has sought a stay on high courts April 25 order granting bail to her. The high court had granted her the relief, saying there was "no prima facie evidence against her".

"The high court failed to appreciate that Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur is an influential person and is likely to wield her power and influence in an illegal and unlawful manner to tamper with evidence and influence witnesses," he has said.

The plea has claimed that there was ample evidence against her, and "her role, involvement and complicity in planning and executing the conspiracy for committing Malegaon blast is writ large on the case record".

It has said that she had been denied bail by a special court in Mumbai several times in the years 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016 on the ground that "a prima facie case is clearly made out against her".

Thakur was granted bail by the high court, which, however, had refused a similar relief to Purohit.

On other hand, the apex court had on May 5 sought response from the NIA and the Maharashtra government on the plea of Purohit seeking bail.

Seven people were killed in a bomb blast on September 29, 2008, at Malegaon, a communally-sensitive textile town in Nasik district of north Maharashtra.

A special MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) court had earlier ruled that the Anti-Terrorist Squad had wrongly applied the MCOCA against Thakur, Purohit and nine others.

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The 4,000-page charge sheet had alleged that Malegaon was selected as the blast target because of a sizeable Muslim population there.

It named Thakur, Purohit and co-accused, Swami Dayanand Pandey as the key conspirators.

The charge sheet had alleged it was Pandey who had instructed Purohit to arrange explosive RDX, while Thakur owned the motorcycle which was used in the blast.

Ajay Rahirkar, another accused, allegedly organised funds for the terror act, while conspiracy meetings were held at Bhonsala Military School in Nasik, it had said.

Rakesh Dhawde, Ramesh Upadhyay, Shyamlal Sahu, Shivnarain Kalsangra, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, Jagdish Mhatre and Sameer Kulkarni were the other accused. PTI MNL ABA SJK RKS SC

--- ENDS ---
Increasing global temperature due to climate change will enhance the frequency of the wildfires. In recent weeks wildfires brought huge destruction to North America, South Africa, and Europe.

Recently in southern France above 10000 people fled the raging fires. In Portugal, a dangerous wildfire killed 60 people. Devastating wildfires in the western part of Canada forced around 40000 people to flee when the officials declared a state of emergency.

Last month around 10000 people had to evacuate their homes and nine persons died due to a wildfire in South Africa. Last week wildfires engulfed a huge area of forest in California and forced around 8000 people to evacuate their own homes. Vegetation becomes dry, and simultaneously inflammable due to continuous heat. Dry vegetation can easily be set on fire by lightning or spontaneous combustion, Phys.org reported.

Currently, it is a clear fact that increasing mercury level indicates the higher risk of wildfires. Emission of the greenhouse gases due to the burning of the fossil fuel began after the advent of the Industrial Revolution. From the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the average temperature rises globally by almost one degree Celsius. Many countries in 2015 in Paris agreed to limit the total global warming up to two degree Celsius.

But, this step is not sufficient as major heat waves will make the situation worse in future times. But, heat is not the only cause responsible for the wildfires. A recent research study has suggested that excessive temperatures brought major thunderstorms in the recent years that drove massive wildfires in Canada and Alaska. NASA research has indicated that increasing number of fires have taken place in the American west, Canada, India, Brazil, southern Africa, and parts of China.

NASA has made the drying and warming climate responsible for this. The space agency has even hinted the increasing risk of wildfires in many parts of the world. The current year has already witnessed severe high temperature globally from January to May over the land and the sea. The WMO or the World Meteorological Organization of the United Nations has recently reported that several nations have experienced high temperature in May, June.

These nations include the southwestern part of the United States, North Africa, Middle East, and parts of the European continent. The WMO reported that a third of the weather station in Portuguese recorded more than 40 degrees Celsius temperature in June. Since January, wildfires have burnt 75,000 hectares forest in Portuguese. A huge area in South Africa is battling against drought and severe water shortages.

Scientists are reluctant to attribute any specific heat wave, drought or other events to the climate change. It takes a long time to measure the climate change. But, the truth is wildfires or other events are taking place during the ongoing trend of the global warming. A study in 2016 by the European Commission suggested that fire prone surface areas could double in southern Europe in the 21st century.

A study in the Nature Climate Change has stated that currently 30 percent of the world population is exposed to the deadly heat waves. This percentage will increase hugely by 2100 if the emissions of the greenhouse gas are not checked. It is true that fire is a major risk to the forest that covers around a third of the world land surface. No doubt, excessive heat due to climate change will aggravate the frequency of the wildfires.

Climate change will increase the risks responsible for the wildfires. It seems that excessive heat is a great threat to the human lives and the increment of the greenhouse gas emissions could accelerate this situation. Long-term measures are necessary to combat the global warming. The residential areas should be moved from the forest borders to decrease the risk to the human lives and the properties.
FLORENCE, S.C.  Francis Marion Assistant Professor of Political Science Dr. Will Daniels academic article analyzing the usage of social media by European Union members of parliament was recently named European Union Politics top submission of 2016 by the editors of the academic journal.

European Union Politics is one of the most widely read academic journals to focus on the process of governance, politics and policy in the 28 state political and economic amalgamation.

The paper, titled An online electoral connection? How electoral systems condition representatives social media use, was co-authored by Daniel and Lukas Obholzer of the Free University of Berlin.

Daniel said the recognition came as a bit of a surprise, considering the distinction of the journal.

It is a large and unexpected honor for our work to be named by the journals editors as the best article to be published in the 2016 volume, Daniel said.

The article examines communication politicians have with their constituents and the strategy behind their messages. Daniel and Obholzer found that the primary concern of most political communication with their constituents is done with one goal in mind: winning their next election.

Daniel says research dating back to the 1970s indicates this, but their article takes a contemporary approach to the subject by scrutinizing politicians use of social media. Examining the most recent European Parliament election in 2014, the article affirms past studies.

Altruistically, we might think that communicating with voters has to do with the very lofty democratic principles of representation and the open debate of ideas, Daniel said. However, our work confirms and updates this age-old principle by looking at a very new form of interaction between voters and politicians that is found on social media.

From a political science perspective, Daniel and Obholzer said they found fascinating the idea of interpreting a politician's personal and professional background and how it impacts their behavior.

In 2015, they set about with their studies, finding seemingly innumerable sources of content on the Twitter platform.

Daniel said through their research, the two discovered that the diversity of the European Unions members of parliament and the various political pressures they face create an interesting dynamic in how social media is utilized.

One of the novel findings from our paper is that European politicians  because they come from so many different countries and face so many different types of political pressures  go about their election campaigns in very different ways, Daniel said. In other words, a politician from Romania might not come from the same political environment as a politician from the Netherlands; yet, both have to decide how best to use social media, in order to be elected to the same body.

Though the original scope of the study was to focus on the 2014 European Parliament election, Daniel and Obholzer are currently working on a follow-up article that examines the usage of social media, outside of the election cycle.
PM-N party had decided to elect Shahbaz Sharif as prime minister on Nawaz's disqualification. Khawaja Asif would be the interim prime minister for 45 days after which Shahbaz would be elected for National Assembly seat through bypolls.

By Alok Ranjan: The Pakistan Supreme Court today disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from holding public office in a crucial decision on the Panama Papers case.

The name doing the round for the possible replacement of Nawaz Sharif is his brother and current Punjab Province Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Pakistan local media sources said that PM-N party had decided to elect Shahbaz Sharif as prime minister on Nawaz's disqualification. Also doing the rounds is the news that Khawaja Asif would be the interim prime minister for 45 days after which Shahbaz would be elected for National Assembly seat through bypolls.

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WHO IS SHAHBAZ SHARIF

Shahbaz Sharif born in 1951 is the current CM of Punjab since June 2013. He earlier held the Punjab CM's post from February 1997 - October 1999 and June 2008 - March 2013.

Shahbaz Sharif is son of late Mian Muhammad Sharif. His brother, Nawaz Sharif was PM of Pakistan before Pakistan Supreme Court disqualified him. His son, Hamza Shahbaz Sharif is a sitting member of National Assembly of Pakistan.

He graduated from Government College, Lahore with distinction. He belongs to a family of distinguished business community, started his professional life as a businessman and became the President of Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 1985.

POLITICAL INNINGS

He joined active politics and served as Member, Punjab Assembly during 1988-90 and as Member, National Assembly during 1990-93.

He was elected as Member, Punjab Assembly again in 1993 and served as Leader of the Opposition during 1993-96.

He became Member of Punjab Assembly for the third term in 1997 and was elected as Chief Minister and functioned as such till 1999 when, as a result of military coup, his government, along with the federal government, was toppled.

Sharif spent years of self-exile in Saudi Arabia, returning to Pakistan in 2007. Sharif was appointed Chief Minister for a second term after the PML-N's victory in the province in the 2008 general elections. He has played a leading role in the restoration of democracy in the country. He served as CM of Punjab from 2008 to 2013.

Sharif was elected as Chief Minister of Punjab for third time in 2013.

He is a dynamic political leader known for his strong and efficient administration. Better health facilities, educational reforms and economic uplift for the masses. He has made extensive travels abroad.

ALSO READ:

Nawaz Sharif found guilty in Panama Papers case: Road to disqualification in 50 hearings

Panama Papers verdict: Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif disqualified, can't hold office, says Supreme Court

Panama Papers probe: Microsoft font Calibri brings doom for Nawaz Sharif family in graft case

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ALSO WATCH | Panama Papers verdict: Supreme Court disqualifies Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif

--- ENDS ---
BJP, which rules at the Centre and in Gujarat, has prepared a strategy to thwart Ahmed Patel's election to the Rajya Sabha this year.

By Kumar Shakti Shekhar: The election to Rajya Sabha of Ahmed Patel, the No. 3 in Congress, is in jeopardy. It may not be a wonder if the political secretary to Congress president Sonia Gandhi loses the August 8 election to the Upper House.

In terms of power wielded in the party, Ahmed Patel is considered next only to Sonia and vice-president Rahul Gandhi. He is contesting the Rajya Sabha election for the fifth consecutive term from Gujarat since 1993.

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But BJP, which rules at the Centre and in Gujarat, has prepared a strategy to thwart Ahmed Patel's election to the Rajya Sabha this year. Or, even if he succeeds in getting re-elected, BJP would not allow him a cakewalk. His election would be full of frets and gnaws.

The Rajya Sabha election from Gujarat has become a matter of prestige for both BJP and Congress. For BJP because it is the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah. Secondly, BJP is in power in the state for over 19 years (since March 1998).

Incidentally, Amit Shah is also contesting the Rajya Sabha election for the first time and from his home state. Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani is the second BJP candidate from the state.

Bust as matters stand today, Ahmed Patel will not find it easy to enter the Upper House given the strategy planned by BJP.

AHMED PATEL'S WORRIES

In the Assembly of 182 seats, while BJP has 121 MLAs, Congress had 57 till yesterday. However, three Congress MLAs resigned yesterday and another three today, taking the party's tally to 51. One of those who resigned yesterday was Congress' chief whip in the Assembly Balwantsinh Rajput.

The same evening, BJP declared Rajput as the party's third Rajya Sabha candidate.

As there are four candidates in the fray now, each one of them would require 46 votes to get elected. Congress MLA Raghavji Patel said earlier today that he and five more legislators may quit before the Rajya Sabha elections. One of them quit after his announcement. If the remaining five too quit, the party's strength would get reduced to exactly 46, the number required by Ahmed Patel to sail through.

By this account, 11 Congress MLAs would have quit the party before the elections to the Upper House are held. This figure matches with the 11 party MLAs who had indulged in cross-voting in the July 17 presidential election.

Ahmed Patel can bank upon the votes of three MLAs - two of NCP and one of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led JD(U). But even this may be a far cry. PM Modi enjoys cordial relations with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar. He may convince the Maratha leader to direct his party MLAs to either vote for Rajpput or abstain.

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Similarly, now that JD(U) and BJP have forged an alliance to govern Bihar, the former's Gujarat MLA may be asked to vote for Rajput.

Hence, in the best scenario, Ahmed Patel is likely to garner 46 votes. His situation is indeed fraught with risks as he would be clinging to the edge. If even one or a couple of MLAs switch their loyalty, the senior Congress leader would be in deep trouble.

ROLE OF SHANKERSINH VAGHELA

This is where senior party leader Shankersinh Vaghela's role comes into play. On his 77th birthday on July 21, Vaghela declared that he had been expelled from Congress "24 hours ago". He had also said he was free of Congress and vice versa.

However, the fact remains that Vaghela resigned only as the leader of opposition in the state Assembly. He still remains a Congress MLA. And so does his son Mahendrasinh Vaghela.

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If Vaghela and his son decide to pull the plug on support to Congress on August 8, it would be end game for Ahmed Patel as far as the Rajya Sabha election from Gujarat is concerned. It is possible that Vaghela may strike a quid pro quo with the senior leader and extract his pound of flesh in return for supporting his candidature.

Vaghela may not settle for anything less than being declared as Congress' chief ministerial candidate or chief of party's election campaign committee.

Ahmed Patel's survival basically depends upon Vaghela who can either be his saviour or the avenger. Vaghela, the shrewd politician that he is, has not yet played all his cards.

CAKEWALK FOR BJP CANDIDATES

As far as BJP is concerned, with 121 MLAs, it would easily elect Shah and Irani to the Rajya Sabha. It would also be in a position to transfer the surplus 29 first preference votes to Rajput.

Rajput may also get the support of the two NCP and one JD(U) MLAs, taking the voters' tally up to 32. But he would get all 46 second preference votes - far ahead of Ahmed Patel - and eligible to be elected to the Rajya Sabha.

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While BJP is leaving no stone unturned to checkmate Ahmed Patel, only Vaghela may save the day for him. Unfortunately, for Ahmed, a sulking Vaghela's support comes with a proviso.

ALSO READ:

2 more Gujarat Congress MLAs join BJP, 3 had done yesterday

How Shankersinh Vaghela's expulsion spells doom for Congress ahead of Gujarat Assembly polls

Gujarat RS polls: Ahmed Patel files nomination

Who is Shankersinh Vaghela? A look at his illustrious political journey

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Gujarat: Setback for Congress as 3 MLAs join BJP

--- ENDS ---
Nawaz Sharif's brother Shehbaz Sharif is the current chief minister of Punjab province in Pakistan.

By India Today Web Desk: After the resignation of Nawaz Sharif as Pakistan prime minister today, his younger brother and PML(N) leader Shehbaz Sharif has been nominated by the party for the top post.

Shehbaz Sharif is the current chief minister of Punjab province. He was the frontrunner for the post of the prime minister.

For appointment of the caretaker prime minister, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) will have a party meeting in Islamabad tomorrow.

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The caretaker prime minister is going to manage operations for at least 45 days, after which Shehbaz Sharif will be recommended and approved for taking the seat as Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Shehbaz Sharif will resign from his seat of Chief Minister of Punjab province, which will be taken up by his son Hamza Shahbaz Sharif.

However, he cannot immediately replace his brother as he is not a member of the National Assembly. In order to become the Prime Minister, he would first have to be elected to Parliament.

Hence, an interim Prime Minister would have to be chosen from among the confidants of Nawaz. The interim premier will resign once Shehbaz is elected to the National Assembly.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to step down and ruled that graft cases be filed against him and his children over the Panama Papers scandal. The ruling forced Sharif to resign.

WHO IS SHAHBAZ SHARIF

Shahbaz Sharif born in 1951 is the current CM of Punjab since June 2013. He earlier held the Punjab CM's post from February 1997 - October 1999 and June 2008 - March 2013.

Shahbaz Sharif is son of late Mian Muhammad Sharif. His brother, Nawaz Sharif was PM of Pakistan before Pakistan Supreme Court disqualified him. His son, Hamza Shahbaz Sharif is a sitting member of National Assembly of Pakistan.

He graduated from Government College, Lahore with distinction. He belongs to a family of distinguished business community, started his professional life as a businessman and became the President of Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 1985.

POLITICAL INNINGS

He joined active politics and served as Member, Punjab Assembly during 1988-90 and as Member, National Assembly during 1990-93.

He was elected as Member, Punjab Assembly again in 1993 and served as Leader of the Opposition during 1993-96.

He became Member of Punjab Assembly for the third term in 1997 and was elected as Chief Minister and functioned as such till 1999 when, as a result of military coup, his government, along with the federal government, was toppled.

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Sharif spent years of self-exile in Saudi Arabia, returning to Pakistan in 2007. Sharif was appointed Chief Minister for a second term after the PML-N's victory in the province in the 2008 general elections. He has played a leading role in the restoration of democracy in the country. He served as CM of Punjab from 2008 to 2013.

Sharif was elected as Chief Minister of Punjab for third time in 2013.

He is a dynamic political leader known for his strong and efficient administration. Better health facilities, educational reforms and economic uplift for the masses. He has made extensive travels abroad.

ALSO READ:

Nawaz Sharif found guilty in Panama Papers case: Road to disqualification in 50 hearings

Panama Papers verdict: Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif disqualified, can't hold office, says Supreme Court

Panama Papers probe: Microsoft font Calibri brings doom for Nawaz Sharif family in graft case

WATCH | Nawaz Sharif's brother Shehbaz Sharif to be new Pakistan prime minister

--- ENDS ---
The rape and murder of a 16-year-old on July 4 has stirred the Shimla hills like never before with the public outrage threatening to bring down the Congress government.

They're calling her 'Gudiya'. The rape and murder of a 16-year-old schoolgirl on July 4 has stirred the Shimla hills like never before with the public outrage threatening to bring down the Congress government, just months before fresh assembly polls.

A student of Class X at the government school at Mahasu, some 5 km from her hilltop village in the Kotkhai area, the girl went missing on her way home on July 4 afternoon. Two days later, relatives found her body in a forest not far from where she lived. Although a case was registered, police only swung into action after images of the stripped naked dead body went viral on social media, provoking angry protests in Kotkhai and Shimla.

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A week later, on July 13, IG Zahur H. Zaidi, heading the SIT investigating the case, reported the arrest of six suspects. Besides 'main accused' Rajinder Singh, manager of a local apple orchard, the others named include Ashish Chauhan, the orchard owner's son, two daily wage workers from Uttarakhand and two Nepali labourers.

But the protests continued amid wild rumours that the police and the state government were attempting a cover-up to save the 'actual culprits'. With increasing numbers taking to the streets in Shimla, Kotkhai and Theog, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, in an attempt to lower tempers, agreed to a CBI investigation on July 14.

Angry villagers were out on the streets again on July 19 after one of the accused died in police custody. Suraj Singh, one of the two Nepali labourers, was allegedly killed inside police lock-up by accused Rajinder Singh. Reports quoting the dead man's widow as saying that her husband had "admitted to someone else's crime" once again sparked off speculation of a cover-up.

Although the CBI has now taken over and registered two FIRs, the rape and murder of the schoolgirl and Suraj Singh's custodial death, people in the area remain restive.

The CM blames the opposition BJP for instigating the protests and the violence. "They are playing politics over a very sensitive issue," Virbhadra told reporters in Shimla. He's probably right. With assembly polls just months away, BJP leaders, including ex-CM Prem Kumar Dhumal, have been leading the public protests.

But it's not just the BJP that the CM has to be wary of. State Congress president Sukhwinder Sukku confirmed on July 24 that as many as six party MLAs, including ministers, have demanded a 'change in leadership' in a letter to the party high command.

--- ENDS ---
Upon its arrival at the Colombo port, the brand new vessel that is expected to join the SLN fleet, was warmly received by the Navy in compliance with naval traditions.

By Akshaya Nath: The Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) constructed at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the mission requirement of the Sri Lanka Navy, arrived at the Colombo harbour this Friday.

Upon its arrival at the Colombo port, the brand new vessel that is expected to join the SLN fleet, was warmly received by the Navy in compliance with naval traditions.

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The ship is commanded by Captain (N) Nishantha Amarosa and its crew consists of 18 officers and 100 sailors.

Subsequently, the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne made an inspection visit onboard ship and supervised the functional and operational aspects of the new AOPV.

The ship will be commissioned by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Maithripala Sirisena, at the Colombo harbour premises on 2nd August, as SLNS Sayurala.

This latest inclusion will go down in the annals of Sri Lanka Navy as the first ever OPV acquisition. The ship underwent various trials and tests before she set sail to her final destination, Sri Lanka, to affirm her operational and patrolling capabilities.

The vessel saw the light of day at the GSL with the signing of the contract on 17th February 2014. The agreement included two Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessels (AOPVs) for the Sri Lanka Navy and the production of the first AOPV began on 15th May 2014. The keel of the first vessel was laid on 10th Sep 2014 and was ceremonially launched on 10th June 2016.

The twin sister of this AOPV which is currently being built by the same shipbuilder is also scheduled to join SLN fleet in the next year.

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"The combination of Patimban and Tanjung Priok will make Indonesia able of competing with Singapore," Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi was quoted as saying.

He said the two seaports would have to team up and not compete with each other to make Indonesia's cargo service competitive.

Currently, Tanjung Priok's loading capacity of 6m teu is only 20% of Singapore's port.

Meanwhile, Patimban Port is designed to have a container capacity of 1.5m teu once it is partially completed in 2019 and 7.5m teu by 2027.

Singapore's new Tuas Terminal, which is tol be developed in four phases over 30 years, will already be able to handle about 20m teu a year in Phase 1, which scheduled to be completed by the early 2020s.

When fully completed, it is expected that the Tuas Terminal could eventually handle 65m annually. Singapore's plan is to move all its port activities to Tuas South from 2027.
The FLNG barge, named Caribbean FLNG, marked the first time in history that LNG has been produced onboard a floating facility, and the first time that a floating liquefaction unit has completed gas trial and performance test before sailing out, according to Wison.

Wison undertook the Caribbean FLNG project under an engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning (EPCIC) contract with Exmar.

The project received financing support from Bank of China, Deutsche Bank and China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation.

Wei Huaqing, project manager for the Caribbean FLNG project and deputy general manager of Wison (Nantong) Heavy Industry, stated: The project not only cemented Wisons leading position in turnkey projects of floating LNG production, storage and transportation facilities around the world, but also showcased the market a cost effective and reliable floating liquefaction solution that could help clients to monetize their gas asset more efficiently.

Meanwhile, Wison last week announced that its newly developed floating storage regasification and power generation barge (W-FSRP) has received an approval-in-principle from classification society Bureau Veritas (BV).

The 50-megawatt W-FSRP integrates functions of LNG loading and storage facilities, regasification and power generation, making small scale gas-to-power solutions more competitive.

The world's first FLNG barge delivered by Shanghai-headquartered Wison
A police spokeswoman said she could not confirm a report by a female witness on television that the attacker shouted "Allahu Akbar."

A police officer looks on after a knife attack in a supermarket in Hamburg, Germany (Reuters Photo)

By Reuters: A 26-year-old man went on a stabbing spree with a kitchen knife in the northern German city of Hamburg on Friday, killing one 50-year-old man and wounding six others, police said.

Passersby tackled the attacker as he fled the scene, enabling plain clothes police officers to take him into custody, the police said.

Police said the man, who was born in the United Arab Emirates, suddenly began attacking customers in a supermarket.

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A police spokeswoman said she could not confirm a report by a female witness on television that the attacker shouted "Allahu Akbar", Arabic for "God is Greatest", as he ran out of the supermarket.

She said the motive for the attack was still under investigation. Police said the man was born in the UAE but said they were still trying to determine his citizenship.

The spokeswoman also said she had no information that the attacker was known to authorities as an Islamist, as reported by German newspaper Tagesspiegel.

'LONE ATTACKER'

In an updated statement late on Friday police said a 50-year-old woman and four men aged between 19 and 64 sustained injuries in the attack. A 35-year-old man was injured while trying to stop the attacker, they said.

"It was definitely a lone attacker," Hamburg police said in a tweet. They said initial reports about a possible robbery had not been substantiated.

Police have been on high alert in Germany since a spate of attacks on civilians last year, including a December attack on a Berlin Christmas market, when a hijacked truck ploughed into the crowds, killing 12 and injuring many more.

Security has been a campaign issue ahead of Sept. 24 parliamentary elections, in which Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to win a fourth term in office.

Newspaper Bild showed a picture of the alleged Hamburg attacker sitting in the back of a police car, his face concealed with a bloodied shroud.

A video on its website showed a helicopter landed outside the supermarket with armed police in body armour patrolling the neighbourhood.

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Breakthrough in London attack investigation: 2 attackers identified, 1 was born in Pakistan

--- ENDS ---
Doze who teach shall not falter. A student from a Telangana school snapped his lazy teacher and sent the photo to district education officer. Teacher wakes up to suspension order.

By Ashish Pandey: Usually it is the teachers who reprimand students. However, in a role-reversal a student from a government school in Telangana's Mahbubnagar district taught their teacher an unforgettable lesson.

Students of the school in Midjil Mandal got rid of their class teacher who was more interested in dozing off in classroom rather than teaching. Thanks to the advent of technology, one of the students clicked a picture of the teacher sleeping in the class.

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It was reported that students of Zilla Parishad school snapped their teacher Ramulu while he was enjoying his afternoon siesta. One of the students who was agitated over this sent the picture via WhatsApp to the District Education Officer (DEO).

Alarmed and embarrassed over the incident, the education department took no time to issue a suspension order and praise the valiant student.

Earlier this year, the district collector of Mahbubnagar had suspended five teachers after he found out that class V students could not write their parents' names in their mother tongue Telugu and second language English during his surprise visit.

FYI || Parents called him a witch: Abandoned 2-year-old goes to school and is happy now ||

FYI || Hyderabad man turns 3 BHK apartment into marijuana field, arrested ||

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The top court has put an end to the automatic arrest of the husband and his family members in such cases.

By Harish V Nair: In a landmark judgment, aimed at putting an end to misuse of section 498A of the IPC that is dowry-related offences, the Supreme Court on Thursday put an end to the automatic arrest of the husband and his family members.

Every complaint under Section 498A should henceforth will have to be referred to Family Welfare Committees - to be constituted at every district. No arrest shall be effected till report of such committee is received.

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A bench headed by Justice A K Goel also ruled that there will be no routine impounding of passports or issuance of Red Corner Notice for NRI accused.

Personal appearance of all family members and particularly outstation members may not be required. However, these directions will not apply to the offences involving tangible physical injuries or death.

COMMITTEE REPORT

The committee would interact with the parties personally or by means of telephonic or electronic communication and give a report within a month to the authority which referred the complaint to it, the bench said, adding the report would be on "the factual aspects and its opinion" in the matter.

"Till report of the committee is received, no arrest should normally be effected. The report may be then considered by the investigating officer or the magistrate on its own merit," said the bench, which also included Justice UU Lalit.

"Complaints under Section 498A and other connected offences may be investigated only by a designated investigating officer of the area. Such designations may be made within one month from today," the bench said.

Such designated officers may be given training for not less than a week or as may be considered appropriate. The training has to be completed within four months, it added.

The bench added, "If a bail application is filed with at least one clear day's notice to the Public Prosecutor/complainant, it should be decided as far as possible on the same day."

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In a wedding in Rajasthan's Jodhpur, bride's father gives ambulance as dowry

--- ENDS ---
The California Air Resources Board approved the first phase of Volkswagens plan to invest $800 million to support zero-emission vehicle use in the state over 10 years. The money stems from a settlement last year after the company admitted to having programmed millions of diesel vehicles to cheat on federal and state emissions tests.

In a unanimous vote Thursday, the board approved a $200 million investment over 30 months by the automaker. The money will be spent on projects that include a network of 400 charging stations, public education programs and a $44 million green city initiative in Sacramento aimed at demonstrating the benefits of emissions-free cars.

We are pleased that Volkswagen can now move forward with its ambitious plan to help bring electric vehicle technology to corners of California ignored in earlier efforts, air board chair Mary Nichols said in a statement after the vote.

In May, the air board instructed Electrify America, the subsidiary Volkswagen set up to manage its zero-emission-vehicle investment commitments, to revise its original investment plan to prioritize spending in poorer and more polluted areas of the state. The new plan, submitted last month, added the Fresno metropolitan area to its list of underserved regions, which otherwise included much of the Bay Area, the greater Los Angeles area, the Sacramento area and the San Diego area.

The new plan anticipates  but does not guarantee  that more than 35 percent of the areas Electrify America will invest in will be in disadvantaged or low-income communities.

I cannot promise, Mark McNabb, Electrify America CEO and former chief operating officer of Volkswagen, said at Thursdays air board meeting. He cited potential difficulties in obtaining permits that fall precisely within designated low-income areas, but reassured officials that you have my commitment and my intent to move this team to strive that we meet that 35 percent.

The focus on disadvantaged communities is part of an effort to broaden access to public charging stations. Theres no way people in these communities are going to buy electric vehicles if theres nowhere to plug them in, board member Dean Florez said in an interview before the vote.

Because low-income communities of color are most likely to live near busy roads and freeways, the health of these communities took the biggest hit from VWs emissions cheating, Joel Espino, legal counsel at the Oakland nonprofit Greenlining Institute, said in a statement.

More than 90 percent of public comments on the revised plan were in support of approving Electrify Americas revised plan, according the boards analysis.

The California air board began investigating Volkswagens use of a device to cheat federal and state emissions tests in 2014. In September 2015, the company admitted to installing the device in nearly 600,000 Volkswagen and Audi diesel cars sold in the United States  including around 85,000 in California, according to the air boards website.

The air board reported that Volkswagens software resulted in vehicle emissions that were up to 40 times higher than allowed. As part of Volkswagens multibillion-dollar settlement with U.S. regulators, it must also pay California $381 million to mitigate emissions impacts in addition to the $800 million investment in zero-emission-vehicle infrastructure.

Even as Volkswagen launches its plan in California, the fallout from the emissions scandal is far from over.

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The automaker recently agreed to pay the state an additional $153.8 million, according to a consent decree filed with the U.S. District Court in San Francisco last week, bringing Volkswagens total settlement to California to $1.3 billion. As part of that, the company will pay $60 million to the air board to cover past and future costs related to the case  the remaining $93.8 million is a civil penalty that will go into the Air Pollution Control Fund.

This week, former Volkswagen executive Oliver Schmidt agreed to plead guilty in a Michigan federal court for his role in the emissions misconduct.

After two hours of public comments, the air board members discussed lingering reservations about keeping Volkswagen accountable throughout the process. I think thats a conversation that needs to continue, board member Hector de la Torre said.

Board member Judy Mitchell supported the revised plan, but said she wanted Electrify America to hire low-income Californians to build the proposed electric vehicle infrastructure  and to share with the board data showing such hires. I think we need to have some evidence, she said.

Many urged the air board to approve the plan and avoid further delays.

I want to see the program start, Brett Hauser, CEO of San Francisco electric vehicle infrastructure company Greenlots, said in an interview. While something might not be exactly perfect, dont let perfection stand in the way of the very good.

Isha Salian is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: isalian@sfchronicle.com
The years-long Republican effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act looks to be dead, but uncertainty and frustration over health care access and affordability continue to plague the marketplace  even in California, where the law has been implemented more successfully than perhaps any other state.

Health advocates, state regulators and insurers are refocusing their attention to what improvements, if any, they can make to address problems that persisted in the individual insurance market even before the now-failed legislative repeal saga unfolded. Those include rising premiums, high deductibles and the so-called cliff  middle-income people who earn too much to receive financial assistance to buy insurance but struggle to afford plans on their own.

The catch is, the root of some of these problems  particularly the uncertainty over how much premiums will rise in 2018  is directly tied to the Trump administrations apparent determination to allow the ACA to fail. And the problems can really be solved only by the administration or Congress, said health policy experts and state officials.

Were all working collaboratively to do everything we can to keep health insurance plans in California, said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. But at the end of the day, we only have so many tools in our tool kit to counteract the big club that President Trump is using to beat down the ACA.

Trump on Friday reiterated his unwillingness to bolster the ACA, which is also known as Obamacare.

As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch! he tweeted, shortly after the Senates health care repeal effort fell short.

California should seriously consider enacting its own individual mandate, said Jones, in reference to the ACAs requirement for people to buy insurance or face a tax penalty; the reason for the mandate is to spread costs across a broad pool of both healthy and unhealthy people. The Trump administration has signaled that it will not strictly enforce it. Jones said he has not yet broached the subject with state legislators. Previous attempts by the Legislature to enact a mandate as part of a broader reform package aimed at expanding health insurance coverage gained some traction, but ultimately failed because of lack of financing.

The White House signaled through its first executive order, shortly after Trump took office, that it will allow federal agencies to ease enforcement of ACA provisions they consider burdensome. And the administration has repeatedly said it may halt billions of dollars in federal payments to health insurers, known as cost-sharing subsidies, that reimburse insurance companies for the cost of covering the lowest-income patients in the individual market. The subsidies, which amount to $7 billion a year, are the subject of an ongoing lawsuit brought by House Republicans who challenged the legality of the payments because, they argued, Congress had not properly appropriated the money.

The Trump administration has so far paid the subsidies on a month-to-month basis, but has refused to commit to continuing them long term. Many insurers cite this uncertainty as the reason they cannot commit to selling plans in the exchanges next year. Losing the payments would force some insurers to make up the loss by raising premiums as much as 20 percent in 2018.

Evan Vucci/Associated Press

The easiest thing to do would be for Congress to pass an appropriation for [the subsidies], said Timothy Jost, an emeritus professor at Washington and Lee University School of Law, who writes the widely read Health Affairs Blog. It would reduce premiums significantly for next year and keep insurers from leaving, and maybe bring insurers back that have said theyre leaving. That is the absolute No. 1 priority.

On the flip side, Jost said, If the Trump administration is determined to destroy the individual market and throw millions of people off their health insurance and drive up premiums for millions of others, all they have to do is say, Were not paying the [subsidies] and thatll do it.

Other policy experts believe the health care system will benefit from so-called state innovation waivers, which states can seek from the federal government for greater flexibility to experiment with ways to improve health care systems at the state level, within the ACA structure. Such waivers would need approval from the Trump administration.

Id like to see more of that kind of experimentation,  said Lanhee Chen, a health policy analyst at the conservative think tank Hoover Institution at Stanford University.

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Covered California, the state insurance exchange, is generally more stable than exchanges in many other states, where the exit of insurance companies from exchanges is leaving consumers in some counties without a single plan offering in 2018.

California has the largest individual market in the country, which helps maintain a healthier pool of patients, and the exchange currently has at least two competing insurers offering plans in every county. Still, Covered California is not immune from the instability at the federal level. For the first time, the exchange is allowing insurers to propose two sets of rates for 2018 plans  one that incorporates the cost-sharing subsidies, and one that does not. The latter could result in significantly higher rates for Californians buying plans in the individual market. The exchange is poised to announce those rates Tuesday.

A Covered California spokeswoman declined to comment Friday.

One key thing the state may be able do on its own  through negotiations between insurance regulators and Covered California  is look for ways to lower deductibles by considering stricter rules for what types of health care services must be paid for by insurers, said Andrew Bindman, a UCSF professor of medicine and health policy and a former congressional fellow who helped draft parts of the ACA. Deductibles are the amount of money consumers must pay on their own before their insurance kicks in.

People are spending a lot of money to buy insurance through the exchange, and are frustrated that even when they have it, those plans may have a high deductible built into them, Bindman said. There are ways Covered California has an ability to shape plans in a way that encourage higher-value care.

California Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris last month introduced legislation that would help more middle-income Americans afford insurance on the individual market. Currently, people who earn more than $48,000 a year are not eligible for federal subsidies, which makes it hard for many to afford insurance on their own. The bill would cap the amount that such an individual could pay for health insurance premiums to 9.69 percent of their monthly income.

Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: Cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat_Ho
LinkedIn Corp. may very well succeed in its effort to stop a San Francisco startup from using the data of its members. But the Sunnyvale company, now a division of Microsoft, has certainly lost the moral high ground.

In fact, the job-hunting and networking site is guilty of blatant hypocrisy.

HiQ Labs makes software that analyzes data from public LinkedIn profiles to help employers determine which workers are likely to leave or stay. But at a hearing at U.S. District Court in San Francisco, lawyers representing LinkedIn argued that HiQ was causing significant harm to its business because members expected LinkedIn to protect their privacy.

LinkedIns most valuable currency is trust with customers, said Donald Verrilli, a partner with Munger, Tolles & Olson law firm in Washington.

That sounds very noble. But the very idea of a social media giant serving as the champion of privacy rights seems suspect.

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When a service tells you its free, that means its making money another way. And more likely than not, youre the product.

Companies such as Facebook and Twitter make money from advertising enhanced by the personal details they encourage users to reveal.

LinkedIn sells some ads, but one of the biggest way it profits from its members is by selling subscriptions to recruiters, who pay thousands of dollars a year for detailed data about the workers who post online resumes to the site. Those subscriptions include features such as Update Me, which alerts prospective employers to users who modify profiles, a sign that they might be looking for a new job.

From now on, when they update their profile or celebrate a work anniversary, youll receive an update on your homepage, according to a LinkedIn blog post. And don't worry  they dont know you're following them.

So the companys argument against HiQ amounts to this: If anyone is going to violate your privacy, LinkedIn should be the one to do it. Thats hardly comforting.

Frankly, I dont find it persuasive, a visibly irritated U.S. District Judge Edward Chen told LinkedIns lawyers.

PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images

The case no doubt raises significant questions about privacy rights and data use in an increasingly digital society.

In recent years, Silicon Valleys most powerful companies have been cracking down on firms they suspect of data scraping, the practice of extracting information from social media accounts or websites such as Yelp or Wikipedia. LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook view scraping of the data generated by their users not just as theft  they sometimes charge to license data  but a violation of their users privacy, because some information can be limited so not all users can view it.

This is not just about HiQ, Verrilli said. If they can do it, then everyone can do it.

There are big issues at stake, which is why LinkedIn and HiQ have hired big legal brains. Verrilli is the former solicitor general for the Obama administration and has argued major cases, including the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, before the Supreme Court. Famed Harvard law Professor Laurence Tribe, who was also at the hearing, is advising HiQ.

In May, LinkedIn sent HiQ a letter demanding that it stop using LinkedIn data. HiQ argues that the data are already public. Without it, the company said, it will go under.

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HiQ filed suit and sought a preliminary injunction to bar LinkedIn from blocking HiQ while the case proceeds through the courts. LinkedIn agreed to allow access for the time being.

At the hearing, Verrilli said HiQs algorithms amount to surveillance and espionage.

If  and its a big if  that fairly describes what HiQ does, how about LinkedIn itself? The company seems to suggest that selling data to recruiters is somehow more morally defensible than selling the same data to employers. By alerting companies to employees who might be looking for another job, HiQ is essentially ratting out workers, Verrilli said.

Here are the issues with LinkedIns argument: Anyone who makes their profile visible to the public runs the risk of managers, co-workers or anyone else seeing that information. Journalists frequently research and publish information gleaned from social media profiles. The only difference is that companies like HiQ have developed technology that can do it much faster and more broadly than one human could.

There is no expectation of privacy when the information is published publicly over the Internet, said Deepak Gupta, a partner with Farella Braun + Martel LLP law firm in San Francisco, who is representing HiQ.

LinkedIn grew to more than 500 million users by encouraging them to think of the site as the one spot to share their professional background. If the data belong to anyone, its the users themselves. Their data is a huge reason why Microsoft spent $26.2 billion on LinkedIn last year. If LinkedIn cant figure out better ways to profit from it than upstarts like HiQ, it makes you wonder what the company is really worth.

The case will have to wind its way through the courts, and the legal talent involved suggests that it could go much higher than Judge Chens courtroom. But you dont need a fancy law degree to figure out that something doesnt add up here.

Thomas Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: tlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByTomLee
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Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Dr. Priscilla Chan, will contribute $10 million to UCSF to help fund an effort to merge data on 15 million patients across five UC medical campuses into one database.

The investment highlights the interest from investors and researchers in applying artificial intelligence to health data. The goal is to detect patterns in disease development and to allow doctors to better develop treatment plans for patients.

In oncology, for instance, computers could mine patient data to try to predict whether women diagnosed with ovarian cancer who stop responding to one type of drug may be more likely to respond to another type of treatment, based on previous cases.

The $10 million contribution is separate from the commitment by the couples limited liability company, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, to invest $3 billion over the next decade to cure disease.

It will go toward UCSFs Institute of Computational Health Sciences. In addition to merging data from health records, it will be used to hire faculty members for the institute over the next five years, said Dr. Atul Butte, the institutes director.

Big data and machine learning is hot in medicine right now, Butte said. If you want machine learning to work, you need to see many, many cases before you can learn the patterns.

The soon-to-be-merged data is from electronic health records that are housed separately at UCSF, UCLA, UC Irvine, UC San Diego and UC Davis, dating back between five and nine years, Butte said.

While UCSF would have access to identifiable patient information, such as names, patient privacy laws require researchers to get authorization from patients, or approval from UCSFs Institutional Review Board, before accessing any identifiable data.

Artificial intelligence in health and drug development is a booming area. Emerging companies like Londons Benevolent AI, San Brunos Numerate and Menlo Parks NuMedii  co-founded by Butte  have attracted hundreds of millions of dollars from investors over the last several years.

Alphabets health subsidiary Verily, formerly Google Life Sciences, recently launched a study to track health information from 10,000 people. IBMs Watson Health uses algorithms to sift through patient records and research papers from medical journals to help doctors diagnose and treat diseases. Amazon has assembled a team to build tools for electronic health records data, CNBC reported this week.

The major tech titans are moving into this space at full tilt, said Dr. Eric Topol, a professor of molecular medicine at the Scripps Research Institute. They realize this has unparalleled growth potential.

Artificial intelligence in medicine is taking off because until recently there wasnt enough data to draw meaningful conclusions, experts said. But improvements in genomic sequencing and medical monitoring technology are quickly changing that. Every persons genomic sequence alone generates billions of data points. Add that to the data collected by wearable devices  such as monitoring tools that track glucose levels, blood pressure, heart rhythm and other measures and researchers have a rich pool of health information to parse.

Thats why this is a particularly exciting era in medicine, Topol said. Its really about having enormous data sets, not just a one-off, but on a continuous basis.

The challenge, though, is cutting through the noise in ways that will enable physicians to zero in on individualized screening, treatment and prevention plans for patients.

Just having all this data is not so important, Topol said. Its processing it, working with it to change the future of medicine. Artificial intelligence could result in this promise of true prevention or far better treatments.

Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat_Ho
After 49 people were massacred at a gay nightclub in Orlando in June 2016, presidential candidate Donald Trump promised to be a real friend to the gay community.

Decrying the assault on peoples ability to love who they want to and express their identity, the Republican front-runner declared, I will fight for you.

Just over 13 months later, Trumps Justice Department, in a case between private parties that involved no government agency, told a federal appeals court on Tuesday that discrimination based on sexual orientation is legal under federal law. The next day, the president tweeted his intention to ban military service by transgender Americans, including the thousands already serving.

On the sexual orientation issue  which is likely headed for the Supreme Court  the Justice Departments position does not differ greatly from its stance under President Barack Obama in 2014, when the department sought to dismiss a suit by a fired gay employee of the Library of Congress.

But the Obama administration backed away from that position in a later case, and an Obama-appointed majority of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission voted in 2015 to define antigay discrimination as illegal sex discrimination. Trumps lawyers this week repudiated that position, saying the EEOC is not speaking for the United States.

This is pretty nakedly a broken promise, Matthew Coles, a constitutional law professor at UC Hastings in San Francisco and former deputy national legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, said of Trumps latest actions. Theres no way you can interpret either one of these moves as protecting the LGBT community, which he said he was going to do.

On the other hand, said Stanford Law Professor Jane Schacter, this weeks developments shouldnt come as a surprise.

Trumps campaign statements were vague rhetorical gestures, not specific commitments, Schacter said. More revealing, she said, was the 2016 Republican platform, which denounced the Supreme Courts 2015 ruling legalizing same-sex marriage and condemned redefining sex discrimination to include sexual orientation, the issue in the current federal court case.

Schacter also cited Trumps selection of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, an outspoken opponent of gay rights, as his running mate.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

The Justice Departments filing this week before the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York was unusual, since neither side in the discrimination suit had asked the government to participate. But the dispute involves an issue that has grown more pressing since the 2015 marriage ruling, which, as gay-rights advocates observed, didnt protect same-sex newlyweds from being fired from their jobs in many states. The issue almost certainly will be resolved by the courts rather than Congress.

The 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibited employment discrimination for reasons that included race and sex. The law does not expressly cover sexual orientation  unlike laws in about half the states, including California  but in recent years, some federal courts have interpreted the ban on sex-related bias to cover gays and lesbians as well.

Most prominently, the Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago ruled 8-3 in April  with a majority that included five Republican appointees  that a fired lesbian law professor could sue her school under the federal law. The court likened her case to sex discrimination, since she wouldnt have been fired if she had been a man, rather than a woman, whose partner was female. The majority also cited a 1989 Supreme Court ruling that barred employment bias based on gender stereotypes.

But the Justice Department, in its filing Tuesday in the New York case, said the sex-bias law required only that men and women be treated equally and had nothing to do with sexual orientation.

An employer who discriminates based on sexual orientation alone does not treat similarly situated employees differently because of their sex, the departments lawyers argued. Gay men and women are treated the same, and straight men and women are treated the same.

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By the same logic as the Seventh Circuit ruling, the Justice Department said, bathrooms limited to one sex would be discriminatory, because a man would never be prohibited from using the womens room if he were a woman and vice versa.

Coles, of UC Hastings, said the department was relying on outdated arguments that any policy is legal unless it discriminates against men or women as a group.

The filing also drew criticism from San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera, who called it part of Trumps discriminatory agenda. Mat Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel, a Christian conservative legal organization, praised the Justice Department for interpreting the law as intended.

The Supreme Court has yet to address the issue and generally defers to appellate courts until their opinions conflict, as they did on same-sex marriage. The Seventh Circuit ruling in April was the first by an appeals court to extend the civil rights law to sexual orientation, but the case went no further because the employer did not appeal.

But there are hints of a similar ruling from the Second Circuit court in New York that could propel the case upward for a nationwide resolution. A three-judge panel, bound by the courts earlier decisions, rejected the discrimination claim in April, but a majority of the courts 11 judges then ordered a rehearing before the full court, which has authority to reach a new conclusion.

And in March, the courts chief judge, Robert Katzmann, wrote in another case that he now believes discrimination based on sexual orientation is inherently rooted in gender stereotypes and appears to fit the definition of sex discrimination.

The hearing is scheduled Sept. 26.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: BEgelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
Sophie Calle, the celebrated French artist, is not so well known in the U.S. Yet her ties here  and particularly to the San Francisco Bay Area  are deep. I have a relation to this part of the world, she says over lunch in a Marina district restaurant. I lived in Bolinas long ago. I kept friends.

Her accent is lush, but her English perfectly comprehensible. All the same, her next line catches me up short.

I bought my grave.

In fact, I knew that she owns a plot in West Marins old Olema Cemetery  and, anyway, theres a scene in a documentary film on her work, in which she is shown negotiating the purchase. Still, its hardly a topic one expects to be raised within minutes of first acquaintance.

Meet Sophie Calle. Ask about her surname and she tells you, It comes from Spanish: street. So if you put my name, Sophie, which means wisdom, and street, it means streetwise.

Watch as she speaks and you will be mesmerized by the ring on her finger, a full-scale representation of a mouse, its tail lashing her hand with every gesture. Before parting you will learn that her beloved Souris  a cat named Mouse  died and was buried in a miniature casket, a traveling salesmans model.

Her extraordinary mega-exhibition Missing commands four sites across the Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture. Theres another, equally compelling show at the Mid-Market gallery FraenkelLab. Each venue houses a complete exhibition, and each show is a complex work of art in itself. All of them revolve around themes of absence and longing.

Her most famous work, Take Care of Yourself (2007), exposes to the world a breakup letter she received from a lover, callously sent to her via email. I asked 107 women (including two made from wood and one with feathers), chosen for their profession or skills, to interpret this letter, she writes in a wall text in the works sprawling gallery at Fort Mason, and in a 424-page, 4.6-pound companion book.

It isnt over-sharing if people hang on your every word. Viewers are known to spend more than two hours with the installation in San Francisco.

One year and a half ago, my father had died, she says. I was a little  paralyzed would be excessive  but I didnt have many ideas. I thought, maybe, I could stop (making art). It was not clear like that, but I decided to make a break and come three months in Bolinas.

 Sophie Calle / Adagp, Paris, 2017/Courtesy Galerie Perrotin and Paula Cooper Gallery

She wants to know whether she will be able to see an advance copy of this interview. I explain The Chronicles policy that prohibits such a review before publication.

She presses: I am more free of what I say when I know that my own quotes ... I can adapt. ... Because if I know I can change a word I said in a way that doesnt express exactly what I think, I know I can speak and I know I have a second chance.

I assure her that if there is any question of her meaning, I will ask for clarification. Still, Im going to take care, she says. But, of course, in no time she has abandoned all caution.

What she does is very difficult. Much more than for the typical photographer, who makes a photograph, then its over. For Calle, its her heart, her soul, her history  her life.

Its not my life, she quickly says, with an assurance that surely comes with having thought through, having been asked about, the topic over many years. What I tell, happened  Im not inventing; they are not fiction. But the only fact that you choose a word and not another, you choose a moment and not another, you select: Its a fiction, even if it happened to you.

Im trying to make works that stand on the wall, on the page, in the book. (Its not) my life and my love life and my death.

Andria Lo

So, if shes not giving us herself, shes giving us art?

Yeah  I try. I edit moments. I choose, certainly, stories that happen. ... Sometimes I have the image and not the story. And, when I see its going to exist on the wall or on the page, then I tell the story. But its not a diary, or a blog. I try to write as well as I can, fabricate phrases  where comes my concern about my quotes. And so, I dont have the feeling its my life.

Later, she returns to the topic: Everybody has been left by a breakup letter one day, or by a phone call another day. Its a banality. We have all lost someone. We all have been betrayed. We all have been abandoned.

When I show my mother dying ... people cry when they see the movie. They dont care about my mother, they dont cry about my mother  they dont give a (damn) about my mother! So, they cry about something else. About their own mother.

 Sophie Calle / Adagp, Paris & ARS, New York, 2017

So, for me, its not my life. Its a death. Its a man that goes. Its absence. Its something missing. ... Its fact  its not fiction. But when you choose (out of a relationship) to tell one story, of what happened Monday between 2:30 and 2:45, its not your life with that person.

Its a story.

We all do construct our personalities, some of us more consciously than others. Does she think her work has changed her self?

I dont know. Maybe something that has changed is that when something happens to me, something inside me knows maybe I will have a way to turn it. Obviously, what I use is unhappy moments ... I am now happy with the same man 12 years, Ive never made a work about him. I dont need to step on the side, because I live what I have to live with him.

So, then its only unhappiness that can become art? No, because I dont only make work about myself. ... The constant that goes through all this, I would say, is the absence. A man that doesnt see. A man that goes. A mother that dies. ... Half of my works are not about me.

Still, she allows, Its never about meeting the man of your life, and being happy and going to the beach.

For many, I say, food is as consuming as sex. As sex? she asks, clearly stymied. S-E-X, sex? Well, it depends your age. I think when you get older, maybe food becomes more consuming. But a bit later, when told she has been called the sexiest woman in art, she doesnt miss a beat. Really? Who told you this? I want to see that person!

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.

 Sophie Calle / ADAGP, Paris & ARS, New York, 2017/Courtesy Paula Cooper Gallery, Fraenkel Gallery and Galerie Perrotin

Sex is not the precise word. At 63, though, Calle makes work of delicious sensual appeal. As if to prove the point, she relates, There was a French journalist that wrote in a newspaper, If you are a young man looking for a girlfriend, go to see the show of Sophie Calle in Paris, Take Care of Yourself. Because all the young, beautiful young ladies are there. So, I went to see and it was right  it was 90 percent women, all bright and nice.

The work was embraced by women because, she says, it was (about) a woman that is not so much afraid. ... But its always hard to say I am a feminist, because ... I dont have the feeling Im doing that much. I mean, through my work, I hope so, but in my activity Im not the way I was when I was 18 or 20.

Speaking of fear, have men been afraid of her? Yes, I think so she says, but thats not the kind of man ... I care to spend time with. ... My boyfriend hears, a lot of times, Oh, its not too difficult? Can you handle her? People ask him this! ... He laughs because he is not afraid at all by me. ... Hes a tough person. Tough in the good sense: strong.

Does she share her home with the strong man? She is unequivocal. No. Never, ever. Nobody, ever in my life. ... I dont like to see the dirty laundry. ... I dont want to know what happens the days we are not together. I dont care  I dont want to know. So, when I travel, I dont call. When he travels, he doesnt call.

She says, I think its a little late now  but maybe when Im very old! But is there a part of her that does wonder whether she has missed something?

Not at all. I try to defend my choice even if sometimes its artificial. ... Every time I see people with children, even if they look happy ... Im sorry for them.

Photo  Kate Elliott, courtesy FraenkelLab/ 2017 Sophie Calle / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris

She realizes, she says, that she may be trying to defend a position. But its true that I woke up all my life happy not to have a child. I think the moments where, watching a nice child, with the parents and life that seems beautiful  if I add up all (those) moments that I looked at this thinking, Ah, maybe its nice. Maybe its 24 hours of regrets, for 63 years of certitude.

If its a protective stance, she argues, Its also a necessary defense. Because about children there is such a pressure on women, all their lives. Like Oh, you cannot make a child. ... Even my mother  who didnt want me, and didnt like children  told me I would be unhappy if I didnt have one. Even her. ... So I would have to say, No, I dont have. I dont want.

But might these be the years that one would appreciate having children more? Now? ... If they were born 30, yes! Ill take one, right now.

Once hes out of the house, and we have decent conversation. And he teaches me what the new generation is about, and the new music. I would like. But you can do this with young friends.

Charles Desmarais is The San Francisco Chronicles art critic. Email: cdesmarais@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Artguy1

Sophie Calle: Missing: Noon-8 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays. Through Aug. 20. Free; advance tickets recommended. Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture, 2 Marina Blvd., S.F. (415) 345-7575. www.fortmason.org.

Sophie Calle: My Mother, My Cat, My Father, in That Order: 1-7 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays; noon-7 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Through Aug. 26. Free. FraenkelLab, 1632 Market St., S.F. (415) 347-8366. https://fraenkelgallery.com/fraenkellab
By PTI: By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Jul 28 (PTI) A top US diplomat will travel to India and Pakistan later this month to discuss Americas relations with South Asia as the Trump administration reviews its Afghanistan policy to include a regional perspective.

Alice Wells, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs and Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, will travel to New Delhi and Islamabad on her introductory trip to the region from July 30 to August 8, a statement said.

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"She will meet with government officials, thought leaders, and business executives to discuss US relations with the region," the State Department said.

Wells will also meet with Embassy staff to learn more about their efforts to advance US

prosperity and security across the region, the statement added.

Her trip assumes significance as the US wants to deal with the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan from a regional perspective in its new strategy for the country to involve its neighbours such as Iran, Pakistan and India. PTI LKJ NSA

--- ENDS ---
Its a bit of a cliche to quote Casablanca when it comes to Washingtons gift for manufactured outrage, but the classics are classics for a reason. When Capt. Louis Renault orders Ricks saloon shut down, Rick (played by Humphrey Bogart) protests: How can you close me up? On what grounds?

Renault (played by Claude Rains) replies, I am shocked  shocked  to find that gambling is going on in here!

Then, a croupier walks up to Renault and hands him some money: Your winnings, sir.

Oh, thank you very much, Renault says. Everybody out at once!

The scene came immediately to mind amid the instant outrage over reports that the Trump administration was threatening Alaskas senators. On Tuesday, Sen. Lisa Murkowski voted not to move to debate on the Senate health care bill. That angered the president. She really let the Republicans, and our country, down yesterday. Too bad! the president complained Wednesday morning on Twitter. (By Friday morning, the Senate health care bill was dead.)

That afternoon, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke called both Murkowski and fellow Alaska Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, according to a story first reported by the Alaska Dispatch News. Im not going to go into the details, Sullivan told the paper, but I fear that the strong economic growth, pro-energy, pro-mining, pro-jobs (policies) and personnel from Alaska who are part of those policies are going to stop.

The story sent shocked  shocked! shock waves across Washington. How dare the Trump administration threaten the state of Alaska!

Come now.

Let me say up front that what Zinke did may be politically unwise. It may be unethical. It may be crude.

But its not illegal. Its normal.

Every administration in American history, and every regime since the first city-states formed in Mesopotamia, has played some version of this game, not merely from time to time, but every single day. Rewarding your friends and punishing your enemies isnt some breach of the established rules of politics; those are the established rules of politics.

Every White House has a political operation that reminds policymakers that this state should get better treatment than that state for one political reason or another. Its the job of the policymakers to know when to listen to that guidance and when to ignore it.

The proper symbol of FDRs imperial presidency wouldnt be a ball and scepter but a carrot and a stick. Roosevelt held his coalition together by awarding massive defense contracts to Southern states whose senators were the barons of the defense and appropriations committees. His freshly minted Social Security Board threatened to withhold funds from states that resisted compliance with the Aid to Families with Dependent Children welfare program. LBJs Health, Education and Welfare Department threatened to terminate funds for states that didnt enforce civil rights.

Congress is no better. It has used the Highway Trust Fund time and again to force states to comply with its will. In 1974, Congress declared that any state that didnt set its speed limit to 55 mph would see the money spigot turn off. In 1975, Congress did the same to force motorcyclists to wear helmets. In 1984, the same technique was used to raise the legal drinking age.

And now lets discuss the great state of Alaska, a place I love and have spent much time in. (My wife is from Fairbanks, and much of her family is still there.) Alaska fancies itself a land of rugged individualists. Its nickname, emblazoned on its license plates, is The Last Frontier. A more accurate nickname might be The New West Virginia for its addiction to pork. At the height of the earmark era in Congress, Alaska ranked No. 1 on the list of recipients, thanks largely to former Rep. Ted Stevens, the self-styled Emperor of Earmarks.

No one runs for federal office in Alaska without promising to bring home the bacon from Washington. In fairness to Alaskans, one reason thats seen as necessary is that the federal government controls so much of the state (about 60 percent of its land).

Murkowski herself lobbied for months for a special Alaska-only carve-out under the Better Care Reconciliation Act  the nearly $2 billion Kodiak Kickback. It proved to be not enough, but the for sale sign had gone up.

Zinkes heavy-handedness will probably backfire because standing up to threats is one of the only things that plays better in Alaska than accepting porcine bribes.

But the outrage is all part of the show. As Hyman Roth says in The Godfather Part II, This is the business weve chosen.

 2017 Tribune Content Agency LLC

Jonah Goldberg is a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a senior editor of National Review. To comment, submit your letter to the editor at www.sfchronicle.com/letters. Email: goldbergcolumn@gmail.com Twitter: @JonahNRO
What does luxury look like today in restaurants?

The answer lies in Acacia House in the newly opened Las Alcobas in St. Helena. The 68-room hotel is spread over three buildings including the centerpiece: a white Colonial Revival mansion built in 1907 that houses the restaurant run by Chris Cosentino as well as six guest rooms upstairs.

Diners walk through the expansive wraparound porch and into a lounge and the 50-seat restaurant, which blends modern and traditional touches in a practically all-gray color scheme that plays out on the floors, walls and tabletops. Once you are seated, the luxury can be seen and felt in the heft of the weighted flatware and the thinness of the glassware. The staff has revived a century-old tradition of sweeping crumbs off the table between courses with a tiny silver bristle broom and dust pan.

The service staff maintains a hospitable tone, channeling what you might see if you were a guest in a grand house. Casually dressed in pants, shirt and apron, the staff is well-trained in the ways of fine dining; if you ask for something, the reply will be of course, sir or right away, sir. Still their demeanor stops short of seeming obsequious.

At first it seemed surprising that the owner, who also opened a resort in Mexico City, tapped Chris Cosentino and his partner Oliver Wharton to run a kitchen that also provides food for room service and the spa. Cosentino has an independent streak; he built his reputation on bold rustic cooking at Cockscomb restaurant in San Francisco where diners can share a pigs head, beef heart tartare and duck-fat cauliflower. Its the type of menu that would make a proper Edwardian woman clutch her pearls.

Yet at Acacia House, Cosentino strategically blends his bold style with a more refined approach.

He gives a nod to his meat-centric background in such dishes as lamb tartare ($16), balanced with a powerful dose of mint and cumin with a swipe of green harrisa that wraps halfway around the serving bowl. The loosely formed patty is partly covered with crackers made of chickpeas. He also adds his signature powerful punch to hamachi crudo ($18) set on a beautiful mosaic of watercress and basil oil, strawberry puree and rose wine vinegar. Thin rounds of serrano chiles on each of the five slices of raw fish make a diner sit up and notice.

John Storey/Special to the Chronicle

One night Cosentino offered a whole, meaty kampachi collar ($20) thickly strewn with toasted chiles, fried basil and whole green peppercorns. Fish collar is one of my favorite things because the meat is always moist and mild, but he takes the dish to another level.

Alternately he shows refinement in the chilled melon soup ($14), a much-needed refreshment on 100-degree summer days. Waiters present the bowl centered with meticulous dices of cantaloupe, crisp prosciutto and prosciutto snow made from dehydrated fat. They then bring a copper pitcher on a plate ringed by herbs and pour on the clear cold broth, displacing the pre-set ingredients and causing golden drops of olive oil to float in jewel-like bubbles to the top.

One of the most memorable dishes was also the most straightforward: a snack of crudites ($15) arranged over a mound of crushed ice and served with a bowl of Tuscan bean pesto. It was as if the chef went through the farmers market and picked up a bit of everything: baby turnips no bigger than a thumbnail with all the leaves attached, frilly leaves of lettuce planted vertically in the ice mound, sugar snap peas, several kinds of carrots, radishes, red bell peppers, purple and white cauliflower, baby fennel, and green beans.

John Storey/Special to the Chronicle

The leaves were beaded with water as if picked at first light, and the sauce added the contrasting creamy and assertive elements.

In another starter he combines radishes and uni ($20). The whole radishes, many also with their leaves left intact, are planted in a circle of uni butter. Whole lobes of the seafood and spikes of seabeans are interspersed between the vegetables, making a dramatic and original combination.

He adds touches of luxury in unusual places. On top of the crispy fried Iberico pork schnitzel main course ($49), Cosentino piles a melange of watercress and English and sugar snap peas with a gossamer coating of ranch dressing  then nestles a heaping tablespoonful of black caviar in the middle. I got into a debate with another diner as to whether the caviar was wasted in the midst of the breaded meat and tangy sauce (I thought it was), but we agreed that it dramatically showcased Cosentinos clever mashup of styles.

Roasted Cornish game hen ($36) is made into a roulade, wrapped in pancetta and precisely sliced into four thick medallions. Instead of serving a slab of beef as he would at Cockscomb, here a deeply flavored, charred Kobe rib eye ($52) is sliced into four pieces and fanned over a rectangle of gratin potatoes and sauteed spinach with a restrained pool of bone marrow Bordelaise studded with green peppercorns. The presentation is crowned with thick rings of lightly grilled onions and roasted jalapenos, yet another illustration of the carefully orchestrated theme.

Desserts (all $12) created by Curtis Cameron, who also produces all the breads, are completely thought-out, the type of combinations youd find at the French Laundry or Manresa.

The dessert that will probably forever be on the menu is his reinvention of eclairs. Camerons are square at the ends rather than rounded. Every plate includes three, each with a different filling  most recently blueberry cheesecake; brown butter, bourbon and peach; and chocolate, coconut and almonds.

John Storey/Special to the Chronicle

Other desserts include a chocolate bar with hazelnuts, crumbles of pretzels, root beer caramel and shards of crisp toasted meringue; and a much more expected but no less alluring combination of roasted strawberries in a pastry crust with toasted almond ice cream.

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Like the food, the wine list put together by Zoe Hankins highlights a local approach. Several producers are called out in the front. With the price of the food and the wealth of the clientele, this could be an opportunity to pad markups. Thats not the case here; its clear the hotel wants to appeal to locals. The list includes some well-chosen bottles in the $30 range, hard-to-find wines such as the 2015 Stony Hill White Riesling for $50, and my favorite rose, Robert Sinskey Vin Gris, for $60. If you can find it at retail it would sell for around $30.

Theres also a full bar, and I highly recommend the Las Alcobas margarita ($15), perfected at the sister hotel in Mexico City. Its served in a stemmed glass and has a pleasant boozy kick with the right balance of sweetness. A salty slick of foam on top elegantly replaces the need for a salted rim.

John Storey/Special to the Chronicle

Its not easy to bring so many diverse elements together in a hotel setting and to successfully appeal to a wider audience, but Cosentino and Wharton have woven it all together. All the elements combine to create a very modern restaurant that embraces everything we love about Napa Valley.

   

Acacia House

Food:    

Service:    

Atmosphere:   

Price: $$$$

Noise: Two Bells
Few tourists travel to Norway for the food, and yet the country has some memorable culinary traditions you shouldnt miss in between hiking its glacier-topped mountains and gazing at its fjords.

Scandinavia is famous for its herring and smoked salmon, but Norway has by far the biggest coastline among the neighbors, so of course seafood is a big draw. That includes some unusual stuff like cod tongues and whale meat  Norway is one of the few places in the world where its consumption is allowed. Most vegetables are imported, but the country makes up for that, in part, with its wild mushrooms and berries.
Edilberto Rico Alvarez wanted steady work.

Around his tiny town of Yotatiro (population: 363), in the Mexican state of Michoacan, employment would be there one day, gone the next. I would do whatever work I could find, Alvarez said. Day work came in cornfields sometimes, or wheat fields. Or resinando  collecting sap from pine trees.

From a full days work, Alvarez might earn 500 pesos, about $28. It wasnt enough to support his wife and two children.

So in 2008, when Alvarez got a call from Joel Gonzalez Rivera asking if hed like to come work the harvest season in Sonoma County, he jumped at the opportunity. He would be coming to Seghesio Family Vineyards, where Rivera is the assistant vineyard manager, on an H-2A visa  a program designed to provide temporary, seasonal labor to U.S. agriculture.

That year was Seghesios first time using H-2A. The winery was just beginning to feel a labor shortage that has since, by just about all accounts, reached a crisis level. Worker turnover was getting out of hand: During the 2007 growing season, the winery had lost 150 workers. At harvest, we could barely get to the fruit, said winemaker Ted Seghesio. We brought in 2,700 tons of grapes in seven weeks.

When youre making the sort of high-end wine Seghesio does, picking the grapes at just the right moment is crucial. Pick unripe, and the wine tastes thin and herbaceous. Wait too long, and the wine tastes like raisins. To charge $40 or more for a bottle of Zinfandel, as Seghesio does, youve got to get it just right.

La cosecha no para, Rivera laughed: Harvest doesnt stop.

Rural Mexico supplies as much as 90 percent of California farm labor, and has for decades, ever since the bracero program  H-2As brutal antecedent, in effect from 1942 to 1964  cemented U.S. agricultures dependence on this labor source. Whether they come under a guest worker program or come on their own, the fact endures: Workers from Mexican states such as Michoacan, Oaxaca and Jalisco power American farms.

Vineyards have long been an attractive option for agricultural workers because of their high wages: In Napa and Sonoma counties, average hourly vineyard worker pay last year was $14.50 and $13.50, respectively.

But fewer workers are entering the U.S. from Mexico now. UC Davis researchers estimate that U.S. agriculture is losing labor from rural Mexico at the rate of about 11,200 workers per year. And those who are here are turning increasingly to hotels, restaurants and cannabis fields  jobs that can pay just as well as vineyards, but are much easier on the back.

Unsurprisingly, in the face of this labor shortage, H-2A applications have surged. When Seghesio first used the program, in 2008, 3,353 H-2A visas were issued in California. In the first half of 2017, there have been more than 11,300.

Under mounting labor pressures, its an obvious course of action. Yet H-2A is hugely underutilized by the California wine industry, which, despite generating $114 billion in economic activity every year, accounted last year for just 3 percent of the states H-2A visas.

Many grape growers consider H-2As bureaucratic hurdles insurmountable: Those include costly fees, piles of paperwork and the requirement to provide government-inspected housing to workers. Its a burden that many smaller-scale vintners insist they simply cannot bear.

But as labor grows ever scarcer, will they have a choice? For vineyard workers, the H-2A visa represents safe passage from Mexico, legal work status, a good wage and guaranteed housing. Wine Countrys resident workforce no longer wants to do vineyard work, and the flow of undocumented workers coming from Mexico is quickly drying out. For many would-be vineyard hands  and for many of their employers  H-2A may soon be the only viable option.

Without H-2A, Seghesio said, we couldnt make this kind of wine.

Erik Castro/Special To The Chronicle

Mindy Allen wont be using H-2A again. Allen runs Martinez Farming, a vineyard management company in Paso Robles (San Luis Obispo County) that employs from 300 to 820 people at any point in the year. When she applied for H-2A visas four years ago, she estimates she spent $8,000 in legal and consulting fees in applications for 18 workers from Mexico. When she finally got her crew, they were able to work for her for only one week.

We move on a daily basis from vineyard to vineyard, Allen explained  a typical setup for a vineyard management company. But the visa prohibits multiple job locations. The way the H-2A program is structured, you have to keep them in one field. Allens company feels the labor shortage as acutely as anyone, but H-2As stringent requirements arent designed for her business model.

Thats hardly H-2As only restriction. Employers must pay for and arrange all travel expenses from workers homes. They must make a good-faith effort to hire American workers for the positions, posting job advertisements in multiple states  even though many employers have never had an American worker respond to the job postings. Housing for workers must meet strict requirements and be inspected by two government agencies.

The housing is undoubtedly the highest barrier to entry, said Jeanne Malitz, a San Diego immigration attorney who handles H-2A applications for many California grape growers.

Erik Castro/Special To The Chronicle

Consider what it took for Seghesio to get Alvarez from Yotatiro to Healdsburg.

First, Rivera, Seghesios assistant vineyard manager, had to find him. Fortunately, he had met Alvarez once before, on a visit Alvarez had paid to family in Sonoma County; all it took was a phone call. But to find others, Rivera traveled to Michoacan on a recruiting mission. Job requirements: 18 or older; one months experience with wine grapes; ability to lift 50 pounds; not color blind (to differentiate white grapes from red); ability to stoop and bend. Applicants must pass a physical exam at the border, and must own or be eligible for a passport.

That first year, Rivera screened about 70 hopefuls. Forty were hired. We all wanted to come, Alvarez said. More would come if they could. (Alvarez has returned every year since, which is typical. According to Malitz, the return rate for H-2A workers is 95 percent.)

Once the visa applications had been approved  a process that can take more than half a year and cost thousands of dollars  Seghesio arranged for Alvarez and his new colleagues to travel from their villages by bus to Tijuana, where Seghesio put them up in hotels with food allowances while they interviewed at the consulate there. Once physical exams were done, visas secured and border-crossing fees paid, they began the 11-hour bus ride to Healdsburg.

Seghesios total cost per H-2A worker this year, before any wages were paid: $1,225. For some grape growers, that math is hard to swallow.

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Others, meanwhile, object to H-2A for a rather simple reason: It puts the skilled, resident workforce that is here already at a disadvantage  something they say we cant afford to do in the face of this labor crisis.

Why turn your back on people that have helped build this country in the last 15, 20 years? said Steve Ledson, owner of Sonomas Ledson Winery. Its not right. Why should temporary workers, but not year-round residents, be entitled to housing, transportation and a higher wage than many resident workers receive, especially in regions where the H-2As minimum $12.57 per hour is above the going pay rate?

Thats precisely the logic behind Sen. Dianne Feinsteins proposed blue card bill, which would allow farmworkers who have worked at least 100 days for two years in a row to earn lawful status and eventually to be eligible for permanent residency. But the measure, recently revived, looks unlikely to pass.

In the meantime, some grape growers say that hiring resident workers, some of whom may lack documentation, is not as simple as it once was.

Its not just labor we need; its legal labor, said David Hirsch, owner of Hirsch Vineyards in Cazadero in northern Sonoma County, which started using the H-2A program four years ago. Hirsch believes that California wines long-standing dependence on undocumented labor is no longer tenable, as immigration enforcement has grown stricter.

Up until 2010 or so, there was endless labor, but it was all illegal. We all knew that they were phony, but there was enough documentation to satisfy the authorities. Wider use of E-Verify, a technology that validates an individuals immigration status, among other enforcement measures, has made that previous situation nonviable, according to Hirsch.

Its nonviable for many workers, too. Martin Garnica and Jose Hernandez, two H-2A workers at Windsors Martinelli Vineyards, said that they had long wanted to work in the U.S. but were not willing to risk an illegal crossing themselves. Five years ago, they knew lots of people attempting to cross the U.S. border without documentation. Now, with fees to coyotes (people who smuggle others across the border) so high  $10,000, the going rate  and border conditions so dangerous, they know of no one attempting the journey.

They were aware, vaguely, of H-2A. I knew someone who had gone, but I didnt know how to get the visa, Garnica said. Its not well known. When, seven years ago, Martinelli foreman Lorenzo Villagomez showed up at the ranches where they were working in their native Michoacan, they were thrilled to be recruited. Theyve come back every year since.

Now among Martinellis highest-skilled workers, Garnica and Hernandez are here on a 10-month stay. Its a little complicated, Hernandez said, 10 months here, two months home. Living frugally, they send most of what they earn back to their families. During their two months at home, they dont need to work.

Garnica has two children; he hates being apart from them. Hernandez misses his girlfriend, who just finished cosmetology school. The H-2A visa permits them to go home for a vacation, which many workers take advantage of when theres a slow week in the vineyards. But the trip isnt cheap.

Still, when asked how he feels about his work, Garnica doesnt hesitate. If they keep giving me the opportunity with the visa, I will come every year, he said.

Alvarez, for his part, considers H-2A a pretty good deal. Here, I earn in a day what I would earn in a week in Mexico, he said. Plus, Its better this way than $10,000 with a coyote.

In a far cry from piecemeal resinando work, in Sonoma, Alvarez works reliable, eight-hour days. He lives with 36 other men in one of Seghesios dorms in Geyserville, driving a carpool to the vineyard every day in a company-provided truck. For the past four years, his 21-year-old son, Enrique, has come to work for Seghesio, too; theyre roommates. On their days off, father and son go visit their relatives in Santa Rosa.

Always, their family back in Yotatiro is top of mind. If I earn $1,000, I can send $600 back to my family, Alvarez said. It helps them eat.

And while were here, everyone else in Yotatiro earns  the stores, everyone, he continued. His wages, sent back home, help stimulate the local economy. Forty workers are here, but 2,000 people benefit.

Esther Mobley is The San Francisco Chronicles wine, beer and spirits writer. Email: emobley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Esther_mobley
By PTI: By Yoshita Singh

United Nations, Jul 25 (PTI) An independent UN expert has criticised the Myanmar government over the worsening security and human rights situation in the country, saying it was disappointing that military regime "tactics" like torture were still being used.

UN Special Rapporteur Yanghee Lee, after a 12-day visit to Myanmar, listed a catalogue of concerns including reports of killings, torture, the use of human shields by security forces, deaths in custody and an ongoing humanitarian crisis for the Rohingya people and other minorities.

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"I am disappointed to see the tactics applied by the previous government still being used," said Lee.

Her own movements, she added, had been severely restricted, and access to crisis-hit areas remained off-limits even to international organisations.

"We are told not to expect Myanmar to transition into a democracy overnight - that it needs time and space," she added. "But in the same way, Myanmar should not expect to have its close scrutiny removed or its special monitoring mechanisms dismantled overnight. This cannot happen until there is real and discernible progress on human rights."

Lee said the situation of the Rohingya people from Rakhine State, many of whom have been forced from their homes amid reports of grave human rights violations, had hardly improved since her last visit in January.

"I continue to receive reports of violations allegedly committed by security forces during operations," she said.

She said around 120,000 people from the area were still living in camps after fleeing their homes, and there was little prospect of a long-term solution.

She will present a full report to the UN General Assembly in October on her visit to Myanmar. PTI YAS ABH

--- ENDS ---
Some people just can't stand broccoli.

Take the hapless fellows in Aurora, Colo., who thought they were buying marijuana from a drug dealer who goes by the street name 22 Jump Street. According to authorities cited in reports by the Denver Post, CrimeOnline and other media, they paid 22 Jump Street (a.k.a. Tercell Davis) $10,000 for a package of weed on March 16, 2016.

Unbeknownst to them, however, Jump Street/Davis' partner, 26-year-old Sababu Colbert-Evans, had switched the pot with broccoli.

Based on Arapahoe County district attorney's office accounts, here's what happened next:

The buyers didn't realize they had been duped with produce until after they drove off. Naturally, they were upset, as anyone who had just paid $10,000 for a few pounds of broccoli crowns would be.

So they arranged a new meeting with Davis and Colbert-Evans under a different name, with the intent of confronting the dealers and getting either their money back or actual marijuana.

Davis and Colbert-Evans, however, saw the meeting as an opportunity to stock up on broccoli for a new switcheroo.

The pair met the angry buyers about 7:30 p.m. in the parking lot outside the food court of the Town Center of Aurora. It didn't go well.

An argument erupted over the ethics of substituting broccoli florets for cannabis buds. Demands for compensation were made and refused, which led to guns being pulled and would-be buyers fleeing for their lives.

The District Attorney's office said Colbert-Evans and Davis fired 11 shots, with one hitting one of the buyers in the torso. He recovered.

In May, a jury found Colbert-Evans, who lives in Aurora, guilty of attempted first-degree murder. He was sentenced Friday to 16 years in prison.

Davis pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder and is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 7.

"This may be the first time that broccoli has been bad for someone's health," District Attorney George Brauchler said. "And no matter the reason, anyone who is convicted of trying to murder someone in our community will go to prison."
A woman riding a Muni bus near Union Square in San Francisco on Thursday afternoon found herself surrounded by a group of women who began to harass her before beating her and fleeing with her phone, officials said.

The 30-year-old victim was on the 8-Bayshore line bus near Kearny and Market streets about two blocks from Union Square shortly before 5 p.m. when the assault and robbery occurred, according to the San Francisco Police Department.
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You may check Yelp reviews before deciding where to go to dinner, or which plumber to hire. Now you can use Yelp to decide where to have a baby.

The San Francisco-based review site is now adding clinical data on C-sections, episiotomies, and breastfeeding rates to consumer reviews of California hospitals, so women can make more informed decisions about where they deliver.

"Just like they're using that kind of information to buy a car, they should be using it to think about where they're getting their health care," says Stephanie Teleki, director of evaluation and impact at the California Health Care Foundation.

A woman's chance of having a C-section depends, in part, on where she delivers, Teleki explains. The more C-sections a hospital does, the more likely a woman delivering there will have one.

That's why the Foundation is partnering with Yelp to publish C-section rates for every hospital in the state  nearly 250 total.

Shannon Eis, vice president of communications at Yelp, says this would have been helpful information to have when she gave birth to her son in New York. It was her second baby, everything felt normal, when all of a sudden alarms started going off and she was rushed into an emergency C-section.

"I had never considered myself a C-section risk," she says. "I later found out I gave birth at a hospital that has the highest emergency C-section rate in all of New York City."

Eis says putting this data on Yelp will help women choose a hospital that is aligned with their birth plan, so they won't have to negotiate with doctors and make tough choices while they're in labor.

"All these decisions are washing over you so fast, and so if you haven't done the research to put yourself in the right environment, where whatever your decisions are can be honored without the tremendous pressure and fear  women are trying to do more planning around that," she says.

The reaction from the state's hospital industry group was low-key.

"We have always supported transparency  this effort simply takes it more directly to consumers," says Jan Emerson-Shea, from the California Hospital Association. "We'll have to see how it works."

When the data first went public on government and foundation websites a few years ago, hospitals generally responded by trying to improve care for women, Teleki says. But she's curious to see how hospitals will respond when those statistics are put right in front of consumers, through the online megaphone of Yelp.

"For hospitals that are doing well, that's a good thing," she says. "For hospitals that need to improve, I'm sure they will feel some heat and perhaps be discouraged about the release."

California is the first state where Yelp is rolling out this data. With one in eight babies born in the US born here, Eis says it's the perfect place to test the product before rolling it out to other states.

"If the state of California can do this with the biggest data set in the country, the biggest birthrate in the country, any other state can do it," she said.

This post originally appeared on KQED.com.
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A 51-year-old woman from Santa Fe, N.M, on Thursday sued Airbnb, claiming the San Francisco short-term rentals marketplace did not properly vet one of its hosts, who allegedly sexually assaulted her and held her against her will.

The woman, Leslie Lapayowker, said in the complaint filed in San Francisco Superior Court that Airbnb creates a false sense of security to its lessors and lessees.

Though the legal action appears to be the first of its kind against Airbnb  at least in the United States  it is the latest in a line of lawsuits questioning just how responsible the company must be for the conduct of its hosts and guests. The consequences are occasionally dire. In 2016, Airbnb did not admit fault after four friends fell from a second-story flat in England, leading to extensive injuries, the Guardian reported.

Lapayowkers lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages and legal fees, also names the man she said locked her inside a room in his Los Angeles studio she booked through the service in July 2016. The man pushed her into an Ikea armchair, pulled down his pants and began masturbating, she said.

The man then allegedly forced her to kiss him and, when he finally let her go, asked for a positive review on Airbnb as a parting comment, she said.

Lapayowker said the assault derailed her life, prompting her to move to Santa Fe, N.M., after she lost her high-paying mortgage job in Beverly Hills because she could not cope with what happened to her.

I dont want this happening to somebody else, you know, somebodys daughter, somebodys sister, somebodys wife, she said. Its not about me. And me, personally? I need so much therapy. Im still in such a bad place.

Nick Shapiro, Airbnbs global head of trust and risk management, said in a statement that the abhorrent behavior described has no place in our community and we will not tolerate it. We have been trying to support her in any way we can and we will continue to do so. The host has been removed from the service, he said.

In the suit, Lapayowkers San Francisco lawyer, Teresa Li, claims that the rental-sharing behemoth does not perform background checks on its lessors or lessees.

According to Li, a representative from Airbnb told her client that the company had failed to perform a background check in the case of the man accused of sexual assault.

They knowingly send the sheep into the lions den  and charge for it, Li said of Airbnb.

Shapiro said that the company hosts and guests in the United States must pass a background check as a requirement to use the service. The company requires a first and last name, as well as a date of birth when people sign up as guests or hosts.

The man, who did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment, did not face charges. In an interview, Lapayowker said she had pushed the district attorney in Los Angeles to charge the case.

In an earlier incident involving a battery allegation in Florida in 2013 for which he was arrested, the man avoided charges through a first-time offender program, Li said.

On its website, the company outlines its policies and standards around safety when it comes to hosting, prominently featuring the slogan Trust is what makes it work.

Lapayowker said that the man who sexually assaulted her had been designated as a Superhost, a benchmark for highly rated hosts. Thats why, she said, she was not concerned with booking the Los Angeles residence with the man for an entire month.

But the 30-day booking, for a total of $2,541, quickly unraveled, she said. The man allegedly starting making sexually suggestive comments to Lapayowker.

Lapayowker left only three days into her month-long stay, after the man started using drugs in the open, pounding on her windshield as she sat near the residence in her car and screaming at his underage son all the while.

Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @michael_bodley
The California Air Resources Board approved the first phase of Volkswagens plan to invest $800 million to support zero-emission vehicle use in the state over 10 years. The money stems from a settlement last year after the company admitted to having programmed millions of diesel vehicles to cheat on federal and state emissions tests.

In a unanimous vote Thursday, the board approved a $200 million investment over 30 months by the automaker. The money will be spent on projects that include a network of 400 charging stations, public education programs and a $44 million green city initiative in Sacramento aimed at demonstrating the benefits of emissions-free cars.

We are pleased that Volkswagen can now move forward with its ambitious plan to help bring electric vehicle technology to corners of California ignored in earlier efforts, air board chair Mary Nichols said in a statement after the vote.

In May, the air board instructed Electrify America, the subsidiary Volkswagen set up to manage its zero-emission-vehicle investment commitments, to revise its original investment plan to prioritize spending in poorer and more polluted areas of the state. The new plan, submitted last month, added the Fresno metropolitan area to its list of underserved regions, which otherwise included much of the Bay Area, the greater Los Angeles area, the Sacramento area and the San Diego area.

The new plan anticipates  but does not guarantee  that more than 35 percent of the areas Electrify America will invest in will be in disadvantaged or low-income communities.

I cannot promise, Mark McNabb, Electrify America CEO and former chief operating officer of Volkswagen, said at Thursdays air board meeting. He cited potential difficulties in obtaining permits that fall precisely within designated low-income areas, but reassured officials that you have my commitment and my intent to move this team to strive that we meet that 35 percent.

The focus on disadvantaged communities is part of an effort to broaden access to public charging stations. Theres no way people in these communities are going to buy electric vehicles if theres nowhere to plug them in, board member Dean Florez said in an interview before the vote.

Because low-income communities of color are most likely to live near busy roads and freeways, the health of these communities took the biggest hit from VWs emissions cheating, Joel Espino, legal counsel at the Oakland nonprofit Greenlining Institute, said in a statement.

More than 90 percent of public comments on the revised plan were in support of approving Electrify Americas revised plan, according the boards analysis.

The California air board began investigating Volkswagens use of a device to cheat federal and state emissions tests in 2014. In September 2015, the company admitted to installing the device in nearly 600,000 Volkswagen and Audi diesel cars sold in the United States  including around 85,000 in California, according to the air boards website.

The air board reported that Volkswagens software resulted in vehicle emissions that were up to 40 times higher than allowed. As part of Volkswagens multibillion-dollar settlement with U.S. regulators, it must also pay California $381 million to mitigate emissions impacts in addition to the $800 million investment in zero-emission-vehicle infrastructure.

Even as Volkswagen launches its plan in California, the fallout from the emissions scandal is far from over.

The automaker recently agreed to pay the state an additional $153.8 million, according to a consent decree filed with the U.S. District Court in San Francisco last week, bringing Volkswagens total settlement to California to $1.3 billion. As part of that, the company will pay $60 million to the air board to cover past and future costs related to the case  the remaining $93.8 million is a civil penalty that will go into the Air Pollution Control Fund.

This week, former Volkswagen executive Oliver Schmidt agreed to plead guilty in a Michigan federal court for his role in the emissions misconduct.

After two hours of public comments, the air board members discussed lingering reservations about keeping Volkswagen accountable throughout the process. I think thats a conversation that needs to continue, board member Hector de la Torre said.

Board member Judy Mitchell supported the revised plan, but said she wanted Electrify America to hire low-income Californians to build the proposed electric vehicle infrastructure  and to share with the board data showing such hires. I think we need to have some evidence, she said.

Many urged the air board to approve the plan and avoid further delays.

I want to see the program start, Brett Hauser, CEO of San Francisco electric vehicle infrastructure company Greenlots, said in an interview. While something might not be exactly perfect, dont let perfection stand in the way of the very good.

Isha Salian is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: isalian@sfchronicle.com
In a country where female travelers face myriad dangers, one Indian airline has an idea: chivalry, and no middle seats.

With its Woman Flyer service, Vistara has begun offering to help women flying solo with their bags, escort them to and from their ground transportation, and give them preferred window and aisle seats on their flights  no middles. The New Delhi airline says 75 to 100 women use the complimentary service each day. It is believed to be the first airline to offer such a service.

Sanjiv Kapoor, Vistaras chief strategy and commercial officer, said the airline began offering it after noticing women seeking help after their planes had landed. Our staff is equipped to help women traveling alone with the booking of airport-authorized taxis, as well as escort them to the airport taxi stand upon their request, Kapoor said via email. This service is a sincere effort to ensure peace of mind of our women customers.

India is forecast to become the worlds sixth-largest business travel market by 2019, according to the Global Business Travel Association, but it has gained an international reputation for being unsafe for women  particularly since the brutal 2012 gang rape, torture and murder of a medical student attacked on a public bus in New Delhi.

In its notices to Americans about traveling to India, the U.S. State Department is blunt on the danger of sexual assault: U.S. citizens, particularly women, are cautioned not to travel alone in India. Australia and the United Kingdom offer similar, slightly more circumscribed warnings for women to avoid traveling alone on Indian public transit. In sexual assault cases in India, successful prosecutions are rare, Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises. Street harassment, controversially known as Eve teasing, is common.

The problems for Indias tourism flow directly from cultural issues around gender inequality in Indian society, said Marta Turnbull, editor of the International Womens Travel Center, a resource site that compiles a list of the 10 most dangerous countries for women travelers using a variety of government travel warnings, U.N. data and other sources. India is fifth on that list, which also includes Brazil, Mexico, Russia and Saudi Arabia.

We did find there is a correlation between what happens to local women and women travelers, said Turnbull, who lives in Boulder, Colo. There are a lot of activists who are taking it on as an issue. Were optimistic that things will get better, but it will take a while  a long time.

In efforts to combat sexual assault and harassment on public transit, officials from Calcutta to Mexico City to Leipzig, Germany, have tried offering separate train cars and buses for women and children. Mexico City, where surveys have found that as many as 90 percent of women riders dont feel safe, went so far as to install a seat on the subway molded with a male torso, and penis, to call attention to the problem.

While women-only transportation zones have shown some success and proved popular among some passengers, theyve also been criticized for implying that women must be segregated in order not to be harassed. A study Middlesex University researchers conducted in 2015 for the United Kingdoms Department of Transport when it was exploring such ideas found they would mark a retrograde step in countries like Britain where gender equality was the norm. Although women-only transport may be an effective means of reducing unwanted sexual behavior on public transport in some countries, they are essentially short-term fixes and reinforce a message that women must be contained and segregated in order to protect them, it found.

Vistara, meanwhile, hopes to extend its new service for women to international flights once it expands outside of India. In May, Bloomberg News reported that the airline, which flies an all-Airbus A320 domestic fleet, was seeking to recruit pilots trained on Boeing Co. aircraft  a signal the carrier is considering leasing or buying Boeing jets for longer-haul routes outside the country. (Indian conglomerate Tata Sons owns 51 percent of Vistara, which began flying in January 2015; Singapore Airlines controls the rest.)

Two rival airlines, IndiGo and Jet Airways India, did not reply to messages seeking comment about Vistaras new service for women, which began in March.

Justin Bachman is a Bloomberg writer. Email: jbachman2@bloomberg.net
Twitter failed to attract more monthly users in the second quarter, spooking investors looking for evidence that the company is on a sustainable long-term growth path. The shares tumbled the most in nine months, even as quarterly revenue topped analysts projections.

A long-term turnaround depends on Twitter expanding its audience. That number stands at 328 million monthly active users  the same as in the prior quarter, the San Francisco company said Thursday. Revenue fell 4.7 percent and the net loss also widened, affected by a $55 million write-down of the value of its investment in SoundCloud, the German music streaming service.

Twitter is still working to prove that it can build a sustainable, growing business. After hitting a plateau with users and struggling with a slowdown in sales, the company started narrowing its focus, shuttering businesses and teams that didnt fit its goal of being a destination for live-event content. With a goal of profitability, Twitter began investing heavily in video, aiming to draw a more mainstream set of users and premium advertising deals. The network now has a promising set of partnerships in its pipeline, but some investors are skeptical that Twitter will ever be much bigger than it is today.

Its a niche platform, said Brian Wieser, an analyst at Pivotal Research. It always was and always will be.

Though its monthly audience failed to grow, Twitter said theres room for optimism because 12 percent more users are visiting the site on a daily basis than in the same quarter last year. The company declined to disclose a daily active user number or provide further details. But Twitter also said that it doesnt expect its overall sales growth to improve in the second half, citing headwinds related to products its de-emphasizing.

Shares fell 14 percent Thursday, the biggest drop since October, closing at $16.84. They were up 6.3 percent in the 12 months through Wednesday.

Twitter reported a net loss of $116.5 million, or 16 cents a share. Revenue dropped to $573.9 million, though that beat analysts average estimate of $537.2 million as the company drew more money from video advertising and its business selling data to third parties.

In the third quarter, Twitter said it expects adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization of $130 million to $150 million. The average analyst estimate was $144.1 million.

Twitters business troubles contrast with its increased profile in the political world, as President Trump frequently uses it to reach the public in an unfiltered manner. Despite his daily fusillade of tweets, Trump hasnt helped Twitters growth in its home country.

Monthly active users in the U.S., Twitters most important advertising market, declined to 68 million from 70 million. U.S. advertising revenue also fell 7 percent to $335 million as it struggles to compete with Google and Facebook, which account for most of the growth in digital advertising.

Chief Financial Officer Anthony Noto said Twitter doesnt know why U.S. monthly active users slipped.

We dont have data that will explain a causal impact of that shift, he said on a conference call.

Sarah Frier is a Bloomberg writer. Email: sfrier1@bloomberg.net
More than 800,000 people who took out car loans from Wells Fargo were charged for auto insurance they did not need, and some of them are still paying for it, according to an internal report prepared for the banks executives.

The expense of the unneeded insurance, which covered collision damage, pushed roughly 274,000 customers into delinquency and resulted in almost 25,000 wrongful repossessions, according to the 60-page report, which was obtained by the New York Times. Among the Wells Fargo customers hurt by the practice were service members on active duty.

Wells Fargo, one of the largest banks in the United States, is struggling to repair its image after a scandal in which its employees created millions of credit card and bank accounts that customers had never requested. That crisis, which came to a head last year, toppled Wells Fargos CEO and led to millions of dollars in fines.

The San Francisco bank also stands accused of having made improper adjustments to the terms of the home loans of customers who were in bankruptcy, which Wells Fargo denies.

Asked about the findings on auto insurance, Wells Fargo officials confirmed that the improper insurance practices took place and said that the bank was determined to make customers whole.

We have a huge responsibility and fell short of our ideals for managing and providing oversight of the third-party vendor and our own operations, Franklin Codel, the head of consumer lending at Wells Fargo, said in an interview. We self-identified this issue, and we made the right business decisions to end the placement of the product.

The report, prepared by consulting firm Oliver Wyman, looked at policies sold to Wells customers from January 2012 through July 2016. The insurance, which the bank required, was more expensive than auto insurance that customers often already had obtained on their own.

National General Insurance underwrote the policies for Wells Fargo, which began to require the insurance on auto loans as early as 2006. The practice continued until the end of September.

Christine Worley, a spokeswoman for National General, declined to comment.

For borrowers, delinquencies arose quickly because of the way the bank charged for the insurance. Say, for example, that a customer agreed to a monthly payment of $275 in principal and interest on her car loan and arranged for the amount to be deducted from her bank account automatically. If she were not advised about the insurance and it increased her monthly payment to, say, $325, her account could become overdrawn as soon as Wells Fargo added the coverage.

The report tried to determine how many Wells Fargo customers were hurt and how much they should be compensated. It estimated that the bank owes $73 million to wronged customers.

State insurance regulations required Wells Fargo to notify customers of the insurance before it was imposed. But the bank did not always do so, the report said. And almost 100,000 of the policies violated the disclosure requirements of five states: Arkansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Tennessee and Washington.

Wells Fargo took issue with some of the figures in its own report. In a statement, Jennifer Temple, a bank spokeswoman, said the bank determined that only 570,000 of its customers may qualify for a refund and that just 60,000 customers in the five states had not received complete disclosures before the insurance placement. Finally, she said, the bank estimated the insurance may have contributed to 20,000 wrongful repossessions, not 25,000.

We take full responsibility for these errors and are deeply sorry for any harm we caused customers, Temple added.

Requiring borrowers to be insured is common for mortgages, where banks expect customers to carry enough homeowners insurance to protect the property backing their loans. Pressing such insurance on auto borrowers, however, is not as common: Representatives of Bank of America, Citibank and JPMorgan Chase said they did not offer the policies, although some smaller banks do.

In the Wells Fargo arrangement, National General receives all of the commissions on the insurance it sold to the banks borrowers. But for a time the bank shared in that revenue. Wells stopped sharing in the commissions in February 2013, according to the report.

Borrowers sustained financial damages beyond the costs of the insurance, the report said. The harm also included repossession costs, late fees, charges for insufficient funds and damage to credit reports.

In recent years, people have complained to federal regulators about lender-placed insurance on auto loans, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus database shows. Many complaints identified Wells Fargo. In one example, an unidentified Wells Fargo customer reported providing proof to the bank on three occasions that the car was already insured and that the new insurance was unnecessary, only to continue receiving calls from bank employees demanding payment of insurance charges.

Wells Fargo automatically imposed the insurance through its Dealer Services unit. Its website says it has more than 4 million customers and provides a variety of banking services to 14,000 auto dealers around the nation. It says the companys lender-placed auto insurance may be considerably more expensive than insurance you can obtain on your own.

Such policies typically cost more than $1,000 a year, not counting interest. (Customers could pay them in full or finance them over time.) If a car was repossessed, the bank might charge a reinstatement fee of as much as $500, so a borrower could face $1,500 in charges.

Here is how the process worked: When customers financed cars with Wells Fargo, the buyers information would go to National General, which was supposed to check a database to see if the owner had insurance. If not, the insurer would automatically impose coverage on the customers accounts, adding an extra layer of premiums and interest to their loans.

When customers who checked their bills saw the charges and notified Wells Fargo that they already had car insurance, the bank was supposed to cancel the insurance and credit the borrower with the amount that had been charged.

The Oliver Wyman report indicated that many customers appear not to have notified Wells Fargo of the redundant insurance. This may have been because their payments were deducted automatically and they did not spot the charges.

Gretchen Morgenson is a New York Times writer.
By PTI: By Yoshita Singh

United Nations, Jul 28 (PTI) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the government in the Maldives to lift a blockade of parliament and refrain from all acts that result in the harassment and intimidation of lawmakers, civil society and the media.

The UN chiefs remarks came amid the ongoing political turmoil in the Maldives where soldiers have barred the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) from entering the parliament complex.

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Lawmakers who tried to enter the compound were hit with pepper spray and forcibly evicted.

Guterres voiced concern over "gradual erosion of basic democratic norms and principles" in the country and has urged a dialogue.

He called on the government in Maldives "to uphold the constitutionally guaranteed rights of speech and assembly".

According to astatementissued by a UN spokesman, the Secretary-General urged the government to refrain from all acts that result in the harassment and intimidation of Members of Parliament, political parties, civil society and the media.

The UN Chief "encourages effective dialogue and consultations on political issues", the statement said.

India has reacted cautiously to the developments in its neighbouring country, saying it wishes to see a stable and peaceful Maldives in which aspirations of the people are fulfilled.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay also said India remained committed to provide unstinted support for stability, development and democracy in Maldives.

"Maldives is very important neighbour of ours. It is part of SAARC...We attach the highest importance to our relations with Maldives..India wishes to see a stable, prosperous and peaceful Maldives in which aspirations of people of Maldives are fulfilled,? Baglay said in New Delhi. PTI YAS MRJ

--- ENDS ---
Four suspects, including two juveniles, were arrested on suspicion of burglarizing more than 50 cars and stealing one over several hours in Brentwood and Livermore, officials said.

Brian Randolph, 20, of Oakland and John Robertson, 20, of Manteca were arrested Wednesday in Tracy after officers there found them in a vehicle stolen from a hotel in Brentwood, police said.
Kiss frontman Gene Simmons is bringing "a party" to Vacaville by way of opening a new location of his casual dining chain, Rock & Brews.

The restaurant, which sounds like a rowdier version of the Hard Rock Cafe, is a monument to classic and legendary musicians, as Simmons says, including "Springsteen and Jimi Hendrix and yes, even Kiss."
As evidenced last year with the opening of the first U.S. outpost of Mensho Ramen, Bay Area ramen devotees are not afraid to stand in long lines for noodles.

With the grand opening of Ippudo Ramen -- yet another Japanese ramen chain with a huge following that spans the globe -- there's a new queue to stand in.

The ramen chain, which got its start in 1985 in Fukuoka, Japan, has locations around the globe, including two shops in New York. The Berkeley store marks its first West Coast location (look for a San Francisco outpost to open by the end of this year).

Oakland resident Timothy Dorran was the first in line for Friday's opening. Having visited Ippudo outposts in Singapore, Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan, he wanted to see how the noodles at the Berkeley shop would compare. He arrived at 7 a.m. His reasoning for standing in line for four hours: "People do it for barbecue in Austin."

Other folks, like Berkeley's Joey Shoji, arrived around 10:15 a.m., a slightly more reasonable time. At that point there were about 40 people ahead of him in line. Like Dorran, Shoji has also visited other Ippudo locations on his travels and is a fan. "I'm a carb boy," he joked.

Chatting with Shoji while waiting for the doors to open was Carol Karalekas, who was also waiting for her husband to find parking. The opening proved to be lucky timing for the couple, who were in Berkeley to visit their son, as it's one of their son's favorite restaurants.

"I'm hoping they open one in Naples," said Karalekas, who lives in the Florida town.

Who knows if a Florida shop is in the cards, but the chain, which is partially under the corporate umbrella of Panda Restaurant Group (Panda Express), is in rapid-expansion mode.

According to Ippudo spokesperson Tomohiko Hara, the company expects to have 300 outlets outside of Japan by 2030.

If Berkeley's location is any indication, you can expect to wait in line at all of them.

(Visit Inside Scoop's Facebook page for videos of Ippudo's grand opening.)

--Sarah Fritsche, sfritsche@sfchronicle.com

Important to keep in mind if you visit Ippudo Ramen:

The specialty here is Shiromaru Classic Ramen ($14) -- made with a light and not too salty tonkotsu broth, pork loin chashu, sesame kikurage mushrooms, menma, red pickled ginger, and scallions -- but there are plenty of other versions to try. All the noodles are made on-site and customers can choose what kind of texture they want, ranging from soft (yawa) to very firm (bari kata).

In addition to ramen, there are other bites like steamed buns, available with pork belly, chicken or vegetable ($8-$9 for two buns) and unagi rice ($6). Check out the full menu here.

No reservations are taken. The restaurant also has a no take-out or take-away policy for leftovers, so be sure to come hungry and finish your food.

There will almost definitely be a wait, so arrive early. For now, hours are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; until midnight Friday-Saturday; until 10 p.m. Sunday.

Ippudo Ramen, 2011 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 666-8807. http://ippudo-us.com/store/
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WASHINGTON  At 80, Sen. John McCain has seen plenty. So when Vice President Mike Pence approached his Senate desk after midnight, trying to save the Republican health care bill from defeat, McCain found himself again at the center of what mattered.

For 20 minutes they engaged. The Senate was supposed to be voting by now, but the bills passage, as Thursday turned to Friday, was suddenly at risk. McCains vote had been unknown, but now it was in doubt. The chamber came to a standstill.

Then, with Pence momentarily stepping away, McCain abruptly walked across the Senate floor to the Democratic side of the aisle, stunning everyone in the packed chamber. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and more than a dozen Democratic senators quickly gathered around.

What McCain told them privately seems obvious now. He would vote against the bill. Except for a hug from Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, the Democrats did not tip their hand.

Only when the roll call began did it become clear. McCain stepped up to cast his vote  a single down-turned finger  dooming the health care bill. Audible gasps filled the galleries, crowded with onlookers.

McCains vote  along with no votes from Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska  did more than shelve the long campaign to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

It cracked open a new divide in the Senate, which seems to be split not so much between Republicans and Democrats, but by those senators who want to work together and those stuck in hardened partisan tribes.

I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to trust each other, stop the political gamesmanship, and put the health care needs of the American people first, McCain said Friday. We can do this.

Schumer took an even longer view: I hope what John McCain did would be regarded in history as a turning point, where the Senate turned back from its partisanship and started working together.

Earlier in the week, McCain had dramatically salvaged the stalled GOP bill by voting to begin debate, only to go on to deliver a blistering speech against his own party leaders partisan, closed-door process in crafting it.

After the vote, the chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., huddled with his Democratic counterpart, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, talking about the panels next steps, senators said.

Now the hard work begins, said Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., who lingered afterward to talk with several Republican colleagues.

McCain, facing cancer treatment, starts radiation and chemotherapy back in Arizona on Monday.

Lisa Mascaro is a Tribune Co. writer.
1 Transgender service members: The militarys policy permitting transgender individuals to serve remains in place, the countrys highest military officer said Thursday, clarifying some of the confusion surrounding President Trumps tweeted announcement that transgender people will no longer be accepted or allowed in the military. In a letter to the military service chiefs, Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the policy on who is allowed to serve will not change until the White House sends the Defense Department a rules change and the secretary of defense issues new guidelines.

2 Drought worsens: Drought conditions are getting worse in several states, and extreme heat and weeks with little rain have begun to stress corn, soybeans, wheat and livestock in some areas. The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor released Thursday by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln says nearly 11 percent of the continental United States is in moderate drought or worse. The most severe drought area is centered on portions of Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Russia's response, announced by the Foreign Ministry, came a day after the US Senate voted to slap new sanctions on Russia.

By Reuters: Russia told the United States on Friday that some of its diplomats had to leave the country in just over a month and said it was seizing some US diplomatic property as retaliation for what it said were proposed illegal US sanctions.

Russia's response, announced by the Foreign Ministry, came a day after the US Senate voted to slap new sanctions on Russia, putting President Donald Trump in a tough position by forcing him to take a hard line on Moscow or veto the legislation and anger his own Republican Party.

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President Vladimir Putin had warned on Thursday that Russia had so far exercised restraint, but would have to retaliate against what he described as boorish and unreasonable US behaviour.

Relations between the two countries, already at a post-Cold War low, have deteriorated even further after US intelligence agencies accused Russia of trying to meddle in last year's US presidential election, something Moscow flatly denies.

TIT FOR TAT

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday that the United States had until September 1 to reduce its diplomatic staff in Russia to 455 people, the same number of Russian diplomats it said were left in the United States after Washington expelled 35 Russians in December.

It said in a statement that the decision by Congress to impose new sanctions confirmed "the extreme aggression of the United States in international affairs."

"Hiding behind its 'exceptionalism' the United States arrogantly ignores the positions and interests of other countries," said the ministry.

"Under the absolutely invented pretext of Russian interference in their domestic affairs the United States is aggressively pushing forward, one after another, crude anti-Russian actions. This all runs counter to the principles of international law."

It was not immediately clear how many US diplomats and other workers would be forced to leave the country.

An official at the US embassy in Moscow, who declined to be named because they were not allowed to speak to the media, said there were around 1,100 US diplomatic staff in Russia. That included Russian citizens and US citizens.

MOSCOW DACHA COMPOUND TO BE SEIZED

Most staff, including around 300 US citizens, work in the main embassy in Moscow with others based in outlying consulates.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said it was also seizing a Moscow dacha compound used by US diplomats to relax from August 1 as well as a US diplomatic warehouse in Moscow.

The outgoing Obama administration seized two Russian diplomatic compounds - one in New York and another in Maryland - at the same time as it expelled the Russian diplomats in December.

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The Russian Foreign Ministry warned it would respond in kind if Washington decided to expel any Russian diplomats.

Also Read:

US Senate passes sanctions bill against Russia, Iran and North Korea

Russia, mulling expulsions, says too many US spies work in Moscow

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A dreamy summer vacation turned into a messy, sweaty nightmare for about 10,000 tourists on the Outer Banks when the power went off and air conditioners stopped humming. Officials ordered visitors to leave Friday, fearing the blackout could last days or even weeks.

People and cars lined up to get on ferries, the only way off Ocracoke Island. Gas stations ran perilously low on fuel and ice. Workers at a cafe improvised by using flashlights to make sausage biscuits on a gas stove as people searched for anything cold to eat or drink in the thick, humid air.

Theres a lot of hot, sweaty people here, said Erica Plouffe Lazure of New Hampshire.

Two restaurants on Ocracoke were using generators to stay open, but the motel Lazure booked for her vacation closed when its generator exploded minutes after it was started.

This is a beautiful island and I waited two years to come back here because its one of my favorite places in the world, she said. Im a little bummed that the power has gotten in the way, but, till next time.

Ocracoke and Hatteras islands went dark Thursday when a construction company building a new bridge between the Outer Banks and the mainland drove a steel casing into an underground transmission line. The company, PCL Construction, was digging at the site Friday to determine the extent of the damage. Officials said it could be days or weeks before its fixed.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency as generators were sent to the islands.

The islands, which have about 5,000 permanent residents, rely heavily on the summer tourist season for their local economies and business owners worried about how long they would be shuttered.

Ann Warner, the owner of Howards Pub on Ocracoke Island, said she has generator power, but business had dropped as tourists streamed off the island. Her restaurant would usually be packed for Friday lunch.

She and other business owners were upset at losing business at the peak of tourism season because of human error, as opposed to tropical weather like a hurricane. This is a man-made disaster, and yes people are very upset, she said.

At a deli-cafe located in the back of the Island Convenience store on Hatteras Island, Aaron Howe held a flashlight in his mouth as he made sausage biscuits on a gas stove.

Its the only location in town where you can get a bite, Howe told the Virginian-Pilot. It might take a while but well get it done.

But its cash only with the registers down. Ice cream was selling for half price at the Slushy Stand as people tried to keep cool.

Believe me, it was a little toasty last night, Andrea Wayda, of New Jersey, told the newspaper Friday before she and Patrick Jobe left on a ferry.

Once off the island, tourists may face a slow, crowded ride as they maneuver N.C. Highway 12. The two-lane road is the only north-south roadway along the Outer Banks.

The power went out about 4:30 a.m. Thursday. Officials said about 9,000 customers were without power on the two islands about 7,700 on Hatteras and another 1,300 on Ocracoke.

Rob Temple is a boat captain on Ocracoke Island. You have to be prepared for this, he said.

Tom Foreman Jr. is an Associated Press writer.
WASHINGTON  The internal rivalries of the White House spilled out into stark public view Thursday as President Trumps new communications director publicly attacked the chief of staff, calling him a paranoid schizophrenic leaker and pledging to get him fired.

Anthony Scaramucci, who was installed as White House communications director last week over the objections of the chief of staff, Reince Priebus, called into CNN in the morning to say that the two men were at odds and to dare Priebus to deny being a leaker. By the evening, the New Yorker had posted an interview quoting Scaramucci using vulgar language to describe Priebus.

Reince Priebus  if you want to leak something  hell be asked to resign very shortly, Scaramucci told the New Yorkers Ryan Lizza in an angry, vulgarity-laced telephone call Wednesday night. Scaramucci suggested that he believed that Priebus was leaking information to damage him. Reince is a f paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac, he said.

In the same telephone call, Scaramucci disparaged Steve Bannon, the presidents chief strategist, who also warned against hiring him as communications director. Im not Steve Bannon. Im not trying to suck my own c, he said. Im not trying to build my own brand off the f strength of the president. Im here to serve the country.

Scaramucci later released a statement but did not apologize. I sometimes use colorful language, he said on Twitter. I will refrain in this arena but not give up the passionate fight for @RealDonaldTrumps agenda.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the new White House press secretary, said she had nothing to add to the statement. Priebus and Bannon had no immediate comment.

The phone call underscored the depth of divisions within the West Wing, which have only widened with Scaramuccis arrival. Not only did Priebus and Bannon oppose his appointment, but Sean Spicer resigned as press secretary in protest.

Scaramucci was angry about what he saw as leaks targeting him. Lizza had posted a message Wednesday night on Twitter reporting that Trump and Scaramucci were having dinner at the White House with Sean Hannity, the Fox News host and a strong supporter of the president, and Bill Shine, a former Fox executive. Scaramucci called Lizza unsolicited to demand that he identify his source.

When Lizza would not, Scaramucci said, OK, Im going to fire every one of them, and then you havent protected anybody, so the entire place will be fired over the next two weeks.

Scaramucci was also mad about a story on Politico reporting his financial disclosure form. In a Twitter post Wednesday, Scaramucci called the release a leak and a felony and that he would be contacting the FBI and Justice Department to seek an investigation. He then included Priebus Twitter handle, which several officials in the White House interpreted as meaning that he suspected the chief of staff.

On Thursday morning, he telephoned into CNN and compared his relationship with Priebus to that of Cain and Abel, the biblical sons of Adam and Eve whose conflict led to Cains killing Abel. He challenged Priebus to deny being a leaker.

Peter Baker is a New York Times writer.
SAN DIEGO  The first meeting of the U.S.-Mexico Border Mayors Association since Donald Trump became president of the United States began Thursday as the stakes of debate in Washington could hardly be higher for the region of 12 million people stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.

Trump is moving ahead with plans to build a big, beautiful wall separating the two countries and add 5,000 Border Patrol agents, despite uncertainty about how much Congress will agree to pay. The U.S., Mexico and Canada are preparing to overhaul the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, one of Trumps favorite punching bags.

As with other border gatherings of mayors and governors, one challenge was getting enough elected officials to attend. This years hosts, Mayor Kevin Faulconer of San Diego and Juan Manuel Gastelum of Tijuana, Mexico, ensured that two of the regions largest cities were represented. Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas, came, as did McAllen, Texas.

El Paso Mayor Dee Margo wont attend because he will be in the state capital for meetings with the governor and legislators, said spokeswoman Olivia Zepeda. Pete Saenz, mayor of Laredo, Texas, needed to tend to city affairs after two weeks of business travel, said spokeswoman Blasita Lopez. Absent mayors from Mexico included the leaders of Mexicali, Nogales and Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros.

Border mayors generally advocate for robust trade between the two countries and expanded international crossings to ease the flow of goods and people. They have given a cold shoulder to Trumps wall.

Panels at the two-day gathering  the groups fifth since 2011  will cover Nafta, infrastructure, the state of U.S.-Mexico relations, public health and urban development. The mayors will work on a joint resolution on bilateral trade.

Border mayors and governors have struggled over the years to create and sustain forums in which they can get to know each other and work together on a common agenda, said Christopher Wilson, deputy director of the Wilson Centers Mexico Institute in Washington.

The groups rotating venues may prove more challenging for small-city hosts who have more limited budgets and resources.

Right now the border mayors association is a great idea with enough energy to get a meeting off the ground but without a structure, Wilson said. They need some glue to the organization.

The Border Governors Conference, which dates back to the 1980s, has been moribund for several years. In 2010, then-Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer canceled a Phoenix event after Mexicos border governors boycotted because she signed a tough law against illegal immigration.

Elliot Spagat is an Associated Press writer.
Larry Pressler says the US should do so to force China to back down from its "antagonistic stance" in the Asia-Pacific region.

By Press Trust of India: A former Republican senator has suggested that the US strengthen the Indian Navy by outfitting it with nuclear weapons to send a "devastating" message to China and force it to back down from its "antagonistic stance" in the Asia-Pacific region.

Larry Pressler, who represented South Dakota in the Senate from 1979-96, recommended building the Indian Navy's nuclear capability in his new book: 'Neighbours in Arms: An American Senator's Quest for Disarmament in a Nuclear Subcontinent'.

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Pressler served two tours of combat duty in Vietnam and was the first Vietnam veteran elected to the Senate. In the book, he writes the Chinese navy are posturing aggressively against the US navy in the Philippines and the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea near Vietnam.

The archipelago lies in the middle of important air and sea navigation routes. And China's been locked in territorial disputes in the region with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. Pressler says free access to the strategic South China Sea lanes is critical for international trade and travel.

"In addition, there are oil and gas reserves there. We really do not want a naval war with China. It would be costly to defend a place like the Spratly Islands," he writes. "But we can send China a devastating message by strengthening the Indian Navy. An Indian Navy that has the capability of delivering nuclear weapons would cause China great concern. In fact, if we actually outfitted the Indian Navy with nuclear weapons, China might back down from its antagonistic stance in the region," Pressler says in the book.

'INTENSE SOFT POWER RELATIONSHIP'

Of late the US has been helping India build its navy, but in addition to that, Pressler advocates, America should also develop an "intense soft power" relationship with India.

"That is to say, we should work on promoting more non-military relationships like those fostered by the Millennium Challenge Corporation, an independent and somewhat entrepreneurial US government agency, that invests in developing countries around the world fighting poverty."

The book runs into more than 250 pages. It hit the stores this week. According to Pressler, he learnt in recent discussions with senior US Navy officials that the US was on the verge of a massive effort to help build the Indian Navy's capability.

"The Indian Navy's ship inventory is being significantly modernised. Most notable was the secret commissioning in August 2016 of its first nuclear ballistic missile submarine, the INS Arihant, and the January 2017 test of a long-range nuclear capable submarine-launched ballistic missile from an underwater pontoon," he writes.

Pressler says US defence officials view China as their biggest potential threat in the world today.

"At least one of the historical motivations for continuing aid to Pakistan was to prevent it from becoming a client state of China."

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"The Obama administration quietly started executing its 'Pacific Pivot' strategy, which has been turning our diplomats' and our navy's focus to Asia, and more specifically, to China," Pressler writes in the book.

ALSO READ

Indian Navy wants its only fighter aircraft to toughen up

INS Ranvir in Bangladesh for goodwill visit

ALSO WATCH

India, US, Japan join hands for Malabar 2017 navy exercise: Checkmate China?

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Police in Riverside County arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of bank robbery and found more than they had hoped for while searching his home.

According to a press release from the Corona Police Department, police found and removed 35 dogs (including seven small puppies) from the man's house while searching the premises for evidence related to the bank robbery.

The suspect, Robert Bustamante Flores, told investigators that he lived in his garage while about 26 dogs inhabited the main area of his home.

Four animal control officers helped police safely remove the dogs from the man's home.

"Over all the years of my career, this is by far the worst call I have ever been to," Animal Control Officer Bill Sellers said. "I have never witnessed this level of blatant neglect."

According to the press release, the furniture in the house was "destroyed down to frames," and "animal waste covered the floor in the home and in some areas, it had decomposed to the consistency of mulch."

Additionally, police found that many of the dogs in the house were "emaciated" and "showed symptoms of disease." One dog even had to be put down after officials discovered it had "several open wounds" and an "extreme medial condition."

The dogs were transported to the Corona Animal Shelter, where they will not be up for adoption until after August 12.

Flores was booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center on robbery charges, and charges related to animal cruelty are currently pending.

Police did find "items associated with the bank robbery" at the man's house as well.
By PTI: By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Jul 28 (PTI) The US today imposed new sanctions on six Iran-based entities, targeting the countrys ballistic missile programme, a day after Tehran launched a satellite-carrying rocket into space.

The sanctions have been slapped against Shahid Karimi Industries, Shahid Rastegar Industries, Shahid Cheraghi Industries, Shahid Varamini Industries, Shahid Kalhor Industries and Amir Al MoMenin Industries -- the subordinates of Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG), an entity which the US says is central to Irans ballistic missile programme.

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Such a move by the Department of Treasury comes a day after Iran carried out launch of the Simorgh space launch vehicle. The test, however, was not successful.

Treasury said space launch vehicles use technologies that are closely related to those of an intercontinental ballistic missile and this launch represents a threatening step by Iran.

"The US government will continue to aggressively counter Irans ballistic missile-related activity, whether it be a provocative space launch, its development of threatening ballistic missile systems, or likely support to Yemeni Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia such as occurred this past weekend.

"These sanctions target key entities involved in Irans ballistic missile program, and underscore the US deep concerns with Irans continued development and testing of ballistic missiles and other provocative behaviour," said Treasury Secretary Steven T Mnuchin.

As a result of this action, all property and interests in property of those designated today subject to US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.

In addition, foreign financial institutions that facilitate significant transactions for, or persons that provide material or certain other support to, the entities designated today risk exposure to sanctions that could sever their access to the US financial system or block their property and interests in property under the US jurisdiction. PTI LKJ CPS

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Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle / /

San Franciscos main library was evacuated on Thursday afternoon when a person jumped from an upper-story balcony into the atrium lobby below, police said.

The person jumped around 3:45 p.m. from a balcony near the Grove Street entrance of the library, prompting the evacuation, San Francisco police officials said.
By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Waris Pathan and Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi's refusal to sing national song today rocked both the houses of the Maharashtra legislature.

Pathan and BJP MLA Raj Purohit got into heated argument outside Maharashtra Assembly today over Vande Mataram.

Both the leaders came face to face near the media stands and raised slogans against each other. While Purohit demanded that everyone in the country must sing Vande Mataram, Pathan insisted that he will not sing it.

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The BJP leader, who was peeved with Pathan's statement, later demanded that he should be banned. In response to Purohit's demand, Pathan sat down in protest. The sparring leaders were dispersed by the security at Vidhan Bhawan.

"I will say jai hind, but I will not say Vande Mataram. Nowhere in the Constitution it is mentioned that saying Vande Mataram is mandatory. No one can force such ideas on us. Our religion does not permit. We respect the country but will not sing it," said Pathan demanding an apology from Purohit.

In his response, Purohit said that Pathan was unnecessarily giving the incident a communal undertone. "Vande Mataram has been inspiring many since pre-independence days. Several Muslim freedom fighters too have said it. Why should Pathan have a problem saying it now? Bharat mai rehna hoga toh Vande Mataram kehna hoga (If you wish to stay in India, you must say Vande Mataram)," said Purohit.

Another BJP MLA Anil Gote from Dhule too raised the issue in the Assembly. However, Azmi objected to Gote's remarks calling him anti-national. Another leader Eknath Khadse too reiterated that those staying in India will have to sing Vande Mataram.

Meanwhile, Purohit has written a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding to make Vande Mataram mandatory in the state following the Madras High Court verdict.

Also Read

Controversy over Vande Mataram in Maharashtra yet again

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The Republican attempt to introduce a so-called "skinny repeal" of the Affordable Care Act was rejected 51-49 when three Republicans  Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska  joined a unified Democratic caucus in opposition.

McCain cast the decisive "no" in the wee hours of the morning with the vote ending at 1:40 a.m.

The early hour didn't stop Twitter from responding with mixed reactions of horror and glee.

Many celebrities, politicians and pundits took to social media to share their take (see Twitter reactions above).

Many hailed McCain for crossing party lines.

"A maverick, indeed," Hollywood actress Kristen Bell tweeted.

"Thank you, @SenJohnMcCain for once again, putting your country before your party," comedian Chelsea Handler wrote.

Collins and Murkowski were also heralded and some stated that they hoped "the man" (meaning McCain) wouldn't get all the credit. They pointed out it was two female Republican lawmakers who initially opposed the repeal.

"Please say we're not going to make John McCain 'the hero' here when he was last to join what two women had already started," tweeted AL Katz.

Politicians also had things to say, some in favor of the vote, others against it.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., wrote, "The nightmare is over, at least for now."

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee tweeted, "Why elect Republicans who vote with Dems to keep failed Obamacare? U don't have to love @realDonaldTrump but why punish American people?"

President Donald Trump expressed his disappointment over the vote on Twitter early Friday morning.

"3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!" Trump tweeted.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

A push to take action against a Bayview District landlord who illegally subdivided a dozen homes has been delayed while officials work out ways to avoid displacing the low-income tenants living there, many of them disabled.

The Planning Commission was scheduled to hold a hearing today on plans to demolish a total of 15 units across 12 properties owned by Judy Wu, but postponed the items to Oct. 5 at the request of Supervisor Malia Cohen and the Mayor's Office of Housing.

Planning officials said the city is working to find solutions for the tenants faced with possible displacement by the demolitions. They are primarily low-income residents, many of them formerly homeless, using San Francisco Housing Authority vouchers and veterans supportive housing programs to pay their rent.

The City Attorney's Office filed a lawsuit against Wu and her husband Trent Zhu in August of 2016, alleging that they had converted 15 dwelling units on 12 properties into 49 units without proper permits.

That case is ongoing, with a trial currently set for Feb. 5, 2018.

However the city's efforts to force Wu to get rid of the illegal units have drawn the ire of housing advocates, who argue that the city should find a way to allow the tenants to stay in their homes.

"They have done nothing wrong, no matter what Judy Wu has allegedly done, and they do not deserve to lose their homes," Tommi Avicolli Mecca with the Housing Rights Committee, said.

Mecca said city officials have discussed possibly sending the tenants to single-room occupancy hotels, which he described as a step down from the units they have now.

"They are terrified of becoming homeless again," Mecca said of the tenants. "The city cannot allow these tenants to become displaced from their homes."

Several of the tenants who addressed the planning commission said that Wu was a responsive landlord and that they were happy with their accommodations, regardless of their legal status.

Kirby Lewis, a veteran who has lived in a unit on Newcomb Street for nearly 7 years, said the men in the building take care of each other. He said the commission should fine Wu if she had broken the law but should not displace the tenants.

"I was homeless before Judy Wu housed me, living on the streets and shelters," he said. "I have a good place to be. Judy has done nothing but help."

John Brown, Jr., a disabled veteran who has lived in another one of Wu's properties on Newcomb Street for around three years, said he had a "nice unit" on the ground floor.

"You got hundreds of thousands of veterans living on the streets and then you want to take away housing, a roof over their head, and you want to put them in SROs, you want to put them back in the Tenderloin where there's drug infested areas," Brown said. "No one needs to be subjected to that."

Wu's attorney did not return a call seeking comment today, and Wu did not appear at the planning commission today.

Cohen declined to discuss the case in detail today, but issued a statement saying "I am not interested in rewarding Ms. Wu's bad behavior and I will continue to support the City's effort in pursuing legal action against her."
By PTI: Mumbai, July 28 (PTI) Sparks flew in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today as ruling BJP MLAs attacked Samajwadi Party member Abu Asim Azmi who has opposed a demand for making singing of Vande Mataram mandatory in schools and colleges in the state.

Azmi, head of the SPs Maharashtra unit, and Waris Pathan, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MLA from Mumbai, yesterday opposed senior BJP MLA Raj Purohits demand for making singing of Vande Mataram compulsory.

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Citing the recent order of the Madras High Court, which made singing of the national song mandatory in schools across Tamil Nadu atleast twice a week, Purohit had said that the singing of Vande Mataram should be made mandatory in schools and colleges and the state government come up with a policy in this regard.

Purohit, chief whip of the BJP in the Assembly, had also demanded that singing of the national song be made compulsory for everybody at the beginning of any public event and the National Anthem at its conclusion.

Azmi told reporters last night that he would not sing Vande Mataram even if he is "thrown out of the country", while Pathan had said he would not sing it "even if a revolver is put to my head".

Raising the issue in the House today, BJP member Anil Gote said, "There should not be any opposition to Vande Mataram. It is a patriotic song and it should not be opposed by people like Abu Azmi."

Another BJP member Eknath Khadse said people of all faiths used to recite Vande Mataram during the Independence struggle.

"If a person lives and feeds on the soil of this country, what is wrong in being grateful to it? You are born here and after your death you will be buried in the same land. Why cant you respect the soil by saying Vande Mataram?"

"During the pre-Independence period, all faiths used Vande Mataram in their struggle against the British. If the same song has to be recited today, why are you opposing it?" Khadse said.

Azmi maintained that he was against the demand for making singing of Vande Mataram compulsory.

"I am opposing any move to make singing of Vande Mataram mandatory. If my faith tells me that singing Vande Mataram is against my faith, then I should not be forced to do so," he said.

Echoing Azmi, Congress MLA Aslam Shaikh said, "There are two versions of Vande Mataram and after the Independence, the government is forcing only one version on us. It is wrong and should be opposed".

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After a brief uproar on the issue, the proceedings of the House continued normally following an appeal made by Speaker Haribhau Bagde. PTI ND NSK ASV

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Where did our ancestors come from? This can be a highly emotional, and political issue.

It is clearly an important question for many people and one that modern genetics has answered to a great extent. In recent months, a scientific paper published in the journal BMC Evolutionary Biology has sparked a heated controversy in the Indian media by outlining an 'Indo-European expansion, with an ultimate source in the Pontic-Caspian region' into the Indian subcontinent.

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Behind the gently arcane scholarly language, the paper argues that the genetic ancestry of all modern Indians displays evidence of significant mixing with populations that moved to the subcontinent from northern Iran and the Caspian region some 4,000-5,000 years ago. Tempers are fraying because these findings have reignited a long-simmering and highly politicised debate about the ancient origins of the Vedic 'Aryans'. For decades, historians, linguists and archaeologists have debated the relationship of the Aryans to India, with little resolution, indeed the argument has been subsumed by its implications for the contemporary battles between the hyper-nationalist politics associated with the Sangh parivar and the secular liberal opposition. Many Hindu nationalists are uncomfortable with the idea that the ancient roots of the Indian peoples may lie outside the sacred geography of the subcontinent. Meanwhile, there is often an element of liberal schadenfreude in embracing the narrative that suggests a parallel between the Vedic Aryans as conquering 'invaders', not unlike the later visitations of Islamic and European empires.

Over the last few years, genetics has begun to offer its own findings, which much more definitively indicate that a people, who may have been Aryans, moved into the subcontinent approximately 4,000-5,000 years ago. Soon, the field of ancient DNA research may close the case. The BMC paper that has drawn so much interest and ire is just the latest in a line of research that goes back decades, and grows more precise and insightful with every new technological advance. By looking at patterns of genetic markers in modern humans, geneticists have been able to sketch the family tree of our species. Researchers are also testing genetic material from remains tens of thousands of years old. It has already highlighted the Neanderthal heritage extant today in all humans outside of Africa.

Because genetic science has been driven by US-based researchers, biases have crept into the sort of questions asked. But the democratisation of the field, due to a surfeit of data, is now enabling exploration of more diverse topics, including questions related to the Indian subcontinent.

Eurocentric ideologies have spawned their own counter-theses. While, in 1903, the Indian nationalist Bal Gangadhar Tilak could write The Arctic Home in the Vedas, in keeping with the migrationist beliefs of the era, today, Indophilic westerners such as Koenraad Elst are promoting an 'Out of India' theory, an inversion of the older route.

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These arguments exist outside of politics and nationalism. The author Sanjeev Sanyal contends that "the idea of a unidirectional 'Aryan' invasion or migration around 1500 BC is now conclusively proven to be wrong". As outlined in his book, The Ocean of Churn, Sanyal emphasises the reciprocal movements of peoples. He notes that archaeology does not tie any Indus Valley civilisation site to Central Asia, and the Vedas themselves seem ignorant of geography outside of South Asia.

Ten years ago, one could reasonably support Sanyal's suppositions from a genetic perspective. The exploration of mitochondrial lineages, the direct maternal ancestry out of Africa, remained the dominant method of inference. That line of evidence strongly suggests that South Asian populations are deeply rooted in the subcontinent.

Other researchers were looking at the descent of males, the direct paternal lineage as recorded by mutations of the Y chromosome. The evidence from these results was more equivocal. One of the more common South Asian Y lineages, R1a1a, is also very common in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The discoverer of this lineage, the geneticist Spencer Wells, says that his work "in the late 1990s strongly supported a significant migration from the steppes of Eastern Europe and Central Asia into India in the past 5,000 years". Wells connected this to Indo-European speaking nomads, and believes the latest results have borne that out. Obviously, this is in conflict with the mitochondrial results. Because R1a1a is not very diverse, it was difficult to get a sense of where or when it may have originated. Many researchers, contra Wells, contended that R1a1a may have been indigenous to South Asia.

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Today, we know more about R1a1a than we did in the 2000s. Whereas then researchers looked at a few hundred markers on the Y chromosome, or perhaps some regions with very high diversity, today they can sequence most of the Y chromosome.

In line with Wells' original suspicion, after looking at whole genomes, many scholars now surmise that R1a1a entered South Asia within the last 4,000-5,000 years from the Eurasian steppe. The reason R1a1a is not diverse is that it underwent a massive, recent expansion; not much time has elapsed for mutations to accumulate. With whole genome analysis, one can see that East European R1a1a is one lineage, while Central Asian and South Asian R1a1a strains form another. Martin Richards, co-author of the paper in BMC, explains, "This high resolution allows for both very detailed genealogical information and quite precise genetic dating, so we can see where and when lineages branch off into a new territory."

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"There is a very marked sex bias in the arrival [in India] of new peoples from the steppe zone during the bronze age"

Martin Richards, Archaeogenetics professor

Ancient DNA has also shed light on the relationship of the various branches of R1a1a. Extinct Central Asian steppe pastoralists, the Scythians, and their geographic kin, the Srubna people, who dwelt north of the Caspian Sea 3,750 years ago, also carry this Y lineage. It is notable that the R1a1a lineages of Scythians and Srubna are the same as Central Asians and South Asians, not Europeans.

A resolution to the paradox of mtDNA and Y chromosomal lineages pointing in different directions has now presented itself. The answer: migration into India was not sex balanced. This is a major point in the BMC paper. Richards states, "There's a very marked sex bias in the arrival of new peoples from, ultimately, the steppe zone of eastern Europe, in the Bronze Age." (This is the case in Europe too, with steppe migrants overwhelmingly male.)

Our understanding today does not rest on Y chromosome and mtDNA alone. With whole genomes available for analysis, scientists have reshaped our understanding of the past of South Asia. In 2013, geneticist Priya Moorjani and colleagues published research concluding that at least two very distinct populations were mixing in the Indian subcontinent 2,000-4,000 years ago. Moorjani says that "4,000 years ago, there were unmixed ANI and ASI groups in the Indian subcontinent".

"Some 4,000 years ago, there were unmixed 'ANI' and 'ASI' groups in the subcontinent... the direction of migration leading to ani was probably into India"

Priya Moorjani, Geneticist

ANI and ASI are acronyms for Ancestral North Indians and Ancestral South Indians. The former population was genetically very similar to Near Easterners and Europeans. One of the original researchers who developed this model of Indian origins, Nick Patterson, characterises the genetic distance between ANI and European populations as so small that if you did not know of the provenance you might say it was a European population. The ASI, in contrast, do not have any close relatives. Rather, they were distant relatives of indigenous Andaman islanders. Moorjani reiterates that though there were unmixed populations representative of these groups in the relatively recent past, today all native South Asian groups display ancestry from both.

In Moorjani's 2013 paper, she estimated that Dalits from Tamil Nadu are 40 per cent ANI (the remainder presumably being ASI). Pathans are 70 per cent ANI. Kashmiri Pandits are 65 per cent ANI, while Brahmins and Kshatriyas from Uttar Pradesh are 55-60 per cent ANI. When it comes to the mix of ANI and ASI, there are two rules of thumb one needs to consider. The further northwest you go, the more ANI you will get. Upper castes have more ANI ancestry as well (Bengalis and Munda tribes have East Asian heritage that is neither ANI nor ASI). This is exactly the pattern you would expect from Y chromosomal lineages such as R1a1a, which many geneticists posit have arrived from Central Asia in the last 4,000-5,000 years.

Indian observers of historical population genetics have noted these findings and integrated them into their own understanding. Sanyal says he believes "Indians are the mix of several genetic streams, particularly the ANI and ASI who have been living in the Indian subcontinent from the Stone Age". Moorjani states that her "study did not specifically look into the direction of migration". But, she also admits that "the direction of migration leading to ANI is probably into India".

Why would Moorjani state this? First, let us take a step back and address two points of the Out of India framework. As Sanyal observed, the archaeological connections between South Asia and Central Asia are tenuous. The Aryans do not seem to recollect a time before India. But the past 10 years of discoveries of ancient DNA have shown us there were mass migrations where archaeologists suspected none. The physical record is incomplete, and it may be difficult to connect with the broader patterns of history. But part of it is that some populations, such as nomads, likely do not leave much of an archaeological footprint. As for the argument based on Indian religious and oral history, it must be observed that the Greeks also do not have any memory before Greece, and yet they are just as antique an Indo-European people. The argument about cultural memory alone cannot be trusted to adjudicate on this matter.

Which brings us to what could ultimately resolve uncertainties: ancient DNA. The testing of samples from the Near East and Europe over the period between 5,000 and 10,000 years ago has shown that a few pulses of migration mixed together to create the predominant genetic patterns we see around us today. We do have a reasonable sampling of ancient individuals from the Near East, Central Asia and Europe, and what we see are massive population changes over the past 10,000 years. Should we expect India to be any different?

For the purposes of an understanding of the South Asian genetic landscape, two ancient populations from Western Eurasia share strong affinities with people from the subcontinent. First, the earliest farmers of Western Iran, in the Zagros, whose heritage is now found all across Eurasia, evince high affinities with many Indian populations. Second, Copper Age pastoralists of the Yamna culture of the Pontic steppe, who flourished 4,000 to 5,500 years ago, also exhibit a strong affinity to South Asians, in particular populations from the northwest and upper caste groups such as Brahmins.

Researchers in David Reich's lab at Harvard have tested what possible groups could be combined to create the ANI element in South Asians. After exhaustive comparisons, they find ANI is best modelled as a combination of the Pontic pastoralists and early Neolithic Iranian farmers!

In The Ocean of Churn, the thesis is presented that ideas and people move in a bidirectional fashion. Indian religious and philosophical ideas did impact the West through Pythagoras and Plato. Conversely, many Indian alphabets quite likely have their origins in the Near East, while Christianity and Islam have both taken root in the subcontinent.

So too with genes. South Asian genetic markers are found in Southeast Asia, from Thailand to Bali. Conversely, Bengalis, Assamese and Munda peoples show their Southeast Asian heritage on their faces, their genes, and in the case of the Munda, their languages. But this idea of ubiquitous gene flow has limitations.

The distinctive genetic heritage of India, the ASI component, deeply rooted in the subcontinent and not closely related to populations elsewhere, exists in low proportions in Iran and Afghanistan. But with the exception of the Roma people, ASI ancestry is notably absent throughout Western Eurasia aside from India's near neighbours. This suggests there has been very little westward movement out of India over the past few thousand years because, as Moorjani observed, all Indian populations have ASI ancestry within the past 4,000 years.

"The genetic imprint of this migration (into India) is minimal... there were groups living in India in the bronze age with similar ancestry"

Gyaneshwer Chaubey, Geneticist

Many geneticists now believe a major migration of people from Central Eurasia and West Asia into South Asia during the Neolithic and Copper age is the simplest and most parsimonious model to explain the data we have. The Out of India model is not theoretically impossible, but it strikes many as far-fetched and a stretch to explain the pattern of the accumulated data.

To move beyond probabilities, we need to make recourse to what has rescued us in the past: ancient DNA. Unfortunately, there is currently no ancient DNA data from South Asia proper. Even now, researchers are trying to get genetic results from samples at Rakhigarhi in Haryana dating to the Harappan period. Supposition can quickly be replaced with certitude when we sample these individuals. India Today learns that results of the Rakhigarhi samples will be announced in early September this year. Dr Vasant Shinde, an archaeologist at Deccan College, Pune, which conducted this project in collaboration with geneticists from Seoul National University, is understandably reluctant to offer any pointers as to what the Rakhigarhi samples suggest. "It's very politically sensitive," he says. But given the fact that the graves from which DNA was extracted were dated to somewhere between "2300 and 2500 BC", the same period in which Martin Richards and his colleagues suggest a pulse of migration from the Pontic-Caspian region into India, it must remain a possibility that Rakhigarhi will yield R1a1a DNA and not settle the debate.

And yet this is just one site. There are hundreds of samples for Europe and the Near East, and from those hundreds we have gleaned startling results. At some point, there will be hundreds of samples from South Asia, and there is no doubt we will glean some fascinating results.

The tide in historical population genetics has turned towards migration, but some still hold to the model of continuity dominant in the 2000s. Gyaneshwer Chaubey has been publishing and researching human genetics for over 10 years, with a substantial contribution in the area of Indian population history. He is not persuaded by the hypothesis of a mass Aryan migration. Rather, he observes that published research has shown that "the genetic imprint of this migration (if we want to maintain any) is minimal".

Without ancient DNA, we can only perceive broad coarse outlines from the variation of living human beings; fragments of the past, rearranged and reconstructed using statistical frameworks and data from people alive today. Our conjectures have assumptions. Chaubey does not deny the data showing Neolithic Iranian farmers and Copper Age Pontic pastoralists having genetic similarities to modern Indians. He argues for an equal probability that groups that "lived in India in the Bronze Age or in Neolithic time having quite similar ancestry as the Steppe belt populations or Neolithic Iranians?" By reframing assumptions, he also disagrees with the revision in regard to the history of R1a1a. He admits that R1a1a was the primary reason he took himself off the BMC paper. Though unconvincing to many, Chaubey's rationale does have a basis in theory and data. The disagreement is on the matter of probabilities. This is not uncommon in statistical genetics. Ancient DNA should resolve many of these disputes rather soon, but this issue is overly politicised.

We do know some things. Geneticists have confirmed divergences of caste and region in the genomes of Indians. A great deal of mixing seems to have occurred over the past 4,000 years. Before that period, much of the subcontinent was inhabited by people genetically very different from those alive today. By coincidence, or perhaps not, the extremely common R1a1a paternal lineage, which binds many Indian men to Europeans and Central Asians, begins to expand rapidly just as the last major mixing event in South Asia between ANI and ASI lineages occurred.

Prominent population genetics laboratories that have reshaped our understanding of the history of Europe and the Near East through ancient DNA studies are now looking to India. It won't be long before new tools are brought to bear on old contentious questions. One can no longer say that the thesis that Indo-Aryans arrived in the subcontinent in large numbers is refuted. Connections to ancient groups outside of the subcontinent seem highly likely, and many prominent geneticists are now promoting a viewpoint predicated on migration and population turnover, which seems to have been the norm in Europe and the Near East.

Yet there remain credible scientists at prominent institutions who are sceptical of the new models. While a new consensus may be emerging, it has not crystallised. Genetics can speak in broad strokes with errors of the order of a thousand years here or there, and each new discovery refines details of the broader picture. We are in a time of significant transition and great intellectual ferment. That ferment extends to politics. Just as the original Aryan invasion model was promoted on a political basis, so are Out of India theories given political validity. But the reality is that these models of human history are either true, or they are not. Whether or not they were discernible, the facts have always been with us. It is our political interpretation of them that seems to change. Humans are protean, but nature is timeless.

We see through a glass darkly. In a few years, it may be crystal clear that a new people arrived in the Indian subcontinent 4,000 years ago. That now seems to be the belief among the majority of prominent researchers. A century of theorising and ideologising has armed us with answers and objections, but history as unveiled by genetics may hold some bracing surprises for our rigid grandiose pretensions. That may be the most exciting aspect of these lines of research, not how they align with century-old arguments.

Razib Khan is a geneticist with an interest in population histories and personal genomics. He works at Insitome and is a Ph.D candidate at UC Davis. He writes the blog 'Gene Expression'.

The Aryan-Dravidian Divide Is A Political Myth

Genetics Might Be Settling The Aryan Migration Debate, But Not How Left-Liberals Believe

The Aryan Chromosome

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Vikram Goud, the son of Congress leader and former minister Mukhesh Goud, was shot thrice this morning at Gayatri Hills, Hyderabad.

By Ashish Pandey: Former Minister Mukesh Goud's son, Vikram Goud, was attacked early this morning by unidentified individuals at his residence in Hyderabad's Banjara Hills.

Vikram was shot at around 3:30, and his right shoulder and spinal cord were injured, police said. He suffered at least two bullet injuries.

Hearing the gunshots, Vikram's family rushed to the spot, where they found him lying in a pool of blood. He was immediately taken to Jubilee Hills Apollo Hospital. Doctors later said that he was out of danger.

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Clues team visited Vikram's residence in Gayatri Hills near Hafeez Baba Nagar.

Before Telangana became a seperate state, Mukesh Goud served Andhra Pradesh as BC Welfare Minister and looked after other portfolios during YS Rajasekhar Reddy's tenure as chief minister.

Mukesh and Vikram Goud had been involved in criminal cases. Vikram has also been active in politics and contested the Hyderabad local body election.

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UP: Man shot dead, four women gang-raped by robbers on Jewar-Bulandshahr highway

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Two incidents triggered by trivial issues in west Delhi's Najafgarh and south Delhi's Sangam Vihar areas show how Delhi's on a short fuse

By Ajay Kumar: Incidents of violent crime over trivial issues are at an all-time-high in the national Capital.

In Najafgarh, a father-son duo was shot dead by four armed men following an argument over the direction of an air cooler.

According to police, Shayam Singh Verma, 57, who ran a roadside eatery, and his son Mayank Singh, 28, were shot dead by four men who had come to dine at the food joint on Wednesday night.

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"The accused were drunk and asked a butler to turn the direction of the cooler towards them, leading to a spat," a police official said. Mayank made an objection to their request, which provoked one of the accused.

"Shayam Singh, who was at the cashier point, tried to rescue his son, but another accused took out a pistol and shot one round at Mayank. When his father rushed to save him, another accused fired a gun shot at him," the officer said.

Singh died on the spot and Mayank, succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital in Dwarka. The police has launched a manhunt to nab the accused.

ACID ATTACK

In another case in Sangam Vihar, three youths forcibly poured acid in the mouth of a grocery shop owner's son because he allegedly refused to sell paneer to them.

An FIR has been registered under IPC of 326 and 34 against the three men and the investigation is on to nab them

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Believe it or not, the crime rate in Delhi has fallen !

Delhi Police constable suspended for masturbating in front of female colleague, touching 2 others inappropriately

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By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) Shree Renuka Sugars today said its promoter entity Wilmar Sugar Holdings (WSH) will invest about Rs 800 crore in the company to reduce debt burden.

Singapore-based WSH had 27.24 per cent stake in debt- ridden Shree Renuka Sugars as on June 30 this year. Post issue of compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS), the shareholding of WSH will increase.

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The investment by WSH is subject to approval of the shareholders as well as Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the oversight committee of RBI for the debt restructuring package.

In a filing to BSE, the company informed that the Board today approved issue of up to 50 crore CCPS at Rs 16.27 each to WSH.

"WSH (is) making an additional investment of Rs 783.96 crore in Shree Renuka Sugars (SRSL) for the purpose of up- front repayment and settlement of part of the debts and to fund working capital requirements of SRSL," the filing said.

The additional infusion of funds by WSH would be subject to successful completion of the debt restructuring package.

The debt restructuring includes lenders converting part of their debts into equity shares and convertible securities of Shree Renuka Sugars.

The package also includes waiver of part of the debts and restructuring of the remaining debts through rescheduling of debt payment, the filing added.

"The company hopes that this exercise, once completed, would significantly pare its debt burden and interest cost in India and would also free the company of all guarantees and obligations related to its overseas subsidiaries," Shree Renuka Sugars said.

The company, which also has presence in Brazil, had a consolidated debt of Rs 9,104 crore till March 31, 2016.

The Board also approved preferential issue of shares to lenders of the company to settle the outstanding loan.

The company proposes to issue up to 51.32 crore equity shares for Rs 835 crore, 9.35 crore redeemable preference shares for Rs 935.60 crore, 4.5 crore optionally convertible preference shares for Rs 450 crore and 5,850 non-convertible debentures for Rs 585 crore.

"The actual number of securities to be allotted would depend on the final approval of the debt restructuring scheme," the company said.

The Board also approved issue of global depository receipts (GDR) up to Rs 800 crore.

Besides, it approved increase in the authorised share capital from Rs 185 crore - comprising equity share capital of Rs 160 crore and preference share capital of Rs 25 crore - to Rs 2,515 crore. This would be done by amending the companys Memorandum of Association, the company added.

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The extra-ordinary general meeting would be held on August 24 to seek approval of shareholders.

After the announcement, the shares of the company fell 0.26 per cent to Rs 19.01 a piece at 1422 hours on BSE. PTI LUX MJH ANU

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Let's be clear: In no way did John McCain do the right thing in order to, you know, do the right thing.

His vote to finally, once and for all (maybe, but who knows) put an end to the GOPs toxic, deeply racist, enormously cruel effort to gut the ACA was, if anything, a sharply calculated political gesture having little or nothing to do with helping people, or with advancing any sort of progressive idea about health care.

ORIGINAL COMMENTARY: John McCain is no one's hero anymore

Perhaps it was a personal bit of revenge on Mitch McConnell for gutting McCain-Feingold? Maybe he wanted to prove a point to pathetic junior Republican senators? Do you wish to argue that he was really taking a stand for bipartisanship? Sure. But that would defy every other vote and every other GOP agenda item he's so ruthlessly supported recently; it's just wishful thinking.

And do not forget Republicans Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, who were there first and, in the case of Murkowski at least, never wavered; they certainly deserve far more praise than John McCain

Whatever his true motive, McCains vote does nothing to change his status as a world-class hypocrite, an abject champion of the very worst the GOP has to offer, and has offered, lo these past eight years, and beyond.

As stated pretty much everywhere, McCain could have blocked the entire show (as he so flippantly called it) and not toyed with millions of lives, simply by voting no on the motion to proceed  or perhaps by not voting yes on repeal/replace many months back, and since  instead of this weird, flip-flop grandstanding.

Reminder: Hes voted the Trump agenda more than 90% of the time. Hes done nothing to prevent the overt destruction of American values at the gnarled hand the Trump administration and his own kowtowing, sadistic GOP, including allowing McConnell to openly gut long-standing, respected Senate rules  rules McCain himself grumpily defended, before voting lockstep with the rest of his colleagues  simply in order to shove Neil Gorsuch into the SCOTUS, at the insulting expense, once again, of Merrick Garland.

Meanwhile, the Dems were 100% united, all the way through the GOPs horrific repeal effort. They have rallied, fought, protested, did everything possible to support the fundamental rights and health care protections of millions of people. And do not forget Republicans Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, who were there first and, in the case of Murkowski at least, never wavered; they certainly deserve far more praise than McCain. As for the rest of the sickly GOP, they deserve all the fervent opprobrium the 2018 mid-terms can muster.

Lets set it straight, again: McCain hasnt stepped up in any real way since Trump took office, hasnt invoked his maverick powers in any helpful manner in decades, if ever. While his no vote was certainly desperately needed, it is in no way a sign of real change of heart, or ideology. He certainly didnt do it out of any love for the ACA, Obama, or the needs of tens of millions of Americans.

How do we know? Simple. Because McCain uttered not a peep when he joined his party in supporting the appointment of Rick Perry as head of the Department of Energy, or Betsy DeVos as sadistic destroyer of public education, or Ben Carson, one of the most blundering, incompetent politicians in recent history, to lead HUD. He supported Jeff Sessions to be the most racist, regressive, prison-loving elf of an AG in your lifetime.

On it goes. He supported nearly every appointee to Trumps mephitic cabinet, AKA a rabid clown car of some of the most terrible, unpatriotic, sour-hearted, deeply anti-intelligent humans to ever be placed in positions of power. He supported repealing Obama's historic landmark law. He supported the repeal of the FCC rule barring internet providers from sharing your private information. Sure, McCain might despise Trump and his traitorous agenda  who doesnt?  but he almost always puts power/party before ideals.

Know this now: The GOP has never been interested in expanding or improving health care, or truly helping anyone in need. They despise the ACA for one simple reason: Obama.

They hate that Obama passed it right under their noses, despite all their own amendments and meetings and whining. They hate how adored and appreciated Obama is, was, will always be by the vast majority of the world. They hate that he is so much better than them in every way imaginable, as a human, as a thinker, a politician, a leader. Their savage, years-long attack on the ACA was largely a case of straight-up racism, mixed with megalomania, mixed with abject cruelty, mixed with the fact they have no idea how to construct or invent anything on their own  they only destroy, repeal, roll back, undo whatever good has been done. Just ask the EPA.

They also hate the overwhelming fact that the ACA is an enormously, historically popular success, and needs only relatively modest adjustments in funding and policy to succeed even further. Tens of millions love it, and millions more are still signing up, despite Trumps nasty attempts to limit enrollment, shut down advisory boards, shorten enrollment windows, and let it implode on its own, through cruel attrition, rather than take the necessary steps to correct its flaws and protect/improve the lives of millions of Americans.

Do not misunderstand: It is all kinds of fantastic news that Trumpcare is dead and Obamacare lives on, albeit still under attack by a hateful, racist, tiny-brained POTUS who cares not a whit for human life. And McCain, along with Murkowski and Collins, certainly deserves a bit of gratitude for his vote, whatever the true motive.

But this is only a short moment of relief, a brief gasp for air before we are plunged straight back in to the oozing, reeking cesspool that is the Trump era. Defending the ACA was an exhaustive battle, and even so, one of the most successful, popular, deeply needed pieces of legislation in American history was saved only by the slimmest of margins, when it should have been a landslide.

The joy of victory, such as it is, will soon give way to facing down the GOPs next attack on yet another aspect of fundamental human decency. And McCain, almost certainly, will be right there with them.
WASHINGTON  His White House in turmoil, President Trump abruptly announced late Friday he is appointing Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to be his chief of staff, ending the tumultuous six-month tenure of Reince Priebus.

After months of speculation about Priebus fate, Trump tweeted his decision as he landed in Washington after a speech in New York in which he lavishly praised Kellys performance at Homeland Security.

Priebus, the former Republican National Committee head, had been a frequent target of rumors about his job security amid infighting and confusion within the White House and a long whisper campaign by Trump allies. Then, on Thursday, he was assailed in a profane public rebuke by Trumps newly appointed White House communications director, Anthony Scaramucci.

Priebus said he had offered his resignation Thursday and the president accepted.

I think the president wanted to go a different direction, Priebus told CNN just hours after his exit was announced. Im always going to be a Trump fan. Im on Team Trump.

Kelly is a retired Marine four-star general. Trump had focused on him in recent days, telling those close to him that he admired the generals star power and that he believed military discipline was what his administration needed.

Priebus never could bring a semblance of order to the team of infighting rivals that populate Trumps West Wing, and questions about his future have long swirled around the office. Those questions sharply escalated this week with the arrival of Scaramucci, the hard-charging communications director who was hired over Priebus objections.

Priebus already tense relationship with Scaramucci took a darker turn over the past two days when the communications chief suggested in a late-night tweet that Priebus was one of the leakers that Trump has railed against. The New Yorker magazine published an interview Thursday in which Scaramucci called Priebus, amid an avalanche of vulgarity, a paranoid schizophrenic.

Priebus term ends in fewer than 200 days, the shortest tenure for any presidents first White House chief of staff since the post was formally established in 1946.

Jonathan Lemire and Jill Colvin are Associated Press writers.
Elias Burstein, one of the pioneers in the optical physics of solids, whose research into the photoionization of impurities in silicon helped pave the way for the development of silicon semiconductors, died June 17 at his home in Bryn Mawr, Pa. He was 99.

His family confirmed his death.

Professor Burstein, a physicist, worked for more than seven decades in his field, much of the time as a professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

He was one of the first scientists to use lasers to do research on semiconductors and insulators. He held patents for a method to introduce impurities into the otherwise stable element silicon, increasing its semiconducting capacity.

The process, called doping, allows the crystal lattice of silicon to carry more charges, making silicon a much more useful and efficient semiconductor. Doping also reduces the amount of energy needed to change electron states from active to inactive, and back.

Professor Burstein also helped discover the mechanisms underlying inelastic light scattering, in which photons occasionally (about one in every 10 million) are produced from a molecule or atom at a different frequency than the ones used to incite them. The process, also known as Raman scattering, often occurs when molecules are in transition to another energy level, making it helpful in analyzing the composition of materials, whether they are gases, liquids or solids.

Professor Burstein published more than 200 scientific papers. A great deal of his work was in studying crystalline structures, such as rock salt and zincblende, an ore from which zinc is extracted.

He edited and co-edited many books, including a series called Contemporary Concepts of Condensed Matter Science, published by Elsevier. He was a founder of Solid State Communications, a peer-reviewed scientific journal on solid-state physics, and was its first editor-in-chief, from 1963 to 1992.

In 1961, Professor Burstein, along with Robert Hughes, a professor of chemistry, and Robert Madden, a member of the metallurgy department, helped found the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter at the University of Pennsylvania.

Professor Burstein was born Sept. 30, 1917, in Brooklyn to Samuel Burstein and Sara Plotkin. He earned a bachelors degree in chemistry from Brooklyn College in 1938, and a masters in chemistry from the University of Kansas in 1941.

From 1941 to 1943, he studied chemistry and physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, working toward a doctorate. But World War II intervened, and he went to work at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. He worked in the physics section of the crystal branch division of the laboratory for three years before being promoted to head the division. He stayed there for 10 years before becoming the head of the section for semiconductor research.

He joined the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania soon after as a professor of physics. In 1982, he succeeded John Robert Schrieffer, a recipient of the Nobel Prize in physics, in the Mary Amanda Wood endowed chair in physics at the university. He retired from the full-time faculty in 1988 but continued as an emeritus professor, often working in the lab with students.

He is survived by his wife, the former Rena Benson; three daughters, Joanna Mitro, Sara Donna and Mimi Burstein; and two grandchildren.

He was a frequent visiting professor, including in 1974 at Hebrew University in Israel; in 1981 at the Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden; and in 1996 at UC Berkeley.

He was elected in 1979 to the National Academy of Sciences, and received the Frank Isakson Prize of the American Physical Society in 1986. The Isakson Prize citation referred to his pioneering work on the optical properties of semiconductors and insulators as well as his studies of Raman scattering.

But while Professor Burstein received four honorary doctorates (one in technology, from Chalmers and three in science, from Brooklyn College in 1985, from Emory University in 1994 and from Ohio State University in 1999), he never formally completed his doctorate.

He never found the time.

Dylan Loeb McClain is a New York Times writer.
JERUSALEM  Prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque ended peacefully on Friday amid two weeks of unrest over security devices at the major holy site in Jerusalem, Israeli police said, but violence flared in the West Bank, where a Palestinian was killed after he attacked soldiers and another died in clashes along Gazas border with Israel.

Tensions have been high since Arab gunmen killed two police officers in the sacred Jerusalem compound on July 14, prompting Israel to install security devices at entrances to the site that is holy to both Muslims and Jews.

The move outraged Muslims and sparked some of the worst street clashes in years, threatening to draw Israel into conflict with other Arab and Muslim nations. Under intense pressure, Israel removed the metal detectors this week and said it planned to install sophisticated security cameras instead.

By nightfall Friday, Jordans religious body that administers the Jerusalem site said the situation at the compound had returned to what it was before the July 14 attack  a key Palestinian demand for protests to end. The Waqf said all doors are opened in front of worshipers without restrictions or conditions, adding that the development was a result of pressure from the Jordanian government on the Israeli government.

Firas Dibs, an official from Waqf, said earlier that tens of thousands attended Friday prayers.

The prayers ended without incident, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said. There were some sporadic, low-level scuffles between Palestinians and Israeli forces nearby, but nothing on the scale of recent violence.

Police had barred men under 50 from the Jerusalem site during the day and braced for violence following security assessments indicting Palestinians had planned protests there. There were no restrictions on women. Israeli police lifted the age restrictions and other measures Friday night.

In Gaza, which is run by the militant Hamas group, the Health Ministry said a Palestinian teen was killed in clashes Friday with Israeli soldiers stationed near the strips border fence with Israel. It said the 16-year-old was killed while protesting tensions in Jerusalem.

In the violence in the West Bank, a Palestinian was shot and killed after he brandished a knife and ran at troops, Israels military said.

Ivan Deitch is an Associated Press writer.
1 Venezuela conflict: The U.S. ordered relatives of American diplomats to leave Venezuelas capital ahead of a polarizing vote planned for Sunday to start rewriting the Constitution. The State Department said its also allowing U.S. government workers to depart the embassy in Caracas and limiting the movement of those who stay. The order comes as Venezuela is convulsing to a rhythm of daytime strikes and nocturnal clashes. The most recent violence drove the death toll from almost four months of unrest above 100 Thursday. Most of the dead in antigovernment demonstrations that began in early April have been young men killed by gunfire.

2 Al Qaeda in Kashmir: An al Qaeda-linked propaganda network announced Thursday that a militant leader in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir will head a new group that will fight against Indian rule in the disputed region. It is the first time that al Qaeda has publicly claimed to be active in Kashmir. The announcement was made by the Global Islamic Media Front, which said Kashmiri militant Zakir Musa will head al Qaeda-linked Ansar Ghawzat-ul-Hind. Separatist leaders, who challenge Indias sovereignty over Kashmir, have repeatedly rejected the presence of outside groups, and have accused India of portraying the Kashmiri struggle as extremist.
ISLAMABAD  Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigned Friday after the countrys Supreme Court disqualified him from office due to corruption charges he and his family have been battling.

Following the verdict, Nawaz Sharif has resigned from his responsibilities as prime minister, a spokesman for Sharifs office said in a statement.

The unanimous, five-judge ruling  delivered to a packed courtroom in the nations capital  came after an investigation into the familys finances following the Panama Papers leak in 2015. The leak linked Sharifs children to offshore companies they had not revealed in financial disclosures.

After the ensuing investigations, Judge Ejaz Afzal Khan said Sharif was no longer eligible to be an honest member of the parliament. The court had already recommended anticorruption cases against Sharif, his daughter and political prodigy Maryam Nawaz, her husband Safdar, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and others.

The countrys election commission also disqualified Sharif from serving in parliament.

Sharif and his family have denied wrongdoing in the cases.

Maryam Nawaz tweeted after the verdict that her father was sent home, but only to see him return with greater force. She asked her party to stay strong.

Sharif is not the first prime minister to leave office due to documents leaked in the Panama Papers  leaked internal files from a Panamanian law firm that indicated means by which wealthy and powerful people hid their money.

Icelands prime minister was forced to resign after documents revealed as part of the leak appeared to show that he and his wife concealed millions of dollars worth of investments in an offshore company.

Sharif is also not the first Pakistani prime minister forced from office  none of the countrys 18 prime ministers have completed their full terms. In 2012, the Supreme Court convicted then-Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani in a contempt case, forcing him to leave office.

Sharif, who was serving as prime minister for the third time, was less than a year from becoming the first to complete a full term, but had been dogged by the corruption allegations. Much of what the Panama Papers revealed was the subject of a federal inquiry in the mid-1990s, but the new allegations fueled ongoing drama in the press and social media.

It was not immediately clear who would succeed him.

Auon Sahi and Molly Hennessy-Fiske are Los Angeles Times writers.
CARACAS, Venezuela  Few demonstrators heeded opposition calls for a mass protest Friday in Venezuelas capital against President Nicolas Maduros divisive push to rewrite the constitution by a constituent assembly to be elected Sunday.

Streets in Caracas were largely devoid of protests a day after Interior Minister Nestor Reverol announced that authorities were prohibiting any demonstrations from taking place through Tuesday.

Opposition leaders had urged Venezuelans to demonstrate anyway in a protest they billed as the Taking of Caracas, hoping for a dramatic culmination of three days of protests that started with a 48-hour nationwide general strike. But the hundreds of thousands who have sometimes taken to the streets during nearly four months of antigovernment protests were largely absent.

Here we are in the streets, just like the first day, opposition lawmaker Jose Manuel Olivares said, urging people to reject Reverols demonstration ban.

There were isolated clashes between National Guard troops and small groups of young demonstrators who call themselves the Resistance. A few protest barricades went up in opposition-friendly eastern Caracas, but the city was relatively calms two days before Sundays constituent assembly election.

Maduro has deployed the military and police to clear blockades and protect a vote that he says is meant to end the power struggle with the opposition-controlled National Assembly, which he blames for Venezuelas spiraling political, economic and social crisis. The opposition is boycotting the vote, saying the election rules have been rigged to favor the ruling socialist party.

International pressure to cancel the vote intensified Friday, with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence reiterating in a telephone call with opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez that the U.S. would respond with strong and swift economic actions if the election proceeds.

Fabiola Sanchez is an Associated Press writer.
When we spoke to director Robert Benedetti about Heisenberg a few weeks ago, he said thatamong the reasons he chose the show was that it was light-hearted. He wanted tobalance out the heaviness of his last show, Quality of Life, and end the NewMexico Actors Lab season on a buoyant note. Imagine SFR's surprise, then, whendespitemany hearty laughswe were left deeply unsettled by Heisenberg. This is notnecessarily a bad thing, but certainly not what we were expecting.

Heisenberg follows Georgie, a 42-year-old American womanliving in London, as she relentlessly and amorously pursues Alex, a 75-year-oldnative Londoner. Georgie, here played by an appropriately awkward DebriannaMansini, is a quintessential American hot mess with more than a smattering ofsociopathic tendencies. Alex, brought to life by Jonathan Richards, is abutcher in the twilight of his life, living an existence of quiet desperation.Until Georgie shows up, that is. Then that desperation gets a little louder.

The descriptions we'd read of this show were that it wasabout an intergenerational relationship. Of course, "relationship" is amalleable term, but we were ready to see a story about two people who wereestablished in their love for each other, working life out bit by bit. What wegot instead was an explosion of a brand-new courtship (by the end of the play,the two have only known each other six weeks) and a long, hard look at whodeserves love, and how much love they should then be allotted.

While the word-vomit-prone Georgie dominates the script (inthe first two-thirds of the play she probably has 85 percent of the lines) and couldget viewers uncomfortable enough to feign a bathroom break, it is Alex's calmdemeanor that keeps the audience in their seats. Richards, as Alex, is trulyfantastic. His face is kind and patient, and his matter-of-fact tone is perfectfor the blue-collar butcher as he is romantically accosted by a woman nearlyhalf his age.

Mansini's Georgie is insufferable and exhausting. And we don'tmean that as a criticismthat is precisely how she is writtenthough we do, asthe play progresses, wonder a bit what Alex could possibly see in her; a womanwho admits to compulsively lying and overshares until we cringe. Still, Georgie'sJulia Roberts-level smile lights up the stage, and when she finally gets Alexto open up about himself, she actually shuts up and listens for once.

In the beginning, we suspect Georgie is projecting supposedlyfascinating qualities onto Alex. Until he really blossoms in the third scene,each of the characters are equally unappealing (Georgie because she won't shutup, Alex because he won't talk). Alex has no interest in discussing esotericthings (on feelings: "I feel my clothes. I feel the wind on my face. I don'tfeel. I fucking think.") and Georgie, while awkward and sometimes lackingconfidence, also fancies her flaws charming (she actually does blurt out, "Do youfind me exhausting but captivating?"Alex simply stares at her in response).

As the show moves, however, the projection flips. Georgieseems completely shocked when, at dinner, she learns that Alex is indeed asinteresting as she wants him to be. We suspect, by the end, that Alex isprojecting his kindness and genuine goodness onto an undeserving Georgie.

There's an illuminating confession from Georgie in thefourth scene that took us by absolute surprise, so it's hard to discuss theintricacies of the couple's later interactions without rampant spoilers, but weare indeed left feeling pity for both characters. They each so badly want theother to be what they need, and we aren't sure, in the end, whether or not theyget what they want.

While having a post-coital listen to Bach on vinyl, Alextells Georgie: "Music doesn't exist in the notes. It exists in the space betweenthe notes." It's a lesson we think the character of Georgie could bear to learn(read: shut the fuck up already), and one that Alex could bear to forget (read: speak up already).

The play, written by Simon Stephens, is fresh off Broadway(Benedetti told us he essentially badgered the rights-holders until he gotpermission to put it on). The intricacies of the dance between thesecharacters, both in wordplay and in a literal tango, will undoubtedly mark thisshow as a classic to be performed for many years, and tangential references toscientific principles will keep even the particle physicists entertained. (Apersonal preference made this writer recoil a bit at the very end, but perhaps somefolks just have a strong aversion to sentimentality.)

In the end, we don't know if either Georgie or Alex got whatthey were looking forbut we certainly did. We left unnerved, thoughtful andjust a little bit sad; and isn't that the point of the theater?

Heisenberg





7:30 pm Thursday-Saturday July 27-29;

2 pm Sunday July 30. $15-$25. Teatro Paraguas,

3205 Calle Marie, 424-1601; tickets at

.

Santa Fe Reporter
Fifteen minutes before he fired 16 shots at Anthony Benavidez, Santa Fe Police Officer Jeremy Bisagna sits in the back of a SWAT team vehicle preparing for confrontation. He loads canisters of liquid pepper spray into a launcher, holding each canister up to his body-worn camera and announcing "OC liquid."

Officers around Bisagna discuss the mental condition of Benavidez, a schizophrenic man holed up in a first-floor unit at the Tuscany at St. Francis Apartments. A few minutes later, Bisagna exits the vehicle, and explains to a SWAT colleague that Benavidez had thrown a duct-taped device out of the first floor window and stabbed a social worker.

A plan begins to formulate: Bisagna recommends plowing into the apartment with an armored vehicle to take Benavidez into custody. Several officers weigh in. Its all captured on the 10-year SFPD veterans camera.The other officers choose a different tack; theyll smash out a window at the side of the apartment and arrest Benavidez, 24, that way. So youre comfortable with hitting it, knowing he had that window? Bisagna says.

Then his hand reaches up toward the camera. The video ends.Four minutes later, Bisagna empties the magazine from his handgun into the apartment, video from another officers camera shows. Still another video from the chaotic scene shows Benavidez lifeless body on the apartments floor moments after the shots rang out in rapid succession.

Someone announces that Benavidez had been holding a knife.Meanwhile, Officer Luke Wakefield announces that he fired a round at Benavidez, too, the videos show. His camera was turned on during the shooting and, while it shows his finger on the trigger of his rifle, it does not show what Benavidez was doing in the moments before or during the shooting.

That Bisagnas camera went dark in the minutes before the shooting raises a host of policy and legal questions. Body cameras have emerged as a key component in a growing police-reform movement in New Mexico and around the nation, with those pushing for change in the way police use force against citizens saying they provide an independent, unbiased lens on incidents such as deadly force encounters.

Last year, SFPD mandated that all officers wear cameras and record all interactions.Phone calls to Bisagna and attorney John DAmato, who represents the Santa Fe police union, were not returned by publication time. The department declined to make Bisagna available for an interview, citing the ongoing investigation.

How Bisagnas camera shut downand whywill be part of an investigation by the SFPD internal affairs division, Deputy Chief Mario Salbidrez confirms to SFR. He adds that the department has provided all the video taken from the encounter with Benavidez to SFR; there is no additional video from Bisagnas camera.

Salbidrez says all elements of the shooting are under investigation, as is standard procedure in any police shooting.That probes aim will be to determine whether Bisagna violated any SFPD policies in the run-up to the shooting or by pulling the trigger when he shouldnt have.

A likely first stop for investigators: the departments body-worn camera policy.It states that all officers shall activate [body-worn cameras] as soon as practical when responding to a call for service or while interacting with a member of the public for encounters such as arrests, pursuits and interrogations. Officers cameras shall remain activated in most instances until police cease contact with an individual or clear a scene. And officers are directed to announce they are terminating a recording prior to doing so, the policy says.Bisagna made no such announcement.

For tactical teams such as SWAT, officers are permitted to turn off their body-worn cameras as they develop arrest plans and make other decisions in order to conserve battery life. But the policy states the cameras shall be activated during directed action.

Bisagnas camera did not capture the shots he fired. But it rolled for more than 11 minutes as he loaded the pepper spray launcher, slung a rifle over his shoulder and discussed in detail various versions of a take-down plan.

At one point, Bisagna asked the scene commander, Lt. Ben Valdez, whether a yard bang might win the SWAT team more success in arresting Benavidez.

Should we do some type of yard response here? Bisagna asks Valdez. A yard bang, cause he did this and we havent done a response yet.

Ultimately, the team decided to approach the apartments side window. Video from Sgt. Nick Woods camera begins about three minutes after Bisagnas shuts down, according to timestamps from the two cameras. It shows Bisagna, holding a shield, positioned at the front of the team that approached Benavidez apartment. The small team of officers rush the window, Woods video shows. Wood smashes out the window with a large metal rod. Officers scream at Benavidez to show them his hands. Bisagna fires 16 shots in rapid succession. It is not clear when Wakefield fires his lone shot.

Neither Santa Fe police nor New Mexico State Police, which is investigating the shooting for possible criminal charges, have confirmed whether Bisagnas or Wakefields bullets killed Benavidez. But Santa Fe police told SFR earlier this week that the incident marked the first time that somebody had been injured or killed as a result of force by the SWAT team since its inception in the 1970s.

Santa Fe Reporter
Its 1989 at the height of Cold War. The Iron Curtain still hangs and things are kind of freaky in East Berlin. In short, it aint good. But as the opening credits shout in graffiti, This isnt that story.

Based on the 1989 Antony Johnson/Sam Hart graphic novel The Coldest City, the film Atomic Blonde follows MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron) who is sent to Berlin to recover the list, highly coveted intel naming double-agents. Among that list is Satchel, a double agent for the the Queen and for the Soviets wanted by the Allies for treason. Broughtons mission: recover the list and expose Satchels identity. Along the way, she meets the shady David Percival (James McAvoy), a fellow agent who indulges in the hedonistic underground culture of East Berlin. The two work together to evacuate Spyglass (Eddie Marsan), the good-guy Stasi officer who has committed the list to memory, and is the Allies last shot at obtaining the information.

With a steel-gray and neon palette accompanied by classic 80s music from the likes of Depeche Mode, David Bowie and The Cure, Atomic Blonde is aesthetically a lot of fun. But while the production gets a lot right about the 80s (as a millennial I can only assume), the hair, makeup and costumes felt more contemporary. But maybe thats not a bad thing; theres only so much pleather you can wear before it gets tacky.

Theron plays an excellent heartless and calculating spy while McAvoy is her scruffy, ambivalent, wayward counterpart. And while Atomic Blonde is certainly entertaining, its a bit predictable. However, the fight choreography and and gorgeous cinematography make up for some of the substance the plot lacks. Atomic Blonde is a treat on the big screen, but its not a necessity. Maybe save a few bucks and enjoy Therons ass-kicking at home in a few months.

7

+ There's no love story

- You can see the plot twists coming from a mile away

Atomic Blonde

Directed by David Leitch

With Theron, McAvoy and Marsan

Regal, Violet Crown, R, 115 min.

Santa Fe Reporter
Accounting firm EY appears to have killed off its own annual Business Journalism Awards by attempting to disqualify entries from the National Business Review relating to the accounting scandals in the Australian and New Zealand operations of FujiXerox, where EY is the auditor.

NBR publicly withdrew from the awards this morning followed by journalists from Fairfax Media, NZME, and Radio New Zealand withdrawing their entries, as did freelance commentator Rod Oram. BusinessDesk did not enter the awards.

One of two independent award judges and the winner of last year's top prize, Rebecca Macfie, said in an interview with NBR that it had been clear from the outset that NBR reporter Karyn Scherer's stories on FujiXerox were a problem for the two EY judges, former managing partner Rob McLeod and the current chairman of EY in New Zealand, Alan Judge.

EY appeared paralysed by the situation, issuing no statement on why it had made its decision.

The six-year-old brainchild of veteran business newspaper founder Jenni McManus, now head of communications at EY, offered cash prizes with a first prize trip to a US journalism school for training in video story-telling.

Scherer's investigation into large losses declared in Companies Office filings from the New Zealand arm of FujiXerox was the top of an iceberg of malfeasance by key New Zealand and Australian managers, who have since resigned.

Japanese parent Fujifilm Holdings last month revealed $355 million of inappropriate accounting in operations in New Zealand and Australia between 2011 and 2016, according to a report by an independent investigation committee. Fuji Xeroxs chairman Tadahito Yamamoto, deputy president Haruhiko Yoshida and two Fuji Xerox directors, Katsuhiko Yanagawa and Jun Takagi, have all resigned.

The report triggered a suspension of FujiXerox as an all-of-government supplier with the New Zealand government while the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment examines an English version of the report, due shortly.

An international investigation continues into the issues.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, who was a source for one of McManus's most celebrated investigations into the so-called 'wine box' transactions in the 1990s, said EY's behaviour had been "inept, as inept as an auditor who misses up to $500 million of transactions that have all the appearance of fraud".

NZ First had lodged a complaint on the issue with Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand.

EY had not responded to requests for comment at time of publication.

(BusinessDesk)

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New Zealand shares fell as A2 Milk gave up some of its recent gains while building stocks Fletcher Building and Metro Performance Glass rose.

The S&P/NZX 50 Index dropped 72.21 points, or 0.9 percent, to 7,639.51. Within the index, 33 stocks dropped, 11 rose and six were unchanged. Turnover was $159 million.

"It has been a healthy correction, it was a pretty rough old day but apart from some pockets of volume, the market is pretty quiet," David Price, broker at Forsyth Barr, said. "We're in confession season, next week is the last of it - if there's going to be anything, next week is it."

A2 Milk was the worst performer, down 5.3 percent to $4.28. The stock soared this week, up as high as a record $4.52 yesterday amidst positive sentiment about its upcoming results. Despite today's fall back, it has still gained 10 percent in the week.

"It's on reasonable volume, but there hasn't actually been any company news," Price said. "It is reasonably volatile, volume has been driven predominately out of Australia."

TradeMe fell 1.5 percent to $5.42, Genesis Energy dropped 2.4 percent to $2.43, and Auckland International Airport declined 2.2 percent to $6.80.

Fletcher Building rose 0.8 percent to $7.90. Shares plunged as low as $7.48 last week after the building company downgraded its earnings expectations for the second time and chief executive Mark Adamson left with immediate effect, but have been recovering over the past few sessions.

"There's been inspired buying out of Australia, people look at it on a multiple basis and it's cheap versus an expensive market, and versus Aussie peers, that's where the re-rating has come from," Price said. "That whole sector has been downgraded at a time of expansion - Metro, Steel & Tube, Fletcher Building, Methven, they've all been the same. You've seen, not quite profitless growth but excusing the pun, they've been squeezed at the margin really."

Metro Performance Glass was the best performer, up 3.3 percent to $1.55, while Vital Healthcare Property Trust rose 1.4 percent to $2.25. Outside the benchmark index, Methven rose 1.8 percent to $1.13 and Steel & Tube Holdings dropped 1.8 percent to $2.24.

Blis Technologies dropped 3 percent to 3.2 cents. The Dunedin-based company expects to post a maiden profit in the current financial year as it says it is positioned for sustainable, profitable growth in a rapidly expanding market.

"During this financial year, the company will continue to invest in growth initiatives, delivering increased turnover and a profit," chief executive Brian Watson said in notes prepared for delivery at the annual general meeting in Dunedin today.

Blis had forecast a profit for the 2017 financial year but warned the market in February that pre-tax profit wasn't going to meet the $700,000 forecast due to significant reductions in purchases by three major customers. The stock has shed 35 percent over the past year.

(BusinessDesk)

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Page Content





Ms. Julianne Robert, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, the honorable Silveria Jacobs, and Mr. Omari Philips.



(L-R) Ms. Julianne Robert, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, the honorable Silveria Jacobs, and Mr. Omari Philips.

Ms. Robert and Mr. Philips are students currently placed in the Business Outreach and Placement Program (BOPP), organized by the department of Youth. The two students are currently working at the Department of Communications (DCOMM) for the allotted time of the program. The students met with Minister Jacobs on Wednesday, July 26th, after the weekly Council of Ministers Press Briefing. Minister Jacobs was excited to encounter the two students from the BOPP project. She expressed words of encouragement and well wishes for the duration of the program and for the continuation of their education. She also hopes that the work experience inspires all students to continue pushing for excellence during the new school year and throughout their lives. The Business Outreach and Placement Program is in its 19th year of operation and began on July 10th through August 4th, 2017.
Bloomberg has announced that it will for the first time, provide global investors with data and analytics for the Chinese securitization market through a partnership with CNABS, a specialized solutions provider in Chinas securitization market.

Via the Bloomberg Terminal, investors can now access information of all deals traded on Chinas interbank market and exchanges, and review cash flows under different scenarios covering over 600 deals. In addition, investors tracking Chinas securitization market can calculate prices and perform risk and investment analysis using Bloombergs proven analytics, the company says.

In recent years, Chinas securitization market has developed rapidly and is expected in the long-term to play a key role in the countrys quest to internationalize its currency and finance ongoing structural reform, said Russel Parentela, Global Head of Cash Structured Products at Bloomberg. We are pleased to work with CNABS to provide more accurate data and sophisticated tools for both Chinese and international investors to analyze this growing market and explore its investment opportunities.

Chinas securitization market offers international investors unique access to diversified pools of corporate and consumer credit. We are very pleased to work with Bloomberg on this rapidly expanding sector in China, said Yang Pang, General Manager of CNABS.

Over the last four years, Chinas securitization market (including structured finance and structured credit products) has grown rapidly. By the end of 2015, China surpassed the Eurozone in terms of new issuance to become the second largest securitization market, behind the United States. Securitization products in China are listed on the interbank market and exchanges. International investors can invest in these products via QFII, RQFII, CIBM direct access and the recently launched Bond Connect scheme.

Bloomberg users can access the cash flow information via YT<GO> & CFT <GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.




MARQUES is participating in the China Trademark Festival 2017, where we are conducting a Sub-Forum.





The China Trademark Festival 2017 is being held in the Guilin International Conference and Exhibition Center, 22 Lijiang Road, Guilin, Guangxi. The Sub-Forum itself takes place on Sunday 3 September and it lasts all morning (9 am to 12.30 pm, to be precise). The title is "Effective trade mark and brand protection and enforcement strategies from national to regional and going global: brand owners needs v legal obligations and available procedural means".





To learn more about the China Trademark Association and the Festival itself, do please visit the China Trademark Associations official website here





The China Trademark Association has generously agreed to apply the special registration fee of USD 650 to all MARQUES members who wish to register for the Festival. The registration form can be found here For those interested in attending the sub-forum, please contact Alessandra Romeo directly on aromeo@marques.org









An extra-terrestrial alien visiting Earth in 2007 and returning, now, one decade later, might, at first glance, notice little difference in smartphones between times.  Recent new technology deployments with Gigabit LTE at Telstra in Australia, Sprint in the US and EE in the UK highlight how much cellular communications technologies have improved since the introduction of mobile data services with circuit-switched and then packet-switched offerings from around 20 years ago." On the IP finance blog , Keith Mallinson congratulates the 10-year anniversary of the iPhone for its significant successes on innovation and IP protection.









In the blog Art & Artifice , a very readable guest post is brought to readers from Sonia K. Katyal and Joan Kee, who recently co-wrote the article "How Art and Law can work together beyond the marketplace" on the role of art law in engaging with the work of minorities.









Beyonce and Jay-Z are continuing the trend of celebrities looking to legally protect their childrens names in order to either capitalize on them or prevent others from doing so. The music industry power couple registered their daughters name Blue Ivy Carter as a European Union trademark back in 2012. They were unable to secure a registration in the U.S., where applicants must prove that they are actually using the mark on goods or services before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will grant a registration.  Check out the analysis on the Fashion Law blog









On Monday, news washed up that this "famous" sari of the Nobel laureate nun, who died in 1997, has been trademarked to prevent "unfair" use by people for commercial purposes. India's government quietly recognised the sari as the intellectual property of the Missionaries of Charity in September last year, when the nun was declared a saint by the Vatican  see the India correspondent Soutik Biswass report on BBC.





Extending reading: IPKat Eleonora formerly provided a commentary here on Can a colour be considered akin to a shape, so that a sign that consists exclusively of a colour which gives substantial value to the goods cannot be registered as a trade mark?









This month Colombia joined the network of the Global Patent Prosecution Highway (GPPH). This network has 22 members from Europe, North America, Asia, Oceania, and now Latin America. From that side of the pond United States and Canada are members [full list of members can be found here ]. Patent applicants who have obtained protection in Colombia may request that the same application be reviewed in any of the other members that are part of the GPPH. This global pilot was launched back in January 2014 allowing patent applicants to request accelerated examination at any of the offices involved in the pilot if their claims have been found to be acceptable by any of the other offices involved in the pilot.





Photo courtesy of Trey Ratcliff.
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US policymakers are coming closer to the necessary solution of regime change to confront Tehran as the leading sponsor of terrorism and human rights violator, as a regime that oppresses its own people and threatens neighboring nations.

However, this regime change is different from previous examples through military action and foreign war. In Iran, considering the existence of an organized opposition with deep social roots and a social base inside Iran, symbolized in the MEK, is able to realize this objective of toppling the mullahs regime.

Ahmad Jannati, head of Irans so-called Assembly of Experts admitted the most important issue for Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is the threat of this regime being overthrown.

The enemy is thinking of toppling the establishment and seeks to begin from within as they have not reached any results from the outside, he added.

Regime change by MEK?

On July 1st a major rally was held by supporters of the Iranian opposition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and MEK in Paris. Tens of thousands of MEK supporters from all over the globe participated in this rally and heard the speech of NCRI President Maryam Rajavi.

Well-known international dignitaries such as former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton, Governor Ed Rendell and a delegation from the US Congress also participated.

Dozens of other speakers also attended from all four corners of the globe, including Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. All participants acknowledged the necessity of regime change in Iran. This time there is no need for a foreign war, they emphasized in their words.

The MEK and Irans organized opposition is able to realize this change with the Iranian people that are currently under suppression. All that is needed is for the MEKs struggle for freedom to be acknowledged by the international community.

Therefore, as the necessity for regime change in Iran becomes further evident, this change is being at reach and the existence of an organized alternative has left the Iranian regime frightened more than anything else. Now more than ever before the possibility of having this regime overthrown is at reach and the Iranian regime is at its weakest status in years.

The adoption of a recent bill by the US Congress against the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) is a correct step in realizing change. However, what this resolution can materialize is these articles being implemented to their fullest reach and evicting IRGC from Syria and Iraq. This will send a major signal to Tehran about regime change. The call to blacklist the IRGC was made years ago by the MEK and Mrs. Rajavi. Many wars crimes in the Middle East, and especially Syria, could have been prevented if this measure had been taken without being delayed for years.

MEK has a history of struggling against Irans former Shah Regime. However, due to the arrest of many MEK leaders and senior ranks and 90% of the MEK leadership being executed, the 1979 revolution was hijacked by the mullahs led by Khomeini.

During the 1979 revolution the limited number of remaining MEK members were released from prison by the people. However, as Khomeinis vicious crackdown and killings began, the MEK was forced to continue its struggle against the religious dictatorship under Khomeinis rule. In the summer of 1988 Khomeini issued a decree to have all MEK members in prison massacred without any due process. MEK members loyal to their beliefs were mass executed and buried in mass graves.

More about the Peoples Mojahdin Organization of Iran (PMOI/ MEK)

The Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (Also known as MEK, or Mujahedin-e-Khalq / Mujahedeen-e-Khalq), was founded on September 6, 1965, by Mohammad Hanifnejad, Saeed Mohsen, and Ali-Asghar Badizadgan. All engineers, they had earlier been members of the Freedom Movement (also known as the Liberation Movement), created by Medhi Bazargan in May 1961.1

The MEKs quest culminated in a true interpretation of Islam, which is inherently tolerant and democratic, and fully compatible with the values of modern-day civilization. It took six years for the MEK to formulate its view of Islam and develop a strategy to replace Irans dictatorial monarchy with a democratic government.

MEKs interpretation of Islam

The theocratic mullah regime in Iran believe interpreting Islam is their exclusive domain. The MEK reject this view and the clerics reactionary vision of Islam. The MEKs comprehensive interpretation of Islam proved to be more persuasive and appealing to the Iranian youth.

MEKs founders and new members studied the various schools of thought, the Iranian history and those of other countries, enabling them to analyze other philosophies and ideologies with considerable knowledge and to present their own ideology, based on Islam, as the answer to Irans problems.

MEKs leaderships arrest during the 70s.

The Shahs notorious secret police, SAVAK, arrested all MEK leaders and most of its members in1971. On May 1972, the founders of the MEK, Mohammad Hanifnejad , Saeed Mohsen and Ali Asghar Badizadegan, along with two members of the MEK leadership, Mahmoud Askarizadeh and Rasoul Meshkinfam, were put before death squads and were executed after long months of imprisonment and torture. They were the true vanguards, who stood against the dictatorial regime of Shah. However, they are also recognized for their opposition to what is today known as Islamic fundamentalism.

The death sentence of Massoud Rajavi, a member of MEKs central committee, was commuted to life imprisonment as a result of an international campaign by his Geneva based brother, Dr. Kazem Rajavi (assassinated in April 1990 in Geneva by mullahs agents) and the personal intervention of the French President Georges Pompidou and Francois Mitterrand. He was the only survivor of the MEK original leadership.

Massoud Rajavis critical role in characterizing religious extremism

From 1975 to 1979, while incarcerated in different prisons, Massoud Rajavi led the MEKs struggle while constantly under torture for his leading position.

Massoud Rajavi stressed the need to continue the struggle against the shahs dictatorship. At the same time, he characterized religious fanaticism as the primary internal threat to the popular opposition, and warned against the emergence and growth of religious fanaticism and autocracy. He also played a crucial role when some splinter used the vacuum in the MEK leadership who were all executed or imprisoned at the time, to claim a change of ideology and policy. Massoud Rajavi as the MEK leader condemn these individuals misuse of MEKs name while continuing to stress the struggle against dictatorship. His efforts while still in prison forced these individuals to no longer operating under the name of MEK and adopting a different name for their group. These positions remained the MEKs manifesto until the overthrow of the shahs regime.

Release of Political Prisoners on the last days of the Shah

A month before the 1979 revolution in Iran, the Shah was forced to flee Iran, never to return. All democratic opposition leaders had by then either been executed by the Shahs SAVAK or imprisoned, and could exert little influence on the trend of events. Khomeini and his network of mullahs across the country, who had by and large been spared the wrath of SAVAK, were the only force that remained unharmed and could take advantage of the political vacuum. In France, Khomeini received maximum exposure to the world media. With the aid of his clerical followers, he hijacked a revolution that began with calls for democracy and freedom and diverted it towards his fundamentalist goals. Through an exceptional combination of historical events, Shiite clerics assumed power in Iran.

Khomeinis gradual crackdown on MEK in fear of their popular support

In internal discourses, Rajavi the remaining leader of the MEK, argued that Khomeini represented the reactionary sector of society and preached religious fascism. Later, in the early days after the 1979 revolution, the mullahs, specifically Rafsanjani, pointed to these statements in inciting the hezbollahi club-wielders to attack the MEK.

Following the revolution, the MEK became Irans largest organized political party. It had hundreds of thousands of members who operated from MEK offices all over the country. MEK publication, Mojahed was circulated in 500,000 copies.

Khomeini set up an Assembly of Experts comprised of sixty of his closest mullahs and loyalists to ratify the principle of velayat-e faqih (absolute supremacy of clerical rule) as a pillar of the Constitution. The MEK launched a nationwide campaign in opposition to this move, which enjoyed enormous popular support. Subsequently, the MEK refused to approve the new constitution based on the concept of velayat-e faqih, while stressing its observance of the law of the country to deny the mullahs any excuse for further suppression of MEK supporters who were regularly targeted by the regimes official and unofficial thugs.

Khomeini sanctioned the occupation of the United States embassy in 1979 in order to create an anti-American frenzy, which facilitated the holding of a referendum to approve his Constitution, which the MEK rejected.

MEKs endeavors to participate in the political process avoiding an unwanted conflict with government repressive forces

The MEK actively participated in the political process, fielding candidates for the parliamentary and presidential elections. The MEK also entered avidly into the national debate on the structure of the new Islamic regime, though was unsuccessful in seeking an elected constituent assembly to draft a constitution.

The MEK similarly made an attempt at political participation when [then] Massoud Rajavi ran for the presidency in January 1980. MEKs leader was forced to withdraw when Khomeini ruled that only candidates who had supported the constitution in the December referendum  which the MEK had boycotted- were eligible. Rajavis withdrawal statement emphasized the MEKs efforts to conform to election regulations and reiterated the MEKs intention to advance its political aims within the new legal system. (Unclassified report on the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran(PMOI/ MEK) by the Department of State to the United States House of Representatives, December 1984.)

However, the MEK soon found itself in a direct struggle against the forces of the regimes Supreme leader. The MEKs differences with Khomeini dated back to the 1970s, and stem from its opposition to what is known today as Islamic extremism. Angry at the position taken by the MEK against his regime and worried about the MEKs growing popularity, Khomeini ordered a brutal crackdown against the MEK and its supporters. Between 1979 and 1981, some 70 MEK members and sympathizers were killed and several thousand more were imprisoned by the Iranian regime.

June 20, 1981- Khomeinis order to open fire on peaceful demonstration of half-a-million supporters of MEK

The turning point came on 20th June 1981, when the MEK called a demonstration to protest at the regimes crackdown, and to call for political freedom which half-a-million supporters participated at. Khomeini ordered the Revolutionary Guards to open fire on the swelling crowd, fearing that without absolute repression the democratic opposition (MEK) would force him to engage in serious reforms  an anathema as far as he was concerned; he ordered the mass and summary executions of those arrested.

Since then, MEK activists have been the prime victims of human rights violations in Iran. Over 120,000 of its members and supporters have been executed by the Iranian regime, 30,000 of which, were executed in a few months in the summer of 1988, on a direct fatwa by Khomeini, which stated any prisoners who remain loyal to the MEK must be executed.

Having been denied its fundamental rights and having come under extensive attack at the time that millions of its members, supporters and sympathizers had no protection against the brutal onslaught of the Iranian regime, the MEK had no choice but to resist against the mullahs reign of terror.

Towards the end of 1981, many of the members of the MEK and supporters went into exile. Their principal refuge was in France. But in 1986, after negotiations between the French and the Iranian authorities, the French government effectively treated them as undesirable aliens, and the leadership of the MEK with several thousand followers relocated to Iraq. (Judgment of the Proscribed Organizations Appeal Commission, November 30, 2007.)

MEK Today

The MEK today is the oldest and largest anti-fundamentalist Muslim group in the Middle East. It has been active for more than a half century, battling two dictatorships and a wide range of issues. The MEK supports:

 Universal suffrage as the sole criterion for legitimacy

 Pluralistic system of governance

 Respect for individual freedoms

 Ban on the death penalty

 Separation of religion and state

 Full gender equality

 Equal participation of women in political leadership. MEK is actually led by its central committee consist of 1000 women.

 Modern judicial system that emphasizes the principle of innocence, a right to a defense, and due process

 Free markets

 Relations with all countries in the world

 Commitment to a non-nuclear Iran

The MEK remains a strong and cohesive organization, with a broad reach both worldwide and deep within Iran. MEK is the leading voice for democracy in Iran, supported by its interpretation of Islam that discredits the fundamentalist mullahs regime.
According to this report, the Tehran Province IRGC Intelligence unit has arrested these people on Tuesday morning in Tehran, Ray and Pardis.

The report only talks about the arrest of a large network and does not say exactly how many people have been arrested.

The government news agency also does not explain what religious deviation is.

Mehr News Agency nevertheless claims that the detainees have resorted to destroy Abrahamian religions and deviating public opinion in public and in cyber space with the pretext of promoting evangelical Christianity and house churches.

The report indicates that the arrests were made following a sophisticated intelligence operation and in this regard, a number of the accused were handed over to judicial authorities with obtained documents.

The maltreatment of religious minorities, especially new Christians, mentioned in this report, has continued for many years.
Update: Police say Mr Negoescu has been found safe and well.

A Canberra man missing since May has still not been found and police have renewed calls for public assistance.

38-year-old Benjamin Negoescu has been missing for two months. Credit:ACT Police

Benjamin Negoescu, 38, was last seen in Bruce Thursday, May 18, 2017.

He is described as being Caucasian in appearance, approximately 188cm (6'2") tall, of slim build with short black hair.
The ACT Government has committed $1 million to help Canberrans exit the greyhound industry.

Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay unveiled the program on Friday, which will be offered to people and businesses with a stake in the ACT greyhound industry.

The Canberra greyhound industry says it will knock back a $1 million transition offer from the ACT government and will fight the ban in court. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos

But Canberra Greyhound Racing Club spokesman Kel Watt said the industry would not accept the money and would instead fight the ban in court.

The ACT government last month announced the territory would become the first jurisdiction in the country to outlaw greyhound racing.
On Tuesday, around 1,000 Haft Tapeh sugar cane workers protested non-payment of their 6-month salaries, and confronted the police forces.

The law enforcement officers attacked the workers with tear gas to prevent the spread of this protest.

After the clash, law enforcement officers arrested 15 protesting workers on Tuesday.

On Wednesday July 27, 2017, following the arrests, other workers gathered once again in protest in the factorys site and in addition to demand their previous claims, sought information about the situation of their arrested colleagues.

Workers have said they will continue their protest if their colleagues are not freed, and to pursue vigorously their rightful claims.
Prosecutors urged a court on Friday to jail a man involved in a drive-by shooting and send a message to criminals who try to settle disputes in that way.

On February 2, 2015, five bullets were unloaded into a Gowrie home while people were inside, including two children. One woman was grazed but not seriously hurt.

Shots were fired at the front of a Gowrie house in February 2015. Credit:Jay Cronan

Canberra man Harley Dean Stott was one of several people arrested over the shooting but it was the man's "serious misplaced loyalty" that had got him involved, his lawyers told the court.

Stott's friend Erin Maree Miller was at the time in a dispute with another woman over a drug debt. The woman apparently had Miller's stolen jewellery and the shooting was an attempt to get it back.
Online giant Amazon has arrived in Australia with news of a lease agreement of the former Bunnings distribution centre at 29 National Drive, in Dandenong, within the M2 Industry Park, which is owned by Pellicano.

The group's website is offering jobs in the Dandenong area for a range of on-site activities and office positions.

M2 Industry Park in Dandenong.

The 24,387 square metre site is close to transport and other large-scale retail and logistics businesses.

It is expected the major warehouse, known as fulfilment centres, of about 60,000 sq m-plus will be in the Goodman Group/Brickworks site at the Oakdale Industrial Park in Sydney's Eastern Creek.
The eagerly awaited six-bedroom home will open in Blacktown on August 11 and will safely accommodate five at risk and homeless young people at a time, in addition to a live-in carer, thanks to the collaboration of the Property Industry Foundation, Frasers Property Australia and Marist180. Mayor of Blacktown Councillor Stephen Bail will cut the ribbon on PIF House Blacktown, a PIF project for Marist180. Frasers provided design services, construction expertise and project management for the $520,000 house, which was built with the help of many volunteers and donations from the property sector.

Student power

Undergraduate students from leading universities across Australia and New Zealand will have the opportunity to participate in a real estate case competition hosted by the University of Sydney Business School and sponsored by Savills Australia. The competition is based on a real-world Australian real estate case, giving students the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice. Savills Australia and New Zealand chief executive Paul Craig, who is on the judging panel, said the students would compete for a trip to New York. "But more importantly, it is a real life working example of what these students are going to be doing in their property careers," Mr Craig said.
Those who have bought into Amazon should not be expecting it to sing from the same operational and strategic song sheet as most established companies. Credit:Bloomberg Interestingly, Amazon's web services business accounted for a larger profit than the whole company and, of even greater significance, Amazon's international retail operations are losing money. Harvey Norman's Gerry Harvey might think that's good for Australian retail but this is probably wishful thinking. The fact that Amazon is happy to sustain short and even medium-term losses in this division to plough money into it says a lot about Bezos' longer-term aspirations. Australians still don't know exactly when Amazon will arrive here and how much of the market it will steal from existing retail operators and streaming services like Stan or Foxtel.

Bezos never promised that earnings would be anything less than volatile. But the latest results from Amazon (which incidentally doesn't mention Australia in its commentary) suggest that the US giant is undertaking a leg-up in its investment binge. Bezos is spending billions to grab revenue and market share. Sure it's a result that hasn't pleased plenty of investors hoping earnings would really start to move up steeply. The shares fell 3 per cent after the second-quarter result and expectations for the third quarter were released.

But realistically those who have bought into Amazon should not be expecting it to sing from the same operational and strategic song sheet as most established companies, which, with smaller or limited growth prospects, hand most of their profits back to shareholders rather than reinvest them in the business. They operate on shorter-term horizons, maximising short to medium-term prospects, and always keep a very close eye on shareholder expectations to enhance dividends. Take Telstra, a company that likes to be tagged a technology stock. In a recent interview, its recently installed chairman, John Mullen, mused: "It's fascinating that the potential competitors of the future, not the traditional Optus or Vodafone but more likely the Amazons of the world, don't pay a dividend. "They reinvest their ever-growing cash flow into cheaper and better products to gain market share. "I think there's going to be a growing divide between some of the older, established companies and the newer companies, not just because of technology but also because of the new investor models."

He went on the say that "if Telstra didn't pay dividends for 10 years, we would have a $50 billion war chest to take on the new competitors". He then woke from that lapse into dreamworld. Those who invest in Amazon need to put traditional investment fundamentals like earnings per share and price-earnings multiples to the side and put their trust in the Bezos dream. (And those who have done so over the past decade have made a very handsome return on their investment. Ten years ago, investors could pick up Amazon shares at $US69. Today, they are trading north of $US1000. And here is just a taste of what Amazon has done with its cash over the past quarter, according to Bezos.
Sell the GPO? How dare they? Are we really so bereft of values that we flog our own history, our heartland treasures, for a paltry sum? We've finally come to this?

Well yes, apparently. Not that we, the public, approve. We don't. Most of us are scandalised. But this just drives them under cover  a secret Foreign Investment Review Board process, a secret heritage plan, secret sales contract. Sold to offshore billionaires for a mere $150 million. What will be next? The Town Hall? The Opera House? The Bridge?

Illustration: Simon Bosch

The sale of the GPO is a disgrace and a catastrophe. The price is piddling. Assurances of heritage protection are barely worth the screen time of reading them. Plus it didn't have to happen. Unlike the Queen Victoria Building, which desperately needed repair (and is anyway only leased), the GPO was fully restored and earthquake proofed 20 years ago. It is replete with vibrant small business. So this is strictly an exercise in asset stripping.

Yet, ironically, the building itself is probably safer in the hands of Singaporean billionaires than those of our own messed-up government.
Mrs Bickel, our Year 8 scripture teacher, was big on the Book of Revelations. She seemed to favour all the parts of the Bible that depicted hell. The fiery lake of burning sulphur, the dragon who came out of the sea with 10 heads (each bearing a blasphemous name) and all the bits about sinners receiving the mark of the Beast.

This was scary for 13-year-olds, so much so that my father complained to my school (proudly public, and notably lax on what happened in scripture classes).

Mrs Bickel did not approve of Madonna's Like a Prayer video.

His complaint was ignored, a fact for which I am grateful, because come Year 9, things got interesting. We turned. Deploying the peculiar manipulative intelligence only available to teenage girls, we undermined Mrs Bickel's authority by asking increasingly precocious questions  about homosexuality, about the condemnation of non-believers, about Jesus' capacity to forgive all the acts we sensed Mrs Bickel regarded most sinful. We mentioned sex as often as possible.

I recall fondly Mrs Bickel's discomfort as she attempted to answer detailed queries on the film clip for Madonna's Like A Prayer, which had been released a few years previously.
The final season of Game of Thrones is back and winter is coming for House Turnbull.

The failure of the federal government on energy policy is driving up emissions, driving up energy prices, stalling investment and harming consumers. And hasn't it been a cold winter. Unless the Turnbull government can soon pull energy policy out of the bog Tony Abbott created, no amount of blaming the states or renewables is going to save him.

An average Canberra household with both gas and electricity will be paying an additional $11 per week or $580 per year. Credit:Claudiad

Coalition MP Craig Kelly caused a stir recently when he said that "people will die" due to rising electricity prices. Kelly was wrong to blame renewable energy  more on that later, but he was right about the lethal cost of energy poverty. Of course, it's hard to believe Kelly truly cares about the poor being able to pay for power when the Turnbull government is simultaneously trying to slash a supplement designed specifically to help struggling Australians to pay their energy bills. That's ice cold.

The Clean Energy Supplement helps aged pensioners, disability support pensioners, single parents, widows, students, veterans and people who can't find work to pay their electricity bills. It was introduced to compensate the price increases that came with the carbon price. Of course, when Tony Abbott scrapped the carbon price, allowing polluters to once again pollute our air for free, he promised it would reduce electricity bills. But, as with his earlier claim that climate change is absolute crap, Abbott was wrong.
Meanwhile, we woke up one day last week to find that North Korean missiles can target Australia. We're not sure if they could put a nuclear weapon on it, but nobody thinks that's far away. Australians may reasonably wonder whether money for submarines that will only start to be delivered 15 years from now could be better spent protecting us from more immediate threats.

Having to estimate what the world will look like 20 or more years in the future is part of the job description for defence planners. The Collins is fit for purpose now (only after much hard work to remediate shambolic management in the 2000s) and will be a credible threat for years to come. Like other strategic analysts, I worry that the schedule for the future submarine fleet is too slow, but also recognise that it has to be a long-term commitment.

The fleet of 12 future submarines, which will cost Australian taxpayers more than $50 billion by the time the project is completed, is scheduled to be delivered from 2030 to 2050. That seems a long way off, but recall that planning for the current Collins submarines started 30 years ago  and they'll be around until the late 2030s.

Defence equipment is never cheap and it often takes years  and frequently a lot of heartache and missed deadlines  to get it into service after a decision is made to buy it. In the world of defence procurement, talking in billions of dollars and tens of years is common.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has called for a missile defence system to be a high priority. Of course, it's easy for those not in the decision-making chairs to make that sort of call. The advice the Turnbull government is getting is likely to be suggesting a more cautious approach. If we moved today, we could throw a lot of money at ballistic missile defence without getting much in the way of real protection.

The problem is that there are no reliable missile defence systems that offer protection against North Korean intercontinental missiles. Available systems are either unproven or unsuitable for our circumstances  and are all expensive. The US is currently deploying the THAAD system to South Korea. It seems to work pretty well; a test earlier this week was the 14th straight successful intercept of an incoming missile. But THAAD works best against short- to medium-range missiles, which come in relatively slowly. Those don't have the range to target Australia.

As a rule of thumb, ballistic missile defence works best against small numbers of short-range missiles that don't have sophisticated countermeasures such as electronic jamming or decoys. Change any of those three variables and defence gets much harder. A defensive system confronted by a large number of long-range missiles with sophisticated countermeasures would surely fail.

There are some tentative signs that defence against longer-range missiles is becoming plausible, though recent tests have produced mixed results. The US successfully intercepted an intercontinental missile in May of this year. The missile was launched from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands group, and was intercepted over the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii by a missile launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. It was the second consecutive success for the ground-based missile defence system used in the trial, and the first test against an intercontinental-class target. If we could be sure that the system was always going to work, we may reasonably be getting out the chequebook.

But critics point out that it was only the second successful trial of five since 2010, noting that "in school, 40 per cent is not even a passing grade". And it's hard to know how much faith to put in a test when the missile is fired at a known time and on a known trajectory. Kim Jong Un isn't going to phone ahead with the launch details.
The most organized and renowned Iranian opposition group is none other than the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) with the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) being the core member of this coalition.

The MEK enjoys vast support both inside Iran and abroad, especially an unmatched network of activists who dare to show their support for NCRI President Maryam Rajavi and her movement at whatever opportunity.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) echoed Tillersons view, saying its time the Iranian people had a free and open society and a functioning democracy, effectively a call for regime change.

Just months ago Senator McCain paid a visit to Albania where most MEK members are currently stationed after a long ordeal in Iraq. The MEK was the target of numerous attacks by Iran-backed proxy groups and even the government of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki prior to their departure of this country in 2016.

On July 1, a major convention was held in Paris where hundreds of political dignitaries from across the globe explicitly called for regime change in Iran and supporting the NCRI and MEK.

The MEKs vast popular base was proven as over 100,000 members of the Iranian Diaspora rushed to Paris to express their support for Maryam Rajavi, the MEK and a free and democratic Iran.

Trump allies, including John Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations during the George W. Bush administration were present and voiced their support for the conventions cause.

There is a viable opposition to the rule of the ayatollahs, and that opposition is centered in this room today. I had said for over 10 years since coming to these events, that the declared policy of the United States of America should be  to change the regime itself. And thats why, before 2019, we here will celebrate in Tehran!

We are currently at a period of analysis as the Presidents National Security Council reviews Washingtons Iran policy.

The best and most realistic option before the Trump administration is supporting the pro-democracy coalition of dissidents, the NCRI, which is best able to mobilize other opposition groups into an even broader coalition. This, coupled with the MEKs vast domestic network inside Iran, pose a major threat for the ruling regime in Tehran.

In his visit to Riyadh, President Trump also expressed strong views about extremist groups, sending a stark message to those supporting such entities.

Drive them out of your places of worship, Trump said of extremists, drive them out of your holy land. Drive them out of this earth.

After the July 1 convention in Paris, reports seen the next day indicated Trump might defy Tehran by signaling his willingness to consider supporting the Iranian opposition.

Iranian people and their resistance, with the NCRI and MEK at the helm, will bring about the regime change from within. And that is where U.S. and international support will help.

Washington benefits from aligning with the Iranian opposition NCRI and MEK because this resistance is seeking regime change to bring about democracy and freedom for the Iranian people, and the region, and merely peace and security for the whole world by rooting out the central exporter of terrorism and Islamic extremism. Which is the religious fascism ruling Iran.

Thus, President Trump has before him the option of reaching out to the Iranian opposition during his review of Iran policy.

More about MEK

A Long Conflict between the Clerical Regime and the MEK

The origins of the MEK date back to before the 1979 Iranian Revolution., the MEK helped to overthrow the dictatorship of Shah Reza Pahlavi, but it quickly became a bitter enemy of the emerging the religious fascism under the pretext of Islamic Republic. To this day, the MEK and NCRI describe Ruhollah Khomenei and his associates as having co-opted a popular revolution in order to empower themselves while imposing a fundamentalist view of Islam onto the people of Iran.

Under the Islamic Republic, the MEK was quickly marginalized and affiliation with it was criminalized. Much of the organizations leadership went to neighboring Iraq and built an exile community called Camp Ashraf, from which the MEK organized activities aimed at ousting the clerical regime and bringing the Iranian Revolution back in line with its pro-democratic origins. But the persistence of these efforts also prompted the struggling regime to crack down with extreme violence on the MEK and other opponents of theocratic rule.

The crackdowns culminated in the massacre of political prisoners in the summer of 1988, as the Iran-Iraq War was coming to a close. Thousands of political prisoners were held in Iranian jails at that time, many of them having already served out their assigned prison sentences. And with the MEK already serving as the main voice of opposition to the regime at that time, its members and supporters naturally made up the vast majority of the population of such prisoners.

As the result of a fatwa handed down by Khomeini, the regime convened what came to be known as the Death Commission, assigning three judges the task of briefly interviewing prisoners to determine whether they retained any sympathy for the MEK or harbored any resentment toward the existing government. Those who were deemed to have shown any sign of continued opposition were sentenced to be hanged. After a period of about three months, an estimated 30,000 people had been put to death. Many other killings of MEK members preceded and followed that incident, so that today the Free Iran rally includes an annual memorial for approximately 120,000 martyrs from the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran.

The obvious motive behind the 1988 massacre and other such killings was the destruction of the MEK. And yet it has not only survived but thrived, gaining allies to form the NCRI and acquiring the widespread support that is put on display at each years Free Iran rally. In the previous events, the keynote speech was delivered by Maryam Rajavi, who has been known to receive several minutes of applause from the massive crowd as she takes the stage. Her speeches provide concrete examples of the vulnerability of the clerical regime and emphasize the ever-improving prospects for the MEK to lead the way in bringing about regime change.

The recipients of that message are diverse and they include more than just the assembled crowd of MEK members and supporters. The expectation is that the international dignitaries at each years event will carry the message of the MEK back to their own governments and help to encourage more policymakers to recognize the role of the Iranian Resistance in the potential creation of a free and democratic Iranian nation. It is also expected that the event will inspire millions of Iranians to plan for the eventual removal of the clerical regime. And indeed, the MEK broadcasts the event via its own satellite television network, to millions of Iranian households with illegal hookups.

MEKs Domestic Activism and Intelligence Network

Whats more, the MEK retains a solid base of activists inside its Iranian homeland. In the run-up to this years Free Iran rally the role of those activists was particularly evident, since the event comes just a month and a half after the latest Iranian presidential elections, in which heavily stage-managed elections resulted in the supposedly moderate incumbent Hassan Rouhani securing reelection. His initial election in 2013 was embraced by some Western policymakers as a possible sign of progress inside the Islamic Republic, but aside from the 2015 nuclear agreement with six world powers, none of his progressive-sounding campaign promises have seen the light of day.

Rouhanis poor record has provided additional fertile ground for the message of the MEK and Maryam Rajavi. The Iranian Resistance has long argued that change from within the regime is impossible, and this was strongly reiterated against the backdrop of the presidential elections, when MEK activists used graffiti, banners, and other communications to describe the sitting president as an imposter. Many of those same communications decried Rouhanis leading challenger, Ebrahim Raisi, as a murderer, owing to his leading role in the massacre of MEK supporters in 1988.

That fact helped to underscore the domestic support for the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran, insofar as many people who participated in the election said they recognized Raisi as the worst the regime had to offer, and that they were eager to prevent him from taking office. But this is not to say that voters saw Rouhani in a positive light, especially where the MEK is concerned. Under the Rouhani administration, the Justice Minister is headed by Mostafa Pourmohammadi, who also served on the Death Commission and declared as recently as last year that he was proud of himself for having carried out what he described as Gods command of death for MEK supporters.

With this and other aspects of the Islamic Republics record, the MEKs pre-election activism was mainly focused on encouraging Iranians to boycott the polls. The publicly displayed banners and posters urged a vote for regime change, and many of them included the likeness of Maryam Rajavi, suggesting that her return to Iran from France would signify a meaningful alternative to the hardline servants of the clerical regime who are currently the only option in any Iranian national election.

Naturally, this direct impact on Iranian politics is the ultimate goal of MEK activism. But it performs other recognizable roles from its position in exile, not just limited to the motivational and organization role of the Free Iran rally and other, smaller gatherings. In fact, the MEK rose to particular international prominence in 2005 when it released information that had been kept secret by the Iranian regime about its nuclear program. These revelations included the locations of two secret nuclear sites: an uranium enrichment facility at Natanz and a heavy water plant at Arak, capable of producing enriched plutonium.

As well as having a substantial impact on the status of international policy regarding the Iranian nuclear program, the revelations also highlighted the MEKs popular support and strong network inside Iran. Although Maryam Rajavi and the rest of the leadership of the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran reside outside of the country, MEK affiliates are scattered throughout Iranian society with some even holding positions within hardline government and military institutions, including the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Drawing upon the resources of that intelligence network, the MEK has continued to share crucial information with Western governments in recent years, some of it related to the nuclear program and some of it related to other matters including terrorist training, military development, and the misappropriation of financial resources. The MEK has variously pointed out that the Revolutionary Guard controls well over half of Irans gross domestic product, both directly and through a series of front companies and close affiliates in all manner of Iranian industries.

In February of this year, the Washington, D.C. office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran held press conferences to detail MEK intelligence regarding the expansion of terrorist training programs being carried out across Iran by the Revolutionary Guards. The growth of these programs reportedly followed upon direct orders from Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and coincided with increased recruitment of foreign nationals to fight on Tehrans behalf in regional conflicts including the Syrian and Yemeni civil wars.

In the weeks following that press conference, the MEKs parent organization also prepared documents and held other talks explaining the source of some of the Revolutionary Guards power and wealth. Notably, this series of revelations reflected upon trends in American policy toward the Islamic Republic of Iran. And other revelations continue to do so, even now.

MEK Intelligence Bolstering US Policy Shifts

Soon after taking office, and around the time the MEK identified a series of Revolutionary Guard training camps, US President Donald Trump directed the State Department to review the possibility of designating Irans hardline paramilitary as a foreign terrorist organization. Doing so would open the Revolutionary Guards up to dramatically increased sanctions  a strategy that the MEK prominently supports as a means of weakening the barriers to regime change within Iran.

The recent revelations of the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran have gone a long way toward illustrating both the reasons for giving this designation to the Revolutionary Guards and the potential impact of doing so. Since then, the MEK has also used its intelligence gathering to highlight the ways in which further sanctioning the Guards could result in improved regional security, regardless of the specific impact on terrorist financing.

For example, in June the NCRIs Washington, D.C. office held yet another press conference wherein it explained that MEK operatives had become aware of another order for escalation that had been given by Supreme Leader Khamenei, this one related to the Iranian ballistic missile program. This had also been a longstanding point of contention for the Trump administration and the rest of the US government, in light of several ballistic missile launches that have been carried out since the conclusion of nuclear negotiations, including an actual strike on eastern Syria.

That strike was widely viewed as a threatening gesture toward the US. And the MEK has helped to clarify the extent of the threat by identifying 42 separate missile sites scattered throughout Iran, including one that was working closely with the Iranian institution that had previously been tasked with weaponizing aspects of the Iranian nuclear program.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) led by Maryam Rajavi is thus going to great lengths to encourage the current trend in US policy, which is pointing to more assertiveness and possibly even to the ultimate goal of regime change. The MEK is also striving to move Europe in a similar direction, and the July 1 gathering is likely to show further progress toward that goal. This is because hundreds of American and European politicians and scholars have already declared support for the NCRI and MEK and the platform of Maryam Rajavi. The number grows every year, while the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran continues to collect intelligence that promises to clarify the need for regime change and the practicality of their strategy for achieving it.
One Nation's Malcolm Roberts will almost certainly be referred to the High Court in a challenge to his eligibility that could pave the way for Pauline Hanson's sister to replace him in the Senate.

The Turnbull government is considering asking the High Court to examine unanswered questions around Senator Roberts' UK citizenship, unless he provides further evidence he properly renounced before nominating as a candidate last June. Labor, the Greens and Nick Xenophon Team have all indicated they will support such a motion in the Senate.

Senator Roberts is hanging by a thread after he revealed he only received confirmation from British authorities that his renunciation was successful a full six months after he nominated as a candidate. It remains unclear whether he took "reasonable steps" - as required by the constitution - to renounce his foreign citizenship prior to nominating.
Osama bin Laden during an interview by Pakistani journalist, Hamid Mir, near Kabul in 2001. Credit:Getty Images Team or "Chalk" One's bird was down but the unit was improvising, knowing they had only 30 minutes to pull it off. Chalk Two's chopper had deposited its load in a nearby field and was already back in the air. The Chalk Two operators were supposed to guard the perimeter. Now they would have to blast their way through the gate and lead the search for Osama from the ground up. White House photographer Pete Souzas famous shot of Barack Obama and his national security team, including Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton, in the Situation Room on May 1, 2011, as the raid on the bin Laden compound took place. Credit:Handout/EPA Just after midnight, May 2, 2011; Bilal Town, Abbottabad "We opened the doors, and I looked out," said SEAL operator Robert O'Neill, who was in the chopper that landed in the field. "This is some serious Navy SEAL shit we're going to do," he murmured to himself. It was a great way to settle the nerves. O'Neill's team pounded across the muddy field toward the compound. There was no sign of the other chopper. "I looked to the left," he said. "The mock-up had been dead-on. To actually be there and see the house with the three storeys, the blacked-out windows, high walls, and barbed wire  just like the satellite photos. I was like, 'This is really cool I'm here.'"

Sohaib Athar, a coffee-shop owner and IT consultant who lived about a kilometre away from Bilal Town, was working late at his computer. He had heard the sound of the arriving Black Hawks, too. "Helicopter hovering above Abbottabad at 1 AM (is a rare event)," he tweeted as his handle, @ReallyVirtual. Chalk Two kept circling. Sohaib tweeted again. "Go away helicopter  before I take out my giant swatter :-/" Inside the Waziristan Palace, up on the third floor, two-year-old Hussein was crying. His mother went to turn on a light, unaware there was a power outage. "No," hissed bin Laden, paralysed by fear. This was not how Amal had imagined her hero behaving in a tight spot. "Come up!" he called out hoarsely to his son Khalid, one floor down below. From a second-floor window, Khalid and his mother, Seham, bin Laden's third wife, had seen the SEALs sprinting across the field toward them. Khalid pelted upstairs. "Americans are coming," he panted, clutching a loaded AK-47 and dressed in his pyjamas. Amal recalled her husband telling her that the last time Khalid had fired a weapon was at the age of 13. If the Americans killed the sheikh's official guardians, Ibrahim and Abrar Saeed, the al-Kuwaiti brothers, untested Khalid would be his father's last line of defence. Amal and Seham went off to comfort the younger children, who were crying in their bunk beds. Occasionally, their father had allowed them into his studio to play a bootlegged copy of Delta Force: Xtreme 2, a first-person shooter video game, but now they were terrified. They glanced fearfully toward the room belonging to Khairiah, Osama's second wife. The door was firmly shut. A blast shook the house as the gate to the annex courtyard was blown open. Amal now felt certain of something. They had been betrayed by one of their own. @ReallyVirtual heard it, too: "OMG: Bomb Blasts in Abbottabad. I hope everyone is fine :(."

They should not have been in Abbottabad at all, Amal thought. Months before, Ibrahim and Abrar, who had become live-in caretakers to bin Laden in 2002 when there had been only one wife and one child to look after, had called a meeting with him to announce that they'd had enough. Bin Laden had talked over them, revealing that his already oversize family caravan was about to grow even bigger, with five new family members joining him: much-loved son Hamzah, his wife and two children, and Hamzah's mother, Khairiah. They had been held in Iran for eight years, taking an offer of sanctuary in late 2001 that, by 2003, had turned into a prison. But in August 2010, Tehran had finally agreed to allow them to leave and they had slowly and carefully made their way to Pakistan. The al-Kuwaiti brothers despaired. Ibrahim had just come back from a doctor who had diagnosed him as suffering from terminal cancer. Abrar was suffering from chronic depression. Neither guardian wanted to spend his dying days caring for the Sheikh's ever-expanding brood. But bin Laden would not budge. Al-Qaeda had rallied, it was solvent and busy plotting new attacks, and he was not going to be pushed around by his guardians. Did they not understand that he had sacrificed everything and never stolen even a moment for himself? The brothers were unmoved. Given how much time they had invested in building the Abbottabad villa, and the fact that Abrar's name was on all the paperwork, they regarded the compound as theirs. They would not be moving out: bin Laden and his family would have to go. The al-Qaeda emir was being evicted. Months earlier, in December, a shaken bin Laden had written to his strong-willed second wife, Khairiah, who was still en route from Iran. It was his hope that she would arrive quickly. She was the only one with the ability to talk the al-Kuwaiti brothers down and he needed her vision and organisational skills to help him prepare for the coming 10th anniversary of 9/11.

An agreement was eventually hammered out. The Sheikh, as they called him, signed a written promise to move out of Abbottabad  and he set the date: shortly after the anniversary in September 2011. The Abbottabad epoch was, in everyone's minds, almost over. Early February 2011; Bilal Town, Abbottabad News came that, after six months in transit, wife two Khairiah had finally reached Peshawar. Bin Laden was delighted but also now deeply suspicious, wondering why she and their son had been released by the Iranians and forced to travel via Pakistan rather than the Gulf. He worried that his wife was being followed by Iranian intelligence. Had Khairiah had her teeth X-rayed, he asked her in a letter. Had anything shown up in her medical examination, like a tracking chip that, according to son Khalid's recent research, could be implanted under the skin and be "the length of a grain of wheat and the width of a fine piece of vermicelli"? Could she remember the date of her last dental treatment? Or the last time an Iranian doctor had seen her? Bin Laden demanded "every detail to help me from the security point of view". He sent 25,000 Pakistani rupees ($300) and a box of Saudi dates to sustain her on her journey. On February 12, 2011, after dark, Khairiah, wrapped up in several dupattas, entered Abbottabad and made it to the Waziristan Palace. As the huge metal gates of the compound opened and swallowed up the white Suzuki jeep carrying her, everyone inside the vehicle exhaled with relief.

But inside the building, the other residents were on tenterhooks. Bin Laden had last seen his wife in September 2001. This was "the beginning of a new era", Khairiah declared as she greeted family members who lined up to greet her. She kissed the foreheads of grandchildren she had never met. She tried to hug Seham but her sister-wife stiffened. Seham was as fearful as bin Laden. Khairiah could be bait, or have been tracked. Was she a traitor? Amal watched the older woman in silence. The exterior of the Abbottabad compound where bin Laden was killed. Credit:AAP May 2, 2011, Bilal Town, Abbottabad Five minutes down: out in Khalid's vegetable patch, the SEALs inside ChalkOne had emerged unscathed and were improvising, their original plans to rappel onto the roof of the house now abandoned. After blasting through a gate into the main compound, they had fanned out, some heading for the main house while two of them approached the annex where Ibrahim lived with his young family. It was labelled on the SEAL's Sensitive Site Exploitation (SSE) charts as C1. The SSE charts were a compendium of everyone living inside the Abbottabad compound and its probable layout. They were brimming with information (and laminated to protect against blood splatters). Chalk One team member Matthew Bissonnette and another SEAL identified by the pseudonym "Will" crept toward the glass doors of C1, boots crunching the gravel. Inside, Ibrahim and his wife Maryam, having already been woken by the helicopter crash-landing, a sound she later described as a "noise of a magnitude I had never heard before", were sitting frozen in the dark.

Ibrahim went to fetch their daughter, Rehma, who was crying in her bed, then grabbed his AK-47. Someone was trying to open their door from the outside. "Is that you, Abrar?" he muttered, slipping off his weapon's safety catch. This is it, Maryam thought; the night she had long dreaded. She wrapped herself around her 18-month-old son, Habib, as Ibrahim let off a volley of shots. The glass in the door shattered. From outside, a man speaking Arabic barked orders. "Ahmad al-Kuwaiti come out!" shouted Will, as Bissonnette pumped rounds through the door. Inside, Maryam watched, horrified, as her husband fell backwards, dead, blood pooling on the cement floor around him. Rounds whizzed around her, clattering across the kitchen. Heating oil glugged all over the kitchen floor, filling the room with fumes. Eight minutes down: the family on the third floor gathered to pray, all eyes on bin Laden. "They want me, not you," he finally said, instructing his wives to go downstairs with the children. Amal refused to move, while his oldest daughters, Miriam and Sumaiya, hid on the outside balcony with some of their younger half-siblings. Third wife Seham and son Khalid started to descend, bumping into Khairiah, who was watching through a window as silent silhouettes advanced on the house. One floor below, guardian Abrar, who had no idea Ibrahim was dead, sheltered behind his bedroom door with his wife Bushra and their three children. Chalk One was clearing the ground-floor apartment first. A C-4 charge went off and the south door cracked open. As SEALs poured inside, Abrar popped up to see what was going on and the point man took a shot. Abrar fell back onto a lilac and pink flowered bed sheet, arms raised. Bushra jumped forward through the darkness, hoping her husband had only been winged. But as rounds spun towards her, too, she crumpled dead in the doorway. Upstairs, Amal, bin Laden and their son Hussein were listening to the pings of rounds and pops of charges. Bin Laden muttered prayers. After six years of isolation, the children having constantly been berated for making the smallest noise, Amal realised with cold dread that Americans were swarming their home, readying to kill them all, and there was no emergency procedure aside from the euros sewn into her husband's underwear along with emergency numbers for his deputies in Waziristan. Since neither she nor her husband had a mobile phone, what use were they? It was clear, she thought: their safe house was a death trap and someone had betrayed them.

Ten minutes down: O'Neill's team prepared to go upstairs. "So we're looking down the hallway at the door to the stairwell," he recalls. "I figured this was the only door to get upstairs, which means the people upstairs can't get down." The breacher had to blast it twice. "We started rolling up," says O'Neill. Bissonnette, now inside the building, was not far behind. Bin Laden's son Khalid was hiding on the second landing. O'Neill was four men back in the stack when he saw the point man hold up the line. A face had just popped up over the balcony before pulling back. O'Neill had seen the jack-in-the-box too, and he listened as the point man whispered in Arabic, then in Pashto, "Khalid, come here." It was an old bushman's trick. "That confused Khalid," recalls O'Neill. "He's probably thinking, 'I just heard shitty Arabic and shitty Pashto. Who the f is this?' " O'Neill watched as Khalid leaned out just far enough for someone to take the shot. He fell back dead. Climbing over Khalid's body, Bissonnette noted his AK-47 was propped up on a step. An artists rendering of the Abbottabad compound's interior, provided by the CIA. Credit:AAP Thirteen minutes down: The advancing SEALs reached the third floor. O'Neill later claimed he was the second man in the stack. So did Matthew Bissonnette. Whoever was second turned to check his rear just as the pointman reached the top step, flicked aside a door curtain and caught sight of a ghostly face peeking out from a doorway three metres ahead: Osama bin Laden. He fired and the head jerked back, as if he'd been shot. Swinging around, the second SEAL put his hand on the point man's shoulder and squeezed, "Go." The point man and his number two strode across the top landing as two young screaming women charged at them  Sumaiya and Miriam, lunging at the Americans through the darkness. The point man grabbed one under each arm and propelled them backward against a wall. Everyone in the house was presumed to be strapped into suicide vests, and in that moment he tried to shield the rest of the team.

It was the first time the girls had ever been touched by a man outside the family and they became hysterical. With the girls (and any explosives they might have been carrying) covered, O'Neill rolled past the point man and went on into the bedroom, where he came face to face with a very tall and very skinny Arab in a white prayer cap looking blindly through the darkness. O'Neill noticed there was someone in front of bin Laden  a woman. Before their marriage, Amal had said she wanted to go down in history, but she had never expected it to end like this. For a split second, O'Neill wavered. Who posed the greater threat? Amal saw the American raise his weapon, and she instinctively rushed him. He shouted "No! No!" and, zing, Amal felt a searing pain in her leg and collapsed onto the bed bleeding. The last thing she remembered before passing out was "a red beam of light but I heard no sound". O'Neill raised his weapon extra high to meet the main target's head. "He's going down," he thought as he loosed off a round. "The tall man crumpled onto the floor in front of his bed and I hit him again, bap! Same place." The target's tongue was lolling. His head was split open. O'Neill watched him suck in a last breath. Bissonnette dropped down to take a closer look. "The man's face was mangled from at least one bullet and covered in blood," he recalls. More SEALs thumped up the stairs to take a look. A volley of muffled shots rang out as commemorative, vengeful rounds were pumped into the body. Amal came to and knew she needed to play dead on the bed. She closed her eyes and slowed her breathing. When O'Neill swung around, Amal remained as still as she could. O'Neill saw a young boy watching from the other side of the bed. It was Hussein, who had witnessed everything. He picked him up and put him down next to his mother.

Fifteen minutes down: No one wanted to call it in until they were sure. Amal, motionless, listened horrified as the SEALs held Sumaiya and Miriam over their dead father. O'Neill towered above them, demanding they confirm the dead man's identity. Bissonnette, who had put on latex gloves and was wiping blood from the corpse's face using a blanket from the bed, compared the profile against pictures of Osama bin Laden in the laminated SSE booklet. He was still not convinced. The nose looked right, but the face was "way younger" than expected. He pulled the beard this way and that. Bissonnette asked another SEAL to pull the good eyelid open so he could get a picture of the dark brown iris. The room was filled with the noise of women sobbing. Sumaiya and Miriam wanted to turn their father's body toward Mecca as was traditional after death, but the Americans pressed on. "What's his name?" ordered a SEAL in Arabic. "The Sheikh." "The Sheikh who?" he asked. Miriam whispered: "Abdullah bin Muhammed."

O'Neill shrugged. He did not understand. Sumaiya spoke in Arabic to her sister: "Tell them the truth, they are not Pakistanis." Miriam could not speak. Bissonnette continued to clean bin Laden. Sumaiya piped up. "My father," she said at last. "Osama bin Laden." Still not certain, the Arabic-speaking SEAL grabbed Amal's 11-year-old daughter, Safiyah, from the balcony. "Who's that?" he asked, gesturing to the body. Safiyah was hysterical. "Osama bin Laden." Another SEAL grabbed Khairiah, who was in the hallway. "Stop f...ing with me," said the SEAL, shaking her. "Who's that?" Khairiah started to shake. "Osama," she murmured.

"Osama what?" he asked, still holding her arm. "Osama bin Laden." "Hey, dual confirmation," announced the Arabic-speaking SEAL. "Confirmed it with the kid. Confirmed it with the old lady." Sumaiya, who had been cuffed and placed in a far corner, listened to the sound of her father's head bumping as his body was dragged down the staircase. A minute later, she and Miriam were taken down, too, following the streak of blood, stepping over her dead brother Khalid. Seham came next, trying to negotiate steps made slippery with his and bin Laden's blood. She saw Khalid, whispered a prayer and knelt to kiss his forehead but the SEALs pulled her away. Everyone was cuffed as SEALs charged about, stuffing whatever they could into bags  mobile phones, DVDs, paperwork, hard drives, thumb drives, cameras  leaving behind what appeared to be a large haul of raw opium, stuffed into duffel bags under a bed. Five minutes later bin Laden's body was loaded onto the still-functioning Black Hawk. Chalk Two team was ready to go. Up in the top-floor bedroom, Amal lay gazing up at the blood-spattered ceiling, thinking about her dead husband. After six years cooped up in this airtight place, the end they had never dared discuss had come and gone in minutes. She felt Hussein trembling beside her, but her leg was throbbing and she could not find the strength to sit up.

An orange brilliance filled the room and lit up the yellow flowery curtains as a huge explosion shattered the windows, scattering glass over them. The stricken Black Hawk had been blown-up. A replacement US Chinook came down to scoop up the remaining SEAL team. After only a few seconds on the ground, it skimmed off down the valley. After a few minutes, Amal heard chatter outside, as frightened neighbours began coming out of their houses. She clutched Hussein, pulling him closer. A few streets away, @ReallyVirtual tweeted: "Since taliban (probably) don't have helicopters, and since they're saying it was not 'ours,' so must be a complicated situation #abbottabad." May 2, 2011, 3am; Jalalabad, Afghanistan Mission commander Admiral McRaven was standing just inside the hangar with his hands in his pockets when the SEALs delivered the body bag. "Let's see him," he said drily, as the corpse thudded onto the concrete floor, where the bag was unzipped. Blood had drained to the bottom of the bag and the skin had a powdery pall. Matthew Bissonnette pulled the beard to the left and right to give McRaven a clear look at the profile, as others crowded around. Osama bin Laden was not quite as they had imagined and one of the SEALs who was six feet four inches tall lay down to check his height. After taking in the scrawny frame, the unexpected crew cut and the large number of posthumous gunshots, someone brought over Gina Bennett, the CIA analyst who had put it all together. She approached hesitantly.
It is not clear if Davis will be attending Erica Packer's 40th birthday celebrations next month in Aspen, which PS previously revealed. However, planning is well underway for the three-day affair, with a guest list including Collette Dinnigan and Karl Stefanovic, along with Erica's former mother-in-law Ros Packer and ex-sister-in-law Gretel. PS has also confirmed that ex-husband James Packer is also on the guest list and is due to be there, while one name that has been noticeably absent is her most recent former boyfriend, Seal, who is now rumoured to be dating fellow Australian, Delta Goodrem. Packer and his ex-wife have remained close since they split in 2013 after six years of marriage and three children. Prince Frederik to take helm of Wild Oats

It seems only fitting that the King of Hamilton Island would allow the future King of Denmark to use one of his thoroughbred racing yachts at next month's Race Week regatta. And so it will be that Crown Prince Frederik has chartered billionaire Sandy Oatley's Wild Oats 66 yacht to compete in a few weeks time, bringing with him a crew of his sailing buddies from Europe and picking up a few locals too, including America's Cup legend Ian Murray, who has signed on as tactician. Sandy Oatley has also given him his son-in-law, Sydney to Hobart sailing veteran Troy Tindill, husband of Oatley heiress Nicky, to join the royal Danish crew. Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark is heading Down Under to indulge his love fo sailing and compete in the Race Week regatta. Credit:Mark Kolbe But is not clear if Princess Mary will be joining Fred on the Coral Sea, the racing action coinciding with school commitments for their four children, though a few days on the Whitsundays would be hard for her to turn down.

Prince Frederik is a keen sailor, being a competitive Farr 40 skipper as well as an accomplished Dragon boater. In 2005, Prince Frederik learnt that Australian girls played to win when his then new bride beat him 2-1 in a series of 20-minute yacht races on Sydney Harbour. Princess Mary allowed Prince Frederik a best-of-three rematch after she had won a race before their wedding in Copenhagen. Prince Mary of Denmark was in winning form when she raced against her husband Prince Frederik in 2005. Credit:Daniel Berehulak Dressed in black shorts and a white windcheater, Princess Mary joined forces with sailor Chris Meehan on board a Farr 40 class yacht, to win the first and third races against her husband who skippered his own yacht Nanoq.

Chris Meehan was Prince Mary's old boss when she was simply Mary Donaldson who worked at Belle Property. Meehan, a keen sailor, is said to have been instrumental in getting Prince Frederik to Hamilton Island for Race Week. He will be competing with 200 other boats that have entered this year's event, a much needed boost for locals still recovering from the devastation of Cyclone Debbie. Barber brothers preserve piece of past The linoleum is worn-through around the barber's chair, but it's spotless. So too are the faux marble benches that are in pristine condition. As is the flocked wallpaper and the shelves neatly filled with 1960s Italian pop records, an array of vinyl singles capturing the sound of another era that hair maestro Angelo Perri and his "baby" brother Tony still crank up occasionally on the timber-panelled sound system. "Scissors and comb... never go out of fashion," says Calabrian-born Angelo, 65, neatly turned out in his fitted barber's smock and tie as he works his mastery on yet another client, his 10th for the day and it's yet to reach noon. Indeed, it has been the same routine for the past 50 years, having started at the salon as an apprentice in 1967.

Barber Angelo Perri keeps busy at Paris Style Hairdresser, which looks like a perfectly preserved time capsule from the mid-1960s, in Cabramatta. Credit:James Brickwood Today, PS's spotlight shines on the Paris Style Hairdresser shop, tucked away in the back streets of Cabramatta, a perfectly preserved time capsule from the mid-1960s that has survived, frozen in time, while the suburb around it has experienced an extraordinary physical and cultural transformation. "I'm the kind of person who likes to leave some history behind. I still got my first car, an Austin," Angelo explains when asked why he resisted the urge to change his ordered little shop. But his 58-year-old little brother Tony suspects when people come to visit the shop they "think we're dinosaurs". Hardly. What the Perri family has is a unique piece of Sydney's suburban history, one of the last remnants of an era that has been comprehensively bulldozed in the name of supposed progress across the city.

Angelo Perri (left) and his brother Tony run a special piece of Sydney's suburban history. Credit:James Brickwood "I think I made a mistake when I bought this place," Angelo sagely admits. "There was a block of land for sale next door for $6000, the same price as the business. But I thought I would always have an income from the shop ... the land is worth millions now." Nowhere is the change in Cabramatta more evident than in the customers who visit Angelo six days a week. In the 1960s they were named Gino, Luigi or Boris, their accents still echoing their European roots. Today those customers are named An, Bao and Lap, many of them men from the first wave of Vietnamese migration to Australia. "Cabramatta was once filled with European barber shops, delicatessens and European cafes," says Tony, as he surveys the shops around him, selling steaming pho, karaoke machines and blinged-up phone accessories. "In the 1980s when the drug trade was at its height business suffered. But today it is a very vibrant community. I think there are more people out there on John Street then in half the shopping malls across the city. We've survived it all."

DJ's big plans have staff jumpy As David Jones forges ahead with plans to recreate its flagship Elizabeth Street store with a $200 million makeover following the sale of the men's store on Market Street, PS hears murmurs that not everyone is enamoured with the mooted changes. Indeed some long-term staff have been left wondering what their future at the retailer will be as plans for a new mega luxury department store are hatched featuring an entire floor, level seven, dedicated to luxury women's footwear. PS hears the retailer, which is now owned by South Africa's Woolworths, is keen to ensure the staff have the right "look" to go with their bold new retail space. Meanwhile next week the store will unveil its new Neil Perry-inspired food hall at Bondi Junction, our first taste of things to come for the grand dame of Sydney shopping. Roxy's rings are all the talk
While Myer's identity crisis continues, David Jones knows exactly who it is: the retail equivalent of Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud.

Over the past seven months the department store has morphed into the monarch who famously set off in February with 459 tonnes of cargo for a nine-day tour of Indonesia.

Models showcase new brands acquired by David Jones. Indiarose wears a dress by Self Portrait, Julia Gardell wears Aje, and Lexi Graham wears a dress by By Johnny. Credit:Jessica Hromas

The racks of David Jones started gaining similar weight after David Collins replaced long-serving fashion boss Donna Player in May last year. The department store has since then been on a shopping spree, poaching and picking up 30 new labels to add to its collections.

"Thirty new brands might seem like a lot, but really what it speaks to is the current opportunity we see to take our offering to the next level," Collins, the managing director of clothing and general merchandise, said.
The one rule about antibiotics that has been drilled into our heads for generations is that you absolutely must take the full course - or else something very bad might happen.

Is it time to reconsider that advice?

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus bacteria, common in hospitals, are seen dividing under a transmission electron micrograph.

In an opinion piece published in the BMJ on Wednesday, a group of practising physicians argues that the idea that stopping antibiotics early might be dangerous to the patient and society as a whole is not grounded in strong science and that policymakers, educators, and doctors should drop this message.

The question of how people use antibiotics is one of the most critical issues facing modern medicine.
Federal police are seeking to charge a former high-ranking Australian intelligence official, Roger Uren, with breaching spy agency secrecy laws after ASIO discovered a cache of classified files during a raid on his home in late 2015.

A Fairfax Media investigation can also reveal that Mr Uren's wife, Chinese-Australian lobbyist and suspected intelligence operative Sheri Yan, introduced an alleged Chinese spy to her Australian contacts. As a result of these introductions, the alleged spy, Colonel Liu Chaoying, had several dinner dates with a millionaire Melbourne businessman with political connections.

Confidential documents were found at the Canberra home of Roger Uren and Sheri Yan during an ASIO raid. Credit:Black Tie Magazine

US court documents also reveal that in 2016, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's brother, political lobbyist Greg Rudd, gave a glowing character reference for Yan, which she used to seek a reduced jail sentence for bribing a top United Nations official.

Fairfax Media has learned that the AFP, which declined to comment citing an ongoing investigation, has referred a brief of evidence against Mr Uren to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. The AFP is seeking to charge Mr Uren under the Intelligence Services Act in relation to his alleged unauthorised handling and possession of classified documents. If the charges are approved by the DPP and Mr Uren is convicted, he could face a jail sentence of up to three years.
In the 1960s the legendary Canberra teacher and icon Ralph Wilson taught me Ancient History at high school. It was an energising experience. He unveiled the glorious world of classical Greece as preserved in the pages of its great historians Herodotus and Thucydides.

I can now report that the Trump presidency has given these cherished memories a renewed resonance.

The Donald, it seems, has impeccable classical predecessors in the ancient Greeks. Credit:AP

Donald Trump's impact as originally branded was meant to be all about the shock of the old. The Trump era would restore past forcefulness as indicated by the use of a recycled Reagan-era slogan ("Make America Great Again").

But if we must go retro let us at least learn from the past and avoid its mistakes. Which brings us back to the ancient Greeks.
Labor has accused the Coalition of overstating its claimed near $3 billion success in cracking down on multinational tax avoidance, citing advice from Tax Commissioner Chris Jordan.

Fenner MP and shadow assistant treasurer Andrew Leigh released correspondence with Mr Jordan on Friday, showing the seven legal cases the government has used to arrive at the $2.9 billion figure span multiple years and rely on a series of laws, including some passed by the former Labor government.

Labor's assistant treasury spokesman Andrew Leigh questioned the claims. Credit:Andrew Meares

Amid rising debate about inequality and tax rates in Australia,Treasurer Scott Morrison has accused Labor of voting against clawback efforts targeting overseas companies.

Dr Leigh asked Mr Jordan how many of the court cases involved the Coalition government's 2015 tax laws designed to combat multinationals minimising their bills to the ATO and which relied on 2012 and 2013 laws limiting so-called profit shifting and transfer pricing.
Iranian state television showed footage of the firing of the rocket, mounted on a launchpad carrying pictures of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic, and Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The rocket launch violated United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said on Thursday.

That resolution, which endorsed a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, calls upon Tehran not to undertake activities related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such technology, Reuters reported. It stops short of explicitly barring such activity.

We would consider that a violation of UNSCR 2231, Nauert said at a briefing with reporters when asked about the launch. We consider that to be continued ballistic missile development.  We believe that what happened overnight, in the early morning hours here in Washington, is inconsistent with the Security Council resolutions.

Tehran denies it has missiles designed to carry nuclear warheads.

The Imam Khomeini Space Centre was officially opened with the successful test of the Simorgh (Phoenix) space launch vehicle, state television said. The Simorgh can place a satellite weighing up to 250 kg (550 pounds) in an orbit of 500 km (311 miles).

The Imam Khomeini Space Centre  is a large complex that includes all stages of the preparation, launch, control and guidance of satellites, state television added.

The United States this month slapped new economic sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missile program, and said Irans malign activities in the Middle East had undercut any positive contributions from the 2015 accord curbing its nuclear program.

President Donald Trump, who this month reluctantly recertified Irans compliance with the nuclear deal, told the Wall Street Journal in an interview published this week that Washington had been extremely nice to Tehran by saying it was complying with the terms of the deal.

Trump said he thinks the United States will declare Iran to be noncompliant at the next deadline, which is in October. They dont comply, he told the Journal. I would be surprised if they were in compliance.

Nauert on Thursday called Irans rocket launch a provocative action that violated the spirit of the nuclear deal.

Iran says its space program is peaceful, but Western experts suspect it may be a cover for developing military missile technologies.
The state government will audit the use and ban the supply of the potentially flammable building cladding that led to London's deadly Grenfell Tower inferno, in what it styles as Australia's toughest fire safety reforms.

The state government said it would introduce reform that would identify buildings encased in unsafe cladding, require them to be inspected and force building owners to foot the bill for replacements and ban the sale and supply of unsafe material.

Better Regulation Minister Matt Kean said the government had undertaken an audit sample of about 180,000 residential and commercial towers constructed in NSW since the 1980s.

About 1000 of those buildings "may have [unsafe] cladding", the Minister said.
Controversial NSW Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon has announced she will seek preselection to recontest her position at the next federal election, declaring noone should be "bullied" out of doing their work.

The announcement on Friday night sets up a potentially explosive preselection battle with NSW upper house MP Mehreen Faruqi, who announced on Thursday that she would run.

In a post on Facebook, Senator Rhiannon said that inequality was growing "and now more than ever we need to defend people and the planet from the wealthy 1 per cent".

Calling for "a radical overhaul of society" to combat inequality, Senator Rhiannon said her time in as an upper house MP in the NSW parliament demonstrates the Greens "can be a party of protest that supports social movements and also achieves wins in parliament".
NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley is promising to crack down on companies engaging in employee "wage theft" following revelations by Fairfax Media of underpayment of wages including by 7-Eleven and Domino's Pizza.

Mr Foley will tell the NSW Labor conference at Sydney Town Hall on Saturday that a government led by him will introduce "the heaviest fines in Australia".

They will be used to punish businesses  including head franchisors  guilty of ongoing, widespread and systemic wage theft.

"When there is systematic exploitation of workers in the workplace government has a responsibility to intervene," Mr Foley will say, according to a speech excerpt released by his office.
Justine Varga's Maternal Line features scrawls made by her grandmother onto a piece of film. Credit:Stephen Oxenbury Varga did not respond to Fairfax Media's request for further comment. Sullivan, who shot the Qantas advertisement of the choir on the Great Wall of China, suggested Varga's work did not meet the entry requirements for the award because it was created by her grandmother. "The act of reproducing a work, in whatever form, does not in itself constitute its creation and does not entitle the person making the reproduction to claim copyright over the work," he said. "In just the same way that a person who prints a photographer's negative in the darkroom cannot claim to have created the work and own the copyright." He added: "Nor does Ms Varga's apparent directions given to her grandmother or the provision of the materials used by the grandmother to create the work entitle Ms Varga to own the image that resulted."

Kimberlee Weatherall, a professor and associate dean at the University of Sydney law school, said the owner of the prize-winning work was Varga's grandmother, either solely or jointly with her granddaughter. "Either way, Ms Varga would need to secure an assignment of ownership in order to own copyright, which would need to be in writing," she said. "Although if the grandmother intended to transfer ownership to Ms Varga, a court might recognise her ownership claim and order that a transfer be signed." The eligibility requirements for the Olive Cotton Award stipulate that an entry is "owned and created by the artist". "I don't know what an artist would have to do to claim to be the creator in artistic terms," Professor Weatherall said. "In copyright law terms, Ms Varga would likely need to establish that she entirely controlled the expression  deciding what would be done on the page and where. "But of course, it would then be much harder to argue that it was a portrait of her grandmother since the basis for that claim is that the expression was in fact her grandmother's."

Professor Weatherall also said that merely reproducing a work did not make a person its author. "You have to contribute original expression to the artistic work to be an author," she said. "That would require, in this case, in some way changing the scrawls, or how they were presented on the page, or re-colouring the entire thing, or adding an entirely different background." Not since the NSW police raided a 2008 exhibition of works depicting naked children by photographer Bill Henson, has a photo sparked such an intense debate. Hate mail has also been sent to the prize's judge Shaune Lakin, a curator of photography at the National Gallery of Australia. Ingrid Hedgcock, a curator at Tweed Regional Gallery, said the gallery stood by Dr Lakin's decision to award the $20,000 prize to Ms Varga's "very complex photographic portrait".

"The artist's methods are well established and are understood by her grandmother who greatly respects her granddaughter's practice and was a knowing participant in contributing to this work," she said. "The artist's conceptual, intellectual and emotional intention is vital in this process." Ms Hedgcock suggested entrants in the prize would have made the decision to enter based on whether they believed Dr Lakin might favour their work: "As with any award the entrant pool varies from year to year, to some degree influenced by whether entrants perceive the judge will favour their working methods." Polixeni Papapetrou, whose work My Ghost, a silkscreen portrait of her daughter Olympia, was highly commended, said some entrants in the prize were "shocked and disappointed" by the selection of Varga's work as winner. Sullivan also questioned whether Varga's work met the entry requirement that required a "photographic" work. Loading
An septuagenarian Rockhampton man has been charged with historical sex offences that spanned more than 20 years.

Detectives from the Sexual Crimes Unit travelled to Rockhampton to arrest the 79-year-old on Thursday, over a series of incidents alleged to have occurred in the Rockhampton area between 1957 and 1976.

Police travelled to Rockhamption to arrest the man. Credit:Queensland Police Service

The man was charged with 24 counts of indecent treatment of boys under 14 years, 14 counts of carnal knowledge, 11 counts of rape, five counts each of indecent treatment of girls under 17 years and indecent assault on females, and one count each of indecent assault on males attempt to procure, unlawful wounding and deprivation of liberty.

The man is scheduled to appear in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on August 18.
Three men have been jailed for the rape of an unconscious teenager with a glass bottle at an Australia Day party.

Bailey Hayes-Gordon, Jacob Watson and Nicholas Jackson were on Friday found guilty by a Brisbane District Court jury of assaulting a 19-year-old friend in 2015.

Bailey Hayes-Gordon leaves the District Court in Brisbane earlier in the week. Credit:AAP Image

Hayes-Gordon, the principal offender, and accomplices Watson and Jackson were sentenced to two years' jail, all suspended after six months spent in custody.

Family and friends shouted "I love you" and "be strong" as the teary trio were led away to begin their time behind bars.
"The design of the process is just as important as the aesthetics and just as important as the theory behind 'okay I want the rail line to flex and I want to use fibre and make it flex faster'," Cox says.

His popular Hypto Krypto boards  an all-purpose craft for different conditions, fusing different types of surfboard design  won the prestigious Surf Industry Manufacturers Association Surfboard of the Year. His business manufactures in three countries, sells across 70.

Cox says he mixes his passion with technology to give his business a competitive edge, and make life easier for himself. He recently started using a two-in-one Galaxy Book tablet, which he says allows him to stay mobile without sacrificing productivity.

"I've worked on tools for 20 years, vibrating tools, and I get mild RSI in the hands, so typing on tiny little keyboards gets really frustrating. It just made me feel at home like I was on a desktop, but being mobile; I was on a plane, designing specs for the production line in Thailand, and when I landed in Abu Dhabi I was able to connect up my phone, jump on and email those off; jump on those emails and feel like I was at home, in my own office."

However, despite working in the surf industry, often business comes before the swell.

"I do like to move around, as a surfer, when the swell comes we jump up and drop everything. But for myself, I can't drop everything. My surfers can, they just live this high life of surfing and travelling all over the world. I've got to stay connected with what goes on in the business and not miss a beat. So for myself, having a device which is so small but also so powerful and multifunctional is something that is awesome to myself."

In the end though, it always comes back to making surfboards, he says.

His advice to would-be entrepreneurs (even though he doesn't identify as one) is to be humble, accept regular failures, and be passionate enough about what you're doing to want to learn anything that might serve your end goal.

"I always found at school that I was disinterested in the things that I couldn't apply back to my life. And for me I was lucky I found something at 15 years old that I could apply all my learnings in life back to. Obviously there's more than just being in business. There's personal life and learning about being a good person in general, in relationships and things like that, but just talking from a business point of view, surfboards have been an amazing carrier for me to learn and to continue to learn."
Five children who were missing for four days in regional Victoria have been found safe.

Police officers found the missing Bairnsdale siblings in East Gippsland.

A photo of three of the five missing Victorian siblings who were on Friday.

A spokesman said the children were found inside a remote house, north of Orbost, at about 2pm on Friday.

"Police would like to thank the public for their assistance in locating these children," the spokesman said.



The children, 13-year-old Savannah Tomlins, 11-year-old Indiana Bohning, nine-year-old Charlie-Beth Dargie, seven-year-old D'Artagan Clark and five-year-old Lynkon Quigley, had been living with their mother in Bairnsdale.
A man pretended to pick up a packet of Weet-Bix off the floor as he used his mobile phone to take photographs up a schoolgirl's dress in a supermarket aisle, a court has heard.

Michael David Kempton, 40, crouched behind the 14-year-old girl and held his phone 30 centimetres from her dress as he took the photographs about 4.30pm on July 27 last year, Melbourne Magistrates Court heard on Friday.

A Canberra man is on trial in the ACT Supreme Court this week accused of sexually assaulting his partner in their home. Credit:Louie Douvis

He then put the cereal back on the shelf and left the Hawthorn IGA after paying for lamb cutlets and alcohol, Senior Constable James Kett told the court.

The upskirting would have gone unnoticed by the girl and her 15-year-old boyfriend  who had their backs turned to Kempton  had the supermarket's manager not seen the man crouched down near the girl, Senior Constable Kett said.
By David Bollier on 27 July 2017 for David Bollier's Blog -

Image above: A White Matsutake mushroom emerging from the forest soil in New England. From ( http://mushroom-collecting.com/mushroommatsutake.html ).

Global supply chains ended expectations of progress because they allowed lead corporations to let go of their commitment to controlling labor. Standardizing labor required education and regularized jobs, thus connecting profits and progress.



In supply chains, in contrast, goods gathered from many arrangements can lead to profits for the lead firm; commitments to jobs, education, and well-being are no longer even rhetorically necessary.



Supply chains require a particular kind of salvage accumulation, involving translation across patches. The modern history of U.S-Japanese relations is a counterpoint of call-and-response that spread this practice around the world.

Civilization and progress turn out to be cover-ups and translation mechanisms for getting access to value procured through violence: classic salvage. In todays global supply chains, this means coerced labor, dangerous sweatshops, poisonous substitute ingredients, and irresponsible environmental gouging and dumping.

all creatures can come back to life, and men and women can express themselves without the strictures of a parochially imagined rationality. No longer relegated to whispers in the night, such stories might be simultaneously true and fabulous. How else can we account for the fact that anything is alive in the mess we have made?

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SUBHEAD: Survival and the possibility of life in the ruins of neoliberal capitalism.In a world that is falling apart (no further elaboration needed), how shall we understand the dynamics of survival and collaboration? How does life persist and flourish in a world that is hellbent on commodifying and privatizing every aspect of human relations and the natural world?For anthropologist Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing, the answer is to study the strange life of the humble matsutake mushroom, which tends to grow in North America but is a prized delicacy in Japan.The social and commercial systems by which the mushrooms are harvested, sorted, transported and sold  blending gift economies and global commodity-chains in the process  hold some penetrating insights into contemporary capitalism.Tsing, a professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, tells this story in(Princeton University Press, 2015).The book bills itself as an original examination into the relation between capitalist destruction and collaborative survival within multispecies landscapes, the prerequisite for continuing life on earth. Its a brilliant premise: explore the deep dynamics of capitalism by telling the unusual ecological life and commercial journey of a mundane fungus.The book is a wickedly wonderful ethnography. The matsutake mushroom is not just a metaphor for showing how this mushroom species devises strategies of survival for itself (in this case, entering into a symbiosis with trees and other plants and microbes); the mushroom is a partner of sorts with humans who take, steal, gift and sell it in various contexts.Why so much attention to matsutake, a wild mushroom that cannot be grown in captivity? Because Tsing sees it as a proxy for the fate of human beings in todays near-ruined world.The hardy, resourceful mushroom tends to grow in disrupted ecosystems and ruined landscapes  just as billions of people around the world must now scrape out an existence in the face of ubiquitous, often-predatory capitalist systems and blighted environments.As a subterranean fungus of northern landscapes, matsutake play a valuable role in helping trees grow in forbidding locations. You might say that mushrooms are experts in dealing with precarity.Oddly enough, so are the people who harvest the mushrooms. Matsutake foragers in the US Pacific Northwest tend to be refugees from Laos and Cambodia, American veterans, and itinerant poor people. They either cant get regular jobs or dont want them, preferring the freedom of being on their own in the open spaces of nature.Mushroom foragers work for themselves, writes Tsing. No companies hire them. There are no wages and no benefits; pickers merely sell the mushrooms they find. Some years there are no mushrooms, and pickers are left with their expenses.Commercial wild-mushroom picking is an exemplification of precarious livelihood, without security.After a harvest in Oregon, say, the mushrooms are bought by pop-up wholesalers who ship them promptly to sorters, who classify them and export them to Japan, where a large and ready market of high-end customers eagerly buy them, usually to give as gifts.Tsing rejects rejects the standard narratives about progress that tend to be the axis for understanding the future, in both capitalist and Marxist accounts.Instead, in an analysis appropriate for our time, Tsing presents to us a capitalism of disturbance-based ecologies in which many species sometimes live together without either harmony or conquest.Studying the mushroom trade is illuminating because it shows how investors commodify everything today and treat people and elements of nature as if the entanglements of living did not matter.Through alienation, people and things become mobile assets; they can be removed from their life worlds in distance-defying transport to be exchanged with other assets from other life worlds, elsewhere.Tsings primary message is that the whole progress narrative has been supplanted by a messy patchwork of precarious survival: the very life-strategy used by matsutake mushrooms.She writes:Tsing rejects the idea of a comprehensive, unitary critique of capitalism, arguing instead that the world is full of patchiness, that is, a mosaic of open-ended assemblages of entangled ways of life, which the capitalist growth-paradigm obscures.Tsing accordingly presents the reality of precarity  for both mushrooms and people  in all their particularity and ephemerality. Living things are not fungible parts of machines; they are singular and improvisational  something our critiques ought to acknowledge.Contemporary capitalism certainly recognizes this reality by translating the local and peculiar into usable inputs for ongoing capital accumulation.Tsing wishes to show that no single rationality can begin to describe todays economy, where supply chains snake back and forth not only across continents but also across standardsNot only are supply chains wildly heterogeneous, they often rely upon non-capitalist social forms, much as Facebook relies upon social sharing and Airbnb and Uber have colonized peoples private lives by marketizing their apartments and cars. For Tsing, capitalist and noncapitalist forms interact in pericapitalist spaces.Despite the messy contingencies of this arrangement, capitalism still manages to amass assets for further investment. How does this work? Tsing asks. The short answer is that capital accumulation proceeds through a process of salvage accumulation:is no dry social-sciences monograph; in its poetic expressiveness and subtle depictions of social reality, the book often reads like a novel. There are no tidy conclusions, just a series of penetrating vignettes, analyses and observations.The ultimate point is to open up a new grand narrative. Once we can get beyond the stark divide of Man and Nature as dual opposites, Tsing writes:Ifdescribes the survival techniques of precariat mushroom foragers working under capitalism  a story of ingenuity, commitment and proud autonomy  the next step is to tell more of the stories of how precariat commoners are emancipating themselves through commons.Tsing is right: once the market/progress narrative is exposed as a cover-story, a range of different narratives become possible.
Representing warring factions: White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, left, and White House chief of staff Reince Priebus in April. Credit:AP It is impossible to explain this ugly nonsense without sketching the backdrop. Priebus and Bannon represent warring factions within the White House. Priebus was once the chairman of the Republican National Committee. He was appointed chief of staff at the urging of establishment Republicans who hoped he might keep Trump's excesses in check. He is now thoroughly mistrusted by Trump. Bannon is considered the mastermind behind Trump's political rise. But, where Trump has little discernible political conviction, Bannon is a hard-right ethno-nationalist, godfather to the alt-right movement. In the early days of the administration he was often portrayed as the the puppet master to Trump's marionette. Trump has been reported at times as being both resentful, and mistrustful, of Bannon. Just as he did in business, Trump relies on a close personal inner circle, which in the White House is led by his daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner.

Resentful of his poor media coverage and low polling and infuriated by the endless leaking from executive staff, Trump appointed Scaramucci as his head of communications earlier this month, in part to undermine Priebus. "White House officials and outside allies say the President is revelling in Scaramucci's campaign against Priebus - undertaken through cable news appearances and a billow of tweets, some of which were subsequently deleted - and is thrilled to see a top staffer placing a publicly bombastic emphasis on White House leaks to the press, which consistently infuriate the President," the Daily Beast has reported. One staffer told the Beast: "The President specifically gave him the green light to go after Reince." He ended the call by saying: "Yeah, let me go, though, because I've gotta start tweeting some s--- to make this guy [Priebus] crazy." Scaramucci's attack on Priebus was not only unprecedented, and perhaps unhinged, but often absurd.

He accused Priebus of leaking personal financial information, which actually appeared on Scaramucci's publicly available disclosure statement; he suggested that leaking was "treason"; he boasted he had called FBI contacts to encourage an investigation (a move that would be illegal) and finally he rang up a cable news network to deny the contents and context of his conversation and of a bunch of his own tweets. If all this reminds you of anyone, well yes, Scaramucci is the embodiment of his boss. Like Trump, he has no experience in politics and no apparent understanding or interest in its norms and processes. He appears to hold an unwavering faith that his own world view represents universal truth, at least until it changes over the course of the day. So what does it all mean?

Well, a few things. It shows that, faced with a war between two factions that was crippling his administration, Trump's solution has been to introduce a third force and order it into the fray. And, while an exhausted press corps and public are trying to interpret Scaramucci's attacks, what are they ignoring? What many are no longer focused on are Trump's ongoing attempts to force his Attorney-General Jeff Sessions either to resign or to sack the independent prosecutor investigating Trump and his campaign, Robert Mueller. Trump appears to be incensed not only that the investigation continues to call his election victory into question, but that it is closing in on Trump's business dealings and tax returns.

Second, and perhaps of greater direct import to millions of Americans, is the ongoing failure of Republicans in Congress to repeal and replace Obamacare. This has been the party's prime policy objective for seven years, and the key "day one" promise of the Trump campaign. Though they control both houses, Republicans are now hopelessly divided over how - or whether - to repeal the legislation, to replace it, or to simply sabotage it. The independent Congressional Budget Office estimates they are effectively choosing between stripping healthcare from 18 million people, 22 million people or 30 million people. Each proposal is accordingly unpopular, but regarded as crucial by the shrinking band of Trump true believers. Loading
Manado, Indonesia: Attorney-General George Brandis has warned of Islamic State's desire to establish a "regional caliphate" and said the battle by pro-IS militants in the Philippines was of "great concern" ahead of a fast-tracked meeting of six countries.

Indonesia and Australia will co-host a summit on Saturday with four neighbouring countries to respond to the mounting terror threat posed to South-east Asia by IS.

"Terrorist fighters returning from the conflict zone will have a greater capability and propensity for violence and pose a serious threat to the region," Senator Brandis said.

According to Indonesia's counter-terrorism unit Detachment 88, there were 510 identified Indonesian IS supporters in Syria and Iraq as of May.
Istanbul: After spending more than seven months in prison on terrorism charges Ahmet Sik, a Turkish journalist, appeared in an Istanbul court on Wednesday with a fleeting opportunity to publicly rebut his powerful accusers.

He was on trial with 16 colleagues from Cumhuriyet (Republic), Turkey's most prominent opposition newspaper.

Flanked by a photograph of Cumhuriyet newspaper's investigative journalist Ahmet Sik, top left, and images of other defendants, left, Emine Yilmaz, 79, gathers outside a court in Istanbul. Credit:AP

In the packed courtroom on Wednesday, Sik appeared determined not to waste the moment.

What was supposed to be a defence statement was instead a searing attack on the government and a spirited argument for the relevance of his beleaguered profession. The indictment against the journalists was "trash", the trial, an attack on media freedom and the judiciary, a "lynch mob," he said.
Bangkok: Lawyers say two women accused of the brazen assassination of the half-brother of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un in Kuala Lumpur will plead not guilty at a trial set to begin in early October.

Indonesian woman Siti Aisyah, 25, and Vietnamese woman Doan Thi Huong, 29, insist they were duped into thinking they were playing a harmless prank for a hidden-camera television show.

More than 200 heavily-armed police were guarding Malaysia's High Court on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur on Friday when they arrived for a preliminary hearing wearing bulletproof vests.

Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, the lawyer representing Ms Doan, told reporters she feels nervous about the trial "but knows she is innocent".
Manhattan Beach, California. Authorities in Los Angeles have had to consider the risk of a nuclear attack. Credit:AP But the North Korean threat is different. The Pyongyang government may have only a dozen nuclear weapons, most of them unsuited for a missile delivery. "People think everybody would perish, but that is not the case," said Matthew LoPresti, a legislator in Hawaii who has been active in preparing for an attack there. "It would be a mass casualty event, but most people would survive. If you don't take steps, more people will lose their lives." A Los Angeles County boat heads out to conduct radiation screening of boats arriving at the Port of Los Angeles. Credit:Los Angeles County Sheriff/TNS One ingredient that seems to be missing is a public awareness campaign that tells people what to do, said Dr Robert Levin, chief health officer of Ventura County.

"We can save hundreds of thousands of lives," said Levin, who has spearheaded one of the nation's few major programs to draw up a detailed response plan for a nuclear attack. "We assume an attack would be on Los Angeles, but it will have impact on Ventura County because we would have millions of people fleeing this way and a radioactive plume that could reach over us." Preparing for nuclear confrontation was a part of the Cold War experience. The county has written a 252-page nuclear response plan that deals with issues such as fallout (radiation levels drop 80 per cent in the first day) to the management of dead bodies. Levin also developed a public awareness campaign, gaining strong support from local political leaders. One public service message shows a mushroom cloud and an actor singing, "Oh no, it's blown, the cloud is in the sky. ... You don't need to be scared, you don't need to be loud, because you can survive even a mushroom cloud." The civil defence work done by Ventura County is exceedingly rare, said Alex Wellerstein, a nuclear weapons historian and assistant professor at the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey. There has been little public discourse since the Cold War about the consequences of nuclear threats, he said. As a result, an entire generation has grown up with little awareness of the danger posed by nuclear weapons.

This month, Wellerstein and other researchers launched Reinventing Civil defence, a nonprofit project that over the next two years will examine how best to reeducate the American public on the nuclear threat - one that never went away. It is being funded by a $US500,000 ($626,000) grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York. "If we live in a world where a nuclear detonation is possible, and we do, then people should be informed on what that means," he said. "It's something that's been nonexistent in our society since the late 1980s." The reluctance to prepare reflects what LoPresti calls a "generational PTSD" from the decades of living under the threat of instant thermonuclear war. "It is not something people are comfortable talking about," he said. LoPresti, chairman of the Asian studies program at Hawaii Pacific University and a philosophy professor, has sought to raise awareness of the dangers and push for some preparations. His own district would be within the fallout zone of an attack on Pearl Harbour, possibly the most important symbol of national security complacency. Wright, the nuclear weapons expert at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said North Korea's most recent missile test demonstrated a two-stage rocket that could reach Anchorage and Guam. But he expects that within one to two years North Korea will have enough reach to hit Seattle, 7900 km away, and then Los Angeles, 9300 km from its launch sites.

"They seem to be doing things in the right way and more professionally, which is worrisome," Wright said. "They seem to have assembled a team of engineers who are solving their problems." But the task ahead will be increasingly difficult, particularly preventing a warhead from drifting far off target as it re-enters the atmosphere. Wright said North Korea would be lucky to land a bomb within 16 km of a target. Even such a crude device could be effective against a city as spread out as Los Angeles. An official at the Energy Department, the steward of US nuclear weapons and its nonproliferation programs, acknowledged that it does not monitor what cities and states around the nation are doing. But if an attack does occur, it would be ready to send significant technical assistance from its national laboratories. The main responsibility would lie with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which declined to provide an official to discuss the issue and did not answer written questions. Some arms control experts say it would be a mistake to launch a full-scale civil defence effort in response to North Korea. Wright, the expert at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said such a response would send the wrong message that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has put a dent in US confidence.

Jeffrey Lewis, a nuclear weapons analyst with the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, California, said Kim presents the same threat that existed throughout most of the last century. "He's ruthless, but he's not crazy," Lewis said. "There's reason to be cautious. But it's not a reason to start digging bomb shelters." But Levin, the Ventura County health director, argues that doing nothing is equally wrong. The key point of the Ventura plan is to ask residents not flee, but to "get inside and stay inside" immediately after a detonation. The county's plan was developed with technical assistance from Brooke Buddemeier, a nuclear weapons effects expert at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. He has made the case that sheltering indoors for just 24 hours after a detonation provides significantly reduced exposure. Loading "Talking about nuclear detonation is not one of those topics you can bring up at a cocktail party," Buddemeier said. "But a little knowledge can save a lot of lives."
Vice President Mike Pence is seen to be preparing to run in case there is an opening in 2020. Credit:AP "I'm not going to tell people back in South Carolina that this product actually replaces Obamacare, because it does not, it is a fraud," Graham said at a Thursday evening news conference with McCain and Johnson at his side. And while GOP senators insisted the bill they were considering would not make it into law, if enacted it would make sweeping changes to health coverage as well as medical treatment in the United States. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Credit:Bloomberg It would eliminate enforcement of the ACA's requirement that Americans obtain insurance or pay a tax penalty, and suspend for eight years enforcing the mandate that companies employing 50 or more workers provide coverage.

The measure also would eliminate funding for preventive health care provided under the 2010 law and prohibit Medicaid beneficiaries from being reimbursed for Planned Parenthood services for one year. Instead, the federal funding that would have gone to Planned Parenthood would go to community health centres. It would end a 2.3 per cent tax on medical device manufacturers for three years. President Donald Trump. Credit:AP And it would empower federal officials under an existing waiver program to give states wide latitude in how they allocate their Medicaid funding, potentially pooling that money with other programs such as one that helps lower-income Americans buy private insurance. It also would increase the limit on contributions to tax-exempt health savings accounts for three years. After weeks of secretive negotiations, McConnell unveiled this draft only a couple of hours before what was expected to be a cliffhanger vote early Friday. Even after that critical vote, the legislation was subject to dozens, if not hundreds, of Democratic amendments in the hours ahead, before a final vote later Friday. Shortly after it was introduced, the Congressional Budget Office issued an estimate finding that 16 million people would lose coverage and that premiums would rise roughly 20 per cent a year between 2018 to 2026 compared to current law if Republicans enacted the pared-down bill.

Sara Rosenbaum, a health law and policy professor at George Washington University, said the bill would make "enormous" changes to private and public insurance. Translating their pledge to repeal what they derisively call Obamacare into a law has proved embarrassingly difficult for Republicans. First, the House took an extra six weeks to pass its version of the bill in early May. Most Republicans agreed that the measure was flawed - Trump later called it "mean" for how it would deny insurance to 23 million people - and hoped that the Senate would craft a better bill. But McConnell's closed-door negotiations ended in gridlock, leaving him to pull together this "skinny" repeal of the ACA, just to keep alive negotiations with the House to come up with a different plan later this summer. "I'm not going to tell people back in South Carolina that this product actually replaces Obamacare, because it does not; it is a fraud," Graham said at a Thursday evening news conference with McCain and Johnson at his side. McCain, who was diagnosed with brain cancer last week and returned this week calling for a bipartisan approach, was poised to be the critical vote on McConnell's new proposal, which has no Democratic support.

Many conservatives in both chambers object to the measure because they say it wouldn't go far enough in repealing the ACA. For instance, the expansion of federal funding to use Medicaid to provide insurance to about 14 million Americans is left intact, a major victory for half a dozen Senate Republicans from states that accepted the additional money. Governors, under the new Senate proposal, would have more leeway in how they can spend Medicaid funding overall. Major insurers are warning that the proposal could destabilise the individual insurance market. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association criticised it on Wednesday, and on Thursday the industry's largest trade group suggested it was unacceptable. "We would oppose an approach that eliminates the individual coverage requirement, does not offer continuous coverage solutions, and does not include measures to immediately stabilise the individual market," America's Health Insurance Plans wrote in a letter to Senate leaders. Senate Republicans, however, framed the bill as just a vehicle to keep alive their ACA repeal efforts.

"My sense is people aren't so much focused on the substance as they are this being the lifeline to get to a conference and expanding the bill," said Senator Bob Corker. Before Ryan issued his statement, the prospect of an immediate up-or-down vote in the House raised alarms in the Senate. House Republican leaders instructed their members not to leave town for their month-long summer recess just yet. Key House conservatives said they would not back a skinny repeal in its current form. Representative Mark Meadows, chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, said that he wouldn't vote for such a measure and that he didn't think other conservatives would, either. Speaking on the Senate floor Thursday, McConnell emphasised that the votes this week would not reverse the ACA even if they culminate in the passage of a bill. "One phase of that process will end when the Senate concludes voting this week, but it will not signal the end of our work. Not yet," he said.

In an effort to muster enough votes for a narrow bill, GOP leaders suggested that even some proposals that have died in the Senate could resurface once senators enter negotiations with the House. And some members tried to add a few more provisions to the skinny bill, using their leverage to try to strengthen their negotiating positions in conference. While McConnell has led the negotiations over health-care legislation for weeks, Trump has sought to drum up support by pressing wavering Republicans. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke called Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, both Alaska Republicans, separately Wednesday to warn them that the administration may change its position on several issues, according to people briefed on the conversations, given Murkowski's vote against proceeding with health-care legislation this week. Since Trump took office, Interior has indicated that it is open to constructing a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge while expanding energy exploration elsewhere in Alaska. But now these policy shifts may be in jeopardy. Speaking to reporters Thursday, Sullivan said the Trump administration has been cooperative on Alaska issues with Murkowski, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
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Kaspersky Lab Latest Home Solutions Address Security Issues for the Modern Household

Kaspersky Lab has today released the latest versions of Kaspersky Total Security and Kaspersky Internet Security, designed to protect the modern household and help people secure their connected devices and digital lives.

With about 6.3 devices per household, there are now more devices than people and pets in the average home. PCs, Macs, tablets and smartphones are all being used for everything from web browsing and shopping to turning on lights and locking doors. Nevertheless, even with increased connectivity, people - 39 percent according to the Kaspersky Cybersecurity Index - are still leaving their devices unprotected from online threats. The latest versions of Kaspersky Lab's (News - Alert) award-winning, flagship solutions include updates and enhancements to help the modern household stay fully protected.

Protecting precious data

Recent cyberattacks, like WannaCry, are raising concerns over ransomware and losing precious data such as family photos or travel videos. Also, a report by Kaspersky Lab even shows losing digital photos from devices is more distressing than a break up with a partner or a pet's illness. In the latest Kaspersky Lab home security solutions, users can have peace of mind with System Watcher, the company's improved anti-ransomware technology that can combat the most complicated of ransomware. Since cyber theft of any kind is a growing concern, users can also turn to improved Safe Money technology for secure online shopping and banking transactions.

In addition to protection from cybercriminals, members of the modern family often don't want others snooping on their smartphones. To ensure user' data stays firmly in their own hands, the new App Lock feature for Android (News - Alert) lets users set up a secret code to access select apps and keep others from seeing instant messages, images, emails and other sensitive files.







The modern family also needs to stay secure even on the go. The ease of connecting to public Wi-Fi is tempting but also puts a person's privacy, data and money at risk due to the unprotected transfer of data. The Secure Connection technology, integrated in Kaspersky Total Security and Kaspersky Internet Security, provides a secure internet channel by encrypting all data when using public Wi-Fi on Windows and Mac computers.

Security for the connected family

With more people in the average household connecting to the internet, the risk of a malicious attack increases too. In its annual Consumer Risks Survey report, Kaspersky Lab found that 63 percent of consumers are worried about phishing emails and websites. To address this concern, the updated URL Advisor informs users, using a color-coded flagging system, about links that may lead to suspicious websites. The product's anti-phishing technology also prevents users from falling victim to phishing or spam emails and websites.

Parents want to keep children safe while online. While there are clear concerns about data security and user privacy, families today also worry about children's activities while online. With Safe Kids parental control technology, parents can specify time limits per device, restrict the applications children can use and prevent access to pages with inappropriate content.

"Devices give us the power to connect, learn, communicate and complete essential transactions wherever we are," said Elena Kharchenko, head of Consumer Product Management at Kaspersky Lab. "Unfortunately, constant connectivity brings with it natural concerns for online safety, from fears of falling victim to scams, to worries about what our children are seeing online. These are concerns that Kaspersky Lab has addressed with the latest versions of Kaspersky Internet Security and Kaspersky Total Security. These security solutions offer people a smarter way to care for their family's digital world without interfering with their online experience."

Kaspersky Total Security, Kaspersky Internet Security and Kaspersky Anti-Virus are available for purchase now on Kaspersky Lab's online store and wherever software is sold in the U.S. and Canada. Limited time, introductory pricing for a standard subscription - 3-user licenses for a 1-year period - is $39.99 for Kaspersky Internet Security, regularly $79.99, and $29.99 for Kaspersky Anti-Virus, regularly $59.99. A 5-user license for a 1-year period of Kaspersky Total Security is now $49.99, which is regularly valued at $99.99.

About Kaspersky Lab

Kaspersky Lab is a global cybersecurity company celebrating its 20 year anniversary in 2017. Kaspersky Lab's deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into security solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments and consumers around the globe. The company's comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection and a number of specialized security solutions and services to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. Over 400 million users are protected by Kaspersky Lab technologies and we help 270,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com.

For the latest in-depth information on security threat issues and trends, please visit:

Securelist | Information about Viruses, Hackers and Spam

Follow @Securelist on Twitter (News - Alert)

Threatpost | The First Stop for Security News

Follow @Threatpost on Twitter

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170727006338/en/
[July 28, 2017]

Asetek Receives Two Incremental Orders in Support of US Department of Energy Labs Cluster Installations

OSLO, Norway, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Asetek today announced two incremental orders from Penguin Computing, an established data center OEM. The orders are for Asetek's RackCDU D2C (Direct-to-Chip) liquid cooling solution and will enable increased computing power for two currently undisclosed HPC sites at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories.

The orders have a combined value of approximately USD 280,000 with delivery expected in September 2017.

"The awards through our OEM partner Penguin, comes after months of uncertainty surrounding DOE budgets due to the new administration in the USA. They are in line with our goal of increasing end-user adoption with existing OEMs and confirm our ability to expand our leading position in the HPC segment," said Andre Sloth Eriksen, CEO and founder of Asetek.

The orders are a continuation of the partnership between Penguin and Asetek in support of a number of DOE National Laboratories implementing Asetek's RackCDU D2C liquid cooling technology in Penguin's Tundra Extreme Scale (ES) HPC server product line. RackCDU direct-to-chip hot water liquid cooling enhances Penguin's ability to provide HPC solutions with extreme energy efficiency and higher rack cluster densities.

About Asetek

Asetek is the global leader in liquid cooling solutions for data centers, servers and PCs. Founded in 2000, Asetek is headquartered in Denmark and has operations in California, Texas, China and Taiwan. Asetek is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (ASETEK.OL).

For questions or further information, please contact:

Andre S. Eriksen

CEO and Founder

email: [email protected]

+45-2125-7076

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/asetek/r/asetek-receives-two-incremental-orders-in-support-of-us-department-of-energy-labs-cluster-installati,c2319385

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SOURCE Asetek
Georgetown, SC (29440)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High 77F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 56F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
[July 28, 2017] Shiseido Supports "teamLab: A Forest Where Gods Live Art Exhibition presented by Shiseido"

Shiseido Company, Limited (hereinafter "Shiseido")(TOKYO:4911) supports "teamLab: A Forest Where Gods Live Art Exhibition presented by Shiseido", hosted by Mifuneyama Rakuen and teamLab Inc. (hereinafter "teamLab"). The exhibition was first held by teamLab in 2015 based on the concept "Nature Becomes Art"; this year marks the third edition, with Shiseido supporting the event for the first time. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170728005181/en/ WASO Tea House (Photo: Business Wire) The venue, Mifuneyama Rakuen (Takeo, Saga Prefecture, Japan) is a 500,000 square meters park, home to flowers and trees of all seasons, such as cherry blossoms and azaleas. It is towered over by Mt. Mifune, which resembles a Chinese ship and is said to be the place where the legendary Empress Jingu moored her ship on her way home from the ancient kingdom of Silla. This year, the venue hosts 14 exhibits: 13 artworks produced by teamLab with the use of projection mapping and other technologies, including light and sound. The 14th exhibit is a joint production with WASO, the new brand SHISEIDO skincare line, to convey WASO's concept of "All things beautiful come from nature". 360 Degrees Video "A Forest Where Gods Live Art Exhibition" Aim of Collaboration

The name "Shiseido" comes from a passage in the Yi Jing, the Chinese classic literature, which reads, "Praise the virtues of the Earth, which nurtures new life and brings forth significant values." Based on the corporate mission to "inspire a life of beauty and culture", Shiseido has built a unique sense of beauty throughout its 145 years of history. The spirit of new value creation, reflected in Shiseido's company name underlines its art and culture support activities. In 1919, the first Shiseido president, Shinzo Fukuhara founded the Shiseido Gallery (Ginza, Tokyo) in order to support young up-and-coming artists, and in 1978, Shiseido Art House (Kakegawa, Shizuoka) was opened. Both spaces host exhibitions of various artworks and disseminate information on art and culture, offering beauty that anticipates the change of times. The present collaboration fuses Shiseido's tradition of placing value on beauty, and teamLab's revolutionary and buzz-generating digital art, taken to a new level by technology. Through this project, the companies aim to offer new value that will surprise and excite audiences worldwide.







Event Outline Title: "teamLab: A Forest Where Gods Live Art Exhibition presented by Shiseido" Venue: Mifuneyama Rakuen (Takeo, Saga Prefecture, Japan) Term: July 14th - October 9th, 2017 Hours: July 14th - August 14th 20:00 - 22:30 (last admission: 22:00) August 15th - October 9th 19:30 - 22:30 (last admission: 22:00) Admission fee: Adults: 1600 yen; high school & junior high school students: 1200 yen; elementary school students: 800 yen; babies and children under school age: free

Collaborative Exhibit

Title: WASO Tea House - "Flowers Bloom in an Infinite (News - Alert) Universe, inside a Teacup"

The exhibit occupies a special tea house located in the park. The visitors can enjoy an original tea based on five ingredients (carrot, loquat leaf, tofu, white jelly mushroom, and honey) that are featured in the new skincare line WASO by brand SHISEIDO. The experience fuses the concept of WASO, "All things beautiful come from nature", with that of the exhibition, "Nature Becomes Art". Through the act of drinking tea, one can appreciate the original taste of the ingredients, but at the WASO tea house, the experience becomes art, allowing the visitors to explore the world of WASO through the five senses. WASO Tea House Video WASO

WASO is a new skincare line by brand SHISEIDO, which operates in 88 countries and regions worldwide. The new products will be released in July 2017, targeting Millennials in the USA and some Asian countries with the concept of "Feel beautiful in your own skin with skincare that makes the most of the ingredients". WASO is based on the philosophy of Washoku, the tradition of Japanese food, which respects the uniqueness and natural flavor of each ingredient. WASO restores the ideal moisture balance in the skin and focuses on skincare concerns like dryness, oiliness, and visible pores. The line is step-free, so the products can be combined to one's taste in order to bring out their unique natural beauty. WASO Global Launch Film Mifuneyama Rakuen

Mt. Mifune, literally "her majesty's ship", derives its name from the legend that Empress Jingu moored her ship here on her return from the ancient kingdom of Silla. It is 210 meters high and is the symbol of Takeo City, Saga Prefecture, Japan. Mt. Mifune appeared in school hymns since ancient times, and is a fond memory for many who were born or raised in Takeo. The magnificent mountain, towering serenely over the city, has a personality of its own. Against the backdrop of this Mt. Mifune lies Mifuneyama Rakuen, its abundant natural colors changing with every season. The Park was designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty, the first of the kind in Saga Prefecture, in 2010. teamLab Company name: teamLab Inc. Representative Director: Toshiyuki Inoko Address: Tosetsu Hongo Bldg. 5F, 1-11-6 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan Established: March 2001 Business activities: A collective, interdisciplinary creative group that brings together professionals from various fields of practice in the digital society: programmers, engineers, CG animators, artists, mathematicians, architects, web and print graphic designers and editors. Referring to themselves as "ultratechnologists," the group aims to go beyond the boundaries between art, science, technology and creativity, through co-creative activities. HP: http://teamlab.art/jp/ Exhibition details: https://www.teamlab.art/e/mifuneyama2017/ YouTube (News - Alert): https://youtu.be/GdnDAP89LQY View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170728005181/en/

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Iran will respond in kind to US breaches of nuclear deal: Rouhani







Tehran (AFP) July 26, 2017





President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that Iran would respond in kind to any breach by the United States of the 2015 nuclear deal after the House of Representatives passed a new sanctions bill. "If the enemy steps over part of the agreement, we will do the same, and if they step over the entire deal, we will do the same too," Rouhani said at a cabinet meeting aired by state broadcaster IRIB. The Iranian parliament's national security and foreign affairs committee said it would hold an extr ... read more
Bir-Lehlu, July 28, 2017 (SPS) - President of the Republic, Secretary-General of the Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali, called on the African Union to intervene in order to expedite the release of the Sahrawi political prisoners of Gdeim Izik group and all Saharawi political prisoners in Moroccan prisons.

In a letter sent to Mr. Alpha Conde, current Chairman of the African Union, concerning the developments to resolve the conflict between the Saharawi Republic and the Kingdom of Morocco, the President of the Republic focused on the Moroccan mock trial which, on 19 July 2017, issued harsh sentences against a group of Sahrawi citizens, known as the prisoners of Gdeim Izik, which are hardly different from those had been issued by the Moroccan military court in 2013, ranging from twenty years to life imprisonment.

The President of the Republic, who referred to the Moroccan military attack on the camp of Gdeim Izik, the unjust arrest and detention for seven years, absence of evidence and use of torture and false records and testimonies, pointed out that the Kingdom of Morocco showed clear intransigence and insistence on violating international law and international humanitarian law, recalled that their only fault was demanding the implementation of the charter and resolutions of the United Nations and the African Union.

The President of the Republic stressed that the African Union must intervene to ensure the adherence of Morocco to the letter and spirit of the application of the provisions of the constitutive act of the African Union and its resolutions and recommendations as well as the rest of its institutions on the conflict between the two member states, the Saharawi Republic and the Kingdom of Morocco. (SPS)

062/090/TRA
The ongoing drama over the Trump Administrations stance on legalized marijuana will take a new turn by the end of July as a task force delivers its findings on the link between legalized marijuana and violent crime.

That's actually just a small part of the task forces mandate. In a carefully worded press release announcing creation of the task force, Attorney General Jeff Sessions wedged the word marijuana into the midst of a long statement about reducing violent crime in the United States.

Officially, Sessions created a Task Force On Crime Reduction and Public Safety. The overall mission of the task force is to research, through a variety of subcommittees, methods by which the federal government can more effectively combat illegal immigration and violent crime, such as gun crime, drug trafficking, and gang violence, according to Sessions.

Related: Nevada Declares Marijuana State of Emergency to Avoid $100 Million Tax Shortfall

Sessions went on to write that Task Force subcommittees will also review current federal policies in the areas of charging, sentencing, and marijuana to ensure consistency with the Department's overall strategy on reducing violent crime and with Administration goals and priorities.

Thats the only mention of marijuana. But it was enough to set off a storm of speculation about what the subcommittee will report.

Reading the tea leaves.

Sesssions statement, like many from the Trump Administration on legalized marijuana, is unsettling to the legal marijuana industry without making any specific threat.

Marijuana remains illegal at the federal level but most Americans live in states where marijuana is legal to some extent. Medical marijuana is legal in 29 states and the District of Columbia, which have a combined population of about 200 million people. Adult recreational-use marijuana is legal in eight states containing about one-fifth of the American population.

Sessions' Task Force statement linked the cannabis industry to violent crime, as he has in the past, despite many studies that have found that is not the case. Officials in Denver have said a recent spike in crime is not likely related to legalized marijuana.

No one knows for sure what are the Administration goals and priorities on marijuana. President Donald Trump has remained quiet on the issue but Sessions has compared legalized marijuana to heroin. The Justice Department has asked Congress to eliminate rules adopted during the Obama Administration barring enforcement of federal marijuana laws against cannabis businesses operating legally under state law. However, that ban remains in effect.

All of this is creating uncertainly in a multi-billion industry.

Related: It's Lit! Cannabis Trends and the Pitfalls of 'Potrepreneurship.'

Anticipating the Task Force report

Sessions asked for a report from the task force by July 27. People on both sides of the debate have been outspoken about the possibilities of what the report could contain.

U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman of California told the New York Times that Sessions is giving everyone whiplash by trying to take us back to the 1960s. Sen. Corey Booker of New Jersey told the Times that a federal crackdown on marijuana will not make our communities safer or reduce the use of illegal drugs.

Related: Policy Group Argues It's Time to End the Failed War on Drugs

Still, no one is sure what is coming. In a July speech in Nevada, Sessions failed to even mention the states just-launched adult-use sales. He also did not mention marijuana in a speech in Dallas the day before.

In a situation with so much ambiguity, even something like Sessions not mentioning marijuana has become news.

Follow dispensaries.com on Instagram to stay up to date on the latest cannabis news.

Related:

Marijuana Recommendations From Federal Crime Task Force Expected Soon

Nevada Declares Marijuana State of Emergency to Avoid $100 Million Tax Shortfall

Policy Group Argues It's Time to End the Failed War on Drugs



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


B arclays chief executive Jes Staley on Friday claimed his operational shake-up of the bank is now complete and investors will soon start reaping the benefits.

Staleys drive to turn Barclays into a much simpler bank  big on the UK High Street, in the City and on Wall Street  has seen him sell out of Africa among other exits.

Today he said the non-core arm has now been rundown, with nearly 400 billion of toxic assets offloaded.

This brings forward the date when our shareholders can benefit from the full earnings power of this business, he added. The shares edged up 1.5p to 210.1p in response.

Barclays set aside another 700 million to deal with PPI mis-selling, having seen a spike in claims recently. That takes its total bill for this scandal to 9 billion.

Barclays faces legal issues including Staleys attempts to unmask a whistle-blower  a breach of rules designed to protect such staff. The bank and former executives also face fraud charges over money it raised from Qatar in 2008.

Finance director Tushar Morzaria said: The past issues we are dealing with go back a long time. It has been a hard journey for us. The bank we are now running is relatively straightforward and simple to understand.

Overall revenue slipped 15% to 5.06 billion. The investment bank had a rough time, with fixed income trading also down 15%.

Shore Capital said the results are worse than expected due to weaker-than-anticipated income performance and a further material PPI charge.

Russ Mould at AJ Bell said: The investment case for Barclays is relatively straightforward  it needs to accept that it isnt likely to grow the top line too quickly (at least without taking additional risk) and since that additional risk may not be what shareholders want, given their experiences of 2007-09, the bulk of earnings growth is going to come from cost-cutting and keeping the banks nose clean.
B ritish Airways parent IAG on Friday hit back at Brexit scaremongering over EU access as it shrugged off a bank holiday power failure to notch up soaraway profits.

IAG chief executive Willie Walsh said EU officials would strike an easy deal with the UK over airline access because tourist hot spots in places like Spain and Ireland rely on a flood of Brits to survive.

These are issues which will be relatively easy to address. This is something where there is absolute alignment. The British citizens travelling abroad are a significant element of EU tourism and EU trade. Im confident this will be dealt with, he said.

Branson beef hots up The spat between IAG boss Willie Walsh and Sir Richard Branson intensified today after Walsh accused the billionaire of trying to rewrite history. Branson goaded Walsh yesterday over a 2012 bet to accept a knee in the groin if the Virgin Atlantic brand had disappeared by 2017. But Walsh maintains: I said if Richard Branson is claiming hell be a 51% shareholder of Virgin Atlantic five years from now, thats a bet Ill take. Hes not going to be a 51% shareholder. Its exactly what I predicted. Ive got no interest in meeting this guy. Its nice to be right but its not an issue. Branson yesterday cut his stake in Virgin Atlantic after selling a 31% share to Air France-KLM. US airline Delta will retain its 49% stake in the company, leaving Bransons Virgin Group with 20%.

Rivals like Ryanair chief Michael OLeary have warned UK jets could be grounded if negotiators fail to strike a bilateral trade deal to replace the EU Open Skies agreement when the British leave in March 2019. But Walsh said the problem was specific to Ryanair, adding there was a good history of territories striking air-service agreements.

I am much more optimistic than Michael. I think hes highlighted some issues and in his own style hes turned these issues into a crisis, he added.

IAG took a 65 million (58 million) compensation hit and 20 million revenue loss linked to BAs power failure over the May bank holiday, which left thousands of passengers stranded.

The company apologised but, to the chagrin of many customers, it took the disaster in its stride with profits jumping an eye-watering 45%. Earnings for the three months ending June were 805 million and full-year figures are also expected to show a double-digit rise.

Lower fuel costs and a good performance in Spain propelled the increase.

The Anglo-Spanish giant has nearly 8 billion of cash sitting on its balance sheet. Walsh ruled out a bid for Alitalia, the struggling Italian flag carrier put up for sale in May. You had to submit an expression of interest last Friday and we have not done that, he said.
I grew up in Naples and spent my youth trying to find a way to fit into life in that wonderful, impossible city.

I would hang out in the street with my friends but while they all dreamed of becoming gangsters, my ambition was different: I wanted to be a banker.

My horizons had been broadened by hearing my grandfather Raffaele talk about how different life was in America and I became determined to try my luck there. I arrived in New York at the age of 21 with $500 in my pocket, intent on turning my dream into a reality. I slept in train stations and cadged the occasional night in the chairs of hotel lobbies, pretending to be a businessman who had missed his flight.

Ivan, the concierge at the Waldorf Astoria, found me a job washing pots. From a roach-ridden apartment in the Bronx, I hustled my way up, first selling shirts outside Grand Central to travellers and then to Mr Pressman, founder of Barneys New York.

My big break came after four years when I got a job as a cold-caller for one of the boiler-room spin-offs made notorious in The Wolf of Wall Street. I stayed there for two years before quitting when I worked out it was a scam.

The skills I had honed on the streets helped me land a job with what, I naively thought, was a more traditional institutional American bank, Ladenburg Thalmann. After three years, I wanted to do it my way, and set up my own bank, State Capital, growing it into an organisation with offices across two continents that handled deals worth billions. I also married a former Miss Brazil and had two wonderful daughters. Everything seemed perfect.

But my rapid rise was followed by an even faster fall.

In 2010, I was wrongly accused of money-laundering and conspiracy by the Italian authorities. I was placed on Interpols red list and jailed in a Brazil alongside guys like Pablo Rayo Montano, the Colombian drug lord. The fact I was Italian motivated the police to call a press conference and say I was laundering Italian mafia money. I became known as The Mafias Banker.

When I was finally exonerated, there was nothing left. I had no family, no money, just anger and bitterness. I had lost everything I had worked and lived for. Behind bars, Id pontificated over love, fate and life choices. Moving back to Italy, I travelled the country, immersing myself in the food and the culture.

Inspired by my experience, I moved to London with the dream of opening a restaurant. I stumbled upon an incredible but unknown chef, Chris Denney, and we turned a garage into one of Londons most acclaimed restaurants, 108 Garage in Golborne Road  were opening another one nearby on Southam Street.

My dreams were never negotiable, and Im taking them back.

Luca Longobardis autobiography Branded The Mafias Banker is available through Amazon
T he BBC gender pay gap story seems to be dragging on and on. City grandee Sir Philip Hampton has now unhelpfully entered the fray.

Female executives dont reach the very top because of their inability to ask for more, he said. BBC women are now asking for more  even without the full support of every licence-fee payer behind them  so lets see whether anything comes of it.

While I can understand the frustration that talented women feel at not earning quite as much as Chris Evans, Jeremy Vine and Gary Lineker, it seems to me that in the upper echelons of the BBC the gender pay gap isnt all that big a problem, financially speaking.

Whether you are on 150,000 or 2.2 million, you are still earning a substantial salary by most estimations. So could I suggest an alternative concern? The generational pay gap.

My generation looks at these BBC salaries and feels a sense of dread. We know its highly unlikely that we will ever reach such dizzying heights, in whatever field we work in.

How could we, when many of us are prepared to work for almost nothing  or very often free  in order to get a foot in the door? HR departments take advantage of our desperation for a proper job. We are transparent about every aspect of our lives  a little too transparent  but if we even dare to ask what our elders and betters earn, we get short shrift.

Even the prospect of asking for a 1,000 pay rise feels like a daunting prospect. Oh to have an agent negotiating on our behalf.

We arent so bothered about the gender pay gap because for millennials it is closing pretty rapidly. However, its closing for the wrong reasons. A study published earlier this year by the Resolution Foundation found that the gender pay gap had narrowed but only because millennial women have experienced neither generational pay progress nor decline.

Millennial men, meanwhile, were operating at a cumulative pay deficit, which meant that by the time they hit 30, they could expect to be earning around 12,500 less compared to men at that age from the previous generation.

Part of the reason for the closing of the gap was the shift in the jobs men and women now do. Between 1993 and 2016, the proportion of low-paid work done by young men rose by 45 per cent. During the same period, more women moved into higher-skilled jobs and began receiving higher pay for them than they had in the past.

Young men have had a hard time, in part because of the massive decline in manufacturing jobs  and for all the progress that has been made by young women, we have not benefited overall as a generation from rising salaries.

Instead, the situation has remained stagnant. As the report made clear at the time, my generation will be the first to earn less than our predecessors.

Older people wonder why Jeremy Corbyn has such strong support from the young. But as James Forsyth pointed out in The Spectator recently, its obvious: Tories cant expect young people to be capitalists when they have no capital.

The reasons my generation has very little capital are numerous. Ive heard countless things blamed: our addiction to avocados; Spotify subscriptions; too many flat whites. There may be some truth in the idea that my generation is feckless, but economic forces beyond our control have left millennials in a precarious position. Many of us can never even dream of buying a place to live.

We have little prospect of earning much and are saddled with debt. In the general election, many young people voted for a geriatric Marxist, and thought this seemed like a wise move. I dont think it was  but you increasingly hear under-30s expressing a wish to kick over the system, just to see what might happen.

There is no magic solution to the generational pay gap. Better to have a job than not, after all, and fortunately youth unemployment in Britain is not as low as it is in Spain, Greece or Italy. But forgive us if we dont feel too concerned about the top female talent at the BBC feeling hard done by.

Having a cool leader only gets you so far

Get an eyeful of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau  so relaxed, so dynamic, so the antithesis of Donald Trump.

He appears on the cover of the latest issue of Rolling Stone magazine.

Why cant he be our President? moans the US publication. Well, Id say its because hes not an American, and even if he were, Im not sure he would reach the White House.

Perhaps Im too cynical but I find this new tendency to feign jealousy at more attractive, progressive leaders abroad a bit silly.

Do we really want all our politicians to have movie-star good looks?

Politics ought not to be a beauty pageant for people with approved views.

Besides, Rolling Stone is supposed to be edgy, the magazine of Hunter S Thompson and gonzo journalism.

By sucking up to an impeccably elite figure such as Trudeau, they look a bit like the in-flight magazine for the boss class travelling to the Davos World Economic Forum.
E lizabeth IIs reign, the longest in our monarchys long history, has covered a period in which British power slumped to middling proportions and British society underwent profound changes.

Her great achievement, however, has been to maintain her own stability and poise and therefore the dignity of her office through a time of social and ethical flux.

But  make no mistake  we are in the twilight of the second great Elizabethan age. Our monarchy is in transition and this moment is crucial.

It is a monarchy where the various royal households  Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace  and the people at the top and those who work there are all jockeying for position as the Queen prepares to gradually but definitely hand over the reins of power.

Buckingham Palace has been at pains to stress after the announcement of the retirement of Prince Philip that the Queen would carry on regardless with the support of Team Windsor.

For this to happen Prince William and Prince Harry  until now with the Queens recent blessing determined to carry on with independent jobs as well as carrying out royal duties  must step up to the plate.

But Prince Williams decision yesterday to walk away from the job he clearly loves as an air ambulance pilot covering East Anglia (where he has his country home, Anmer Hall) is a watershed moment.

It was no accident that it coincides with the Duke of Edinburghs final engagement next Wednesday, when he marks the finale of the Royal Marines 1664 Global Challenge in his role of captain general of the Royal Marines.

It will not be Philip's last official appearance but he is clear that he has done his bit and feels it is time for the younger generation to do theirs

It will not be his last official appearance  he will pick and choose going forward  but he is clear that he has done his bit and feels it is time for the younger generation to do theirs.

There is no doubt that if William could have continued his role with the East Anglian Air Ambulance, he would have.

Harry too, as we exclusively revealed in the Evening Standard, reluctantly had to give up his successful career in the Army, where he too flew helicopters (an Apache attack chopper on the front line in Afghanistan). He once confided to me he would go nuts if he was forced only to carry out royal duties and relished the daily challenge and camaraderie of a regular job.

Back then he didnt really know what direction he was going to take  but his inspirational and heart-felt work serving injured former Commonwealth and Allied service personnel with the Invictus Games has made him one of the most popular royals.

He has also established, over more than a decade, his own charity  Sentebale  which supports orphans and vulnerable children, many of whom are affected by the HIV/Aids epidemic. Through education, psychosocial support and care it gives them the tools they need to lead healthy lives.

Now is crunch time for the royals. The Queen will keep calm and carry on, but there is nothing to stop her following her husband into a form of retirement

But now is crunch time for the royals. The Queen will keep calm and carry on, but there is nothing to stop her following her husband into a form of retirement.

I understand she has hinted that she would consider a Prince Charles Regency at 95. There is nothing to stop her doing this.

I agree that Her Majesty, a consecrated monarch, will never abdicate. The devout sovereign has after all sworn the Coronation Oath to remain in position until death.

Curiously, until 1937 our constitutional law had no permanent provision for a regent to cover the situation of a monarch being incapable of performing his or her duties. It was the debilitating illness of the Queens grandfather George V  who suffered from chronic bronchitis throughout 1935 until his death the following January  that led to the Regency Act.

Since then no statutory regency has been created. One would be if the person inheriting the throne were under 18, or if the monarch is  by reason of infirmity of mind or body incapable of performing the royal functions.

But there is an intriguing additional ground within the drafting of Section 2 of the Act. This says that a regency arises if the Sovereign is for some definite cause not available for the performance of those functions. It is not clear what situations this covers.

Perhaps it is vague enough to allow the monarch simply to pass the baton to her heir and effectively retire  thus effecting the smoothest of successions with the minimum of fuss.

The Queen has been working hard in private, too, to ensure the Prince of Wales succeeds her as head of the Commonwealth.

It is a responsibility she says she has cherished  but it is not a responsibility that her son and heir will inherit automatically.

While Prince Charles is destined to be head of state of 16 countries, he is reliant on Commonwealth leaders wanting him to replace his mother, and when the time comes, other candidates could emerge as potential challengers.

It was announced today that Charles, not the popular Prince William accompanied by Kate, will official open the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia next year.

Charles, said to be bruised by his lack of a mention in the recent official documentary about their late mother Diana by his sons, is determined to play his role to the full.

But by the time of his 70th birthday next November it will be he who is calling the shots as his mother, Her Majesty, prepares to follow her husbands lead.

William, now a full-time royal, will have to wait in line.
One of an A-lister's worst nightmares, last night saw Elizabeth Olsen and Aubrey Plaza arrive at a movie premiere wearing the same dress.

But while such a fashion clash would ordinarily be embarrassing - for both the actresses and the stylists who would've ensured designers didn't allocate the dress to another attendee - this particular move was in fact deliberate.

Starring together in new comedy Ingrid Goes West, the pair portray the story of a young woman (Plaza) who - following the death of her mother - becomes so obsessed with a social media star (Olsen) that she moves to LA to befriend her.

Mirroring the copycat plot, the pair decided to reflect the film's narrative through their sartorial stunt.

Embellished with gold metallic discs, the Marc Jacobs mini dress featured a high neck and full-length sleeves which both stars paired with pointed black Sophia Webster courts.

Seemingly keen to portray her own tastes, Olsen swapped the look later in the evening for a black midi dress and jacket with heavy black shoes.

More often seen in these looser, more oversized silhouettes, 28-year-old Olsen is only occasionally spotted wearing fitted pieces.

Elizabeth Olsen - Style File 1 /48 Elizabeth Olsen - Style File March 24, 2009 The after party for the Broadway opening night of 'Impressionism' in New York Jason Kempin/Getty August 16, 2010 At a screening of 'Mao's Last Dancer' at the Crosby Street Hotel Bryan Bedder/Getty May 15, 2011 At Cannes Film Festival Pascal Le Segretain/Getty September 11, 2011 At the Toronto Film Festival Joe Scarnici/Getty October 21, 2011 At the 'Martha Marcy May Marlene' premiere during the London Film Festival Tim Whitby/Getty January 12, 2012 At the Critics' Choice Movie Awards Christopher Polk/Getty January 22, 2012 Day 3 of Miami Oasis Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty January 24, 2012 At the Chanel Haute-Couture spring/summer 2012 show in Paris Pascal Le Segretain/Getty February 25, 2012 At the Chanel And Charles Finch Pre-Oscar Dinner Frazer Harrison/Getty February 26, 2012 at the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Graydon Carter Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty February 7, 2013 At the AG Cher Coulter Event during autumn/winter 2013 New York Fashion Week Roger Kisby/Getty February 10, 2013 At the BAFTAs Ian Gavan/Getty February 13, 2013 At the Proenza Schouler autumn/winter 2013 show during New York Fashion Week Jemal Countess/Getty April 4, 2013 At the Chanel The Little Black Jacket - Karl Lagerfeld Photography Exhibition Stefania D'Alessandro/Getty April 8, 2013 At the 'Disconnect' New York Special Screening Cindy Ord/Getty September 7, 2013 At Toronto Film Festival Michael Buckner/Getty September 7, 2013 At Toronto Film Festival Amanda Edwards/Getty September 30, 2013 Featuring on 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon' Theo Wargo/Getty October 16, 2013 At the after party for 'Romeo And Juliet' Off Broadway opening night production Craig Barritt/Getty February 6, 2014 At the Los Angeles premiere of Roadside Attractions and LD Entertainment's 'In Secret' Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty March 5, 2014 At the AW14 Miu Miu show in Paris Pascal Le Segretain/Getty May 5, 2014 At the Met Gala Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty January 26, 2015 At the Dior SS15 Haute Couture show in Paris Pascal Le Segretain/Getty January 27, 2015 At the mytheresa.com x JJ Martin Cocktail Party Julien M. Hekimian/Getty September 9, 2015 At the Deauville American Film Festival Francois Durand/Getty September 9, 2015 At the ''Ruth And Alex'' Premiere during the 41st Deauville American Film Festival Francois Durand/Getty September 11, 2015 At Sony Pictures Classics after party for 'I Saw The Light' Todd Williamson/Getty September 12, 2015 At the Toronto film festival Jason Merritt/Getty October 2, 2015 At the Dior SS16 show in Paris Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty October 31, 2015 During a Talent Junket Interview Cindy Ord/Getty October 31, 2015 Speaking on stage during Q&A for 'I Saw The Light' in Georgia Cindy Ord/Getty January 12, 2016 At the Presentation of the new Stella McCartney collection Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty February 23, 2016 At the Elle Style Awards Anthony Harvey/Getty February 24, 2016 At the Gucci AW16 show in Milan Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty March 22, 2016 At the premiere of Sony Pictures Classics' 'I Saw The Light' in Hollywood Kevin Winter/Getty April 26, 2016 At the UK premiere for 'Captain America: Civil War' Ian Gavan/Getty

Sharing similar tastes to her older sisters, actresses-turned-designers Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Elizabeth's style has a subtlety and relatability that her fans find endearing.

'Ingrid Goes West' is set for UK release in November
N uno Mendes is joining forces with the group behind Old Streets Electricity Showrooms to help launch a new restaurant in east London late this year.

The Chiltern Firehouse chef will create the menu for Mare Street Market, which is due to open in Keltan House  a converted warehouse space close to Netil House and Broadway Market.

The space will feature a bar, deli, florist and record shop as well as concession stands from local businesses and the main restaurant.

It will be run by Barworks, which also owns the 5cc cocktail bar group, The Diner restaurant chain, and pubs including Wenlock & Essex, the Exmouth Arms and the Commercial Tavern.

It will feature menus designed by Mendes, though his exact level of involvement remains unclear.

Marc Francis-Baum, co-founder of Barworks, told commercial property agent CoStar: "Mare Street Market will open in winter 2017 and we have partnered up with world-renowned chef Nuno Mendes to create a fantastic space that will offer everything from a bar and restaurant to record shop and florist, which will all be local independent businesses trading under one roof."

30 must-try dishes in London restaurants 1 /41 30 must-try dishes in London restaurants Bone marrow on toast with parsley salad at St John Not only has this dish kicked off countless wonderful meals over the course of St Johns 25 years, but it also gets credit for putting British cooking back on the global culinary map. Roasted bone marrow, coaxed out onto toast, cut perfectly with salad of parsley, shallots and capers. A nose-to-tail revolution, and utterly divine. Whole turbot at Brat Tomos Parrys talents with a turbot first came to feverish acclaim at Mayfair restaurant Kitty Fishers, but they are now the star attraction at his Michelin-starred solo spot. This whole fish  grilled Basque-style, over hot coals and in a specially designed cage  softens as if it has melted, and is basted at the table in an emulsion made with its own juices. Benjamin McMahon Marinara at 50 Kalo di Ciro Salvo Superlatives should be used in moderation  but heck it, this might just be Londons best pizza. This under-the-radar London iteration of a Naples pizzeria serves an unrivalled marinara: just tomato sauce, oil, garlic and oregano. No need for any more  with a sauce this good and a base so fine and perfectly charred, you can stop mourning your cancelled Italian holiday at first bite. Luciano Furia Clay pot baked pork and crab glass noodles at Kiln When we say Kiln is one of the hottest spots in town, we mean it  hang over the counter at the Thai barbecue and youre not far out of range for the odd flame. Baking in the heart of the swirling heat is this must order: shimmering glass noodles, coated with a silky sauce enriched with fatty slicks of Tamworth pork belly and improbably unctuous crab meat. Lamb chops, Melabes Perhaps because its quietly tucked in among its unassuming neighbours down on the wrong end of High Street Kensington, Melabes is often overlooked by Londons food lovers. An unwarranted shame, as this partly Middle Eastern, partly Mediterranean set-up is really very good; it is somewhere to pick and choose from bits and pieces, and put a meal together yourself. The lamb chops, which come all smokey and burnished from the grill, are perfect; pink as a Vegas sign inside, but the fat all soft and dripping and delicious. A must, whatever the order. Steak tartare imperial at Bob Bob Ricard Theres Press For Champagne buttons, lobster in your mac and cheese and anything that stays still long enough gets gilded  there is no point in going small at Bob Bob Ricard. Steak tartare is a luxurious pick at the best of times, but the Imperial upgrade here comes with a dollop of caviar  even without the finishing touch, the tartare itself is one of the best in the capital. Bacon naan at Dishoom Londoners spent decades believing bacon in a bap with some ketchup (or brown sauce, but lets not have that argument now) couldnt be beaten  and then Dishoom came along. This breakfast sandwich fills a fresh naan with bacon, a slathering of cream cheese, a luxurious tomato and chilli chutney, coriander and an oozing fried egg if you feel so inclined. Hangover be gone. Cacio e pepe at Padella Five years ago, you would have thought anyone queuing for pasta in London to have lost their minds  this dish changed that. The starlet of Padellas much coveted is this plate of pici  hand-rolled fat worms of eggless pasta  with a mirror-shine sauce of parmesan cheese and pasta. Simple but unrivalled  and itll set you back just 6. Jamon croquetas at Barrafina A dish like this should be elusive  it is far too easy to eat seven portions of croquetas in a single sitting, which is why we presume Barrafina makes you queue. Very sensible. As the crunchy coating gives way to the oozing centre, enriched with the flavour of Spanish jamon (the best ham in the business), were already planning our next visit. Biang biang noodles at Xi'an Biang Biang Noodles There are oodles of noodles in the capital, but Guirong Weis triumphant take is one of the finest. First finding followers at her north London restaurant Xian Impression (soon to reopen for dine-in, but not yet), the dish of has inspired a whole spin-off restaurant in Spitalfields. Thick, hand-pulled, chewy noodles soak up all the spice and zing of the special sauce they swim in  very special indeed. Souffle Suissesse, Le Gavroche Le Gavroche  the street urchin  is perhaps not for everyone. It is a Mayfair time machine, a reminder of how things were done once upon a time. Fortunately, it happens that how things were once done was very well indeed, and lunch or supper here is a masterclass in traditional French luxury (and often, happily, includes very large glasses of wine). Staff make the place, anyone who has been gently teased by the twins pretending to be each other will know. A tendency towards the old ways does mean the cooking offers little in the way of evolution or revolution, but new, after all, isnt always better. Michel Roux Jrs cheese souffle, baked on double cream, stuns, so overwhelmingly tasty, utter decadence that clings to the taste buds. Buttermilk Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Around the Cluck / 12:51 James Cochran found his signature dish early on, but its good it should stay with him for the rest of his career. While he has chops, and can do more beyond, theres something special in the way he works with his chicken; hotly spiced, gorgeously crispy, beautifully soft on the inside. A long-standing favourite and, though 12:51 cant operate as it did before, there are tables at his new project Around the Cluck, which is operating out of the same site. Breakfast at Hawksmoor Guildhall Your Full English is not full in comparison to the Hawksmoor breakfast at the steak connoisseurs Guildhall restaurant. The mind-boggling two-person spread swaps bacon rashers for an entire smoked chop, serves its bubble and squeak with short rib, puts trotter meat into its baked beans, and adds grilled bone marrow to all the usual trimmings. Cauliflower shawarma at Berber & Q Its not often that the main event at a barbecue restaurant is the veg, but Berber & Q have achieved just that. The cauliflower shawarma here is cooked on their flaming grill until softened and charred, before being doused liberally in tahini, pomegranate molasses, coriander, pomegranate seeds and a scattering of dried rose petals. BBQ Butter Chicken Wings at Brigadiers Brigadiers is a bold, boisterous sort of place: a labyrinthine City dining room, packed to the rafters with beer and Indian food that is indisputably gutsy. But arguably its finest moment comes in one of its smallest packages  these chicken wings may be diminutive, but are mightily spiced, deftly charred and dripping with ghee-fuelled succulence. Beef brisket bun at Smokestak David Carters Shoreditch restaurant occupies itself by giving the entirety of Kansas City a run for its money on a daily basis. The star turn at this lauded barbecue restaurant is its beef brisket bun  the meat is soft and juicy, riddled with its fats in the centre, while charred and treacle-like on the outside, paired perfectly with pickled chillies. To remember it is to salivate, we assure you. Snails, LEscargot LEscargot is one of Sohos old aristocrats and in its grand, beret red dining room there is always a mischievous sense of fun  perhaps because it is still such a smart, suited, chandeliered place, and people are often drinking themselves rather silly. The clue to good eating is in the name; the snails come still clinging to their shells and submerged in their butter and parsley sauce. Dive in; you will emerge stinking gloriously of garlic. It wont matter a jot; roll on the red wine and settle in for a long, comforting night. Confit potatoes at Quality Chop House Yes, there are some high quality chops on offer at this 150-year-old Clerkenwell restaurant but blimey, leave room for the chips. Fine slices of potato are stacked into architecturally sound wedges, and confited until shatteringly crispy on the outside and devastatingly soft in the centre. They have been much imitated in recent years, but never bettered. Smoked eel sandwich at Quo Vadis Jeremy Lee cooks many things to a legendary level at Quo Vadis  his pies could so easily have also made this list  but he gets the nod here for his unrivalled take on the fancy sandwich. Smoked eel, horseradish cream and Dijon mustard, served with red onion pickle  a combination so popular Lee says he nearly ran out of eel on post-lockdown reopening. Classic bao at Bao London has buns in abundance, but we still bow down to the fluffy superiority of Bao. The Taiwanese restaurant has become a cross-town favourite, thanks to its pleasingly pert rice buns (they are genuinely very pert, no crassness intended) and carefully considered fillings. The classic order comes filled with braised pork, fermented veg, coriander and a dusting of peanut powder. Carol Sachs Potato and roe, Core by Clare Smyth Clare Smyth has a knack that must infuriate other chefs; she is able to take the simplest of ingredients  say, a single carrot and a smattering of lamb mince  do something devilish with it and charge rather a lot for it; so good are the results, though, that few mind. Smyths sorcery is perhaps best witnessed with her signature, the potato and roe. It is simply a potato on a plate in a little sauce, but then it is also perhaps the best potato dish in the world; it has this wonderful salty richness, a certain seaside intenseness. It is glorious; so too is the smoked chicken that tends to come as an amuse bouche. Youll be treated here. Omelette Arnold Bennett Dont worry, no Arnolds were harmed in the making of this dish. Alongside impeccable service and an arguably perfect dining room, you could add another highlight to your breakfast at The Wolseley by ordering this creamy, haddock-filled dish, named for the writer who inspired its creation while staying at the Savoy. Fish pie, J Sheekey Long an actors favourite, J Sheekeys glamour has never lost its lustre. Its kept its regulars and charmed newcomers with a menu that plays the greatest hits of fine dining favourites. Seafood is Sheekeys thing; simply done sole is beautiful here, crab comes three ways, brill brushed in butter has a meatiness thats beyond satisfying. The fish pie is famous though, and rightly so; beneath the flaking pastry is a sea of cream, mustard and white wine, in it bobbing cod, haddock and salmon. It is simple but never fails; it does on its own for lunch, but is a failsafe at supper, too. John Carey The Ari Gold at Patty & Bun Theres a cheeseburger on every high street in the capital  but not all of them are created equal. Patty & Bun has got the classic combination down to a tee with its curiously named Ari Gold burger: a fat, 35-day aged patty is served medium rare, and topped with gooey American cheese, smokey house mayo and tangy pickled red onions. Xiao long bao at Din Tai Fung Few dishes in the capital have been known to cause queues of four hours. Thats exactly what the world-famous xiao long bao dumplings did when top Taiwanese restaurant group Din Tai Fung first opened in Covent Garden. An intricately folded out layer (made by chefs trained for at least 18 months) gives way to succulent meat and a broth you could take on by the bowlful. Pig's trotter, the French House Upstairs in the Soho local, Neil Borthwick is quietly running one of the areas best kitchens. He orders in particularly good oysters, does brilliant things with brill and with his pigs trotter, has a dish that is rich and fatty, but with a beautiful salty cut that makes it madly moreish. The menu tends to change often upstairs in the French, but have this if its on. That little dining room is somewhere to go in early for lunch and stay until late, eventually spilling down into the pub below, to drink pints  they do pints now, not just halfs  all while merrily reliving the joys upstairs. Peter Clark Dover sole with crab butter at Bentley's Oyster Bar and Grill There are so many delights at Bentleys, its tricky to pick a single one. This could so easily have been a plate of rigorously sourced oysters, the fish pie, the decadent Royal seafood platter (pictured). It is however, the Dover sole that wins. A sublime piece of fish always, expertly cooked without fail  choose it either filleted with beautiful crab butter, or grilled and whole for a simple pleasure. Over in the City, Corrigan does similarly brilliant things with lobster at Daffodil Mulligan. Ragu, Lina Stores Sohos Lina Stores  the pasta bar, not the longstanding Italian deli it comes from  is the sort of restaurant one longs for; small, fun, friendly, not too pricey. They do small plates of near perfect pasta; their ragu, whether lamb or veal, is a gem. A good ragu is hard to find  too often theres too little meat, or meat not cooked for long enough  but here, they spend the time over it, cooking slowly, carefully. No restaurant can compare with a Nonna, but Lina gets gratifyingly close. Porterhouse steak, the Guinea Grill London is not short of steakhouses, but the Guinea does not number among them. A pub  a proper one  it is tucked down a Mayfair sidestreet, away from everything and yet still perpetually busy. Besides the small bar is a dining room that looks much as it must have done when the likes of Sinatra was in (or Bette Midler, or Kylie, or Regan, or, or, or), where theyve served prime Aberdeen Angus cooked on a smoking hot grill. The Guinea is all about having a good time  pints, red wine, brandies, the lot  but they cook beautifully, and their handling of a good piece of beef is second to none. Puree de pommes de terre, Le Comptoir Robuchon The late Joel Robuchon may have been the most decorated chef of his and perhaps any other era, but his signature stayed humble  mashed potato. Until youve had it, it is hard to believe it could be quite so good; mash, after all, is mash. No matter the scepticism, it will always surprise; it is almost silly that so little could taste of so much. A side, it will match almost everything on the menu; of which, the lamb with aubergine on the menu of classics is extraordinarily good.

The opening comes after Mendes attempted to crowdfund the money to launch a new Viajante last year but failed to get enough investment.

He currently also runs Portuguese restaurant Taberna do Mercado in Spitalfields and is executive chef at Marylebone celeb-haunt Chiltern Firehouse.
F iona Mozley wrote her Man Booker longlisted novel Elmet on her phone while commuting. To get it finished I just had to take it one sentence at a time, whenever I could, she recalls.

Mozley, who at 29 is the second- youngest author to be up for the prize after 2013s winner Eleanor Catton, then 28, started the novel four years ago, in secret. She had just graduated from Cambridge University with an English degree and was living with five friends crammed into a small house in Honor Oak Park, doing an internship at literary agency Artellus Limited.

I was finding London life difficult  the strain of the capital was taking hold, she says. I was living for the next pay cheque and at a loose end. I didnt know what career I was going to have or where I was going to live in the next year. She was paying 600 a month to share a house where we had secret tenants  when the landlord visited we had to fold away my bed and pretend it wasnt there.

Her friends have teased her that the books title sounds like the childrens book Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, which she takes with a laugh. In fact, Elmet was the last independent Celtic kingdom in England, between the fifth and seventh centuries, and later became the West Riding of Yorkshire. Mozley is completing what she calls a niche PhD at York University about the concept of decay in late-medieval towns and eco politics.

Her novel addresses property ownership. Its told from the point of view of Daniel, a boy remembering his life with his sister Cathy in a house their father built with his bare hands. They are not like other children. Their father is loving but prone to fits of rage, and his behaviour creates tension in the community.

The father is a gruff, self-sufficient bare-knuckle boxer who builds a house on land he doesnt own, says Mozley, talking about her characters like they are people she knows. The land isnt being used but the owners dont like what he has done. I feel no one can say anything these days without bringing up politics, but this book does touch on a community left behind.

Its no coincidence that I started the book when living in London.

Does the Grenfell Tower fire give these ideas of home- ownership and rights new resonance? Absolutely.

The best books to read this summer - in pictures 1 /12 The best books to read this summer - in pictures The hottest new releases to delve into this summer The Marsh Kings Daughter by Karen Dionne When the news that notorious abductor the Marsh King has escaped prison reaches his daughter, Helena realises its just a matter of time before he comes for her. Although she has never told her husband or daughters that she was born in captivity to a kidnapped 17 year old mother, she knows shell have to do everything in her power to stop her father repeating his past crimes. In this riveting story, we learn of Helenas love for her father and consider the complex issue of Stockholm Syndrome. Against the backdrop of her meticulously curated life, the brutality of Helenas past is jarring to read. Although there are shades of Emma Donahues Room here, Dionne explores more thoroughly the relationship between captor and captive, the heavy anchoring of a familial bond and the exploitation of childhood innocence. 12.99, Little, Brown, Buy it now Selfie by Will Storr Its the 21st century and the village mentality is long gone. We now live in the world of the prolific individual and theres more pressure than ever to have the perfect body, the perfect partner, the perfect job - essentially, the perfect life. In a searing commentary on modern society, Will Storr explores the history of how this came to be and why, despite our natural cynicism, we find ourselves desperately trying to achieve the impossible. Storrs work sheds a harsh light on our almost holographic strive for both realism and perfection and the self-absorption that has insidiously crept upon us. 13.77, Wordery, Buy it now How To Stop Time by Matt Haig Theres something about Matt Haigs new book that makes you feel like its a story youve been longing to read. Protagonist Tom Hazard has been alive for centuries. Due to a rare condition, his body ages 15 times slower than everyone elses meaning hes lived through Elizabethan England, New Yorks industrial revolution and everything in between. By not falling in love, Tom has so far managed to survive the tragedy of the world decaying around him. But, as in any good story, his best laid plans are always scuppered, forcing him to realise that by so cautiously existing, hes really not been living at all. Haigs proficiency in writing for children has lent a gentleness that cuts to the very heart of this work and its readers. 9.99, Waterstones, Buy it now An Almond for a Parrot by Wray Delaney Set in the mid 18th century, An Almond for a Parrot follows a young girl with magical powers who finds her way into high class prostitution. Although on first glance the plotline seems somewhat off kilter and there is a substantial amount of romping, the waters of this story actually run deeper. In a world where womens lives were tied to those of their often cruel or useless husbands, Tully sets about finding a way to govern her own fate. Delaney sheds a harsh light on that period of history, in which honourable men were often lost amongst the wolves. 7.99, Amazon, Buy it now Why Im No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo- Lodge For many, the notion of racism brings to mind extreme, white supremacists rather than the average white person walking down the street. The idea that its actually still very much a part of society today is an uncomfortable one, but Reni Eddo Lodge tells it how it is. Stemming from the original blog post she penned back in 2014 in response to the lifetime of frustrating conversations she has attempted to participate in, Eddo Lodge decided to highlight the structural racism that we dont like to talk about, and certainly dont like to think still exists in Britain today. The fact that we live in a society that undoubtedly benefits white people at the cost of people of colour (the authors preferred term) hits the reader immediately and is a point that is so obviously true and yet so routinely overlooked. 8.99, Amazon,Buy it now The Power by Naomi Alderman Winner of this years Baileys Womens Prize for Fiction, Aldermans novel dares us to imagine what the world would be like if women were able to administer electric shocks from their fingers. Set in a not-too-distant Dystopia, women start discovering that their powers give them the leverage they need to rule over men. If you replace the allegory of magic powers with the real issue- equality and control- you can see the parallels to the modern day also begin to ponder what the world would be like if men no longer ruled the world. Ricocheting between the readers conscience and mind,. Alderman is able to combine killer story telling with her technological and scientific knowledge to create a story that is both unique and lingering. 5.84, Amazon,Buy it now I Cant Believe You Just Said That by Danny Wallace From the blatant bargers on the tube to the passive aggressive vigilantes on Twitter, Danny Wallace wonders when we all got so rude. In this hilarious anthropological observation, he trawls the globe for critics, psychologists, cab drivers and politicians to discover why, for some reason, we cant just all get along. Bringing his usual shrewd wit and casual sarcasm, the bestselling author of Yes Man once again delivers a light-hearted commentary on a behaviour that, particularly in London, weve accepted as a social norm. 6.49, Amazon,Buy it now -A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay Gay found this book so harrowing to write, the release date was pushed back by several months. Having written extensively on feminism and womanhood in her bestselling previous works, Bad Feminist and Difficult Women, Gay now turns her discerning eye even more inwardly to examine her own relationship with food and her body- delving into her childhood and adolescence and the moments that have signposted her current relationship with herself. In doing so, she casts her gaze more widely to the human struggle between want and need in a candid and often ruthless way. 9.79, Amazon,Buy it now

Masculinity, gender and bodies are also themes. The father is the archetypal masculine man  hes enormous and strong but he has these two children who in some respects arent like him at all  they dont conform to expectations of gender. I wanted to explore that tension. If a film was made of Elmet hed have to be played by Tom Hardy or Idris Elba. Mozley says his violence is influenced by her love of Clint Eastwood films rather than any tension in her own family. My own father [a retired social worker] is a gentle, lovely man. I wanted to write about people so different from me and my family.

The novel touches on gender queerness, too. In many ways it feels like we are living in the last gasp of old-fashioned gender roles, but perhaps thats just people like me saying that and its more pervasive than wed like to think. The situation in America [with Trump banning transgender people from the army this week] is dire.

The novels setting came to Mozley on a train back to London from York on a trip to visit her parents. I was looking out at the South Yorkshire landscape, the copses and outbuildings. I already had questions I wanted to explore, and those things came together.

Mozley was born in Hackney but grew up in York and moved back there recently. She lives with her partner, Megan, who the book is dedicated to. She came out as a teenager and it was undramatic. Megan is also studying for a PhD (they work side by side) and they have a lurcher dog called Stringer, named after the character in The Wire.

Writing about nature in a lyrical style was escapism for Mozley. There was no grand plan. She wrote to give me a sense of achievement that Id finished something. Her friends were asking her what she wanted to do with the rest of her life and it was hard not to tell them about the book. They were doing impressive things but I didnt want to say too much because I didnt want it to become real before it was the right time. When her family and friends eventually found out, they had just seen me on my computer and thought I was browsing Facebook or watching Netflix. Sometimes I was.

She announced the books publication on Facebook and was touched by the response. This became particularly poignant in the past few months. A friend of her best friend died in the Manchester Arena attack in May, and she went to his vigil. Martyn [Hett], who died, was a mesmerising and magnetic individual. He had hundreds of friends but when I announced the book was published he took the time to congratulate me, which was much appreciated and testament to the person he was, making time for the little people.

Mozley works part-time in a bookshop and wouldnt give that up even if she won the 50,000 Booker money. She is adamant that shops have a future in the internet age. People come in and say how much they love browsing and holding the real thing. Shes recommending Sally Rooneys Conversations with Friends to customers for summer. A second book by her is on the way, which addresses owning and renting property and land.

She doesnt think shell buy her own house anytime soon. The possibility of ever buying a house is distant. I dont know how it could be resolved. In Elmet the repercussions of the right-to-buy scheme are covered. The London housing market is absurd. She supports Jeremy Corbyn and was hungover after election night. Should Theresa May read the book? Yes. There are characters and issues that probably seem distant to a lot of people and people of Mays generation and inclinations. Books help you imagine the lives of others.

Elmet is out on August 10, John Murray

The rest of the Man Booker longlist

4321 by Paul Auster

A heros life in a four-way narrative.

Days Without End by Sebastian Barry

Love and loss between two soldiers.

History of Wolves by Emily Fridlund

A teenage girls struggle.

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid

A reality-bending narrative on refugees.

Solar Bones by Mike McCormack

A celebration of small-town Ireland.

Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor

Abduction in a village.

The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy

Roys long-awaited second novel.

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

President Lincoln mourns his son.

Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie

An immigrant family at war with itself.

Autumn by Ali Smith

A post-Brexit story.

Swing Time by Zadie Smith

Friendship and rivalry, set across continents.

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

A haunting story about escape from slavery.
W hat an enviable career choice it is to become a popular president in an age when most politicians are grumpily tolerated rather than admired. Yet the Elysee this week saw Emmanuel Macron glad-handing Rihanna, after waving goodbye to Bono and Bill Gates.

Tony Blair got stuck with visitations from Blur and Oasis, and Bill Clintons perpetual anthem was Born in the USA, with Bruce Springsteen invariably the opening strum at his rallies, but the French leader has set a new bar for mixing pop and politics, from the moment he had a Daft Punk medley played by a brass band at his inauguration.

The man who says he is proud to be a global citizen  at a time when many are putting up barriers and glowering at the outside world  is styling Macronism as a creed to which the globally glitzy can attach themselves  whatever it comes to mean.

That meant getting behind Team Rihannas cleverly managed Twitter challenge to commit to funding education projects in the developing world  and basking in the starlight. Those who suspect that a great deal of the pop icons appeal for the new French President might lie in her whopping 75 million Twitter followers (he already has a decent but improvable 1.7 million) might just be onto something. But Macron is also keenly aware that he leads a racially divided France. The next set of images the French media disseminated of him after his Rihanna encounter was of the President attending cheery naturalisation ceremonies for recent immigrants granted citizenship.

The duo behind the Macron makeover, from the days when he looked like a stiff French banker in a posh suit, are two characters who could come straight out of the high-octane world of Spin (the addictive, pot-boiling French political TV drama.) Sibeth Ndiaye is a French-Senegalese image adviser  seen bouncing excitedly alongside her boss in moments of high emotion after his election win. In generation and style, its a long way from the style of the Hollande and Sarkozy years; Ndiaye is a youthful 37 in earnest student specs and her working wardrobe is more adidas than Armani . Her look is long [hair] braids and tracksuits, according to Le Monde. And her tendency to execute forcefully to the letter what has been decreed on high mean she has the rather fearful respect of liberal French journalists seeking favours. (Off the record from a senior one of their number: Dont be deceived by her informality. Shes the control freaks control freak.)

Sylvain Fort (second left) and Sibeth Ndiaye (centre) at the inauguration / AFP/Getty Images

Ndiaye works closely with Sylvain Fort, nicknamed the Presidents pen, who writes his keynote speeches and refines his bosss arguments. Quietly important in the Elysee court, too, is Soazig de la Moissonniere, a young photographer whose carefully composed images of Macron have effectively styled him as a new JFK.

With a background in artistic, rather than news, photography, she has brought a more artful lens to creating political imagery. One photograph shows Macron broodily taking a phone call under a large photograph of Audrey Hepburn (as you do). A now famous shot of his victory speech at the Louvre included the museums vast Pharoanic sculpture. But the recent shots of celebrity visitors suggest that Macron wants to take on the mantle of the Clintons in their prime, drawing the world-famous to be seen alongside them.

The Rihanna moment profited both sides, in allowing a star who now has the global following to break out of her signature seductive roles to leave the crop tops and suspenders at home in favour of a mannish Balenciaga jacket and wide-cut Dior trousers. Brigitte Macron, possibly thinking it unwise to try and outdo Rihanna, stuck with a plain white Louis Vuitton jacket and her trademark skinny jeans, nonchalantly rumpled at the knees. Even that simple choice was made to look striking in social media and magazine shots. For high-profile events, Mrs Macron takes advice from Delphine Arnault, of the powerful LVMH dynasty.

French president-elect Emmanuel Macron at a Victory Day Ceremony 1 /10 French president-elect Emmanuel Macron at a Victory Day Ceremony Outgoing French president Francois Hollande and French president-elect Emmanuel Macron attend the ceremony marking the 72nd anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany during WWII AFP/Getty Images Ceremonial troops prepare for a ceremony to mark Victory Day in Paris, France Emilio Morenatti/AP Current French President Francois Hollande reaches out to touch French president-elect Emmanuel Macron, left, during a ceremony to mark Victory Day in Paris, France Francois Mori/ AP French President Francois Hollande (L) and French president-elect Emmanuel Macron attend a ceremony marking the 72nd anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany during World War II AFP/Getty Images French president-elect Emmanuel Macron, lower center right, is greeted by former president Nicolas Sarkozy before a ceremony to mark Victory Day in Paris Francois Mori/AP Ceremonial troops prepare for a ceremony to mark Victory Day in Paris, France, Emilio Morenatti/AP French President-elect Emmanuel Macron arrives to attend a ceremony to mark the end of World War II at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris Benoit Tessier/Reuters Outgoing French President Francois Hollande and President-elect Emmanuel Macron attend attend a ceremony to mark the end of World War II at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France Philippe Wojazer/Reuters

The crafty use of adored pop stars to burnish a liberal political image is being compared to the brief, sunny Cool Britannia of Tony Blair. Indeed, the cover of this weeks Spectator magazine riffs on the imagery of this time: it recreates the famous image of Patsy Kensit and Liam Gallagher lying across a bed with a Union Jack bedspread, on the March 1997 Vanity Fair cover. In this stylised version, Macron and his wife lie on the Tricolore. But then Blair was never particularly savvy or interested in the power of digital media in politics when it was in its early stages. In essence, he was a product of the TV era, while Macron is at home in the era of social media  and mining its potential.

In that regard he is closer to Sadiq Khan, who deploys social media relentlessly and is at much at home on Twitter and Facebook as giving a speech on autocue. The power of social media for politicians is that they can pump out a message but have it magnified by association with widely appealing images. I bumped into Khan at a summer party given by the architect Amanda Levete and her husband Ben Evans, who runs the London Design Festival. There was the Mayor, eating miniature fish and chips with Grayson Perry, Jemima Khan, Jimmy Wales and installation artists Langlands & Bell. While Boris Johnson focused his appeal to the commanding heights of the London economy and the City wealth-creators, Khan has found a flattering niche  and a point of comparison with his predecessor  by spending more time rubbing shoulders with the creative classes..

For Macron the stakes are higher, and there are serious risks. For one thing, it is hard to ignore a core of vanity in his obsession with image. It is also rather hard to know where to stop. A growing number of critics are either doling out mockery of his dressing-up tendency  most sharply after he donned a flying suit to visit the air force, which came over as a bit George W Bush in Iraq  or warning that it risks looking like the autocratic preening of Vladimir Putin.

Trump and Macron have a really long handshake

Others close to the Macron court whisper that much of the effort is about sustaining a joint image of youthful vigour with his wife Brigitte, who has put herself firmly at the heart of the Elysees less stuffy public image. Not since Carla Bruni, the model wife of Nicolas Sarkozy, whispers a leading French magazine editor, has a presidential spouse wanted to be in quite so many pictures and roles.

In fairness, Macron has always been open about how seriously he takes his wifes advice. She was his drama teacher and has joked that her main job is to stop him rattling on in speeches. Unkinder souls wonder if he missed the fun and frippery of growing up slowly when he fell headlong into a relationship with Brigitte at school. He has also worked relentlessly at his banking career and carving his way into a new French politics. A period of levity and enjoyment of the job is understandable.

But the Macron image will need careful handling as he heads into his first real political challenge. Already he faces a dive in his popularity as he announces the first round of belt-tightening, and turbulence from the Left, where his arch foe Jean-Luc Melenchon is organising mass protests against spending cuts. On the other flank, disgruntled supporters of Marine Le Pen, when France returns from its long summer break, are railing about his focus on immigrants and asylum-seekers.

More tellingly, few people know what Macronism is about, beyond liberal sentiment and a dislike of Brexit  and it is far from certain France will warm to the reform recipe the newcomer is likely to offer. For now, its the summer of fun and photo opps  a President with touches of an older Sun King.
Cars 3

Disney Pixar

This is my last chance, Cruz. Last! If I lose, I never get to do this again, protests Lightning McQueen (deftly voiced by Owen Wilson) in Disney Pixars Cars 3, the most poignant entry in the award-winning franchise. This time around the bright-red stock car and seven-time Piston Cup champion is being outshone by a conceited rookie, Jackson Storm (Armie Hammer). And, after a brutal crash, McQueen aims to restore his pride and status, alongside goofy old pal Mater. Younger children will adore the turbo-charged action, while their parents will appreciate the sentiments in this exquisitely animated feature.

Young fans of Disney Pixars Cars 3 will love the Disney Store's brand new range of toys, RC cars and clothes featuring all their favourite characters at Westfield.

Despicable Me 3

Universal Pictures

If your children hanker for something a tad dafter, then plump for Despicable Me 3, another animated franchise that shows zero signs of stalling. When we first encountered Gru (Steve Carell) he was a lonely (bar his Minion army) master villain with mother issues. Now the big softie has a charming wife Lucy (Kristen Wiig), three daughters and a secret agent post. In this latest instalment, Gru also has a long-lost brother, Dru (also Carell), with whom he combats an unhinged Eighties-obsessed super-villain, Balthazar Bratt (Trey Parker). A wonderfully choreographed diamond heist is a highlight here.

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie

DreamWorks Animation

If underwear quips are more your little ones bag, then opt for Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, which has two imaginative primary school pranksters hypnotise their mean-spirited headmaster (Ed Helms) into thinking he is comic-book hero Captain Underpants. Expect plenty of toilet gags, including a scientist named Professor Pippy Pee-Pee Diarrheastein Poopypants Esq (voiced by comedian Nick Kroll), who takes over a small US town with the Turbo Toilet 2000. Jane Austen this isnt.

The Emoji Movie

Sony Pictures Animation

One of the summers biggest hitters is The Emoji Movie (released 4 August), an inventive animation that centres on Gene (TJ Miller), an exuberant emoji who was born with not just one expression but multiple ones. Determined to become normal like the other emojis, Gene enlists the help of his handy best pal Hi-5 (James Corden) and the notorious code-breaker emoji Jailbreak (Anna Faris), and together they embark on an epic app-venture.

The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature

Open Road Films

Will Arnetts purple squirrel Surly returns with his willing animal pals to prevent a crooked major from bulldozing their beloved Liberty Park and replacing it with a perilous amusement park. Expect (and beware of) nut puns and undemanding humour for the small ones. (Released 11 August.)

Smurfs: The Lost Village

Sony Pictures Animation

Smurfs movies have been a little patchy in the past, but the latest one, Smurfs: The Lost Village, is not only visually dazzling but defiantly female empowering. This time round the Demi Lovato-voiced Smurfette defies Papa Smurf and enters the Forbidden Forest, where she bumps into a village of female Smurfs and, eventually, faces up to evil Gargamel.

For children over 12

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2, (Marvel Studios) / Marvel Studios 2017

Older children neednt miss out this summer. Theres the droll Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2, or the latest shiver me timbers tale in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.

Catch all the latest releases at Vue Cinemas at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City
A fter much fanfare about Denmarks food and Nordic noirs in recent years, its Finlands turn to take the Scandi spotlight. This year the country celebrates 100 years since Finnish independence and  fittingly for a country that created Forest Schools, where outdoor pursuits are championed from an early age  the headline centennial event this year is the opening of a new national park: Hossa.

This 27,000-acre patch of wilderness started as an age-old hunting ground for the indigenous Sami people, who named it Hossa, meaning a place far away. In 1979 it became an official hiking area, and last month it was inaugurated as Finlands 40th national park.

Midway down the country, close to the eastern border with Russia, Hossa is a maze of interconnected lakes and pristine forests which give the locals space to reconnect with nature.

Rows of pine, spruce and birch trees whisper the first signs of summer as I drive in in early June, though snow still cloaks the roadsides and ice lingers on the lakes. It gives some indication of the park in winter, when it opens up as a playground for husky-sledding, snowmobiling and ice-fishing.

Today, though, the skies are blue and cloudless, perfect for summers arrival of hikers, bikers and campers. Outdoor activities form the backbone of Hossas appeal, so I head off on a fat-biking tour with Jani Maatta, the owner of Martinselkosen Erakeskus, a collection of family-run cabins in the Kainuu wilderness area, an hour south of Hossa.

Go biking

Fat-bikes are specially adapted mountain bikes with extra-thick tyres that can be used even in deep snow. We weave through one of Hossas newly waymarked trails, opting for an easy 10km route that takes us over wild lingonberry and crowberry bushes, past trees laden with lichen. Navigating the thick tyres through the narrow tracks takes some getting used to but eventually we reach a clearing, where a flock of black-throated divers bob on a lake.

Hossa is a birders paradise, with greater-spotted woodpeckers and golden eagles common sightings, as well as capercaillie, whose males use the forests for an elaborate courting display known as lekking. Prefer larger creatures? There are wolverines, moose, wolves and brown bears.

Brown bears / Alamy Stock Photo

Reindeer are also abundant, all of which are owned and rounded up twice a year by herders. Some, such as the Hossa Reindeer Park, have developed a sideline in tourism, inviting visitors to learn about farm life or have dinner. The farms traditional Lappish hut, illuminated by candles and lit by open fires, is a warm welcome after a day outdoors.

Many of the parks activities gravitate towards its tangled network of lakes and rivers, which once formed trading routes between Finland and Russia. On the shores of Lake Hossanjarvi, I make my first foray into stand-up paddleboarding. After some initial shakiness it proves blissful, the surrounding pine trees mirrored in the lakes crystalline surface. I also join Janne Autere (possibly Finlands non-celeb equivalent of Bear Grylls) for an afternoon of exhale-inducing canoeing, gliding over Hossas waters while his white-coated husky waits by the shore.

Paddleboarding

I save the parks key attraction until last, visiting Varikallio with local nature guide Saija Taivalmaki, whose company Jooga Taival specialises in wilderness walks and forest yoga. After limbering up amid the trees, we emerge at Finlands most northerly prehistoric rock paintings, which date back some 3,500-4,500 years to the Stone Age, to cast our eyes over a reddened depiction of ancient hunting and shamanic rituals. When Varikallio was discovered in 1977, a local hermit took it upon himself to smear the paintings with tar, fearing the fuss that too much publicity would bring. Luckily they were saved, and with the centenary on the horizon and a new national park to shout about, Finlands days of hiding its light under a bushel seem to be over.

Details

Finnair (finnair.com) flies to Helsinki from Heathrow and onto Kajaani and Kuusamo, the closest airports to Hossa. Martinselkosen Erakeskus (martinselkosen.fi) has doubles from 70, room only. Jooga Taival (joogataival.fi) offers wilderness walks from 65. Lazydog SUP (lazydogsup.fi) has paddleboarding from 50. Janne Autere (hikesntrails.com) has canoeing and kayaking from 95. Hossa Visitor Centre has fat bike hire from 35 a day.

hossa.fi, suomifinland100.fi, visitfinland.com
T hese are two men police are hunting in connection with the theft of more than 2 million in diamond jewellery at a London art fair.

The casually dressed pair  who were wearing distinctive brightly coloured driving shoes  are being sought over an audacious theft at the Masterpiece show in Chelsea early in July which has been likened to the plot of a Pink Panther film.

The suspects are alleged to have strolled into the show and stolen three diamond rings despite extensive security and patrolling guards.

One insider said CCTV captured two men walking up to the stand of Swiss jewellers Boghossian and opening a locked cabinet with a key.

Police said the suspects were wearting distinctive brightly coloured driving shoes

They reached inside, pocketed the rings before calmly locking the cabinet and walking away.

Today Scotland Yard released images of two men as well as images of the stolen rings in a plea for information.

The rings  which police said were worth upwards of 2 million  were stolen at about 5.30pm during the Masterpiece London 2017 event in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea on Tuesday, July 4.

The rings stolen were worth in excess of 2m, according to police

The images are taken from CCTV in a bar area at the event where the pair are said to have lingered for about an hour before the theft took place.

An insider said: the thieves walked in and went straight to the Boghossian stand, took the items and left. They knew exactly what they were after. It was too smooth to be opportunistic.

Efforts to identify the thieves have failed and today detectives urged anyone who recognised the men in the CCTV  or who had been offered the rings for sale  to contact them.

Three high value diamond rings were stolen / Metropolitan Police

Detective Sergeant Chris Taylor, from Kensington and Chelsea, who is leading the investigation, said: This was a brazen theft carried out in the middle of the afternoon when there were lots of people attending the event at Royal Hospital Chelsea.

We have carried out extensive enquiries and reviewed CCTV footage, and we have released images of two men we would like to trace and speak to. Both men are wearing distinctive brightly coloured driving shoes. Did you attend the event and notice these men? Or have you come across the rings at all?

If you have any information that could help us, no matter how insignificant it seems, we would urge you to come forward.

The Masterpiece fair is billed as a highlight of the London summer arts season and is described as a leading international event for viewing and buying the finest works of art. Among this years visitors were Kirstie Allsopp and Lord Lloyd-Webber.

Experts have said that the jewels were likely to be too recognisable to be sold on and would be re-cut.

Police said there had been no arrests.

Anyone with information should call 020 8246 0186 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
F our men were injured - one critically - in separate stabbings in London in the early hours today.

In a third incident two men are recovering after being sprayed in the face with ammonia in an attempted robbery late last night.

Detectives are hunting two armed robbers who stabbed a man after he stopped them stealing his moped in Notting Hill at around 2.30am.

The 27-year-old victim was taken to hospital with stab injuries to his arm and back after the incident in Westbourne Park Road.

The man was standing next to his moped when two men walked up and tried to steal his bike. They ran off after stabbing him.

One of the suspects is described as black and wearing a black full-face helmet and a fluorescent yellow jacket.

In an earlier attack police were called to a street in Southgate after reports of a man being stabbed.

A 23-year-old was taken to hospital shortly at around where his condition is described as critical.

Around 30 minutes later, police were alerted to two men in their 20s who had attended a north London hospital, both suffering knife injuries. Neither were seriously hurt.

In a third incident in Forest Gate two men approached the driver of a car in Boleyn Road at 11.30pm last night and demanded the car keys.

Police say ammonia was squirted at both the driver and the male passenger.

The driver did not hand over the keys and he was assaulted. Both victims were taken to hospital. Their injuries are not said to be serious.

Both suspects, who were wearing balaclavas, fled empty handed.

Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A pedestrian was struck and seriously injured by a car being chased by police in south London.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has opened an investigation into what it described as a terrible incident.

It said police had been pursuing a silver Toyota Corolla after it failed to stop at about 1.15pm last Thursday. The car hit the pedestrian, a 26-year-old man, at the junction of Clapham Common North Side and Forthbridge Road.

CCTV footage and data from the police car will be analysed as part of the investigation. Operations manager Catherine Hall said: A young man has sustained very serious injuries in this terrible incident, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by it.

Our investigation will examine the circumstances prior to the collision to determine whether appropriate policies and procedures were followed.

The pursuit occurred in a busy area of south London in the middle of the day, and we ask anybody who saw what happened to get in touch with us.

The man was in a critical condition in hospital today. Two boys, aged 16 and 17, were treated in hospital before being taken into custody.

Witnesses should contact the IPCC on 0800 096 9077.
A man who left a young woman seriously injured after he beat and tortured her over three hours in a savage and cruel attack has been jailed.

Fiston Onyumbe, 32, was sentenced to 15 years in prison at the Old Bailey on Friday after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent.

The 20-year-old victims brutal and shocking ordeal started at a nightclub she had gone to with Onyumbe in Dalston when he began strangling her outside the venue following an argument.

He then took her to the flat in Tottenham, north London, where he tied her up and ripped her clothes off, police said.

Over the next three hours he tortured her; burning her with cigarettes and boiling water from a kettle and punching her head, face and body.

His desperate victim even jumped out of a first floor window to escape her torment as Onyumbe went to refill the kettle, but he ran after her and dragged her back into the flat, banging her head on the communal stairs and pushing his fist into her mouth until she lost consciousness.

He left her with multiple, extensive injuries, including significant blood loss, a fractured jaw, a fractured skull, a fractured eye socket, 35 per cent third degree burns across her body and a damaged pelvis and spine.

Police, who were called to Pymmes Close shortly after 8am on Saturday, January 21, found the woman in the bedroom of the flat covered with a blanket, semi-conscious and asking for help.

When they arrived Onyumbe, of Pymmes Close, immediately became violent and attacked them. It took six officers to restrain and arrest him.

Detective Inspector Fareed Mirza, from Haringey CID, said: This was a particularly savage and cruel attack undertaken by a violent man who has preyed on and abused a weak and vulnerable young woman for a protracted period of time.

Onyumbes actions were calculated, brutal and shocking. The sentence he has received today reflects this, but the physical and psychological injuries to the victim will still take a long time to heal.
T wo female prison staff have been sexually assaulted at a volatile London jail blighted by deaths, violence and drugs, it was revealed today.

The staff were attacked by inmates at Pentonville prison in separate incidents this year. The incidents were disclosed as the jails Independent Monitoring Board issued a highly critical report.

It warns of serious shortcomings including inhumane living conditions, frequent violence, and many prisoners with psychiatric and drug problems. There were six deaths last year, including one homicide and three suicides, and two escapes.

There have been too many violent incidents  10 assaults on staff a month, including two sexual assaults on female staff, the report states. Failure to replace over 500 dilapidated windows is allowing drugs to be flown in by drones or smuggled via throw-overs, and putting staff and inmates at risk.

The report says the drug problem is a dominant challenge in terms of violence, gang structures, corruption and rehabilitation. It warns of the prevalence of spice  a synthetic narcotic designed to resemble cannabis. It has been linked to violence, psychotic episodes and death. The prison has more prisoners with psychiatric conditions than any other local prison. A fifth of the population is on anti-psychotic drugs, it adds.

Pentonville is overcrowded and squalid and holds 380 more men that it should, the report says, adding: Confining two men in a cell measuring 12 feet by 8 feet is not humane. One has to eat his meal in the cell while the other may be sitting on a badly screened toilet a few feet away. Blocked toilets, leaking sewage, and broken facilities mean prisoners regularly go without showers, clean clothes and hot food.

The report says that Pentonvilles official capacity is 909 inmates but it is holding about 1,290.
V iolence erupted in east London last night at an angry protest over the death of Rashan Charles, who died after being chased by police.

A large gang of protesters - many of whom had their faces covered - clashed with riot police as tensions came to a head in Dalston.

The group of masked demonstrators blocked busy Kingsland Road before hurling bottles, stones and other objects at police and starting a fire in the middle of the road.

Two helicopters, riot police and horses were drafted in as officers with shields were seen rushing into the violence in an attempt to bring it under control.

Police horses are drafted in to the riot. / PA

The windows of several shops in Kingsland High Street were smashed, with the trouble reaching beyond Dalston Kingsland Station.

Restaurants and bars also pulled down their shutters, locking customers inside, as one group of people barricaded themselves shut in a Tesco store.

Riot police and horses were drafted in. / PA

Rashan Charles, 20, was chased into a shop by officers in Dalston on Saturday night. He was restrained on the floor and later died after apparently swallowing an object and being "taken ill".

The police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, has since launched a probe into his death.

Friday night's protest turned violent when scores of missiles were launched at police as they attempted to disperse the group.

An anonymous witness said: I was walking home from my brothers house. He lives at one end of Kingsland Road and I live in the other.

There were hundreds of police, 10 vans, five horses and two helicopters

Riot police on Kingsland Road. / PA

People are chanting 'we want justice' and 'justice for Rash'."

The protest began at around 4pm on Friday, when approximately 80 people began gathering outside the shop where Mr Charles died, Yours Locally.

The road blockade was set on fire as the protest continued later into the evening. / PA

Motorists driving along Kingsland Road told how they were unable to get through the makeshift blockade - made from traffic cones, wheelie bins and rubbish bags - as they were cornered in their cars by groups of protesters.

Shortly afterwards, police riot vans arrived at the scene. By 6pm, protesters had managed to push back the line of officers three times, passers-by said.

A helicopter circled overhead as people at the scene reported the street being "covered in glass".

Protesters clinging to a lorry which drove through the barricade. / PA

One passer-by told the Standard in the early evening: "It's really kicking off.

"There's lots of police here, about 10 to 15 riot vans. Maybe 50 or 60 bottles or other missiles have been thrown.

Protesters blocked the road with traffic cones and discarded rubbish. / Tom Connelly

"The police line is being slowly pushed back by the protesters. There's lots of very angry people."

Hours later, at around 10pm, a lorry was seen driving through the barricade, hitting a line of wheelie bins in its path.

Lorry drives through barrier set up by protesters in east London

Protesters jumped onto the vehicle, clinging to the window, while one sat on a bin which was pushed along by the lorry.

A man clambered onto the roof of the vehicle but it continued to drive as people continued to throw bottles.

Several wheelie bins and a mattress were set alight. / PA

Several other wheelie bins and a mattress were set alight in a burning pile in the middle of the road.

One woman from east London told the Standard the young people were intimidating drivers.

The Dalston resident, who wished not to be named, said earlier: A huge group of youths are blocking the road off with cones.

Protesters hurl bottles at police in Dalston during a Rashan Charles protest

They are telling drivers they are not allowed through the blockade.

I ended up driving right through it as I was cornered in the car and didn't want to u-turn as two groups of gang members appeared on either side of my car which frightened me.

Straight ahead was a better option. Helicopter is now overhead and traffic is at a standstill. Mopeds are in road and masks are on their faces.

The group reportedly had their faces covered. / Tom Connelly

Local Matt Palutikof said: "I saw probably five masked guys running down Kingsland Road holding what looked like long wooden sticks.

"They ran off while shouting down my side street. I then saw police on horses and trucks with riot police.

"There were girls screaming and running down my road."

Around 15 police riot vans are at the scene. / Spectrum SINO Radio

Another anonymous person, who witnessed the situation unfold from his bedroom window, said: "An enormous police presence with dogs, horses, riot gear and helicopters working their way up Kingsland High Street and pushing the crowds back.

"It wasn't the same crowd to what I'd seen on social media from earlier in the day, just people in masks with fireworks setting mattresses alight.

"I think all the bars and clubs are probably closed as a result so there's now a lot of people out on the street."

A spokesman for the Met Police told the Standard their officers were on the scene and were "continuing to monitor the situation".

The family of Rashan Charles also reiterated their plea for no violence.

In a statement which was recirculated, the family said: "We appreciate all support, but any hostile actions or other events, at this stage, that may risk detracting from our current co-operative engagement with the IPCC and Met Police is unwelcome."

It added: "We are speaking and meeting directly with the independent investigators, allowing reasonable time for meaningful progress".

IPCC launched an investigation after Rashan Charles was pronounced dead in hospital / Twitter

Shadow Home Secretary and Hackney MP Diane Abbott told Mail Online: "The anger and upset at the death of Rashan Charles is understandable.

"But Rashan's family have explicitly spoken out against hostile actions. We must respect their wishes and any protests must be peaceful."

Earlier this week protesters brought traffic to a standstill at Stoke Newington police station at a #justiceforRash rally.

More than 150 people marched to the police station in fury after people said they had been left "concerned and angry" at the death of 20-year-old Mr Charles.

Police scene: The incident happened at Yours Locally in Kingsland Road / PA

CCTV obtained by the Standard shows Mr Charles, known as Rash, putting his hand to his mouth as he runs into the shop, at around 1.45am.

The images then show him being grabbed by the officer who wrestles him to the floor, with the pair struggling for at least a minute.

Rashan was seen on CCTV attempting to swallow something.

Tributes were paid to "great father" Mr Charles, with friends leaving flowers and candles at the scene.

He was described as "a really good guy" who was "close to all his family and close to all his friends".

Merdan Uckac, 18, whose family run the barbers next to the shop where Mr Charles was detained, said: My friend did not deserve to die like this.

He was a great father and is well-known in the area. He was always coming into the barbers and chatting to us. He wouldnt have ever hurt anyone, so thats why we are all so upset.

The IPCC said in a statement on Friday: "We understand the concerns raised following Rashan's death.

"We will independently examine the circumstances of this incident, we will follow the evidence, we will consider whether there is an indication there may have been misconduct or criminality, and we will seek to answer the questions that Rashan's family and the community of Hackney understandably have."

Mr Charles' father Esa will give a joint statement with Ginario Da Costa, the father of Edson Da Costa, outside Stoke Newington Police station on Saturday.

Mr Da Costa died on June 21, six days after he was detained by police during a traffic stop.

Campaigners claim Mr Da Costa's neck was broken and that he was "brutally beaten" after the car, containing three people, was halted in Woodcocks, Beckton.

His death is also being investigated by the IPCC, which has revealed an early pathology report shows he had "a number of packages in his throat" when he died.
 NOT since the tape of Charles talking about Camilla have we faced such a dilemma, tweeted Radio 4 Today programme presenter Nick Robinson. The problem  those Scaramucci tapes. How exactly do you refer to Trumps new communications director telling a New Yorker journalist that Im not Steve Bannon, Im not trying to suck my own c**k, as the nation spreads jam on its morning toast?

The formulation that the Today programme used this morning was that Bannon was rather pleased with himself. It was so bland that Sunday Times political editor Tim Shipman tweeted Nick Robinson to say that the BBC was failing listeners, and to ask why it couldnt have found something better.

But how do you discuss auto fellatio on the radio? A reference to autoerotic something or other is surely palatable for R4 audience, wrote Shipman. Robinson, right, suggested another alternative. How about reviving Peter Cooks memorable phrase in Thorpe trial parody  player of the pink oboe?

Those Charles and Camilla tapes, of an intimate conversation between them to which Robinson referred, were published in 1992. Robinson tried to brush off the question of the BBCs reporting by telling Shipman that its Scaramucci reporting was the difference between the rough-house populism of Fleet Street & public service broadcasting.

Meanwhile, Todays new editor, Sarah Sands, with characteristic diplomacy, suggested The Londoner raise itself out of the gutter and listen instead to Sam Wests reading of Siegfried Sassoon to mark the centenary of Passchendaele, also on this mornings programme. Much better expressed, she said curtly.

--

(Photo by Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) / Getty Images

At a press conference yesterday, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was on stage with Slovakias Prime Minister Robert Fico, when there was a trill from a mobile phone. Juncker checked his pockets. Thats my wife, sorry! he said, then glanced at the phone and announced: No, it was Mrs Merkel. Far more terrifying than ones wife.

Tigerish Lily and her royal naughtiness

LILY Collins, actress and daughter of Phil Collins, is fast approaching the status of Hollywood royalty. But she has a link to the real thing: she tells Vanity Fair that she once met Charles and Diana as a child, and it didnt go well. I was barely walking, she recalls.

There are photos of me giving Princess Diana flowers and then trying to take them back from her. Apparently I was told that Prince Charles gave me a phone to play with and I proceeded to try to smack him with it. My mom was like, Oh my God, were gonna get kicked out! One hopes all has been forgiven.

Quote of the Day:

(Photo by Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage) / WireImage

"They won't be living with me when they're 18-I've got a cruise to go on" Tough love from Nadiya Hussein who wants her kids to learn independence

Is this Jeremy Vines new ride to work?

Dave Bennet

THE Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII was dramatically unveiled at Bonhams last night. As it costs upwards of 300K, The Londoner thinks the exquisite vehicle might be out of our price range but Giles Taylor, the genius behind the new design, told us he can think of a few people whose budgets might stretch to it: BBC presenters, in particular those highly paid male ones. Lets get Jeremy Vine [to buy it], joked Giles. He did it so well on his bike, mocking his poor-man-on-the- pedals routine. Then we find out hes on over 700,000!

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THE everyday sages of the London Underground staff are at it again. Talk Radio presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer has uploaded a picture on her Twitter account of the message written on the whiteboard at her local Tube station this morning. Under the heading Service Information. Scrawled in marker pen, it reads: Some day you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Other days its a train.

Rachel goes gender fluid

Alan Davidson

THE Tories announced last week that citizens of the United Kingdom can choose whichever gender they wish to identify as. Rachel Johnson, it seems, is keen for a change.

Having visited historic almshouse The Charterhouse in Smithfield recently, the sister of Boris Johnson, right, writes in The Oldie magazine that when she retires she hopes to become one of the Charterhouse Brothers, now that they have opened their doors to women.

After lunch we have coffee in the buttery and discuss what the lady residents should be called, she explains. Siblings, Sisters, Graces, are all mentioned. I say I think they should be called Brothers. Indeed, when I move in, I will insist on it.

But why not stick with Sisters? The late Jeremy Lewis once introduced me at an Oldie literary lunch as The Editor of The Lady and Boriss brother. Both, at the time, were highly inaccurate (Id left The Lady several years earlier). Jeremys words were in fact prophetic if, as I intend, I do end my days in peace in the cloistered calm of The Charterhouse.

Why is Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the fandango looping in my head

Buzzfeed's Aisha S Gani provides the tune for today's news from the United States

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Musical tastes of the day:

Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Chancellor Philip Hammond says he wants a status quo Brexit transition. And yet we always thought he was a Goth.

Mick cant get no satisfaction...

(Photo by Lorne Thomson/Getty Images) / Getty Images

JUST released, a new song from Mick Jagger called England Lost on which he is joined by Skepta  pictured above in the studio together. The reviews havent all been positive. A travesty of British sound, is what VICEs Noisey calls it.

Follow The Londoner on Twitter and Facebook here.
M altas Prime Minister has backed Britons being given a second referendum on Brexit, saying the will of the people can have disastrous consequences.

Joseph Muscat, who was involved with Brexit talks while Malta held the rotating presidency of the European council, said he is hopeful Britain leaving the EU can be stopped.

The Maltese PM called for a party leader to be courageous and push for second referendum on the terms of leaving the EU.

In an interview with Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant, Mr Muscat said: The will of the people can have disastrous consequences, history teaches us.

Key Brexit Players - In pictures 1 /8 Key Brexit Players - In pictures David Davis Reuters Michel Barnier AP Tim Barrow AFP/Getty Images Oliver Robbins Sabine Weyand Didier Seeuws AFP/Getty Images

I could name some examples, but theyre so horrendous theyd raise the wrath of my British friends.

For the first time, Im starting to believe that Brexit will not happen. I am seeing hopeful signs that indicate things will change. I see encouraging signs that the tide is turning.

Im not saying the Brits have made a mistake, but the mood is changing.

The claim comes after Government officials began negotiations in Brussels over the terms of leaving the European Union, with key issues such as immigration and the single market at the forefront of negotiations.

Immigration minister Brandon Lewis insisted on Friday that the Conservatives were still committed to reducing net migration to tens of thousands a year as confusion began to reign on the partys stance.

The final deal negotiated with the EU will be put to a vote in Parliament, with Prime Minster Theresa May having claimed holding another referendum on terms would weaken Britains position at the negotiating table.

Mr Muscat added: The referendum was democratic, but has resulted in a situation in which everyone loses. Doubt is creeping in.

It would be good if a political leader in the UK stands up and is courageous enough to address this new situation. Someone who says: lets put the Brexit end-deal to a popular vote.
P hilip Hammond today laid out his case for a transition period of up to three years after Britain quits the EU during which a new immigration system and other reforms would be gradually introduced.

The Chancellor signalled that the UK could push for similar arrangements to countries such as Norway, which is in the European Economic Area and allowed to be part of the EUs single market.

I can envisage a situation where we start immediately after our exit from the European Union with many arrangements remaining very similar to how they were the day before we exited, he told BBC radio.

Over time, new arrangements with the EU would be brought in until we get to the new end state, the new normal which will be our long-term relationship with the EU.

Asked if under his proposals EU citizens would still be able to get jobs in Britain after the countrys departure date from the EU on March 29, 2019, he said: Yes. If they come here to work after we leave the European Union, during that transitional period the sensible approach will be to seek to register people so that we know who is coming and who is going.

It will be some time before we are able to introduce full migration controls between the UK and the European Union. He also did not rule out the European Court of Justice still having a say on issues in the UK during the transition period.

However, he added: Some of our non-EU European neighbours already operate with the European Union through the EEA and they have their own special tribunal to resolve any disputes between the EU and them.

Mr Hammond stressed that Britain would leave the customs union and the single market in March 2019.

Pressed on the length of the proposed transition period, he said: There is a broad consensus that this process has to be completed by the scheduled time of the next general election which is in June 2022... so a period of at the most three years.

The Governments job is to make sure that our economy can go on functioning normally, that people can go about their business as usual, that businesses can carry on supplying their customers, buying the components they need to incorporate into their products, to protect jobs, to protect British prosperity  that is our focus as we plan this transition from our membership of the European Union and the single market and the customs union today to a new relationship in the future.

He argued that the UK should be able to start negotiating other trade deals with countries around the world during this transition time, though he accepted they might not come into force until the end of it.

Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage condemned the Brexit blueprint outlined by the Chancellor, which he believes will mean freedom of movement remaining for up to eight years. I think it will lead to widespread public anger, he said.

Mr Hammond also flatly rejected the idea of effectively having a new border in the Irish Sea as proposed by Dublin, rather than one between the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Democratic Unionist Party chief Whip Sir Jeffrey Donaldson condemned the proposal far more strongly, saying a reality check was needed.
F orty-eight people have been injured after a train smashed into platform buffers at Barcelona station.

The accident occurred as the train was approaching central Barcelonas Franca station during rush hour on Friday morning.

The train did not brake in time when entering the station, hitting the buffers at the platform, according to reports.

Five of the 48 wounded, including the train driver, are thought to be a serious condition.

The front of the train crumpled by the metal barrier / Felix Rios

The mangled train's gangway connection as a result of the impact (El Periodico) / Guillem Sanchez

Most of the injured passengers were travelling in the front carriage.

Witnesses told local media they were standing up ready to disembark the train as it crashed into the platform, knocking them to the ground.

The metal buffer was said to have been six feet inside the carriage (El Periodico) / Guillem Sanchez

A block of metal thought to form a part of the buffer had ended up more than six feet inside the carriage.

One person tweeted the footage of the aftermath, showing the train's front carriage crumpled against a metal barrier.

The wounded were treated by emergency services on the platforms / EPA

He wrote: "My train crashed when I arrived at the station in Franca today."

Shocking photos show the wounded lying on the platform being treated being treated by emergency services.

Fire engines and ambulances rush to the scene in central Barcelona / Laia Olivares Solin

It is not known whether any Brits or Irish nationals are among the injured.

Eyewitnesses posted videos and pictures of the crash on social media.

One video shows the damage to the front carriage and the drivers cab after ploughing into the buffers.

The train was coming from Sant Vincenc de Calders village in the province of Tarragona on the R2 line of the Rodalies commuter rail services, emergency services said.

The cause of the crash is not immediately known.
A British scuba diver has died exploring the wreckage of the doomed Andrea Doria ocean liner off the United States coast.

The man, named as Steven Slater, 46, of Gateshead, was part of a group diving to see the Italian ship which sank off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts in 1956.

Crew members from the Ol' Salty II boat are said to have pulled an unconscious Mr Slater from the water on Monday and he was later pronounced dead.

A statement from the family, posted on the Underwater Marketing page, said: "It is with absolute sadness that we have to tell you that Steven died on Monday 24th July whilst diving in the United States.

"We are all heartbroken but draw comfort knowing he was doing something that he loved."

Wreck: the Andrea Doria / Getty

A post on the EUROTEK Advanced Diving Conference page said: "Steve was a hugely respected and well-liked British wreck and technical diver.

"Steve pursued his passion, actively researching, then searching and diving missing wrecks with his friends."

The SS Andrea Doria sank in the Atlantic as it was heading for New York City when it collided with the MS Stockholm, killing 46 people.

Ol' Salty II's captain Nick Caruso said on Facebook: "We're coming home. Sad end.

"Our deepest, sorrow and sympathy to the family and friends of the lost brother wreck diver."
A former Miami Dolphins cheerleader has divorced her husband in what has been dubbed the Trump divorce because of their clashing political views.

Lawyers for staunch Republican and supporter of President Trump Lynn Aronberg, 36, said she felt increasingly isolated in the marriage to Palm Beach County State Attorney, Dave Aronberg, 46, who is a Democrat.

The former cheerleader, who is executive vice president of PR firm TransMedia Group, filed for divorce after two years of marriage with and issued a joint statement titled Dave and Lynn Aronberg Sign Amicable Divorce Settlement Putting an End to What Some Were Calling The Trump Divorce.

Ms Aronberg will receive $100,000 in benefits, an apartment in Boca Raton, Florida, paid for until next summer along with a new BMW and $40,000 in cash.

The statement said: After much consideration over the past few months, weve decided to respectfully and amicably part ways and end our marriage.

We are, however, dedicated to remaining close friends. We kindly ask for your supporting in preserving our privacy as we start to navigate this new chapter in our lives.

In addition to their staunch political views, children were also an issue for the couple.

They have no children, which was a problem for Lynn. She said she wanted children, but Aronberg was in no hurry, according to the statement.
D onald Trump's new communications chief exposed mounting tensions in the White House's top team in an astonishing foul-mouthed interview with the New Yorker.

In an expletive-laden ranting interview Anthony Scaramucci accused other White House officials of courting media attention.

Talking about the US president's chief strategist he said: "Im not Steve Bannon, Im not trying to suck my own c***".

Im not trying to build my own brand off the f***ing strength of the President. Im here to serve the country, he said.

Who is Anthony Scaramucci

He also hit out over a report on US website Politico about his financial disclosure form, claiming that it had been leaked and that it was a "felony"

Ive called the F.B.I. and the Department of Justice, he said.

Mr Scaramucci, referring to himself: 'The swamp will not defeat him' / Reuters

The shocking quotes: On White House leaks: And as you know from the Italian expression: The fish stinks from the head down. But I can tell you two fish that don't stink, and that's me and the President. "Those are the types of leaks that are so treasonous that 150 years ago, people would have actually been hung for those types of leaks." "What Im going to do is, I will eliminate everyone in the comms team and well start over. Im going to fire every one of them." On chief of staff: "When I said we were brothers from the podium, that's because we're rough on each other. Some brothers are like Cain and Abel. Other brothers can fight with each other and get along. "If Reince wants to explain he's not a leaker, let him do that. But let me tell you about myself. I'm a straight shooter and I'll go right to the heart of the matter." Reince is a f****** paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac. On himself: "Im not Steve Bannon, Im not trying to suck my own c***. Im not trying to build my own brand off the f****** strength of the President. Im here to serve the country. "The swamp will not defeat him."

Talking about himself in the third person, he added: "The swamp will not defeat him. Theyre trying to resist me, but its not going to work.

"Ive done nothing wrong on my financial disclosures, so theyre going to have to go f*** themselves.

He later called CNN and vowed to sack any White House staff who leaked information to the press and made no attempt to hide his distrust of chief of staff Reince Priebus.

In the interviews, Mr Scaramucci laid bare the power struggle in the White House as members of staff jostle for President Trumps favour.

Not even a week into his new job, Mr Scaramucci accused unidentified senior officials of trying to sabotage him and committing an offence by leaking information.

"From the Italian expression: The fish stinks from the head down," he said. "I can tell you two fish that don't stink, and that's me and the president."

In the New Yorker interview, Mr Scaramucci accused Mr Priebus of being a "f***ing paranoid schizophrenic" and White House chief strategist Steve Bannon of trying to burnish his own reputation.

The debacle began when Politico published a story about Mr Scaramucci profiting from the sale of his hedge fund SkyBridge Capital.

The information was obtained through a public records request but the furious PR chief accused unidentified sources of leaking the forms to the press.

Scaramucci: The former financier was appointed on Friday / AP

He tweeted: "In light of the leak of my financial disclosure info which is a felony. I will be contacting @FBI and the @TheJusticeDept and copied in Mr Priebus  leading many to assume he was directing the accusations at the chief of staff.

Mr Scaramucci later deleted that tweet and said he had mentioned Mr Priebus only to show that all senior leaders were taking leaks seriously.

During the interview, he said all White House staff caught leaking information will be fired by me, adding: "Reince Priebus - if you want to leak something - he'll be asked to resign very shortly."

Mr Scaramucci compared his relationship with Mr Priebus as being like brothers who are "rough on each other", invoking Cain and Abel.

I don't know if this is repairable or not - that will be up to the president," Mr Scaramucci said on air.

The bad blood stems from Mr Scaramucci's view that Mr Priebus was insufficiently supportive of Mr Trump at the end of the election campaign and his belief that Mr Priebus persuaded the president to keep him out of the White House in January.

His arrival in the West Wing last Friday marked the first in a series of falling dominoes that seemed to be leading towards Mr Priebus.

Press secretary Sean Spicer, a close ally of Mr Priebus, resigned last week and Mr Scaramucci forced out another communications aide close to Mr Priebus.

But by the end of the day, Mr Scaramucci sounded calmer, though not regretful.

"I sometimes use colourful language. I will refrain in this arena but not give up the passionate fight for @realDonaldTrump's agenda. MAGA [Make America Great Again] ," he tweeted.

Echoing the style of his new boss, Mr Scaramucci blamed the New Yorker reporter, Ryan Lizza, saying: "I made a mistake in trusting in a reporter. It won't happen again."

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said he "used some colourful language that I don't anticipate he'll do again."

The full New Yorker interview can be read here
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Every June, as many as 1,500 high school students from across the country spend a week in the nation's capital as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. The students are sponsored by electric cooperatives; cooperatives are committed to educating America's rural youth about this country and the role electric cooperatives play in developing strong rural communities, according to a press release.

This June was no different as Morgan Braden of Strasburg and Natalie Kirkbride of Pana represented Shelby Electric Cooperative in Washington, D.C. during the annual "Youth to Washington" Tour, held June 9-16. Wyatt Henschen of Oconee also went on the trip as a Willie Wiredhand participant; he paid for the trip on his own.

This event, sponsored by the electric and telephone cooperatives of Illinois since the late 1950s, is an introduction to the democratic form of government and cooperatives for rural youth.

The students met with Congressman Rodney Davis, Congressman John Shimkus, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, and were among 69 rural Illinois youth leaders selected for the trip. The Illinois students joined more than 1,730 young leaders from across the country, a record high for the "Youth to Washington" tour.

In addition to the Capitol, they also visited Arlington National Cemetery, the Washington National Cathedral, several Smithsonian Museums, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the World War II Memorial, memorials to Presidents Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington and Roosevelt, the National Archives, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, the Newseum, and several other historical sites.

Juniors in high schools that are within the service area of Shelby Electric Cooperative are eligible to participate in the annual program. To learn more about the "Youth to Washington" Tour go to www.youthtour.coop or www.facebook.com/ILYouthtoWashington. You can also find information about this trip on the cooperative's website under the "Community" tab.

Shelby Electric Cooperative is a member of Touchstone Energy -- an alliance of 750 local, consumer-owned electric utilities around the country. Shelby Electric is committed to providing superior service based on four core principles: integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community. The co-op serves more than 9,938 meters over 2,196 miles of line in parts of Christian, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Macon, Montgomery, Moultrie, Sangamon and Shelby counties.

For more information visit www.shelbyelectric.coop. Like the cooperative on Facebook, facebook.com/YourCoop or search Shelby Electric Cooperative.
D onald Trump has suffered a major blow after the US Senate voted against a plan to repeal Obamacare.

The US President had hoped for the Senate's backing in his bid to repeal the healthcare act - one of his key campaign pledges.

But the plan was blocked by 51-49 in the 100 seat Senate, with all Democrats and three Republicans voting against it.

Among those Republicans who voted against the bill was former Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who had returned to Washington for the vote after being diagnosed with brain cancer last week.

Other Republicans who voted against the bill were Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski.

Responding to the loss in the Senate, Mr Trump tweeted: "3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!"

Unable to pass even a so-called "skinny repeal," it was unclear if Senate Republicans could advance any health bill despite seven years of promises to repeal "Obamacare."

"This is clearly a disappointing moment," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. "I regret that our efforts were not enough, this time."

"It's time to move on," he said.

McConnell put the health bill on hold and announced that the Senate would move onto other legislation next week.

He had called his measure the Health Care Freedom Act. It was not intended to become law, but to open a path for a House-Senate conference committee to try to work out comprehensive legislation Congress could pass and send to Trump.

The measure would have repealed the unpopular Affordable Care Act requiring most people to have health insurance or risk a fine from the IRS. A similar requirement on larger employers would be suspended for eight years.

Additionally it would have denied funding to Planned Parenthood for a year, and suspended for three years a tax on medical device manufacturers. States could seek waivers from consumer protections in the Obama-era law, and individuals could increase the amount they contribute to tax-sheltered health savings accounts for medical expenses.

The bill - dubbed "skinny repeal" - would have scaled back parts of Obamacare and is the third attempt to repeal the President Barack Obama's signature healthcare act.

Obamacare led to an estimated 20 million people gaining health insurance. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that 32 million extra people would be left without health insurance by 2026 if the act was repealed with no replacement introduced.
A prison officer who lifted the lid on the treatment of a mentally ill inmate placed in solitary confinement has been threatened with dismissal.

Chris Jackel, a guard at the maximum-security correctional centre in Ontario, posted about the inmates conditions in a series of tweets in May 2017.

The long-serving officer described an inmates mental health plight and alleged managerial flaws.

What are we going to do with this [segregation inmate] who has been covered in faeces for 8 days, and has been seen eating it? the officer posted on May 4.

The tweets, directed to the Ontario Ombudsman - a watchdog that regulates correctional services  contains graphic photos of the inmates faeces smeared across the window with blood splattered over the bed.

But four days later he said there was no change to the situation. Still in urine/feces soaked cell. Still eating his own feces, he posted on May 8.

The officer alleges managerial staff at the Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene shrugged and gave dont know answers when asked for advice from other employees.

On May 10, Mr Jackel tweeted a photo of a different cell covered in faeces and other detritus and wrote: Hostile mentally-ill [inmate] lived here for 2 + weeks. [Correctional Officers] asked 2 remove himMgt said no.

The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services later sent Mr Jackel a letter asking him to attend a meeting to discuss his inappropriate use of social media after discovering his tweets online.

The letter, tweeted by Mr Jackel on July 24 , called the tweets a violation of three different employer policies, specifically those on ethical principles and conduct, social media use and the ministrys professionalism policy.

Mr Jackel has been a correctional officer for over 22 years. He launched a blog to highlight the issues relating to the practices at correctional facilities.

He wrote in a post: I find myself increasingly frustrated with either the lack of direction or the lack of foresight by our Employer."

Equally frustrating are commentaries from various stakeholders calling for an absolute abolishment of segregation  Therefore Ive started this blog.

He now reportedly faces disciplinary action for blowing the whistle on jail conditions in Canada.
G ary Numan has said he hates playing his old songs as it leaves him feeling dirty.

The 59-year-old pioneer of electronic pop said he has very little interest in the past, but occasionally delves into his back catalogue to please his legion of fans, the Numanoids.

Ive always been anti-nostalgia, he told the Standard. Every once in a blue moon Ill do a tour where I play an old album and thats a debt to the fans who have been with me.

I always feel like I need a shower after that, like Ive dirtied myself slightly, but it needs to be done because to completely ignore your history is to stick two fingers up at the fans. Theres an awkward friction between me and some of them who would like to hear older stuff.

Tubeway family: Gary Numan with wife Gemma and children Raven, Echo and Persia / dpa/Alamy Live News

In 1979 his synth-pop and android-like persona propelled his band Tubeway Army to number one with single Are Friends Electric? and album Replicas, featuring tracks such as Me! I Disconnect From You and I Nearly Married A Human. They were followed by another number one, Cars.

He said the song makes him feel slightly embarrassed because its about a silly road rage thing, but he is grateful for its success.

He said: If youve got something like that its pointless to try and fight against it and say that doesnt define me because even though musically it doesnt, as a symbol of success or a sound that will forever be associated with me it would be like swimming against the tide.

Performer: Gary Numan on stage in 2008 / Simone Joyner/Getty

Most artists would bite their own tongue off [for that level of success] so for me to be grumbling about that would be pretty pathetic.

Numan  who lives in California with wife Gemma and daughters Raven, 13, Persia, 12, and Echo, 10  said he is keen for his children to pursue musical careers as it has given him the best life I could imagine.

He moved his family to Los Angeles so his daughters could get more opportunities  and despite having no plans to return he said he does miss a pub lunch.

I used to really love pub lunches and going to quaint country pubs and getting outside in the summer. Its little things like that that you dont realise how big a part of your life they were, he said.

All my children are girls and I was very concerned that as they got older they wouldnt have as many opportunities to do what they wanted to do. I know theres a lot of talk about equality among the sexes in Britain  I dont think its anywhere near as good as it could be  whereas in America I think its better.

Gary Numan plays this years Standon Calling, taking place between July 28-30 in Hertfordshire. His new album Savage (Songs From A Broken World) is out on September 15, with a full UK Tour from September 30.
T hey are one of the biggest-selling acts to break out of the US in recent years and found their third member via a Craigslist ad.

But Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers has admitted he fibbed on the online listing  and joked that bandmate Neyla Pekarek was lucky to make it out of his basement alive after her audition.

The Americana folk trio were formed when Schultz and friend Jeremiah Fraites, from New Jersey, placed the ad in 2010. Their eponymous debut went platinum in the US, while last years follow-up Cleopatra topped the UK charts.

Craigslist users have risked their lives answering some ads. A man in the US, Philip Markoff, was dubbed the Craigslist killer after using the online forum to meet his victims.

Schultz told the Standard: Our advert said we had just moved from New York to Denver, which was kind of a lie. Were from New Jersey originally. It said we were a band that wanted to tour, so it said we wanted them to be willing to up sticks and leave. We got just a couple of replies, and she was the second.

We literally took her into our basement to rehearse  and she came back out alive! Ive been in tons of projects, but this was our first real band. It was a crazy journey, and kind of a charmed thing. You get fliers saying, Guitar players wanted and it was like that but online, and it just kind of worked out.
Review at a glance









S chools are, indeed, out for summer, so what better time for Alice Cooper to release his first album of original material in six years?

Fans of the shock-rock supremo will be relieved to learn that, at 69, the former Vincent Furnier shows no signs of growing old gracefully.

Paranormal  12 new tracks, plus a bonus CD of live recordings  keeps the riffs crunching and the lyrics ludicrous. The spider web kiss on your face / That familiar smell, just a trace, sings Cooper on the ghoulishly bad title track.

Yet amid the Spinal Tap-isms there are great tunes. Private Public Breakdown has a chorus to wake the dead, and Genuine American Girl  featuring the original Alice Cooper Band line-up  sounds like a heavy-rock remake of The Beach Boys.

Theres life in the old dog yet.
URBANA -- Eastern Illinois Foodbank received a $50,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to fund infrastructure that will ultimately help the food banks partner agencies secure and distribute more nutritious food to families in need. The grant will support investments in the equipment necessary to handle perishable products, such as coolers and freezers for transporting, storing and distributing food; thermometers and temperature calibration devices; shelving units, carts and more.

One in seven people struggle with hunger in eastern Illinois, including nearly 35,000 children, said Jim Hires, President & CEO of the Foodbank. We are thankful to the Walmart Foundation for helping to ensure that people who struggle with hunger have access to nutrient-rich food. This grant will go a long way in helping Eastern Illinois Foodbank and our partner agencies across 17 counties.

In addition to their monetary support for items like coolers and freezers, Walmart has been a leading donor of perishable product through EIFs Retailers Against Hunger program. Retailers Against Hunger was created in 2016 and is a partnership between local food retailers, like Walmart, and the Eastern Illinois Foodbank to help alleviate hunger in eastern Illinois. Food received from retailers is often highly nutritious and generally the most expensive for the Foodbank to obtain. Meat, dairy, produce and baked goods are among the most donated items from stores in the Retailers Against Hunger program. Last year, local retailers donated 1,800,000 meals which were distributed through EIFs network of food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other emergency feeding programs.

The Walmart Foundation has been instrumental in helping food banks rescue and distribute more perishable food from retailers across the United States in a sustainable, cost-effective way. This grant is a part of Walmart and the Walmart Foundations ongoing commitment to helping families who struggle with hunger by providing four billion meals to people in need in the U.S. by 2020.

Eastern Illinois Foodbank works to alleviate hunger in eastern Illinois through cooperation with a network of food pantries, agencies and other programs. The Foodbank distributes donated and discounted food throughout a 17-county service area in cooperation with over 200 member agencies and programs. Through these agencies, the Foodbank provides meals to more than 116,000 men, women and children each year. The Eastern Illinois Foodbank is a member of Feeding America, Feeding Illinois, the United Way of Coles County, and the United Way of Champaign County. For more information, visit eifoodbank.org.
MATTOON (JG-TC) -- A driver remains hospitalized in critical condition after getting into a collision while fleeing police officers.

The Mattoon Police Department has reported that Blake Bolen, 20, had been wanted on a Coles County arrest warrant for failure to appear on a charge of methamphetamine possession. The department has reported that the pursuit began at approximately 12:18 p.m. Wednesday after Bolen was located at the BP gas station at 1202 Charleston Ave. Bolen reportedly fled the scene in his pickup truck.

According to the police department, Bolen was driving north on U.S. Route 45 with police officers in pursuit when he turned into the southbound path of a Canadian National Railway 10-wheel truck near County Road 1000N outside the city limits.

Bolen was airlifted to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana for treatment of his injuries. The hospital listed Bolen as being in critical condition late Thursday afternoon. Both the driver and the occupant of the railway truck reported no injuries.

Illinois State Police personnel were called in to handle the crash investigation due to Mattoon officers being involved in the chase. Master Sergeant Jason Bradley said Thursday afternoon that there is no additional information to release at this time.
In a 2011 state-by-state ranking, Nebraska came in dead last in venture capital deals with exactly zero. By 2015, Nebraska had jumped to 25th nationally with 13 deals totaling nearly $120 million.

So what changed? Some credit the Nebraska Business Innovation Act for priming the pump. The BIA is administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

Since the Business Innovation Act was passed in 2011, theres been a dramatic increase that correlates with venture capital coming into the state, said Dan Hoffman, CEO of Invest Nebraska. Things are going really well.

Invest Nebraska is a public-private partnership that makes equity investments in early stage companies with high growth potential. Their capital base is supplemented by philanthropy and partnerships with other venture capital organizations, and they work across the state in communities like Hastings and Norfolk as well as Omaha and Lincoln.

So far this year weve invested $2 million, more than ever before at this point in the year, Hoffman said. New companies are coming out of the woodwork, and more previously funded companies are hitting their stride.

According to a 2016 report by Eric Thompson of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Bureau of Business Research, grants and investments under the BIA are being leveraged into additional financing, in some cases from outside the state.

The analysis finds that Nebraska businesses have attracted considerable investment in relation to the support received from Business Innovation Act programs, the report said. Businesses receiving support have raised $6.72 in capital for every $1 of state funding.

Some of this additional investment is coming from organizations like the Nebraska Angels.

Nebraska Angels investments so far this year are higher than any full year in the past, said Brock Smith, senior associate with Invest Nebraska. That is huge. And out-of-state venture funds are investing multiple times in the state.

Besides dollars, the growing startup ecosystem in the region is attracting outside entrepreneurs and talent. And sometimes they bring investments as well as companies and people.

A founder who just moved his company from Silicon Valley to Lincoln has already made an angel investment in another local company, Smith said. And its not just software. There are two or three sizable bioscience deals coming together.

Another feature of the BIA that is attracting startups from outside Nebraska is the possibility of obtaining matching funds for federal Small Business Innovation Research Phase I grants.

SBIR Phase I funds have to be totally devoted to research and cant be used for operations, Smith said. The state matching grants allow someone to operate their business while doing the research. We have at least two founders that Im aware of in the last 18 months that have moved to Nebraska because of that.

Funding for the BIA has been affected by recent cuts in the state budget, but compared to other states, were holding our own right now, Smith said.

Hoffman and Smith both see the startup community in Nebraska trending in the right direction.

Probably in the last five years, the infrastructure has slowly been put into place with more emphasis on startups, Hoffman said. Individuals are becoming more aware of financing startup companies.
The 80s are back, baby  the fashions, the tunes, the Russian spies. The Cold War is so hot right now, and action thriller Atomic Blonde is here to capitalize on that moment. Charlize Theron stars as the titular blonde in this violently stylish spy flick, doing her own version of John Wick as a taciturn secret agent with a very impressive set of skills. Directed by former stunt man and Wick co-director David Leitch, Atomic Blonde is a cool bit of eye candy with incredible stunts and a killer soundtrack, even though it falters on the story itself.

Atomic Blonde, adapted by Kurt Johnstad from the graphic novel The Coldest City by Antony Johnston, is a harmonious marriage of material and star. Theron is perfect for the role as the frigid, butt-kicking MI-6 agent Lorraine Broughton, dispatched to Berlin for a dangerous mission in the shadow of the falling Berlin Wall in November 1989. Though the film claims its not the story of the Berlin Wall, it couldnt be the story that it is without it. It offers a frenzied political backdrop, a ticking clock, and a robust sense of energy and urgency to Atomic Blonde.

Lorraine has been sent to Berlin to retrieve a microfilm with a list of foreign agents working in the region. It was taken from the body of a dead British agent by the KGB operative who murdered him, and could now be for sale to the highest bidder. Lorraine is to connect with British agent Percival (James McAvoy), who has gone native in the underground club culture of East Berlin, and secure the list at all costs. Along the way, there are complications that take the form of tricky Russian agents, compromised identities, sexy French spies (Sofia Boutella) and a colleague gone rogue.

Atomic Blonde is a film about the power to be found in crafting images and telling stories. Its self-consciously a movie about the movies. Take, for instance, a scene where Lorraine makes mince meat of a Russian henchmans face behind the screen of a movie theater playing Andrei Tarkovskys Stalker. Eventually, she bursts right through the screen, in the ultimate fourth wall break.

Leitch pays tribute to Tarkovskys signature long takes with a brutal, insane fight scene, filmed in one, long, unbroken shot extending over at least 10 minutes. It goes up and down stairwells, in and out of apartments, into cars crashing and reversing down streets. Its a remarkable feat of fight choreography, performance by Theron, and physical endurance on the part of the camera operator. Its also the one fight not soundtracked to an 80s pop hit, just heavy breathing and crunching bones.

Unfortunately, Atomic Blonde fumbles its own tale. After a brisk, efficient, uber-cool first hour, all New Wave tunes and sexy neon lighting, the second hour drags into dullness. The narrative momentum is squandered and lost, and none of the coldly delivered speeches pack any dramatic punch. A plot twist is telegraphed too early, bungled and then over-explained, while another goes by without any context whatsoever.

Its a shame, because Atomic Blonde is a visual cinematic delight. Its not that its all style, no substance. But it doesnt seem to know what to do with its substance, and ultimately, Atomic Blonde becomes a film thats all dressed up with just nowhere to go.
CHADRON  A Chadron woman has filed a civil lawsuit against Chadron State College, alleging she suffered injuries in a fall on its campus.

According to the complaint filed in Dawes County Court, Marry Ann Wess is seeking $57,876.74 and ongoing costs for medical expenses, disability and additional costs for pain and suffering, including mental anquish.

In the complaint, Wess alleges that she had been attending an event at the Vern Chicoine Event Center located on Chadron State College on Feb. 12. She was descending a set of metal stairs in the stands and a portion of the stair came loose or gave way, causing her to fall and suffer personal injuries.

The woman alleges that Chadron State College was negligent in failing to inspect, maintain and repair the material on the stairs and filed to restrict access to the area of damage.

The suit was filed on July 24, according to records.

Wess is represented by Andrew Snyder, a Scottsbluff attorney.
In a parallel universe, one in which Hillary Clinton won the presidency, I wonder if we are at war with Russia. Considering her calls for a U.S.-enforced no-fly zone over Syria, her commitment to arming the moderate opposition, her never-ending demonization of President Assad and calls for regime change in Damascus, I suspect the First Woman President has waded into war against Assad and Putin on the side of a bunch of crazed, er, moderate jihadists by now.

But thankfully, this is not that universe. This is the universe where  much to the shock and consternation of the national media, liberal interventionists and neoconservatives, and the Establishment  Donald Trump won and dealt a blow to the plans of doing unto Assad and Syria what had been done unto Qaddafi and Libya. Trump campaigned on fighting ISIS and radical terrorism, not overthrowing regimes in the name of the globalist gobbledygook of the moment, and on bettering relations with Russia.

We came, we saw, he died, Hillary Clinton cackled back in 2011 on CBS News when she learned Qaddafi had been killed in the U.S.-NATO-orchestrated attack on the North African country. Trouble is, Libya was no threat to the United States. As a matter of fact, Qaddafi had no more love for radical Islamists than we do; there were reports he even supplied us with intelligence post-9/11.

In the past, yes, Libya had been a dangerous enemy of the United States. Back in the 1980s, the Libyan state had proven links to anti-American, anti-Western terrorism. But the U.S. airstrikes of 1986 in response to the terrorist bombing of a West Berlin disco sent a strong message to Qaddafi, one that seems to have gotten the Libyan ruler thinking.

By the early 2000s, Libya agreed to pay $1.5 billion to the victims of Libyan-sponsored terrorism, most notably the families of those who had lost loved ones in the 1988 downing of Pan-Am Flight 103 over Scotland, and completed those payments in 2008. What threat did Libya pose in 2011? None. Sure, it wasnt a democracy, but so what? Democracy in the Middle East has proven only to lead to more chaos and more crazed, Christian-slaughtering Islamists coming to power.

President Obama and Secretary Clinton transformed Libya into a failed state; a terrorist haven; and, with no Qaddafi to keep order, a jumping off point for every refugee (whether real, economic, rape-happy, or sharia-loving) wanting to head north to swamp Europe. Qaddafi, in fact, told the leaders of Europe this very migrant invasion would occur, if he were ever to be removed from power.

The globalists  Obama, Clinton, neoconservatives, and liberal interventionists  were doing their best to turn Libya into Syria. But then came Trump. If it werent for the constant hate-Russia drumbeat, leaks that have been more like showers, and pushback and subterfuge within the government itself against Trump, I wager he would have ended the CIA program funding moderate rebels before now.

But Trump ended it earlier this month. Heres how the Washington Post (July 19) covered it: Trump ends covert CIA program to arm anti-Assad rebels in Syria, a move sought by Russia. A move sought by Russia? More like a move sought by anybody who realizes tossing out $1 billion a year to train and equip terror-spreading jihadists might not be in Americas best interests.

I do not exaggerate. According to reports on the ground, ones even acknowledged by the Obama State Department, rebels we have backed (Ahrar al-Sham, for instance) have sided with the al Qaeda affiliate, Nursa Front. Too many of these moderate groups play footsie with al Qaeda and other anti-American terrorists. Let that sink in. We have been providing weapons and training, even air support, to allies of the terror group responsible for 9/11.

Assad is winning the civil war. Hes nowhere near as unpopular as the Western media make him out to be, nor are the Russians in Syria a threat to anyone but ISIS. Assad enjoys wide support from Muslim and Christian Syrians, the latter of whom know all too well what happens when Islamists have the upper hand. And war-torn parts of the country, liberated from ISIS and the rebels, are being rebuilt. Life, in a good deal of Syria, is returning to normal.

To be sure, Assad is no saint, no model ruler. I dont know what to think of the gas attacks attributed to him. Doubts and questions remain. But I do know hes been fighting the messiest type of war there is, a civil war, and a good deal of the opposition has poured in from outside the country in the form of foreign Islamist fighters, funded by Saudi Arabia and (until Trump stepped in) the United States. I also know turning Syria into another Libya is not in the best interest of either the Middle East or the United States, and it is certainly not in the best interest of the Syrian people.

Im cautiously optimistic. Still, anti-Russian hysteria continues unabated; untreated PTDS (Putin-Trump Derangement Syndrome) grows ever more virulent; and behind-the-scenes leaks and machinations, all with the intent of bringing down President Trump, are the order of the day in the bowels of the government. I remain hopeful, but we may still be dragged by hook or by crook into the Syrian war.
Theatre Wests Theatre Opportunity for Youth Camp (TOFY) will bring the Disney classic Aladdin to the main stage. The production features 70 local children ranging from six to 15 years old. The two week camp includes building the set, and learning music and choreography. Company members are able to share their passion for theatre as well as all of the trades of the profession. The camp is directed by Kim Grams of Scottsbluff and features Music Director Lucas Benzel of Scottsbluff and Stage Director Lauren Newell of Cody, Wyoming.
Tom Crew is returning to the Haymarket Theatre.

The board announced last week the longtime local actor will become its artistic director, effective immediately. He replaces Nathan Norcross, who left in early spring after just a few months on the job.

Crew served as Haymarket Theatre's interim artistic director from April 2010 to July 2011. The theater is home to children's and adult programming.

"I am very excited to be back at the Haymarket Theatre after almost six years," Crew said in a press release. "I consider this theater to be my home, and I look forward to working with our board, area actors, and the wonderful youth in creating a home for top caliber performances and programming.

"I am elated about this opportunity to help shape the Haymarket Theatre into the venue of choice for artists, patrons and youth. This is an exciting time to grow a program in the most vibrant area in Lincoln, with a dedicated board, and with the vision to keep the arts vital in our lives."

Crew has a bachelor's degree in theater from the University of NebraskaLincoln and a master's degree in social work from Michigan State University. He's acted and directed on numerous Lincoln stages.

"His return is the first step in our efforts to continue to grow and expand the theater's value to the community in Lincoln," said Amber Brethouwer, interim Haymarket Theatre board president.
A white University of Kentucky student accused of physically assaulting a Black student worker while repeatedly using racial slurs says she will withdraw from the school. The decision announced Tuesday by a lawyer for 22-year-old Sophia Rosing came after hundreds of students rallied on campus the night before. News outlets report the students called for unity and for the university to quickly address the situation. Officials say Rosing has been charged with assault, public intoxication and disorderly conduct. She pleaded not guilty during an arraignment Monday afternoon. The altercation at Boyd Hall was captured on video and posted to multiple social media platforms.
The costs for the Cantacuzino Institute to operate are round 50 million euros, Prime Minister Mihai Tudose said Friday, pointing out that this amount is not impossible to find.

"The costs are round 50 million euro, which on a country level should mean no problems. (...) It isn't impossible to find; on the contrary. The problem is that we can't use the money to buy, because should there be a store to sell an institute tomorrow, a vaccine plant, we'd do it. We must pass though some stages," Tudose told Radio Romania Actualitati national radio station in an interview on Friday.

According to the PM, the first stage was the appointment of a new manager at the Cantacuzino Institute.

Asked if there could be a "double standard" in terms of vaccines, as there is said to be in the case of certain foods imported to Romania, Tudose said: "I want to believe that this is not possible."

At the same time, the prime minister mentioned the need to cut through the red tape in the public healthcare system.

agerpres.
The Supreme Council for National Defence (CSAT) will meet at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace on Tuesday. Featuring on the agenda of the meeting to be chaired by President Klaus Iohannis is the presentation of Romania's Army endowment plan for 2017-2026.

According to the Presidential Administration, the CSAT meeting will start at 15:00hrs, EEST.

agerpres.
A Lincoln woman who tried to dump a backpack with more than a half pound of methamphetamine after a crash on Interstate 80 last year got 10 years in federal prison Thursday.

Olga Alfonso, 24, hit a semitrailer just west of Lincoln on I-80 the morning of April 25, 2015, then ran from the car with a green backpack, according to court records.

Lancaster County Sheriff's deputies found the backpack tossed into the weeds nearby with her Social Security card along with 9.6 ounces of meth.

They found Alfonso a short distance away.

She was indicted and pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Senior U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf sentenced her to 10 years in prison plus five years of supervised release.
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Strange Donuts found their recipe for success from the moment they opened their doors in 2013. They continue to be a local favorite for customers craving a doughnut fix. The doughnut shop is known for creating unusual flavors, unique merchandise and for the slogan Be Nice. Stay Strange. Owner Jason Bockman will be the first to admit success didnt come easy for him. A once troubled teenager, Bockman credits Big Brothers Big Sisters and the St. Louis community for giving him a chance and supporting his business.

Why doughnuts?

I had a hot dog stand for ten years  thats how I paid for school. I missed that instant exchange where people were happy to get your product. There arent a lot of things like that and I really love doughnuts.

How did you come up with the name?

It was actually a friends wife that came up with the name. We just needed a name that was important. It was initially going to be Dogtown Donuts but that doesnt make any sense anywhere else in the world and all of the social media accounts were available.

Who comes up with the flavors?

Everyone here contributes at Strange Donuts. We have a monthly menu and have an idea of what works now. We make everything fresh from scratch, including the jelly and the chocolate. There are only two things we dont make ourselves, the custard and the sprinkles. We also consider the month and whats going on. For example, next month it will be a back-to-school themed menu. We will create a menu based on the freshest, best ingredients available. Our inspiration from that may include peanut butter and jelly.

Whats a day in the life like?

Well, Im making doughnuts as we talk right now. I try not to be too hands on but I love being here and talking to the employees, they are like family to me. It's enjoyable making doughnuts and I like to keep up on my skills, too. I like to say, a business is like a baby. It will tell you what it needs. I try to plan for the baby and its meals but sometimes they will scream for no reason and you have to figure out what the problem is.

We are in the middle of some big plans for the business so I may be meeting with lawyers or traveling with representatives looking at equipment or new spaces. Im all over the place, from making doughnuts to planning for the future.

Any new openings on the horizon for St. Louis?

There is probably space for three within the St. Louis metropolitan area, five at the most. By the end of 2018, I would like to have a couple more in the St. Louis area and a couple more outside of St. Louis. We are going to be opening a store in Mexico City, Mexico on Friday, August 4.

Did success come easy for you?

I was a really bad kid in some tough circumstances. I got into a fight at the movies that got pretty violent and was arrested at 12 years old. By the time I was 13, I was in the custody of the state and spent most of my time in group homes. I was tried as an adult for some serious things when I was 14 years old. Drug and alcohol addiction and everything that comes along with those played a big role in those arrests.

When I was 19 or 20, I made a decision to clean up. I got a lot of breaks through hard work, stopped with the victim mentality and doors just started opening up for me.

I eventually went to University of Missouri St. Louis-(UMSL) but school was really hard for me. I opened a hot dog vending business and learned through the hot dog stand what I couldnt conceptualize in school. I started applying the things they were teaching me in class to the hot dog cart. When I started to understand it, I got better. So, Im selling hot dogs, taking classes at UMSL, including a Chinese class and there was an opportunity to apply to a Budding Scholars Program which allowed me to attend school in China.

I went from being a toothless, troubled kid, to a guy speaking Chinese who attended graduate school at WashU.

How do you like to give back?

On a personal level I like to give time and money to things where I feel like Im effective. I speak to kids that were like me on a regular basis. I visit local schools, detention centers or rehab facilities and talk to kids and tell them my story.

As far as the business, Strange Cares is a nonprofit focused on empowering kids lives with help from partners at Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Childrens Heart Foundation and Girls on the Run. Strange Cares gives scholarships to kids coming out of these programs who are showing initiative to do better.

The scholarships are small but sometimes thats the difference people need, a little attention, exposure, an opportunity. Once they have that exposure, they know some people and have access. Most times, its not what you know, its who you know and Strange Cares tries to bridge that gap.
A Lincoln Boy Scout was awed witnessing President Donald Trump's controversial speech to thousands of Scouts on Monday, even as his father wished the commander-in-chief would have steered clear of partisan politics.

"I regret the fact that the man just cant help himself sometimes," said Corey Viehl, whose son George was one of 36 local Scouts at the National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia.

He braced for his 12-year-old to hear much worse from the lightning-rod president.

Critics have slammed the speech before the nonpartisan organization, which teaches civic engagement to the boys, among other lessons.

In the speech that drew cheers from the crowd, Trump talked of killing Obamacare, likened Washington to a "cesspool," bragged of his electoral victory and derided the media as "fake news."

On Thursday, Boy Scouts of America Chief Executive Mike Surbaugh apologized to Scouts who may have been offended by the speech.

The Scouts' invitation to Trump follows tradition dating to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and doesn't represent an endorsement of a party or its policies, Surbaugh said.

Chris Blum of the Cornhusker Council of the Boy Scouts of America said he supported the apology.

"We do not write the president's speech," Blum said.

Trump's remarks aside, the speech represented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the boys to see and hear from their country's leader, Blum said.

It was also a lesson in America's free speech protections, he said.

"I feel fortunate that we live in a country that our president will give up his time to come out and speak," Blum said.

George Viehl was elated to have watched the president speak and witness the spectacle of it all, his father said. The Scouts are set to return home later this week.

George knows little of Trump's policies, other than his desire to build a wall on the Mexican border, Corey Viehl said.

When Corey Viehl was a Boy Scout, he also attended the national jamboree. But President Bill Clinton did not come to speak, he said.

"At 12 years old I didnt give a rip about politics, but it would have been nice to see the president in person, he said.

It's not his son's first exposure to politicians, as George has heard from Nebraska Rep. Jeff Fortenberry and others in Scout lessons on civics.

Through that education Scouts are exposed to a variety of differing viewpoints, Corey Viehl said.

Still, he worries Trump may have opened a door for future presidents to turn the speaking opportunity into a political rally.

"Sometimes politicians cant resist," he said. "Why show up and give a vanilla speech to 35,000 boys?"

Following Trump's speech, the Cornhusker Council, based in Walton, and other Scout troops' headquarters nationwide were targeted with signs calling Scouts "Hitler Youth."

Lancaster County Sheriff's Office investigators believe the signs, which read "Boy Scouts or Hitlerjugend?" and "Be prepared ... to resist facism," were posted late Monday by the activist group Betsy Riot, according to an incident report and the group's Facebook page.

The Hitler Youth was a Nazi education program under Adolf Hitler in the 1930s.

In social media posts this week, the Betsy Riot called on the Boy Scouts to denounce Trump.

Blum said the signs were an unfortunate attack on the organization.

But, he said, "they have no effect on how Scouting is going to operate to deliver life-changing experiences for kids."

Betsy Riot's signs are disappointing, Corey Viehl said, considering the amount of work Scouts do for their community.
WASHINGTON  U.S. coal exports have jumped more than 60 percent this year due to soaring demand from Europe and Asia, according to a Reuters review of government data, allowing President Donald Trump's administration to claim that efforts to revive the battered industry are working.

The increased shipments came as the European Union and other U.S. allies heaped criticism on the Trump administration for its rejection of the Paris Climate Accord, a deal agreed by nearly 200 countries to cut carbon emissions from the burning of fossil fuels like coal.

The previously unpublished figures provided to Reuters by the U.S. Energy Information Administration showed exports of the fuel from January through May totaled 36.79 million tons, up 60.3 percent from 22.94 million tons in the same period in 2016. While reflecting a bounce from 2016, the shipments remained well-below volumes recorded in equivalent periods the previous five years.

They included a surge to several European countries during the 2017 period, including a 175 percent increase in shipments to the United Kingdom, and a doubling to France  which had suffered a series of nuclear power plant outages that required it and regional neighbors to rely more heavily on coal.

"If Europe wants to lecture Trump on climate then EU member states need transition plans to phase out polluting coal," said Laurence Watson, a data scientist working on coal at independent think tank Carbon Tracker Initiative in London.

Nicole Bockstaller, a spokeswoman at the EU Commission's Energy and Climate Action department, said that the EU's coal imports have generally been on a downward trend since 2006, albeit with seasonable variations like high demand during cold snaps in the winter.

Overall exports to European nations totaled 16 million tons in the first five months of this year, up from 10.5 million in the same period last year, according to the figures. Exports to Asia meanwhile, totaled 12.3 million tons, compared to 6.2 million tons in the year-earlier period.

Trump had campaigned on a promise to "cancel" the Paris deal and sweep away Obama-era environmental regulations to help coal miners, whose output last year sank to the lowest level since 1978. The industry has been battered for years by surging supplies of cheaper natural gas, brought on by better drilling technologies, and increased use of natural gas to fuel power plants.

His administration has since sought to kill scores of pending regulations he said threatened industries like coal mining, and reversed a ban on new coal leasing on federal lands.

Taking credit

Both the coal industry and the Trump administration said the rising exports of both steam coal, used to generate electricity, and metallurgical coal, used in heavy industry, were evidence that Trump's agenda was having a positive impact.

"Simply to know that coal no longer has to fight the government  that has to have some effect on investment decisions and in the outlook by companies, producers and utilities that use coal," said Luke Popovich, a spokesman for the National Mining Association.

Shaylyn Hynes, a spokeswoman at the U.S. Energy Department, said: "These numbers clearly show that the Trump Administration's policies are helping to revive an industry that was the target of costly and job killing overregulation from Washington for far too long."

Efforts to obtain comment from exporters Arch Coal and privately held Murray Energy Corp. were unsuccessful. Contura Energy, which emerged as part of Alpha Natural Resource's bankruptcy and restructuring, and filed for public offering in May, declined to comment.

A spokesman for Peabody Energy, the largest coal producer, though without a major export profile, said the United States was generally a "swing supplier of seaborne coal."

U.S. Energy Information Administration analyst Elias Johnson said the U.S. coal industry may now be better positioned to meet foreign demand because U.S. miners have learned to produce at lower cost, after coming through a series of recent bankruptcies.

"There's the possibility that the U.S. will become more of a primary player in the global coal trade market," he said.

But he added there are also plenty of reasons the spike in demand could be temporary. For one thing, U.S. coal production and transportation costs are much higher than for other producers such as Indonesia and Australia.

Because coal can often be transhipped from European ports before it is consumed, it is also hard to determine where shipments ultimately end up.

Johnson pointed out that some of the fuel shipped into Western Europe, for example, could be making its way to other places like Ukraine, which is having trouble securing coal from its separatist-held regions.

Trump said last month that his administration is offering more coal to Ukraine, but it was unclear how, given deals are typically worked out between companies.
The political events of the last year, particularly the election of President Donald Trump, have generated exceptionally strong, personal reactions among Americans  a few of whom are playwrights. So maybe its no surprise that the two strongest pieces in the 2017 LaBute New Theater Festival both deal with those reactions.

We may have to wait a while  or forever  for somebody to write an interesting play from a Republican point of view. (Lets be honest, the theater world is very blue.) But Carter W. Lewis quirky Percentage America, in which a couple on a date try to get to the heart of a single news story, was the highlight of the festivals first set, which ran July 7-16.

And now the second set, which opened July 21, offers a really touching short drama by Tearrance Chisholm, Sin Titulo.

One of the longest plays in the festival (though still under an hour), Sin Titulo has enough latitude for Chisholms characters to develop, enough scope for director Linda Kennedy and the excellent actors to go through something and come out on the other side.

Reginald Pierre holds the center as Damascus, who ran Hillary Clintons campaign office in St. Louis. The apartment where he lives with his wife, Naomi (Patrice Foster, a welcome new addition to the St. Louis theater scene), is full of now-worthless campaign signs. Damascus feels pretty worthless, too.

Out of work and out of hope, its clear to us  and to Naomi  that Damascus is depressed. Pierre is one of St. Louis ablest and most popular actors. And, perhaps because of his height and good looks, he often plays commanding characters.

But the wounded hero he assays in Sin Titulo benefits from Pierres natural advantages, even more obvious and more tender in defeat.

Fosters Naomi is not merely supportive, shes worried sick. But shes used to that; her homeless, mentally ill brother (Jaz Tucker, in an edgy turn) has relied on her and Damascus for years. Kennedy knits them all into a tight, persuasive family.

Though it is short, Chisholms work has the emotional heft of a full drama right up to its implausible, tacked-on ending. But with a little revision, this might be the richest play the festival has ever mounted.
A former University City woman making a documentary about anti-Vietnam War protests in St. Louis in 1970 has won a victory in federal court.

A federal judge in Washington ruled on July 20 that Nina Gilden Seavey is entitled to substantially more than the 500 pages a month of public records that the FBI had been giving her under the Freedom of Information Act.

Saying that the "FBI's administrative efficiency rationale is simply without merit," U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler said the bureau must process at least 2,850 pages a month for possible release to Seavey.

Seavey, a professor at George Washington University, has made 386 separate information requests in regards to her documentary, My Fugitive, which centers on the 1970 burning of an ROTC building on the Washington University campus.

The burning of the ROTC building was a flashpoint during local anti-war protests and led to the trial and fugitive flight of protester Howard Mechanic.

Mechanic was represented by Seavey's father, local civil rights lawyer Louis Gilden, who died in 2000.

Mechanic, then 22, was convicted of interfering with public safety officers. Instead of going to jail, he went underground in 1972 and his secret life in Arizona was not uncovered until 2000, when he ran for municipal office. President Bill Clinton pardoned him in 2001.

In a Spotlight story June 17 in the Post-Dispatch, Seavey said documents she has already obtained reveal the extraordinary extent the government went to investigate students who protested the war.

Seavey hopes to have the documentary done by 2020, the 50th anniversary of the protest.
JERUSALEM  Thousands of Palestinian Muslims have been praying in the streets of Jerusalem every evening  creating a new, surprisingly effective form of protest in their long conflict with Israel.

Since the crisis over the citys most contested shrine erupted more than a week ago, they have set up neat rows of prayer rugs after sundown, kneeling and bowing on the hard asphalt in the set rituals of worship.

The evocative scenes reflect a newfound unity among Jerusalems Palestinians, who make up almost 40 percent of the citys residents. The protesters say they have found their voice after years of being sidelined or ignored by Israel as well as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas self-rule government in the West Bank.

The protests were triggered by Israels decision to install new security measures, including metal detectors and cameras, at a major shrine in Jerusalems Old City in response to a July 14 attack by Arab gunmen who killed two Israeli police guards.

The 37-acre compound  the third holiest site of Islam and the most sacred one of Judaism  has served as the emotional centerpiece of rival religious and national narratives of Muslims and Jews, Palestinians and Israel.

For many Muslims, the new security measures were just the latest proof of their suspicions that Israel gradually wants to expand its control over the Muslim-administered holy site, home to the Al Aqsa and Dome of the Rock mosques.

Israeli denials have not dispelled such views, nurtured by the daily frustrations of life under Israeli occupation; Israel captured traditionally Arab east Jerusalem in the 1967 war and annexed it to its capital, a move not recognized by most of the world.

Palestinians in Jerusalem, who see themselves as the defenders of the holy site, felt Israel crossed a red line with its latest measures. Israel took down the metal detectors Tuesday, but kept in place several newly installed cameras overlooking the sacred compound.

The pressure cooker has exploded, said Khalil Abu Arafeh, 67, a Palestinian retiree, explaining the intensity of the protests. The Israeli authorities kept pressing until it exploded, and there is no turning back.

Abu Arafeh spoke as he and his son Amjad, 37, sat on the ground near the Old Citys Lions Gate, the main area for the street prayers, on Tuesday evening.

Heavily armed Israeli riot police stood to the side and watched. As on other nights, brief clashes erupted as worshippers dispersed after the second evening prayer. Some Palestinians threw stones, and police fired stun grenades, tear gas and rubber bullets.

But for most of the evening, the gathering had the vibe of a community get-together. Some brought large quantities of food or water from home, distributing it among the worshippers. Others sang Islamic songs or delivered speeches during prayer breaks.

Some said they were drawn by the experience of shared purpose, rare in east Jerusalems fractured society, where Israel has clamped down on Palestinian efforts to organize politically. The prayer protests drew men and women, young and old, lawyers and laborers.

Mohammed Abu Ziad, a 34-year-old engineer, said he has participated every evening, believing its up to ordinary Palestinians to take a stand.

We cannot rely on anyone, he said, bemoaning what he said is the ineffectiveness of Abbas and his Palestinian Authority government in the West Bank. At one point, Palestinians hoped east Jerusalem could be the capital of a future state, but Abbas efforts to negotiate the terms of independence with Israel ran aground a decade ago.

The Palestinian Authority is doing nothing in Jerusalem, and Israel is changing east Jerusalem from a Palestinian city to an Israeli city, he said.

Daniel Seidemann, an Israeli expert on the citys geopolitics, said large parts of civil society had spontaneously merged into a coherent campaign.

This is basically the Arab Spring coming late to east Jerusalem, he said.

Over the past week, Palestinians in Jerusalem have increasingly sought guidance from the traditional Muslim leaders in the city  four men in their 60s and 70s.

They have looked to the clerics to make the tactical decisions, such as calling on worshippers not to enter the shrine until Israel restores the situation to what it was before the July 14 attack.

After Israel removed the metal detectors, the clerics asked the faithful to keep praying in the streets until other  seemingly trivial  installations had been removed. This includes metal railings, the type used for creating orderly lines, at the entrance to Lions Gate.

Its a two-way relationship, noted Mahdi Abdel Hadi, a Jerusalem analyst. The clerics enjoy a newfound standing in the community, mainly because of their religious authority, but only as long as they reflect the pulse of the street and (peoples) national aspirations.

Members of the Muslim leadership quartet formally report to different bosses. Two are employees of Jordan, the Muslim custodian of the shrine, one reports to the Palestinian Authority and another represents civil society in Jerusalem.

In recent years, Abbas has often deferred to Jordan on matters concerning the shrine, banking on the kingdoms greater leverage in dealing with Israel.

Israel views its security ties with Jordan as a strategic interest, and has repeatedly backed down in disputes over the holy site to avoid harming this relationship.

In the current standoff, Jordan was key to getting Israel to dismantle the metal detectors. Jordan was aided by an unexpected bargaining chip  an Israeli security guard who shot and killed two Jordanians when one of them attacked him during an argument at the Israeli Embassy in the kingdom on Sunday.

Jordan initially said the Israeli guard could not leave before being questioned, but eventually let him go. A few hours later, the metal detectors came down.

However, Jordan cannot dictate to the Palestinians what their next move should be, Abdel Hadi said. Jordan cannot go against the popular consensus in the city if it wants to preserve its custodianship  a key source of legitimacy for the kingdoms Hashemite rulers, he said.

In a similar dispute in 2015, Jordan backed away from an initial agreement with the U.S. to install more video cameras in the holy esplanade, after Palestinians objected.

Abbas has been trying to find a role for himself in the dispute over the Jerusalem shrine, but is widely viewed by city residents as irrelevant.

In recent days, he offered several million dollars in Palestinian Authority funds to support Jerusalem residents and declared he was freezing all ties with Israel for now.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, has paid a high price politically.

Many Israelis viewed the removal of the metal detectors as a shameful surrender. Others criticized him for making hasty decisions at the Holy Lands most sensitive site.

Now it seems, he is under pressure to make more concessions.

Young Palestinians have found their voice, said Seidemann. They are not going to put it away with less than a decisive victory.
The Kansas City Police Board held a nationwide search for a new police chief and decided Friday that it would promote Major Rick Smith to the job, the Kansas City Star reported.

Smith said at a community forum Friday that he would work with the faith community to build better relationships between the police and the city's citizens, the Star said.

Like St. Louis, which is also looking for a new chief, Kansas City has seen a spike in homicides. Smith said he would look for ways to reduce the killings.
ST. LOUIS  A correctional officer has been released from the hospital after being stabbed in the back of the head Wednesday, but officials said Northeast Correctional Center in Bowling Green remained on lockdown.

An institutional lockdown was initiated on Wednesday to ensure the safety of the staff and offender population, and it is still in effect, Missouri Department of Corrections spokesman David Owen said Friday in an email.

He said offenders were restricted to their cells and weekend visiting hours had been canceled at the mens prison, 85 miles northwest of St. Louis. He said the department expected to be back to normal operations next week.

Bowling Green Police Chief Don Nacke said officers were called to the prison about 10 a.m. Wednesday for the stabbing, which happened near a doorway to a common area with cells around it.

He said surveillance video showed that the correctional officer, a woman, was apparently attacked while attempting to do a routine check.

It was pretty violent, from what I have seen of it, Nacke said. He had some type of weapon and actually stabbed her several times. She had stab wounds to the back of her head and hands where she was putting her hands up behind her in a defense mode.

He said the violence seemed unprovoked.

It didnt last very long, Nacke said. The other inmates kind of scattered to their cells.

No charges have been filed, but he described the attacker as a good-sized 30-year-old man from St. Louis who is serving a 12-year sentence for robbery.

He said the man was likely to face a charge for assaulting a special victim.

Pike County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Fisher said the investigation was continuing.

Obviously since it occurred in the Department of Corrections, the suspect is still incarcerated, Fisher said. We are going to make sure we get all the investigation done to make sure that we have what we need to file the appropriate charges.
A former University of Missouri-Columbia freshman who was hospitalized last September with alcohol poisoning has sued Kappa Alpha fraternity and three of its members for negligence surrounding a hazing ritual.

Brandon Zingale was an 18-year-old pledge at Kappa Alpha when he was coerced by active members of (the fraternity) to drink so much vodka that he nearly died at the fraternity house in Columbia the night of Sept. 27, 2016, the lawsuit alleges.

After Zingale passed out, fraternity members left the freshman alone after putting him to bed and attaching a backpack in an effort to keep him from rolling over and suffocating. The next morning, Zingale was found unconscious and foaming at the mouth when paramedics arrived.

His blood-alcohol content at almost 10 hours after he stopped drinking was 0.41 percent, more than five times the legal limit for driving in Missouri (0.08 percent). Zingale experienced acute respiratory failure, nerve compression and metabolic dysfunction, according to the lawsuit filed Thursday in Boone County Circuit Court.

Defendants in the suit include the fraternitys national organization Kappa Alpha Order and its Alpha Kappa chapter at Mizzou. The fraternity knew of the risk of hazing traditions involving heavy drinking and did not do enough to prevent its members dangerous activities, according to the suit.

Jacob Lee, president of the fraternity chapter at the time, Max McGrath and Ryan Heuermann, fraternity members, are also named in the suit, which alleges that the three students participated in the hazing of Zingale and did not get him emergency medical care fast enough.

One month after the incident, the University of Missouri kicked the Kappa Alpha fraternity off campus for five years. At the time, the fraternity released a statement that read misuse of alcohol, and hazing, are each contrary to our values and are strictly and expressly prohibited by Kappa Alpha Order.

The national organizations own investigation concluded that the incident involving Zingale did not constitute hazing but did find other examples of hazing and alcohol misuse among the Mizzou chapters members. Executives at the fraternity based in Lexington, Va., could not be reached for comment Thursday.

In a statement, Zingales parents, Lynn and Michael Zingale, said, We are hopeful that Brandons lawsuit will bring attention to the danger of alcohol hazing at fraternities and universities across the country.

The fraternitys national convention starts Aug. 3 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown St. Louis.
ST. LOUIS  Outside the Soldiers Memorial, construction crews are replacing steps, adding fountains and installing monuments.

Anyone walking or driving past can catch a glimpse of how things are progressing on the museums $30 million, two-year renovation, which began in February 2016.

But the projects most important changes cant be seen from the street.

Inside, climate control systems, new lighting and an extra floor level will help the museum house and preserve its military artifacts.

In addition, conservator Alice Paterakis has been working diligently over the past year to clean and repair hundreds of artifacts.

The conservation treatment is much needed for the artifacts that used to sit in Soldiers Memorial. When the museum  which opened in 1938  was operated by the city, the artifacts deteriorated under poor conditions. A lack of indoor climate control and too much direct sunlight left the objects dirty and faded.

Unlike artifact restoration, the conservation treatment slows deterioration as much as possible while maintaining authenticity.

We make a point to use reversible materials, things that can be taken away if need be, Paterakis said. We dont want anything permanent. The rule is minimal rather than maximal intervention.

Each object differs in how long the treatment takes, depending on how much work is needed.

A portable organ used by Charles Bull, a St. Charles man who served overseas in the YMCA during World War I, had to be X-rayed so Paterakis could understand why the instrument had damage. She found that a refurbishment in the 1950s was contributing to the decline. Bulls organ, which he played for troops on the front lines and on the boat ride back from France, will be on display in a temporary World War I exhibit when the museum reopens around November 2018.

While some museums might use restoration methods to try to make an artifact look exactly as it did when it was made, that process comes with a caveat.

Restoration is an interpretation, Paterakis said. Were not 100 percent sure what some of these things used to look like. Were always interpreting and adding our own opinions. Thats why we try to avoid too much intervention.

In 2015, the city signed over control of the museum to the Missouri Historical Society. Anonymous donations to the organization enabled it to embark on the two-year renovation, which will bring the museum up to American Alliance of Museums standards, said the museums assistant director of communications, Leigh Walters. Those standards include rules on museum operation, finances, access to exhibits and ADA compliance. Only 3 percent of museums in the country are accredited with the American Alliance of Museums.

Well be showcasing the collection like it has never been showcased before, said Patrick Allie, the Missouri Historical Societys military and firearms curator. Especially because of the work that Alice is doing with conservation, its going to be incredible seeing these pieces cleaned up and presented in a much better interpretive framework that really focuses on St. Louis and St. Louisans.

The renovations will open up the buildings basement for showcasing objects, which will double the museums total display space. At the ground floor, the gallery on the east side will include artifacts from the American Revolution through World War I, and another gallery will house items from World War II through the present day. The basement will serve as a space for temporary exhibitions, while the uppermost level will offer space for events, lectures and ceremonies.

Allie said they have plenty of items to fill the extra space. The Missouri Historical Society has already collected almost 200 artifacts from families in the St. Louis area who donated heirlooms after learning about the new direction that the Soldiers Memorial will take.

People came out of the woodwork for donating items, Allie said. Theyre coming in in big numbers. And its great stuff, too.
JEFFERSON CITY  A union-led attempt to dump Missouris new right to work law scored a victory in court Friday.

The Missouri Court of Appeals Western District overturned a lower court decision that said the language of a proposed ballot initiative seeking to nix the new law was unfair and insufficient.

At issue is a controversial law that bans the collection of union dues as a condition of employment. Gov. Eric Greitens and fellow Missouri Republicans say it will create jobs and lure businesses to the Show-me state.

Unions including the Missouri AFL-CIO, however, say the law is anti-worker and have turned to the voter referendum process to overturn it.

The AFL-CIO hopes to put the law in front of voters for an up-and-down vote, a seldom-used tactic that will require them to collect an estimated 90,000 signatures before the new law takes effect on Aug. 28.

If they get the required signatures, the law would not go into effect until the outcome of the referendum is known in November 2018.

Right-to-work supporters, backed by the National Right to Work Foundation, have challenged the initiative petition in court, saying it is riddled with grammatical errors and could confuse voters who dont realize theyre overturning an existing law.

Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green agreed, saying the summary language of the proposed referendum was misleading.

In its 27-page ruling, the appeals court said the summary statement could have been better, but the deficiencies do not rise to the level of having to be rewritten.

The circuit court may be correct that the summary statement was not drafted in a grammatically-competent manner, and these grammatical errors may indeed be embarrassing. But grammatical competence, and the avoidance of embarrassment, are not the tests for gauging the summarys legal sufficiency, Fridays ruling noted.

Mike Louis, president of the Missouri AFL-CIO, praised the decision.

We are happy the court has sided with Missouri voters to make the language not confusing and keep it the way it was written by the Secretary of State, Louis told the Post-Dispatch.

Kansas City attorney Ed Greim, who is leading the legal team seeking to derail the referendum, said he was planning to appeal the decision to the Missouri Supreme Court.

The decision is very disappointing, Greim said.

The unions say Missouri voters should have a chance to weigh in on right to work; Democrats tried unsuccessfully to send the issue before voters during the legislative session.

But the GOP-led Legislature says voters voiced their support for the labor reform when they elected Greitens, who campaigned for governor with the promise that he would help make Missouri the 28th right to work state.

Louis said the signature collection process had been ongoing throughout the court fight and is expected to be successful.

I believe we are going to qualify this to put this on the ballot, Louis said.
Last year in the St. Louis area alone, more than 700 lives were lost to fatal opioid overdoses. This is a breathtaking number. We lost 712 fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends, and as the death toll climbed, the Missouri Legislature again failed to pass a statewide prescription drug monitoring program.

Such a program is a proven asset. It enables doctors and pharmacists to see what drugs a patient is currently being prescribed. This helps prevent doctor shopping, or obtaining multiple prescriptions for a drug from multiple doctors. The program also improves health outcomes, especially among elderly patients who are seeing several different specialists for different conditions, because it enables their doctors to see all the medications theyre taking and gives them a tool to prevent adverse drug interactions.

For these reasons its important that doctors and pharmacists have access to a prescription drug monitoring database. We are all quite accustomed to sharing this kind of information with our doctor or pharmacist.

A prescription drug monitoring program is an effective way of reducing drug diversion and the harms of drug dependence. Every other state (even Puerto Rico and Guam) has one. But  largely due to the misguided efforts of Rob Schaaf, a senator from St. Joseph who believes that a program violates our right to personal privacy  Missouri stands alone on the wrong side of history.

Thankfully, last February, something innovative happened: St. Louis County stepped in and created the nations only local prescription drug monitoring program. Now, the only benefit of Missouris being last to adopt a drug monitoring program is that St. Louis County had 49 other programs to examine. Along with consultation with the Brandeis Universitys Center for Excellence, it was able to develop a state-of-the-art program, built on best practices, and capable of being scaled up. This ingenious workaround would make it possible to bring this database, county-by-county, to the entire state.

Almost immediately, St. Charles County joined, then St. Louis city. Others followed, and one by one, counties signed up for the program, and as of today, 58 percent of Missouri citizens are protected and 74 percent of providers are joined to this database. The system isnt perfect because it isnt statewide, but its a start, and it grows larger and more complete every week.

On July 17, Gov. Eric Greitens signed an executive order. And though he refers to his executive order as a statewide prescription drug monitoring program, thats a bit misleading. It is, in fact, a brilliant and unique adjunct to the local program that began in St. Louis County.

Greitens plan has received some criticism from the Missouri Foundation for Health, the Missouri State Medical Association and U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill. This is understandable because, on its own, the governors plan is insufficient. Doctors and pharmacists are denied access to the data; and while this might please those in the Legislature who worry about such programs posing a risk to personal privacy, the lack of patient data is an enormous deficiency.

On its own, the governors plan will do nothing to help patients avoid dangerous drug interactions, it will do nothing to improve health outcomes, and it will do nothing to stop addicts and dealers from doctor shopping for opioids or other addictive drugs.

But the governors executive order was clearly not intended to create a stand-alone prescription drug monitoring program. We believe it was intentionally designed to complement the program that began in St. Louis County.

Together, the governors and St. Louis Countys prescription drug monitoring program give Missourians all the protection they require and take Missouri from last aboard to first in class. But only if they are used together.

We urge all counties to join the prescription drug monitoring program that began in St. Louis County. Do not settle for only the governors necessary-but-insufficient plan. Give your people the benefit of both because, together, they set a new standard for what works.

Now, if we commit to additional measures like making treatment more available and more affordable, and expanding universal, school-based substance-use prevention for all kids in all schools in all grades, we can rein in this epidemic and prevent the next one from arising.

Howard Weissman is the executive director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse-St. Louis.
Right-to-work is pro-worker, not anti-union. If a union is serving its members and meeting its members' needs, it has nothing to fear from this new law. Right-to-work is about giving workers the freedom to tell a union "no." No worker should be forced to join a union and have money taken from their paychecks if they feel the union is not accountable to its local dues-paying members.

Unions are trying to mislead Missouri voters about right-to-work and stop this worker freedom law from taking effect with a new petition drive. For them it's about maintaining power and control.

Union bosses dont like right-to-work because it requires accountability to local members. A union has nothing to fear from right-to-work if its serving the interests of local members and not the interests of national labor leaders or partisan politicians.

Many union members tell me theyre frustrated the dues they pay to the union are used to help prop up a candidate or the liberal issue of the day even if they don't support that candidate or cause. They want their union to be there for them, not doing the bidding of national labor leaders.

Missourians supported right-to-work when they supported a pro-right-to-work Legislature and governor. Missouri's business climate is already improving thanks to passage of pro-growth initiatives like right-to-work. In fact, Missouri already jumped nine spots in CNBCs Best States for Business.

Now we must defend right-to-work because of the choice it gives to workers and its positive impact on Missouris economy.

State Sen. Ron Richard  R-Joplin
If anyone could have resuscitated the troubled Obamacare repeal and replace bill, it was Mitch McConnell, the steady and disciplined Senate Majority Leader with a track record of getting really tough things done.

But after years of pleading, months of negotiating, and weeks of just barely edging the contentious bill forward, it suddenly died. The end was unexpected and dramatic, as McConnell watched Sen. John McCain -- his longtime friend and occasional political rival -- walk to the center of the Senate floor and turn his thumb down to vote "no."

Aides say McConnell knew earlier in the day that McCain's vote was in doubt, and the two men spoke several times about his concerns. But when McCain crossed the floor in front of McConnell to vote, it was still a shock.

McConnell is a conservative, consummate Washington dealmaker who has worked across the aisle for years to painstakingly prevent government shutdowns, raise politically-tricky debt ceilings, and take other steps to keep Washington functioning, even when some in his conference wanted to tear the government down.

At the same time, he can be brutally efficient in service to the Republican agenda, for instance by blocking President Barack Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court, Merrick Garland, last year.

But health care proved to be much tougher than those. The issue divides his caucus so deeply that he was never able to make much tangible progress on bringing together the right flank of his caucus that wanted to get rid of Obamacare's regulations and taxes, and the left flank that wanted to preserve the Medicaid expansion and other protections in the law.

Yet until Thursday night, McConnell could at least keep the process moving with the so-called "skinny bill" and fight for another day.

His face ashen, McConnell stood still and silent for several moments as the magnitude of McCain's vote became clear. The Arizona Republican, who returned to the Senate this week after a devastating diagnosis of brain cancer to dramatically help advance the health care bill to this vote, became the third and final Republican vote against the health care bill.

A defeated McConnell turned to his caucus and spoke about the loss, admonishing his GOP colleagues who voted no.

"This is clearly a disappointing moment," McConnell said, his voice cracking.

"We told our constituents we would vote that way. When the moment came, most of us did. We kept our commitments," he said. "We worked hard -- and everybody on this side can certainly attest to the fact that we worked really hard -- to try to develop a consensus for a better way forward."

Now Republicans must start over.

McConnell and many of his rank-and-file members said they would not give up on their health care effort. But they have other pressing issues like tax reform, government funding, infrastructure spending -- and another debt ceiling increase to address. Health care might have to wait while tensions ease and Republicans who control the House, Senate and White House rethink their approach.

In a remarkable coda to the night's dramatic events, a few moments after McConnell finished his emotional floor speech, he announced to the chamber that he wanted the Senate to turn next to the annual defense bill and pass it the next day.

McConnell's move -- gesture, really -- was designed to allow the ailing McCain, who chairs the Armed Services Committee, to complete what might be his last defense bill, something he cares deeply about. It is uncertain when he will be in Washington again as he battles his cancer.

However, an objection was heard from Rand Paul, McConnell's fellow GOP senator from Kentucky, who has concerns about military use-of-force authorizations. Procedurally stalled, McConnell adjourned the Senate until Monday, and now it's unclear if McCain will be able to be on hand when his bill comes to the floor.
New FCC Caption Requirements: What You Need to Know

New captioning requirements kicked in on July 1, 2017. Here's what they are all about.

What Happened on July 1, 2017?

On July 1, 2017, online video clips from live and near-live TV programming (as opposed to full-length videos) must be captioned. For live programs, a 12-hour delay between when the clip first airs on TV and when it's captioned on the internet is permitted. For near live, the allowable delay is 8-hours.

What Types of Videos Need to be Captioned?

All FCC regulations only apply to programming that's previously aired on TV with captions. It specifically excludes consumer-generated media.

What's a Video Clip?

Good question. The FCC regulations break video into multiple categories, and transitioned in captioning requirements based upon these categories. Here are the most important definitions.

Live, Near-Live, and Prerecorded

Live is video shown "substantially simultaneously" with its performance, while near-live is video recorded less than 24 hours before shown on TV, like most late-night talk shows. Prerecorded video is any video that's neither live nor near-live.

Full-Length Programming and Video Clips

Full-length programming is distributed "substantially in its entirety," while video clips are excerpts from the full-length programming.

So we have live, near-live, and prerecorded videos that are either full-length or video clip excerpts. Here's how the rules transition in.

Full-length programming displayed on the internet after being broadcast on TV with captions have long been required to have captions. This kicked in for prerecorded content on September 30, 2012 (unless edited for internet distribution), and for live on March 30, 2013.

The new requirements are for video clips (as opposed to full-length programming), and is the last of a series of three. By January 1, 2016, video clips that were a single excerpt of a prerecorded captioned TV program (called a "straight lift") had to be captioned, while on January 1, 2017, montagesa single files containing multiple straight lift video clips from a prerecorded captioned TV programhad to be captioned. As mentioned above, the requirements that kicked in on July 1, 2017 are for live or near-live video clips.

How Accurate Must Live Captioning Be?

In 2014, the FCC issued standards relating to the accuracy, timing, completeness and placement rules for captioning. In general, the program creator is charged with accuracy and completeness, while the distributor is charged with encuring placement and synchronization.

In terms of accuracy, here's a summary of what must be included and how accurate captions must be from the Video Caption Corporation.

Accuracy: The closed captioning must match the program audio, including any slang, and contain non-verbal information such as speaker identification, descriptions of music, sound effects, the attitudes and emotions of the speakers, and audience reaction. The closed captions must be free of spelling and grammatical errors, and use appropriate punctuation and capitalization, correct tense and proper singular or plural forms.

In a March 23, 2016 interview with caption provider 3PlayMedia, Eliot Greenwald, deputy chief of the Disability Rights Office at the FCC, elaborated on how these rules apply to live programmming.

There is an understanding that live programming can't be perfect, because it's being done on the spot by a human. And so there will be errors, and we recognize that. Essentially, captions need to reflect the spoken words and somebody has to be able to follow the program. It has to be understandable. So there's a little bit of leeway provided, given the nature of live programming.

Later in the interview, he stated that automatic speech recognition did not currently provide the accuracy necessary to meet FCC requirements.

Despite these comments, note the following language in the FCC regulations covering best practices for caption vendors and pre-recorded content. Such vendors should "inform video programmers of appropriate uses of real-time and offline captioning and strive to provide offline captioning for prerecorded programming. (A) Encourage use of offline captioning for live and near-live programming that originally aired on television and re-feeds at a later time.

So if there's a substantial delay between when the clips aired on TV and aired on the Internet, the best practice would be to update or replace the live captions. Though my search wasn't exhaustive, the clips that I observed on the ESPN and CNN sites appeared to have been updated.

Who's in Charge of Captioning?

In 2016, the FCC split the responsibility between the programmers who created the content, and the multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) who distributed it. According Davis, Wright, and Tremain LLP, programmers have primary responsibility, up to the point of hand-off to VPDs, for ensuring that captioning is accurate, synchronous, complete, and placed such that it is viewable and does not block other important visual content. VPDs remain responsible for ensuring that captions are passed through with captioning intact and in a format that can be recovered and displayed by decoders. (http://www.dwt.com/FCC-Divides-Closed-Captioning-Compliance-Responsibility-Imposes-New-Obligations-Directly-on-Programmers-02-25-2016/)

Both parties would be responsible for videos placed on their own websites.

Are There any Relevant Exclusions?

Yes. Any live or near-live video clips that were posted prior to July 1, 2017, don't need to be captioned. In addition, if the video clips are posted prior to when the associated full-length programming airs on TV, it doesn't have to be captioned. Finally, the rule only applies to video clips posted on the programmer's or multichannel video programming distributors site, not any third party sites like YouTube.

These are in addition to exclusions relating to clips that don't need to be captioned for TV purposes, which are detailed in FCC Regulation section 79.1(d), Exempt Programs and Providers.

What Are My Options for Live Captioning?

If the original video is captioned, it's easiest to use the captions included in the broadcast feed, which virtually all encoder can ingest, convert and package in the necessary formats. If the original footage is not captioned, check out our 2016 article, "Closed Captioning for Streaming Media," which covers the legislative basis for these captioning requirements and caption creation options.

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Related Articles
The Supreme Court on Friday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from holding public office for life in a landmark decision on the Panama Papers case.

Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, who had headed the apex court's implementation bench following its April 20 order on the Panama Papers case, announced that the larger bench had unanimously deemed PM Sharif from holding office and would also order an accountability court to open a case against him.

The judgement was announced shortly after 12:00pm.

Justice Khan said the bench had recommended that all material collected by the joint investigation team (JIT) tasked with probing the Sharif family's financial dealings would be sent to an accountability court within six weeks.

The bench said that on the basis of this information, cases would be opened against Finance Minister Ishaq Dar; MNA Captain Muhammad Safdar; Maryam, Hassan and Hussain Nawaz; as well as the premier.

A judgement on these references should be announced within 30 days, he said.

One judge will oversee the implementation of this order.

The judgement was unanimous.

Prime minister, finance minister disqualified

The prime minister was disqualified from holding his office as the judges ruled that he had been dishonest to parliament and the courts and could not be deemed fit for his office.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Captain Safdar, who is an MNA, also stood disqualified from office, Justice Khan said.

This is the third time the prime minister has been unable to complete his term in the chief executive's office. It is unclear as of the moment who will be appointed to take over the post till the next general elections, which are scheduled for 2018.

The lead up

From Friday morning, all eyes were on Courtroom No. 1 of the Supreme Court in Islamabad, where a five-judge bench was set to announce the much-awaited verdict on the Panama Papers case at 11:30am. The proceedings started around half an hour later.

The original five-member bench of the Supreme Court which heard the Panama Papers case issued the final verdict. Justices Asif Saeed Khosa, Ejaz Afzal Khan, Gulzar Ahmed, Sheikh Azmat Saeed, Ijazul Ahsan were present for the hearing.

According to media reports, the courtroom was filled to capacity as prominent politicians, lawyers and journalists crowded the room to hear the judges decide Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's fate.

The twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi had been on high alert in anticipation of the SC verdict.

The Red Zone had also been partially sealed and people were only being allowed inside after undergoing identification and strict security checks.

Rangers and Frontier Constabulary personnel had been deployed at the Supreme Court and the Red Zone to assist the police.

Speculations before SC judgement

Over the last few days, the entire country had been awaiting the apex court's verdict with bated breath. Gossip, speculation and rumours had been rife over when the final verdict would be announced and what conclusion the judges would arrive at. The most important question of all remained whether the prime minister would be unseated or not.

On Thursday evening, the Supreme Court office had put all speculation to rest when it issued a supplementary cause list heralding the announcement of the judgement on Friday.

On the announcement that the larger bench would deliver the judgement, legal observers took the view that the earlier minority judgement, which recommended sending the prime minister packing, may become a majority view in case even one of the three majority judges ruled against the prime minister.

The court could also rule that there is still not enough evidence to topple Sharif, and call for a further investigation.

Know more: JIT says PM couldnt satisfactorily answer most of the questions

April 20 order and JIT investigation

The April 20 judgement issued by the larger bench in the Panama Papers case had been split 3-2 among the five judges, with two dissenting notes from Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice Gulzar Ahmed. Justice Ejaz Afzal authored the majority opinion in the 540-page judgement.

The two judges who ruled against PM Nawaz Sharif had said he should be disqualified as he could not be considered 'honest' and 'truthful' (ameen and sadiq), whereas the other three were in favour of forming a joint investigation team (JIT) to definitively answer the question of whether the allegations against the prime minister were true or not.

The court had further said that: "upon receipt of the reports, periodic or final of the JIT, as the case may be, the matter of disqualification of respondent No. 1 [Nawaz Sharif] shall be considered. If found necessary for passing an appropriate order in this behalf, [Nawaz Sharif or any other person may be summoned and examined."

A special bench of the Supreme Court was subsequently constituted to examine the case under Section 184/3 of the Constitution. The bench comprised the three judges who had prevailed.

The Supreme Court had on May 6 formed the JIT, putting a senior officer of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in charge.

After considering the background and antecedents of the officer, FIAs Additional Director General Wajid Zia, a grade 21 officer, was appointed head of the probe team.

Amer Aziz of the State Bank of Pakistan, Executive Director of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan Bilal Rasool, National Accountability Bureau Director Irfan Naeem Mangi, Brig Muhammad Nauman Saeed of Inter-Services Intelligence and Brig Kamran Khurshid of the Military Intelligence were appointed as the remaining members of the team.

The six-member JIT's damning report, submitted after a 60-day investigation that sought answers to 13 questions raised by the Supreme Court's larger bench, had maintained that Prime Ministers family owned assets beyond its known sources of income. It declared that both Hussain and Hassan Nawaz were used as proxies to build family assets.

Consequently, the six-man JIT concluded that it was compelled to refer to sections 9(a)(v) and 14(c) of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999, which deal with corruption and corrupt practices, though such charges are yet to be proven in an accountability court.

The JIT report also highlighted Articles 122, 117, 129 and other sections of the Qanoon-i-Shahadat Order 1984 (Law of Evidence), which places the burden of disproving the allegations on the person facing accusations.

The JIT pointed out failure on the part of the Sharifs to produce the required information that would confirm their known sources of income, saying that prima facie, it amounted to saying that they were not able to reconcile their assets with their means of income.

The prime minister's daughter, Maryam Nawaz, had on the same evening issued a strongly-worded statement on behalf of the PML-N, saying:

"JIT report REJECTED. Every contradiction will not only be contested but decimated in SC. NOT a penny of public exchequer involved: PMLN."

Her tweet followed a press conference conducted by four senior PML-N leaders, who had taken turns to criticise the JIT report as 'serving Imran Khan's agenda'.

The Sharif family's legal team's strategy in subsequent hearings had focused on discrediting the report, the evidence collected and the means used to do so, and raising questions about the impartiality and capability of the six men who had comprised the JIT.
The U.S. Pacific Fleet commander, addressing a security conference in Australia, said in answer to a question on Thursday that he would be prepared to launch a nuclear strike on China if President Donald Trump so ordered.

The fleet spokesman later said the question was asked as an "outrageous hypothetical".

Admiral Scott Swift was speaking at the Australian National University in Canberra when he was asked whether he would be prepared to launch a nuclear attack on China if ordered to do so by Trump.

"The answer would be yes," he said.

Swift said that all members of the U.S. military had sworn an oath to obey officers and the U.S. president as commander in chief to defend the constitution.

"This is core to the American democracy," he said, in a recording of the event obtained by Reuters.

"Any time you have a military that is moving away from a focus, and an allegiance, to civilian control, then we really have significant problems."

Swift's answer reaffirmed the principle of civilian control over the military and was based on an "outrageous hypothetical" in the question, Pacific Fleet spokesman Captain Charlie Brown told Reuters.

"Frankly, the premise of the question was ridiculous," he said. "It was posed as an outrageous hypothetical, but the admiral simply took it as an opportunity to say the fact is that we have civilian control of the military and we abide by that principle."

The United States and China enjoy a generally friendly relationship, with strong economic ties, albeit with frequent barbs about trade, jobs, currencies, human rights, Tibet, the South China Sea and North Korea.

Trump has held high hopes for greater cooperation from China to exert influence over North Korea, leaning heavily on Chinese President Xi Jinping for his assistance. The two leaders had a high-profile summit in Florida in April and Trump has frequently praised Xi.
Straight from city council

A personal view,

by Councillor Steve Morris

Ill never forget the time I was bailed up next to a fellow university student; he was grinning like a shot possum as he told me about his new-found wealth. He had figured out that he could increase the size of his student loan by claiming expenses for books he never intended to buy. Dont you have to pay that back? I asked. Who cares, Im off to the pub, he said.

He may have come to regret the size of his loan when he realised its harder to earn money than it is to drink it. However, unlike an individual or a business, councils are quite different; we can choose to increase our income any time by increasing rates. Why is that significant? Because on current forecasts well reach our borrowing limit in 2019. Spending must change or rates must go up.

Last week I showed you a way council could keep a lid on debt by reprioritising growth expenditure from 10 years ahead of time to just in time while keeping some nice-to-haves. However, given recent decisions to increase the height of the new Harrington St carpark from nine to 11 storeys at an extra cost of $4.5m (despite both evidence and advice to the contrary) and the on-again, off-again, on-again decision to spend an additional $1.5m on what is now a $4m i-Site I do wonder if there is enough appetite by colleagues to do some trade-offs or appeal for more of your money instead. Watch this space over the next six months.
BEATRICE  President Abraham Lincolns signature scrawled across the Homestead Act of 1862 drew 38,000 people to the national park dedicated to the federal land giveaway when the document went on display in 2012.

Those record-breaking figures at Homestead National Monument could soon be eclipsed  so to speak  by the total solar eclipse that will black out the skies on Aug. 21, potentially drawing tens of thousands of people to the Beatrice area.

Near the path of totality's center line, the total solar eclipse near Beatrice will span more than 2 minutes.

Theres a lot of excitement here, and the staff has been working very hard and very diligently to get the park ready, said Superintendent Mark Engler.

What to see

Events on Eclipse Weekend begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, with storyteller Ryan Paul, who will trace "Native American Starlore," or the stories tribes told to explain the constellations.

Since Homestead has been designated an official NASA viewing site, NASA scientists will be on hand to discuss the Solar Probe Plus spacecraft set to be launched in 2018, science laboratories in space, exoplanet studies and the GLOBE Observer, a citizen-scientist initiative to track climate change.

On Eclipse Day, activities begin at 8 a.m. with music by Chris Sayre and the String Beans before First Contact is announced at 11:30 a.m., prompting visitors to find their preferred viewing areas.

Bill Nye The Science Guy," the CEO of the Planetary Society, and Amy Mainzer of the PBS Kids show "Ready Jet Go!" will explain the phases of the eclipse before they announce glasses on at 1 p.m., just in time for the 1:02 p.m. beginning of totality.

NASA TV will be broadcasting live from a point near the Heritage Center throughout the day.

Hands-on activities will be available throughout the weekend at multiple sites throughout the park.

A complete list of events is available on the Homestead National Monuments website: nps.gov/home.

Watching the eclipse

Homestead National Monument intends to open up spaces to their maximum potential, Engler said.

Rangers will mark areas targeted for a controlled burn this fall where astronomers can set up telescopes and visitors can stake out a spot to watch the cosmic event.

Farming demonstration areas at the Education Center on the banks of Cub Creek on the parks west side and the Heritage Center overlooking the parks eastern border will also be cleared and made available for visitors.

Further west along Nebraska 4, at the one-room Freeman School, Engler said astronomers bringing larger telescopes can set up.

Engler said one amateur astronomer requested enough room for his telescope that requires the viewer to scale a 12-foot ladder.

Other space closer to Nebraska 4, which cuts through the park from the southeast to the northwest, may also serve as viewing grounds, Engler said. Homestead is working with the Nebraska Department of Transportation to open those areas.

When the moon moves in front of the sun, however, and the shadow approaches at 1,500 miles per hour, Engler said Homestead plans to let the spectacle speak for itself.

"Basically, we're going to go silent with our programming during totality," he said.

Getting to the park

A free shuttle service will operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday of Eclipse Weekend between Homestead and three sites in Beatrice.

The shuttle will also operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Eclipse Day."

Park visitors who plan to use the shuttle should park near the Gage County Fairgrounds at 321 Logan St.; Aunt Marys Cafe at 111 S. Eighth St.; and Jims Carpet at 308 Court St. and follow signs and directions to the pick-up and drop-off points.

The pick-up and drop-off sites will expand to a number of area hotels, as well as the Beatrice Municipal Airport on Monday, Engler said.

Homestead will close the Heritage Center parking lot at 6 a.m. on Eclipse Day.

Parking will be available on the gravel roads surrounding Homestead: Southwest 75th Road, Southwest 89th Road and West Hoyt Road. Signs and staff will direct vehicles to the parking areas.

Engler said Homestead will be staffed 24 hours a day for Eclipse Weekend  a first for the park in his tenure  both to accommodate extended hours and to assist visitors.

Beatrice still open

Motorists backed up on U.S. 77 driving south into town might witness another rare event: Beatrice Municipal Airport is expecting as many as 200 planes to arrive for the event from all over the country.

People who arrive a few days early have a dwindling set of options.

Hotels in Beatrice have been sold-out for months for Eclipse Weekend, but city officials wont turn away those who dont mind roughing it.

Camping spots with hookups at Chautauqua Park and Riverside Park, both nestled along the Big Blue River, will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

But to accommodate an influx of people  outside estimates range wildly from 10,000 to 100,000 people expected to converge on the area  Beatrice will also open up other green space for dry camping free of charge.

"If someone wants to put a tent up in Chautauqua Park, were not going to chase them out, said Tobias Tempelmeyer, city administrator. We get to keep them in town, so thats the win we get.

Beatrice police and firefighters, as well as other city workers, will be posted at sites around the city of 12,500 people to answer questions and direct traffic.

Planning for the once-in-a-lifetime event lasting 2 minutes and 34 seconds began more than three years ago.

Lora Young, executive director of the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce, has traveled across the country promoting Beatrice's vantage point for the experience.

"It will be great weather, because that's what the Chamber of Commerce promises," she said.
Zespri has opened a regional office in Orange County California to manage growing sales across the Americas.

Strong sale growth across North America is being driven by the new gold variety Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit, which is proving hugely popular says Zespri Chief Executive Lain Jager.

The New Zealand kiwifruit industry is on track to more than double sales to $4.5 billion by 2025 and an important part of this growth will come from developing markets like North America, as well growing sales in our more established markets, says Lain.

Zespri is relaunching the kiwifruit category in the United States and the wider Americas region to attract new consumers and grow sales.

Kiwifruit in the US is an underdeveloped category at number 21 in the overall fruit bowl compared to ranking in the top ten for most European and Asian countries.

However, sales of all kiwifruit in the US  Zespri and other brands  are growing well above general fruit sales.

Zespri SunGold sales volumes in North America have grown more than 100 per cent over the past two years and are expected to hit nearly US$50 million in 2018/19, as consumers respond to the delicious tropical sweet flavour.

At present, around 40 percent of SunGold sales are through Asian-American retail outlets, as these communities are more familiar with Zespri Kiwifruit. However the new variety appeals to mainstream American consumers too, with exciting growth through mainstream customers.

Retailers needs are changing and Zespri is working with distributors to meet those needs.

By appointing market development managers, weve been able to work with key retailers to build meaningful programmes to expand our distribution across the country and returned more value to our retail partners and New Zealand growers, says Lain.

Zespri is increasing its marketing investment to introduce more people to the taste of Zespri Kiwifruit through a integrated PR, digital and social media campaign, which includes in-store geotargeted mobile advertising, along with new eye-catching retail packaging.

Zespri is growing its offshore presence to deliver increased sales around the world.

They officially opened an office in Dubai earlier this year to service the regions of the Middle East, India and Africa.

More than half of our 450 plus staff are based offshore now, with offices in 21 countries delivering sales and marketing programmes in 59 countries around the world this season, says Lain.

The new office was opened by a Maori cultural delegation with karakia/prayers and waiata/songs to bless the new whakairo/carving commissioned for the office.

Carver James Tapiata has made several other carvings for Zespri offices in New Zealand and around the world and he created this work Te Puawaitanga (The Flowering) for the new office. Around 10 people will be based in the office.
A Whakatane local artist Jordan-Davey-Emms will be doing an informative artist talk about her current exhibition Ground Hum today.

Jordan will discuss her art-practice through discussion and material play on the green area outside Te Koputu a te whanga a Toi  the Whakatane Library and Exhibition Centre.

Guests will meet inside the Whakatane Community Board Gallery at 10:30am before venturing outside for a shared picnic and chat with the artist.

Jordans installation has about 30 individual parts to it and demands audience interaction.

Her work is described as unusual and challenging as it will allow the audience to question the meaning of place and lineage.

Jordan was recently selected as the overall winner among the top Masters and Honours students from all four art schools in Auckland, receiving the prestigious 2017 Glaister Ennor Graduate Art Award at Aucklands Sanderson Gallery.

Her solo exhibition is now open to the public and will run until September 10.

To see what else is happening in and around Tauranga today, check out SunLives whats on listings below:

Saturday 29 July

Bay Network Singles Social Club 55+ who wish to make new friends & enjoy club activities, dining, shows, trips, bbqs etc. Mary-Anne 027 207 1690 or 576 9988

Come Dancing Tonight Come join us tonight for Sequence & Old time Dancing. Great music, supper. Entry $7.00 All welcome. Run by Tauranga Scottish Society. Greerton Hall 7-30 to 10-30pm Ph Nola 576 5076

Computer Lessons Learn in your own time, at your own pace. Tauranga Library has a free course online to meet your needs. Visit one of our libraries to register.

Death Cafe Coffee, cake and group led conversation on dying, death & living in a warm friendly space. Sat 5 Aug Grindz Cafe 1pm-3pm e:taurangadeathcafe@gmail.com Carole 0220 689 183 www.deathcafe.com

Discover Your Lifes True Purpose Create an action plan that works for you. 29 July, 5,12 Aug from 2 to 5pm. Arataki Community Centre Zambuck Way, Bayfair. Info: www.eventspronto.co.nz/meaningfullife

Friendship Force International Friendship & Home Hosting exchanges with other clubs worldwide. Barbara 574 5711 or email: regclothier@gmail.com www.thefriendshipforce.org

Garage Sale & Auction Lions Club of Katikati annual Steptoes garage sale/auction at Katikati War Memorial Hall 8am. Furniture, whiteware, books and bric a brac Auction at 10:30am. EFTPOS available. No Cheques

Ians Tai Chi Class Saturday mornings at QE Park. Cancelled for the month of June.

Leisure Marching Fun, fitness & friendship. Teams made up of adult members practice this non-competitive activity on various days & times throughout the week. Frances 544 1318 or 021 297 3407

LOL Laughter Wellness Come & laugh away your winter blues. Arataki Community Centre 11-11.45am. Koha. Trish 022 036 6768 email lollaughterwellness@gmail.com

Mahayana Buddhist Meditation Tga Intro to Meditation classes, 1st & 3rd Sats of every month, 10-10.50am. General classes every 1st, 2nd & 3rd Sat of the month, 11am-12.15pm. $5 suggested koha. Blind Foundation, 160 17th Ave, Tga

Messianic Meetings Every Sat at Hillier Centre, 31 Gloucester Rd, Mt Maunganui 10am. Seek to unite together in our walk to put truth into action on a daily basis. 544 7424 or 0210 226 3515

Narcotics Anonymous Open Meetings Sat 7.30-8.30pm & every Sun 7-8pm, Hanmer Clinic, 1235 Cameron Rd, Greerton. Mon 7-8pm & Fri 7.30-8.30pm, Hillier Centre. 31 Gloucester Rd, Mt Maunganui. Womens Meeting every Tues 10.30-11.30am Downstairs Hall, Salvation Army Recovery Church, 375 Cameron Rd. 0800 NA TODAY

Petanque @ Club Mt Maunganui Sat 1pm. Equip available, all levels welcome. Arnold 544 5598

Taoist Tai Chi New Beginner classes starting 5th August Saturday 8.30am. 15 Koromiko St Judea. Come and have a go, contact Dianne 0211466890 or 578-9116

Tauranga Meditation Group Intro to meditation classes 1st Tues of month 7-8.30pm. General classes every 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month. $5 koha. Blind Foundation, 160 17th Ave, Tauranga. (Vehicular access opposite Historic Village)

Tauranga Photographic Society Award winning audio-visuals NZ and overseas. Arts and Crafts Centre, Elizabeth St. 5 Aug at 7.30pm Entry $2 Information taurangaphoto.org.nz/tga-av-salon/presentation-evening

The Original Greerton Hall Market 8am-12pm. Crafts, plants, produce, bric-a-brac. Stalls inside/outside. Tea, coffee, snacks available. New stallholders welcome. To book a site Tricia/Gary 07 5431487, 027 908 2952, greertonmarket@actrix.co.nz, www facebook.com/greertonhallmarket

The Sociables A group for the 30s/40s and 50s age group that meet once a week to participate in activities, events and dine out. 0220 120 376

Social Dance Greerton Hall, 1247 Cameron Rd, 7.30 pm. BYO drink & nibbles. Everyone welcome. Supreme Dance Centre 5442337 or 027 3221786. Door Sales

Sunshine Dance Group Come and enjoy an evening of Sequence Dancing & Socialising. Tea Dance Sat 29 July, Baptist Church Hall cnr Cameron & 13th Ave, 5-9pm. $5pp, tea 6.45pm, BYO food/drink.

Tauranga Fuchsia Group Meets Saturday 29th at the Tauranga Arts & Craft Centre Elizabeth Street West at 1 pm. New Members Welcome.If you like growing Fuchsias come and join us at our workshops

Village Radio Community radio broadcasting from Tauranga Historic Village 1368 kHz AM. Music of 1940s - 90s weekends 9am - 5pm, weekdays 10am - 5pm. www.villageradio.co.nz or 571 3710

YOGA with Nic in Bethlehem Evening Classes: Mon & Thurs 7-8:10pm Morning classes: Wed & Fri 9:15-10:25am Afternoon class: Tues 11:5-2:25pm. Calm your mind while you stretch your body. First class free. Nic 021 124 2598 Facebook.com/nicssweetyoga
British television programme, Superfoods: The real Story, visited one of Almunecars mango plantations last week with presenter, Kate Quilton.

The El Pinero farm in Almunecar received the visit and, with the help of the farms owner, Antonio Guerrero, the Channel Four crew filmed a lengthy report about the subtropical fruit, which has been grown on the Costa Tropical for a number of years.

It was a fantastic experience and we were able to show Kate Quilton the different crops that grow on the farm and in particular our mangoes, said Guerrero, who highlighted that the crew and Kate were friendly and left a good impression. The mango grower added that the visit by Quilton and the Superfoods: The Real Story programme will help with the promotion of one of the most important fruits in the area, which, in the last few years has witnessed important growth and looks like it will continue to grow.

Superfoods: The Real Story has been running since June 2015 on Channel Four and each episode looks at a different type of food considered to be a superfood. Channel Four has not yet said when the Almunecar mango episode will be aired.
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry has scheduled seven town hall meetings next week, two in Lincoln on Monday, just as Congress has plunged into what may develop into a comprehensive new debate on health care policy.

The Senate Republican majority was unable early Friday to advance even a minimal approach to rewriting the Affordable Care Act after earlier failing to formally repeal Obamacare.

With health care legislative policy at an impasse, Fortenberry will embark on a town hall tour that is likely to attract considerable participation.

The Lincoln sessions are scheduled at Schoo Middle School, 700 Penrose Drive, at 5 p.m., and at Lux Middle School, 7800 High St., at 7 p.m.

Earlier Monday, the 1st District congressman will hold a town hall in Bellevue.

Fortenberry billed the events as opportunities to "engage with me in a community discussion (about) important issues."

"Understanding your thoughts on important issues will give us the opportunity to envision and potentially create real solutions together," the Republican congressman stated in an invitation mailed to constituents.

Fortenberry said there will be microphones in the aisles that participants may use to engage in the discussion.

Other town hall events are scheduled in Fremont and West Point on Tuesday and in Columbus and Norfolk on Wednesday.

In March, more than 1,000 people attended a boisterous Fortenberry town hall meeting in Lincoln, many of them directing criticism at the congressman for his support of legislation to repeal Obamacare.

The House passed a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act in early May, but health care reforms are stalled in the divided Senate.

Both Sens. Deb Fischer and Ben Sasse voted to approve the scaled-down health care bill that failed in the Senate on a 51-49 vote.

Fischer said she was "disappointed we were unable to move forward," and said she believes the Senate should abandon its traditional August recess to stay in session and attempt to reach an agreement.

"For five years," she said, "thousands of Nebraskans have contacted me to share their personal stories of higher health care costs and fewer choices under Obamacare. They need relief."

In the wake of the late-night Senate vote, Sasse said "it's disappointing that the Republican Party chose not to keep its word tonight."

"As I've said for a month, Congress should work around the clock through August to repeal and replace Obamacare," he said.
TransCanada is still working to lock in more customers before it commits to building the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline, a company executive told investors Friday.

Paul Miller, president of TransCanada's liquid pipelines business, said a final decision probably won't come until November or December, after Nebraska regulators have finished their review of the pipeline's proposed route through this state.

"We'll make an assessment of the commercial support and the regulator approvals at that time," Miller said during a conference call with investors Friday morning. "In the event that we do decide to proceed with the project, we still need probably six to nine months to do some of the staging of the construction crews, etc., and that would be followed by about a two-year construction period."

The statements cast further doubt on whether the $8 billion pipeline, first announced nearly a decade ago, will ever be completed.

"It gives me a little bit of optimism," said Art Tanderup, a Neligh-area farmer who opposes the Keystone XL. "Can't get our hopes up too high here. I can't start jumping and doing my happy dance."

About half a mile of the 36-inch underground pipeline would cross through Tanderup's land en route from Hardisty, Alberta, to Steele City near the Nebraska-Kansas state line. The Keystone XL would then meet up with an existing pipeline network to carry heavy crude to refineries along the Texas Gulf Coast.

Tanderup plans to be in the audience at the Cornhusker Marriott in Lincoln when the Nebraska Public Service Commission holds its five-day formal hearing on the project beginning Aug. 7. The commission also took comments from the general public during four hearings this summer.

A decision by Nebraska regulators should come by late November and would be the final major hurdle for Keystone XL to overcome, assuming TransCanada can rally sufficient buy-in from customers.

Miller said the company lost some potential customers after then-President Barack Obama rejected the project in 2015, although some of that interest has returned since President Donald Trump reversed Obama's decision earlier this year, one of his first acts in office.

On Thursday, TransCanada launched an "open season" to seek out new contracts for the pipeline. That process will close Sept. 28, Miller said.

Politico, one of the first national news outlets to highlight Miller's statements, reported that one problem TransCanada faces is shifting demand for oil.

Much of that demand is coming from Asia, so shippers would probably prefer to move oil to the West Coast for export, said Rusty Braziel, president of energy consulting firm RBN Energy.

If youre a producer in Alberta, the conundrum you face here is you really want to go west," Braziel told Politico. "Do you want to take barrels to the Gulf Coast and fight with everyone else sending barrels through the Gulf Coast? Hell no.

Jane Kleeb, founder of the anti-pipeline group Bold Alliance, questioned why Nebraska should approve a project that might never be built but would give TransCanada permanent easements to Nebraskans' land.

"I don't even think that the Public Service Commission should be considering this," she said. "If they don't have the committed shippers, why are we considering a pipeline route through our state?"

TransCanada spokesman Matthew John said he doesn't believe Miller's comments Friday reflect any change in the company's commitment to the project or its path forward with Nebraska regulators.

"It's just part of the process that we're going through to rework contracts."
CONSTANTIA, N.Y. -- The Taft Bay beach at the David C. Webb Memorial Park in Constantia is closed for swimming due to high levels of E. coli bacteria in the water, according to the Oswego County Health Department.

The health department monitors water at public beaches routinely and closes swimming when bacterial levels exceed acceptable standards.

The health department will continue to test the water until the samples show acceptable levels. The public will be notified when the beach is reopened for swimming.

Most varieties of E. coli are harmless or can cause brief diarrhea. Anyone concerned about gastrointestinal symptoms should contact their health care provider, according to the health department.

For updates, visit the park's Facebook page.
ITHACA, N.Y. -- A Dryden man accused of killing a transgender woman in the Finger Lakes last month will not face hate crime charges, officials announced Thursday.

Michael A. Davis, 45, was indicted Thursday on first-degree murder and first-degree arson, both felonies, for the death of Josie Berrios of Ithaca in Collegetown near Cornell University.

Berrios was found dead in an apartment that was under construction June 13 along the 200 block of Dryden Road in Ithaca. The case was ruled a homicide almost immediately after police announced the arrest of Davis the day after Berrios' body was found.

Berrios, who was a 28-year-old transgender woman of color, was a well-known and founding member of The House of Merlot, a local drag performance group in Ithaca established in 2011, according to the group's Facebook page.

With the announcement of Davis' indictment, which saw his previous second-degree murder charge changed to first-degree, District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced hate crime charges would not be brought against Davis.

"While it is inappropriate to comment on the specifics of the evidence in an ongoing case, the investigation has revealed no proof establishing the criteria for charging the defendant with a hate crime as defined by the Penal Law," the office stated.

The office went on to explain that, according to New York State law, a person can only be charged with a hate crime "when he or she intentionally commits a crime or selects a victim in whole or in substantial part because of a belief or perception regarding the race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation of a person, regardless of whether the belief or perception is correct."

An official cause of death was not immediately available, but Berrios' body had burn marks on it and gasoline was found at the scene, according to The Ithaca Voice. Police previously said Davis and Berrios knew one another, but further details were not provided.

Davis could face a maximum sentence of life without parole if found guilty of the murder charge. He was sent back to Tompkins County jail without bail to await further court hearings.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A man accused of killing his wife Tuesday aboard a cruise ship off Southeast Alaska was caught trying to drag her body to the balcony of their blood-splattered cabin, according to an FBI criminal complaint.

Kenneth Manzanares, 39, of Santa Clara, Utah, has been arrested on murder charges in the killing of his 39-year-old wife, Kristy Manzanares, aboard the Emerald Princess, the U.S. Attorney's Alaska Office announced Thursday.

The ship was in U.S. territorial waters beyond Alaska's jurisdiction, putting the case in federal hands, the office said. A witness who entered the couple's cabin before security guards that night told investigators that when he walked into the room he saw a woman lying on the floor covered in blood.

A man had blood covering his hands and clothes, according to the complaint signed by Michael Watson, a special agent with the FBI. When the witness asked Manzanares what happened, the complaint said, "Manzanares replied, 'She would not stop laughing at me.'"

Passengers told CBS News that the couple was on the ship with a large group, including their children. The Manzanares' former neighbors said the couple was celebrating an anniversary, according to CBS.

One passenger told CBS that a young girl from the couple's room came running out, calling for help and saying her parents had been in a fight. According to the complaint, the witness told investigators he saw Manzanares try to move his wife's body to the cabin's balcony overlooking the ocean.

The witness then grabbed the woman's ankles and pulled her back into the cabin, the complaint said. Soon after, around 9 p.m., security and medical staff entered the cabin. The victim "had a severe head wound and blood was spread throughout the room on multiple surfaces," the complaint said.

A security officer handcuffed Manzanares and put him in an adjoining cabin, according to the complaint. Medical personnel pronounced Kristy Manzanares dead around 9:20 p.m. At 10:13 p.m., an FBI special agent received a telephone call from Holland America Group's company security officer who told him that there "appeared to be a homicide onboard the cruise ship Emerald Princess," the complaint said.

The Emerald Princess left Seattle Sunday for a seven-day, round-trip cruise to Alaska, according to Princess Cruises. Around 3 p.m. Tuesday, it left Ketchikan.

At the time of the killing, the ship was in U.S. waters roughly 7 miles from Forrester Island, which is about 50 miles south of Craig and just north of the Canadian border.

The ship canceled a scenic cruise and went straight to Juneau, docking hours ahead of schedule at 7:55 a.m. Wednesday. It was met by FBI agents and local authorities, said the cruise line.

The complaint said that "when Manzanares was being processed during a search by the FBI for physical evidence, he stated, 'My life is over.'" Manzanares' first court appearance was scheduled for Thursday afternoon in Anchorage. He was to appear by video conference from Juneau, according to court records. Princess Cruises said its Emerald Princess ship left Juneau at 11:15 p.m.

Wednesday and headed for Skagway, continuing its scheduled cruise. Passengers were refunded for missed shore excursions and each given $150 in onboard credit, according to a statement from the cruise line.
Easi-Chock success

Anti-piracy and maritime security product manufacturer Easi-Chock has installed equipment on 150 vessels thus far.

Easi-Chock was founded by ex-UK Special Forces serviceman, Wayne Harrison, after surviving a Somali pirate attack in 2010. Harrison and his security team kept the crew safe using improvised devices to lock doors and portholes and create an impenetrable citadel. Since he founded Easi-Chock in 2013, the company has hardened 150 vessels, including tankers with sophisticated versions of the devices Harrison fashioned out of necessity during his voyage (see Tanker Operator, June/July issue, Page 19). Harrison said: While Somali piracy is no longer prominent in the news, the threat remains as highlighted by recent attacks. However, more imminently and presently, piracy and acts of violence and robbery are still rife within the Straits of Malacca, South China Sea, Sulu Sea and the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa being the worst hotspots, especially considering the provision of armed guards is not possible. Presently, international guidance advises that ships should be protected by water cannons and razor wire. However, due to the limited effectiveness of these measures, armed guards costing anything between $10,000 and $15,000 per transit are recruited for voyages through the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean costing the shipping industry billions per year. The Easi-Chock solution is simpler, more effective and more comprehensive. Our system turns the whole of the superstructure into a safe haven by implementing many layers of defence with all the crew safely located in the engine room. The system is delivered to delay, deny and demoralise pirates, who realise that they are unable to gain control of the vessel and abandon their attempts knowing they are likely to be caught and brought to justice. Having started with ideas for products in my mind, I am delighted that they are now protecting 150 ships, numerous crew members and the vital goods they are transporting internationally, he said. There have been zero reported attacks on vessels fitted with Easi-Chocks products and it only costs around 7,000 to fit the equipment on an average tanker in stark contrast with the price of an armed security team, and the 20,000 spent per year to replenish razor wire, which is easily bypassed by pirates. Harrison concluded: Moving forwards, I am keen to speak to anybody charged with the provision and specification of security products for tankers and cargo ships about how Easi-Chock provides a cost-effective long-term solution and saves operators staggering sums of money.




The Nebraska Department of Corrections has increased its efforts to keep contraband out of prisons in recent weeks, following the death of an inmate in June who tested positive for methamphetamine and Ecstasy.

Corrections Director Scott Frakes released an outline of tactics Friday the department is using to try to keep drugs and contraband out of the state's 10 prisons.

Our team is continuously identifying new strategies to prevent the introduction of contraband inside NDCS facilities. Efforts include a combination of thorough searches, the use of canines, intelligence gathering and accountability, he said in a news release.

Frakes said more than 80 percent of Nebraska prisoners have some level of substance-abuse issues.

A week ago, a visitor was observed passing drugs to an inmate, according to the release. Staff members confiscated the drugs and the visitor was arrested. Also this week, the department found drugs and a cellphone in an inmate's cell. Contraband has been thrown over the fence three times in the last month, Frakes said.

The strategies on Frakes' list include searches, by both drug dogs and staff members, detection devices such as metal detectors and X-ray machines, video surveillance, drug testing and accountability of inmates, visitors and staff.

A report filed this week by the Nebraska inspector general of corrections said the death of an inmate at Tecumseh State Correctional Institution from a drug overdose apparently was a result of his own unwise actions.

Daelan Lamere, 22, was found unresponsive in his cell at the Tecumseh prison May 27. He died June 6.

Corrections Inspector General Doug Koebernick said in his report that on May 21 Lamere had a visitor, and afterward a staff member did a strip search and saw a blue pouch in Lamere's mouth. He was told to spit it out, but instead appeared to swallow it. He was then taken to the prison's skilled nursing facility and observed until the next day.

Koebernick also looked at how drugs and alcohol contraband were getting into the prisons. The Department of Correctional Services reported it opened criminal investigations on eight cases involving staff members and seven involving visitors in 2016. This year, it has opened no cases involving staff and four involving visitors.

In an informal staff survey by Koebernick on drugs and illegal liquor, employees suggested doing additional searches of staff, using drug dogs, increasing prosecution and discipline for those caught bringing in drugs, and instituting additional no-contact visits.
Navios Maritime Midstream hit by falling market

Navios Maritime Midstream Partners revenue for the second quarter of this year decreased by $4.2 mill to $18.5 mill, compared to $22.7 mill for the same period in 2016.

This drop was mainly due to the lack of profit share as a result of the prevailing market conditions and certain unscheduled off-hires among which the prolonged drydock of one vessel. Daily average TCE was $39,342 for 2Q17 and $45,783 for 2Q16. EBITDA decreased by $4 mill to $12.4 mill for the period, compared to $16.4 mill for the same period in 2016. The decrease in EBITDA was due to a $4.2 mill fall in revenue; partially mitigated by a: (i) $0.1 mill decrease in timecharter expenses; and (ii) $0.1 mill decrease in general and administrative expenses. The reserve for estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures for 2Q17 and 2Q16 was $2.5 mill and $3.6 mill, respectively. An operating surplus of $7 mill was generated for the period. Net income for 2Q17 was $2 mill, compared to $5.9 mill for 2Q16. This decrease was due to the $4 mill decrease in EBITDA. For the first six months of 2017, revenue decreased by $7.2 mill to $39.6 mill, compared to $46.8 mill for the same period in 2016. Average daily TCE was $38,914 for 1H17 and $44,565 for 1H16. EBITDA decreased by around $7 mill to $27.1 mill during the period, compared to $34.1 mill for 1H16. Navios Midstream generated an operating surplus of $16.5 mill for 1H17. Net income was $6.5 mill, compared to $13.4 mill for 1H16. Angeliki Frangou, Chairman and CEO, said, We are pleased to report $18.5 mill of revenue and net income of $2 mill for the second quarter of 2017. We also earned $12.4 mill of EBITDA for the quarter and announced a distribution of $0.4225 per unit. Our quarterly dividend represents an annualised distribution of $1.69 per unit and a current yield of about 16%. Navios Midstream has entered into long-term charter-out agreements for its vessels, with a remaining average term of 3.8 years, which are expected to provide a stable base of revenue and distributable cash flow. The company said that it had currently contracted out 100% of its available days for 2017 and 2018 expecting to generate revenues, including the backstop commitment provided by Navios Maritime Acquisition Corp, of around $83.3 mill and $86.6 mill for 2017 and 2018, respectively. The average expected daily charter-out rate for the fleet is $39,522 and $39,559 for 2017 and 2018, respectively.




While the world awaits the official Galaxy Note 8 unveiling at the upcoming Unpacked event in New York City on Aug. 23, Samsung is already hard at work in creating a special edition for the highly anticipated smartphone.

The Galaxy Note 8 is expected to have 64 GB of internal storage and 4 GB of RAM, but the version that Samsung is working on will further improve those already-impressive specifications.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Emperor Edition Specs

According to Ice Universe, a well-known Weibo tipster, Samsung is working on a version of the Galaxy Note 8 that will be known as the Galaxy Note 8 Emperor Edition.

The leaker initially stated that the special edition Galaxy Note 8 will have 256 GB of internal storage and 8 GB of RAM but later revised his claim to the same internal storage but with only 6 GB of RAM.

With 6 GB of RAM, the Galaxy Note 8 Emperor Edition will match up with competitors such as the OnePlus 5, negating one of the few advantages of rival smartphones. In addition, with 256 GB of internal storage and support for up to 256 GB of expandable memory, the Galaxy Note 8 Emperor Edition will be the first Samsung smartphone to offer up to 512 GB of storage to users.

Samsung's work on the Galaxy Note 8 Emperor Edition is not unprecedented, as the company released a premium Galaxy S8 in South Korea that doubled the base Galaxy S8's internal storage from 64 GB to 128 GB and increased the RAM from 4 GB to 6 GB.

However, the improved specifications will only further add to the already high expected price tag of the Galaxy Note 8. With its premium specifications and features, the Galaxy Note 8 price is expected to go as high as $1,000, so the Galaxy Note 8 Emperor Edition could fetch a price of as high as $1,200.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Emperor Edition Coming To The US?

Samsung fans who are already looking forward to getting their hands on the Galaxy Note 8 Emperor Edition might want to control their excitement, though, as the smartphone is only expected to launch in South Korea before heading its way into China.

Customers in North America, South America, and Europe can instead expect a version of the Galaxy Note 8 with 128 GB of internal storage and 6 GB of RAM. The smartphone is expected to cost over $1,100, with no information on when it will be released to the market.

However, until the Galaxy Note 8 Emperor Edition is officially announced, Samsung fans could still hope that the special smartphone will arrive in the United States.

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Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, the world's largest and most significant online retailer, managed to beat Microsoft founder Bill Gates as the richest person in the world. But only for several hours.

Jeff Bezos Wins And Loses 'World's Richest Person' Title In A Span Of Hours

An uptick in Amazon shares on Thursday morning, July 27, in advance of Amazon's earnings report briefly catapulted Bezos past Gates, making him $1.5 billion overnight. After its shares climbed as high as $1,083.31, which gave Bezos $92.3 billion in net worth, shares fell 0.7 percent to $1,046 four hours later.

Now, Bezos has climbed back down to the second spot, behind Bill Gates again, according to Forbes' billionaires list. That list often fluctuates, presumably because some of the people at the top have net worths not that far apart. For instance, Gates now has $89.8 billion, while Bezos hovers extremely close with $88.7 billion. The next guy on the list, Spanish business tycoon Amancio Ortega, has $83.5 billion.

Though Bezos comes close, Gates's could actually have far, far more riches if it weren't for his philanthropic endeavors, Forbes notes. He has given away $31.1 billion of his wealth over the course of his lifetime up to the end of 2016; who knows how much that number has increased now that we've come midway through 2017?

Amazon: A Success Story

The wealth of Bezos, meanwhile, mostly comes from the notable success of Amazon, which has grown to become not only a massive online retailer, but also a smart device company; a crucial investor of space exploration with Blue Origin; and even a content creator, thanks to its Amazon Video platform that hosts original shows and films.

Amazon's humble beginnings started with book sales, then it expanded to CDs, toys, electronics, and now probably anything money can buy, you can buy from Amazon  and have it delivered quick.

Amazon nearly made $136 billion in revenue last year, with the company now valued at $500 billion  an unimaginable feat of growth from what started as a book retailer. It also helps that unlike other companies with steep valuations, Amazon has stood the test of time because it has crossed "fad" territory and became a category unto itself  simply put, Amazon has defined "online shopping" for years now, and it likely won't stop defining and redefining it anytime soon.

For now, however, Bezos needs to sit behind Gates, still  but as the then-Microsoft-now-turned-philanthropic-firebrand pours more money into charity, Bezos certainly stands a chance at the top seat, though if he even wants the coveted chair remains a question.

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A team of scientists from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and its collaborators successfully sequenced the genes of five Bronze Age Canaanite remains found in an archaeological site in the Near East and made a remarkable discovery.

After comparing the ancient DNA with the DNA of modern-day people, researchers learned that present-day Lebanese had actually descended from Canaanites, who were supposedly annihilated after being subjected to divine judgment.

Who Are The Canaanites?

Canaanites were a mysterious race of people that was effectively driven out of their land and annihilated by Israelites after the Exodus, according to the Old Testament; however, the DNA evidence uncovered by archaeologists offers proof that the ancient race did not actually meet its end.

"We know about ancient Egyptians and ancient Greeks, but we know very little about the ancient Canaanites because their records didn't survive. What is known about the Canaanites is that they lived and traded along the eastern coast of the present-day Mediterranean," lead author of the study Marc Haber explains.

So when Haber's team of researchers extracted and sequenced DNA from the five remains from the Sidon excavation site, they compared it with various ancient populations throughout history. Then they further narrowed it down and compared the ancient DNA with DNA samples extracted from a sample of 99 people  Christians, Druze, and Muslims  currently living in Lebanon. To their surprise, the results showed that the present-day Lebanese and the remains in Sidon share 93 percent of their ancestry.

"We can see the present-day Lebanese can trace most of their ancestry to the Canaanites or a genetically equivalent population. They derive just over 90 percent of their ancestry from the Canaanites," geneticist and co-author of the study Chris Tyler-Smith confirms.

The remaining 7 percent is actually derived from ancient people who migrated from the Steppes.

Did The Bible Get It Wrong?

For a long time, researchers could only look through ancient Greek and Egyptian texts, as well as accounts from the Bible, to learn about the mysterious Canaanites, but the new evidence seems to suggest that the Bible has made a mistake.

Then again, the contents of the Bible were translated mostly from dead languages so there is a big probability that the translation was either wrong or the meaning of the words have changed over time  the same way that what we consider finite numbers now seemed infinite for ancient people.

Even with the strong connection between ancient Canaanites and modern-day Lebanese, the fact that no "pure" Canaanite individual seems to survive today could be considered as "killing off" the ancestry.

Still the implication of the discovery is huge for modern-day Lebanese, especially since the different religions argue over their ancestry, where Christians and Muslims debate whether they descended from Phoenicians or Arabs. As the DNA evidence suggests, they are actually all Canaanites.

"We all belong to the same people. We have always had a difficult past ... but we have a shared heritage we have to preserve," excavation director Claude Doumet-Serhal said.

The team's findings have been published in The American Journal of Human Genetics.

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A latest controversial study published by researchers from Brighton and Sussex Medical School in the UK questioned the idea that patients must consume antibiotics as prescribed by their physicians and asked policy makers to drop the recommendation because it is unnecessary.

The researchers also argued that, contrary to popular belief, the "complete course" recommendation is outdated, not evidence-based, and could even cause an increased risk in antibiotic resistance, but doctors have now fired back and accused the researchers of advocating irresponsible advice that could risk a patient's health.

Both sides have presented their justifications for their position but who is really advocating correct medical advice between the two?

On one side, Martin Llewelyn and his colleagues argued that doctors should consider the fact that short antibiotic treatments can be as effective as  or maybe even more effective than  longer treatments. On the other side, doctors who have been giving prescriptions throughout their careers argue against stopping a prescription prematurely since a decrease in symptoms doesn't always mean the source has been eliminated.

Both actually have valid points to consider but patients should keep in mind that any medical advice should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

To finish or not to finish (prescribed antibiotics), that is the question.

Antibiotics Intake Should Depend On The Patient

According to Llewelyn, et al., the idea that "stopping antibiotics early leads to antibiotic resistance" is not from validated scientific studies. They further claim that the fear of undertreating patients is what drives doctors to recommend longer treatments, and that studies to determine the minimum length of time for treatments have not been performed. Since people continue to take medication past what could be the optimal minimum treatment, diseases tend to develop antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

"Outside hospital, where repeated testing may not be feasible, patients might be best advised to stop treatment when they feel better, in direct contradiction of WHO advice," the researchers say.

The researchers also argued that, when it comes to common bacterial infections, there simply is no evidence to support that stopping antibiotic intake prematurely increases the risk of developing an antibiotic resistant infection. Since this seems to be the case, research is needed to determine the minimum length of time for antibiotic prescriptions.

Doctors Should Determine When To Stop Taking Antibiotics

Of course, it was already clear from the start that the controversial study would not be welcomed with open arms by the medical community; however, not all doctors completely disagree with the researchers. Some experts believe the researchers make a fair point but to only a certain extent.

Most experts believe that the controversial advice should only be considered on a case-by-case basis but that the study's call for research on prescription duration may prove helpful for patients and doctors.

"The evidence for shorter courses of antibiotics being equal to longer courses, in terms of cure or outcome, is generally good, although more studies would help and there are a few exceptions when longer courses are better  for example, TB," St. George's University of London professor of microbial pathogenesis Jodi Lindsay explains.

Royal College of General Practitioners chair professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, on the other hand, defended the practice and explained that most prescriptions are tailor-made to the patient and his or her symptoms. She added that some antibiotic prescriptions are already short so telling patients to further shorten the length by stopping as soon as they feel better is concerning.

"We are concerned about the concept of patients stopping taking their medication midway through a course once they 'feel better', because improvement in symptoms does not necessarily mean the infection has been completely eradicated," Professor Stokes-Lampard said.

Making The Same Mistake

As mentioned earlier, the authors of the controversial study accused that the recommendation to take the full-course or longer antibiotic treatments is not evidence-based, which is why it should be questioned. However, one expert pointed out that Llewelyn and his colleagues also committed the same mistake.

"Arguing that antibiotic course duration is not sufficiently evidence-based is worthwhile, but the editorial essentially argues that patients should not finish their course of antibiotics. This, too, is not evidence-based and increases the likelihood of adverse outcomes for patients disregarding medical advice when a course of antibiotics is clearly warranted," University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine microbiologist Vaughn Cooper argues.

Most experts agree with the authors that more studies are needed to determine the most efficient duration for treatment courses; however, they also agree that recommending patients to stop taking medications based on how they feel alone is irresponsible because it supports a "one-size-fits-all" approach when diseases and their treatments vary.

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Out of nowhere Wednesday, President Donald Trump tweeted that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military.

Never mind that neither the Pentagon nor Joint Chiefs of Staff reportedly had any idea this directive was coming from the commander-in-chief. Never mind that a major policy shift was announced on Twitter without warning or a formal change.

What matters most is that Trump unilaterally chose to bar from military service a population for a reason that had no bearing on their readiness for battle or inability to complete their mission. His decision is ignorant and shameful, continuing a history of discrimination against transgender Americans.

These Americans have met the requirements to serve in the United States armed forces and have volunteered to put their lives on the line in service to their country. Fitness for duty and patriotism are the only things that should matter in selecting soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.

Gender identity has no bearing on ones ability to honorably serve and defend the country.

On the battlefield, the traits that divide us at home  gender, religion, race, political beliefs, geography  disappear. Service members of all backgrounds, including those who are transgender, unite as one to fight for what Trump called decisive and overwhelming victory.

Instead, these troops now find their military careers in flux for no good reason because of the whims of the commander-in-chief. After their fates were completely uncertain for a day, active-duty transgender troops received a reprieve Thursday when the Pentagon announced they could stay in the armed forces for now because the policy that allowed them to serve remained on the books.

Trump later tweeted the U.S. cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.A report commissioned for the Pentagon in 2016 found transgender-related medical treatment would cost between $2.4 million and $8.4 million annually.

In comparison, USA Today estimates Trump exceeded $8.4 million in taxpayer money on his fourth visit to Mar-a-Lago since his inauguration. (His fourth trip to the Florida resort came in early March; hes made seven such journeys already in his presidency.)

Regardless of whatever flimsy justification Trump offers, thousands of Americans who have pledged to fight for their country have now been deemed unworthy to serve by their commander-in-chief, a man whose orders theyve sworn to uphold at the potential cost of their own lives.

Transgender individuals have fought day in and day out for acceptance in society. Now, they have another battle ahead to regain the right to serve their country after Trumps disgraceful decision to disqualify this population from military service.
"Based on these preliminary results (of the census) the redistribution of resources will be made in September 2024, one month earlier than we had proposed," Arce said. | Read More
RACINE COUNTY  The state may restart construction on Interstate 94 in Racine County as part of legislation outlining an incentive package for Foxconn to locate in the area.

The bill allows for more than $250 million in borrowing for the I-94 north-south project, which extends from the Illinois state line through Racine County and up to General Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee.

The funding is contingent on also receiving federal money for the project. Getting that money is no guarantee, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said, but state leaders are hopeful given President Donald Trumps role in recruiting Foxconn to build in the United States.

With how interested the president has been in getting this deal done, it makes perfect sense because its one of the things Foxconn needs, said Vos, R-Rochester.

Foxconn announced it will invest $10 billion in a manufacturing campus in southeastern Wisconsin and directly employ up to 13,000 people. An exact location has not been determined, but legislators say Racine County is a favorite to land the facility.

Walker on Friday called the state Legislature into a Wisconn Valley special session to consider the legislation, which provides up to $3 billion in incentives for Foxconn.

This is a once-in-a-century opportunity for our state and our country, and Wisconsin is ready, Walker said in a statement. Foxconn plans to bring the future of high-tech manufacturing to America, and Wisconsin is going to lead the way.

Under Walkers executive order, the Legislature will begin the special session Aug. 1 to consider the legislation, according to a news release. Vos has said the bill will be referred to committees and he hopes to have it on the floor of the Legislature by mid-August.

State Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, applauded the inclusion of I-94 funding in the bill. Wanggaard was a vocal critic of Gov. Scott Walkers decision to leave the I-94 north-south project out of his proposed state budget.

It is absolutely critical to restart this road project to ensure the success of not just Foxconn, but the many other economic development opportunities that are planning to come our area, Wanggaard said in a statement.
Attendance at the Baton Rouge Zoo reached its lowest point 12 years in 2016, with 218,183 visitors amid floods, unrest in Baton Rouge and conversations about whether the zoo would be better suited in a different location.

The best recent years for the zoo were 2006 and 2010, when the number of visitors each year exceeded 266,000. Baton Rouge saw a population increase after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, thus leading to the 2006 bump; in 2010, the Realm of the Tiger exhibit which opened that year drew big crowds.

And, February 2016 was the zoo's best February in its history, with the highest amount of visitors taking advantage of beautiful weather.

But the summers of 2015 and 2016 were especially wet, and rain also fell during special events on weekends. Zoo officials say flooding and protests also caused lower attendance last year, but they also blame opponents of moving the zoo who have started campaigns for it to stay in north Baton Rouge.

"Mixed messages circulating on social media and from area opponents regarding a possible zoo relocation have no doubt also caused some loss in attendance," said Robyn Lott, director of marketing and public relations for the zoo.

"The Zoo gets calls each week asking if we are still open due to all the confusing messages theyre seeing and reading related to the process of considering a new Zoo vision & re-imagined Greenwood Park," Lott said in a written statement. "Unfortunately, many simply read it and believe it because it sounds like it might be true or comes from what they believe to be a reputable source."

Baton Rouge Zoo and BREC leaders are pitching a $110 million rebuilding campaign that would move the zoo to a yet-to-be-chosen location closer to major thoroughfares. If the zoo moves, BREC also plans a $40 million expansion of Greenwood Park in Baker to replace it.

Zoo Director Phil Frost called the attendance trend over the past decade "mostly flat." Consultants who advised BREC to move the zoo estimate the attraction could reach 500,000 visitors annually in a new spot, while the current location might draw 375,000 a year.

+5 Opposition to moving Baton Rouge Zoo leads to unlikely alliance A conservative business group and a political leader the group is often at odds with on vari

But opponents to moving the zoo say they are not to blame for the zoo's attendance woes.

Metro Councilwoman Chauna Banks aired a video at Thursday's BREC meeting in which former Baker Mayor Pete Heine explains the history of the zoo's location on Thomas Road. Both he and architect Coleman Brown, who also attended the meeting, said poor signage and advertising on roadways is a big reason zoo visits are down.

Brown also noted Capital Area Transit System buses do not have routes to the zoo.

Brown has created a plan that would keep the zoo at its current location, but swap the entrance from Thomas Road to La. 19. In addition to more signage advertising its location, Brown said, BREC has plenty of room to add the proposed amenities for Greenwood Park  horse trails, a water park, zip lines  at its current spot.

BREC maintains they do not have room to both rebuild the zoo and add amenities to Greenwood Park in the same spot. But Brown produced a rendering that shows how it could work.

"We just think there's so much to offer here," Brown said. "Three thousand acres  where else are you going to find that?"

Banks also theorized that attendance was down in 2016 because of a string of animal deaths, as the zoo lost two giraffes, a tiger and three spot-nosed guenons all in a short time span. She said people also do not want to get attached to the zoo right now if they think it will move soon.

The BREC board of commissioners is expected to vote Aug. 24 on the future of the zoo. While BREC has said a "yes" vote does not guarantee a move for the zoo, it would give Superintendent Carolyn McKnight the power to negotiate a lease for the zoo and more leverage to find financing for the plan.
The city-parish has begun distributing disaster funds to help landlords repair smaller rental properties, and it has also received additional federal funding to help care for homeless people.

In a Thursday press conference, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome presented landlord Maurice Harris with a $43,000 grant to help him repair his four-bedroom, single-family house on Wilmot Street. Harris, a drainage inspector for the city, had two rental properties flood, and while he was able to fix one out of pocket, he lacked the resources to repair the other, which he said "is a hot commodity" because of its size.

After the flood, the city-parish received about $11 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and put half the money toward rental repair. There are two programs: one that lets landlords rebuild properties of seven or fewer units, and another that helps nonprofits, housing authorities and companies buy undeveloped land on which to build rental housing.

Metro Council agrees to direct $5.2 million of HUD grant to repair rental units for low-income families Before the Democrats walked out of Wednesday's Metro Council meeting, the council formally a

Both programs require the landlord rent to tenants who make less than 80 percent of the average median income for five years, and the poorest census tracts will receive priority, said Robert Bizot IV, director of recovery housing for the Louisiana Housing Corporation.

The maximum grant for a single-family home is $150,000, but the average is far less. Bizot expects the typical landlord will probably get about $26,000 by the time everything shakes out.

The state has an identical program with a $36 million fund, and information on it is available at lhc.la.gov.

The city-parish also received an additional $201,000 in funding to help homeless people, bringing the total available this year to $459,000, for which various service providers will compete.

The Capital Area Alliance for the Homeless coordinates with about two-dozen organizations that care for people through the entire process, from shelter to temporary housing to permanent housing, said executive director Randy Nichols.

There were 407 homeless people in Baton Rouge counted in the last survey in January. Nichols thinks that may be an under-count, since there were 1,118 in 2009. It also includes only people who are living outside, in cars, in abandoned buildings, or similar circumstances, not people who are doubled up in houses or living elsewhere under a roof that's not their own.
Baton Rouge activist Arthur "Silky Slim" Reed is known for his theatrics, which recently included carrying a noose into City Hall to dramatize his speeches about the need for criminal justice reform and for a revamp of Baton Rouge Police Department policies.

But his comments at Wednesday's Metro Council meeting that "justice came when Gavin Long came"  in reference to the gunman who ambushed and killed three law enforcement officers and wounded three others in July 2016  earned him a reprimand from the mayor and sparked a social media firestorm.

Can't see video below? Click here.

Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome had tapped Reed shortly after she took office in January to serve on a police advisory board that helped create a BRPD use-of-force policy change. On Thursday, Broome said Reed's comments Wednesday were "hateful, offensive, and frankly unacceptable," and said she had asked him to join her now-disbanded advisory group because he was thought to be "a person dedicated to improving police-citizen relations."

Broome also said Reed had been under contract as a "street counselor" for the Baton Rouge Area Violence Elimination program but his contract was canceled and no money was disbursed. The Advocate asked for a copy of that contract Thursday, but has not received it yet.

Interim Chief Administrative Officer James Llorens said the contract was for $9,800 and put in place at the end of June, and Reed would have been speaking to at-risk youth and providing other services. It was not paid out, Llorens said.

Reed was one of many people who lodged grievances Wednesday night with the East Baton Rouge Metro Council over the slow handling of the investigation into the death of Alton Sterling. A Baton Rouge police officer shot and killed Sterling in July 2016 a few weeks before the Gavin Long ambush.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced in May of this year that they would not pursue federal civil rights charges against the officers in the Sterling shooting, Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake III. State Attorney General Jeff Landry has been reviewing the case to determine whether the officers violated any state laws in the incident.

Reed was a frequent presence at protests after Sterling's death, and is one of a handful of activists who has continued to advocate for change. Reed said after Sterling's death that if then-Mayor-President Kip Holden did not resign within 72 hours, protests would not remain peaceful.

On Thursday, Reed said he was particularly wound up Wednesday night because the Metro Council had delayed hearing public input about the Sterling shooting multiple times over the course of months.

At the Metro Council meeting, Reed spoke at the microphone two times, sparring with Mayor Pro Tem Scott Wilson over whether he was staying on topic and telling Metro Council members the first time he spoke that they were a disgrace and that God would strike them down.

The second time Reed spoke, he referenced the Bible, as a previous speaker was chided for "going off topic" by trying to read a Bible verse and being told it was unrelated to the discussion of the EMS call the night Sterling was killed.

"When you stop somebody from reading the Bible  Justice has already been served," Reed then said. "An eye for an eye, so justice came when Gavin Long came."

Wilson interrupted him, saying he was not talking about the topic of EMS. Reed then added that Long had killed officers "at Salamoni's hand, so Salamoni should be charged with the murder of those police officers that were killed because his action is what got those officers killed."

In a phone interview Thursday, Reed said he was trying Wednesday to explain Old Testament justice.

"If Gavin Long committed these acts, then God saw him and knew his thoughts, and He didn't stop it from happening," Reed said Thursday, adding that he believes the Old Testament of the Bible is God's true word.

But Reed, a former gang leader who now speaks about the importance of nonviolence, pointed out Thursday he created an organization called Stop the Killing Inc. And he said he would not disparage BRPD, given that he is depending on its officers to help solve his brother's killing, which happened earlier this year.

"I do not condone the killing of any officers," Reed said. "And I don't glorify anyone who killed any officers."

Reed also said he was upset to see a Facebook post from James Tullier, the father of Sheriff's Deputy Nick Tullier  who was critically injured in the officer shooting last July  about Reed's comments at the Metro Council meeting.

In that post, Tullier said Broome has never reached out to his family despite his son still trying to recover from the shooting left him unable to walk or speak. Broome confirmed Thursday that she does not recall having contact with the Tullier family, but said she has asked the sheriff's office for updates about him.

Reed said he prays for Tullier's family, the families of the other fallen officers and for Sterling's family as well.

Asked about the contract with BRAVE, Reed said he did not know about it.

"The remarks made last night in no way reflect the views of my administration or the people of Baton Rouge," Broome said in her statement Thursday. "The memories of the fallen officers who were killed in the line of duty, protecting the citizens of Baton Rouge, should be honored and preserved."

Reed is not the only member of Broome's police advisory group to have drawn criticism over controversial comments about law enforcement. Gary Chambers, an outspoken activist and publisher of The Rouge Collection, drew a denunciation from the Baton Rouge police union when he was named to Broome's group because of his past public remarks.

Chambers on Thursday distanced himself from Reed's comments, calling the Baton Rouge ambush "murder" and an injustice. Chambers, though, also found himself the subject of a firestorm of criticism over a Facebook Live video recorded on July 7, 2016, shortly after Dallas police officers were ambushed.

"I don't wish death upon any man but I understand the law of reciprocity and what a department sows, or what people sow  if a community or a nation sow something, that shall you also reap," Chambers said in the video.

"I would not have said what (Reed) said," Chambers said Thursday. "I don't want to appear to justify that. Murder is wrong, no matter who does it. I don't consider murder justice."

Chambers, who frequently sounds off at Metro Council meetings about police issues, also blasted Wilson over his management of the Metro Council meetings  accusing Wilson of "bias and bigotry"  for threatening to remove any speakers going "off topic" while speaking about Sterling. Wilson had Chambers removed from a prior council meeting after Chambers started a "shut down the Metro Council protest."

After they escorted him out of that meeting and handcuffed him, BRPD issued Chambers a summons for disturbing the peace and resisting an officer and then they released him.

Reed's comments do not speak for all  or even most  of the residents who have asked for better police/community relations in Baton Rouge.

The Rev. Dale Flowers, pastor at New Sunlight Baptist Church, has been vocal in his calls for change, saying BRPD has not made much progress on that front. Flowers said Thursday that Reed's comments may have risen in the heat of the moment.

"That is not how we feel," Flowers said. "These were our brothers who were murdered and injured, and we grieve for them the same way that we grieve for the family of Alton Sterling."
A grand jury declined on Thursday to indict two Baton Rouge suspects in the November shooting death of up-and-coming rapper and McKinley High School student Keondrae Ricks on Nebraska Street.

The grand jury neither indicted Trashone Maurice Coats, 18, and Monte Carey, 28, on second-degree murder counts nor cleared them.

By pretermitting the case, the panel left open the possibility for East Baton Rouge Parish prosecutors to come back to the grand jury with more evidence. A charge of illegal use of a weapon during a crime of violence also was pretermitted.

Ricks' mother, Kengar Taylor, said Friday she just wants justice for her son who "had a bright future."

"I want them indicted and I want them to get life," she said.

East Baton Rouge Parish Assistant District Attorney Dana Cummings said prosecutors intend to take the case back to the grand jury "if we are able to locate additional witnesses or other evidence."

Second suspect arrested in killing of up-and-coming Baton Rouge rapper in November The second suspect in a November fatal shooting that sparked a string of retaliatory shootin

Ricks, 18, was gunned down as he rode his bike just after midnight Nov. 2 less than a block from where he lived.

A police report says Carey, who was with Coats, confronted Ricks, then went through Ricks' pockets after Coats shot him.

Taylor said her son's killers could have assumed incorrectly that he had money.

"My son didn't have no money," she said.

Coats, 1452 Duane St., and Carey, 1530 Oriole St., both remained in Parish Prison on Friday afternoon.

Coats' legal troubles are far from over.

In June, East Baton Rouge prosecutors charged him  in a case already involving two other defendants  with being a principal to attempted second-degree murder. The other defendants are Michael Onyedinma, 17, and Derrick Keith Guice, 21, the brother of LSU star running back Derrius Guice. Onyedinma, 3036 Calumet St., and Derrick Guice, 710 S. 18th St., also are charged as principals to attempted second-degree murder.

Those charges stem from a drive-by shooting Nov. 3, the day after Ricks was killed and in the same block where he was fatally shot.

The Baton Rouge Police Department has confirmed that the gunfire and shootings that followed Ricks' death were "retaliatory."

The next court appearance for Coats, Onyedinma and Derrick Guice in the Nov. 3 shooting is Sept. 12 before state District Judge Tony Marabella.

Coats also has an Aug. 29 court appearance in front of state District Judge Bonnie Jackson on a charge of possession of a stolen firearm. The firearm was traced back to a Government Street pawn shop burglary in July 2016.

+2 Man found dead on Nebraska Street in Baton Rouge, suffered multiple gunshot wounds An 18-year-old man was found shot to death early Wednesday in the middle of a Baton Rouge st

Coats was arrested the day after the burglary when officers spotted him with a handgun. Coats tried to run but was caught not far away, a police report says. Officers recovered two guns stolen from the pawn shop after Coats tried to hide them.

Carey pleaded guilty in March 2016 to aggravated battery. State District Judge Trudy White put him on active supervised probation for one year.
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A prisoner abducted and killed an assistant warden's teenage stepdaughter after he escaped from a Louisiana prison, authorities said Friday. T
RACINE  A Racine man was charged after he reportedly threatened to shoot a store clerk who asked him for identification.

Daniel Kirk, 20, of the 2000 block of DeKoven Avenue, was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer.

On Thursday, officers were sent to Liquor Depot, 1401 Washington Ave., on a report that a man was yelling and making threats at a store clerk, according to a criminal complaint.

When officers arrived, Kirk was reportedly standing near the register talking on a cellphone. When police told Kirk to get off the phone and put his hands in the air, Kirk refused, the complaint states.

Officers told Kirk if he didnt comply, they would use a stun gun. Police grabbed Kirks arms and placed him in a squad car, according to the complaint.

The clerk later told police Kirk came to the store to get a money order, but when asked for identification, Kirk became agitated and verbally aggressive and talked about coming back to shoot the clerk. A witness substantiated the clerks claims, the complaint said.

Kirk was asked to leave but refused. The clerk said he was calling police but when he picked up the phone, Kirk grabbed the phone from him, the complaint states. The clerk then called police on a personal cellphone.

Kirk remained in custody as of Friday afternoon, records show.
Ashley Volion, left, talks with Brian McNabb, right, state director of Sen. Bill Cassidys office in Baton Rouge, as parents, children and healthcare providers gather at the Baton Rouge office of Sen. Bill Cassidy to urge him and other senators to avoid cuts to Medicaid.
In this Friday, July 7, 2017, file photo U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G-20 Summit in Hamburg. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
Sarah Fanguy browses books during the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press Warehouse Clearance book sale Wednesday, April 19, 2017, at the DuprZ Library in Lafayette, La. The sale, which includes dozens of books published by the UL-Lafayette Press, are being offered at deep discounts ranging from free to ten dollars.
Former top deputy to Jefferson Sheriff Newell Normand pleads not guilty to tax charge

Craig Taffaro, former top deputy to Newell Normand, pleads not guilty to tax charge
YORKVILLE  A second Racine man is charged with attempted arson of a Jeep found in Yorkville Monday.

Racine resident Jake A. Isaac, 44, of the 1300 block of Chatham St. in Racine is now charged along with Andres M. Avila, 29, of the 800 block of Villa Street, with attempted arson of a property other than a building, obstructing an officer, criminal damage to property, criminal damage to other machines.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Monday, Racine County Sheriff's Office deputies saw a Ford Windstar van parked on the shoulder at 55th Drive and Washington Avenue in Yorkville and pulled up to the van.

Avila got out of the van, approached deputies and told them that the van was having problems or "it ran out of gas."

Deputies noticed a Jeep about 20 to 30 yards south, off the road in a field. Avila said he had not seen the Jeep until deputies shined a spotlight on it.

Outside of the Jeep was a 5-gallon gas can; both the driver and passenger's seats smelled like gasoline. There also were puddles of gasoline on the floor, and the hood of the Jeep appeared wet and smelled of gasoline.

Deputies searched the area with a K-9 unit and located Isaac. Isaac told deputies he was driving the Jeep and it started to stutter so he pulled into a field and called Avila to bring him gas. He also told deputies the car smelled like gas because a gas can tipped over in the backseat.

Deputies contacted the Jeep's owner, who said Isaac had permission to use the Jeep whenever he wanted and had keys, but he did not give him permission to sell or damage the car. The owner also stated he never had problems with it stuttering or running out of gas.

Isaac and Avila are scheduled for a preliminary hearing 9am Aug. 2 at the Racine County Circuit Court, 717 Wisconsin Ave.

If convicted of the most serious charge they both could see up to 7 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Isaac was no longer in the Racine County Jail as of Thursday evening. Avila remained in custody on a $5,000 cash bond.
The ACT Government is considering allowing developers a bigger footprint or more storeys in apartment buildings than otherwise allowed in return for providing more affordable housing and better access for people with disabilities.

The possibility was raised on Friday in a discussion paper released by Housing Minister Yvette Berry which foreshadows a Territory Plan change to "increase the range of housing options".

Housing minister Yvette Berry: Has released a dicussion paper calling for ideas to boost affordable housing. Credit:Karleen Minney

The move "may subsequently increase the amount of affordable housing that is available", the paper says.

The paper is not clear on the details, but refers to "relaxing code requirements" and envisages new precinct codes to ensure a mix of housing. Asked for detail, a government spokesman said this could allow affordable housing close to employment areas.
Ian and Carolyn Thomson, the parents of the late Canberra track worker Riharna Thomson, with their younger daughter Bessie, seven, at their home in Salamander Bay on Friday. They say confronting the issue of Riharna's organ donation was difficult but ultimately the best thing for their recovery. Credit:Simone De Peak Riharna, known for being a thoughtful and determined girl, had registered as an organ donor before her death. "I can still remember the afternoon we were just sitting out the back and she brought it up that she was going to do it and I was like, ' Oh, yeah, it's never going to happen to you' sort of thing," Mr Thomson said. While her funeral was held in her hometown of Tamworth, a memorial service was also held for Riharna Thomson in Canberra. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong And then the unthinkable happened. Their brave, independent daughter, the "kid you didn't have to worry about", had suffered serious head injuries in the fall from the horse and was on life support.

Her parents were candid in explaining how confronting it had been in the hospital dealing with the organ donation as they were still coping with the sudden death of their daughter. Mr Thomson's first instinct was to protect his little girl, even though she was gone. Riharna Thomson's family say knowing she did register to be an organ donor and her organs were donated has helped them to cope with her death. Credit:Graham Tidy Like she's still out there. Not Riharna, but she's helped someone else sort of thing Riharna Thomson's father Ian "After the time came when we knew she wasn't going to recover, a representative from Donate for Life came around and said, 'Did you realise?' and I was like, 'Oh, yep, here we go'," he said. "And it was real sort of, 'There's no way in the world you're going to come in and attack her body and just take what you want'. But then sitting down and realising and them telling us, 'You could probably help six to eight people in doing it'.

"And since we've done it, it's probably one of the major things that has helped us get over it, Knowing that there's people out there that have received the organs." The couple, who had businesses in Tamworth and Walcha and now run a hotel at Salamander Bay near Newcastle, have chosen to speak about their daughter's last gift during DonateLife Week from July 30 to August 6. The week is about urging Australians to join the Australian Organ Donor Register at donatelife.gov.au and discuss their donation decisions with their loved ones. The Thomsons feel some peace despite the situation being daunting at the time. "As awful as the decision was, at the end of the day it felt right," Mrs Thomson said.

"And it is, it is the right thing to do. All those misgivings sort of left us when we made the decision." Mr Thomson agreed. "It's like she's still out there. Not Riharna, but she's helped someone else sort of thing," he said. When Riharna's organs were being transported out of the hospital to be taken to the Canberra airport for flights to interstate hospitals, her family, friends and workmates formed an impromptu guard of honour in the carpark as they were taken away. The Canberra - and national - racing communities were rocked by her death.

Jockeys, strappers, trainers and owners were united in their grief. Leading jockey Tommy Berry attended Riharna's funeral in Tamworth and dedicated a win at Royal Randwick to her. The Canberra Racing Club will name a race in her honour at the Black Opal Stakes, the next on March 11. It will be named the Riharna Thomson Bracelet, with the trophy, a bracelet, to go the winning jockey. "We had no idea how well-regarded or how well-known she was. It sort of gobsmacked me with the amount of people who knew her," Mr Thomson said. The Thomsons said Riharna was about seven when she got her first horse, riding it on their property at Tamworth. She went to the New England Girls' School in Armidale which had an equine complex and encouraged her love of horses.

Mr Thomson said he did worry about his daughter riding race horses but she always just smiled and told him it was all okay. "It was always in the back of your head but it was never going to happen to her," he said. Riharna was studying politics at the Australian National University in Canberra, something which "came out of left-field" as the family was "not political at all". "I think realistically, as much as she liked politics, I think horses is where she was going to go in the end," Mrs Thomson said. "That was going to be her life focus."

The Thomsons have two boys, Colin; 21; and Braden, 20; and their daughter Bessie, seven. They see a lot of Riharna in Bessie, who also loves horses. They think of Riharna "every day". Quiet. Determined. Able to talk to anyone. "She knew what she wanted out of life and it didn't matter what obstacles were in her way," Mrs Thomson said. "She was going to do it. And she wanted to do it on her own." Her brothers and friends used the hashtag #rideonriharna in social media posts following her death. It now has even more meaning as her gift of life, her organ donation, created the greatest legacy for a young girl who just loved horses.
Harvey Norman has handed over documents about an asbestos scare at the retail giant's Fyshwick warehouse after a demand from the ACT's work safety watchdog.

A Harvey Norman spokeswoman confirmed the retailer had complied in full to the demand from WorkSafe ACT before the 3pm deadline.

Asbestos. Credit- Alamy Credit:Chrispo / Alamy Stock Photo

WorkSafe ACT confirmed it had received the documents and would now assess if the demand for information had been fully met.

The work safety watchdog issued the demand for documents on Friday afternoon, saying it had not yet received a comprehensive asbestos assessment for the warehouse from Harvey Norman.
Qantas will stop using a toxic firefighting foam that spilled from a hangar into the Brisbane River earlier this year.

A faulty pressure gauge at the airline's Brisbane hangar has been blamed for spilling about 22,000 litres of the substance in April.

Protective barriers designed to contain any spill also failed.

About one third of that is believed to have made it into local waterways.
A man accused of launching cyber attacks on companies, including Fairfax Media, in an attempt to expunge his name from online stories, has been arrested in Seattle, Washington.

Officers from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation took conman Kamyar "Andy" Jahanrakhshan, 37, into custody early on Wednesday morning, US time.

The arrest came after a 2-year joint operation between the FBI, the Australian Federal Police and the Toronto Police Department in Canada.

Under a number of aliases, Mr Jahanrakhshan, a Seattle resident, allegedly tried to coerce companies - mostly news outlets - into removing online references to his past as a convicted fraudster.

A series of businesses in the US, Canada and Australia began reporting in early 2015 that an individual was making demands while launching distributed denial of service, or DDoS, attacks.
Martin Shkreli could only sit and listen as a federal prosecutor tore into him, calling him a liar who doubled down on his crimes when the going got tough.

The flamboyant former pharmaceutical executive who's maintained a high-profile social media presence is known more for hurling obnoxious insults at his Facebook or Twitter followers than taking criticism silently. But on Thursday, during hours of closing arguments in his fraud trial in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, he had no choice.

Shkreli had told "lies upon lies," Assistant US Attorney Alixandra Smith told the jury on Thursday. And outlining the government's case against him, she recounted the numerous lies Shkreli allegedly told investors in order to win their trust -- and persuade them to give him money.

While Shkreli's investors to this day have no idea what actually happened to the money, the evidence helps "pull back the curtain" on four elaborate fraud schemes, she said. They include the start of Retrophin to repay clients after Shkreli's hedge fund imploded, she said.
Queensland senator Matt Canavans claim that his mother signed him up for Italian citizenship  without his knowledge or consent  is a convenient justification for an embarrassing oversight that could cost him his political career. Australias Constitution bars dual citizens from standing for, or sitting in, federal parliament.

Canavan says he did not know he was an Italian citizen. He was not born in Italy and he has never lived in Italy  yet he was seemingly able to obtain Italian citizenship. How?

Italys citizenship policy is considered one of the most generous among European countries. Based on the ius sanguinis principle (law of blood), it allows Italian descendants to pass on Italian citizenship to family members.

The policy does not put any limitations on Italian citizenship acquired in this way. If a person can demonstrate they have an Italian ancestor, they are entitled to apply for Italian citizenship and acquire full citizenship rights. This includes voting rights and a pension, together with a European Union passport.
Graham Douglas Miller, who has died aged 91, was a pioneer in the field of teaching physics, that branch of science which we connect with Galileo, Newton and Einstein, among others. Graham's enduring passion was to spread understanding of the work of the intellectual giants of science among the youth of Victoria by revealing its relevance in their everyday lives. At the time the STEM acronym was unknown, but similar teaching imperatives were well recognised.

Always destined to be a teacher, Graham was born in 1926 in the house that accompanied the one-room school at Corryong in north-east Victoria where his father, Royal Miller, was the only teacher. His mother Dorothy (nee Old) was also a teacher, but of course had to relinquish her career on marrying, a situation which persisted until the law changed in 1956.

Graham Miller explains combustion in one of the first of a series of science programs broadcast direct from the studio to the classroom.

As was common at the time, Royal was transferred by the Education Department and the family moved from Corryong to Euroa and then Horsham, where he took up positions at larger schools. It was in Horsham that Graham undertook his senior schooling, passing his matriculation and entering the University of Melbourne, where he graduated in 1946 with a Bachelor of Science and then in 1947 with a Diploma of Education.

Following qualification as a teacher, Graham moved around the state, teaching at Frankston High School (1948), Maryborough High School (1949-53) and Leongatha High School (1954-56). In the years 1957-58 he journeyed further afield to the UK, where he taught at a range of schools including Thames Valley Grammar School.
MILWAUKEE  Taking a victory lap after a monumental business announcement at the White House, state officials celebrated with Foxconn leaders Thursday after the company announced a $10 billion investment in southeastern Wisconsin.

Gov. Scott Walker and Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou participated in a ceremony at the Milwaukee Art Museum as they signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which lays out the parameters of a deal that will include up to $3 billion in state incentives.

The location of Foxconns plant, which will manufacture liquid crystal display (LCD) screens, still has not been determined. But all eyes are on Racine County as talks between state, local and company leaders continue.

We certainly like our chances, said Mount Pleasant Village President Dave DeGroot, who was at the Milwaukee event. Weve worked very, very hard at bringing this home to Racine County. We know that were in the mix.

However this goes down, it is just a huge win for our neck of the woods in economic development, housing growth, real estate values going up. I dont see where theres a loser in any of this.

Because of the people

Why did Foxconn pick Wisconsin?

With Lake Michigan as his backdrop, Gou told a crowd of a few hundred people at the Milwaukee Art Museum it was because of the people, including Walker. Gou noted Walker flew to southeast Asia on a weekend to meet him, joking that nobody works on the weekends.

This is my home, our home, Wisconsin, Gou said.

The governor promised Wisconsin is ready for the huge investment and thousands of workers it will take to staff the Foxconn facility, in addition to the construction jobs and indirect jobs that will result from it.

The plant will eventually employ up to 13,000 people, with 10,000 construction jobs and 22,000 indirect and induced jobs throughout the state expected to be created, according to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.

They could be anywhere. But they chose Wisconsin, Walker said, adding, They chose us because were ready.

Walker said he teared up watching a television report from Pudgys Pub, a Racine bar where patrons cheered Wednesdays announcement at the White House.

Thats what its all about, Walker said to applause.

The governor is set to tour the state Friday to promote the Foxconn deal, with stops planned in Appleton, Wausau, Eau Claire and La Crosse.

Incentive package coming

The MOU signed Thursday sets the parameters for upcoming legislation. It calls for Foxconn to create up to 13,000 jobs with an estimated average salary of $53,875 over a period of up to six years.

The company wont be eligible for state incentives if it doesnt fulfill its job-creation and investment promises, Walker and other state officials have said.

Legislation detailing the states incentive package could be brought forward as early as Friday, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said. He hopes to have it on the floor of the Legislature by mid-August.

I want to get this deal moving, said Vos, R-Rochester.

Incentives from municipal and county governments are still unknown. But the state bill will likely include language on some local items, such as permits, to expedite the development process, Vos said. Foxconn has said it wants to begin construction in 2018 and have the plant operational by 2020.

Legislators will also look at altering tax-incremental financing laws for the Foxconn project to allow for more borrowing, similar to what the Legislature did for the Amazon distribution center in Kenosha, Vos said.

Tax-incremental financing districts, which are separate from property tax dollars, allow municipalities to use increased tax increment from new development to pay for infrastructure costs.

State Rep. Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, said he has asked Walker to give plenty of notice about hearings so local elected officials can be there to testify and express any concerns about the deal.

Im hopeful that ... taxpayers can feel comfortable, that local elected officials can feel comfortable, that we can get to that win-win-win that everybody wants to see happen, Barca told reporters in Milwaukee.

State Rep. Cory Mason acknowledged skepticism among some Democrats and wants to see more details of the deal, but what he has seen so far makes a lot of sense given the potential for the area.

Mason believes the Racine area is ready for the Foxconn facility  and more manufacturing, specifically.

Racine has done manufacturing really well for more than 100 years, said Mason, D-Racine. To get a chance at doing 21st Century manufacturing and really excelling at that, that would be phenomenal for us.
An Australian bird, the regent honeyeater, is at more risk of extinction than the giant panda or the Sumatran rhino according to a top environment researcher.

Once abundant across southeastern Australian, including Victorian and New South Wales, more generous estimates put the wild population at as low as 350 birds.

The Australian regent honeyeater is at extreme risk of extinction.

ANU's Bird Research Group's lead researcher Ross Crates said the longer they left the birds to fend for themselves, the harder it would be to fix.

"The message really is if we're going to save the species, we need to do it now," Mr Crates said.
The Liberal Party has declared Victorian MP Julia Banks is in the clear and her eligibility for the Federal Parliament - as a potential dual citizen of Greece - is not in doubt after a day of high drama that at one point saw the Turnbull government's slender one-seat majority in question.

In a statement issued late on Friday evening, a spokesman for the federal Liberal Party said: "We have received confirmation from the Greek Embassy that, according to records, Julia Banks is not registered as a Greek citizen and also is not entitled as a Greek citizen."

That statement is designed to put to bed doubts about Ms Banks' status as, or entitlement to, Greek citizenship.

Ms Banks had earlier declared to Fairfax Media that "I have never taken up Greek citizenship" and that "I was born in Australia as was my mother. My father was born in Greece. Both my parents were Australian citizens at the time of my birth."
Pauline Hanson's sister could replace embattled senator Malcolm Roberts in the Senate if he is found to be ineligible because of his British dual citizenship.

Fairfax Media can reveal bankruptcy proceedings have been filed against the third person on One Nation's Queensland Senate ticket, Fraser Anning, potentially ruling him constitutionally ineligible too.

Senator Roberts' position in the Senate is hanging by a thread after he revealed on Thursday night he did not receive confirmation from British authorities that his renunciation had been successful until a full six months after he nominated as a candidate and five months after the election. It remains unclear whether he took "reasonable steps" - as required by the constitution - to renounce prior to nominating.

Two of the nation's top constitutional experts believe he may have been invalidly elected and believe the High Court should consider the matter.
Taken from a scene in The Matrix, in which Keanu Reeves's character chooses between swallowing a red pill (a truth-revealing chemical that allows him to see ruthless reality) or a blue pill (which maintains the blinkers of blissful ignorance), The Red Pill was the second top-selling movie in Australia on YouTube in June, after Hugh Jackman's blockbuster, Logan. The term has been co-opted by the men's rights movement to refer to the so-called "red pill" moments when it dawns on them they are really living in a women's world. "You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe,"says Laurence Fishburne's character Morpheus in The Matrix. "You take the red pill  and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes." As Jaye explains it, she was sucked down a rabbit hole herself in the course of making the documentary, not only with regards to her feminism but also the policy prescriptions of the men's movement ("Sometimes I think the MRAs are just duping me," she reflects in one of her many in-film video diaries). "When I started this project, my perception of MRAs was definitely negative," she tells me. "I thought they'd say shocking things, that it would be a peek inside a misogynistic community. But when I started to listen to them, I began to empathise with a lot of their issues." While the overall arc of The Red Pill is sympathetic to the MRAs, choosing to focus on their gentler rather than darker side, it also contains interviews with feminists and critics of the men's movement, who point out that the real-life data on the position of women doesn't back up the MRA vision of the world. Says Jaye: "As a filmmaker I'm not trying to insist that the audience agrees with the MRAs or the feminist voices in the movie  they can make up their own minds." It's not easy teasing the strands of the men's movement apart. On the one hand they seem a throwback, complaining that in an increasingly feminised society, men  no longer kings of the castle  are belittled in the likes of popular culture (think jokes about multiskilling) and the Family Court (being devalued as fathers). On the other, they're calling for an end to old-fashioned chivalry (opening a car door, being the last off a sinking ship), declaring it redundant in an equal world. Im not anti-feminist nor do I consider The Red Pill anti-feminist. But thats how the Australian media were trying to brand me.

The MRAs fire off a battery of US statistics (outlined in The Red Pill) to prove their point and repeatedly insist they're not trying to drive women, barefoot and pregnant, back into the kitchen. Among those numbers: that men represent 80 per cent of suicides, 93 per cent of workplace fatalities and 98 per cent of deaths on the battlefield. The MRAs put this down to male life being seen as less valuable, more disposable, citing news reports on natural disasters and terrorist attacks in which phrases abound like "100 people were killed, including women and children". In calling for an end to chivalry, the MRAs don't seem so far away from feminists who call for a stop to the male-power thinking that underpins it, that only decades ago branded women the "weaker sex" in need of masculine protection. "Men are seen as success objects and women as sex objects," says author Warren Farrell, whose book The Myth of Male Power is the bible of the men's movement. "Women cannot hear what men do not say," adds Farrell in The Red Pill. Reflecting on some men's tendency to silence, Jaye says: "Even in my own relationship with my fiance, I began to realise he knew every grievance I had, because I'd let him know." Most of his own sacrifices, especially during the filming of The Red Pill, went unspoken, she explains. The MRAs point out that it's overwhelmingly men who do society's more dangerous jobs: securing steel beams on 100-storey skyscrapers, going down mines, building interstate highways and rail lines and driving the trucks and trains that run on them, operating oil rigs, excavating for natural gas, fighting bushfires, rescuing injured people from mountain tops and burning buildings. Predictably, this prompts Paul Elam, the ruddy-faced, high-profile public face of the men's movement in the US, to gripe in The Red Pill: "You don't hear feminists complaining that there aren't more women coal miners and ditch diggers." Jaye weighs in on whether, to purloin a comment from American social critic Camille Paglia, feminists shouldn't give credit  to men  where credit is due. "Our cultural conditioning is that women have been oppressed and men are the oppressors, but it's more complicated than that," she tells me. The subtleties, she argues, often aren't picked up in the media, which usually opt for default political positions.

Jaye took particular exception to the "gotcha" video graphic that preceded her interview with Waleed Aly, Carrie Bickmore and Peter Helliar on The Project, which claimed that 2300 men's right's activists funded her film. Jaye says she emphatically denied this in her 15-minute pre-recorded interview with the show, a statement which didn't make it to air. "The film, which took three-and-a-half years to make, was funded by three self-identifying feminists: myself, my mother, who was the producer of the film, and my fiance, who was the director of photography," she tells me. Only in post-production did Jaye, having depleted her coffers, upload a Kickstarter video for crowd funding, the online equivalent of standing on the street, holding out your hat. "It was very clear that feminists, men's activists, and mostly people who don't identify with either, contributed funds," she explains. "But this explanation wasn't a snappy enough sound-bite for The Project." Jaye scored a counter strike when she appeared on Weekend Sunrise, where she faced co-hosts Andrew O'Keefe and Monique Wright. "Did you see the film?" she asked, frustrated by the line of questioning. O'Keefe had to admit he hadn't watched it in its entirety. (To be fair, he went on to suggest viewers watch it, and has since emailed Jaye his own critique.) Jaye being grilled during her The media weren't the only ones trigger-ready to object: the University of Sydney's student union set up a campus protest and screening boycott, claiming The Red Pill had "the capacity to intimidate and physically threaten women on campus". To someone like me who's seen the film, that seems a very big stretch. For those who haven't, Jaye's earlier films are not the stuff of right-wing cultural propaganda. Daddy I Do, her 2010 documentary about the US purity ball movement  the odd and vaguely creepy practice of girls pledging to their fathers to remain virgins until they wed  shows that sex education results in a lower teen pregnancy rate because many pledgers still had sex before marriage while being less likely to use contraception. Daddy I Do won numerous awards at film festivals around the world, and became an educational tool to promote sex education in US schools.

Jaye's heart-wrenching 2012 documentary about gay marriage, The Right to Love, features two gay fathers  one a police officer and Gulf War veteran, the other a stay-at-home dad  who are raising a pair of kids while battling against a tide of hate and prejudice. Explains Jaye: "No straight couple was willing to adopt the kids as a pair  some were willing to take the girl, but not the boy, because he suffers from Goldenhar syndrome [a life-threatening disease in which half the face develops at a slower rate]." Jaye, who was drawn to the solidarity she saw within the couple's local circle, enthuses that "it was very well received by the LGBTI community". The film went on to win four documentary awards. So let's back up a little. A critique of purity balls? A crusading doco about gay marriage? How then did Jaye become a cause celebre for conservatives and target practice for the left? She explains that as a documentary filmmaker she's simply drawn to politically controversial topics, and in the course of making The Red Pill began to question her feminist beliefs. But there was no flash moment, no post-feminist epiphany. In fact, Jaye insists she has a firm commitment to equality of the sexes. "I'm not anti-feminist, nor do I consider The Red Pill anti-feminist. But that's how the Australian media were trying to brand me. I'm not a men's rights activist, and there are many aspects of the men's rights movement with which I personally disagree." It's probably not hard to guess why Jaye would seem the perfect poster girl for anti-feminists: young, attractive and media friendly, she cuts quite a different shape from the testy, grey-haired men who usually front the cameras on MRA issues. "I interviewed some younger men, but they weren't as articulate as the older generation," she says. Jaye, who won a Women in Film award for The Red Pill at the Hollywood DigiFest festival the day before we meet, began her career at 18, when she set off for LA to take a crack at acting after graduating from high school in Las Vegas. For three years from 2004 she endured the usual struggling-actor lows: surviving on waitressing shifts ("I was the worst waiter"), refusing to go topless ("I was frequently scantily clad") and grabbing walk-on roles in low-budget horror films, the most notable of which was Cosmic Radio with Daryl Hannah. "I was very blonde with a round face and so would often be cast as a bimbo, but in my mind I wanted Hilary Swank-type roles," she recalls with a smile.

The Hollywood blast furnace forged Jaye's feminism as a young woman, if only because she was taken aback by the excess of old-fashioned sexism. "In LA, women's sexuality is their power, whether it's being a sexual figure in films or behind the scenes, becoming sexually friendly with the producers," she says. "It wasn't something I felt at all comfortable with. Although I'm no longer a feminist [as a result of making The Red Pill], I still care about women's issues." Jaye discovered her true calling during the Writers Guild of America strike of 2007, when all the acting work dried up. Living in a rundown apartment in West Hollywood, the then 21-year-old found herself with free days and an unlimited subscription to the Blockbuster video rental chain. "After exhausting all the independent films I wanted to watch, I started hiring documentaries, and fell in love with the way they caught all those authentic moments  unspoken things like tics, frowns or the way a mouth moves." Jaye discovered that the documentary form synthesised her two passions: true-life stories and the real human characters who form them. Within months she had established a production company with her mother, abstract artist Nena Jaye, naming it Jaye Bird Productions. Because of her own preference for stepping back, Jaye has an ability to put her subjects at ease  a gift for a documentary maker ("People reveal more when you give them the air to think"). This has led to accusations that Jaye didn't challenge her subjects enough in The Red Pill, especially MRA head Paul Elam, whose website has been described as misogynist by the Southern Poverty Law Centre, a hate-group watchdog. "It just seems to me you don't really question their views in the film," said O'Keefe in the Weekend Sunrise interview. Jaye interviewed the MRAs public face, Paul Elam.

While it's a safe bet Elam probably wouldn't have stayed in front of the cameras  and vented about how he really felt  had Jaye adopted a more hardline form of questioning, viewers were owed a more balanced back-story. You don't have to dig very deeply to learn that the now 60-year-old Elam once created a website called RegisterHer, which encouraged men to name and shame women who supposedly made false rape allegations. He also set up the A Voice for Men site in 2009 that has its 13,000 members posting grievances in Reddit-like forums. Among other things, A Voice for Men calls for an "end to rape hysteria" and contains many highly offensive comments about women, posted under the convenient cloak of anonymity. Married three times, and estranged from his first two wives, Elam abandoned the biological kids from his first marriage, refusing to pay child support. "I went into The Red Pill thinking I was going to expose the men's rights movement, which is why I interviewed Paul Elam," explains Jaye. "I was horrified by what I'd read and thought he was the source of the problem. But if I didn't feature Elam, Sunrise and The Project would be asking why I didn't interview the most high-profile MRA. As a documentary filmmaker I'm interested in listening to all sides of a group." Which of course doesn't address the issue of why a more balanced approach wasn't taken. Jaye acknowledges that men are more predisposed to violence than women. US figures presented in The Red Pill report that men commit more than 90 per cent of homicides and 98 per cent of rapes. Across the globe, from armed conflict to terrorism, most violence is committed by men. But the component that is often overlooked  raised in The Red Pill  is that while women are far and away the primary victims of domestic violence, in 2010 men were the victims in almost four out of five non-domestic homicides and aggravated assaults. Jaye was blind-sided on The Project when co-host Carrie Bickmore explained that domestic violence is "really on the agenda" in Australia because of Rosie Batty, who has campaigned against it since 2014, when her 11-year-old son Luke was killed by his father Greg Anderson (Batty was named Australian of the Year in 2015).

Jaye hadn't heard of the tragedy. "And it was his son that passed away?" a bewildered Jaye asked her hosts. "It was her son that was killed by his father," Waleed Aly said. "That's interesting, because it shows that there are male victims of domestic violence," Jaye replied. "Sorry  that's the lesson you took from that?" Aly asked incredulously. s Carrie Bickmore caught Jaye off-guard.

It wasn't a great moment for Jaye, who now explains: "I had no idea who Rosie Batty was. Violence against women is a huge problem in Australia and the rest of the world. But we shouldn't be saying that only women can be victims." Having since read up on the case, Jaye acknowledges that Batty suffered horrendously at the hands of Anderson. "But there are many boys who are victims of domestic violence by male figures, and we shouldn't forget that." Indeed we shouldn't, but experts on domestic violence don't claim that victims are purely female; just mostly. Further, many see crimes such as the murder of Luke Batty as really all about punishing the mother. If a red pill moment is one in which you see the world with brutal, unforgiving clarity, then by any measure it's still a man's world. Never mind the very real problems for women in the West. For women in other parts of the world it's a far, far grimmer picture of powerlessness. Honour killings. Arranged marriage. Child marriage. Sexual slavery. Minimal or no education. Restricted reproductive rights. No right to vote, to drive, to travel without permission. The women who blazed a path to the freedoms and rights Western women enjoy today faced hostility and scorn not only from men, but from a powerful posse of conservative women who opposed female suffrage and any divergence from non-traditional paths. The resistance rumbled on over the decades, from opposing access to the pill in the 1960s, with claims it would lead to promiscuity and the breakdown of marriage, to later resisting reproductive rights, equal workplace opportunities and abortion. Jaye acknowledges her own career would not have been possible without the sacrifice of her brave feminist predecessors. "I'm career-driven, so I'm grateful to the previous generations who brought about a more even playing field," she says, adding as I prepare to leave: "You know why I'm not anti-feminist? Because I see feminists doing wonderful things for gender equality. All my friends and family are feminists; after all, I live in San Francisco."
London: Prince William has written about his time as an air ambulance pilot, describing the job as one of "extreme emotion" with moments of "profound grief".

He wrote a letter, published in the local newspaper, after flying his final shift with with the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) on Thursday night.

William had been based at Marshall Airport, near Cambridge, as part of a team of specialist doctors, critical care paramedics and pilots providing emergency medical services across four English counties.

"Over the past two years I have met people from across the region who were in the most desperate of circumstances. As part of the team, I have been invited into people's homes to share moments of extreme emotion, from relief that we have given someone a fighting chance, to profound grief," he wrote.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has confirmed his chief of staff Greg Moriarty has been appointed the new secretary of Defence.

The appointment, revealed by Fairfax Media this month, replaces former Defence boss Dennis Richardson and sees Mr Turnbull name his third chief of staff this year, after Drew Clarke retired in April.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with new Defence boss Greg Moriarty. Credit:Andrew Meares

Respected former diplomat Peter Woolcott will lead Mr Turnbull's office from September 4, when Mr Moriarty begins his five year term at Defence.

Mr Turnbull praised Mr Moriarty, saying he brought a considerable range and depth of experience to the role. Mr Moriarty served as the government's first counter-terrorism coordinator.
It sits like an early Christmas present for trainspotters.

Wrapped in large sheets of white plastic, the first of the new trams for Sydney's $2.1 billion light rail line from the central business district to the south east has secretly arrived at a new stabling yard under construction near Randwick Racecourse.

The consortium building the light rail line would have succeeded in hiding its presence ahead of an unveiling by the government but for eagle-eyed local residents, who were intrigued by what was underneath the white wrapping.

Assembled in France by transport conglomerate Alstom, the front section of the red-coloured Citadis X05  complete with driver's compartment  now at Randwick will eventually be coupled to another vehicle to form a 67-metre light rail tram.
Opposition housing spokesman Stephen Bennett said there was now a "massive, rampant problem" in south-east Queensland with shoddy timber retaining walls.

Mr Bennett, a registered builder before being elected to Parliament, said he had raised serious concerns about shoddy retaining wall standards with Housing Minister Mick de Brenni and senior departmental staff more than 12 months ago.

Queensland's opposition housing spokesman Stephen Bennett has criticised the government's response to faulty retaining walls.

"He should put in place another rapid investigation team and get out there on the ground and do what you should be doing," Mr Bennett said.

He said he had received complaints that hundreds of retaining walls were not built to specification, certification was ignored and building codes breached.
MILWAUKEE  Gov. Scott Walker and state officials are welcoming Foxconn leaders to Wisconsin in an event at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

The event celebrates the company's $10 billion plan for a manufacturing campus in southeastern Wisconsin, according to the governor's office. An exact location for the Foxconn plant hasn't been determined, but Racine County is believed to be a leading contender for the facility, which could employ up to 13,000 people to manufacture liquid crystal display (LCD) screens.

6 p.m. The memorandum of understanding is released. Document is vague.

5:50 p.m. The ceremony wraps up with wings of the art museum opening and music playing as Walker and Gou hold up the Wisconsin flag.

The memorandum of understanding does not specify a location, which is still unclear. Land on Highway 11 near Interstate 94 appears to be a primary target.

5:40 p.m. The speeches are over and leaders are now preparing to sign the memorandum of understanding. Details of the MOU are not immediately available.

5:35 p.m. Gou getting laughs from the crowd and emphasizing the reasons why Foxconn is coming to the state.

"Why Wisconsin? Great people," Gou said.

5:28 p.m. Gou says Foxconn chose Wisconsin because of the people, including Walker, who flew to southeast Asia on a weekend to meet Gou. Gou jokes that nobody works on the weekends.

5:25 p.m. Gou now on stage, praising Wisconsin and noting the location of the event on the Lake Michigan shoreline.

"This is my home, our home, Wisconsin," Gou says.

5:21 p.m. Walker touting Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou, says his team is excited to invest in Wisconsin. "They could be anywhere. But they chose Wisconsin. ... they chose it because we're ready."

5:16 p.m. Walker says he teared up watching a media report from a Racine bar, where patrons cheered Wednesday's announcement at the White House.

"That's what it's all about," Walker said to applause.

5:13 p.m. Why did Foxconn pick Wisconsin? "We're ready," Walker says.

5:12 p.m. On worker training: Walker says a project this big will help draw talent to the region. "This is something we'll say to our children and their children's children ... this is the place to be now and forevermore."

5:11 p.m. Walker reiterating the job numbers announced Wednesday and hitting on a theme that Foxconn products will be "made in America." He also repeats the name of the development: WisConn Valley, saying the project will be transformational for the state.

Walker says in 15-20 years from now, public officials will look back fondly on their role in bringing the project to fruition.

5:10 p.m. Walker says the state will sign a memorandum of understanding with Foxconn underlining the company's $10 billion investment in the state that will lead to 13,000 jobs.

In return, the state will invest $3 billion, which Walker said is necessary "If you want to play in the big leagues."

5 p.m. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says he welcomes visitors to America's "fresh coast," a reference to the water-rich southeastern Wisconsin region and its placement on the Great Lakes.

Lake Michigan "is critical to what's happening here today," Barrett said, while also touting the "incredible workforce" in the area.

4:50 p.m. The crowd is filling up at the art museum, including a delegation from Racine County. Among local officials at the event: County Executive Jonathan Delagrave, County Board Chairman Russell Clark and Mount Pleasant Village President Dave DeGroot. Legislators including state Reps. Robin Vos and Cory Mason are also here.
Jackie Trad gets grilled. Credit:Darren England/AAP Maverick Labor MP Jo-Ann Miller often proved a formidable force. Ms Miller quizzed Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk over the Adani Carmichael mine, asking why the government was supporting it when it could have an impact on existing coal mines. Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Committee chairman Jim Pearce took no nonsense during his hearings, at one point suggesting MPs take it outside. "If you are going to keep this up, we'll go down the back stairs and have a talk about it. This is getting a little bit out of hand with people yelling at one another," he said.

"There's a lot of love here, and I'm trying to spread it." We learnt the turnover of staff in electorate offices of Queensland MPs was about 30 per cent every year. Queensland Rail opened its driver recruitment to people with no prior experience and Infrastructure Australia said the cost of Cross River Rail was likely to exceed its benefits - while inventing a new suburb of "Hill Gate". Speaker Peter Wellington confirmed the possibility of live captioning online broadcasts of Parliament was being investigated in order to allow access to hearing impaired people. Queensland's MPs speak faster than their counterparts federally, a fact Parliament's Hansard reporters are probably painfully aware of.

Auslan interpreters were present for Disability Minister Coralee O'Rourke's session, which led to disability advocate Geoff Trappett asking why they could not be present for other estimates sessions. There were plenty of memorable throwaway remarks and jibes. Deputy Premier Jackie Trad challenged her counterpart in the LNP, Deputy Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington, to ask her a question. "Oh I will Jackie, I will," Ms Frecklington promised.

Ms Trad drew criticism for an under-the-breath comment after LNP MP Andrew Powell suggested a "union heavy" had walked into a job. She replied: "Not as heavy as you." Another exchange had many asking if it could really be considered "sexist". Member for Lytton Joan Pease asked chair Peter Russo if Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls was being disrespectful after he spoke over Ms Palaszczuk and then said someone had provided the Premier with an answer she should have already known.

"I'll be as respectful as I need to be, I'm a member of Parliament and I don't need some Johnny-come-lately coming in here saying about respect," Mr Nicholls said. Ms Palaszczuk labelled Mr Nicholls' remarks as "outrageous" and "it's sexist". And Ms Miller took offence at being referred to as "somebody" by Ms Trad. "I think it's unparliamentary that I be referred to as 'somebody'," she said. A photo of Environment Minister Steven Miles' ministerial car ended up on the public record.

Opposition Environment spokesman Christian Rowan tabled the photo and asked if it was Dr Miles' car, and whether it was a V6 or V8. After looking at it, Dr Miles said it was his previous ministerial car. "Those who know me know that I spent two years complaining about the fact that MSM made me drive a six or eight-cylinder Caprice," he said. "I recently won my campaign to no longer have to drive one. I now drive a white Camry Hybrid. I am happy to provide photos of that to the member for Moggill. It is a great car." Later that day, Dr Miles unfurled a five-metre "crocwise map", used to explain to children just how big crocodiles are, over an estimates table.

He was given permission to table a photo of it - not the five-metre map. We discovered how many school children were getting in trouble for drugs, questions were raised about what flags were provided to ambulance stations and how the installation of three rubbish bins in Townsville at a cost of $5000 could support two jobs. More than 40 Queensland buildings are being investigated for flammable cladding and there are about 700 electric vehicles registered in Queensland. Budget estimates also heard about Commonwealth Games mascot Borobi's "depressed head". We learned there was a Jo-Ann Miller Drive in Collingwood Park, following a question from Ms Miller about subsidence.
By 2020, Box Hill will have more skyscrapers than Canberra. Credit:Eddie Jim One former councillor, Tanya Tescher said long-term residents were there "for the surrounding landscape, and not to be faced with towers looming in their backyard". "This is not the CBD, it is suburbia, and that is what people living in the area want." Other community groups fear that the rise of the tower blocks gave no thought to accessibility and would make it harder for people to get around. "We need to allow easy access through and around Box Hill for cyclists, people with disabilities, mums with prams and people with mobility aides," said David Morrison, from the Whitehorse Active Transport Action Group.

"How do we get there? We make sure that we have adequate provision at street level through setbacks and the ability to cut through laneways and buildings."

Box Hill is one of nine metropolitan activity centres in Melbourne, well served by public transport and meant to deliver jobs, housing and services. Whitehorse Council wants to encourage taller buildings in "a major development precinct" near Box Hill railway station and Whitehorse Road. This week, a panel of planning experts appointed by the Andrews government began hearings into Box Hill's future.

Among those giving evidence was retail property giant Vicinity, which owns the Box Hill Central shopping complex and 50 per cent of Australia's biggest shopping centre, Chadstone. Lawyers for Vicinity told the panel it wanted to expand Box Hill Central to include high-density residential and offices, and to go higher than the 20 storeys it would be allowed. Vicinity argued in its submission it had "5.5 hectares of developable land immediately above and adjacent to the rail station/bus interchange"  the equivalent to almost three blocks in Melbourne's CBD. The company queried why the biggest buildings in Box Hill would be built away from the railway station, on busy Whitehorse Road west of Nelson Road. Also presenting to the panel was Ms Tescher, who won office at last year's local elections opposing towers in Box Hill. She resigned earlier this year.

She warned that residents in Box Hill and nearby Mont Albert did not want more towers, yet felt powerless to stop them. Meanwhile, developers of large buildings can, she said, "afford a QC to defend their interests". She told panel chairman Lester Townsend that no other metropolitan activity centre had allowed the heights seen in Box Hill. The recently completed Whitehorse Towers are 36 and 26 storeys. Sunshine's highest approval was 15 storeys, in Ringwood it was 15 levels, in Frankston 17 to 18, Dandenong 12 and Epping 10 to 12 storeys, she said. "Why is Box Hill the only metropolitan activity centre among all of these which is proposing to [support] high towers?" she asked.

"There is no rationale for this except for allowing developers to make obscene profits." The Whitehorse Active Transport Action Group warned the new skyscrapers would become "slums". It noted that the recent approval of a number of high-rise towers to accommodate 4400 people amounted to the population of a medium-sized country town being added. More tower approvals would "further stretch the local infrastructure," the group said. "A modern-day slum will be the inevitable result." And the projected influx of residents and visitors from higher-density development over the next decade would, the group warned, "result in transport chaos if the current ... transport infrastructure [was] not reviewed and greatly improved".

According to Hale Consulting forecasts, public transport usage at Box Hill interchange is tipped to rise from 16,300 rail passengers, to 31,300 in 2039. Bus patronage is tipped to rise from 13,700 to 30,000 over the same period. Helen Harris is another former Whitehorse councillor who gave evidence at this week's hearings. Box Hill had been designated as high density for about 50 years and the suburb's trams, trains and buses made it an ideal development centre, she told Fairfax Media. She said suggested height limits for areas simply did not work unless they were mandatory. "From bitter experience as a councillor, I found it extremely frustrating that developers would breach the suggested height limits and that VCAT [the state planning tribunal] would approve those extra height limits," Ms Harris said.
If you are charged with murdering your business partner, what happens to the business?

There are doubts around the future of The Muesli Company after its director Peter Pavlis was charged over the murder of co-director Jennifer Borchardt.

Peter Pavlis (right) has been charged with the murder of Jennifer Borchardt, his co-director at the Muesli Company. Credit:Jennifer Borchardt/Facebook

Ms Borchardt, 49, failed to show up for work on Tuesday morning. That afternoon, around 4pm, she was found in a pool of blood on her kitchen floor in Richmond, allegedly stabbed to death.

The Muesli Company is a small, privately owned business based in Thomastown. It employs between 11 and 50 people, who are now in limbo.
Melbourne's CBD was brought to a standstill on Friday night by protesters rallying over the death of Indigenous teenager Elijah Doughty in Western Australia.

Traffic and trams were brought to a halt by protesters, who staged a peaceful sit-in in the middle of the intersection of Flinders and Swanston streets, outside Flinders Street Station.

A ring of police, including officers on horseback, surrounded the protesters.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on the steps of Parliament House on Spring Street at 4pm and took about an hour to march to Federation Square, disrupting peak-hour traffic on the way.
As nominations for the WA Police Excellence awards come in thick and fast, a previous award-winner has called for members of WA's regional communities to nominate officers in their area in order to recognise them for all their hard work.

In what is, at times, a dangerous and thankless job, the awards aim to provide recognition to police officers who demonstrate exceptional dedication to the people of WA.

Roeburne Police won the Police Team Award in 2016. Credit:Twitter/@RoeburnePol

A number of nominations frequently come from members of the public, and past winners have been recognised for their work combating their region's crime rate, improving perceptions of police and helping to educate, intervene and prevent domestic violence.

Nearly 60 different teams and officers have already been named as possible contenders, and Roebourne Police Station Acting Senior Sergeant Steve Taylor said the station had gone from strength to strength since receiving the 2016 team award.
A home in Perth's south has been peppered with bullets on Friday morning.

Police were called to the house on Palmer Street in Warnbro around 1am after reports of three gun shots being fired.

Police at the scene of the drive-by shooting in Warnbro. Credit:Hannah Sinclair / 9 News Perth

On arrival at the home police found damage to a window, which appeared to be caused by a projectile.

Detectives are currently investigating the incident and want anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or report on line at www.crimestopperswa.com.au.
Organisers of the annual Diggers and Dealers mining conference in Western Australia have defended their decision to scrap the traditional Welcome to Country ceremony, claiming the schedule is too tight.

It is a sensitive time in Kalgoorlie after a 56-year-old man who ran down and killed 14-year-old Aboriginal boy Elijah Doughty was acquitted of manslaughter in the WA Supreme Court and was instead jailed for three years for dangerous driving causing death.

Diggers and Dealers is an annual event in Kalgoorlie for the mining sector. Credit:Ryan Stuart

Aboriginal elder Trevor Donaldson was approached about opening the conference, but organisers now say they are too strapped for time to allow him to perform the 15 to 30 minute ceremony.

"Diggers and Dealers has a really, really tight schedule," organiser John Langford said.
Rome: Italy's prime minister has discussed with top cabinet ministers a plan to send Italian warships into Libyan territorial waters to combat smugglers who have sent thousands of migrants to Italian shores.

The meeting on Thursday came a day after Italy struck a long-elusive deal with Libyan authorities to give it a freer hand along the African coast, and it reflected Italy's frustration with what it sees as having to deal with Europe's migrant crisis on its own.

This year alone, nearly 100,000 migrants from Africa, South Asia and the Middle East have arrived in Italy, a 7 per cent spike compared to the same period last year. More than 2000 migrants have died at sea this year as they risked the crossing.

On Wednesday, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni announced a potentially important breakthrough in Italy's seemingly Sisyphean task of stopping migrants from setting sail for Sicily.
London: Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Phillip Hammond has suggested the UK will not introduce any new bilateral trade deals until at least 2022, which will be seven years after Britain voted to leave the European Union.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said Australia will strike a deal "as soon as possible" with the UK once it leaves Brexit, but on Friday Mr Hammond said that might not be possible until 2022.

Speaking to the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme, Mr Hammond said Britain would seek a transitional period of trading and free movement of labour with the EU for a period of no more than three years after the country leaves the EU.

"Nobody, literally nobody, wants this to go over cliff-edge in March 2019," he said.
North Korea fired a missile on Friday that experts said was capable of reaching cities in the United States, and US and South Korean military officials responded by discussing military options.

The South Korean news agency Yonhap reported on Saturday that South Korea and the United States had followed up by staging a ballistic missile exercise.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday afternoon that the US "will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and protect our allies in the region".

Friday's unusual late-night launch added to exasperation in Washington, Seoul and Tokyo over North Korea's continuing development of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) to deliver them. North Korean President Kim Jong Un's military raised alarms early this month with an ICBM launch.
Other Side of 50 Falls can be serious for older adults; take precautions

For weeks, friends and neighbors worked on planning a surprise block party for my friend Margarets 90th birthday. On the big day, over 50 people showed up with food, drink and gifts to celebrate. Several of the neighbors who attended...

Walk supports breast cancer research The fifth annual Walk 3to9 2022 Breast Cancer Charity Walk to benefit the Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research will take place at 8 a.m. Sun., Nov. 20 at Memorial Field on the Cal Lutheran University campus, Thousand...

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Thirteen community members and providers were recognized for their resilience, passion and heart at the 2022 Awesome in Autism Awards ceremony. The 14th annual event, hosted by Autism Society Ventura County, was held Oct. 20 at Wood Ranch Golf Club...

Go purple to support those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer November is the busiest month of the year for cancer awareness campaigns. Im going to focus on one of thempancreatic cancer because its a type weve seen a noticeable rise in over the last few years. And because it remains...
1 killed, 1 injured as jeep plunges into river in Bara

A person died and another sustained critical injures when a jeep met with an accident at Simara Jitpur Sub-Metropolitan City in Bara on Friday.
Air safety improvement update to be sent to European Commission

Nepal is preparing to send the latest update of its air safety improvement to the European Commission (EC) in a bid to have Nepali airlines removed from the air safety list in which they were included four years ago for their poor safety record.
The College Station City Council announced a new city secretary during a meeting Thursday.

Tanya McNutt, who has served as deputy city secretary since 2008, will assume her new role on Monday. She replaces Sherry Mashburn, who retires Monday after being with College Station since August 2010. Mashburn's career in city government spans 24 years -- the last seven of which in College Station.

"I'm ready for this opportunity because of Sherry Mashburn," McNutt said. "She believed in me from the moment she came to College Station and, under her guidance, I've learned the immense responsibilities required of College Station's city secretary. It will be an honor to build upon the professionalism and reliability already in place."

McNutt served as city secretary in Madisonville from 1999 to 2008. . She has been involved in all aspects of the department's operations, including planning and conducting elections for the city. McNutt also recently completed the Certified Municipal Clerk Program through the Texas Municipal Clerk Association.

The process to replace Mashburn began in early April and attracted more than 80 applicants, which were narrowed down to three finalists.
Bailey bridge within a week

Minister for Information and Communications Mohan Bahadur Basnet has said the construction of a bailey bridge over Bhotekoshi River at Larcha in the district within a week.
Bus falls into stream as bridge caves in, two dead

A passenger bus fell into the Rudi stream when a truss bridge collapsed, killing two persons and leaving 32 others injured. Condition of 10 injured persons is said to be serious.
According to statistics from CB Insights, RegTech startups have raised approximately $2.3 billion across 317 deals between 2012 and 2016. As an area that continues to grow, propelled by interest in and demand for FinTech solutions, more investors are turning their attention to regtech startups, including those in cannabis, vendor risk management, information security/cybersecurity, healthcare, background checks, compliance management and government/legislation.

Related: Microsoft to Offer Software for Local Governments to Regulate and Tax Legal Cannabis

Here are 15 investors who are focused on helping build out the RegTech industry:

1. Octopus Ventures

This UK venture capital firm invests in all types of technology-backed startups. Recently, it made the move into RegTech by leading the investors in backing the US-based open banking platform Token, which raised $15.7 million in a Series A funding round in April. The startup's open banking platform helps banks to meet the compliance requirements of the upcoming European Payment Services Directive (PSD2).

Related: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Compliance

2. SeventySix Capital

This U.S. venture capital company invests in numerous business segments, including its foray into RegTech thanks to Managing Partner Wayne Kimmel's decision to put money into KIND Financial, a regulatory and compliance platform for the cannabis industry and for the government to monitor those businesses. Along with Lindy Snider, the investment firm determined that the high growth potential in the cannabis industry and the need to help propel that growth with compliance solutions would offer a significant return.

3. Summer Capital

The investment firm has been focused on funding RegTech, FinTech, and data companies throughout Europe. For example, Summer Capital has invested in Sybenetix, which is a RegTech startup that offers market surveillance and compliance monitoring software for banks, asset managers, hedge funds, and regulators.

4. Carrick Capital Partners

This venture capital firm invests in different business segments, including those that focus on compliance issues. One example of their investments is Bay Dynamics, which is a cyber risk analytics company that helps enterprises measure, communicate, and reduce their cyber risk. They offer analytics software, Risk Fabric, which automates security information analysis.

Related: How to Avoid Regulatory Fire in the Gig Economy

5. EQT Ventures

This European investment firm focuses on making minority equity investments in tech companies across a diverse area of industries. With RegTech, EQT Ventures has invested in companies like Token and HackerOne. These startups are geared toward online payment compliance and risk mitigation and cybersecurity, respectively.

6. Insight Venture Partners

This U.S. venture capital firm invests in a diverse set of industries, including RegTech startups for a number of areas, including government, healthcare, and financial applications. For example, DigitalHarbor has application for government and financial services, offering a platform for intelligent composite applications that include compliance and risk management solutions for those verticals.

7. JMI Equity

This U.S. investment company works with RegTech startups across many verticals, including government, healthcare, security and compliance, and financial and insurance. Its portfolio covers numerous software and technology startups that are providing critical solutions for these business segments, offering compliance and security applications to facilitate all types of transactions, recordkeeping, and public sector activity.

8. Aquiline Capital Partners LLC

As a U.S. investment firm, the team invests primarily in financial services-related startups, including those that offer services and RegTech solutions for banking, credit, insurance, investment management, and financial technology. The various startups in their portfolio help to ensure compliance for hedge funds and other types of investments, billing, financial services marketing and more.

Related: How Do We Measure the Statistical Significance of Legal Cannabis?

9. Sageview Capital

This U.S. venture capital firm bills itself as an "engaged long-term partner for growth," helping small to mid-sized companies in areas like technology, financial services, and business services. Their extensive portfolio includes RegTech startups and companies that address compliance for treasury and wealth management, payments and transactions, investor management, and more.

10. Accel Partners

Investing in what have become some of the world's biggest companies (Facebook, Slack, Dropbox, Venmo and others), Accel has been expanding its business segments to include investments in RegTech startups. Among them is risk analytics startup OpenGamma, which has facilitated activities in the derivatives markets.

11. Warburg Pincus

This large global investment firm works with all sizes of companies across a diverse set of industries. Included among some of the verticals, such as energy, healthcare, and financial services, are numerous RegTech startups and businesses that Warburg Pincus has helped to fund for their growth and development.

12. HarbourVest

This international investment firm with offices around the world has recently become more involved with investments in RegTech. It typically offers primary, secondary, and co-investing options to assist companies with funding as well as strategic consulting and development direction. It has now helped numerous RegTech companies in various regions reach the next stage in their growth.

Related: Avoid These 3 Employment Compliance Mistakes or Risk Fines

13. Digital Currency Group

This is a unique group of investors who are focused on building out bitcoin and blockchain technology, assisting startups and companies with developing in specific areas like compliance and regulation, payments, security, identity, smart contracts and more. Their focus is to further the growth of various applications that are built on blockchain, offering more standards and a process for facilitating compliance to gain wider adoption of this technology.

14. TTV Capital

The U.S.-based venture capital firm is focused on financial technology and solutions that drive efficiencies, compliance, and security across all types of financial services segments. These solutions are for banks, payments, capital markets, data analytics and security. Included in the companies that its helped are Bill.com, Bitpay, Cardlytics, DefenseStorm, FTrans, GreenDot, iKobo, and SmartAsset.

15. Balderton Capital

This investment firm deals mainly in early investments in European startups for healthcare, technology, mobile and consumer segments. Some of the investments in RegTech startups include those that provide solutions like an electronic voting platform, online and mobile payments, medical records and data centers. ComplyAdvantage was a recent RegTech investment where the firm funded over $8 million to grow this company.

Tip of the RegTech Iceberg

These 15 investment firms just touch the surface of the RegTech investment landscape as more business segments and issues related to compliance in these areas emerge. Along with FinTech and InsureTech, RegTech will continue to grow over the course of the next decade as demand grows for online business for both consumers and businesses.

Related:

15 'RegTech' Investors Every Fintech Startup Needs to Know

Why Tax Automation is Critical for Business Success under GST

The Perils of Whistleblowing: My Interview With Edward Snowden



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


NORWALK  South Norwalk residents cheered Thursday evening after the Norwalk Zoning Board of Appeals denied Pennsylvania-based halfway house operator Firetree Ltd.s request for a special zoning exception to open its newly renovated facility on Quintard Avenue.

We dont want a prison in our neighborhood. Who does? asked Curt Watrouse, who lives on Lowndes Avenue, after the 4-1 vote.

Board member Joseph Beggan cast the sole no vote. ZBA Chairman Andrew Conroy and fellow members Taylor Strubinger, Lee Levey and Gregory Brasher voted to deny Firetrees request.

I do think it impacts the surrounding area, Brasher said. And I think it impacts the well-being of the people here and the comfort and safety of ones neighborhood.

Levey came to a similar conclusion.

The occupants of this house, until they are released, are still federal prisoners, he said.

Thomas Cody, the Hartford attorney representing Firetree, declined comment afterward when asked if his client would challenge the denial in court.

Firetree sued the city after the ZBA in June rejected overturning Norwalk Zoning Enforcement Officer Aline Rocheforts decision not to issue an occupancy permit for the house at 17 Quintard Ave.

At issue Thursday evening was Firetrees request for a special zoning exception to allow the facility to operate as a non-conforming use in a residential neighborhood.

More than three-dozen residents opposed to the facility, which would operate under the Federal Bureau of Prisons, attended the resumption of the public hearing, which was devoted to rebuttal from Firetree and deliberation by the ZBA.

Cody took aim at the city.

Firetree has no access at all to this facility. They have been denied a certificate of occupancy, so the denial is total, Cody said. This isnt a question of deciding whether a handicapped ramp is needed, or whether a particular accommodation is needed in terms of a specific building approval. The issue here is that Firetree has been denied its occupancy.

A special exception may be granted if the proposed use is equally appropriate or more appropriate to the zone than the existing non-conforming use, it will have the same or lesser impact on the surrounding area, and the cost of structural alterations do not exceed 25 percent of the assessed value of the existing structure, under Norwalk zoning regulations.

Firetree will have no greater impact and probably less impact than Pivot had, said Cody, referring to previous operation of the property under Pivot Ministries of Bridgeport.

He described the citys human relations directors assessment of the applicability of the Americans With Disabilities Act a desperate last-minute attempt to prevent the house from opening. He again asked two ZBA members to recuse themselves after demonstrating what he called bias.

Mr. Leveys inquiries into a number of issues are a clear indication that that bias has not abated in any way, Cody said. The question about the building permit fee is a completely disingenuous question.

Strubinger and Levey concluded the alterations exceeded the 25 percent threshold.

I still have a big issue with the cost evaluation, said Levey, an architect and former city councilman. And going through the numbers, I think theres $62,000 more in structural work.

Conroy, however, said he did not believe the city could prove Firetree exceeded the threshold.

Theres a suspicion that it was exceeded, but we cant prove it in one way or another, Conroy said.

Firetree maintains the Americans With Disabilities Act requires reasonable accommodation be made for disabled persons, including persons recovering from substance abuse.

Brian McCann, assistant corporation counsel in the citys law department, said he spoke earlier Thursday with a representative of the Federal Bureau of Prisons Residential Re-entry Program.

What we were looking for is a little more clarification as far as the actual process, McCann said. We asked (the representative) to walk us through the exact process. He said all prisoners are eligible for transfer to an RRC. ... He said that less than 1 percent refused placement.

McCann said he was told two categories of prisoners are refused participation in the program: those with pending charges and those who are deportable immigrants. The goals of the program are employment, housing and integration of family ties, he added.
Case for deliberative polls

It is now time to place informed public opinion at the forefront of our democratic culture
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WILTON  For the first time in 40 years, the entire building of American Legion Post 86 on Old Ridgefield Road will be used for veteran purposes.

Members have been meeting to renovate the first floor, which was previously rented by a skydiving business and other tenants before them. The basement will also be repaired, as conditions have worn down with time.

The property was purchased in 1937 and the building was constructed the year after.

Were hoping with the new addition, it will draw some more interest in a nice place for veterans to hang out  even if they dont join, post commander Don Hazzard said. All veterans are welcome.

Post 86 was chartered in October of 1920 and named after Wiltons first World War I casualty, James Bennet Whipple. The group started with 19 original members and now has 66 current members, with about a dozen core members, post adjutant Tom Moore said.

Membership has steadily declined in the last decade, partly because older veterans from World War II and the Korean War are passing away and younger veterans arent being plugged into the Post, he added.

Right now, in the American Legion, thats a national problem  but not just for the American Legion but a lot of these organizations, said Moore, who lives in Fairfield. The more voices we have, the better.

For this reason, Moore looks up veterans in the area and reaches out to them through phone, email or letter to invite them to join Post 86. Like any American Legion, Post 86 is meant to provide a community for veterans and to function under four pillars: veterans affairs and rehabilitation, national security, Americanism, and children and youth.

Moore said the most fruitful expenditure of Post 86s time has been efforts involving children and youth. Members are active with local Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Children of the American Revolution and teach lessons in schools about flag etiquette and the history of Post 86 and the military, overall.

Such efforts often go unnoticed, said Bill Madaras, organizer of Kick for Nick, a foundation created in the memory of his son, Nicholas Madaras, who died while serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq in 2006.

Post 86 is active in Kick for Nick and other local endeavors, such as Homes for the Brave, Female Soldiers and Forgotten Soldiers.

Just allowing us to have the ball collection on the front lawn has made us a real entity in town. Hopefully it also made the post more of an entity in town, Madaras said. Hopefully now that the Post will be open to the public downstairs, it will help bring people in here beyond the front lawn.

The tentative date for

the open house is Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

skim@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2568; @stephaniehnkim
WILTON  When representatives from nearly 30 local nonprofits and charities arrived at what was billed as an appreciation dinner at a local travel companys headquarters, there was little inkling that, by the end of the night, they each would receive a special gift.

The cocktail gathering was touted by Tauck, a Wilton-based travel company, as a celebration of each organizations service, providing Tauck executives with the opportunity to personally thank the organizations for their contributions to the community.

Though each of the organizations were already being charitably supported by Tauck, the companys CEO devised the evening as a chance to surprise each company for the invaluable work they do locally.

I wanted to do something to thank them for the service that they provide those in need, said company CEO, Dan Mahar. Together they represent a mosaic of care  to so many  from fighting poverty and hunger, to promoting animal care and nature trails, to helping the homeless and the elderly. We appreciate greatly what they collectively do to make Fairfield County a place where we care for each other, inclusively.

The highlight of the evening was a special raffle, at least thats what the organizations were led to believe. However, when each representative went to open the sealed envelopes, which supposedly contained their entry into the raffle, they were surprised to find something else entirely.

Upon opening their envelopes, every organization was revealed to be a winner, with each receiving a $2,500 community grant from Tauck. Those organizations invited but unable to attend also received an identical grant.

Bernadine Venditto, president of Bridgeport-based Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut, noted that the evening was a nice opportunity to meet the other guests from community nonprofits as well as learn more about Tauck, its values, culture and commitment to community, adding that she was grateful for surprise grant and appreciated the clever build up and presentation.

We greatly appreciate Tauck's recognition of the work that not-for-profits do in our communities, said Denise L. Cesareo, the executive director of ElderHouse in Norwalk. The community gift was just one more example of Tauck's generosity.

Providing service to others is at the foundation of Taucks business and its also a centerpiece of the companys values, said Mahar.

Besides supporting local groups, Tauck has also supported organizations at the national and international levels.

The company has been particularly active in preserving and supporting the U.S. National Parks, and those efforts have been honored by both the U.S. Department of the Interior and the White House.

ptomlinson@hearst

mediact.com; 203-842-2570; Twitter: @Tomlinson_PE
Tensions are high after Sandhills landowners and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist planned to meet about a proposed power transmission line, but the Nebraska Public Power District objected.

Later, a power district contractor took pictures of vehicle license plates outside the meeting.

The meeting was in reference to the power districts proposed R-Project, a 345,000-volt transmission line that would extend from Sutherland to Holt County, about 225 miles long. Members of the public have expressed concern that the line will cause harm to historic sites, wildlife and habitat in the Sandhills.

Biologist Robert Harms said he was asked to meet with landowners and answer questions regarding the USFWS environmental impact study. Released in May, the document is more than 1,000 pages long.

Barbara Welch, who lives on Brush Creek Ranch near Thedford, said she had been looking forward to hearing Harms answers. After days working on the ranch, she and her husband had tried to read 100 pages of the document each night, she said.

We couldnt even do 10 pages a night, she said.

When Welch and her husband attended public hearings, she learned that they were hosted by the power district in conjunction with the USFWS, and Welch felt intimidated by strict time limits to speak as well as the attitudes of officials at the hearings.

So when the opportunity arose to ask Harms questions related to the document, members of the Facebook group Preserve the Sandhills posted about it on their public page, telling residents to bring a friend, and saying that the USFWS is a key to stopping the R-Project.

In the Sandhills, word of the meeting took off, and with 66 RSVPs, it was ultimately moved from the ranch to Thedfords Cowpoke Cafe, said Welch, the rancher.

When NPPD officials saw the post, they grew concerned. Harms is in charge of granting or denying permits, and meeting with the group could be a conflict of interest, said Mark Becker, an NPPD spokesman.

Harms disagreed that the meeting was a conflict of interest, rather calling it part of the process. As a public servant, his job is to hear concerns and answer questions, he said.

With his office near Alda  8 miles from Grand Island  I dont know that country like Sandhillers know that country, he said.

NPPD officials contacted the USFWS office in Lakewood, Colo. Had the power district contacted him, Harms said, he would have put fears to rest that he wasnt meeting to take a side but rather to explain the environmental impact study.

But Becker said, Thats who we deal with, is the Denver level.

The power district sent two of its own contractors to Thedford, too, to take notes on what Harms would say. But when they arrived and stood in the back, attendees at the meeting had news: Harms had to back out, and this meeting was not open to the power district.

Harms was at a gas station just before the meeting when his supervisor called.

Dont go, he was told. Becker said that despite reporting the meeting, NPPD officials didnt ban Harms from going.

It was up to the Fish and Wildlife Service to make a determination of what they wanted to do, he said.

So Harms headed back to Alda. The group still met  some attendees came from more than two hours away  and when they learned the power district officials also came, they asked them to leave.

Because the meeting was posted on a public group, the contractors thought they could attend, Becker said. When Welch was asked about the wording  we need you to be here; bring a neighbor  and that the contractors could have been someones neighbors, she calmly responded, But they werent, were they?

Becker said contractors left when they were asked. Welch said they left after she asked four times.

Multiple people later reported that the men in suits took pictures of license plates. Only one contractor took the pictures, Becker said.

He took it on his own to do that, he said, adding that higher-ups at the power district expressed no interest in the pictures and dont want them.

We have expressed our concerns to our contractors, he said.

Becker said the power district is devoted to working with landowners and the proposed route remains, though some power lines may move slightly. If private land is damaged during the construction, officials will work with landowners to restore it, though it wont be overnight.

Theres less environmentally damaging routes that are out there, Harms, the biologist, said. NPPD wont leave their current one.

Harms said he doesnt know whether the USFWS will issue the permits for the route through the area, which he said includes eagles nests, meadows and migratory birds paths. Much of the final say, Harms said, depends on landowners perspectives.
The Hall County Board of Supervisors continued to emphasize to those presenting budgets for second consecutive day Thursday morning that they need to look for potential ways to cut funds from their budgets.

On Wednesday, the county board told Buildings and Grounds to cut between $10,000 and $15,000 from its budget; the Safety Committee $500; the Hall County Roads Department $300,000; and the Hall County Department of Corrections $200,000.

Brad Fegley, a CPA with Lutz who was assisting the county with its budget, said with these cuts, the county potentially cuts $515,000 from its budget. According to an information sheet provided by Fegley, the county would need to cut $881,400 to equal last years levy of .35 based on a half-percent valuation increase estimate.

Dette Scholtz, extension educator with the Hall County 4-H Extension Office, gave the board an overview of the proposed fiscal 2018 budget for the agricultural extension agent. The official budget estimation for fiscal 2018 is $256,628, which is down from last years adopted budget of $262,766. Last years actual expenses were $243,483.35.

Scholtz said her office has 13 full-time positions in addition to three non-resident educators and two interns. The other 10 positions are funded through the University of Nebraska.

Of these 13 positions, three of those are county-funded positions, Scholtz said. The county provides the two office professionals and the 4-H program assistant.

Scholtz explained the budget line item for clerical salaries is for the two office professionals, while the line item County Assistant 4-H is for the 4-H program assistant.

The official estimation for clerical salaries for fiscal 2018 is $81,178, down slightly from last years budgeted expense of $81,641. For county assistant 4-H, the official estimation is $41,468, which is an increase from last years budgeted expense of $38,330.

Scholtz said the budget request for operating expenses is about the same as last years request. The official estimation for fiscal 2018 is $67,975 and last years budgeted expense was $67,550. Last years actual budgeted operating expenses totaled $56,081.

Supervisor Doug Lanfear noted how the operating expense budget for last year was significantly less than the actual expenses. He added there are $5,000 in new items listed in the agricultural extension agent fiscal 2018 budget and asked Scholtz if $5,000 could be cut from the operating budget.

I would say we watch our operating expenses very closely, she said. There are times where I am really nervous about what we have in here. We just never know.

Lanfear responded there is no doubt about it that the county board will look at potentially cutting the operation expense budget for fiscal 2018.

Also at Thursday mornings meeting, Hall County Information Technology Director Doug Drudik presented the budget for Data Processing/Computer. The official estimation for fiscal 2018 is $939,090.51. An additional $56,960 will be subtracted from this amount due to the county board not approving an additional hire for a PC Technician.

The total amount for this position was $71,950, but an additional $15,000 was added into the line item service-workstation after the board agreed not to add the PC technician position as part of the fiscal 2018 budget.

Last years adopted budget was $980,242.

We are getting to a point where we are requesting more and more outside time, Drudik said. It is getting to a point now where the more we rely on outside time, the closer we are to making sense of hiring an individual.

Supervisor Steve Schuppan asked what the total amount was for outside time. Drudik said the budgeted amount was $15,000. The $15,000 added into the service-workstation budget line item was for this outside time.

Due to the county boards desire to cut $881,400 to equal last years levy, the board decided not to hire a PC technician and instead chose to budget $15,000 for outside time.

The county board meets again at 8 a.m. Monday at the Hall County Administration Building to continue discussing the fiscal 2018 budget.
The opportunity for public input on the development and redevelopment of the Grand Island Veterans Home land at the Bosselman Conference Center was scheduled to run from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, but many people showed up early and quickly let their views be known that the primary emphasis should be for veterans.

The consultant for Olsson Associates, which is reviewing possible uses for the land, let people know that there would be no formal presentation about redevelopment of the property. Thursday evening was for people to provide their opinions on potential plans for the property.

To help with that process, the consultant had placed a number of visual aids on the four walls in the conference center. One wall showed current zoning regulations and possible rezoning for the property, as well as topographical and aerial maps of the 640 acres that have been turned over to the city of Grand Island from the state of Nebraska.

The posters asked questions such as What are the obstacles to development and redevelopment of the veterans home property? and What are the opportunities for development and redevelopment?

People were given yellow sticky notes, where they could write their thoughts and opinions on each proposal. Those sticky notes were then affixed to the posters hanging on the walls.

Some people were very direct about what they considered to be obstacles to redeveloping the property, with one person writing one obstacle was the mayor and city council not listening to veterans.

Another sticky note read tunnel vision.

Yet another person contributed lack of funding as the biggest obstacle.

When answering the question What were some of the keys to development and redevelopment opportunities, one person wrote the wishes of veterans.

Willa Lemburg, a Grand Island resident, said the land should be used for veterans. Lemburg was one of several people on Thursday who said veterans shouldve been given a different-colored sticky note so their views would be known.

Most of the remaining wallspace was covered with drawings showing possible redevelopment ideas to help spark response and conversation from those gathered there Thursday evening.

A dizzying array of possibilities was presented. Some drawings showed expansion of Eagle Scout Lake; others showed expansion of the ball fields near Eagle Scout Lake; still others included both features but also set aside land for housing, business parks and corporate parks.

Many people responded to those proposals by writing the property should be used for veterans. A few questioned how expansion of sporting fields would benefit veterans. Others said that any residential areas should be used to create more housing for veterans. One particular response suggested the land be returned to the original owners of the property.

Some of the drawings, instead of outlining specific areas for business or corporate parks, sported the generic term development. That caused one response of define development.

Additional comments included no more ballparks. But a few people gave positive responses to some of the proposed ideas.

Grand Island resident Jerry Hirschman entered a debate with Grand Island City Administrator Marlan Ferguson about redevelopment plans. Hirschman was in favor of giving veterans control of the property, with the city of Grand Island having opportunity for some oversight. Ferguson said that is not going to happen.

Ferguson then suggested he could see the city retaining ownership and control of the property, with veterans providing some oversight.

Grand Island developer Amos Anson broke into the conversation, telling Hirschman that, to make his ideas a reality, he needed to come up with specific costs for his proposals, as well as the most specific financing he could obtain.

One of Hirschmans ideas was to turn the Veterans Memorial Cemetery into a national veterans cemetery. He said some of the proposals could be accomplished with people donating materials and labor.

However, some people wanted the veterans cemetery property to remain only for veterans, rather than being used for the city cemetery expansion.
A recent article by Grand Island Independent reporter Austin Koeller about the financial needs of the Salvation Armys homeless mens shelter prompted members of St. Pauls Lutheran Church to take action.

As a result of a month-long campaign by the church, the Salvation Army received $2,691 to support its shelter program on Thursday at a ceremony at St. Pauls.

They were in need of funds in order to stay open, said Judy Harrie, a member of the congregation. We felt a real calling as some of us are really passionate about the homeless in our community.

After reading the article, Harrie said she and other members of the church did more research about the Salvation Armys financial needs to keep the shelter for men open. We were totally unaware of what they did and that they were in Grand Island doing what they are doing, she said.

Harrie said the team raising the money consisted of five members of the Stewardship Committee, of which she is the chairwoman. The team created a tag board to illustrate the needs of the shelter and motivate people to donate.

The tag board is a visual tool for people to look and see the amount of money they would like to donate, she said.

They used a statistic provided by the Salvation Army that it costs $13 a night to shelter a homeless man. One of the tags said it costs the Salvation Army $324 per night to shelter 24 men. There were tags for various amounts of money, appealing to peoples willingness to help men without shelter.

The campaign went on throughout June.

Attending Thursdays ceremony was Deny Cacy, the Salvation Armys mens shelter director.

It is priceless, Cacy said of the gift. It is almost $2,700, but that $2,700 transforms into many, many men having the opportunity to get a chance that they might have not had otherwise.

He said society has written a lot of homeless individuals off, including homeless veterans.

But we come along beside them and we pick them up and take a holistic approach, and rebuild them and get them to the point where they can take the reins back, Cacy said.

They learn to take care of themselves and they get to where they are employed and feel good about themselves. Next thing you know, you have a very productive member of society that society had actually written off.

Since coming to the Salvation Army in Grand Island, Cacy said, he has been working to improve the mens shelter. Something had to change, he said.

Cacy said he looked to God for guidance  his first order of business was to treat these people like they were human beings.

I have been there and I know what these guys are going through, Cacy said. The first thing I let them know, right off the bat, was that they were vital pieces to our society.

That positive message is part of a holistic approach in helping homeless men again find meaning in their lives and giving them a sense of empowerment.

Cacy said more and more homeless men are taking advantage of the Salvation Armys shelter. The Salvation Army also houses a food pantry and distributes clothing. It operates through the generosity of the public.

Cacy said the campaign is one house of faith working with another for the betterment of the community. St. Pauls Lutheran Church working with the Salvation Army can lead Grand Islands faith community to become more active to help those who are less fortunate, he added.

The reality is that whatever your job is or whatever position you hold, every single one of us is just one paycheck away, he said.

Cacy said when he took the job to run the shelter in Grand Island, in 2015, the Salvation Army provided shelter for 194 people.

Last year we saw 376 men that came through the door in 2016, he said. Of that number, 280 had never been through our door before. They were completely new faces. We are far above those numbers this year and we are only halfway through the year.

St. Pauls Associate Pastor Bill Pavuk, who is a member of the churchs Stewardship Committee, said his church was easily on board with the effort.

Once the team found out about this, having done the Gathering Table meals at the Salvation Army many times, our first thought was, This cant be allowed to go away, he said. We have to give them as much support as we can and have to make sure that we are doing what we can to keep this ministry and keep this resource available because it is something that Grand Island cant afford to lose as the consequences are hard to even fathom.

Pavuk said helping the less fortunate requires a community effort.

I think I can speak for all of the congregations in Grand Island in saying that we recognize that the ministry itself, the Salvation Army, is able to engage peoples lives and provide something significant and powerful and transformative for these men that our ministries cant, he said.

Cacy said the Salvation Army is planning a series of forums in the next several months to bring together not only the faith community, but also stakeholders in the community. One forum will address the general public about the challenges facing the Salvation Army in meeting the needs of the less fortunate.

For more information on how to help the Salvation Armys campaign to help the needy and less fortunate in the community, call (308) 382-4855.
WASHINGTON  That one of the greatest victories of World War II was a mass evacuation  more than 300,000 British and French troops taken off a beach at Dunkirk  was a preview of the industrial nature of that conflict. Feats of organization  such as the return of Allied troops to other French beaches on D-Day  took precedence over military panache. It is the reason that Dwight Eisenhower was the indispensable irreplaceable man, not George Patton.

But Dunkirk also proved the comparative advantage that democracies have in modern war: the ability of free people to self-organize. It was nearly 900 private watercraft, including pleasure boats and paddle steamers, that braved the Luftwaffe to ferry the surrounded troops home. The future of a free Britain was delivered directly by its own citizens.

Christopher Nolans film Dunkirk is a spare telling of that story from the firsthand perspective of soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilians. Only briefly does the camera pull out to reveal the epic scale of events. Most of the time we are scrambling, flying, swimming and sinking along with the confused participants. There is little dialogue and almost no backstory for the main characters. The soldiers are played by essentially interchangeable young actors. But they somehow work as stand-ins for the waiting, vulnerable mass. They are not humanized, just human. And their motivation doesnt require much artistic development: Doing everything they can to get off the damn beach and get home.

The craft of the movie is taking the fragmented individual experiences of the characters and weaving them, inexorably, into a narrative that clarifies in a single scene. I will not sully this review with a spoiler. But the events of the film eventually come together with a pleasing click, dramatizing how the choices of individuals, both noble and base, gather into something larger than themselves. In this case, the deliverance of a nation.

The government leaders of the time have no direct voice in the movie, including the familiar voice of Winston Churchill. The lack of political context works as an artistic device. But the experience of the movie (or so I lectured my children) is enriched by knowing some of the history. The swift collapse of France. The utter isolation of Britain. An American president hamstrung by isolationists, doing what he could to help.

The recognition that World War II was a citizens war should not obscure the importance of leadership. Dunkirk, perhaps more than any other event of the war, was Churchills moment. As French resistance disintegrated, it was estimated that only 45,000 soldiers could be taken off the beaches before the perimeter collapsed  effectively leaving Britain undefended to German invasion. Churchill told Parliament to prepare for hard and heavy tidings. To his War Cabinet he raised the possibility of contaminating British beaches with poison gas when the Germans came.

At the same time in America, Charles Lindbergh, the original advocate of America First, gave a radio address dismissing President Franklin Roosevelts proposal for rearmament as hysterical chatter. Roosevelt himself told the British ambassador that the British government might need to continue the war from Canada.

In London, Churchill was receiving the same suggestion to move the government and royal family across the Atlantic. He replied that no such discussion should be permitted. When the director of the National Gallery proposed sending the most irreplaceable paintings to Canada, he replied, No, bury them in caves and cellars. None must go. We are going to beat them.

The tired men of Churchills government raised the prospect of a negotiated peace. Churchill responded, Nations which went down fighting rose again, but those who surrendered tamely were finished. Speaking to his full cabinet, he said, If this long island story of ours is to end at last, let it end only when each one of us lies choking in his own blood upon the ground.

The success at Dunkirk made Churchills defiance a realistic option and solidified his hold on power. Guns, ammunition and artillery to rearm the evacuated army flooded in from the Commonwealth and (by clever ruse) from America. British planning for a return to the continent began the same month as the Dunkirk evacuation ended. D-Day was already in mind.

It is a brilliant artifice in the movie Dunkirk to have Churchills most famous oration  We shall fight on the beaches  read aloud by one of the soldiers who finally reaches safety. It was average people who gave Churchills roar reality and force. But the roar was indispensable.
Deadly deluge

Harvesting flood waters and recharging Kathmandus depleting aquifers will turn a crisis into an opportunity
The Maryville Police Department is seeking the publics help in identifying a suspected carjacker.

Police Chief Rob Carpenter said the incident occurred at 12:10 a.m., Friday, July 28 in the 2400 block of Liberty Drive in Maryville.

The victim stated that the suspect approached him from behind after returning home in his vehicle. The suspect displayed a black handgun and demanded the victims wallet, keys and cell phone. The suspect then told the victim to run away and then fled in the victims vehicle.

The victim described the suspect as a black male in his early 20s, approximately 6 tall with a slim build and short hair.

The suspect was wearing a red t-shirt and black shorts.

The vehicle that was stolen is a 2011 grey Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Carpenter said there were no injuries reported from the incident.

He said officers searched the area but were not able to locate the suspect or the stolen vehicle.

An Illinois State Police Emergency Radio Broadcast was put out over the radio to alert local law enforcement agencies.

The Maryville Police Department encourages any witnesses with information or video surveillance of the area to contact the Maryville Police Department at (618) 344-8899.
Defending digital frontier

Nepal must catch up to overcome vulnerability to the escalating threats of cyber-attacks
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Linkedin EDITORIAL (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28, 2017 08:04 1933 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aaa59fe 4 Editorial #Editorial,aviation,Aviation-competition,commercial-flight,flight,air-traffic-controller,Airnav,soekarno-hatta-airport Free

All this time, we have been thinking that Indonesias abysmal air safety record resulted mostly from domestic airlines penchant for cutting corners and flouting regulations in search of a shortcut to profitability. After all, a survey conducted in 2016 on 407 airlines around the world found that nine of the 10 worst-performing airlines were from Indonesia. No wonder some of our airlines were barred from flying to Europe and North America.

Earlier this week, we heard another reason to be fearful of flying in this country in a shocking revelation by the Indonesian Air Traffic Controllers Association (IATCA). The organization claimed that air traffic controllers, especially at the countrys biggest airhub, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, are struggling to cope with the rapid expansion of air travel.

In a press statement the IATCA said that a decision by state-run air navigation company AirNav to allow 84 take-offs and landings per hour at the airport could lead to more accidents. It claimed that AirNavs decision violated a ministerial regulation that caps the use of the airports runways at 74 aircraft per hour, plus four irregular flights in cases of emergency.

That claim is not without merit. In recent months, we have heard reports of near collisions on the tarmac and in the air above the airport. AirNav itself has confirmed that two aircraft came close to colliding with each other on the runway of Soekarno-Hatta on June 18. Last year, two Lion Air planes at the airport collided on the ground, fortunately causing material damage only.

An air traffic controllers job is recognized as one of the most stressful occupations, as it requires total concentration and errors can have grave consequences. The procedure at the Soekarno-Hatta airport is that air traffic controllers work for a maximum of two hours before taking a two-hour break. Considering this, we should give credence to the IATCAs claim that they cannot deal with more flights and that the greater workload could mean that they have to compromise on some of the safety procedures. The IATCA also made a damning accusation that more flights were added to their schedule only to accommodate demands from airlines that had directly proposed their flight plans to AirNav.

Responding to that complaint, AirNav insists that no regulations had been breached in its decision to allow for more take-offs and landings and that the increase was to accommodate rising demand on the back of a growing economy and tourism.

This back-and-forth has exposed problems affecting our air navigation system and as air travelers we will have to deal with the consequences. AirNav should immediately find a solution for a problem that could likely be solved by better human resource management.

The AirNav said it had invested Rp 2.2 trillion last year and Rp 2.1 trillion this year to buy new technology to better monitor aircraft movement. Maybe it is time to invest more in human resources.
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Linkedin Mario Rustan (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28, 2017

Its common now for my friends to vent their frustration by sharing captured images from an online conversation or social media post. The posts are usually addressed to a third party, but the message is offending enough for my friends that they need to discuss them.



In Indonesia, such posts are usually related to religious morality. A public figure might post a meme outlining the benefits of marrying early and having many children, or making a list of womens bad habits, or insisting that the Earth is flat. A relative might be obsessed with what is halal and what isharam. An acquaintance believes that the city is besieged by gays and immigrants.



Sometimes my friends reply and save the conversation. Often, they say they could not stand such folly going unchallenged and so had to say something. Some find their thrills in online debate, especially when a battle of logic and religious knowledge are involved.



Often, however, they just feel sad and frustrated thinking about how people can maintain their ignorance, or bigotry, or treating others like fools.



It is difficult to point to a lack of education as the reason why people support religious conservatism and share their thoughts online. Many conservatives are well educated and have postgraduate degrees from prominent universities. Many are experts in medicine, computer science, public policy, and small and medium business development. Many are fluent in English and other languages such as Arabic, German or Japanese.



We assume smart people are cosmopolitan. After all, professionals meet people from different backgrounds in their university years, careers and social lives. They are trained to be rational, logical and inquiring. So why do they still end up advocating machismo and hostility against minorities?



One of the prevailing theories in explaining the return of conservatism in the 2010s is economic anxiety. The working class and poor families have suffered from the free movement of people, goods and capital across borders; thus they came to hate immigrants, minorities, and the savvy upper-middle class, and so voted for a populist leader who promised them economic security.



This view, however, does not adequately explain the prevalent racism against poorer minorities in the West, including indigenous Australians and African-Americans. How could one be jealous of someone who is poorer, with harder access to education, health, jobs and legal protection?



Economic anxiety, however, might be crueler than being envious of minorities, who might be thought to have it easier. The real reason why the poor are worse off in this decade is automation, not immigration, and machines are expected to take more jobs in the coming decade, including white-collar jobs.



The privileged majority, who belong to the dominant faith, ethnicity and class, might feel actual economic anxiety toward the poorer minority. Although Indonesias economic inequality is reportedly worse in this decade than during the New Order era, we have several levelers in the form of smartphones, budget airlines and regional agreements. Now it is more possible for women, racial and sexual minorities, and the disabled to look after themselves and find work that was previously offered only to men.



Perhaps this is where mens economic anxiety kicks in, the worry that they have to compete with more people than ever, including those that used to be unemployable or relegated into lowly positions. They also have to share space with people from different backgrounds and lifestyles in their neighborhoods and malls.



This situation seems to draw them to embrace religious radicalism. Religion promises rigid gender roles, from the right to have a fixed sex partner to the right to be a father, and to the right to be the breadwinner. It gathers people with similar views and excludes people with different backgrounds. It is reassuring in times of trouble. Its tenet cannot be disputed and it promises eternal happiness for the believer.



The common understanding of why people join terror groups like Al Qaeda or Islamic State (IS) is that they were young people left behind by globalization, the digital economy and modernization.



A recent article by Nava Nuraniyah in The New York Times on pro-Islamic State domestic workers in Hong Kong, however, said that the women were not radicalized out of desperation. They had listened to the positive messages spread by local mosques and prayer groups, but felt that the messages were boring. They found and followed pro-IS accounts online before getting in touch with the group.



Full-time professionals who are happy to stay in Jakarta and write about the benefits of having a stay-at-home wife dont post such materials out of ignorance or foolishness, but do so with a mission: to ensure the security of their status and their jobs.



If more women agreed that they would be better off being stay-at-home (working) mothers, men can keep the old boys tradition alive at the office. If women agreed to bear more children, then men are assured that they will remain in the ethnic and religious majority.



Even believing in the Flat Earth theory serves as reassurance that nothing will change in the 21st century. Amazingly, it is easier now to convince ourselves (and others) that all mainstream media, universities and research institutes are liars, and that our favorite blog and chat group speak the truth.



The Economist, in a special report examining Trumps America, looked at the rise of the alt-right just after the recovery from the Great Recession of 2008-2013. It was good times, not bad times, that drove people to bigotry.



A similar phenomenon happened in the 1950s, and it might be caused by status anxiety  affluent men worried they would lose out to each other, so they blamed minorities and outsiders for crowding out the competition.



In America, status anxiety led to President Donald Trump. In Indonesia, it led to the popularity of religious conservatism. I hope experts on radicalism can offer some remedies, because this is not about inequality or anger. It could actually be about boredom.

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Linkedin Joeni A. Kurniawan (The Jakarta Post) Pisa  Fri, July 28, 2017

The government finally outlawed on July 20 Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), an Islamic group deemed by many as radical, because of the conviction that it posed a threat to Pancasila state ideology and the Constitution.



The move followed the issuance of a government regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) that revised Law No. 17/2013 on mass organizations.



Although the government might feel there is an urgency to take action to halt a worrying development of radical groups in Indonesia, it seems it moved too quickly and the policy has created some juridical and philosophical problems.



The main juridical fault with the Perppu is the absence of judicial process prior to the administrative sanction imposed by the government against a group considered to have violated the prescribed law.



The government has mistakenly referred to the administrative principle of contrarius actus, which suggests that as an administrative body the government has the right and capacity to withdraw or revoke any decision, thus such a policy  which is the legalization of a mass organization  can be made without any prior judicial process.



Not only does the Perppu show the governments defiance of its own regulation, its contents run counter to the fundamental legal principle stipulated in the Constitution.



Article 60 paragraph 2 of the Perppu says a mass organization that commits a crime will face administrative and penal sanctions.



It should be the court, rather than the government, that has the capacity to adjudicate whether or not a subject is guilty of committing a crime.



The government can impose a particular administrative sanction only if the related subject is declared guilty through a final court verdict.



Therefore, the banning of the HTI as a government punishment taken according the Perppu without trial can be considered an act of despotism.



There is also a philosophical fallacy in the governments efforts to eradicate radical groups through the Perppu. The fault concerns the use of Pancasila as justification for the punitive measures.



Article 59 paragraph 4 point c of the Perppu prohibits mass organizations from embracing an ideology that contradicts Pancasila. Violation of the article is classified as a crime.



So-called ideologies that are considered anti-Pancasila are atheism, communism/Marxism-Leninism and any ideology that aspires to replace Pancasila and the Constitution.



The problem with such a regulation is that it neglects the nature of Pancasila as a set of philosophical values.



Such values are not rigid and certain and therefore should be open to development of meaning and interpretation.



However, the Perppu stipulates that any attempt to replace Pancasila is a crime and is therefore prohibited. Such a regulation surely leads to some problematic questions.



First, since Pancasila is a set of philosophical values that are abstract and not rigid in nature and therefore open to interpretation, which interpretation of Pancasila can be considered a deviation or alteration of it?



Second, which party, if any, holds the authority and legitimacy to interpret Pancasila?



The history of Pancasila has proven that there has never been any certain meaning and interpretation of it.



As precisely noted by some scholars who have conducted research on Pancasila, such as Michael Morfit ( 1981 ) or Karel A. Steenbrink ( 1999 ), Pancasila has historically always been interpreted differently by different regimes.



During Sukarnos rule in 1955-1965, Pancasila was used as a means to defend his vision of guided democracy and nasakom, or unity of the nationalist, Islamist and communist groups.



Therefore, according to Sukarno, anyone who opposed any of the groups could and should be considered against Pancasila.



Soeharto, who succeeded Sukarno, used Pancasila as a very effective weapon to eradicate communists, which resulted in mass killings in 1965-1966. Soeharto established Pancasila Sanctity Day, which falls on Oct. 1, to emphasize that communism is a threat to Pancasila.



Even if we look back into the initial establishment of Pancasila before Indonesia gained independence in 1945, the current formulation of Pancasila followed a consensus among founding fathers to remove a phrase that acknowledged implementation of sharia for Muslims.



If Pancasila is problematic enough to be used as a basis to eradicate radical groups and movements, how can the government justify its fight against radicalism?



The Constitution and the Human Rights Law are feasible and justifiable to serve as the basis for the governments actions.



If we observe closely what radicalism is actually about, we will find that its danger is its tendency toward fascism. In most cases of (religious) radicalism, the perpetrators envision their ideology/religion as the right one and other ideologies/religions/beliefs can be neglected and suppressed.



Such vision is clearly a violation of and a threat to human rights.



Some radical movements, such as the HTI, aspire to establish a state/governmental system based on a particular religion. Such a mission runs counter to the Constitution, which clearly says that Indonesia is a state that embraces democracy and not based on a certain religion.



Relying on the Constitution and the Human Rights Law as the legal basis to fight radicalism is not only justifiable in the context of Indonesian law but also international relations.



Such a basis will also prevent unnecessary provisions, like the prohibition of thoughts or beliefs that do not threaten human rights.



As a humane society we should give no tolerance to intolerance. In so doing, however, we shall not commit an act of intolerance.

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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) San Francisco, United States  Fri, July 28, 2017 10:14 1933 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aaa82f3 2 Science & Tech Apple,technology,gadget,music,music-player,iPod-nano,iPod-shuffle,#technology,#Apple,#gadget Free

Touch became the last iPod standing on Thursday as Apple removed nano and shuffle stand-alone digital music players from its lineup.

Late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs introduced the devices some 12 years ago with his legendary showmanship flare, and the small, easy to operate players helped the company revolutionize how music was sold.

Apple confirmed to AFP that it is no longer selling nano and shuffle, and the MP3 players vanished from the Apple website.

"Today, we are simplifying our iPod lineup with two models of iPod touch now with double the capacity starting at just $199 and we are discontinuing the iPod shuffle and iPod nano," the company said in an email.

Industry trackers and California-based Apple itself have long acknowledged that the do-it-all iPhone would eat away at sales of one-trick devices such as iPod MP3 players, so the farewell was met more with nostalgia than surprise.

Read also: Microsoft keeps Paint in its software palette

The trend toward streaming music services, including the launch of one by Apple, has made devices designed just for carrying digital tunes around less enticing for consumers.

Shuffle devices about the size of matchbooks and featuring click-wheels for control but no screens debuted in early 2005, with Jobs touting that they let people carry broad libraries of music right in their pockets.

The small gadgets became popular with runners and others involved in physically active endeavors due to the ease with which they could be toted.

The iPod nano also hit the market in 2005, featuring click wheels and screens that improved the ability to select songs. Nano devices evolved with subsequent models, leading to one with a multi-touch screen and the look of an iPhone.

Neither the shuffle nor the nano linked to the internet, instead relying on downloading music from Apple online shop iTunes through computers.

Three years ago Apple discontinued the last version of the original iPod Classic, introduced in October of 2001.

The remaining products in the line are iPod touch models boasting much larger storage capacity and the ability to link wirelessly to internet hotspots for online content such as music streamed from services such as Apple Music.
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Linkedin Jessicha Valentina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28, 2017 17:59 1933 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aaba53d 1 Art & Culture Art-Jakarta-2017,#art,art,arts-and-culture,#ArtsandCulture,exhibition,#exhibition Free

2017 Art Jakarta, previously known as Bazaar Art Jakarta, officially opened on Thursday at the Grand Ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta Pacific Place hotel in South Jakarta.

Hosted by the Harper's Bazaar Indonesia magazine, the annual art fair  themed "Unity in Diversity"  will run until Sunday.

This year, the event features 53 galleries, showcasing both local and international artworks and various activities, such as art workshops, an auction, live painting and wayang potehi (Chinese hand puppet show).

The plethora of artworks might be a tad overwhelming for some. Hence, The Jakarta Post has listed down seven exhibitors to check out at the 9th installment of Art Jakarta.

Patrick Owen + Co

#PatrickOwenAnthology . Showcasing collaborations with visual artists as an anthology of ideas and aspirations for Patrick Owen in the past. Check it out at our space at @artjakarta Ritz Carlton, Pacific Place from 27th-30th July LOVE is the collaboration with @ohfajar in Patrick Owen S/S16 Fable collection Lensed by @sharonangelia A post shared by Patrick Owen (@patrickowenofficial) on Jul 27, 2017 at 10:59pm PDT

Local fashion designer Patrick Owen is recognized for his bold prints, hand-stitched embellishments and embroidery. However, for 2017 Art Jakarta, Patrick did not use his design elements to create attire.

In collaboration with local artists Emte, Anton Ismael, Fajar P Domingo and Tatiana Romanova Surya, Patrick spread the embroideries across transparent fabrics, resulting in unique visual art.

Semarang Gallery

This installation, 'Heaven is Mindset', was created by Franziska Fennet. (JP/Jessicha Valentina)

Those loving art installations may want to check out the Semarang Gallery booth. It showcases the Heaven is Mindset installation by Franziska Fennet, which was inspired by Janus, the god of beginnings, endings, transitions and duality in Roman mythology, which is commonly depicted with two faces.

Combining various techniques, including figures made of resin and textiles, the artist uses her work to symbolize the unity that comes out of differences.

Read also: Art fairs: Expecting ultimate results

Blink Gallery

Blink Gallery from Hong Kong showcases paintings by contemporary artist TK Chan. Her circular and colorful oil painting series dubbed Aurora Revelation calls for solidarity around concerns about global warming. A close look reveals a unique circular motion in the brush stroke, illustrating the colorful nature of human characters.

The Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf)

This year, the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) made its debut appearance at Art Jakarta. Prior to the event, the agency hosted an open call competition, inviting artists below the age of 33 to submit their works. Hence, visitors to the art fair can see 45 emerging local artists artworks at Bekrafs booth.

Curated by Rifki Goro Effendi and Asmudjo, the booth introduces hidden gems of the archipelago's art scene, from Jakarta and Bandung in West Java, to Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara and Sentani in Papua, for the very first time.

Art Xchange Gallery

To our friends and art lovers in Indonesia, Art Xchange Gallery is bringing our collection to Bazaar Art Jakarta, including the artwork above "Watch Out" by Antoe Budiono. The fair will run from 27 Aug 2015 to 30 Aug 2015. Find us at Booth B1 Hope to see you there. AXG Team  A post shared by Art Xchange Gallery (@artxchangegallerysg) on Aug 13, 2015 at 4:18am PDT

Specializing in Indonesian artworks, Singapore-based Art Xchange Gallery presents paintings by Antoe Budiono and wood carving by Yakobus Megosuryo. The former is a Malang-born self-taught artist specializing in hyperrealism. His works present political satire derived from local proverbs, such as berebut pepesan kosong (competing for something unworthy), hard to be a leader and more.

As for the latter, the hand-carved pieces convey Yakobus perception on life anecdotes, such as rats fighting for position and work hierarchy.

Read also: Bazaar Art Jakarta returns with new name, video art competition

Pearl Lam Galleries

A post shared by Pearl Lam Galleries (@pearllamgalleries) on Jul 26, 2017 at 8:49pm PDT

This year, Pearl Lam Galleries present artworks from across the world, including South Korea, China, Iran, Australia, Indonesia and India.

Those loving abstract painting may have a look at the work of Chinese artist Zhu Jinshi, who is recognized for abstract paintings that use thick strokes, resulting in bold surfaces.

Edwin's Gallery

Edwins Gallery is the go-to booth for those looking for art from local maestros. This year, the gallery showcases works of Ahmad Sadali, Mochtar Apin, Popo Iskandar and Srihadi Soedarsono.

In addition to the art pieces from renowned painters, the booth also features kinetic pieces by Edwin Rahardjo. (kes)
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Linkedin A. Kurniawan Ulung (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28, 2017 09:18 1933 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aaa6870 4 Art & Culture art-and-culture,Miss-Tjitjih,Sundanese,theater,folklore Free

Zainul Arifin likes to watch a new movie every weekend with his girlfriend at a movie theater at a Central Jakarta shopping mall.

But he dropped his plans on a recent Sunday when he learned that Miss Tjitjih would be performing at the Galeri Indonesia Kaya, an auditorium next to his regular movie haunt. On the day of the performance, a large crowd of people had lined up even before the show had started.

I have known Miss Tjitjih for a long time. I really want to watch their show because this is a legendary group. I am lucky I can find it here, because I thought it was already extinct, said the 20-year-old.

The legendary theater group, which will turn 90 next year, staged Sangkuriang in collaboration with the 2011 winner of the Putri Indonesia pageant, Maria Selena.

Sangkuriang is probably one of the most popular folktales of Sunda, but Miss Tjitjih performed an unexpected interpretation.

Read also: Photographer rekindles local folktales

The play opens with the pretty Dayang Sumbi (played by Maria Selena) who is weaving cloth at home, accompanied by a dog, Si Tumang (Sambas Aco).

She accidentally drops her spool of thread. Feeling lazy, she does not want to pick it up herself and carelessly declares that she would marry any man who picked it up for her.

Si Tumang, who is actually a god cursed to take the form of a dog, hears Sumbis promise and quickly picks up the thread.

Although shocked, Dayang Sumbi fulfills her promise and marries the dog. They later have a son named Sangkuriang (Dadang Badut).

Sangkuriang does not know that Tumang the dog is his father. During a hunting trip together, he kills it. Sumbi is enraged and throws her son out of the house, but immediately regrets her action and tries to find him.

She then decides to pray, wishing to be forever young.

It is in the following scene that Miss Tjitjih improvises and diverts from the original folktale.

Sumbi, who wishes to remain forever ageless and beautiful, instead turns ugly after a god and goddess give her the wrong potion. Maria is then replaced by actor Asep Kucay, who makes the audience laugh out loud for the twist in the traditional tale.

Fresh twist: The popular Sundanese folktale Sangkuriang is given unexpected twists by the Miss Tjitjih theater group. (JP/A. Kurniawan Ulung)

The 90-minute play is full of laughter, thanks to the cast members who successfully nail the comedic interpretation.

Long-time fans of Miss Tjitjih will recognize that its latest rendition of Sangkuriang is very different from the horror story that the group used to perform.

Imas Darsih, the troupes 56-year-old director, said although Miss Tjitjih was identified with the horror genre, this did not mean that the group could not perform other genres.

Read also: Three underrated Indonesian folktales that teach us a little more about life

Although the groups home is the Miss Tjitjih Theater in Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta, it will not perform there this year.

In 2017, we will not hold any show there. We will perform if we receive invitations to various events, such as at wedding ceremonies, circumcision rituals and public events like this, she said.

Miss Tjitjih depends on subsidies from the Jakarta administration to perform, but this year Imas said it was told it would not be getting any funding.

I dont know why, she said. We hope we can get it in 2018.

Si Kumang the dog. (JP/A. Kurniawan Ulung)

She said that to survive, some of the groups actors had opened food stalls or become ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers. Imas also recalled that last year, her group performed 24 shows at the Miss Tjitjih Theater.

Imas confessed that winning young peoples attention was still a challenge.

The group utilizes social media platforms like Facebook for promoting events in which it will perform, as well as their collaborations with public figures like Maria.

In the past, we performed with [the late comedians] Bing Slamet, Ellya Khadam and other artists. Unfortunately, those pictures were lost in the flames, she said, referring to when their home theater caught fire in 1997.

Even though foreign pop culture might have overshadowed traditional theater today, Imas has never stopped thanking God because the next generation of Miss Tjitjihs actors and managers were not entranced by it, and were instead eager to continue their parents legacy.

She said that today, Miss Tjitjih consisted of nearly 100 members, including the children of its lead actors. Imas herself is a daughter of Miss Tjitjih players.

While Imas was aware that the theater group was no longer the talk of the town because its competitors were too many, she said the group would never give up.

According to my parents, Miss Tjitjih has fought very hard to preserve the Sundanese culture. If not us, then who will [continue the fight]? she said. Insya Allah [God willing], we will not be die out.
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Fri, July 28 2017

The excessive censorship of TV programs in the past couple of years and disharmony between the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) and the Film Censorship Board (LSF) is in the spotlight. The

Jakarta Posts Corry Elyda examines how the discord continues at a time when the quality of TV programs remains at rock bottom.



Ratih Kumala, a TV program scriptwriter, remembers how frustrated she was when the horror show her team had worked on received a warning letter from the KPI two years ago. This seemed unforgettably outrageous because the program had already passed LSF screening.



Everything was fine with the show as far as she was concerned. It contained no profanity, no pornography and no violence and it was aired after 10 p.m. But for the vigorous KPI, it was a big no-no. It was compelled to admonish the TV station because the program smacked of mysticism.



Then we learned that visualizing devils and presenting mysticism were not allowed, she said.



In fact, Ratihs bewilderment is widely shared by people in the television industry. And it is symptomatic of the long-standing confusion resulting from the lack of clear-cut job descriptions on TV programs for the KPI and the much older LSF.



The KPI and the LSF both oversee the content of programs aired by 15 Jakarta-based TV stations. Many well-off cities and provinces have their own TV stations and their oversight lies with the local offices of the KPI.



They are defined by different rules of the game and legal umbrellas. The LSF is in charge of checking content before the programs are broadcast while the KPI monitors it when aired and enforces regulations.



The LSF has evolved over the 100 years since it began as the Film Oversight Commission that the Dutch colonial administration set up in 1916. Originally, its job was to oversee films and advertisements before they were screened. When television made inroads, the government expanded the LSFs job to include checking the content of all TV programs except news and live shows.



In the digital era of today, when technology accelerates film productions, the LSF remains short-staffed. Its core human resources consist of 16 employees and 32 staffers. Last year, 49,000 TV programs and big screen movies were checked by its censors.



The two institutions are often at odds about TV programs that draw public ire. This problem persists because they each have a different legal basis and different standard operating procedures. The LSF sets its standards based on Law No. 33/2009 on film. So it employs the very same guide in censoring both cinema movies and television shows.



Unfortunately, the KPI sticks to its Broadcasting Code of Conduct and Program Standards (P3SPS), which is more stringent than LSFs censorship standards.



To narrow the disparity, the government issued Regulation No. 18/2014 on the LSF, which requires that censorship focuses on key aspects of violence, gambling, drug abuse, pornography, religion, the law, human dignity and audience age.



However, the regulation only provides the LSF with a broad guideline. On the subject of religion, for example, it only requires the board cut scenes deemed to mock a religion or demean it and its symbols.



Meanwhile, the P3SPS employs a more rigid regime. For example, it frowns upon the visualization of satanic beings  a rule that does not exist in the LSF regulations. And this may be an oddity for the non-religious because mysticism is very much a part of local tradition.



The KPI rules also oblige broadcasting companies to obtain a censorship pass from the LSF for the programs they broadcast. Adding to the complications, the pass does not always save TV stations from the broadcasting commissions censorship, especially if a program attracts public criticism.





Aware of the tricky situation, the LSF has agreed to also adopt KPIs official guideline when censoring TV programs. But still, some feel that LSF standards fail to satisfy the broadcasting oversight board, resulting in censorship and perpetuating mutual mistrust.



LSF spokesperson Rommy Fibri said the KPI should make sure that it does not punish TV stations for screening programs that censors had previously passed.



But in reality, TV stations find the KPI too powerful to ignore. Whenever their programs are regarded as being off the mark, they cannot hide behind the LSFs pass label because the law also requires them to do further self-censorship. Unfortunately, TV stations have no standard guidelines and so play it safe to avoid LSF sanctions. Then, the KPI has a no compromise policy when dealing with programs it deems improper.



The KPI wields much wider power than simply imposing administrative sanctions, such as issuing warning letters, but can also cut programs running time, impose fines, suspend shows and even revoke broadcasting permits.



A slashed program duration deals a serious blow to a TV station because it cuts its revenue from commercials and imperils its business contracts.



Kelly Charenina, the associate producer of Trans TVs production division, said her team would rather cancel a program if the risk was too high. A warning letter would mean that our supervisor gives us a poor score card.



The fear is so great that TV stations and production houses have opted to re-censor programs that the LSF has already passed. This self-censorship is often so amusingly or outrageously excessive that it annoyingly spoils the aesthetics and kills the audiences appetite.



The paranoia brought about by the KPIs uncompromising stance against recalcitrant TV stations is obvious. In recent years, self-censorship has gone far beyond public understanding.



One of the most famous cases in point is the hilarious censorship involving the female squirrel in Spongebob named Sandy (Did you see that?).



Because Sandy lives on land, she wears a bikini when she visits the Bikini Bottom. Apparently for fear that the image of a scantily dressed Sandy would be too hot for some people to watch, the TV station blurred her chest. A snapshot of the poor pretty squirrel in an obscured purple bikini went viral on social media in 2015.



TV censors have continued to amuse the public. Last year, another viral snapshot featured a boy learning to milk a cow, with the gentle animal having its udders blurred too.



In the latest show of excessive fear of KPI sanctions, TV censors targeted the cleavage of swimming athletes in their internationally standardized suits and finalists of a Jakarta beauty pageant wearing kebaya (traditional blouses).



Many initially thought the funny censorship was done by the KPI. Commissioner Hardly Pariela admitted that the KPIs past leadership may have pushed TV stations too hard to practice self-censorship. Under the present leadership, which took over last year, the KPI means to provide more room for dialogue with broadcasters and production houses.



They [past KPI leadership] may have been too rigid in enforcing rules and caused excessive fear. Now, were open to discussion.



KPI statistics show that in 2015, the commission issued 228 warning letters. Of those, 34 were second warnings. It suspended five programs that year. The number of warnings dropped in 2016 to 157, with second warning letters decreasing to 14 and program suspensions to four.



Remotivi, a TV watchdog, believes that the mother of all the censorship chaos is the KPIs P3SPS, which it says has ambiguous provisions and prescribes indiscriminate censorship disregarding context.



On sexuality, for instance, the regulation specifies human body parts that television stations may not show or exploit  thighs, buttocks and breasts  but the particular provisions lack explanations on whether the restrictions can be exempt under certain circumstances.



To show and to exploit have different meanings, Remotivi director Muhamad Heychael said.



All the stakeholders, including the KPI and the LSF, acknowledge the complexity of censorship because it involves subjective judgments on a wide range of issues, such as sexuality, violence and morality.



Heychael said censorship mostly concerned sexuality. Remotivi has teamed up with the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) to scrutinize KPI warnings. They found of the 110 sanctions that the KPI imposed on TV stations for various violations, 70, or 64 percent, of those were related to sexuality.



However, despite the inflexible control by the two institutions, the quality of our television programs still falls short of public expectations. In its 2016 survey on program quality at five stations, the KPI found that only one was on par with its minimum standards, which was a program on tourism and culture.



On a scale of one to five, a TV program would qualify as good if it scored at least four. The sole good program scored 4.15. Albeit popular, variety shows and soap operas only scored 3.04 and 2.96, respectively, because of the violence element, both physical and verbal.



The grim indicator makes the effectiveness of censorship and KPIs aggressive actions against non-compliant stations questionable.



Puji Rianto, a communications expert from the Indonesian Islamic University (UII), sees the measures as endangerment of the freedom of expression. Violence among children and sexual abuse remain rampant [in real life], he said.



He would rather see the LSF disbanded and the funding redirected for the education of parents and children on media literacy.



TV needs monitoring because it works in the public domain, but let the KPI do that and media workers can conduct self-censorship with proper guidance, he said.



But some hold onto the hope for a better future, with both the KPI and the LSF coexisting side by side. Kelly, for one, envisions the two working together when it comes to policy-making.



We program producers are compelled to forever race against time. Being watched by two institutions that have different standards is uncomfortable, she said.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28, 2017 17:54 1933 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aab9c8f 1 City Halim-Perdanakusuma-Airport,runway,damaged-road Free

A haj flight was moved from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on Friday because of a section of damaged runway measuring 3 by 2 meters and 25 centimeters in depth.

The runway at the East Jakarta airport was reportedly damaged after a wide-body aircraft carrying 393 haj pilgrims, the first of three haj flights scheduled for departure at the airport, successfully took off on Friday morning. Runway repairs lasted for about three hours starting at 9:00 a.m., kompas.com reported.

Transportation Ministry spokesperson JA Barata said that a second haj flight scheduled to take off at 12:00 p.m. that day from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport was moved to Soekarno-Hatta airport and rescheduled at 1:05 p.m. to avoid delays.

The last haj flight would depart from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport as planned because the repairs had been completed, Barata said.

Activities at the airport returned to normal at around 2 p.m., after the runway was repaired. (vny)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28, 2017 17:25 1933 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aab8df7 1 Business east-natuna,Natuna-Gas-Consortium,ExxonMobil,Inpex Free

After the withdrawal of ExxonMobil from the Natuna Gas Consortium, a concession holder of the East Natuna Block, the Indonesian government is inviting other companies to join the consortium.

Energy and Mineral Resources Deputy Minister Arcandra Tahar said on Thursday the government would welcome the participation of any firm, including Inpex Corporation, a Japanese oil company, which is reportedly interested in joining the consortium.

The government offers [the position] to any firm, including Inpex, said Arcandra as reported by kontan.co.id on Friday.

He said, however, that he had no clear idea about the actual participation of Inpex in the East Natuna Block.

"Anyone who wants to enter East Natuna, we more than welcome them. I will help any company that wants to enter.

Previously, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry announced that ExxonMobil had withdrawn from the consortium after learning the results of a feasibility study on the block.

The other two consortium members are state-owned energy company Pertamina and Thailands PTT EP.

Arcandra said Pertamina could not manage the East Natuna project alone because of the high CO2 content, which reaches up to 72 percent.

Exxon was a concession holder of the East Natuna Block together with Natuna D-Alpha in 1980, but Pertamina took over control of the block in 2008.

The East Natuna block, formerly known as D-Alpha, is located in the province of Riau Islands.

With proven reserves of 46 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas, it is one of the largest gas reserves in Asia. (bbn)
Dr KC's 11th hunger strike: Talks underway between KC, govt reps

The talks between government team and representatives of agitating Dr Govinda KC have begun at Ministry of Education in Singhadurbar.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28, 2017 19:31 1933 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aabfcea 1 Business rice-ceiling-price-regulation,trade-minister,cancellation Free

The government on Friday revoked a regulation setting price ceilings for rice, following protest from traders and wholesalers.

Trade Minister Enggartiasto Eanggar Lukita said he would invite all stakeholders to discuss a revision of Trade Ministry Regulation No 47/2017 on reference prices for rice bought from farmers and rice sold to consumers.

He claimed that the regulation had not been approved by the Law and Human Rights Ministry. However, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman had cited it as the legal basis for confiscating 1,160 tons of rice from a warehouse owned by PT Indo Beras Unggul (IBU) in Bekasi, West Java.

Under the regulation, the consumer price for rice is capped at Rp 9,000 (66 US cents) per kilogram for medium-quality and premium rice, while PT IBU sold its medium and premium rice at Rp 13,700 and Rp 20,400 per kilogram, respectively.

Enggar promised to include the concerns of all stakeholders in the regulation on rice prices.

The authority to issue the regulation lies with the government, but before we issue a regulation, we will discuss the issue, said Enggar when visiting a rice wholesale market in East Jakarta on Friday.

He said parties to be invited to a meeting would include representatives of the Agriculture Ministry, the Trade Ministry, the National Police, the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU), distributors, traders and rice millers.

Enggar said the government would set rice reference prices soon after an agreement was reached. (dis/bbn)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28 2017

The Jakarta administration plans to use money left over from the development of the Semanggi interchange to repair sidewalks.

City secretary Saefullah said that total funds for the project reached Rp 579 billion (US$43.5 million) while it cost Rp 360 billion to build the interchange.

Because efficiency measures were introduced in the building of the Simpang Susun Semanggi, we have leftover money that will be used to build sidewalks, Saefullah said Wednesday at City Hall as quoted by beritajakarta.com.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28 2017

The Jakarta Police have said its traffic unit collected Rp 2.3 billion (US$172,000) in fines from traffic violators in a single week.

Jakarta Police traffic unit chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Budiyanto said many of the 4,684 violators were ticketed for driving on sidewalks or against traffic, while others were caught along South Jakartas Casablanca overpass.

The fines were the maximum, Rp 500,000. All of the violators were motorcyclists, Budiyanto said Wednesday, as quoted by wartakota.tribunnews.com.

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Linkedin Fedina S. Sundaryani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28, 2017 19:38 1933 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aac1622 1 Business Indonesia,Singapore,meeting,investment,DarminNasution,statement Free

The government is hoping to boost investment and trade ties with neighboring Singapore following a bilateral meeting on Friday.

Indonesia and Singapore frequently held bilateral meetings at all levels of government, Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution said after the meeting at Hotel Borobudur in Central Jakarta on Friday.

The talks on Friday focused on six issues: the Batam-Bintan-Karimun Special Economic Zone, investment, transportation, tourism, manpower and agribusiness, Darmin added.

Darmin declined to disclose details on investment and trade deals, but the ministrys official responsible for international economic cooperation, Rizal A. Lukman, said one of the deals involved state-owned electricity firm PLN and the construction of small-scale power plants in Sumatra.

He said another outcome of the meeting was that Singapore had agreed to increase its investment in the Kendal industrial park in Central Java. (bbn)

Topics : Indonesia Singapore meeting investment DarminNasution statement
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Linkedin Moses Ompusunggu (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28, 2017 17:34 1933 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aab90fe 1 Politics execution,AGO,Ombudsman,maladministration Free

The Indonesian Ombudsman has concluded that there was "maladministration" in the execution of Nigerian Humphrey Jefferson Ejike Eleweke last year.

Ombudsman commissioner Ninik Rahayu told a Friday press briefing there had been "negligence and discrimination practiced by the Attorney General's Office and the Supreme Court" in relation to Eleweke, who was executed in Central Java on July 29 last year for drug crimes.

Ninik said the execution of Eleweke did not comply with regulations. The execution took place while the convict was seeking clemency, she said.

Indonesia's 2002 Law on Clemency stipulates that the execution of those seeking clemency cannot be carried out before the issuance of a presidential decree in relation to the appeal.

Another sign of maladministration, Ninik said, was that the Supreme Court was guilty of discrimination by rejecting a case review appeal filed by Eleweke without "a proper explanation."

Eleweke was one of four drug convicts executed on July 29 last year, along with fellow countryman Michael Titus Igweh, Indonesian Freddy Budiman and Senegalese Seck Osmane.

Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo said earlier this year that the government was mulling over carrying out a fourth batch of executions under the administration of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo. (ary)

Topics : execution AGO Ombudsman maladministration
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Linkedin Ivany Atina Arbi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28, 2017 19:56 1933 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aac241f 1 City bullying,victims Free

In response to growing concern about bullying cases in the capital, the Jakarta Social Agency has inaugurated a house to protect child victims.

The agencys head, Masrokhan, said a recent case of bullying at the Thamrin City shopping mall in Central Jakarta was unlikely to be the last to occur in the city, prompting his agency to prepare a child protection house to give the victims a safe place to calm down.

After the bullying incident at Thamrin City, we brought the victim to the child protection house run by the Social Affairs Ministry, Masrokhan said on Friday. As the city not have any such facility of its own in the past, it used to coordinate with the ministry to handle bullying and other cases of child abuse.

Now, we can handle cases of child abuse in Jakarta on our own. We have prepared some psychologists and social workers at our child protection house, Masrokhan added. The agency also cooperates with the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) to help children at the house, which is called Chairun Nisa and located in Matraman, East Jakarta.

Nine boys and girls from several junior high schools in Central Jakarta were seen in disturbing footage bullying a female elementary school student in an empty corridor at the shopping center in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, on July 14.

The perpetrators grabbed the victims hair, punched and even kicked her. The video ends with the victim being forced to kneel down before the bullies and kiss their hands. Some of the perpetrators cheer and take pictures of the ill-conduct.

Topics : bullying victims
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28, 2017 18:51 1933 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aabe7e6 1 City transjakarta,stealing Free

A Transjakarta bus driver, identified only as SS, reportedly stole a Transjakarta bus from its depot in Cijantung, East Jakarta, and drove it to Pekalongan in Central Java after hearing supernatural voices.

Ciracas Police chief Comr. Tuti Aini in East Jakarta, who followed SS to Pekalongan, said she could track the perpetrators position using the bus GPS signal. PT Mayasari Bhakti, an operator of Transjakarta busses, reported the theft of the vehicle to police on Wednesday afternoon.

Personnel from Ciracas Police and some Mayasari Bhakti staff members immediately went to Pekalongan after coordinating with Pekalongan Police, Tuti said, as quoted by wartakota.tribunnews.com. She added that SS and the bus he stole were already at the Pekalongan police office by the time the entourage arrived.

His motive is still vague. We have yet to conduct a proper investigation, but he did mention that he had stolen the bus because of hearing supernatural whisper, Tuti further explained.

If found guilty, SS could be charged under Article 363 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) on theft, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison. (vny)

Topics : transjakarta stealing
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28, 2017 12:46 1933 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aab184b 1 Business Ombudsman,investigation,raids,warehouses,rice Free

The Indonesian Ombudsman has criticized a raid by the Food Task Force on a rice warehouse in Bekasi, West Java, last week, owned by PT Indo Beras Unggul (IBU), which was accused selling low quality rice as premium rice.

Ombudsman commissioner Alamsyah Saragih said on Thursday that the institution would look into the matter.

Dont use the task force to build an image. The task force was established to improve the [staple food] distribution chain, said Alamsyah, as reported by tribunnews.com.

On Thursday, the Indonesian Ombudsman summoned the National Police's Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) and special economic crimes department to seek clarification about the raid.

Members of the Food Task Force consist of representatives of the Agriculture Ministry, the Trade Ministry, the National Police and the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU).

After the raid, Bareskrim economic crimes chief Brig. Gen. Agung Setya claimed that PT IBU had bought unhusked rice from farmers for Rp 4,900 per kilogram and sold it as medium and premium rice for Rp 13,700 and Rp 20,400 per kilogram, respectively.

PT IBU spokesman Jo Tjong Seng said the government subsidized farmers so that they could increase their productivity, while his company bought rice from any farmer whether they were subsidized or not.

Alamsyah said his office was looking into whether there were instances of invalid information that led to misleading measures, whether the relevant institutions had done their job in carrying out supervision and the process of regulation making. (bbn)

Topics : Ombudsman investigation raids warehouses rice
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Linkedin Farida Susanty (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28, 2017 15:36 1933 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aab6946 1 Business hajj-pilgrimage,Halim-Perdanakusuma-Airport,soekarno-hatta-airport Free

The government moved the departure of one Saudi Airlines haj flight from Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport in Jakarta to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on Friday.

Originally, the plane was scheduled to depart at 12 a.m. on Friday from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport but was rescheduled to depart at 1:05 p.m. from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Transportation Ministry spokesman JA Barata said in a statement on Friday.

He said the government had moved the flight because of runway damage at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport after the departure of a Boeing 777 flight to Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

He said the damage resulted in the runway being closed for three hours to allow repair work to be done.

"On Friday, there would have been three haj pilgrimage flights from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport," Barata said, adding that after the repairs were made, haj flights from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport could proceed as scheduled.

Friday was the first day of departure for Indonesian pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia. This year, Indonesia will send 221,000 pilgrims to the country. Indonesians have to wait an average of 17 years after registration to embark on the haj. (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28, 2017 11:54 1933 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aab08fa 1 Business patimban-seaport,tanjung-priok,Budi-Karya-Sumadi,comments Free

The combination of Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta and the planned Patimban Port in Subang, West Java, will significantly increase Indonesia's capacity in cargo ship accommodation, a minister has said.

"The combination of Patimban and Tanjung Priok will make Indonesia able of competing with Singapore," said Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi after speaking at a discussion on the project in Jakarta on Thursday.

He said the two seaports would have to team up and not compete with each other to make Indonesia cargo service competitive.

Currently, Tanjung Priok's loading capacity of 6 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), is only 20 percent of Singapore's port.

Meanwhile, Patimban Port is designed to have a container capacity of 1.5 TEUs once it is partially completed in 2019 and 7.5 million 20 TEUs by 2027.

On Tuesday, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced it was ready to sign a loan agreement with the government to finance the project. JICA senior representative in Indonesia Muraoka Hiromichi said his agency was waiting for the government to proceed with the project.

The port will be suitable for automotive cargo, considering that the location is close to automotive factories in Cikarang and Karawang, West Java, Budi added.

"Once fully completed, Patimban will be able to accommodate around 600,000 cars," said Budi, adding that the groundbreaking of the project would be held early next year.

The total project is estimated to cost Rp 43 trillion (US$3.29 billion) and the first phase of its construction will cost Rp 17 trillion. (dea/bbn)
Dr KCs hunger strike: Talks with govt team inconclusive

A meeting between government team and representatives of agitating Dr Govinda KC held at the Ministry of Education in Singhadurbar on Friday has ended inconclusively.
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28 2017

The South Jakarta District Court sentenced on Thursday a 15-year-old, BL, to be sent to a counseling house after she was convicted of killing her baby at birth.

The panel of judges, led by Fahimah Basyir, found her guilty for the murder, but refrained to put her in prison, as requested by prosecutors, since she was considered underage and clueless about her pregnancy.

The judges ordered BL to stay at the Marsudi Putra Handayani counseling house in East Jakarta for 18 months.

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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28 2017

A clause in the terrorism bill granting the authorities the power to bug suspected terrorists without permission from the courts is prone to abuse, activists claim.

Muhammad Isnur of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that the provision could easily be abused by law enforcers and therefore could compromise privacy rights.

All this time, in the field, the authorities often abuse the law. The police, for example, often ignore legal procedures when shooting terror suspects.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28, 2017 12:01 1933 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aab0a2b 1 News Garuda-Indonesia,GOTF,GOTF-2017,travel,travelers Free

Senior public relations manager of Garuda Indonesia, Ikhsan Rosan, has confirmed via the Garuda Online Travel Fair (GOTF) announcement in Garuda Indonesias website that the flag carrier's online travel fair will be held for the second time. The event will be held from August 3rd 9th.

There will be special fares, but they will only apply for online purchases, Ikhsan said to Kompas Travel. Garuda Indonesia has prepared a few choice domestic air travel routes for GOTF 2017, which include Padang, Denpasar, Balikpapan, Lombok and Labuan Bajo.

Ikhsan also states that GOTF 2017, or GOTF Phase 2, will follow the same program schedule as before. The first is the Regular Time starting 09.00 a.m. while the last two are both on weekends, Happy Hour on 09.00-10.00 a.m. and the Midnight Sale from 12.00 a.m.

Read also: Garuda Indonesia, BNI launch 'Ayo Liburan' tourism program

Garuda will collaborate with Bank BTN, Mandiri and BRI. The fare discounts will apply to debit or credit card holders from either of the three banks.

Garuda Indonesia will also work together with the Tourism Ministry, Agoda and Swiss Belhotel International, Garuda Indonesia Holiday, VIP Plaza, Blibli.com, JD.ID and Blanja.com.

Aside from special travel deals, travelers can also peruse holiday supplies and packages along with hotel accommodation. To participate in GOTF, users can also utilize Garuda Indonesias mobile app, the airline's website at garuda-Indonesia.com, or with GOTFs designated URL address at garuda-Indonesia.com/gotf. (dan/asw)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28, 2017 16:01 1933 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aab6bb6 1 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,Bangka-Belitung Free

Toboali town in South Bangka regency, Bangka Belitung Islands province, is currently holding the four-day Toboali City On Fire (TCOF) Season II 2017 event until July 30 at the Laut Nek Aji field.

This event aims to promote tourism in Bangka Belitung Islands and its surrounding area, said Tourism Minister Arief Yahya during the events launching in Jakarta.

Bangka Belitung Islands has plenty of interesting attractions, delicious food and many options of accommodation. There are currently dozens of hotels available in the province and a new hotel in Tanjung Kelayang Special Economic Zone (KEK) is set to be build in the near future. As for accessibility, H.A.S. Hanandjoeddin Airport in Belitung will soon become an international airport in a bid to attract more foreign tourists, especially from China, Arief added.

Read also: Fancy a holiday in mining wasteland?

In May 2017, up to 31,586 tourists reportedly visited Bangka Belitung Islands.

Among the activities featured in the event are bike packer, fashion carnival, photo competition, creative traditional dance festival, tudung saji (traditional semicircular food covers) painting competition, oriental mural festival, band festival, kite festival, barongsai festival, documentary film competition, culinary festival, Adat Buang Jung traditional ritual, Nganggung 1,000 Dulang, motorcycle community touring, UMKM (micro, small and medium enterprises) and community exhibition and target shooting competition. (kes)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, July 28, 2017 14:23 1933 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aab32e6 1 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,historic-site,Central-Java,Yogyakarta,yogyakarta-tourism Free

Tourism ministry together with Yogyakarta Military Academy Families Association (IKAM  Yogya) is holding a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) in the form of a trip to Central Java on Saturday, July 29.

This FGD will take its participants to travel to several memorable sites such as Vreidenberg Fort, SMA BOPKRI 1 Yogyakarta, SMPN 2 Kalasan, Kusuma Negara Heroes Cemetery in Semaki, Magelang Military Academy and Taruna Struggle Monument in Plataran-Kalasan.

Read also: Yogyakarta: One day, eight destinations

Tourism ministrys incentive trip promotional head Hendri Karnoza categorized historical tour as specific kind of tour, following the likes of eco-tourism, SPA tourism, MICE tourism, culinary tourism, cruise tourism and shopping tourism.

Aside from the beauty of nature, social, history and culture are also important factors in a tourist attraction. No wonder Indonesia has plenty of attractions because this country has so many histories and cultures, said Hendri.

Magelang Military Academy, also known as Yogyakarta Military (MA Yogya), was an extension of Indonesia Military Academy. It was first opened in 1945 and closed in 1950.

Located in BOPKRI High School, all cadets and officers at this Academy participated in many real-life events such the fight against the British Empire in Surabaya, fight against the Netherlands in North Priangan, guarding General Soedirman during the cease-fire negotiation with the Netherlands in Jakarta and took part in Madiun affair in 1948.

Read also: Ten beaches to visit in Yogyakarta

197 youth officers from the first batch of the academy were inaugurated by then President Soekarno at Gedung Agung Yogyakarta Palace on November 28, 1948. 21 days later, on December 19, the Dutch invaded Yogyakarta and national leaders were taken captive. MA Yogya cadets and officers had to move out of town and under the order of General Soedirman they started a guerrilla war.

29 alumni of MA Yogya died during the second Independence War, to commemorate their death the Taruna Struggle Monument was built in Plataran  Kalasan village.

After graduating 3 batches of students, MA Yogya was closed in 1950, but President Soekarno reopened the academy on November 11, 1957 at the National Military Academy Magelang complex.

"This FGD and historical tour is hoped to help emerge new history tourism destinations in the former capital of this country. We also hope to preserve the history of the Indonesia's struggle in fighting for its independence. This will help educate the younger generation, and it's in line with the mental revolution and character building curriculum which is being revamped in our national education system," said Indroyono Soesilo, head of maritime tourism acceleration team. (asw)
Government websites face pre-launch tests

In a bid to safeguard the governments digital presence from possible cyber attacks, a taskforce has recommended that all the websites hosted by public offices undergo vulnerability assessment and special test before putting them on line.
The Three Square Market company have become one of the first in the world to put microchips in employees arms to replace ID cards, the company revealed.

The tech company - based in Wisconsin, USA - now allows employees to order food at the cafeteria, open doors and log in to their computer without a password, simply by waving their arm.

In a move that dangerously resembles a prequel to Ghost in the Shell and other dystopic films, the chip is inserted in a persons arm with a needle, between the thumb and forefinger.

Doing this would be the right thing to do for advancing innovation, according to Market chief executive Todd Westby.

Needless to say, the most prone to accepting conspiracy theories or simply people who have watched the whole Terminator saga couldnt help but notice what this might mean in terms of biohacking risks.

And in fact - despite some companies in Sweden, the Czech Republic and Belgium also previously offering similar programmes - fewer than 10 % of their workers embraced this technology.

At Three Square Market, however, more than 50 out of 80 employees have so-far volunteered, making it the biggest rate of approval so far on a global scale.

Mr Westby said that the chip would not track employees and did not have GPS positioning, but Melissa Timmins - the companys sales director - was not entirely convinced.

Because its new, I dont know enough about it yet. Im a little nervous about implanting something into my body.

For employees not prepared to do so, the company is offering to place the chip either in a wristband or a ring.

Three Square Market said that the data on the chip is "encrypted." However, Alessandro Acquisti, a professor of information technology and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University, told the Times that encrypted is "a pretty vague term.

[It] could include anything from a truly secure product to something that is easily hackable."
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Nefin for ensuring proportional representation in all elections

The Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities has started lobbying for proportional inclusion in the upcoming federal and provincial polls, registering separate amendment proposals to the bills related to federal and provincial polls.
Nepal Police ASI found dead in Darkha, Dhading

A Nepal Police Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) stationed at Darkha Area Police Office in Northern Dhading was found dead on Friday.
Pakistan top court disqualifies PM Sharif from office over corruption case

Pakistan's Supreme Court has dis qualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from from holding public office over corruption case on Friday, reported BBC.
Prime minister urges EC to cut invalid votes

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has asked the Election Commission to minimise the percentage of invalid votes by reforming the electoral process.
Rasuwagadhi awaits infra development

The devastating earthquake of 2015 had totally destroyed the infrastructure in Kerung, China. But after two years, anyone who reaches the area is surprised because of the well developed buildings, highway, modern immigration and well-equipped customs offices.
Hamlin senior throws standout Gracelyn Leiseth headed to Florida

Hamlin's Gracelyn Leiseth to compete in women's track and field at the University of Florida.
Team formed to monitor Dr KCs health

The Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) on Thursday formed a seven-member committee to monitor health of Dr Govinda KC who has been on a hunger strike since Monday.
The real deal or a flight of fancy?

As soon as they assumed office, the newly appointed ministers on Wednesday and Thursday announced their plans and promises, which some government officials and observers termed just another flight of fancy.
Anushka Sharma, who will be seen opposite Shah Rukh Khan in their upcoming movie Jab Harry Met Sejal, rescued a seagull in Europe during the shoot of the film.

After wrapping up the shoot for the day, Anushka decided to take a walk at a beach in the evening where she encountered an injured seagull. The actor immediately took initiative to offer help to the injured bird. She, along with some locals, ensured first aid to the bird and its safety.

The actor, who is an animal lover, couldn't ignore the animal lying in pain and insisted on arranging proper medical care for the seagull.
British liquor giant Diageo on 27 July said it has asked beleaguered businessman Vijay Mallya to return $40 million paid to him as part of the $75 million (Rs.515 crore) sweetheart deal for his exit from United Spirits Ltd.

Diageo has stopped payment of $7 million a year to Mallya as part of the deal and sought compensation for the losses incurred by it.

The British firm had agreed to pay Mallya, who now lives in the UK after Indian banks approached courts to recover money lent to his now defunct airline, $75 million over five years as global non-compete and non-interference fee post his exit from United Spirits Ltd (USL).

Citing violation of the agreement by Mallya, Diageo has also ruled out the future instalments to him, saying "it was not liable to pay such amount."

"Diageo and other group companies have demanded from Mallya the repayment of $40 million which was paid by Diageo on 25 February 2016, and also sought compensation from him for various losses incurred by the relevant members of the Diageo group on account of the breaches committed by him," Diageo said in its Preliminary Results for the year ended June 30, 2017.

Diageo has paid $40 million of the total $75 million on signing of the Agreement on February 25, 2016, while the balance $35 million was to be paid in equal instalments of $7 million a year over five years.

This was subject to and conditional on Mallya s compliance, with certain terms of the agreement, it added.

"While the first instalment of $7 million would have become due on 25 February 2017, owing to various reasons, including breaches of several provisions of the 25 February Agreement committed by Mallya, Diageo believes that it was not liable to pay such amount, and is very unlikely to become liable to pay future instalments, to Mallya," said Diageo.

Diageo's agreement with Mallya also provided for the five-year global non-compete, non-interference, non- solicitation and standstill commitments.

This also had clauses as Mallya's resignation from USL and the termination of his USL-related appointment and governance rights, the relinquishing of rights and benefits attached to his position at USL, and his agreement not to pursue claims against Diageo and USL.

In July 2016, United Spirits disclosed Rs.1,225.3 crore worth fund diversion and improper transactions with entities associated with Mallya, including Kingfisher Airlines and his Formula One team.

Making it clear that the settlement reached earlier with Mallya would cover the latest disclosures, USL  now controlled by Diageo  had said the former Chairman would be liable for claims over the amount.

Several banks have declared him wilful defaulter for failing to pay back loans amounting to thousands of crores. A consortium of 17 banks led by SBI has been trying to recover dues of over Rs.9,000 crore from the now defunct Kingfisher Airlines, which was promoted by Mallya.
The Mizoram NGO Coordination Committee, a conglomerate of NGOs and student associations, has demanded dismissal of the Minister of State for Fisheries Dr Buddha Dhan Chakma for alleged anti-government activities.

It placed its demand in a memorandum to the state Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla yesterday, leaders of the Central Committee of the Young Mizo Association (CYMA) said.

The Committee alleged that Chakma had been indulging in a number of anti-government and anti-Mizo activities while being a minister.
Jane Austen was a great novelist of the early 19th century. Born on 16 December 1775, she was the second daughter of The Reverend George Austen and his wife, Cassandra. Jane and her sister, Cassandra had six brothers.

She spent a lot of her life in the beautiful English county of Hampshire and the lovely countryside and rolling dales were a source of inspiration for her novels.

Austen died on 18 July, 1817 possibly from Hodgkins lymphoma at the age of 41 and therefore this year marks the 200th anniversary of her death. Jane Austens House Museum and other Organizations, across England, will celebrate the authors creativity and talent.

Before one reflects on Austens notable books, it will be relevant to pause and digress to another literary family of three sisters, who also lived in the 19th century. Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte comprised the three sisters, and the similarity with Austen was that both their fathers served the church. Like Austen, the Brontes were not readily accepted into Englands literary world.

That compelled them to publish their writing under male pseudonyms. It was Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre, which first witnessed success, similar to Austens Pride and Prejudice. Equally interesting, as a comparison of Austen and the Bronte sisters, is that they initially wrote narratives to read out to their parents and siblings, at home. That was a prelude to their respective literary careers.

People were prone to scrutinising the manuscripts of these women writers with scorn or even condescension. Their stories revolved around love and matrimony during an era when finding an eligible man for a sheltered lady was a challenge, often fraught with difficulties, when the man could also be swayed and influenced by another woman, causing heartbreak to the first suitor.

It was a time when marriage swiftly became the ultimate ambition of women. Austen reflected the minds of women, with these words, A ladys imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment. Pride and Prejudice, first published in 1813, is a humourous story of love and life among the English gentility during the Georgian era.

Mr Bennet is an English gentleman, living in Herefordshire, with his overbearing wife.The Bennets five daughters, from the beautiful Jane to the wild Lydia, are integral to the storyline, which hinges on Jane and her sister, Elizabeths matrimonial plans. The plot signifies an undertone of urgency  Mr Bennets Longbourn estate, where the family live is entailed, which means none of the five sisters can inherit it.

Mrs Bennet has no fortune, so it is vital that at least one of the sisters marries well in order to support the others after Mr Bennets death. The novel, thus, circles around the necessity of marrying for love, and not simply for money. The words of Austen are manifest with relevance, A single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. Austens book, Emma, published in 1815, explores the difficulties of genteel women in Englands Georgian-Regency and creates a wonderful comedy among the characters.

Unlike Pride and Prejudice, she introduces the title character as Emma Woodhouse, a clever and rich lady. This reads as a contrast to Pride and Prejudice, where the principal characMatters familial This year marks the 200th death anniversary of novelist Jane Austen ters are Jane and Elizabeth. Emma is a spoiled and headstrong person and underestimates her own matchmaking abilities.

She ignores the dangers of meddling in other peoples lives and her obstinacy and wild imagination often lead her astray. Her effort to try and marry off her friend Harriet to Mr Elton, the local vicar, is not a smooth sailing plan. Harriet had already proposed to Robert Martin, a respectable farmer, which Emma advised Harriet to cancel. Mr Elton, a social climber, thinks Emma is in love with him.

So when he proposes to Emma, there is a chaotic chain of developments. The story concludes with Emma accepting Mr Knightleys proposal; he has been Emmas well wisher throughout, which Emma did not realise till the end. In Mansfield Park, published in 1814, Austen narrates the lives of the upper class. A young girl, Fanny Price, comes to live with her wealthy uncle and aunt.

Fannys family, in contrast, is quite poor. She is somewhat isolated in a different social class. Despite distinctions in the social hierarchy at Mansfield Park, Fanny marries to live happily ever after. Until her books were published, Austen received no income and depended on pocket money from her father. Sandra Tupper, curator of an exhibition, asserts, Her whole world was her family.

Two hundred years later, her brilliance as a writer has been acknowledged differently. An image of Austen is to appear on 10 Pound notes and on two Pound coins in Britain.
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday asked the troops to remain prepared in order to counter the nefarious designs of the enemy.

General Rawat, who was in Jammu to review the operational preparedness and the prevailing security scenario, visited many places along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri, which were being targeted by Pakistani troops in the recent past. He also visited the Akhnoor sector.

Army spokesman, Colonel Maneesh Mehta, said that General Rawat was accompanied by Northern Army Commander Lt Gen D Anbu during his visit to White Knight Corps to review the operational preparedness.

The Army Chief was briefed by Lt Gen AK Sharma, GOC 16 Corps, about the preparedness of White Knight Corps in dealing with the emerging and dynamically changing security situation and the measures taken to thwart any misadventure by the inimical forces.

He also visited Rajouri and Akhnoor sectors wherein he was briefed on the operational readiness by the GOC Ace of Spades division and GOC Crossed Swords division. He also visited forward posts along the LoC where he was briefed in detail on the actions being undertaken to ensure a robust counter infiltration grid. He also interacted with the soldiers deployed on the forward posts and exhorted the troops to continue to remain vigilant and Ever Ready.

General Rawat while complimenting the formations for their unflinching efforts and reiterated the continued need to remain prepared in order to counter the nefarious designs of the enemy.
Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat will arrive in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday to visit forward positions on the Line of Control (LoC), Defence Ministry officials said.

General Rawat would also chair a security review meeting here.

"After chairing the security review meeting, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is likely to visit some forward locations on the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts," the officials said.

The Indian and Pakistani Army have been engaging each other in frequent firing exchanges on the LoC in these two districts.

Although the LoC has remained calm for the last four days, India has blamed Pakistan for unprovoked, indiscriminate shelling and firing in the districts often targeting civilian facilities, including schools and villages.
Invoking Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday advocated dialogue with Pakistan and all stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir to bring the state out of the "current mess".

She said it was more about an emotional integration of Kashmiris with India for which the idea of 'azadi' in Kashmir needed to be replaced with a "better idea" that will accommodate aspirations of the people of the state.

Speaking at a two-day Jammu and Kashmir Conclave-2017 organised here by Delhi-based think-tank Bureau of Research on Industry and Economic Fundamentals (BRIEF), the Chief Minister lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged the central government to do more for restoring peace in the state.

She said she was longing to see "the India which cries, feels the pain of Kashmir".

"The India that embraced us on our terms. To me, India is when we go to Nizamuddin shrine and see Hindus and Muslims praying together. To me, India is statues of Hindu gods being made by Muslim artisans."

Mufti said the government and the people of India needed to understand what Kashmiris were asking for and replace the idea of azadi "with a better idea".

"Are we ready to do that? Or we will just depend on administrative measures or security measures to tackle the situation? We may be able to contain the situation with all these measures but I don't think we have been able to address the real problem in the last 70 years."

Mufti said the ruling alliance was created with a hope of reviving the magic of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had initiated talks with separatists and Pakistan to solve the Kashmir problem.

"We need to revive that. He did it in spite of Kargil, he did it in spite of the Parliament attack. We need to revive it and Pakistan has also to contribute positively."

She admitted that there were some setbacks while dealing with Pakistan "but we cannot give up".

"I feel Modi is the man of the moment. He has the potential to rise. He can become the man of history and his leadership is an asset which needs to be harnessed and there has to be a way to work together and take Kashmir out of the mess."

Drawing attention to the five 2005 Working Groups constituted by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to address problems of the people of the state, Mufti said the government needed not to reinvent the wheel.

"The working group reports are there but they have been consigned to dustbins."

Asked about the recent crackdown of the National Investigation Agency against separatist leaders in the Kashmir Valley, Mehbooba said such administrative moves won't solve the real problem.

"Whatever happened with the NIA is an administrative measure. They don't address the real problem. The real problem is still there."

Strongly opposing any move to change the special status of Jammu and Kashmir or revoking Article 370, Mufti, who heads a coalition with BJP  which opposes the special status accorded to the state, said there was so much of distrust between Kashmiris and India that the people of her state fear that whatever "we have that is also being snatched".

"You are telling those who are demanding azadi that we will snatch all that you have. How will they feel? This won't work," she said, expressing concern over any tinkering with Article 35A of the constitution that is being debated in the Supreme Court by way of a PIL.

The act empowers the state legislature to define "permanent residents" and accord special rights and privileges to them.

"Who is doing it? Why are they doing it? The separatists' agenda is different and it is totally secession. But you are weakening those powers which are Indian and trust India and participate in elections (by challenging Article 35A)," she said and warned if there is an alteration in the special status of the state there could be a revolt.

Strongly defending the constitutional clause, she said any change in its status would invite repercussions and mean that nobody would be able to protect the Indian national flag in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mufti said mainstream parties like the National Conference and her own Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) risk their workers' lives who stand up and carry the tricolour in Kashmir.

"Any tinkering with the article won't be acceptable. I won't hesitate in saying that nobody will even carry the corpse of the National Flag in Kashmir (if the article is scrapped). Let me make it very clear," she said.

Mufti said that by employing such tactics "you are not targeting separatists who have an agenda to secede but you are weakening the forces who have accepted India, participated in elections".

"They make efforts to integrate Jammu and Kashmir with India with respect and dignity. You are weakening them."
As the BRICS security meet began here in Beijing on Friday, India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said the "vital" issues discussed at the event and its outcome will have an "impact" on the main summit in September.

"It is great we are discussing vital issues that will have an impact on the next summit meeting," Doval said at the 7th BRICS Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues. He also said the bloc of five countries needs to show leadership in countering terrorism.

"The outcome of the meeting today will contribute to the forthcoming BRICS Summit meetings to be held in Xiamen in September," he added.

The three-day BRICS summit will be held in Xiamen from September 3. The border stand-off between India and China at Doklam has led to concern of the bilateral tensions clouding the five-country summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to meet at the BRICS summit.

Doval on Thursday had met China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi and discussed "major problems" between the two countries whose armies are locked in a border stand-off at Doklam in Sikkim section.

Doval said "BRICS needs to show leadership in countering terrorism" as well as "on strategic issues of regional and global importance."

"It is natural we should hold a BRICS forum to discuss security issues that impact global peace and stability."

Doval and his counterparts from member countries  Brazil, Russia and South Africa  will call on Xi later in the day.

Doklam, located at the tri-junction of India, Bhutan and China, is of high strategic importance to all three. It is disputed by Bhutan and China.

India says Doklam is Bhutanese territory and perceives any Chinese presence in the area as a threat to its own security.

The stand-off began over a road being built by the Chinese Army in Doklam. Indian troops halted the work in mid-June, leading to the crisis.
RJD legislators staged protests outside the Bihar assembly on Friday ahead of the floor test of the Nitish Kumar government and described him as the "Chief Minister of the Sangh".

Nitish Kumar along with the BJP formed the new government on Thursday after dumping the RJD-Congress' Grand Alliance on Wednesday.

Shouting slogans and carrying placards, the Rashtriya Janata Dal legislators stood at the main entrance of the assembly, protesting against Nitish Kumar.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashjwi Yadav also joined them.

He accused Nitish Kumar of cheating the people of Bihar and called him "Chief Minister of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)".

"He cheated and betrayed the people of the state who gave him massive mandate. He played dirty politics. He just looked for an excuse to defame us and join the NDA," Tejashwi Yadav said before entering the House.

"Everyone can see how he switched sides. Earlier he used to speak of Sangh-mukt Bharat and now he is the Chief Minister of the Sangh. He has changed his stand from 'Hey Ram' to 'Jai Shri Ram'," he said.

He also told reporters that he would raise the issue inside the House. He accused the BJP of corruption charges.

Some RJD legislators shouted slogans like "Nitish Kumar hai hai", "Nitish Kumar dhokhebaaz (unreliable).

According to party leaders, RJD planned to stage protest inside the state assembly and will walk out before Nitish Kumar proved his majority on the floor of the house.

Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi have reached in the state assembly.


For tourists with a penchant for nature, Alipurduar in the eastern Dooars is an interesting destination. The district is in the vicinity of the Indo-Bhutan border.

The place that was once famed as a biodiversity hotspot is gradually emerging as a tourist destination. In an effort to woo a large chunk of tourists and students from across the country, Alipurduar District Tourism has come up with a slew of forward-looking initiatives.

Abhiroop Bose, officer-incharge, Alipurdur District Tourism, said, We intend to launch a district resource book focusing on tourism with the help of a survey and to mobilise resources. Plans are on to introduce a userfriendly website, to set a certain benchmark for tourists looking for a trip to Alipurduar.

There will be road signage with display boards providing authentic information for tourists visiting the destination. We are looking ahead to organising a photo contest through our website and set up a travel desk at the new District Administration Building for the purpose of sharing vital information.

ADT also has grand plans up its sleeve. Bose said, We are teaming up with the backward class welfare department to introduce a Blue Home Stay scheme for the underprivileged that will not only offer a much-needed boost to tourism but also help in maintaining their livelihoods.

ADT is eager to tap tourists from both domestic and global markets. Bose said, We are also eager to get researchers keen to pursue ethnographical excursion trips and students taking up research in anthropology and sociology streams since there are scores of ethnic groups residing in Alipurduar.

Nearly 100,000 to 125,000 people travel to Alipurduar round the year but we are looking ahead to bring a rapid surge in tourism figures. Most travellers visiting Alipurduar are from West Bengal although there are tourists from other metros of India as well. ADT is making itself known by attending popular travel marts and is going places. It was for the first time that the district tourism made its presence felt at the Travel and Tourism Fair in Kolkata this year.

As of now, it is gearing up to receive a chunk of puja tourists from Kolkata as the best time to visit is from September to March. The district is replete with national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that boast of a rich faunal population. The hot-selling tourist places in the district of Alipurduar are Jayanti, Jaldapara National Park, Raimatang, Buxa Tiger Reserve and Chilapata National Park.

Buxa Fort is also quite well-known.

Bose said, Some of the new-found tourist attractions include Lepachakha, Chunabhati, Tuturikhand, Kumargram- Newland and Shikiyajhora. So those planning to go to Dooars can rework their travel plans and make a trip to Alipurduar as well.
A Lufthansa passenger jet travelling from Bogota to Frankfurt was forced to divert to Manchester Airport after a woman passenger gave birth during the flight. The 38-year-old woman from Bulgaria gave birth at 39,000 feet over the Atlantic on Wednesday 26 July 2017.

The flight crew was quick to handle the mid-air drama with the help of three doctors who were on board.

The mother and the newborn were safely de-boarded from the plane at Manchester Airport and taken to a hospital.

A press release from the airline said: Lufthansa can confirm that a passenger gave birth to a baby on board during the flight LH543 from Bogota on the way to Frankfurt. Three doctors were on board and supported the crew during the delivery.

I've never experienced anything like that in my 37 years of professional experience. The entire crew did an extraordinary job. This was great teamwork, with everyone doing their part, said Kurt Mayer, the captain of flight LH543. After landing, I immediately went to the mother and the newborn child to welcome him to the world. Aside from the birth of my own son, this was the most moving moment of my life, said Mayer.

When the baby was born, I informed the other passengers over the Passenger Address system. The passengers applauded and were just as happy that everything went well, said Carolin van Osch, Purser of the flight. "On behalf of the crew, I would like to thank the doctors who helped make this possible, and we wish the family all the best, said van Osch.

Births on board are quite rare. This has been the eleventh birth on a Lufthansa flight since 1965. The cabin crew is regularly given first-aid training, which also includes initial measures and instructions in the use of medical materials and instruments for a possible birth on board.
Japan's Defence Minister Tomomi Inada has stepped down from office on Friday taking responsibility for a data concealment scandal over the country's Self Defence Forces (SDF) mission in South Sudan.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has accepted her resignation and will put Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida in charge of this post until August 3, when the head of government plans to announce a cabinet reshuffle to tackle its sharp drop in popularity, reports Efe news.

Inada, considered a figure very close to Abe for her conservative views, said that she has decided to resign because she has felt "responsible" for the scandal despite an interim committee has determined that she played no role in the case.

Inada's departure coincides with the Defence Ministry's release of the results of its internal probe into the suspected cover-up.

The logs recorded the deteriorating security situation in South Sudan.

The controversy over the logs dated back to December 2016, when the Ministry turned down an information disclosure request for logs covering the Ground Self-Defence Force (GSDF) activities in South Sudan in July 2016, saying they were deleted.

The ministry then backtracked, saying some of the data had been found on a computer in the SDF Joint Staff Office and releasing sections of it.

But top SDF officials reportedly knew at the time that the GSDF actually had the data, reports The Japan Times.
North Korea on Friday launched an intercontinental ballistic missile for the second time in a month, the Pentagon said, a day after US Congress voted to impose new tougher sanctions against Russia, Iran and Pyongyang.

The unusual late-night test launch prompted the heads of the US and South Korean militaries to discuss "military response options", the Pentagon said.

It was North Korea's 12th missile test this year and second intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in less than a month.

"The US Department of Defence detected and tracked a single North Korea missile launch today at about 10:41 AM (New York time)," Pentagon Spokesman Capt Jeff Davis said.

"We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), as had been expected. The missile was launched from Mupyong-ni and travelled about 1,000 km before splashing down in the Sea of Japan.

"We are working with our interagency partners on a more detailed assessment," Davis said.

The North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America, he said.

"Our commitment to the defence of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, remains ironclad. We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation," Davis said.

Speaker of the US House of Representatives Congressman Paul Ryan said: "North Korea is a global menace and its pursuit of nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles poses clear and immediate danger to our national security. We take this threat very seriously.

"That's why, earlier this week, a bipartisan majority of the House voted to sanction North Korea. These expansive sanctions directly target Pyongyang's ability to threaten the United States and our allies. The Kim (Jong-Un) regime needs to pay for its actions," Ryan said.

Harry J Kazianis, director of Defence Studies from the Centre for the National Interest, a recognised expert on North Korea, said the latest test should not come as a surprise.

"North Korea is slowly morphing into a nuclear and missile power right before our very eyes. North Korea will continue to test over and over again its missile technology and nuclear weapons in the months and years to come in order to develop the most lethal systems it can.

"And you can bet every time they do tensions will continue to rise. This is what makes the situation on the Korean Peninsula as dangerous as it is," he said.

A day earlier, Commander of US Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris said North Korea is "a clear and present danger" to global peace and stability.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's regime is not only a threat to South Korea, Japan and the US, but to China, Russia and US allies in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, he said.

"(North Korea is) a threat to the entire world because North Korea's missiles point in every direction. It's the reason why we call for all nations to implement far stronger economic sanctions against Pyongyang," Harris said at an event at the Japanese Embassy in Washington.

The provocative North Korea ICBM test comes in less than 24 hours of the Senate passing 98-2 a bill to impose tough sanctions on Russia, North Korea and Iran.

"Kim Jong-Un must end his dangerous pursuit of a nuclear weapon or face total economic isolation. The sanctions will limit access to foreign currency and the ability to conduct trade, severely weakening the North Korean economy," said Senator Dianne Feinstein.

"It also gives us the ability to work with the UN to impose harsh penalties against any foreign entity that violates or helps North Korea circumvent these sanctions," she said.

In the past a few days, the Trump administration has ramped up its pressure on China to use its leverage on North Korea from going ahead with its missile tests.

"We expected China to exert its very considerable, economic, political and diplomatic pressure on North Korea.

The president has said he is not satisfied with the results," Sebastian Gorka, a top presidential adviser told PBS News early this week.

"That's why the president on the fringes of the G20 sat down with the heads of state of both South Korea and Japan to take the North Korean issue back to the UN Security Council.

And why the president, additionally, at the end of the G20 had a conversation with (Chinese President) Xi Jinping to tell him exactly what he thought about what China needs to do right," he said.

"Right now we're going to maintain our policy of peaceful pressure with regards to North Korea, hoping that China can step up to the plate, while the president takes no options off the table," Gorka said.

Following the North Korean ICBM launch, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford and Commander of US Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris called South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Lee Sun Jin.

"During the call, Dunford and Harris expressed the ironclad commitment to the US-Republic of Korea alliance. The three leaders also discussed military response options. Harris joined Dunford in his Pentagon office to make the phone call," the Joint Chief of Staff Chairman's spokesman Navy Capt Greg Hicks said.

Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the ICBM test is further evidence of Pyongyang's determination to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

"The US stands by our allies in Seoul and Tokyo, and there should be no question of our ironclad alliance commitments to safeguard our common security and the people of South Korea and Japan," he said.

In a statement, he said that the UN Security Council will also take additional measures to address Pyongyang's wanton disregard for the will of the international community, and the threat that its nuclear and missile programs pose to regional peace and stability.

"This latest test also makes clear that the president's approach to North Korea is not working, and I call on the president and his national security team to rethink how the US can best combine pressure, sanctions, our alliances and our military might with agile and forward-leaning diplomacy to seek to effectively address North Korea's malign ambitions," Cardin added.
The death toll in the violent Venezuelan protests against the government's call to rewrite the Constitution has increased to 107, officials confirmed.

Two people were found dead on Thursday in the states of Anzoategui and Lara, with one of them being shot dead, reports Efe news.

With these two victims, a total of six people have died since July 26, the first day of the 48-hour general strike called by the opposition against the election of a National Constituent Assembly scheduled for Sunday.

On Sunday, Venezuelans are scheduled to cast their vote for more than 500 members of the National Constituent Assembly, which will be in charge of drafting a new constitution and reordering the state without anyone being able to oppose their decisions.

Over 1,500 people have been injured in the three months of pro- and anti-government protests after 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.


A top US official will be on a visit to India and Pakistan next week, during which she will meet with government officials and others to discuss US relations with the region, a statement said.

Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs and Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Alice Wells will travel to New Delhi and Islamabad on her introductory trip to the region, July 30-August 8, a US State Department media release said.

"She will meet with government officials, thought leaders, and business executives to discuss US relations with the region. She will also meet with Embassy staff to learn more about their efforts to advance US prosperity and security across the region," it said.

Her appointment as acting special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan puts to rest speculation that the Trump administration was abolishing the office established during former President Barack Obama's first term.

The senior diplomat with over 28 years of experience was US Ambassador to Jordan and has also served in Islamabad.
The last days of the Newfie Pride

There were many nights he didnt sleep. The numbers and scenarios turned over and over in his mind, making rest impossible. Id get up two, three oclock in the morning, night after night, come out to the kitchen table and work the numbers every ...
Organisation: Vision Group

Duty Station: Uganda

Reports to: Station Manager-Radio West

About Us:

The Vision Group incorporated as the New Vision Printing &

Publishing Company Limited (NVPPCL), started business in March 1986. It is a

multimedia business housing newspaper, magazines, internet publishing,

television, radio broadcasting, commercial printing, advertising and

distribution services. NVPPCL is listed on the Uganda Stock Exchange, with an

expected turnover of over UGX 60 billion (FY 2010/2011).

Job Summary: The Deputy

Programme Controller  Radio West will manage the preparation and delivery of

broadcast content in compliance with the Radio SBU Strategy and statutory

standards.



Responsibilities: Key Duties andResponsibilities:

Produce daily radio shows to grow

audiences and generate revenue by;

Tasked with researching on current events/affairs

relevant to the target audience.

Creating saleable segments for the

respective shows.

Preparing and writing scripts that will

guide the presenters.

The incumbent will be prepping the

presenters before going on air.

Carrying out daily on-air review of the

shows.

Conducting on air interviews with clients.

Produce and present shows assigned to keep

the audiences engaged and informed by;

In charge of researching on relevant

Political topics.

Drawing the show script.

Rehearsing for on air delivery.

Gather content e.g. vox pox, interviews

where applicable.

Identify, prep and host guest on the show.

Participate in managing the day to day

operations of the programming section to ensure compliance and smooth work

processes by;

Supervising performance of presenters on a

daily.

Holding weekly air check meetings with

presenters.

Submitting weekly programming reports to

the station manager.

Holding monthly one on one meetings with

presenters.

Tasked with monitoring the radios signal

and broadcasts on a daily basis.

Coordinate with the traffic controller to

ensure all talk shows are paid for and interviews approved.



Experience: Qualifications, Skills andExperience:

The applicant must hold a Diploma in Mass

Communication/Journalism from a recognized university.

A minimum of three years experience in a

competitive Radio/TV content development environment.

Have a good eye for saleable content.

Broadcast software; cool edit, adobe

audition, imediatouch, jazzier, RCS, news boss.

Computer literacy i.e. Proficient in the

use of Microsoft packages.

Proficient in written and spoken

Runyakitara and English.

Basic knowledge of broadcast equipment.

Hosting/on air delivery will be an added

advantage.

Excellent Leadership/people management

skills.

Impeccable level of integrity.

Excellent communicational, organizational,

analytical and planning skills.

Results oriented.

Creative and innovative thinking.

Quick decision making and judgment.

Work under minimal supervision.

Ability to deliver under tight deadlines.

How to Apply:

All those reeling to work in Ugandas leading media house, Vision

Group, should send applications and updated CVs to: Chief Human Resources

Officer, The New Vision Printing and Publishing Company Ltd. P.O. Box 9815,

Kampala, Uganda

st July 2017 Deadline: 31July 2017
Patnaik's close aides say that to understand him, one has to understand his empathy

By Pratul Sharma/Photos Sanjay Ahlawat
First, a windfall of freebies, then the revival of icons, and now invoking of the regional identity and the push for a new religion; in the run up to the 2018 assembly polls, the ruling Congress in Karnataka is hoping to get a head start.

A glance at the last one year is a tell-all. The Siddaramaiah government has been candid about its ahinda (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and dalits) appeasement, and the budget allocations had a lion's share marked for the marginalised classes, which remain the major vote bank of the Congress.

Besides, a huge allocation of Rs 27,703 crore for the benefit of 'marginal communities' in the budget 2017-18, free bus passes to poor students (costing Rs 104 crore a year), full scholarships to poor students, foreign junket for 1,000 agricultural labourers and a hike in subsidy (now Rs 3 lakh) to help SC/ST youth buy taxis were the new additions to the populist 'bhagya schemes'free rice for BPL families (anna bhagya), free milk for school children (ksheera bhagya) and laptop bhagya for 1.5 lakh college students belonging to poor families.

The sudden announcement of the farm loan waiver by Siddaramaiah was a well calculated move to corner the state BJP. The state government's waiver on loans up to Rs 50,000 availed from co-operative banks will benefit as many as 2,22,7,506 farmers, while costing the exchequer Rs 8,165 crore. However, the Congress leaders have now raised the pitch for a similar waiver from the Centre on loans availed from the commercial banks, which make up 80 per cent of all farm loans.

Reasserting his commitment to social justice, Siddaramaiah has piloted several new legislations for the benefit of the poor. Karnataka is now the second state to implement a law that mandates special component plan (SCP) and tribal sub plan (TSP) fund allocation based on the population of SC/ST which is 24.1 per cent. During the BJP government, nearly Rs 21, 000 crore was spent under the scheme. But after the law was enacted, Rs 86,000 crore was spent in the last four years. Another law that mandates 24.1 per cent reservation for SC/STs in the civil contracts of the government for works up to Rs 50 lakh now has the President's assent.

To grant land ownership to the marginalised groups, Siddaramaiah has initiated the process of awarding title deeds to the poor families residing across 58,000 dwelling units like thandas and hattis in the state. The government has taken up appointment of pourakarmikas on a permanent basis and scrapped outsourcing to ensure minimum wages and prevent exploitation by middlemen and contractors. As many as 11,500 pourakarmikas will benefit from this.

The recently concluded international conferenceQuest for equity: reclaiming justice, revisiting Ambedkarwas an effort to resurrect the dalit icon, as much as the maiden Kempe Gowda celebrations hosted by the government in June this year to woo the vokkaliga community.

The Congress falling back on the caste matrix was also evident when the party decided to retain G. Parameshwara (a dalit leader) as the KPCC chief, while appointing S.R. Patil, a lingayat leader from north Karnataka as its second working president, along with Dinesh Gundu Rao. Vokkaliga strongman D.K. Shivakumar was appointed the campaign committee chairman.

The Congress is trying hard to garner the support of the majority and dominant communities too ahead of the crucial polls. The euphoria behind the birth anniversary celebrations of Ambedkar, Tipu Sultan, Valmiki, Ambigara Chowdiah, Kempegowda or Hema Reddy Mallamma is said to be a poll tactic to consolidate the caste votes. A masterstroke of the Congress was its recent endorsement of the separate religion status for the lingayat communitya traditional vote bank of the BJP. Prior to this, the ruling Congress had taken baby steps to unsettle the BJP and its state chief lingayat strongman Yeddyurappa by making the display of Basavanna's portrait compulsory at all government offices. It had also renamed the sole women's university in the state after Akka Mahadevi, a 12th century social reformer and poet from the Veerashaiva Bhakti movement.

Five ministers volunteering to mobilise opinion from the community by way of a state wide tour, the BJP suspects, is a ploy of the Congress party to break the lingayat community ahead of the 2018 assembly polls by dangling the minority community tag, which brings with it a whole host of concessions and freedom from scrutiny of lingayat mutts and educational institutions. It is a Congress-engineered move to take lingayats into the ahinda fold, accuse the BJP leaders.

The chief minister's vocal support for a separate state flag or the opposition to the usage of Hindi language at Metro stations and mooting domicile reservation in higher education and employment are all aimed at evoking the regional identity as a counter to BJP's Hindutva agenda.
A day after swearing in as the chief minister of Bihar within hours after resigning from the post and breaking away from the Grand Alliance, Nitish Kumar has moved a confidence motion in Bihar assembly to prove his majority during a one-day special session of the state assembly convened at 11 am today. Bihar governor Keshari Nath Tripathi had yesterday, after the swearing-in ceremony, asked Nitish to prove his majority on the floor of the house today.

Coming back at the helm of affairs after a series of political theatrics that involved a midnight drama, Nitish's JD (U)-led one-day old government is backed by the BJP. The NDA-JD (U) claims to have support from 132 MLAs including 71 of JD(U), BJP 53, RLSP two, LJP two, HAM one and three independents. In the 243-member Bihar Assembly, the RJD has 80 MLAs, the Congress 27 and the CPI-ML has three.

"Whatever decision we have taken will be in the interest of Bihar and of its people. It will ensure development and justice," Kumar told reporters after the swearing in.

The deft political manoeuvres by Janata Dal (United) chief Kumar left the opposition stunned on Wednesday night as he joined hands with friend-turned-foe-turned-friend BJP. The two parties were in alliance for 17 years until 2013, when Kumar walked out of the NDA fold after Narendra Modi was made the BJP's campaign committee chairman for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Modi was later declared the prime ministerial candidate.

However, Kumar, who was seen by the opposition as a possible answer to Modi in 2019 amid shrinking Congress clout, seemed to have accepted the popular thinking that the Modi- wave would continue even after two years.

JD(U) national spokesperson K C Tyagi said the decision of his party to form the grand alliance government in Bihar was "a mistake" and ruled out any possibility of a patch-up with the RJD. "It was a mistake to forge an alliance with RJD. We had information that to save themselves from CBI cases, they were in touch with the union ministers in Delhi and were planning to topple the Nitish Kumar government", Tyagi said.

"We regret our decision to run the government with such a person (Lalu Prasad) for 20 months. We blame ourselves for committing a mistake of taking their MLA count from 22 to 80," he said.

(With inputs from PTI)
In Centre-state relations, UP leads the way

Namrata Biji Ahuja

The Yogi Adityanath government has brought some cheer to the Union home ministry, which is the interface between the Centre and the states. The speed at which the files are moving, including the latest assistance to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in probing the recent case of PETN explosive (Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate) recovered from the state assembly is a complete turn around from its earlier practices.

Not to forget the re-naming of a little-known railway station after Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya by the Yogi government.

There was a time when the Union home ministry was virtually banging its head against the walls.

Undoubtedly, the most difficult state to deal with was Uttar Pradesh. This went on for a decadefirst with BSP supremo Mayawati in power and then the Akhilesh Yadav government.

While the former virtually adopted a policy of not replying to the home ministry on any issue raised by it (which has either concurrent jurisdiction or national security ramifications), the latter did not feel it was their first priority to revert to north block on Raisina Hill.

The situation was so bad at one point of time that insiders reveal Mayawati would want to speak to none less than the prime minister himself. The home minister's office was visibly uncomfortable by such instances, when she was reluctant to come on the telephone line.

But things have changed after UP became the biggest bastion of the BJP.

"There is no coordination problem with UP anymore. Not only is the government prompt, it is forthcoming when it comes to matters dealt by the home ministry. It is proving to be a good example of centre-state relations," said an official.

The NIA team on Friday visited the UP assembly and made a thorough assessment of the scene from where the suspected PETN was found. The team was accompanied by the NIA's explosive experts and forensic experts.

"The team also held discussions with officials of the home department, assembly, police and ATS on various aspects of the alleged recovery of PETN," said an NIA official. What is noteworthy is that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself decided that the case was fit to be handed over to a central agency.

Earlier this month, a packet was discovered under the seat of a Samajwadi party MLA inside the state assembly. The packet had white powder in it. Forensic tests revealed that the substance was PETN, a plastic explosive. The chief minister had assured that a thorough investigation will be done to find out who was behind it.

MEA with its nose to the grindstone on Doklam, Indians missing in Mosul

Rekha Dixit

It could have been a quiet week at the ministry of external affairs, with no high profile visits, either outgoing or incoming. But that was not to be, what with the fate of 39 Indians missing in Iraq hanging in the balance and the ongoing stand-off with China at Doklam worsening with each passing day.

Sushma Swaraj, in her inimitable style, quelled any voice which asked why the government was misleading the country by pretending the Indians in Mosul were still alive; even visiting foreign minister of Iraq, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, said that they could not say with certainty whether the men were alive. Swaraj, despite the ruckus caused by the opposition in the Lok Sabha, eloquently articulated that the search would continue till they received any proof of death.

Meanwhile, the ministry is hopeful for a thaw in the hostility pervading the Himalayan heights of Doklam, despite Beijing's belligerent posturing. Swaraj suggested that both countries withdraw troops, a suggestion that provoked a fresh set of angry statements from Beijing. China, however, wants to continue economic relations with India despite saying that withdrawal of troops is a pre-requisite for talks. India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is in Beijing, for the BRICS meet of NSAs. He had a bilateral talk with Yang Jeichi, China's state councillor overseeing foreign affairs.

China has now begun to say that India and China are not born rivals and they needed to enhane mutual trust. This is a big move, when compared to the earlier statements that Doval was attending only the BRICS meet and nothing more. Doval met with Chinese president Xi Jinping on Friday.

New Delhi would be keen for a quick de-escalation of hostilities, given that with Nawaz Sharif's resignation as prime minister in Pakistan, diplomatic channels will have to focus energies on the changing developments along the western border.
Pakistan media on Friday reported that Nawaz Sharif's younger brother Shehbaz Sharif will be appointed the next prime minister of Pakistan.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigned on Friday after the Supreme Court disqualified him from holding the post following a probe that revealed illegal family wealth stashed abroad.

A five-judge bench unanimously disqualified Sharif from his post after an investigative panel linked his children to offshore companies, showing that their wealth was far above their legitimate earnings.
Pakistani police have arrested 25 members of an informal village council accused of ordering the rape of a 16-year-old girl as revenge for her brother's alleged sexual assault on another girl.

The Supreme Court also requested a report on the case, which echoed a notorious case from 2002 in which another teenager was gang-raped on a local council's order.

"A total of 29 people were involved in this ghastly crime, and we have 25 of them in our custody," Multan City Police Officer Ahsan Younus said on Thursday.

Earlier this month, a local council in the southern city of Multan was called after a family accused a 16-year-old boy of raping a 13-year-old neighbour.

The council ruled that the sister of the boy should be handed over to the victim's brother to be raped. The punishment was carried out on July 17 after her family handed the girl over.

The case came to light when both families filed criminal charges with police accusing the other family's son of rape. Questioning both sides in the cases, however, soon revealed the role of the informal village council, Younus said.

"All the village council elders who ordered the revenge rape have been arrested," he said. Both the victims and their mothers have been sent to a women's protection centre, he added.

Pakistan has a centuries-old tradition of quick justice handed down by gatherings of local elders, known as jirgas or panchayats, seen by many villagers as preferable to the often-cumbersome and corrupt formal legal system.

In most of the country, jirgas are tolerated but not recognised by the formal courts and police.

The jirgas and the practice of "revenge rape" drew international attention in 2002 when a woman named Mukhtaran Mai was ordered gang-raped by a local council for a male relative's alleged crime.

Mai took the rare step of filing criminal charges against her attackers, and six men were convicted and sentenced to death later that year, though five of them were later freed on appeal.

Mai went on to become a high-profile campaigner for women's rights in Pakistan.

"Another Tribe Court (panchayat) in south Punjab Multan and another girl was raped. We are still in 2002," Mai said on her official Twitter account this week.

Speaking to Reuters by telephone, Mai denounced the revenge rape. "If there were any justice in the panchayat, they should have shot the rapist. Why punish an innocent girl instead?"
1. Yes. Taxpayers are funding its operation; they should have a voice in the naming process.

2. Yes. The city should operate with a spirit of inclusivity. Residents will be responsive.

3. No. Public input can be problematic; rejection of suggestions can be divisive for residents.

4. No. Residents elect council members to make decisions on their behalf. No input is needed.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say whether public input would be more of a benefit or a hindrance.

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Head of the Office of the Chief Rabbinate Moshe Dagan in his appearance before the Knesset Aliyah Committee said, No blacklist of rabbis exists within the Chief Rabbinate. The list that was published was a list of a collection of requests for marriage which were rejected due to technical reasons he explained to committee members.

Dagan further explained that the list was taken out of context, and I would like to complain about the behavior of Itim [the organization who placed the request for the list from the Chief Rabbinate] on this topic. I am pleased that Itim exists and challenges us, but at the same time it is necessary to be careful not to resort to negative and inappropriate activities as they did in this case. Clear boundaries were defined regarding the list that was sent to Itim: there was no personal rejection of any rabbis, it was merely a list of marriage certificates that were or were not recognized- with no inference to be made about the identity of the rabbi who produced the certificate.

This list was in no way supposed to be a rejection of any rabbi or to offend his position. I sincerely regret and apologies in the name of the Rabbinate for the offence caused to any rabbi due to the publication of this list.

This is a list of rabbis who produced marriage certificates that were rejected, and I emphasize marriage certificates and not converts as was publicized in the media by Itim. There are parameters and regulations regarding marriage certificates that are produced in the diaspora due to cases of forged certificates. For example, we received a certificate that was signed by a rabbi who was no longer alive on the date that was written on the certificate or a kesuva that was signed by witnesses who were invalid.

MK Mott Yogev at the Committee hearing stated, We want to protect the unity of the Jewish nation, and it is the Chief Rabbinate who needs and whose job it is to do this. It is the role and responsibility of the Chief Rabbinate to investigate cases of marriage and conversion; if this responsibility is not undertaken the Jewish nation will no longer be one united nation. The authority of the Chief Rabbinate must be protected, perhaps there is space for more sensitivity to be displayed, but we must not damage their authority. It may be that that a rabbi may have been offended because his name was mistakenly put on the list, it could be that there was a rejection due to reasons relating to Kesuvas or because the Rabbinate found something problematic with the marriage certificate, but this is not something personal against that rabbi

He concluded by saying that: We need one Rabbinate in order to ensure that we have one united Jewish nation! We do not have [the prophets] Ezra and Nechemia to unite the Jewish nation and we therefore need the Chief Rabbinate to do so; this is its role and responsibility.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Iran successfully launched its most advanced satellite-carrying rocket into space, the countrys state media reported on Thursday, in what is likely the most significant step yet for the launch vehicle.

A confirmed launch of the Simorgh rocket would mark another step forward for the Islamic Republics young space program, but is likely to raise alarm among its adversaries, who fear the same technology could be used to produce long-range missiles.

Iranian state television said the rocket, whose name means phoenix in Persian, is capable of carrying a satellite weighing 250 kilograms (550 pounds). The report did not elaborate on the rockets payload. Other state-linked agencies including the semi-official Fars news agency also described the launch as successful.

Media reports did not say when the launch took place at the Imam Khomeini National Space Station in Semnan, some 220 kilometers (138 miles) east of Tehran.

Iran frequently announces technological breakthroughs that are difficult to independently verify. It has carried out multiple tests of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles as well as other domestically produced weapons over the years.

The Simorgh is a two-stage rocket first revealed in 2010. It is larger than an earlier model known as the Safir, or ambassador, that Iran has used to launch satellites on previous occasions.

The launch comes as the United States has criticized Irans ballistic missile tests, which American officials argue violate the spirit of the 2015 nuclear deal that Iran struck with world powers. Under the agreement, which does not expressly prohibit missile tests, Iran agreed to limit its uranium enrichment program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Iran has pursued a satellite launch program for years. The U.S. and its allies worry that the same technology could be used to develop long-range missiles.

The country has sent several short-lived satellites into orbit over the past decade, and in 2013 launched a monkey into space. But it recently abandoned plans to potentially send humans into orbit, saying in late May that the cost of doing so was prohibitive.

The U.S. National Air and Space Intelligence Center said in a report released last month that the Simorgh could act as a test bed for developing the technologies needed to produce an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM.

Tehrans desire to have a strategic counter to the United States could drive it to field an ICBM. Progress in Irans space program could shorten a pathway to an ICBM because space launch vehicles (SLV) use inherently similar technologies, the report said.

Irans satellite-launch program falls under the responsibility of the defense ministry, which has denied that the space program is a cover for weapons development.

The head of Irans space agency in October expressed for the first time interest in cooperating with NASA. Iran has offered to share its scientific findings and satellite data with other countries.

Irans most recent known successful satellite rocket launch was in February 2015, when it put an imaging satellite known as Fajr into orbit. That launch happened while Iran was negotiating the nuclear deal.

It is believed to have carried out at least a partial test of the Simorgh rocket last year, though the exact details of that attempt were never made public.

Irans decision to announce the rocket launch now likely serves as a test of Americas reaction, said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior Iran analyst with the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a conservative think tank long critical of the nuclear deal.

Taleblu said the launch announced Thursday had implications not only on Irans ability to launch satellites, but also in possibly building intercontinental ballistic missiles.

If Iran begins working on heat shields and other technology allowing for a rockets payload to re-enter Earths atmosphere, that would be a major warning sign, he said.

This will take time, but the Iranian ballistic missile, nuclear, and space program shows that slow and steady always wins the race, Taleblu said.

Asked about the Iran missile tests, Chinas U.N. Ambassador Liu Jieyi, the current president of the U.N. Security Council, said that it was not within the scope of the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers.

I think whats important is that the agreement continues to be implemented and all the sides make constructive efforts to resolve whatever issues that still exist, and to completely and comprehensively implement the agreement, Liu told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York.

(AP)
(By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times)

Once the New York Times was venerable and prestigious. Now, no longer. Its use of foul language in what is perhaps an attempt to gain readers has instead made the New York Times into the moral equivalent of a cesspool. Although they may try to rationalize printing the unprintable by claiming it is news, the words the writers had used would have gotten them expelled from any high school, or at least suspended for a week.

The coverage of the Scaramucchi story by the New York Times would have even made former Yankee manager Billy Martin  blush out of embarrassment.

Most parents and teachers are suppressing this story because of the element of Nibul Peh. This author would like to suggest that, instead of suppressing it, we should use it as a teaching moment. Why shouldnt we should use contemporary events to demonstrate the ideals and values of Torah-true Judaism?

The Midrash attests to this on the verse in Dvarim (23:10), When you go out to war guard yourself from every evil matter. How does the Midrash (VaYikra Rabbah 24:7) define evil matter? You guessed it  cursing referred to in Hebrew as Nivul Peh.

MIDRASH INDICATES IT IS BIBLICAL

Indeed, the Midrash seems to indicate that it is a Biblically forbidden prohibition whether in war or not in war  it is just that it is more common in wartime or in the soldiers barrack rather than in the typical social structure or setting to which the Torah generally speaks. In fact, the Machzor Vitri (424), one of the foremost students of Rashi, writes that the prohibition is biblical.

SECOND SOURCE THAT IT MAY BE BIBLICAL

There may be a different source for a biblical prohibition, too. The Torah tells us (Dvarim 23:17), Lo yireh becha ervas davarThere shall not be seen within you an unseemly thing Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachmani in VaYikra Rabbah (24:7) rereads the words to say ervas dibur instead of ervas davar. The verse now reads  There shall not be seen within you an unseemly statement  namely cursing.

And so the New York Times certainly violated an unseemly thing and did something quite evil as the Midrash describes.

AVI AVOS HATUMAH

And it seems that it is not just an innocuous, harmless little activity. The Gemorah in Shabbos (33a) tells us that because of the sin of cursing great problems come to Israel. Harsh decrees are promulgated, the youth die young, orphans and widows cry out and are not answered. In other words, the repercussions are rather serious. The Shla (Osios Shin Shtika 24) writes that cursing is the Avi Avos HaTumah  the ultimate source of impurity.

The Neshama, or soul, reflects the divine aspects of mankind. In contrast, cursing reflects the Nefesh Habahamisthe animalistic aspect of mankind. Interestingly enough, scientists believe that there is also cursing in the animal kingdom. Frans de Waal, a professor of primate behavior at Emory University in Atlanta, explains that when chimpanzees are angry they will grunt or spit or make an abrupt, upsweeping gesture that, if a human were to do it, youd recognize it as aggressive.

Such behaviors are threat gestures, and can be interpreted as a form of cursing.

The bottom line is that cursing emanates from and reflects the lowliest aspects of human behavior.

The reason cursing is called Avi Avos HaTumah by the Shla HaKadosh is that such activity undermines the holiness of Klal Yisroel, both of oneself and of others. In fact, the Gemorah in Kesuvos (5b) instructs the others just how they should react. The Gemorah states that fingers were created like straight tent pegs for a reason  so that someone who hears Nivul Peh can place his fingers in his ears to blot out the sound.

The Midrash tells us that the Jews in Egypt reached the 49th level of impurity, but even then, they did not succumb so low as to curse (Psikta Zuta Shmos 6:10). They did not change their language implies, according to the Midrash, that they did not change their manner of speech either. We see how serious such activity truly is.

REDUCES LIFE

It also reduces our pre-designated life spans. The Gemorah in Niddah (16b) states that even if one had a life span of seventy years, nivul peh can turn it around in the wink of an eye.

Surprisingly enough, however, the TaZ (YD 124:1) states that the reason the Gemorah uses the wording one who removes curse words from his mouth rather than one who issues curse words from his mouth is to show us that the prohibition is only when one does so intentionally and willfully. Otherwise, it may not be the most proper thing, but it does not violate the biblical prohibition.

Unfortunately, the New York Times seems to have done so purposefully. Most likely, they did not even know the TaZ.

It is interesting to note that philosophers are sometimes at a loss in defining why exactly cursing is wrong. From a Torah perspective, of course, the issue is impurity. Man was created in the Divine Image and possesses a Chailek Elokah mimaal  a Divine section from Above. Cursing and the uttering of profane words darkens and sullies that Divine section from Above that we all possess.

The Mesilas Yesharim points out that this lesson about being careful in how we communicate our thoughts and words to others is found in the very beginning of Sefer Bereishis. Hashem instructs Noach to take both pure and impure animals to be placed in the ark. Yet when Hashem gives him these instructions, careful attention is given to make sure that the word Tameh is not used. Instead Hashem tells Noach to take the animal that is not pure. Apparently, just reciting the word impure has negative effects.

Certainly this must be true for real curse words themselves. Many extra words are used by the Torah to teach us this very important lesson  not to sully our Neshamos by cursing.

The take home lesson is that we, as parents, should actively resist both evils. We should teach our children the Torah thinking against Nibul Peh  instead of just ignoring it.

The author can be reached at [email protected]
Barclays has set aside an additional 700million to meet payment protection insurance compensation claims.

The extra funds will cover costs and refunds in the ongoing saga over the mis-selling of PPI. The announcement comes just a day after Lloyds Banking Group revealed it was also setting aside an extra 700million to deal with PPI claims.

Barclays also announced an end to its restructuring as it shifts its focus back to the UK and the United States.

Scandal ongoing: Like rival Lloyds, Barclays is putting aside an additional 700million for PPI

In June the bank cut its stake in Barclays Africa Group to 15 per cent, ending more than 90 years as a major presence in the Continent.

However Barclays said it took a 2.5billion hit on the sale of 33 per cent of Barclays Africa Group.

This resulted in Barclays posting a loss of 1.2billion for the first six months of the year, compared to a profit of 1.1billion for the same period last year.

The results were given a muted response by investors, with shares unchanged at 209.2p

Chief executive Jes Staley said: 'Our business is now radically simplified, the restructuring is complete, our capital ratio is within our end-state target range, and, while we are also working to put conduct issues behind us, we can now focus on what matters most to our shareholders: improving group returns.'

Staley added: 'Accomplishing both of these milestones marks an end to the restructuring of the Barclays Group, and brings forward the date when our shareholders can benefit from the full earnings power of this business.

'That power is evident once again in the performance reported today.'

Staley is facing a regulatory investigation into his conduct after he attempted to identify a whistleblower

The results come after a testing first half for Staley, who is facing a regulatory investigation into his conduct after he attempted to identify a whistleblower.

Seperately, Barclays former chief executive and three top bankers have been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud over a June 2008 investor cash-call.

The group, ex-boss John Varley, Roger Jenkins, Thomas Kalaris and Richard Boath, will all stand trial in 2019 over alleged side deals struck at the height of the financial crisis.

Analysts warned about possible hurdles ahead.

Laith Khalaf, analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'The sale of Barclays Africa and more PPI costs are the main culprits for the banks woes so far in 2017.

'More litigation problems are waiting in the wings, with the bank in trouble with the FCA, the SFO and the US Department of Justice, a formidable triumvirate of adversaries.

'The banks restructuring is now complete, which is a significant milestone, but now Barclays is in the shape envisaged by management, the pressure is on to perform.

'The market will be hoping for a bit more positive news in the remainder of the year, though conduct issues may well overshadow the banks performance.'
Tough times for boss Gavin Patterson and BT

Profits at BT have fallen by more than 40 per cent in the first quarter as costs surrounding the Italian accounting scandal mount.

The telecom giant was forced to pay and rivals and investors, Deutsche Telekom and Orange, a sum of 225million in the wake of the Italian scandal as they had a warranty protection against a slump in BT's performance.

BT's stock market value plunged by almost 8billion in January after the company revealed the full extent of a 530m accounting scandal at its Italian operation, which meant it was open to legal action from shareholders.

BT said the 225million payout represents a 'full and final settlement in respect of these issues'.

Deutsche Telekom and Orange became shareholders in BT after the company struck a 12.5billion cash and shares deal to buy mobile company EE in 2015.

The charge saw pre-tax profit nose dive 42 per cent to 418million in the first quarter, while revenue fell 1 per cent to 5.8billion.

Shares were down 2 per cent, or 6.0p, at 309.9p.

The settlement overshadowed an otherwise solid trading update for a group that has also been hurt by a slowdown in government work in the UK.

It reiterated its full-year outlook due to solid demand for EE, with 210,000 net contract subscriber additions, and 170,000 net fibre additions in its broadband business.

Boss Gavin Patterson said: 'BT has delivered an encouraging performance in the first quarter of the year.

'We will continue to simplify and streamline the business and rationalise our costs as demonstrated by our ongoing performance transformation programme.'

George Salmon, Equity Analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, added: 'The accounting scandal in Italy has led to another 225million of nasties turning up in first quarter numbers, to add to the 530million the group originally set aside back in January.

'In addition to this, misdemeanours at Openreach mean a total of 340million is to be paid in fines and compensation, and another 300million is needed to cover the cost of restructuring a number of divisions, including Global Services. All the while the 16billion pension and debt pile looms over the group.'

He added: 'However, it's probably unfair to paint an entirely gloomy picture. BT has shaken off demands to fully separate the higher-margin Openreach division, and assuming there aren't any more skeletons in the closet, the cash flows from EE and the growing Consumer division are potentially attractive.

'Nonetheless, with BT fighting battles on several fronts, one could be forgiven for waiting for the dust to settle.'

Separately, BT announced that it has appointed Marc Allera as chief executive of the combined BT consumer business and Cathryn Ross director of regulatory affairs.
MBABANE  MTN is surely building a solid relationship with SWAMA. SWAMA President Lutfo Dlamini yesterday announced that MTN has since come on board as the main sponsor for the MTN Music Business Workshop which will be hosted by the Swaziland Arts and Music Association.



MTN Swaziland is also the title sponsor of the upcoming MTN SWAMA awards which will be held for the first time this year.

The workshop had been billed for tomorrow but has since been postponed to a yet to be announced date.



We have secured MTN as our main sponsor for this seminar and we have already received commitment to attend from a highly esteemed music business speaker. Artists will be notified about the new dates by the MTN SWAMA awards Organising Committee Chairperson Melusi Zox Dlamini, through press and social media platforms in due course, said Dlamini. Adding to the SWAMA presidents statement, Zox said they were more than elated of these new developments and were confident that local artists would benefit immensely from the exercise.



Again we would like to thank the president and MTN Swaziland for their tireless contributions to the development of the arts sector in the Kingdom of Swaziland, he said.

The workshop is part of the empowering of local artists as the build up to the MTN SWAMA awards is now gaining momentum. Voting lines have been announce to close on Monday at midnight and from then on artists would be waiting eagerly to know their fate, at the awards show next Saturday at Royal Swazi Sun Convention Centre.
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By Mark Hallum

An expired program that allowed homeowners to opt out of real estate solicitations will return to select areas of northeast Queens, state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) announced Wednesday.

The provision will block companies from leaving fliers and going door-to-door where residents have listed their addresses on a registry making it illegal for solicitors to do so.

New Yorks Department of State decided to restore the cease and desist zone following three public hearings. Residents and representatives of civic associations gathered to complain of aggressive and persistent tactics on the part of real estate companies attempting to convince homeowners to sell below the market rate.

Though I wish that the cease-and-desist zone covered the entire borough of Queens, I think we have taken a very big step towards protecting homeowners from the predatory tactics of real estate agents that became a norm in our neighborhoods, Avella said. These new zones will also help to promote a better relationship between homeowners and real estate agents who work and live in the community. The creation of these zones is a common-sense solution to the aggressive real estate industry campaign to bully homeowners into thinking it is time to sell their home. I thank the Department of State for realizing that the solicitation residents faced was intense and unending, and for taking action to put an end to this.

An earlier opt-out program started in 1989, during a real estate boom, and expired in 2014. The new cease-and-desist zone will cover College Point, Flushing, Bay Terrace, Auburndale, Malba, Murray Hill and Whitestone. This one will expire in 2022, though Avella is hoping to get a law passed in the state to ban real estate solicitations in Queens, indefinitely.

According to the new DOS regulations, no licensed real estate broker or salesperson shall solicit  in a designated cease-and-desist zone if such owner has filed a cease-and-desist notice with the Department of State indicating that such owner or owners do not desire to sell, lease or list their residential property and do not desire to be solicited to sell, lease or list their residential property.

The contentious effort to have these zone reinstated brought drama to an April 2016 hearing, which Avella said at the time was overrun with real estate brokers, agents and salespeople posing as residents against cease-and-desist zones. Of the 38 people who testified, 11 were non-Realtors, all of whom described real estate solicitation to be extreme, Avella said in a news release. One of the residents giving testimony against cease-and-desist was a former president of the Long Island Board of Realtors. Avella said she testified as one of his own constituents.

Wednesdays press conference was joined by Auburndale Improvement Association President Terri Pouymari, North Flushing Senior Center Director Betty Faraone and Bay Terrace resident Phil Konigsberg, who cited litter from flyers and junk mail, while claiming people who wish to sell will seek out a real estate agent on their own terms.

Pouymari expressed concern that real estate developers could be turning homes in single-family zones into illegal conversions.
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By Bill Parry

Elected officials and community groups joined members of Build Up NYC Tuesday to urge the city to suspend the license of a contractor for an accident at a Long Island City construction project that injured six workers last month.

The rally took place at the Rabsky Groups construction site at 42-20 27th St. where part of the eighth floor collapsed after concrete was poured June 26.

The city Department of Buildings issued an immediate stop work order because the Rabsky Groups contractor, Galaxy Developers LLC, was doing unapproved construction work. But the city did not move to suspend Galaxys license and it has since downgraded its action in the accident to a partial stop worker order.

We call on New York City to suspend the license of Galaxy Developers LLC, pending an independent review by a structural engineer of all the work Galaxy Developers has done so far on the project, Build Up NYC representative Dan Walcott said. Going forward, the developer must show proof that they are providing sufficient training and equipment for all employees to work safely.

The Rabsky Groups project, an 18-story luxury apartment building, is part of the unprecedented growth in Long Island City, where construction projects are underway or planned on almost every block.

This building boom that we see is testament to the economic health of our city, state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) said. It should go without saying that this success should not come at the expense of the men and women who do the hard work that leads to these accomplishments. The cost for the wealthy in our city continuing to do well should not be the broken bodies and dreams of the rest of our citizens.

Thousand of construction and building services workers come to work every day at more than 100 buildings currently under construction in Long Island City and Astoria, where three workers had to be rescued in a separate construction collapse in June. Too many of these workers are employed by low-road contractors who pay low wages and do not provide real health care benefits, according to Build Up NYC. And with very little training, these jobs can be unsafe.

Ironworker Ivan Medina, 22, said workers like him are at the mercy of employers who tend to exploit them.

Thinking about the people who got hurt here and in Astoria makes my heart skip a beat because I know that could very well have been me, he said. Most of the time, my employers are low-road contractors who dont pay good wages or benefits. It also means they dont follow strict safety standards on the job.

City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) is co-sponsor of legislation known as the Apprentice Safety Bill that would require construction workers to complete an apprenticeship in safety before working on buildings 10 stories or higher. The measure is supported by 47 out of 51 Council members.

The hardworking construction workers who labor day in and day out to build a better city for all of us deserve strong workplace protections and adequate opportunities for training that keep them safe on the job and allow them to return home to their families each night, City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) said. After six construction workers were injured when a floor collapsed from under them, I join with Build Up NYC to demand the suspension of this contractors license until all violations have been corrected and the site has been inspected to ensure the safety of the construction workers and my constituents.
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By Naeisha Rose

The 102nd Precinct and Safe Horizon, an agency that helps victims of violence, has created a new program called the Crime Victims Assistance Program.

For the first time, both institutions joined Queens Connections, an interagency initiative between the Dept. of Homeless Services, the Dept. of Social Services and Queens Public Library July 17 to combat homelessness. CVAP associates will go to libraries in Queens to talk with victims of violence so that they can provide them information through Queens Connections on how to get a better footing in life and avoid becoming destitute, according to Bryan Pacheco, a spokesman for Safe Horizon.

Safe Horizon advocates are committed to engaging with the local community to inform members of the services and programs available to them should they be a victim of crime or abuse. And, unfortunately, we know that abuse can lead to homelessness, said Pacheco. As an example, domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness and many survivors seek a safe place to stay after fleeing an abusive relationship. Through these outreach events, we can let survivors know the options available to them and connect them to services that can help keep them safe.

The agencies within Queens Connections work together at libraries like Lefferts and Central Library, to combine their resources and supplement the work of Mayor Bill de Blasios Homeless Outreach & Mobile Engagement Street Action Teams, according to Arianna Fishman, a DHS spokeswoman.

HOME-STAT uses maps and 311 calls from New Yorkers who spot people in need and sends street teams to contact those who are destitute or facing destitution weekly so that those who are struggling can use resources from Queens Connections to transition out of homelessness or stay in their home, according to nyc.gov.

Queens Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott was pleased that individuals were able to use the library to better their lives.

The program makes it possible for us to more effectively help the homeless and those at risk of losing their housing when they visit our libraries, and gives us a chance to introduce them to the services we offer, such as job placement programs, computer workshops and literacy classes, Walcott said.

Last year, Queens Library, DSS and DHS helped to keep 748 people off the street throughout New York City, according to Fishman.

These agencies were proud of the work that they have done and hope to strengthen their partnership.

We know there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the citywide challenge of homelessness, which built up over many decades, said Isaac McGinn, a DHS spokesman. Strengthening collaboration with agencies and provider partners across the board is crucial to building on last years progress and finding the unique solutions that will encourage individuals to accept a helping hand.
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By Bill Parry

Delta Airlines got the green light to begin construction on its new $4 billion, 37-gate terminal at LaGuardia Airport. The Port Authority of New York and New Jerseys Board of Commissioners gave final approval to a new lease agreement with the airline last week, putting the final component of the airport reconstruction project in place.

The transformation of LaGuardia Airport into a state-of-the-art transportation hub is key to the economic growth and strength of the entire state, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. With this action, we are taking the next major step in our work to build a new LaGuardia  an economic engine and world-class airport worthy of New York.

The Delta work will begin later this summer. All of the new airport terminal facilities, including the Delta project, will be located closer to the Grand Central Parkway as part of the new unified airport design, providing significantly more airfield space. The move will increase the efficiency of aircraft moving to and from runways, thereby reducing delays.

The new Delta terminal will feature four concourses connected by a centralized check-in lobby, security checkpoints and baggage claim areas. Other upgrades include 30 percent more concessions space and a new Delta Sky Club, featuring a sky deck with airfield views, locally inspired food options and artwork from emerging New York artists.

With the approval of Deltas new lease at LaGuardia Airport, we are now looking forward to breaking ground on our historic state-of-the-art facility, Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastian said. This is an important step forward for our customers and employees at one of our most important hubs and builds on years of investment in New York.

The Port Authority has committed a fixed amount of $600 million to the Delta project, with the airline providing $3.4 million and assuming responsibility for any cost overruns. The new terminal will offer direct access between the parking garage and the airports new Central Hall, improved drop-off and pick-up areas as well as a curbside check-in bypass leading directly to the security checkpoint.

Todays Port Authority action continues Governor Cuomos transformative vision for a modern, united and customer-friendly LaGuardia Airport, Port Authority Executive Director Pat Fore said.

In addition to bringing LaGuardia customers experience into the 21st century, this agreement with Delta will create construction jobs and long-term permanent airport jobs that will help boost the regions economy.
Bridgewater looks to become a regional nightlife hub in western PA

Bridgewater bars offer patrons a nightlife experience that is unique from any other in western Pennsylvania
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Political and economic development leaders in Wisconsin used a relentless, full-court press to win Foxconn Technology Group's $10 billion LCD panel factory, the first LCD factory to be built outside of Asia.

The effort proved to be too much for other states like New York that had also been vying to land Foxconn, a major supplier to Apple and other electronic device companies that is based in Taiwan.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker met multiple times with Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou  including a June trip to Osaka, Japan where Foxconn owns a large LCD panel factory similar to the one it has agreed to build south of Milwaukee, according to an in-depth account written in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

The meetings also included an April trip that Walker took to the White House to meet with Gou and Reince Priebus, President Donald Trump's then-chief of staff, and the president.

Priebus  who was bounced from his White House post on Friday  recently told WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee that it was during a helicopter ride that he took with Trump during the president's April trip to Snap-on, the Wisconsin tool maker, that Trump first got the idea to bring Foxconn to the state.

Snap-on is based in Kenosha, and Priebus, who also lives in Kenosha, was showing Trump his home from the air when Trump noticed a large vacant land where the local Chrysler plant used to be.

"He goes, 'That land should be used,'" Priebus said. "So when Foxconn came into the White House, into the Oval Office (later that month), the president said, 'I know a good spot that you should go, that place in Kenosha,' and then all of a sudden the conversation started, and the governor (Walker) came on board."

Although sources insist that New York state  which was offering up sites in Oneida and Genesee counties  was one of the finalists for the Foxconn factory, the company appears to have been focusing almost exclusively on Rust Belt and other swing states won by Trump in the 2016 election.

In fact, at a June meeting with shareholders, Gou told reporters that the finalists for the factory were Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

"In July we will make a conclusion," Gou said, foreshadowing his East Room appearance with Trump and Walker on Wednesday to announce that Wisconsin had won the facility, which is expected to generate 13,000 new jobs.

New York state, which went for Hillary Clinton, does not appear to have had a chance, despite claims that Foxconn officials were reportedly impressed with New York's sites, which included a 400-acre site owned by SUNY Polytechnic Institute outside Utica known as the Marcy Nanocenter and STAMP, a 1,250 acre site located in Genesee County.

Sources in New York and officials in other states have said that Foxconn was pitching two factories. The larger, $10 billion factory, and a smaller facility. Utica would have been used for the smaller factory, while the Genesee County site, between Buffalo and Rochester, would have hosted the larger factory that ended up going to Wisconsin.

Steve Hyde, CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center, the nonprofit that owns the STAMP site, could not be reached for comment.

It is unclear whether Foxconn is still shopping that smaller project even as it awarded the larger facility to Wisconsin, which has promised $3 billion in government incentives.

New York state officials, who declined to comment on Wisconsin's win, had been working with Foxconn's site selection team on the state's bid and, like other states that had a serious chance of landing the project, had to sign non-disclosure agreements.

New York has been keen to land a tenant at the Marcy Nanocenter after a previous tenant, ams AG, an Austrian computer chip maker, backed out of a deal last Thanksgiving to build a factory there with $600 million in state funding.

Foxconn, which had announced its intentions to build an LCD factory in the U.S. shortly after the ams deal fell through, did not respond to a request for comment about efforts by New York to land the project.

Walker, however, will have to spend significant political capital to afford the project. The Journal-Sentinel wrote that Walker would have to use $200 million a year from the state budget to pay for Foxconn's incentives, money he had hoped to use for personal income tax cuts.

And the newspaper reported that localities would have to spend big to pay for all the infrastructure needed for the Foxconn project, which reportedly would include 20 million square feet of building space.

At the Marcy Nanocenter, New York state had already approved $600 million in spending on building a factory for the first tenant and any infrastructure upgrades that are needed.
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Albany

Matt Baumgartner was part of the long advocacy battle to bring ride-hailing services to upstate New York.

A month into the availability of those services, he's seeing the fruits of his labor.

"We definitely recognize cars pulling up constantly, obviously more than the usual number of taxis, all night long," said Baumgartner, the restaurateur and owner of the Wolff's Biergarten franchise. "There's a noticeable amount of people taking Uber and Lyft."

The Albany Wolff's on Broadway in the Warehouse District is among the top 10 Capital Region destinations for both Uber and Lyft passengers, according to data provided by both companies. In fact, the city has a claim on the majority of the top Uber destinations.

The most popular destinations for users of both app services are major transportation hubs.

Lyft's top destination is the Albany International Airport, for which it is the only ride-hailing service that so far has inked an agreement with the Albany County Airport Authority to pay fees for access to airport fares.

The top Uber destination is the Albany-Rensselaer train station.

Largely, the top destinations seem to be very distinctly for either work or nighttime revelry.

The City Beer Hall, Lionheart Pub, Graney's Stout (across the street from Wolff's) and Wolff's all are among the top destinations for ride-hailing service users. The Empire State Plaza is Uber's No. 8 destination.

Shopping also cracks the list, with the Walmart Supercenter and Crossgates Mall both making the cut.

Aside from the train station, the top destinations are confined to Albany and Saratoga counties, with neither Troy nor Schenectady harboring any of the top 10 destinations for either service. The analysis shows that only Lyft has top Saratoga destinations. Predictably, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the Saratoga Race Course and Caroline Street are the city's most popular spots for drop-offs.

How many trips actually have been made is unclear. Both companies declined to provide such data.

Some local business owners who invested in bringing ride-hailing to the region have offered incentives for using the service. Baumgartner said Wolff's has offered $25 gift certificates to any patrons who visit all three biergartens (Albany, Troy and Schenectady) in one night by using a ride-hailing service.

And in some places, there are palpable signs of stakeholders still savoring a policy victory at the state Capitol (ride-hailing for Long Island and upstate was authorized in this year's state budget). Behind the bar at Wolff's in Albany is one of the signs Baumgartner produced during the advocacy campaign that proclaims: "NYS legislators, WE NEED UBER."

The "NEED" has been crossed out in marker, with "HAVE" inserted in its place.

Cathleen F. Crowley contributed to this report

mhamilton@timesunion.com  518-454-5449  @matt_hamilton10
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Ballston Spa

A Manhattan man admitted Friday that he stole the identity of a state trooper killed in the line of duty last year and tried to go on a $5,000 spending spree on the day of the officer's funeral.

Steven J. Calderon, 32, pleaded guilty in Saratoga County Court to first-degree identity theft, a felony, the District Attorney's Office said.

The case began last October, when Trooper Timothy Pratt was hit by a car on Ballard Road in Wilton while trying to help a tractor-trailer turn around. He died hours later.

Days later, while Pratt was being buried, Calderon, who police believed was part of an identity-theft ring, entered a downstate Home Depot and opened a $5,000 line of credit using the trooper's personal information. He made a purchase at the store and went to another Home Depot, where a clerk became suspicious after he exceeded the credit limit, according to the police account.

When Calderon was arrested in late December, then-Capt. (now Maj.) Robert Patnaude said the clerk contacted the store's loss-prevention department, which called Pratt's daughter to ask if her father was making the purchases.

"And she said, 'No, I'm at my father's funeral,'" Patnaude said.

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State Police used store surveillance cameras to identify the suspect's car and license plate number, Patnaude said. Troopers also identified a shipping address from Home Depot documents.

Investigators arrested Calderon in New York City and, using multiple search warrants, found evidence linking him to several incidents of identity thefts, the agency said. It does not appear Calderon specifically targeted Pratt, since he was one of many victims, troopers said.

Calderon's sentencing will be Oct. 17. He faces up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 or double the value of the proceeds of the crime, according to state guidelines.
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ALBANY  Audience members who momentarily nodded off or became distracted during John Mulaney's show at the Palace Theatre on Thursday night shouldn't worry, the comedian told them. When they returned to paying attention, he said, accurately, "I'll still just be acting upset about a trivial thing."

To wit, about majoring in English in college: "I paid them $120,000 for someone to tell me to go read Jane Austen, and then I didn't." Going to college, he said, is "the worst use of $120,000 other than if you bought a duffel bag of fake cocaine ... but at least you'd have a duffel bag."

And, in an example of his idle thoughts: "None of the Beatles had a mustache. Then one day they all did. I wonder if that was a conversation?"

And yet, somehow, Mulaney makes it funny. A tall, lanky, 34-year-old guy in a sharp suit, flashy shoes and conservative haircut  he looks like he belongs on Wall Street  Mulaney is a star in ascendance in the comedy world; his first big local appearance was originally booked for the 1,000-seat theater at The Egg, but it was moved to the three-times-as-large Palace and a second performance added, drawing more than 5,100 combined on Thursday.

Mulaney, working seemingly conventional material from the perspective of a straight white man, nonetheless has a sufficiently quirky turn of mind that he goes places you don't expect, turning corners that you didn't know were even there. For instance, he and his wife once considered their French bulldog the equivalent of a child, to the point that it's sometimes carted about in a baby carriage. Mulaney realized how unlike a child the dog is, he said, when his first reaction was to laugh when a larger dog started humping his dog's face. "If that's your child, that's not what you do," he said.

Mulaney, who's been plying his trade as a stand-up for a dozen years and was on the writing staff of "Saturday Night Live" for six, is also remarkably quick and adept at crowd work. He found comedy gold in a front-row patron who said he owned a Massachusetts cremation-urn company called "MacKenzie Vault Inc." Mulaney quipped, "I'm so glad you're an 'Inc.' You're not just a loose group of individuals burning bodies.

Later, when one of the evening's few hecklers called out a request to hear Mulaney's old bit about the actor Ice-T on "Law & Order," Mulaney said, "Do you mean the joke I told seven years ago? That everyone already knows the punchline to?" When the audience member shouted out again about the routine, Mulaney mimed drawing a complicated math equation on a blackboard and said, "I'm going to 'Beautiful Mind' this: "Same guy, same joke  you're an alcoholic."

Max Silvestri opened with 20 minutes of polished, entertaining jokes mostly based on his nerdiness and general un-bro demeanor. "I would get invited for a sleepover," he said, "and I would be focused on impressing the mom." One of his jokes was unmemorable enough that I couldn't recall it 12 hours later, but a phrase in my notebook made me laugh again anyway and seems representative of Silvestri's humor: "How to remove ejaculate from a player piano."

sbarnes@timesunion.com  518-454-5489  @Tablehopping http://facebook.com/SteveBarnesFoodCritic

*****

Comedy review

John Mulaney

with Max Silvestri

When: 7 p.m. Thursday (repeated at 9:30 p.m.)

Where: Palace Theatre, 19 Clinton Ave., Albany

Length: Silvestri, 20 minutes; Mulaney, 70 minutes

The crowd: Sold out for the first show, 85 percent full for second; largely young and enthusiastic
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Niskayuna

Members of the Capital Region's two auto clubs, AAA Northway and AAA Hudson Valley, will have a new benefit beginning Tuesday: roadside assistance should their bicycles break down.

The coverage will be provided at no additional cost, according to Eric Stigberg of AAA Northway and Tara Ricard of AAA Hudson Valley. Should a bicyclist have a flat tire, broken chain or other serious problem, AAA will dispatch a truck that will take the bicycle and rider home, or to a bicycle repair shop or other destination.

"It's strictly a tow service," Stigberg said. Repairs won't be made roadside.

Members of the Albany Bicycle Coalition welcomed the new AAA benefit.

The service will be helpful for "these kinds of breakdowns where you just aren't moving," said Glenn Sandberg of the coalition, citing broken chains among the breakdowns that can be difficult to deal with.

A bicyclist who breaks down at a remote spot will be asked to take the bike to the closest roadside spot accessible by the AAA truck. Trucks will be equipped with bicycle racks designed for traditional two-wheel vehicles. Bicyclists who have three-wheelers or bicycles towing a cart should tell the AAA dispatcher so that a flatbed or similar truck can be dispatched, said Ricard.

Mileage and any other fees will depend on whatever membership level an AAA member has, said Stigberg.

The two local auto clubs together cover Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga, Montgomery, Fulton, Warren, Washington, Hamilton, Franklin, Essex, Clinton, Broome, Chemung and Tioga counties. The auto club covering the Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse metropolitan areas introduced the bicycle assistance benefit earlier this spring, Stigberg said.

The announcement took place in Lions Park in Niskayuna, next to a popular bicycle and walking path that runs next to the Mohawk River.

"This is one of the most popular sites in the Capital Region for bicyclists," said Niskayuna Supervisor Joe Landry, who attended the event. The town maintains the bike path, which draws people from throughout the region and follows the route of a long-abandoned rail and trolley corridor.

The announcement follows by a day the roll-out of the Capital District Transportation Authority's bike-share program sponsored by CDPHP. The CDPHP Cycle! initiative was launched Thursday with 160 bicycles, and racks in Albany, Troy, Saratoga Springs and Schenectady.
[Editor's Note: Regarding 'domestic dispute' and other failures of language]

A Utah man is federally charged with murder after his wife was found dead and bloodied on a cruise ship en route to Alaska from Seattle.

Kenneth Manzanares of Santa Clara, Utah, was found Tuesday night with bloody hands and clothing in his cabin with his 39-year-old wife, who appeared to have suffered a severe head wound.

The couple was aboard a Princess Cruises ship bound for Alaska. It had departed from Seattle on Sunday.

Witnesses entered the couple's cabin about 9 p.m. to find blood on Manzanares and his wife lying on the floor, covered in blood, according to federal court documents. When asked what happened to the woman, Manzanares said, "She would not stop laughing at me."

A witness said he saw Manzanares grab his wife's body and drag her toward the balcony, then take her ankles and drag her back into the cabin.

RELATED: Reports: 1 in custody after woman killed aboard Alaska-bound cruise

Security and medical crews responded to the cabin. Medics declared the woman dead about 9:20 p.m. Blood was scattered throughout the room, FBI reports say.

Authorities have not publicly released her name.

Officers detained Manzanares and held him in an adjacent cabin.

The ship was about 7 miles away from Forrester Island in Alaska at the time of the woman's death. It docked in Juneau Wednesday morning, where FBI agents took over the investigation.

While the FBI searched for evidence, Manzanares allegedly said, spontaneously, "My life is over," according to the incident report.

A scenic cruising planned for Wednesday was canceled. The ship departed from Juneau about 11:15 p.m. Wednesday for Skagway to continue the scheduled events, according to Princess Cruises.

RELATED: Charges: Man in fatal hit-and-run torched his car

Guests who paid for Wednesday's excursions will be refunded for their expenses and the company issued each of the 3,400 passengers a $150 for the inconvenience.

"You feel sorry for the family but a lot of people had to wait," Lloyd Barrows, a passenger from Alberta, Canada, told the Associated Press.

Princess Cruises said its "thoughts and prayers" are with anyone affected by the woman's slaying.
ALBANY  Federal cases against child pornography defendants rarely go to trial. Prosecutors typically have strong evidence that includes a computer trail and confession which leads to guilty pleas in U.S. District Court.

But the federal case against Saratoga County sheriff's sergeant Peter Farnum stands out because of an unusual situation in which the computer equipment that allegedly contained the child pornography literally crossed the country and changed hands before authorities were even alerted.

And this all happened during a bitter divorce and custody battle.

Federal prosecutors in Albany charged Farnum, 41, of Ballston Lake, after his now ex-wife suspected he was viewing adult pornography. She had the computer checked out by computer forensic specialists in Albany and Montana, where the child pornography showcasing female victims as young as seven was allegedly discovered. The FBI was called in.

Farnum, the midnight shift patrol supervisor in Milton before his arrest, allegedly possessed more than 5,000 images of child pornography that his Albany-based defense attorney, Cheryl Coleman, contends could have come from "a number of sources," including the wife.

She is identified in public records as Courtney Seymour, 40.

"This is different from any under-age porn case I've ever handled," Coleman said Friday in a phone interview. "People should reserve the typical rush to judgement that comes with these cases on this one."

Farnum is charged with receipt and possession of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison upon conviction.

An affidavit filed by an FBI agent in Albany described the sequence of events leading to Farnum's arrest as follows:

In April, the agent began investigating Farnum after learning the defendant may have possessed sexually explicit images of children in 2016 that were now on a computer hard drive in Hamilton, Mont. Farnum's wife had sent two hard drives to a computer examiner there. One hard drive was taken from the family computer, the other was an external hard drive she bought to copy files.

The Montana examiner concluded that the location of the child pornography, in the hard drive's unallocated space, showed the images had come from another source, been stored on the hard drive and deleted. As a result, he contacted the FBI in Montana.

The Albany-based FBI agent then interviewed Seymour, who explained she and the defendant were separated since October 2015. She said he maintained access to their home to care for their young children until April 2016, a year before the probe began.

The estranged wife told the FBI she used her husband's account on a family computer in April 2016 because she suspected he was downloading adult pornography. She said she used a password he has used in other places and stumbled onto the images of child pornography, as well as what she believed was a wiping program in place to delete the images.

Seymour said she confronted Farnum, then stored the computer at her work office for a year. She decided to have the computer examined as part of the divorce and custody case; they have three children.

Initially, Seymour brought the computer containing the digital images to an Albany computer repair store where an employee told her the hard drive contained thousands of images of child pornography. The business copied the images onto the external hard drive supplied by the wife, but told her it did not want any further involvement. That's when the wife entered an agreement with a certified computer forensic examiner in Montana, where she shipped the equipment via express mail.

Federal prosecutors charged Farnum with evidence that includes a time frame of Internet activity showing he was home  and his wife was not -- at the time the child pornography was downloaded.

Coleman, the defendant's attorney, not-so-subtlety suggested Seymour could have set her ex-husband up.

"These are allegations that came from my client's ex-wife in the midst of a hotly contested and bitter divorce," Coleman said.

"The only question left is how far did she go?" Coleman said. " It's a question that anybody who has been involved with a vindictive ex would fear and understand."

Farnum's ex-wife could not be reached Friday.

Farnum, who is suspended without pay, is being electrically monitored at home on $50,000 bond.
Washington

President Donald Trump is likely to sign a tough new sanctions bill that includes proposed measures targeting Russia  a remarkable concession that the president has yet to sell his party on his hopes for forging a warmer relationship with Moscow.

Trump's vow to extend a hand of cooperation to Russian President Vladimir Putin has been met with resistance as skeptical lawmakers look to limit the executive power's leeway to go easy on Moscow over its meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

The House this week passed the legislation, 419-3, to enact new sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea, clearing the far-reaching measure for action by the Senate, where its future is less certain. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., had said he wants to re-examine the bill's North Korea portion, potentially delaying it before legislators take their August recess. But late Wednesday he announced that he sees "a path forward on legislation to sanction Iran, Russia and North Korea" following "very productive discussions."

The proposed measures target Russia's energy sector as part of legislation that prevents Trump from easing sanctions on Moscow without congressional approval.

Two administration officials say that Trump is likely to sign the bill, despite ongoing wrangling over language and bureaucracy. Faced with near-unanimous bipartisan support for the bill in both the House and Senate, the president finds his hands are tied, according to two administration officials and two advisers with knowledge of the discussions.

The officials added that the president has been reluctant to proceed with the bill, even after it was revised last week to include some changes that American and European companies sought to ensure that business deals were not stifled by new sanctions. Trump has privately expressed frustration over Congress' ability to limit or override the power of the White House on national security matters, saying that it is complicating efforts to coordinate with allies  particularly those in Europe that have taken a different approach to sanctions.
San Salvador, El Salvador

After being berated for a week by President Donald Trump, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Thursday he will stay in the job for as long as Trump wants him to serve.

Sessions told The Associated Press he and Trump have a "harmony of values and beliefs" and he intends to stay and fight for the president's agenda "as long as he sees that as appropriate. If he wants to make a change, he has every right," Sessions said in an interview outside the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador during a mission to increase international cooperation against the MS-13 gang.

Congressional Republicans have rallied around Sessions, a former senator from Alabama, and expressed mortification at the humiliation visited on him by Trump in several interviews and tweets branding him weak and ineffective.

Trump is upset that Sessions recused himself months ago from the investigation into interactions between Russian officials and the Trump campaign, and that he has not taken a tougher line against his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina warned Thursday there would be "holy hell" to pay if Trump fired Sessions.

After meeting his Salvadoran counterpart, Sessions told AP he was "thrilled" with the support he's received, presumably from lawmakers.

"I believe we are running a great Department of Justice," he said. "I believe with great confidence that I understand what is needed in the Department of Justice and what President Trump wants. I share his agenda."

He acknowledged, with considerable understatement, "it hasn't been my best week .... for my relationship with the president." The two have not spoken recently, he said. "But I look forward to the opportunity to chat with him about it."

In Congress, Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska went to the Senate floor Thursday to discourage Trump from making a so-called recess appointment while the Senate is away at the end of August A recess appointment would allow Trump to appoint anyone of his choosing and bypass Senate confirmation until 2019 if the Senate recesses for 10 days or more in August.

Sasse said, "The presidency isn't a bull, and this country isn't a china shop."

The previous evening, the GOP chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, tweeted he wouldn't be holding a confirmation hearing for a new attorney general if Trump decided to go that route.

The committee's agenda is set for the rest of 2017, he tweeted, adding: "AG no way."

The White House has appeared to be trying to tamp down the notion that Trump wants Sessions out  without offering a rousing endorsement of him.

"The president wants him to do his job, do it properly," the White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, said Thursday. "He wants him to be tough on the intelligence leaks and he wants him to move forward."

In Washington, lawmakers are aiming to prevent dismissal of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, a development that might be made easier if Sessions were moved aside.

Graham is working on legislation that would block the firing of special counsels without judicial review. Democrats Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said Thursday they are among the senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee who are working with Graham on the effort.
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With security concerns overseas and a weakening dollar, this might be the summer for an All-American vacation.

Across New York, there are plenty of scenic, historic and educational destinations within a day's drive of the Capital Region.

Related: Our favorite day trip destinations

We're skipping the obvious ones and focusing on some that are likely less visited, including a few of my favorites:

More Information Saving with National Park Service passes -- Passes range from the $80 annual pass that also covers up to three accompanying adults, to free passes for military members and dependents as well as permanently disabled U.S. citizens, and $20 lifetime passes for U.S. citizens and permanent residents 62 and over. -- Apply in person at National Park Service sites that issue passes or online at https://store.usgs.gov/pass -- Fourth-graders also get a free pass for the duration of their year in fourth grade and through the following summer. See More Collapse

The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt in Hyde Park, about 90 minutes south of the Capital Region, engages the visitor in the historic and challenging events facing the nation's 32nd president, from the Great Depression to World War II.

Like some of the other destinations here, this is operated by the National Park Service, which offers a number of money-saving "America the Beautiful" passes.

These passes will also get you into Val-Kill, the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site; and the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site.

Other presidential homesteads overseen by the National Park Service include that of Martin Van Buren in Kinderhook in Columbia County, and Sagamore Hill, the home of Theodore Roosevelt in Oyster Bay, Nassau County.

Those seeking a mix of culture and the arts may want to check out the Chautauqua Institution, which mixes lectures, concerts, recreation, classes and faith-based programs in a charming setting on Chautauqua Lake, a six-hour drive west of the Capital Region. Aretha Franklin, E.J. Dionne, the Beach Boys and the Glenn Miller Orchestra are among those appearing this summer. Don't miss the bookstore and the cafe.

As you head back home, you might consider stopping at a couple of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings in western New York, the Darwin D. Martin House in Buffalo and the Graycliff Estate on the shore of Lake Erie. Both are celebrating the 150th year of the architect's birth this summer with special programs planned. Tours are available, but you'll want to plan ahead.

Between western New York and the Capital Region, you'll pass near the Finger Lakes region, which has more than 120 wineries, plus an assortment of country inns, bed and breakfasts, hotels and motels.

Related: Airbnb Finger Lakes getaways

There's also the Women's Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls. The first women's rights convention was held here in 1848. Seneca Falls, which calls itself the birthplace of the American women's rights movement, also is home to the National Women's Hall of Fame. It's located in the middle of the Finger Lakes region, near the top of Cayuga Lake.

Fans of the Christmas movie "It's a Wonderful Life" may want to check out the museum by the same name here. Many believe that Seneca Falls may have been the model for Frank Capra's Bedford Falls in the movie.
Cashel's Rockwell College is set to host the international Girl Guide camp IGGNITE, next weekend.

The event, hosted by the Irish Girl Guides, will see 1,800 Girl Guides and their leaders from around the world camping on the extensive grounds of the college, located a short distance from Cashel.

IGGNITE 2017 is set to be the biggest Girl Guide camp ever to take place in Ireland. As well as national participation from all corners of Ireland, girls from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Zimbabwe, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Philippines, Georgia and the United Kingdom will all be visiting for the occasion.

During the course of the week, the Girl Guides will have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities including rafting, rocket building, yoga, music and coding workshops. They will also attend training on climate justice, advocating for gender equality and sustainability

The work of Girl Guides around the world is invaluable in promoting confidence and responsibility in girls and young women, Rockwell College principal Audrey O'Byrne told the Tipperary Star.

We are delighted that IGGNITE 2017 has chosen Rockwell College as the host venue for what will be a remarkable experience for all involved, she continues. Ms O'Byrne thanks all those who are supporting the event.

The Spiritan Congregation at Rockwell have been fantastic in their support and enthusiasm for the event, which will see the grounds being taken over completely for ten days. Local people will not be able to access the college either during the event and we are grateful for their understanding on this. Its an opportunity to showcase not only Rockwell College but the whole area of South Tipperary to people from all over the world, added Ms O'Byrne.

The event commences next Sunday in Rockwell College with a formal opening ceremony on July 30th and runs until August 6th.
Several hundred households and businesses supplied by the Galtee water scheme are without water this Friday, July 29, due to a burst pipe.

Irish Water said that, due to the pipe burst, customers on the Galtee water supply scheme may be currently without water.

The areas affected will include: Bansha, Lisvarrinane, Aherlow, Ardane, New Inn, Knockgraffon, Emly, Lattin, Cullen, Banard, Ballydrehid, Rockwell, Cloonfinglass, Currana, Rossadrehid, Newtown, Golden, Kilross, Monard, Donaskeigh, Knockavilla, Cashel, Thomastown, Suirville, Clerihan and surrounding areas

The pipe is being worked on and Irish Water aim to restore supply as soon as possible.

Temporary water stations have been established at the following locations:

Kilross (outside the public house)

Emly (outside the school)

Cullen (at the crossroads)

Monard (at the school)



Customers are reminded to bring clean containers and to boil water taken from these stations before use, as a precaution.

Irish Water apologises to customers for the inconvenience caused and thanks them for their patience while crews work to repair the pipe.

Customers can contact itscustomer care helpline 24/7 on 1850-278278 or visit www.water.ie for further updates.
There was a mixed reaction in Tipperary today to the news that the controversial ride-sharing company Uber will not be allowed to operate in Ireland using private cars as it does in other countries.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has told the San Francisco-based company its model is not appropriate for Ireland.

Currently Irish customers can only book a taxi or limousine through the Uber app rather than a private car.

Taxi drivers in Tipperary welcomed the news as the Uber service threatened their livelihoods but younger people who would have availed of the service were disappointed. Students in particular felt they would have benefited from far cheaper transport cost had the scheme been permitted in Ireland.

They also felt it would cut delays waiting for taxis when pubs and nightclubs closed. One described how she had to wait three hours for a taxi in one Co. Tipperary town and felt Uber would have been a greater option.

Uber links passengers with private car owners through an app. It has been described as a disruptive technology as it threatens the traditional model of taxi and limousine hire.



In a letter issued through a Freedom of Information request from RTE, the NTA said the proposal for a pilot scheme in Limerick that would allow private car users offer their services to passengers through Uber was undesirable.

The authority told Uber it was not legal to operate an unlicensed ride sharing serving in Ireland.

It went further to state that, even if such a service was legal, it would not support the Uber proposal. The NTA said operating an unregulated regime would undermine the regulated taxi sector.

The authority told Uber: Notwithstanding the above legislative position, it should be stated that the NTA is unsupportive of this proposal.

Operating parallel regulated and non regulated regimes, even on a pilot basis is undesirable in our view and can only serve to undermine the regulated transport system . . . the issue of unfair competition arises. This is not an approach which could be supported by the NTA.

Although it is legal in countries such as the United States and Britain for Uber to operate through private car owners, many European countries have banned the company from operating such a service.

France, Spain and Belgium are among the European countries that have banned Uber using private drivers over fears over how it would disrupt the regulated taxi industry.
Lough Derg RNLI has rescued a man who was stranded overnight on a drifting cruiser because he was reluctant to call for help.

At 8.50am this Friday, July 28, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI to investigate a report from a passing cruiser of a vessel, thought to have slipped its moorings, aground behind Hare Island.

A man was subsequently found onboard by lifeboat crew, who discovered he had spent the night alone and stranded on the lake, as he was reluctant to call for help.

At 9.15am the lifeboat crew located the 16ft cruiser in Church Bay, behind Hare Island on the Clare shore. Church Bay is known for particular hazards - sudden shallows and rocks.

The lifeboat proceeded with caution and when sufficiently close the cruiser, an RNLI volunteer waded in to the vessel to determine whether there was anyone on board, and to secure the vessel.

On inspection the RNLI volunteer found one person on board below, asleep in the cabin. The person was safe and unharmed and wearing his lifejacket.

He had been stranded on his boat since 8pm the previous evening, but had been reluctant to call the rescue services, anxious not to put anyone out.

The winds overnight on Lough Derg were westerly, Force 5, gusting 7.

At 9.45am the lifeboat had the vessel off and the rocks and taken under tow, with the skipper and an RNLI crew member on board to Garrykennedy harbour. The vessel was safely tied up alongside at 10.5am.

Eleanor Hooker, helm at Lough Derg RNLI, said: "No callout is routine. Our training and experience tells us to expect the unexpected.

"We approached what we thought was an empty vessel which had slipped its moorings and found a person on board who had spent the night alone, stranded in stormy conditions, and without help coming for them.

"The RNLI are there to answer any call for help. No lifeboat launch is ever a waste of our time or resources."

Pat Garland, deputy launching authority at Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Station added: "I would urge all boat users, when in difficulty to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

"RNLI lifeboats are launched at the request of the Irish Coast Guard, who then make the correct call on which search and rescue assets to deploy to the scene.

"We would urge the public not to delay calling for help. This could have had a very different outcome."
Today marks a major deadline for Pennsylvanias ongoing budget impasse: the states General Fund now has a balance of zero, according to Treas
INVESTOR ALERT: Goldberg Law PC Announces an Investigation of Halliburton Company

Goldberg Law PC, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Halliburton Company ("Halliburton" or the "Company") (NYSE: HAL).

If you purchased or otherwise acquired Halliburton shares, and would like more information about the investigation, we encourage you to contact Michael Goldberg or Brian Schall, of Goldberg Law PC, 1999 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1100, Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert) 90067, at 800-977-7401, to discuss your rights without cost to you.

You can also reach us through the firm's website at http://www.Goldberglawpc.com, or by email at [email protected].







The investigation focuses on whether Halliburton and certain of its officers and/or directors violated federal securities laws. On October 21, 2011, the Company revealed that it commenced an internal investigation into possible violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA") by Halliburton personnel in Angola. On July 27, 2017, the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission revealed that Halliburton would pay $29.2 million in fines and penalties to settle allegations of FCPA violations in connection with its Angolan operations. Following this news, Halliburton's stock price dropped.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please immediately contact Goldberg Law PC at 800-977-7401, or visit our website at http://www.Goldberglawpc.com, or email us at [email protected].

Goldberg Law PC represents investors around the world, and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170727006707/en/
[July 27, 2017] Washington Hospital Healthcare System Celebrates World Breastfeeding Week With Community Education Event

Washington Hospital Healthcare System: This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170727006708/en/ On Tuesday, August 1, Washington Hospital Healthcare System in Fremont, Calif., kicks off #WorldBreastfeedingWeek 2017 - a global effort to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. The Hospital is marking the occasion by presenting a free community event that provides information and resources to help new parents with their breastfeeding goals. Chairperson Donita Rose, RN, center, and teams throughout our Birthing Center are inviting the public to meet pediatricians, nurses, lactation consultants and other specialists. (Photo: Business Wire) What

World Breastfeeding Week 2017 kicks off on Tuesday, August 1, and continues through Monday, August 7. This year's theme is Sustaining Breastfeeding Together, and is part of a global effort to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. Washington Hospital Healthcare System and its top-rated Birthing Center are celebrating World Breastfeeding Week by presenting an important community event. On Tuesday, August 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2500 Mowry Ave. in Fremont, California, families and future families are invited to learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding for baby and mom.



"Participants will meet pediatricians, nurses, lactation consultants and other experts," said Nancy Farber, chief executive officer at Washington Hospital. "It's a wonderfully skilled staff. They have a tremendous passion for newborn education, and for giving babies the best possible start in life." That passion has led to recognition. Washington Hospital Healthcare System has been designated Baby-FriendlyTM, part of a global program launched by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund to encourage and recognize hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding and mother/baby bonding.

"We're proud to join health care providers around the globe to raise awareness of what breastfeeding means to a baby's health," added Farber, "and we can't wait to share this information with the community." For more information or to RSVP, call (510) 818-5040. Who

* Pediatricians, nurses, lactation consultants and more Where

Washington West

Conrad E. Anderson, MD, Auditorium, Room A

2500 Mowry Avenue

Fremont, CA (News - Alert) 94538 When

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

11 a.m. - 2 p.m. About Washington Township Healthcare District Washington Township Health Care District is governed by an elected board and includes Washington Hospital Healthcare System. Unlike a municipal or county hospital, Washington Hospital's operating expenses, research, community programs, and employee salaries are funded by revenues generated through providing patient and other health care services. Opened in 1958, Washington Hospital Healthcare System has grown to include a 341-bed, acute-care hospital; the Taylor McAdam Bell Neuroscience Institute; The Gamma Knife Center; Washington Radiation Oncology Center; Washington Outpatient Surgery Center; Washington Outpatient Rehabilitation Center; Washington Institute for Joint Restoration and Research; Washington Township Medical Foundation; and Washington West, a complex which houses the UCSF - Washington Cancer Center, Washington Women's Center, Outpatient Imaging Center, Sandy Amos RN Infusion Center, Washington Urgent Care and additional outpatient hospital services and administrative facilities. Discover more at whhs.com, and through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170727006708/en/

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[July 27, 2017] Sunline Convenes Summit to Map Out Leading Companies Financial Future

Leading Banking Software and Technology Services Company discusses insights and trends to empower businesses to leverage on comprehensive financial technology solutions SHENZHEN, China, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading Banking Software and Technology Services Company, Sunline recently hosted the Sunline Global Financial Summit 2017 titled "Connect. Reinvent. Collaborate" at the InterContinental Shenzhen Hotel OCT from July 27-28, 2017. More than 300 delegates comprising of IT and finance leaders convened at the financial summit that is centered on the rise of FinTech, digital banking systems and end-to-end functionalities which have caused a complete restructuring of the global innovation economy. The 2017 Global Sunline Financial Summit has allowed for opportunities and challenges for each delegate to discover the emerging impact, trends and challenges through shared by forward-thinking financial industry leaders and experts. The summit also saw Sunline signing a joint venture agreement with Indonesia's leading ICT infrastructure providers, MasterSystem to jointly ride the wave of financial technology development in the Indonesian market. Sunline's strategic partners Tencent, Huawei and DaoCloud attended the event, and demonstrated their support to the ever-growing demand in the field of financial IT solutions. The continuous development of technology in the information age along with the rapid development of science and innovation, financial technology to big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), block chain, AR / VR and other technologies have disrupted the financial services industry. Market data indicates that Chinese mobile payments in 2016 were 50 times greater than those in the US due to the rapid adoption of "mobile payments". As leading financial IT experts and driven with a purpose to make banking relevant, Sunline has over 15 years of experience in developing core banking systems spanning digital banking, securities, insurance, funds, asset management, internet finance and other financial technology services in the IT industry. During the financial summit,Mr. Wang Chang Chun, Chairman of Sunline, delivered a speech on the topic "Future Banking is Now - Unlocking New Opportunities with Innovation". The financial delegates, together with Sunline, as well as other representatives used this opportunity to share insights on Insurtech, Commercial Bank Asset and Liability Management, Finance, Fintech vs Internet Finance, Financial AI, Financial Big Data, Mobile Finance, Block Chain technology and other wide-ranging topics that were well-received and formed a turning point on how enterprises can apply best practices and solutions to collaborate more effectively across finance focused models. For the first time in the industry the event brought topics such as how VR and AR could transform the future of the financial technology industry paired with case studies and effective solutions to provide end-to-end, flexible and fully integrated digital business solutions.



Sunline for the past 15 years have actively responded to trends and innovative solutions, thus finding the drive to ride the financial technology wave - whether it is pioneering to eliminate any technological challenges or independently attaining IP rights to China's first-generation JAVA based core banking systems. With mobile penetration outpacing desktop Internet usage, the mobile industry payment is poised for growth, thus resulting in demand for comprehensive adaptable IT solutions in the form of mobile apps such as WeChat, PC and mobile banking to online financial platform services and risk management. In this regard, Sunline has already deployed features and tools that have help to grow and transform 400 financial institutions both local and globally. The construction of the digital banking systems has allowed for Sunline Group to receive recognition on all fronts starting with "IDC China FinTech Pioneer Top 25", "China's Top 100 Software Vendor", "Forbes China 2017 Top 100 Potential Listed Companies" and "Top 10 Leading IT Service Provider In The Financial Industry" among others.

With a single-minded focus strategy, Sunline has expanded to Hong Kong, through the establishment of investments, mergers and acquisitions and other forms of integration, to create seamless product developments, sales, delivery, operation and management under one roof. One of the main company's focus is to expand its professional services and cover the core banking financial technology systems in line with international standards and expanding P2P lending systems to other international markets. Chairman of Sunline, Wang Chang Chun said that having been in the financial technology industry for the last 15 years, the group has accumulated a deep sense and commitment to the financial technology industry relying on the company's legacy, values and synergy. Combined with the velocity of change in the financial industry, the potential to ride the future of technology is promising. "Enterprises will seek to reinvent their solutions by integrating the latest technology trends and the industry best practices to ensure high quality innovative financial services to battle with the competitive market. As such, Sunline will continue to uphold its mission to create value for customers and to strive for customer-centric concept to deliver financial services in a comprehensive and secure manner," added Mr. Wang. For more details, kindly log on to: http://www.sunline.cn/. About Sunline Established since 2002, Sunline is the leading banking software and technology services company in China, headquartered in Shenzhen. Over the past decade, Sunline has constantly reinvented its solutions by integrating the latest technology trends with the industry best practices to ensure the innovative nature, completeness and effectiveness of its financial IT solutions. Publicly listed in year 2012 and ranked in 2017 Forbes China Top 100 Potential Enterprises, Sunline has more than 3,000 employees worldwide serving more than 400 banking and finance customers in China. SOURCE Shenzhen Sunline Tech Co.,Ltd.

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Hyosung Group Chairman & CEO Cho Hyun-joon to Better Serve IT Service Market through Partnership with Huawei

Hyosung ITX, an IT unit of Hyosung Group (KRX:004800), announced on July 11 that it recently concluded sales partnership with Huawei (News - Alert), China's global networking equipment maker, to better serve the IT market.

Both Hyosung ITX and Huawei expect to strengthen their technology cooperation further in various business areas. They have concentrated on R&D on cloud computing, big data and IoT in preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (News - Alert).







The agreement has enabled Hyosung ITX to sell a full range of latest IT products and services including servers, storage and network solutions as the official sales partner of Huawei.

The partnership has also allowed Hyosung ITX to add Huawei's superb technology and products to its lineup of IT solutions, which include storage products of Japanese tech firm Hitachi (News - Alert) and wireless networks of the US firm Ruckus. With more diverse solutions, Hyosung ITX will be able to respond to consumer needs more promptly and flexibly.

Chairman Cho noted the importance of information and communication technologies. "We may be left behind in the rapid Fourth Industrial Revolution in a second unless we notice changes in an era of ICT fusion, no matter how good technology we possess and how promising business we are in," he said.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170727006765/en/
[July 28, 2017] Klas Telecom's Voyager Tactical Data Center Achieves VMware Ready Status

Klas Telecom (News - Alert), an engineering and design company that develops innovative communications solutions for use in austere environments where low size, weight, power and ruggedization are required, today announced that its Voyager Tactical Data Center (Voyager TDC) has achieved VMware Ready status. This designation indicates that, after a detailed validation process, Voyager TDC has achieved VMware's highest level of endorsement and is supported on VMware vSphere 6.5 for production environments. "We are pleased that Klas Telecom's Voyager TDC qualifies for the VMware Ready logo, signifying to customers that it has met specific VMware interoperability standards and works effectively with VMware cloud infrastructure. This signifies to customers that Voyager TDC can be deployed in production environments with confidence and can speed time to value within customer environments," said Kristen Edwards, director, Technology Alliance Partner Program, VMware. By using Voyager TDC with VMware vSphere 6.5, organizations can rapidly and easily deploy an enterprise-grade storage and compute network in the size of an airline carry-on rollaway case so users can access, collect, store, analyze and disseminate high volumes of data locally rather than relying on reach back into an offsite data center. Voyager TDC is designed to military standards for ruggedization and provides the highest compute performance per watt and storage per cubic inch than any other solution available in the tactical market. Voyager TDC saves time, money and resources by reducing hardware footprint (the system replaces hundreds of pounds of traditionally-deployed server room equipment), simplifying transportation and logistics (the case can be hand carried) and lowering total cost of ownership for customers. "This certification gives VMware customers assurance that the Voyager TDC works well with VMware cloud infrastructure and enables them to leverage their existing investments," said John Gallagher (News - Alert), chief executive officer, Klas Telecom. The VMware Ready program is a co-branding benefit of the Technology Alliance Partner (TAP) program that makes it easy for customers to identify partner products certified to work with VMware cloud infrastructure. Customers can use these products and solutions to lower project risks and realize cost savings over custom built solutions. With thousands of members worldwide, the VMware TAP program includes best-of-breed technology partners with the shared commitment to bring the best expertise and business solution for each unique customer need.



Klas Telecom's Voyager Tactical Data Center can be found within the online VMware Solution Exchange (VSX) at https://solutionexchange.vmware.com/solutions/voyager-tactical-data-center-n-a. The VMware Solution Exchange is an online marketplace where VMware partners and developers can publish rich marketing content and downloadable software for our customers. About Klas Telecom

Founded in 1991, Klas Telecom is an engineering and design company with over 25 years of experience developing innovative communications solutions for use in austere environments where low size, weight, power and ruggedization are required. With over 80% of the company dedicated to technology development, Klas Telecom is able to stay on the forefront of the deployable and tactical communications market. Klas Telecom operates in the U.S. and international defense, first responder, disaster relief, law enforcement and transportation markets. The company employs staff across four offices located in Washington, DC; Herndon, VA; Tampa, FL; and Dublin, Ireland. www.klastelecom.com About the Voyager Tactical Data Center The Voyager Tactical Data Center (Voyager TDC) deploys, in a single airline carry-on-sized rollaway case, an enterprise-grade compute and data storage network with up to 512 GB RAM (News - Alert), 32 physical cores, a tactical 10 Gigabit Ethernet switch for connectivity, an integrated uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and wide-ranging AC/DC power. Based on the latest Intel (News - Alert) technology and designed for harsh environments, the Voyager TDC brings high power processing to the field so users can access, collect, store, analyze and disseminate high volumes of data locally which enables more timely intelligence, access to mission critical information and better-informed decision making in the field. Voyager TDC is rapidly deployable, reduces hardware footprint, simplifies logistics, and lowers total cost of system ownership for customers. When combined with other Voyager route, switch, LMR or cellular/Wi-Fi modules, Voyager TDC provides a complete tactical communications solution in the lowest size, weight and power (SwaP) package available. www.klastelecom.com/voyager-tdc VMware, VMware vSphere and VMware Ready are registered trademarks or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170728005107/en/

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[July 28, 2017] 80-Year-Old House Receives Plumbing Repairs, Thanks to Grant

Until recently, Mary Simmons, a 62-year-old retired cook, lived in an 80-year-old house with no plumbing in one of her bathrooms. After not using her bathroom for three years, she knew she needed help but didn't know how to pay for the repairs on her fixed income. Ms. Simmons, who has lived in her home for 15 years, found out about the Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) through a friend, who encouraged her to apply for a grant to assist with her home repairs. "I prayed, then I got up and went to apply for the grant," said Ms. Simmons. "I am so glad that I did that." Ms. Simmons was awarded a $5,000 SNAP grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and BNA Bank, which repaired the plumbing of her bathroom and added a light to her back door. SNAP grants assist income-qualified, special-needs homeowners with necessary home repairs and modifications. The grants are awarded by FHLB Dallas through participating member institutions, such as BNA Bank. "Being a community bank gives us the ability to serve those in our community like Ms. Simmons," said Bob Spencer, executive vice president and CFO at BNA Bank. "We're thankful for our partnership with FHLB Dallas and programs such as SNAP." Since SNAP's inception in 2009, more than $11.6 million has been awarded in grants through FHLB Dallas member instituions to assist more than 2,300 families across FHLB Dallas' five-state District of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. In 2016, FHLB Dallas awarded nearly $1 million in SNAP grants that assisted 205 families. The $1.5 million in 2017 SNAP funding, made available in January on a first-come, first-served basis, has been exhausted.



"SNAP was created to help our members provide assistance to special-needs individuals in the community," said Greg Hettrick, first vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. "FHLB Dallas is proud to partner with BNA Bank to invest in our community." Ms. Simmons said her life is better now after receiving the repairs.

"This experience has changed my life tremendously," said Ms. Simmons. "My half bathroom has been closed for three years and now I can finally use it!" To learn more about SNAP, visit fhlb.com/snap. About BNA Bank BNA Bank, established in 1896, is a state-chartered bank with approximately $480 million in assets. BNA's main office and two branch offices are located in New Albany with another branch located in Myrtle, Mississippi and two in Tupelo and Lee County, Mississippi. About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $62.9 billion as of June 30, 2017, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community investment by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 850 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit fhlb.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170728005470/en/

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Rex Early, longtime Republican leader in Indiana, has died

Rex Early was chairman of the Indiana Republican Party and led former president Donald Trump's campaign in Indiana in 2016.
A 71-year-old Overland Park woman was charged Thursday with burglarizing a Shawnee home and stealing jewelry. Mary Ellen Lubow was charged in Johnson County District Court with aggravated burglary and felony theft. The alleged break-in occurred Wednesday at the home of a family whom Lubow was acquainted with, according to the allegations.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Police in Kansas City, Kan., are investigating a deadly shooting Thursday morning. Police responded to the 2300 block of North 83rd just before 2 a.m. They haven't released any information on the victim, or if they are searching for a suspect.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The two finalists for Kansas City, Missouri police chief answered questions at a public forum Thursday night. KCPD Major Rick Smith and Norman, Oklahoma Police Chief Keith Humphrey discussed issues ranging from the causes of gun violence in the city to the need for more street patrols.
CHECK THIS EXCLUSIVE FULL-TEXT EXCHANGE BETWIXT A TAX FIGHTER AND A MAYORAL CANDIDATE COUNCILMAN CONCERNING THE LACK OF AIRPORT DEETS SHARED WITH THE PUBLIC!!!

From John Murphy - Council Members-especially those of you running for mayor:

The reply from Councilman Wagner . . .

This morning we take our readersS to the crux of the Kansas City new airport debate and the dearth of public information regarding the bidding process.To wit . . .There isn't much editing here and we think these SIGNED DOX sent our way convey a lot of info and offer and INSIDER view into the ongoing debate about the process.Take a look:A few weeks back I and many of you attended a South KC Alliance meeting about the airport. One of the big promises made 1st by Scott Wagner then by other council members was that the public would get to see the airport choices PRIOR to voting on whether or not to proceed with a new airport. We are finding out today that the public and possibly members of the council will not be allowed to see the proposals Really? Folks pardon the pun but that just ain't going to fly.The public has a right to know - you guys work for us.In addition, Viewing this process from the stands from the first airport roll out in 2013 to the mayor's hastily put together press conference announcing BM wins the new airport, then the walk-back announcing that everyone else can now submit a bid if they want but BM will win cause they get last look; then the next walk back stating this will be an open and transparent process. Then we find out at today's Carnival side show that only select individuals will see the proposals.This is amateur hour. You guys have no business being in development. I keep hearing from city hall that you guys can walk and chew gum at the same time. I hate to bust your bubbles but no you can't.John J. MurphyCitizens For Responsible Government KC##############Mr. Murphy,As you have mentioned my answer in South Kansas City directly I would also remind you that in the course of my answer I also said that typically the proposals of other proposers are typically not released until a contract is done. As was related by law staff this morning, the RFQ/P indicates that release of proposal information will be done when an MOU is signed.I am still confident that a recommendation will come well before a November vote and you, along with the rest of Kansas City, will be able judge whether or not the product of this process is worth supporting. At the end of the day, it is this product that voters will be voting on.In the meantime, my consideration on the depth of information that should be released publicly will be commensurate with the exposure of risk to the City. Past foibles that you point out in this process are not good reasons to perpetuate what you have suggested is bad process. I believe premature release of information opens up risk of litigation by the unawarded parties, whoever they may be. I will not expose the City to potential litigation by going down that road no matter if suggested by you, the media, or another Councilperson. It is for that reason I answered as I did, with the caveats that I made.ScottScott WagnerCouncilman, 1st District at-LargeMayor Pro Tem########You decide . . .
It might seem hard to believe for many people, but commercials are a cherished part of the pop culture landscape. As much as viewers are willing to pay extra fees to stream movies and television shows without ad breaks, commercial compilations are still extremely popular on YouTube and catchphrases from them are as likely to enter the zeitgeist (Wheres the beef?) as anything from the best programming. The sheer amount of market share or public interest that they can generate when theyre done right is staggering. The commercials here might not be some of your favorites, but for the companies behind their creation, they were golden geese. Sometimes that was the case for years, or even decades.

10. GEICO Cavemen

In 2004 the auto insurance giant GEICO aired a commercial where the joke was that an announcer said saving money with their insurance was so easy a caveman could do it! This offended the caveman that was working with the crew for the shoot as a boom operator, causing him to yell not cool! and storm off the set. As the concept of political correctness was at the time, and continues to be, a hot button issue, the small joke struck such a chord with audiences that variations on the premise of easily offended, urbane cavemen were made by GEICO for the next three years even though the initial plan for the campaign was to only make three commercials about offended cavemen.

They became such runaway successes that in 2007 Joe Lawson, the writer that started the whole phenomenon, joined forces with directors Josh Gordon and Will Speck to sell ABC on a series for the cavemen. The series was not a hit with critics or audiences, but it was still much more than a one-off joke that youd expect to be skipped or fast-forwarded through could ever reasonably hope for.

9. Erin Esurance

In 2004, with a fairly meager budget of $60,000 (in an industry where commercials average about $350,000), a marketer named Kimberly Brewe hired three independent animators to create a female agent for auto insurance who fought thugs on rooftops and infiltrated secret headquarters. Within five years she had been featured in 30 commercials on national television and made the up and coming Esurance a household name even though thered been no brand awareness of Esurance before that ad campaign.

Esurance received actual fan mail for the character almost immediately after test broadcasts were made in Sacramento. It was a strong indication of just how much the cartoon character connected with audiences since, in 2004, action heroines were more of a novelty. Unfortunately, some would argue that she ended up connecting with audiences a bit too much. Foremost among those making that argument would be Esurance itself, whose management cancelled the character in 2010 when it was learned that she was a popular character in online pornography.

8. Its Only a Movie

Wes Cravens 1972 debut film Last House on the Left is one of the most influential, if not really celebrated, horror films ever made. It was a mainstream success with more graphic, disturbing content than almost any film from its time and ushered in a wave of more intense horror movies, even though its so badly made that Craven disowned it after moving on to hits like Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream. What really made Last House on the Left a hit was its memorable ad campaign, with a trailer that told the audience that to avoid fainting they would have to tell themselves, Its only a movie, only a movie, only a movie, only a movie while showing relatively little footage.

As film critic Joe Reid explained, it was an especially effective ad because of a combination of sheer confidence in telling the audience that theyd need to distance themselves from the action onscreen to be able to keep watching it at all, and the lack of information about the plot left audiences more intrigued. Shame it couldnt have been used in the service of promoting a better movie.

7. Carls Jr.s Racy Ads

In one of the highest profile examples of the notion that theres no bad publicity in advertising, Carls Jr.s sexually provocative Super Bowl ads began in 2006 with an ad featuring Paris Hilton washing a car and quickly got more ridiculous. This promotional campaign has been a boon for supermodels such as Kate Upton and Charlotte McKinney, who owed much of their subsequent careers to pretending to eat burgers in a suggestive manner or while dressed in very revealing ways. Its also been a source of considerable irritation for people who believe the ads demean women.

CEO Andy Puzder claimed that the publicity brought by the commercials saved a fast food company that, before the sexual ad campaign, was on the brink of bankruptcy. Puzder also pointed out that the ads are no more graphic than the covers of magazines. Whatever the truth of that, in March 2017 Carls Jr. so completely changed their marketing campaign that they made a commercial explicitly denouncing their previous advertisements. Allegedly the change in direction was because Millennials are more concerned by the healthiness of their food than they are titillated by relatively tame commercials when the internet exists.

6. Verizons Test Man

There may be no statement that seems less likely to launch someone to fame than, Can you hear me now? Good. Still, in 2002, cell phone coverage was limited enough that being unsure about getting reception depending on where you were standing was a sentiment the average telecommunications customer understood. So when Verizon began airing commercials that year featuring Paul Marcarelli just repeating that same question and answer over and over in a variety of locations to illustrate how thoroughly Verizon was allegedly expanding its coverage, people responded to it in a big way. USA Today reported in 2004 that the campaign had aided in a 10% boost to Verizons customers the first year and a 15% one on the second. It even was credited with dropping their customer turnover rate by over 25%.

For all that, it was a very mixed blessing for Marcarelli himself. Since he was famous almost exclusively for asking the same question over and over (despite being a successful screenwriter) inevitably people on the street hounded him over it for years, even at a funeral. In 2016 he went over to the rival telecommunications company Sprint in commercials that claimed that basically all carriers offered equally good services. It must have been very gratifying for him to be allowed to say anything other than the same six words.

5. Maytag Repairman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXJ0rAyE_mQ

Its amazing how long a simple joke can play out in the world of television commercials with very minor variations. In 1967, Jesse White played a senior repairman for Maytag appliances dressing down his trainees. The joke of the commercial was that they never got any work in their jobs because Maytag products never needed to be repaired. Its at least good for a smirk, but audiences so enjoyed it that White played the part 60 times over the next 22 years. The role later went to Gordon Jump, famous for his role on WKRP in Cincinnati and that one episode of Diffrent Strokes in which he played a pedophile. Yeah, that happened. Jump played the role of the Maytag Repairman from 1989 until 2003.

Somehow, interest in the Maytag Repairman built back up until the character was resurrected, played now by Colin Ferguson, who you may recognize as the star of Eureka or from his role on The Vampire Diaries, and who took up the mantle in 2014. A study by the Maytag company found in 2011 that 85% of those surveyed recognized the character and 18% considered him one of their favorite characters, demonstrating just how much the simplest ideas can be the most successful.

4. The Most Interesting Man in the World

In 2006, Jonathan Goldsmith was hired to promote Dos Equis brand beer. He didnt so much play a character as he embodied a persona: A man who was the embodiment of worldliness, sophistication, and experience to such an absurd degree that his life experiences became wordplay (e.g. the commercials narrator saying that his two cents is worth $37.) He went truly viral on sites such as Reddit. Thousands of posts were made of an image of him with text superimposed over it that paraphrased his catchphrase I dont always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis. The campaign meant four straight years of growth for Dos Equis, including one year where it shot up 26%.

Touchingly, Goldsmith was able to parlay his internet appeal for very noble causes. In 2014, he reached out to Reddit, among other sites, to promote efforts to remove landmines from Cambodia. Other charities he has supported include Free Art for Abused Children and the tiger protection group the Sabre Foundation. Maybe this doesnt make him the most interesting man in the world, but it sure doesnt hurt.

3. Speedy the Alka Seltzer Boy

You might think an anthropomorphic Alka-Seltzer tablet or a customer with indigestion would be the ideal mascot for the antacid. Indeed, one commercial featuring a man yelling Mamma mia! Thats a spicy meatball! spawned an enduring catchphrase. But Alka-Seltzers first approach was to make a cherub-faced, red-headed child named Speedy in 1952. By the time the characters initial run ended in 1964, he had been featured in 212 commercials and appeared opposite such stars as silent film legend Buster Keaton, rendered both in 2D and in stop motion.

But the character seemed to keep coming back. In 1980 he was featured in a commercial for the Winter Olympics. Then the character was rebooted in 2008 because he was retro cool. Oddly, the publications the ads were featured in were skin magazines Maxim and Playboy, which dont feel like the most natural fit for this kind of character.

2. How Many Licks

If you are a television viewer of a certain age, its pretty much impossible for you to have not seen this cartoon commercial that first aired in 1969. In the initial, minute long version, a human boy walks up to three animals and asks them how many licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop before being told to ask the owl. As you know, the owl licks it three times, then bites it before concluding the answer is three.

Instead of being remade or having spinoff commercials, the cartoon itself was so popular that rather than remake it or do variations, it was merely shortened to just a turtle and the owl and then rerun for decades. The silly central question was so firmly imprinted on the public consciousness that several colleges, such as New York University, and independent study groups found time to determine the answer for themselves. The current accepted answer is approximately one thousand.

1. Hondas Cog Commercial

Not many commercials have ever instilled a sense of wonder in viewers. In 2003 Honda pulled it off with an elaborate commercial for their Accord model that featured a very elaborate Rube Goldberg machine that had audiences everywhere saying, that had to be fake. But the truth was that aside from digitally cutting two takes together, it was completely live action. It just happened to take six months of planning and a week-long shoot with a staggering six hundred takes to get every extremely precise reaction right.

The doubtless extremely frustrating work paid off handsomely when the commercial quadrupled Hondas web traffic and tripled outreach to their contact center. This was in no small part because there was so much controversy over whether the commercial was done for real or not that Snopes had to write an article vouching for it. But good luck convincing any company to not do something like this with CGI today.

Dustin Koski will now use this byline as a commercial for his hilarious and exciting fantasy novel.

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Bahrains value of imports increased by 8 per cent to BD1.275 billion ($3.38 billion) during the second quarter of 2017, compared to BD1.176 billion ($3.11 billion) for the same quarter in 2016, said a report.



The top 10 countries exporting to Bahrain accounted for 66 per cent of the imports value, said the foreign trade report by Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA). The report encompasses balance of trade, imports, exports and re-exports (national origin).



China ranked top in exports to Bahrain with BD152 million ($403.2 million); UAE came second with BD128 million ($339.5 million) whereas the US was ranked third with BD88 million ($233.4 million).



Floating or submersible drilling platforms were the top products imported to Bahrain with BD85 million ($225.4 million), while aluminium oxide was the second with BD57 million ($151.2 million). Four-wheel drive cars came as third with BD47 million ($124.6 million) in quarter.



The value of national exports increased 4 per cent to reached BD507 million ($1.34 billion) during Q2 versus BD488 million ($1.29 billion) for the same quarter of the previous year.



The top 10 countries accounted for 84 per cent of the exported national origin value. Saudi Arabia was topped the list of importers from Bahrain with BD122 million ($323.6 million), US came second with BD77 million ($204.2 million) and UAE was third with BD61 million ($161.8 million).



As for national export products, agglomerated iron ores and concentrates was the top products exported in the period with BD98 million ($259.9 million); aluminium wire were positioned second products imported with a value of BD68 million ($180.4 million); and rectangular alloyed aluminium plates stood third place for exported products with BD34 million ($90 million).



The value of re-exports decreased by 21 per cent as it reached BD125 million ($331.6 million) during the quarter versus BD159 million ($421.8 million) for the same period the previous year.



Saudi Arabia was ranked as the top country to re-export from Bahrain with BD54 million ($143.2 million), China ranked as the second with BD21 million ($55.7 million), and UAE as the third with BD15 million ($39.7 million).



Four-wheel drive cars emerged as the top product re-exported from Bahrain with BD26 million ($68.9 million), cigarettes came as second products with BD7 million ($18.57 million) and sedan cars came as the third with BD6 million ($15.9 million).



The trade balance, difference between exports and imports, the value of the deficit of the trade balance reached BD641 million ($1.70 billion) during the second quarter of 2017 versus BD529 million ($1.40 billion) for the same quarter of the previous year with an increase of 21 per cent, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
Ooredoo Oman, a top telecom provider in the Sultanate, opened its first franchise store in the Wilayat of Bidiyah, marking the seventh to be operated by Khimji Ramdas and the 20th overall.



The new store was opened under the auspices of Mahmood bin Abdullah Al Saeedi; Wali of Bidiya, with Ooredoos director of Consumer Sales, Feras bin Abdullah Al Shaikh, in attendance.



Al Shaikh said: The Wilayat of Bidiyah has grown into one of the most vibrant communities in the Governorate of North Al Sharqiyah and a major destination for tourists looking to experience the wonders of the desert.



Given its consistent development over the past few years and position as an important tourism area for Oman, it was important that we expanded our presence here to reach more customers and deliver the exceptional experience they have come to love. With our franchise partners Khimji Ramdas, we are thrilled to extend our retail footprint and champion the continued growth of this burgeoning community for years to come, he added.  TradeArabia News Service
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 28

As part of the government crackdown on shell companies that are used for money laundering, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has removed 1.62 lakh companies from the list of Register of Companies.

In addition, the exercise of identification of the directors of the companies defaulting in filing of financial statements or annual returns for continuous period of three financial years has been undertaken as part of the ongoing process for disqualification for reappointment as director in that company or in other company for a period of five years.

This was stated by Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State for Finance in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

The minister said the government had requested the RBI for freezing of accounts of the defaulting companies who have long exceeded the stipulated time limit, for filing of financial statements and returns, under the Companies Act.

The RBI has informed that, at present, it has no powers to freeze such accounts. Moreover, freezing orders issued by the government as per the provisions of the relevant statutes such as the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act or Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, are communicated by the RBI to the banks.

Further, the government has requested the RBI to circulate the details of defaulting companies to all the banks with the advice to exercise enhanced due diligence while dealing with these companies.

During the last three financial years (2013-14 to 2015-16), investigations by the Income-tax Department have led to detection of more than 1,155 shell companies which were used as conduits by over 22,000 beneficiaries. The amount involved in non-genuine transactions of such beneficiaries was more than Rs 13,300 crore.

The Enforcement Directorate conducted nationwide searched in 16 states in April in respect of shell companies and related professionals who were behind the creation and operation of these companies.

The CBI has registered 30 cases against 201 shell companies during the past three years.
Vijay C Roy

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 28

Home-grown IT security firm Quick Heal Technologies is banking big on mobile security besides its traditional offering. The India mobile security market, pegged at over Rs 700 crore, is plagued by low awareness among the smartphone users. According to rough estimates, hardly 5-6% market is using security products.

India is one of the biggest and among the fastest growing smartphone markets in the world. According to global market research firm GfK, the overall smartphone demand in the country will hit 234 million units in 2017, an increase of 11% year-on-year (YoY). Also, smartphones are expected to account for 62% of all mobile phones sales in India in 2018.

There is a big market for mobile security. Actually, people are not aware of it. We are sensitising customers about the mobile security, its use and its importance. We anticipate that in near future the mobile security market will achieve growth the way smartphone market is growing, said Kailash Katkar, MD and CEO, Quick Heal Technologies.

He was in the city on the invitation of Chitkara University. The university has decided to confer Katkar with an honorary doctorate degree tomorrow for his contribution in the field of cyber security.

On being asked about the Central governments focus on digital India, he said, The governments push for digitalisation will change the way we think and opportunities for companies engaged in providing cyber security will broaden. With Digital India, increasing online transactions and deployment of security solutions in enterprise segment and SME businesses will boost cyber security market in India.

In domestic market, the company has 35% market share in retail segment and 8% in the SMB category.

The company provides security software products and solutions in India, Japan, Kenya, Dubai, and the US. It offers solutions under the brand names Quick Heal and Seqrite for desktop and laptop security, mobile/smartphone security, end-point security, gateway security and network security etc.
S Nihal Singh

S Nihal Singh

THE amazing proposal of JNU VC Jagadesh Kumar to station an Army tank on the campus is the tip of the iceberg. In reality, it represents the second phase of the Sangh Parivars programme to change the idea of India.

The first phase of the ruling dispensation was to catchem young, as the old adage would have it. It began with the indoctrination of young schoolchildren by revising textbooks, banning foreign language instruction. For older school-goers, a drastic revision of textbooks was undertaken, with the Mughal period airbrushed, new heroes lauded and the myths of the RSS propagated. The indefatigable RSS warrior, Dina Nath Batra, is still at it, calling for editing of Indias Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore to take out words of foreign origin.

The second phase of the BJPs programme is the militarisation of Indian society. The Parivar has always been jingoistic in its nationalism and what the world witnessed in the 20th century through the rise of Nazism and Mussolinis fascism comes naturally to it. Employing the venue of the JNU has a ring of triumphalism for the Parivars supporters because the institution has long been in its sights.

The JNU is all that the Parivar abhors: free thinking along several shades of the Left, a fraternity of rebels, as every such institution should be, and scholarship combined with testing the limits of conventions. Like the early morning drills with staves that are the staple of the RSS, the Parivar prizes obedience also to the myths of a bygone age.

Thus the appeal of Jagdesh Kumar to the former Army chief and now a junior minister, Gen VK Singh (retd), to get him a tank for the university is a natural follow-up of the Parivars philosophy. Nationalism has to be clothed in the Tricolour to be effective after the examples of Hitler and Mussolini. And with the elections of 2019 looming on the horizon, few high-level decisions are taken without the electoral calendar in mind.

The Parivar misses few occasions to conflate religion with politics. Its very ideal of a Hindu India derives from the nation being a Hindu country with Muslims and other minorities living on sufferance, as it were. Religion can be a potent force, as we have seen in the Arab world in more recent times, but it is ultimately raw nationalism that, given the right circumstances, drives peoples to frenzy.

Cow protection vigilantes, fake or genuine, and their fondness for lynching those transporting cattle often to death are one aspect of mixing religious creed and the Hindu veneration of the cow with criminal activity. Prime Minister Narendra Modis dilemma is that he cannot cross the red lines drawn by the RSS and after long delays in commenting upon brutal acts of barbarity, he has now chosen to pass on the buck to the BJP-ruled states. But the problem will not go away.

The problem of the militarisation of the country is of a different order. It is, in a sense, moulding the mind of the young into an attitude of obedience because discipline is a sine qua non of a good Army. And in the Parivar, discipline and obedience are valued above all virtues.

The Parivar is obsessed with discovering the cause of foreign conquerors ruling India over centuries. Its simple conclusion seems to be that it was the peoples unpreparedness for war and the martial arts that let foreigners invade and rule. Thus far, its recipe is two-fold: the morning drill with staves substituting for guns and building of and conjuring up a golden ancient age in which India was a superpower.

We have it on the authority of Modi that modern planes flew in ancient India, a country then proficient in cosmetic surgery and transposing heads and reaching a very high level of knowledge. His speech at an opening ceremony of a Mumbai hospital lauding the wonders of ancient India was quickly deleted on the web, but his beliefs are a reminder that he spent his formative years in the RSS cradle.

Thus far, the JNU Vice-Chancellors suggestion of installing a tank on the campus has invited much derision and a riposte from the JNU Teachers Association suggesting that the university cannot be made into a theatre of war, and that the JNU was not a boot camp. But the ruling dispensation is serious about its intent to spread the message across institutions of learning that the armed forces must be an object of adulation and the discipline that keeps them alert and ready for all eventualities is the new motto of the patriotic student.

This new campaign to reboot the countrys student population is bound to fail because although the BJPs student wings will do all they can to burrow their way into unions leadership posts, the young are by nature rebellious and somewhat wild. It is an acknowledged fact that every conservative in later life was once a fire-breathing Left-wing student. If the space for dissent in student politics is closed, the young can only go to extreme philosophies to express themselves.

There is little reason to doubt the seriousness of the Parivar in militarising the student body. But it remains an open question whether it has thought through the seriousness of the consequences of its decision on the countrys future. Leaving students with no option but to espouse extremist creeds to express their rebelliousness even as the countrys security forces are already fighting Maoists and others is a bad idea.

The occasion for pronouncing Kumars words of wisdom was the celebration of the Kargil Vijay Diwas for the first time in the universitys history. Whether the tank will duly arrive remains to be seen but the thought processes of the Parivar and its supporters are clear. The RSS has reluctantly given up shorts for trousers for its obligatory morning drill but its thought processes have not changed.
New York, July 28

An India-born academician at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been named as the dean of its engineering school.

Anantha Chandrakasan, the Vannevar Bush Professor and head of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) was last month named the dean of the MIT's School of Engineering.

He assumed his new role effective July 1. Chandrakasan succeeded Ian Waitz who is now MIT's vice chancellor, a statement from the MIT said.

The Chennai-born academic had previously headed the MIT's largest academic department, spearheading a number of initiatives that opened opportunities for students, postdocs, and faculty to conduct research, explore entrepreneurial projects.

MIT President Rafael Reif said in the statement that in a time of significant challenges, from new pressures on federal funding to the rising global competition for top engineering talent, he is confident that Chandrakasan would guide the school of engineering to maintain and enhance its position of leadership.

"And I believe that in the process he will help make all of MIT stronger, too," Reif said.

In an email, Provost Martin Schmidt described Chandrakasan as "a people-centered and innovative leader."

Since joining the MIT faculty in 1994, Chandrakasan has produced a significant body of research focused largely on making electronic circuits more energy efficient.

The MIT statement said that while at the helm of the EECS, Chandrakasan launched a number of initiatives on behalf of the department's students.

That's what excites me about an administrative job. It's how I can enhance the student and postdoc experience. I want to create exciting opportunities for them, whether that's in entrepreneurship, research, or maker activities. One of the key things I plan to do as dean is to connect directly with students," the statement quoted Chandrakasan as saying.

Chandrakasan also initiated the 'Rising Stars' programme in EECS, an annual event that convenes graduate and postdoc women for the purpose of sharing advice about the early stages of an academic career.

"I'm also very passionate about helping our faculty explore new research areas," said Chandrakasan, who as department head has sought unrestricted grants and other funding to provide faculty with this flexibility.

Chandrakasan moved to the US while in high school. His mother was a biochemist and Fulbright scholar, and he spent considerable time in her lab where she conducted research on collagen.

"I always knew I wanted to be an engineer and a professor," he said. "My mother really inspired me into an academic career. When I entered graduate school, I knew on day one that I wanted to be academic professor."

Chandrakasan earned his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of California at Berkeley.

After joining the MIT faculty, he was the director of the Microsystems Technology Laboratories (MTL) from 2006 until he became the head of EECS in 2011.

He is a recipient of several awards including the 2009 Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) University Researcher Award, the 2013 IEEE Donald O Pederson Award in Solid-State Circuits, an honorary doctorate from U Leuven in 2016, and the UC Berkeley EE Distinguished Alumni Award.

He was also recognised as the author with the highest number of publications in the 60-year history of the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), the foremost global forum for presentation of advances in solid-state circuits and systems-on-a-chip. PTI
GOING by some latest judgments, courts are no longer inclined to treat women as innocent victims. The Supreme Court has acknowledged that women involved in marital disputes often abuse Section 498A of the IPC to target in-laws. The apex court has directed that no arrests will be made in a dowry case without a verification of charges by a special police officer and a district-level family welfare committee. Though the appointment of such committees will add to the cost of administering justice in the country, the move would save innocents from unwarranted police harassment.

The law that everyone is innocent until declared guilty has been trampled upon with impunity. The handcuffing of a husband, his parents and brothers/sisters on the basis of a mere allegation exposes them to not just mental agony but also media trial and social disgrace. A subsequent acquittal does not restore them their lost self-respect and pride. Relying on a conviction rate of just 15.6 per cent in dowry cases, the Supreme Court has reached the conclusion that the blatant misuse of Section 498A has to stop. The court has said the impounding of passports of non-resident Indians involved in marital disputes should be avoided. There are several areas in which the law has been used as a weapon for vengeance and personal vendetta. The Delhi High Court has expressed concern over incidents of consensual sex being converted into rape after a break-up. The court refused to prosecute a man whose wife sought a retrial of a settled rape case.

In a recent case the Madras High Court was constrained to tell the family courts not to treat husbands like armless soldiers and order them in a mechanical manner to pay maintenance to wives. Where they have parents to support, the maintenance amount awarded to a wife has to be reasonable. Frequent instances of misuse of the law have forced courts to dilute legal protection secured for women over the years. Women approaching the police/courts for reasons other than the pursuit of justice or redress of a grievance have hurt their own cause.
Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, July 28

BJP chief Amit Shah will review the functioning of the Manohar Lal Khattar government in Haryana and motivate the party workers for the 2019 elections to the Lok Sabha as well as the state assembly.

Partys Haryana unit president Subhash Barala said here today that Shah would participate in as many as 27 meetings during his stay at Rohtak between August 2 and 4.

Barala, who was here to chair a preparatory meeting of the party workers in connection with Shahs visit, exhorted them to work with utmost dedication and commitment to make the event impressive and memorable.

The BJP president will get a glimpse of the Haryanavi culture, folk music and traditional local festivals like Teej. A discussion with the towns intelligentsia will also be organised during Shahs visit, he maintained.

Industries Minister Vipul Goel has been given the responsibility of making arrangements for Shahs visit, he added.

Barala pointed out that it was for the first time that as many as 17 states had BJP governments and more than 11 crore workers were associated with the party, making it the biggest political outfit across the globe.

Haryana Minister of State for Cooperation Manish Grover said it was for the first time that the BJP national president was coming to Rohtak and he would be accorded a rousing welcome.
Tribune News Service

Karnal, July 28

Industrialists of the industrial area in Sector 3-A here have urged the state government to waive interest on the enhancement cost of more than 100 plots. A delegation of the industrialists met Industry Minister Vipul Goel in the city late last night during an interaction meeting of the minister with the industrial association. The Karnal HSIIDC Industries Welfare Association handed over a memorandum to the minister, urging him to waive interest amount for ease of doing business.

On the behalf of the association, Manoj Arora apprised the minister about the problems being faced by them. He said, according to the Haryana State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) Estate Management Policy (EMP)-2011, the HSIIDC is required to demand enhancement cost from plot holders within six months of the court order in 2015, but it was not done in the case of more than 100 plots in Sector 3-A in the city.

The HSIIDC issued notices to industrialists around 10 days ago for the recovery of interest on the enhancement cost of the plots. The outstanding amount is around Rs 30 crore, including 63 per cent interest component, towards these plots holders, said Som Sachdeva, a member of the association.

It is injustice with industrialists and against the policy of the government of ensuring ease of doing business, he added.

The government should waive interest on the enhancement cost of plots as the Cabinet had approved waiver of 75 per cent interest on the enhancement cost due from industrialists, who have already defaulted, Sachdeva said. The minister assured the industrialists of taking care of their interests.

Goel, while talking with mediapersons, lauded the benefits of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). He said it would give the necessary boost to the industry. Asked about the protest by former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda against the GST, he said it was a political gimmick as Congress leaders were struggling for their survival.

One tax, one nation will boost the industry and people will also be benefited. The protest by Congress leaders, including Hooda, against the GST is a political gimmick for survival, he added.

Asked about the probable face of the BJP in the next Assembly elections, Goel said they would fight the elections under the leadership of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
Tribune News Service

Panipat, July 28

Naib Singh Saini, Minister of State for Mining, today said, Rajkumar Saini is an MP from our party. It is his personal matter if he wants to float a new political party. But a leader can achieve heights in the party and in the organisation.

Saini was interacting with mediapersons after presiding over a meeting of the District Public Relations and Grievance Redressal Committee at the mini-secretariat here today.

He said people have expectations from the government and they had come here with problems of which they could not find solutions at the lower level. Many cases were resolved with the consent of both parties today, he added.

Amit Shah, national BJP president, would stay here for three days and would meet people, party workers, leaders, MLAs and ministers. His visit would speed up the working of the government too, he added.

As many as 18 complaints were taken up at the grievance redressal meeting and 15 were resolved while three were kept pending for the next meeting.

Prem Singh Saini, an employee of IOCL Refinery, stated in his complaint that the refinery was not properly maintaining boilers installed on its premises. The minister gave orders for the constitution of a committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner to inquire the matter. Former BJP district president Gajender Saluja would a member of the committee.

The minister also directed the Panchayat Department to inquire the matter of encroachment of a village pond by the sarpanch on a complaint by Satish Tyagi, a resident of Palheri village.

He also received more than 100 complaints and directed the officials concerned to resolve them on priority.
Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 26

Expressing their solidarity with the family of the Kotkhai rape and murder victim, ABVP activists wore black ribbons and held one-hour silent protest in colleges and demanded resignation of the Chief Minister on moral grounds.

The ABVP district president, Gaurav Attri, said the law and order situation in the state had gone from bad to worse and girls and women were scared of moving out alone.

Intensifying the campaign, the ABVP would gherao the principals of colleges in support of their demands on July 31. They would hold a state-wide tree plantation programme on August 5, signature campaign from August 5 to 10, submit a memorandum to the VC of Central University on August 11, hold state-wide protests and submit a memorandum to the Governor on August 17, said ABVP state secretary Hema Thakur.

In support of their demands, the ABVP would sit on a symbolic hunger strike on August 23 and 24 and there would be education bandh in CU on August 31, she added.
Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, July 28

A doctor from Una, Deeprekha Rajpoot, has made it to the final of the Haut Monde Mrs India 2017 contest. Coming from a small town and brought in a traditional family of Himachal Pradesh, Deeprekha has made it to the final 30 in the Mrs India pageant.

While talking to The Tribune on the phone, Deeprekha said she had gone to Vietnam, along with other finalists, where they were groomed for the final to be held in Delhi. I had never imagined that I would make it to the final, she said.

Deeprekha, a doctor by profession, has been living in Bangalore for the past five years along with her husband who is also a doctor.

I was enrolled in the competition by a friend, she said. When she enrolled me I was not sure if could go that far, said the 39-year-old doctor.

She says,  I was a regular at the local gym where I used to spend working out for at least 30-45 minutes five days a week. However, when I started training for the competition, the schedule became very tight. My eating became healthy with no intake of junk food or sugar, she said.

I dont care about the result, but I want to give my best in the final. If given a chance, I would want to become an inspiration for the women of the state who generally give up their aspirations for the sake of their family and other reasons, said Deeprekha.Deeprekha urged the people of the Himachal to support her by liking her facebook page.Rashmi, a friend of Deeprekha, said, She could not believe that Deeprekha who was so shy during her college days could muster up courage to compete in a beauty pageant. However, I am very happy for her and wish she bring laurels to her state and Una district.
Our Correspondent

Kangra, July 28

The governing council of Rogi Kalayan Samiti (RKS) of Dr RP Government Medical College, Tanda, today approved the budget of Rs 29.50 crore for the current financial year, besides Rs 1.50 crore were earmarked for the maintenance of the college.

Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur, who chaired the RKS Governing Council meeting, said this while addressing mediapersons at Tanda. He said the Himachal Pradesh government was contemplating to develop health tourism facilities in the state. He said in the hill state, good health facilities were available to the people on minimum expenses so Himachal was a congenial destination for health tourism.

GS Bali, Transport and Technical Education Minister, was also present at the meeting.

The Health Minister said the government had decided to fill 2,000 posts of the para-medical staff in the Health Department and vacant posts would be filled up shortly. He said DRPGM College, Tanda, was being developed as a super-specialty hospital and for its maintenance Rs 1 crore had been sanctioned and Rs 50 lakh were sanctioned for the upkeep of electricity.

He said under the Janani Sehsu Suraksha Yojna 7,728 children were treated free at Tanda medical college last year and Rs 41 lakh were spent on the project. He said 5,669 other patients were treated free and even cancer patients were treated free at the hospital.

Bali stressed on providing quality food to patients and attendants. He also stressed on strengthening the basic infrastructure and maintaining sanitation and hygiene at the hospital. He stressed on the RKS to create its own resources for the maintenance of the hospital. In the approved budget, Rs. 6.11 crore was earmarked for medicines to be given free to the poor and needy patients. The Health Minister said Rs. 3.90 crore had been sanctioned for the Janani Sehsu Suraksha Yojna for pregnant women and newborns up to the age of one year. Rs 540 lakh was sanctioned for the treatment of children.

Principal Dr Ramesh Bharti welcomed the members of the governing council.
Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 28

In the wake of heightened tension along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri and Poonch districts, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat today reached Jammu for a two-day visit to review the prevailing security situation and operational preparedness of the Army.

General Rawat was received by Northern Command chief Lt Gen D Anbu; Lt Gen AK Sharma, GOC, White Knight Corps (16 Corps); and Maj Gen SK Sharma, GOC, Tiger Division, at the technical airport here this morning. Immediately after his arrival in Jammu, the top Army officers left for forward areas in Nowshera, Bhimber Gali and Krishna Ghati sectors of Rajouri and Poonch districts in a helicopter where he was briefed in detail about the actions being undertaken to ensure a robust counter-infiltration grid, Army sources said.

General Rawat complimented the troops for their unflinching efforts and reiterated the need to remain prepared to counter the nefarious designs of the adversary, Col NN Joshi, spokesperson of Udhampur-based Northern Command, said in an official statement.

The spokesperson said the Chief of the Army Staff also visited Rajouri where he was briefed on the Armys operational readiness by the GOC, Ace of Spades Division.

Later, General Rawat visited the White Knight Corps to review the prevailing security situation in the zone.

The Army Chief was briefed by Lt Gen AK Sharma, GOC, about the preparedness of the White Knight Corps in dealing with the emerging and dynamically changing security situation and the measures taken to thwart any misadventure by inimical forces, the spokesperson said. Pertinently, the troops of India and Pakistan have been engaged in skirmishes on the LoC, the de facto border between India and Pakistan that had caused human loss on both sides, besides triggering mass migration.
Srinagar, July 28

Jamia Masjid, the largest mosque in the city, was sealed off for congregational midday prayers on Friday as restrictions were imposed in the Nowhatta neighbourhood of Srinagars old city.

The restrictions were imposed in the neighbourhood, where the mosque is located, in the densely populated quarter of the city to prevent any protests.

There are restrictions imposed in and around Jamia Masjid, the rest of the areas have no restrictions, said Superintendent of Police (North City) Sajad Shah. The officer said the restrictions would be imposed every time there is a call for protests.

The latest round of restrictions was imposed around Jamia Masjid in response to the call for protests made by three separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik.

The trio had called for protests to be held after Fridays midday prayers to demonstrate against the suspension of sentence to Army soldiers involved in the Machil fake encounter and arrest of seven separatist leaders by the NIA on charges of receiving and collecting money through illegal means.

The police and paramilitary forces had sealed off all roads and alleys leading to Jamia Masjid, which marked the sixth consecutive week of barring the Friday congregational prayers at the citys largest mosque and also a site of frequent protests.

Mirwaiz, who delivers the Friday sermon at Jamia Masjid, responded to the restrictions on Twitter and said, 36th day of house arrest, 6th consecutive Friday Jama Masjid continues under siege. Meanwhile, members and activists of Maliks JLKF held a protest at Lal Chowk in the city to protest against the arrest of separatist leaders by the NIA and against the suspension of sentence of soldiers. The protesters held placards and banners denouncing the arrest of separatist leaders and also raised slogans before they dispersed peacefully.  TNS
New Delhi, July 28

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has directed the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to issue a visa to a Pakistani national for medical treatment in India.

Swaraj's direction to India's High Commissioner in Pakistan Gautam Bambawale came after a woman -- Hijaab Asif -- sought the external affairs minister's urgent intervention.

Touched by Swaraj's prompt response, Asif praised Swaraj and even said that Pakistan would have changed had she been the prime minister of her country.

Lots and lost of love and respect from here. Wish you were our Prime Minister, this country would've changed!  Hijaab asif (@Hijaab_asif) July 27, 2017

Minutes after Swaraj's tweet to Bambawale, the Indian mission tweeted that it was in touch with the applicant.

"Ma'am, we are in touch with the applicant. Rest assured we will follow it up," the Indian High Commission said in a tweet.

Responding to Asif's plea, Swaraj also wondered whether Pakistan Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Satraj Aziz had refused to issue a recommendation letter for issuance of a visa by India to the patent.

The External Affairs minister had a few weeks back said that Pakistani nationals seeking visas for medical treatment in India must accompany their visa applications with a recommendation letter by Aziz.

"Dear ma'am, spoke to DHC (Deputy High Commissioner) in Islamabad, told the patient's current condition and he said it's all up to you. If you allow," Asif had tweeted earlier.

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The patient is suffering from serious liver ailment and needs urgent treatment in India, she said.

After Swaraj's direction to grant a visa to the patient, Asif was effusive in her praise of the external affairs minister.

"@SushmaSwaraj What do I call you? Superwoman? God? No words to describe your generosity! Love you ma'am. Cannot stop praising you in tears!!!," she said.

In another tweet, she said: "My heart belongs and beats for you", adding that "Pakistan doesn't deserve her at all".

"Lots and Lots of Love and respect from here. Wish you were our prime minister. this country would have changed. PTI
New Delhi, July 28

Pakistan would have changed had Sushma Swaraj been Prime Minister, a grateful Pakistani woman said after Indias External Affairs Minister directed the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to issue a visa for medical treatment.

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Swarajs direction to Indias High Commissioner in Pakistan Gautam Bambawale came yesterday after a woman, Hijaab Asif, sought the Ministers urgent intervention in giving visa to a Pakistani requiring medical treatment.

Touched by Swarajs prompt response, Asif said, Lots and lots of love and respect from here. Wish you were our Prime Minister. This country would have changed. Minutes after Swarajs tweet to Bambawale, the Indian mission tweeted that it was in touch with the applicant.

Maam, we are in touch with the applicant. Rest assured we will follow it up, the Indian High Commission said in a tweet.

The External Affairs Minister had a few weeks ago said Pakistani nationals seeking visas for medical treatment in India must accompany their visa applications with a recommendation letter by her Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz.

Dear maam, spoke to DHC (Deputy High Commissioner) in Islamabad, told the patients current condition and he said its all up to you. If you allow, Asif had tweeted earlier. The patient is suffering from serious liver ailment and needs urgent treatment in India, she said.  PTI

@SushmaSwaraj

What do I call you? Superwoman? God? No words to describe your generosity! Love you ma'am. Cannot stop praising you in tears!!!... My heart belongs and beats for you Pakistan doesn't deserve her at all  Hijaab Asif, Ailing Pak Girl
Saharanpur, July 28

The office-bearers of the Bhim Army gheraoed the office of the district magistrate alleging that outfits founder Chandrasekhar was assaulted inside a jail here.

They also submitted a memorandum to administrative officials on Thursday and demanded action and an unbiased investigation into their charges.

The mother of Bhim Armys district unit president Kamal Walia said if innocent people of the Dalit outfit were attacked they would not sit silent.

The office-bearers sought an early resolution of the issue and warned of launching a stir if their demands were not met.

Chandrashekhar, a lawyer, was arrested on June 8 by the Special Task Force of Uttar Pradesh Police from Himachal Pradeshs Dalhousie in connection with his alleged role in the violence in Saharanpur.

He had shot into limelight after holding a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against violence on Dalits in Saharanpur.

Earlier, two members of the Bhim Army were arrested in Saharanpur for their alleged involvement in the Ramnagar caste violence on May 9 after a person was killed and several others were injured in a clash between Dalits and Thakurs at Shabbirpur village on May 5.

About a dozen police vehicles were set ablaze and 12 policemen were injured in the subsequent violence on May 9. PTI
Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 28

Jolted by MLA defections in Gujarat, the Congress today came out all guns blazing against the BJP, accusing it of horse trading and warning its reneging MLAs of legal action.

The party invoked the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) and the Anti-Defection Law to warn its deserting MLAs of legal consequences and said all options were open for it.

Voluntarily resigning from the party constitutes defection and invites provisions of the anti-defection law under the Tenth Schedule. Equally, an offer of a ticket to an MLA in lieu of reward in the form of a RS seat constitutes corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act, said Congress Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

The Congress reserved the right to approach court against the Gujarat goings-on and said there was ample evidence of crores having changed hands to lure Congress MLAs to the BJP.

Singhvi said amendments to the anti-defection law also mandated that an MLA, after resigning voluntarily from his party, must show to the party chief whip the ballot he cast in the RS poll.

We hope Amit Shah informed the MLAs he lured of the consequences of their action. It is likely that they have no clue, Singhvi said.

Going gets tough for Ahmed Patel

Congress originally had 57 MLAs in the 182-member Gujarat House, but now the number has fallen to 51

It needs 47 MLAs to win the RS seat. With defections on, its unclear which way the RS contest from Gujarat will turn

Defecting MLAs cant vote in the RS poll and their resignations will reduce the party's effective strength in the Assembly

.
Hyderabad, July 28

Former Andhra Pradesh minister Mukesh Gouds son Vikram Goud was injured when an unidentified person fired at him at his residence here on Friday, police said.

The incident occurred between 3 am and 4 am at Vikarm Gouds house in posh Film Nagar.

He sustained three bullet injuries and was admitted to Apollo Hospital, where his condition is said to be stable.

The Youth Congress leader was with his wife Shifali at their house when the incident occurred. Two bullets hit his hand while another bullet hit the stomach.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Venkateshwara Rao said they did not find any weapon at the scene. The police team was scanning CCTV images and gathering other scientific evidence.

Shifali told police that they were leaving for a dargah for feeding the poor and Vikram had first gone downstairs when she heard the gunshots.

The police officer said Goud had so far not told them anything about the incident. He said the assailant could be identified only after he recorded his statement.

Mukesh Goud was a minister in the cabinets of YS Rajasekhar Reddy and Kiran Kumar Reddy. IANS
New Delhi: Former Union Ministers Dr Ashwani Kumar and Dr Karan Singh on Friday hailed the deepening relationship between India and Japan, with the former terming it as unique. This was at a well-attended function hosted by Japan Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu to celebrate the conferment of Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, Japans highest category of Imperial decoration among the Order of the Rising Sun, on Dr Kumar. The Order is conferred by Japan in recognition of distinguished accomplishment of individuals. This conferment on Dr Kumar was for his contribution to strengthening of bilateral ties and promotion of friendship between the two countries. Dr Kumar expressed gratitude to ex-PM Dr Manmohan Singh (during whose tenure he was Minister) and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi for giving him the opportunity to work towards strengthening ties between the two countries. The engagement between India and Japan is a defining relationship of the 21st century. The global strategic relationship between the two countries is unique, he said. TNS
Tribune News Service

Ahmedabad, July 28

The exodus of MLAs from the Gujarat Congress continued for the second day today with three more legislators resigning from the party as well as the state Assembly. The principal Opposition party accused the ruling BJP of misusing money, muscle and administrative power to break it before the Assembly elections due later this year.

With about a dozen more party MLAs reportedly queuing up to quit the Congress before the RS poll on August 8, the fate of party veteran Ahmed Patel, political secretary to party chief Sonia Gandhi, hangs in the balance. Patel is looking to retain his seat for the fifth consecutive time.

The BJP has already fielded candidates for the three vacant seats. While the BJP has enough members in the state Assembly to win only two seats in the Upper House, a party spokesman said it was confident of winning all three seats. The Congress has enough numbers to retain one seat.

Besides BJP national president Amit Shah and Union minister Smriti Irani, Balwantsinh Rajput, a former chief whip who left the Congress yesterday, has filed his nomination for the RS seat, threatening Patels prospects.

Congress strength in the 183-member House has now reduced to 51 from 57, with six of its members resigning in two days. The three to resign today were Chhanabhai Chaudhary (Vansda MLA), Ramsinh Parmar (Thasra) and Mansinh Chauhan (Balasinor). Another party MLA Raghavji Patel said he had made up mind not to seek re-election from Congress, which did not do justice to its elected members.

Congress Randeep Surjewala said: Hunger for power has made rulers blind to the extent that Congress MLAs are being offered crores of rupees in bribe, election ticket and other allurements. This is disparaging to constitutional norms, independence of the electoral process and majesty of democracy.

Oppn flies MLAs to Bengaluru
Beijing, July 28

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and other top security czars of the BRICS nations on Friday called on Chinese President Xi Jinping, who praised their efforts in enhancing mutual trust and cooperation despite the vast geographical distance among the member nations.

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The meeting comes amid a standoff between China and India in Dokalam area in the Sikkim sector.

After day-long deliberations over improving cooperation in a number of areas, the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) NSAs met Xi and interacted with him.

Xi, in his address to the BRICS NSAs, praised them for building a mutual trust and cooperation among the member nations.

Every minister has done a great job for improving our mutual trust and security cooperation. I sincerely thank for all your efforts, Xi who is heading the BRICS group this year said about the deliberations by the NSAs today on host of security-related issues.

I think the meeting was carried out well. In order to promote the strategic mutual trust of the BRICS countries, security cooperation, all of you have made a lot of effort, he said.

The BRICS cooperation has 10 years of history and the five-member group of emerging countries has carried on meaningful cooperation despite geographical distance and different political systems establishing a new type of international relations, the Chinese President said.

While the starting point of BRICS cooperation is in the economic and financial field in its first decade, in view of the complex international political and economic security situation, the member countries should expand cooperation with more people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges and coordinate on security issues, he said.

The BRICS NSAs meeting focused on global governance, counter-terrorism, cyber security and energy security, international and regional hotspots, and national security and development.

China on Thursday acknowledged that Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi met on the sidelines of the BRICS NSA meet during which they discussed major problems in bilateral ties. However, China made no mention of the Doklam standoff.

Since the standoff began on June 16, China has been maintaining that there will not be a meaningful dialogue without the unconditional withdrawal of Indian troops.

In todays meetings, there were no handshakes in front of the media between Chinese officials and the BRICS NSAs. PTI
Mumbai, July 28

A Jodhpur-bound Jet Airways flight from here carrying 167 passengers and crew members on board suffered a bird hit prior to landing, forcing the pilot to abort the landing and instead do a go-around.

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The aircraft landed safely, Jet Airways said.

Jet Airways flight 9W 412 from Mumbai to Jodhpur, suffered a bird hit during landing at Jodhpur Airport, the airline said in a statement.

As a precautionary measure, the captain decided to abort the landing and carry out a go-around. There were 167 guests and crew on board the Boeing 737-800 flight, it said.

Later, all the passengers were deplaned and transported to the terminal building.

The aircraft is being inspected by the Jet Airways engineering staff (for any damage), the statement added. PTI
Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, July 28

Mocking Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars decision to dump the secular coalition in that state to ally with the BJP, the Shiv Sena repeated the potshots the two had aimed at each other not too long ago.

So the BJP had made Pakistan happy by aligning with Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna said tongue in cheek while referring to the saffron partys campaign speeches against Kumars Janata Dal (United) ahead of the Bihar Assembly polls.



Nitish, Saamna pointed out, had accused Modi and BJP president Amit Shah of butchering Muslims when Modi was Chief Minister of Gujarat.

Nitish had expressed sympathy for Ishrat Jehan who was killed by Modis Anti-Terror Squad in Gujarat ... Will the BJP be able to digest all this criticism by Nitish Kumar, Saamna asked.

The newspaper wondered what Kumar thought of the gau rakshaks who were carrying out vigilante attacks across the country.

The newspaper also pointed out that the secular coalition lacked a credible leader. " The BJP has snatched the prime ministerial face of the opposition, the editorial said.

The write-up said Nitish Kumar had returned to the NDA after watching Prime Minister Modi continue his winning spree in assembly elections.

The BJP should ask itself whether this would have happened if it did not have its government in Delhi, Saamna asked.




Jitendra K Shrivastava

Tribune News Service

Patna, July 28

Nitish Kumar on Friday won the Trust Vote in the Bihar Assembly a day after he took oath as Chief Minister to head the JD-U-BJP government after dumping the Grand Alliance.

In a 243-member Bihar Assembly, 131 members cast their votes in favour of Nitish Kumar and 108 went against.

The RJD staged a walked out of the House after the Nitish government won the trust vote.

#WATCH Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's speech in Bihar Assembly. https://t.co/4uDwkDfVG1  ANI (@ANI_news) July 28, 2017

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RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, the son of Lalu Prasad Yadav, spoke first on the confidence motion and launched a scathing attack against Kumar for dumping the Grand Alliance government.

RJD MLAs protested in the portico of Assembly, signalling their aggressive mood ahead of the trust vote.

Live telecast of House proceedings is prohibited and reporters not allowed to use their mobile phones inside.

Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi had asked the chief minister yesterday to seek a confidence vote within two days of his swearing in.

Kumar, 66, was sworn in yesterday, returning to the National Democratic Alliance after four years.

The NDA alliance had submitted a list of 132 MLAs to the governor. These include 71 of JD(U), BJP 53, RLSP two, LJP two, HAM one and three independents.

In the 243-member Bihar Assembly, the RJD has 80 MLAs, the Congress 27 and the CPI-ML has three.

The Janata Dal-United leaders said Nitish Kumar was "calm and cool" and spent the early morning at his official residence as usual, not worried about the trust vote. With Agencies
Jitendra K Shrivastava

Tribune News Service

Patna, July 28

Ahead of the Trust Vote in the Bihar Assembly, uproar was witnessed in the House, with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accusing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of implicating him and his family in a false corruption case.

He said it was a well-planned political conspiracy by Nitish and Sushil Modi against his family.

Amid the chaos, Tejashwi Yadav was elected the Leader of Opposition.

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Tejashwi said that Nitish Kumars move was well planned and called Sushil Modi shameless.

He said: Nitish ji, who once talked of a Sangh-free Bharat, now sits in RSS lap forgetting his promises.

he also asked Nitish why he made an alliance with the RJD even when Lalu Prasad was an accused of fodder scam. Nitish is anti-minority and anti-Dalit, said Tejashwi in his speech in the House.

He claimed that Nitish never asked him to resign. He said had he been asked to resign, he would have stepped down.
New Delhi, July 28

Opposition Congress on Friday created uproar in the Rajya Sabha, forcing four adjournments in quick succession, alleging that Gujarat Police had kidnapped its MLA in the state with a view to influencing the upcoming elections to the Upper House.

Congress members trooped into the Well of the House raising anti-government slogans and charging the BJP with stealing MLAs to help its candidates win the Rajya Sabha polls, forcing brief adjournments one after the other.

Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien first adjourned the proceedings for 10 minutes soon after the House assembled as Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma, raised the issue and party members stormed into the Well raising slogans.

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Similar scenes were witnessed when the House met again, forcing Kurien to adjourn the proceedings till 1200 hours. A repeat of the protests saw Chairman Hamid Ansari to adjourn the House again after it reassembled at noon.

As there was no let-up in the opposition protests, the House was again adjourned till 1430 hours.

Azad said he was not raising the issue of three Congress MLAs who had resigned from the party and one of them being immediately named as the BJP candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls.

He said Punabhai Gamit, MLA from reserved constituency of Vyara, after attending district Congress executive committee, had gone for tea to another MLAs house when the district superintendent of police kidnapped him.

The police officer, he alleged, told the MLA that the Congress had decided not to give him a ticket for the upcoming assembly elections and he should leave the party and join the BJP and he would arrange his meeting with the BJP president and get him the ticket.

Azad alleged that the police officer who picked the Congress MLA up was the one who was arrested in a fake encounter case. The MLA managed to flee when he asked the police officer to allow him to get a changeover of clothes, he claimed.

You are stealing MLAs by using the police (to garner votes), Azad said, adding, You should be ashamed. Earlier, Sharma had raised the issue through a point of order saying the Constitution was being violated by the ruling BJP which was using the police to kidnap MLAs.

They are stealing MLAs, he said, adding that it must be guaranteed that the biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha are free and fair and MLAs are released.

Union Minister Parshottam Rupala sought to counter the charge saying it was an internal matter of the Congress, whose MLAs, including the leader of the party in the state assembly, were deserting it. Why are you complaining here? he said.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said it is the Election Commissions responsibility to hold free and fair elections. If they have a complaint, they should go to the Election Commission. The Rajya Sabha is not the place to protest.

The Congress is not able to keep its house in order, Naqvi said, prompting the opposition party MPs to troop into the Well shouting slogans.

You have to protect the Constitution...Voters are being kidnapped, where do we go, Azad said.

Kurien said the Chair had nothing to do with elections.

If what has been narrated has happened, solution lies elsewhere. You can approach police, you can approach election commission and seek remedy. I have no remedy for this, he said.

He asked protesting members to return to their seats but his pleas went unheeded. What is the use of obstructing, he asked before adjourning the proceedings for 10 minutes.

When the House reassembled, Anand Sharma (Congress) again raised the issue of kidnapping.

To this, Kurein asked what he could do.

Azad suggested that the Chair can give a direction to the Election Commission to ensure fair election. He said the officer involved in the incident should be removed.

Kurien, however, said the Election Commission does not require a direction from the Chair to conduct free and fair election, as it is bound to do so and they are doing it.

If you have a complaint, approach the Election Commission, he said.

As the Congress members trooped into the Well and started shouting slogans, Naqvi took potshots at the main opposition party saying they would also demand a direction to the Surpreme Court as several of their members are involved in corruption cases.

The Congress would also seek direction to the Election Commission as they are losing the elections, the minister added.

Kurien asked agitated Congress members to return to their seats so that Zero Hour business could be taken.

However, Congress members kept shouting slogans from the well. Kurien adjourned the House till noon.

When the House met at noon, Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the proceedings, first briefly for 15 minutes and then till 1430 hours. PTI
Tribune News Service

Guwahati, July 28

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of the persons killed and Rs 50 thousand to seriously injured in the devastating flood in Assam.

The ex-gratia will be given from the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund, a source in the Chief Ministers Office here informed.

A total of 79 persons have died due to flood in the state so far. A maximum of 11 persons died in the worst-affected Lakhimpur district, according to official figures of Assam Government.

Prime Ministers Office requested Government of Assam to furnish details of fund requirement along with the list of the names of deceased, their next of kin and seriously injured persons with their complete postal address.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in his recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi apprised him about the gravity of the flood situation in Assam. The prime minister assured the chief minister of extending all support to the state government in tackling the flood.
Gandhinagar, July 28

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah, Union minister Smriti Irani and newly-inducted former Congress MLA Balwantsinh Rajput  who resigned on Thursday and joined the saffron party filed their nomination papers for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections on Friday.

While Shah and Irani were nominated by the central leadership a few days back, Rajput, who was Congress' chief whip in the Assembly, was declared the BJP's third candidate shortly after he quit both from the House and the party yesterday.

Rajput is pitted against senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, who has been re-nominated for the August 8 Rajya Sabha election in Gujarat.

Of the total 11 Rajya Sabha members from the state, the term of three  Smriti Irani and Dilipbhai Pandya (both BJP) and Ahmed Patel  ends on August 18.

The Congress nominee can sail through if he musters the support of 47 MLAs.

In the 182-member Assembly, the strength of Congress has gone down to 51, as six of its MLAs have resigned since yesterday. While three MLAs, including Rajput quit yesterday and joined the ruling party, as many others resigned today.

It is believed that the resignations have been orchestrated at the behest of former Congress strongman Shankersinh Vaghela, who had resigned from the party as also as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) last week. He, however, continues to be an MLA, and said he would resign from the Assembly after the RS poll.

Talking to media after the trio filed their nominations on Friday, BBJP in-charge for Gujarat, Bhupendra Yadav exuded confidence that all the party candidates will win the election easily.

When asked about the possibility of Vaghela joining the BJP, Yadav said it is up to him to decide.

"Vaghela will have to take that call. However, the points raised by him while leaving the party speak volumes about how the Congress is functioning. Our doors are open for all those who believe in PM Narendra Modi's development agenda," Yadav told reporters. PTI
Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 28

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking permission for terminating the 32-week-old pregnancy of a 10-year-old rape survivor from Chandigarh, after a medical board of doctors from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, opined against it.

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The medical board set up on the orders of the Supreme Court said in its report that abortion is neither good for the girl nor for the foetus. The minor is carrying her unwanted pregnancy after being allegedly raped by her uncle.

Taking note of a larger number of petitions seeking permission to terminate pregnancy coming to the top court, a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India JS Khehar suggested to the government to consider setting up a permanent medical board in every district to take quick decisions in such cases.

The Bench asked Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar to convey its suggestion to the government. A Bill on the issue is already pending and the petitioner had requested the Bench to order the government to set up such a permanent medical board in each district.

The top courts suggestion assumes significance in view of the fact that under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, a woman is not permitted to abort her foetus after the pregnancy crosses 20 weeks, unless the mothers life is at risk. Its for this reason that often pregnant women move the top court for permission to terminate pregnancy that has crossed 20 weeks.

The Bench refused to accede to petitioner counsel Alakh Alok Srivastav for shifting the rape survivor to PGI, Chandigarh, saying the medical care being provided to her at a government hospital in Sector 32 of Chandigarh was satisfactory.

It also pulled up the petitioner for directly coming to the top court bypassing the Punjab and Haryana High Court

During the hearing Aanchal Anand  a TV journalist  also made a brief submission to clarify certain aspects of the case but the court was not convinced that the minor could be allowed to terminate pregnancy.

The Supreme Court had on July 24 directed setting up of a medical board to examine the minor rape survivor to decide if it was safe to terminate her pregnancy.

The Bench had asked Chandigarh Legal Services Authority Member Secretary to assist it as amicus curiae and get the rape survivor examined by a board of doctors on July 26 at the PGI, Chandigarh. The Bench had asked the medical board to ascertain if allowed to abort the foetus, what could be the possible risk on the minors life. It had has asked the Member Secretary to ensure that the rape survivor and one of her parents were provided proper transportation facility for her medical examination.

A representative of the Chandigarh Legal Services Authority was present on the court during the hearing.

A Chandigarh district court had on July 18 refused to let the girl undergo the abortion after it was confirmed that she was 26-weeks pregnant.

Medical experts have categorically opined that if the 10-year-old rape survivor is forced to give birth through normal delivery or C-section, it may be fatal to the life of the girl as well her child, the petition read.

It wanted a direction to the Centre to amend Section 3 of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, allowing pergnancies more than 20 weeks, particularly involving child rape survivors, to be ended after taking opinion of a permanently constituted medical board.
Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 28

The Supreme Court today dismissed a petition seeking permission for terminating the 32-week-old pregnancy of a 10-year-old rape victim from Chandigarh after a board of PGI doctors opined against it.

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The board, set up on SC orders, said in its report that abortion is neither good for the girl, nor for the foetus. The minor is carrying her unwanted pregnancy after being allegedly raped by her uncle.

Taking note of an increasing number of petitions seeking permission to terminate pregnancy, a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India JS Khehar suggested to the government to consider setting up a permanent medical board in every district to take quick decisions in such cases.

The Bench asked Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar to convey its suggestion to the government. A Bill on the issue is already pending.

The suggestion assumes significance in view of the fact that under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, a woman is not permitted to abort her foetus after the pregnancy crosses 20 weeks, unless the mothers life is at risk. Its for this reason that pregnant women often move the top court for permission to terminate pregnancy that has crossed 20 weeks.

The Bench refused to accede to petitioner counsel Alakh Alok Srivastav for shifting the victim to PGI, saying care being provided to her at a hospital in Sector 32 was satisfactory. It also pulled up the petitioner for directly coming to the top court, bypassing the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 28

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has promised the Punjab Government that nationalised and commercial banks will give fresh loans to farmers who have stopped repaying their crop loans in anticipation of a debt waiver.

This assurance was given by top RBI officials during a meeting with a delegation of the state government in Mumbai last evening. The delegation, including Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal and Chief Principal Secretary Suresh Kumar, had sought the apex regulatory banks intervention, apprehending that the farmers loans would be declared bad/non-performing assets (NPA).

Officials are learnt to have said that the farmers would be eligible for new loans as and when the government repays their crop loans to the banks.

The government functionaries also discussed the outline of the crop loan relief/waiver that Punjab is offering to over 10 lakh farmers. The state will be raising Rs9,500 crore  Rs3,600 crore from National Cooperative Development Corporation to repay the re-finance availed by the state cooperative banks from NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) and Rs6,000 crore to repay the loans taken by farmers from nationalised and commercial banks.

The state Finance Department is weighing the options to raise the Rs6,000-crore loan  through securitisation, from a consortium of four banks; or through the issuance of bonds. We will work out within the next couple of days how this money is to be raised. The debt waiver scheme will be implemented thereafter, said Suresh Kumar.
Our Correspondent

Abohar, July 28

Fake electrical appliances were today seized in raids conducted by district police teams at a senior BJP leaders house and a shop reportedly owned by the family near the main bus stand.

Sources said that Chandigarh-based Speed Search Security Network Private Limited had complained to SSP Dr Ketan Baliram Patil that fake appliances with stickers of Bajaj and Usha companies were being sold in the district. After preliminary verification, the SSP deputed three teams from Fazilka and Abohar to accompany the officials of the security networking company, including director Ramesh Dutt and Punjab zone head Sumesh Gagneja.

A team raided the house of BJP leader and former councillor Ramesh Aneja in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and seized 100 China-made batteries bearing the Bajaj mark and 80 indigenous ceiling fans on which stickers of Usha company were affixed.

Similar goods were reportedly seized in the raid at the shop reportedly owned by Sunil Aneja, son of the BJP leader, near the main bus stand here.

Sunil, who was immediately held under the Copyright Act and some Sections of the IPC, reportedly said during interrogation that the stickers were printed at a printing press near the bus stand. The owner of the press has also been rounded up for questioning.

As the police raided the house and shop of the Aneja family, some other shops downed shutters within few minutes indicating that such unethical trade practices were also being carried out by them.
Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 28

The state government has decided to kickstart a series of job fests across the state from August-end.

The departments of Employment Generation, Technical Education and Industries have tied up with the private sector for generating employment.

A senior government functionary in the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) said that by bringing the official machinery, educational institutes and industry on one platform, the government is not only looking at employment generation, but also bridging the gap between demand and supply.

The official data suggest there are 3.66 lakh educated unemployed youths in the state. But the Congress had cited a much higher figure during the Assembly elections.

Players in the technical education business point out that there are limited job opportunities for 50,000 students who pass out of technical institutions in the state every year.

Under its flagship election campaign Har Ghar Ton Ikk Captain, the Congress had promised a job to every family. The pre-poll promise of giving an unemployment allowance of Rs 2,500 per month up to 36 months (till employment is provided) is yet to be fulfilled.

A meeting of officials of the three departments, Vice Chancellors of the Technical Universities in Jalandhar and Bathinda, and Chancellors of Lovely Professional University, Chitkara University and Chandigarh University was held here today. The Chief Principal Secretary to the CM chaired the meeting.

The Department of Technical Education and Employment Generation has prepared a portal for job seekers so that they register themselves for the fest.

JS Dhaliwal, president, Punjab Unaided Technical Institutes Association, said, It is a good initiative. But the government must tackle the problem of unemployment in rural areas. The students should be taught as per the requirements of the industry, backed by an assurance of jobs.
(From Indian Opinion.) The evidence we print elsewhere in the enquiry into the death of Bhula Bhavan is remarkable. One witness stated that seven or eight Europeans, standing on the platform of the tramcar, saw a man push the Indian off the car into the roadway where he fell. No one attempted to stop the car before it reached the next stopping place. It is hardly necessary to remark that, if the same thing had happened to a European a totally different attitude would have been taken up. His skin was dark and so it did not matter! There was feeling about Indians travelling on tramcars. If such callousness is a sign of the times, as suggested by the Magistrate, the times are out of gear. One would have thought that the time of war, with its incitement to deeds of bravery and self-sacrifice, would have brought forth something different. Indians may well ask what is their position? They may give their wealth, their lives, and, in doing so, take their place alongside Europeans on the field of battle, but they must not venture upon a Johannesburg tramcar!
Deep Kantawala

A prolonged slowdown in the residential segment has made developers explore other verticals that have a promising potential for growth as well as better yields and student housing is one such segment that has shot into prominenece over the past few months.

Globally, student housing is fast becoming an important part of an investor's real estate portfolio as it not only helps in diversification but in recent years the yields on student housing have been better than the traditional asset classes of residential and offices. In India, however, with more than 234 million persons in the age group of 15-24 years, and expected growth at 12 per cent p.a. over the next few years, this segment is still in its nascent stage.

The education sector in India is growing rapidly, with increasing number of students enrolling for higher education each year, student housing is obviously a complimentary product to this growth.

The prominent cities that have established themselves as centres for development of educational colleges, universities and institutes over the years are New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Kota, Chennai and Bangalore. Other cities which are also gaining ground as educational hubs are Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Noida, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Coimbatore, Jaipur, Cochin, Vizag and Indore amongst others.

The current student housing landscape in these cities consists only of hostels  on and off campus (hostels) and paying guest facilities (PGs) close to campuses.

Challenges

However, the current landscape is plagued with challenges.

Only a few colleges and universities have hostel facilities and these too have limited capacity. As per recent reports, traditional hostel space can accommodate only about 20 per cent of Indias migrant students. This results in majority of students having no option but to stay in PGs , which are overpriced and lack basic facilities.

Even where hostel accommodation is available, the fees is very high. More importantly, since these are not regulated, students are always prone to sporadic increase in charges.

Most hostels lack basic facilities like adequate number of clean washrooms, medical facilities and common areas to relax. There are also security concerns, particularly when it comes to female students.

Due to these reasons, significant opportunity for investors and professional operators has been created. The demand for quality boarding facilities far outstrips the supply. There is huge potential to create value by professionally organising and managing these facilities.

Thereby, over the recent times, quite a few developers, particularly the ones who are running educational institutions themselves, are taking a keen interest in servicing this huge requirement. While initially the reason for the set up was to cater to the captive demand from their own colleges or education institutions, most of these developers are now also in the process of setting up separate business verticals to pursue the huge opportunity provided by this niche sector. For this, some developers are also looking at tie-ups with professional management companies both from within India and abroad.

Scope for growth

Despite the renewed interest from traditional real estate players, student housing remains an undersupplied category because aggregation and provision of these facilities is a complex and specialised activity.

The expected yield rate for student housing is pitched at anywhere between 15-18%, which is significantly higher than yield realised through the two commercial asset classes. This is mainly because of the high, unmet demand and the potential market size in India.

Key drivers

The success of student housing requires professional firms that have the requisite experience and can understand its dynamics in a country like India. Over the past decade, this need has given rise to a new set of start-ups and entrepreneurs backed by angel investors. These players are trying to address the demands of students by providing enhanced living space and better infrastructure at a reasonably good price with minimum of resptrictions. Some of these start-ups include companies like Coho, MSR Ventures, Your Space, Aarusha Homes, amongst others, who have set up hostels in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai.

In the international context, student housing has attracted investments in excess of $200 billion and largely functions on a lease rental basis. Institutions such as Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, GIC, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Brookfield, amongst others, who already have a presence in the Indian real estate space, are some of the top investors in student housing globally.

Helping in reviving the sector

In India, with the current slowdown in the residential asset class, developers can explore the opportunity to convert some of their existing projects into student housing complexes as these are generally immune to economic slowdown and can give stable annuity income.

With the REIT regulations now in place, these assets can eventually be flipped into a REIT model thereby allowing developers and investors to unlock value. As the sector expands, it will definitely attract global institutional investors looking to invest in non-residential real estate assets in India.

While there is no doubt that student housing is fairly an unchartered territory in India, given the country's growing stature in global education it definitely holds the potential to transform itself into an 'alternative' real estate segment which could find an allocation in most institutional investor's investment portfolio.

 The writer is ICS Real Estate Partners and CFO-ICS Group

Start-up space

The Noida-based Rental Stay Private Limited, (brand named as Placio), a branded student housing facility and an Amity Innovation Incubator incubated company recently launched its network of properties for student housing with 1,000 units or bed capacity near Amity University campus in Noida near Delhi. Placio is using technology as an enabler to render services in an efficient and seamless manner which includes both customer relationship management (CRM) and property management platform. While a student can book a room or bed online by paying a token amount for the session on the company's website by logging through one's Facebook or LinkedIn account.
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 28

The Forest Research Institute today held a meeting to discuss the data gathered on villages dependent on forests. The institute had carried out a countrywide project on Dependence of Forest Fringe Village Communities on Forests and ecological assessment of forest fringes in as many as the 275 rain-fed districts in 27 states and a UT.

Dr Savita, Director, FRI, said the project was first attempt ever made to collect data on sample basis on villages located on the fringe of the forests.

She said that data had been compiled, synthesised and analysed by the FRI experts to generate information on the extent of dependence of forest fringe dwelling communities on forests and the impact of their dependence on the forests in terms of forest degradation and biodiversity loss.

FRI has published this information into a national report and six zonal reports, she said.
Seoul/Tokyo, July 28

North Korea fired a missile on Friday in an unusual late-night test launch and details announced by officials in Japan, South Korea and the US suggested it was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

The launch from North Koreas northern Jangang province took place at 11.41 pm, an official at South Koreas Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. The US Defence Department confirmed the launch.

As a result of their launches of ICBM-level missiles, this shows the threat to our nations safety is severe and real, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the Norths missile flew for about 45 minutes. Japanese broadcast NHK citing a military official said the missile reached an altitude of more than 3,000 km.

The South Korean military said the missile was believed to be an ICBM-class, flying more than 1,000 km and reaching an altitude of 3,700 km.

We assess that it was ICBM, as had been expected. The missile was launched from Mupyong-ni and travelled about 1,000 km before splashing down in the Sea of Japan, Pentagon Spokesman Capt Jeff Davis said.  Agencies
Berlin, July 28

One person was killed in an attack by a lone knifeman in a supermarket in the northern German city of Hamburg on Friday, and four more were injured when the man fled the scene, the police said.

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The police said the man had suddenly started attacking customers in the shop, with no immediate indication of any political or religious motive. Officers detained him near the site.

We have no clear information as to the motive or the number of wounded, Hamburg police said in a tweet. It was definitely a lone attacker. They said initial reports about a possible robbery had not been substantiated.

Police said passersby tackled the man after he fled the scene, injuring him slightly, before plain clothes police officers could take him into custody.

Police have been on high alert in Germany since a spate of attacks on civilians last year, including a December attack on a Berlin Christmas market, when a hijacked truck ploughed into the crowds, killing 12 and injuring many more.

Security has been a campaign issue ahead of Sept. 24 parliamentary elections, in which Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to win a fourth term in office.

Newspaper Bild showed a picture of the alleged Hamburg attacker sitting in the back of a police car, his face concealed with a bloodied shroud.

A video on its website showed a helicopter landed outside the supermarket with armed police in body armour patrolling the neighbourhood. Reuters
Islamabad, July 28

Nawaz Sharif on Friday resigned as Pakistan Prime Minister after the Supreme Court disqualified him from holding public office and ruled that graft cases be filed against the beleaguered leader and his children over the Panama Papers scandal.

It is the third time that the 67-year-old veteran politicians term as premier has been cut short. The much-awaited verdict plunged Pakistan into a political crisis at a time when the country is facing a brittle economy and a surge in militancy.

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As the unanimous verdict by the five-judge Bench was read out by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan inside the packed courtroom 1 of the Supreme Court, a large number of opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers celebrated outside chanting the slogan, Go, Nawaz, Go.

The court disqualified Sharif under Article 62 and 63 of Pakistans Constitution. The Articles state that a Member of Parliament should be truthful and righteous.

Read

He is disqualified as a Member of Parliament so he has ceased to be holding the office of Prime Minister, Justice Khan said. The court ordered the Election Commission to issue a notification for Sharifs disqualification.

The court verdict said that having furnished a false declaration under solemn affirmation, Sharif was not honest under terms of the Constitution.

Sharif has maintained that there has not been any wrongdoing on his part.

Following the court verdict, a spokesperson of Pakistan Muslims League Nawaz (PML-N) said in a statement that Sharif had stepped down as the Prime Minister.

Despite reservations regarding different phases of the Panama case proceedings, the decision of the apex court will be implemented, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson claimed that during the course of the proceedings of the case, new precedence were set which have not been seen in the history of the country.

The spokesperson said all the legal and constitutional options will be exercised regarding the partys reservations over the judgment.

The Supreme Court also ordered the National Accountability Bureau to start a corruption case against Sharif, his childrenHussain and Hassanand his daughter Maryam.

The Supreme Court ordered that the cases against them be registered within six weeks and trial be completed within six months after the registration of the cases.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Sharifs trusted aide, and Captain Muhammad Safdar, who is Sharifs son-in-law and a Member of National Assembly (MNA), also stood disqualified from office, Radio Pakistan reported.

Imran Khan, Pakistans leading Opposition leader and petitioner in the Panama case, hailed the verdict.

I am grateful to all those people who struggled with me, protested, or killed during our long struggle for this cause.

Its the result for a united struggle that we are seeing this day today, the cricketer-turned-politician said.

It is a moment of joy for whole of Pakistan because for the first time the Supreme Court has disqualified the most powerful man in Pakistan, who has been ruling for 30 years.

The verdict has brought hope with it, the hope that we too can advance like other countries, he said.

Imran also announced that in order to celebrate the court verdict a massive rally will be held here on Sunday.

The Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, in a swipe at Sharif, tweeted, Godfathers Rule has ended for good! Truth & Justice have prevailed!

Pakistans former military dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf, who has been living in Dubai since last year when he was allowed to leave Pakistan on the pretext of medical treatment, congratulated the entire nation on the courts decision.

Its a good decision. The entire nation is jubilantly distributing sweets, he was quoted as saying by Geo News.

This is the third time the Prime Minister, known as the Lion of Punjab, has been unable to complete his term as Premier. However, it was unclear as to who will take over the post till the next General Elections, which are scheduled for 2018.

Reacting to Sharifs disqualification, his daughter Maryam said he would make a forceful comeback.

Another elected Prime Minister sent home, but only to see him return with greater force & support & soonest InshaAllah (God willing), said Maryam, who is carefully being groomed by her father as his political heir.

Today will pave the way for Nawaz Sharifs resounding victory in 2018. He will be unstoppable...Rok sakte ho to rok lo! (stop him if you can), the 43-year-old leader said in a series of tweets.

Former information minister Marryium Aurangzeb also said that Sharif would make a comeback for the fourth time soon.

We are disappointed by the court decision but in Pakistans historical context it is not surprising, she said. There is no charge of corruption of public money against Sharif."

The verdict means that yet another Pakistani premier has failed to complete a five-year term.

No Pakistani Prime Minister has ever completed a full five-year term with their tenures cut short by the military, the judiciary or they were ousted by their own party, forced to resignor assassinated.

It is the second time in Pakistans 70-year history that the Supreme Court has disqualified a sitting Prime Minister.

In 2012, then Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to reopen a graft case against then president Asif Ali Zardari.

'Brother to succeed'

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Nawaz Sharif's brother, will succeed him as prime minister, the media reported later in evening. His name was decided and announced at a a high-level PML-N meeting.

Since he is neither a member of the National Assembly nor Senate, he must get elected to the Senate to be Prime Minister. In the meantime, the party will have to propose a name for interim Prime Minister to fill the 45 day vacuum.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Khawaja Asif will most likely become interim Prime Minister.

According to reports, either Hamaz Shehbaz Sharif, the son of Shehbaz, or Rana Sanaullah, Punjab province's Law Minister, will replace Shehbaz Sharif as the Punjab Chief Minister.

It was also decided during the meeting that the party will utilise all legal and constitutional options available to counter the apex court's verdict.

The Panama Papers scandal is about alleged money laundering by Sharif in 1990s, when he twice served as Prime Minister, to purchase assets in London. The assets surfaced when Panama Papers leak last year revealed that they were managed through offshore companies owned by Sharifs children.

The assets include four expensive flats in London.

Sharif has been the prime minister of Pakistan for a record three times. He leads Pakistans most powerful political family and the ruling PML-N party.

A steel tycoon-cum-politician, Sharif had served as Prime Minister for the first time from 1990 to 1993. His second term from 1997 was ended in 1999 by the then Army Chief Musharraf in a bloodless coup.

In May, the Supreme Court set up a six-member joint investigation team (JIT) to investigate the charges against Sharif and his family. The JIT submitted its report to the court on July 10.

It said that the lifestyle of Sharif and his children were beyond their known sources of income, and recommended filing of a new corruption case against them.

Sharif dismissed the report as a bundle of baseless allegations and refused to quit, despite demands to do so from several quarters, including opposition political parties.

On July 21, the court reserved its verdict after concluding the hearing.

The six-member JIT was set up with a mandate to probe the Sharif family for allegedly failing to provide the trail of money used to buy properties in London in the 1990s.

The top court took up the case in October last year on petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Awami Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami and reserved the verdict in February after conducting hearings on a daily basis.

The five-judge Bench that issued todays verdict comprisedJustices Asif Saeed Khosa, Khan, Gulzar Ahmed, Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Ijazul Ahsan.

The court took up the case on November 3 last year and held 35 hearings spanning over more than 132 hours before concluding the proceedings on February 23. It had issued the 547-pages split judgement on April 20. PTI/ IANS
Washington, July 28

In a reflection of overwhelming bipartisan support, the United States Senate has passed a bill that imposes tough and additional sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea.

Passed by the House of Representatives early this week, the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act was passed by the Senate 98-2 votes.

The bill now heads to the White House for President Donald Trump's approval.

"This legislation finally holds Russia accountable for its brazen attack on America's 2016 presidential election by imposing new sanctions, strengthening existing sanctions, and requiring congressional oversight of any attempt to ease sanctions on Russia," said Senator John McCain, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"The Senate's overwhelming vote today sends an important message that America will not tolerate attacks on our democracy or national security interests, and that we will respond to such attacks with strength, resolve, common purpose, and action," McCain said.

Earlier in the day, the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said the Trump Administration supports strong sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea.

"The President and the administration support sanctions against Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

We continue to support strong sanctions against those three countries, and we're going to wait and see what that final legislation looks like and make a decision at that point," she told reporters.

"The Congress of the United States has sent a clear message tonight to the governments of the Russian Federation, Iran and North Korea  there will be consequences for their dangerous, destabilising activities against our country, our allies, our interests and our values," said Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"President Trump must sign this legislation without delay. Any equivocation or political games from the Administration after today will be completely unacceptable in the face of such overwhelming bipartisan resolve in the Senate and House," Cardin said.

The legislation, McCain said would impose mandatory sanctions on transactions with the Russian defence or intelligence sectors, including the FSB and the GRU, the Russian military intelligence agency that was primarily responsible for Russia's attack on US election.

It would impose mandatory visa bans and asset freezes on any individual that undermines the cybersecurity of public or private infrastructure and democratic institutions.

"The legislation would codify existing sanctions on Russia by placing into law six executive orders signed by President Obama in response to both Russian interference in the 2016 election and its illegal actions in Ukraine. And it would take new steps to tighten those sanctions," McCain said on the Senate floor.

"The legislation would target the Russian energy sector, which is controlled by Vladimir Putin's cronies, with sanctions on investments in Russian petroleum and natural gas development as well as Russian energy pipelines," he added.

McCain said that the US needs to send a strong message to Vladimir Putin and any other aggressor that we will not tolerate attacks on its democracy.

"We must take our own side in this fightnot as Republicans, not as Democrats, but as Americans.

It's time to respond to Russia's attack on American democracy with strength, with resolve, with common purpose, and with action," he said.

With near unanimous support in both chambers of Congress, this legislation sends a strong signal to Iran, Russia and North Korea that US will stand firm and united in the face of their destabilising behaviour, said Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"This bill ensures Congress will continue to play a leading role in defending the American people and our allies from these serious threats while providing the Trump administration appropriate national security flexibility," he said. PTI
The mother of an infant who died in a shed received a 20-year prison sentence Friday, and her boyfriend was ordered to spend life behind bars, in a case marked by what a judge called the couples horrendous treatment of the 5-month-old boy.

Anna Marie Hyden, 24, was charged with child neglect along with Kevin Lee Crawford, 53, on claims they allowed Arrow Hyden to live in an uninhabitable environment in the 300 block of South Zunis Avenue. Authorities said they had exposed him to methamphetamine, which along with their failure to seek medical care contributed to the baby dying Jan. 16, 2016.

District Judge William LaFortune told the pair they are equally responsible for what happened despite the Oklahoma State Medical Examiners Office being unable to determine the manner of death.

LaFortune said Hyden will spend 20 years in prison and have five years of probation, while Crawford will serve a life sentence plus 15 years for related drug charges. Hyden and Crawford entered blind guilty pleas in April and May, respectively.

The matter prompted a review by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services into its handling of five referrals for neglect involving Arrow it received while he was alive, which resulted in some form of discipline for six employees, two of whom resigned rather than be discharged. One of the employees partially won an appeal finalized earlier this year that modified her discipline from discharge to a demotion, according to an order from the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission.

Interim Chief Public Defender Stuart Southerland argued for Hyden to be admitted into Family & Childrens Services Women In Recovery program rather than be sent to prison. He presented multiple witnesses who told the court that Hyden had diagnoses of bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse disorder due to a lifetime of mistreatment and trauma.

LaFortune said he opted not to send Hyden to Women in Recovery because the matter transcends mere addiction due to the baby being harmed. He ordered that Hyden complete the Oklahoma Department of Corrections Helping Women Recover program as a condition of her release from prison.

District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler provided a statement after the hearing citing the importance of making sure victims stories are heard in the broader conversations about criminal justice reform and its effectiveness for people with addiction.

Arrow was a victim because of drug addiction, Kunzweiler said. He was a silent voice, and only because of the Tulsa Police Department and only because of the prosecutors in my office do those victims get to be heard.

LaFortune said Hyden completely failed to comply with the rules of her probation in a previous felony case and noted that she did not take advantage of the array of options provided to her that would have kept her out of prison.

Crawford, who has had contacts with law enforcement since 1983, was criticized by the judge for bringing Hyden into his life as his puppet in a horrendous ride of drug abuse.

Crawfords attorney, M.J. Denman, said his client is disappointed in the outcome and will withdraw his guilty plea.

The Tulsa World previously reported that DHS Director Ed Lake said staff members involved in numerous referrals regarding Arrow had been disciplined due to indications they did not effectively intervene to prevent the tragic outcome of his case.

Records obtained by the World show that DHS workers found some referrals for neglect related to Arrow as unsubstantiated despite home visits revealing Hyden admitting to drug use and failing with Crawford to stick to a safety plan for the child.

DHS at the time said it would provide additional training to its Tulsa employees about child safety decisions and decided to review two years of child death cases to find areas possibly needing improvement. An April 2016 report from the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth stated that a DHS inquiry, which started before Arrow died, substantiated allegations of threat of harm to the infant and inadequate shelter.

Ladana Miller, a retired DHS worker, testified earlier this month about a report she wrote in December 2015 indicating Hyden told her she was using drugs and would sometimes leave Arrow in the care of others. Miller helped Hyden implement a safety plan at that time, but police said Hyden violated it a few days later and disappeared with the infant.

Under cross-examination, Miller said removing a child from a parent is the last resort for DHS. She said the level of emergency in Hydens matter was not severe enough at the time to take the baby into protective custody.

Miller said she left DHS voluntarily before it announced its findings from an internal investigation, of which she was a part, about DHS role in the situation.

Assistant District Attorney Sarah McAmis, who prosecuted the case, told reporters after the sentencing that the lengthy proceedings were completely worth it because Arrow received justice from police and the court system.

If an adult chooses to continue in that lifestyle despite all of the help that had been given to both of them, and if an adult chooses to live in deplorable conditions, thats fine, she said. Thats a choice that an adult can make for his or her self. But you cannot bring a baby into that environment. Whether you are an addict or not, you have a responsibility to make sure that baby is taken care of.
The Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office is trying to track down a duo who reportedly tried to steal two stock trailers in the Henryetta area earlier this week.

Surveillance cameras at Wilson Public Schools, located in Henryetta, captured footage of two individuals in a Chevrolet truck entering school property and taking a stock trailer belonging to the district around 6 a.m. Sunday. As they left the school with the trailer, it became disconnected from their truck and was abandoned, Okmulgee County Sheriff's investigator Duston Todd said.

The trailer was recovered and returned to Wilson Public Schools.

Shortly after the attempted theft, a similar trailer was stolen from a residence on 194 Road south of the Wilson area, Todd said.

Authorities acquired surveillance footage from a home in the Hoffman area, located a few miles northeast of Henryetta, showing the same pickup transporting the trailer stolen from 194 Road. A dark-colored SUV was seen following the truck and trailer.

Investigators initially were unable to determine the descriptions of the thieves, including their genders, because of the quality of the footage but hoped the public would recognize their vehicles.

They later located both vehicles and recovered the second trailer. Justin Kyle Lee Burney, 27, also was named as a person of interest in the case and is being sought by the Sheriff's Office. He is described as a 6-foot-2 white man weighing 170 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes. He also has a spiderweb tattoo on his throat.

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to contact Todd at 918-756-4311. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call the Sheriff's Office tip line at 918-516-8332.
Tulsa police foiled a burglary of a jewelry dealer Friday morning that could have netted more than $100,000 in loot.

Rory Parker, 32, entered Tulsa Gold and Silver, 6357 E. 41st St., through the stores roof and was inside for several hours ransacking the business for gold, silver and cash, according to a Tulsa Police Department news release.

Parker set off a store alarm about 5 a.m. while exiting through the back door and was spotted by an officer, the release says.

Police established a perimeter and, after a brief foot chase, arrested Parker.

Investigators estimated the recovered loot was worth more than $100,000.

From start time to finish, officers  did an outstanding job communicating and working together, which led to the apprehension of the suspect and recovery of the loot, Sgt. L. Edwards said in the release.

Police said evidence collected Friday linked Parker to multiple rooftop burglaries.

He was booked into Tulsa Jail on bonds totaling $58,000.
Oklahomas second largest bureaucracy is largely immune from citizen input.

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services  with 6,066 full-time employees  is larger than all state agencies except the state system of colleges and universities.

The agency takes care of a laundry list of concerns, including food stamps, child welfare, child-care oversight, foster parents and care for the elderly and developmentally disabled.

But the four citizen panels set up in 2012 to make sure the people have a voice in DHS policy have been allowed to fade away, leaving a gap between the taxpayers and one the states biggest tax consumers.

For decades DHS was run by the Oklahoma Human Services Commission. The nine members of the commission approved the agencys budget, OKd big policy changes and hired the DHS director, although sometimes it looked like they worked for him.

Unfortunately, the commission too often took on the moribund characteristics of the agency for which it was responsible.

Still, when the agency was screwing up, everyone knew where to go to say so, the monthly meetings in the basement of the Sequoyah Building, just north of the state Capitol.

In 2012, Oklahoma voters approved State Question 765, which did away with the commission. It was part of the a series of needed DHS reforms. The most important part of that change was making the DHS director directly responsible to the governor.

That was a good idea and still is. It made someone who was answerable to the people  the governor  responsible for the agency. Gov. Mary Fallin chose a highly qualified human services expert as her first DHS director. The agencys history had been dominated by retired legislators for decades.

Getting rid of the Human Services Commission was a good move, but that doesnt mean the agency shouldnt have a robust policy and budget connection with the citizens it serves.

A piece of legislation that ran alongside SQ 765 created four DHS advisory panels, one each for children and family issues, aging issues, disability issues, and administration.

While the advisory panels werent setting policy for the agency, they were an important connection between DHS and the people it served in forming that policy.

When the agency faces a budget crunch  as now  it could make a public showing of the alternatives and the consequences of the appropriations it receives.

When the agency has to comply with difficult and expensive court orders  as now  it could publicly discuss the problems created and the solutions available.

Or it could until July 1, 2016, when the advisory panels went away.

Like most state agencies, boards and commissions, the advisory panels authorizing legislation included a sunset provision  unless the Legislature extended its life, it would disappear. The Legislature didnt. The panels did.

The state still has citizen-led boards dealing with prison policy, education policy, higher education policy and any number of other critical areas of interest. Weve got state commissions to deal with everything from the licensing of locksmiths to the promotion of peanuts, but theres no formal structure for citizen involvement in the DHS spectrum.

DHS spokeswoman Sheree Powell pointed out to me that the agency still has three limited-agenda advisory panels dealing with aging issues, child-care facilities and treatment of people with developmental disabilities, but she conceded that there are big holes in that structure.

Two obvious examples: No panel is dealing with child welfare, a particularly expensive part of DHS policy these days, and no commission is giving any oversight to the agencys administration and budget priorities.

Ive always supported centralizing the states executive branch under the governors authority. But its still important for everyone involved  including the governor  that some mechanism remain as a sounding board for policies and spending. There has to be a place for the people to give feedback on the things they like and dont like.

Leaving DHS with insufficient citizen input was a disservice to the agency, the governor and the people, and the Legislature should recreate the advisory commissions or their equivalent at the first opportunity.
Ruben Esguerra, 37, arrived in Canada 28 years ago after fleeing conflict in Colombia.

The music that I play is what saved me, he says. When you have to flee abruptly, you begin to find home not in terms of place, but the likeminded people who make you feel welcome  who make you feel like family.

In Canada, Ruben worked his way to a PHD and now uses his music to educate and work with at-risk youth.

I'm hoping to create bridges, he says.

Then and Now is a series of stories profiling refugees who have come to Canada over the years, in search of safety, stability and a chance at a better life. Starting from 1956, when Canada accepted its first major intake of refugees, the project uses archived images and family photos to tell the stories of refugees from Hungary, Viet Nam, Uganda, Somalia, Colombia, Cambodia, Burundi and El Salvador.
July 28 2017



Photography by McAteer

Michael Laird Architects have taken the wraps off their latest build, the conversion and extension of a former tobacco warehouse on Glasgows George Street to form student accommodation.More recently The Turnbull Building had been converted into office accommodation for Strathclyde University but when the further education provider pulled out KR Developments moved in to create 87 studio apartments , one 2-bed apartment, a gym, laundry, cinema and social spaces within the existing fabric.This work saw the impressive sandstone frontage retained while the spaces behind were reconfigured for the change in use with a double storey profiled metal rooftop extension providing additional floorspace.The ground floor area is given over to a street facing reception space with large format hardwood screens and doors.
Bangor Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Paul Wuensch wants to breathe new life into the aging organization.

Wuensch, a 52-year-old Desert Storm veteran and long-time member of VFW Post 8278, was elected to the position of commander earlier this spring and took office this month replacing 14-year veteran of the post John Thornson.

The new commander has some big shoes to fill.

Wuensch said if it hadnt been for Thornson and his wife Donna, there might not have been a VFW today.

The two of them almost single handily kept that organization afloat, he said.

Wuensch, a native of Bangor, is a well-known figure in the community. Wuensch is the vice president of the Bangor School Board, active in the Bangor Booster Club and is also a member of Bangor American Legion Post 40.

Wuensch said taking command of the Bangor VFW was an opportunity follow in Thornsons footsteps and reinvigorate the VFW and continue to grow the organization.

VFW Senior Vice-Commander and Village President Gary Althoff said he was impressed with Wuensch.

His first couple of meetings, (Wuensch) presented a good concise agenda, he said. I think it always helps to get a new commander in with some new enthusiasm.

Becoming commander of the Bangor VFW was an important moment for Wuensch. The son of a combat veteran and the youngest of 10, Wuensch was the only one of his siblings to follow in his fathers footsteps.

My father was a World War Two vet and also a member of this very post I am now the commander of, he said. I can remember, as a kid, him being involved in the same kind of stuff Im doing now ... The same uniforms, same coats, same hats, same rituals.

As a young man, Wuensch joined the Wisconsin National Guard and was assigned to 107th Maintenance Company out of Sparta. In 1990, Wuenchs company was activated and shipped halfway across the world to a base in Saudi Arabia.

We were behind the lines, our company fixed anything from tanks to telephones and everything in between, he said.

Upon his return to the States a year later, Wuensch became an active member of the VFW. For years he attended meetings and grumbled about things he didnt agree with. Now, as commander, he has the means to make meaningful changes.

Key among them: finding ways to engage the next generation of veterans in order to keep the organization relevant.

A lot of the times, a fresh coat of paint helps, he said.

Wuensch said there is a disconnect between the oldest members of the VFW, mostly Vietnam vets, and the newest members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The people I served with in Desert Storm and people younger than me from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan ... are a different demographic, he said. If we try to do the same things we did for the last 40 years, its not appealing to any of those people.

According to Althoff, the VFW is already seeing an increase in membership as it starts to get more and more young veterans getting involved.

We just gave someone a form yesterday and another person wants to transfer from another VFW post, he said. Its good to see some new blood in there and some real enthusiasm.

Wuensch has no intention of making sweeping changes to the organization or what it does.

When I was elected as commander I made it very clear that it wasnt my intention to come in and clean house, he said. The VFW, more so than any other organization I belong to, is so steeped in rich history that the last thing you want to do is throw that out.

Ceremonies on Memorial Day and Veterans day arent going away and the VFW will continue to provide color guards for military funerals.

Instead, Wuensch wants to blend together the old with the new to find activities and events that will get younger veterans involved in the organization and its goals.

He plans to start this by changing some of the things he remembered disliking about the organization when he first joined it nearly 30 years ago.

What I hated when I was the young guy was they always wanted us young guys to come work, he said. But, we had no say in any of the decision making, so we got to feel like all the grunts in the army.

He said having been treated like that as a young member he wont be making the same mistake with new members just coming in.

Wuensch also wants to make the VFWs presence in the community known again.

This means the return of the VFW chickencue.

Beginning Labor Day, the VFW will begin holding chickencues the first Saturday of every month until Memorial Day in the spring.

Its going to provide a nice little break from winter when you can come have a piece of barbecue chicken, Wuensch said.

Althoff said hosting the chickencue again was a great idea.

You gotta get the word out, you gotta advertise, he said. If you get it on a set schedule, people when youre going to have it.

The VFW has traditionally held its chickencues during the off-season beginning in the fall and ending in the spring as to avoid competing with other community fundraising efforts common in the summer.

we purposefully hold our chickencues in the off-season, Wuensch said. We dont want to compete with June Dairy Days and Butterfest.

The chickencue is one of the organizations sources of funding.

Its going to raise some funds for our organization to sustain us, Wuensch said. One of my goals was to get us financially viable again.

Althoff said As far as the VFW is concerned Im very excited for the organization.
Puja Mehta, a native of India who now lives in La Crescent, loves cooking.

And students in her Indian cooking classes, as well as people at events she cooked for, had asked where they could buy ingredients to make their own Indian meals.

That gave me the idea to make meal kits, Mehta said in an interview at the Coulee Region Business Center at 1100 Kane St. in La Crosse.

She prepares and assembles the ingredients for her vegetarian Indian Meal Kits in the commercial kitchen at the center, which also is known as the small business incubator.

So far, the kits are available at three food stores, a local farmers market and online.

Indian Meal Kits have been available at the Peoples Food Co-op in La Crosse since last November, at Woodmans Food Market in Onalaska since March and at the Peoples Food Co-op in Rochester since last week.

Since early June, Mehta and her family also have been selling the kits as well as prepared Indian food and beverages on Fridays at the Cameron Park Farmers Market.

Mehta, who hopes to get her several varieties of meal kits in additional grocery stores, also sells them to area residents through her www.indianmealkit.com website.

Delivery of the refrigerated kits is available within the greater La Crosse area, and customers also have the option of picking up their online order at the Coulee Region Business Center. For details about picking up online orders there, visit Indian Meal Kits website or Facebook page.

The meal kits are for people who enjoy Indian food and are interested in vegetarian cooking at home, Mehta said. Each kit contains the ingredients to make a healthy and delicious vegetarian meal for two to four people, she said.

Most of the vegetables are washed and already cut up, spices are pre-measured, and the meals will be ready to eat in 30 to 40 minutes.

Two of Mehtas most popular meal kits are Pav-Bhaji, which includes buns and spiced vegetables; and Chana-Masala, which is chickpea curry with rice and Indian bread.

I try to promote healthy food, Mehta said of her meal kits. For example, she uses organic brown sugar when possible, and tries to use yogurt instead of cream. And she tries to buy fresh, locally grown produce as often as possible.

People have been very kind to me, Mehta said of her business. Its been going very well.

Mehta continues to teach Indian cooking classes at the Peoples Food Co-op in La Crosse.

While she owns the Indian Meal Kit business, Mehta said her husband, Pavak Mehta, has been a very big help. He works at Trane in La Crosse.

The Mehtas live in La Crescent with their daughters, Arya and Adiya.

Pavak Mehta came to the United States from India in 2000 and received his masters degree in mechanical engineering from Ohio State University in 2002. He has lived in the La Crosse area since 2003, when he began working at Trane.

Puja Mehta came to the United States in 2001. She graduated in 2004 from The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago, where she studied web design and multimedia. She was a web designer in Chicago when she married Pavak, also in 2004.

Pavaks mom and my mom were childhood friends, Puja said. My mom told me about him and Pavaks mother told him about Puja, after both were already living in America. That prompted Pavak to call her one day.
Wyoming Business Tips for Aug. 6-12

A weekly look at Wyoming business questions from the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (WSBDC), part of WyomingEntrepreneur.Biz, a collection of business assistance programs at the University of Wyoming.

By Jim Drever, WSBDC regional director and cybersecurity specialist

What is a cybersecurity plan? Alex, Laramie

A cybersecurity plan is a risk management plan focused on your data/information and computer systems. As with any risk management plan, cybersecurity plans vary in complexity and are unique to each business and even every individual.

The WSBDC can help small-business owners develop a cybersecurity plan, but some individuals may want to develop their own plans. Here are the steps to get started:

-- Figure out just what you have. Map out an inventory of all computers, modems, routers, smartphones and internet of things devices, such as security cameras and online thermostats. You need to include other data, systems and information that you have stored online in the cloud or on remote devices. This also will lead to mapping out your network if you havent done so already.

This skips a step, but it is a moment to think of how you will dispose of these items in the future.

-- The next step is to assess the risk in terms of what are the potential threats to what you have inventoried, including assessment of likelihood and impact.

For example, in traditional risk management, we know that fires are rare, but have devastating impacts, and we plan accordingly with several controls as they are called. This assessment strategy is the same used for cybersecurity planning. With the likelihood and impact, develop low, medium and high risk for your assets to help you with the next step.

-- With each item now inventoried and assessed for risk, develop security controls focused on prevention, detection and recovery. Going back to traditional risk management, you assess your home with a critical value and, thus, you probably have prevention in place, detection if something does happen and insurance to try to recover if your house does catch fire.

This same concept applies to your cybersecurity plan, and your mitigation efforts depend on the risk assessment level. Backups, training, physical security, and network and computer access are common ways to mitigate some risks. I recommend documenting this.

By now, you have a plan to keep your computers, information and systems safe and have a recovery plan in place. But, if you determine you have more complex and critical systems/information to protect (maybe you have patient data, for example, or manage customer financial accounts), you should look at the National Institute for Standards and Technology special publication 800-53 found at http://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-53r4.pdf.

This document will walk you through the many security controls that are categorized by families to help as a guide. For example, it has control families detailed, such as physical devices, maintenance, access control, incident reporting, awareness training and other aspects of developing a comprehensive cybersecurity plan.

Remember, the WSBDC has a certified cybersecurity adviser to help, if needed.

A blog version of this article and an opportunity to post comments are available at www.wyomingsbdc.org/blog1/.

For more information, call the WSBDC Network Procurement Technical Assistance Center at (307) 772-7372 or email amlewis@uwyo.edu.

The WSBDC is a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Wyoming Business Council and the University of Wyoming. To ask a question, call 1-800-348-5194, email wsbdc@uwyo.edu, or write 1000 E. University Ave., Dept. 3922, Laramie, WY, 82071-3922.
It is becoming a common occurrence for schools to come together to create a full-time special education position with a neighboring school said Cheryl Gullicksrud, the administrator for CESA 4 in Wisconsin.

School districts are looking to their neighbors to fill positions, Gullicksrud said. When you have small populations of students and you dont really have a full-time position for someone, your pool of candidates shrinks even further.

Melrose-Mindoro and Black River Falls are attempting to partner to find a licensed candidate for an early childhood special education teacher position for next school year. Both schools were in need of a part-time special education teacher and so are planning to share the teacher between the two schools.

It is hard to find someone with that licensure for a part-time position, Melrose-Mindoro superintendent Del DeBerg said.

Gullicksrud said that special education is somewhat a specialty area, There is a shortage, has been for several years in looking for people to fill special education positions. It is a specialty area of sorts, there are specific trainings, specific courses, specific work and testing that applicants need to get in order to get a license in special ed. Between the dual situation of smaller numbers of undergrad students going into education in general and special education being a specialized area, similar to our current technical education areas, there are simply not enough applicants.

Gullicksrud said that right now in the CESA 4 district, there are a total of 74 teaching openings on their job portal and 17 of which are special education-related openings. That is nearly a quarter of the open positions, but she notes that special education teachers do not make up a quarter of the teachers in schools.

There are fewer candidates for all of our teaching positions than say four or five years ago, but special education has been hit much more hard. We last year had hired two staff members that were under emergency license, which means they were not fully licensed at the time and needed to complete education programs, Black River Falls superintendent Shelly Severson said. Severson has already hired another special education teacher on an emergency license this year.

Gullicksrud agreed that there are many schools that are hiring special education teachers on emergency or temporary licenses.

Severson thinks one of the major hurdles for special education teachers is that they are limited on the use of alternative license pathways to get a license because these positions are funded by federal sources, which comes with more restrictions due to special education laws.

She also points to several key differences from being a traditional teacher, There is a lot more paperwork involved with being a special education teacher, the amount of accountability to the kids on that caseload, all of that is intensified.

Severson said that she thinks this problem is also directly impacted by a reduction in the number of people getting undergraduate teaching degrees. Severson has seen applications for first grade teaching jobs fall from nearly 200 applicants per position in the past to 25 today.

It (teaching) really is not the respected profession it once was, and I think a lot of people feel that and have decided, You know if we are going to go get a bachelors degree it is going to be in an area where perhaps the pay is better, or they feel there is more public support, Severson said.

Severson and DeBerg are hopeful that their new partnership will provide a qualified applicant for the two schools.
For every 10 jobs created at a massive electronics manufacturing campus planned to be built by Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn in southeastern Wisconsin, 17 more jobs will be created elsewhere in the state, an analysis by a company consultant shows.

A study commissioned by Foxconn and released by Gov. Scott Walkers administration Friday shows the facilitys operations would support more than 35,000 jobs statewide  a figure that includes the 13,000 planned to be at the campus itself.

The electronics manufacturer has signed a tentative agreement with Walker to build 20 million square feet of manufacturing facilities on about 1,000 acres in the southeastern area of the state.

Such an operation would spin off thousands of jobs to supply the factory and to supply the workers with personal services, products and homes, according to the study conducted by the Ernst & Young accounting firm.

The analysis estimated about 400 jobs at a glass manufacturer that would be located near the facility, which would create LCD panels, for example.

About $181 million in state and local tax revenues would result from bringing that workforce and operations to Wisconsin, and the facility would produce $7.6 billion of gross economic output per year once the plant is fully operational, assuming the campus assembles 6 million televisions annually.

State taxpayers would offer $3 billion in incentives.

Of the $10 billion investment needed to create the facility, $5.7 billion would be for construction and equipment sourced from within Wisconsin, the study said.

Plant workers are expected to earn an average of $73,500 in total compensation, including an average base wage of $53,875. Since that figure is an average and not a median amount, it could be significantly affected by a few workers making very high salaries.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has said most entry-level jobs would pay about $13 to $15 per hour and up.

The majority of the 13,000 workers would be hourly operators and technicians  about 9,800 of them. Another 1,600 would be process equipment engineers, 820 would work in a business office capacity, and another 763 would work as engineers.


The LINQ Hotel & Casino will host the Official World Premiere for the fifth installment of Syfys highly-anticipated Sharknado 5: Global Swarming, The event will feature a star studded red carpet and premieres on Syfy on August 6th at 8pm EST / 5pm PT.

On hand will be Sharknado cast members: Ian Ziering; Tara Reid, Cassie Scerbo, Masiela Lusha and other cast members.

Sharknado 5: Global Swarming Trailer #1

httpvh://youtu.be/bAuIXCDd2Fw

Following the red carpet and premiere, the cast will go to the Official Cast after-party, at The POOL at the LINQ to take photos and celebrate with fans.


Walmart, on behalf of the Walmart Foundation, presented Three Square Food Bank with a $46,150 State Giving grant to support the organizations BackPack for Kids Program. Three Square is Southern Nevadas only food bank providing food assistance to the residents of Lincoln, Nye, Esmeralda and Clark Counties.

Following the check presentation, representatives from both Three Square and Walmart helped pack backpacks for the BackPack for Kids Program. This initiative provides bags of nutritious, single-serving, ready-to-eat food items each Friday during the school year and summer months, to children who might otherwise go without during weekends and long breaks from school.
Air France said passenger safety was never compromised at any time during the incident, but it had launched an internal investigation into how the mishap occurred. (AFP/BORIS HORVAT)

Air France said passenger safety was never compromised at any time during the incident, but it had launched an internal investigation into how the mishap occurred. (AFP/BORIS HORVAT)

Ana Maria Bittencourt Marques, a 45-year-old nursing assistant from Porto Alegre in Brazil, departed from Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport on Tuesday with the goal of flying to Copenhagen for a holiday.

Instead, she found herself in Athens after being given a boarding pass in the name of another passenger on the Greek flight, Marie-Christine Midavaine.

"My ticket was made out in another name, and I didn't have enough time to check it because I was in a hurry," said Marques.

Marques said an Air France agent at the departure gate looked at her boarding pass and passport "but they did not check to see if the name was different".

She snoozed during the flight and first became aware that something was wrong when she saw Greek letters at Athens airport.

Air France flew her to Copenhagen through a connecting flight in Luxembourg.

Air France confirmed to AFP that "a passenger en route to Copenhagen on the Air France flight AF1750 on July 25 boarded flight AF1232 to Athens".

"After arriving in Athens, the passenger was redirected to Copenhagen," the company said.

The airline said passenger safety was never compromised at any time during the incident, but it had launched an internal investigation into how the mishap occurred.
photo AFP

The US-based company said that net sales increased 25 percent to $38 billion when compared to the same period last year, but that profit plunged 77 percent from a year ago to $197 million.

Investments, depreciation of equipment, share buys and other expenses ate into revenue in a familiar pattern of Amazon putting long-term growth ahead of short-term profit.

"Our teams remain heads-down and focused on customers," Amazon founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos said in a release.

"It's energizing to invent on behalf of customers, and we continue to see many high-quality opportunities to invest."

Amazon has been expanding from its original mission as an online retailer to a diversified tech firm in cloud computing, online video, computer hardware and artificial intelligence.

The company also recently announced plans to acquire US grocer Whole Foods, which could help Amazon expand in that sector.

Bezos noted recent company moves including launching a new version of home digital assistant Echo; upgrading Alexa artificial intelligence, expanding its streaming video offerings outside the US, and even adding to the company's air cargo fleet.

Amazon shares slipped some three percent to $1,012.15 in after-market trades that followed the release of the earnings figures that fell short of Wall Street expectations.

- Wealth crown -

The report comes as Bezos briefly dethroned Microsoft founder Bill Gates as the world's richest person, according to an estimate by Forbes magazine.

An early jump in Amazon shares gave Bezos a net worth of $90.5 billion, half a billion ahead of Gates, but by the end of the trading day Bezos was back in the number two spot.

Amazon's recent online bargain event called Prime Day was touted as the "biggest global shopping event ever" for the company with record sales of its Echo, Fire tablet, and Kindle devices.

The company boasted that its video division recently received 16 Emmy nominations for original shows including "Man in the High Castle" and premiered a slate of new offerings.

Revenue from its Amazon Web Services (AWS) that hosts computing power and storage in the internet cloud rose to $4.1 billion from $2.9 billion in the same quarter last year.

AWS operating expenses climbed from $2.7 billion to $3.2 billion, but the division still saw operating income increase to $916 million from $718 million.

- Staying the course -

Amazon forecast a similar state of affairs for its financial performance this quarter, with net sales expected to grow 20 percent to 28 percent compared with the same period last year but operating income coming in lower.

"As good as Amazon is at generating sales, it is far less successful in turning those sales into profits," GlobalData Retail managing director Neil Saunders said in a note commenting on the earnings.

"To be fair, much of this is deliberate: Amazon chooses to reinvest in its business and to sacrifice profits to boost its market share and dominance."

Spending on distribution centers, video content, and data center capacity were significantly stepped up in the quarter, chief financial officer Brian Olsavsky said during an earnings call.

As the number of people subscribing to Prime rises, so does the need to be able to deliver purchases to them quickly as promised by the service.

Amazon also saw a jump in headcount, with the number of employees up 42 percent from this time last year, according to Olsavsky.

Hiring has focused a lot on software engineers and sales talent, he said.

Amazon is "excited" about the pending acquisition of Whole Foods, which wouldn't be factored into earnings results until after the $13.7 billion, all-cash deal closed.

Amazon is once again shaking up the retail sector, with the announcement in June that it will acquire upscale US grocer.

The purchase in one fell swoop gives Amazon, which until now has operated almost entirely on the internet, a big presence in the brick-and-mortar world on Main Street, with more than 450 stores in the US, Canada and Britain.

"We are very glad to join up with them," Olsavsky said.
A number of renowned investors, such as Vingroup and Eurowindow, will launch a large number of mid-end apartments, which are of high demand.

Over 20,000 apartments will be completed by the end of this year, of which 50% are of the mid-end segment, mostly in the west and southwest of Hanoi.

Other downtown districts, including Tay Ho, Dong Da and Ba Dinh are expected to have more high-quality projects.

In the second quarter this year, the supply of serviced apartments exceeded 4,130 units, with 60% of them in Ba Dinh and Tay Ho districts.

The renting prices of these apartments have fallen slightly by 2.4% on a quarterly basis and 2.7% year on year.

An additional 1,180 apartments of this type will be made available in the third quarter, creating more competition pressure in this sector.
Lucia Vivar Hidalgo had been playing at a restaurant in the town of Pizarra not far from Malaga where her parents were eating on Wednesday evening when she walked off, a spokeswoman for the Guardia Civil police force told AFP.

Her parents, both of them from the region, realised she had disappeared minutes later and started looking for her. When they couldn't find Lucia, they enrolled the help of locals and around 60 police officers who searched for her at night with sniffer dogs.

Police also issued a missing persons notice with two pictures of Lucia - one of her smiling up at the camera with little pigtails.

On Thursday morning, her body was discovered around 3km away on the train tracks.

"The preliminary theory pre-autopsy results is that the girl started to walk, at one point she got tired and went to sleep on the train tracks," the spokeswoman said, adding a train may then have hit her.

When the alarm was raised on Wednesday night, Lucia's disappearance recalled the highly publicised plight of British girl Madeleine McCann, who vanished from her family's holiday apartment in southern Portugal in 2007 just before her fourth birthday.

She has never been found.
Mobile phone and consumer electronics outlets see no growth

According to newswire VnExpress, MWGs business report for the first half of 2017 revealed that the companys revenue and after-tax profit were more than VND31.2 trillion ($1.4 billion) and VND1 trillion ($44 million), respectively, producing a growth of 59 and 28 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Of the total, the revenue from online sales was nearly VND2.6 trillion ($114.4 million), nearly double of the corresponding period last year.

This result indicates that MWG has achieved nearly half of its annual targets of VND63.3 trillion ($2.8 billion) of revenue and VND2.2 trillion ($96.8 million) of consolidated after-tax profit. These targets were approved by its shareholders in early 2017.

MWG has opened 272 outlets in the first half, with Dien may XANH stores accounting for over a half. Currently, there are 1,527 MWG stores all over Vietnam.

According to Ho Chi Minh City Securities Corporation (HSC), MWGs chain of The gioi Di dong stores is showing signs of saturation. Although these stores contributed the largest portion of MWGs revenue, growth rate is slowing down. Its market share remained unchanged at 42 per cent, while it used to rise by 1-2 per cent in each quarter.

This slowing down may be the result of the boom in The gioi Di Dong stores in various prime locations across Vietnam. The store-opening rate is higher than the general growth rate of the whole market, which forces The gioi Di dong stores to compete with each other, leading to the unchanged market share.

Regarding Dien may XANH outlets, MWG keeps its expansion plans. In the first half of 2017, its revenue growth nearly reached the target of 12 per cent compared to the same period last year. This chain has much room to develop in tier-2 cities in Vietnam and MWG may gain more market share through its chain of small retail stores.

Solving the growth problem

Also in the first six months of 2017, MWGs Bach hoa XANH reported an impressive growth rate of 15 per cent and its number of new stores increased by more than 300 per cent compared to the same period last year. Recently, MWG has signed a preferential purchasing agreement with Hoang Anh Gia Lai JSC for fruits. It is expected that in August 2017, passion fruits and bananas will appear in Bach hoa XANH stores.

HSC said that the biggest long-term challenge for Bach hoa XANH is to shift from purchasing from distributors to self-providing to increase profit ratios.

At the annual shareholders meeting in early 2017, Nguyen Duc Tai, chairman of MWG, said that the Bach hoa XANH chain is quite small, so to quickly increase market share, MWG may have to conduct some merger and acquisition (M&A) deals. Previously, each Bach hoa XANH outlet used to employ a staff of 12-14, but now there are only 6-7 staff at each unit to cut administration expenses.

From now to 2018, MWG will implement the expansion plan of the Bach hoa XANH chain. We have not earned profit from this business, but we expect that it will bear ample fruit in 2019. We will try to increase MWGs gross profit to 16-18 per cent by the end of this year, Tai said.

Viet Dragon Securities Corporation (VDSC) forecasted that in the future, Bach hoa XANH stores will be the main business of MWG and the corporation will look for new chances to develop this chain. There is still much room for enterprises to flourish in the retail sector, especially those owning convenience stores. The investment into the Bach hoa XANH chain promises to be a breakthrough of MWG in the far future.

Besides, e-commerce website vuivui.com shows a lot of promise in the long-term. However, according to Le Thi Nu, analyst at KIS Vietnam Securities Corporation, e-commerce enterprises in Vietnam are suffering losses, thus, without any significant difference, vuivui.com needs a lot more time to develop despite the high expectations MWG places on this e-commerce website.

However, due to the intense competition with many other chains in the same industry, it may be more difficult for the Bach hoa XANH chain to grow as big as its pioneers The goi Di dong and Dien May Xanh.

Room to develop in the mobile phone and consumer electronics market is narrowing, and this puts a heavy burden on enterprises, including MWG. Accordingly, MWG is looking for new fields to invest in to ensure its development and, at the same time, reinforce the companys existing strengths.

Besides the grocery store chain Bach hoa XANH, recently, Tai said that MWG may invest in a chain of drug stores.

He said that instead of spending two or three years exploring this market, MWG may implement some M&A deals with enterprises that own 10-15 drug stores. MWG expects to purchase 20-40 per cent stakes of other pharmaceutical retailers, then will gradually increase its holdings to 60 per cent. MWG expects to invest about VND500 billion ($22 million) in this industry.
Petrolimex, VNR signed comprehensive cooperation agreement

Petrolimex and VNR signed an agreement today to comprehensively boost cooperation and fully exploit their existing advantages.

Under the agreement, VNR will prioritise using Petrolimex's petrol products. Regarding transportation services, the two sides will study the possibilities of connecting railway routes and petroleum storages.

VNR and Petrolimex also agreed to study the former's infrastructure system and select reasonable locations for investment and the development of petroleum stations.

The two companies will also cooperate in banking and financial services, insurance, and the promotion of brand names, among others.

"With specific cooperation projects and support from the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the cooperation will bring fruitful results," Petrolimex chairman Bui Ngoc Bao said.

"The comprehensive cooperation between VNR and Petrolimex will help the two sides to tap into their own potential and advantages, thus increasing added value and developing each other," added VNR chairman Vu Anh Minh.

At the event, units of VNR and Petrolimex signed cooperation agreements, including one between Petrolimex Paints Company Limited and Railway Transport and Trade Joint Stock Company (Ratraco), and another between Petrolimex Hanoi Co., Ltd. and Ratraco. Additionally, PG Bank also signed agreements with Saigon Railway Transport Company and Hanoi Railway Transport Joint Stock Company.

Petrolimex is Vietnam's biggest petroleum distributor. The petroleum giant currently holds 44 per cent of the domestic oil market, with over 50 per cent of its products directly sold to consumers and around 20 per cent directly sold to industrial customers. This extensive distribution network and over 50 years of experience in petroleum trading secure Petrolimex huge market advantage.

In 2016, Petrolimexs consolidated net revenue was VND123 trillion ($5.46 billion) and pre-tax profit reached VND6.3 trillion ($279.4 million), up 68 per cent compared to 2015.

The railway industry is undergoing a comprehensive revamp with many major tasks ahead, including upgrading the current railway system to maximise its potential and preparing financial resources for the North-South high-speed railway project, which will be submitted to the National Assembly (NA) in 2018. VNR is eyeing co-operation with domestic and international groups to realise its future development plans.
Government policies and the sheer volume of shares may bar foreign investors from taking control of Vietnam's largest brewers

In mid-July, the State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC) proposed the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) to compile the divestment plans with a maximum foreign ownership limit of 49 per cent to be submitted to the prime minister for approval.

This proposal is based on the Decree No.60/2015/ND-CP on amending and supplementing several articles of Decree No.58/2012/ND-CP dated July 20, 2012 on providing specific provisions for the implementation of the Law on Securities and the Law on Amending and Supplementing a number of Articles of the Law on Securities.

If the prime minister agrees with the proposal, foreign investors will lose the opportunity to acquire a controlling interest in the two brewers.

Along with legal policy barriers, the capital will be another barrier for foreign investors in the race to seize the stakes in Sabeco and Habeco.

Notably, at the end of the trading session on July 26, 2017, the capitalisation volumes of Sabeco and Habeco were VND151 trillion ($6.66 billion) and VND18.7 trillion ($824.5 million), respectively. Thus, foreign investors will have to spend a respective capital of VND77 trillion ($3.39 billion) and VND10 trillion ($44.09 million) on purchasing dominant stakes.

The state divestment has also attracted numerous foreign investors. According to the latest move, the largest Australian brewer Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) expressed interest in becoming a strategic investor of both Sabeco and Habeco.

Besides, several other foreign breweries have been eyeing Sabeco since it was earmarked for equitisation, such as San Miguel, Heineken, SABMiller, Thai Beverage Public Company Limited (Thai Beverage), Japanese Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., and Kirin Holdings Co.

Regarding Habeco, Carlsberg Breweries A/S, strategic partner, has expressed interest in increasing its holdings in Habeco. However, the purchase has yet to be closed because the Danish brewer keeps offering less than the market price (Habeco is currently listed on UPCoM at VND83,000, or $3.65, per share).
Production at the La Hien VVMI Cement Joint Stock Companys factory in the northern province of Thai Nguyen. - VNA/VNS Photo Hoang Nguyen

In a recent report submitted to the Government, the ministry said that the export tax rate of five per cent on cement was too high, which undermined competitiveness of Vietnamese cement in the global market.

Besides, cement was not eligible for input value added tax (VAT) deduction.

The ministry estimated that no deduction on input VAT coupled with five per cent export tax rate pushed up prices of cement and clinker by US$7.5 and $4.5 per tonne, respectively.

This made Vietnamese cement unviable and unable to compete with products from China, Thailand, Indonesia and Japan, according to the ministry.

MPI proposed to the Ministry of Finance that it should consider VAT deduction and export tax cut to remove difficulties for local cement producers.

According to the Ministry of Construction, in the local market, supply exceeded demand by around 20 per cent, putting local producers into a lot of difficulties.

Local producers were faced with fierce competition on both quality and prices not only in the export markets but also in the domestic market, especially from China which reportedly encountered overcapacity of hundreds of millions of tonnes.

The Viet Nam Cement Association estimated that the total production capacity of the cement industry of Viet Nam now reached 86 million tonnes while the local demand was at 60 million tonnes in 2017 and the industry must seek ways to export the rest.

Previously, the association said that exports were not easy due to higher prices of Vietnamese cement pushed up by taxes.

By 2020, the cement industry might encounter a surplus of 36 million tonnes to 47 million tonnes, said Nguyen Quang Cung, the associations president.

Dinh Trong Thinh from the Academy of Finance said that exporting cement was just a temporary solution, however.

Viet Nam aimed to reduce exports of natural resources while the local cement industry was still using old technologies with high production cost, he said.

Exporting cement is a difficult problem. Only producers with modern technologies can export and compete, Thinh said.

According to Le Van Toi, Director of the Building Material Department under the construction ministry, no more cement production lines would be put into operation from 2018 and cement companies must have appropriate production and sales plans to avoid creating more pressure on the local market.

Statistics of the General Department of Customs showed that Viet Nam exported 9.5 million tonnes of cement and clinker, worth $330 million in the first half of this year.

Major import markets of Vietnamese cement were Bangladesh (35.2 per cent) and the Philippines (33.8 per cent).

Viet Nams cement and clinker export hit a record high of nearly 20 million tonnes with a revenue of $1 billion in 2014 but has been on a downward trend since then. Viet Nam exported 16.2 million tonnes in 2015 and 14.7 million tonnes in 2016.

Export prices were at around $29 to $30 per tonne for clinker and $45 to $50 per tonne for cement, down by 25 per cent over 2014.
The following people appeared in La Crosse County Circuit Court:

Accused

Kindred Foster, 21, of La Crescent, Minn., was charged Thursday as a fugitive. Foster is wanted in Houston County, Minn., for drug crimes, according to the complaint.

Paula Christman, 40, of La Crosse was charged Thursday as a fugitive. Christman is wanted in Minnesota for probation violations, according to the complaint.

Joshua Dilley, 32, of 2224 Kane St. was charged Thursday with second-degree sexual assault, two counts of third-degree sexual assault, fourth-degree sexual assault and sexual intercourse with a child. Dilley sexually assaulted a 17-year-old male on July 17, according to the complaint.
The Ministry for Heritage has announced that three new interpretation panels have been placed within our Old Town in order to provide information on our Medieval History, namely our Islamic and Spanish Periods.
Arcade Fires singer Win Butler. Photo: FRED TANNEAU/AFP/Getty Images

Every week, Vulture gathers new albums you can listen to right now. We dont have a problem admitting it: Keeping track of everything thats released can be overwhelming, but finding out about interesting music doesnt have to be work. Read our picks below, and share your thoughts in the comments.

Arcade Fire, Everything Now (Sony)

You will read, or have already read, a lot of words about the new Arcade Fire album in a lot of different places. Youve probably already seen that they wrote a fake review of their own album on a fake website, that someone made bootleg Arcade Fire fidget spinners (2017!), and then they made real ones (2017!!!!!), and that they had grand plans to take on the massive, diffuse industrial complex of content that, depending on who you talk to, is either morphing or destroying the brains of millennials. And yes, in theory, that is an interesting idea: the internet is still this world-shifting beast that we havent properly grappled with through the art we make. There should totally be lots of art about it, but this, sadly, isnt the album that does it.

The Suburbs is my personal favorite Arcade Fire album, and the reason for that is that it wrapped up the complicated emotions of getting older with a full-throated love letter to the innocence of youth. Lyrically, Win Butler managed to walk that line with grace, shifting perspectives without ever losing sight of the big picture: weighing what a life is supposed to look like versus what a life actually ends up being. Everything Now, on the other hand, is full of anthemic festival-rock songs that dont say as much as you might hope. On paper, Arcade Fire makes an album about growing up right now is a great concept  I hear echoes of it in the uneasy funk of Electric Blue, the brooding Good God Damn or the genuinely gorgeous We Dont Deserve Love, which sounds like a Bruce Springsteen demo tape thats been left in the sun too long  but so much of it falls flat. Is this album as bad as people are making it out to be? Not really, but compared to their previous releases, it comes off as cynical and sort of confusing. Is it worth listening to? Yes. Part of the reason theres not too much art that gets at how technology has changed us is because its really hard to talk about  its just too huge. Props to Arcade Fire for trying. The more we digest whats there, the closer we can get to figuring out how to do it right. Sam Hockley-Smith (@Shockleysmith)

Manchester Orchestra, A Black Mile to the Surface (Loma Vista)

There are places in this country where you can drive until theres nothing, and you can look out for miles on every end and realize that youre truly alone. Its this brand of loneliness  sweeping, epic  that rings from Manchester Orchestras A Black Mile to the Surface, which seems to borrow as much from leading men Andy Hull and Robert McDowells soundtrack to the 2016 film Swiss Army Man as it does from the full bands past records (which include 2012s Simple Math and 2014s Hope). Theres a loose narrative at work here, with characters living in a South Dakota mining town; the one song on the album whose title is not two words beginning with The is simply titled Lead, SD. But what comes through are small moments, delivered almost as asides. The line I think I wanna be a dad comes after Is it temporary? A narrator recalls a yellow SUV with Britney Spears on the ceiling, some camel lights, and a lovers tan skin. I wanted to know each part, they say. If it sounds tragic, consider this: It ends in a birth. Gabe Cohn (@gabescohn)

Amine, Good for You (Republic)

The cover of Good for You features Amine reading the newspaper with his shirt off, while sitting on a bright blue toilet  a homage to Houston perma-stoned rap crooner Devin the Dudes debut solo album The Dude. Devin and Amine share more than just a penchant for inviting people to take photos of them while theyre sitting on the toilet reading the paper with no shirt on, though. Both artists have a good-natured, world-weary disposition: theyre positive, but theyre not innocent, so their positivity is weighed down by a true understanding of what life is all about. They both also find solace in the everyday: On Sundays Amine tells us he loves getting smoothies at Costco, talks about FaceTiming his mom on Turf, and, on Wedding Crashers, how the groom at a wedding looks like a broom, and that fact makes him laugh. Thats not even a good insult or a good rhyme, but Amine sells it on vibe alone. Good for You is not pure weightless fun, though  theres conflict and insecurity and fear and concern  the trick is that Amine hasnt succumbed to any of it. SH-S

Julia Michaels, Nervous System (Republic)

Julia Michaels isnt quite a name yet, but her handiwork is all over the pop charts. As one half of a songwriting duo with Justin Tranter, shes been the pen behind hits for Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, and more for the last few years, and is at least partially responsible for the recent shift in the popscape to a more minimalist sound. But Michaels is an artist herself, and shes just released her first EP. Plenty of songwriters cant sing worth a damn, but there are moments on Nervous System like Just Do It  sung mostly in an upper register  that show promise. Michaels writes almost exclusively about relationships, which does lead to a bit of cheese (Pink), but its an overall impressive series of confessional songs about figuring out how to not get hurt by love. Dee Lockett (@Dee_Lockett)

Vic Mensa, The Autobiography (Roc Nation)

It might be a cliche at this point, but the album (or book, comic, song, piece of art, whatever) as therapy is still valid when its done correctly. Vic Mensa, a very good rapper, gets most of the way there by cramming tangled verses onto a diverse collection of beats so effortlessly that he makes even the most complicated sentiments sound clear and direct. He is basically very into being honest, which means hes sometimes corny (remember grocery bag rap? There are some variations of that here). But that corniness is endearing, and while its not surprising  the album is, after all, called The Autobiography  its still a layered listen that results in a few harrowing moments of reflection, like the entirety of the Saul Williamsand-Pharrell-featured Wings. SH-S

Sylvan Esso, Echo Mountain Sessions (Loma Vista)

Indie-pop duo Sylvan Essos EP serves as a companion to What Now, their second and most recent album. Here, the duo reimagine some of those songs as full-band arrangements, helped along by members of The Mountain Goats, Wye Oak, Hiss Golden Messenger, Mountain Man and Megafaun. The new arrangements sound grand, but also highlight the empty, airy spaces that conventional instruments provide, serving as a looser alternative to tighter, poppier electronic production of the original tracks. GC
A former La Crosse man deported to Mexico after a jury trial last month is wanted for threatening violence against a La Crosse County prosecutor.

Sergio Hernandez on June 29 sent a Facebook message to the prosecutor claiming his gang members would rape the attorney, according to the complaint filed in La Crosse County Circuit Court by the state Department of Justice.

Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Hernandez June 14 on a warrant as he was leaving the La Crosse County courthouse during his trial for violating a no contact condition of his bond. A judge issued the warrant when he failed to appear for a hearing for a prior arrest for entering the country unlawfully.

Circuit Judge Todd Bjerke sentenced Hernandez to two days in jail with time served and expunged his case. Hernandez was deported to Mexico on June 20.

He told the prosecutor in his Facebook message that he had returned to La Crosse, although his internet address was traced to Mexico.

Hernandez, 25, is wanted on an arrest warrant for threats to a prosecutor, a felony punishable by up to three years in prison.

Sergio Hernandez on June 29 sent a Facebook message to the prosecutor claiming his gang members would rape the attorney, according to the complaint.
Baroness von Sketch Show debuts August 2 on IFC. Photo: Courtesy of IFC

Canada is often celebrated for its robust sketch-comedy output: It gave the world SCTV, The Kids in the Hall, and the Lorne Michaels Industrial Complex. But Baroness von Sketch Show, a cult Canadian hit now premiering on IFC, is unique. The show features four 40-something women who were not part of an existing ensemble but were specifically assembled for the show  kind of like a comedic Justice League. Something about the four of us together, says Jennifer Whalen, is much larger than the sum of its parts. Here, an intro to those parts and how they fit.

Photo: Erin Simkin/Courtesy of IFC

Carolyn Taylor

Background: Seasoned stand-up and Second City alumna.

Special Skill: Taylor blends unabashed awkwardness with goofy swagger and a Carol Burnettesque charm. On a practical level, shes the showrunner and she assembled the cast. Im good at bringing together personalities, she says. Really, with my skill set, I could easily have been a party planner.

Photo: Erin Simkin/Courtesy of IFC

Aurora Browne

Background: Won a Canadian Comedy Award for Best Female Improviser in 2008.

Special Skill: Brownes known for her deadpan composure  and a fondness for graphic gags, as in a sketch about a transvaginal ultrasound. Theres so much gross stuff in womens lives, she says. Those moments where you think, My life is basically just managing the liquids that my body creates.

Photo: Erin Simkin/Courtesy of IFC

Jennifer Whalen

Background: Longtime head writer on the political satire This Hour Has 22 Minutes.

Special Skill: Whalens stint on Hour, a weekly show taped live for a studio audience, honed her knack for spotting fixes. With most TV, you wait six months to see it onscreen, and then you recognize your mistakes. With a studio audience, you see what theyre reacting to immediately.

Photo: Erin Simkin/Courtesy of IFC

Meredith MacNeill

Background: An actor who studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, MacNeill had moved back to Nova Scotia and was living with her parents after becoming a single mom at 37 when she developed the Baroness concept with Taylor.

Special Skill: I approach sketch the same way I did things at RADA, she says. I work my ass off and go as far with it as I possibly can.

*This article appears in the July 24, 2017, issue of New York Magazine.
Photo: Focus Features

The elevator pitch for Atomic Blonde, the second violent ballet from John Wick director David Leitch, was clearly, John Wick, but starring a gorgeous actress, and no dead dogs. Its a good idea, as the Keanu Reeves vehicle was almost perfect in its simplicity: A retired assassin mourning his recently deceased wife is attacked by thugs who take the only thing he has left to remind him of her  an adorable little puppy. With nothing in his heart but vengeance and sadness, Wick embarks on a furious mission to kill the man who murdered his dog, and also dismantle an entire organized-crime operation in the process, because its getting in the way of his killing spree. Thats it. That is the whole of John Wick.

Atomic Blonde could have kept things similarly streamlined and been better for it, but instead, it gives us John Wick plus vengeance plus espionage plus multiple plot strands and even the fall of the Berlin Wall to contend with. And where the Wick movies have a lot of characters that are introduced mostly to add flavor, everyone in Blonde seems to have a stake in the outcome, making for a complex web of motivations and personalities. Understandably, this all makes the ending of the movie more than a little confusing. So lets break down that big finish, just to make sure were all on the same page about the end of the Cold War, as well as the end of Atomic Blonde.

The basic story: Theron plays MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton, whos dispatched to Berlin in the late fall of 1989 to retrieve information vital to the safety of Western intelligence officers. Another MI6 agent, James Gascoigne, had been in possession of a list containing the identities of every espionage officer in the city on both sides of the Cold War conflict. Gascoigne was chased down and killed by a Russian agent named Bakhtin (Johannes Johannesson), who took the list, and now MI6 wants it back. The Brits are extra-incentivized, because the list will tell them the identity of Satchel, an MI6 mole who has been working with the Russians. But as Broughton finds out as soon as she touches down, shell be wading through a sea of KGB, French intelligence, Stasi operatives, and even rogue members of her own organization in order to return the list to British custody.

Its a Snatch-esque plot where everyone is gaming each other (and chasing down a list of names instead of a giant diamond); thus, we are treated to a steady stream of endurance-testing fight scenes, ironic music queues, racks of fabulous outfits, a few very sexy encounters between Theron and Sofia Boutella (playing Delphine Lasalle, the rookie French agent whos not as smooth as she thinks she is), and a lot of dirty crazy from James McAvoy, who plays David Percival, Therons contact on the ground in Berlin.

The twists: Since this is a movie about spies lying to each other, every character is meant to be seen as at least semi-suspicious  even Broughton, which tees up both of Atomics big reveals. The first: Percival is not in fact a protector of Western ideals and a sworn enemy of the communists, but has become a self-serving libertine who has no further intention of working for his native government and is, in fact, trying to get Broughton killed so she doesnt harsh the vibe hes got going in Germany. As Percival tells the audience in his final monologue, hes learned only one thing during his years in the divided city: I fucking love Berlin!

But, surprise! The second reveal: Broughton is the lyingest liar of them all, working not only as a fake double agent for the KGB, but as a CIA plant within MI6. (One thing is for sure: The Brits are always the last to know in Atomic Blonde.) So how does this explain all of the other crazy shit that goes down before said reveals? Lets put some of the characters previous actions into focus.

Why did Percival kill Delphine? Percival had to take out Delphine because she knew too much about his back-alley dealings with the Soviets. Since Percival went rogue during his time in the city, and switched his allegiance from serving the crown to serving himself, his new prime directive is to keep the balance between warring interests in the city and preserve the semi-lawless status quo that hes come to benefit from. Delphine had photo evidence of his treason, so she had to go.

What about Spyglass, though? In the movies final act, Percival sabotages Broughtons mission to smuggle Spyglass (Eddie Marsan)  the Stasi agent whos ready to flip for the West  into MI6 custody by putting them directly in the crosshairs of the Soviets. The Russians clearly want Spyglass dead because hes a traitor, while Percival needs him gone because he has memorized the entire contents of the secret agents list. Remember: Percival already has the list in his possession at this point, having killed Bakhtin earlier on and taken it from him. And since Percival cant have another copy of it floating around, Spyglass needs to die, too. That Percival shoots Spyglass himself proves he never intended to let the list fall into British hands, because if he alone knows who all the spies are in Berlin, he can either sell the information for profit, keep it secret and leverage people to his advantage, or just pick off spies as it suits him to maintain the aforementioned balance.

Why is he after Broughton? Percival knows that shes the infamous mole, Satchel. The British think Satchel is a Soviet double agent working against them, and the Soviets think they have an elite spy feeding them intel about Western intelligence operations, but shes actually playing them all on behalf of the good old U.S. of A., feeding fake information to the Russians while getting real data about their network and relaying it to American intelligence. Shes in Berlin to retrieve the list for the home team, and also to frame Percival as Satchel to free herself from suspicion. But as long as shes after that list and sniffing around Berlin, shes a threat Percival needs to dispose of.

So she was never really British? No, and in a further demonstration of British incompetence in this movie, no one should have ever bought that accent she was selling  least of all other spies. The final thing we see is Broughton boarding a plane bound for CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, with a leading intelligence operative, Emmett Kurzfeld (John Goodman), and at last handing over the list to him. He tells her its time to go home, and she says that sounds like a great idea. The American spy is getting her real life back, and leaving Berlin and the MI6 behind.

Really quick: Why is she doing that whispering, smoky voice? No one knows, but it seems like her thing now.

What youre saying is, this is actually very different from John Wick? Yes, very. They probably should have called this one Tinker Tailor Soldier Atomic Blonde Spy so people knew what they were in for. Now that the origin story is out of the way, though, maybe Atomic 2 can just stick with revenge killing. But please, remember to spare the puppies.
Photo: Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Showtime

Mandy Patinkin will no longer be joining the cast of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812. In an email to the New York Times, the Tony and Emmy winner said that he has canceled his plans to star in the show, replacing former Hamilton star Oak Onaodowan. The news of Onaodowans replacement was the source of controversy this week, as many in the theater community expressed disappointment that a black star was being replaced with a white actor.

My understanding of the shows request that I step into the show is not as it has been portrayed and I would never accept a role knowing it would harm another actor, Patinkin told the Times via email. I hear what members of the community have said and I agree with them. I am a huge fan of Oak and I will, therefore, not be appearing in the show. Now, it appears that The Great Comet is without a Pierre: Oak was scheduled to depart the production August 13.

Also on Friday afternoon, show creator Dave Malloy offered a fuller explanation of why the production sought to add Patinkin in the first place. After Josh Grobans departure, the show needed another big name to attract an audience. Malloy said he hadnt considered the optics of replacing a black actor so quickly. See Malloys explanation, below:

hey all. bit of a devastating last 24 hours. so sorry for how everything went down. nothing but love and artistic awe for @OakSmash 1/  dave malloy (@dave_malloy) July 28, 2017

the show was in desperate shape; sales after ingrid leaving Aug 13 were catastrophically low. show would have closed 2/  dave malloy (@dave_malloy) July 28, 2017

its apparently a weird show. turns out it needs a name to sell it. 3/  dave malloy (@dave_malloy) July 28, 2017

mandy is a beautiful legend. had no idea. he didnt ask to out oak, the show asked him to come asap because we were on brink of closing 4/  dave malloy (@dave_malloy) July 28, 2017

so sorry to have missed the racial optics of it. we had to do same thing with dear beloved brittain so in my head it was no different. 5/  dave malloy (@dave_malloy) July 28, 2017

please dont give mandy grief, hes devastated.

i am not sure that the show has a future now. 6/  dave malloy (@dave_malloy) July 28, 2017

signing off now. going for ice cream or whiskey or likely both. so sorry. thank you for the love. 7/  dave malloy (@dave_malloy) July 28, 2017

Vulture reached out to the production after Malloys Twitter thread, but before Patinkin announced his withdrawal. They provided this statement: As part of our sincere efforts to keep Comet running for the benefit of its cast, creative team, crew, investors, and everyone else involved, we arranged for Mandy Patinkin to play Pierre. However, we had the wrong impression of how Oak felt about the casting announcement and how it would be received by members of the theater community, which we appreciate is deeply invested in the success of actors of color  as are we  and to whom we are grateful for bringing this to our attention. We regret our mistake deeply, and wish to express our apologies to everyone who felt hurt and betrayed by these actions. When Vulture reached out to the producers about Patinkins departure, they did not have a comment.

Update, 6:30 p.m.: In a statement shared via Twitter, The Great Comet has addressed Patinkins departure:
Which of Anthony Scaramuccis endlessly quotable quips from his New Yorker interview is your favorite? Let me go, though, because Ive gotta start tweeting some shit to make this guy crazy, perhaps? After gamely saying hed be up to the challenge of playing his doppelganger White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci, Mario Cantone arrived to Anthony Atamanuiks President Show with the first and greatest Scaramucci impression, hours after the White House staffer addressed his colorful language. The clip is a lovefest between (fake) president and (fake) communications director, until Cantone channels Scaramuccis blind rage about leaks. Im going to fire so many people, he says. I dont know who its going to be, Reince, but Im going to get to the bottom of the leaks in the White House. Do you hear me, Reince? We (and Reince) have been put on notice.
The White Houses new director of communications, Anthony Scaramucci, has been doing quite a lot of communicating lately. In an obscenity-filled, late-night telephone call with New Yorker reporter Ryan Lizza, Scaramucci said that Trump Chief of Staff Reince Priebus was a fucking paranoid schizophrenic, who had cock-blocked him, and alleged he was the leaker Lizza refused to give up as a source for a previous article. The Mooch (his actual nickname for himself) also said that, unlike Steve Bannon, he was not trying to suck my own cock. While these quotes are just ripe for late-night television, they do present a problem: How do you make fun of Scaramuccis Veep-like dialogue without the censors over at the FCC fining you into oblivion? Thankfully, Seth Meyers managed to creatively address this issue by with the help of a very fitting rooster sound effect.
Chris ODowd and Jessica Williams in The Incredible Jessica James. Photo: Netflix

The Incredible Jessica James is a little odd duck of a film, an old-fashioned romantic comedy thats decidedly modern in its frame of reference, a character-driven piece that never lets us too deep into its protagonist, a movie as pleasant as it is fleeting. It is a quintessential Netflix film  in other words, a movie you cant imagine getting a platform anywhere else, for (mostly) better or worse.

But above all else, its a strong argument for Jessica Williams, former Daily Show breakout, as a cinematic avatar for a certain kind of city-dwelling, creative 20-something. That much is clear from its rollicking title sequence, in which Jessica dances around her charmingly ramshackle Bushwick apartment in the style of bygone 90s sitcoms, probably pretending shes in the opening number of the very kind of movie shes in. Its such a lovely, life-affirming portrait of young adulthood that has nothing to do with consuming or binge drinking or gramming avocado toast. The Incredible Jessica James will not be a cynical movie, and we know this for certain all of five minutes in.

Jessica is an aspiring yet mostly failed playwright, who makes ends meet working at a nonprofit childrens theater workshop. Shes also getting over a bad breakup with Damon (Lakeith Stanfield), her puppy-dog-eyed ex who keeps showing up uninvited in her daydreams. To kick her blues, her sassy white best friend Tasha (Noel Wells) hooks her up with Boone (Chris ODowd,) a sad-sack divorce who is as unsure about getting back into the dating game as she is. Even though they dont immediately click on a romantic level, they bond as friends and as a two-person support group for their respective emotional flounderings.

As much as Jessica James is about post-breakup heartache, the film itself never wallows, and neither does Jessica much, at least outwardly. Director-writer James C. Strouse instead focuses on Jessica as a figure of resilience, who only begins to have doubts about what its all for in the films final act. This is mostly quite refreshing; the last thing the world needs is another portrait of a navel-gazing quarter-lifer. Nor do we need to see Jessicas dramatic aspirations comically inform the plot or the style of the film, which they dont: Jessica simply really loves the theater, the way another person might really love music or carpentry or accounting. A conversation late in the film with playwright Sarah Jones (playing herself) is uniquely moving in its lack of neuroses: You love it, and youre doing it, Jones tells her. Thats kind of it.

Perhaps Jessica James errs too much on the side of breeziness, then: We never dig too deep into the circumstances of her and Damons breakup, nor what kind of plays she writes, nor even her eventual attraction to Boone. I cant say that I was individually pining for any of these familiar themes to be expounded upon, but collectively, one leaves the film wondering what, exactly, it wanted to get across. The films most prickly and elliptical sequence is a visit to Ohio for Jessicas sisters baby shower, which begins with a delightful Jackie Brown airport walkway homage and quickly deflates into an awkward family reunion in which which Jessicas misfit status is painted in spare but effective strokes. Her stubborn bravado takes on new pathos from there  in the middle of an argument with Boone, he admits he really likes her, and she responds, with not a small amount of exhaustion, Of course you do! Everyone does. Im freaking dope.

What makes Jessica truly dope, though, by the end of the film, is not her ability to get over her ex or to charm her new lover, or even her skills as a playwright, but her commitment to the kids she teaches. So many lesser films would use her scenes with her class as an outlet for frustration, but Strouse uses it as a device for hope  even if every grant and fellowship rejects her, she has a chance with her kids. Somehow, of all the romances in this romantic comedy, that one is the most palpable onscreen, and a subplot involving her most promising student is the most emotionally convincing. Your mileage may vary on whether or not you leave the film wishing Jessica was your girlfriend or best friend, but you will almost certainly wish she was your drama teacher.
Amine. Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for MTV

Theres a meaningful split to be made in North American pop between night music and day music, and its hard to not feel, in 2017, that the long night is spreading. Though Team Day-Glo put forth a strong effort in 2016 with Chance the Rapper, Yachty, D.R.A.M., and the first act of Kanyes Life of Pablo, it seems fair to say that, no matter whether stylish or jagged, submerged and shadowy sonics prevail. Good cheer is in short supply. Though hes touring this year and not releasing new music, the army of the nights field marshal remains, as ever, the Weeknd, an artist on record as saying his music doesnt make sense in the day and who made a single with the EDM duo Disclosure titled Nocturnal just to repeat the point.

Like the Weeknd, the bright new artist Amine is the son of Ethiopian immigrants, but the similarities with the prince of darkness seem to end there. In many ways, hes the anti-Weeknd: While Abel Tesfaye dropped out of high school and abandoned a single mother to live a hand-to-mouth existence in the Toronto slums, Amine, was raised in a two-parent, middle-class household in Portland, Oregon, where he went on to attend college. Born Adam Daniel (his stage name is his middle name), he made a huge splash in 2016 with Caroline, a self-produced, self-released, sure-footed banger whose lyrics name-checked Tarantino and whose video paid homage to Pulp Fiction.

Combined with the usual requisite relentless behind-the-scenes grinding (documented in a glowing New York Times profile today), the success of Caroline  it crested at No. 11 on the Hot 100 and went triple platinum  led to a major deal with Republic Records (also home to the Weeknd, coincidentally). A trail of upbeat singles has built up to the release, today, of Good for You, an album whose solar-yellow cover fairly glows with positive energy. With the rest of his carefree cohort flailing or otherwise occupied, Good for You is clearly the best album Team Brightside has to offer so far this year: Amines melodies remain deft, luminous, and blindingly pleasant throughout.

Yet the half-sarcastic, half-sincere title suggests an attitude more complicated than blind optimism. Though the tunes are chipper and almost aggressively glad, the lyrics, though mostly oriented toward progress, are often marked by signs of stress and conflict. STFU, with its foul-mouthed, gleefully high-pitched chorus set over xylophone-esque synths, exemplifies the tension between uplift and realism. Between a girlfriend who brings too much drama and musical peers who posture too damn much, Amines high spirits are going to have to fight for every inch of elevation. The musicians natural enemy, it seems, is pointless noise, and hes not afraid to call it out: Lines like Shut the fuck up, quit giving me hell sound, strangely enough, more pointed when delivered in a cheerful tone. Even the people on his side arent helping matters much: Friends need an Uber, sis need tuition / Fans want the music, but they want a politician / Pressure, pressure, pressure, pressure, pressure. If his music almost feels as if its too much in the sun, it may well be because hes seen his share of darker days.
Nav. Photo: Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Republic Record

Navraj Singh Goraya, the Toronto-area producer-rapper more commonly known as Nav, occupies a curious position in the landscape of contemporary hip-hop. His rise to prominence has been uncommonly steep: Having provided shadowy contributions to Drakes 2015 diss track Back to Back, he began gathering momentum on SoundCloud shortly afterward with Take Me Simple and The Man, tracks blending the synthetic haze pouring from the Weeknds House of Balloons with the tropes, and percussion, of the lean-sedated Atlanta trap pioneered by Future.

2016 saw cosigns from Drakes OVO Sound Radio and Kylie Jenner (via her Snapchat), in addition to a well-received guest appearance and production credit on Travis Scotts Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight; 2017 has seen Nav signed to the Weeknds XO imprint and releasing two mixtapes under its aegis: a self-produced and self-titled mixtape in February, succeeded by Perfect Timing, a collaboration with Futures prime producer Metro Boomin, which dropped last Friday. Metro, who has his own solo project due later in the year, isnt the only one anointing Nav with his presence on the project: Perfect Timing is enlivened by contributions from Southside and Pierre Bourne (of Magnolia fame) on the production and from Lil Uzi Vert, Offset, Playboi Carti (also of Magnolia fame), fellow Torontonian and XO stalwart Belly, 21 Savage, and Gucci Mane. (The best cosign comes from Gucci: When Nav announces that Im just a brown boy who made something from nothing, Guwop chimes in: Me too!)

Theres no doubt that Nav is with the cool kids, but theres some confusion about whether Nav himself is cool. His fellow musicians and an ardent following on SoundCloud and Instagram argue that he is; the consensus among music writers and music editors is that he isnt, for a variety of reasons. Unlike Travis Scott, whose reputation and position a few years back was roughly similar to Navs currently, Nav isnt handsome: Thick-set and bespectacled, he exudes a distinctly nerdy vibe even when hes fitted head-to-toe in designer clothes. Hes not black, either: The self-described brown boy came under fire for using the N-word on Nav. Navs taken the criticism to heart: The only N-word heard from him on Perfect Timing is his name. Speaking of which  Nav, in his lyrics, also seems kind of blatantly self-obsessed, which is, when coupled with his other demerits, a definite no-no. Furthermore, he cant sing: Like Travis Scott, his voice on record is always filtered through Auto-Tune.

All in all, its easy to mistake Nav for a cipher. His tracks can seem like they were procedurally generated by FashionTrapBot 9000, an AI programmed to output endless verses about drug-taking, money (measured in purchases of designer clothes), and status (measured, as is customary, in terms of sexually available women and cuckolding). Theres a distinctly digital aspect to Navs lyrics which accentuates the nerdiness. He routinely throws around numbers and lets them do the talking: 10 pairs of Gucci shoes, 200 for a belt, 15 racks, 20 racks, 30 racks. Its pretty alienating. Though he dutifully notes his transition from broke unknown to rich celebrity, he doesnt seem very happy that his life has changed for the better. Hes gone from objectifying women who wouldnt look at him to being objectified by them: I know she really dont love me, she love who I am. Tolerance for this kind of content will vary according to the listener. Personally, I choose to read the numbness as a product of Navs environment. The relatively stunted careers of other brown Canadian rappers (theres a reason you havent heard of anyone besides Nav) suggests that theres no mass audience waiting to hear dispatches about the experience of that particular demographic, whereas status, drugs, sex, and cash comprise a universal, and universally marketable, language. (Not to mention being broke and poor and bereft of strong ties to ones ancestral culture, as Nav seems to be, would be plenty numbing on its own.)

It makes sense, in terms of art and business, to conform to the house style in 2017 (30 percent drugs, 20 percent women/fame, 20 percent fashion, 20 percent money, 10 percent violence, give or take), especially when the production is on point, and it is. The content is pretty much consistent, so the tracks with the best production are the best tracks period: Perfect Timing, I Dont Care, Hit, Minute, Both Sides, Call Me, Need Some.

Perhaps its most insightful to imagine Nav, and his music, as a kind of video game, with the emptiness of immigrant experience superimposed on the alienated presence of a gaming avatar. As is typical, Nav seems more aware of his condition than hes given credit for: Like 2K Player Mode I had to recreate myself is how he describes himself on Navs Good for It. (A recent Complex profile mentions how he bonded with his future cosigners over video games.) If Metro Boomin has mastered the art of production that sounds like a video-game soundtrack, Nav, it seems, is mastering the art of rap that feels like a video game plays. Or like social media operates: With his distant, awkward demeanor, Nav seems reminiscent of Jesse Eisenbergs rendition of Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network. Like Zuckerberg, Nav has cracked the code of networking, and his success has made him an icon almost in spite of himself. Everything, popularity included, can be reduced to metrics and timing, but hes too acclimated to his unhappiness to change. Dim, lovely sonics aside, the vision in Perfect Timing isnt all that pleasant, but that doesnt mean it isnt true  or that, for all the luxury he cites, the Navs essential experience isnt familiar. Let the listener who hasnt counted likes and followers cast the first downvote.
Gov. Scott Walker and the CEO of Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn signed an agreement Thursday that they say could bring as many as 13,000 manufacturing jobs to Wisconsin, as Walker sought to sell taxpayers on an unprecedented state incentive package for the company that could reach $3 billion.

The signing, with Walker and Foxconn CEO Terry Gou, occurred in a public event at the Milwaukee Art Museum. It was billed as the first official step toward what would be the largest economic-development project in state history, if completed.

Foxconn, which makes iPhones and other electronic devices, announced with President Donald Trump at the White House Wednesday that it wants to invest $10 billion to build a 20-million-square-foot campus for making liquid crystal display, or LCD, panels in Wisconsin. It would be the first LCD manufacturing facility in the world outside Asia, state officials say.

The facility would begin operating in 2020, initially with 3,000 workers, Foxconn and state officials say. They say employment would grow to as many as 13,000 in the years following.

The site of the campus is yet to be announced; Walker said the company is eyeing multiple locations in Racine and Kenosha counties.

The agreement signed Thursday, a memorandum of understanding between the state and Foxconn, says public officials in Wisconsin will help the company assemble a construction site of more than 1,000 acres. Such documents often are legally nonbinding but can move the parties closer to a final deal.

Skeptics noted Foxconn has announced plans to build factories elsewhere that havent materialized. They also questioned if the multibilllion-dollar incentive package the state could offer the company is the best use of those dollars.

Meanwhile, Walker did a flurry of interviews Thursday to head off potential criticism of the proposed deal with the Taiwanese tech giant. The whopping bundle of taxpayer-funded incentives Wisconsin is offering the company to build here  which remain subject to final negotiation and approval by state lawmakers  will be tied to job creation, Walker vowed.

We tie it to performance, Walker said on a syndicated conservative talk radio show Thursday. Theyre not going to get (the incentives) if they dont provide the jobs and dont provide the capital investment.

Walker pledges safeguards for taxpayers

Walker said if Foxconn doesnt fulfill its promise to invest $10 billion or create 13,000 jobs, the company wont be eligible for all of the $3 billion  most of which would come through refundable state income tax credits for the company. Walkers office has said any deal with Foxconn also will include clawbacks allowing the state to recoup the credits if the jobs and investment are not kept in Wisconsin.

Its good to have (safeguards) as protection ... it certainly is my fiduciary role to protect taxpayers in the state, Walker said.

Should the project move forward, final terms of a deal between the state and Foxconn would be outlined in a contract between the company and Walkers jobs agency, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., or WEDC. The agency then would administer the incentives.

State lawmakers, beginning as soon as next month, also are expected to take up legislation to enable the incentives.

The memorandum signed Thursday says the legislation will modify tax credit programs that will form the foundation of the multibillion-dollar incentive package.

It says the legislation also will modify state tax incremental financing guidelines for the project. State officials have said TIF will be part of the project but havent specified how or how much, beyond saying it will be used for local infrastructure.

It also says the state will expedite environmental permitting reviews of the project wherever possible and within the public interest, to align with the timeline needed to implement the project.

Multiple reports have indicated Foxconns interest in southeast Wisconsin, near Lake Michigan, may be because LCD manufacturing requires huge volumes of fresh water.

New WEDC program

in works

WEDC currently administers the Enterprise Zone tax credit program for businesses that locate or expand in Wisconsin. WEDC spokesman Mark Maley said Thursday that lawmakers and Walker are expected to create a new program for Foxconn in an upcoming special legislative session.

Its going to be up to the legislators and the governor to decide the parameters of Foxconn, Maley said.

Under a Foxconn overview document provided by Walkers office to reporters Wednesday, the company would be eligible to earn the $3 billion over 15 years.

The company will be eligible for $1.5 billion in state income tax credits for creating jobs, up to $1.35 billion in credits for capital investments and up to $150 million for the sales and use tax exemption for the purchase of construction materials.

Maley said the income tax credits would be refundable, meaning any amount by which they exceed the companys tax liability would be paid directly to the company.

Elements of the Enterprise Zone program could form the basis for the new program, Maley said. Under the existing program, businesses may claim tax credits for a percentage of wages paid on jobs created  but only for jobs paying at least $30,000 a year, Maley said.

Walker said Wednesday that Foxconn workers in Wisconsin will make an average salary of more than $53,000, plus benefits. Since that figure is an average and not a median amount, it could be significantly affected by a few workers making a very high salary.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told the Racine Journal-Times most entry-level jobs will pay about $13 to $15 per hour and up, adding I think the vast majority will be more than that.

Walker: Announcement

a major victory for me

Walker planned to fly around the state Friday, to places hundreds of miles away from southeast Wisconsin, to promote the project, which state officials have dubbed Wisconn Valley.

Walker appeared on CNBC and a number of conservative talk radio shows Thursday. Walker said the campus will include multiple buildings and construction will begin in 2018.

Walker used his TV and radio appearances to make a case for the deal and responded to critics who point to past splashy announcements Foxconn has made in the U.S. and overseas without following through on their plans.

WI needs to take a close look at these broken promises before throwing billions of taxpayer dollars at questionable corporate subsidies, Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse, tweeted on Thursday.

In 2013, the company announced plans to build a $30 million plant that would employ 500 workers in central Pennsylvania. That project never materialized.

Walker acknowledged the companys past broken pledges but said the state has put in place the safeguards and clawbacks necessary to protect the state.

Theyre just upset because they think this is a major victory for me, he said about critics of the plan.
Kim Cable felt a bit like she and three companions were in the Twilight Zone as they trekked through the section of Riverside North in La Crosse formerly known as Tent City, an enclave of homeless individuals.

It was eerie  shocking almost, Cable recalled of their venture at 4 a.m. Thursday into the woods at the juncture of the Mississippi and La Crosse rivers during the biannual Point in Time headcount of homeless people.

There were absolutely none at Tent City  for the first time in four or five years, said Cable, spokeswoman for the La Crosse Collaborative to End Homelessness, which played a key role in helping many of the former residents there secure housing so the area could be vacated by July 1.

It was weird, but heartwarming, the way the community has helped so much in the collaboratives two major pushes against homelessness  finding housing for more than 15 veterans during 100-day push before Christmas and nearing its goal of doing the same for 20 chronically homeless during another 100-day sprint that ends Monday.

Not that ending homelessness is a fait accompli, because the several teams that fanned out in the city for the count tallied 32 living on the streets, Cable acknowledged.

That is better than the 44 last year, she said, adding that the final count is pending. Some are newly homeless or recently lost housing. Most of those we used to see on the street are in housing.

Cable was discussing the issue during Homeless Connect at the La Crosse Center, an annual event that helps homeless people link up with resources, have lunch and, if they want, free haircuts and massages. It featured booths from Couleecap, where Cable is housing and community services director; the Coulee Council on Addictions; Catholic Charities; veteran organizations, and other community service organizations.

As for the collaboratives effort to find 20 spots for the chronically homeless, Cable said 16 had been settled, with that number expected to hit 17 or 18  maybe even 19  this weekend.

When I think of that, I think 18 or 19 is 18 or 19 victories, 17 is 17 victories and even 16 is 16 victories, she said.

Between the efforts for veterans and chronically homeless, she said, In 200 days, we housed about 35 people. Who does that? Its amazing. Its really great what the community has done.

And it has been a community-wide initiative, including one of the leading organizations, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, as well as virtually every governmental and service agency in town, and several landlords who have worked with the collaborative since it launched last year.

Its a testament to what truly can happen when we put our arms around it and come together, Cable said, tearing up a bit because of a combination of emotion about the accomplishment and fatigue from having rousted herself out of bed in the middle of the night.

Much remains to be done, as the original list of 50 chronically homeless still has 30 or so names, she said.

Its a juggling act, she said, noting that one man on the list has been homeless for 90 months but has missed a couple of housing chances because the agencies couldnt locate him when vacancies were available.

We dont want to take him off the list, because were committed to getting him housing, she said.

Among those who obtained housing is 42-year-old Chris Sader, who was accompanied to Housing Connect by his service dog Tyson.

I was without an apartment for eight months, sleeping in my car, Sader said. Now, Ive got a nice, quiet apartment.

Sader, who said he has a part-time job and has lived in La Crosse for 29 years, said a variety of circumstances contributed to his homelessness, including losing a house and leasing hassles.

One of the keys to the collaboratives efforts, and a pivotal point for landlords, is that it hooks people up with caseworkers who help them organize their lives and set up finances so they dont slip back into dire straits.

Weve got lots of support staff, Sader said. People at Couleecap have really helped me out.

When Sader encounters other homeless people, he encourages them to obtain assistance from such resources to become self-sustaining, he said.

Still sleeping on the floor in his apartment, Sader said, Im excited to get my stuff out of storage to settle in completely.

The closure of Tent City has definitely helped police out, said Neighborhood Resource Officer Alex Burg, who works downtown with fellow NRO Joel Miller and who regularly visited the campers to foster relationships.

Speculation that the shutdown would just move the problem elsewhere has proved unfounded, he said.

The first few weeks, there were a few who used Tent City, but he and Miller were able to dissuade them, he said.

There is no other established camping. One popped up in a wooded area  but they were just people traveling through. There is no underground tent city, Burg said.

Whats more, he said, Compared to last summer, the people staying in ramps and fighting in parks is way down.

Police calls for disturbances in Cameron Park spiked during the past couple of summers but are almost negligible now, with a drinking ban and the presence of a new playground, he said.

Im not saying homeless people created calls for service in criminal actions, he said. Most were for welfare checks, but those people now are in housing.

Its helped police out a ton, because we are freed up to answer other calls. Thats good for the community, Burg said.

The collaborative did a lot of legwork and developed tons of resources to make Tent City ready for closure and a smooth transition, he said.

The hiring of a coordinator, with financial assistance from the La Crosse Community Foundation and the city of La Crosse, will help maintain the momentum, Burg said: They wont lose the connection to resources, because the coordinator will keep it going.
McLennan Community College will host A Conversation with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7 in The Highlands gym. Admission is free, but tickets are required and are limited to four per online order at www.mclennan.edu/clarencethomas/tickets. Tickets become available Tuesday.

Copies of Thomas book, My Grandfathers Son, will be available for purchase starting at 6 p.m. in the lobby of the gym, and there will be a book signing after the event. For more information, contact Lisa Wilhelmi at lwilhelmi@mclennan.edu or 299-8640.

GOP campaign training

The Republican Party of McLennan County will host a Candidate Development and Campaign Management Training program from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the party headquarters, 539 N. Valley Mills Drive.

The event is for candidates, potential candidates, campaign managers, treasurers or anyone interested in learning more about campaign management or becoming a candidate.

The training is jointly sponsored by the Republican Party of Texas, Texas Republican County Chairmens Association, Texas Federation of Republican Women, and Abbott University. Trainers will include representatives from these organizations, as well as an election law attorney and others.

Agenda topics include finance and compliance, campaign management, communications, fundraising and more.

The event is free, and lunch will be provided.

To register, visit mclennanrepublicans.org or call 772-6955.

Back to school celebration

South Waco Community Center, 2815 S. Speight Ave. will host a back-to-school celebration Saturday.

There will be free food, backpack giveaways, games and a face painting contest. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Plate to Print

Baylor Universitys Martin Museum of Art will have a From Plate to Print: An Introduction to Printmaking exhibit on display through July 30.

Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays.

The museum is in Baylor Universitys Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center, 60 Baylor Ave.

Admission is free.

For more information, visit www.baylor.edu/martinmuseum.
Class acts

McLennan County CAP (College Achievement Program) recently awarded $2,500 college scholarships to two local graduates.

The recipients are Waco High graduate Ulises Varela, who will attend McLennan Community College, and La Vega High graduate Dakota Smith, who will attend Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas.

Varela and Smith completed a rigorous set of requirements to qualify for the scholarships. CAP is a free program of VOICE, a nonprofit that empowers children, youth and their families. CAP advisers meet individually with students and their parents to help them access resources that aid in planning for, applying to, and paying for college.

Baylor University announced recent high school graduates who are recipients of scholastic awards based on class rank and/or SAT/ACT scores for the 2015-16 academic year. They are:

McGregor  Campbell Kutach, Midway High, Presidents Gold.

Riesel  Reuben Saage, Riesel High, Deans Gold.

Waco  Charlotte Bullock, Midway High, Deans Gold; Seth Howton, Live Oak Classical School, Presidents Gold.

Two local students graduated in May from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois.

Johan John, of Waco, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in liberal arts engineering.

Allie McDonald, of Woodway, graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education and a minor in biology.

Mark Halamik, of Woodway, earned a Master of Science degree in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.

He was among approximately 3,800 undergraduate and graduate students receiving degrees from Georgia Tech at May commencement exercises.

Erin Knox, of West, received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls at the May commencement ceremony.

Cash Clinard, of West, received his Bachelor of Arts degree in biological sciences from Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas, after the spring semester.

Send submissions via email to neighborplus@wacotrib.com.
Baylor Law School professor Bridget Fuselier was honored by the Texas Military and Veterans Law Section of the State Bar of Texas with the Col. Bryan S. Spencer Award during the State Bar of Texas annual meeting this summer.

The award is presented to a Texas attorney whose efforts throughout the preceding year best exemplify the unselfish provision of legal assistance to Armed Forces personnel from or stationed in Texas and to Texas veterans, or whose efforts in encouraging, assisting and supporting other attorneys in doing the same is particularly noteworthy.

The award is given to only one attorney per year. Previous recipients of this award include past State Bar of Texas presidents Terry Tottenham and Allan DuBois.

Never in a million years did I expect something like this to come my way, Fuselier said. I so appreciate all of the wonderful people at the Law School who have made it possible to do something I am passionate about and to share it with others. At the end of the day, the success comes from the lives we touch and change through the work that we do.

Baylor Law Dean Brad Toben said that Fuslier is a tireless advocate of pro bono service at the law school. She is an exemplar of the Baylor Law spirit: Service. Service to clients. Service to the bar. Service to the community. We are all so proud of the great work that Bridget does and the example that she sets for our young lawyers.

Fuselier founded the Baylor Law Veterans Clinic . Now, in its fifth year, the veterans clinic provides legal assistance to a veteran population of more than 16,000 in McLennan County and many more in its surrounding counties.

The clinic also is a training ground for Baylor Law students who volunteer at the clinic. The students get hands-on experience with real-world problems, and the program instills in them a passion for pro bono work.

The veterans clinic is made possible by a continuing grant from the Texas Access to Justice Foundation. The Texas Bar Foundation also provided funds to help start the program . The Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas recently awarded grant money for technological needs.

For more information on the Baylor Law Veterans Clinic, email director Josh Borderud at josh_borderud@baylor.edu.
When a Waco public service club turned 64, its members did indeed lock the door, but not before sending out one last birthday greeting, minus the bottle of wine, to the Waco community.

Membership in the Northwest Waco Rotary Club had dwindled to 22, and at 64 years to the day since it started, club members voted to disband June 30, the clubs last president Bryan Fonville said. The former members are looking to join one of Wacos three other Rotary clubs to continue their service-above-self mission, Fonville said.

I think it helped that as we were making that decision, we also were making a decision about what we wanted our clubs legacy to be, Fonville said. Were establishing an endowed scholarship at MCC (McLennan Community College) that will benefit generations of students in perpetuity. Thats something thats always been important to the club, giving back through scholarships.

The endowment, known as the Northwest Rotary Club Memorial Scholarship, is about $54,000. With interest, it will allow MCC to give an estimated $2,500 scholarship to someone every year, former member Kim Patterson said. Thats about 70 percent of a full-time students tuition and fees, she said.

From now on, until the end of time, as long as were all here, a student will know that club name and have their tuition and fees paid for, Patterson said.

She was with the club for nine years and left shortly before it disbanded because of her new job as the executive director of the McLennan Community College Foundation, which gives scholarships to students.

She is now part of the Waco Rotary Club.

The club had a group of core members that kept it active, but social media and other digital tools have given people other ways to connect for public service projects, Patterson said.

She said she sees a nationwide struggle for service clubs.

But the membership for Rotary clubs overall is steady, said Brian King, the membership and development director at Rotary International. With more than 1.2 million members in 35,000 clubs across more than 200 countries, retention has been a challenge, King said. And Rotary International is promoting a more diverse membership, with more women and younger members, he said.

We are definitely aware that there is more competition than ever for peoples personal time and resources, King said. Because of this, we have adapted to meet todays expectations.

Rotary International even lets clubs use more flexible ways to meet through online platforms like Zoom and Skype, he said.

The Northwest Rotary Club tried everything members could think of, but it always felt like taking one step forward and two steps back, Patterson said. Plus, Waco also has more than 500 other charitable organizations registered with the IRS, so there is no shortage of ways to give back or serve the community.

Though they didnt have the numbers in front of them, Fonville and Patterson estimated the club gave more than $100,000 in scholarships over time.

I think a lot of our club members were in a stage of their lives where keeping up with the weekly tasks of hosting a meeting and all that comes with just running a club was beginning to take more effort to do that than focus on the good the club could necessarily do in the community, Fonville said. When we started confronting that, it turned into a question of could we maybe do more good by joining forces with other local clubs.

When it comes down to it, Patterson said she thinks the club made the right call.

Its a sad thing, but volunteer fatigue is a real thing, and when you have a group of people who give and give and give to keep something going over a period of time, after a while the same people would say they just dont have anything left. . . . There just wasnt enough new blood coming in to fill those leadership roles. It was the grown-up decision to make, but it was a sad thing, she said.
A Woodway man was arrested Thursday after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children gave a tip to authorities about child pornography linked to an email account, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Friday.

Charles David Baker, 23, was arrested after the Texas Attorney General's Child Exploitation Unit received the tip and executed a search warrant at Baker's home. Authorities seized digital storage devices belonging to Baker and found child pornography, according to a press release on the arrest.

The digital storage devices will be analyzed by digital forensic experts. During an interview, Baker admitted the email address linked to the tip belongs to him, according to the press release.

Baker was taken to McLennan County Jail on two third-degree felony charges of possession of child pornography. He had been released by early Friday evening on a $20,000 bond.

If convicted, Baker could face up to 10 years in jail on each charge.

This is the second local arrest this week based on information from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Authorities arrested Roberto Cruz-Lara, 57, of Waco, on Tuesday and charged him with one count of possession of child pornography. He remained in custody Friday with bond listed at $20,000. He also is being held on an immigration detainer.
Seventy years ago, Democratic President Harry S. Truman signed into law the National Security Act passed by a Republican Congress. No legislation in U.S. history more fundamentally altered the way security policy is made and executed. It established the Department of Defense, the Air Force as a separate service, the National Security Council and the Central Intelligence Agency, and it gave permanent standing to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Bipartisan alliances capable of prioritizing national security spending and enacting meaningful legislation are as vital now as ever. We must demand leaders who can distinguish between fights over social issues or other partisan differences and protecting Americans.

Calling for bipartisanship in todays political environment may seem like asking pigs to fly. We should not, however, recall 1947 as the good old days when the president and Congress could easily overcome partisan divides to pass important legislation, nor should we think bipartisanship is impossible today. Resistance to parts of the 1947 act was strong. For example, although we built a massive air armada to win World War II and British, Soviets and Germans entered the war with separate Air Forces, entrenched interests seriously threatened the creation of a separate U.S. air service.

And although the National Security Act laid a strong and enduring foundation, it was also a set of compromises that did not go far enough in a number of areas. Subsequent Congresses had to build on this foundation for decades.

For instance, the act was so weak regarding management of the new Defense Department that it had to be significantly amended in 1949  and Congress did not mandate the structure and processes necessary for a unified defense establishment till passage of the Goldwater-Nichols Act in 1986. The Russians, French and British had a long history of intelligence services, while the most powerful nation on the planet had none. Though the act established the CIA, the authorities granted for managing the intelligence community were toothless  a shortcoming not addressed till after the failures of Sept. 11, 2001.

When there are gaps in governmental capabilities or structure that only legislation can close, only Congress can close them. The executive branch does not need constant legislative tinkering or micromanagement, but effective national security policy requires a Congress that can do more than emote righteous indignation after problems are revealed.

Take the security of our physical and digital infrastructure. Congress has passed legislation in these areas, but what actions would Congress take after a cyberattack succeeded in cutting power to millions of Americans and caused the death of hundreds or thousands? What would it do if terrorists engineered a major and lethal leak of chemicals? You dont have to be a Hollywood scriptwriter to envision these scenarios, and its obvious to the average American that congressional action before the fact narrows the gap between preparation and catastrophe.

Although the historical record shows that Congress is unlikely to do what is needed on national security issues till after a disastrous teachable moment, outrage over Russian meddling is proving that its not impossible. In defiance of Presidents Donald Trumps wishes, the Republican-led Congress has decided not to wait till Russia or another foreign power has altered or nullified the outcome of an American election before acting. The sanctions bill alone wont solve the problem, but the strong bipartisan support for it sends an important signal concerning our resolve to protect democratic values.

No matter the political affiliation, we all should help restore an ethos in which politics are pushed aside when American lives or values are in jeopardy. Concerned Americans need to ask whether their representatives in Congress can shift from hard-fighting partisans on political issues to bipartisan statesmen on national security. We need to reward those who can with our financial support and votes. We need to shame and vote against those who cannot. They endanger us.
P3s do work

The Trib op-ed Texas Perspectives: Trump infrastructure scheme has its limitations, July 18, rightly cites the benefits of public-private partnerships (P3s) to develop infrastructure. But the writers erred in claiming there is minimal difference to taxpayers when roads are built by the private sector, citing State Highway 130, Segments 5 and 6.

SH 130, a $1.3 billion-plus project, was constructed at no cost to the state. There also was no impact to the state by its reorganization. Today it provides significant traffic relief from highly congested Interstate 35 and is under new private management with state oversight.

In North Texas, the LBJ Express is a shining example of P3 success  a Cintra-led project that opened ahead of schedule and on budget. This $2.7 billion managed-lanes project offers more than 50 mile-per-hour travel and the general lanes are more than 60 percent congestion-free. What for years was a parking lot now sees half a million corridor trips daily.

The authors incorrectly characterize ownership of P3 projects. Under a P3 agreement, the state leases an asset to the private sector for a specified time during which the private sector is responsible for its development, maintenance and operation. But at all times, the state owns the asset.

P3s work and should be embraced as innovative solutions that can dramatically lower taxpayer construction and operation costs and relieve congestion, while leveraging scarce taxpayer dollars and getting roadways built years sooner than otherwise would be possible.

Patrick Rhode, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Cintra US

Judgment coming!

Jack Brennan of Ohio, in his July 14 letter praising Trib contributor Ashley Bean Thorntons column, concurs that Waco should be ashamed of its collective self for denying same-sex marriage to couples. For your information, Mr. Brennan, Waco is not ashamed. We are proud to go by Gods law. Maybe you should stay in Ohio where it is not outrageous and pathetic.

This world has become so corrupt and sinful and I cant imagine this country letting so much filth go on. We have gays wanting to marry, which is against Gods words (Mr. Brennan needs to read Leviticus 18:22 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10) and then you have the transgenders coming along to use our bathrooms. Pray, tell, where does it all stop?

Our country is turning into another Sodom and Gomorrah. God have mercy on them all and, believe me, he is watching and Judgment Day will come to them all.

Sharon Bates, Waco

EDITORS NOTE: Just for claritys sake, the controversy concerns local justices of the peace who decline to perform such marriages and instead furnish lists of locals who will officiate same-sex weddings, including ministers and Precinct 3 JP David Pareya, based in West.
A roundup of some of the most popular, but completely untrue, headlines of the week. None of these stories are legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked these out; here are the real facts:

NOT REAL: President Trump Moves To SHUTDOWN JIHAD TRAINING CAMPS In AMERICA - ISLAMBERG IS FINISHED

THE FACTS: Several widely shared articles report on last month's arrest of 64-year-old Ramadan Abdullah after a police raid found a weapons cache in a storage locker in Union in upstate New York. The raid was ordered by state police, not President Donald Trump. And the town of Union is more than 40 miles from Islamberg, a tiny enclave in the Catskills founded decades ago by Muslim families who moved from New York City. Sites sharing the piece include topsecretleaks.com and freedomdaily.com, which bills itself as the conservative news headquarters.

NOT REAL: The 14 Fake Olive Oil Companies Are Revealed Now - Avoid These Brands

THE FACTS: The story from healthylivingthread.com cites a University of California study in stating that "almost 70% of olive oil on the American market is somewhat non-genuine." It goes on to suggest that olive oils in the U.S. market are being diluted with sunflower and canola oils. In reality, the 2010 UC-Davis study found that 69 percent of samples taken from 14 brands of imported extra virgin olive oil on sale in California failed to meet extra virgin standards. The study didn't find canola or sunflower oils present in the samples.

NOT REAL: Comedian Kathy Griffin Is Facing Jail Time

THE FACTS: The actress and comedian caused a firestorm in May after a photo was released showing her carrying a fake severed head that looked like President Donald Trump's. Griffin wasn't charged with a crime, but she did apologize for the photo. A story shared by borntoberight.com and patriotsontheright.com claims Griffin was jailed last month after walking around New York wearing fake blood and a Trump Halloween mask. That didn't happen.

NOT REAL: Wisconsin to build wall to keep Illinois residents out

THE FACTS: This item from "prank" site channel23news.com may be a reference to a joke presidential candidacy by a Wisconsin man last year who put up billboards calling for such a wall. Even if Wisconsin wanted to ban Illinois residents from visiting the Badger State, such a move would be illegal since the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the right for Americans to travel between states is guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution.

NOT REAL: If You Are Using This Toothpaste. Throw It Away Immediately!

THE FACTS: The article shared by womandailytips.com claims the Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of antibacterial chemical triclosan, an ingredient in Colgate Total toothpaste, because of "a high-degree of health risks and side effects." While the FDA prohibited the use of triclosan and other agents in hand soaps last September, its ruling didn't affect Colgate. Colgate says in a statement on its website that Colgate Total has been approved as "safe and effective."

___

This weekly fixture is part of The Associated Press' ongoing efforts to fact-check claims in suspected false news stories.
Seattle: Jeff Bezos on Thursday briefly took something away from a billionaire neighbour in the Seattle area, Bill Gates - the mantle of world's richest person.

A 1 per cent pop in the shares of Amazon.com - the internet company Bezos founded, which accounts for the vast majority of his wealth - was enough to bump him over the wealth of Gates, the philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder, according to a real-time list of billionaires by Forbes.com, which has tallied the fortunes of the uber-rich for decades.

Forbes estimated the wealth of Bezos, Amazon's chief executive, at $US90.6 billion ($113.8 billion), compared with $US90 billion ($113b) for Gates.

As Amazon shares eased off in afternoon trading, Bezos ranked again second on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, behind the Microsoft co-founder. Gates, 61, has held the top spot since May 2013.
If it weren't for the extraordinary circus in the Trump White House, Australian politics would strain credulity right now.

Duly elected senators turn out not to have been duly elected after all and one of them  cabinet minister Matt Canavan  was reduced to pleading ignorance for his failure to renounce unwitting Italian citizenship.

Leaving aside his mother's role in signing him up in 2006, the High Court may decide it was his singular responsibility, before signing his nomination form, to take reasonable steps to ascertain his Italian bloodlines. The first step being a simple question.

At least two senators, and more likely four, will have gone before this controversy has played out as the eccentric One Nation senator, Malcolm Roberts, also teeters due to past British citizenship.
Australian babies are being given antibiotics at rates drastically higher than those in other industrialised countries, a new study has found.

The findings suggest fearful parents and doctors are treating infants with medication they may not need and come despite warnings that the overuse of antibiotics is fuelling a "global health emergency" by creating deadly superbugs.

The Murdoch Children's Research Institute study found half of Australian babies were being exposed to antibiotics in their first year of life.

The average prescription rate is almost double that for Germany and 360 per cent higher than it is in Switzerland.
Andre Rieu has announced he will return to Perth in November 2018 to play Christmas concerts.

The Dutch maestro made the announcement on 6PR's Perth Live program, and told host Oliver Peterson he would be bringing the Johann Strauss Orchestra along for the ride.

Andre Rieu's brand has both divided critics and brought together revelers who adore his style of classical music. Credit:Scott Dougherty

"I can tell you we are planning to come to Perth in [November] 2018... to do Christmas concerts for the first time in Australia," he said.

Rieu was last in Perth in November 2016, and he is currently on tour celebrating the Johann Strauss Orchestra's 30th anniversary.
Fresh and compelling evidence appeal laws could soon be a reality in WA, with confirmation the Attorney General John Quigley is "preparing documents" on the matter for the government's consideration.

The laws, also known as right to appeal legislation, are currently only in place in South Australia and Tasmania.

The new legislation will remove powers of the Attorney General in matters of appeal. Credit:Darren Pateman

In WA currently, if a person convicted of a crime has exhausted all avenues of appeal, but then discovers 'fresh and compelling evidence', they must first get approval from the Attorney General for their case to be heard at the Court of Appeal.

The Attorney General is also under no obligation to give any reasons for a decision on whether or not to refer the case to the Court of Appeal.
Berlin: A 26-year-old man has gone on a stabbing spree with a kitchen knife in the northern German city of Hamburg, killing a 50-year-old man and wounding six others, police say.

Passers-by tackled the attacker as he fled the scene, enabling plain clothes police officers to take him into custody, the police said.

Police officers secure evidence in front of the supermarket in Hamburg. Credit:Markus Scholz

Police said the man, who was born in the United Arab Emirates, suddenly began attacking customers in a supermarket.

A police spokeswoman said she could not confirm a report by a female witness on television that the attacker shouted "Allahu Akbar", Arabic for "God is greatest", as he ran out of the supermarket.
At the invitation of the Acting Controller of Bruneis Royal Customs and Excise Department (RCED), Mr. A.H. Pengiran Hasnan, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited Bandar Sen Begawan, Brunei on 26 and 27 July 2017 to discuss Customs reform in response to the national economic diversification policy and meet with political leaders to raise the profile of Customs.

Dr. Mikuriya had a meeting with Bruneis Minister of Finance II, Mr. Dato Abdul Rahman bin Ibrahim, to talk about the modern role of Customs in contributing to economic competitiveness, as well as to explore ways of further enhancing the relationship between Customs and the WCO in support of modernization and human resource development within Brunei Customs, including early ratification of the Revised Kyoto Convention.

Secretary General Mikuriya went on to meet with Bruneis Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II, Mr. Dato Erywan Yusof, to exchange views on the changes taking place in the trade landscape, including e-commerce and the contribution of Customs. Acknowledging the crucial role played by Customs in economic development, protection of society and revenue collection, both Ministers wish to enhance cooperation with the WCO in the area of Customs capacity building.

After having met with Brunei Customs senior management to discuss the way forward, Secretary General Mikuriya gave a special lecture to Customs officers, senior officers from the Prime Minister's Office and other government agencies on Customs modernization in the context of the Ease of Doing Business index.
The top legal officers in 18 states and the District of Columbia have asked Congress to pass legislation prohibiting discrimination against transgender service members.

Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin sent the letter dated Thursday in response to President Donald Trump's announcement, via Twitter a day earlier, that he would ban transgender people in the military.

The letter asks the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate Armed Services to reaffirm in legislation that transgender people may not be banned from serving in the military.

It urges lawmakers to include transgender protections in the National Defense Authorization Act.

Eighteen other attorneys general also signed the document.

The president's position would put in place a policy that "violates fundamental constitutional and American values," the attorneys general said.

"The new ban harms our states' transgender residents and marginalizes an entire group of people based solely on gender identity," the letter said.

On Thursday, Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said U.S. policy on transgender individuals serving in uniform hasn't and won't change until Defense Secretary Jim Mattis receives the president's policy direction and Mattis determines how to implement it.

The Pentagon hasn't released data on the number of transgender people currently serving, but a Rand Corp. study has estimated between 1,320 and 6,630, out of 1.3 million active-duty troops.

Attorneys general from the following joined Hawaii in signing the letter: California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.
The Canadian Securities Agencys proposed ban on embedded commissions has certainly ruffled feathers within the advisory community. The debate between advisors, portfolio managers and investors has been passionate, and often heated, ever since the CSA released its consultation paper in January.



The debate shows no sign of abating and, if anything, talk around the impact of a potential ban has increased as time has passed and the news has settled in.



For one of the industrys big players, there is a little doubt around how the issue should play out. Vanguard Investments Canada, which manages more than $12 billion in Canadian domiciled ETFs, fully supports the ban.



We feel that low cost investment vehicles are one of the most important factors in giving investors the best chance to achieve investment success, says Atul Tiwari, Managing Director at Vanguard. How do you get investors invested in low cost, high quality vehicles? One of the ways is through transparency.



In forcing advisors to transition to fee based models, Tiwari believes a ban on embedded commission would lead to more transparency, greater competition and reduced prices in investor portfolios. Vanguard has been operating in Canada for six years and during that time Tiwari has noticed an increased awareness around fee based strategies and more willingness to transition to fee based practices.



A 2016 survey conducted by Vanguard found that 76% of advisors believed changing to a fee based practice would be beneficial for their clients and 83% thought it would be of benefit to themselves.



A lot of advisors and brokerage firms are looking at what is going on around the world and taking their own view that a fee based practice is going to be better for them and their clients, Tiwari says. Weve seen growth in this area during the time weve been here in Canada and a ban on embedded commissions is only going to accelerate that growth.



In U.S., the majority of advisors have aleady switched to a fee based model, a trend which occurred organically and was borne out of a desire to differentiate from the competition. However, in the UK and Australia regulators stepped in and banned commissions, just like Canada is trying to do. As well as including a ban on embedded fees, the UKs Retail Distribution Review (RDR) included a number of proficiency requirements, upgrades and standards that advisors had to meet in order to keep their registrations, which led to many advisors leaving the industry.



Its a little early to predict how exactly the proposal will play out in Canada, but Tiwari is hopeful it will be resolved in a reasonably timely manner. The CSA received a huge amount of submissions from the industry and will host a series of roundtables for people to voice their opinions in a public forum. If the ban does become a reality, ensuring a smooth transition and implementation will be a top priority for the CSA.



If the ban does come into action, it makes sense to have a transitionary period in which existing trailing commissions are grandfathered for a short period of time, Tiwari says. It will be great for us to have some certainty on this, so that the industry can know the roadmap and align to whatever comes from the consultations.





Related stories:

Why a ban on embedded commissions would hurt smaller portfolios

CSA chair speaks out on best-interest standard
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Jul. 27, 2017 | PADUCAH, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Jul. 27, 2017 | 05:46 PM | PADUCAH, KY

Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes visited Paducah Thursday to honor a local business.



Grimes recognized Farmer's Daughter Soap Company of Paducah as part of her office's Corporations for the Commonwealth program. According to a press release, the award is for Kentucky businesses that demonstrate a commitment to giving, a drive to improve local and/or regional communities, and a culture of giving within their organizations.



"Farmer's Daughter Soap Company exemplifies exactly what it means to be for the Commonwealth," said Grimes. "Since Ashley Graham started this small business, she has been a generous friend to many local organizations and encourages her employees to volunteer their time. The Paducah area is better for the contributions of Farmer's Daughter Soap Company."



Grimes said Farmer's Daughter Soap Company is involved with several local charities, including Operation Zero, a veteran suicide prevention group, Supporting Heroes, Special Olympics, Family Service Society, Purchase Area Sexual Assault and Child Advocacy Center, the Sparkle Bright Foundation, Heartland Cares, Beyond Uganda, as well as several other local small organizations and groups.



Grimes was also in Murray Thursday, speaking about the importance of civic engagement at the Kentucky Department of Education's Civic Symposium at Murray State University. She said that while Kentucky has made strides in certain areas of engagement, including voter turnout and volunteering, there is still more to do.



"I've always said Kentucky will be more prosperous when more of our citizens are engaged in building up our communities, having a say in elections, and connecting with their neighbors and other Kentuckians," Grimes said. "The way to solving the issues that face Kentucky is more people  not just a few  working together."
By West Kentucky Star Staff Jul. 27, 2017 | 06:41 PM | PADUCAH, KY





Four people were arrested at a home in Lone Oak Thursday morning - three of them on drug charges.The McCracken County Sheriff's Department received a tip that drug activity was taking place at a home on Bement Street, and their investigation led them to get a search warrant. Detectives went to the home about 10:45 am and spoke to 40-year-old Lana M. Crass of Paducah, 41-year-old Tammy L. Abanatha of Paducah and 40-year-old Steven R. Erickson of Ledbetter. Two children were also in the home.Detectives stopped a vehicle that was leaving the home when they arrived, because they suspected a drug transaction had taken place. The driver, 40-year-old Adam Rose of Symsonia, was wanted on an outstanding McCracken County warrant, so he was taken into custody. A syringe and a marijuana pipe were found in his car.Detectives say their investigation revealed that Erickson had just sold meth to someone before they arrived.The search of the home led to discovery of methamphetamine, marijuana, smoking pipes, digital scales, alprazolam and Adderall pills, and money believed to be the proceeds of drug sales.Crass, Erickson and Abanatha were arrested on various drug possession charges. Erickson also faces a drug trafficking charge. All three have prior convictions related to making, selling or using meth.The children who were at the home were released to a family member.
VIROQUA  The Vernon County Fair has banned the sale of Confederate battle flags.

John McClelland Jr. is the vice president of the Vernon County Fair, a nonprofit organization. He said the 11-member board voted to bar the vending of confederate flags in June.

As a board, we decided it wasnt a necessary item, McClelland said in reference to the flag. Its a piece of our history, but someone got their feelings hurt. So we decided not to sell it.

McClelland said people have contacted him upset over the boards decision, and that when he thinks of the Confederate battle flag, he thinks of the television show The Dukes of Hazzard, which first aired during the late 1970s, and not of racism or hate.

It goes both ways, McClelland said. You make two people happy and 50 people get angry.

Banning the sales of Confederate insignia is part of national trend. Across the country, especially in southern states, memorials and statues honoring confederate soldiers and leaders have been removed from public spaces.

In 2015, South Carolina legislators voted to remove the Confederate battle flag from the statehouse grounds. More recently, the New Orleans City Council removed a 16-foot bronze figure of Gen. Robert E. Lee  the Confederacys best-known hero.

Last year, local resident Mark Kastel approached a vendor at the fair whose goods included the confederate flag, Kastel said. When he confronted the vendor for selling the flag, Kastel said the vendor became intimidating and began cursing.

It angers me personally because I consider (the Confederate battle flag) a symbol of hate, Kastel said. Family members of mine who were active in the Civil Rights Movement were beaten up in the past.

Kastel said he filed a police report against the vendor, and petitioned the Fair Board to ban the flags sale at a meeting last winter.

Kastel said the Vernon County Fair, although it is run by a nonprofit organization, receives county assistance and should be treated as a public  not private  event, and therefore should keep everyone feeling safe and secure.

Despite the board approving the ban, Kastel said many members were less than enthusiastic when hearing his argument.

I just dont have a lot of sympathy for people who claim that (the Confederate battle flag) is some important part of their heritage, he told the Vernon County Broadcaster. Im asking the board to be conciliatory to everybody in the community. Even if there is one person negatively affected by this, thats too many.
Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez is apparently claiming that hes far, far too ill to report for pre-season training as requested.

The Chilean was supposed to return to London Colney this Sunday after being granted an extended summer furlough to compensate for his participation in the Confederations Cup in June.

The Gunners are due to host the Emirates Cup this weekend, with Arsene Wenger revealing that he expects Sanchez to report back in the meanwhile.

However, the 28-year-old striker has posted a couple of frankly pathetic sickie selfies on Instagram, implying that hes not well enough to return to the Arsenal fold just yet

The scarf is a nice touch. Really sells the whole thing.

Seriously, if hes so intent on leaving that hes willing to go through this charade, then Arsenal would be better of carting him off to Man City at the first available juncture.

Alexis may be a damn fine player, but hes proving himself an absolute wimp of a man.
Professional and Advocacy Writing

This section contains the full text of more than 300 articles, 8 monographs, 30+ recovery tools, 9 book chapters, 3 books, and links to an additional 18 books written by William White and co-authors over the past four decades as well as more than 100 interviews with addiction treatment and recovery leaders. This is a single location where such material may be located by those interested in the history of addiction treatment and recovery in the United States. Those papers selected for inclusion contain all of the articles and monographs authored by William White on the new recovery advocacy movement, recovery management and recovery-oriented systems of care. It is hoped that this resource library will serve present and future generations of addiction professionals, recovery coaches and recovery advocates.
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California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, along with the sheriffs of Los Angeles and Tulare counties, announced on Thursday the filing of 54 felony charges against three individuals involved in one of the largest human sex trafficking cases on the West Coast.

Quinton Brown, Gerald Lavell Turner, and Mia McNeil are accused of operating a sex ring that involved minors, and spanned California, Nevada, and Texas. Brown, 30, and Turner, 32, are currently in custody, while McNeil is still at large.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the L.A. County Sheriff's Department received a tip in January of a missing girl from Tulare County living in a West Hollywood apartment. Upon entering the apartment, the sheriff's deputies discovered the minor along with two adults, and began learning of other sex trafficking victims. The six month investigation has led to the rescue of 13 minors and about 200 adults.

Brown, Turner, and McNeil are being charged with sex trafficking, pimping, pandering, grand theft and identity theft.

As the Times adds, Brown and Turner advertised and sold at least 13 women for sex over the internet, and even had sex with some of the minors. McNeil is accused of using stolen identities to lease apartments in Chatsworth, Bakersfield, and West Hollywood for use as brothels, and for purchasing vehicles to transport the victims.

Victims were between the ages of 15 and 21.

These charges stem from the hard work of the Tulare County Sheriffs Department, Los Angeles Sheriffs Department, Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force, and the California Department of Justice attorneys and Special Agents," Becerra said during Thursday's press conference. "I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their efforts over the course of this six-month investigation to bring these defendants to justice.
Winona County moved further Thursday toward deciding who will be directly involved in the legal fight over the countys frac sand ban.

Winona County District Court Judge Mary Leahy heard arguments from both the Land Stewardship Project and lawyers representing the two groups suing the county on why and why not to include the Land Stewardship Project in the proceedings.

The decision was not announced immediately in court Thursday.

The Land Stewardship Project submitted papers earlier this spring to intervene in the first lawsuit, filed in mid-March by Minneapolis-based law firm Larkin Hoffman. That suit seeks to nullify the amendment to the countys zoning ordinance preventing the mining and processing of industrial silica sand. In mid-June, the plaintiffs objected to LSPs attempts to intervene in the case, which means they will need to apply through a formal process and receive permission from a judge. The two cases were also consolidated, meaning they would be involved in both.

LSP lawyer Ed Walsh argued that the group should have the right to be involved to represent their members and others who supported the frac sand ban and were involved in the year-long efforts to ban the industry in Winona County.

Walsh also argued that while they do mostly coincide, there were areas that the county had different goals and interests, so LSP should be involved directly.

LSP has a distinct interest in preserving the health and safety of its members, Walsh said. Without LSP being involved, they would have no way to protect their interests.

The lawyers for the two different group suing the county disagreed.

Christopher Dolan, attorney representing Minnesota Sands, said that while there were reasons to allow an intervention by outside groups, LSP hadnt provided any of the necessary ones.

Minnesota Sands, LLC, filed its suit in April, challenging the Winona County ban under the grounds it was unconstitutional and takes away rights of land owners.

Dolan noted that unlike some precedent cases where intervening groups would be directly affected by the outcome, no mine near land owned by LSP members was directly hinged on the courts decision, and if the ban were struck down it would not take away the public hearings, Conditional Use Permits and county oversight needed to sand mine.

Or simply, Dolan said, the direct legal effect of this decision ... will not affect LSP.

The subject matter of this case does not deal with any particular mine, Dolan said. The only issue here is the constitutionality of the statute.

Gary Van Cleve, an attorney for Minneapolis-based law firm Larkin Hoffman, agreed that the fact that members of LSP own property is irrelevant here.

Van Cleve represents a nonprofit formed in January called Southeastern Minnesota Property Owners, and Roger Dablestein, a Saratoga County resident who owns property in Winona County.

He also argued that Minnesotas Supreme Court has precedents denying intervention to non-profit organizations like LSP when their argument for involvement is based preserving something due to the time, money and energy spent promoting it, which he characterized as lobbying efforts.

Both lawyers also questioned the necessity of LSP being involved due to its concerns already being covered by the county.

While it will be decided in the end by Leahy, the attorney representing Winona County, Jay Squires, said the county was neither here nor there on the decision as long as it didnt interrupt the proposed schedule.

Both parties are aiming for a summary judgement in October.

The county doesnt actively support or oppose the intervention request, Squires said.

Leahy, who didnt give a timeline for the decision beyond saying it would be soon, didnt have many questions following the statements.

She did ask whether LSP was concerned that its obvious anti-frac sand mining agenda could be detrimental to Winona Countys efforts, since the amendment is not targeted against the frac sand industry in particular, but rather large scale mining.

My concern is thats the way it could be spun, Leahy said.
Submit an event for Around Town by emailing calendar information to bnr-news@wiscnews.com at least three business days before the event date.

Today

Brat fry: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monsignor OReilly Knights of Columbus Council 746, Festival Foods, 615 Highway 136, Baraboo. Proceeds will benefit the Backpack Project, a community project that provides school supplies and personal items to financially disadvantaged children in the Baraboo School District.

Seminar: Noon to 1 p.m., Aldo Leopold Foundation, Leopold Center, E13701 Levee Road, Baraboo. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire English professor and author B.J. Hollars will lead a discussion on extinct birds from his book, Flock Together: A Love Affair with Extinct Birds. The seminar is free and open to the public. For more information, call 608-355-0279 or visit aldoleopold.org.

Movie: 1 p.m., Sauk City Public Library, 515 Water St., Sauk City. View a free family-friendly movie, rated PG; 2 hours, 10 minutes; call for title. Adults must accompany children 5 and younger. Popcorn and bottled water will be served. For more information, call 608-643-8346 or visit saukcitylibrary.org.

Art Crawl: 5-9 p.m., Reedsburg Artslink, downtown Reedsburg. Reedikulus Art Crawl, free walking tour featuring local and regional fine artists exhibiting in retail spaces, vacant storefronts, back alleys, galleries and city parks. There will be live music, food, free arts activities, wine, and beer available. Visit LK Design & Photography, 170 E. Main St., Reedsburg, from 4:30 p.m. to pick-up an Art Crawl Map/Passport.

Artist show: 5-9 p.m., Wormfarm Institute, Woolen Mill Gallery, 28 E Main St., second floor, Reedsburg. Resident Artist Show includes work by current or early season Artists in Residence showing weaving, book art, wearable art and installation art.

Concert: 6-10 p.m., Full Throttle Night, FloodZone Bar & Grill, 109 W. Broadway, Rock Springs. Performance is by Flip City Live. All proceeds go to the Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue to help care for the animals. In addition to live music, there will be classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, food, arts and crafts vendors, 50/50 raffles and prizes. For more information, call Jeff Kozlowski at 608-697-8643 or email jeff@wisconsinbigcats.org.

Lyme disease support group: 6:30-8 p.m. Hillsboro Public Library, 819 High Ave., Hillsboro. Monthly meeting for people afflicted with lyme borrelia burgdorferi and other tick-bourne diseases in Vernon, Monroe, Sauk and Richland counties. For more information, call Gary Cepek at 608-489-2725, email sudywessos2@mwt.net or mail Gary Cepek, S1468 Cepek Road, Elroy, WI 53929.

Live performance: 7 p.m., Reedsburg Junior Players, CAL Center, 1100 S. Albert Ave., Reedsburg. Performance of Dorothy in Wonderland The Musical. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Paint night: 7-9 p.m., River Arts Inc, River Arts on Water Gallery, 590 Water St., Prairie du Sac. Attendees will etch patterns and designs into glass water bottles. The fee is $40 and includes all necessary supplies, a class instructor and two drink tickets. For more information, contact Kristina at kcoopman@riverartsinc.org, 608-643-5215 or visit riverartsinc.org/crafts-drafts.

Movie night: 7:30 p.m., The Village Booksmith, 526 Oak St., Baraboo. Featured movie will be the 1957, The Smallest Show on Earth with Bill Travers, Virginia McKenna and Peter Sellers. For more information, call 608-355-1001 or visit villagebooksmith.com.

Saturday

Hospice training: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Home Health United-Hospice, training session, St. Clare Hospice House, 915 12th St., in Baraboo. Volunteers are needed in both administrative and patient-interactive areas. For more information or to register for training, call 877-356-4514 or email volunteers@hhuvns.org or visit homehealthunited.org.

Volunteer training: 9-11 a.m., Baraboo River Equine-Assisted Therapies, 12311 Highway W, Baraboo. Volunteers will learn to groom and tack horses and assist with lessons for disabled and special-needs riders. Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age. For more information, call 760-212-8021 or visit barabooriverequineassistedtherapies.org.

Festival: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Reedsburg Revitalization Organization, City Park, 222 N. Park St., Reedsburg. Party in the Park will feature a flea market with antiques and up-cycled wares from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., DJ from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., food vendors from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., free kids crafts from 1-5 p.m., magic show from 3-5 p.m., artwork, and live music with Jake OMcClusky Band from 5-7 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/reedsburgrevitalizationorganization.

Brat sale: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., People Helping People, Cell.Plus, 906 Highway 12, Baraboo. Cell.Plus  US Cellular Agent will match the funds raised, up to $1,000. The PHP brat stand will offer grilled brats for $3.50, all-beef franks for $3, as well as chips, soda and bottled water.

Brat fry: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monsignor OReilly Knights of Columbus Council 746, Festival Foods, 615 Highway 136, Baraboo. Proceeds will benefit the Backpack Project, a community project that provides school supplies and personal items to financially disadvantaged children in the Baraboo School District.

Art Stroll: noon to 5 p.m., Reedsburg Artslink, downtown Reedsburg. Saturdaze Art Gallery Stroll, a self-guided walking tour of established and pop-up venues, with a Party in the Park, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in City Park; featuring a flea market, food trucks, kids crafts, and Jake OMcClusky Band from 5-7 p.m. Visit LK Design & Photography, 170 E. Main St., Reedsburg, to pick up a map.

Live performance: 2 and 7 p.m., Reedsburg Junior Players, CAL Center, 1100 S. Albert Ave., Reedsburg. Performance of Dorothy in Wonderland The Musical. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Fashion show: 2-3 p.m., Wormfarm Institute, Avalon Ballroom, 170 East Main St., second floor above the Vault Wine Bar. Unconventional fashion show, Off the Wall.

Teen build: 4 p.m., Baraboo Public Library, Attridge Park, 900 Second Ave., Baraboo. Help to create a medieval world. This free program is for teens who have completed grades 6-12. For more information, call 608-356-6166 or visit baraboopubliclibrary.org.

Concert: 4:30 p.m., Witwen campground, S9855 Highway E, Sauk City. Outdoor concert with Harmonious Wail. Grounds and concessions open at 4:30 p.m. music starts at 6:30. Bring lawn chairs and beverage. Free to the public; goodwill offering.

Bulls & barrels: Gates open 5 p.m, event 7 p.m., La Valle Team Penners Association, CC Bucking Bulls, E4320 Schultz Road, La Valle, off Highway 33 between Reedsburg and La Valle. La Valle Bulls & Barrels event for bull riding and barrel racing. DJ in concession stand to follow show. Lawn seating is available. Advance tickets $12; at the gate, $15; free for ages 6 and younger. Tickets available at Jays Power Center in Reedsburg, State Bank of Cazenovia in La Valle and Fedderly Dodge in Reedsburg. For more information, call 608-434-3518 or visit ltpa.weebly.com.

Music event: 7 p.m., Mirror Lake State Park. Earth, Music, Magic will be presented at the Amphitheater. The educational musical enrichment presentation will feature primitive musical instruments from all over the world highlighting songs, stories and humor with audience participation. The event is free, but donations would be appreciated. A current park sticker is required to enter the park. Bring a chair or blanket and flashlight. For more information, call 608-254-2333.

Dance: 7:30-10:30 p.m., Devils Lake State Park. Dance to the Big Band sounds of the Hal Edwards Orchestra at the Chateau. Cost is $10. For more information, call 608-356-8301.

Astronomy event: 8:30-10:30 p.m., Devils Lake State Park. Madison Astronomy Society will host Explore the Night Sky. Join astronomers from the University of Wisconsin Astronomy Program to explore the universe. Meet near the North Shore boat launch parking lot behind the Rock Elm Shelter. For more information, call 608-356-8301.

Sunday

Live performance: 2 p.m., Reedsburg Junior Players, CAL Center, 1100 S. Albert Ave., Reedsburg. Performance of Dorothy in Wonderland The Musical. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Ice cream social: 4-7 p.m., North Freedom Methodist Church, 301 E. Walnut St., North Freedom. Everyone is welcome for food and fellowship. Prices range from $1-$3 for barbecue, hot dog, brat, pie, cake, root beer float, drinks and ice cream with toppings.

Concert: 6-8 p.m., Devils Lake State Park. Swing Crew will perform a free concert on the north shore, just outside the Chateau. The concert is sponsored by the Friends of Devils Lake State Park. For more information, call 608-356-8301.

Monday

Senior potluck luncheon: Noon to 1 p.m., Baraboo Area Senior Center, 124 Second St., Room 24, Baraboo. Speaker will be Janet Bolling of Home Health United, who will speak on Senior Bullying. There is no cost, but bring a side dish to pass. For more information call Diane Pillsbury at 608-356-8464.

Blood drive: 1-5 p.m., American Red Cross, Thunderbird Lanes, 1117 Eighth St., Baraboo. To make an appointment or for more information, call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.

Teen craft: 5 p.m., Sauk City Public Library, 515 Water St., Sauk City. Teens can make homemade fidget spinners using zip ties and ball bearings. Space is limited, so sign-up is required. For more information, call 608-643-8346 or visit saukcitylibrary.org.

Cookbook club: 6:30 p.m., Sauk City Public Library, 515 Water St., Sauk City. A potluck-style club that will sample new cookbooks monthly. July pick is Joy of Cooking by Irma Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker and Ethan Becker. Sign up for a dish slot at the checkout counter. For more information, call 608-643-8346 or visit saukcitylibrary.org.

Presentation: 7 p.m., Vicki Braun, Reedsburg Public Library, 370 Vine St., Reedsburg. Free public presentation on Gut and Physiology/Psychology Syndrome or GAPS. For more information, call 608-495-6117. Free on-street parking is available.

Tuesday

Blood Drive: 1-6 p.m., American Red Cross, Bridges Elementary School 1200 Broadway St., Prairie du Sac. To make an appointment or for more information, call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.

Teen lock-in movie: 4 p.m., Baraboo Public Library, 230 Fourth Ave., Baraboo. Students who have completed grades 6-12 can spend the night in the library watching inspirational movies. Permission slips are required for this event. For more information, call 608-356-6166 or visit baraboopubliclibrary.org.

Club meeting: 6:30 p.m., Sauk Prairie Community Club, Junge Park pavilion, 1535 Hemlock St., Sauk City. Dinner will be catered by TJs; bring a beverage. To check availability, call 262-853-3966 or email tee.elle@sbcglobal.net. New members are welcome.

Memoir writing: 6:30 p.m., Baraboo Public Library, 230 Fourth Ave., Baraboo. Free Palm of the Hand memoir writing workshop open to the public. For more information, call 608-356-6166 or visit baraboopubliclibrary.org.

Teen Tuesday: 6:30 p.m., Ruth Culver Community Library, 540 Water St., Prairie du Sac. No-bake dessert recipes featured. Peanut butter and/or nuts may be present. Suited for grades 6-12. For more information, call 608-643-8318 or visit pdslibrary.org.

History presentation: 7 p.m., Sauk County Historical Society, Frank Fischer Center at 20 Wisconsin Dells Parkway South, Lake Delton. Presentation will focus on the 1850s city of Newport, built near what is now Lake Delton. Modern digital mapping will be used to help bring Newport back to life. Pictures of buildings that were once a part of Newport will also be presented. This presentation is free and all are welcome.

Wednesday

Coding club: 2 p.m., Ruth Culver Community Library, 540 Water St., Prairie du Sac. This new club meets Wednesdays through Aug. 23 with a different focus each week. For more information, call 608-643-8318 or visit pdslibrary.org/coding-club.

Community event: 5:30-7 p.m., Meadow Ridge Senior Living, 1700 Jefferson St., Baraboo. National Night Out event is free and open to the public designed to promote safe, strong neighborhoods and support local police and fire departments and Baraboo Community Heroes. The event will include a car show, free custard from Culvers, Joses Mexican Restaurant food cart, music by The Illusive Sounds, lawn games and a bake sale with funds going to benefit Baraboo Community Heroes.

Gamblers meeting: 6-7 p.m., Sauk County Gamblers Anonymous, SSM Health St. Clare Hospital, Crane Room A, 707 14th St., Baraboo. Ongoing meeting meets every Wednesday and Sunday.

Concert: 6:30 p.m., Reedsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Concert in the Park series at City Park. Swing Crew will perform. Bring a lawn chair or blanket; food, refreshments and Farmers Market products will be available; no vehicles or pets allowed in park. For more information, call 608-524-2850. In case of inclement weather, signs will be posted indicating a new location.

Support group: 7:30 p.m., Al-Anon Family Group, The Comfort Zone, St. Vincent De Paul Resource Center, 1906 North St., Prairie du Sac. Support group meets every Wednesday.

Thursday

Clown workshop: 10 a.m., Baraboo Public Library, 230 Fourth Ave., Baraboo. Workshop will be hosted by Greg DeSanto, Executive Director of the International Clown Hall of Fame. Children ages 3-11 can learn how to apply clown makeup, perform circus acts and make people laugh. The workshop will be topped off with a pie-throwing contest. This is a free program. For more information, call 608-356-6166 or visit baraboopubliclibrary.org.

Luncheon: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., SSM Health St. Clare Hospital Auxiliary, Glacier Rock, 626 W. Pine St., Baraboo. Summer Harvest Luncheon Fundraiser with music by Brian Beebe. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the Unique Boutique gift shop in SSM Health St. Clare Hospital, 707 14th St., Baraboo. Limited tickets will be available at the door.

Hospice training: Noon to 4 p.m., Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care, 1670 South Blvd., Baraboo. Volunteers are needed to visit and provide companionship to local hospice patients. For more information, an application and to schedule orientation, call 608-327-7163.

Bingo: 2-3 p.m., Sauk City Public Library, 515 Water St., Sauk City. Bingo every Thursday through Aug. 31. Prizes from book sale coupons to chocolate bars. Free event open to the public. For more information, call 608-643-8346 or visit saukcitylibrary.org.

Concert: 7 p.m., Sauk County Courthouse lawn, 515 Oak St., Baraboo. Concerts on the Square concert series will present Ladies Must Swing. The Al. Ringling Theatre will serve as the rain site. For more information, visit barabooconcertsonthesquare.com.
In four combat deployments, Master Sgt. Erika Stoltz has been rocked by roadside explosions, targeted by bullets and rocket-propelled grenades, and shaken by an enemy attack that claimed a buddys life.

Now the Sun Prairie resident may be discharged from the military and lose her job because her deeply felt  and long hidden  identity as a woman does not match the male gender she was assigned at birth based on anatomy alone.

Stoltz said her heart sank Wednesday after her phone came alive with messages from friends about President Donald Trumps Twitter posts promising to reinstate the militarys ban on transgender service members.

I thought, Oh, we all just lost our jobs,  Stoltz said in an interview Thursday. But on further reflection, tweets dont dictate policy. The Department of Defense is the one that will come out with some kind of policy.

Military authorities referred questions about Trumps tweets to the White House and told transgender personnel like Stoltz to stand by while they decide what to do.

But after 30 years in uniform, and the joy she felt when the ban was lifted in 2016, this latest development burns, she said.

There are thousands of people in this military who are transgender or gender-nonconforming, and all we want to do is serve, Stoltz said. But as of yesterday I dont know what is going to happen.

It was less than two years ago that Stoltz told her commanders and fellow soldiers that the sergeant they had known as Eric felt certain she was a woman.

At that time, the Pentagon was preparing to announce that transgender service members, like gay and lesbian personnel, would no longer need to be secretive. Stoltz said her commanding officer had just one question: Could she still do her job? She said she could. He said, no problem.

She attended her units 2015 Christmas party dressed as myself, and found nearly everyone was supportive.

Almost all of the military people Ive known throughout my 30-something years in the military is as long as you can cover my (back) and I can cover your (back), and we can watch out for each other, thats all that matters, Stoltz said.

Still, if she had come out much earlier, commanders would have been expected to discharge her.

Wanted to serve

her country

Stoltz said she knew growing up she was different in a way society didnt accept, so she kept it to herself.

I joined the military to be a better person, and I wanted to serve my country, Stoltz said. But through the years it just got harder and harder and harder for me.

The La Crosse native enlisted in the active-duty Army in 1980 soon after high school. After three years she transferred to the Marine Corps, and later the Marine reserve. After that she joined the Army reserve, and she remains a member today.

In addition, for the last 17 years she has held a full-time civilian job handling human resources for the unit.

As a reserve she trains one weekend a month, plus one two-week session annually. Without her reserve status, she could not keep the full-time civilian job.

Stoltz deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 and 2014. Long before that she went to Iraq during the Gulf War. She returned to Iraq in 2005, to serve in a security detail that patrolled outside a base. It was a year when violence was escalating. Nearly 850 U.S. personnel were killed, including a friend whose patrol vehicle ran over a hidden bomb and went up in flames.

Stoltzs last two deployments were as a combat engineer who searched for buried bombs. Twice her convoy found them the hard way. She said she suffers from headaches that began in 2011 after an improvised explosive device blew up directly under her vehicle.

She has received treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Madison.

In a dark little

room in my mind

After the 2014 deployment, she came out to her wife of 20 years, and went into counseling at the VA.

I was depressed, living in a little dark room in my mind, Stoltz said.

At the VA she received hormone replacement therapy that she said aligned her mind and body and spirit as one. The therapy and being open with family and friends lifted a huge weight, she said. Stoltz and her wife are still married.

Now Im a happier and more vibrant person, and Im able to do things with my wife I couldnt do before ... My wife is happy, and all the people I know know Im happy.

Stoltz feels frustrated and apprehensive about the presidents plans. She doesnt relish the idea of finding another job as a transgender woman at the age of 55.

Despite research indicating transgender personnel serving openly had little affect on costs or readiness, Trump asserted that he was acting to prevent disruption and tremendous medical costs.

Stoltz said she has been in contact with many other transgender service members in Wisconsin and elsewhere, but until now hadnt agreed to interview requests from news reporters.

The threat that the ban could be reinstated made her reconsider.

The biggest thing, Stoltz said, is for every person in the LGBT community to fight for equality, to fight for the right to be a human being, to never give up, never give in, and be visible.
Local leaders have signed off on a plan to improve a vacant piece of property in Reedsburg.

Common Council approved selling a city owned lot at 140 Eagle St. to Dan DeBaets of DCI. The sale price would be $1, but DeBaets plans to make $85,000 worth of improvements.

According to the developers agreement, he would build a 1,240-square-foot facility for rental, maintenance and storage for his business and the 400 Trail. The estimated increase to the tax base is $1,733.35.

Construction is expected to take two years, said City Planner Brian Duvalle.

Mayor David Estes said its nice to see a property return to the tax rolls.

Thats what Im looking for, he said.

Fees

Council tabled a request to reduce park impact fees for Lakeside Foods. City Administrator Stephen Compton said the company wants the city to waive the $9,600 bill for its seasonal housing project in the industrial park. The Parks and Recreation Committee previously approved reducing the fee to $4,800.

The question is whether or not commercial and industrial development should be subject to park fees, and a study of the current ordinance could take some time, Compton said. He said it may be time to update the model but not before thorough research and discussion. Rules need to be fair to everyone while ensuring money isnt cut off for park improvements and maintenance.

Compton doesnt recommend doing full reimbursements because it would set a precedent; anyone who wants to build could request a full waiver.

Councilman Calvin Craker said he doesnt want to see money dry up for parks. He said the city is up front about how construction carries park impact fees.

They should have known before they built they would need to pay this, he said.

Estes said the issue deserves discussion but he also wants to support parks.

I just caution the council with this one. Thats my recommendation, he said.

A representative of Lakeside Foods was not present to speak during the meeting.

Clerk pay

Council authorized a suggestion to increase the city clerk-treasurers salary. Jacob Crosetto will now receive $31.01 per hour instead of $28.88, according to city records.

Compton said the recommendation follows 6 months of wage considerations and proposed adjustments. The raise brings Crosetto in line with the average minimum pay of clerk-treasurers across Wisconsin, or $32.01. The medium-range average is $36.37, and highest average is $40.73.

The budget can absorb the increase, Compton said.

Crosetto has worked for the city for one year.

Police update

Reedsburg Police Chief Tim Becker revealed how drugs have become a serious problem during a presentation to council. He said Sauk County and regional departments have stepped up efforts to curb the prevalence of meth, heroin and opioid addiction.

He pointed to recent Narcan spray training held throughout Sauk County and related how the emergency treatment could protect officers exposed to hazardous powdered drugs.

The county has also secured a MAT grant to help those addicted to painkillers. Becker said it includes counseling and an injection to help addicts kick their habit. Each shot costs around $12,000 and is administered once per month.

Becker said Meth Aware started this year to help the public better understand the warning signs of meth and its production. The effort includes educating pharmacies and hardware stores on how to watch for suspicious combinations of supplies and medicines.

Meth has become more dangerous, he added, because it can be made in a beverage bottle now.

The fact you ingest it is beyond me, he said.
It seemed like any ordinary day when Principal Karen Marklein walked through the doors of Sacred Heart School.

Within seconds she realized something was wrong. Her office door was ajar and there were two laptops scattered on the nearby gym floor. When she stepped inside, she said she saw drawers opened and papers tossed to the floor. She was alone and immediately called 911.

The Reedsburg Police Department apprehended 3 suspects, all teenage males, according to a report. More arrests are possible, and all were charged burglary, theft and criminal damage to property. Its unknown if the boys were students at the school.

Marklein and staff  normally minimal during the summer  are still trying to figure out what all has been disturbed.

Windows in 8 classrooms were busted out and desks were rifled through, perhaps by culprits searching for money or valuables, she said. Shaving cream was taken from a room and sprayed across several bulletin boards.

In one room the smartboard had been torn down. Replacement and installation could cost $2,000, she said. Overall, damages could top $8,000, according to the police report.

Locker, music and computer rooms were also broken open, Marklein said. None of the main doors or windows outside seemed to have been forced, so its a mystery how the subjects entered the school.

Marklein said a penny canister was half full when she left the previous night. It was nearly empty the next morning.

Five laptops were damaged, and staffers arent sure if any were taken, she said. Authorities and employees also arent certain why the intruders broke two on the gym floor.

Marklein said no one knows the full cost of the damage yet, and teachers are still finding random change and supplies missing. The process is likely to continue once school begins this fall. For now everyone is cooperating with police, taking inventory and praying for a positive outlook, she said.

The incident is invasive and unfortunate, but Marklein said she doesnt wish ill will on the guilty parties. She said she feels sorry for those who committed the crimes and wonders if difficult times prompted their actions.

Its so sad, she said. I just feel I need to pray for them. Thats what we teach our students. We have to forgive.

Sacred Heart School, open since 1955, teaches grades 1-8, Marklein said. Enrollment stands at around 120 children.
Residents living within reach of toxic groundwater pollution near the former Badger Army Ammunition Plant questioned Army officials Wednesday about their sudden abandonment of a proposed $20 million public drinking water system.

Army representatives said theyre committed to ensuring people living near the property have access to clean drinking water, but said an Army representative acted prematurely when committing to fund a public drinking water system for the residents.

Army plans for a public drinking water system were discussed by the Army as early as 2010, but gained steam in the spring and summer of 2015 when the Army and U.S. Department of Agriculture petitioned the town of Merrimac to form a water district and governing board, while promising to pick up the $20 million construction tab.

Residents living near the former plant were invited to a public meeting Wednesday at the Sauk City Public Library hosted by Army representatives to discuss cleanup activities at Badger  the first such meeting in about a year.

Army representatives Michael Kelly, restoration branch chief from the U.S. Army assistant chief of staff for installation management, along with John Tesner, director for restoration from the office of the assistant secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment said despite the fact the Army would not fund a new public drinking water system for Merrimac residents impacted by contamination around the former ammunition plant, it was not abandoning its commitment to the community.

We understand how difficult that is, Tesner said. The Army prides itself on what we say were going to do  were going to do and follow through. But in this particular incident we are not going to be able to do that right now.

Members of the audience said the Army waited too long to communicate its decision, is not honoring its commitment and has not come up with any new solution to the contamination issues plaguing them.

Tesner said the Army is committed to finding a remedy for Badger.

One of the things that is often said is that the DOD (Department of Defense) does not recognize the groundwater needs to be restored to its beneficial levels, Tesner said. That is not the case. At the very highest levels of the Pentagon, the Department of Defense level  that assertion has been made and has been made very recently that even if we cant do the drinking water system we will have a remedy and we will stick to it.

One resident who lives nearby said his well hasnt been tested for contaminants in six years.

How can you guarantee there are no chemicals in my water? he asked.

Kelly said the Army was confident in the indicator wells it has been testing for contaminants.

Kelly said in the cleanup program has more than 12,000 sites where some kind of cleanup and action needs to happen.

Joel Janssen of SpecPro Professional Services, the firm contracted to test the water, said in two of the three plume areas tested, concentrations of DNT are decreasing or have stabilized.

Kelly said with a decrease or stabilization in the chemicals in the majority of wells it is time where we move from an active remedy to a more passive one, but that doesnt mean we go away.

Testing will continue at wells in strategic areas, Army representatives said.

The good news is many of the sites are moving through the process and we are finding remedies just like we are working toward implementing these here at the former Badger Army Ammunition site, Kelly said.

He said the Defense Environmental Restoration program is a program followed by all military branches.

With that comes certain guidelines and rules, Kelly said. With that, we are taking care of the past sins of the DOD. Obviously you can look at the plume maps and there were past sins. We didnt know what was ultimately going to happen.

The Army said it now has a remedial investigative contract, and in early 2018 will draft a remedial investigation for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. By mid 2018, it will finalize the remedial investigation, followed by another feasibility study at a date yet to be determined.

Kelly said it is difficult to admit the military has to walk back and said the Army representative in charge of making decisions for Badger spoke too soon when committing to a drinking water system, as the research on the situation had not yet been completed.

A resident said it was fine the Army admitted it made a mistake, but now wants to know when the problem is going to be fixed.

Youre commitment was to this community, the resident said. You said you were going to do it. What you are missing is this is not Merrimacs problem, its an internal Army problem. So fix it.

Tesner said the Army already has made policy changes so similar errors arent repeated.

Other residents implored the Army to make more information available to them and much quicker. One resident suggested the Army develop a website to keep people informed. Many also said they wanted the Army to take their thoughts and suggestions into future remedial plans.

We havent reached any real conclusions; its just been an exchange of thoughts, another resident said. Talk is cheap. We want action.




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Talks confirmed for Korean stake in UK Horizon nuclear project

28 July 2017

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Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) confirmed today it is in talks about "cooperation" with Horizon Nuclear Power, which is planning to build two large reactors at Wylfa Newydd in Wales.

KHNP said that Hitachi Japan had proposed cooperation with Horizon, its fully-owned UK project company, and that "KHNP is in the early stages of examining various aspects of cooperation from a practical point of view."

The company said there had been no discussion with Horizon of a role operating nuclear reactors.

How Wylfa Newydd could look in the mid-2020s (Image: Horizon)

Horizon is pursuing a project to construct two Advanced Boiling Water Reactors (ABWRs) at Wylfa Newydd on the island of Anglesey in North Wales. Horizon is owned by Hitachi and the reactors would be supplied by Hitachi-GE. The ABWR is undergoing regulatory assessment, with construction start estimated to begin in 2019.

KHNP is a South Korean utility which owns and operates 24 reactors across seven sites to provide the country with 30% nuclear electricity. The technology comes from Kepco, another state-owned company, which developed its own pressurised water reactor designs from Westinghouse units imported in the early 1980s as well as a full domestic supply chain. Kepco is leading the construction of four of its latest model, the APR-1400, in the UAE and is also rumoured to be interested in the UK market.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topics
Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia, a southeastern country of the Indochina peninsula. Phnom Penh is located at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac and the Tonle Sap rivers. Phnom Penh covers an area of 262 square miles and is composed of 12 administrative divisions, referred to as Khans. The municipality has a population of more than 2 million people, making it the most populous city in the country. Most residents of the municipality are Cambodians (about 90%), while Chinese and Vietnamese are minorities. The town plays a significant role in Cambodia by providing economic, social, religious and political opportunities to various groups.

History of the Capital of Cambodia

Phnom Penh is an ancient city founded in 1372. According to legend, an old woman and adherent of Buddhism established the town. The town served as the capital of the kingdom between 1432 and 1505, after which it was abandoned for more than three centuries. King Norodom reinstated the city as the capital of the kingdom as well as the royal residence. During the reign of the French in the 19th century, the town grew tremendously to become one of the important cities in Asia. The city continued this growth into the 20th century, when the growth declined during the Vietnamese war.

Traditional and Modern Significance of Phnom Penh

When it was established, the town played a major role in the Buddhist religion, with the Phnom hill serving as a shrine for the Buddhist relics found by the old woman floating in the water. Later, the city served as an important political and administrative center, with several governments establishing their offices there. In subsequent centuries, the city grew into an important commercial and residential center. Phnom Penh is currently a major economic region of Cambodia due to its large contribution to the Cambodian economy. The town provides employment opportunities for a large population in small and medium enterprises, as well as the growing real estate and tourism industries.

Infrastructure of Phnom Penh

The first infrastructural development in the municipality occurred in the 19th century under French rule. During this period, schools, roads, hotels, residential units and other social amenities were constructed, converting the small village into a major modern city. The infrastructural growth continued through the 20th and 21st centuries, with the city currently hosting some important landmarks, such as the Vattanac Capital Tower. However, this infrastructural development has led to inadequate and insufficient drainage systems, resulting in flooding during the rainy season.

Tourism in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is one of the top tourist destinations in Cambodia. Tourism in the city contributes about 17% of the national GDP and employs about 14% of the population. The town offers a blend of the natural, the old, and the new with its unique sights and stops. Some of the unique features pulling tourists into the city include the rich architecture of the French colonial era, the vibrant post-independence New Khmer architecture, the historical lure of the museums and unique culture, which includes aspects such as festivals. Tourist attractions in the city include the National Museum, the Royal Palace, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the Independence Monument, the Russian market, and the Silver Pagoda.
In the multilingual nation of Burkina Faso, an estimated 70 languages are spoken throughout the country. 66 of these languages are indigenous languages. French is Burkina Fasos official language. Mossi is the most widely spoken language of Burkina Faso, as it is spoken by nearly 40% of the countrys population. Most people living in the countrys urban areas are multilingual, while the rural population uses their native languages for common activities.

The Official Language of Burkina Faso

French is Burkina Fasos official language. The language was introduced in the country in 1919 during French colonial rule in the country. The language is the primary medium of instruction in the countrys schools. It is also the dominant language used in the countrys judicial, administrative, and political institutions, as well as the press. Despite the wide use of French for official purposes in Burkina Faso, only 15% of the nations population speak French on a daily basis. However, since education in French assures social mobility and economic support for education for the countrys students, there is constant support towards the use of French as a medium of instruction in Burkina Fasos schools.

Indigenous and Minority Languages of Burkina Faso

Mossi

The Mossi language is spoken by about 5 million Mossi people in Burkina Faso. It is one of Burkina Fasos two official regional languages. Mossi is a Gur language, a member of the OtiVolta branch of languages. It is the countrys most widely spoken language. As of 2008, nearly 48% of the population of Burkina Faso spoke the Mossi language. The language is spoken mainly in the central region of Burkina Faso, especially around the capital of Ouagadougou.

Fulfulde/Fula

The Fulfulde language is a member of the Senegambian branch of the Niger-Congo language family. The language serves as a lingua franca in many areas of Burkina Faso. The language is spoken by about 8.36% of the country's population. First language speakers of Fulfulde reside primarily in the east and north of Burkina Faso.

Dyula

The Mande language of Dyula is spoken in countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and the Ivory Coast. Millions of people speak this language, which is an important trade language and is mutually intelligible with Bambara. The language uses Latin, Arabic, and the indigenous N'Ko script for writing. As of 2006, 4.4% of the population of Burkina Faso speak Dyula. It acts as a lingua franca in the country, and is mainly spoken in the western parts of Burkina Faso.

Gourmanche

Around 5.51% of the population of Burkina Faso speak the Gourmanche language. It is spoken as a first language by the Gurma people living mainly in the eastern parts of the country.

Other Languages Spoken in Burkina Faso

Bissa

The Mande language of Bissa is spoken by about 2.85% of the population of Burkina Faso. It is spoken as a first language by the Bissa people. Barka, Lebir, and Lere are the three dialects of the language.

Dagare

The language is spoken by the Dagaaba people in Burkina Faso and Ghana. It is spoken by about 1.76% of the country's population.

Bwa

The Gur language of Bwa is spoken by the Bwa people of Burkina Faso, who constitute about 1.91% of the countrys population.

Bobo

The Mande language of Bobo is spoken in Burkina Faso by the Bobo people. Bobo Dioulasso, a city in western Burkina Faso, is named after the Bobo people.

Samo

Around 1.66% of the population of Burkina Faso speak the Mande language of Samo.
Portugal is located in southwestern Europe and is one of the earliest European countries to have carried out voyages around the world. Within an area of 35,560 square miles, Portugal has a population of more than 10 million people. About 96% of the country's population is of Portuguese descent, with the remaining population forming the minority communities. Other ethnic groups include Spaniards, Iberians, and Italians. Portuguese is, therefore, the commonly spoken language and the first language of most of the population. The Portuguese have adopted the use of other foreign languages, mainly English, French, and Spanish. Portuguese is the country's official language, while English is the second most common language.

Portuguese: The Official Language of Portugal

Portuguese is an Indo-European Romance language and the official language of Portugal. Portuguese is used in several other countries, which have had contact with Portugal over the years. A large population of Portugals population, about 96%, speaks Portuguese. Most of these Portuguese speakers use the language as their mother tongue. In Portugal, the language has ten unique dialects. Portuguese is used in all spheres of life in the country, from writing to most of the communication in business and daily interactions. Portuguese is also used in former colonies and territories of Portugal.

Other Popular Languages Spoken in Portugal

English

English is the second most widely spoken language in Portugal. While the language has almost no native speakers within the country, English has grown to become a major language in tourist areas such as Lisbon. Also making up a majority of the English speakers are professionals, and compared to Spain, there are more English speakers in Portugal. The growth of the English language in Portugal is linked to the small size of the country, thus opening it to outside influences, interaction with English and American films, a close relationship with England, as well as the openness of the Portuguese in learning foreign languages. The language is also taught in schools as a second language and is slowly gaining popularity among youth.

Spanish and French

Spanish is spoken by about 10% of the population. Being a Romance language, Spanish has a close similarity to Portuguese, making it easy for a Portuguese speaker to understand a Spanish speaker. The use of French in Portugal has declined over the years, with most of the population preferring English over the French language. French was introduced in Portugal during the 19th century and remained popular until the 1970s. Currently, French is mostly spoken by elderly segments of the population.

Mirandese

Mirandese is an Indo-European and Astur-Leonese language spoken by a small population (about 15,000), both as a first and second language. The language is spoken in three municipalities located in the northeastern part of the country. These municipalities are Vimioso, Miranda do Douro and Mogaduro. Mirandese is recognized as a co-official regional language, alongside Portuguese. The language has three distinct dialects: border, central, and Sendinesse Mirandese.

Portuguese Sign Language

The Constitution of Portugal recognizes Portuguese Sign Language. The deaf community in Portugal, which is made up of about 60,000 persons, communicates using this form of sign language. Portuguese Sign Language is a member of the Swedish Sign Language family, and is native to Portugal.
The Bahamas is an island nation located on the Atlantic Ocean and a member of the British Commonwealth. The island has a population of about 392,718 people of diverse origins and characteristics. The composition of the Bahamian population has developed over the centuries through economic, political, and social relations. The Afro-Bahamian population has its roots in West African slaves who were freed from the Barbados. The white population is from various contacts with the Europeans and Americans, as well as the migration of Jews who escaped persecution in Europe. English is the official language of the Bahamas and is spoken by a majority of the population. Also popular languages are Bahamian English and Haitian Creole. Haitian Creole is common among the Haitian population.

English: The Official Language of the Bahamas

British settlers arrived in the Bahamas in the early 18th century, bringing with them their language and culture. The declaration of Bahamas as a British protectorate resulted in the introduction of the English language. English is the national and official language of the Bahamas. Bahamians use British English in their communication, publication of government and official records, mass media production, education, and business or other commercial transactions. Bahamian English is a dialect that has developed and is unique to the Bahamas for informal interactions. However, standard British English is used for official and educational purposes.

Bahamian Creole: A Popular Vernacular Language

Bahamian creole is a language in the English creole family, widely used as a vernacular language among the Bahamians, especially those in urban areas. The language has its origin in the interactions of local native languages and dialects with British English. Variants of Bahamian creole exist between the black and white populations. More than 400,000 people are native speakers of the Bahamian creole, and the language is an important cultural aspect of the Bahamian population, as it displays their distinct and uniqueness in the vocabulary and dialect of the language. The language also has some similarities with creole languages of the neighboring islands.

Haitian Creole

A part of the Bahamian population is comprised of Haitian immigrants who moved to the island during the 19th century. About 25% of the Bahamian population speaks Haitian Creole. Haitian Creole is an Indo-European French-based creole language that developed in the French colony of Haiti during the 17th and 18th centuries. The language emerged during the Atlantic slave trade through relations between French masters and African slaves. West African languages, Portuguese, Spanish, Taino, and English, have also influenced the language.

Foreign Languages Spoken in the Bahamas

The Bahamas is a top tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world. With a basic knowledge of English, it is possible to communicate with the Bahamians since most of them understand the language. Despite varying dialects, such as Bahamian English, mutual understanding between an English speaker and a Bahamian is possible. Those tourists from non-English speaking countries will need to hire a translator or learn some basic English. The expatriate communities in the island also require a basic understanding of the language. There are several language schools teaching English to interested learners.
Jari Huttunen made a sensational WRC 2 debut to lead the category at Neste Rally Finland on Friday night.

The young Finn was driving a four-wheel drive car for only the second time in his career, but took charge of the WRCs principal support category to lead by 56.2sec in his Skoda Fabia R5.



Huttunen drove the car for the first time on a local rally two weeks ago, but won nine of todays 12 speed tests to lead the similar car of the more experienced Quentin Gilbert.



He survived a scare after drifting into a field this afternoon, but stretched his advantage after seeing off challenges from Juuso Nordgrens Fabia and Ford Fiesta R5 drivers Gus Greensmith and Pierre-Louis Loubet.



Greensmith was second before a broken driveshaft cost the Briton a place. Worse was to come when a pace note error caught him out on a tightening corner and he damaged the rear right of the car and retired.



Nordgren also ran second before plunging to eighth when he damaged a wheel and dropped 2min 20sec, while Loubet crashed when in pursuit of Huttunen.



Fabio Andolfi snatched third from Hiroki Arai in the final stage. The Italians advantage was just 3.9sec over the Japanese driver, who dropped time after a pop-off valve problem cost vital power in his Fiesta.



Britons Tom Cave and Osian Pryce were fifth and sixth. Cave finished the day with three-wheel braking after a leaking pipe delayed his Hyundai i20 R5, while Pryce struggled to find a perfect set-up on his second prize drive in a Fiesta R5.



2016 Junior WRC champion Simone Tempestini also found it hard to adapt his car to the demands of Fridays stages. The Romanian ended in ninth place.



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Young charger Esapekka Lappi ousted experienced team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala from the lead of Neste Rally Finland on Friday afternoon.

Stage info: SS8-10 SS8: Aanekoski-Valtra 1, 7.39km

Back in the rally last year for the first time since 1980, Aanekoski-Valtra is a fast road, almost two cars wide from start to finish, that zig-zags between fields and houses. Not known as a particularly challenging test except for a sharp right bend over a crest after 1.6km which tightens, and an equally tricky tightening left between the trees at 3km. Last year, Yazeed Al Rajhi finished this stage in spectacular style, crossing the finish sliding on his roof. SS9: Laukaa 1, 11.76km

Back after a six-year break, Laukaa mixes high-speed roads and flowing crests with a 2km sequence of short straights and tight bends from the 1.7km point. Also notable is the tightening left-hander over a crest at 7.4km that has caused problems in the past. Accurate pace notes are vital, as is plenty of bravery for the final flat-out sprint to the finish. SS10: Lankamaa, 21.68km

Another Finland classic returning after a few years away, Lankamaa is not a jump-fest, but makes up for it in speed. A couple of new hay bale chicanes have been added to try and keep the average speeds down. The stage is notable too for a sandy heath section at 8km which is fast and demands accurate lines.

Lappi, starting only his fourth rally at the WRCs top level, claimed his sixth victory in nine speed tests today to edge ahead of his Toyota Gazoo Racing colleague and fellow Finn by three-tenths of a second.

Lappi had closed on Latvala since an overly-cautious opening this morning and finally moved his Toyota Yaris ahead after a big attack through the 21.68km Lankamaa special stage to lead a WRC round for the first time.

The feeling is quite nice! he said. I gave everything I could. I knew this was a tricky stage and I was pushing so much and to be only 1.4sec quicker than Jari-Matti shows the quality of the competition.

Finns dominated the top of the leaderboard, holding the first four places. Latvala completed Lankamaa, the last of a loop of three tests, with slight damage to the right rear of his Yaris after clipping a chicane, but he headed Teemu Suninen by 14.4sec.

Suninen won the Aanekoski-Valtra test in his Ford Fiesta and was 10.2sec clear of Juho Hanninen in another Yaris, but there were major concerns for the Toyota man. He hit a rock 6km after the start of Lankamaa, damaging the rear right suspension mounting.

Craig Breen and Mads stberg both lost ground in the podium battle. Breen lost the brakes in his Citroen C3 midway through Lankamaa, while stberg conceded almost 20sec after a joint in his Fiestas track control arm came loose.

Breen held onto fifth but the Norwegian fell behind both the Irishman and Elfyn Evans to seventh.

Kris Meeke was also in trouble, ending the stage with hay bale tape trailing from his C3. The Ulsterman didnt wait to explain what happened, but dropped about 15sec.

A frustrated Thierry Neuville continued to labour in ninth. I think Im driving well but I cant match the others. I should be faster than this, said the Hyundai i20 pilot.

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Two weeks after the Iraqi government hailed the liberation of Mosul, the scale and criminality of the mass slaughter carried out during the US-backed siege continues to emerge.

Iraqi soldiers and officers speaking to a reporter from Middle East Eye (MEE) have revealed that during the assault on the densely populated Old City of western Mosul, the order was given to massacre everyone remaining, men, women and children.

We killed them all, an Iraqi soldier told MEE. Daesh [ISIS] men, women and children. We killed everyone.

An Iraqi major told the web site, After liberation was announced, the order was given to kill anything or anyone that moved. He added that most of the remaining fighters of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the Sunni Islamist militia that took control of the city in June 2017, had surrendered to the army. They gave themselves up, and we just killed them, he said.

The report, one of the few from Mosul, from which US-backed Iraqi security forces have barred the media, paints a horrific portrait of what was once Iraqs second-largest city:

Hundreds of corpses lie half-buried in the broken masonry and rubble that was once a bustling, historic quarter. The stench of decaying flesh, which comes fast in the 50C summer heat, overwhelms the senses.

Feet are the most distinguishable remains; there are many poking from the rubble.

That final killing spree has left its mark, and it is one some appear keen to cover over.

Over the last week, armoured bulldozers have trundled back and forth over the crumpled houses, grinding uncounted corpses into the rubble.

But the dead refuse to go away. Rotting body parts glow a reddish-brown amid the pale grey of the undulating heatscape of masonry, dust and broken buildings.

The reporter also describes the large number of corpsesincluding those of small childrenfloating in or washed up on the banks of the Tigris River. While some are no doubt victims of US airstrikes, summary executions and fighting, the Iraqi major told MEE that others were civilians deliberately slaughtered. People went down to the river to get water because they were dying of thirst and we killed them, he said.

While initially the security forces and the government ignored pleas from the local population to assist in attempting to recover the remains of their loved ones, now they are actively engaged in ensuring that the bodies of the sieges victims disappear forever.

The armored bulldozers brought in have, according to the MEE report, churned over the rubble and the corpses and then driven back and forth over the terrain so that the real loss of life in the final bloodbath of the Mosul conflict will never be known.

The same bulldozers are apparently creating still more victims, with drivers ordered to fill up holes leading to underground tunnels, potentially burying alive survivors still hiding in them.

While neither the Pentagon nor Iraqi security forces have offered any estimate as to the number of civilian lives lost in the nearly nine months of siege and US airstrikes that pummeled the city, the number is massive. According to Iraqs former foreign and finance minister, Hoshyar Zebari, who was quoted in an interview last week with Patrick Cockburn of the British Independent, the Kurdish Regional Governments intelligence agency has estimated that 40,000 men, women and children were killed.

Some 1 million residents of Mosul and its surrounding area were driven from their homes by the siege, and nearly 850,000 of them are listed by relief agencies as being currently displaced. Across the country, the figure is 3 million.

The terror has not ended for the survivors, with families suspected of having collaborated with ISIS during the three years that it ruled the city facing reprisals.

Moreover, vast numbers of children have been left orphans by the siege. The Guardian quoted Sukaina Mohamed Younes, the head of the Office of Women and Children in Nineveh province, of which Mosul is the capital, as reporting, We have received from Mosul tens of thousands of children who lost their mother and father.

These reports demonstrate the real meaning of the Pentagons announcement that it was pursuing a strategy of annihilation in its so-called war on ISIS. The massive and indiscriminate killing in Mosul constitutes a war crime of world historic proportions. Yet, the same corporate media that was broadcasting every report and image of civilian suffering it could lay its hands on during the siege of Aleppo by Russian-backed Syrian government forces last year has turned its back on Mosul, deliberately covering up the evidence of Washingtons criminality.

Even as the scale of the slaughter in Mosul continues to emerge, US-backed forces are intensifying their siege of the ISIS-held Syrian city of Raqqa, resulting in a steady escalation of civilian casualties.

The so-called Syrian Democratic Forces, which is dominated by the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, has reportedly taken close to half of the city amid heavy fighting.

The group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, initially formed to document ISIS atrocities in the Syrian city, reported on Wednesday that 36 civilians, most of them women and children, were killed and another 50 wounded in US airstrikes and artillery bombardments. On Thursday, the same group reported that US artillery fire was targeting the citys National Hospital. The organization has used its Facebook page to post photographs of those killed in the siege. An estimated 50,000 people remain trapped under the hail of US bombs and shells.

Commanders of the US-led anti-ISIS coalition have made it clear that driving ISIS out of the destroyed cities of Mosul and Raqqa will by no means spell an end to their military operations in both Iraq and Syria.

Daesh is not defeated with the liberation of Raqqa. The defeat of Daesh was not completed with the liberation of Mosul, British Maj. Gen. Rupert Jones, a spokesman for the coalition, told reporters last Sunday. There would still be a great deal more to do, he added.

Washington, backed by the British government, intends to establish permanent bases in both countries. It aims to continue operations directed at countering both Iranian and Russian influence, which US imperialism views as an obstacle to its protracted military campaign to assert its hegemony over the oil-rich Middle East. In this context, the so-called anti-ISIS campaign is merely the antechamber to far wider and more dangerous military conflicts.
Ominous statements over the past 48 hours by top American military commanders underscore how close the world is to a devastating war on the Korean Peninsula, which, for the first time since 1945, could involve the use of nuclear weapons.

The propaganda pretext for war is the claim of US imperialism and its allies that the isolated North Korean regime is on the verge of developing a nuclear-armed inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of destroying major cities on the American mainland.

General Mark Milley, the Chief of Staff of the Army, told a conference at the National Press Club in Washington yesterday: War in the Korean Peninsula would be terrible, however, a nuclear weapon detonating in Los Angeles would be terrible.

Pointing to the preparations for a pre-emptive US attack, Milley declared that time is running out for a non-military solution to US demands that North Korea end its nuclear and missile weapons programs. The Trump administration, he stated, was at a point in time where [the] choice will have to be made one way or the other.

The general gloated that the US would utterly destroy the North Korean military. There would be a high cost in terms of human life, in terms of infrastructure.

Milleys statements follow those made last weekend by General Joseph Dunford, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He told a security forum that a war with North Korea was not unimaginable. Proceeding to imagine the consequences, he declared a war would cause a loss of life unlike any we have experienced in our lifetimes. Dunford insisted that negotiations would only take place for a few more months.

Passed over by the establishment media, which breathlessly reported such assertions, is the obvious question as to why North Koreaan economically backward state with a gross domestic product of barely $25 billionwould risk annihilation in a war with the planets greatest military power.

The North Korean regime in Pyongyang headed by Kim Jong-un is without question a brutal and reactionary dictatorship, but it is not irrational. Its senior officials have repeatedly said their refusal to end the weapons programs is a response to what happened to Iraq and Libya after the governments of those countries submitted to US dictates.

Iraq was invaded in 2003 and its top leadership and hundreds of thousands of its citizens slaughtered. Libya was plunged into an imperialist-instigated civil war in 2011, which was used to justify a massive US-led bombardment that killed thousands of civilians. Its leader, Muammar Gaddafi, was murdered by an Islamist lynch mob.

The Korean people know all too well the carnage that US imperialism can and will inflict in pursuit of its geo-strategic objectives. The day Milley made his statements, July 27, was the 64th anniversary of the end of the 195053 Korean War. The most conservative estimate is that three million people were killed or woundedtwo million in what is now North Korea.

The US air bombardment of the North was murderous. The US Air Force noted in an assessment: Eighteen of twenty-two major cities in North Korea had been at least half obliterated. US general Curtis LeMay later recalled: We burned down just about every city in North Korea and South Korea both. We killed off over a million civilian Koreans and drove several million more from their homes. By the end of the conflict, pilots were reportedly dropping their payloads in the sea because there were no buildings left for them to level.

American imperialism has never accepted the outcome of the Korean War, which left North Korea intact to function as a buffer between the US military forces in South Korea and both China and Russia, which border the peninsula. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991which was North Koreas main economic partnersuccessive US administrations have pursued the barely concealed policy of regime-change in Pyongyang. The objective is to incorporate the North into South Korea and fundamentally alter the strategic balance of forces in North East Asia.

The rhetoric and threats of war over North Koreas nuclear program are unfolding in the context of ever-mounting antagonisms between the US and China. China is viewed in Washington as an unacceptable challenge to American dominance due to its development into the worlds second largest economy and its increasing strategic influence. The greatest fear in American ruling circles is that the logic of global economic integration will result in a geopolitical partnership consolidating across the vast Eurasian landmass, involving the German-dominated European bloc, Russia and China, and ultimately drawing in Japan and other key US allies in Asia.

US imperialist strategy, in every part of the world, is driven by a determination to disrupt this process and prevent it becoming a reality. The threat of war with North Korea is a disruption of immense proportions. China and Russia have rejected US-led attempts to subject North Korea to complete economic isolation and opposed any military action on the peninsula. There are reports of major Chinese military deployments on its Korean border. Encounters between Chinese or Russian aircraft with American or Japanese aircraft occur daily. US allies in both Europe and Asia, even as they seek closer trade relations with China, are under pressure to fall in behind Washington.

The situation is rendered even more volatile and dangerous by the besieged character of the Trump presidency. The administration is descending into in-fighting and turmoil over the investigations underway into claims by the intelligence agencies that Trump won office due to Russian interference. The possibility cannot be excluded that Trumps administration will respond to its crisis by attempting to divert tensions outward by launching a major war.

The US military thinks this is entirely possible. Hence its reported response to a Trump tweet yesterday morning which read: After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow

For nine minutes, before Trump sent the second part of the message declaring he was banning transgender people from military service, the Pentagon allegedly believed the president was about to announce the start of hostilities via Twitter. If true, it is not difficult to imagine the phone calls that went out to American military commanders in South Korea, Japan and around the world. It can be assumed that the North Korean, Chinese and Russian militaries were also on a knife edge.

For the best part of a decade, the American military has been actively planning and preparing for a war with China, which could be sparked by an attack on North Korea and rapidly escalate. Asked yesterday in Australia if he would launch nuclear weapons at China if ordered to do so by Trump, Admiral Scott Swift, the commander of the US Seventh Fleet, bluntly replied: The answer would be yes.
A study published earlier this month seems to indicate a correlation between a drop in thefts committed at grocery stores in Chicago and the implementation of an Illinois policy change in the disbursement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP) benefits, also known as food stamps. The study, conducted by Jillian B. Carr of Purdue University and Analisa Packman of Miami University, found an overall drop in grocery thefts after Illinois implemented a staggered disbursement schedule for SNAP benefits starting in 2010.

The study points to the desperate conditions faced by millions of Illinois residents every day, including those forced to subsist on meager food stamps benefits. Faced with the choice to starve or shoplift in order to obtain food, an increasing number of households reliant on food stamps are left with few choices other than food theft to survive.

The new Illinois policy implemented changes to the schedule of state SNAP benefit disbursement that spread payments throughout the month. Where previously over 60 percent of benefits were distributed on the first day of the month, under the new plan more benefits were disbursed between the second and 23rd days of the month. The study found that theft rates dropped by 15-20 percent at grocery stores in Chicago after the new disbursement policy went into effect. In total numbers, incidences of all crimes reported at grocery stores dropped by some 500 cases per year.

The study demonstrated that grocery store thefts are more likely to occur in the week before benefit disbursement, when financial resources are running low and recipients are pushed to the brink of desperation. Thefts are also more likely to be committed by women during the final week of the benefit cycle, pointing to a desperate attempt to feed their children.

The study suggested the motive behind grocery theft by SNAP recipients. Because half of all families receiving SNAP exhaust their SNAP benefits in two weeks, the study states, recipients may face a scarcity of resources during the remainder of the month. In response to this scarcity, they may turn to crime to meet nutritional needs.

Cook County, which encompasses the city of Chicago and the area on which the study is focused, has one of the highest rates of food insecurity and food stamp usage of any county in the US. Some 16.8 percent of Cook County residents rely on food stamp benefits, compared to 13.1 percent of the total US populationstill a staggeringly high number for the wealthiest capitalist country in the world. A family of four must earn no more than $3,342 per month in gross income to become eligible for food stamp benefits in Cook County, a rather paltry amount considering the high cost of living in the Chicago area.

As income inequality and the cost of living continue to skyrocket, more and more residents are applying for food assistance in the county each year. In the past year, Cook County has seen a 10 percent increase in households receiving food stamp benefits. The crisis has been exacerbated by layoffs, slow economic growth and declining wages.

The maximum food stamp benefit for a family of four in Cook County is $649 per month, a mere $162.25 per person. Even at the maximum, a person would need to skip meals and consume the bare minimum amount of calories per day in order to survive. It should come as no surprise that those in such a dire situation might feel compelled to steal food.

It is not clear exactly why the new Illinois policy was implemented. The study points to possible reasons, including the desire to curb incentives for grocers to raise their prices during the first week of the month in order to take advantage of the influx of business from food stamp disbursement. This idea, however, was eventually proven to be false in a 2016 paper published by Goldin et al., that found that grocery store prices do not fluctuate in response to perceived patterns of benefit distribution.

Reports also suggest that a staggering of food stamp benefits leads to lowered grocery store theft because of its impact on first-of the-month income shocks. These shocks, which come from the disbursement of other state benefits such as disability insurance, unemployment benefits, Medicaid, as well as wages from work, can lead recipients to exhaust their resources early on in the month when benefits come. The study suggests that the smoothing of disbursement leads to a more even consumption pattern over the course of the month.

In all events the study concludes with proposals that are entirely conventional and accept the starvation level of social assistance in the US. Thus the authors recommend states consider staggering the disbursement of other state-issued benefits as well as wages in order to further decrease the amount of retail theft in communities.

Bipartisan cuts to the federal SNAP program carried out since 2008 by the Obama administration have resulted in dwindling benefit amounts year after year, as the number of those forced to depend on federal food assistance continues to grow. At the height of the so-called economic recovery in 2013, a record 20 percent of American households received SNAP benefits. That same year, the Obama administration announced a draconian $11 billion cut to the food stamp program to be implemented over the next three years.

The ruling class has no progressive answer to the hunger crisis in the US. Even as the stock market continues to soar, millions of workers face hunger and devastation in their daily lives. Policies like the one implemented in Illinois are an attempt to temporarily stave off mass opposition to the cuts being implemented at all levelsstate, federal and local. At the same time benefits are being slashed and billions are being poured into the financial markets to meet the insatiable greed of Wall Street.

In May, the Trump administration signed into law a bipartisan budget plan that hacks away another $2.4 billion from the national SNAP program through September 30, creating an even more desperate crisis for the millions of Americans who face hunger every day. The problem of hunger will not be solved by the political representatives of the ruling class, but by an independent movement of the working class in the fight for socialism.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Tallahassee Fire Department responded to two building fires on Friday, July 28.

The first fire happened at approximately 1:27 a.m. in the 2400 block of Rumba Ct.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find heavy smoke coming out of the townhouse. The crew was able to get control of the fire within a few minutes while other crews searched the home to confirm the residents had exited safely.

The fire displaced four occupants and caused an estimate $200,000 dollars in damages. One resident suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation.

The cause of this fire remains under investigation.

The TFD was assisted on scene by the Tallahassee Police Department, City of Tallahassee Utilities and Leon County Emergency Medical Services.

The second fire happened around 11:27 a.m. 2400 block of Dundee Drive.

Fire units arrived to find smoke coming from the attic of a home and quickly extinguished it. No injuries were reported on scene and all residents were accounted for.

Damages are estimated at $75,000 dollars and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

The three residents are being assisted by the American Red Cross.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A Tallahassee man has been taken into custody in Memphis, Tennessee in connection to a fatal shooting.

Police were called to 132 Dixie Drive just after 2 a.m. Tuesday where they found a victim shot with life threatening injuries.

That person, identified as Devin Landers, was sent to a local hospital where he later died.

Lapadre Sharpe, 24, was taken into custody in Memphis, Tennessee Thursday evening after an exhaustive search by the US Marshals.

Sharpe is being charged with premeditated murder, armed burglary, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) - A woman was arrested for lying to Valdosta police officers.

According to officers, Rachel Berry of Mayo, Fla., was arrested Thursday after telling officials she had been attacked and stabbed in the parking lot of a local business by a man who left the scene.

Additional officers and K-9 units were called in to search the area for the suspect.

The woman was taken to a local hospital and interviewed.

Detectives determined that the 25-year-old injured herself and lied doing so.

She was taken to the Lowndes County Jail.

"Anytime a citizen provides false information to officers, they will be held accountable," said Lt. Adam Bembry.

MOBILE USERS: Download our WTXL news app on your Apple and Android devices for the latest from South Georgia and North Florida. Also, download our WTXL Weather Now app for Apple and Android devices to get the latest local weather wherever you go.
MIDWAY, Fla. (WTXL) -- From the Storm Team Weather Center ...

A fairly potent cold front, for this time of year, is on its way to the tri-state region this weekend. It will spread cloudiness and periods of rain and a few thunderstorms across southern Georgia as soon as Saturday sunrise, spreading southeast through most of the day. Periods of heavy rain are likely, with isolated cases of gusty storm-related winds. The front is forecast to move into the southeast Big Bend by Sunday, allowing most areas near and north of the state line to experience a drying and clearing trend. Highs Saturday will be mainly in the 80s, with a few lower 90s depending on how much sun we can get. Lows tonight will be in the mid 70s, lower 70s Sunday morning, and perhaps upper 60s for the interior by Monday morning with more sunshine in the day.
GORDON KING/Yakima Herald-Republic file Fish screens and fish ladder have been installed at dams, including the Roza Dam, as part of the long-term plan to save salmon runs in the Yakima River Basin. 60 x 38.94 roza dam create 6/23/97 run 4/11/99
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Thursday, July 27, 2017





Courtesy of Cosecha

It is summer and things are heating up. Here is some immigration news from Texas.

At least 15 people, including four DACA recipients, have been arrested in Texas during a protest demanding permanent legal status for. The demonstration was organized by Cosecha, a nonviolent immigrants' rights group, and took place yesterday in Austin, Texas near the state capito.

A group of about 50 people chanted "undocumented and unafraid" and "si se puede" ("yes you can") as some blocked a street in the state capital, leading to the arrest of 15 people including four recipients of relief under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

More than 787,000 young people have been approved for DACA relief.

KJ

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2017/07/texas-police-arrest-daca-recipients-in-austin-protest.html
Female enlistment to the Border Police is on a rise, and so the IDF decided to establish a new unit for the fresh recruits and name it after what they believe is one the reason for the increase in the branch's popularitythe female Border Police officers who fell in the line of duty.

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'Hadar Company,' named after a female Border Police officer Hadar Cohen who lost her life in a terrorist attack at Jerusalem's Damascus gate on February 2016, is an all-female recruit unit established in response to the much-larger-than-usual 252 female soldiers who enlisted to the Israel Border Patrol in the draft earlier this month.

The new Hadar Company (Photo: Amit Shabi)

Liora Diachenko, 18, a Jerusalem resident and one of the 252 draftees, said: "Since I was in high school I volunteered in Magen David Adom. A month and a half ago I arrived with one of the ambulances to the Damascus Gate and treated Hadas Malka, the officer who was murdered there.

"I always wanted to be in the Border Guard, and after Hadas' murder, the decision was bolstered: to protect my city, my home."

Not everyone accepted her decision easily. "My mother said, 'why not go to the Intelligence Corps, where you were offered to go. It's dangerous in the Border Police, mainly at the Damascus Gate.'

"Everyone also tells me that I am fragile, but I promise everyone that I will finish basic training and become an exemplary Border Guard officer. Do not let my looks fool you."

The human resources officer of the Border Police, Chief Superintendent Keren Meir, hears this and smiles. She is celebrating the largest recruitment cycle of girls in the unit's history.

L to R: Benhamu, Blanich and Diachenko (Photo: Amit Shabi)

"The desire to serve in the Border Police now stands in line with the desire to get to the pilots' course or to be a combat soldier in Karakal," she explains. "Until now, there was one company of girls out of the five regiments of the recruits, and in the current recruitment cycle we were forced to open another company of girls to meet the high demand of those who want to join the Border Police."

The Border Police explains the dramatic rise in demand with the stories of the deaths of two Border Police fighters in two separate attacks at the Damascus Gate: Hadar Cohen, who was killed a year and a half ago, and Hadas Malka, who was killed in June.

"My sister serves as a fighter in the Karakal, and I knew I was continuing the tradition in the family, to be a combat fighter," said Amit Korkus from Moshav Rinatia when asked why she joined the Border Police. "My mother objected, wanted me far from danger, but I love action and the Border Police is perfect for me.

"Mom and Dad offered to buy me a car if I gave up the Border Police, but I'm happy to be here," Korkus added.

Photo: Amit Shabi

"I made aliya to Israel from Lyon, France," says Laura Benhamu, 19, in Hebrew with a heavy French accent. "Mother saw on television in French the mess at the Temple Mount last Friday, and she knows what happened to Hadar Cohen, so she called and said to me: 'You're not going to the Border Police or to Damascus Gate. Come back home

"But I'm a Zionist. I came to defend the state and especially Jerusalem. I'm waiting to be a real fighter, in the action."

The parents also tried to discourage Rachel Blanich, 18, from Ness Ziona.

"They asked me (to reconsider). I replied that I dream not only of being a Border Police fighter, but an army officer, and the so the discussion ended," Blanich said.

Basic training lasts four months, but after two months the girls will make a trip to receive their Border Guard uniforms. "Come and see me in four months," Diachenko concluded. "Then you'll meet a real Border Guard officer."
Qatar's foreign minister called Thursday for the United Nations to help resolve the crisis in the Persian Gulf and accused the four Arab countries that have isolated his energy-rich nation of violating international law.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told reporters that Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain are showing "stubbornness" and have not taken any steps to solve the crisis.

He vowed that Qatar will spare no effort to overcome what he called "violations" of international law and said "the United Nations is the right platform to start from."

Al Thani spoke to reporters after discussing the crisis with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who has supported regional efforts led by Kuwait to resolve the dispute.

In Washington, where Al Thani met a day earlier with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the crisis appeared to be "at a standstill."

"That naturally concerns us," Nauert said. "We are urging direct talks between all of the parties because we believe that in order for the situation to be resolvedand it does need to be resolvedthey have to sit down together and have some direct dialogue."
Japan will impose additional sanctions on North Korea for its weapons programmes, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said on Friday, just hours after the US Senate also voted for new sanctions on the secretive state.

US media reported this week that the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Pentagon spy agency, had assessed that North Korea would be able to field a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by next year, earlier than previously thought.

Kishida told reporters that given the increasing threat posed by North Korea's missiles and the fact that no concrete proposals have been made to resolve the issue of Japanese abducted decades ago by agents from the North, the steps had to be taken.

"Given that we can't expect meaningful dialogue, pressure on them is essential," he said.

Japan will be taking steps to freeze the assets of five groups, including two from China, as well as nine individuals, Kishida said, but did not give further details.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference that the groups had "engaged in activities prohibited by a UN Security council resolution."
Religious violence has, once again, paid off. That is the main take-away from the latest Temple Mount crisis.

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The need to conduct security checks, and prevent the smuggling of weapons or explosives into such a sensitive site, should be self-evident. It is ludicrous to view metal detectors as a threat to freedom of Islamic worship, or a change to the status quo at the holy site.

Nevertheless, the defense establishment of Israel recommended removing the metal detectors, which were installed at the Temple Mount following the deadly shooting of two Israeli police officers by a terrorist cell there.

Photo: Reuters

This recommendation carries some real risks.

Another attack could occur at the Temple Mount, and it could be much worse than the previous one. An ISIS suicide bomber, could, for example, decide to blow himself up at the Al Aqsa Mosque, in a bid to spread chaos throughout the Middle East.

So why did the Israeli defense establishment still recommend getting rid of the metal detectors? The answer lies in the wider strategic view that guides the defense chiefs.

Right now, Israel's enemies across the Middle East are busy fighting one another. Israel remains outside of the combat arenas.

A provocation at the Temple Mount can fuel radical elements here though, who will try to exploit the issue to generate Islamic unity around the goal of fighting Israel.

In the wider perspective, Israel's interest is not to enter into a new conflict. Israel has no interest in uniting the Islamic world against it.

Additionally, such incidents place King Abdullah of Jordan in a difficult situation. It is safe to assume that his message to Israel is that he has sufficient domestic problems to deal with, and that Israel is undermining his control of the Kingdom.

The threat of the Hashemite Royal Court losing control of Jordan is real. A confrontation with religious overtones can create intense emotions among the Jordanian citizenry, and jeopardize the rule of Jordanian authorities.

Photo: AP

Jordan remains a significant ally of Israel, and secures the only quiet border Israel has today. This creates an obligation on Jerusalem to do what it can to calm the situation.

These considerations mean that for the Israeli defense establishment and government, the Temple Mount issue is a battle over sovereignty, which fits into a much larger picture.

It is an important matter, but it is not the only way to look at the situation.

A second approach to the crisisone that does not fit into the security-based narrativeis based on the importance of Jewish-Israeli sovereignty, and Israel's right to introduce reasonable security measures.

Only time will tell which narrative should have prevailed, and what price Israel will pay for not upholding sovereignty.

Away from this debate, the Temple Mount crisis also carries with it a warning to the wider Western world. A larger trend is emerging hereone that transcends the local IsraeliPalestinian conflict. Regrettably, it can be summed up under the following headline: Violence pays!

These types of incidents are being judged increasingly not by their own moral merit, but rather, according to the levels of rage Muslim communities generate.

The moment Muslim communities respond to a controversy with rage and violence, the receiving side begins to wonder if it did something wrong.

Photo: AFP

This is a highly worrisome trend, and it is one that will, with time, become increasingly relevant for European countries today that are home to significant Muslim minorities.

While today in Europe such issues do not appear with the intensity that they do in Jerusalem and the Middle East, as Muslim communities grow, the intensity of controversies in which they take collective offense will grow as well; regardless of what percentage of the broader Muslim community the militant factions constitute.

Sooner or later, the West will need to ask itself if it is willing to live according to the 'rage' standard, and whether it is prepared to retreat from all red lines in such a relationship.

The West will have no choice but to formulate a clear strategy in the future to regulate such confrontations. The Temple Mount dynamic is an early warning, alerting the world to such a trend.
Arab and Palestinian media outlets are revelling in what is largely considered a decisive victory in the Arab world over Israel following the latters decision to remove all recently installed security measures at the entrances to the Temple Mount.

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Caricatures depicting apparent Israeli cowardice and Palestinian courage and resistance have flooded Arab media and Palestinian social media platforms.

In the London-based pan-Arab newspaper Al Quds Al Arabi for example, one cartoon portrays an ignominious Israeli defeat, accompanied by the caption: The residents of Jerusalem are forcing the occupation to withdraw from its steps in the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The cartoon shows a feeble-looking Israeli soldier carrying a metal detector running away from an elderly Muslim man brandishing a staff, a young Palestinian holding a rock, a Muslim woman waving a broom and a Palestinian child carrying a slingshot.

The Saudi newspaper Al Watan features a cartoon in which a shining statue sign of victory can bee seen sitting atop the Dome of the Rock.

Jordanian newspapers also jumped on the bandwagon in the campaign of ridiculing what is once again clearly portrayed as Israels pusillanimous caving to Palestinian will.

In an illustration in the Jordanian daily Al-Rad, a barefooted Palestinian man is seen poised to stamp on another timid Israeli soldier, as a Magen David-shaped shackle tied around the resistor's ankle is on the verge of breaking in half.

While Al Jazeera delivered its own illustrative gibes, they were mainly aimed at demonstrating contempt for the conduct displayed by Arab leaders throughout the crisis.

The caricature in the Qatari paper shows an Arab leader with his head buried in the ground against a background of a television screen showing Al-Aqsa next to the caption Al-Awsa is in danger. Only once the caption changes to Al-Aqsa victorious, does the Arab leader raise his head and pay attention.

Indeed, one cartoon credited Arab leaders for the claimed triumph over Israel. In one illustration, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Jordanian King Abullah II and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz are represented as warriors carrying machine guns in front of the Dome of the Rock, as they stand together on top of a mountain under which Magen David symbols and skulls are buried.
Japan will freeze the assets of five organisations and nine individuals linked to North Korea, including two Chinese entities, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said on Friday, outlining new sanctions against the isolated state.

Japan's announcement came just hours after the US Senate also voted for new sanctions on North Korea, which followed US media reports this week that intelligence officials had assessed that Pyongyang would be able to field a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by next year, earlier than previously thought.

The US sanctions also include measures aimed at Chinese financial institutions, a senior US official said on Tuesday.

China's foreign ministry denounced Japan's decision as unacceptable and "wrong."

"We are resolutely opposed to any country implementing any unilateral sanctions outside the UN Security Council framework, especially those targeting Chinese enterprises and individuals," ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a daily press briefing.

"If Japan insists on doing this it will create major political obstacles for cooperation between China and Japan on the Korean Peninsula issue," he added.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus Likud party attacked his coalition partner Naftali Bennett (Bayit Yehudi) Friday morning over a statement issued by his party the previous night charging that the removal of all recently installed security measures at the Temple Mount constituted a danger to Israels security.

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If there is anything that endangers Israeli security it is people who sit in the Security Cabinet and the compass that guides them is not the good of Israeli civilians but their (personal gained) and the headlines that follow, the Likud statement began before turning to chastise Bennett directly.

Netanyahu and Bennett (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

Bennett, who initially supported the removal of the metal detectors, and after the decision even pompously declared he supported the prime minister, didnt stand for more than a minute and a half under the pressure of the media and public opinion, it continued.

The statement emphasized that Israeli security is not a matter of populism and political interests, but rather a sacred principle. Anyone who turns it, in a childish and irresponsible manner, to a platform of tweets jeopardizes Israeli security more than anything else.

Prime Minister Netanyahu will continue to lead Israeli security in a determined and responsible fashion. The only factor that concerns him is the security of Israeli civilians, it said.

He would continue to lead, it concluded, just as he has done throughout the years of his tenure.

After Israel removed all remaining security facilities from the Temple Mount on Thursday morning, Bennetts party indirectly lashed out at the prime minister. All the declarations over the last few days are not helpful, it said before accusing the prime minister of folding.

The damage caused by the folding and the severe harm caused to security must be rectified by a determined war against terror and not with words, the party statement read. We must stop collapsing and giving prizes for terror.
Thousands of Muslim worshipers assembled from across the country in Jerusalem for Friday prayers as huge Israeli security forces took up positions throughout the Old City in anticipation of yet another day of violent clashes.

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The worshipers stood in prayer during the early afternoon ahead of the protests against Israels decision to restrict entrance to the Old City and Temple Mount to men over 50 years old and women only.

Jerusalem Police Commander Yoram Halevi announced the restrictions Friday morning that he said had been put in place in an attempt to prevent yet more riots by the worshipers that have plagued the area in recent days.

The repeat decision of last Friday was taken at the conclusion of a situation assessment conducted by security staff after Israels removal of all recently installed security measures at the Temple Mount failed to placate the worshipers and merely preceded fresh and reinvigorated waves of protest and violence

Temple Mount (: ) X

Despite the relative calm by mid afternoon, minor skirmishes were recorded asMuslim rioters began throwing rocks at police officers in the Wadi al-Joz neighborhood of Jerusalem near the Lions Gate, prompting the police to respond by firing stun grenades into the hostile crowds.

Rocks were also thrown at security forces in the West Bank near Qalqilya, in Bethlehem and Nablus by hundreds of Palestinians. Two Palestinians were lightly wounded as forces opened fire with rubber bullets.

Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg

One of the worshipers claimed that no one was looking for a showdown with the police, but decried the meticulous checks being conducted upon entry to the compound. "The police forces are always checking us and cursing us," he complained.

Photo: EPA

Another resident from Umm al-Fahm complained that the police were not allowing the worshipers to pray. Theyre always shouting at is and being violent toward us. Thats whats causing the anger, he claimed. The police dont need to be in the Al-Aqsa mosque compound and the Dome of the Rock. This kind of conduct can change the atmosphere. Let us pray without restrictions and without the police presence.



Photo: Alex Kolomoisky

If the police think that their presence at Al-Aqsa can calm the mood they are mistaken. To avoid a clash its better for them to stay outside the mosque. The police will be responsible for any clash and the difficult consequences, he continued.

Photo: Alex Kolomoisky

After the prayer services, Muslim religious leaders in Jerusalem are expected to convene to discuss the most recent developments regarding Al-Aqsa mosque. Meanwhile, dozens of blocks were erected on all the main routes from Arab villages leading to the mosque. Nevertheless, several people did manage to circumvent the blocks by passing through a cemetery located nearby and came within 200 meters from the Lions Gatea flashpoint of terror attacks and the main entrance for Muslims to the Temple Mount. Meanwhile, dozens of blocks were erected on all the main routes from Arab villages leading to the mosque. Nevertheless, several people did manage to circumvent the blocks by passing through a cemetery located nearby and came within 200 meters from the Lions Gatea flashpoint of terror attacks and the main entrance for Muslims to the Temple Mount.
A stabbing attack was thwarted in Gush Etzion on Friday afternoon when a terrorist wielding a knife charged at IDF soldiers stationed at a junction in the area before being shot and neutralized.

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No injuries were inflicted on Israelis civilians or IDF soldiers from the Kfir Brigade deployed in the area, but the terrorist was left in critical condition before being pronounced dead shortly thereafter at the scene.

Scene of attempted stabbing (Photo: TPS)

The attempted attack comes one week after a 17-year-old terrorists, Omer al-Abed from the village of Kobar, infiltrated the settlement of Halamish and stabbed to death three family members and wounded a fourth as they celebrated Shabbat.

The latest attempt comes against a background of protests, which are expected to spill over into violent outbreaks, and have already seen minor skirmishes between security forces and Palestinian rioters in the Wadi al-Joz neighborhood of Jerusalem near the Lions Gate.

Rocks were also thrown at security forces in the West Bank near Qalqilya, in Bethlehem and Nablus by hundreds of Palestinians. Two Palestinians were lightly wounded as forces opened fire with rubber bullets.
Turkey's Foreign Ministry says the Organization of Islamic Cooperation will hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss the situation at a flashpoint Jerusalem's holy site.

A ministry statement on Friday says the meetingto be attended by OIC foreign ministerswill be held on August 1 in Istanbul.

Turkey holds the term presidency of the organization.

This week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on all Muslims to defend the al-Aqsa mosque and accused Israel of trying to take over the contested holy site in Jerusalem under the pretext of fighting terrorism.
Not far from the Israeli embassy in Amman on Friday, a demonstration against Israel took place against the backdrop of the Temple Mount crisis and the shooting incident in which an Israeli security guard shot two Jordanians earlier this week.

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The demonstration came from the Al-Kalawati Mosque, adjacent to the Israeli embassy in the Al-Rabiya area. The demonstrators shouted slogans against Israel and the peace treaty: "There is no embassy to the (Zionist) entity on your land, Amman, death to Israel and may Israel fall."







A reporter for the Turkish news agency Anadolu reported that the Jordanian security forces were trying to disperse the demonstration near the Israeli embassy and were working to keep the participants away.

Another demonstration came from the Palestinian refugee camp al-Wahda in Amman for the Al-Aqsa Mosque. According to the Jordanian media, the demonstrators demanded the expulsion of Israeli Ambassador Einat Shlain from Amman and protested against the authorities' decision to return the Israeli security guard from the incident at the Israeli Embassy.

Anti-Israel protest in Jordan near the Israeli Embassy

King Abdullah of Jordan paid a visit of condolence the family of the second victim of the incident at the embassy, Bashar Hamarneh, the owner of the apartment who was in the area and was caught in the incident.

King Abdullah pays a visit of condolence the family of Bashar Hamarneh

Yesterday, King Abdullah visited the mourning tent of the Jordanian stabber, Zakaria al-Jawawdeh, and told his father: "Your son is my son; we will not give up on his rights."

Jordanian Attorney General Akram Masaadeh told the official Petra news agency that the Jordanian prosecution had completed its investigation into the incident at the Israeli Embassy in Jordan on Sunday.

According to Masaadeh, "the prosecution attributed a murderer called 'Ziv' to the charge of killing more than one person and holding firearms without a permit."

The prosecutor added that an investigation found that the Israeli security guard enjoys diplomatic and legal immunity: "The immunity he enjoys in accordance with the Vienna Convention is only procedural immunity that does not exempt him from trials before international courts."

Jordanian security forces trying to disperse the protestors

King Abdullah of Jordan pointed an accusing finger at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"The Israeli prime minister must show responsibility and take measures that include putting the murderer on trial, instead of treating the crime as a political demonstration," Abdullah said during a meeting of the National Policy Council.

Not only in Jordan did people demonstrate against Israel. Dozens of people protested on the streets of Tehran, Iran in an anti-Israeli demonstration and chanted slogans often heard in the capital of the Islamic Republic, such as "Death to Israel" and "Death to America."
A 16-year-old Palestinian was killed Friday afternoon during clashes with IDF forces on the border fence in the central Gaza Strip.

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Meanwhile, Hundreds of Palestinians took part in riots throughout the West Bank, while the relative calm in the Temple Mount compound was maintained from noon, after prayers in the holy place that has been the focus of tensions for the past two weeks ended.

Palestinian youths throwing rocks at security forces (Photo: Reuters)

The Palestinian youth who was killed in the clashes

The Red Crescent reported that its staff treated some 25 Palestinians in various disturbances, including in Hebron, Rachel's Tomb, Nablus, Tulkarem and Qalandiya, where a soldier was lightly wounded by stones.

Israeli security forces in Hebron (Photo: AFP)

In the context of the tensions, an attack was also prevented at the Gush Etzion junction, and the terrorist who tried to storm the soldiers was neutralized and killed.

The knife used in the attempted attack at the Gush Etzion junction

Earlier, it was reported that Muslim worshipers threw stones at police in the Wadi Joz neighborhood of Jerusalem, near the Lions' Gate.

Palestinian demonstration in Hebron (Photo: AFP)

In Bethlehem dozens began to confront the security forces at the northern entrance to the city, in the vicinity of Rachel's Tomb. According to Palestinian reports, several rioters were injured by rubber bullets.

Rock thrower in Bethlehem (Photo: Reuters)

Riot control in Bethlehem (Photo: Reuters)

At the same time, three Palestinians were arrested by the Border Police in the area of the Beit El checkpoint in the Ramallah area.

In Hebron and Qalqiliya Palestinian youths clashed with the security forces in riots, throwing rocks and setting tires on fire. The Palestinians reported several people injured, mainly by rubber bullets.
North Korea fired a ballistic missile Friday night which landed in the ocean off Japan, Japanese officials said.

"I have received information that North Korea once again conducted a missile firing," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said. "We will immediately analyze information and do our utmost to protect the safety of the Japanese people."

Abe said he has called a meeting of the National Security Council.

Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the missile flew for about 45 minutes and landed off the Japanese coast in waters between Japan and the Korean Peninsula.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK said the coast guard issued safety warnings to aircraft and ships.

In Washington, a Pentagon spokesman, Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, confirmed that a launch of a ballistic missile from North Korea had been detected.

"We are assessing and will have more information soon," he said.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement regarding an incident in which the Israeli security guard shot a terrorist and a civilian near the Israeli Embassy in Jordan at the beginning of the week.

The statement said that "Israel is conducting a process of examining the incident, in accordance with the usual legal procedures in such cases. The State Attorney, in coordination with the Attorney General, instructed all the parties to hand over the materials in their possession that relate to the incident. As part of the relations between Israel and Jordan, Israel will update Jordan on the developments and findings of the investigation."
In recent days, Israel and Turkey have been waging a tit-for-tat twitter war following the verbal attack by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the metal-detector crisis on the Temple Mount, which intensified the diplomatic rift and could have led to the return of ambassadors to their respective countries for consultations.

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Following urgent messages between Ankara and Jerusalem, the hostile tweets were suddenly erased from the Twitter accounts of the two foreign ministries.

The ceasefire came after frantic talks between senior officials of the two foreign ministries, who saw how the hard-won reconciliation between the countries collapses before their eyes.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: MCT)

For two days, Israel and Turkey fought on Twitter.

It all began with Erdogan's attack after the removal of the metal detectors in which he called on all Muslims around the world to go to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and defend Jerusalem.

Erdogan rejected Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem and said that the capital city of Israel is Tel Aviv and the capital of the Palestinians is East Jerusalem. He also claimed that Israel has hidden plans on the Temple Mount.

Erdogan said that in light of the steadfastness of the Muslims in removing the metal detectors, Israel would not be able to implement its plans. He also accused Israel of treating Muslim worshipers as terrorists and claiming that Israel was exploiting the Temple Mount incident to maximize its interests.

An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman tweeted a response: "Turkish President Erdogan statements to his party's activists are wacky, unfounded and distorted. It would be better for him to deal with the problems and difficulties of his country. The days of the Ottoman Empire had passed. The days of the Ottoman Empire are long gone. The capital of the Jewish people had been, is and will be Jerusalem. Unlike in past years, it is a city whose government is committed to security, liberty, religious freedom and respect for the rights of all minorities. He who lives in a glass palace shouldn't throw stones."

One of the deleted tweets

The next day, the Foreign Ministry spokesman in Ankara responded in a tweet to the Israeli response and described it as arrogant and said Israel should return to common sense by returning to the status quo on the Temple Mount and removing the barriers to freedom of worship. "It is clear that trying to cover up the fact that east Jerusalem is under occupation will not help solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and achieve peace and stability in the region."

He noted that "the Israeli occupation is in its 50th year in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza."

"During the time of the Ottoman Empire, members of different religions lived in peaceful coexistence in Palestine, and the Jews are expected to know this and to appreciate this tolerance more than anyone else," the Turkish spokesman said. He also mentioned that Turkey guarantees freedom of religion and belief of the Jewish community in Turkey.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry responded with an even harsher tweet: "The days of the Ottoman Empire are over. It is ridiculous to hear that the Turkish government, which occupies northern Cyprus, brutally suppresses the Kurdish minority and imprison journalists, preaches morality to Israel, the only true democracy in the region."

The person who truly objected to the escalation in the Israeli reactions was the head of the Turkish Jewish community, Isaac Ibrahimzadeh, who tweeted that perhaps they should allow President Reuven Rivlin to respond. "He knows how to make peace and avoid escalation," he said.

President Reuven Rivlin (Photo: Kobi Gideon/GPO)

Sources in Jerusalem feared that because of the Foreign Ministry's harsh reaction, the Turks would call for the Turkish ambassador to be summoned for consultations and possibly even expel the Israeli ambassador.

Senior officials in the two foreign ministries who understood the potential of the crisis hastened to calm the situation and agreed to a cease-firestarting with Twitter. It is not clear whether this cease-fire will last beyond Twitter and whether Erdogan will continue his attacks on Israel in the coming days.

In Istanbul, a large demonstration initiated by the IHH organization, entitled "Free Jerusalem" is scheduled for Sunday. The organizers of the demonstration say that a million participants are expected at the protest.

The tweets from the Israeli Foreign Ministry caused the Turks a fair amount of damage. All the Israeli representatives in the world retweeted them and they have gained great popularity and exposure in Arab nations, most of which are not fond of Erdogan.
A memorial ceremony marking the third anniversary of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin's death in Operation Protective Edge was held Friday morning at the Kfar Saba military cemetery.

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His father, Simha Goldin, attacked the government's conduct, who promised to return Hadar's body from the hands of Hamas to be buried in Israel, but failed to do so. "IDF soldiers are repeatedly abandoned at the hands of the enemy," he said. "Defense Minister Lieberman is not working to correct the situation and promised before he was elected to return Hadar and Oron within 48 hours."

Simha Goldin stepping up to the podium (Motti Kimchi)

The father said that the defense minister had been invited by the family to attend the memorial, but claimed that Lieberman chose not to come.

"There was a guarantee from the state to bring them to be buried in Israel. There was a promise from the ministers and the prime minister. We demand that this will be the last year in which the things that are by government representatives turn out to be just talk," he said, adding that they need the aid of the Israeli leadership, but that he "unfortunately" feels "ashamed of the behavior of the leadership."

"Representatives of the State of Israel went to Cairo before the end of the operation and reached an agreement with Hamas and left Hadar and Oron in the hands of the enemy," Simha continued. "This needs to be fixed and we will fix it."

Gilad Erdan and Revital Swid at the memorial (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

The ceremony was attended by Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, former Defense Ministers Moshe Ya'alon and Amir Peretz, Commander of the Southern Command Major General Eyal Zamir, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai and Knesset Members Moti Yogev (Bayit Yehudi), Yoav Kish (Likud), Oren Hazan (Likud) and Revital Swid (Zionist Union).

Former Knesset Member Shachiv Shnaan, whose son Staff Sgt. Maj. Kamil Shnaan was murdered in the Temple Mount terrorist attack earlier this month, also participated in the memorial service.

"Our hearts go out to you, we pray that you too will have the pride of bringing your son to rest," Shnaan said. "I have one request on this difficult day: We must be strong and our spirit must not break. None must learn that we can be extorted and are willing to pay any price. This country cannot exist under extortion."

Hadar Goldin

The commander of the Givati Brigade, Colonel Dado Bar Kalifa, said: "Hadar's path, which was soaked in the love of the people and the country, undoubtedly reflects the values he absorbed in his home at school and in the preparatory school. Hadar's friends tell of a special person with rare traits. He was a bold and courageous officer and commander who believed in the righteousness of our mission.

"The State of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces and the Givati Brigade are committed to bringing him home as quickly as possible."
YORK  In just 22 days, we will have the privilege to stand in the line of totality  right here in York County  as the much anticipated solar eclipse occurs.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime event that state tourism officials feel will bring more than 450,000 people to Nebraska. In a press release from the Nebraska Tourism Commission, officials said the number could be a conservative one as there could be many more due to the probability of clear skies in Nebraska.

With special guests and prominent scientists coming from all over the country and the world to experience this once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, Nebraska is the best place to be, said John Ricks, executive director of the Nebraska Tourism Commission. This is an exciting time for Nebraska. Communities across the state have been working hard to ensure every visitor has an unforgettable eclipse experience. We hope that each new visitor will see how special Nebraska is.

And that includes here in York County as Sautter says estimates for this community, as far as visitors, is anywhere between 4,000 and 5,000 people.

It could be more, it could be less, but all indications are that this number may be conservative, Sautter says.

He notes that hotel rooms and campground spaces in the county were already reserved a long time ago.

Events are being planned for eclipse day at Wessels Living History Farm and the Henderson Mennonite Heritage Park.

Hillary Mundt, director at Wessels, announced Thursday that commemorative T-shirts are now available for order and can be picked up at the farm after Aug. 18. They have to be ordered online at www.jactscreenprinting.com by Aug. 11 at 3 p.m., in order to be available in time for the eclipse. The T-shirts promote the farm and the proceeds will support the farm.

She is also a strong advocate for the community to be as prepared as possible, in order to properly handle a surge of travelers. Mundt said Wessels is taking reservations for parking spaces and viewing glasses (while supplies last). The gate at Wessels will open at 7 a.m., on the day of the eclipse.

While there is considerable space at Wessels, it will likely become full  so Sautter wants the public to know that additional viewing locations are the parking lot west of the fairgrounds, the parking lot at the Holthus Convention Center, Recharge Lake, Mincks Park, Harrison Park, Miller Park and East Hill Park.

At Heritage Park, the eclipse event will be from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., with lunch to be available.

Sautter and Mundt want York County to be well prepared  so they are hosting two special presentations for the public in which they will provide all the information everyone will need to know. Both sessions will be held at the York Senior Center. The first will be on Monday, July 31, at 5:30 p.m., with the second on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at 3:15 p.m. It is expected that each session will last about an hour, depending on the number of questions they receive from those in attendance.

Everyone is encouraged to attend a session, so they can better understand what will happen on Aug. 21 and have a memorable, amazing experience . . . right here in York County.
YORK  James J. Gusich, 53, of York, has denied allegations that he violated the terms of his post-conviction release as he stands the chance of being sent back to prison for a conviction of felony terroristic threats.

In the original case, prosecutors said he threatened state patrol officers and health care workers at York General Hospital when he was taken there after a car accident. They said he told a health care worker he was going to kill her and her family. And it was noted earlier contacts with Gusich prompted them to believe the threats were credible.

He was sentenced to a term of two years in prison with three years of post-release supervision.

At the time of sentencing, the prosecution cited his long criminal history, which includes convictions of voluntary manslaughter and burglary in Cook County, Ill. For the manslaughter conviction, he was sentenced to prison for 18 years, for the burglary he was sentenced to four years in prison.

They also cited convictions of burglary and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in Walker County, Texas. He was sentenced to a term of 2-4 years for the burglary conviction and five years for other conviction.

Now that there are allegations that he violated the terms of his supervised release, more prison time could be possible.

A future status hearing has been set in the case.
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).
Hyderabad: A Telangana Youth Congress leader, son of former Andhra Pradesh minister M Mukesh Goud, was hospitalised with bullet injuries in the early hours on Friday, police said.

Vikram Goud, in his mid 30s, was found injured in his house in Film Nagar under suspicious circumstances and now is out of danger, they said.

"The incident occurred between 3 am and 3.30 am," Deputy Commissioner of Police (West Zone) A Venkateshwar Rao said.

"As per preliminary investigation, Vikram and his wife were getting ready to visit a place of worship. Vikram was waiting on the ground floor. Suddenly, his wife heard gun shots and found him lying on the ground," the DCP said after visiting the hospital.

He was rushed to a private hospital in Jubilee Hills area at around 3.30 am by his family members.

The police officer said they were trying to find out if someone fired at Goud or he shot himself.

"We are verifying...We can tell more about the incident only after getting a clear information. The investigation is underway," the DCP said.

According to doctors at the hospital, he is out of danger, he said.

As per hospital authorities, Vikram suffered bullet injuries on his arms, chest and spine. One bullet has been removed, they said.

"He is in the ICU and his condition is stable," a source at the hospital said.

Mukesh Goud, who is a Congress leader, was a minister in the earlier AP government led by Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.
New Delhi: Former Pakistani president and army chief general Pervez Musharraf on Friday termed the apex court verdict against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as historic and said he is his own worst enemy.

After the supreme court verdict on Sharif, Pakistan will now be heading towards the right direction, the News Nation quoted Musharraf as saying.

The former general reportedly said that Sharifs ouster would eventually end corruption in important government offices.

He also lauded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan for efforts to expose Sharif in the Panama case.

The problem is with Nawaz Sharif and not others. It was the third time he could not complete his term as a prime minister.

I have seen Sharif very closely, he lacks leadership qualities.

He doesnt know how to govern and his intentions were corrupt.

He is his own worst enemy, the report quoted Musharraf as saying.

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Thursday disqualified Sharif from holding public office after it found him guilty in the Panama Papers case. The PML-N leader later resigned from the post.

Musharraf said the court's decision on Panama papers will bring positive impact to the country.

"Its a good decision. The entire nation is jubilantly distributing sweets," he was quoted as saying.

Pronouncing the verdict, the five-judge bench also ruled to send references against the PM, his children Maryam, Hussain and Hasan, son-in-law and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to an accountability court.

The Attorney General said that the bench disqualified the Prime Minister for life.

Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, who headed the bench, said all material collected by the Joint Investigation Team would be sent to an accountability court within six weeks.

He said cases should be opened against Maryam Nawaz (Sharif's daughter), Captain Muhammad Safdar (Maryam's husband), Hassan and Hussain Nawaz (PM Sharif's sons) as well as Prime Minister Sharif and a judgement should be announced within 30 days.
Islamabad: Nawaz Sharif's brother and Pak's Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to take over as the next Prime Minister of Pakistan, ANI quoted Pak media as saying.

#FLASH Nawaz Sharif's younger brother Shehbaz Sharif to be next prime minister of Pakistan: Pak media pic.twitter.com/Y0lCvSu3di  ANI (@ANI_news) July 28, 2017

The name of Shehbaz Sharif was announced during a high-level PML-N meeting.



The younger brother is not a member of the National Assembly or Senate, and will have to get elected to the Senate to be Prime Minister.



The party will have to propose a name for interim Prime Minister, to fill the 45 day vacuum until Shehbaz Sharif gets elected to the Parliament.



Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Khawaja Asif will most likely become interim Prime Minister.



According to reports, either Hamaz Shehbaz Sharif, the son of Shehbaz, or Rana Sanaullah, Punjab province`s Law Minister, will replace Shehbaz Sharif as the Punjab Chief Minister.



It was also decided during the meeting that the party will utilise all legal and constitutional options available to counter the apex court`s verdict.

The report comes hours after the Pakistan's Supreme Court unanimously disqualified Nawaz Sharif from the Prime Minister's office after a damning corruption investigation into his family wealth.

Also Read: Nawaz's days are not over, party stands united, says PML-N after Pakistan SC ruling in Panama Papers case

The top court ordered that criminal cases be opened against Sharif and his family.

After the verdict, Sharif resigned from his post.

Also Read: Panama Papers case: Pakistan's Supreme Court disqualifies PM Nawaz Sharif

The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that Sharif has "stepped down" despite having "serious reservations" about the judicial process.

The court had also dismissed Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, one of Sharif`s closest allies who has been credited with steering the economy to its fastest pace of growth in a decade, and Captain Safdar, a Member of National Assembly (MNA).
Washington: The US on Friday said it is looking forward to a "smooth" political transition in Pakistan as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stepped down after the Supreme Court disqualified him for dishonesty over the Panama Papers scandal.

"We look forward to a smooth transition as Pakistan's parliament selects the next prime minister,? a State Department official said when asked about the disqualification of Sharif for dishonesty.

The official, however, described Sharif's resignation as Pakistan's internal matter.

Sharif's resignation comes at a time when Pakistan's relations with the US is under strain after the Trump administration blocked USD 350 million coalition support funds the the country for failing to act against the dreaded Haqqani terror network.

Pakistan-based Haqqani network is blamed for a number of high-profile attacks on US and Western interests in war-torn Afghanistan.

It is the third time that the 67-year-old veteran politician's term as premier has been cut short. The much- awaited verdict plunged Pakistan into a political crisis at a time when the country is facing a brittle economy and a surge in militancy.

The court disqualified Sharif under Article 62 and 63 of Pakistan's Constitution. The articles state that a member of Parliament should be "truthful" and "righteous".

Though there was no official announcement, Geo News reported that after a consultative session of the PML-N, Shehbaz Sharif has emerged as the most likely candidate to be the next prime minister of Pakistan after an interim premier has served a 45-day period.
While the biggest names in a movie tend to score top billing, a film's overall success often depends on the chemistry of the entire ensemble rather than just one or two stars.
Patna: Venting out his anger against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his former deputy Tejashwi Yadav on Friday tore into his former boss and asked him that did he not feel ashamed after sitting next to Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Sushil Kumar Modi.

Tejashwi unleashing a tirade of fiery slavos on Kumar, said that the latter has stitched an alliance with a party who conspired the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

"Did you not feel ashamed sitting next to Sushil Kumar Modi? You take out Champaran yatra and then stitch an alliance with a party which assassinated Mahatma Gandhi," said Tejashwi.

Further speaking on the matter of his resignation, Tejashwi said Kumar never asked him to step down from his post and it never occured to him that the Bihar chief does not want him to be a part of his team.

"Nitish ji never asked me to resign. I also thought that he does not want me to resign. I would like to ask him why he quit the alliance and toppled the government," said Tejashwi.

Tejashwi further highlighted that thanks to Kumar's hasty decision people have suffered immensely, while accusing his ex-ally of viciously planning to check-mate the grand alliance.

"People of Bihar have suffered immensely. I am deeply saddened by the Nitish ji resigned. It was all pre planned," said Tejashwi in assembly.

"We did not put any pressure on the Chief Minister ever," he added.

Slamming his former boss, Tejashwi said that Kumar knew that he had huge support and that it was not possible for the JD (U) supremo to oust him from his post.

"We have 80 MLAs, Nitish ji knew he could not have removed me: Tejashwi Yadav in the assembly. If it is about ones image then I would like to say that the whole nation knows what the real basis of Nitish Kumar is," he added.

Meanwhile, the Patna High Court also earlier in the day refused to hear the RJD's plea challenging formation of the new BJP-JD (U) government in Bihar.

The Court said that the hearing is not possible before July 31.

This comes at a time when Bihar Chief Minister with his ally Bharatiya Janata party is going to prove his majority.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) have issued whip to their legislators to vote in favour of the trust vote. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress have also issued a similar whip to their legislators.

Nitish led JD (U)-NDA government has a support of 132 MLAs, which will help it to prove a comfortable majority in the 243 member state assembly where 122 MLAs are required to prove majority.

According to the communique issued from the Raj Bhawan, Nitish has claimed the support of 131 members, including the BJP, two independents and legislators of BJP allies Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM)-Secular and Rashtriya Lok Samata party (RLSP).

Opposition RJD has 80 MLAs, the Congress 27 and the CPI-ML 3.

Yesterday, Nitish and BJP leader Sushil Modi were sworn-in as Bihar Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister respectively, and former has been asked to prove his majority on the floor by Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.
New Delhi: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's dramatic 'ghar wapsi' in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is likely to change the number game in Rajya Sabha where the ruling BJP is short of numbers.

Nearly four years after he walked out of the NDA in protest against Narendra Modi's nomination as the prime ministerial candidate, Nitish Kumar's re-induction will not only strengthen the saffron camp but also help the ruling BJP push several crucial bills pending in the Upper House.

Despite having a brute majority in the Lok Sabha, BJP has been short of numbers in the Upper House, which is required for the smooth passage of several bills in the Upper House.

While Nitish will now be able to run the Bihar government more comfortably, Janata Dal United's re-entry into the NDA fold will also swell the alliance' total tally in the Rajya Sabha - a very important development for the BJP-led alliance.

Currently, the JDU has 10 seats in the Rajya Sabha, which takes the combined tally of NDA in the Upper House to 84.

Apart from these, the BJP can also rely on three additional votes from nominated members the President has appointed on its suggestions.

Though Congress (57) and the BJP (57) have equal numbers of seats in the Rajya Sabha, when alliance numbers are tallied, NDA with 85 (+3 nominated seats) is now well ahead of the United Progressive Alliances tally of UPA's 64 (+5 nominated) assuming all those appointed under the UPA regime vote for it.

If we look at the regional parties, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK ), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS ), YSR Congress Party have 13, 8, 3 and 1 seats respectively.

Based on their equation with the ruling BJP, these regional parties are most likely to vote in favour of NDA-backed bills. These regional parties have in past supported the BJP-led alliance and, most recently, during the Presidential elections.

NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind could easily manage to win the presidential elections defeating Opposition's joint candidate Meira Kumar since BJP was confident of support from these parties.

However, as BJPs electoral ambitions expand in Odisha and Telangana, support from parties like BJD and TRS would be difficult to garner. Even if we include these members into NDAs tally, it comes to 113 and stops short of the halfway figure of 123 by 10 seats.

Nonetheless, getting the Janata Dal United back in the alliance has given a much needed boost to the ruling BJP in the Rajya Sabha, but it will still have to wait for a long time before it can claim majority and ram it bills through Parliament at will.
Hyderabad: Scoot Airlines, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, on Friday said all fights of Tigerair will be operated under Scoot Airlines from Friday onwards, marking the completion of integration of the two brands into one.

Country head India for Scoot, Bharath Mahadevan, said in a press conference here that nine months after Scoot and Tigerair announced their intention to pursue a single brand, Tigerair flights will now operate as Scoot Airlines under the TR flight destination code.

He said the last flight of Tigerair departed to Singapore from Tiruchirapalli at 2305 hrs on July 24.

To celebrate the merger, Scoot is offering special fares from Hyderabad to Singapore and other destinations, he said.

"After successfully commencing operations in India last year, Scoot is all set to take up new destinations under its umbrella that were running under Tigerair. These include Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Tiruchirapalli and Lucknow which will now operate under single brand name Scoot Airlines from July 25," Mahadevan said.

Scoot (after merger) now operates 50 flights weekly out of eight destination between India and Singapore, he said.

To a query, he said they are in discussions with the Rajasthan government for a possible tie to promote the western Indian state as a tourist destination under mutually beneficial arrangement.
New Delhi: In a shocking incident, a 34-year-old man from the United States was arrested for smuggling deadly king cobras inside cans of potato chips.

The deadly reptile is known for growing up to 18-feet in length and can kill a human being in just 30 minutes.

Rodrigo Franco was caught by the customs agents on federal charges, as he stuffed three live king cobras in potato chips cans. He was all set to receive the deadly package but was arrested, according to the press release from the Department of Justice, US Attorneys Office.

The package shipped from Hong Kong to Los Angeles also contained three albino Chinese soft-shelled turtles along with 2-feet-long cobras.

As per reports, the agents removed the cobras but delivered the turtles to Franco's home in Monterey Park. They later served a search warrant at his property and found tanks with a live baby Morelet's crocodile, alligator snapping turtles, a common snapping turtle, and five diamond back terrapins.

Take a look at the tweet:

Monterey Park man arrested on federal charges of smuggling king cobras into U.S. https://t.co/K4pkSisprm pic.twitter.com/j1UweVAEwb  US Attorney L.A. (@CDCANews) July 25, 2017

Franco admitted that he had previously received 20 king cobras in two other shipments.

If convicted, he would be behind bars for 20 years.
London: Britain will try to keep as many aspects of its EU membership in place as possible during a transition period of up to three years after Brexit, finance minister Philip Hammond said on Friday.

But Hammond told BBC radio that EU nationals would have to register with the authorities starting from the expected departure date of March 2019 as the government comes up with a new immigration system.

"Many things will look similar" and goods will continue to flow between Britain and the EU in "much the same way as they do now" even after the scheduled departure date of March 2019, he said.

"I think there`s a broad consensus that this process has to be completed by the scheduled time of the next general election which is in June 2022," he said.

Hammond, who campaigned for Britain to stay in the EU in last year`s referendum but now supports withdrawal, is seen as an advocate of a more moderate "soft Brexit" in contrast to more hardline ministers.

According to the Financial Times newspaper, Hammond unveiled the plan to business leaders earlier this week, arguing there was not enough time to negotiate a "bespoke" deal before the March 2019 deadline.

"He told us the Europeans now agree a cliff edge would harm both parties," a person present at the meeting told the FT.

But one of the thornier issues yet to be negotiated is the right of EU citizens to travel and settle in Britain.

More than a decade of mass immigration from the bloc under freedom of movement rules was a major factor in the June 2016 referendum that saw Britons vote to leave the EU.

Prime Minister Theresa May has so far insisted that Brexit needs tougher immigration rules, including an end to free movement of EU citizens.

According to Hammond, "Europeans will still be able to come into the UK" during the transition period, "but they will have to register with the authorities so we know who`s coming and who`s going".

"We`ve been clear that it would be some time before we are able to introduce full migration control between the UK and the EU," he said.
Berlin: Germany warned on Friday that it would not accept any new US sanctions against Russia that targeted European companies at the same time.

Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel underlined the importance of applying economic pressure on Russia over its involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.

But he stressed in a statement that "we will under no circumstances accept an extraterritorial application of these US sanctions against European companies."

"Sanction policy is neither a suitable nor an adequate instrument to advance the interests of national exports and the domestic energy sector."

European nations have lashed out at Washington over the impact of the new sanctions, arguing that they could hurt European companies involved in the construction of a new pipeline that would pump Russian gas under the Baltic Sea directly to Germany.

They fear that the US could use the sanctions to squeeze Russian gas supplies out of Europe in favour of US energy exports.

The EU has also warned of swift retaliation if the US pushed ahead with the sanctions without taking heed of its concerns.

To date, anti-Russia sanctions have been coordinated on both sides of the Atlantic in a common Western front reminiscent of the Cold War.

But yesterday, the US Senate passed the sanctions package despite European concerns, sending it to President Donald Trump, who must decide whether to accept the tough stance or veto the measure.
Dublin: There is no proposal suggesting the border between Ireland and Britain be moved to the Irish Sea after Britain leaves the European Union in early 2019, Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said on Friday.

Northern Irish Protestant politicians who are propping up British Prime Minister Theresa May`s minority government reacted with fury on Friday to a report that Ireland wants the Irish Sea to be its border with Britain after Brexit.

"There is no proposal that is suggesting that there be a border in the Irish Sea. What we are saying is that there is an onus on the UK to come up with imaginative and if necessary unique solutions" to avoid a hard border returning to the island of Ireland, Coveney told national broadcaster RTE.
London: Britain wants to a avoid a cliff edge Brexit that would sow chaos for business but leaving the European Union means leaving the single market and the customs union, finance minister Philip Hammond told the BBC.

Hammond refused to confirm or deny a Financial Times report that he had told business leaders that he wanted to negotiate a simple off-the-shelf transition deal with Brussels to maintain current trading relations with Europe for at least two years after Brexit.

Hammond said it was in the interests of the EU and Britain to have a transition that allows the economies to adjust. He said British ministers needed to understand the challenges that businesses face with Brexit.
Ahmedabad: In a late damage control after seven MLAs from Gujarat resigned from Congress in last 48 hours, the party shifted its 44 MLAs to Bengaluru, to prevent, what they call horse trading ahead of a crucial election in the state.

The Congress decided to confine its 44 Gujarat MLAs outside the state until Rajya Sabha elections are held in Gujarat.

The development came hours after seven Congress MLAs decided to quit the party in the last two days. One of them, Balvantsinh Rajput, has been named as a candidate for the Rajya Sabha by the BJP.

The Congress accused the BJP of using "money and muscle power" to engineer defections by its MLAs in Gujarat ahead of the August 8 Rajya Sabha poll.

"To ensure BJP is not successful, 44 of us Congress MLAs are leaving from Gujarat for Bengaluru," Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar said.

"To hide their failure, BJP is trying to make sure our MLAs resign by offering money and through police pressure," he said.

Prior to the string of resignations by the Congress lawmakers, the BJP had 121 seats and the Congress had 57 in the 182-member Gujarat Assembly. The NCP has two seats, the JDU has one. There were no independent. The Congress party has now been reduced to 51 MLAs in the assembly in the 182-member Assembly.

Elections will be held on August 8 for three Rajya Sabha seats.

The BJP has fielded its party chief Amit Shah and Union Minister Smriti Irani for the two seats, Congress has renominated Ahmed Patel, who is political secretary to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, for the third seat.

The lawmakers, who resigned from Congress, are considered close to Shankarsinh Vaghela, who exited the Congress last week over the party's decision not to project him as Chief Minister in assembly elections due later this year.

Earlier today, in yet another blow to Congress, Vansda MLA Chhanabhai Chaudhary, Mansinh Chauhan from Balasinor, Ramsinh Parmar from Thasra and C.K. Raolji submitted their resignations to Speaker Ramanlal Vora.

Political sources say Chaudhary and Chauhan are expected to join the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). But Parmar, Chairman of Amul Dairy, said he would not do that.

The developments come a day after three legislators resigned from the party and joined the BJP.

On Thursday, Congress Chief Whip in the Gujarat Assembly Balwantsinh Rajput and MLAs Tejashree Patel and PI Patel submitted their resignations to join the BJP.

IANS cited unnamed sources as saying that another senior legislator Raghavji Patel is also likely to follow suit along with five others.

"I also want to go to the BJP and there are five others who are also preparing for it," IANS quoted Raghavji Patel, a legislator from Jamnagar (rural) constituency in Saurashtra, as saying. "We are frustrated. Nobody listened to our voice and took note of our aspirations," the veteran leader added.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad rejected the horse-trading claims made by the Congress and said, "The entire allegations of the Congress that the BJP is doing horse-trading in Gujarat is not only false and laughable but shows its utter desperation."

"A senior leader like Shankersinh Vaghela, former chief minister and the leader of opposition, has left the Congress. Three-time MLA and its chief whip Balwantsinh Rajput has left it too. Eminent doctor and its whip Tejashreeben Patel has left it. Does the Congress want to suggest that it has given important positions to such leaders who could be purchased?" Prasad told PTI.
New Delhi: A Delhi court on Friday will hear Health Minister Satyendra Jain's defamation case filed against Kapil Mishra for levelling corruption charges against him. Jain's lawyer Gautam Baweja said the Tis Hazari Court has taken cognizance of the matter.

Earlier in May, Mishra had charged Jain of bribery and nepotism. He said that he saw Jain giving Rs 2 crore in cash to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at his residence. He also alleged that Jain helped Kejriwal's relatives to secure farm house land deals in Delhi.

Jain however categorically rejected Mishra's charge, saying "no deal took place" between him and Kejriwal and this just an "attempt to defame the AAP". "He (Mishra) says Kejriwal's brother-in-law was to get the favour from a deal. It is shameful and disgusting. The person who has died (brother-in-law), he is making an allegation about a man who is dead," Jain had said.

CM Kejriwal had also rubbished "wild allegations" levelled by Mishra, saying they do not merit a response as even his opponents were refusing to buy them. Hitting out at Mishra without naming him, Kejriwal said it pains to be "backstabbed" by his own people.

(With inputs from agencies)
Luke Combs is the winner of the Country Music Association Awards' coveted entertainer of the year trophy. Combs thanked the country music community for making his dreams come true. It was the second time in a row he won the show's top honor, and he also won won album of the year for Growin' Up. Wednesday's show in Nashville, Tennessee, opened with Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and Reba McEntire playing tribute to the late country queen Loretta Lynn. The superstar trio performed a medley of Lynns hits including You Aint Woman Enough, Dont Come Home A-Drinkin and Coal Miners Daughter. Leading nominee Lainey Wilson took home two trophies and Alan Jackson accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Beijing: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will on Friday call on Chinese President Xi Jinping, a day after holding talks with China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi on the sidelines of a BRICS security meet.

Doval's BRICS counterparts will also meet Xi today.

On Thursday, Doval and Yang met "separately" and exchanged views on bilateral relations where the latter expressed Beijing's view on "major problems and bilateral issues", according to China's official news agency Xinhua.

During the meet, the Chinese side raised "major problems" in ties with India amid the dragging border row.

It was not known whether Doval and China's State Councillor Yang discussed the standoff between their armies in Doklam in Sikkim sector that is in its second month, and has added to the host of disputes between the two countries that fought a war in 1962.

The meeting between the two top officials is seen as a positive sign in view of Beijing's tough public posturing on the issue.

Earlier, China had ruled out any talks over the feud until India withdraws troops from Doklam.

Beijing claims Doklam as its own territory.

India has said it is ready to pull back from the Bhutanese territory if China does so too.

Some experts fear the festering situation could lead to an armed conflict.

Doklam, located at the tri-junction of India, Bhutan and China, is of high strategic importance to all three. It is disputed by Bhutan and China.

India says Doklam is Bhutanese territory and perceives any Chinese presence in the area as a threat to its own security.

The standoff began over a road being built by the Chinese Army in Doklam. Indian troops halted the work in mid-June, leading to the crisis.

Doval arrived in China on Wednesday to take part in the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) NSAs meeting being hosted by Yang, who, like Doval, is the Special Representative for India-China boundary talks.

His visit has raised expectations about the likelihood of India and China finding a way-out of the over the month-long standoff.

(With Agency inputs)
New Delhi: On the occasion of the "Missile Man's" second death anniversary, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday described former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam as 'Anything is possible with just attitude and karma'.

While remembering Dr Kalam, who was popularly known as 'People's President', the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said, Dr Kalam became peoples President of India, driven by the single minded devotion and passion of doing something for the country.

At a function to inaugurate the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam memorial at Pei Karumbu near Rameswaram, Naidu said Kalam was more of a saint than a scientist and had attained sainthood by the way he lived.

"In my view, Dr Kalam was more a saint than a renowned scientist. The saint in him made the scientist he was. Like a saint, Dr Kalam was detached from the ordinary callings of life and was always driven by the single minded pursuit of the cause of our country and the people, Naidu said.

"He had thus attained sainthood by the way he lived. Dr Kalam was a true Karma Yogi," he added.

A multi-crore memorial of the former president was on Thursday inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Peikarambu.

The memorial was built by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), where the "People's President" worked for decades, and other central government departments.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister also unveiled a wooden statue of Kalam playing the 'veena'
New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir activist Sushil Pandit, while welcoming the nabbing of Hurriyat leaders by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) over money laundering charges to fund terror in the Kashmir Valley, on Friday said that the graver charges against Separatist leaders must be probed.

Pandit said unless other serious charges against top Separatist leaders are probed, there will be no justice.

"Nabbing of Hurriyat leaders or their relatives is a welcome development, but nabbing them only for tax-related violations is not the solution to Kashmir problems. The charges against the Hurriyat leaders are lot more grave and serious. Unless the charges of genocide, murder, treason, waging a war against nation are framed against top leadership, like Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasim Malik, there will no justice," Pandit told ANI.

Speaking on the same lines, defence expert P.K. Saihgal said Geelani, Mirwaiz and Yasin Malik must be taken to custody so that all crooks can be brought to justice.

"It is a very good sign. It is clearly an indicator that the Government of India to go the whole hog. The law must take an upper hand irrespective of how might and powerful the accused be," Saihgal told ANI.

According to sources, the government agencies have full details of the wealth amassed by the 13 top Kashmiri separatists: Syed All Shah Geelani, Altaf Ahmed Shah, Fatoosh, Naseem Geelani, Nayeem Geelani, Farooq Ahmad Dar, Bitta Karate, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Shabbir Shah, Yasin Malik, Mir Waiz, Mehraj-ud-din, Bashir Ahmed Bhat, Peer Saifullah, Asiya Andrabi, and Nayeem Mohammed Khan.

The Kashmiri separatists have made fortunes for themselves and family for leading the separatism in the Valley and state.

The government agencies believe that they have also used the funds received from Pakistan to foment unrest and separatism in Jammu and Kashmir for their personal gains.

For example Shabir Ahmad Shah, Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Front Party (JKDFP), has accumulated huge wealth during the over two-decade-old militancy in the state.

He was arrested on Tuesday by a team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from his Sanat Nagar residence in Rawalpora, district Budgam.

According to the sources, Shah owns a 25-room Bahal Shah Hotel in Pahalgam in Anantnag district, double story house in Jammu, three story house in Anantnag, 14-room house in Srinagar.

He has also has shares in different businesses, say sources.

The Kashmiri separatists are under the scanner of NIA after several top Kashmiri separatists were caught on camera confessing to receiving funds from across the border.

The sting operation, carried by a news channel, showed Hurriyat's Provincial President (Geelani Faction) Naeem Khan admitting on camera that Pakistan is funding the violence in Kashmir Valley.

The NIA visited Srinagar in May to probe the alleged funding by Pakistan for illegal activities in Kashmir, and questioned several separatist leaders on the issue of raising, collecting and transferring funds via the Hawala route and other channels to fund terror activities in Kashmir.

The NIA has so far arrested seven Kashmiri separatists and produced them before a Delhi Court on Tuesday which sent them to 10-day custody of NIA over money laundering charges to fund terror in the Kashmir Valley.

The arrested separatists are: Altaf Shah, Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah, Mehraj Kalwal, Shahid-ul-Islam, Naeem Khan and Bitta Karate.
Mumbai: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has emerged as the first choice of among JEE 2017 toppers. IIT Delhi was the second most favoured engineering college.

About 65 of the top 100 JEE rankers have opted for IIT Mumbai, while 31 chose IIT Delhi.

Candidates first preference is computer science stream.

This signals a major shift in student's perception. About 20 years ago, IIT Kharagpur was the most preferred institute, followed by IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur.

"I think students are coming here because of the perception that it is the best institute. In all the rankings, we are pretty high on the student perception level," said IIT-Bombay director Devang Khakhar told TOI.

Together, the three old insitutes  IIT Kharagpur, Madras and Kanpur  managed to get just 50 students from the pool of top 500 candidates.

Several factors including placement records, academic research, geography, etc contributed to the change in perception of students.

Newer IITs that would open admissions after 1000th rank now have students with higher ranks opting for admissions. About 23 students in top 1,000 ranks joined IIT Hyderabad while 3 joined IIT Indore and 35 in IIT (BHU) Varanasi.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked BJP MPs to recognise the changing political landscape of the country and to join people in non-political activities aimed at welfare of society.

Modi, who meets MPs from various states during Parliament sessions, interacted with party lawmakers from Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh as part of the exercise, at his residence.

"It is necessary to recognise the changing political landscape in the current polity. At a time when competitive politics has become more dynamic, it is imperative for MPs to be involved with diverse public groups in non-political activities," Modi was quoted as saying in an official statement.

MPs from both states appreciated various welfare schemes of the Modi government and said they have influenced poor people in a big way.

The MPs also give suggestions about various schemes including crop insurance, soil health card and others.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is also an MP from Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh, and Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar, who is a Rajya Sabha member from the state, were also present during the meeting.

Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Thawar Chand Gehlot, who hails from Madhya Pradesh, were also present.

The meeting was coordinated by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar.
Patna: Sailing through the trust vote with 131 votes, Nitish Kumar is back being the 'king' of the Bihar.

'Secularism can't mask corruption," said the Chief Minister in the Bihar Assembly with Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi by his side.

"These are arrogant people. Political parties get a mandate in elections to serve the people. The people are fed-up," added Nitish.

Last 48-hours, Bihar witnessed some fast-paced and stunning developments that has changed the political scenario of the country.

It all started on Thursday evening.

Alleging corruption charges against Tejashwi Yadav, Nitish tendered his resignation and dissolved the 20-month-old mahagathbandhan or grand alliance between JD(U) and RJD. Within hours, JD (U) formed a new coalition with old ally BJP and Nitish headed back to office, claiming support of 132 MLAs in a letter to Bihar governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.

In 2013, Nitish had ended his 17-year alliance with the BJP over the party's decision to name Narendra Modi its Prime Ministerial candidate.

Nitish's decision to side with BJP has not gone down well with several party members. JD (U) stalwart Sharad Pawar is reportedly miffed with the new development while MP Ali Anwar openly expressed his dissatisfaction.

Today morning, Nitish moved the confidence motion to prove majority of his new government amid scathing attacks from various counters. In the 243-member Bihar Assembly, 131 legislators voted in favour of the new alliance and 108 against.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav argued that former his former 'boss' Nitish Kumar should have shown guts and sacked him rather than joining hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"Aapko sharam nahin aayi? (Aren't you ashamed?),asked Tejashwi.

Today morning, Patna High Court accepted RJD's petition challenging the appointment of Nitish as Chief Minister. However, the court refused to stop today's trust vote, saying it would hear the case on Monday, 31 July.

JD (U)'s new alliance with BJP has changed significantly changed the political discourse of the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA now holds the power in 18 states throwing Congress out of the national equation. This, in turn, will have some significant bearing upcoming state elections and 2019 Lok Sabha election.

Bihar's political upheaval has only confirmed the notion of BJP's saffron wave engulfing the entire nation.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday rejected the Public-Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Tamil Nadu unit convener, to bar V.K. Sasikala from acting as All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) General Secretary.

While dismissing the plea filed by Vasigaran, the apex court observed it could not order the Chief Minister and ministers not to seek advice from a convicted person, adding it's the decision of the politicians.

Earlier in April, AAP's Tamil Nadu wing urged the Election Commission to 'review' Sasikala's position as the interim General Secretary of the AIADMK even after her conviction in a disproportionate assets case.

A delegation of the party submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission, urging the poll watchdog to evaluate the constitutionality of V.K. Sasikala's position in the ruling party in Tamil Nadu by taking into consideration the Supreme Court ruling in the Lily Thomas case.

"The general secretary is the head of the AIADMK and the current chief minister of Tamil Nadu (Edappadi K. Palaniswami) as well as other ministers belong to her (Sasikala's) camp (within the AIADMK). We would like the Election Commision to see how a convict can hold such a position," Vasigaran said in a statement.

The delegation also questioned the constitutionality of leaders of various political parties continuing to occupy top positions even after their conviction in criminal cases.
New Delhi: Looks like our External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is not only the most beloved politician in India, but in Pakistan too. On Thursday night, in a series of tweet exchange, a woman from Karachi in Pakistan wrote, Lots and lost of love and respect from here. Wish you were our Prime Minister, this country would've changed!

The Pakistani national, Hijaab Asif, requested Swaraj to grant her an Indian Visa in Islamabad. The later promptly directed the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to issue a visa for accessing medical facility in India. Swaraj also directed Gautam Bambawale, the Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan, to register Asif's plea.

Asif, happy with Swaraj's prompt response, tweeted:

@SushmaSwaraj what do I call you? Superwoman? God? No words to describe your generosity! Love you maam Can't stop praising you in tears!  Hijaab asif (@Hijaab_asif) July 27, 2017

She further tweeted:

Our government is corrupt, we don't hate India. I've been to India and I swear I love India and the Indians. In fact, everyone here does!!  Hijaab asif (@Hijaab_asif) July 27, 2017

Asif, was requesting on the behalf of a patient - Shabahat Abbas Taqvi, who is suffering from liver ailment and needs urgent treatment in India. "Dear ma'am, spoke to DHC (Deputy High Commissioner) in Islamabad, told the patient's current condition and he said it's all up to you (Sushma Swaraj). If you allow," Asif had tweeted earlier.



Swaraj along with woman, took a collective dig at Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Minister Sartaj Aziz.

@Hijaab_asif Kya aap jaise serious case mein bhi Sartaj Aziz sahib ne chitthi dene se mana kr diya ? /1  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 27, 2017

The woman from other side of the border responded:

Nobody in our government is maam @SushmaSwaraj we have #SartajAziz who nobody knows even exists or not.  Hijaab asif (@Hijaab_asif) July 27, 2017

Needless to say, once again Sushma Swaraj saved the day.
New York: Entrepreneur and Tesla Motors Chairman and CEO Elon Musk`s SpaceX, a rocket-producing firm, raised around USD 350 million in its latest round of funding, thus taking over as the world`s most valuable privately-held firm.

With this new feat, SpaceX is all set to join the USD 20 million bandwagon of companies, as it is now valued at USD 21 billion, according to a report published by The New York Times.

Earlier, the Tesla co-founder also took to twitter to unveil the first look of SpaceX`s Falcon Heavy, scheduled for launch this November.

SpaceX`s latest funding nearly doubles the valuation of the company, which was valued at around USD 11 billion following its previous round of funding in 2015.

Previous investors in SpaceX include venture capital firms Founders Fund and DFJ.

A key player in the commercial satellites business, the company suffered a major blow as an explosion rocked the launch site for its Falcon 9 rocket at Cape Canaveral in Florida in September last year.

In March, the company launched a partly used, less expensive rocket, with the aim of bringing down the cost of sending supplies into space, in lieu of Musk`s vision to colonise Mars.

Following that, the company in May 2017 launched a top secret spy satellite for a US Government towards orbit.

The commercial rocket Falcon 9, lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, reported CNN.

Seven minutes after liftoff, the first-stage rocket booster separated from the upper stage and fired its engines again.

An on-board computer then guided the rocket to a pinpoint landing on a 300-foot platform back at Kennedy Space Center.

The satellite was made for National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), a US Government agency that develops and maintains spy satellites.

The NRO said the satellite aimed to survey potential threats to the United States by tracking terrorists and monitoring the development of nuclear weapons in other countries.

It was also capable of providing an early warning of a potential missile strike.

On the competition front, SpaceX is pitted up against Blue Origin, a rocket company founded by Jeff Bezos, the chief executive of Amazon, who recently overtook Microsoft founder Bill Gates as the world`s richest individual.
US coffee chain Starbucks has announced it will take full control of its mainland China outlets in a $1.3 billion deal, the largest single acquisition in the company`s history.

It will buy the remaining 50 percent of its East China joint venture from Taiwan`s food and beverage giant Uni-President, according to a company statement issued Thursday.

Starbucks will gain full control of 1,300 stores in 25 cities, including commercial hub Shanghai, from Uni-President Enterprises and a subsidiary, the statement said.

Starbucks has seen rapid expansion in China, where it opened its first cafe 17 years ago. By 2011, the company had 400 outlets while today it has nearly 600 in Shanghai alone.

Kevin Johnson, Starbucks chief executive, described the move as "a critical next step" that can help fulfil its goal of almost doubling the number of its mainland outlets to 5,000 from the current 2,800.

"Unifying the Starbucks business under a full company-operated structure in China reinforces our commitment to the market," Johnson said in the statement.

Chairman Howard Schultz, who stepped aside as Starbucks chief executive earlier this year, has said that China could one day become the chain`s largest market, overtaking the US where it has some 7,500 stores.

The move comes as the US coffee giant saw a 8.3 percent drop in net earnings on the year, to $691.6 million, for the third quarter ended on July 2, according to its earnings report.

The company plans to close 379 Teavana tea shops due to poor performance, it said.

The Seattle-based firm also said it will fully license its Taiwan market operations, selling 50 percent of its Taiwan joint venture President Starbucks Coffee for $175 million to Uni-President.

Starbucks fully licensed its Macau and Hong Kong stores in 2011.

The new deals are expected to be closed by early 2018 and are subject to regulatory approvals.
On Nov. 1, Linn Benton Food Shares warehouse in Tangent received two truckloads of food and household supplies arranged by the local branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
New Delhi: The Union home ministry is keeping a close watch on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir following the announcement by terror organisation Al-Qaeda on setting up of a new outfit in Kashmir under the aegis of known militant Zakir Musa, an official said on Friday.

The official said that an assessment is being made by central security agencies about the possible law and order scenario in the Kashmir Valley following the terror group's announcement.

Musa recently left the Hizbul Mujahideen militant group after the terror outfit strongly condemned his threat to Hurriyat leaders. He later announced to float his new militant outfit and even professed his support to terror group Al-Qaeda.

Musa was a close aide of top Kashmiri terrorist leader Burhan Wani, whose killing last year had triggered a series of attacks and massive protests against security forces in the Kashmir Valley.

His name had surfaced in 'jihadi' literature linked to al-Qaeda.
Jammu: Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat will arrive in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday to visit forward positions on the Line of Control (LoC), Defence Ministry officials said.



General Rawat would also chair a security review meeting here.



"After chairing the security review meeting, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is likely to visit some forward locations on the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts," the officials said.



The Indian and Pakistani Army have been engaging each other in frequent firing exchanges on the LoC in these two districts.



Although the LoC has remained calm for the last four days, India has blamed Pakistan for unprovoked, indiscriminate shelling and firing in the districts often targeting civilian facilities, including schools and villages.
Bengaluru: Amid the protests over the use of Hindi in Bengaluru Metro signboards, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday wrote to the central government asserting that the state government is 'compelled' to redesign the signage in the metro without the Hindi language.

Writing to Union Urban Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Siddaramaiah asserted that the state government was compelled to ask the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd to temporarily re-design the signages in the Namma metro without the Hindi language.

The Chief Minister then asked the Union Minister to review the Ministry's earlier decision on the use of three languages which are - Regional, Hindi and English as the centre's "three language policy is not reasonable."

In his letter, Siddaramaiah stated that it would be appropriate to implement policies of the state government in the metro.

.@CMofKarnataka has written a letter to Union Minister @nstomar saying BMRCL would be asked to redesign Name Boards etc without Hindi Script pic.twitter.com/HSD5ujtQ8k  GoK Updates (@GOKUpdates) July 28, 2017

"Although both the Centre and State have equal stake in the BMRCL, the financial contribution of the state government is much more than that of the Government of India. Moreover, the supervision of operations, providing of security etc to the BMRCL is the responsibility of the state government. Also, the state government has undertaken to repay all the loans contracted by the BMRCL and also to bear the operating losses," he said in the letter.

Earlier, the Pro-Kannada organisation Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) staged a protest in front of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) demanding 70 percent of the language written on any board/signboard or name plate should be in Kannada.

I request GoI to acknowledge the cultural aspirations of ppl of Karnataka & practical utility of Kan & Eng for signages across #NammaMetro  CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) July 28, 2017

On July 19, the anti-Hindi agitation was exhibited by the members of the KRV who blackened words are written in Hindi on the signboard outside Yeswanthpur metro station.

The members took up the task of blackening the Hindi words written on almost all metro stations, including Jaynagar, Peenya, Deepanjali Nagar, Mysore Road, and Yashwanthpura metro stations.

Not just Hindi, even English faced the heat of pro-Kannada activists in Karnataka earlier.

On July 6, the KRV defaced English and Hindi signage of a restaurant in a mall near Bengaluru's Eco tech park.

After the anti-Hindi Twitter campaign, #NammaMetroHindiBeda ('Our Metro, We don't want Hindi'), Hindi words on the signboards of two Metro stations - Chickpete and Majestic - were covered with paper and taped on July 3.

These metro boards were in Kannada, English and Hindi.

(With PTI inputs)
Bengaluru: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday attached 11,805 acres of land worth Rs 148 crore allotted to industrialist Nimmagadda Prasad by YSR Congress chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy when his father was the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister.

This formed part of the ED probe against the YSR Congress leader in an illegal assets case, an official statement said.

The agency said the attached land was illegally allotted to the companies of Prasad in Prakasam and Guntur districts.

"This is a quid pro quo investment case where Prasad, various companies and individuals made huge investments in companies floated by Reddy for the favours received from erstwhile Andhra Pradesh government by way of allotment of land for development of port and industrial corridor, exemption under Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act," the statement said.

Jagan, as he is popularly known, was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in May 2012 in the case. He spent 16 months in jail before getting bail in September 2013.

He is currently the Leader of Opposition in Andhra Pradesh.

The CBI has filed 11 chargesheets in the case against Jagan, his aides, former state ministers, IAS officers, corporate entities and businessmen.

The case relates to alleged investments made by private firms and individual investors in Jagan Reddy`s companies in return for favours they received when his father Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy was Chief Minister between 2004 and 2009.

Based on a CBI chargesheet, the ED launched a probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and found that Prasad allegedly paid bribes to Jagan Reddy in the form of investments totalling about Rs 779.50 crore in the latter`s companies, Jagati Publications Ltd, Carmel Asia Holdings Pvt Ltd, Bharathi Cement Corp Pvt Ltd and Silicon Builders Pvt Ltd.

Investigators in the ED said Prasad also paid Rs 57 crore to Jagan Reddy on the pretext of secondary purchase of shares and donation of Rs 7 crore to the YSR Foundation.

In lieu of the alleged bribes, Prasad was "illegally" awarded the project for the development of the Vadarevu-Nizampatnam Port and Industrial Corridor by allegedly deviating from standard norms and without even examining the technical or financial capabilities, the ED revealed.

Prasad got orders for allotment of land to the extent of more than 18,700 acres in the name of his goup company, Vanpic Projects Pvt Ltd, which allegedly had no responsibility for project development, another ED official said.

Prasad`s companies started payments to farmers and the departments even before the issuance of government orders for land allotments. "Considerations were paid for 13,220 acres."

In the same case, the ED had earlier attached Rs 538 crore assets of Jagan Reddy and his companies and Rs 325 crore worth assets of Prasad and his companies, including 1,416 acres of land from Vanpic Projects Pvt Ltd and Vanpic Ports Pvt Ltd.
Bengaluru: A closed-door meeting between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and B. Ramanath Rai late Tuesday triggered speculation that the Minister for Forest and Environment could become the state's next Home Minister.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has opposed Rai's candidature.

Siddaramaiah holds the Home portfolio after the ruling party's state unit president G Parameshwara quit the post in June on the Congress High Command's advice.

As per The Hindu, Siddaramaiah is likely to meet Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in this regard and finalise the proposal.

Putting a confirmation stamp on the development, Rai was quoted as saying by the daily: I am ready to take up the responsibility if given the charge of Home Ministry. I have the experience handling various portfolios ably in my career.

Voicing its opposition, Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar said, How can a man who cannot deal with one district, Dakshina Kannada as the in-charge minister, handle the law and order responsibility of the entire state.
Thiruvananthapuram: A Bharatiya Janata Party state office was attacked in Kerala's capital early Friday, prompting BJP activists to stone the residence of Communist Party of India-Marxist`s state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan`s son within hours.

According to visuals released by the state BJP headquarters, at around 1:40 am, few persons arrived at the party`s office.

They smashed the window panes of around six vehicles parked inside the compound, including one that belonged to the party`s state chief Kummanem Rajasehekeran.

"This is a planned attack and it was unleashed by the CPI-M after coming to know that our state president was staying overnight at the office," party general secretary MT Ramesh told the media.

BJP`s lone legislator O Rajagopal told the media that the visuals showed the role of local CPI-M councillor IP Binu in the attacks.

A case has been registered and a probe is underway, police said.

Hours after the Left party`s attack, BJP workers stoned the residence of Bineesh Kodiyeri, the son of CPI(M)`s state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.

"I was on my way back from Kannur, when I got this news. I was in the train," the CPI-M secretary said.

Balakrishnan said he generally stays in the party apartment but "at times I stay with my son and may be the BJP and RSS activists thought I was staying there last night and hence unleashed the attack".

"Only if a probe is launched will one know whether `they` had planned to attack that place, too," Balakrishnan said, adding: "We condemn this attack as we do not subscribe to any such attacks."

There has been sporadic clashes here between the two groups in the past two weeks.

The clashes had all begun when the student wings of these two political parties clashed in two colleges in Thiruvananthapuram earlier. Later, the youth wings of both parties flexed muscles against each other.

On Thursday, there were skirmishes between the workers of these parties at a few places in the city and its suburbs.

The Kerala Police has decided to strengthen security around both party offices.

(With Agency inputs)
Mumbai: Sheena Bora murder case accused Indrani Mukerjea, lodged in Byculla jail here, will be interrogated in Manjula Shete Byculla jail murder case, Maharashtra minister Ranjit Patil announced on Friday.

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 in June.

She was allegedly summoned by a woman jailor and beaten up brutally, according to witness statements recorded by the police.

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 had earlier told a special CBI court that she was threatened and assaulted after she said that she would give a statement in connection with Shette's death.
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Assembly on Friday witnessed an unruly scene after BJP MLA Raj Purohit and AIMIM MLA Waris Pathan engaged in a heated verbal communication over the Vande Mataram row.

As per a report, the argument took place over the ruling party's demand to making singing of Vande Mataram compulsory in all schools and colleges across the state.

"You have to sing Vande Mataram if you want to live in India, otherwise go to Pakistan. A true Muslim will always sing Vande Mataram," Purohit reportedly told AIMIM's Waris Pathan.

However, Pathan refused to sing Vande Mataram and instead chanted slogans 'Hindustan Zindabad' and 'Jai Hind'.

"A true Muslim is one who listens only to the Allah. My religion forbids me to sing Vande Mataram," he said.

During the brawl, Purohit asked the government to impose a ban on AIMIM and to disqualify Pathan from the House over his refusal to sing the song.

However, irked by the BJP MLA's remark, Pathan sat on a dharna outside the Assembly and said, "These people are forcing me to sing Vande Mataram".

"Nowhere in the Constitution is it written. We are being suppressed. No one can ban AIMIM. AIMIM is a nationalistic party. They are forcing me. I will not say Vande Mataram. Everybody is free to express his opinion," Pathan said.

The Madras High Court's recent ruling on the singing of 'Vande Mataram' has triggered a widespread political slugfest in Maharashtra with several parties demanding its implementation in schools and colleges of the state whereas others including AIMIM and Samajwadi Party opposing any such move.
Mumbai: The new regulations of Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on foreign holdings of rupee-denominated corporate bonds will reduce options for companies to diversify their funding sources, says a report.

Last week, the market regulator had said that foreign purchases of rupee-denominated corporate notes would only be permitted through auction once the foreign holdings reached 95 percent of the cap.

"New, tighter regulations on foreign holdings of rupee-denominated corporate bonds and offshore issuance will reduce options for companies to diversify their funding sources, at least temporarily," Fitch Ratings said in a report.

The new norms will also prevent the use of certain complex transaction structures, which have recently gained popularity among corporate issuers, it said.

At present, the foreign portfolio investors can invest up to Rs 2,44,300 crore (USD 51 billion) in corporate bonds issued by domestic companies.

Foreign ownership is already above 95 percent of the cap, which means these restrictions have come into effect, the report said.

Issuance of offshore 'masala bonds' will also cease entirely until foreign ownership falls to 92 percent of the cap.

"The hiatus on masala bond issuance triggered by SEBI's regulations has put the plans of some large corporates on hold. The decision could dent confidence in the instrument and hold back the market's medium-term development," the report said.

The first masala bonds were only issued in mid-2016, and the market still lacks the depth that would make them more attractive to foreign investors.

Better quality issuers, such as NTPC, should be able to reconsider masala bonds, if and when the cap on foreign ownership of rupee bonds is eventually raised or foreign ownership falls sufficiently, it said.

A separate ruling earlier in the month by the Reserve Bank had already tightened the rules on masala bond issuance, banning their sale to related entities, lowering the cap on spread over government bonds, and extending the minimum maturity.
Bhubaneswar: The BJP's Odisha unit on Friday sought an Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into alleged dubious transactions in the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) account.

A state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation met ED Joint Director Madhab C. Mishra here and sought the probe into what they claimed were hawala transactions by the BJD and its President Naveen Patnaik.

"We requested the agency to probe who donated money to the Chief Minister and the BJD. We have sought the central agency`s help to unearth the truth," state BJP Vice President Sameer Mohanty said.

The BJP delegation, he said, provided details of the bank account details of the BJD to the ED.

Earlier, the BJP had approached the Election Commission and the Income Tax Department over alleged poll funding irregularities.

BJD Spokesperson Sameer Das said the opposition party is "staging a drama" over the poll funding issue and trying to politicise the matter.

The Orissa High Court has deferred hearing on alleged poll funding irregularities till July 31.
NORTH PLATTE  Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol Troop D 

North Platte, supported by the Dawson County Sheriffs Office, apprehended two people after a search of nearly 24 hours near Overton.

According to a NSP press release, at 1:34 p.m. Thursday, July 27, NSP received information that two people were traveling eastbound on I-80 near Lexington in a stolen vehicle. Troopers located the stolen, green Chevrolet Tahoe near the Overton exit and attempted a traffic stop. At that point the vehicle fled, leading troopers on a pursuit

across several county roads, reaching speeds of 90 miles per hour. NSP deployed a tire deflation device to stop the vehicle, ending the car pursuit after approximately 36 minutes. The two people in the vehicle then fled on foot into a cornfield.

Troopers from NSP, including the Aviation Support Division and Police Service Dogs, along with deputies from the Dawson County Sheriffs Office, conducted an exhaustive search of the area.

The subjects were spotted at about 9 p.m., but a second search yielded nothing and was suspended four hours later.

After spending hours in the cornfield, the subjects were spotted again at 10:40 a.m. today (Friday) and were taken into custody by NSP and the Dawson County Sheriffs Office.

Michael Medina, 24, of Colorado, and Patricia Pacheco, 26, of South Dakota, were transported to Lexington to be medically cleared before being lodged in Dawson County Jail.
New Delhi: Talented young actress Akshara Haasan is currently keeping busy with Thala Ajith's much talked about 'Vivegam' which will mark her big screen debut in Tamil cinema.

But right now it's not her debut which is making the headlines. It's the rumour about Akshara changing her religion which is grabbing more eyeballs. Veteran actor Kamal Haasan has the perfect reply to the rumours suggesting his younger daughter has changed religion and taken to Buddhism.

He tweeted:

Hi. Akshu. Have you changed your religeon? Love you, even if you have. Love unlike religeon is unconditional. Enjoy life . Love- Your Bapu  Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) July 28, 2017

To that, darling daughter Akshara responded:
Mumbai: Ever since they set the silver screen ablaze with their too-hot-to-handle chemistry in Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Goliyon Ki Raasleela  Ram Leela, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone have been dating each other. Though they never made it official by confirming the same, their PDA spoke volumes about their relationship.

Its been a while they have been together but speculations suggest that two have headed for splitsville. However, this is not the first time rumours of their alleged breakup have surfaced. It has happened in the past too!

In October last year, reports suggested that Ranveer and Deepika had called it quits. But soon they put all rumours to rest by walking hand-in-hand at Mukesh Ambanis party. Also when Deepika had thrown a bash for her first Hollywood co-star Vin Diesel ahead of the release of her debut film xXx: Return of Xander Cage in India in January, Ranveer was spotted holding her hand while walking through the crowd.

However, there are also reports suggesting that this could probably be either a baseless rumour or a publicity stunt since their next  Padmavati  is slated to hit theatres on November 17 this year.
New Delhi: Next time you buy a swanky car or go on a foreign holiday, be careful while you post it on the social media.

The government will sniff out tax evaders from information posted on Instagram and Facebook, as per a report in the Economic Times.

Government will begin amassing a warehouse of virtual information collected not just from traditional sources like banks but also from social media sites, as it looks to match residents starting next month, the report said.

Officials will be able to spot those who pay too little tax without raiding offices and homes as they currently do.

Information can further be collected from Project Insight  a computerisation of all databases with extensive search and matching facilities. The taxman can collate estimate of expenditure and will match with income statements. It is expected to be operational from this financial year.

On the anti-evasion measures taken by the government, linking of taxpayer's permanent account number (PAN) with biometric identifier Aadhaar is aimed at preventing tax evasion using multiple PANs.

Also, a watch is being kept on the nature of expenditure and if it is compliant with declared income of assessee.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently said that more than two crore people went on foreign trips last year but there are only 32 lakh people who have declared income above Rs 10 lakh. The PM wondered whether there can be only that much number of people with high income.

Warning of stringent action against black money hoarders, Modi had said 37,000 shell companies indulging in tax evasion have been detected and more than three lakh firms are under the scanner for suspicious dealings post demonetisation.

He emphasised it would become more difficult for people stashing illicit funds in Swiss banks once automatic tax information exchange regime begins between India and Switzerland.
New Delhi: While space agencies around the world are busy studying the moon and planning various lunar missions and manned probes, another moon beyond our solar system may have just given away its existence!

A team of astronomers have spotted a signal that just might be the first moon detected outside our solar system, and researchers are gearing up to use the Hubble Space Telescope to confirm it.

If the existence of the 'exomoon' is confirmed, the celestial body is likely to be about the size and mass of Neptune, and circles a planet the size of Jupiter but with 10 times the mass, BBC reported.

NASA's Kepler Space Telescope was the one to detect the exomoon signals and follow-up observations are scheduled for October, when the planet is expected to transit its star again, to get a clear observation.

The Kepler Space Telescope finds planets by watching them pass in front of their stars, causing a dip in the stars light. The new potential moon was found in the same way  as a moon orbits its planet, it leads to an extra fall in the starlight coming from behind.

We anticipate that the proposed measurements would be sufficient to confirm the first unambiguous detection of a moon beyond our Solar System, the team writes in its request for time on the Hubble telescope, as per the New Scientist.

Dr David Kipping, assistant professor of astronomy at Columbia University in New York, says he has spent "most of his adult life" looking for exomoons.

As per the BBC report, for the time being, however, he urged caution, saying: "We would merely describe it at this point as something consistent with a moon, but, who knows, it could be something else."

Watch the video below:

(Video courtesy: New Scientist)
New Delhi: There were 422.19 million broadband subscribers and the internet penetration (internet subscriber per 100 populations) was 32.86 per cent in the country as on March 31, 2017, Communications Minister Manoj Sinha informed Parliament on Friday.



In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Sinha said the National Telecom Policy-2012 envisages 600 million broadband connections by the year 2020.



He said that the government has planned the BharatNet project to provide 100 Mbps broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (around 2.5 lakh) in the country.



Under the first phase of the project, one lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) are to be connected by laying underground optical fibre cable (OFC). The work is under implementation.



Under Phase-II, targeted to be completed by March 2019, connectivity will be provided to remaining 1.5 lakh Gram Panchayats in the country using an optimal mix of underground fibre, fibre over power lines, radio and satellite media, the Minister said.



Sinha said the provision of last-mile access to the network and broadband service provisioning shall be through Wi-Fi or any other broadband access technologies in all 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats in the country.



As on July 23, 2017, under the BharatNet project, OFC laying was completed in 100,299 Gram Panchayats and broadband connectivity was provided in 25,426 of them.
Shanghai: Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Inc said on Friday it had signed a deal for a new $1 billion loan to accelerate its drive into brick-and-mortar stores and help a push overseas.

The three-year syndicated loan comes as China`s tech giants look to diversify their businesses as e-commerce growth slows, with rivals from Baidu Inc to Alibaba pushing into new areas from cloud computing to artificial intelligence.

It follows a three-year $1 billion syndicated loan in 2014.

Xiaomi has seen a recent return to form in phone sales after being hit by competition from rival Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and brands Vivo and Oppo.

The firm shipped 23.16 million smartphones in the second quarter of 2017, up 70 percent from the previous quarter, marking a record high for its quarterly smartphone shipments, it said in a statement.

The loan, which was coordinated globally by Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley, involved participation from 18 banks in Europe, the Middle East, India, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

"The global syndicate of top-tier banks is a strong endorsement of Xiaomi by the international capital markets," Xiaomi Chief Financial Officer Shou Zi Chew said.

The statement from Xiaomi, which also makes cameras and TVs and was briefly the world`s most valuable startup following its last round of fundraising in 2014, confirms a report from Reuters LPC on Wednesday.
Islamabad: Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigned on Friday after the country's Supreme Court disqualified him and ruled that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader was unfit to hold office.

The court also ordered a criminal investigation into Sharif's family over corruption allegations, stemming from the Panama Papers leak in 2016.

Sharif`s ruling PML-N party, which has a majority in Parliament, is expected to name a new prime minister to hold office until elections due next year.

With a political vacuum in the country, the role of Pakistani Army and its Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who has till now kept himself away from Panama Papers probe against Nawaz Sharif, becomes extremely important.

Here is a brief profile of General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who was appointed by Sharif in November 2016:

- Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has extensive experience of handling affairs in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the northern areas.

- Nawaz Sharif had appointed Bajwa as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) by elevating him to the rank of four-star general.

- Bajwa was earlier serving as Inspector General of the Training and Evaluation.

- He has also commanded the famed 10 Corps, the Armys largest, which is responsible for the area along the Line of Control (LoC).

- As a major general, he led the Force Command Northern Areas. He also served in the 10 Corps as lieutenant colonel.

Pakistan SC disqualifies Nawaz Sharif from office: Not a single PM completed five-year term in the country since 1947

- He has also served with a UN mission in Congo as a brigade commander alongside former Indian Army chief Gen Bikram Singh, who was also there as a division commander. Previously, he also remained the commandant of the Infantry School in Quetta.

- The Pakistani Army chief is from the infantrys Baloch Regiment, which has given three officers to the post of Army chief - Gen Yahya Khan, Gen Aslam Beg and Gen Ashfaq Perviaz Kayani.
Istanbul: Their imprisonment has torn families apart while the newspaper they work for is left without some of its brightest stars.

But the relatives and colleagues of jailed journalists from the Turkish opposition daily Cumhuriyet vow to continue to fight for their freedom and ideals.

"For nine months we have been living a nightmare, to be honest," said Nazire Gursel, wife of veteran commentator Kadri Gursel who has been in jail since October.

The hardest part, she said, was replying to questions from their 10-year-old son, Erdem.

"People tell my child, `Your father is a hero, he has done a lot for Turkey`," Nazire Gursel recounted.

"So, on the one hand he is proud, but on the other hand, he asks, `But why is my father in prison if he is a hero? Who is his enemy?`"

Since Monday, 17 journalists, executives and other staff of Cumhuriyet, a daily fiercely critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, have been on trial accused of supporting "terrorist" organisations.

Secular Cumhuriyet ("Republic") daily, one of Turkey`s oldest newspapers, has built a strong reputation for publishing scoops embarrassing for those in power.

The newspaper rejects the "absurd" accusations and claims the trial is aimed at damaging one of the country`s last independent media outlets.

The experience has united journalists` relatives and their free colleagues who come to court together, and who sometimes go in groups to Silivri prison on the outskirts of Istanbul with a minibus chartered by the newspaper.

Nazire Gursel goes to Silivri every Friday. "I had never been to Silivri before my husband`s incarceration. When I arrived there for the first time, I told myself `it looks like a Nazi camp`, she told AFP.

"It is a really scary place."The trial gave family members the chance to see their loved ones outside of prison, where visits are confined to an hour and take place behind bulletproof glass.

"We at least have the chance to see or hear them without a window between us, to hear their voice directly without using a telephone," said Yonca Sik, the wife of Ahmet Sik, one of Turkey`s most famous investigative journalists who is also jailed.

According to her, conditions in prison have hardened since her husband`s last incarceration- in 2011, he was imprisoned after writing notably one of the few full-scale investigations into the group of Fethullah Gulen.

Gulen is a US-based cleric who Ankara accuses of ordering last year`s failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"They are in isolation, that is especially the hardest," she told AFP in front of the Istanbul courthouse where the staff is on trial. Among them, 11 are in pre-trial detention.

"They take them away from the people they love, their work and it`s clearly an injustice, persecution," one of Cumhuriyet`s lawyers Efkan Bolac said.

"It`s torture for the accused."Beyond the impact on families, the incarcerations have hurt Cumhuriyet: the paper`s chairman, Akin Atalay, and its editor-in-chief Murat Sabuncu are currently in prison.

"For nine months, Cumhuriyet has faced troubles. Nearly all of its senior executives have been imprisoned as well as many writers," the daily`s Ankara bureau chief Erdem Gul said.

Gul himself was sentenced last year for five years for "revealing state secrets" after a front page story claiming to show the government sending arms to rebels in Syria in May 2015. He is appealing the sentence.

"We are paying a heavy price but we continue to publish the newspaper," Gul said, adding: "Cumhuriyet has not changed its editorial line."

Nazire Gursel says she does not regret the work that her husband did which caused him to be behind bars. "I`m immensely proud of him."

The judge is likely to decide on Friday whether or not to release the accused for the rest of the trial.

"Turkey is no longer a state of law, but there are still people who are fighting for democracy, for justice," said Yonca Sik, pointing to the demonstrators gathered in front of the court.

"And that, of course, gives me hope."
New York: Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton would soon release a book titled "What Happened" in which she would opens up on her stunning 2016 election defeat to her Republican rival Donald Trump.

The book, to be published by Simon & Schuster in September, would explain how the former secretary of state came up short again in her fight for the White House, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Writing 'What Happened' was hard, so is what we see every day. As we move forward & fight back, I hope this helps," Clinton posted on her Twitter account on Thursday with a link to the book's page at amazon.com.

"In the past, for reasons I try to explain, I've often felt I had to be careful in public, like I was up on a wire without a net. Now I'm letting my guard down," Clinton wrote in the introduction of "What Happened".

"This is her most personal memoir yet," said Simon & Schuster on its Web page for the book in which for the first time Clinton reveals "what she was thinking and feeling during one of the most controversial and unpredictable presidential elections in history."

"Now free from the constraints of running, Hillary takes you inside the intense personal experience of becoming the first woman nominated for president by a major party in an election marked by rage, sexism, exhilarating highs and infuriating lows, stranger-than-fiction twists, Russian interference, and an opponent who broke all the rules," the publisher said.

The book describes "what it was like to run against Donald Trump, the mistakes she made, how she has coped with a shocking and devastating loss, and how she found the strength to pick herself back up afterward," it added.
Melbourne: The US Pacific Fleet commander, addressing a security conference in Australia, said in answer to a question on Thursday that he would be prepared to launch a nuclear strike on China if President Donald Trump so ordered.

The fleet spokesman later said the question was asked as an "outrageous hypothetical".

Admiral Scott Swift was speaking at the Australian National University in Canberra when he was asked whether he would be prepared to launch a nuclear attack on China if ordered to do so by Trump.

"The answer would be yes," he said.

Swift said that all members of the U.S. military had sworn an oath to obey officers and the U.S. president as commander in chief to defend the constitution.

"This is core to the American democracy," he said, in a recording of the event obtained by Reuters.

"Any time you have a military that is moving away from a focus, and an allegiance, to civilian control, then we really have significant problems."

Swift`s answer reaffirmed the principle of civilian control over the military and was based on an "outrageous hypothetical" in the question, Pacific Fleet spokesman Captain Charlie Brown told Reuters.

"Frankly, the premise of the question was ridiculous," he said. "It was posed as an outrageous hypothetical, but the admiral simply took it as an opportunity to say the fact is that we have civilian control of the military and we abide by that principle."

Speaking in Beijing on Friday, a spokesman of China`s Foreign Ministry also downplayed the remark.

"Many people have paid attention to this but the spokesman for the Pacific Fleet has pointed out the ridiculousness of this report," Lu Kang told a daily news briefing.

The United States and China enjoy a generally friendly relationship, with strong economic ties, albeit with frequent barbs about trade, jobs, currencies, human rights, Tibet, the South China Sea and North Korea.

Trump has held high hopes for greater cooperation from China to exert influence over North Korea, leaning heavily on Chinese President Xi Jinping for his assistance. The two leaders had a high-profile summit in Florida in April and Trump has frequently praised Xi.
Tokyo: Hawkish Japanese defence minister Tomomi Inada on Friday announced her resignation over a long-brewing scandal involving the handling of military documents, in a political blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

"I decided to resign as defence minister," Inada told a press conference at the defence ministry. "I submitted my resignation to the prime minister and it was accepted."

Inada, a close confidante of Abe who shares his staunchly nationalist views, was appointed defence minister in August 2016, a time when she was touted as a possible future Prime Minister.

But her nearly year-long stint has been characterised by repeated controversy, including increasing criticism of the ministry`s handling of log reports filed by Japanese peacekeepers in South Sudan showing worsening security.

Abe, who became prime minister for a second time in December 2012 with a vow to rejuvenate Japan`s economy, has seen his popularity plummet in recent weeks due to scandals and gaffes by members of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), including Inada.

Abe immediately apologised to the nation after Inada`s resignation.

"I apologise from the bottom of my heart to the people for this situation in which a minister resigns," he told reporters.
Colombo: The funds of the LTTE will remain frozen in the European Union countries despite the recent judgement by the 28-member bloc's top court to remove the Sri Lankan Tamil rebels from its terror list, the grouping has said.

In 2006, the EU banned the LTTE as a terrorist organisation and has maintained the LTTE on its list.

In 2014, the General Court annulled the restrictive measures concerning the LTTE due to procedural shortcomings. The 2014 judgement was appealed by the Council of the European Union at the European Court of Justice.

The EU has said the LTTE funds will remain frozen despite the recent judgement by the ECJ to lift the previous order of freezing funds restricted to the period 2011 and 2015, the EU said in a statement.

"The Court of Justice found that the Council failed to explain why it believed the LTTE still had the intention to continue terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka despite the LTTE's military defeat in 2009. In the judgement issued on July 26, the European Court of Justice confirmed the annulment of the continued freezing of the LTTE's funds between 2011 and 2015. The judgement only applies to this specific period of time," a EU statement said.

These same funds remain frozen as a result of the two most recent reviews by the Council which took place in July 2016 and January 2017.

Any future review must take into account the judgement of the Court of Justice issued on July 26. At present, however, the LTTE remains designated as a terrorist organisation in the European Union (EU), and the EU's restrictive measures against the LTTE remain in force, the statement added.
Islamabad: Pakistan's ruling party - PML-N - put up a brave front after the country's top court disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for life in the Panama Papers case on Friday.

Reacting to the devastating Pakistan Supreme Court ruling, Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of outgoing Pakistani PM, said, 'Nawaz Sharif's days are not over.'

Maryam Nawaz took to Twitter and said, ''Another elected Prime Minister sent home, but only to see him return with greater force & support & soonest Insha'Allah. Stay strong PMLN."

Another elected Prime Minister sent home, but only to see him return with greater force & support & soonest Insha'Allah. Stay strong PMLN.  Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 28, 2017

"Today will pave the way for Nawaz Sharif's resounding victory in 2018. He will be unstoppable. Insha'Allah. Rok sakte ho to rok lo", she asded.

Today will pave the way for Nawaz Sharif's resounding victory in 2018. He will be unstoppable. Insha'Allah. Rok sakte ho to rok lo !  Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 28, 2017

Speaking to the DawnNews, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said, ''This is a difficult time for the PML-N. But the power to make party decisions will remain with Nawaz Sharif."

Addressing a press conference soon after the verdict, State Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said, "Nawaz does not need a chair, he is a reality. That day is not far, when he will be chosen for the fourth time."

"Some decisions happen in court, others in peoples courts. We may have lost one decision... which I am not surprised about but am saddened," Aurangzeb said.

The reactions from the ruling party came shortly after country's highest court unanimously disqualified Nawaz Sharif for life after an investigative panel found his family's wealth was far above their earnings in the Panama Papers case.

Sharif also stepped down as Pakistan PM soon after the catastrophic SC ruling.

The development was confirmed by Pakistan Prime Minister's spokesperson.

In its verdict, the top court also ordered criminal cases be opened against Sharif and his family.

The five-judge bench ruled that the Prime Minister had been dishonest to Parliament and the courts and could not be deemed fit to hold office.

The Attorney General said that the bench disqualified the Prime Minister for life.

Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, who headed the implementation bench, said all material collected by the Joint Investigation Team would be sent to an accountability court within six weeks.

He said cases should be opened against Maryam Nawaz (Sharif's daughter), Captain Muhammad Safdar (Maryam's husband), Hassan and Hussain Nawaz (PM Sharif's sons) as well as Prime Minister Sharif and a judgement should be announced within 30 days.

The five-judge bench -- including Justices Asif Saeed Khosa, Gulzar Ahmed, Sheikh Azmat Saeed, Ijazul Ahsan, besides Ejaz Afzal Khan --- announced the much-awaited verdict in Courtroom No. 1 of the Supreme Court in Islamabad.

The court also urged President Mamnoon Hussain to take charge of the country's affairs.

This is the third time that Nawaz Sharif has been unable to complete his term in office.

It was unclear who will be appointed to take over the post till the next general elections, scheduled for 2018.

The bench also disqualified Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Captain Safdar, who is an Member of the National Assembly, from office.

Sharif, who became Prime Minister for the third time in 2013, had earlier denied wrongdoing and had warned that his ouster would destabilise Pakistan at a time when the economy was rebounding after a decade of political and security chaos. Sharif was the country's 20th Prime Minister.

The son of an industrialist, Sharif saw both of his first two stints in power cut short in the 1990s, including in a military coup by General Pervez Musharraf in 1999.

It is notable that not a single Prime Minister in Pakistan has been allowed to complete his or her tenure since the country's inception 70 years ago.

The political situation in Pakistan has been bumpy ever since 1947, with four democratically elected governments thrown away by military dictators, one Prime Minister was murdered while another was hanged by the judiciary, and another dismissed by the Supreme Court.
Jerusalem: A Palestinian attempted to stab Israeli soldiers at a junction near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank on Friday and was shot dead by security forces, the Israeli army said.

The incident occurred at the Gush Etzion junction near a large bloc of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. No soldiers were reported wounded.

Israeli-Palestinian tensions have been high over the last couple weeks due to a dispute over a sensitive Jerusalem holy site, but it was unclear if there was any link.
Islamabad: Pakistan`s Supreme Court on Friday unanimously disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from office after a damning corruption investigation into his family wealth.

The top court ordered that criminal cases be opened against Sharif and his family.

After the verdict, Sharif resigned from his post. The Prime Minister`s office said in a statement that Sharif has "stepped down" despite having "serious reservations" about the judicial process.

In a surprise move, the court also dismissed Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, one of Sharif`s closest allies who has been credited with steering the economy to its fastest pace of growth in a decade, and Captain Safdar, a Member of National Assembly (MNA).

The five-judge bench ruled that the Prime Minister had been dishonest to Parliament and the courts and could not be deemed fit to hold office.

"He is no more eligible to be an honest member of Parliament, and he ceases to be holding the office of prime minister," Judge Ejaz Afzal Khan, who headed the implementation bench, said in court.

The Attorney General said that the bench disqualified the Prime Minister for life.

Panama Papers verdict fallout: Nawaz Sharif can never contest elections

The court also asked National Accountability Court to launch a further probe into the allegations against Sharif, which stem from the Panama Papers leak last year linking the premier`s family to lucrative offshore businesses.

The bureau has the power to arrest and bring criminal charges against those it investigates.

Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan said all material collected by the Joint Investigation Team would be sent to the accountability court within six weeks.

He said cases should be opened against Maryam Nawaz (Sharif`s daughter), Captain Muhammad Safdar (Maryam`s husband), Hassan and Hussain Nawaz (PM Sharif`s sons) as well as Prime Minister Sharif and a judgement should be announced within 30 days.

The five-judge bench -- including Justices Asif Saeed Khosa, Gulzar Ahmed, Sheikh Azmat Saeed, Ijazul Ahsan, besides Ejaz Afzal Khan --- announced the much-awaited verdict in Courtroom No 1 of the Supreme Court in Islamabad.

The court also urged President Mamnoon Hussain to take charge of the country`s affairs.

Sharif`s ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, which has a majority in Parliament, is expected to name a new prime minister to hold office until elections due next year.

Prior to the decision, several cabinet ministers, including Sharif`s closest allies, said the ruling party would respect the Supreme Court`s verdict.

"Go, Nawaz, Go," shouted supporters of the PTI opposition party who had gathered outside the court, and who jeered politicians from Sharif`s party.

Sharif`s supporters echoed the prime minister`s previous declarations of a conspiracy against him.

Timeline of Pakistan's Panamagate case

"Those who are happy and dancing will cry tomorrow," said Abid Sher Ali, a junior minister. "They have stabbed democracy in the back."

The son of an industrialist, Sharif, 67, has always denied any wrongdoing and has dismissed the investigation into him as biased and inaccurate.

"This is not accountability, it is revenge," tweeted Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq hours before the verdict. "In an effort dislodge us, the democratic system has been made a target."

Sharif`s two previous stints in power were also cut short, including by a military coup in 1999, but he returned from exile to win a resounding victory in 2013 General Elections.

"Today the people of Pakistan got real justice, a new chapter has begun," Jehangir Khan Tareen, a member of the opposition PTI, said outside the court.

It is notable that not a single Prime Minister in Pakistan has been allowed to complete his or her tenure since the country`s inception 70 years ago.

Pakistan SC disqualifies Nawaz Sharif from office: Not a single PM completed five-year term in the country since 1947

The political situation in Pakistan has been bumpy ever since 1947, with four democratically elected governments thrown away by military dictators, one Prime Minister was murdered while another was hanged by the judiciary, and another dismissed by the Supreme Court.

(With Agency inputs)
Islamabad: Ahead of the Supreme Court`s verdict on the much awaited Panama Papers case on Friday, Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been put on high alert.

The country`s Frontier Constabulary personnel along with the Pakistani Rangers have been deployed at the apex Court and Red Zone, where the nation`s Presidency Palace and Prime Minister`s secretariat is located, to assist the police, the Dawn reported.

The bench, which will announce the verdict, would be headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa.

Khosa in April 20 judgement declared Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif `disqualified` for not being honest to the nation.

He had also directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to issue a notification of the Prime Minister`s disqualification, an opinion that was endorsed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed.

A three-member bench of the Supreme Court, consisting of Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijazul Ahsan had last week concluded the entire hearings and reserved its judgment in the Panamagate case in which Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family are accused of amassing offshore assets.

However, the majority judgement by the three-member bench gave an opportunity to the Prime Minister and his children to explain their position before a specially constituted six-man Joint Investigating Team (JIT).

Later, a three-judge bench consisting of the judges, who passed on the majority verdict, became the implementation bench overseeing the working of the JIT.

The bench closed proceedings on July 21, after going through the JIT report.

The JIT, which was investigating allegations of money laundering against the Sharif family, submitted its report to theSupreme Court on July 10 and accused them of concealing the information from tax authorities that involves four apartments in Park Lane area of London.
Riyadh: A ballistic missile fired by Yemen`s Houthi rebels toward the Muslim holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia was shot down late on Thursday, said the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen.

Air defence forces downed the missile over the Wasaliyah area of Taif province, 69 km from Mecca, without causing any damage, the coalition said in a statement carried by Saudi state news agency SPA.

The statement called the missile launch "a desperate attempt to spoil the haj pilgrimage," due to begin next month.

More than two million Muslims from around the world make the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the five pillars of Islam which every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to is obliged to undertake at least once.

The Iran-aligned Houthis and allied militias loyal to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh said on their official news agency they had launched a Burkan-1 missile into Saudi Arabia, but said it was aimed toward the King Fahd air base in Taif.

The coalition blamed a lack of control over the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah and misuse of permits for aid shipments for the continued smuggling of missiles into Yemen.

Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies have intervened in Yemen`s civil war since March 2015 in a campaign to restore the ousted internationally recognised government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

The coalition`s offensive to seize Hodeidah from Houthi control has slowed since the outbreak of an intra-Gulf diplomatic dispute with Qatar in early June.
Islamabad: Given the reality that many terror groups like The Haqqani Network and Lashkar-e-Taiba continue to operate from its soil, Pakistan must accept responsibility for its negative global image, said former Pakistan envoy to Washington Hussain Haqqani.

Speaking to Dawn TV this week, Haqqani said Islamabad must accept this as one of its major weaknesses and take firm steps to neutralize and counter these terror groups.

He also advised the Government of Pakistan that notwithstanding its firm stand on Kashmir, engaging peacefully with India should be a goal to be aimed for to ensure a calm neighbourhood.

The Kashmir issue must not dominate the diplomatic discourse, he added.

He further said how can the federal government repeatedly deny the presence of terror groups before the whole world, when domestic media frequently carries reports of their existence.

On the Pentagon`s decision to withhold disbursement of USD 350 million in aid to Pakistan, Ambassador Haqqani said this was a coalition fund made after the 9/11 terror attacks as the Bush administration wanted to help Islamabad immediately in the war against terrorism.

"To get out of a very complex process of reimbursement, the US used to provide Pakistan with the funds for expenses which Islamabad claimed were spent for countering terrorism," Ambassador Haqqani added.

Haqqani maintained that Pakistan has erred in assuming that it was their right to demand funds from the US in the name of fighting terrorism.

He recalled that when he was an envoy, Islamabad wanted to covert these funds into permanent aid for the country.

Haqqani said Pakistan will have to work according to the needs of the United States if it wanted access to such funds.

He emphasized that Washington wants Islamabad to specifically crack down on certain terror groups like The Taliban and The Haqqani Network and was simply not interested in hearing Islamabad oft-repeated claims of countering terror.

He asked why Pakistan can`t be questioned for not taking action against terrorist groups operating from its soil when it has supported a United Nations referendum against terrorism.

He claimed that there is enough evidence to nail Islamabad on this score, including the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai and attacks in Kashmir.

Recently in an opinionated piece for The New York Times, he said that President Donald Trump must now consider alternatives as Washington`s incentives to Pakistan since the September 11 terror attacks have failed to dissuade the latter from stopping its support to the Taliban and other terror elements.

He opined that for Islamabad, the alliance with the United States has been more about securing weapons, economic aid and diplomatic support in its confrontation with India.

He said both the US and Pakistan have disappointed each other because of divergence in their interests in South Asia.

"The George W. Bush administration erred in ignoring the regrouping of the Taliban in Pakistan after their defeat in Afghanistan in the aftermath of Sept. 11, considering Pakistan`s cooperation in capturing some Qaeda figures as sufficient evidence of its alliance with the United States. President Barack Obama`s administration tried to deal with a resurgent Taliban with a surge in troop numbers for a specific period. Mr. Obama deployed armed drones to strike at Taliban targets inside Pakistan, but that proved insufficient in dealing with the leadership living in the Pakistani cities of Quetta and Peshawar," he wrote.

He noted that the United States had presented evidence of Pakistan`s links to Afghan militants just as the country transitioned from military to civilian rule in 2008.

As Pakistan`s ambassador to the United States, Haqqani said he had urged Pakistan`s civil and military leaders to engage with Americans honestly instead of sticking to blanket denials.

"Islamabad`s response was to argue that Pakistan does indeed support insurgents in Afghanistan, but it does so because of security concerns about India, which is seen by generals and many civilian leaders as an existential threat to Pakistan.

But that excuse is based on exaggerations and falsehoods. India has no offensive military presence in Afghanistan and there has never been any evidence that the Afghans are willing to be part of India`s alleged plan for a two-front war with Pakistan, he said.

The United States this month had withheld the disbursement of USD 350 million aid to Pakistan after Pentagon chief Jim Mattis informed the Congress that Islamabad has not taken sufficient measures to counter the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network.Pakistan it was stated has not taken sufficient action against The Haqqani Network as per the National Defense Authorization Act to permit full reimbursement of Coalition Support Funds.

Pakistan was allotted USD 900 million aid through the special fund by the United States.

Pakistan has already received USD 550 million funds out of the allotted USD 900 million aid.Secretary Mattis said Pakistan still has time to influence the certification decision by taking action against The Haqqani Network.

This comes as the Trump Administration continues to retain Pakistan on Washington`s list of nations providing 'safe havens' to terrorists in its annual `Country Report on Terrorism`, as mandated by the US Congress.
Dubai: As pressure over North Korea's nuclear weapons program grows, America's most valued Arab allies host thousands of its labourers, whose wages help Pyongyang evade sanctions and build the missiles now threatening the US and its Asian partners, officials and analysts say.

From state-run restaurants to construction sites, North Korean workers in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates face conditions akin to forced labour while being spied on by planted intelligence officers, eating little food and suffering physical abuse, authorities say.

North Korean labourers even have helped expand a UAE military base that hosts US forces fighting the Islamic State group, two officials familiar with Pyongyang's tactics told The Associated Press.

Emirati officials, who are now relying on South Korean expertise to build the first nuclear power plant on the Arabian Peninsula, did not respond to requests for comment.

"To put it fairly simply an isolated country like North Korea is always seeking hard currency," said Giorgio Cafiero, the CEO of the Washington-based political risk consultancy Gulf State Analytics.

"The Gulf is a place that the North Koreans see as a very reliable place to make the money."

Longstanding international concerns over North Korea's nuclear weapons program have intensified since it conducted two nuclear tests last year and launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile July 4.

Facing US and international sanctions, North Korea has relied on its overseas labourers to get cash. China and Russia are its biggest markets, but the Gulf hosts thousands.

Go Myong-Hyun, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said some Middle East countries like North Korean workers because "they don't run away."

Across the Gulf, some 6,000 North Koreans work, two officials familiar with Pyongyang's tactics told the AP, including 2,500 in Kuwait, as many as 1,500 in the UAE and 2,000 in Qatar. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential intelligence reports.

Most North Koreans working in the Gulf earn around USD 1,000 a month, but the North Korean government keeps about half and another US 300 goes toward construction company managers, the officials said. That leaves workers with just USD 200.

In the UAE, eight North Korean workers typically live together in a 21-square-metre space and eat little food, the two officials said.

North Korea also operates three Korean restaurants in the UAE two in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi out of an estimated 130 it runs around the world, the officials said. The two officials said another 1,000 North Korean workers will arrive in the UAE in the coming months.

Typically, those in construction work as subcontractors, with those commissioning the projects sometimes unaware they have North Koreans working on site, the officials said.

They suggest that may have been the case when North Korean workers took part in a recent expansion of the UAE's Al-Dhafra Air Base, a major Emirati military installation outside Abu Dhabi and home to some of the 5,000 American troops stationed in the country.

Maj Josh T Jacques, a spokesman for the US military's Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, said its policies do "not allow for the admittance or contracting of North Korean nationals and other countries of interest at any US military installation."

"We are not aware of any North Korean labourers at Al- Dhafra Air Base and we would certainly be concerned if there were," he told the AP.

America and others have been pushing its Gulf partners to limit their exposure to North Korea. A bill passed Tuesday by the House of Representatives includes limits on the use of overseas North Korean labour.
Islamabad: Following is the sequence of events related to the unfolding of the Panama Papers Leak case:

- The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) makes 11.5 million secret documents available to the public for the very first time.

- The documents, coming from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, contain confidential attorney-client information for more than 214,488 offshore entities.

- Eight off-shore companies were reported to have links with the family of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother, Chief Minister of Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif.

- According to documents available on the ICIJ website, the prime minister`s children -- Maryam, Hassan and Hussain "were owners or had the right to authorise transactions for several companies".

- The leaks breathe a new life into allegations of corruption that the Sharif family has long been haunted by.

- At the forefront of the battle is Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, lead by its chairman Imran Khan.

- On April 4, 2016, PTI Chairman Imran Khan says `The leaks are God sent` and his aides and he consolidate their position on corruption allegations against the prime minister.

- They demand immediate action by the government to respond to the allegations.

- This marks the beginning of what will be nearly a year long effort to resolve the Panama Papers case, also dubbed `Panamgate` in the local media.

- Maryam Nawaz tweets what appears to be a statement from the Sharif family spokesman.

- They are calling the revelations made under the Panama Papers leaks, a "distortion of information".

- The statement goes on to clarify that "Maryam Nawaz is not a beneficiary or owner of any of the companies" named in the leaked documents.

- On April 5, 2016, an under-pressure Sharif announces a probe in an address to the nation from the Pakistan Television (PTV) headquarters.

- He subtlely acknowledges the fact that he is using state apparatus to address a personal matter.

- Sharif says he is open to the formation of a judicial commission to probe his family`s alleged finances in offshore tax-havens.

- Sharif assures the country he is open to legal scrutiny.

- On April 10, 2016, Imran Khan wants the government to promptly form an inquiry commission led by the serving Chief Justice of Pakistan, Anwar Zaheer Jamali.

- The government, on the other hand, is keen on having ex-Supreme Court judges populate the bench.

- On April 13, 2016, five ex-SC judges refuse to lead the inquiry. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan expresses regret.

- On April 14, 2016, Prime Minister Sharif arrives in London for a medical check up lasting five days.

- On April 16, 2016, a government team headed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar finalises the terms of reference (ToRs) for the proposed inquiry commission being formed to investigate the Panama Papers leaks.

- Maryam Nawaz expresses annoyance over the PML-N`s response not being 'robust' enough.

- The meeting also reportedly resolved that: "If at all the commission is formed it will be the one headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court as announced by the prime minister in his address to the nation."

- On April 19, 2016, Sharif returns to Pakistan, eyeing a difficult job ahead of him.

- On April 22, 2016, Sharif delivers a second address to the nation in which he says that his government has decided to formally ask then Chief Justice of Pakistan to set up a judicial commission for investigations into Panama Papers leak.

- He also says that if the charges are proved, he will resign immediately.

- On April 25, 2016, the Opposition rejects the inquiry commission proposed by the government and its terms of reference.

- On May 1, 2016, PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari asks Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to step down until an inquiry into the money laundering allegations levelled at his family are completed.

- On May 3, 2016, the Opposition presents its set of ToRs. The ToRs emphasise on initiating the inquiry into off-shore holdings, starting with the Sharif family.

- On May 5, 2016, the government rejects opposition`s ToRs.

- On May 10, 2016, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif urges Sharif to resolve the Panama issue during a one-on-one meeting.

- On May 13, 2016, the Supreme Court returns the federal government`s request to appoint an inquiry commission to investigate the leaked document`s connection with the Sharif family.

- On May 16, 2016, Sharif suggests the formation of a joint committee to draft the ToRs, which will establish the judicial commission he referred to in his first state address on the Panama Papers allegations.

- He also attempts to explain the ownership of his London Park Lane flats.

- Astonishingly, there is no mention of Qatari Prince Jassim.

- The Opposition PTI accuses Sharif of misleading the National Assembly and the nation.

- On May 18, 2016, the government and the opposition agree to form a 12-member committee in order to draft joint ToRs for an inquiry commission, which would probe the Panama Papers.

- On May 22, 2016, Sharif flies off to London for heart surgery.

- On May 31, 2016, Maryam Nawaz Sharif tweets that her father has undergone a successful heart surgery.

- On June 4, 2016, the 12-member bipartisan parliamentary committee seems to have hit a dead end as both sides are not only refusing to budge from their positions on the issue of offshore companies but are also accusing each other of toughening their stance.

- On June 24, 2016, the PTI files petition with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) seeking disqualification of Sharif for allegedly concealing his assets.

- On June 27, 2016, the PPP also petitions the ECP to disqualify the prime minister and his family members.

- On July 9, 2016, Sharif returns home from London after 48 days.

- On July 12, 2016, Sharif is advised to devise a plan to counter PTI chief Imran Khan`s propaganda.

- On July 20, 2016, the opposition decides not to negotiate anymore with the government over the ToR issue.

- On August 3, 2016, Imran Khan lashes out and says that not a single institution had moved or served notice on those whose names had appeared in the Panama Papers for allegedly committing money laundering and tax evasion.

- On August 24, 2016, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Sirajul Haq files his party`s long-awaited petition on the Panama Papers leaks in the Supreme Court.

- On August 29, 2016, the PTI files a petition before the Supreme Court seeking Sharif`s disqualification.

- On September 25, 2016, Imran Khan urges his followers to commence a Long March from September 30 to Sharif`s Raiwind estate in order to put pressure on state institutions to act judiciously on the Panama Papers issue.

- On September 30, 2016, the PTI protests outside Sharif residence, demands Nawaz`s resignation.

- On October 7, 2016, PTI chairman Imran Khan calls on party workers to lay siege to Islamabad on October 30, telling them to paralyse the capital until Sharif resigns or presents himself for accountability.

- On October 10, 2016, Imran Khan asks court for early hearing.

- On October 20, 2016, the Supreme Court of Pakistan starts accepting petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf, Jamhoori Watan Party, Jamaat-i-Islami and others to begin the proceedings.

- On October 28, 2016, the Supreme Court of Pakistan forms a larger five-bench to hear petitions regarding Panama.

- On October 31, 2016, Imran Khan calls on supporters to gather in Islamabad, but the numbers aren`t impressive. The government places shipping containers to block off routes from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into Islamabad..

- On November 1, 2016, the Supreme Court of Pakistan asks the government and the protesting PTI to present their respective ToRs, in case the court decided to constitute an inquiry commission on Panamagate.

- On November 2, 2016, Imran Khan`s PTI holds `thanksgiving` rally.

- On November 7, 2016, Sharif`s children submit replies to the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

- On November 30, 2016, PTI`s lead counsel in the Panamagate case Naeem Bukhari tells the Supreme Court that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had forged his cousin Tariq Shafi`s signatures on documents.

- On December 9, 2016, Pakistan`s Chief Justice Zaheer Jamali is scheduled to retire. A five-judge larger bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa has been constituted by the Supreme Court to resume hearing of the Panama Papers case from January 4, 2017.

- On December 31, 2016, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his children submit documents in the Supreme Court notifying a change of counsel in the Panamagate case.

- On January 4, 2017, a five member bench, headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, is appraised about details of the offices held by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his political career.

- On January 6, 2017, Members of the Supreme Court bench hearing the Panamagate case express divergent opinions over which side shouldered the burden of proof.

- On January 12, 2017, Two different money trails puzzle the apex court bench.

- On January 13, 2017, the BBC reports that the Sharif family`s four flats in London were purchased in 1990s.

- On January 17, 2017, The prime minister`s daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif, submits her reply to the court.

- On January 23, 2017, German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung tweets documents to `help` Pakistanis form their own opinion on the role of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif`s daughter in Panamagate.

- On January 26, 2017, a second letter is floated by Hussain Nawaz`s counsel, `clarifying` Sharif`s investment in Gulf Steel Mills. The letter is accompanied by transaction details and auditor`s reports regarding the Gulf Steel Mills in Dubai and the Azizia Steel Mills in Jeddah.

- On January 27, 2017, the Supreme Court of Pakistan orders the National Accoutability Bureau to submit Hudaibiya reference record on Finance Minister Ishaq Dar`s `confession`.

- On January 31, 2017, the Supreme Court of Pakistan expresses concern over NAB, Qatari letters.

- On February 15, 2017, the PTI presents `new evidence`. The apex court bench also postpones day-to-day proceedings after Justice Saeed had to be rushed to the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology following chest pains on January 31.

- On February 16, 2017, Maryam`s lawyer`s admits that she was the trustee of the London flats for six months between February and July 2006.

- On February 18, 2017, PTI Chairman Imran Khan submits an affidavit to the SC, asking it to ignore the two Qatari letters produced by the Sharif family as evidence of their stance in the case.

- On February 20, 2017, record of Hudaibiya, Raiwind references submitted to SC. On February 22, 2017, Supreme Court cautions the Attorney General of Pakistan to argue as the attorney general and not become a party to the case.

- On February 23, 2017, Panamagate hearings conclude; judgement awaited.

- On April 20, 2017, Supreme Court issues a split verdict on Panamagate case, orders formation of six-man joint investigation team (JIT) comprising Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), MI (Military Intelligence), NAB, SECP and SBP officials. The JIT was led by FIA`s Additional Director General Wajid Zia, a grade 21 officer, and included the SBP`s Amer Aziz, SECP Executive Director Bilal Rasool, NAB Director Irfan Naeem Mangi, ISI`s Brig Muhammad Nauman Saeed and MI`s Brig Kamran Khurshid.

- On July 10, 2017, the JIT submitsd a 275-page report on the Sharif family`s wealth to the Supreme Court. The apex court said it would resume hearing the Panamagate case starting July 17.

- On July 17, 2017, Supreme Court resumes hearing Panamagate case.

- On July 21, 2017, Supreme Court reserves judgement in Panamagate case.

- On July 28, 2017, Supreme Court delivers verdict in Panamagate case.
New York: A US jury on Thursday found Macau billionaire Ng Lap Seng guilty on charges of bribing two UN ambassadors to help him build a multibillion-dollar conference center.

Ng, 69, was convicted on all six counts he faced, including bribery, money laundering and corruption, in the US District Court in Manhattan. Jurors needed less than a day to reach a verdict, following a four-week trial.

"In his unbridled pursuit of even greater personal fortune, billionaire Ng Lap Seng corrupted the highest levels of the United Nations," Acting US Attorney Joon Kim said after the verdict. "Through bribes and no-show jobs, Ng turned leaders of the league of nations into his private band of profiteers."

Tai Park, a lawyer for Ng, said in court his client had substantial legal issues to raise on appeal. Park later declined to comment to reporters.

Prosecutors accused Ng of paying more than $1 million in bribes to bypass the normal procedures of dealing with the United Nations, with a dream of winning "fame and more fortune" by developing in Macau what he thought of as the "Geneva of Asia."

Ng hoped the conference center, meant to serve developing countries, would pave the way for luxury housing, hotels, a shopping mall, marinas and a heliport, prosecutors said.

Defense lawyers countered that Ng`s goals were consistent with the types of public-private partnerships that the United Nations favors, and that other diplomats abused Ng`s trust.

The conference center was never built.

"We are exploring the possibility of requesting restitution as a victim to these crimes, including recovering expenses incurred to provide the requested cooperation," UN spokesman Farhan Haq said.

Ng has been free on $50 million bail, living under 24-hour guard in a luxury Manhattan apartment.

After Assistant US Attorney Daniel Richenthal warned that Ng could now be a flight risk, US District Judge Vernon Broderick modified bail by subjecting Ng to house arrest.

"He is not to leave the apartment: no ifs, ands or buts about it," the judge said.

Broderick scheduled an Aug. 7 hearing to decide whether to revoke bail.

Prosecutors said the recipients of Ng`s bribes were Francis Lorenzo, a former deputy ambassador from the Dominican Republic, and John Ashe, a former U.N. General Assembly president and ambassador from Antigua and Barbuda.

Lorenzo pleaded guilty to bribery and money laundering, and testified against Ng for more than a week after agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors.

Ashe was also criminally charged, but died accidentally at home in June 2016 after dropping a barbell on his neck.
Caracas: The US government ordered family members of employees at its embassy in Venezuela to leave on Thursday as a political crisis deepened ahead of a controversial vote critics contend will end democracy in the oil-rich country.

Violence continued to rage on the street, with another five people killed during the latest opposition-led strike against President Nicolas Maduro`s planned election for a powerful new Constituent Assembly on Sunday.

Adding to Venezuela`s growing international isolation, Colombian airline Avianca suddenly stopped operations in the country on Thursday due to "operational and security limitations".

Maduro`s critics were planning to pile more pressure on the unpopular leftist leader by holding roadblocks across the nation dubbed "The Takeover of Venezuela" on Friday.

"We`re going to keep fighting, we`re not leaving the streets," said opposition lawmaker Jorge Millan.

The government banned protests from Friday to Tuesday, raising the likelihood of more violence in volatile Venezuela. Many people have been stocking up food and staying home.

As well as ordering relatives to leave, the US State Department on Thursday also authorized the voluntary departure of any US government employee at its compound-like hilltop embassy in Caracas.

President Donald Trump has warned his administration could impose economic sanctions on Venezuela if Maduro goes ahead with the vote to create the legislative superbody.

The Constituent Assembly would have power to rewrite the constitution and shut down the existing opposition-led legislature, which the opposition maintains would cement dictatorship in Venezuela.

At least 108 people have died in anti-government unrest convulsing Venezuela since April, when the opposition launched protests demanding conventional elections to end nearly two decades of socialist rule.



Anti-Maduro Strike



Many streets remained barricaded and deserted on Thursday during the second day of a nationwide work stoppage.

Plenty of rural areas and working-class urban neighborhoods were bustling, however, and the strike appeared less massively supported than a one-day shutdown last week.

With Venezuela already brimming with shuttered stores and factories, amid a blistering four-year recession, the effectiveness of any strike can be hard to gauge. Many Venezuelans live hand-to-mouth and say they must keep working.

In Barinas, home state of former Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, only about a third of businesses were closed according to a Reuters witness, as opposed to the opposition`s formal estimate of 90 per cent participation nationally.

"I am opposed to the government and I agree we must do everything we can to get out of this mess, but I depend on my work. If I don`t work, my family does not eat," said Ramon Alvarez, a 45-year-old barber at his shop in Barinas.

There has been widespread international condemnation of Maduro`s Constituent Assembly plan. The United States on Wednesday announced sanctions against 13 current and former officials for corruption, undermining democracy, and participating in repression.

Government officials and candidates for the Constituent Assembly wrapped up campaigning on Thursday with a rally in Caracas with Maduro.

The former bus driver and union leader reiterated that the assembly was the only way to bring peace to Venezuela, blasted threats of further sanctions from "emperor Donald Trump," and hit back at accusations that he is morphing into a tyrant.

"The usual suspects came out to say Maduro had become crazy," he told cheering red-shirted supporters in Caracas.



"Of course, I was crazy! Crazy with passion, crazy with a desire for peace."

Amid rumors of 11th-hour attempts to foster negotiations, Maduro reiterated an invitation to dialogue with the opposition, although such talks have flopped in the past.



Death, Arrests



The state prosecutor`s office said a 49-year-old man was killed during a protest in Carabobo state and a 16-year old died in the middle class area of El Paraiso in Caracas on Thursday.

A 23-year-old man and a 30-year-old man were killed in western Merida state and a 16-year-old boy was killed in the poor Caracas neighborhood of Petare during clashes on Wednesday.

Five people were also killed in unrest during last week`s one-day strike.

Over 190 people were arrested during the stoppage on Wednesday and 39 on Thursday, said local rights group Penal Forum. Since April, authorities have rounded up nearly 4,800 people, of whom 1,325 remain behind bars, the group said.

Wuilly Arteaga, a violinist who has become one of the best-known faces of the protests, was among those detained by the National Guard, Penal Forum added.
A ballistic missile fired by Yemeni rebels was shot down late Thursday close to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, just a month before the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Islam`s holiest site, the Arab military coalition fighting in Yemen said.



The missile was intercepted 69 kilometres (43 miles) south of the holy site situated in western Saudi Arabia, the coalition said in a statement, calling it "a desperate attempt by Shiite Huthi rebels to disrupt Hajj", which begins at the end of August.

bur/mh/aph/tm
CropLogic to List on ASX After Acquiring Professional Ag Services

New Zealand in-field IoT provider CropLogic is set to go public on the Australian Stock Exchange. The company plans to raise $8 million in exchange for approximately 30% of its equity. The IPO follows an earlier $2 million funding round from individual investors earlier this year, and a $512,200 crowdfunding round in 2016.

The Christchurch-based company gathers field data and makes crop prescriptions and management recommendations based on proprietary models. The startup has an agreement with the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research to model potatoes and started trials of the system in other commodities such as corn, wheat, soybean and cotton in 2016. In 2015, CropLogic was one of seven startups to get a $450k grant from Callaghan Innovation to develop aerial imaging technology.

Last month CropLogic acquired acquisition of agronomic services company Professional Ag Services (ProAg) out of Washington State. Strategic acquisitions provide CropLogic with immediate market access, relationships, and acres under management and have always been a fundamental part of our market entry strategy, said Jamie Cairns, chief executive of CropLogic.

Read more about the IPO here.

Japanese Holistic Health Corp Buys Non-Dairy Cheese Maker

Japans global holistic healthcare company Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co has acquired Canadian dairy-free, food company Daiya for a reported $325.5 million. Daiya produces plant-based greek yogurt alternatives, pizzas, desserts, spreads, and dairy-free cheese. The products are sold in more than 25,000 grocery stores in the US, including Whole Foods, Kroger, Safeway and Publix, and other natural foods grocers. Daiyas products are also available in Australia, Sweden, Mexico, and Hong Kong, among others. Otsuka hopes the acquisition will add to its nutraceuticals business, creating a plant-based platform, according to a statement.

AGCO Acquires Precision Planting from Monsanto

AGCO has agreed to purchase farm equipment company Precision Planting from Monsanto this week after a deal to sell to Deere & Co was challenged by the Justice Department over antitrust concerns. We just didnt see that there was a clear path going forward, that the DOJ was going to approve the transaction. We have a valuable business and people in limbo and it was just time to move on, Michael Stern, CEO of Climate Corporation, the Monsanto subsidiary that runs the Precision Planting business, told Reuters.

Marrone Bio Innovations Ships Biologicals to Morocco

Biological pest management and plant health product producer Marrone Bio Innovations has expanded its distribution to Africa this week selling its biofungicide to Morocco for use on tomatoes, grapes and cucurbits. Said Pam Marrone, CEO of the Davis, CA based firm, Biologically-based Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is becoming a necessity for agricultural exporters in Morocco and other regions around the world. Specifically, biopesticides are increasingly being integrated into this new strategy to ensure ease of access to European and other markets with strict pesticide residue standards. In addition, consumer purchasing preferences demonstrate a growing trend towards food production safety and sustainability. Read more here.

AgDevCo invests $255k in Tanzanian Poultry

Social impact investor AgDevCo has made a $255,000 debt investment in Kingchick Poultry, a women-owned Tanzanian producer of broiler chickens. The seven-year-old business, founded by Rose Sweya, produces 130,000 chickens per year and will use the funds to grow and modernize her operation. Said Sweya, I would like KingChick to supply quality chickens at an affordable price to accommodate both lower and upper class people. Read more here.

Biologicals Producer Inocucor to Open Production Facility in Denver

Canadian producer of biological crop inputs meant to improve crop yields, shorten growing periods and create healthier, more resilient soils for farmers and greenhouse growers, Inocucor, will produce its products in a new 30,000 sq. ft. facility in Denver, CO while also opening a Denver headquarters. The companys move to Denver is supported by a performance-based Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit of $1,322,918, according to a press release. Inocucor recently completed a $29 million Series B funding round, with lead investor TPG Alternative and Renewable Technologies and participation from Cycle Capital Management, Desjardins Innovatech and Closed Loop Capital. Read more from AgFunderNews.

Other News Thats Fit to Chew

More big ag consolidation may be on the way after years of low returns, says Agrimoney

The Trump administration is ignoring recommendations to curb overfishing in New Jersey, according to the Boston Globe

MacDonalds relatively new CEO says he doubling down on technology to stay competitive, banking on order kiosks, mobile order and pay, and delivery, he told Business Insider
YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan has signed a total of 11,2 billion dollar worth loan agreements with international financial, banking and other credit organizations until July 1, 2017. This figure is 285,4 million dollar more compared to January 1, azadliq news agency reported.

As result of the new loan agreements, Azerbaijans foreign debt has increased by 193,5 million dollars (2,8%)  totaling 7,1 billion dollars.

As result of loan considered state debt the foreign debt of the country comprises 18,2% of the GDP, while the per capita foreign debt amounts 1232,1 manat.

As of January 1, Azerbaijans foreign debt amounts the countrys GDPs 20,4 %.
YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. The descendants of painter Ivan (Hovhannes) Aivazovsky arrived in Crimea to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the great artist.

In Simferopol, the descendants of the painter laid flowers at the memorials of the Aivazovsky brothers  Gabriel Aivazovsky, who was an Archbishop of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the junior Ivan Aivazovsky.

The national autonomy

Great people unite countries, continents and peoples, which is affirmed by the arrival of the descendants of the Armenian peoples son Hovhannes Aivazovsky, and that even in the remote Australia they do not forget about Crimea, where their ancestor was born, the president of Crimeas Luys Armenian charitable foundation told TASS.

Numerous events are scheduled to take place in Crimea for the 200th anniversary of the great painter.
YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. The process of registration of the civil status acts (RCSA) of Armenias Justice Ministry is being reformed.

Suren Krmoyan  Deputy Justice Minister, gave an interview to Armenpress on this topic.

-During the registration process of civil status acts, Armenian citizens immediately communicate with state and local self-government bodies. Please, specify what reforms are being carried out in the RCSA services provision sector?

-Within the frames of the Governments 2017-2022 action plan, large-scale reforms are expected to be held in the RCSA field that directly relate to provision of services to the citizens. In particular, the modernization of legislation of the civil status acts will be carried out within the frames of which the citizen can receive services at every RCSA agency under One Window principle, compared to the current system when a citizen can receive a service only based on the place of residence.

Electronic system will be installed in the RCSA services provision field thanks to which citizens can receive responses of many requests and letters without visiting the RCSA agency.

Automatic registration of birth and death will be carried out regardless of submitting applications over it.

Moreover, it is expected to improve the ratification procedures of official documents via apostille by the justice ministry, as well as to digitize the archive of the civil status acts.

-Is the society aware of the services, terms and state duty rates provided in the RCSA field?

-It is very important for the citizen to be informed about the terms and fees in the RCSA services provision field. The services, deadlines, state fees are defined by the law on Civil Status Acts which is officially published and available for everyone. The justice ministry regularly organizes informative campaign.

Full interview available in Armenian
YEREVAN, 28 JULY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 28 July, USD exchange rate down by 0.08 drams to 478.65 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.28 drams to 560.79 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.01 drams to 8.05 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 3.02 drams to 626.17 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 196.85 drams to 19407.01 drams. Silver price up by 6.42 drams to 258.38 drams. Platinum price up by 166.92 drams to 14327.12 drams.
YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. C4F Awards organizers invited a representative from Armenia's communications sector too - Tatevik Simonyan, the co-founder, Director of Communications & International Relations of SPRING PR-company will participate as the Jury for Corporate Awards of the C4F Awards 2018, reports Armenpress.

Professionals from Armenia, Germany, India, Brazil, Russia, South Africa and Budapest will have the opportunity to evaluate the nominated projects.

Communication professionals from different countries around the world have now confirmed their participation to join the international Jury Boards for the 9th edition of the prestigious Communication for Future Awards2018 (C4F Awards) which will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, next March.

"The C4F Award has its own uniqueness which combines a well-deserved appreciation for outstanding Communication Professionals and future Visionaries in the field of Communications. We strongly believe that communication, now more than ever, is the main driver of creating a prosperous future for the world. I am sure that C4F Awards 2018 is going to be much bigger and more Encouraging for the Communication Professionals all over the Globe !", Yanina Dubeykovskaya, Founding Director of the C4F Awards, said.

The C4F Awards were launched in 2010 and recognize highly professional and globally remarkable communicators and organizations with a creative approach and unique vision of the future of communications. There are 23 nomination categories for the Awards, set into three divisions: Personal, Corporate and Start-Ups.

SPRING PR-agency is awarded the Communication 4 Future Davos Awards 2017 (held on March 14 in Geneva, Switzerland) for the title "Pro Bono of the Future" for its Corporate Social Responsibility Project - "Lets Care, Armenia!" Pro Bono of the Future" is given for Corporate who show case an outstanding results in non-commercial communications and charitable projects.
YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan on July 28 held a meeting with the students of the Andranik Margaryan summer political school of the RPAs Youth Organization, press service of the ministry told Armenpress.

Minister Sargsyan attached importance to such meetings and urged the students to use their free time for gaining additional knowledge and expanding the scope of contacts.

During the meeting Vigen Sargsyan introduced the provisions of Nation-Army ideology, as well as the ongoing programs and initiatives. The Minister also answered to numerous questions of the students.
Though most people might be more familiar with subscription boxes that cater to personal interests such as makeup or geek culture, the interest in curated collections of pleasure products is surely and steadily growing.

A few years ago, it was not easy to find companies thatfor a monthly feeshipped samples of lubricants, vibrators, lingerie and more to consumers. Today, dozens are doing just that, and more are getting on board that train every day.

A quick search for sex toy subscription services yields dozens of articles in all types of publications, from Slate.com to Glamour to New York magazine, and even more services themselvesBig Oh! Box, Nooky Box and Spicy Subscriptions among them.

Texas resident Kassie said she had her first thoughts about a curated subscription service for pleasure products in April 2016, and launched The Naughty Box on August 20 that year.

I was already a huge fan of subscriptions like Ipsy and Birch Box, she told AVN. At the time, I worked in an oil field and spent a lot of my days driving. I had a lot of time to think, and I was also coming up with ideas for new businesses to try. When I got the idea for The Naughty Box, I talked about it with my husband and my neighbors. I liked the idea of being in the industry, because it seemed like such a good industry and where there could be some opportunity. But at the same time I wanted to be discreet. After talking it over, I finally decided to just go for it.

In September 2016, she said, there were only 13 customers; as of March 2017, she was at more than 450 subscribers and the list continues to grow.

For $12 a month, The Naughty Box subscribers get five or six products, particularly lubricants and bath and body items. If customers enjoy the samples, they are able to purchased full-sized versions directly from TheNaughtyBox.com.

It is hard, because to keep the price down, I focus more on the smaller items, Kassie said. I would love to start including one or two toys, but right now, in the beginning, that can be a little costly for me.

Especially in the very beginning, Kassie relied on items she could buy in bulk from local retailers to include in the box. As she grew her online retail store, however, she started getting cooperation from her main distributor, Holiday Products. Shes made a point of attending trade shows to meet with individual retailers, too, to develop relationships with them.

Holiday Products has really been wonderful about working with me, and I have gotten help with John at Uberlube, Masque, Lucky You/Lucky Me and a few others, she said.

More and more, distributors understand that subscription boxes could easily be a new market. Allison Travers, director of marketing communications for Colorado-based Eldorado Trading Co., said several companies in recent months have contacted the distributor about working with them on subscription services.

But we also proactively seek them out since we see this as a growing market, she said.

Subscription box services are huge. They have great popularity in mainstream as they allow consumers to try a variety of products on a monthly basis, Travers added. Adult subscription services give an option to people who want to try something different in their sex lives. They allow more private consumers to try a variety of pleasure products in the comfort of their own home and expose themselves to sex toys as well as new brands and sex acts.

The idea of discretion is partly what led Kassie into the business.

Our boxes are shipped very discreetly, and we dont have any outrageous or really over-the-top products, she said. I want people to always be excited about getting The Naughty Box, not worried that theres something embarrassing inside. There are already too many people who might be too embarrassed to walk into an adult store. Others just might not have the time to make a shopping trip for sex toys a regular part of their routine. And there are still so many in the U.S. who might just live too far away from a good adult store. I want to be a resource for all of them; a place where they can get surprises every month, and a website where they can buy even more of what they like.

I want to really expand the store too, so after they get used to trying new items every month, they can explore even more by shopping for larger items, she added.

Kassie said her distributors have gone above and beyond to help her find deals on items to stock, but she is interested in developing partnerships with a few key manufacturers as well. To date, she said, Uberlube and Masque have worked with her, and shes looking forward to more manufacturers coming on board as subscription services gain in popularity.

Gideon Perez of The Screaming O noted there are advantages to manufacturers working directly with subscription services. In Screaming Os case, he said, a service called MarriageSupply.com reached out because Screaming O productswhich are couples friendly and suitable for those just starting to explore the world of pleasure productsare a good fit for its customer base.

One of the reasons we chose to partner with

MarriageSupply.com was because of their Free Sex Podcast, Perez told AVN. In addition to their monthly subscription box, they also put out a weekly podcast with a very active listener base. Having this as an additional channel to discuss the various products going into their monthly boxes really helps drive that engagement with the brands represented.

Brand awareness and loyalty are definitely two of the main goals, Perez said of working with subscription services. Repetition is always key and giving a customer an opportunity to experience our products multiple times through this type of subscription service I think goes a long way toward building that loyalty as well as trust.

When it comes to product inclusion, Travers said consumers of the many subscription services Eldorado Trading deals with ultimately decide what products are included in their boxes; when customers sign up, they fill out questionnaires about their preferences and the services choose items based on the subscription level chosen.

Perez said The Screaming O tries to work with MarriageSupply.com to ensure a good fit between consumers and products.

MarriageSupply.com will usually have products in mind but well give our input based on sales data for top-selling items and work with their theme for that particular box, he said. The goal of course is to choose products that we feel best represent our brand while still being a good fit for their customers.

Katie said she is still feeling her way through the entire process with The Naughty Box, but plans to communicate with her customers through surveys to grow the business as well as make sure she strikes the right balance between subscribers desires and the products they receive.

In all cases, Kassie, Perez and Travers all seem to think the subscription service is not just a passing fad, but a sustainable business model that will only continue to grow.

Most definitely more of these services will appear, Travers said. The concept is huge with younger generations and is a great way to adapt to the shift of online sales. Hopefully it will also open people up to going into stores when they find a product they like from their subscription. It also helps consumers learn new lingo and educates them about pleasure products and how they can spice up their sex life.

This article originally ran in the July 2017 issue of Intimate magazine. Click here to see the digital edition.
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The Woodhull Sexual Freedom Summit, held Aug. 3-8, is an event that promotes sexual freedom as the fundamental human right of all individuals to develop and express their unique sexuality. The Summit features events and speaking engagements with human rights activists, sexuality educators and researchers, professionals from the legal and medical fields, authors, and sexual freedom movement leaders and organizational partners.

The Woodhull Freedom Foundation believes in sexual freedom as a human right, stated Helle Panzieri, global sales director for Ovo Lifestyle Toys. At Ovo, we believe that every adult deserves to enjoy a healthy and fulfilling intimate lifestyle, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. We are extremely proud to support the Summit.

Additionally, earlier this month, Ovo Lifestyle Toys the Summit held a contest on social media. The winner received one full registration and a box full of Ovo goodies.

We are thrilled to welcome Ovo Toys as a sponsor for our 2017 Summit, said Mandy Farsace, Director of the Woodhull Sexual Freedom Summit. We loved being able to work in partnership with Ovo to provide a free registration for a lucky attendee! Our Summit would not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors!

Ovos award-winning toys are designed with versatility and pleasure in mindperfect for individuals or couples to safely, discreetly and luxuriously enhance their relationships. As a society, we often focus on our exterior appearance, but rarely consider exploring our inner health and sexual wellness.

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Five years ago, higher education was abuzz over distance learning, a "disruptive technology." The big question was whether traditional colleges and universities could incorporate the new technology or if they would be crippled because they couldn't adapt to it. The rapid growth of for-profit online schools and the advent of MOOCs (massive open online courses) underscored the threat.But that threat has receded. MOOCs weren't widely replicated and many for-profits, attacked by the federal government for aggressive sales pitches and low graduation rates, shrank or shut down.Fears are now rippling through the academy again.Purdue University has bought Kaplan University, a private, for-profit, online college. Led by Purdue president and former Indiana governor Mitch Daniels, the Indiana land-grant university is taking over a full-fledged online college with 32,000 students. It will become a Purdue subsidiary, while still operating the way it has been.What's more, Purdue just announced that Kaplan will reduce its tuition for in-state students by 45 percent, to $220 a credit-hour, also well under Purdue's credit-hour price. A degree from "NewU" (the school is as yet unnamed) will cost in-state students an estimated $39,600, compared with $80,088 (including room and board) for a degree from the main Purdue campus. Kaplan's lower charges will start this summer, even while the schools are awaiting approval by Purdue's accreditor and the federal government.In other words, rather than being cowed by online instruction, Purdue is embracing it in a big way. If it is successful, NewU could force traditional faculty-at Purdue and elsewhere-to make major changes in order to compete. Thus, the shock-waves through academia.Most major universities are struggling to take advantage of distant learning. They have many online classes; according to the Babson Survey Research Group , 28 percent of all students have taken at least one digital class. However, courses tend to be videos of professors' lectures with the addition of discussion boards, and students take them primarily for convenience.And it's still hard to get an undergraduate degree online. For example, North Carolina State University offers more than 90 online programs, but most are master's degrees in practical fields (such as biological and agricultural engineering) or certificate programs for undergraduates (such as soil science or feed milling). For the most part, online is not supplanting traditional undergraduate offerings.Even though it carries the taint of profit-seeking, Kaplan University's reputation has something of a favorable gloss. Kaplan has been criticized just like many other for-profits, but quickly changed policies when the government found them objectionable. Kaplan is no fly-by-night operation; Stanley Kaplan started it in 1938 as a test-preparation school for exams like the SAT, and the Washington Post owned it from 1984 to 2013, when Amazon's Jeff Bezos bought the newspaper (separating it from Kaplan).One hurdle for the purchase is accreditation. Since both Kaplan and Purdue are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), it seems doubtful that HLC will fail to accredit NewU, but faculty concerns are typically a big factor in the accreditation process. The Indiana chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) said it "objects strenuously" to the purchase and adds,With so much at stake, the details of the purchase are under scrutiny.Purdue will purchase Kaplan University for a dollar, with the option to buy it out in six years. (Kaplan keeps some of its assets, such as its professional and technical education.)To facilitate the purchase, the Indiana state legislature quietly included provisions in its latest budget allowing NewU to be a "public-benefit corporation," which, according to Indiana law, is aBrian Zink, senior director for news and information at Purdue, says,Kaplan, a subsidiary of Graham Holdings, Inc., will remain independent and receive revenues from Purdue. Purdue will pay Kaplan to provide "back-office" services, and Kaplan will receive 12.5 percent of NewU's revenues, but only after New U's operating expenses are covered. Zink points out that NewU is guaranteed a $10 million payment beyond its operating expenses each year for five years, either from its own revenue or from Kaplan. After the fifth year, it will receive 10 percent of its revenue before the 12.5 percent payment kicks in. Part of the compensation to Kaplan, says Zink, is an "earn-out" for the assets it sold for $1.Paul Fain of Inside Higher Ed, who made an intense effort to pin down the legal and financial aspects of the purchase, suggests that there will be problems of transparency. NewU is not a typical non-profit under 501(c)(3) of the tax code, so it won't have to file 990 forms that provide disclosures. Some "trade secret" information is being kept under cover and not revealed in the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Yet NewU will be a public entity for the sake of Title IV purposes; it does not need to meet the same federal financial restrictions that for-profits do.A big question is whether the university will stand behind NewU if it runs into financial trouble. The university agrees to compensate Kaplan under some circumstances. However, Daniels pointed out early on that should that happen, the funds would not come from taxpayers but from other Purdue funds. Brian Zink says,For students of "disruptive technology," Purdue's purchase is a textbook response to innovation-but one that is rare and difficult to pull off. In, Clayton Christensen, the man who popularized the term, says that IBM was one of the few traditional computer companies to survive the onslaught of the personal computer (others such as once-famous Digital Equipment Company and Wang Laboratories faded away). It did so by creating a completely autonomous company in Boca Raton, Florida-far from its headquarters in Armonk, New York.While Purdue is not creating a distant outpost, it is creating an autonomous unit and buying a school that is already up and running. As Daniels said in his initial statement about the purchase, he and Purdue leadership spent several years studying how to adapt to online education.Alana Dunagan, head of higher education at the Christensen Institute, applauds Daniels' action and believes that the school can innovate in distance education because of its autonomy. But she isn't sure that other schools can copy what Purdue is doing.Dunagan said.
The most outlandish voices on North Carolina's political left have latched onto the notion that actions taken by the Republican-led General Assembly in recent years are illegitimate.Taken to its extreme, the argument calls for courts to block legislators from taking any further action until voters have elected a new General Assembly.To accept this argument, one must exercise a severe case of political amnesia. The facts of recent political history challenge the illegitimacy argument in several ways.Claims of illegitimacy hinge on the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling throwing out 28 legislative districts as examples of illegal racial gerrymandering. Without comment, the high court affirmed a trial court's ruling in the case.Here is where history pokes its first hole in the illegitimacy narrative. Yes, Republicans have won control of both the N.C. House and Senate under all three sets of legislative elections conducted under the disputed maps.Conveniently omitted from the narrative is the fact that Republicans also won the prior election in 2010. That was an election conducted under election maps drawn by legislative Democrats to help preserve the power of legislative Democrats.So overwhelming was the shift in political allegiance in that 2010 election that both the House and Senate essentially flipped from chambers dominated by Democrats to chambers dominated by Republicans. The GOP gained a supermajority in the Senate and fell just four seats short of a supermajority in the House.That first Republican-led General Assembly set out priorities in 2011 that have remained fairly consistent for seven years. It reined in the rate of government spending growth, even when then-Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue wanted to spend more. It avoided broad-based tax increases, even when Perdue vetoed two budgets because legislators wouldn't endorse her higher sales tax proposals. And it targeted a collection of regulatory reforms each year.It's also worth noting another piece of history: House Republicans needed help from a handful of Democrats to overcome Perdue's opposition. Most legislation approved in 2011-12 attracted at least some degree of bipartisan support.Many key figures from that General Assembly continued to play important roles in 2013 and afterward. To the extent that the left-of-center cries of illegitimacy focus on Republican-led policy priorities, critics are ignoring the fact that North Carolina voters enabled those policy priorities one full election cycle prior to the disputed election maps.Even the illegitimacy arguments that are confined to actions taken since 2013 face the challenge of overcoming several other important elements of recent state political history.First, no one knew the final outcome of legal challenges to the disputed legislative districts until June 5 this year. Yes, critics raised objections about the election maps as soon as legislators approved them in 2011. But both the Obama administration's Justice Department and the courts had allowed elections to proceed under those maps for three election cycles.Not until a May 22 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a congressional redistricting dispute did state lawmakers, or anyone else, know that the nation's highest court would not accept legislators' interpretation of the role race could play in drawing election maps.Even some members of the nation's highest court didn't realize the congressional case would turn out the way it did this spring. A three-judge minority chastised colleagues for throwing out a previous court precedent that might have upheld North Carolina congressional maps used in 2012 and 2014.When the high court followed up that congressional map ruling two weeks later with the ruling on legislative maps, justices wrote nothing about illegitimacy of the current General Assembly. In fact, to the extent the unanimous Supreme Court said anything at all, it chastised the trial court. The Supreme Court agreed that the trial court had ordered special 2017 elections without conducting any serious examination of whether the benefits of these special elections would outweigh the costs of creating new off-year electoral chaos.If the Supreme Court worried about illegally drawn maps creating an illegitimate state legislature, it did not express that concern in its ruling.Beyond the timing of the final resolution in the legislative redistricting dispute, there's another inconvenient historical fact for backers of the illegitimacy argument: Voters have consistently supported Republican legislative candidates in every election since 2010.In fact, the pattern dates back even earlier. In the statewide tally of votes for N.C. House seats, Republicans have won in every two-year cycle since 2002, with the single exception of 2008. On the Senate side, Democrats also picked up the majority of votes in 2006. Otherwise, Republicans have won more votes than Democrats in legislative elections in 2002, 2004, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016.If those espousing the illegitimacy argument mean to suggest that Democrats could have won control of the General Assembly in any of the past three election cycles, they would have to account for the fact that more North Carolinians voted for Republicans in those elections than voted for Democrats.A more subtle argument would admit that Republicans were likely to have won control of the N.C. House and Senate in every election since 2012, but the GOP would have won smaller majorities. They would not have had the supermajorities to withstand a gubernatorial veto. Much of their agenda would have been stymied.That scenario runs into another recent historical fact. North Carolina voters elected a Republican governor in 2012. For the past four years, Republican legislators rarely needed to try to override a gubernatorial veto.It's easy to argue that then-Gov. Pat McCrory might have been able to steer more pieces of legislation toward his priorities had he believed that legislative leaders would be unlikely to ignore his veto threats. But it's implausible to argue that major pieces of the conservative agenda over the past four years - tax reform, expanded educational choice, limited government spending increases, transportation funding transformation - would not have happened if Republicans had held fewer legislative seats.McCrory supported each of these ideas. He would have welcomed a chance to sign bills addressing these goals, even if they had been approved with smaller vote margins in the legislative chambers.In other words, it's safe to say that much of the legislative agenda from 2013 through 2016 would have been passed under any set of election maps - other than those drawn by Democrats to benefit Democrats. Any fair set of maps would have given Republicans a shot to turn their advantage in the statewide legislative vote totals into a corresponding working majority in the House and Senate.That leaves 2017 as the only year in which now-illegal election maps might have played a role in thwarting a Democratic governor from blocking key pillars of the Republicans' legislative agenda. Even then, the story is not as clear-cut as the critics suggest. Republicans often have attracted votes from across the aisle to support initiatives that enrage the illegitimacy crowd.To recap: Republicans took control of the General Assembly in elections conducted under Democratic maps. Since their earliest days in power, Republican legislative leaders have benefited from the support of like-minded Democrats. Legislative maps adopted by Republicans have remained in effect until June this year. While rejecting those maps in June, the nation's highest court ruled unanimously that a lower court had failed to make an effective argument for speedy replacement of those maps. North Carolina voters have backed Republican legislative candidates consistently since 2010. They also paired those GOP lawmakers with a GOP governor from 2013 to 2016.Newcomers to North Carolina and those who have started paying attention only recently can be forgiven for not knowing these facts.But most of those who call the current legislature illegitimate should know better. Their failure to account for the facts makes them look silly.
The Democrat leadership has made constant, profound and incredible pronouncements that one's supportive vote for Republicans is tantamount to surrendering Democracy forever. Understanding their sincere thinking in their extreme position: How will you still vote on this election day?

Democrat; because the continuance of this Democracy from the existential threat of extreme Republicans is paramount.

Republican; the process of having a choice is the democratic method within what so called "Democracy" does exists.
So you think you might like teaching college English. You love the language and its great works. Lots of people are like that, including me.Good, but beware. Teaching college English, especially freshman comp, is not for the faint-hearted.If you are drawn to the profession by the joys you experienced in grad school reading the great tacticians of the language, be prepared to gird your loins for something akin to trench warfare. You will often find yourself in a dark place where syntax constantly comes a cropper in its unequal battle against half-baked ideas, defenseless vocabulary, and ghastly grammar.Your first skirmish will pit you against invisible, nameless, and formidable adversaries: all those "language arts" teachers from the past who, at least according to many students, seldom held them accountable for anything. To hear them tell it, their every idea was deemed above average, a la Lake Wobegon. Thesaurus-diving was also encouraged, so that a word like "plethora" will in their view serve their purpose much better than the perfectly clear and acceptable "many."And if you expect reasonably well-structured sentences with close-to-appropriate punctuation, don't be surprised to encounter something like this: "They said all their usual announcements then they talked about a contest for writing and they read the winners that won it was only three from my school two boys and one girl."Should you succeed in routing the enemy this first time, your work will have only just begun. Although some of your students may be impressed by your promise to expect only their best work, they will view themselves as casualties if their first essay-often a revamped version of one written in high school-earns a low grade.First the ghosts of all those neglectful "language arts" teachers will rise up once again to rattle their rusty chains. The students will implore you to read and grade a revision and/or take into account that anything less than a "B" will jeopardize their financial aid.If neither of those stratagems succeeds, the opinions of parents will be brought up to the front line, guns blazing. Sometimes they will even visit your office, demanding that you show them why the paper didn't deserve "at least a 'C.'" They may also claim that this is the first time their child has ever received anything less than an "A." Although it's an unpleasant task, be prepared to go over the writing assignment in excruciating detail; if you do so, chances are it will keep that helicopter parent from knocking on your door again.At this point, it's wise to revisit the standards and expectations you covered during the first class meeting when students are notorious for nodding their heads while not attending to a single word you're saying. After all, their cell phones keep lighting up or vibrating. Either a friend has posted something funny and fleeting on Instagram, or their roommate wants to know what happened to the Jagermeister.This will also give you an opportunity to remind the students (and yourself) that writing must meet basic standards of content and execution to warrant a passing grade. In other words, hold that line.Assuming you survive this first brush with professional misadventure, the task of getting your charges to contend with their worst compositional tendencies will continue for the entire semester. Just when you think you've made it abundantly clear that "whether" and "weather" are not interchangeable, these and other malapropisms that evade every spellchecker ever devised will rise like Banquo's ghost to haunt the pages of your students' essays.Routine grammar and punctuation issues as well as basic rhetorical fallacies will also seem to have taken up positions for a protracted siege.As the semester midpoint approaches, you would do well to reach out to those students who are not making much progress. If they have enrolled in more classes than their work/school schedule can support, let them know it might be a good idea to reduce their course load and thereby spare their GPA lasting injury. If other professors or mentors advise you this is not part of your job, I'm here to say they are wrong. Like it or not, your responsibilities extend beyond your discipline. Moreover, you may find that forays into advising are a welcome change from the time you spend performing triage on hastily written first drafts.By week twelve of the semester the ranks of your freshman comp classes will probably have thinned by about twenty percent. Some students will provide advance notice of their decision to withdraw, citing a family emergency or pressing personal concern, while others will simply go AWOL, sometimes as early as the third or fourth week of the semester. However, be prepared for one or two of those disappeared students to resurface during finals week. Their mea culpas will be heroic and all inclusive, in hopes that you can overlook the fact they did virtually nothing all semester. Hear them out, then wish them well.Once final grades have been calculated and posted, it will be time to do a little retroactive reconnaissance. Review your classroom presentations, especially those most nearly resembling lectures, and entertain the possibility that they were ineffective. As soon as students realize you plan to talk for an extended period of time-say, fifteen or twenty minutes-their doors and windows of perception begin to close.It is much better to get them doing things, preferably with pen or pencil, and either a textbook or sheet of paper. Or give them time to hash something out verbally with classmates. If nothing else, the hum of voices will assure you there is still value in a traditional classroom setting.At some point you may also find yourself wondering about that one student who began the semester with so much promise only to falter or go AWOL in the end. He was extremely quiet, perhaps willfully so; or she was unusually talkative, either craving attention or trying to disarm it. Was there something you could have or should have done? After all, students have all kinds of needs and, since you were once a student, you might have a valuable insight to share.Before embarking on a rescue mission, however, be advised that reaching out to an under-performing student can sometimes leave you stranded in no man's land: there's no guarantee your insights will be welcome. Just as students have all kinds of needs, they fail for all kinds of reasons, sometimes intentionally.Enjoy a bit of rest after the semester is over. The battle of your next one looms just over the horizon.
At night, a man of about thirty-five comes up to me, limping, gives me his hand and introduces himself as Babu. With the help of an interpreter, he tells me that he has been using drugs for 10 years  alternating between crack and heroin, which is rare in Hetauda. When I ask if I can take his photograph, he refuses and quickly leaves. However, when I go out to the street after talking with the employees of the organization, I meet Babu again: he changed his mind, and decided to invite me to his place.

On the way, he hums a jolly tune. As soon as we get inside, Babu sharply closes the door and grabs a metal rod; he swings it at me and demands that I give up my camera. When I explain that its a cheap film camera that he wont be able to sell to anybody, the drug user scratches the back of his head, puts the rod down, smiles, and says: Sorry.
5 Causes of Nursing Home Resident Anxiety Unfortunately, for many reasons anxiety happens more often by long-term care residents than by those who live in
By Karolina Tagaris , Jack Stubbs and Anna Irrera ATHENS/MOSCOW/NEW YORK (Reuters) - A Russian man suspected of being the anonymous mastermind behind one of the world's oldest crypto-currency exchanges and of laundering at least $4 billion has been arrested in Greece, police and sources said on Wednesday. Police sources identified him as Alexander Vinnik, 38, who was arrested after a tip-off in a small beachside village in northern Greece on a U.S. warrant. Police said the United States would seek to extradite him. Two sources close to the BTC-e virtual currency exchange, who declined to be identified while the case was open, said Vinnik was a key person behind the platform, which has been offline since reporting "technical problems" late on Tuesday. "An internationally sought 'mastermind' of a crime organization has been arrested" Greek police said in a statement. "Since 2011 the 38-year-old has been running a criminal organization which administers one of the most important websites of electronic crime in the world." Police said "at least" $4 billion in cash had been laundered through a bitcoin platform since 2011 - the year BTC-e was founded - with 7 million bitcoins deposited, and 5.5 million bitcoins in withdrawals. Bitcoin was the first digital currency to successfully use cryptography to keep transactions secure and pseudonymous, making conventional financial regulation difficult. Vinnik's arrest is the latest in a series of U.S. operations against Russian cyber criminals in Europe. Last week, the U.S. Justice Department moved to shut down the dark web marketplace AlphaBay. The U.S. prosecutions coincide with intensified scrutiny of Russian hackers after U.S. intelligence officials determined that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election using cyber warfare methods to help Donald Trump, something Moscow denies. There was no indication Vinnik's case was connected to the U.S. hacking charges. The U.S. Department of Justice, the Russian Foreign Ministry and BTC-e did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Founded in 2011, BTC-e is one of the oldest and most obscure virtual currency exchanges, allowing users to trade bitcoin pseudonymously against fiat currencies, such as the U.S. dollar, and other virtual currencies. Until today, the people behind it had remained unknown. It is known in crypto-currency markets as one with the most relaxed standards for checking the identity of its users to combat money laundering, and for not collaborating with law enforcement. This helped make BTC-e "a favorite money-laundering location," said James Smith, chief executive of Elliptic, a company that works with law enforcement to track illicit bitcoin transactions. The exchange has been connected to recent ransomware attacks, he said. BTC-e has been out of service for over 24 hours for what it described as "unplanned maintenance." In a tweet on Wednesday after the arrest, BTC-e said it would restore service in the next 5-10 days. While bitcoins can be bought and spent anonymously using digital wallets with unique addresses, transactions are recorded on a public ledger called blockchain, making it possible to follow the coins. Over the years, law enforcement agencies around the world have been able to identify users behind pseudonymous wallets connected to illegal activities by tracking bitcoin movements, often with the help of exchanges and security firms like Elliptic. (Additional reporting by Michele Kambas in Athens, Dustin Volz in Las Vegas, and Steve Stecklow and Jemima Kelly in London; Writing by Michele Kambas and Jack Stubbs; Editing by Larry King and Grant McCool)
TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan has lodged a protest against Cambodia's decision to send suspects in a telecoms fraud scheme, including seven Taiwan nationals, to China for investigation, the self-ruled island's foreign ministry said on Thursday. Cambodia is one of China's closest allies in Southeast Asia and does not recognize the government of Taiwan, which Beijing considers a wayward province. It sent four Taiwanese suspects to China on Wednesday night, Taiwan foreign ministry spokeswoman Eleanor Wang told a regular media briefing on Thursday. Another three remain in Cambodia, Taiwan "expresses solemn concerns and deep regrets about its Taiwan nationals being sent to China", Wang said. She said Taiwan had called on Cambodia to "truly guarantee our nationals' judicial rights and interests and access to assistance" and for the Taiwanese suspects to be sent back to Taiwan for investigation. The ministry said last week there were seven Taiwanese nationals among a total of 31 suspects. Cambodia's head of police investigation, Uk Heisela, told Reuters in Phnom Penh that a group of 17 suspects were sent to China on Wednesday and another group of 14 would be sent on Saturday. "There is no Taiwanese national, they are all Chinese," he said on Thursday. "When we detained them, they didn't have any documents, China provided them with Chinese passports." Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said China "highly appreciated" Cambodia's cooperation on fighting cross-border crimes involving fraud. "On this issue, both countries have always maintained close communication and cooperation," Lu told a daily news briefing. Cambodia deported 13 people from Taiwan to China, where they were wanted on suspicion of telecoms fraud, last year despite opposition from Taipei, which accused Beijing of "abducting" its citizens. China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. China's Nationalists fled to the island after losing the Chinese civil war with the Communists in 1949. (Reporting by Jess Macy Yu in TAIPEI and Chan Thul Prak in PHNOM PENH; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in BEIJING; Editing by Paul Tait)
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Bangkok, July 28, 2017Philippine authorities should thoroughly investigate the shooting of radio commentator Julito Orillaneda, which left the journalist seriously wounded, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

The owner and operator of the local radio station dxJB FM was shot in the head, neck, face, and arm as he parked in front of his home in Marihatag, on the southern island of Mindanao, on July 26, according to news reports. The shooter escaped on motorcycle driven by an accomplice, the reports said.

Orillaneda was rushed to the nearby Marihatag District Hospital and later transferred to the Butuan City Hospital for further treatment, the reports said. News reports said the reporter remained conscious after the shooting and was in critical condition as of today.

We call on authorities to leave no stone unturned in identifying and apprehending the assailants who shot and critically wounded radio broadcaster Julito Orillaneda, said Shawn Crispin, CPJs senior Southeast Asia representative. Only bringing the perpetrators of these types of attacks on journalists to justice can end this cycle of violence and impunity.

Senior Inspector Joy Allan Blasco, Marihatags police chief, said authorities had not identified or apprehended the assailants. Reports did not speculate on a possible motive for the attack. The Philippine News Agency, citing local journalists, said Orillaneda was a hard-hitting commentator known for his critical reports on the local government.

The Philippines ranks fourth on CPJs Impunity Index, a global measure of countries where journalists are slain and the killers go free. More journalists have been killed in direct relation to their work in the Philippines than anywhere apart from Iraq and Syria since CPJ began keeping detailed records in 1992.
Anti-Ahok rally, Jakarta, 2012

Doctor accused of blasphemy sentenced to 2 years over FB post criticizing 212 anti-Ahok rally





Another person in Indonesia has been sentenced to 2 years in prison over an incident directly related to the blasphemy case of former Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, who was sentenced to 2 years in May for blaspheming Islam.





Shortly after the December 12 (2012) anti-Ahok rally in Jakarta, which saw an estimated 200,000 protesters take to the streets of the capital to demand that Ahok be immediately jailed, a doctor in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, named Otto Rajasa wrote a scathing criticism of the rally in a Facebook post.





"The hajj no longer needs to be done in Mecca, as it is enough to go to Jakarta"





Based on a description of the Facebook post by KBR.id , Otto wrote that the hajj (the pilgrimage required of all Muslims capable of it) no longer needs to be done in Mecca, as it was enough to go to Jakarta; the Holy Mosque is represented by Istiqlal Mosque, the ritual of going from Safa to Marwa is represented by a long march from the Presidential Palace to Istiqlal, while the Stoning of the Devil is represented by throwing stones at photos or paintings of Ahok.





The post was soon reported to the Balikpapan Police for blaspheming Islam, and the local branch of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) declared it blasphemous after directly questioning the doctor over the matter. Otto was then officially charged with blasphemy by the police.





At the end of the ensuing trial, the prosecution demanded that the doctor be sentenced to 3 years in prison. While reading his personal defense statement, Otto tearfully pleaded for leniency, especially for the sake of his wife and children, and defended his post as satirical in nature while reiterating his previous apologies to Muslims.





In the end, the panel of judges convicted Otto, not of blasphemy, but for a slightly lesser charge of spreading hostility and hatred in violation of the law on Information and Electronic Transactions (UU ITE).





The sentence for the crime of defendant, Dr. Otto Rajasa bin Supomo is two years imprisonment and a fine of Rp50 million, provided that if the fine is not paid it would be replaced with imprisonment for one additional month, Chief Judge Aminuddin said in court during the reading of the verdict yesterday.





My message is, do not think critically, we should follow the community. If you think critically in Indonesia, you will be punished, Otto told the media after the verdict, as quoted by Benarnews.org





Otto and his lawyers have not yet announced whether or not they will appeal the decision.

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Medieval and barbaric punishments: Public execution in Iran

The families of prisoners facing imminent execution gathered in front of the judiciarys headquarters in Tehran on July 26, 2017 to demand a halt to pending executions until Irans Parliament votes on a bill that would remove the death penalty for low-level drug-related convictions.





Iraj Ghobadi and Kavous Maleki were transferred to solitary confinement in Parsilon Prison in Khorramabad, Lorestan Province, on July 20 apparently in preparation for their executions, a source close to the Ghobadi family told the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI).





Our argument is that Iraj and Kavous did not have prior criminal convictions, said the source, who spoke with CHRI on the condition of anonymity. Wait a little until the new law is passed and Irajs death sentence will change to life in prison. Dont take his kids hope away.





The two have been on death row for the past five years after being sentenced in a trial without legal representation.





We had no idea when they were sentenced, and when we got a lawyer, he said it was too late, said the source. We have to wait for the judiciary chief to order a halt to the executions.





The mens lives and those of up to 5,000 prisoners on death row for petty drug offenses could be saved by a proposed amendment to the Law Against Drug Trafficking that is due for a vote in Parliament





We tried to see our local officials, everyone from the Friday prayer leader to the head of the Martyrs Foundation, but none of them agreed to meet with us, added the source. They all said the decision is in the hands of the judiciary chief.





The source said the police ordered the family to end their demonstration in front of the Palace of Justice in Tehran, which houses the judiciary and the Supreme Court, but we are still hoping Iraj will not be executed and his two kids will not become orphans.





His mother is about to have a heart attack. His family is so upset, they are in shock. We had his two small kids with us in front of the Supreme Court building hoping that our pleas would make the officials feel pity, but so far no one has paid attention, added the source.





Continued the source: On the one hand, there is the sadness and hardship that comes after losing your father and the ruined family reputation. On the other hand, we have to consider how the kids will be able to deal with their fathers execution. I dont know. I just hope God will have mercy on this young, innocent man.





According to the informed source who spoke with CHRI, Ghobadi and Maleki were the second and third defendants in a drug trafficking case involving another defendant who went into hiding after being freed on bail. Iraj was the driver of the vehicle in which the drugs were discovered, but he has consistently argued that he was not aware of their existence.



Delays to Amendment Vote





In early July 2017, the Iranian Parliaments Legal and Judicial Affairs Committee called on the judiciary to halt scheduled executions for prisoners convicted of lesser drug offenses until the pending amendment to the law is ratified.





We expect the amendment to the Law Against Drug Trafficking to pass with a high number of votes because the majority of MPs are in favor of it, said the committees Deputy Chairman Mohammad Kazemi during an interview with Shargh newspaper on July 5.





Until the amendments final ratification, the lives of some prisoners will be in the balance, he added. Their lives could be spared when the [new] law is applied retroactively. For this reason, we have requested the judicial branch to halt these executions.





Since its introduction in November 2016, the vote on the amendment has been repeatedly postponed due to strong opposition from drug enforcement officials and the judiciary. The latest vote was scheduled for mid-July, but last-minute changes to appease the judiciarys concerns forced another delay.





In response to the judiciarys demand for clarity on what quantity of drugs constitutes trafficking, the committee said the death penalty could be applied to those convicted of carrying two kilograms of traditional drugs and 50 kilograms of industrial drugs. Those carrying less would receive life sentences.





Amid the committees ongoing attempts to bring a vote to the floor, the head of the prosecutors office in Khorasan Razavi Province, Ali Mozaffari, accused the Parliament of trying to appease Western governments that have criticized Irans high rate of executions.





The Western governments will not stop their animosity towards the Islamic Republic of Iran even if you make a thousand changes to the law, said Mozaffari at a drug enforcement conference in Mashhad on July 5.





The death penalty for drug crimes is on the basis of punishments for Corruption on Earth commanded by the Quran and Islamic law, he added. It is in the interest of human society.





Powerful hardline judicial officials have also opposed changes to the countrys death penalty policy.





These are man-made laws that have not had perfect results. But its wrong to say that executions have had no effect, said Judiciary Chief Sadegh Larijani on September 29, 2016. If the judiciary had not been strict, we would have been in a far worse situation.





Iran has one of the highest per-capita execution rates in the world. At least 567 people were executed in 2016, down 42 percent from the 977 who were in executed in 2015. The vast majority of executions were for petty drug-trafficking crimes, including for carrying small amounts of illegal drugs.

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This beginning of this story could have been lifted out of a host of mystery films or novels: a group of men are working at a religious building that is centuries old, and, by chance, when they remove a layer of soil, they discover a crypt, covered in rubble and lost to the sands of time. But this is no fictional tale.

The site of what is believed to be the tomb of Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo, in Santo Domingo cathedral. VICTOR SILADI

The story dates back to 1992, when work was going on to transfer the pantheon where Christopher Columbus was buried from the cathedral of Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. The project was part of the many acts staged that year to commemorate the mariners arrival in the Americas five centuries earlier. But unexpectedly, another tomb was discovered.

A few meters below the Italian mariners mausoleum was the crypt with a damaged brick vaulted ceiling measuring 8.46 meters by 3.80 meters. Who was the undoubtedly illustrious person buried in such a prized spot?

Oviedos skull should show his injuries from a knife fight with another Spaniard during his time in the Americas

Esteban Prieto Vicioso, head of conservation at the Basilica Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor, to give the church its full name, says the evidence points to Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo, a name as overlooked as it is important. He is attributed with writing the first account of the Americas, on the orders of Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor. Until his death in 1557 at the age of 80, Fernandez de Oviedo wrote about Columbuss first voyage to the Americas in 1492 and up to Pizarros rebellion in 1549, as well as detailing the geography, plants, animals and peoples of the continent.

We know that up to the middle of the 16th century there was an altar dedicated to Santa Lucia built on Oviedos instructions, and that right underneath he ordered a vault to be constructed, where he was buried, says Prieto Vicioso. There is no documentary evidence that his body was ever moved from there.

The restoration team at the cathedral  the first one built in the Americas  is trying to raise money to excavate the crypt, which they hope will allow them to identify Oviedo. They believe they will find an iron key in the tomb to the fortress of Santo Domingo, of which Oviedo was governor for the last 25 years of his life. A final detail they believe will definitively establish that the tomb is Oviedos would be damage to the skull, which was the result of a knife fight with another Spaniard that took place in the Darien Gap, in what is today Panama.

Oviedos works on the first years of the Spanish colonization of the Americas are still studied by scholars today

Despite having been largely forgotten by historians, Gonzalo Fernandez Oviedo played a key role in the conquest of the Americas, as well as the reconquest of Spain: he accompanied the Catholic Monarchs when they entered Granada on January 6, 1492 after the defeat of the last Moorish kingdom in Spain; he was also present the following year when Columbus met Isabel and Ferdinand on the return from his first voyage to the Americas.

He then moved to Italy, where he met Leonardo da Vinci and leading members of the Borgia family, which originated from Spain, such as Pope Alexander VI and his daughter Lucrecia. He later became secretary of Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba, a leading navigator. He made his first trip to the Americas in 1514, as part of the expedition led by Pedrarias Davila and was witness to the formers rivalry with Vasco Nunez de Balboa, the first European to reach the Pacific via the Americas, and who would be executed by Davila in 1519.

Oviedo returned to Spain in 1526, where he published his Summary of the Natural History of the Indies, which was an immediate success, was translated into English, French, and Italian, and which is still studied by scholars to this day.

In 1532, Charles V named him Official Chronicler of the Indies and Governor of the Fortress of Santo Domingo. He spent the rest of his life in Santo Domingo in a small house filled with books on the banks of the Ozama River, which runs through the capital, writing to governors and servants of the crown throughout Spains vast American empire, and meeting with them when they stopped off on the island. His research was channeled into A General and Natural History of the Indies, the first part of which was published in 1535, although the remaining two volumes did not appear until the middle of the 19th century.

English version by Nick Lyne.
Rodrigo Tacla has become a ticking time bomb. Now one of the men most feared by presidents and high-ranking officials in Latin America, the 44-year-old lawyer is privy to many of the secrets of Odebrecht , the Brazilian construction giant that has brought the political foundations of the continent crashing down after confirming the payment of millions of euros in bribes to the governments of 12 countries.

Lawyer Rodrigo Tacla Duran, in Madrid in July 2017.

Until 2016, Tacla worked as a lawyer at the companys Structured Operations Department, the secretive business unit that specialized in buying goodwill. Election campaigns, gifts, parties, prostitutes There were no limits when it came to securing the favors of politicians. In return, presidents and heads of state would sign public works contracts, the main source of income for the biggest construction company in Latin America, a giant with 168,000 employees and tentacles that reached into 28 countries.

The Odebrecht HQ in Sao Paulo (Brasil), in a March 2017 file photo. AFP / Nelson Almeida

EL PAIS has located Tacla, who has Spanish-Brazilian nationality, in Madrid. He was arrested in November after an order was issued by a court in Curitiba, Brazil. After spending 72 days in the Spanish prison of Soto del Real  accused of bribery, money laundering and belonging to a criminal organization  he is now out, on conditional release. Tacla will be tried in Spain after the Spanish High Court, the Audiencia Nacional, rejected his extradition to his country of birth, Brazil.

The Brazilian justice system accuses him of laundering more than 12 million on the orders of his company. Furthermore, Odebrecht claims that he was hired to launder illegal commissions. Tacla denies this, claiming that he only lent his services for five years, and that he knows about the companys illegal activities because he evaluated risks as a lawyer in the countries where the construction company had bought off dozens of politicians.

In this, his first interview, Tacla, who is now cooperating with the US Department of Justice and the Spanish corruption prosecutor, reveals the details about the biggest corruption scandal in the Americas. Its a political time bomb packed with shrapnel that has already impacted presidents Michel Temer (Brazil), Juan Manuel Santos (Colombia) and Danilo Medina (Dominican Republic), along with former leaders Ollanta Humala (Peru) and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (Brazil).

Question. How did Odebrecht operate?

Answer. The construction company found solutions by paying. It would pay commissions to the lowest-ranking civil servant, up to the head of state.

Q. And how did it get close to the seats of power?

A. The first contact would be established during the election campaign. Odebrecht would pick up the costs of the political marketing of the candidates. It had an agreement with a publicist called Joao Santana [responsible for the successful campaigns of Brazilian ex-presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff]. The construction company would later suggest the public works that would be included in the governments plans.

Q. The politician would return the favor when they got to power

A. Yes. The leader would include projects of interest to Odebrecht in their government plans. The construction company, in some cases, would advise countries on how to secure financing through organizations such as the World Bank or the Inter-American Development Bank (BID).

Anyone from public company managers to heads of state would be paid

Q. How many civil servants, candidates and presidents did Odebrecht bribe?

A. More than 1,000. Via the firm, anyone from public company managers to heads of state would get paid. In Brazil alone there are 500 people affected by this. And there are politicians and high-ranking civil servants in Brazil whose names have still not come out.

Q. Odebrecht paid the biggest fine in history in 2016: 2.2 billion to the governments of Brazil, Switzerland and the United States so it could bid for public tenders once more. With this agreement, the construction company admitted that since 2001 it had paid bribes in 12 different countries. Are you aware of the involvement of any more states?

A. Yes. For example, the company paid 3 million in January 2016 to the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne. The payment was made via the diplomat from this country, Casroy James. The money was to stop Antigua and Barbuda from telling the judicial authorities in Brazil about the movements in Meinl Bank, a local lender acquired by Odebrecht that was used to launder the funds from bribes.

Meinl Bank headquarters in Antigua and Barbuda. EL PAIS

Although Browne was paid 3 million, the operation cost Odebrecht 10.5 million. Most of this money ended up in the pockets of a number of directors from the construction company and from Meinl Bank. The decision [to pay the alleged bribe to Browne] was taken in September 2015, during a meeting at the Hotel Intercontinental in Madrid, at which I was present.

[Browne told EL PAIS that he had not received a bribe from Odebrecht. He stressed that he had never offered beneficial treatment to the builder and insisted that he was collaborating with Brazilian authorities in their investigation].

Via internal payments there was no trail, and it avoided the traces of funds when a SWIFT code is included

Q. Can you explain the mission of this small bank in Antigua and Barbuda?

A. Meinl Bank was a front in this Caribbean tax haven. It had just three employees in a small office. Its headquarters in Sao Paulo was in the consulate. It was the nerve center from where irregular payments were made. Money was transferred from there to other banks such as the Andorra Private Bank [BPA], a lender that was closed in 2015 due to corruption. Via internal payments there was no trail, and it avoided the traces of funds when a SWIFT [international transfer code] is included.

Q. What role in the money-laundering structure did BPA and its affiliate in Spain, Banco Madrid, play?

A. The BPA was the bank in charge of the final payments. Odebrecht would open accounts at this lender in the name of Politically Exposed Persons [PEPs], public figures susceptible to laundering money. The construction company ordered transfers to the BPA from its bank in Antigua and Barbuda. Afterwards the money in BPA would be transferred via internal movements  off the books  to the accounts of the beneficiaries.

The Spanish connection Question. The anti-corruption prosecutor is investigating public works projects in Latin America by Spanish constructors who participated in consortia with Odebrecht. Companies such as Acciona, which participated in the Quito Metro (1.4 billion), and FCC, which was involved in the Panama subway (1.65 billion), are under suspicion. What was the role in these companies? Answer. I can't go into detail because I am working with the Spanish anti-corruption prosecutor. I can tell you that the prosecutor asked me if I was interested in supplying information to Panama. I answered saying that I had no problem, provided the collaboration followed legal channels. I can't accept the Panama public prosecutor contacting the Spanish authorities in an informal [extrajudicial] manner. When I asked for any collaboration with this country to be official, they never called me back. Q. Why would Panama not want to follow the conventional route of judicial collaboration? A. The answer lies in the friendship between the head of the Odebrecht affiliate in Panama, Andre Rabello, with the president of the country, Juan Carlos Varela. They want to know what I am saying in Spain, what steps I am taking.

Q. How much did the company spend each year on illegal commissions?

A. Close to 260 million. The money was moved in cash, via accounts in tax havens and through international transfers. The construction company, for security, would never pay in the beneficiaries countries of origin. And it would use Meinl Bank to send funds to PEPs, which is how those in public office susceptible to committing money laundering were known. Thats how it got money to Michelle Lasso, someone who was close to the president of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela.

[An official spokesperson for President Varela told this newspaper that his government had expressed its support for the investigations of the public prosecutor of that country and had made public, for the first time, details of the donations received for his campaign].

Q. How many companies did Odebrecht manage in tax havens?

A. More than a hundred. I joined the construction company in 2011. But the structure had already existed since 2006.

Q. The president of the company, Marcelo Odebrecht, has been sentenced to 19 years in jail. Together with him, another 77 employees worked with the Brazilian public prosecutor in exchange for reduced sentences. Odebrecht has admitted the payment of 677 million in bribes. Is that figure correct?

A. No. A former director at Meinl Bank stated that the lender moved 2.2 billion. And this bank worked exclusively for Odebrecht. It didnt have normal clients.

Q. In Brazil, Odebrecht has recognized the payment of 303 million in bribes to receive contracts for works valued at 1.6 billion during the presidencies of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff

A. The amount was much greater. 130 million a year was spent on commissions. The money was handed over in cash and via transfer. Even the janitor got paid. The bribes affected all the parties. From the right, the left From the government, opposition And there are not just politicians among the beneficiaries The company would take sides. For example, in the contest between Lula and Dilma, Odebrecht preferred Lula.

A former director at Meinl Bank stated that the lender moved 2.2 billion. And this bank worked exclusively for Odebrecht

Q. What can you tell us about Mexico?

A. That Odebrecht thought that the president of Mexico was going to be the former general director of the state oil company Pemex, Emilio Lozoya Austin. And it liked that idea. The construction company was very interested in Lozoya.

Q. Have you received threats in the US or in Spain?

A. Yes, via phone and social networks. I am being told to keep quiet. My mother has also been threatened. I have reported the situation to the authorities in Spain and the US.

[Tacla shows a WhatsApp message from his mother with the following text: Son, they are threatening me by telephone. They say that they have you tied up. That this is a robbery. That they want jewels, money, to free you...Its 3am].

Q. Do you think that senior officials and leaders in Latin America are afraid of your confession?

A. Without a doubt. My testimony could affect a lot of powerful people throughout the world.

Tacla: I never paid politicians. Never Rodrigo Tacla is being accused of having laundered more than 12 million in five years for Odebrecht. According to the directors at the Brazilian company UTC, which is caught up in the so-called Petrobras case, the lawyer set up a number of different companies to launder funds from the construction company that were paid in bribes. Tacla says he can account for the every cent of his assets, explaining that he is working with the Swiss authorities to justify his accounts in that country. He adds that his biggest account, 13 million in a Singapore bank, came from the sale of a telephony business. He adds that Odebrecht paid him 7.7 million over six years for his services as a lawyer. Tacla, whose father and grandfather were from the Spanish northwestern region of Galicia, has had Spanish nationality since 1994. Question. You were arrested in a hotel in Madrid in November 2016, two days after landing in Spain. You were arrested on a court order from Brazil, which accused you of bribery, money laundering and belonging to a criminal organization. Why did you come to Madrid? Answer. I didn't flee Brazil. I came to Madrid to attend a tax inspection of my two Spanish companies. After the Odebrecht case blew up, the authorities in Brazil and the construction company tried to pressure me into signing up to the deal, a document that 78 directors from the company subscribed to and that involved admitting offenses in exchange for a reduced sentence and a fine. In my case: six months of house arrest with a bracelet, community service and a fine of up to 12 million. Odebrecht offered to pay me 15 years' salary if I accepted the deal. I refused on a point of principle. While I was talking to the Justice Department in Washington, Brazil was calling for my arrest in July and September 2016. The US, however, did not arrest me. I don't want to betray anyone. Q. The High Court has decided not to extradite you to Brazil. Why stay in Spain? A. The prosecutors in Spain want me to recognize crimes that I didn't commit. They have not respected my rights as a lawyer. What's more, they want to attribute crimes to me due to information that I collected in my role as a lawyer. They are accusing me of crimes with no proof, based on statements. There has been no police investigation. Q. What role did your nine companies play in the payment of commissions? A. None. I never paid politicians. Ever. Q. One of your companies in Spain, Vivosant, received in 2010 a total of 10 million from a company linked to Odebrecht via the Pictet bank in Singapore. What do you have to say about that? A. That's false. That amount corresponds to the sale of a telephony company. I have given all the details of the payment to the Spanish anti-corruption prosecutor.

English version by Simon Hunter.
At least 56 people were injured on Friday morning after a commuter train slammed into a buffer stop at Barcelonas Estacio de Franca station, said Catalan authorities. One of the victims is reported to be in serious condition, although injuries to that person are not thought to be life-threatening.

Early reports from the accident scene had talked about 48 injured, with five in serious condition.

Accident Francia station: 48 affected, at least 18 required transfer to medical centers (5 in serious condition). 30 passengers pending assessment.

The train was braking, otherwise the consequences would have been worse. The train derailed from the effect of the collision, said Josep Rull, the Catalan commissioner for territorial affairs.

Spanish Public Works Minister Inigo de la Serna said that the train involved in the accident had passed all relevant inspections, the most recent being on July 18, and that it had made its approach to the station at the correct speed. The 31-year-old driver of the train had seven years of experience.

Spanish railway operator Renfe and rail infrastructure firm Adif are now investigating the which incident took place at 7.15am when a train that had departed from Sant Vicenc de Calders (Tarragona) on the R2 South line, pulled into the station.

The train was unable to brake and rammed into a buffer stop at the end of Track 11. Many of the passengers were already standing in readiness to alight and either fell to the floor or crashed into the side walls of the train.

It was like an earthquake, but we got lucky, said Lidia, a passenger who was riding in the first car and was asleep at the time of the crash.

Numerous ambulances were immediately dispatched to Estacio de Franca, the second busiest railway station in the Catalan capital. Most of the injured were treated on the scene.

English version by Susana Urra and George Mills.
The temperature rise on our planet is already a reality. In recent years there has not been a single summer in which the term heatwave was not used in the news, and we should get used to it, too, because experts feel that these weather events will be increasingly frequent and intense. Julio Diaz, head of the Epidemiology and Biostatistics department at the Carlos III Health Institutes National School of Health, has spent several years analyzing heatwaves and their effects on the population.

Julio Diaz, an expert on the effects of climate on public health. Jaime Villanueva

Diazs conclusions are clear: it is nearly impossible to reverse the current situation, but it is up to us  and governments  to take steps that will make the difference between a 4C or 6C rise in the coming years.

Question. What exactly are these heatwaves that people talk about so much?

Answer. The truth is, there is no precise definition. From a health perspective, we describe them as a day when a threshold temperature is exceeded. But obviously these figures are not the same across the territory  which is what people used to believe  but vary instead. It depends, among other things, on what kind of heat people are accustomed to. Forty degrees Celsius is not the same for someone from Seville, who is used to such weather, and someone from A Coruna, where summer temperatures are never upwards of 28C or 30C.

In Madrid, it is estimated that average summer temperatures will reach the same as Las Vegas today, and Las Vegas is in the desert

Q. How are these threshold temperatures calculated?

A. We collect thermal data for every single day over the last 15 years at a given location, and daily mortality over the same period and in the same place. Then, using statistical tools, we determine the temperature after which mortality behaves anomalously.

Q. Is it possible to die of heat?

A. Yes, but its not very common. Normally, when we talk about mortality thats attributed to high temperatures, there are very few people who die of heatstroke; rather, the people who died had other underlying conditions. For instance, for an elderly man with a cardiovascular condition, a heatwave could be fatal. Thats why we never talk about heat-caused mortality, but about an excess of mortality attributable to high temperatures.

Q. Is heat more dangerous in highly polluted cities?

A. The really dangerous thing is the pollution. The contaminated air coming out of the cars in large cities contains particulate matter that remains suspended in the air. There are studies showing that these particulates, known as Pm, and more specifically the Pm 2.5 type, are much more harmful during a heatwave.

Its not that the weather is going to change: it is already changing. We have no choice but to adapt

Q. In 2016 we had four heatwaves. So far this year, weve had two and were not even in August yet. Will these weather events become increasingly frequent?

A. We cannot calculate this with great precision, but trends indicate that thats the case. The atmosphere is trapping more heat because the CO 2 does not let the energy from the Sun return to space. This favors increasingly extreme weather events, which means that heatwaves will be more frequent and more intense. It is estimated that the average temperature of the Earth will rise by 2C over the next century, but we need to consider that this increase will not be gradual, but occur in peaks. So we will be dealing with periods of very high temperatures with back-to-back heatwaves, and cold waves with very low temperatures.

Q. When you talk about a 2C rise, do you mean that summers in Madrid will go from an average 28C to an average 30C?

A. Not exactly. When we talk about a 2C rise, thats the average temperature for the entire planet, but the planet has land and sea. The bad part is that water has a very high specific heat capacity  the amount of heat you must apply to heat a gram of water. So if water temperature rises by 2C, that means that on land the increase will be at least 6C. In Madrid, it is estimated that average summer temperatures will rise from 28.8C to 36C, so 8C more. We would reach the same temperatures as Las Vegas today, and Las Vegas is in the desert.

Q. Can we backpedal?

A. No. The temperature rise is unstoppable. Even if CO 2 emissions were reduced to zero right now, it would still take thousands of years to go back to earlier temperatures. What we can do is decide whether we want this rise to be moderate, or whether we want it to continue at the present rate.

People who have received immunization against certain diseases will be in contact with others who have not

Q. What is your opinion of the US presidents statements that climate change and global warming are a hoax, and his decision to pull out of the Paris agreements?

A. Climate change is here, that is undeniable. You burn coal as a fossil fuel and you release CO 2 into the atmosphere. If you keep burning fossil fuels, you will keep releasing CO 2 into the atmosphere. The Paris agreements are not the cure-all  they talk about a 2C increase in average temperatures  but thats always better than the 8C we are facing if we dont do something.

Q. How are our everyday lives going to change with this temperature rise?

A. Its not that its going to change: it is already changing. We have no choice but to adapt. A lot of progress is being made on bioclimatic architecture that will help regulate the temperature of homes so that the heat is more bearable. In any case, in my view, the rise in temperature is not the main problem we will see from climate change.

Q. It isnt? What is then?

A. Population migrations, without a doubt. If you live in a country where it doesnt rain, where the heat is unbearable and where, as a result of rising sea levels, the most fertile areas in the river valleys have been flooded and you can no longer grow food to eat, what are you going to do? Starve to death? Those people will have no choice but to emigrate. And where will they go? To the countries in the north. And these people will logically move to the cities. Right now, an estimated 56% of the world population already lives in big cities. If we add the climate refugees, we will end up with overpopulated mega-cities. And this will exacerbate pre-existing problems such as pollution or the heat islands that many cities have already become.

Q. If we reduced the amount of pollutants we release into the atmosphere and made cities more efficient, would this population increase still be a problem?

A. There will be other types of problems, such as health-related ones. You need to consider that people who have received immunization against certain diseases will be in contact with others who have not. And you could see social and security problems flare up when you have very densely populated cities.

English version by Susana Urra.
These are the responsibility of the editor and convey the newspaper's view on current affairs-both domestic and international

Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias at a conference on the Russian Revolution. Kiko Huesca (EFE)

This Sunday, unless the combined pressures of international diplomacy and domestic protests prevent it, Venezuela will cross the last red line that separates a democracy from a dictatorship.

The moment that the regime of President Nicolas Maduro validates the fraudulent and anti-constitutional election of members to the so-called National Constituent Assembly, it will have dissolved the last democratic institution remaining in the country, the National Assembly, whose members were elected in the polls of December 6, 2015. That election, we should remember, was won by the opposition to Maduro, represented by the MUD Democratic Unity Round-table, whose candidates scored a spectacular victory, given the adverse circumstances under which they campaigned, garnering 56.2% of the vote and giving MUD 112 out of the 167 seats in the National Assembly.

Since then, the Maduro regime has stripped the legislative body of powers. The result of this demolition job, carried out with the support of the Supreme Court  staffed by Maduro with tame judges  is a country robbed of any meaningful democracy. The National Assembly, the legitimate representative of the Venezuelan people, has no power, no control over the government and cannot approve the budget or state spending; in other words, none of the things it was created to do in the first place.

The government of Maduro changes the rules whenever it suits, at the same time locking up politicians and repressing any kind of opposition

To make matters worse, taking advantage of its control over the National Electoral Council, the regime has employed all kinds of chicanery to prevent the opposition from calling a recall referendum, a procedure guaranteed by article 72 of the 1999 Constitution. Violating the Constitution set up under former president Hugo Chavez, Maduro, his successor, called an election to select members of the National Constituent Assembly, which, according to articles 347 and 348, require approval via a referendum, not a rigged poll that excluded the opposition and provided no guarantees whatsoever.

The democratic opposition in Venezuela is now trapped in an impossible situation. After having accepted the rules of the Chavista game, it now finds that the government of Maduro changes them whenever it suits, while at the same time locking up politicians, as well as repressing any kind of opposition. The 498 prisoners of conscience that the Organization of American States says are being held in Venezuela, along with more than 100 deaths in street protests, leave no doubts as to what the regime in Caracas thinks about democracy and human rights.

Meanwhile, the leadership of anti-austerity party Unidos Podemos, which never stops talking about the need to reform Spains democratic system, remains silent on events in the South American country, or justifies Maduro while accusing the opposition of being anti-democratic.

Podemos urgently needs to make clear if its standards of democracy are the same as Maduros. This isnt a rhetorical question. Spanish voters have the right to know what to expect if Podemos were to govern this country and they decided to oppose its policies. Would they be treated in the same way as people defending democracy from the authoritarianism of Maduro in Venezuela?

English version by Nick Lyne.
Sky provides extensive sports coverage.

Sky, the British pay-TV operator, is planning to launch an OTT service in Spain during the second half of the year, said CEO Jeremy Darroch at a press conference with analysts on Thursday.

Today is a statement of intent and we will come back with more detail

OTT, or over-the-top content, is streamed via the internet on broadband connections. Sky is following in the footsteps of HBO, which started its own streaming service, HBO Espana, in November 2016; Amazon, which made US Prime Video available in Spain soon after, and Netflix, which began operating in Spain in late 2015.

"We intend to launch a simple and affordable OTT service in Spain, the Eurozones fourth largest economy and the market which has the largest free-to-air (FTA) headroom in Europe outside of our existing footprint, said Darroch about the 12 million homes with free-TV service only.

The companys CFO, Andrew Griffith, admitted that Sky does not have a big land bank of content [for Spain]. We want to open up the market, find our audiences and build them in time.

Betting on Spain

In recent months, Spain has emerged as one of the countries where the online-based alternatives to traditional television have made the greatest strides. After Netflix led the way in late 2015, telecom operators began offering their own streaming content platforms. Later came HBO and Amazon, and now Sky.

Sky hopes to compete with HBO and its stable of shows including Game of Thrones.

We will leverage our technology assets and brand, and over time, and it will take time, our strong position in content, whether thats from third parties or content we have created ourselves, said Griffith. Today is a statement of intent and we will come back with more detail.

Sky has 22.5 million European subscribers across in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Germany and Austria. The company is hoping that its Spanish operations will help it grow and allow it to increase its investment in original content in order to gain an edge over the competition.

Sky announced that it will boost its investment in self-produced content by 25%, in a bid to compete with HBOs Game of Thrones and Netflixs Stranger Things.

English version by Susana Urra.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 28

Trend:

In order to satisfy the growing needs and demands of customers in communication services and mobile internet due to the summer season, Nar has just made the roaming prices even more beneficial. The Vacation packages, offered by the mobile operator are quite advantageous especially for those users who travel to neighboring countries.

For instance, customers who frequently travel to Ukraine are now mentioning that the internet in roaming has become more affordable, and thanks to the beneficial internet packages they feel at home while travelling to Kyiv, Kharkov, Odessa or Lvov, where they dont even need to look for Wi-Fi. Thus, from now on it is more than expedient to travel to Ukraine, by choosing and purchasing one of the Nars Vacation packages.

Within the frames of this offer, the prices of Vacation  2 (200 Mb) and Vacation  5 (600 Mb) packages are 2 AZN and 5 AZN respectively. The offer is available as a part of the Nars Vacation campaign, which will continue until 30th of September 2017. The Vacation packages shall also be valid for roaming in such countries as USA, Israel, Georgia, Iran, Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. All you need to do to benefit from this offer is simply dial *777#102#YES for Vacation-2 package or *777#105#YES for Vacation-5 package. Dial *777#20#YES in order to check the remaining balance of the used package. More detailed information about the roaming services and tariffs of Nar is available at nar.az website.

Azerfon LLC started its operations on March 21, 2007, under the Nar Mobile brand name, and within a short period of time became one of the leading companies in the telecommunications and mobile communication industry of Azerbaijan. The Nar brand name was later selected as the symbol that resembles the cohesion of the rich cultural and historical heritage of Azerbaijan with the modern life. Nar was the first company in the country to introduce 3G technology and has provided the customers with a wide 4G network coverage. With more than 2.3 million customers and the large network of over 6000 base stations, covering 99% of the countrys territory, Nar provides its subscribers with the highest quality services.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 28

By Azad Hasanli  Trend:

Azerbaijans economic development can get a powerful momentum against the backdrop of the growing demand for Islamic financial instruments in the country.

During the first half of this year, Azerbaijan has already signed four different Islamic financing agreements. The agreements were signed between Azerbaijans Ministry of Economy and Islamic Development Bank, the Al Huda Center of Islamic Banking and Islamic Economics and the Azerbaijan Center for Research of Economic Resources, the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector and the Hi-Tech Park of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), as well as between the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector and the Cooperation of Azerbaijan and Arab Countries Public Association.

These agreements provide for an analysis of the banking legislation and studying the opportunities of introducing the Islamic banking principles and financial instruments in Azerbaijan, and also contribute to examining the global experience in the Islamic financing, attracting investments, etc.

Such interest to Islamic financing, on the part of both the government and private sector in Azerbaijan, is quite logical. Over the past two years, Azerbaijans economy has faced global challenges. And to cope with these challenges, various reforms have been implemented, strategic road maps have been developed and huge work has been done in general to neutralize the negative processes and improve the investment climate and business environment.

Introduction of the Islamic financing tools in Azerbaijan is a logical development of the reforms that will expand the opportunities to attract additional capital and stabilize the economy. Shari'a-based financing has a number of advantages: its orientation at the real sector of economy; fair risks distribution between the investor and borrower; interest-free loans; zakat that Islamic banks can pay by implementing micro-projects for the poor, which also increases the social significance of the Islamic financing.

Enforcement of the relevant legislation in Azerbaijan will also promote coming of the Islamic banks into the country. Lately Baku has been actively developing ties with Arab countries. However, to develop a full-scale cooperation with the Middle East, Azerbaijan lacks the legislation that is based on the Islamic finance principles. Such legislation will allow Islamic banks to work more actively in Azerbaijan and provide the country with effective tools to support the overall development of the economy.

For example, the Islamic bonds called sukuk could help raise funds to finance various projects, not only from the domestic market, but also from that of Arab countries.

Another tool  waqf or awqaf  could help implement social projects. Waqf is a property that is transferred for religious or charitable purposes. A mandatory condition is that such property should generate benefit or income, and be non-expendable, and therefore, money cannot be transferred as waqf. The waqf transfer can be free of charge when the owner of the property, for example the government, loses its rights over the property. However, there is another option, under which the primary owner after having transferred the property to another person, receives a part of income that can be generated by the transferred property.

The use of another tool  takaful, an Islamic insurance system  can help strengthen the social protection of citizens and become a source of additional income. Takaful is different from traditional insurance in that it operates according to the principles of solidarity. Contributions made by the clients of a takaful company are pooled into a common fund, which is used to pay insurance compensation in case of insured events. In addition, the operator (a takaful company) invests this money in business of different companies. At the end of the year, the total profit, net costs and payments are distributed among the insured.

As of today, the volume of assets in the Islamic financial instruments market ranges from $2 trillion to $3 trillion. Effectiveness of the Islamic financial instruments has been also proved by the fact that financial companies of many non-Muslim countries, such as Great Britain, Australia, China, Switzerland and others, are actively using the Islamic finance tools. The Islamic financial instruments can open up new opportunities for Azerbaijan to support development of the economy and increase the well-being of its people. Emergence of Islamic banks in the country can give a powerful impetus to development of the economy and attract additional capital from both the Arab countries and local market.

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Azad Hasanli is a Trend commentator, follow him on Twitter: @AzadHasanli
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 28

Trend:

Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Peru Pedro Pablo Kuczynski.

On behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Peru  Independence Day, Ilham Aliyev said in his letter.

I am hopeful that the relations of friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Peru will develop and expand in the best interests of our countries and peoples.

On this remarkable day, I wish you robust health, success in your endeavors, and the friendly people of Peru peace and prosperity, the president added.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 28

Trend:

Pakistans Super Mushshak trainer aircraft will play an important role in improving the combat skills of Azerbaijani military pilots, Azerbaijani Defense Minister, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov said.

Hasanov made the remarks at a meeting with Pakistan's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Saeed Khan Mohmand in Baku July 28, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.

During the meeting, Hasanov and Mohmand emphasized the importance of mutual visits in the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan.

The sides also stressed that cooperation in the military, military-technical spheres and military education is also successfully developing.

Stressing that military relations are in the interests of both countries, the sides considered it important to intensify efforts in this area.

Hasanov and Mohmand appreciated the projects which are being implemented within the military-technical cooperation, stressing the significant role of Super Mushshak aircraft purchased in Pakistan in improving the combat skills of Azerbaijani military pilots.

Then the ambassador introduced Pakistans military attache, Colonel Syed Imran Ali, who completed his activity in Azerbaijan, to Hasanov.

Hasanov expressed his gratitude to Colonel Syed Imran Ali for the efforts made in expanding relations between two countries during his activity in Azerbaijan and wished him success in his future activities.

Azerbaijan purchased 10 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft from Pakistan.

Air Marshal of the Pakistan Air Force Arshad Malik and commander of the Azerbaijani Air Force, Lieutenant-General Ramiz Tahirov took part in the ceremony of signing an agreement on the purchase of aircraft.

Such aircraft are already used in Turkey, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran and South Africa.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 28

By Seba Aghayeva  Trend:

Azerbaijan and Peru named promising spheres of cooperation, among which there are energy, agriculture, mutual investments, tourism and humanitarian fields.

Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Perus Charge d'affaires in Azerbaijan Luis Chang Boldrini have discussed the issues of cooperation in these spheres.

During the meeting, the two sides noted the importance of expanding the contractual and legal base, holding political consultations at the level of foreign ministries of the two countries.

Mammadyarov congratulated the Peruvian diplomat on his appointment, and noted that his activities will contribute to the development of bilateral cooperation.

The Peruvian embassy in Azerbaijan started its activity in June 2017.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 28

By Elena Kosolapova  Trend:

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is this years winner of the Isa Beg Ishakovic International Award, which is handed over only to public figures, namely, presidents and prime ministers, Bosnia and Herzegovinas media outlets reported July 28.

The information was confirmed by Chairman of the International Award Isa Beg Ishakovic Committee, Academician Ljubomir Berberovic, who stated that committee decided on it by a majority vote.

The Isa Beg Ishakovic International Award is the biggest civic recognition in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The visit of President Aliyev to Bosnia and Herzegovina, when the International Award Isa beg Ishakovic will be presented to him, is the first visit of the president of Azerbaijan to this country since the establishment of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

That also represents a confirmation of the strong bilateral cooperation between the two countries, as well as the friendship between capital cities Sarajevo and Baku, which became brother cities back in 1972.

The award bears the name of Isa Beg Ishakovic, prominent Ottoman statesman and founder of Sarajevo - the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Bosnia and Herzegovina Alija Izetbegovic, Federal President of Austria Heinz Fischer, President of Slovenia Borut Pahor, President of Macedonia Gjorge Ivanov, President of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic and Slovak Prime Minister Iveta Radicova received this prestigious award in different years.

The award consists of a unique stone sculpture - a kaleidoscope of cultural heritage of the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a memorial plaque.

There are such sculptures in the presidential palaces in Turkey, Slovenia, Austria, Slovakia, Croatia and Macedonia.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 28

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

On the night of July 28, unidentified persons attempted to blind a pilot of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) passenger aircraft using a laser pointer, AZAL told Trend.

The incident occurred as the plane was taking off from the Kazan International Airport en route to Baku, according to AZAL.

The unknowns tried to blind the second pilot of the aircraft using a laser pointer. The airplane crew spoke to the control center immediately after the incident. There were no other incidents and the plane took off without any problems and landed in Baku.

There were 166 passengers and nine crew members onboard the aircraft. No one was injured as a result of the incident, said AZAL.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 28

Trend:

Baku hosted negotiations between delegations of aviation authorities of Azerbaijan and Japan, the press service of Azerbaijans State Civil Aviation Administration said July 28.

During the negotiations, which were held for the first time between the two countries civil aviation administrations, the sides discussed the issues of opening regular flights between Azerbaijan and Japan.

The parties agreed to grant the designated airlines the right to carry out direct passenger and cargo flights, as well as to conclude agreements on the joint use of codes.

The meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere. Representatives of the Azerbaijani and Japanese airlines also took part in the negotiations.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 28

By Elena Kosolapova  Trend:

The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway will be commissioned in October, Kazakhstan Railways said in a message July 28.

Kazakhstan Railways President Kanat Alpysbaev was informed about this at negotiations during his working visits to Azerbaijan and Georgia.

During the visits, Alpysbaev had meetings with Turkeys Transport, Maritime and Communications Minister Ahmet Arslan and Georgias Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Gakharia to discuss the further development of cooperation in the field of railway transportation.

The message said that with the implementation of transport infrastructure projects, the potential of corridors passing through the regions countries has increased by many times.

This will make it possible to transport up to two million containers per year through Kazakhstan by 2020, said Kazakhstan Railways in its message.

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.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 28

By Elena Kosolapova - Trend:

Pakistan plans to get the first supplies of Turkmen gas in 2020, Pakistani media outlets quoted Pakistani Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as saying.

The gas will be pumped by Turkmenistan Afghanistan- Pakistan- India (TAPI) gas pipeline, which is currently under construction.

The minister said that Pakistan would only pay for the consumed gas, while India would pay royalty to Pakistan.

Abbasi said the government had given a guarantee of 336 billion Pakistani rupees ($1 = 105 Pakistani rupees) for the TAPI project.

Commenting on Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, the minister said there were still some international restriction on Iran, which was causing delay in start of the much-awaited project.

TAPI will make it possible to deliver gas from Turkmenistan, which ranks fourth in the world for its gas reserves, to large and promising markets of South and Southeast Asia. The pipeline will run from Galkynysh  the largest gas field in Turkmenistan  through the Afghan cities of Herat and Kandahar, and finally reach the Fazilka settlement located near the India-Pakistan border.

Annual capacity of the gas pipeline will reach 33 billion cubic meters. Total length of the TAPI pipeline will be 1,814 kilometers. The project's preliminary cost is estimated at $10 billion. The Turkmen government said earlier that the state concern Turkmengas would be the main investor for the TAPI project.

Turkmenistan started construction of its section of TAPI in December 2015 and it is expected it will take three years. Time frame of the Afghan and Pakistani sections construction of the TAPI pipeline has not been determined yet.

However the TAPI Pipeline Company Limited consortium developing the project has signed a contract with German ILF Beratende Ingenieure GmbH for the provision of services for the preliminary design and management of the project in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The technical work in the territory of these states has already started.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 28

Trend:

Bakcell, The First Mobile Operator and Leading Mobile Internet Provider in Azerbaijan has presented a special tariff for the first residents relocated to Jojuq Marjanli village (Jabrail region), which recently freed from occupation.

Bakcell representatives paid a visit to Jojuq Marjanli village presented Bakcell numbers with a special tariff to every resident over 18. Owners of these numbers will be able to call each other for free of charge during one year. Moreover, calls to other Bakcell numbers will also become free after the 3rd minute.

In addition to this offer, Bakcell has also presented a special gift to Oqtay Haziyev a resident of Jojug Marjanli village, who has recently been decorated with the 1st grade Labour Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, for demonstrating a strong exemplary bond to his homeland and setting a strong example in raising patriotism among fellow citizens.

It should be reminded that last May Bakcell joined the measures aimed at restoration of Jojuq Marjanli (Jebrail region) by optimizing the mobile communications network in the village. Within the frames of these efforts a new base station has been installed to ensure uninterrupted mobile communication services to people at Jojuq Marjanli. Later on Bakcell has successfully completed works aimed at optimization of 3G network in the area, so all resident can enjoy high-speed mobile internet.

Bakcell will continue to provide its support to ensure best customer experience in the entire territory of Azerbaijan.

Bakcell, The First Mobile Operator and Leading Mobile Internet Provider of Azerbaijan, offers a wide range of products for modern mobile communications users. Bakcell provides the class-leading 3G and 4G mobile internet experience in the country under the Su[email protected] brand name.

With more than 5300 base stations, the network of Bakcell covers more than 99% of the population and 93% of the land area of the country (excluding the occupied territories). Bakcell is a leader in innovation and focuses on bringing the best of the mobile internet to Azerbaijanis through new partnerships and its Su[email protected] services. Bakcell 3G service is available in all regions of Azerbaijan and covers 93% of population.

For more information about Bakcell and offered products and services, please visit www.bakcell.com or call 555. For press releases please see www.bakcell.com/az/news (or www.bakcell.com/en/news for press releases in English).

If you are not a Bakcell subscriber, but wish to find out about Bakcell and its services, please call 012 498 89 89.
Headline changed, details added (first version posted at 11:29)

Baku, Azerbaijan, July 28

By Elena Kosolapova - Trend:

Gulnara Karimova, a daughter of former Uzbek President Islam Karimov, was sentenced to five years in prison in Uzbekistan, the countrys Prosecutor General's Office said July 28.

The Tashkent Regional Court convicted Gulnara Karimova of committing the charged crimes and she was sentenced to five years in prison, said the message.

According to the Prosecutor General's Office, the total damage caused to the interests of the state and its citizens on two criminal cases amounts to over 1.27 trillion soums, $1.65 billion and 26.1 million euros.

Under control and with the assistance of Karimova, in 2001-2013, members of an organized crime group committed a number of crimes, including misappropriation of cash, shares and assets of citizens and entrepreneurs, embezzlement through misappropriation of state assets, tax evasion.

Karimovas guilt in committing these crimes is confirmed by the testimony of members of the organized crime group and other persons, witnesses, victims, expert findings and other evidence collected on the case.

Moreover, the criminal investigation is ongoing regarding other crimes by Karimova.
By Kamila Aliyeva  Trend:

National Air Company Uzbekistan Airways (Uzbekiston Havo Yullari) has carried out the first direct non-stop flight on the route Tashkent-New York-Tashkent, according to the information published on the companys website.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner returned from New York and landed in Tashkent airport on July 28. The flights will be operated on Thursdays from July 27 to October 27 this year.

The time of direct flights on the Dreamliner from Tashkent to New York is 12 hours, while one hour less when going back.

Uzbekistan Airways is a monopoly carrier in Uzbekistan and is owned by the state. It carries out flights to more than 20 cities in the US, Europe, Middle East, Asia, 22 cities of the CIS member countries, as well as 11 destinations on local airlines.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 28

By Kamila Aliyeva  Trend:

Uzbekistan expressed readiness to purchase up to 500,000 tons of oil from Russia for the refinery in the Jizzakh region, the Republics Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov said in a letter addressed to Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, Russias Izvestia newspaper reported.

In the letter, Aripov asked to provide assistance in organizing work of the Russian companies.

"To date, the Uzbek side is ready to test pump 30,000 tons and purchase up to 500,000 tons of oil before the end of 2017, bringing the annual volume of supplies to 1 million tons in the period of 2018-2020," the letter said.

It was previously reported that the agreement on import oil supplies was reached during the visits of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Kazakhstan and Russia.

At the end of April 2017, Uzbekistan started construction of a new refinery in Zafarobod district of the countrys Jizzakh region, which is expected to operate using the crude imported from Kazakhstan and Russia.

The refinery has design capacity of processing of five million tons of oil per year, production of 3.7 million tons of car fuel, over 700,000 tons of aviation fuel and 300,000 tons of associated oil products.

The cost of the project is $2.2 billion. It is scheduled to complete construction of the refinery in 2022.

The Jizzakh region is located in the central part of Uzbekistan and borders Kazakhstan in the north, and this will facilitate the construction of the oil pipeline.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 28

By Farhad Daneshvar  Trend:

The recent EU plan to impose 33 percent duties on Iranian, Ukrainian, Russian and Brazilian hot-rolled steel exports has caused concerns in Tehran over the industrys future.

However an Iranian expert suggests that the Islamic Republic could get rid of the expected duties through forming joint ventures with the European firms.

Mehrdad Emadi, a consultant at the UK-based Betamatrix International Consultancy, has told Trend that the decision on restricting the blocs imports of steel would leave a negative impact on Irans economic situation as the country plans to boost its steel exports more than 30 percent in the coming years in order to contribute to the Middle Eastern nations economic plans to boom its economy.

This is while many consider the EU as the largest market for Iranian steel as the county is incapable of competing with its regional rivals due to production costs.

However forming joint industrial projects with the European firms could pave the way for Iranian steel to reach the EU market aimed at being used in the production of new goods and products, Emadi believes.

After imposing the 35.9-percent duties on Chinas steel export to EU in June, the block plans to impose 33 percent duties on Iranian, Ukrainian, Russian and Brazilian hot-rolled steel export.

Irans steel output over the first half of the current year has surged by 13.7 percent compared to the same period of time last year.

According to the latest data released by the World Steel Association, the Islamic Republic produced over 9.94 million tons of crude steel over the first six months of 2017.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 28

By Emil Ilgar  Trend:

Iran increased oil export to 28 members of the European Union by 6.7 times to 9.316 million tons in January-April 2017, the European Commissions statistics indicate.

According to the report, Irans oil export to the EU was 1.378 million tons during the same period last year.

Thus, Irans daily oil export to the EU in January-April reached about 575,000 barrels. A third of this volume was delivered to Italy, while 25 percent was exported to France. Spain and Greece also imported each a little more than one million tons of Iranian oil in four months of 2017.

Before sanctions were imposed on Iran by the US and the EU in 2011, Iran was exporting 2.5 million barrels per day (b/d) of oil (including gas condensate), of which 587,000 b/d was delivered to the EU.

According to Turkeys Energy Market Regulatory Authority, Turkey also doubled Iranian oil intake in January-April 2017 to 3.662 million tons. Thus, during the four months of 2017, Iran exported about 800,000 b/d of oil to the western markets.

Iran has resumed its oil exports after removal of sanctions to the pre-sanctions level.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 28

By Emil Ilgar  Trend:

Iran should allow the IAEA to inspect all its suspicious sites, including military fields, Former Deputy Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Olli Heinonen told Trend July 28.

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which Iran is a party to, requires countries to accept inspections by the IAEA. The NPT requires a state to accept safeguards on all nuclear materials in all peaceful activities with its territory for the exclusive purpose that such material is not diverted to nuclear weapon or other explosive nuclear devices, Heinonen said.

He added that therefore, all the territory of a state is subject to the verification regime, and military sites do not form sanctuaries.

Previously, the US House of Representatives and the Senate passed a bill during this week against Iran, aimed to impose sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

The US charges Iran in interfering in regional countries, supporting some military groups in the region like Houthis, Hezbollah, etc as well as developing a ballistic missile program.

Associated Press reported citing official US sources on July 27 that the Donald Trump administration is pushing for inspections of suspicious Iranian military sites in a bid to test the strength of the nuclear deal.

Heinonen said that it goes without saying that to protect confidential information special procedures can be agreed for inspections at military sites.

However, the agreed procedures have to be implemented in such a way that the IAEA can draw its conclusions independently, he said.

We need to keep in mind that it is not just the right of the IAEA to verify that the state declarations with regard to nuclear material are correct and complete, but it is also an obligation for the IAEA to verify the statements made by a state. In addition, JCPOA contains additional verification requirements with regards to some activities related to nuclear weapons development. Confirming the absence of such activities, together with open questions remaining from the Possible Military Dimension investigations, and reasons for the existence of man-made uranium particles at Parchin requires that the IAEA has also access to military sites in Iran," he explained.

Parchin military base, located near the capital city of Tehran, is where the UN body suspected Iran has conducted nuclear-related tests more than a decade ago.

Iran has denied doing any nuclear activity at Parchin.

Heinonen said that let us now see how this develops, but in my view, Iran will be ill-advised, if it doesn't not permit the IAEA to conduct restrictions-free inspections that are required under the NPT safeguards agreement, Additional Protocol, and the JCPOA.

Iran and P5+1 Group, including US, Uk, France, Russia, China plus Germany reached a comprehensive nuclear deal with Iran in 2015, which was implemented in January 2016.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 28

By Elmira Tariverdiyeva  Trend:

Washingtons shortsightedness in the matters regarding Tehran continues to jeopardize Irans 2015 nuclear agreement with the world powers.

It has recently become known that US President Donald Trumps administration insists on inspecting "suspicious" military facilities in Iran. According to Associated Press, the inspection demands are part of the aggressive approach promised by Trump in an attempt to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

The move implies that if Iran forbids any inspection, Trump will get the opportunity to prove that Tehran is violating the 2015 deal, thereby making Iran the side responsible for the collapse of the agreement. Thus, it seems Trump is simply trying to push Iran to abandon the nuclear deal, as he cannot take his own country out of the agreement.

However, there is one key point that was not taken into account here: at present, Iran lets inspectors to visit its nuclear facilities, but inspections at military facilities were not included to the nuclear deal, and so, it will be difficult for Trump to prove that Iran's military facilities are somehow connected with its nuclear program.

No country will allow carrying out inspections at its strategic military facilities, and Iran has the same right to its military secrets as any other country and it is quite a normal practice to forbid such inspections.

On the other hand, in order to launch an inspection at Irans military facilities, the US needs coordination with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). According to the AP sources, the US has so far encountered resistance in this regard as it has not given convincing evidence of prohibited activity at Irans military facilities, which could be used by the IAEA to justify any inspection demand.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 28

By Ilgar Emil  Trend:

A day after testing a space-launch vehicle for sending satellites into space, President Hassan Rouhani posted a message on his Instagram page, saying that improving space technology and science is very important for Iran, because it is Iranians pride and dignity.

Imam Khomeini Space Center launched the Simorgh satellite carrier on Thursday.

The US State Department called Irans launch of a space satellite a provocative action that violates a U.N. resolution on ballistic missiles as well as the spirit of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the six world powers.

However, Hassan Rouhani said that after the nuclear deal, the way for cooperating with foreign entities as wells as accelerating the domestic might in space sphere was paved.

The "Simorgh" satellite carrier is capable of carrying satellites weighing as much as 250 kilograms at an orbit about 500 kilometers above the Earths surface.

The test marked the inauguration of Imam Khomeini Space Center.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the Islamic Republic has completely kept to the commitments it made under the landmark nuclear agreement signed between Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries in 2015, PressTV reported.

Iran  unlike the US  has complied in good faith with the letter and spirit of the JCPOA (nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), Zarif said on his official Twitter account on Friday.

He added that the US rhetoric and actions, however, show its bad faith.

He noted that every word of the deal has been carefully negotiated, adding, Iran does not develop missiles that are designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

The top Iranian diplomat emphasized that Iran has never been and would not be developing nuclear weapons, saying, So, by definition cannot develop anything designed to be capable of delivering them.

Irans Imam Khomeini Space Center on Thursday successfully launched its domestically-manufactured Simorgh carrier, whose mission is to put Iranian satellites into the orbit.

Simorgh satellite carrier is able to put satellites weighing as much as 250 kilograms at an orbit about 500 kilometers above the Earths surface.

US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert claimed on Thursday that the rocket launch violated United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231.

She called Iran's rocket launch a "provocative action" that violated the "spirit" of the JCPOA.

ran has repeatedly announced that its missile launches are not against the Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorsed the JCPOA.

Under the agreement, Iran undertook to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related bans imposed against Tehran.

Resolution 2231 (2015) provides for the termination of the provisions of previous Security Council resolutions on the Iranian nuclear program, and calls on Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology.
The bodies of six refugees, including women and children, were recovered late Thursday after a boat sank off Turkeys Aegean cost, the Turkish coast guard confirmed.

Two woman and four children died when the refugee boat carrying 18 people capsized near the Cesme district of the Aegean province of Izmir. The boat was headed to the Greek islands, Anadolu reported.

Three boats and one helicopter were dispatched by the coast guard in a rescue operation.

Nine people, including four Iraqis, three Somalis, two Syrians as two others reportedly missing were rescued and taken to Cesme State Hospital for treatment.

The organizer of the migrants reportedly managed to escape while the boat was sinking.

The search continues for missing refugees.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 28

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Turkey and Russia are discussing the details of the supply of Russian S-400 Triumph air defense system, Turkish media outlets quoted Ibrahim Kalin, head of the country's presidential press service, as saying July 28.

Kalin noted that the two countries also mull the time of the S-400 Triumph system delivery.

The S-400 system is being purchased by Turkey for defense purposes, according to him.

Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was ready to sell Ankara the S-400 Triumph system, but the issue of localization of the production in Turkey would depend on the readiness of the countrys industry.

Later, on July 25, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the two countries have already signed an agreement on the purchase of the S-400 Triumph system.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Worlds largest brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV BUD, also known as AB InBev, missed the earnings estimate of analysts polled by Zacks for the sixth straight quarter, when it posted second-quarter 2017 results. The companys bottom-line also declined year over year. Moreover, revenues also missed the estimate after beating the same in the trailing two quarters. Lower-than-expected earnings performance in the past few quarters has hurt the stock in the past one year. AB InBevs stock has declined 8.2%, wider than the industry's marginal decline of 0.4%.



The lower-than-expected bottom-line result can largely be attributed to persistent weakness in Brazil and negative impact of mark-to-market adjustment. In fact, the company stated that Brazilian economy is recuperating at a slow rate. Nonetheless, management remains positive about Brazils performance in the long run, as it anticipates recovering revenues in the country, this year itself.





Q2 Highlights



Normalized earnings per share of 95 cents decreased 10.4% from $1.06 earned in the year-ago quarter and also lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.14.



Revenues for the quarter advanced 31.2% to $14,182 million but missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $14,434 million. Further, the company registered organic revenue growth of 5.4% on the back of a 4.1% rise in revenues per hectoliter (hl) on a constant geographic basis. This improvement resulted from ongoing revenue management and premiumization in markets like Western Europe and China, along with robust performance by superior brands. Further, revenues per hl advanced 3.6% on a reported basis.



Moreover, consolidated revenues for the companys three global brands, namely Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois, increased 8.9% in the reported quarter. Global brands revenues for the quarter comprised 16.6% growth at Corona, a 6.6% rise in Stella Artois and a 5.7% upside at Budweiser.



Total volumes inched up 1%, including a 2.1% increase in the beer volumes. Gains from volume growth in South Africa, Mexico and Australia were offset by volume declines witnessed in Columbia, Brazil and the U.S.



Cost of sales escalated 28.9% year over year to $5,444 million, while organically the same increased 3.2%. Organic cost of sales per hl rose 1.3% due to negative foreign currency translations, partly compensated by synergies, efficiencies and procurement savings. On a constant geographic basis, cost of sales per hl increased 2.2%.



The companys normalized earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) surged 33.5% year over year to $5,354 million, while growing 11.8% on an organic basis  on the back of cost synergies and robust top-line growth. This was partially curbed by the increased cost of sales. EBITDA margin expanded 70 basis points (bps) to 37.8%, while organically, the same increased 238 bps.

Story continues

Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA Quote

Other Developments



Management stated that it is well on track with SABMillers integration, and realized synergies worth $335 million in this regard, during the second quarter.



Also on Apr 12, the company announced that it has concluded the sale of its indirect stake in Distell Group Limited to Public Investment Corporation (SOC) Limited in order to win the South African Competition Tribunals sanction for its deal with SABMiller.



Outlook



Following the quarter, management reiterated previously issued outlook for 2017. Owing to greater volatility in some of its core regions, AB InBev still projects revenues growth in 2017 to be backed by robust growth of global brands and its commercial plans, including revenues management initiatives.



For 2017, AB InBev continues to expect cost of goods sold per hl, on a constant geographic basis, to increase in the low-single digits range, in spite of adverse currency movements and premium brand growth. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses are estimated to remain flat, driven by savings in overhead costs that will be reinvested to boost strength of its brands. Management now expects normalized effective tax rate for 2017 in the range of 2224%, compared with previous expectation of 2426%.



Additionally, AB InBev anticipates incurring nearly $3.7 billion as net capital expenditure for 2017. Also, the company expects dividend growth to be modest in future.



AB InBev currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).



3 Hot Picks in the Beverage  Alcohol Space



Heineken NV HEINY, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), has long-term earnings per share growth rate of 8.9%.You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here..



The Boston Beer Company, Inc. SAM has reported better-than-expected earnings in the trailing three out of four quarters, with an average beat of 30.6% and it carries a Zacks Rank #2.



Constellation Brands Inc. STZ, with long-term earnings per share growth rate of 18.2%, flaunts a superb earnings surprise history. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2.



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From driverless cars to artificial intelligence, we've seen an unsurpassed growth of high-tech products in recent months. Yesterday's science-fiction is becoming today's reality. Despite all the innovation, there is a single component no tech company can survive without. Demand for this critical device will reach $387 billion this year alone, and it's likely to grow even faster in the future.

Zacks has released a brand-new Special Report to help you take advantage of this exciting investment opportunity. Most importantly, it reveals 4 stocks with massive profit potential. See these stocks now>>



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How Amazon's Jeff Bezos went from the son of a teen mom to the richest person in the world

On Thursday, Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos became the richest person in the world .

Worth more than $90 billion, according to Forbes, he took the top spot from Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, thanks to recent jumps in the value of Amazon stock.

But Bezos hasn't always been the billionaire titan he is today. He was born the son of a 16-year-old mom and deadbeat dad. And he didn't set out to be the CEO of an e-commerce juggernaut.

"I won the lottery with my mom. Thanks for literally everything, Mom"

Jeff Bezos was born on January 12, 1964, as Jeffrey Preston Jorgensen. His biological dad, Ted Jorgensen, met and started dating his mother, Jacklyn Gise, when they were both in high school. Jorgensen was 18 and Gise was 16 when she became pregnant. They flew to Mexico with their parents' money to get married.

Jorgensen belonged to a unicycle troupe and worked at a retail store making $1.25 an hour, so he didn't have much money. He was also "had a habit of drinking too much," according to "The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon," by journalist and biographer Brad Stone. When Jeff Bezos was 17 months old, his mom divorced Jorgensen.

In 1968, Gise remarried Miguel Bezos, who arrived in Miami in 1962 from Cuba knowing only one word of English: "hamburger." Jorgensen agreed to let Bezos adopt his son and, at 4 years old, Jeffrey Preston Jorgensen became Jeffrey Preston Bezos.

Biographer Stone suggests that Bezos' childhood may have contributed to his obsession with success. "It is of course unknowable whether the unusual circumstances of his birth helped to create that fecund entrepreneurial mix of intelligence, ambition, and a relentless need to prove himself. Two other technology icons, Steve Jobs and Larry Ellison, were adopted, and the experience is thought by some to have given each a powerful motivation to succeed," Stone writes.

Growing up, Bezos spent summers with his grandparents on their Texas ranch, he says in the commencement speech he gave at Princeton in 2010. "I helped fix windmills, vaccinate cattle, and do other chores. We also watched soap operas every afternoon, especially 'Days of our Lives,'" says Bezos.

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Bezos would also occasionally get to road trip with his grandparents.

"My grandparents belonged to a Caravan Club, a group of Airstream trailer owners who travel together around the U.S. and Canada. And every few summers, we'd join the caravan," Bezos says in graduation speech. "We'd hitch up the Airstream trailer to my grandfather's car, and off we'd go, in a line with 300 other Airstream adventurers. I loved and worshipped my grandparents and I really looked forward to these trips."

Launching Amazon: "I took the less safe path to follow my passion, and I'm proud of that choice"

Bezos got straight As in high school, was the valedictorian of his class and was accepted early admission to Princeton, according to Stone's biography. For a time in college, he thought he would be a theoretical physicist.

But it was years later, while working in finance in New York City that he had the idea to start Amazon.

"I came across the fact that Web usage was growing at 2,300 percent per year. I'd never seen or heard of anything that grew that fast, and the idea of building an online bookstore with millions of titles  something that simply couldn't exist in the physical world  was very exciting to me," says Bezos, in his 2010 Princeton address.

At the time, Bezos was just 30 and had been married for a year. "I told my wife MacKenzie that I wanted to quit my job and go do this crazy thing that probably wouldn't work since most startups don't, and I wasn't sure what would happen after that," he says.

His wife told him to go for it.

"As a young boy, I'd been a garage inventor. I'd invented an automatic gate closer out of cement-filled tires, a solar cooker that didn't work very well out of an umbrella and tinfoil, baking-pan alarms to entrap my siblings," he says. "I'd always wanted to be an inventor, and she wanted me to follow my passion."

But not everyone was on board. Bezos boss took a walk through Central Park and told Bezos that, while it sounded like a "really good idea," it would be an even better idea for somebody who didn't already have a good career.

"That logic made some sense to me, and he convinced me to think about it for 48 hours before making a final decision," says Bezos. "Seen in that light, it really was a difficult choice, but ultimately, I decided I had to give it a shot. I didn't think I'd regret trying and failing. And I suspected I would always be haunted by a decision to not try at all.

"After much consideration, I took the less safe path to follow my passion, and I'm proud of that choice."

The early days of Amazon: "I thought maybe one day we would be able to afford a forklift"

When Amazon first started, it sold only books. Bezos would drive the packages to the post office himself in his 1987 Chevy Blazer. "I thought maybe one day we would be able to afford a forklift," Bezos tells Charlie Rose in a wide-ranging interview in 2016. "And it is very, it's very, very different today."

After books, the next items Bezos added to Amazon were music and videos. Then, he asked customers to see what else they would want to buy from the online retailer.

"I sent an email message out to the customer base, actually a thousand randomly selected customers, and I said, besides books, music and video, what would you like to see us sell? And the list came back incredibly long," explains Bezos.

"It was basically just whatever the person had on their mind right now," says Bezos, and that sparked an idea.

"One of customers said, 'I wish you sold windshield wipers because I need windshield wipers for my car.' A light kind of went on in my head. You know, people  people will want to use this new fangled e-commerce way of shopping for everything," Bezos says to Rose.

"People are very convenience-motivated," says Bezos. "So that really started the kind of the expansion into all categories, consumer electronics, and then apparel, and so on."

Expand he did. Today, Amazon sells almost everything. From toilet paper to groceries to electronics to fashion to furniture.

When Bezos enters a new product category, he is not intimidated by a lack of expertise.

"I am never disappointed when we're not good at something because I think, well think how good it's going to work when we are good at it," Bezos tells Rose. "And the apparel is like that. There is so much opportunity. Nobody really knows how to do a great job of offering  apparel online yet. And we have tons of invention and ideas and working our way through that experimental list."

Amazon's North star: "Customer obsession, as opposed to competitor obsession"

Bezos has always been a rare combination of optimistic, idealistic and visionary.

Back in 2003, while much of the tech industry was still hungover from the dot-com bust, Bezos was aggressively foretelling the potential of the Internet. "I do think there's more innovation ahead of us than there is behind us," says Bezos in a TED Talk he gave that year. "We're very, very early."

As Bezos charged full force into the Wild West that was the Internet then, he was  and still is today  guided by a single belief: Do what is best for the customer.

"Thing that connects everything that Amazon does is the number one  our number one conviction and idea and philosophy and principle which is customer obsession, as opposed to competitor obsession. And so we are always focused on the customer, working backwards from the customer's needs, developing new skills internally so that we can satisfy what we perceive to be future customer needs," Bezos tells Rose.

Another through line to Bezos' business strategy is his "willingness to think long-term," he says.

"We are very happy to invest in new initiatives that are very risky, for five to seven years, which most companies won't do that," Bezos tells Rose. "It's the combination of the risk-taking and the long-term outlook that make Amazon, not unique, but special in a smaller crowd."

Finally, he's obsessive about finding problems and fixing them.

"Taking real pride in operational excellence, so just doing things well, finding defects and working backwards  that is all the incremental improvement that in business, most successful companies are very good at this one. ... [Y]ou don't want to ever let defects flow downstream," Bezos says to Rose. "That is a key part of doing a good job in any business in my opinion."

From e-commerce to media

As consumer behavior on the web has evolved, so, too has Amazon. Prime, the e-commerce's popular two-day shipping membership comes with access to premium television shows, for example.

Being a content creator built on the back of an e-commerce giant gives Amazon freedom to be creative. For example, one of Amazon's most popular shows, "Transparent," is about a patriarch who becomes a woman later in life. It's won eight Emmys and been nominated for another 28.

"A show like 'Transparent' which has won Golden Globes and Emmys is not ever  it is not a show that could be successfully done on broadcast TV, because broadcast TV needs a much bigger audience," says Bezos to Rose. "And so you can actually think about the creative process a little differently. You can attract different storytellers. You can go for stories that are narrower but incredibly powerful and well told."

In addition to producing online shows, Bezos is also the owner of another kind of content: journalism. Through his Nash Holdings LLC, he bought the Washington Post in 2013 for $250 million.

"I bought it because it's important," says Bezos. "I would never buy a financially upside down salty snack food company. You know, that doesn't make any sense to me. But The Washington Post is important. And so it makes sense to me to take something like that, and I also am optimistic. And I thought there were some ways to make it  I want it to be a self-sustaining, profitable enterprise," Bezos says to Rose. "And I think it can be done."

Bezos' empire now stretches far and wide. Amazon, which currently has a market cap of about $500 billion, agreed to buy Whole Foods last month and also owns companies like Zappos and Twitch. Through Bezos Expeditions, he's also invested in companies like Twitter and Basecamp, among many others .

The final frontier: "I fell in love with the idea of space and space exploration and space travel when I was 5"

While shipping toiletries and downloading books has made Bezos wealthy , his passion is outer space.

"This is a childhood dream," Bezos says to Rose. "I fell in love with the idea of space and space exploration and space travel when I was 5 years old. I watched Neil Armstrong step onto the moon. You don't choose your passions, your passions choose you. So I am infected with this idea. I couldn't ever stop thinking about space. I have been thinking about it ever since then."

To that end, Bezos is the founder of Blue Origin, a company that aims to make space tourism affordable.

"Basically what I am doing right now is taking my Amazon winnings and investing them. Every time you see me sell stock on Amazon, it's send more money to the Blue Origin team," Bezos says to Rose.

In addition to making it possible for more people to travel to space, Bezos says he is building the infrastructure for the next generation of space entrepreneurs.

"[I]f I'm 80 years old, looking back on my life and the one thing I have done is make it so that there is this gigantic entrepreneurial explosion in space for the next generation," says Bezos, "I will be a happy, happy man."

See also:

How Jeff Bezos, now the richest person in the world, spends his billions

12 books that shaped the way Jeff Bezos, now the world's richest man, thinks about success

Jeff Bezos is now the richest man in the worldand he could also become the first trillionaire

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We expect Apple Inc AAPL to beat expectations when it reports third-quarter fiscal 2017 results on Aug 1.

Earnings Whispers

Our proven model shows that Apple is likely to beat earnings because it has the right combination of the two key ingredients. A stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen.

Zacks ESP: Apple currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.27%. This is because the Most Accurate estimate is pegged at $1.59, higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.57. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: Apple carries a Zacks Rank #3. This combined with the companys Earnings ESP of +1.27%, makes us confident in looking for an earnings beat this quarter.

Apple Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Apple Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Apple Inc. Quote

We caution against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 or 5 (Sell rated) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.

Factors to Consider

This is a relatively calmer quarter for Apple. Apples revenues will continue to be driven by the fast growing Services segment as well the sales (albeit slowing down) of iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Services include revenues from App store, Apple Music and Apple Pay.

Investors are more interested in the second half of fiscal 2017. This is because Apple will be launching its mega edition, iPhone 8, around September.

iPhone 8 is set to be launched to mark the tenth anniversary of the revolutionary iPhone. It is reported to have amazing features like a glass body, a dual-curved edge-to-edge OLED display with a built-in Touch ID sensor and wireless charging. iPhone 8 is already dubbed a super cycle. However, there are rumors that the launch might be delayed, which could mar its September-ending quarter results.

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Meanwhile, the company remains focused on finding newer growth avenues. It is also working on developing technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality/ virtual reality (AR/VR), which are fast emerging as lucrative business opportunities. The companys interest in the autonomous car project is understandable as it is now being labeled as a big business opportunity. Apple also remains focused on increasing its market share in India.

Over the past one year, the stock has registered growth of 44.3% compared with the industrys gain of 43.7%.

Despite these, Apple continues to face a plethora of challenges. Competition from local players has been hindering iPhone growth in China. In the last reported quarter, owing to persistent macroeconomic weakness, Apple revenues declined around 14% year over year in the Greater China region to $10.7 billion.

For third-quarter fiscal 2017, Apple forecasts revenues in a range of $43.5$45.5 billion. Gross margin is expected within 37.538.5%, while operating expenses are projected within $6.6$6.7 billion. Operating expenses will be in the range of $6.6$6.7 billion.

Other Stocks to Consider

Here are a couple of other stocks worth considering that, as per our model, have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter.

CGI Group Inc. GIB has an Earnings ESP of +5.71% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Pandora Media, Inc P has an Earnings ESP of +15.39% and a Zacks Rank #3.

Fiserv Inc. FISV has an Earnings ESP of +1.63% and a Zacks Rank #2.

The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All

Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.

See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>



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Chuck Schumer

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was moved to near tears while speaking about Sen. John McCain early Friday morning after the Republican "skinny repeal" of Obamacare failed on the Senate floor.

Schumer echoed the sentiments of Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, who earlier declared that it was time for lawmakers to "move on" from efforts to repeal the existing law, officially known as the Affordable Care Act. Schumer choked up as he turned his attention to McCain, who recently received a diagnosis of brain cancer.

"And let's turn the page in another way," Schumer said. "All of us were so inspired by the speech and the life of the senator from Arizona. And he asked us to go back to regular order, to bring back the Senate that some of us who've been here a while remember."

"Maybe this can be a moment where we start doing that," he said.

McCain joined Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine in voting against the so-called skinny repeal, officially titled the Health Care Freedom Act. All 48 Senate Democrats also rejected it.

Watch Chuck Schumer's remarks below:

Chuck Schumer gets choked up talking about John McCain.#CNN pic.twitter.com/DvKYRxuINf  Back Afta This (@BackAftaThis) July 28, 2017

NOW WATCH: 'What you feel isn't relevant': Sen. Angus King grills intel leaders on whether Trump tried to influence them





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ConocoPhillips Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ryan M. Lance (C) rings the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo (Reuters)

By Ernest Scheyder

HOUSTON (Reuters) - ConocoPhillips <COP.N> cut its 2017 capital spending by 4 percent on Thursday, the latest U.S. oil and natural gas producer to do so in reaction to depressed crude prices.

Conoco and its peers had mapped out ambitious capital spending programs for 2017 early in the year, expecting oil prices to be higher than where they are today, just under $50 per barrel.

But Conoco became the latest this week to cut its spending plans, after Hess Corp <HES.N>, Anadarko Petroleum Corp <APC.N> and others.

"This is the right approach for value creation in the upstream sector, especially at a time of uncertainty in the commodity markets," Conoco Chief Executive Officer Ryan Lance said in a statement.

Conoco now plans to spend $4.8 billion this year, down from a prior estimate of $5 billion. The cut came after Conoco reported its quarterly loss more than tripled despite recent asset sales.

Shares of the Houston-based company rose 1.2 percent to $44.21 in afternoon trading as oil prices traded slightly higher <CLc1>.

Conoco has aggressively moved to sell assets and cull debt in the past year, steps praised by Wall Street. The company repaid $3 billion in debt during the quarter and expects to pay off $2.4 billion by the end of the year, which would bring its debt load under $20 billion.

Conoco's net loss widened to $3.4 billion, or $2.78 per share, in the quarter, from $1.1 billion, or 78 cents per share, in the year-ago quarter.

Excluding one-time items, the company earned 14 cents per share. By that measure, analysts expected a loss of 2 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

The results reflect a "solid quarter" for Conoco, Simmons & Co analysts Guy Baber said in a note to clients.

Production fell 8 percent to 1.4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day.

Still, the company is growing aggressively in its U.S. shale operations, which should see "pretty strong production" through the end of the year, executives told investors on a Thursday conference call.

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Conoco last month sold its Canadian oil sands and natural gas assets in March to Cenovus Energy Inc <CVE.TO> in a cash-and-stock deal worth about $13.3 billion. The price was widely seen as high, a boon for Conoco.

Conoco is the latest international oil major to pull back from northern Alberta's oil sands, among the most costly locations in the world to develop.

(Editing by Nick Zieminski and Jeffrey Benkoe)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 14: Jeff Bezos, chief executive officer of Amazon, listens during a meeting of technology executives and President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower, December 14, 2016 in New York City. This is the first major meeting between President-elect Trump and technology industry leaders. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Amazon reported its earnings today, wherein a whiff in earnings sent the stock down around 3 percent and brought CEO Jeff Bezos back to reality as the, once again, second-richest human in the known solar system.

In all seriousness though, this is a big quarter for Amazon as it looks to close out its $13.7 billion bid for Whole Foods. The company appears to once again be squeezing out a very small profit on top of its mammoth retail operations, and that will only face more pressure as it looks to wrap up that deal and gain control of hundreds of retail outlets across the country.

The drag here is that Amazon is offering a big range in its income that goes into the red  projecting anywhere from a loss of $400 million to a profit of $300 million. The company has had a nice stretch of profitability even as it spends aggressively on growth, but it appears that might come to an end next quarter. It's a signal that Amazon may be going back into burn mode as it starts to expand, especially with the acquisition of Whole Foods.

The company's shares have seen a meteoric rise this year, as shares have risen almost 40 percent since the beginning of the year. That huge rise led to Bezos overtaking Bill Gates as the richest person in the world, a sort of iconic passing of the torch as Amazon has become the interface between online retail and operations and the physical world. Amazon has continued to bust into new areas like voice recognition with Alexa, video streaming with Twitch  and now physical retail operations with Whole Foods.

Once again, AWS is carrying the lion's share of the load here as it posted an operating income of $916 million  up from $718 million in the second quarter a year ago. Amazon's net income this quarter was $197 million, down from $857 million in the second quarter a year ago. The company's server operations have Amazon's operating margin and, if you look pretty closely at the amount of profit the company is able to spit out, it's pretty close to AWS  which is now on track to be a business that generates more than $10 billion a year.

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Amazon reported earnings of 40 cents per share on revenue of $38 billion. Analysts were expecting earnings of $1.42 per share on revenue of $37.18 billion. That revenue is still up 25 percent year-over-year compared to the second quarter in 2016.

All that being said, AWS is still growing at around the same rate as it was last year. The company said its AWS sales rose 42 percent in the second quarter year-over-year. That's down from 58 percent comparing the second quarter between 2015 and 2016. Any growth here is, of course, good growth as AWS is a critical piece of infrastructure for many companies around the world  and it spits out a very healthy operating profit on a regular basis.

That part of the business is, of course, going to face increasing competition as Google looks to ramp up its cloud efforts. Microsoft is also an ever-present challenger here, and while AWS is largely synonymous with the rise of cloud computing, it's a utility that still has to keep up with the demands of startups and companies around the world.
jeff bezos

A surge in Amazon stock on Thursday morning has increased CEO Jeff Bezos' net worth by $1.1 billion, to $90.9 billion, officially making him the world's richest person.

Aside from Bezos' displacing Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates, whose net worth is $90.7 billion, the new distinction could fuel his interest in furthering human progress through for-profit companies  efforts that could greatly shift how the world's wealthiest think about philanthropy.

"I think his activities to date suggest he looks at some of his business investments as opportunities to advance social change," Jane Wales, CEO of the Global Philanthropy Forum, told Business Insider.

Amazon's agreement to buy Whole Foods, announced June 18, sent the online retailer's stock skyrocketing. It also increased Bezos' net worth by $1.8 billion, to $84.6 billion. At the time, that was $5 billion behind Gates.

Bezos' plan for business investments to double as forms of social change was evident in his buying The Washington Post in 2013. He quickly turned it into a lean, digital journalism powerhouse  something other large news organizations have struggled to do. Similarly, the Whole Foods purchase may hint at Bezos' desire to reinvent the food industry's supply chain. (At the very least, he has the opportunity to do so.)

Wales says Bezos' business plays offer a window into how he could cement his status as one of the most influential players in the philanthropy world, independent of the Bezos Family Foundation that's run by his parents. In fact, Bezos may already be looking to take on more projects. Recently, he asked his nearly 300,000 Twitter followers for ways to generate a lasting impact with quick, decisive action.

"I'm thinking about a philanthropy strategy that is the opposite of how I mostly spend my time  working on the long term," Bezos wrote. "For philanthropy, I find I'm drawn to the opposite end of the spectrum: the right now."

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That approach could encourage more short-term solutions to problems typically thought of as systemic, Wales said, and that could be a good thing. She pointed to the ongoing migrant crisis as one example.

"That requires action now. Governments are overwhelmed, and policy is not solving it," Wales said. "The Bezos Family Foundation, which is mostly long-term in its thinking, is also giving to the International Rescue Committee, to Save the Children, to CARE  to organizations that address the immediate as well as the long term."

jeff bezos

Other billionaires, on the other hand, are sticking to big-picture work. Bill and Melinda Gates are trying to end polio once and for all, and Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan are trying to eradicate disease and improve education.

But Bezos is new to the philanthropy world  he isn't involved with his parents' foundation  and people just starting out in the field often take a year or two to get the lay of the land and form a strategy. Judging by Bezos' past business moves, his style of philanthropy might involve private investments in startups looking to do social good, or acquisitions of other companies.

Warren Buffet Bill Gates

Not everyone in the philanthropy community is optimistic about Bezos' influence, however.

Larry Brilliant, the acting chairman of the Skoll Global Threats Fund, criticized Bezos' crowdsourcing approach.

"The denominator of ideas you will get in, the vast majority of ideas which are not good, not viable, will flood this process," Brilliant told The New York Times in June.

And in a recent open letter to Bezos in Forbes, the philanthropy adviser Jake Hayman took issue with the notion that focusing on short-term goals can yield lasting impact.

"It's the business equivalent of looking for 'safe, proven investments' with imminent 10-fold returns," Hayman wrote. "It doesn't happen."

Bezos is not participating in The Giving Pledge, a pact among 16 billionaires (including Warren Buffett and Zuckerberg) to give away at least half of their fortunes before they die. But Wales contends that Bezos still can send a strong signal to wealthy Silicon Valley types that philanthropy matters.

"He is young, he is in the midst of his career, and he's already seen as bold," she said. "What that tweet says to me is: 'I do not want to ignore today's problems.'"

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Damaso Lopez Serrano Mexico Sinaloa cartel

Damaso Lopez Serrano, the son of one of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's main henchmen and a competitor for control of the Sinaloa cartel, crossed the border and turned himself into US authorities on Wednesday.

Lopez Serrano reportedly crossed from Mexicali in Mexico's Baja California state to Calexico in California, where he surrendered to the Customs and Border Patrol on Wednesday morning and was turned over to agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration on Thursday afternoon.

"What we know is that he handed himself over yesterday (Wednesday). The case is now with authorities over there," a Mexican security official, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, told Reuters.

Lopez Serrano is the son of Damaso Lopez Nunez, aka "El Licenciado," a nickname typically given to holders of law degrees in Mexico. Lopez Nunez, a former security official who also held several jobs in the Sinaloa state government, was a close deputy of Guzman, reportedly helping the cartel chief escape from a prison where he worked in 2001.

Joaquin El Chapo Guzman Mexico extradition jail Sinaloa cartel

His role in the escape burnished Lopez Nunez's status in the cartel, elevating him to the upper echelons of the organization, according to Mike Vigil, former chief of international operations for the DEA. Lopez Nunez's role in the government also underscored what many saw as the state's complicity in the Sinaloa cartel's rise to power.

In the wake of Guzman's arrest in January 2016, the Lopezes became one faction in a fight to assume control of the Sinaloa cartel  a fight that has intensified since Guzman's extradition in January this year.

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They reportedly joined forces with the Jalisco New Generation cartel, vying with a faction led by Guzman's sons, called the Chapitos, and with another led by members of the Beltran Leyva Organization, a one-time ally of the Sinaloa cartel. Guzman's brother, Aureliano "El Guano" Guzman, appears to be in the mix as well.

Damaso Lopez

Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, Guzman's partner and a cofounder of the Sinaloa cartel, is still involved in the cartel and is reportedly working with Guzman's sons, though reports also indicate he is in poor health and not directly involved in cartel operations.

The strategy of the Lopezes  the younger one nicknamed "El Mini Lic"  included cyber warfare, according to Televisa, using bots and contacting hackers. The latter move proved to be the elder Lopez's undoing, as the hacker contacted authorities and eventually helped them arrest him in Mexico City at the beginning of May.

Over the first half of this year, Sinaloa state saw 879 homicides compared to 524 over the same period last year, according to government data. (Though that data may undercount the number of killings.) The violence in the state seems to have intensified in the weeks since Lopez Nunez's arrest. During the first weekend of July, there were at least 30 killings  victims' relatives allege that one incident involved the extrajudicial killing of 17 suspected criminals.

Damaso #Panteras #Armas #Damaso #MiniLic #MiniLicenciado #AhijadoConsentido #Rayo #CasiNada #NoPasaNada #EscuelaDamaso #FED A post shared by Damaso Lopez Serrano (@damasojrminilic) on Jul 2, 2017 at 12:28pm PDT on

Jul 2, 2017 at 12:28pm PDT

Lopez Serrano got an early start in the Sinaloa cartel, reportedly leading Los Antrax, an armed faction of the cartel made up of young members. Much like Chapo's sons, he appears to have documented his wealth and exploits on social media. Though, like the Guzmans, its not clear if the accounts attributed to him are actually his.

Lopez Serrano also has an apprehension order against him issued by the District Court for Southern California in October 2016, and it appears that recent developments on the ground in Mexico may have prompted him to surrender.

"The reason for surrender is he was being hunted by the Sinaloa cartel and 'El Chapo's sons [because of] his father's attempt to take over the cartel," Vigil told Business Insider. In addition to Lopez Nunez's partnership with the Jalisco New Generation cartel, the elder Lopez was also accused of orchestrating an ambush on Zambada and Guzman's sons in February that killed several of their body guards.

Media in Sinaloa state, where Zambada, the Guzmans, the Lopezes are all from, have reported that Zambada may have been after Lopez Serrano and threatened him. Regarded as a "spoiled narco brat who never got his hands dirty," Vigil said, Lopez Serrano was likely unable to protect himself by forging a partnership with the CJNG or by marshaling the armed force established by his father, prompting him to surrender.

Mexico Sinaloa Culiacan crime scene soldier military

Some reports indicate Lopez Serrano spent several days in a rural area near Mexicali before crossing the border to surrender. According to Televisa, Mexican authorities believe he did so in order to negotiate or to act as a protected witness. Vice News, citing sources with the Mexican defense secretariat's second military region, reported that Lopez Serrano requested protection from the US government.

US officials are likely to look to Lopez Serrano for information on his father's associates and the dealings of his cartel, Vigil said. He may also be called to take part in the trial of Guzman, which is slated to start in April 2018 in the Eastern District of New York.

The balance of power within the cartel remains unclear  though, according to El Pais, Lopez Serrano's surrender appears to clear the way for Zambada, despite his purported frailty, to assume full control of the cartel he helped found and in which he has long been a partner.

"The leaders  under whatever circumstances  have always been Guzman Loera and Zambada Garcia," local crime analyst Alejandro Sicairos told El Pais. "And while one of the two lives, he will continue operating with the same force."

Mexico Sinaloa state Culiacan shooting killings violence

Even if that is the case, the Sinaloa cartel will still be under pressure not only from the government, but from its new chief rival, the ascendant Jalisco New Generation cartel.

The CJNG is contesting Sinaloa's control of Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, both valuable smuggling territories on the US border.

The group is also adding to the bloodshed in areas where Sinaloa has long been dominant, including Guerrero and Sinaloa states. In the latter, security officials have admitted that police are underequipped and ill-prepared to deal with the rising narco violence.

Lopez Nunez remains in custody in Mexico, held in the same jail Guzman occupied before he was extradited. Interior Secretary Miguel Angel Osorio Chong has said Mexico is not considering extraditing him because he could be a valuable source of information regarding the Sinaloa cartel.

Lopez Nunez himself appears disposed to extradition however, reportedly saying he would prefer making a deal with US authorities to potentially being killed in a Mexican jail.

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hannity

Fox News commentator Sean Hannity says a story about him spending thousands of dollars dining at the Trump Hotel in Washington, DC on inauguration weekend is "fake news."

A waiter told GQ that Hannity ran up a $42,000 tab at the hotel's restaurant.

According to the waiter, the huge check included the cost of getting an eight-pound, 70-year-old lobster delivered to the hotel from Maine.

Politico's Hadas Gold spotted the bizarre tidbit in GQ's article about the hotel on Thursday.

uhhhh GQ reports Hannity spent 42K at Trump hotel https://t.co/nLwpXDNCCf pic.twitter.com/2OdAskNLyF  Hadas Gold (@Hadas_Gold) July 27, 2017

Soon after, Hannity took to Twitter to call the waiter's story "Ridiculous Fake News."

FAKE NEWS!! Ridiculous Fake News!! NEVER HAPPENED. https://t.co/Muleg7VpPH  Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) July 27, 2017

Fox News had previously denied the story to GQ on Hannity's behalf.

Hannity has been a steady source of pro-Trump coverage on Fox News. In June, controversial conservative commentator Ann Coulter published a column saying that the host "would endorse communism" if Donald Trump did.

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Starbucks Howard Schultz poses for a portrait at his new Teavana store in New York, October 23, 2013. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

Starbucks (SBUX) is well aware of the challenges that come with competing in the rapidly evolving retail environment. Its embrace of the digital revolution has made the coffee chain look almost as much like a tech company as it does a food service company.

On a call with analysts on Thursday evening, CEO Kevin Johnson said the entire retail sector is going through this massive disruption. This challenging retail environment is one of the reasons why companies like Starbucks have been investing heavily in tech such as its Mobile Order & Pay.

[Its] clear that the winners coming out of this are going to be those companies who find elegant ways to bring an in-store experience together with a digital experience, Johnson said. And I highlighted the number of examples of companies and the work theyre doing, you know, including the most recent discussion around Amazons announcement to combine with Whole Foods.

He added that Starbucks has a lot of experience in different partnerships with digital tech companies. Theyve also had conversations with a number of pure-play tech companies.

Starbucks founder Howard Schultz noted that this is just the beginning of these sorts of relationships.

[What] weve seen over the last few months with Walmart (WMT) and Jet.com and PetSmart and Chewy and most recently Amazon (AMZN) and Whole Foods (WFM), I think this is just, were in the nascent stage of these kinds of commercial relationships that are going to elevate the experience of a brick-and-mortar retail company, Schultz said. And having said that, Starbucks is probably best positioned, given our national footprint, the demography of our customers, and where were located to have those kinds of conversations.

While it has had success in getting customers to return to its namesake stores, its also learning that it isnt impervious online retails impact on the American shopping mall. The coffee giant announced the closure of all of its mall-based Teavana stores.

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[Many] of our Teavana mall-based stores have been persistently underperforming, Johnson said on a call with analysts on Thursday evening. We conducted a strategic review of the Teavana mall-based store business and concluded that despite our efforts to reverse the trend through creative merchandising and new store designs, the underperformance was likely to continue. As a result, we will be closing all 379 of our Teavana mall stores over the coming year.

In 2017, theres been an acceleration of the retail store closures. A number of mall victims include The Limited, Wet Seal, Hhgregg, Payless, Rue21, True Religion, and Gymboree, according to a running list on RetailDIVE. Meanwhile, department stores like Macys (M) have announced store closures.

Most of the Teavana stores will close by Spring 2018. The 3,300 employees impacted will be encouraged to apply for positions at Starbucks stores. Starbucks operates 27,000 stores in 75 countries. The coffee chain plans to create 240,000 new jobs world-wide, with 68,000 of those in the U.S. over the next five years.

While this is probably not the desired outcome, it is probably not a surprise for management. For the last few years, Schultz has warned of a seismic shift in retail where he predicted a wave of store closures.



Julia La Roche is a finance reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter.
trump After failing to repeal Obamacare, Trump will likely target another cornerstone of Obama's legacy  the Iran deal.

Trump could try to drum up intelligence on Iran cheating the deal, but other parties in the deal likely won't trust him.

The attempt to form facts to fit the policy mirrors a dark chapter in US history  the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

President Donald Trump campaigned on tearing up the Iran deal and repealing Obamacare, but with his efforts to reform healthcare once again defeated, he may look to sabotage the Iran deal in a way that resembles the run up to the Iraq war.

"With Healthcare dead, Trump will be even more determined to kill Obama's top foreign policy achievement - the Iran Deal," Ilan Goldenberg, the Middle East security director at the Center for New American Security tweeted after Trump's healthcare defeat.

But unlike healthcare, the Iran deal involves six countries and the US has a limited ability to act unilaterally  so Trump has been looking for dirt to increase pressure on Tehran.

Every 90 days, the US has to confirm that Iran has complied with the International Atomic Energy Agency's inspections and not violated the terms of the deal. For the first six months of Trump's presidency, he has gone through with the procedure, albeit begrudgingly, according to the Associated Press.

"If it was up to me, I would have had them noncompliant 180 days ago," Trump told the Wall Street Journal of the Iran deal. But Jeffrey Lewis, the founding publisher of Arms Control Wonk and an expert on nuclear proliferation, told Business Insider that like the IAEA, he sees no evidence of Iran violating the terms of the deal.

The AP reported that Trump wants to drum up "foolproof intelligence" of suspicious activity at Iranian military sites to increase the scope of inspections  something that Iran would almost certainly push back on.

If Iran refused the inspections, Trump would have good reason to exit the deal, bringing the other parties with him.

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"Demand more inspections and when Iran doesn't comply, blame Iran & use it as an excuse to walk away from the agreement," Tweeted Goldenberg. "If US can blame Iran then it can build coalition to reimpose sanctions and get a better deal."

But the problem, according to Lewis and Goldenberg, is that none of the other nations involved in the deal believe Trump is acting in good faith. Intelligence exclusive to the US that suggests Iran is cheating on the deal will likely appear politically motivated, the experts concluded.

"If real evidence turns up, I want us to be able to hunt that down, but everything [the administration] said makes it seem like it's a transparent and cynical effort to confront the Iranians," said Lewis.

The selective search for intelligence on a Middle Eastern adversary's allegedly clandestine nuclear weapons program draws a dark historical parallel.

U.S. Marine Corp Assaultman Kirk Dalrymple watches as a statue of Iraq's President Saddam Hussein falls in central Baghdad April 9, 2003. U.S. troops pulled down a 20-foot (six metre) high statue of President Saddam Hussein in central Baghdad on Wednesday and Iraqis danced on it in contempt for the man who ruled them with an iron grip for 24 years. In scenes reminiscent of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Iraqis earlier took a sledgehammer to the marble plinth under the statue of Saddam. Youths had placed a noose around the statue's neck and attached the rope to a U.S. armoured recovery vehicle. PP03040026 Pictures of the month April 2003

In 2003, during the run up to the Iraq war, the US cherry-picked intelligence and represented Iraq as a state bent on building weapons of mass destruction. Former President George W. Bush's National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice famously said at the time "we don't want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud."

After Baghdad fell and the US took custody of Saddam Hussein, it found no smoking gun, and nothing capable of creating a mushroom cloud.

"Its exactly like Iraq," Lewis said of Trump's push for dirt on Tehran. "The facts were being fitted around the policy." The major difference in this case, according to Lewis, is that the US is unlikely to invade Iran.

In some ways, Trump has been more straightforward. He does not like the Iran deal, and he seeks to discredit it so he can eventually scrap it.

Iran Navy

After all, Iran is openly antagonistic towards the US. Iran frequently harasses US Navy ships sailing around the Arabian Gulf. In fact, Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy said point blank that "one of the IRGC navy's operational goals is to destroy America's Navy."

Iran supports Syrian President Bashar Assad and has been behind attacks on US and US-backed forces in Syria.

But Lewis warned that nuclear technology is old, and if Iran wanted to, even with the return of heavy sanctions abated by the JCPOA, it could build a nuclear weapon surprisingly quickly.

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Pakistan is witnessing a new reiteration of an old political drama. Yet another elected prime minister has been ousted from power before completing his term in office.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the countrys apex court on July 28 for undeclared assets. His removal from office, the third in a tumultuous political career spanning three decades, has plunged the country into political crisis.

Sharifs loyalists scrambled to respond to the verdict and contain the fallout from the decision, which immediately resulted in the collapse of his administration.

Opposition politicians, on the other hand, were jubilant.

"The Supreme Courts decision has given hope to the people of Pakistan today, said Imran Khan, leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf (PTI), the main opposition party. Everyone will be held accountable now. This is the beginning.

A cursory look at Pakistans seven-decade history shows that such accountability is unlikely. The decision is likely to further undermine the countrys anemic democracy, which has suffered frequent coups and is under the shadow of a powerful security establishment -- a euphemism for military generals largely viewed as orchestrating Pakistans security and foreign policies.

Four military generals have ruled the country for more than 33 years after launching coups or inheriting power from another military ruler. While not in power, the generals pulled strings by forming a kings party to attract turncoat politicians, orchestrating elections, and even engineering the downfall of leaders who refused to toe their line. Sharif, a steel magnate from the eastern province of Punjab, was groomed by former military dictator General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in the 1980s.

Khawaja Saad Rafique, a former minister and senior leader of Sharifs Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, says his leaders ouster is the continuation of a cycle wherein the establishment goes after civilian politicians.

We know very well the supposed real crime of Nawaz Sharif and the Pakistan Muslim League: wanting to establish civilian supremacy in Pakistan, he told journalists in Islamabad on July 28 hours after the verdict. We are elected into the corridors of power but are often humiliated out. We are also frequently thrown into prison.

It is telling that none of Pakistans civilian prime ministers completed their terms in office. Most were assassinated, deposed, executed after controversial court verdicts, or sent into exile.

In 1993, Sharifs first term in office ended after then President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dissolved his government and the parliament. He was re-elected in 1997 but was ousted in a military coup in October 1999 led by military chief General Pervez Musharraf. He later spent years in exile while Musharraf maintained a stranglehold over power until late 2007.

While everyone else hides in their homes, we fight against the dictatorships. We have often sacrificed our lives to restore democracy in this country, Rafique said of his partys struggle under Musharraf and the resilience shown by Pakistani politicos.

Once in power, we make more sacrifices to put our house in order, he added, alluding to how civilian leaders typically shy away from challenging military dominance when faced with difficult decisions.

Weak political parties, mostly held together by loyalty to dynasties instead of manifestos or paths of action, often lack leadership, transparency, and democracy. In recent decades, rich industrialists, business tycoons, and feudal leaders have dominated political parties to amass wealth and power.

Sharifs immediate challenge now is to preserve his partys administration in Islamabad by trying to hold on to his partys majority in the National Assembly, or lower house of the Pakistani Parliament, which elects the prime minister.

However, the path forward for Pakistani democracy is less clear. After Sharifs ouster, veteran politician Javed Hashmi reiterated his stance that the verdict was part of a judicial coup -- a new form of military-orchestrated power grab.

Imran Khan told me that this time around they would get rid of Sharif through the Supreme Court, he told journalists in the central city of Multan on July 28. Today, once again, I want to reiterate that we should form a military court, which should also call on Khan and Musharraf to [establish who orchestrated this conspiracy] and clear the whole thing.

Former lawmaker Hashmi was once a diehard supporter of Sharif but left his party in 2011 to join Khans PTI. However, he left the PTI in 2014, when Khan attempted to force Sharif out of office through a sit-in in front of the parliament over alleged election rigging. Hashmi said military generals had choreographed the agitation.

In the run-up to Sharifs ouster, Hashmi questioned why Pakistani courts have failed to hold Musharraf accountable in various cases, including allegedly subverting the constitution.

We cannot even speak about him. Can anyone punish him?" Hashmi asked.
Vast Resources plc / Ticker: VAST / Index: AIM / Sector: Mining

28 July 2017

Vast Resources plc

("Vast" or the "Company")

Quarterly Production Summary & Operations Update



Vast Resources plc, the AIM listed mining company with operations in Romania and Zimbabwe, presents its operational update and production summary for the three months ended 30 June 2017 ('Q2 2017').

To view a presentation, which presents the Q2 2017 results together with the previous four quarters, please visit the Company's website: www.vastresourcesplc.com .

Production Overview:

Q2 2017 was a solid quarter for Vast, which saw operations at the Manaila Polymetallic Mine ("Manaila") in Romania and the Pickstone-Peerless Gold Mine ("Pickstone-Pickstone") in Zimbabwe improve significantly over the previous quarter in terms of tonnes mined, tonnes milled and overall production profile. Importantly, performance post period end has also been encouraging at both mines, confirming an improved trend compared to previous quarters.

Manaila Production Summary

(commissioned on 14 August 2015, Vast Ownership 100%.):

Results for the quarter demonstrate a considerable improvement over Q1 2017. An acceleration of this improving trend was evidenced in a marked upturn in performance in the last two weeks of June, continuing Q3 2017.

Summary of Q2 2017 Production:

41% increase in tonnes of ore mined from Q1 2017 to 27,707 dry tonnes (Q1 2017: 19,711 dry tonnes * )

from Q1 2017 to 27,707 dry tonnes (Q1 2017: 19,711 dry tonnes ) 54% increase in tonnes of ore milled from Q1 2017 to 28,082 dry tonnes (Q1 2017: 18,262 dry tonnes * )

from Q1 2017 to 28,082 dry tonnes (Q1 2017: 18,262 dry tonnes ) 57% increase in copper concentrate produced from Q1 2017 to 828 dry tonnes (Q1 2017: 526 dry tonnes)

produced from Q1 2017 to 828 dry tonnes (Q1 2017: 526 dry tonnes) Copper concentrate grade maintained above 18% threshold at 18.2% (Q1 2017: 18.8%)

above 18% threshold at 18.2% (Q1 2017: 18.8%) 19% increase in zinc concentrate produced from Q1 2017 to 157 dry tonnes (Q1 2017: 132 dry tonnes)

produced from Q1 2017 to 157 dry tonnes (Q1 2017: 132 dry tonnes) 51% increase in zinc concentrate grade from Q1 2017 to 39.8% (Q1 2017: 26.3%)

from Q1 2017 to 39.8% (Q1 2017: 26.3%) Inaugural concentrate production from test phase of the Knelson Concentrator extracting a pyrite concentrate containing gold credits - 5 dry tonnes at a grade of 45g/t produced since commissioning on 25 April 2017

Pickstone-Peerless Production Summary

(commissioned on 20 August 2015, Vast ownership 25%):

Production at Pickstone-Peerless has recovered from the slowdown in open-pit mining operations occasioned by the high rainfall experienced during Q1 2017. A return to mining higher grade areas in the open-pit has also facilitated an increase in production over the prior quarter.

33% increase in tonnes of ore mined from Q1 2017 to 68,659 tonnes (Q1 2017: 51,660 tonnes)

from Q1 2017 to 68,659 tonnes (Q1 2017: 51,660 tonnes) 15% increase in tonnes of ore milled from Q1 2017 to 58,923 tonnes (Q1 2017: 51,102 tonnes)

36% increase in gold production from Q1 2017 to 4,037 ounces (Q1 2017: 2,974 ounces)

Development Overview:

The production summary should be read in concert with the development initiatives underway in Romania and Zimbabwe. The purpose of these development initiatives is to increase and optimise production, lower operating costs and build a portfolio of long term sustainable mining operations.

Manaila Expansion & Regional Metallurgical Complex Romania

10-hole drill programme for 1,000 metres nearing completion at the Carlibaba prospect located adjacent to the current Manaila open pit

Objective to prove up potential to support a second open pit mining operation at Manaila and establish an enlarged mining complex that will utilise a centralised metallurgical processing facility

Full results from Carlibaba drill programme anticipated for release in H2 2017 together with an outline of Carlibaba's development path

Planning of prospecting activities at Piciorul Zimbrului and Magura Neagra licences underway - exploration licences will be applied for once prospecting work is complete

Faneata Tailings Facility ("Faneata") Romania

Prospecting licence granted in May 2016 over the Faneata tailings dam located 7km from the Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine - intention to use Baita Plai processing facility 6.5km away

An internally generated Maiden JORC Compliant Resource Estimate in March 2017 defined a total Mineral Resource of 3.0Mt (Gross, 2.4Mt being net to Vast)

Metallurgical test work has commenced to determine optimal processing method

A feasibility study to recover the contained metals is underway

Application has been made for an exploitation right over the tailings dam in anticipation of positive feasibility results

Preliminary economic assessment indicates a break even total processing recovery of 25%

Pickstone-Peerless & Giant Gold Project Zimbabwe

Construction of sulphide plant progressing on time and on budget ahead of commissioning during the coming quarter

75% increase in installed primary milling capacity anticipated once sulphide plant is commissioned to 35,000 tonnes per month from the current 20,000 tonnes per month

Mill grade expected to increase from ~2.35g/t ** gold ('Au') to between 3.00g/t Au and 4.00g/t Au over a 6 to 9-month period as higher-grade sulphide ore is mined and processed, resulting in a significant increase in production

gold ('Au') to between 3.00g/t Au and 4.00g/t Au over a 6 to 9-month period as higher-grade sulphide ore is mined and processed, resulting in a significant increase in production Evaluation of the Giant Gold Project - located 28km from Pickstone-Peerless, which has a current JORC-compliant inferred resource of 500,000oz of gold, is ongoing

Roy Pitchford, Chief Executive of Vast, commented:

"Manaila has delivered a significant improvement in performance compared to the previous quarter, and this upturn in operations is anticipated to continue throughout Q3 2017 demonstrating a clear upward trajectory in our production profile. This improvement has been delivered through our Romanian operational team's efficient and effective attention to remedial actions undertaken during Q1 and Q2 2017 to resolve persistent open-pit and production issues, and will support the delivery of a consistent 15,000 tonnes per month mill feed from September.

"The quantity and quality of the zinc concentrate production at Manaila has improved dramatically, with production during calendar consistently registering grades over on average 40% at Manaila. Positive progress has also been made with concentrate production from test phase of the Knelson Concentrator, which extracts a pyrite concentrate containing gold credits. Work is on-going to optimise production from the Knelson Concentrator with the objective of this contributing to Manaila's revenue and enhancing our overall production profile. The important lessons learnt from turning around the performance at Manaila will be factored into future operational plans and the proposed new metallurgical complex to be sited at our Carlibaba prospect, located near to our Manaila open pit.

"Looking now to Zimbabwe, mining, processing and production levels at Pickstone-Peerless have recovered from the previous quarter, and importantly, progress in the construction of the sulphide processing facility is progressing on schedule ahead of commissioning in Q3 2017. The sulphide plant is a critical development for Pickstone-Peerless and should increase production capacity by approximately 75%, promising a significant increase in ounces produced.

"We remain confident that the underlying quality and value prospects of our mines in both Zimbabwe and Romania are excellent and expect production rates to be further enhanced going forward."

Further Information

Romanian Interests

Manaila Mine

The operational focus during the period has been on deploying remedial capital expenditure to resolve persistent mining and production issues experienced at Manaila to increase the flows and measurement of ore fed into the mill. This work has delivered a significant improvement in Manaila's production profile in Q2 2017 and improvements in this regard are expected to continue to be realised in Q3 2017.

The refurbishment of the Manaila milling and flotation circuits has been largely completed to allow for 15,000tpm to be processed and a tertiary crusher has been ordered and pending delivery will allow for the crushing circuit to comfortably provide sufficient mill feed tonnage at the correct particle size. The Company's objective is to achieve a consistent run rate of 15,000tpm by September 2017.

Planned maintenance work, including the relining of the primary mill, is being undertaken at the mine currently. This will result in reduced operations for a brief period whilst the necessary work is completed. Nonetheless, thanks to a strong start to July, with an average milled rate of 464 tonnes per day, production is expected to resume and continue at the improved levels achieved over recent weeks.

The gravity line was commissioned during the quarter to recover a pyrite concentrate which has gold and silver associated with it. The gravity line is producing the expected concentrate grade but has yet been unable to deliver the expected mass on a consistent basis. Work is ongoing at the open pit and the plant to understand the effects of the various ore types on the gravity line recovery.

Zinc is being produced at grades which are attracting increased unit sales prices and the quantities produced are steadily increasing.

Restricted capacity for the transportation of ore to the Iacobeni Metallurgical Complex was also addressed in Q2 2017 by increasing the number of ore transport vehicles. Further capacity will be arranged in Q3 2017 to improve deliveries from the open-pit.

Manaila Expansion & Regional Metallurgical Complex

Further to the announcement on 8 June 2017, the 10-hole drill programme for 1,000 metres at the Carlibaba prospect is now well advanced with six out of the eight drill holes currently completed. All samples will be despatched to ALS analytical laboratories in Rosia Montana once drilling is complete.

To date, the drilling has intersected sulphide mineralisation close to the planned depths and has returned better than expected widths, further confirming the geological interpretation. Full results and analysis is expected for publication in September 2017.

Once drilling at Carlibaba has been completed and the proposed investment outlined below has been finalised, the Company will begin to actively evaluate appraisal activities at Piciorul Zimbrului and Magura Neagra. Further updates will be made available as appropriate.

Baita Plai Manaila Mine & Faneata Tailings Dam

The Board and management are aware of shareholders' frustrations regarding the timescales for the grant of the Baita Plai mining sub-licence. However, as reported previously, it would be imprudent for the Company to comment on the specifics of the process as there is currently no direct precedent for this situation.

However, the entire team at Vast would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the spirit of cooperation we have experienced with the Romanian authorities since Vast became active in the country. Since 2014, Vast, through its subsidiary companies, has been granted five licences - all promptly and without issue - highlighting that Baita Plai is certainly the exception to the rule.

The Board and management, together with the Romanian authorities, remain focussed on resolving the outstanding issues to deliver the mining sub-licence in as short a timeframe as practicable. The Company will update shareholders of any developments as soon as we are able to do so.

Once granted, the Company anticipates that production could begin within six months and have forecast a capex budget of $1.2 million. It is intended that this capex would be funded from the proposed investment of $10 million detailed below.

The licence at Baita Plai constitutes a separate right from the prospective licence over Faneata, which is located 7km from Baita Plai. Faneata has the potential to be a stand-alone mining operation and a Feasibility Study is currently being undertaken at the tailings dam to define the parameters for development. The results of this study were anticipated towards the end of Q2 2017, however due to unforeseen delays with transport and custom clearance, the results are now anticipated during Q3 2017 In anticipation of positive results, application has been made for an exploitation right over the tailings dam.

Zimbabwean Operations

Pickstone-Peerless Gold Mine

The primary focus during the period has been on the advancement of the sulphide processing facility, which is due for commissioning during Q3 2017, and is expected to double production capacity at Pickstone-Peerless. During Q2 2017, the third mill was placed on its foundation plinths and the sulphide flotation units were delivered to the mine site and are in the process of being installed. The additional CIL tanks were approximately 50% complete at the end of the period. The upgraded crushers are on site and being installed and post quarter end the upgraded crushing circuit has been commissioned.

We have been informed that production at the toll treatment plant, which was commissioned during Q1 2017, is progressing well. Whilst we await formal confirmation of current production rates, artisanal recovery is expected to be 50% with the remaining 50% to be shared between Vast and the artisanal plant operator. Accordingly, the plant is expected to generate a modest amount of gold for Pickstone-Peerless. Nonetheless, the construction of the plant has significantly strengthened the Company's relationship with the local artisanal miners, the community and government.

Evaluation of the gold resource potential at Giant Gold Mine has commenced. The objective is to define a larger gold resource to support an initial scoping study, which, if positive, would be followed with pre-feasibility/feasibility studies. A similar artisanal gold milling facility as installed at Pickstone-Peerless Gold Mine is anticipated to be installed at Giant.

The success of the Pickstone-Peerless Gold Mine has resulted in further gold mining opportunities being presented in Zimbabwe. In conjunction with Vast's co-investors in Zimbabwe, these opportunities are being jointly evaluated with a view to significantly increasing gold production.

Corporate Update

As announced on 24 July, Vast has entered into a conditional head of terms relating to a proposed investment of up to US$10 million by a corporate finance and investment firm with significant experience in and investment in Romania.

If the proposed investment proceeds, following the satisfaction of the various criteria set out in the heads of terms announcement, the funds would be used for the Company's capital expenditure and working capital requirements, mostly for the expansion of the Romanian operations.

The Board sees this proposed investment as a highly encouraging and positive development, which would enable Vast to execute its strategic objectives in Romania. The Board will provide further information on this proposed investment in the coming weeks.

Production Statistics

June 2017 Quarterly Production Summary

Operational data: Manaila Units June'17 Quarter Mar'17 Quarter Dec'16 Quarter Sep'16 Quarter Ore mined Tonnes 27,707 19,711(1) 23,905(2) 25,620(3) Waste mined Cubic Metre 53,267 45,143 38,538 117,558 Stripping ratio Times 1.9 2.3 1.6 4.6 Ore milled Tonnes 28,082 18,262(1) 26,786(2) 25,092(3) Milled Grade - Cu Percentage 0.73% 0.79% 0.91% 0.71% Milled Grade - Zn Percentage 0.74% 0.76% 0.88% 0.74% Concentrate produced - Cu Dry tonnes 828 526 889 616 Percentage 18.2% 18.8% 19.5% 20.4% Concentrate produced - Zn Dry tonnes 157 132 165 35 Percentage 39.8% 26.3% 30.0% 29.6% Concentrate sold - Cu Dry tonnes 995 321 889 960 Concentrate sold - Zn Dry tonnes 252 0 200 0 Concentrate in stock at period end Cu Dry tonnes 38 206 0 0 Concentrate in stock at period end Zn Dry tonnes 37 132 0 35 Operational data: Pickstone-Peerless Units June'17 Quarter Mar'17 Quarter Dec'16 Quarter Sep'16 Quarter Ore mined Tonnes 68,659 51,660 70,930 69,500 Waste and low-grade ore mined Tonnes 1,035,785 546,126 435,083 497,840 Stripping ratio Times 15.1 10.6 6.1 7.2 Ore milled Tonnes 58,923 51,102 61,356 65,573 Milled Grade Grams per Tonne 2.35 2.06 2.41 2.57 Gold produced Ounces 4,037 2,974 4,352 4,910 Gold sold Ounces 3,992 2,873 4,706 5,025 Gold in stock at period end Ounces 755 710 609 962

(1) Converted to dry tonnes. Previously wet tonnes mined of 21,901and wet tonnes milled of 20,291

(2) Converted to dry tonnes. Previously wet tonnes mined of 25,245 and wet tonnes milled of 29,776

(3) Converted to dry tonnes. Previously wet tonnes mined of 27,848 and wet tonnes milled of 27,724

Quarterly Conference Call

Roy Pitchford, Chief Executive of Vast, will host a conference call for shareholders at 11.00 a.m. today.

To participate in this conference call, please dial 0808 109 0701, or +44 (0) 20 3003 2701 if you are calling from outside of the UK, and enter participant code 1109957# when prompted to do so. Please note that all lines will be muted except for Vast's management, however the Company invites shareholders to submit questions to its public relations adviser, St Brides Partners Ltd, ahead of the call via email to shareholderenquiries@stbridespartners.co.uk or through the online chat function.

To access the online chat function, please use the link below and log in as a participant using the event number 957 679 072 followed by the password, 'Vast':

https://sbmf.webex.com/sbmf/onstage/g.php?MTID=e37f78826fd1b0f7ba83bfa32ffbbf087

On the right-hand side of the screen you will find an option to submit questions during the call. The Q&A function will only be made live once the call has commenced.

The management team will strive to answer as many questions as possible during the call. A recording of the call will also be made available on the Company's website.

If you have any problems accessing the call, please contact St Brides Partners Ltd on shareholderenquiries@stbridespartners.co.uk or call +44 (0) 20 7236 1177.

A copy of the presentation will also be uploaded to the Research, Media & Presentations page of the website at www.vastresourcesplc.com shortly before the call commences.

Competent Person's Review:

This announcement has been reviewed by Mr Craig Harvey, Chief Operating Officer at Vast, and a member of the Geological Society of South Africa and the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr Harvey meets the definition of a "qualified person" as defined in the AIM Note for Mining, Oil and Gas Companies.

* In the previous Quarterly Production Summary, this figure was reported as wet tonnes however from April 2017 all tonnage measurement are reported as dry tonnes

** Calculated as an average grade over the previous four quarters

-ENDS-

For further information visit www.vastresourcesplc.com or please contact:

Vast Resources plc

Roy Pitchford (Chief Executive Officer) www.vastresourcesplc.com

+44 (0) 20 7236 1177 Beaumont Cornish - Financial & Nominated Adviser

Roland Cornish

James Biddle www.beaumontcornish.com

+44 (0) 020 7628 3396 Brandon Hill Capital Ltd - Joint Broker

Jonathan Evans www.brandonhillcapital.com

+44 (0)20 3463 5016 Peterhouse Corporate Finance Ltd - Joint Broker

Duncan Vasey www.pcorpfin.com

+44 (0) 20 7469 0936 St Brides Partners Ltd

Susie Geliher

Charlotte Page www.stbridespartners.co.uk

+44 (0) 20 7236 1177

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 ("MAR").
Re: During the early years of European settlement on a continent that was [ #permalink

. Were a help in the rescue of ---- wordy and unidiomatic

distorted meaning: knew the ecology of the land and not the ecology and the land. The pronoun this lacks a proper antecedent



the right choice using the right idiom 'helped to rescue

1. Helped the rescue of  unidiomatic 2. The unseemly insertion of the modifier phrase having intimate knowledge of the ecology of the land may lead to mismodification of the new comers rather than of the Native Americans



The unseemly insertion of the modifier phrase knowing the ecology of the land may lead to mis-modification of the new comers rather than ofthe Native Americans

Thank you Daagh for your time on GMAT Club and all your contributions! Thank you for everything you did!

Your work will remain a great tribute to you here on GMAT Club !

-bb -bb Signature Read More

(A) Native Americans, intimately knowing the ecology of the land, were a help in the rescuing of .(B) Native Americans knew the ecology and the land intimately and this enabled them to help in the rescue of.(C) Native Americans, with their intimate knowledge of the ecology of the land, helped to rescue(D) having intimate knowledge of the ecology of the land, Native Americans helped the rescue of .(E) knowing intimately the ecology of the land, Native Americans helped to rescue ._________________
- A Nigerian man could not contain his joy after his daughter graduated from junior to senior secondary school

- The middle-aged man took to his Twitter page to celebrate his daughter

A middle aged Nigerian man identified as Tsambido Hosea Abana is elated with the success recorded by his daughter who graduated from junior to senior secondary school.

The man posted pictures of himself and his daughter at her graduation ceremony on Twitter. He was thrilled with the feat achieved by the young girl as he returned all praise and glory to God.

Abana revealed that the young girl lost her mother when she was ten years old. Since then, he has been saddled with the responsibility of being both her father and mother.

Abana with his daughter on her graduation ceremony. Source: Twitter, Tsambido Hosea Abana.

READ ALSO: Freed Boko Haram's 'wife' returns to man who held her captive after learning he is with another woman

The daughter with her mates on the graduation ceremony. Source: Tsambido Hosea Abana.

The outburst of the man drew the attention of many people to him as they dropped endearing remarks for him. The man has proved that some men are equal to the task when it comes to parenting and this seems to impress a lot of people who read his post.

Abana with his children. Source: Tsambido Hosea Abana.

See the initial tweet made by the excited father:

The responses he got from people are below:

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Many prayed for the graduating student wishing her all the best as she moves on in life. It was truly a beautiful moment for the Nigerian father as he graced the occasion.

What have you to say about this responsible man?

Watch the Legit.ng TV video below to see how some Nigerians reacted when asked if they could marry a baby mama or baby father:

Source: Legit.ng
Lois Bewarang is a beautiful 21-year-old Nigerian lady that has taken up a weird business. The young graduate focused on being productive rather than sitting idly. She started selling Irish potatoes to people I'm order to make extra money.

Legit.ng made a recent report on the Irish potato seller after she took her business to Twitter where she made her choice of work known publicly. The young lady implored Nigerians to buy from her with the promise of delivering the potatoes to any part of the country.

This openness and readiness to work and make a difference in the society made Legit.ng reach out to the industrious lady. It is impressive that one could find such a hard worker in this present age of lazy slay queens.

Lois Bewarang, the Irish potato seller.

Check out the excerpt from the interview had with her:

Can you tell us more about yourself?

I am just a young lady from Plateau state. Kanke local government area to be precise.

What is your family background like? What have you to say about your academics?

I am the second born of the family. We are three; all girls. My parents' names are Mr Albert Bewarang and Mrs Tamar Bewarang. I studied theatre and film arts at the university of Jos. I just graduated this year and I'm presently waiting for service. I want to go back to school after service for masters too.

The pretty lady says she does not like not having money in her wallet.

READ ALSO: Pastor, church members on the run after snake appears on the altar during deliverance service

What influenced your choice of business?

First of all I got tired of being broke at home and waiting endlessly for service. I then realised potatoes are grown mostly in Jos, so I decided to give it a shot. Note that my family provides my needs, just that there are some things I may desire to have and they may not understand why I need them. For example I like makeup, clothes and do pay bloggers sometimes to post my songs on their sites. This made me look for ways of making money.

Tell us about the things you do asides being a potato seller.

Asides being in a French school, I am also into music. As a thespian I go for auditions too.

The adorable parents of the industrious young lady.

How would you rate the reception of people since you began the business?

Honestly it is beyond me. I can't just understand why Nigerians are so supportive. Some of them even called just to support me financially, I am just too shocked; now I believe in one Nigeria. We cannot be divided, we need each other.

Some people don't believe I sell potatoes. I wonder why! Smiles. I mean there is no big deal there. Some people think it is a publicity stunt. Believe me, I did not know I would capture the minds of Nigerians. It is just God. I appreciate everyone out there.

What major challenges have you tried to overcome since you began?

My major challenge is delivery; rates from Jos to distant places are high. I wish I had my own delivery truck I would have been so happy. Also, I have not been able to reply a lot of people... but I will. It is just that people are many. Some send messages that I do not even get.

Has the business being yielding profit, what major progress have you recorded since you started?

Well I thank God for the customers I have for now. I believe God will bring more profit.

What was your ambition while growing up?

I wanted to be a lawyer but I got Theatre Arts instead when I was given admission. I think it is God's plan too so I am very contented with it.

Bewarang also makes money from the little acting roles she gets.

How do your parents feel about you selling potatoes?

I personally do not like asking my parents for money; not like they cannot give me, I think my education is enough. I love money oh... my mom said I just like seeing money in my wallet and I end up spending it on other people like my siblings. I also get some money from the little acting roles I get.

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She appreciates Nigerians for their supportive role.

What have you to say to the young ones out there?

Oh boy! The young ones should know that they should be only ashamed of illegal jobs. And they should always think outside the box. If not they would be liabilities to the society. Honestly, getting money in Nigeria could be hard. You cannot sit and keep waiting for white collar jobs, there are so many other things to be done if you think deeply and plan.

What would you like to be remembered for?

I just want to be remembered for changing people's views about life.

Watch the Legit.ng TV video below to see what the female vulcaniser in Kwara state is up to:

Source: Legit.ng
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
China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, are set to approve a framework for a code of conduct in the South China Sea.

ASEAN foreign ministers are expected to approve the document next week during a meeting in the Philippines. Chinas foreign minister also will attend. The conference begins August 2 in Manila. The Philippines currently holds the chairmanship of ASEAN.

In 2002, China and ASEAN committed to begin work on a framework on nations behavior in the South China Sea. Previous negotiations over the years have failed to produce agreement.

But in May, China announced it had reached agreement with ASEAN on a framework. Officials have not provided many details about the document.

According to VOAs Khmer Service, the framework is a non-binding code of conduct. That means it is not considered the basis for a law. It reportedly calls for closer cooperation to avoid disputes in the South China Sea.

An official from the area who did not want to be named provided VOA Khmer with a copy of the document. The goal of the document is to "establish a rules-based framework containing a set of norms" to guide the conduct of parties in the South China Sea.

China claims most of the South China Sea as part of its territory. Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei and Vietnam also claim parts of the sea. This has led to disputes between China and some of its neighbors. In some areas, China has created artificial islands and built military bases.

The framework calls on ASEAN members to promote mutual trust, cooperation and confidence, prevent incidents and manage incidents should they occur.

It also urges creation of a favorable environment for the peaceful settlement of the disputes; to ensure maritime security and safety and freedom of navigation and overflight.

During a recent visit to the Philippines, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi praised the framework code of conduct. He said it shows that China and ASEAN have full capability and wisdom to solve disputes and safeguard the stability of the South China Sea.

He added: "If there are still forces outside the region, who don't want to see stability in the South China Sea, and still want to stir up trouble in the South China Sea, we need to stand together and we need to say no to them together."

The framework document states that it is "not an instrument to settle territorial disputes or maritime delimitation issues." This language, along with the fact that the framework is non-binding, has led some experts to question its effectiveness.

Tang Siew Mun is head of the ASEAN Studies Center at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. He says the framework suggests ASEAN and China can work together on a "sensitive issue, but it is just the first of many steps in the process.

"The COC would only have meaning if it were legally binding. But it is unsure if the negotiating parties would be agreeable to a fair and just structure of managing relations in the South China Sea," Tang said.

However, some experts suggest the agreement might ease tensions. Shihoko Goto is a northeast Asia expert at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington D.C. She told VOA Khmer the latest framework can be useful.

This is because it identifies possible sources of conflict and commits to finding common ground to avoid confrontations, Goto said. "That is progress, as worries about territorial claims continue," she added.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Sok Khemara reported this story for VOAs Khmer Service. Bryan Lynn adapted it for Learning English, with additional material coming from Reuters and Xinhua news services. Mario Ritter 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

framework  n. basic structure of something

code of conduct  n. set of laws or regulations governing behavior for a group or organization

non-binding  adj. having no legal force

confrontation  n. argument or clash over something

confidence  n. feeling or belief that something is true or will happen

maritime  adj. of or relating to the sea

wisdom  n. knowledge of what is proper or reasonable

stir  v. to cause something

delimitation  n. the marking of limits or boundaries
Google is offering financial assistance to groups that can help people get the skills and connections they need to find jobs.

Jacquelline Fuller is president of Google.org. On Wednesday, she said that the way we work is changing. She noted new jobs require and depend on technology.

Fuller said, We want to make sure that as many people as possible can make the most of the new jobs, industries and opportunities that are emerging.

She said Google is providing $50 million over two years to provide financial help for groups working on finding people jobs.

Googles money will first go to non-profit groups in the United States and Europe. Later, Fuller said, groups in other parts of the world will get money.

Fuller said Google is looking for groups that can do one of three things: Help connect job seekers with jobs; do research to find what kind of job training works best at putting people into jobs; or provide help for low-wage workers who work in the service industry, such as restaurant employees, cleaners and store clerks.

Service jobs are the fastest growing category of jobs in the U.S., Europe and many other developed economies, Fuller said.

But she said many low-income workers find it difficult to get help when they run into trouble, such as sickness or injury. Low-income workers often do not get paid when they are unable to work.

Fuller talked about the National Domestic Workers Alliance, which she said is already getting financial help from Google.

The alliance collects money from domestic workers through a small monthly payment. Domestic workers often work in peoples homes, providing services such as cleaning.

That money collected from the workers is used to help workers who need to take time off their jobs deal with an emergencies.

Pew found divide on technology effects

In 2014, Pew questioned over 1,000 experts in technology, the economy and job creation about the effects of new technology. The experts were divided, Pew said.

About half expected robots and other technology to take jobs away from large numbers of people. For example, car companies are increasingly using robots, instead of people, to build cars.

But about half the experts expect just as many new jobs to replace the old ones lost to technology, Pew said.

The Pew report said these experts believe people will create new jobs, industries, and ways to make a living, just as people have been doing since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

Im Caty Weaver.

Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

We want to hear from you. What do you think it will take for you to get a good job? What kind of help would you like to receive as move toward the job market? Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

opportunity - n. an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done

emerge - v. to become known or apparent

clerk - n. a person who works in a store and helps sell products

category - n. a group of people or things that are similar in some way

alliance - n. a relationship in which people agree to work together

robot - n. a machine that controlled by a computer that does work, often done in the past by people
Iran announced Thursday that it had successfully launched a rocket carrying a satellite into space.

State television in Iran claimed the Simorgh rocket can carry a 250- kilogram satellite as far as 500 kilometers above Earth. The report did not say what the rocket was carrying into space.

In the Farsi language, Simorgh means phoenix.

The rocket launch comes after the United States moved earlier this month to increase economic sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missile program.

Thursdays launch did not violate the 2015 nuclear agreement signed by Iran, the U.S., China, France, Germany, Russia, Britain and the European Union. In the agreement, Iran agreed to pull back its nuclear program in exchange for billions of dollars in sanctions relief.

The United States has expressed concern, however, that the rocket technology Iran is developing could possibly be changed and used as long-range missiles.

Earlier this week, Iran announced it would open a new facility to produce missiles able to target aircraft as well as cruise missiles.

Meanwhile, the Associated Press (AP) reported Thursday that President Donald Trumps administration is pushing for inspections of Iranian military areas. Senior U.S. officials said the inspections of the suspicious military areas will test the nuclear deal.

Trump has long criticized the current nuclear deal. Trump aides have said there are serious problems with the deal. If the problems are not fixed quickly, it is likely that Trump will pull out.

Officials said the U.S. is talking with European leaders to work on a follow-up agreement that would stop Iran from re-starting nuclear development once the deal expires in about 10 years. The officials were not named because they did not have approval to speak publically.

The deal has a complex process for inspecting Irans military areas. There are many chances for Iran to delay the process.

It is likely that Iran would resist the Trump administrations inspection requests. If Iran says no to the inspections, then Trump may say that Iran is breaking the deal. That would then place the blame on Iran if the deal collapses.

If Iran agrees to the inspections, it would help those in the administration who support staying with the deal.

Earlier this month Trump wanted to declare that Iran was in violation of the agreement.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) checked for violations. It found there were only small problems.

The U.S. agreed to wait for another three months before acting.

In three months there will be another deadline to check if Iran is violating the deal. This week, Trump told The Wall Street Journal he expects to say Iran is not complying.

If it was up to me, I would have had them noncompliant 180 days ago, Trump said.

American businesses hope the deal survives so they can follow economic opportunities in Iran. The aviation industry, for example, recently signed billions of dollars of contracts to sell passenger planes to Iranian airlines.

Im Anne Ball.





Anne Ball adapted this story for Learning English from VOA News and Associated Press stories. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit us on our Facebook page.
2 A man holds smoke bombs during a protest by Spanish taxi drivers unions in Madrid. They called for a 24-hour strike to protest the increase in cars run by private companies offering cheaper, mobile ride-hailing services..
Five Kenyan schoolgirls have developed an app to help women and girls end female genital mutilation (FGM).

The girls will soon take part in the yearly international Technovation competition in California. Technovation is supported by Google, Verizon -- a mobile telephone company -- and the United Nations.

The competition supports girls as they learn the skills they need to become technology entrepreneurs and leaders. Girls who develop apps to end problems in their communities can win money. The Kenyan girls hope to win a $15,000 prize for creating I-cut, an app that they hope will help end FGM.

I-cut connects girls who may soon be forced to undergo FGM with rescue centers. It also gives legal and medical help to those who are suffering from the effects of FGM. The app has five sections: help, rescue, report, information on FGM and donate and feedback.

The girls are all between 15 and 17 years old. They are the only Africans chosen to take part in this year's competition. Their East African nation is one of the most technologically advanced countries on the continent.

Stacy Owino is one of the girls who developed the app. She says FGM is a big problem affecting girls worldwide and it is a problem we want to solve.

She and the four other developers will fly to California on August 6th for the competition at Google headquarters. They recently visited the computer companys offices in Nairobi.

Owino said, This whole experience will change our lives. Whether we win or not, our perspective of the world and the possibilities it has will change for the better.

Ivy Akinyi plans to become a computer programmer. She says she and the other girls just have to use this opportunity as a stepping stone to the next level.

The girls are from the western city of Kisumu. One of them, Synthia Otieno, says they call themselves the Restorers because they want to restore hope to hopeless girls.

FGM is illegal in Kenya. But one in four Kenyan women and girls have had their external genitalia either partially or completely removed.

The girls are from the Luo tribe, which does not practice FGM. But the girls say they have friends who have been cut.

Purity Achieng is one of the developers. She says a close friend in school was cut (and) never came back to school. She was among the smartest girls I knew.

Im Ashley Thompson.

Daniel Wesangula reported this story from Nairobi for the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

female genital mutilation  n. the cutting and partial or total removal of external female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

entrepreneur  n. a person who starts a business and is willing to risk loss in order to make money

app  n. a computer program designed for use on mobile phones or tablets

undergo  v. to experience or endure (something)

feedback  n. helpful information or criticism that is given to someone to say what can be done to improve a performance, product, etc.

perspective  n. a way of thinking about and understanding something (such as a particular issue or life in general)

programmer  n. a person who creates computer programs

stepping stone  n. something that helps you get or achieve something

level  n. a position or rank in a scale; a position that is high or low when compared to others

practice  n. the action of doing or using something

cut  v. to use a sharp tool (such as a knife) to remove or slice something
President Donald Trump chose the Republican governor of Kansas to lead American government support of religious freedom across the world.

If approved by the Senate, Governor Sam Brownbacks new position would be ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.

Brownback, like Trump, is a Republican.

Brownback, who is 60, talked about being selected for the religious freedom job at a news conference on Thursday.

"International religious freedom is going the wrong way," Brownback said. "There's more persecution, not less, that's taken place over the last 20 years."

On Twitter, he said, Religious freedom is the first freedom. The choice of what you do with your own soul. I am honored to serve such an important cause.

Brownback was a U.S. senator in 1998 when he was a lead sponsor of the International Religious Freedom Act. The bill was signed into law by then President Bill Clinton, a Democrat.

The legislation called on the U.S. government to help people persecuted in foreign countries because of their religious beliefs.

The law created the ambassador-at-large position for which Brownback has been nominated. It also requires yearly reports on the state of religious freedom across the world.

In 2016, the State Department reported a decrease in religious freedom from the year before. The report blamed a growing refugee crisis, political divisions and economic problems for the drop in religious freedom.

It reported barriers to religious freedom in Pakistan, Mauritania, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Angola, Bahrain and the Central African Republican.

When the Senate will take up the Brownback nomination has not yet been announced. If he is approved, Brownback will give up his job as Kansas governor. He would be replaced by the lieutenant governor, Jeff Colyer. Colyer is a doctor and, like Brownback, a Republican.

Brownback was elected governor in 2010, and later won passage of big cuts in Kansas taxes. But the tax cuts led to cuts in services. The states education system was hard hit.

In June, the Legislature brought back most of the taxes that were cut.

Susan Wagle is president of the Kansas Senate. She has disagreed with Brownback on budget and tax issues. She commented on Brownbacks decision to resign as governor and take a new job in Washington.

This position will be a good fit for Governor Brownback, a staunch defender of religious freedom. Im sure he will do a great job, Wagle said.

Wagle called on the U.S. Senate to approve Brownbacks nomination quickly -- so that we can get Kansas back on track with new leadership.

Im Bruce Alpert.

Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English based on reports by the Associated Press, Reuters and other sources. Mario Ritter was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

persecute - v. to treat someone cruelly or unfairly especially because of race or religious or political beliefs

soul - n. the spiritual part of a person that is believed to give life to the body and in many religions is believed to live forever

challenge - n. issues that test the ability or strength needed to solve problems

staunch - adj. very devoted or loyal to a person, belief, or cause

on track - phrase. on the way to getting something done
The United States Congress has approved a bill placing new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea.

The measure passed both houses of Congress this week. The vote in the House was 419-3, while the Senate approved it 98-2.

If President Donald Trump signs the bill, it becomes law. If he vetoes it, Congress is likely to override the veto to allow it to become law.

White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci left open the possibility that Trump could reject the new sanctions. He told CNN on Thursday the president might decide to veto, then try to negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians.

Top lawmakers from both parties criticized a possible presidential veto.

I think that would be a very bad mistake, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, told VOA. What would be better is if they [White House officials] worked with us on the legislation.

Democratic Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland said the bill gives Trump a better negotiating position with Russian President Vladimir Putin. If he vetoes it, it means he doesnt want a stronger hand in dealing with Mr. Putin, Cardin said.

The bill places economic restrictions on many Russian industries. Russias economy has already felt the effects from 2014 sanctions placed in response to Moscows annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

The new sanctions are meant to punish Russia for that action. They are also a response to U.S. intelligence findings that Russia took steps to interfere in the U.S. presidential election. President Putin has repeatedly denied his government had any involvement in trying to influence the American election.

In addition to Russia, the bill places sanctions on North Korea for its continued nuclear program. The measure bars North Korean ships from operating in American waters or docking at U.S. ports. The ban extends to ships from nations not following United Nations resolutions against North Korea. The bill bans goods produced by North Koreas forced labor from entering the U.S.

Also, the legislation punishes people involved in Iran's ballistic missile program and anyone doing business with them. It also places restrictions on Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

Russia was quick to criticize passage of the bill and answered with its own diplomatic measures.

The Russian foreign ministry said the sanctions were evidence of extreme aggression of the U.S. in international affairs. Russian officials called in outgoing U.S. ambassador John Tefft in Moscow to inform him of its own countermeasures.

Russia ordered the U.S. to cut hundreds of diplomatic positions in the country to match the number of Russian diplomatic workers in the United States. In addition, Russia said it would block entry to two diplomatic properties in Moscow.

The European Union expressed its concerns, saying the new sanctions could harm Europes energy industry. Several nations  including Germany and France  said the sanctions might harm businesses that carry Russian natural gas through pipelines.

Senior Republicans said they had responded by making changes to the bill to deal with some of the European concerns.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from VOA News, the Associated Press and Reuters. Mario Ritter 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

sanction  n. measure taken against a country to cause it to obey international laws or requirements

override  v. make something no longer valid

annexation  n. the taking over of another countrys territory

retaliate  v. respond with action against something

countermeasure  n. action intended to stop or prevent something bad or unwanted
Taiwan's legislature received world attention this month.

It was not, however, the result of laws the parliament passed. Instead, the world watched lawmakers fighting.

Weak rules and unspoken agreements in Taiwans parliament prevent the violence from being stopped.

Over two years, aggressive actions such as pushing, throwing chairs and physically seizing others have not been reported to the parliament's Discipline Committee. Its executive secretary recently said that the committee has the power to suspend lawmakers who take part in such behavior.

Liu Yih-jiun is a public issues professor at Fo Guang University in Taiwan. He told VOA, "A dogfight between the members of the house in Taiwan is legal."

Liu said the committee never orders any physical or legal actions to try to control the behavior of lawmakers. He said this is true even when people are badly hurt.

Taiwan is known for its physical legislative fights. They often start with opposition party members blocking the path of majority party members as they try to reach a podium.

When the majority party pushes back, some lawmakers hit, grab, pull neckties and throw objects. Last December, three people were sent to the hospital after a parliamentary fight.

Experts say fighting continues in Taiwan partly because political parties are unwilling to share power or accept that they lack power.

Also, voters in Taiwan also expect their lawmakers to stand strong on sensitive issues such as Taiwan's relations with China. And, some lawmakers have said the fights are not always real. They say some are planned to get attention.

Taiwan's legislature in central Taipei lacks a security official, called a sergeant at arms. This official supervises behavior at meetings and can remove people when necessary. In Britain, the parliament's sergeant at arms carries a sword.



Liu said the past two legislative leaders, called speakers, have been, in his words, "kind of weak" and lacking in "political wisdom" needed to settle disputes peacefully.

This month, opposition lawmakers pushed people and seized the podium to block the finance committee chairman from reaching it. The chairman called a recess.

The Discipline Committee official said that neither the speaker nor parliament has honored lawmaker requests to send cases of violence to the Discipline Committee.

Raymond Wu is a director of e-telligence, a research business based in Taiwan that advises companies. He said lawmakers hope to avoid dividing parliament further by punishing individual members.

Over five meetings that started on July 13, legislators threw chairs and water balloons, sometimes screaming as they fought. The opposition Nationalist Party had protested the budget for including the first part of a government plan for new infrastructure. The budget item received approval Wednesday.

Opposition legislator Lin Wei-chou spoke after the fight Monday.

"We will do our utmost to explain to people why we're so intensely blocking this meeting," he said.

I'm Caty Weaver.

Ralph Jennings reported this story for VOA News. Caty Weaver adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

discipline - n. control that is gained by requiring that rules or orders be obeyed and punishing bad behavior

podium - n. a raised platform for a speaker, performer, or the leader of an orchestra

grab - v. to quickly take and hold (someone or something) with your hand or arms

necktie - n. a long piece of cloth that is worn by men around the neck and under a collar and that is tied in front with a knot at the top

recess - n. a usually brief period of time during which regular activity in a court of law or in a government stops

scream - v. to say (something) in a loud and high voice because you are angry, afraid, etc

infrastructure - n. the basic equipment and structures (such as roads and bridges) that are needed for a country, region, or organization to function properly

item - n. an individual thing: a separate part or thing
Researchers are looking into labelling mental health conditions based on biological features rather than symptoms. Credit: Pixabay/ CC0

Labelling patients with conditions like schizophrenia or depression might become a thing of the past as doctors and scientists look beyond the symptoms to develop a new generation of psychiatric treatments.

Antidepressant use has doubled in the developed world since 2000, according to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, yet no-one really understands how they target the underlying mechanisms that cause depression.

"We leave the idea of traditional psychiatric diagnosis, which, for example, distinguishes between depression and addiction," said Professor Gunter Schumann of King's College London, UK. "We are more going into the domain of trying to understand dysfunction of a particular behavioural trait that causes psychopathology."

Prof. Schumann and his team are using brain imaging to try to link the function of neural networks to problematic behaviours seen in various psychiatric illnesses, as part of the STRATIFY study, funded by the EU's European Research Council.

The focus is on behaviours such as reward processing, which includes cravings, and associative learning and emotions like joy.

"As you can imagine dysregulation in the biology or the networks that underlie these behaviours can result in ill mental health," said Prof. Schumann. Reward processing can be impaired in illnesses including depression, addiction and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but the symptoms look very different in each.

The researchers will compare the neural networks of patients classified with different mental illnesses, as well as to healthy controls.

Artificial intelligence

The study will combine various bits of biological data including brain images, genetic and epigenetic (the interaction between environment and genes) information, behaviour, symptoms and even environmental influences, and will use artificial intelligence to recognise patterns in data at various levels and then aggregate these patterns into more complex features.

The hope in STRATIFY is that patient groups will emerge that are characterised by very defined neural mechanisms, and drugs can be developed to target them precisely.

"Currently we are not organising (patients) in a way that reflects biology, and that hampers drug development because the targets are unclear," said Prof. Schumann.

A separate project called PRISM, funded by a public-private partnership called Innovative Medicines Initiative, is looking at the same issues but in the context of social withdrawal in schizophrenia and Alzheimer's. Dr Hugh Marston, of the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company, is its project leader and explained: "The rationale by which I can develop molecules has currently been based on symptomatic classification of the disorders, rather than the biological classification of the disorders.

"Therefore, I am not designing drugs to treat a biological problem, I am designing drugs based on a philosophical classification system."

The study is looking at social withdrawal in schizophrenia and Alzheimer's because in both diseases pulling away from social relationships can be an early indicator that something is amiss, but social withdrawal is poorly understood and no medicines currently target it.

The study will use a variety of biological measures, as well as tracking behaviours indicating social withdrawal via a smartphone app. The app will monitor things like how often the person leaves the house via their phone's GPS and how many times they send an email or go on social media.

There is the possibility that social withdrawal will be underpinned by a common biological mechanism malfunctioning in a similar way in both disorders, which might allow for a novel target for intervention in diseases that appear on the surface to be very different.

But the project, which ends in 2019, could also find that there are very different biological reasons for the common symptom.

The test results will be handed over to statisticians unfamiliar with the data. If any patterns are found the researchers can then see if they divide along the lines of the two psychiatric diseases as we currently understand them, or if a new breakdown is revealed.

"Eventually you may end up with a purely biological classification of people rather than a symptomatic one," said Dr Marston.

The process of changing how we talk about mental illness is one that evolves over time. Even if there are dramatic results from these studies it could be decades before we see widespread change.

Prof. Schumann at King's College said: "Over time I could foresee a process by which you are not treating schizophrenia anymore but are treating a particular behavioural aspect of schizophrenia that really contributes to the suffering of the patient."
The controversial practice has been standard in many teaching hospitals for decades, its safety and ethics largely unquestioned and its existence unknown to those most affected: people undergoing surgery.

But over the past two years, the issue of overlapping surgery - in which a doctor operates on two patients in different rooms during the same time period - has ignited an impassioned debate in the medical community, attracted scrutiny by the powerful Senate Finance Committee that oversees Medicare and Medicaid, and prompted some hospitals, including the University of Virginia's, to circumscribe the practice.

Known as "running two rooms" - or double-booked, simultaneous or concurrent surgery - the practice occurs in teaching hospitals where senior attending surgeons delegate trainees - usually residents or fellows - to perform parts of one surgery while the attending surgeon works on a second patient in another operating room. Sometimes senior surgeons aren't even in the OR and are seeing patients elsewhere.

Hospitals decide whether to allow the practice and are primarily responsible for policing it. Medicare billing rules permit it as long as the attending surgeon is present during the critical portion of each operation - and that portion is defined by the surgeon. And while it occurs in many specialties, double-booking is believed to be most common in orthopedics, cardiac surgery and neurosurgery.

The issue was catapulted into public consciousness in October 2015 by an exhaustive investigation of concurrent surgery at Harvard's famed Massachusetts General Hospital by The Boston Globe. The validity of the story has been vehemently disputed by hospital officials who defend their care as safe and appropriate.

The article detailed concerns by some doctors and other hospital staff about complications - including one patient who was paralyzed and two who died - possibly linked to double-booking over a 10-year period. It described patients waiting under anesthesia for prolonged periods and surgeons who could not be located, leaving residents or fellows to perform surgeries without supervision.

Patients who signed standard consent forms said they were not told their surgeries were double-booked; some said they would never have agreed had they known.

The practice has also figured prominently in cases in South Florida, Nashville and, most recently, Seattle.

Critics of the practice, who include some surgeons and patient-safety advocates, say that double-booking adds unnecessary risk, erodes trust and primarily enriches specialists. Surgery, they say, is not piecework and cannot be scheduled like trains: Unexpected complications are not uncommon.

All patients "deserve the sole and undivided attention of the surgeon, and that trumps all other considerations," said Michael Mulholland, chair of surgery at the University of Michigan Health System, which halted double-booking a decade ago. Surgeons might leave the room when a patient's incision is being closed, Mulholland said. A computerized system records the doctor's entry and exit.

"It doesn't do any good to check out your surgeon if they're not even going to be in the room," said Lisa McGiffert, director of Consumers Union's Safe Patient Project. "We all know about the dangers of multitasking. This adds a layer of danger if you have the most expert person coming in and out."

Indiana orthopedic surgeon James Rickert regards double-booking as a form of bait-and-switch. "The only reason it has continued is that patients are asleep," said Rickert, president of the Society for Patient-Centered Orthopedics, a doctor group.

"Having a fellow so you can run two rooms helps augment your income," he added. "You can bill for six procedures: You do three and the fellow does three." The critical portion of the operation required by Medicare and designated by the surgeon can mean "running in and checking two screws for 10 seconds."

Defenders of the practice, which has been the subject of a handful of studies with mixed results, say it can be done safely and allows more patients to receive care.

"It's extremely important for us to make sure (all surgeries are) done with the highest quality," said Peter Dunn, Mass General's executive medical director of perioperative administration. Officials at his hospital, Dunn said in a recent interview, have "never traced back a quality issue" to concurrent surgery, which involves a minority of procedures.

Mass General complies with all applicable guidelines and regulations, Dunn said. The hospital now explicitly requires doctors to inform patients if an operation will overlap as part of the consent process, which may occur just before the start of surgery.

In January, a Boston jury found that a Mass General spine surgeon who failed to inform a 45-year-old financial analyst that he was running two rooms was not responsible for the patient's subsequent quadriplegia.

-

No one knows how many of the nation's 4,900 hospitals that receive Medicare payments - about 1,000 of which are teaching hospitals - allow the practice, the Senate Finance Committee noted in a recent report. The committee called on hospitals to adopt stronger policies and consent forms that go beyond opaque boilerplate statements that grant broad permission without specifying who is doing what. And the report noted that concurrent surgery may also occur in outpatient surgery centers and non-teaching hospitals and that it can involve patients who are not covered by Medicare.

The practice surprised some primary care doctors and a veteran medical ethicist.

"I certainly knew that for many procedures, residents might be involved," said Arthur Caplan, a professor of bioethics at NYU School of Medicine. (NYU Langone Medical Center does not permit concurrent surgery.) "But I was a little taken aback that the attending surgeon was not in the room."

Proponents say that overlapping operations can improve efficiency and better utilize a surgeon's valuable time.

"Much of surgery is team-based," said David Hoyt, executive director of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), which last year issued guidelines governing concurrent surgery. Largely similar to Medicare rules, the guidelines state that surgeons should inform patients of overlapping operations.

Robert Cima, a colorectal surgeon and medical director of surgical outcomes research at the Mayo Clinic, agrees. Overlapping surgery has been used safely since Mayo's inception more than 100 years ago, he said. A recent study he co-authored found that 11,000 overlapping operations at Mayo did not have a higher death rate than non-overlapping surgeries.

Allowing qualified junior doctors to perform parts of an operation, Cima said, is vital in "training the next generation of surgeons." Determining what portion of an operation is critical should be left to the individual surgeon, he said, not defined by Medicare or insurers, because it can vary from patient to patient.

But L.D. Britt, a past president of the ACS and chairman of surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, says that efficiency has little to do with concurrency. "Unless you're closing, that surgeon should be there," he said. "Most (surgeons) are doing it for lifestyle."

Indiana's Rickert and Britt say they are troubled by what they regard as a double standard: Very few surgeons would consent to the practice for themselves or a relative. "This happens to the Medicaid patient," Rickert said, "not the partner's wife."

He advocates that Medicare and insurers define the critical portion requiring the presence of an attending surgeon as being everything between the making of an incision and the start of its closure, a task frequently performed by residents. "The critical components should not depend on whether the surgeon has opera tickets that night."

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Some surgeons say they are troubled by the resemblance of double-booking to a practice known as "ghost surgery," in which patients learn, usually after something goes wrong, that someone other than the surgeon they hired performed their operation.

In April, a Seattle jury awarded an anesthesiologist and her husband $8.5 million for botched abdominal surgery that disfigured his penis. After his operation, the couple discovered that a crucial part of the procedure was performed by a fellow, not the senior surgeon to whom he had explicitly granted consent.

"I always prided myself in telling patients I would be there from the moment they went to sleep to the moment they woke up," said Stanley Shapshay, a head and neck surgeon in Albany, N.Y., who co-authored a 2016 editorial opposing simultaneous surgery.

Many things can go wrong during "noncritical" portions of an operation, particularly if a resident or fellow is unsupervised, said Shapshay, a professor of otolaryngology at Albany Medical College. A major artery or nerve can be cut accidentally, he said. "By the time the surgeon (arrives, the damage) has already been done."

Trainees, Shapshay observed, vary. "Some are very good, some are OK and some need more experience."

His view was reinforced by his experience at a hospital in the Southeast several years ago. A senior surgeon he was visiting left in the middle of an operation, after telling a family that surgery had gone well. While he and Shapshay were having coffee, the surgeon received an urgent page and had to rush back to the OR to deal with a serious breathing problem. The family was later told only that an unexpected event had occurred, not that the attending had been out of the room.

"That illustrated to me very clearly that you don't leave the OR until the patient has left the OR," Shapshay said.

Adequate informed consent is essential, said Robin Diamond, senior vice president for patient safety and risk management at the Doctors Company, a California-based malpractice insurer that has begun tracking malpractice claims related to overlapping surgery. She expects such lawsuits will increase.

"I think it can be done safely and has been safe in many cases," said Diamond, who has degrees in nursing and law. But surgeons who plan to run two rooms should obtain explicit consent from patients at least a week ahead of surgery, she said, not the day before or the day of, as is common, to allow time to reconsider.

"It's a basic patient right to know" who is doing their operation, Diamond said.

Patients don't seem enamored of overlapping surgery. A recent study based on an online survey by Harvard researchers found that fewer than 4 percent of 1,454 people had heard of concurrent surgery and that only 31 percent supported the practice; 95 percent said it should be disclosed in advance.

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After the fallout at Mass General, officials at U.Va. decided it was time to largely eliminate concurrent surgery in all specialties; the practice had been most common in orthopedics.

In return for an end to simultaneous surgeries, hospital executives agreed that orthopedic surgeons would not be "disadvantaged," said Richard Shannon, executive vice president for health affairs at U.Va. Part of the process involved overhauling the way surgeries were scheduled.

"It was an important wake-up call," Shannon said of the controversy. "We wanted to redesign our system to eliminate the risk" as part of a larger patient-safety push.

Eliminating most concurrent procedures, Shannon said, actually resulted in an increase of 560 surgeries in 2016 over 2015, using the same number of operating rooms. "Concurrency was masking an efficiency problem," said Shannon, who plans to publish the results of U.Va.'s efforts. "There was a lot of waste."

"This debunks the urban legend" that overlapping surgery is more efficient, he said. "Like many things in health care, if you apply a rigorous, disciplined approach, you may get an answer you didn't expect."

Rickert and others advise patients who want to avoid overlap to ask detailed questions well in advance and to put their request in writing and on the consent form.

"If you say, 'I want only you to do the surgery,' doctors will typically do it," Rickert said. "They want the business."

He also recommends asking, "Are you going to be in the room the entire time during my surgery?" and then repeating that statement in front of the OR nurses the day of surgery. "If the doctor's not willing to say yes, vote with your feet."

If a surgeon says he or she will be "present" or "immediately available," a patient should ask what that means. It may mean that the surgeon is somewhere on a sprawling hospital campus but not in - or even near - your operating room.

2017 Kaiser Health News

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(HealthDay)Prescribing generic drugs for seniors' eye problems could save the U.S. government hundreds of millions of dollars a year, a new study suggests.

Conditions like glaucoma and dry eye that require daily eye drops are common in old age.

University of Michigan researchers report that eye doctors caring for seniors prescribe brand-name medications in more than three-quarters of cases, compared to one-third of cases among nearly all other specialties.

"Lawmakers are currently looking for ways to reduce federal spending for health care, and policies that favor generics over brand medications or allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices may lead to cost savings," said study senior author Lindsey De Lott, of the university's Kellogg Eye Center.

"Using a brand medication for a single patient may not seem like a big deal, but ultimately, these higher costs are paid by all of us," De Lott said, referring to publicly funded Medicare coverage for seniors.

Moreover, there is no evidence to suggest that brand medications are superior to generics, which can cost three or four times less, De Lott said in a university news release.

Eye doctors prescribe more brand-name drugs by volume than any other group of health care providers, according to the researchers.

In 2013, eye care providers generated $2.4 billion in annual Medicare Part D prescription costs. The researchers analyzed those costs, and showed that switching to lower-cost generics could save $882 million a year. Also, negotiating prices with drug makers could save $1.09 billion a year, the study authors said.

Looking at specific eye conditions, they found that glaucoma medications made up half of prescription eye drugsat a cost of $1.2 billion.

Dry eye medications claimed the second highest billing, mostly due to one drug, cyclosporine (Restasis), which has no generic equivalent. Restasis was the most-used eye medication among Medicare Part D beneficiaries, accounting for $371 million in spending.

Noting that patients may stop taking medications because of the cost, the study authors said patients using glaucoma drugs should ask their doctor about effective, less expensive medications.

The study was published recently in the journal Ophthalmology.

More information: Consumer Reports has more on Journal information: Ophthalmology Consumer Reports has more on generic drugs

Copyright  2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Spots on a living primary mouse chromaffin cell represent individual dense core vesicles docked at the plasma membrane prior to exocytosis. Synuclein both reduces the number of vesicles fusing and increases the rate of those that do fuse. Credit: Robert Edwards lab

Abnormal clumps of certain proteins in the brain are a prominent feature of Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases, but the role those same proteins might play in the normal brain has been unknown.

Now, new research by UC San Francisco neuroscientist Robert Edwards, MD, has uncovered the role of one such protein, known as alpha-synuclein, which has long been implicated in Parkinson's disease. Understanding how alpha-synuclein normally acts, he said, can provide direct clues to how it might fail, and may point the way to preventing or managing diseases including Parkinson's.

This finding is the first identification of a normal role for a signature protein central to neurodegenerative disease.

"The aggregation of alpha-synuclein in neurons is a hallmark of Parkinson's," Edwards said. "But we wanted to search for earlier events that might trigger the degenerative process."

Alpha-Synuclein in Healthy Nerve Cells

In healthy nerve cells, alpha-synuclein can be detected at synapses, the sites where bubble-like vesicles fuse with a neuron's surface to release the signaling molecule dopamine, which is known to be depleted in Parkinson's, said Edwards, who was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in May 2017. "A disturbance in this membrane-fusing process would disrupt the normal communication between neurons required for essentially all brain activity."

As reported in Nature Neuroscience, in a series of imaging experiments with neurons and other cells from mice, Edwards's research team explored exactly how alpha-synuclein takes part in this crucial interaction.

The protein actually plays two roles, they found. When present in abnormally high amounts, as it is in Parkinson's, it can inhibit the fusion of vesicles with membranes, which is necessary for neurotransmitter release. But in normal amounts, it has a surprisingly different effect: if neurotransmitters are already being released, alpha-synuclein helps speed the process.

The question remains how one protein can have both negative and positive roles in transmitter release, and how the former might contribute to Parkinson's disease.

A smart guess might be that Parkinson's arises from an abnormal form of alpha-synuclein inhibiting dopamine release. But Edwards, the John and Helen Cahill Family Endowed Chair in Parkinson's Disease Research, found strong evidence for a less intuitive explanation.

Mutations, Unknown Mechanisms

Several mutations in the synuclein gene are known to cause rare forms of Parkinson's that run in families. Edwards showed that they do so not by boosting synuclein's inhibitory effect, but by disrupting its normal ability to aid neurotransmitter release once it has started. "So when the negative effect is intact, but the positive role is blocked, the net result disrupts neurotransmitter release," he surmises. "This could lead to the impairment in dopamine release, and ultimately to cell death."

The vast majority of people with Parkinson's don't inherit it through mutations, but acquire it by unknown mechanisms. Edwards's research has convinced him that the more common form of the disease arises from a defect in alpha-synuclein's natural ability to speed neurotransmitter release.

He hasn't pinpointed a potential cause for this defect in most people with the disease, but thinks one suspect is phosphorylation, a cellular process that regulates normal protein function.

"By understanding the normal function of alpha-synuclein, and in particular its regulation, we're starting to understand how anyone can acquire Parkinson's disease," Edwards said. "We hope this can help develop therapy that targets the underlying degenerative process."

More information: Todd Logan et al. -Synuclein promotes dilation of the exocytotic fusion pore, Nature Neuroscience (2017). Journal information: Nature Neuroscience Todd Logan et al. -Synuclein promotes dilation of the exocytotic fusion pore,(2017). DOI: 10.1038/nn.4529
A protein called POP2 inhibits a key inflammatory pathway, calming the body's inflammatory response before it can become destructive, Northwestern Medicine scientists have demonstrated in mouse models.

The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, adds to the understanding of how the body maintains a balanced inflammatory response and could have important implications in the development of future therapies for inflammatory diseases.

"We found these proteins nine years ago, but all the research was done in cell studies, so we weren't sure if it had a function with inflammation in vivo. This study now shows that POP2 really has a profound impact on dampening these responses," said senior author Christian Stehlik, PhD, the John P. Gallagher Research Professor of Rheumatology.

Andrea Dorfleutner, PhD, research associate professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology, was also a senior author of the study. Rojo Ratsimandresy, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in Stehlik's lab, was the first author. He will join Feinberg's faculty as a research assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology in September.

POP2 is one of three members of the PYRIN domain-only family of proteins, which was discovered by Stehlik's laboratory. Over the last decade, his research has largely focused on these proteinsPOP1, POP2 and POP3and their role in resolving inflammatory responses.

Specifically, the three proteins each act on unique types of inflammasomesprotein complexes that release pro-inflammatory cytokinesin order to tightly control the inflammatory process and prevent systemic inflammation after an initial response.

In the current study, the scientists demonstrated that POP2 is distinctive among the family of PYRIN domain-only proteins in performing two essential functions in vivo: "POP2 both blocks inflammasomes and inhibits NF-B, a pro-inflammatory transcription factor that leads to the initial priming of inflammasome responses," Dorfleutner said.

"Together, these two activities inhibit the inflammatory responseand that's why POP2 is probably so potent," explained Stehlik, also a member of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

Because mice lack the genes for the PYRIN domain-only proteins, the scientists engineered mice to express human POP2, using a promoter that drives expression of the protein in immune cells called macrophages. These cells are important for sensing tissue damage and infections.

"We found that only expressing this protein in this one particular cell type can, in vivo, completely ameliorate these inflammatory responses," Stehlik said.

The scientists further showed, in cell culture studies, that a synthetic version of POP2 added to healthy macrophages blocked the same inflammatory pathway, similar to when the protein is expressed in cells. Ongoing research is now working to optimize cellular delivery, with the goal of bringing synthetic POP2 to preclinical mouse models.

The Northwestern team has previously demonstrated that synthetic versions of POP1 injected into mice significantly dampen inflammation.

"The hope is that eventually it can be used to target the increasing number of inflammatory conditions in humans," Stehlik said.

More information: Rojo A. Ratsimandresy et al. The PYRIN domain-only protein POP2 inhibits inflammasome priming and activation, Nature Communications (2017). Journal information: Nature Communications Rojo A. Ratsimandresy et al. The PYRIN domain-only protein POP2 inhibits inflammasome priming and activation,(2017). DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15556
South Africas fibre-to-the-home market is like a gold rush, with companies racing to be first to stake their claims on the most lucrative neighbourhoods and estates in the country.

This has led to a surge in the availability of affordable, high-speed broadband services in South Africa, but according to sources at ISPs, it has resulted in unscrupulous behaviour.

An example is companies putting up signs and informing residents they plan to roll out fibre in their area, signalling to other infrastructure players to go elsewhere.

However, these companies may have no intention of rolling out fibre in the near future. They have staked their claim, but only plan to return to the area months later to start their work.

Raising expectations

The haphazard way in which areas are being claimed, combined with coverage map accuracy issues, results in Internet service providers sending out inaccurate notices to subscribers.

DSL subscribers have reported receiving messages from their ISP that fibre is available in their area, only to discover upon applying that they are not covered.

The inverse also happens, where people see fibre has been rolled out, but they are unable to order any services.

We have had other situations where you can see fibre on the pole, but the map says it is unavailable, said Cybersmart CTO Laurie Fialkov.

Yet, the next week, Telkoms retail division manages to install fibre to the customer.

There are also cases of outsourced door-to-door sales people stating that fibre is available, but the infrastructure providers map shows nothing of the sort.

It is a difficult operating environment, which is why, whenever possible, we try lay our own infrastructure so that we have end-to-end control of the service, said Fialkov.

Exciting times

Since Cybersmart started laying its own fibre, Fialkov said they have gained insight into the challenges faced by operators like Openserve  Telkoms wholesale and networks division.

Outsourced fibre installers may report to one division of the company that a build has been completed, resulting in its online coverage map being updated.

However, the data supplied to Internet service providers is only updated once a build has been signed off.

With South Africas fibre market still in its infancy, technical kinks are being ironed out while companies are scrambling to roll out infrastructure and launch services.

The next few years will be exciting for broadband users and service providers, but they will not be without their frustrations.

Now read: Top ADSL and Fibre ISPs in South Africa
Divorce documents reveals a bitter custody battle filled with accusations of potential parental abductions, harassment, allegations of molestation, and a request for a domestic violence restraining order by the mother of 5-year-old Aramazd Andressian Jr., whose body was found in late June after being missing for months, Los Angeles CBS Local reported.

According to the legal filings in the divorce paperwork obtained by the Pasadena Star-News, both parents fought for sole custody, fearful that the other parent would flee with the child to another country  he to Iran or Armenia and her to Cuba.

In November, Donna Estevez filed for a domestic violence restraining order, citing Andressian Sr. lied about his employment as a Dean at ITT Technical Institute. She says she found out during the divorce that ITT Tech let him go in 2012.

Andressian Sr. also told South Pasadena Police that his son was being molested by a 13-year-old boy, the son of Estevezs boyfriend.

Estevez says the boy also told her that his father tries to hurt mommy so she can go to the hospital, so he can have me.

According to court documents, in April the estranged couple agreed to alternate weeks with little Aramazd.

Andressian Sr. got the first week of the new custody agreement with his son. Little Aramazd was never seen again.

Boys mother reported him missing on April 22, after his father, with whom she shares custody, failed to show up to their arranged meeting point to drop off their son.

Aramazd Andressian Sr. was found unresponsive in Arroyo Park early morning on April 22, a short distance from his vehicle. The toddler, however, was not with his father at that time.

Aramazd Andressian Sr. pleaded not guilty to killing his 5-year-old son. The next hearing on the case will take place on August 16.

It was reported earlier that Aramazd Andressian Sr. tried to commit suicide and was getting ready to flee the US to a country from which he could not be extradited.
Catholicos expresses hope that Russia efforts will contribute to ensuring free, safe life of Artsakh Armenians

More than 50 of poorest developing countries are on brink of bankruptcy, says UN official

Armenia ex-ombudsman: We are facing serious national security issues (PHOTOS)

Biden has no plans to meet with Saudi crown prince at G20 summit

EU offers natural gas price cap assurances amid disagreements with member countries

Scholz is against establishment of ceasefire in Ukraine on Kremlin's terms

Turkologist: Turkey does not support agenda of achieving peace with Armenians

Sweden to not permit deployment of nuclear weapons on its territory after joining NATO

Erdogan signs decree on appointing Turkey ambassador to Israel

Information security expert: Some Armenia officials received letter that they were victims of national hackers attack

Armenia FM meets with France minister of foreign trade

Foreign Policy: US to resume nuclear arms control talks with Russia

Armenia opposition MP: Artsakh army reduction is impermissible

Biden to warn Chinas Xi that North Korea path could lead to increase in US military presence

US Treasury chief: India can buy as much Russian oil as it wants

Newspaper: Armenia authorities trying to find legal grounds for signing peace treaty

Newspaper: People of Karabakh not going to tolerate final destruction of their army

Texas woman sentenced to death for killing pregnant woman, removing fetus from victim

Van Gogh's painting sold for a record $117 million

Gentiloni: EU countries have accumulated enough gas to get through the coming winter

Several dozen activists detained at protest rally in Baku: They chant slogans 'Freedom!', 'Resign!'

Princess Haya seeks asylum in Wales

Pashinyan: Iran is concerned about the presence of other actors in our region, which are not in the territory of Armenia

Pashinyan: Presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan listened to presented proposals

Volvo reveals its flagship EX90 electric crossover

Pashinyan: Yerevan supports Russia's proposals for Armenian-Azerbaijani settlement

Pashinyan: Russia cannot withdraw from Karabakh unless it creates additional guarantees for peacekeeping mission

Pashinyan: We will do everything to Armenia-Azerbaijan sign peace treaty by end of year

Russia bans entry of Biden's family and White House press secretary

Pashinyan: We believe there should be a dialogue between Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh

Pashinyan says positions voiced by some member countries of CSTO are unacceptable

19 countries that use euro currency will slide into recession over winter

Pashinyan to Baku: If 1991 border is mutually recognized, what are your troops doing near Jermuk?

Pashinyan: If the Karabakh issue is solved, why is Azerbaijani Armed Forces shooting at Karabakh residents?

Pashinyan: Russia should say whether their version of peace settlement is still circulating?

Pashinyan: Maybe Azerbaijan doesn't want Armenia to receive revenues?

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
YEREVAN. - After closing the OSCE Office in Baku, Azerbaijan conducts precise and consistent policy of eliminating the presence of the OSCE field mission in South Caucasus.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Ashot Hovakimian said the aforementioned at the reception dedicated to the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

The Armenian authorities manifested a wish and political will to maintain this important instrument of cooperation with the OSCE. But despite the efforts exerted by the Armenian side, the OSCE German and Austrian chairmanships, participating states and the OSCE Secretariat, it was unfortunately impossible to extend the mandate of the OSCE Office due to the abuse of the principle of consensus by Azerbaijan, he noted.

Since the day of its establishment, the office was an important partner for the Armenian Government in terms of the fulfillment of the commitments of the country in the military and political, economic and environmental and human platforms.

The Armenian authorities created all the conditions for the implementation of the programs planned by the Office. The programs implemented by the office, which were based on the needs and priorities of the host country, greatly contributed to the strengthening of the capacities of the Armenian state institutions in the sphere of security, economy, promotion of judicial reforms, defense of human rights in the armed forces, addressing environmental issues, democracy, enhancement of human rights and fundamental freedoms and various other spheres.

The high level of cooperation between the Armenian authorities and Office in Yerevan have always received words of praise by the OSCE participating countries, serving as examples of best practice for other countries.

Not only the input of state authorities of Armenia, but also that of other partners of the Officemedia outlets, civil society and academic circleswas great in the successful implementation of programs.

The Armenian authorities highly appreciate the work and dedication of the current and former heads of the Office in Yerevan, as well as their experienced and highly qualified staff.

Generally, the Office in Yerevan embodied the OSCE model, which Armenia wished to see. The OSCE Office in Armenia formed a cooperation platform and attracted offices of international organizations and accredited embassies operating in Yerevan to that platform.

High-ranking specialists sent on business from different OSCE member states worked side by side in the Yerevan Office. Due to their daily work they overcame the exiting separation lines in the OSCE region and showed that the vision of a common secure area from Vancouver to Vladivostok can not only be a word but also an act,Hovakimian said.

The Deputy FM expressed his gratitude to the foreign specialists working in the OSCE Office, the local workers and the OSCE Secretariat for their fruitful work in Armenia.

Despite the closing of the Office, the Armenian authorities are going to retain the Armenian-OSCE cooperation on high level. We adhere to the commitments taken up within the framework of the OSCE and are willing to continue the implementation of the programs of the Office for the sake of the further development of the country, he concluded.
If anyone has the talent to write an innovative narrative about the realities of working at a popular cable-news station, its Alisyn Camerota. As a correspondent and anchor for multiple major news outlets throughout her career, Camerotas experience enables the reader to enjoy an eye-opening behind-the-scenes look at broadcast journalism in her debut novel, Amanda Wakes Up.

Amanda Gallos dream is to be a hard-hitting journalist at a legitimate cable news station. When media mogul Benji Diggs notices her spunk and gumption, he invites Amanda to leave her local station to join him for a coveted morning co-anchor slot at FAIR News. In a matter of weeks, Amanda has the salary, the wardrobe and the respect shes always wanted.

What Amanda didnt expect was a reality check on her willingness to substitute integrity for ratings. With an election year coming up, Amanda swells with pride that FAIR News is the only morning show that tackles issues from both sides.

Unfortunately, the producers have a different viewpoint.

Former Hollywood wild-

card presidential candidate Victor Fluke is a right-wing joke. Hes also ratings gold. Amanda understands her boss affinity for the obnoxious man, but shouldnt the left-wing candidate also be allowed to have her voice heard on FAIR? And why is her co-

anchor, the annoying yet incredibly handsome Rob Lahr, incapable of challenging any of the guests from Flukes political party?

Amanda decides to take matters into her own hands. As her personal life and career begin to unravel around her, Amanda faces the biggest story of her life. Will she do what she knows is right in her heart? Or what is easy in order to expand her career?

Amanda Wakes Up is an energetic and sometimes surprising look at the life of an ambitious news anchor. Readers loyalties will swing back and forth as different characters perspectives are introduced into the story line. At its core, the novel offers a lot of comedy, a touch of romance and a healthy dose of what it means to weigh ambition against truth. Lincee Ray, AP
Washington Post correspondent and UC Santa Cruz alumnus Nick Miroff has been awarded a 2017 Maria Moors Cabot Prize for his reporting in Latin America.

Presented by Columbia Universitys Graduate School of Journalism, the Cabot Prizes honor career excellence and coverage of the Western Hemisphere that furthers inter-American understanding.

Established in 1938, they are the oldest international awards in the field of journalism.

Miroff writes for the Washington Post about Latin American politics and foreign relations, covering a beat that includes Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

He graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2000, where he studied Spanish and Latin American literature. Miroff went on to earn a masters degree from the UC Berkeley School of Journalism in 2006.

In 2014, he returned to UC Santa Cruz as a guest for the Creative Writing Programs Living Writers Series. Miroff participated in a panel of fellow alumni journalists that included Pulitzer Prize-winning Associated Press reporter, Martha Mendoza, and Time magazine's Washington D.C. Bureau Chief, Michael Scherer.

Nick Miroffs lively and eloquent stories show how people in Latin America are being buffeted by violence and political change, noted the Columbia announcement of Miroffs Cabot award.

In the Amazon lowlands of Ecuador, he revealed how the construction of an oil pipeline fueled deadly rivalries among indigenous tribes. In northern Mexico he observed, through the eyes of an American priest, the ravages in rural villages caught between feuding drug cartels. His prescient reporting foretold the rush of migrants from Central America to the United States and the rising death toll in illegal border crossings."

"More recently, he followed guerrillas in Colombia emerging after decades in the jungle to an unfamiliar condition called peace.
Thanks to many dedicated people and businesses, Downtown is the heart of Milwaukee and the entire state of Wisconsin. This week, OnMilwaukee presents Milwaukee Downtown Week, sponsored, aptly, by Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. For seven days, we will share stories, videos and photography profiling some of the neighborhood's best offerings and celebrating those who make it so great.

Milwaukee Downtown Employee Appreciation Week, by the way, runs July 31-Aug. 4, 2017.

West Allis Cheese and Sausage Shoppe

400 N. Water St.

414-289-8333

wacheese-gifts.com/wisconsinStores/Milwaukee



Type of food: Award-winning cheeses, handmade sausages, brats, Bavarian-style meats made from traditional recipes and more.

Prices: $4-10.

Vegetarian friendly? Select items.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.



Its legal, I asked. Not kidding: When I order this $4.99 meal from the good people at the West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe at the Milwaukee Public Market, I usually preface it with, "Is it legal for me to order off the kids menu?"

Now that the legality is cleared up, this is one of the best under $7 lunch deals in Downtown Milwaukee: grilled cheese, homemade kettle chips and a side (drum roll, please) of gummy bears. All in. $5.27 with tax.

I love the Public Market. Owned and operated by the Historic Third Ward Association, its buzzing Mecca of food and community. And, while West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe offers several under $7 lunch options, its not the only vendor at the market that does.

Other Public Market options for under $7?

Saving money on lunch has never been this easy. Enjoy, and see you around Downtown.
Theres new life coming to the former Cempazuchi space at 1205 E. Brady St. And residents could reap the benefits as soon as late September.

Kompali, a new full service taqueria, is on the way. And it promises both traditional and internationally inspired tacos, along with appetizers and both tequila- and mezcal-based cocktails. The new venue will also cater to the late-night crowd on Brady with a kitchen that stays open until midnight.

The name itself means "compadres" in Nahuatl. And its a reference to owners Karlos Soriano and Paco Villar, two friends whose common interests and family recipes have come together in magical ways at the partners restaurant, C-Viche in Bay View.

However, the word also evokes the sense of congeniality and hospitality that the friends aim to bring to their restaurants.

"As friends, we compromise in everything, in all of our business decisions." Soriano notes. "We love what we do, and weve chosen this as our career. Our work reflects our cultures, our philosophies and our dedication to quality and hospitality. As we say to our employees: 'Do everything like youre doing it for your grandmother.'"

As for the new taqueria concept, Soriano says it was inspired largely by Taco Tuesdays at C-Viche.

"Tuesdays are one of the busiest days here, aside from the weekends," notes Soriano. "So when we were talking with [building owner] Julily Kohler about the space, we really loved the idea of bringing that idea to Brady Street."

The interior of the restaurant will be refreshed with new paint and artwork. Stylistically, Villar says, the goal is for the space to reflect a "modern but really traditional vibe." In keeping with the current space, the division between the bar and dining area will be maintained, providing two distinct areas  one that is more bar-focused and the other more dining and family-friendly.

"We are so excited," Sorianos says. "Were doing something we love. And its better because we are doing it as friends."

A modern taqueria

The kitchen at Kompali will be headed up by C-Viche Sous Chef Pedro Ojeda, who will oversee a menu featuring an ever-changing selection of about 13 tacos. Offerings, explains Soriano, will be divided into two sections. One will offer more traditional tacos while the second will introduce less-traditional internationally-inspired selections.

Housemade blue-corn tortillas will be a signature feature for traditional tacos, including al pastor tacos made Mexico City style. The approach features pork roasted on the traditional trompo; a skewered pineapple set on top allows the fruit's juices to flow down, mingling its flavor with the meat. There will also be chicken tinga, based on a recipe handed down through Villars family who is from Hidalgo in Central Mexico.

On the more chef-inspired side, traditional tortillas will sport modern ingredients like salmon teriyaki and C-Viche favorites like scallop, shrimp and fish tacos, along with tacos such as Argentine-style skirt steak marinated in chimichurri sauce.

Among vegetarian options, there will be rajas with peppers, cheese and potatoes; cucumber and bean tacos; and a nopali taco featuring cactus simmered in the customary red sauce.

Soriano says Kompali will also feature four types of salsas, tomatillo (verde), tomato (rioja), one featuring guajillo pepper, and a third made with an avocado base. All will be served tableside as an accompaniment to the tacos.

Customers can also partake in shareable appetizers, including housemade guacamole and esquites, Mexican street corn dressed in chipotle crema and lime and served alongside tortilla chips. An a la carte menu will also include traditional sides like rice and beans.

Soriano notes that two of the restaurant's offerings will be featured as part of the Brady Street Festival this weekend where both tinga and steak tacos will be offered streetside.

Smoky cocktails

Just as the menu features both old and new-world offerings, the bar will feature a mix of traditional and creative cocktails. Highlights will include a mezcal-based drink featuring the fruit of the nopali, a cactus prevalent in Central Mexico. Villar says he'll make use of the sweet, refreshing juice of the fruit, also known as "tuna."

There will also be at least one mezcal old fashioned, he says, which will take full advantage of the balance between the smoky notes of the mezcal along with the drink's fruity components.

Villar adds that staff will be well trained so they can chat with customers about the various offerings, which will include flights of both mezcal and tequila.

Kompali is expected to be open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight. Soriano says they will also roll out a brunch menu, featuring on traditional Mexican dishes, in the months following the opening.
While the fame of Gilles, Leons, Kopps and Culvers endures  and their legendary status continues to be further cemented in the Milwaukee psyche  through the years, dozens of other custard stands have come and gone.

While some shimmered ever so briefly, others were pioneers that endured for decades, searing themselves into the memories of those who experienced them.

On the eve of National Frozen Custard Day, celebrated annually on Aug. 8, here is a sampling of some of those places, adapted from the book, "Milwaukee Frozen Custard," written by Kathleen McCann and me and published by The History Press and available from all booksellers.

1. Als/Jessicas Frozen Custard

Al Lach, who got his start working at Leons, opened Als Frozen Custard at 524 E. Layton Ave., across from the airport on Aug. 3, 1946. Sometimes in advertisements, Als would claim to be the "Home of the Original Butter Burger," but thats hard to verify, considering the number of long-lived Milwaukee institutions that serve butter-slathered hamburgers.

A classic drive-in, Als boasted carhops and a variety of sandwiches, including cheese steak and the Starkey Special. Named in honor of 42-year South Milwaukee High School teacher Archie Starkey, it was a cheeseburger topped with a fried egg.

Although t it had remained popular for decades, renowned for its focus on creating a delectable vanilla custard, Als was renamed Jessicas when Lachs wife took over in 1990. Jessicas  which called itself the "Wizard of Ahhs"  closed at the dawn of the 21st century and was replaced by a used car dealership and, later, a staffing service.

2. Bellas Fat Cat



(PHOTO: Andy Tarnoff)

Kim and Michael Schmidt  who learned the business during two stints working at Kalts  opened Bellas Fat Cat at 1233 E. Brady St. at the start of the new millennium, and the sleek new custard and burger stand quickly grew in popularity. Within a few years, the Schmidts had opened new locations on Kinnickinnic Avenue in Bay View (2004) and on Oakland Avenue, near the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2005).

In addition to classic burger fare, the Schmidts also catered to more health-conscious diners. "The stuff we use is fresh and not processed," Mike told OnMilwaukee. "We do offer healthful selections like whole wheat bread, veggie dogs and veggie burgers. We dont try to slather on a pound of butter, just use fresh ingredients to make it [as] tasty as possible without overdoing it."

The Schmidts also worked to create their own custard style. "We put a lot of pride in our food and try to be unique with our custard flavors. Custard tastes a little different everywhere you go. Thats what makes it so great, and thats why Wisconsinites love it."

Sadly, the Brady Street location closed in 2008, and within a couple years, the other stands were gone, too.

3. Clarks Frozen Custard/Dutchland Dairy

(PHOTO: Dutchland Dairy Facebook)

Legend says that Joe Clark tasted frozen custard at the A Century of Progress worlds fair in Chicago in 1933-34. From there, he opened his first Clarks Frozen Custard Stand at 2020 W. Capitol Dr. in 1935. Clark was among the earliest and surely the most influential of the early custard purveyors here.

By 1938, a second Clarks location was open at 6032 W. Bluemound Rd. Clark was soon joined in the custard game by his former employee Paul Gilles, who opened Gilles Frozen Custard at 75th and Bluemound, and by Eat Mohr Frozen Custard Stand at 18th Street and Forest Home Avenue on the South Side.

Within two years, Clark opened a short-lived third location at 5408 W. Center St., which was closed by 1942. But by then, Clark had also opened a dairy store at 3905 W. National Ave. that, within a few years, would be renamed Dutchland Dairy. By 1949, a second Dutchland location was open at 208 E. Capitol Dr.

Dutchland also operated the Fiesta Drive-In on Highway 100 at Wisconsin Avenue in the 1950s and 60s (another Fiesta later operated for about five years out west on Bluemound Road), which was known for its innovative features. In 1955, Fiesta was the first in the country to install heat lamps over its 50 drive-in bays, allowing it to operate year-round. A decade later, Fiesta toyed with the idea of going fully automated, with machines for automatic ordering and conveyor belts to deliver orders directly to customers.

It is for the beloved Dutchland Dairy chain of sit-down and carry-out restaurants  with attached dairy stores  that Clark is best remembered. But Dutchland Dairy also sold its own branded dairy products, including milk in distinctive brown bottles, eggs, ice cream and even goats milk, along with a variety of foods, most notably buckets of fried chicken. Advertisements boasted that Dutchlands chicken was "so good and so tender you can even EAT THE BONES!"

In 1968, Clark sold Dutchland Dairy to B-G Foods Inc., of Chicago, and the following year he and his son, Jay, launched Little Angus Restaurants  which a company classified ad described as a "self-service restaurant specializing in sandwich menu and carry-out foods."

In 1970, B-G Foods Dutchland Dairy tried a carry-out only location on 16th Street and Forest Home Avenue on the South Side. But the chain had entered its waning years, and the stores, indebted and in financial straits, were closed by the beginning of 1977.

On an interesting side note: Clark was married to Lenore Normoyle, whose younger brother Bob opened the Pig'n Whistle!

4. Kalts

During the 1980s and 90s, Steve Kalt operated his own eponymous custard stand in a former Boy Blue on the citys northwest side  at 5653 N. 76th St.  after having learned the business from nearly two decades working at Kopps.

Kalts continued the tradition of training other stand owners when he employed Michael Schmidt, who would go on to open Bellas Fat Cat. Schmidt  whose wife and business partner, Kim, grew up patronizing Kalts  even hired four fellow Kalts alumni to work at Bellas.

In 1998, Kalt sold the stand, which was reopened as Daves Frozen Custard. After a few years, however, Daves moved up 76th Street into the former Sweets Frozen Custard stand at 6309 N. 76th St. The old Kalts place is still recognizable as a custard stand and is home to a fried fish and chicken restaurant called Sharks.

5. Larrys Lunch-ette

Specializing in southern fried chicken, jumbo burgers and hot lunches, Larrys Lunch-ette was, as an ad proclaimed, "Where chicken is king and frozen custard queen."

Larrys, 619 W. Walnut St., as it was known in 1950, was one of many restaurants along the main street of the citys busy African-American Bronzeville neighborhood and one of a few places  along with Williamsons Frozen Custard  that sold frozen custard there.

Larry Hills restaurant appears to have changed names a few times, later becoming perhaps best known as Larrys Chicken Shack, but it never stopped serving as a neighborhood anchor.

Raised in Des Moines, Hill arrived in Milwaukee fresh from the navy after World War II, and with $300 borrowed from a barber, he opened his restaurant with just four green-and-maroon vinyl-covered booths.

His food became so popular that, according to an obituary published when Hill died at age 90 in February 2002, "folks would line up for a block for his cooking, burgers and fixings, especially that chicken. 'It was tremendous,'" Hill told the Journal Sentinel in 1998. "'I had as many as six large cookers, and they were full all the time.'"

Veteran newspaperman Richard Carter remembered Larrys as the place to be for neighborhood teens.

"Moving on toward 7th [Street], there was Larrys Frozen Custard, home of the delicious Orange Blossom," Carter wrote in his Milwaukee Journal column in 1987. "Although Larrys offered a number of eating delights, it mainly served as a meeting place for teenagers and young adults seeking nonbinding, close relationships. And, as someone observed, youd have to be a monk to strike out.

"The sidewalk outside Larrys was perhaps the spot to hang out on the set. Just about anybody was liable to show up. For example, I recall the night Joe Louis was there explaining how he demolished all those clowns in the ring. And then there was the time a vocal group called The Five Notes sang a cappella for hours, and you thought you were hearing the Moonglows."

Larrys Chicken Shack, the kingdom where custard was queen, fell  like so much of Bronzeville  to the wrecking ball when the freeway came through in 1959.

6. Lixx

Lixx, next to the Downer Theater at 2597 N. Downer Ave., was an East Side institution, drawing big crowds in summer, especially on weekend evenings, for frozen custard, ice cream and froyo. It was a popular meet-up place and after-film destination.

The shop was opened in 1990 by Daniel Katz, a real estate developer who owned a large portion of the commercial property on Downer Avenue at the time. In 2005, Lixx was denied a liquor license, and the following year, Katz sold a chunk of his holdings on the block, including the building in which the custard shop was located. In 2009, Lixx closed.

Jake Provan opened Jakes Big Dog Frozen Custard at the location in 2010, selling hot dogs and three kinds of custard: vanilla, chocolate and a flavor of the day, but it proved short-lived, and the space is now occupied by Pizza Man.

7. The Milky Way



(PHOTO: Courtesy of John Eastberg)

One of three Milky Way restaurants opened by Arthur Richter, the Port Washington Road Milky Way is the only one that has something of an international profile. Thats because Tom Miller, who graduated from nearby Nicolet High School in 1958, was a regular at the drive-in. And when "Happy Days," the TV show that Miller created, launched on ABC-TV in January 1974, it brought Arnolds (later Als) Drive-In into homes across the world.

Though some in Milwaukee claim Leons was the inspiration for Arnolds, others say it was the Pign Whistle. Both are wrong. The Milwaukee Journal of Jan. 12, 1986, settled the matter:

"According to Miller, it was the Milky-Way (sic), and only the Milky-Way. And thats only logical, because the Milky-Way was the place where all the North Shore 'kaleeges' (high schoolers bound for college) congregated. Miller was one of them. Across the street next to the old Clark station was the Redwood, where the 'hoods,' the ducktailed, leather-jacketed guys, hung out."

That was the social atmosphere in which Miller spent his teen years, and it was those experiences that he drew upon when he concepted "Happy Days."

"Arnolds is really a compilation of everybodys recollections of the drive- in of the 50s," Miller told the Journal in 1977. "Its just that the Milky Way was closest to me when I grew up on Bay Ridge (Avenue)."

At the dawn of the 1940s, Richter was working as a machinist and living on West Capitol Drive. He also briefly ran a candy shop on 37th and Vliet called Richter's Marzipan and candy.

By 1943, hed opened the Milky Way roadside stand next door to his home, at 6317 W. Capitol Dr., and within five years, he had added the location that would later inspire the Fonzs hangout. The original location appears to have closed by around 1956. Karl Kopp says his mom, Elsa, got her start in custard working at the Milky Way and, for a time, running the Capitol Drive shop, before she opened her own place in 1950.

A third location, at 418 N. Lovers Lane Rd. in Wauwatosa  now the intersection of Bluemound and Mayfair Roads  operated until about 1958.

One of the Milky Ways most beloved concoctions was the Dusty Twin, a double-barreled version of the malty dusty road: two scoops of vanilla custard in a reusable turquoise plastic boat, with hot fudge and malt powder, with two generous dollops of whipped cream and a pair of cherries (one atop each dollop).

In 1959, Richters son-in-law, Dick Chiappa, took over the business. The Milky Ways run ended in November 1977, and immediately after, Kopps moved in and started building a new custard legacy on the site that continues today.

8. The Pign Whistle

Few Milwaukee places had a more enduring reputation as a beloved youth hangout than the former Pign Whistle, at 1111 E. Capitol Dr. in Shorewood. Bob Normoyle opened it in 1938 (perhaps with the assistance or at the urging of his brother-in-law Joe Clark) as a drive-in, and in the early days, customers drove up, ordered through a speaker and a carhop delivered the food to the car.

The stand drew college kids from UWM, suburban kids from nearby Shorewood High and city kids from neighborhoods near and far. Distance wasnt a deterrent for many, including the many cruisers who flooded the parking lot in search of cheap food, girls and custard.

By the 1940s  when the dancing pig sign was atop a drive-in that still had no dining room  the Pign Whistle was known for its variety of trademark sundaes. The Campus Beauty had pineapple, marshmallow, crushed nuts and cherries; the College Favorite mixed fresh strawberries, cold fudge, sliced bananas, pecans and cherries; and the Clover-Leaf Special topped three dips of custard with fresh fruit salad, marshmallows, pecans and cherries.

Sam Kallas and Michael Weidenbaum bought the Pign Whistle from owner George Panos in 1988.

Within a few years of purchasing the restaurant, Weidenbaum and his wife  and by then co-owner  Marietta announced that the Pign Whistle would close on March 1, 1992, and reopen in Mequon on May 1.

The Weidenbaums had hoped to reopen the Pign Whistle in the vacant former home of the Nantucket Restaurant, 12800 N. Port Washington Rd., in Mequon, but were met with resistance from neighbors, who feared an accompanying increase in traffic. On June 15, 1992, the Mequon Planning Committee shot down the Weidenbaums plan.

In the meantime, Panos renovated the old Pign Whistle space and opened the Riverbrook Family Restaurant, which was a popular breakfast spot that also offered Greek specialties in its broad breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. But Riverbrook closed a few years ago, and the building was demolished to make room for an assisted-living complex.

9. Town Pride



(PHOTO: Mr. Underhill's Photos)

Harry Schwemmer had a Town Pride custard stand at 5207 N. Teutonia Ave.  which had earlier operated as Winters Frozen Custard  when, in 1952, 15-year-old Joe Bastian walked through the door. "I stopped in to buy a nickel cone and a nickel root beer," Bastian told the Milwaukee Journal in 1987. While he was there, Bastian asked Schwemmer for a job.

Later, Bastian opened a Town Pride stand at 6030 W. Villard Ave., and in 1964, he bought the Teutonia stand and ran it for decades.

In the meantime, the Villard stand changed hands a few times. Robert and Millie Grady ran it for a while in the 1960s, where her kids were part of the business. "How many people today know the difference between ice cream, ice milk and real frozen custard," she asked Buck Herzog of the Milwaukee Sentinel in 1968. "And how many youngsters ever had an old fashioned malt whipped up on a spindle instead of from a shake machine?" She went on to say that her 5-year-old son was raised on custard and knew the difference. The kid wouldnt eat ice cream because, she said. According to him, "it tastes funny."

In 1977, former grocer Rudolph Chop bought the Villard stand, telling the Journal that he got the inspiration to run a custard stand from the original Kopps on Appleton Avenue, which was near his grocery store.

"I thought this was the sweetest business around," he said. "In the grocery business, everybody complained about the prices. In this business, people come in with a smile."

In 1980, Jim and Kathy Randall opened a Town Pride in the former Bakula/Red Onion stand at 5130 W. Hampton Ave. and operated it until 1988 when Best Gyros moved in.

In the early 1980s, Town Pride sold vanilla and chocolate and rotated a third flavor every four days. One of the highlights of the menu was the four-scoop Boomba sundae.
The image shows the Danish coast as well as a portion of the Norwegian coastline. Credit: Aalto University, VTT and Aalto-1 team

Launched on the morning of 23 June from India, the Aalto-1 satellite's first month in space has gone according to plan.

"We have run checks on the majority of the satellite's systems and found that the devices are fully functional," Professor Jaan Praks, who is heading the satellite project, explains.

"We have also downloaded the first image sent by Aalto-1, which is also the first ever image taken from a Finnish satellite. It was taken while on orbit over Norway at an altitude of about 500 kilometres. The image shows the Danish coast as well as a portion of the Norwegian coastline.

The photograph was taken by the secondary camera for the VTT-developed hyperspectral camera. The secondary camera faces the same direction as the main hyperspectral camera, but it has a slightly broader view angle to support, the analysis of the hyperspectral camera's images.

"On the basis of this first image, the system works as planned. The main hyperspectral camera will be tested later this week," Research Scientist Antti Nasila from VTT says.

Unlike traditional cameras, which measure three colours, the hyperspectral camera is able to measure dozens of freely selected narrow color channels. For this reason, it can be utilised for example in surveying forest types, algae and vegetation and as a tool in geological research.

The Aalto-1 satellite is also carrying a radiation monitor jointly constructed by the Universities of Helsinki and Turku and a Plasma Brake built by the Finnish Meteorological Institute. When the time comes, the brake will allow the satellite to slow down and fall into the Earth's atmosphere where it will burn to dust, ensuring that it will not be left behind as space debris.

"The plasma brake has naturally not been tested yet. However, we have used the radiation monitor to measure an area of high radiation called the South Atlantic Anomaly," Petri Niemela Manager of the Otaniemi base station, which is overseeing the operations of the satellite, explains.

A year of measurements

Jaan Praks emphasises that although the functionality of the technology has been demonstrated, the satellite mission itself is only in its early stages. The plan is to collect data and images over the course of several months or even an entire year. The mission schedule also includes stabilising of the satellite's attitude.

"Until now, we have allowed the satellite to slowly tumble as this is ideal with regard to spacecraft temperature management. So far, the satellite's internal temperature has remained wonderfully between zero and 25 Celsius for the duration of its mission, alternating according to whether the the satellite has been in shade or light."

From Aalto University's and Finland's perspectives space research prospects are bright. Nanosatellites developed by numerous start-ups as well as a third Aalto satellite, i.e. the Suomi 100, are to be launched into space this year.

"Finland now has the opportunity to register its first space device in the UN's international Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space," Mr Praks notes.
Its the middle of summer, but school is back in session as Alice Cooper teaches us how its done.

In fact, the shock-rock godfather literally goes old school on this two-disc set, reuniting most of the original Alice Cooper Band from the 70s on two tracks. Guitarist Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway and drummer Neal Smith join Cooper on Genuine American Girl, a satiric look at gender identity from one of rocks original gender-benders, and You and All of Your Friends, an apocalyptic revenge song against those who despoiled the planet and painted Heaven black.

Cooper is just as lethal with his current band. Dynamite Road is his own Detroit Rock City, about a fatal car crash that kills his entire band, but leaves Cooper alive to complain that God allowed his beloved Cadillac to be totaled. No surprise here, since the album is produced by longtime collaborator Bob Ezrin, who also did Kiss signature album Destroyer.

Rats is a jaded look at how politicians, entertainers and big businesses view the public. It could have been a classic Chuck Berry anthem but for the lyrical content, urging us to give the rats what they want.

The disc also includes six live tracks. Guest musicians include ZZ Tops Billy Gibbons, U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. and Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover. Wayne Parry, AP
This picture of Montana was taken from the stratosphere (84,000 feet or 25,000 meters) during one of Montana Space Grant Consortium's high-altitude balloon tests on April 19, 2014. Credit: Montana State University

Steps forward in the search for life beyond Earth can be as simple as sending a balloon into the sky. In one of the most unique and extensive eclipse observation campaigns ever attempted, NASA is collaborating with student teams across the U.S. to do just that.

A larger initiative, NASA's Eclipse Balloon Project, led by Angela Des Jardins of Montana State University, is sending more than 50 high-altitude balloons launched by student teams across the U.S. to livestream aerial footage of the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse from the edge of space to NASA's website.

"Total solar eclipses are rare and awe-inspiring events. Nobody has ever live-streamed aerial video footage of a total solar eclipse before," said Angela Des Jardins. "By live-streaming it on the Internet, we are providing people across the world an opportunity to experience the eclipse in a unique way, even if they are not able to see the eclipse directly."

A research group at NASA's Ames Research Center, in California's Silicon Valley, is seizing the opportunity to conduct a low-cost experiment on 34 of the balloons. This experiment, called MicroStrat, will simulate life's ability to survive beyond Earthand maybe even on Mars.

"The August solar eclipse gives us a rare opportunity to study the stratosphere when it's even more Mars-like than usual," said Jim Green, director of planetary science at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "With student teams flying balloon payloads from dozens of points along the path of totality, we'll study effects on microorganisms that are coming along for the ride."

A small metal card used to transport bacteria, also known as a "coupon." Credit: NASA/Ames Research Center/Tristan Caro.

NASA will provide each team with two small metal cards, each the size of a dog tag. The cards have harmless, yet environmentally resilient bacteria dried onto their surface. One card will fly up with the balloon while the other remains on the ground. A comparison of the two will show the consequences of the exposure to Mars-like conditions, such as bacterial survival and any genetic changes.

The results of the experiment will improve NASA's understanding of environmental limits for terrestrial life, in order to inform our search for life on other worlds.

Mars' atmosphere at the surface is about 100 times thinner than Earth's, with cooler temperatures and more radiation. Under normal conditions, the upper portion of our stratosphere is similar to these Martian conditions, with its cold, thin atmosphere and exposure to radiation, due to its location above most of Earth's protective ozone layer. Temperatures where the balloons fly can reach minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit (about minus 37 Celsius) or colder, with pressures about a hundredth of that at sea level.

During the eclipse, the similarities to Mars only increase. The Moon will buffer the full blast of radiation and heat from the Sun, blocking certain ultraviolet rays that are less abundant in the Martian atmosphere and bringing the temperature down even further.

"Performing a coordinated balloon microbiology experiment across the entire continental United States seems impossible under normal circumstances," said David J. Smith of Ames, principal investigator for the experiment and mentor for the Space Life Science Training Program, the intern group developing flight hardware and logistics for this study. "The solar eclipse on August 21st is enabling unprecedented exploration through citizen scientists and students. After this experiment flies, we will have about 10 times more samples to analyze than all previously flown stratosphere microbiology missions combined."

A team from Montana State University (MSU) prepares to launch a high-altitude balloon in Idaho as researchers test whether they can successfully stream video from the stratosphere. Credit: Montana State University

Student Teams Observing the Eclipse

Beyond the opportunity for NASA to conduct science, this joint project provides the opportunity for students as young as 10 years old to be exposed to the scientific method and astrobiologyresearch about life beyond Earth. Since ballooning is such an accessible and low-cost technique, the project has attracted student teams from Puerto Rico to Alaska.

The data collected by the teams will be analyzed by NASA scientists at Ames and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California; collaborators at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York; scientists funded by the National Science Foundation and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration; faculty members and students at the teams' institutions, as well as the public.

"This project will not only provide insight into how bacterial life responds to Mars-like conditions, we are engaging and inspiring the next generation of scientists," said Green. "Through this exciting 'piggyback' mission, NASA is collaborating with scientists of the future to take a small step in the search for life beyond our planet."

Provided by NASA
Iceland. Credit: Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC

(Phys.org)A pair of researchers with the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory in California has found possible evidence of an ultralow-velocity zone (ULVZ) feeding the Icelandic plume. In their paper published in the journal Science, Kaiqing Yuan and Barbara Romanowicz describe using earthquake data to gain a better perspective on the ULVZ and its possible role in the development of Iceland and parts of Norway and Scotland.

ULVZs were first discovered in 1996, and ever since, then they have been a subject of study by seismologists around the world. While it is still not clear exactly what they are made of, prior research showed that they are "blobs" of material that sit at the top of the border between the core and the mantle. Currently, it is believed that there are somewhere between 10 and 20 of them, and each is composed of different materialsresearchers found this out by noting that seismic waves travel through them approximately 30 percent more slowly than other parts of the mantle. Because the ULVZs are approximately 2,800 km beneath the surface, learning more about them is difficult. In this new effort, the researchers focused their attention on one particular ULVZthe one that sits directly below Iceland.

To learn more about the object of their interest, the team used seismic tomography, an imaging techniqueit involves measuring the earthquake-generated waves that move through the Earth. By looking at waves moving through the ULVZ at different angles, they determined its size and formthey report it to be roughly cylindrical, approximately 15 km in height, and 880 km in diameter. They also report that the ULVZ is situated directly below the Icelandic plume, which they note offers strong evidence that the plume is fed by the ULVZ.

The researchers also suggest their imaging efforts offer a hint that the material that makes up the ULVZ is likely molten (because of its shape) rather than rock, which, they note, would likely be more irregular. They add that they believe pictures of all of the ULVZs will improve over time as more powerful computers are used, which should give more evidence of their actual makeup.

More information: Kaiqing Yuan et al. Seismic evidence for partial melting at the root of major hot spot plumes, Science (2017). DOI: 10.1126/science.aan0760 Abstract

Ultralow-velocity zones are localized regions of extreme material properties detected seismologically at the base of Earth's mantle. Their nature and role in mantle dynamics are poorly understood. We used shear waves diffracted at the core-mantle boundary to illuminate the root of the Iceland plume from different directions. Through waveform modeling, we detected a large ultralow-velocity zone and constrained its shape to be axisymmetric to a very good first order. We thus attribute it to partial melting of a locally thickened, denser- and hotter-than-average layer, reflecting dynamics and elevated temperatures within the plume root. Such structures are few and far apart, and they may be characteristic of the roots of some of the broad mantle plumes tomographically imaged within the large low-shear-velocity provinces in the lower mantle. Journal information: Science

 2017 Phys.org
German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) could be predisposed to health conditions such as arthritis because of the way they have been bred in recent decades, according to a new study published in the open access journal Canine Genetics and Epidemiology.

Data from nearly half a million dogs collected across 430 veterinary clinics in the UK, via the VetCompass Programme at the Royal Veterinary College, reveals that GSDs are most likely to die from complications arising from musculoskeletal disorders (13.6% of cases) or the inability to stand (14.9% of cases). A total of 263 specific disorder types were recorded in German Shepherds, the most common of which were inflammation of the ear canal (7.89% of dogs), osteoarthritis (5.54%), diarrhoea (5.24%), overweight and obesity (5.18%), and aggression (4.76%).

Dr Dan O'Neill, lead author from the Royal Veterinary College, said: "German Shepherd Dogs have previously been reported to have the second highest number of health disorders exacerbated by breeding traits, with Great Danes occupying first place. It has been reported that German Shepherds are predisposed to conditions such as abnormal formation of the hip joint, cancer and degenerative spinal disorders, but the extent to which these conditions are prevalent in the population are unclear. However, by looking at primary care data from veterinary clinics, we are able to get a much better picture of the real priority conditions affecting this breed and this will help inform clinical practice in the future."

The GSD is one of the most popular breeds worldwide with historical working roles that include herding, guarding, police, military and guide-dog work. German Shepherds were originally bred as a medium-sized dog for herding work until their popularity as a guard dog led to them being bred for a larger size and more confident demeanour.

Breeding of GSDs over recent years has focused on cosmetic traits which may be linked to the breed's current predisposition to certain health conditions. The Kennel Club Breed Watch system lists the German Shepherd as 'requiring particular monitoring and additional support'. Points of concern raised by the Breed Watch system include health complications that may arise from excessive angulation of the back knee and leg joints, a nervous temperament and weak hindquarters.

Dr O'Neill said: "Our results highlight the power of primary-care veterinary clinical records to help understand breed health in dogs and to support evidence-based approaches towards improved health and welfare in dogs. Interestingly, we found osteoarthritis to be one of the most common conditions reported, which may be caused, in part, by breeding for cosmetic traits such as lower hindquarters or a sloping back."

The current study presents the largest analysis of demography, mortality and disorder prevalence in GSDs based exclusively on primary-care veterinary clinical records reported to date.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: "The Kennel Club welcomes research which provides valuable information about the health of dogs of any breed. The German Shepherd Dog is one of the seventeen breeds in the first round of the Kennel Club's Breed Health and Conservation Plan project and therefore this new piece of research will form a valuable part of the evidence-base for this breed."

"Research projects such as these will allow evidence-based recommendations to be made as to how to advance the health and welfare of the breed."

More information: Dan G. O'Neill et al, Demography and disorders of German Shepherd Dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK, Canine Genetics and Epidemiology (2017). DOI: 10.1186/s40575-017-0046-4
The chemist Paula Moriones-Jimenez has obtained a type of hybrid material made up of organic and inorganic components and which is highly porous, a feature of interest for industrial sectors such as the pharmaceutical, automotive and electronic sectors. This material has been applied to detect organic contaminants such as benzene, toluene or xylene in the atmosphere, and also has the potential for use as a water-repellent coating.

The development of hybrid materials is an emerging field in materials science. As the researcher explained, the interest in these materials stems from "the success in combining that stability of inorganic components with the versatility of organic components. Blending them causes the properties of both to be combined and even improved," she said. "Additionally, hybrid materials can be processed in the form of gels, films, fibres, particles or powders. There is virtually no limit to the combinations of organic and inorganic components to produce hybrid materials, which have a huge number of applications in medicine, microelectronics, sensors, optical systems, the automotive industry and decorative surface coatings.

Paula Moriones resorted to a sol-gel process to synthesize hybrid materials; this results in porous materials with properties controlled at ambient temperature, and leads to savings with respect to other processes. The synthesis of these hybrid materials has resulted in a xerogel, a gel in a dehydrated state without any liquid inside it.

Nanometric-sized pores

As the researcher confirmed, gel formation time and the properties of the materials obtained are influenced by the conditions for synthesizing these materials and the proportion of the ones that are organic. Thus, for example, the materials can have smaller or larger nanometric pores. "Pore size is crucial in the applications of these materials, because they can, for example, be used for the controlled release of drugs," she said.

The research by Paula Moriones, which included a stay at the University of Lisbon (Portugal), also yielded other results. "Some of the synthesised materials are highly hydrophobic and repel water. This property enables them to be used in the pharmaceutical industry as elements for selectively trapping other materials on their surfaces or retaining them, and in the glass industry as protective coatings," concluded the researcher.

More information: Fiber optic sensors based on hybrid phenyl-silica xerogel films to detect n -hexane : determination of the isosteric enthalpy of adsorption. Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017;47584.
Purdue researchers perform testing during a CIPP installation. Credit: Purdue University photo

New research is calling for immediate safeguards and the study of a widely used method for repairing sewer, stormwater and drinking water pipes to understand the potential health and environmental concerns for workers and the public.

The procedure, called cured-in-place pipe repair, or CIPP, was invented in the 1970s. It involves inserting a resin-impregnated fabric tube into a damaged pipe and curing it in place with hot water or pressurized steam, sometimes with ultraviolet light. The result is a new plastic pipe manufactured inside the damaged one. The process can emit chemicals into the air, sometimes in visible plumes, and can expose workers and the public to a mixture of compounds that can pose potential health hazards, said Andrew Whelton, an assistant professor in Purdue University's Lyles School of Civil Engineering and the Environmental and Ecological Engineering program.

He led a team of researchers who conducted a testing study at seven steam-cured CIPP installations in Indiana and California. The researchers captured the emitted materials and measured their concentration, including styrene, acetone, phenol, phthalates and other volatile (VOC) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC).

Results from their air testing study are detailed in a paper appearing on July 26 in Environmental Science & Technology Letters.

Findings show that the chemical plume, commonly thought of as harmless steam, was actually a complex mixture of organic vapor, water vapor, particulates of condensable vapor and partially cured resin, and liquid droplets of water and organic chemicals.

"CIPP is the most popular water-pipe rehabilitation technology in the United States," Whelton said. "Short- and long-term health impacts caused by chemical mixture exposures should be immediately investigated. Workers are a vulnerable population, and understanding exposures and health impacts to the general public is also needed."

New Research Results

The researchers have briefed the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) about their findings. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and has occupational safety and health experts who can investigate workplace hazards.

Credit: Purdue University

Purdue researchers captured the chemical plume materials from two sanitary sewer-pipe installations and five stormwater pipe installations. Samples were analyzed using gas chromatography, thermal and spectroscopic techniques. Chemicals found included hazardous air pollutants, suspected endocrine disrupting chemicals, and known and suspected carcinogens. Emissions were sometimes highly concentrated and affected by wind direction, speed and the worker's activities, Whelton said.

A waxy substance was found in the air, and materials engineers determined it was partially cured plastic, styrene monomer, acetone, and unidentified chemicals.

No respiratory protection was used by CIPP workers, and a review of online videos, images and construction contracts indicates respiratory safety equipment use was not typical, he said.

To evaluate chemical plume toxicity, pulmonary toxicologist and assistant professor Jonathan Shannahan and a graduate student exposed captured materials to mouse lung cells. Plume samples from two of four sites tested displayed toxicity effects and two did not.

"This suggests that there are operational conditions that may decrease the potential for hazardous health effects," Shannahan stated. "Since exposures can be highly variable in chemical composition, concentration, and exposure duration our findings demonstrate the need for further investigation."

At the same time, existing testing methods are not capable of documenting this multiphase chemical exposure, Whelton said.

Findings Contradict Conventional Thinking

In 2017, Whelton completed a one-and-a-half-day CIPP construction inspector course for consulting and municipal engineers and contractors as part of a different research project working with state transportation agencies.

A Purdue researcher monitored the presence of chemicals emitted during the CIPP process. Credit: Purdue University

"CIPP workers, the public, water utilities, and engineers think steam is emitted," he said. "What we found was not steam. Even when the chemical plume was not visible, our instruments detected that we were being chemically exposed."

The paper was authored by graduate students Seyedeh Mahboobeh Teimouri Sendesi, Kyungyeon Ra, Mohammed Nuruddin, and Lisa M. Kobos; undergraduate student Emily N. Conkling; Brandon E. Boor, an assistant professor of civil engineering; John A. Howarter, an assistant professor of materials engineering and environmental and ecological engineering; Jeffrey P. Youngblood, a professor of materials engineering; Shannahan; Chad T. Jafvert, a professor of civil engineering and environmental and ecological engineering; and Whelton.

The new research also contains results from the team's Freedom of Information Act requests to cities and utilites. This information is contained in the supporting information section of the research paper. Forty-nine public reports of chemical air contamination associated with CIPP activites were found. Complaints filed by homeowners and businesses who, anecdotally, have described strong and lingering chemical odors and illness symptoms, also were described.

Additional research is needed, particularly because the procedure has not been well studied for health and environmental risks, said Howarter.

"The CIPP process is actually a brilliant technology," Howarter said. "Health and safety concerns, though, need to be addressed. We are not aware of any study that has determined what exposure limit to the chemical mixture is safe. We are not aware of any study that indicates that skin exposure or inhaling the multiphase mixture is safe. We also are not aware of any study that has examined the persistence of this multiphase mixture in the environment."

Whelton said, "In the documents we reviewed, contractors, utilities, and engineering companies have told people who complain about illness symptoms that their exposures are not a health risk. It's unclear what data are used for these declarations."

Utilities and municipalities sometimes cite worker chemical exposure standards established by the NIOSH as acceptable for the general public.

"That comparison is wrong and invalid," Whelton said. "Worker safety exposure standards should not be cited as acceptable exposures for the general public. For example, children have less of an ability to handle a chemical exposure than healthy adults, and worker exposure standards do not account for the multiphase exposure. CIPP workers can be exposed to more than one chemical at a time, in addition to droplets, vapor and particulates."

Workers repair a damaged pipe using the CIPP process, which emits a white plume containing a complex mixture vapors and chemical droplets. The workers wore no respiratory protection. Credit: Purdue University

Testing Results Show Need For Worksite Changes

Because of the air testing results obtained at CIPP installations on the Purdue campus  two of the seven test sites studied  Purdue required the faculty and students to better protect themselves from inhaling the chemicals emitted. The researchers were required to wear full-facemask carbon filter respirators during their testing in California.

Meanwhile, the uncured chemicals also might pose hazards: The nitrile gloves Whelton wore on one occasion deteriorated from contact with the uncured resin tube. The researchers observed that workers sometimes did not wear gloves while handling the materials. Some images and videos online also show workers not wearing gloves while handling the chemicals, he said.

"Workers should always wear appropriately thick chemically resistant gloves while handling uncured resin tubes," Whelton said. "No one should handle these materials with their bare hands."

He said health officials must be alerted when people complain about odors near CIPP sites and illness so they can investigate.

"Health officials we have spoken with were unaware of illness and odor complaints from CIPP activities," Whelton said. "Local and state health departments should be involved in all public chemical exposure and illness complaints. They are trained on medical assessments."

Often, the public instead speaks with CIPP contractors and engineers about their illness complaints, which Whelton said must change.

"Engineers should act immediately because it is their professional responsibility to hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public according to their code of ethics," he said. "We have seen evidence that companies and utilities do not understand what materials are created and emitted by CIPP processes or the consequences of exposure. Our new study indicates workers, the public, and the environment needs to be better protected from harm."

The researchers are working to develop safeguards, including a new type of handheld analytical device that would quickly indicate whether the air at a worksite is safe. A patent application has been filed through the Purdue Research Foundation's Office of Technology Commercialization.

More information: Seyedeh Mahboobeh Teimouri Sendesi et al. Worksite Chemical Air Emissions and Worker Exposure during Sanitary Sewer and Stormwater Pipe Rehabilitation Using Cured-in-Place-Pipe (CIPP), Environmental Science & Technology Letters (2017). DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.7b00237 Journal information: Environmental Science & Technology Letters
New research reveals how health professionals can use Facebook to communicate effectively about prevention, risk factors, and early diagnosis of cancer.

A new article published in open access journal Cogent Social Sciences, examines over a thousand Facebook posts from cancer related pages in Brazil. The article reveals how health professionals can use social media to communicate effectively about prevention, risk factors, healthy living and early diagnosis.

The study, from researchers at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, is essential reading for public health professionals and all those with an interest in education about the risk factors for cancer. It found that certain kinds of posts created the most engagement on Facebook.

'We looked at three Facebook pages that were very different,' said Priscila Biancovilli, a researcher at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and one of the authors of the paper, 'in two out of the three pages the type of post that created the most engagement was not the most frequent. This shows that the potential of each page to inform the public about cancer prevention was underutilized.'

With over 1.65 billion people worldwide accessing Facebook at least once a month, understanding communication patterns that have the potential to generate greater public engagement to prevent disease is clearly a vital policy area.

The full study is freely available to read in Cogent Social Sciences.

More information: Priscila Biancovilli et al. To read or not to read? Identifying communication patterns in three cancer-related Facebook pages, Cogent Social Sciences (2017). DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2017.1331816 Priscila Biancovilli et al. To read or not to read? Identifying communication patterns in three cancer-related Facebook pages, Cogent Social Sciences (2017). DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2017.1331816
This animation depicts the safe flyby of asteroid 2012 TC4 as it passes under Earth on Oct. 12, 2017. While scientists cannot yet predict exactly how close it will approach, they are certain it will come no closer than 4,200 miles (6,800 kilometers) from Earth's surface. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

For the first time, NASA will use an actual space rock for a tabletop exercise simulating an asteroid impact in a densely populated area. The asteroid, named 2012 TC4, does not pose a threat to Earth, but NASA is using it as a test object for an observational campaign because of its close flyby on Oct. 12, 2017.

NASA has conducted such preparedness drills rehearsing various aspects of an asteroid impact, such as deflection, evacuation, and disaster relief, with other federal entities in the past. Traditionally, however, these exercises involved hypothetical impactors, prompting Vishnu Reddy of the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory to propose a slightly more realistic scenario, one that revolves around an actual near-Earth asteroid, or NEA.

"The question is, how prepared are we for the next cosmic threat?" says Reddy, an assistant professor of planetary science at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. "So we proposed an observational campaign to exercise the network and test how ready we are for a potential impact by a rogue asteroid."

NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO), the federal entity in charge of coordinating efforts to protect Earth from hazardous asteroids, accepted Reddy's proposal to conduct an observational campaign as part of assessing its Earth-based defense network. Reddy will assist Michael Kelley, who serves as a program scientist with NASA PDCO and the civil servant lead on the exercise.

The goal of the TC4 exercise is to recover, track, and characterize 2012 TC4 as a potential impactor in order to exercise the entire system from observations, modeling, prediction, and communication.

No photos of asteroid 2012 TC4 exist, but this image of Itokawa, another near-Earth asteroid, helps visualize its approximate size: next to Itokawa, which is a third of a mile long, TC4 would appear about the same size as the "bunny tail" feature visible on the left. Credit: JAXA

Measuring between 30 and 100 feet, roughly the same size as the asteroid that exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, on Feb. 15, 2013, TC4 was discovered by the Pan-STARRS 1 telescope on Oct. 5, 2012, at Haleakala Observatory on Maui, Hawaii. Given its orbital uncertainty, the asteroid will pass as close as 6,800 kilometers (4,200 miles) above Earth's surface.

"This is a team effort that involves more than a dozen observatories, universities, and labs across the globe so we can collectively learn the strengths and limitations of our planetary defense capabilities," said Reddy, who is coordinating the campaign for NASA PDCO.

Since its discovery in 2012, the uncertainty in the asteroid's orbit has slowly increased, as it would for any asteroid as time passes. Therefore, the first order of business will be to "recover" the objectin other words, nail down its exact path. Reddy and his collaborators hope that depending on its predicted brightness, the asteroid would be visible again to large ground-based telescopes in late August.

"One of the strengths of UA research is partnering with federal agencies or industry to work together in solving some of the grand challenges we face," said Kimberly Andrews Espy, senior vice president for research. "This project is a perfect example of matching UA capabilitiesfrom our world-class imaging to our expertise in space scienceswith an external need."

The UA is home to the Catalina Sky Survey, one of the most prolific asteroid discoverers, and the Spacewatch project that recovers and tracks faint NEAs. Both teams will take part in the planetary defense exercise.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

(Phys.org)A team of researchers with Oxford University (with assistance from Bompas & Parr) in collaboration with the Portuguese Cork Association is gearing up to settle the dispute over whether wine tastes better when stored in bottles with corks or screw capsand they are not simply taking the word of tasters. They are going to study wine drinkers' brains while they sip. The event, Neuroenological TastingThe Grand Cork Experiment, is scheduled for today and tomorrow, and those in London's Soho area who are interested in participating are encouraged to sign up.

Taste, like most everything else related to the senses, is purely subjectiveone person may love the taste of chocolate while another finds it dull and pasty. How, then, could scientists possibly conduct an experiment designed to decide which of two methods of storing wine is "better?"

The answer lies with science. Rather than just asking people which they prefer, the researchers plan to put sensors on the heads of taste testers while they sip. The sensors will monitor brain pleasure responses and translate them into numbers that can be used for comparison purposes. The researchers will also be looking at other factors that might be related to how we register the taste of wine. Does hearing the cork pop, for example, induce greater or lesser enjoyment? What about participating in opening the bottle? Does smelling the wine before drinking have an impact? Do different types of cork cause the wine to taste differently? The researchers plan to find out.

Logic suggests that wines stored with corks likely taste differentthe cork allows fresh air to enter the bottle while air inside gets outcorks allow the wine to "breathe," unlike screwcaps, which hold everything in place.

The debate over which storage method tastes better extends beyond those who drink winewinemakers, too, have engaged in such arguments, making assertions that until now have not been based on objective facts. It is likely many will be rooting for the screw cap, however, as approximately 20 percent of wine that is bottled with a cork is lost to cork tainta fungus that ruins the wine.

 2017 Phys.org
For many years astronomers have struggled to get good-quality 3-D data of galaxies. Although this technique is very powerful as it allows researchers to "dissect" objects, this was a slow process as each galaxy had to be observed independently.

Novel Australian designed and built instrumentation called the "Sydney-AAO Multi-object Integral-field" (SAMI) unit at the 3.9m Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) now allows astronomers to simultaneously view many galaxies at the same time.

"The power of SAMI is that it allows us to look into the details of many galaxies at once", University of Sydney astronomer and SAMI Principal Investigator Prof. Scott Croom said.

The SAMI instrument provides 13 optical fibre units that can "dissect" astronomical objects using spectroscopy, providing unique 3-D data of galaxies.

"The new technology in SAMI called 'hexabundles' allows us to see galaxies in 3-D. Through these 3-D 'glasses' we can not only see what each of the thousands of galaxies looks like, but also see in detail how their gas and stars move", University of Sydney and Australian Astronomical Observatory senior research fellow. Dr Julia Bryant said.

The SAMI team has now released to the astronomical community the hiqh-quality 3-D data of 772 galaxies (the "SAMI Data Release 1", DR1). This is around 20% of the full galaxy sample (around 3600 galaxies) that will be obtained with the SAMI instrument at the AAT.

The SAMI instrument at the 3.9m Anglo-Australian Telescope. Each silver cable has a hexabundle that allows it to dissect an object. The orange fibres are used for calibration purposes. Credit: Angel R. Lopez-Sanchez

"Only with very large 3-D galaxy samples can the processes that drive galaxy formation be isolated and understood", Dr Julia Bryant said.

"SAMI is uncovering the many and varied formation pathways of galaxies, including when and where in a galaxy star formation is happening", Prof Scott Croom said.

The SAMI data are available online through the Australian Astronomical Observatory's new Data Central archive system. "We are very pleased to have the SAMI Survey 1st Data Release launch through Data Central", Australian Astronomical Observatory astronomer Dr Simon O'Toole said.

This figure illustrates the position of 13 galaxies observed at the same time using the SAMI instrument at the 3.9m Anglo-Australian Telescope. The colour images of the galaxies have been obtained using the 3D data provided by SAMI. Credit: Angel R. Lopez-Sanchez, Jesse van de Sande, Andrew Green and the SAMI team

"This is a new kind of astronomical data centre, which recognises that survey data is more than just catalogues. It will bring together all optical and infrared astronomical data into one place, allowing for cross-matching and other analyses to take place."

"With SAMI DR1, we are opening the flood gates for all researchers to have access to this powerful scientific dataset", Dr Bryant emphasised.

"SAMI data will answer questions such as 'How does a galaxy's environment help or hinder its growth in mass and formation of stars, and make it into the shape we see today?'

Same figure as before, showing the position of the same 13 galaxies observed with SAMI at the AAT, but now the colour maps show how the gas is moving, where the red parts are gas moving away from us, and the blue parts are gas moving towards us. Credit: Angel R. Lopez-Sanchez, Jesse van de Sande, Andrew Green and the SAMI team

his figure shows some of the galaxies included in SAMI DR1 for which diffuse gas is detected. The galaxies are arrayed by stellar mass (horizontal axis) and star-formation activity (vertical axis). For each galaxy, a color-coded map shows the ratio between the bright emission lines H-alpha and [N II], which allows astronomers to distinguish star-forming activity (blue, green, yellow) from other processes, such as the effects induced by a super-massive black hole (red). Credit: Jesse van de Sande, Andrew Green and the SAMI team

This astronomical time-lapse video features the unique SAMI ("Sydney-AAO Multi-IFU") instrument at the 3.9m Anglo-Australian Telescope and the beauty of the dark sky over Siding Spring Observatory (NSW, Australia). All the sequences, including the astronomical time-lapses, were taken between September 2015 and March 2017. Credit: Angel R. Lopez-Sanchez (Australian Astronomical Observatory / Macquarie University)

More information: "The SAMI Galaxy Survey: Data Release One with emission-line physics value-added products", arXiv:1707.08402 [astro-ph.GA] arxiv.org/abs/1707.08402

Provided by AAO
Drosophila sp fly. Credit: Muhammad Mahdi Karim / Wikipedia. GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2

Choosing between sex or sleep presents a behavioral quandary for many species, including the fruit fly. A multi-institution team has found that, in Drosophila at least, males and females deal with these competing imperatives in fundamentally different ways, they report July 28 in the journal Nature Communications.

"An organism can only do one thing at a time," said corresponding author Michael Nitabach, professor of cellular and molecular physiology and professor of genetics at Yale. "What we have discovered is a neuronal connection that regulates the interplay between courtship and sleep."

Nitabachin collaboration with scientists from Janelia Research Campus of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Southeast University in China, and University of San Diegoinvestigated neuronal activity involved in both behaviors and found that sleep-deprived males showed little interest in courtship while a lack of shut-eye had no effect on the mating behavior of females. Sexually aroused males got little sleep, while aroused females slept more.

The male flies' behavior is easily explained as an adaptive behavior, say the scientists: Falling asleep during sex is not a good way to pass on your genes. But, they wondered, why are females still receptive to male advances when sleepy?

It could be that females can't afford to pass up an eligible suitor no matter how tired they are, Nitabach said.

"It appears that whichever behavior has the highest biological drive suppresses the other behavior," he said.

In addition to identifying this sex-specific behavior, the collaborative team also revealed underlying functional connections between the distinct neural centers that mediate sex and sleep.

Nitabach said humans could possibly have a similar mechanism for adjudicating when the drives for sleep and sex collide.
People dont usually move very fast in Cold War thrillers. Mostly, the only time anyone runs is right before they get shot in the back. Most of the action happens in a film cabinet, down a back alley or with a silencer. The classic Cold War tale  which is to say a John le Carre one  is characterized by a deathly stillness: grave faces meeting under gray clouds.

This is not quite so in Atomic Blonde, a post-war thriller set in the final moments of the Cold War (1989 Berlin) starring Charlize Theron as the MI6 spy Lorraine Broughton. Shes not your traditional European operator. Lets just say that if Therons Broughton turned up in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, the old boys wouldve soiled their trench coats.

Broughton is black and blue at the opening of David Leitchs Atomic Blonde, and the first thought is that Theron must be licking her wounds from playing Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road. If that film didnt prove that Theron is todays most badass action star, Atomic Blonde  while not anywhere near the kinetic explosion of Fury Road  will certainly make it official.

The bruises turn out to be from the story she soon relates. Broughton spends the movie in a testy interrogation with her MI6 boss (Toby Jones) and a CIA chief (John Goodman). The mission she recounts is her dispatching to West Berlin to assist the station chief there, David Percival (a zany James McAvoy), in recovering a missing list with the names of every British asset  something the Russians are rather keen to obtain.

So far, that might sound somewhat le Carre-like. But its not minutes after being picked up from the airport that Lorraine finds herself jabbing an assailant with her heel, pushing him out of a moving car, and forcing the driver into flipping the car over.

Leitch is a veteran stuntman who co-directed the action hit John Wick, in which Keanu Reeves wrecks endless vengeance on those who killed his dog. The backdrop is more lavish in Atomic Blonde, but the hand-to-hand combat is no less primary. Whereas another spy thriller might gradually go deeper into its complex networks of allegiances, Atomic Blonde, based on Antony Johnstons graphic novel The Coldest City, stays on the surface, keeps the body count increasing and the 80s score blaring.

And, man, does it blare. The soundtrack, especially early in the film, is bludgeoningly prominent. The combination of violence with 80s pop hits is, to Leitch, an inexhaustible cleverness. So if you want to see someone fatally beaten with a skateboard to the tune of Nenas 99 Luftballons or a stabbing set to Til Tuesdays Voices Carry, you have finally found your film.

Atomic Blonde is largely a vacant, hyper-stylistic romp that trades on the thick Cold War atmosphere of far better films (not to mention The Americans). Its all dagger, no cloak. But it has two things going for it.

One is Leitchs facility with an action scene. The film, technically speaking, gets off to a rough start when a body is sent flying by a ramming car in the kind of blatantly unrealistic CGI fling that ruins movies. But he later goes for a much more bravura scene in a seemingly uncut sequence in which Broughton takes on a number of assailants on a stairwell in a fight that eventually spills out into the streets.

Its easy to see that Leitch is aiming for a more acrobatic version of the famous corridor scene from Park Chan-wooks Oldboy. And theres no doubt it will have some fans cheering for its audacious seamlessness. But the virtuosity on display is spoiled by its own showoff-y self-awareness. The sequence, a hermetic burst of filmmaking finesse, has nothing to do with the rest of film; its just a calling card for a filmmakers highlight reel.

But the other asset of Atomic Blonde is altogether more formidable. Theron doesnt so much as dominate Atomic Blonde as steadily subjugate every other soul in the film  and those in the audience  into her complete command. Like her more timid le Carre forebearers, theres no pleasure in her victories. Theres only ruthless survival in a grim game.

She is most definitely atomic, but Id try to do better than calling her a blonde. Jake Coyle, AP Film Writer

Atomic Blonde, a Focus Features release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for sequences of strong violence, language throughout and some sexuality/nudity. Running time:
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). Credit: NASA

Hotels have been sold out for years. Eclipse viewing glasses are back-ordered on Amazon. People are charging thousands for a one-night stay in their homes. There are T-shirts, mugs, posters, books, iPhone cases, pillows and leggings.

The Great Solar Eclipse is coming, and there's money to be made.

With more than 12 million people living in the so-called path of totality, and millions more traveling to see the historic Aug. 21 solar eclipse, companies and enterprising individuals are sensing opportunity.

"Of course people are taking advantage," said Jaci Hill, who is helping her mother rent her Idaho Springs, Colo., home on Airbnb for $1,000 on the night before the eclipse. "It is definitely a situation of supply and demand."

Economists say it is difficult to gauge how much revenue will be generated from the eclipse because it is such a rare event - it's the first total solar eclipse to traverse America in 99 years, and the first time the path of totality will eclipse only over the contiguous U.S. Cities from coast to coast are expecting a windfall of business for hotels, restaurants, gas stations and retailers - even Porta-Potty rental companies.

Merchandise sales have been brisk on GreatAmericanEclipse.com, said Polly White, the website's business manager.

"It's smart to get your supply before eclipse day to beat the inevitable shortages!" the site warns. There are $20 glow-in-the-dark "Occupy totality!" T-shirts, an $8.95 pack of temporary tattoos, a $6 embroidered patch and a $3 luggage tag.

One item, called the Advice From a Solar Eclipse Magnet, reads: "See the total picture. Be moved by beauty. Live in the moment. Be naturally phenomenal. Lighten up!" It costs $4.50.

"I know people really like having swag after they've had an amazing experience," White said.

Another site, Eclipse2017.org, has a page dedicated to "eclipse stuff for sale!"

Dan McGlaun, owner of Eclipse2017.org, said he would have made "millions" if he had chosen to sell merchandise directly instead of merely linking to other companies (his site does sell viewing glasses).

That being said, McGlaun does have something in the works. His site is teasing a mysterious, yet-to-be-announced product: "The best, most original, most unique souvenir of the 2017 total solar eclipse! Watch for it ... Coming soon ... "

The eclipse market is not only limited to viewing glasses and apparel. Frey Vineyards in Redwood Valley, Calif. - which isn't even in the path of totality - has released an Eclipse 3-Pack Special that includes a bottle of sparkling wine, a bottle of organic Zinfandel and a bottle of organic Chardonnay for $88.

The Frey family are eclipse chasers and met people working on the Great American Eclipse website who suggested they make a special wine for the event.

Jonathan Frey, general manager of Frey wines, expects to sell out of the specialty wines before the eclipse.

"It is a tradition to pop a cork after an eclipse that goes well," Frey said.

Lodging providers stand to profit hugely.

With millions of people estimated to flood into several small cities across the path of totality, which stretches from Oregon to South Carolina, hotels are preparing for a flood of overnight guests.

Most traditional lodging facilities have been booked for months if not years, leading people to jack up prices on Airbnb.

Nashona Haldane, a designer, defended her decision to rent her Idaho Falls home for more than $2,000 a night. She said she is looking to make some extra money to take a family vacation and pay her bills.

"I don't see it as taking advantage, but rather as an opportunity to help my family," she said. "Our town is small and rarely gets any opportunities like this one."

Lanette Amundson, a disaster responder for the Red Cross in Salem, Ore., is listing her apartment on Airbnb for $7,500 a night, saying she wants to ensure she has enough money to replace any broken items or belongings.

"We have had a few inquiries and also a few messages that weren't polite about the price," Amundson said.

Another Airbnb host, Karli Harvey, is looking for someone to rent a camping spot in her backyard for $150 a night. She's already rented out the guest room in her house for $500 a night.

"If you're coming here, then it is putting a strain on the people who live here and the local economy, so you should pay more for a place to stay," Harvey said.

Restaurants, too, are gearing up for a flood of customers.

The Black Bear Diner in Madras, Ore., expects to serve roughly 1,500 customers on the day of the eclipse, or about five times the usual number.

Owner Joe Davis has also cut the number of menu items for that day, ordered two extra-large dumpsters for garbage, rented a truck to bring his employees to work and hired six parking attendants to ensure only customers park in the restaurant's 70 parking places.

He has also ordered portable toilets to be placed in the parking lot.

"I am expecting to have a waiting line the whole day at the restrooms," he said.

2017 Los Angeles Times

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A University of Michigan ecologist and his colleagues have discovered three more frog species in the Peruvian Andes, raising to five the total number of new frog species the group has found in a remote protected forest since 2012.

The three newly found species live in the mountain forests and Andean grasslands of the Pui Pui Protected Forest in central Peru. They are described in a study to be published online July 27 in the journal Zootaxa. All three species measure an inch or less in length, from snout to vent.

"Our team has now described five new species of frogs from this region, with several more to come in the near future," said Rudolf von May, a postdoctoral researcher in the Rabosky Lab at the U-M Museum of Zoology and the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Other team members are in Illinois, the Czech Republic and Peru.

"These discoveries demonstrate the need for further scientific exploration of such Andean habitats," he said. "While the Pui Pui Protected Forest was established in 1985, virtually no biological surveys were conducted in the park for nearly three decades, and the potential for additional discoveries is enormous."

The three new frog species belong to the genus Pristimantis, the most diverse genus of frogs in the tropical Andes. With nearly 500 species, they are part of the family Craugastoridae, commonly known as land-breeding or terrestrial-breeding frogs.

While most frogs lay eggs in water, terrestrial-breeding frogs use a specialized reproductive mode called direct development: A clutch of embryos hatches directly into froglets; there are no free-living tadpoles. This allows the group to exploit a wide variety of habitats, as long as those locations contain sufficient moisture.

Terrestrial-breeding frogs appear to have undergone an evolutionary radiation at high elevations in Peru, as many species resemble one another and have similar life histories. A so-called adaptive radiation occurs when a single ancestral group produces many descendant species adapted to different habitats and ways of life.

The Zootaxa paper names and describes the three newly discovered frog species and presents supporting morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The first author of the paper is Edgar Lehr of Illinois Wesleyan University.

The frog species bear the name of the Pui Pui park, the mountain-forest habitat in the park, and a renowned naturalist-explorer. They are:

The Pui Pui Rubber Frog, Pristimantis puipui, known from a single site near Laguna Sinchon, which marks the approximate center of the Pui Pui Protected Forest, at an elevation of 12,762 feet above sea level. The species name is derived from the Quechua words "pui pui" meaning "eyes of water," a reference to the many lakes of the Pui Pui Protected Forest.

The Hill Dweller Rubber Frog, Pristimantis bounides, known from two sites at elevations of 10,991 feet and 11,362 feet. The species name "bounides" is derived from the Greek noun "bounos," which means "dweller of the hills" and refers to the habitat of the mountain forests where this frog was found.

The Humboldt's Rubber Frog, Pristimantis humboldti, known from a single site at 10,886 feet. The species name is the patronym of the German naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt, who traveled the New World between 1799 and 1804 and whose ideas changed our understanding of the world.

Earlier this year, the researchers described two other new species of Peruvian frogs, Pristimantis ashaninka and Pristimantis attenboroughi. The first was named after the Ashaninka, a group of indigenous people from the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon, some of whom live near Pui Pui. The second species was named after BBC naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough.

Future papers by the group will describe five more newly discovered species from Pui Pui: three frogs and two lizards.

The Pui Pui Protected Forest covers 150,000 acres and includes dozens of lakes and streams that feed several rivers in the upper Amazon River watershed. About 70 percent of the protected forest is covered by Andean grasslands, and about 30 percent is cloud forest.

"Our findings suggest that the Pui Pui Protected Forest houses unique biological communities containing species found nowhere else," Lehr said. "One reason for this is that the area has a steep topographic gradient including a broad array of habitats and local microclimates that contribute to high amphibian species diversity."

Von May and Lehr first discussed the possibility of exploring the Pui Pui in 2003. In early 2012, Lehr received funding from the National Geographic Society to survey the area, and they carried out the first expeditions that year.

Two other herpetologists joined subsequent trips: Jiri Moravec of the National History Museum in Prague, Czech Republic and Juan Carlos Cusi of the Museum of Natural History of Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Lima, Peru.

Altogether, the team spent nearly three months in the field between 2012 and 2014, in a region where mountains taller than 13,000 feet are common.

"Our team worked with local guides and park rangers," von May said. "The equipment, food and camping supplies used in the expeditions were carried by horses and mules."

Most of the frogs were discovered by searching through moss and grass and under rocks, small bushes and other vegetation. In some cases, the researchers found frogs after hearing the males calling during light afternoon or evening rains.

Given that the newly discovered frog species live in the Pui Pui Protected Forest, much of their habitat is formally protected. However, amphibians worldwide face multiple threatsincluding habitat loss, the deadly chytrid skin fungus and climate changeand Andean amphibians are no exception.

In the Peruvian Andes, habitat loss is currently the main threat. Of special concern are forest clearcuttings and manmade fires used to expand agricultural crops and grazing areas for livestock.

Worldwide, the number of known amphibian species continues to rise due to new discoveries and now stands at nearly 7,700.
Stampede2 is the flagship supercomputer at The University of Texas at Austin's Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC). A strategic national resource supported by a $30 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Stampede2 will provide high-performance computing capabilities to thousands of researchers across the US. Credit: Sean Cunningham, TACC

Today, the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) dedicated Stampede2, the largest supercomputer at any U.S. university, and one of the most powerful systems in the world in a ceremony at The University of Texas at Austin's J.J. Pickle Research Campus.

"Stampede2 represents a new horizon for academic researchers in the U.S.," said Dan Stanzione, TACC's executive director. "It will serve many thousands of our nation's scientists and engineers, allowing them to improve our competitiveness and ensure that UT Austin remains a leader in computational research for the national open science community."

Representatives from TACC were joined by leaders from The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas System, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and industry partners Dell EMC, Intel and Seagate at the event.

"For 16 years, the Texas Advanced Computing Center has earned its reputation for innovation and technological leadership," said Gregory L. Fenves, president of UT Austin. "It is only fitting that TACC has designed and now operates the most powerful supercomputer at any university in the U.S., Stampede2, enabling scientists and engineers to take on the greatest challenges facing society."

Made possible by a $30 million award from NSF, Stampede2 is the newest strategic resource for the nation's academic community and will enable thousands of researchers nationwide, from all disciplines, to answer questions that cannot be addressed through theory or experimentation alone and that require high-performance computing power.

Texas Advanced Computing Center will acquire and deploy a new large-scale supercomputing system. Here, a photograph of the original Stampede system. Credit: Sean Cunningham, Texas Advanced Computing Center

"Building on the success of the initial Stampede system, the Stampede team has partnered with other institutions as well as industry to bring the latest in forward-looking computing technologies combined with deep computational and data science expertise to take on some of the most challenging science and engineering frontiers," said Irene Qualters, director of NSF's Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure.

In addition to its massive scale, Stampede2 will be among the first systems to employ cutting-edge computer processor, memory, networking and storage technology from its industry partners.

Phase 1 of the system, which is currently complete, ranked as the 12th most powerful supercomputer in the world on the June Top500 list and contains 4,200 Intel Xeon Phi processor-based nodes and Intel Omni-Path Architecture. These 68-core massively-parallel processors include a new form of memory that improves the speed at which the processors can compute.

Visualization of two black holes colliding, and the resulting gravitational waves generated, based on simulations of the event detection from the LIGO experiment announced in February 2015. Researchers from the Stephen Hawking Centre for Theoretical Cosmology were among the early users of Stampede2 and continue to use the system to validate the LIGO detections. Credit: Visualization by Carson Brownlee, Intel, using ParaView with OSPRay. GR-Chombo simulation data from Pau Figueras, Markus Kunesch, Saran Tunyasuvunakool, Juha Jaykka, Stephen Hawking Centre for Theoretical Cosmology.

Later this summer, Phase 2 will add 1,736 Intel Xeon Scalable processor-based nodes, Intel's biggest data center platform advancement in a decade, giving it a peak performance of 18 petaflops, or 18 quadrillion mathematical operations per second. In addition, Stampede 2 will later add Intel persistent memory, based on 3-D XPoint media. This entirely new class of nonvolatile memory can help turn immense amounts of data into valuable information in real time.

"Intel and TACC have been collaborating for years to provide the high-performance computing (HPC) community the tools they need to make the scientific discoveries and create solutions to address some of society's toughest challenges," said Trish Damkroger, Vice President of Technical Computing at Intel. "Intel's leading solution portfolio for HPC provides the efficient performance, flexible interconnect, and ease of programing to be the foundation of choice for leading supercomputing centers."

Dell EMC supplied Stampede2's PowerEdge server racks and acted as the technological integrator for the project.

"Dell EMC is committed to partnering with leading researchers across the globe to advance high performance computing initiatives. We are proud to have partnered with TACC to deliver Stampede2, an updated system that drives technological research in areas critical to scientific progress," said Armughan Ahmad, senior vice president and general manager, Ready Solutions and Alliances for Dell EMC.

Seagate Technologies provided the storage technology for the system, encompassing 30 petabytes of raw performance and enough capacity for billions of files.

Stampede2's powerful and diverse architecture is well-tuned to support computational scientists and engineers who use a wide range of applications, from researchers who conduct large-scale simulations and data analyses using thousands of processors simultaneously to those who perform smaller computations or who interact with Stampede2 through web-based community platforms like CyVerse, which serves the life sciences community and DesignSafe, which serves the natural hazard engineering community.

The integration of Singularity containers, which can be used to package entire scientific workflows, software and libraries, and even data, will make a large catalogue of applications available to researchers.

TACC staff have worked since January to construct Stampede2 in TACC's state-of-the-art data center, and deployed the system ahead of schedule. Since April, researchers have used the system to conduct large scale scientific studies of gravitational waves, earthquakes, nanoparticles, cancer proteins and severe storms.

Tumor protein p53, also known as p53, is a leading target for chemotherapies, so understanding how it works is critical for the design of new drugs. Researchers from the University of California, San Diego used Stampede2 to investigate how p53 binds to and interacts with DNA. Credit: Rommie E. Amaro, Ozlem Demir, Pek Ieong, Tavina Offutt, UC San Diego

Stampede2 will serve the science community through 2021. An additional proposed NSF award for $24 million will support upcoming operations and maintenance costs for the system.

A number of leading universities will collaborate with TACC to provide cyberinfrastructure expertise and services for the project. The partner institutions are: Clemson University, Cornell University, Indiana University, Ohio State University and the University of Colorado.

Stampede2 will be the largest supercomputing resource available to researchers through the NSF-supported Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment (XSEDE), which will allocate time on the supercomputer to researchers based on a competitive peer-review process.

The system continues the important service to the scientific community provided by Stampede1also supported by NSFwhich operated from 2013 to 2017 and over the course of its existence ran 8 million compute jobs in support of tens of thousands of researchers and more than 3,000 science and engineering projects.

Stampede2 will double the peak performance, memory, storage capacity, and bandwidth of its predecessor, while occupying half the physical size and consuming half the power. It will be integrated into TACC's ecosystem of more than 15 advanced computing systems, providing access to long-term storage, scientific visualization, machine learning, and cloud computing capabilities.

Stampede2 comes online at a time when the use of NSF-supported research cyberinfrastructure resources is at an all-time high across all science and engineering disciplines. Since 2005, the number of active institutions using research cyberinfrastructure has doubled, the number of principal investigators has tripled, and the number of active users has quintupled.

Said Stanzione: "Stampede2 will help a growing number of scientists access computation at scale, powering discoveries that change the world."
The Acropolis and other ancient monuments and museums in Athens will be open this weekend after Greek Culture Ministry employees called off a planned two-day strike.

The ministry workers union says it took its decision following a meeting yesterday [Macau time] with Greeces culture minister  who, it said, took a responsible approach to employees demands.

The weekend strike, at the heart of the summer season, would have been a considerable embarrassment for Greeces key tourism industry.

The union wants the government to honor a pledge to hire 233 archaeologists and guards, replacing employees who have retired in recent years. Under the terms of Greeces international bailouts, only a fraction of the civil servants who retire can be replaced by new hires.
The MP for Yeovil, Paddy Ashdown, has been elected the first leader of the new Social and Liberal Democrat Party.

Mr Ashdown, 47, won a decisive victory with 41,401 votes  71.9%  against former deputy leader of the Liberal Party Alan Beith who polled 16,906 votes  28.1%.

Following an eight-week campaign Mr Ashdown was widely expected to win the election, but the size of the margin was a surprise.

With such a strong mandate his team is confident they can build a strong third political party for the UK that can provide a decent, effective and responsible alternative to Thatcherism in three years.

Mr Ashdown gave an optimistic press conference after receiving the results outside the SLD headquarters in Westminster, with his wife Jane and former joint leader David Steel standing beside him.

Our first priority must be to look beyond the internal politics of our party to the concerns of our nation, he said.

The ex-Royal Marines officer w`as keen to put the year-long problems of merging the Liberals and Social Democrats behind him and rejected any schemes for coalition with other opposition parties.

Leader of the SDP Dr David Owen sent his congratulations and renewed his proposal for an electoral pact.

Labour leader Neil Kinnock has dismissed Mr Ashdowns ambition to become the main opposition party.

Mr Ashdown hopes to exploit internal arguments within the Labour Party and has said he does not expect they will form a government again.

Positions within the SLD will be announced in September and Mr Ashdown will go on a nationwide tour in October.

Paddy Ashdown did not enter Parliament until 1983  when he became MP for his Somerset constituency  after periods commanding a unit in the Special Boat Squadron and serving as a diplomat.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

Paddy Ashdown led the SLD, later the Liberal Democrats, until 1999. He was succeeded as party leader by Charles Kennedy.

Mr Ashdown retired from the House of Commons just before the 2001 General Election, although he had increased his majority to over 11,000 in the 1997 vote.

Tony Blair made him a peer in 2001.

He became the international communitys High Representative in Bosnia Herzegovina in 2002.

The 2001 General Election gave the Liberal Democrats their best result in 70 years  with 52 MPs and an enlarged share of the vote.The Communists then took over Vietnam in 1975 and in 1976 the two parts of Vietnam were united and Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City.
NRF Names New Chairman, Board Members

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2017  The National Retail Federation announced today that Macys Executive Chairman Terry Lundgren has been elected chairman of the NRF Board of Directors. Lundgren replaces former HSNi CEO Mindy Grossman, who resigned from the board after leaving retail to head Weight Watchers. In addition, four new members have been elected to the board:

Sams Club President and CEO John Furner

QVC Inc. President and CEO Mike George

Total Wine and More CEO Adam Orvos

PETCO CEO Brad Weston

As the retail industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace to meet the demands of consumers, we are excited to bring in new board members who are on the front lines of this transformation, NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. These new directors represent the breadth of this diverse industry. They will provide invaluable insight and leadership not only on the future of retail but also NRFs role in advocating for retailers of all sizes in Washington. As chairman, Terry is an industry veteran who will provide sound guidance in all aspects of our mission to serve as the voice of the retail industry.

The changes came as the board held its annual summer meeting in Washington today during NRFs Retail Advocates Summit congressional fly-in.

NRF is the worlds largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nations largest private sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs  42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nations economy.

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By Patrick Markey and Ahmed Elumami CAIRO/TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Standing beside French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris this week, Khalifa Haftar, the most powerful military leader in eastern Libya, was smiling when he shook on a deal with the country's prime minister for a ceasefire and Spring elections. But hours later and away from the diplomatic stage, Haftar exposed the reality of deep fractures in Libya's political landscape, saying any ceasefire was limited, he actually had no interest in elections and Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj's power-sharing council was in the grip of terrorists. Keen to expand the French role in ending Libya's crisis, Macron had applauded the moment as a powerful act for peace among the country's rival armed factions who have skirmished over the oil-producing desert state since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Getting the rivals together for only the second time may have been an achievement. But Haftar's subsequent remarks were a reality check on the complexities of uniting Libya's fractious players and delivering on the ground after years of failed Western efforts to end the crisis. The Paris deal was meant to revive a stalled U.N.-brokered deal to end the chaos in the OPEC state that has allowed Islamist militants and people smugglers safe haven, risking regional instability and opening up a flow of illegal migrants across the Mediterranean. Yet Paris excluded key stakeholders, left major differences about Haftar's role to resolve later and, said Middle East analysts, risked emboldening Haftar further in his military campaign by appearing to bolster his international legitimacy over rivals. Libya's war is on multiple fronts. Haftar has been battling in the east against an alliance of Islamist militants and ex-rebels in Benghazi and carrying out air strikes on armed groups in Derna. Clashes among rival brigades sometimes break out over private feuds, but this year, heavy shelling and fighting has erupted several times between forces allied to a previous government and brigades backing Serraj. "I DON'T CARE ABOUT ELECTIONS" Haftar had rejected Serraj's U.N.-backed presidential council, even saying some members belonged to al Qaeda. The commander brands most opponents Islamist militants to be defeated as his self-styled Libyan National Army gains ground backed by powerful allies: Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the United Arab Emirates and Russia. "The ceasefire is just with moderate parties and youths who have some misdemeanors, we're in contact with them," he told France24 Arabic. "I do not care about elections. I care about the future of Libya as a stable and civil state." Past attempts to negotiate peace in Libya have been undone by splits within each faction, who are often loose alliances of convenience among brigades of former rebels more loyal to cities, regions or tribes than to the idea of a Libyan nation. Haftar, a former Gaddafi ally who lived in exile in the United States for years, has gained momentum, winning over Islamist rivals in Benghazi and taking over key oil ports in a combination of military force and tribal negotiations. He now hints at pushing closer to the capital of Tripoli. But he still is far from a unifying figure even in the east. Serraj, meanwhile, has struggled to extend his own influence, and is widely seen as powerless. He is loosely backed by most of the Misrata western brigades but opposed by other armed groups even within Tripoli. The Misrata brigades despise Haftar as a would-be "military warlord". "The outcome of the summit, particularly if it's nothing more than a handshake, could tip the balance in favour of the war faction within Haftar's camp," said Mattia Toaldo, Libya expert at the European Council of Foreign Relations. POWER-SHARING STALEMATE After Gaddafi fell six years ago in a NATO-backed uprising, former rebel brigades who once fought together to oust the autocrat turned against each other in a struggle for control. Two years ago, Libya had two competing governments and parliaments, one in the east and one in Tripoli after a battle to capture the capital in 2014. The U.N.-backed agreement over a unity government has been the main focus of negotiations since. Diplomats say that despite what Haftar said afterwards, the fact that he agreed in principle the best way forward was a political deal, elections and a ceasefire would help to advance U.N. negotiations. "All those are steps forward," said one diplomat close to the talks. "There is room to manoeuvre here. Neither Haftar nor Serraj can deliver on the ground. It is up to the U.N.-led process." Still to be resolved though are major differences over the make-up of the presidential council, the role of civilian control over any future Libyan military, and what position Haftar might take in the government of unity. "I will never be a part of the Presidential Council, never be on the side of terrorist groups," Haftar told French television, referring to members of the council he dismissed as linked to al Qaeda or Islamic State. Yet, hardliners on both sides are unlikely to be convinced by Paris. Serraj's government was supposed to get a vote of approval from the eastern parliament. That never happened. Remnants of a former Islamist-led government also oppose Serraj in Tripoli. MACRON UPSETS ITALY The Justice and Construction Party - the Libyan political wing of Muslim Brotherhood -- dismissed Paris as a distraction and demanded any amendments to the political deal be through the United Nations not through deals with individual countries. France took a leading role in the NATO air campaign that helped rebels topple Gaddafi in 2011, but his demise tipped the country into years of chaos. Macron's approach has also caused tensions inside the European Union, with Italy upset. Rome previously took the lead in efforts to bring peace to its former colony, throwing its weight behind Serraj and viewing Haftar with scepticism. Meanwhile, Haftar was immediately praised by staunch ally Cairo. After the Paris talks, Egypt's foreign minister stressed the need to enhance the role of Haftar's Libyan National Army as one of the institutions to expand and restore security. "Haftar has the tendency to call anyone who opposes him a terrorist," said Geoff Porter at North Africa Risk Consulting. "This leaves a lot of people outside the parameters of the ceasefire." (Reporting by Patrick Markey, editing by Peter Millership)
Britain on Friday lifted a ban on personal electronic devices for flights from Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen airport but will keep restrictions for Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and other Turkish hubs. Britain's transport ministry said passengers would be allowed to carrying large phones, laptops and tablets in the cabin on all UK-bound flights from the airport. The ban "will be lifted on a case-by-case basis once the UK government has verified that airlines have put in place alternative security measures, and that it is safe and proportionate to do so," it said. Turkish Airlines reacted to the news in a tweet saying: "Now you can enjoy your electronic devices in the flights to the United Kingdom. Have fun!" But the restrictions remain in place for Istanbul Ataturk, Turkey's biggest airport, as well as the Mediterranean coastal cities of Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman and Izmir, which are popular with tourists. The United States instituted the laptop ban 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. For the same reason, Britain followed suit and banned similar-sized electronics from being carried into cabins on direct flights from six countries. The United States has since lifted all its restrictions saying airlines had raised their security standards.
A Canadian court on Thursday acquitted four Sri Lankan migrants charged with smuggling 74 of their compatriots into the country almost a decade ago. "In October 2009, 76 young men from Sri Lanka arrived near Canadian waters on a migrant ship which had travelled for 40 to 45 days across the Pacific seeking refuge in Canada from the civil war which ravaged their homeland," Judge Arne Silverman of British Columbia's Supreme Court said. Canadian police at the time suspected the four men had links to Tamil Tiger separatists, a group which is classified as a terrorist organization in Canada. They said the freighter used to transport the migrants has been linked to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and had "possibly been used for arms shipments." Traces of explosive residue were also found on the clothes of two of the accused, police said at the time. Four of the migrants were charged with organizing the illegal entry of the group into Canada, and faced sentences of more than 50 years if the smuggling could be proven to have been carried out on behalf of a terrorist group. The court ruled there was insufficient evidence that the four men had tried to make a profit from the operation, and found they were simply seeking asylum in Canada, like the others in the group. Defense lawyers had stressed that everyone on the ship had helped each other out, citing a 2015 Supreme Court of Canada ruling that people providing humanitarian aid were exempt from smuggling laws. "I have determined that these four accused were asylum seekers and that there is an air of reality to the defense of mutual aid," the judge said.
By Asif Shahzad ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani police have arrested 25 members of an informal village council accused of ordering the rape of a 16-year-old girl as revenge for her brother's alleged sexual assault of another girl. The Supreme Court also requested a report on the case, which echoed a notorious case from 2002 in which another teenager was gang-raped on a local council's order. "A total of 29 people were involved in this ghastly crime, and we have 25 of them in our custody," Multan City Police Officer Ahsan Younus told Reuters by telephone on Thursday. Earlier this month, a local council in the southern city of Multan was called after a family accused a 16-year-old boy of raping a 13-year-old neighbour. The council ruled that the sister of the boy should be handed over to the victim's brother to be raped. The punishment was carried out on July 17 after her family handed the girl over. The case came to light when both families filed criminal charges with police accusing the other family's son of rape. Questioning both sides in the cases, however, soon revealed the role of the informal village council, Younus said. "All the village council elders who ordered the revenge rape have been arrested," he said. Both the victims and their mothers have been sent to a women's protection centre, he added. Pakistan has a centuries-old tradition of quick justice handed down by gatherings of local elders, known as jirgas or panchayats, seen by many villagers as preferable to the often-cumbersome and corrupt formal legal system. In most of the country, jirgas are tolerated but not recognised by the formal courts and police. The jirgas and the practice of "revenge rape" drew international attention in 2002 when a woman named Mukhtaran Mai was ordered gang-raped by a local council for a male relative's alleged crime. Mai took the rare step of filing criminal charges against her attackers, and six men were convicted and sentenced to death later that year, though five of them were later freed on appeal. Mai went on to become a high-profile campaigner for women's rights in Pakistan. "Another Tribe Court (panchayat) in south Punjab Multan and another girl was raped. We are still in 2002," Mai said on her official Twitter account this week. Speaking to Reuters by telephone, Mai denounced the revenge rape. "If there were any justice in the panchayat, they should have shot the rapist. Why punish an innocent girl instead?" (Writing by Kay Johnson; Editing by Nick Macfie)
A Turkish court on Friday ordered the release of seven defendants in the trial of staff from an opposition newspaper, seen as a test for press freedom under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, but kept the most prominent journalists in jail. The hugely controversial trial in Istanbul of 17 writers, cartoonists and executives from the Cumhuriyet daily newspaper on "terror" charges -- ridiculed as absurd by supporters -- began earlier this week. After five days of intense hearings, the judge ordered that seven suspects, including cartoonist Musa Kart, be released ahead of the next hearing under judicial supervision, meaning they have to report to the authorities regularly. However the judge also ordered that four other suspects, including the most prominent journalists on trial, should remain in custody. Those to remain in custody are commentator Kadri Gursel, investigative journalist Ahmet Sik, the paper's editor-in-chief Murat Sabuncu and chief executive Akin Atalay. Prosecutors meanwhile said they would file new accusations against Sik over an incendiary defence statement he made on Wednesday. The next hearing was set for September 11. Those to be released were expected to walk free later from Silviri jail outside Istanbul after completing the prison formalities. - 'Stay strong!' - The staff are charged with supporting in their coverage three groups that Turkey considers terror groups -- the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the ultra-left Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), and the movement of Fethullah Gulen, the US-based preacher who Ankara accuses of ordering last year's coup attempt. Supporters say the paper has always taken a tough line against the three organisations and is merely being punished for being one of the few opposition voices in the Turkish media. Many of the suspects, including Gursel and Sabuncu, have already spent over eight months behind bars. If convicted, they face terms of up to 43 years in jail. "With this decision today that want to say 'we will bring you to your knees'," Sik declared defiantly before being led out. "But they should know -- I have only bowed down in front of my mother and father and it shall remain so." His wife Yonca shouted: "Stay strong, Ahmet, we will resist and get out of this!" "Don't worry about us, we are standing tall!" added Atalay, to thunderous applause from supporters. - 'Invented from scratch' - Defence lawyer Alp Selek told the packed courtroom earlier he had been working for nearly 60 years but had "never seen an indictment that invented crimes from scratch". The trial comes as concern grows over press freedoms in Turkey under the state of emergency imposed after a failed military coup in July 2016. According to the P24 press freedom group, there are 166 journalists behind bars in Turkey, most of them arrested under the state of emergency, to the alarm of Turkey's Western allies. US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Washington was "seriously concerned" by the wave of arrests of government critics and urged Turkey to release "the journalists and others who we believe are being held arbitrarily" under the emergency. In a rare public intervention, former president Abdullah Gul, whom Erdogan succeeded as head of state in 2014, said that the journalists should be set free while the trial proceeded. - 'Long live freedom' - One of Turkey's oldest newspapers, Cumhuriyet ("Republic") has been fiercely critical of Erdogan, causing anger in the halls of power with embarrassing scoops. Sik, one of Turkey's most famous investigative journalists, made a defiant stand in the courtroom on Wednesday, describing what he said was the Erdogan government's past cooperation with the Gulen movement. "We know that what scares the tyrants most is courage," he said. Sik could now face new charges over the statement after the complaint by prosecutors. A joint statement by international press freedom observers at the trial slammed the evidence presented by the prosecution as "weak", "cherry-picked" and containing "factual errors". "This case is a test for Turkey - the outcome will signal the place human rights and the rule of law will hold in the countrys future," said the statement by groups including Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and PEN International.
Israel removed railings and an overhead metal bridge it had recently installed near a contested Jerusalem holy site, meeting a demand by Muslim protesters and causing thousands of Palestinians to celebrate in the streets yesterday.

Muslim leaders said they would decide later in the day whether worshippers could return to the shrine for prayers and end a crisis that Israel hoped it had resolved by making concessions at the site.

The head of the Supreme Islamic Committee, Ikrema Sabri, had said previously that worshippers would not return to the shrine until Israel removed the new railings and cameras it installed after a deadly attack there.

Sabri said that even after Israel removed metal detectors, more steps were required to restore calm. He said mass prayer protests would continue until the gates of the compound are opened, metal railings and an iron bridge removed and newly installed cameras removed.

We will not enter the mosque until these things are implemented, Sabri told The Associated Press. Now we are awaiting the response of the police.

The demands set off the prospect of a renewed showdown ahead of Friday prayers, when a large number of worshippers arrive for the centerpiece of the Muslim prayer week.

It was unclear whether Israels removal of the railings and overhead bridge would meet the demands, but Palestinians danced, chanted God is Great and set off fireworks.

Israel installed the new security measures earlier this month after Arab gunmen shot and killed two police officers from within the site. It said they were necessary to prevent more attacks, while Palestinians claimed Israel was trying to expand its control over the site. The issue sparked some of the worst street clashes in years and threatened to draw Israel into conflict with other Arab and Muslim nations.

Under intense pressure, Israel removed the metal detectors and said it planned to install sophisticated security cameras instead.

But Palestinian politicians and Muslim clerics say that isnt enough and are demanding Israel restore the situation at the shrine in Jerusalems Old City to what it was before the July 14 attack.

Israels decision to add security measures there triggered Muslim protests, and low-level clashes have continued in and around Jerusalem in the days since. The Red Crescent said 13 people were treated Tuesday night after being hit by rubber bullets during protests.

The continued standoff highlighted the deep distrust between Israel and the Palestinians when it comes to the shrine  the third-holiest in Islam and the most sacred in Judaism.

The 37-acre (15-hectare) compound, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount, has been a lightning rod for the rival religious and national narratives of the two sides and has triggered major confrontations in the past.

The latest development could put Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a tough spot, as he tries to tamp out a wave of unrest that has triggered international pressure while not appearing to his hard-line base as capitulating.

His government has faced a growing backlash at home for what critics said was hasty decision-making and embarrassing policy reversals. Even Israel Hayom, a free daily owned by Netanyahus billionaire patron Sheldon Adelson, denounced Israels response to the crisis as feeble and frightened.

In an unprecedented headline, the paper  which has been an unequivocal source of support for the prime minister  led with Netanyahus demonstration of helplessness.

In a face-saving compromise, and after Netanyahu spoke to Jordans King Abdullah II and others, Israels security Cabinet announced earlier this week that in place of the metal detectors, it would employ nonintrusive advanced technologies  reportedly smart cameras that can detect hidden objects. The new security system is said to be set up in the next six months at a cost of USD28 million.

Netanyahu appeared to be doubling back again Wednesday when he instructed police forces to conduct thorough inspections at the site.

Israeli police, meanwhile, acknowledged their forces have been preventing journalists from entering parts of Jerusalems Old City. Reporters have said they were being blocked this week from covering the unrest around the shrine while tourists have been able to freely move about the city and film with their mobile phones.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said journalists are being prevented from coming in those specific areas where there have been disturbances and riots. He said it was a decision made by the Jerusalem police district.

The Foreign Press Association derided the move, calling it a kind of innovative censorship that is surprising in a country that prides itself on press freedom.

Israel has also found itself in a new scuffle with Turkey, whose President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been among its fiercest critics. On Tuesday, Erdogan accused Israel of using security measures as a pretext to take over holy sites in Jerusalem.

Israels foreign ministry responded by calling the comments delusional, baseless and distorted. Aron Heller & Mohammed Daraghmeh, Jerusalem, AP
ALMATY (Reuters) - Gulnara Karimova, elder daughter of late Uzbek ex-president Islam Karimov, is in custody following a 2015 conviction for extortion and embezzlement and is being investigated for more crimes, the Uzbek Prosecutor General's office said on Friday. The announcement is the first official word on the fate of Karimova, 45, who disappeared from public view in 2014 after apparently falling out with her father, who ran the Central Asian nation with an iron fist for 27 years. State prosecutors said in a statement they were seeking to freeze about $1.5 billion in assets held by Karimova, including in Switzerland, Sweden, Britain, France, Latvia, Ireland, Malta, Germany, Spain, Russia, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates. Karimova could not be contacted for comment. Her Swiss lawyer Gregoire Mangeat said he did not know where she was being held and had had to cancel a visit to see her this month. "It is of particular concern, given the worrying rumours circulating about the health status of Mrs Gulnara Karimova, that nobody, including her children, has been able to hear news since several months," Mangeat said in an emailed statement. Mangeat said he had been in Uzbekistan in December 2016 but Karimova had not informed him then of any pending legal action. He said that since he could not contact his client he was prevented from representing her in a way that would guarantee her a fair trial. He had made a request through the Swiss Attorney General's office for the investigation to be suspended. "The methods and behaviour adopted by the Republic of Uzbekistan thereby constitute a serious violation of the most fundamental human rights guarantees," he said. Karimova was once seen as a powerful businesswoman and politician and a potential successor to her father. Where she has been since disappearing in 2014 is unclear and the authorities have been tight-lipped about it even after Karimov's death from a stroke last September. Swiss prosecutors have investigated Karimova for money laundering since 2014. ALLEGED EXTORTION, EMBEZZLEMENT The Uzbek prosecutor's office said Karimova had been sentenced in 2015 to five years' probation -- a measure which may equal house arrest in Uzbek law -- for acquiring through extortion or embezzlement stakes in a number of companies, and for tax evasion. The statement was the first word on that conviction. Karimova is also being investigated on charges of fraud, evading customs and foreign exchange regulations, and money laundering, and was in custody pending a trial. The prosecutor's office declined to take questions orally or by email, insisting on receiving questions by post. According to prosecutors, the assets they are seeking to have frozen include cash and property in Switzerland and London, villas at Chateau de Groussay and Saint Tropez in France, and an airplane in Malta. Karimov's second daughter, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva, is Uzbek ambassador to UNESCO, a position she has held since 2008. (Reporting by Olzhas Auyezov in Almaty, Mukhammadsharif Mamatkulov in Tashkent and Tom Miles in Geneva; Editing by Richard Balmforth)
Are rich kids in Thailand any different from their counterparts in Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia?

Why dont you see for yourself and decide whether these Thai nationals are as ballin as everyone else in South East Asia?

Vorayuth The Boss Yovidhya

Perhaps no one is as notorious in Bangkok for being a rich kid than The Boss, thanks to his neat sidestepping of the Thai justice system. After being tagged as the primary suspect in the hit-and-run of a policeman in 2012, he didnt appear in court. He had been seen since then touring with the Red Bull racing team and vacationing around the world.

Hes allegedly been photographed in London and other countries while his passport has expired and other privileges revoked, in hopes of eventually cornering him. But with all that money, its going to be a hard fight.

Pimpisa Chirathivat

Instagram Photo

Heiress to the Central Group, this uber chic, ultra rich It Girl is at the forefront of the fashion scene in Bangkok. Shes a model, a DJ and a top-level executive for some companies in her familys huge conglomerate.

Pang Ployvarin

Instagram Photo

Shes the daughter of Siam Winerys Deputy Managing Director. Most of us only think of Louis Vuitton as a label with bags and shoes. This rich kid has Louis Vuitton EVERYTHING. Not only did she win the genetic lottery in physical beauty, but her familys finances afford constant vacations and designer bags.

Chutimol Sakulthai

Instagram Photo

The 18-year-old the daughter of Thai celebrity Monlatcha Sakulthai studies in London and wants to be in television. Shes a teen wearing Louis Vuitton and sporting Birkins all over her Instagram along with her mom.

Ploypayap Srikanchana

Instagram Photo

Currently studying fashion design in London, this rich girl will probably have her own brand just after college while people like us have to toil and sweat for ten years to get a few genuine pieces of clothing and accessories off the ground.

Story continues

Birdie Parva

Instagram Photo

Instead of following through with her Economics degree, Birdie decided to use her rich kid money to launch her own fashion brand. Already rubbing elbows with influencers, brand people and other rich people, she had the connections normal creatives only dream of, which meant her brand already launched two years ago.

Chayuda Jiawaranon

Instagram Photo

The heiress of True Multimedia (one of Thailands most popular network service providers) has just graduated from Boston University and is already wildly successful as a PR professional. Why wouldnt she be when shed be hired immediately for her connections! She loves to travel and attend concerts in the VIP section all day everyday.

So what do you think? They have their share of deadly rich kids, fashionistas and even the occasional professional working before they launch their own business (or start working for the family empire).

But no matter where you look, exotic travel, Birkins, lavish parties and private jets are still the hallmarks of a rich kid.

The post These Young Rich Kids from Thailand Are Already Balling Even Before You Get Your First Credit Card appeared first on Alvinology.
The accompanying images from the Santa Cruz lookbook were shot on location in both San Francisco at the iconic China Banks, as well in Santa Cruz itself with flow rider Jereme Knibbs and Santa Cruz pro ripper Emmanuel Guzman wearing an array of tees, long sleeves, hoodies, bomber jackets and more from the Santa Cruz Skateboards European Autumn Winter apparel collection.

All photos by: Eric Palozzolo

Keep your eyes peeled for more on the Santa Cruz Skateboards 2017 apparel collection in the coming weeks.




People want things from Arcade Fire. They want escapism, transcendence, innocence celebrated in the moment of its loss, wah-oh choruses. They want protest songs, hope, the romance of two married artists leading a volunteer army of lovers. They want string sections, synthesizers, parade drums, cracked tambourines, one last going-supernova chance for rock n roll. People also want nothing from Arcade Fire, except that they shut up and go away. The bands new album, Everything Now, answers both sides, loud and unclear. It turns its back even as it reaches out its hands. It sounds great, and it sounds terrible, sometimes great because it sounds terrible. Its a response to an impossible demand, one that nobody explicitly made but was nonetheless inescapable. Under these circumstances, theres no failure like success.

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Here is a group that formed in 2001, immaculately conceived from the skull of an expatriate Texan and the gods of disaster, hatching in Montreal, hundreds of miles away but in another sense directly out of the crater at Ground Zero. A baby Godzilla, roaring and needy and gazing with fresh, wet eyes on a world newly broken. Everyone thought they were the worst band in town, and then two or three years later the best band in the world, which they still might be in concert. Word spread like a software virus, igniting a label bidding war. They opted for a mom-and-pop operation like their own, North Carolina indie label Merge Records, and stuck by it through four albums, through world tours and Grammy awards, until just now.

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And now here they are after more than 15 years, the sort of time span that molts Beatles into Wings, Jefferson Airplanes into Starships. The mom-and-pop of Arcade Fire, Regine Chassagne and Win Butler, are literally a mom and a pop. Members have come and gone and made solo records, and the leaders traded one French-culture bohemian enclave for another, moving from Montreal to New Orleans. Theres that new contract with Sony/Columbia. And what does anyone want with a middle-aged rock band? Nothing and everything. Thats been the bands burden ever since its initial arc culminated with its third, easiest-to-embrace album, The Suburbs (the Grammy-winning one): What best becomes an aging monster, spawned by the radiation of a moment, but now condemned to stalk the earth, waiting out its mortal lifespan?

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Here they are after more than 15 years, the sort of time span that molts Beatles into Wings, Jefferson Airplanes into Starships.

On 2013s Reflektor, the bands overwhelmedness was palpable as it went for baroque, stuffing songs to the fraying seams with disco and Haitian konpa, literary allusions and mutant prog, in ways that came off like overcomplicated instructional diagrams for a dance party.

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Everything Now, by contrast, steps lighter and meets the ear with as much craft as any recent album you could name, which makes most of it a joy to hear. Except that when any of the two or three (I might grant you four) lousy songs come on, they sound proportionately worse for being so well-recorded. Two in a row, just before the middle, Peter Pan and Chemistry, are, both musically and lyrically, not fit to clean the scum from the bottom of the other songs boots. They must have been in contention with a couple of far superior songs to make it onto the album, until everyone concerned had listened to them too much and become confused. (My theory is that Chemistry, a creepy come-on song set to baffling synthetic ska, was meant to be a parodic answer to Blurred Lines, but in the four years that Everything Now was in preparation, that song got so thoroughly demolished in both the court of public opinion and actual courts of law that Chemistry ends up swinging at air.)

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The other, smaller problem, which is not nearly so bad as many critics have claimed, is that Arcade Fire (or at least Win Butler, the primary lyricist) was misled at an impressionable age by Radioheads OK Computer to think that anxious references to recent technology make for incisive rock lyrics. (I can only bear OK Computer when I completely ignore what its supposed to be about.) This was already an overarching theme on Reflektor, and it continues here. In fact, the thoughts about technological change that can be fit into pop songs are going to be thoughts anyone with half a brain has already had, at least about technology as a consumer experience. (Id welcome plenty more music that dealt with technology as soundscape or mode of labor.) And because Arcade Fire is permanently built on a mid-2000s blueprint, every time it tries to address, say, social media, it sounds like a just-awakened Rip Van Winkle.

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However, because the band is never overliteral about platforms and devices, the way that its singing about consumerist excess isnt really as dated as some listeners are taking itrock n roll has been going on about loving and hating consumerism simultaneously since the 1950s. Not only is that just fine, its built right into the form. More importantly, the band is never singing solely about consumerism. Its singing about the exhausting cycle of desire, a hoary old chestnut ever since Gautama Buddha had a big hit with it back in 500 BCE. Anyone who hears it merely as cynical snark is willfully shutting out how much the band implicates itself in both the indulgences and the consequences of indulgence. Thats what the dance music is there for. In the irresistibly orchestrated and ABBA pianopilfering title track, the first example given of the too-much-ness of life isnt the selfie-evoking line about every smile being fake, but the couplet, Every inch of skys got a star/ Every inch of skins got a scar. Thats not about Instagram. Its about being full-grown.

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Likewise, the couple of lushly layered love songs near the end of the cycle, which critics generally have praised and then used as sticks to cudgel the rest of the album, are not there just as balance or antidote to the social ills. Theyre further illustrations. Theyre about troubled and importuning love, love as ego gratification and self-martyrdom, just as double-edged as all the other varieties of wanting. It is not so different, the arc of the album suggests, to want to hear every song at once and to want our loves to last eternally. These are crimes in which were all accomplices and miracles for which were all supplicants.

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This is why the album Everything Now reminds me of isnt OK Computer or (as many have suggested) U2s Zooropa and Pop, but Pulps 1998 This Is Hardcore. It came to mind because Pulp bassist Steve Mackey is one of the co-producers here (along with Daft Punks Thomas Bangalter, Portisheads Geoff Barrow, and others), but also because theyre both late-cycle albums about being saturated and nauseated by desires, your own and those directed at you. One day this week I accidentally played Everything Now and Hardcores opener The Fear atop each other, and while one is upbeat and the other downtrodden, their pianos and strings and choirs tangled around each other like amorous snakes. Win Butlers American yearning is nothing like Jarvis Cockers European blues, but these lyrics from The Fear seem to me like they could be bannered across Everything Nows cover photograph of an artificially altered Death Valley landscape: This is the sound of someone losing the plot/ Making out that theyre OK when theyre not/ Youre gonna like it, but not a lot.

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Arcade Fire unfortunately undermined that kind of hearing of Everything Now with its much-derided prepublicity campaign, which tried to satirize the era of fake news with a torrent of postings from its supposed new corporate employer Everything Now Corp., advertising phony spinoff products and claiming Arcade Fire was suing other bands for stealing its millennial whoop and even putting out a pre-emptive review of its own album. What started as a few decent jokes became an avalanche of repetitive blanket coverage. Its a really old joke, toothe Vancouver conceptual artists N.E. Thing Co. were doing it in the late 1960s, as well as their 1980s-Toronto heirs General Idea, and every psuedo-situationist satirical zine and website in the 1990s. An overdone parody tends to become the thing it is parodying. This was probably deliberate (its in keeping with some of the strategies of the album itself), but it also seemed like an attempt to divert criticism from the fact that the band actually has signed to a megacorporation now, and also a somewhat wounded and defensive reaction to the criticism that was directed at Reflektor. It might have been worth it if Everything Now were actually a parody media-pastiche album itself, say in the spirit of Negativlands Helter Stupid, but it isnt, thank goodness. (It is also, happily, not in any direct way a protest album about Donald Trump, which with the precedent of Arcade Fires Bush-era album Neon Bible, seemed another possible direction. That kind of topicality was left to a one-off techno-gospel single with Mavis Staples in January, which is not on the album.)

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That anti-publicity publicity campaign primed listeners for a much more cynical, negative-minded work. Arcade Fire might feel pressured to be everything, but one thing the band aint is a bunch of comedians. Its humor is best expressed musicallythe words to the two-part hinge song in the middle of the album, Infinite Content/Infinite_Content are a fairly lame pun (Infinite content/ Were infinitely content), but the music, transitioning from a frantic punk chant to a loping Americana twang, is outright delightful.

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Such games with tone are crucial to Everything Now overall, never more complicatedly than on Creature Comfort. Its a heartbreaking song about adolescents and suicide thats delivered in a nerve-jangling new wave style, with Butler shout-singing (a la David Byrne or LCD Soundsystem) in ways that could make the treatment seem glib. Theres an especially startling line about a girl attempting to kill herself: She told me she came so close/ Filled up the bathtub and put on our first record. Butler calls it out with a kind of mock-heroism, a cry that vacuums in and scrambles all the your album saved my life stories that a band like Arcade Fire will hear about itself. But then the song reaches a bridge, in which he gently sings, Its not painless/ She was a friend of mine, and the way the rest of the song tries to articulate the inarticulable, the complete confusion of finding oneself young and alive and in pain, comes into high resolution. (The bathtub suicide attempt, whether fictional or factual, is described again in the second half of the album, on Good God Damn, which takes a different route through fear and pessimism but likewise ends up insisting that survival is the better bet.)

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Arcade Fire might feel pressured to be everything, but one thing the band aint is a bunch of comedians.

Ive gotten this far and said nearly zilch about the many splendored kinds of synthesizer twinkles and buzzcuts on Everything Now, or how this album for the first time sufficiently showcases Regine Chassagnes voice both in duet and solo (particularly on the David Bowie subliminal tribute song Electric Blue), or, less happily, the times when Butlers shout-sing tips over the edge from Life During Wartime to Wham Rap! Or again, simply how eminently, generously listenable the album ultimately is, so long as you nip out for a smoke or something during Peter Pan and Chemistry. For all the freight it has to carry, it has the right amount of ballast.

If I let myself, I can stop asking whether Arcade Fire is too ambitious or not enough, or just plain ridiculous. Im not sure what its supposed to want or what Im supposed to want from it. Hell, Ive been lingering around, stubbornly continuing to exist, even longer than it has, and I dont hear Arcade Fire asking me why I dont just give it up. Or perhaps I do, but then I also hear, no, lets not, just yet. It may not be much, but its enough to goad me to lumber into another goddamn dawn.
The latest attempt to repeal Obamacare has failed.

Skinny Repeal Bill Fails

Three Republican Senators defected and voted alongside Democrats to defeat a bill that quickly became known as a Skinny Repeal. The vote was cast after 1 a.m. Eastern time in the nations capital.

For small businesses, according to analysis of the bill, the Skinny Repeal would have eliminated the individual and small business mandates of Obamacare.

If a small businesses reaches the 50 employee plateau, it is then required by Obamacare, aka the Affordable Care Act or ACA, to provide health insurance.

The final vote in the Senate was 49 voting for repeal and 51 against, maintaining Obamacare. An affirmative vote would have sent the bill back to the U.S. House of Representatives before it reached President Donald Trump. Along with the Democrats, GOP Senators voting against the Skinny Repeal bill include Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, Susan Collins, of Maine, and Arizonas John McCain.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sounded defeated at 1:41 a.m. in Washington D.C.

I regret that our efforts were not enough this time, he said, addressing GOP leaders in the House, who would have gotten the approved Skinny Repeal next. Im proud of the vote I cast tonight. I expect that (the Democrats) are pretty satisfied tonight. Its time they tell us whats on their mind.

Night Owl POTUS Tweets Reaction

President Trump has promised a repeal of Obamacare and Friday mornings vote was as close as its come to happening. He was up in the wee hours crafting his response to the Skinny Repeal failure.

3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017

Trump has repeatedly insisted Obamacare is failing or dead and has promised a better healthcare deal. Much of the late-night action in the Senate is due to that persistence to get a repeal plan on his desk to sign.

Barring something unforeseen, its likely that small businesses and the self-employed under the Obamacare mandate will have to wait to see what happens if Obamacare spirals out of control in 2018, as Trump suggests it will.

McCain Returns, Votes to Keep Obamacare

The big surprise of the vote was McCain voting to keep Obamacare in place. He didnt make clear why he was voting with Democrats.

Earlier this week, he famously returned to the U.S. Senate after missing some time when he was diagnosed with and underwent surgery for brain cancer.

His vote earlier in the week actually opened the Senate floor to debate the repeal. His vote on Friday morning sealed the fate of the Skinny Repeal.

All-Nighter Not Welcome

California Sen. Kamala Harris was not happy about the late-night nature of the debate. She says she first got the Skinny Repeal legislation late, too.

Its 10 p.m. ET. The Senate GOP just released the text of the #SkinnyRepeal. They want to vote on it in the dead of night. Indefensible.  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 28, 2017

Twitter Reaction to #SkinnyRepeal Fail All Over the Place

It was either the middle of the night or pretty late at night when the 49-51 vote on the Skinny Repeal bill was final. Thats a good time for some Twitter chatter. And business owners were watching and reacting along with the C-SPAN footage.

And its pretty clear from the polarity in tone from the tweets, that small business owners and the self-employed arent really sure what was in the Skinny Repeal. The comments are all over the place. Heres a sample:

See Also: Senate Passes National Defense Spending Plan with Key Provisions for Small Businesses

Its bananas that Im watching a live stream to see whether Im going to have to shut down my business next year. #skinnyrepeal  Ripley (@Ripley180286) July 28, 2017

That one sounds like the problem could be deeper than Obamacares health next year.

But one Pennsylvania constituent urged his Senator to break ranks from the Republicans and vote against the repeal.

. @SenToomey as self employed constituent please support small business folks by voting NO #SkinnyRepeal  Not Affordable #NwJwd  Cal (@CalvertHandy) July 28, 2017

Toomey voted for the repeal but it wasnt enough. Sen. Rand Paul was also urged to vote for the repeal, which he did.

@RandPaul Please at least pass #SkinnyRepeal Been w/out health ins 4 7 years. Could not afford ACA premiums. We have small business. HELP!  Vanessa A. Fiori (@Vafiori) July 28, 2017

Another user said the repeal of Obamacare  even in skinny form  would destroy small businesses.

But as likely as you were to find an opinion like that, you could find the opposite, too.
Economy, Labour  July 28, 2017  Autoworkers Caravan

The following resolution calling for the repeal of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is the work of the Autoworkers Caravan. It is an organizing, educating and mobilizing group of current and former autoworkers, largely located in the USA, but with some Canadian Unifor members as well. The group is somewhat of a successor to the once active oppositional movement within the U.S.-centred International, the United Auto Workers (UAW)  the now defunct New Directions movement. The Autoworkers Caravan, formed in 2008 and based in the Detroit area, continues to challenge the leadership of the UAW, and works to democratize and energize union locals across the USA. Caravan activity has included opposing concessions, unequal tiering of workplaces and lack of union democracy. It champions international solidarity and support of autoworkers across the NAFTA zone  as is clear from the resolution below. The resolution, in the words of one of the Caravan activists, Scott Houldieson, will be broadcast to as many local and international unions as possible. One of the goals will be to rally opposition to another corporate trade deal that sacrifices our environment and our standard of living. The NAFTA renegotiations are set to begin on August 16, 2017. We would like to see simultaneous rallies across North America on that date in opposition to NAFTA. Lets rally opposition to NAFTA on August 16th and at regular intervals afterwards.

Whereas, President Trump made a campaign promise to scrap NAFTA, and Whereas, there is an attack on immigrant workers documented and undocumented in the United States and NAFTA has been used to pit U.S. workers against Mexican workers to benefit multi-national Corporations from the U.S. and around the world, and

Whereas, the escalating attack on immigrant workers and people of color is a threat to all workers and organized labor in the United States, the immigrant community and

their children in schools are being terrorized by ICE and the racist attacks on immigrants, and

Whereas, NAFTA has been used to privatize railroads, telecom, oil, education and the dismantling of Mexicos agricultural industry causing forced migration of 18 million people from their homelands in Mexico. The U.S. and other multi-national Corporations have colluded with the Mexican government using NAFTA to prevent unionization at the 1500 maquiladora factories in Mexico, and

Whereas, the privatization of land has forced hundreds of thousands of indigenous people off their indigenous homeland as many as 80,000 farmworkers and their families forced to move outside their communities, towns, cities, and Northern states to find work often under horrible inhumane working conditions that are designed to enslave people/workers, like the Driscolls corporation in Baja, Mexico and other subsidiary farms, and

Whereas, the Trump administration is increasing the militarization of the border of the United States and Mexico that is dividing families and children from their parents, relatives, and grandparents who have not been in reachable contact in many cases over 20 years, and

Whereas, the Trump administration has said that the Mexican people are responsible for the failure of NAFTA, and the U.S. will renegotiate NAFTA allowing U.S. multi-nationals and businesses to expand, exploit, and renegotiate this agreement without the input of unions, human rights environmental organization groups, and health and welfare coalitions

to improve the agreement, rather the Trump administration will use this opportunity to further attack workers in Mexico, USA, and Canada, and

Whereas, the same companies and multi-nationals that pushed NAFTA will be in charge of renegotiating NAFTA to benefit these same corporations and to further the expansion of the Guest Workers programs, and to further privatization and deregulation without the input of unions, and workers, and

Whereas, labor should support the unification of workers in Mexico, USA, and Canada against the same multi-nationals and union busters that are weakening workers in the world, and the U.S. labor force should call for the cancellation of NAFTA and for the nationalization of property and lands expropriated from the people of Mexico, and

Whereas, the Sacramento, California Central Labor Council has endorsed this resolution,

Therefore Be It Resolved, the U.S. unions need to support full unionization of workers in Mexico and Canada by building direct worker-solidarity, by enforcing international strike-actions in USA, Mexico, and Canada as all three countries are under attack, by the same multi-nationals, and

Be it Further Resolved, we oppose NAFTA being reformed to benefit global multi-nationals thieving off the poorest labor force in particular Mexico, USA, and Canada no longer, and

Be It Further Resolved, the Autoworker Caravan calls for united solidarity action of workers in Mexico, United States, and Canada for the cancellation of NAFTA, and calls for an end to the massive ICE attacks on immigrant workers documented and undocumented in the U.S., and

Be It Further Resolved, the Autoworker Caravan calls for all unions, Labor Councils, the AFL-CIO, immigrant rights organizations, LGBTQ, environmental, womens, student, religious faith, Civil & human rights organizations to support this call and urge solidarity action on August 16, 2017 the day the Trump Administration starts NAFTA re-negotiation. 
Both easy and challenging tours are available through the unique mine.

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More information about travelling in Slovakia

Please see our Please see our Spectacular Slovakia travel guide

Underneath Slanske vrchy near Cervenica in the Presov region are opal mines. These are the only opal mines in Europe, as well as being the oldest and the biggest in the world. The first written mention of them is from the 16th century but opal was mined here even before.

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The whole mining compound comprises of more than 30 kilometres, although specific data is not known. The company Opal Mines Libanka made a 3D model of the underground tunnels, but only scanned part of mining shafts.

Some places are caved in, its impossible to get there. The whole mine is like Emmenthal cheese; the holes are connected. You enter with one entry and leave with many other exits, explained the director of tourism of Libanka, Iveta Bernatova, as quoted by the TASR newswire.

The company offers two types of tours. The first is easier - 1.28 kilometres long, suitable for families with children, older people and even people on wheelchairs. However, it is necessary to count on cooler temperature (4 to 8 degrees Celsius), humidity, drafts and part of the tour is not lit with electricity and torches are used instead.

video //www.youtube.com/embed/t6etdvg6iLE

We wanted to keep an authentic atmosphere, Bernatova stated, as quoted by TASR.

Inside the mine smells of sulphur, however, the air is clean. One corridor is colourful  yellow, white, green and pink, and a geologist counted about 40 types of minerals. There is also a chapel in the mine, though not included in the main tour. Visitors may see a likeness of Saint Barbara, patron saint of miners.

The second route is for more capable tourists who are looking for excitement. The tour lasts from five to six hours and leads through harder terrain, some parts completely dark.

Adrenaline does not consist in jumping over holes or in abseiling, its about spending five hours underground in the dark, said Bernatova for TASR, adding that part of the route is also dedicated to searching for opal.

video //www.youtube.com/embed/sRmQLJAwOYA

Tourists from around the world come to the mines, the most exotic being from Bahrain. Most tourists came from Poland, Hungary, Ukraine and Russia. The tours are possible in English, Russian, German, Hungarian, Croatian and a recorded commentary is available in Polish.
Horiba Mira may build a testing and engineering centre for motor vehicles here

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The management of the troubled small international airport in the spa town of Piestany, in western Slovakia, has launched negotiations with a British company active in the automotive company Horiba Mira, Tibor Mikus, the head of the board of directors of the Letisko Piestany company operating the airport, informed on July 27.

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Horiba Mira is one of the most important partners of the British carmaker Jaguar Land Rover, according to the Piestansky dennik daily. This global leader in engineering and the testing of motor vehicles may build a testing and engineering centre on plots of land owned by the airport company. Horiba Mira has shown interest in joining the troubled company as a strategic partner. Jaguar Land Rover is currently building a brand-new plant near Nitra, just 125 about 50 km from Piestany.

They are not interested only in air traffic and there will something more, said Mikus, who is also the head of the Trnava Region as cited by the TASR newswire, adding that the Slovak side will get the information on whether the talks will continue in November.

For now, the airport is living on the money it received from two of its shareholders  the Trnava Region and the Transport Ministry. The third shareholder is the city of Piestany.

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Read also: Region proposes liquidation of airport, town will resist Read more

The airport has been suffering from decreasing interest in its services, both in passenger and cargo transport, for some years. Last year it was on the brink of bankruptcy.

Mikus has repeatedly had information about the entry of a strategic partner into the Piestany airport, but so far none of the negotiations has led to a final agreement.

Shareholders of the Letisko Piestany company met on July 27 at a general assembly. They approved the annual financial statement of the airport for 2016 with a loss of more than 600,000 and the plan for 2017.
A battle between two New York billionaires has been holding up a plan to replace a crumbling pier on Manhattans Hudson River waterfront with an avant-garde park on pilings rising above the riverbed.

Now, that years-long fight could be entering another round  or finally headed to detente.

Proponents and opponents of the USD250 million project are trying to reach a settlement that would avoid more legal action in a conflict that has pitted media mogul Barry Diller and his wife, fashion maven Diane von Furstenberg, against Douglas Durst, the real estate developer and skyscraper baron.

Diller helped hatch the idea for the park and has promised, with his wife, to pay for it through a family charitable foundation. He told the AP that he didnt plan to attend the meeting but hoped the negotiations would be successful.

I wish them well, he said.

Durst, who has funded lawsuits opposing the park, declined to be interviewed. But Richard Emery, a lawyer for the project opponents, confirmed the meeting.

Theres a lot of anxiety that Diller wont follow through if this is further delayed, Emery said.

The plan to tear down the old, deteriorating Pier 54 on the Manhattan waterfront and replace it with a new structure, Pier 55, seemed like a fait accompli when it was first announced in 2014.

The design calls for an undulating 0.97-hectare landscape of trees and fields rising over a cluster of mushroom-like pillars. It would have three venues for dance, theater and musical performances and would be accessible via two walkways out over the water. The press dubbed it Diller Island after Diller and von Furstenberg promised to fund the project.

It would be built on a stretch of Hudson River waterfront that has been transformed over many years from a long-faded port district into a green string of popular recreational piers and esplanades known as the Hudson River Park.

Opposition emerged, though, partly based on environmental concerns about the piers impact on aquatic life, and partly rooted in complaints from some over the way in which the project had been planned without broader public input.

The way theyve operated is like moving plants around their personal backyard, said Emery, a civil rights attorney representing the nonprofit City Club of New York, a civic group fueling the contrarian position.

Three lawsuits were filed challenging the project. Durst recently acknowledged that he had quietly funded the lawsuits  two unsuccessful ones in state courts, and a third that resulted in a federal court revoking the projects permit this past March.

Durst had once been deeply involved in supporting Hudson River Park, but had a falling out with other leaders and gave up the chairmanship of the support group Friends of Hudson River Park Group.

He rarely gives interviews on the subject of Pier 55, but told The Villager earlier this year, he had tried to keep his involvement in funding the opposition lawsuits quiet because I did not want this to be a personal battle between me and Barry Diller.

I have nothing against Diller  except he said he wishes I had been killed by my brother, Durst told the neighborhood newspaper.

Dursts estranged brother, Robert Durst, was acquitted in the death of an acquaintance in Texas and is now facing charges in Los Angeles that he killed a longtime friend because he feared she might divulge incriminating information regarding the 1982 disappearance of his first wife.

Diller, who had made the quip about Dursts brother in public while discussing the battle over the pier, later apologized.

Both men are noted philanthropists. Diller, who formerly ran Paramount Pictures and Fox Inc., gave tens of millions of dollars with his wife to another innovative, elevated city park, the High Line. Durst is a conservationist and a proponent of green buildings and organic farming.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio phoned Durst earlier this month and encouraged him to drop his opposition to the Pier 55 project.

The federal government issued a new environmental permit in June that will allow work to proceed in mid-August as long as it isnt halted by a new court battle, said Hudson River Park Trust CEO Madelyn Wils. The target completion date is sometime in 2020, she said.

If a settlement thats satisfactory to both sides is not reached after Mondays meeting, Emery told the AP that another lawsuit would be filed challenging the latest permit.

Diller, who can see the old pier from his offices at InterActiveCorp, which owns many websites including Tinder, Match, Vimeo and the Daily Beast, said hed love to see the project become a reality.

What was in my mind was to build something for the people of New York and for anyone who visits New York  a space that on first sight was dazzling, and upon use made people happy.
Slovak security technology experts may head to Vietnam.

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Slovakia is prepared to send experts in security technologies to Vietnam in the following weeks, as Interior Minister Robert Kalinak stated after meeting with the Vietnamese Minister for Public Security, To Lam, in Bratislava.

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In March Slovakia and Vietnam signed an agreement of cooperation in the field of prevention and fighting against such crimes as multinational organized crime, human-trafficking, migrant smuggling, terrorism and its financing, corruption, money forging and the illegal gun trade.

Vietnam is building a technology park in Hanoi where it plans to develop and make products designated for the security services. Slovakia is ready to help the country with experts and know-how.

We see big potential here. A common company could help the security services to supply other countries in the region with security technologies that could be interesting for Vietnam in view of export, said Kalinak as quoted by the TASR newswire.

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Read also: Economy seeks new blood outside EU Read more

The Vietnamese side has to prepare a list of which technologies and experts they are interested in. Based on this, expert groups to supervise the building of the company will be established.

The Ministry points to the fact that Vietnam is the 14th most important trade partner for Slovakia and that Slovak companies have already participated in large investment projects in the country.

During his March visit to Vietnam, Kalinak offered his Vietnamese colleague the possibility of healing his wounded Vietnamese policemen at Slovak healthcare and rehabilitation facilities as well as training for Vietnamese security services in Lest.
The European Medicines Agency, with more than 900 highly qualified employees, has to leave London.

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The Slovak government has applied to host the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in a relocation from London to Bratislava, stated Slovak PM Robert Fico.

Fico used the Brussels meeting on different quality standards of food with the head of the European Commission, Jean-Claud Juncker, to officially apply for the EMA relocation to Slovakia.

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The prestigious agency with more than 900 highly qualified employees will have to leave London and move to another EU country when Great Britain leaves the EU.

I said that we are interested in relocating it from London to Slovakia. However, we will respect the results of fair competition because the conditions were set straight, said Fico, as quoted by the TASR newswire.

All EU countries interested in becoming the seats for the EMA and EBA (European Banking Authority) have to apply by the end of July. Ministers of EU countries will decide the new locations by voting in November.

Read also:

Read also: Slovakia vies for medicines agency Read more

I believe that if another country wins, it will be because it offers better condition than Slovakia, said the PM as quoted by TASR.
Extremist LSNS candidate Rastislav Rogel has allegedly performed there.

LSNS candidate for MP Rastislav Rogel during alleged neo-Nazi event in former cattle farm (Source: sme)

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In 2009 the old cattle farm in the village of Plavecky Mikulas was bought by extremists who then started to organize neo-Nazi concerts there, according to the Plus 7 dni weekly.

The place is so well known among neo-Nazis that in 2013 Czech extremists wrote only Location: As always when informing about the event there.

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The village, with a population of about seven hundred, has hosted the US band Bound for Glory, who sing about the Aryan nations and white survival and British Brutal Attack, which in one song tells children about Aryan white pride.

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When approached by the Sme daily, mayor Marta Hlavata refused to comment. Police also failed to answer how it is possible that a place which has lured foreign neo-Nazis for eight years has remained unnoticed.

Extremist Rastislav Rogel who has sung for the Juden Mord (Killing Jews) band in the past, performed in the village which was burned by the Nazis during World War II for helping the Slovak National Uprising against Nazi Germany. He was an MP candidate for the extremist Peoples Party - Our Slovakia (LSNS) of Marian Kotleba. The party sees no problem in one of its candidates performing with foreign white power bands.

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As a political party, we will not dictate to anybody what concert he or she should or should not go to, said Milan Uhrik, vice-chair of the LSNS party. Its solely personal thing.
The burnt prints of the penitential reeves right hand made Bratislava famous over almost all Europe. Now the story has been almost completely forgotten.

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Some years ago, visitors to the St Martin Cathedral treasury were able to see, along with the gorgeous 15th century gothic monstrance, richly decorated chasubles and other precious exhibits, a very peculiar item  a portable box with right hand prints burnt into a wooden board and two shrouds. Today they would be looking for it in vain. A local priest allegedly ordered its removal from the display because of its connection with a ghost story. But as a local guide has confirmed, people keep asking about the burnt prints.

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This is nothing surprising as the tale of appearances by the ghost of a penitential reeve, leaving the prints as proof of his existence, was well known nearly throughout Europe at that time. His alleged appearance led to the creation of the Pieta sculpture, part of one side of the cathedrals altars to this today. In the past, famous pilgrimages set off from this precise place to Mariazell in Austria. Only the arrival of the communist regime in the 1950s ended the cult of the allegedly miraculous sculpture.

A record of these appearances became a real bestseller at that time, Patrik Baxa, who wrote a more than 300-page book about the events entitled Pressburg Ghost  Testimony of History, told The Slovak Spectator. In 1643 alone it was translated into five languages at least.

The ghost of the penitential reeve

The story, which should be seen in the context of strong Counter-Reformation and recatholicisation, started in 1641. At that time the ghost appeared to 19-year old Regina Fisherin for the first time. First he appeared in her native town of Hallstatt in Upper Austria and later in Pressburg, nowadays Bratislava, where Regina arrived to visit her aunt. Jan, the aunts husband, served as a caretaker in Palffy Palace below the castle. The remains of this palace still exist on Zamocka Street.

The ghost later introduced itself to her as Hans, i.e. Jan, Clement, also nicknamed Zwespenbauer, a former reeve of Pressburgs Podhradie. At that time Podhradie, i.e. the settlement below the castle, was an independent village and had, similarly to Pressburg, its own reeve.

The miserable Clement asked Regina to request 200 gold coins of his inheritance from his widow and order a carving of the Pieta sculpture for the main citys church, meaning todays St Martin Cathedral. In this way she was supposed to have fulfilled the promise he failed to meet prior to his death. He long ago killed somebody for the same amount of money and even though he regretted his sin, he was not penitent enough during his life. Thus he was unable to rest in peace and instead was suffering in purgatory.

video //www.youtube.com/embed/t6etdvg6iLE

The ghost haunted Regina for almost one year. When the girl was asking for proof of his existence and that he belonged to good spirits, Clement burnt a fiery cross with a silhouette of his right hand on a wooden coffer and a shroud laying on it. Later, he burnt the print of his hand onto another board, a shroud, and also left some other signs. The burnt print on the box had become lost, but the remaining three prints have been preserved to today.

Pieta from lime wood

The requested sculpture was finally created in 1642 from the lime wood Clements ghost himself helped sculptor Juraj Schiebele to choose. The ghost then detected the completed sculpture of the Virgin Mary with Jesus Christ in her arms with a priests stole, a burning candle and a cross.

After fulfilling his requests, the ghost was freed from purgatory and never appeared again.

Immediately after these events, an ecclesiastical trial began, where the clear authenticity of appearance of the deceased Clement was announced, based on the statements of 32 witnesses. Afterwards, the provost Michal Kopchani, at the order of Esztergoms archbishop Juraj Lippay, published a record describing the whole story in 1643. It was supplemented by a brief description of the investigation process, a list of 32 deponents and illustrations of signs the ghost had left.

The same year the record was published. Apart from its Latin version, there were also at least two German, one Hungarian, three Polish and one Italian version as well as in the then Slovakised Czech language.

Also, several evangelical theologians responded to the story of the haunting. Out of them, for example, Zacharias Lani defended in his polemic file, published in the same year of 1643, the idea that the Devil himself had taken the form of Jan Clement, writes Baxa in his book from 2016.

Miraculous Pieta

The sculpture of the Pieta was installed in an altar located on the south side of the cathedrals triumphal arch. It was considered miraculous as well as highly cherished and the altar became a place of mystery, liberating deceased souls from purgatory, many miracles and supernatural events. The sculpture brought fame to Pressburg and the Pressburg Pieta, also due to its unique attribute  the priests stole  can be found depicted in many illustrations.

All these led to the creation of the Cult of the Pieta and the altar was a starting point of famous pilgrimages to Mariazell in Austria in the 19th century. These always started on August 16 and the pilgrims used to reach Mariazell on August 20. The pilgrimages were popular when, for example, chaplain Karol Scherz of St Martin Dome attended more than 70 such pilgrimages. And in 1857, when this pilgrimage site marked its 700th anniversary, as many as 15,000 pilgrimages from Pressburg set out for Mariazell.

The cult of the miraculous Pieta lasted for 300 years and ceased to exist only in the middle of the 20th century during the communist regime, said Baxa.

During the time being the sculpture has been installed in the middle of the neo-gothic altar of Our Lady of Sorrows from 1911 at the southern wall of the cathedral. The label near it reads that the sculpture of Pieta was created in 1642 thanks to a ghost story.

Is the story authentic?

During his five-year research Baxa tried to find as many historical documents related to the story as possible. But he did not find original records from the investigation and the trial.

Maybe they are somewhere. But the archives in which they might be are extensive and moreover they have been moved several times, said Baxa. Thus they may only be mislaid somewhere and we will find them only by accident.

Baxa also searched for similar cases in Europe.

There were more such cases, also in what is now Slovakias territory, said Baxa. There is even the Museum of the Holy Souls in Purgatory in Rome.

The still existing museum holds a collection of proofs of visits from the afterlife, most often burnt prints of hands or fingers. Today the original collection is rather thin as some exhibits create very strong doubts about their genuineness.

But the story about the appearances of the ghost of Jan Clement was the most important and out of all similar cases it resonated across Europe the most, said Baxa.

The central part of Baxas book consists of a translation of the record by Kopchani. Other parts deal with individual persons from the story as well as historical context.

Baxa especially sees the character of Reginas confessor Jesuit Hieronymous Gladich behind the whole story of the ghosts appearance. He built his unique life career as a liberator of souls from purgatory on the story of Clement and one of the possible explanations, according to Baxa, is that Gladich himself organised stage-managed appearances of the miserable reeves ghost.

video //www.youtube.com/embed/sRmQLJAwOYA

But what Baxa points out the most is the historical context in which the story took place and thus the fights between the Evangelicals and Catholics. At that time, each of the rival sides tried to draw believers even in very special ways.

It is clear what is being promoted in this story  reverence for the Virgin Mary and purgatory, said Baxa. These are things the Evangelicals dont acknowledge.

But in his opinion, the question might not stand as whether the ghost of Jan Clement really appeared to Regina and whether the miracles really happened at the altar with Pieta.

It is a story from the history of Bratislava, which was very popular and widespread during its time. Today it is completely unknown, said Baxa, who regrets that many stories from Bratislavas history are forgotten.

Thus he would be glad if the board and the shrouds with the prints were exhibited again, either in the cathedrals treasury or in any other museum.

A whole exhibition about the story could be prepared, said Baxa, adding that apart from the prints there can be an exhibition of period documents as well as votive offerings or paintings, which believers left to the miraculous Pieta in gratitude for hearing their prayers. The Bratislava City Gallery holds about 30 of them. Even though their artistic value is not very high, they show, for example, what people were wearing at that time.

What the Bratislava Archdiocese says

The Archdiocese of Bratislava explained the removal of the prints from the treasury through the re-organisation of the display.

After thorough consultations with experts in museology and art historians, the display underwent several changes, wrote Tibor Hajdu, spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Bratislava, in his response to The Slovak Spectator. Today it is rationalised with respect to the space, and the exhibits are well arranged.

The archdiocese does not exclude the return of the prints in the treasury nor the lending of the prints to another museum.

We lend items from the treasury collection of St Martins Cathedral on the basis of a request, wrote Hajdu. Each request is evaluated individually.

And what is the opinion of the Catholic Church on the appearance of the ghost of Jan Clement and the subsequent creation of the Pieta sculpture?

There is a story linked to the item you are asking about, i.e. hand prints, wrote Hajdu. The Catholic Church in Slovakia has not formulated any opinion on this story.
The leader of Japans main opposition party said she is stepping down, citing her failure to regain voter support despite a series of scandals buffeting the ruling party.

The announcement by Democratic Party leader Renho comes as her party is spearheading opposition questioning of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Cabinet over the scandals.

Renho became her partys first female leader and was considered a possible future prime minister when the Democrats were in power from 2009 to 2012. Since then they have lost significant ground in parliamentary and local elections, including Tokyo city assembly elections earlier this month.

Renho, a former TV personality who uses one name and is known for her sharp tongue, said she decided to step down after only 10 months to help reunite and strengthen the party.

I made the decision to rebuild our party [] as a viable choice under a two-party system and for the benefit of the people of Japan, she said, adding that she will remain a lawmaker to build a society that tolerates diversity.

There was no immediate announcement of her successor.

Originally founded in the 1990s as the Democratic Party of Japan, the Democrats have sought to create a strong two-party system in a country long dominated by the Liberal Democrats.

The popularity of Abes administration has plunged over the scandals, which include accusations of misuse of power and cronyism, but Renhos party has been unable to appeal broadly to voters looking for an alternative to Abes strongly conservative policies.

With a range of political views among its members, the Democratic Party has lacked a sense of unity and has lost supporters as political parties have regrouped in recent years around dominant personalities.

Renho, who was born to a Taiwanese father and Japanese mother, has also been criticized over her earlier dual nationality. Last week, she released part of her family registry to prove she had renounced her Taiwanese citizenship. Mari Yamaguchi, Tokyo, AP
Regions Financial Corporation, a financial holding company, provides banking and bank-related services to individual and corporate customers. It operates through three segments: Corporate Bank, Consumer Bank, and Wealth Management. The Corporate Bank segment offers commercial banking services, such as commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, and investor real estate lending; equipment lease financing; deposit products; and securities underwriting and placement, loan syndication and placement, foreign exchange, derivatives, merger and acquisition, and other advisory services. It serves corporate, middle market, and commercial real estate developers and investors. The Consumer Bank segment provides consumer banking products and services related to residential first mortgages, home equity lines and loans, consumer credit cards, and other consumer loans, as well as deposits. The Wealth Management segment offers credit related products, and retirement and savings solutions; and trust and investment management, asset management, and estate planning services to individuals, businesses, governmental institutions, and non-profit entities. The company also provides investment and insurance products; low-income housing tax credit corporate fund syndication services; and other specialty financing services. As of March 01, 2022, it operated through a network of 1,300 banking offices and 2,000 automated teller machines across the South, Midwest, and Texas. Regions Financial Corporation was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.
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The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. The Investor Services segment provides retail brokerage, investment advisory, banking and trust, retirement plan, and other corporate brokerage services; equity compensation plan sponsors full-service recordkeeping for stock plans, stock options, restricted stock, performance shares, and stock appreciation rights; and retail investor and mutual fund clearing services, as well as compliance solutions. The Advisor Services segment offers custodial, trading, banking, and support services; and retirement business and corporate brokerage retirement services. This segment provides brokerage accounts with equity and fixed income, margin lending, options, and futures and forex trading; cash management capabilities comprising third-party certificates of deposit; third-party and proprietary mutual funds; plus mutual fund trading and clearing services; and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), including proprietary and third-party ETFs. It also offers advice solutions, such as managed portfolios of proprietary and third-party mutual funds and ETFs, separately managed accounts, customized personal advice for tailored portfolios, and specialized planning and portfolio management. In addition, this segment provides banking products and services, including checking and savings accounts, first lien residential real estate mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, and pledged asset lines; and trust services comprising trust custody services, personal trust reporting services, and administrative trustee services. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had approximately 400 domestic branch offices in 48 states and the District of Columbia, as well as locations in Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The Charles Schwab Corporation was incorporated in 1971 and is headquartered in Westlake, Texas.
Assessment

Arkansas Department of Education Approves K2 Math, ELA Assessment

The Arkansas Department of Education recently approved a K2 math and English language arts (ELA) assessment through 2024.

After a rigorous approval process, the state signed an agreement with Renaissance, a pre-K12 learning analytics company, to use its Renaissance Star 360 assessment suite. Star 360 offers timely and actionable data and reports that can help instruction. Teachers will be able to view at-a-glance data dashboards that track students progress at the beginning of the school year, midyear, end-of-year and year-to-year.

The suite includes Renaissance Star Early Literacy, Renaissance Star Reading, Renaissance Star Math and Renaissance Star Custom  the latter of which comes with formative item banks for ELA, math and science. Its powered by the Renaissance Growth Platform, which acts on a database of more than 2.7 billion practice and assessment data points.

These insights make it possible for educators to make informed decisions, personalize learning, and lead every student to mastery of the Arkansas Academic Standards, according to information from Renaissance.

To help prepare districts for the assessment, the Arkansas Department of Education held the K2 Assessment Vendor Fair on July 17-20. Districts had the chance to attend presentations and ask vendors specific questions in-person.
ISRAEL-PALESTINE Clashes have erupted between Israeli police and Palestinian worshippers at a contested Jerusalem shrine, shortly after the site reopened following an 11-day Muslim prayer boycott. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets yesterday as Palestinians threw stones inside the walled compound that is holy to Muslims and Jews.

CHINA Beijing police have detained 67 people involved in a suspected pyramid scheme after its members held a rare, large-scale demonstration in Chinas capital this week to protest the governments investigation. More on p11

VIETNAM-MALAYSIA The Malaysian foreign minister, speaking at a joint briefing with his Vietnamese counterpart, says there is huge potential for the countries to increase their trade and investment. Malaysia is Vietnams seventh largest trading partner.

INDONESIA Five provinces have declared states of emergency as peatlands burn in Aceh and the risk of fires spreading elsewhere increases during the annual dry season.

JAPANs beleaguered defense minister, a protege of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, will step down in connection with an alleged cover-up of military documents from U.N. peacekeeping operations, media reports said yesterday. More on p13

RUSSIA President Vladimir Putin is visiting Finland as the small nation celebrates 100 years of independence from its huge eastern neighbor. Putin arrived yesterday for talks with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto on bilateral relations and international issues.

UKRAINE Former Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, who moved to Ukraine to lead one of the countrys most corruption-ridden regions, says he will fight to keep his Ukrainian citizenship.

AUSTRIAs chancellor says the European Union could never, ever digest the economic impact of Turkey joining, underlining his countrys hard line against membership.

LIBYA Human Rights Watch says that activists in western Libya have been physically attacked and threatened by armed groups, some affiliated with U.N.-backed government based in the countrys capital, Tripoli.

VENEZUELA The Trump administration has announced sanctions on 13 current and former members of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros administration. The U.S. also joined with a dozen other regional governments in urging Maduro to suspend Sundays election of a national assembly for rewriting the charter.
By Tom Hals (Reuters) - Toshiba Corp has agreed to pay $2.168 billion to walk away from two unfinished nuclear reactors in South Carolina being built by its Westinghouse subsidiary, according to a statement by the owners of project. SCANA Corp and its partner, state-owned utility Santee Cooper, said Toshiba will make the payments in installments beginning in October and ending in September 2022. Toshiba's Westinghouse Electric Co filed for bankruptcy in March, overwhelmed by the cost overruns at the VC Summer plant in South Carolina and a similar unfinished nuclear project known as Vogtle in Georgia. The projects are years behind schedule. The agreement allows Toshiba and its Westinghouse unit to exit the nuclear construction business and caps Toshiba's liability for guaranteeing that Westinghouse complete the VC Summer contract. Toshiba reached a similar agreement for $3.7 billion in June with the utilities, led by a unit of Southern Co , that own the Vogtle project. Toshiba has warned that losses from Westinghouse threaten its future and it is considering bids for its flash memory chip unit, worth around $18 billion, to raise capital. The owners of the VC Summer project said on Thursday they expect the cost of completing the project will "materially exceed" Westinghouse's estimates and the payments due from Toshiba. They said they hope to decide soon whether they will continue with the two projects, modify them or abandon them. Westinghouse is expected to deliver this week a five-year business plan to its lender, an affiliate of Apollo Global Management . That plan will help shape bids for Westinghouse, which has attracted the interest of U.S. private equity firms. As part of that plan, Westinghouse is expected to reach an agreement with SCANA under which it will continue to provide engineering and other services. Westinghouse has a similar agreement in place with the owners of the Vogtle plant. Westinghouse asked the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan, New York, on Wednesday to give it until Dec. 6 to file a plan of reorganization. The company said it needed more time in part due to talks with SCANA. The request will be heard by the court on Sept. 7. The Georgia and South Carolina plants were the first new nuclear power projects in the United States in three decades. However, the projects have been dogged by design problems, disagreements with regulators and poor quality work by Westinghouse's partners. (Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; Editing by Dan Grebler)
(This July 26 story corrects to make clear in para 30 local recruits are internationally supervised.) By Angus MacSwan SHEIKH AMIR, Iraq (Reuters) - As people return home to Mosul and other areas of northern Iraq freed from Islamic State, homemade bombs and explosives laid on an industrial scale by the insurgents are claiming hundreds of victims and hampering efforts to bring life back to normal. Houses, schools, mosques and streets are all booby-trapped, a big problem in West Mosul following its recapture by government forces this month after nine months of fighting. Beyond Mosul, in villages and fields stretching from the Plain of Nineveh to the Kurdish autonomous region, retreating Islamic State fighters have sown a vast area with improvised bombs and mines as their self-proclaimed caliphate shrinks. "The scale of contamination? There are kilometres and kilometres and kilometres of active devices, sensitive enough to be detonated by a child and powerful enough to blow up a truck," Craig McInally, operations manager for Norwegian People's Aid anti-explosives project, said. While mines are usually laid in rows in open ground, improvised explosives in buildings are wired into household appliances such as fridges, heaters and televisions, primed to explode at the flick of a switch or an opened door, experts say. Since clearing operations began last October, about 1,700 people have been killed or injured by such explosives, according to the United Nations Mines Action Service, which co-ordinates the clearing campaign. By targeting civilians, Islamic State hopes to thwart a stabilisation effort aiming to get people back to their homes, jobs and studies, rebuild infrastructure and reinstate government rule. While the crisis lasts, Islamic State - whose strategy extends far beyond military operations - could thrive again, said Charles Stuart, charge d'affaires at the European Union mission in Iraq. UNDER THE RUBBLE Sheikh Amir, on the main Erbil-Mosul road at the line between Kurdish and Iraqi army control, is an abandoned, bombed-out ruin  one of hundreds of villages in such a state. On a sweltering morning, Haskim Hazim, 37, was working with his brother and a few friends to repair his house, mixing cement and erecting a cinder-block wall. Apart from his, only one other family out of a village that once had 120 Sunni and Shi'ite Muslim households has returned since it was recaptured from Islamic State in October, he said. When he came back, his house, adjacent buildings and animal pens had been booby-trapped. "All were connected together. The bomb was a jerry can," he said. Many other houses had been rigged with improvised explosives. Islamic State had also dug tunnels in and around the village. A Mines Advisory Group (MAG) team had gone through and cleared most of that but it was still dangerous, he said. A few weeks ago, a 12-year-old boy tending sheep nearby had picked up an object from the ground. It exploded and blew the fingers off one of his hands, Hazim said. "We don't know what is under the rubble," said his brother, Jassan Abbas Hazim, 35, pointing to houses demolished by U.S.-led coalition air strikes and Islamic State. Their families were staying in rented rooms in Erbil and Qaraqosh, the men said. "There's nothing here, no school, no medicine, no water - just a well," Hazim said. "I hope other people come back. If they don't, then what?" In Qarqashah, in the same area, two returning families were killed when the pick-ups they were driving in triggered a mine. Today, only one family of shepherds lives there full-time, the NPA's McInally said. In nearby Kaberli, about 20 families have returned since February after NPA teams cleared schools and houses. The EU's Stuart gave the example of a schoolroom in Fallujah where explosives were packed beneath a classroom's floorboards to kill children as they went to their desks. It was discovered in time. A big problem is civilians taking matters into their own hands and trying to clear their homes themselves, Stuart said, and children playing in the streets are particularly vulnerable. CRUSH NECKLACES In the NPA office in Erbil, McInally, a U.S. army veteran who has cleared explosive hazards in countries from Colombia to Afghanistan, showed off a collection of devices, many fashioned from rusty bits of metal. The most common is a "pressure plate" - two long plates held apart by spacers, one connected to a negative lead the other to a positive lead. When trodden on, the circuit closes and detonates the main charge. Other devices, so-called "crush necklaces", are like miniature pressure plates made from small metal or plastic clips. They are difficult to find with metal detectors and hard to spot visually. "This is an industrialised assembly line. These are guys who are educated. They understand electronics," McInally said. The bomb-makers are also learning from clearers' techniques and are adapting to them, he said. The anti-explosives campaign involves Iraqi and Kurdish authorities, the United Nations, and an array of NGOs and commercial outfits. It extends beyond decontaminating sites. Community liaison teams give mine-risk awareness lessons to hundreds of people. At the Kadiz Abdulajad School in West Mosul, recently reopened after three years of Islamist rule, head teacher Thekriat Mohammed Hussein said the children were given lessons in mine and explosives awareness as part of the curriculum. The Mines Advisory Group is training people to be part of internationally-supervised MAG teams that handle explosives-clearing in their own communities. Other organisations are teaching local people to be first-responders to give emergency medical treatment to blast victims. Bureacracy and funding can hinder the effort though and resources are insufficient, clearers say. For 2017, UNMAS has received $16 million of the required $112 million. And the liberation of Mosul signifies the only the latest phase of the scourge. Iraq is peppered with "legacy" explosives going back to the Iran-Iraq War, former leader Saddam Hussein's war against the Kurds, and the U.S.-led war following the 2003 invasion. Islamic State militants are also expected to plant new areas as they fall back to the Syrian border. It could take decades to clear them, experts say. (Editing by Louise Ireland)
NAIROBI (Reuters) - South Sudan's government said on Friday it had taken the last town before the main rebel base of Pagak, where thousands of civilians have fled to escape fighting near the border with Ethiopia. Mai-wut had been under rebel control since the beginning of the war in late 2013 and is a gateway to the main rebel stronghold of Pagak, which if taken by the government would weaken the rebellion led by former vice president Riek Machar. In a separate blow to Machar, a senior commander allied to the rebel leader's SPLM-IO group said on Friday he had left to join up with a separate rebel faction, led by General Thomas Cirillo, the most senior officer to defect from President Salva Kiir's army in the last year. Mai-wut sits along a supply route from Ethiopia to another town, Mathiang, which is adjacent to the Paloch oilfields, the main source of government revenue. Dickson Gatluak Jock, a spokesman for the forces of South Sudan's First Vice President Taban Deng Gai, who were involved in the fighting, said three government soldiers were killed and five others wounded in capturing Mai-wut. Jock said they entered the town on Thursday morning after clashing with rebel forces. "It is under our control. Our forces managed to reach the town around 10 a.m.," he said. Up to 7000 families have fled to Pagak to escape the fighting since the government launched its offensive earlier this month, said Sarah Nyanath, head of GESSO, a local aid group in the town. South Sudan descended into civil war in 2013 after Kiir fired Machar as his deputy, unleashing a conflict that has spawned armed factions often following ethnic lines. Last July, Deng Gai, a former chief opposition negotiator, broke ranks with Machar and joined Kiir with troops allied to him. Jock said on Friday that Deng Gai's forces at Mai-wut were backed by army troops from Paloch and were forced to attack the rebels after they hit government positions near Mai-wut. A spokesman for the SPLM-IO rebels confirmed the town was no longer under their control. Machar was further weakened when John Kenyi Loburon, the commander of his forces in South Sudan's Central Equatoria state, which has seen some of the worst fighting in the last year, said he had joined General Cirillo's National Salvation Front rebel group. He said in a statement that he left because the movement had splintered between Machar and Deng Gai and because Loburon's troops had been sidelined by the top leadership. Cirillo, who lives in Ethiopia, says his aim is to overthrow Kiir, accusing him of running a tribalist army and government. The fighting in South Sudan has forced millions to flee their homes, split much of the population along ethnic lines, paralysed agriculture and cut oil production. (Editing by Toby Davis)
Sweden is in the grip of a political crisis as Prime Minister Stefan Lofven reshuffled his minority cabinet in a bid to avoid calling an early election. Opposition parties had demanded the resignation of three government ministers over one of the largest security breaches in the countrys history. Interior Minister Anders Ygeman and Infrastructure Minister Anna Johansson have stepped down, but the prime minister stood by his Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist. Anna Kindberg Batra and Jimmie Akessons motion of no confidence in the defence minister is completely facetious. Now it is up to the parliament and every member to take a position, said Stefan Lofven. The government is reeling from the news that unvetted foreign IT workers were granted access to confidential information in the government and police database in 2015 when the Transport Agency outsourced some of its services to IBM in the Czech Republic. Lofven has admitted that, as a result of the way the contract was handled, his country and its citizens were exposed to risks by potential leaks of sensitive information.
By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian opposition groups have reopened the northwestern border crossing of Bab al-Hawa with Turkey after a week-long closure caused by rebel infighting that blocked the main conduit for goods into Idlib province. Border officials and rebels said more than 200 trucks carrying food and humanitarian supplies, delivered by Western and regional charities, alongside commercial cargo had crossed from the Turkish side since the gateway reopened on Wednesday. Among them were at least 30 trucks carrying aid from NGOs. The rest was cargo and foodstuffs imported from Turkey by private traders, said officials from rebel groups which operate under the Free Syrian Army (FSA) banner. "From today commercial and cargo traffic has returned to normal, also passenger traffic after the Turkish authorities opened their side," Qassem al Qassem, a border crossing official, told Reuters. The crossing handles tens of millions of dollars worth of trade and humanitarian relief annually and the prospect of its fall into the hands of jihadist insurgents had raised fears among the international and regional aid community that it would hamper aid flows. The crossing closed after Hayat Tahrir al Sham, a rebel alliance spearheaded by the former al Qaeda offshoot Nusra Front, encircled the crossing after three days of bloody fighting with its rivals Ahrar al-Sham, driving them out of the border area and most of the province. "Several containers of food parcels that had been held up have now moved to several towns in the province without any problem," said Abdul Rahman Ghazi, a field coordinator of the Turkey-based Nahnu al Umma charity that operates across the province. Bab al-Hawa was a major international crossing before the crisis and handled billions of dollars of overland trade from Europe to the Gulf through Syria. A ceasefire deal that ended three days of rebel infighting forced Turkey-backed Ahrar al-Sham - which had been in control of the crossing for the last three years - to give up its military presence there and hand over to a new administration. Officials said the same civilian staff were still running the crossing but without an armed military presence by any rebel faction, after Ahrar al-Sham withdrew on Sunday a large garrison it had positioned there. More than two million people live in Idlib, which has become a refuge for many displaced Syrians from across the country, including rebel fighters and their families who left areas seized by the Syrian army. Many people have come to rely on food handouts by international charities in the absence of jobs and widespread damage in the province, once Syria's main fertile olive-growing province. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Editing by Gareth Jones)
HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam's foreign minister has asked his Indonesian counterpart to investigate and clarify reports that the Indonesian navy shot and wounded two Vietnamese fishermen in the South China Sea, the foreign ministry said on Friday. Pham Binh Minh told Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi by telephone that the reported incident was "very serious ... and not appropriate with the strategic partnership relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia," the Vietnamese foreign ministry said in a statement. "Vietnam is deeply concerned about this incident and proposes Indonesia to quickly investigate and clarify the incident and inform Vietnam of the results and to stop repeating similar acts," Minh was quoting as saying. Earlier this week, a local Vietnamese sea rescue committee said Indonesia's navy had shot and wounded Vietnamese fishermen aboard a fishing boat in the South China Sea last weekend. The Vietnamese boat was about 132 nautical miles (245 km) southeast of Vietnam's Con Dao island when the fishermen were shot on Saturday night, the Binh Dinh provincial search and rescue committee said on its website. The report was pulled off the website the next day. The Indonesian navy has yet to comment on the incident. Disputes over fishing rights and oil drilling have stoked tension in the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in goods is shipped each year. China claims almost the entire sea, but Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also have claims. Although Indonesia says it is not a party to the dispute, it recently renamed the northern reaches of its exclusive economic zone, asserting its own maritime claim. The coordinates given by the Vietnamese search and rescue committee indicated that the shooting happened close to the area Indonesia now calls the North Natuna Sea. Indonesia has sunk hundreds of mostly foreign boats caught illegally fishing in its waters since President Joko Widodo launched a crackdown on the poaching of fish in 2014. Indonesia and Vietnam said in May they would launch a joint investigation after reports that Vietnamese coast guards had tried to forcibly free five fishing boats and their crew detained in waters near Indonesia's Natuna Islands. (Reporting by Mai Nguyen; Additional reporting by Bernadette Christina Munthe in Jakarta; Editing by Catherine Evans)
Between May and November 2009, the teenager filled numerous prescriptions for Oxycodone and Oxycontin at a New Mexico pharmacy. The prescriptions were all valid, signed by a licensed physician.

If the teenager had been taking the opioids as directed, each prescription would have been sufficient for a certain number of days. But often the teenager arrived at the pharmacy with a new prescription before the last one should have run out. At least some of the prescriptions bore notations saying OK to fill early or words to that effect. Seven times over the course of four months the pharmacy filled prescriptions early.

The teenagers prescriptions were covered by Medicaid, so she could get the pills for free  if she waited. Medicaid didnt permit early fills. But that financial incentive wasnt always enough to make her wait. In September, she paid $1,107 in cash to fill a script early. The next month, she again offered to pay cash, just three days before she would have received the same pills for free. That time, the pharmacy called the doctor to make sure the early fill was really okay.

On top of pain medication, the teenager was also filling prescriptions for Alprazolam, an anti-anxiety drug. According to WebMD, Alprazolam can slow a persons breathing, an effect potentially magnified if the drug is taken with opioids. The Court of Appeals recent opinion in the case, from which Im drawing these facts, is blunt: When used in conjunction with other CNS depressants (such as Oxycontin and Oxycodone), Alprazolam can be toxic even at low concentrations.

As youve probably guessed, this story doesnt end happily. The teenager died of multiple drug toxicity on December 1, 2009, just 19 years old.

As the Court of Appeals notes, The nations ongoing opioid crisis (is) the subject of news reports and commentary almost daily. The Journal of the American Medical Association reports that the amount of opioids prescribed in 2015 [was] more than 3 times higher than in 1999. 2015 saw 33,091 opioid-overdose deaths in the U.S., about half involving prescription drugs. With so much suffering, there is plenty of blame to go around. The teenagers estate sued the doctor and the doctors clinic, and also added claims against the pharmacy.

The pharmacys argument against legal liability was straightforward. The prescriptions it filled were signed by licensed physicians and in every way valid. Its not a pharmacists job to second-guess a doctors treatment decisions. Imagine how obnoxious it would be if the person behind the counter said, Well, I disagree with your doctor about this choice of medication. Im not going to fill your prescription. A pharmacist who did that would arguably be practicing medicine without a license, and thats a felony offense. A pharmacists paramount professional responsibility is simply to fill legitimate prescriptions with scrupulous accuracy, which the pharmacy did.

The teenagers estate argued that more is required of a pharmacy. Its argument was supported by the state Board of Pharmacys regulations. Under the regulations, a pharmacist is required to be alert for signs of clinical abuse/misuse of opioids. Specifically, pharmacists should be suspicious whenever a patient fills an opioid prescription early or pays cash despite the existence of insurance, two things the teenager in this case did repeatedly. Once suspicions are aroused, the pharmacist is required to obtain the patients prescription history (known as a PMP report). And then? The regulations require the pharmacist to exercise professional judgment to decide whether to consult with the doctor or counsel the patient, and to document the decision-making process. No more forceful intervention is required.

The Court of Appeals agreed with the teenagers estate that the standard of care owed by all New Mexico pharmacists to their patients includes strict compliance with the regulations. And the record before it did not reveal whether the pharmacy had complied in this case. Thats because the trial judge decided the case before trial on an incomplete factual record. In reversing the grant of summary judgment, the Court of Appeals didnt find the pharmacy liable but only sent the case back to the trial court for more evidence. Specifically, the trial court was to determine whether the pharmacy did, in fact, take the steps laid out in the regulations. Even if the pharmacy fell short, a serious question would remain whether the lack of a PMP report and follow-up documentation really contributed in any meaningful way to the teenagers sad end.

While this particular case continues, New Mexicos other pharmacies are reminded that strict compliance with the opioid regulations can be an effective antidote to claims of legal liability.

If there are topics you would like to see Joel Jacobsen cover in future columns, please write him at legal.column.tips@gmail.com
Paul Barnes has worked with documentary filmmaker Ken Burns on various projects over the course of a few decades.

As an editor, he knows what it takes to complete one of Burns masterpieces.

Yet the Santa Fe resident was in for something completely different working with Burns and Lynn Novick on The Vietnam War.

Barnes edited two of the episodes in the series.

It was a very difficult edit because of the complexity of the subject. And the density of the material forced the shows to go through scads of rewriting, he says. (On a daily basis) we were finding out new facts and figures. Ken and Lynn wanted to focus on the current information. Because its fresh American history, Lynn and Ken were hellbent on making it correct with current research. And we were very cognizant of wanting to update. So that was a much more interesting part of the editing process.

The Vietnam War is a 10-part, 18-hour documentary series by Burns and Novick.

It tells the epic story of one of the most consequential, divisive, and controversial events in American history as it has never before been told on film. Visceral and immersive, the series explores the human dimensions of the war through testimony of nearly 80 witnesses from all sides  Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as combatants and civilians from North and South Vietnam.

Ten years in the making, the series includes rarely seen and digitally remastered archival footage from sources around the globe, photographs taken by some of the most celebrated photojournalists of the 20th century, historic television broadcasts, evocative home movies, and secret audio recordings from inside the Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon administrations.

The series premieres Sept. 17.

But New Mexicans will get a special treat on Aug. 30 at the Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe.

Barnes is currently working on a one-hour preview to the documentary series.

The preview will be screened for free.

After the preview, Barnes will sit down with Gene Grant to discuss working on the documentary.

Im in the process of choosing the highlights of the 18 hours, he says. It should be enough to give the audience a good overview sense of what the series contains.

The Vietnam War preview

Discussion featuring Paul Barnes to follow

WHEN: 7 p.m. Aug. 30

WHERE: Lensic Performing Arts Center, 211 W. San Francisco, Santa Fe

HOW MUCH: Free. Tickets are required and available at ticketssantafe.org

SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter @agomezART.
DALLAS  Shares of Southwest Airlines fell 5 percent Thursday after the company offered a weak forecast for a key revenue figure in the third quarter.

Southwest gave more evidence that the effort by U.S. airlines to push average fares higher may be faltering. Bolstered by high profits, the airlines could soon be adding seats faster than demand is growing, leading to more price-slashing.

That is good news for travelers. But it is troubling for airline shareholders, who are worried that revenue could fall while fuel and labor costs are rising.

Southwest said so-called unit revenue, the amount it gets for every seat flown one mile, was 1.5 percent higher in the second quarter than a year earlier. Southwest said the figure would have been higher but for glitches in a new reservation system that made it harder to resell canceled seats.

The average one-way fare ticked up more than $2 to $153.95.

For the current, July-through-September quarter  including much of the busy summer-travel season  Southwest expects the per-mile revenue figure to rise just 1 percent.

Analysts had been more bullish about the third quarter. J.P. Morgans Jamie Baker called the Southwest forecast uninspiring and a sign that expectations for third-quarter profit might need to be reduced.

Meanwhile, CEO Gary Kelly declared that he thinks Southwest should fly to Hawaii  something its customers have long clamored for  although he said no decision had been made.

My belief is that when we do  its not if were going to go, its when we go, Kelly said on a call with analysts and reporters. We think it is an important strategic offering that Southwest needs to make.

Kelly acknowledged that Southwest would face operational challenges  it has never flown such long flights over water. Kelly said the company would have to evaluate whether those flights would differ from the airlines standard service, which doesnt include meals, seat assignments or seats with extra legroom.

Dallas-based Southwest, the nations fourth-biggest airline, reported second-quarter profit of $746 million, down 9 percent from a year earlier.

Adjusted profit was $1.24 per share, beating the forecast of $1.20 per share from analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research.

Revenue rose 7 percent to $5.74 billion.

Costs, however, rose faster than revenue. They were led by a 14 percent increase in labor  unions have demanded better pay while the airlines are profitable  and 10 percent for fuel.

Southwest shares fell $2.95 to close at $56.57. It was the second-steepest drop for the shares in the past 12 months.

___

David Koenig can be reached at http://twitter.com/airlinewriter
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador  His loyalty to the boss severely tested but seemingly intact, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Thursday he will stay in the job for as long as President Donald Trump wants him to serve.

Sessions told The Associated Press he and Trump have a harmony of values and beliefs and he intends to stay and fight for the presidents agenda as long as he sees that as appropriate. This, after a week of being berated by Trump in the most public fashion as weak and ineffective.

If he wants to make a change, he has every right, Sessions said in an interview outside the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador during a mission to increase international cooperation against the MS-13 gang. I serve at the pleasure of the president. Ive understood that from the day I took the job.

Congressional Republicans have rallied around Sessions, a former senator from Alabama, and expressed mortification at the humiliation visited on him by Trump in several interviews and a series of tweets.

Trump is upset that Sessions recused himself months ago from the investigation into interactions between Russian officials and the Trump campaign, and that he has not taken a tougher line against his defeated Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina warned Thursday there would be holy hell to pay if Trump fired Sessions.

After meeting his Salvadoran counterpart, Sessions told AP he was thrilled with the support hes received, presumably from lawmakers.

I believe we are running a great Department of Justice, he said. I believe with great confidence that I understand what is needed in the Department of Justice and what President Trump wants. I share his agenda.

He acknowledged, with considerable understatement, it hasnt been my best week . for my relationship with the president. The two have not spoken recently, he said. But I look forward to the opportunity to chat with him about it.

In Congress, Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska went to the Senate floor Thursday to discourage Trump from making a so-called recess appointment while the Senate is away at the end of August  should that be the presidents intention. A recess appointment would allow Trump to appoint anyone of his choosing and bypass Senate confirmation until 2019 if the Senate recesses for 10 days or more in August.

If youre thinking of making a recess appointment to push out the attorney general, forget about it, Sasse said. The presidency isnt a bull, and this country isnt a china shop.

The previous evening, the Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, tweeted that he wouldnt be holding a confirmation hearing for a new attorney general if Trump decided to go that route.

Although largely deferential to a president who seemed bent on tormenting him, Sessions stood his ground on his decision to recuse himself from the Russia investigation. He had bowed out of any involvement in that probe after acknowledged meeting with Russias ambassador during the campaign.

Knowing the integrity thats required of the attorney general, I believe I made the right decision, he told Fox News. He said his recusal was in keeping with the rule of law and an attorney general who doesnt follow the law is not very effective in leading the Department of Justice.

The White House of late has appeared to be trying to tamp down the notion that Trump wants Sessions out  without offering a rousing endorsement of him, however.

The president wants him to do his job, do it properly, the White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, said Thursday. He wants him to be tough on the intelligence leaks and he wants him to move forward.

In San Salvador, Sessions met his Salvadoran counterpart, Douglas Melendez, and congratulated him on charges laid over the last two days against more than 700 gang members, many of them from MS-13, said the Justice Department.

He also met members of an international anti-gang task force at an event where an FBI agent described MS-13 as a highly coordinated and well-organized gang whose imprisoned leaders order violence in the U.S. from their prisons in El Salvador.

MS-13 is an international criminal enterprise with tens of thousands of members in several Central American countries and many U.S. states. The gang originated in immigrant communities in Los Angeles in the 1980s then entrenched itself in Central America when its leaders were deported.

Its known for hacking and stabbing victims with machetes, drug dealing, prostitution and other rackets. Its recruits are middle- and high-school students predominantly in immigrant communities, and those who try to leave risk violent retribution, law enforcement officials have said.

MS-13 members have been accused in a spate of bloodshed that included the massacre of four young men in a Long Island, New York, park and the killing of a suspected gang rival inside a deli. The violence has drawn attention from members of Congress and Trump, who has boasted about efforts to arrest and deport MS-13 members across the United States.

For Sessions, the anti-gang mission was a way to show his priorities are Trumps priorities after days of being upbraided by the president in the most public fashion.

In Washington, lawmakers from both parties moved on efforts to prevent the dismissal of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, a development that might be made easier if Sessions were moved aside.

Graham is working on legislation that would block the firing of special counsels without judicial review. Democrat Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, among several senators involved in the effort, said the bill would protect Mueller and other special counsels. He said firing Mueller would precipitate a firestorm that would be unprecedented in proportions.

Sessions recused himself from the investigation into election meddling after he acknowledged meeting with Russias ambassador during the campaign.

___

Jalonick reported from Washington
Warming to her subject, Carol Potenza was getting animated, her hands moving about as quickly as the expressions of delight that rippled over her face.

DNA is the most resilient stuff, she said. DNA is fascinating. They are working with mammoth DNA and elephants. If they get a mammoth at a zoo, Im there.

Potenza, 55, has an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and cell biology and a doctorate in biomedical sciences. She is an assistant professor at New Mexico State University, where she teaches classes in biochemistry.

On this day, she was at a northeast Albuquerque apartment building, sitting on the 10th-floor balcony of rooms that belong to a sister-in-law. She was not there to talk about DNA and mammoths, elephant-like creatures that have been extinct for 4,500 years.

She had, in fact, been talking about her budding career as a writer of fiction and the fact that her unpublished novel, Hearts of the Missing, received the 2017 Hillerman Prize for the best first mystery novel set in the Southwest. The prize consists of $10,000 and a contract with St. Martins Press, which expects to publish Potenzas novel in the fall of 2018.

But with Potenza, science is never far from the surface. Genetics play a role in Hearts of the Missing, a novel featuring Nicky Matthews, a white woman who works as a cop for the police force serving a fictitious New Mexico pueblo. Potenza said the second Nicky Matthews book will deal with the science required to clean up the spill of hazardous materials into New Mexico rivers and the third will involve fertility *research.

Potenza is as pumped about becoming a published author as she is about science. She said the fact she won the Hillerman Prize, named for best-selling New Mexico mystery writer Tony Hillerman, should serve as encouragement for all would-be writers.

Look what I did, she said. This could be a life-changing event. So put your pen to paper, sit down at your computer, write your story.

Rich and atmospheric

Potenza is the eighth recipient of the Hillerman Prize, which was started in 2007 but has not been awarded every year. Initially the prize was presented by St. Martins Press and the Tony Hillerman Writers Conference. Last year, the Western Writers of America, a national organization of more than 650 people who write about the American West, took over for the Writers Conference and teamed up with St. Martins Press to continue the prize.

Potenza was notified about her win in March and was honored during a luncheon at the WWA convention in Kansas City, Mo., in June.

Dozens of manuscripts are submitted in the Hillerman competition each year.

This year we received more than 70 manuscripts and one picture of a couch, which is what happens when you have online submissions, Elizabeth Lacks, senior associate editor at St. Martins Press, said during the WWA luncheon. Lacks praised Potenzas work for its rich and atmospheric details and for the unique perspective of a character working with a culture that is alien to her.

Like Potenza, Tony Hillerman, who died in 2008, wrote mysteries set among a culture other than his own. His novels about Navajo Tribal Police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee routinely made national best-sellers lists and won honors from writing organizations, including two WWA Spur Awards. He is a member of the WWA Hall of Fame.

Hillermans daughter, Anne, is writing novels that put her own twist on stories featuring characters created by her father. Her fourth entry in the series, Cave of Bones is due out next spring. She said her father would be happy that a New Mexico writer won the Hillerman Prize this year.

Potenza is the third winner of the prize with New Mexico connections. The first winner, in 2007, is Christine Barber, an Albuquerque resident who has worked as a writer and editor for New Mexico newspapers. John Fortunato, the 2014 winner, was at one time an FBI agent assigned to Gallup.

My dad was so involved in the local writing community, and he was always happy to endorse the work of new writers, Anne Hillerman said.

A perfect fit

Potenza did not start out in New Mexico. The daughter of a Marine Corps fighter pilot, she was born in Hawaii and moved around a lot, settling finally in Southern California. She met her husband, Albuquerque native Leos Flores, when they were students at the University of California, San Diego. They moved to Las Cruces in 1991 and Potenza went to work at NMSU. Her husband is a physician at a clinic in Anthony, N.M.

When she moved from a research to a teaching position at NMSU a few years back, Potenza, the mother of two adult children, found she had more time on her hands, or, as she puts it, more brain space.

An ardent reader and admitted daydreamer, she decided to take a crack at writing.

My New Years resolution in 2015 was to start writing, she said. Id write one to two hours in the morning, five days a week. I wrote two books  romances  the first year. Some people say they want to write, and they dont. Or, they start writing and dont finish. I finished two books and didnt know what to do with them.

She went looking for a writers group to help her. She joined one made up of writers around New Mexico who communicate on the internet. She credits the group with helping her turn Hearts of the Missing, which started out as a short story, into the novel she submitted to the Hillerman contest.

My 2017 New Years resolution was to enter contests, she said. I did not set out to write (Hearts of the Missing) for the Hillerman contest. I did not even know about the Hillerman Prize when I wrote it. But it fit perfectly.

Far-away eyes

It was Potenzas sister-in-law, Fran Flores, a police officer on a New Mexico pueblo, who provided the inspiration for the character Nicky Matthews and details about police work on tribal lands, the long distances, for example, that officers often have to patrol alone. The fictitious pueblo where lead character Matthews, an Albuquerque native in her early 30s, does her policing is set between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

When I started writing this, I had not actually been out to the pueblos, Potenza said. But I started going out to the feast days and just driving around the pueblos, soaking up the atmosphere. And theres no problem going into the casinos. She said she asked a couple of pueblo friends to read the manuscript to make sure she had not written anything foolish or offensive.

The story in Hearts of the Missing is about Matthews investigation into the death of a young pueblo woman, a student at NMSU. There is science, pueblo culture and police procedure in the novel, but theres a mystical side, too, based on eerie visions of an elderly native woman and other things that Potenzas sister-in-law had actually experienced while working on pueblo grounds.

In the novel, Nicky Matthews sees similar visions, but attributes them to stress or fatigue.

Potenza said that Matthews does not want to believe that she has special or psychic abilities, but some members of the pueblo think she has far-away eyes.

That fact, combined with their respect for her as a person and a police officer, is enough for those people to seek the help of Matthews, an outsider, in finding out what happened to their loved ones.

Writing chills

Does Potenza the scientist believe in ghost stories, visions?

Not really, she said. Ive never experienced anything like that. Might others have a different perception of the world around them? Sure. The brain is pretty mysterious. I think for protection sake, human brains are hard-wired to be wary of things that go bump in the night because so many predators are nocturnal.

Even so, Potenza admits to getting the chills listening to her sister-in-laws stories about the visions she has seen. And chills, in part, is what Potenza is trying to give her readers.

Because they provoked fear and excitement (Frans) stories really stuck with me, she said. I wanted to learn to write that way. Chills from books are a safe way to elicit fear. When a reader tells me they get the shivers reading my stories, it makes me happy. I like starting this new writing adventure. But I have so much to learn. Im just at the elementary school level.

Maybe so. But you dont need far-away eyes to see that shes a fast learner.
Among the budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration is $6 billion to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which could translate to the loss of Section 8 housing to 1,400 families statewide, about half of them in Albuquerque, said Hank Hughes, executive director of the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness.

Section 8 is a joint federal and state program that subsidizes housing for families struggling to obtain affordable and safe housing.

Hughes was among the speakers during a protest and news conference held Thursday morning at Barrett Foundation, which operates an emergency shelter for women and children, as well as several supportive housing programs. Many of those present held pillows to symbolize the people and families who would lose their affordable housing and likely become homeless if the HUD cuts materialize.

Calling the cuts mean-spirited, Hughes said 1,400 families would lose their Section 8 housing almost overnight. Currently, only one in four people who qualifies for publicly supported housing gets it now, so the right thing to do would be to increase the HUD budget, he said.

Housing is health care, said Andrew Estocin, deputy director of the Albuquerque Housing Authority, which provides assistance to nearly 5,000 households, including 3,000 children. Every dollar spent on housing saves our city from $5 to $7 in things such as hospital visits, community services, police calls, rescue calls and school truancy. Without housing, everything else falls apart.

The proposed cuts to HUD will also impact the ability of the Barrett Foundation to serve the women and children who come to them for help, said executive director Connie Chavez. During the last fiscal year 443 women and children were served at the Barrett House emergency shelter, and 324 exited it through supportive housing.

We are currently experiencing a lack of affordable housing in our community, she said. Nevertheless, Barrett House receives more than 500 calls a year from women and children looking for emergency shelter and housing provisions.

The city of Albuquerque will also feel the impact of HUD budget cuts, said Diane Dolan, policy analyst for District 2 City Councilor Isaac Benton. The loss of federal funds would impact local housing initiatives for low and moderate income families as well as the homeless  initiatives that are funded in part by community development block grants from HUD.

Ultimately, the number of housing vouchers available would decline, and people will have to wait longer for affordable housing, she said.
Days after New Mexicos acting secretary of education highlighted state initiatives that are boosting PARCC scores, Albuquerque Public Schools administrators said they support many of these programs but worry they arent receiving enough funding to create large-scale improvements.

Carrie Robin Brunder, the districts director of government affairs and policy, told the Journal that APS has had principals turned away from one of the Public Education Departments signature efforts  Principals Pursuing Excellence, a mentoring program  because there are not enough slots. Eight APS principals and one district administrator applied to take part during the upcoming school year. Six were accepted.

Funding for other PED programs has been cut, so administrators have a hard time depending on them, Brunder said.

She said the district will buy into one of PEDs reform programs and then, under no control of our own, those programs are shrunk, theyre changed, the money goes away, and it makes it very hard for us to create any stable reform effort in our district.

But Christopher Ruszkowski, acting secretary of education, said other New Mexico districts have found money in their budgets to keep programs going because they have made it a priority. And while funding for K-3 Plus and other programs was cut this past fiscal year, it has gone up over the past five years, Ruszkowski said.

He said competition has increased for the funding, and PED determines who receives it based on the strength of applications, as well as how well a district implements a program and how committed it is to data-driven reform.

Lets not forget APS is a billion-dollar organization, he said. I think the APS leadership needs to figure out whats working for its kids in terms of getting progress and outcomes, and commit to that with its own local dollars and with its own federal dollars.

This summer, PED saw a cut in funding for its K-3 Plus program, which extends the academic year by 25 days. Districts were asked to delay the program to later in the summer so funding would come out of the next funding year, which starts July 1. APS was unable to do that and received money for about 3,000 children, compared to about 5,000 in total last summer.

The argument that we have had, I guess in the political scene, over the last seven years really has not been about the value of the reform programs PED is trying to initiate because we participate in those programs when we believe they align to our core mission and our core values, Brunder said. The argument on the political scene is about consistency, funding mechanisms and how you bring those programs to scale in a district like ours.

In recent years, Principals Pursuing Excellence has been offered mentorship to a total of 124 schools serving 28,000 students statewide, but Brunder noted that APS has 150 principals and 100 assistant principals.

APS alone would be the entire capacity of Principals Pursuing Excellence over the past couple of years, so we participate in it when we can, Brunder said.

A hundred schools applied to receive mentorship through the program during the upcoming school year and 60 were accepted. Some APS schools did not pass the rigorous selection process, Ruszkowski said.

Weve had more schools than ever that want to be part of it, but a key part to being ready  is do you have the district leadership and the school board leadership and the alignment and the belief that all kids can learn? Ruszkowski said. APS has to come to the table and demonstrate their readinesss for these reforms and practices.

In releasing the PARCC scores this week, Ruszkowski pointed to Farmington and Belen, which have seen growth in those standardized test scores, as having embraced assessment and data-driven instruction at the board level.

He noted that APS  even though it has been active in the K-3 Plus and truancy programs  fell about 2 percentage points in PARCC English scores over the past three years and was relatively flat in math. Ruszkowski said implementation was important for a program to yeidl results, and APS has not seen the type of growth he hoped for.

He also cited a University of Virgina report from several years ago that he said found that APS has some aversion to data-driven culture.

Ruszkowski also noted that other large urban districts like Tulsa have created their own programs similar to Principals Pursuing Excellence. Next month, Ruszkowski will sit down with APS Superintendent Raquel Reedy for the first time since he became acting secretary of education on June 20.

Reedy told the Journal that APS will continue to partner with the education department.

In recent years, the relationship between APS and PED has been acrimonious with board members being outspoken critics of former Education Secretary Hanna Skandera and many of the departments reforms. PED has also taken APS and its teacher union to task for many of their positions.

Even when relationships were strained between the former secretary and former superintendent, APS staff has always worked closely with PED staff for the betterment of the students of Albuquerque and New Mexico, Reedy said in an emailed statement. As a longtime member of the APS staff, I too have worked alongside the state and will continue to do so as we strive to improve academic outcomes for our students.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

LAS CRUCES  With the jagged peaks of the Organ Mountains in the background, U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said Thursday that he is keeping an open mind as he reviews whether to shrink the size of two national monuments in New Mexico, among others across the country.

And he climbed aboard a helicopter at Fort Bliss to aid in his review, taking a 90-minute tour by air over the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument in southern New Mexico.

It was beautiful, he said, but the area of the monument  its actually four separate parcels  is a little disconnected, Zinke told reporters gathered for a news conference at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.

The boundaries are difficult to discern  between private, public, state lands, he said. The features, as a geologist, I was particularly fascinated with the basalts and the volcanics  beautiful ground.

Zinkes visit to New Mexico, which continues through Saturday, is part of a review ordered by President Donald Trump  who wants the secretarys recommendation on whether to decrease the size of large national monuments created since 1996.

Two monuments are under review in New Mexico  the Rio Grande del Norte in Taos County and the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks in Dona Ana County. Both were set aside for protection by former President Barack Obama.

About 40 protesters gathered outside the ranching museum Thursday, carrying signs that urged Zinke to leave the boundaries intact. The secretarys news conference, however, was open only to reporters, not the public.

He also met privately with ranchers, landowners and other stakeholders earlier in the day. The Interior Department wouldnt reveal who met with Zinke in the private meetings.

Among those kept out of Thursdays news conference was Billy Garrett, a Dona Ana County commissioner whose district includes downtown Las Cruces.

Establishing the monument took at least 10 years of work, he said, to get the boundaries just right. The protections offered by monument status ensure that the land is available for hiking, hunting, camping, bird-watching and other uses, he said.

You cannot reduce the monument without losing the protections that go with the monument status, Garrett said.

Garrett, a Democrat, added that he was disappointed he hadnt been able to meet with Zinke on Thursday.

Im not sure hes getting an objective view, Garrett said.

Zinke, in speaking to reporters, disputed that notion. Its impossible in one visit to meet with everyone, he said, but hes trying to talk to elected officials and others with a stake in the monument boundaries.

Supporters of keeping the boundaries intact, meanwhile, held a town hall meeting in Las Cruces later Thursday that they said attracted 500 people. Zinke was invited but didnt attend, they said.

Zinke, a Republican, is scheduled to hike and ride horses on Saturday in northern New Mexicos Sabinoso Wilderness  which is not one of the areas whose size is being evaluated  with Democratic Sens. Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall of New Mexico, both of whom oppose downsizing the states two monuments in question.

I try to come in open-minded and listen to all views, Zinke said.

Trump  in ordering Zinke this year to review monuments across the country  said that in some cases the monuments amounted to a massive land grab by the federal government.

Monument status protects the lands from development. The status also includes limits on mining, timber cutting and recreational activities, such as riding off-road vehicles. Cattle grazing is allowed.

Petroglyphs, archaeological sites and wildlife habitat are among the resources protected in the New Mexico monuments.

Zinke said he understands that monument status offers important protections, but even if the boundaries are changed, he suggested the lands will remain public.

Were not advocates for selling or transferring public land, he said.

By law, Zinke said, the monument must be small enough to protect only the historic resources or objects that need the protection and not stretch beyond that.

In any case, it was good, he said, to see the Organ Mountains firsthand.

These monuments in New Mexico are vastly different than monuments that weve looked at in even the neighboring states, he said.

Zinke, a former congressman from Montana, said he understands the responsibility to make a wise recommendation to the president. A decision is due by Aug. 24.

Its not a partisan issue, Zinke said. This is an American issue.

Our public lands belong to all of us. We want to make sure the access to our public lands, the use of our public lands, benefits us  and when I say us, I mean the American people. It belongs to all of us.
NAMBE, N.M.  Ben Ray Lujan was a relatively new congressman, barely finding his way through the halls of the Capitol, when his mom called with an urgent message from home.

The llamas, she told him, had broken out of their pen again.

From nearly 2,000 miles away, Lujan helped her figure out how to corral the animals, which were supposed to be guarding the familys sheep herd in New Mexico.

Its a skill that could serve him well in his current job, where he will be expected to play a leading role in guiding Democrats as they try to win the House majority in 2018.

Something that I learned just around here, growing up on this small farm, is that every job mattered and whatever job you were asked to do or tasked with, you had to do it, and you had to do it right, said Rep. Lujan, 45, sitting beneath a towering cottonwood at his familys generations-old farm.

As chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Lujan has a difficult, often thankless, job at a time when almost every Democrat seems to have an opinion about what the party needs to win in the age of President Donald Trump.

Energetic anti-Trump groups are hammering the campaign committee for not doing enough to recruit and promote fresh candidates, portraying party leaders as tone deaf to Trumps populist appeal.

At the same time, more moderate forces are pushing Democrats to the center, trying to keep the party from drifting too far left into the Bernie Sanders wing.

It falls largely to Lujan to shepherd the campaign arm of the fracturing party, united mainly by opposition to Trump and by a desire to win back the House majority. Lujan must help recruit dozens of candidates and persuade deep-pocketed donors to shell out more than $200 million for the midterm election.

This is a moment of opportunity and a moment of truth for Ben Ray Lujan, said Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, an outside group promoting progressive candidates.

Does he fill the map with bold, inspiring economic populists who can win in red and purple districts? Or does he go the traditional route of finding milquetoast candidates or self-funding candidates who lose cycle after cycle?

After losses in four special elections this spring, many Democrats blamed party leaders for failing to pick up a single House seat.

But Lujan held firm, rejecting pressure to spend more money in long-shot races. While the campaign committee poured $6 million into suburban Atlanta, where Democrat Jon Ossoff appeared to have the best chance to pick up a traditionally Republican seat, it declined to go big in deep-red districts in Kansas, Montana or South Carolina. Ossoff still lost, but the campaign committee learned valuable lessons and Lujan saved resources for what he believes are more promising battles to come.

It was an unexpectedly hard-line approach from the typically good-natured Lujan, who is preparing to go on the offense next year in 80 Republican-held battleground districts, particularly those Trump lost to Hillary Clinton or won only narrowly. Colleagues made note of his resolve.

The chairmans responsibility is to look at it in a cold-blooded, strategic way  to look at what we need for 2018 to win the majority, said Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., co-chairman of the House Democrats Policy and Communications Committee. That always creates some disappointment for people.

Laid-back and blue-jean casual, Lujan seemed like an odd choice when he was first tapped for the job. He was pulled from relative obscurity as a back-bench, four-term congressman from a small, poor state, hardly seen as a power player in Washington.

But as the first Latino to run the committee  and the first Westerner in years  Lujan represents an aspirational face of the party, one that is more energetic, youthful and rural.

On his familys four-acre farm nestled among tribal lands in the Nambe valley  the street is named for his grandparents  Lujan explains his system for cooking bite-size chicharrones snacks on a New Mexican disco  a woklike pan originally made from a tractor disc  on the outdoor grill.

His father, the long-serving speaker of the state House, encouraged him to pursue politics, which he did only after a circuitous route through college, finally graduating later in his 20s after working night shifts as a blackjack dealer at a nearby tribal casino.

You learn how to visit with people, carry on a conversation, he said about his time playing cards. My political opponents tried attacking me for having those jobs. This paid the bills. If youre going to attack me doing that, then you clearly dont understand the constituents youre fighting to represent.

His predecessors at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee were usually hard-charging Washingtonians  think Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel or former New York Rep. Steve Israel.

But House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi saw in Lujan a well-liked and charismatic newcomer when she asked him to take the job after the 2014 midterm losses.

Lujan accepted and quickly set out to expand the committees team. He stacked it with lawmakers newer to Congress, naming vice chairs from regions across the country. He also worked to improve relations with minority groups in the House, particularly the Congressional Black Caucus, which often feels shortchanged in campaigns.

His first big challenge, the 2016 election, became a brighter spot on a dismal night for Democrats, with six House seats netted. But disappointed Democrats agitated for House leadership changes after Trumps win.

When Lujan sought election as chairman later that year  the job would no longer be appointed by Pelosi, as she heeded demands to loosen her grip  he fended off a potential challenger and won unopposed.

This year, he was hit with an ethics review after a conservative watchdog group filed a complaint over his use of photos from a Democratic sit-in on the House floor for his own re-election fundraising, a potential violation of House rules.

A core debate among House Democrats is whether their focus should be on reaching white, working-class Trump Democrats who have broken away from the party, or on investing more heavily in outreach to the African-American, Latino and other groups sometimes taken for granted.

Democrats need 24 seats to pick up the majority, about as many as a party historically wins during midterm elections when it does not control the White House.

The committee is trying new strategies to tap into unprecedented grass-roots enthusiasm, including recruiting more locals for campaign jobs rather than parachuting in experts from Washington.

It has also moved its entire Western state operation to Southern California to aggressively target GOP-held seats in Orange County.

We need to do a better job in understanding that were talking about real people, he said. And be able to connect with those people all across the country, like the ones I represent, and the family I grew up in.
Gov. Susana Martinez traveled to Salt Lake City on Thursday for an economic development fishing trip of sorts aimed at wooing businesses to New Mexico.

While in Utah, the second-term Republican governor will meet with business leaders and executives with the Outdoor Industry Association, a spokesman said.

The Outdoor Retailer show, a twice-yearly expo thats tied to the Outdoor Industry Association, announced earlier this year that it was leaving Utah due to disagreement over public land issues. But the shows organizers have picked Denver as its new location.

In a statement, Martinez spokesman Joseph Cueto cited a recent increase in the number of tourist visits to New Mexico and described the state as the perfect place for both adventure seekers and the industries that serve them.

However, the governor recently drew the ire of environmental groups by backing Interior Secretary Ryan Zinkes decision to review and possibly reduce the size of two national monuments in New Mexico, though she did not recommend what action, if any, should be taken.

Martinez traveled to Utah with a delegation that includes her chief of staff, Keith Gardner, and Economic Development Secretary Matt Geisel. Travel costs for all three will be paid for by the New Mexico Partnership, the marketing arm of the state Economic Development Department.

Martinez took similar trips last year to Chicago and California, and the Governors Office said a 2015 trip to California helped pave the way for Facebook to pick New Mexico for the site of a massive new data center.

The governor is scheduled to return to New Mexico today.

KUDOS: A Washington, D.C.-based company that uses a data-based approach to analyze lawmaking has selected Sen. Mimi Stewart as New Mexicos most effective legislator.

The formula developed by FiscalNote measured legislators effectiveness by tracking their ability to get substantive bills enacted, compared to other lawmakers from the same state, according to the company.

Stewart, an Albuquerque Democrat, sponsored 11 bills during this years 60-day legislative session that passed both legislative chambers. Six of those bills were vetoed by Gov. Susana Martinez, though the governor signed Stewart-sponsored bills dealing with rape kit testing, court interpreters and more.

A retired educator, Stewart served in the state House for 20 years before being appointed to the Senate in 2015. She was re-elected last year to represent an east Albuquerque district.

Nationally, most of the legislators deemed to be most effective were Republicans.

Dan Boyd: dboyd@abqjournal.com
SANTA FE  A suspect who allegedly robbed a rural convenience store and threatened to kill a 10-year-old girl before getting into a shootout with police on Interstate 25 had been on a multistate crime rampage before his arrest, State Police Lt. Elizabeth Armijo said in a written statement.

Lane Reed, a 23-year-old from Killeen, Texas, was arrested by State Police on Tuesday morning near Algodones. Reed was identified as the man who walked into the Pecos River Station in San Jose, in San Miguel County between Santa Fe and Las Vegas, at about 8:15 a.m. that day and threatened to shoot a 10-year-old girl if the clerk didnt give him money. Reed fled with $250 in cash after he also stole the store owners truck and pistol.

Santa Fe County deputies spotted the suspect in the La Cienega area and chased him. At one point, he turned onto a dead-end road in the Waldo area, Armijo said, and fired shots at deputies. Armijo said Reed shot at deputies a second time near the Santo Domingo exit, and deputies returned fire. Armijo said Reed was seen throwing money and a gun out the window during the chase. He surrendered after he shot at officers a third time and a State Police officer returned fire.

No one was injured in the incident.

Reed told State Police in an interview that he committed armed robberies in Texas and Colorado before the chaos in New Mexico. He also said that he intended to kill the officers who were trying to stop him, according to Armijo.

Investigators later determined that he had committed an armed robbery in Raton the day before his arrest. The Raton Police Department responded to a robbery at the Cross Roads gas station on Monday, and the suspects description matched Reeds description.

Police also accused Reed of carjacking a Toyota sedan at a gas station in Denver on July 23. Officers found the car at the Pecos River Station.

Reed also had warrants for aggravated robbery out of Fort Worth and Grandview, Texas.

Reed is facing a total of 17 charges in New Mexico, including assault, armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a felon and child abuse.
U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce has always said he opposes President Donald Trumps proposed border wall, and this week he put his vote where his mouth is  at least symbolically.

The New Mexico Republican on Thursday voted against $1.6 billion for a security wall stretching across the U.S. border with Mexico. But the border wall money was ultimately included anyway in a massive national security spending bill that House Republicans  including Pearce  eventually approved Thursday night.

The broader bill included funding for the Veterans Administration, a pay raise for service members and enhanced security at the U.S. Capitol, among many other defense-related expenses.

Pearce, who is running for governor of New Mexico in 2018 and represents a district that includes the states border with Mexico, surely hopes to moderate his very conservative image ahead of the statewide race. After Thursdays vote he called me  unsolicited  asking that I inform New Mexicans of his reasoning on the border wall vote.

The congressman said he objected to the inclusion of money for the 2,700-mile wall without hearings and debate. His House GOP colleagues used a rare maneuver called a self-executing rule to tack the border wall money into the broader security legislation without taking a separate vote on it. Pearce was one of five Republicans to join all House Democrats in voting against the maneuver, which passed the GOP-controlled chamber on a 230-196 vote.

Weve been pretty straightforward with Trump that there are better ways to secure the border than this long, expensive wall, Pearce said. It should have been debated, it should have been up for a yes or no vote. We need to have a cleaner, better process.

Pearce said hes all for securing it, but thinks it can be done with technology and a better deployment of border enforcement manpower instead of a massive wall. He said he keeps in his Las Cruces office a section of a border wall that was breached to remind him that those desperate enough will always find a way to get past a mere wall.

Asked how he would vote if the border wall money were included in a separate bill, the congressman said he would oppose it.

If youre going to just devote funding to the physical, straight-up wall, then you are going to force me  to vote no, he said

Pesticide ban

Sen. Tom Udall this week introduced legislation to ban a pesticide called chlorpyrifos, which has been linked to developmental problems in children.

Udall, a New Mexico Democrat, said the legislation is a response to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitts rejection of EPA scientists determination that all food applications of the pesticide are unsafe and that the chemical risks harm to children, farmworkers and the environment.

The science hasnt changed since EPA proposed banning chlorpyrifos in 2015 and 2017  only the politics have, Udall said in a statement. We cant wait until 2022 for the EPA to act  Congress must pass this legislation urgently to protect the health of our children, farmers, and farmworkers from this toxic pesticide.
ISLAMABAD  Pakistans beleaguered Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stepped down Friday after the Supreme Court ordered him removed from office over allegations of corruption, plunging the nuclear-armed nation into a political crisis.

The five-judge panel acted on petitions filed by Sharifs political opponents alleging that he and his family failed to disclose assets stemming from last years Panama Papers leaks. The court ordered that criminal charges be filed against Sharif and four relatives.

In a unanimous decision, the court said he had not been truthful and honest, and it also dismissed him from the National Assembly  the lower house of Parliament.

Sharif immediately resigned in what he called a show of respect for the judiciary, even though he said the courts decision was unjustified.

The landmark ruling threw Pakistan, which is battling attacks by Islamic militants, into political disarray and raised questions about who will succeed Sharif  and even who is running the country at the moment.

The court asked Pakistans figurehead President Mamnoon Hussain to ensure continuation of the democratic process. He is expected to convene the National Assembly once Sharifs ruling Pakistan Muslim League party, which enjoys a comfortable majority, nominates a successor to serve as prime minister until general elections are held in June 2018.

Sharifs political opponents danced in the streets and opposition leader Imran Khan urged them to gather Sunday in the capital of Islamabad to celebrate their legal victory against the corrupt ruling elite.

Khan, a former cricket star, described the disqualification as a good omen for Pakistan. He said at a news conference that he hopes all those who looted the nations wealth would face a similar fate.

Sharifs party expressed its disappointment and urged supporters to keep calm and avoid confrontations.

This decision is not surprising, but we are disappointed, Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb told reporters.

The 67-year-old Sharif, who has served three separate stints as prime minister, has a history of rocky relations with Pakistans military, the countrys most powerful institution. He was first dismissed from power by the armys hand-picked president in 1993 about midway through his five-term term. In 1999, military dictator Gen. Pervez Musharraf overthrew Sharif in a bloodless coup and exiled him to Saudi Arabia.

Sharifs supporters suggested the military applauded the court decision because it viewed him as an upstart who sought to challenge its authority.

The military has ruled Pakistan for more than half of its 70-year history and has been unwilling to see its influence challenged.

Sharifs relations with the military reached a new low in recent months after a respected English-language newspaper published a front-page article claiming a rift between civilian and military leaders over fighting militancy. The army suspected Sharifs government leaked the story and tweeted its dissatisfaction with his attempts to make amends by firing a government minister suspected of links to the reporter.

Political analyst Mehdi Hassan said the army may not have played a direct role in Sharifs dismissal, but representatives of the powerful ISI and Military Intelligence on the court-appointed investigation team may have contributed to the final decision.

Sharifs political opponents, many of whom have questionable records concerning corruption themselves, saw the decision as a vindication of their months-long battle and proof that even the politically powerful can be held accountable.

The court ordered that criminal charges be filed against Sharif, his two sons, his son-in-law and his daughter, Maryam Nawaz. It said the charges must be brought within six weeks and decided within six months.

The case dates back to the Panama Papers disclosures in 2016, when documents leaked from a Panama-based law firm indicated that Sharifs sons owned several offshore companies.

Sharifs son, Hussain Nawaz, at the time acknowledged owning offshore companies but insisted they used legally acquired funds to set up businesses abroad.

The court-appointed investigators in July concluded, however, that a significant disparity existed between the Sharif familys declared wealth and its known sources of income.

Maryam Nawaz tweeted that her father would return with greater force, and she asked her party to stay strong.

The court on Friday also ordered Pakistans anti-corruption body to file corruption charges against Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, a close relative of Sharifs.

Hashmat Habib, a legal expert, said the courts order was final and that Sharif and his family could not appeal.

It was the second time Pakistans Supreme Court has disqualified a prime minister. In 2012, the court found Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani guilty of contempt and ordered him to step down.

Zafar Ullah, a senior leader from Sharifs ruling party, said he did not know whether it was an irony of history or it was because of some conspiracy, but no elected prime minister has served a full term in Pakistan.

___

Associated Press writer Kathy Gannon in Kabul, Afghanistan, contributed.
LYMAN, Maine  Police in Maine say a dog that got into its owners oxycodone perked right up after police administered the opioid-overdose antidote naloxone.

York County Sheriff William King says the dogs owner flagged down a passing officer in Lyman on Thursday. The owner said she was unable to get help from a veterinarian and asked Sgt. David Chauvette to help the 3-year-old yellow Labrador named Addie. King says the dog was drowsy and the owner feared an overdose.

King says Chauvette administered naloxone and the dog seemed to perk up.

King said the dog seemed fine Thursday night.

The oxycodone had been legally prescribed to the dogs owner.
PYONGYANG, North Korea  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Saturday the second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile demonstrated his country can hit the U.S. mainland, hours after the launch left analysts concluding that a wide swath of the United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of North Korean weapons.

The Korean Central News Agency said that Kim expressed great satisfaction after the Hwasong-14 missile reached a maximum height of 3,725 kilometers (2,314 miles) and traveled 998 kilometers (620 miles) before accurately landing in waters off Japan. The agency said that the test was aimed at confirming the maximum range and other technical aspects of the missile it says was capable of delivering a large-sized, heavy nuclear warhead.

Analysts had estimated that the Norths first ICBM on July 4 could have reached Alaska, and said that the latest missile appeared to extend that range significantly.

Immediately after the launch, U.S. and South Korean forces conducted live-fire exercises. South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo called for the deployment of strategic U.S. military assets  which usually means stealth bombers and aircraft carriers  as well as additional launchers of an advanced U.S. anti-missile system.

Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the missile, launched late Friday night, flew for about 45 minutes  about five minutes longer than the first. The missile was launched on very high trajectory, which limited the distance it traveled, and landed west of Japans island of Hokkaido.

The KCNA quoted Kim as saying that the launch reaffirmed the reliability of the countrys ICBM system and an ability to fire at random regions and locations at random times with the entire U.S. mainland now within range. The agency said that the test confirmed important features of the missile system, such as the proper separation of the warhead and controlling its movement and detonation after atmospheric re-entry.

Kim said the launch sent a serious warning to the United States, which has been meaninglessly blowing its trumpet with threats of war and stronger sanctions, the KCNA said.

On the streets of Pyongyang, North Koreans welcomed the news of their countrys latest missile test while state media broadcast images of a projectile launched into the night sky. Kim Jong Un was seen in the company of military commanders near a mobile missile launcher.

I feel really confident. From now on, we will develop and have the strongest weapons, strategic weapons, so we can safeguard our sovereignty and independence, so that we can end up winning against the imperialists and against America, said Pak Gi Nam, a student. It is normal for North Koreans talking in front of TV cameras to stick to the official version of events.

The North Korean flight data was similar to assessments by the United States, South Korea and Japan.

David Wright, a physicist and co-director of the global security program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said that if reports of the missiles maximum altitude and flight time are correct, it would have a theoretical range of at least 10,400 kilometers (about 6,500 miles). That means it could have reached Los Angeles, Denver or Chicago, depending on variables such as the size and weight of the warhead that would be carried atop such a missile in an actual attack.

President Donald Trump issued a statement condemning the missile test as a threat to the world, and rejecting North Koreas claim that nuclear weapons ensure its security. In reality, they have the opposite effect, he said.

Trump said the weapons and tests further isolate North Korea, weaken its economy, and deprive its people. He vowed to take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the U.S. and its allies.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said he told U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in a phone call that the second missile test greatly increased the threat from Pyongyang. He said two sides agreed to consider all means necessary to exert the utmost pressure on North Korea. They reiterated calls for new sanctions and to work closely together with South Korea along with efforts by China and Russia.

China, meanwhile, urged its ally North Korea to abide by U.N. Security Council resolutions and halt any moves that could escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Washington and its allies have watched with growing concern as Pyongyang has made significant progress toward its goal of having all of the U.S. within range of its missiles to counter what it labels as U.S. aggression. There are other hurdles, including building nuclear warheads to fit on those missiles and ensuring reliability. But many analysts have been surprised by how quickly leader Kim Jong Un has developed North Koreas nuclear and missile programs despite several rounds of U.N. Security Council sanctions that have squeezed the impoverished countrys economy.

Trump has said he will not allow North Korea to obtain an ICBM that can deliver a nuclear warhead. But this week, the Defense Intelligence Agency reportedly concluded that the North will have a reliable ICBM capable of carrying a nuclear weapon as early as next year, in an assessment that trimmed two years from the agencys earlier estimate.

The French Foreign Ministry condemned the launch and called for strong and additional sanctions by the United Nations and European Union. Only maximal diplomatic pressure might bring North Korea to the negotiating table, the ministry said in a statement.

This is a 4G threat: global, grave, given and growing, Frances U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre told The Associated Press. Thats why we call for a firm and quick reaction including the adoption of strong additional sanctions by the Security Council.

A spokesman for Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that Dunford met at the Pentagon with the commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, Adm. Harry Harris, to discuss U.S. military options in light of North Koreas missile test.

The spokesman, Navy Capt. Greg Hicks, said Dunford and Harris placed a phone call to Dunfords South Korean counterpart, Gen. Lee Sun Jin. Dunford and Harris expressed the ironclad commitment to the U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance, Hicks said, referring to the U.S. defense treaty that obliges the U.S. to defend South Korea.

Abe, too, said Japan would cooperate closely with the U.S., South Korea and other nations to step up pressure on North Korea to halt its missile programs.

The Hwasong 14 ICBM test-fired earlier this month was also launched at a very steep angle, a technique called lofting, and reached a height of more than 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles) before splashing down in the ocean 930 kilometers (580 miles) away. Analysts said that missile could be capable of reaching most of Alaska or possibly Hawaii if fired in an attacking trajectory.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile was launched from North Koreas northern Jagang province near the border with China. President Moon Jae-in presided over an emergency meeting of the National Security Council, which called for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council and stronger sanctions on North Korea.

July 27 is a major national holiday in North Korea called Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War Day, marking the day when the armistice was signed ending the 1950-53 Korean War. That armistice is yet to be replaced with a peace treaty, leaving the Korean Peninsula technically in a state of war.

___

Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo. Associated Press writers Robert Burns and Darlene Superville in Washington, Kim Tong-hyung and Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, Edith Lederer at the United Nations and Elaine Ganley in Paris contributed to this report.
PNM Resources reported a nearly 39 percent jump in net earnings in second-quarter 2017, reflecting significant improvement in revenue generation at the companys local utility, Public Service Company of New Mexico.

The parent firms net income reached $37.6 million in the April-June period, up from $27.1 million in the same quarter last year. That comes on top of a robust first quarter, pushing up net earnings for the first half of this year by nearly 61 percent to $60.4 million. Thats up from $37.6 million in the January-June period last year.

The company reaffirmed its 2017 earnings guidance of between $1.77 to $1.87 per share in a conference call with investors Friday morning.

Weve had a strong start to 2017, Chief Financial Officer Chuck Eldred told investors. Both our utilities in New Mexico and Texas are doing well.

Moodys updated the outlook for both PNM Resources and its New Mexico utility to positive in June, said Chairman, President and CEO Pat Vincent-Collawn. Positive second quarter financial results keep us on track with our annual earnings guidance. The improved earnings come from a marked increase in revenue at the parent firms local utility, fueled largely by a 10 percent hike last October in average residential rates for PNM customers.

PNMs net earnings grew by nearly 69 percent in the second quarter, from $15.9 million in the April-June period in 2016 to $26.8 million this year. Earnings for the first half of 2017 more than doubled, to $43.3 million this year.

More robust growth may be coming in the next two years if the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission approves another 9 percent rate hike PNM is requesting in its current rate case. The utility reached a settlement agreement in May with nearly all parties involved in that case, lowering its initial request from 14 percent before to 9 percent now.

If approved, it would be phased in over two years, in 2018 and 2019. Public hearings are scheduled to begin Aug. 7.

PNM is also benefiting from a slow improvement in New Mexicos economy and sweltering summer heat, both of which have stunted the decline in electric demand experienced in recent years.

Residential demand grew by 0.4 percent in the first half of 2017. Commercial and industrial demand fell in the same period, by 1 percent and 2.4 percent, respectively. But thats a slower decline than in previous years.

Were looking for stabilization in load growth going forward, rather than the significant declines weve seen in recent years, Eldred said.

Meanwhile, PNM Resources other utility, Texas New Mexico Power, reported $12.2 million in net earnings in the second quarter, and $19.8 million for the first half of the year. Thats up from $10.5 million in second-quarter 2016, and $18 million in the January-June period last year.
Proponents of a mandatory sick leave law for Albuquerque businesses filed an emergency motion late Thursday trying to block the city from using what they call an illegal ballot for the Oct. 3 election.

At issue is the Healthy Workforce Ordinance, a citizen initiative that if approved by voters on Oct. 3, would require any business with a physical presence in Albuquerque to provide paid sick time off for full-time, part-time and temporary workers.

A judge has ordered the city to print the entire seven-page ordinance on the ballot. To do that, the city clerk will print the initiative on the ballot in 7-point font.

But the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty, which is arguing the case in state district court on behalf of a coalition of left-leaning groups including OLE New Mexico, says the city is leaving off the ballot a summary which would be the only way many voters will be able to understand the law since the entire ordinance will be in such small print.

The emergency motion argues that because the full text of the Healthy Workforce Ordinance will only fit on the ballot in an illegible and illegally-small font size  approximately 7-point font  the City Clerk should place a legible summary on the ballot and provide a legible, large-text copy of the full ordinance in each voting booth so that voters can read both documents. The city uses the same practice for bond questions, the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty said in a news release Friday.

Mayor Richard Berry opposes the proposed measure, and the community organizing groups claim that he, city councilors and government are excluding the more readable summary and including an advisory question about the ordinance on the ballot as a way of defeating the law.

The groups are asking a judge to halt the city from printing ballots without a summary or from printing ballots with the advisory question. They are also asking the ordinance be printing in 8.5-point font. A hearing on the motion has not been scheduled.
WASHINGTON  The White House sits two miles from the U.S. Capitol, but this week, it might as well have been a world away.

In Congress, Republicans labored around the clock in an ultimately futile bid to overhaul the nations health care system. At the White House, officials labored to keep their jobs amid a highly public  and at times, shockingly vulgar  feud between President Donald Trumps senior advisers that culminated with Fridays firing of chief of staff Reince Priebus.

Rarely has the gap between the priorities of a president and lawmakers in his own party been so stark. By weeks end, Trump had become largely irrelevant as Republicans tried to fulfill a seven-year promise to voters on health care. Trumps involvement was mainly limited to the occasional tweet. At a closed-door meeting of the House Republican caucus Friday, at least one lawmaker bemoaned the impact of the White Houses internal drama.

That which is weird is getting weirder at the White House, Rep. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., said after the meeting. Lets break through this stuff, lets produce results. The internal White House warfare is in fact an impediment to doing so.

The Pennsylvania Avenue divide stretched beyond the health care debacle this week. When the president issued a surprise edict-by-tweet banning transgender people from the military, several high-profile GOP senators rejected the decision. When Trump mused about firing Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Republican lawmakers quickly took Sessions side.

Trumps flirtation with firing Sessions produced more blowback from Republicans than nearly any other matter this year. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said there would be holy hell to pay if Trump took that provocative step. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., said that if Trump was thinking about using a procedural move to temporarily replace Sessions without Senate confirmation, he should forget about it.

Peter Wehner, a Trump critic who worked in three Republican administrations, said the GOP was moving into uncharted territory with a president who should be an ally, but often isnt.

They have to embrace reality and begin to try to build a fence around him, Wehner said.

Some congressional Republicans have privately discussed the risks of continuing to stand with a president who sometimes appears to have no real loyalty to the party. But even at the end of a wild week, none expressed that sentiment publicly.

House members headed out of town for the August recess. And a dejected Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell simply said it was time to move on from health care.

Again, working off a different script, the president spent Friday touting his administrations efforts to combat the street gang MS-13, an issue that has become something of a pet project for his administration. He largely shrugged off the health care defeat.

They should have approved health care last night, he said. But you cant have everything.

The relationship between Trump and the Republican Party has been complicated from the start. Trump, a former Democrat, was initially viewed as a sideshow by mainstream Republicans when he jumped in the 2016 Republican race and then as an anchor that was expected to drag others in the party down. After his surprise victory, the party and the president formed an uneasy alliance.

For most Republicans, the main factor in their relationship with Trump is the partys prospects in next years midterm elections. Trumps job approval rating is at a feeble 37 percent, according to the most recent Gallup tracking poll, but still at 86 percent among Republican voters.

But one Republican congressional aide said the partys biggest fear is heading into midterms with no significant legislative accomplishments that can be wielded as the explanation for why more traditional lawmakers have aligned themselves with a most unconventional president. The aide was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and insisted on anonymity.

Trump did little this week to ease those fears. Instead, he appeared to be the driving force behind a stunning public feud between his new communications director Anthony Scaramucci and Priebus, the embattled chief of staff.

On Thursday morning, as Republican senators began the most crucial day in their efforts to pass a health care bill, Scaramucci spent the morning on CNN accusing Priebus of orchestrating leaks. The fish stinks from the head down, Scaramucci declared in an interview he said was authorized by the president.

Hours later, as Republican leaders tried to cobble together votes for a scaled back bill, the New Yorker published a vulgar screed from Scaramucci aimed at both Priebus and Steve Bannon, Trumps senior adviser. There was no condemnation from the president.

On Friday afternoon, just as Air Force One touched back down in Washington, Trump tweeted that he was naming Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly as his chief of staff, ousting Priebus after six months.

___

Follow Julie Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC and http://twitter.com/stephenatAP
Merger talks have ended unsuccessfully for two credits unions in New Mexico.

Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union and Kirtland Federal Credit Union in a joint news release on Friday said the cost of a merger outweighed the financial benefits.

Robert Chavez, Sandia Federals president and CEO, said, Both parties have worked hard over the past ten months to identify and overcome possible barriers to a successful merger. At this time, weve been unable to develop a scenario thats in the best interests of both sets of members.

Had the deal been approved by their respective boards, the credit unions would have united under a new name, creating the largest financial institution headquartered in New Mexico with a combined membership of 130,000 and over $3 billion in assets.

David Seely, Kirtland Federals president and CEO, said, both organizations remain strong and will continue to prosper in serving their respective fields of membership. In addition, over the past ten months the two credit unions have learned many best practices and innovative processes through information sharing, which will benefit both memberships.

Sandia was founded in 1948 and has 290 employees; Kirtland, founded in 1958, has 135 employees.

Sandia serves high-tech and professional communities in Albuquerque. Kirtland has members in all 50 states, including active duty and retired military and well as civilian contractors.
The Hindi film industry in Mumbai is celebrated as one of the biggest film industries of the world and Indian Cinema is ingrained in the lifestyle of millions of people of India. With its proposition Woh Zamaana Kare Deewana, Zee Classic is India's only Hindi movie channel that recreates the magic of classic cinema by showcasing not just the films that shaped Indian cinema, but also acquaint viewers with the creative talent who were a part of that timeless era. In a one-of-a-kind initiative, Zee Classic recreates the charm of classic Indian Cinema with Retro In A Metro. It is a brilliant opportunity for all film enthusiasts to revisit the iconic cults of Hindi cinema at a theatre in Mumbai, every Thursday at 8 PM, 3rd August onwards. To celebrate Indian Cinema in all its glory, Retro in a Metro blends cult content with the best of movie watching experience. The property will showcase four iconic and greatest films of all time that Mumbaikars dont have access to in theatres. It is a ticketed screening held every Thursday at 8 PM at Cinepolis, Andheri (Mumbai) for the month of August. The movie-lovers can book their tickets by logging on to www. 1018mb.com/ZeeClassic. Retro in a Metro kickstarts with the family entertainer Andaz Apna Apna on 3rd August, 2017 starring superstars Salman Khan and Aamir Khan which released on April 11, 1994. The movie is a laugh riot with iconic characters like Crime Master Gogo (Shakti Kapoor), Amar  Prem (Aamir  Salman) & Teja (Paresh Rawal). This is followed up by one of Hindi cinemas best made comic narrative, Kundan Shahs Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron on 10th August. Its been nearly 34 years (first released in August 1983) since the release of Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, a film that any film buff would include in their list of top Hindi movies of all time. With an elite cast of Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Pankaj Kapur, one doesnt need any more reasons to watch this film. The evergreen blockbuster Amar Akbar Anthony comes next on 17th August. One of the greatest multi-starrers ever made in Indian cinema, the film is based on the theme of lost and found where three brothers played by Vinod Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor separated from their parents and each other in childhood get back together eventually having been raised by three different faiths - Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. It was the biggest blockbuster of 1977 and also won several awards that year. This extravaganza comes to an end with the musical hit, Karz on 24th August 2017. This 1980 thriller by Subhash Ghai stars Rishi Kapoor and Tina Munim as leads and also Simi Garewal in the critically acclaimed role of Kamini Verma. The movie treated audiences to the intriguing concept of re-incarnation and a chartbuster music album. Retro in a Metro is yet another initiative by Zee Classic in association with 92.7 Big FM, Indias leading radio channel to present the best of Indian classic cinema to its viewers. Over the years, the channel has gone beyond regular cinema through exclusive & interesting properties like Classic Legends, Indias Finest Films and My Life My Story. With this special initiative, Zee Classic promises the audience an unforgettable movie watching experience for a month that they will cherish forever. Schedule for Retro in a Metro at Cinepolis, Andheri West, Mumbai, every Thursday, 8 PM from 3rd August. Movie Date Time Andaz Apna Apna 3rd August 2017 8 PM Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron 10th August 2017 8 PM Amar Akbar Anthony 17th August 2017 8 PM Karz 24th August 2017 8 PM ~Book your tickets and watch your favourite film this month, 3rd August onwards, every Thursday at 8 PM~
Free celebration offers important info on breastfeeding benefits and Hospital resources

For more information or to RSVP, call (510) 818-5040.

Washington Hospital Healthcare System:

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170727006708/en/

On Tuesday, August 1, Washington Hospital Healthcare System in Fremont, Calif., kicks off #WorldBreastfeedingWeek 2017  a global effort to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. The Hospital is marking the occasion by presenting a free community event that provides information and resources to help new parents with their breastfeeding goals. Chairperson Donita Rose, RN, center, and teams throughout our Birthing Center are inviting the public to meet pediatricians, nurses, lactation consultants and other specialists. (Photo: Business Wire)

What

World Breastfeeding Week 2017 kicks off on Tuesday, August 1, and continues through Monday, August 7. This years theme is Sustaining Breastfeeding Together, and is part of a global effort to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world.

Washington Hospital Healthcare System and its top-rated Birthing Center are celebrating World Breastfeeding Week by presenting an important community event. On Tuesday, August 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2500 Mowry Ave. in Fremont, California, families and future families are invited to learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding for baby and mom.

Participants will meet pediatricians, nurses, lactation consultants and other experts, said Nancy Farber, chief executive officer at Washington Hospital. Its a wonderfully skilled staff. They have a tremendous passion for newborn education, and for giving babies the best possible start in life.

That passion has led to recognition. Washington Hospital Healthcare System has been designated Baby-FriendlyTM, part of a global program launched by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Childrens Fund to encourage and recognize hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding and mother/baby bonding.

Were proud to join health care providers around the globe to raise awareness of what breastfeeding means to a babys health, added Farber, and we cant wait to share this information with the community.

For more information or to RSVP, call (510) 818-5040.

Who

* Pediatricians, nurses, lactation consultants and more

Where

Washington West

Conrad E. Anderson, MD, Auditorium, Room A

2500 Mowry Avenue

Fremont, CA 94538

When

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

11 a.m.  2 p.m.

About Washington Township Healthcare District

Washington Township Health Care District is governed by an elected board and includes Washington Hospital Healthcare System. Unlike a municipal or county hospital, Washington Hospitals operating expenses, research, community programs, and employee salaries are funded by revenues generated through providing patient and other health care services. Opened in 1958, Washington Hospital Healthcare System has grown to include a 341-bed, acute-care hospital; the Taylor McAdam Bell Neuroscience Institute; The Gamma Knife Center; Washington Radiation Oncology Center; Washington Outpatient Surgery Center; Washington Outpatient Rehabilitation Center; Washington Institute for Joint Restoration and Research; Washington Township Medical Foundation; and Washington West, a complex which houses the UCSF  Washington Cancer Center, Washington Womens Center, Outpatient Imaging Center, Sandy Amos RN Infusion Center, Washington Urgent Care and additional outpatient hospital services and administrative facilities. Discover more at whhs.com, and through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170727006708/en/

for Washington Hospital Healthcare System

Gisela Hernandez, 510-791-3417

Director of Community Relations
The Google Chrome browser will provide individual websites with their own Notification Channels on devices running Android O, as suggested by one newly uncovered Chromium commit. The framework that the Mountain View, California-based tech giant is apparently looking to implement is similar to the one used for categorizing Media and Downloads tabs within the browser, with the solution allowing each individual domain to have its own directory. Googles popular Internet browser will apparently be looking to make a similar distinction while serving notifications in Android O, being able to differentiate between various websites and (de)prioritize their notifications based on user preferences.

Tapping on some websites notification settings on a device running the latest version of Chrome on both the stable and experimental channel currently brings you to a general Sites channel that allows you to determine the priority of general website notifications but without providing you with any additional control over this system behavior. Following the introduction of Googles upcoming functionality, the same course of action should present you with a section for website-specific notification settings, allowing you to (e.g.) prioritize notifications from Twitter and deprioritize those from Google+. Refer to the gallery below to see a comparison of Chromes notification channel settings in Nougat and those that will be available in the app on a device running a stable version of Android O.

The Alphabet-owned company has yet to mention this particular feature in any official capacity, suggesting that the functionality may not be live as soon as Android O is released next month. The current versions of Chrome technically allow for website-specific notification controls that can be accessed with some tinkering, but they only support enabling and disabling notifications from particular domains, whereas the service is soon set to fully implement Android Os native support for Notification Channels instead of relying on that binary approach to notification management. Google has already been updating Chrome with support for various Android O features including Notification Channels in recent months, and the company will presumably continue these efforts in the coming weeks. The fourth and final Developer Preview of Android O with near-final system images and finalized system behaviors rolled out earlier this month and the OS itself is set to hit the stable channel by the end of August, with owners of the Google Pixel lineup and compatible Nexus devices being the first to receive it.
Comcast is getting ready to join the already crowded streaming TV industry. According to the companys CEO Brian Roberts, Comcast is preparing to launch its own streaming TV service by the end of this year. However this is the opposite of what NBC Universals CEO Steve Burke is stating. Burke is skeptical of OTT services at this point, as none of them have really taken off in any capacity just yet. The streaming TV service is aimed at millennials and cord cutters, and will be available without a set-top box. Comcast is going to call the service XFINITY Instant TV when it does launch.

The executives didnt say a whole lot about XFINITY Instant TV, but they did say that they are experimenting with different prices right now. Reports had stated before that the service would start at $15 per month, which would undercut its competition severely, but the executives would not commit to that pricing. The service is said to offer the local channels that you come to expect  and dont always get with competitors  as well as some premium channels and DVR functionality. Comcast has not laid out which particular channels will be included, and that could be what sells the service, or could be the downfall of it.

During the conference call, Comcasts CEO did also talk about his appetite for deals. Stating that they are always looking at the world around us, and looking for something new. But he doesnt feel that Comcast is missing anything in general, so an acquisition may not happen, but Comcast has not yet ruled it out. This is likely an answer to questions about Comcast being in talks with Sprint about acquiring the company. Comcast has been looking to get into wireless for quite some time, so the talks arent surprising. Obviously, even if Comcast was in talks with Sprint, they would be unable to talk about them publicly until something has been agreed upon by Sprint/SoftBank and Comcast. And of course, that has not yet happened, so executives will be pretty vague when it comes to those questions, at least for now.
Google appears to be on a buying spree in Silicon Valley, particularly in Sunnyvale, which is near the companys home in Mountain View. Reportedly, Google has bought about $820 million worth of land in the city recently, as it is looking to expand its presence in Silicon Valley. Google already has around 72,000 employees, but it needs to expand its operations a bit so that it can bring on even more employees. Just last month, Google had won exclusive rights to purchase land in San Jose, which isnt far from Sunnyvale and Mountain View.

Many might be wondering why Google has its eyes on Sunnyvale, well these properties that Google has been scooping up are near Yahoos offices in Sunnyvale, well Yahoos former offices. Google has been purchasing or leasing parts of Yahoos offices in Sunnyvale over the past few years. So these purchases are just filling in gaps there, to give Google a larger space to work from. With this plan, Google will be doing something that its competitors are not. Which is spreading out its employees from San Francisco on down to San Jose. Apples employees are all together in Cupertino at its brand new headquarters. This is actually going to make it easier for these employees to get to and from work, since the Bay Area was recently voted the third worst for traffic in the country behind the usual culprits, New York City and Los Angeles.

Google doesnt always do things by the book, as you can see here. While most companies would want all of its employees that are in one section of the country, under one roof, thats not Googles way. This is going to allow for Googles different teams to work in different areas, and perhaps work closer together. Sunnyvale is only a few miles away from Mountain View, so these employees wont be too far from Googles main buildings in Mountain View, which is still where the majority of its workforce will be located. Google has also purchased around $100 million worth of land in San Jose, on top of the $820 million in Sunnyvale already.
Google has a brand new program aimed at helping Africans learn Internet and computer skills to improve employability. The announcement was made at a conference dubbed Google for Nigeria. The company has done a lot of work over its life to promote the betterment of people from various cultures around the world, but its goals in Africa are particularly ambitious. In addition to wanting to ultimately train 10 million residents in computing skills, the company has another initiative to train 100,000 software developers in Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria. Moreover, the program aims to ensure that the training is gender-neutral, with at least 40 percent of those trained being women. Going further still, Google has proposed a plan to fund mentorships and work spaces for more than 60 start-ups within the continent over the course of three years and to the tune of $3 million  all of which is planned to be equity-free. Finally, Google-owned YouTube is currently testing a new version of YouTube  called YouTube Go  for areas with slower networks. That testing has been happening in Nigeria since June and should reportedly see a release worldwide later in 2017.

Googles decision to involve itself in Africa is likely tied to a need to improve the standard of living  in technology terms  for people living on the continent. In general, wealth inequality, substandard infrastructure, and population growth have led to a propagation of mostly basic mobile devices, leaving a lot of opportunities for the Android company to make headway. The overall training will involve both online training and in-person training, with a significant focus on mobile development. Training will be provided in Swahili, Hausa, and Zulu. One piece of information that Google hasnt revealed is just how much it is investing or willing to invest in its initiative. The tech giant also didnt divulge how much the program will cost for participants if they must pay anything at all. However, any charges should be very low if a charge is entailed since a large portion of the population of countries involved is relatively poor.

As mentioned above, this certainly isnt Googles first foray into helping citizens from numerous countries across the planet move ahead. It has also recently made efforts to help change negative opinions about refugees from Syria, used machine learning to take on cancer and other healthcare issues, and has unleashed a series of tools to help people gain employment more readily. YouTube Go has already been giving an increasing number of people access to the information and media available via the service. The companys Dont Be Evil mantra may technically be gone, but it continues striving to shine the light of progress in various parts of the world  aiming to make individual lives better while continuing to grow its opportunities as a technology-driven business.
Google is currently offering up a dollar in credit to some users simply for visiting the Play Store. Its no secret that Googles Play Store lags behind the competition in terms of revenue generation, so it should be no surprise that the credit is applicable to any purchases from Androids stock app market. That means users can buy a new premium game or app, the paid version of a favorite title, music, or a television show or movie for a dollar off. It can also be applied to a movie rental or any item in the Play Store that is already less than $1, rendering some such items to be effectively free.

Unfortunately, the credit wont be given to all users and there is no way of telling whether the selection is made at random or by some other criteria such as location or buyer history. The deal probably wont be available for very long though, so any interested parties should probably get to checking pretty quickly. The credit will also expire in relatively short order, once it has been claimed. According to the Play Store card shown with the promotion  and pictured below  it will expire on September 14th of this year. That leaves only 48 days for a user to spend that credit, as of this writing. Users can head over the Google Play Store now on their phone or web browser  or through the source link or button below  to check whether they happen to be one of the lucky recipients. If the credit is available, a card will show to advertise the offering. Users will simply need to click that card and follow the steps to get in on the deal.

Revenue generated by applications sold in the official stock shop is one area where Android lags behind the competition, despite generally having an overwhelmingly higher average number of app downloads and overall device market share. This promo marks the latest in a string of promotions that Google appears to be running on a near constant basis, likely with hopes that giving users a free pass to try paid content will inspire them to make more premium purchases. So, users should always keep an eye out for any other promotions in the Play Store cards.
Googles Launchpad Studio on Wednesday launched a new Studio initiative meant to support machine learning and general artificial intelligence (AI) startups. While the platform fueling the initiative often opts to finance promising tech companies directly, the idea behind the new venture is a much more complex one, with the Mountain View, California-based Internet giant looking to provide growing AI companies with a significantly more diverse set of resources than just cash. The Alphabet-owned company is looking to support this emerging segment through specialized sets of data that would help young companies feed their AI creations and allow them to process more information at an increased pace, consequently becoming better at whatever it is they were designed to do in a shorter time frame.

AI as a whole relies on big data and can never have too many information in practice, with each subsequent data set allowing it to either learn something new or confirm its previous conclusions, thus becoming better at the task it was programmed to do. Even some of the largest tech companies on the planet with massive resources like Samsung are struggling to advance their AI solutions due to a lack of big data, as the Seoul-based original equipment manufacturer (OEM) recently admitted that the English variant of Bixby Voice was delayed because the company didnt have enough data to feed to its AI platform. The issue becomes more pronounced as the size of the company is reduced, and many of todays AI startups are struggling to evolve their AI algorithms, i.e. provide them with data and monitor their creations evolve on their own. This particular problem is the one that Googles Launchpad Studio is now looking to address in a broad range of countries around the world in which it currently operates.

In addition to big data, the initiative is also meant to provide emerging tech startups with Googles talent pool of product experts, software engineers, and other professionals that can help them design, develop, and market their product. Launchpads Barak Hachamov is currently on the lookout for new promising candidates that could be enrolled in the program, though it remains to be seen how soon will the new startup studio begin realizing its ambitions.
Renders of the Nokia 2 have been released by a digital artist through a post on the Chinese micro-blogging site Weibo. While not necessarily a leak, the render is developed from the artists educated guess of the design of HMD Globals low-end device. This render is mostly based on the current smartphone design of HMD Global, which owns the Nokia brand for smartphones. Given that it is a low-end device, it is likely that the Nokia 2 will not have a fingerprint scanner at the front. In the render, the capacitive navigation buttons present in other Nokia devices are replaced by on-screen navigation buttons. The back of the Nokia 2 will likely retain the characteristic Nokia design, the artist guesses. The renders show that the rear camera and flash are vertically arranged at the back of the device, similar to how the other Nokia phones are designed.

The renders made by the artist are also somewhat influenced by the leaks of the Nokia 2 that were released recently. Most of the information regarding the internal specifications of the Nokia 2 came from a leaked Geekbench result. The Nokia 2 will likely sport either a 4.5-inch display or a 5-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 720. This handset will be powered by a Snapdragon 212 chipset from Qualcomm, which is comprised of four ARM Cortex A7 32-bit processors clocked at 1.3GHz. The chipset also contains the Adreno 304 GPU for the devices graphics processing needs. The device will sport 1GB of RAM, but there is no clear information available on the internal storage capacity of the Nokia 2. HMD Globals low-end smartphone offering will still have Android 7.1.1 installed, with only minor modifications introduced by the manufacturer.

Aside from the leaked specifications from Geekbench results, there is no additional information available on the Nokia 2. Given the entry-level nature of the device, the Nokia 2 will surely lack some of the features present in its more expensive siblings. HMD Global stated that the device may be launched alongside two other Nokia-branded devices, the Nokia 7 and the Nokia 8. More information regarding the phone, including its availability and pricing, will be made available during the phones launch later this year.
Samsung, today, announced a new collaboration with TUMI, which is a leading travel lifestyle brand, for a special edition Gear S3 Frontier smartwatch. This new special edition of the Gear S3 Frontier brings in TUMIs world-class design to deliver a luxury wearable that serves as your ideal travel companion. The Gear S3 Frontier TUMI Special Edition is going to be priced at $449.99. It features a special edition watch band from TUMI, which is the Earl Grey colorway, which Samsung says is constructed from an Italian canvas. It also has a stainless-steel buckle and stitched edge detailing. The Gear S3 Frontier TUMI Special Edition is also still durable to resist water and dust, as the regular model.

Internally, theres nothing different about the Gear S3 Frontier TUMI Special Edition when compared to the regular Gear S3 Frontier. Its still running on Tizen which is compatible with most Android smartphones (running Android 4.4 or later), as well as iOS devices running on iOS 9 or later. So users will still be able to use their favorite apps on the Gear S3 Frontier TUMI Special Edition. This also includes the ability to use Samsung Pay from your wrist and there is also a TUMI watch face included, which is the only change to the software here. It does have that 1.3-inch 360360 resolution AMOLED circular display, powered by a dual-core 1GHz Exynos processor, 768MB of RAM and 4GB of storage is on board as well, with the 380mAh battery inside to keep it running for a few days.

Samsung is selling the Gear S3 Frontier TUMI Special Edition through its website and Best Buy right now. Itll be available in Best Buy stores  at the Samsung Experience Shop  starting on August 6th. So potential buyers will be able to head into the store and see how good the smartwatch is and if its something they want to spend $449 on. This isnt replacing the regular Gear S3 Frontier, and it does not have cellular connectivity, its WiFi only. So its just another option from Samsung for a smartwatch, which is a good option for a lot of people out there that want something thats high quality.
The specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active have been leaked on the Chinese microblogging site Weibo. The Weibo post includes images of what seem to be promotional materials for the Galaxy S8 Active detailing the upcoming flagship, and the flyers also include a few images of the handset. Like its predecessors, the Galaxy S8 Active has IP68 water and dust resistance certification, though it also boasts the MIL-STD-810G durability rating. The latter certification means that the device can survive extreme temperatures, very high humidity, rain, and transport shock. The promotional materials claim that the metal construction of the Galaxy S8 Active provides the durability it needs to survive in such extreme environments.

While the external construction of the Galaxy S8 Active has been changed to help it withstand extreme environments, most of the internal hardware remains the same compared to the Galaxy S8. The device will still be powered by the Snapdragon 835 system-on-chip (SoC), the latest flagship offering from Qualcomm. The handset is expected to sport a 5.8-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2960 x 1440 and an aspect ratio of 18.5:9. The screen will be protected against drops and scratches by a sheet of Gorilla Glass 5. The Galaxy S8 Active will include 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal flash storage, which can be expanded by a microSD card with a capacity of up to 256GB. To keep the lights on, the smartphone will sport a 4,000mAh battery, which is considerably larger than the Galaxy S8s 3,000mAh battery. A 12-megapixel will likely be located at the back of the handset, while its top bezel is expected to house an 8-megapixel sensor with autofocus support.

Software-wise, Samsungs personal assistant Bixby will come pre-installed on the Galaxy S8 Active. Bixby now incorporates the Activity Zone feature which was previously a separate software component in the original Galaxy S8 lineup. The Activity Zone allows the user to quickly access various information like barometer and compass readings, as well as forecasts. The Galaxy S8 Active will ship with Android 7.0 Nougat coupled with a Samsung-developed skin running on top of the operating system. As the device was previously certified by the FCC, its stateside launch may be happening sooner rather than later.
Two technical service bulletins and recalls later, the Explorer had its rear floor pan, left-side air extractor, and air conditioning system upgraded to address this life-threatening hazard. To the dismay of the Ford Motor Company , the problem came back to haunt the carmaker, and this time its very serious.After six officers from the Austin Police Department had reported carbon monoxide leaks in their Police Interceptor Utility vehicles last week, Wednesday saw two more officers sent to the hospital after becoming ill from driving the police-specced Explorer. Ford, in its wisdom, alleges the case isnt legally sufficient, which is why the manufacturer doesnt consider itself responsible for the poisonous leaks affecting the Police Interceptor Utility

ABC15 Arizona reports the potentially lethal build-up affects model years 2011 to 2017, and the Austin Police Department has already taken 60 vehicles off the street because of this concern. A handful of law enforcement agencies throughout Texas have started putting in detectors to alert the officer if carbon monoxide leaks in the vehicles cabin.Austin Police took the hardest approach of all departments, with city officials having discussed the possibility of taking the 400-strong Police Interceptor Utility fleet off the street until the problem is fixed. At the time of writing, federal inspectors and Ford investigators are conducting inspections.Heres the Ford take on this matter, as per broadcast communications manager Daniel Barbossa: We have thoroughly investigated reports of exhaust odor and do not believe this odor condition poses a safety risk. If customers have a concern with their vehicles, they are encouraged to contact their local Ford dealership. In the case of Police Interceptors, odors can be caused by non-Ford modifications or repairs that were not properly sealed.